Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Foreign expert applauds Chinas vision of a community with a shared future for mankind People's Daily Online) 09:46, March 15, 2024 Pakistani expert Shakeel Ahmad Ramay lauded Chinese President Xi Jinpings concept of a community with a shared future for mankind as a comprehensive Chinese response to global challenges, in his recently published article Community with a Shared Future. This vision, he asserted, counters the divisive trend of civilizational clashes. In the article, Ramay critiqued the Western hegemony, which imposes its governance, development, culture, and economic models on other nations, often penalizing those that resist conformity through sanctions and stifling their economic opportunities. Against this backdrop, China's alternative vision promotes inclusivity and cooperation. Ramy commended Chinas vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, dubbed as a combination of scientific approach and Chinese wisdom. It refuted the idea of superiority and presented the vision of equality and equity, built on respect for diversity and cultures. It emphasised the mportance of diversity and its role in the development. There is no insistence on imitation of models of governance, democracy or economy. Rather, a community with a shared future furthers the role of an indigenised economy, governance and development model. It promotes the idea of resolving conflicts or disputes through dialogue and development, he said. Ramay also highlighted China's commitment to translating this vision into action through its Five-Pillar Policy, encompassing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Ecological Civilizations. The pillars have all the ingredients that can assist the world in solving contemporary challenges and chart a way for peaceful and cooperative coexistence, he said. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Wu Chengliang) On the demand side of the equation, its been hard to ignore the stark differences in between outlooks from OPEC and the IEA - its been nearly decades since theyve been so far apart, with some industry analysts chastising the IEA for its green-colored outlook, pegging oil demand growth at 1.2 million bpd. Meanwhile, OPEC, which has a particular self-interest in the markets view of healthy oil demand, sees oil demand growth forecast at 2.2 million bpd. This is a huge gap, leaving analysts and traders guessing as to which forecast will be the closest to reality. The EIA is sandwiched in the middle, seeing a 1.4 million The EIA now sees production falling from OPEC+ members by 1 million bpd. Meanwhile, non-OPEC+ members will be churning out an additional 1.4 million bpd. Next year, OPEC+ production is expected to increase, the EIA said, by 900,000 bpd. non-OPEC+ production will grow in 2025 by 1.1 million bpd. OPEC+ has found itself in the unfortunate position of once again battling against non-OPEC producers to keep the market balanced. In its latest forecast, the EIA sees the non-OPEC+ members of the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Guyana as accounting for more than 80% of the global supply growth this year with the United States accounting for much of it. OPEC+ has found itself in the unfortunate position of once again battling against non-OPEC producers to keep the market balanced. In its latest forecast, the EIA sees the non-OPEC+ members of the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Guyana as accounting for more than 80% of the global supply growth this year with the United States accounting for much of it. The EIA now sees production falling from OPEC+ members by 1 million bpd. Meanwhile, non-OPEC+ members will be churning out an additional 1.4 million bpd. Next year, OPEC+ production is expected to increase, the EIA said, by 900,000 bpd. non-OPEC+ production will grow in 2025 by 1.1 million bpd. For OPEC, the additional oil output from non-OPEC+ members not only means delaying its production cut rollbacks - it also means ceding market share. On the demand side of the equation, its been hard to ignore the stark differences in between outlooks from OPEC and the IEA - its been nearly decades since theyve been so far apart, with some industry analysts chastising the IEA for its green-colored outlook, pegging oil demand growth at 1.2 million bpd. Meanwhile, OPEC, which has a particular self-interest in the markets view of healthy oil demand, sees oil demand growth forecast at 2.2 million bpd. This is a huge gap, leaving analysts and traders guessing as to which forecast will be the closest to reality. The EIA is sandwiched in the middle, seeing a 1.4 million bpd growth. For years, the IEA and OPEC used to be off in the same direction. It was customary for the forecasts to end up being both overestimates or both underestimates. And then, of course, there is 2019, when both agencies overestimated demand to a large degree due to the pandemic. But the last couple of years has triggered a divergence in the two outlooks, with the IEA underestimating, and OPEC overestimating oil demand. Whether OPEC or the IEA will turn out to be closer may end up being less relevant than the issue of confidence in industry forecasts. If the market thinks that both groups are publishing figures that are favorable to their respective agendas, they may rely on other market forces to make decisions. This could be disastrous for an organization like OPEC, which relies heavily on the markets perception of its oil price-setting power for its actual power. This could inject a whole new level of volatility into the oil markets. The U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a loan guarantee of $500 million for a Bahrain oil project despite opposition from Democrats noting the move would compromise the Biden administrations hard line on climate change. Last month, the Export-Import Bank voted to notify Congress that it plans to underwrite a loan of more than $100 million to the borrower, Bahrains state company Bapco Energies. The money would be used to drill more than 400 oil and gas wells in the Middle Eastern country. The project will see the involvement of SLB, the worlds biggest oilfield services provider. The plan to back fossil fuel expansion, however, runs counter the U.S. federal governments climate pledge to stop financing oil and gas projects, hence the opposition from the Democratic Party, which argued that EXIMs decision would negatively affect the credibility of the United States on climate change related matters. Following the decision to provide the loan guarantee, one vocal opponent, Senator Jeff Merkley, called the Export-Import Bank a rogue agency. EXIMs president, Reta Jo Lewis said the loan will help Bahrain improve the work of its grid and invest in energy efficiency and solar power. Climate change campaigners were also unhappy about the banks decision. This approval signals another setback for Bidens climate commitments and cements the United States yet again as the worst of the laggard countries in violation of the promise to end international public finance for fossil fuels, Oil Change International export finance climate strategist Nina Pusic said, as quoted by Bloomberg. Prior to the vote, other environmentalist organizations also slammed EXIM for its work with the oil and gas industry, noting it had provided loan guarantees to a lot of foreign projects over the past three years despite the administrations anti-oil and gas energy policies. One organization claimed the bank had even violated a presidential executive order last year by providing close to $1 billion for oil and gas projects overseas. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: BP and Venezuela are jointly discussing the development of a gas field in Trinidad and Tobago, which the island nation shares with Venezuela. "BP can confirm that it is in discussions with the government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the potential development of gas resources in the Manakin-Cocuina field," the supermajor said in a statement cited by Reuters. Venezuelas PDVSA, for its part, said it was going to issue a license for the exploration and development of the Venezuelan part of the field. BP has interests in two blocks in the waters off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Manakin-Cocuina is one and the other is the Manatee block. Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, last year urged BP and project partner Chevron to resume exploration work at the Manatee field after years of inaction amid a shortage of cash and lack of investment clarity. While the Manakin-Cocuina field is estimated to contain some 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the Manatee field could hold as much as eight times that. For BP, this would be a welcome source of new gas amid falling production right when demand is going up. Per Reuters, BPs gas output has gone down from 1.2 billion cu ft daily to 1.2 billion cu ft over the past five years. The gas that could be extracted from the Trinidad/Venezuela field would be fed into the supermajors Atlantic LNG facility in Trinidad and Tobago. The facility, which is the largest LNG plant in Latin America, has been operating at less than capacity due to lower gas output at the islands offshore gas fields, Reuters reported in December last year. Atlantic LNG has a nameplate capacity of 15 million tons of liquefied gas annually, produced in four trains. Its first train, however, has been idled since 2020, so last years output of the plant was just 8.2 million tons. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A local court in Argentina has suspended new lithium mining permits in the Catamarca province in the northwest, home to many lithium projects, due to environmental concerns, the court ruling seen by Reuters showed. The ruling affects the issuance of new mining permits for the key battery metal, but is not expected to impact current lithium production in Catamarca, industry sources told Reuters. The ruling was handed after an environmental complaint was filed in 2021 by a chief of the Atacamenos Native Community, alleging that mining projects were authorized without proper consultation and environmental impact assessments. The plaintiffs also say that mining operations in Catamarca have restricted water supply to the local communities because of the use of huge quantities of fresh and salt water. A local river has dried up as a result, they add. In the ruling seen by Reuters, the court ordered the local government in Catamarca to refrain from granting new permits/authorizations for mining operations in the area of Los Patos River - Salar del Hombre Muerto until the new environmental impact study is complete. The province of Catamarca is now reviewing the ruling, a source at the local mining ministry told Reuters. Argentina is a large lithium producer as it is located in the so-called Lithium Trianglea lithium-rich region of the Andes, encompassed by the borders of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. Argentina has seen a boom in lithium production in recent years and it could even surpass its neighbor Chile as the top lithium producer in South America by 2030, some analysts believe. Last year, Argentinas lithium production jumped by 46% compared to 2022, to a record-high of 9,600 metric tons. The court ruling, however, could delay some plans for lithium mining in Catamarca. Earlier this year, India signed an agreement with the state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province for a lithium exploration and mining project in the Argentinian province. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Commercial vessels face increased threats from Somali pirates off the coast of the East African country, the European Unions Naval Force in the region said in an update. Ships sailing off the Somalian coasts, in the Somali basin are urged to maintain a heightened state of vigilance in light of the recent escalation in piracy threats, the EU naval force said, noting a recent upsurge in reported incidents. The end of the monsoon period is expected to further facilitate piracy activities in the region, said the EU Naval forces maritime security center for the Horn of Africa region. The Naval force says It is strongly recommended that all vessels adhere to the Best Management Practices Version 5 (BMP5), paying a special attention to the drill of security measures before sailing off Somali coasts. Since the end of November 2023, three merchant vessels have been assaulted, two of which are still under pirate controlM/V Rouen and M/V Abdullah. Additionally, several vessels have reported suspicious approaches. At least four pirate action groups (PAGs) could be sailing off the Somali coast, the EU said. Moreover, the Rouen commercial bulk carrier, hijacked in December 2023, has not remained stationary but instead moved along the Somali coast. Now that the vessel is sailing away from the coast, the possibility that it could be used as a mother ship for a future assault cannot be ruled out, the EU Naval force said. The increased attacks by Somali pirates on commercial ships coincided with intensified attacks on vessels from the Houthis in Yemen. Somalia and Yemen are divided by the Gulf of Aden, the gulf that ships use to enter or exit the Red Sea/Suez Canal route. ADVERTISEMENT Due to the Houthi attacks, many ship owners and operators have decided to re-route their vessels away from the Red Sea and use instead the longer Europe-Asia route via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. But the re-routing has been a boon to pirates around Africa, international agencies warn. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Japan is stepping up efforts to have local authorities approve the restart of the worlds biggest nuclear power plant, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility north of Tokyo, Japanese newspaper Niigata Nippo reported on Friday. Next week, Japans Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ken Saito, is expected to ask the local governor of the Niigata prefecture to approve the restart of the power plant, according to the newspaper report. In the wake of the Fukushima disaster in 2011, Japan closed all its nuclear power plants that underwent rigorous safety checks and inspections. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa has been offline since 2012, while the Nuclear Regulation Authority in 2021 barred the plants operator, utility Tepco, from operating the facility due to safety breaches. The regulator lifted the operational ban on Kashiwazaki-Kariwa in December 2023, paving the way for the restart, which needs the approvals of the Niigata prefecture, the city of Kashiwazaki, and the village of Kariwa to resume operations. Japan is bringing back nuclear power as a key energy source, looking to protect its energy security in the wake of the energy crisis that led to surging fossil fuel prices. The resource-poor country which needs to import about 90% of its energy requirements, made a U-turn in its nuclear energy policy at the end of 2022, as its energy import bill soared amid the energy crisis and surging costs to import LNG at record-high prices. The Japanese government confirmed in December 2022 a new policy for nuclear energy, which the country had mostly abandoned since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. A panel of experts under the Japanese Ministry of Industry has also decided that Japan would allow the development of new nuclear reactors and allow available reactors to operate after the current limit of 60 years. Restarts of nuclear reactors, high natural gas inventories, and increased renewable power generation have dragged Japans LNG imports to multi-year lows in recent months. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Poland is set to spend $16 billion on upgrading and expanding its power grid to accommodate additional renewable and nuclear capacity, the countrys power grid operator said on Friday. Grid operator PSE said that its draft investment plan includes more than 3,000 miles of 400 kV transmission lines in a push to hasten the transition of the countrys energy sources from coal to cleaner energy. In its current state, Polands grid is capable of accommodating the countrys energy usage through coal-fired powerthe countrys main source of energy generation, serving more than 70% of its electricity. But the global push to transition away from fossil fuels to solar, wind, and other cleaner forms of energy generation has prompted Poland to jump on the green bandwagononly its grid isnt set up to handle that. PSE said that the grid updates will help it to convert to wind and solar generated by 37 GW of wind farms, 45 GW of solar farms, and new nuclear power. In January, Polands new government said it would set an end date for using coal-fired power generation. The move to put a drop dead date for phasing out coal use for power generation was in stark contrast to the previous government, which had secured deals with its trade unions to keep coal mining alive until at least 2049just one year before Poland is supposed to be carbon neutral. As of 2022, Poland was the worlds ninth-largest producer of coal in the world, and the second-largest coal producer in Europe. But Poland uses so much coal that it also imports a fair amount of coalfrom Russia. Then sanctions came, followed by a sharp U-turn towards renewables. Last year, renewables in Poland generated a record 26% of the countrys electricity, German research organization Fraunhofer Society said. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Ukrainian drones attacked early on Friday a small privately-owned refinery 40 miles from Moscows outskirts, a source at the Ukrainian intelligence services told Reuters. The refinery in the Kaluga region, which has a capacity to process some 24,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, was damaged, according to a Reuters source. Ukraine's military intelligence agency, HUR, carried out the attack, a source at the agency confirmed to the Kyiv Independent. The extent of damage is being verified. Four drones were shot down, Kaluga regions governor Vladislav Shapsha said, without mentioning an attack on a refinery. There are no injuries or damage to infrastructure, he added. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks targeting Russian refineries. Earlier this week, a fire erupted at an oil refinery in a region southeast of Moscow following a suspected Ukrainian drone attack, ahead of this weekends presidential election in Russia, in which Vladimir Putin is running unopposed and sure to win another six-year term in office. A drone attacked early on Wednesday an oil refinery in the region of Ryazan, whose main city of the same name is some 120 miles southeast of Moscow, the regions governor Pavel Malkov wrote on Telegram. A Lukoil refinery in western Russia caught fire after a drone attack on Tuesday. A crude processing unit at the refinery in Nizhny Novgorod is on fire after a drone attack was carried out on Tuesday morning, Gleb Nikitin, governor of Nizhny Novgorod, wrote on his Telegram channel. A few hours earlier, a drone attack was launched at a fuel and energy facility in the Oryol region. One of the fuel tanks caught fire as a result of the attack, a representative of the local authorities told Russian news agency TASS. Lower refining capacity in the second quarter, due to refinery maintenance and emergency repairs following the attacks, could be one of the reasons why Russia said it would focus on cuts to oil production instead of exports in its voluntary supply reduction as part of OPEC+ in the second quarter, analysts say. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Lithium Americas Corp has received a conditional commitment for a $2.26-billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to help it build lithium processing facilities in Nevada, as the Biden Administration looks to support America-produced lithium and reduce dependence on Chinese supply. Lithium Americas Thacker Pass project in Humboldt County, Nevada, is located next to a mine site that contains the largest-proven lithium reserves in North America, DOE said. The U.S. Administration plans to extend the $2.26 billion loan under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. The government funding is intended to help finance the construction of Thacker Pass, targeted to produce an initial 40,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate, Vancouver-based Lithium Americas Corp said in a statement. Lithium Americas targets mechanical completion of Thacker Pass Phase 1 for 2027. Major construction is expected to start in the second half of this year, following the anticipated closing of the DOE Loan and issuance of full notice to proceed (FNTP), which is expected in the second half of 2024. The United States has an incredible opportunity to lead the next chapter of global electrification in a way that both strengthens our battery supply chains and ensures that the economic benefits are directed toward American workers, companies and communities, Lithium Americas president and CEO Jonathan Evans said. The lithium price crash over the past year is holding back reinvestment in new supply, the worlds top lithium producer Albemarle has said recently. While major lithium suppliers continue to see a surge in long-term demand as the energy transition gathers momentum, the current low price environment is "unstainable," Kent Masters, Albemarle's chairman, president, and CEO, said on the company's earnings call last month. The current lithium prices are not in a range allowing projects, especially in the West, to get off the ground, Masters added. ADVERTISEMENT The deferral of new supply developments amid the low prices is setting the stage for the next lithium supply crunch later this decade, executives and analysts say. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill in Gretna officially launches at 11 a.m. Monday, and its offering some grand-opening specials for diners who come early. The first 100 people in line will get a free T-shirt and gift card, and one of them will win free Hawaiian Bros. food for a year. The franchise fast-food restaurant is known for its plate lunch, a staple on the islands. It includes a variety of chicken or pork glazed with sweet, savory or spicy sauces; macaroni salad; white rice; and Dole Whip for dessert. Food at Hawaiian Bros. is never frozen, fried or microwaved, according to a press release. Hawaiian Bros. has 50 locations scattered throughout the country. Hodges Enterprises operates the Gretna outlet, which is the company's first in Nebraska. Its at 16171 Steven Pointe Circle. It has been having soft openings leading up to Mondays events. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Go to hawaiianbros.com for a menu and more information. NEBRASKA CITY Filming for Snack Shack was still two weeks off when actors Conor Sherry and Gabriel LaBelle arrived in Nebraska City a couple of summers ago. Director Adam Rehmeier flew them in early for a reason: He wanted them to bond and live like actual citizens of his hometown, where the movie is set. They took long walks downtown and elsewhere, seeing the Pioneer Theater , where Rehmeier first got hooked on cinema, and other landmarks. They got a part-time gig at the pool, slinging hot dogs. We worked at the real Snack Shack like we were real Nebraska kids, which is crazy, Sherry said in a Q and A on the Hollywood Life website. They also noted and endured the constant hum of cicadas, the citys summer soundtrack, Sherry said at the Nebraska City premiere of Snack Shack for family, friends and cast members Wednesday night. The early arrival and Nebraska City immersion was a brilliant idea that paid off for Rehmeier. In Snack Shack. Sherry and LaBelle both young adults were totally believable and fairly lovable, despite their sometimes shady wheeling and dealing as small-town 14-year-old friends who operate the city swimming pool concession stand. The new feature film will be released Friday to 430 theaters across the country, including some in the Omaha area. If you look at trailers for Snack Shack, you might jump to the conclusion as I did that this is a typical comedy aimed at teen boys, such as American Pie or Superbad. But though it has a dizzying number of f-words, some use of pot and underage drinking, theres no explicit sex. It also has way more depth than the aforementioned films. Behind the characters get-rich schemes betting on dog races with a tried-and-true system, brewing beer in their basement and making questionable deals with the candy distributor are kids with dreams, ambitions and deep friendships built to endure battles and careless betrayals. The script, also by Rehmeier, is a hilarious, highly relatable and ultimately moving coming-of-age story, with many incidents from his youth in Nebraska City, where he lived until he went to college at age 18. His parents, retired judge Randall and teacher Candice, still live there. It will especially resonate with Nebraskans with all its local references and hidden Easter-eggs featuring names, places and events we all will recognize. The Nebraska City crowd loved it, as did I. Nebraska City really is a character in the movie, as Rehmeier promised me in an earlier interview. It also has an unexpected ending that will stay with you for quite a while. Sherry, whose career is just starting, especially stands out as A.J., the character based on Rehmeier. The young actor, who is about to graduate from UCLA, is able to express a myriad of complicated teenage feelings without even opening his mouth. LaBelle, who played young Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans, is also excellent as the smart-aleck friend who cooks up most of their far-out ideas. Both have amazing physical comedy skills. I cant wait to see them in other films. David Costabile and Gillian Vigman have many of the funniest moments as A.J.s parents. Watch for a wild dinner scene early on. Mika Abdalla, who was at the premiere, and Nick Robinson also do fine work as friends of the boys. The cinematography is stunning, not because theres lots of scenery in Nebraska City but because of how things are framed. A scene with A.J. at a mirror and underwater sequences in the pool are only two examples of the wonderful camera work. Its hard for me to overlook such prolific profanity in a film, but I have to acknowledge it probably was authentic to how those best friends would have communicated. And as far as I heard, it never got blasphemous. It also goes fast, however, and there were times when the boys were so worked up and talked so fast that I didnt catch the dialogue. This would be one to see again to pick up the words and the Nebraska references that I lost. If a quick-moving, quirky, funny and even heart-warming film is your thing, you should see it, too. LINCOLN Opponents called an initiative proposal aimed at upending Nebraskas tax system an epic disaster Thursday as they launched a campaign aimed at keeping the measure off the November ballot. No New Taxes Nebraska is a coalition of more than 40 business, health care and government lobbying organizations, including the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nebraska Realtors Association, Nebraska Nebraska Association of County Officials, League of Nebraska Municipalities and more. Their target is the EPIC Option petition drive, in which EPIC stands for eliminate property, income (and inheritance) and corporate taxes. The drive seeks to put a pair of proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot that, if approved by voters, would eliminate property, income, inheritance and sales taxes in Nebraska, starting in 2026. Under the EPIC plan, those taxes would be replaced with a broad-based consumption tax, which would be charged on all new consumer goods and services except groceries. Backers say a 7.5% rate would be sufficient to replace the other taxes. Revenue would be collected and distributed by the state to local governments. Former State Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango spoke first for the new group, saying he agrees property taxes are too high but the EPIC plan is not the solution. He pointed to studies that concluded it would take a consumption tax of about 22% to replace the revenue from the eliminated taxes a rate he called devastating and not workable. More concerning, he said, would be the loss of local control over city, county and other local government budgets and services. Another former lawmaker, Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, said the EPIC tax would drive people out of Nebraska to do their shopping, hurting main street businesses, while adding costs for nonprofit groups like hospitals and churches. He also questioned whether the Legislature could handle the job of determining budgets for all local subdivisions. Coalition representatives said they hope to educate Nebraskans about the EPIC plan and counter what they called misinformation about how it would work. Its a flawed concept on its face, said Lynn Rex, executive director for the municipalities group. This would be an epic disaster. Earlier in the day, the Tax Foundation, a conservative national think tank, released a new study concluding the consumption tax would have to be 21.6% or more to bring in the same amount of revenue as the eliminated taxes. Thats nearly three times the rate touted by petition backers, which was based on an analysis done by the Beacon Hill Institute, a Massachusetts-based think tank, of the rate needed to equal the $11.7 billion in taxes that would be eliminated in 2026. The analysis assumed some of the revenue would come from projected increases in economic activity, as well as from a tax base estimated to be more than twice as large as the current sales tax base. But Tax Foundation authors said the Beacon Hill analysis used flawed calculations and overstated the tax base. They calculated that the base would increase less than 25%, forcing a choice between what they called an impossibly high tax rate or cutting government revenue by two-thirds. EPIC dramatically overpromises, underfunds the government, and could place Nebraskans in a precarious economic position, the authors said. The Lincoln-based OpenSky Policy Institute, working with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning national think tank, estimated in March that it would take a 22.1% rate for the consumption tax to be revenue neutral. Like the Tax Foundation, the OpenSky study estimated a much smaller increase in the tax base and did not assume economic growth. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, who has led the push in Nebraska to ditch existing taxes in favor of a consumption tax, said the opposition campaign was no surprise and the groups involved with the campaign are the ones benefiting from the current tax system. Weve made tremendous strides with the taxpayers of Nebraska, he said, predicting it would take a taxpayer uprising to change the system when they realize the Legislature is not going to solve their issue and they take matters into their own hands. Erdman pointed to a recent poll commissioned by the Neilan Strategy Group that found 54% of likely voters supported the EPIC plan, compared to 30% opposed to it. Perre Neilan, however, said the level of support was not strong, given the lack of organized opposition at the time the poll was done. He noted that only 30% were definitely for the plan. Erdman also questioned the Tax Foundation study. He claimed the study started with the desired result and worked backwards. He said the EPIC proposal has the support of Arthur Laffer, an economist known for his theory that lowering tax rates could boost economic activity and increase tax revenues. Meanwhile, the EPIC Option petition drive has been struggling. The drive suspended its contract with a Florida company for paid signature-gathering and donations have been slow in recent weeks. The drive must get valid signatures from at least 10% of Nebraska voters by July 3 to make the November 2024 ballot. Thats about 123,000 people based on current registration numbers. The petition also must have signatures from 5% of voters in each of 38 counties to qualify. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN A Nebraska bill that seeks to hold negligent state agencies accountable for harm caused by third parties stalled in committee Friday. But a different avenue remains to advance the measure. The Nebraska Legislatures Judiciary Committee failed to advance Legislative Bill 325 out to floor debates in a 4-3 vote, with one member not voting. In the eight member committee, bills need at least five votes to advance. LB 325, introduced by State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, would allow civil lawsuits against a state agency if the agency fails to prevent harm caused by a third party when the agency is in custody or control of that third party. Dungan said his aim is to hold state government accountable for negligence. Before the committee meeting, the bill was mentioned during floor debate by Judiciary Chair Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha. Wayne was looking to slow the progress of debate to hold off a vote on a separate bill, but multiple senators also got involved and expressed their displeasure that LB 325 had not progressed. Proponents of the measure claimed opponents were protecting government agencies at the expense of victims. During the debate, Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar announced she filed a pull motion to advance the bill to the floor regardless of the committees vote. That motion hasnt been debated yet, and requires 25 votes to accomplish. Critics of LB 325 argue that the bill is too open-ended and that it would allow for frivolous lawsuits. The issue split opinions of the Judiciary Committee, with Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue saying the bill fails to hold the true perpetrators accountable. But Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue countered that not holding agencies accountable would only further victimize the victims. Dungan gave examples of when LB 325 may be needed, including when state prison officials fail to intervene after they learn that an inmate has threatened harm to another inmate, and then follows through on that threat. But Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, another committee member, said the bill could also hold the state liable if a foster child assaults another child within their home. Wayne noted that if LB 325 passes, plaintiffs in the resulting lawsuits would still have the burden to prove state agencies were negligent in these instances. This is not an automatic win, he said. While LB 325 stalled, the committee did vote to advance a similar bill Friday, LB 341. Introduced by Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings, the bill would hold the state and political subdivisions liable if public employees commit sexual abuse against a child. Slama also filed a pull motion on this bill, which is no longer necessary since the committee approved it. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 Lagos State Government has rescued a mother with her twins (name withheld), along with her three other children after delivery from an uncompleted building in Igando axis of the state. The rescue was a sequel to the viral video on social media of the mother and her children who were helpless and in dilemma. Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Agboola Dabiri, made the remarks, yesterday while briefing the press in Ikeja on the rescue mission. Dabiri explained that after the viral video of the mother and her children, the ministry raced down and rescued the mother and her children who were unstable at the point of arrival. He said: We have rescued the mother and her five children including the twins from an uncompleted building. I can assure you that they are already stable. The commissioner, however, lamented that many have taken advantage of the issue to raise money from residents. Despite rescuing the mother and her five children including the twins, who were in safe custody, pictures have continuously been circulated. We have gotten several messages The circulation of the pictures must stop and those using the pictures of the mother and her children to raise money must stop. No one should give money as charity to anyone for the sake of the children. They are with us. We are not asking for any donation. The children and their mother are now okay. Post Views: 56 Former military President Ibrahim Babangida has expressed confidence that Nigeria would soon overcome its security challenges. He spoke with newsmen on Tuesday in Minna, where he expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buharis administration would tackle and end the skirmishes in some parts of the country very soon. What is required now is for Nigerians to rally round the President to enable him provide adequate security and good leadership. The peoples support will help the President to succeed; he needs everyones cooperation to trudge on to success, he said. He stressed the need for Nigerians to remain peaceful and pray for peace to reign in the country, noting that no meaningful development could take place in a chaotic environment. Peace remains a pre-requisite for any meaningful development. We must all seek it, crave for it and work for it, he said Post Views: 84 A 68-year-old retired American teacher, Kathy Coll, has sued a Nigerian Catholic Priest, Fr. Cyprian Duru, for allegedly raping her back in 2016. According to CBS Television, Coll in a legal suit, detailed how Duru stopped by her home in December 2016 on the pretence of giving her a Christmas card and allegedly raped her. Coll claimed that when she offered him a cold drink, he followed her to her family room, overpowered her and assaulted her as she screamed for him to stop. Since then, Coll claimed her life changed for worse after the sexual assault by Father Duru, who was studying at Duquesne University and assisting her North Hills parish. According to her, she has been trying to seek healing from the trauma of rape; adding that the shame, anxiety and depression were daunting. The hardest part was telling my pastor, who sat and cried with me and then notified the diocese, Coll recalled. The widowed mother of two adult sons said she still has trouble processing how the Catholic Church responded two years ago when she reported she had been raped in 2016 by a Nigerian priest. She alleges that the church heard complaints from others about Durus inappropriate behavior toward older women, failed to act quickly, and later neglected to explain why Duru was removed from ministry after she reported her assault. I spent 2 years trying to get someone to listen to me, Coll said. No one was listening to me, so I decided it was time to say I want to make something happen here. Last week, she filed a suit against the St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church, the Pittsburgh diocese, and Bishop David Zubik. Coll maintained that she was disappointed that District Attorney Stephen Zappalas office said prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to pursue charges. But the retired high school English teacher said her biggest disappointment was learning that a church she continues to love and turned to for help had scant resources for abused women. There were visits by the (Pittsburgh) Diocese Trauma Team to my house offering prayer and help to find a therapist. But I found out they really dont have anything for women who have been abused, Coll said. Coll said a therapist the diocese recommended within minutes of meeting her declared that she was depressed, anxious and suffering from PTSD. He said, Well get you on medication and four or five sessions here, and youll be on your way. I walked out of there after 20 minutes and never went back, she said. Eventually, she found a therapist who helped her marshal her strength. As she regained her footing in the world, the widowed mother of two adult sons resolved to doing something to help others. Mele Kyari Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclosed that in two weeks time, the Port Harcourt refinery will begin to deliver refined petroleum products. Addressing Journalists after meeting with the Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, APC, Anambra-South led Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Turnaround Maintenance of the countrys four refineries on Thursday, March 14, Kyari also disclosed that the Warri refinery is almost ready too. He added that the refinery in Kaduna would be completed and ready to go into production in December this year. He said; The Completion mechanical means that you are done with your rehabilitation work, now you are to test if this completion is okay. As for Warri refinery, we have also completed the mechanical works on it and it is undergoing the regulatory compliance processes that we are doing with our regulator. This also will be completed and it will be ready. Kaduna will be ready by December, We have not reached that stage (of Port Harcourt and Warri) with Kaduna. Kyari also said there are no challenges with the pipelines to deliver crude to the refineries as the existing lines are fully pressurised to deliver crude. He said; All crude lines are active and have actually delivered over 450,000 barrels into Port Harcourt refinery. We are confident of the integrity of it. Yes, there may be security issues, but also the government is responding to the situation. The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has disclosed that the 287 students who were abducted last week in a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, are being held in locations that are difficult to get to but the troops are doing their best to rescue them. Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba who spoke to newsmen on Thursday, March 14, said the kidnappers are using their victims as human shields to prevent further air and land offensive against them. He further revealed that it took more than six hours after the students were abducted for the information to get to security agencies before machinery was commenced for the rescue efforts. Buba said; We have depleted their ranks, neutralized many of their commanders and foot soldiers. The terrorists exhibited gross cowardice by going after children. We have taken their Commanders out. We recently acquired new air platforms to further decimate them. They know we mean business. It is to protect themselves that they went after the students. But we will not rest until all the kidnapped victims are rescued. As in every war, there are complexities and ours is no exception. Recently, cases of citizens being abducted in the North East, North West and North Central theatres of operations were recorded. These citizens were abducted by a brutal and blood tasty group that should only be addressed as tettorists not bandits. I repeat, these are terrorist and not bandits. They are holding these citizens against their will and against all norms of human behaviour, and against the laws of armed conflict and any good measure in the world. Several of their leaders and commanders have been neutralised as a result of troops onslaught. They want to use these hostages as human shield for their survival. Nevertheless, be assured that we will not rest until the hostages are returned. No doubt, this is a difficult situation, but not one that is insurmountable. The hostage situation is an extremely sensitive one which unfortunately is not unprecedented in the history of the ongoing war. These hostages are being held in locations that are difficult to get to, but not out of reached. The situation is however indicative of the desperation of these terrorists to avoid troops onslaught by all means. Recall that in recent times troops have decimated several of the terrorists leaders, commanders and foot soldiers and fast closing in one several others. These terrorists have exhibited cowardice by going for such soft targets to impede troops advances. I assure you that we will not rest until they are returned. Given the hostage situation, it can be deduced that the search and rescue effort was grossly affected by the none timely notification of troops of the incident. Nevertheless, I can assure you that we will not rest until these hostages are returned. However, because of the sensitivity of the matter, I can not go into further details as to signs of life, location, and the different options that we have in order to get these hostages back. Let me further assure that, getting these hostages back is very clearly on the top of our priorities. It is for this reason we have leveraged on our international partners for support. Accordingly, they are providing the necessary support including intelligence that is giving us the advantage in dealing with the ugly situation. New details have emerged regarding the passing of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who passed away on Thursday night, merely 72 hours after marking his second year on the throne as a first-class monarch. The monarchs demise occurred precisely at 9:05 pm at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, following a brief illness. Oba Balogun had been admitted to the hospital on Wednesday morning due to a slight malaria fever. It was learned that the monarch had remained indoors throughout Tuesday due to the fever, although he was in good health on Monday, during which he received a few guests who came to offer their congratulations on his second year anniversary. According to family sources, the late Olubadan will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Aliiwo by 4 PM on Friday, March 15, following Islamic rites. His last official engagement was presiding over the Olubadan Advisory Councils meeting the previous Saturday, during which the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja, was made. On Tuesday, the monarch instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, to convene a small committee to deliberate on the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. The decision of this committee was ratified on Thursday at a meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council, presided over by Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja. The decision was to be presented to the late Oba Balogun for his signature on Friday morning to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day. The late Olubadan will be remembered as the most educated individual to ascend to the Ibadan monarchy, holding a Ph.D. from a British institution. He served as a university lecturer, held management positions at Shell British Petroleum, contested as a gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), served as a Senator, and was a successful businessman. He is survived by wives, children, and grandchildren. The House of Representatives has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately suspend the implementation of the new aspect of the cashless policy on deposits which has taken effect today. The lawmakers took the resolution after adopting a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance by its spokesperson, Benjamin Kalu. The CBN had announced that from Wednesday, September 18, certain cash deposits and withdrawals from individual bank accounts are to attract additional charges. In a circular to all deposit money bank (DMBs), the Director, Payments System Management Department at the CBN, Sam Okojere, it said henceforth 3 per cent processing fees would be paid for withdrawals and 2 per cent for deposits of amounts above N500,000 for individual accounts. The apex bank also said corporate accounts will attract 5 per cent processing fees for withdrawals and 3 per cent processing fee for lodgments of amounts above N3 million. The CBN said the charges would be in addition to already existing ones on withdrawals and is aimed at encouraging its cashless policy. The new directive has already started generating heated arguments in the polity. NEGATIVE IMPACTS But reacting to the new policy, the lawmaker said the implementation of cashless policy in Nigeria so far, has led to a significant decrease in deposit mobilisation and credit extension by Nigerian Money Deposit Banks. The implementation of cashless policy on withdrawals has negative impacts on micro, mini, small, and medium enterprises which are clearly the engine room for growth of the economy and employment generation, thereby throwing many of them out of business and sending more Nigerians into poverty, forcing more traders and micro investors to carry cash about with its attendant security challenges, Mr Kalu said. While the impact of the cashless policy on withdrawals is still starring us all in our faces as well as other numerous burdensome charges by Nigerian Money Deposit Banks heavily impacting on businesses, the Central Bank of Nigeria deemed it necessary to impose the implementation of cashless policy on deposits, without due consultations with all shades of stakeholder who will be impacted by the policy. This overbearing burden aimed at closing down majority of micro, mini, small and medium businesses in Nigeria is also aimed at enriching Nigerian Money Deposit Banks owned by a privileged few, without any known financial contribution to the consolidated revenue fund of the federation, he added. The lawmaker said he was concerned that the Central Bank of Nigeria did not consider the people as the as prime, important and in deed the centre piece of policy-making, even as Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered) provides for the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government. The House called for the immediate suspension of the policy. The House also mandated its Committee on Banking and Currency to interface with the CBN to ascertain the propriety, relevance and the actual need for the implementation of that aspect of the cashless policy at this time considering the prevailing economic situation of the country and to report back to the House within 4 weeks. Good journal President Muhammadu Buhari has pardoned 2,600 prisoners nationwide. Seventy of those pardoned are in Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, said Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola. They were made up of 41 Federal inmates and 29 FCT inmates. Five former inmates were also granted presidential pardon. The pardon does not apply to inmates sentenced for violent extreme offences such as terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry, rape, human trafficking, culpable homicide and so on. The Governors of the 36 states under whose jurisdiction most of the inmates are incarcerated will complete the exercise in line with the federal principle. After the release of the first phase, the amnesty committee will continue to meet regularly to consider those who deserve the benefit, he said. Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, said that the UN has advised Member States to reduce the number of inmates in custodial centres in view of the social distancing policy aimed at containing the spread of Coronavirus. He described the launch of the 2020 presidential pardon as historic, adding that the process of selecting beneficiaries started in 2018. He warned the beneficiaries to desist from crimes, urging the community to receive them without stigmatisation. He lamented that 70 per cent of inmates in Nigerias Correctional Centres were awaiting trial. The Controller-General of NCoS, Mr Jaafaru Ahmed, said that so far the service had not recorded any case of Covid-19. He said that the exercise would go a long way in reducing the number of inmates in the service nationwide. As at 6 April 2020, there are 73,756 inmates in Nigerian Custodial Centres. Out of the number, 21,773 are convicts, while 51,983 are Awaiting Trial persons(ATPs). The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail in the sum of N2m to up-and-coming musician, Azeez Fashola, alias Naira Marley, who was arraigned on charges of cyber fraud. Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted the bail with two sureties in like sum. The judge said one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 10. The judge said the other surety must own a landed property in Lagos State. He adjourned till October 22 for trial to commence. Share this: Beware the Ides of March is the famous phrase spoken by a fortune teller in Shakespeares play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. The soothsayer tries to warn Caesar that his life will be in danger in mid-March. (For the Roman calendar, Ides was the mid-point of every month). But, to his peril, the emperor ignores the warning and is stabbed to death near the Roman Forum by a group of conspirators on March 15, 44 B.C. If only he had stayed home and avoided the Forum! A soothsayer could have given me similar, but not quite so serious, advice in 2010. (I didnt listen either.) That summer, my daughter and I traveled through Europe on a 17-day bus tour with the Girl Scouts. We loved being part of our troop, and eagerly signed up for the trip with 31 girls, ages 13 to 17, plus moms and chaperones. Our journey started in England during a record-breaking heat wave. It will rain soon! I kept saying, but it never did. We made our way through France and Switzerland, surviving mishaps such temporarily losing two girls on the Paris Metro and getting caught on a Swiss mountainside during an unexpected thunderstorm. Then there was the morning we all woke up with large, red welts from bug bites. After two exhausting weeks of sore feet, cranky teenagers and highly stressed chaperones, our dusty and over-packed bus finally approached Italy. I felt like we had crossed the Alps on elephants, ready to invade Rome. Nonetheless, my spirits were high. Italy is one of my favorite travel destinations, and I knew what wondrous sites awaited our group. Indeed, the girls were amazed by the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Michelangelo's David in Florence and frescoes in the Basilica of Assisi. But in Rome, the heat wave was back in full force and dominated the days. In every photo, we look hot and sticky, wearing forced smiles. At the Colosseum, we stood shoulder to sweaty shoulder in a massive crowd while the unrelenting sun beat down on our heads. Desperate to escape the heat, some girls used umbrellas to shade themselves and accidentally poked a German tourist. Then, one of the moms suffered a dizzy spell in the Forum. We eased her onto an ancient stone, put a wet cloth over her head and began to fan her with tour pamphlets. You look like Cleopatra with her entourage, I said. Just feed me to the lions, she replied. Anything is better than this sweltering heat. In the meantime, our local guide was busy looking at his phone. Tour guides in Italy are considered professionals and are required by law to be licensed. They spend years studying history, art and architecture before passing rigorous exams, and proudly wear their qualification badges. I noticed our disinterested guide did not display a license. Then he told our group Jesus and his disciplines had walked through the Colosseum. What?! Thats not true, I said. Hes making up stuff because he thinks we dont know any better. Hes a fake! I asked him, in Italian, Please show me your guide license. And with that, he turned and melted into the crowd faster than a scoop of gelato dropped on a hot pavement. We never saw him again. Now our only goal was to find shade. We spotted a shadowed corner near the site where Julius Caesar was attacked, and we crammed into the darkness like senators conspiring against the sunshine. From there I telephoned my good friend Maria Grazia, who owns a travel agency in Rome. By chance, could she find us a reliable local guide? Antonio arrived shortly thereafter, smartly dressed and wearing a hat (along with his credential badge). He took one look at our bedraggled crew and suggested our next stop be an air-conditioned cafe. Water, soda or a chilled cappuccino, perhaps? he said. We salivated at the mere thought. Great Caesars ghost, thats a marvelous idea! I said. What refreshment do you recommend? He smiled. Et tu, latte? 15 misconceptions about Julius Caesar 1. 'Beware the Ides of March' 2. Caesar's last words were 'et tu, Brute' 3. Brutus was his closest confidante 4. The Caesarian section was named after Julius Caesar 5. He invented the Caesar salad 6. Caesar was an enemy of the people 7. His death was epic 8. Caesar was rich 9. Caesar's Rome was grand and opulent 10. Caesar changed the calendar to have his own month 11. Emperors wore laurel wreaths 12. Caesar only wore togas 13. Julius was the father of Augustus 14. Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is named for Julius Caesar 15. He had a British accent Jeremy Jefferson, 13, of Bloomington, was reported missing on Thursday, BPD said in a news release that evening. He is described as a Black male, standing 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing about 90 pounds. He has brown eyes and shoulder-length dreadlock-style hair that is black with copper-colored tips. He was last seen wearing a red Chicago Bulls T-shirt and black sweatpants with "Jordan" written in red down the side of the leg. BLOOMINGTON A 39-year-old Bloomington man was released from police custody Thursday on cocaine charges. Antwon D. Seals appeared before the court on three felony charges of unlawful delivery of cocaine, and one felony charge of attempting to flee a police officer. Charging documents stated that on March 4 and March 13, Seals provided less than 1 gram of cocaine to confidential informants for Illinois State Police Task Force 6 as part of two surveilled transactions. The arrest affidavits added that Seals did not stop for a Bloomington police officer who attempted to pull him over. Records show he is also charged with disobeying two traffic control devices, driving without a valid driver's license and improper lane usage. A prosecutor told the court that Seals' charges are not detainable pretrial. Before Seals was released, a judge ordered him not to use or possess any alcohol, cannabis or controlled substances without a valid prescription. He is set for an arraignment hearing at 9 a.m. March 22. Today in history: March 14 1794: Eli Whitney 1879: Albert Einstein 1951: Korean War 1962: Edward M. Kennedy 1964: Jack Ruby 1967: President John F. Kennedy 1990: Mikhail S. Gorbachev 2011: Neil Diamond 2012: British Prime Minister David Cameron 2015: Robert Durst 2017: Mitch Seavey 2017: Robert Neller 2018: Stephen Hawking 2021: Brian Sicknick 2021: Drew Brees BLOOMINGTON YWCA McLean County's Stepping Stones, which offers 24-hour assistance for victims of sexual assault and abuse, may receive up to $100,000 a year from the county to continue its services. On Thursday, the McLean County Board approved an agreement in which YWCA Stepping Stones would bill the McLean County Behavioral Health Coordinating Council via a monthly invoice for its services by the 15th day of each month. It must also maintain comprehensive general liability, automobile liability, worker's compensation and employer's liability insurance through the entire term of the agreement. Liz German, president and CEO of YWCA McLean County, said Stepping Stones funding decreased by more than $325,000 in July 2023 because of cuts to the federal Victims of Crime Act. She added that in the 22-year history of the program, she does not remember a time when VOCA funding was reduced. At the time, German said Stepping Stones had a waiting list of 65 individuals seeking counseling. "This type of counseling needs to be available the moment survivors are ready," German said. "Without it, people struggle and cope in unhealthy ways." Although the program received $180,000 in funding over the summer and fall through the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which restored some staff capacity, German said the funding from the county will restore the service's counseling and hotline capacity as well as provide volunteer stipends. Beverly Beyer, chair of the Board of Directors for YWCA McLean County, said the YWCA is the only certified rape crisis center for the community and the only place where counselors have the expertise and specialized training for survivors who are ready to come forward. She added that last year, YWCA served more than 100 children who experienced sexual violence. The agreement was approved without opposition. Board member Corey Beirne said the board's role as financial stewards of the taxpayers is very important and he is proud to partner with YWCA McLean County on what is among the more essential services for the area. "We need to prioritize what can we do directly to help the most people immediately in our community," Beirne said. "And with an organization like YWCA Stepping Stones that needs that help so acutely and so immediately, I'm proud of our ability to stepping in to (help)." German said she has been advised that when VOCA grants become competitive again in the 2026 fiscal year, funding will increase. Victims of sexual assault are encouraged to call YWCA Stepping Stones' confidential helpline at 309-556-7000. Close Vera Traver, Dorothy Davis, Michelle Cope Craig McCormick, Kim Schoenbein, Amanda Jones, Brooke Fenske Anna Robinson, Kelly Reel, Amanda Esparza, Jaime Ulbrich, Monica Bullington Carolyn Yockey, Claire Lamonica, Marilyn Blank Camille and Art Taylor Nancy Trefzger, Connie Noble, Becky Hines Jackie Gerdes, Michelle Pazar YWCA 20th Annual Circle Luncheon Thursday, May 4 DoubleTree by Hilton, Bloomington More than 400 gathered to celebrate and support the YWCA McLean County. The YWCA is dedicated to creating positive, lasting change and provides critical services to individuals and families in our community. Recently, YWCA McLean County was awarded a Human Services Capital Investment Grant from the State of Illinois in the amount of $200,000 for the expansion of Stepping Stones, McLean Countys rape crisis center. For more information go to YWCAMcLean.org Vera Traver, Dorothy Davis, Michelle Cope Craig McCormick, Kim Schoenbein, Amanda Jones, Brooke Fenske Anna Robinson, Kelly Reel, Amanda Esparza, Jaime Ulbrich, Monica Bullington Carolyn Yockey, Claire Lamonica, Marilyn Blank Camille and Art Taylor Nancy Trefzger, Connie Noble, Becky Hines Jackie Gerdes, Michelle Pazar CHICAGO Despite an influx of international migrants, Cook County bucked a broader post-pandemic trend and continued to lose population last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday. The Vintage 2023 estimates show Cook County remains the second largest county in the U.S. at nearly 5.1 million residents, but its population fell by more than 24,000 last year, the fourth largest decline among all counties. Los Angeles County, the nations largest, lost more than 56,000 residents, followed by Kings, Queens and Bronx counties in New York. Chicagos home county has lost more than 188,000 residents since the start of the pandemic in 2020, according to the census population estimates. Led by continued domestic migration in the South, more counties saw population increases than losses across the U.S. in 2023, with Midwest counties tipping to positive growth for the first time since the pandemic hit in 2020, the survey showed. Areas which experienced high levels of domestic out-migration during the pandemic, such as in the Midwest and Northeast, are now seeing more counties with population growth, Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureaus population estimates branch, said in a news release. Meanwhile, county population growth is slowing down out west, such as in Arizona and Idaho. The number of counties with positive net domestic migration increased in all regions but the West. Cook County, however, continued to see its population disperse to other U.S. destinations. Last year, more than 58,000 Cook County residents relocated to other counties, second only to Los Angeles County in net domestic migration losses. The outflow was nonetheless reduced for Cook County, which lost nearly 95,000 residents to net domestic migration in 2022. The total population decline in Cook County was mitigated by the net international migration of 23,790 people last year, according to census data. Eight of the 10 counties that had the largest population gains in 2023 were in Texas, led by Harris County, where Houston is the county seat, which added nearly 54,000 residents. Maricopa County, Arizona, home to Phoenix, fell from first to fourth with a gain of just over 30,000 residents last year. The Vintage 2023 report, which surveys the population as of July 1, 2023, also includes estimates and trends for urban regions, where 73% of the nations 387 metropolitan areas showed annual growth last year. Chicago was not one of them. The Chicago metropolitan area, the nations third largest behind New York and Los Angeles, was down slightly last year with a population of 9,262,825, a decline of 16,600 residents or about .2%. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the Chicago metropolitan area has lost more than 187,000 residents, according to census data. While Cook County and the Chicago metropolitan area continue to lose ground, Illinois may have reversed its population decline. In January, the state announced that an undercount in the 2020 census missed 46,400 Illinois residents living in group homes, an adjustment to the population base that will be incorporated into future surveys. That bolstered base may offset the nearly 33,000 people Illinois lost in the 2023 annual census update, which was published in December. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 CHICAGO Nearly two decades after federal scientists concluded ethylene oxide is far more dangerous than previously thought, President Joe Bidens administration is moving to dramatically reduce emissions from a small but important industry sector that relies on the cancer-causing gas to fumigate medical products and spices. Regulations unveiled Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would require commercial sterilization operations to reduce ethylene oxide emissions by 90%, largely by installing pollution-control equipment already required in Illinois and a handful of other states. The once-obscure industry drew attention in 2018 when the EPA reported some of the nations highest cancer risks from toxic air pollution could be found in communities near manufacturers and users of ethylene oxide, also known as EtO. Some of the most alarming results came from west suburban Willowbrook and north suburban Waukegan. Under pressure from community organizers and a bipartisan group of politicians, Oak Brook-based Sterigenics closed its Willowbrook sterilization plant a year later and took steps to reduce pollution from eight of its other facilities across the country. A state law prompted by Chicago Tribune reporting required Northfield-based Medline to significantly reduce EtO emissions at its Waukegan facility. All told, the new federal regulations target about 90 sterilization plants in 30 states and Puerto Rico. Nearly 14 million people live within 5 miles of one or more of the facilities, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. During a Wednesday teleconference with reporters, EPA officials noted many of the plants are located near low-income, Black and Latino communities disproportionately affected by toxic pollution. We have followed the science and listened to communities to fulfill our responsibility to safeguard public health from this pollution including the health of children who are particularly vulnerable to carcinogens early in life, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. When elevated cancer risks near EtO manufacturers and users first came to light in 2018, top aides to former President Donald Trump promised Willowbrook-area residents the federal government would adopt more stringent regulations. The Trump EPA later backed away from those statements amid lobbying from the major producers of ethylene oxide: Dow, Huntsman and Shell, which use the chemical to synthesize ethylene glycol, a raw material in antifreeze, polyester and plastics. Environmental groups later sued the EPA for stalling an overhaul of its regulations to reflect the latest science. Manufacturers of medical devices cautioned the EPA that the new regulations could disrupt supply chains for products sterilized with EtO. Though Medline showed it could reduce emissions fairly quickly, the agency extended the compliance deadline for all commercial sterilizers from 18 months to two years for large operations and up to four years for smaller facilities. National nonprofit organizations and Stop Sterigenics, a community group formed in response to the Willowbrook findings, arent happy with the final version of the rules, either. They criticized the EPA for failing to require EtO monitoring beyond sensors at the remaining sterilization plants, noting that community monitoring in Willowbrook provided alarming evidence of the dangers posed to neighbors. There also are concerns that enforcement will be left to states, some of which aggressively oppose the new regulations and others with a polluter-friendly track record. Moreover, the EPA failed to address off-site warehouses storing products fumigated with ethylene oxide. In February, an investigation by Grist, a nonprofit news operation, and Atlanta TV station WANF found there has been little scrutiny of storage facilities where residual EtO can escape into workspaces and surrounding neighborhoods, in part because neither the EPA nor state regulatory agencies know where they are located. Its devastating to see the human toll of regulatory loopholes, said Urszula Tanouye, a scientific adviser to Stop Sterigenics. The situation in Willowbrook serves as a poignant reminder that behind every statistic is a life impacted by these failures. Chemical companies and government health agencies have known since at least the late 1970s that ethylene oxide mutates genes and causes breast cancer, leukemia and lymphomas. Time and time again, a 2019 Tribune investigation found, the multibillion-dollar chemical industry and its political allies in Washington have thwarted, weakened or delayed efforts to limit exposure to EtO, relying on the same tactics that stalled protections from more well-known hazards such as lead and asbestos. After reviewing studies of sterilization workers and animals, EPA scientists concluded in 2006 that EtO effectively is dangerous at any level. It took the agency another decade to formally adopt a more protective limit intended to protect plant workers and neighbors. Two panels of independent scientists generally agreed with the agencys findings and rejected industry-financed studies that claimed to show EtO isnt harmful at typical exposure levels. Chemical manufacturers and the sterilization industry continue to cite those studies as proof the new regulations arent necessary. Scientific studies of real-world data conducted over the past decades consistently have found that low levels of EtO are safe and do not increase the risk of cancer for employees who regularly work around facility levels of EtO, let alone for people who live or work in areas near EtO facilities, Sterigenics wrote in June after the Biden EPA released a draft of its proposed rules. Based on air quality monitoring at parks, schools and homes when Sterigenics still operated in Willowbrook, the EPA concluded the facilitys pollution could trigger more than 10 cases of cancer for every 10,000 people exposed during their lifetimes a rate 10 times higher than what the agency considers acceptable. The Willowbrook plant increased the risk of cancer for people living up to 25 miles away, EPA officials said during a 2019 community forum. As federal officials repeatedly delayed taking action to limit emissions from the industry, courts have stepped in. A Cook County jury ordered Sterigenics and two corporate predecessors in 2022 to pay a Willowbrook breast cancer survivor $363 million for exposing her to ethylene oxide. The company later agreed to settle lawsuits filed by nearly 900 other neighbors for $408 million. The Food and Drug Administration has said it is nudging the industry to find safer alternatives. In January, the FDA announced it considers vaporized hydrogen peroxide an effective substitute. But for many medical devices, the FDA says on its website, sterilization with ethylene oxide may be the only method that effectively sterilizes and does not damage the device. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 As Irish as we might consider St. Patricks Day, it's actually an American creation. The annual celebration, which we often associate with the start of spring, is marked on March 17. The date is believed to be the death date of the actual Saint Patrick in the fifth century. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was originally born in Roman Britain, but at the age of 16, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland. He escaped, then returned, and is credited with bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. One of the most well-known legends of Saint Patrick is that he educated the Irish people of the Holy Trinity using the native Irish shamrock. The native shamrock of Ireland has three leaves which Saint Patrick used to depict the Christian Holy Trinity. Records show that a St. Patricks Day parade was held on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. In 1772, Irish soldiers serving in the English army marched in New York to honor the patron saint. That led to parades in other early American cities. St. Patricks Day is also widely celebrated with different types of food, including Irish soda bread, cabbage and corned beef. It's not St. Patrick's Day without wearing green, a color that represents Irish nationalism. Legend says anyone who wears green is considered invisible to leprechauns, mythic troublemakers. One of the notable American commemorations of the day is when the city of Chicago releases green vegetable dye into the Chicago River. This year, that will be done Saturday. We'd be remiss if we didn't remind readers of the critical warning that goes with observances that center on socializing. St. Patricks Day is the countrys peak point for driving under the influence arrests. The police are on extra patrol. Even if they dont send out a reminder when they are. The idea is not to escape the polices notice for inebriated driving. The idea is the reminder of the possibilities if a person gets behind the wheel and puts the police in a position where they have to make an arrest. Make a plan, and make another plan. Even with the best intentions and the best-laid plans, a person can still end up driving while intoxicated. Have several different backup plans. Not only designate a driver but have a backup sober driver. Pre-program taxi or Uber drivers into your phone. We USA sovereign citizens are passively and avoidably losing control of our government, major corporations, and nation. This is happening because we are lessening our commitment to sovereign community. Informed, proactive and engaged sovereign community is prerequisite to fair and competent popular self-governance of the people, by the people and for the people. Our authority as sovereign citizens is unchallenged and stronger than ever. But sound community takes more than sufficient established authority. And we are dangerously inattentive and disengaged. Members in sound community care about and respect each other. They are loyal to one another and build healthy relationships. Sound community begets social connection and a sense of belonging. Some degree of community engagement is an essential ingredient in enjoying a fulfilling life. Sound community incubates and nurtures our social confidence, perception, listening, and outreach communication. Community is an important source of our identity. Every community has its distinct traditions, values, and norms. They provide a wealth of organized and deep rooted knowledge, which synergizes through countless social, political, economic, and cultural interactions over time. A sound community is a cohesive, safe, confident, prosperous, and happy place facilitating a high quality of life for everyone there. It values and promotes open, participative development processes underpinned by a continuous culture of intergenerational learning. A sound community encourages and demands respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others. It teaches honesty, integrity, and self-control accountability for personal behavior. Sound community encourages us to live better, strive for more, and focus on both refining and accomplishing our own objectives and on advancing the public interest. It creates and sustains acceptance, understanding, teamwork, and inspiration. A sound sovereign community studiously applies its authority, critically scrutinizing and timely influencing government and major corporate plans and actions, and accomplishing and sustaining inclusive public informed consent. Dick Haas, Pontiac The United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing GHS 2.8 million (USD 225,000) to develop and operationalize the School Licensing and Inspection Management System (SLIMS) database. This support includes the purchase of 100 tablets for the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) to digitally collect school inspection data. The support from the United States is helping streamline the licensing, monitoring, and evaluation for all schools across Ghana by putting all data on a single platform. During the launch of SLIMS in Accra on Wednesday, USAID/Ghana Mission Director, Kimberly Rosen, said, SLIMS complements our collaborative efforts to improve education quality and accountability in schools. The United States is proud to support the use of technology in Ghanas educational system not just for instruction but for sound management and accountability. Over the past seven months, USAID has launched three education initiatives to make education accessible to all, strengthen sector accountability, and promote public-private partnership. The first initiative, the Strengthening Accountability in Ghanas Education System (SAGES) government-to government (G2G) agreement, aims to institutionalize and create an enabling environment for education accountability at all levels. The second initiative, the SAGES Systems Strengthening Activity, complements the G2G agreement by providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and its agencies to support education management and citizen engagement. The third initiative, the Advancing Partnerships for Improved Learning (APIL) Activity, supports more than 200 low-fee private schools to provide quality education for children in underserved and marginalized communities in northern Ghana. The United States is Ghanas largest bilateral development partner. In the past year, development support through USAID totaled over $140 million dedicated to education, health, economic growth, agriculture and more. About USAID USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID's activities and strategic partnerships support Ghana to advance an integrated approach to development. It promotes accountability, sustainable systems, and inclusive development. 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 Members of Parliament want the Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to address the nation about the current internet outrage nationwide. The situation has been worrying but the National Communications Authority (NCA) earlier alerted the public about multiple undersea cable disruptions that had caused internet disruption. But Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa told Parliament today that Ursula Owusu-Ekuful must officially brief the nation about the unfortunate situation. The Ghana Telecommunication Chamber and the telecos have all issued statements pleading with their subscribers to bear with them. They say that there have been multiple submarine fibre optic cable disruptions in the high seas, and we do not know the extent of the distractions, and this is a national security issue. I want to appeal that the Communications Minister come to tell us what the government is doing to help restore normalcy so that we can have access to the internet and our data services. Sarah Adwoa Safo, the MP for Dome-Kwabenya also expressed the need for the government to update the country on measures taken to restore services. Members of our constituencies are equally worried as we are, especially with the mobile money operators. So, I will plead with the Majority Leader to schedule the Minister for Communication to come and rightfully and thoroughly address the House on the issues that are at stake so that we can understand it better, she stated. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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 A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe says dishonesty from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has led to Ghana's current state. He claimed that President Akufo-Addo and his government had failed millions of Ghanaians who trusted in their capabilities. That is why I keep saying that if a leader is not honest with his people, he falls into these sorts of traps. This government has not been honest with its people right from the get-go, he said. Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe addressed the current hardship in Ghana and the recent power outages Dumsor in an interview with Joy News monitored by Peacefmonline.com. He blamed the power outages on the government's negligence and said the situation could have been averted if the president was an honest person "He's not been honest with the people of this country from day one, even right from the day he was being sworn in." He noted. Adding, Of course, yes, that should have alarmed us. Even though I warned Ghanaians before that they shouldn't vote him in, that should have alarmed Ghanaians. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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 ATLANTIC CITY Trying to start a new career is not easy. Galloway Township resident Tyrell Williams knows that firsthand. The father of three and Absegami High School teacher has been taking part in the Atlantic City Infrastructure Program, which may help him acquire a job with Atlantic City Electric. On Friday, Williams and 19 others graduated from the program at Stockton Universitys City Campus. The program consisted of a 16-week course with two three-hour sessions per week at Atlantic Cape Community Colleges Worthington Campus in the city. Participants learned the skills needed to start a career in the energy industry. The graduates also received a $1,500 stipend, along with a chance to work for Atlantic City Electric or one of the companys contractors. Im a parent of three kids, so having to work, do night classes for a total of 17 weeks ... it made me buckle down enough to be disciplined, not only in life but in my work ethic, engaged, and put my best foot forward, said Williams, 39. Everybody in the program is from all walks of life, but nonetheless were all here for the same opportunity. The program is a joint effort between the city and Atlantic City Electric to give the community other employment options that could lead to lasting careers. Van Drew asks HUD inspector general to investigate Atlantic City Housing Authority U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew has called on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General to investigate the Atlantic City Housing Authority in the wake of continued issues there. Today, its about all your hard work and getting that shot at an opportunity to change your lives, the lives of your community and the lives of the people that you love and are closest to, said Tyler Anthony, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, Atlantic City Electrics parent company, during the ceremony. The Atlantic City Infrastructure Program started in 2022, with its first class of 26 students graduating last February. Today marks a significant milestone. It represents a culmination of your hard work and dedication throughout the Atlantic City Infrastructure Program and at the same time, a new chapter in your career journey, said Robert Asaro-Angelo, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor. You not only made it to the end of this program, but you made an important decision from the jump to do this for yourself, which is sometimes the hardest step to take. The program also gives graduates the qualifications to work in different aspects of the energy field, whether it be project management, security, as an overhead helper, or other possibilities. When I think of utilities, I think of workers or linemen. I didnt realize the other opportunities available, like working in the office, said Laura Ortiz, a 36-year-old graduate of the program from Ventnor. She hopes to be a senior external affairs expert with Atlantic City Electric. Now, people that live here can level up. It gives them an opportunity to work and make a living, have a career not a job with salaries. Its life changing, said Ortiz. Its an opportunity people in an underserved community like this dont get often. Mayor Marty Small Sr. said Friday that the inspiration for starting the infrastructure program came after hearing about a similar program run by Pepco Holdings in Washington, D.C. Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm would have 157 turbines and be 8.4 miles from shore Data from the federal government shows that an offshore wind power project proposed for New Jersey would have 157 turbines and be located 8.4 miles from shore at its closest point. Weve always wanted to put in particular Atlantic City residents in positions to get careers. Jobs are cool, but we want to push career, sustainable careers, Small said. Small said the next Atlantic City Infrastructure Program class would begin April 10. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. OCEAN CITY The Board of Education appointed Christian J. Angelillo as the district's new superintendent Thursday night. I look forward to becoming a part of the fabric of the Ocean City community and forging lasting relationships that will help remind us to celebrate our past accomplishments, while working together to achieve future successes that will make us all proud, Angelillo said. Angelillo is currently the superintendent in Boonton, Morris County. He will start in Ocean City in June. During a January board meeting, school officials said they wanted to have a permanent superintendent in place before the end of the school year. The superintendent search generated over fifty applicants. With this large pool of interested educators, the board had the opportunity to review and eventually interview several finalists for the position, said Terrence Crowley, the district's interim superintendent. Dr. Angelillo presented himself as an experienced and qualified individual who would contribute to and lead the Ocean City School District as it provides an outstanding education for our students. He will bring to the district a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm. Longtime Superintendent Kathleen Taylor left the district in 2021. School employee Tom Baruffi filled in as interim super during an extensive search process, which resulted in the appointment of Matthew Friedman. But Friedman lasted less than a year, accepting another job and ending his time in Ocean City last March. The district has been operating with interim superintendents since Friedman left. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. ATLANTIC CITY U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew is calling for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Office of Inspector General to investigate the Atlantic City Housing Authority over widespread poor conditions. Van Drew, R-2nd, made the announcement Friday morning during a meeting with about 50 residents at Stanley Holmes Villages community center, organized by Steve Young of the National Action Networks South Jersey chapter. You know something is wrong. People deserve heat, hot water, windows that are not broken, no vermin in their homes, homes that are not full of mold and mildew, and that dont have lead in them and dont have leaky pipes, Van Drew said. Were tired of it. Thats why were here. Authority board Chair Stephanie Marshall, who is also a city councilwoman, and Treasurer Geoffrey Dorsey attended the meeting but did not speak. Marshall declined comment on the meeting Friday, and neither Dorsey nor authority Executive Director Tom Sahlin responded to requests for comment. Board member Charmaine Hall, who is one of two tenant representatives on the board and who often clashes with Marshall and Dorsey, also attended. She lives in Buzby Village. I never get an answer at board meetings, Hall said of her attempts to get more information for tenants. They always look at us as being mad and angry or being combative. But Hall said tenant board members have to live in the poor conditions, unlike other board members. Stanley Holmes is the 420-unit public housing complex where about 130 residents are suing over what they say are unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Van Drew to visit Atlantic City Housing Authority's Stanley Holmes Village on Friday U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew will meet with residents of the Atlantic City Housing Authority's Stanley Holmes Village on Friday, he said Wednesday. After the meeting, Van Drew and his staff toured Stanley Holmes with Young, City Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, Councilwoman LaToya Dunston, herself a public housing resident, former housing authority Executive director Matt Doherty, and others. They visited a few units and saw electric baseboard heaters provided to residents who have no central heat. The heaters are not strong enough to heat the whole apartment, said resident Stephon Evans, 53, only the living room. Evans pays $609 a month for his one-bedroom apartment, he said. His main problem is a lack of adequate heat and hot water. Van Drew said the authority has spent millions of dollars but living conditions remain unsafe and unhealthy at some of its public housing complexes. According to the 2022 fiscal year audit, the most recent available, the authority had $28.1 million in income and $27.5 million in expenses for the year ending March 2022. The 2022 income included $22.7 million from HUD and $4.5 million from tenants rent payments. The authoritys 2022 and 2023 audits were not submitted on time, and it was late filing of audits that caused HUD to declare the authority fiscally troubled last year. During the meeting, Van Drew and three of his staff members heard from residents who said they have never been given clear information on whether, when and how Stanley Holmes will be demolished, and what will happen to them if they have to move from the complex. Atlantic City Housing Authority now to hold special meeting Monday The Atlantic City Housing Authority has called a special online meeting for 1:30 p.m. Friday but has not posted details on agenda items. They also heard about problems with the authoritys administration of its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. Tamisha Bailey said the authority had done nothing to help her make her Section 8 landlord provide housing that meets fire codes. Instead, she said, she has been treated like she is the problem by the authority and city officials. Her landlord has threatened her with eviction, and she said at an authority board meeting that a Section 8 worker has threatened her with loss of her voucher. Ive been in the program 20 years, Bailey said. The landlords been receiving money but not doing what they should. Ive been getting nothing but a backlash. ... They are saying Im out of my mind. Theres just something wrong. Im not going to say its corruption, Van Drew said. They have been spending millions and millions and millions across the country ... and were wasting it. Van Drew said all housing authorities need better oversight, and hes working on a federal bill to improve their accountability for how they spend money. About 70 people working for the New York City Housing Authority were recently arrested and charged with taking bribes for awarding contracts, Van Drew said. When he said he was asking HUDs inspector general to investigate the Atlantic City authority, the room broke out into applause. This is not just words, and it isnt politics, Van Drew said. This is about doing the right thing. HUD negotiated a recovery and action plan with the Atlantic City authority after a federal review found the authority has not followed federal rules for years in most of its operations, including how public housing residents are chosen, how their rent is calculated and collected, and how public health and security issues are handled. The congressman had been trying to get HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to visit Atlantic City with him and to arrange for HUD to take over the authority, but she was unresponsive. Fudge resigned from HUD on Monday. GALLERY: Van Drew tours Atlantic City's Stanley Holmes Village CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE Dozens of county officials, veterans and their families gathered at the Gerald M. Thornton Veterans Cemetery on Friday afternoon to break ground on the first phase of a cemetery beautification project. Today marks the beginning of an important phase in our commitment to honoring and remembering those who have served our country with valor and dedication, said Len Desiderio, director of the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. This project will transform our cemetery into a place of beauty, respect and reflection. We want this to look like a mini Arlington, and thanks to everyone who is involved, well do just that. The first phase of the project will feature improvements to the asphalt, soil, pavers, sodding and sidewalks around the ceremony, seven new flagpoles, 36 new light fixtures, 24 ornamental and evergreen trees, more than 1,000 plants and a ceremony plaza with six benches for seating. It is expected to cost $1.68 million, officials said. How about this weather we have to mark this special occasion? said Commissioner Bobby Barr, commenting on Fridays warm, springlike temperatures. I truly believe this is a sign that God is smiling down on us, our veterans and the people behind us who gave their blood, sweat and tears to make our country the way it is. The 17.6-acre cemetery opened in 1980 and was later renamed in honor of Thornton, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former commissioner director credited as the individual responsible for giving county veterans and their spouses a final resting place in the area. Every element has been carefully designed to create a space that pays tribute to the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women, Desiderio said. South State Construction of Bridgeton and Command Company Inc. of Egg Harbor Township are the contractors for the project. Report: New Jersey and US were not prepared for COVID-19 and state remains so for the next crisis An independent report has found New Jersey and the nation were not prepared when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the state remains underprepared for the next emergency. Desiderio hopes to have the work finished within the next two months. Thornton reflected on the challenges of getting the cemetery in the county as it required approval from the state banking department. This property was sitting here vacant 45 years ago, so I went to the board with the idea and they supported everything I asked for, Thornton said. The biggest holdup was having to go to the banking commission. They told me I had to put up a $50,000 escrow, and I was a little confused by that since we are a county. I received a call from the chairman of the banking commission at the time, and after he came down to meet with me, he waived the escrow a week later, allowing us to build the cemetery. Thornton was proud to see how far the property has come over the past four decades. This county should be thrilled with how they serve their veterans, Thornton said. Lets all remember those who have served and their families. Ive always said once you take that oath, youre willing to give your life for this country. Thats what everyone should remember. Assemblyman Erik K. Simonsen, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said the project will also appeal to those from outside the area. This improvement project is going to be phenomenal for not only our community, but since we are a tourist destination, people can come here and see the locals who served so proudly, Simonsen said. Our heroes are laid to rest here, and they deserve a place for their family and friends to come and honor them. TRENTON New Jersey, known as much for its beaches and blueberries as for the chemical plants and refineries that line some of its major highways, is considering asking voters a fundamental question: Should the state guarantee its citizens the right to a clean environment? A bill making its way through the state Legislature would put a question on the November general election ballot asking, Do you approve amending the Constitution to grant every person the right to a clean and healthy environment? Environmentalists say the move, known as the green amendment, is long overdue and would enable citizens to seek redress in court if they feel their environmental rights are being violated. But opponents, including business groups, warn that the law could have unintended consequences. They say it could enable foes of one of New Jersey's main efforts to fight climate change building offshore wind projects to challenge and kill the projects in court, saying their right to a clean ocean was being violated. Three states Montana, New York and Pennsylvania have established constitutional rights to a clean environment via similar amendments, but another 15 either are considering such measures or are expected to do so soon, said Maya van Rossum, founder of Green Amendments For The Generations and head of the Delaware Riverkeeper organization in New Jersey. We have communities in New Jersey thar are being harmed by air and water pollution despite all these laws we have on the books to protect them, she said, adding that the proposal, if enacted, would reorient environmental protection toward preventing pollution rather than acting after the fact to address it. Right now, governmental officials may think it's a good idea to protect the environment and may want to do it, but they don't have a constitutional demand to do it, she said. Democratic state Sen. Linda Greenstein, sponsor of the bill, said it would guarantee the fundamental parts of a healthy daily life. Report: New Jersey and US were not prepared for COVID-19 and state remains so for the next crisis An independent report has found New Jersey and the nation were not prepared when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the state remains underprepared for the next emergency. That means clean water to drink, clean air to breathe and enjoyment of our natural spaces, constitutionally guaranteed to every New Jerseyan today and tomorrow," she said. "These things should not be considered a privilege afforded to some. But the bill does not spell out how the law would work in practice. It designates no entity as the enforcer of the law or the adjudicator of disputes regarding it. That would appear to leave the court system as the main avenue for those who feel aggrieved. It would wind up in front of a judge, Greenstein acknowledged, although she said some preliminary steps including mediation could also be used. She said lawmakers may need to add language spelling out how the law would work and be enforced. Ray Cantor, of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said the law could have unintended consequences. He said it could enable people who oppose offshore wind power projects to challenge them in court. Our concern is many dont understand the ramifications of this resolution, he said. Greenstein and officials with several environmental groups said they do not consider that likely. The measure would decree that "the states natural resources, among them its waters, air, flora, fauna, climate, and public lands, are the common property of all the people, including both present and future generations. The state shall serve as trustee of these resources, and shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people. What happens when a school receives a threat? A rash of threats have been reported recently at local schools, including three within the span of about two weeks at Egg Harbor Township High School. What are the protocols and how do people react when these things happen? But Bill Wolfe, a former official with the state Department of Environmental Protection and a frequent critic of the agency, said the state already is the trustee of those resources under the Public Trust Doctrine, a legal concept dating to the Roman Empire that the state has adopted in other areas, including access to beaches and waterways. The bill is deeply flawed, and I believe it is more performative than a serious effort, he said. Doug O'Malley, of Environment New Jersey, called the bill the fire ax behind glass that you break in case of emergency. You don't use it every day, but it's good to know you have it there in case you need it, he said. He and others said they do not expect a flood of litigation as a result of the new law, citing the experiences of other states that have enacted similar provisions. Several measures have been added to the bill through amendments, including adding a safe climate to the list of protected resources, and adding environmental justice concerns to it, according to Democratic Sen. Bob Smith, chairman of the Senate committee that advanced the bill Thursday. It still requires multiple levels of approval before being placed on the November ballot. After complaining about her representation in a letter written in the Scott County Jail, Adriana Blake has elected to keep her attorney. Blake faces numerous charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, in the Jan. 15 slaying of Brian L. Goodwin and Amy M. Smith. She wrote to District 7 Associate Judge Michael Motto on Feb. 25 asking for a new attorney. Blake, 27, of Davenport, is represented by Troy Smith of the State Public Defenders Office. Blake wrote that Smith had not met with her to discuss her case when he said he would. She wanted someone who had time for her case and would listen to her wishes. At a hearing Thursday before District Court Judge Stuart P. Werling, Smith questioned Blake about changing counsel, saying he thought it was necessary to confirm whether she wanted another attorney representing her. I do not want new counsel, Blake said during that questioning. Blake told the court shed spoken with Smith and Leanne Striegel, another assistant public defender, and was satisfied with them. Smith said Blake had also mentioned having mental health issues while at the jail. At the hearing, Smith asked her whether those issues were having any effect on her ability to make her decision about counsel. Blake said they were not. Blake has a co-defendant, Devon Braet, 34, of Davenport, in relation to the slayings of Goodwin and Smith. As of Thursday, Blake and Braet both face two counts each of first-degree murder. They each also face charges of: Two counts of first-degree robbery. Two counts of assault while participating in a felony - serious injury. Two counts of going armed with intent. Two counts of use of dangerous weapon in commission of a crime. Two counts of abuse of a corpse. One count of first-degree arson. One count of dominions/control of firearm/offensive weapon by felon One count of possession of controlled substance. In Blakes case the allegation was it was her second offense. For Braet it was listed as his third or subsequent offense. Case history Blake and Braet were arrested for being felons in possession of firearms on Jan. 18 and where officially charged with the murders on Feb. 7. They appeared in court as co-defendants on Feb. 16. Blake was represented by Public Defender Troy Smith. Braet was represented by Amy Kepes of the Des Moines-based Special Defense Unit. In the pair's murder case, District Court Judge Stuart P. Werling is assigned as the trial judge who will oversee the proceedings, according to court documents. The appointment documents were filed on March 5. Investigators say Blake and Braet possessed firearms during the commission of the crimes. Arresting officers said that when Blake and Braet were taken into custody on Jan. 18 they had 4.3 grams of heroin and 11 grams of meth. Blake's first letter In the letter written on Feb. 25, Blake asked Motto for a different attorney and named private attorneys Andrea Jaeger and "Eric," for whom she does not give a last name. The second could could be Jaeger's partner, Eric Tindal, at the law firm Keegan Tindal & Jaeger. Blake claimed she was not being adequately represented by Smith. "Troy (Smith) also told me when I had court on the 16th that he would be here last week to speak with me and never came," Blake wrote in the letter. When Blake was originally arrested on Jan. 18, she was booked under the name "Adriana Prieto." In the letter, Blake asked for all her documentation to show her last name as "Blake." She said she was married on July 4, 2023, and has identification showing her married name. Blake's second letter Her newest letter to Motto, dated March 10, is three-and-a-half pages long and alleges Scott County Jail medical staff and corrections officers are ignoring her requests for assistance. Blake claims in the letter she has been denied access to medical and mental health services, as well as use of a toothbrush and toothpaste. Blake also made a number of complaints in the newest letter about her state of mind. She describes periods of feeling "delirious." Later in the letter, Blake claimed she spent some of her time in the jail "hallucinating." She said she thought she saw her dead husband and traveled through time. While claiming she is "terrified" at the prospect of "being housed in this jail," Blake did not ask to be moved to another facility. Details of the case The bodies of Goodwin and Smith, both 44, were found Jan. 16 by Davenport firefighters after a fire was reported at Goodwins residence at 5210 N. Division St. They had gunshot wounds. According to their arrest affidavits, Blake and Braet also lived at the residence. Under Iowa law, first-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison upon conviction. During the Feb. 16 court hearing, Davenport police investigator Brandon Askew testified that Blake was recorded on video in a hotel room in Galesburg, Illinois, bragging about "killing two people." Askew also testified that Blake and Braet were in possession of the firearms believed to be used in the murders when they were arrested on Jan. 18. According to the arrest affidavits, Blake and Braet killed Goodwin and Smith between 4:30 and 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15. An alleged 'accessory after the fact' Another woman also was arrested Feb. 7 in connection with the case. Melisa Marie Weber, 49, is charged with two counts of abuse of a corpse and one count each of accessory after the fact and second-degree arson. Blake and Braet, along with Weber, placed combustible materials inside the residence where the bodies of Goodwin and Smith were located, authorities allege. They set fire to the materials in the hopes of altering the crime scene. The fire damaged the bodies of Goodwin and Smith. After helping to start the fire, Weber helped Blake and Braet avoid apprehension, the affidavits said. Weber is being held in the Rock Island County Jail for Scott County. What's next? Blake, Braet and Weber had arraignments scheduled for later Thursday morning. At arraignments, the court informs defendants of the charges filed against them by the state, according to the Iowa Judicial Branch website. Defendants can choose not to appear in court for arraignments. They can instead file documents acknowledging the charges. Those filings include entering a plea of not guilty. Braet and Weber filed written arraignments rather than appear Thursday, Blake was also expected to file a written arraignment, but it had not yet appeared in her case record Thursday afternoon. A Blue Grass man is facing a charge of enticement after he allegedly tried to hypnotize a victim on a school bus, Davenport police said. Nicholas Keitaro Munger, 30, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of enticing a minor under the age of 13. The charge is a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. Munger also is charged with one count each of assault with the intent to commit sexual abuse, sexual exploitation by a school employee and indecent contact with a child. Each charge is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years. He was taken into custody Wednesday. According to the arrest affidavits and search warrants filed by Davenport Police Detectives Evan Obert and Sean Johnson, a woman called 911 on May 4, 2021, stating that her 12-year-old son was assaulted the previous day by a bus monitor while on the way to school. The woman stated that her son got on the school bus and was followed to the back of the bus by the monitor. While in the back of the bus, the monitor, who had been identified as Munger, sat in a seat in proximity to the child and stared at him, according to the district court documents. Munger later moved closer to the child and asked him if he had ever been hypnotized and what social media he used, court documents allege. He attempted to hypnotize the boy and was touching his arms and legs. According to district court documents, during a post-Miranda interview with police, Munger admitted to trying to hypnotize the child on the bus and touching his shoulder, neck and wrist. Munger also admitted to asking the victim if he is on social media and admitted to using various social media platforms. Police obtained search warrants for Mungers electronic devices, including his cell phone and computer, in connection with their investigation into the incident on the bus. During a review of the downloads, officers located one image of child pornography that was on three of Mungers devices, according to district court documents. Munger was arrested Aug. 3, 2023, on a charge of possessing a depiction of a minor in a sex act-first offense. That charge is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years. A hearing on a motion to suppress evidence in that case is scheduled for April 4. During a first appearance on the new charges Thursday in Scott County District Court, Munger waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Magistrate Ryan Beckenbaugh scheduled Mungers arraignment in the case for April 4. Munger was being held Thursday night in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only bond of $10,000. A Davenport man was arrested this week on charges of threats of terrorism after police say they found threatening posts on Facebook and TikTok. Willie Shorter, 55, was initially charged in February with harassment after police say they were notified of a 45-second video to TikTok in which police say Shorter referenced the shooting at the Kansas City Super Bowl parade and said "They need one in Davenport, Iowa, right downtown." Shorter was charged with harassment in the first degree, an aggravated misdemeanor Feb. 16. Shorter was released after posting a $2,000 bond Feb. 27, according to court documents. Shorter then pleaded not guilty to the charge and was scheduled to have a pretrial hearing in the case in April. Shorter was arrested again on Thursday and taken to the Scott County jail on two charges of threat of terrorism, both class D felonies, and is being held in the jail pending $6,000 in bonds. An updated affidavit filed in court adds that in July 2023, Shorter posted a six-minute video on Facebook live "making alarming statements and manipulating two firearms." What do police say Willie Shorter said? According to the affidavits, one filed Feb. 16, the second filed March 13, police allege Shorter made threatening statements in videos in July 2023 and in February of this year. According to the affidavits, in a TikTok video from Shorter's account that police say was posted Feb. 16, Shorter stated: "You know, that's sad they had a mass shooting down in Kansas City. They need one in Davenport, Iowa, right downtown. Right there in front of that courthouse, that police station, and that city hall." In another minute-long video posted shortly after, the police say Shorter appears on camera and he stated: "The reason I posted that video about Davenport Iowa needs a massacre here because it is sad how that Davenport Iowa, the whole state is getting away with how they are railroading Black folks in the system and how they are mistreating elderly Black folks here in the state of Iowa." In an affidavit filed this week, police include that February video and a statement from Shorter in a Facebook Live from July 2023. "I want to show you racist white folks in Davenport and anybody that wants to talk down on me that feels like they got something they want to say to me or they want to try and harm me," police say Shorter stated in the July Facebook video. "I want you to know what you're going to be up against the day that anybody come f***in' with me and thinkin' they're gonna stop me from saying what I'm saying. Or thinkin' they trying to hurt me in any kinda way. I want y'all to understand what I'm finna show y'all. It ain't gonna be pretty for you. So if you wanna get me, you better get close up on me, and I don't let too many people get close up on me." According to the affidavit, Shorter then pans the video to two black pistols on the ground in front of him. Shorter was a frequent presence in City Hall and at meetings in 2021 to protest what he and other residents alleged was a pattern of the city ignoring complaints of racism directed by other tenants and Black residents at the Heritage building, a 120-unit apartment complex that was previously owned by the City of Davenport. One city's surprising tactic to reduce gun violence: Solving more nonfatal shootings One city's surprising tactic to reduce gun violence: Solving more nonfatal shootings Other cities have woken up to Denver's example Update: On Friday, the Sheriff's Office said the woman killed was Taylor Escontrias (McKee), 31, of Park View. Original story: Scott County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a car crash in Mount Joy Thursday, but their investigation led to the discovery of a body in Park View. The crash happened near the intersection of 90th Street and Harrison Street in Mt. Joy, according a sheriff's office news release. The time of the crash was unavailable, but the release said the crash was near the entrance to Davenport Municipal Airport. "During the accident investigation, information led to the discovery of a female deceased body in Park View, Iowa," the release stated. The sheriff's office did not identify the person whose body was discovered because family was still being notified Thursday. The release identified the driver of the vehicle as Christopher Behal, 30, of Park View. Authorities sent him to Genesis Health System's eastern campus in Davenport because he was injured. Once he was cleared at the hospital, the sheriff's office arrested him on suspicion of first-degree murder, the release states. The Scott County Jail's website stated that Behal got booked at 2:10 p.m. and remained in custody Thursday afternoon. No court records related to the Scott County investigation were available as of 4 p.m. Thursday. Muslims around world observe holy month of Ramadan Property owners in Iowa will receive a new letter in the mail this month from the county notifying them of proposed property tax rates. As part of changes to property tax laws passed in Iowa in 2023, the state legislature mandated county auditors mail by March 20 every property owner a notice that informs them of the current and proposed tax rates for their city, school, and county, as well as the total tax dollars levied by each. The letter also encourages residents to attend budget hearings. The new notification is required by HF 718, a bill passed with bipartisan support in 2023 that reduced property taxes through several mechanisms and aimed to increase transparency of the budget-making process for local authorities. But Scott County officials worry the new notice may be confusing to residents. The notice is not a tax bill, officials emphasize, and the notice wont include parcel-by-parcel information. Each property owner will get a notification for what the taxes are proposed to be in their district, not their particular parcel, but the taxes in their district, Scott County Treasurer Tony Knobbe said. And thats where it starts to get, I think, confusing. A district is made up of properties that are in all the same county, city, and school district. The county has more than 40 different taxing authorities, said Peter Kurylo, tax manager for the Scott County Auditor's Office, and many more combinations. The new notice will include the countys total property taxes levied for the current fiscal year, the current county property tax rate per $1,000 of taxable value, the proposed total county taxes to be levied for the fiscal year to start July 1 and the proposed county tax rate. The notice also will include that same information for the residents city (if they live in an incorporated area) and school district, as well as the time, date, and location for each of their taxing authorities budget hearings. If taxes levied total more than the previous year, the taxing authority must also include a statement explaining the reasons why. Bettendorf's, for example, references six new firefighters the city is funding once a federal grant expires. Also listed will be an example of how each proposed property tax rate will be applied to a home or commercial property worth $100,000 in assessed value compared to the previous year. Property assessments were mailed out in 2023 by county and city assessors, which told owners property values had increased quite a bit. On average statewide, property values increased 17%, Knobbe said. In assessment years, the state then deploys a formula called the rollback to prevent property taxes from spiking alongside home values. The rollback, calculated by the state, sets a percentage of a propertys value that can be taxed. The rollback formula reduced the percentage of a home's assessed value that could be taxed from 54.65% to 46.34%, which is the largest one-year drop since 1979. That means for some homeowners, despite their property increasing in assessed value, their taxes may go down. Scott County estimates that a property's assessed value will have to have increased about 17% for a property owner's county taxes to go up. If a property's value grew by less than 17%, county taxes on it should go down, officials estimate. The City of Bettendorf has a calculator online for residents to calculate their city property taxes under proposed rates. On the new notice sent by the auditor's office, the rollback formula and tax rate is applied to the $100,000 example, but the notice won't tell the property owner how much their property is worth nor how much it's assessed value increased. What the parcel owner doesnt necessarily know is, whats the taxable value? And more importantly, whats the taxable value change from one year to the next for my parcel? Knobbe said. So, until you know that, you really cant take this document and do the math and say my taxes are going to go up or down and by how much. Property owners can search their address on the county assessor website beacon.schneidercorp.com and find their 2023 assessed value. Property tax bills will be mailed and payable this fall and next spring. Another wrinkle is that the notice will provide commercial examples also at $100,000 valuation, but the first $150,000 of commercial value is taxed at the residential rollback rate, which is lower than for commercial value after the first $150,000. Also, while city, county, and schools make up nearly all of a parcel's property taxes, there are other taxing authorities that won't be included such as community colleges, soil and water districts, for example. Cities, counties, and school districts have until March 15 to send in property tax information to the state Department of Management, which then compiles it and the county auditors office pulls the information for the notices. That also creates some difficulty for schools to set their budgets and tax rates. The state Legislature has not yet approved its share of Supplemental State Aid to schools. Knobbe said he's had conversations with state lawmakers about how to make the notice more informative. In all, the notices cost $30,000 to send out for each property owner in the county, Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins said. These are the cities where $250K goes the furthest These are the cities where $250K goes the furthest Where a $250K income goes furthest (and the least) DES MOINES Iowas tax receipts will come in slightly lower than expected this year, but revenues will hold steady in 2025 according to the latest projections from a state panel that estimates the state's annual revenue. The projections are critical as state lawmakers begin the work of crafting a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, using the projections by the Revenue Estimating Conference to determine how much they can spend. Income tax cuts for individuals and corporations will continue to drive down revenue from those sources, but state officials expect increasing consumer spending to increase revenues from sales tax. The panel, which met on Friday, expects Iowas total revenue to be $9.63 billion this year, a decrease of about $219 million from last year and about $120 million lower than state officials estimated in December. In fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1, revenue is expected to reach $9.7 billion, an increase of about 0.7% from 2024. That number would be down about $100 million from 2022, when lawmakers enacted income tax cuts that put Iowa on a path to a flat 3.9% tax rate in 2026. State lawmakers will need to use the panels last projection from December when deciding how to spend the states tax dollars, because state law requires the lower of the two estimates to be used to create the budget. The 2025 estimate in December was $9.64 billion. Iowa Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen, who sits on the estimating board representing the governors office, said conservative spending by the Republican-led state government has put Iowa in a strong financial position. Paulsen said there is room to further cut taxes, which Iowas Republican leaders have all called for. Thanks to this fiscal restraint, we think there is no reason to think the state cannot continue down the path of leaving more money in Iowans pockets, Paulsen said. In 2026, the projection gets more uncertain as two state agencies were nearly a billion dollars apart in their initial projections for that years income. The Department of Management and the nonpartisan Legislative Services agency each submit projections ahead of the board's quarterly meetings, and the panel has to reach an agreement between the two. The Department of Management predicted a 3.5% revenue increase between 2025 and 2026, while the Legislative Services Agency predicted a 5.4% reduction. The panel eventually settled on a 1% decrease estimate, which would put revenue that year at $9.6 billion. Paulsen said he expects a larger increase as the economy continues to grow. Jennifer Acton, the fiscal services director for the Legislative Services Agency, said she expects recent tax cuts and more refunds because of the way corporations are taxed to drag down the states revenue. Lawmakers, governor react to latest estimates Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said the Friday estimates show that Iowa is in a solid financial position. Even with the significant national economic challenges created by so-called 'Bidenomics,' Iowas economy remains strong and steady," she said in a statement provided by a spokesperson. Reynolds has proposed a bill that would accelerate the 2022 tax cuts and reach a lower tax rate faster. Under Reynolds' proposal, Iowa taxpayers would pay a flat 3.5% income tax starting in 2025. Reynolds has proposed spending $8.9 billion from the states general fund in next years budget, which would represent a 4.7% spending increase from the 2024 budget. The state ended 2023 with a $1.83 billion budget surplus. The states taxpayer relief fund, which is used to fund tax cuts, is estimated to reach $3.68 billion this fiscal year, according to Reynolds budget recommendation. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Grimes, said the projections show the success of Republicans fiscal policy and cutting income taxes. Our agenda has resulted in a strong Iowa economy, a balanced budget, almost $4 billion in the taxpayer relief fund, and a surplus this year of roughly $1 billion, Whitver said in a statement. Now is the time to continue to implement these policies and Senate Republicans look forward to building on our success this year with the House and Governor Reynolds to enhance the truly great condition of our state. In written statements, legislative Democrats criticized Republicans for failing to pass a school funding plan despite the legal deadline passing in February. Lawmakers have not passed a budget for state aid to schools as they continue to work out a controversial policy to overhaul the states area education agencies. Rep. Timi Brown-Powers of Waterloo, the top Democrat on the House budget committee, said the Legislature should be pursuing an agenda that funds public schools and increases Iowans wages. We believe its time to make public schools our top priority again, she said in a statement. Todays budget estimate confirms there is no fiscal reason for GOP lawmakers to continue stalling funding for public schools, its just all politics for them. As we learned again this week with 1,200 Iowans losing their jobs in Perry, more tax giveaways to corporations and the richest Iowans dont give Iowans the wages or job security they deserve. Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said in a statement that lawmakers should focus on passing a budget over divisive social policies. We owe it to our constituents to fund our public schools, pass a balanced and responsible state budget, and then adjourn for the year, said Petersen, the ranking member on the Senate budget committee. Iowans arent asking for more politics and culture wars. Theyre asking for a government that does its job. It's tax season: Here are the simple rules to file correctlyand on time It's tax season: Here are the simple rules to file correctlyand on time Who does Davenport Mayor Mike Matson serve? Certainly not the citizens and taxpayers of Davenport with his actions taken in the past six months regarding large monetary payments to three former city employees. Davenport's almost $2 million in payments to three top city employees, including the highest paid employee city administrator Corrin Spiegel, amounts to more money than the city spends on many city projects in one year. Matson has condoned and encouraged the behavior of the former city attorney's efforts to keep these settlements from the public eye. Why were these extraordinarily large three monetary settlements kept secret until after the Nov. 7, 2023, mayoral election? Could it be that it was because Matson was in a contentious re-election bid for votes on Nov. 7, 2023, with Iowa State Rep. Ken Croken and might well have lost the mayoral election had full disclosure been made to the public. Transparency was supposed to be the hallmark of Matson's re-election bid. Matson's recent actions as mayor reflect a clear lack of transparency. In fact, Matson is now allowing an outside law firm hired by the city to sue a local resident who requested the demand letter of former city administrator Corrin Spiegel that precipitated her settlement and the million-dollar pay-out to her. Matson is also condoning the city's attempt to block Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand's state audit of the Davenport books regarding these high-priced settlements. Was Matson afraid the public would look with disdain on him if the public actually read the Spiegel demand letter, netting her $1.6 million of taxpayer dollars including payment to Spiegel of $1 million (tax free) for alleged "emotional distress?" Matson was in favor of these large payouts by the city and has never publicly even questioned whether or not they should have been paid. Apparently, the city has millions of dollars to payout to former city employees, but will not try to settle the lawsuits with the 80 tenants who either died, were permanently maimed for life, or were summarily displaced from their residences, at 324 Main Street on May 28, 2023. This infamous building collapse occurred a few hundred feet from City Hall and in full view of Matson's third floor mayoral office window. Spiegel is a named individual defendant in two of these building lawsuits. Why would the city voluntarily pay Spiegel $1.6 million without her first filing a lawsuit or even making an EEOC complaint against the city, alleging a factual basis for her claim? Presently, the public knows nothing about Spiegel's factual allegation except tidbits of information transmitted to the public by the city alleging "harassment." The city refuses to disclose Spiegel's demand letter, instead the city sues a local citizen, Ezra Sidran, who requested the demand letter pursuant to the Iowa Public Records Act. Why didn't the city let a judge and jury determine whether or not Spiegel had any viable legal claims against the city? Litigation would have provided answers to these allegations that the public would understand. Why did a subordinate of Spiegel's at City Hall sign her settlement agreement without prior city council approval? These questions demand answers by Matson to the public. Matson has refused or has deflected and failed to provide the public with clear factual answers over the past six months. Matson owes the public that much as their mayor. This has the appearance of a cover-up by Matson and has an odor to it. Matson must come clean with the citizens of Davenport. He must promptly release the Sept. 25, 2023, Spiegel demand letter and direct the dismissal of the city's lawsuit against Sidran. The mayor must further spell out to the public the rationale for these historically large payouts. The public deserves nothing less. I cannot, and many of my public citizen colleagues also cannot, accept the way this entire sordid matter has been handled. Matson must answer to the public or step down as mayor. Editor's note: In January, Allen Diercks filed a lawsuit against the Davenport City Council, former city attorney Thomas Warner and the city of Davenport claiming they executing agreements with city officials without prior city council approval. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem hosted a townhall meeting with residents in Spearfish Thursday to tout some policy successes from this year's legislative session. In a packed coffee house, Noem spoke to a standing room only crowd, touching on the subjects of two education bills she signed into law on Wednesday, one dealing with teacher pay and the other to train teachers in phonics-based reading instruction. She also shared her thoughts on minimizing the reach of government over family control and preventing the purchase of South Dakota agriculture land by foreign entities considered adversaries to American interests. Concerns about high property, grocery and tourism taxes were also mentioned by West River residents in attendance. Noem mentioned how 63 of 66 counties in South Dakota were declared federal disaster areas when she took office in 2019. We spent all of 2019 putting communities back together, Noem said, going through events since she took office in January of that year. Our state was dying, she said of when she took office. Our economy was going down. People were leaving our state. Our kids were not finding the jobs they wanted here in South Dakota; they were moving to the careers that they needed. Briefly mentioning COVID-19, Noem reminded the attendees of the challenges faced, while being focused on growing South Dakota in both population and economy, and how she was attacked for not making the same choices as other states. If you want to live somewhere you can be free then move to South Dakota, Noem said to the crowd. She touted the growing economy and businesses and families moving into the state since she came to office. We have done some incredible things together, she said. We have started new businesses, weve expanded businesses that were here, set historic revenues in our state, paid off our debts. She mentioned universities that have paid off bonds early, repairs to bridges and dams, and wages that have increased, along with a growth of women-owned businesses, and how overdoses have declined across the state, according to Noem. So, for me, its a testimony to the fact that when you give people more personal responsibilities (sic) to make decisions for their family, when you give them the opportunity to protect their constitutional freedoms, that theyre happier. That theyre happier, they do better, they thrive. She spoke about education and the bills she signed into law Wednesday. We have a responsibility to make sure that our kids in our K-12 system get a public education and a great education that is a free education, she said. Regarding Senate Bill 127, which sets a minimum public school teacher salary across the state at $45,000, she said, We have done 27% of increases in funding to schools since Ive been governor. Thats a lot, more than any other governor has ever given to education in dollars before. This year we passed a comprehensive bill that salaries will go up, she said, mentioning how it took much longer than she wanted. The second education bill she signed into law was the training of teachers for phonics-based reading. That bill was called House Bill 1022. Remember phonics? Well, it actually works, she said. Were going back to phonics, and were going to start using that as a way to teach our kids so they can read and be successful. She ended her speech on agricultural land purchases by foreign entities. From buying fertilizer companies, to chemical companies, and meat packing plants, Noem told the crowd that this past summer Chinese spies dug up seeds to copy their genetics and avoid their own research and compete on a global scale. You dont know this, but this summer we had Chinese spies digging here in South Dakota digging up our seeds out of fields to copy the genetics that they could copy and proliferate and compete against us without having to put in the research. Noem said the increase in agriculture land purchased by foreign entities has increased by 5,300%. Noem touted House Bill 1231, which was signed into law at the beginning of the month, and prevents countries such as China, Cuba, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela from owning agricultural land within the state. The new law is meant to close any loopholes in the current foreign ownership of agricultural land statutes, including limitations for domestic businesses and other similar entities, such as trusts, that are owned by foreign entities. Noem answered questions about the grocery tax repeal which also includes repealing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol which she believes should be separate from groceries. She said the state would have to decide what will be taxed and what will not if the grocery repeal passes since it is tied to other items. Property taxes were mentioned by several in the audience, concerned with how property taxes have increased so much in just a few years. It was suggested by a few in the crowd a bigger tourism tax could help offset rising property taxes. Noem said she would not advocate for higher taxes, saying cities are responsible for raising alcohol and tourism taxes. As for property taxes, Noem agrees South Dakota has a problem with rising property tax bills. She said legislators are looking into a way to make property taxes more fair, but reminded everyone that the state doesnt receive the property taxes. The funds collected remain local, paying for education and county services. She suggested talking to board members in their respective school districts and county commissioners. I love my counties and I want my road and bridges to be great, she said. Just ask them to spend it wisely." While Noem agreed this needs to be addressed, she said legislators take a lot of heat for this and are aware of these issues, but local government is where the property tax concerns need to be addressed. A federal judge in Rapid City Friday sentenced a 32-year-old Pine Ridge man to 10 years in prison after he shot a man twice in the legs last summer. Around 8:30 p.m. Aug. 24, 2023, Cole Brewer went to an apartment in Pine Ridge and asked for a man who was staying there. When that man came to the door, Brewer shot him twice. One bullet entered his left hip and the other entered his thigh. He suffered significant blood loss and had to be life-flighted to Rapid City for treatment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth said the victim still experiences "long-lasting" medical issues related to the shooting, which was revenge for "something." Brewer's defense attorney John Rusch said, "I don't know why all this happened." Chief U.S. District Judge Roberto Lange said the shooting appeared to stem from Brewer's belief the victim took $20 from his relative as well as spent time with Mexicans. "Little justification for darn near killing a person," Lange said. After the shooting, a federal grand jury charged Brewer in September with discharge of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon. Brewer pleaded guilty on Dec. 1 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The charge carries a maximum of 10 years, which both the government and the defense agreed to recommend at sentencing. In exchange for the plea, the government dismissed the remaining two counts. Lange noted Brewer would have faced a mandatory minimum of 10 years for the firearm discharge count to run consecutive to the assault charges. "You should be grateful to Mr. Rusch, and indirectly, Miss Lindrooth," Lange said. Brewer apologized for the shooting and said he deserved the 10-year sentence. He said he acted under the same gang mentality he picked up when he was a teenager. Before announcing the sentence, Lange noted Brewer's criminal history, which included an incident from 2020 where he stole a fuel truck in Nebraska and brought it to Pine Ridge. Lange called Brewer an "interesting individual," highlighting a "disconnect" between his intelligence and the choices he's made. "He writes extremely well," Lange said before he added he was "disappointed" the rap lyrics in his letter to the court did not rhyme. "You've got potential. Quit screwing up," Lange said. The Rapid City Legal and Finance Committee unanimously recommended the removal of a contingency blocking $9 million in Vision Funds for a Native American Community Center, spearheaded by He Sapa Otipi, an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization, during its Wednesday meeting. He Sapa Otipi has been at the forefront of efforts to establish an Indigenous-hosted community center in Rapid City. The organization, founded in 2016 following a series of community conversations, aims to meet the intergenerational need for such a facility. The center is envisioned to be more than just a building; it is seen as a culmination of the hard work of ancestors and elders, designed to serve current and future generations in partnership with local and regional organizations, according to He Sapa Otipi. "Now that we are moving forward, we have the funds and the land. NDN Collective donated about six acres to us, recognizing the importance of a community center in Rapid City, Cante Heart, executive director of He Sapa Otipi, said. They share our vision and goals and want to support us. We're collaborating to create this community center, seeing it as a significant, positive solution for our community." In July 2021, He Sapa Otipi approached the city's Vision Funds program, requesting $18 million to fund both a community center and apartment complexes. By December of the same year, the Vision Fund committee recommended allocating funds solely for the community center. In January 2022, the Rapid City Council approved $9 million in funding with a condition that required Department of the Interior approval. He Sapa Otipi had originally planned to build the center on former Rapid City Indian Boarding School land. The stipulation was linked to resolving land deed issues associated with the land, which restrict which organizations land from the old school can be transferred to. Now, with a new land donation on the north side of Rapid City, He Sapa Otipi argues the contingency is no longer relevant to their project's advancement. The recent letter to the city attorney and city of Rapid City from He Sapa Otipi called for the removal of this contingency, stating that the organization, as an independent nonprofit entity, has secured a permanent location in North Rapid City for the community center. Six acres of land have been donated to the project, emphasizing the organization's readiness to proceed without the constraints previously imposed. The future community center in Rapid City is planned as a hub for healing and resilience, providing essential spaces for cultural connection and community services. Key features include a gymnasium for recreation, a space for traditional Lakota wakes and funerals, and a commercial kitchen to support events and small businesses. The center aims to serve the needs of youth and elders, with plans for a 40,000-square-foot facility offering a mix of offices, coworking spaces, and areas for education and events, explained Bobbie Koch, director of design & planning. "This is an exciting and historic time for our community. It marks an opportunity for us to strengthen relationships between Native and non-Native people, acknowledging that historically, these relationships have not been great, Heart said. We, at He Sapa Otipi and within Rapid City, believe it's our responsibility as the new generation to forge these new bonds and build trust. This collaboration represents a chance to make a significant, positive impact on our community and its future." The Legal and Finance Committee's decision to recommend removing the funding contingency marks a pivotal moment for the project. The request will now be presented to the city council at its next meeting on Monday, March 18, potentially paving the way for the realization of the Indigenous-hosted community center in Rapid City. In a time long before quick recipes could be found with ease on Pinterest or TikTok, there was one woman whom housewives looked to for guidance in the kitchen: Julia Child, Americas favorite chef. The Virginia Museum of History & Cultures new exhibit, Julia Child: A Recipe For Life, celebrates Childs influence on American cuisine and culture, taking audiences through both her professional and personal journey. The exhibit showcases how Childs infectious energy and charisma took Americas kitchens by storm. The exhibit was introduced on Thursday by Washington, D.C., native and celebrated chef Patrick OConnell. Self-taught, OConnell pored over Childs first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, to build the foundation of his craft. OConnell learned to perfect Childs recipes in the countryside of Virginia on his bright red wood-burning stove, which sits at the entrance of the exhibit. OConnells three-Michelin-starred restaurant and inn, The Inn at Little Washington, located in the small town of Washington, Virginia, still honors Child today. Chef OConnell spoke fondly on witnessing Childs emergence into Americas kitchens and how she empowered others not only to cook but to cook with confidence. Never apologize if the recipe didnt go according to plan, she often said. Bring the dish to the table and present it proudly. Theyll never know what you were aiming for anyway. Her philosophy was liberating for so many of us, OConnell said. Childs cookbooks included more than just recipes, they also infused history and culture, something unheard of for the time. Julia Child: A Recipe For Life is fully immersive, prompting audiences to see, hear, touch and even smell. Recreations of meals one may have found in Childs kitchen, such as bouillabaisse, are paired with a copper pot where viewers can lift the lid and smell whats cooking inside. The exhibit also features television screens showing Childs cooking demonstrations, including vintage TVs. There are notes written by Child to other well-known chefs, video presentations and recipes from Childs various cookbooks. Visitors can also stand on a mock TV set and pretend to cook like Child. In a section of the exhibit titled Virginia A La Carte, viewers can learn about the history of Virginia cuisine, Childs 1976 visit to Richmond, and her thoughts on Virginia baked ham. OConnell attributes Childs maternal grace and candor to his own confidence in the kitchen. When he first met Child in 1974, OConnell mentioned that his catering business, inspired by her cookbook, was not making any money, to which Child replied, But you will. Surely you will. That was the dose of confidence I needed. I never worried about money again, OConnell said. Child, who died in 2004, inspired Americas passion for food and, according to OConnell, the exhibit captures her spirit and gets the flavor of who she was. She planted a seed, which blossomed into a movement. Because of her influence, Americans have become passionate about food and finally understand its potential as an art form worthy of mastering. If you go WHAT: "Julia Child: A Recipe For Life" WHEN: Saturday through Sept. 2 WHERE: Virginia Museum of History & Culture at 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. in Richmond Recognize any of these famous people visiting Richmond? Virginia State Police on Friday identified the victim of a fatal drunken driving crash that occurred Thursday night on Interstate 64 in Goochland County, and announced charges against a man who they say attempted to leave the scene. Police said Darien Boutchyard, 30, of Newport, North Carolina, was driving a 2010 Dodge Challenger at a high rate of speed on I-64 West near the 170-mile marker in Goochland at around 10:30 p.m. when he struck a 2019 Chevrolet Spark driven by Steven Schell, 22, of Newport News, from behind. Steven Schells mother, Mary Elizabeth Schell, 58, of Newport News, was ejected from the Spark, police said. She died of her injuries at the scene. Steven Schell was transported to an area hospital to receive treatment for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Police said Boutchyard and a passenger of the Challenger, identified as Kendra Lee Wright, 25, of Warrenton, attempted to flee the scene on foot, but were apprehended quickly by VSP troopers. Boutchyard has been charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI third offense, obstruction of justice, driving with an open container and felony hit and run, according to police. Wright has been charged with being drunk in public. The crash remains under investigation. 10 cities with the most income inequality 10 cities with the most income inequality Top 10 cities with the highest income inequality Chesterfield County police Capt. Richard McCullough said Thursday that there is evidence that recent illicit sexual services offered at Chesterfield massage parlors could be related to human trafficking, and said it is not a coincidence that four recent suspects are all from New York City. Police announced they had made three arrests on Friday as part of an ongoing undercover operation into local massage businesses. Five individuals employed by three different massage parlors now face charges, including prostitution, keeping or residing in a bawdy place and conducting a massage without proper permitting. Police said Jinlan Liao, 61, of Flushing, N.Y.; Jihong Zhang, 52, of Flushing; and Fang Wang, 57, of Chesterfield all of whom were employed by Ocean Spa located at 9935 Hull Street Road on Friday were arrested after a masseuse at the business allegedly offered an undercover detective sexual acts for an additional cost. Liao has been charged with prostitution, keeping or residing in a bawdy place and conducting a massage without proper permitting, court records show. Zhang has been charged with conducting a massage without proper permitting. Wang, who police identified as the owner of the business, has been charged with keeping or residing in a bawdy place and permitting massages without proper permitting. Liao is next scheduled to appear in court on April 8 to face the prostitution charge and on April 18 on the massage violation, according to court records. Zhang and Wang are both scheduled to appear on Wednesday. Fridays arrests marked the second operation conducted against Chesterfield massage businesses in the span of 11 days. On Feb. 26, Yumei Jiang, 49, an employee of Golden Finger Massage, and Yanling Lisa Sun, 52, an employee of Touch Point Massage, were both arrested after allegedly offering undercover detectives sexual favors for pay. Golden Finger Massage is located at 9821 Chester Road in Chester. Touch Point Massage is located at 8710 Choctaw Road in Bon Air. Jiang and Sun have been charged with prostitution, keeping or residing in a bawdy place and conducting a massage without proper permitting. Jiang is next scheduled to appear in court on May 15, according to court records. A hearing date for Sun could not immediately be determined. Jiang and Sun are also from Flushing, according to police. McCullough said the fact that four of the suspects are from Flushing is not coincidental, adding that there is concern that human trafficking is a factor in the incidents. Flushing appears to be a common nexus, McCullough said, where people will arrive from outside the country (often from China), perhaps obtain a massage therapy license and be transported by a courier from New York to Virginia. The individuals are then dropped off at different businesses, and sometimes get moved around and work at multiple locations in Chesterfield, he said. McCullough said that, in some cases, the individuals involved report that they dont want to be there, theyre not allowed to leave (and) theyre being forced to perform these acts. We would then work with the FBI to help (those) individual(s), he said. Chesterfield police have been looking into this for years, McCullough said. The tips have come from a variety of sources, he said, but he declined to specify how detectives had learned of the illicit practices. 5 Easter essentials you can get with two-day shipping 1. Easter Candy 2. Fillable Easter Eggs 3. Easter Egg Decorating Kit 4. Reusable Easter Basket 5. Easter Bunny Ears Headbands The University of Richmond has secured about $100 million in bonds to move forward on three construction projects on campus, the university said. The bonds will fund a renovation and expansion of Boatwright Memorial Library, the renovation of the North Court building into a residence hall, and upgrades to the campus central steam plant. In January, UR asked the Virginia College Building Authority to issue bonds to finance the construction projects. The authority issued the bonds, and UR will pay back the authority plus interest. Most public colleges in the state use the authority to build dorms and other nonacademic buildings, and the state generally covers the cost of academic buildings at public colleges. Large schools such as Virginia Commonwealth University can issue their own debt. The authority put the 30-year bonds for sale in February, and demand was significant, UR said. More than 35 individuals, brokers, money managers and institutions placed orders. Richmond-based Davenport & Company managed the transaction, along with Bank of America and US Bancorp. The high number of interested buyers reflects URs strong financial position, said David Hale, the schools chief operating officer. Bondholders will receive a 3.96% rate of return and are exempt from paying income tax. UR will also use the bonds to refinance a previous bond issuance from 2012. North Court, a 110-year-old building on campus, will transform from a hybrid academic and residential building to a full dormitory. UR plans to add 63 beds to meet the growing demand for on-campus housing. Nine out of every 10 UR students live on campus, according to the university. The first phase of renovation took place in 2017. Students are scheduled to move in this fall. UR is also expanding the library at a cost of $25 million. The project includes enclosing an existing interior courtyard and adding study space. Work is scheduled to finish in the spring of 2025. The university will renovate its steam plant, which was built in 1950 and provides hot water and steam for most of campus. From the Archives: The James River From his bright green suit, his towering top hat, his striped socks poking out from his shiny black buckled shoes and his engraved wooden cane that read colonel, John OGrady hardly went unnoticed as he made his journey from his Church Hill home to City Hall each year. And if his overall get-up wasnt enough to catch peoples eyes, the myriad of furry forest animals that followed behind him certainly did. For 25 years, OGrady, Richmonds unofficial Irish ambassador, conducted his one-man parade ushering in the holiday, and Richmonders came to expect him and one of his pets a pig, a duck, a skunk, a fox to greet them. In 1936, when OGradys one-man parade became a two-man parade thanks to his friend Allie Duffy, the festivities grew and even more ground was covered. The OGrady-Duffy parades usually last all day. They visit banks, department stores, City Hall, the Capitol and other likely establishments, reporter Al Wagner wrote in the Sunday, July 7, 1957, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Bowing and waving, they shout Top o the mornin to you, until the sun goes down or until their feet give out. The man, the myth, the Richmond legend OGrady was born in 1890 to first-generation Irish Americans in the citys Fulton Hill neighborhood. His father, John OGrady, owned a popular, albeit infamous, saloon in town. It was there, he and his two brothers were brought up. His grandparents, like many Irish immigrants, came to the United States in the early and mid-1800s to escape economic hardship caused by the potato famine, only to find themselves in somewhat similar conditions. In Richmond, which welcomed a few thousand Irish immigrants, many worked in the citys factories and were subject to hard labor. It was not easy in Antebellum Richmond, but they found their own communities and grew roots in the city. By the start of the 1910s, OGradys name began to pop up in the newspaper not because of his eccentric personality, which would come later but for his success as a banker and later as a construction executive. He managed to establish himself among some of Richmonds elite, despite the odds, and by the time he built his home in Church Hill, hed become a prominent member of the whos who around town. While animosities and curiosities still remained for Irish Americans, OGrady, in part, helped educate people in his way: through humor. I wear big hats because nobody else wears them, OGrady told The Times-Dispatch in 1957. I carry a cane, not because I need one, but because nobody else carries one. OGrady was known in the neighborhood for his various animals all of which, he claimed, were Irish. That was except for his black snakes. Ireland doesnt have any, thanks to St. Patrick, hed tell onlookers. Once, while stopped at a gas station, he asked the attendant if hed like to see the kitten hed found alongside the road. When he lifted the cage, it was a skunk. He said hed gotten a free tank of gas that day. In another instance, when the city was deciding on a new traffic light, OGrady came before the council to argue against the plan. He claimed putting the green light on the bottom was wrong; green should always be on top. OGrady managed to get his own parking space at Fort Lee marked for Col. OGrady despite never serving in the military. When asked how he got the title, hed say I gave it to myself. When he took his first and only trip to the home country, in 1957, he promised to kiss the Blarney Stone and then transfer the kiss to all the girls in Richmond. Bringing Irish cheer When he began his one-man later two-man parades, the city had not held any St. Patricks Day celebrations outside of the Catholic Church. OGrady helped bring them to the mainstream for over 50 years. In 1961, OGrady would hold his last parade in a car painted glittering green. He died later that year. A Richmond News Leader editor lamented the lack of a parade and the loss of OGrady on Saturday, March 17, 1962, with a special note addressed to him. In it, he stated, May you be in heaven twenty-four hours before the devil even knows youre dead. In the late 70s, others began to plan their own St. Patricks Day festivities. This time, the parades featured dozens more participants. Today, the city hosts a number of events, including the Church Hill Irish Festival, in OGradys old neighborhood. The genial OGrady has made St. Patricks Day here an occasion to be remembered, the Wednesday, Aug. 21, 1957, edition of the Richmond News Leader reported. Hes established a Richmond tradition promenading through downtown bringing Irish cheer. "From the Archives" series "From the Archives" is a series of stories exploring the history of Richmond and the region through the files of The Times-Dispatch. Have a topic you'd like us to check out? Email reporter Em Holter at eholter@timesdispatch.com and visit richmond.com to see more from our archives. PHOTOS: Recognize these Richmond-area places? Cancun police continue search for woman abducted from city parking lot Cancun, Q.R. Police were at the scene of an abduction that happened in a Cancun parking lot early Friday morning. The incident happened outside small shopping plaza in SM 510. According to early information, the victim, a woman of Colombian nationality, was forced from her vehicle at gunpoint around 9:00 a.m. The abductors broke her drivers side window to gain access and pull her from the vehicle. The woman had left a nearby gym and climbed into her vehicle when she was intercepted by armed men on foot who are reported to have been waiting for her. According to reports, her son was with her at the time of the incident. He is reported to have told police that his mother was forcefully removed from the SUV at gunpoint and transferred to a waiting truck before being driven off. Armed men busted the drivers side window to force the woman from the car. Photo: March 15, 2024. Municipal authorities arrived at the scene first and sectioned off the area. Forensic personnel also arrived to collect evidence. The womans whereabouts remain unknown. Five arrested for assault against American citizen Mexico City, Mexico Five people in Mexico City have been arrested for their involvement in the assault of an American citizen. Elements of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) of Mexico City along with the Secretariat of the Navy and the Secretariat of Citizen Security and Protection, made the arrests Tuesday on outstanding warrants. According to a statement released by the Secretariat of Citizen Security and Protection (SSPC), the five Mexican nationals were arrested for their involvement in the assault of the unidentified American that took place on February 15. The assault victim is reported to be an American man who resides as a resident in Mexico City. The American is reported to have used a Mexico City taxi app for transportation from the airport to his home, however, along the journey, the taxi driver was intercepted by two vehicles a truck and a motorcycle and the American passenger robbed. According to the investigations, on February 15, a person of American origin boarded an taxi via an app at Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM). The driver was intercepted by two people who were traveling in a truck and on a motorcycle near the Tiber River and the Interior Circuit, stripping the passenger of a Rolex and an iPhone 15 Pro Max cell phone, the SSPC said. Alfredo N, Guadalupe N, Joana N, Ximena Yunuel N and Esteban N were arrested in Mexico City this week for their involvement in the assault of a foreign citizen and also for drug-related crimes. The group of five were arrest for intercepting a taxi and robbing the passenger. Photo: SSPC March 12, 2024. At the time of their arrests, state and federal agents located over 300 street bags of marijuana and cocaine. The SSPC says all five are being investigated for other similar robberies against people using taxi apps from the Mexico City airport. A fear of death is as natural as the ritualistic coping strategies of the ancients. But there is only one real cure. The name of the Acton Institutes magazine, Religion and Liberty, seems to many people an oxymoron. The word religion apparently emerged from religare, to bind together, to constrain. How can something that binds be liberating? Heres the beginning of a response to that potential paradox. Julius Caesar was the first Shakespeare play I read, at age 13. Thats six decades ago. Shakespeare taught me that the Romans called March 15 the Ides of March, as we might now say 9/11 rather the 11th day of September. The play also introduced me to thinking about death, because on March 15 in the year we now call 44 B.C., Roman senators assassinated Julius Caesar. The question of death was abstract to me then. Three of my grandparents had died in their 70s or early 80s, but I wasnt close to any of them. No one in my immediate family, nor any of the children I knew, had died. Had I lived a century or two earlier, I would not have assumed that death would have polite manners and wait for decades. Then again, half of humanity never graduated from childhood. In the 1960s, though, antibiotics and other medical innovations waved their magic wands. So when I read Julius Caesarearly in 1964 in the light of the then-recent assassination of President John F. Kennedy, my focus was on that murder most foul rather than mortality through other causes. Caesar was phenomenally successful as a general, politician, author, and religious official. When a shrill soothsayer told him to Beware the Ides of March, Caesars confident response made great sense: He is a dreamer. Let us leave him. Shakespeare, in line with the historical sources he had, heightened the drama by making Caesars wife, Calpurnia, also a dreamer. In her sleep she cries out three times, Help, ho! They murder Caesar. Awake, she tells him, Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house today. But he doesnt want either the Senate or his wife bossing him. He brags that he can outstare those who threaten him: When they shall see the face of Caesar, they are vanished. Calpurnia pleads with him, and he refers to himself in the third person, as some athletes do: Caesar shall go forth. As Calpurnia objects a third time, Shakespeare gives Caesar what becomes a much quoted line: Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. And yet, Caesar not only in drama but in life (according to Suetonius and Plutarch) appears to have been frightened. He asks about the augurers, fortune tellers who peer at animal entrails. They offer warnings. Shakespeares Calpurnia submissively pleads once more: Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. Caesar then asks his good friend Brutus to tell the Senate hes staying home. A lie changes everything. Brutus tells Caesar that Romes senators have decided to make him king, but if he absents himself, they may change their mind and they will say he is afraid. Death is possible but dishonor is probable, unless he walks to the Senate building. He does that, and the senators assassinate him. Wealthy and literate Roman leaders such as Julius Caesar grew up on Homers Iliad. Caesar prided himself on his supposed descent from Aeneas, the survivor of Troy and purported ancestor of Romes founders, Romulus and Remus. In Act I, Scene 2 of Julius Caesar, conspirator Cassius recalls rescuing Caesar from drowning: Caesar cried Help me, Cassius, or I sink! I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, / Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder. Cassius, full of envy and malice, says Caesar contracted a fever while warring in Spain and acted as a sick girl with coward lips. So Caesar had something to prove on the Ides of March. Poet/biographer Lucan, born A.D. 39, depicts Caesar (in Book 9 of Pharsalia) visiting the ruins of Troy and praying, You gods of the dead, that inhabit the ruins of Troy; you household gods of my ancestor Aeneas I duly call on you, I, the most glorious descendant Grant good fortune to the end of my journey, and I will restore your nation a Roman Troy shall rise. But what did the Iliad teach about Trojan War bravery in the face of death? Paris, the Trojan who caused the war by seducing Helen, goes out to fight like a god wearing a panther skin on his shoulder. Then, facing Menelaos, the Spartan king, Paris heart collapsed, and he shrank back into the cloud of his companions, avoiding death. The strongest Greek, Achilles, was initially gripped with fear when he faced Aeneas, who is also afraid: an immense pain spread over his eyes in terror. Even the greatest Trojan, Hector, fears death. Here, from Book 22 of the Iliad: A trembling came over Hector / when he saw Achilles / he left the gates behind him and ran in fear / Hector fled in Terror beneath the walls of the Trojans. Finally, deceived by Athena and deserted by Apollo, Hector dies and Achilles drags his corpse through the dirt. But thats not the end: Greeks and Trojans lived in an enchanted world where gods and mortals were intertwined, so Hector had some life after death. His mother, Hecuba, says to his corpse, Now you are fresh as new-morning dew. In other classic Greek and Roman works, such as Virgils Aeneid, written 15 to 25 years after Caesars assassination, heroes regularly fear death but also manage to overcome that fear in their search for honor and gloryand their confidence that there is some kind of afterlife. We dont know exactly what Julius Caesar believed about life after death, but we do know what Romans typically believed, thanks to recent cemetery-level work by Charles W. King of the University of Nebraska-Omaha and others. Some Romans in Caesars time followed atheist Epicurus (341270 B.C.) in seeing themselves as merely material beings: When death is present, we no longer exist. But King, in The Ancient Roman Afterlife, offers evidence from tombstones of common beliefs: It took time and it cost money to engrave wordseven abbreviationson stone, and one could reasonably assume that Roman engravers, like their modern equivalents, charged by the word or by the letter. Why then would so many Romans, not just at Rome but over a broad geographic area and over a time period of more than 500 years, pay to have Dis Manibus [to the manes (pronounced mah-nays), the spirits of the dead] engraved on their tombstones? King concludes, The simplest explanation is that the widespread dedication of the tombstones to divine manes reflects a widespread belief in the existence of divine manes. King documents Roman beliefs that the dead manes had active lives, with their fingers in earthly pies. A dead wife could make sure her husband would live to be an old man. A dead father could arrange an extension of his sons life. A dead child could work to spare from death, temporarily, her sister and parents. The dead watched over the living and could protect them. The dead could also wreak vengeance, kill enemies, and settle their own grievances. So busybut so much time. The power of dozens of gods and thousands of manes placed pressure on the living. Roman believers thought divine sparks lived in their heads and were somewhat free-floating after death. Busts of ancestors were works of religion as well as art: a bust in the atrium of a house was an invitation to a mane to move in for a while and bless the residents. It was important to honor manes in precise ritual ways that could include sacrifices, especially during the nine-day February festival of Parentalia. Manes, if annoyed, could become trouble-making lemures (leh-mur-ays), but proper sacrifices during the Lemuria festival (May 9, 11, and 13) could ease their pain. Many Romans believed their lives depended on how precisely they made sacrifices and fulfilled vows to gods and to the living dead. Atheism led to fear of death, but Roman religion offered some hopeand also an enslavement to ritual. A humble analogy may clarify this. In the first half of the 20th century, figure skaters in most competitions gained 60% of their points by acing compulsory figuresfor example, making perfect figure eightsin exercises that took hours. Only 40% of a skaters score came from imaginative freestyle performances. Televisions demands have now changed the scoring system by emphasizing five minutes of action. Classical Roman religion was like old-style scoring: Dont deviate from the figure eight. Julius Caesar as general understood the emphasis on precise ritual. He supervised perfect lustrations, religious rites that purportedly cleansed soldiers of any guilt for killing opponents. His faithfulness to detail was such that other Romans chose him to be pontifex maximus, head of the college of pontiffs, the definer of ritual. Romans had a choice: follow Epicurus and fight fears of nonexistence, or follow the rituals each day and dont make a mistake that could irritate any of a myriad of gods and manes. Either way, Romans were afraid. Epicurus pushed ataraxia, freedom from anxiety, but acknowledged death to be the most dreaded of evils. Stoics such as Seneca (4 B.C.A.D. 65) and Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121180) said we could meditate on death and move past fright to aequanimitas (peace of mind) and apatheia (indifference). But, even if that worked for them, it didnt work for many Romans. Epictetus (A.D. 55135) called fear of death the origin of all human evils, and of baseness and cowardice. Some Romans did whatever it took for them to stay alive, including stealing, lying, and killing others. Some religious leaders went through the motions with required sacrifices but tried to drink from a psychological fountain of youth by deserting old wives and grabbing young women. And some learned from Hebrews 2:15 that Jesus, by sacrificing his life, delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. A Gospel faith binds us to Christ but liberates us from both worry about nonexistence and the fevered practice of man-made rituals. (The translation of the Iliad used is that of Barry B. Powell, published by Oxford University Press.) A man charged with shooting his father and brother in a northwest Roanoke home five years ago remains incompetent to stand trial, so a city circuit court judge dismissed his charges last week. But on March 5, Ashwils five charges murder, aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm as a felon and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony were dismissed because he remains unrestorably incompetent since five years from his date of arrest, according to court documents. On Feb. 22, 2019, officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Fairview Road Northwest, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Alyssa Gilbert said in an email this week. Responding officers were told that medics were on the scene with two gunshot wound victims and the shooting suspect, identified later as Ashwil, Gilbert continued. His brother had sustained an obvious gunshot wound on the right side of his face. While in the hospital, Gilbert said, Bol Ashwil told a detective that his brother had shot him with a small black handgun and that he believed his father was dead in the home. After Bol Ashwil had been shot by his brother, he left the home and asked neighbors to call the police, Gilbert continued. Police returned to the Fairview Road home and found Arob Ashwil still inside. Gilbert said officers took him into custody without issue. A small, black handgun was removed from his pocket. Ashwils father was also found in the home laying face down. He was pronounced dead an the scene, Gilbert said, and an autopsy confirmed that he had been shot. Mithiang Lwat was the second of 12 people fatally shot in Roanoke in 2019. In 2020, there were another 12 such deaths, then 15 in 2021, 18 in 2022 and 26 in 2023, according to police reports. BLACKSBURG A group of protesters gathered Friday, demanding measures to guarantee affordable housing, citing both statewide initiatives and a push in Montgomery County in particular. The protest focused on several affordable housing bills that have passed the Virginia General Assembly, including House Bill 73, which would allow dismissed eviction actions to be expunged from tenants records. The protest was organized by the New River Valley chapter of Virginia Organizing, The organization holds protests for several other issues, such as abortion rights and affordable health care. Jocelyn Hildebrand, a Blacksburg resident, artist and a member of the group, gave a speech during the rally outlining what the group hopes to see happen. Governor Youngkin has vetoed bills like these before, Hildebrand said. So were here to get him to sign, and to make sure they pass. Additionally, Hildebrand mentioned that the organization has been pushing to get the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors to draft and enact whole home repair legislation, allowing tenants and owners of inadequate housing to have repairs performed for free, or at reduced cost. Brandy Faulkner, another Blacksburg resident and member of Virginia Organizing, said that the local push was central to the work the organization does. We have to fight for those who are right here, among us, living in substandard housing, Faulkner said. Housing has been a major issue in Blacksburg, where Virginia Techs ongoing student population growth has led to a shortage of available housing, and higher prices for buyers and renters. One of the items on the Blacksburg Town Councils legislative agenda was sponsorship of legislation related to housing. One of those, House Bill 721, an anti-rent gouging bill, is scheduled to be reconsidered during the 2025 legislative session. Liam Watson, the only town council member who rents a property in Blacksburg, and who pushed the council to add the bills to their legislative agenda, voiced his support for the protesters. If I knew it was happening, I wouldve joined them out there, Watson said. About 15 people were present for the rally, which was held at the intersection of Country Club Drive and South Main Street in Blacksburg near the Kroger store. During the protest, each member stopped to make a phone call to Youngkins office. The protestors were given a script, in which they would request that Youngkin sign House Bills 73, 442, 598, 817, 993 and 1251. Phyllis Albritton, the oldest of the protesters present at age 86, and a longtime activist, spoke about the necessity for affordable housing and tenant protections. If the poorest countries in our hemisphere, Cuba and Nicaragua, can provide this for their people, and most of Europe can, then surely we in the U.S. can do something, Albritton said. The former president and director of Secor Inc., a federal halfway house that contracted with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to house inmates, was sentenced last week to 15 months in federal prison for making false statements and wire fraud. Secor, Inc., was sentenced to one year of probation. Matthew Castle, 35, of Lebanon, Virginia, and Secor, Inc., through its counsel, pled guilty in November 2023 to one count of making materially false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the United States, and one count of wire fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia. Secor will serve a term of probation of one to five years. Additionally, Castle and Secor paid $208,105 in restitution, forfeited $40,000, and paid an additional $30,000 in fines, according to the release. This sentence serves as another example to those doing business with the United States if you commit fraud, you will be held accountable, U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said. As one of the first cases investigated internally by the United States Attorneys Office and our financial fraud investigator, this marks the beginning of a new era for corporate criminal enforcement in the Western District of Virginia. According to court documents, Secor was a residential reentry center, commonly referred to as a halfway house, for inmates who were nearing the end of their federal prison sentences. In 2018, Secor entered into a contract with the BOP that allowed some of the offenders under the care of Secor to be assigned to home confinement, meaning those offenders resided at an approved residence not owned by Secor. The Bureau of Prisons paid Secor one type of daily rate for offenders who resided at Secors facilities and a different monetary daily rate for those on home confinement. Under the terms of the contract, Secor was required to outfit home confinement offenders with GPS monitoring equipment so the offenders whereabouts could be determined at all times. In addition, Secor personnel were required to personally visit each offenders residence on at least a monthly basis to ensure the offender was living at the offenders assigned residence, in a safe environment, and in accordance with applicable rules. Secor did not outfit many of the home confinement offenders with GPS monitoring and did not conduct home visits as required, according to the release. However, Castle routinely completed documentation certifying that he had conducted such visits, and in an effort to make it appear that such visits had occurred when they had not, he would make notations such as things were going well, and the offender had no questions or concerns to address at the time, according to the release. Each month, Castle submitted fraudulent invoices for payment, and the Bureau of Prisons issued payments based on their representations that Castle and Secor were providing home confinement services in accordance with the contract, according to the release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorneys Offices new Financial Fraud Investigator with assistance from the Russell County Sheriffs Office and the Bureau of Prisons. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. St. Patrick's parade will be Kansas City's first big event since the deadly Super Bowl celebration Hundreds of thousands of people are expected at this weekends St. Patricks Day parade in Kansas City, where they should expect much tighter security measures than in past years due to last months deadly mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl celebration Alejandro Tengco on March 12. Photographer: Lisa Marie David/Bloomberg (Bloomberg) By Cliff Venzon and Manolo Serapio Jr. (Bloomberg) The Philippines can overtake Singapore as soon as next year as Asias second-largest gambling destination after Macau, the head of Manilas gaming agency said, with new integrated resorts seen boosting visitors and offsetting a decline in Chinese tourist arrivals. A new integrated resort by billionaire Enrique Razons Bloombery Resorts Corp. will open in Manila later this year, while up to eight more casino projects are being planned, Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of state regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., or Pagcor, said in an interview at his office on Tuesday. The regulator also plans to sell state-run casinos by no later than early 2026, he said. ADVERTISEMENT If Singapore doesnt expand, they will plateau. Dont be surprised if next year we will surpass them, Tengco said. The Philippines expects gross gaming revenue to reach a new high of 336 billion pesos ($6.1 billion) this year, up from last years record 285 billion pesos. Singapores Gambling Regulatory Authority said it has no comment when Bloomberg News asked regarding Tengcos remarks and referred to the financial statements of Genting Singapore Ltd and Las Vegas Sands Corp for the revenues of the two integrated resorts in the city-state. Tengco estimates Singapores annual gross gaming revenue to be around $6 billion. Manila is counting on its integrated resorts and casinos to help boost tourist arrivals hit hard during the Covid pandemic. This year, the country is targeting 7.7 million foreign tourists after drawing in 5.45 million in 2023, still below the pre-pandemic level of 8.26 million in 2019. The nations future casinos, which can cost up to $1.2 billion, will be in the capital Manila and at the former US airbase Clark, as well as in tourist magnets like Cebu and Boracay, he said. As you open new markets, new customers will come, he said. Slower Chinese tourist arrivals will not hinder the industrys growth, Tengco said, with Philippine casinos mostly drawing in locals and those from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. Story continues Chinese tourist arrivals to the Philippines dropped last year to just 15% of 2019 levels, according to government data. The decline comes at a time when tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea have escalated in recent months. With the Philippines gaming revenue rising, new integrated resorts will hopefully neutralize the decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, said Tengco, adding that Chinese high rollers are still playing in the country. Online gaming The Philippines is also building out its online casino industry, which contributed to a fifth of the countrys gross gaming revenue last year and is expected to grow faster than brick-and-mortar casinos. Our advantage over Macau is they dont have online gaming, Tengco said. Pagcor plans to launch its own online gaming website later this year, and is seeking a joint venture partner to operate it, he said. That is part of Pagcors efforts to boost the revenue stream of the agencys Casino Filipino brand a collection of 41 mostly small casino outlets ahead of a planned sale of its casino assets so the agency can solely focus on being a regulator. We want to decouple because Pagcor has been wearing two hats for too long, he said, adding the companys remit is rare in the gambling world. The law that created the agency as gaming regulator and casino operator is set to expire in 2033. An amendment to the regulation is needed for Pagcor to privatize its casino assets and extend the agencys corporate life by another 25 years. Pagcor aims to offer its casinos in bundles grouped according to location by late next year or early 2026, and expects to raise 60 billion to 80 billion pesos from the sale, he said. Its planned gaming website will also be sold, he added. If were successful in the privatization efforts, investors will have more confidence to invest, Tengco said. With assistance from Andrea Tan. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Storm Lake man charged with arson at laundromat STORM LAKE, Iowa A Storm Lake man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of setting a fire in a trash can at a laundromat. Storm Lake police and firefighters were dispatched at 11 p.m. Wednesday to Royal Laundromat, 221 W. Milwaukee Ave., for a report of a trash can on fire outside the building. The fire was extinguished by bystanders by the time firefighters arrived, and minor property damage was observed. Reviewing surveillance video, police observed the suspect use a lighter and start the trash can on fire inside while other patrons were present. The fire spread, and several people extinguished the fire and moved the trash can outside. The suspect was seen fleeing the scene before officers arrived. At about 1 a.m. Thursday, police located Dany Duarte, 46, and took him into custody. He was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail on a charge of first-degree arson, a Class B felony. Man pleads not guilty of armed robbery at Kum & Go SIOUX CITY A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty of the armed robbery of a Morningside convenience store. Threeten Sirom, 29, entered his written plea Thursday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of first-degree robbery, assault while participating in a felony, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of aggravated assault. Sirom is accused of entering Kum & Go at 1925 S. Lakeport St. on Jan. 25, brandishing a gun, demanding money and pistol-whipping the clerk in the face before leaving the store with approximately $360. He then fled the business on foot. According to court documents, a witness drove after Sirom, who fired shots at the witness vehicle at least twice. He was arrested Feb. 28 after a police investigation. According to court documents, he was preparing to fly to his native Hawaii later that night. Sirom had been arrested Feb. 21 at the conclusion of a high-speed chase that reached speeds above 110 mph through Morningside. He was charged with eluding, second-degree criminal mischief and operating while intoxicated and had bonded out of jail prior to his arrest for the alleged robbery. He pleaded not guilty to those charges on March 8. He also faces charges related to a November high-speed chase. SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. Jason Michael Haire Jr., 19, entered his written plea Thursday in Woodbury County District Court to one count of second-degree sexual abuse. According to court documents, the girl was taken to a hospital Feb. 24 after she had told her parents Haire sexually assaulted her at a family friend's house in Sioux City on Feb. 19. During an interview with police, Haire admitted to having sexual contact with the victim and providing her with marijuana numerous times in January and February, court documents said. Haire was initially charged with distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, but the charge was later dismissed by prosecutors. PONTIAC, Mich. The father of a Michigan school shooter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Thursday, a second conviction against the teens parents who were accused of failing to secure a gun at home and doing nothing to address acute signs of his mental turmoil. The jury verdict means James Crumbley has joined Jennifer Crumbley as a cause of the killing of four students at Oxford High School in 2021, even without pulling the trigger. They had separate trials as the first U.S. parents to be charged in a mass school shooting committed by their child. Jennifer Crumbley was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in February. Prosecutors focused on two key themes at the fathers trial: the parents response to a morbid drawing on Ethan Crumbleys math assignment a few hours before the shooting, and the teens access to a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun purchased by James Crumbley only four days earlier. Ethan made a ghastly drawing of a gun and a wounded man on a math assignment and added disturbing phrases, The thoughts wont stop. Help me. My life is useless. But James and Jennifer Crumbley declined to take Ethan home following a brief meeting at the school, and staff didnt demand it. A counselor, concerned about suicidal ideations, told them to seek help for the boy within 48 hours. Ethan had told Shawn Hopkins that he was sad over the death of his dog and grandmother and the loss of a friend who had abruptly moved away. He said the drawing was simply his jottings for a video game and that he wasnt planning to commit violence. Neither he, nor his parents, told school officials about the gun they had just bought, according to trial testimony. Hopkins had hoped Ethan would spend the day with his parents. But when that was ruled out, the counselor felt the teen would probably be safer around others at school. Ethan later pulled the Sig Sauer from his backpack and began shooting that same day, killing Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16. No one had checked the bag, though a school administrator had joked about its heaviness. James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did, prosecutor Karen McDonald told the jury. James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and for what he didnt do. He doesnt get a pass because somebody else actually pulled the trigger, she said. Hopkins told the jury that James Crumbley showed empathy toward his son during the meeting about the drawing, but took no additional action. When James Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his DoorDash job and looked for the gun. I think my son took the gun, he said in a frantic 911 call. Investigators found an empty gun case and empty ammunition box on the parents bed. A cable that could have locked the gun was still in a package, unopened. Ethan told a judge when he pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism that the gun was not locked when he stuffed it in his backpack before school. Defense attorney Mariell Lehman tried to emphasize that James Crumbley did not consent to any gun access by his son. He did not know he had to protect others from his son, she told jurors. He did not know that it was reasonably foreseeable that his son would commit these offenses. He had no idea what his son was planning to do. There was no testimony from experts about Ethans mental health, and no records were introduced. The boys lawyers said before trial that he would invoke his right to remain silent if called to testify. But the judge allowed the jury to see excerpts from the teens handwritten journal. I have zero help for my mental problems and its causing me to shoot up the ... school, Ethan wrote. I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. Read more: 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 ATLANTA (AP) A special prosecutor who had a romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis formally withdrew Friday from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump after a judge ruled one of them had to leave the case for it to move forward. Attorney Nathan Wades role in the prosecution had come under fire since an attorney representing one of Trumps co-defendants alleged in early January that Wade and Willis were involved in an inappropriate relationship that resulted in Willis profiting improperly from the prosecution. Wade offered his resignation in a letter to Willis, saying he was doing so in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible." Willis accepted Wades resignation, effective immediately. She complimented his professionalism and dignity, saying he has endured threats against you and your family, as well as unjustified attacks in the media and in court on your reputation as a lawyer. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee had ruled Friday that Wade had to be removed or Willis must step aside from the case. McAfee did not find that Willis relationship with Wade amounted to a conflict of interest that should disqualify her from the case. However, he said, the allegations created an appearance of impropriety that infected the prosecution team. The judge also criticized Willis for a tremendous lapse of judgement and questioned the truthfulness of Willis and Wade's testimony about the timing of their relationship. As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed," the judge wrote. "Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist. Even though the judge gave Willis the option to stay on the case, the allegations threaten to damage her reputation and taint the public's perception of the prosecution. Trump and his allies have seized on the allegations to impugn Willis credibility as the prosecutors seeking to hold the former president accountable have found themselves under fire. For weeks, embarrassing headlines about romantic getaways, sex and stashes of cash have consumed the coverage, turning the prosecution of a former president accused of undermining the will of the people who voted him out of the White House into a soap opera. A spokesperson for Willis did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment Friday. An attorney for Trump said the former president's team respects the court's decision but believes the judge did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade." We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place, defense attorney Steve Sadow said. Defense attorneys could try to appeal the ruling, but they would need the judges permission to do so. Willis hired Wade to lead the team to investigate and ultimately prosecute Trump and 18 others on charges that they illegally tried to overturn his narrow loss to Democrat Joe Biden in Georgia in 2020. The case uses a statute normally associated with mobsters to accuse the former president, lawyers and other aides of a criminal enterprise to keep him in power. Trump, the Republicans presumptive presidential nominee for 2024, has denied doing anything wrong and pleaded not guilty. Willis and Wade testified at a hearing last month that they had engaged in a romantic relationship, but they rejected the idea that Willis improperly benefited from it, as lawyers for Trump and some of his co-defendants alleged. Willis and Wade insisted they didn't begin dating until after he became special prosecutor, though another a former friend and employee of Willis' testified that she saw the pair hugging and kissing before he was hired. Willis and Wade said the relationship ended in the summer of 2023. They both said that Willis either paid for things herself or used cash to reimburse Wade for travel expenses. McAfee wrote that there was insufficient evidence that Willis had a personal stake in the prosecution. And he said he was unable to conclusively establish by a preponderance of the evidence whether Willis and Wade began dating before or after he was hired as special prosecutor. However, an odor of mendacity remains," the judge wrote. He said reasonable questions about whether Willis and Wade testified truthfully about the timing of their relationship further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it. Even so, he said, dismissal of the case was not the appropriate remedy to "adequately dissipate the financial cloud of impropriety and potential untruthfulness found here. McAfee found no showing that the due process rights of Trump and the other defendants had been violated or that the issues involved prejudiced them in any way. He also said the disqualification of a constitutional officer, like a district attorney, is not necessary when a less drastic option is sufficient. The judge said he believes that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices even repeatedly and it is the trial courts duty to confine itself to the relevant issues and applicable law properly brought before it. An attorney for co-defendant Michael Roman was the first to ask McAfee to dismiss the indictment and prevent Willis and Wade and their offices from continuing to prosecute the case. The attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, alleged that Willis paid Wade large sums for his work and then improperly benefited from the prosecution of the case when Wade used his earnings to pay for vacations for the two of them. Merchant said in a statement Friday that while Roman's team maintains that the judge should have disqualified Willis' office entirely, the judge clearly agreed with the defense that there is a risk to the future of this case if Willis "doesnt quickly work to cure her conflict. The ruling comes days after the judge dismissed three of 13 counts against Trump in the indictment. The judge said prosecutors failed to allege sufficient detail regarding the nature of the allegations related to soliciting public officers to violate their oaths. However, the bulk of the 41-count indictment remains intact, and the judge said prosecutors could seek a new indictment to try to reinstate the charges he dismissed. One dismissed count stemmed from a phone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on Jan. 2, 2021, in which Trump urged Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes for him to win the election in the state. Of the 19 people originally charged in the indictment, four have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. They include prominent Trump allies and attorneys Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro. Where each Trump case stands Classified documents case Election interference Hush-money scheme Georgia election indictment Civil cases DES MOINES Two Republican bills relating to immigration enforcement in Iowa were halted this week after they failed to garner support from fellow statehouse Republicans. An Iowa House Republican bill that would have created a new state crime of human smuggling and penalized individuals who transport or harbor undocumented immigrants in some cases a proposal that was opposed by advocates for charities and shelters was stopped in the Republican-led Iowa Senate. And an Iowa Senate bill that would have required businesses to use the E-Verify program to ensure all employees are legal U.S. residents which was opposed by business groups will not advance in the Republican-led Iowa House. The Republicans who chair the Iowa House and Iowa Senate judiciary committees confirmed the proposals legislative deaths Wednesday. Rep. Steve Holt, a Republican from Denison who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said a significant concern he had with the E-Verify proposal is that on a second offense it would have revoked a business license to operate in Iowa. That doesnt seem like a reasonable approach, Holt told reporters Wednesday. The E-Verify bill, Senate File 108, earlier this year passed the Iowa Senate on a 30-17 vote, with only Republicans supporting it. Theres also people concerned that E-Verify puts an additional burden on business. Theres also concerns that E-Verify doesnt necessarily do what people believe that it does in terms of verifying (a workers) legitimate right to be employed, Holt added. Those are the concerns that I have over on my side. State Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the potential for unintended consequences was the chief concern for the House-passed human smuggling bill. There was some unintended consequences with the bill. And it needed work. So thats why I pulled the bill, Zaun told reporters. In the (bills) language, it was my interpretation, as well as some of the people on the committee, that there was some unintended consequences. Advocates had expressed concern that the bill could penalize charities and shelters that attempt to aid immigrants. Those advocates said they do not always know an immigrants legal status before offering them help. House Republicans had attempted to address those concerns by placing in the bill language that said arrests could not be made at a church, shelter or school. And Holt said he had expressed a willingness to amend the bill to make the language more palatable to Senate Republicans. The bill, House File 2608, passed the House last week on a 60-32 vote with only Republican support. The bill also prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving public assistance; that prohibition is already in federal law. Holt said he found it deeply concerning that the bill did not advance in the Senate and said he will consider adding the language to another immigration-related bill that still is eligible for consideration. The bottom line is our law enforcement needs to have tools when ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) refuses to cooperate to be able to deal with human smuggling and the trafficking thats going on coming from the invasion on our southern border, Holt said. Im extremely disappointed that they chose not to advance that legislation. DES MOINES Iowa House lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that includes a grant program school districts could use to purchase guns and provide training to arm staff. House File 2652 passed 59-35, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats and one Republican opposed. The bill was amended to strip out a $3 million appropriation to create a grant program that schools could use to purchase guns, add infrastructure, pay for training and provide stipends to staff who participate in training to receive a permit to carry weapons on school grounds. The bill still creates the grant program, but does not include a specific appropriation to fund the program. That amount will be determined later during the budget process, said Rep. Carter Nordman, a Republican from Panora and the bills lead sponsor. Money from the grant program would be used to implement a new permitting process for school staff to carry firearms at public and private schools, which would be created under a separate House-passed bill. The bills were introduced by House Republicans in the wake of Januarys fatal shooting at Perry High School, just days before the start of the legislative session. Eleven-year-old Ahmir Jolliff and Principal Dan Marurger were killed and six others were injured. The 17-year-old shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Republicans who support the move to allow teachers and other school staff to carry guns say that professionally trained staff are the fastest and most effective way of responding to a school shooting. No parent should have to worry about their student's safety. No spouse should have to worry about their significant other coming home from a day of teaching, Nordman said. School should be a place for students and teachers to grow and learn. This bill in front of us offers solutions. The bill we passed last week offers solutions. Democrats decried the decision to provide taxpayer dollars for firearms training and incentives to arm school staff, citing safety concerns and risks to staff and students, and saying stricter gun control measures were needed to prevent shootings. I realize that this doesn't directly appropriate the money, but it does create a program that allows for that to happen, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said during floor debate. I have concerns, fundamentally, about spending taxpayer dollars to put more guns in our schools, and I oppose the bill. The bill would also provide $3 million from the 911 emergency communications fund to set up a pilot program for the state to provide schools with grants to set up firearm detection software that would be able to detect guns with existing security cameras. Those districts would then need to submit a report about the effectiveness of the program to the Legislature on or before Dec. 15. The bill was amended to require any gun-detection software used by school districts be designated as a qualified anti-terrorism technology by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The designation limits the providers liability in the event of a terrorist attack. Rep. Mark Cisneros of Muscatine, the lone Republican to vote against the bill, spoke against the amendment. As amended, Cisneros said, the bill would exclude districts already working with vendors to implement AI gun detection software that lack the federal designation, and would stifle competition. Schools would also be required to purchase radio equipment that would communicate with a statewide emergency response system. Gov. Kim Reynolds devoted $6 million to emergency communication radios for school districts as part of a $100 million school safety initiative in 2022 using federal COVID-19 relief money. The governors office will reopen the program for any schools that did not participate, Nordman said. HF 2652 bill would also require public and private school districts to conduct a review of their ability to keep students safe in active shooter scenarios. It calls for creating a task force including different state and local safety and education agencies that would make recommendations for updated school infrastructure building codes, which new buildings would need to follow. This bill will make our students safer by investing in infrastructure and technology that we know will make our school buildings more secure, Nordman said. Democrats would pass restrictive gun laws, but none of the gun control bills that we've heard from Democrats would have prevented what happened in Perry and in other school shootings in the state. Nordman pointed to a recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll that found 60 percent of Iowans favor allowing teachers and school staff to carry guns in school if they complete training. The number rises to 65 percent among parents with children school-aged children. The unfortunate reality remains that bad things can still happen, he said. Rather than live in denial of that, House Republicans are working to lower response time to school emergencies. The bill now heads to the Iowa Senate for consideration. DES MOINES Representatives for Iowa labor unions and the states construction industry urged lawmakers to hit the brakes on a proposal to lower the tax rates businesses pay to fund benefits for unemployed workers. House Republican lawmakers on Thursday advanced House Study Bill 735 in order to gather more information about its potential impact. Rep. Dave Deyoe, R-Nevada, who chaired the House subcommittee, said he advanced the bill in order to seek a detailed fiscal analysis of the bills impact from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency. The bill cleared the subcommittee 2-1, with Democratic Rep. Monica Kurth of Davenport opposed. Deyoe said the bill will be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee next week. Deyoe said lawmakers want the Legislative Services analysis so they can be assured that when unemployment rises during a recession, business taxes wont have to be raised to keep Iowas Unemployment Trust Fund solvent. Bills must pass out of committee before receiving a Legislative Services fiscal note to create a more manageable workload for the agency. We don't know yet that the math works Deyoe said. So if the math doesn't work, we're not going to do it as is.. Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed the tax cut in January as part of a larger package of tax reductions. Under her proposal, Iowa would cut the taxable wage base in half and reduce unemployment taxes by about 40%. Under the bill, Iowa employers would pay a maximum rate of 5.4% on wages up to $18,000 per employee, as opposed to the current 7% on wages up to $36,000 per employee. It also would reduce the number of tax tables from eight to four and reduce tax table rankings from 21 to nine, effectively cutting overall tax categories. Reynolds office estimates the cut would save Iowa employers more than $800 million over five years. (W)e turned our unemployment system into a re-employment system. And its having the intended effect, Reynolds said during her annual Condition of the State Address in January. Our unemployment rate remains low, we have the sixth highest labor force participation rate in the country, and Iowans are now spending on average less than 10 weeks on unemployment. Because so many Iowans are drawing a paycheck instead of a government check, our unemployment trust fund is full to the point where we can reduce the unemployment insurance payments that employers make by half. Opposition Representatives for the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and IBEW Iowa State Conference worried that Iowas unemployment trust fund will face challenges in the long term if the economy takes a downtown and business tax rates dont keep the trust fund alive. Nick Laning, a lobbyist representing the union that represents electrical workers, said with recent layoffs by John Deere and the closure of the Tyson plant in Perry, now is not the time to make drastic changes to the states unemployment trust fund. I know the economy looks good from the outside right now, but we're seeing some signs even in Iowa that we could have some issues, Laning told lawmakers. Maybe pump the brakes a little bit and say: Lets consider all the factors we have here before we do something that could have long-term effects. The Iowa State Building and Construction Trades is registered against the bill. Jon Murphy, a lobbyist representing the group, said state funding for infrastructure-related projects is going to be seeing some challenges going forward. And when that happens, we are able to invest less in those major maintenance things, which has an impact on construction jobs and things like that, Murphy said. So having a healthy trust fund is important as we kind of anticipate these things, and then as we actually feel them going forward. Peter Hird, a lobbyist representing the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, cited a cut to unemployment benefits that lawmakers passed and Reynolds signed into law in 2022. Benefits that employees had were taken away, Hird said. And now we're seeing a tax cut for employers. Would just hate to turn things that are safety nets for employees and give it back to employers. Kurth, who voted not to advance the bill, echoed those concerns. I think that the Perry (plant) closing has to be something of a wake-up call to us, she said. And I also agree that we have already taken away benefits. Why are we now planning to give the employers additional money back? For the bill J.D. Davis of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry lobbyist told lawmakers the association backs the bill and the drive to get more information about its potential impact. Davis, though, also expressed concerns about the long-term solvency and stability of the unemployment trust fund. Reynolds tapped $700 million in federal pandemic relief funds to shore up the state's unemployment insurance trust fund and avert an increase in tax rates as pandemic-related layoffs provided a major hit to state unemployment funds. We want to make sure that an economic downturn can be survived and the fund is there for the purpose its there, Davis said. I think moving the bill is going to get you the information you need to know about next steps. Counties with the highest unemployment in Iowa Counties with the highest unemployment in Iowa #50. Buchanan County #49. Boone County #48. Van Buren County #46. Monona County (tie) #46. Calhoun County (tie) #45. Guthrie County #44. Union County #43. Clay County #42. Poweshiek County #41. Webster County #40. Warren County #39. Woodbury County #38. Monroe County #37. Montgomery County #36. Allamakee County #35. Harrison County #34. Fayette County #33. Dubuque County #32. Louisa County #31. Hamilton County #30. Mills County #29. Hardin County #28. Clayton County #27. Jefferson County #26. Pottawattamie County #25. Polk County #24. Wayne County #23. Keokuk County #22. Madison County #21. Jones County #20. Benton County #19. Jasper County #18. Winnebago County #17. Page County #16. Floyd County #15. Tama County #14. Henry County #13. Jackson County #12. Cerro Gordo County #11. Black Hawk County #10. Muscatine County #9. Appanoose County #8. Linn County #7. Wapello County #6. Crawford County #5. Scott County #4. Clinton County #3. Lee County #2. Des Moines County #1. Marshall County I have questions about Denis Villeneuves Dune: Part Two. If the Fremen have lasers, why dont they just shoot the sand harvesters and run away? Why dont they use their sandworms until the last battle? Wouldnt it make more sense to fight the other great houses on Arrakis itself, where they have sandworms, rather than board ships off-world to go off to war? If Paul (Timothee Chalamet) has to invade the galaxy at the end, why bother marrying the daughter of the emperor he just deposed? It didnt pacify the other great houses. And why didnt it? His threat to destroy the spice fields seems like a pretty good one. Did the emperor kill Pauls dad, Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), because he believed in the rule of the heart, but the heart is not meant to rule, or just because the Reverend Mother (who seemed bummed about it) told him to? Is there any point to all the diplomatic subterfuge and maneuvering if literally everyone just does what the nearest Bene Gesserit tells them to do? I suppose its normal that a movie based on a book will cut corners, imply rather than explain, and give you the gist, whereas a novelist has the space and time to spell things out. My complaint is not that Villeneuves Dune is confusing. Beneath all the genre trappings, the plot is a simple and direct revenge and coming-of-age narrative: House Lannister killed his dad, but our protagonist delays and plays Hamlet in the desertand meets a girl, Chani (Zendaya)before embracing his destiny, leading his new friends against their common oppressors, and avenging his father. Its amazing that putting a novel that is 90 percent dialogue into the hands of a director who has said he doesnt like dialogue works as well as it does, but it does work. These are good movies to watch while eating popcorn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I cant help overthinking it. Why did Chanis tears save Paul from the spice agony? If the Lisan al Gaib prophecy is Bene Gesseritcreated bullshit, how does it so successfully predict things like that? How was Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) able to turn the war around just by using artillery? Bombing the enemys base seems like a pretty basic strategy; why didnt Rabban Harkonnen (Dave Bautista) think of it when he was in charge? How many times can Paul get stabbed and not die? Most of all, if the Kwisatz Haderach is power the galaxy has never seen before, and he has literally killed or forced into submission all his enemies, and also he has complete control over Arrakis, and if he who controls spice controls power, as the first lines of the movie tell us, then why does he need to do the big space jihad? The movie insists Paul has no options, and yet it seems as if he is holding literally all of the cards it is possible to hold. Advertisement Some of these questions have answers, especially if you consult the books. For example, I was confused whyafter spending the whole movie avoiding the south and not drinking the water of lifePaul suddenly decided to do exactly that. It happens very abruptly! My best guess is that because Feyd-Rautha can also see the futuremaking his big strategic genius move of using artillery something Paul was unable to foreseePaul decides he needs to upgrade if hes going to win the war. But Im thinking this only because the books explain that prescients are invisible to other prescients, such that the presence of another prescient (like Feyd-Rautha) might interrupt Pauls ability to see the future. If you havent read the books, youre likely to be as baffled by the suddenness of his heel turn as Chani is. Youre watching a movie in which Pauls entire character is his determination not to go south and not to fulfill his destiny, then, suddenly, without real explanation, he does exactly those things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the real answer is that it aint, as a great film critic once put it, that kind of movie. The real answer is that things happen in Villeneuves Dunes because they look cool as hell and get your adrenaline pumping. These are movies, as Max Read correctly notes, about sick shots of spaceships arriving on planets, about cool knife fights, and about that Hans Zimmer sound that goes BWWAAAAAAAMMMMFFFF and rattles your bones. I am, in other words, definitely overthinking it. The first movie opens by telling us that spice harvesting happens at night, to avoid the heat, but all the raids we see on spice harvesters happen during the day. The reason is because it looks cool. Why has the word jihad been removed from the movieit appears 36 times in the first Dune novelalong with so much else that would remind you that Dune is about Muslims in space? Thats even easier: Someone decided they would make more money if they toned down the Muslims in space thing. Cool stuff happens; the mechanics of why and how, or of cause and necessary effect, are not Villeneuves focus. Its cooler if Paul gets stabbed but doesnt die. Feyd-Rauthas choice to use artillery has to be genius to force Paul to upgrade his prescience; the other houses have to refuse to respect his ascension because otherwise, thered be no need for the galactic space jihad that the whole movie has been circling around, and we need a big battle at the end because big, climactic battles are the kind of thing that happens in this kind of movie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know who liked to overthink things? Frank Herbert, the author of Dune. His books have often been described as impossible to adapt because theres just way too much of them: too much plot, but also much too much explanation of the plot. Villeneuve shows us how to adapt Dune: You cut most of it, especially the explanations. How else are you going to turn a sprawling 800-page novelto say nothing of the endless appendices and legacy sequelsinto a couple hundred pages of double-spaced screenplay? The first third of the novel is dominated by the machinations of the Harkonnen and Atreides Mentats, and the proximate cause of the fall of House Atreides is a delicately seeded suspicion of Pauls mothers loyalty, which masks the existence of the real traitor. None of that is in the films. The Guild Navigators are gone. CHOAM is gone. Fenring is gone. The famous banquet scene is cut. Princess Irulans narrative role is barely gestured at, and Alia doesnt even get born. Endless discussions of ecology and politics and economics are cut. To put it bluntly, Villeneuve cuts almost all of the things Herbert was thinking about when he wrote Dune. Frank Herbert wrote a novel of ideas, for which the story was just vehicle and scaffolding and the means to that end. Villeneuve gave us the beautiful box they came in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Herbert, the story began with ecology, what he called the science of consequences: A system maintains a certain fluid stability that can be destroyed by a misstep in just one niche. A system has order, flowing from point to point. If something dams that flow, order collapses. As a science of consequences and outcomes, an ecological understanding sees a world in which human agency is embedded in almost unknowably vast and complex systems of order; while small changes resonate unpredictably, the world-altering ambitions of the powerful will often crash on the rocks of a reality thats larger and more difficult to control than our egos would like to believe. An ecological perspective clashes with the more conventional Great Man understanding of history, which would characterize entire eras by who happens to be king or president at the time. In this way, Herberts interest in ecology merged with his belief in the dangers of political messianism, and he wrote Dune to warn people about great men, along with modernitys overweening confidence in its ability to transform the earth, along with every other thing hed been reading and thinking about, from general semantics and psychedelic chemicals to decolonization, genetic engineering, sexual liberation, and artificial intelligence (and also how much he hated liberals and John F. Kennedy). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herberts tendency to overthink things is why his Dune is such a dialogue-heavy, endlessly didactic brick of a novel, choking with as we all know info dumps, omniscient narration, and interior monologues. Its a novel that explains everything. You can get to the end of Villeneuves five hours still not really understanding more than the basics of what the Bene Gesserit are, while Herbert explains them in the first chapter. Herbert soaks us in details, anything and everything from the delicate balance of galactic politics and economics to the way personal shields fill up with stale air because the heat of battle doesnt allow the proper exchange of gases; the first half a dozen chapters are mostly just Pauland the readerbeing schooled in the novels world and the techniques of living in it. Advertisement Advertisement But Herberts characters also overthink things. From the Bene Gesserit, to the Mentats, to the mind-expanding spice eaters on Arrakis, the galactic future superpower is comprehension and prediction; the novels plot is essentially a chess game between a variety of players trying to think more moves ahead than their opponents. Most conflicts come down to, and are resolved by, the information available to predict and understand different chains of causation of extrapolated effects. So much so, in fact, that it becomes oppressive, as Pauls prescience narrows his sense of possibilities to a sharp and horrible point: The more clearly you can see the future, the less agency you have to actually choose in the present. The novel itself is a story already told, with each chapter opening with quotations from books Princess Irulan will write about Pauls life, from the future in which the events of the novel have long since been decided. In this way, the novel trains you in hopelessness, the same way Paul comes of age with the discovery that the world, which seems so full of possibility when you are young, is actually a book already written and closed. Advertisement Advertisement Ive always found Dune to be kind of a bummer. Its a very 60s novel, responding to an era of idealistic upheaval and revolutionary turmoil, but Herbert was a middle-aged conservative who reacted in predictably reactionary terms. Republicans were still allowed to read books in the 60s, and to believe in things like ecology. But one reason that fascists love Dune is that Herbert saw the world in hidebound ways, a stance that becomes increasingly clear as the books go on. (By Heretics of Dune, characters specifically muse on how much they hate liberalsand yes, Herbert uses that word.) The Fremen of Arrakis are Muslims less because of Herberts sympathy for the wretched of the earth and more because Muslims were fighting the Soviets, whom Herbert really hated. The villainous Baron Harkonnen is named Vladimir, for obvious reasons, and rendered homosexual because Herbert was a conventional homophobe. Bene Gesserit sounds like Jesuit in part because the idea that a charismatic aristocratic leader who promised to uplift the downtrodden might actually be a pawn of a conspiratorial religious order was literally a campaign issue when Herbert took a break from writing Dune to vote against the first Catholic president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herbert believed that progress was an illusion because he was an ideologically motivated reactionary who hated the New Deal, the welfare state, the Civil Rights Movement, and any political leader who promised to help the oppressed. He was interested in eugenics, wrote speeches for a Republican senator, and liked Nixon because Nixons corruption taught us to distrust political leaders; he also liked Ronald Reagan because, he said, Reagan wants to restore the individual to his preeminent position in this society. At the risk of extrapolating too precisely from what generally happens to conservatives of his generation, I suspect hed have voted for Trump in 2016; I suspect hed have preferred the guy who would drain the swamp and attack the deep state to the big government liberal from a political dynasty. Advertisement Herberts cynicism structures the movies as well: The progressive visions of the future that idealistic leaders sell to the foolish masses who follow them are just desert mirages; the only alternative to all the bad things happening, for Herbert, is other bad things happening. In Dune, the world is just a neo-feudalist Hobbesian nightmare without end, and there is no such thing as society. Pauls prescience tells him that his family and everyone he loves will be killedin an unbearably violent future world where humanitys permanent condition makes Game of Thrones feel fun and lightheartedunless he picks Option B, which is a giant galactic war killing 60 billion people, and in which terrible things also happen to him and his family. The dawning realization of the novel is that all the choices are bad, the world sucks to live in, and basically nothing ever gets better. Advertisement For me, Herberts saving grace is that he seemed to find his worldviews dour insistence on futility as depressing as I do, and saw science fiction as an escape. The positions he expressed in interviews (or wrote in GOP speeches) were predictably reactionary, but his fiction cant stop banging new ideas together to produce new and surprising results. If he was opposed to the idea of progress, of building a better world, his fiction couldnt stop trying to imagine a golden way, and there was nothing he relished more than world building. Advertisement What kind of a world does Denis Villeneuve build? Herbert had so much to say about his times; what does Villeneuve have to say about ours? Its not hard to imagine a Dune that would speak to climate change, right-wing populism, or the war in Israel/Palestine. Spice was an on-the-nose figure for Middle Eastern oil, and the Fremen have always been a figure for the colonized peoples of the greater Muslim world. A 2024 Herbert would surely have had things to say regarding the role of Israel in the maintenance of U.S. global hegemony, A.I., and everything else that our politics are about. They may have been terrible; he might have been obsessed with Hillary Clinton, and he might have warned about the woke deep state conspiracy to turn your children trans. Maybe hed be a crypto guy; I feel confident that hed have loved large language models. But his takes would have been scorching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Villeneuve seems to be mainly saying, Look, its Dune! Officially, the big idea is that Paul is the villain of the piece, the latest iteration of the antihero, a figure with whom weve come to be extremely familiar. (Though I would observe that it has been decades since the sequel to George Lucas rip-off of Dune posed the once-provocative questions What if a good boy became a bad man? and What if we were the bad guys in the war in the Middle East?) Officially, Pauls betrayal of Chani is emotionally gutting and demonstrates the callousness with which he has been using the Fremen to advance his own ambitions. But while TikTok is filled with tedious explanations of the correct interpretationYou think Paul is the hero? Youre WRONG and heres whythis explanation is necessary because movie-Pauls heel turn is really unconvincing. What, after all, has he done? He kills his Nazi-coded enemieswho murdered his familythen humbles the arrogant aristocracy in the form of the emperor and his retinue (while mercifully sparing their lives), before he magnificently sacrifices his own romantic happiness for the good of his loved ones. He allows the Fremen to jump on ships and attack the other Great Houses, which were already literally in the process of attacking Arrakis. He is a cool badass who does cool badass things, in a movie thats cool and badass. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Is Dune a White Savior Narrative? Read More Moreover, the official explanation of Pauls villainy is that its unavoidable: After drinking the water of life, Paul tells his mother that everything he is about to do is necessary and impossible to avoidthe narrow path he must navigate if they are to survive. In the books, his son will set humanity on the Golden Path, and if you havent read them, a few minutes on Wikipedia will give you a sense of how out-there Herbert goes. But even if movie-Paul is right and we accept it, Im not sure what it could mean to say that Paul is the villain: Can one be a villain in a world where choice and freedom are illusions? Advertisement But maybe this is exactly the point. In the real world, paranoid fantasies are most often a means of justifying preemptive atrocities. If we dont kill them now, theyll kill us later is a staple of right-wing nationalist rhetoric because it lets you blame the victims for what they would have made you do to them if you hadnt done it first. Reactionaries see themselves as reacting, always, to the aggression of the left. This is why they tell apocalyptic stories about BLM mobs, Bidens willful dereliction of duty in the matter of border security, or the zombie wasteland that progressives have made of San Francisco: to create a permission structure for all kinds of actions that would normally be off-limits. If they say ludicrous things, then, or describe a reality that has no bearing on the actual world we live in, their lurid fantasies nevertheless serve a purpose. As the hosts of the Know Your Enemy podcast like to ask about conservative thinkers, What are they giving themselves permission to do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Villeneuves Paul is supposed to be a villain, then, its Villeneuves sympathy for what he does that interests me. In subsequent books, Herbert made Paul into a monster, a tyrannical despot who destroys those who follow him. Maybe Villeneuve will do that too, if they let him make Dune Messiah. But Im not sure: At the end of the two films that he set out to make, the reality Villeneuve has created has given Paul pretty ironclad permission to secure the future of his people and children by killing billions of strangers (who made him do it, by attacking him first). It makes me wonder if thats the fantasy were playing out here, one in which massively disproportionate preemptive warfare turns out to be justified. If Herbert was a reactionary of his times, is Villeneuve giving us a reactionary fantasy for ours, in which Bush was right to invade Iraq to remove the danger it might pose in the future, and todays terrorists are the children of the previous operation that you kept alive? (Im probably just overthinking it.) District Attorney Fani Willis will be able to continue in her RICO prosecution of former President Donald Trump and his associates, the judge in that case ruled on Friday, when he rejected the argument that she be disqualified from the case over allegations of a conflict of interest stemming from a romantic relationship with a co-prosecutor. The judge, Scott McAfee of Fulton County Superior Court, rejected the motion that would likely have torpedoed one of the most powerful criminal cases against the former president. Instead, he chastised Willis for poor judgment but allowed her to stay on the case so long as her former romantic partner, special prosecutor Nathan Wade, withdraws from the proceeding. This was the exact right outcome. While Fani Willis performance on the stand during a multiday hearing over the conflict questionand her decision to keep the relationship with Wade private while paying him a salarywas indecorous and crossed the line of prosecutorial propriety, the defense was unable to prove a conflict of interest required by Georgia law for full disqualification. At the same time, as McAfee wrote, The appearance of impropriety remains, and the best possible way to resolve that is for Wade to leave the case. Related From Slate Heres the Real Person to Blame for that GOP Prosecutor Who Shivved Biden Read More The entire episode has demonstrated that this proceeding against Trump may be led by the wrong prosecutor, a fact that was not at all clear when the case began with such promise last August. Willis had a string of early major wins, but her missteps with Wade and the resulting harm to the cases perception in the court of public opinion might harm one of the most important cases in the countrys history. Fortunately, the case has the right judge. Advertisement First, and briefly, on Willis. The district attorney brought a smart case and to this point prosecuted it well. She won impressive plea agreements from top Trump co-conspirators, such as Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro. All of that, however, was nearly undoneand could still come apart on the inevitable appeal of the disqualification questionby a horrible lapse in judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having a romantic relationship with another prosecutor on your team is not in and of itself an ethical lapse. But keeping it quiet from anyone and everyone while continuing to pay that employee in a case with the highest possible stakes for our democracy against a notoriously combative defendant is a disastrous lapse. Whats more, Willis response to the revelations possibly made it worse, using a church speech to claim victimhood and say that the charges were racially motivated when they were in fact standard, and then using court testimony to cast aspersions on opposing counsel and act as though she thought she were the judge in the case. Its still unclear whether she and Wade fully and truthfully testified in those appearances, with an outstanding question remaining over when, exactly, their relationship started (they both claimed, under oath, that it started after the prosecution began). Advertisement In his opinion absolving Willis of the worst accusations against hera far-fetched allegation that she is prosecuting Trump for financial gain via her relationship with Wade, which would have led to her immediate dismissal if provenMcAfee still appropriately knocked Willis for her astounding prosecutorial failures. In demanding Wades withdrawal from the case, McAfee noted that Wades and Willis testimony left an odor of mendacity that resulted in an appearance of impropriety. Further, he chastised Willis for the church speech casting herself as the victim of a racially motivated defense team as legally improper. Advertisement If Judge McAfees sound decision is not overturned on appeal, this means Willis can still redeem her prosecution of Trump if and when its ever brought to trial. Advertisement McAfee, having proved himself over and over again to be a supremely capable jurist, needs no such redemption. In fact, he may be this cases saving grace. Advertisement This wasnt at all clear at the start of the case. By all initial appearances, Judge McAfee seemed to share a potentially alarming number of biographical details with another judge handling a Trump prosecution, Aileen Cannon. Both worked in U.S. attorney offices in Republican administrations. Both were appointed by high-ranking and hard-right Republicans to their positions on the bench. Both were members of the right-wing Federalist Society. They were also two of the least experienced and youngest judges on their respective benches, with 34-year-old McAfee having only been appointed months before he was handed the Trump case and Cannon having been one of Trumps last-ditch appointments as he was being driven from office kicking and screaming. Advertisement Thats where the similarities have ended, though. Cannon has done everything in her power to obstruct the federal classified documents case against Trump. McAfee has run all of his proceedings, including this conflict proceeding, in as orderly a way as possible, ultimately applying the correct law to allow Willis to stay on the case. True, McAfee is just doing his job, and nothing more. In a judiciary as ravaged by partisanship as ours, though, this basic adherence to the facts and the law can come as a shock. Advertisement Advertisement A lesser judge could have easily taken the cheap way out, stretching the appearance of impropriety to an actual conflict of interests to dump a case mired in controversy and drama. McAfee has received threats and was, according to the Washington Post, even subject to a swatting incident earlier this year at his home (and that of his wife and two young children). One need not be a political hack to say that dealing with such threats to family might not be worth protecting a prosecutor who had repeatedly made bad choices, as he put it. Instead, though, McAfee followed the law. All of this moves the court one step closer to actually trying the case against Trump and his alleged co-conspirators. On Friday, McAfee also moved his courtroom that much closer to demonstrating the rule of law still works in this country. For more than a decade, conservative plaintiffs have been gaming the judiciary by filing lawsuits before a hard-right judge whos guaranteed to rule in their favor. Worse, a handful of Republican-appointed judges have made a habit of issuing sweeping decisions that apply nationwidehobbling the federal government, short-circuiting the democratic process, and transferring inconceivable amounts of power into the hands of a few unelected jurists. The Judicial Conference of the United States, which makes policy for the federal courts, finally struck a blow against this cynical gamesmanship on Tuesday, announcing a new rule to restore the random assignment of cases and close the loophole that lets plaintiffs hand-pick their judges. On the Slate Plus bonus segment of Saturdays Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discuss the new policy and its furious reception among the fringe-right faction of the judiciary. Below is a preview of their conversation, which has been condensed and edited for clarity. To listen to the full episode of Amicus, join Slate Plus. Dahlia Lithwick: Its always hard for me to think that anything the Judicial Conference does is a big piece of news, but they did announce a new policy that sets out to curb judge-shopping. Its the Conference trying to say: Hey, you cant just go to the casino that is Amarillo, Texas, and get Matthew Kacsmaryk every time you file a case. This certainly doesnt make a difference going backward, but can you tell us about the new policy and whether it will in fact curb litigants shopping for a judge whos certain to hand them a nationwide injunction? Advertisement Mark Joseph Stern: So we dont actually have the text of the rule yet. We have a press release from the Judicial Conference announcing the policy and its broad strokes. [Update, 5:10 p.m.: The text has been released.] We can glean that under this rule, when somebody files a lawsuit in federal district court that challenges some kind of federal policyspecifically, if it seeks a nationwide injunction or other sweeping reliefit must be randomly assigned to any judge in that district. The lawsuit cannot simply be glued onto the one judge who happens to sit in the division of the district where the plaintiffs strategically filed to prevail in their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you suggested, this is the Matthew Kacsmaryk fix. Kacsmaryk is the guy who sits in a one-judge division in Amarillo, Texas, who will do whatever anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion, anti-immigrant plaintiffs ask him to do. The state of Texas goes back into his courthouse over and over again to get sweeping injunctions. The same thing happens with a handful of other Trump-appointed judges in Texas and Louisiana. But judge-shopping is also a problem in patent litigation: Patent trolls spent years going to the same judge in Texas because they knew theyd get a favorable ear. That obviously cant be right. Advertisement Chief Justice John Roberts brought up this problem in one of his annual reports, and now he has dropped the hammer. Hes the head of the Judicial Conference, and one of the other most prominent members is Jeffrey Sutton of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Sutton is a very Roberts-ian figure who has complained bitterly, and I think correctly, about the scourge of nationwide injunctions. And now theyve sort of shivved this entire scheme. Their message to these out-of-control district judges seems to be: Its over. You cant keep the grift up. Were patching this workaround. Advertisement Judge Sutton, talking about this new rule, said: I actually think the story is about national injunctions. Thats been a new development, really in the last 10 years and maybe the last two or three administrations, where that has become a thing. I always love when a judge runs out of words and just says a thing. But I think its important to understand that this policy doesnt actually stop a single-judge division from issuing a nationwide injunction. It just makes it harder. It sends cases through the spinner to avoid a case going directly to someone like Kacsmaryk. But cases will still end up being randomly assigned to Kacsmaryk. Advertisement Advertisement Yes. Its alarming that if a case is randomly assigned to Kacsmaryk, he can still work his mischief. He clearly has no hesitation to do whatever his client-plaintiffs want him to do in their ongoing collusion. So the ultimate solution has to be an end to this trend of single judges purporting to seize control of the law and make it whatever they want because they got 51 votes in the Senate and they have a God complex and theyve decided that theyre the King of America. Advertisement Advertisement But nationwide injunctions will remain until either Congress or the Supreme Court steps in to stop it. And I think the three liberal justices are clearly holding off on dropping the hammer here. They might see some value in nationwide injunctions under Republican presidents and Republican policies. But I have become convinced that this stuff has no basis at all in the law or the Constitution. Advertisement Look at Kacsmaryks decision purporting to remove medication abortion from the shelves of every pharmacy and doctors office in all 50 states. That is just king-level arrogance. It is monarchic. It is czarist. It is transferring so much power away from Congress, from the executive, from the people, into the hands of this one guy in Amarillo. Just stop and consider, Mark, that we have federal judges making Fox News sound bites complaining about this policy. Because that is perfectly normal now. Related From Slate Heres the Real Person to Blame for that GOP Prosecutor Who Shivved Biden Read More All the worst people are throwing total hissy fits about this. Especially from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reviews and upholds a lot of injunctions from Kacsmaryk and his disgraceful ilk. Judge James Ho, a Trump appointee, is complaining about it. Judge Edith Jones is complaining about it. Josh Blackman wrote multiple semi-coherent rants about it. None of these people have been able to raise a single, even mildly plausible defense of the current system. All they can do is whine and gripe about the Judicial Conference allegedly overstepping its bounds and making policy. Advertisement Advertisement But Congress created the Judicial Conference to make policy for the courts! It is doing what its supposed to do. This is, like, the bare minimum that it could have done to put a dent in this completely outrageous and lawless system of judge-shopping. Even Republican politicians are getting in on the bashing of the poor Judicial Conference. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell himself, from the floor of the Senate, delivered a screed against this policy, calling it an unforced error and also encouraging district courts to defy the Judicial Conferences authority and ignore the new policy. McConnell actually sent a letter to the chief judge of every district court in the country, co-signed by GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, encouraging them to disregard the policy, basically saying its illegal. So were seeing Republicans telling courts to defy the chief justice of the United States and his ultimate authority as head of the entire Article III judiciary. We might see an intra-war branch within Article III between judges who accept the policy and judges who dont. John Roberts is going to get a lot of hate mail from his colleagues on the lower courts. But he knows these judges are pushing the dumbest legal arguments you could imagine. And I think he and Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett are tired of having to confront absurd, flimsy legal reasoning worse than what a kindergartner could come up with. Its time to change the channel. Theres a scene in the new documentary about Stormy Daniels from April 2023, when Daniels, buried in her plush hotel duvet in a room overlooking Tower Bridge in London, learns her 11-year-old daughter had just ended her school year with straight As. Daniels had been flown to the U.K. to appear on Piers Morgans talk show, as well as on Good Morning Britain. But instead of looking energized by her star treatment, she appears quite simply exhausted. When she explains the text from her daughter to the documentary filmmakers crowding her room, she fights back tears. Instead of being there with her, Im here talking about an ex-presidents penis, she says. Advertisement In the documentary, Stormywhich comes out Monday on Peacockthere are many moments when Daniels seems to confront, bleakly, the absurdity of her situation. There is no playbook for an adult film actress who finds herself at the center of a political scandal involving the president of the United States, and Daniels, the documentary makes clear, hasnt been reveling in her explosive fame and new jet-setting lifestyle since she became a public figure in 2018. Daniels, youll recall, first entered the public eye in January 2018 when the Wall Street Journal reported on a $130,000 hush money payment from Trump over a sexual encounter with her from 2006. In that storys wake, Daniels projected a defiant, provocative, retort-ready persona to the public, all too aware of how that public would gleefully consume the entry of an adult film actress onto the political scene. But the Daniels of the documentary feels no such empowerment. She feels like she was along for the ride, just like everyone else. And she is miserable. Its a jarring contrast with the public memory of this time. The audience, which likely will best remember the most outrageous and salacious moments of the largely Trump-era sagathe juicy interviews with details about Trumps sexual proclivities; the gleeful watch parties for her 60 Minutes appearance; the #Basta tweets from her bizarre, media-hungry attorney Michael Avenatti; the playfully politically themed stripping tour; the confident proclamation on Saturday Night Live that a storm was a-coming, babymay be surprised to hear that behind the scenes, Daniels felt like a victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniels seemedat least for those who wanted to make her into a liberal resistance heroto be thriving at the time. In the documentary, we relive some of these moments: She goes on Jimmy Kimmel; fans host Stormy Daniels parties in support. She launches her wildly successful Make America Horny stripping tour. Women and gay men start appearing at her shows. (If you drive an ice cream truck, and youve been driving it for two years, and you dont drive it the week of a heat wave, youre an idiot, she says in defense of the tour.) The city of West Hollywood declares a Stormy Daniels Day. Its easy to remember the lefts relishing of this moment and imagine it as a thrill for the woman at its centerbut the documentary offers nothing like that unflappable, bawdy hero. Advertisement In one scene, when Avenatti calls, its clear he sees only triumph in the series of events. The president of the United States has been transformed over the last six weeks into your bitch, he says. Congratulations. Daniels private reaction is not the one we would expect from the woman who told a crowd at the rapper YGs show in Los Angeles in November 2019 that she was the reason Donald Trump is fucked or who responded to angry tweets by promoting her #TeamStormy merchandise. Thank you, I think? she responds to Avenatti, more bewildered than excited. Advertisement At that moment in the film, the toll of the overwhelming attention, and with it the common belief that she was seeking fame and financial gain, is becoming apparent. In the early weeks of Daniels celebrity, she was swamped by media attention. Her family life fell apart. She fled her home and left her daughter with her husband out of concern for their safety. Even as she had moments of fun, declaring her day on SNL the best of her life, she fretted about her safety and her future. Advertisement Advertisement Daniels own low point came in July 2018 after she was arrested in Columbus, Ohio, on politically motivated charges of inappropriately touching undercover officers. The news instigated a crisis in her own family life, as her husbands anxieties grew unbearable under the pressure. (You left me at home with the kid, and youre on a strip club tour of North America playing this up to the high heavens, he says.) A few months later, news broke that she owed $122,000 in fees to Trump when she lost her defamation case against him. The liberal resistance seemed to deflate in response, in part out of fear that any money directed toward Daniels would be redirected into Trumps pockets, and their financial support for Daniels dried up. (After appeals, that number would increase to $300,000.) Together, it left her in a financially precarious situation. Soon, she would learn that Avenatti had been stealing from her. He would be arrested (and he remains incarcerated), but she would never recover the money he stole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the documentary, that is how we leave Trump-era Stormy Daniels: publicly, a defeated liberal hero, remembered fondly but with her moment gone; privately, a woman with wrecked finances and a family life in shambles. So when the story picks back up again in 2023, with her new house and her new husband, and Stormy tending to her horses, its painful to know shes about to be thrown back into the cycle again. We know, though the documentary doesnt mention it, that Daniels has maintained some minor celebrity, appearing in the Surreal Life reboot and hosting her own raunchy dating show, For the Love of DILFs. In the shows, she began to publicly nod to just how exhausted she was. On the Surreal Life, she told her castmates, Im probably, unfortunately, most famous for the worst 90 seconds of my life that I spent with Donald Trump. And in standing up to him, I lost everything. In promotion for For the Love of DILFs, she told OK! magazine that she didnt want to talk about the Trump affair anymore. Every time he pops out, I wish he would go away, she said. Advertisement Advertisement But theres something darker to this new era for Daniels, as she faces the reanimated Trump scandal, this time around Trumps highly consequential criminal trial in New York, over his alleged cover-up of hush money payments to her. In one shot, we see a wound in her horses flanka shot from a rubber bullet, which she believes was fired by some bad actor to draw her out. Advertisement In nearly every scene from 2018, Daniels expresses intense paranoia. She recalls a friend telling her that the Republican Party likes to make their problems go away. She tells the journalist Denver Nicks, who shot much of the footage used in the early parts of the documentary (later used by Stormys director Sarah Gibson) that she had, in part, agreed to the hush money payment because she wanted a money trail linking her to Trump so he could not have me killed. She records a last will and testament. In one scene, as her daughter plays in a shopping mall, she tells Nicks that they need something in writing to ensure he retains the footage in case something happens. Advertisement When I met Stormy, she was convinced she was living in the last weeks or months of her life, Nicks says in the documentary. Related From Slate The Peril and Promise of the Trump Hush Money Prosecution Heading to Trial First Read More For many in the audience, Daniels belief in a looming assassination might seem melodramatic. And its true that the tweets directed at her that appear on the screen during this earlier period smack more of virulent misogyny than violent tendencies. But between 2018 and 2023, theres been an insurrection, Donald Trump lost political power, and a faction of his fans has grown angrier. In one particularly disturbing scene, on her way back from her appearance on Good Morning Britain, she reads out tweets responding to the news of Trumps indictments. Over protests of a filmmaker, she reads off a list of ominous threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 2018, it was stuff like liar, slut, gold digger, she says. This time around its very different. It is direct threats, its, Im going to come to your house and slit your throat. Your daughter should be euthanized. Theyre not even using bot accounts; theyre using real accounts. The Stormy Daniels who starts the documentary is the one from our memories, only frightened. Shes likablefunny, tough, and clever. She has some agency; she makes choices, even if some were destructive to her family and, with the benefit of hindsight, ill-advised. (She herself has said she wishes she had never spoken out.) But even as she tries to exert some control over the narrative, the enormity of the story chews her up. The story takes on a life without her. (She claims, in the documentary, that Avenatti filed the consequential defamation lawsuit against Trump without her knowledge.) By the end of the Trump presidency, Daniels is left angry and weepy. Advertisement But wishful audiences should prepare themselves for a darker reality, tied up with the exhaustion of living through years of Trump-world fury: The Daniels we have todayand the one we should expect to appear before the New York court during a Trump trialis not just overwhelmed but hopeless. The way that this is different from 2018 is I have more knowledge. The shock of it is not the same, she says toward the end of the documentary. Im desensitized to some of it. But theyve also become more violent with me. Im more prepared with my legal knowledge, but Im also tired. Like, my soul is so tired. And I dont know if Im so much a warrior now as out of fucks, man. Im out of fucks. Supporting women veterans through SBA grants is an impactful way to honor their service and foster their entrepreneurial spirit. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several programs, such as the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (WVETP), to provide women veterans with the resources and training they need to start and grow their businesses. These grants are designed to address the unique challenges faced by women veterans in the entrepreneurial landscape, offering up to $300,000 in funding. By participating in programs like WVETP, women veterans can gain valuable skills, access mentorship, and connect with a network of fellow entrepreneurs. This initiative not only empowers women veterans to succeed in business but also contributes to the diversity and strength of the U.S. economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers multiple programs to support women and veteran entrepreneurs. The Administration recently launched a new grant program to support women veterans looking to start their own businesses. Read about this opportunity and more small business grants. Small Business News March 15, 2024 In this weeks roundup, you can read about an entrepreneur who started a Pimento cheese business thanks to his Jeopardy! winnings and small business owners in Oakland refusing to pay taxes until the city addresses violent crimes in their communities. For that and more, here is the rest of this weeks roundup. Startup money for a new business can come from anywhere. Most businesses get it from a bank loan, personal savings, or family and friends. But one North Carolina entrepreneur launched his dream venture with money from Jeopardy!. Some small business owners in Oakland, California, have had enough. Fed up with crime in their neighborhood, a group of business owners say they refuse to pay taxes until the city provides safer areas to operate. Specifically, they want to see increased police patrols to alleviate violent crime and make the city safer for customers who want to patronize their businesses. A Florida-based tax preparer was sentenced to a two-year prison term, marking a significant development in the fight against tax fraud, particularly for small business owners. This case, resolved on Monday, underscores the critical importance of ethical tax practices and the severe consequences of deviating from them. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the opening of a supplemental grant application period for the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program, specifically targeting February 26 to April 10, 2024. This initiative is particularly significant to small business owners, who often grapple with complex tax disputes and challenges. The Justice Department has taken legal action against Aniel Saint-Hilaire, a Miami-based tax return preparer. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the complaint seeks to permanently bar Saint-Hilaire from owning, operating, or participating in tax return preparation businesses and from preparing tax returns for others. When Elon Musk first announced his deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, the billionaire tech mogul believed that his ownership of the company would restore free speech to the masses, and even help to preserve humanity. (Seriously, this is what was said!) Then, almost immediately, everything went sideways. Francisco Sanchez Jr., the associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration (SBA), has reminded small nonfarm businesses across several states of the impending deadline to apply for federal disaster loans. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has launched an initiative to address tax non-compliance among high-income individuals. This latest effort targets over 125,000 instances where individuals with substantial earnings have failed to file federal income tax returns since 2017. A survey conducted by FedEx in collaboration with Morning Consult reveals a shift in consumer and business preferences towards more convenient and sustainable return options, specifically no-label/no-box returns. The survey, which took place between December 21 and December 26, 2023, with nearly 1,110 U.S. consumers and 500 U.S. A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent. Slovak scientists joined high-tech survey of prehistoric monument in Ireland The Slovak research team, with the Newgrange mound in the background. (Source: Ustav vied o Zemi SAV) A team of Slovak researchers has once again taken part in geophysical measurements at an almost 5,000-year-old mound at Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, Ireland. It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the Neolithic Period. The geophysical-geodetic group was comprised of Pavol Zahorec and Ema Nogova from the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV), Roman Pasteka from Comenius Universitys Faculty of Natural Sciences, and Juraj Papco from the Slovak University of Technologys Faculty of Civil Engineering. They carried out mainly gravimetric and GPR measurements. The Slovak researchers first visited the site in October 2011, and then returned in June 2022, SAVs Earth Science Institute wrote on its website. The survey consisted of a detailed measurement of the acceleration of gravity on the surface and inside the mound, a georadar measurement on the surface of the mound, and a detailed positional and height orientation of the entire object, including underground spaces. The Slovak research team is also featured in a documentary titled Run na Boinne, which presents an epic quest to uncover the location of a long suspected second chamber at Newgrange. video //www.youtube.com/embed/ex7n9SqkVQM Historic success for Slovak wines in France Slovak wines achieved a phenomenal result on the international scene. Three became winners in their respective categories at the 30th edition of the prestigious Vinalies Internationales competition in Cannes, France, the Pravda daily reported. A Devin wine made by the Vinkor Winery was granted the La Palmes Vin Blanc award, after receiving 98 out of 100 points. The La Palmes Vin Rouge award went to a Cabali wine by the Martin Pomfy Mavin Winery, which also received 98 out of 100 points. A Blaufrankisch rose wine by Villa Vino Raca took home the La Palmes Vin Doucer, after receiving 96 out of 100 points. In total, Slovak wines received 74 medals. The Martin Pomfy Mavin and Tajna Vineyards wineries received the Prix VINOFED (World Federation of International Competitions of Wine and Spirits). They bowed to the Slovak wines in Cannes, said Edita Durcova, oenologist, international taster and vice president of VINOFED, as quoted by Pravda. Unique robotic surgery centre opens in northern Slovakia A demonstration of the most modern generation of the Da Vinci Xi system at the new workplace of the Robotic Surgery Centre at Martin University Hospital. (Source: TASR) The brand new Robotic Surgery Centre has opened at Martin University Hospital in northern Slovakia. At the same time, it became the very first hospital to include thoracic surgery in its programme of robotic surgeries. The centre uses the latest version of the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system, which enables very precise and detailed surgical procedures in the chest. The system was secured through European Structural and Investment Funds, thanks to a collaborative effort with Comenius Universitys Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin. It is a minimally invasive approach that requires training, said Anton Dzian, head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, as quoted by TASR. A huge advantage is that the robotics provide the operator with an excellent view of the operative field via a 3D HD image with multiple magnification. A large amount of detail is available to the surgeon. Robotic instruments enable precise movements that imitate the movements of the human hand. The robot does not replace the surgeon, but instead improves their work and provides them with a detailed microscopic view of the operative field, he added. The robotic system will also be utilised by the departments of surgery, urology and gynaecology, with plans to expand its use to other areas. Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read: Political meme of the week (Source: SME/Rosie Naive Art) Caption: I have already designed a logo for the new TV station. It matches my hair, clothes and ideology. With this meme, artist Rosie Babicova, whose works can be found on the internet and social networks under the name Rosie Naive Art, responds to the plans of the ruling coalition to take control of the public-service broadcaster RTVS. The Culture Ministry led by Martina Simkovicova (SNS nominee) has already presented a proposal that, among other things, proposes a complete rebranding under which the name of the broadcaster would change from Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) to Slovak Television and Radio (STaR). You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: radka.minarechova@spectator.sk. Thank you! https://sputnikglobe.com/20240314/biden-says-us-armed-forces-to-stay-in-haiti-long-as-security-situation-demands-1117338040.html Biden Says US Armed Forces to Stay in Haiti 'Long as Security Situation Demands' Biden Says US Armed Forces to Stay in Haiti 'Long as Security Situation Demands' Sputnik International President Joe Biden said in a statement that the United States Armed Forces personnel will remain in Haiti for as long as the security environment requires. 2024-03-14T22:19+0000 2024-03-14T22:19+0000 2024-03-14T22:19+0000 americas us haiti ariel henry joe biden us army https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0c/1117282062_0:121:3213:1928_1920x0_80_0_0_81d6698bf00d0df52cefbab1a7f887d8.jpg "The United States Armed Forces personnel are anticipated to remain in Haiti for as long as the security environment requires," President Joe Biden said on Thursday. Biden added that he had directed the action in line with his responsibilities to protect United States diplomatic missions abroad and to advance the country's national security and foreign policy interests.On Wednesday, the US deployed a special team of Marines to boost security at the US embassy in Haiti amid the ongoing crisis. The embassy remains open, and diplomats continue limited operations focused on assisting US citizens and supporting Haitian-led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power. On Tuesday, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry would step down amid an outbreak of gang violence and that power in Haiti would be temporarily held by a transitional council. On February 29, gang violence erupted in the downtown area of the capital Port-au-Prince while Henry was visiting Kenya. Henry visited to seek an agreement to deploy foreign forces in Haiti to fight organized crime. The gangs said their goal was to prevent Henry from returning to Haiti, and they stormed Haiti's largest prison and freed an unconfirmed number of inmates. The Haitian government declared a state of emergency in the capital region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240312/us-playing-double-game-in-haiti-as-crisis-threatens-regional-spillover-1117281695.html americas haiti Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us army deployed in haiti term, us army in haiti, haiti crisis, haiti violence, us embassy in haiti https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/couch-diplomacy-1117339851.html Couch Diplomacy Couch Diplomacy Sputnik International US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Israels military for going over the top in its response to the Hamas October 7 attack and called for elections to be held in Israel. 2024-03-15T00:37+0000 2024-03-15T00:37+0000 2024-03-15T00:37+0000 americas us chuck schumer benjamin netanyahu israel hamas national endowment for democracy (ned) cartoons political cartoons sputnik cartoons https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0e/1117337884_0:213:2000:1338_1920x0_80_0_0_4cd6510ae5992e6df93d7d5fa1ce7be1.jpg The Senator has long been a staunch supporter of Israel and was a featured speaker during a pro-Israel rally held in Washington DC in November. Even in its darkest days, the US has always stood with Israel and we will do everything to see that never, ever changes, he proclaimed from the podium.But with the continual flow of horrific images coming out of Gaza and cratering support for Israel, particularly among the Democratic base, Schumer has since changed his tune, now calling for regime change in Israel.The US is no stranger to promoting regime change, having run and funded coups around the world. Typically, that is done through so-called Non Governmental Organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy, which serves as an unofficial arm of the CIA.But Schumers approach for Israel was a bit different, lazier. He simply called for it on the Senate floor. Then again, with the US national debt rising by $1 trillion roughly every 100 days, maybe Schumer is looking for some cost savings. American regime change aint what it used to be. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/israeli-portrayal-of-arabs-akin-to-nazi-portrayal-of-russians-1117338656.html americas israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International schumer criticized israel, israel new elections, israel hamas response, hamas october 7 attack, israel gaza operation China's bronze-age relics head for U.S. exhibition Xinhua) 09:54, March 15, 2024 WUHAN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 260 bronze-age cultural relics from museums in central China's Hubei Province have set off for an exhibition in San Francisco in the United States. Two cargo aircraft carrying the 263 pieces or sets of artifacts, including jade, bronze, gold, lacquer and textile works, departed from the Chinese capital Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. The items will be showcased at the "Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China's Bronze Age" exhibition, set to commence on April 19 and run through July at the Asian Art Museum (AAM) in San Francisco. The artifacts date back to the Zeng and Chu kingdoms during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C.), a period known for its cultural diversity and the birth of great philosophers like Confucius. Among the most prominent artifacts are a huge bronze wine cooler, a jade pendant carved with dragon and phoenix patterns, and silk clothes embroidered with phoenix patterns. "Phoenix elements are prominent in Chu culture, while in Western culture, the phoenix is seen as an auspicious bird. By using phoenix as the theme of the exhibition, we hope to evoke an artistic and aesthetic resonance among Chinese and Western audiences," said Zhang Xiaoyun, curator of the Hubei Provincial Museum. The artifacts have been collected from museums in five cities in Hubei, and include 50 items under first-class state protection, half of which will be exhibited abroad for the first time. "It provides new perspectives on the formation of Chinese civilization, particularly in the Yangtze River region. We hope more museum exchanges can help enhance cultural understanding between the United States and China," said Zhang Fan, curator of Chinese Art at AAM. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/democrats-signal-disagreement-with-netanyahu-but-will-change-follow-1117355590.html Democrats Signal Disagreement With Netanyahu, But Will Change Follow? Democrats Signal Disagreement With Netanyahu, But Will Change Follow? Sputnik International Observers see recent statements by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as a signal of US President Joe Bidens frustration with the Israeli prime minister. 2024-03-15T22:59+0000 2024-03-15T22:59+0000 2024-03-15T22:59+0000 us benjamin netanyahu chuck schumer michael maloof analysis palestine-israel conflict humanitarian crisis humanitarian disaster humanitarian catastrophe us politics https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0f/1117356116_0:256:2731:1792_1920x0_80_0_0_f1886c0ab5fa9791525538980fb9ebed.jpg US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) signaled a change in tone towards Israel on Thursday, suggesting the Biden administration is prepared to challenge the countrys longtime Prime Minister who it sees as a major political liability.If Prime Minister Netanyahu's current coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing US standards for assistance, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course, he added.The uncharacteristically blunt message demonstrates the White House is willing to wade into the domestic politics of an ally it provides with billions of dollars of aid per year, said Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the US Office of the Secretary of Defense. The author weighed in on Schumers comments on Friday on Sputniks Fault Lines program.Maloof also noted the significance of Bidens recent White House meeting with Israeli politician Benny Gantz. Although Gantz is currently a member of Netanyahus emergency war cabinet, the retired army general has challenged the Prime Ministers Likud Party in previous elections and is seen as a likely political opponent the next time Israelis go to the polls.However, Maloof speculated that the primary difference between Gantz and Netanyahu is one of tone. Observers believe Gantz would pursue a similarly bellicose policy with regard to Palestinians in Gaza and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. But Gantz would engage more cooperatively with the Biden administration, Maloof believes a crucial concern as the US president bleeds support from younger voters and Arab Americans while campaigning for reelection this fall.Human rights groups have warned of widespread famine in the enclave as reports emerge of young children dying of starvation as Israel enforces a tight blockade.The Biden administration seems to be at a crossroads, noted Maloof, although he said the US president would need to be willing to consider withholding military aid to Israel to succeed in changing the countrys policy.We see overkill in a dramatic way, in the way that they have absolutely leveled and carpet-bombed Gaza, concluded the analyst. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231107/us-lawmaker-slams-pro-israel-lobby-i-dont-give-a-f-about-aipac-1114804143.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231229/biden-holds-frustrating-call-with-netanyahu-over-palestinian-tax-revenue---reports-1115878055.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/most-us-voters-oppose-military-aid-to-israel-disapprove-of-biden-foreign-policy---poll-1115731280.html israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg netanyahu, bibi netanyahu, biden administration, joe biden, 2024 presidential elections, presidential hopeful, presidential campaign, us democrats, democrats, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/despite-american-perception-iran-does-not-control-yemeni-houthis-1117340452.html Despite American Perception, Iran Does Not Control Yemeni Houthis Despite American Perception, Iran Does Not Control Yemeni Houthis Sputnik International Multiple media reported on secret meetings between Iranian and US officials with the US askomg Iran to instruct the Yemeni Houthis to stop their blockade in the Red Sea. 2024-03-15T03:08+0000 2024-03-15T03:08+0000 2024-03-15T03:08+0000 analysis iran yemen houthi seyed mohammad marandi red sea crisis us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0f/1117340561_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_bf5fdf91f577c78a3db73e88c0f938a0.jpg However, Iran has made it very clear that they will not negotiate on behalf of their allies, Dr. Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a professor of English literature and Orientalism at the University of Tehran, told Sputniks The Critical Hour on Thursday.Marandi insisted that contrary to media reports, No negotiations between Iran and the United States took place [regarding Houthi attacks in the Red Sea] because the Iranians would not accept such negotiations.To stop the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the US simply has to stop supporting Israels genocide in Gaza, Marandi argued. [The Houthis] have said from the very beginning when the genocide in Gaza began that they will block shipping to Israel, to Israeli ports, in order to put pressure on the regime to stop the genocide and they said they will do it in accordance with the Genocide Convention, Marandi explained. They are actually working within the framework of international law and their position is a deeply moral position Yemen has said repeatedly that if the genocide stops, their actions in the Red Sea will stop.Meanwhile, the US and its sidekick, the British are working to help the Israeli genocide, including by killing Yemeni citizens, Marandi said.The reverberations of that decision and the US insisting that shipping companies go around Africa instead of through the Red Sea, is hurting more than just the US and its allies. What the Americans want to do, is they want to make this a crisis, a global economic problem, Marandi said. They want everyone to suffer so that they can gain leverage and put pressure on Yemen to end the blockade for the sake of Israel and for the sake of the Israeli genocide, theyre willing to make everyone suffer. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240314/houthis-go-hypersonic-how-ansar-allahs-advance-in-missile-tech-could-trigger-us-defeat-in-mideast-1117334551.html iran yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino yemeni houthis, does iran control houthis, red sea crisis, independent houthi, us iran negotiations, us iran secret talks https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/head-of-german-ruling-party-faction-calls-to-freeze-conflict-in-ukraine-1117340331.html Head of German Ruling Party Faction Calls to Freeze Conflict in Ukraine Head of German Ruling Party Faction Calls to Freeze Conflict in Ukraine Sputnik International The head of the parliamentary faction of the German Social Democratic Party, Rolf Mutzenich, said it was necessary to think about how to freeze the armed conflict in Ukraine to later end it. 2024-03-15T02:46+0000 2024-03-15T02:46+0000 2024-03-15T02:46+0000 world ukraine germany russia bundestag social democratic party ukrainian crisis ukrainian conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0f/1117340174_0:0:3004:1691_1920x0_80_0_0_4b6674a82bd3c2fbd71817bce4f2e578.jpg Isnt it time to not only talk about how to wage a war, but to also think about how to freeze and later end the war, Mutzenich said, speaking in the lower house of the German parliament (Bundestag). He also wondered why other European countries were doing much less for Ukraine than Germany, but were using much more belligerent rhetoric.Russian President Vladimir Putin previously said that if Ukraine wanted talks, the Ukrainian decree prohibiting negotiations with Russia must be canceled. He said Russia had never been against resolving the conflict in Ukraine by peaceful means, but if Russia's security was guaranteed. ukraine germany russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International rolf mutzenich, german social democratic party, freeze the ukraine conflict, why does germany support ukraine, germany ukraine ties, europe arms ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/israeli-portrayal-of-arabs-akin-to-nazi-portrayal-of-russians-1117338656.html Israeli Portrayal of Arabs Akin To Nazi Portrayal of Russians Israeli Portrayal of Arabs Akin To Nazi Portrayal of Russians Sputnik International Days after the Hamas surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli Defense Minister said they were fighting human animals and called for a complete siege on the Gaza strip. 2024-03-15T00:13+0000 2024-03-15T00:13+0000 2024-03-15T00:38+0000 analysis israel ukraine nazi hamas chuck schumer benjamin netanyahu jeremy kuzmarov fault lines israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/05/0e/1082885782_0:180:3001:1868_1920x0_80_0_0_267a6715303e1c1790dddc5c10719d43.jpg The language Israeli officials are using to describe Palestinians and other Arab peoples seems ripped out of the Nazi propaganda playbook, journalist and managing editor of Covert Action Magazine Jeremy Kuzmarov told Sputniks Fault Lines on Thursday.How [Nazis] portrayed the Russians when they invaded Russia as these Salvs, subhuman animals. That's how they could carry out these horrific atrocities on the eastern front The exact quote [from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant] human animals could have come from a Nazi official talking about the Russians.The reason this can go on while Israel still receives significant, though decreasing, support from the US population comes from a lack of historical knowledge, Kuzmarov argued.Americans were never told the backstory of how the US interfered in Ukraine they just thought oh, Putin is a madman. He woke up one day to take over Ukraine and they didnt have any knowledge that the CIA set up bases in Ukraine for years and they were provoking the Russians and attacking the people of eastern Ukraine.During the conversation, show host Ted Rall noted the breaking news that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released a statement saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had lost his way and called for a new leadership in Israel.But Schumers words, as with US President Joe Bidens recent comments distancing himself from Netanyahu, must be backed up with action to be taken seriously, Kuzmarov said. We have Democratic Party politicians who may be conscious of public opinion [with] an election coming up in November, he began. So, theyre making certain public statements but weve never seen any overtures towards actually cutting off that money.Kuzmarov thinks that is unlikely because US foreign policy elites depend on Israel to act as an American proxy in the region. Schumer and Biden and the corporate Democrats are pro-imperialists and committed to Americans expanding or entrenching American power in the Middle East and accessing Middle Eastern oil. Whatever public statements they make, I dont know that theyll actually carry out any concrete action against Israel. If they did, that would be amazing to see, but my prediction is that they wont. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240225/cia-set-up-12-secret-facilities-in-ukraine-along-russian-border-over-eight-year-period---report-1116977679.html israel ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino israeli racism, israel gaza siedge, israeli yoav gallant about gazans, israeli yoav gallant statements, is there a genocide in gaza strip, israel gaza strip operation https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/patriot-missile-systems-too-complex-and-expensive-to-be-sent-to-ukraine-without-us-chaperones-1117353523.html Patriot Missile Systems Too Complex and Expensive to Be Sent to Ukraine Without US Chaperones Patriot Missile Systems Too Complex and Expensive to Be Sent to Ukraine Without US Chaperones Sputnik International While more and more US-supplied weapon systems are taken out by Russian forces in the Ukrainian conflict, the Pentagon vehemently denies the presence of US military personnel in Ukraine who may be operating and maintaining this hardware. 2024-03-15T19:10+0000 2024-03-15T19:10+0000 2024-03-15T19:10+0000 analysis ukraine us karen kwiatkowski pentagon patriot missile system https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/06/1116017552_0:162:3066:1887_1920x0_80_0_0_ab9b23477ae0f3aff16ea6c13ec15b32.jpg Though a spokesperson for the Pentagon told Russian media that there are no US personnel in Ukraine servicing Patriot missile launchers or some other US hardware, retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, a former analyst for the US Department of Defense, did not seem convinced by these claims. I think the US government is lying, by omission and also directly, on this question of US servicemen operating or maintaining equipment, specifically the Patriot system, in Ukraine, Kwiatkowski told Sputnik. Noting that the Patriot missile systems supplied to Kiev were provided by Germany and the US, along with some missiles and parts from the Netherlands, the former analyst speculated that contracted US support connected directly to those countries may also be in the country, thus providing deniability for the Pentagon. Kwiatkowski also brought up the recent affair involving a leaked call between German military officers discussing attacks against Russian territory, who mentioned somewhat humorously the large number of people aiding the fight in Ukraine who have an American accent. She pointed out that the CIA that has been heavily involved in Ukraine since long before 2022, often serves as a vehicle with which to take on experts from the US military via direct hiring, temporary assignment, or via the contracted use of skilled retirees from the US active duty military and reserve forces. Kwiatkowski added that, considering the cost of the Patriot systems and their missiles, along with the extensive training required for all aspects of this expensive system, it would seem that the predictions made last year about the transfer of these weapons being largely a political statement of support rather than a significant system of air defense for Ukrainian cities were correct. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240313/ukraine-stretched-thin-across-multiple-fronts-after-patriot-loss-1117296942.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International patriot missile ukraine, patriot destroyed in ukraine, us personnel in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/russian-air-defense-downs-7-vampire-mlrs-missiles-over-belgorod-region--1117342230.html Russian Air Defense Downs 7 Vampire MLRS Missiles Over Belgorod Region Russian Air Defense Downs 7 Vampire MLRS Missiles Over Belgorod Region Sputnik International Russian air defense systems have destroyed seven Vampire MLRS missiles over the Belgorod Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. 2024-03-15T05:56+0000 2024-03-15T05:56+0000 2024-03-15T06:15+0000 russia russia's belgorod shelled by ukraine ukraine us arms for ukraine ukrainian crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/13/1111992307_0:1:896:505_1920x0_80_0_0_57862dc4be792444ba14117425b03ba6.png "On March 15, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on targets on the territory of Russia using the RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system was stopped at about 08:15 Moscow time [05:15 GMT]. On-duty air defense systems destroyed seven missiles in the air over the Belgorod Region," the ministry said in a statement.As Sputnik earlier explained, the Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (or VAMPIRE for short) is essentially a portable kit capable of firing 70mm laser-guided rockets such as, for example, the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System. Three Children Killed as Result of Night Shelling of Donetsk by Ukrainian TroopsThree children were killed as a result of a night shelling of the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk by Ukrainian troops, Donetsk Mayor Alexey Kulemzin said on Friday, adding that a shell hit a private house. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine shells belgorod, us arms for ukraine, ukrainian terrorism, ukraine shelling https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/us-officials-predict-kievs-potential-military-collapse-without-washingtons-aid---reports-1117351386.html US Officials Predict Ukraine's Potential Military Collapse Without Washington's Aid - Reports US Officials Predict Ukraine's Potential Military Collapse Without Washington's Aid - Reports Sputnik International US officials are predicting Ukraine's failure in the conflict with Russia in the worst-case scenario, or at least the loss of many lives, unless the US Congress approves additional military aid to Kiev, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing an unnamed senior US official 2024-03-15T14:09+0000 2024-03-15T14:09+0000 2024-03-15T14:11+0000 military us michael mccaul sergey lavrov ukraine kiev congress ukraine crisis russia-nato showdown military aid https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/08/1117207260_0:0:2863:1611_1920x0_80_0_0_90bde6365986f8f5beec9776482f9e03.jpg "This doesn't go well for Ukraine over time without a supplemental, and it could lead to potential collapse," the official was quoted by the newspaper as saying. "But here's the bottom line: Even if Ukraine holds on, what we really are saying is that we are going to leverage countless lives in order to do that." US officials said that if American funding to Kiev was permanently cut off, the outcome of the crisis would depend on Ukraine's ability to mobilize new forces, the success of Western training initiatives and the morale of the military, among other factors. On Thursday, US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said he had discussed with other lawmakers the possibility of aiding Ukraine through loans, adding that this idea could prove popular. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. According to him, the US and NATO are directly involved in the Ukraine conflict by supplying weapons and training soldiers in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/eu-allocates-545mln-to-ramp-up-ammo-production-1117349516.html ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International military aid for ukraine, is us giving more money to ukraine, why is us giving more money to kiev, whats happening to money given to kiev, will us give more money to kiev, how much money does ukraine get, how much money us gives to ukraine, how much money eu gives to ukraine, how much money europe gives to ukraine, what weapons does ukraine receive, does us give ukraine new weapons https://sputnikglobe.com/20240315/war-games-in-arctic-whats-driving-the-wests-new-passion---1117347307.html War Games in Arctic: What's Driving the Wests New Passion? War Games in Arctic: What's Driving the Wests New Passion? Sputnik International Two unprecedented military exercises are being conducted by the US and its NATO allies simultaneously in various parts of the Arctic, signaling a new aggressive stance by the West in the region. 2024-03-15T11:19+0000 2024-03-15T11:19+0000 2024-03-15T18:05+0000 world russia-nato showdown nato russia vladimir vasilyev arctic arctic ocean https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/05/1095295304_0:157:3087:1893_1920x0_80_0_0_444325f64dcee9d93f2891cf99642a98.jpg Thirteen NATO countries participated this week in the Nordic Response 2024 exercise held in Finland and Sweden, near the border with Russia. Additionally, the US Army recently conducted a training event near Fairbanks, Alaska, also close to Russia's borders.The US exercise was conducted within the framework of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) and involved 8,000 American servicemen from the 11th Airborne Division and an unspecified smaller number of foreign allies.The Nordic Response exercises in Finland and Sweden are even bigger in scope, since they involve 20,000 service members from 13 NATO member countries, 50 warships and 100 military aircraft. The United States and Norway contributed their F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to the organizers of the Nordic Response drills. Additionally, the UK agreed to send several of its own F-35s from the Royal Air Force, stationed on the British aircraft carrier, Prince of Wales.We just want to beef up our presence in the Far North, said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who came to inspect the Nordic Response 2024 war games. This is the biggest and the most important NATO exercise in 40 years, he contended.German submarines, along with troops from new NATO members Finland and Sweden, also participated in the military exercises. However, the majority of the fighting force consisted of Americans, who openly expressed their intention to "rebuild their capacity to fight in the Arctic, a capability that had somewhat weakened since the end of the Cold War.The presumed adversary in both Alaska and the Finnish forests was the same: Russia and its possible ally China. The American newspaper Business Insider reported that the new Arctic Strategy of the US Army is pivoted towards regaining Arctic dominance. The new strategy has been operational since 2021.However, Business Insider noted that the rivalry with Russia now is not limited to the military sphere, as it was during the Cold War era. The economy has a role to play, too. Rapidly melting sea ice in the Arctic Circle, warming twice as fast as the rest of the world is opening up new opportunities for natural resource extraction, shipping routes, and commercial fishing, as the Arctic becomes navigable, the publication wrote.Vladimir Vasilyev, the chief research associate at the Institute of the US and Canada at the Russian Academy of Sciences, suggests that the Americans may be interested in gaining control over the North Sea Route. This route is considered the shortest maritime connection between the growing economies of Southeast Asia and Europe. Russia has extensive experience in utilizing the North Sea Route, which goes along the country's northern shores. As the ice continues to melt, this sea route is becoming increasingly accessible to commercial vessels.The United States is striving to rediscover the Arctic region militarily, a member of the Russian Academy of Military Sciences Alexander Bartosh told Sputnik. Now, that Finland and Sweden are becoming active NATO members, this opens the possibility for the US to deploy nuclear weapons in the Far North.The goal of the US beefing up its military force in the region, in Bartoshs opinion, is two-fold. The first is to leverage their superiority at sea and in the air for potential strikes against Russia. And secondly, they seek to exploit the region's untapped natural resources, primarily focusing on oil and gas.Vladimir Vasilyev notes the historic roots of the 'military side' of American interest in the Arctic. The Arctic region plays an indispensable role in the long-time US strategy of encircling Russia, Vasilyev highlighted. He also did not exclude the deployment of American nuclear weapons in the region. In the Arctic, nuclear accidents are easier to cover up, Vasilyev noted and added: Also, for a very long time Americans had an illusion that because of the Arctics sparsely located population, collateral damage from the use of nuclear weapons there will be less noticeable. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240207/russia-may-forge-partnerships-with-asia-and-mideast-to-explore-arctic--expert-1116646347.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231228/us-seabed-claim-could-be-attempt-to-beat-russia-and-canada-to-arctic-resources-1115860664.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231227/us-efforts-to-kill-arctic-lng-2-could-sow-distrust-amidst-allies-1115836647.html russia arctic ocean Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg us militarization of arctic, us arctic, us military artcitc, war in arctic, nukes in arctic With a number of Woodbine Mohawk Park's current upper echelon competitors entered in series action on Saturday, March 16, top class terror Taurasi found himself without a place to race this weekend. His connections felt a tightener was in order, and thus Taurasi was tightened with a qualifier at Mohawk on Friday, March 15. Regular pilot Doug McNair sat the speedster in third as Lady Get Lucky (Trevor Henry) handled front-end duties through fractions of :29.4, :59.2 and 1:28.1. McNair right-lined Taurasi after that marker, and powered home in a facile :26.3 to trip the timer nearly two lengths the best in a 1:55.3 performance. Ron (Jody Jamieson) edged out Lady Get Lucky to come in second. Taurasi (Racing Hill - Voluminous) is trained by Richard Moreau for owner Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. and Alagna Racing LLC of Jackson, N.J. The pacer has dominated the Preferred class since shipping north, winning six of seven local starts and his last six straight. Fourth-place finishers don't often get an honourable mention here, but Ario Hanover had a special set of hands for his five-year-old debut in that qualifier won by Taurasi. Hall of Famer Randy Waples has made his fair share of appearances at Mohawk over the past few seasons, but not in a charted line. Waples donned his traditional dark blue and yellow colours for his first charted mile since Sept. 2022. Waples told Trot Insider that his return to action isn't an indication he's headed back to the driving colony in a full-time capacity, but his name might appear on the qualifying entries from time to time. The session of qualifiers can be viewed in its entirety below. For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers). (Standardbred Canada) State senators Friday gave 45-0 final approval to a bill meant to stem the trend of seed corn producers turning to migrant workers instead of Nebraska teenagers to detassel cornfields. The vote on Legislative Bill 844 came on a busy Friday in which lawmakers also backed measures by Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibach raising the states promotional corn checkoff fee and transferring supervision of hemp farming from the state to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard introduced LB 844, which would require reports on which detasseling contractors seed corn firms used, how many acres of cornfields they serviced and how many acres were detasseled by youth crews. LB 844s original language would also have made those firms seek bids for the annual summertime task from contractors that provide younger workers. But Erdmans bill was softened during second-round debate March 7 after Ibach voiced concerns that its original language could have revealed information private to seed companies through its mandated reports. Senators adopted revisions offered by Ibach that say the producers reports arent public record but also require the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to total them up and publicly report statewide totals. They also struck language making it a misdemeanor for seed corn firms to file the reports. Ibach and Sens. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, Tom Brewer of Gordon and Brian Hardin of Gering joined Erdman in voting to send LB 844 to Gov. Jim Pillen for his signature. Later Friday, lawmakers voted 29-1 to amend an Agriculture Committee priority bill to include Ibachs LB 1061, which would raise Nebraskaa promotional corn checkoff fee for the first time since 2012. Ibachs measure, sought by the states corn industry, would raise the current fee of 0.5 cents a bushel to 1 cent Oct. 1. The fee started at 0.4 cents in 1978. Erdman cast the lone vote against adding the higher checkoff fee to LB 262, saying supporters hadnt presented any evidence that the Nebraska Corn Board is running out of money or that corn producers would gain instead of lose money as a result. Jacobson and Brewer voted to add the checkoff fee boost to LB 262, which was advanced to final reading on a voice vote. Hardin did not vote. Also added to the Agriculture Committee bill was an Ibach amendment containing portions of her LB 999, which as written would have also refined Nebraska laws definition of hemp to rule out sales of Delta-8 THC products. The District 44 lawmakers amendment generally narrowed LB 999 down to focus on transferring hemp regulation from Nebraska Department of Agriculture to USDA jurisdiction. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said his panel hadnt yet worked out problems with the criminal-code aspects of Ibachs original bill. All five western Nebraska senators joined in a 34-1 vote to add Ibachs hemp language to LB 262 before it moved to final reading. Earlier in the week, the Legislature amended the 2024 sessions main budget bill to include a Jacobson measure meant to restore a $1 million state housing grant the city of North Platte won last year but then saw derailed. That measure, introduced as LB 850, recasts language governing the Rural Workforce Housing Land Development Program created in 2022 with some of the states share of federal COVID-19 aid. North Platte, McCook and Arnold were among 12 Nebraska cities that won grants from the program in March 2023. North Plattes $1 million grant would have been used to bolster a city revolving fund to acquire decrepit homes or vacant lots and prepare them for resale and construction of new affordable housing. But U.S. Treasury guidelines for using American Rescue Plan Act funds forced the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to offer the 12 cities loans instead of grants. The cities declined. Jacobsons measure, added to LB 1412 Wednesday, is meant to satisfy the guidelines and restore the grants. Lawmakers gave the budget bill 39-4 first-round approval after a filibuster that took much of Tuesday and Wednesday to run its course. In other recent Unicameral action, lawmakers gave voice-vote second-round approval Friday to Brewers LB 287. The measure makes a variety of minor changes to state election and open-meetings laws. An outcome of the 2023 Nebraska Legislative Session was the passing of Legislative Bill (LB) 243, also known as the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, which instituted a 3% soft cap on revenue growth for public school districts. A cap limits the amount of revenue a school district can receive from their funding sources, e.g. state aid and local property taxes. Currently, school districts, with a supermajority approval from their local board of education, are permitted to exceed the 3% cap (with the ability to go up an additional 5%). As school districts across Nebraska approved their 2023-24 budgets, despite discouragement from the governor, 188 of Nebraskas 244 school districts approved a resolution permitting them to go above the 3% revenue threshold. The Scottsbluff Public Schools Board of Education did not approve the resolution allowing it to go above the 3% cap in growth, which resulted in an 11-cent reduction in the levy and a tax asking that was less than the year prior. In short, this is a game changer for school financing. According to Marianne Carlson, executive director of finance for Scottsbluff Schools, This is my 10th year putting together a school district budget, and due to recent legislative changes, it has altered how the budget is looked at and put together. In addition, there are current legislative bills being proposed at the state level that could alter this more. With this uncertainty of what could come, the District is being cautious during this unpredictable time. State senators appear to be disappointed in the fact that 188 of Nebraskas 244 school districts approved the resolution. As a result, Sen. Linehan of Elkhorn introduced LB 1316, which currently sits in the Revenue Committee. LB 1316 proposes capping revenue for school districts at 3% and eliminating the ability for local school boards to access the additional tax-asking cap space above this threshold. The passage of LB 1316 would immediately reduce $1.8M in revenue for Scottsbluff Public Schools, at a time when school districts across the country are experiencing an educator shortage like we have never seen before. Fewer and fewer individuals are pursuing the profession of teaching for a variety of reasons. In order for school districts to remain competitive in the job market, we need to have the ability to increase educator compensation by at least 3%, while other expenses required to run a school district, such as transportation, food service, utilities, insurance, curriculum and technology, etc. are increasing at a rate higher than 3%. As one small example of the unintended consequences of a statewide decision, the mandatory increase of minimum wage to $15/hour will require Scottsbluff schools to increase the wages of some positions by more than 3% in order to remain competitive. In 2019-20, SBPS K-5 enrollment was 1,463 students; in 2023-24, K-5 enrollment is 1,340 students, a decrease of 123 students at the elementary level. It is safe to assume that, as long as the 3% revenue growth limitation is in place, salaries and other expenses increase by approximately 3% (or more), and our enrollment declines, Scottsbluff Public Schools will be forced to make budget reductions every year. Fortunately, the Board of Education provides close, thoughtful oversight of our school budget, resulting in strong cash reserves, which has positioned the district to implement a quality, comprehensive, future-focused PK-12 education that best meets the needs of our community. For example, the recent preschool expansion, which has the potential to attract additional students, is not only a strategy for increasing student enrollment but also providing much-needed early childhood education opportunities for those we serve. In addition, the districts net number of option students from other school districts requesting to attend Scottsbluff schools has more than doubled in the last three years. With the passage of LB 243, and most certainly if LB 1316 passes, Scottsbluff schools may be forced with the decision to consider the cost and benefit of a number of programs and services throughout the district. Amongst those decisions may be some of our unparalleled student opportunities at the high school level that may have lower numbers of participation, Lake Minatare School (which is one of the last remaining original Class I schools in Nebraska), in-town bussing, digital curriculum materials for students at the secondary level, district funded meals for activity trips and elementary school supplies, as well as a reduction in non-classroom-based services. Additionally, the passage of LB 1316 would strip local control from board members and the taxpayers they represent; communities would have very limited ability to decide what school programs are of the greatest importance. With that being said, at Scottsbluff schools, we value and believe in shared governance. As we have with other tough issues, we will listen to parents, staff, teachers and the public, but the decisions at the end of the process will have to take into account the financial impact on the district. Scottsbluff schools has been and will remain committed to working within the parameters of Gov. Pillens educational funding and property tax cap bills that were passed in 2023. The Board of Education approved a budget that resulted in a historic lowering of our levy in September 2023. We are grateful for the support Gov. Pillen and state senators have provided through increased special education reimbursements; this singular funding change has had the greatest impact on our revenue. Should LB 1316 make its way out of the Revenue Committee, we encourage our local senators to vote against LB 1316. ALLIANCE The APL is having the Luck of the Irish contest throughout the month of March. Until Saturday, March 30, patrons 21 and older can check out any adult item from the APL, fill out an entry form and enter to win a $300 gift certificate for use at the Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort and Snitches restaurant in Deadwood, South Dakota. The winner will be drawn and announced on Facebook on Monday, April 1. This contest is sponsored by the APL Foundation. The Art A La Carte: Craft club will meet on Friday, March 15, at 5 p.m. in the APL Community room. The Crime after Crime: True Crime book club will meet Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the APL community room. This discussion will be on Starkweather by Harry MacLean. The APL book club will meet on Tuesday, March 26, at 1 p.m. in the APL Community room. The club will discuss All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. All book club books are available for checkout at the circulation desk for a $2 postage fee. For more information about adult events at the library, call 308-762-1387 or email nstewart@cityofalliance.net. In celebration of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America at the Alliance Public Library, children in preschool through third grade are invited to join a reading challenge of 12 Dr. Seuss books during March. Sign up at the circulation desk and check out Dr. Seuss books, two at a time, from Alliance Public Library. Participants return their completed reading log to the library before 3 p.m. on March 29 to enter their name in a prize drawing for a Dr. Seuss basket. This contest runs through the month of March, concluding with the prize drawing at 3 p.m. on March 29. Youth in grades 4-12 can enter their name in a Luck of the Irish contest for each book checked out for youth reading from the Alliance Public Library. This contest concludes with a prize drawing at 3 p.m. on March 15 for one $50 Chamber Bucks prize. Prizes are sponsored by the Alliance Public Library Foundation. For more information about childrens activities, contact Cynthia Horn, childrens and youth services librarian, 308-762-1387. United Way of Western Nebraska leaders announced on Thursday afternoon that they raised $431,533 through the organizations 2023-24 campaign. That money will be distributed to local non-profits, charities and organizations later in the year. Were proud to announce that we hit our goal, Sam Mark, one of the campaign co-chairs, said. We actually passed it by about 7% ... Thanks mostly to the hard work of the United Way co-chairs and everybody who donated. Monica Shambaugh, campaign co-chair, said she was especially thankful for the efforts of UWWNs 37 Pacesetter organizations that helped them along the way. Theres no way we can raise this amount of money without the Pacesetter businesses that we have throughout the Panhandle, Shambaugh said. those pacesetters were responsible for $237,530 of their fundraising total, along with individual contributions and fundraisers like the Duck Draw. UWWN Executive Director Karen Benzel, Kiersten Richards, the third campaign co-chair, outgoing president Bill Boyer and incoming president Becca Pierce also lauded the accomplishments of this years campaign. Boyer said that along with a strong performance from the Pacesetter businesses, they were able to raise a significant amount of the money through fundraisers like the annual Duck Draw. While it was not a record year for the fundraiser, Boyer said he was still pleased with the results. It was a year where we did $67,000 in duck sales alone, Boyer said, which when you think its $10 a duck, thats a lot of ducks. The fundraiser sold over 8,000 ducks, Boyer said, along with other revenue streams. Benzel said applications for grants from the 23-24 campaign were due on March 1 and they are currently in the process of selecting recipients. Once they are chosen, the funds will be used to supply those organizations through June 30, 2025. Benzel also wanted to acknowledge that while the money raised through the campaign is an important part of their work, there are other funds that they use to help the community. She said they currently have an additional $250,000 that was raised through community impact work, that is being distributed to various organizations in the community. This is one piece of the puzzle that we do, but this is a very important piece of the puzzle that we do to help fund our non-profit partners, she said. Benzel said that while the United Way achieved its fundraising goal this year, it always seems like a race to the finish line, with stress associated with reaching that number. Moving forward, the UWWN will continue to work on determining its 2024 grant recipients and look ahead. Boyer said that they were uncertain of their expectations as the 2024-25 campaign will ramp up this summer, but that they were carefully weighing those expectations with their precious successes. I think were cautiously optimistic, he said. We know that were one of the best organizations that can get this money to help as many people. Edward Jones financial advisor Brian Sohovich of Statesville recently qualified for the firms Impact conference, which celebrates the contributions and achievements of 413 successful financial advisors from among the firms more than 19,000. The conference, which includes financial advisors from both the U.S. and Canada, will be held May 6-9 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Qualifying for the firms Impact conference is a great honor. Im excited for this quality time with some of the top Edward Jones financial advisors in North America as well as our firms senior-most leaders, Sohovich said. Im always looking for new insights and ideas to elevate the value we bring to our clients, and I know this will be the place to find them. The Impact recognition conference brings together some of the top financial advisors, thought leaders and change makers to sharpen each others acumen. Through presentations, small group sessions and networking, attendees will have opportunities to learn, share and explore in ways that can inspire and redefine their practices. As some of the most successful financial advisors at Edward Jones, Impact conference qualifiers have made a lasting impact on our firm. Over time, theyve refined and consistently demonstrate the skills that result in successful team leadership and client service, said Chuck Orban, the Edward Jones principal responsible for the firms recognition events. These financial advisors clearly embody our purpose to make a positive impact in the lives of clients, colleagues and others in our communities. Attendees were selected based on the success of their practice, their leadership and client feedback. In keeping with the firms culture and spirit of partnership, there was not a set number of attendees for the conference. Instead, every financial advisor who met the qualification criteria is invited to attend, thereby keeping the focus on operational and service quality. Sohovichs office is at 140 N. Center St., Suite 112, Statesville. Mekdad, accompanied by a delegation, arrived in Riyadh for an official visit. On Thursday, discussions were held between Faisal al-Mekdad, Syrias Foreign and Expatriates Minister, and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, regarding the enhancement of bilateral relations and regional developments. Mekdad underscored the significance of mutual coordination and dialogue in reinforcing Arab unity and collaboration to address the regions challenges, notably the situation in Gaza and the other Occupied Palestinian territories, where inhabitants endure genocide, severe blockades, starvation, and extensive displacements by the Israeli occupation forces. Furthermore, the ministers deliberated on Syrias endeavours to monitor the activities of the Arab Liaison Committee concerning Syria and the thorough preparations for the forthcoming meeting of the Committee, scheduled in Baghdad. Earlier in the day, Mekdad, accompanied by a delegation, arrived in Riyadh for an official visit. Before Mekdads trip to Riyadh, a significant consultation took place last Thursday between the Syrian ambassador to Riyadh, Ayman Soussan, and Abdul Rahman al-Rasi, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Multiple International Affairs. Soussan described the meeting as part of the continuous dialogue between the two nations on mutually interesting topics. COMMENT FROM THE OBSERVER Additionally, on February 27th, Soussan discussed with Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh, the Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council. The specifics of these visits were not made public by either countrys Foreign Ministry, leading to speculation that the discussions might focus on the Hajj arrangements, which have yet to be clarified. In a related development, Muhammad Abdel Sattar al-Sayyid, the Minister of Endowments from the Assad regime, visited Riyadh in January. Following his visit, the regimes Ministry of Endowments issued a statement announcing an agreement with Saudi Arabia regarding the management of the Hajj affairs. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Dr. Imad Saadeh, the head of the Damascus Doctors Syndicate, informed Majesty News that the judiciary is currently investigating the matter. Majesty News has received information that 11 individuals, including five doctors affiliated with al-Mujtahid Hospital, have been referred to the judiciary for trial on charges related to organ trafficking, bribery, and falsification of medical reports. Dr. Imad Saadeh, the head of the Damascus Doctors Syndicate, informed Majesty News that the judiciary is currently investigating the matter to ascertain the full truth. He emphasized that the investigation includes doctors who are under suspicion, emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Individuals involved in the sale of kidneys or the facilitation of such transactions are also under scrutiny. Dr. Saadeh clarified that kidney transplantation in private hospitals is prohibited by law, leading patients to seek such procedures in government hospitals. In communication with the director of Mujtahid Hospital, it was indicated that the matter is now in the hands of the judiciary, and no further information is available. A senior official from the Ministry of Health reiterated that the judiciary holds authority over the issue. At this time, Majesty News has chosen not to disclose the names of those facing legal action. She anticipates a statement from the Ministry of Health regarding the circumstances surrounding the case, including details on arrests, and measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The Swedish Foreign Minister, Tobias Billstrom, affirmed that Sweden will not repatriate Swedish citizens, including children from camps of families associated with ISIS. The Swedish Foreign Minister, Tobias Billstrom, affirmed that Sweden will not repatriate Swedish citizens, including children and adults, from al-Hol camp and other camps in northeastern Syria housing families associated with ISIS. The government has no plans to facilitate the return of Swedish citizens or individuals with ties to Sweden from camps or detention centers in northeastern Syria, stated Billstrom. He cited concerns about the potential security risks to Sweden posed by repatriation as a key reason for this decision. We cannot disregard the possibility that Swedish adults, along with those connected to Sweden, remaining in camps or detention centers in northeastern Syria may pose security threats upon their return, Billstrom explained. He emphasized the current security challenges facing Sweden and the potential risks associated with the return of individuals from these camps. Billstroms statement coincides with growing concerns about the situation in camps like Hol, which house families associated with ISIS. Reports indicate that these camps may harbour individuals still sympathetic to extremist ideologies, raising concerns about future security threats. Ali Jehangir, spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration, echoed these concerns, describing the camps as ticking time bombs with the potential to ignite instability at any moment. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. In recent months, progress toward reconciliation between Turkey and the Syrian regime has stagnated, according to Nedaa Post. Turkey has affirmed that there will be no further meetings with the Syrian regime as part of the normalization process initiated a year ago but halted in the middle of last year. Oncu Kicali, the spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, reiterated that Turkeys stance on normalization with the Syrian regime has been clear from the outset. He stated, We have consistently communicated our policy transparently and honestly. While we have no preconditions, the Syrian regime has imposed some on us. Kicali emphasized, However, there are certain objectives we expect the Syrian regime to meet concerning the political process, the repatriation of Syrians, and the future of Syria. In recent months, progress toward reconciliation between Turkey and the Syrian regime has stagnated, with quadripartite meetings involving Russia and Iran also coming to a standstill. In late January, Turkey dismissed the possibility of a new meeting with the Syrian regime to discuss normalizing relations. A source from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, cited by the Russian news agency Novosti, stated that there are currently no plans for a high-level quadripartite meeting. The Turkish source clarified, There is no decision yet to convene such a meeting at this time. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Lahib, originally from Maarat al-Numan in Idleb, recounted the refusal by Lebanese General Security to renew his and his family's residency. On Wednesday, Syrian activists reiterated their plea for swift United Nations intervention to prevent the Lebanese authorities from extraditing activist Jumah Mohammed Lahib to Syria, where he faces deportation and potential extradition to the Assad regime. This urgency follows the withdrawal and non-renewal of Lahibs official residency papers in Lebanon, with authorities instructing him to leave Lebanese territory within a month. Lahib, expressing his ordeal on his official Facebook page, highlighted that legal consultations and engagement with the Lebanese Center for Human Rights indicated the finality of the deportation decision. He emphasized the necessity for immediate UNHCR intervention in Lebanon to halt this process. Quoted in statements, Lahib revealed his inclusion on Syrian political intelligence watchlists, particularly due to his previous detention for his beliefs and subsequent release in 2011. Syrian activists have mobilized on social media platforms in support of Lahib, a Syrian national seeking refuge in Lebanon. They highlight the jeopardy posed by his potential extradition, stressing his legal residency in Lebanon and the peril his return to Syria would entail for him and his family. Lahib, originally from Maarat al-Numan in Idleb, recounted the refusal by Lebanese General Security to renew his and his familys residency, despite their legal status in the country. He fears the ramifications of being handed over to Syrian authorities, endangering his life and that of his family. The activist added, The UNHCR document I waited for did not help, nor did the fact that I am wanted by the Syrian regime. It seems that the esteemed Brigadier General Elias al-Baysari has reneged on his promises to facilitate the renewal of residency permits for us. When I requested a meeting with the centers director upon hearing the deportation news, the officer said that the deportation decision was signed by the General and that the centers major couldnt help me! It is worth noting that I fulfill all the legal and illegal requirements as well. He continued: I will persist in all my civil and legal struggles, demonstrating that legal activism is the most effective. Even in defeat, the cost will be minimal. I will stay committed to my path of lawful and peaceful resistance, even if its on an individual level, and I wont give up. Despite the hardships our people and nation endure, my family is my people, and my family is my homeland. I will defend them with all my might. The Syrian Future Movement affirmed Lahibs integral role within their organization as a political researcher and underscored the grave danger he faces, attributing the deportation decision to Syrian regime pressure due to his activism. Calling upon the Lebanese government and UNHCR Beirut, the Syrian Future Movement urged a reconsideration of Lahibs case, emphasizing his status as a target of the Syrian regime and a former victim of its atrocities. They held both UNHCR Beirut and the Lebanese government accountable for Lahibs safety and that of all Syrian refugees within Lebanese borders. Syrian National Coalition Consequently, the Syrian National Coalition is closely monitoring the plight of refugee Jumah Mohammed Lahib, who faces the looming threat of deportation from Lebanon and potential surrender to the Assad regime. This falls within the coalitions broader mission to safeguard Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon. The coalition has taken proactive steps by dispatching a letter to the UNHCR, highlighting the grave risk posed to Lahib and his family should they be handed over to the Assad regime. The UNHCR has been apprised of the perilous situation and the imminent danger to their lives. Moreover, the coalition has been actively engaged in efforts to shield Syrian refugees in Lebanon. In February, it successfully intervened to halt the deportation of refugee Yassin Mohammed al-Atar. This intervention was conducted in collaboration with the United Nations, various human rights organizations, and several Western nations. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. CBIC imposes levy of anti-dumping duty on Para-Tertiary Butyl Phenol (PTBP) imported from Korea RP, Singapore and United States of America for 5 years pursuant to Final Findings issued by DGTR The Ministry of Finance, under Notification No. 04/2024-Customs (ADD) dated March 14, 2024, has announced the imposition of an anti-dumping duty on imports of Para-Tertiary Butyl Phenol (PTBP) from Korea RP, Singapore, and the United States of America. This decision follows the Final Findings issued by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR). According to the findings, the designated authority concluded that: The subject goods were exported to India below normal value, leading to dumping. Dumping of these goods significantly hindered the growth of domestic industries. The landed price of imports undercut the prices of domestic industries. In light of these conclusions, the Central Government, exercising its powers under the Customs Tariff Act, has imposed anti-dumping duties on PTBP imports. The duty rates vary based on the country of origin, exporter, and producer, as outlined in the notification. Key details of the imposed duty: Duration: The anti-dumping duty will be applicable for a period of five years from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, unless revised earlier. Payment: Duties are payable in Indian currency. Rate of Exchange: The applicable rate of exchange for duty calculation will be determined as per government notifications issued under the Customs Act, 1962. This move aims to mitigate the adverse effects of dumping on domestic industries and foster fair trade practices in the importation of PTBP. **** MINISTRY OF FINANCE (Department of Revenue) Notification No. 04/2024-Customs (ADD) | Dated : 14th March, 2024 G.S.R. 198(E).Whereas, in the matter of Para-Tertiary Butyl Phenol (PTBP) (hereinafter referred to as the subject goods), falling under tariff item 2907 19 40 of the First Schedule of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) (hereinafter referred to as the Customs Tariff Act), originating in, or exported from Korea RP, Singapore and the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the subject countries) and imported into India, the designated authority in its final findings, vide notification F. No. 6/14/2022-DGTR, dated the 20th December, 2023, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part I, Section 1, dated the 20th December, 2023, has come to the conclusion, inter alia that- (i) the product under consideration has been exported to India at a price below normal value, thus resulting in dumping; (ii) the dumping of the subject goods has materially retarded the establishment of domestic industry in India; (iii) the landed price of imports is below the level of selling price of the domestic industry and is undercutting the prices of the domestic industry, and has recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty on imports of the subject goods, originating in, or exported from the subject countries and imported into India, in order to remove injury to the domestic industry. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (5) of section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act read with rules 18 and 20 of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Antidumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, the Central Government, after considering the aforesaid final findings of the designated authority, hereby imposes on the subject goods, the description of which is specified in column (3) of the Table below, falling under the tariff item of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act as specified in the corresponding entry in column (2), originating in the countries as specified in the corresponding entry in column (4), exported from the countries as specified in the corresponding entry in column (5), produced by the producers as specified in the corresponding entry in column (6), and imported into India, an anti-dumping duty at the rate equal to the amount as specified in the corresponding entry in column (7), in the currency as specified in the corresponding entry in column (9) and as per unit of measurement as specified in the corresponding entry in column (8) of the said Table, namely :- TABLE Sl. No. Tariff item Description Country of Origin Country of Export Producer Amount Unit Currency (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) 1 2907 19 40 Para-Tertiary Butyl Phenol (PTBP) Korea RP Any country, including Korea RP SI Group Korea Ltd. 208 MT USD 2 -do- -do- Korea RP Any country including Korea RP Any producer other than (1) 357 -do- -do- 3 -do- -do Any country other than Korea RP, USA and Singapore Korea RP Any 357 -do- -do 4 -do- -do- USA Any country including USA SI Group Inc. 790 -do- -do- 5. -do- -do- USA Any country including USA Any producer other than (4) 881 -do- -do- 6. -do- -do Any country other than Korea RP, USA and Singapore USA Any 881 -do- -do- 7. -do- -do Singapore Any country including Singapore Any 349 -do- -do- 8. -do- -do Any country other than Korea RP, USA and Singapore Singapore Any 349 -do- -do 2. The anti-dumping duty imposed under this notification shall be levied for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier) from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette and shall be payable in Indian currency. Explanation. For the purposes of this notification, rate of exchange applicable for the purpose of calculation of such anti-dumping duty shall be the rate which is specified in the notification of the Government of India, in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), issued from time to time, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), and the relevant date for the determination of the rate of exchange shall be the date of presentation of the bill of entry under section 46 of the said Customs Act. [F. No. CBIC-190354/24/2024-TRU Section-CBEC] NITISH KARNATAK, Under Secy. A 2022 bill requires the Department of Social and Health Services to establish school-to-work programs for soon-to-graduate students with developmental disabilities in all Washington counties, but the Cowlitz County leaders arent convinced more services are needed locally. The Board of Commissioners discussed a state contract to develop and implement such a program in meetings in January, but ultimately sent it back to a committee for further workshopping, citing concerns over cost and a lack of evidence that the program is necessary. I really struggle with starting a new program, especially from the state, because once you open those doors, they never close, and they just grow and grow and grow. So it worries me, County Commissioner Rick Dahl said at the Jan. 22 meeting. I want these kids to have opportunities if they want opportunities, but I dont know anybody that were turning away, and I dont know that we cant fix it locally if there is, he said. The proposed program would target 20- and 21-year-old students preparing to exit their high school transition programs and allow them to gain work experience while still in school. The contract, which is through DSHS, would reimburse the county for up to $241,750 for program development, though the county is not required to spend the full amount and is in fact unlikely to do so, said Gena James, deputy director of Cowlitz County Health and Human Services. The contract is part of an effort by DSHS to comply with Senate Bill 5790, passed in 2022, which requires the establishment of school-to-work programs in all counties that dont already have one. Regardless of when the contract starts, it would last through March 31, 2025, after which it could be renewed for further two-year cycles as necessary, according to information provided by DSHS. Cowlitz County has some existing programs in place, including an adult employment program and Student Transition Educational Program Services, or STEPS, a community-based work experience program offered by ESD 112. STEPS connects local businesses in Longview, Kelso, Toutle Lake, Castle Rock, Wahkiakum, Kalama and La Center with local school districts to offer 18- to 21-year-old students with developmental disabilities unpaid internships, where they learn job and social skills while exploring possible career options. Some businesses later offer students paid internships as well, STEPS Program Administrator Jeanette Forman said. County data shows that most students leaving their high school transition program are not engaging in employment programs, James said, though it does not specify why. It could be that they do not qualify for existing programs, or they could simply be choosing not to enroll for personal reasons. Accepting the program development contract from DSHS would provide an opportunity to do more research into what gaps the countys currently existing services have and whether the new program would be beneficial, James said. It would likely be followed by a service contract in the future to actually set up the program once the preliminary research is done, she said. The new program, James said, would differ from existing programs by focusing on a more specific age range and serving students with higher support needs who are unable to work completely independently. The targeted age range is one of County Commissioner Arne Mortensens issues with the program, as he doesnt approve of overly specific welfare programs, he said at the Jan. 23 meeting. It may be beneficial to two or three people, but it doesnt come at zero cost, he said. Two days after a divided Longview City Council abruptly fired its city manager, it is not clear who is currently filling the biggest job in Longviews city government. Kris Swanson was suspended and terminated as the city manager during a fiery special Longview City Council meeting on Wednesday. Newcomers Erik Halvorson, Kalei LaFave and Keith Young joined Mayor Spencer Boudreau in voting for the ouster. At the same meeting, the same majority tapped retired Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha as interim city manager. But Duscha was not on the dais during the council meeting Thursday night. Assistant City Manager Ann Rivers acted as the city manager during the meeting instead, introducing some items on the councils agenda. City spokesperson Angela Abel said that LaFave and Halvorson brought Duscha to City Hall on Thursday afternoon to begin discussing a contract with city staff. The contract was still being finalized on Friday, however, and wont be approved by the City Council before March 28 unless another special meeting is held. The city manager is the only Longview employee who is hired directly by the City Council. The contract has to be approved during a public council meeting. Duscha told The Daily News on Thursday that he would not technically be a city employee until the contract was approved. On Friday, Mayor Boudreau told The Daily News that the council should use an open hiring process to choose the next permanent city manager. This is something that should have happened with the last replacement process, which instead led to lack of trust from the public, he wrote in an email. Reached by phone Friday, Rivers said she is only assuming the city manager duties that are time-sensitive or dont create new budget impacts. In addition to the council meeting, Rivers has checked in with the citys department leaders and approved the payroll at the end of this week. To be able to make those functions are met, I would do that because its a time importance, Rivers said. The council did consider Wednesday appointing Rivers to the interim role, with Councilor Angie Wean advocating for Rivers as the natural line of succession for the city government. Washington state law specifies that a substitute city manager should be a current city officer. The motion was rejected 3-4, with the same bloc that voted for Swansons dismissal voting against Rivers. It is clear the majority is also unhappy with Rivers, as evidenced by a surprise resolution in February that proposed spending $30,000 to audit her work performance. The resolution brought by Councilmember Young, who did not indicate the resolutions substance was not on the agenda and was tabled. A public records request following the Feb. 8 meeting revealed the resolutions intent. It returned for council consideration on Feb. 22, but ultimately there was no vote. Its unclear how much the city intends to pay Duscha and what specifics are in his new contract. In firing Swanson without cause, the city is required to pay her six months worth of her $179,000 annual contract, plus six months of insurance and her remaining vacation benefits. Thursdays meeting was much more calm than the one the night before, with only a few direct references to the previous nights drama. Young wore a custom-printed shirt that said, Discrimination is never OK, an apparent reference to the employment discrimination lawsuit in which Swanson was named and that Longview settled without admitting any wrongdoing. A handful of public comments repeated the criticisms of Swanson or the city council ouster that were made Wednesday. Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ARCO Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $11.95, but opened at $11.35. Arcos Dorados shares last traded at $11.10, with a volume of 777,649 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently issued reports on ARCO shares. TheStreet raised shares of Arcos Dorados from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. StockNews.com upgraded Arcos Dorados from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Arcos Dorados in a research report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $15.00 price objective for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Arcos Dorados has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $13.38. Get Arcos Dorados alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Arcos Dorados Arcos Dorados Price Performance Arcos Dorados Increases Dividend The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.77. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a $0.06 dividend. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.03%. This is a positive change from Arcos Doradoss previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Arcos Doradoss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.82%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ARCO. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Arcos Dorados by 60.6% during the 3rd quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,730 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,030 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Arcos Dorados during the second quarter worth $32,000. Quarry LP boosted its stake in Arcos Dorados by 607.6% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 4,260 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 3,658 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in Arcos Dorados by 256.2% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,640 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 4,776 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in Arcos Dorados by 34.9% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 7,358 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 1,902 shares in the last quarter. 36.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Arcos Dorados Company Profile (Get 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Arcos Dorados Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arcos Dorados and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sealed Air Co. (NYSE:SEE Free Report) Analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2024 earnings per share estimates for Sealed Air in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, March 12th. Zacks Research analyst M. Das now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $0.54 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.63. The consensus estimate for Sealed Airs current full-year earnings is $2.87 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Sealed Airs Q2 2024 earnings at $0.66 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.76 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.82 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $2.78 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $0.71 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.76 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $0.79 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.83 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $3.10 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $3.26 EPS. Get Sealed Air alerts: A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Mizuho cut their price objective on Sealed Air from $40.00 to $39.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on Sealed Air from $40.00 to $39.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Sealed Air from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price target for the stock from $35.00 to $43.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Sealed Air in a research report on Friday, March 1st. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Sealed Air presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $43.73. Sealed Air Stock Down 2.2 % Shares of SEE stock opened at $35.97 on Wednesday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $35.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $34.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.21, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.20 billion, a PE ratio of 15.24, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.27. Sealed Air has a fifty-two week low of $28.50 and a fifty-two week high of $48.44. Sealed Air (NYSE:SEE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The industrial products company reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.36 billion. Sealed Air had a return on equity of 107.48% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firms revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.99 earnings per share. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sealed Air Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Sealed Air by 9.3% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 26,970,618 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,078,825,000 after buying an additional 2,291,607 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Sealed Air by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,853,598 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $553,809,000 after purchasing an additional 92,114 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Sealed Air by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,191,143 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $247,646,000 after purchasing an additional 75,359 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its holdings in Sealed Air by 2,549.6% during the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 5,340,247 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $195,720,000 after buying an additional 5,138,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Sealed Air by 70.1% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,238,340 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $172,132,000 after buying an additional 2,159,143 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.45% of the companys stock. Sealed Air Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.22%. Sealed Airs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.90%. Sealed Air Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sealed Air Corporation provides packaging solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and NewZealand. It operates through two segments, Food and Protective. The Food segment offers integrated packaging materials and automation equipment solutions to provide food safety and shelf life extension, reduce food waste, automate processes, and optimize total cost for food processors in the fresh red meat, smoked and processed meats, poultry, seafood, plant-based, and dairy markets under the CRYOVAC, CRYOVAC Grip & Tear, CRYOVAC Darfresh, Simple Steps, and Optidure brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sealed Air Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sealed Air and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC cut its stake in Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report) by 2.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,051 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 723 shares during the quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $3,189,000 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 ED. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Consolidated Edison by 89,231.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,145,861 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $395,142,000 after purchasing an additional 4,141,220 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Consolidated Edison in the 4th quarter worth about $318,245,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 33.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,128,579 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $393,495,000 after acquiring an additional 1,030,730 shares during the last quarter. Newport Trust Company LLC bought a new stake in shares of Consolidated Edison during the 3rd quarter valued at about $51,134,000. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 80.6% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,079,141 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $97,553,000 after acquiring an additional 481,565 shares during the last quarter. 64.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ED has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group dropped their target price on Consolidated Edison from $99.00 to $94.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Barclays dropped their target price on Consolidated Edison from $88.00 to $86.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Scotiabank boosted their target price on Consolidated Edison from $90.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a sector underperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH began coverage on Consolidated Edison in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $92.50 target price for the company. Finally, KeyCorp raised Consolidated Edison from an underweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Consolidated Edison has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $87.89. Consolidated Edison Price Performance Shares of NYSE:ED traded up $0.25 during trading on Friday, hitting $88.92. 991,415 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,772,149. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a 52-week low of $80.46 and a 52-week high of $100.92. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $89.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $89.52. The company has a market cap of $30.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.41, a PEG ratio of 8.44 and a beta of 0.35. Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The utilities provider reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $3.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.70 billion. Consolidated Edison had a return on equity of 8.41% and a net margin of 17.19%. The firms revenue was down 14.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.81 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 5.3 EPS for the current year. Consolidated Edison Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be issued a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.73%. This is an increase from Consolidated Edisons previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 13th. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is presently 46.24%. About Consolidated Edison (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centre Asset Management LLC decreased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 11.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,967 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,016 shares during the period. Centre Asset Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $4,644,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Thompson Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Retirement Group LLC increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% during the 2nd quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Optiver Holding B.V. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Activity In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 78,573 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $648.07, for a total value of $50,920,804.11. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,333,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $64,375,262,246.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.9 % LLY traded down $7.04 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $753.69. 1,545,709 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,339,355. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.94. The companys fifty day moving average price is $706.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $623.36. The company has a market cap of $716.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 130.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $323.26 and a one year high of $800.78. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 51.22% and a net margin of 15.36%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.09 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.41 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth LLY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $650.00 to $850.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. TheStreet upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Friday, March 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $815.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. DZ Bank lowered Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $820.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Three investment 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on Eli Lilly and Company 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. by Xinhua reporter Misbah Saba Malik, Jiang Chao ISLAMABAD, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) holds immense potential to shape a harmonious world through cultural connectivity, greater cooperation and mutual respect among nations, a former Pakistani minister said. Cultural connectivity encourages inclusive coexistence and deter aggression by promoting mutual respect and understanding. By advocating these values, the GCI has inspired a new era of unity, understanding and peaceful coexistence on a global scale, Syed Jamal Shah, former Pakistan Minister for National Heritage and Culture, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Chinese culture itself is very diverse, so the "GCI is a very rightly promoted idea because, through the experience of its country's vast cultural landscape, it knows that unity in diversity is the most beautiful thing, and can inculcate the spirit of respecting other people's cultures, which is the only way forward for the world peace," he added. Talking about cultural connectivity between Pakistan and China, Shah, who is also an expert on culture and a renowned actor and artist, said that his country also has a very rich cultural heritage and needs China's assistance in preserving Gandhara and Buddhist artifacts. "I recently visited China and met cultural experts, heritage experts, and archaeologists to encourage them to help us preserve, digitalize, and 3D scan rock carvings in the northern part of the country bordering China, and we are planning something together about it," he added. He added that he is also planning to hold exhibitions of Pakistani culture and heritage in China because Gandhara and Buddhist civilizations are very relevant for both countries and people from both sides take a keen interest in them. Shah said that frequent cultural exchanges between Pakistan and China have strengthened people-to-people contacts between the two countries and the people of his country are fond of Chinese cultural performances because they give them a better understanding of Chinese people and culture. "We are looking forward to having more and more Chinese delegations, artists, dancers, musicians, visual artists, theater people, and cinema people, come here," said Shah. "I think creating aesthetic bridges is the best way to strengthen friendships because they are very strong, elastic and resilient, and can witness the test of time," he added. Deluxe Co. (NYSE:DLX Get Free Report) CEO Barry C. Mccarthy bought 2,666 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $19.25 per share, for a total transaction of $51,320.50. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 173,410 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,338,142.50. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Deluxe Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of DLX stock traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $18.85. The companys stock had a trading volume of 92,586 shares, compared to its average volume of 206,182. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $19.76 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.30. Deluxe Co. has a 12-month low of $13.61 and a 12-month high of $21.97. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $826.57 million, a PE ratio of 31.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.47. Get Deluxe alerts: Deluxe (NYSE:DLX Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The business services provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.05. Deluxe had a net margin of 1.20% and a return on equity of 21.53%. The business had revenue of $537.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $537.80 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.98 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Deluxe Co. will post 2.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. Deluxe Dividend Announcement Institutional Investors Weigh In On Deluxe The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.37%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. Deluxes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 203.39%. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in Deluxe by 20.5% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 35,897 shares of the business services providers stock worth $679,000 after acquiring an additional 6,102 shares in the last quarter. Algert Global LLC acquired a new position in Deluxe during the 3rd quarter worth $1,655,000. EMC Capital Management grew its holdings in Deluxe by 63.2% during the 3rd quarter. EMC Capital Management now owns 4,895 shares of the business services providers stock worth $92,000 after acquiring an additional 1,895 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its holdings in Deluxe by 37.1% during the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 23,935 shares of the business services providers stock worth $452,000 after acquiring an additional 6,472 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its holdings in shares of Deluxe by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 49,127 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $859,000 after buying an additional 3,454 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.97% of the companys stock. Deluxe Company Profile (Get Free Report) Deluxe Corporation provides technology-enabled solutions to enterprises, small businesses, and financial institutions in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It operates through Merchant Services, B2B Payments, Data Solutions, and Print segments. The Merchant Services offers credit and debit card authorization and payment systems, as well as processing services primarily to small and medium-sized retail and service businesses. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Deluxe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deluxe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA decreased its stake in Dover Co. (NYSE:DOV Free Report) by 9.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,385 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 4,038 shares during the period. Baldwin Brothers LLC MAs holdings in Dover were worth $6,212,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Chartwell Investment Partners LLC lifted its stake in Dover by 15.6% in the 3rd quarter. Chartwell Investment Partners LLC now owns 6,733 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $939,000 after acquiring an additional 907 shares in the last quarter. Payden & Rygel boosted its stake in Dover by 15.3% in the second quarter. Payden & Rygel now owns 137,680 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $20,329,000 after buying an additional 18,300 shares in the last quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Dover in the third quarter worth approximately $724,000. Financial Counselors Inc. increased its holdings in Dover by 4.5% in the third quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 2,925 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $408,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its position in shares of Dover by 53.1% during the third quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 528,857 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $74,415,000 after buying an additional 183,529 shares during the last quarter. 83.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Dover alerts: Dover Stock Performance DOV stock traded up $0.95 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $176.02. 426,419 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 941,869. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The stocks 50-day moving average is $158.49 and its 200 day moving average is $147.42. Dover Co. has a 52-week low of $127.25 and a 52-week high of $177.64. The stock has a market cap of $24.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.40, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.27. Dover Announces Dividend Dover ( NYSE:DOV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $2.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.16 billion. Dover had a net margin of 12.52% and a return on equity of 25.95%. The companys revenue was down 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.16 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Dover Co. will post 9.07 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.16%. Dovers payout ratio is 27.13%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Dover from $146.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Dover from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Barclays raised their target price on Dover from $150.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Dover from $140.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Dover from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $167.60. Read Our Latest Research Report on Dover Insider Buying and Selling at Dover In other Dover news, CFO Brad M. Cerepak sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.71, for a total transaction of $1,060,260.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 17,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,164,699.39. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Dover news, Director Stephen M. Todd sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.19, for a total value of $256,785.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 22,955 shares in the company, valued at $3,929,666.45. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Brad M. Cerepak sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.71, for a total value of $1,060,260.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 17,909 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,164,699.39. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 25,910 shares of company stock valued at $4,318,059 over the last 90 days. 1.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Dover (Free Report) Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in vehicle aftermarket, waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DOV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dover Co. (NYSE:DOV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dover Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dover and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) by 3.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 17,736 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 579 shares during the quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLCs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $8,039,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 0.5% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 37,972,543 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $17,950,761,000 after acquiring an additional 176,739 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,302,719 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $9,120,920,000 after acquiring an additional 279,162 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.8% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,686,937 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,302,388,000 after acquiring an additional 97,916 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 2.5% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,451,163 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,045,055,000 after acquiring an additional 106,461 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 4.0% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,158,783 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,291,816,000 after acquiring an additional 121,358 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.26% of the companys stock. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In LMT has been the subject of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $438.00 to $472.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $475.00 to $470.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $550.00 to $540.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $513.00 to $503.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $488.00 to $475.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $491.92. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Lockheed Martin news, COO John Frank A. St sold 6,648 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $425.35, for a total transaction of $2,827,726.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, COO John Frank A. St sold 6,648 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $425.35, for a total value of $2,827,726.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Gregory M. Ulmer sold 6,204 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $431.19, for a total transaction of $2,675,102.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 12,604 shares in the company, valued at $5,434,718.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 16,874 shares of company stock worth $7,249,946. 0.17% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Lockheed Martin Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:LMT traded up $1.16 on Friday, reaching $436.93. The companys stock had a trading volume of 401,243 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,122,330. The stocks 50-day moving average is $436.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $438.43. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 52-week low of $393.77 and a 52-week high of $508.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $105.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.82, a PEG ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 0.48. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The aerospace company reported $7.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.26 by $0.64. The firm had revenue of $18.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.96 billion. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 79.91%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $7.79 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.16 EPS for the current year. Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a dividend of $3.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $12.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.88%. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is currently 45.74%. About Lockheed Martin (Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services bought a new stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:KYN Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 10,399 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $91,000. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.2% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,674,705 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $47,724,000 after buying an additional 177,553 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 12.9% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,044,706 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,306,000 after purchasing an additional 348,488 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 6.3% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,591,252 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,382,000 after purchasing an additional 94,886 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 31.9% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,424,964 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,984,000 after purchasing an additional 344,929 shares during the period. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 3.7% in the third quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,257,117 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,572,000 after purchasing an additional 44,971 shares during the period. Get Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund alerts: Insider Transactions at Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund In other news, President James C. Baker purchased 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $8.84 per share, for a total transaction of $442,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the president now directly owns 681,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,020,384.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Trading Up 0.6 % Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Increases Dividend Shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Friday, reaching $9.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 87,166 shares, compared to its average volume of 559,236. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $8.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.62. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. has a one year low of $7.84 and a one year high of $9.71. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 3rd were paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 2nd. This is a positive change from Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Funds previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.29%. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile (Free Report) Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by KA Fund Advisors, LLC. It is co-managed by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It invests in stocks of companies operating in the energy sector. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (CBOE:AAAU Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $21.45 and last traded at $21.51, with a volume of 3057716 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $21.36. Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF Price Performance The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $20.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $19.76. Get Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF by 24.1% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 631,715 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,025,000 after acquiring an additional 122,493 shares in the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its stake in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF by 116.8% in the 2nd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 472,246 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,989,000 after acquiring an additional 254,455 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $6,517,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF by 26.1% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 276,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,255,000 after acquiring an additional 57,087 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 259,439 shares of the companys stock worth $4,938,000 after purchasing an additional 4,355 shares in the last quarter. About Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF The Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the LBMA Gold Price index. The fund tracks the gold spot price, less expenses and liabilities, using gold bars held in a vault in Perth, Australia. Investors can redeem their shares for gold coins and small bars. AAAU was launched on Jul 26, 2018 and is managed by Goldman Sachs. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR Get Free Report) CEO Christopher John Killoy sold 3,664 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.03, for a total transaction of $164,989.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 52,869 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,380,691.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of NYSE RGR opened at $45.19 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $798.24 million, a PE ratio of 16.61 and a beta of 0.31. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has a 1-year low of $42.00 and a 1-year high of $59.47. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $43.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.98. Get Sturm Ruger & Company Inc. alerts: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by ($0.09). Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. had a return on equity of 14.59% and a net margin of 8.87%. The business had revenue of $130.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $133.75 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.06 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. will post 3.87 EPS for the current year. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Increases Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. The firm 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 $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.04%. This is an increase from Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.s dividend payout ratio is currently 33.82%. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of RGR. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $226,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. Eaton Vance Management raised its holdings in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Eaton Vance Management now owns 9,908 shares of the companys stock valued at $690,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the period. Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 23.0% in the 1st quarter. Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC now owns 1,341 shares of the companys stock valued at $93,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its holdings in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 15,883 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,134,000 after acquiring an additional 272 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its holdings in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 9,133 shares of the companys stock valued at $484,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares during the period. 64.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells firearms under the Ruger name and trademark in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Firearms and Castings. It provides single-shot, autoloading, bolt-action, and modern sporting rifles; rimfire and centerfire autoloading pistols; single-action and double-action revolvers; and firearms accessories and replacement parts, as well as manufactures lever-action rifles under the Marlin name and trademark. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sturm Ruger & Company Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sturm Ruger & Company Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. InTrack Investment Management Inc trimmed its holdings in RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX Free Report) by 18.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,120 shares of the companys stock after selling 712 shares during the quarter. InTrack Investment Management Incs holdings in RTX were worth $263,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of RTX during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,580,608,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of RTX by 87,932.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,614,259 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,373,951,000 after buying an additional 13,598,794 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners purchased a new position in RTX in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $355,350,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in RTX by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 30,509,436 shares of the companys stock worth $3,079,013,000 after purchasing an additional 3,104,282 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in RTX by 32.8% in the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,130,557 shares of the companys stock worth $904,564,000 after purchasing an additional 2,256,475 shares in the last quarter. 79.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get RTX alerts: RTX Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of RTX stock traded up $0.57 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $92.33. The stock had a trading volume of 1,716,701 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,620,103. RTX Co. has a 12-month low of $68.56 and a 12-month high of $104.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.87. The firms 50-day moving average is $89.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $82.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.78. RTX Dividend Announcement RTX ( NYSE:RTX Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.04. RTX had a return on equity of 10.34% and a net margin of 4.64%. The business had revenue of $19.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.74 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.27 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that RTX Co. will post 5.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd 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 2.56%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. RTXs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 105.36%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays boosted their price target on RTX from $75.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $94.00 price objective (up from $88.00) on shares of RTX in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. TheStreet raised RTX from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised RTX from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $100.00 to $120.00 in a report on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on RTX from $93.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, RTX presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $94.18. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on RTX Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Ramsaran Maharajh sold 312 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.17, for a total transaction of $28,757.04. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 11,676 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,076,176.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other RTX news, insider Shane G. Eddy sold 35,456 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.19, for a total value of $3,233,232.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,741 shares in the company, valued at $614,711.79. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Ramsaran Maharajh sold 312 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.17, for a total value of $28,757.04. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 11,676 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,076,176.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 37,785 shares of company stock worth $3,448,188 in the last three months. 0.11% of the stock is owned by insiders. RTX Profile (Free Report) RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RTX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for RTX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RTX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PWZ Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Friday . 469,772 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 263% from the previous sessions volume of 129,248 shares.The stock last traded at $25.01 and had previously closed at $24.99. Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Stock Performance The businesss fifty day moving average price is $25.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.30. Get Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Charles Schwab Investment Advisory Inc. raised its stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF by 51.4% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 13,682,286 shares of the companys stock worth $321,123,000 after acquiring an additional 4,647,696 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,124,000. First Foundation Advisors raised its stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF by 80.1% during the 3rd quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 1,171,080 shares of the companys stock worth $27,485,000 after acquiring an additional 520,876 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC raised its stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF by 18.8% during the 4th quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 843,135 shares of the companys stock worth $21,062,000 after acquiring an additional 133,233 shares during the period. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $19,874,000. About Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF The Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (PWZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks an index of insured investment-grade, tax-exempt debt issued by California or any US territory with at least 15 years remaining to maturity. PWZ was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lessened its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,343 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,326 shares during the quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADVs holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $1,305,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. TAP Consulting LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the third quarter worth $3,015,000. Dimension Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the third quarter worth about $729,000. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 39.2% in the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,428,696 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $146,426,000 after acquiring an additional 683,417 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the third quarter worth about $139,000. Finally, Comerica Bank bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the third quarter worth about $14,522,000. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Trading Down 0.4 % EWJ stock opened at $69.06 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 12 month low of $54.56 and a 12 month high of $71.75. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $67.36 and a 200-day moving average price of $63.52. About iShares MSCI Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centre Asset Management LLC cut its holdings in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT Free Report) by 2.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 134,115 shares of the medical technology companys stock after selling 3,186 shares during the quarter. Medtronic makes up approximately 2.7% of Centre Asset Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Centre Asset Management LLCs holdings in Medtronic were worth $11,048,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hartford Financial Management Inc. grew its holdings 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 worth $25,000 after buying an additional 255 shares in the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co boosted its position in Medtronic by 209.0% during the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 309 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 209 shares during the last quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Medtronic by 317.0% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 367 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Medtronic in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Certified Advisory Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Medtronic during the first quarter worth $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.75% of the companys stock. Get Medtronic alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Oppenheimer raised their price target on 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 boosted their target price on shares of Medtronic from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Medtronic from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $92.00 price objective on shares of Medtronic in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Medtronic from $104.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.91. Medtronic Stock Down 1.2 % MDT traded down $1.00 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $83.39. 4,810,177 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,182,004. Medtronic plc has a fifty-two week low of $68.84 and a fifty-two week high of $92.02. The company has a market cap of $110.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.88, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 2.30 and a quick ratio of 1.71. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $85.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $80.56. Medtronic (NYSE:MDT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The medical technology company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.04. Medtronic had a return on equity of 13.71% and a net margin of 13.00%. The company had revenue of $8.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.95 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Medtronic plc will post 5.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Medtronic Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced 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. This represents a $2.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. Medtronics payout ratio is 87.90%. Insider Activity In related 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 value of $2,613,065.35. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 48,289 shares in the company, valued at $4,110,842.57. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Medtronic news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 4,997 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.17, for a total transaction of $410,603.49. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 28,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,375,534.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Sean Salmon sold 30,695 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.13, for a total value 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 $4,110,842.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock. Medtronic Profile (Free Report) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MDT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Medtronic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medtronic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Border police officers check documents of travelers at a border checkpoint of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. (Photo by Wei Wenheng/Xinhua) KUNMING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- With visa-free access, three Swiss nationals arrived in southwest China's Yunnan Province via Mohan Port on Thursday. They are the first batch of passengers from the six European countries, namely Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, which enjoy China's visa exemption. "The customs entry is very fast and convenient, and I think I will come to China again," said Kamber Gian Thomas, 25, a Swiss passenger. According to the visa-free policy, which is effective from Thursday to November 30 this year, citizens with ordinary passports from the six European countries are allowed to stay in China for business, sightseeing, visiting families and friends as well as transit for no more than 15 days. On Thursday, east China's Shanghai City also saw 67 passengers from the six European countries enter via the Pudong Airport, according to the airport's border checkpoint. The application of the policy once again marks China's visa-free countries scope expansion after the China-Thailand mutual visa-free agreement came into effect on March 1. Pacifica Partners Inc. boosted its holdings in Toyota Motor Co. (NYSE:TM Free Report) by 53.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 230 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc.s holdings in Toyota Motor were worth $43,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,612 shares of the companys stock worth $649,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,919 shares of the companys stock worth $525,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Optas LLC raised its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Optas LLC now owns 1,323 shares of the companys stock worth $238,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 949 shares of the companys stock worth $171,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Finally, Keel Point LLC raised its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Keel Point LLC now owns 1,570 shares of the companys stock worth $282,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.33% of the companys stock. Get Toyota Motor alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on TM shares. Nomura cut Toyota Motor from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. StockNews.com cut Toyota Motor from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Toyota Motor Price Performance TM stock traded up $3.47 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $234.44. 62,134 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 316,441. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The company has a market capitalization of $317.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.85, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.69. Toyota Motor Co. has a 52-week low of $133.02 and a 52-week high of $253.43. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $217.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $194.33. Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $6.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.66 by $3.15. The business had revenue of $81.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $73.72 billion. Toyota Motor had a return on equity of 14.13% and a net margin of 10.22%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Toyota Motor Co. will post 23.06 earnings per share for the current year. About Toyota Motor (Free Report) Toyota Motor Corporation designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, and related parts and accessories in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. It operates in Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Toyota Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toyota Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacifica Partners Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI) by 162.0% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 241 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 149 shares during the quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc.s holdings in Thomson Reuters were worth $34,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Thomson Reuters during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 134.9% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 195 shares of the business services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermont purchased a new stake in Thomson Reuters in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Thomson Reuters in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Operose Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Thomson Reuters in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. 17.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Thomson Reuters Price Performance Shares of TRI stock traded down $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $156.83. The stock had a trading volume of 76,223 shares, compared to its average volume of 300,927. Thomson Reuters Co. has a one year low of $117.46 and a one year high of $161.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $153.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $139.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.93, a PEG ratio of 4.07 and a beta of 0.66. Thomson Reuters Increases Dividend Thomson Reuters ( NYSE:TRI Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRI) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The business services provider reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.06. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 14.01% and a net margin of 39.67%. The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.76 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.58 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st were paid a dividend of $0.54 per share. This is a boost from Thomson Reuterss previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.38%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 20th. Thomson Reuterss payout ratio is presently 36.99%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TRI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays upgraded Thomson Reuters from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $150.00 to $180.00 in a report on Thursday. Scotiabank increased their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $142.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. National Bank Financial lowered Thomson Reuters from a sector perform under weight rating to an underperform underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Thomson Reuters from $149.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, CIBC increased their target price on Thomson Reuters from $130.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $153.08. View Our Latest Analysis on TRI About Thomson Reuters (Free Report) Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI). Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Park National Corp OH reduced its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO Free Report) by 19.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 240 shares of the companys stock after selling 58 shares during the period. Park National Corp OHs holdings in AutoZone were worth $621,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AZO. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in AutoZone in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Rock Creek Group LP bought a new position in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter worth about $25,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of AutoZone in the second quarter worth about $32,000. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp raised its stake in shares of AutoZone by 166.7% in the third quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter worth about $38,000. 90.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get AutoZone alerts: Insider Transactions at AutoZone In related news, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the 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 transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 2,519 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,427,530.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 2,921 shares in the company, valued at $8,756,456.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,551.62, for a total transaction of $19,902,636.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 2,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,427,530.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 14,807 shares of company stock valued at $39,669,061 in the last quarter. Insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on AZO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of AutoZone from $3,000.00 to $3,200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. TheStreet cut shares of AutoZone from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Truist Financial increased their target price on AutoZone from $3,027.00 to $3,363.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $2,900.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of AutoZone from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $3,020.76. Read Our Latest Stock Report on AZO AutoZone Trading Up 1.0 % Shares of AZO stock opened at $3,119.04 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $2,805.09 and its 200 day moving average is $2,659.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.96, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12 month low of $2,277.88 and a 12 month high of $3,152.66. AutoZone (NYSE:AZO Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $28.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $26.08 by $2.81. The business 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 revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $24.64 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 150.85 EPS for the current year. AutoZone Profile (Free Report) AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AZO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals (NYSE:VTN Get Free Report) major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 3,373 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $10.66 per share, for a total transaction of $35,956.18. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,757,652 shares in the company, valued at $29,396,570.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. Saba Capital Management, L.P. also recently made the following trade(s): Get Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals alerts: On Friday, March 8th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 12,890 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $10.63 per share, for a total transaction of $137,020.70. 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 bought at an average cost of $10.49 per share, for a total transaction of $13,637.00. On Thursday, January 11th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 8,914 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost 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 stock was 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. bought 43,299 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $10.47 per share, for a total transaction of $453,340.53. On Wednesday, January 3rd, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 300 shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost 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 shares were bought at an average price of $10.26 per share, with a total value of $930,592.26. Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals Trading Down 0.6 % Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals stock opened at $10.64 on Friday. Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals has a 1-year low of $8.49 and a 1-year high of $10.75. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.91. Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals Dividend Announcement Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.0394 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.47 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.44%. Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Fiera Capital Corp boosted its holdings in Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 349,204 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,181,000 after purchasing an additional 8,209 shares during the period. Robinson Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals by 6.8% during the 3rd quarter. Robinson Capital Management LLC now owns 208,936 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,891,000 after acquiring an additional 13,329 shares during the last quarter. Almitas Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals during the 3rd quarter worth $166,000. AQR Arbitrage LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals by 89.9% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Arbitrage LLC now owns 136,986 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,248,000 after acquiring an additional 64,847 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fort Point Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals during the 3rd quarter worth $161,000. 25.19% of the stock is currently 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Scottish Mortgage (LON:SMT Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as GBX 822.28 ($10.54) and last traded at GBX 822.20 ($10.53), with a volume of 4063530 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 781 ($10.01). Scottish Mortgage Stock Up 5.4 % The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 781.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 731.87. The company has a market cap of 11.60 billion, a PE ratio of -380.98 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.86, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.50. About Scottish Mortgage (Get Free Report) Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co It invests in public equity markets of countries across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Scottish Mortgage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scottish Mortgage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StrongBox Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,430 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $200,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aflac by 12.7% in the third quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 48,745 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,741,000 after buying an additional 5,477 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aflac by 0.6% in the second quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 81,346 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,678,000 after buying an additional 520 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the third quarter valued at approximately $803,000. MML Investors Services LLC purchased a new stake in Aflac during the second quarter worth $5,237,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in Aflac by 3.5% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 808,447 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $62,048,000 after purchasing an additional 27,660 shares in the last quarter. 66.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Aflac alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Aflac In other Aflac news, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total transaction of $2,436,695.63. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 86,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,879,451.90. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total value of $2,436,695.63. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 86,090 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,879,451.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Arthur Reginald Collins sold 3,000 shares of the businesss 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 transaction, the director now owns 5,592 shares in the company, valued at approximately $445,850.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Aflac Trading Up 0.8 % Aflac stock traded up $0.67 during trading on Friday, hitting $84.24. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,358,272 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,213,467. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.91. The stocks fifty day moving average is $81.31 and its 200 day moving average is $80.10. Aflac Incorporated has a 1-year low of $60.32 and a 1-year high of $86.20. 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 (NYSE:AFL Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.22). The business had revenue of $3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.44 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 24.92% and a return on equity of 17.59%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.29 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.41 EPS for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have commented on AFL shares. Evercore ISI downgraded Aflac from an in-line rating to an underperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $76.00 to $78.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Aflac from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Raymond James boosted their price target on Aflac from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Aflac from $61.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Aflac from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two 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 $80.36. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Aflac Aflac Company Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. decreased its holdings in Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Free Report) by 2.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 4,427 shares of the companys stock after selling 118 shares during the quarter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Molina Healthcare were worth $1,600,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 6,315 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,766,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 8,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,785,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 5.0% in the 3rd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 763 shares of the companys stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 40.4% in the 3rd quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 125 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. increased its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. now owns 1,238 shares of the companys stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.11% of the companys stock. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Molina Healthcare Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of NYSE:MOH traded down $1.33 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $405.35. The companys stock had a trading volume of 134,838 shares, compared to its average volume of 395,284. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.65, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.54. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $382.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $358.97. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $258.42 and a fifty-two week high of $410.00. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Molina Healthcare ( NYSE:MOH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.35 billion. Molina Healthcare had a return on equity of 32.34% and a net margin of 3.20%. The firms revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.10 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 23.62 earnings per share for the current year. A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Molina Healthcare from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $367.00 to $420.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Barclays assumed coverage on Molina Healthcare in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. They set an equal weight rating and a $437.00 price objective on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Molina Healthcare from $435.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on Molina Healthcare from $374.00 to $406.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $385.91. Get Our Latest Research Report on MOH Insider Activity In related news, CFO Mark Lowell Keim sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.56, for a total transaction of $5,798,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,531 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,121,423.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $401.05, for a total transaction of $401,050.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,494,567.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Mark Lowell Keim sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 36,531 shares in the company, valued at $14,121,423.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 16,711 shares of company stock valued at $6,472,517 in the last ninety days. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Molina Healthcare (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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MOH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Transcontinental (TSE:TCL.A Get Free Report) had its target price upped by investment analysts at CIBC from C$16.00 to C$17.00 in a report released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs target price would suggest a potential upside of 12.06% from the stocks current price. Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Scotiabank set a C$19.50 price target on shares of Transcontinental and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Transcontinental from C$14.00 to C$15.50 in a report on Thursday. Cormark upped their price target on shares of Transcontinental from C$21.50 to C$23.00 in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Transcontinental from C$20.00 to C$21.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, National Bankshares boosted their price objective on Transcontinental from C$16.00 to C$17.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$18.83. Get Transcontinental alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on TCL.A Transcontinental Stock Performance About Transcontinental Transcontinental stock traded up C$0.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$15.17. 79,457 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 188,100. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$13.86 and its 200-day moving average price is C$12.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 58.19, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.31, a P/E/G ratio of 6.05 and a beta of 1.00. Transcontinental has a 1 year low of C$10.11 and a 1 year high of C$15.26. (Get Free Report) Transcontinental Inc engages in flexible packaging business in Canada, the United States, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. It operates through three segments: Packaging, Printing, and Media. The Packaging segment engages in extrusion, lamination, printing, and converting activities, as well as offers flexible plastic and paper products, including rollstock, bags and pouches, coextruded films, shrink films and bags, and advanced coatings. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Transcontinental Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transcontinental and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC lessened its holdings in shares of McKesson Co. (NYSE:MCK Free Report) by 10.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,094 shares of the companys stock after selling 122 shares during the period. WealthPLAN Partners LLCs holdings in McKesson were worth $506,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MCK. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in McKesson by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 11,514,039 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,920,064,000 after acquiring an additional 122,156 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in McKesson by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,508,134 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,784,399,000 after acquiring an additional 187,371 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in McKesson by 16.0% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,148,794 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,238,953,000 after acquiring an additional 708,438 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in McKesson by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,486,792 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,059,447,000 after acquiring an additional 22,726 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in McKesson by 14.0% in the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,398,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,042,937,000 after acquiring an additional 294,832 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.69% of the companys stock. Get McKesson alerts: McKesson Stock Performance Shares of MCK traded down $0.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $528.84. 228,327 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 760,274. McKesson Co. has a 52 week low of $332.40 and a 52 week high of $537.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.49 billion, a PE ratio of 23.99, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.44. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $503.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $467.40. McKesson Announces Dividend McKesson ( NYSE:MCK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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. McKesson had a negative return on equity of 262.63% and a net margin of 0.99%. The company had revenue of $80.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $77.93 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $6.90 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 14.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that McKesson Co. will post 27.61 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. McKessons payout ratio is currently 11.24%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other McKesson news, CEO Brian S. Tyler sold 14,026 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $480.00, for a total value of $6,732,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 43,445 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,853,600. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other McKesson news, EVP Leann B. Smith sold 186 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $496.00, for a total value of $92,256.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,511 shares in the company, valued at $749,456. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Brian S. Tyler sold 14,026 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $480.00, for a total value of $6,732,480.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 43,445 shares in the company, valued at $20,853,600. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have commented on MCK. StockNews.com cut McKesson from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Barclays started coverage on McKesson in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set an overweight rating and a $537.00 price target on the stock. TD Cowen boosted their price target on McKesson from $508.00 to $563.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on McKesson in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. They set an equal weight rating and a $502.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Leerink Partnrs reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of McKesson in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $522.21. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MCK 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McKesson Co. (NYSE:MCK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McKesson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McKesson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Franklin County has found a novel new way to bolster the number of skilled paramedics working in the county. A coalition of groups recently launched a new apprenticeship program, giving aspiring paramedics a clear path for advancement. The Paramedic Apprenticeship Program emerged through a collaboration between The Franklin Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Carilion Clinic, Ferrum College, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and the Franklin County Department of Public Safety. So far, 10 students have signed up to participate in the program which is the first of its kind in Virginia. Efforts to create the program go back as far as 2018, according EMS training coordinator Hamp Ingram with the Franklin County Department of Public Safety. The department wanted to provide more advancement opportunities to EMTs interested in a career in public safety. Franklin Countys public safety department made the initial steps to develop the program, contacting Virginia Commonwealth University which has its own nationally accredited paramedic program. From there, others were brought into the development process. Weve just been working out the finer points of the program, Ingram said. Now fully realized, the program provides a pathway for EMTs to advance their career by becoming a paramedic, which comes with more opportunities and better pay. Paramedics require more training than an EMT that allows them to do more such as inserting an IV or providing medication for a patient. The program also provides more skilled staff for Franklin County. It is something Ingram said is an increasing need in the county as the number of volunteers and paid staff in public safety continues to decline nationwide. It is getting harder and harder to find people to do that type of work, especially on a volunteer basis, Ingram said. We are constantly trying to keep our ranks up. Half of the 10 initial students in the program are currently employed by Franklin County Public Safety. Those students, as well as the others in the program, will be required to shadow paramedics as they work. The paramedics will also monitor them while they perform more advanced tasks usually not allowed by EMTs. Students also receive classroom instruction at The Franklin Center in Rocky Mount. Seth Harris, a 22-year-old resident of Roanoke, is one of the initial students in the program. He currently works as a paid EMT for Franklin County Public Safety. By participating in program, Harris will receive more than 4,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training. Through the program he will obtain national certification and as well as additional credentials. Harris said he started out as a firefighter before becoming an EMT just over a year ago. He never intended to become an EMT or a paramedic, but eventually fell in love with that side of public safety and decided to pursue it further. I didnt think Id enjoy it as much as I do, Harris said. For Harris, he decided to join the program for the opportunities being a paramedic will provide to him. He said becoming a paramedic offers promotions and the chance to be a supervisor. In addition to shadowing paramedics while responding to emergencies in Franklin County, participants in the program also will be required to schedule clinical time at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond due to the university overseeing the program. Some of that clinical time will be able to be obtained more locally due to a partnership with Carilion Clinic. The health care provider is allowing apprenticeship students to obtain clinical hours at Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount. Carl Cline, hospital administrator for Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, has been working closely with Franklin County Public Safety to get the program up and running. The hospital works with paramedics on a daily basis as they bring in patients and Cline understands their importance to the community. This is going to help us grow our paramedics program, Cline said. Apprentices in the program will have access to the hospitals emergency rooms and operating rooms where they will receive training from skilled staff as part of their clinical time. Ingram said the eventual goal will be to bring the apprenticeship program fully under Franklin County through a partnership with Ferrum College. The college is currently taking steps to offer the program in the future. Jason Powell, associate vice president of academic affairs at Ferrum College, said work is progressing on providing the program, but could not provide a timetable on when it may be available. For us, this is a new direction, Powell said of the program. Its part of a push by the school to provide more investment in apprenticeship programs in public safety as well as in building trades. Powell said their goal is provide opportunities to students taking apprenticeship programs such as the paramedic one. He said once students obtain their national certification, they can go on to obtain an associate degree and later a bachelors degree. The first set of students is expected to complete the apprenticeship program next year, Ingram said. He has already received calls from people interested in participating in the next cohort. The hope is those participants will eventually stay and have a career in Franklin County Public Safety. Cline said bringing in and educating more paramedics will be a benefit to everyone in the county. Its a boost to our hospital, a boost to our system and its a boost to our community, Cline said. BEIRUT, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Syrian refugees have imposed a direct cost of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars and an indirect cost of 3 billion dollars yearly on Lebanon, incurring a total cost of 58 billion dollars in 13 years, said Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar on Friday. "Lebanon hosts around 1,468,000 registered displaced Syrians and more than 500,000 undocumented Syrian refugees all over the country," the National News Agency reported, citing Hajjar. Hajjar made the remarks at a conference held in Paris, where the minister stressed that Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, cautioning about potential risks their presence is posing to the country's security and identity. The minister added that the Lebanese population increases by 1 percent annually, while the Syrian refugee population increases by 4 percent, warning that "the number of displaced Syrians will equal that of Lebanese in the foreseeable future." He also noted the refugees' presence had caused pressure and a heavy burden on the state's finances. The minister criticized the international community for attempting to leave Syrian refugees in Lebanon instead of facilitating their return to their homeland, accusing it of "avoiding sharing the burden of Syrian refugees and abandoning its commitments and pledges to secure funding to meet their basic humanitarian needs." Since 2011, the civil conflict in Syria has resulted in a massive influx of refugees into Lebanon. Lebanese officials have often called on the international community to help return refugees to their homeland as the country has suffered from a deep financial crisis since 2019. On Feb. 10, Lebanese Minister of the Displaced Issam Charafeddine said Lebanon will soon resume returning Syrian refugees to their homeland regardless of the international community's position. Grand Island Public Schools on Thursday announced leadership transitions at the district, Barr Middle School, Knickrehm Elementary and Grand Island Senior High. Starting this summer, Joe Eckerman and Opal Bentley will step into district support roles, the district said. Eckerman has been named the Multi-Tiered System of Support positive supports coordinator for GIPS and Bentley has been named MTSS academic and assessment coordinator. Eckerman has been a leader at GIPS since 2020. He has served as principal of Gates Elementary for three years before moving into the principal role at Barr Middle School this school year. Prior to his time with Gates, he served as dean of culture for four years and was a fifth-grade teacher with Omaha Public Schools. Speaking of landing what he calls his dream job, Eckerman said, This area of work has always been my passion. I am excited to partner with all levels. The Multi-Tiered System of Support positive supports coordinator is a role that has been with the district for five years. The role itself has been in transition this year under an interim coordinator. As the full-time coordinator, Eckerman will lead the small team of dedicated MTSS educators in the district and will lead all efforts for teacher and student support in our schools, GIPS said. Bentley has been an leader in the district since 2021. She has served as principal of Knickrehm Elementary for the last three years. Prior to her time at Knickrehm, she also served as a student success liaison at Starr Elementary. She has extensive experience in implementing the MTSS and its intersection with academics at the building level. Looking forward to the new opportunity, Bentley shared, I am extremely excited to join the district team in this very important work. I look forward to being able to support all GIPS schools. Bentley will be the go-to resource for all GIPS schools in preparation for assessments, tracking academic pursuits, collaborating within school continuous improvement plans and providing professional development for staff. As the district office continues to navigate staffing to meet district needs, Bentleys primary focus on academic and assessment support will help fill gaps previously left by two vacated positions. Her expertise will be a welcome addition to building and classroom level support for students and staff. With Eckerman and Bentley set to take on district leadership positions, GIPS is also pleased to share the principal promotions at the schools they previously served. At Barr Middle School, Sheree Stockwell has been named the new principal for the Bulldogs. Stockwell has been with GIPS for a number of years. She served as principal for Jefferson Elementary from 2017-2023. During her Jefferson tenure she earned recognition as the winner of the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals Outstanding New Principal of the Year award. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal at Barr from 2013-2017, and then ventured back to Barr as an A.P. this school year. Speaking to her new leadership opportunity, Stockwell said, Working with middle schoolers, their families and Barr staff has been a great experience this past year. I look forward to continuing our growth and positive impact for years to come. At Knickrehm Elementary, Jennie Ritter has been named the new principal for the Cougars. Ritter is a familiar face within GIPS as she has served as the principal of Seedling Mile Elementary this school year. Prior to joining Seedling Mile, she served as a district administrator in the capacity of Elementary Curriculum Specialist for the Republic School District in Missouri for four years. Before her time in Missouri, Ritter served as a third-grade teacher at Starr Elementary School in GIPS from 2006-2009. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Seedling Mile and cant speak highly enough about the students, staff, and families here. We have made great gains this year and I am so proud of everyone involved, Ritter shared. Having said that, I am very excited and honored to have been selected as the new Knickrehm principal. It will be fulfilling to me to be able to focus my efforts solely on being a principal in a larger school now that I have some experience under my belt. Mrs. Bentley has done an excellent job setting us up for success. The longevity of the staff at Knickrehm speaks volumes. GIPS will immediately begin the search for the next leader for Seedling Mile Elementary and the open assistant principal position at Barr Middle School. The district will share more as the process develops in the coming weeks. Rounding out the district promotions is Eon Lemburg, who has been named the new Assistant Activities Director at Grand Island Senior High. Lemburg has been teaching at Walnut Middle School since 2016. He has served as the Walnut Activities Director for the last three years, in addition to his time teaching social studies. I look forward to continuing to network and build positive relationships with everyone in the district and in the community to represent our brand, GI, to the best of my ability, Lemburg shared. As the Assistant A.D. for the Islanders, Lemburg will serve alongside Chris Ladwig, who is the current GISH Assistant A.D. Ladwig will assume the role of GISH Activities Director this summer, as current A.D. Cindy Wells is set to retire. Superintendent Matt Fisher said, We are excited to have these leaders bring their vision and experience to their new roles! Seeing our own people grow as education leaders is a point of great pride for us. Great things are ahead for this group as they continue supporting our students and staff. As these leaders look to move into their roles early this summer, the district will be scheduling opportunities for staff, students and families to connect with them before the next school year. Grand Island Public Schools is excited for what the future holds for these leaders and how theyll help shape the future of our students. Its interesting how sometimes things just work out. It was one of those lemons into lemonade kind of thing, answered Michelle Setlik when asked about the origins of the upcoming Womens History Walk. Setlik, a local historian, was to present the program for the March Bygone Book Club in honor of Womens History Month. But filming of the David Kauffmann documentary was scheduled to wrap up the same weekend, so book club had to be rescheduled. (Both are projects of the Hall County Historical Society.) Thats when the light bulb went off. Its Womens History Month. The Hargis House is just across the street. Lets do something bigger and better, said Setlik, the historical societys vice president. And the Hall County Womens History Walk came into focus. The inaugural event is set for noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Hargis House, 1109 W. Second St. The Bygone Book Club will meet prior to the event, starting at 11 a.m. Eleven women who made an impact on Hall County will be honored. They are: Edith and Grace Abbott, social justice pioneers social justice pioneers Sabra Abbott, educator and librarian educator and librarian Irene Abernethy, political trailblazer political trailblazer Mae Clark, record-setting school administrator record-setting school administrator Marval Hornady, businesswoman and community advocate businesswoman and community advocate Mertie Johnson, military healthcare pioneer military healthcare pioneer Bobbie Lawrey, champion of reading, libraries and kids champion of reading, libraries and kids Evelyn Ryan, civic and cultural leader civic and cultural leader Jan Thayer, healthcare and senior living advocate healthcare and senior living advocate Susan Wiese, education and voting rights advocate After her initial aha moment, Setlik reached out to the YWCA of Grand Island, the historical society, Grand Island Public Library, Hargis House and Stuhr Museum. Lets all come together and come up with some names to honor Hall County women, she told them. So thats what they did. Over the past 150 years, Hall County has been the home of many remarkable women who made an impact on the community and beyond. The program partners selected women to be recognized who met one (or more) of the following criteria: Broke barriers, challenged social norms, or paved the way for others. Made significant achievements in their chosen field. Served as leaders in community building activities or organizations. Made a positive impact in Hall County through philanthropy or social causes. Demonstrated resilience in the face of challenges and adversity. Played a crucial role in historical events or activities that have had a lasting impact. The History Walk will feature 10 large posters (the Abbott sisters share one), that include photos and bios of each woman selected. Stuhr Museum provided the photos, Setlik wrote the bios and Shaun Klee at the library designed the posters. I really really hope I did these women justice, Setlik said of the bios, because its difficult to tell someones life story in 500 words or less. Doing the research was enlightening. Immediately preceding this event, at the same location, is the Bygone Book Club discussion. Bygone Book Club is a program of the Grand Island Public Library and Hall County Historical Society. Setlik will lead the discussion on Winifred Gallaghers book New Women in the Old West: From Settlers To Suffragists, An Untold American Story. That book is a riveting history of the Old West told through the pioneering women who used the challenges of migration and settlement as opportunities to advocate for their rights, and transformed the country in the process. Drawing on extraordinary research, personal letters, and diaries, these womens striking achievements not only created homes on the weather-wracked prairies, but played (a) crucial role in the womens rights movement. Both events are free and open to the public. Cant make it to the walk on Saturday? No worries, the posters will be on display just across the street at the library through the end of March. I think this is a great collaboration and it all came together beautifully, Setlik said. I believe that alone we can do good things, but working together we can do great things. Extreme weather looms over Indonesia By Vietnam News Agency Fri, March 15, 2024 | 10:36 pm GMT+7 Floods affected more than 16,700 people in at least 11 areas of Indonesias Central Java and East Java last week, of them 280 forced to flee to safer places, the country's National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported. The flood-hit localities included Salatiga city and parts of Demak, Grobogan, Brebes, Bantul, and Mojokerto districts, the agency said. Floods and landslides in the Indonesian province of West Sumatra have killed at least 26 people while six have been still missing. Residents take shelter from flooding in a tent in Koto Sebelas Tarusan district, South Pesisir regency, West Sumatra, March 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of Antara. The death toll from floods and landslides in West Sumatra province has risen to 32. At least two people have died and hundreds been displaced by severe flooding in several regions of Central Java and East Java. Two foreign tourists were found dead on Thursday on the Indonesian resort island of Bali after heavy rain triggered a landslide that swept away their villa in Jatiluwih village. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency warned that some areas could experience more extreme weather in the coming days, and the northern coast of Central Java may be hit by tidal floods. The Semarang city Disaster Management Agency reported 361 disasters nationwide in the first two months of this year, which left 47 people dead, 1.6 million displaced, and more than 13,000 houses damaged Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines strives to reach break-even this year By Minh Minh Fri, March 15, 2024 | 4:44 pm GMT+7 Loss-making national flag carrier Vietnam is aiming to offset its operating costs and approach the break-even mark this year with government support, said its chairman Dang Ngoc Hoa. In 2024 and beyond, the airline will expand its operations, resuming suspended routes and launching new air links, including intercontinental flights, Hoa said at a Thursday conference held to discuss monetary policy handling to assist local businesses. Dang Ngoc Hoa, chairman of Vietnam Airlines, speaks at a conference discussing monetary policy handling in assistance of local businesses, Hanoi, March 14, 2024. Photo courtesy of the governments news portal. The firm incurred a consolidated net loss of VND5.81 trillion ($237.8 million) in 2023, marking its fourth consecutive year of unprofitability, but lower than the loss of VND11.3 trillion in 2022, according to its financial statements. Under current legislation, the carrier, with the government holding more than an 86% stake, should have been delisted from the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange due to extended losses. Last month, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises to submit a plan to help Vietnam Airlines survive. At the conference, Hoa said that the carrier had been hit hard by Covid-19 and was still recovering post-pandemic. The governments relaxed visa policy has helped it recovered 80-90% compared to 2019 when the pandemic broke out. Vietnam Airlines is calling for softer loans, particularly medium and long-term deals. It has also asked the central bank to direct commercial lenders to increase their credit lines for the carrier. Under its restructuring plan, Vietnam Airlines will raise its charter capital. The carrier expects the government to direct financial institutions to aid it in this effort, Hoa added. Vietnam Airlines now has charter capital of VND22.18 trillion ($897 million), with Japans ANA Holdings Inc. owning 5.62%. Shares in Vietnam Airlines, coded HVN, dropped 1.11% to VND13,350 ($0.54) at the close on Friday. Malaysia has best investment conditions among Asias emerging and developing countries: Milken Institute By Vietnam News Agency Fri, March 15, 2024 | 10:50 pm GMT+7 Malaysia is the country with best overall investment conditions among emerging and developing (E&D) nations in Asia, according to the Global Opportunity Index (GOI) 2024 report by the USs Milken Institute. Globally, Malaysia has an overall ranking of 27, ahead of Thailand (37) and China (39). A corner of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Bernama. Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Indonesian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, was quoted by local media as saying that it is a testament to Malaysias efforts in enhancing the ease of doing business and addressing key pain points along investors' journey. He noted that the recognition reflects Malaysias volumes of focus on efficient implementation of approved investments, while motivating the country to deliver even better service to help investors make Malaysia their gateway to Asia. Milken Institute said Malaysia, the country with best investment conditions in the region, performed significantly above the E&D average in financial services and institutional frameworks. In addition to Malaysia, China, the regions largest economy, scores significantly above the E&D average on financial access and financial size and conditions, the two subcategories included in financial services, it said. Milken also found that E&D Asia performed relatively well in financial services, with its average score in this category closely trailing that of E&D Europe and ahead of other E&D regions. The GOI categories are business perception, economic fundamentals, financial services, institutional framework, and international standards and policy Thai developer WHA to invest in central Vietnam industrial park By Tri Duc Fri, March 15, 2024 | 8:00 pm GMT+7 Thailand's WHA Industrial Development has received in-principle approval to build a 400-hectare, VND3.5 trillion ($141.5 million) industrial park in the central province of Quang Nam. In a Tuesday document, Quang Nam authorities asked relevant agencies to facilitate project studies by the firm. They also said the project should attract projects in prioritized sectors including automobile, mechanical engineering, electricity, electronics, telecommunications, healthcare, high-tech industry, and logistics. WHA is set to receive official documents from Quang Nam to process the project at an event later this week that will announce provincial plans. The firm had signed a memorandum of understanding with provincial authorities for the project in 2022. WHA Industrial Zone 1 in Nghe An province, central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Nghe An newspaper. WHA currently operates another industrial park in Vietnam - the WHA Industrial Zone 1 in the central province of Nghe An with a total area of 2,100 hectares. Construction of phase 1 covering 145 hectares has been completed, and phase 2 (355 hectares) is under construction. In January 2024, Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, chairperson and CEO of WHA, said the firm had invested $200 million in Nghe An and planned to pour another $1 billion over the next five years. WHA plans to build more industrial parks in Vietnam, including the 500-hectare WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone 1 and 300-hectare WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone 2 in the central province of Thanh Hoa. Earlier this month, WHA submitted a proposal to the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau for building a 1,200-hectare industrial park. 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. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code The two-week filing period for the 2024 statewide and local political races will start this weekend. The filing runs from noon March 16 to noon April 1. All local filing is done at the voter registration and election offices in a candidate's county of residence. All filing for federal and statewide offices is done through the South Carolina Election Commission at scvotes.gov. The SEC can be contacted by phone at 803-734-9060 or email at elections@elections.sc.gov. SEC filing hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Filing for state Senate and state House of Representatives offices can be done through the SEC or the Voter Registration and Election offices in a candidate's county of residence. The Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Election Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located at 1475 Amelia St. in Orangeburg. The office can reached by phone at 803-533-6210. The Bamberg County Voter Registration and Election Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located in the Bamberg County Courthouse Annex at 1234 North St. in Bamberg. The office can be reached by phone at 803-245-3028. The Calhoun County Voter Registration and Election Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located at 102 Courthouse Drive, Suite 115 in St. Matthews. The office can be reached by phone at 803-874-2929 or 803-874-2435. Offices to be filled include U.S. Congress, S.C. House and County Council seats. The primaries will be held June 11 with any runoff scheduled for June 25. The general election is Nov. 5. The following seats and their incumbents are listed below. U.S. Congressional and Senate races U.S. Congressional District 2 Currently held by Joe Wilson with a two-year term U.S. Congressional District 6 - Currently held by James Clyburn with a two-year term State races First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe. The seat is for a four-year term. S.C. Senate seats District 26 Nikki Setzler District 36 Kevin L. Johnson District 39 Vernon Stephens District 40 Brad Hutto The seats are for four-year terms, with Seltzer announcing his retirement this year. S.C. House seats District 90 Justin Bamberg District 91 Lonnie Hosey District 93 Russell Ott Jr. District 95 Gilda Cobb-Hunter The seats are for two-year terms. Ott is not running for re-election to the House seat, but is seeking the Senate District 26 seat instead. Local offices ORANGEBURG COUNTY District 2 County Council Johnny Ravenell District 3 County Council Kenneth Mac McCaster District 4 County Council Joseph Garvin District 5 County Council Janie Cooper Smith Sheriff Leroy Ravenell Coroner Samuetta Marshall Clerk of Court Winnifa B. Clark The seats are for four-year terms. Marshall is retiring. Soil and Water Conservation District Also on the ballot in the November general election is the nonpartisan office of Soil and Water Conservation District, with one seat up for election with a four-year term. The present office holder whose seat is up for election is Harold Donnelly. Candidates for this board must have at least 100 signatures on a petition and complete a Statement of Intention of Candidacy form. Petitions are due at the Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Election Office by noon July 12. The filing period for these positions is from noon Aug. 1 to noon Aug. 15. OCSD and Horse Range Watershed District Also, on the ballot in the November general election are the nonpartisan offices of school board and the Horse Range Watershed District. The filing period for these positions is from noon Aug. 1 to noon Aug. 15. Present office holders in the Horse Range Watershed District whose seats are up for election in 2024 are George Asbury, Nathaniel Abraham and Felicia Baker-Washington. The three seats up for election are for four-year terms. Orangeburg County School Board Seat 2 Sylvia Bruce-Stephens Seat 4 Dr. Lorraine Peeples Seat 6 Ruby Edwards Seat 8 Ralph Lee Brown CALHOUN COUNTY District 1 County Council Richard Carson District 2 County Council Ken Westbury Sheriff Thomas S. Summers Jr. Probate Judge Kathy Brown Clerk of Court Lakeisha Moorer Coroner Donnie B. Porth Auditor April Wise Treasurer Alicia Scott The seats are for four-year terms. BAMBERG COUNTY District 1 County Council Phil Myers District 4 County Council Spencer Donaldson District 5 County Council - Dr. Jonathan Goodman II District 7 County Council Clint Carter Sheriff Kenneth Bamberg Coroner Wallace Hicks Jr. Probate Judge Donna Blume Brown Clerk of Court Jannie Johnson The seats are for four-year terms. Soil and Water Conservation District Also on the ballot in the November general election is the nonpartisan office of Soil and Water Conservation District with one seat up for election with a four-year term. The present office holder whose seat is up for election is Landis A. Hiers. Candidates for this board must have at least 100 signatures on a petition and complete a Statement of Intention of Candidacy form. Petitions are due at the Bamberg County Voter Registration and Election Office by noon July 12. The filing period for these positions is from noon Aug. 1 to noon Aug. 15. During a typical public hearing, leaders explain the details and reasons of their intended course of action and then invite citizens to offer comments and suggestions. Thats not what occurred at the Holly Hill Town Councils monthly meeting on Monday, March 4. Heres what happened. Three owners petitioned for the annexation of multiple properties into the town limits. All of them requested R-2 zoning, which allows medium density residential development. On Feb. 5, the council gave first reading to ordinances annexing 9 parcels. One parcel was inadvertently omitted, so the council held a special called meeting on Feb. 12 to add it to the list. Hours later on Feb. 12, the towns Planning and Zoning Commission voted, after some discussion, to recommend R-2 zoning for 9 of the 10 properties. But for the 10th property, co-chair Justin VanBogart persuaded his colleagues that R-1 low density residential zoning was more appropriate and more compatible with existing adjacent residences. No, its not OK: Officials frown on Holly Hills first vape shop Holly Hill town officials banned food trucks and ultralight aircraft in the past six months. Are vape shops next? On Feb. 15, The Times and Democrat published a legal notice, authorized by the town, stating that a public hearing would be held March 4 on the annexation and zoning of nine of the properties. On Feb. 17, a notice published in The T&D listed three additional parcels, for a total of 12 parcels. The text declared that it hereby supersedes any prior notices, including that published on Feb. 15, 2024. The text also cites the Planning Commissions R-1 recommendation for one parcel. The councils March 4 meeting agenda listed nine parcels that were up for R-2 zoning and one that was up for R-1 zoning. No explanation was given for the absence of the two additional properties identified in the public hearing notice. During the public hearing, two men spoke against the proposed zoning assignments. Their foremost contention was that the addition of more houses, roads, and driveways would worsen stormwater drainage problems on properties at lower elevations. Our ditches are not capable now, David Tawes said. Fix the problems we have (already). People had better listen. It could be their sofa floating out their front door. After about 10 minutes, Mayor Billy Chavis closed the public hearing, opened the council meeting, and offered a prayer. Immediately after that, the mayor made a motion to amend the agenda and assign R-2 zoning to the parcel that the Planning Commission had recommended be zoned R-1. That would allow more homes to be built on the property. Councilman David Barber seconded the motion and the council voted unanimously to approve it. There was no discussion among the council members. Nor was the public given an opportunity to respond to the elected officials abrupt reversal from what they previously indicated about their intentions. After the meeting, Mayor Chavis was asked why he and the council members gave no explanation for their decision, while the Planning Commission members had given their reasons for recommending R-1 zoning. He replied: It goes back to how we originally had it whenever we discussed it with the builder. Thats how we had it it was R-2, with the proper setbacks, the proper barriers around the neighborhood. When asked if he was concerned that the P&Z Commission might take offense at the councils action, Chavis replied, We dont do snubs. They made a recommendation (that the council can accept or reject). At this time the needs of the town outweigh getting into (a debate over) R-1 versus R-2. In other business, Barber reported that the police department is fully staffed, all vehicles are in service, and the recently obtained body cameras are up and running great. The council gave first reading to a 25-year, non-exclusive franchise fee agreement with Brightspeed of South Carolina, which provides Internet services. Brightspeed will now pay the town 4 percent of its revenues from town residents instead of a business license fee of $250 per year. During the time for public comments at the end of the meeting, Tawes asked how the franchise fee agreement benefits Brightspeeds Holly Hill customers. Chavis replied that competition benefits consumers by forcing companies to upgrade their products. Also, he said the town is always looking for ways to increase revenues so it can pay to do things like renovating the middle school campus for the benefit of the towns residents. Town officials have been assured that they will be given ownership of the property after the school district completes the relocation of all middle school classrooms in Holly Hill and Elloree to a new wing of the high school near Santee. That might happen as early as August. The Holly Hill Town Councils next monthly meeting is set for Monday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the large meeting room in the governmental complex at 8423 Old State Road. Contact Town Clerk Shelia Williams at 803-496-3330 for details. NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passenger traffic increased 17.9 percent in 2023 to hit a new high of 2.73 million, the national statistics bureau said Friday. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) said traffic rose from 2.39 million passengers in 2022 as more citizens embraced the train, thanks to its reliability, convenience, and affordability. During the period, December recorded the highest number of traffic, with the train ferrying an all-time high of 304,605 passengers, followed by August at 278,929. The Chinese-built train generated 2.93 billion Kenyan shillings (about 21.8 million U.S. dollars) from the 2.73 million passengers, an increase from 19.3 million dollars in 2022, the KNBS said. Similarly, cargo volumes sustained an upward trend, with the train service hauling 6.53 million tonnes of cargo that generated 108 million dollars, up from 6.01 million tonnes in 2022, which raised 95.5 million dollars in 2022, according to the KNBS. The Chinese-built train has become a crucial means of transport for Kenyan travelers, coming in handy, especially during school holidays and holiday seasons like Easter and Christmas. Fire damaged a Treadwell Street home on Thursday afternoon in Orangeburg. The five residents werent inside of the house when the fire broke out on the second floor, but some were playing outside and others were sitting on the porch. Jacqueline Garrett has been living at the home for 38 years. Garrett said she was sitting on the porch when the fire started. Im still not believing this stuff is real, Garrett said. Garrett has had her share of sorrows over the years. She lost her husband to cancer six years ago. Her son, Joshua Santana James, 36, was murdered in Orangeburg on July 11, 2019. Three years ago, Garretts mother died. And now Garretts house has been damaged by fire. I thank the Lord each time I wake up, but I also ask him, Whats next? she said. Orangeburg Department of Public Safety firefighters arrived on the scene within two minutes after they were dispatched, Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal Jonathan Winningham said. The firefighters could see flames from two of the upstairs windows when they arrived. Firefighters got the fire under control within five to seven minutes, Winningham said. The fire was limited to the corner room on the second floor, he said. Ten firefighters from ODPSs four stations helped put the fire out. Winningham said the American Red Cross is assisting the family, consisting of three adults and children ages 6 and 4. A SVG Port Authority employee who was found dead in his house at Diamond on Monday 11th March, was among three government/state agency employees to die within the space of four days. The deceased, identified as Fernando Serieux who resided in the Diamond Housing Scheme in the East St. George constituency, was, according to reports, discovered in a chair in his living room with his body in an upright position. The cause of death was still under investigation as of press time, Wednesday. Serieux, originally from St. Lucia, was a Senior Clerk at the SVG Port Authority and the leader of Tribes Mas Band. A close friend of the deceased, who also identified as a member of Tribes Mas Band, said that Serieux, a father of three, started the band in St. Lucia and continued it when he moved to SVG. The friend described Serieux as a friendly person and highlighted his friendship with Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for East Kingstown, Luke Browne. Browne, for his part, paid tribute to the former Port Authority employee in a Facebook post on Tuesday, saying inter alia, "He was often a source of wise counsel, political wisdom, strength, support and encouragement for me. The former Port employee was among three government/state agency workers to have died within four days. On Friday 8th March, news broke that CW Prescod Primary School teacher Felicia Alexander died after a battle with an unidentified illness. Two days later, on Sunday 10th, Delise Jones, an employee at the Ministry of Urban Development, passed away. She was the daughter of prominent educator Anne Jones. Both Jones and Serieux were steadfast supporters of the Unity Labour Party (ULP). In a broadcast on the ULPs Star Radio, Jones and Serieux were described as "two stalwarts of the ULP family. Ariel Henry, Haitis unelected prime minister, has resigned. He led the country since the 2021 assassination of its last president, Moise. (Credit: ABC News) Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henry tendered his resignation following an emergency meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations and appealed for calm as the country descends into chaos. Up to Wednesday, there was yet to be a response from the gangs who control large swaths of Haiti and almost all of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and who have been demanding Henrys resignation for weeks. In fact, the influential gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier, who is known as "Barbecue, had warned about "civil war and "genocide unless Henry stepped down. Henrys resignation was greeted by some celebrations in Port-au-Prince, Haitis capital, but it appeared, according to international media sources, that the population remained apprehensive about what was coming next. In that regard, the international and Caribbean Community put forward a proposal for a Transitional Council, but gangs had long objected to this as they pursue their goal of setting up a structure that would ensure them a pivotal place in Haitis governance going forward. The Council, once established, is to be tasked with the authority to appoint an interim prime minister for a transitional period leading up to elections in Haiti. There has been no response from gang leader Jimmy Cherizier to this proposal, but indications are that it will not be acceptable to him and his gangs since it would exclude him from any role in government going forward. A plan to send about 1,000 police officers from Kenya to bolster Haitis beleaguered security forces and an international force that would include representation from some Caribbean countries, have been put on hold following Henrys resignation. The Gangs influence Gangs have grown to become "a power unto themselves Robert Fatton, professor of Government and Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia said, adding that the autonomy of the gangs in Haiti has reached a critical point. "For the last three years, the gangs started to gain autonomy, and now they are a power unto themselves, he told The Associated Press, likening them to a "mini-Mafia state. "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 assessed. Meanwhile, gang members have been attacking state institutions such as police stations, government administrative buildings and prisons, leaving dead bodies reportedly lying in the streets, and forcing the internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. "Criminals have now taken over the country. There is no government, it is becoming a failed state, said Guyanas Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo prior to Mondays emergency CARICOM meeting. All of this comes amid the declaration of a state of emergency and night curfew around the capital Port-au-Prince. According to reports, however, police are now barely visible and are more or less tolerating pillaging and vigilantism. Now, Germany, the EU, the US and other countries have recalled embassy staff for fear of their safety. Three escaped prison inmates from Grenada have been charged with the murder of a US couple who went missing in late February. Police said the suspects hijacked a catamaran, Simplicity, owned by an American couple, Ralph Henry and Kathy Brandel, while they were aboard. The couple is believed to have been thrown overboard after which the suspects sailed northwards to St. Vincent, where they were arrested. Ron Mitchel, 30, Atiba Stanislaus, 25, and Trevon Robertson, 23, were each charged with capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping by authorities in Grenada. Stanislaus is also facing rape charges. Police said the trio escaped prison on 18 February before hijacking the US couples catamaran and sailing 80 miles (128 kilometres) to St Vincent, where they were arrested on 21 February. Grenada police commissioner Don McKenzie said at a news conference last week that the suspects allegedly committed "several criminal acts including bodily harm to the couple. Reports from Grenada said that the three men made their first court appearance on Thursday, March 7. They were placed on remand to await the beginning of a preliminary inquiry on March 27. According to reports from the Royal SVG Police Force (RSVGPF), the couples boat, Simplicity, was found anchored and abandoned at Cumberland Bay, on the north-west coast of mainland St. Vincent. The men are said to have used a dingy from the yacht to come ashore at Petit Bordel, where they took refuge. They a were later apprehended by local law enforcement officers. The yacht, according to the SVGPF, displayed signs of "apparent violence, but the couple was not aboard. Up to press time on Wednesday, the bodies of the American couple had not been recovered, but the couples family have resigned themselves into accepting that Henry and Brandel are dead. The Salty Dawg Sailing Association, of which the American couple were long-time members, said that the couple were spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean. They had spent 10 years living on their boat after selling their home in Alexandria, Virginia, close to Washington DC. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Governor Mark Gordon signed two bills on Thursday; one seeks to help protect key infrastructure in Wyoming from foreign adversaries and one seeks to streamline the contractor licensing process. Senate File 77, sponsored by Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, requires the state to identify critical infrastructure zones once a year. Any property transactions within those zones will be shared with county clerks, the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Those agencies will then determine if the transaction involves a foreign adversary or a state sponsor of terrorism that could pose a threat to national or state security or to critical infrastructure. Our nation has never faced graver threats from adversaries both foreign and domestic, Gordon said in a press release. Protection of Wyoming infrastructure and identifying potential threats to our state or national security must be among our highest priorities. Senate File 114, sponsored by Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, will require local Wyoming governments to recognize contractor licenses issued by other Wyoming counties, cities or towns. The process will allow qualified contractors to skip through additional, time-consuming and expensive licensing requirements when working which will lower the cost of constructing housing, according to a press release from Gordons office. My administration has been passionate in reducing red tape, and while there is certainly more work to be done in addressing Wyomings housing shortage, this new law is a small step towards streamlining unnecessarily redundant and costly requirements, Gordon said. The bill emerged from the interim work of the Regulatory Reduction Task Force, which explored ideas to help expand housing opportunities for Wyomings essential workforce. The Task Force identified a patchwork of state and local licensing requirements that contributed to additional construction costs, raising prices for home buyers. Both bills are to go into effect July 1. SYDNEY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- New legislation has been approved by parliament in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) to ban offshore drilling and mining in a bid to protect beaches and the coastal environment. The state government announced on Friday that the bill secured support from across the parliament, making NSW "the first state in Australia to prohibit seabed petroleum and mineral exploration and mining." Under the newly amended regulation, exploration and recovery of seabed petroleum and minerals in NSW coastal waters will be outlawed. Other development within the state for the purposes of seabed petroleum and mineral exploration and recovery anywhere will also be prohibited. But the ban exempts coastal protection works, including beach nourishment and beach scraping, which can strengthen beaches, dunes, and cliff systems from erosion. Without involving mineral exploration or recovery, certain dredging activities like laying pipelines or submarine cables will also continue, as they are required as routine practice for environmental and economic benefits. "The damage from seabed exploration and mining is significant. It threatens our state's sensitive marine environments, coastal areas, and Indigenous heritage," said Penny Sharpe, NSW minister for climate change and energy. "With broad support, the NSW labor government has taken a responsible and balanced approach to banning seabed mining and protecting our marine environment into the future," Sharpe added. Prism Logistics Manager Kyle True is pushing back against the notion that creating a sand and gravel mine at the south end of Coates Road in Natrona County would harm the environment, quality of life or home values for residents. We have tested the area by digging a hole with a backhoe , True wrote in a press release. Our sampling activities are complete, but our analysis of that data is not yet completed. Preliminarily it is encouraging ... . True promises that if Prism Logistics were to go forward with the mine, he would work with the states Department of Environmental Quality to make sure that land, air, and water resources are protected. He said that he would approach the county commissioners about a conditional use permit if plans become more concrete. As he has told the Star-Tribune during a phone call and during a county commissioners meeting, he stresses the process will likely take months. Natrona County residents packed a county commissioners meeting in early March to tell commissioners their concerns about a possible gravel pit on the state-owned land. Irreversible diseases and health problems, costly and lengthy lawsuits, water, air and noise pollution issues, were all possibilities neighbors raised speaking of the possible loss of a place for all to hike, horseback ride, bike or run. A pit-shaped scar on the side of Casper Mountain the jewel of the county, as one speaker put it. True was one of the first speakers during that public meeting, and the press release echoed many of his statements. Until we have prepared a plan we would be largely speculating about the concerns that have been raised by area residents, so we are waiting until we have proceeded to engage in detail publicly, True said in the release. Generally speaking, I can say that the gravel pit operations are not nearly as large as depicted in opposition literature, nor as dangerous as alleged by concerned citizens. I also doubt that one would negatively impact local home values. As the Star-Tribune previously reported, another key aspect of the issue revolves around Senate File 44, which amends how the state handles limited mining operations. It is sponsored by the Joint Business, Minerals and Economic Development Interim Committee. The link that connects it to this issue is that, sans an amendment from Representative Steve Harshman, R-Casper, it would allow developers like Kyle True to only need approval from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. He wouldnt need a conditional use permit from the county commissioners or additional approval from the state board of land commissioners, nor would others seeking to mine on state-owned land. The amendment passed both the House and Senate. Senate File 44 is now on Governor Gordons desk, according to an email from his spokesperson, and under review. Gordon has until March 23 to take action on it. CHEYENNE Former State Auditor Dave Ferrari died recently at the age of 80. His passing was announced by a two-paragraph obit in the Cheyenne paper. Which was fitting somehow. Although Ferrari was elected twice to political office as a Republican once by an amazing number he was an indifferent politician. An introverted honest and very smart cookie, he was uncomfortable doing political things like riding a horse or in a carriage in the Cheyenne Frontier Days parades. Instead he walked alongside the horses and carriages while holding a small flag as he greeted people. Ferrari, who had a MBA degree from UW, had been budget director for Republican Gov. Stan Hathaway. Before that, he was chief financial officer for the education department. Hathaways successor, Democratic Gov. Ed Herschler wanted Ferrari to continue on as his budget director but Ferrari had already committed to be deputy for the new state auditor, James B. Griffith of Lusk. For years Ferrari was a tremendous asset to Griffith who was a born politician. When Griffith retired in 1990, Ferrari ran for his seat and won the Republican primary over then Deputy Auditor Tom Jones and then the general election as well. During his eight years in office, Ferrari made few friends within state government. He was often critical of state employees or department heads who may have been fudging on their bills or hours at work. He also began to push for an ethics law or rule to govern all members of state government including the Legislature. Although he never got the type of strong ethics rule he wanted, the conversation alone compelled government people and lawmakers to examine their potential conflicts of interest and their consciences. In his last term he partnered with Secretary of State Diana Ohman as members of the state Board of Land Commissioners. They pushed for the board to fully recognize the boards major responsibility to the public schools when administering state public lands and land sales. During the economic downturn of a those years, he kept finding money whether it was from a changed accounting method or some coffee can of money that had been overlooked. After Ferrari left public office, he became a consultant and was hired by Democratic Gov. Mike Sullivan to reorganize state government departments and agencies. It was an attempt to increase the efficiency of government by changing it; He ruffled some more feathers. But he was able to trim the number of agencies almost in half and pull a lot of employees out of their silos so they could fulfill their role as part of a government program or operation. He left a big mark on government, according to the current state auditor Kris Racines. His fingerprints are all over the way we run the state of Wyoming today, she said, according to Cowboy Daily News. His dedication to our state, good governance and efficiency is undeniable. Amen. Meanwhile people are waiting to see how Gov. Mark Gordon will handle the large pile of bills sitting on his desk, waiting to be signed or allowing them to go into effect without his signature. (the easy out) At least the Legislature gave Gordon a budget that wasnt too badly battered. And to its credit, the lawmakers also sent down to his office a few reasonable property tax bills. I am sure the lawyers are watching other bills ripe for a lawsuit, specifically the new education savings proposal which started out as a measure to help low income families send their little kids to pre-school. It ended up as a voucher program for all students so they could attend charter school, including religious charter schools, with state money We are not alone. North Carolina passed an identical bill that also began as a pre-school bill for lower income parents. These are bills from the National Freedom Caucus that caused such chaos and gridlock in Congress and has now moved into the states. Many of the 11 legislatures with state-based Freedom Caucuses have seen their Republican majorities splinter and descend into bitter conflict with the application of the Congress-honed tactics, Politico wrote last week. The effect, however, has been to sow the seeds of division in places like Wyoming and Missouri, where theres already bad blood with a Freedom Caucus outpost that was only officially formed in January. Missouri Republican leaders were so frustrated by the caucus tactics that they stripped members of committee assignments and choice parking spots. Sound familiar? Contact Joan Barron at 307-632-2534 or jmbarron@bresnan.net 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. Last Tuesday, 17 prison officers and six inmates were injured at the Port of Spain prison. Social media had described the incident as a riot, but when contacted by the Express, Commissioner of Prisons Deopersad Ramoutar downplayed the event, stating in a media release later that it was all in a days work for the prison officers who are at times, undervalued, and unappreciated. Everyones injuries were said to be minor, although all the officers involved were still sent on sick leave. Tucson police are searching for clues in the killing of a woman whose body was found Wednesday morning in a drainage tunnel on the city's east side. Officers found the body of Casandrah Poole about 9 a.m. in the tunnel east of South Wilmot and East Stella roads following a 911 call, police said Thursday in a news release. Poole's body showed signs of trauma, the release said. Detectives ask that anyone with information call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line. With visa-free access, three Swiss nationals arrived in southwest China's Yunnan Province via Mohan Port on Thursday. #XinhuaNews PHOENIX A Senate committee approved an expansion of an Arizona self-defense law, making it apply not just in someone's home and yard but on any property they own or control after a fiery debate on Thursday. Republicans backed what the sponsor of House Bill 2843 originally framed as a needed protection for farmers and ranchers. That drew a sharp response from Democrats, who called it a virtual license to gun down migrants. But in debate at the Judiciary Committee that lasted an hour, Rep. Justin Heap, R-Mesa, the sponsor of the measure, said it had nothing to do with migrants and only makes a minor change to the existing "castle doctrine" defense. "It just makes it clear to judges in what circumstances you can raise a defense in court," Heap told the Senate Judiciary Committee. That, however, is not how Heap sold the measure when it went through the House. He told colleagues that the law was needed specifically to give ranchers and farmers tools they need to stop large number of migrants from crossing their lands. Those remarks during testimony in an earlier House committee hearing were widely reported in various news media. During that much more sedate House hearing last month, Heap said the change would simply give legal cover for property owners to threaten to use deadly force to evict a trespasser on vast swaths of the states open ranch and farmland. If they actually used deadly force, they'd have to show they were themselves threatened. Heap tried to walk back those statements on Thursday, saying the change in law he was proposing had nothing to do with immigration. But the damage was done. "My first question would be why were you surprised that the attention that this has brought is what it is," Sen. Anna Hernandez, D-Phoenix, asked Heap. Heap said statements he was quoted as making at that hearing were inaccurately conveyed. But numerous Democrats read directly from transcripts during Thursdays hearing. And a review by Capitol Media Services of Heaps testimony confirmed it. Republicans, however, slammed the media for crafting an inaccurate narrative. Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said it does not change existing law that only allows someone to shoot in defense of themselves or someone else. "Yet all the opponents of this bill have blanketed the news media with 'you can use deadly force in your house, and now we're taking it outside,'" said Kavanagh. "The result will be some people may be killed because of misinformation gun control people against this bill have spread all over the place.'' He said people who believe that could end up being charged with homicide because they thought the reports were accurate. "Lets stop the misinformation," he added. "This bill does nothing but expand the area of the existing law, which doesnt allow deadly force purely for trespass," Kavanagh said. "And decent people who were misled by that lie will end up being prosecuted for criminally negligent homicide or manslaughter because they thought that they could shoot to kill in their house." Others, however, said the effects of what Heap is proposing are significant. Anne Thompson, a volunteer for Moms Demand Action, a group that pushes for strong gun laws, urged the panel not to broaden the state's self-defense laws. "Unfortunately, the ramifications of this bill can be dehumanizing and can provoke vigilantism and escalate conflicts to violence," Thompson said. Marilyn Rodriguez, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, warned that enacting the measure would be misread by ordinary people namely the farmers and ranchers Heap initially said he was trying to help. "Often it is applied so broadly by individuals and then held up by law enforcement as a means to shoot and kill trespassers who are marching across your farmland at the border," Rodriguez said. Arizona has several trespassing laws on the books, including one that already allows a property owner or manager to order someone to leave their land and to ask law enforcement officers to compel them to do so or be arrested. The change in law that Heap is proposing is in the actual self-defense law. Currently, that law applies only to a residence or a residential yard. The measure was passed by the committee on a 4-3 vote, with only Republicans in support. "Every week Im amazed by the egregious types of bills that we hear in this committee and other committees and as we vote for them in the (majority Republican) makeup of what exists now," Hernandez said. "The fact that were trying to expand legislation that would encourage killing and shooting that would result in death is wild to me." Republicans continued to push back, calling the narrative embraced by minority Democrats false. "I am disturbed by the amount of misinformation and politicking taking place from the left side of the dais today," said Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson. "And if you read the bill, you would see that your arguments have nothing to do with the bill. You've clearly not read the bill." That prompted one last eruption during the hearing, this one from Sen. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe. "I clearly read the bill, aloud, to the audience, so do not accuse me of not reading the bill," Epstein said. "Misinformed, misinformed," Wadsack shot back. Heap said during House meetings that he was pushing for the change because of concerns with ambiguities in the current law raised by prosecutors in Yuma and Yavapai counties. But the two county attorneys, Jon Smith in Yuma and Dennis McGrane in Yavapai, told Capitol Media Services they had not asked for the law to be changed. McGrane said a recent case in his county did involve questions on how the law applied in specific circumstances. He said, though, someone outside his office raised it with a lawmaker. Pima County Attorney Laura Conover will enter a diversion program following complaints to the Arizona State Bar about her conduct. Were all human beings, Conover said in a statement Wednesday, rebutting the 22 complaints lodged by David Berkman, a former top prosecutor in the office. Each one of us can learn from past events. Berkman filed the complaints based on false statements Conover made during her last campaign, false statements concerning her employees, failing to represent the Board of Supervisors in an ethical manner, and failing to ethically administer justice in the Louis Taylor case, he said. While Conover admitted to no wrongdoing, she did enter an agreement with the State Bar to seek advice from experts on several topics, including ethics, communication and perception. She will also attend an educational seminar, she said. Arizona State Bar Counsel Kelly Goldstein said she reviewed Berkmans complaints against Conover during a disciplinary investigation, and it was agreed that Conover would participate in a State Bar diversion program. Once Conover completes the programs terms, the result will end with the underlying matter being dismissed, Goldstein wrote in a letter to Berkman. And while shes agreed to enter a State Bar diversion program, Conover remains steadfast that shes done nothing to deserve a seat at that table. I have not been found guilty of any ethical transgressions, and I have not admitted to any, Conover said. Instead, Conover pointed the finger toward Berkman, who filed the Bar complaints against her, who she says is treating public safety like a game. Berkman has been a steady critic of Conovers performance since she took office in 2021. Hes criticized what he said was a conflict of interest in her handling of cases involving defendant Louis Taylor, the massive turnover in the office and even sued her office over failing to provide public records. Conover said she refuses to give Berkman and his allegations even two more minutes of her time, refusing on Thursday to answer specific questions about his claims or give details about the diversion program. Taylor Tasler, a spokeswoman for the State Bar, said only that the matter is closed but has no public disposition. Details of diversion or not, Berkman said hes just glad to see something being done about a saga that began years ago. He reiterated that he didnt file complaints with the Bar in a punitive way, but rather hopes that the actions taken will work, and that Conover changes her ways. According to the State Bars guidelines, the purpose of the diversion program is to protect the public through educational, remedial and rehabilitative programs so that attorneys modify ... conduct that does not comply with the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct. Conover said Berkmans attempts to see her penalized have fallen flat and that no one is above furthering their education, which is what she plans to do during her time in the diversion program. Im not going to give him a full-blown trial, Conover said. I can learn more about communication ... But, I refuse to be distracted from my sacred oath of office. When Marana resident Patrick Claflin opened his Southwest Gas bill for January, he was in for a shock. His bill had more than doubled, from $98 to $215, though he didnt recall any unusual usage and keeps his home gas furnace thermostat at 73 degrees. Who can pay these added expenses on a fixed income? Claflin told the Star. This is just not right. I can see $20 or $30 dollars but not $117 more, a plus 100% increase from the prior month. Claflin isnt alone. Southwest Gas has been fielding bill complaints from customers in Arizona after recent rate increases and a significant jump in charges that offset the commodity prices the utility pays for gas. The story is much the same in Southwest Gas service territory in Nevada, where a group of customers protested higher bills outside of the utilitys Las Vegas office in mid-February. Compared with last year, the gas costs paid by Arizona customers have jumped 51%, Southwest Gas says. Spikes of the past Much of that increase has been driven by the retroactive recovery of wholesale natural gas prices that spiked during the massive winter storm of February 2021, creating a power crisis in Texas, and in 2022 after Russias invasion of Ukraine roiled global energy markets. The benchmark Henry Hub gas price peaked to nearly $9 per million British Thermal Units in mid-2022, driven partly by Russias invasion of Ukraine, and remained high before dropping in January 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Amid tight market supplies and regional demand spikes driven by freezing weather, Southwest Gas says it paid an average monthly gas cost of more than $25 per mmBTU in January 2021 and between about $5 and $8 per mmBTU during most of 2022, before its cost dropped to the $3 range in early 2023. (A mmBTU equals roughly 10 therms.) Marketwide, the Henry Hub price fell from an average $6.45 per mmBTU in 2022 to just $2.53 in 2023, and has plummeted to under $2 recently, according federal data. But customers of Southwest Gas are still paying for those earlier prices spikes of more than a year ago, because of the way company is allowed to retroactively recover its costs to buy and transport gas, with no markup or profit to the company. Under a rate provision overseen by the Arizona Corporation Commission, Southwest Gas is allowed to recover its gas costs incrementally by adjusting customer usage rates based on a rolling, 12-month average of the utilitys cost, with changes capped monthly at up to 15 cents per therm, up or down. That helps spread out cost increases to minimize the impact on customers, said Matt Derr, vice president of regulation for Southwest Gas. Its mathematically designed to shield customers from the immediate price impacts, he said. It slowly rolls up over time and then slowly rolls back down, and we dont need commission approval to change the rate. The good news, Derr said, is that the gas charge is already coming down 10 cents per therm this month and will continue to fall this year. Balancing charge But in addition to the incrementally adjusted gas charges, the cost-recovery provision also includes a gas-cost balancing account charge that tracks the gas-cost rate against the actual cost of gas paid by Southwest Gas. The balancing rate is adjusted to allow over-collections to be returned to customers through bill credits, or under-collections to be recovered by Southwest Gas through a surcharge. Southwest Gas customers are now paying more for that balancing charge to offset past spikes in wholesale gas costs. Last July, the Corporation Commission voted to allow Southwest Gas to recover about $357 million to cover excess gas costs through the balancing account over two years, boosting average home bills by about $5 per month through July 2025. The company is forecasting that its average gas cost will stay around or below $4 per mmBTU through 2024, rising just over $5 next winter and flattening again next year. But natural gas prices are volatile, and the recent collapse of gas to below $2 has prompted several major U.S. gas drillers to announce production cuts that could push prices upward again, analysts say. Delivery rates rise Meanwhile, Southwest Gas delivery charge, which covers the companys operating costs and system investments plus a regulated profit margin, also has been on the rise as the company seeks to cover rising operating costs and recoup the cost of system investments. In January, the Corporation Commission approved new rates expected to add about $3 or 6.7% to the monthly residential gas bill for average usage of 24 therms, while small-business customers would see an average monthly increase of nearly 13%. That followed a rate increase that went into effect in January 2021, which raised average home gas bills by 9.7% And in early February, Southwest filed an application with the Corporation Commission for a revenue increase of $125.6 million, or 11.9%, that would raise the average residential customer bill by $7.15 per month. Whatever increase the Corporation Commission grants will likely go into effect next year, after hearings before an administrative law judge who will make a recommendation to the full commission. Derr noted that the companys delivery charge has risen relatively slowly over the past dozen years, compared with gas costs. He cited figures showing that in January 2012, the delivery charge comprised $27.58 of an average monthly home bill of $41.18, and this past year comprised $34.97 of an average bill of $57.35. Slumping natural gas prices helped lower average Southwest Gas bills in 2021 with gas costs comprising just $4.93 of a total average bill of $37.36 in January 2021. But the average monthly gas cost rose to $15.08 by January 2023, and to $23.46 in January this year, according to Southwest Gas. This really points out that the biggest driver of those higher bills, its going to be that gas cost, Derr said. And then you layer that on top of high usage, and you guys had like two weeks of freezes in Tucson (in January).... You can kind of understand thats why the customer is feeling the highest bill that theyve had. Mercy of the market As a natural gas distribution utility, Southwest Gas is largely at the mercy of the market. The utility now produces some renewable natural gas at methane-capture projects at three dairy farms and two wastewater plants in Arizona that went online in the past few years. Southwest Gas also stores some natural gas at a liquified natural gas (LNG) facility it opened in late 2019 near East Valencia and South Pantano Roads, which can store three or four days worth of gas supply to serve some 280,000 customers in Southern Arizona. That LNG supply is used mainly as needed to vaporize and inject into the local supply for reliability purposes, Derr said, adding that some of that gas was used when gas costs skyrocketed during the 2021 winter storm. Generally, the company buys gas during the year under a baseload supply plan and then makes daily purchases as needed, Derr said. A program of gas-price hedging through contracts to lock in prices was dropped several years ago with the approval of the Corporation Commission, after studies showed it ended up costing customers more, he added. Weather and climate Southwest Gas estimated bill impacts are based on an annual average monthly usage of 24 therms on home bills across its Arizona service territory, which includes warmer areas like Phoenix and much of Central Arizona. But the impacts are greater for higher gas usage during the winter months and areas with higher elevations and cooler climes, like Tucson and much of Southern Arizona. The average usage for Southwest Gas customers in Tucson is 28 therms per month, with average monthly usage in the winter at 46 therms, compared with the statewide winter average of about 35 therms, according to Southwest Gas. The impact of the usage-based charges are magnified for higher users, and greater for all users during cold snaps. Claflin looked back at his bills and realized he used a lot more gas in January than in December 2023. Indeed, a cold and wet January included a stretch of days with overnight lows at or below 30 degrees, and daily highs were in the 50s for much of the first half of the month, while a rainy spell later in the month pushed the months precipitation to nearly and inch more average, according to the National Weather Service. That followed a December 2023 that was the sixth-warmest on record, with an average temperature nearly 5 degrees above normal. Claflin said hell keep an eye on his usage in the hope that his bills will return to normal. Given my second look at the billing and understanding we are in the winter time in Arizona this is not surprising, he said. Its just scary when youre on a fixed income, to get such a higher bill. Lowering your bill While no one can control the weather, gas customers can limit their usage by using programmable thermostats and lowering their thermostat temperature in the winter, improving insulation and sealing air leaks, and using energy-efficient appliances. Southwest Gas also offers an equal-payment plan that levels your monthly bill over the year based on your usage. The company offers an online Energy Savings Portal that helps customers compare their monthly gas usage and benchmark them to similar homes in the area. Customers also can take a home energy analysis to see how their homes uses energy and get personalized tips at tucne.ws/savegas. Bill helps reach more Meanwhile, more lower-income Southwest Gas customers in Arizona can now qualify for the companys Low-Income Ratepayer Assistance, or LIRA, program, which provides a 30% bill discount for eligible customers as well as a discounted basic service charge. Under the companys most recent rate decision in January, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved extending the LIRA discount from winter months only to year-round, and upping the qualification level to 250% of the federal poverty level based on total household income. Those eligibility thresholds now range from $36,450 for a single householder to $75,000 for a household of four. The median household income in the Tucson metro area was $64,323 in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For customers having trouble paying their bills, Southwest Gas offers payment extensions, installment payment plans and referrals to local agencies that offer bill assistance. WASHINGTON A major deadline under the half-century-old War Powers Resolution came this past week for President Joe Biden to obtain Congress' approval to keep waging his military campaign against Yemen's Houthis, in line with its sole authority under the U.S. Constitution to declare war and otherwise authorize military force. Came, and went, in public silence even from Senate Democrats frustrated by the Biden administration's blowing past some of the checkpoints that would give Congress more of a say in the United States' deepening military engagement in the Middle East conflicts. The Biden administration contends that nothing in the War Powers Resolution, or other deadlines, directives and laws, requires it to change its military support for Israel's 5-month-old war in Gaza, or two months of U.S. military strikes on the Houthis, or to submit to greater congressional oversight or control. That's left some frustrated Senate Democrats calibrating how far to go in confronting a president of their own party over his military authority. Democrats are wary of undercutting Biden as he faces a difficult reelection campaign. Their ability to act is limited by their control of only one chamber, the Senate, where some Democrats and many Republicans support Bidens military actions in the Middle East. While Biden's approach gives him more leeway in how he conducts U.S. military engagement since Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, it risks making any crisis deeper if things go wrong. James A. Siebens, leader of the Defense Strategy and Planning project at the Stimson Center in Washington, called it a latent constitutional crisis. Art Dubai showcases artists of the Middle East and Global South CNN takes a closer look at this year's Art Dubai event that celebrates art and artists. The Middle East conflicts have revived a long-running clash between the president, as commander in chief, and Congress, which holds the power to stop and start wars, or lesser uses of military force, and controls their funding. U.S. and British warships, planes and drones opened attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen on Jan. 11. Hundreds of U.S. strikes have followed. The U.S. strikes are aimed at knocking back what has been a surge of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis, a clan-based movement that has seized control of much of northern Yemen, on international shipping in the Red Sea since the Israel-Hamas war began. Biden formally notified Congress the next day. The administration took pains to frame the U.S. military campaign as defensive actions and not as hostilities that fall under the War Powers Resolution. The resolution gives presidents 60 days after notifying Congress theyve sent U.S. forces into armed conflict either to obtain its approval to keep fighting, or to pull out U.S. troops. That deadline was Tuesday. The White House continues to insist that the military actions are to defend U.S. forces and do not fall under the resolution's 60-day provision. Congress pushed through the War Powers Resolution over presidential veto in 1973, moving forcefully to reclaim its authority over U.S. wars abroad as President Richard Nixon expanded the Vietnam War. Since then, presidents have often argued that U.S. involvement in conflicts doesn't amount to hostilities or otherwise fall under the resolution. If lawmakers disapprove, their options include pressuring the executive branch to seek an authorization of military force, trying to get Congress at large to formally order the president to withdraw, withholding funding or stepping up congressional oversight. For Yemen, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy is looking at introducing legislation within weeks that would authorize the U.S. campaign against the Houthis under set limits on the time, geographical range and scope. The plan has not been previously reported. Murphy and other Democrats in Congress have expressed concern about the effectiveness of the U.S. attacks on the Houthis, the risk of further regional escalation and the lack of clarity on the administration's end game. They've asked why the administration sees it as the U.S. militarys mission to protect a global shipping route. This is hostilities.' Theres no congressional authorization for them, Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, told a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing on obtaining congressional authorization for the U.S. strikes on the Houthis. And its not even close." Asked this week what happens now that the 60 days are up, Kaine said it would be premature for Congress to consider authorizing the U.S. action against the Houthis without understanding the strategy. Idaho Sen. James Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had no such doubts. I believe that the president has all the power that he needs under the Constitution to do what hes doing in Yemen, Risch said. But it's Gaza, and the soaring death toll among Palestinian civilians, that has stirred the most protests from Congress. The Israel-Hamas war also has a far higher profile in U.S. domestic politics. While many Americans are dead-set against any cut in military support to Israel, a growing number of Democrats have begun withholding votes from Biden in state presidential primaries to demand more U.S. action for Gaza's trapped people. Some in Congress were frustrated early in the war that the administration bypassed congressional review to rush additional military aid to Israel, by declaring a national security emergency. The United Nations has said Israeli restrictions are keeping many aid trucks from getting into Gaza. The U.S. this month began air drops and work on a sea route to get more food and other vital goods into the territory. Some in Congress are pushing the administration to cut the military aid now, under existing federal law requiring countries that get U.S. military support to use it in compliance with international law, including by allowing humanitarian access to civilians in conflicts. I'm still flabbergasted that the administration hasn't acted, Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen, one of the senators pushing hardest on the point, said. PHOENIX Kari Lake and Mark Finchem want the U.S. Supreme Court to give them a do-over of their losing claim that machines used to tabulate votes in some Arizona counties are so inherently unreliable that they violate their constitutional rights. In a new legal filing, attorney Lawrence Joseph said his clients now have new evidence that was not known when the pair first filed their claim ahead of the 2022 election, evidence they did not get to present to a federal judge in Arizona. Under normal circumstances, appellate courts including the Supreme Court look only at the record of a case to determine whether the trial was conducted fairly. Anything not in evidence at the time of the trial is legally irrelevant. But Joseph told the justices there is enough for them to conclude that a new trial, with this new evidence, could result in a different outcome. Less clear is whether the pair, if they get their new trial, actually hope to overturn the 2022 election that Lake lost for governor and Finchem lost for secretary of state. In his 38-page filing, Joseph contends that the pair suffered a procedural injury. Procedural-rights plaintiffs have standing for a do-over under the proper procedures and standards, even if the election might produce the same winners, he wrote. A court could order do-over relief (i.e., counting the paper ballots) in the 2022 election as well as similar relief for future elections. Lake, at a news conference Friday, acknowledged that option of rerunning the 2022 election she lost to Democrat Katie Hobbs by 17,117 votes. It was run so poorly, youd think that they would want to do that, she said. Still, Lake called that a long shot for any judge to make that ruling. Even if that doesnt happen, Joseph said, the underlying problems the pair contend exist with the voting tallying machines still remain. And that, he said, affects both of them as Lake now is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and Finchem, formerly a GOP state representative from Oro Valley, now hopes to be the state senator from the Prescott area. What I want to make sure is that the 2024 election is both safe and secure, Lake said. Im looking forward right now. In filing suit ahead of the 2022 race, the pair alleged that the machines are unreliable because they are subject to hacking. And they said the use of components in computers from other countries makes them vulnerable. They sought to have the 2022 election conducted with paper ballots, which would be counted by hand, calling it the most effective and presently the only secure election method. But Arizonans already vote on paper ballots; it is only the totals that are tabulated by machines. U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi, who rejected their claims before the 2022 vote, did a deep dive into their allegations. And what they amounted to, Tuchi said was a long chain of hypothetical contingencies ones that have never occurred in Arizona that would have to take place for any harm to occur. Lake and Finchem had no better luck with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals which concluded last year that the pair never presented any evidence that the machines used in Arizona to count ballots had actually ever been hacked. In fact, the judges noted, the attorney for the failed Republican hopefuls conceded that their arguments were limited to potential future hacking, and not based on any past harm. Joseph, in the new legal briefs, said thats no longer the case. Newly discovered evidence ... shows Arizonas Maricopa County flagrantly violated state law for electronic voting systems including using altered software not certified for use in Arizona and actively misrepresented and concealed those violations, he told the justices. Potentially worse although potentially unknown to Maricopa the Dominion Voting Systems Inc. systems used in Maricopa and almost 30 states have a built-in security breach enabling malicious actors to take control of elections, likely without detection, Joseph said. He also said that Lake and Finchem recently obtained system log files from the 2020 election. What those show, Joseph said, is that Maricopa Countys election software has been surreptitiously altered with respect to components controlling how ballots are read and tabulated. And he said that, despite representations to the contrary, the county did not conduct statutorily mandated pre-election logic and accuracy checks prior to the 2020 general election but tested only five spare tabulators. Maricopa did the same thing in connection with the November 2022 election, Joseph said. And then theres the claim that the Dominion machines used to tabulate ballots are not secure. Embedded Dominion employees or any malicious actor who knows where to look can gain total access and control over an election, he told the court. It is like a bank telling the public they have the most secure vault in the world, and then taping the combination on the wall next to the vault door. What Lake and Finchem want is an opportunity to present all of what they say is new evidence at a new trial. All that, she said, will restore faith in the election system. Right now, thats just not the case, Lake said. But she brushed aside questions of whether that lack of faith is because people like her repeatedly make public pronouncements that the system is flawed. I think you need to just open your eyes and start talking to people outside of your newsroom and your bubble, and youll understand that, Lake said. Now the question is whether the justices, who have the benefit of access to the 9th Circuit ruling, find any of that persuasive. In their ruling last year, the appellate judges cited that long chain of hypothetical contingencies that trial judge Tuchi said would have to occur in order for the harms claimed by Lake and Finchem to have occurred. This is the kind of speculation that stretches the concept of imminence beyond its purpose, the appellate judges said. They also cited the safeguards in the system, starting with certification of tabulation machines and pre-election logic and accuracy tests where a set of paper ballots with known total votes is fed through the tabulators and the results compared with what the machines reports. Then after the election, party representatives select a sample of ballots for a hand recount under the oversight of each countys elections department, the appellate judges noted. And they said the states Elections Procedures Manual requires the hardware from tabulators to be stored in secure locations and sealed with tamper-resistant seals. Those regulations also say tabulators cannot be connected to the internet or any external networks and may not contain remote access software or any capability to remotely access the system. The judges also noted that Lake and Finchem, in their complaint about how machine counting is flawed, cited the hand count of ballots in Maricopa County by Cyber Ninjas ordered by Senate President Karen Fann after the 2020 election. The court pointed out that, however, even that report found no substantial differences between its hand count and the official totals. In fact, it actually showed that Democrat Joe Biden won by a wider result over Republican Donald Trump than the reported tally. The judges were no more impressed by arguments by Lake and Finchem that there is a constitutional right to a certain level of accuracy in the Arizona tabulation system. That claim plainly fails, the appellate judges said. It is the job of democratically elected representatives to weigh the pros and cons of various balloting systems, recognizing that no balloting system is perfect, they said. Indeed, the possibility of fraud can never be completely eliminated. There was no immediate response from either the Attorney Generals Office, which is representing the state or the Maricopa County Attorneys Office. None of this directly affects Lakes separate and ongoing litigation to have state judges overturn her loss to Hobbs for governor or, at the very least, order a new election. She continues to claim there were issues with the 2022 race, including what she said was the failure of Maricopa County to properly compare the signature on envelopes containing early ballots with those on file. And Lake separately has accused Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer of illegally inserting more than 300,000 phony ballots into the system and sabotaging Election Day votes by printing the ballots in the wrong size. None of these have been accepted by trial judges, with Lake now seeking review and permission to introduce what she says is new evidence at the state Court of Appeals. Richer, meanwhile, has sued Lake for defamation. And a trial judge rejected Lakes bid to have that lawsuit thrown out. Arizona lawmakers split this week as the House gave overwhelming, bipartisan approval to a bill that would ban use of TikTok in the U.S. if the owners of the social media app dont first sell it to another company. Supporters say the measure is needed because TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, can be used by the Chinese government to spy on Americans. But fans defended the popular app and said the vote just proves that the government is so completely out of touch with reality. This is where our generation is at with media and with how we engage and how we connect, said Lauren Valenzuela, a Tucson resident who uses TikTok to help advertise her business, Sigfus Designs. And you (lawmakers) can just kind of write it off like this silly little thing, or you can engage with it and make it work. The thinking with all this stuff is just so dated, and we just need some new people in there, she said. But Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, who voted for the bill, said that TikTok users will be able to continue using the app if the bill passes it will just ensure that they can continue TikTok safely and securely. We cannot allow a foreign adversary to collect sensitive data on millions of Americans, or use this platform to spread misinformation to undermine our democracy, Stanton said in a statement after the vote. Stanton joined Republican Reps. Juan Ciscomani of Tucson, Eli Crane of Oro Valley and Debbie Lesko of Peoria in support of the bill. Opponents from Arizona included GOP Reps. Andy Biggs of Gilbert and David Schweikert of Fountain Hills, and Democrat Ruben Gallego of Phoenix. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Bullhead City, did not vote. The Arizona delegation reflected the bipartisan vote by the full House, which passed the bill on a 352-65 vote. It now goes to the Senate where its chances are unsure after Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., vowed to block the measure, as he did the last time the issue came up in the Senate. The passage of the House TikTok ban is not just a misguided overreach; its a draconian measure that stifles free expression, tramples constitutional rights, and disrupts the economic pursuits of millions of Americans, Paul said in a statement Wednesday. This is not the first time TikTok has faced a ban. The company fought off similar threats in 2020 when then-President Donald Trump tried to ban it as a threat to national security. Since then, however, Trump has shifted his rhetoric on the app, saying getting rid of TikTok would merely benefit Facebook. I dont want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better, Trump said in a Truth Social post last week. They are a true Enemy of the People! President Joe Biden has said he would sign the TikTok bill if Congress gets it to his desk. Biggs said in a statement that the bill is not a serious attempt to thwart Chinas influence or data collection in the United States. Its time we get serious about restoring our independence from China and truly protecting Americans privacy from both foreign and domestic spying agencies, his statement said. Even though he did not vote Wednesday, Grijalva said he supports the bill because it will help protect Americans data and privacy. Americans should be able to access TikTok while ensuring the platform is not a tool for foreign government spying, intrusive personal data collection and manipulation, he said in a prepared statement. ByteDance said Wednesday that more than 170 million Americans are using TikTok, and it touted an Oxford Economics report that claimed small and midsized businesses generated more than $15 billion in revenue through the app in 2023. Valenzuela said the app has definitely been an asset in helping her business grow, and while she doesnt have all her eggs in one basket, a potential ban of TikTok could hurt her brand. The "coming soon" sign is on the front door of La Estrella Bakery's new downtown location, an 800-square-foot storefront across the street from St. Augustine Cathedral on South Stone Avenue. But it will be weeks before it opens, said Isabel Montano, whose family owns the 39-year-old bakery. When it opens sometime in April, the bakery on the corner of South Stone Avenue and West Ochoa Street will be the fourth location and the first downtown. It's quite small but I think it will be great for the downtown area," said Montano, who runs the family's three operations with her parents, Antonio and Marta Franco, and siblings, Antonio, Sandra and Erica Franco. Register for more free articles. Log in Sign up La Estrella Bakery has been a cornerstone of Tucson's Mexican bakery scene since Antonio and Marta opened the flagship bakery at 5266 S. 12th Ave. in 1985. The couple would raise their four children to adulthood before opening a second at the Mercado District, 120 S. Avenida del Convento, in 2011. Ten years later, they opened a second west side location at the old El Rio Bakery, 901 N. Grande Ave., where Marta and Antonio learned to bake soon after emigrating to Tucson from their native Mexico in the early 1970s. Montano said the family is looking forward to being downtown to serve the growing population of the area's residents and hotel guests. "We truly believe that bakeries belong inside of neighborhoods," she said. "We always wanted to be a Tucson staple where people will ... have these bakeries in their neighborhood, being able to walk to your bakery." Art Haddaway Follow Art Haddaway Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service arrested two men in connection with the November shooting of two buffalo in Owasso. Gunner Lee Richards, 25, a citizen of Chickasaw Nation, from Broken Bow, was arrested Wednesday, March 13, near an RV park in Owasso. Tryston Hunter Needham, 29, also a citizen of Choctaw Nation, from Pittsburg County, was arrested in Tahlequah on Thursday. Richards and Needham have been charged in the Cherokee Nation District Court with two felony counts of cruelty to animals and one felony count of grand larceny. They face charges related to their alleged involvement in killing two bison at an Owasso ranch off of 66th Street North and Mingo Road on Nov. 14, 2023. One buffalo was beheaded and the other suffered severe injuries from gunshot wounds that led to it being euthanized. Ranch owner Bill Rethke, who oversees about 30 buffalo and 50 cows at the property, spoke with Owasso Reporter the day after he showed up to his property to the sight of dead cattle. I went in there and there was blood everywhere his head was gone, Rethke said previously, then there was another one that had two bullets in it. Rethke faced with replacing the livestock, which would have totaled around $12,000 was surprised to receive three yearlings (one bull and two heifer calves) from the Quapaw Nation about two weeks after the incident took place. It means everything, Rethke said previously. Thats pretty impressive. Im blessed. Im just speechless. Needham and Richards have been released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond. The investigation was conducted jointly with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Choctaw Nation. The Cherokee Nation continues to uphold its public safety obligations under the historic McGirt decision and will continue to work with our state and local partners to ensure those who commit crimes are prosecuted, Cherokee Nation Attorney General Chad Harsha said in a news release. Felix Clary Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter Follow Felix Clary 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 Cherokee Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Gov. Kevin Stitt might see tribal sovereignty as a zero sum game, thinking the tribes keep any revenue they gain from tribal vehicle tags or traffic citations. Hoskin said current negotiations with Stitts office over tribal tags are difficult because the two sides are operating on different sets of facts. Hes entitled to his own opinion but not to his own facts, Hoskin said. The tribe has its own tag agents and issues its own titles and registrations. Stitt thinks the state will benefit more if Oklahoma issues Cherokee tags for the tribe, but Hoskin says this should not be a concern. He said millions of dollars of Cherokee tag revenue are put back into communities in the tribes jurisdictional area. Hoskin told the Tulsa World Editorial Board on Thursday that he worries that Stitt may not renew the tribes tag compacts as they are, and he said failure to renew would cost funds that improve lives for all Oklahomans and that they could be lost forever. The Cherokee Nation actually has two motor vehicle compacts, one for Cherokee citizens who reside within the tribes jurisdiction and one for those living outside the tribes jurisdiction. Those compacts specify that 38% of tag revenue from within the jurisdiction must be spent on schools within that same area and that 20% must be dedicated to roads. Stitt spokeswoman Abegail Cave told the Tulsa World that the state is looking for some changes in the Cherokees compacts during the negotiations. She said the administration would like them to be more in line with the compact they have with the Chickasaw Nation. The Chickasaw Nation compact requires the tribe to issue tags through Service Oklahoma, which means the state prints the tags for the Chickasaw Nation and remits a portion of the money to the tribe. Cave said the issue for Stitt lies in the fact that the Cherokee Nation prints its own tags and charges significantly less for them than the state would. She said state tags can be about $2,000, whereas she believes Cherokee Nation tags are only a few hundred dollars. Cave also said the state doesnt know how much money the Cherokee Nation gives to the state from the tag revenue it gains. Since the Chickasaw Nation issues its tags through the state, the state is able to keep track of those numbers easily. Hoskin stressed that the Cherokee Nations way of issuing tags should not be a concern, as much of its tribal tag revenue goes back to the surrounding communities. The chief said $92 million goes to local public school districts, $9 million goes to local law enforcement and municipalities, and $50 million goes to roads and bridge infrastructure improvements. In Kenwood, there used to be a really sad park with a barbed wire fence, he said. If you were a kid in Kenwood and saw that, youd probably think, This is what I deserve. Hoskin said he is dedicated to rejuvenating rural Oklahoma with cell towers, road improvements, better public schools and multimillion-dollar health centers. Our strategy is to go into these communities that the rest of the world forgot about. We didnt forget about them. And we will try to bring some life into them with infrastructure, and not only for the sake of keeping rural America alive, which is a good cause, but because these places are bastions of (Cherokee) language, culture and traditions, said Hoskin. Kenwood is one of the towns the Cherokee Nation is emphasizing on this project because it is a Cherokee community and because it is a community in need. If they wither on the vine, its not just an economic and sentimental, romantic loss. Its a real erosion of language and culture, he said. The Cherokee Nation is building a $65 million health center with a wellness center in Kenwood, reminiscent of its $460 million hospital in Tahlequah, which Hoskin describes as the tribes crown jewel. The tribe built a cell tower in Kenwood last March. You used to not be able to make a cellphone call in Kenwood if you were a kid. If youre a kid today, you have to be able to make one. You need access to education and all the opportunities online. You have to be able to see what you can be, and you have to see it on a smartphone, said Hoskin. The tribe is also building an expanded language program to be held at its Kenwood community center, which will offer immersive Cherokee language courses to the community. Now people say we want to be like Kenwood, and nobody said they wanted to be like Kenwood before. People said the opposite. And it does seem to us that if you start there, then theres pressure on us and our successors to say we cant stop there. Thats why were in Marble City now, which is another community worth visiting and looking at its history, who founded it, and whats happening now. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY After weeks of work, the Appropriations and Budget Committee of the Oklahoma Senate unveiled its first draft of a state budget on Thursday. Senate Resolution 31 will be introduced for a floor vote on Monday, leaders said. Following that, negotiations will begin with the House of Representatives to come to terms on a resolved spending blueprint to send to Gov. Kevin Stitt. In a media statement, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said Thursday evenings unveiling marked a milestone in a new budget transparency process that went better than expected. (It) marks a significant step toward enhancing accountability and public trust in the Senates fiscal decision-making process, Treat said. All 33 (committee) meetings were open, livestreamed and have established a framework that promotes accessibility and a proactive approach to budgeting that will bring further accountability to government. Senate Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, described the resolution as our beginning numbers in a dynamic negotiating process with the House. Still, the numbers, reflecting a proposed budget that would see most state agencies remain flat or receive only slight increases, appear well-defined. Budget totals proposed by the committee: Education: $5,705,903,603 Health and social services: $2,211,397,036 General government and transportation: $1,269,769,640 Public safety and the judiciary: $1,046,702,444 Human services: $923,744,407 Other select agencies: $607,800,000 Natural resources and regulatory services: $470,876,292 Supplemental spending: $92,450,000 I appreciate the diligent work and all the hours senators put into this process, especially the staff who were essential to this process, Treat said. I hope this will be built upon in the future and will continue to promote engagement and responsibility. Last December, Treat announced a plan for a new Senate budget-making process, one intended to be more open and transparent. Oftentimes in this process, the incentive heretofore has been to hold the cards as close to the vest (as possible) so you didnt get leveraged by the House or governor because they knew this was going to be an important priority, Treat said last week. (This year), we prioritized sunshine over leverage. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. China willing to deepen practical cooperation with Fiji: ambassador Xinhua) 10:12, March 15, 2024 SUVA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to deepen and promote practical cooperation in various fields with Fiji, and make efforts to advance key projects in the Pacific island nation, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian said at a press briefing here on Thursday. Chinese experts will conduct a feasibility study of the roads upgrading project on Vanua Levu, the second largest island in north Fiji, later this month, Zhou said. This project, including the renovation of roads with a total length of 82 kilometers and construction of 22 bridges, will connect 61 villages, according to the ambassador. He added that the roads will also cover access for 15 primary and secondary schools as well as three higher education institutions. Once finished, the project will greatly help with the transportation and infrastructure on Vanua Levu, Zhou said. He also expressed hope to further tourism cooperation and open direct flight between the Chinese mainland and Fiji as soon as possible, saying it will attract more tourist groups coming to Fiji and make contributions to local economic development. In addition, the ambassador also called on the two countries to strength cooperation on climate change and cope with global challenges. China will continue to provide assistance and support for Fiji's capacity building to mitigate climate change under South-South cooperation, provide Fiji with climate change supplies via the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center, cultivate talents on climate change and promote the use of renewable energy so as to help Fiji achieve green and low-carbon development, Zhou said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Dominik Bartz, head of Hub International, Duisburg, experiences an intelligent vehicle at an intelligent and connected vehicles testing and demonstration area in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, March 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) WUHAN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of over 20 people from the German city of Duisburg, who recently visited Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, said that they anticipated deeper cooperation with the city. From March 11 to 14, the guests, marking the largest delegation sent by Duisburg over the past 15 years, visited companies in Wuhan related to renewable energy, intelligent vehicles and logistics, among other fields. They also held trade talks with local companies to further consolidate the cooperation between the two cities. "We attach great importance to the cooperation with Wuhan. I have always been happy to come here, and over more than 40 years, our cooperation in many fields has been great," said Soren Link, mayor of Duisburg, who has visited Wuhan five times. Although Wuhan and Duisburg are thousands of kilometers apart, they share many similarities -- both cities are home to world-renowned steel producers, and both are located on the confluence of two major rivers. In 1982, Duisburg became the first city in the Federal Republic of Germany to establish a "sister cities" relationship with Wuhan. During the visit, Dominik Bartz, head of Hub International, Duisburg, traveled in a fully self-driving car for the first time. "The first two to five seconds were really strange, seeing the steering wheel move by itself, but after that, it was a brilliant experience and was really joyful," said Bartz, adding that he hopes to broaden the existing cooperation, especially on battery-powered cars, and is looking for cooperation in the field of hydrogen. Frank Ahrenhold, head of Sustainable Steel Production at Thyssenkrupp Steel, was impressed by the visit to the Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Company. "It's an extraordinary site, with the cleanliness and a lot of green around it. We also saw the central control room with 5G technology that is something unique as well. I'm very impressed with the upfront production," Ahrenhold noted. "There's a lot of potential (for Wuhan and Duisburg) to do something together in green transformation. Because a lot of effort has been made, especially in China and Europe, and we should really team up there," Ahrenhold added. There are currently over 110 German companies established in Wuhan, making Germany among the top 10 largest trading partners of the city. Meanwhile, a Sino-German international industrial park, with a planned area of 20-square-km, has become a new highlight of Wuhan's economic development. "We started our branch in Wuhan in 2014, and since then, we've been developing on the superfast track," said Jack Ge, the managing director of Webasto (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Wuhan Branch, which is among the first batch of companies in the industrial park. "We used to produce only automobile roof systems, but now we can manufacture more products, such as high-voltage heaters, charging piles and radar sensor modules," he said. "What's more, our production lines in Wuhan were all designed by Chinese people, and they have been purchased by many companies in Germany and the United States. Even though we only have around 400 employees, our annual output value surpassed 1.2 billion yuan (about 169 million U.S. dollars) last year," Ge added. "The industrial park looks great. I see great potential," said Daria Kreutzer, head of Foreign Trade, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Niederrhein. "In particular, I think the Germans are really impressed by the very strong ties between your research and your practice, and this is something that the German companies can also learn from," she said. For Kreutzer, the trip to Wuhan has been a useful opportunity to gain insights and gather data. "It is actually good that I'm here to get all this information, because then I can just take everything I get here, take it back and then present in front of our companies," she added. A delegation from the German city of Duisburg visits an intelligent and connected vehicles testing and demonstration area in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, March 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) A delegation from the German city of Duisburg visits a factory of Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Company in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, March 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Daria Kreutzer (L), head of Foreign Trade, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Niederrhein, watches a vehicle at an intelligent and connected vehicles testing and demonstration area in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, March 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Public money for Oklahoma students is paying for email pitches like this one: Good morning! Ryan Walters, state superintendent of Oklahoma, banned porn/explicit reading materials and graphics from classrooms in Oklahoma, but Edmond Public Schools is appealing this action, asking the state Supreme Court to allow porn back in classrooms. That pitch goes on to say: School board members wont even allow adults to read these books out loud, yet Edmond Public Schools are begging for kids to be reading this sexual garbage. And this one, seizing on the death of an Owasso High School student: An open letter called for Ryan (sic) immediate removal from office for, the letter claims, fostering a culture of violence and hate against the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Oklahoma schools. Ryan responded to the letter saying: (this is a) standard tactic of the radical left, and they will stop at nothing to destroy the country and our state. Want Ryan on to discuss? the pitches conclude. Vought Strategies, a communications firm in Arlington, Virginia, sent those emails in recent weeks to national media outlets. The Oklahoma Department of Education hired the firm to write speeches and op-eds and to book Walters on at least 10 national TV and radio appearances per month. That has some people questioning whether Walters is boosting his national profile at the publics expense something Mary Vought, president and founder of the firm, made clear she is working to do. I will work with my network of stakeholders to obtain attendance at national events and conferences in order to increase the national exposure of the client, she wrote in her bid for the contract, public records show. Ties between contractor and state agency Secretary of States Office records show that David Martin, an Education Department employee, set up the LLC for Vought Strategies in Oklahoma on Nov. 9, the last day proposals were accepted. Martin is the registered agent, and he listed the Oliver Hodge Building, where the Oklahoma Department of Education is housed, as his address. Martin did not respond to a voicemail left for him on Tuesday. According to his LinkedIn profile, Martin started working at OSDE in March 2023 as assistant chief operating officer; in November, he was promoted to senior director of technology and accountability. Dan Isett, the departments director of communications, couldnt explain why Martin registered the LLC. No, I dont have anything for you on that, he told KOKH-TV (Fox 25). Vought has pitched Walters to national media outlets on topics including fentanyl and the southern border, drag queens in the classroom, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, teachers unions, library books and his appointment of Chaya Raichik, the far-right social media influencer behind Libs of TikTok, to a library advisory committee. Months ago, Walters, in an interview with KOKH, offered an explanation for why his department needed the public relations contract. He said his national media appearances are for teacher recruitment. So youre saying, we as Oklahoma parents and students are going to benefit from you going on more national media? reporter Wendy Suares asked during the Nov. 13 interview. What Im saying is, we are doing national recruiting efforts for teachers to come to our state, Walters replied. None of the email pitches obtained by FOX 25 and Oklahoma Watch contain any reference to teacher recruitment. The emails were sent by Caroline Woods at Vought Strategies. When reached by phone, Woods referred all questions, including Woods title, to Mary Vought. Vought, in her bid for the contract, said she has 17 years of national media experience and has pitched and orchestrated broadcast interviews including on Fox News, CNN, Bloomberg TV, Newsmax, One America News Network, Sirius XM and Fox News Radio. Voughts was the only bid received, even though the state maintains a list of a dozen Oklahoma-based public relations firms approved for state contracts. The resumes of Mary Vought and Walters top adviser, Matt Langston, appear to overlap. Vought worked for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnsons office from 2011-13. Langston was Johnsons traveling press secretary from June 2010 to January 2011, according to his LinkedIn profile. A spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Friday that Drummonds office had no comment. $5,000 monthly to push Walters message For Voughts work, Oklahoma agreed to pay an estimated $30,000 for the first four months, from March 6 to June 30, public records show. The contract can then be extended for up to three years. Vought, in a Nov. 9 letter submitted to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, said her compensation would be $5,000 per month. She followed up on Nov. 14 with an hourly breakdown, estimating that her firm will spend a total of 25 hours per week, at a rate of $200 per hour. The contract started March 6, but emails make it clear that Vought was working for Walters as early as Aug. 10. Isett on Tuesday told KOKH that Vought already had a contract with the department and that the March 6 contract was an extension. I have an email from central purchasing saying were in the clear to continue working with them while we were waiting for the new RFP (request for proposals) to be approved, Isett said. To be clear, we wouldnt proceed if it were extralegal. Isett did not provide the previous contract before publication. Oklahoma Watchs attempt to inspect the contract in person on Wednesday was rebuffed by department staff. Oklahoma Watch was unable to find a record of payments to Vought in the states online checkbook system through Jan. 31, which is the most recent data available. The top item on the contract shows that the state and Vought agreed that, as of March 6, Vought had not yet begun the work. Supplier shall not commence work, commit funds, incur costs, or in any way act to obligate the state until the contract is effective, it reads. Vought came under fire for a similar contract with Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy. She was hired in 2019 for $4,000 a month in state funds to get him on Fox News and right-wing media outlets and write op-eds under his name. The contract was extended and amended multiple times through the end of Dunleavys second term in 2026, skirting the states procurement laws and playing at political favoritism, according to Dermot Cole, a former writer for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. Vought did not respond to multiple attempts to reach her for comment. Walters is in Washington, D.C., this week, making appearances on Fox News and Newsmax. About Oklahoma Watch Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would prohibit lawyers from making suggestions to jurors about how they might calculate pain and suffering and other non-economic damages in civil cases. The day saw senators work well into the evening to beat a midnight deadline for advancing measures to the House. The session lasted for some 13 hours, slowed considerably at times by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, who opted to read several bills in their entirety out loud. It finally adjourned a few minutes after 10 p.m. Earlier in the day, Sen. President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, told reporters that Dahms decisions to delay proceedings could result in some bills not being heard by the deadline. He went so far as to describe the Broken Arrow lawmakers actions as terroristic. On Friday, Dahm responded that he wanted to make a point that Senate leaders had wasted much time earlier in the legislative session, including on Wednesday, when no bills were heard at all, and that good legislation that conservative lawmakers and most Oklahomans likely would have supported was effectively derailed. He raised questions as to the conservative credentials of some Republican leaders in the Senate and dismissed Treats comments as coming from someone who was overly protective of his reputation and who had suffered a bruised ego. Dahm might have chosen to read other bills in their entirety as the evening wore on Thursday, but he said he felt he had made his point and decided to let proceedings go. Ironically, the last bill senators voted to pass before adjournment was one of Dahms. He said they had acted to advance only three of his bills out of about 20 that he had proposed between last years legislative session and the current one. I was lied to by the leadership team about bills that were to be heard not just mine but others (authored by colleagues) who have also been frustrated about their bills not being heard, Dahm said. They instead chose either not to work or to hear bills by Democrats instead and to not let us represent our constituents. By the end of the day Thursday, more than 70 bills had received votes on the Senate floor, including Senate Bill 1523 by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, which proposes new rules for attorneys on how they might interact with juries about noneconomic damages asked for in civil cases. Daniels said suggestions made by attorneys about formulas that juries might use in determining non-economic damages have led to awards that were later determined on appeal to be vastly inflated. These are the damages that you cannot put a specific value on. They are completely and totally subjective, and its up to the jury to decide what value to put on those, Daniels said. We have to begin to put some guardrails on this. It truly does affect our standing in terms of business development and attraction of business. The Bartlesville Republican said that for several years prior to 2019 there was a $350,000 limit in Oklahoma on non-economic damages that might be awarded in a case. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that year that the Legislature violated the states constitution in adopting the cap. Daniels met with pushback from several lawmakers who suggested that muzzling lawyers and even judges who might be asked by jurors for direction on how to compute damages would be unfair to all parties, including jurors. Why would we take away the representation that people on both sides have chosen, take them out of the equation to do the best job they possibly can for their clients? asked Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, pointed out that she had spoken with a number of attorneys and judges about the issue and had found no one who supported SB 1523. Senators eventually voted 26-13 to advance the measure for consideration by the Oklahoma House. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is fully committed to supporting Vietnam in achieving its long-term development, including assistance valued at US$3 billion for the country during the 2024-26 period, according to ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa. Asakawa also underscored the need to enhance project preparation efficiency to accelerate delivery, the bank said in a press release on Wednesday. In addition, ADB has pledged to mobilize $2.1 billion under the governments Resource Mobilization Plan to support the Vietnam Just Energy Transition Partnership. The ADB leader made these statements during his first official visit to the Southeast Asian nation, where he attended a special ceremony on Wednesday in Hanoi in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam-ADB partnership. The ceremony, jointly hosted by the State Bank of Vietnam and ADB, featured Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and more than 200 officials and representatives from the government, development partners, and the private sector. Over the past three decades, ADBs cumulative assistance to Vietnam has amounted to about $18 billion, improving regional connectivity; strengthening environmental management and green investment; promoting the transition to climate-resilient development; enhancing access to education, health, and social services; and supporting the development of ethnic minority communities. Vietnam is among six Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members that have been committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. ADB is stepping up its engagement with governments and development partners in Asia and the Pacific to expand climate finance with an ambition to mobilize $100 billion between 2019 and 2030 from its own resources to support climate mitigation and adaptation. During his stay in Vietnam, the ADB president visited Selex Smart Electric Vehicles JSC, the first company in Vietnam to receive an equity investment from ADB Ventures, which supports and invests in impactful startups, demonstrating the bank's aid for innovative private sector business models that can play a powerful role in addressing Vietnams climate-related development challenges. He will also visit the Hanoi College for Electro-Mechanics main campus under the Skills and Knowledge for Inclusive Economic Growth Project, which aims to upgrade the teaching and learning environments of national high-quality technical and vocational education and training institutes with up-to-date technology. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh City received a host of suggestions and feedback to make its business climate more sustainable during a meeting between the local administration and 16 foreign business associations and 27 FDI companies on Thursday. Ramachandran A.S., chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Ho Chi Minh City, suggested that the city should adopt measures to strengthen its high-value manufacturing ecosystem encompassing such fields as higher education; reforms and digital transformation in the logistics, infrastructure, energy, and sustainable development sectors; healthcare; and policy environment. Dominik Meichle, vice-chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam, underlined the importance of partnership between the city and EuroCham in different areas such as setting up the carbon credit market as well as developing a framework to implement Resolution 98 and policies to promote green growth in the city. Resolution 98 was passed at the fifth session of the 15th National Assembly in June last year and took effect from August 1 the same year, piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of the southern hub. Ramachandran A.S., chairman of AmCham in Ho Chi Minh City, speaks at a meeting between the citys administration and 16 foreign business associations and 27 FDI companies, Ho Chi Minh City, March 14, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Do Thi Hong Duyen, board member of the German Business Association (GBA) in Vietnam, said the city needs to improve its business climate, policies, education system; promote localization of the supply chain; and streamline procedures for business visas and work permits. The city should also seek measures to upgrade its logistics facilities, use clean energy, encourage investment in technology, and improve its research and development ability. By doing so, the city could make its management more transparent and reliable to investors, the GBA representative added. She elaborated that an inadequate traffic infrastructure system has been indering the city and other southern localities from achieving further growth. To increase its industrial output, Ho Chi Minh City should ensure seamless traffic flow among routes leading to industrial parks, seaports, and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the GBA board member recommended. Phan Van Mai, chairman of the municipal administration, affirmed that the city will set up a working team in charge of removing obstacles facing FDI businesses. The municipal Investment and Trade Promotion Center will oversee the operations of the team, whose leader is chairman Mai and members are heads of 10 relevant departments. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A formerly robust garment company in Ho Chi Minh City has turned its focus to real estate after laying off workers and liquidating assets due to no orders. According to a document sent to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE), Garmex Saigon Corporation (GMC) officially announced an increase in its capital contribution to Phu My JSC, which is developing the Phu My housing project in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Particularly, GMC raised its investment from VND4.34 billion (US$175,460) to VND18.23 billion ($737,000) in July 2023, and then to over VND23.9 billion ($966,240) one month later. Phu My JSC is an affiliate of GMC. Due to a prolonged shortage of garment orders, GMCs revenue now solely comes from service and business cooperation in the freight transport segment, Nguyen Minh Hang, general director of GMC, said in the communication to HoSE. The apparel company has temporarily suspended production since May 2023 and currently has no plans to recruit new personnel for its textile and garment segment. Instead, the company is leveraging assets and making strategic investments to mitigate losses. Last month, GMC revealed its intention to sell two land lots covering a combined area of nearly 80,000 square meters. The first land plot set for transfer spans 50,173 square meters in Tan Thanh District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, approximately 100 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. The second plot is located in the Ha Lam-Cho Duoc industrial zone in Thang Binh District, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. It covers an area of 26,000 square meters. Before the decision to sell the two land lots, the apparel firm had offloaded many assets such as cars, trucks, machines, and manufacturing equipment to maintain its operations. At its peak, GMC operated five factories spanning over 10 hectares, equipped with 70 production lines and employing over 4,000 workers. The firm had cut its workforce to 35 as of the end of 2023. According to its recent financial report, GMC booked revenue of VND8.2 billion ($335,000) in 2023, plummeting from over VND290 billion ($11.8 million) recorded in the preceding year. As of the end of 2023, the firm had sustained a cumulative loss of over VND73 billion ($2.9 million). GMC, formerly Saigon Garment Production and Trading JSC, was founded in 1976 as a state-owned enterprise, according to Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper. It underwent equitization in 2004, subsequently listing on HoSE with the stock code GMC since 2006. In 2019, the company officially changed its name to Garmex Saigon Corporation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! ROME -- Intel has postponed plans to invest in Italy, the country's industry minister said on Thursday, after a project to build an advanced packaging and chip assembly factory first mooted in March 2022 was never finalised. The US technology company has "given up or postponed its investments in France and Italy, compared with others that it plans in Germany," Minister Adolfo Urso told reporters in the northern Italian city of Verona. He said Italy remained keen to welcome Intel if it should change its mind and fulfill its previous plans for European investment. "If it decides to complete those projects, we are still here," Urso said. An Intel spokesperson declined to comment. The minister added that Italy will soon see more foreign investment in its semiconductor sector following a $3.5 billion deal announced this week involving Singapore-based Silicon Box. He said that deal was the first major foreign investment in the sector and "there will be others in coming months." A ministry task force held talks with Taiwanese groups in recent months, Urso added. Vietnam is asking China to honor the agreement signed in 2000 that outlines the borders of territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves in the Gulf of Tonkin, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The Southeast Asian nation is also reminding China of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as emphasized by Pham Thu Hang, spokeswoman for the Vietnamese foreign ministry, during a regular press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday. At the meeting, reporters raised a question regarding Chinas declaration of a new baseline, connected by seven base points, to outline its territory in the Gulf of Tonkin on March 1. In response, Hang said that on December 25, 2000, the two countries signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Gulf of Tonkin, which went into effect on June 30, 2004, delimiting each others territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves within this gulf. Hang said that Vietnam believes all coastal countries need to abide by the 1982 UNCLOS when drawing any territorial baseline used to calculate the width of their territorial waters. All coastal countries must ensure that the baseline does not affect the lawful rights and interests of other countries, including the freedom of navigation and the freedom of transit passage through straits used for international maritime activities in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS. Vietnam has been and will continue to discuss our positions with China on this matter, in a spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, and mutual respect, the spokeswoman stated. Vietnam asks that China respect and abide by the agreement on the delimitation of the territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelves of the two countries in the Gulf of Tonkin signed in 2000, as well as the 1982 UNCLOS. Hang remarked that at the same time, Vietnam reserves its lawful rights and interests in accordance with international law, as well as its position as mentioned in the statement on June 6, 1996, made by the government of Vietnam. The June 1996 statement pertained to a previous statement made by the government of China on May 15, 1996, which announced the baseline used to calculate the width of Chinas territorial sea. The Gulf of Tonkin borders both Vietnam and China, with an area of 126,250 square kilometers. The body of water is considered to hold great significance to both countries security and defense along with economic development, given its abundant fisheries resources and oil and gas reserves. The two countries have attached importance to the management and exploration of the area. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the New Energy Nexus Vietnam through the DFAT's Business Partnership Platform Program (BPP) are calling on registration for a business accelerator program for women-oriented agricultural enterprises. The program, Deltaccelerate, aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises in addressing climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta. It provides direct training support tailored to business needs and expands networking opportunities for 16 businesses contributing to building resilience to climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta. In addition, up to eight selected businesses that complete the first phase of the program will have the opportunity to expand their operations through grants ranging from AUD10,000 (US$6,562) to AUD100,000 ($65,620). Businesses operating in the Mekong Delta's agricultural sector, which are led by or significantly benefit women and contribute to the sector's resilience to climate change adaptation, are invited to register to participate. Deltaccelerate is implemented through cooperation between DFAT and the New Energy Nexus Vietnam in climate change adaptation partnerships in the Mekong Delta, as announced in November 2023. According to Economic Consul at the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City Dominic Balasuriya, Deltaccelerate is Vietnam's first accelerator program for women-oriented agricultural businesses addressing the challenge of climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta. This initiative, along with all BPP Climate Adaptation partners, demonstrates Australia's steadfast commitment to working with Vietnam to address the challenges of climate change, he was quoted as stating in a press release on the program. "Women are one of the groups most affected by climate change and play an important role in addressing climate challenges, program manager at New Energy Nexus Vietnam Huynh Hoang To Trinh said. I look forward to more solutions from women-oriented businesses for adapting to climate change. We always encourage and look forward to more businesses registering for and joining our program. The Deltaccelerate program is expected to begin in April and end in September 2025. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! What you need to know in Vietnam today: Politics -- Vietnam is asking China to honor the agreement signed in 2000 that outlines the borders of the territorial sea, exclusive economic zones, and continental shelf in the Gulf of Tonkin, according to the Vietnam News Agency. It is also reminding China of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as emphasized by Pham Thu Hang, spokeswoman for the Vietnamese foreign ministry, during a regular press conference in Hanoi on Thursday. She was responding to questions from reporters about China's recent announcement of straight baselines in the Gulf of Tonkin. Society -- A total of 3,754 people had to undergo rabies vaccinations due to bites from dogs or cats in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam in January, according to the provincial Center for Disease Control. -- Vietnam is verifying reports that two Vietnamese were fatally shot by police in Malaysia when they were stealing jewelry there on March 11, Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. -- Southern Vietnam is expected to experience hot weather on Friday, while the northern region will face continuous rainfall and humidity throughout the day, according to weather forecasters. -- Eighty percent of young people in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, feel that safety features on dating apps are very important when it comes to their online dating experience, according to a survey conducted by Tinder. Business -- About 300,000 Vietnamese, aged 21 to 97, entered an authorized casino on Phu Quoc Island, off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, from 2019 to 2023, Ho Duc Phoc, Minister of Finance, said in a report sent to National Assembly deputies in preparation for a hearing on March 18. They spent VND242 billion (US$9.8 million) buying tickets to the casino. -- Ho Chi Minh City leaders organized a meeting with 16 foreign business associations and 27 prominent companies operating in the city. In an exchange with the business community, Phan Van Mai, chairman of the municipal People's Committee, stated that immediately after this meeting, the city would promptly establish a task force to address the difficulties and obstacles faced by foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises. World News -- "South Korean researchers have grown beef cells in rice grains in what they say is a major step towards achieving a sustainable, affordable and environmentally friendly source of protein that could replace farmed cattle for meat," Reuters reported. -- "Industry ministers from the Group of Seven major democracies agreed on Thursday to align rules on the development of artificial intelligence and to secure supply chains in key sectors such as semiconductors," Reuters cited the Italian presidency as saying. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A court in Vietnam has sentenced a Chinese repeat thief to one year and six months in prison for stealing a gold necklace worth over US$1,770 at a jewelry shop in south-central Phu Yen Province last year. The thief, Huang LinZhong, 48, hailing from Hunan Province in China, received the jail term from the provincial Peoples Court on Friday for the offense of 'property theft' he committed in June 2023. Huang was previously arrested on March 8, the very day when he was released after serving his nine-month sentence for the same crime carried out in Thua Thien-Hue Province in the central region. On that day, a police team from Phu Yen served an arrest warrant on Huang right at the Vinh Quang Prison in northern Vinh Phuc Province, where he had just completed his nine-month jail term. According to the case file, Huang entered Vietnam through Huu Nghi International Border Gate in the northern province of Lang Son on May 17, 2023, and then went south to Ho Chi Minh City to buy a motorbike. On June 4, 2023, the Chinese man rode to Phu Yen with the intent to steal from jewelry stores. At approximately 1:40 pm that day, he reached a jewelry store in Tuy Hoa City, where he feigned interest in purchasing jewelry and requested a salesperson to display five gold necklaces for his consideration. While the sales attendant was distracted, Huang pocketed one necklace and returned the rest to the staff. He promptly departed on his vehicle, and the salesperson shortly found one necklace missing, valued at VND44 million ($1,774). After reviewing surveillance cameras, the store identified Huang's theft and reported it to local police, prompting a search for the suspect. On his way back to the northern region, the man sold the gold necklace to a jewelry shop for VND16 million ($645). Only three days later, June 7, 2023, Huang was apprehended for committing another jewelry theft in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, for which he received a nine-month jail term as aforementioned. Phu Yen police waited for Huang to finish his jail term in Thua Thien Hue before arresting him. His criminal records show a previous one-year-and-one-month sentence in China's Yunnan Province in 2016 for the same offense. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! MOGADISHU, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to intensify security operations across the country to reclaim territories from al-Shabab terrorists. The president, who held a strategic meeting with top security and government officials in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Thursday evening, underlined the government's efforts to eradicate terrorism and called for public support in securing the country. The Somali leader said this was an important time to defeat the enemy, and noted that recent military offensives across the country have gained significant ground. "Every time the enemy is defeated. At this point, we want to make sure that the enemies will not come back to the liberated areas. We want to make sure they don't return," he said in a statement issued after the meeting. The Somali army, backed by local militias and international partners, has been engaged in a sustained offensive against al-Shabab since 2022 when the president declared an "all-out war" on the terrorist group. The extremist group frequently targets hotels, restaurants and other military installations manned by the Somali army and African Union forces in Mogadishu and elsewhere across the country. Mohamud, whose remarks came hours before al-Shabab attacked SYL Hotel, a popular hotel in Mogadishu, Thursday, lauded the security forces for their courageous efforts in defeating al-Shabab and securing Somalia, saying security gains which have been witnessed since 2022 have enabled stabilization efforts. Mohamud stressed that the government is determined to eliminate terrorists, and called for cooperation between the security forces and members of the public, which he said will play a big role in the war to liberate the country and in overall security. A 44-year-old egg seller from Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam returned VND1.2 billion (US$48,535) to its rightful owner after it had been lost in a local wet market. Nguyen Thi Luc, a 44-year-old resident of Vinh Phucs Yen Lac District, found a red plastic bag fully of cash mysteriously inside of her van after delivering eggs to a small market in Me Linh District, Hanoi at 10:00 am on Wednesday. Rather than opening the bag, she asked others in the area if they had seen anyone put the bag inside the van, but no one had. Some people thought I was joking, but I insisted they come to see it for themselves, Luc recounted. Upon an examination, Luc and some market vendors discovered several stacks of Vietnamese bills inside. I was frightened and nearly fainted, she said. Subsequently, she enlisted the help of those around her to report the discovery to local police. Luc emphasized that the money did not belong to her and vowed to find a way to return it. A collage of an egg seller and an amount of US$48,535 in lost cash found in her van at a market in Me Linh District, Hanoi, March 13, 2024. Photo: Q.A. / Tuoi Tre Given the substantial sum, she acknowledged that it could represent someones lifetime savings. Furthermore, I was cautious as there are numerous scams and illicit money circulating nowadays, she added. Police officers then invited witnesses to observe the counting process. It took them nearly two hours to count the VND1.2 billion in cash. Following the count, authorities were able to identify L.D.S., a local resident, as the owner of the bag. S.s son accidently placed the money in Lucs van, stated Lieutenant Colonel Le Duy Hoa, a police leader. Upon verification, police completed the necessary documentation and procedures to return the money to S.. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The U.S. Mission to Vietnam, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on Thursday partnered with the Bac Lieu Peoples Committee to launch a program to support persons with disabilities in the Mekong Delta province. The program was first announced during U.S. President Joseph Bidens September 2023 visit to Vietnam. USAID will expand their essential health and social service programs that support persons with disabilities into two new provinces Bac Lieu and Ca Mau, thus raising the number of supported provinces to 10, the White House announced in a fact sheet on September 10, 2023. According to a press release by the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, the Thursday launch officially marked the implementation of USAIDs Disabilities Rights Enforcement, Coordination, and Therapies project in Bac Lieu. The project supports the enforcement of disability laws, expansion of rehabilitation services and livelihood support to persons with disabilities, and improvement in early childhood disability detection. The $1.15 million project is implemented by Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, a long-time USAID partner, and runs from 2023 to October 2025. A signing ceremony at the launch of USAID's program to support persons with disabilities in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on March 14, 2024. Photo provided by USAID Vietnam Our cooperation to overcome the legacies of war has been foundational for building trust, demonstrating our commitment, and advancing the relationship between the United States and Vietnam to what is now a comprehensive strategic partnership, Aler Grubbs, USAID Vietnam Mission director, said during remarks delivered at Thursday's launch. Todays launch of our program for persons with disabilities in Bac Lieu delivers on our two countries shared priorities and our support for a strong, resilient, prosperous, independent Vietnam. Through the U.S. Leahy War Victims Fund, USAID has worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Vietnam since 1991. To date, the U.S. government through USAID has contributed more than $155 million in assistance to persons with disabilities in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia is verifying a report by Malaysian media that local police shot and killed two Vietnamese nationals, along with one Bangladeshi, who had allegedly been robbing jewelry stores since June last year, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassy has reached out to Malaysian authorities to verify the identities of the two suspected Vietnamese nationals, the ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said during a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday. The agency will provide the media with updated information when available, Hang added. The shooting occurred on Monday evening between the three men and local police in Pekan District, Pahang State, while the trio was preparing to rob a local jewelry store, New Straits Times reported, citing police officers. The men were in a suspicious-looking Proton Waja parked in a residential area in Pekan when police officers approached the vehicle to carry out an inspection. Upon seeing the approaching officers, the driver sped off, prompting a high-speed chase. When the car was eventually stopped, the men opened fire on the police officers, who then fired back in self-defense, killing all the three in their vehicle, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said. Police found a Glock-17 pistol along with six bullets in a magazine and recovered three bullet casings at the scene. They also recovered two grinder machines, two drills, two parangs, a box containing a cordless drill, a crowbar, a hammer, screwdrivers, gloves, and a tool bag from the car. In addition, two sets of false vehicle registration plates were found, the Pahang police chief said. Over the past 10 months, the three men have broken into six jewelry shops in several states, stealing gold items worth about RM4 million (US$850,500), according to investigators. They have been active since June last year targeting jewelry stores. They will break and enter the premises during long weekends and public holidays when the businesses are usually closed, New Straits Times cited the police chief as saying. Recent checks revealed that the two Vietnamese nationals had traveled in and out of Malaysia on tourist visas, while the Bangladeshi, who owned the Waja and had a Malaysian drivers license, was believed to have been staying in Malaysia for quite some time, investigators said. Local police believed the trio, aged 35-44, were part of a bigger gang and said they are tracking down the other gang members. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! [L-R] Thomas Duncan-Watt, Vanessa Gazy, Sarah Lambert, Leah Purcell, Giula Sandler, Alexa Wyatt. Screen Australia and the Australian Writers Guild have today announced the six participants selected for The Creators 2024, a career acceleration program for high-calibre Australian screenwriters. The six participants in The Creators program are: Thomas Duncan-Watt (Space Nova, Home & Away) Vanessa Gazy (Echoes, Eden) Sarah Lambert (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Lambs of God, The Messenger) Leah Purcell (The Drovers Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, The Twelve) Giula Sandler (The House Across the Street, Savage River, Bloom) Alexa Wyatt (Nina and Olga, The Bureau of Magical Things, Janet King) Participants will have high-level training from international industry leader Jeff Melvoin (Killing Eve, Northern Exposure, Remington Steele), founder and Chair of the highly competitive Writers Guild of Americas Showrunner Training Program, plus project and pitching development and networking opportunities to sell their stories in domestic and international markets. Screen Australias Head of Development Bobby Romia said We are delighted to be supporting these six talented writers to participate in The Creators 2024 program. Screen Australia is committed to nurturing the talent and skills that are central to our ambition of sustained creative excellence in Australian storytelling on screen. This initiative provides an unparalleled opportunity for these screenwriters to foster new connections and gain the necessary insights and international exposure to empower them to develop their storytelling craft. We look forward to seeing their progress and wish them every success. AWG President Peter Mattessi said Following the success of Year One, the Australian Writers Guild is thrilled to support this new cohort of writers taking part in The Creators. This unique program is custom-built for writers who are developing their careers as creators and showrunners, and were excited to see the expertise and insights these six bring back to our industry after their time in LA. Scripted Ink. founder Shane Brennan said The Creators is establishing itself as the premium career initiative for experienced Australian television writers. This is an opportunity for mid-career writers to participate in the best Showrunner training available anywhere in the world. Congratulations to these six outstanding writers who will return from this course eminently qualified to be Showrunners, not just for their own projects, but for other scripted projects being developed by production companies, streamers and broadcasters alike. Screen Australias continuing commitment to The Creators initiative fully recognises the key creative role writers need to play in our industry if it is to survive and thrive in what is now a worldwide content market. Thomas Duncan-Watt, three-time AWGIE Award-winning screenwriter and showrunner, said With The Creators, the AWG and Screen Australia have conjured a dream program for elevating, upskilling and promoting the next wave of Aussie showrunners. As someone who has aspired to showrunner-dom since reading The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine at age 12, being selected for The Creators represents the opportunity of a lifetime one I cant wait to make the most of as I head to LA with this incredible group. Vanessa Gazy, an award-winning creator, writer and director who has enjoyed recent success with the seven-part Netflix series Echoes, said Im delighted and grateful to be participating in this brilliant initiative alongside my talented peers. Showrunning empowers us as creators to steer our own projects, to nurture and protect our vision, and to be producers on our work. The role comes with great responsibility, and its vital to be trained and prepared. The opportunity to hone our showrunning skills in LA is a valuable gift that Im sure will strengthen us as Australian creators for many years to come. Sarah Lambert, showrunner of critically acclaimed drama series including The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Lambs of God, said As a writer and showrunner, with each show you make, youre constantly learning on the job what works, what doesnt and what you could do better. What the AWG and Screen Australia have done with The Creators program is to give us this extraordinary opportunity to meet and learn from the best of our U.S. counterparts, those with decades of experience, and take part in the legendary Showrunner program in LA so that we can bring back new skills, new models of working and best practices to not only reinvigorate our own writing and series, but also help us to empower the next generation of storytellers in Australia. Leah Purcell, multi-talented film, television and stage writer, creator, director and actor, said Im so thrilled and excited to be given this opportunity to upskill with the best. I look forward to the challenge of absorbing as much as I can and then returning home and applying these skills to my own projects and our industry so that Australian content can continue to match and play on the international stage in the film and TV sectors. I also want to bring back what Ive learnt from this awesome initiative and continue my mentoring within the First Nations screen sector. Giula Sandler, a prolific writer of original dramas and adaptations, and recent AWGIE Award-winner for The House Across the Street, said I am thrilled for the opportunity to hone my pitching and showrunning skills with such an incredible group of peers. Screen Australia and the AWG rightly recognise that ours is a global industry, with writers at the core of it all, and high-level training is imperative so that we can showcase our work on the world stage. Now more than ever, the stories we tell can change the world. Alexa Wyatt, script producer, series creator, writer, script editor and story consultant with over a thousand hours of Australian drama credits, said I am humbled and honoured to be part of the growing cohort of Creators selected for this extraordinary opportunity. Im excited by the chance to learn from top U.S. professionals about the showrunner model which underpins so many internationally successful series, and cannot wait to put this learning into practice, to propel our unique Australian voices and stories to a whole new level of engagement with the global market. The Creators is supported by industry partners Scripted Ink. and Film Independent. This Sunday the Postcards team explore more of Victorias top spots and visit the Gold Coast. Brodie Harper is in one of Melbournes smallest suburbs, Cremorne (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country), checking out some awesome small businesses. Her first stop is Coe & Coe cafe for a delicious smoothie. She then meets the sister duo behind The Run Club at another great local, Denis the Menace. She finishes the day with a visit to the cult classic Tarts Anon and a chat with creator and chef extraordinaire, Gareth Whitton. Madeline Spark is in Brunswick East (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country), which was recently voted the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the world. To start her day, she grabs a coffee from Core Roasters on Barkly Street. Heading up the road to East Brunswick Village, she checks out the brand new and very cool FoMo Cinemas which offers tasty in-cinema dining. Later, Maddie stops by Maggies Snacks and Liquor for a post-movie cocktail. Meanwhile, Kris Smith is on the sunny Gold Coast (Bundjalung Country) giving viewers a tour of the luxurious Vibe Hotel. A 10-minute drive from the hotel, Kris explores HOTA, Home of the Arts, a groovy cultural precinct before heading over to Quench Gelati and Juice Bar in Southport to try the award-winning Ice Cream of the Year. Kris ends his day back at the Vibe Hotel just in time for a sunset cocktail by the pool at Driftwood Social. Shane Delia is in Flemington (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country) for a look at the famous racecourse and an exclusive tour from Victoria Racing Club CEO, Steve Rosich. Back on Racecourse Road, Shane unearths some flavourful East African cuisine at New Somali Kitchen and sits down with chef, Abdo Sean, for a feast. And, just in time for St. Patricks Day, he wraps up the afternoon with a pint of Guinness at Melbournes best Irish pub, The Quiet Man. 5:30pm Sunday on Nine (Melbourne) ADEN, Yemen, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Building a community with a shared future for mankind contributes to sustainable development by building bridges across regions and cultures, said a Yemeni media leader. While participating in the 6th China-Arab States Broadcasting and Television Cooperation Forum, Khaled Alyan, deputy director of Yemen National Television, was greatly impressed by China's urban development and management. This has inspired him to learn more about China, leading to a deeper understanding of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, he told Xinhua in a recent interview. The article, which was published on the website of Yemen National Television on March 6, introduced China's development philosophy and praised its continued economic growth and increasing global influence. China-proposed concepts have provided innovative ideas for promoting global cooperation, he wrote. The concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been incorporated into various United Nations resolutions, helping more countries understand the idea of realizing common development through cooperation, he wrote. He noted the longstanding friendship between China and Arab countries, characterized by mutual trust, can be traced back to the ancient Silk Road period, and the Belt and Road Initiative has brought the two sides closer. He also pointed out that both China and Arab nations had stood against colonial rules and now are advocating for developing countries' rights on the global stage. There is thriving cooperation in the energy and investment sectors between Arab countries and China, facilitated by forums like the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, he wrote. Increasing Chinese language education initiatives in Arab countries and an increasing number of Arabic language courses at Chinese universities help to foster cultural exchanges and bring the two sides closer, he wrote. Alyan likened the current world situation to a turbulent sea. "We are all in the same boat, and no one should cause damage to this boat," he added. Vietnam's government has said the country's current pool of around 5,000 semiconductor engineers must jump to 20,000 in the next five years (Nhac NGUYEN) Nguyen Phuong Linh is among a crop of young electronics students crucial to Vietnam's ambitions to become a chips hub. She's driven, smart and already has her sights set on a professorship -- wanting to train a new generation that could help woo foreign investors eager to diversify semiconductor production away from China and Taiwan. Long viewed as a low-cost destination to make clothes, shoes and furniture, Vietnam is now eyeing a rapid climb up the global supply chain and has put computer chips at the heart of its development plans. It is a goal that suits nations such as the United States -- increasingly worried about economic tensions with Beijing -- but there are huge hurdles to overcome, chiefly a shortage of highly skilled engineers. ADVERTISEMENT "Chips are attracting so much attention... among both the government and the public," Linh told AFP from a tiny windowless lab at Hanoi's University of Science and Technology, crowded with computers. "I used to dream of working as a chip designer but now I want to be a professor. I think our country needs more teachers to create a better workforce," the 21-year-old said. Vietnam's market for semiconductors, which are used in everything from smartphones to satellites and to power AI technology, is expected to grow at 6.5 percent a year, reaching $7 billion by 2028, according to Technavio, a market research firm. During a visit to the capital last year, US President Joe Biden announced deals to support Vietnam's chips industry, and shortly after, Nvidia -- an American giant in the sector -- said it wanted to set up a base in the country. South Korea's Amkor and Hana Micron both opened packaging factories last year in Vietnam, which is already home to US firm Intel's largest factory for assembling, packaging and testing chips. As the hype around Vietnam's emerging chips industry ramps up, its communist government has said the country's current pool of around 5,000 semiconductor engineers must jump to 20,000 in the next five years -- and to 50,000 over the next decade. Story continues Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang made an official request to the CEO of South Korea's Samsung, asking the electronics giant to help. Vietnam is currently producing just 500 qualified engineers per year, according to Nguyen Duc Minh, a professor of integrated circuit (IC) design who teaches Linh. "We need to do much more to reach the target," he told AFP. "I think this is a very challenging figure." - Brain drain risk - Many electronics students already know what role they want to play in the semiconductor field, with Linh's classmate Dao Xuan Son eyeing a job at Intel. But the pathway Vietnam's leaders want to take is less easy to understand, according to Nguyen Khac Giang, visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. "Do they want to achieve a national champion Samsung-like Vietnamese company in semiconductors, which requires a lot of capital and investment?" he asked. "Or do they simply want to attract more investment in the semiconductor business in Vietnam?" Experts also seem unclear about how the government arrived at the 50,000 engineer figure, and whether they are needed for chip design or factory work. "We talk of a very huge number but it seems we have not looked to see whether the industry really needs that big number of graduates," IC design professor Pham Nguyen Thanh Loan said. Intel told AFP that their focus in Vietnam would remain on assembly and testing, the lowest-value part of the semiconductor supply chain. "We face a challenge in expanding our talent pool beyond these areas," said Kim Huat Ooi, vice president in manufacturing, supply chain and operations, and general manager of Intel Vietnam. Several universities launched additional programmes this academic year that focus on semiconductor and chip design. But more importantly, professors say, Vietnam needs to invest in quality training that allows students to gain practical skills demanded by the world's top firms. Although courses are often good on theory, "we need more investment in infrastructure and equipment for students to practise", professor Minh told AFP. Among those top graduates who do come through, there is "real risk" of brain drain to the world's top chip-making nations, said analyst Giang. "Let's be honest, the salary in Vietnam is quite low, even for those with very high skills," he said. "They might get the feeling... it's probably better to just move to Taiwan." Linh says she is keen to study abroad to gain better connections to industry, but she is set on returning home. Final year student Son, however, dreaming of a design position with Intel, would be happy to study -- and then stay overseas for a few years. "I can learn more -- and have more opportunities -- outside Vietnam," Son said. tmh/aph/pdw/mca/sco Tyson Lim, CEO and co-founder of Homeez. (PHOTO: Homeez) (Homeez) SINGAPORE Tyson Lim got into the home renovation industry by accident or luck but has stayed on through challenging times over the years to now own online renovation platform Homeez. Describing it as "Grab [the transport and food delivery app] for home renovation", Lim founded Homeez in 2020 to connect homeowners directly to suppliers, a model that removes middlemen mark-ups. It was also his way of bringing more transparency to the home renovation market, which has been consistently ranked among the industries with the top number of complaints received by the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) each year. Complaints lodged against home renovation contractors in the first half of 2023 alone totalled 631, and took the top spot in 2022 with 1,454 complaints received. ADVERTISEMENT A key value proposition of Homeez is its escrow services. As a platform matching homeowners and suppliers, the company acts as a custodian that ensures payment is only released upon satisfactory completion of a job while removing the risk of non-payment to suppliers. The 31-year-old told Yahoo Finance Singapore that the company now has up to 200 customers on a weekly basis. Though the startup turned profitable in 2023, Lim's journey is one that's paved with personal sacrifices and tough lessons. 'Eating grass' Coming from a single-parent family as the oldest of four siblings, Lim shared that he took up a hairdressing course after his N-levels as he wasn't sure what to do given his dismal grades. He then worked for a monthly salary of about S$1,800 cutting and washing hair before serving his National Service. Faced with limited job prospects after his stint in the military, Lim joined the renovation industry as he felt that it had a low barrier of entry and professional certification wasn't a strict requirement. He worked his way from the ground up as a sales interior designer at a company owned by a family friend. Story continues It was in this role that a then-20-year-old Lim discovered his passion for design and wanted to help more aspiring homeowners realise their dream homes. The job offered no basic pay, and income was earned entirely through commissions. It took him 11 months to make his first sale, during which Lim said he had to resort to "eating grass". "I survived because of my then-girlfriend, now wife. She was in poly, so her allowance was S$10 a day. She would give me S$5 to eat my lunch. She's a gem," Lim recalled. Nothing to lose Lim did his best to learn the industry ropes. About two years later, a financially struggling Lim began thinking more ambitiously beyond just being an interior designer. Believing that his qualifications would only get him low-paying jobs, Lim said that his only option was to move forward and start his own business. His chance came in 2015 when a friend was looking for a business partner to launch an interior design firm. Sensing a good opportunity, Lim took up the offer. Using his experience in sales, Lim took on the role of training interior designers for his new start-up. To finance the company, he borrowed about S$120,000 from his mother and grandfather. The firm was profitable quite soon and within three years, Lim was able to repay his loan, and grow his company to have 50 interior designers. However, the company soon ran into cash-flow problems that Lim attributed to a "lack of financial gatekeeping" and shady practices by some interior designers, including one who was caught embezzling about S$300,000 meant for suppliers. "When I started my first company, I wasn't well versed with business terms and financials. We didn't run it well. Both my partner and I were sales people, not finance people," said Lim. "Interior designers only take their commission after they finish a project, which can take a long time. So, they often take advanced payments from the company us. Sometimes, they then become unmotivated to solve your problems anymore because they've already been paid," Lim explained. It soon came to a point where Lim and his partner had to inject more cash into the company. This eventually led to differences in direction, and they parted ways. Homeez leadership (from left) Jon Ho, Tyson Lim, and Fadhil Kamal. (PHOTO: Homeez) (Homeez) Think Grab, but for home renovation Vowing never to be the boss of an interior design firm again, Lim took about a year off to get married and become a father. At the same time, he continued to offer consulting and training services for interior designers while contemplating his next move. Drawing lessons from his past mistakes, Lim started tinkering with solutions to problems he faced in his first company. He eventually got the idea to harness technology and build an online platform that could tackle what he said was a transparency problem plaguing the industry. "Grab is one of my idols. We really mimic their business model and the way they run, but in the renovation industry," he said. Finding a tech partner was tough.. I went to co-founder events looking for tech co-founders, who are actually like the hot girl in class that everybody wanted to 'tackle'.Tyson Lim, Homeez "Instead of teaching individual interior designers on a weekly basis, I now teach a machine learning system to assist homeowners. It's cost savings, and that's essentially what Homeez is. With my knowledge and skills in teaching interior designers, I simplify and gamify the process to allow homeowners to use an online platform for free so they can skip the sales talk, high commissions and high mark-ups," said Lim. Finding suitable start-up partners But when Lim thought of Homeez, there were just two problems. He had no tech capabilities to take on such a task and didn't feel confident financially to start another company. What he needed was to look for marketing and tech partners. "Finding a tech partner was tough. I remember calling every friend I knew, I went to SG Tech and pitched them my idea, and I went to co-founder events looking for tech co-founders, who are actually like the hot girl in class that everybody wanted to 'tackle'," said Lim. Eventually, Lim teamed up with his army buddy, Eugene Chia, who took on the IT lead role, and Jon Ho, who was Lim's wedding photographer, to take on the marketing role. Together, the trio set out to build Homeez and hired developers from around the region. Homeez was launched in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The company's first two years were gruelling. Lim shared that all three co-founders took no pay, and they reinvested any earnings made into the company. All three had to work other jobs to sustain themselves; Lim took on consulting work, Ho was a freelance photographer, and Chia did food delivery. You must be a person who's always learning and you have to always stay hungry.Tyson Lim, Homeez Lim had also sold his house and car and moved his family back to his mother's home in order to finance the business. In total, he raised S$150,000 to launch the platform and was the sole financier among the three co-founders. "I went all in. I downgraded my life, sold my home and lived with my mum. I also took my life savings to start Homeez," said Lim, whose daughter was two years old at the time. Such strenuous financial circumstances took a toll on one of the co-founders, who had to leave the company in search of higher income. Chia, who was the chief technology officer at the time, had family obligations to fulfil and left the company amicably. Fadhil Kamal then stepped in to fill the role, while Chia remained a shareholder in the company. Stay hungry After 11 years in the renovation industry and building his own business, Lim's top advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is: "You must be a person who's always learning and you have to always stay hungry." Lim also felt the right mentors are important. "Find mentors that are like-minded. Learn from people who have walked the path," he said. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Albania, by far the region's most pro-EU nation, took 13 years to secure candidate status (FREDERICK FLORIN) Bosnia has trodden a long and winding road to eventual European Union membership after years of seeing the bloc blow hot and cold on the issue, but its patience could be rewarded as accession talks finally loom. Like other Balkan nations, Bosnia has surfed a wave of hope for years, if not decades. The country became an official candidate for membership in December 2022, having embarked on a series of major reforms to position itself for entry to the 27-member political bloc. "We have opened the main door of the EU and there is no turning back," Nermin Niksic, prime minister of the country's Bosnian-Croat entity, said Tuesday when the European Commission officially recommended the opening of accession negotiations. But more treading water is likely to follow for Bosnia and its neighbours. "The negotiations involve the EU saying 'you have to do this, pass this law'. And every day that goes by without our countries working on European issues, they fall behind," said Aleksandra Tomanic, executive director of the European Fund for the Balkans. "There is a whole host of political, institutional, economic criteria," she said. "There are many challenges, which is why it will be a very long road." Montenegro, whose own membership has officially been under discussion since 2012, as well as Serbia -- in their case since 2014 -- know all too well these things take time. Albania, by far the region's most pro-EU nation, took 13 years to secure candidate status, with the opening of negotiations coming in July 2022 -- six months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. EU 'much more aware' - "We have recently seen the European Union is much more aware, in deeds, not just words, of the strategic importance the Western Balkans have for it. It's sad it took Vladimir Putin for this to happen," Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said last month in Brussels. For Albania's foreign minister, Igli Hasani, "the process is dragging on and on and the EU has hesitated so often that people have grown tired of it," leading to "a falloff in support for the integration process and a drop in confidence in the EU". Story continues "This, of course, has created an opening to hostile influences, to Russia first and foremost," Hasani told a conference in Budapest on Wednesday. Tomanic said the Balkans became "a geopolitical playground again a few years ago," not just for the EU but also for Turkey, the United States and other global powers. Serbia, for example, signed in October a free-trade agreement with China, which has become its second-largest trading partner. To counter those influences the EU recently put six billion euros ($6.5 billion) on the table in the form of a growth plan for the Western Balkans to boost economic growth and accelerate socio-economic convergence with the bloc. "The commission wants to move quickly as it is important to give a sign of our willingness to move forward with the Balkans," Emanuele Giaufret, EU ambassador to Serbia, told AFP. - Trust issues - The growth plan comprises four pillars: enhanced integration to the Single Market, economic integration in the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market, speeding up fundamental reforms and bolstering financial aid to support those reforms. But "the payments will be subject to strict conditions as to the implementation of the reforms," EU ambassadors have warned, as well as "the alignment of partners with the common foreign and security policy", That could be viewed as insisting on loosening Balkan ties to Russia. Serbia, largely dependent on Moscow for gas imports, has notably refused to apply sanctions against its traditional ally since Russia invaded Ukraine. "From an economic point of view, there are Russian interests in the energy sector, even if we have opened up an alternative via the inter-connection with Bulgaria, financed by European funds," Giaufret said. Last month, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a populist known for anti-Brussels sallies as well as regular meetings with Russia's ambassador, took care to call for greater integration with the EU. "I reiterated Serbia's commitment to continue the process of reform and European integration," Vucic posted on Instagram. "We have also discussed the EU's growth plan for the Western Balkans, which should strengthen and bring our economies and societies closer together," he added. Even so, recent opinion polls suggest only 32 percent of Serbs trust the EU -- a figure that soars to 77 percent in Albania. The figure is 57 percent for Bosnia and 54 for Montenegro. bur-cbo/cab/cw/js Richard Drew/AP The Boeing Company has dominated headlines this week with a slew of issues regarding its planes and Charleston County police finding a former employee turned whistleblower, John Barnett, had died by suicide. The company, which is among the largest multinational aerospace manufacturers, has been the subject of growing controversy in recent years after two Boeing 737 MAX planes crashed in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, the House of Representatives concluded an investigation into the company which found that Boeing dismissed employee concerns, prioritized deadlines and budget restraints over safety and failed to be transparent with the Federal Aviation Administration. In 2022, Netflix produced a documentary, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, that further fueled public distrust of the brand. Years later, a series of recent negative news stories have renewed scrutiny and given rise to accusations that Boeing hasnt resolved any of the issues brought to light by the 2018 and 2019 crashes. Why have I heard so much about Boeing recently? Since the beginning of 2024, there have been several major safety incidents involving Boeing planes. In January, a door plug on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 blew out at 16,000 feet, leaving a door-sized hole in the aircraft a Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliner. The FAA subsequently grounded all 737 MAX 9s, totaling 171 planes, and announced on Jan. 12 that it would be conducting an audit of Boeings production and manufacturing. The gaping hole where a paneled-over door had been at the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP) What has happened with Boeing this week? Saturday, March 9 A prominent Boeing whistleblower was found dead in Charleston, N.C. Barnett, 62, was a former quality manager at Boeing who had raised concerns over the companys manufacturing practices. He was in Charleston for a deposition for a lawsuit in which he alleged Boeing was retaliating against him for voicing his complaints. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the Justice Department announced it has opened a criminal investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Story continues Monday, March 11 A Boeing 787 Dreamliner nosedived during a flight from Sydney to Auckland, injuring at least 50 people. On March 15, the Wall Street Journal reported that industry officials claimed a flight attendant had hit a seat switch that pushed pilot into controls during the flight causing the nosedive. A Boeing memo about the incident addressed that this was a known issue and asked operators to inspect cockpit seat switches. The same day, a United Airlines San Francisco-bound flight from Sydney was forced to turn around due to a maintenance issue. The plane was a Boeing 777. This happened one week after United Airlines Flight Boeing 777-200 lost a wheel during takeoff in San Francisco and a Boeing 737 skidded off the runway after landing in Houston. Wednesday, March 13 Another Boeing 777 was forced to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport when pilots reported a flat tire after taking off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. American Airlines said the plane landed without incident and passengers deplaned normally. Also on Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board published a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation accusing Boeing of overwriting security footage of the repair work done on the door plug of the Alaska Airlines flight that failed in January. The NTSB said the missing footage prevented them from being able to see who fixed and reinstalled the door plug on the aircraft. Friday, March 15 A Boeing 737 that took off from San Francisco was found to be missing a panel during a post-flight inspection shortly after arriving at its destination in Oregon. There were no incidents on the flight and nobody was injured, but the FAA said it would conduct an investigation. What else do we know about the Boeing whistleblower? Charleston County police said Barnett had died by suicide. Barnett had worked for Boeing for more than 30 years before retiring in 2017. He spoke to the BBC in 2019 claiming he had uncovered serious problems with the oxygen systems on Boeings 787 Dreamliner. He also alleged that some parts that were meant to be discarded were instead fitted to planes to avoid production delays. Boeing denied Barnetts allegations. Barnett then filed legal action against Boeing, claiming that the company denigrated his character and hampered his career because of the issues he had pointed out to his superiors. Boeing rejected the charges. Barnett had been questioned by Boeing lawyers the week before his death in a formal deposition related to the case. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911, or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Elisa Iniguez, who said that she plans to vote for President Joe Biden but that she also wants to hear a more positive message from the Democratic president, outside the La Puente Recreation Center in La Puente, Calif., March 4, 2024. (Isadora Kosofsky/Th Former President Donald Trumps growing support among Latino voters is threatening to upend the coalition that has delivered victories to Democrats for more than a decade, putting the politically divided group at the center of a tug of war that could determine elections across the country. Polls show that Trumps standing with Latino voters has grown since his defeat in 2020, with some surveys finding him winning more than 40% of those voters a level not seen for a Republican in two decades. That strength has Democrats playing defense to maintain the large majority of Latino voters on whom they have relied to win in recent years. The shift underscores a stark reality of the 2024 election: Neither party can win with white voters alone. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times As the fight for both the White House and Congress shifts more squarely to racially diverse states, both parties will need to rely on coalitions that include Black, Asian and Hispanic voters. Latino voters will make up an estimated 15% of eligible voters this year, and 33% of eligible voters in California, where several swing districts are poised to determine control of the House. Races in Arizona and Nevada, where Latinos make up roughly 1 in 4 eligible voters, are positioned to tip the balance of power in the Senate. The fight for the presidency has expanded in recent elections from battlegrounds in the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt. President Joe Biden relied on victories in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada to win in 2020. This year, both parties are investing heavily in those states to persuade the large numbers of Hispanic voters they believe are up for grabs. The Latino electorate used to be seen as a massive liability for Republicans. Now, its turning out to be an asset, said Daniel Garza, executive director of the Libre Initiative, a conservative group that targets Latino voters and is funded by Americans for Prosperity, a group founded by Charles and David Koch. Republicans cant win without them it would be political malpractice not to have them in a winning coalition. Story continues The shifts among a large and diverse demographic group defy simple explanation. Differences across regions, generations and economics all play a role. Trump has found new support among Latinos who work in law enforcement along the Mexican border, Cuban Americans in Florida averse to policies they view as approaching socialism, evangelical Christians attracted to Christian nationalism, and second- and third-generation U.S.-born Latinos who are more likely to identify with and vote like their white peers. One of the clearest trends is the education divide. Tracking the gap among voters overall, Trump is increasingly doing better among Hispanic voters without a college degree than among college-educated Hispanics. The nations Latino population is so big now that it is multiple stories, said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of race and ethnicity research at the Pew Research Center. This has changed before, and it can change again, but even if the shares dont change, the numbers are going to keep going up and that is going to have important implications. The changes raise a tantalizing prospect for Republicans: The parties may be seeing a political realignment, with Republicans pulling some Black and Latino working-class voters out of the Democratic coalition and Democrats winning over a slice of the upper-income, college-educated white voters who once would have landed in the GOP. It is a voter swap that could extend a lifeline to Republicans, whose dependence on white voters in a diversifying country has had strategists predicting doom for years. A moment like this would have been unfathomable in 2016, said Patrick Ruffini, a pollster who argues that the GOP is assembling a more multiracial coalition. The belief was that Republicans needed to moderate on immigration reform. Now, you have a figure who not only ignores that but completely turns it on its head. It debunks decades of conventional wisdom. However, it is unclear how major and lasting the Trump-era changes will be. Polling on partisanship shows that Latino voters have been fairly steady in their partisan identification, though have more recently started to drift toward the Republican Party. Republicans have gained some support with Black voters in polls, but there is no clear evidence of a mass movement. Some Democratic strategists believe that current polls are overestimating Hispanic support for Trump, in part because they may exclude too many voters who primarily speak Spanish. They also believe that many Hispanic voters will move back toward Biden in the coming months, arguing that Trumps rhetoric will repel them. Democrats are balancing two realities the polls have been off and we have won, but there are still warning signs, said Tory Gavito, a Democratic strategist who conducts focus groups with Hispanic voters. She said she often heard those voters focused on their economic security. Status threats are potent because Latino voters know that they are in a race to avoid last place, she said. They dont want to be a loser, and they know it is an uphill climb. It is difficult to overstate the vast growth of Latino voters in the past 20 years. An estimated 36 million Latinos are eligible to vote this year, an increase of nearly 4 million just from 2020 and more than double from 2008. Many Latino voters have long had a tenuous allegiance to either party. In 2004, for example, roughly 4 in 10 Latino voters chose George W. Bush, the most support on record from Latinos for a Republican presidential candidate. Just four years later, the Democratic advantage nearly doubled, with nearly 70% of Latino voters choosing Barack Obama over then-Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., according to exit polls. In 2020, with Trump, support for Republicans ticked back up. Since 2020, Republicans have increased outreach to Hispanic voters. They have attracted more Hispanic candidates, particularly in parts of Florida, Texas and New Mexico, and reached out to voters in Spanish more frequently. Major evangelical groups that once focused largely on white congregations have expanded their political outreach to Latino churches. This election will be decided at the margins, and we are going to reach out to these voters aggressively, said Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign. If we can keep this momentum, if we can stave off support from Biden, we will win. Many Democrats have been stunned by Republicans inroads, as Trump has continued to unleash incendiary rhetoric about immigrants, including those from Latin America, poisoning the blood of our country and promised draconian policies such as mass deportations. He has advanced the Great Replacement conspiracy theory, claiming that Democrats welcome immigrants to enter the United States without legal permission because they will allow them to vote illegally for the party. Interviews and surveys suggest many Latino voters do not see themselves as the target of Trumps comments. Instead, they often say they welcome his talk about a border crackdown and see him as helping business owners and the economy. Democrats are letting us down and over and over, said George Rodriguez, 57, who lives in Las Vegas and calls himself a Chicano Republican. Theyre losing us because we dont want handouts. We dont want we dont need your hug. We want a direction. We want jobs. Some polling shows that Latino voters views about the Democratic Party remain positive. A Pew Research Center survey last year found that nearly 80% of Latino voters thought the Democratic Party really cares about Latinos and roughly 70% said the party worked hard to earn Latinos votes, compared with 45% for Republicans. To some extent, the shift among Latino voters may be as much about dissatisfaction with Biden as enthusiasm for Trump. Young Latino voters like other young voters are moving away from Biden out of frustration over the economy and the war in the Gaza Strip. And Latinas have shifted toward Trump at a similar rate as Latino men, worrying some Democratic strategists who are counting on abortion rights to be a driving issue this fall. I want to hear something positive more often, said Elisa Iniguez, 69, who emigrated from Mexico to Southern California more than 40 years ago. She has almost always voted for Democrats and plans to vote for Biden, she said, but has grown frustrated in recent years. We have to care more about people who are already here. We all want the same rights. The Biden campaign says it is particularly focused on two groups: people who voted for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, in 2016 and switched to Trump in 2020, and a much larger group of new or inconsistent voters. Latinos make up a significant share of both categories. The presidents campaign isnt asking but earning the support of our community, Michelle Villegas, the Latino vote director of the Biden campaign, said in a statement. Biden campaign officials said they had spent about $25 million and had plans to spend another $30 million on advertising on television, radio and online platforms that attract large Latino audiences. The political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, known as BOLD PAC, has also encouraged candidates to use Spanglish in advertising as a way to reach native-born English speakers, who make up a vast majority of Latino voters. Our party hasnt done the best job of really speaking to the Latino community, because weve too often been seen as monolithic and taken for granted, said Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, D-Fla., an Afro-Cuban American, who is leading some of those efforts. Frost said he had so far been encouraged by the partys outreach this year. The president, he said, does not have to do it alone. c.2024 The New York Times Company Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn portray the humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton in the 1980s and the 1930s in 'One Life,' in theaters now Bleecker Street Anthony Hopkins in 2024's One Life Anthony Hopkins helps shine a light on British humanitarian efforts in the months before World War II broke out with his new movie, One Life. In One Life, Hopkins, 86, shares a dual role with Johnny Flynn (Emma, The Outfit) as Sir Nicholas Winton, a British man who assisted in efforts to rescue hundreds of children from Nazi-occupied areas in what is now the Czech Republic. The movie details the efforts Winton who died in 2015 at age 106 and was known as Nicky to his family and friends and other humanitarians took during the Kindertransport, as the operation is known, and the public recognition he received decades later. The film depicts Winton's visit to Prague in December 1938 and January 1939, shortly before Nazi Germany occupied the area, then known as Czechoslovakia. He coordinated with humanitarians like Trevor Chadwick, Martin Blake and Doreen Warriner (portrayed by Alex Sharp, Ziggy Heath and Romola Garai in the film, respectively) to identify hundreds of children who needed safe homes. Upon his return to London, Nicky and his mother Babi Winton (Helena Bonham Carter) worked to ensure safe passage for the children via trains across Europe. The film's director James Hawes tells PEOPLE that Nicky "would be the first to say it wasn't just him it was about a team of volunteers that included Czech volunteers who were in far more jeopardy than he was [and his mother.]" Hawes says Nicky's family and others who consulted on the movie "were very keen on Nicky's behalf that we saw it as a group operation and not just a caped superhero on his own." Related: Nicholas Winton's Son Says Anthony Hopkins Is 'Just Uncanny' as His Father in One Life (Exclusive) Bleecker Street Johnny Flynn a Young Nicholas Winton in 2024's One Life Nicky largely kept his efforts in the Kindertransport private until the 1980s, when he and his wife uncovered scrapbooks detailing the hundreds of lives he helped save. The British talk show That's Life orchestrated a 1988 meeting between him and dozens of the children 50 years later. Story continues YouTube videos of that talk show appearance have garnered tens of millions of views over the years. The movie recreates that iconic live moment, which filmmaker Hawes describes as "terrifying for a director" to film because of the emotional punch the real-life clip already packs. Since the '80s, Nicky has been credited with organizing the transport of at least 669 children from Prague to the United Kingdom prior to Sept. 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland and set off World War II. Around 6,000 people are estimated to be alive today due to his and others' efforts in the Prague Rescue, considered one end of the larger Kindertransport operation. 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. Matej Divizna/Getty; Bleecker Street Sir Nicholas Winton and Anthony Hopkins in 2024's One Life Eve Paddock, a Czech-born woman who now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was just 3 years old when she and her sister boarded one of those trains. During an interview with filmmaker Hawes and Nicky's son Nick Winton, Paddock tells PEOPLE that when she met Nicky on multiple occasions later in life, the real-life man "really understood the place of his life in our lives." "I try to begin to make some mumbly comment about thank you," Paddock recalls of traveling to England to meet Nicky on one occasion. "And he was not in the slightest bit interested. What he wanted to know about was my life, who I was, why I was there, what I'd done. And I think that's really the essence of the man. He was deeply interested in people." Related: Anthony Hopkins Plays a Real-Life Hero in Moving 'One Life' Trailer Bleecker Street Lena Olin and Anthony Hopkins in 'One Life' Nicky's son shares with PEOPLE that his father largely found the recognition he received for his efforts he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2003, among other honors "rather embarrassing." "When I first saw the movie, I was a little disappointed that the ending seemed a little flat," Nick recalls. "And I asked the producers at Seesaw Films why it just sort of ended. It could have been a really powerful call to action, a strong message of how the individual can triumph over evil. And it was explained to me, my father was a very understated man. He was a very ordinary man. He did this, and that was the style that they wanted to come across in the film rather than something overdramatic." "And I really get that," he adds. "Having seen it now several more times, I can see that it doesn't beat you over the head with anything. You're left to make your mind up about what you want to take away from his behavior and his action and the story." One Life is based on the book If It's Not Impossible... The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton, written by Nick's sister, Barbara Winton. The movie is in theaters now. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The war has since April last year killed tens of thousands, destroyed infrastructure and crippled the economy (-) The United Nations appealed Friday for Sudan's battling factions to allow delivery of humanitarian relief to fend off looming "catastrophic" hunger. Some five million Sudanese could face calamitous food insecurity in coming months as a nearly yearlong war between rival generals continues to tear the country apart, according to a UN document seen Friday by AFP. The war between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has since April last year killed tens of thousands, destroyed infrastructure and crippled the economy. It has also triggered a dire humanitarian crisis and acute food shortages, with the country teetering on the brink of famine. Noting that some 18 million Sudanese are already facing acute food insecurity -- a record during harvest season -- UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths warned in a letter to the Security Council that "almost 5 million people could slip into catastrophic food insecurity in some parts of the country in the coming months." He noted that nearly 730,000 Sudanese children -- including more than 240,000 in Darfur -- are thought to suffer from "severe" malnutrition. "Aid organizations require safe, rapid, sustained and unimpeded access -- including across conflict lines within Sudan," said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric. "A massive mobilization of resources from the international community is also critical," he added. The UN's World Food Programme has warned that the war risks "triggering the world's largest hunger crisis." Jill Lawler, the emergency chief in Sudan for the UN children's agency UNICEF, said there were enough aid stocks in Port Sudan, but the problem was getting the aid from there to the people in need. Lawler said she last week had led the first UN mission to reach Khartoum state since war erupted 11 months ago. They had seen first-hand that "the scale and magnitude of needs for children across the country are simply staggering," she told reporters in Geneva via video link from New York. Story continues The war "is pushing the country towards a famine" with hunger "the number one concern people expressed." - 'Moment of truth' - Mandeep O'Brien, UNICEF representative in Sudan, said 14 million children needed humanitarian aid and four million were displaced. There was only a "small window left to prevent mass loss of children's lives and future," she warned on X, formerly Twitter. World Health Organization regional director Hanan Balkhy, who recently returned from a trip to Sudan, underlined the acute needs in Darfur, saying most health facilities were looted, damaged or destroyed. Griffiths, the UN aid chief, lamented that fighting continued to rage during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan despite a Security Council resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities. "This is a moment of truth," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "The parties must silence the guns, protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access." The UN on Friday called for more financial support for aid operations in Sudan. UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci told reporters in Geneva that the world body had appealed for $2.7 billion to provide aid this year, but had received just five percent of that amount so far. apo-abd/imm/jj/tjj/acb McDonald's fans are not lovin' the international outage faced by the chain. (Getty Images) McDonald's customers are not lovin' it as the fast food giant is facing major technical problems all over the world, leaving food fans unable to order and branches forced to close their doors. The outage has affected restaurants in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Japan so far. Unhappy customers who have been unable to order their Happy Meals, Big Macs, or any other popular McDonald's items on Friday morning (15 March) took to social media to talk about the problem - with some hilarious posts making light of it all. A McDonald's spokeswoman said in a statement: "We are aware of a technology outage which impacted our restaurants. The issue has now been resolved in the UK and Ireland. "We thank customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. The issue is not related to a cybersecurity event." While the chain's tech woes may be sorted in the UK and Ireland, customers are still heading to social media to talk about what a hash it's been. Follow our liveblog for the latest on the McDonald's outages. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Education & Career AP TET 2024 Result - Direct Link to Check As per the AP TET Notification, AP TET Feb 2024 result was supposed to be declared on March 14, 2024. Read More Friday March 15, 2024 12:18 PM , ummid.com News Network AP TET 2024 Result: The School Education (Exams) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, is set to release on its website aptet.apcfss.in today the Result of the candidates who appeared in the Andhra Pradesh State Teacher Eligibility Test (AP TET 2024) held in February. Candidates should note that the School Education (Exams) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, has released on its website aptet.apcfss.in the Final Answer Key of the Andhra Pradesh State Teacher Eligibility Test on its official website. AP TET 2024 Result Date As per the AP TET Notification, AP TET Feb 2024 result was supposed to be declared on March 14, 2024. Accordingly, the Andhra Teachers test result should be declared soon as the AP TET Final Answer Key has already been published. Andhra Pradesh School Education (Exams) Department had earlier also released AP TET Feb 2024 Question Papers and Keys along with the candidates response sheet . Andhra Pradesh State Teacher Eligibility Test this year was held from Feb 27 to March 09, 2024 in online mode. Steps to check AP TET result 1. Click here to go to the official website: aptet.apcfss.in . 2. Click on the link marked as "AP TET 2024 Result" 3. Use log-in ID and password to download the result. Candidates will be required to log-in ID, Date of Birth and Verification Code to download the APTET Result and score card. "All services related to candidate should be access through 'CANDIDATE LOGIN' only", the Exam Department said. AP TET comprised of 04 papers Paper I (A) and I (B) for Classes 1 to 4, and Paper II (A) and Paper II (B) for Classes 6 to 8. AP TET Passing Criteria For OC (Other Category) candidates, a minimum of 60% marks is required to pass. For BC (Backward Class) candidates, a minimum of 50% marks is required to pass. For SC/ST/Differently Abled (PH) candidates, a minimum of 40% marks is required to pass. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Education & Career Bihar 10th, 12th Results 2024: BSEB Starts Toppers' Interview The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has started conducting the interviews of the students who have topped the 12th Intermediate and 10th Matric exams held in February 2024. Read More Friday March 15, 2024 10:48 AM , ummid.com News Network BSEB Bihar 10th, 12th Result 2024: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has started conducting the interviews of the students who have topped the 12th Intermediate and 10th Matric exams held in February 2024. Class 10 Matric exams 2024 in Bihar were held from February 15 to 23, 2024 whereas the BSEB conducted the 12th Inter exams 2024 from February 01 to 12, 2024. The Bihar Education Board in Patna started conducting the interviews of the toppers after completing the assessment of the 10th and 12th answer copies. The Bihar board decided in 2022 to interview the board exam toppers before the announcement of the results and the release of the toppers list. The decision followed the allegations of rigging and malpractices in the exams levelled after board exam toppers failed to answer simple queries of the media post result announcement. Bihar Board 2024 Result The Bihar board had earlier releases the Answer Keys of the 2024 Inter exams. The board had also asked the students to raise objection if any by March 05, 2024. After the release of the Answer Keys and commencement of the toppers interview, the Bihar board is in the final stage of declaring the 2024 exam results. Students who appeared for the Bihar board exams 10th Matric or Secondary and 12th Intermediate or Higher Secondary, should note that the BSEB has not officially confirmed any exact date and time to declare the 2024 results. Board sources on the condition of anonymity however said the 2024 board exam results can be declared within the next few days. Once declared, BSEB 10th and 12th results 2024 will be available for download on the board's official website "biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in". Bihar Board Result History The Bihar board has a history of declaring Classes 10 and 12 results in a record time. BSEB 12th Inter exams last year was held from Feb 1 to 11, 2023 and the result was announced on March 21, 2023 . The Intermediate or Class 12 Exam 2024 was conducted by the Bihar board from February 01 to 12, 2024. And, since the last date of raising objection is March 05, 2024, the board can declare the 12th Inter 2024 result by March 20 or even before this date. The students who had appeared for the BSEB Class 10 Exam 2024 should note that the BSEB 12th result will be announced first. 2024 Class 10 result will be declared a week or so after the Class 12 results are announced. In 2023, Bihar board 10 Matric exams for Theory Papers were conducted from February 14 to 22, 2023. The result of the Bihar Board 2023 Class 10 Board exams was declared on March 31, 2023. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Security forces block a road leading to SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 15, 2024. At least three soldiers were killed and 27 others wounded in a terrorist attack at a popular hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Thursday evening, the police confirmed Friday. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua) MOGADISHU, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least three soldiers were killed and 27 others wounded in a terrorist attack at a popular hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Thursday evening, the police confirmed Friday. Kassim Ahmed Roble, the police spokesperson, told journalists in Mogadishu that 18 civilians, including nine soldiers, are among those wounded in the attack at SYL Hotel, which is near the presidential palace. "We lost three soldiers while three members of parliament sustained minor injuries. Our security forces neutralized all the five attackers. Investigation is underway to establish the motive of the attack," Roble said. He said the security forces successfully ended a siege lasting more than ten hours at the heavily fortified hotel. The siege ended Friday morning. The hotel, which has been attacked by the militants in the past, is frequented by government officials and high-profile businessmen. The latest attack began at around 9:45 p.m., local time, after gunmen forced their vehicle laden with explosives inside the SYL Hotel and opened fire on the patrons, including some lawmakers and government officials. Sources said five suicide bombers were inside the vehicle, but one blew himself up, prompting sporadic gunfire inside the hotel between the attackers and security forces. Al-Shabab terror group, which is trying to overthrow the government, claimed responsibility for the latest attack. The group has repeatedly staged similar attacks on government buildings, hotels, and other public places. Security forces block a road leading to SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 15, 2024. At least three soldiers were killed and 27 others wounded in a terrorist attack at a popular hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Thursday evening, the police confirmed Friday. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua) Security forces block a road leading to SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 15, 2024. At least three soldiers were killed and 27 others wounded in a terrorist attack at a popular hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Thursday evening, the police confirmed Friday. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua) Security forces block a road leading to SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 15, 2024. At least three soldiers were killed and 27 others wounded in a terrorist attack at a popular hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Thursday evening, the police confirmed Friday. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India SC raps State Bank of India 2nd time in a week over Electoral Bonds The Supreme Court of India Friday rapped the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing the unique alphanumeric code printed on the Electoral Bonds that could be used to match each donation to the political party that received it. Read More Saturday March 16, 2024 10:17 AM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India Friday rapped the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing the unique alphanumeric code printed on the Electoral Bonds that could be used to match each donation to the political party that received it. The SBI had in an affidavit on Tuesday March 12, 2024 submitted before the Supreme Court of India that complying the court order it had submitted all the data related to the Electoral Bonds Scheme to the Election Commission of India. The SBI handed over the Electoral Bonds data to the ECI after the Apex Court rapped it for not complying its order pronounced on Feb 15, 2024 . The SBI was pulled up by the SC again on Friday when the court observed that Indias largest bank has not submitted the entire data, including the unique code number, as directed by the court. The Supreme Courts observation came while it was hearing a plea by the ECI seeking a return of the data on the bonds which was deposited with the Supreme Court registry. Who is appearing for the SBI? Because in our judgement, we had directed disclosure specifically of all details of the bond including the purchaser, the amount and the date of purchase. They have not disclosed the bond number. That has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India. Because if you see our judgement, all details have to be furnished by the State Bank of India, the CJI said during the hearing. Since the SBI counsel was not present during the hearing, the Supreme Court issued a notice and asked the bank to respond by Monday March 18, 2024. ECI publishes Electoral Bonds details The Election Commission of India meanwhile published on its website the Electoral Bonds data provided to it by the SBI. The Electoral Bond data available on the ECI website shows the names of the companies that purchased the electoral bonds. However, in the absence of the unique code, it is difficult to reveal which political party redeemed these electoral bonds. Yet the details relating to the Electoral Bonds so far available on the ECI website have revealed some shocking details of the donors. One donor who is doing the rounds since yesterday evening when the ECI published the details on its website is the name of Santiago Martin, famously known as the 'Lottery King' who owns Future Gaming and Hotel Services. The Electoral Bonds data on the ECI websites showed Martin's company bought electoral bonds worth over 1,350 crore rupees through two different sets of companies. The data also reveals name of at least one company which has links with Pakistan and China. The data also showed names of some companies that are running in loss but still purchased the electoral bonds worth crores. Those reading the data also revealed a link between ED, IT and CBI raids with the Electoral Bonds Scheme. They pointed out the names of a number of companies that purchased the bonds soon after the raids. Another interesting aspect of the bonds scheme revealed is that some companies purchasing the bonds were given government contracts and received favour. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. The 2024 University of North Georgia (UNG) Hoag Lecture Series will present Gerd Leonhard at noon March 27. Leonhard's talk is titled "AI and the Future of Humanity: Learning and Work." The virtual event will be available on Leonhard's YouTube page. "Gerd is a leading global futurist and international speaker, having presented at colleges, conferences and hundreds of events over the past 20 years and worked with the likes of Microsoft, NBC, Visa, Google, the European Commission, Audi, and IBM," Dr. James Badger, a College of Education professor, said. "His motto is 'People, Planet, Purpose, and Prosperity,' inspiring and influencing millions to imagine and create a better tomorrow." PHNOM PENH, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Laos have signed a memorandum on security cooperation for 2024, with a focus on combating all kinds of cross-border crimes, said a press statement from the Cambodian side on Friday. The deal was inked here on Thursday between Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security Vilay Lakhamfong during the latter's visit to Cambodia. "Both sides agreed to continue exchanging information to prevent and suppress all kinds of trans-national crimes, especially to combat drug smuggling and human trafficking across the border of the two countries," the statement said. The two sides also agreed to encourage competent authorities along the border provinces of the two countries to work together closely to maintain security, public order, and stability in order to turn the border into a region of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, it added. Both sides agreed that a peaceful borderline will greatly contribute to improving the living standards of the people along the border provinces and boosting bilateral trade and tourism, the statement said. HA NOI The investment support fund will foster the stability of the investment environment and promote the capital flow into prioritised sectors, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc. Ngoc said this while hearing contributions from major investors and foreign business associations to the draft decree on the investment support fund as a solution to attract investment in the context of Viet Nam starting to adopt OECDs global minimum tax rate starting from 2024. According to Virginia B. Foote, Deputy Chairwoman of the American Chamber of Commerce, the US companies which are affected by the global minimum tax operate in various sectors, not only the high technology industry. If the fund only provides support to investors in the high-tech sector, it is too narrow, she was quoted by au Tu (Investment) online newspaper as saying. It is necessary to clarify the regulations on the criteria for enterprises with investment projects in research and development (R&D) centres because there are enterprises that invest in R&D but do not build a separate R&D centre. In this case, would investors be provided with support or not, she questioned. Hong Sun, Chairman of Korean Business Association in Viet Nam (Korcham), said that the support policies are not clear enough. Criteria to be eligible for the support remain high and should be expanded so that more firms can receive the support. The support should be also provided to enterprises of smaller scale but contributing significantly to the supply chain as well as high-tech development in Viet Nam, Nakajima Takeo, chief presentative of the Ha Noi Office of the Japan Trade Promotion Organisation said. Pham Minh Cao from Hyosung Viet Nam said that the criteria for the support raised in the draft that at least VN12 trillion worth (US$485.7 million) of investment must be disbursed within the first three years might cause difficulties for investors. For example, Hyosung invest in biotechnology, in which it is difficult to finish disbursement within three years, even 10 years, because the investment must be carried out along with R&D. Cao added that the support should be based on the total investment of a corporation in Viet Nam rather than a single project or a member company. In response, Ngoc said that the investment support fund should not aim to only support investors which are affected by the global minimum tax. There will be no discriminations, regardless of domestic or foreign enterprises, existing enterprises or new investment, Ngoc said, adding that any firm meeting the set criteria will be eligible for the support. The support fund will first focus resources on the high-tech sector, Ngoc said, adding that these policies are stable in the long term. Besides, Viet Nam is reviewing investment incentives to develop a comprehensive policy framework to ensure the consistency and integrity, Ngoc said. Under the draft decree, the fund will provide support to investments in high technology and R&D centres. In addition, investors must meet criteria, including investment from VN12 trillion, revenue from VN20 trillion per year, and complete the disbursement of at least VN12 trillion within three years. VNS HA NOI CEOs of telecom companies operating mobile networks within Viet Nam are to be held personally accountable for their networks' failure to address rampant abuses of spam SIM cards, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC). The networks will also face severe penalties, including having their ability to sign up new customers suspended. "Chairpersons and CEOs of mobile telecommunications companies must take personal responsibility for spam SIM cards," said the MIC in a recently released open letter to all telecom companies in the country. The ministry has long demanded stronger efforts on telecom companies' part to ensure users' compliance with national ID regulations. As a result, information on 125 million active users has been verified and reviewed in 2023. However, the ministry said there were and still are active SIM cards, pre-activated using outdated user IDs, allowing people to bypass the required ID registration steps. The ministry has set a deadline of April 15 for telecom companies to get rid of such cards and to make sure that their customer IDs match with the national ID database. In addition, organisations and individuals must verify their subscriptions and usage of registered numbers as they will be directly held responsible if said numbers are used for illegal activities. "Account identification and the issue of spam SIM and bank accounts must be taken seriously before we can make significant progress in fighting online scamming," said Tran Quang Hung, deputy director of the Department of Information Security under the MIC. Users can report online scams directly to the department by calling their hotlines at 156, 5656 and: thongbaorac.ais.gov.vn. VNS HA NOI Amid the booming e-commerce activities, the protection of personal information of consumers is a crucial issue, requiring efforts from all parties to address. Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, consumers shopping habit has changed dramatically with increasing demands for online shopping. However, this trend has led to a hike in violations of consumers rights in cyberspace. Le Trieu Dung, Chairman of the Viet Nam Competition Commission under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), said that over the years, it has rolled out measures to implement the task of strengthening the Party and States management over the protection of consumers rights, along with a number of related projects. At the same time, the commission has verified 150 applications on contract forms and general transaction condition, while completing the procedures in responding to consumers feedback and recommendations, said Dung. The official said that in 2023, the commission collected administrative fine of VN600 million (US$24,266) on five businesses violating consumer right protection regulations. However, Dung acknowledged that the co-ordination between the commission and departments of industry and trade in localities and the Viet Nam Consumer Protection Association has been limited due to modest resources. Vu Van Trung, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Viet Nam Consumer Protection Association, said that each year, it sends yearly consumer protection plans to its chapters in localities, reminding them on prioritised activities. The effectiveness of the revised Law on Consumer Right Protection has served as an important legal foundation for the observation of consumers interest with the increase of consumers rights in association with the protection of manufacturers and distributors, said Trung, holding that businesses have increasingly been aware that a lack of transparency in business will lead them to the risk of being eliminated. This year, the Vietnamese Consumer Rights Day, which is observed annually on March 15, is themed Transparent information - Safe consumption, aiming to highlight the need to protect consumers safety on cyberspace. The event has received active response from localities and e-commerce platforms. From March 8, shoppers buying products on the e-ecommerce platform Shopee can return the products they bought within 15 days, three days longer than the previous policy of the platform for free. Bui Huy Hoang, Vice Director of the IT and Digital Technology Centre under the MoITs Department of E-Commerce and Digital Economy, said that the centre has taken a number of measures to protect consumers, including the application of an origin traceability system to combat counterfeit goods, supporting firms to build online brands and market products in the electronic environment. Besides, the MoIT has implemented a number of solutions to prevent frauds on cyberspace, thus better protecting consumers. Trung affirmed that in 2024, the Viet Nam Competition Commission will focus on perfecting the legal corridor and improving its capacity in detecting violations of competition regulations, while showing stronger performance in implementing the plan to realise the Law on Consumer Right Protection, and continuing to strictly monitor multi-level business activities to ensure a healthy business environment. VNS HCM CITY With a thriving seafood processing industry and many high-quality processing plants, Viet Nam has been chosen by Japanese enterprises for partnership in processing products for export to various markets such as the US and ASEAN countries. according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF). At a Japan- Viet Nam seafood business connection event in Viet Nam, which was jointly held by MAFF, the Japanese Consulate General in HCM City, and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) on March 14 in HCM City, Yoshimatsu Toru, a representative from MAFF, said Viet Nam boasts strengths in seafood processing, with numerous large-capacity factories meeting export standards for most global markets. Japanese seafood enterprises wish to strengthen cooperation by contracting Vietnamese partners to process products destined for export to other markets, he added. According to Yoshimatsu, in 2023, Japan's total export turnover of agro-forestry-aquatic products and food reached approximately 1.45 trillion JPY (US$9.77 billion). The Japanese government has set a target to increase the figure to 2 trillion JPY by 2025 and 5 trillion JPY by 2030. The Japanese government is currently implementing activities to promote Japanese aquatic products both domestically and internationally, as well as to diversify export markets, he added. The business matching event is expected to further step up seafood trade exchange, and cooperation in developing supply chains between the two countries. VNS HA NOI Despite being one of the primary supply sources for Senegal a country with one of the highest per capita rice consumption rates in West Africa, Viet Nam's rice exports to this nation remain modest. According to the Viet Nam Trade Office in Algeria and Senegal, Viet Nam shipped 12,000 tonnes of rice to Senegal in 2023, resulting in a turnover of US$5.35 million, up 215 per cent year-on-year. However, the amount is small compared to the African countrys purchase of 1.3 million tonnes of rice in that year. Senegal imports between 900,000 and 1 million tonnes of the grain annually, mostly low-priced 100 per cent broken rice. Its main suppliers include India, Thailand, China, Pakistan, Uruguay, and Viet Nam. Apart from serving the domestic market of over 18 million people, the country also imports rice for re-export to neighbouring ones such as Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, and Gambia. At the beginning of 2022, facing rising food prices, the Senegalese government implemented measures to maintain purchasing power, including abolishing VAT on imported rice and reducing import duties on broken and regular rice to 2.7 per cent from the previous 12.7 per cent. In the context of scarce supply and Senegal gearing up for presidential elections in 2024, it is likely that the nation will increase imports of broken rice from Asia. VNS HA NOI Port authorities and maritime inspectorates are ordered to examine the fares charged by shipping companies and scrutinise surcharges to prevent any violations amidst the surge in additional fees for container transportation services in import and export shipping. The operational fees imposed by foreign shipping companies have risen by 10-22 per cent, three times higher than the adjusted fees for container handling at Vietnamese seaports. The gains are attributed to global tensions and pricing management, according to the shipping companies. The shipping companies charge US$140-200 from the cargo owners but only reimburse the ports with $36-66, which accounts for merely one-third of the total amount. The Vietnam Maritime Administration is concerned that there is a possibility of shipping companies intentionally exploiting global market fluctuations to increase service prices. As a result, measures will be implemented to monitor and control this situation. Nguyen Thi Thuong, Deputy Head of the Shipping and Maritime Services Department at the Vietnam Maritime Administration, said that the agency will enforce prescribed penalties and issue directives to port authorities to strengthen inspections and oversight of price hikes by shipping lines. It will also work closely with relevant state management agencies, such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF), to control the activities of shipping companies regarding freight rates and surcharges, ensuring transparent and publicly disclosed pricing. Previously, the implementation of Circular No.39 issued by the Ministry of Transport led to a 10 per cent in the charges for loading and unloading services at seaports, causing several shipping lines to raise cargo handling surcharges at ports. This has caused significant dissatisfaction among Vietnamese cargo owners, who have been the most heavily impacted by these cost hikes. VNS ROME Viet Nam's economic development and investment policies were introduced to Italian businesses in a recent roundtable meeting in Potenza city, the capital of Italys Basilicata region. Opening the event on Wednesday, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung gave a brief introduction of Viet Nams socio-economic achievements and favourable policies for businesses and investors. He said Basilicata region boasts many important industries such as mechanics, automobile, agricultural processing, and oil and gas exploitation. Viet Nam expects the dynamic policies being implemented will help further tap into the regions potential; open up new economic cooperation chances for the two sides; create optimal conditions for Basilicata businesses to learn more about Viet Nam, especially the countrys aquatic and agricultural products; and invest in or cooperate with Vietnamese partners in mechanical, food processing, furniture, and support industries, he went on. The ambassador affirmed the readiness to assist the region and local businesses to boost partnerships with Viet Nam. Francesco Somma, Chairman of the Basilicata Confederation of Industry (Confindustria), said his region exported 2.8 billion euros (US$3 billion) worth of goods in 2022, mainly products of textile-garment, machinery, pharmaceutical, automobiles, and oil and gas industries. He emphasised the countries similar structures of small- and medium-sized enterprises along with Basilicata firms international cooperation capacity, calling them the factors for stepping up trade and investment ties between Viet Nam and Basilicata. Talking to Vietnam News Agency, Francesco stressed the importance of deeper understanding of the potential of Viet Nam, which has strong growth and political stability. Meanwhile, Basilicata holds investment potential in terms of automobile, agricultural processing, chemical, or transportation industries. Aside from providing information, Confindustria hopes to promote initiatives for further enhancing trade and investment chances for Basilicata businesses in Viet Nam and for Vietnamese businesses in the southern region of Italy, he added. Antonio Braia, head of the chamber of small industry at Confindustria Basilicata, said local businesses can supply Made-in-Italy products for Viet Nam and also attract Vietnamese investment to strong industries of the region such as automobile, farm produce, tourism, and culture. Cirillo Giovanni, Director of Ciesse Tendaggi a curtain producing and exporting company, held that businesses in both Italy and Viet Nam should increase exchanges and meetings to meet each others diverse demand, adding that his company is boosting contact with Vietnamese partners to expand export and also planning to import many products of its specialised field. VNS HCM CITY The 2024 National Press Festival officially kicked on March 15 on Le Loi Street, HCM City. The festival, with a theme "Vietnamese Press - Pioneering, Innovation for the Revolutionary Cause of the Party and the People", will take place until March 17. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Quoc Minh, chairman of Viet Nam Journalists Association, said that this is a big event for the national press. The event also celebrates the 99th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day and the 74th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Journalists Association, he added. The event is expected to bring many professional activities of high quality, large scale, depth and practicality to the public, and journalists. This year's Press Association also organised a National Press Forum for the first time with 10 discussion sessions on important and urgent topics related to Vietnamese journalism in the era of digital transformation. These discussion sessions will take place after the plenary forum, with 60 speakers from domestic and foreign press agencies. There is an impressive display area about the history of Vietnamese press. Eight special exhibition pavilions feature Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, Military Press, Police Press, Government and National Assembly Electronic Information Portals and 112 other booths display newspapers and magazines, covering all aspects of economy, politics, culture, society, defence, security and foreign affairs. The scale of press booths at the 2024 National Press Festival is double the 2023 press festival with nearly 300 press agencies, associations and press training facilities; 64 booths displaying OCOP products from 50 provinces and centrally-run cities that highlight the role of domestic media and journalism in promoting the regional economy. VNS HA NOI The elevation of Viet Nam-Australia ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a natural development step and in line with the level of relationship between the two countries after more than 50 years of establishment and development, for the common interests and aspirations of the people of the two nations and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on Thursday. Hang made the statement at the ministrys regular press conference while answering a reporters question about major and prominent cooperation orientations of the newly-established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. She said, in the joint statement on the elevation of the relationship issued on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs recent official visit to Australia, the two sides outlined six major cooperation directions in the coming time, encompassing both bilateral cooperation, and regional and global issues. Viet Nam and Australia pledged to further develop their relations in all areas and promote the upgraded relationship on the basis of respecting international law as well as sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and political system of each country, she added. This outcome also embodies the practical implementation of Viet Nam's foreign policy outlined in the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, particularly in further strengthening and deepening relations with partners, especially strategic partners, comprehensive partners, important partners, and traditional friends, towards maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, improving the nation's position and prestige, and contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world, Hang said. Viet Nam consistently pursues the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, and its "four nos" defence policy (no partaking in military alliances, no siding with one country to act against another, no foreign military bases in the Vietnamese territory or using Viet Nam Nam as leverage to counteract other countries, and no using force or threatening to use force in international relations); and upholds its role as a responsible member and a reliable partner of the international community, she affirmed. VNS HANOI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's ride-hailing market value is estimated to reach 880 million U.S. dollars in 2024, Vietnam News Agency reported Friday, citing India-based market research firm Mordor Intelligence. By 2029, the market value will hit 21.6 billion dollars, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 19.5 percent, said the firm. Consumers' increasing preference to private transportation for the sake of convenience and the growing number of tourists are major factors to boost the ride-hailing market, according to the report. Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam is the largest market for ride-hailing in the Southeast Asian country. Xanh SM, Grab and Gojek are emerging as dominant players. AN GIANG The Peoples Committee of southern An Giang province held a conference on Thursday to review its cooperation with Cambodias Takeo Province last year and set out directions for the first half of this year. The two sides agreed to continue promoting comprehensive cooperation in border management, border demarcation and marker planting, social safety and order in border areas, agriculture, trade, education, culture, tourism, health care, transport, front affairs, and search and repatriation of martyrs' remains. Deputy Chairman of the An Giang provincial People's Committee Le Van Phuoc said the two provinces will continue carrying out the Supplementary Treaty to the 1985 Treaty on the Delimitation of National Boundaries and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty, and the Protocol on land border demarcation and marker planting signed by the two countries on October 5, 2019 recognising the completion of 84 per cent of border demarcation and marker planting. Phuoc also revealed a plan for infrastructure development to facilitate cross-border trade. Following the Vietnamese Government's approval, the province will prepare a proposal to upgrade the Bac ai-Bak Dai auxiliary border gate into a main border gate, he said. The first half of 2024 will see continued collaboration on security matters. An Giang and Takeo plan to jointly fight crimes and smuggling activities, conduct joint patrols and address illegal activities such as cultivation and encroachment across the border. Furthermore, district, town, and city hospitals in An Giang will maintain their policy of providing medical care for Cambodian citizens. They vowed to continue collecting the remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives on the Cambodian battlefield in the spirit of creating favourable conditions for border crossing procedures, ensuring smooth movement of citizens, vehicles, and other activities. Last year, the total export-import turnover through Tinh Bien - Phnom Den and Vinh Hoi ong - Kampong Krosang international border gates between the two provinces reached a significant milestone of US$1 billion. VNS BINH INH Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien on Thursday inspected the implementation of the European Commission (EC)s recommendations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Hoai Nhon Township, the central coastal province of Binh inh. Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Van Phuc reported that as of September 30 last year, the province logged 5,360 registered fishing vessels, with 455 regularly operating in southern localities without annual returns to their home port. Currently, 100 per cent of the local fishing vessels longer than 15 meters are equipped with tracking devices as per regulations. Between last October and now, there have been no fishing vessels from Binh inh violating foreign waters. Phuc also noted that based on the existing issues and constraints identified by the EC team during their fourth inspection visit to the province from October 12 - 14 last year, authorities have focused on addressing violations, particularly by vessels disconnecting their tracking devices. Tien, also the deputy head of the national steering committee on IUU fishing prevention, acknowledged the province's efforts in implementing the ECs recommendations. With a hope that Binh inh will become a model for the 27 other coastal localities to follow, he recommended the province review the number of fishing vessels and continue to resolutely handle violations. VNS ROME Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung visited Basilicata region in southern Italy from March 12-14 to explore potential areas of collaboration between Vietnamese localities and Basilicata. Ambassador Hung met with key regional leaders, including President of Basilicata Vito Bardi, Councilor of Matera province Concettina Sarlo, Prefect of Potenza city Michele Campanaro, Prefect of Matera city Cristina Favilli, and Mayor of Matera city Domenico Bennardi. Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Italy spanning over five decades of diplomatic relations, Hung proposed that leaders of Basilicata region and its cities prioritise policies and measures that would foster cooperation with Vietnamese localities in areas of mutual strength, especially in economy which still holds significant untapped opportunities. President Bardi hoped that the diplomats visit would open up specific cooperation opportunities with Viet Nam, especially in trade and investment. Mayor Bennardi expressed his desire to step up specific cooperation programmes in cultural preservation, arts and cuisine, aligning with Matera's strengths as a renowned tourist city chosen as the "European Capital of Culture 2019" and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He suggested forging twinning partnerships with a Vietnamese locality, and expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Vietnamese Embassy to hold cultural, art, fashion and culinary events, thus nurturing friendly cooperation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Both Prefect Campanaro and Prefect Favilli also echoed their support for collaborative initiatives, delegation exchanges, and all-encompassing cooperation. During a working session, Councilor Sarlo thanked the Vietnamese embassy for its gift of books on the Vietnamese history, art and culture to the provincial library to raise mutual understanding. He reciprocated by presenting the embassy with a set of books detailing the historical background of Matera's 31 territories. On the occasion, a roundtable connecting Viet Nam and Basilicata, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Basilicata Confederation of Industry, was a great success, during which participants gained further insights into the potential, cooperation needs and market attractiveness of each other. Ambassador Hung also visited major local enterprises and met with members of Rotary club to step up people-to-people diplomacy. VNS By Trinh Nguyen HA NOI This is where old motorbikes go to die. A graveyard of two-wheelers on the outskirts of Ha Noi. Packed to the rafters and bursting at the seams. Here youll find Yamahas, Hondas and many more, unloved, unwanted, gathering dust, and in the cases of the longer-term still roadworthy residents, gathering rust. In this one lot, there are more than 4,000 motorbikes. All were confiscated from their owners guilty of traffic violations. Getting them back is a simple process. They just need to pay a fine. But when penalties for violations outweigh the value of the motorbike, many people think: Whats the point? Often bikes are scrapped, or sold for parts, but even that process has its problems as it is quite complicated and takes a lot of time, in some cases, up to three years. Many bikes are reclaimed, particularly newer models, but other, older motorbikes stay put. Conditions are so cramped at the Ha Cau Thang Long company in Ha ong district of Ha Noi, that management, seeking a respite, asked that no more vehicles be sent their way. Nguyen Van Mieng, Deputy Director of the Ha Cau Thang Long company, said: The parking lot is planned to be 3700m2, but the large number of impounded vehicles exceeds the available space. Currently, we have to request units to stop sending more vehicles. Our company has signed contracts for impounded vehicle storage after traffic violations with the Traffic Police Department, district police, and several other units. However, our parking lot space is limited, while the number of impounded vehicles is substantial, leading to overloading. The backlog of vehicles presents numerous issues, including disposal policies and the failure of traffic offenders to claim their vehicles, resulting in a significant accumulation year after year, enduring weather conditions and causing a waste of citizens' and societal resources. Its not just motorbikes clogging up the space. Cars too are impounded here but fines are paid quicker, and the vehicles returned to their owners much faster than motorbikes. Mieng added: This parking lot has been operational for over 20 years, but the disposal process sometimes takes two or three years to complete. Presently, about 4,000 motorcycles and approximately 30 cars remain here, impounded for several years now, impossible to dispose of. Last year, over 700 motorcycles were disposed of, but none have been disposed of this year. When the police bring vehicles here for storage, they notify the owners according to state regulations, he said. After the deadline, if the owners don't claim their vehicles, the police record the vehicle identification numbers and hand the case over to the Liquidation Council, which involves multiple departments. I'm not sure where the complications arise. The police operate under a six-month or one year deadline for notifying vehicle owners; if they don't claim their vehicles, the police initiate the liquidation process. In reality, the storage fees are minimal. Sometimes, when there are too many vehicles, we even offer discounts to encourage owners to reclaim their vehicles sooner, reducing the daily rate to just 5,000 VN to facilitate the release of parking spaces. Legally speaking the laws are clear: commit the crime, pay the fine. But one lawyer believes the process needs speeding up if authorities want to see an end to motorbike graveyards like this one. To Thi Phuong Dung from Minh Khue Law Firm said: According to Consolidated Document No. 03 of the Ministry of Transport on administrative penalties for road traffic violations, vehicles can be impounded for a maximum of seven days before an administrative penalty decision is issued. These violations include operating a motorbike on the highway, forming a group of two or more vehicles, exceeding the prescribed speed limit, failing to comply with the requirement to test the alcohol and drug levels of the person performing official duties, not carrying vehicle registration, etc. In such cases, vehicles may be subject to administrative fines, with penalties of up to VN40 million. For alcohol-related offenses, fines range from VN8 to 40 million. But she accepts that when fines cost so much more than the actual value of the motorbike, problems arise. Explaining the backlog, she said: The first reason is that the value of the vehicle is much lower than the fine amount. The second reason is the difficulty in proving ownership of the impounded vehicle, as many unofficial transfers occur through multiple intermediaries. Traffic violators who fail to pay fines on time may face enforcement actions, warnings regarding vehicle registration, refusal of future registration procedures, and additional late payment fees for not complying with the specified timeframe. "To reduce the number of vehicles held in impound lots, it is necessary to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of obeying traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users. Secondly, penalties should be strictly enforced but within a specified timeframe, with local notifications regarding the status of unclaimed vehicles, which cause losses, wasting budget and financial resources, and directly impacting the citizens. Motorist Tran Ha abides by the rules, and luckily for him, his car is not in the pound. But he does work nearby and sees the growing number of vehicles rotting away. I see that the vehicles violating traffic laws brought here are being stored for too long, some even in a state of disrepair, without any resolution in sight, he said. The lot owner struggles, with no parking space available for daily customers, resulting in waste and significant losses for the people. Many individuals end up abandoning their vehicles due to excessively high fines. In my opinion, the government should set a deadline for vehicle disposal to avoid situations where owners have clearly abandoned their vehicles. The government can notify the violators that if vehicles remain unclaimed past the deadline, they will be disposed of. For now, the motorbikes remain. Last year more than 40,000 were confiscated in Ha Noi, with the fines paid on the majority. But others stay here. Trapped in Ha Nois motorcycle graveyard, with no escape in sight anytime soon. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has requested ministries, sectors and localities to speed up disbursement and remove difficulties and obstacles in implementing the National Target Programmes to ensure higher efficiency and quality. The Government Office has just issued Notice 93/TB-VPCP dated March 13 on the conclusion of Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang at online meeting of the Central Steering Committee discussing the implementation of the National Target Programmes in 2023 and the first two months of 2024, and key upcoming tasks and solutions. The notice highlighted that in 2023, the National Assembly (NA), the Government and localities have been very proactive in completing the legal corridor, mechanisms and policies to accelerate capital disbursement for projects in the National Target Programmes. Specifically, the NA, Government, ministries and branches have issued several resolutions, decrees, circulars, instructions amending and supplementing resolutions of the People's Councils and Committees on mechanisms and policies implementing the National Target Programmes. So far, the progress of capital disbursement for the National Target Programme implementation has been improved and had positive changes. The disbursement rate of investment capital reached about 83 per cent of the assigned plan, while non-business capital reached 36.3 per cent. Some localities have applied creative and flexible methods to assign responsibility to local departments and branches to commit to disbursing 100 per cent of the allocated capital this year. In the meeting, the Deputy PM highly appreciated the positive results and firm actions of the ministries, branches, agencies, Party committees and local governments in the implementation of the National Target Programmes in recent years. However, he also noted limitations and obstacles such as deterioration of infrastructure, especially rural transport infrastructure, with lack of investment, maintenance and repair due to limited capital resources; limited counterpart funds from the local budget to due to the decline in revenue; and weak capacity and sense of responsibility of staff performing tasks in some areas, agencies and units. Moreover, co-ordination, sharing, and learning from experiences between ministries, central and local agencies are not effective. He requested ministries, agencies and localities to be firmer in accelerating capital disbursement, removing difficulties and obstacles in order to achieve the highest goals and targets assigned by the NA and disburse 100 per cent of the allocated capital this year, as well as ensure efficiency, quality and focused investment avoiding fragmentation, loss and negativity. He also asked ministers, heads of central agencies and chairpersons of People's committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to raise the responsibility of their leadership, proactively and decisively direct affiliated units to carefully research and immediately implement specific mechanisms and policies in the NAs resolution. Ministers, heads and chairpersons have to promptly amend and supplement documents guiding, managing and implementing the National Target Programmes within the scope and field of their management, reporting to competent authorities any difficulties. The Ministries of Planning and Investment; Finance; Agriculture and Rural Development; and Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs; the Ethnic Committee, and the State Bank of Vietnam are responsible for guiding and responding to difficulties, problems and recommendations of localities in implementing the National Target Programme. The Ministry of Planning and Investment has to co-ordinate with relevant ministries, agencies and localities to receive opinions to complete a draft decree on policy mechanisms encouraging businesses to invest in agriculture and rural areas, and report to the Prime Minister this month. The ministry will also submit to the Prime Minister regulations on building a national database and an online reporting system to monitor and evaluate National Target Programmes next month, and the ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), and the Ethnic Committee will complete a management system on National Target Programmes and data connection with the Ministry of Planning and Investments system by the second quarter this year. MARD needs to propose solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles in identifying low-income workers as beneficiaries of the National Target Programme for Sustainable Poverty Reduction in the period 2021 2025. The Ethnic Committee chairs the implementation of the socio-economic development programme in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021 2030. The list of extremely difficult villages and ethnic minority and mountainous villages must be approved before March 15. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam has remained a high human development country through the difficult years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and human development continues to be a focus of the countrys development strategy. That was the message from UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi, as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced its new report. The 2023/24 Human Development Report (HDR), titled Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world, shows that Viet Nam's Human Development Index (HDI) value for 2022 is 0.726, positioning it at 107 out of the 193 countries and territories. Between 1990 and 2022, the nation's HDI value changed from 0.492 to 0.726, an improvement of nearly 50 per cent. In the 1990s when UNDP introduced the HDI, Viet Nam was at the relatively lower end of the ranking, but now it is in the middle of the ranking, having made consistent progress over the past 30 years. Viet Nam ranks 91 out of the 166 countries in the Gender Inequality Index, which considers inequality across three dimensions of reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. Ramla Khalidi said: Viet Nam has done well in some respects, for example access to education and labour force participation, however a persistent gender division of labour reserves more stable, highly paid jobs for men, and women still account for a small share of leadership roles in Government, the National Assembly and in the private sector. According to the report, uneven development progress is leaving the poorest behind, exacerbating inequality, and stoking political polarisation on a global scale. The result is a dangerous gridlock that must be urgently tackled through collective action. Achim Steiner, administrator of the UNDP, congratulated Viet Nam on the many important achievements in human development it has obtained over the recent past. Speaking at the launch ceremony for the reportat the UN headquarters in New York on March 13 (local time), he said that the world has gradually recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Human Development Index (HDI) has bounced back and stood at the highest-ever level since the HDR was first released in 1990. However, he also voiced concern about growing uncertainties and conflicts in several regions, especially the worsening inequality and widening HDI gap between developed and developing countries. The UNDP expected the new report will serve as a basis for policymakers worldwide to work out appropriate directions and solutions to cope with challenges and continue promoting human development. In a separate meeting with Ambassador ang Hoang Giang Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN prior to the launch, Steiner congratulated Viet Nam on continuing to obtain many important achievements in human development, which has contributed to the international communitys common efforts in settling global challenges and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The ranking improvement is a result of the Party and States effective policies and strong efforts to foster economic recovery, guarantee post-pandemic social security, and create the best possible conditions for the development of Vietnamese people. The UNDPs Human Development Report, released every two years, is compiled basing on contributions by many experts from UN agencies, member states, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations. It analyses human development trends and multi-dimensional impacts of the world situation. The HDI is considered one of important criteria for assessing countries development and widely used by researchers and policymakers. VNS GENEVA Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations (UN), has affirmed that ensuring food security remains a top priority of countries, including Viet Nam, especially in the context of climate change. Climate change impacts have worsened the vulnerability to poverty and malnutrition, he explained while addressing an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioners report on climate change, which took place within the framework of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 13. On behalf of the core group for climate change and human rights, comprising Viet Nam, Bangladesh and the Philippines, Dung said climate change makes food production and access increasingly difficult, especially in vulnerable areas, and undermines food security, nutrition, and the full realisation of the right to food. The ambassador thanked the High Commissioner for mentioning the issue through his report and providing recommendations about how to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on the right to food. He asked the High Commissioner to clarify his proposal on building and implementing policies that ensure a just transition to more sustainable food systems. Dung also suggested him recommend measures for countries, especially those with export orientations, to convert farming activities to ensure food security, raise their resilience to climate change, and maintain stable livelihoods and prosperity. VNS QUANG TRI The Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a humanitarian non-government organisation that helps clear explosive ramnants of war, held a ceremony in ong Ha city, the central province of Quang Tri on March 15 to mark its 25th year of operation in Viet Nam. Established in the UK in 1989, MAG has worked to bring safety and opportunities to rebuild life and develop livelihoods and future for tens of millions of people in war-affected areas of more than 70 countries. In 1999, MAG arrived in Viet Nam and set up its first office in Quang Tri, the most severely contaminated place for bombs and mines in Viet Nam. It expanded its operation in Quang Binh in 2003 then Quang Nam in 2012. Over the past 25 years, MAG has cleared almost 180 million square metres of land, and destroyed more than 230,000 explosives of various kinds, helping bring safety to nearly 700,000 residents. Besides, it has built schools, medical stations, roads and resettlement areas while carrying out over 1,000 communications activities to raise public awareness of measures to prevent bomb and mine accidents. At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Hoang Nam spoke highly of the contributions by MAG, expressing his hope that MAG and other action operators will continue support for the province to recover post-war consequences and develop the socio-economy sustainably. Quang Tri is striving to become the first Vietnamese locality that lives safely with bombs and mines left over from wars, he added. On the occasion, MAG received certificates of merit from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation and the Chairman of the Quang Tri provincial Peoples Committee for its contributions to Viet Nams socio-economic development during 1999-2024, and post-war recovery in Quang Tri province. VNS HA NOI A workshop promoting Viet Nams tourist destinations and e-visa policy took place in Hong Kong (China) on March 14. Co-organised by the Vietnam Airlines branch in the region and the Society of IATA Passenger Agents Ltd (SIPA), the event gathered representatives of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau and CEOs and senior managers of many local travel companies. In his opening remarks, the head of the Vietnam Airlines branch, Ngo Tri Hung, said Hong Kong residents consider Viet Nam an attractive place for its scenic spots, friendly people, diverse culture, exquisite cuisine, and near distance of just several hours' flight. Vietnam Airlines is operating 11 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City. The workshop introduced the latest top Vietnamese destinations as voted by TripAdvisor like Ha Long Bay, the Sapa resort town and the ancient citadel of Hue. In particular, Consul Nguyen Minh Tuan from the Consulate General informed the participants about the advantages and convenience of the e-visas, such as simple procedures that save time. SIPA Chairman Tommy Tam told the Vietnam News Agency that Hong Kong residents are fond of traveling to Viet nam. He expressed his hope to see Vietnamese tourism businesses bringing their products to the upcoming International Travel Expo (ITE) Hong Kong scheduled for June. VNS New OnePlus 11 5G Flagship Smartphone Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 6.7 2K 120Hz AMOLED Display 100W SUPERVOOC Charge 5000mAh Battery NFC 362.99 4.7 (104) En stock Por un escritor de hombre misterioso BERLIN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Frequent strikes by rail and air staff in Germany could bring negative consequences for the country as a business location, an employers' association warned Friday. Steffen Kampeter, managing director of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA), told Rheinische Post newspaper: "The strikes in critical infrastructure are not only annoying, they are also a brake on growth." The economic damage "not only concerns the companies directly affected, but the entire economy," he added. The German Economic Institute (IW) estimates that a single day of a nationwide rail strike costs up to 100 million euros (109 million U.S. dollars) in economic output. 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The DJ got a chartered flight from Brazil where he had performed in various clubs, but the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Montevideo, Uruguays capital. I put on my headphones and took a nap, but I was woken up by what seemed like a dream or nightmare. The plane was shaking extremely violentlyI fell on the floor and I still had my headphones. There was a gospel song playing and there was this song playing hallelujah, hallelujah in a loop, and the loop kept getting higher and higher. It felt like a choir or these angels were singing to save me at that moment, said Black Coffee. He was rushed to hospital where he stayed for a week to recover from a five-hour surgery to correct his upper spinal cord. The accident and its aftermath changed Black Coffees perspective on life and his destiny, he said. I saw my life ending. I wasnt even praying to be alive, I was just praying to get to heaven. I was like, dont lock me out God. I dont want to be on the other side. I feel like I have been given a second chance, Black Coffee told Kaya FM. The incident, however significant, did not lead to an immediate repentance. Existential questions kept prodding in his heart and mind weeks after he was discharged from hospital and back home in South Africa. He felt like something was missing despite the near-death experience and he turned to Pastor Kabelo Mabalane for answers. If anyone had an idea of what Black Coffee was going through, it would be Pastor Mabalane, he said. The respected former musician has inspired and supported a number of artists that have turned to Jesus. Having left a life of stardom and addiction, Mabalane had his own Damascus-experience two decades ago and can relate with the nagging feeling of having everything but feeling empty. I felt like I needed to be prayed for. So I called Kabelo and I told him how I was feeling. He came to the house and he gave me a perspective of life and faith that I never knew existed, added Black Coffee who invited his friend to the house to hear what Pastor Mabalane had to say. After he shared a scripture, he asked, gentlemen, are you ready to receive Christ as your savior? he recounted. Black Coffee said his first reaction was to resist the invite because of the perception he had of believers. He told Mabalane: Most of the people that say they are saved are mean people, judgmental and corrupt. I told him that I dont want to be in the shoes where people look at me and wait for me to fall. He told me, thats not how it works. The pastor then patiently explained the gift of salvation through faith and not works emphasizing that Jesus had already paid the price of our sins. Mabalane emphasized that salvation is not for the perfect but a journey towards perfection through the help of God. He told us that the first thing you need to do to walk this journey is to put Jesus in your heart and thats when I accepted the call, said Black Coffee. Part of what convinced him to surrender to Christ was the feeling that despite having achieved his life goals - award winning artiste, playing in the worlds biggest music clubs and at festivals, and acquiring fame and wealth - he still felt there was something else that was missing. As a musician he had produced nine studio albums since 1994 and won several awards including 4 DJ awards and one Grammy Award. I love challenges. I love starting something and excelling in it. I cannot wait to excel in this journey. Its going to take a while but I am embracing the journey. I know I am going to walk, fall, run, stumble but I want to keep walking right, he said. NOTE: Global Version. No Warranty. This device is globally unlocked and ready to be used with your preferred GSM Carrier. 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No Warranty. This device is globally unlocked and ready to be used with your preferred GSM Carrier. THIS DEVICE IS Xiaomi Mi 13 Ultra 5G 256GB 12GB Factory Unlocked (GSM Only | No CDMA - not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint) China Version - Black Xiaomi 13 Pro 5G Dual 256GB 12GB RAM Factory Unlocked (GSM Only No CDMA - not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint) China Version - Green : Cell Phones & Accessories Xiaomi Mi 2K Gaming Monitor 27 review - news 150.99 4.9 (545) En stock Por un escritor de hombre misterioso Expanded land use rights expected to attract OV investment in real estate, Illustrative image (Photo: baodautu.vn) HCM City - The expansion of land use rights for overseas Vietnamese (OV) in the recently passed 2024 Land Law is good news for OVs who want to own real estate in Vietnam, said experts from Savills Vietnam. This is even more meaningful considering the strong remittance flow to Vietnam in 2023, which exceeded 16 billion USD, up 32% annually, they said. The 2024 Land Law, taking effect on January 1, 2025, introduces significant changes for OV land users. They will be entitled to almost all the land use rights previously reserved for Vietnamese citizens. Additionally, foreign-invested economic entities and people of Vietnamese origin abroad will benefit from the expanded rights, including receiving transferred land use rights and re-renting land use rights at industrial and hi-tech parks. This change will bring more investment opportunities for the OV homebuyer group, said Deputy Managing Director of Savills Vietnam Troy Griffiths. According to the Savills Vietnam experts, in the past, OVs wanting to invest in property in Vietnam had to do so via family members or relatives, resulting in disputes. The new Land Law has solved this problem, facilitating investment and minimising risks for OV investors. Statistics provided by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs revealed a substantial flow of remittances into Vietnam. From 1993, the first year remittance data was collected, to the end of 2022, the total amount of remittances surpassed 190 billion USD, almost equal to the FDI sum disbursed in the same period. A significant portion of remittances, primarily from Asian countries through workers, has already been directed towards real estate sector, according to Griffiths. Fixing land use rights for foreigners Adding the provision that foreign individuals would be allowed to use residential land in Vietnam to the revised Law on Land could ensure uniformity and better consistency in the countrys current legal system. Japan, ASEAN to integrate QR code payments from 2025, Illustrative image (Photo:impresswatch) Tokyo Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries will integrate QR code payments from 2025, aiming to facilitate spending between these countries without the need to exchange currency, which is time-consuming, especially for tourists, according to Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). A representative of METI said that the ministry is in discussions with governments and central banks of countries around the world, including Southeast Asian countries in this regard. The Cashless Promotion Council is accelerating the progress of building a payment system that allows the connection between domestic services and international ones, the representative said, elaborating that it is expected to be completed in 2024. In Japan, QR code payment services are being provided by a number of businesses such as Paypay and Rakuten Pay. Accordingly, Japanese consumers will scan the store's QR code with their smartphone to pay online but it only applies to the registered service. Overcoming this shortcoming, the new system will help consumers pay normally for any type of service. Five ASEAN member countries, namely Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines, signed a memorandum of understanding on payment integration between the countries in 2022 and began interaction in several areas. Japan is also expected to promote negotiations with ASEAN countries to soon deploy this type of service between Japan and ASEAN. According to METI's latest data, the amount of non-cash payments in Japan in 2022 is about 111 trillion JPY (about 750 billion USD), of which payments using QR codes and other codes account for only 2,6 per cent. Meanwhile, according to Google statistics, the value of digital payments in six major Southeast Asian countries reached 858 billion USD in 2022. A survey by Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), a US financial services company, showed that digital payment, including QR codes, accounts for 28 per cent of total payments in Indonesia and 23 per cent in Thailand. Vietnam asks Japan to clarify allegation on Vietnamese citizen in murder case Vietnams representative agencies in Japan have asked local authorities to speed up investigations into the case of a Vietnamese citizen who was alleged to be murdered in Higashiomi city of Japan's Shiga Prefecture on February 26, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung (centre), Chairman of the Basilicata Confederation of Industry Francesco Somma (second from right), and other participants at the roundtable meeting in Potenza city on March 13 (Photo: VNA) Rome A roundtable meeting took place in Potenza city, the capital of Italys Basilicata region, on March 13 to introduce Vietnam to local businesses and explore economic cooperation potential. Opening the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung gave a brief introduction of Vietnams socio-economic achievements and favourable policies for businesses and investors. He said Basilicata region boasts many important industries such as mechanics, automobile, agricultural processing, and oil and gas exploitation. Vietnam expects the dynamic policies being implemented will help further tap into the regions potential; open up new economic cooperation chances for the two sides; create optimal conditions for Basilicata businesses to learn more about Vietnam, especially the countrys aquatic and agricultural products; and invest in or cooperate with Vietnamese partners in mechanical, food processing, furniture, and support industries, he went on. The ambassador affirmed the readiness to assist the region and local businesses to boost partnerships with Vietnam. Francesco Somma, Chairman of the Basilicata Confederation of Industry (Confindustria), said his region exported 2.8 billion EUR (3 billion USD) worth of goods in 2022, mainly products of textile - garment, machinery, pharmaceutical, automobiles, and oil and gas industries. He emphasised the countries similar structures of small- and medium-sized enterprises along with Basilicata firms international cooperation capacity, calling them the factors for stepping up trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Basilicata. Talking to Vietnam News Agency, Francesco stressed the importance of deeper understanding of the potential of Vietnam, which has strong growth and political stability. Meanwhile, Basilicata holds investment potential in terms of automobile, agricultural processing, chemical, or transportation industries. Aside from providing information, Confindustria hopes to promote initiatives for further enhancing trade and investment chances for Basilicata businesses in Vietnam and for Vietnamese businesses in the southern region of Italy, he added. Antonio Braia, head of the chamber of small industry at Confindustria Basilicata, said local businesses can supply Made-in-Italy products for Vietnam and also attract Vietnamese investment to strong industries of the region such as automobile, farm produce, tourism, and culture. Cirillo Giovanni, Director of Ciesse Tendaggi a curtain producing and exporting company, held that businesses in both Italy and Vietnam should increase exchanges and meetings to meet each others perse demand, adding that his company is boosting contact with Vietnamese partners to expand export and also planning to import many products of its specialised field. Italy: From Plein Air to Atelier exhibition runs until July 9 Patron Art Space is delighted to introduce an exhibition titled Italy: From Plein Air to Atelier, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy. Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Phan Van Mai (L) talks to a delegate at the event (Photo: VNA) HCM City - Representatives of foreign business associations have proposed several solutions to improve the investment and business environment in Ho Chi Minh City at a meeting with municipal officials hosted by the Investment & Trade Promotion Centre of the city on March 14. Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Vo Van Hoan affirmed the citys authorities always accompany businesses, including foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises, stressing that contributions made by FDI firms play an important role in the city's social investment. According to the official, in 2023, the southern economic hub continued to lead the country in terms of registered FDI capital, with nearly 6 billion USD, surging by nearly 50% compared to 2022, and accounting for 16% of the country's total FDI attraction. This highlights efforts of the municipal authorities in improving investment environment and implementing its commitments to investors and businesses, Hoan said. Resources from FDI enterprises are crucial for the city's development and help facilitate its economic restructuring, he noted. Ramachandran A.S, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham) stressed that the partnership achieved by the governments of Vietnam and the US is an important foundation for promoting cooperation between the business communities, contributing to the economic growth of the two nations. HCM City should focus on strengthening the high-value production ecosystem, including areas such as tertiary education, innovation and digital transformation across sectors, logistics, infrastructure, energy, and sustainable development; investing in infrastructure development; enhancing the quality of healthcare; and improving policy environment, he said. According to Wesley Chua, Vice Chairman of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (SCCV), administrative procedures in Vietnam are still complex and could pose obstacles for foreign investors. He also mentioned other limitations such as a shortage of skilled labourers, the backwardness of transportation network, seaports, and power supply which raises logistics costs and poses challenges to foreign investors. Meanwhile, Do Thi Hong Duyen, a member of the leadership board of the German Business Association in Vietnam, said HCM City and Vietnam in general need to pay heed to improving the investment environment through policy reforms, education reform, improving transportation infrastructure, and simplifying visa policies. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the municipal People's Committee stated that the city has concentrated on three growth pillars of investment, consumption, and exports. In its long-term strategy, the southern economic hub is developing new growth drivers such as a financial hub, digital economy transformation, and green transformation to keep up with global development trends, he said, adding that the municipal authorities have also promoted efforts to better the quality of healthcare, education, transportation, and living environment to attract quality and sustainable capital flows. Thailand to send 3,000 skilled shipbuilding workers to RoK, Illustrative image (Photo: Nation Thailand) Bangkok Thai Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn reached an agreement to send 3,000 Thai skilled shipbuilding workers to the Republic of Korea (RoK), during his trip to Seoul on March 13. Phiphat clinched the deal to send Thai welders and mechanical technicians at a meeting with representatives of five Korean shipbuilders, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industry, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean. The three Hyundai Group companies had agreed to collaborate, the minister said after the meeting at Lotte Hotel Seoul. He said there are around 20,000 legally registered Thai workers in the RoK, where wages are at least five times higher than in Thailand. The ministry plans to increase the number of Thai workers sent to the RoK by 3,000-4,000 this year, he added. The ministry aims to send 100,000 Thai workers abroad this year, also increasing numbers to meet demand in Australia and Eastern European countries like Poland, Phiphat said. Thailand seizes over 10,000 illegal vapes 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. Thailand seizes large drug hauls in border province 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. A European-styled village on the peak of Ba Na Hills. (Photo: Sun Group) Hanoi The sensational beauty of Sun World Ba Na Hills resort in the central beach city of Da Nang, one of Vietnams most famous tourism destinations, has wowed many visitors both home and abroad, including Jack Mortimer, a journalist of the UKs Express newspaper. In his article published on March 3 on the Express website, Mortimer said when thinking about the things tourists typically see on a trip to Vietnam, it is easy to imagine attractions such as the stunning limestone islands of Ha Long Bay or the millions of motorbikes whizzing around the palace-like Ho Chi Minh City Hall, but many people cant imagine, there is a tourist resort styled to look like a French village. That is exactly what Ba Na Hills is. He shared that located around a 45-minute drive from the city of Da Nang, Ba Na Hills is a resort that aims to recreate the feel of a trip to France. The journalist was impressed by the Golden Bridge, a 150 metre long platform seemingly held up by two massive hands, made from fibreglass designed to look like stone. First opened in 2018, the bridge attracts many tourists from all over the world, so be sure to make plenty of time to walk over it to get the best views. However, he was thrilled by a European-styled village on the peak of Ba Na Hills. He related that the main part of the 'village' is a market square featuring a large fountain and busts of well-known French figures, again made from fibreglass. The whole village is not exactly what it seems, feeling at times more like he was on a Paramount set, rather than Pays de la Loire, France. However, everything visitors can imagine to find in a French village is present. A Catholic church complete with confessions booth, a string of quaint restaurants offering wine stored in a cellar deep in the mountain, even a number of vintage French cars that have been covered in bouquets of flowers. The author commented that the site can get incredibly crowded, however it is a day that few are likely to forget, and, with an entrance fee of 850,000VND (27 GBP) for adults and 700,000VND (22 GBP), is incredible value for money. This is not the first time Sun World Ba Na Hills has been honoured by international media. Recently, the Hong Kong (China)'s Sassy magazine has suggested experiences that visitors cannot miss when coming to Da Nang, the most prominent of which is to take the cable car to Ba Na peak to see the Golden Bridge. Coming into operation in 2009, up to now, Sun World Ba Na Hills has always maintained the image of an iconic tourist area not only of Da Nang. Especially with the launch of the Golden Bridge five years ago, Sun World Ba Na Hills has contributed to bringing Da Nang tourism in particular, Vietnam in general to the world, affirming its position on the world's tourism map. The year 2023 marked the fourth consecutive time Sun World Ba Na Hills Resort has been awarded the title of "Asia's Leading Theme Park 2023" by the World Travel Awards at the 30th WTA World Travel Awards in Asia and Oceania. . , . , . , . . PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) Parents of the victims of a Michigan mass shooting were steadfast observers at court hearings that led to three separate convictions of an entire family. One of their goals now is to see more change rise out of the 2021 tragedy at Oxford High School. We can put people on the moon. We can build skyscrapers, huge monuments like the Hoover Dam and we cant keep our kids safe in schools, said Steve St. Juliana, whose 14-year-old daughter, Hana, was killed by Ethan Crumbley. I think people just need to wake up and take action. Stop accepting the excuses. Stop buying the rhetoric, St. Juliana said Thursday night after the teen shooter's father was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. James Crumbley, 47, was found guilty, five weeks after his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, 45, was convicted of the same charges at a separate trial in suburban Detroit. They were accused of failing to take critical steps, including safely securing a gun at home, that could have prevented their son's attack. Here's what's ahead for the Crumbleys and what's on the minds of families struggling with grief: SENTENCING: James and Jennifer Crumbley, the first U.S. parents charged with responsibility for a mass school shooting, will be sentenced on April 9. Ethan, now 17, is serving life in prison with no chance for parole after pleading guilty to murder and terrorism. The maximum term in Michigan for involuntary manslaughter is 15 years in prison. But what's critical are the minimum sentences that will be ordered by Judge Cheryl Matthews. They could be as high as 10 years. After the minimum is served, the Michigan parole board can consider releasing the Crumbleys. They will get credit for more than two years spent in the Oakland County jail since their arrest. THE TRIALS: Prosecutors said Ethan, who was 15 at the time, wanted help for his mental health but his parents ignored him. On the day of the shooting, they went to the school to discuss his morbid drawing of a gun, a wounded figure and phrases such as, The thoughts won't stop. Help me." Instead of taking their son home, the Crumbleys left with a list of contacts for mental health services and returned to work. A few hours later, Ethan pulled a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun from his backpack and began shooting. The gun had been purchased four days earlier by James Crumbley, and mother and son had used it at a shooting range. Investigators said the firearm was not secured at home; a cable lock was found in a package. School staff had not demanded that Ethan be taken home. But they also didn't know about the new gun or that it resembled the one in the drawing, according to testimony. Prosecutors said the shooting was a foreseeable consequence of James Crumbley's actions. His defense lawyer denied that. James was not aware that his son could or would harm anyone or that he had obtained the means to do so. Obviously, James feels terrible about what happened, Mariell Lehman said after the trial. STRATEGY: James Crumbley decided not to testify, unlike his wife, whose time in the witness chair didn't help her. Jennifer Crumbley told a jury that she wouldn't have done anything differently and believed that she, too, was a victim. The first trial was about what kind of parent Jennifer Crumbley was, said Terry Johnson, a Detroit-area defense lawyer who watched the trials. You heard about an affair. You heard about horses. His character was not the central issue like it was in the first trial. Prosecutor Karen McDonald said investigators had a key question immediately after the Oxford massacre: Where did the teen get a gun? And that led to a lot more questions, she said, "and that led to disturbing, upsetting and egregious facts. McDonald said basic, reasonable, ordinary care by the parents could have prevented the shooting, but instead the community has been devastated. THE RESPONSE: Affected families have become activists in some ways. Buck Myre, whose 16-year-old son Tate Myre was killed, said his family started a mentoring program to help kids. Our kids are not doing well these days. We're in a mental health crisis, Myre told reporters. The gun is just a tool. We got to look at other things other than the gun. Were going to see what we can do to support these kids better. Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of slain 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, said the focus now should shift to the Oxford school district "the school and its failures, the things that they dont want to admit to." We will be here fighting every second for our children, because they are not allowed to forget any of them, she said. The school district hired an outside group to conduct an independent investigation of the shooting. A report released in October said missteps at each level school board, administrators, staff contributed to the disaster. Six students and a staff member were also wounded that day. Lawsuits against the district and school personnel are pending in state and federal courts. We have to go for the big picture and wrap this thing up and hold everybody accountable, said Craig Shilling, whose son Justin Shilling, 17, was killed in a school restroom. CHANGES IN POLICY: The Oxford shooting already influenced one change in Michigan law. Gun owners must keep unloaded firearms in a locked container when it's reasonably known that a child will likely be present. The offense could be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. A Flint man was recently charged under the new law after his 2-year-old daughter shot herself. The three prosecutions and convictions are critical. But we will not solve gun violence with these three prosecutions, McDonald said of the Crumbley family. And she urged others in law enforcement to be aggressive when necessary. Be brave. Ask tough questions. And if they dont answer, then keep trying, McDonald said. AP reporter Katie Foody in Chicago contributed to this story. Follow Ed White on X, formerly Twitter: https://twitter.com/edwritez Villagers at a cemetery in Dordogne Department in southwest France were horrified that vandals this week painted Islamist slogans in French and Arabic on 58 graves, a church door, a World War I memorial and tomb art depicting the Crucifixion. The defacement reportedly happened overnight in Clermont dExcideuil between March 10 and March 11. A local church building near the cemetery had Ramadan Mubarak (Blessed Ramadan) daubed on its doors. Slogans within the cemetery included, Submit yourselves to Allah, Happy Ramadan non-Muslims and Koufars, meaning unbelievers. One of the grave slogans read, France is already Allahs, according to British newspaper the Daily Mail. Clermont dExcideuil Mayor Claude Eymery reportedly discovered the vandalism on Monday morning (March 11) and contacted police. He told FranceInfo that he thought such incidents only happened elsewhere. Prefet de la Dordogne, the French states regional representative, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), The prefect strongly condemns the new act of vandalism committed at the Clermont-dExcideuil cemetery. A gendarmerie investigation continues under the authority of the Perigueux public prosecutors office, which has opened an investigation into aggravated damage. Jeanne Cumet, a spokesperson for S.O.S Calvaires, an association that preserves, repairs and maintains French chapels, calvaries, oratories and fountains, said the vandalism was very serious. Christian cemeteries have been tagged with Satanist or other messages, for example. But Ive never heard of a Christian cemetery being tagged with Islamic references, Cumet told Christian Daily International. Jewish cemeteries, for example, are more frequently vandalized, but this kind of tagging in the Dordogne as far as Im concerned, it hasnt happened for a long time, if ever. Volunteers from S.O.S. Calvaires, which often works in cemeteries, immediately came forward to help with clean-up following a request by police. Cumet said police officers took photos and samples and asked the association to clean off the markings quickly. They restored the site within a week. Vandalism of graves are very serious and show a total lack of respect for those who lie there, Cumet said. Its the same disrespect shown to our heroes of the First World War and, of course, to the church. We cannot understand what happened in these peoples minds, to show such hatred towards Christians. The vandals mainly targeted the Catholicism, she said. The weirdo could have tagged the walls of the town hall, the post office or the school, but he or she chose Christian symbols, she said. Cumet added that local villagers, numbering about 240, were very shocked. Just imagine waking up in your little and peaceful village to go out and discover all of this, she said. Sadness, astonishment and indignation were in all the peoples hearts that morning. Police launched an investigation into the vandalism, but Cumet said no culprits have been caught. The vandalism was not an isolated case. In Marseille on June 28, churchgoers were upset to discover Islamists had wrecked Philadelphia Evangelical Protestant Church. They damaged a prayer room, broke doors and windows and painted slogans, including, The last prophet is Muhammad and Jesus is not God. France has seen a rise in anti-Christian hate crimes with Islamist motives in recent years, according to Anja Hoffmann, executive director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDACE). She said similar graffiti was recently found in the Dordogne region, including, Today this is the land of gwer [infidels]. Tomorrow this will be the land of Islam. All these slogans express a claim of superiority of Islam and the targeting of Christians as unbelievers or infidels, which is common in Islamist extremism, Hoffman told Christian Daily International. It seems worrying that the countrys secularist elite, and especially left-wing intellectuals, do not want to acknowledge this dimension of the aggression. The reactions of local residents to the March 10-11 cemetery vandalism showed how traumatic such acts can be for a religious community, she said. French politicians need to take further measures to protect Christian communities in the country, she added. Although France has increased its budget for the protection of places of worship due to frequent attacks, politicians also need to take measures to address this inter-religious dimension of anti-Christian hate crimes, Hoffmann said. In March 2022, French MEP Jean-Paul Garraud challenged the European Commission to address a surge in anti-Christian hate crime in France and other parts of Europe. He asked why there was no coordinator or strategy planned to combat Christophobia. The commission had appointed a coordinator to combat anti-semitism in 2015 and another to combat anti-Muslim hatred in 2018. Vera Jourova, vice-president of the European Commission, confirmed no coordinator was planned for Christophobia. The commission is committed to protect Christians and members of other religious groups from persecution within the EU and does not make any distinction between religious groups, Jourova reportedly said. The commission has no plans as regards a specific strategy on Christophobia or to appoint a dedicated coordinator on this issue. Two Waco police officers and a civilian were injured and taken to a local hospital Thursday after a crash during a car chase, police said. Waco police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said officers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation just after 2 p.m. in the 3300 block of Speight Avenue. The driver did not stop, and a chase began, she said. During the chase, a police vehicle occupied by two officers crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Valley Mills Drive, Shipley said. The non-police vehicle involved in the crash was not involved in the chase. The two officers and the civilian in the other vehicle were taken to a local hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, Shipley said. The driver involved in the chase was later arrested in the 3100 block of Franklin Avenue and was identified as Paul Resendez, Shipley said. Resendez was not on the McLennan County Jail roster as of Thursday evening, but Shipley said he was charged with evading arrest. A second member of an alleged theft ring operating in 2022 in Waco and Robinson pleaded guilty Thursday to related charges. He received a five-year prison sentence. Elijah Watson-El, 21, pleaded guilty Thursday in Wacos 54th State District Court to a first-degree felony charge of engaging in organized criminal activity and three state jail felony charges, including one count of engaging in organized criminal activity and two counts of theft of a firearm. Judge Susan Kelly sentenced Watson to five years in prison for the first-degree felony charge and 12 months for each of the lesser felonies, all according to a plea agreement. First-degree felonies in Texas are punishable by 5 to 99 years, or life in prison. Youre being shown a degree of mercy here because you took responsibility for what you did, Kelly told Watson, who appeared by video link from McLennan County Jail. Court records show Watson sent a letter to the court from McLennan County Jail admitting guilt to the four charges. The first-degree felony conviction will also allow prosecutors to enhance the sentencing range to a minimum of 15 years for any future felony Watson may convicted of. If you do this again, you will be in very serious trouble and you will go to prison for a very long time, Kelly said. The sentences will run concurrently, and Watson will receive credit for the approximately 16 months he already served in pre-trial confinement in McLennan County Jail. Offenders serving sentences for engaging in organized criminal activity are required by the Texas Government Code to complete half their time before becoming eligible for parole. Watsons indictment on the first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity charge lists Quincy Jamal White, 21, and Paul Daniel Williams III as co-defendants. Police arrested Watson and others in late 2022 on charges related to multiple burglaries in the area. Police in November and December 2022 filed charges related to multiple burglaries against Watson; White; Stephon Rafael Lucas, 19; and Jordan Keyshawn King, 20. Authorities from Waco, Robinson and Falls County filed charges against one or more of the men. 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. White has been free on $25,000 bond with a GPS monitor since March 23, 2023. Williams has been in McLennan County Jail since February of last year with bond set at $55,000. Lucas has been in McLennan County Jail since November 2022 with bond set at $26,500. Williams, White and Lucas are scheduled for court appearances next month. King pleaded guilty Feb. 29 to six charges and received a 20-month sentence in state jail. DES MOINES Every member of Iowas all-Republican U.S. House delegation voted Wednesday to pass a measure to force the wildly popular social media platform TikTok to split from its Chinese parent company or face a national ban. Our bill is simple: it forces TikTok to cut ties with the CCP (Chinese Community Party) or lose American users, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, said on the House floor. Hinson sits on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party that originated the bill. Today, we are sending a message to the CCP that we are going to deflate the 140 million spy balloons theyve installed on American phones, she said. We are going to protect our kids, our national security, and our cybersecurity." The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate where it faces an uncertain future and concerns from some lawmakers that it violates Americans rights to free expression. Critics say rather than explicitly singling out TikTok, Congress should focus on bolstering data privacy and security. Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley told reporters Wednesday he will likely vote to approve the bill in the Senate but is not yet a firm yes. Grassley said he wants more information from U.S. intelligence officials and colleagues that serve on the Senate Intelligence Committee about the national security risk posed by TikToks Beijing-based parent, ByteDance. Though TikTok is incorporated in the United States, its ties to ByteDance have long triggered fears the app could be weaponized by Chinese government officials to snoop on Americans and shape their political views by promoting and spreading misinformation or disinformation. The company says it has never and would never share U.S. user data with the Chinese government and disputes claims of any foreign interference or influence. I think anything connected to the Chinese Communist Party must be suspect, and thats why Im telling you Im leaning toward (supporting the bill), Grassley told reporters during a weekly conference call. But Im going to reserve just a little bit of judgment till I get the briefings we ought to have until we pass it. Regardless of how I vote, I think (Senate Majority Chuck) Schumer should bring it up for a Senate vote, Grassley said. The 90-year-old, an avid use of Twitter, now X, said hes never used TikTok. Grassley last year discounted concerns about a potential TikTok ban violating the First Amendment free-speech protections, noting that users could migrate to other apps. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, in a 2023 op-ed column, called TikTok a dangerous platform China has weaponized against Americans. She praised efforts, including in Iowa, to ban the app from government devices and called for prohibiting other taxpayer-funded entities, such as federally funded universities and airports, from advertising or partnering with the platform. Make no mistake about it, TikTok is an arm of the Chinese Communist Party propaganda machine living rent-free on the devices of 150 million Americans, and its putting our national security in jeopardy, Ernst wrote. This insidious app collects your data, surveils behavior, monitors user habits, and negatively influences our youth with an endless stream of addictive content. The first lesson of history is the good of evil. Ralph Waldo Emerson A contrary statement, but one which describes the impetus which must often take place to move people and nations to action. Such a time is now. As children, we read stories of heroes and villains pitted in the struggle between good and evil. Cinderella and her wicked stepmother; The Narnia series and the White Witch; The Jungle Book and Shere Khan; Peter Pan and Captain Hook, on and on. Disney movies also brought fairy tales to a whole generation on the big and small screen. But rarely, even in those cartoon depictions, was evil defeated without sacrifice. Perhaps we were more attuned to the struggle between those opposing forces as children, our perceptions stored away with other childish things. Yet, forces for good and for evil play out every day in our lives. For evidence, we need look no further than the daily news. In our politically correct world, it is tempting to deny this. That is, until evil becomes an imminent threat, too close, too powerful. Yet, how much better to confront it before it is rampant: as in Hitlers Nazi Germany, as now in Ukraine. We have a son adopted from St. Petersburg, Russia. He was brought home just weeks before Vladimir Putin abruptly closed adoptions to the United States, an act of political retaliation for freezing Russian assets. (Read Red Notice by Bill Browder for a stunning story of the struggle between good and evil in Putins corrupt Russia.) When adopting from Russia three visits are required, as well as suitcases of presents and money; presents, over the table, money, under. When Putin closed adoptions in 2011, hundreds of orphans lost their chance at a home and a life. Older children especially were painfully aware of their loss; their prospective parents had met them, likely twice, and they were waiting only to go home. Orphans punished, broken-hearted parents, millions of dollars lost. There is not much more one need know about Putin. As the years have gone by, Putin has only grown more openly ruthless. His illegal invasions of Ukraine, Crimea, in 2014, and two years ago on Feb. 24, of the entire country, is evidence enough. It is well past time to recognize him for the villain he is. We also have a son adopted from Kharkov, Ukraine. In April 2022, Kharkov, in northeast Ukraine, was bombed. We watched on national news as the children from Orphanage #4, where our son was, were evacuated. Again, orphans. Always the innocent. Always those without resources to fight. That is how bullies operate. That is how evil flourishes. In the U.S., we will not tolerate bullying in schools. It is time we take that intolerance to the worlds playground. Alexei Navalny, who crusaded against Russian corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin demonstrations, died Feb. 16 in an arctic penal colony in Russia. He was 47. He had returned to Moscow of his own volition from Germany, where he had been recovering from nerve agent poisoning blamed on the Kremlin. Navalny returned to Russia because he was courageous, because he cared about his people, and because he valued freedom over even his own life. President Biden has joined world leaders, along with many members of Congress from both the left and the right, in blaming Putin and the rotten political system he commands for Navalnys untimely death. It is past time to stop the disgraceful antics of our Congress and the political finagling, to accountably fund Ukraine and continue to aid its struggle. In all the stories of all great battles ever told, from the earliest literature to the Bible to Star Wars, the storyline is the same. The fight is ultimately between evil and good, between darkness and light. We must channel our early understanding of the world. We know evil when we see it. We knew it as children; we know it now. Let us be on the side of the light. An 85-year-old man who was riding an ATV died Thursday after a collision with a pickup truck in rural Winona County. Willard Rueben Prigge was driving an ATV on a driveway at his home when he entered County Road 25 near White Avenue Drive and collided with a pickup truck driven by a 17-year-old male, according to the Winona County Sheriffs Office. The driver of the pickup attempted to avoid the collision, according to the sheriffs office, but the ATV collided with the side of the truck. Prigge, who authorities said was not wearing a seatbelt or helmet at the time of the crash, was thrown from the ATV. The truck skidded into a ditch, rolled and came to rest on its side. Life-saving efforts were attempted on Prigge and he was airlifted to Winona Health, but he later died from the injuries. The trucks driver was also brought to Winona Health for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with the investigation, including an accident reconstruction. The sheriff's office said its preliminary investigation found the trucks driver was not at fault for the crash. A 40-year-old Winona man was arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly stabbing two 23-year-old Winona men outside of a bar. Police officers were called to the Winona bar, located on the 500 block of West Fourth Street, at 1:02 a.m. Thursday for a report of an assault, according to the Winona Police Department. When officers arrived, they witnessed multiple people fighting in the street at the intersection of Fourth and Olmstead streets, outside of the business. The two 23-year-old victims who had been stabbed during the fight were then discovered. One had a stab wound on the ride side of his body in the area of his ribcage, while the other victim had a stab wound in his thigh, police said. Both victims were transferred to Winona Health. The victim with a stab wound in the ribcage area was then transferred to Gundersen Health in La Crosse. Both were in stable condition as of Thursday morning, according to police. Larry Tramone Hudson, 40, of Winona was arrested for the stabbings and faces two charges of second-degree assault. Hudson, who officers described as uncooperative, experienced injuries to his face. Hudson has a history of assault charges and other crimes. He was convicted of a domestic assault charge in 2014 and a fifth-degree assault charge in 2016. Investigators learned the Thursday disturbance started inside the bar, where employees had to separate the individuals fighting. Everyone in the bar was then kicked out, leading to the fight then continuing outside on the street. During the fight outside, witnesses said Hudson allegedly brandished a knife and assaulted the two victims with it. The suspected weapon was later found with blood on it under a vehicle behind the business. The knife was described as a black folding knife that was seven inches long in total when unfolded, with the blade alone measuring about 3 inches. Witnesses claim that Hudson, who denied the assault, had been the primary aggressor. Eleven people were at the scene when police arrived, with multiple others reportedly having left. Multiple people in the area were uncooperative with officers and many denied to give statements about the incident, police said. Police did not know as of Thursday morning what started the fight but said Hudson and the victims knew each other as frequent bar-goers. Officers were able to gather camera footage inside and are now looking for camera footage of the fight outside. LOS ANGELES When photographers relied entirely on 35mm film, they had to wait to capture that decisive moment. Now, they can shoot hundreds of frames and feel fairly certain they got the photo they were seeking. Artistry, however, remains a key factor. Digital cameras are just a way of sketching what youre doing until the moment happens, says National Geographic photographer Cristina Mittermeier. Adds photographer Campbell Addy: The decisive moment changed more to the 'intuitive moment' because you have so much at your disposal that sometimes you forget just to look. Despite having thousands of gigabytes a day to capture, you just need that one frame. That decisive moment is still there. Mittermeier and Addy are among the shooters included in Photographer, a look at some of the worlds leading visual storytellers. Produced by Oscar winners Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the six-part series was designed to show how photographers make the decisions they do. The two had produced Free Solo, a heart-pounding profile of climber Alex Honnold, and heard many comments that they were crazy to climb with him just to get the perfect shot. They were fascinated with how I do it and the decisions I make, Chin says. I always looked around at my peers and thought what they do is so crazy how do they approach a leopard seal or a supermodel or a celebrity? In his line of work, Chin has to be a climber first. When things are too dangerous or when I need to contribute to the climbing team in order to get us up or get us down, I have to do that before I can take out the camera and shoot. Mittermeier agrees: You have to be an accomplished water person first before you can take any photographs because your life is in danger every second that youre in the ocean or the middle of nowhere. Theres no point in trying to chase a whale or shark. It will outrace you every time. You have to exercise tremendous patience and wait for animals to come close to you. Paul Nicklen, a veteran National Geographic photographer, has dealt with leopard seals in Antarctica, polar bears and grizzly bears. Ive never had a scary moment with a bear, he says. But the scariest moment Ive ever had where I got attacked was in the subway station in New York. Addy who traffics in that world as a portrait photographer says he has to know the subjects environment to get the right picture. The biggest fear is working with people who have huge profiles. I have to capture their essence; I have to capture a moment and an emotive space where Ive captured someone honest and true. Like the others, he says, there are certain shoots I can think of now, if I hadnt pushed myself that one little extra inch I would be a very different artist than who I am now. I guess its scary shooting superstars in 10 minutes sometimes. The variety of photographers is key to the series, Vasarhelyi says. What they share is their singularity and that drive to be able to execute their vision. Social media, they say, isnt a threat to photography but a way to be seen. It allowed my stories and my communitys stories to get center stage where we wouldnt necessarily have had access to it, Addy says. Were ever-changing people and we have to go and push ourselves. Social media gave Mittermeier the kind of feedback she hadnt gotten from readers. Now were having a conversation, a dialogue with millions of people around the world who are asking questions through social media. Conversely, Nicklen went kicking and screaming into social media. I wanted to just be out there in nature with the animals, he says. When he first suggested followers could get more information if they went to his feed, he had more than 45,000 new followers in two hours. A polar bear shoot on the National Geographic site, got two billion views. Another video netted 180 million. All of a sudden, heres another way to communicate with the world. Instead of putting out a story once a year, you can beat the drum daily on issues that you care about. Photographer begins March 18 on National Geographic and is available to stream March 19 on Disney+ and Hulu. Italian virtuoso Niccolo Paganini's favorite violin, dubbed "Il Cannone (The Cannon)" for its powerful and distinctive sound, was scanned by French scientists using advanced X-ray technology in efforts to find out how exactly it produces such a captivatingly unique tone, AFP reports last Monday, March 11. History of Paganini's Priced Possession, 'Il Cannone' Paganini's trusty "companion," which would later on become one of the most valuable of its kind having been recently insured for over 30 million (more than $32 million), was built by famed master luthier Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri in the Italian city of Cremona in 1743. The violin's notoriety began to build up after it was gifted to Paganini, who was fresh from a gambling loss at the time, which made him lose possession of his exorbitantly priced Amati violin. Catching wind of this loss, a rich French businessman and novice violinist named Livron then proceeded to lend Paganini a Guarneri-made instrument to use. After hearing it being played masterfully, Livron refused to take the instrument back from Paganini. Since then, the virtuoso would develop a lifelong "partnership" with the instrument and eventually gave the violin its now-famous nickname, "Il Cannone" or "The Cannon." Paganini has even developed new techniques thanks to the instrument, so much so that the two are now inextricably linked under the title "Il Cannone, ex Paganini." Last Monday, French scientists and historians collaborated to unravel the secrets behind the sound quality of "Il Cannone," hoping to also find insights on how to retain this tone for centuries more. Read Also: Star-Studded Broadway Benefit Concert Adds Jane Krakowski, Vanessa Williams, and More to Lineup Alongside Kristin Chenoweth 'Il Cannone' Inspected at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility To thoroughly inspect and study each intricacy the instrument possessed, it was placed in a clear glass casing and was blasted with "non-destructive" X-rays at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The researchers in charge of the project aimed to catalog every minute detail of the violin's wooden structure to study it more effectively, the data of which would take numerous months to collate and organize, according to their statement to AFP. The ensuing study will also utilize a state-of-the-art technique that allows the scientists to create a 3D render that matches the intricacies of the original violin to a "tee," eventually allowing them to zoom in on a micron of an area, or around a thousandth of a millimeter. ESRF Project Leader Luigi Paolasini said that this particular study is going to open "new possibilities" in the ensuing research surrounding the "conservation of ancient musical instruments of cultural interest." He added that this endeavor also allows for a unique opportunity for multiple disciplines to cross over, particularly that of "music, history, and science." Paolasini's colleague, Paul Tafforeau, explained that the project's foremost goal is "conservation," saying, "If ever any flaws need repairing, we will have all the details." "It's an exceptional instrument in terms of its sound qualities," he added. "With this data we hope to better understand why." Read More: Cellist Trey Lee to Release New Album 'Seasons Interrupted' in Collaboration with the English Chamber Orchestra 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. The election is April 2. Sean Burke Age: 48 Hometown: Madison Family: Single Job: Self-employed Prior elected office: None Other public service: Volunteer work for Madison LGBTQ+ Pride, Ten Percent Society at UW-Madison, Outreach, various community event committees, AIDS Network (now Vivent Health) and community homeless shelters, food panties and organizations. Activism for LGBTQ+, civil rights activist over the past 20+ years. Poll worker. Education: Madison Area Technical College, two years Tommy Rylander Age: 41 Hometown: Madison Family: Wife (Brenda) and two kids (Juniper, 10 and Basil, 8) Job: Licensing specialist, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Prior elected office: None Other public service: Legislative aide, state Sen. John Lehman, 2007-11; Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2011-present Education: Bachelors degree in political science and journalism, UW-Whitewater Q&A What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office? Burke: The Dane County Board needs new and diversified perspectives. When elected I will be the only member of the board who is homeless. My real-life experiences will be beneficial in finding solutions to the shortage of affordable housing in Dane County. My professional experience and activism will be focused on finding real solutions and not about political brinksmanship. Rylander: Years of political activism, campaigning and organizing. Four years of legislative work and constituent relations. Seventeen years of public service. What issue do you think has not received enough funding and attention in the county? Burke: Accessing capital to start a new business, especially for communities of color, has been a topic that has not received much attention. As District 12s supervisor, I will vigorously champion the creation of a $1.5 million grant program to allow communities of color access the capital they need to succeed. Their success is a win for the entire community. Rylander: Dane County has a lower poverty rate than Milwaukee County, but a higher homelessness rate, due to a lack of affordable housing for those that need it most. The County Board should invest in and shepherd low-cost housing options, and make sure they are integrated with the community through mixed-use development and effective transportation options. What can or should the county do to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system? Burke: The creation of new economic growth opportunities, within communities of color, while making housing more affordable, are vital first steps. Increased access to mental health and substance abuse programs are key to addressing racial disparities and disproportional incarceration rates. Ongoing funding of the Community Restorative Court is a crucial step in in criminal justice system reform. The ship, left, belonging to the Open Arms aid group with aid on a platform ferry some 200 tonnes of rice and flour directly to Gaza, departs from the port of southern city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. An aid ship loaded with some 200 tons of food set sail Tuesday from Cyprus to Gaza, the international charity behind the effort said. The shipment is a test for the opening of a sea corridor to supply aid to the territory, where starvation is spreading five months into the Israel-Hamas war. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) The lawyer who initiated the effort to remove Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump has walked state lawmakers through her investigation into the Fulton County district attorneys romantic relationship with a special prosecutor and why she believes it creates a conflict of interest. Ashleigh Merchant, who represents a Trump co-defendant, was subpoenaed to appear Wednesday before a Georgia state Senate committee tasked with investigating whether Willis engaged in misconduct. Willis dismissed efforts to investigate her for misconduct as politically motivated. FILE - Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen arrives at the premiere of "The Soloist" in Los Angeles, on April 20, 2009. Salonen will leave the San Francisco Symphony following the 2024-25 season, just his fifth as music director, announcing his departure with a statement critical of the orchestras leadership. In this image taken from New York State Police body camera video that was obtained by WMTW-TV 8 in Portland, Maine, New York State Police interview Army reservist Robert Card, the man responsible for Maine's deadliest mass shooting, at Camp Smith in Cortlandt, N.Y., July 16, 2023. An independent commission investigating the deadliest shooting in Maine, that left 18 dead, released their interim report on Friday, March 15, 2024. (WMTW-TV 8/New York State Police via AP, File) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form China will remain staunch force for peace, stability, progress of world 10:14, March 15, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily During the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also known as the "two sessions," the international community showed great interest in and gave positive evaluations on China's foreign policy and future international relations. The world landscape today is undergoing profound transformation, and human society is confronted with multiple challenges. In this changing and turbulent international environment, China will remain a staunch force for peace, stability and progress of the world. The Chinese foreign service has taken actions to promote international solidarity and cooperation, and offered solutions to various crises and challenges. This showcases China's enhanced international influence, stronger capacity to steer new endeavors, and greater moral appeal in the new era. China has always been an important force in safeguarding peace and promoting development. It joins hands with relevant parties to build a community with a shared future for mankind. The Central Asian region and the Indochina Peninsula all embraced the vision, and new progress was made in the joint efforts by China and African, ASEAN, Arab, and Latin American and Caribbean countries to realize the same vision. The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative have taken root and borne fruits, injecting important impetus into the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China facilitated the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, setting a new example of political settlement of hotspot issues. It released China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, and engaged extensively with relevant parties through the special envoy of the Chinese government, making active efforts for resuming peace talks and restoring peace. China has actively promoted peace talks on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and increased humanitarian assistance. China has played a constructive role during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council in advancing a political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issuethe first of its kind since the current round of conflict broke out, and released the Position Paper of the People's Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. China, as a major country committed to maintaining peace and promoting development, has contributed stability, certainty, and positive energy to the complex world. China has always been an important force in pursuing solidarity and cooperation. The country is committed to building a new type of international relations and to consolidating and expanding the global network of partnerships. China actively promotes coordination and cooperation among major countries. The China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has been moving forward on a high level. At the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state in San Francisco, the two sides reached common understandings and charted the course for stabilizing the China-U.S. relationship and bringing it back on the track of sound development. China and the EU relaunched exchanges and dialogue across the board at all levels. Acting on the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness and the policy of forging friendships and partnerships with its neighbors, China strives to enhance its ties with its neighboring countries. Last year, it successfully hosted the China-Central Asia Summit. Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith and with a commitment to the greater good and shared interests, China endeavors to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries. Last year, the BRICS mechanism achieved a historic expansion. The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The China-CELAC Forum will count 10 years of productive cooperation. Another Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit will take place in China this coming autumn. China looks forward to continuing to promote unity and cooperation among developing countries to augment the strength of the South. China has always been an important force in promoting openness and inclusiveness. China is committed to building a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, which meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. China believes it is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. China is increasing its investment in global development cooperation to help other developing countries enhance their capacity for independent development. It is ushering in a second golden decade of Belt and Road cooperation with relevant parties, hoping that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation will serve as an engine for the common development of all countries and an accelerator for the modernization of the whole world. China has always been an important force in upholding justice. China, as a responsible major country, has always upheld justice and stood up for fairness. It practices true multilateralism and advances democracy in international relations. All countries, regardless of their size, should be treated as equals. Each and every country should have its place in the global multipolar system and can play its due role. China advocates for an equal and orderly multipolar world. An equal multipolar world means equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for every nation. An orderly multipolar world means all should observe the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and uphold the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations. China has resolutely opposed hegemonism and power politics, resolutely pushed back against a handful of countries' attempt to dominate international affairs, demanded increased representation and say of developing countries in the global governance system, firmly upheld the common and legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and made the international order more just and equitable. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the 70th anniversary of the initiation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Acting with vision and greater enterprise, China will work together with all countries to shoulder the responsibilities of the times, jointly rise to the challenges, and usher in an even better and brighter future for our world. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Wu Chengliang) Washington's Seattle University has recently received a massive art collection worth $300 million, which is currently the largest any United States university has ever received. In addition, the institution was also given $25 million as venture capital to set up the new Seattle University Museum of Art. The unprecedented gift was from art collector and property developer Richard Hedreen, whose donated collection comprises over 200 art pieces ranging back to the 15th century. The 'Larger Purpose' of Richard and Betty Hedreen's Art Collection According to a public release by the university press, Hedreen pledged the expansive art assemblage in honor of his late partner, Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Petri Hedreen, who is an alumna of the Jesuit Catholic institution. The Seattle Times has even said Hedreen's expansive collection broke the mold in this monumental donation, at least considering how other expansive art collections were managed in recent times. Typically, impressive assemblages of art such as this one are sold in auctions rather than being donated, an example of which is the late Microsoft founder Paul Allen's own collection that was sold through Christie's "Visionary: The Paul G. Allen Collection." "Betty and I always felt that we were custodians of the artworks we acquired, holding them in trust for a larger purpose," said Hedreen. "The Jesuits place a special focus on the arts and humanities, including art history, and that has long been reflected in Seattle University's Jesuit education and its connections to the Seattle arts community." "My goal is to keep the collection together in the new Seattle University Museum of Art, which will have a profound and lasting impact on students and faculty," he added. Read Also: Scientists Use X-Rays to Reveal the Secrets Behind the Sound Quality of Paganini's Favorite Violin The History Behind Hedreen's Collection Hedreen, the 88-year-old Seattle native, built his career in the hotel and property industry after establishing his general contracting company: RC Hedreen Co., which eventually became a core part of the city's development of hotels. He met his late wife, Betty, when she was still a student, and thereafter, the couple then went on to build up their expansive collection that comprises art pieces from both the Old Masters and current contemporary giants. Before Hedreen's recent donation, the couple had also previously gifted part of their collection to the Seattle Art Museum, an institution where Betty once served as a member of the board of trustees, alongside prior gifts to both the National Gallery of Art and the Seattle University. Reuniting the priorly donated pieces with the rest of the couple's collection, Hedreen is now giving the Jesuit Catholic institution artworks from the likes of historical artists like Titian, Jacopo da Pontormo, Jan Lievens, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, Luis Melendez, Thomas Gainsborough, Willem de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Indiana. The collection also includes prints by British painter Lucian Freud and photographs by preeminent lensmen and artists Berenice Abbott, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Irving Penn, Louis Stettner, and Andy Warhol, alongside six pieces by contemporary painter Cecily Brown. Of the gift, Seattle University President Eduardo Penalver said in the release: "Since their earliest days, the Jesuits have recognized the visual arts as a powerful tool of communication and teaching, and the arts are an essential part of the holistic Jesuit model of higher education." "Seattle University is honored to receive this transformational gift from the Hedreens, who have built one of the finest private art collections in the nation," he continued. Read More: Art Basel UBS Report: Global Art Sales Decline by 4% to $65 Billion in 2023 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Half-Year Financial Report - 31 December 2023 Perth, Mar 14, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Deep Yellow Limited ( ASX:DYL ) ( JMI:FRA ) ( DYLLF:OTCMKTS ) is a differentiated, advanced uranium exploration company, in pre-development phase, implementing a dual strategy to position the Company to become globally significant as a uranium producer while growing shareholder wealth. A Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) was completed in January 2023 on its Tumas Project in Namibia with a re-costing of this study announced December 2023 validating the OPEX pricing assumptions and improving on CAPEX. The Company's cornerstone suite of projects is situated within top-ranked mining jurisdictions namely Namibia, a country that has a long, well-regarded history of safely and effectively developing and regulating its considerable uranium mining industry and Australia also a top-ranked mining jurisdiction. Nuclear options have one of the lowest carbon footprints of all energy generating technologies, including wind and solar. Nuclear has the capability to produce a continuous electricity supply and remarkably, through its concurrent thermal output, to also produce green hydrogen, provide an effective desalination service and deliver an abundance of domestic, commercial and industrial heat. It can achieve these multiple outputs safely, affordably, and sustainably. The growing realisation that renewables like solar and wind will be unable to deliver costeffective, reliable, plentiful energy both electrical and non-electrical (i.e., thermal) is forcing this change of emphasis toward adoption of more nuclear energy and its role as a major "heavy lift" partner in this energy transition the world is facing. Held in December 2023, COP28 (28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) personified this dramatic shift, with delegate countries acknowledging the urgent need for the change in attitude. Notably, 22 major countries pledged the tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050 as the only way to ensure both global emission targets and that the complex energy requirements of the planet can be met. Deep Yellow is focused on becoming a Tier-1 uranium producer by establishing a multi-project, globally diversified uranium portfolio and positioning itself to provide a secure and reliable supply of uranium to a growing market. *To view the Half Year Report, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/5O795W52 About Deep Yellow Limited Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is successfully progressing a dual-pillar growth strategy to establish a globally diversified, Tier-1 uranium company to produce 10+Mlb p.a. The Company's portfolio contains the largest uranium resource base of any ASX-listed company and its projects provide geographic and development diversity. Deep Yellow is the only ASX company with two advanced projects - flagship Tumas, Namibia (Final Investment Decision expected in 1H/CY24) and MRP, Western Australia (advancing through revised DFS), both located in Tier-1 uranium jurisdictions. Deep Yellow is well-positioned for further growth through development of its highly prospective exploration portfolio - ARP, Northern Territory and Omahola, Namibia with ongoing M&A focused on high-quality assets should opportunities arise that best fit the Company's strategy. Led by a best-in-class team, who are proven uranium mine builders and operators, the Company is advancing its growth strategy at a time when the need for nuclear energy is becoming the only viable option in the mid-to-long term to provide baseload power supply and achieve zero emission targets. Importantly, Deep Yellow is on track to becoming a reliable and long-term uranium producer, able to provide production optionality, security of supply and geographic diversity. Related Companies FY24 Half Year Financial Report Melbourne, Mar 14, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Ionic Rare Earths Limited's ( ASX:IXR ) ( IXRRF:OTCMKTS ) Makuutu currently ranks amongst the world's largest and most advanced ionic adsorption clay (IAC) deposits, and as such, a globally strategic resource for near term, low capital development, and long-term security of magnet and heavy rare earth oxide (REO) supply. Makuutu comprises six licences covering approximately 300 square kilometres, located 120 kilometres east of Kampala in Uganda. The deposit, stretching 37 km end to end, is situated near existing infrastructure and has the potential to provide western customers with a strategic alternative supply of heavy rare earths to support the development of resilient supply chains, and the growth of advanced manufacturing and industries critical to achieve net-zero carbon initiatives for 50 years and beyond. Makuutu is being developed by Rwenzori Rare Metals Limited, a Ugandan private company which owns 100% of the Makuutu Project. IonicRE is a 60% owner of RRM, and during the quarter, announced it had signed a conditional share purchase agreement to acquire an additional 34% interest in the strategic Makuutu Rare Earths Project, taking the Company's ownership to 94% on completion. The increase in ownership represents a watershed moment for the Company with ownership at a 94% interest, opening a multitude of potential funding and offtake scenarios in financing the development of the Project. The Company continues discussions with partners on a transaction to acquire the remaining 6%. Makuutu Demonstration Plant During the half, the Company progressed the establishment of a Demonstration Plant located on site at Makuutu in Uganda. The Makuutu Demonstration Plant technical facility will aim to further optimise metallurgical test work and provide further technical validation basis for grade control, mine design, material handling, metallurgical reconciliation, and construction activity whilst also supporting Project financing and strategic partner activity. First production of mixed rare earth carbonate product is expected in quarter 1 2024. *To view the Half Year Report, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/36XSEJJD About Ionic Rare Earths Limited Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX:IXR) (OTCMKTS:IXRRF) is focused on developing its flagship Makuutu Rare Earths Project in Uganda into a significant long life, low-cost, supplier of high-value critical and heavy rare earths. Makuutu is an advanced-stage, ionic adsorption clay-hosted project highlighted by near-surface mineralisation, significant exploration upside, excellent metallurgical characteristics and access to tier-one infrastructure. The ionic adsorption clay-hosted geology at Makuutu is similar to major rare earths projects in Southern China, which are responsible for the majority of global supply of low cost heavy and critical rare earths, specifically the high value magnet metals (Dysprosium and Terbium) Heavy Rare Earths (>98% originating from ionic clays). Metallurgical testing at Makuutu has returned excellent recovery rates, which provide multiple avenues for a simple process route. Makuutu is well-supported by tier-one existing infrastructure which includes access to major highways, roads, power, water and a professional workforce. Rare Earths will play a critical role in the future of clean energy. Rare Earths are a key ingredient in the permanent magnets found in wind turbines and electric vehicles. IonicRE is led by an experienced and proven team, who have the capabilities to deliver Makuutu into production and realise value for all stakeholders. Related Companies Half Yearly report and Accounts Perth, Mar 14, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - During the half year, the principal activities of Raiden Resources Limited ( ASX:RDN ) ( YM4:FRA ) was mineral exploration in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, on the Andover North-South, Mt Sholl and Arrow Lithium projects. In addition the Company holds rights to projects in the Western Tethyan metallogenic belt in Eastern Europe, where it has established an exploration footprint in Serbia and Bulgaria. *To view the Half Yearly Report, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/78K45P2K About Raiden Resources Limited Raiden Resources Limited (ASX:RDN) (DAX:YM4) is a dual listed exploration and development company which is advancing the Mt Sholl Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Palladium deposit in the Pilbara. The Company's portfolio host metals and commodities considered critical for the energy and electrification revolution. Related Companies An oval sculpture by the late English artist Dame Barbara Hepworth could sell for up to 3.2 million, or more than $4 million, at a Christie's London auction next week Wednesday, March 20. Dubbed "Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red," the piece will go under the hammer in the auction house's "Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale" with a low estimate of around 2.2 million, or $2.8 million. Other works by Hepworth are also going on sale in the forthcoming auction, including her "Maquette for Winged Figure," "Atlantic Form, Blue," and "Landscape Sculpture (1944)," with the former two estimated to fetch between 100,000 ($127,000) to 180,000 ($229,000) and the latter valued at a million pounds ($1.27 million) at the high end. Barbara Hepworth's Oval Sculpture, 'Among the Artist's Finest Works' In Christie's lot essay of the oval-shaped Hepworth piece, the auction house described it as a standout among Hepworth's amazing "series of hand-carved wooden sculptures" she crafted in the mid-1940s, adding that it is currently regarded as "among her finest works." The particular collection the oval sculpture belonged in was the result of Hepworth's decade of pioneering fusions using the core constructivist principles in the 1930s that she incorporated with her recently realized sensibilities toward local landscapes at the time. Joining "Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red" in this group of pieces is her 1943 "Oval Sculpture," currently held at the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness; her 1943 "Wave, held at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburg; and her 1946 "Pelagos, held at London's Tate Museum. Hepworth began sculpting the wood-based art piece as soon as she moved into her house in Cabis Bay's Chy an Kerris apartment in Cornwall, UK in 1943. Of this process, Christie's quoted Hepworth in the essay saying: "There was a sudden release from what had seemed to be an almost unbearable diminution of space and now I had a studio workroom looking straight towards the horizon of the sea and enfolded (but with always the escape for the eye straight out to the Atlantic) by the arms of land to the left and the right of me." According to the auction house, this "enfolding" element of her new Carbis Bay home's surrounding landscape is what informed the collection that would be inaugurated with the creation of "Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red." "I used colour and strings in many of the carvings of this time," said Hepworth, as quoted by Christie's. "The colour in the concavities plunged me into the depth of water, caves, or shadows deeper than the carved concavities themselves." "The strings were the tension I felt between myself and the sea, the wind or the hills," she added. For more information about the ensuing sale of the Hepworth piece, click here. Read Also: Seattle University Receives Unprecedented $300 Million Art Collection Donation From Collector Richard Hedreen 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. EaseMyTrip.com, one of Indias leading online travel tech platforms, announces an exclusive offer for its corporate clientele. The brand will provide a 20-day credit period to all listed companies to complete payments for their travel bookings, empowering them with greater financial flexibility and convenience. This strategic move will facilitate seamless payments and streamline the transactional process for the involved parties. With a 20-day window, the extended credit period will enable listed companies to manage their cash flows better while accessing EaseMyTrips wide array of travel and related services. To avail this offer, the companies will have to provide EaseMyTrip with a future-dated cheque. For corporate bookings, clients can use the link: https://www.easemytrip.com/ corporate Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, said, We value our relationship with clients and strive to cater to their unique needs. By introducing a 20-day credit period, we aim to relieve the financial burden on the listed companies and facilitate smoother travel planning experiences and seamless payment processes for them. Simultaneously, this will serve as an opportunity for us to expand our business in the corporate division and attract more listed companies to our corporate clientele portfolio. This offer stands as a testament to our customer-centric approach and our concerted efforts to strengthen our relationship with them through innovative offerings, exclusive offers, and differentiated initiatives. EaseMyTrips corporate travel division offers specially curated programmes featuring corporate rates, volume discounts, and loyalty rewards. Additionally, the brands self-booking tool, leveraging new-age technologies, enables seamless booking experiences for corporates. The initiative to extend the credit period is aligned with EaseMyTrips commitment to providing innovative and customer-centric offerings to its clients and meeting the evolving needs of the business travel segment. Supporting elections is a critical part of Googles responsibility. With millions of eligible voters preparing to cast their votes, Google is taking significant steps to provide accurate information, safeguard its platforms against abuse, and assist users in navigating AI-generated content. Connecting Voters to Essential Information As part of its efforts, Google is collaborating with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure voters have easy access to crucial information. This includes details on voter registration procedures and voting guidelines, available in both English and Hindi, accessible through Google Search and YouTube. Combatting Misinformation and Ensuring Platform Safety Google is also intensifying its efforts to combat misinformation and safeguard its platforms. Through a combination of human review and AI-powered systems, Google is actively removing content that violates its policies, particularly concerning false claims that could undermine democratic processes. Furthermore, Google maintains strict policies on election-related advertising, requiring advertisers to undergo identity verification and providing transparency on ad funding and origins. Supporting the Ecosystem in Countering Misinformation Google is working collaboratively with the wider ecosystem, including news publishers and fact-checkers, to counter misinformation effectively. Initiatives like the Google News Initiative Training Network and the Fact Check Explorer tool empower journalists and newsrooms to deliver accurate updates and debunk false information. Enhancing Transparency and Accountability To enhance transparency regarding AI-generated content, Google has introduced new disclosure requirements for election ads containing synthetic media. Additionally, YouTube is implementing content labels for AI-generated content, providing viewers with essential context. A Collaborative Effort for a Fair Election Google's commitment extends to collaborating with industry coalitions like the C2PA coalition, pledging to prevent deceptive AI-generated content from influencing elections. Through these initiatives and ongoing collaborations, Google aims to ensure a fair and informed election process in India. This comprehensive approach reflects Google's dedication to upholding the integrity of elections and empowering voters with accurate information in an increasingly digital age. Authored by Dato' Manikandamurthy Velayoudam, the Group Chairman & MD at SkyBlue Media Group SkyBlue Media, a leader in transit media advertising in the UAE, has introduced exclusive out-of-home advertising (OOH) concepts, empowering luxury brands to convert brand visibility into moving canvases, thus placing them at the forefront of interactive transit advertising experiences. The affluent population and booming economy of Dubai have made it a center for luxury brands. By offering an impressive skyline and an extravagant lifestyle, Dubai offers luxury brands a lucrative way to reach their target audiences. Located at the crossroads of East and West, Dubai is indeed a strategic location for luxury brands looking to expand globally. To showcase their products, luxury brands tend to choose prime locations like shopping malls, high-profile events, or high-end residential areas. These strategic locations offer potential customers the chance to experience the brand firsthand and provide high visibility for their products. There are, however, fascinating changes taking place in Dubai's luxury market hub. More and more prestigious brands are stepping outside of traditional advertising comfort zones in order to promote their products and services. Drawing inspiration from successful campaigns in Europe, Dubai now stands at the forefront of innovative transit media strategies. In Dubai too, luxury brands are using transit media to showcase their products to broader audiences, as they do in Europe. When it comes to the UAE, every day, travelers in Dubai spend an average of 60 minutes (1 hour) in traffic, providing a prime opportunity for exposure to bus advertising. With a fleet of approximately 1,400 buses city-wide, 90% of the population encounters bus media multiple times a day. Covering an impressive average distance of 610.3 kilometers per day, these buses traverse 82% of the urban areas in Dubai through their extensive routes. These statistics highlight the significant reach and frequency of bus advertising in Dubai, making it a highly effective channel for brands to connect with a diverse and captive audience throughout the city. Bus advertising offers a unique and powerful way to transform buses into moving billboards, significantly increasing brand visibility for all travelers. This dynamic form of outdoor media with its creative and flexible formats captures attention wherever buses go. Whether you are a small startup or a large corporation, the OOH marketing process ensures that bus advertising is accessible to businesses of all sizes, regardless of budget constraints. Moreover, by using specific bus routes, brands can effectively reach their ideal customers while minimizing marketing expenses, making bus advertising a strategic and cost-effective choice for any campaign. The trendsetter driving this transformation is none other than SkyBlue Media, whose buses were seen promoting Hamilton, Rado, Longines & Tissot, part of one of the largest luxury groups in Dubai. The RTA buses, strategically traversing the city's key locations, were moving canvases for the artistic expressions of the Rivoli Group, seamlessly blending with the iconic Dubai skyline as they carried the essence of luxury to every corner of the city. In addition to its local endeavors, SkyBlue Media is in advanced discussions with multiple European agencies, paving the way for cross-continental collaborations and the exchange of best practices in transit media advertising. As Dubai continues to solidify its position as a global hub for luxury and innovation, SkyBlue Media remains committed to pushing boundaries and delivering unparalleled brand experiences in transit spaces. Saurabh Jain has recently ascended to the position of Global President, based in Washington D.C., USA, with a strategic focus on augmenting the company's global revenue streams. He is a permanent resident of the United States, distinguished by his multifaceted and dynamic persona within the digital media industry, boasting over 19 years of extensive experience. Possessing a keen business acumen, he excels in crafting and executing strategies to maximize revenue and unlock the full business potential of organizations. His persistent dedication and innovative strategies consistently yield enhanced valuations for organizations. Renowned as an expert in startup ventures, he has garnered acclaim for his pioneering approach within the digital advertising realm, consistently catalyzing transformative change. Through his adept leadership and mentorship, he has cultivated teams of industry trailblazers, characterized by meticulous skill sets, thereby enriching the talent pool within the broader industry landscape. His forte lies predominantly within established, startup, and early-stage media organizations, with a specialized focus on digital advertising sales. His professional purview encompasses adept management of digital ad sales, content sales, native advertising, and offline media sales, both within the dynamic Indian market and across international arenas. Prior to joining his current role at iAvatarZ, he held the esteemed position of National Sales, Brand, and Content Solutions Head at NDTV - Gadgets360.com, a premier destination renowned for its authoritative coverage of technology. He has orchestrated and spearheaded various business initiatives, emphasizing brand enhancement, high-impact marketing endeavors, native advertising, content creation, and data services tailored toward the realm of technology and gadgets. Additionally, he has overseen the orchestration of events and related services. His leadership has extended across diverse teams engaged in digital advertising and native sales, sponsored content creation, influencer marketing, event sponsorships, new business development, client relations management, ad operations, delivery logistics, financial management, collections, and overall general administration. He has conceived and implemented numerous Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, propelling rapid expansion within various media sectors encompassing digital, radio, and print mediums. These endeavors have been executed across diverse geographical landscapes, including India, international markets such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and presently, the United States of America. He possesses a discerning ability to identify and recruit top-tier talent from within the industry, adeptly nurturing them in accordance with the organization's overarching long and short-term objectives. This meticulous approach ensures that the individuals' development aligns seamlessly with the organizational vision and mission. Under his leadership, he has cultivated specialized methodologies, fostering a conducive professional atmosphere throughout organizations and among team members. This conducive environment has been instrumental in cultivating a culture conducive to successful revenue acumen. Beyond his professional accolades, he harbors a distinct ardor for equestrian pursuits, particularly polo. Revered as a prominent figure in the realm of polo, he not only competes at a high level but also serves as the captain and patron of his own polo ensemble, aptly named SANDY POLO. Additionally, he is recognized for his prowess in martial arts, an aficionado of physical fitness, and a tastemaker in the domain of luxury lifestyle. KRAFTON India, the maker of BGMI and one of the countrys largest gaming companies, is excited to announce the selection of the inaugural cohort for its recently launched KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI). Announced by KRAFTON in October 2023, KIGI aims to provide mentorship for game development talent in India for a duration ranging from six months to a year, as well as grants of up to $150,000. The inaugural cohort of KIGI is diverse and inclusive, consisting of talented individuals and teams passionate about game development. Over the next 6 to 12 months, these promising game developers will receive tailored mentorship, funding, and industry exposure to bolster their skills and contribute to Indias gaming landscape. By empowering the cohort to launch innovative titles, this program aims to diversify and expand the gaming landscape in India. After a rigorous selection process, KIGI has selected two startups from a pool of exceptionally talented applicants across India. These startups represent a diverse range of action-adventure, cutting-edge PC, console and mobile games, showcasing the depth of creativity within India's gaming community. The selection of the cohort was an exhaustive and grueling process, spread over months, indicating the calibre of startups KRAFTON was looking to incubate as part of its first cohort for KIGI. KRAFTON continues to evaluate applicants, and may consider further adding to its first cohort, depending on the quality of the applications and products being showcased, as part of the process. With a host of applications having been received, and continued interest for the program, KIGI will continue to onboard more startups, with the upcoming second cohort being larger in size. Anuj Sahani, Head of KRAFTON India Incubator Program and India Publishing Advisor, said The launch of KIGI's first cohort marks a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering the gaming ecosystem in India. It consists of some of the most promising game developers from various corners of India. The selected startups stand out not only for their innovative gaming concepts but also for their determination to redefine the gaming landscape. We are eager to embark on this journey with them, providing tailored support and resources to amplify their success." Spotlight on the Cohort: ReDimension Games , led by CEO, Pekrukhrietuo Pienyu, is developing "Sojourn Past," a compelling action-adventure game set for a 2024 release on Windows and consoles. Based in Kohima, Nagaland, the team's game promises an engaging mix of action, exploration, and narrative depth, in a game world filled with beautiful pixel art and emotive music. , led by CEO, Pekrukhrietuo Pienyu, is developing "Sojourn Past," a compelling action-adventure game set for a 2024 release on Windows and consoles. Based in Kohima, Nagaland, the team's game promises an engaging mix of action, exploration, and narrative depth, in a game world filled with beautiful pixel art and emotive music. Shura Games, headquartered in Bangalore and spearheaded by its CEO, Shubham Bengale, introduces "Spice Secrets," a mobile game that blends culinary adventures with puzzle challenges, aiming to captivate a broad audience. The KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator Program is committed to providing each startup with a personalized development pathway, including mentorship from industry experts in game development, design, marketing, and business strategy. The program emphasizes technical support, problem-solving, regular mentorship sessions, collaborative workshops, and feedback mechanisms to ensure their growth. With post-incubation support, KIGI aims to sustain the momentum of these burgeoning companies, contributing significantly to India's vibrant gaming ecosystem. Pursuant to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has notified the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, in supersession of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. They have been comprehensively overhauled in order to improve and contemporize the entire process of certification of films for public exhibition. Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 These new rules aim to streamline and modernize the film certification process for the digital age, keeping pace with the emerging technologies and advancement in film sector. The Ministry and CBFC have undertaken extensive consultations with filmmakers, cinema owners, disability rights organizations, NGOs, film industry bodies, general public and other stakeholders, ensuring an all embracing, all-encompassing and all-inclusive approach. The key aspects of improvements incorporated in the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 include: Comprehensive revision of the Rules has been done to fully align it with the adoption of Online Certification processes, which will ensure enhanced transparency, efficiency & ease of doing business for the film industry. Reduction in time-lines for the processing of film certification and adopting complete digital processes for eliminating all transactional time. Movies/ feature films to have accessibility features for certification to make it inclusive for disabled persons, as stipulated in the guidelines issued in this regard from time to time. Age-Based Certification: Introduction of age based categories of certification by further sub-dividing the existing UA category into three age-based categories, viz. seven years (UA 7+), thirteen years (UA 13+), and sixteen years (UA 16+), instead of twelve years. These age based markers would be only recommendatory, meant for the parents or guardians to consider whether their children should view such a film. The age-based certification system with UA markers to be implemented to ensure young viewers are exposed to age-appropriate content. It will play a crucial role in balancing the need to protect vulnerable audiences, such as children, with the principles of freedom of expression and consumer choice. Greater representation of women in the CBFC Board & CBFCs Advisory Panels, where it is stipulated that one-third of the members in the Board shall be women and preferably half shall be women. System for Priority Screening of Films for enhancing transparency and eliminating all discretions. Provision for priority screening for expediting the screening of film screening for certification, in case of any urgency felt by film-maker(s) due to their prior commitments of release of the film in line with ease of doing business. Perpetual Validity of Certificates: Removal of the restriction on validity of certificate for only 10 years for perpetual validity of certificates of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Change of Category of Film for Television: Recertification of the edited film for Television broadcast, as only Unrestricted Public Exhibition category films can be shown on television. The Indian film industry is one of the biggest and most globalised industries in the world producing more than 3,000 films annually in more than 40 languages. The empowerment of Indian Film Industry with Transparency, Ease of Doing Business and its protection from the menace of Privacy, would go a long way in growth of content creation ecosystem in India, and would also help safeguard the interests of all artists and artisans working in the film sector. With this vision the historic amendment of the Cinematograph Act was brought in after 40 years in 2023 and now being fully empowered with the overhauled Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The principle rules were first notified by the Government in 1983 and have been amended from time to time. However, acknowledging the significant advancement in film technology, audience demographics, content distribution methods for last 40 years, the new set of rules with overhaul changes are being introduced to better cater to the ever evolving need of the film industry. The Government had last year amended the Cinematograph Act, 1952 after a period of almost 40 years to comprehensively address the issues relating to film certification. Notifying the new Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 compliments that journey of making the certification process simpler, more contemporary and in line with best global practices. These updated regulations will foster a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive film certification process, supporting the continued growth and success of Indian cinema. The Golden Award of Montreux welcomes submissions from agencies, advertisers, media, digital,production,design and event companies worldwide, offering a platform for both national and international campaigns. Montreux Festival has been a precursor to Cannes for 30 years now and is one of Europes premier Advertising, Media, Digital,Film & Design Festival. Eligible entries include all advertising, media, digital, design, production film and events work done as part of marketing communications and released since January 1, 2023. Last year India secured five Gold Medals, with BC Web Wise triumphing in the Digital category, Tree Design in Design, Viacom18 Media and Leo Burnett excelling in Use of Media, and Cog Culture clinching two Golds, one in Design and another in Events. The Montreux Festival 2024 jury consists of Frank Bodin, ADC Switzerland Symonne Torpy,BETC Paris Eduardo Basque Ogilvy New York Daniel de Hora Creative Boutique Brazil Jhona Gibson VMLY&R Peru Oisin James Deady 12 am UK Joseph Dubruque McCann Paris Ajay Chandwani Mumbai Rafael Ribeiro Dentsu New York Alongside The Golden Award of Montreux, The Montreux Talent Award is a distinguished global competition entered by hundreds of students and young professionals working on innovative projects in the fields of advertising, e-content and design. Winners at Montreux Festival are featured in the showcase section of adforum, the gateway to the global advertising world and other international ad creativity sites. The Golden Award is an independent Forum committed to improving the standard of creative excellence in cooperation with the Institut for Future Science. It has been developed in conjunction with adforum.com. Details of the entry categories and 2024 entry form are on www.goldenawardmontreux.com Mortein, one of the worlds leading brands in pest control, launched a new campaign featuring actor Preity G Zinta for Mortein Liquid vaporisers, recognizing the journey of motherhood and the heightened responsibility of a new mother to keep her child protected. The campaign Ab Raho Befikar, encourages new mothers to live fearlessly, knowing their child is protected from the danger of mosquito-borne diseases with the Mosquito Fight Technology (MFT*) of Mortein. Mosquitoes today pose a significant threat, carrying life-threatening diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. The increasing fear and worry about mosquito-borne diseases has led mothers to constantly seek more superior and effective solutions to safeguard their loved ones. With its active fast-releasing composition, Mortein's MFT*(Mosquito Fight Technology) offers mothers a significant leap with its unmatched effectiveness and convenience. It stands as a pillar of support for all new mothers and ensures protection against mosquitoes causing up to ten diseases. In the latest campaign, Mortein provides mothers with the confidence and assurance they need to navigate the complexities of parenthood without the looming fear of mosquito-borne illnesses Ab Raho Befikar. Speaking on her association, Actor and Campaign Ambassador Preity G Zinta said, As a mother, I recognize the immense responsibility we carry to protect our children from every threat, including those tiny but formidable mosquitoes. Morteins Mosquito Fight Technology* isnt just about repelling insects; its about empowering mothers to fearlessly embrace parenthood. So, lets embrace life Ab Raho Befikar unburdened by worries, knowing that our love and Morteins protection envelop our homes. Saurabh Jain, Regional Marketing Director, South Asia - Hygiene, Reckitt, said, At Mortein, we empathize deeply with the challenges faced by families in safeguarding their loved ones from the threats of mosquito-borne diseases. As we introduce our latest campaign, we stand with pride, shining a spotlight on the indispensable role of mothers in this ongoing battle. With Morteins Mosquito Fight Technology*, we reaffirm our dedication to equipping young mothers with a superior solution, making them fearless of mosquito-borne diseases. This initiative empowers mothers everywhere to navigate the journey of motherhood with unwavering confidence and peace of mind. Anupama Ramaswamy, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Worldwide India said, It all started from the discovery of a fascinating insight-the behavior shift that a house undergoes when a family anticipates or welcomes a new baby. The lifestyle changes, fear, concern, and more. This led us to selecting A New Mother as our spokesperson. It was mosquitoes vs maternal instincts! So, Preity Zinta, the modern mom with her trustworthy voice skillfully conveyed the message of how a mother seeks nothing less than 100% because just one mosquito can turn into a menace. Mortein: Ab Raho Befikar campaign adopted a very candid yet highly impactful approach. Through the no compromise perspective of a mother, we established the product's efficacy while touching the emotional chords of every Indian home. Conceptualized by Havas Worldwide India, the campaign delves into the pivotal role of a new mother, portrayed by Preity G Zinta, in safeguarding her family against mosquito-borne diseases. Through the lens of parenthood, the campaign highlights the imperative of making no compromises when it comes to the safety and well-being of ones family. Morteins MFT* is engineered to fight against mosquitos causing up to ten diseases, providing 100% protection with its unique fast-releasing formula, hence encapsulating the campaign message - Ab Raho Befikar with Mortein. The Mortein liquid vaporiser with MFT - Mosquito Fight Technology is available in 45ml pack, prized at INR 85. Additionally, Mortein is also providing consumers with a cash-back offer# if consumers do not like the product. BJP-led NDA is headed for a historic mandate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and is on course to achieve PM Modi's "400 paar" target, according to the News18 Mega Opinion Poll. According to the opinion poll, India's biggest such survey, the NDA is set to win 411 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha with BJP alone clinching a record 350 seats. The remaining NDA constituents, including JD(U) and TDP, will win 61 seats. The survey indicates that the BJP-led NDA will sweep the Hindi heartland (with 77 seats in Uttar Pradesh, 28 in Madhya Pradesh, 10 in Chhattisgarh, 38 in Bihar, and 12 in Jharkhand) and Karnataka (25). It will also likely see a sharp rise in numbers in Odisha (13), West Bengal (25), Telangana (8), and Andhra Pradesh (18). The ruling alliance is also likely to bag all 26 seats in PM Modis home state Gujarat. The NDA is also expected to spring surprises in Tamil Nadu (5) and Kerala (2), the two states where it is working overtime to make its presence felt. The opinion poll has predicted that the opposition bloc INDIA, a united front comprising major non-BJP parties including Congress, will fail to dent PM Modi's march to a third term. It said that INDIA bloc parties will win just 105 seats in the lower house, with Congress securing 49. If the predictions hold, this could be Congress' second worst performance in Lok Sabha polls after its historic low of 44 in 2014. Notably, the NDA will collectively secure nearly half of the total votes cast, the poll has predicted. Uttar Pradesh The BJP-led NDA is set to sweep the most crucial political state, winning a record 77 out of the 80 seats, according to the opinion poll projections. The INDIA alliance comprising Samajwadi Party and Congress will only manage 2 seats while the Mayawati-led BSP, which is contesting on its own, is expected to win just one, the survey said. Moreover, according to the projections, NDA is likely to post an impressive vote share of 57% in Uttar Pradesh while the SP-Cong alliance will get 26% of the votes. If the predictions hold true, this will be BJP's best performance in UP so far. In 2014, the BJP had won a record 71 seats in UP while its Apna Dal (S) ally had won 2. In 2019, the seat share had dropped marginally, with BJP winning 62 seats and Apna Dal (S) winning 2. Bihar In Bihar, the BJP-JD(U) alliance is projected to bag 38 out of the 40 seats in the state while the INDIA bloc - comprising RJD, Congress and other parties - is expected to win just 2 seats. The forecast is similar to the 2019 results, when the NDA won 39 out of the 40 seats in the state. The opinion poll shows that Nitish Kumar's re-entry into the NDA-fold earlier this year will significantly boost the BJP-led alliance's prospects in the state. Last time too, BJP and JD(U) fought the Lok Sabha alliance together. However, Nitish later walked out of the NDA alliance and formed a fresh state government with Congress and RJD. In terms of vote share, NDA is projected to bag 58% of the votes while the INDIA bloc will only manage 28% of the votes, according to the News18 Mega Opinion Poll. Tamil Nadu In the southern state, the DMK-Congress alliance is expected to win 30 out of the 39 seats - a slight dip from its 2019 performance, the opinion poll has predicted. Notably, the BJP, which is still to form an alliance in the state, is expected to win 5 seats, the opinion poll said. If the predictions hold true, the results will come as a shot in the arm for BJP which is trying hard to expand its base in the south, a region where it has found little luck in the past. The DMK-Congress alliance is projected to win 51% of the votes, according to the opinion poll. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, DMK-Congress alliance had swept the general election in Tamil Nadu, winning 38 out of the 39 seats. The AIADMK managed to win just 1. Madhya Pradesh In the Hindi heartland state, BJP is predicted to repeat its 2019 performance, winning 28 out of the 29 seats, according to the opinion poll. Congress, meanwhile, is expected to win just 1 seat. In 2019 too, BJP won all but 1 seat in the state since the Congress managed to hold on to Chhindwara, the bastion of Kamal Nath, which is currently held by his son Nakul Nath. According to the opinion poll, BJP is expected to win 55% of the votes while Congress is likely to get 38%. Kerala According to the News18 Mega Opinion Poll, the Congress-led UDF is expected to win 14 out of the 20 seats in Kerala while the ruling LDF is expected to get 4. In 2019, UDF had registered a landslide victory in Kerala, winning 18 seats while the CM Pinaryi Vijayan-led alliance won just 2. The opinion poll projected that INDIA bloc will get 47% of the vote share while LDF would win just over 32% of the votes. Punjab The opinion poll has thrown up interesting projections in Punjab, which is set to witness a multi-cornered contest. Congress, which was ousted from power in 2022, is projected to win 7 out of 13 seats in the state while the BJP-led NDA is expected to bag 3. The AAP, which secured a landslide victory in the state election, is expected to win just 1 seat in a repeat of its 2019 performance, the opinion poll has said. SAD, too, is expected to win 2 seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress had won 8 seats in Punjab while the SAD-BJP combine bagged 4. BJP clean sweep in Delhi, Haryana and Himachal In Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, the BJP is set for a clean sweep yet again, the opinion poll has predicted. According to the opinion poll, the BJP is set to win all 10 seats in Haryana, 7 seats in Delhi and 4 in Himachal Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections too, the BJP had swept the three northern states. In 2014, the BJP had won all 7 constituencies in Delhi and 4 in Himachal Pradesh. However, in Haryana, it had won 7. Notably, the News18 Mega Opinion Poll predicts that BJP will clock an impressive vote share of 67% in Himachal Pradesh. Maharashtra The opinion poll has predicted yet another sweep for the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP ruling combine in Maharashtra. According to the survey, the NDA will win 41 of the state's 48 seats while the opposition bloc INDIA will bag just 7. In Maharashtra, Congress, Sharad Pawar's NCP faction and Uddhav Thackerary's Shiv Sena (UBT) group are the constituents of the INDIA bloc. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, the BJP had won 23 of the 48 seats in the state while its then ally Shiv Sena secured 18 seats. The NCP won 4 seats while Congress managed to bag just 1. West Bengal The opinion poll has predicted a big jump in BJP's seat tally in West Bengal and a significant decline for Mamata Banerjee-led TMC. According to the projections, the BJP is expected to win 25 out of the 42 seats in the state while TMC is expected to bag 17. The Congress is likely to draw a blank, it said. Interestingly, both BJP and TMC are expected to draw even vis-a-vis vote share, each cornering 42% of the votes. If the predictions hold true, it will be a major boost for BJP which has emerged as a formidable challenger for TMC in Bengal. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal witnessed a tough contest between TMC and BJP. The Mamata Banerjee-led party won 22 of the 42 seats in 2019. BJP saw a huge bump in its seat share, winning 18 seats in 2019 compared to just 2 in 2014. The Congress managed to win just 2 seats in West Bengal while the CPM-led Left, which was once a dominant political force, drew a blank. Karnataka According to the opinion poll, the NDA is set to repeat its 2019 performance in the key southern state, winning 25 out of the 28 seats in the state. The Congress is expected to bag just 3. The BJP is contesting the elections this time in alliance with JD(S). In Karnataka, the only southern state where BJP holds sway, the saffron party won 25 out of the 28 seats in the previous Lok Sabha polls. The Congress and JD(S), who fought the polls together, managed to win just one seat each. Gujarat According to the News18 Mega Opinion Poll, the BJP is expected to see yet another clean sweep in Gujarat, winning 26/26 seats. In the previous two Lok Sabha elections, the BJP completely swept the polls in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah. The saffron party won all 26 seats in both 2014 and 2019, reducing the Congress to zero. The BJP also secured an impressive vote share of 62.2%, nearly twice of Congress 32%. Andhra Pradesh The opinion poll has thrown up interesting projections in Andhra Pradesh, giving the recently formed BJP-TDP-Jana Sena alliance a big boost. According to the projections, the BJP-led NDA alliance will win 18 out of the 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh. It said that the Jagan Reddy-led YSR Congress, which won a record mandate in 2019, will bag just 7 seats in 2024. In 2019, YSR Congress swept the elections in Andhra Pradesh, winning 22 of the state's 25 seats. Telangana The opinion poll has predicted impressive gains for BJP in Telangana, saying that the party would win 8 out of 17 seats. The ruling Congress in the state is expected to bag 6 while BRS's seat share will be reduced to just 2, the poll has predicted. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the K Chandrashekar Rao-led TRS had won 9 out of the 17 seats in Telangana while BJP managed to bag 4. Congress and AIMIM won 3 and 1 seats respectively. Rajasthan According to the opinion poll, the BJP-led NDA is headed for a landslide in Rajasthan yet again, winning all 25 seats in the Hindi heartland state. The Congress, which lost the assembly elections last year, will again draw a blank, the opinion poll predicted. It said that BJP and allies will corner 61% of the vote share in the state. In the previous general election, the BJP-led NDA had made a clean sweep in the state, winning all 25 seats. It secured an impressive vote share of 59%. Odisha According to the opinion poll, BJP is set to win 13 seats in Odisha while the ruling BJD is projected to bag 8. If the predictions hold true, it will be a big shot in the arm for BJP which has been expanding its footprint in the state. Odisha saw a tough fight between the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD and BJP in the 2019 elections. While the ruling BJD won 12 out of the 20 seats in the state, the BJP improved its seat share tally from just 1 in 2014 to 8 in 2019. Jharkhand According to the News18 Mega Opinion Poll, the BJP-led NDA is set to repeat its 2019 performance in Jharkhand, winning 12 out of the 14 seats in the state. The remaining 2 will be shared by INDIA constituents Congress and JMM. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led NDA won 12 of the state's 14 seats while Congress-JMM won one seat apiece. Of the NDA's share, the BJP won 11 seats while its ally AJSU won 1. Chhattisgarh The opinion poll has predicted that BJP will improve its seat tally in Chhattisgarh to 10 in 2024 from 9 in 2019. Last year, the saffron party wrested power from Congress in the tribal-dominated state. In 2019 elections, the BJP had posted an impressive performance in the Hindi heartland state, winning 9 out of the 11 seats. The Congress won the remaining 2. Assam According to the opinion poll, the BJP is set to secure a sweep in Assam. It predicted 12 out of 14 seats for the saffron party and none for Congress. Regional parties AIUDF and BPF will win the remaining two seats, the News18 Mega Opinion Poll said. During the previous general election, the BJP won 9 out of the 14 seats in the northeastern state while Congress bagged 3. The Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF managed to win just 1. Uttarakhand According to the News18 Mega Opinion Poll, BJP will repeat its clean sweep of 2019 and win all 5 seats in Uttarakhand. It said that the saffron party will secure a massive vote share of 62%, better than its 2019 figures. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP won all 5 seats in the hill state. At 61%, its vote share was nearly double that of the Congress. Godrej L'Affaire, a curated experiential luxury lifestyle platform by Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies (GILAC), today announced that more than 30 brands have collaborated with the platform for its sixth edition. Slated for Friday, March 29, 2024 at the brands headquarters in Vikhroli, Mumbai, Godrej LAffaire will be celebrating All Things Goodness at the soiree. Godrej LAffaire is a brand-agnostic owned media platform in the lifestyle space. Bringing together non-competing complementing brands in the lifestyle space, it was conceptualized to celebrate nuances of lifestyle in an experiential manner. With HSBC India, one of Indias leading financial services groups, collaborating for the sixth edition, an evening soiree will unfold with a three-pronged mission of crafting hyper-immersive experiences, building community of lifestyle aficionados, and weaving a robust digital safe narrative for all the participating brands. Speaking about the sixth edition of Godrej LAffaire, Tanya Dubash, Executive Director and Chief Brand Officer, GILAC said, Creating personalized, immersive and authentic experiences for consumers in todays ever-evolving world is imperative for any brand. Godrej LAffaire was launched to provide these opportunities for our inhouse brands as well as external non competing brands in the lifestyle space. Our objective has been to create a community of lifestyle aficionados and drive meaningful conversations around the lifestyle space. She further added, Our theme for this year is Goodness and we aim to underscore the significance of deliberate good choices that minimise negative impact and contributing positively to society. We are extremely excited to make Godrej LAffaire 2024 an unforgettable affair. Commenting on its collaboration with Godrej LAffaire 2024, Arkaprava Arko Ray, Head Marketing Strategy, HSBC India said, As a worlds local bank, we at HSBC passionately believe in creating a meaningful conversations for nurturing relationships and building trusts with our customers. With Godrej LAffaire also working towards creating a lifestyle community, we found a perfect synergy in providing our consumers with an experiential experience through the event. We are excited to collaborate with Godrej LAffaire and look forward to an amazing evening. Aligned to the guiding concept All Things Goodness, the event is thoughtfully mapped across eight zones aptly spelling out LAffaire Lifestyle, Awareness, Fashion, Flavour, Artistry, Innovation, Rejuvenation, and Environment. In sync with the same, the highlight of this lifestyle-centric soiree will be an exclusive fashion show by the renowned fashionista, Malaika Arora, showcasing her flagship brand The Label Life. Marking an exclusive debut for the brand's collection on the runway, Malaika would showcasing Spring Summer 2024 collection centered around iconic Picnic, Party, Home, and Office looks. The evening will also witness an electric performance by the band The Bartender, the brain child of Mikey McCleary award winning songwriter, composer and producer. Featuring Shalmali Kolghade, Medha Sahi and Kaprila Keishing, their eclectic mix of music sensibilities would be setting the tone for the evening. Food enthusiasts are also in for a treat. The event will mark the unveiling of the 7th edition of the Godrej Food Trends Report (GFTR), delving into the theme of "Provenance." This insightful report delves into the deep connection between Indian cuisine and its origins, exploring the intrinsic link between ingredients, regional specialities, and traditional practices. With insights from over 350 experts, including chefs, bloggers, and food producers, GFTR 2024 sheds light on the rich tapestry of India's culinary heritage. Godrej takes pride in nurturing emerging talent. Hence the event will witness the announcement of the top 25 content creators chosen through the premier influencer hunt Godrej L'Affaire Select. This program has scouted a pool of over 10,000 participants spanning 200 cities, towns, and villages across India. Mentored by internet sensation Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known as Beer Biceps, the winners will be honoured and welcomed into the exclusive Godrej L'Affaire Select creators' group. More than 30 partner brands have partnered with Godrej LAffaire for its sixth edition. With HSBC India being the presenting partner, the soiree will offer experiences of top lifestyle brands such as D Decor, The Label Life, Elior India, Women Company, KamaSutra, Cinthol, Park Avenue Perfumes, Goodknight, Aspri Spirits, Bombay Island Coffee Company, Dubai Energy, Godrej Properties, Godrej Professional and more. Other prominent brand partners include Godrej Capital, Godrej Yummiez, Moshi Moshi, Godrej Selfie Shampoo Hair Colour, Godrej Jersey, Godrej Magic Handwash, HIT, Godrej Agrovet (Combine & Rashinban), Godrej Real Good Chicken, Godrej aer and more. Bright Outdoor Media Ltd is the OOH Partner for Godrej LAffaire 2024. The Federal Council Bern, 15.03.2024 - The Federal Council wants Switzerland to participate in the State Partnership Program of the National Guard of the United States of America. This was decided at its meeting on 15 March. Participating in the programme will offer the Swiss Armed Forces the opportunity to further expand international cooperation and enhance its own defence capabilities. The US National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP), which has existed since the 1990s, serves to institutionalise training cooperation with foreign armed forces. The aim is to strengthen ties and enhance expertise and capabilities on both sides through regular exchanges. Today, 100 countries, 25 of which are in Europe, are members of this partnership programme. The Federal Councils decision triggers the accession process. If the US authorities decide in favour of Switzerland joining the programme, effective participation would begin in 2025 at the earliest. Strengthening defence capabilities and enhancing cooperation International cooperation is particularly important with regard to strengthening the defence capabilities of the Swiss Armed Forces. Training exercises with international partners foster the exchange of knowledge and experience, and provide the Armed Forces with opportunities for comparing and reviewing their own capabilities and processes. Cooperation with the US National Guard would support the Armed Forces in expanding interoperability. For example, operational procedures that have been tried and tested by the US National Guard could be incorporated into the Armed Forces exercises and training, or joint specialist training could be offered in areas such as mountain rescue or NBC defence without entering into any obligations, dependencies or constraints that would be incompatible with neutrality. Cooperation with the US A military training cooperation agreement has existed between Switzerland and the US for a number of years. Participation in the SPP is an expansion of these good relations and will contribute to strengthening the defence capabilities of the Armed Forces. The US National Guard and the Swiss Armed Forces have many common features in terms of structure, range of tasks and resources. The fact that they both have a similar militia system provides an ideal basis for cooperation. The content of the programme and the scope of cooperation are largely determined by the country that wishes to join the partnership, i.e. Switzerland. Address for enquiries DDPS Communications +41 58 464 50 58 kommunikation@gs-vbs.admin.ch Publisher The Federal Council https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html General Secretariat DDPS https://www.vbs.admin.ch/ Defence http://www.vtg.admin.ch The Supreme Court on Friday took exception to State Bank of India (SBI) for not furnishing Electoral Bonds data with unique alphanumeric numbers, which help identify the bond, and issued notice to it while seeking the banks response on Monday. A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that the SBI has not fully complied with its March 11 order in which it had ordered the bank to disclose all details concerning Electoral Bonds. The apex court in its order stated, The judgment of the Constitution Bench clarified that all details of Electoral Bonds will be made available including date of purchase, name of purchaser, the denomination. Its been submitted that SBI has not disclosed the Electoral bond numbers (alpha numeric numbers). Notice be issued to SBI. We direct Registry to issue notice to SBI returnable on Monday, ordered the bench. It also allowed the request of Election Commission of India seeking the return of Electoral Bonds documents handed over to the top court in sealed cover on two occasions. The poll panel told the bench that it did not retain any copies of these documents to uphold confidentiality and sought the return of the sealed envelopes to proceed with the courts direction to upload data on its website. The apex court said its Registrar Judicial shall ensure that documents are scanned and digitised and once the exercise is complete the original documents shall be given back to ECI and it will then upload them on the website on or before March 17. At the outset of the hearing, apex court said, Who is appearing for the State Bank of India? They have not disclosed the bond numbers. It has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to issue notice to the bank since they may have something to say. The Supreme Court by its February verdict had struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme which allowed for anonymous funding to political parties, and ordered the SBI to stop issuing Electoral Bonds immediately. It had unanimously quashed the Electoral Bonds scheme as well as amendments made to the Income Tax Act and the Representation of People Act which had made the donations anonymous. It had asked SBI to furnish details and the details about each Electoral Bonds encashed by the political parties, which shall include the date of encashment and the denomination of electoral bond. An Electoral Bond is an instrument in the nature of a promissory note or bearer bond which can be purchased by any individual, company, firm or association of persons provided the person or body is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. The bonds are issued specifically for the purpose of contribution of funds to political parties. Various petitions were filed before the top court challenging amendments made to different statutes through Finance Act 2017 and Finance Act 2016 on the ground that they have opened doors to unlimited, unchecked funding of political parties. The 2024 Alabama State Spelling Bee, hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will feature 52 fourth through eighth grade students from across Alabama. The state spelling bee is sponsored by the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation, and supported by Scripps. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 16 in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences University Hall auditorium, will feature pronouncers Janet Keys and John Hubbard, and judges Douglas Ragland, Sandra Harrell, and Ernest Hulsey. The bee begins at noon. The winner will represent the state at the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee, scheduled for May 26-June 1. The broadcast schedule will be announced in May. Stephen Briscoe, an eighth-grade student at Hanceville Middle School, was last years Alabama Spelling Bee winner. Stephen, 14, correctly spelled schnell to win the title, during the finals of the competition held March 18, 2023, at UAB. First place winners will earn $50,000 first prize, a medal, and the Scripps Cup. If a tie occurs, both students will win $50,000. Erin Howard, a 14-year-old student from Alabama, won the 2019 National Spelling Bee, marking the first time the competition recognized more than a two-way tie since 1925, and the only other Alabama speller to have won the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Autauga-Prattville Library Board fired the librarys director during an special meeting on Thursday -- a decision the directors supporters claimed was retaliation for questioning the boards new book banning policy. The board also terminated several Autauga-Prattville Public Library staffers who locked the facility shortly after Andrew Fosters firing in solidarity with their former boss, the director told AL.com. I hate that it went this way ... and I think the actions that have happened today are ultimately just going to impact the community, Foster said. The meetings stated purpose was vague. The boards special meeting notice said the session was called to discuss the good name and character of an individual. Foster said he was told during the meeting that something I did violated federal law, but was never given any specific code of an alleged offense. Not knowing what the meeting was about, Foster said he recorded the session but stopped after he was told that, too, violated federal law. Under Alabama law, a conversation can be recorded if one of the parties is aware it is being recorded. His termination occurred three days after Alabama Political Reporter published a story that included documents showing Foster pushing back against the boards list of books to be banned for children due to obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance. Asked if he believed that was the actual reason for his termination, Foster said, Thats what it felt like. As a library, we are about open information, he said. That information being a black eye on the board, they did not seem to like it. Angie Hayden, a Prattville resident who helped create the group Read Freely Alabama to combat book challenges, agreed. He has done nothing wrong, she said. I think they had been gunning for him since they took over because they know that what they want to accomplish is incompatible with a librarian that follows librarian ethics and constitutional librarianship. Hayden said the boards list of books to be banned or red flagged for sexual content include books with zero sexual content such as Red: A Crayons Story and Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent. She said Read Freely Alabama plans on supporting Foster as he researches his options. Foster said he has hired an attorney. I dont know where things are going to go, where things are going to sit. This is something. I truly didnt know, didnt expect the staff would stand in solidarity with me like they did. But this decision shows the situation as it is. After Foster was fired, staffers at the library locked the facility and pledged not to reopen it until Foster was reinstated. One employee fought back tears as she stood up for her former boss. He has fought so hard for libraries to be libraries, for people to have access to information and for parents to parent their own children, Adrienne Barringer said. We will not stand for this. Fosters termination is not the first shakeup as a result of the new boards policies. Christie Sellers resigned from the board in February after the board enacted policies banning books for minors 17 and younger that contains obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance. In November, the majority of the board resigned after the Autauga County Commission appointed board members without their approval. Prattville has been one of several communities in the state dealing with a wave of book challenges. Its been more than 23 years since a U.S. Navy veteran was shot to death in Opelika and his family isnt giving up hope of finding who killed him, and why. Shortly before 9 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2001, Opelika police responded to the 300 Block of Third Street South on a report of a traffic crash. They arrived to find 50-year-old Steve Edward Whitlow inside of a 1994 Ford Aerostar that had hit a tree. He had been shot to death. Detectives launched an investigation into Whitlows murder, but the case eventually went cold. At the time of his murder, Whitlow was a security guard at Char-Broil on Williamson Avenue in Opelika. He was also a Vietnam War veteran. Steve Whitlow, 50, was shot to death in 2001. His murder remains unsolved.(Opelika Police Department) He left behind a daughter, Tina Whitlow. I had to lay my father to rest 23 years ago, Tina Whitlow said. I was only 20 years old, which was the hardest day of my life. I feel that someone knows what happened and who did this, she said. I am praying for justice so that way I can have closure. Central Alabama Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Opelika police at 334-705-5220, the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665, or Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). Storm damage on AL 195 north in Ashridge. Winston County. Photos from Kerrie Lewis pic.twitter.com/qxK5gV00ta James Spann (@spann) March 15, 2024 Multiple agencies around Alabama are assessing damage from early morning high winds and thunderstorms Friday. Several counties throughout north Alabama are reporting downed trees and power lines, as well as flooding. Here is the latest on weather conditions As of about 8:30 a.m., Alabama Power reported about 6,400 customers without power, with concentrations in Franklin and Winston counties. About 1,000 customers were affected in Huntsville, according to Huntsville Utilities. Some schools delayed opening Friday morning. Harvest Volunteer Fire-Rescue were on the scene of a water rescue on Carters Gin Road on Friday, March 15, 2024.Harvest Volunteer Fire-Rescue Harvest Volunteer Fire-Rescue were on the scene of a water rescue of a vehicle early this morning. No injuries were reported. Vina High School in Franklin County is closed today due to high wind damage to the roof. According to the Morgan County Sheriffs Office, agencies have responded to multiple areas due to downed trees and power lines around Hartselle in multiple locations. Those include the Highway 31 area, Barkley Bridge Road, Powell Road and Cedar Creek Road. A tree fell on a home on Guy Roberts Road. Wind damage this morning at Attalla Photos from Kenneth Riddlespur pic.twitter.com/sEhHGB6vcl James Spann (@spann) March 15, 2024 Wind damage at Ashridge on AL 195 north of Double Springs Earlier this morning Photo from Darrell Robbins pic.twitter.com/CkOzKVSpAp James Spann (@spann) March 15, 2024 A new pharmacy bill, which would add a $10.64 dispensing fee on prescriptions, has gained swift opposition from health insurers and advocates, who called the fee a tax on consumers. But pharmacists are now strongly pushing back, saying the legislation would keep more rural, independent pharmacies from folding and save Alabamians money in the long run. Pharmacy benefit managers, third party companies that negotiate prescription costs with insurance companies, often reimburse pharmacies less money than it costs to fill a prescription, which hurts the pharmacys bottom line. When PBMs are setting drug prices, what we find throughout the country is that theyre usually about the only ones that win, Greg Reybold, a healthcare attorney who helped write the bill, told AL.com this week. Patients end up paying more at the counter. Payors, employers, state governments end up paying more. And community pharmacies end up getting cut to the bone. The additional fee should be paid by prescription drug managers, not consumers, Reybold said. But nothing in the current bill appears to protect the fee from being passed along to customers. HB238, which was approved by the Insurance Committee of the Alabama House of Representatives last week after a lengthy public hearing, would place more regulations on PBMs. In addition to added oversight and transparency, the bill would ban the practice of spread pricing, which happens when PBMs reimburse pharmacies at a lower cost than they receive from insurance plans, inflating what consumers pay for medication. The legislation also requires PBMs to pay pharmacies an additional dispensing fee of $10.64, which is based on the amount used by Alabama Medicaid. The bills sponsor is Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, who recently sold his independent pharmacy due to financial strain, he told lawmakers. More than 300 pharmacies in Alabama have shuttered since 2018, according to an analysis by Bob Giles of the Alabama Pharmacy Association. Alabamas bill comes amid national attempts to address spread pricing and curb rising drug costs. In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission launched an ongoing federal study into unfair PBM practices. And in February, 39 state attorneys general urged Congress to hold the companies accountable. As of June 2023, 43 states have introduced a total of 137 bills on PBMs, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. Kentucky and West Virginia are currently considering similar legislation. Supporters of Alabamas bill say the new model would ultimately lower costs because it takes away the ability for PBMs to overcharge insurers and patients. The bill would also allow pharmacists to tell patients about and sell them cheaper alternatives to brand-name drugs. The bottom line is, there needs to be scrutiny, oversight and transparency of these companies practices because its money that hard working citizens have paid for premiums that is going straight to a publicly traded company instead of being maximized for their own benefit, said Josh Hardin, who co-manages 13 independent pharmacies in central Alabama. Information on the profits PBMs are making is scarce because the companies prohibit pharmacists and insurers from informing patients of their prescription costs. Some pharmacists shared acquisition costs with AL.com under the condition that the name of the PBM is not disclosed. In one case, a PBM-owned pharmacy appeared to charge an insurer more than $4,000 each to fill a multiple sclerosis and cancer drug prescription. But the average cost for a pharmacy to acquire the drugs in Alabama, plus the proposed dispensing fee, is actually less than $100 for both of those drugs, according to state Medicaid data. Patrick Devereaux, president of FMS Pharmacy in Bessemer, shared a list of brand name drug reimbursements paid by one of the largest insurers in the state. Between January and March, the PBM used by the insurance company reimbursed the pharmacy less than the original drug cost for 760 out of 797, or 95%, of all prescriptions. For some drugs, that difference amounted to hundreds of dollars. Devereaux said hes had to cut staff, and has started delivering pharmacy orders himself to keep his pharmacy in business. That shroud of secrecy there is what theyre clinging to and what theyre trying to keep hidden, Devereaux said. They dont want that veil to be lifted. They really want payors to believe that Meloxicam (an arthritis drug) indeed costs $149, which it does not. But some are skeptical that the bill will truly protect consumers. People that make lower incomes, theyre always hit the hardest whenever theres additional fees, said Jennifer Harris of Alabama Arise. Whenever additional things that are applied, we know that it usually comes out somewhere thats going to be passed on as a consumer cost. We just dont know what thats going to look like for those people that are most harmed. Reybold told AL.com that he could envision some changes to the bill to ensure consumers wont be responsible for paying the dispensing charge. Ultimately he believes the bill will help consumers by encouraging lower drug costs and premiums. A fiscal note says the legislation will cost the state insurance department, who would be in charge of enforcing the law, an additional $112,000 annually, but does not detail how much money the legislation could save or cost insurers. In a statement to AL.com, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, which uses a PBM, said the legislation would make it harder to negotiate costs on behalf of patients. Alabamians deserve access to the prescription drugs they need at a price they can afford, a spokeswoman said. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama advocates on behalf of our members to keep healthcare costs as low as possible, with a primary focus on rising prescription drug costs. HB 238 would only make it more difficult for Alabamians to access the necessary and even life-saving medications they need at a price they can afford. Retirement Services of Alabama, which manages health and retirement plans for state employees, has also pushed back against the bill, saying it would change how the organization handles reimbursements. RSA doesnt use PBMs, according to the Alabama Reflector, and can negotiate drug prices and rebates to help bring the cost of insurance down. We are more worried about, if (the fee) is set in statute which youre going to pay on the other end, whats going to be the motivation of manufacturers and wholesalers to negotiate in good faith with the pharmacists on pricing? Neah Scott, RSAs legislative counsel, told lawmakers last week. They know the pharmacists are going to be reimbursed for actual acquisition costs, plus a dispensing fee. So were worried about long-term cost increases because of this. Scott told AL.com that RSA is still working out a cost analysis to better understand how the legislation will affect the program. HB238 will have to be approved by the full House before it heads to the Senate. Firefighters are battling a blaze at an apartment building on Montclair Road. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service responded about 7:40 a.m. Friday to Stonehenge Apartments. They arrived to find smoke and fire coming from the two-story building. Battalion Chief Clay Hendon said 14 apartments sustained damage, either from fire or smoke and water. No one was injured. There was a storm in the area at the time, but its too soon to determine what sparked the blaze. Red Cross officials are en route to help the residents who have been displaced. A federal jury has found a 32-year-old former Santa Cruz man guilty of threatening two FBI agents. The conviction of Brian Broderick, on a charge of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure, came down March 8, after a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila. Leading up to the threat, Broderick, a former Apple software engineer, reached out to the FBI San Francisco Division several times in 2021 and 2022 to report several issues, including allegations concerning his former employer, according to a release from the Northern District of Californias U.S. Attorneys Office. Then, on June 1, 2022, Broderick emailed two FBI agents that he was literally hunting the idiot traitor FBI agent who had previously contacted him. Broderick warned the FBI: You act on this in ... 24 hours, or I go beyond taking your livelihood. On the same day, Broderick posted a video he filmed of himself taking surveillance photographs of an FBI offices vehicles in Alabama to his YouTube channel. In addition to his interactions with the FBI, Broderick has faced attention from the Santa Cruz Police Department. According to December 2021 court filings by the Santa Cruz Police Department seeking a firearms restraining order against Broderick, an Apple employee allegedly alerted the department that Broderick was sending aggressive e-mails and text messages to Apple employees regarding his belief that Apple was spying on him and had a conspiracy against him. In an affidavit, police detective Elizabeth Howard-Gibbon described interactions between Broderick and his neighbors, former co-workers and apartment management company. She wrote, l believe Mr. Broderick is showing behaviors consistent with an individual going through an emotional crisis. Brodericks sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 24, when he faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. ___ (c)2024 the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.) Visit the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.) at www.santacruzsentinel.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A Florida man and an accomplice tampered with a video roulette machine at a New Orleans casino and made off with nearly $70,000, according to a report by NOLA.com. Michael Vincent Shea, 33, of Coral Springs, Fla., pleaded not guilty to charges of felony theft and modifying a gaming device to affect the results of a wager, according to Jefferson Parish court records. Shea and his accomplice are accused of cheating the casino over a three-day period in 2022, but Shea was not arrested until late February of this year, according to the report. He is being held in the Jefferson Parish Jail under total bond of $60,000 -- a little less than the $68,388 he is accused of illegally winning from the casino. The two men were seen on surveillance video tampering with the roulette machine in August of 2022. How they managed to cheat the machine has not been disclosed, but the two suspects cashed 12 tickets worth $31,500 after about 11 hours in the casino, according to an arrest report obtained by the outlet. Shea and the unnamed suspect returned the next day, again spending 11 hours at the casino, this time cashing in nine tickets worth $19,038. They returned for a final time the following day, cashing in an undisclosed number of tickets worth $17,850. Authorities have not disclosed how Shea was identified as a suspect. At the time of his arrest in New Orleans, he was also wanted in Missouri for a riverboat gambling violation. Details of that charge were not available in Missouri court records, but the charge was brought in St. Charles, Mo., in October 2022 -- just two months after the alleged tampering at the New Orleans casino. Court records show Shea is due in court in the Missouri case on April 4. A former Mississippi police officer admitted in federal court Thursday that he forced an inmate to drink his own urine, pleading guilty to a violation of the mans civil rights, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Court records show Michael C. Green, 26, was working as a patrolman for the Pearl (Miss.) Police Department in December 2023 when he responded to a report of a disturbance at a local Sams Club. At the scene, Green and other officers encountered a male subject, identified in court records only as B.E., who was taken into custody, transported to the Pearl Police Department and placed in a holding cell. Surveillance footage from the jail showed the following series of events: B.E. knocked on the holding cell door, attempting to communicate to Green that he needed to urinate. Neither Green nor anyone else responded and, after an unspecified amount of time, B.E. walked to the back of the cell and urinated in a corner. Green returned and took B.E. to the jails booking area. The booking area telephone rang and Green answered. He was told B.E. had urinated in the holding cell. Green said to B.E. Let me tell you somethin. You see this phone? I will beat your f______ ass with it. Youre fixin to go in there and youre gonna lick that piss up. Do you understand me? B.E. was returned to the holding cell, with Green repeating his command to lick it up and go suck it up right now. Green stood in the doorway of the holding ceol and again told B.E. to get on the ground and suck it up. Green took out his cell phone and recorded video of B.E. on the ground licking his urine. B.E. gagged while doing this, with Green responding dont spit it out. B.E. gagged again, and Green said lick that s--- up. Drink your f----- piss, after which B.E. gagged a third time. B.E. was eventually allowed to leave the holding cell and, after returning to the booking area, vomited repeatedly into a garbage can. He was ultimately transported to the Rankin County Detention Center in Brandon, Miss. Green was fired four days after the encounter with B.E. was seen in surveillance video. Prior to Thursdays hearing, Pearl Mayor Jake Windham held a news conference during which he condemned Greens actions, according to the Associated Press. I dont understand how you treat someone like that, Windham said. Green did not dispute any of the allegations as they were read in court Thursday and pleaded guilty to one count of acting under color of law to deprive a person of his civil rights. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 12 and faces up to a year in federal prison. A Bessemer man has been charged with murder in the death of an acquaintance who was fatally shot by a Hueytown homeowner last month. LaGaryeus Lamar Boglin, 26, is charged with felony murder in the Feb. 19 slaying of 43-year-old Contravia Lamond Jackson. Boglin is also charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree kidnapping, and first-degree burglary in connection with the same incident. Hueytown police were dispatched at 2 a.m. that Monday to a home in the 200 block of June Avenue on a report of a person shot. Officers arrived to find Jackson shot in the front seat of a vehicle. Police have not said where Jackson where on the property he was actually shot. Jackson was pronounced dead on the scene at 2:30 a.m. Police said the initial investigation indicates the sister of the resident of the home arrived at the house with Jackson and Boglin. Jackson brandished a gun and was shot by the homeowner. The homeowner was not charged with any crime. Boglin is the only person to be charged in this case. Boglin is charged under Alabamas felony murder law which allows a person to be charged with murder if they are participating in a felony crime that results in death, whether or not that person actually pulled the trigger. He was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and booked into the Jefferson County Jail Thursday evening. He is being held without bond. The deadly shooting was Hueytowns first homicide this year. Police said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 205-491-3523. An Alabama man is in jail after authorities say a missing Georgia girl was found with him in Shelby County. Rafael Paredes Panameno, 22, is charged with two counts of second-degree rape, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, one count of second-degree, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a pistol and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Alabaster police said detectives received information about a missing juvenile from Georgia who was believed to be in the area. They located Panameno, who lives in Alabaster, and and then the girl. Investigators said the situation stemmed from an inappropriate relationship that began on social media. The victims age was not released. Its extremely important to monitor your childrens online activities and contacts, said Det. Charles Brower. We are beyond grateful to have located this juvenile and returned (her) to (her) family. If convicted, Panameno could face a maximum sentence of life in prison for traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. The crimes of second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy carry a prison range of up to 20 years. Panameno was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Thursday. His bonds total $173,000 bond. Hartselle police said a 72-year-old man has been arrested for possessing child sexual abuse material. According to a news release, Roy Wayne Goodwin, 72, of Hartselle, was arrested Thursday. He faces five counts for possession of obscene matter depicting persons under the age of 17. The arrest came after a complaint reported back in August of last year. Investigators sought a search warrant to Goodwins residence, where items seized were determined to be child sexual abuse material. Goodwin was transported to the Morgan County Jail, and released on $375,000 bond. The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility in Greenbrier is under going a leadership change, the manufacturer announced Tuesday. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing founding Plant President Masashi Aihara will transition out of his role, and welcome Mitsunobu Mukaida as MTMs new president, according to a news release. The Singing River Trail will receive a significant economic boost to its efforts to connect communities in north Alabama. The trail will receive more than $18.4 million for the Dr. Bill Sims Hike-Bike Way, which is reconnecting Old Town to Decaturs riverfront in Decatur. This is an opinion column. A witness. Theres almost always at least one. Usually, there are more. Many more, sometimes. Scripture (Hebrews 12: 1-2) touts a great cloud of witnesses that should empower us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Such as the sin of silence. Too often witnesses are like cloudsominously silent, haunting. Or ghosts, nowhere to be seen, found, nor heard when neededwhen desperately needed to solve a crime. Usually a deadly crime. Theyre gone with the wind as cries for justice fill rivers of grief. No-snitch isnt new, nor is it confined to any single culture, community, or city. Its not confined to low-income Black communitiescommunities where hope is starving, where countless conditions contribute to deadly decisions. Sometimes premeditated, sometimes in a split-second. Then silence among those who know. Among witnesses. The shootings and killings that plague our neighborhoods are unconscionable and wearying, the quiet among witnesses is almost worse. Their silence is a virus with no antidote, only lingering pain as investigations traverse an empty path to nowhere. In most of our cases, we have a very good idea and may actually know exactly who was responsible, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond shared. But we dont have someone willing to say, I saw A shoot B. So, were just stuck. Somebodys got to go to court, raise their right hand and testify before a judge and jury and say, Hey, this is what I saw., or this is what I know. Too often, silence. This time, maybe the crime was so heinously evil, so inexplicable, it moved the cloud, or at least one witness. Moved them to speak. Moved them to say what they saw, and knew about the abhorrent abduction, torture, and killing of Mahogany Jackson. The 20-year-old mother in Birmingham with a three-year-old daughter, as you most likely know by now, was, according to investigators, abducted and held against her will, stripped, handcuffed, kicked and beaten, sexually assaulted at gunpoint, and ultimately killed with a bullet to the back of her head. Her body was found in the early hours on Monday morning, February 26, under two mattresses and bleeding on a rock on an illegal dump site., according to investigators. Just one week later, eight people were behind bars, charged with atrocious actions connected to the killingand Birmingham homicide Det. Mark Green was in the courtroom of Jefferson County Judge Keisha Davis sharing the horrid details during an Aniahs Law hearing. Just one week later, because a witness quickly came forth. So quickly, investigators were still on the grounds where Jacksons body had been dumped. A witness unwilling to be silent and desiring to clear his name from involvement. A witness with details and critical information: the existence of videos of the crimes made, Green testified, by two of the alleged perpetrators. Another hearing was held last Wednesday during which more lurid details were revealed. Eight people are charged. Three - Brandon Pope, 24, Francis Ace Harris, 25, and Jeremiah Kodak McDowell, 18 - are charged with capital murder during a first-degree kidnapping. Harris is also charged with capital murder during a rape/sodomy. Teja Lewis, 26, SiNiya McCall, 23, Giovannie Clapp, 23, Blair Green, 25, and Ariana Lashay Robinson, 23 are charged with felony murder, first-degree kidnapping, and first-degree sodomy. Lewis is also charged with second-degree assault for allegedly pistol-whipping Jackson. Clapp is additionally charged with third-degree assault. Read full coverage of Mahagony Jackson here. 9 1 / 9 Mahogany Jackson Vigil Thurmond believes the witnessand othersemerged so swiftly because the crime was just so overly heinous. I think it just struck a chord with them and they said, I gotta tell somebody. This is just beyond wrong. Nationally, technology is playing an increasingly important role in solving crimes, in achieving justice. Last year, in a study by Thomson Reuters, Data and technology: How law enforcement agencies see the future, about one-third (33%) of law enforcement respondents keeping up with technology was one of their top three areas of concern. The study noted various technologies and the percentage of respondents using them: in-car/body-worn cameras (58%); license plate readers (39%); drones/thermal imaging/shot spotters (34%); forensic/investigative technologies (33%); and video surveillance hardware/software (32%). In Chicago police are effectively utilizing new video enhancement technology as the availability of surveillance video explodes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the technology contributed to the arrest of 63 offenders and to clearing 131 cases related to subjects involved in armed robberies, burglaries, thefts, and damage to property. Last fall, Birmingham introduced Connect Birmingham, a program where business owners and residents with surveillance allow the citys Real Time Crime Center access to their footage. Though numerous systems have signed up, Thurmond hopes for more, so investigations are less reliant on witnesses coming forth, less handcuffed by the no-snitch culture. Lets just remove that from that piece altogether and let the video speak for itself, he said. Thats what judges and juries want to see anyway. Let me see with my own two eyes. Ill make my decision. Well go from there. That way. I know in my heart, my mind, I based it on fact, and I feel good about that. One case. One witness. Thurmond is pleased that someone stepped forth to help investigators begin the long road towardshopefullyjustice for Jackson and her family. Yet its not quite enough for him to believe that perhaps the no-snitch culture is waning. If we were a scientist, we did one test and it came out great, but we did that test multiple times just to make sure were getting the same outcome, he said. I need to see a few more situations like that, where the public is saying, We have had enough of this, and were going to come forward. Were going to assist our law enforcement partners and we want a safer Birmingham. Ive always kind of thought to myself, I wonder when the citizens are just gonna say, Weve had enough? When does it get to that? Thereve been times in history where thats happened, and change occurred. But people had to say, Ive had enough, and were gonna make this right. Were gonna do something. Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. The sin of silence. Im a member of the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. My column appears on AL.com, as well as the Lede. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj When disaster strikes, it pays to know how to make foods that do not need many ingredients, are very nutritious and can last a long time when properly stored. Here are five recipes for easy-to-make survival foods you should know by heart.Hardtack Also called hard bread, this tough biscuit is a survival food with a history going back as far as Ancient Rome. Ingredients: 5 cups wheat flour 2 quarts water 3 teaspoons of salt Combine all of these ingredients in a large mixing bowl. When the flour, salt and water have formed a dry bread dough, roll it out flat with a rolling pin or pat it out by hand. If the dough still has sticky spots, add more flour. Make a 12-inch-thick dough sheet, cut it into three-inch squares and poke holes in both sides of each dough square. Bake these squares for 30 minutes per side at 375 F on an ungreased cookie sheet. Keep your hardtack in a cool, dry and dark place away from pests. Once hardtack has fully dried, it can last for years if stored properly. Pemmican Pemmican is a very ancient forerunner to modern survival rations, known as a very weird meatball made of dried meat and rendered fat. It is filled to the brim with calories and its invention its popularity is traditionally credited to Native Americans. Ingredients: 8 ounces of lard 8 ounces of packed powdered jerky chopped in a blender 8 ounces of dried fruit, ideally berries Warm the lard in a pot to a temperature below 100 F until it turns into a soft, pasty texture. Keep stirring while it heats up. Stir your other ingredients into the softened fat until they have thoroughly combined with the lard, which usually takes about two minutes of continuous stirring. If you have the ingredients, feel free to add small amounts of flour or other starch sources for additional carbohydrates. You can even add different spices to add some flavor. Turn off the heat and, once the mixture is cool enough to touch, scoop it out by hand and compress it into round balls or flat cakes. Be sure to let the pemmican completely cook before you store it. Traditionally, pemmican would usually be stored in rawhide containers. Instead of this, you can wrap up the pemmican in wax paper and keep it stored in a cool place. If kept relatively cool, pemmican can last for months. However, as the weather warms, it would be wise to eat the pemmican before the fat begins to smell rancid. Bannock Sometimes called skillet bread, bannock is a round, flat, unleavened bread that is associated with Scotland and northern England. Although you can adapt a bannock recipe for the oven, it is meant to be cooked in a skillet over a campfire or in a fireplace. Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour teaspoon salt teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon sugar 1 cups dried fruit (e.g., cherries) 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary 1 cups buttermilk or sour milk Preheat your oven to 300 F. In a medium-sized bowl, combine all of your dry ingredients except for the dried fruit and rosemary. Thoroughly mix them. Chop your dried fruit and rosemary into very fine pieces and set aside. Now that you have a bowl full of dry ingredients, make a well in the center for your buttermilk. Add the buttermilk to the well and begin to slowly incorporate flour from the sides this will allow you to control the dough consistency. Do not collapse the sides of the well. You will have leftover flour to coat your table and to use while you knead the dough. Once the batter becomes stodgy and pasty, you can add your finely chopped dried fruit and rosemary. At this point, you are going to dump the dough out onto a floured surface. Work the dough and add flour until it becomes less sticky and the dried fruit and rosemary are fully incorporated. At this point, you are ready to begin baking the bannock. Bake the bannock for 20 minutes until it has started to brown a bit. Remove the bannock and allow it to rest and cool. After the bannock has completely cooled, it can be sliced and served or sliced and stored. The best storage method is to keep it whole until you need it. If you leave it uncovered, it will get very hard in a couple of days. Freezing would be the best way to keep it for a really long time. But if you dont have that option, keep it hard and dry. (Related: 8 survival bread recipes for preppers.) Biltong Biltong is a traditional South African food that consists of dried and marinated meat. Whereas jerky is often smoked, biltong is cured with vinegar, salt and spices and then air-dried. Also, you can make biltong from a large variety of meat cuts. Ingredients: 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of lean meat 2 cups brown sugar 3 cups plump sea salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons ground black peppercorns 100 ml Worcestershire sauce 5 cups vinegar 4 tablespoons of ground coriander seeds To prepare the meat, always cut to the length of the grain, never against it. Prepare 1 cm thick slices of meat and then put those slices into the vinegar-Worcestershire sauce mix for half an hour. Store the remaining vinegar in the fridge because it will be used later in the recipe. Crush all the spices and then mix in the salt, baking soda and sugar. Make sure that all the meat is perfectly coated with this and then layer those slices on a clean plate. Place the thickest slice at the base and the other chucks above it. Sprinkle your remaining spice mixture on top of the upper layer. Refrigerate for at least eight hours. Take out the refrigerated chunks of meat and then soak them again in the vinegar mix for at least 15 minutes. Remove the meat slices and then rinse out the salt residue from every piece. Squeeze the moisture out of the meat pieces. You can then dry the biltong in two different ways in the oven or in the traditional way by hanging the strips up on racks in a room with good circulation. Alternatively, the strips can be refrigerated and, if frozen, they can last for up to a year. Trail biscuit This is a stick-to-your-ribs food that will help stretch rations or fill bellies. The egg and lard are optional, but if youre not using lard, substitute the baking powder for a couple of teaspoons of baking soda. Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons baking powder 1 egg (optional, if available) 1 teaspoon salt cup lard (or butter) 1 cups milk Preheat oven to 370 F or stoke your coals so theyre hot enough to cook on. Combine flour, salt and baking powder (or baking soda) in a bowl, then cut the cold lard (or butter) into the flour mixture until you have pea-sized pieces. Add milk until the dough is barely sticky. Dont overmix or your biscuits will be tough. Drop about cup of the batter into a greased pan or Dutch oven. Cook for 20 minutes or so until the biscuits are brown. If using a Dutch oven, put the biscuits in. There are many, many more survival foods you can make to keep you well-fed with necessary nutrients during survival situations, such as parched corn, trench cake, jerky, dried fruit, beans and rice and peasant's bread. What's important is you are aware of the kinds of foods you can make that can keep you sustained during emergencies. Our mission is to empower, uplift and defend the lives of every human being across our planet, and we're doing it by building the infrastructure of human freedom. Find out about how we're doing this using cutting-edge AI technology at this link. Support our ongoing efforts by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, and thank you for your support! Watch the following video to learn how to make survival chocolate. This video is from the Cahlen channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The Alva Airport Commission is losing patience with their fuel truck situation. In a meeting Monday night, members expressed their frustration with the long delay in getting a fuel tank mounted onto a new truck. They are also unhappy with the original plan to purchase two similar trucks being switched to one that is much larger. Chairman Dale Logsdon opened the meeting with members Paul Kinzie, Terry Cline, Calleb Mosburg and Mayor Kelly Parker present. The agenda listed the sale of the 2016 Freightliner for a price of $68,900. Cline asked if it is possible to bring back the other truck that is waiting for a PTO coming from China. He said there are a lot of resourceful guys here that could probably figure out how to hook up a motor and make it work. He said they might especially need it when the Young Eagles program is on the airport in April. Kinzie said if they could get a part number and a verification that the part has been ordered, he liked the idea of bringing the truck back to the airport. He said its been four months since theyve had the use of the Jet A fuel truck. It was suggested getting the manager of the company handling the tank transfer from one vehicle to another on a Zoom call to discuss the problem. We need to light a fire somehow, said Kinzie. A special meeting would need to be scheduled if they can arrange such a call. The commission members have also decided to get rid of the second vehicle which isnt what they expected. They wanted to buy a second Isuzu truck like the one waiting for a part for the tank installation. Instead, they received a 2016 Freightliner. Parker made a motion to recommend the sale, seconded by Kinzie, and the motion passed by unanimous vote. Installing Jet Fuel Tank Three bids were received for the installation of a new above ground jet fuel tank. The lowest combined bid, with the base bid and two alternates, was from Innovative Fueling Systems. The bid total is a couple of thousand dollars over what the engineer expected. Engineer Toby Baker with Parkhill recommended accepting the base bid and alternate 1 for a total of $540,272.50. He said alternate 2 is not needed unless hot soil is found. Alternate 1 is for removal of the current underground tank. Alternate 2 is for abatement if contaminated soil is found. Baker said that alternate can be added if needed. The commission members approved the base bid and alternate 1 from Innovative Fueling Systems provided they receive the grant from the ODAA (Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics). Grant Application The commission members voted to authorize the mayor to sign a grant application to the ODAA to partially fund the jet fuel tank project. The grant is advertised as a 50/50 grant but ODAA caps their share at $300,000. It is noted that the approved bid includes $20,000 for electrical service to the new fuel system on the jet fuel tank. This is estimated as OG&E has not told the city what they will charge. If they do not charge, that $20,000 will be subtracted from the citys cost. Engineer Agreement An amendment to the agreement with Parkhill for engineer services was approved. The ODAA grant application preparation was not included in their original budget. Other Business The airport has two certificates of deposit (CD) coming up for renewal. Commission members voted to approve renewal at the best rate for a 12-month period. Airport Manager Derrick Courson reported February fuel sales totaled $45,919.11 with $12,974.91 from 100LL and $32,944.20 from Jet A sales. Other revenue came from the sale of oil ($131.10), van rental ($85.00) and merchandise sales ($15.00) for a total of $46,150.21. Courson said February was a really good month. It was ski season with a lot of east coast jets stopping on their way to Colorado. Kinzie noted 100LL fuel sales were about twice what they were last year and asked what he would attribute that to. Courson said it is due to the nice weather plus a lot of repeat customers. In the past two weeks, he said hes had three jets ask about overnight hangar space which the airport does not provide. He said its something that might need attention. Courson reported the green Buick courtesy car seems to have some electrical issues draining the battery. He said hes getting equipment ready for mowing season. The airport has two seasonal employees hired to help with the mowing. A part time employee has also been hired to keep the airport open on weekends. See a video of the meeting at http://www.AlvaReviewCourier.com Kaos Davis (right) of Alva won the silver medal and Justus Hoover of Alva won the bronze medal in the Braille Challenge Finals at Muskogee March 6. On Wednesday, March 6, local blind and visually impaired youth in grades 112 showcased their braille skills at the Oklahoma Regional Braille Challenge and battled for a spot at Braille Challenge Finals in Los Angeles this summer. Kaos Davis and Justus Hoover of Alva won medals at the event. Parents, teachers and friends cheered students on as they furiously typed away on their braillers and quickly glided their fingers along braille dots during this exciting day of competition and camaraderie. Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in the U.S., Canada, and United Kingdom for students who are blind or visually impaired. Braille Institute developed Braille Challenge to promote the importance of braille literacy. It motivates students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success. Oklahoma students have been working hard all school year for this Braille Challenge. This year, a total of 38 kids participated one of the biggest challenges ever! Students battled it out in five different braille skills categories including reading comprehension, braille spelling, chart and graph reading, proofreading and braille speed and accuracy. By 2030, the number of Americans with visual impairments is projected to reach 7.2 million. That's why events like the Oklahoma Regional Braille Challenge are so important. This competition celebrates braille skills and reminds our community about all the amazing and FREE services that are available to those who are blind or visually impaired. The Braille Challenge also helps to promote the importance of braille literacy and motivates students to practice and hone their braille skills all of which are essential to academic and employment success. Braille is a crucial tool for many blind and visually impaired students as it opens the doors of literacy and drives education advancement and future employment opportunities. This is important since there are 128,900 Oklahomans, all ages, or 3.3% with vision disabilities, according to using the U.S. Census Bureau. Go to https://oklahoma.gov/okdrs/information/about-us/ok-statistics.html to find out more. First book donated for first Alva library is found The 60th Birthday Party celebrating the dedication of the current Alva Public Library Building was a success, according to Librarian Sandra Ott. She said they had to get extra cupcakes on Monday and only a dozen of the ten dozen cookies ordered for Tuesday were left. In researching the library history in Alva, one of the newspaper stories Assistant Librarian Angela Courson found described the donation of the first book to the early library by Scott Cummings, the Pilgrim Bard. Ott said they located that book at the library and it is now part of their birthday display. Ott said more people seem to be coming into the library although shes not seeing an increase in book checkouts. Patty Harkin opened the Alva Library Board meeting Monday afternoon with members Len Reed, Marilyn Clyne, Lynn Wilt and Chris Eckhardt present. Stuffed Animal Sleepover In a recent event, the library hosted 54 stuffed animals for a sleepover. She said some of the animals were brought in by adults but most were dropped off by children. The overnight activities of the animals were photographed and detailed in individual books presented to the owners when they retrieved their stuffed friends the next day. Budget Planning Its budget time for city departments as they plan their budgets for next year. Ott said she and Courson attended a budget meeting recently. A few funds were moved around, and the library is asking for $5,000 more next year. However, they deducted $2,000 from property maintenance since no air conditioner replacements are expected. Some funds will be used for smaller purchases like updating iPads, vacuums, or shelving. Ott said the additional funds are to pay for periodic cleaning of the library. The staff handles the daily work, but help is needed with deep cleaning as the staff is getting busier. She also asked for $1,000 more in training for staff. Ott said she plans to retire at the end of April, and the city is generously paying her for accumulated unused sick leave. She said that should not affect the overall budget this year as some of last years purchases were encumbered but not spent. Then the items came in during this year and were paid from this years funds leaving them with some extra money. Ott said the E-Rate application has been completed and turned in. Courson gained experience in filling out that complicated paperwork. Courson is being trained to act as interim director until a new library director is hired. Grant Received The library took advantage of an available tech grant with Courson submitting an application. There were two types of grants: one for regular tech and the other for innovative tech. It was decided to apply for the innovative tech because there might be fewer applicants. The library has been notified they received a $5,000 grant. They plan to use it to install a charging station so patrons can charge their cellphones and other devices. They want to try a card catalog kiosk which has been successful in other libraries. The grant will also play for a computer and for a couple of Android devices with preloaded programs for the YA (young adult) section for teens to use. State Aid Grants The library used state aid grant funds to buy two bookshelves for the youth department downstairs. They also bought a new staff computer. The old computer will be kept and repurposed at the front desk or in the card catalog section. Other grant money is being used to order new activities and materials for the Little Explorers group. The library is purchasing a new desk for their smaller second office which is being set up as a more private location. Staff Training Mandi Schoenhals attended the Oklahoma Library Association meeting in Tulsa recently where she took some classes. She applied for and received a grant to pay her fees. NWOSU library staff invited her to ride with them so the Alva library didnt have to pay for travel. Courson recently completed computer training on AI (artificial intelligence) and its impact on libraries. Ott said they also have some other training available for six months which focuses on staff working together, teamwork, etc. Directors Report Ott presented some updated guidelines on people eating in the library. She said theyve allowed people to bring in sack lunches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., confining them to a particular area. This is a service for people from out of town who might be working here or other adults needing a quiet place to eat. She said they installed some new carpet squares in that area and dont want to worry about spilled food or drink. The new eating area will be moved onto non-carpeted floor near the same area. Ott said the space is also more visible from the front desk area. No action was needed by the board, but Ott wanted to make them aware of the change. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The death of a nonbinary student the day after a fight inside an Oklahoma high school restroom has been ruled a suicide, the state medical examiner's office said Wednesday. A summary autopsy report was released more than a month after the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, a student at Owasso High School. Family members said Benedict had been bullied at school and the teenager's death in February drew concern from LGBTQ+ rights groups, as well as attention from Oklahoma's governor and the White House. "From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide," Owasso Police Department Lt. Nick Boatman said in a statement. "However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office." In a 911 call on Feb. 8, Sue Benedict the teen's grandmother and legal guardian had expressed concern about a head injury. The teenager was conscious and alert after the fight a day earlier when they told police about the attack by three girls that occurred after the teen squirted them with water, according to police video released last month. The report shows Benedict had toxic levels of two drugs in their system and died of an overdose. A complete autopsy will be released in 10 days in accordance with state law, the medical examiner's office said. Boatman would not confirm whether or not police found a note from Benedict at the scene. A lawyer for the Benedict family, Jacob Biby, told The Associated Press that he was working on a statement from the family Wednesday but declined to comment further. In video footage from the hospital the day of the altercation, Benedict explains to an officer that the girls had been picking on them and their friends because of the way they dressed. Benedict claims that in the bathroom the students said "something like: why do they laugh like that," referring to Benedict and their friends. "And so I went up there and I poured water on them, and then all three of them came at me," Benedict tells the officer from a hospital bed. Paramedics responded to the family's house and performed CPR on the teen before rushing them to the hospital, where they later died. Family members have said Benedict was nonbinary, which means they didn't identify as strictly male or female. "Bullying and harassment have a significant impact on students and, tragically, many of these youths believe that suicide is the only option for peace," said Brandon Dilawari, a case manager at Rainbow Youth Project USA, an Indiana-based group that aims to improve the safety and wellness of LGBTQ+ young people. "This is not an isolated incident by any means." The group reported a dramatic spike in calls from Oklahoma to its national crisis hotline after news of the teen's death became public. _____ This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. English News Urban renewal gives century-old block new look in Beijing Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 12 Mars 2024 Protecting historical heritage helps preserve urban memory. So far, Shijingshan district has allocated a total of over 20 million yuan ($2.78 million) of special funds in the Moshikou historical and cultural block, which has been used for the protective restoration of cultural relics. By Pan Junqiang, People's Daily When the night falls, Moshikou Street in Beijing's Shijingshan district is ablaze with dazzling lights, becoming an ideal photo spot for tourists. This centuries-old historical and cultural block has been reinvigorated thanks to the urban renewal program launched by Beijing. Having made its name since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Moshikou Street was once a hub for merchants. It covers an area of 38.88 hectares and was among the second batch of historical and cultural preservation areas in Beijing. It is home to historical and cultural sites protected at the national level including the Fahai Temple and the Cheng'en Temple, as well as many protected at the municipal and district levels. Having restored historical and cultural sites, as well as former residences of celebrities and valuable courtyards scattered in ancient alleys and lanes, Shijingshan district has launched special cultural exhibitions to highlight the charm of the local culture. The Fahai Temple is located at the southern foot of Cuiwei Mountain in the western part of Beijing. It houses the oldest and most well-preserved Ming Dynasty murals in Beijing. Inside the nearby Fahai Temple Mural Art Center, there is a digital exhibition hall where murals are displayed on 4K high-definition screens in their original proportions. "The screen allows for zooming in, showcasing specific details, " said Liu Xiaobo, the curator of the Fahai Temple Mural Art Center. This approach not only protects the murals but also better showcases their artistic charm, Liu added. Protecting historical heritage helps preserve urban memory. So far, Shijingshan district has allocated a total of over 20 million yuan ($2.78 million) of special funds in the Moshikou historical and cultural block, which has been used for the protective restoration of cultural relics. In the past, Moshikou Street was plagued by illegal buildings, unauthorized roadside businesses, and severe traffic congestion from morning to night. After the morning market finished, the streets were littered with garbage and covered by sewage. A turnaround came in 2016 when Shijingshan district initiated the renovation work of the Moshikou historical and cultural block, which aimed to improve the environment, upgrade municipal facilities, and enhance the living conditions of residents. Zhang Haibin, deputy general manager of the company responsible for demolishing illegal constructions and renovating facilities in the block, told People's Daily that various needs were taken into consideration during the design phase of the renovation program. The goal was not only to improve the living environment for residents but also to restore the historical and cultural charm of the area, attracting both locals and tourists to visit, Zhang said. The company laid gas pipelines, separated rainwater pipes from sewage pipes, and buried overhead cables underground. Besides, illegal buildings have been demolished orderly. The facades of the block have been renovated with gray brick elements, preserving the traditional features of local residences. The improvement of the block's landscape focused on enhancing cultural and historical elements and enriching people's life interests. Sculptures, wall paintings, night lighting, and landscaping have been added on both sides of the street. The thorough renovation has brought a new look to the Moshikou Street. "It has become clean and beautiful, and made everyone's life more convenient," said Ren Yuan, a staff member of the Moshikou community committee. "During the renovation, we fully incorporated the demands of the merchants, ensuring that they could open for business as soon as they moved in," said Li Qi, deputy general manager of the Moshikou historical and cultural block operation and maintenance center of Beijing Tefo Heng Investment and Development Co., Ltd. The district attracted investment focusing on four types of businesses: culture, tourism, business, and public services. Today, it is home to 15 scenic spots, 29 exquisite courtyards, and over 100 stores. "Previously, we must make further renovation and decoration after the district's overall renovation work was finished, which wasted time and energy. This time, our decoration needs were combined directly with remodeling construction of the district, so that our hotel can open for business in the shortest time possible," said Zhao Zhongyuan, who runs a B&B hotel in Moshikou Street. Nowadays, the Moshikou historical and cultural block is home to a variety of businesses, including themed restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, bars, tea houses, and more. In a folk custom exhibition hall in the block, a cafe has opened. "The folk culture and the cafe have great 'chemistry' - this place is becoming more and more popular," said Zheng Tengfei who runs the cafe. He has gradually come to understand the local folklore and history, and sometimes even introduces it to visitors. It is reported that the Moshikou historical and cultural block will combine light art with bars, B&B hotels, immersive experiences, and other cultural and leisure businesses to further beautify its night views and promote cultural consumption. 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) Over the past several decades, many of us who were associated with the humanities noticed, within the ranks of its academic practitioners, an incipient displeasure with Western civilization taking hold and gradually developing into outright hostility. This attitude was at first manifested by a growing reluctance to engage with the vast literary output of Western man, whose creative strivings were summed up dismissively as the work of dead white males and consequently deemed irrelevant to the late twentieth century and beyond. If educators had their way, those geniuses would be silenced, for as white men, they have nothing to contribute, and therefore they had no reason to continue their conversation with the world. Eventually, the literary achievements of the entire West were under assault (as well as the attainments in most other fields of creative endeavor), which meant that the prodigious accomplishments of European women were now included in the body of work that had become anathema to modern scholars ensnared by the fashionable allure of the current zeitgeist. The position women held on the intersectional totem pole was not enough to offset their inescapable association with the European colonizer. This trajectory of shifting values is something the general public became cognizant of only gradually and with varying degrees of alarm. But it has been analyzed in depth by intellectual giants as far back as 1987, when Allan Bloom published The Closing of the American Mind. Roger Kimball of New Criterion has canvassed the development of this antipathy to the Western tradition in both the latter publication and his own books. But despite the erudition that these and other great thinkers have brought to bear on this subject, the dismantling proceeds apace. A recent headline from Seattle provides evidence for just how commonplace destructive ideas have become in our educational institutions as they have trickled down from the universities, reinforcing the truth of Allan Blooms assertion that what is influential in the higher intellectual circles always ends up in the schools. A Seattle high school English teacher presented students with materials commonly found in anti-racism training manuals, in this case decrying the most important component of literary efforts (and civilizational progress): the love of reading and writing. The pamphlet averred, among other things, that a love of reading and writing is a characteristic of white supremacy. What interpretation could students glean from this assertion but that reading and writing should be viewed with mistrust or even avoided? Decades ago, I found it shocking that anyone would openly disparage the staggering achievements of the Western literary mind, male or female, let alone that this assessment would become de rigueur in academia. It was as if someone were attempting to wrench the great passion of my life right out of my arms. Further, and more important, it had become obvious that the barbarians were dismantling the high points of achievement in civilization generally. Now I am left numb with disbelief that any high school English teacher in the anglosphere could in all seriousness propose that reading and writing are activities bad by association with something our culture condemns. This attack is directed no longer toward the high points of civilization, but rather toward the building blocks of civilizational development and maintenance. According to Jason Rantz from KTTH talk radio in Seattle, as part of the Black Lives Matter at School Week, World Literature and Composition students at Lincoln High School in Seattle were given a handout with definitions of the 9 characteristics of white supremacy and were told that Worship of the Written Word is white supremacy because it is an erasure of the wide range of ways we communicate with each other. According to this worksheet, white people hyper-value written communication because its a form of honoring only what is written and even then only what is written to a narrow standard, full of misinformation and lies. If I were a smart-aleck, I would recommend that the illiterate agitators who come up with these ideas go back in time and say all this to the (white) Greeks, who for centuries listened to poets recite the Homeric epics. Or tell this to the Sumerians, who, while also part of an oral poetic culture, invented writing for the practical purpose of record-keeping. And then tell the Chinese. And while youre at it, the Mayans the people of these last three cultures having each independently invented systems of writing. Given the pervasiveness of these vacuous ideas under the reigning educational regime, we must ask, why the institutionalized attack on reading and writing, and why under the aegis of Black Lives Matter at School? When I searched the phrase the invention of writing, I couldnt help but notice forums devoted to disputing the widely accepted claim that no sub-Saharan country ever invented a writing system. Well, if any one of them did, why dont black educators and their white allies in DIE encourage study of these African accomplishments in celebration of black history rather than condemning a system of communication that was invented by brown and yellow people to enable them to transact business? Or could it be that this particular ill chosen cudgel is simply useful for beating white people over the head for being white? Jocelynn Cordes has published a collection of her essays under the title Critical Musings from a Traditionalist. Image via Pexels. Despotism created the remand stretch in prison while waiting for trial. A de facto presumption of guilt, this was French law until the Napoleonic Criminal Code, which outlawed such practices. Peter Navarro has been remanded to prison pending appeal. President Bidens appointee, Judge Amit Priyavadan Mehta, denied Navarros request to stay out of prison during appeal. Navarro was ordered to report to a Miami federal prison by 2 pm Tuesday, March 19, 2024. He commented: 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. Thats worth fighting for on behalf of all Americans. Congress and the Department of Justice (DoJ) seek documents and depositions related to what they claim was a criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. Navarros back is against the wall for a strategy that he helped to craft and wrote about in his 2021 book In Trump Time. My Journal of America's Plague Year; which would delay the January 6, 2021 certification in states suspected of voter fraud. Congressional Certification of electoral votes is required. After each state vote is Certified, the Vice President announces the presidential outcome. January 6, 2021 -- Nancy Pelosi led the congressional electoral vote process. The strategy was to have various Republican members of the House and Senate challenge votes in states where election fraud was suspected. This could change the outcome of the election. During the vote a mob broke into the congressional chambers. Members left for six hours while the building was secured. When Congress reconvened, unchallenged electoral votes were accepted, and Vice President Mike Pence announced Joe Biden as the winner. February 9, 2022 -- Congress issued two subpoenas requiring Navarro to produce documents and to give testimony regarding January 6, 2021. He asked for prosecutorial immunity before producing documents and asserted executive privilege; exempting him from the subpoenas. Each count is a misdemeanor punishable for up to one year in prison, and fines of up to $100,000. His legal bills will exceed $1 million. He is not a rich man. June 3, 2022 -- At Reagan National Airport, Washington D.C., Peter Navarro was boarding a plane for Nashville. Without notice he was forcibly arrested, put in handcuffs, leg irons and placed in a cell. A Federal Grand Jury in Washington D.C. had indicted him for not complying with the two subpoenas. Traditional self-surrender had not been offered. August 3, 2022 -- The DoJ sued Navarro to compel him to produce emails from a personal Proton Mail account used for White House business. August 30, 2023 -- Judge Amit Priyavadan Mehta, denied executive privilege efforts to dismiss the charges, declaring The defendant has failed to come forward with any evidence to support the asserted claim of privilege. Defendant cannot avoid prosecution for contempt. Mehta asserts that for executive privilege to be valid there must be a personal assertion from the executive. This is open to legal opinion. It is probable the Supreme Court will set precedent on this. March 9, 2023 -- President Clinton appointee, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, ordered Navarro to turn over records under the Presidential Records Act. April 12, 2023 -- An appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court for a stay of the March order was denied. Navarro told reporters You cannot have a partisan Congress that abuses the subpoena process for the purpose of punishing the party that is out of power. September 7, 2023 -- A Washington D.C. jury was selected for trial. Navarro declined to testify. After four hours of deliberations, he was found guilty on both counts. Navarros attorneys motioned for a mistrial because jurors left court during deliberations. The motion was denied. January 16, 2024 -- Navarros request for a new trial was denied. On January 25 he was sentenced to four months in prison and a fine of $9,500. March 10, 2024 -- Navarro was ordered to report to a Miami federal prison by March 19, 2024, to begin a four-month sentence. Navarros attorneys requested he stay out of prison during the appeal, Judge Mehta denied the request. For more than 50 years the DoJ supported the policy that senior White House advisers could not be compelled to testify before Congress. This is the first time a senior White House official has been charged with this alleged crime. In President Obamas Administration, Eric Holder and Hillary Clinton each refused to hand over subpoenaed documents. They were not criminally prosecuted. Peter Navarro is 74 years old, attended Tufts University, spent three years in the Peace Corps, earned a masters degree and a PhD. at Harvard University, and has written more than a dozen books. In the Trump Administration, he clashed with Anthony Fauci, arguing that China violates free trade and profiteered from the coronavirus. He published reports concerning widespread election fraud, and a belief that the 2020 election was stolen. Peter spoke at the recent CPAC convention in Washington D.C. He was thin, ravaged by legal battles, and uncertain about facing prison. On center stage he implored us to circulate information about political weaponization in America. Meanwhile he waits for Lady Justice to retie her blindfold and to extend the slow hand of justice. The writer is an internationally published writer, a former English teacher, stockbroker, and owner/president of a small corporation. She is active with Republican Women, the Lincoln Club, the California Republican Party; and can be reached at darlenecasella@msn.com Image: United States Mission Geneva In the most predictable turn of events, the government and the criminals (forgive the probably false premise that these are two distinct groups) are collectively working to rob honest and hardworking people of their money and property. Its abundantly obvious that leftist governments in the West have proven to be so bad at governing that theyve forfeited all their supporttheir only option now for victory at the ballot box is to resort to vote-buying schemes, either overtly (student loan forgiveness) or through the welfare state by providing additional benefits. Either way, these politicians consistently go about it through the government system, using taxpayer dollars and debt to subvert; but now, theyve got a new strategy, and theyre appealing directly to the taxpayer to surrender his wealth and possessions to marauding thieves, thereby removing themselves from the rob-from-the-earner-to-give-to-the-non-earner equation. (Maybe, just maybe, is this another vote-buying scheme? If it were discovered that these car thieves also vote, who/what might they be supporting? Tough-on-crime policies of conservatives? Or, the politicians scratching their backs and directing law-abiders to accept the lawlessness of the left?) In Justin Trudeaus Canada, ever-innovative and blazing a new trail in Orwellian governance, state officials are now actually suggesting that homeowners have a responsibility to ensure victim and perp have the most polite and civil interaction possible; given the spike in car thefts around the country, itll be better for everyone involved if the owner of the car just makes sure he leaves his keys by the door so when an armed robber breaks into his home, the latter can grab the keys, make a quick getaway (since he doesnt want anything else), and (in theory!) leave everyone inside uninjured. Heres the story, from Fox News: As car thefts have spiked in Toronto, Canada, local police are prescribing new safety measures so that locals can avoid violent encounters with thieves. One of the recent bits of advice included Toronto Police telling residents of the town of Etobicoke to leave their car key fobs near the door to avoid being attacked in their homes by potential burglars. According to police, the number of car thefts in the city has more than doubled in recent years. In 2023, more than 12,000 vehicles were reported stolen. In 2019, just over 5,000 were reported stolen. He [Toronto Police Constable Marco Ricciardi] said at the Feb. 27 meeting, To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your FOBs at your front door. Because theyre breaking into your home to steal your car. They dont want anything else. A lot of them that theyre arresting have guns on them. And theyre not toy guns, theyre real guns. Theyre loaded, he added. (Weird, because Canada has some of the most restrictive gun control laws on the books in the world How in the world did these thieves come into possession of firearms??) Better yet, why not just leave the car running? And, make sure to put your wallet in the center console, maybe a list of your passcodes with the bank information too? Also, hitch up any boats or campers you might have, just in case. In other news, from someone in the comments at Moonbattery: To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your WIFE AND CHILDREN at your front door because theyre breaking into your home to RAPE OR KIDNAP THEM. They dont want anything else. Just kidding, thats satire for now. This is all for Canadians safety, of course! Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Most people are at least vaguely familiar with the story of the original Trojan horse. According to legend, sometime around the 12th or 13th century B.C., Greece and Troy were at war. The Greek army was unable to breach the defenses of the heavily fortified city of Troy, so it devised a plan. It built an enormous wooden horse and left it outside the city, seemingly as a peace offering, a gift. Hidden inside the horse, though, was an elite group of Greek fighters, and after it was towed inside, the warriors emerged and opened the city gates. The term Trojan horse has come to mean anything that may appear innocuous, but is intended to cause harm. Today, most computer users associate the term with a type of computer virus malicious software designed to spy on the users online activity, or to collect sensitive personal information. The wildly popular TikTok is offered free of charge a gift with no apparent strings attached. As a social media platform allowing users to post short videos on line, its easy to understand its popularity. It gives users, mostly young people, hungry for attention and exposure, an opportunity to perform before an audience. Some of the video postings can be entertaining, funny, and even illuminating and informative. But they can also be deceptive, morally corrosive, and even dangerous especially for young, impressionable minds. And like all Trojan horse viruses, this app collects personal information from its users. So how is that a threat to our national security? The problem is that TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company headquartered in Beijing and controlled by the Communist Chinese government, which ultimately controls the content. Today, our president likes to call China a competitor. He wants us to believe that were engaged in some sort of a game with the CCP something akin to horseshoes or lawn darts. But geopolitical experts tell us China is not a friendly competitor. It should be considered an adversary, or even an enemy. Anyone doubting that need only look at Chinas routine theft of Americas intellectual property, its belligerence toward Taiwan, its territorial expansion in the South China Sea via artificial islands, and its bloated military. They need only look at Chinas treatment of the Uyghurs to understand that the CCP is a ruthless, oppressive government, bent on world domination. And it doesnt have to be accomplished militarily. It would be foolhardy to offer Americas enemies intimate knowledge of our nations psyche, or to allow Communist Chinas propaganda machine to mold the impressionable minds of young Americans. Thats why TikTok has been called a threat to national security. And social media platforms arent the only means China has to infiltrate America. There are other ways it can exert its influence and eventually dominate our country. It can try to take control of our energy resources or our food supplies. It can work to transform our strong and proud citizenry into a nation of passive, compliant drug addicts by feeding us unlimited amounts of narcotics. Its all happening today under the watchful eye of Joe Biden. In fact, in many cases, Biden is doing more than allowing it to happen. Hes facilitating it. It was Biden who depleted our Strategic Petroleum Reserves to alarmingly low levels, where they remain today. It was Biden who sold millions of gallons of that precious commodity to China, while at the same time relentlessly pushing green energy. That has increased our dependence on Chinese-manufactured solar cells and batteries. And its Biden whos allowing the Chinese to buy up millions of acres of our farmland, essential to the worlds food supply. Perhaps Bidens biggest favor to the CCP is his open border policy. Theres no evidence whatsoever to suggest that Bidens 10 million newcomers, including 37,000 Chinese, have any intention of pledging allegiance to this country or even assimilating American values. But common sense and the law of averages tell us that a percentage of them are planning to do us harm. The fentanyl streaming across Bidens open borders has already killed or incapacitated hundreds of thousands of our citizens. If it continues, it will lead to the utter decimation of a once proud nation. Then theres the China spy balloon, which Biden allowed to meander across our countryside, sucking up national defense data. And the China Initiative that Biden abruptly canceled. That program was designed to track Chinas espionage activity in this country. For the Chinese Communist Party, Joe Biden is the gift that keeps on giving. Some attribute that to Bidens incompetence and his obvious cognitive decline. Others believe that the millions of dollars the CCP paid to his family may have something to do with it. Shamefully, still others close their eyes and pretend none of it is happening. If the efforts by Congress to sever Chinas ties with TikTok succeed, it will remove one obvious threat to our national security. Unfortunately, there is still Joe Biden. Image via Pxfuel. Chuck Schumer was a famous no on the Iran deal just 9 short years ago, but now hes reliably pro-Hamaswhat other possible reason might be for this remarkable shift, other than appeasing the hard-left wing of the party? The cynicism of it is truly breathtaking. His hometown tabloid, The New York Post, just came right out and said it in their editorial headline: Chuck Schumers shameful Netanyahu-blaming is all about serving Democratic Party interests. Why is this significant? Because back in 2015 during the height of the fight over then-President Obamas Iran Deal, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was described by his hometown paper of record (The New York Times) as the most influential Jewish voice in Congress, and was threatened by the White House for being a no vote. In fact, then-White House Spokesman Josh Earnest call[ed] [his] defiance on nuclear deal not particularly surprising and says it may cost him party leadership in Senate which, obviously, did not happen. Theres also the little matter of not bossing other countries around, or words to that effect, once uttered by The One, and once regarded as (nominally, anyway) The Obama Doctrine. Though, there always seemed to be a but Bibi clause in it; Bibi Netanyahu, who was famously treated shabbily at every possible opportunity by one, Barack Hussein Obama. Add to that the little matter of not kicking an ally when hes down. The last thing in the world any country needs when it is at war, and surrounded on all sides literally, geographically by the enemy, is to have a United States senator, much less this guy, call for yet more disruption, more chaos, when you have all you can do to simply keep your people alive. Chuck Schumer is only the most prominent Jewish voice in the Senate, representing the largest population of Jews outside of Israel anywhere on earth, so when he opines on all matters Israel, it matters. The New York Times opines this morning that the broad contours of Israels wartime policy wont change, and that Schumers broadside could actually have the opposite than intended effect: cleave his fellow countrymen closer to him rather than drive a wedge between them. Weve seen that happen with all the lawfare against Trump. We shall see here. Image: Public domain. In all my years in law enforcement, I never saw anything like the bizarrely contradictory and extra-legal behavior of judges in the Donald Trump affair. One can only conclude every judge involved has decided Donald Trump must be destroyed at all costs, even if that results in the utter destruction of public faith in our system of justice. The latest example is provided by Judge Scott McAfee in Fulton County Georgia. The text of his ruling is available at the link. McAfee issued his ruling on the dismissal of Fani Willis from her bizarre persecution of Donald Trump. In a pseudo-Solomonic muddle, he decided Willis, Wade and their supporting witnesses are perjurers and Willis engaged in all manner of impropriety. McAfee delivered a tongue lashing, and decided either Willis or Wade have to go, but hey, prosecutors will be prosecutors and maybe some other entity will do something about them. Graphic: X Screenshot Keep in mind in cases like this, the judge is the arbiter of the law and the finder of fact. He decides which witnesses are credible, and by his own standards. He decides who is committing perjury and who is feigning amnesia. But as with the Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden cases, McAfee laid out voluminous ethical lapses, even crimes, by Willis and Wade but weakly justified doing little or nothing about it. Most importantly, if the case were to proceed unchanged, the prima facie concerns raised by the Defendants would persist. As the District Attorney testified, her relationship with Wade has only grown stronger since these motions, and Wades unconvincing explanation for the inaccurate interrogatories he submitted in his pending divorce suggests a willingness on his part to improperly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney. Unconvincing explanation for the inaccurate interrogatories. Translation: Wade repeatedly committed perjury. Prosecutors arent supposed to get to do that. Lying prosecutors irreparably taint cases. Amazingly McAfee continually admits theyre all but criminals: "The testimony provided, including that of the District Attorney and Wade, did not alleviate these concerns." But what about her two race-baiting church speeches? McAfee was likewise stern, but not sufficiently stern to do anything about it: Regarding the speech Willis delivered in the historic Black church on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the judge ultimately finds that the speech did not cross the line. The judge notes that the case is too far removed from jury selection to establish a permanent taint of the jury pool. However, the judge did deem the speech "legally improper" and wrote that providing such public comments creates "perilous waters" for the district attorney to navigate further into. McAfee also suggests that it may be time for an order preventing the State from mentioning the case in any public forum to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity. Judge McAfee concludes Willis and Wade perjured themselves, and so did their supporting witnesses, including Willis father and Wades former law partner. He acknowledges Willis' former friend testified Willis and Wade lied about when their affair began, but so sad, too bad, she didnt do it quite specifically enough, so poor Judge McAfee cant do anything about it. He wants to, but he just cant. Regarding the undocumented transfer of public funds from Willis to Wade and back to Willis during their lavish vacations, McAfee punted again. He acknowledged it looks horrible, but hes just not going there. He also cited precedent that damns Willis, but again, thats not his job: However, an odor of mendacity remains. The Court is not under an obligation to ferret out every instance of potential dishonesty from each witness of defendant ever presented in open court. Of course not. Judges dont do that sort of thing! They cant be held responsible for upholding legal ethics and the law in their courtrooms! McAfee offered two options: (1) Wade and her entire office can step aside and the case will be reassigned, or (2) Wade can withdraw and Fani and her office may continue. So, Willis and Wade are so unethical, compromised, so tainted, the removal of Willis and her entire office, including her hired hand Wade, is justified, or Wade can just step down, leaving the corrupt and compromised Willis and her entire office. But thats up to Willis and Wade, not McAfee, no sir. Judges just dont have that kind of authority, at least not in Fulton County, Georgia. Fani will have to decide her own pseudo-punishment for actions that would get a prosecutor disbarred, even prosecuted, elsewhere. Only in a get Trump at any cost legal/political atmosphere could that make the slightest sense. Trump and the other defendants can, and surely will, appeal McAfees ruling, but McAfee has done his seemingly inevitable part in destroying public confidence in the rule of law. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. The issue is currently being ignored, but the attacks on our troops in the Middle East continue, unabated. Our warships in the Red Sea are under constant attack by the Houthis, and Americas response to those attacks has been as ineffective and weak as all previous responses. But back in February, the Mummified Meat Puppet Administration talked toughtragically, as tough as they get. President Biden, and his Secretary of Defense have announced a major change in US policy: As a result of the Iranian attack on Tower 22 that killed three U.S. soldiers and wounded scores more, they are going to begin protecting US troops! Dont believe me? Here it is from the horses mouth at Secretary Austins February 1 press conference: The President will not tolerate attacks on American troops, and neither will I. Graphic: Warships steam in formation for a photo exercise during exercise Baltic Operations 2018. CMCS America A. Henry. Wikimedia Commons.org. Public Domain. Why would our enemies believe that? Weve suffered more than 200 attacks thus far during Bidens term. Thats a lot of tolerance. So, is it fair to say that Biden tolerated these attacks? The best evidence that they have been tolerated is that, in the absence of a strong response by the U.S., they have continued. Further, judge for yourself from Bidens actions, not his words: Billions of dollars to Iran; loosened and unenforced economic sanctions, a series of sporadic, periodic pinprick attacks on warehouses, storage depots, and the like; and more talk, talk, talk. At least weve progressed from dont, which obviously didnt work. Unfortunately, the next warning which is more verbose, is no more effective. Even after our three soldiers lives were abruptly taken while they were sleeping on January 28, Bidens and his entire administrations initial response reinforced their prior signals of weakness. Reuters reported, But officials across the Biden administration said they did not want the situation to escalate. It quoted Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh as saying, We certainly don't seek a war and frankly we don't see Iran wanting to seek a war with the United States. Iran declared war on us in 1979 and has been killing and kidnapping Americans since, including during the Obama and Biden years. Virtually every day they make clear they want to obliterate Israel and America. When your enemies say nothing other than they want to kill you, its a good idea to believe them. Donald Trump, who understands the value of deterrence, did and does: In January 2020, the U.S. killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani the commander of Irans Quds force. President Trump authorized the strike targeting Soleimani personally after Iran killed a U.S. contractor and attacked the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Often described as the most powerful man in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Komeini, Soleimani headed up all of Irans terrorist organizations and military operations in the Middle East. According to a Pentagon statement, when he was struck, Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. After a face-saving response (that Iran told us it would make), reports from the region show that things got very quiet after that. And what have President Biden and his national security and defense advisors done? Theyve bombed a few empty warehouses and similar targets, after first telling our enemies we were going to attack, giving them time to move men and materials far away. To really show Iran he means business, President Biden is about to waive sanctions yet again and give Iran as much as another $10 billion dollars. One does have to give Biden credit, however. Giving Iran additional billions to develop nuclear weapons and spread around to its Islamist proxies to continue to attack Israel and our troops will certainly help convince Iran we dont seek a war with them. Our self-imagined elite believe Normal Americans are stupid, easy to fool. They believe the same of our troops, the troops that leave the military as soon as they can, and potential recruits who no longer want to enlist. I wonder: could the refusal of our self-imagined elite to allow our troops to deter attacks, to protect themselves, and to strike back have anything to do with our debilitating recruitment shortfalls? Our current leaders would deny it. Normal Americans, our troops, and those who would otherwise become our troops, know better. So do our enemies. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Anyone paying even minimal attention knows how far our criminal justice system has fallen, and how fast that fall is accelerating, particularly in blue states and cities. The focus is no longer on preventing crime and catching criminals. Its not on caring for victims and their families and communities. The current focus is on pretending crime isnt a problem, avoiding arresting criminals and avoiding putting anyone in jail. Carrying out death sentences? Of course not. Josiah Lippencott at American Greatness explains one such case: If you overlook the time he murdered a fellow inmate by beating him to death, Thomas Creech has been a model prisoner. He writes poetry for his guards at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI) and plays the guitar in his cell. Very sweet. Graphic: X Screenshot The former warden at the prison where Creech [age 73] sits on death row supports his bid for clemency, as does the judge who sentenced him. According to Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt, https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/02/25/idaho-to-execute-serial-killer-poet/ Some of our correctional officers have grown up with Tom Creech Our warden has a long-standing relationship with him Theres a familiarity and a rapport that has been built over time. A familiarity that caused the current warden to tear up at Creechs near-execution. Creech, lest we forget amongst all this sentimentality, is a serial killer. He murdered five people in three states. Those, at least, are the killing for which he was convicted. Creech is suspected in a half dozen other cases. Creech is among the murders on Americas death rows most worthy of execution. Unfortunately, the prison staff charged with his IV lethal injection were unable to find a vein, so Creech lives. This failure is not nearly so mysterious in light of the sentimentality the prison staff obviously feel toward Creech. The warden and guards have fallen in love with a serial killer. Their sentimentality has, almost certainly, triumphed over the demands of the law. When it comes to the scum of the earth, it turns out feelings do trump facts. The inability of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution staff to perform their legal obligations is a sign of the profound degeneration of our political order. A regime that cannot bring itself to punish serial killers is a regime in crisis. And so it is. We have prisons for two primary purposes: to keep criminals from preying on the public, and to protect criminals from the public. When our criminal justice system fails in either or both of those necessary duties, the legitimacy of the justice system, and its civilizing influence, stand on shaky ground. In the Creech case, the system appeared to initially work, probably largely because he was white and was arrested and prosecuted before leftist Soros prosecutors became common. His infamy was such, his crimes so horrific and voluminous, juries and judges were willing to impose the death penalty in a state that still has one and is willing to try to carry it out. Surely Creech had the benefit of decades of due process and taxpayer-funded lawyers, and still does: Among the lessons taught to police officers, and particularly corrections officers, is never to go native. Theyre dealing with manipulative, evil people, people skilled in using others, twisting their emotions, taking advantage of others. It would appear the correctional staff of the IMSI went native for Creech, and as a result, a demon yet lives. Will the state try again, or will they give up? Theres no way to know, and that kind of weak-hearted failure goes a long way toward convincing Americans the justice system cant be trusted. Its unlikely Creech will ever be released, but its not impossible, and a great many criminals never serve their complete sentences. Many that should never be released, are, and many of those continue to prey on the innocent. On one hand, when Americans realize the police cant protect them, they have no legal obligation to protect anyone, theyre solely responsible for the lives of those they love and themselves, thats a good thing, a step toward true adulthood. When they realize prosecutors wont prosecute, legislators wont legislate to properly punish criminals, and governors will pardon the unpardonable, thats also a vital and necessary realization. But when the systems unwillingness and incompetence go too far, when Americans realize the system cant protect them and doesnt want to protect them, Americans will inevitably reimpose the law, and when its time to execute people like Creech, there will be no weak-hearted, emotional failures. It would be best to avoid allowing the system to fall that far. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. At the recent State of the Union Address by President Joe Biden, President Biden was challenged by GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia to say her name. She meant, of course, the name of Laken Hope Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student allegedly murdered in broad daylight by Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal alien from Venezuela. Laken was at the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia, and was jogging when she encountered Ibarra, who crushed her skull with a large rock. The police report indicates that her head and face were disfigured. Ibarra should have never been in the country. He was initially encountered by US Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, when he was released because of the Biden administrations open border policies. Ibarra, like millions of others over the last three years, entered the country unlawfully, and, under Bidens catch and release policies, wandered the nation freely, including in Texas, New York, and ultimately, Athens, Georgia. Ibarra was arrested by the New York Police Department in September of 2023 for acting in a manner to injure a child, a felony, and a motor vehicle infraction. Did the NYPD detain him and contact the DHS for committing a felony as an illegal alien to be deported? No, New York City, like many blue jurisdictions operates under sanctuary city policies, in defiance of federal immigration law. They released him. New York, under Soros-funded district attorney and reprobate, Alvin Bragg, does not arrest many individuals, criminal or otherwise, in no bail New York, unless they are named Donald J. Trump. The radical Democrat mayor of New York, Eric Adams, in a rare moment of candor and common sense, upon hearing of the death of Laken Riley, had an epiphany and reflected aloud before an unbelieving press that perhaps he should rethink his citys sanctuary policies; perhaps he should have contacted the DHS since such lawful and moral conduct would have prevented the slaughter of the innocent 22-year-old Laken Riley. Yes, mayor, the blood drips from many hands. It should be noted that the concept of sanctuary city or state is lawless. It represents the nullification of federal law no different than the behavior of southern states before the civil war. Such jurisdictions, therefore, should be seen as part of a neo-confederacy engaged in actual insurrection (not the phony insurrection of J6) and dealt with as such by the federal government. That will have to wait for Donald Trump to assume the presidency, but firm action should be taken including defunding the insurrectionists, sanctioning them, and unleashing upon them the Department of Justice and FBI, among other such resolute measures. During Bidens SOTU he mispronounced Rileys name as Lincoln Riley, further infuriating Republicans and her family. But this had little effect on Democrats. What did exercise them was his reference to the murderer as an illegal. Yes, friends, Democrats have far more sympathy for illegals than U.S. citizens, even an American with the misfortune of having been slaughtered by one. For decades Democrats and the Left have declared war on the term illegal alien, preferring instead the more palliative undocumented immigrant. But illegal alien is the legally precise and correct term. Unlawful entry into the country is a crime. The term is not intended to disparage. It accurately describes an individual who resides in the country in defiance of our immigration laws. Undocumented suggests that one merely lacks the proper documents for being here ( a problem of the government) and ignores the crime of unlawful entry and presence in the land. What is to be done? Build the wall, reinstate remain in Mexico and expedited removal, and end catch and release, all of which were successful policies from the Trump presidency and recklessly rescinded by the Bidenistas. We must also revamp our refugee/asylum policies to better reflect reality. Virtually none of those claiming refugee status even remotely merit such a designation. They are not persecuted minorities or refugees escaping war or famine. Perhaps, one can say, they are escaping poverty or seeking a better life and hence are more aptly described as economic migrants. But such a broad definition of a refugee would open our doors to countless billions around the world who could readily make the same claim. There is also the principle of first safe nation. If one is truly escaping persecution or war or famine than one must reside in the first safe nation not pick and choose the one with, say, the most generous welfare benefits. (Red) States and the federal government can defund or sanction municipalities that ignore immigration law. They can implement E-verify and employer sanctions against businesses that hire illegals in defiance of our laws. Similarly, unleash the Department of Justice to challenge the myriad NGOs (Catholic Charities, Adventists, Baptist Services, Lutheran World Relief, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Services, and hundreds more) who are rewarded handsomely for taking advantage of the country, promoting illegal immigration, and burdening taxpayers and our stressed public programs. Deploy the National Guard on our border. Place tariffs on all goods coming from Mexico unless it cooperates in sealing the border. Cut off all benefits for illegals and dependents, including healthcare (other than emergencies), education, and access to our public programs. Tax remittances. End the fraud known as birthright citizenship and family reunification. No in-state tuition or drivers licenses. And then, finally, mass deportation with emphasis on those who arrived during President Bidens reign, others who are incarcerated, known criminals (beyond the original crime of entering the country illegally), and all who partake in our overly generous public programs (Medicaid, food stamps, AFDC, rent and heating subsidies, and so on). In this way, the tragic and preventable murder of Laken Riley at the hands of a known criminal and illegal alien, and so many other victims like her, will not have been in vain. Richard Moss, M.D., a surgeon practicing in Jasper, IN, is a candidate for Congress in Indianas 8th district. He has written A Surgeons Odyssey and Matildas Triumph, available on amazon.com. Contact him at richardmossmd.com or Richard Moss, M.D. on Facebook, Twitter, TruthSocial, GAB, PopTalk,and Instagram. Check out his campaign website at richardmoss4congress.com. Image: Screen shot from SkyNews video, via YouTube Washington State appears to be competing with California for looniest state government in America honors. Governor Inslee is about to sign a blatantly unconstitutional anti-free speech bill that pays up to $2000 for accusing others of bias, and the consequences of the Legislatures anti-liberty/gun dementia are becoming apparent: Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed one of the nations most restrictive gun laws in 2023, and now highway shootings are surging in the state. Over 50 models of guns are banned under the legislation, including popular rifles such as AR-15s and M-16s, and the Democratic Legislature wants to crack down further with several more gun control bills in the body. The state is now seeing a surge in highway shootings, with more than a dozen reported on state highways since the beginning of the year, according to KOMO News. So, banning guns doesnt reduce gun violence? There have been over 190 reported shooting incidents in the state year to date as of Friday, [02-09-24] Washington State Police (WSP) told the DCNF. Of these, nine are freeway shooting incidents from the Seattle area that are actively under investigation. The number of reported shooting incidents in 2023 was similar, at 199 by this time last year, WSP told the DCNF. Yes. Banning popular guns seldom used in crime has no effect on crime. Who coulda thunk it? At least seven shootings were reported on freeways near King County, Washington, in January, according to KOMO News. On Jan. 22, two separate shootings occurred in King County within two hours, according to KOMO News. Graphic: Twitter screenshot Nor do gun bans affect mass shootings, which remain, despite what the Media thinks, thankfully rare: Mass shootings have surged in the state, rising from four in 2019 to 15 in 2023, according to Axios. Washington state Democrats painted the bill outlawing assault rifles as a solution to mass shootings and an answer to anti-gun activist outcry, according to PBS. They are marching in the streets. They are asking for us to take action, Democratic Washington state Sen. Liz Lovelett said in March 2023. We are very pleased that this long overdue legislation passed, Mike Faulk, Inslees press secretary told CNN in April 2023. The governor has been advocating for this policy since he voted for the federal ban in Congress in 1994. It will save lives working in tandem with other gun reforms moving this session. Yeah, no. Several more gun control bills have been introduced in Washington states legislature. One bill, H.B. 1902, would impose a requirement to have a permit to purchase firearms in the state. Another proposed bill, S.B. 5444, would ban guns in several public places, including parks, zoos, libraries and bus stations. A separate bill currently moving through the Legislature, H.B. 2054, would restrict gun-dealers to delivering only one gun per person every 30 days. Despite the Supreme Courts 2022 Bruen decision, blue states continue to pass blatantly unconstitutional anti-liberty/gun laws, knowing it will almost surely take years, and untold millions of taxpayer dollars before the Supreme Court strikes them down. When that inevitably happens, theyll just pass more to start the process over. Constitutional gun laws now require a direct, American historical precedent. There is no precedent for purchase permits, bans in most public places, or restrictions on how many guns one can buy per month. Nor may guns in common uselike the AR-15for lawful purposes be banned. Gun bans are a notoriously useless means of stopping crime. Criminals dont obey the law. Shooting at people on the highway already violates a wide variety of felony laws, including murder, but no criminal is going to say: oh no! The Legislature banned my favorite gun. Guess I cant shoot anyone anymore. This applies nowhere more obviously than in mass shootings. Someone contemplating shooting up a school is planning mass murder. Theyre not going to be deterred by any gun law, which is surely a lesser felony or misdemeanor. The contemporary focus on AR-15 pattern rifles and their like is nonsensical. The most deadly school attacks in American history were not committed with such weapons. The top two, in deaths and injuries, were: (1) Bath, MI, 1927: 44 killed, 58 wounded by exclusive means of explosives. This remains the school attack with the highest death/injury toll. (2) Virginia Tech, 2007: 32 killed, 17 wounded. The killer used two common handguns, one in 9mm, and one in .22LR caliber with ten round magazine capacity. Violating the Constitution and harassing Americans posing no danger to anyone makes no one safer. Virtue signaling may make the uninformed feel safe, but only accepting personal responsibility for ones safety, and rigorously, fairly and equally enforcing the law and prosecuting criminals can reduce crime of any kind. If Washingtonians ever knew that, they seem to have forgotten. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. My expertise in life is rather limited. In fact, the only things Im really well versed in are dental care, raising a family, and pouring a beer just so into a frozen mug resulting in a perfect, frothy one-inch head. That being said, youve got to be out of your freakin mind to consider building a floating dock into Gaza for the purpose of delivering humanitarian aid. Of course, our practically petrified puppet in the White House is out of his freakin mind as his senile dementia proceeds apace. But my point is, if you build it -- the floating dock, not a practically petrified puppet -- a certain number of Americans are going to die. And theyll die in the service of a population that hates America and Israel in equal measure, and whose Hamas brethren would like nothing better than to do to U.S. soldiers what they just did to more than a thousand innocent Jews. Even if we created a temporary military base, complete with an airfield, on the land side of the dock, some Americans would still die (see Kabul Airport, bombing and U.S. Cole, bombing). I mean, they dont call Hamas 'terrorists' for nothing. But as that well-meaning, elderly man with a bad memory yelled out during his State of the Union harangue, there will be no American boots on the ground! The poor souls tapped to serve this mission will be the very definition of sitting ducks. And their Navy and Air Force protectors will be, as Sleepy Joes puppet master might say, leading from behind. They will get involved only after missiles, RPGs, drones, and God knows what else, rain down death and destruction upon our servicemen and servicewomen. Can you imagine Hamas dragging American corpses around the Strip for the edification of their Gazan supporters? Or Hamas sending out videos of female American soldiers being gang-raped, tortured, and killed? I can. And after this past October 7, most sentient beings -- which precludes the dried-up turnip in the White House -- also can. How best to relieve the suffering of the Gazan civilians, I dont know. But this cockamamie floating dock idea, created simply to assuage Muslim voters in Michigan, is just about the stupidest and most dangerous idea Ive ever heard. If implemented, its bound to end in U.S. blood and tears. That, sadly, I do know. Image: Pexels / Pexels License Samsung continues to push the March 2024 update to eligible Galaxy devices globally. It has just added the Galaxy S20 FE 5G to the mix. The company has also begun a global rollout for a bunch of other devices that initially picked up the update in the US, including the Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy S21 series. Galaxy S20 FE 5G gets Samsungs March 2024 update Samsung has released the March update for the Galaxy S20 FE 5G in Latin America. According to SamMobile, which first reported this rollout, the update is available in Brazil with the firmware build number G781BXXS9HXB4. It should soon expand its coverage to other regions, including the US. The 4G model, which didnt arrive in the US, may or may not get this months SMR (Security Maintenance Release). Advertisement Advertisement The new SMR patches 46 security vulnerabilities in Galaxy devices, including two critical ones. The update doesnt bring anything more to the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. This phone isnt eligible for Android 14, so no more feature updates for it. This also means it will miss out on One UI 6.1. Introduced with the Galaxy S24 series, the new One UI version will bring some AI features, UI changes, camera improvements, editing tools, and more. While feature updates have ended, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G will get security updates until the end of this year. Samsung will then stop offering official support for the phone. You should consider upgrading to a newer device to stay protected against the latest security vulnerabilities. The Galaxy S23 FE is the newest model in the lineup. It will get updates up to Android 17 and security patches until the end of 2028. This update is rolling out globally for some devices Alongside the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, Samsungs March update is available for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy S23 FE, and Galaxy S21 series in international markets. These devices have already received the new SMR in the US. The company has now begun a global rollout, so everyone should get it in the next few weeks. You can check for updates from the Settings app. The build numbers will vary according to the devices model and region. However, its the same changelog for all. Samsung is only pushing the security fixes mentioned above. Thankfully, all of these devices are eligible for the One UI 6.1 update. It may not arrive anytime soon, though. The Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy S22 series should be at the top of Samsungs priority list. Stay tuned for more information. With security in mind, Google has made some important updates on Chromes Safe Browsing feature to improve privacy and fight against phishing. In the recent announcement by Google (via The Verge), the latest version of Chrome will come with real-time protection during browsing thus increasing chances of blocking 25 percent more phishing attempts. Google Chrome levels up your security, keeping you safer from phishing attempts while you browse Before this update, Safe Browsing for Chrome relied on a locally stored database that updated every 30-60 minutes allowing potentially unsafe websites to slip through unnoticed. To solve this problem, Google introduced an opt-in Enhanced protection mode which utilizes its server-side database and speeds up the detection process greatly. Heres the official blog post that delves further into the mechanics of this feature. Advertisement Advertisement The new version of Safe Browsing also incorporates an API that ensures Google does not see visited URLs, hence guaranteeing user privacy. When confronted with unknown sites, Chrome encrypts the URLs and then sends them to a distinctively operated privacy server hosted by Fastly. This server further removes any potential user identifiers from harmful URLs before sending them to a backup data store at safebrowsing.google.com. In all these routing procedures, it is important to note that Google maintains users browsing activity private as long as no one side has access to both IP addresses and URL information. Nevertheless, despite improved safety measures taken into consideration by Google Chrome, the company states that Safe Browsing can now effectively detect and block more phishing attempts. Availability details for enhanced protection feature on Google Chrome While Google says both Standard and Enhanced protection modes now give real-time checks, the company adds that the latter contain extra features like AI-powered attack blocking and deep file scans. The Chrome desktop browser for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, and iOS platforms will have this feature now. Android is expected to offer it later this month. Google is using these developments to cater to users privacy concerns without leaving them vulnerable to online hazards. We all know that Gemini is Googles flagship model. Also, we know that Google pretty much owns the internet. So, it should come as no shock that the company really wants to sell this point. According to a new report, you can access Google Gemini simply by going to ai.com. Having a very simple and broad term for a URL almost establishes a companys authority in a way. The Weather Channel is one of the biggest weather news companies in America, and you can access this website by simply going to weather.com. Thats just one example. Well, this is Googles way of asserting its authority over artificial intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement You can access Google Gemini by simply going to ai.com There are a few ways of accessing Google Gemini, but there arent too many when you are using a web browser. The easiest way is by going to gemini.google.com. This is the official site. Also, you can simply type Gemini into the Google search field, and the first result will take you right to the site. Well, if you go to your browser and simply type ai.com, youll be redirected to the Gemini page. Were not quite sure why Google did this. There dont seem to be a ton of people who blindly type words followed by .com into the search bar. People probably did this more often before search engines became popular. So, it doesnt appear that Google is tackling some large demographic of people. All in all, it almost seems like a way for Google to establish some sort of authority over artificial intelligence in general. Owning the actual URL almost makes it feel like Google owns AI in general. Well, you may not think that, but Microsoft seems to. Recently, Microsoft pointed to Googles dominance over the AI market in a report to the EU Regulators. Advertisement Accessing Gemini In any case, if youve yet to access Gemini, you can simply go to the official site (or ai.com), and sign up for Gemini. You simply have to sign into your Google account on the page and accept the terms of service. At that point, you will be able to use Google chatbot for all of your AI needs. However, at the time of writing this article, you may not be able to produce images of human beings. Gemini shelved its ability to create artificial images of human beings after the massive controversy the company is going through. Smartphones are getting increasingly powerful and there dont seem to be many apps that can choke modern flagships. While the industry is looking towards even higher scores on benchmark apps, Google has reportedly seen the capable chips in a different way, that might actually bring value to users regular usage. You may already know that the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S24 series have some innovative and helpful AI features. Google even stressed the Pixel 8 Pros capability to run some relatively large AI models on-device. Web page summarization could soon work on-device for the Pixel 8 Pro Although Samsungs Galaxy S24 series and the Google Pixel 8 Pro have access to many of those AI features from Google, a lot of them currently run on Googles cloud servers and the list of on-device ones is quite short. Now Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority has discovered some evidence that implies that Google is working on running the web page summarization feature on-device for the Pixel 8 Pro. Advertisement Advertisement The AI model that powers many of these AI features is Googles Gemini. Gemini Nano, which is the smallest of the three Gemini versions (Gemini Nano, Gemini Pro, and Gemini Ultra) is actually the one that runs on-device on the latest flagships and this could be one of the reasons why the features are exclusive to the latest models. Now, the Gemini Nanos small size also implies its limited capabilities. This model is reportedly only capable of working with small blocks of text, although it is enough to summarize transcriptions of up to 15 minutes in the Pixel recorder. It should be enough to apply the web page summarization feature to most of the articles you read on the internet. The Gemini Nano currently powers three AI features on the Google Pixel 8 Pro generating summaries of the recordings, Gboards smart replies while chatting on WhatsApp, and message rewriting suggestions on Google Messages. On the Samsung side, the model runs many Galaxy AI features as well. Advertisement Running the AI features on the device should reduce the load on Googles servers Another reason behind not many smartphone models getting access to Gemini-based AI capabilities may be associated with the cost of running and maintaining the servers. If you think about YouTube, they have advertisements or subscription plans for you that also pay for those costs. The Galaxy S24 series devices have already been in discussions regarding a potential fee for the future to access the server-side AI features. However, that business model regarding the AI features has received a different response. Running one of the Gemini-powered features on-device also essentially means utilizing a phones computing power that you own and manage. While for you, it may result in a faster response as it does not have to send and receive data through the internet as you use the feature. So, given your device can run the model, its worth running that on-device. Currently, the EU is investigating top tech brands to see if they are in violation of anti-competitive practices pertaining to AI. Obviously, brands under the EUs eye consist of Microsoft, Google, and other large companies. Well, it appears that Microsoft wanted to tattle, and pointed to Googles dominance in the AI market. Right now, we are still learning about the potential impacts of big brands on AI. This is still uncharted territory, but weve seen some scary things happen so far. For example, a new report states that publishers could stand to lose up to $2 billion in ad revenue thanks to Googles Search Generative Experience. This is the AI tool that generates text-based responses to Google searches. It allows searchers to forego clicking on links and get their answers immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Microsoft points to Googles dominance in the AI market Right now, it seems that Microsoft wants to take some of the heat off of itself and throw some on to other companies. This should come as no surprise, as the EU has been extremely strict and proactive about regulating competition and mitigating the risks of AI technology. So, if the EU is not happy with the way a company is operating, it will take action. Microsoft submitted a report to EU antitrust regulators and talked about how Googles access and business structure gives it an unfair advantage in the AI market compared to Microsoft. Today, only one company Google is vertically integrated in a manner that provides it with strength and independence at every AI layer from chips to a thriving mobile app store. Everyone else must rely on partnerships to innovate and compete, the company said in the report. Advertisement This argument definitely holds weight, as Google has access to a metric ton of data from users. It is an ad company that is not shy about scooping up consumer data. Also, it owns the rights to YouTube which is another massive source of data. This, and other factors, means that Google is well-positioned to be the top AI brand. Microsoft also takes shots at Apple It appears that Google isnt the only company under Microsofts crosshairs. In the report, Microsoft also pointed to Apple. Apple has not made any palpable moves in the generative AI space as of yet. However, it appears that Microsoft wants to think ahead. In talking about Google, Microsoft referred to the fact that both it and Apple have voice assistants Google Assistant and Siri. However, Microsoft did have a voice assistant back in the day called Cortana (its just that no one cared about it). So its a little bit weird on Microsofts part to point out its competitors voice assistants when it wanted to have the same thing. Advertisement Defending its partnership with OpenAI Right now, the EU is locked on Microsoft, as the company has invested roughly $13 billion into OpenAI. That could possibly be seen as an anti-competitive move on the company. This is because not many other companies have the funds to invest such a substantial amount of money into a large AI startup. So, this could be seen as Microsoft throwing its weight around. However, Microsoft defended its stance on partnerships such as these. In defending itself, Microsoft referred to Googles and Amazons investment into Anthropic. This is a leading AI company, having just released Claude 3. Also, it referred to Canadas Cohere (which received funding from Salesforce and Nvidia) and Mixtral (which received 15 million from Microsoft). All of these start-ups relied on different forms of investments and partnerships that enabled them to enter and expand in the space, Microsoft said in the statement. The company is saying that Microsofts investment into OpenAI is not anti-competitive, as startups like these basically depend on investments in order to thrive. Microsoft definitely has a point there, as developing AI technology is not a cheap endeavor whatsoever. Training tons of AI data to create AGI (artificial general intelligence) absolutely burns through money. Microsoft helps that this will take some of the heat off of it, as competition in the AI market is set to heat up in the coming years Last May, Google released its search generative experience (SGE). As expected, this AI tool stands to cost publishers a substantial amount of money in ad revenue. According to a study conducted by Raptive, it appears that Google SGE could cost publishers up to $2 billion in ad revenue. If you dont know what Google SGE is, it is the AI tool that will artificially generate text-based responses to your Google searches. So, when you do a Google search, rather than having relevant websites at the top, Google will generate a text-based response to your search, and that would be the first thing you see. Advertisement Advertisement The issue with Google SGE is the fact that it allows people to forgo navigating to websites to get answers. So, rather than going to these sites and generating ad revenue for them, people can simply skip that step and get their information. Google SGE could cost publishers billions of dollars Raptive, the company handling ad sales for companies such as Mac Rumors, Stereogum, and Half Baked Harvest, conducted two separate studies, one back in September and one this February. According to its study, Google SGE could potentially cause a decline in search traffic for most publication sites between 20% and 60%. A drop that massive could significantly affect the ad revenue that these companies can get. Such a sharp decline in ad revenue will cause companies to have to make significant changes to their business structures. Right now, even though its been out for more than half a year, SGE is still in beta. This means that its reach is still rather limited. However, in a statement to add week, Raptives Executive Vice President of Innovation, MCollum said When fully rolled out, SGE could result in a 25% decline in search traffic across its 5,000-publisher network. Advertisement Thats a scary thought, as Google is the largest search engine in the world. This means that SGE will be available across much of the world when it fully rolls out. So, publishers stand to lose a significant amount of money. When that happens, its obvious that many of them will have to either restructure, lay off employees, or shut down. Google claims that it surfaces relevant links to publications in the SGE results, but thats not enough. Obviously, if the beta version of its AI tool is already causing a drop in ad revenue for publishers, then there is something wrong with Googles strategy. However, Google is going to do what it wants to do, and were all just along for the ride. Samsung may get a massive grant from the US government to expand its semiconductor facilities in the country. The Biden administration plans to award more than $6 billion to the Korean firm to fund its expansion projects. The company already has a chip factory in Austin, Texas, and is building another in Taylor, Texas. TSMC, which is also constructing its second chip plant in the US, will get a $5 billion grant. US government to give Samsung $6 billion for chip plants Samsung is one of the worlds largest semiconductor companies and the second-biggest foundry after TSMC. Along with designing, developing, and manufacturing chips in-house, it also manufactures chips designed by other fabless firms such as Qualcomm. The company operates three manufacturing facilities in its homeland, South Korea, and one in the US (Austin). The Taylor plant may be operational in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, the US government has been encouraging semiconductor firms to expand production in the country. As part of the CHIPS and Science Act, it is offering $52.7 billion to companies for American semiconductor research, development, manufacturing, and workforce development, including $39 billion in direct grants. Samsung, TSMC, and other industry players have all applied for grants under this act. Bloomberg recently reported that Samsung will get more than $6 billion while TSMC will receive over $5 billion. According to the publication, which cites anonymous people familiar with the matter, this is a preliminary agreement. The final decision is yet to be made, so the amount may vary. Both firms should still get a huge sum of money from the US government. An official announcement may follow soon. Intel may get a bigger grant Samsung and TSMCs American rival, Intel, may get a bigger sum of money from the US government. The firm is reportedly set to receive over $10 billion in grants and loans. It may also take home an additional $3.5 billion in grants for the production of military chips. Intel had opposed the idea of providing grants to foreign companies from the US taxpayers money. These grants will certainly help boost the US semiconductor supply chain in the future. Samsungs upcoming plant in Taylor was originally estimated to cost $17 billion but may end up costing $25 billion. A help of $6 billion from the US government would be huge. TSMC, which has a chip plant in Washington, is investing $40 billion in its upcoming factory in Phoenix, Arizona. Originally slated to be operational in 2026, it has been delayed to 2027 or 2028. The Vivo X Fold 3 series will seemingly launch on March 26. This has not been confirmed by Vivo itself just yet, but an invite poster has been shared on Weibo. It actually does look legit, but well have to wait in order to be sure The Vivo X Fold 3 series will seemingly launch on March 26 You can check out the invite poster below this paragraph. As you can see, not only is the launch date mentioned here but the phones design is shown too. The press event will seemingly start at 7 PM on March 26, thats China time. Advertisement Advertisement In that poster, you can also see what seems to be the Vivo X Fold 3. The company is tipped to release both the regular and Pro models of the device, but its possible theyll look the same, or at least almost the same. You will notice that three cameras are located on the back here, inside a circular camera island. ZEISS is also a part of the package, and the device does seem to be very thin, as rumors have been suggesting. The sides will be flat, it seems, with slightly rounded edges. Both devices will come with very powerful specs What do we know when it comes to specs? Well, plenty of specs surfaced thus far, though we still dont know what exactly will be the difference between the main and Pro models of the device. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was tipped, and the same goes for a 5,500mAh battery. The phone is expected to support 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanners are expected on both of its displays. The main display is tipped to measure 8.03 inches, and it will offer a 120Hz refresh rate. The outer display will measure 6.53 inches, and it will also support a 120Hz refresh rate. Both of those panels will be of the OLED variety, and both will be quite bright. A 50-megapixel main camera was mentioned in rumored. The same goes for a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto unit. Were also expecting some sort of protection against water here. Convicted criminal Curtis Warren has appeared in court charged with a further seven breaches of an order put in place to stop him committing further serious offences. Warren, 60, was charged last November with 11 counts of failing to comply with a serious crime prevention order, said to have been committed following his release from prison in 2022. On Friday, he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court charged with a further seven offences. The new charges allege he failed to notify the National Crime Agency (NCA) of changes relating to the use of vehicles, communication devices, business premises, the particulars of bank accounts and that he had in his possession more than 1,000 in cash. They are dated between May 2023 and January 2024. Warren, who gave an address in Boldon, South Tyneside, made no indication of pleas to the offences. He wore a black Nike tracksuit, with black trainers, and held a cap while in the dock for the five-minute hearing. Magistrates sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court, where Warren is due to appear on April 12, and released him on conditional bail. Warren was arrested by the NCA in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, in July last year. A trial date has already been fixed for November 18 at Liverpool Crown Court. Deacon Blue drummer Dougie Vipond will receive an honorary degree from Stirling University next week. Vipond, who has been with the Scottish band since its formation in 1985, has also enjoyed a TV career spanning decades. He currently presents the outdoor-based BBC show Landward, but has also fronted a vast array of sports coverage, most notably Scotlands footballing highlights show Sportscene. The ceremony is due to take place next week (Stirling University/PA) A graduate of what is now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Vipond will receive the honour in a ceremony celebrating 500 Stirling students on the universitys campus on March 22. Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, the principal of the university, said: Dougie Viponds achievements in music and broadcasting are inspiring. His success with Deacon Blue and as a versatile broadcaster makes him a fantastic role model for our students. Everyone at the university is looking forward to celebrating with Dougie, our latest cohort of graduands, and their families and friends. Diane Abbott has denied a report that she was offered the Labour whip back but refused because she would have had to go on antisemitism training. It comes as senior Labour senior figures appear split on whether to welcome the long-serving MP back into the party fold. An investigation has been ongoing into antisemitism accusations against her since her suspension last April. It came after she wrote a letter to The Observer suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people were not subject to racism all their lives. A blatantly shoddy piece of journalism.I told the reporter that all the key 'facts' in his piece were false on the record. Instead, he has led with the unattributable briefings from Labour party sources.The facts can be verified by LP. On the record.https://t.co/ZKMPYnf4Al Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) March 15, 2024 Following a backlash, she apologised for any anguish caused and withdrew her comments. The row this week over alleged racist comments by major Conservative donor Frank Hester that Ms Abbott made him want to hate all black women and should be shot has sparked questions over why the probe has already taken 10 months. Ms Abbott on Friday rejected key facts in a report by the Independent, which said her own refusal to compromise was in part to blame. Citing unnamed sources in the party, the newspaper reported she was given the opportunity to be reinstated as a Labour MP if she gave a more fulsome apology and took an antisemitism awareness course. Ms Abbott, who is now sitting as an independent MP, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: A blatantly shoddy piece of journalism. I told the reporter that all the key facts in his piece were false on the record. Instead, he has led with the unattributable briefings from Labour party sources. The facts can be verified by LP. On the record. Labour declined to comment on individual cases. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the independent investigation into Diane Abbott was not resolved (Stefan Rousseau/PA) While Sir Keir Starmer said Ms Abbott should receive support in relation to the abuse she receives, he has resisted calls to restore her to his partys parliamentary ranks. The Labour leader on Thursday said her suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party was an entirely different issue and subject to an independent process that was separate from him. But his deputy Angela Rayner has been among those to say she would like Ms Abbott to be allowed back into the party. Ms Abbott, Britains first black female MP, expressed confidence that she would contest the general election later this year as the Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. Speaking a rally in support of her on Friday night, she told Channel 4 News: I have temporarily lost the whip. But Im completely confident that Keir Starmer will restore it. She said the supporters that had gathered in Hackney, including Jeremy Corbyn, had given her a lot of strength after what has been a very difficult week. Im sure that Keir Starmer will look at the strength of feeling and he will do the right thing. She said no Conservative has apologised after the emergence of Mr Hesters 2019 comments about her, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described as racist while refusing to return the 10 million he donated to the Tory Party. Ms Abbott said: They keep saying that the Hester guy, hes apologised. Hes not apologised. Hes apologised for being rude, whereas in fact he was racist, and hes not apologised for that. In fact, he was inciting violence. Hes not apologised for that. Mr Sunak has faced mounting calls to pay back Mr Hesters donations, including from within his own ranks, but has argued that the healthcare tech entrepreneurs apology should be accepted. Topsy Ojo believes the best is yet to come from England after their dramatic 23-22 triumph over Ireland in the Six Nations. Marcus Smiths drop goal claimed an last-minute win at Twickenham, keeping their tournament hopes alive going into the final weekend. Broadcaster and former player Ojo believes Steve Borthwicks men can still go up a gear ahead of their Lyon showdown with France on Saturday. Back to business Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad to take on France in the final game of the 2024 #GuinnessM6N on Saturday.#FRAvENG | #WearTheRose | @O2 England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 14, 2024 There are more gears for them and they will definitely say the same too, Ojo told the PA news agency. The big one is consistency of performance and whether they will be consistent week on week. That is what England are striving for. How do England regenerate that emotional and physical high, because it was a bruising encounter and they really put everything into that. It was incredible, it was a brilliant Test match. Theyve been working hard behind the scenes and making small steps after the defeat to Scotland. Sometimes you need a lot of factors to conspire to deliver that performance. Last weeks match at Twickenham handed Ireland their first defeat since October. England will need them to lose at home to Scotland without a bonus point and claim a bonus-point victory over France if they are to complete the unlikely task of lifting the trophy. Ojo admitted: The odds will be low. Anything from a win or a losing bonus point will do it for them (Ireland), theyre back at home and after the disappointment of the weekend where they had the championship in their hands before England snatched it away, you would like to think they will finish strongly. Last weekend did show that anything is possible. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out of the tie after he reported concussion symptoms on Monday. Ojo talked up the Exeter wingers impact and admitted his absence will be a shame going into the final gameweek. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, right, impressed against Ireland (Mike Egerton/PA) Ojo said: Hes a talent no doubt and itll be a shame that he wont be able to carry on that performance against France on the weekend. Hes got himself in the squad because hes a handful and makes things happen, he was allowed to do that on Saturday. He showcased his strengths and he was one of the most dangerous players. It was brilliant to see. He went out and did the things Ive seen him do in the Premiership. His maturity off the field is impressive as well. Mobile phones at the dinner table are usually considered poor manners. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) Do elbows on the table at dinner bother you? What about loud chewing or people who dont wait for everyones food to arrive before they start tucking into their own plate? These habits were once considered to make for terrible dining companions, but new research has found that more than half of Brits think table manners are a thing of the past. A survey by restaurant group Prezzo has revealed that Britons are becoming much more casual when eating out, especially Gen Z diners. More than half of Gen Z (60%) believe that traditional table manners are no longer relevant. Among this younger generation, over three-quarters (77%) dont care if people put their elbows on the table, while 60% arent bothered by which way round people hold their knife and fork. More than a third (38%) admitted that they use their phones at the table, too. The rest of the nation is also dismissing certain table manners, with 32% admitting that they never worry about their table manners in a restaurant. However, despite the blase approach to dining etiquette, more than half of Brits surveyed admitted that they have been recently unhappy with their fellow diners table manners. Research shows that diners are much less bothered about the way people hold their knives and forks while eating out. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) While more people might feel less self-conscious about their own behaviour at the table, the survey reveals that many still want a potential romantic partner to show politeness. Half (49%) admitted they would not consider dating someone with poor table etiquette. Some of the biggest turn-offs Brits have when dining out include chewing loudly (48%), picking food off other peoples plates without asking (37%), and using a mobile phone at the table (37%). Why have table manners become more casual? Noel Wolf, cultural expert at Babbel, tells Yahoo UK that how closely we adhere to formal dining etiquettes really depends on the situation that were in. Having a meal at home with family is much more of a casual affair compared to a first date in a fancy restaurant, for example. She adds that people are more likely to opt for fast food, quick meals, or eating-on-the-go to keep up with our fast-paced lives - these food choices mean that we prioritise efficiency over formal table manners, which could contribute to the decline in traditional etiquette. She also notes that table manners vary from culture to culture. As our society becomes more diverse, people are becoming more used to different customs when it comes to dining, Wolf says. For example, whilst Brits are happy to sprinkle a bit of extra salt on their dinner, in Egypt and Portugal this could be seen as a rude gesture, suggesting the chef inadequately seasoned your food. And whilst Brits tend to stick to their own meals and may frown on someone trying to sneak a bite from someone elses dinner, places such as India or Thailand celebrate and enjoy eating food family style where the whole group shares food together. The importance of table manners - and what the expectations are - is contextual and can vary depending on the dining setting, culture and company. The main thing is to be respectful and considerate of other diners. The new rules of dining Although Prezzos research might suggest people are becoming less careful with their table manners, there are still rules to follow to ensure everyone has a pleasant experience while dining out. Some of these rules are more modern. In particular, manners surrounding mobile phones have become increasingly important. Despite the fact that many of us have openly admitted to using our mobile phone during a meal, its generally understood that their use at the table should be restricted, Wolf says. Taking a quick snapshot of your food before digging in is usually harmless, though sometimes fellow diners might find this annoying. But engaging in phone calls or scrolling through TikTok should be avoided. Since our phones often tether us to constant online communication, dining experiences - especially when dining out - serve as opportunities to disconnect and enjoy quality time with companions. The boom in diverse restaurants in the UK is also an area in which new dining etiquettes may come into play. As Brits enjoy exploring different cuisines more than ever, its important to keep in mind the different etiquette that is associated with different utensils. It's important to be aware of dining etiquette that varies from culture to culture. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) For example, in East Asian countries like Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam, it is important never to leave chopsticks sticking out of a bowl of rice, as this is considered bad luck, Wolf notes. According to Prezzo, there are also still some traditional rules that should be followed. The research shows that the rudest things people can do while having a meal in a restaurant include talking with food in your mouth (54%), snapping your fingers at servers (51%) and being overly loud (50%). Read more about food and relationships: Former Neighbours star Holly Valance has backed Reform UK and former Conservative MP Lee Anderson joining the right-wing political group. The Australian actress and singer, 40, known for her role as Felicity Flick Scully in the soap drama, attended former prime minister Liz Truss launch of the Popular Conservatism movement in London last month. She also went to Boris and Carrie Johnsons wedding in the Cotswolds in July 2022 along with her property tycoon husband Nick Candy. Valance told GB News Choppers Political Podcast: Last time I voted (for the) Conservatives, next time Ill be voting Reform (UK). Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson (Lucy North/PA) When asked about Mr Anderson joining Richard Tice and Nigel Farages party, she said: Yeah.. I support anybody that sticks to what they believe in and isnt a turncoat, and doesnt do a million flip-flops and U-turns. So I have respect for that, even for like nutters on the other side, if you stick to what you believe and you keep reiterating that over years and years, I can always respect that. I might not agree with you, but I get that more than the changing of the minds and the flipping around and never having any conviction. I think people are sick of that. Mr Anderson, a former Conservative deputy chairman and MP for Ashfield, had been sitting as an independent in the House of Commons for suggesting London Labour mayor Sadiq Khan was being controlled by Islamist extremists. Holly Valance and Nick Candy (David Parry/PA) Valance also said: Lees moved from Labour to Conservatives, now to Reform. Its really weird because there was this Reform party in Canada in 1993 that ditched the Tories in Canada as well, or got rid of them and blew them to smithereens, which is probably whats going to happen here. Its not that I think that were necessarily going to have a Reform government. Valance has previously said she wants Tory MP and former leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg to be Prime Minister. When asked about Mr Rees-Moggs views on abortion by former Telegraph journalist Christopher Chopper Hope, she said it was pretty reasonable to question it. Im probably not for late-term abortion, absolutely not, I think thats horrific, she added. Valance said that she was a lefty when she was younger, but her beliefs have since changed. When asked about reports that Mr Candy will vote Labour at the next general election, Valance said: It was just a miscommunication with the way he structured the sentence (on a podcast) in that he said: Labour is going to get in and its time for a change. It wasnt: Labour is getting in and Im voting for them. She added that she would assume he would vote for the Conservative Party. Mr Farage is the honorary president of Reform UK, which has been outspoken on immigration and net zero issues, while Mr Tice is party leader. The Riverdance troupe, which has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon, has announced it will tour 30 UK venues next year to celebrate a milestone anniversary. The group, which has its roots in Irish dancing, rose to become a headline act after being featured during the interval of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. This developed into a full-length show, changing the face of Irish dance and music and bringing the group global success. Riverdances Amy-Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick (Stedman Photography/Riverdance/PA) For the 30th anniversary, Riverdance also welcomes a new generation of performers who were not born when the show began. John McColgan, director of Riverdance, said: It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of Riverdance and the unique journey it has taken us on. In those 30 years the show has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots. On this upcoming tour we look forward to welcoming the new generation of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made Riverdance a worldwide celebration of music and dance. Kicking off at Swansea Arena on August 12 2025, the troupe will perform three nights at the venue before heading to Sheffield City Hall from August 16 to August 18. There will also be stops at Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dancers from the show (David Parry/PA) The tour will end at Londons Hammersmith Apollo from December 9 to 14. Being part of Riverdances journey is an absolute honour, its truly a dream come true to get to perform the principal role in this phenomenon, said Fergus Fitzpatrick, the principal dancer and dance captain. As we approach our 30th anniversary, the excitement for the incredible work our team and creative talents are about to unveil is palpable. I cant wait to see what they will produce and feel the excited pulse of the audiences response. This milestone is not just a celebration of Riverdances past but a light that inspires the new generation of performers all around the world. Padraic Moyles, chief executive and producer, and a former lead dancer, said the anniversary is a testament to the dedication, care and passion of everyone who has contributed to the Riverdance journey. Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick lead the cast (Brian Lawless/PA) The music for the new shows is composed by Bill Whelan, and they will be produced by Moya Doherty. Whelan won a Grammy for his Riverdance album in 1997. Amy Mae Dolan, principal dancer and dance captain, said being part of Riverdance has been one of the greatest honours of my life. She added: I am fascinated to see how Riverdance continues to grow and evolve over the next decade. I have no doubt that it will continue to surpass our expectations, move audiences and inspire new generations for dancers to come. Other venues being visited are the Brighton Centre, Portsmouth Guildhall, Bristol Hippodrome, Plymouth Pavilions, Utilita Arena Cardiff, De Montfort Hall in Leicester and York Barbican. American dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler were among the original performers who captured the Eurovision audience when they delivered an eight-minute dance on April 30 1994 at The Point theatre. Tickets for the tour go on sale on March 22 at 10am. The Government could be set to back proposals from Liz Truss that would bar biological males from female-only spaces. Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch is understood to be sympathetic to proposals from the former prime minister, due to be debated in the Commons on Friday, that would define sex in law as biological sex. The legislation aims to bar transgender women from female-only spaces such as changing rooms and toilets, along with preventing them from competing in womens sport and stopping children from attempting to change their gender. But the Cabinet minister is said to regard Ms Trusss current proposals as unworkable and could look to amend them. A Government aide said: Kemi is very supportive of the aims of Lizs Bill but it is unworkable in its current form. Nonetheless it can support Kemis work on the definition of sex, and colleagues work banning puberty blockers, and Liz is keen to help. Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch is understood to be sympathetic to Liz Trusss proposals (James Manning/PA) Ms Truss has previously said her Bill would provide a clear dividing line with Labour on what has become one of the main culture war issues. The aide agreed, adding: The Labour Party is hopelessly split on these issues, so the Conservatives should be open to all ideas to improve protections for women and girls. As a backbench Bill, Ms Trusss proposals are unlikely to become law without Government support, and may not even be debated on Friday as there are two other Bills on the order paper ahead of it. But the Government is said to be largely sympathetic to her aims, with the Department of Health and Social Care understood to be the final block to accepting the former prime ministers legislation. A Whitehall source said: The Bill has policy consequences which the Government is sympathetic to. The only questions which have puzzled ministers is why the MP proposing the Bill did not legislate for the changes when she was minister for women and equalities or when she was prime minister. Downing Street would not be drawn on whether the Government would back Ms Trusss Bill, saying only that it would be considered in the usual way by the House. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: But more broadly, we welcome the sentiment set out in the Bill, not least because it is consistent with our own approach on the fundamental importance of biological sex and the right that women have to access dedicated single sex spaces. In the Commons, Labour MPs were accused of trying to talk out Ms Trusss Bill by prolonging earlier debates so there is no time left to consider her proposal. Multiple Labour MPs have spoken in the debate on another Private Members Bill on animal welfare, leading Conservative Sally Ann Hart to claim they were trying to avoid debate on Ms Trusss Bill, saying they had no interest in safeguarding children against extreme trans ideology. But shadow environment minister Steve Reed denied this, saying in a lengthy closing speech that animal welfare was important, to cries of rubbish from the Conservative benches. Labour sources also denied that there was an effort to talk out Ms Trusss Bill, pointing to the large volume of correspondence MPs receive from constituents on the subject of animal welfare. The debate on Ms Trusss Bill follows the announcement on Tuesday that the NHS will no longer prescribe children puberty blockers, a move welcomed by the Government as being in the best interests of the child. The Government also published draft guidance in December on how schools should support pupils who were questioning their gender, which stated that parents should not be excluded from decisions relating to children who want to socially transition, for instance by changing names, pronouns or clothing. Ahead of Fridays debate, Ms Truss said she was very much hoping that the Government would support her Bill, adding: This would be hugely positive for the protection of children. She said: I have been overwhelmed with supportive messages this week not only from constituents, but from people across the country and indeed all corners of the world who want to see my Bill put into law so that children and women get the protections they need in the face of the extreme agenda being pursued by militant gender ideologues. NHS Dumfries and Galloway has been hit by a cyber attack, with the health board saying a significant quantity of data has been put at risk and services could potentially be disrupted. In a statement posted to its website on Friday, the board said the attack was focused and ongoing and the files accessed could include patient-identifiable and staff-identifiable data, with NHS workers and the public encouraged to be on their guard. The nature of the attack is currently unclear, but Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said the Scottish Government is offering support to the board. The health boards statement said: NHS Dumfries and Galloway has been the target of a focused and ongoing cyber attack. This prompted a swift response in line with our established protocols, working with partner agencies including Police Scotland, the National Cyber Security Agency and the Scottish Government. There may be some disruption to services as a result of this situation. During these incursions into our systems, there is a risk that hackers have been able to acquire a significant quantity of data. Work is continuing together with cyber security agencies to investigate what data may have been accessed, but we have reason to believe that this could include patient-identifiable and staff-identifiable data. Breach of confidential data is an incredibly serious matter. We are encouraging everyone, staff and public, to be on their guard for any attempt to access their systems or approaches from anyone claiming to be in possession of data relating to them. Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said the Government is supporting the health board (PA) Police Scotland confirmed the attack had taken place. Mr Gray said: I am aware that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has been affected by an ongoing cyber attack. Scottish Government officials have been in close contact with the board, Police Scotland and other partners. including the National Crime Agency and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). There are well established procedures for dealing with a situation of this kind. We are providing assistance and support to NHS Dumfries and Galloway as they handle this incident, and NHS NSS is engaging with the rest of NHS Scotland and providing updates as necessary. A spokeswoman from the National Cyber Security Centre said: We are working with law enforcement, NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government to fully understand the impact of an incident. Jake Gyllenhaal has said he had tattoos created for his character in honour of the late Patrick Swayze when creating a remake of his action thriller Road House. Dirty Dancing star Swayze played James Dalton, a New York City bouncer hired to protect a bar in Jasper, Missouri, in the original 1989 film. In the Prime Video remake by director Doug Liman, US actor Gyllenhaal takes the lead playing former UFC fighter Elwood Dalton, who takes a job as a bouncer at a roadside bar in the Florida Keys. The pair worked together in the 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko, in which Gyllenhaal stars as a sleepwalking teenager and Swayze plays a motivational speaker. Speaking to the PA news agency at a special screening of the new Road House in London, Gyllenhaal said: Patrick and I met when I made this film Donnie Darko very early in my career and he was always so generous and he was lovely to me and supportive throughout my career. And so, when it came time to try this on, I thought about him a lot and I tried to honour him in different ways. I have some tattoos in my character that we designed in honour of him, just to carry him with me while I did it. And Im just a huge Patrick Swayze fan. Patrick Swayze (Joel Ryan/PA) Swayze died from pancreatic cancer in 2009 aged 57. Reflecting on how he approached creating his character, Gyllenhaal added: A big part of it is a sense of humour. I think the whole movie is this wonderful, fun, thrilling, but sometimes absurd, ride and we always keep an eye on that throughout it and thats what makes Doug Liman such a great filmmaker. Hes always threading that needle and thats why the movie is so special. The film sees the actor star opposite Irish fighter Conor McGregor in what is the ex-UFC champions first film acting role. Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor star opposite each other in the remake (Ian West/PA) McGregor said he felt his co-star Gyllenhaal and the director were both amazing. Director Doug, he gave me a confidence, made me feel I was better than I probably was, I just enjoyed the whole process, he added. Asked if this was going to be the start of his acting career, McGregor revealed he plans to get back into fighting shape so he can compete as a UFC fighter again. Road House will be released on Amazon Prime Video on March 21. James Heappey is set to leave his role as armed forces minister and quit as an MP. As first reported by The Times, Government sources have confirmed that the Conservative MP for Wells, Somerset, will leave his role at the end of the month. The veteran has also confirmed in a letter to his constituents that he will stand down from the Commons at the next general election. He said while it was a painful decision not to contest the election for the newly-created seat he had been selected for, he wanted to prioritise my family and pursue a different career. After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general election, he said in a letter shared on social media on Friday. I am enormously grateful to the new Wells & Mendip Hills Conservative Association for having selected me as their candidate at the special general meeting last year but, as you know, a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a different career. He pledged to support Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, both while continuing to serve as a minister and then from the backbenches, in a firm hint at his intention to step away from frontbench duties. The Times quoted an anonymous Tory MP who said Mr Heappey had been on resignation watch from his ministerial role after telling colleagues privately that he was unhappy about the level of defence spending. Downing Street, which confirmed the former soldier currently remains in his ministerial post, denied any fallout over the defence budget. Some news from me: A painful decision but the next election is the time for me to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a new career. Ill forever be grateful for the incredible opportunity to serve this amazing constituency in Westminster. pic.twitter.com/ZIreMHEAP9 James Heappey MP (@JSHeappey) March 15, 2024 The Prime Ministers official spokesman, pointing to Mr Heappeys stated desire to change career, said: I dont believe there is any suggestion that this is linked to defence spending. The Ministry of Defence said it would not be commenting. Mr Heappey served in the Army, reaching the rank of major, according to a profile on his website. During a 10-year career in the Rifles, he served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Kenya. He had been hotly tipped to succeed Ben Wallace as defence secretary following his resignation last year. But Mr Sunak instead gave the Cabinet post to Grant Shapps, who has no military experience. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has been lobbying for the Tories to commit to spending 3% of GDP on the military (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) Mr Heappey adds his name to a growing list of Tory MPs to announce they are to leave Parliament, with former prime minister Theresa May and former party chairman Sir Brandon Lewis some of the most recent additions. More than 60 Conservatives have so far said they do not plan to run, with the Commons facing a large turnover of MPs at the next election. As of Friday, some 98 MPs have said publicly they will either be standing down or will not contest their current seat. Mr Sunak on Thursday ruled out holding an election on May 2 to coincide with local elections, having previously indicated he will send the country to the polls in the latter half of 2024. Speaking at his partys spring conference in York, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey told the PA news agency: The number of MPs running away from the election is extraordinary. And a lot of them are running away from the Liberal Democrats because they know that we can beat them in those seats. (PA Graphics) He said his party is determined to beat lots of Conservative MPs up and down the country as he expressed optimism about doing so across the whole blue wall, where its a Liberal Democrat-Conservative fight. The UK Governments record on defence spending has come under close scrutiny due to global tensions, including Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas, and Beijing flexing its military might in the South China Sea. John Foreman, a former UK defence attache in Moscow, told BBC Newscast: I think the Prime Ministers not particularly interested, if Ill be honest, in defence and security issues. Thats why Ben Wallace left. Thats why Grant Shapps is Secretary of State for Defence. Thats why David Camerons Foreign Secretary. I think Mr Sunaks priorities are domestic and getting re-elected. During a visit to Poland on Wednesday, Mr Shapps called for the inclusion of the 3% target in the Conservatives election manifesto, saying: I want a bigger budget. Mr Shapps said: Defence is the best way to protect ourselves against a military conflict you have to show your adversaries so I am clearly in favour (of a 3% target). Research by the Royal United Services Institute in 2022 suggested that increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, as suggested by Liz Trusss government, would require 157 billion in additional spending over the following eight years. Mr Shapps call follows demands from security minister Tom Tugendhat and Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan that spending rise from 2.27% of GDP to 2.5% immediately. Chancellor Jeremy Hunts Budget last week contained no new money for defence despite concerns about the state of Britains armed forces and the Governments commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on the military as soon as economic conditions allow. That decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, including former service chiefs such as Lord Stirrup, who served as chief of the defence staff between 2006 and 2010, and warned this week that basing military spending on the financial climate rather than threats to national security was not any kind of prudent. Labour faces questions over whether to allow Diane Abbott back into the party fold as senior figures appeared split on whether to return the whip to the long-serving MP. The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP lost the whip in April last year after writing a letter to The Observer suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people are not subject to racism all their lives. While she remains a party member, she has sat as an independent MP while an internal investigation of her comments continues. The row over alleged racist comments by major Conservative donor Frank Hester that she made him want to hate all black women and should be shot has brought renewed calls for the whip to be returned to Britains first black female MP. While Sir Keir Starmer said Ms Abbott should receive support in relation to the abuse she receives, he has resisted calls to return the whip. On Thursday, he said her suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party was an entirely different issue and subject to an independent process that was separate from him. But at a lunch with Westminster reporters, his deputy Angela Rayner said she would like Ms Abbott to be reinstated as a Labour MP. She said: Personally, I would like to see Diane back but the Labour Party has to follow its procedures. Sir Keir Starmer said Diane Abbotts suspension was an entirely different issue from the row over alleged racist comments by Tory donor Frank Hester (Stefan Rousseau/PA) And for me, that is the most important thing, that we have made sure our party is fit to govern by making sure we have got complaint procedures that are robust and people can have confidence in. She also expressed frustration with the length of time the internal investigation had taken. Other senior Labour figures have been less willing to express an opinion. Yvette Cooper, appearing on LBCs Tonight With Andrew Marr, said she could not comment on the independent process. But some backbenchers have been more outspoken. Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, told the BBCs Newsnight that Ms Abbott should absolutely have the whip restored. She said: Diane Abbott is a trailblazer. She is one of the strongest and most powerful advocates for the British black community. She is a hero of the anti-racist struggle. All of this needs to be recognised. She has had a tremendous parliamentary career to date and she should have the whip restored. CIA operations show U.S. harmful interference in China's internal affairs "plainly evident": scholar Xinhua) 10:19, March 15, 2024 WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Renowned U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs told Xinhua Thursday that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been trying to undermine China's stability for years. He made the remarks commenting on the latest report that the CIA had launched a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion in China against its government. During the Trump administration, the CIA created a small team of operatives who used bogus Internet identities to spread negative narratives about the Chinese government and slammed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which provides financing for infrastructure projects in the developing world, as corrupt and wasteful, Reuters quoted former U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the highly classified operation as saying. "The fact that the CIA was spreading negative propaganda about the BRI is notable for me, because I have been saying for years that the U.S. badmouthing of the BRI is simply propaganda, not reality. Now we see that point explicitly acknowledged," said Sachs, an economics professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. "The fact that the CIA was trying to undermine China's stability is not really news, as American harmful interference in China's internal affairs is plainly evident," he said. Sachs, also a senior United Nations advisor, noted that at the core of the UN Charter is the doctrine of non-interference, which requires that UN member states are not to interfere in the internal affairs of other UN member states. "Unfortunately, the U.S. government interferes pervasively in the internal affairs of other states, in part through covert CIA operations such as those described in today's new story. Such illegal actions should stop," Sachs said. The economist said such operations directly violate international law, fail to achieve their purposes, and "create pervasive international distrust that sometimes boils over into open conflict, as in Ukraine." "All UN member states, and notably the U.S., should recommit to the international law of non-interference," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) President Joe Biden has urged a gathering of representatives from the US, Ireland and Northern Ireland to march forward together. Politicians from across Ireland are visiting the US this week ahead of St Patricks Day, including the Stormont First and deputy First Ministers in office attending together for the first time in eight years. It comes following the resurrection of powersharing government in Northern Ireland in January. During the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, Mr Biden invited Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly to stand up for applause throughout the room. Mr Biden commented: Who would have thunk it thankfully youre here. Thanks to both of you for reminding us what possibilities there are as we work across the aisle and rise above longstanding disagreements, he said. I think we stand at an inflection point, not only in American history but in world history where the decisions we make now are going to determine what the next three, four, five, six decades are going to look like, and I believe history is watching. Today let us resolve to march forward with each other and all those who seek a better future. Like our ancestors remember, no barrier is too thick or too strong for Ireland and the United States to get through, there is nothing our nations cant do together when we work together. US President Joe Biden speaks during the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon (Niall Carson/PA) My prayer today is that we continue and increase our working together. In his speech to the event, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also praised the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Its hugely significant that were joined here today by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly, two women from different political traditions who are showing what can be achieved working together, holding jointly a co-equal office as heads of government of Northern Ireland, he said. He added: Its so good that both of you are here today, to applause. Mr Varadkar went on: Throughout the entirety of the peace process the Friends of Ireland Caucus have been our resolute friends and on behalf of the Irish people, thank you for your commitment to Ireland. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks during the event on Friday (Niall Carson/PA) He also extended an invitation to Mr Johnson to visit Ireland. Mr Johnson described the annual lunch as a special event, a time to come together and look past our political differences for this moment in time and remember the importance of peacemaking. The guests included Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, MPs, TDs from the Irish Parliament and both Democrat and Republican members of the US Congress. During the event, Ms ONeill said she took the opportunity to press Mr Biden to play a constructive role in securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid. The United States has been a critical partner for peace in Ireland, she said. We deeply value this support. Our peace process and your role in this are a fine example of successful US diplomacy and foreign policy success. As the world watches on in horror at the genocide of the Palestinian people, I urge you to apply this same constructive role to securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; full humanitarian aid; an end to illegal settlements in the West Bank, and a sovereign Palestinian state. Manchester City face a Champions League quarter-final blockbuster against 14-time European champions Real Madrid. The teams have met at the semi-final stage in the last two seasons, with City hammering Real 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium last season on their way to winning their first Champions League title. Arsenal have been drawn against six-time European champions Bayern Munich, whose star striker Harry Kane is the former talisman of their bitter north London rivals Tottenham. The Gunners have lost each of their last three meetings with Bayern 5-1, so will be hoping for much better this time around. Real Madrid vs Man City #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/NQA9yFsIoW UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2024 Bayern forward Thomas Muller said on X: And its Arsenal. Kai Havertz, my friend, I am waiting for you. It is a nice draw. Two very good teams, two very good stadiums, two very good cities. It will be tough, but I am always positive. See you Gunners. City and Arsenal will meet in the semi-finals if they can negotiate their tricky quarter-final ties. Citys director of football Txiki Begiristain is relishing the clash with Real and said: We have been playing them a while now in the last few seasons. We all remember when we beat them in the semi-final last year it was amazing. Last season when we played them at home in the second leg we played a top, top game. We know how strong they are they are top of the league. They have good players, play good football and they have one of the best players in the world. Asked if City could retain their title, Begiristain said: Yes, why not? We are doing very well in this competition and winning the games. Mentally, we are strong and top in confidence. We are going to need it to beat Real Madrid. We are confident in the last years weve been fighting for this competition and last year we won it. We hope we can keep the winning run going. Paris St Germain and Barcelona will go head to head in the last eight, as will Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. City will be away to Real on April 9, with Arsenal at home to Bayern on the same evening. The return legs will be played on April 17. The semi-finals take place on April 30 and May 1, with the return legs on May 7 and 8. Wembley will host the final on Saturday, June 1. Liverpool were drawn against Italian side Atalanta in the last eight of the Europa League. The sides only previous encounters were in the Champions League group stage in 2020-21, with the Reds beating Atalanta 5-0 in Bergamo but then losing 2-0 to them at Anfield. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said: Tricky but Atalanta we played there (in 2020) not that I watched them since then 500 times, but still the same manager, pretty sure a similar structure so it means uncomfortable to play against, very well organised, he said. Liverpool and their manager Jurgen Klopp will face Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals (Peter Byrne/PA) It is a quarter-final I didnt expect any easy opponent. I have a lot of respect for what Atalanta is doing in the last years, very consistent. West Ham face a tough challenge against Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in 37 matches in all competitions this season under their highly-rated coach Xabi Alonso. Liverpool and West Ham cannot meet until the final in Dublin after the semi-final draw also kept the Premier League teams apart. The last-eight ties will be played on April 11 and 18, with the final scheduled for Wednesday, May 22. Aston Villa will go up against French side Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals. Villa booked their place in the last eight with a 4-0 win over Dutch giants Ajax on Thursday night. The final will be held in Athens on Wednesday, May 29. The foreign minister, Penny Wong, announced on Friday that Australia would upause its funding the the Palestinian aid agency UNRWA. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian Australia is reinstating funding to a key UN aid agency amid concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while calling on Israel to allow lifesaving supplies into the besieged territory now. The foreign minister, Penny Wong, announced the decision to unfreeze $6m in emergency funding for Unrwa on Friday, as part of a broader package of support. Wong also announced that Australia would support airdrops by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster will deliver 140 aerial delivery parachutes. The government will provide $4m in extra funding to Unicef and $2m to a new UN mechanism to deliver aid into Gaza, bringing Australias total humanitarian support since the crisis began to $52.5m. The head of the general delegation of Palestine to Australia, Izzat Abdulhadi, said it was a principled and timely step, especially given the increasingly dire and catastrophic humanitarian situation being faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza. But the Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said it was very disappointing to learn Australia is reinstating funding to the discredited Unrwa, especially before the UNs own review is finalised later this month. Australia was among more than a dozen donor countries to suspend funding to UNRWA in late January, after the Israeli government alleged that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Related: Australias foreign minister warns Israel will continue to lose support unless it changes course Fridays decision to reinstate funding follows similar moves by Canada, Sweden and the European Union. Of course its a prime consideration in restoring funding to ensure that Australian funding is used appropriately - and we are doing that, Wong told reporters in Adelaide. I would also say it is a prime consideration to recognise that we have children and families who are starving. We have a capacity, along with the international community, to assist them and we know that Unrwa is central and vital to delivering that assistance to the people who need it. The temporary pause for Unrwa affected $6m in top-up funding that Wong had announced in mid-January, not the $20m in Australias core funding for the 2023-24 financial year that was delivered prior to the accusations. The Australian government repeatedly characterised the allegations against Unrwa staff as grave and sought a clear commitment that the agency would heed recommendations from multiple investigations into the matter. Australia had also repeatedly called on Israel to share the underlying evidence. During the media conference on Friday, Wong was repeatedly pressed to reveal whether Israel had provided all of the evidence. She said only that Israel had provided some information. Wong said Australia had advice that additional safeguards could sufficiently protect Australian taxpayer funding. She said the governments updated funding agreement with Unrwa would include guarantees of staff neutrality and confidence in supply chains. The deputy leader of the Greens, Mehreen Faruqi, said the funding was inexcusably cut off at a time when children were being starved in the ruins of Gaza and dying of malnutrition. But the Coalition attacked the reckless and irresponsible decision to reinstate funding at this time. The shadow foreign minister, Simon Birmingham, questioned how the assurances from Unrwa could be enforced and accused the government of acting out of step with the US. The US has not yet resumed funding but the State Department said this week it must plan for the fact that Congress may make that pause permanent. Related: Gareth Evans tells Labor to get off the fence and restart UNRWA funding to help ease Gaza crisis About 85% of the population of Gaza have been displaced, some multiple times, in order to escape Israeli bombardment, while aid groups are increasingly alarmed about famine and poor sanitation. More than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its military operations in October, including thousands of women and children, according to Gaza heath authorities. Israel states that its legitimate aim is to destroy Hamas and to rescue more than 100 hostages that remain in captivity in Gaza after the militant groups 7 October attack on southern Israel, when about 1,200 people were killed. The Israeli government has argued that Unrwa is part of the problem and will not be part of the solution in the Gaza Strip. Wong said the the World Food Programme had advised the Australian government that there are large stocks of food outside of Gazas borders, but theres no way to move it across the border into Gaza and deliver it at scale without Israels cooperation. We implore Israel to allow more aid into Gaza now, Wong said. She also renewed calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and an immediate and enduring humanitarian ceasefire. Marc Purcell, the chief executive of the Australian Council for International Development, said children were already dying of starvation on the worlds watch. Parachuting aid is not a solution. Five civilians have already died in trying to reach air drops in Gaza, and the aid is only reached by those who are fit and able to do so. The chief executive of Save the Children Australia, Mat Tinkler, also welcomed the decision to reinstate funding so that Unrwa can get on with the essential work of saving lives in Gaza. The independent MP Zoe Daniel said: The world cannot withhold funding and subsequently allow full-scale humanitarian collapse. The president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni, said it was distressing that funding was frozen in the first place, considering Israel produced no evidence of agency wrongdoing. But the president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Daniel Aghion, said the governments decision to reinstate the funding was wrong. The government needs to find another way to feed the Gazans, Aghion said. The Zionist Federation of Australia said if the resumption of funding to Unrwa ultimately strengthens Hamas, as it has in the past, it will only extend this war and the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. We are also disappointed by the Australian governments suggestion that Israel is not allowing aid into Gaza, said the federations president, Jeremy Leibler. A bull shark in Fiji seen in 2016. Photograph: Tom Vierus/livingdreams.tv Numbers of bull sharks, one of the largest and most aggressive ocean-dwelling predators, are thriving even as rising sea temperatures kill off other marine species, a study says. Researchers at Mississippi State University (MSU) found that the number of individual sharks, all juveniles, recorded per hour in Mobile Bay was five times higher in 2020 than at the start of the study period in 2003. Related: Very lucky: teenage girl survives suspected shark attack at Queensland beach The sea temperature there rose from an average 72.1F (22.3C) to 73.4F from 2001 to 2020, suggesting that bull sharks are beneficiaries of the climate emergency, according to the findings published this week in Scientific Reports. This news comes even as experts are warning of a cataclysmic mass-extinction event caused by record heat in the oceans. Its a really exciting study because its sort of contrary to that narrative we normally think, which is that for many species, warming water is a detriment, Lindsay Mullins, the studys lead author from the universitys coastal research center, told ABC News. Despite these environmental changes that have been occurring on the Alabama coastline, such as urbanization and the warming waters over the last several decades, juvenile bull sharks have persisted and even grown during this timeframe. The MSU researchers analyzed data from 440 bull sharks caught, tagged and released by Alabamas department of conservation and natural resources during the 17-year period, and matched it to climatic information collected by remote sensors in Mobile Bay. The five-fold increase in abundance of bull sharks demonstrates the impact of changing environmental conditions, they say. As climate change persists, coastal communities will continue to change, altering the structure of ecological communities and the success of nearshore fisheries, the report says. Mullins also credits a robust and decades-long program of shark management by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) for keeping numbers buoyant in the face of growing environmental challenges. The global outlook for sharks is still relatively grim because of overfishing, and unsustainable harvesting, being caught as bycatch, she said. But the US is unique in that it has a really successful rebound story where sharks have been properly managed, and weve actually seen the recovery of a lot of species. Male bull sharks can grow up to 12ft (3.7 meters) and weigh 500lb (227kg), and are extremely territorial. The species was classed vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Natures red list in 2020. According to the University of Floridas international shark attack file (ISAF), coastal-dwelling bull sharks are considered by many to be the most dangerous in the world, responsible for several dozen confirmed human fatalities globally, and suspected of countless other attacks. Last month, a 16-year-old girl was killed by a bull shark in a river in Perth, Australia, and in January a woman was seriously injured while swimming in Sydney harbor. The number of shark-bite deaths from all species doubled in 2023 to 10 from the previous year, a figure the ISAF research director, Gavin Naylor, called unnerving. Despite the increased prevalence of bull sharks suggested by the MSU study, there is no parallel growth in the threat to humans, Mullins said. The increase in abundance is not going to lead to an increase in shark bites. People who read the article may be concerned [but] its important to remember that these changes in abundance are relatively gradual, and have been already increasing over the last several decades, she said. Alpha, a Doberman pinscher with cropped ears, features in Up Childrens films and celebrity trends are making people think that its acceptable to crop their dogs ears, an MP has claimed. Neil Hudson, a Conservative MP, spoke on Friday afternoon in support of a Bill brought by fellow Tory Selaine Saxby. Ms Saxbys Animal Welfare Bill has the backing of the Government and proposes that it should be illegal to bring puppies and kittens under the age of six months into the country. The Bill would also make it illegal to import dogs that have had their ears cropped. It is already illegal in the UK to crop a dogs ears, but some dog owners send their pets abroad for cropping. Others buy foreign puppies whose ears have already been cropped. Mr Hudson told the House that childrens films like Up and DC League of Super-Pets, as well as popular culture and celebrity culture, leave people unaware that dogs with cropped ears are horrifically mutilated. He has represented Penrith in Cumbria since 2019 and is the only veterinary surgeon sitting in the House of Commons. The Pixar movie Up features an evil Doberman pinscher with cropped ears as a main antagonist. Of the film, Mr Hudson said: If you look really closely at the dogs in that film, many of them are cropped. So if people are going to the cinema with their kids, and seeing this on the big screen, that looks normal and that is wrong. A boxer mix known as Ace is one of the dogs in DC League of Super-Pets People therefore dont realise that ear cropping is not normal and so want to have those dogs, Mr Hudson continued. He added that we need to educate people that these dogs have been horrifically mutilated. Ear cropping, along with tail docking, has been illegal in the UK save for medical reasons since 2006. Both are referred to as mutilation in the Animal Welfare Act. The act was strengthened in 2021 to punish those who crop their dogs ears with an unlimited fine or up to five years in prison. Yet the practice is on the rise. More than a thousand cases of ear cropping have been reported to the RSPCA since 2020. The trend has been linked to a tendency for celebrities and influencers to share photos of pet dogs with cropped ears on social media. In 2018 footballer Marcus Rashford posted a photo of his Italian mastiff, Saint. The image indicated that the dogs ears had recently been cropped, though there is no suggestion that Mr Rashford broke the law by having the mastiffs ears cropped in the UK. Marcus Rashford with his Italian mastiff who appeared to have recently cropped ears Love Island star Scott Thomas and Jack Fincham of Made in Chelsea fame have both faced backlash after sharing photos of their pet dogs which appear to have cropped ears. If it passes, the Animal Welfare Bills victory will be that pets are not sold or traded as objects, Ms Saxby said. Friday saw the second reading of the Bill, which has been touted as a crackdown on puppy smuggling. Heavily pregnant animals would also be barred from import and limits placed on the number of animals a person can travel with. The legislation considers cats, dogs and ferrets, all of which are more than just property, they are family, Ms Saxby added. Ms Saxby has a brown labrador called Henry, and Mr Hudson owns a black Labrador called Juno. It was also revealed in the course of the debate that Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General, has a pet ferret called Roulette. Chinese Nobel prize winner Mo Yan in 2017. The author is celebrated in China but has been targeted by nationalist netizens. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP At first glance, a Nobel prize winning author, a bottle of green tea and Beijings Tsinghua University have little in common. But in recent weeks they have been dubbed by Chinas nationalist netizens as the three new evils in the fight to defend the countrys valour in cyberspace. Last month a patriotic blogger called Wu Wanzheng filed a lawsuit against Chinas only Nobel prize-winning author, Mo Yan, accusing him of smearing the Communist army and glorifying Japanese soldiers in his fictional works set during the Japanese invasion of China. Wu, who posts online under the pseudonym Truth-Telling Mao Xinghuo, is seeking 1.5bn yuan ($208m/164m) in damages from Mo one yuan per Chinese citizen as well as an apology from Mo and the removal of the offending books from circulation. His lawsuit has not yet been accepted by any court. Related: Rare glimpse inside Chinas halls of power as Beijing hosts major political event amid high security Mo, who was awarded the Nobel prize for literature in 2012, is best known for his novel Red Sorghum, which tells the story of three generations of a family in Shandong during the second Sino-Japanese war, known in China as the Chinese war of resistance against Japanese aggression. Although there are elements in Mos books that would probably not be published in todays more restrictive cultural environment, say experts, he is by no means a dissident. He is widely celebrated in China and is a vice-chair of the party-backed China Writers Association. Although Mo hasnt responded to Wus attacks directly, this week in response to the recent storm Chinese media outlets shared a video of him reciting a poem by the Song dynasty poet Su Shi about the struggles and joys of being a scholar despite setbacks. In attacking such a venerated figure, Wu wants to sound more Catholic than the pope, says Dali Yang, a professor of political science at the University of Chicago. And while some people have accused Wu of trying to boost his own social media clout, the fact that such a campaign is tolerated by Chinas censors reflects the rising levels of online nationalism, which in recent years have reached dizzying heights of fervour. Elsewhere on Weibo, netizens have been posting videos of themselves pouring away water from bottles of Nongfu Spring, Chinas biggest bottled water company. The companys crime? Using a design on its green tea drink that allegedly looks like a Japanese wooden pagoda. Another offending beverage, a brown rice tea, features on its packaging fish that allegedly look like Japanese koinobori, flags in the shape of carps. The furore over Nongfu whose founder, Zhong Shanshan, is Chinas richest man was sparked by the death last month of one of Zhongs business rivals, Zong Qinghou, who was revered by nationalists. It soon spiralled into an all-out attack on Nongfu, with netizens criticising the drinks packaging as well as the fact that the company has US investors and that Zhongs son is a US citizen. Im patriotic, but you sell this Japanese stuff, I despise you, said one Nongfu-hater outside a convenience store, in a video posted on Weibo. Some shops have reportedly stopped stocking Nongfu products and the companys share price dropped by nearly 6% in the first week of March, although it has recovered slightly since. Anti-intellectual culture Traffickers in online nationalism have a vast audience from people who are pretty frustrated in terms of jobs, living standards and so on, Yang notes. Analysts say online vitriol has been particularly intense since Chinas zero-Covid regime kept tens of millions of people cooped up at home for the better part of three years, only to emerge into an economy battered by poor job prospects and weak demand. Average hiring salaries in Chinese cities fell for three straight quarters in 2023. That has sparked resentment of the elites in some quarters, with a recent target being Tsinghua, Chinas top university. Although it is generally regarded with admiration, recently some online have questioned why, unlike some 600 other Chinese institutions, it hasnt been subject to sanctions by the US. You take so much money from the state, but you cant even get on the sanction list of the ugly country, shouldnt the people scold you? wrote one Weibo user. According to one outspoken Tsinghua law professor, Lao Dongyan, the online environment amounts to an anti-intellectual culture unlike comments from many of the self-styled patriots, however, hers has since been deleted. Eric Liu, a former content moderator for Weibo, says that while online witch-hunts are nothing new, recently it has reached a level that surprised people. But it hasnt met any kind of obstacle of challenge from the authorities, says Liu, who is now an editor for China Digital Times. And there is no sign that its going to stop anytime soon. Additional research by Chi Hui Lin Diane Abbott and supporters in front of Hackney town hall. Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi/The Guardian Diane Abbott greeted large crowds of people who gathered at a rally in support of her on Friday night, telling the crowd they had to stand firm against racism. The rally was organised by local black women in Hackney after remarks emerged about the longstanding MP by Frank Hester, the Tories biggest donor, that were widely condemned as racist and misogynistic. It was attended by supporters, including Jeremy Corbyn, who wanted to protest against the comments and the wider treatment of black women in public life. Large crowds gathered shortly before the rally began at 6.30pm. Hyacinth Morris, 65, a retired residential support worker, said: Labour is missing the whole point, the racist comment seems to have just been sidelined. The argument has become about the 15m; what about her safety? What about how we feel as black women? Sylvia Geohagen, 72, a retired child protection officer and Morriss sister, said: Im here to show her a bit of support because shes been treated rather shabbily. Harvey Watt, 24, said: Shes important to me because she shows us that we, as black people, can do it. The Guardian revealed on Monday that Hester, a businessman who has given 10m to the Conservative party, said seeing Abbott Britains first black female MP on TV made you want to hate all black women and she should be shot. It was later reported that Hester had donated a further 5m to the party. Abbott greeted the crowd to huge applause and chants of we stand with Diane. She said she was moved by the support. I want to say thank you it is Hackney people who have stood by me year after year, decade after decade. This is not about me. This is absolutely [about] the level of racism in Britain. This is about the way black women are disrespected decade after decade. My mother came to this country in the 1950s as a nurse. She was the generation of women that built the National Health Service. We have to stand up. We have to stand firm. We have to make sure that for generations of young black people, they dont have to suffer the racism that we had to suffer. Earlier, the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined the crowd on the steps. Corbyn said this was a rally of unity, adding: I cant imagine any other MP in any other part of the country who would command this much support at such short notice. I bring my greetings of support from across the border in Islington. Corbyn told the Guardian: First of all, [Starmer should] show solidarity to Diane, for the unbelievable abuse she that has suffered, not just over the past few weeks, but for the past years. Its utterly disgraceful. And then, using her image and story as a way of trying to raise money for the Labour party while at the same time not recognising the injustice of her removal from the parliamentary Labour party. In response to the Guardians revelations, Hester apologised for the remarks but denied they were motivated by race or gender. A statement from Hesters healthcare technology firm, the Phoenix Partnership (TPP), said the donor 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 added: He rang Diane Abbott twice [on Monday] 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. Abbott, who has represented Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987, was suspended by the Labour party in April last year after suggesting that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people were not subject to racism all their lives. Despite Abbott apologising for the comments, Keir Starmer has ignored calls to reinstate the MP. Labour has called for the Conservatives to return the donations from Hester and his company. TPP has been paid more than 400m by the NHS and other government bodies since 2016, primarily to look after 60m UK medical records. This article was amended on 15 March 2024. An early version incorrectly said the rally was organised by Black Lives Matter. A compromise was brokered by the Belgian government but it limits the number of companies expected to have to comply with the law. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters EU countries have slashed the scope of a law to make companies hunt down human rights abuse and environmental harm in their supply chains. The EUs corporate sustainability directive, which was agreed in December but nearly scuttled after a minor coalition partner in the German government withdrew its support, was approved by member states on Friday after a month-long search for compromise and further lobbying from France and Italy. Lara Wolters, a Dutch MEP with the centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) grouping who led negotiations for the European parliament, said the new law would help stop businesses from looking away from very real human misery and destruction but criticised member states who persistently delayed the adoption of the agreement. The Belgian government, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, thrashed out a compromise that limits the number of companies expected to comply. The new agreement applies to companies with more than 1,000 employees, up from 500, and a net turnover of 450m (385m) triple the amount previously agreed. Environmental groups estimate the changes will exclude 70% of the companies the law was meant to cover. EU governments have killed two-thirds of the law and the impact that it could have had, said Uku Lillevali, a sustainable finance policy officer at WWF. The EU countries endorsed the much-needed due diligence law, but at what cost? Were left with bare bones, with an already weak framework that now covers only a fraction of all large companies. The rules, which must be voted on in the European parliament before they come into force, provide a framework for communities to sue EU companies for human rights abuses and environmental harm in their supply chains. But efforts to water down the rules mean fewer companies will have to set targets to cut pollution and adopt climate transition plans than previously agreed and will have more time to comply. Member states also gutted a provision that would force companies to offer managers financial incentives to hit climate goals. Aurelie Skrobik, a corporate accountability campaigner at Global Witness, said it was an affront by national governments but a relief that there was a law at all. This law is a shadow of what it should have been and what negotiators agreed in December. Opponents of the law argued it would place too big a burden on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who secured extra support in the final agreement, and would raise the potential for legal challenges. Markus Beyrer, the director general of lobby group BusinessEurope, said the new rules added unparalleled obligations and imposed harsh sanctions on companies that would expose them to litigation. SMEs, even though they are theoretically out of the scope of the directive, will be negatively affected as they make up the largest part of value chains, he said. The Chinese chamber of commerce to the EU said in a post on X that the law could be very concerning and warned of possible trade disruptions and cost increases. We call for urgent clarification, and the EU should refrain from erecting market barriers that hinder non-EU producers. Industry groups had found support in the German Free Democrats party, which opposed the law after having previously agreed to it. It sparked a public fight within Germanys governing coalition of the centre-left Social Democratic party and Greens. If we break our word after having pledged our support in Brussels, we risk losing the trust placed in us, said the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock of the Greens, in February. The German government abstained on the vote on Friday, which only secured enough votes after Italy threw in its support. Campaigners decried the 11th-hour horse-trading as undemocratic. Anais Berthier, the head of the Brussels office of environmental law campaign group ClientEarth, said corporate pressure and political games had butchered an opportunity to revolutionise how business is done in the EU. This disrespect for the rule of law is an unsettling trend that we are witnessing across several environmental laws still being approved, she said. Its a worrying sign of things to come in the run-up to the EU elections. Lucy Leonardi lists all the vegetables in her fridge on its door for quick reference to help ensure they are used. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian Lucy Leonardi has been practising sustainable strategies for reducing food waste at home for about six years now. After participating in the ABCs War on Waste program, where residents of one street in Sydney learned how to reduce their food waste, the co-author of educational kids book Food Wise started to think even more about her familys consumption. Every household needs to work out a system for their fridge, says Leonardi. For example I like to rotate what is in the crisper drawer. If its getting a bit wrinkly, then Ill put it in the use it up box. Then, theres another box just for condiments that are close to the expiry date. Related:Fruit bowls are out: the best ways to store fresh produce, according to experts Leonardi, who runs Who Does the Dishes, a food blog where she interviews sustainability-minded cooks at home, is keen to help people find creative ways of using up odds and ends of vegetables like cauliflower leaves, broccoli stalks and carrot tops. She also says teaching the next generation about produce is key to reducing waste and growing awareness of how food gets from farm to table. Thats the best thing about avoiding food waste. You can do it as a family, says Leonardi. We need to reconnect with that and anticipate things that are seasonal and get back to the beginnings of how food is growing. About 1.3bn tonnes of food is wasted globally each year, of which Australias contribution is more than 7.6m tonnes mostly from households. The national food waste strategy aims to halve that number by 2030. OzHarvest, which collects surplus food from supermarkets, cafes, hotels, airlines and restaurants and distributes it across Australia to people in need, created Use it up labelling tape as an easy strategy to reduce food waste in the home. The tape has slogans including cook me, use me up and pick me which are designed to act as a visual prompt when you open the fridge or freezer. Mark Boulet, a behavioural scientist and co-author of OzHarvests Halving household food waste report, says tackling food waste is a unique sustainability challenge that everyone can get involved in. With food waste, the problem is very much within the household, he says. Things like climate change, or water pollution, theres small things you can do but the really big ticket stuff is often beyond the sphere of control of the individual. OzHarvests report found that those with young children and busy lifestyles were more likely to generate the most food waste, particularly as they cater to evolving tastes and food preferences of their children. The majority of us hate food waste everyone has intentions not to waste food, says Boulet. Food waste is kind of like a death by a thousand cuts its a little bit here, a little bit there, and it adds up. Boulet says one example of this is the compost bin that sits on the kitchen bench. While it helps to get rid of scraps and rotten food, it also acts as a way to sweep the problem under the carpet. Boulet says the key to managing food waste is being realistic about how much food you consume. For those cooking on a smaller scale, online shopping (despite plastic packaging concerns) can be a good tool to reduce food waste, as it is commonly done at home when you can check what you have in the pantry instead of being enticed by what is on special in the supermarket. People who buy at markets or grow their own food or are very health conscious, are often also very aspirational in their fruit and vegetable consumption, he says. They think theyre going to eat more than they actually do, and sometimes they actually tend to waste more. Youve got a busy week and youre exhausted and it is much easier to just get pizza. For Bronwyn OBrien, thinking about food waste for the first time has helped her family cut down on temptations like these, with the help of use it up tape. OBrien, who lives with her partner and two young children, says leftovers turned into a sea of Tupperware and used to dominate her fridge at the end of the week. It probably hasnt changed how we shop but if what we had planned to cook on Wednesday were suddenly no longer cooking its changed us from letting that food go to waste, says OBrien. If its something like chicken I might just quickly cook it the next day for sandwiches or something instead. Best of all, her family now rarely order in. We were having takeaway probably twice a week, and were only really having it now if its with friends, she says. Its directly linked with us wanting to change our approach to food waste. The controversial photograph of the Princess of Wales with her children The media should use the Kensington Palace photo manipulation row as an opportunity to insist it has full editorial control over royal footage, a former BBC royal correspondent has said. Peter Hunt, now a royal commentator, said parts of the media had a bar that was perhaps too low when it came to examining material handed out by the palace. Saying that a comparison of the British monarchy to the so-called axis of evil, made by the global news director of photographic agency Agence France-Presse, was not a good look, he argued that broadcasters should now make clear that filmed footage was free of palace control. Earlier this week, Phil Chetwynd of AFP said the palace was no longer a trusted source, adding that the photographs more usually subject to a kill notice were issued by North Korean or Iranian news agencies. Mr Hunt, speaking on Radio 4s Today programme, said broadcasters including the BBC should follow suit in insisting filmed material is not controlled by the palace, proving to viewers that it can be trusted. The discussion follows the release of a family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales, showing his wife and three children. It was later subject to a kill notice from the worlds major photographic agencies who co-ordinated to act after realising it had been digitally edited. The Princess of Wales later issued a statement apologising for the confusion caused. Mr Hunt said: Its a new world for the royals and a new world for the media. That senior person from AFP mentioned the British monarchy in the same breath as the so-called axis of evil, which isnt a good look when he says that they previously killed pictures only from the North Korean and Iranian news agency. It shows that they and maybe others had a bar which was perhaps too low when it came to photos from this sort of source. Mr Hunt said he had raised concerns in 2016 about footage of the Royal family and projects including the Heads Together mental health campaign being filmed by others and handed out. The BBC has made considerable focus on this issue of transparency, he said. The BBC constantly talks about transparency being an essential element in ensuring audiences feel they can trust BBC journalism. An opportunity for broadcasters He suggested the corporation could make use of the existing royal cameraman paid for by the BBC, ITV and Sky. This would be an opportunity for the BBC to make clear to its audiences that the material that individual provides is material that they control, he said. That its not edited by the palace, not controlled by the palace. They can make clear that the sound thats picked up by the cameraman is not interfered with in any way as well. Its an opportunity for broadcasters to follow suit. Agencies including AFP have vowed to tighten up their internal processes so a manipulated photograph will not be distributed again. Mr Chetwynd said the palace had been considered a trusted source because it had worked with the agencies for such a long time. Asked on BBC Radio 3s Media Show if it remained so, he replied: No, absolutely not. Like with anything, when youre let down by a source, the bar is raised. Describing how the photograph came to be formally killed, he added: We all sent a message [to Kensington Palace] saying could you give us the originals? Could you have a reply? We didnt get a reply, so thats why we killed the photo. The Royal family has sought to move on from the public controversy, with Prince William undertaking his engagements as normal with no mention of it. Fani Willis, the Fulton county district attorney. Photograph: Alex Slitz/AFP/Getty Images A judge in Georgia has ruled that the district attorney Fani Willis can continue to head the prosecution of Donald Trump for trying to undermine the 2020 presidential election in the state, as long as a top deputy agreed to step down. The deputy, special prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom Willis had a romantic relationship, resigned on Friday, clearing the way for Willis to continue. The ruling came after hearings that offered a dramatic deviation from the racketeering case against Trump and 14 remaining co-defendants as it investigated Williss relationship with Wade. Judge Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing the case, wrote on Friday: The court therefore concludes that the prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the state selects one of two options. The district attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office, and refer the prosecution to the prosecuting attorneys council for reassignment. He added that alternatively Wade could withdraw, allowing the district attorney, the defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case. Willis accepted Wades resignation effective immediately on Friday. Wade wrote in his resignation letter: I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. In her own letter, Willis thanked Wade for his service and praised his work on the case. She wrote: I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 election. Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from the acceptance of this role, even if you did not seek it. The decision avoids catastrophe for Willis. An order removing her and her office from the case would have meant it would have delayed the prosecution significantly while being reassigned to another prosecutor in Georgia. Yet it still significantly harms her credibility, offering a harsh analysis of her conduct and underscoring questions about her judgment that were exposed during a multi-day hearing. A Willis spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment. Related: Is appearance of impropriety enough to oust Fani Willis from Trump case? The question at the heart of the matter was whether Willis had a conflict of interest in the case because of her relationship with Wade. Michael Roman, one of the 14 remaining defendants in the case, filed a motion in January saying Willis should be disqualified from handling the case because of her romantic relationship with Wade, which was not publicly known at the time. The two eventually disclosed their relationship, but said it did not begin until 2022, after Wade was hired to work on the Trump case. Wade acknowledged that he paid for vacations for the two of them to places such as Napa in California and Aruba, but he and Willis both said she paid him back in cash. McAfee was unsparing in his analysis of Williss conduct. He said the arrangement did not amount to an actual conflict of interest but presented the appearance of one, which was enough to warrant at least Wades removal. Even if the relationship did not begin until after Wade was hired, he wrote, Willis allowed the regular and loose exchange of money between them without any exact or verifiable measure of reconciliation. This lack of a confirmed financial split creates the possibility and appearance that the district attorney benefited albeit non-materially from a contract whose award lay solely within her purview and policing, he wrote on Friday. As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the district attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed. He addedL Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the district attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist. Although he found no evidence Willis personally benefited from the arrangement, McAfee sharply criticized her conduct. This finding is by no means an indication that the court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the district attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing, he wrote. Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices even repeatedly. He added there were other bodies, including the Georgia legislature, the state bar, and even voters in Fulton county who could address her conduct. Willis is running for re-election this year. McAfee rejected a request to disqualify Willis because of a speech she gave at a historically Black church in January. The district attorney suggested in the speech that the push to disqualify Wade, who is also Black, was racially motivated. Steve Sadow, an attorney for Trump, said he disagreed with the ruling. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place, he said. McAfee also suggested Willis and Wade had been less than truthful when they testified a dent in the district attorneys credibility that Trump and allies are likely to seize on. An odor of mendacity remains, he wrote. Reasonable questions about whether the district attorney and her hand-selected lead testified untruthfully about the timing of their relationship further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it. The strongest testimony for defense lawyers came from Robin Bryant-Yeartie, a former friend of Williss who said the relationship between Wade and Willis began before Wade was hired. No other witness corroborated her testimony. The star witness for the defense was supposed to be Terrence Bradley, a former law partner of Wades. Bradley had told Romans lawyer that he knew the relationship began before Wade was hired, but when hetook the witness stand he said he was only speculating. McAfee said he was unable to place any stock in Bradleys testimony. James Crumbley, father of Oxford High School school shooter Ethan Crumbley, exits the courtroom - Bill Pugliano/Getty The father of a school gunman has been convicted of manslaughter for buying his son the weapon that he used in the attack. James Crumbley was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter one each for the four victims. Jennifer Crumbley, his wife, was convicted on the same charges last month. They each face a possible minimum sentence of as much as 15 years in prison when they return to court on April 9. In November 2021, Ethan Crumbley opened fire at Oxford High School in Detroit, killing fellow students Tate Myre, 16, Hana St Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. He is now serving a life sentence without parole. His mother and father, the first parents of a school killer to face felony manslaughter charges in the United States for the actions of their child, were accused of ignoring warnings that the teenager had mental health struggles. James (left) and Jennifer Crumbley during the video arraignment of their son Ethan - AP Karen McDonald, prosecuting, said in closing arguments: James Crumbley failed his son in a tragic way. But he didnt just fail his son. He failed to perform his legal duty to prevent these kids from being killed. During closing arguments on Wednesday, prosecutors said James Crumbley was grossly negligent because he bought his son the 9mm gun just days before the fatal attack. The father is said to have ignored his sons deteriorating mental health and did not take reasonable care to prevent such a foreseeable danger. Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney, said: James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did. James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and what he didnt do. On the morning of the shooting, Ethan Crumbleys parents cut short a meeting at the school about a disturbing drawing their son had produced. They refused to take their son home and went back to work. Ethan Crumbley (centre) stands with his attorneys in the courtroom - AP/Carlos Osorio School officials then sent Ethan back to class without checking his backpack, which contained the gun. When James Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his job as a delivery driver to look for the weapon he gave his son, the jury heard during the trial. Following the verdict, parents of those who were killed were seen hugging the lead prosecutor. Steve St Julian, the father of Hana St Julian, said that the prosecution of the Crumbleys was just the beginning steps when it came to tackling gun violence in the US. Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald hugs Steve St Juliana, father of Oxford High School shooting victim Hana St Juliana, following the guilty verdict of James Crumbley - AP/Robin Buckson In a statement after the verdict was announced, Ms McDonald said that James Crumbleys failure to act led to the deaths of the four students. Four children are dead because of the gross negligence of the shooters parents. In Michigan, a parent has a legal duty and James Crumbley did not meet that duty, she said. He added: These parents [the Crumbleys] could have prevented this tragedy with just the smallest of efforts. As of March 6, there have been at least 16 school shootings in the US this year, according to CNN data, with 10 resulting in injuries or deaths. In comparison, 2023 saw a total of 38 school shootings. Since 2008, only five US states have not had any school shootings: Montana, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island. Fire damage in Lahaina, Hawaii, on 13 August 2023. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images Mere days after wildfires tore through Maui last August and leveled the historic town of Lahaina, community organizers warned that longtime residents were vulnerable to predatory land grabs. And they were right. As search and rescue teams painstakingly combed through the scorched ruins, traumatized survivors began receiving texts, voice messages, and letters from speculators and realtors offering to buy their burnt-out homes. Related: Six months after Maui wildfire, 5,000 survivors still stranded: Were tired of broken promises Week one, we knew that whatever happened we would have to protect the land because they would be coming for it, said Autumn Ness, who moved to Maui from Japan after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which led to mass displacement. The Lahaina fire killed 100 people and razed 1,200 buildings, mostly residential properties, displacing around 11,000 residents, mostly working-class families. The trauma was compounded by a stark financial reality: most homeowners were underinsured, and many still had mortgages to pay on houses that would take several years to rebuild. Some survivors lost their homes and jobs, and found themselves stuck in hotels unable to find affordable long-term rentals as tourists returned to the island. The Red Cross and Fema asked survivors whether theyd consider moving off island, which many found deeply offensive and insensitive. But desperate people do desperate things which is why investors often swoop in after major disasters like fires and hurricanes. Communities end up excluded from reconstruction plans, and old residents get priced out as neighborhoods are gentrified or transformed in some other irrevocable way. In Maui, some quick thinking by local advocates inspired the Lahaina Community Land Trust (LCLT), a new grassroots initiative to boost affordable housing and preserve the unique character of the historic town by disrupting the post-disaster market forces. This community has been on the defensive for generations. The fire changed that, and the land trust is about us going on the offensive against the disaster capitalists, said Ness. Community land trusts (CLT) are non-profit organizations that act as long-term stewards for affordable housing, green projects, cultural and civic spaces, and commercial properties in response to market and structural inequities that have failed to meet their needs. Related: The US promised to return stolen lands to Native Hawaiians a century ago. Most are still waiting In Maui, the trusts stated goal is to keep Lahaina lands in Lahaina hands. To do this, they must raise enough capital through grants and donations to provide cash-strapped survivors an alternative to the circling developers offering quick but often low prices for plots that will likely end up as vacation rentals or second homes for non-Hawaiians. (According to one analysis, 30% of the properties sold in Paradise, California, after the catastrophic Camp fire went for less than their assessed value.) Ideally, they want no one with roots in Lahaina to be forcibly displaced. Realistically, some survivors will likely decide to sell because they feel too traumatized or too old to rebuild and return while others may need to move away for work. If so, the trust would try connecting the seller to a local buyer with strong ties to the town or acquire the land themselves so the community has a say in its future. The priority will be acquiring land for affordable housing and small, locally owned businesses, as well as targeting cultural and historical plots for conservation and restoration. This includes some ecologically important sites from when Lahaina was capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, which could help make the town more climate resilient. The land trust is about preserving the character of the community We need to support multi-generational lineal descendants of Lahaina against bidding wars and get culturally important parcels into the right hands, said Tamara Paltin, a West Maui county council member and president of the LCLT. As we rebuild, who owns the land is key to Lahainas future. If we can save one property, its worth it. In the Hawaiian worldview, there is a reciprocal and familial relationship between people and land. Aina, the Hawaiian word for land, means that which feeds. According to one old saying, the land is chief, the people are its servants. The Aina is our family. Its what connects us to our culture, said Mikey Burke, whose family lost their home in the fire. In January, as they struggled to deal with insurance claims and mortgage repayments, her husband Rob received a text message from an unknown number: Good morning! Would you consider selling the property for a strong no inspections AS IS offer? I have a client that is ready to write you an offer. The cold calls have been so upsetting, said Burke, a LCLT member. We are learning and doing at the same time because we cant afford to wait, even though many of us are still dealing with multiple crises and trauma. The land grabs are already starting. As many as 30 residential properties in the burn zone are thought to have changed hands, though its likely some were linked to existing probate issues. The community land trust model has been around for a century or so, gaining popularity in the US among civil rights groups and Black farmers in the 1960s. Since then, around 300 have sprung up in towns, cities and Native communities. In Houston, arguably the countrys most ambitious community land trust to date was created after Hurricane Harvey in 2019 exacerbated the citys affordable housing crisis that was mostly affecting low-income people of color. Related: How traditional Hawaiian food is playing a key role in wildfire recovery While most trusts are primarily concerned with affordable housing or conservation, the LCLT wants to merge both with community building and economic development a circular model inspired by traditional Hawaiian values and governance. There are so many competing interests for Lahaina. Were committed to maintaining the old character, which means respecting its ancient Hawaiian roots but also the other ethnic groups whose blood sweat and tears flowed into Lahaina, and whose roots go back generations, said Carolyn Auweloa, vice-president and secretary of the LCLT. More than a third of Lahainas population were south-east Asian mostly Filipino Japanese and Chinese, while just over 10% were Latino and Native Hawaiian. The trust is also exploring hybrid or shared equity options that could allow financially stressed residents to buy back their plot within 10 years, and another that would enable homeowners who cannot rebuild to sell the lease but retain the land title. So far, many survivors seem grateful for a community-led initiative concerned about the towns long-term future, while they deal with immediate challenges. But not everyone agrees, including Lahaina elder Keeamoku Kapu, who ran the Maui Cultural and Research Center, which was destroyed in the fire. The community land trust is a double-edged sword which could undermine the bigger question of legitimate ownership, said Kapu, who supports Native Hawaiians making legal claims for their ancestral land. I am a strong advocate of honoring land titles The land trust feels like a big gamble. In the end, the trusts success will depend on raising enough money, and being able to overcome cumbersome bureaucratic obstacles and powerful competing interests. In Houston, the city last year slashed financial support and the trusts plans have faltered. It feels like David against the biggest Goliath, and we dont know how were going to raise $200m, but were going to try and protect every square foot we can, said Auweloa. Were in this to stop our people being further displaced, and change the trajectory of our town and community. Heatbit fuses computing with essential heating and cooling needs. Photo: Heatbit During the COVID lockdown in 2020, Alex Busarov, a London School of Economics graduate and McKinsey alumni, found himself confined to a Shanghai apartment alongside an ageing bitcoin miner known as Antminer S9. The Heatbit Mini mines bitcoin and is billed as the world's first and only heater and air purifier that gives you 50% cashback on heating, adding circa $20 (16) to your pocket every month. I was fresh, straight out of university and Tim Breen immediately struck me as someone very entrepreneurial and the things I learned from him have helped me in my career. We met in Dubai in 2008, having started my first consultancy job as a business analyst at McKinsey. Tim had an unusual path into consultancy. He had left the UK from school to go to Egypt to work as a diving instructor and later opened up his own diving shop. At one point he decided to change something in his life and, without an undergraduate degree, went into one of the top MBA courses at London Business School and then straight into McKinsey, at the time one of the hottest consultancy jobs. Read More: My first boss: Jaidev Janardana, Zopa Bank CEO If I didnt understand something, he would tell me to figure it out. Once I was able to break that mental barrier, you start thinking and figuring it out. Its a powerful skill to have. I had similar traits from my father; he would never tell me what to do. If anything he would make my life harder as a kid to make me learn more. If Tim believed in something he would just go and do it even if it was quite unconventional. On the day he was announced as a partner at McKinsey, he announced that he was leaving the firm and later joined a big development fund in Abu Dhabi. When I heard he was leaving I was kind of sad, but full of admiration that he believed in what he wanted to do. From starting out fresh and taking in new ideas and information, if you consume it at that time it stays with you and Tim was impactful in that way. Heatbit founder and CEO Alex Busarov at the 2023 Web Summit in Lisbon. Photo: Heatbit My learnings from Tims entrepreneurial spirit played a hand when I was in Shanghai during lockdown in 2020. I had purchased a bitcoin miner, turned it on in my bedroom and first it got loud and then it got hot. I immediately thought that if it wasnt loud then it would be a really good heater and the concept of Heatbit was born. Research suggested that people were only creating it in a DIY mould; they would take a graphics card or anything that uses a lot of energy training artificial intelligence models, mining bitcoin, or rendering video games and turn it into heating. Read More: My first boss: Nick Hampton, Tate & Lyle CEO Heatbit essentially provides a green and energy-efficient solution to cryptocurrency mining, with emitted heat recycled to replace other heating devices in homes. At the start, we went to crowdfunder Indiegogo and it was going well before they banned our campaign after believing it was a get rich quick scheme. What we realised was that this was just a bump in the road, as we had the confirmation that all those we had to refund had paid for it. Back when I was at McKinsey I had worked in energy, from strategy to implementation and how the systems worked. If you take all the energy that goes into computing, it uses more electric energy than the whole of the UK. When you combine it with heating, the savings are significant. The Heatbit offers cashback on heating Heatbit, which runs on the same technology that powers iPhones, is an app-based device and rewards between 30 to 70% of your electricity bill, while we believe that it generates significantly more cashback than any other heater on the market. For home use, we have added an air purification function to the heater. There are other functions such as water heating while there is a process where you can use a small waste heat source to start an air conditioning function, which we are currently working on. Read More: My first boss: Martin Metcalf, CEO of Basis Technologies What we are really building is a zero energy infrastructure. If you use it as a heater, it means that the computing doesnt really take any extra energy. Essentially, computing is using more and more energy globally and if you are able to combine it with heat cooling on the other applications, it makes the system a lot more efficient. It becomes cheaper because it is using less electricity, people get rewarded for their heaters and it helps with bills. If I saw Tim again, Im sure he would ask whether the Heatbit is actually a diving tank but I think he would get the concept pretty quickly and see the potential. Alex Busarov was speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon Watch: Bitcoin's rally proof of a 'very sustainable recovery' Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Olaf Scholz welcomes Emmanuel Macron to the meeting at the chancellery in Berlin. Photograph: Annegret Hilse/Reuters In an ostentatious show of unity designed to ease the tensions between France and Germany over the threat posed by a resurgent Russia, leaders of Europes three leading military powers agreed to step up the worldwide purchase of ammunition for Ukraine and improve their offer of long-range artillery. The hastily arranged meeting in Berlin between France, Germany and Poland did little to disguise the fact that Paris and Berlin now hold different perspectives on the twin spectres of Russian military advances in Ukraine and the US Congresss refusal to approve substantial further military aid for Kyiv. The clash in approach predominantly between the newly hawkish French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the perennially cautious German chancellor, Olaf Scholz was laid bare in a dramatic French TV interview on Thursday night in which Macron said Europes security, even Europes existence, was at risk. The recently elected Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, was not quite cast in the role of mediator, as Poland has always regarded Russia as an imperialist power, but his attendance underlined the need for a soothing third party. Tusk, just back from meetings with Joe Biden in Washington, urged all sides to talk less and focus on providing more weapons. He said: The meeting shows that the malicious rumours about the disagreements between the capitals are not correct. Offering an olive branch to Scholzs fear of escalation, Macron said: We will continue as we have done since the first day, never to take the initiative in any escalation. Scholz said: We will procure even more weapons on the entire world market. This was a reference to a now widely endorsed Czech plan to buy ammunition outside the EU, something the French once opposed on grounds of European sovereignty. In addition, the production of military equipment should be expanded, including in Ukraine, Scholz said. He promised to pursue a coalition of capabilities to purchase long-range rocket artillery, an idea first set out at a meeting in Paris last month. Tusk said: We want to spend our money, we want to help in every possible way here and now, so that the situation of Ukraine in the coming weeks and months gets better, not worse. They also affirmed support for the windfall profits from frozen Russian central bank assets to be transferred to Ukraine. The UK and the US favour seizing the assets themselves, and worry that the 3bn profits will do next to nothing to fill the $60bn funding gap if the US Republicans block the US aid package. With no questions taken at the press conference, the three men, locking hands together, wanted a show of unity to be the prevailing message to Moscow. Macron added: This is a serious moment. A new era is dawning, and well be there. And the fact that the three of us are united on this day, determined with the same lucidity about the situation in Ukraine and determined never to let Russia win and to support the Ukrainian people to the end, is a strength for us, our peoples, our security and our Europe. Macron had caused consternation last month when he refused to rule out sending troops to Ukraine, which he later clarified to be as trainers. In Thursdays interview he did not retreat, saying he would rule nothing out. It was an attempt to maintain strategic ambiguity and to convince Vladimir Putin that Russia is engaged in a war that Europe will not allow it to win. Quoting Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle at various points, he said: The security of Europe and the French is at stake in Ukraine. If Russia wins, the lives of the French change and Europes credibility is reduced to zero. Who can think that Vladimir Putin will stop there? Although he refused to describe Russia as an enemy, using the term adversary instead, he said Moscow was already engaged in a hybrid war in Europe. He rejected claims that his rhetoric risked escalating the situation, a key point of difference with Scholz, who fears Putins nuclear threats. We must not be weak, Macron said. He again implicitly criticised Scholz for continuing to rule out the delivery of Germanys powerful long-range Taurus cruise missiles, saying those that set limits on aid were backing defeat. We have set too many limits with words, Macron said. Two years ago we said we would never send tanks. Then we did. Two years ago we said we would never send medium-range missiles. Then we did. He said this put into perspective the definitive statements made by some in Europe, without naming Germany. Scholz, with the backing of the Bundestag, has said he was concerned the Taurus missiles would either need to be operated by the German military inside Ukraine, or would be used to stir a war waged inside Russia. Workarounds and missile swaps have been proposed privately, both by the British foreign secretary, David Cameron, and by the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock. The tensions between the two men reflect differences of temperament and domestic political pressures. Macron has metamorphosed from a stubborn advocate of dialogue with Putin to a leading hawk over the last 12 months. His critics, including in Berlin, say his transformation is not driven by a slow reappraisal of Russia but by French domestic politics, as he seeks to build a dividing line on French security with a surging populist right that either does not see Russia as a threat to France or admires Putins social conservatism. Scholz, by contrast, looks at polls that show his Social Democrat base is opposed to escalatory steps such as handing the Taurus missile to Ukraine. Despite Scholz saying he has a good relationship with Macron, a quiet anger exists at the French presidents rhetoric about troops on the ground in Ukraine, with one diplomat describing it as a self-serving distraction. Data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy shows German aid to Ukraine is the largest in Europe, and substantially higher than that provided by France. France, traditionally reluctant to spell out what arms it has provided, has challenged the Kiel calculations, pointing to the boost in French spending. The discovery of the 'foetus mortuary' at a Buddhist temple in 2010 forced Thai society to debate a topic more commonly brushed aside - Sakchai Lalit/AP The stench revealed the grisly secret. Wafting through the temple in southern Bangkok, the terrible smell led to the mortuary and the grim discovery of more than 2,000 foetuses, wrapped in plastic bags and at various stages of decomposition. The hidden remains were awaiting cremation, the final stage in an underground abortion network in Thailands capital. But a broken furnace disrupted the process for months, possibly longer, until the smell grew so potent it was impossible to hide. The discovery of the foetus mortuary shocked the predominantly Buddhist country, and forced Thai society to debate a topic more commonly brushed aside. At the time, in 2010, strict laws meant access to abortion was extremely restricted the medical procedure was available only in specific circumstances, such as rape. But following the discovery of 2,000 foetuses, Thailand could no longer ignore the fact that women were regularly risking their lives to undergo unsafe abortions. Suddenly, the issue was splashed across front pages and evening news broadcasts. It was amid this heated debate that a Buddhist monk felt compelled to speak for the first time. Writing in The Nation newspaper, Phra Shine Waradhammo argued that women who had abortions were being suppressed by religious teachings. Phra Shine Wara Dhammo, 55, has become increasingly vocal about his pro-abortion stance a controversial position in Buddhist Thailand - Sarah Newey Normally monks dont really talk about abortion, many would say it is a sin, Phra Shine says now, surrounded by orange robes in his temple lodgings on the outskirts of Bangkok. I think this is based on a one-dimensional interpretation of Buddhism So I wrote the piece to question the status quo, to make people think. But while Thailands abortion legislation has shifted for now, at least entrenched attitudes are still obstructing access. Abortion a two-tiered system It is now four years since the nations high court struck down an abortion ban as unconstitutional, decriminalising the procedure. An amendment later allowed abortions to be carried out up to 20 weeks into a pregnancy. Yet affordable, safe and convenient services are limited even in the Thai capital. According to a recent report by the pro-choice activist group TamTang, none of the 22 public hospitals in Bangkok provide subsidised abortions. Theres a lot of stigma, says TamTangs Chonthita Krisrikul, at a recent parliamentary event to mark the fourth anniversary of legalisation. This year we met with the department of health under the Bangkok administration [which runs the public hospitals], and the doctors said that abortion is not necessary that its like having a nose job. They basically said: if you want an abortion, pay for it yourself. As a result, a two-tiered system has emerged only those able to travel hours out of the city to hospitals providing subsidised procedures, or with the money to pay for private care, are able to access services. But the issue is not confined to Bangkok: according to government figures, hospitals in just 39 of Thailands 77 provinces have officially registered as abortion providers. [The price in the private sector] starts at 5,000 baht [110], which is around 15 times the minimum wage per day, says Ms Krisrikul. So its almost impossible for women with a low income to access the private hospital. Many instead go to uncertified shops on the internet that sell the abortion pills, effectively on the black market. Often, the pills arent even effective. And there are some concerns that even this access could be undone. Last week, a health minister linked abortion rates to concerns about Thailands falling birth rates and suggested amending existing laws or drafting new laws to reduce terminations. We all know that the law or restriction will not decrease the numbers of abortion but only increase the number of unsafe abortion, says TamTangs founder, Supecha Baotip. She adds that abortion-related fatalities have fallen since Thailand legalised the medical procedure, but with this initiative of the Ministry of Health, we might have to prepare ourselves to [regularly report] that kind of news again. Bags of foetus corpses in the mortuary storage room of a Buddhist temple in Bangkok in 2010 - AFP/Getty Images Much of the stigma and the difficulty accessing services still stems from religion, as with Christianity in countries like the US and the Philippines, or Islam in Indonesia. At least 90 per cent of Thailands population identifies as Buddhist, and many from the conservative Theravada Buddhism majority believe abortion directly contradicts teachings. Some activists are therefore using religious language to discuss terminations and raise support TamTang, for instance, has performed ceremonies in honour of the victims of unsafe abortions. Still, many in the medical profession are hesitant. It totally depends on which doctor you are talking [to] when it comes to abortion, says Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University who has researched law and religion. But in general, I think doctors are a bit conservative and [take a] strong moral stance on such issues. Its totally understandable. For Buddhists, the first precept is not to kill any life form. Traditional belief is convinced that it is wrong to prevent birth; even contraception was once considered wrong. Thailands abortion laws do not force a doctor to carry out the procedure should they object, however they are supposed to refer women to other services. Some do this, often through the 1663 hotline or the Referral for Safe Abortion network. But TamTang said many do not. The Telegraph found similar. Posing as a woman 10 weeks pregnant, we called eight public hospitals six said outright that they do not perform abortions, while one offered a consultation but was vague about next steps. Only one said they offer no services but referred us to the 1663 hotline. Many doctors are on the fence about abortion, and its still challenging to convince the doctors [to perform abortions], says Tossaporn Sereerak, chair of a Thai parliamentary health commission. Police investigate the mortuary storage area of the temple - AFP/Getty Images Activists warn that bureaucratic inertia, stigma and a lack of political will means little has been done to expand affordable access or combat misinformation, which has flourished since the US overturned Roe v Wade, the law that gave a constitutional right to abortion. And in Thailand, speaking publicly about the issue can still trigger a wave of abuse. More than a decade after he first wrote about abortion, Phra Shine was photographed at a protest. His presence attracted a strong backlash: he was labelled garbage and a hungry ghost in a saffron robe some of the conservative Theravada Buddhism majority say a woman who undergoes an abortion will be haunted by a ghost. People said I was a fake monk, they said that I was exploiting the orange robes, says 55-year-old Phra Shine. I think Thai society has been shaped by one type of interpretation of Buddhism and is scared of different opinions and confrontation. Especially as a monk, it can be difficult to speak openly. But I think theres hope for the future, Thailand has come a long way change is sometimes incremental, he adds. For now, Phra Shine is focused on creating a space to share experiences on Facebook, where he now has thousands of followers and regularly posts about womens rights and LGBTQ+ issues. Women are shamed and blamed for so much when it comes to sex and abortion, he says. My message to people is that they are not alone that I, as a monk, do not deny their existence. That a religious figure in orange robes supports them. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Controversy has also been stirred by Tesco's print advertisement Rows over scones are almost as old as time, but few would expect hot cross buns to become the latest flashpoint. Two of Britains leading supermarkets have been accused of playing fast and loose with culinary tradition by serving the Easter favourite with clotted cream and jam. Advertisements placed in newspapers by Tesco and Asda picture the buns alongside jam an unusual choice of topping for a treat that is usually only served with butter. Critics have accused the grocers of trying to mimic scones, which have been the subject of years of controversy in Devon and Cornwall over whether the jam should be spread before the cream. In an Easter advertisement this week, the new Tesco Finest Strawberries & Clotted Cream Hot Cross Buns with pink crosses were shown being plastered in clotted cream and jam in that order. Meanwhile, Asda promoted its hot cross buns by showing them being slathered in butter with jam on the side. Asda's serving suggestion has not gone down well in some quarters It could well be an advertising ploy to avoid the mundane look of melted butter, but some scone lovers are not impressed. Some might say these supermarkets are playing fast and loose with culinary tradition, attempting to slap a scone label on hot cross buns, Michelle Milton, the editor of the High Tea Society, told The Telegraph. Cream and jam on hot cross buns? Its enough to make a purists scone crumble. Ms Milton added: So, are they guilty of appropriation or simply spicing things up? Thats a question as hotly debated as whether to put the jam or cream first on a scone. She founded the High Tea Society to publicise quality recipes and venues when she moved from London to Australia and found it difficult to find nice tearooms in Melbourne. Shocking news Sarah Merker, 50, who completed a challenge last year to taste scones in all 244 National Trust cafes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, accused hot cross buns of trying to get in on the act. This is shocking news you have to take it as a bit of a compliment to the scone and the cream tea that the hot cross bun is trying to get in on the act a little bit, she said. The scone is untouchable we can all accept a bit of mimicry and nothing will beat a scone in a cream tea, but if the hot cross bun wants to get in on that act I cant blame them. Without a doubt, there can only be one cream tea and thats the scone, the cream and the jam hot cross buns are a bit Johnny-come-lately in that regard; its not the same. Ms Merker, from Isleworth in west London, questioned the odd combination of strawberry jam and the spices found in hot cross buns, but said she was all for innovation and would need to try it. She previously stumbled across a similar idea on her scone tour, with multiple National Trust tearooms offering hot cross scones hot cross bun-flavoured scones which she ate only with butter, as she felt strawberry and cream would just not fit. British supermarkets have stoked a series of controversies in recent years for cooking up increasingly wacky hot cross bun flavours such as Sainsburys cheddar and caramelised onion chutney recipe, Asdas tomato and red Leicester version and Waitroses Earl Grey tea and orange zest flavour. Aldi also rolled out strawberry and cream hot cross buns in 2022 and this year is selling Jaffa Cake flavoured versions. Tesco was contacted for comment and Asda declined to comment. Battle of the buns: Our taste test verdict By Silvana Franco and Amber Dalton Hot cross buns that quintessentially British seasonal treat that requires nothing more than a light toasting (use the grill, unless you want to be pulling pieces of bun out of the toaster past Pentecost) and a generous slathering of salted butter. That is, until now. News that Asda is advocating a layer of jam in addition to butter in its recent print advertisements has been made only slightly less egregious by the appearance of the latest offering from Tesco. The supermarkets Finest Strawberries & Clotted Cream Hot Cross Buns (yes, you read that correctly) have been photographed toasted and topped with enough creamy-yellow Roddas to sink a battleship, the whole topped by a dollop of vivid crimson strawberry jam. Easter in abundance indeed. Even if you wait until Lent is over to dig in, one calorific mouthful would surely be enough to induce guilt, if not pre-diabetes. We put different combinations to the test using Tesco Finest Four Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns (1.60 for four) Hot cross bun with butter Though we find the dough somewhat claggy, the sweetness of both the dough and the generous amount of plump dried fruits is nicely offset by a pool of melting salted butter. A simple pleasure. Hot cross bun with butter and strawberry jam We spread some Tesco Finest Strawberry Conserve onto the toasted bun. Even a thin layer has the effect of cancelling out any zestiness from the dried mixed peel in the dough. Were left with a pappy, overly sweet mouthful. Hot cross bun with clotted cream and strawberry jam Now for the unholy trio. We spoon clotted cream onto a toasted bun and top it with jam as in the advertisement. It is not vastly different to eating scones in the same way, if a little sweeter, but the problem is with the size. The hot cross bun is about 50 per cent bigger than a classic scone and we give up after one solitary bite. Hot cross bun with clotted cream and blackcurrant jam Undeterred, we opt for a tarter jam (Tesco Finest Blackcurrant Conserve) in the hope of cutting through the richness. Its slightly better, especially since the blackcurrants provide some welcome texture along with a blast of acidity. If we had to eat hot cross buns with jam and cream, this is the one wed choose. Tesco Finest Strawberries & Clotted Cream Hot Cross Buns (1.60 for four) with clotted cream and strawberry jam Theres the faint taste of confected strawberries, like strawberry laces, to these buns that are enriched with strawberry conserve, clotted cream and rich white chocolate chips. In reality, they contain just 2.5 per cent strawberry jam and 2.5 per cent strawberry pieces for extra decadence. But were struggling to taste any fruit only nuggets of cloyingly sweet white chocolate. Once we add jam and clotted cream on top, the overall effect has us feeling slightly bilious. A bit like going on a Waltzer ride after stuffing your face with Mr Whippy and candy floss. Israeli police help a woman to safety during the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas - Tsafrir Abayov/AP Israel has refused to cooperate with a United Nations investigation into the countrys claim that members of the UN Palestinian refugee agency were involved in the Oct 7 attacks. A dozen workers from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been accused of supporting the massacre of 1,200 Israelis by distributing ammunition, abducting hostages and coordinating transportation. The allegations, which first surfaced on Jan 26, resulted in the US, UK and 14 other countries freezing funding for UNRWA. Days later, the UN launched an independent investigation, run from its headquarters in New York, to examine the claims. However, UN investigators have yet to receive any evidence from the Israelis, according to three sources with knowledge of the probe, despite this week spending several days in the country on a fact-finding mission. Officials from the UNs Office of Internal Oversight Services were invited to Jerusalem by the Israeli government to advance the investigation, a UN spokesman told The Telegraph ahead of the mission. The expectation was that the team would speak directly to Israeli officials and those involved in compiling a dossier of intelligence that allegedly supports the claims against UNRWAs staff. Palestinians celebrate destroying an Israeli tank during the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas - Yousef Masoud/AP Although the UNs investigators have since left Israel empty-handed, their work remains ongoing, a UN spokesman said, with a report to be finalised and shared privately with Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General, in the coming weeks. Israels intelligence is said to include geolocation data taken from the employees mobiles, as well as intercepted SMS texts and phone calls allegedly implicating UNRWA staff in the Oct 7 attacks. The Telegraph was passed this information over the phone by an Israeli official but has not seen or verified the contents of the dossier. Israels own allies have similarly been kept in the dark. Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had not shared the raw intelligence behind its assessments with the US, despite the strong security ties between the two countries. On Thursday, the European Unions top humanitarian aid official also said he had seen no evidence from Israel to support its accusations against UNRWAs staff. The UNs investigation has been active since Jan 29. Before they visited Israel, officials spent two weeks in Jordan, where UNRWA has its headquarters, interviewing staff and reviewing operations. Relief workers at the UNRWA centre in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip - AFP Completion of the investigation is eagerly awaited by the multiple UNRWA donors which withdrew their funding in the wake of Israels allegations, leaving the agency with a $450 million gap in its budget. Although Britain and the US are waiting to receive the findings of the investigation before choosing whether to restore funding, several other donors have already resumed payments, including Canada and Australia. Chris Gunness, a former UNRWA spokesperson, said the Israelis failure to provide any intelligence to UN investigators makes it impossible for them to make conclusive findings. He added: In this case, one has to wonder why Israel is not handing it over. If the Israelis had conclusive proof of UNRWAs involvement in the 7/10 attacks, they would have handed it over. Absent this, one is forced to conclude that the evidence is simply not there. The Israeli government was approached for comment but did not respond. Alongside the UNs investigation, a separate review has been commissioned into UNRWAs mechanisms for dealing with neutrality breaches and investigating serious staff allegations. Its preliminary findings are also expected to be published by the end of the month. Lead investigator Catherine Colonna, the former French foreign minister, is understood to have visited the agencys offices in Amman this week. Destroyed buildings seen from above in the Gaza Strip. Photograph: Leo Correa/AP Gazas health ministry has said Israeli fire killed 20 people waiting to receive desperately needed aid in the besieged Palestinian territory, but the Israeli military said the reports were erroneous. Gaza officials said the attack occurred as a crowd gathered to receive aid from a truck at the Kuwait roundabout, a key interchange used by humanitarian convoys carrying food into northern Gaza. More than 150 people were wounded, they added. The latest incident came hours after eight people were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution centre at al-Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, health officials said. In a statement, Israels military denied attacking aid distribution points and described the reports as false, though it was not immediately clear which incident it was referring to. As the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] assesses the incident with the thoroughness that it deserves, we urge the media to do the same and only rely on credible information, the statement said. The Gaza conflict has displaced most of the territorys 2.3 million people, and there have been chaotic scenes and deadly incidents during aid distributions in recent weeks. Regarding the Kuwait roundabout incident, Mohammed Ghurab, the director of emergency services at a hospital in northern Gaza, said there were direct shots by the occupation forces on people waiting for a food truck. Related: Charity hopes to send second food aid ship to Gaza in next few days An Agence France-Presse journalist on the scene said they saw several bodies and people who had been shot. Aid agencies in recent days have sought to vary the routes for convoys to avoid large numbers of people gathering and potentially stopping the vehicles. The problem is there are very few routes to take and all are very difficult to travel on there have been tanks driving up and down them for months and they are basically just strips of rubble now so people can predict where the trucks are going to be, said an NGO official in Gaza, speaking on condition of anonymity. The UN has warned of famine in Gaza, which Israel has besieged since the start of the war on 7 October after Hamass unprecedented attack. The humanitarian emergency has prompted some countries to diversify aid supply routes, including by aird and sea, as land access to Gaza via Jordan, Israel and Egypt remains limited. On Friday, a Spanish aid ship sailed close to the Gaza coast, a first voyage to test what is hoped will become a maritime corridor from Cyprus. Hamas has presented a renewed Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the US which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners. The office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the new Hamas position was based on unrealistic demands. Mediators, including Qatar, Egypt and the US, had hoped to conclude a deal before Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, which began on Monday. In Jerusalem, authorities have deployed thousands of police around the Old City for Friday prayers. The war was triggered when Hamas launched a surprise attack into southern Israel in October, killing about 1,200, mostly civilians. The militant Islamist organisation seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes about 130 of the captives remain in Gaza and that 32 of them are dead. Israels retaliatory campaign of bombardment and ground operations in Gaza to destroy Hamas has killed at least 31,341 people, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry. With Reuters and Agence France-Presse Las Vegas is among the locations where defence staff have recently stayed in luxury accommodation - B. Tanaka/Corbis Documentary RF Defence chiefs are spending millions of pounds of taxpayers money on stays in luxury hotels around the world, The Telegraph has learnt. Figures released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) show that more than 640 million has been spent by staff on hotels, flights and rail fares in the last five years. Senior officers and civil servants have stayed in luxury hotels and spa resorts in Cape Verde, Las Vegas, New York, Hawaii, Dubai and the Caribbean while working for the Government. The figures, released in Freedom of Information requests obtained by The Telegraph, show that around 300 million has been spent on hotels and a further 350 million on air and rail travel since 2018. The documents, from 2018/19 to 2022/23, reveal that officials have stayed at resorts such as the five-star Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa in Cape Verde, where a two-night stay for one senior officer cost 626. A six-night stay at the luxurious La Verda hotel in Dubai cost just under 5,000, while five nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii, cost the taxpayer 2,742. The documents reveal that officers have also stayed at plush central London accommodation such as the 350-a-night Horse Guards Hotel, the London Marriott County Hall, where rooms cost more than 400 a night, and the St Jamess Hotel and Club, which costs over 320 a night. Cheaper available alternatives nearby include the Victory Services Club and the Union Jack Club, which have double rooms available for service personnel at around 140 a night for a double room. Critics described the MoD's spending on trips, including to cities like Dubai, as 'jaw-dropping' - imageBROKER/Markus Mainka Opulent choices The MoD has faced criticism recently over the quality of service housing. Last year 3,770 housing complaints from service families were made to Pinnacle, which runs the national complaint service centre for the MoD. Darwin Friend, head of research at the TaxPayers Alliance, said: The Ministry of Defence has spent a jaw-dropping amount of taxpayers money. Taxpayers will understand that travel is necessary for some roles in the MoD. However, they wont stand for the opulent choices that have so often been made. Defence bosses need to ditch the luxury travel and seek cheaper alternatives. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: These figures represent a very small proportion of our annual defence budget, with more than 50 billion a year now spent to keep the country safe. Defence employees work around the world to keep the UK safe, and they are sometimes required to travel, including at extremely short notice, and stay in hotels. Expenses are subject to strict controls and staff must prove their stay is necessary and provides value for money. Left to right, William Benavides, Gloria Cabrera, Rosie Castro, Mario Compean from the Committee for Barrio Betterment ticket 1971 across from Elmendorf Lake at CBB headquarters rally (near OLLU) COURTESY/Courtesy photo Sunlight comes into the packed hall at Our Lady of the Lake College (as it was then known) in San An tonio during the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights hearings held Dec. 9-14,1968, to consider civil rights issues concerning Mexican Americans in the five southwestern states. Courtesy / Our Lady of the Lake 05/13/1978 - Moody Park march organized by People United to Fight Police Brutality. Sign reads "FREE the Moody Park 3. Stop Police Terror. Drop Charges Against All. Justice for Joe Torres." HOUCHRON CAPTION (05/14/1978): About 30 persons participate in a Moody Park march organized by People United to Fight Police Brutality. About 150 other persons were in the area Saturday, including members of Brown Berets and La Raza Unida, who called for a peaceful demonstration. HOUCHRON CAPTION (10/25/1998): A group called People United to Fight Police Brutality marches in Moody Park in May 1978. Orie Collins/Houston Chronicle During the civil rights movement, the FBI surveilled the activities of the late, great Rev. Claude Black of San Antonio. His file contained more than 800 pages. So, its not beyond the realm of possibility to suspect that if the federal government monitored a local clergyman involved in social justice, it also surveilled someone like Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers union, whose federal commemorative holiday is later this month. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both show how much U.S. agencies misused their powers to watch, discredit, disrupt and harass civil rights leaders labeled as extremists, communists, socialists, subversives and more. Too little is known about the information the FBI and CIA gathered on Latino civil rights leaders. Its time we learned how these agencies responded to those fighting for the rights of racial and ethnic minorities to gain full access to the ballot box and for fair, just representation. This week, U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio and Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles asked CIA Director William J. Burns and FBI Director Christopher A. Wray to share their records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a letter to Burns and Wray, Castro and Gomez, members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said they were motivated by a profound sense of duty towards ensuring transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil rights and civil liberties in our nations intelligence operations. They cited the agencies disclosure of Black activism, noting their files on Latinos were much less robust. The disclosure needs to be more thorough not just for scholars and historians but the public, to account fully for what federal agencies did against their own civilians, who had every right to question their government and demand better of it. They need to hold their records up to the light. La Raza Unida, a now defunct but legitimate political party successful in running campaigns and electing local officials throughout South Texas, wasnt the only group the federal government targeted. The group was progressive, but federal agencies equally surveilled the far more conservative American G.I. Forum. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the time, federal officials saw civil rights and anti-war activism as somehow connected to the Soviet Union, Chinese and Cuban communists, which is especially rich given former President Donald Trumps relationship to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Castro and Gomez asked for materials spanning a half-century. ELAINE AYALA: A new exhibit explores history of prostitution without judgment During Tuesdays hearing, Castro asked Wray and Burns directly if theyd commit to working with me to improve the historical record and ensure that U.S. intelligence agencies can correct the mistakes of the past with regard to surveillance of Latino civil rights organizations. History will assess their solemn, but affirmative responses. They seemed ready for a PBS documentary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Burns said, Yes. Wray said he would see what we can provide. UFW president emeritus Arturo Rodriguez said the release of records is critical. We always heard and believed that we were being watched, because of what was happening to Martin Luther King, the San Antonian said. Rodriguez said similar tactics continue among the powerful, attempting to taint the credibility of those who challenge them. The union tried not to be paranoid. Nor did its leaders focus on suspected spying. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We had to do our work, he said. We knew we werent doing anything wrong. Longtime civil rights activist Rosie Castro said La Raza Unida leaders believed government agents were monitoring them. Castro is the mother of the congressman and his twin brother, Julian, a former San Antonio mayor and Obama Cabinet member now leading the Latino Community Foundation, the nations largest Latino-serving foundation. It was a constant thing at La Raza Unidas office on Gen. McMullen Drive on the citys West Side, she said. But the biggest infiltration was at the partys El Paso convention, which drew the nations top Mexican American civil rights leaders and activists. We know from the Henry B. Gonzalez files that the police were taking pictures locally, too, she said. We just kept on doing what we needed to do, she said, recalling the harassment they experienced, including calls to their homes in the middle of the night and threatening letters. The latter were composed with letters cut out of magazines, she said. Releasing the records will fill out the historical record, providing a fuller picture that then can be shared with current and future generations, she said. New data gleaned from within and outside government agencies will give scholars a chance to study, write and rectify the nations history books and official texts. Kids will be able to look at the history of the struggles for Latinos and, in Texas, for Mexican Americans, and realize what it took to get the right to vote, she said. Theyll learn what it was like when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo wasnt adhered to and when their grandparents were subjected to punishment when they spoke Spanish, she said. Hopefully, the release of government surveillance data will help the cause of Native and Asian American activists, she said. Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, prime minister of Mongolia, in his office in the capital Ulaanbaatar - SIMON TOWNSLEY Britain can help break Chinas stranglehold on one of the largest sources for rare earth materials in the world by setting up an air route out of Mongolia, the countrys prime minister has said. Rare earths, which are materials used to power drones, electric vehicles and quantum computers, will be the crude oil of the 21st century, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai told The Telegraph. Western powers are in a race against China, which extracts and refines the majority of rare earths, to secure as much of the precious materials for their own industries. Mongolia sits between Russia and China but its Harvard-educated, reformist prime minister is keen to develop alliances with the West. Last year, he signed an Open Skies agreement with the US to foster trade. In order to ship its extensive deposits of rare earths, copper and uranium abroad, Mongolia relies on neighbouring China for access to the port of Tianjin. The prime minister said Britain, with which Mongolia feels a kinship because both of our countries have a history of having empires, could benefit from access to the materials by establishing flight routes in and out of the country. We are in the process of studying... what transportation will be used to export those commodities to other countries and also we are looking for possibilities to use air transportation to export critical minerals, said Mr Oyun-Erdene. There are also ways to transport those minerals to the UK, maybe through China [by sea] or maybe through air transportation. We are ready to discuss with major countries, including the United Kingdom, on this issue and further cooperation on how we can transport those minerals. Coal miners in a shaft elevator as they wait to descend underground at a coal mine in Ordos - VCG Rare earth elements are used in an array of technologies to generate cleaner, renewable energy, including wind turbine magnets and solar cells. They lie at the heart of the transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy and will be vital in fighting climate change. I believe that critical minerals will be the crude oil of the 21st century, said Mr Oyun-Erdene, in an interview at his office in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Critical minerals, including copper, will be the most important commodity in the future, he said. Mongolia is seen by democratic nations as a potential ally in the struggle for control of the trade. But the nations geography sandwiched between authoritarian Russia and China, which are both on a diplomatic and military collision course with the West puts it in a delicate position. Its economy is dependent on oil and gas imports from Russia, while Beijing buys more than 90 per cent of its exports, including copper, minerals, coal and cashmere. We are focusing on having many more pillars in our economy and lessening our dependence on trade, energy and fuel on our two neighbours. In this context we have been cooperating with our western partners, like the United Kingdom, United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea, said Mr Oyun-Erdene. Forced to pick sides But he added that Mongolia did not want to be forced to pick sides wholly, comparing the countrys position in a possible new Cold War to that of a child that gets stuck between the parents when they decide to divorce. Talks are already underway with the British Government to arrange an official visit to London, when cooperation on critical minerals and potential transport assistance of exports would be raised, he said. The prime minister held similar talks with the US government last year, when he met with Kamala Harris, the vice president, and Lloyd Austin, the defence secretary. The two countries brokered an Open Skies agreement, aimed at boosting direct trade. The UK has already shown deep interest in cooperating with Ulaanbaatar on developing its critical minerals mining sector and bolstering supply chains. In October, Nusrat Ghani, the industry minister, visited Mongolia to explore opportunities in surveying and extraction, meeting with senior government officials and with British-Australian multinational Rio Tinto. The worlds second-largest mining company has invested almost $16 billion (12.5 billion) in partnership with Mongolias government to develop the Oyu Tolgoi mine in the south Gobi Desert. Demand for critical minerals including rare earth elements, lithium and cobalt is expected to surge by as much as 600 per cent over the coming decade, while demand for copper is forecast to double to about 50 million tonnes annually by 2035, reported the Financial Times last year. Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine in the south Gobi desert in Mongolia - Paula Bronstein/GETTY IMAGES Such a dramatic surge promises an economic boom for the country of 3.4 million people, which only emerged from a one-party socialist system in the 1990s. Its government hopes to tap into its natural resources to halve the national poverty rate to 15 per cent by 2030. But despite sitting on a sea of valuable commodities and vast land mass more than six times the size of the UK, Mongolia is in danger of being hamstrung by geopolitical events beyond its control. Its dependence on Russia for about 30 per cent of its imports, including all its petroleum products, has made it vulnerable to economic shocks and coercion a risk that has escalated since the start of the Ukraine war. The democratically elected government faces a tricky balance to maintain cordial ties with Beijing and Moscow while diversifying its economy and pivoting towards other regional and western democracies. Countrys isolated location The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and looming flashpoints over the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan had led the world to a very frightening moment where Mongolians no longer felt buffered by the countrys isolated location and historically nomadic lifestyle, he said. The potential impact of consequential elections this year added to a sense of uncertainty. The United Nations and the international community must be swift to call on all nations around the world to resolve these kinds of conflicts through diplomacy, peace talks and negotiations, he said, urging major powers to pull together to tackle global problems like climate change. On Ukraine especially, the US, China, India, the UK must engage closer and make a bold step to find a solution for a ceasefire, said Mr Oyun-Erdene. I fear if the world gets used to this kind of situation where we have ongoing war and we dont have peace, that this will catalyse the possibility for future wars. An estimated 1.9 million people were thought to be suffering from long Covid at the last estimate - SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET Long Covid is no different from the after-effects of viruses like flu and people should stop using the term, health experts have warned. The chief health officer of Queensland, Australia, said it was wrong to imply there was something unique about symptoms suffered by people following a bout of coronavirus. Instead, sufferers are simply experiencing the normal effects of recovering from a virus, which can include fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath known as post-viral syndrome. The comments follow new research by Queenslands public health department, which studied more than 5,000 people suffering Covid-like symptoms between May and June 2022. Analysis found no evidence that Covid-19 positive adults were more likely to have symptoms a year after their diagnosis when compared to symptomatic adults who were negative for Covid-19. When the results were compared with nearly 1,000 people who had flu, the numbers reporting issues were similar (3 per cent vs 3.4 per cent). Dr John Gerrard, Queenslands chief health officer, said: In health systems with highly vaccinated populations, long Covid may have appeared to be a distinct and severe illness because of high volumes of Covid-19 cases during the pandemic. However, we found that the rates of ongoing symptoms and functional impairment are indistinguishable from other post-viral illnesses. We believe it is time to stop using terms like long Covid. They wrongly imply there is something unique and exceptional about longer-term symptoms associated with this virus. Fear-evoking terminology Dr Gerrard added: This terminology can cause unnecessary fear, and in some cases, hyper vigilance to longer symptoms that can impede recovery. At the last estimate by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), about 1.9 million people were thought to be suffering symptoms of long Covid in Britain, around 3 per cent of the population. Symptoms are nebulous, and can include fever, headache, muscle ache, weakness/tiredness, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and loss of smell. The ONS has pointed out that such conditions are experienced regularly within the general population. They are also common after viruses, and may be caused when the immune system fails to dial down after an infection leading to ongoing inflammation. Research published last month by Imperial College found that people who suffered a previous infection had long-term mental deficits which equated roughly to a three-point fall in IQ. The effect was mostly seen in those infected by the original virus or alpha variant, rather than omicron, suggesting that vaccination may have helped protect against post-Covid symptoms. The new study was carried out during the Omicron wave when large numbers of the Queensland population had already been vaccinated, and the authors said that it was unclear if the results would still hold in an unvaccinated population. Commenting on the research Dr Aimee Hanson, a senior research associate, at the University of Bristol, said: Long-term symptoms following Covid-19 are likely driven by similar processes to those at play in other post-viral syndromes. The Covid-19 pandemic has provided a rare opportunity to study Sars-CoV-2 infection and its consequences in intense detail, but this collective research may inform treatment strategies to prevent or lessen the severity of symptoms that linger for months to years following viral infection more broadly. Personal and economic impact Dr Janet Scott, a clinical lecturer in infectious diseases, at the University of Glasgow, added: Many infections cause post infection syndromes, and it may be that long Covid is indeed not markedly different from other post-respiratory virus syndromes. It is important however not to minimise the huge personal and economic impact the long Covid has on individuals. The big difference with long Covid is the sheer number of people infected with the same virus in a short space of time. The research will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona, Spain. It came as the chairman of the Covid Inquiry insisted she is not acting on assumptions amid accusations she was failing to examine the costs of lockdowns. In her closing remarks at the Welsh phase of the Inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett said that the message doesnt seem to be getting through that she had not reached any conclusions yet. Lady Hallett is under pressure to reassure critics of lockdown that she is examining the costs of national shutdowns and has not already decided they were necessary or should have been implemented sooner. Her comments came after The Telegraph revealed on Wednesday that a group of leading scientists said the inquiry was fundamentally biased and was not examining the costs of national shutdowns. Sadiq Khan, Superintendent Sean Lynch, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (left to right) at August's launch of a mobile phone robbery intervention initiative in west London - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire The crime office run by Sadiq Khan has been reprimanded over a data breach in which hundreds of peoples complaints about the Metropolitan Police and reports to the Victims Commissioner were accidentally made public. Nearly 400 people have been notified that a trove of highly personal information - including their names, ages and reasons for getting in touch - could have been seen on the internet after the completely avoidable incident. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) said the error had the potential to jeopardise public confidence in the criminal justice system and formally reprimanded the Mayors Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). The blunder occurred in November 2022, when a member of staff at the Greater London Authority, which runs a website for the Mayor and London Assembly, attempted to give four people at MOPAC - the GLA body responsible for oversight of the Met Police - access to information shared through two online forms. One was used to lodge complaints about the Met and a second to contact the Victims Commissioner for London. Instead, they accidentally made the data available to everyone. It meant that, with the click of a button, ordinary users could see everything that had been submitted via the forms, including the names and addresses of complainants and the reasons they had complained. While it was a member of the GLAs staff who made the error, the ICO determined that MOPAC should be reprimanded because the GLA processes data on MOPACs behalf. In its report, the ICO said MOPAC had been unable to evidence that there was any specific training to the members of GLA staff around granting permissions on webforms. It added: Further to this, there was no policy in place at the time of the incident on how permissions should be granted at either MOPAC or GLA. MOPAC was alerted to the incident in February 2023 by a member of the public. No evidence data was accessed Some 394 people were notified that their personal information had been made publicly available. However, the ICO said there was no evidence that the data had been accessed. Anthony Luhman, director at the ICO, said: People used these forms for two reasons to complain about the Metropolitan Police, or to contact the Victims Commissioner for London about the way they had been treated. This means highly personal and sensitive information could have been seen publicly. This was a completely avoidable error that had the potential to jeopardise public confidence in the criminal justice system. I am satisfied this was an honest mistake and Im pleased by the remedial steps taken by MOPAC since the breach, which include providing additional staff training to prevent any repeat incidents. However, it is important that public bodies learn from this incident. The public should be able to trust that their sensitive data will be treated with the utmost care, particularly when it comes to crime. Claire Waxman OBE was appointed London's Victims' Commissioner by Sadiq Khan in 2017 - Geoff Pugh/Geoff Pugh The forms had different purposes. One allowed people to voice concerns about how the Met had handled their complaints. The other enabled users to contact the London Victims Commissioner, Claire Waxman, who was appointed by Mr Khan in 2017 to stand up for survivors of crime across the capital. Susan Hall, the Tory candidate for London Mayor, said: Since Sadiq Khan has abdicated his responsibilities on crime, its no surprise hes dropped the ball on data protection rules like this. Its a shambles and once again shows that London needs a Mayor who will listen to people and focus on the job. The Mayor has been approached for comment. Denis Nikitin, a notorious fighter, spoke to The Telegraph from a secret location Ukraines Russian units said they are the only remaining opposition to Vladimir Putin as they pleaded with the West for military support in interviews as they conducted a daring raid. Speaking from Russian soil and operations rooms during the biggest cross-border raid since the war began, commanding officers said they were attacking Russia to resist the presidents perverted vision of the world. Three Ukrainian units made up of Russian citizens Freedom of Russia Legion (LSR), the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and the Siberian Battalion began an operation into the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia on Tuesday. It was launched to coincide with Russias elections, with polls open from Friday until Sunday. It is part of a multi-pronged attack that includes Ukrainian drones shutting down three oil refineries deep within Russian territory. Speaking from somewhere near Tyotkino, Aleksey Baranovsky, a former lawyer and political dissident who is now an LSR fighter, said they were seeking to interrupt the election and show there are still people willing to oppose dictator Putin. We are sending a message to those inside Russia, who are demoralised and lost since [Alexei] Navalnys murder, that we are still here, willing to fight the regime, he said. We also want to show Western governments and people, like those in the UK, that we are fighting the regime, the election is not legal and that, of course Putin will win, but he is not a legitimate leader, he added. Baranovsky urged the West to support their resistance movement at least behind closed doors. Wearing a combat helmet and doused in red light, which is used for night vision on the battlefield to conserve stealth, Denis Nikitin, founder of the RDK and a notorious extremist, spoke over a secure line from another secret location. Denis Nikitin, who also goes by the callsign Rex after his white nationalist clothing brand, says armed resistance is the only language Putin understands Nikitin said: If the West wants to win this war, they should help us the only real opposition to Putin is us, Russian citizens who took up arms and are fighting. Nikitin also goes by the surname Kapustin and the callsign Rex, after his white nationalist clothing brand, White Rex. People in the West should ask themselves do they want to actually stop Putin or do they want to just pretend theyre helping? he added. European aid, Nikitin said, would allow his unit to become more effective, but they would continue to carry out cross-border operations without it. The LSR claims to have taken control of the Kursk settlement of Tyotkino, while all units have urged civilians to evacuate and Russian soldiers to surrender. A humanitarian corridor came into force on Thursday night to allow civilians to leave the area. Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraines military intelligence, said on Thursday evening that Kursk and Belgorod are now areas of active combat actions, but Moscow said on Friday that it had repelled all attempts by pro-Ukrainian fighters to capture territory. High-profile opposition leader Navalny died suddenly at a penal colony last month where he was serving a 30-year sentence. His family, allies and Western leaders have blamed Putin for his death. Navalnys widow Yulia Navalnaya has urged Western countries not to recognise Putin as the legitimate leader of Russia following the elections. Repeated torture Nikitin, who said his unit is working separately to the other two units but to largely the same goals, said he did not agree with Navalnys political style and that his peaceful methods were not effective. [Navalny] didnt achieve anything, he just died after repeated torture in prison. The only language Putin understands is armed resistance, he said. The RDK was recently added to Russias list of terrorist organisations and Nikitin was sentenced in absentia to life in prison in November, local media reported. Born in Russia, the former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter lived in Germany as a teenager. He moved to Ukraine in 2017, where he organised fight clubs, and was served a 10-year ban from Europes Schengen zone in 2019 for his ties to white nationalists and neo-Nazis. The Siberian Battalion, the most recent unit established for Russian nationals in Ukraine, is primarily for ethnic minorities from Siberia, including Buryats, Yakuts and Tuvans. It is their first operation and it is not clear how closely they work with the RDK. The current cross-border operation follows similar incursions in spring and summer last year, which sought to put pressure on Russia by highlighting that its national territory was poorly protected. Security service arrests Moscow said on Friday it had detained a man for allegedly trying to disrupt Russian air defence systems and a woman accused of preparing to attack railway infrastructure near Ukraine. The FSB security service announced the arrests of the Russian citizens as voting began in presidential elections set to extend Vladimir Putins long rule. The FSB said it had detained a man in Moscow for carrying out tasks aimed at countering Russian air defence systems. It said it opened an investigation into high treason, a charge that can carry up to life in prison. Fighters said that Russian forces were more prepared for them this time, having built defensive lines with trenches, but also that their units now had more men. The previous operations were like a big publicity stunt, said Baranovsky, and were followed by a wave of sign ups. Militarily, the incursion is intended to draw Russian resources away from occupied Ukraine, with the Ukrainian military exhausted and suffering from a shortage of soldiers and ammunition. If Ukraine loses the war the whole of Western civilisation loses as well and in five months, or five years, you will have to fight Putin yourselves, said Nikitin. Now [the West] can help us and keep Putin at bay we will do the dirty work, he added. Palestinians carry supplies near the border of Egypt. Approval by both the Israeli and Egyptian authorities must be obtained to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Palestinians fleeing Gaza with valid Australian visas only for them to be cancelled mid-flight or at airports have been described as collateral damage for the federal governments failures. One charity group helping Palestinians to leave the war zone, the Palestine Australia Relief and Action (Para) group, said it has already had to cancel or postpone the upcoming flights of at least 70 people, including sick and elderly, and is frustrated by the lack of clarity. Rasha Abbas, Paras executive director, also holds grave concerns for one 23-year-old man, who remains stuck in an airport in Istanbul after his visa was cancelled while he was en route to Australia. He cannot return to Egypt or leave the airport in Turkey without a valid visa. Abbas said the Albanese government must act urgently to rescue the man, who has serious health issues, before it becomes an international headline thats so embarrassing for Australia. The Albanese government began suspending visas this week to investigate how some visa-holders were able to leave without explanation. Palestinians must be approved by both the Israeli and Egyptian authorities to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Related: The crisis in Gaza is a diplomatic test for Australia. We must do better as a country | David Pocock About 1.5 million people are believed to be in the southern Gazan city after being displaced by Israeli forces as it began air and ground assaults in the territorys north. The bottleneck of Palestinians who hope to leave the besieged territory has resulted in some paying unofficial brokers to make the journey. It is understood those who have resorted to such services have raised flags with the Australian authorities. A spokesperson for the home affairs minister, Clare ONeil, told Guardian Australia on Friday it made no apology for doing everything necessary to maintain our national security. If people make it out of Gaza without explanation, or their circumstances change in any meaningful way, we will take the time to understand those changes before proceeding, the spokesperson said. But Palestinians stuck in the region have become increasingly desperate as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to move forward with his ground invasion of Rafah. Mohammed Almassris sister-in-law used brokers to get her four children into Egypt from Gaza, where they have been stuck for a month. The 43-year-old from Punchbowl, New South Wales, said he had urged his sister-in-law to fly to Australia as soon as possible after seeing the news of visas being cancelled in recent days. They bought flights and checked their visas were still active before leaving for the airport on Wednesday. At the airport, they were told their visas were no longer valid. They cant go back to Gaza, and they cant leave Egypt. They have to wait in Cairo until we see how the situation is going. We dont know what is happening. It really is very depressing, he said. They are heartbroken because they are waiting a long time, they started dreaming they would come here, start new lives, new future and suddenly, nothing. We are Australian citizens. We are safe here and everyday we lose people in Palestine. Why, if you want to cancel the visas, why do you give it to them from the beginning? Dont give them visas and cancel them, this will make more depression. The department said its reason for cancelling the visa on Wednesday was that they never intended a genuine stay temporarily in Australia. Abbas said she has been trying to get clarity from the ministers office for days but her attempts so far had been met with silence. She described the series of events as a process failure and the Palestinian families affected as collateral damage. Related: Australia to investigate how Palestinians crossed Gaza border after government suspends visas I have a mum and dad in their late 60s that had an accident once they left the Rafah border, and they had to be hospitalised and the daughter is so upset, she said. I had them booked on the 21st [of March] and another three with massive health issues and trauma on the 21st as well. I have had to cancel all those flights. Abbas said with no consular support on the ground in Rafah, those with valid visas trying to leave had few options available. The best thing the government can do if it wants to control the process is provide consular support, she said. You have issued the visas, you understand that they are immediate and close relatives of Australian citizens. Support their exit. More than 2,000 visas have been issued to Palestinians since the conflict began in October last year but fewer than 400 have arrived in Australia in that period. A Guardian investigation earlier this year revealed brokers are making thousands of dollars in fees from desperate Palestinians who are trying to exit the territory through the Egyptian border crossing in Rafah. Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza near the White House in Washington on 16 October 2023. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters More than a dozen prominent authors and literary figures have withdrawn from PEN Americas flagship World Voices Festival in protest of what they see as an inadequate response by the organization to the genocide being committed against Palestinians by Israel in Gaza. The group of writers, which includes Naomi Klein, Michelle Alexander, Hisham Matar, Isabella Hammad and Zaina Arafat, sent a letter to PEN America asserting it had betrayed the organizations professed commitment to peace and equality for all, and to freedom and security for writers everywhere by failing to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. The protest, first reported Thursday by Literary Hub, is the latest broadside directed at the literary freedom advocacy organization following a series of high-profile resignations and other denouncements in recent weeks. Related: Biden says Schumer made good speech in breaking with Benjamin Netanyahu In January, authors Angela Flournoy, a national book prize finalist, and Kathleen Alcott, winner of the O Henry prize, withdrew from a PEN new year event in Los Angeles to oppose the organizations sponsorship of a separate gathering featuring Mayim Bialik, an author, actress and vocal supporter of Israels military action. Last month, hundreds of writers including Roxane Gay, Maaza Mengiste and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah wrote to PEN condemning what they called its silence over Palestinian journalists, writers, and poets murdered by Israel outside of press releases buried on its website. Literary Hub says that open letter has now surpassed 1,300 signatories. In the latest missive, the 16 authors say their decision to pull out of the festival, scheduled to take place in New York from 8-11 May, follows PENs failure to support human rights organizations and the United Nations security council in demanding a Gaza ceasefire. Palestines poets, scholars, novelists and journalists and essayists have risked everything, including their lives and the lives of their families, to share their words with the world, the letter states. Yet PEN America appears unwilling to stand with them firmly against the powers that have oppressed and dispossessed them for the last 75 years. An unrelenting genocidal campaign is currently being waged against Palestinians in Gaza, a horror that has been filmed daily and streamed live around the world. We hope that our decision not to participate will add to existing efforts to yield concrete and lasting change at a time that calls for moral courage from us all. Klein, author of several award winning books about social and climate justice, expanded on her reasoning in a separate post on X, formerly Twitter. 5 months ago, PEN America asked me to be an honourary co-chair of this years World Voices Festival. I was honoured. Then I watched what PEN did and failed to do about Gaza. The letter, which is also signed by members of the Worker Writers School, concludes by acknowledging PEN America can be open to criticism and has responded by adding new pages to its website and issuing new statements, developments the authors say are welcome but still not enough. In a statement supplied to the Guardian, Suzanne Trimel, PEN Americas senior adviser for communications and media, said the organization respected the writers decision. PEN America is devoted to free speech and the role of writers. We are anguished at the grave and intensifying crisis in Gaza and its effect on Palestinian civilians and the hostages. We stand with the poets, authors, scholars and writers whose lives and wellbeing have been devastated by this war, the statement said. We are all aghast witnessing the brutal toll of human suffering. But beyond that, there are divergent views on questions of deep consequence. For some, referencing nuance is moral betrayal. For others, failure to do so is unconscionable. We face the challenge of applying our mission and principles in this moment, and hear from stakeholders who interpret them in sharply different ways. The statement continued: When it comes to participation in the World Voices Festival, writing is an act of conscience, and we respect writers following their own. We invited these writers to participate in the Festival because we think their voices matter; we appreciate their speaking out and plan to respond. Brosnan stands on the snow covered Mammoth Springs which are out of bounds - Tourons of Yellowstone/Instagram Pierce Brosnan has been forced to pay over $1,500 (1,175) after he pleaded guilty to hiking in a closed off part of Yellowstone National Park. The ex-James Bond star was caught after posting pictures of himself at the out-of-bounds thermal springs to his Instagram page, according to court records. A photo of Brosnan in the national park later surfaced on an Instagram account mocking Yellowstones tourons (tourist morons). It appeared to show Brosnan in sunglasses and a wide brim hat posing on the snowy ground by the thermal area. Brosnan, 70, admitted during a court hearing on Thursday to breaking the parks rules and stepping off a trail near the Mammoth Terraces geothermal hot springs during a visit in November. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. Pierce Brosnan in Montana - Instagram As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world, Brosnan said in an Instagram post. However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a no trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. The actor called in to the hearing in Mammoth, Wyoming, where Magistrate Stephanie Hambrick accepted his plea and fined him $500 and ordered to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever - a nonprofit organisation that supports the park by April 1. Prosecutors had recommended a $5,000 fine and a two-year probationary sentence. A second misdemeanour, for disregarding closure signs, was dismissed by Ms Hambrick. Prosecutors take violations in Yellowstone seriously due to the dangers, with violations punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. While the hot springs make for beautiful photos, there are risks of burns from where acid rising from the ground can reach boiling temperatures. Yellowstone's Mammoth Springs - Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group/Getty Images The hot springs at Yellowstone can be dangerous - ISTOCKPHOTO Mammoth Terraces is one of the parks hundreds of thermal features, which vary from spouting geysers to gurgling mud pots, and water soaring up to 79.4C. Brosnan, who starred as Bond in four of the franchises films, had been living in the area while filming a new movie at the time of the offence. The US Attorneys Office for Wyoming said he was in the park on a personal visit and not for film work. New research from Queensland Health found no evidence that those who had Covid-19 were more likely to have functional limitations a year on compared with those who had the flu. Photograph: Glenn Hunt/Getty Images Long Covid may be no different from other post-viral syndromes such as those experienced after flu, according to new research from Queensland Health. The lead author of the study, the states chief health officer Dr John Gerrard, said it was time to stop using terms like long Covid because they imply there is something unique about the longer-term symptoms associated with the virus, and in some cases create hypervigilance. There are different definitions of long Covid but the World Health Organization defines post-Covid or long Covid as occurring in people still experiencing symptoms three months after their initial Covid-19 infection, when those symptoms cant be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Related: Long flu: study finds flu patients at higher risk of longer-term illness The study surveyed 5,112 adults who had symptoms of a respiratory illness and underwent PCR testing between May and June 2022. Of those, 2,399 were positive for Covid-19, 995 positive for influenza and 1,718 negative for both. A year after their PCR test, participants were asked about ongoing symptoms and impairment using a questionnaire delivered by SMS link. Overall, 16% reported ongoing symptoms a year later, and 3.6% reported moderate-to-severe impairment in their daily activities. The results of the study, which Gerrard will present next month at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona, found no evidence that those who had Covid-19 were more likely to have functional limitations a year on compared with those who did not have Covid-19 (3.0% v 4.1%). The 3% of the study participants who had ongoing impairments after Covid-19 infection was similar to the 3.4% with ongoing impairments after influenza. The study also looked at specific symptoms in the patients who had moderate to severe impairment, and found in both patients who were Covid positive and negative, the same percentage (94%) reported one or more of the commonly reported symptoms of long Covid: fatigue, post exertional symptom exacerbation, brain fog and changes to taste and smell. Related: Australian government knew obscure retailer had no PPE experience before paying $100m for unusable Covid masks Gerrard said long Covid may have appeared to be a distinct and severe illness because of the high number of people infected with Covid-19 within a short period of time, rather than the severity of long Covid symptoms. We believe it is time to stop using terms like long Covid. They wrongly imply there is something unique and exceptional about longer-term symptoms associated with this virus. This terminology can cause unnecessary fear, and in some cases, hypervigilance to longer symptoms that can impede recovery. In a press conference on Friday, Gerrard said: I want to make it clear that the symptoms that some patients described after having Covid-19 are real, and we believe they are real. What we are saying is that the incidence of these symptoms is no greater in Covid-19 than it is with other respiratory viruses, and that to use this term long Covid is misleading and I believe harmful. The researchers acknowledged the findings are associations and do not represent prevalence, and acknowledged limitations in that participants who attended hospital or had pre-existing illness were not identifiable. They also said because 90% of people in Queensland were vaccinated when Omicron emerged, the lower severity of long Covid could be due to vaccination and the variant. Prof Philip Britton, a paediatric infectious diseases physician from the University of Sydney and a member of the Long Covid Australia Collaboration, welcomed the study given the lack of published research from Australia in this area. However, Britton said the studys conclusion that it was time to stop using terms such as long Covid was overstated and potentially unhelpful. Long Covid has been a global phenomenon, recognised by WHO. Prof Jeremy Nicholson, the director of the Australian National Phenome Centre at Murdoch University, said the question of whether long Covid is unique cannot be simply answered in this work. The study is observational, based on reported symptoms with no physiological or detailed functional follow-up data. Without laboratory pathophysiological assessment of individual patients, it is impossible to say that this is indistinguishable from flu-related or any other post-viral syndrome, Nicholson said. Bitcoin's rally appears to have run out of steam. (ABACAPRESS, Abaca Press) Bitcoin fell by almost 8% after a red-hot rally in digital assets. Prices could fall further even as traders continue to be bullish on the outlook for cryptos in the months ahead. The cryptocurrency is now trading at around $66,977, down 8.2% on the day. The token set a fresh all-time peak of almost $73,798 a day earlier. City Index analyst Matt Simpson said: "Bitcoin has an established history of getting volatile and ruthless after hitting a record high. And not only did it recently hit a record high, but it looks like the Federal Reserve wont be as dovish as traders had hoped." Vodafone has confirmed the sale of its Italian business to Swisscom for 8bn (6.8bn), weeks after rejecting an approach by French billionaire Xavier Niel. The British telecoms giant also announced a 4bn (3.4bn) share buyback plan. On Friday, the London-listed company said the move represented an attractive valuation and marked the final step of its strategy to sell off parts of its European portfolio. Read more: FTSE 100 LIVE: London rises and European stocks mixed amid mixed US economic figures Swisscom will pay 100% cash in a move which will be fully debt-financed. As part of the transaction, the two firms have agreed that Vodafone will continue to provide certain services to Swisscom over the next five years. UK competition regulators on Friday said they were taking an initial look into Barratt's 2.52bn takeover of homebuilding rival Redrow (RDW.L). The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has not yet launched a formal investigation, is seeking initial views on the impact that the deal could have on competition in the UK. Interested parties have until April 2 to submit their views before the regulator begins the next phase of its inquiry. Read more: Lesser-known ways to save money on property Barratt agreed to buy Redrow in early February to capitalise on a fledgling recovery in the housing market and cement its position as one of the largest homebuilders in the UK. Adobe (ADBE) Adobe reported fiscal first quarter results that topped Wall Street estimates on both the top and bottom lines but shares plunged as much as 11% in extended trading as it came up slightly short on quarterly revenue guidance. Adobes revenue grew 11% year over year in the quarter, which ended 1 March. Net income decreased to $620m, or $1.36 per share, from $1.25bn, or $2.71 per share, in the same quarter a year ago. The software company reported adjusted earnings per share of $4.48 compared to estimates of $4.38. Revenue of $5.18bn barely topped the $5.14bn expectation. The company also announced a $25bn stock buyback programme. Watch:Where AI fits into Adobe's outlook Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Thomas Brown lied about his age in order to join the Navy, and bravely helped to recover Nazi codebooks A teenage cook whose heroics onboard a warship helped shorten the Second World War has been honoured in his home town after a public vote. The regenerated centre of North Shields, North Tyneside, has been named after Thomas Brown, who was awarded the George Medal for helping to retrieve codebooks from a sinking German U-boat in October 1942. The books were later used to crack the Enigma code by experts at Bletchley Park, enabling the British to decipher Nazi messages. Two naval men died while searching the stricken submarine but Thomas, a 15-year-old civilian who lied about his age to work in the canteen on HMS Petard, survived and managed to save the books from the sea. Locals voted to name the new town square in North Shields after Thomas Brown More than 30 family members were present on Friday to see the unveiling of a 6ft 6in granite memorial to the local hero. Andrew Miller, Thomass nephew, explained how the boy ran away to sea after lying about his age. He said: Thomas was not meant to be there on that day. He was never in the Navy. He was a civilian who worked on board HMS Petard in the canteen service. Whats more, when he signed up he lied about his age, hed only just turned 15. He took a big risk to help retrieve the codebooks Mr Miller said Thomas had a tough upbringing and learnt to swim when his father and brothers threw him in the Tyne. He said: At that moment when he jumped from the Petard into the water, we dont know if hed asked permission or if he was supposed to be accompanying the two naval men. The two other men went under the water into the submarine and he stayed above water. They passed the books up to him, making three trips to the surface. The submarine was sinking. It went down with the two men inside. The papers had to stay dry and Thomas managed to protect them. He got them back on board the HMS Petard so they could go on to Bletchley Park where they were used to crack the naval Enigma code. We dont know why Thomas took such a big risk. But when youre 15 you dont think anythings going to happen to you. The codebooks recovered by Thomas were sent to Bletchley Park, accelerating the effort to bring the Second World War to an end - Science Museum Photo Studio/Getty Images Contributor Thomas was awarded the George Medal in 1945 but died in a house fire before he could receive the honour. Lynn Melville, his niece, said at the unveiling: When it came to the naming of the town square, for us Thomas was the only choice, and we were confident but relieved that the vote was his. Lots of people in North Shields still dont know his story, and we want to change that. The family has pieced together Thomass story, which had been subject to the Official Secrets Act for 50 years until 1992. Dame Norma Redfearn, North Tynesides elected mayor, said Thomas Brown was the clear winner of the public vote. She said: He was a young lad whose heroic actions helped shorten the Second World War. We cant say for sure how many lives he saved by that moment of bravery, it could be many thousands. WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 14: Eva Longoria accepts the Courage and Civility Award on stage during the 2024 Bezos Courage and Civility Awards on March 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bezos Courage and Civility Awards) Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bezos Courage a WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 14: (L-R) Jeff Bezos, Laura SAnchez, Cris Abrego and Eva Longoria attend the 2024 Bezos Courage and Civility Awards on March 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bezos Courage and Civility Awards) Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Bezos Courage a Actress Eva Longoria and former University of Texas Chancellor Adm. Bill McRaven each received $50 million Thursday as recipients of this year's Bezos Courage & Civility Award. The money from business mogul Jeff Bezos and his fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, will go toward charities of the winners' choosing. The award was established in 2021 to honor leaders finding solutions to difficult problems society is facing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As founder of the Eva Longoria Foundation and co-founder of the Latino Victory Fund, the beloved San Antonian whose birthday is today was honored for her work across many organizations to empower the Latino community. The Eva Longoria Foundation provides education and mentorship resources for Latina students, and the Latino Victory Fund works toward representation of Latinos in politics. A retired four-star admiral, McRaven led special operations forces responsible for missions including the killing of Osama bin Laden. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "McRaven's public statements in support of our democracy, and his personal work in support of veterans, and the children of fallen soldiers continue to have lasting impact," Bezos and Sanchez said in a release. Taylor: renowned for his well-crafted sermons, pastoral skills and sense of fun The Very Rev Charles Taylor, who has died aged 70, was an Anglican priest loved for his humility, humanity and humour as well as for his energy, gregariousness and sense of fun. He was a renowned preacher of well-crafted sermons, a liturgist and theologian, and a kind pastor to his congregations. Although he served as Precentor at Lichfield Cathedral for 12 years and as Dean of Peterborough from 2007 to 2016, he remained at heart a parish priest. Charles William Taylor was born into a clergy family on March 16 1953. His father, the Rev Prebendary John Taylor, was a parish priest and his mother, Marjorie, a teacher in schools and Sunday schools. Charles was head chorister at St Pauls Cathedral and sang atthe funeral of Sir Winston Churchills funeral and the memorial service for President Kennedy. With his contemporary and life-long friend, James Lancelot, later director of Music at Durham Cathedral, he learnt the rudiments of organ-playing from Sir John Dykes Bower. Taylor then attended Marlborough College as a music scholar, followed by Selwyn College, Cambridge, as a choral scholar, reading Theology under the supervision of the Rev John Sweet and the watchful eye of the Master, the Rev Professor Sir Owen Chadwick. Taylor: gregarious A fondness for Gilbert and Sullivan saw him play Frederic in a production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Minack Theatre, Penzance, before studying for the ministry at Cuddesdon, Oxford, where his tutor, the retired Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey, arranged for him to study for a year at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley. In 1977 Taylor was ordained priest in the Collegiate Church of St Peter in Wolverhampton, where he then served his curacy, supported Wolverhampton Wanderers and developed a talent for mimicry which led to many Aynuk and Ayli (two mythical characters from the Black Country who figure in local jokes) stories in his sermons. In 1979 he was appointed the first Chaplain to the congregation of Westminster Abbey where he helped the Precentor and worked closely with the director of Music, Simon Preston. When in 1983 Taylor married Catherine Beeson, daughter of Trevor Beeson (then Canon of the Abbey and later the Very Rev Trevor Beeson, Dean of Winchester), Preston directed the Abbey choir. From 1984 to 1990 Taylor was Vicar of Stanmore with Olivers Battery, Winchester, and from 1990 to 1995 Rector of Stoneham and Bassett, Southampton, and a tutor in Liturgy at Salisbury and Wells Theological College. Taylor, left, during a visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 2009 In 1995 he was appointed Canon Residentiary and Precentor of Lichfield Cathedral, which led to another productive liturgical and musical partnership with the Dean (later the Bishop of Durham), Tom Wright, and the director of Music, Andrew Lumsden. Taylor saw his mission as Dean of Peterborough to minister to the whole city. In an interview in The Moment, he said the cathedral was not only the symbol of the city one of the top 10 most visited buildings in the UK but the focal point of a community in which more than 40 languages are spoken by people of around 100 nationalities. He spoke of the citys fabulous diversity, and local community and faith leaders enjoyed working closely with him to help regenerate the city and its life. The year 2018 was Peterborough Cathedrals 900th anniversary and his stewardship was directed partly towards marking that fact. Facilities and accessibility were greatly enhanced; new doors were installed at the west front; the mosaic pavement in the Presbytery was beautifully restored and the organ re-pitched. A visitor learning centre was created along with a community music centre. Taylors main focus, however, was always on the people of Peterborough. He often said that faith is not a fixed position, its a commitment to travel, and he included everyone on the voyage of discovery. He and his wife Catherine offered hospitality in the best Anglican cathedral tradition. They did all the catering themselves for what he called Eating for Jesus, some 2,000 visitors a year being entertained at the Deanery. But before the anniversary had taken place, Taylor abruptly retired. Although the cathedral was said to be solvent in the long term, a short-term cash crisis in 2016 had led to a round of lay-offs and necessitated an emergency loan from the Church Commissoners. Charles Taylor at the lectern in Peterborough Cathedral The manner of his departure, however, was a matter of considerable controversy, the MP for Lichfield, Michael Fabricant, stating his view that Taylor had been treated shabbily, and a supporter in Peterborough diocese arguing in a letter to the Telegraph that it was a sad reflection of the Church of England today that those appointed to serve tables by overseeing and auditing Peterborough Cathedral funds have failed in their duty, while the blame is laid at Dean Taylors door. Taylor never complained, but his remarkable farewell sermon made from the cathedral pulpit headed with a quotation from the Book of Revelation: War broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon left hearers in little doubt about his unhappiness. Taylor confessed to feeling as if he had been driven back into the wilderness like a Levitical goat on the Day of Atonement and suggested that behind the controversy was the fact that an inclusive, open and liberal philosophy is not always welcome to those who resent the independence of cathedrals; who envy their freedom and perceive that they are getting a bit uppity. It certainly does not conform to the ecclesiology (if one can call it that) of those who would like to see power concentrated at the centre in order to impose a bland, uniform theology (if one can call it that) which runs counter to the very essence of Anglican diversity. Taylors father-in-law Trevor Beeson was a much-loved writer of clerical obituaries for The Daily Telegraph, and as his eyesight began to fail in his later years, Taylor often helped in their preparation. He observed in his sermon that the monochrome blandness championed by Church bureaucrats was a total nightmare for those of us who try to supply the national press with interesting ecclesiastical obituaries. Pop your head round the door of the Churchs departure lounge in a few years time and its doubtful whether youll find enough potential column inches in there to buy a bag of chips. Nevertheless, he ended his sermon on a characteristically positive note: And yet, God will be loved, whatever it will cost Surely, the Lord is in this place, this is the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. The sermon was given a long standing ovation. Granted the title of Dean Emeritus, Taylor and his wife Catherine next supported Salisbury Cathedral through a decanal interregnum where they found some healing and happiness. In early 2018 he was diagnosed with advanced cancer, which he faced with tenacity and courage while, from 2017 to 2022, serving as Chaplain to the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, where he is remembered for his conviviality and saying memorable graces. In retirement in Northumberland, he assisted in rural ministry. In November 2023, though seriously ill, he presided with strength, dignity and clarity at the Requiem Eucharist for Trevor Beeson in Winchester Cathedral. His last act of worship involved him walking through the snow to take the 8am Advent Sunday service in his local parish church in Northumberland. His wife Catherine survives him with their two children, Rachel and Benedict. The Very Rev Charles Taylor, born March 16 1953, died February 21 2024 Children browse the internet on mobile devices. Almost every leading tech firm was mentioned by those interviewed by Ofcom. Photograph: Radius Images/Alamy Violent online content is now unavoidable for children in the UK, with many first exposed to it when they are still in primary school, research from the media watchdog has found. Every single British child interviewed for the Ofcom study had watched violent material on the internet, ranging from videos of local school and street fights shared in group chats, to explicit and extreme graphic violence, including gang-related content. Children were aware that even more extreme material was available in the deeper recesses of the web, but had not sought it out themselves, the report concluded. The findings prompted the NSPCC to accuse tech platforms of sitting back and ignoring their duty of care to young users. Rani Govender, a senior policy officer for child safety online, said: It is deeply concerning that children are telling us that being unintentionally exposed to violent content has become a normal part of their online lives. It is unacceptable that algorithms are continuing to push out harmful content that we know can have devastating mental and emotional consequences for young people. Related: Social media algorithms amplifying misogynistic content The research, conducted by the Family, Kids and Youth agency, is part of Ofcoms preparation for its new responsibilities under the Online Safety Act, passed last year, which handed the regulator the power to crack down on social networks that are failing to protect their users, particularly children. Gill Whitehead, Ofcoms online safety group director, said: Children should not feel that seriously harmful content including material depicting violence or promoting self-injury is an inevitable or unavoidable part of their lives online. Todays research sends a powerful message to tech firms that now is the time to act so theyre ready to meet their child protection duties under new online safety laws. Later this spring, well consult on how we expect the industry to make sure that children can enjoy an age-appropriate, safer online experience. Almost every leading tech firm was mentioned by the children and young people interviewed by Ofcom, but Snapchat and Metas apps Instagram and WhatsApp came up most frequently. Children explained how there were private, often anonymous, accounts existing solely to share violent content most commonly local school and street fights, the report says. Nearly all of the children from this research who had interacted with these accounts reported that they were found on either Instagram or Snapchat. Theres peer pressure to pretend its funny, one 11-year-old girl said. You feel uncomfortable on the inside, but pretend its funny on the outside. Another 12-year-old girl described feeling slightly traumatised after being shown a video of animal cruelty: Everyone was joking about it. Many older children in the research appeared to have become desensitised to the violent content they were encountering. Professionals also expressed particular concern about violent content normalising violence offline, and reported that children tended to laugh and joke about serious violent incidents. On some social networks, the exposure to graphic violence comes from the top. On Thursday, Twitter, now known as X after its purchase by Elon Musk, took down a graphic clip purporting to show sexual mutilation and cannibalism in Haiti after it had gone viral on the social network. The clip had been reposted by Musk himself, who tweeted it at news channel NBC in response to a report by the channel that accused him and other rightwing influencers of spreading unverified claims about the chaos in the country. Other social platforms provide tools to help children avoid violent content, but little assistance. Many children, as young as eight, told the researchers that it was possible to report content they did not want to see, but there was a lack of trust that the system would work. For private chats, they were concerned reporting would mark them out as snitches, leading to embarrassment or punishment from peers, and they did not trust that platforms would impose meaningful consequences for those who posted violent content. The rise of powerful algorithmic timelines, like those of TikTok and Instagram, added an extra twist: there was a shared belief among children that if they spent any time on violent content (for example, while reporting it), they would be more likely to be recommended it. Professionals in the study voiced concern that violent content was affecting childrens mental health. In a separate report released on Thursday, the childrens commissioner for England revealed that more than 250,000 children and young people were waiting for mental health support after being referred to NHS services, meaning one in every 50 children in England is on the waiting list. For the children who accessed support, the average waiting time was 35 days, but in the last year nearly 40,000 children experienced a wait of more than two years. A Snapchat spokesperson said: There is absolutely no place for violent content or threatening behaviour on Snapchat. When we find this type of content, we move quickly to remove it and take appropriate action on the offending account. We have easy-to-use, confidential, in-app reporting tools and work with the police to support their investigations. We support the aims of the Online Safety Act to help protect people from online harms and continue to engage constructively with Ofcom on the acts implementation. Meta has been contacted for comment. X declined to comment. Diogo Santos Coelho: Im just scared of the US system seeking retribution Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian A vulnerable autistic man is pleading with the UK government to block his extradition to the US on cybercrime charges where he faces a 52-year sentence for alleged offending that began when he was a child. Diogo Santos Coelho, who has been assessed as at very high risk of suicide, said he had been groomed and exploited online by adults from the age of 14 into committing the alleged crimes, which relate to the website RaidForums. Coelho is accused of being the administrator of RaidForums, described in court as a marketplace for individuals to buy and sell stolen databases with about 10bn stolen records. Both the US and Portugal have issued extradition requests for the 24-year-old, leaving the decision on which one to pick in the hands of the security minister, Tom Tugendhat, although an appeal against the US request is waiting to be heard. Coelho said: Im just scared of the US system seeking retribution whereas I see the European systems, even the UK and Portugal, as more leaning towards rehabilitating someone and recognising that I was underage, I was exploited by adults. The Home Office believes that [there are reasonable grounds] that was the case. I often stay up all night trying to think: What would happen to me if I go to America? What if I serve a long sentence and come out an old man? I wont have any prospects. It makes me think whats the point of living when Im not going to have any life in prison or if I do make it through the prison sentence and come out. I dont see a life going to America it would just be a waste of my time even trying. The alleged crimes were committed when Coelho was in the UK and Portugal, while the victims are said to be global. Coelho, a Portuguese national, cooperated with the Portuguese authorities from the start and is prepared to face justice there but said he could not imagine spending years in prison in the US without any support. He said his siblings could not afford to visit him there, while his mother is in hospital in London with Huntingtons disease. Coelho, who had an autism diagnosis in 2022 after legal proceedings had begun against him, said he spent all of his time on computers after his Dad bought him a laptop when he was 11, a couple of years after arriving in the UK. He said he had no other interests, did not speak English and was bullied and an outcast. His parents also went through a difficult divorce. Because of that I really didnt have anybody to speak to, I didnt have anyone at school because I barely had any friends and my only outlet was being online, he said. My father didnt supervise me, my parents dont really know anything about computing. His lawyers say he would probably be bailed in Portugal but spend months in pre-trial detention in the US with inadequate mental health provision. A US expert described the use of solitary confinement and restraining turtle suits. The case has similarities with that of Gary McKinnon, who hacked into the Pentagon and fought a decade-long battle against extradition to the US, before Theresa May blocked it on human rights grounds because medical reports said he was at risk of suicide. Coelho is represented by Ben Cooper KC from Doughty Street chambers, who represented McKinnon and Lauri Love, who has Asperger syndrome and whose extradition for hacking US government websites was blocked by the high court. Coelho said: I was very young and impressionable [when the alleged offending took place], Ive just been very naive. Im not trying to run from any sort of justice, Im just trying to have a chance at having an actual life and making things right. The Home Office said it did not comment on individual cases. This computer-generated image shows a satellite being built by Astroscale. The spacecraft has a giant robotic arm to pluck other satellites out of orbit and dispose of space junk Britain is planning to deploy robot binmen to grab space garbage and drag it out of orbit so that it can burn up in Earths atmosphere. This week, Oxfordshire-based Astroscale successfully tested out a robotic arm, which will be attached to its litter-picking spacecraft. The arm, built by Airbus, is designed to grasp the metal rings, which keep satellites attached to rockets during take-off. It is a useful target because all satellites must have one. Removing dead satellites is crucial to prevent space becoming dangerously overcrowded. Nick Shave, the managing director of Astroscale, said: Weve got 10,000 tonnes of debris thats been there since the start of the space age and there is a lot of legacy debris in some very useful orbits. Youve got very big satellites and rocket bodies, and little bits that are left there, that we need to start clearing up because more and more constellations that are providing services to us are having to do collision avoidance manoeuvres. People are also getting worried about going into space, and theres now even a phrase called getting through the Starlink shell because there is essentially a massive shell of satellites that you have to navigate, so were really starting to see a big traffic problem in space. There are currently more than 10,000 satellites orbiting the Earth a four-fold increase since 2019 and numbers are set to grow exponentially in the coming decades. Testing is being carried out on the Astroscale satellite's mechanical arm Some 400,000 satellites have been approved globally for low Earth orbit, with SpaceX alone poised to launch another 44,000 for its Starlink internet constellation. Experts have predicted that once all the planned internet constellations are operational there will be around 16,000 decaying satellites at any one time that will need to come out of orbit. Not only are the dead satellites clogging up valuable orbit space but they risk setting off a major disaster. In 1978, Donald Kessler, a Nasa scientist, predicted that when enough objects are in low Earth orbit, any collision would set off a catastrophic chain reaction that would send wreckage into the path of other satellites, breaking them apart and releasing more debris. It is known as Kessler Syndrome and the subsequent swirling debris cloud of bullet-fast wreckage would make space inaccessible for everyone, and wipe out critical satellite systems. To tackle the problem, Astroscale has partnered with the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency and Airbus on the Cosmic mission (Cleaning Outer Space Mission Through Innovative Capture), which will remove two defunct British satellites currently orbiting Earth. The mission has just finished its design review and is expected to move into the implementation phase before launching in 2026. Litter-picking fleet If all goes to plan, the company plans a fleet of litter-picking, fuelling and satellite servicing spacecrafts, which could even launch from British soil once the countrys spaceports are operational. The robotic arms could even be used for assembling larger structures in space. Catching a tumbling satellite in orbit has proved challenging and the team has employed gaming technology and artificial intelligence to achieve the precision required. Elie Allouis, the head of advanced concepts and robotics at Airbus, who led testing at the Satellite Applications Catapult near Didcot last week said: Its like a complex space ballet. You can do a lot of things if you can catch a satellite in space; repairs, refuelling as well as de-orbiting at the end of its life. We have to be sure this is going to work, because the last thing we want to do is create more debris. This weeks tests have been very successful and weve got a lot of data that can help us make improvements. Astroscale is also planning to launch a spacecraft called Elsa-M, which has a magnetic capture mechanism to grab satellites so they can be manoeuvred to a different location or brought back to Earth. Satellites have been fitted with a matching magnet and the company is hoping to carry out the worlds first de-orbiting mission using the technology next year. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has admitted that people have gotten frustrated with Republicans impeachment inquiry. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP The White Houses top lawyer has told House Republicans to give up on their impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden, calling the investigation a charade. The White House counsel, Ed Siskel, told the House speaker, Mike Johnson that it is clear the House Republican impeachment is over in a scathing letter sent on Friday morning. Related: US rightwing media begins to show signs of impeachment fatigue Siskel said that despite House Republicans collecting over 100,000 pages of records and conducting interviews with dozens of witnesses, including multiple public hearings, none of the evidence has demonstrated that the president did anything wrong. This impeachment inquiry in large part has been based on allegations made by troubling sources, Siskel wrote, referring to an FBI informant who was criminally charged last month for lying about his explosive allegations about Biden. Siskels four-page letter is a sign that the White House is taking an increasingly aggressive stance against the impeachment inquiry, which Democrats say is a clear effort to distract voters during an election year. Its obviously time to move on, he wrote. There is too much important work to be done for the American people to continue wasting time on this charade. Early in the letter, Siskel tells Johnson that members of his own party are starting to turn away from him because of the impeachment inquiry. He cites reports that Republicans are looking for an exit strategy after failing to clinch the impeachment. Siskel also quotes Ken Buck, a Republican representative from Colorado who announced earlier this week that he would resign from his post at the end of March, leaving the GOP with a weaker House majority. Weve taken impeachment and weve made it a social media issue as opposed to a constitutional concept. This place keeps going downhill and I dont need to spend more time here, Buck said. House Republicans over the last six months have been trying to find evidence that Biden benefited from his son Hunter Bidens foreign business activities. But after making clear their goal of impeaching the president, Republicans are scrambling to determine how to move forward. The House oversight committee is holding a hearing next week with former business partners of Hunter Biden, but it is unclear whether witnesses can deliver the definitive evidence Republicans have been hoping for. A spokesperson for Johnson on Friday accused Biden of lying and said it was not up to the White House to decide what happened with the inquiry. The White House does not get to decide how impeachment gets resolved. That is for Congress to decide, Raj Shah said in an email. Johnson himself has said previously that people have gotten frustrated with the inquiry. Though he has not been able to take the time to do the deep dive into evidence, he insists that what has been revealed is alarming. I know that people have gotten frustrated sometimes that its [dragged] on too long. But in our constitutional system, that is the way its supposed to work, Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. Reuters contributed reporting Peter OMahony is determined to prevent the torture of another tense Guinness Six Nations finale but admits Ireland are aware of all possible permutations ahead of Saturdays title decider against Scotland. Andy Farrells men will retain the championship crown by avoiding defeat or claiming two bonus points on Super Saturday in Dublin, while a single bonus point is also likely to be sufficient. However, a pointless loss would leave Ireland sweating on the outcome of Englands clash with France in the final round-five fixture. How things stand going into next weekend's FINAL round #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/hPz6cGS4Wd Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 10, 2024 Captain OMahony was part of the Irish squad which endured an anxious wait to celebrate tournament glory in 2015, when only points difference ultimately elevated them above England and Wales. You have to discuss these things, especially the guys who are making decisions around refereeing calls, that kind of stuff, penalties, said OMahony of the permutations. We are going out to win tomorrow, thats what we do for every Test match. Of course, theres a handful of us who might have to make a decision or need to know the permutations but we want to put in a performance tomorrow thats capable of winning. Ireland were forced to wait for Guinness Six Nations glory in 2015 (Mark Runnacles/PA) Ireland defeated Scotland 40-10 at Murrayfield on the final weekend nine years ago to leapfrog Wales, who beat Italy 61-20 earlier in the day, at the top of the standings. Joe Schmidts side then nervously watched on at Murrayfield as England requiring a 26-point win over France at Twickenham to snatch the title fell agonisingly short in a 55-35 success. That was the mad day, wasnt it? Yeah, it was torture, said OMahony. Wales went out and put up a big score, then we did the job and then it was pure carnage the last game. Im sure it was a great watch for the rest of the world. I remember watching it from the stairwell in Murrayfield, praying to God, so, look, thats what the Super Saturday means for the competition. Its great that there are so many teams involved that can win it. OMahony is bidding to lift the Six Nations trophy for a fifth time but the first as skipper. Having also been involved in numerous dead rubbers on the final weekend, the 34-year-old Munster flanker has reminded his team-mates about their privileged position. Peter OMahony, centre, has won four Six Nations titles (Gareth Fuller/PA) Ive spoken about that to the team early this week, said OMahony. Ive been in plenty of games last game of the competition that we havent been in with a shout. The position that were in its very privileged and you can never take it for granted. What a game to be selected for and an opportunity to play for your country to win silverware. Its a huge game for lots and lots of reasons and youve got to go and play the match not the occasion. US President Joe Biden has hailed the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland as a very positive step forward. The president and Irish premier Leo Varadkar discussed political progress in the region during a bilateral meeting at the White House ahead of St Patricks Day celebrations in Washington DC this weekend. A number of political and business figures from Northern Ireland, including First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, are in the US capital, where they have been taking part in events. Leo Varadkar, left, at a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House (Niall Carson/PA) The Stormont powersharing institutions returned last month following a two-year suspension. Mr Biden had said he wanted to see the return of the political institutions during a visit to the island of Ireland last year. Speaking during his bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Biden said: As I said in Belfast, we remain committed to protecting the peace and progress in Northern Ireland since the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. Like you, Im glad to see the Northern Ireland executive and Assembly back up and running. From my perspective, thats a very positive step forward. Michelle ONeill, left, and Emma Little-Pengelly are in the US for St Patricks Day events (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Varadkar later said he had updated the president on Northern Ireland during their meeting. He said: One of the issues we talked about is the situation in Northern Ireland, the president is always very keen to know what is happening. So, encouraged that we have the Good Friday institutions up and running again and that we have settled trading arrangements with the UK so that we are able to avoid a hard border between north and south and focus on the Good Friday Agreement working again. He is a huge supporter, as you know, of Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. Mr Varadkar had earlier said the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala. The Stormont leaders had told US investors that Northern Ireland is open for business during the event. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor turned the tables on the media and got behind the TV cameras during a visit to promote a multimillion-pound project to develop one of Europes largest film-making complexes. They were at the media centre at Sunderland University to talk about the development of the nearby Crown Works Studios, a brownfield site on the banks of the River Wear, which could employ 8,000 people. At last weeks Budget, the Chancellor announced 37 million of Government grants plus new fundraising powers which will enable the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (Nemca) to deliver the regeneration project. Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt toured a studio at the university where students learn the craft of making TV. They were behind the cameras while two students discussed the upcoming studio development, with one, Issac Jukes, expressing excitement at the idea of stars coming to make films on Wearside. The student said: Tom Cruise in the middle of Sunderland, its going to be mental. The Prime Minister and Chancellor learnt about the craft of making TV (Owen Humphreys/PA) Mr Sunak said: Its very nice to watch someone else being interviewed, I really enjoyed that, it was great. They also visited a TV gallery to watch how the pictures could be mixed. The two senior Tories then chatted in the Spark radio studio where they recorded an indent for the student-run community station. Mr Sunak was asked to re-record his message, saying: Hello Sunderland, this is the Prime Minister Rishi, and you are listening to Spark. The Prime Minister and Chancellor spoke to media students (Owen Humphreys/PA) After he did his recording first time, Mr Hunt joked: Whats the fee? The Crown Works Studios is a joint venture between Fulwell 73 and Cain International, known as FulwellCain, will see the partners invest 450 million into the project. Nemca will designate the site as a growth zone allowing Sunderland City Council to retain 100% of business rate growth for the next 25 years. It is expected to attract major films and high-end TV series to be made in the North East, bringing in millions of pounds of investment annually. The pair recorded a message for the student radio station Spark (Owen Humphreys/PA) The region has seen Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and Transformers movies filmed there already on location. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is targeting qualifying for Europe via the Premier League after his side were knocked out of the Europa League by Roma. The damage was done for Brighton in last weeks 4-0 defeat in Rome and Danny Welbecks stunning solo strike on Thursday night to hand them a 1-0 second-leg win was not enough to extend their maiden European campaign as they suffered a 4-1 aggregate defeat. De Zerbi said: Today we saw the real Brighton and saw our team play with pride. I am proud because I saw 11 Robertos on the pitch. I knew my players were capable of responding this way because they are special people and they were hurting like me after losing 4-0 away. I believe in my players and I know we can fight to reach another historical target. We have 10 games left in the league and we will fight to qualify for another European competition. Brighton were in need of a miracle as no team in Europa League history had ever come back from losing a first leg by four goals away from home to qualify. Despite the hosts dominating the first half, it was Roma who had the ball in the net after 23 minutes through a spectacular overhead kick from Sardar Azmoun. Their celebrations were cut short when the goal was harshly chalked off for a high boot, handing Brighton a lifeline. Welbeck fired the Seagulls in front after 37 minutes, picking up the ball midway inside the Roma half before exchanging passes with Pervis Estupinan and curling the ball into the top corner from 20 yards. Roma came closing to levelling on the night early in the second half when Italy international Leonardo Spinazzola saw his shot rebound off the angle of post and crossbar. Ansu Fati had two second-half efforts saved, while defender Jan-Paul Van Hecke also missed the target with two headers as the hosts failed to add to Welbecks goal and set up a nervy finish for their visitors. Roma boss Daniele De Rossi said: Brighton fought and they tried hard. We knew they would start very strongly because they always do and especially tonight, given the scoreline from the first leg. We must always be ready to fight, but with a clear mind. We were a bit sloppy at times and suffered a little bit but overall it was a good performance. It was more or less the kind of game I was expecting. We should have exploited more situations on the counter. We scored a goal that apparently was a legal one that was disallowed so we should have killed off the tie a lot earlier. Sir Lenny Henry has announced that more than 37 million has been raised for Comic Reliefs Red Nose Day. This year marks the comedians final time co-hosting the annual programme that raises money for charity. The Dudley-born actor, 65, co-founded Comic Relief in 1985 alongside Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis and will continue to serve as life president following his departure as host. Revealing the Red Nose Day total during the show on BBC One, Sir Lenny said: Red Nose nation. Your generosity has brought tonights total, so far, to a phenomenal 37,019,832. Theophilus P. Wildebeeste has us feeling good tonight! But even Sir Mo Farah can't beat the original. pic.twitter.com/tc5UtLxXm9 Comic Relief (@comicrelief) March 15, 2024 The first total of the night was revealed to be 21,700,628. McFly opened the show with a medley of songs including Walk This Way by Run-DMC featuring Aerosmith, One Way Or Another by Blondie, Uptown Girl by Billy Joel and the groups hit song All About You. McCall and Sir Lenny were also joined by co-hosts, Love Island presenter Maya Jama, Doctor Who star David Tennant, actor and comedian Romesh Ranganathan, The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett, Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness and podcaster Rosie Ramsey. Reflecting on Sir Lennys legacy, McCall told the British TV star that he was irreplaceable. On behalf of all of us here tonight, and of course the entire nation, Ive got to say you are 100% totally, utterly am I right when I say hes irreplaceable, she said. Sir Lenny said: I dont want to make too much fuss, its been an honour and a joy its so not about me, its about the mirth and the money, its about comedy and compassion. Sir Lenny Henry co-hosted the show (Yui Mok/PA) Celebrating those Sir Lenny has helped, Tennant announced a surprise while the comedian stood among the studio audience. The Scottish actor told Sir Lenny that he would see some familiar faces from across the years as he read the names of individuals who had been helped by Comic Relief. The whole audience then got to their feet after McCall asked anyone whose lives had been positively impacted by Sir Lenny and Comic Relief to stand up. Turning to look at the standing audience members, Sir Lenny said: Its lovely to see you all, thank you so much. McCall said: We couldve filled a thousand studios with people that you and Comic Relief have helped. Elsewhere on the show, Hollywood actors including Julia Roberts, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson made a special appearance to argue among each other to be named the most famous in a comedy sketch. The cast of spoof comedy series W1A, including Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and Spaced actress Jessica Hynes, reunited to search for a new host and Steve Coogan appeared as his alter-ego Alan Partridge alongside comedian and actor Tim Key. There were also musical appearances from Paloma Faith and the West End stage show Just For One Day, based on the 1985 benefit concert Live Aid, organised by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Grab your popcorn, its time for Traitors: The Movie. If anyone looks a bit different, its just the big screen pic.twitter.com/fjEwNeovvj Comic Relief (@comicrelief) March 15, 2024 A spoof of hit show The Traitors also aired, and showed celebrities including comedians Catherine Tate and David Walliams and Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey playing contestants from this years series. In a music video, Sir Lenny joked he would turn 10 Downing Street into a dope ass Premier Inn while singing a spoof of the Oscar-nominated song Im Just Ken from blockbuster film Barbie. The comedian wore a white fur coat and blonde wig as he sang Im Just Len and contemplated becoming prime minister, following his final stint as host of Red Nose Day. After the video aired, Sir Lenny joked he had been planning the song way before Barbie actor Ryan Gosling performed it at this years Academy Awards. Money raised by Red Nose Day goes towards organisations helping to tackle homelessness, poverty and mental health along with other causes in the UK and throughout the world. Comic Relief is a UK charity that aims to help put food on plates, roofs over heads and keep little ones safe. A screenshot of Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galans Facebook broadcast shows images of authorities arresting Aderbis Segundo Pirela-Pirela, 29 of Venezuela, identified as second-in-command of the Satanas cartel in Bogota, Colombia. Courtesy Carlos Fernando Galan A Colombian drug lord who continued issuing orders to his gang even as he fled to the United States was arrested in New Braunfels. Aderbis Segundo Pirela-Pirela, 29, of Venezuela, was the alleged second-in-command of the crime syndicate the Satanas, Satans in English. He was wanted by authorities in Bogota, Colombia, on charges related to extortion, drug trafficking and homicide, Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan said Thursday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pirela, known as Pedrito or Maracucho, was one of two notable arrests made as Bogota Metropolitan Police sought those responsible for threats and killings carried out over the past year in the city. Pirela was one of the most wanted cartel members in the capital. Gen. Jose Daniel Gualdron, commander of the Bogota Metropolitan Police, said Pirela had been monitored for months as he crossed the Darien Gap at the Colombia-Panama border, hidden among thousands of migrants. Once in Mexico, he began seeking political asylum in the United States. U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement, or ICE, said in a statement that Pirela first entered the United States unlawfully on Jan. 2, near Eagle Pass. U.S. Border Patrol arrested him near El Paso that same day and issued a notice to appear. On Jan. 5, Border Patrol issued Pirela an order of recognizance and released him from their custody. Gualdron said both U.S. and Colombian authorities were working together to track Pirela. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Feb. 27, authorities learned that he still had control over criminal actions in Colombia. Joe Biden has agreed with Leo Varadkars calls for a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, and that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace. The US president said we both know theres a lot more that has to be done in relation to the Middle East conflict, as he met the Irish premier at the White House on Friday. Mr Varadkar also called on the US to push for peace in the Middle East, as had been done in Northern Ireland, in a separate meeting with the US vice-president Kamala Harris. There has been political pressure on senior politicians to use the high-profile US visit for St Patricks Day to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and to end the spiralling numbers of deaths and injuries. Mr Varadkar has been urged to use the White House meeting on Friday, and the shamrock bowl ceremony with Mr Biden on Sunday, to push for an end to Israels military operation in Gaza including from a former Irish president. In brief comments to the media moments before the bilateral in the White House, the Taoiseach said he was keen to talk about the situation in Gaza. Addressing Mr Biden in the Oval Office, he said: Youll know my view that we need to have a ceasefire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, get the hostages out. We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two-state solution, which I think is the only way well have lasting peace and security. Mr Biden said I agree in response to Mr Varadkars comments on a ceasefire, and again to the two-state solution. After the meeting, Mr Varadkar was asked whether military support the US is offering Israel would continue. US President Joe Biden hosted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the White House (Niall Carson/PA) The president was very clear that the US would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself, he said. So I dont think thats going to change, but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used the way they are, the way they are being used at the moment is not self-defence. The return of the powersharing institutions in Northern Ireland and economic ties between the US and Ireland were also items up for discussion between the two leaders. The US president thanked Ireland for its unwavering assistance for Ukraine in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putins onslaught and the savagery with which hes attacking Ukrainians. Mr Biden was also asked whether he would return to Ireland, and said: I always want to come back to Ireland. On Friday morning at a breakfast event with Ms Harris, Mr Varadkar commended her for showing great courage and leadership by indicating support for a ceasefire in Gaza. Earlier on Friday, the Taoiseach attended an event hosted by US vice-president Kamala Harris, centre (Niall Carson/PA) Im sure it cant have been easy, but it was the right thing to do and your words echoed all over the world, he said. Evoking the role the US played in brokering the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar added that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza will haunt us all for years to come. He added: In Ireland, we know how quickly atrocities can lead to calls for vengeance, to creating new cycles of hatred and bitterness. But we also know that the cycle can be broken and that new hope can replace old hatreds. The United States helped us to find peace, now let us work together to build just and lasting peace in the Middle East for Israel, Palestine and its Arab neighbours. We know from our own story that finding peace can be a long and painful process, and it takes time to build trust and build relationships. American politicians on both sides of the aisle helped to encourage and nurture these relationships in Northern Ireland over many decades, and we thank-you all so much for that. US vice-president Kamala Harris, left, listens to an address by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a breakfast meeting in Washington (Niall Carson/PA) Earlier in the day, former Irish president Mary Robinson had called on Mr Varadkar to use the meetings with Mr Biden to push for an end to US military and financial support for Israel. She said he must make it clear to all levels of US politics that Israel depends on the United States for military aid and for money, thats what will change everything. Since Mr Varadkar began his US trip on Monday, he has spoken several times about how he will use the special platform of the St Patricks Day visit to press Mr Biden to back a ceasefire in Gaza, while also thanking the US for its leadership in support for Ukraine. Mr Varadkar said the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala in Boston. Speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, Mr Biden said he was glad to see the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly back up and running. Thats, from my perspective, a very positive step forward, he said. The relationship between Ireland and the US could not be stronger, the Irish premier has said. On the eve of a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden, Leo Varadkar attended an event hosted at the Irish ambassadors residence in Washington DC. Speaking at the event, Mr Varadkar said: A hundred years of official diplomatic relations have woven a relationship that is stronger and deeper than ever. In his remarks, he also celebrated the countries long-standing, two-way trade relations, emphasising that he was proud Ireland was one of the top 10 investors in the US. Mr Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett arrive for a St Patricks Day Reception hosted by the Irish Embassy at the official residence of the Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, in Washington, DC (Niall Carson/PA) On Friday, Mr Varadkar will meet US vice president Kamala Harris before a bilateral with Mr Biden at the White House. He will also meet the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson at Capitol Hill. On Sunday, The Taoiseach will also gift Mr Biden a bowl of shamrock as part of an annual tradition to mark St Patricks Day. Mr Varadkar started the trip on Monday and since then has spoken several times at about how he will use the special platform of the St Patricks Day visit to press Mr Biden to back a ceasefire in the Gaza, while also thanking the US for leadership in support for Ukraine. He said that the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala in Boston. Vodafone has agreed an eight billion eight (6.8 billion) deal to sell its Italian business to Switzerlands Swisscom. The mobile phone giant said it plans to hand four billion euros (3.4 billion) back to shareholders through a buyback following the sale. It comes two weeks after the telecoms firms first confirmed they were in discussions over a potential deal. On Friday, London-listed Vodafone said the move represented an attractive valuation and marked the final step of its strategy to sell off parts of its European portfolio. Swisscom will pay 100% cash in a move which will be fully debt-financed. As part of the transaction, the two firms have agreed that Vodafone will continue to provide certain services to Swisscom over the next five years. Swisscom will pay annual charges of around 350 million euros (299 million). Vodafone added that the two companies are also exploring a closer commercial relationship to enable collaboration across a broad range of areas, beyond Italy. Margherita Della Valle, group chief executive of Vodafone, said: Today, I am announcing the third and final step in the reshaping of our European operations. Going forward, our businesses will be operating in growing telco markets where we hold strong positions enabling us to deliver predictable, stronger growth in Europe. The sale of Vodafone Italy to Swisscom creates significant value for Vodafone and ensures the business maintains its leading position in Italy, which has been built through the dedicated commitment of our colleagues to serving our customers over many years. Vodafone has been looking to free up cash and improve its financial performance by selling off parts of the business, including its Spanish arm, having previously struck deals to sell its Hungarian and Ghanaian divisions. Its refreshed strategy has also seen it seek to merge its UK business with Three UK to create Britains biggest mobile phone network worth 15 billion. The proposed merger of the networks is set to be formally investigated by the UKs competition regulator over concerns it could substantially reduce options for mobile customers, but Vodafone is hoping to complete the tie-up by the end of the year. It is also planning to cut about 11,000 jobs over three years as part of efforts to simplify the global business, which could affect markets worldwide. About a third of the role reductions had already been completed by January this year. The successor to Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford will be announced on Saturday. Jeremy Miles, the current education and Welsh language minister, and Vaughan Gething, the economy minister, have been vying to win the leadership of the Welsh Labour party, and the country. On Saturday morning, the winner of that contest will be announced in Cardiff. Here is what is expected to happen next: :: March 19 Current First Minister Mark Drakeford will take his final Questions at the First Minister session at the Welsh Parliament, or Senedd. He is then expected to formally tender his resignation to the King. :: March 20 The Welsh Government will inform the Welsh Parliaments presiding officer, or Llywydd, Elin Jones, when the Palace has accepted Mr Drakefords resignation. Ms Jones will lay a written statement formally notifying the Senedd that this has been received marking the point at which Mr Drakeford has formally resigned. Nominations for the next First Minister then take place during Plenary that afternoon. If only one person is nominated, that person will be declared as the nominee. However, if more than one nomination is made then every member except for Ms Jones and deputy presiding officer David Rees will vote for their preferred candidate by roll call. Ms Jones will recommend the Senedds nominee to the King. :: March 25 During Easter recess, the current ministers remain in post until further notice. The Welsh Government is expected to issue a written statement concerning ministerial appointments in the first week of recess. :: April 15 The first week of the summer term sees the new First Minister take their inaugural Questions to the First Minister session. Parents are being encouraged to act now to secure a place at their preferred childcare setting in September as some providers have long waiting lists. Applications will open on May 12 for the second wave of the rollout of reforms expanding the amount of funded childcare available to families, the Department for Education (DfE) has said. Eligible working parents of children as young as nine months old in England who can claim 15 hours of funded childcare a week from September have been encouraged to plan ahead. Concerns have been raised that many childcare providers will struggle to meet increased demand for funded places under the Governments expanded offer. The DfE said places will be available for September in every area of the country, but a significant minority of settings hold waiting lists more than six months long. Parents with young children have been encouraged to act now and reach out to their preferred childcare provider to secure a physical place for September. A consultation on how the Government can improve the recruitment and retention of childminders in the country will also launch on Friday. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, last year, announced that eligible families of children as young as nine months old in England would be able to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week by September 2025. As part of a staggered rollout of the policy, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare from next month. This will be extended to working parents of all children older than nine months from September this year, before the full rollout a year later. The Government has urged childcare providers to communicate available Government-funded places as soon as possible. Parents with concerns about finding a place should contact their local authorities, the DfE said. Gillian Keegan says the Government has a track record of transforming childcare (James Manning/PA) All 153 local authorities in England have shared funding rates for the new entitlements starting in a fortnight, according to the DfE. It comes after a number of childcare providers struggled to commit to offering funded places to families ahead of the first wave of the rollout this spring as they were in the dark about funding rates. Early years sector leaders have also warned that staff shortages will make it difficult for the sector to deliver the childcare expansion. The DfE has said a new consultation, which is being launched on Friday, will ask childminders, parents, providers and councils what the government can do to support more childminders to join and stay in the profession. Proposed changes include local authorities paying childminders monthly if they request it so they can better manage their finances which could be extended to other early years providers if supported. Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), said: Given the challenges that we have seen parents and childcare providers facing ahead of the April expansion, were pleased that the Government has started to communicate early for the September rollout. She added: Childcare providers have been working really hard to make a success of this policy despite the challenges of underfunding and a deepening workforce crisis. We know from recent research with nurseries that 75% said they had waiting lists for children under three and 56% said there was unmet demand in their local area. While it is important for parents to ask about available future places locally, we would urge them to be aware that childcare settings will be prioritising supporting the delivery of places for the April rollout, so they may not hear back straight away. Joeli Brearley, founder of the Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS) charity, said: The sector is in decline. Increasing demand whilst supply dwindles inevitably means many families will miss out on their promised entitlements. Right now, there isnt a plan to grow supply. Without one, there will be a large number of furious parents in September, who are forced to make decisions which will negatively impact their income and their career. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: Last year, we committed to delivering the largest ever expansion of childcare that England has ever seen. And with over 150,000 children about to begin accessing a Government-funded childcare place in just over two weeks, its clear our plan is working. This Government has a track record of transforming childcare, with the offer of 30 hours for three and four-year-olds for eligible working parents introduced in 2017. We are now going further, giving hard working parents of under threes the certainty they deserve to balance growing their families with a successful and rewarding career, saving parents up to an average of 6,900 a year for the full 30 hours. Bridget Phillipson, Labours shadow education secretary, said: These are yet more warnings that the Chancellors botched childcare pledge without a plan could see families miss out on the places theyre entitled to. 14 years of Tory rule has wrecked our early years system, driving up prices and leading to childcare deserts where vital places are scarce. Labour will deliver a reformed early years system for the long term that better supports families from the end of parental leave till the end of primary school. S_Chum/istockphoto Don't Wait To Hack Your Sleep Schedule. There are three commonly referred to elements that people account for in their immediate external environments when it comes to fully optimizing their sleep. These include light, temperature, and noise. However, theres an especially crucial element that oftentimes gets left out of the conversation, and that's food. Yes, there are particular foods that you should avoid before youre about to turn in for bed. Well take a look at the biggest no-no foods before bedtime. gilaxia/istockphoto Chocolate While chocolate is a wondrous indulgence and one cherished by many when they find themselves possessed by those maddening sweets cravings at nighttime, the sugar thats packed into chocolate can be significantly detrimental to your quality of sleep. A study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine actually discovered that participants who consumed more sugar as well as saturated fats would experience far less deep sleep and to make matters worse, wake up throughout the course of a night. Some chocolates even contain caffeine, which should really be avoided before bedtime unless youre one of those superhuman that can casually sip on a pot of coffee before you turn the lights out for the night. Flavia Novais/istockphoto Bacon Cheeseburger We get it. Sometimes the craving is inescapable for a sumptuous bacon cheeseburger. However, youll want to avoid this food at all costs before bed. The riskiest element in this meal when it comes to jeopardizing the quality of your sleep is the high-fat content. This can catalyze the production of acid in your stomach, and then lead to one of the worst thieves of sleep, which is acid reflux. If you know you know. Not exactly the most pleasant experience waking up with it feeling like theres been a mini bonfire started within your chest and/or stomach area. LOVE_LIFE/istockphoto Chicken Chicken or really any type of protein when consumed on its own can require a lot of energy during the digestion process, which can definitely throw your sleep schedule off its rhythm. Tyrosine, an amino acid in protein which does promote brain activity, is obviously not the ideal thing to eat before you need your brain to quiet down for bedtime. So, instead opt for a snack that includes one serving of protein as well as one serving of carbs to work to keep your blood sugar levels stabilized, and ultimately make it that much less likely that you wake throughout the night. Tonelson/istockphoto Pizza Yes, yes, pizza, a true and well-deserved staple of the late night feast mode activities. There's absolutely nothing wrong with loving pizza. Unfortunately, its still not the ideal option, even if the pizza is so delicious that you find yourself already having consumed an entire box somehow sometime after you took your first unassuming bite. This is because cheese is packed with fat and then the tomato sauce is acidic. In general, doctors recommend that you make your lunchtime meals the biggest meals of your day, and then stop with eating at least three hours before bedtime. For more smart tips, sign up for our free newsletters. GMVozd/istockphoto Ice Cream While its nice and on occasion entirely reasonable to enjoy a nice dessert after youve had your dinner, ice cream isnt the best of choices for optimal sleep. Dairy often has a lot of fat, and even those low-fat ice creams can end up being very high in sugar. agrobacter/istockphoto Cereal And Milk This isnt just because the dairy in the actual milk isnt the most agreeable with clocking restful nights of sleep, but its also because of the sugar in the cereal, which spikes your blood sugar and then throws off your bodys fat storage for as long as an entire night. Sugar wont only throw your sleep cycle out of wack, but research thats been published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has proven that when were sleep deprived we are far more prone toward eating more junk food. Related: Finding the Sweet Spot: I Banned Sugar From My Diet for a Week and Here's What Happened Floortje/istockphoto Celery This might seem like its counterintuitive, as celery is green and surrounded by its healthy compatriots, but celery is actually a natural diuretic. This means that it will ultimately push water through your system, and this naturally can lead to many unwanted visits to the bathroom throughout the course of a night. bhofack2/istockphoto Pasta While a large bowl of pasta can absolutely hit the spot after a long and tiring day, its also made up of many, many carbs, which much like sugar will activate your bodys fat storagesystem, and then cause it to run throughout the night. This is why whole-wheat pastas can end up being a much better option, as theyre made up of complex carbs that are significantly higher in fiber and also wont elevate your blood sugar levels. Taras Dovhych/istockphoto Hot Peppers This one might be the most common sense item on the list. Spices like that of cayenne can increase your bodys blood flow as well as your bodys temperature, which is the literal opposite of what you need to happen when youre sleepily reaching out for a restful nights sleep. Plus, there are even folks out there who have reported that especially spicy foods have gone on to throw their minds into truly crazy dream realms when they do actually pass out. That said, spicy foods can be good for your health, just try to steer clear of them before bed. dimetradim/istockphoto Coffee And Alcohol Okay, obviously these arent solid foods, but theyre both culprits when it comes to impeding your ability to get a good nights sleep. Coffee will keep most fold out there bright-eyed, wide awake, and full of wonder in large thanks to its caffeinated nature. Meanwhile, alcohol can entirely prevent your ability to attain a restorative deep REM sleep. As a final note, alcohol can even exacerbate existing sleep conditions like sleep apnea. Related: Nauseated? Here Are Trader Joe's Top 5 Ginger Items to Soothe Your Stomach This article was originally published on Cheapism S_Chum/istockphoto More From Cheapism Like Cheapism's content? Be sure to follow us. AegeanBlue - Getty Images Eid al-Fitr is one of two major holidays on the Muslim calendar. Though both holidays are often called Eid, theres a difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr comes first taking place in the 10th month of the Muslim calendar. Eid al-Adha, on the other hand, is celebrated in the 12th month of the Muslim calendar, taking place 70 days after the first holiday. (If you need help remembering, think of Fitr = First, Adha = After.) Apart from their timings on the calendar, there are other major differences between the two holidays. Eid al-Fitr takes place after Ramadan fasting and has culturally gained the moniker, The Sugar Feast or The Festival of Sweets, because of the sweet treats enjoyed on this holiday. In contrast, Eid al-Adha takes place after the Hajj pilgrimage and is known as The Sacrifice Feast, with holiday menus having a stronger focus on meat and savouries. The tradition for consuming sweets on Eid al-Fitr likely started from early Muslims in Medina, Saudi Arabia using available cooking ingredients such as dates and honey for their festivities. The sugar content of both foods are a great energy boost after a month of fasting. As Islam spread to more geographic regions, each culture used its available ingredients and culinary know-how for their Eid al-Fitr celebrations, resulting in the myriad of dishes we have today. In celebration of Eid al-Fitr, here are some of the sweet delicacies different Muslim cultures make for this special time of year. Eid al-Fitr is one of two major holidays on the Muslim calendar. Though both holidays are often called Eid, theres a difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr comes first and takes place in the 10th month of the Muslim calendar. Eid al-Adha, on the other hand, is celebrated in the 12th month of the Muslim calendar and occurs 70 days after the first holiday. (If you need help remembering, think of Fitr = First, Adha = After.) Apart from their timings on the calendar, there are other major differences between the two holidays. Eid al-Fitr takes place after fasting Ramadan and has culturally gained the moniker The Sugar Feast or The Festival of Sweets because of the sweet treats enjoyed on this holiday. In contrast, Eid al-Adha takes place after the Hajj pilgrimage and is known as The Sacrifice Feast with holiday menus having a stronger focus on meat and savory foods. A tradition for consuming sweets on Eid al-Fitr likely started from early Muslims in Medina, Saudi Arabia, using available cooking ingredients such as dates and honey for their festivities. The sugar content of both foods is a great energy boost after a month of fasting. As Islam spread to more geographic regions, each culture used its available ingredients and culinary know-how for their Eid al-Fitr celebrations resulting in the myriad of dishes we have today. In celebration of Eid al-Fitr, lets take a look at some of the sweet delicacies different Muslim cultures make for this special time of year. Baklava The Oxford Companion of Food states that although North Americans typically know phyllo pastry by its Greek name, the dough is traced back to Turkic origins. In Ottoman Istanbul, the city would host a Baklava Parade on the 15th of Ramadan. Today, the dish still remains a big part of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Many families opt for store-bought baklava nowadays; but some families, particularly those with Turkic and Balkan origins, make a big tray of baklava from scratch for Eid al-Fitr, passing down family recipes generation to generation. Sanjay Borra Mango Custard Mango custard has become a cherished Eid al-Fitr delight, especially in Muslim countries where the love for mangos is deeply rooted. Mango pulp seamlessly replaces fresh fruit during off-seasons, and when combined with cake, it becomes a mango trifle. Alex Bayev / 500px - Getty Images Sweet Samosas In Morocco, these are known as briouat, whereas in the Arabian Gulf, the name sambusa hilwa is more common. In each version, phyllo dough is shaped into triangular pockets and then stuffed with a sweet filling. Fruits such as pears and apples or syrup-soaked nuts are popular stuffings. Alternatively, phyllo might be rolled into a cigar shape (instead of a triangle) and stuffed with a sweet cream, similar to a cannoli. raiyanimuharramah3 Creme Caramel Creme caramel enjoys popularity as an Eid al-Fitr dessert, particularly in Middle Eastern and South Asian regions. Its silky caramel layer atop velvety custard is a cherished treat for the holiday and easy enough to make at home (and also readily available to buy). Stefan Tomic - Getty Images Kanafeh A favorite at Middle Eastern restaurants, this dessert is a top pick for Eid al-Fitr in Levant cultures. For this dessert, shredded phyllo dough is paired with a white cheese, such as Nabulsi or Akkawi cheese. Its served with a drizzle of fragrant sugar syrup, usually as a rectangular slab of cake. 3dotsad Vermicelli Saviya is a popular dessert with South Asian Muslims on Eid al-Fitr. It is made by stir frying vermicelli, ghee, sugar, and aromatic spices such as cardamom. Many families enjoy saviya right after Eid prayer for brunch or breakfast. A similar counterpart, transparent khurma, is equally popular. It also uses vermicelli as a primary ingredient, but the vermicelli is cooked in a milk base (often overnight). The dessert is akin to a sweet noodle soup; based on personal preference, some serve it cold and others serve it hot. ShashikantDurshettiwar Stuffed Dates Dates are delicious on their own, but for Eid al-Fitr, many people prefer to dress them up with stuffings. Common stuffings include whole nuts, nut butters, cream cheese and sweet pastes made from nuts, honey, and rose water. vaaseenaa Filled Cookies In Egypt, kahk a crumbly butter cookie stuffed with a date paste ball and sprinkled with icing sugar is a family favorite for Eid al-Fitr. In other countries, such as Palestine, a date stuffed cookie called maamoul takes precedence on the Eid table. Yet still in Indonesia, cookies stuffed with pineapple jam are the popular choice for Eid. Sherif A. Wagih Butter Cookies Vanilla, chocolate, lemon, cardamom, and almond are just a sampling of butter cookie flavors enjoyed on Eid al-Fitr. Names and offerings differ from region to region. For example, you might find ghraybeh in the Middle East, naan khatai in South Asia, or crescent-shaped sable cookies in North Africa. Larry Washburn Agar Agar Pudding Agar agar pudding holds a cherished place in Sri Lankan Eid celebrations, where its cool, jiggly texture and sweet flavor make it a delightful and traditional festive treat. Families often share this unique dessert as part of their joyous Eid festivities. RELATED: Eid al-Fitr Gifts for Everyone in the Family Pastry and Food Photography - Getty Images Kuih Lapis In Southeast Asia, kuih lapis, or kue lapis, is a steamed cake so labor-intensive its saved just for special occasions like Eid al-Fitr (natively called Hari Raya or Lebaron). Made of rice flour, sago, coconut milk, eggs and sugar, its a colorful cake with a jelly-like texture, similar to custard. Lapis is just one type of kuih (traditional snack) enjoyed for Eid; many more kuih varieties exist. joxxxxjo Nishallo In Uzbekistan and neighboring Central Asian cultures, the month of Ramadan brings with it the good news of nisholda or nishallo. Egg whites are whipped and combined with sugar and plant roots, usually licorice root. Almost like a marshmallow fluff, its served with naan for a sweet finish to a meal. FotografiaBasica Nougat Similar to licorice, the Oxford Companion of Food traces nougats roots back to Central Asia and Iran. Later spreading to Arabia and Andalusian Spain, nougat has been a favorite treat for Eid al-Fitr from at least the 10th century. Francesco Marzovillo Turkish Delight Although its name might suggest origins in Turkey, Turkish delight is said to have originated in Iran. Called lokum in Persian, these tiny bites come in a variety of flavors and textures, from jelly-like to marshmallow soft. bernashafo Semolina Desserts There are endless ways semolina makes its way into Eid al-Fitr desserts. In some cultures, semolina is stir fried with eggs, ghee, and sugar to make a sweet dish called halwa. In others, cooked semolina is combined with date pastes and set into molds to make a type of fudge. Semolina is also used as a base for traditional puddings or when mixed with olive oil and honey, its semolina cake for Eid! vm2002 Fatira and Cambaabur Bread In Africa, thin, crepe-like pancakes take centre stage for Eid al-Fitr. In Ethiopia, fatira is a pancake enjoyed with honey for breakfast on Eid. In neighbouring Somalia, cambaabur is a pancake sprinkled with sugar and yogurt. PicturePartners Sweet Buns In Yemen, khaliat nahal are beautiful buns glazed with honey and baked in a honeycomb pattern for Ramadan and Eid. In Iraq, kleicha are buns rolled with a date jam for a sweet Eid breakfast. mirrorr Donuts Fried foods are popular throughout Ramadan, and on Eid al-Fitr, fried sweets are a crowd pleaser! Churro-like donuts with various names are found throughout Muslim cultures. In Libya, they go by the name sfinz and are topped with date molasses and sprinkled sugar. Adina Vlasceanu / 500px Petit Fours Petit fours have gained popularity as elegant Eid al-Fitr desserts. These bite-sized, intricately decorated pastries are enjoyed by communities in areas like North Africa, Lebanon, and France. Owen Franken - Getty Images Sweet Porridge In Senegal, lakh is a type of sweet porridge made from curdled milk and millet. Its traditionally consumed right after returning home from Eid prayer. Adding baobab fruit is a common way the porridge is dressed up for the occasion. Other West African cultures similarly enjoy a sweet porridge, also known as thiakry or degue, on Eid. santhosh_varghese Mithai Common to South Asian cultures, mithai is an umbrella term for traditional sweets. A box of assorted mithai is a go-to hostess gift for Eid parties in these cultures. Jupiterimages Sweet Rice In Iran, rice is cooked with saffron and sugar to make a dessert called shole zard. Dried fruits and dates added to the rice provide an extra touch of sweetness for the religious holiday. MichaelRLopez Bean Pie An all-American dessert, the bean pie, or navy bean pie, originated in New York City through the Nation of Islam, a Black nationalist and social reform movement. With its custard-like filling and crispy pastry, its a favorite dessert in African American culture. gmnicholas Sesame Seed Halva Sesame seed halva is a beloved Eid indulgence in the Middle East, celebrated for its rich, nutty taste and dense, crumbly texture. It comes in a variety of flavors, including chocolate! Another fun way to enjoy this halwa on Eid al-Fitr? Stuff it in medjool dates. Burcu Atalay Tankut - Getty Images American Treats In North America, American favorites like chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, brownies, pies, and cheesecake have evolved into traditional Eid al-Fitr sweets. Embraced by Muslims born and raised in the region, their popularity lies not only in their deliciousness but also in their practicality. These treats are something everyone can enjoy, particularly kids. RELATED: Tempting Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes to Make Tonight mtreasure - Getty Images You Might Also Like At least 60 migrants have died after a rubber dinghy ran into trouble in the Mediterranean Sea, according to survivors. The 25 survivors were picked up by the Ocean Viking, a vessel operated by the humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee. They told their rescuers that they had set off from Zawiya on the Libyan coast several days before being rescued. The engine of the dinghy broke down after three days, leaving the boat adrift without food or water. The survivors said that the victims included women and at least one child. They are believed to have died from dehydration and hunger, not drowning. SOS Mediterranee said the Ocean Viking team had spotted the dinghy, which set off last Friday, with binoculars on Wednesday and had staged a medical evacuation in co-operation with Italian coast guards. It said the survivors were "in very weak health condition" and were all under medical care. Two of them, who were unconscious and in critical condition, had been flown to Sicily by helicopter for further treatment, the group added. The remaining 23 are still on board the Ocean Viking, along with more than 200 other migrants who were rescued from two other boats. The vessel is heading for the port of Ancona, about four days away, but the team has requested a closer port of safety. "The people who were on the boat in distress, lost at sea for almost a week, went out of water and food very quickly, according to the survivors," said an SOS Mediterranee spokeswoman on board the ship. "People died along the way. I met a man who lost his wife and one-and-a-half-year-old baby. The baby died the first day, the mother the fourth day. They were from Senegal and had been in Libya for more than two years." The EU's border agency Frontex told the BBC that it raised the alarm last Friday after spotting a vessel with more than 50 people onboard near the coast of Libya. It did not specify if it was the same rubber dinghy picked up by the Ocean Viking. Frontex says one of its aircraft out on a routine trip spotted the vessel within Libya's rescue zone and so alerted the Libyan authorities. The EU agency says it also issued a mayday alert to all other boats in the area to help the vessel - and contacted Italian and Maltese rescue coordination centres too. Frontex says its aircraft needed to return to dry land to refuel and it didn't know what happened to the vessel after the initial observation. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said last week that 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants since records began a decade ago, with at least 8,565 people dying on migration routes worldwide. The UN agency said the figure was 20% up on the year before. Its report found that the Mediterranean crossing continued to be the most dangerous journey, with at least 3,129 deaths and disappearances during 2023 - the highest toll since 2017. Julia Black, a IOM Project manager, told the BBC that "not as many people are crossing now but almost as many people are dying". "With the 300 deaths recorded this year so far that's nearly the same as last year, so I am greatly concerned that we are going to see a record-breaking year in terms of the number of deaths in the Mediterranean." Heres the scoop on these beloved dairy desserts plus where frozen custard fits in. Getty A scoop of something creamy and sweet is one of lifes great pleasures. Fans of frozen desserts have plenty of options to satisfy a sweet tooth, including ice cream and gelato. Although these summer staples are both made with a base of milk, cream, and sugar that is churned by hand or machine, theyre not the same. Ice cream typically has a higher fat content than gelato, thanks to a higher ratio of cream to milk. It also has an airier, fluffy texture from the faster speed at which its churned. On the flip side, gelato often has more milk than cream in the base and may be described as denser, softer, more intense in flavor, and even elastic. Note that these are all generalizations (although ice cream does have a legal definition in the U.S. more on that later). Artisans around the world may make their gelati and ice cream according to different specifications, and if were really getting technical, gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. Heres everything you need to know when picking between these frozen treats. What is ice cream? Ice cream is generally made with a base of heavy cream, milk, sugar, and sometimes eggs and/or egg yolks. The base is churned in an ice cream maker before mix-ins are added. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ice cream must contain at least 10% milk fat by weight, though most brands will have a fat percentage of 14 to 25%. (Note that were talking about traditional hard ice cream. Soft-serve ice cream contains less milk fat, usually 3 to 6%.) The style of ice cream itself also varies widely. French-style ice cream incorporates egg yolks into the base, while American or Philadelphia-style ice cream might omit eggs entirely. Youve also probably seen pints in the aisle with the label frozen dairy dessert. These contain less than 10% milk fat by weight or more overrun (air pushed into the ice cream during churning) than permitted by the FDA. What is gelato? This beloved Italian dessert in fact translates to ice cream, but its not necessarily the same thing. Gelato has a lower milk fat content than ice cream, usually 4 to 9%, yielding a softer, denser texture and smaller ice crystals. Thats a result of the base, which typically includes less cream and more milk, as well as a slower churning process that introduces less air into the final product. The base generally does not include eggs, but it can. Gelaterias also keep their cases at a warmer temperature than most ice cream shops, which contributes to gelatos silkier texture. Although theres no legal standard for gelato in the U.S., the Italian government requires a milk fat content of at least 3%. At home, you can make gelato in an ice cream maker on the slow-churn setting. But what about frozen custard? While many ice cream recipes include eggs in the base, frozen custard must legally include at least 1.4% egg yolks, according to the FDA. Like ice cream, it must also include a minimum of 10% milk fat by weight. At retail shops, however, frozen custard is usually made in a machine that incorporates minimal air, creating a richer, silkier product that is more gelato-like in texture, but with a pronounced custard flavor from the egg yolks. The main differences between ice cream and gelato Ice cream and gelato are mostly differentiated by the proportion of ingredients in the base and the rate at which theyre churned. Gelato contains less milk fat than ice cream, is churned at a slower rate, and is typically served at a warmer temperature, introducing less air to the dessert and yielding a softer and denser texture. Frozen custard, meanwhile, is always made with egg yolks, and is most often made in a machine that introduces very little air, resulting in a denser, richer texture. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Apple agreed to pay $490 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleged Chief Executive Tim Cook defrauded shareholders by concealing falling demand for iPhones in China. A preliminary settlement was filed on Friday with the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, and requires approval by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. It stemmed from Apple's unexpected announcement on Jan. 2, 2019 that the iPhone maker would slash its quarterly revenue forecast by up to $9 billion, blaming U.S.-China trade tensions. Cook had told investors on an Nov. 1, 2018, analyst call that although Apple faced sales pressure in markets such as Brazil, India, Russia and Turkey, where currencies had weakened, "I would not put China in that category." Apple told suppliers a few days later to curb production. The lowered revenue forecast was Apple's first since the iPhone's launch in 2007. Shares of Apple fell 10% the next day, wiping out $74 billion of market value. Apple and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling. The Cupertino, California-based company denied liability, but settled to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation, court papers show. Shawn Williams, a partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd representing the shareholders, called the settlement an "outstanding result" for the class. The settlement covers investors who bought Apple shares in the two months between Cook's comments and the revenue forecast. Apple posted $97 billion of net income in its latest fiscal year, and its payout equals a little under two days of profit. Last June, Rogers refused to dismiss the lawsuit. She found it plausible to believe Cook had been discussing Apple's sales outlook and not currency changes, and said Apple knew China's economy was slowing and demand could fall. The lead plaintiff is the Norfolk County Council as Administering Authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund, located in Norwich, England. Lawyers for the shareholders may seek fees of up to 25% of the settlement amount. Apple's share price has more than quadrupled since January 2019, giving the company a more than $2.6 trillion market value. The case is In re Apple Inc Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-02033. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jason Neely, Jane Merriman and Alexander Smith) Jewelissa Tristan writes a note in chalk on the sidewalk at a vigil for her friend Kaitlin Hernandez, 17, whose body was found in a drainage ditch on the Northeast Side late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Family and friends raise their hands in prayer at a vigil for 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez, whose body was found in a drainage ditch on the Northeast Side late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Relatives of Kaitlin Hernandez mourn the 17-year-old at a vigil held near the drainage ditch where her body was found late Tuesday night. From left to right, cousins Emili Rodriguez and Ysenia Rodriguez and Kaitlin's aunt, Crystal Rodriguez. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Kaitlin Hernandez's aunt, Crystal Rodriguez, right, comforts the slain teenager's grandmother, Alicia Hernandez, at a vigil Friday. Kaitlin was found dead Tuesday night in a drainage ditch in the 7600 block of Dell Oak Drive. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Angie Hernandez, center, speaks at a vigil for her daughter, 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez, on Friday. Kaitlin was found dead Tuesday in a drainage ditch in the 7600 block of Dell Oak Drive. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Crystal Rodriguez, center, speaks at a vigil for her niece, 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez, on Friday. Kaitlin was found dead Tuesday in a drainage ditch in the 7600 block of Dell Oak Drive. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Crystal Rodriguez decorates the altar at a Friday vigil for her niece, 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. Kaitlin was found dead Tuesday in a drainage ditch in the 7600 block of Dell Oak Drive. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Family and friends left flowers and candles at an altar for Kaitlin Hernandez, the centerpiece of a vigil for the slain 17-year-old. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Mourners at a Friday vigil for slain teenager Kaitlin Hernandez. From left to right, Daniel Decourcy, Kaitlins boyfriend; Gilbert Hernandez, her uncle; and Alicia Hernandez, her grandmother. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Curtis Duke, left, a cousin of Kaitlin Hernandez, comforts Angie Hernandez, Kaitlinss mother, at a Friday vigil for the teenager. Kaitlin, 17, was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Linda Hernandez and Diego Hernandez, arms raised, at a memorial for their cousin, 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Alyssa Beasley raises a hand in prayer at a vigil for 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez on Friday. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Friends and family pray during a vigil for 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Pastor Jimmy Robles, left, leads family members in prayer at a vigil for 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Crystal Rodriguez holds up a candle and a red balloon at a vigil for her niece, 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Family and friends release balloons at a vigil for 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Crystal Rodriguez receives a hug at a vigil for her niece, 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Isabel Rubio, left, comforts Angie Hernandez at a vigil for Angie's daughter, 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez. The teenager was found dead in a drainage ditch late Tuesday night. She had been strangled. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Kaitlin Hernandez, 17, was found dead Tuesday night in a drainage ditch on the Northeast Side. She went for a walk with a neighbor and never returned. Ken Branca When spring break started for 17-year-old Kaitlin Hernandez, her family was looking forward to watching her walk the stage at her graduation from Roosevelt High School in May. Now, theyre in mourning. The Hernandez family gathered Friday with dozens of friends and supporters to celebrate the life of Kaitlin, who was found strangled in a drainage ditch on San Antonios Northeast Side. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The vigil was held near where the body was discovered Tuesday beneath a bridge in the 7600 block of Dell Oak Drive. Many of those in attendance paid tribute to Kaitlin by wearing red shirts and bringing red balloons and roses. Red was her favorite color. Her mother, Angie Hernandez, described the teenager as her pride and joy. The most beautiful daughter in the world, and her life was cut short because someone chose to take her life. Its not fair, she said. Momma loves you, and momma was always proud of you for the woman you grew up to be. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Antonio police found Kaitlins nude body around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after her family said she went for a walk with a neighbor. The neighbor returned without Kaitlin. Police interviewed the unidentified neighbor, but its unclear whether he will face charges. A man walking over the bridge on Dell Oak saw Kaitlins phone in the ditch when it lit up. Police stumbled upon her body and pieces of her clothing nearby. At Fridays vigil, family members set up a table for her on the bridge. It had a Justice for Kaitlin Hernandez sign with a picture of the teenager, candles representing her faith and bundles of flowers. Pastor Johnny Vaughn of New Hope Church began the ceremony with a prayer. Vaughn, who was Kaitlins pastor, described her as amazing and strong. She thinks she was better than me at football, Vaughn said as he pointed to a football he called the Johnny and Kaitlin football. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She was, someone in the crowd said to laughter. Vaughn recalled how Kaitlin, without being asked, volunteered to serve as his wifes assistant Sunday school teacher to help an autistic boy who attended the church. She had a heart and passion for that, he said. After the pastor spoke, the family lit candles and released balloons in memory of Kaitlin. As they counted down to the balloon release, the crowd said in unison, I love you, Kaitlin. Kaitlins aunt, Crystal Rodriguez looked up to the sky and yelled, Fly high, baby girl. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kaitlins grandmother, Alicia Hernandez, cried out, I love you, Kaitlin. Rodriguez described her last memory of her niece. It was from her husbands birthday party in February. She was the life of the party, the last party I remembered her at, Rodriguez said as she broke down. Vaughn concluded the ceremony by saying, The killer or killers are in this neighborhood and will be brought to light. Crime Stoppers reward Crime Stoppers San Antonio is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for Kaitlins death. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Victorville Deputy J. Tomasello lent a hand on Tuesday morning and helped deliver a baby Victorville Police Department Deputy J. Tomasello and baby Bryson. One deputy just assisted with labor and delivery! Early Tuesday morning, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Victorville station deputies helped deliver a baby boy, per the SBCS press release. Deputy J. Tomasello arrived on the scene and found the unnamed mother in active labor. The expectant mother told the deputy that she felt her baby was ready to arrive and needed to start pushing. Soon, Tomasello prepared for the delivery and immediately gloved up. The deputy then helped the mother deliver the baby. As Deputy Tomasello assisted in the delivery, two other deputies Deputy Robinson and Deputy Vasquez supported the mother and held her hand during childbirth. A few minutes later, at approximately 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, baby boy Bryson was born. Related: Fit Mom Emily Skye Has an 'Unexpected' At-Home Birth: 'Izaac Just Couldn't Wait Any Longer' Victorville Police Department Deputy J. Tomasello and baby Bryson The mother and newborn were then taken to the local hospital for precautionary measures, per the SBCS press release. At the hospital, Deputy Tomasello checked in on the mother and son. He sat with and held the newborn during his visit. He shared that both are doing well since their eventful morning. Congratulations to mom and Bryson!, the SBCS wrote in a Facebook announcement. Great work deputies! . 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. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. US actress Kristen Wiig arrives for the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2024. (Photo by Michael TRAN / AFP Kristen Wiig loves being a mother to twins Luna and Shiloh, but the long road to conceive included IVF and using a surrogate to make that dream a reality. It was such a struggle, Wiig, 50, explained in a Thursday, March 14, interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The actress acknowledged going through IVF at the time was a pretty hush-hush topic. When you go through it, you meet other people who are going through it, and its almost like this secret little the whispering conversation at a party. It feels like not a lot of people talk about it, she told the outlet. However, after three years of trying IVF, Wiig and her now husband Avi Rothman decided to turn to surrogacy. Celebrities Who Used Surrogates to Welcome Children It is such a private thing, but maybe it doesnt have to be, the comedian said about her journey to motherhood. Its part of my story and part of how I got my amazing family. Back in 2020, Wiig spoke about how deciding to proceed with alternative ways to have a child was bittersweet for her because she had always desired to have one herself. I remember when our doctor mentioned going other routes and I was just like, Nope. Dont ever bring that up again. Im getting pregnant. Im doing this, Wiig previously mentioned in an interview with InStyle. I finally realized that I just needed help. And, thank God, we found the most amazing surrogate. Amy Sussman/WireImage She added, Overall it was a very beautiful thing, and now that Im on the other side, I wouldnt have had it any other way. Ive always believed that things happen the way theyre supposed to happen, and this is how [our babies] were supposed to get here. Wiig and Rothman, 51, welcomed twins in January 2020. The Bridesmaid star first spoke about being a parent during a Saturday Night Live monologue. Twin Time! Celebrity Parents Who Have Welcomed Multiples Over the Years This is the Mothers Day show, and at SNL, its a very special time to celebrate moms, the New York native said in May 2020. Unfortunately, probably like a lot of you, I cant be with my mom on this Mothers Day [amid the coronavirus pandemic]. So, I hope its OK, I would like to tell her I love her. I dont know if I truly appreciated my mom the first 45 years of my life. But this year Im feeling especially grateful for her advice, her love. Im so thankful for all the things shes taught me, like preparing me to be a mom myself. A year later in February 2021, the couple announced that their children were named Luna and Shiloh in the movie credits of Wiigs 2021 film, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Peter Dejong - Pool/Getty Images From royalty to social media commenters, people are still getting their jokes off about Princess Kate Middletons photoshop controversy. Netherlands King Willem-Alexander joined the pile-on in a video posted via X on Tuesday, March 12, in which he was speaking to a group of children at a royal engagement in Zutphen. When one of them remarked on a photo of the king, 56, he replied, At least I didnt photoshop it. The satirical barrage directed at Kate, 42, began with a photo that the royal family released on Sunday, March 10, showing her celebrating Mothers Day in the U.K. with her and Prince Williams three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day, Kate wrote in the caption. Everything Kate Middleton Has Said About 'Amateur' Photography Passion Keen-eyed viewers soon began pointing out inconsistencies in the photo, leading to speculation that it had been photoshopped. The public noticed that Charlottes sweater didnt appear to line up properly on her left sleeve and that Kates hair was oddly blurred. Others also noted inconsistencies in the patterns on Louis and Georges sweaters. Prince of Wales/Kensington Palace / MEGA The next day, Kate issued a statement apologizing for the confusion surrounding the editing. Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing, she 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. Anwar Hussein/WireImage The timing of the controversy only added fuel to the speculation. Kate spent 13 days in a London clinic after abdominal surgery for an undisclosed issue. Just days before the photo debacle, Kate was spotted publicly for the first time since the procedure, but updates on her progress have been sparse. Princess Kate Through the Years: From Commoner to Future Queen Consort The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate, began a release from her office at Kensington Palace at the time of her January surgery. 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. Kate first took up photography as a hobby during the pandemic, labeling herself as an amateur and sharing tips shes learned along the way. She even joked that her kids have begged her to stop bombarding them with photos. Everyones like, Mummy, please stop taking photographs! she said in a June 2021 interview. Several news outlets eventually pulled the doctored image from their sites. WASHINGTON Republican Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde is pledging to donate his entire salary to a Wisconsin charity if elected in November as part of a campaign claiming he cant be bought. The multimillionaire banking mogul in a new ad lamented that Washington has become corrupt, saying career politicians sell themselves to special interest instead of working for their constituents. Ive worked hard, been fortunate. I dont need their special interest money, and I wont take it, Hovde said in the 30-second spot released Friday. If you decide to elect me as your next senator, Ill donate my entire salary to a Wisconsin charity every year. The pledge comes as Hovde, who owns a Madison-based real estate company and a bank in California, has said he will self-fund much of his campaign and could put tens of millions of his own capital into the race to unseat Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. He said Friday he "can't be bought" and would put Wisconsinites first. Eric Hovde officially launches his campaign to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin at an event Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. Hovde previously ran for Senate in 2012 but finished a close second to former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson in the primary. He previously said he would not accept "corporate special interest" dollars. Still, candidates cannot control special interest spending on their behalf. The current Senate salary is $174,000 per year, which is funded by taxpayers. A spokesperson for Hovde did not say which charities Hovde would donate his salary to but told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Hovde would not donate to his own. Hovdes charitable foundation, the Hovde Foundation, aims to aid vulnerable children in Africa and Central and South America by helping to provide shelter and educational assistance. In recent weeks, Hovde has attacked Baldwin, who is seeking her third term in the Senate, for being a career politician at the same time Democrats have attempted to paint Hovde as a California millionaire seeking to buy a Wisconsin Senate seat. Wisconsin Democrats this week called Hovde a California bank owner who doesnt share our values and cant be trusted to fight for us." In addition to the Madison-based commercial and residential real estate company, Hovde leads businesses anchored in California H Bancorp and its primary subsidiary, Sunwest Bank. During his unsuccessful 2012 Senate campaign, Hovde reported holding assets ranging from roughly $58 million to $240 million. But Hovde has attempted to push back on those attacks and earlier this month put a focus on highlighting his Wisconsin roots. His pledge Friday echoed past Wisconsin lawmakers. Former Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl, a multi-millionaire who owned the Milwaukee Bucks, self-funded his own campaigns and coined his famous campaign slogan, Nobodys Senator but Yours. Kohl died this past December. And Russ Feingold, a Democrat who represented Wisconsin in the Senate from 1993 to 2011, pushed to end automatic pay raises for members of Congress. Wisconsins Senate race is expected to be among the most competitive this cycle and is sure to draw in tens of millions of dollars in spending. Baldwin, a proven fundraiser, had just over $8 million in cash in her campaign account at the beginning of the year. Hovde has suggested he could put upwards of $20 million of his own money into his campaign. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Eric Hovde vows to donate Senate salary to charity in campaign ad A Georgia judge on Friday sharply criticized Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and said she must fire the special prosecutor she hired to oversee the sweeping election fraud case against former President Donald Trump or see her office lose control of the case. Atlanta-based Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, in a much-awaited ruling, said Willis had created the "significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team" by having a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who is supervising the case against Trump and 14 others for allegedly trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state. Within hours, Wade hand-delivered his resignation letter to Willis and she accepted it, "effective immediately." In his resignation letter, obtained by USA TODAY, Wade notes that McAfee ruled that the defendants seeking his and Willis' disqualification had "failed to meet their burden" of proving an actual conflict of interest in the case. But, he wrote, "I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible." A stark rebuke for Fani Willis McAfees ruling was a stark rebuke for Willis, who defiantly insisted she had done no wrong in dramatic court testimony last month and in a sworn affidavit and could significantly impact the course of Trumps legal and political future. If Willis had refused to remove Wade, McAfee said, he would refer the case to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia for reassignment an option that would almost certainly delay the trial well past the Nov. 5 presidential election. No trial date has been set. The Georgia prosecution is one of two criminal cases against Trump that focus on his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Firing Wade, the judge said, will allow the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case. Neither Willis nor Wade had immediate comment except for Wade's letter of resignation and a letter in response by Willis. Trump's lead defense counsel, Steve Sadow said he was not satisfied with the judge's ruling. Fulton County district attorney Fani Wilis testified last month at a hearing on her alleged inappropriate relationship with the special prosecutor she hired to oversee the Georgia election interference trial against Donald Trump. "While respecting the Courts decision, we believe that the Court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade, including the financial benefits," Sadow said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place. Ashleigh Merchant, the lawyer who first filed the disqualification motion on behalf of Trump associate and co-defendant Michael Roman, also said McAfee's ruling did not go far enough. But, she added, "While we believe the court should have disqualified Willis office entirely, this opinion is a vindication that everything put forth by the defense was true, accurate and relevant to the issues surrounding our clients right to a fair trial." A third co-defendant, former Trump campaign lawyer and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said through a spokesman that the decision revealed clear evidence of prosecutorial misconduct. "It defies logic for Fani Willis or Nathan Wade to remain on this case, considering the clear evidence of prosecutorial misconduct, including evidence of financial gain and providing untruthful testimony, said Ted Goodman, a Giuliani spokesperson. More: 'Tremendous lapse of judgment': 6 takeaways from Georgia judge rebuking DA Fani Willis in Donald Trump case Judge Scott McAfee notes 'an odor of mendacity' in Willis' testimony The Republican-appointed judge had hinted at the possibility of ruling this way last month by asking questions about whether he might only need to find that Willis had created the appearance of a conflict of interest in her relationship with Wade. Attorneys for Trump and other defendants seeking to disqualify Willis' office had argued for using that standard, while also arguing Willis improperly benefited financially from hiring Wade through vacations they took together. Prosecutors argued that defense attorneys had to prove an actual conflict of interest and Willis and Wade both testified that she repaid him in cash for her part of the travel. In his 23-page ruling, McAfee said Willis needed to be held to a higher standard. McAfee said Friday that Willis and Wade had severely damaged their credibility while on the witness stand."However, an odor of mendacity remains," he wrote, adding that there were "reasonable questions" over whether they had "testified untruthfully about the timing of their relationship." Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee ruled on Friday that Fani Willis must fire the special prosecutor she hired to oversee the sweeping election fraud case against former President Donald Trump. More: Fani Willis hearing: a salacious drama that could undermine Trump election interference case Months of intense legal wrangling McAfees ruling caps more than two months of intense legal wrangling that began with a Jan. 8 court filing by a former Trump 2020 campaign official who accused Willis of engaging in a clandestine and improper romantic relationship with Wade, a private attorney with virtually no experience prosecuting complex cases like the sweeping election racketeering one he now heads. Willis responded that she hired him more as a trusted manager of the overall investigation and trial than as a prosecutor. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case on March, 1 in Atlanta. Roman, a Trump 2020 campaign official, said the relationship violated state conflict-of-interest laws and had so irrevocably tainted the case that Willis and the DA's office needed to be disqualified and the case dismissed entirely. Roman, through defense lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, alleged in the court filing that Wade used some of the more than $650,000 in Fulton County money he had been paid on the case for their travel, in what amounted to an illegal form of self-dealing. Trump and several other co-defendants soon joined Roman in the motion to disqualify, and in attempting to dig up more information about their relationship, including cellphone records that might show when they were together. From left, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, prosecutor Daysha Young, attorney Andrew Evans and Nathan Wade listen during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case on March 1 in Atlanta. That prompted McAfee, who was appointed to the Superior Court bench in February 2023 by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, to schedule two days of evidentiary hearings last month and then a third to hear from all parties. Both days of testimony and cross-examination were marked by combative exchanges. The defense lawyers accused Willis and Wade of lying about key details of their relationship, including when it began and who paid for the trips to places such as Aruba and California wine country. On the witness stand and in sworn affidavits, Willis and Wade denied the accusations. At one point, Willis entered the courtroom and said she wanted to testify even as prosecutors in her office were fighting to quash a subpoena forcing her to do so. More: Read the ruling: Georgia judge decides on Fani Willis disqualification in Trump RICO case "You think Im on trial," Willis said from the stand on Feb. 15. "These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020, she added, gesturing to the defense table. Im not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial." The Find Me the Votes case In the Fulton County case, a grand jury indicted Trump, some top White House and campaign officials and even Georgia state officials on charges that they illegally conspired by various means to overturn the election results in Georgia. Part of that effort was Trumps now-infamous call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find him enough votes more than 11,000 to flip the battleground state from Biden to him. Trump has acknowledged asking Raffensperger about the votes and other elements of the Georgia case against him. But he said they were part of a legitimate and legal effort to document evidence of widespread voter fraud that could reverse the election results. Exhaustive government probes and court proceedings have found no evidence to support Trumps claims. 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after speaking at a campaign event in Rome, Ga., on March 9. Roman, for his part, is charged with trying to work with other Trump campaign officials to persuade state legislators in Georgia and other battleground states to illegally appoint their own slate of fake presidential electors to replace the ones that legitimately voted for Biden based on the vote in that state. Willis has other prosecutors who could take over the case, including some within her office and at least one, John Floyd, who she also hired as a special prosecutor. Floyd is a renowned expert in the complex racketeering law that Willis is using against Trump and the others. Whats next for the case for Willis and Trump? If Willis fires Wade to protect her ownership of the case, she faces the daunting task of navigating the complex legal terrain surrounding Trumps alleged election interference while also dealing with accusations of impropriety. She is likely to face a flurry of motions aimed at questioning her leadership of the case as it proceeds to trial, as well as a variety of other legal challenges by the defendants. In addition to Trump, Roman and Giuliani, defendants include former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadow and former Georgia state senator and former state Republican Chairman David Shafer. All have pleaded not guilty. Four others have pleaded guilty and are cooperating in the case, including former Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis and legal adviser Sidney Powell. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fani Willis news: Judge says DA can stay on. Prosecutor Nathan Wade resigns TikTok is facing the music from every direction. Just as it faces existential questions in the U.S., the social media application was slapped with a 10 million ($11 million) fine by Italy on Thursday for not being thorough in checking content that could potentially harm young or other vulnerable users. The Chinese ByteDance-owned platform had failed to protect vulnerable adolescents who could be influenced by group behaviors, according to Italian antitrust group AGCM. The watchdog referred specifically to videos of the French scar challenge, where young users would pinch their cheeks to create bruises on their cheekbones. TikTok hasnt taken adequate measures to make it a safe space for users, AGCM said, following an investigation on the subject that kicked off a year ago. The move comes less than a month after a different Italian regulator urged TikTok to pull the videos off its platform after the dangerous French scar trend went viral. Its also certainly not the first time that TikTok has been scrutinized for being unsafe for minors and faced fines on those accounts. Last year, Britain fined the short video-sharing app nearly $16 million for misusing childrens data and breaching its own age restriction for the platforms users. Independent organizations have also found that TikToks For You page could nudge young users toward harmful content. In February, New Yorks mayor Eric Adams sued TikTok, along with other social media platforms like Meta, for driving a youth mental health crisis. The European Union has kicked off an investigation of its own on the Chinese-owned app surrounding issues of data use and protection of minors. Although thereve been numerous instances of TikTok failing to do its bit in making the social media app safe for all its users, it disagreed with Italian AGCMs move. The so-called French scar content averaged just 100 daily searches in Italy prior to the AGCMs announcement last year, and we long ago restricted visibility of this content to (under-18s), a TikTok spokesperson told CNN Business. TikTok representatives didnt immediately return Fortunes request for comment. Italian watchdogs have had to intervene to prevent TikToks getting out of hand in the past. For instance, in 2021, a blackout challenge on the app led to the death of a ten-year-old girl, following which TikTok deleted 500,000 accounts that had ages it couldnt be verified. TikTok is under pressure in one of its biggest marketsthe U.S.where lawmakers voted in favor of a bill on Wednesday to possibly ban the platform. The U.S. bill, which the House of Representatives passed, will now face the Senate where the outcome remains uncertain. Among the many concerns are those pertaining to its links with the Chinese government, which TikTok has denied. Those fears have led numerous governments to ban the platform on government devices. Despite its future hanging in the balance, TikTok is undoubtedly among the most influential social media platforms with over 1 billion users globally. How the platform addresses complaints over its lack of safety could point to its direction in the future. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Miami is known by many nicknamesThe 305, Magic City and the Gateway to the Americas, to name just a few. Now it might be looking to add another: The American Switzerland. Francis Suarez, mayor of the Florida city, tells The Financial Times that hes hoping to position Miami as a business haven amid a huge influx of wealth over the past five years. The world is expanding in terms of financial and economic activity. The world is saying, OK, we need more than one Switzerland . . . We need one in America, Suarez said. Miami is emerging as the Singapore or Switzerland of this new iteration. I call it the capital of capital. Miami became a retreat for the wealthy during the pandemic, who were lured by its lack of state income tax, low 5.5% corporate income tax rate, warm weather and less restrictive COVID-19 regulations. Among its residents these days are Jeff Bezos, Carl Icahn and venture capitalist David Blumberg. Hedge fund Citadel has also made the city its home. All totaled, the city now has 75% more millionaires than it did a decade ago. The mayors job in Miami is a part-time one, but Suarez is often described as the chief marketing officer for the city. He told the FT he views Miami as being on the same level, as far as being a business hub, as Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and Doha. Also, of course, Switzerland, which he calls a place where banking and finance feel safe doing business. Suarez has also built the citys reputation as Wall Street South, something even skeptics acknowledge has some truth to it. And that has political ramifications. Florida has eclipsed California and Texas as the nations single largest source of donations to Republican presidential campaigns, racking up $30 million for GOP candidates in 2023. Suarez has his own political agenda, beyond Miami. He had a brief, failed run for the Republican nomination last year and has been open about wanting to be Trumps vice president should he be elected. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com In the fabric of human achievement, speed has always been a defining thread. From the first locomotives to the dawn of aviation, our quest to travel faster has consistently reshaped society. Today, we stand on the cusp of a new era in transportation. High-speed flight represents the next frontier. With the ability to travel commercially at speeds near or above Mach 5, we stand on the brink of revolutionizing global mobility, shrinking the vast distances that separate us. However, that is only part of the story. The ability to fly faster and higher has always been the next military high ground. As China and Russia lead the way in using advanced hypersonics for weapons development, the U.S. must leverage our full engine of innovation to catch up and leap ahead by reducing barriers to test new tech. Why hypersonic matters Reusable human-rated hypersonic flight is not new. In the 1960s, the X-15 completed over 120 flights above Mach 5 at altitudes surpassing those of typical commercial aircraft. From the 1980s through 2011, the Space Shuttle flew over a hundred missions that included a 30-minute flight time at Mach 25 upon reentry, landing in Florida after crossing half the world. However, the fundamental technologies enabling new engines are now poised to take these once government-only reusable hypersonic vehicles into commercial applications. Just imagine a world where the journey from Los Angeles to Tokyo takes less than two hours. This isn't merely about speedit's about the unprecedented connectivity that hypersonic travel offers. It would revolutionize global connectivity. Shrinking travel times would ignite unprecedented global trade, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Hypersonic vehicles could deliver life-saving aid or critical supplies within hours, saving countless lives in critical moments. And with advanced engines doing all of this with lower emissions per mile traveled. An urgent national security need While reusable hypersonic flight was first proven in the 1960s, both Russia and China have advanced hypersonic flight to the next level by developing weapons that not only fly fast but also at low altitudes to maneuver around defenses and reach their target with significant speed. Russia has used them multiple times in combat with Ukraine. China is in the process of developing a high-hypersonic weapons system that can circle most of the globe before striking. In 2021, U.S. military officials described Chinas test of this system as being very close to a Sputnik moment. It became a rather uncomfortable wake-up call showcasing the nations need to prioritize hypersonics. Since then, China has continued to advance its science and technology and is now home to the worlds most powerful hypersonic wind tunnel, the JF-22, which can simulate the conditions in which a spacecraft re-enters the Earths atmosphere. This past summer, China tested a new type of air-launched spaceplane design in this tunnel that has been designed for commercial, reconnaissance and military use. Despite China and Russia leading in using advanced hypersonics, it is worth noting that the U.S. government is developing hypersonics programs. Last year, the Pentagon requested $4.7 billion for hypersonic research in the FY2023 budget and has been developing various potential hypersonic weapons options like the Armys Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. However, the DOD has said it does not expect to field a hypersonic defense system until at least 2034. While there is an enormous commercial market opportunity in commercial reusable hypersonics, the military advantage in flying faster has always been decisive. Flying reusable, cost-effective, and scalable? Game-changing. Whats stopping us? Unfortunately, the current regulatory landscape is simply not ready for testing hypersonic aircraft. More accurately, the pace of testing the U.S. achieved in the 1950s and 1960s is now stymied by red tape and bureaucracy. America's regulatory processes are sluggish. Unless reformed, they will slow down development and discourage private sector participation in developing vital future technologies in the United States. One of the U.S.s greatest advantages is our venture capital (VC) ecosystem. However, such a system relies on fast feedback loops to allow trial and errorat a company level to test technologies, and at an industry level to back the winners and shut down the losers. In the nine to 18 months it takes to measure the CO2 impact and wildlife disturbance of a single test vehicle, many multiple flights could have been tested, tried, failed, and adjusted. Meanwhile, at a single airport in the U.S. in one day, more CO2 would have been released due to taxiing and more birds would have been scared off to prevent them from interfering with takeoff and landing. The U.S. must step up. It is not enough to list hypersonics as a top priority in a PowerPoint presentation or on a website. Those goals must be matched by the necessary means at test ranges across America. Our competition is Chinese and Russian companies/militaries, who can, lets face it, do anything they must to achieve the results expected by their governments. While Im not for a moment suggesting the U.S. follow that model, I do believe the U.S. government must understand our competitors lack of regulatoryor otherimpediments and adopt policies that fit the urgency of the moment. Nothing is more crucial to unleashing the full potential of this advanced technology than modernizing the lead-footed regulation and cutting the red tape that threatens to stifle innovation. Charting a collaborative course It will take government initiatives, experienced defense companies, and private entrepreneurship to innovate around the challenges of hypersonics. We need a regulatory environment that mirrors the agility of the startups it seeks to govern. Collaborative avenues have worked for other industries in the past, so lets adopt that approach in forms such as: Dedicated testing corridors: Establishing designated flight zones specifically for hypersonic experimentation would significantly facilitate testing and development, with pre-approved environmental umbrellas. Joint research and development: Collaborative programs leveraging the expertise of both private and public sectors would accelerate progress exponentially. Leverage dual use: As innovators set their sights on commercial applications, leveraging for a military variant is a proven recipe for innovation. Such measures would not only accelerate the advent of commercial hypersonic flight but also invigorate the aerospace sector more broadly with fresh investment and innovation. The hypersonic era beckons. American innovators and aerospace pioneers are demonstrating that the technology is ready. We must respond with a concerted national effort to focus on hypersonic technology and its immense potential, without handing the advantage to Russia and China. What will it take? Private investment. Public partnership. Regulatory enablement. And with that, well gain the opportunity to propel America into an era of new frontiers with unprecedented possibilities for all. Sassie Duggleby is the co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace, based in Houston, TX. More must-read commentary published by Fortune: The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com President Joe Biden meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 15, 2024 in Washington. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Friday praised a speech by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in which the New York Democrat called for Israel to hold elections to replace Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu five months into Israel's war with Hamas. Biden told reporters that Schumer contacted senior White House staff in advance that he planned to deliver Thursday's speech, in which Schumer from the Senate floor blasted Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace in the Middle East, saying he has "lost his way" by putting "political survival" ahead of the best interests of Israel. "I'm not going to elaborate on the speech," Biden said. "He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans." Schumer, a close ally of Biden and the highest-ranking elected Jewish official in U.S. history, said Thursday that "it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after Oct. 7." Nobody expects Prime Minister Netanyahu to do the things that must be done to break the cycle of violence, preserve Israels credibility on the world stage and work toward a two-state solution," Schumer said. Schumer called a new election in Israel "the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel." The White House stopped short of endorsing Schumer's push for new elections in Israel. John Kirby, the White House's spokesman for the National Security Council, said, "That's going to be up for the Israeli people to decide," when asked whether Biden supports new elections to replace Netanyahu. Kirby said Biden was speaking to "the passion with which Leader Schumer made that speech," adding that Biden knows Schumer's remarks "resonate with many Americans." "For our part, we're going to keep supporting Israel in their fight against Hamas," Kirby said, declining to elaborate further on Biden's views on Schumer's position. "I'll leave it at the president's comments." The Biden administration has become increasingly at odds with Netanyahu over Israel's refusal to scale back the war in Gaza and its efforts to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. Biden has faced increasing pressure from progressives and Arab-Americans for his unwavering support of Israel in the months since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Netanyahu has refused Biden's demand for a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis and has pledged to continue the war in Gaza until Hamas is crushed. Last week, top White House officials including Vice President Kamala Harris met with Benny Gantz, a member of Israels wartime Cabinet and a centrist political rival of Netanyahu, who did not authorize Gantz's trip to Washington. Gantz is widely considered to be Netanyahu's most likely election opponent. After Biden's State of the Union address last week, Biden was caught on a hot microphone saying he's going to need a "come to Jesus meeting" with Netanyahu. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., departs after saying he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "lost his way" and is an obstacle to peace in the region amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Schumer, who is the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., strongly criticized Netanyahu in a lengthy speech and called for Israel to hold new elections. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ORG XMIT: DCSA102 Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @Joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden praises Schumer's criticism of Netanayhu By Samia Nakhoul DUBAI (Reuters) -Hamas has presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the U.S. which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters. Hamas said the initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly, and ill hostages in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, according to the proposal. The release of Israeli "female recruits" is included. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the new Hamas position was based on "unrealistic demands." Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like as a deepening humanitarian crisis has one quarter of the population in the battered Gaza Strip facing famine. Hamas said ceasefire negotiations had faltered over the past few weeks due to Netanyahus rejection of its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from the strip, the return of the displaced in the south of the enclave to the centre and the north, and stepping up aid without restrictions. In February, Hamas received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris which included a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one - a similar ratio to the new ceasefire proposal. RELEASE OF ALL DETAINEES Israel also rejected that draft proposal, citing its long-held goal of not ending the war until it destroyed Hamas. Hamas insists an agreement should end the war. According to the latest proposal, Hamas said a date for a permanent ceasefire would be agreed upon after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners as well as a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group said all detainees from both sides would be released in a second stage of the plan. The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7 that left 1,200 people dead and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's air, sea and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 31,000 people and wounded over 71,500, according to Gaza health authorities. The conflict has spread to other parts of the volatile Middle East. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah has frequently exchanged fire with Israel along the border. Pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq have attacked U.S. forces in the country and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked shipping lanes in and around the Red Sea to show their solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. Late on Thursday, Hamas said it presented to mediators a comprehensive vision of a truce based on stopping what it calls Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing relief and aid, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. With the war now in its sixth month, the U.N. has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access for aid. (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul, writing by Nayera Abdallah, Editing Michael Georgy and Sharon Singleton) Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love on Jan. 23, 2024, in Kingston, Jamaica. Marcus Ingram/Getty Images During their travels around Texas last week, Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle stopped by a community center on San Antonios West Side to check in on a women-focused refugee outreach program launched by their nonprofit, the Archewell Foundation. The royal couple visited the Family Service Neighborhood Place last week to learn more about the programs help for women who have recently resettled from Afghanistan, joining a group of them who were working on their sewing skills San Antonio is one of the foundations 11 project areas across the U.S. designed to foster a sense of belonging through activities including sewing, art, hiking, swimming, photography, storytelling and cooking, its website says. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Local nonprofit Culturingua partnered with the foundation to create the San Antonio project. The visit, which happened to fall on International Womens Day, concluded with a home-cooked meal. The duchess joined in making Bolani, a traditional Afghan flatbread. Photos of the visit on the Archewell Foundations website include Markle holding a handsewn dress and Harry, who served two tours of duty in the British army in Afghanistan, speaking to community members. The couple came to Texas for the annual South by Southwest Conference in Austin, where Markle participated in a panel discussion about womens representation in media and the dangers of social media. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They headed to Uvalde on Saturday for a local event celebrating the opening of a new playground funded, in part, by their foundation. They also visited the family of Irma Garcia, one of two teachers killed alongside 19 young students in the 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary. Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday that it is absurd and patently unfair that marijuana is treated the same as heroin and other Schedule I drugs and more seriously than fentanyl under federal law. Marijuana is considered as dangerous as heroin and more dangerous than fentanyl, which is absurd, not to mention patently unfair, Harris said during a roundtable on the administrations plans for cannabis reform. Im sure DEA is working as quickly as possible and will continue to do so and we look forward to the product of their work. The comments came at the roundtable at the White House as the Biden administration hopes that promoting changes long sought by criminal justice advocates will help build enthusiasm among Black voters, younger voters and a wider array of core Democratic constituencies. Harris has been traveling the country to rouse the Democratic base about the prospect of voting for her and President Joe Biden a second time, including making appeals to younger voters. The administration began the process of reconsidering how marijuana is treated under federal law just before the midterms in 2022. Biden pardoned all prior federal offenses for simple marijuana possession and encouraged all governors to pardon state offenses. The same year, Biden asked US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the attorney general to begin the administrative process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. The vice president met with musician Fat Joe and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear - and alluded to her own role in what she described as an unequal criminal justice system. I believe that the promise of America includes equal justice under the law. And for too many, our criminal justice system has failed to live up to that core principle, said Harris, who started her political career as a prosecutor in California. And I say that with full knowledge of how this system has worked, including my experience as a prosecutor, she added. The group attending the roundtable included people who have received pardons for marijuana-related convictions. Biden mentioned cannabis reform in his State of the Union address last week. No one should be jailed for simply using or have it on their record, Biden said in his address last week. Harris repeated similar sentiments on Friday: I believe I think we all at this table believe nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed, she said. And what we need to do is recognize that far too many people have been sent to jail for simple marijuana possession, Harris added while acknowledging how the enforcement of cannabis-related laws have disproportionately impacted people of color. Harris own feelings on marijuana reform have evolved in line with her career. In a 2019 interview with The Breakfast Club, Harris admitted to using cannabis in college: And I inhaled I did inhale, Harris told co-host Charlamagne Tha God in a reference to former President Bill Clintons infamous didnt inhale response to a similar question while he was campaigning in 1992. But as San Franciscos district attorney from 2004 to 2011, Harris oversaw scores of marijuana convictions and she opposed a failed 2010 effort that would have legalized marijuana in California, the Los Angeles Times reported. She called for an end to the federal governments ban on medical cannabis in 2015, stopping short of complete legalization. In her 2019 book, Harris wrote that marijuana should be legalized. CNNs Holmes Lybrand and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JEFFERSON, Texas (KETK) An East Texas deputy and his family lost everything to a home fire and now they are trying to move forward and rebuild. The Jackson civic center booking up after opening in February We burned some leaves and we wetted everything down, Chuck Rodgers, a criminal investigator with the Marion County Sheriffs Office, said. We went inside and we heard a pop and came out and our shed was on fire. Before we could do anything else, it spread over to the house. Rodgers said he witnessed as his familys home burned to the ground. Within the home irreplaceable items and memories were lost to the flames. Photographs and bibles, Rodgers said. We had a family bible from my great grandmother that was well over 120 years old. After more than 30 years in law enforcement, Rodgers said he has responded to dozens of fires but he never thought he would find himself on this side of it. Being on this side, its just very difficult and hard to explain, Rodgers said. I would never wish this on anybody. Keep Tyler Beautiful invites community to city cleanup event The silver lining to it all is that he is not going through this alone. Rodgers said, neighbors have rallied behind him and his loved ones in their time of need. Weve had an outreach from the community and thats been a huge blessing, thats really one of the things keeping me going right now, Rodgers said. Brick by brick, Rodgers said they plan to start over again in the same spot. The Marion County First Responder Prayer Force is currently accepting donations to raise funds to go directly to the Rodgers family as the rebuild from the ground up. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Isabella Willingham has no recollection of what happened in late November when she lost consciousness in her Asbury University dorm room and woke up with bruises, cuts and deep gashes on her body. More than three months later, Willingham, 21, has not returned to the campus in Wilmore, Kentucky, her father, Andy Willingham, said Thursday. The elder Willingham has criticized the Jessamine County Sheriffs Office for how it initially handled the investigation and said the university has not done enough to alert the campus about what he believes was an assault. Representatives for Asbury University and the sheriffs office said the investigation is ongoing, which limits their ability to speak in depth. Willingham said what happened to his daughter was purely physical torture. She is still recovering physically, fears for her safety and is in therapy, he said. It has changed her direction. She doesnt know if shes going back to school, whether it would be Asbury or anywhere else, Willingham said. Shes trying to piece her world back together. Isabella Willingham. (Courtesy Andy Willingham) He said his daughters memory has also been affected by the incident. She has no memory about anything about that day. She does not remember the previous day when I brought her back to campus. She has forgotten several things that have occurred during the semester itself, he said. Around 11 pm. Nov. 27, the resident director of Isabella Willinghams dorm told her family she was being taken to the emergency room because she may have fallen off her loft-style bed, which was about 5 to 5 feet off the ground, her father said. But he added that the possibility of that was remote because she was protected by a rail about 8 inches above her mattress. After Andy Willingham arrived at University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, a chaplain told him that his daughter was on a ventilator and had gruesome injuries. Minutes later, the chaplain returned with two sheriffs deputies who were called to the hospital because doctors determined his daughters injuries were most likely caused by abuse or a beating, Willingham said. Willingham also learned his daughter stopped breathing on her own for about 23 minutes, almost exactly when emergency medical personnel arrived at her dorm and saved her life. She also stopped breathing for about nine minutes at the hospital, he said. She was hospitalized for nearly two weeks before she was released, her father said. Isabella Willingham (Courtesy Andy Willingham) Willingham, 59, said both Asbury University where he met his wife and from which he graduated in 1991 and the Jessamine County Sheriffs Office have left a lot to be desired in how they have handled the incident and reached out to the public with pertinent information. The university is trying to hide this. They are more concerned about protecting their reputation than they are about doing the right thing and protecting the students and finding an answer to this, Willingham said. He said Asbury failed to notify the campus about what occurred until early December, after a local media report. He also said the incident was not added to the campus crime report until later that month, after his daughter insisted on it. A representative for Asbury University said in an email Thursday: This matter is part of an ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities and with the Universitys full cooperation. We are unable to provide any updates or specific information at this time. Asburys priority remains the safety and wellbeing of its students, faculty, and staff. Please refer all additional inquires to the Jessamine County Sheriffs Office. Willingham said he was also upset after a WKYT-TV of Lexington reported in early December that the sheriffs office said his daughter most likely had a medical episode and called allegations that she was beaten lies. After Christmas break, the sheriffs office told students in the dormitory by email that it was investigating an incident and to come forward if they had information, Willingham said. NBC News has not seen the email. Chief Sheriffs Deputy Anthony Purcell said Thursday: Its an open investigation at this time, and our rules are not to comment on an open investigation. Willingham said that a rape kit determined his daughter was not sexually assaulted and that toxicology reports found nothing of concern. NBC News has not reviewed the reports. His daughter has no history of mental illness or hurting herself, Willingham said. Willingham said some of her injuries were bizarre: Eight of her acrylic nails either were ripped off or fell off, and she had nearly identical bruises on both sides of her pelvis. The tops of her feet looked like she had been [dragged] across concrete or a gravel area, he said. Willingham wants to see someone arrested and charged for what happened to his daughter. Ideally, we would find who did this and justice would be done, he said. Also, the school would be forthright in communicating to the student body about potential threats and risks on campus. The pilot of the LATAM Airlines flight in the middle of an investigation into an incident that left 50 people injured allegedly told passengers that he temporarily lost control of the Boeing 787 due to a malfunctioning instrument. A LATAM Airlines flight on Monday flying from Australia to New Zealand dropped abruptly mid-air following what was described as a "technical event". The incident threw some of the passengers out of their seats with many hitting the roof of the plane and suffering injuries. An investigation has been launched into the incident by the Chilean Aeronautical Authority as the aircraft involved was registered in Chile. Brian Jokat, one among the 263 passengers and nine crew members on the flight, said he was asleep before the incident happened and woke up to see individuals stuck to the roof fall to the floor. He said the aircraft dropped something to the effect of 500 feet instantly, according to CNN. Thats when I opened my eyes and there was various individuals at the top of the plane. Just stuck to the roof and then they fell to the floor. And then I just realized Im not in a movie, this is actually for real, Mr Jokat said. After the landing at the Auckland airport, the passenger said the pilot explained that he lost control of the plane and that my gauges just kind of went blank on me. He said for that brief moment he couldnt control anything and thats when the plane did what it did. Then he said the gauges came back and it reengaged, the plane just reengaged to its normal flight pattern. And we had no issues before, no issues after. But just that moment. A paramedic walks onboard as passengers look on, after an incident on a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787, in Auckland (Brian Adam Jokat via REUTERS) Photos taken by Mr Jokat following the incident showed damage sustained to the ceiling of the airplane where he said fellow passengers had hit it. LATAM Airlines on Thursday said in a statement that it continues to work coordinately with the respective authorities to support the investigation. The airlines, however, said that it will be inappropriate to comment on speculations. It comes as a possible movement of the pilots seat in the cockpit has come to the centre of focus of the probe into the sudden mid-air dive, aviation industry publication Air Current reported on Wednesday. The report, citing a senior airline safety official, claimed that the seat movement was pilot induced, not intentional, based on the information available. The seat movement caused the nose down angle of the aircraft, the publication said, citing another anonymous source who added the possibility of an electrical short was also under review. The cause of the flights apparent sudden change in trajectory has not yet been explained. Safety experts say most airplane accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors that need to be thoroughly investigated. New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said because the incident occurred in international airspace, it fell to Chilean accident investigation authority Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC) to open an inquiry. A view of the damage sustained to the ceiling of the airplane after an incident on a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787, in Auckland (Brian Adam Jokat via REUTERS) LATAM Airlines, a Chilean-Brazilian carrier, said it "deeply" regretted "any inconvenience and discomfort this situation may have caused its passengers". It said the plane suffered a technical event during the flight which caused a strong movement. Mr Jokat said he saw people screaming and crying while fearing for his own life. It was mass chaos for a few short seconds, the passenger said. Clearly there was a moment in my head that I just kind of resigned to the fact this could be it. This might be it. Editors note: This story may contain spoilers for prying little eyes! In the same way the Elf on the Shelf greatly increased the Christmas creep, forcing parents to add additional stress to our jam-packed December schedules, leprechauns seem poised to become the parent nemesis of March. I, for one, am not going down without a fight. Im besties with Santa Claus. I can handle the tooth fairy. Im not pleased that Halloween is now extends through entire month of October, but I costume my disdain. I draw the line at Elf on the Shelf. But I really didnt know what I had done when I welcomed leprechauns into my home. On the eve of St. Patricks Day in 2019, a leprechaun "peed" in our toilet and forgot to flush. My kids have not stopped talking about it since. It is now a thing. A leprechaun stops for a potty break in our home every March. And thus, I inadvertently surrendered more of my precious free time to holiday magic making. Why did I decide to torture myself for years to come? Well, my kids were very young and impressionable at the time they were just 4 and 2. I probably saw something on Pinterest and knew I had green food coloring on hand. Two seconds of work for two smiles of delight. Little did I know that I had crossed the threshold into the Leprechaun Industrial Complex. A quick online search will introduce you to more ideas for leprechaun home invasions than you could ever imagine. There are leprechauns leaving footprints around your house, leprechauns turning milk green, leprechauns making a mess, leprechauns playing pranks, leprechauns scattering gold coins. You can also personalize your leprechaun by naming it. And don't even get me started on leprechaun traps and the myriad ways you can design and build them. Leprechaun hijinks are no longer confined to St. Patricks Day Eve. Those Irish rascals are arriving earlier and earlier each year, raising the stakes on creative mischief. Is there a way out of this green nightmare? Or should I just shamrock and roll with the punches? What are parents saying? For those parents who are really into leprechauning, I say, "Slainte!" "Leprechauns showed up at our house two Sundays ago and have been causing mayhem," says father of two, Mike Newman. "Theyve changed all the lights in my house to green bulbs, turned the Cheerios into Lucky Charm marshmallows, burned through two traps and last night I found schematics to dye my dog's hair green. It's been a real problem." Clearly reveling in the chaos, he adds, "This has also all cost me several hundred dollars and will likely cost my children thousands of dollars in psychiatric bills later in life. These leprechauns are no good." I am duly impressed ... and also exhausted just thinking about it. A few other parents agreed with me. "The leprechaun definitely does not visit our house, nor does the Elf," says Meghan Holt, a mom of three from Boston, Massachusetts. "I'm not passionate about it. I just dismiss it." Kate Wright, a mom of three from Grand Rapids, Michigan, says that her family doesn't do any of the "auxiliary holidays" her kids might celebrate at school. "Frankly, I lack the bandwidth to plan it out the month in advance that is required," she says. However, a good friend of Wright's "does all of this for her kids." She has a busy job, three young kids (two of whom are twins) and still manages to go above and beyond in the holiday magic department. "I am in awe of how much magic she makes for her babies. I don't know how she does it," Wright says. Even so, Wright isn't sweating the small stuff. "My mom didn't do it when I was growing up," she adds. "I feel like I turned out fine." What do Irish parents do? To find out if I really should be making leprechaun magic for my kids, I turned to an authoritative source: a mom of two who moved to New Jersey from Ireland two years ago. (And yes, her accent is delightful.) Dublin native Amie O'Reilly hails from a country that has a "Designated Area of Protection for Flora, Fauna, Wild Animals and Little People" (a.k.a. leprechauns) from the European Union Habitats Directive. So she is obviously an expert. In Ireland, she explains, St. Patrick's Day is treated as a national holiday. School is cancelled, businesses are closed and Dublin dyes its river green. "We usually go to the parade in the morning. That'll go on all day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's a whole day thing," OReilly says. "Some will go to the carnival, and then we go to the pub and drink Guinness while the kids play. And then we go home and eat ham and cabbage." O'Reilly's family does have an Elf on the Shelf, which is a "really big thing" in Ireland, though she has not introduced the leprechaun (yet). She says shed be open to leprechauning if her kids happened to show an interest in hosting (or trapping) a small mischief maker. OReilly was actually in Dublin for their Mothers Day when I contacted her, so she had a chance to ask Irish friends and family if they have leprechauns visiting their homes in March. Among her friends, she says, shrugging, Its just never really been a thing. I was saying this to my husband last night, and he says, Its definitely more American than it is Irish. This article was originally published on TODAY.com (Photo Credit: alberto clemares exposito | Getty Images) A family in East Hartford, Connecticut, is grieving the loss of their 1-year-old baby, who died after a brutal dog attack. Reports say the child was playing on a trampoline with his mother in their residence when the family dog fatally attacked him. Tragically, the child succumbed to multiple bite wounds. Child dies after being bitten multiple times in Connecticut According to ABC News, the attack happened on Wednesday, Mar. 13. East Hartford police responded to the victims residence shortly after 3 p.m. after receiving reports of the injured child being attacked while on a trampoline by a larger, mixed breed dog. The boy was rushed to hospital, and unfortunately, did not make it. Police revealed the childs mother suffered minor injuries from the attack. As per NBC News reports, the family had two Pit Bulls; one of the dogs was behind the attack. According to the distraught family, the animal had never displayed any aggression before. If the dog would have been aggressive or anything like that, trust and believe he wouldnt have been around the baby, Ricky Rohena, the childs father, shared. Rohena also expressed regret for leaving the dogs outside that day. I just didnt get the chance to hold my baby at all. I didnt get the chance to see him, a heartbroken Rohena, who was at work at the time of the attack, stated. Rohena said he took the dogs out before work, but wishes he never left them outside. A neighbor told the news outlet he heard screams coming from the victims residence and rushed to help. I tried to fight off two Pit Bulls and help the baby as much as I could, Rohan Green, the neighbor, narrated. One minute seemed like forever. [It was] a long battle. Following the attack, authorities seized both animals from the residence. This tragic incident comes barely a week after a New Jersey family dog mauled a 3-month-old baby to death. The post Dog Attack Leaves Child Dead From Multiple Bites in Connecticut appeared first on DogTime. Tony Goldwyn and wife Jane Musky. Tony Goldwyn and Jane Musky are an incredibly rare example of a truly long-lasting and stable Hollywood marriage. That may well be in large part because the couple are generally very private about their 40-plus year relationship, but theyve let a few details slip over the years. Heres what we know about Goldwyns wife, including how they met and what she does for a living. Related: Tony Goldwyn to Take Over for Sam Waterston on 'Law & Order' Who is Tony Goldwyn married to? Tony Goldwyn has been married to Jane Musky since 1987. The couple first met during the 1980s, when Goldwyn was 21. Jane is just the most incredible human being that I know, Goldwyn told Hoda Kotb during an interview on The Today Show in 2019. She's just a very salt of the earth person. And I knew when I was 21 when I met her, I better hang on because I'll never come across this again. How did Tony Goldwyn meet his wife, Jane Musky? Goldwyn told the story of how he met Musky during a 2017 interview on LIVE with Kelly and Mark, and revealed that originally, it was Goldwyns best friend who was supposed to be going on the date with her. He said, Theres this girl Im obsessed with, and she likes to run, and I dont have any running shoes, Goldwyn recalled. After he lent his friend a pair of running shoes, he was invited to come along on the date as a wingman, but ended up swooping in on Jane himself. We ended up running up to this beautiful pond, and going skinny dipping, he recalled. [My friend] kind of stopped running with us, and then Jane and I kept running. Were still running. What does Tony Goldwyn's wife do for a living? Musky is a production designer, and has worked on a number of well-known projects over the years. Most notably, she was the production designer for classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally (1989), the Coen brothers Raising Arizona (1987), the David Mamet drama Glengarry Glenn Ross (1992) and more recently Hustlers (2019). Musky was also the production designer on Ghost (1990), in which Goldwyn played the villainous role of Carl Bruner. Thats how I got the part, he revealed to Hoda Kotb. I was a semi-employed actor, and Jane was this big fancy production designer, he recalled, adding that Musky kept bugging him about the part until he convinced his agent to get him an audition. Related: Why Demi Moore Thought Ghost Might Be a Disaster Were Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington ever married? No. Despite their spicy onscreen chemistry in Scandal, Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington have never been married, or romantically involved, in real life. When did Tony Goldwyn and Jane Musky get married? Tony Goldwyn and Jane Musky got married in April of 1987. What is the age difference between Tony Goldwyn and his wife? Goldwyn was born in May of 1960, and Musky was born in May of 1954, making her six years older than Goldwyn. Are Tony Goldwyn and his wife still together? Tony Goldwyn and Jane Musky are still together. As of 2024, theyve been married for more than 35 years. When Hoda Kotb understandably asked him to share the secret to his unusually long-lasting marriage, Goldwyn reflected: I think in our marriage, at times when wed been having difficulty, wed just look at each other and say, Are you willing to work on this? It takes both people to look at each other and mutually agree, even though were having a hard cycle, were gonna work on it together Also, for me, I just have a lot of respect for her, and that never ends. Thats maybe the thing that keeps me so interested in her as a person. Does Tony Goldwyn have children? Tony Goldwyn and Jane Musky have two daughters together, Ann (born in 1990), who works as a scriptwriter and story editor, and Tess (born in 1995), who is an actress. In a 2019 interview with Fatherly, Goldwyn paid tribute to his wife for instilling a strong work ethic and sense of empowerment in their daughters. When I was away, she was working hard, long hours, and racing home from work to get home by six so our babysitter could go and she could get dinner on the table, he said of working on set out of town. She killed herself to do it. We realized it was a great example for our girls to see that we both work equally hard, and both of my kids are ambitious. Where does Tony Goldwyn live now? Goldwyn and Musky raised their family in the suburban Connecticut town of New Canaan. They now live in Los Angeles, and also have a property in New Yorks Upper West Side. Next, Everything to Know About 'Law & Order' Season 23 A pro-Palestinian protest in Chicago on 18 October 2023. Photograph: Eric Cox/Reuters Ahead of next weeks primary in Illinois, more than 40 Muslim, Palestinian and Arab American leaders and groups in Chicago refused a meeting with White House officials, citing the USs continued funding of Israels war on Gaza. Related: Washington and Georgia protest votes raise pressure on Biden over Gaza war In a letter sent to the White House on Thursday, the leaders said there was no point in additional meetings when they had already made clear their demand for a permanent ceasefire to the Biden administration through prior discussions, protests and media interviews. We believe another meeting would only act to whitewash months of White House inaction followed by meek handouts. We are interested in serious action, they wrote in the letter. They continued: Offering a belated trickle of aid, whether airdrops or temporary piers, to captive Palestinian civilians who continue to be shot like fish in a barrel, but remaining unwilling or unable to cease the killing is like dishing out Band-Aids with one hand, while wielding an axe with the other. More than 100,000 Arab Americans live in Chicago, according to the US Census Bureaus American Community Survey, while at least 350,000 Muslims live in Illinois. The refusal follows similar actions by Muslim and Arab American groups throughout the nation who are furious with Joe Bidens handling of Israels war in Gaza, where more than 31,000 people have been killed since 7 October, according to Gazas health ministry. In late January, 15 Michigan leaders cancelled a listening session with Bidens re-election campaign. Theyre approaching the community now to speak about the issues unfolding as if theyre electoral problems or political ones. And for us, thats not what these are, Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan home to one of the nations largest Arab American population said at the time. This is an issue of humanity. Palestinians are not important because of polling numbers. In early February, Palestinian Americans rejected an invitation to a roundtable discussion with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, which they called a box-ticking exercise. Last month, Muslim and Arab American leaders met with Bidens senior advisers in Dearborn, Michigan, where some attendees said that officials listened to their concerns. The deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, admitted to missteps in responding to Israels war in Gaza at the meeting. Thursdays rejection comes alongside growing concern within the Biden administration as Democratic voters have registered mounting warnings in recent primaries. More than 100,000 Michigan voters in the states Democratic primary selected uncommitted last month in protest of Bidens position on the war. Similar efforts took off in Washington, Minnesota and Georgia. Illinoiss primary is next week. While the state does not have an uncommitted option on its ballots, some leaders are still encouraging the electorate to cast a protest vote. In Illinois, a lot of the Palestinians in the Muslim American community are encouraged to either leave it blank, or write Gaza as a way for us to show that we are coming to the polls. Were still voting; were voting for other elected officials, Deena Kishawi with American Muslims for Palestine-Chicago told ABC7 Chicago. A White House official told Politico that senior aides will still meet with some local leaders in Chicago as part of an ongoing process to engage with communities impacted by the Mideast conflict. In the letter to the White House, the Chicago groups and leaders made clear they were pushing for the US to allow for a flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, a reinstatement of funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, accountability for Israel, and justice and liberation for Palestinians. That is what history will judge us by, not more token meetings when every day is of the essence, they concluded in the letter. A groundbreaking $418 million settlement announced Friday by the powerful National Association of Realtors is set to usher in the most sweeping reforms the American real estate market has seen in a century. It could dramatically drive down homebuyers costs and push some real estate brokers out of business. Heres a look at how we got here and what to expect in the months ahead. NAR already lost a big case For decades, the NAR has required home sale listing brokers to provide an offer of compensation to a buyers agent up front. That usually comes out to about 6%, split between a sellers broker and a buyers agent. But that model has come under intensifying scrutiny from critics who have likened it to a cartel. Late last year, a jury in a Kansas City federal court found the longstanding practice to be a form of collusion that artificially inflated real estate fees, awarding a massive $1.78 billion judgment against NAR. What changes now for homebuyers and sellers If the settlement announced Friday is approved by a federal court, the standard 6% commission goes away. Sellers would no longer have to make a compensation proposal to prospective buyers and their agents. Critics have said the encouraged brokers to push their clients toward more expensive properties. Another new rule would see homebuyers having to sign an explicit deal with a broker before they start working with one something experts say would lead many homebuyers to forgo using brokers entirely. The new rules would kick in within months of approval, currently expected around mid-July. What about the next few months? Everyone involved in the market should expect a certain amount of uncertainty for the coming months, said Marty Green, principal at mortgage law firm Polunsky Beitel Green. The industry will be in transition as everyone digests the settlements and market forces begin working, he predicted. We will begin to see some creative buyers agent arrangements that may have been harder to get traction on before. Home buyers and their agents will need to decide on a commission and put it in writing. Sellers, likewise, will need to work carefully with their listing agents as the new rules come into effect. U.S. consumers might save in the long run ... The changes could mean buyers will save on commissions, eventually bringing U.S. fees more in line with the much lower transaction costs seen in other residential property markets around the world. Some commissions could even be cut in half, Jaret Seiberg, housing policy analyst for TD Cowen Washington Research Group, told clients in a note Friday. The new rules should lead to commissions falling 25% to 50%, which we view as benefiting online real estate brokers, Seiberg wrote, but he warned its too early to declare the end of local real estate agents given their local expertise and reputation in neighborhoods. It is why we do not see this following the travel agency model in which online eclipsed local offices. ... but buyers could face more confusion Holden Lewis, a home and mortgage expert at NerdWallet, warned of a potential negative trade-off: Buyer-seller negotiations will become more complex, and buyers with plenty of cash might navigate the process more easily than buyers who dont have a lot of savings, he said. Seiberg flagged a similar concern in his note, saying it could particularly affect first-time buyers with limited means to pay for an agent. Brokers and agents have come out against the settlement, saying it will make the home-buying process more byzantine for consumers and discounts the important role agents play in helping them navigate it. Im a full-service real estate agent, so when I go to list my clients house, I align their goals with my goal, and that goal is selling for the highest amount possible, said Roy Remick, a realtor based in Northern Virginia, who said he often pays thousands of dollars of his own for services like staging homes to aid the sale process. This is ultimately someone saying, You guys make too much money, which I dont think is right for someone to dictate, he said. Buyers agents will be left flying blind since they wont know how much theyll end up making from a given home, Remick warned. Well have to make a bunch of phone calls, because now we dont know what [the commission] is because we cant see it in the MLS. But weve already got an agreement with buyer how much theyll be able to compensate us. A series of severe storms ravaged Ohio on Thursday night, spawning a series of tornado warnings across the state and knocking out power to thousands. Authorities in Logan County are dealing with a mass casualty incident from a suspected tornado that struck a trailer park near Indian Lake, located about 70 miles northwest of Columbus. Mar 14, 2024 Medway, Ohio --- Firemen from the Marysville Fire Department walk through the trailer Park in Medway community. Tornadoes ripped through the Indian Lake area of Logan County, Ohio late Thursday, March 14, 2024. The Logan County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that a trailer park Lakeview RV Park in the Indian Lake area just north of Lakeview has reportedly been struck by a tornado or at least very high winds that have caused extensive damage. A shortage of ambulances was reported at one point. The National Weather Service in Wilmington reported "multiple buildings destroyed in the Lakeview area." An X user who was driving from Lima and passing through Logan took pictures of the extensive damage. In the post on X, he said authorities told him that he had missed a tornado "by about 2 minutes." He could not confirm if there were any casualties, but said that a large section of U.S. Route 33 northwest of Marysville would remain closed as authorities assessed the damage. Yall pray for the folks of Indian Lake cops said I missed the tornado by about two minutes pic.twitter.com/ITY3f6gkjF Ole #CBJ Dad (@CBJ_Dad0424) March 15, 2024 Tornado touchdowns were also reported near Jenera in Hancock County south of Findlay in northwest Ohio and near Plymouth along the Huron-Richland counties line. A half-mile-wide tornado was reported on the ground in Huron County by that county's emergency management agency with damage to homes and structures reported, according to the NWS Cleveland. Auglaize County Emergency Management Agency reported "a tornado producing damage" just after 7 p.m., believed to be near Fryburg south of Wapak. A tornado watch was issued late Thursday night for portions of far southern and southeast Ohio, southeast Inddiana and northern and north-central Kentucky until 4 a.m. Friday along the Ohio River, where earlier in the day Thursday a tornado was seen crossing the river from Indiana into Kentucky. In central Ohio, tornado warnings were issued at various points Thursday night as the severe storm front that struck Logan County moved east-southeast into Union, Delaware and Licking counties. Numerous downed trees and power lines were reported in Delaware County, where Genoa Township police had closed a section of Route 3 due to downed trees. More than 10,300 customers were without power Thursday night, according to AEP's power outage map. Licking County was the last of the tornado warnings in central Ohio, issued around 9:45 p.m. However, tornado sirens in Pataskala in western Licking County did not go off until about 10 p.m. and could be heard in eastern Franklin County. The county's tornado warning expred at 10:15 p.m., though another round of thunderstorms moved in behind it. Severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect until 11:30 p.m. for Licking, Fairfield and other counties along and south of Interstate 70. Hail was still possible with that front. A tornado watch for all eastern Ohio counties except Monroe and Noble had been canceled by NWS Pittsburgh at 11:14 p.m. Some thunderstorms and then pockets of heavy rainstorms were expected to continue in central Ohio into the first hours of Friday morning based on future radar projections from The Weather Channel and the National Weather Service, but no further tornado watches or warnings were anticipated. An ODOT traffic camera at Interstate 71 and Plumb Road in Delaware County shows tractor-trailers and numerous other vehicles pulling over at a rest stop as a heavy tornado-warned storm with torrential rain and strong lightning moved through the county. At least three people were killed by a tornado Thursday afternoon at a mobile home park in Winchester, Indiana. At least three other confirmed tornadoes touched down Thursday afternoon in southern Indiana and north-central Kentucky Thursday, leaving dozens of structures damaged or destroyed, The Louisville Courier-Journal reported. Tornadoes were confirmed near Hanover and Marion in Indiana and near Milton in Kentucky. Marc Weinberg, chief meteorologist at the WDRB news station in Louisville, posted photos of heavy damage from a one of two confirmed tornadoes in the area of Hanover, a town in southeastern Indiana. That front moved on into northern Kentucky, Significant damage coming in from Hanover, IN via our @StephanWDRB. pic.twitter.com/ydX4o9dWUe Marc Weinberg (@MarcWeinbergWX) March 14, 2024 Tornado warnings here come on heels of tornadoes just over 2 weeks ago The tornado warnings Thursday night came just over two weeks after Ohio was hit by nine tornadoes in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 28, seven of which struck central Ohio. Removal of downed trees, demolished buildings and barns, and other restoration work is still continuing in Madison, Franklin and Licking counties. At least one hangar was destroyed and others along with airplanes heavily damaged after an EF2 tornado struck the Madison County Airport along U.S. 40 north of London in the pre-dawn hours Feb. 28, 2024. Three of the nine Ohio tornadoes were EF0 tornadoes (65-85 mph), one each reported in Groveport and Darbydale in Pleasant Township, Franklin County, and one in Harrisburg village in Franklin and Pickaway counties; three were EF1 tornadoes (86-110 mph), one each hitting between east of London and West Jefferson, in Hilliard and in Riverside, Montgomery County between Dayton and Springfield; and three EF2 tornadoes (111 to 135 mph), including one that traveled from Clark County into Madison County that severely damaged the Ohio State University Agricultural Center and Madison County Airport in Madison County, one that struck in the Blacklick area of Jefferson Township in eastern Franklin County before traveling into Pataskala and Jersey Township in Licking County and weakening to an EF1 before dissipating southwest of Granville, and a third one in Malaga Township in Monroe County, eastern Ohio. What's the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning? A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in areas that often include large parts of several counties or states. If a tornado watch is issued, it's a good time to review emergency plans, check supplies and decide the safest place for you to go in the event that the storm gets worse. Ensure your phones are charged and have a plan to act quickly should the watch become a warning. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or is indicated by weather radar. A warning means theres imminent danger to life and property in the warning area, and you should immediately move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. @ShahidMeighan smeighan@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio tornadoes cause mass casualty response northwest of Columbus Max De Los Santos, 77, was mauled by a neighbor's dogs while in his own yard on Aug. 16. Surgeons had to amputate both his legs. Above, he discusses the attack from his bed in Kindred Hospital in San Antonio while his wife, Beatrice, listens. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Husband and wife Christian Alexander Moreno and Abilene Schnieder will stand trial together later this year after two of their dogs escaped their West Side fenced yard and killed Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81, of Leon Valley. Moreno and Schnieder are each charged with dangerous dog attack causing death and recklessly causing bodily injury to an elderly person. Kaylee Greenlee Beal Danielle Henderson, 33, of San Antonio, is charged with dangerous dog attack causing serious bodily injury after two dogs left her West Side yard and attacked an elderly neighbor, Max De Los Santos Jr., now 77. Both of De Los Santos' legs had to be amputated above his knees due to the severity of his injuries. Henderson is now awaiting trial. Courtesy photo/Bexar County Sheriff's Office Central Records Marcus Anthony Davila, 40, is charged with dog attack causing serious bodily injury and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after his dog bit another man on the throat, causing severe lacerations, during an argument on a public sidewalk on the West Side. Davila has not yet been indicted by a grand jury. Courtesy photo/Bexar County Central Records Dog owners must let Animal Care Services know when the dog has passed to officially have the dangerous dog designation removed from their home. Robert Alexander/Getty Images San Antonio witnessed a string of serious dog attacks last year, two of them fatal. Victims and their families face a long road in getting justice. Heres a look at where four of the highest-profile cases stand. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ramon Najera Jr. Najera, 81, an Air Force veteran, and his wife, Juanita, then 74, were visiting a friend on San Antonios West Side on Feb. 24, 2023, when pit bulls escaped from a fenced yard next door. Two of the dogs went on an unprovoked rampage. Ramon Najera took the worst of it. A bystanders 53-second cellphone video showed one of the dogs savaging Najera as he cried for help and tried to get away. At one point, the dog ripped a dialysis shunt from Najeras body before he lost consciousness. RELATED: Grisly new details emerge in deadly dog attack on Air Force veteran Najera suffered bone-exposing bite and skin and muscle-shredding wounds on his arms and other parts of his body, court records show. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Juanita also was attacked by the dogs and was hospitalized for several days. Two others who tried to stop the mayhem a neighbor and a San Antonio Fire Department captain also were bitten before the animals were contained. The Najeras had driven to their friends house in the 2800 block of Depla Street to ask her to hem a pair of pants for Ramon, who was about to start a new job as a security guard. Juanita Najera, whose husband, Ramon Najera Jr., was killed by marauding pit bulls, is overcome by emotion at a news conference where District Attorney Joe Gonzales announced criminal charges against the dogs' owners. Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News The dogs owners, Christian Alexander Moreno and his wife, Abilene Schnieder, both 32, are expected to stand trial together later this year. Theyre each charged with two felonies dangerous dog attack causing death and recklessly causing bodily injury to an elderly person. Both are free on bond. The couples defense attorneys Jorge Aristotelidis; Meredith Chacon, a former candidate for Bexar County district attorney; Manuel C. Rodriguez Jr.; and Eduardo Garcia are working together to present a united defense. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chacon filed a motion last month that accused Bexar County prosecutors of not giving the defense attorneys access to all city records about the attack. She asked that prosecutors be ordered to provide a complete copy of their files for inspection. The defense has subpoenaed all documents, memos, notes, audio and video recordings, emails, text messages and other city communications about the dogs. In another motion, Aristotelidis sought to dismiss the criminal charges based on what he described as outrageous governmental conduct by San Antonio Animal Care Services. That court filing said the two dogs that mauled the Najeras had been involved in two previous attacks, one just six weeks before Najera died. During a court hearing last month, ACS Lt. Bethany Snowden testified the dogs were quarantined for 10 days after that earlier incident, in which they attacked a man in an alleyway, biting him in the leg and shoulder. Snowden described the injuries as moderate. We did everything that we needed to do, which was to get the dogs into quarantine, Snowden testified. The owners complied with everything. Its their property. They get the dogs back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aristotelidis argued that ACS should have registered the dogs as dangerous, which would have required the owners to take out a $100,000 insurance policy, keep the dogs in an enclosure unless they were restrained by leashes and muzzles, allow annual inspections of their home and take a responsible pet ownership class, among other things. Instead, the dogs were sterilized, then returned to the couple without restrictions. Moreno and Schnieder should have been required to relinquish the dogs for euthanization, Aristotelidis contended. If they had been, Najera would be alive, he argued: Bottom line, dead dogs cannot kill or injure people. The judge has not ruled on Aristotelidis motion to dismiss the charges. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 10. The couple are forbidden from owning or possessing any dogs or firearms while awaiting trial, court records show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Max De Los Santos Jr. Late one night, De Los Santos was in his West Side backyard when he realized he didnt have his house keys. Not wanting to wake up his sleeping family members, he walked out to his driveway to look for the keys. It was 1:45 a.m. Aug. 16. Thats when he was attacked in his own yard by a German shepherd and a pit bull that had escaped from a neighbors property across the street in the 7400 block of Fieldgate. The two dogs shredded his right leg, exposing tendons, muscles and bone from his knee to his foot. The animals also ravaged the back of his left leg, tore gaping holes in his right arm and ripped off part of his right ear. Dog bites covered his back. The dogs dragged De Los Santos, then 76, across his yard, flat on his back, as he yelled for help. The attack stopped only when the frenzy woke up his next-door neighbor, Rudy Pantoja Jr., who ran outside. Pantoja used a tall, metal camera pole to force the dogs away from De Los Santos. Pantoja was bitten by the German shepherd while trying to help. Max De Los Santos, 77, was minding his own business, on his own property, on Aug. 16 when canines running loose in the neighborhood attacked him. The mauling was so severe that surgeons had to amputate both of De Los Santos' legs to save his life. Above, his wife Beatrice embraces him in his room at Kindred Hospital in San Antonio. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Doctors later had to amputate both of De Los Santos legs above the knees. He endured 14 surgeries and spent more than six months in hospitals and rehabilitation centers marking his 77th birthday in one such facility before he was finally released to go home Feb. 22. Beatrice, his wife of more than 30 years, takes care of him. The dogs had been living at the home of Danielle Henderson, now 33. Henderson owned the pit bull, a 2-year-old female named Buttercup. The German shepherd, a 6-year-old male named Cash, belonged to her mother, Shelly Gonzales. Animal Care Services euthanized both animals after the mauling. A Bexar County grand jury indicted Henderson on a felony charge of dangerous dog attack causing serious bodily injury. She was arrested Dec. 6 and has since been released on a $25,000 bond. She is prohibited from possessing any dogs or firearms while awaiting trial. Henderson feels great remorse for what happened to De Los Santos, her attorney said. She feels terrible about the whole thing, said criminal defense attorney Roger Perez. Shes never had any issue like this before. Shes got a clean record and just feels terrible about this matter. Cash, a 6-year-old male German shepherd, is one of two dogs that attacked and wounded Max De Los Santos, 77, in the early morning hours of Aug. 16, 2023. Both of De Los Santos' legs were later amputated by surgeons. Courtesy photo/San Antonio Animal Care Services Paul Anthony Striegl Jr. Striegl was sitting in his yard, smoking a cigarette, in a trailer park on the Northeast Side when his next-door neighbors two American Staffordshire terriers slipped under a chain-link fence. It happened on Sept. 5. Striegl died in a hospital less than a month later. Before his death, Striegl, 47, gave an ACS investigator an account of the attack. When the female terrier approached Striegl to be petted, the male dog nipped at her. Striegl said he chided the male and he got jealous. The dog bit both of Striegls arms down to the bone and tore off a large section of his abdominal skin, testimony showed. Doctors at Brooke Army Medical Center had to amputate Striegls left forearm. Gregory Palmer, right, was the owner of two dogs that attacked a neighbor in his own yard. The victim, Paul Anthony Striegl Jr., later died. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News At first, Striegls condition seemed to stabilize. Then he suffered a stroke. He developed three fungal infections and went into heart, kidney and liver failure. He also suffered a collapsed lung and was placed on a breathing machine before he died Oct. 1. Bitten, sick, dying, dead, Striegls sister, Delila Higgins, later wrote on a GoFundMe page that raised funds for his memorial. This tragic end didnt have to be. The dogs owner, Gregory Leon Palmer, 54, was at work when the attack occurred. He said his girlfriends mother let the animals outside without his knowledge or permission. No criminal charges were filed against him. Instead, ACS issued three criminal citations to him. The dog that attacked Striegl was euthanized. The female was spayed and returned to Palmer because investigators determined she didnt hurt anyone. Raymond Zamora On Sept. 21, Zamora, 53, crossed paths with a man and his dog on a sidewalk on North Colorado near West Martin streets on the West Side. The two men argued before the dog, a 3-year-old Presa Canario, attacked Zamora, inflicting severe lacerations on the left side of his neck, a police report shows. The dogs owner, Marcus Anthony Davila, 40, was holding the animal on a leash. But Zamora said Davila ordered the dog to attack him and then failed to pull the animal off him, the police report shows. The bite wounds exposed Zamoras trachea and the tissue surrounding one of his carotid arteries, court records show. He was initially reported to be in serious condition at University Hospital, but was later released. Davila was arrested on felony charges of dog attack causing serious bodily injury and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is free on bonds totaling $90,000 while he awaits indictment by a Bexar County grand jury. Davila is a general contractor and movie producer, court records state. The dog was euthanized. Davila was initially placed on full house arrest and ordered to wear a GPS device to track his whereabouts, court records show. He is forbidden to possess any dogs or firearms, must report to pretrial services once a week in person and must undergo drug and alcohol testing while the charges are pending. Last month, a judge agreed to release Davila from full house arrest so he could work and earn money to pay his legal fees and his familys housing costs, court records show. However, he still must wear the GPS monitor at all times. His defense attorney, Marc LaHood, said he believes evidence will show the dog was trying to defend its owner and this was a justified case of self-defense. Animal Care Services updates In the past 18 months, ACS has issued citations to more than 3,000 pet owners for allowing their dogs to run free. Since Oct. 1, ACS has added at least 20 new officers to its responder and investigative teams. That influx of personnel came after City Council increased the agencys budget by 33%, the biggest percentage boost granted to any city department this year. TEL AVIV A private aid ship docked off the coast of Gaza early Friday, carrying the first nautical delivery for hungry Palestinians while tons of food and supplies sit on idling trucks in Egypt, waiting for permission to enter the besieged enclave. The Open Arms, named after the Spanish charity that transported the supplies, towed a barge containing flour, rice and protein to the enclave, where five months of war have left around a quarter of its 2.3 million residents one step away from famine, according to the United Nations, which has noted that children have already died from malnutrition and dehydration. The food was collected by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, which operates a network of around 60 kitchens across the Gaza Strip. Our goal is to establish a maritime highway of boats and barges stocked with millions of meals continuously headed towards Gaza, Andres and the NGOs CEO, Erin Gore, said in a statement Tuesday, when the ship set sail on the roughly 200-mile voyage from the Larnaca port in Cyprus. The nongovernmental organization said in a separate statement Friday that preparations were underway to move the goods onto a jetty built from destroyed rubble, although it was not immediately clear when that would happen. The new nautical route as well as recent aid airdrops into northern Gaza comes amid increasing international frustration about the growing humanitarian crisis in the enclave and the inability to get enough aid in by road. The U.S. and many of its international partners have been pushing to speed up the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. But Israel has tightly controlled the entry of aid, which has been delivered by trucks through the countrys Kerem Shalom border crossing or the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Aid groups have said their efforts have been hampered because of the difficulty coordinating with the Israeli military, as well as ongoing fighting and the breakdown of public order, which have led to the looting of several convoys. As a result, only a small fraction of what is needed has entered the enclave, the agencies have said. The ship set sail Tuesday from Cyprus to inaugurate a sea route to get desperately needed aid into the war-wracked enclave, which is suffering a humanitarian crisis five months into the Israel-Hamas war. (Abdel Kareem Hana / AP) The Israel Defense Forces said the aid ship delivery was being carried out in coordination with Israeli security and civilian authorities, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel and at the request of the U.S. government. It added that all the equipment on the ship underwent a comprehensive security check and was accompanied by Israeli officials. Seperately, IDF spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari suggested to reporters Wednesday that more routes could open up and that Israel was trying to flood the area with aid. His comments came hours after the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said in a statement Wednesday that at least one of its staff members was killed and 22 others were injured in an Israeli strike on one of its food distribution centers in southern Gaza. The IDF acknowledged the strike but said in a statement that it had killed Muhammad Abu Hasna, a Hamas commander who it said was taking aid and giving it to the militant group. Aid ship sails from Cyprus to Gaza as residents of the Gaza Strip are on the brink of famine (Santi Palacios / via Reuters) And on Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said a number of people were killed and dozens of others were injured while waiting for the expected arrival of aid. NBC News could not independently verify this, but the IDF said it was assessing the incident. Reports that its forces attacked dozens of Gazans at an aid distribution point were false, it said in a statement. These came after several incidents last month when people were killed as they tried to access aid. Facing growing political pressure at home and abroad to do more to help Palestinians, even as the U.S. continues to supply Israel with military hardware, President Joe Biden announced last week that the U.S. military will construct a temporary port in Gaza to get more humanitarian aid into the territory by sea. But that was criticized by aid groups, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders, whose executive director, Avril Benoit, said last week that the U.S. should insist on immediate humanitarian access using the roads and entry points that already exist. Ciaran Donnelly, the vice president of crisis response at the International Rescue Committee, said the port was a distraction and called on the Biden administration to find alternative solutions in aid delivery. In Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah some residents, including Zohir Donna, questioned the wisdom of building a new port, when aid trucks were ready and waiting to cross the land border with Egypt nearby. Donna, who moved to the city from the Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza after the start of the war, said the aid was only five minutes from where we are. Rafah resident Mostafa Gamal Elian also said the crossing should be open, and the aid should pass through it. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the port, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that the maritime corridor was not meant to be a substitute for other ways of getting aid into Gaza. Overland routes remain the most critical way to get assistance in and then to people who need it, he said. In the meantime, World Central Kitchen said it had 500 more tons of aid ready to depart from Cyprus to Gaza, where health officials say more than 31,000 people have been killed since Oct. 7. Israeli military officials said at least 245 soldiers have been killed since the ground invasion of Gaza began. Officials in the country said around 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 attacks and around 240 others were taken hostage. Officials say 134 remain in Gaza after dozens were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in late November, although a number of them are dead. The Syl Hotel was also attacked in 2019 (file photo) Somali security forces say they have ended the 12-hour siege of a hotel in the capital Mogadishu by killing all five of the gunmen involved. Three soldiers were killed and 27 people injured, including three members of parliament and the government spokesperson. Jihadist group al-Shabab attacked the Syl Hotel, which is popular with government officials on Thursday night. The Somali government is yet to comment on the ordeal. The state broadcaster posted on X, formerly known as Twitter and said "security forces have neutralized all terrorists". At least two separate explosions were reported before the militants stormed the hotel. It is not clear how the gunmen managed to access the hotel which is near the highly guarded presidential palace. Al-Shabab said earlier that fighters were in control of the hotel and were shooting "workers and officers of the... government". Resident Farah Ali, who lives near the president's office, told Reuters: "We first heard a huge blast, and then gunfire followed. We understand the fighters are inside [the hotel] for we hear exchange of gunfire." "Several gunmen forced their way into the building after destroying the perimeter wall with a heavy explosion," a security officer told AFP. Hassan Nur, who escaped by scaling a wall, said: "I don't know about the casualties but there were many people inside when the attack started." Other witnesses reported seeing police arriving within minutes of the attack, which triggered a gun battle with militants. Attacks had reduced in recent weeks amid heightened security after the government intensified its military offensive against the Islamist group. Al-Shabab controls large parts of southern and central Somalia. The group is affiliated to al-Qaeda and has waged a brutal insurgency for nearly 20 years against the UN-backed government in Somalia. Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday met defence officials to plan how to reclaim lost territory, Somalia's national news agency Sonna reported. It is a proscribed terrorist group by countries including the UK and US. The US has intervened militarily to fight against the group. Its fighters are known for targeting hotels, including the Syl Hotel in 2019. In 2022, the group stormed the Villa Rays hotel in the capital, killing at least 14 people. Three years before the storming of the Villa Rays hotel, at least 26 people, including a prominent journalist and several foreigners, were killed in an attack on the Asasey hotel in the port of Kismayo, southern Somalia. SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia will resume funding to the United Nations' main Palestinian relief agency, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday, almost two months after pausing ties over allegations that some of the agency's employees participated in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Australia had consulted with UNRWA and other donors and was satisfied the aid agency was not a terror organisation, Wong said. New and additional safeguards would protect aid money, and A$6 million ($3.9 million) in paused funding would be released immediately, she said. "We have children and families that are starving and we have a capacity along with the international community to assist them," Wong said at a news conference. "We know that UNRWA is central and vital to delivering that assistance." Australia along with more than a dozen countries, suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in January after Israel accused 12 of the agency's 13,000 employees in Gaza of participating in the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack. The U.N. has launched an investigation into the allegations, and UNRWA fired some staff after Israel provided the agency with information on the allegations. Sweden, Canada and the European Union have resumed funding to some degree. The organisation's head said last week he cautiously optimistic other donors would resume funding soon. Wong also announced a further A$4 million in funding for UNICEF and A$2 million for a separate UN facility for Gaza. Australia will also give Jordan and the United Arab Emirates 140 parachutes to use for air drops of aid. Asked about reports of several Palestinians left stranded in transit after Australia cancelled temporary visas, Wong said all applicants were subject to security checks and referred the question to the Minister for Home Affairs. ($1 = 1.5246 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Alasdair Pal and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Stephen Coates and Tom Hogue) Correction: The White House has reached out to Cuba over a Chinese surveillance facility that has been on the island nation since at least 2019. The information was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. The Biden administration has expressed concerns to the Cuban government for hosting a Chinese spy operation on the island since at least 2019, national security council spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday. Weve made our concerns known, he said. The White House over the weekend said China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, after earlier describing as inaccurate a Wall Street Journal report that such a facility was in the works. We communicated over the weekend; this is not a new development that Chinas been trying to achieve some intelligence gathering capabilities in Cuba, Kirby said. After the first stories appeared, we worked very, very hard, as expeditiously as we could with the intelligence community, to try to get some context downgraded so that we can provide it over the weekend, and we did that. Kirby said the U.S. has taken steps to mitigate the threat from Chinese spying activities, acknowledging relations between Washington and Beijing are tense. But President Biden is intent on working to improve lines of communication with Beijing, Kirby continued, in particular to convince Chinese officials to establish direct military-to-military channels the U.S. says are key in managing conflicts. Some of the important lines of communication, military to military, are not open, and we want to get them back open, he said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reportedly preparing to travel to Beijing on June 18 as part of the administrations efforts at outreach to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). CIA Director William Burns met with officials in Beijing last month to emphasize the importance of keeping intelligence communication channels open between the U.S. and China. Kirby would not comment on Blinkens potential travel but said he would not expect the revelation about Chinese spying from Cuba to scuttle any such visit. The president wants to keep the lines of communication open with the PRC as for whether this recent reporting out of Cuba is going to affect Secretary Blinken and his travel plans, I would not expect so, Kirby said. Updated at 5:50 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Jason Lange WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of U.S. President Joe Biden's key campaign messages, that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, is winning over fewer Black supporters and those without college degrees than other segments of his political base, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. Worries about political extremism and threats to democracy have emerged as among Americans' top concerns, following historic events including Republican former President Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, the Supreme Court's move to end the nationwide right to abortion and a surge in migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The online national poll of 4,094 respondents from March 7-13 showed Republicans and Democrats alike worry about America's democratic institutions and the prospect of highly partisan politicians pushing through policies most people don't want. Trump has continued to falsely claim that his 2020 defeat was the result of widespread fraud, a view that a majority of Republicans have adopted, and which Biden has warned could corrode voters' faith in the democratic process. Some 65% of poll respondents - including 72% of Democrats and 64% of Republicans - said they were worried "partisan state legislatures will overturn the popular vote" in some states to support a presidential candidate. Remaining respondents said they were not worried or didn't answer the question. Even higher shares of each party said they feared "partisan-dominated governments enacting unpopular laws." About two in five Republicans and two in five Democrats consider the other party to be an imminent threat to the United States, according to the new poll. While the concerns were broadly held across different demographic groups, subtle differences in views within America's closely divided electorate highlight a concern among Democrats that some of Biden's supporters - notably those who are Black or without college degrees - might lack motivation to turn out on Election Day. Some 57% of Biden supporters in the poll said they were backing him to stop Trump, compared to 30% who cited support for Biden, suggesting the campaign focus on fear is helping allay Democrats' turnout concerns. Trump faces four criminal trials, including two tied to his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden. WARNING SIGNS But there were potential warning signs for Democrats. Biden's Black supporters, who make up about a fifth of his political base, were considerably less likely than his white backers to respond in the poll that they were voting to stop Trump, 37% to 65%. Black Democrats were also less likely than white Democrats to say they were worried about a presidential candidate stealing an election or partisan state legislatures overturning its results. Black voters in the U.S. have skewed heavily Democratic for decades. Among Biden supporters without college degrees, 53% said they wanted to stop Trump, compared to 64% of those with degrees. To be sure, Biden is also campaigning on messages that he has helped the U.S. economy and pledges to defend abortion rights. Nearly half of Biden's Black supporters said they support him for his policies, compared to about a third of his white supporters. "Highlighting the failures of Donald Trump is certainly part of that equation, but so is reminding voters of President Biden's accomplishments and providing a positive vision for the future," said Rodell Mollineau, a Democratic strategist who serves as partner at ROKK Solutions. Biden campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said the campaign sees supporters motivated by a wide array of issues. In a sign of America's broad concerns about government, some 72% of Democrats - including about the same share of Black Democrats - said they worried about unelected officials interpreting laws that affect their lives. An even larger share of Republicans - 78% - shared that worry, which has been a key plank in Trump's campaign message that a "deep state" of unelected bureaucrats is ignoring the will of the people. Voters of all stripes said crime was an important issue in the coming election, including 84% of Democrats and 91% of Republicans. Similar shares cited the economy as important. Democrats were much more likely than Republicans - 86% to 61% - to cite as important the growing gap between wealthy and average Americans. A similar share of Democrats said climate change was an important issue, but only about 40% of Republicans shared that view. Close to nine in 10 Democrats in the poll said protecting abortion access in their state was an important issue, compared to roughly half of Republicans. Some 81% of Republicans in the poll selected "immigration making life harder for native-born Americans" as an important issue, compared to 41% of Democrats. Trump has campaigned with a message that he will increase deportations of immigrants without legal standing. The issue was considered important by about half of Democratic respondents without a college degree, and by about half of Black and Hispanic Democrats, underscoring Biden's potential vulnerability on immigration. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online with a nationally-representative sample of 4,094 U.S. adults, and had a margin of error of 1.7%. (Reporting by Jason Lange; additional reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Scott Malone, Deepa Babington and Lincoln Feast.) DOVER, Del. (AP) A Delaware woman who was convicted of torturing her two stepsons with the knowledge and help of their father was sentenced Thursday to 106 years in prison by a judge who called the abuse the most extensive and persistent evil he has ever seen. Mary Vinson, 46, pleaded guilty last year to 30 felony counts including kidnapping, child abuse, strangulation and reckless endangering. She had faced a minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum of 444 years. I didnt want to hurt them, Vinson said before sentencing, taking issue with the litany of horrors outlined by prosecutor Erik Towne and with the states suggestion that she was a monster. It didnt start out that way, she said. I loved those boys like they were my own. The boys father, Charles Vinson, 37, was also sentenced Thursday, to 49 years. He pleaded guilty to 12 felony counts and had faced a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 158 years. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clarke rejected defense requests to impose the minimum sentences, citing among other things the extreme cruelty of the crimes. Video from surveillance cameras that monitored the large closet where the boys were kept naked and starving in horrific conditions did not tell the entire story of their suffering, the judge said. It will be impossible for them to forget the evil done to them, said Clarke, who refused a prosecution request to show some of the video excerpts in court. They will carry this with them for the rest of their lives. Defense attorney John Malik said Charles Vinson did not like conflict and felt manipulated by his wife: He was in the middle between his wife and his kids, and admits that he failed his sons. The judge noted that, while Charles Vinson was not the primary offender, he enabled the abuse, facilitated it and sometimes participated. Charle Vinson said he took full responsibility for his actions and accepted the consequences of his poor decisions" regarding his sons. I failed them, and I feel ashamed of myself to be called a father, Vinson said. According to prosecutors, the boys were abused over a period of 20 months starting in early 2020. One was 9 to 10 years old at the time, while the other was abused between the ages of 11 and 13. Both were hospitalized several times for severe malnutrition, with one requiring a hospital stay of almost a month. The Division of Family Services finally took custody of the boys in October 2021. Authorities said the abuse included making the boys stand motionless for long periods of time, withholding food and water, force-feeding, and beating and strangling them. Prosecutor Kristin Dewalt said they were forced to wash themselves with the same water used to clean up their urine and feces. The torture Mrs. Vinson inflicted on these children is almost indescribable, Towne said. Mark Hudson, representing the Office of the Child Advocate, said the boys are in foster care and doing markedly better, but they are still dealing with issues. Attempts at placing them with permanent families have proven unsuccessful, he said, with potential adopting parents declining to move forward after learning of the boys history. A planned expedition to the resting place of the Titanic could get the go-ahead after plans were scaled back in the aftermath of the fatal Titan implosion last year. The US government is seeking more information on the revised plans for the expedition, which is scheduled to go ahead in May, Kent Porter, an assistant US attorney, told a federal judge in Virginia on Wednesday Mr Porter did add that the US has yet not determined whether the new plans would break the law, according to The Associated Press. RMS Titanic Inc., the Georgia-based company that owns salvage rights to the shipwreck, initially wanted to try and recover freestanding objects inside the vessel, take images inside the ships hull and retrieve artefacts from the debris field. However, the US Government pushed back against the plan by filing a legal challenge in August last year. Prosecutors cited a federal law from 2017 and a pact with Great Britain to treat the wreckage as a memorial site for the more than 1,500 people who died in the 1912 tragedy, caused by the vessel striking an iceberg and sinking. The US Government argues the wreck should be treated as a memorial site (AP) The US argued that entering or physically altering and disturbing the site is regulated by both the law and their international agreement and are concerned about the potential disturbance of any human remains or artefacts that could still lie there, according to AP. RMSTs director of underwater research, Paul-Henri Nargeolets died in the implosion of the Titan submersible near the shipwreck last June, leading to the company sizing down its plans in October. The Titan was destroyed a few hours into a dive to the Titanic, killing Nargeolet alongside OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood and Hamish Harding. Last month, court filings stated that RMST plans to send an uncrewed submersible to the site and only take external images of the Titanic. The company will not come into contact with the wreck, RMST stated and added that it will not attempt any artefact recovery or penetration imaging. RMST now says they will not come into contact with the wreck (Getty Images) During Wednesdays hearing, US District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, a maritime jurist who presides over matters concerning the Titanics salvage, said that the US governments case raised some serious legal questions if the proceedings continue. While Congress is allowed to modify maritime law, Judge Smith has questions about whether it can also strip the courts of their own admiralty jurisdiction on ship wreckages, something that has had legal precedence for centuries, AP reported. The judge also noted that time could be running out for expeditions inside the Titanic, as its wreckage was deteriorating on the ocean floor. This is not the first occasion that legal questions from the US over a Titanic expedition have ensued. In 2020, Judge Smith permitted an RMST expedition to retrieve a radio that sent out distress signals on the ship, which would have required cutting into the wreck. The US, citing the law and the pact, filed a legal challenge but the RMST plan was eventually put on hold due to the pandemic. By Essi Lehto HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finland plans to adopt temporary legislation that will allow its border authorities to block asylum seekers seeking to enter its territory from Russia, the government said on Friday. Finland closed all crossings on its 1,340 km (830 mile) border with Russia late last year amid a growing number of arrivals who lacked valid documents to enter the European Union. However, a few asylum seekers have continued to arrive and the government believes the numbers could rise significantly with the advent of spring and a rise in temperatures. Helsinki accuses Moscow of funnelling migrants to the border, a claim the Kremlin has denied. "Finland has been the target of instrumentalised migration... Russian authorities have not only failed to intervene in this phenomenon but have even facilitated it," Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said. The proposed legislation will now be sent out for comments and then to parliament for consideration, Orpo said, adding that the government hoped it would be approved as soon as possible. "Finland must be prepared for the possibility that Russia will exert prolonged pressure," the interior ministry said in a statement. The Finnish border authority has said more than 1,300 asylum seekers from nations including Yemen, Somalia and Syria entered from Russia between August and December last year. Prior to this period the number had averaged just one person a day. In February Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the authorities had information that thousands of people were on the Russian side waiting to travel to Finland. Finland annoyed Russia last year by abandoning its long-held position of military non-alignment and joining the NATO alliance in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. (Reporting by Essi LehtoEditing by Anna Ringstrom and Gareth Jones) Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is sending extra security to the states southern tip in anticipation of a potential influx of migrants from Haiti. Haiti has been in a state of emergency ever since violent gangs stormed the airport, seaport and prison earlier this month, setting thousands of inmates free. Several police stations have also been torched. The state of emergency is expected to last until 3 April. Global leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are working to form a transitional government in the country after Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned from his post this week. The US has a history of intercepting migrant boats from Haiti. Earlier this week, the US Coast Guard encountered 65 migrants off the coast of Florida and sent them back to the troubled country. During the fiscal year 2024, which began in October, the US has sent back 131 migrants to Haiti. For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti, Mr DeSantis said in a statement. Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have directed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard and state law enforcement agencies to deploy over 250 additional officers and soldiers and over a dozen air and sea craft to the southern coast of Florida to protect our state. The statement continued: No state has done more to supplement the (under-resourced) US Coast Guards interdiction efforts; we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida...When a state faces the possibility of invasion, it has the right and duty to defend its territory and people. According to data from the Migrant Policy Institute, US authorities encountered Haitian migrants more than 76,100 times in fiscal year 2023. From 2019 to 2021, Haitians were the top nationality to cross the Darien Gap, a dangerous passage point popular with migrants between Colombia and Panama. In the last two years, Haitians were among the three largest migrant groups. Individuals fleeing the country may qualify for asylum if they can prove theyre at risk of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion. Haitians wont be able to seek shelter in their neighbouring Dominican Republic as the country has closed its land, sea and air borders to Haiti. Alix Desulme, the Haitian-American mayor of North Miami, the city with the highest concentration of Haitians in the country, disagreed with Mr DeSantis points. Its a humanitarian crisis. Its almost going to be a civil war, said Desulme while speaking with CBS News Miami this week. There might be some influx of Haitians coming to the US. Theres no invasion. Mr Delsume added that hes willing to have a conversation with Mr DeSantis about what needs to be done to address the issue, but resents that the Republican did not enquire about what could be done to support people of Haitian descent in Florida. To put out this invasion of illegal immigrants is not right, Mr Delsume said. MOSCOW, Russia A steady stream of voters arrived at a polling station in the heart of Russias capital early on this crisp, sunny Friday to cast their votes in a three-day presidential election. With the winner in no doubt, the Kremlin will instead be looking to turnout as a measure of public support for Vladimir Putins extended rule across this vast country. Muscovites filed into this school-turned-voting site as soon as the doors opened at 8 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET). At the entrance stood a large banner emblazoned with the letter V in the colors of the Russian flag and stating the dates of this Friday-Sunday election. Authorities have used the Latin letters V and Z as unofficial symbols for its war in Ukraine, which has entered its third year with the countrys military advancing on the battlefield. The Kremlins expanded control over Russian life means there is no true opposition to Putin, with the three other men on the ballot representing parties loyal to Putin who only campaigned sparingly. Still, some voters said they did not need an alternative. Nina Kisileva, 90, told NBC News as she exited the station that she came out early to vote for another six years of Putin. Because I trust him. I really trust him, Kisileva said, adding that she has lived through a slew of Soviet leaders, including Josef Stalin. I remember when Stalin died, his funeral in 1953, I remember it well. And now I trust only Putin, she said. Svetlana Kulikova said she voted at the station electronically, an option for the first time this year. Like Kisileva, she said she also voted for Putin. We live well, we are satisfied with everything and, well, we are very satisfied with our president, Kulikova, 59, said. Denis Babushkin, who works in highway construction, said that Putin was the only adequate candidate out of the four, so he voted for him. He is the only person who has made others respect Russia as a country recently, said Babushkin, 39. While he said he was not happy about everything going on in the country, he said the positives still outweigh the negatives. Moscow voters Russian general election (NBC News) Gauging public opinion has become nearly impossible since the beginning of the war, as many people fear speaking out freely amid a crackdown on dissent. But Putins approval rating remains high at 86%, according to the independent pollster Levada Center. NBC News also saw a group of 15 municipal workers come in as an organized group to vote and leave together. Russian authorities have in the past faced accusations of making state employees take part in elections. There is not much suspense on this occasion, since two candidates with anti-war views have been barred from running, and there is little independent monitoring of the vote process. But a big turnout would be seen as legitimizing the war and would help to solidify the notion that the country is united around its president, already the longest serving Kremlin leader since Stalin. In 2018, 67% of the eligible voters came out to vote, and the Kremlin will want to boast it has topped that number come Monday. On the eve of the election, Putin, 71, appealed to feelings of patriotism and duty in a special video message, as he encouraged people to vote and demonstrate unity. The Kremlins efforts to encourage turnout were evident across Russia on Friday, with videos showing celebrities performing inside polling stations and one region even allowing the public to take photos with a cardboard cutout of Tucker Carlson, the conservative commentator who recently interviewed Putin and has become a favored American personality here. Russian Election Voting Moscoq (NBC News) But Russian state media also reported on some incidents of disruption, including several cases of people pouring colored dye into or over ballot boxes and others using Molotov cocktails to set polling stations on fire. The countrys opposition, decimated by a crackdown and the death of its leader Alexei Navalny, has been split on how Russians should treat the election. Some have called for a boycott; others have urged people to spoil their ballots or vote for any candidate other than Putin. The most likely protest will center on a call for Russians to show up en masse at polling stations at noon on Sunday in all of the countrys 11 time zones, in a silent display of their discontent. Some voters at the Moscow polling station told NBC News they knew about the call for this protest. Elena, who did not want her last name revealed, said she knew that it was taking place Sunday, but had an opportunity to vote today. "I believe that in order to have your own opinion and have an attitude toward something, one doesnt necessarily need to come at noon on Sunday," said Elena, 24, who works as an economist and would not say who she voted for. "Otherwise, you will come on your own feet, but might not leave on your own." That was likely a hint at the crackdown by authorities, which has left many Russians fearful of arrest and reluctant to give their last names to foreign media. Perhaps most troublesome for the Kremlin, this week has seen a surge in Ukrainian drone attacks across large parts of Russia, and attempts at a land incursion in the two border regions of Belgorod and Kursk that appear to be ongoing after several days of fighting. The regions governors urged people to vote on Friday, but also shared warnings about missile threats and suggested voting electronically if necessary given the potential dangers to people leaving their homes. Addressing an election day meeting of his security council, Putin vowed revenge for what he said was a criminal Ukrainian effort to disrupt the voting process and intimidate the people. Russia Election Moscow Polling Station (Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP - Getty Images) This is the first presidential election in which people can vote electronically, raising concerns about falsifications and fraud, which have historically plagued Russian elections. Russia's ministry of digital development said 1.6 million people had already voted electronically Friday morning, state news agency Tass reported. An observer from the Communist party, Konstantin Shavlak, said that while they could monitor for any potential violations with paper ballots, the electronic vote was a bit of a mystery that they had no control over. This is our problem, said Shavlak, 44. We always encourage people to vote the old way, using paper ballots. Thats the most reliable, the most honest way. More than 114 million Russians are eligible to vote in the election, including nearly 2 million abroad. For the first time, people in the four occupied regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia will also be included, in violation of international law in a move condemned by Kyiv and its Western allies. Results are expected to start coming in late Sunday, with a landslide win for Putin expected to be announced on Monday. Keir Simmons and Natasha Lebedeva reported from Moscow. Yuliya Talmazan reported from London. Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz raises Brandon Herraras hand after both speak at a rally for Herrara at the Angry Elephant. Herrara was campaigning with Matt Gaetz ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Herrera speaks at a campaign rally ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Jeryl Erhard speaks with Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz, at a rally for Brandon Herrera ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz, spekas at a rally at the Angry Elephant in support of Brandon Herrera ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Herrera autographs photos of himself for Brandon Holloway and his daughter, Wilder Holloway at a campaign rally at the Angry Elephant. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Connie Root listens as Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz, campaigns for Brandon Herrera at the Angry Elephant. Herrera is gearing up for a runoff election against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Paula Villagran talks with Brandon Herrera at his campaign rally at the Angry Elephant Thursday afternoon. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Margery Beitzel waves an American flag as Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz, campaigns for Brandon Herrera at the Angry Elephant. Herrera is gearing up for a runoff election against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Herrera and Florida congressman, Matt Gaetz who is campaigning with him, make their way through a crowd after a campaign rally ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Herrera speaks at a campaign rally ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Voters listen at a campaign rally for Brandon Herrera at the Angry Elephant to begin. Matt Gaetz, congressman from Florida also came to the event to support Herrera. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Voters listen at a campaign rally for Brandon Herrera at the Angry Elephant to begin. Matt Gaetz, congressman from Florida also came to the event to support Herrera. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz, spekas to voters before a rally at the Angry Elephant in support of Brandon Herrera ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Florida Congressman, Matt Gaetz, spekas to voters before a rally at the Angry Elephant in support of Brandon Herrera ahead of his runoff against US Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Voters wait for a campaign rally for Brandon Herrera at the Angry Elephant to begin. Matt Gaetz, congressman from Florida also came to the event to support Herrera. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Voters recieve yard signs for Brandon Herrera at a campaign rally at the Angry Elephant. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Herrera autographs photos of himself for Brandon Holloway and his daughter, Wilder Holloway at a campaign rally at the Angry Elephant. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Herrera autographs photos of himself for Brandon Holloway and his daughter, Wilder Holloway at a campaign rally at the Angry Elephant. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Holloway and his daughter, Wilder Holloway get an autograph from Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz after Gaetz campaigned for Brandon Herrera. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Brandon Herrera, the so-called AK Guy forcing U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales into a primary runoff, brought U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to San Antonio on Thursday as he ramps up campaign efforts ahead of the May 28 election. The appearance came hours after the GOP House speaker reportedly criticized members for campaigning against their colleagues in what will likely be a tough election year for Republicans looking to maintain or expand their slim majority. Standing before a crowd of more than 200 people at the Angry Elephant in northern San Antonio, Herrera celebrated his No. 2 finish in last weeks primary election and trashed Gonzales, who has represented the sprawling 23rd Congressional District since 2021. Gaetz also took aim at his colleague, calling the former Navy cryptologist a lackluster congressman. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The turnout of this room just might be the amount of votes required to win this runoff, Herrera said. Gonzales is the only GOP representative in Texas facing a runoff election after being heavily targeted for his 2022 votes to codify same-sex marriage rights and tighten background checks for young gun buyers. The 23rd District leans Republican but is one of the only congressional districts in Texas that could be competitive in November. Gaetz is known as a strong ally of former President Donald Trump and a far-right firebrand who helped lead the effort to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his job last year. Tony Gonzales votes with the uniparty, Gaetz said Thursday. He votes with the uniparty and against the interests of the America First movement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Herrera said Gaetzs comments will resonate with voters in the 23rd District because he ruffles a lot of feathers. He makes a lot of noise, and he upsets the right people. Both Gaetz and Herrera, a gun manufacturer and social media personality, went after Gonzales for his vote on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress passed just weeks after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Gonzales represents Uvalde and has defended his vote. The pair also criticized Gonzales for his views on immigration, taking issue with the representatives opposition to a strict border security plan introduced last year by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Austin. Gonzales said Roys plan was anti-immigrant, but he has supported other GOP efforts to crack down on the border, including a recent effort to impeach U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gonzales district includes the largest stretch of the Texas-Mexico border. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gaetz suggested Gonzales was a Republican who voted and acted like a Democrat. Gonzales campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, Gonzales has been rolling out a slate of new endorsements since last Tuesdays primary. He announced Thursday that the GOP House leadership team, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, are backing his reelection bid. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also endorsed Gonzales on Wednesday. Since his first day in office, Congressman Tony Gonzales has led the charge to secure our southern border, Johnson said. From hosting our Republican conference in his district to being one of our strongest advocates for tougher border security policies, Tony has gone above and beyond to keep the pressure on this issue and restore law and order across our nation. At a House GOP retreat in West Virginia on Thursday, Johnson criticized members who are campaigning against incumbents in their own districts, Axios reported. Gaetz acknowledged House leadership is a little upset with me today but said it was important that he come to San Antonio and move his conservative priorities forward. Theyre having the Republican congressional retreat in West Virginia, Gaetz said. And pardon me for saying so, but doesnt it sort of feel like congressional Republicans have been in a state of constant retreat? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gonzales did not attend the GOP retreat and is back in Texas. He hosted a tele-town hall Thursday evening. The legislator came first in last weeks primary with about 45% of the vote, but he fell short of the simple majority needed to avoid a runoff. He had four primary challengers, including Herrera, who earned 25%. Herrera now has the backing of at least two of the other opponents: Julie Clark, the former chair of the Medina County GOP, and Victor Avila, a retired supervisory special agent for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I always knew we were all on the same team, Herrera said of the other Gonzales challengers. And the way I look at it is Tony has a lead, but not for a financed establishment Republican, because to go to a runoff at all means most of the people voted against you. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mary Kull, a 73-year-old attendee from San Antonio, said she initially supported Avilas campaign but plans to go all in for Herrera now. By Steve Holland and Angelo Amante WASHINGTON/ROME (Reuters) -G7 nations are prepared to respond with severe new penalties that could include a ban on Iran Air flights to Europe if Iran proceeds with the transfer of close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. The official commented as the United States joined its six G7 allies in issuing a statement warning Iran against sending the missiles to Russia or else face the consequences. "Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran," the G7 statement said. The United States has been increasingly aggressive at responding to what Washington considers belligerent behavior by Iran, such as its support for Iran-backed militias in the region who are launching attacks on U.S. bases and Tehran's alleged hacking of U.S. infrastructure. The G7 move came in the aftermath of a Reuters report that said Tehran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles for use in its invasion of Ukraine. The senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one option under consideration by the G7 "would have the effect of ending flights from Iran Air, its flagship state-owned carrier, into Europe - point being, this is not business as usual." Iran Air flies passengers from Iran to multiple cities in Europe. The official said that while the United States had not been able to confirm that the transfer has already taken place as Reuters reported, there clearly was an effort by Tehran to advance negotiations with Moscow on the missiles. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Vienna on Friday: "On the question of Iranian missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine ... we sent very clear messages to Iran not to do it." He added: "This has been the subject of considerable conversation among a number of countries in Europe and the United States and I think that the concern about that eventuality, and the commitment to address it, if necessary, is very real, and very strong." U.S. officials held indirect talks with Iranian officials in the same building in Oman earlier this year in a conversation that was about Iran's support for Houthis launching attacks in the Red Sea, its support for Iran-backed proxies and other destabilizing behavior, a separate U.S. official said. The G7 statement said sending Iranian missiles to Russia would represent "a substantive material escalation in its support for Russias war in Ukraine an aggression which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter." U.N. Security Council restrictions on Iran's export of some missiles, drones and other technologies expired in October. However, the United States and European Union retained sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile program amid concerns over exports of weapons to its proxies in the Middle East and to Russia. Ballistic missiles would be a powerful new weapon for Russia to use in its war in Ukraine. The United States has said Iran has already provided Russia with drones, guided aerial bombs and artillery ammunition that Moscow has used to attack Ukrainian targets. Washington has been on high alert for a year about what it has described as an unprecedented Russian-Iranian defense partnership that will help Moscow prolong its war in Ukraine as well as pose a threat to Iran's neighbors. The G7 group of major Western democracies is currently chaired by Italy and also includes the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France and Canada. The statement came as the European Union is also considering measures against Iran for arming Russia, Reuters reported this week. (Reporting by Steve Holland in Washington and Angelo Amante in RomeAdditional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Vienna and John Irish in ParisEditing by Mark Heinrich and Matthew Lewis) By Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will host Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday for the annual St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House, even as a portion of the usual Irish delegation boycotts the event over Biden's handling of the war in Gaza. During a speech in Boston on Tuesday, Varadkar said he will use the opportunity to tell Biden "how Irish people feel, and that is that we want to see a ceasefire immediately, for the killing to stop, the hostages to be released without condition, food and medicine to get into Gaza." Ireland has traditionally been one of Western Europe's strongest critics of Israeli policies towards Palestinians and maintains a long-held policy of military neutrality. The SDLP, Northern Ireland's smaller nationalist party, said it was not sending any representatives to Washington this week. Last month, Ireland announced more than $21 million in support for the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) after it plunged into crisis and is in talks with other EU members who want a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on the basis that Israel may be breaching the agreement's human rights clause. The White House said the two leaders would discuss support for Ukraine, coordination on the war in the Middle East, and reaffirm their support for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Biden, who often speaks of his Irish heritage and is fond of quoting Irish poets, visited Ireland last April to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and expressed his support for the peace deal. During the tour of Ireland, the longest ever by a sitting U.S. president, Biden visited his ancestral hometown, had a chance meeting with the priest who performed the last rites on his son Beau, addressed the Irish parliament and attended a state banquet at Dublin Castle. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Adrian Jones was murdered by his father and stepmother in Kansas (Nine) Kansas will pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit over a seven-year-old boy who was murdered and fed to pigs.Adrian Jones was living with his father, Michael Jones, and his stepmother, Heather Jones, in Kansas City when he was killed in November 2015. The lawsuit, filed by the childs mother and other relatives in 2017, said that the state child welfare agency should have removed him from the abusive home before he was starved, tortured and killed, and his body fed to pigs. Police found the childs remains in a pigsty on his father and stepmothers rental property after responding to a domestic violence call from Mrs Jones, who accused her husband of beating and choking her, according to affidavits and search warrants. Authorities also found surveillance footage that showed the child had been beaten and locked naked in a shower stall for months before his death. He had also been subject to other forms of torture including being strapped to an inversion table, and being handcuffed and shocked with a device called a Zap Enforcer. Court records added that the child also suffered from extreme starvation. Michael Jones was sentenced to life in prison for torturing and killing his son (AP) Heather Jones will spend 25 years to life in prison for the torture and murder of her stepson (AP) Michael and Heather Jones were sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison for the childs murder in 2016. Following the trial, the boys mother, maternal grandmother and adult sister filed a lawsuit in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The suit said that the state and social workers could have stepped in and rescued Adrian at any point during the childs lengthy, unimaginable ordeal but chose to act like disinterested bystanders. Records released in 2017 by the Kansas Department for Children and Families showed the agency received reports that Adrian was being abused several years before his death. However its last physical contact with him was almost four years before his remains were found. Records also showed that Adrian, his father and stepmother moved frequently between places in Kansas and Missouri. The Kansas agency argued that this made it difficult to keep tabs on the boy. The lawsuit was settled this week with Governor Laura Kelly and leaders of the Kansas Legislature approving the $1m settlement after meeting with state attorney general Kris Kobachs office. This has been a long journey for Adrians family, said Matt Birch, their attorney. The most important thing for the family was to hopefully make a change and make this less likely to happen in the future. Kansas Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, one of the lawmakers who approved the settlement, said on Wednesday that she believes the state faced a lot of liability legally for what happened. She added that the case was settled to enable legislators to focus on the mission at hand of improving the child welfare system. It really had to do with wanting to get that settled and not spend time litigating in courts for what could be definitely months, maybe even years, she said. The seven-year-olds death has already resulted in legislative change with the state attempting to improve doctors training to recognize abuse and provide wrap-around services for troubled families. In 2021, Adrians Law created a joint committee on child welfare oversight and required officers and caseworkers to visually observe children who are alleged victims of abuse or neglect. However, the head of that committee saw the settlement as less of a breakthrough. I am a little bit surprised that its not more than that, GOP Rep. Susan Concannon said. Mr Birch said that he and the family hoped that following the lawsuit and 2021 law there will be more eyes on these kids. A Kennewick man who admitted to killing his neighbor in an unprovoked attack while he mowed his lawn will spend more than 22 years behind bars. Hector R. Munguia, 20, told a judge in December that he could have and didnt ignored the hallucinations that pushed him to stab and kill his neighbor in April 2022. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder at that hearing and has been awaiting sentencing since. He was sentenced at a hearing Friday in Benton County Superior Court. Hector Munguia, then 18, walks into Benton Franklin Superior Court in April 2022 facing a murder charge for killing his neighbor. Sentencing hearing He was facing a range of 22 to 30 years in a Washington state prison if the juvenile crimes were counted. If not, he would have faced a shorter range of 20 to more than 26 years. Prosecutors asked for a 30-year sentence, but his defense attorney hoped for less time. Ultimately Benton Franklin Superior Court Judge Samuel Swanberg agreed to a sentence of about 22 1/2 years. The sentencing range was dependent on whether crimes he committed as a juvenile counted toward his sentencing range. Those crimes included another unprovoked stabbing. Swanberg found that his juvenile offenses did count based on the law at the time, but sentenced him at the bottom of the longer range due to his low offender score. One of his previous convictions was for second-degree assault after stabbing a woman getting out of her car in Kennewick. Munguia has been in the Benton County jail since shortly after he killed Zale Underwood, 70. He was 18 at the time. Competent to stand trial Munguia allegedly ran home after stabbing Underwood in his front yard. His mother later took him to the sheriffs office. After he was booked into jail, he reported that he suffered from hallucinations that he called demons who urged him to hurt people. An Eastern State Hospital mental evaluation found he suffers from an unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder, as well as cannabis and alcohol use disorders. While they said his heavy use of cannabis appeared to have led to hallucinations in the past, neither Benton County officers nor Eastern State Hospital officials found he appeared to be reacting to internal stimuli, according to the reports. He was found competent to stand trial but instead pleaded guilty. Hector Munguia waits to appear before a judge during an initial court appearance in Benton Franklin Superior Court in April 2022. April 2022 stabbing Underwood was mowing his lawn in the 1100 block of Gum Street neighborhood where he and his family had lived since the early 60s on the spring afternoon when he was approached by Munguia. The young man later told investigators that he thought about killing Underwood for a few minutes before stabbing him. When asked if he knew it was wrong, Hector stated he did, but he didnt care, according to court documents. He stabbed him a several times before running away. Benton County deputies were initially called to Underwoods home by a family member who said he was bleeding heavily, according to dispatch reports at the time. By the time police arrived, Underwood had died. Police found a bloody palm print on the fence separating the Underwoods and Munguias property, according to court records. 2019 stabbing The April 2022 attack was not the first time Munguia was accused of attacking someone with seemingly little reason, according to court documents. Three years ago, he was convicted of an equally mysterious stabbing of a 70-year-old woman just a mile from where Underwood was killed. Munguia was 16 at the time. That attack happened just before 5 p.m. in December 2019, when he approached Lydia Cassaway as she was getting out of her car at an apartment building on South Washington Street. He asked her for money, but Cassaway told him she didnt carry any cash. He told her that he was hungry. He then asked her if he could tell her something. She said, OK, and his response was to poke her with something in back, Kennewick police wrote in a report at the time. She screamed and the teen ran off. Then, she started feeling pain in her back and noticed she was bleeding, but it was only after she ran to a safe spot that she realized she had been stabbed. Her wound was not life threatening. Police caught him because he was suspected of stealing beer from a nearby Circle K. Munguia was convicted of second-degree assault and sentenced to a Washington juvenile justice facility for up to 2 1/2 years. Editors Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed a court commissioner as presiding over the sentencing. (Reuters) - The parliament of Kyrgyzstan on Thursday adopted a bill styled on Russia's "foreign agents" law that international observers fear will restrict the work of nongovernmental organisations and independent media in the Central Asian country. A European Union delegation and multiple Western embassies criticised the bill in a joint statement, saying its passage would "contravene international norms" and jeopardise foreign assistance to the nation of 6.6 million people. The draft law introduces onerous reporting requirements for NGOs which receive funding from abroad and are engaged in what are deemed to be political activities. The bill seeks to stop NGOs from "trying to shape public opinion" on government matters, and says that some organisations "interfere in the political life of the state", according to excerpts published by local media. It will now head to President Sadyr Japarov for signing. International observers have warned the legislation may sound the death knell for smaller civil society groups in the country at a time when they are already weakened. "If this legislation is adopted, I am worried it would have an overwhelmingly negative impact on civil society, human rights defenders, and the media in Kyrgyzstan," Matteo Mecacci, the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's office for democratic institutions and human rights, said in a statement last month. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote a letter to Japarov in February expressing his concerns over the bill, drawing the Central Asian leader's ire, according to local media. The mountainous, mostly Muslim country has moved closer to Russia's orbit in recent years. Kyrgyzstan is a member of a Moscow-led security alliance and Russia said last year it would work on "developing" its military facilities there. Russia has tightened its own "foreign agents" law, first passed in 2012, since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reflecting a climate of hostility and distrust of the West, which Moscow has accused of meddling in its internal affairs. (Reporting and writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Grant Page, a stuntman who worked on the Mad Max films, has died in a car crash, aged 85. The legendary stunt performers death was announced by his son Leroy, with details revealing he hit a tree while driving alone near his home on the coast of New South Wales, Australia Leroy said his father died very happy, telling Daily Mail Australia: He died in very high spirits and he was very motivated. Page had an illustrious career in the world of stunt performing, and regularly collaborated with Mad Max director George Miller. Having performed memorable stunts in the first film (1979) and third film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), Page reunited with Miller for forthcoming film Furiosa, which is a prequel focused on Charlize Therons character from Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). Page also collaborated frequently with Brian Trenchard-Smith, whose credits include The Stuntmen, Kung Fu Killers, and The Man From Hong Kong, in which he doubled for James Bond actor George Lazenby. In tribute to Page, Trenchard-Smith honoured the stuntman as being able to deliver Hollywood-level action and mayhem, calling him: Australias pioneer stunt performer and my friend for 52 years. He continued: Most people accept that age weighs upon us, gravity holds us down, death awaits us if we dare too much. Not necessarily, said Grant, as he successfully tampered with the laws of physics and probability. He had courage and daring, tempered by a realistic attitude about the risks of his profession in the era before computer-generated stunts. One of Pages most memorable stunts arrived in 1976 film Mad Dog Morgan, starring Dennis Hopper, in which he jumped backwards off an 80-foot cliff while on fire. Stunt man Grant Page, soaked in petrol, leaped over a cliff ablaze for impressive stunt (Fairfax Media via Getty Images) In a foreword for Pages 2009 memoir Man on Fire: A Stunt of a Life. director Mark Hartley wrote of the stuntman: Everyone agreed that he was the single most fearless man they had ever met and quite possibly the luckiest. Page is survived by his sons, Gulliver and Leroy, who are also performers, Adrian and Jeremy. SAGINAW, Mich. For the second time this year, President Joe Biden visited Michigan without any in-person meetings with members of its Arab American or Muslim communities as he faces protests at campaign events and at the ballot box over Israels military action in Gaza. According to the Biden campaign, the president on Thursday visited Saginaw, which it called a diverse city with a plurality Black and large Latino population, for an organizing meeting. It said Biden would deliver remarks to highlight the stark contrast between his agenda of lowering costs for Michiganders and Donald Trumps attacks on working families in the state, including his comments this week promising to cut Medicare and Social Security. But Bidens team kept the location of the stop close as it tries to minimize the chances of protests and interruptions at events over Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war. In January and February, officials from the campaign and the White House traveled to Dearborn to meet with some members of the Muslim and Arab American communities, but Biden himself didnt join on either occasion. Several leaders of the community also chose not to attend as they continue to press Biden to engage more directly with them, demand an immediate cease-fire in the war and place conditions on further U.S. military aid to Israel. There were still protests in Saginaw on Thursday as activists from the Abandon Biden movement held a news conference in the towns center, urging him to support a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. But some organizers say too much violence has already taken place under the Biden administrations leadership for them to consider re-electing Biden in November. I voted for Biden; I had a Biden sign in my front yard, actually. And I am now the co-chair of the Abandon Biden campaign. So is that on me or is that on Joe Biden? said Khalid Turaani, one of the groups leaders. I think Joe Bidens total failure to address the humanitarian crisis, the genocide that is going on in Gaza, is really a war crime. I mean, it really is a war crime. In a perfect world, I think Joe Biden will be among Benjamin Netanyahu in The Hague. In late January, the United Nations highest court, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, ordered the Israeli government to take steps to prevent genocide in Gaza but didnt directly call for a cease-fire in the war or issue a ruling that Israel had committed genocide. Turaani warned politicians not to underestimate the growing movement across key battleground states like Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania heading into the general election. If you want to bet on brushing off this movement, good luck in November, Turaani said, adding, We want to make sure that Joe Biden is going to be a one-term president, and well make sure that his loss will be coupled with a disgrace of the genocide in Gaza. While Biden made several stops around Saginaw, senior White House officials met privately with Arab American and Muslim community leaders in Chicago, which has a large Palestinian American population. A source familiar with the plans said the officials heard community leaders speak openly about their concerns surrounding the war in Gaza, as well as rising Islamophobia in the U.S. The source said not all community members who were invited to the meeting attended. There are some Muslim leaders who have been pushing the administration to keep trying with communities, even if the White House keeps getting the cold shoulder at first. They want to see the effort, said another person familiar with the Arab American and Muslim communitys concerns. The White House didnt respond to a request for comment. It was Bidens first time back in Michigan since he clinched his partys 2024 presidential nomination and since last months primary, in which about 13% of voters in the Democratic contest chose the uncommitted option, many of them protesting his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. That added up to more than 100,000 voters across the state, raising concerns about Bidens general election prospects after he beat former President Donald Trump by 154,000 votes in Michigan in 2020. According to census data, roughly 300,000 people of Middle Eastern and North African descent live in Michigan. Many of those who vote have leaned toward Democrats in the past. Biden had hoped for a temporary cease-fire by the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which started this week. But the plans didnt materialize after talks between Hamas and Israel failed to produce a deal. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said no one from the White House reached out ahead of Bidens visit to Saginaw. He added that local members of the Arab American and Muslim community care more about seeing policy changes than having additional conversations with Bidens team. I think the perspective of the community is dialogue for the sake of dialogue is really not meaningful. What were looking for is for action, you know, because lip service doesnt really get you anywhere, Hammoud said. Weve seen now a change of tone where the president recognizes Palestinian suffering, but what we want are actual concrete steps that are taken to reduce that Palestinian suffering. He also said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus resignation and for new elections in Israel didnt go far enough. What we have known for decades, Senator Schumer has come to realize that Benjamin Netanyahu is not a partner nor an ally to the American government or to the American people, and its time that we did away with this fascist and with this war criminal, Hammoud said. Asked whether hell actively campaign against Biden heading into the general election if the White House doesnt hear his concerns, Hammoud sidestepped slightly and said the region doesnt have until November to resolve the war. People around the world wake up each day and what we find is a kill count how many innocent men, women and children had been killed, he said. And so frankly, we dont have until November. Were advocating for a change today to help prevent the killing of innocent men, women and children. And thats what our focus will be on. A "vote here" sign outside a polling location in Phoenix, Arizona, on 2 August 2022. Photograph: Caitlin O'Hara/Bloomberg via Getty Images A federal court has embraced a novel legal theory that seriously threatens one of the last legs of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. At the heart of the dispute is who has the right to bring a case under the law, a crown jewel of the civil rights movement that has worked to prevent voting discrimination against minorities. For more than half a century, the Department of Justice as well as private plaintiffs anyone from an individual voter to a civic action group have filed cases under section 2 of the law, which prohibits any voting practice or procedure that discriminates on the basis of race. The case that could upend the law started out as a typical voting rights lawsuit. In late 2021, the Arkansas NAACP and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel sued the state, arguing that the new Arkansas house of representatives districts illegally discriminated against Black Arkansans by packing the Black vote into a disproportionately small number of districts. Related: Voting Rights Act faces new wave of dire threats in 2024 But in a surprise ruling in 2022, a federal judge ruled that only the federal government, not private plaintiffs can file lawsuits under section 2. The US court of appeals for the eighth circuit has since upheld that ruling. The issue is likely to be ultimately resolved by the US supreme court. Voting rights lawyers say the rulings are radical and unprecedented. For decades, the vast majority of cases under section 2 have been filed by private plaintiffs, not the government. Only allowing the government to bring section 2 cases would bring enforcement of the Voting Rights Act to a halt. Private plaintiffs bringing cases under section two has been one of the hallmark ways to protect voting rights in this country, said Jonathan Topaz, a staff attorney for the ACLU Voting Rights Project. If private plaintiffs are unable to bring suit and vindicate their rights under section 2, then in our estimation, there will be large swaths of violations of section 2 that will go unremedied. Blocking non-government groups from filing suit under the VRA would be especially damaging after the supreme courts 2013 ruling gutting a different provision in the law that required states with a history of voting discrimination to pre-clear any election changes with the Department of Justice before they went into effect. While private parties have long played a key role in enforcing section 2, getting rid of the pre-clearance provision has only escalated pressure on them to step up and essentially play Whac-A-Mole to identify voting discrimination. Section 2 cases are often among the most complicated voting cases litigators can bring, but are powerful tools to fight racial discrimination. The provision can be used to challenge a wide range of practices from the shape of a congressional district to the way in which members of a school board or city council are elected. Proving a section 2 violation also requires what the supreme court has called an intensely local appraisal of the electoral mechanism in question. Doing so requires hiring experts who can do complex analyses of voting patterns and demographic data to see if a violation exists. Private groups are often better positioned to identify section 2 cases at the local level that can fly below the radar of the justice department. They can also move faster to undertake analyses and allocate resources without the bureaucratic hurdles of a vast federal agency like the Department of Justice. The limited federal resources available for Voting Rights Act enforcement reinforce the need for a private cause of action, the Department of Justice wrote in an amicus brief explaining how it relies on private parties to enforce the law. As the Supreme Court has noted, [t]he Attorney General has a limited staff who may not always be able to uncover quickly new regulations and enactments passed at the varying levels of state government. According to Sophia Lin Lakin, the director of the ACLUs voting rights project, getting rid of the ability of private parties to sue could grind enforcement of the Voting Rights Act to all but a dribble of movement. The reason you didnt see attacks on this issue is, because aside from some random people kind of musing about it, no one thought Congress did anything other than give private parties the ability to sue, she said. The issue at the heart of the Arkansas case seemed to emerge out of nowhere. Its genesis appears to have been a 125-word concurring opinion authored by Neil Gorsuch in a 2021 Arizona case that made it harder to challenge discriminatory voting laws. Our cases have assumed without deciding that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 furnishes an implied cause of action under 2, Gorsuch wrote in the opinion, which was only joined by fellow conservative Clarence Thomas. Lower courts have treated this as an open question Because no party argues that the plaintiffs lack a cause of action here, and because the existence (or not) of a cause of action does not go to a courts subject-matter jurisdiction this Court need not and does not address that issue today. It was a clear invitation to lower court plaintiffs to bring a case challenging whether or not private plaintiffs can file section 2 litigation. Less than six months later, Lee Rudofsky, a Trump-appointed US district judge who was overseeing the Arkansas case, took an interest in Gorsuchs opinion. Even though neither the plaintiffs in the case nor Arkansas officials had raised an issue over whether private plaintiffs could sue, he pointed to Gorsuchs opinion and asked for briefing on it. A little over a month later, he dismissed the case, saying that no private right of action existed. Despite the NAACP having a strong case, Rudofsky wrote in his decision, [T]he Court has concluded that this case may be brought only by the Attorney General of the United States. The ruling is part of a suite of attacks in recent years aiming to chip away at section 2, said Daniel Tokaji, an election law expert who is dean of the law school at the University of Wisconsin. These are judges who are not terribly friendly to the voting rights and in particular to protections that racial minority groups have long had to wait for, he said. Judges have made it more and more difficult for people whose voting rights have been violated, not just to succeed on that point, but even to get into court in the first place. While voting rights lawyers are alarmed by the eighth circuits decision to uphold the Arkansas ruling, they are quick to note that other jurists outside of the appellate circuit have yet to sign on. Since Rudofskys decision in the Arkansas case, litigants in Georgia, Florida, North Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Virginia, Colorado and Kansas have all made arguments in voting cases that no private right of action exists under section 2, according to Derek Zeigler, student attorney at the University of Michigan civil rights litigation initiative. No other court so far has agreed. Even if the supreme court were to ultimately gut the private right of action under section 2, election lawyers believe that another provision in federal law may allow private plaintiffs to bring private claims under Section 2. That provision, 42 USC 1983, authorizes any person to sue if rights protected by the constitution or federal statute have been violated. Topaz, the ACLU voting rights lawyer, said voters of color would bear the burden of court rulings eliminating a private right of action. It is a terrible shame for Black Arkansans, whose political influence and political power continues to be diluted. Officers in Wisconsin are investigating after an 8-year-old child was found dead in their home, according to a sheriffs department. Authorities were called around 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9 to a Fulton Township home for reports of a missing child, according to a March 12 Rock County Sheriffs Office news conference streamed by WMTV. Deputies and police officers spoke with the childs family and searched the home, but did not find the child, officials said. Authorities then began searching outside around the home and neighborhood. Drones, K9 officers and more than 20 deputies searched for the 8-year-old, officials said. After obtaining a search warrant for the home, officers searched it again. This time, authorities found the child deceased inside, officials said. On March 11, an autopsy was performed. The next day, detectives arrested 20-year-old Dayveon Lathrop, a relative of the child, according to officials. Authorities have not released the childs identity or the relationship between the child and Lathrop. Attorney information for Lathrop was not available in court records. Lathrop is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, child neglect, bail jumping and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to officials. 13-year-old boy on way to school hit and killed in crosswalk, Colorado cops say Dad killed child months before reporting him missing, officials say. Hes found guilty Multiple 911 calls from injured child lead to 3 bodies in rural home, Florida cops say CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Panthers have filled a major void, agreeing to a two-year contract with outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, according to the players agent Deiric Johnson. Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The Panthers were in need of a few pass rushers after trading outside linebacker Brian Burns to the New York Giants and losing outside linebackers Frankie Luvu to Washington and Yetur Gross-Matos to San Francisco in free agency. The 26-year-old Wonnum has spent all four seasons in the league with the Minnesota Vikings, starting half of the 62 games hes played in, including 14 last season. The 6-foot-5, 258-pound Wonnum has 171 tackles and 23 sacks during his career. He had eight sacks last season. The Panthers are also meeting Thursday with two other premier pass rushers in San Francisco's Chase Young and Baltimore's Jadeveon Clowney, but no deals have been reached so far. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Dr. Love Paul, left, Pearl Paul, and their son Nate Paul, right, attend the 2011 Texas Inaugural Celebration at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas. Laura Skelding/AP A real estate investor accused of bribing the Texas attorney general is facing jail time after the Texas Supreme Court denied his appeal of an order holding him in contempt for lying in court. The states highest civil court narrowly denied Nate Pauls petition in a 5-4 decision. Paul had been sentenced to 10 days in jail by a Travis County judge. On Monday, Travis County Judge Jan Soifer ordered Paul to report to jail on April 1 to begin his sentence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Austin-based investor was central to the Texas Houses impeachment case against Attorney General Ken Paxton and was accused of offering him home renovations and other favors in exchange for legal help. Paxton was impeached last fall by the majority-Republican House but acquitted by the Senate. Paul and Paxton are the targets of an FBI investigation launched in 2020 when Paxton's aides went to local and federal authorities, claiming the third-term Republican abused his office and took bribes from Paul. A grand jury has reportedly been convened in San Antonio and called witnesses close to Paxton. Paxton has denied all wrongdoing. Paul is also facing federal criminal prosecution for allegedly giving false statements to lenders and committing wire fraud and will face trial in November. He has pleaded not guilty. Pauls lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Paul could request a rehearing by the state Supreme Court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are ecstatic, said Ray Chester, a lawyer for the Roy F. & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit suing Paul for fraud in the underlying case. We feel like justice prevailed. Soifer found that Paul had made unauthorized financial transfers despite a court order barring him from doing so; the order was meant to prevent him from moving or getting rid of assets to hide them from the court. Paul did not report the transfers and later lied about them, even when confronted with evidence of the accounts, according to a letter from the judge's office. "Mr. Paul's lies to the Court while under oath were pervasive and inexcusable, and served to deliberately thwart the functions of the court in enforcing its injunction," Soifer wrote in Monday's order. The case is one of many that Paul, a Paxton friend and campaign donor, faces as he fights bankruptcies and legal battles with creditors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Four justices, led by Justice Jane Bland, dissented from the majority, noting that the nonprofit has a conflict as a financially interested private party. They argued prosecuting a person for criminal contempt should be handled by a prosecutor instead. While a court may initiate criminal contempt charges based on a failure to comply with its orders or abuse of process, a court should refer such charges to the local prosecuting authority, Bland said. In the rare circumstance that such a referral is unworkable, the court should appoint an independent prosecutorone financially disinterested in the outcome of the contempt proceeding. The trial court did neither in this case. Pierce Brosnan has been ordered to pay $1,500 after pleading guilty to stepping off a trail in a thermal area in Yellowstone National Park last November. The actor, 70, is best known for playing British spy James Bond in four films. Brosnan called into a court hearing on Thursday (14 March), where he was fined $500 and ordered to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization that supports the park. According to court records, he has until 1 April to settle the matter. In a statement published on Instagram, Mr Brosnan said: As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world. People Brosnan attends the LA premiere of The Out-Laws in 2023 (2023 Invision) However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a No Trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. US Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick dismissed a second petty offence for violating closures and use limits. According to the citations Mr Brosnan walked in an off-limits area at Mammoth Terraces, in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana line, on 1 November last year. He was in the park on a personal visit and not for film work, the US Attorneys Office for Wyoming has said. Mammoth Terraces is a scenic spot of mineral-encrusted hot springs bubbling from a hillside. They are just some of the parks hundreds of thermal features, which range from spouting geysers to gurgling mud pots, with water at or near the boiling point. Going out-of-bounds in such areas can be dangerous: Some of the millions of people who visit Yellowstone each year get badly burned by ignoring warnings not to stray off the trail. Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs, the National Park Service says on its website. Mr Brosnan was born in Drogheda, Ireland in 1953 and had his breakthrough as an actor with the British spy series Remington Steele in the 1980s, before being cast as James Bond beginning with 1995s Goldeneye. He played Bond from 1995 to 2002 before Daniel Craig took over the role. He also starred in the 1980s TV series Remington Steele and is also known for appearing in the films Mrs Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair and Mamma Mia!. In 2023, Mr Brosnan unveiled a deeply personal series of paintings in his first solo art exhibition. Last week, he offered his verdict on how his fellow countryman and recent Best Actor Oscar winner Cillian Murphy would fare as 007. Additional reporting by Associated Press An aircraft leaking fuel landed unexpectedly Thursday at the Nevada County Airport, causing minor injuries to its pilot, authorities said. The Nevada County Consolidated Fire District, Grass Valley Fire Department and the Nevada County Sheriffs Office went to the airport about noon for reports of an aircraft down, firefighters said on social media. The pilot, a 63-year-old man, complained of pain and was taken to a hospital, Ashley Quadros, a spokeswoman with the Nevada County Sheriffs Office, wrote in an email. The plane landed off the runway, firefighters said. It sustained moderate damage, Quadros wrote. The (Federal Aviation Administration) was notified but the circumstances did not warrant their presence, Quadros added. The airport remained open, authorities said. Prince William praised his mother, Diana, the late Princess of Wales, at an event in London on Thursday, saying she taught him that everyone has the potential to give something back. The event, marking the 25th anniversary of The Diana Award, also saw Prince Harry, Williams brother, speak with winners via video call, making it one of the few occasions both princes have taken part in since the Duke of Sussex quit royal duties. In his speech, William told the audience that he and his wif e, Catherine, Princess of Wales, have sought to focus on Dianas legacy through their own work. I know that she would have been honored to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe, the Prince of Wales said, according to Kensington Palace. She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back, that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life, he said, adding, I am so proud to see this belief of my mothers manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight. During the event, the heir to the British throne also met staff and supporters of the award as well as presenting the Legacy Award to this years winners. Harry separately spoke with the 20 Legacy Award recipients via a livestream following the ceremony at Londons Science Museum. Thank you, very much, for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mothers legacy, I really appreciate that, the duke said during the 30-minute video call. In addition to the honor, award winners are supported with personal and professional development to amplify their social work and allow them to keep inspiring other young people to do the same. Prince Harry met with winners via a livestream for around half an hour after the ceremony concluded. - The Diana Award Williams appearance meanwhile comes amid frenzied speculation about the status and wellbeing of his wife, which intensified after Kensington Palace released a family photo featuring her that was later revealed to have been digitally altered. Kate has not been seen in public for months following an abdominal operation at a London hospital that the palace said was planned, but which necessitated her diary to be cleared of upcoming events due to a lengthy recovery period. The palace might have hoped that Sundays photo, released to mark Mothers Day, would quell the increasingly widespread confusion and concern about the princess. But it instead caused a firestorm of controversy after international photo agencies withdrew it, expressing concern it had been digitally manipulated. Kate took responsibility, apologizing for what she said was an experiment with photo editing. But her brief statement did not explain why and how she had edited the image, and no new pictures of the princess have been issued since. The Diana Legacy Awards are held every other year, and recognize young leaders in the name of William and Harrys late mother, Diana. It was established two years after Dianas death in a 1997 car crash in Paris. William said in his address on Thursday night that 50,000 people had received the Diana Award over the past 25 years. The brothers made separate contributions to Thursday nights ceremony. The Duke of Sussexs appeared virtually; he lives in the United States, following his split from the working royals in 2020 alongside his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Since then, the brothers relationship has become increasingly frosty. Harry wrote in his memoir Spare that William attacked him during an argument, and called his elder brother difficult, rude and abrasive. They have appeared together at royal events marking the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III, and on occasion at events related to Dianas legacy, but have otherwise rarely crossed paths in public. CNNs Max Foster and Simon Cullen contributed reporting For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to announce his running mate this month as he wages a long-shot independent bid for president. And the timing is no accident his decision is set to come as he needs a running mate to qualify for the ballot in a majority of states, with some of their filing deadlines coming up soon. Kennedy is attempting to qualify for the ballot in all 50 states, and at least 26 of them require him to file his nomination papers with a running mate named, according to an NBC News analysis of state ballot access requirements. Qualifying for each states ballot is a daunting enterprise that could cost millions of dollars and requires gathering more than 900,000 signatures nationwide. The campaign has estimated the effort could cost $15 million. Kennedys campaign had just over $4.8 million in its account at the end of January, according to a fundraising report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Meanwhile, ballot access deadlines are also fast approaching. They have already passed in North Carolina, Utah and Idaho. Kennedys campaign has said it has gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in Utah, as well as New Hampshire, Nevada and Hawaii. The campaign is starting to gather signatures in Texas, as well. The pro-Kennedy super PAC American Values 2024 announced this week that it would stop collecting signatures on Kennedys behalf but said it had collected more than enough to place him on the ballot in Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and South Carolina. However, some petition signatures usually get invalidated when they are turned in and checked by election officials, which is why campaigns and other groups often try to gather more than the minimum. Theres another twist: Although the filing deadline for independent candidates has passed in North Carolina, Kennedys supporters there are taking a different route to the ballot. In North Carolina and five other states Hawaii, California, Delaware, Mississippi and Texas his supporters have formed their own political parties. That path, which is also the way No Labels is trying to get its presidential ticket on the ballot nationwide, requires fewer signatures in some states than the regular candidate petition-gathering Kennedy is doing elsewhere. In North Carolina, for example, an independent presidential candidate would have had to collect more than 83,000 signatures by March 5 to qualify. But a new political party must collect only around 13,000 petition signatures by early June. Still, Kennedys campaign faces a sprint. By August, more than 21 states deadlines will have passed, with 24 additional states imposing deadlines throughout that month. The processes vary by states, and some require filing fees in addition to petition signatures. But the threshold to qualify for the ballot is somewhat lower in a handful of the most important swing states, where Kennedy could have the most impact on a close presidential race. In Wisconsin, one of the closest states in 2020, an independent presidential candidate needs only 2,000 petition signatures to qualify for the ballot just a tiny fraction of the more than 3.4 million voters in the state. And independent presidential candidates need to collect just 7,500 signatures in Georgia and 5,000 in Pennsylvania, two more states that were decided by close margins in 2020. LONDON If Britains royal family thought the saga over Kate, the Princess of Wales, was going away, there was little sign of salvation Friday after a leading news agency compared the family to North Korea and another monarch offered gentle public ridicule. Meanwhile, Prince William and Prince Harry both spoke Thursday evening at an awards ceremony in honor of their late mother, Princess Diana an event somewhat overshadowed by the brothers ongoing feud when William left before Harry even started his video-link address. The crisis over Kates health and edited photo has rocked the British royal family, but another of Europes sovereigns managed to find the funny side. At an event in the Dutch city of Zutphen on Thursday, the countrys King Willem-Alexander was told by a young girl that she had a photograph of him and his family. At least I didnt photoshop it! he said to laughter from the childrens parents. That belies just how serious this crisis has become for the British familys reputation. It emerged Thursday that Agence France-Presse, one of the news agencies that issued a kill notice for Kates picture, no longer considers Kensington Palace a trusted source. Making a doctored photo available for distribution to the worlds media is a serious breach of trust, news director Phil Chetwynd told NBC News in an email., The palace was a known and trusted source for handout pictures but we cannot say they are a trusted source for handout pictures following this weeks events, he added. He said the news agency still require further explanations about what happened to the image and we would hope we could rebuild this trust over time. The four agencies, AFP, The Associated Press, Reuters and Getty, all distribute photographs and stories to media companies worldwide. Chetwynd said that kill notices were rare, and usually made for propaganda from the North Korean news agency or the Iranian news agency, just to give you some background or context, he said in another interview with the BBC. Once the agencies realized there were a lot of problems with the photo, they worked together and asked the palace for the original, but decided to kill the picture after not receiving a response, he said. Image: MANDATORY KILL-BRITAIN-ROYALS (Prince of Wales / Kensington Palace / AFP - Getty Images) In a statement posted to social media Monday, Kate said that like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing and gave her apologies for any confusion. There has been no further explanation for how or why the picture was altered, and the palace has confirmed to NBC News that the original picture will not be released. Understanding how badly Kensington Palace dealt with this does give us an understanding of why it subsequently turned into such a big deal, NBC News royal commentator Daisy McAndrew said. To have completely lost control of the public image of Catherine and William really is quite catastrophic. For some, the outrage is overblown. But the reason why it has caused such fallout is that it speaks to fundamental tensions between the palace, press and the public. Even many royal supporters do so as part of an unwritten pact: The taxpayer funds the monarchy and in return the royals perform various public roles. These range from international soft-power ambassadors, participants in the occasional lavish wedding to lift the national mood, and fodder for the fashion and gossip pages. The late Queen Elizabeth II understood this tacit agreement better than most, famously saying, I have to be seen to be believed, according to biographer Sally Bedell Smith. In short: Without its public presence, the royal family risks losing legitimacy. King Charles III appears to be following this maxim, releasing regular photo updates through his recent cancer diagnosis. But Kate has not been seen in public since Christmas Day, and the edited photo has been the only sighting, save a few unclear, grainy shots of her inside cars. No further details were offered Thursday night at the Diana Legacy Award at Londons Science Museum. William mentioned his wife in passing, saying that his mothers legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work. He left before Harrys speech, delivered virtually from California. The brothers have been mired in a high-profile falling-out following Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, leaving their lives as front-line royals for America while accusing the family of callous treatment. What should have been a really uplifting event, McAndrew said, actually turned into a story about the fact that Harry and William dont speak to each other and no longer have a relationship. Also on Thursday, Meghan launched a new brand on Instagram, American Riviera Orchard, marking her return to the platform after deleting her social media accounts in 2018 before marrying Harry. Back in Britain, William made a comment that, knowingly or otherwise, hinted at the maelstrom over his wifes penchant for visual creativity. Its really not that impressive, he told children as he decorated biscuits while visiting a youth group in west London. My wife is the arty one. Outside an Australian community centre, local election candidates make last-ditch efforts to win over people who are filing into the makeshift polling station. Most voters are too pre-occupied trying to dodge the flyer-thrusting politicians to notice a clue that this is not your ordinary campaign for a seat on the City of Gold Coast council. Incumbent councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden is seeking re-election. But concealed beneath his beige trousers is the outline of an electronic ankle bracelet - a device which allows police to track his movements. The 31-year-old is charged with murdering his stepfather, Robert Lumsden, at the family's home in August last year. Further details about the proceedings can't be reported at the moment for legal reasons, but his lawyers have indicated at a pre-trial hearing that he will plead not guilty. And because a Queensland Supreme Court judge granted him bail, he is able to campaign ahead of Saturday's election - becoming perhaps the only Australian in recent history fighting both a political battle and a murder charge simultaneously. 'Voters always get it right' Deciding to stand for public office again has been called "selfish", "strange", "entitled" and "unbelievable". But when approached by the BBC outside the polling booth at Runaway Bay, Mr Bayldon-Lumsden is defiant. "I believe democracy is the most important thing, and voters always get it right," he says. "So if voters want me, they'll choose to re-elect me. And if voters don't want me, they'll vote for someone else." But few think it is that simple. After being charged, Mr Bayldon-Lumsden was suspended from the council, while still receiving his full salary of A$160,000 (82,700; $105,000) a year. Critics say this means almost 50,000 people in his area have not had a voice on the local council. "We've had issues from parks simply not being mowed, right through to major development applications going through our community, without actually having someone sitting at the table to represent us," says one of his rival candidates Joe Wilkinson. If Mr Bayldon-Lumsden were to be re-elected, it's far from clear if or when he would be able to resume office. Deciding whether to suspend him again - and leave residents without a councillor once more - would fall on the Queensland Minister for Local Government, Meaghan Scanlon. She would need to "consider the public interest factors involved in this matter and decide whether to exercise intervention powers", her department says, though no decision will be made until after the election. This week Ms Scanlon said she wanted to be "really clear" that neither she, the state's premier, nor their offices "have had any conversations with that councillor or their legal team" following his suspension. She was responding to rumours swirling in the community that the murder suspect had been told he would not be suspended again if re-elected on Saturday. And should he win, Mr Bayldon-Lumsden argues he must be allowed back into the job and the council chamber. "There's nothing that requires a suspension," he says. "Democracy should be the priority here, so if the community decides they want me to stay as their representative, then that should be the case. "I think it'd be a brave state government to go against the will of the people in a democratic election." 'Anyone but Ryan' With Australia's compulsory voting system, turnout will be high. His five rival candidates have banded together in a policy that one summed up as "anyone but Ryan". These elections feature preferential voting, allowing constituents to rank their favoured candidates in order. "We're encouraging people to put Ryan last," says Jenna Schroeder, who like all candidates in the Division Seven district, is running as an independent. Although the killing was huge news locally, she estimates up to 40% of voters do not realise the implications politically. "I have known Ryan for quite a while and this all came as a shock," Ms Schroeder says. "I can appreciate that people really like him as a person, but we have to separate that person from the candidate and look at the community, because that's what a councillor does, right? "They represent the community. And if we don't have someone doing that, we need to let people know." Another contender in Saturday's race, Edward Sarroff, believes Mr Bayldon-Lumsden should sort out his legal case before trying to get back into politics. "He's got very serious charges that he needs to deal with in his personal life," says Mr Sarroff. "I feel that the community, to an extent, have romanticised it. They want to feel like they're helping this guy out... That's with the courts. "No one's denying he's done good work for the community. The problem is, he's not able to do any work for the community right now." Voters weigh in In the nearby suburb of Labrador, the waterfront is packed with early morning joggers and locals walking with dogs and take-away coffees. And most people the BBC spoke to seemed oblivious to the peculiar situation playing out in their neighbourhood. "It's certainly unusual," says Bob Partridge, 79, pulling off his goggles after completing his daily swim in the local saltwater lagoon. "If I was in his position I wouldn't stand, and it's unlikely I'll vote for someone who can't represent me." His friends Ruby and Neil Luxford, say they found it worrying to learn their councillor was missing in action. "He's innocent until proven guilty," Ms Luxford, 68, says. "But if he wants to stand again, he should wait until his court case has come up, is over and then see." Another pensioner, who marches off for his ocean dip before I can ask his name, gives short shrift. "He's being paid $160,000 a year and can't vote on council. It makes me sick. It's my birthday today and just talking about this is ruining it." Australians can cast a ballot in person up to a fortnight before an election day, in what's called pre-poll. And sitting at a picnic table overlooking the water, Sharyn Smith tells me she met Mr Bayldon-Lumsden at the polling booth earlier this week. "I was surprised to see his name on the ballot paper given the circumstances. I thought it was a very strange thing," Mrs Smith said. "But he was very chatty and appeared nice. I felt a little bit for him. It must be a very hard thing for him to do, because he's getting so much scrutiny." Having won with almost 80% of the vote after preferences at the last election in 2020, some of his rivals believe Mr Bayldon-Lumsden can win again. It's "definitely feasible" says Joel McInnes, one of several candidates who said he'd chosen to stand because of the "bizarre" situation. "It's been surprising to me how much support he has had," he says. "There have been a few people that have come up and confronted him and told him what they really think about him running. And he has handled himself quite well in those situations." "He can definitely still do it," says Bruce Byatt - who questions Mr Bayldon-Lumsden's "moral compass" in standing. And Jenna Schroeder agrees a win is "possible" - pointing to the councillor's "name recognition". "The biggest anomaly is those disengaged voters who are voting for someone who they like the look of, once they get in the booth." One resident who clearly is engaged, and a supporter of Mr Bayldon-Lumsden, is Baerbel Seifert. "I've lived in my area for over 30 years and he's the only one who came in and actually did something. All the other ones made a lot of promises, and nothing happened. "We don't know what happened in the legal case, so I think he deserves a chance to do it again." For a man with such a serious charge hanging over him, Mr Bayldon-Lumsden seems relaxed. One of his promotional placards features a family dog - with the slogan: "Rufus says Vote Ryan." "The support in the last two weeks of pre-poll has been very positive," he says. "And that support has meant the world to me, my mum and my sister. I just want to get back in and keep doing great things for the local area." It will be many months before his criminal case comes to trial. But by Saturday night, it will become clearer whether Mr Bayldon-Lumsden has kept his political dream alive, for now at least. WASHINGTON Peter Navarro, the Donald Trump adviser sentenced to incarceration following his conviction for defying a congressional subpoena, has asked the Supreme Court to intervene after a federal appeals court rejected his bid to put the four-month prison sentence on hold. In an emergency application filed with the Supreme Court late Friday, Navarro's lawyers say his case marks "the first time in our nations history" that "a senior presidential advisor has been convicted of contempt of Congress after asserting executive privilege over a congressional subpoena." The subpoena was issued by the House Jan. 6 committee in February 2022. The Supreme Court said the Justice Department should respond to Navarro's filing by Monday at 2 p.m. He has been ordered to report to a Bureau of Prisons facility in Miami before 2 p.m. on Tuesday. A three-judge panel said this week that Navarro had not shown that his appeal presents substantial questions of law or fact likely to result in reversal, a new trial, a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment or a reduced sentence of imprisonment that is less than the amount of time already served plus the expected duration of the appeal process. An election denier involved in Trump's efforts to overturn the former president's election loss based on long-debunked conspiracy theories, Navarro was subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee and refused to provide testimony or documents. He was convicted in September and sentenced in January. You are not a victim, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta told Navarro at his sentencing. You are not the object of a political prosecution you arent. You have received every process you are due. CAIRO (Reuters) - British maritime security firm Ambrey and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Friday an incident near Yemen's Hodeidah where the Iran-aligned Houthis continue to attack shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. UKMTO said it had received a report of an incident 65 nautical miles west of Hodeidah where the master of a merchant vessel reported an explosion a distance off the vessel's starboard beam. "There is no damage to the vessel and the crew are reported safe. The vessel is continuing to its next port of call," UKMTO added in an advisory note. Ambrey reported that a vessel was targeted approximately 80 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, yet the crew was safe. It was unclear if Ambrey and UKMTO were reporting the same incident. Months of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around Southern Africa, and stoked fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread to destabilise the wider Middle East. The U.S. and Britain have carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to the attacks on shipping. (Reporting by Enas Alashray and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo; Editing by Chris Reese, David Gregorio and Matthew Lewis) After weeks of protests shutting down council meetings, the Sacramento City Council will consider adopting a Gaza cease-fire resolution Tuesday. Unlike all the dozens of other cities across the country that have passed cease-fire resolutions in recent months, Sacramentos includes input from leaders in both Sacramentos Muslim and Jewish communities, stated the resolution, proposed by Mayor Darrell Steinberg. In the midst of great mourning, anger, and fear over the war in the Middle East, Im calling on our community to once again choose hope over continued division, Steinberg said in a news release. The resolution contains language important to all sides. It also includes some provisions that each side would write differently if they wrote it themselves. That is the nature of principled compromise. We may not be able to create peace in the Middle East, but we can model what we want to see throughout the world here in our own city. Leaders of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations support the resolution, the release said, as well as prominent members of the Jewish community. Sacramento is a community that always comes together to support each other during challenging times, said Basim Elkarra, CAIR-Sacramento Valley/Central California Executive Director, in the release. Calling for a ceasefire and acknowledging each others perspectives is a significant step for our communities. Our mutual desire for humanity and peace is something that can only be realized through discussion and dialogue. The resolution states a similar sentiment: Nothing we say or do in Sacramento may change the course of the war for Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, the resolution draft states. But there are other compelling reasons for our city to speak out in support of an immediate, bilateral, and permanent ceasefire. This ceasefire resolution stands out from those passed by other jurisdictions in California and around the nation because it represents a principled compromise. Leaders from both the Muslim and Jewish communities in Sacramento had input into the language, which includes important principles and concessions from both sides ... This resolution appropriately calls for a permanent end to the bloodshed and upholds the spirit of mutual understanding and support that defines Sacramento. The resolution calls for an immediate and permanent bilateral ceasefire. It also calls for Hamas, a militant Palestinian Islamic organization operating in opposition to Israel, to release all Israeli hostages and for entry of unrestricted humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, an area of about 140 square miles that is one of the most densely populated places in the world. It also recognizes that thousands of Palestinians are held unfairly, unjustly, and without charge in Israeli prisons. It advocates, as Steinberg has in the past from the dais, for a two-state solution. The city of Sacramento recognizes that the current crisis takes place within a long history and affirms, that for a pathway to lasting peace and justice to be developed, a two-state solution must exist, with one Jewish state and one Palestinian state existing side by side; where each side recognizes the others historic ties to the land, and the right for both peoples to peacefully exist in that land. Council members Katie Valenzuela and Mai Vang on Jan. 24 proposed a ceasefire resolution, but Steinberg had not placed it on the agenda until Thursday. Steinberg, who is Jewish, has been visibly conflicted from the dais. In one meeting, as he saw some Palestinian allies preparing to leave before giving public comments, he urged them to return, calling them brothers. Steinberg wrote a Jan. 27 opinion column in The Sacramento Bee stating he would not place the cease-fire resolution proposed by Vang and Valenzuela on an agenda. The new resolution includes different wording than the one Vang and Valenzuela originally proposed, but they will support it, they each told The Sacramento Bee Thursday. Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who is Jewish, did not immediately provide a comment on whether she will support the resolution. Over 70 cities in the country, including Seattle, Chicago and San Francisco, have passed resolutions on the Israel-Gaza war, with most calling for ceasefire, Reuters reported. They aim to pressure President Joe Biden to help end the fighting ahead of the November election. The council meeting will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Sacramento City Hall. The U.S. could be about to force ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant that owns TikTok, to divest its U.S. business or effectively ban the app. But a sale looks unlikely not least because China is expected to block it. The House on Wednesday approved a bill that requires ByteDance to divest TikTok, the social media platform it owns, within roughly six months for the app to remain available in the United States. This legislation is not yet law and needs approval from the Senate. Washington has long contended that TikTok poses a national security threat, as American data could get into the hands of the Chinese government. Lawmakers in the U.S. are also concerned about the short video apps alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party, which the company has denied. If the bill is passed, however, the Chinese government is unlikely to approve the divestiture of TikToks U.S. business. The problem is that the Chinese government is unlikely to approve this type of forced merger and acquisition, Paul Triolo, an associate partner at consulting firm Albright Stonebridge, told CNBCs Street Signs Asia on Thursday. Any kind of divestiture and then merger with another company or acquisition would have to be approved by the Chinese government, which would probably reject that and is probably advising ByteDance that it would reject that. What has China said? Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thursday that the U.S. bill is at odds with the principles of fair competition and international trade rules, according to an NBC News translation. If the pretext of national security can be used to suppress excellent companies from other countries arbitrarily, there is no fairness or justice to speak of. It is a complete logic of theft to see something good and try to take it for oneself by any means necessary. China is widely expected to block a deal, not least because this isnt the first time the issue has arisen. Last year, the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) told ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban. At the time, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Commerce, said the country would firmly oppose a move by the U.S. to mandate a sale of TikTok. TikTok algorithm at the center What complicates a sale further is TikToks algorithm. This is the apps secret sauce and is the technology that enables it to recommend content to users to keep them engaged. Last year, when CFIUS told ByteDance to sell TikTok, Chinas Shu addressed this, saying a divestiture or sale would effectively mean exporting this technology, which must go through administrative licensing procedures. China would have to approve the transfer of the algorithm as part of the sale, Triolo said something that seems very unlikely. And its hard to imagine how TikToks U.S. business could be separated from the algorithm if China did not want that to be part of the deal. TikTok requires the algorithm to function. This algorithm is Chinese home-grown technology, and the Chinese state has said on multiple occasions that [it] considers technology like this to be important for its national security. Hence, it will not allow Chinese technology of this nature to leave its shores or to be in the hands of countries which it considers unfriendly, Richard Windsor, founder of research company Radio Free Mobile, said in a note published Monday. This makes a severing of ties between ByteDance and TikTok USA highly problematic as TikTok USA needs the algorithm to function, but this will contravene the wishes of the Chinese government and the laws it has put in place. TikToks big valuation TikTok is one of the worlds biggest social media apps, posing a serious challenge to the likes of Facebook owner Meta and Snap. TikTok was the most downloaded social media app in the U.S. in 2023, according to market insight firm Sensor Tower. That makes TikTok hot property. Angelo Zino, a vice president and senior equity analyst at CFRA Research, told CNBC that its possible that TikToks U.S.-only business could fetch a valuation north of $60 billion. Given the uncertainty over the algorithm, however, and Chinese government approval looking unlikely, its far from certain that a U.S. TikTok sale will even get to the valuation stage. Attacker shot dead after fatally stabbing Israeli soldier Xinhua) 10:27, March 15, 2024 Israeli police and security personnel work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Beit Kama Junction, near the city of Rahat in southern Israel, on March 14, 2024. Israeli police reported that a knifeman carried out a stabbing attack at a coffee shop in southern Israel on Thursday, killing a soldier and injuring a civilian. The attacker was subsequently shot and killed. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua) JERUSALEM, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police reported that a knifeman carried out a stabbing attack at a coffee shop in southern Israel on Thursday, killing a soldier and injuring a civilian. The attacker was subsequently shot and killed. The assailant, a Gaza-born Israeli citizen, stormed the soldier from behind, stabbing him in the torso just before the soldier managed to throw the suspect to the floor. The soldier was then seen pulling out his gun and shooting, according to CCTV video footage. The police said in a statement that the assailant was shot and killed by the soldier, a 51-year-old man from the southern town of Dimona. The soldier then collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his fatal wounds. Zaki Heller, spokesperson for the Magan David Adom rescue service, confirmed that apart from the soldier, a civilian sustained minor wounds. The suspect was identified by the Shin Bet security service as a 22-year-old Arab citizen of Israel, who was born in the Gaza Strip and lived in Rahat, a Bedouin city near the site of the attack, for the past five years. Both his mother and father are currently in Gaza. He was described as a "lone-wolf" assailant who wielded a knife and rode an electric scooter to the site of the attack, according to the Shin Bet. The attack came amid ongoing massive Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip, which have killed more than 31,300 Palestinians, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. Israeli police and security personnel work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Beit Kama Junction, near the city of Rahat in southern Israel, on March 14, 2024. Israeli police reported that a knifeman carried out a stabbing attack at a coffee shop in southern Israel on Thursday, killing a soldier and injuring a civilian. The attacker was subsequently shot and killed. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua) Israeli police and security personnel work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Beit Kama Junction, near the city of Rahat in southern Israel, on March 14, 2024. Israeli police reported that a knifeman carried out a stabbing attack at a coffee shop in southern Israel on Thursday, killing a soldier and injuring a civilian. The attacker was subsequently shot and killed. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua) Israeli police and security personnel work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Beit Kama Junction, near the city of Rahat in southern Israel, on March 14, 2024. Israeli police reported that a knifeman carried out a stabbing attack at a coffee shop in southern Israel on Thursday, killing a soldier and injuring a civilian. The attacker was subsequently shot and killed. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua) Israeli police and security personnel work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Beit Kama Junction, near the city of Rahat in southern Israel, on March 14, 2024. Israeli police reported that a knifeman carried out a stabbing attack at a coffee shop in southern Israel on Thursday, killing a soldier and injuring a civilian. The attacker was subsequently shot and killed. (Ilan Assayag/JINI via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) County announces new public health director David Jenkins The Henderson County Board of Health has named David Jenkins as the new Henderson County health director beginning May 6. Jenkins currently serves as director of Stanly County Health and Human Services, a position he has held since 2018. Jenkins has over 23 years of public health experience, working through the ranks as an environmental health specialist and supervisor in New Hanover County. He also served as health director of Carteret and Scotland counties before assuming the role in Stanly. "My family and I are genuinely excited for the opportunity to work, live and be part of a community we have spent time in and grown to love over the years," said Jenkins. "It has been a long-standing career plan of mine to work with a larger and very well-respected organization such as the Henderson County Department of Public Health. I am looking forward to building a long-term career with Henderson County and will do all I can to help build on the excellent reputation of the Department of Public Health," he added. During his tenure in 2023, Jenkins health department earned reaccreditation with honors status. In 2022, he was the recipient of the Ronald H. Levine Public Health Award, which recognizes exemplary contributions to public health in North Carolina. Jenkins has also served as president of the North Carolina Public Health Association and the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors as an executive member. David is a personable and strong leader, said Board of Health Chairperson Dr. Maggie Hayes. He has the experience, enthusiasm and knowledge base necessary to continue the important work of the Henderson County Department of Public Health. The Board of Health is delighted to welcome him as our new health director, and we look forward to working with him in the years to come. Jenkins received his bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master of Public Administration from Walden University. It spread like wildfire on social media in Wayne County: An anonymous Facebook poster said that a couple of hotels in the Honesdale area were housing migrants, paid for by the state, no questions asked. Honesdale Borough Police and the Pennsylvania State Police, however, each denounced the rumor as untrue. Trooper First Class Robert Urban, community service officer for Troop R in Dunmore, affirmed in an email, March 13, that there was one transient picked up in Wayne County around the last week of February. "There was indeed one migrant of Asian descent who was apprehended approximately three weeks ago in the vicinity of Weniger Hill Road, north of Honesdale," Urban said. "The Pennsylvania State Police in Honesdale handled the situation appropriately. However, it's important to note that other claims circulating on social media platforms such as Facebook are unsubstantiated. We have not received any reports of individuals residing in tents, breaking into homes, or behaving suspiciously in hotels within Wayne County." Honesdale Police Lt. Donald Tacher stated that they investigated, and determined the rumor about migrants being housed in local hotels is untrue. Multiple people provided the Tri-County Independent screenshots of this Facebook post claiming that migrants have been housed in Honesdale hotels at the expense of the state. The unidentified person posted in the "Neighbors Helping Neighbors Wayne County, Pike County and Surrounding Area" Facebook group that "five illegals" were apprehended at a Honesdale-area farm and that others were camping at Skinner's Falls and breaking into homes near there. The poster went on to claim that two hotels in Honesdale are housing immigrants. "They were told to not talk about it because The state is paying twice the usual rate to let them stay there no questions asked," the poster said. The post also claimed that a local lawyer paid to have them brought up from Texas, but they wanted to go home because the United States is "not what they were told it would be." The Wayne County commissioners on March 14 reported getting several questions about the rumor. Commissioner James Shook stated, "We've done our due diligence, it's not true, it hasn't been true. It's not happening. There has occasionally been maybe one person coming through, moving along... but there are no bus loads coming into Wayne County. They're not staying in any local hotels here. "It just seems to be a media blitz just causing more fear going into the next presidential election," Shook said. "But we are doing our job, making sure the community is safe." Chairperson Brian Smith said there was one man who came through and came onto a couple farms where they were not supposed to be. Some people called the state police, Smith said, and the person was picked up to ensure everything was all right. "And that person ended up in Scranton, going west. That person did not harm anyone, did not create any illegal situation that anyone was aware of, but state police were called because he was on property that did not belong to him, but was simply trying to find his way west." Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer said they spoke to Honesdale and state police. "We get concerned about misinformation creating a negative impact on the community," she said. Trooper Urban added, "We strongly encourage residents to promptly contact 911 if they observe any trespassing on their property, enabling appropriate action to be taken." Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Police, Wayne commissioners say rumor of migrants in hotels is false With just over a week until another spending deadline, negotiators are still working furiously around the clock to finish their work on the remaining six bills, and a series of sticking points remain including over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. I think Homeland we knew was going to be challenging, and there are a couple of other outstanding issues in a couple of the other bills, but hopefully we can work through them, said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the GOP whip. A source familiar with the conversation told CNN that Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee, laid out the situation during a GOP lunch. She told colleagues that there were still issues to work through on the Homeland bill, legislation that is historically difficult to get across the finish line and even more complicated this year because immigration has emerged as a top campaign issue. Hopefully people will understand that this is about keeping our borders secure and not about a goddamn campaign issue in the fall, said Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana. Democrats are also less open to some Republicans push for riders in this bill since they feel they gave Republicans a series of border policy changes that they rejected out of hand earlier this year. One of the options on the table is separating the Homeland Security funding bill. Another issue that has emerged for some Democrats in this tranche of spending bills is funding for UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees following reports by Israel that some staff played a role in Hamas October 7 attack. Republicans are largely fighting to ensure no money flows to the agency at all in this spending package. The US has paused funding for UNRWA as a UN review continues about the agency and any involvement in the October 7 attack. But, some Democrats including Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, are arguing that cutting off funding for the entire agency forever would be ill advised given the work the agency does not just in Gaza but across the Middle East including Jordan. UNRWA provides shelter, health care, education, sanitation for two and a half million Palestinians who live in 10 different camps, Coons said. I would like to see a conditional review of UNRWA Gaza and a continuation of funding of the rest of them. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, said, It would be a mistake to cut off all of UNWRA. A cessation of past funding for the agency was included in the supplemental package that passed the Senate in February and stalled in the House, but including a ban on all future spending in the Fiscal Year 24 spending bills is of growing concern to several Democrats who say it could lead to a rise in instability in the Middle East. Republicans position is there are other ways to get aid to refugee programs including USAID and other programs. These guys were embedded in Hamas, Thune said. They helped the terrorists viciously attack Israel, and I dont know why we would even think about sending them a single dollar. There are lots of great organizations that do relief work that could take the lead on this. The issue has become so pressing that Jordans King Abdullah is making calls to members. Ive talked to King Abdullah at least three times in the last two weeks, Cardin said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com When Munir Lalani received an invite via email Wednesday from former President Donald Trump, the Republican partys presumptive 2024 nominee, to join an EXCLUSIVE membership program, he was a bit surprised. Offered only to the top 1% of my supporters, Trump wrote in the mass mailer, here was Lalanis chance to secure a a black metal card etched with my mugshot to show the world we will never surrender," tangible proof that Lalani was a card-carrying member of Make America Great Again 2024. The problem? Having donated more than $30,000 to Trumps Republican rival Nikki Haley, Lalani, 70, did not consider himself to be in the top 1% of Trumps supporters. Beyond that, he had also dared to attend a Haley fundraiser in February, three weeks after Trump threatened to permanently bar Haley donors when she refused to drop out of the race after losing the New Hampshire primary. "Anybody that makes a 'Contribution' to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Jan. 24, using one of many derogatory terms he's employed against Haley. "We dont want them, and will not accept them." Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks , Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) ORG XMIT: NYOTK Some in the Trump family may not have gotten the message. Im getting two texts a day from Lara. T, said Lalani, a hotelier from Waco, Texas, referring to Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, who took over as a co-chair of the Republican National Committee on March 8. Far from banning Haley donors from the MAGA tent, Trump is now actively courting them. Trumps mounting legal bills from the 91 criminal counts he faces in four separate criminal indictments may have persuaded him to change his tune, donors and political observers say. In addition to his criminal jeapardy, Trump is on the hook for about $500 million in civil legal damages and penalites. But he also needs Haley's voters and donors in his general election fight against President Joe Biden. RNC's campaign slush fund' and Trump's need for cash Trumps need for money is greater than his need for revenge or spite, said Rick Wilson, a co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project. There will be a meaningful fraction of major Haley donors, who will give to Trump out of fear, but none for love. Former president Donald Trump speaks at an election-night watch party on Super Tuesday at Mar-a Lago on March 5, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. Last month, Haley also raised concerns about Trump turning the RNC into his "legal slush fund. For Trump, it makes financial sense to court Haleys donors. In January, the former two-time South Carolina governors presidential campaign pulled in $11.5 million, outraising Trumps operation, which raised $8.8 million, according to FEC filings. Will it be easy for Trump to court Haley donors? Eric Levine, a Republican bundler who helped organize two major fundraisers for Haley with Wall Street tycoons in New York, including one on Jan. 30, a week after the Trump threat, also has been receiving the former president's offers. While Levine, a lawyer, said he would never want to see Biden reelected, the fundraiser refused to answer when asked if hed ever donate to Trump. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Greensboro, North Carolina on March 2, 2024. Ive been raising millions of dollars for Senate Republicans for years now and I'm going to continue to do that," he said. Levine also said he was unsure about how contributions to the RNC would be used. "I'd be very concerned about where that money is going. Is it gonna be going to pay for his lawyers or is it gonna be going to help Republicans get elected?" he told USA TODAY. "I don't know." In her speech withdrawing from the race, Haley said it would be up to Trump to earn the votes of Republicans who didn't back him in the primaries. A Fox News Voter Analysis survey of more than 2,400 South Carolina Republican primary voters also found that 6-in-10 Haley voters would not support Trump in the general election if he were the GOP nominee. Asked if he would vote for Trump this year, Levine, who voted for Trump in 2020 and described himself as belonging to the "Ronald Reagan wing of the Republican party," said didn't feel the former president was after his vote. Until Donald Trump wants my vote. As of now, I'm still barred. So unless and until he asks for my vote, the question is somewhat premature and academic," he said. "I'm interested in someone who's looking forward as to how they're gonna make our lives better rather than looking back and seeking revenge on our perceived political enemies." The Trump campaign wouldn't say if it was pursuing Haley donors. Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for Trump, instead emailed a statement saying: "President Trump welcomes all Americans, including Republicans, Independents, and even disillusioned Democrats, to join the greatest political movement in history so we can end Joe Biden's chaos and make America strong, safe, and successful again." Trump's VP pick might determine where Haley donors go But one thing that will keep Levine from voting for Trump is Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii. Gabbard, who is rumored to be on Trumps potential vice-presidential short list, was the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2016. A rising progressive star, she resigned that position to serve as a senior advisor to Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. I was unaware that there was a Bernie Sanders wing of the Republican Party, Levine said. If he nominates Tulsi Gabbard, I will not be voting for him. I might as well support Bernie Sanders. Munir and Vickie Lalani, donors to Nikki Haley's campaign attended a fundraiser with her in Dallas, Texas, in February 2024 For his part, Lalani said he had not made up his mind about donating to Trump, for whom he voted for in 2020. I'm still hoping that a credible candidate is put out by No Labels, he said. "I wish they would go and convince Nikki. Lots can happen. Will he reach out to Nikki for a VP position? Contributing: David Jackson, USA TODAY Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump courts wealthy Nikki Haley donors As much as I empathize with the Wells family and Tyre Nichols family, said Sen. Brent Taylor, the Republican bill sponsor, we cant let that empathy cloud our judgment in protecting 7 million Tennesseans. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Legislation designed to undo police traffic stop reforms set in place after the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by officers last year is now headed to Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees desk, despite emotional pleas to abandon the measure from Nichols family and accusations that the proposal is extreme government overreach. For weeks, the Republican-controlled Tennessee Statehouse has remained steadfast in overturning an ordinance adopted by the Memphis city council, which included outlawing so-called pretextual traffic stops for minor violations like a broken taillight. The bill would apply statewide, prohibiting any local limits on any traffic stops when an officer observes or has reasonable suspicion that someone in the car has violated a local ordinance or state or federal law. House Republicans approved the measure last week and Senate Republicans adopted that proposal Thursday with just the chambers six Democrats voting opposed. I pleaded with the sponsor to not run this, said Sen. London Lamar, a Democrat from Memphis, whose district includes where Nichols was killed. Because its a slap in the face. Not only for our city council, but all the local governing bodies in this state, because were telling them you are not smart enough to decide policies to help govern your own city. This is extreme government overreach, Lamar added. Nichols death in January 2023 sparked outrage and calls for reforms nationally and locally. Videos showed an almost 3-minute barrage of fists, feet and baton strikes to Nichols face, head, front and back, as the 29-year-old Black man yelled for his mother about a block from home. The screen at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans honors Tyre Nichols before an NBA basketball game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Washington Wizards. Despite emotional pleas from Nichols family, legislation designed to undo police traffic stop reforms set in place after his fatal beating by Memphis Police officers last year is now headed to Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees desk. (Photo: Matthew Hinton/AP, File) Five officers, who are also Black, were charged with federal civil rights violations and second-degree murder and other criminal counts in state court. One has pleaded guilty in federal court. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating how Memphis Police Department officers use force and conduct arrests, and whether the department in the majority-Black city engages in racially discriminatory policing. Yet even as numerous members inside the majority-white Tennessee Statehouse expressed shock and outrage over Nichols death at the time, many of those same lawmakers have largely criticized how Memphis a majority Black city has managed its crime rates and expressed distrust over the response from Black city leaders. If we dont do this, we will further endanger our community, said Sen. Brent Taylor, the Republican bill sponsor from Memphis. Gov. Lee has not publicly commented on the legislation, but to date, the Republican has never handed down a veto since taking office. Memphis city council enacted their changes with the support from activists and Nichols family. The changes were made after many pointed to an officers incident report that claimed Nichols was stopped for driving into oncoming traffic but that was later refuted by Police Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis, who said there was no evidence Nichols was driving recklessly. Memphis is an independent city, so to speak. Its not like any other city in Tennessee. Its majority Black, Rodney Wells, Nichols stepfather, told reporters Thursday. Fair is fair. We worked too hard to get this passed for it to be overturned like this. Taylor defended moving forward with the legislation over the Nichols objections, arguing it was in the best interest of everyone to have closure. As a funeral director and as someone who has seen death daily for 35 years, I understand better than most the pain and suffering that this family is going through, Taylor said. As much as I empathize with the Wells family and Tyre Nichols family and the loss of Tyre, we cant let that empathy cloud our judgment in protecting 7 million Tennesseans. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Police reforms enacted after Tyre Nichols death will end if Tenn. governor signs bill appeared first on TheGrio. Pornhub has blocked access to its content in Texas in protest of the states age verification requirement. The site, one of the most-visited pornography platforms in the country, is blocking anyone who accesses it from a Texas IP address. Instead, its homepage displays a statement explaining its reasoning and encouraging users to contact their representatives about the law. Unfortunately, the Texas law for age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous, the statement read, according to a copy Pornhub provided to NBC News. Not only will it not actually protect children, but it will also inevitably reduce content creators ability to post and distribute legal adult content and directly impact their ability to share the artistic messages they want to convey with it. And its not just Pornhub: The entire portfolio of adult content platforms owned by Pornhubs parent company, Aylo, including Brazzers, YouPorn and Men.com, have also removed access to their content in Texas. "Aylo has publicly supported age verification of users for years, but we believe that any law to this effect must ensure minors do not access content intended for adults and preserve user safety and privacy," Alex Kekesi, Aylo's vice president of brand and community, said in an email statement. Instead, Kekesi wrote, the "real solution" to an age verification mandate is to impose a device-based verification system, which would have users input their age information directly into their phones operating systems. Aylo is reviewing its options and consulting with its legal team, Kekesi said. Texas is the latest in a string of states including Montana, North Carolina, Louisiana, Utah, Arkansas, Mississippi and Virginia where Aylo has restricted access to its porn sites in response to age-verification laws. The state of Texas sued Aylo alleging it violated its age verification law, which requires visitors to porn sites to show government-issued identification or other data to confirm they are 18 or older. Having taken effect last year, the law was challenged in federal court by an adult industry trade association before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the injunction in November, allowing Texas to enforce it. It subjects porn sites to fines of up to $10,000 per day for failing to verify users ages. Texas lawsuit claims Aylo has been in violation for 160 days and so must pay up to $1.6 million, as well as up to $10,000 for each additional day after the filing date. Sites like PornHub are on the run because Texas has a law that aims to prevent them from showing harmful, obscene material to children, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in an email statement on Thursday. We recently secured a major victory against PornHub and other sites that sought to block this law from taking effect. In Texas, companies cannot get away with showing porn to children. If they dont want to comply, good riddance. In its website statement, Pornhub claimed that asking users to provide ID every time they access porn sites will put minors and your privacy at risk. It said leaving enforcement up to individual platforms will drive users away from sites that do comply with the law but funnel them toward those that dont. A seatbelt saved the life of a passenger seated just one row behind the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 door panel that blew out midair in January, according to a new lawsuit. Cuong Trans body lifted out of his seat, suction tore off his shoes and socks, and his leg was injured when a door panel blew off the fuselage right in front of his row 27 window seat on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Jan. 5 over Portland, Oregon, a new lawsuit filed Thursday contends. Tran, from Upland, California, credits his seat belt with holding him in place when air rushed out of the gaping hole at 16,000 feet in the air, lawyers in the case said in a news release. Cuong Tran. (Courtesy Timothy A. Loranger) The suit, filed in King County Superior Court on behalf of seven passengers including Tran against Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and Spirit AeroSystems, is just the latest one filed following the flight mishap. The plaintiffs claim the blowout caused them to suffer physical and psychological trauma. In Trans case, his leg was jerked so violently that his foot was injured when it got trapped in the seat structure in front of him, the news release said. The suit seeks punitive, compensatory and general damages for negligence, product construction and manufacturing defect liability and failure to protect passengers from harm. The plane suffered a serious structural failure and a loud bang was heard shortly after takeoff when the left mid-exit door blew out, the suit said. Subsequently, there was rapid decompression of the passenger compartment that sucked out phones, setbacks, cushions and clothes worn by passengers out of the plane, and emergency oxygen masks dropped, the complaint said. Our clients and likely every passenger on that flight suffered unnecessary trauma due to the failure of Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Alaska Airlines to ensure that the aircraft was in a safe and airworthy condition, trial attorney Timothy A. Loranger, who filed the suit, said. When asked for comment Friday, Boeing said it had nothing else to add. NBC News has reached out to Alaska Airlines and Spirit AeroSystems for comment. Flight 1282, carrying 174 passengers and six crew members, was bound for San Bernardino County, California, but turned back to Portland after the door plug detached shortly after takeoff. No one on board was seriously injured and the plane landed safely. A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that bolts had not been installed on that door plug. The incident prompted increased oversight over Boeing aircraft production and the FAA to temporarily ground all Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes operating in the U.S. Since the catastrophe, Boeing has ousted the head its 737 Max program, passenger lawsuits have been filed, Boeing has been blasted and grilled in Senate committee meetings, and the Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation. WASHINGTON The Senate on Thursday voted to confirm Dennis Hankins as the U.S. ambassador to Haiti as the Caribbean country faces escalating violence and political uncertainty. The near-unanimous vote comes about 10 months after President Joe Biden nominated the longtime diplomat to the post in May 2023. Hankins was confirmed in an 89-1 vote, with 10 senators not voting. The White House had urged a "swift confirmation" for Hankins amid growing gang violence in Haiti. "This is a critical time to make sure that we have an ambassador in place, and we certainly urgently need him in place," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters earlier on Thursday. "And again, were working with our partners on Capitol Hill to get him confirmed as soon as possible. We certainly hope that that vote proceeds swiftly and in the affirmative." Hankins steps into the post just days after Haiti's prime minister, Ariel Henry, announced his resignation plans as violent gangs have swept through much of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Earlier this month, the plane Henry was on landed in Puerto Rico because of threats at a Haiti airport. The gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, called "Barbecue," had threatened additional violence if Henry did not step down. Gangs in Haiti attacked government institutions and the National Penitentiary, which led to nearly all of the estimated 4,000 inmates escaping. In response to the unrest, the U.S. added security forces at the U.S. Embassy and airlifted nonessential personnel out of the country. Biden detailed his decision to deploy military personnel to the embassy, writing in a Thursday letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson that "United States Armed Forces personnel are anticipated to remain in Haiti for as long as the security environment requires." "Although this military security force is equipped for combat, its movement was undertaken as a precautionary measure solely for the purpose of protecting United States diplomatic facilities and diplomatic personnel," Biden said in the letter. Hankins has worked as a foreign policy adviser in the Pentagon and has held U.S. diplomatic posts in countries including Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Mozambique, according to the White House. He has also worked in Haiti as the nonimmigrant visa chief and refugee coordinator. Damaging storms and tornadoes swept through Indiana and Ohio on Thursday evening, leaving at least three people dead, destroying parts of towns and prompting search and rescue efforts, officials said. I can best describe it as a bomb going off unbelievable damage, Sheriff Randall Dodds of Logan County, Ohio, told CNN on Friday morning. An EF3 tornado hit Logan County, killing three people, Dodds said. It was one of more than a half dozen tornadoes across six states, including an EF3 in Winchester, Indiana, which destroyed or damaged dozens of homes. Survey teams from the National Weather Service were still combing through the wreckage Friday and could find evidence of more tornadoes, or the tornadoes were even stronger. Nothing prepared me in regard to what wed been hearing and (seeing) in the pictures to actually seeing the damage, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. There is a tremendous amount of damage here, DeWine said after touring the Indian Lake community in Logan County on Friday. Storm damage is seen in Winchester, Indiana, on March 15, 2024. - Bill Kirkos/CNN The storms injured at least 38 people in Indiana and more than 20 in Ohio, officials said. Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted says he was impressed by how selfless people were after such devastation. Neighbors were bringing their chain saws and generators to help those who needed them. You see the resilience in the commitment to each other, Husted said. Approximately 19 people were treated Thursday night for weather-related injuries in the Mary Rutan Health facility in Logan County, a spokesperson for the facility said. Parts of Logan County suffered a significant amount of damage, the county emergency management agency said, with Indian Lake, Lakeview and Russells Point particularly hard hit. DeWine also took the time to thank first responders and the community for coming together to help their fellow neighbors. The Ohio governor added the Indian Lake community will come back. Thats the message I got from everybody. We will be back; we are coming back, DeWine said. Damage was also significant in Indiana. Up to half of the buildings in Selma a town of about 700 people near Winchester appear damaged in the wake of a severe thunderstorm which may have brought a tornado, the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said. More than 30 million people from Texas to South Carolina are at risk Friday for severe storms capable of producing large hail, damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall and a few tornadoes. Parts of Texas, Alabama and Mississippi have the greatest chance for severe weather. Complete devastation Amber Fagan rushed to the village of Lakeview in Logan County on Thursday night after a friend described a scene of complete devastation, Fagan said. Buildings that were once there are no longer there. The buildings that are still standing either have their roofs blown off or their windows are gone, Fagan, the president and CEO of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, told CNN on Friday. She said her friends business is gone and the library and another city building were also damaged. A nearby house was on fire and another was completely leveled, Fagan said. A Logan County sheriff walks down a road Friday following Thursday's severe storm, in Lakeview, Ohio. - Joshua A. Bickel/AP Fagan said shes heard from some local business owners whove offered to open up their properties for shelters and other assistance. Alena Roberts shared video from Lakeview which appeared to show damaged buildings along a road. She was heading home from her second-graders concert at a school when the weather worsened, she said. It was terrifying. Tornado sirens were going off, she said. After she got home, she could tell the worst portion of the storm hit because the wind and rain was so loud Ive never heard (it) that loud before. Tyler Schmitt helps clean up his brother's home after a tornado struck Lakeview, Ohio, Thursday. - Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network An EF1 tornado also struck part Mercer County in west-central Ohio, according to a preliminary report by the weather service in Wilmington, Ohio. The impacted area is mostly farmland, and at least one home and one hog barn were damaged, Mike Robbins, the county emergency management director, told CNN by phone. To the east, outside the Mercer County seat of Celina, a storm damaged several trailer homes and three people sustained minor injuries, Robbins said. We just prayed a Hail Mary In Winchester, Indiana, state police were helping with search and rescue efforts after a damaging tornado struck the area, and temporary shelters have been set up for residents, agency spokesperson Sgt. Scott Keegan said on social media. The EF3 tornado injured more than three dozen people in Winchester, but there were no deaths reported, according to Randolph County emergency officials. Three of those injured were believed to be in critical condition, Mayor Bob McCoy said Friday morning. Twenty-two homes were destroyed and 110 others were badly damaged, the mayor said. Storm damage is seen in Winchester, Indiana, on March 15, 2024. - Bill Kirkos/CNN Jacob Hudson and his children were at a Walmart in Winchester when the tornado bore down Thursday night. Everyones cell phones went off at the same time for a tornado warning, Hudson said. An employee directed Hudson and his children to shelter in a family restroom. After about 10 minutes we opened the door thinking nothing was gonna happen, Hudson said. But then, a Walmart employee came running in at us screaming its hitting right now! Hudson shut the door. They heard wind and banging sounds as the power went out and emergency lights came on. We were all crouched down with our heads covered. My kids were crying and screaming, he added. An overturned vehicle in Winchester, Indiana, after severe weather impacted the area Thursday. - Bill Kirkos/CNN We just prayed a Hail Mary and about the time we did one it was over, Hudson said about 30 to 45 seconds. Once the noise had stopped and the family retreated from their shelter, Hudson said he saw crazy debris, downed power lines and smelled a possible gas leak. The parking lot was littered with sheet metal, plywood, carts everywhere, Hudson said. Damage also seen in Kentucky Over 100 structures along with other infrastructure and utilities were damaged in Kentucky by severe storms Thursday night, according to state officials. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon in response to damage from severe storms, according to the news release. A couple of minor injuries and no fatalities were reported in the state, according to the release. Milton, Kentucky, near the Indiana border saw considerable damage from the storms, the fire department said. Please avoid Milton if at all possible, Milton Fire and Rescue said in a social media post Thursday. Jessie Perez and her aunt, Rebecca Aldridge, hid in a closet when severe weather came through Milton, Kentucky, on Thursday. - Michael Clevenger/Courier Journa/USA Today Network Across the Ohio River in Jefferson County, Indiana, homes were damaged and trees and power lines were knocked down after a reported tornado moved through Thursday, Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police posted on X. CNN Weather says a tornado was observed in the area along the Ohio River. Crews work to clean up after a reported tornado touched down Thursday in Milton, Kentucky. - Michael Clevenger/Courier Journa/USA Today Network This is a developing story and will be updated. CNNs Sarah Engel, David Williams, Andy Rose, Taylor Ward, Raja Razek, Andy Rose, Jamiel Lynch, Jason Hanna, Caroll Alvarado and Mary Gilbert contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Stock photo of a student with laptop and phone in Tema, Ghana Major internet disruption has been reported in various countries across Africa. Widespread outages were reported on Thursday in countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso. Since then, services have largely been restored in Liberia and South Africa. The cause of the cable failures was not immediately clear, to the frustration of millions of customers around the continent. "There seems to be a pattern in the timing of the disruptions, impacting from the north to the south of Africa," said Cloudflare Radar, which provides information on internet connections. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the telecoms industry, said the outage was caused by damage to international undersea cables running along the West African coastline. "The cuts occurred somewhere in Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal," said NCC spokesman Reuben Muoka. Sometimes undersea cables can get cut, even by debris, a retired expert told the BBC. He added: "You can also have undersea earth slides - sections of seabed can become unstable, sending huge amounts of mud down a canyon or gulley." "Where cables come ashore and are buried underground, they could be prone to accidental or intentional damage." Whatever the cause, it has resulted in major difficulties for people who rely on the internet for a living. "It's been impossible to communicate with my clients - I also needed to organise a delivery though an online app," fashion designer Cheick Senou told the BBC on Friday from Abidjan in Ivory Coast. "I couldn't do anything without the internet." Internet connectivity in the Ivory Coast was down to around just 4% on Thursday morning, according to Netblocks, which tracks cybersecurity and internet connectivity. Liberia at one point dropped to 17% while Benin was at 14% and Ghana 25%, Netblocks said. In South Africa, Vodacom on Thursday said that customers were "experiencing intermittent connectivity issues due to multiple undersea cable failures". A fault was also reported on the MainOne cable system which serves Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos. The Liberian government confirmed on Thursday that internet disruption had been reported from that morning. Citizens were unable to access the basic internet as well as social media across the vast majority of the country. International bank transfers were also reported to be affected while there were limited international voice calls. "It seems like 50% of my life is gone today," Benjamin Garkpah told the BBC from the Liberian capital, Monrovia, on Thursday. Fatumata Barry said her business had stalled because she couldn't receive payments through mobile money. The Liberia Telecommunications Authority said it was caused by an incident involving the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine communications cable in Ivory Coast. In Ghana, the National Communications Authority (NCA) reported that multiple undersea cable disruptions were responsible for the outage. Additional reporting by George Wright and Nicolas Negoce For some reason, there are people who see shelter dogs as less desirable, or 'leftovers.' While these dogs have faced challenges in their lives, they are no less perfect than the puppies who go home straight from breeders. Rescue dogs come in all ages, sizes, and breeds, and they all have a one-of-a-kind story to tell. Every shelter dog is special and unique, too, but there's one more thing about adoptable pup Ziggy that's also special. He was born with a deformity in one of his front legs, so the way this tripod walks, runs, and interacts can look a little different. Nevertheless, he's never let his differences slow him down, and he's waiting patiently at the Humane Society of Ventura County to find his forever home. On March 13, the animal shelter posted a precious video of the adorable small dog in hopes of boosting his chances at getting adopted. Take a look! Aww! Ziggy looks like such a happy dog, and it's clear as crystal that he has lots of human and canine friends at the southern California shelter. His body language is relaxed and carefree as he romps around the yard with other small dogs, and the volunteer playing with them makes sure to include him, too. Related: Unique Puppy Born with 6 Legs Is Stealing Hearts Everywhere Even though he is already very loved, nothing would be better than finding Ziggy a dedicated forever home! He'll need an owner who's patient when he takes a bit longer to hop across the yard, but aside from that, this 2-year-old mixed breed dog just needs love. The only thing that would make his ideal home even more perfect is having another dog to play and bond with. This little guy is incredibly social, and it would be great for his mental health and transition from the shelter to have a buddy at home. Adopting a Special Needs Dog This little Chug (that's a mix between a Chihuahua dog and a Pug) is the perfect advocate for other special needs rescue dogs. He's living, breathing proof that dogs with deformities are just as playful and loving as any other. They'll make a perfect companion for anyone who's ready to accept them--they just need a chance to show it. True, some special needs dogs require extra care that you wouldn't have to worry about otherwise. This will vary from dog to dog, but a conversation with animal shelter staff can give you a better idea of what a special needs dog's day-to-day life is like. More often than not, their routine care becomes just another habit in your day! Whether you're interested in meeting Ziggy at the Ventura County Humane Society or have your eye on another special needs dog near you, consider this your sign to give them a chance. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. (Photo : DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images) There have been several recent incidents involving Boeing planes, including a wheel falling off a United Plane. An American Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing in California Wednesday evening after the pilot reported a possible mechanical issue, the latest incident involving a Boeing plane in the past week. There have been at least six problems with Boeing planes since a frightening incident in January when part of the fuselage came off in the middle of an Alaska Airlines flight. In the latest incident on Wednesday, American Airlines Flight 345 from Dallas-Fort Worth reported the issue with the Boeing 777-200 plane. In an emailed statement to HNGN, American Airlines said the pilots received an indication that the pressure was low in one of the aircraft's tires. The plane landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport at 8:44 p.m. and no one was hurt. On Monday, a sudden unplanned mid-air dive by a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 plane resulted in over 50 people injured. Also on Monday, United Airlines Flight 830, which was a Boeing 777-300ER, from Sydney to San Francisco was forced to turn around due to a fuel leak, Fox Business reported. Last week, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 from San Francisco to Japan was forced to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles after a tire fell from the aircraft and crushed cars in an employee parking lot at the airport. On March 8, 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. 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. Boeing has faced scrutiny since a door plug blue off a 737 MAX 9 on Jan. 5. The head of the National Transportation Safety Board says Boeing has refused to tell investigators who worked on the door plug. Jennifer Homen disclosed the information during testimony at a Senate committee hearing last week. "Boeing has not provided us with the documents and information that we have requested numerous times over the past few months," Homen testified. Homen said that the company has not even confirmed if it keeps records. "It's absurd that two months later we don't have that," Homen said. "Without that information, that raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, safety management systems." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Whether youre Irish or not, celebrating St Patricks Day is always a good idea. On 17 March each year, thousands of people come together to drink, dress in green, eat traditional food from Ireland and generally celebrate Irish heritage. What is St Patricks Day, and where does it come from? St Patricks Day, or the Feast of St Patrick, is a celebration in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. The day of celebration - which marks the day of Saint Patricks death - was originally a religious holiday meant to celebrate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and made official by the Catholic Church in the early 17th century. Observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church, the day was typically observed with services, feasts and alcohol. Consumption has always been an integral part of St Patricks Day, as historically the day was celebrated with a day-long lift of the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol - which has contributed to the present-day drinking. Interestingly, Saint Patrick wasnt actually Irish. He is believed to have been born in either Scotland or Wales and sold into slavery in Ireland as a child. In 1903, St Patricks Day became an official public holiday in Ireland. This year (and every year) it is celebrated on 17 March, but St Patricks Day 2024 falls on a Sunday. What are shamrocks and leprechauns and why are they depicted in the celebrations? Although St Patricks Day has mostly evolved into a cultural celebration of Irish heritage, certain traditions such as wearing green and shamrocks have prevailed. We wear green to celebrate because green is the colour associated with Catholics in Ireland. However, green wasnt associated with the holiday until the 19th century. Prior to that, blue was often worn to celebrate. Shamrocks - clover-like plants with three leaves - were, according to legend, used by St Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. Leprechauns, a mythical type of fairy in Irish folklore, also make an appearance during St Patricks Day celebrations. Often depicted as little men, leprechauns are usually pictured with a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. They are mischievous fairies known for playing jokes on people. But legend has it, if you catch one he will give you three wishes. Is it a bank holiday in the UK, or a federal holiday in the US? Sorry, youll have to let your hair down in your own time. Its not a bank holiday in the UK, and its not a federal holiday in the US. It is, however, a national holiday in Ireland. What do people do on St Patricks Day and how do they celebrate? The holiday has evolved into a mostly cultural celebration of Irish heritage, marked with a day of drinking, green clothing and Irish-themed parades. In addition to green clothing, beer (occasionally dyed green) and Irish whiskey are typically consumed to celebrate St Paddys Day. (iStock) In the US, Irish American people usually indulge in corned beef and cabbage. But in Ireland and elsewhere in celebration of the holiday, typical Irish foods such as steak and Guinness pie or Irish soda bread are eaten. How is St Patricks Day celebrated around the globe? Ireland obviously hosts the longest St Patricks Day celebrations, with a week of festivities and the annual parade in Dublin drawing more than one million people. In Great Britain, the day is celebrated with the third-largest parade in the world, after Dublin and New York. The parade takes place in Birmingham but celebrations occur all over the country. In New York City, the official St Patricks Day Parade - which was founded in 1762 - typically attracts two million people. While not a legal holiday, the day is widely recognised and celebrated all over the US. Other large St Patricks Day parades are held annually in Asia, the Caribbean and Canada. To mark the day, notable landmarks are lit up in green or dyed green. In previous years, the Sydney Opera House, the Space Needle in Seattle, the London Eye, the Empire State Building, the Chicago river and hundreds of other landmarks were lit green in honour of the patron saint. The Supreme Court clarified when public officials can block critical constituents from their personal profiles without violating their constitutional protections in a unanimous decision Friday. After hearing appeals of two conflicting rulings one filed against school board members in Southern California and another filed against the city manager of Port Huron, Mich. the justices provided no definitive resolution to the disputes and instead sent both cases back to lower courts to apply the new legal test. In a unanimous decision authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court said state officials cannot block constituents on their personal pages when they have actual authority to speak on behalf of the State on a particular matter and purported to exercise that authority in the relevant posts. For social-media activity to constitute state action, an official must not only have state authorityhe must also purport to use it, Barrett wrote. The case marked the latest battle over public officials social media presence when they mesh their official and personal roles. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard the Michigan case, sided with the city manager, James Freed, who deleted comments on his Facebook page left by a resident and blocked several of the residents profiles. The resident, Kevin Lindke, had criticized Freed over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, court filings indicate. Importantly, Lindke must show more than that Freed had some authority to communicate with residents on behalf of Port Huron. The alleged censorship must be connected to speech on a matter within Freeds bailiwick, Barrett wrote. In October, the justices seemed inclined to side with the city manager during oral arguments. Several justices raised concerns that an overly broad rule could chill the speech of elected officials who are effectively always on the clock. Their decision does not carve out a definitive win for either side, though it provides Lindke another chance at getting the city managers actions deemed unconstitutional. After handing down its new test in the Michigan case, the justices similarly sent the California case back to a lower court. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard the California case, said Poway, Calif., school board members Michelle OConnor-Ratcliff and T.J. Zane violated the First Amendment after blocking constituents on their Facebook pages and OConner-Ratcliffs account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Because the approach that the Ninth Circuit applied is different from the one we have elaborated in Lindke, we vacate the judgment below and remand the case to the Ninth Circuit for further proceedings consistent with our opinion in that case, read an unsigned opinion issued in that case. The Biden administration sided with the officials in both cases, arguing in favor of their blocks. The officials were also backed by a bipartisan group of 17 states and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. The American Civil Liberties Union and a group of First Amendment clinics backed the constituents. Both cases followed a Supreme Court decision to dismiss as moot a lawsuit over former President Trump blocking users on his then-Twitter account. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Louisiana truck driver has been arrested on multiple charges, including negligent homicide, for the state's 168-car "super fog" pileup in October. Eight people were killed in the pileup, including one man who police said died as a direct result of the truck driver who was driving at a "negligent speed." Police said this week that they arrested Ronald Britt and charged him with negligent homicide, negligent injuring, reckless operation and other traffic offenses related to the incident on I-55. In Louisiana, negligent homicide has a maximum sentence of five years in jail and/or $5,000. The Missouri man who died in the incident, 60-year-old James Fleming, had "managed to stop his vehicle safely with the other crashed vehicles ahead of him" during a pileup that occurred during "poor weather conditions and limited visibility" that day, police said. But because multiple crashes had already occurred, he could not move his car to a safer location. That's when Britt, who was driving a truck that weighed roughly 80,000 pounds, arrived on the scene while traveling at roughly 60 miles per hour, police said. "It was determined that Britt was operating at a negligent speed, given the driving conditions at the time, directly leading to the death of Mr. Fleming and the injuries sustained by his wife, Barbara Fleming," police said. "...Louisiana State Law requires that drivers maintain a safe speed appropriate for the prevailing driving conditions." The incident occurred during a "super fog" event, which is when a mix of smoke and fog reduced visibility to less than 10 feet, according to CBS affiliate WWL-TV. The phenomenon "can be very dangerous when present over highways," the National Weather Service says, "and has been the cause of several large, multi-vehicle pileups." Britt voluntarily surrendered to the police on Monday. Louisiana State Police said in October that eight people were killed and 63 were injured in the pileup, which involved at least 168 vehicles, including a tanker truck that had been carrying "hazardous liquid." College students surprise a beloved security guard with a trip to Nigeria to see family Why a judge dismissed some charges against Trump, others in Georgia election case How will Fani Willis ruling impact Trump's campaign? Political strategists weigh in By Andrew Goudsward and Andy Sullivan FORT PIERCE, Florida (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday denied former U.S. President Donald Trump's request to dismiss a criminal case that charges him with illegally holding onto classified documents after leaving the White House. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida came just hours after a hearing in which his lawyers argued that the central charge in the case is improperly vague. Cannon, who was appointed to her post by Trump, ruled that question "warrants serious consideration" but should not be decided at this point. Trump, the Republican challenger to President Joe Biden in the November election, has pleaded not guilty to a 40-count indictment that accuses him of illegally taking sensitive government documents with him when he left the White House in 2021. It is one of four criminal cases he faces as he tries to win back the White House. At the hearing, Cannon also indicated she was unlikely to agree to a separate request by Trump to dismiss the case on the grounds he had deemed the documents to be "personal" rather than government property. That issue could be addressed during the trial, she said. "It's difficult to see how this gets you to dismissal of the indictment," she told Trump's lawyers. Trump has filed a flurry of legal motions in his four criminal cases before the election. If he were to win back the presidency, he would have the power to end the two federal cases against him, though he would not be able to stop the two cases brought under state law. In this case, Trump's lawyers have made five other arguments for dismissal, which could be considered in future hearings that have not yet been scheduled. The timing of a trial is uncertain. U.S. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith has sought a July start, while Trump suggested August even as he argued a trial should not happen before the election. Trump's legal maneuvering has yielded some successes in other cases as well. A federal case that accuses him of illegally trying to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden is on hold as the Supreme Court considers his argument that he cannot be prosecuted for actions taken as president. An election subversion case in Georgia state court has been thrown into limbo as a judge considers whether to remove the lead prosecutor for having a romantic relationship with a subordinate. Trump's trial in the fourth case in New York state, involving hush money paid to a porn star, was due to start on March 25 but could also be delayed. (This story has been refiled to say Thursday, not Friday, in paragraph 1) (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Fort Pierce, Florida, and Andy Sullivan in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone, Will Dunham, Jonathan Oatis and Daniel Wallis) Bowlus recently unveiled the $165,000 Rivet, the ultra-luxury RV maker's smallest and cheapest travel trailer with off-grid and off-road capabilities. Bowlus Ultra-luxury RV maker Bowlus's new Rivet is its smallest and cheapest travel trailer. The $165,000 trailer can go off-grid, off-road, and be remote-controlled, the company says. Bowlus is targeting younger buyers with its new premium RV model. Bowlus is known for its ultra-sleek, ultra-luxury RVs with price tags that can rival a house. To some roadtrippers, a recreational vehicle that costs more than $300,000 might be a little out of the price range. But if you fall into this camp, Bowlus has a counteroffer: the new Rivet, its smallest and cheapest travel trailer. In early March, the California-based RV maker unveiled the new "rugged" model with all-terrain tires, remote-control capabilities, and a more manageable starting price of $165,000. Compared to Bowluss two other models, this new tiny home on wheels is being sold at a steep discount. Bowlus says its new RV could start at $148,500 after a tax credit. Bowlus The company's most expensive RV, the Volterra, starts at $310,000. That's almost double the cost of the newer and smaller Rivet. The lower price is intended to open Bowlus to more customers, Geneva Long, the company's CEO, told Business Insider. And yet, compared to other travel trailers, the Rivet's isn't cheap either. Bowlus' most expensive model starts at $310,000. To compare, Airstream's priciest trailer has a starting cost of $191,500 and is almost three feet longer than its competitor. Bowlus New 2024 travel trailers currently start at about $13,000 with RV dealership Camping World, although these models aren't nearly as shiny as Bowlus' aluminum trailers. Like Bowlus, legacy RV maker Airstream loves cladding its trailers with aluminum. And depending on the model, the latter could be a more economical option: Its Trade Wind, which is three inches shorter than the Rivet, starts at $129,400. However, Long says Bowlus' manufacturing methods like the in-house production of its RVs' steel frames and more than 70% of its parts justify its price. Plus, she says Bowlus' products are durable: No need to "flip" one every few years "as a standard in the industry." Bowlus' customers can range from young families to retirees, Long said. The Rivet can sleep up to four people. Bowlus Long hopes Bowlus can appeal to younger buyers with the rollout of the less expensive Rivet. It's a strategic decision: There's been an influx of Gen Z and millennial RVers. And they're pining for an upgrade: 84% of 18-to-34-year-olds who own an RV said they intend to buy another one in the next few years, according to a 2021 survey from trade group RV Industry Association. Long said many of these younger buyers crave RVs that offer what the Rivet has: off-grid and off-road capabilities. Airstream says its Interstate 19X has durable features like a brush guard and a protective coat on the van's hood and lower body. Airstream But it's not the first to explore this off-road route. Over the last few years, several legacy RV makers have launched products with similar capabilities, some more rugged than the Rivet. This includes Airstream's Interstate 19X camper van was built for boondocking. The Mercedes Ben Sprinter-based RV starts at $199,940. But for travelers who'd rather prioritize affordability, Winnebago says its $64,421 Micro Minnie FLX travel trailer can go off-grid for five days with the help of power systems like 400-watt solar panels and a 320-amp-hour lithium-ion battery. And if they're desperate to relive their childhood memories of playing with remote-controlled Hot Wheels could scratch that itch with the Rivet. The Rivet doesn't always need to be attached to a towing vehicle to be moved. Bowlus Who needs toy cars when you have an RV? The new travel trailer can be driven into campsites or parking spots using a handheld remote although it'll add another $10,000 onto the base cost. With amenities like a remote control, Rivet was designed to fit in the premium RV segment. At its price, Rivet is competing against products like Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper vans and Airstream trailers. Its bedroom has amenities like reading lights and a king bed. Bowlus This isn't Bowlus' first attempt at a more affordable build. In early 2023, it unveiled another travel trailer, Heritage, at the same price point as the Rivet. However, the model was discounted "because Bowlus only likes to offer three models at a time," Long told Business Insider in an email. The Rivet wouldve had some similarities to the Heritage, like its 25.25-foot length and 3,500-pound weight. The Rivet could be towed by an electric vehicle like the Tesla Y. Bowlus But unlike its predecessor, the new build is ready to go off-grid and onto dirt roads: The RV comes with a three-inch lift kit and all-terrain tires. Traditional home luxuries have all been condensed into the new 6.7-foot-wide trailer. The kitchen has amenities like a two-burner cooktop, microwave, and refrigerator-freezer. Bowlus The RV has four distinct spaces: a bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen. Travelers can enjoy home-cooked meals at the living room's dining table or sofa. The living room has amenities like under-seating drawers and 120-volt outlets. Bowlus The space also doubles as a second bedroom: Both sides can convert into extra beds. No more "going outside": The trailer also has a shower and cassette toilet. The shower (right) is on one side of the RV, across from the toilet room and sink (left). Bowlus Water in the bathroom and kitchen is sourced and dumped into the trailer's 19-gallon freshwater, 21-gallon gray water, and 4.5-gallon black water tanks. All of these amenities are powered by the RV's eight-kilowatt-hour lithium battery, 3,000-watt inverter, and up to 660 watts of solar. During the winter, RVers can power the Rivet's heater for an extended period using a backup propane tank, Long told Business Insider. Bowlus To achieve full solar capabilities, travelers must purchase the $875 130-watt "solar suitcase" upgrade. With it, the trailer's power system could sustain most of its amenities like the refrigerator and laptop chargers off-grid indefinitely, Long said. However, it can only support about 16 hours of air conditioning, she said, noting that it's common for travelers to use it for about four hours a day. (If needed, the RV can be charged with a separate generator.) For companies like Bowlus, now is potentially a good time to grow a travel trailer business. Long predicts most of the Rivet's buyers will be new to Bowlus' brand. Bowlus Shipments of motorhomes which include the previously ultra-popular camper vans dipped 26.5% in January compared to the same time in 2023, according to data from the RV Industry Association. In the same period, shipments of travel trailers ballooned by 27.3%. RV sales have since slumped or normalized following their massive spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bowlus operates its own dealerships in Santa Barbara, California, and Las Vegas. Its expanded dealer network now includes two on the East Coast and one in Colorado, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest. Bowlus But Long says Bowlus was unaffected by this otherwise industry-wide dip. At the end of 2023, the RV maker added five dealerships to its network, which now spans across the US. Read the original article on Business Insider Evgenia Kara-Murza, wife of imprisoned political activist in Russia, Vladimir Kara-Murza, looks on during a discussion at the Washington Post in Washington, on April 17, 2023. Credit - Andrew Caballero-ReynoldsAFP/Getty Images For many Russians, March 1 was a day of mourning. The memorial service for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who perished weeks earlier in a remote Arctic penal colony, was being held in a small church on the outskirts of Moscow. Despite the heavy police presence and in defiance of the Russian governments warnings against unauthorized gatherings, tens of thousands of people turned out for the funeral, with many chanting Putin is a killer! and No to war! It was the largest protest Russia had seen since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years agoa fitting tribute for a man best known for his ability to draw Russians onto the streets to demonstrate against Russian President Vladimir Putins rule. Several of those people have since faced arrest. Thousands of miles away, in a bright conference room overlooking Londons Finsbury Square, Evgenia Kara-Murza is appalled. Its so grotesque, so Kafkaesque, she tells TIME of the Kremlins handling of Navalnys funeral and the crackdown on those who have tried to pay their respects. In an alternate universe, perhaps she would have been among them. The service, after all, was being held just a stones throw from her parents home in Moscow. Like the scores of people lining up around the church that day, she saw Navalny as a key leader in the fight for a free and democratic Russiaor, as he called it, the beautiful Russia of the future. But sitting here in London, Evgenia doesnt have time to mourn. Later this afternoon, she will meet British Foreign Secretary David Cameron about another enemy of the Kremlin: Her husband, the prominent Russian opposition politician and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has been languishing in a Siberian penal colony since 2022. With Navalny dead, Vladimir is now Russias most high-profile political prisonerand perhaps its most vulnerable too. Back-to-back assassination attempts have deteriorated his health, and many now fear that if Navalny could be killed (the Kremlin claims the 47-year-old died of natural causes; his family and most other observers say the responsibility for his death lies squarely with Putin), Vladimir could be next. Though Evgenias meeting with Cameron was scheduled weeks in advance, Navalnys death has injected greater urgency into her appeals for the U.K. and other countries to take quicker and more proactive steps to free political prisoners like her husbandefforts that, at least in Britain, have been derided by both the families of those detained and British lawmaker alike as woefully inadequate. Just days after news of Navalnys death broke, a U.K. Foreign Office minister ruled out the possibility of a prisoner swap to secure the release of Vladimir, a dual Russian-British national. But if theres any lessons to be taken from Navalnys death, its that just saying that we do not engage is not acceptable anymore, Evgenia says. We see that whether governments engage or not, the number of hostages and political prisoners is on the rise. Mourners react as the hearse carrying the coffin of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny leaves the Mother of God Quench My Sorrows church towards the Borisovo cemetery for Navalny's burial, in Moscow's district of Maryino on March 1, 2024. Alexander NemenovAFP/Getty Images More specifically, Evgenia wants the U.K. government to establish a dedicated office to deal with its arbitrarily detained citizens abroad akin to the U.S.s Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. She also wants Western countries to automatically deploy punitive measures laid out in the Global Magnitsky Act, a sanctions regime adopted by the U.S. and other countries to target human rights violators and corrupt actors. Vladimir was one of the key campaigners behind the legislation, which was adopted by the U.S. in 2012. Still, Evgenia says she had to campaign for months for the U.S. to sanction those involved in his detention. Such instruments should be used automatically, she says, snapping her fingers, without anyone having to campaign for it for months and years. Read More: The Fight to Free Evan Gershkovich As Russia prepares to hold its presidential election this week, Putin is all but guaranteed to secure an absolute victory. With the electoral system heavily skewed in his favor and all significant opponents disqualified, jailed, or dead, the vote itself is almost entirely pro forma. Still, the Russian opposition lives onnot just in would-be leaders behind bars such as Vladimir, but in the spouses like Evgenia who take up their advocacy when theyre no longer able to do it themselves. She basically stepped into his shoes and took over from his work as a member of the Russian opposition, speaking not just about his situation, but about the situation of other political prisoners, Bill Browder, a British American anti-corruption campaigner and close friend of the Kara-Murza family, tells TIME. She feels its her duty to be the best possible representative of him when hes unable to represent himself. When TIME first sat down with Evgenia last year, on the sidelines of the 15th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, she stressed that unlike many of the other attendees, she was no politician. I never wanted to be a public figure, she said at the time. I never wanted to be a public speaker. Yet there she was, delivering speeches and giving interviews about the plight of political prisoners, the need for Magnitsky sanctions, and the importance of supporting Ukraine against Russias ongoing invasion. Since taking up the mantle of her husbands activism following his arrest in Moscow in April 2022 for criticizing the war in Ukraine, she spends most of her days traveling the world to meet with foreign dignitaries, testify before committees, accept awards, and talk to journalistsall in a bid to bring her husband, and the scores of other political prisoners in Russia, home. Jailed Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza stands behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants during a court hearing to consider an appeal against his prison sentence, in Moscow, Russia July 31, 2023. Maxim ShemetovReuters Though being away from her family isnt easy, Evgenia is used to a nomadic lifestyle. While she was born on the Kuril Islands in Russias far east, her fathers coast guard career took her family all over the Soviet Union during her childhood, from Sevastopol to St. Petersburg to Tallinn in modern-day Estonia. The frequent travel made me a bit of a cosmopolitan, she says. I can build my nest anywhereI just need the people I love around me, and I build my nest around the people I love. Before long, her family decided to settle in Moscow (young Evgenia needed stability, her mother argued), where at the age of 11 she would meet Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of her classmates. Though they would ultimately go down different pathsat 14, Vladimir moved with his mother to Britain, where he remained until he graduated from Cambridge University; Evgenia finished her schooling in Moscow, where she pursued a degree at Moscow State Linguistic Universitythey reconnected in their 20s and have been together ever since. Evgenia says she always supported her husbands pro-democracy work, even as the space for him to do it within Russia began to shrink. In 2003, Vladimir stood in Russias parliamentary elections, becoming not just the youngest candidate, but the only one to be backed by two opposition parties, the Union of Right Forces and the social-liberal Yabloko. This on its own was a feat: The Russian opposition has long been ridden with division. He was this rare case when the Russian opposition actually came together and agreed on something, Evgenia says. They agreed on Vladimir. But the 2003 elections, while ostensibly free, were far from fair. Evegenia says that while Vladimir was permitted to participate in televised debates, his mic was turned off whenever he spoke. And while he was permitted to put up billboards promoting his candidacy, she says that the lights illuminating them after nightfallwhich, during the Russian winter, was as early as 4 p.m.were shut off. In the end, Vladimir came in second to a candidate from the ruling United Russia party. He was feeling very down, says Evgenia, who at the time was working as a translator and interpreter for a French firm seeking to help Russia implement key judicial and civil service reforms. But those reforms never materialized, and a year later Putin canceled gubernatorial elections. It was around that time that the independent Russian broadcaster RTVI offered Vladimir the job of Washington bureau chief, based in Washington, D.C. We thought it would be for a year or two, just to look around, Evgenia says. That year turned into a decade, during which time the political situation in Russia continued to deteriorate. The kids were born and it became apparent that if Vladimir were to continue with his work as he saw fit, the kids needed to be in a safe place, she says. So I mostly stayed with the kids working from home and Vladimir traveled the world, trying to bring change, to open the worlds eyes to the nature of Vladimir Putins regime. Evgenia and Vladimir Kara-Murza Courtesy Evgenia Kara-Murza But it wouldnt be long before Vladimir faced the consequences of his activism. In May 2015, years after the assassination of Sergei Magnitsky (the namesake of the Magnitsky Act who uncovered $230 million in Russian state corruption) and two months after the assassination of Boris Nemtsov (the liberal Russian politician and mentor of Vladimir), he was poisoned for the first time. The second would come two years later. In both cases, he fell into a coma resulting from what doctors described as severe intoxication with an unknown substance. Both times, Evgenia nursed him back to health, helping him relearn how to walk, to talk, and even how to eat. I believe this is what marriage is about, Evgenia told TIME in Geneva. Whenever Vladimir was in a difficult situation, I was there for him. And whenever I fell apart, he was always there for me, to pick up the pieces and put them together. You share everything and youre there for each other. Thats the only way to me. As much as Evgenia eschews the label of politician (as of 2022, her official title is advocacy director of the Free Russia Foundation, a nonprofit international organization supporting civil society and democratic development in Russia), her friends are the first to acknowledge that necessity has forced her to become oneand a good one, at that. Ive worked on a lot of different advocacy over the last 15 years, and Ive never seen somebody, including Vladimir, whos as effective as her at convincing people to take action, Browder says, noting that despite her stated desire to retire from politics once Vladimir is released, Given what shes done and what shes accomplished and how shes conducted herself, I think the people of Russia will need her as much as they need Vladimir in the future. Belarus's exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivers a speech in Warsaw, Poland on June 3, 2021. Omar MarquesGetty Images Evgenia isnt the only spouse who has come to politics in this way. In the aftermath of Navalnys death, his wife Yulia Navalnaya has vowed to take up his fight. (Vladimir Ashurkov, the executive director of Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, told journalists on Feb. 28 that the exact details of her new public rule will emerge over time as the situation is very fresh and painful.) Sviatlana Tsikhanousakaya, the leader of Belaruss exiled opposition, rose to prominence in 2020 when she challenged Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko for the countrys presidency in the place of her husband, the jailed presidential candidate and pro-democracy activist Sergei Tsikhanouski. (A longtime Putin crony, Lukashenko overcame the democratic mobilization against his rule with Kremlin support.) All three women represent an increasingly pronounced feminine face of anti-Kremlin activismone that has emerged within a political culture where politicians wives are rarely seen, much less heard. The circumstances notwithstanding, Evgenia welcomes this change, noting that women stand to inject more values back into politics. But she also stresses that there are others, including ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ community, who are changing the face of the pro-democracy and anti-war movements in Russia. Its becoming so diverse, and its interesting that its happening under these impossible circumstances, she says. To me, this is a very important change because I believe that actual sustainable change should come from the bottom up, from the grassroots movement up, from people realizing their strength, from people realizing that theyre a force to be reckoned with, from people finding their voices. Strongmen leaders have a habit of underestimating women. Lukashenko notably dismissed the political threat posed by Tsikhanouskaya on the basis that women are simply too fragile for the presidency. If Putin views Evgenia with similar apathy, he hasnt made it known. In Russia, there is a very sexist culture and because of that I think that they underestimate women, and they certainly underestimate her, Browder says. The pressure shes under is unimaginable. To hold it all together and to successfully carry on as shes done is a feat of unbelievable heroism and stoicism. A photograph of Alexei and Yulia Navalny is seen on the grave of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at the Borisovo cemetery in Moscow on March 2, 2024. Olga MaltsevaAFP/Getty Images Indeed, if Evgenia has any fears for her own safety or that of her husband or family, she doesnt show it. Throughout our conversation, she speaks with a steely, cool-headed resolvethe kind that Browder attributes both to the justness of her cause and to her being just a really decent human being. Its perhaps because that cause is bigger than just her husband and her family that Evgenia never comes across as just a worried spouse. The last thing she wants is pity. I hate condolences and expressions of sympathy because thats not what I need, she says. Im a strong girl. I can push forward. I need action. Still, there are times during our conversation where the toll of Vladimirs imprisonment creeps to the surface. Im very bad with dates, she confesses at one point. Theres a cliche that men always forget dates, anniversaries, all of that. Im this person in the family. Vladimir always keeps track, he always remembers everyones birthday, every year, every little thing. I cannot remember anything! If not for him, Id be lost completely. When asked where she gets her strength, Evgenia quotes Eleanor Roosevelt: A woman is like a tea bag, the former First Lady said. You never know how strong she is until she's in hot water. Next month will mark two years since Vladimirs arrest, and two years since Evgenia was plunged into her current role. The longer shes in it, the stronger she seems to get. And the angrier, too. That rage that I feel because this murderous government has been trying to destroy my family for so many years, is currently trying to destroy the neighboring country and all chances for a normal future for our countrythat rage, you know, she says, before letting out a deep exhale. A woman is like a tea bag. Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. (Photo : Nicholas Kamm-Pool/Getty Images) U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testifies before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis on September 1, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing will address the need for additional economic relief during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Trump Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said that he was interested in buying TikTok just one day after the House voted to ban the popular social media platform. "I think the legislation should pass and I think it should be sold," Mnuchin told CNBC's Squawk Box on Thursday morning. "It's a great business and I'm going to put together a group to buy TikTok." The Chinese company ByteDance owns TikTok but the app boasts an estimated 150 million monthly users in the United States - including more than half of all adults between 18 and 24, according to Pew. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle object to the Chinese-owned app, citing privacy and security concerns. President Joe Biden has indicated that if the legislation were to pass through the Senate, he would sign the bill into law. Recent polling suggests that most Americans don't support banning the popular video-sharing app. Forty-one percent of adults under 30 opposed the ban in a December Pew poll, while just 29% supported a ban. The idea of TikTok ban was most popular among adults 65 and older - with 49% supporting the ban. Across all age cohorts, only 38% of Americans supported a ban, while 35% were unsure and 27% were opposed. This data stands in stark contrast to Congress itself, where the bill passed the House 352-65, with bipartisan approval. "This should be owned by U.S. businesses," Mnuchin told CNBC. "There's no way that the Chinese would ever let a U.S. company own something like this in China." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Bureaucratic trends Tenure stability Babu reshuffles Government governance style IAS officers In Modi Sarkars initial years since 2014, senior babus witnessed uncertain tenures, often shuffled between ministries within months. Even those in ministries like defence, home and finance, and with fixed two-year tenures, faced premature transfers. But now, after a decade, this trend has noticeably reversed. Secretary-level officials now enjoy extended tenures, some serving for three-four years in the same ministry. For instance, home secretary Ajay Bhalla has had four extensions since August 2019. Similarly, T.V. Somanathan and Tuhin Kant Pandey, secretaries in the finance ministry, have held their positions since December 2019 and October 2019, respectively. This extended service trend is not limited to a few; several other officers serve longer tenures than before. The current finance secretary, Ajay Seth, and secretary, department of public expenditure, Ali Raza Rizvi, have been in their roles since April 2021, while Vivek Joshi, finance services secretary, has served since November 2022. This trend is seen across other ministries and departments, including higher education, housing, urban affairs, and drinking water and sanitation. Some exceptions like foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and defence secretary Giridhar Armane are yet to complete their fixed two-year terms, but clearly, there is a deliberate change in the governance style. Officials now have more stability, creating better coordination between ministries and states, and ensuring project approvals and implementation. This is no coincidence, observers note. Increasingly, IAS officers being empanelled as secretaries have several years left before retirement. This strategic shift, thus, ensures appointees have adequate time to make substantial contributions, rather than sail through ceremonial stints. Of course, a major babu reshuffle is expected after a new government assumes power, with empanelled officers likely to take up new postings. This seems to suggest that secretaries in the future may enjoy even longer tenures. While frequent transfers plagued previous governments, Modis efforts signify a systemic change. Housing secretarys transfer raises questions The recent transfer of housing and urban affairs secretary Manoj Joshi has left many babus within the government scratching their heads. Mr Joshi has been moved to the department of land resources in the ministry of rural development, replacing Nidhi Khare, who was moved to the department of consumer affairs as officer on special duty. Mr Joshi has been replaced by Anurag Jain, secretary of road transport and highways, as an additional charge. Mr Joshis transfer came as a surprise to many, considering his relatively recent appointment as MoHUA secretary in December 2021. During his tenure, Mr Joshi oversaw several important projects, including the construction of the new Parliament and the development of several government estates and secretariat buildings. But it appears that his tenure may have been cut short due to an incident during a press conference where he revealed data regarding the Pay-Jal Sarvekesha, which raised eyebrows in some quarters and led to his transfer. While this incident may be cited as the primary reason for Mr Joshis transfer, some babus question whether it was the sole factor. After all, if a misstep in handling sensitive information is grounds for removal, then other officials should have faced similar consequences. For instance, agriculture secretary Manoj Ahujas draft note resulted in the controversial Rath Prabhari notification, causing significant embarrassment to the government in Parliament. Similarly, Niti CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam faced scrutiny after an audio recording of his seminar discussing issues related to the 15th Finance Commission surfaced recently. Inquiry in Haryana ignites controversy Y. Puran Kumar, a 2001-batch IPS officer in Haryana is embroiled in a contentious battle against a senior IAS officer, lodging a series of complaints alleging harassment and humiliation over nearly two months. His latest grievance is directed towards the formation of a committee last month, comprising three former IAS officers, tasked with probing into his accusations. Expressing vehement opposition to the composition of the committee, Mr Kumar has labelled it as legally irrelevant and blatantly illegal in his representation to the Haryana government. Yet, despite his objections, the committee is continuing with its investigative proceedings, even summoning Mr Kumar to provide evidence and deliver a statement on the various issues outlined by the panel. Sources informed DKB that the issue started in October last year, when Mr Kumar initially complained against a senior IAS officer and others, citing multiple charges, including violations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. As the inquiry progresses, it is not clear yet what Kumar has against the former IAS officers Rajan Gupta, Navraj Sandhu and P.K. Das who comprise the inquiry panel. He has, instead, followed up by filing four more complaints against the senior IAS officer, escalating the tensions between the two officials. Gyalo Thondup's enigmatic role and the indelible legacy of the Dalai Lama in the context of Tibet's struggle for autonomy. No Chinese leader had ever asked of the Dalai Lama -- as Stalin did of the Pope -- How many divisions does he command? Yet this 65th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising of March 1959 must find China worried that the 88-year-old exile with an infectious giggle but without a country to rule or troops to command might be the wolf in a monks robe of its national nightmare. If so, what role will history assign to his enigmatic second eldest brother, Gyalo Thondup? When Jawaharlal Nehru sent the Dalai Lama to Dharamsala, journalists predicted that he would be forgotten on that shelf above the world. But Mao Zedong, with his acute insight into character and situations, had lamented when he heard that the Dalai Lama had escaped: In that case, we have lost the battle. The Great Helmsman knew that an idea conquers the world more effectively than any army can. While Dalai Lamas come and go, an institution embodying the spirit of Tibet lives for ever. Tibet and Tibetans have blossomed into an indestructible virtual nation during these 65 years of the Dalai Lamas exile. That is also Indias unique contribution to the cause. Presidents and Premiers meet the Dalai Lama only when they want to make a point against China, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao once told me. We alone have given him full liberty to do whatever he wants! When I asked Chinas consul-general in Kolkata if Beijing was serious about claiming Arunachal Pradesh, he retorted: But of course! The Sixth Dalai Lama was born there! The fervently loyal Han diplomat meant Tsangyang Gyatso, an unconventional 17th century pontiff who disdained monastic austerity, grew his hair long, wore regular Tibetan robes, drank alcohol and accepted female company. Born on March 1, 1683 in Tawang, he was probably kidnapped and murdered by Mongol rebels during a power struggle but his poems and songs remain popular even today among Tibetan-speaking communities in Nepal, India and throughout China. The present 14th Dalai Lama, whom Tibetans call Gyalwa Rinpoche, was born into a farming family on July 6, 1935, and chosen as the incarnation of Tibetan Buddhisms supreme head at the age of two. He was given a string of high-sounding names and hastily installed in Lhasas 13-storeyed Potala Palace with its more than 1,000 rooms soaring nearly 400 feet above the Marpo Ri, or Red Hill, when the Chinese invaded. A detailed account of the enthronement by Sir Basil Gould, British representative in Gangtok with jurisdiction in Bhutan and Tibet, confirmed that despite Manchu claims, the canny Tibetans allowed the Chinese no role in the ceremonies. When Chinese troops crushed the Tibetan uprising, the Dalai Lama escaped from the Potala Palace to start the 13-day trek across the Himalayas to India, from which there was no return. He was just 23. While the Dalai Lama remains one of Natures innocents, his life an open Book. Gyalo Thondups tantalising links with the United States, Communist China, Taiwan, India, and Bhutan and role in the 1959 Tibetan uprising baffles many. As I wrote in my 2002 book, Waiting for America: India and the US in the New Millennium: When British intelligence reported in 1958 that the Chinese would soon launch their final campaign of pacification in Tibet, Dwight D. Eisenhower asked Nehru to give the Dalai Lama asylum. Being a notorious hard bargainer, Nehru demanded help in developing nuclear weapons. A security assurance is not enough, he said. India required its own nuclear guarantee against China. In 1953, when Nehrus sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit was the UNGAs president, President Eisenhower had made a seminal speech to the General Assembly announcing his Atoms for Peace programme to share nuclear technology to develop atomic energy for civilian purposes. Nehru welcomed the plan and agreement was reached in 1958 for what eventually became the $118-million Tarapur nuclear reactor According to the intermediary, William Corson, a Hong Kong-based Marine Corps major who was an intelligence aide to Eisenhower, Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, the course of the negotiations left no doubt that the American-trained scientists would be assigned the task of producing nuclear weapons. In 1974, less than sixteen years later, India exploded Pokharan-I, its first nuclear test Three years after the request about the Dalai Lama, a state department memo proposed that Washington should help India to develop the bomb in order to deny China the psychological edge of being Asias first nuclear power. Gyalo Thondup moved to Lhasa in 1939, and to Nanjing, Republican Chinas capital, three years later when he was 14, ostensibly to learn Chinese. He became a protege of Chiang Kai-shek, often dining with him at home and being educated by tutors selected by Chiang. In 1948, he married Zhu Dan, the daughter of a Kuomintang general. The first officially acknowledged Tibetan to visit Taiwan since 1949, Gyalo Thondup facilitated semi-official contacts between the exiled Dalai Lamas administration and the Chinese in both Beijing and Taiwan. He travelled to the United States in 1951, becoming a seemingly contrary link between Americas Central Intelligence Agency (which promised to make Tibet independent by organising guerrilla units to fight against the Peoples Liberation Army) and Deng Xiaoping, with whom he had negotiated on behalf of the Dalai Lama. It was a tortuous mix of roles with no one ever sure whether Indias RAW or the CIA was the real mastermind. Whispers of KMT funding and the part that an inconspicuous Tibetan restaurant in Calcuttas old Chinatown, which served Indias first and most delicious momos, played in recruiting fighters compounded the mystery. Even more curious was Bhutans allegation in 1974 that Gyalo Thondup had plotted to blow up Thimphus Tashichodzong, assassinate key members of the royal family and stage a coup. All that lies in the past. The Dalai Lama has handed over to an elected government and says that sovereign independence is no longer the goal. Change may now have to wait until some other power takes the initiative -- as the US did in 1903 to hive off Panama from Colombia, or India in 1971 splitting Bangladesh from Pakistan -- to create a more benign world order. But whatever happens, the 14th Dalai Lama, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has ensured that Tibet and Tibetans will always remain distinctly separate from China and the Chinese. That is his unforgettable legacy. by Nirmala Carvalho The Final Declaration of the Third Christian-Taoist Colloquium held these days in Hong Kong promoted together with all six religious communities present in the metropolis. The secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Msgr Indunil Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage: "A moment of profound openness and mutual listening. Meeting opens our eyes to others'. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - "In our era, in which societies are often marked by conflict and division, our meeting aimed to convey a message to our polarized world: through respectful and constructive dialogue, we can put out the fire of conflict and of violence and light a candle of peace and harmony". This is what the participants of the Third Christian-Taoist Colloquium, held in Hong Kong from 11 to 13 March on the theme "Cultivating harmonious societies through interreligious dialogue", wrote in the final Declaration. The initiative is part of a journey that began in 2016 in Taiwan and continued in 2018 in Singapore. "This third meeting had been postponed due to the pandemic and, together with Christians and Taoists, it was promoted by the leaders of all six religious communities present in Hong Kong", the secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Msgr. Indunil Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, explains to AsiaNews.. The meeting was a great success, everyone was very happy: there was a spirit of openness and mutual listening. "Our aim - the prelate continues - was to promote interreligious dialogue, not political issues. This conversation served to deepen our friendship with religious leaders and improve mutual understanding. We invited Taoists from other countries and even of Singapore: this allowed us to open our eyes to others." We are more convinced than ever of the need to continue talking, walking and working together, the participants write in the Final Declaration, putting three words at the center of attention. First of all, the size of the meeting. Our dialogue - they explain - helped us to encounter the sacred mystery of the other through the knowledge of our respective religious writings, rituals, ethics, the figures of saints and wise men. Both our religions, in their own way, seek to calm the restlessness of the human heart. Therefore, in the face of the inexpressible divine mystery, we must be open and humble, broadening our mind and our heart." The second key word proposed is awaken. Our religious heritages they write can prove significant if we awaken the spiritual energy in our followers to cultivate a harmonious society. To this end, we must recover compassion, justice, simplicity, solidarity and generosity." Finally, cooperate: "Through charitable and educational activities - the text concludes - we can collaborate to build bridges, break down walls and sow seeds of love, respect and hope". The extremist group plans to release Israeli hostages, including female soldiers, in exchange for a truce and the release of a thousand Palestinian prisoners. Smotrich attacks the White House over sanctions against settlers. Gideon Sa'ar leaves Gantz's centrist alliance, weakening the alternative to Netanyahu. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) Amid the deafening noise of the weapons of war in Gaza, diplomatic efforts continue, at least behind the scenes, to reach a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of the population of the Palestinian territory. Reuters is reporting that Hamas has proposed a ceasefire to mediators and the United States, whereby Israeli hostages would be freed in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. At least a hundred are on death row. Hamas said the release would include women, children, the elderly and sick hostages in exchange for the release of about a thousand Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The group that controls the Strip is also open to the release of "female recruits", a reference to kidnapped Israeli female soldiers. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office yesterday rejected the truce proposal. For Israels war cabinet, the latter is based on "unrealistic demands. A new cabinet meeting is scheduled for today, as is a meeting of the extended security cabinet, but it is hard to see Israeli leaders suddenly changing course. Egypt and Qatar have sought to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas on the ceasefire, to find ways to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's population, a quarter of whom are near famine conditions. While Qatari leaders are not talking about the negotiations, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that talks are about increasing aid deliveries and allowing displaced people in the south and central part of the Palestinian enclave to return to the north. In February, Israel rejected a truce proposal by Hamas, refusing to stop the war until Hamas was fully destroyed, a goal seen as unrealistic by more than one international observer. Under the latest proposal put forward by the extremist group, which has controlled Gaza since 2006, a date for a permanent ceasefire could be set after a first exchange of hostages and prisoners, coupled with a deadline for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. The group said all detainees on both sides would be released in a second phase of the plan. Meanwhile, the war of words between the United States and Israel is heating up again, fuelled by the US decision to impose new sanctions on three settlers and two illegal outposts, which follow a similar measure in February against four settlers guilty of violence in the West Bank. For Israeli Finance Minister and far-right leader Bezalel Smotrich, this would lead to the elimination of the settlement enterprise, a capitulation of the White House to the BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaign and a green light to the Palestinian terrorist state. The Israeli government is standing to the right of the settlement, said Smotrich. These measures are completely unacceptable and we will fight to cancel them. Meanwhile, on the first Friday of prayer during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, thousands of Israeli police were patrolling the streets of the old city and the entrances to Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. According to some sources, at least 80,000 worshippers made it to the al-Aqsa Mosque, despite strict restrictions imposed by Israeli security forces, yet thousands of West Bank residents from entering, including women and the elderly, were kept away. According to Palestinian sources, many were rejected because they lacked "prayer permits". They told me, go back," one man said after he was turned away in Bethlehem. "I am 90 years old, what is your problem with me? Finally, in Israel proper, where protests are multiplying demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas and the resignation of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the latter seems to benefit from some political manoeuvring. Yesterday, in a surprise move, the New Hope party led by Gideon Sa'ar quit the National Unity bloc, which it had previously joined, to support the government. The former Likud member, among the first prominent defections from the prime minister's party now seems to be returning to Netanyahu's fold. More importantly, this seems to make the presence of Benny Gantz in the war cabinet irrelevant, despite the steady popular support the former general and centre-right leader currently enjoys. Today's news: In the Philippines, hundreds of people locked up in online scam centres freed; In Pakistan, PM Sharif builds bridges with Imran Khan's party; South-East Asia boycotts Israeli dates, despite the Ramadan period; Novaja Evropa publishes a 'guide of countries to avoid' for anti-war Russians who migrated abroad; At least 50,000 migrants from Central Asia arrived in the US via Mexico in 2023. JAPAN Japan's Yasukuni Shrine has appointed Umio Otsuka, former commander of the Maritime Self Defense Force (SDF) and former ambassador to Djibouti, as its new head priest. It is the first time since 1978 that a former military officer has assumed the position and the matter is likely to generate controversy among Asian countries in the region, which see the shrine as a symbol of Japanese aggression. CHINA China has criticized proposed legislation that could ban TikTok in the United States. In recent days the Chamber voted by an overwhelming majority to approve the law, with 352 deputies in favor and 65 against. Beijing promised to take "necessary measures" to protect its interests. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also said the bill "is contrary to the principles of fair competition and justice." TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, a company based in Beijing and registered in the Cayman Islands. PHILIPPINES Hundreds of people who were imprisoned in an online scam center were freed yesterday thanks to a military operation. Police arrested eight suspects, some of whom are accused of human trafficking. At the scene, 432 Chinese citizens, 371 Filipinos, 57 Vietnamese, eight Malaysians, three Taiwanese, two Indonesians and two Rwandans were found. The 100,000-square-meter complex in Bamban, north of Manila, posed as an Internet gaming company. PAKISTAN Newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Ali Amin Gandapur, leader of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which claims the elections were rigged. Less than two weeks ago, Gandapur, prime minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, refused to participate in Sharif's swearing-in ceremony, but in recent days the two men have made statements in favor of the country's development. ISRAEL SOUTH-EAST ASIA Dates from Israel are the latest products to be boycotted by consumers in Muslim nations in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, despite being a typical food of the holy month of Ramadan. In recent days the authorities have arrested some people accused of changing the labels of origin of the dates, passing them off as local products. RUSSIA Russia is increasingly brazenly persecuting its anti-war citizens who have emigrated abroad, and Novaya Evropa has published a "guide of countries to avoid" where Russians act under the protection of friendly or "neutral" regimes such as in Thailand , in Central Asia, in the Caucasus and the Balkans, and also in Turkey and Argentina, and partly in Europe. USA - CENTRAL ASIA Montana State Senator Steve Daynis stated in a press conference that in 2023 over 50 thousand people from Central Asia have illegally crossed the US border from Mexico, and according to the Trac Entry Registration Analysis Center there are currently around 40 thousand awaiting the court's decision, 17 thousand from Uzbekistan, 7 thousand from Kyrgyzstan, 3 thousand from Tajikistan, 2.7 thousand from Kazakhstan and 2 thousand from Turkmenistan. On the ninth anniversary of his death, a Eucharistic celebration marked the end of the local investigation towards the beatification of the young man who died protecting others during a deadly Islamist attack in Youhanabad. We pray for this grace for all parents to raise peaceful youth strong in their faith, Archbishop Shaw said. Lahore (AsiaNews) With a solemn Eucharistic celebration, the Archdiocese of Lahore today closed the diocesan phase of the process for the recognition of the martyrdom of Akash Bashir. The young Pakistani man died at the age of 20 trying to protect worshippers outside Youhanabads St John Church during an Islamist attack exactly nine years ago against the Catholic church and a nearby Protestant church, which resulted in a massacre with scores of dead and wounded. Bashir is the first Pakistani Catholic to be accepted as a Servant of God towards the honour of the altars. His Christian life, marked by service to others in the youth group organised by the Salesians in Lahore, has been examined in the past two years by the diocesan tribunal for the causes of saints, which established in 38 sessions that his act of great courage on 15 March 2015 is the fruit of a life wholly spent bearing heroic witness to Christian virtues. In accordance with Canon Law, the documents related to the beatification process will now be sent to Rome for further investigation at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Today's liturgy, presided over by Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw, was concelebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Germano Penemote and about 40 other priests. Also present at the ceremony, along with hundreds of faithful, were Akash Bashir's parents and friends who together with him took care of the security service for the celebration on that tragic morning on 15 March 2015. In his homily, Archbishop Shaw expressly thanked the parents of the Servant of God for the Christian education passed onto Akash. We pray for this grace for all parents to raise peaceful youth strong in their faith, the prelate said. His humility, simple life and determination are a source of bravery and courage for us all. We know that it is difficult to lead a Christian life in our environment. Akash has set a powerful example for young people. He will remain alive in our lives and church, he added. Several different schemes have been proposed for the Redstone Castle over the decades. The current owner says he has a plan for a wellness center that he believes will prove popular. Hamas has presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators that includes a first stage release of Israeli women, children, the elderly and sick abducted since 7 October in exchange for the release of between 700 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, Reuters reports. Among the Palestinian prisoners, the terrorist group is demanding the release of 100 serving life sentences in Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of Israeli "conscripts". According to an Arab diplomat quoted by The Times of Israel, the initial stage of the deal - which would last six weeks - would involve the release of some women, elderly and wounded hostages. The soldiers and all other male hostages would be released during a second phase, while in the third phase the bodies of hostages who have died in captivity would be returned. The whole world is united in demanding the return of all the hostages. The terror organization Hamas must accept the hostage deal now, before its too late. #bringthemhomenow pic.twitter.com/zVu4i4nveR Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) March 13, 2024 Hamas has also stressed that, after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, a date would be agreed for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a point repeatedly rejected by Jerusalem, which has vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas is finished and all hostages are released. Ahead of a meeting of Israel's war cabinet to examine Hamas's offer, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office dismissed the terrorist organisation's recent demands as "ridiculous demands". The Prime Minister's Office this evening: Hamas is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands. An update on the issue will be submitted to the War Cabinet and the Security Cabinet tomorrow. Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 15, 2024 For their part, the umbrella association for the families of the hostages have called on the government to accept the deal and save the 134 "daughters and sons who were cruelly kidnapped, solely because they were Israelis". "For the first time we can imagine embracing them again, please grant us this right," the hostages' families said in a statement. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have stepped up diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas that would lead to a weeks-long truce in the fighting in Gaza and the release of the more than 130 hostages, as well as the return of dozens of bodies held in the Palestinian enclave. Qatar threatens to expel Hamas if no deal is reached Among the mediators, Qatar, which hosts Hamas's political sphere - including its leader Ismail Haniyeh - has become a key player in the negotiations. However, despite its good relations with Hamas leaders, Doha has reportedly threatened to expel them from the country if an agreement is not reached, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed Hamas and Egyptian officials. The US media speaks of an "ultimatum" from Doha to the leaders of the terrorist group if a deal is not reached soon. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani - PHOTO/REUTERS In this regard, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stressed that "pressure on Qatar is starting to work" on behalf of the families of the Israeli hostages. As Netanyahu stated, Qatar has changed tactics and is now pressuring Hamas to accept a hostage deal, otherwise they will expel them and withhold their money. We learn today that Qatar offered to expel Hamas Muslim Brotherhood terror leaders in the days after October 7. @SecBlinken - it is time for the United States to accept that suggestion. pic.twitter.com/Hd7NQMBlZB Avi Kaner (@AviKaner) March 14, 2024 Hamas warns of possible escalation of violence during Ramadan However, Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official in Doha, denied the alleged threats of expulsion by Doha, stressing that negotiations are continuing. Badran underlined Hamas's commitment to ending the conflict and warned of a possible escalation of violence during Ramadan if a truce is not reached. The start of Ramadan has put Israeli society on alert due to Hamas' threats and calls for Muslims to attack Israelis during the holy month. So far this week there have already been several attacks that have left several injured and one dead. Moment of the terror attack - caught on camera: The terrorist who carried out the stabbing attack today at the Beit Kama junction in southern #Israel critically injured a 50-year-old man. 2 brave Israelis managed to stop him before he could continue his carnage. The pic.twitter.com/sbdI0d2IR3 StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) March 14, 2024 In recent days, a Palestinian teenager stabbed two people at a checkpoint near Jerusalem, while a man who moved to Israel from the Gaza Strip recently killed a 51-year-old policeman and wounded several people in southern Israel. Separately, Israeli security forces have deployed thousands of officers in Jerusalem's Old City for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site for Muslims. Tens of thousands of worshippers have arrived for the first Friday prayer of Ramadan. Beware of fake news pic.twitter.com/o7gMdSETXg Israel Police (@israelpolice) March 15, 2024 "We will do our best to make this Ramadan a peaceful one," an Israeli police spokesman promised during a press conference, although he also acknowledged that "it is no secret that extremists and terrorist organisations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad are trying to inflame the region". As the desperate search for Mizzou student Riley Strain continues nearly a week on, witnesses now claim to have seen the 22-year-old at two separate homeless camps. Strain was visiting Luke Bryan's LUKE'S 32 BRIDGE FOOD + DRINK bar in Nashville with his University of Missouri frat brothers Friday night when security kicked him out for being overly-intoxicated, reports say. He told his friends he planned to return to their hotel, but he never made it, according to police. Now witnesses at two nearby homeless camps say they saw the college student in the area, the night he disappeared. "I was talking to family members currently in downtown Nashville searching, and we have found another homeless person that had acknowledged that Riley had been in that area," friend Chris Dingman told NewsNation's Ashleigh Banfield Wednesday. "This now makes two people that have done confirmation." While the ground search has so far proven unsuccessful, crews expanded the search for Strain to an area river. Authorities are also investigating claims Strain may have been overserved at Bryan's bar, according to The Tennessean. Strain's stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, previously said the family had been living in "pure hell" since he vanished, according to the St. Louis Dispatch. Strain is described as 6-foot 5-inches tall with a thin build, blue eyes and light brown hair. He was last seen wearing brown boots, jeans, and a black-and-white shirt. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Nashville police at (615) 862-8600. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Over the past two years, the Austrians from KTM found a sick pleasure in releasing a special breed of motorcycle so rare that it only satisfies a few riders, and leaves all others drooling in delight and despair. It's the RC 8C monster of a machine I'm talking about, a track-only beauty on two wheels so special it will likely develop a cult following over the next few years. Photo: KTM Photo: KTM KTM first released this supersport beast as a 2022 model year, selling the entire batch of 100 units in just four minutes and 32 seconds. Then, a year later, a new iteration of the motorcycle, this time made in a run of 200 units, was gone from the bike maker's books even faster, in two minutes and 38 seconds.On two previous occasions, KTM announced the RC 8C in the summer of 2021 and then in the fall of 2022, so imagine our surprise when so soon in the new year we got word of the 2024 model year iteration of the motorcycle making its way out in the open.It was in this second week of March that the Austrians announced the arrival of the track-bred beast. And it will be on March 20 when the order books will open, leaving us all dying to see how fast the entire run of 100 units (that's how many are planned for this year) will be gone this time.Just like before, the bike is the creation of KTM with help from Kramer Motorcycles, a German maker of race-ready bikes. And even if the specifications are not all that different from what came before, the rarity of the ride still makes it highly desirable.The skeleton of the motorcycle is made up of a 25CrMo4 steel tubular frame, specifically made with circuit use in mind. The backbone was fitted with the best hardware KTM has at its disposal for use in racing.Take the suspension system, for instance. Of WP make, it comprises a 43 mm WP Apex Pro closed cartridge fork at the front, and a WP Apex Pro shock with a remote preload adjuster at the rear.This system is used to hold in place and guide lightweight Dymag wheels wearing Pirelli race tires. Keeping them in check is a hell of a braking system supplied by Brembo that comprises stuff like Moto GP-derived cylinders, Stylema front calipers, and floating brake discs.Over all of that KTM and Kramer fitted bodywork made of kevlar and carbon, with styling inspired by the RC16. The fuel tank and body panels are of the quick-release variety, because seconds are very precious in racing.Inside the frame KTM installed the already impressive LC8c parallel-twin engine, also deployed in previous iterations of the RC 8C . The powerplant is fitted with an Akrapovic racing exhaust system and an equally capable air box and air filter.In this configuration, it is capable of developing 133 horsepower, and that means the motorcycle, which weighs 142 kg (313 pounds dry), achieves a rather impressive power-to-weight ratio.Because it is meant to be used on the track, the motorcycle also boasts an AIM MXS dashboard and data logger with built-in GPS functionality. This allows the rider to see on a 5-inch TFT screen a wealth of data relating to the bike's performance, but also record stats for later analysis.As said, KTM will open the order books for the 2024 RC 8C on March 20, starting at 15:00 CET. It will do so for customers in Europe, the USA, Mexico, Canada, and South Africa and will only allow the bikes to be reserved online. A reservation fee of 1,000 euros (or equivalent) is required to complete the process, as is the selection of a dealer for KTM to know where to ship the motorcycle.Alternatively, customers could opt to have their RC 8C handed over at Portimao, Portugal, during an impressive event KTM plans there. To take part, however, people will also have to purchase the Race Parts Package, the value of which was not disclosed.In return, riders will get access to "the most exclusive handover on the planet," highlighted by a personalized track setup session, private dinner, and meet and greet. Thrown into the fight are also an exclusive track day experience with "KTM racing royalty" and laps in a KTM X-Bow.For the Portuguese event, whose exact date was not announced, the Austrian bike maker also promises the unveiling of "something super-special as a world-exclusive preview of what is to come from the brand for the future."We will keep an eye out for more details on that and report back when we learn more. In the meantime, you can place your bets on how long it will take KTM to sell the entire batch of 2024 RC 8C motorcycles. My personal guess is under two minutes. Hyundai Motor America is currently testing what appears to be the 2025 Santa Cruz in series-production spec. The facelift should go live during the summer months, with first customer deliveries in the United States market expected in the fall. Photo: KindelAuto on YouTube The heavily camouflaged prototype spied by KindelAuto shows a redesigned front grille, bumper, and headlights. The rear bumper appears to be different as well. The South Korean automaker may have worked its magic on the rear lights as well, but it's pretty hard to tell due to the camo.Even the dashboard is covered by a camouflage blanket, which suggests minor improvements over the 2024 and earlier models. Considering that Hyundai rolled out a bevy of physical buttons in the facelifted Tucson for model year 2025, we look forward to a similar arrangement for this fellow.Prospective customers of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson are further presented with dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, a front passenger-side parcel shelf, a new steering wheel, and a stubby drive stalk on the right of the steering column instead of a push-button shifter.The styling alternations pale in comparison to what Hyundai did to the interior. Otherwise put, we're not keeping our fingers crossed for a vastly different Santa Cruz. The oily bits may carry over as well, but there's a case to be made for hybrid assistance.First and foremost, sister brand Kia updated the Carnival minivan for 2025 with an optional hybrid powertrain built around the Smartstream G1.6T four-cylinder turbo. Kia claims 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet (367 Nm) of torque, with the electric motor providing up to 72 horsepower.The standard engine remains the 3.5-liter V6, which is good for 22 miles per gallon (10.7 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined test cycle. For the Santa Cruz, engine options range from the naturally aspirated Smartstream G2.5 to the turbocharged Smartstream G2.5T, with the latter upgrading to a dual-clutch tranny from the former's torque-converter automatic.We also have to remember that Hyundai's compact-ish pickup truck is technically closer to the Tucson than the Carnival, meaning that a plug-in hybrid isn't out of the question. However, a plug-in hybrid option wouldn't make sense from a financial standpoint. With the Ford Motor Company selling more units of the Maverick Hybrid than the Maverick EcoBoost, the South Korean competitor is more likely to go hybrid.As opposed to the Maverick, which is produced in Mexico instead of the United States of America, the Santa Cruz is assembled in Alabama. The Lincoln-based assembly plant further produces the Tucson, Santa Fe, Genesis GV70 luxury crossover, and the zero-emission Electrified G70. Advertised as being a "one-of-a-kind Sport Adventure Vehicle," the Santa Cruz starts at $26,900 for model year 2024. ICE The US automaker introduced those to celebrate the lineage of the L-bodied Dodge Challenger and Charger ahead of their impending demise, and the culmination of the Hemi V8 supercharged era is the 1,025-horsepower (on E85) Challenger Demon 170. It rocks the quarter-mile dragstrip like a true monster, and it doesn't even mind beating Tesla's mighty 1,020-horsepower Model S Plaid if given the chance and when an experienced racer is behind the wheel.However, if you're willing to 'baby' your Challenger, even a 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat can be turned into a force to be reckoned with. But there is no need to take our word for granted because we have an eloquent example courtesy of a new YouTube channel aptly named The Drag Race, which seeks to make a name for itself on the local scene with racer interviews and quarter-mile dragstrip action. The videographer may not have been around for long, but he has flair, and the latest feature embedded below is both short and sweet.It comes down to under two minutes but still includes a few words about the Hellcat in question from its owner and the most important tidbit is that his tuned Challenger makes about 860 horsepower at the wheel! It sounds impressive but even more amazing when seen especially when going against a trio of feisty rivals. The first one is none other than 'Team Duo's' supercharged S550 Ford Mustang GT, and the Challenger sure has its work cut out for it.Amazingly, even though it posts a slower 10.41s elapsed time against Ford's 10.35s pass, the Bradenton Motorsport Park's electronic sidekick signals the Dodge as the absolute winner. Secondly, the feisty Mopar lines up with yet another Blue Oval representative, and it's close but not close enough: 10.81s versus 11.33s represents a crystal-clear victory for the tuned Challenger.Last but not least, an Audi coupe dared to interrupt the Blue Oval versus Mopar proceedings later at night, and under the cover of darkness, the blue car didn't look like much to the untrained eye. However, this Ingolstadt-based premium coupe underdog proved quite a rascal and posted a 10.82s pass. Again, it wasn't nearly enough to claim victory because the Dodge owner is looking to drop into the nines and wrap up the Street Car Takeover appearances with a victorious 10.11s result.Now, all we have to do is wait and hope that Dodge will soon dare to amaze with an all-electric Charger Daytona capable of surpassing the-powered Demon 170 performance and drop the bomb into Tesla and Lucid's Model S Plaid and Air Sapphire backyard. Android Auto connection problems are nothing new to long-time users. The app breaks down regularly, mainly after installing updates, with Google never in a rush to ship patches. Something similar appears to happen now, as users complain that Android Auto wired stopped working after a recent update installed in late February.It's not yet clear what version might be the culprit, but someone says on Google's forums that the app stopped working after installing Android Auto 11.2. The latest Android Auto version is 11.5, but the rollout takes place in stages, so some users are still running older releases.The problem exhibits a similar behavior in every case. The app tries to launch after the mobile device is connected to the head unit. Some users claim the app icon appears on the infotainment screen a sign that the mobile device is connected and Android Auto is ready to run but instantly disappears. Android Auto eventually fails to launch, even if users reattempt to establish the connection.Because the glitch mainly affected Android Auto wired users, many tried to switch the cables they used to connect the mobile device to the head unit. It didn't make a difference, with every workaround failing to restore Android Auto. Clearing the cache and the data didn't improve the experience.The culprit appears to be the newly installed Android Auto version. Users claim they tried running Android Auto with the same cable but using another Android device. Everything worked correctly, suggesting the hardware is not to blame.A member of the Android Auto team posted on Google's forums to ask for more information, but it's unclear if the investigation has already started. The good news is that the glitch isn't yet widespread, though it could become so depending on what version causes it. Because Android Auto update rollouts happen in stages, some users receive them later than others, meaning the bug could eventually become more widespread as the faulty update lands on more devices.Meanwhile, switching to Android Auto wireless is the only solution for these cars. While some vehicles don't support a wireless connection, getting an Android Auto wireless adapter could help prevent future problems related to wired connections. AAWireless and Motorola's MA1 are the top choices in this market, both coming with a plug-and-play experience. Users must connect their mobile devices to the adapter, while the device must be plugged into the USB port of the car used to run Android Auto. Every time they start the engine, they should see Android Auto launching wireless.Let us know if you encountered the same wired connection problems and, more importantly if you found a fix. I'll continue to monitor the issue and post updates when someone discovers a solution. Back in the summer of 2019, British carmaker Bentley presented to the world its vision of how luxury vehicles could look like in 2035. It did so thanks to an insanely beautiful and technology-packed concept called the EXP 100 GT. Photo: Bentley Photo: Bentley The impressive grand tourer stood at 5.8 meters (19 feet) in length and 2.4 meters (almost eight feet) in width, but neither that nor its imposing design language is what captivated the most. That task fell on a wealth of pretentious materials (even some that were unheard of in the industry, like 5,000-year-old Riverwood), but also on a series of features that were equally pristine for the automotive world.That latter category included the car displaying an impressive light show on its front grille, something that at the time was quite rare and allowed Bentley to introduce light as a material it plans to use extensively in its future cars, with the same results it does metal, wood, and leather.The technology that was previewed on the EXP 100 GT five years ago has finally received its first real-life application, and it does so in a car whose sound system alone has the price of an entry-level American muscle car: the Batur.Bentley's Batur, in essence a Continental that was taken one step further in terms of luxury by the guys over at the company's Mulliner division, is one of the most exclusive cars of our time, with just 18 of them being planned for production.Mechanically speaking the Batur is not fundamentally different from a Continental as we've got the mighty W12 engine under the hood (a powerplant that gets its final use in this model, because Bentley will pull the plug on it in April), rated at 740 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque.The sound system I mentioned earlier is made by Naim, and it comprises 20 speakers (six tweeters, nine mid-range speakers, two woofers, two active bass transducers, and one sub-woofer). The price for all of that alone is $30,000, which is a lot for many of us, but not for someone willing to pay $2.1 million for a car.Bentley does not say if it charges anything extra for its special light show. But it does describe something the Batur will always be remembered for as the one that did it first: use Advanced Digital Light Processing (DLP) to display welcome messages.DLP is something high-end headlights already use, but also head-up displays. To date, however, nobody has thought of using the technology this way. Bentley did, and we find their idea exciting enough to give it a closer look.The light sculpture, as the carmaker calls the idea, relies on three color light sources, a series of lenses, and two prisms. Working with them is something called the Digital Micromirror Device (DMDTM), which is no bigger than eight millimeters. In fact, the entire hardware for this light show is just a tad bigger than a couple of AA batteries.Modifications made to DLP allow the Batur to create an animated welcome image as soon as the door is opened. It shows up as light cut through a crystal is the design and the profile of the car itself, projected on the ground.The process behind all this is rather simple, really. Light from the sources passes through the lenses and prisms, then it is refocused through another five lenses and transforms into the desired image.The animation part of the entire affair is owed to a small silicone chip that holds no less than 415,800 tiny mirrors. And by tiny I mean exactly that, as each one is a fifth of the width of a human hair, or just 16 microns. Each of these mirrors is used to reflect light and react to it thousands of times per second.Each pixel that is visible in the image is the result of the work of a single mirror. Not all mirrors are activated at a given time, with the light hitting the ones not needed for a certain phase of the animation being sent light back to a heat sink inside the projector.Because this is a bespoke car talking, Bentley will not ship the cars solely with its idea of a projected image, but it will also allow customers to take part in the creation of the animations and can even match them to the colors of the car people have made.You can get a sense of what all of the above means visually by going through the gallery attached to this piece. To be honest, the entire experience seems a lot less impressive than it sounds, and it kind of comes across as underwhelming. In fact, chances are one you could blink and miss this entire (presumably) very expensive light show. Four-door Bronco sport utility vehicles produced between November 28, 2023 and December 17, 2023 have been recalled for potentially malfunctioning child safety locks. Ford became aware of this condition at the tail end of last year. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Photo: Ford NHTSA SUV Back on December 21, the Critical Concern Review Group started an investigation over multiple reports from assembly plant workers in regard to non-functional child safety locks on the left-hand rear doors. The first report was filed on December 15.That day, all four-door Broncos at the Michigan Assembly Plant were inspected as part of a quality audit, with 1.6 percent of them exhibiting the aforementioned problem. This, in turn, prompted the rear door latch module supplier to enhance inspection protocols. However, subsequent investigation determined that said modules were functional prior to installation in the rear doors.Not long after, the safety boffins at the CCRG determined that FoMoCo introduced a sheet metal fixture improvement on September 13 at the door sheet metal stamping plant. Said improvement caused the location of the latch reinforcement to shift, resulting in an interference that may deflect the latch frame plate and inner release lever.Further investigation also determined that only left-hand rear doors are potentially affected. The right-hand rear doors have greater clearance between the child lock coupling lever and inner release lever. Prior to informing theabout this recall, Ford was aware of zero reports of accident or injury.Dealers have already been instructed to inspect and if necessary replace the latch at no charge to the owners. Mailed notifications will be sent between April 16 and April 19 via first-class mail. Both 2023 and 2024 models are recalled. The most straightforward way of determining whether your Bronco is affected or not is to enter the 17-character VIN on the automaker's website. Alternatively, owners can do that on the's website.Not to be confused with the unibody Bronco Sport that Ford assembles in Mexico, the body-on-frame Bronco is available in a grand total of nine grades for 2024, beginning with the Big Bend at $39,630 with two doors or $40,370 with four. The Outer Banks, Everglades, and Raptor come with four doors only, which is curious given that the shorter wheelbase of the two-door is better off-road.As ever, the Raptor remains the most expensive Bronco of the bunch. Priced at $90,035 excluding destination, the 2024 model is rather shockingly more than $20,000 pricier than the 2022 model. It's hard to believe that you could buy one for $68,500 a little over two years ago, and it's similarly hard to believe that Ford charges that kind of money for a go-anywherewith Ranger underpinnings.The Bronco Raptor may be Ford's most capable off-road vehicle for 2024, but alas, it also happens to be hideously overpriced. With the F-150 Raptor starting at $77,980 and the 37-inch tire package adding $11,470 to the tally, why even bother? Also, remember that a Ranger Raptor will set you back $55,470 at the very least. MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines) is one of the largest and oldest shipping companies worldwide and also one of the major innovators in maritime transportation. Its latest success is the Cerulean Ace, a new-generation car carrier that is paving the way for an entire green fleet. Back in 1965, MOL was linked to the delivery of the first car carrier in Japan. Decades later, the Japanese giant is taking the lead when it comes to low-emission, high-tech operations. It plans to launch an entire fleet named the Blue Series, which is comprised of 11 vessels that combine low-emission operations with the most advanced onboard technology.The first unit in this new-generation series was recently delivered. It's named Cerulean Ace, inspired by the Spanish word for "sky blue." The main innovation heralded by Cerulean Ace is the use of LNG (liquefied natural gas) instead of conventional maritime fuel, but it's packed with numerous other modifications meant to improve overall performance.Starting with the design, the Cerulean Ace is wider than the previous MOL car carriers (it went from 32 to 38 meters/124.6 feet) and capable of reducing wind resistance by 20% thanks to its aerodynamic features. Capacity was also increased from 6,400 to 7,000 vehicles.In terms of safety, the early fire detection capability was also drastically improved by installing a highly advanced AI system. The Starlink satellite communications service is another technical upgrade onboard the Cerulean Ace. Even the crew gets to enjoy more comfort thanks to a newly-added relaxation area that is separate from the living quarters and the work area.First and foremost, this new car carrier harnesses the power of LNG to operate with fewer emissions. Several other types of vessels, including ferries and cruise ships, have ditched conventional fuel in favor of LNG. According to MOL, this shift will enable the Cerulean Ace to cut CO2 emissions by up to 30%. In the case of SOx and NOx, the percentage goes as high as 98 and 85, respectively, compared to car carriers that burn diesel fuel.MOL's Cerulean Ace will be followed by ten more carriers with similar features. All of them will be built in Japan by the Shin Kurushima Dockyard Group.This innovative car carrier series is only the latest LNG-related MOL endeavor. The same shipping giant was also linked to the launch of Japan's first eco-friendly ferry. The Sunflower Kurenai is also bigger and more voluminous compared to its predecessors and fitted with a dual-fuel engine that can burn conventional maritime fuel and LNG.The new ferry's first LNG refueling last year was the first of its kind in Japan due to a special procedure. Now, the Cerulean Blue car carrier is heralding a new era for car shipping in Japan and worldwide. CVT kW The second-generation mid-size Lincoln Nautilus is produced in China but hasn't abandoned its parent's home market it just dropped by for the US market with glamorous specifications. In a nutshell, there's Lincoln BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology, a choice of two powertrains, new signature features, the traditional Lincoln styling on the outside, and a stunning all-new Lincoln Digital Experience featured on an 11.1-inch center-stack touchscreen as well as a space-age-like 48-inch main panoramic display.Unlike General Motors, which isn't capable of offering people the choice of smartphone mirroring anymore, Ford's Lincoln integrates everything from Google and Amazon across the infotainment system and still lets users play with Apple CarPlay from an iPhone or with Android Auto from a compatible Android-based device. If we were chess players, which we are not, we would say that it's a clear case of checkmate to GM's delusions Anyway, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus comes with two powertrains the base 2.0-liter turbocharged engine four-pot packing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque mixed with an eight-speed automatic transmission as well as a 2.0-liter hybrid option using aand a 100-electric motor. The best thing is that customers can specify the HEV on all trim levels, and even though it's more powerful (310 combined hp), it's also more frugal. So, the EPA ratings for the 2.0-liter are 21/29/24 mpg, while the hybrid delivers 30/31/30 in the city, on the highway, and combined.Speaking of trim levels, there are just three options: Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label, starting from $50,415, from $54,750, or a whopping $74,250. The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is available for ordering already, and that means we just couldn't help but visit the online configurator portal to imagine our perfect build. Since money is no concern in this case, we started with the Nautilus Black Label and immediately added the $750 Diamond Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat because black is too common, and the Chroma Caviar Dark Gray Metallic is way too expensive at $2k without actually being too fancy.The Jet Appearance Package with those fancy 22-inch wheels and other goodies was another $3k, but we felt it was worth it, so we got along with the turbo hybrid mill, which adds just $1,500 to the price but comes with 60 extra horsepower and a better fuel economy rating. The interior theme remained Chalet because Redwood isn't available to combine with the exterior color of our choice, and we also dropped in a cargo area protector for $160 because you never know when there's something dirty in need of transportation. In the end, the result was quite satisfactory, and the final tally was $81,900. Tesla rolled out the latest iteration of its self-driving software to a wider group of testers. The first impressions shared on social media show that progress is not always obvious. While some were blown away, in other cases, FSD Beta V12.3 made rookie mistakes. This made people question Tesla's claims that autonomous driving is, in fact, achievable. FSD Full Self-Driving Thanks for the smooth ride @WholeMarsBlog/@Tesla. Tonight in testing half a dozen 8-15 minute San Francisco drives we experienced several perfect drives with a few that had 1-2 assists and two takeovers. Overall Ive got to say FSD Beta 12.3 is damn impressive. I was most pic.twitter.com/dPllpKVAK5 The Kilowatts (@klwtts) March 14, 2024 Elon Musk has promised self-driving cars almost every year for the past ten years or so. More than this, Musk deemed every major version of theBeta software as "mind-blowing" while declaring that self-driving will be achieved by the end of the year. The same optimistic message has been cast year after year, even though thesoftware ended each year as far from being production-ready as the year before.That's not to say that progress has stalled. However, the definition of progress has changed as the autonomous driving features have improved. With V11, Tesla's FSD Beta has leveraged neural networks to make artificial intelligence learn from watching countless videos of human driving. Finally, FSD Beta V12 eliminated the last pieces of legacy code, becoming end-to-end AI. As Elon Musk explained, neural networks are now responsible for everything, from analyzing the images recorded by the vehicle's cameras to controlling the vehicle's movement.FSD Beta V12 has brought smoother controls and more consistent behavior in edge-case scenarios. However, like V11 in its early stages, V12 has performed differently for different testers. Some have been utterly impressed, claiming perfect drives with zero interventions. In contrast, others have complained about stupid mistakes, sometimes even worse than the previous software versions. It appears that the latest build, V12.3, is not much different.Tesla released FSD Beta V12.3 to a wider group of beta testers on Friday, allowing people outside the Tesla employee circle to test it. As the first testers shared their impressions , it's hard to draw a conclusion. Some reported impressive improvements, while others were less impressed. To make things even more puzzling, the same people complaining about "rookie mistakes" later said that subsequent drives were flawless.Ryan Levenson from the Kilowatts was impressed with how smoothly V12.3 accelerates and slows down. He said that the software is significantly more human than any prior version. "The experience on the freeway changing lanes and merging was potentially better than even my own driving," Ryan told his followers after being invited to assess FSD Beta V12.3 by his friend Omar Qazi (@WholeMarsBlog).However, not all was perfect , although nobody expected it to be. The FSD Beta V12.3 struggled at several flashing red-light intersections, braking with each red flash. Funnily, the software was confused by the red lanterns in Chinatown, which were detected as red/stop traffic lights. The car also made a hard stop at a yellow light. Finally, toward the end of the video below, the driver had to take over to avoid going into the middle divider. Strangely, all subsequent drives were perfect, Omar testified. UK-based eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) maker Vertical Aerospace is getting ready for one of its top milestones in the coming weeks. The official launch of its second prototype will confirm that it's on track to kick off advanced flight tests later this year. "2024 is a defining year for the eVTOL industry," says Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Vertical Aerospace. Numerous developers in this emerging industry are completing the final steps before officially launching commercial air taxi services. For Vertical, these steps are linked to the flight tests that will be carried out by the second prototype of its flagship aircraft, the VX4. What makes this second version particularly important is that it will integrate more than 60% of the actual technology components that will equip the final commercial product, in addition to several upgrades.The new VX4 claims to be faster and also quieter than the first prototype. It will also boast upgraded propellers and Vertical's proprietary battery technology. The final assembly of this beefed-up aircraft is due to be completed in just a few weeks.In terms of certification, Vertical claims to be one of the pioneers. On the one hand, it's the only company in the industry to actively work toward obtaining certification from no less than five regulators; on the other hand, it was previously awarded the first-ever DOA (Design Organization Approval) from CAA (UK's Civil Aviation Authority) for a listed eVTOL manufacturer.All eVTOL manufacturers claim to have the best aircraft design and the top technology, but very few have also developed in-house battery technology. Vertical made headlines when it inaugurated a brand-new battery technology facility in the UK. Located in Bristol, the multi-million-pound Vertical Energy Center (VEC) unfolds over 15,000 square feet (1,393 square meters). This is where Vertical will produce the 220Wh/kg battery system for its commercial air taxi.Last year, the first VX4 prototype completed a historic demonstration flight at the Cotswold Airport in Kemble, UK. The eVTOL successfully went through all of the flight phases and achieved the targeted top speed of 40 knots (46 mph/70 kph). It was the first full-scale demonstration of the company's proprietary battery technology in action.Last but not least, the UK-based AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) company is also doing great in the market. A couple of years ago, it claimed to be at the top of the list in terms of pre-orders. By 2022, it has already sold 500 units of the VX4 through a leasing company. Just a year later, that number blew up to more than 1,500. It also boasts one of the most diversified customer bases in the industry, all the way from the US to Japan.Folks in the UK will get the chance to watch the VX4 in action later this year during the public flight demonstrations at Farnborough and Heathrow. Embattled Hollywood star Alec Baldwin is asking a New Mexico judge to dismiss his "Rust" manslaughter indictment following the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, being convicted. The actor's legal team is arguing that prosecutors in the case acted unethically and failed to present crucial evidence to the grand jury. The attorneys claimed that the state was in violation of "nearly every rule in the book" amid efforts to convict Baldwin in the fatal movie set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021. Alec Baldwin Seeks to Dismiss Manslaughter Indictment\ The lawyers said that the situation was simply an abuse of the system as well as an abuse of an innocent person whose rights, they said, have been "trampled to the extreme." The request comes as Baldwin was indicted on two counts, involuntary manslaughter, negligent use of a firearm, or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspection, on Jan. 19, according to Fox News. The incident revolves around the Hollywood star practicing drawing a gun that he had been told was safe when it suddenly discharged a live bullet that struck and subsequently killed Hutchins. Baldwin has remained relatively quiet regarding the criminal case since it was revived in January. The prosecutors in the case argued that the actor failed to observe firearm safety measures on the set of the movie. The filing made by Baldwin's legal team cited a New Mexico Supreme Court decision where an indictment was dismissed after it was found that the prosecution "prevented the grand jury from inquiring into the facts demonstrating probable cause. They also allegedly failed to act in a fair and impartial manner when instructing the grand jury amid the case. Kari T. Morrissey, the lead prosecutor, did not comment on the specifics of the motion. However, she said that their response would be filed later with the court. In the event that the judge moves to dismiss the manslaughter indictment against the Hollywood actor, prosecutors could bring the case to a new grand jury. This would extend the already long and winding prosecution, said the New York Times. Read Also: Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter Guilty Conviction of Hannah Gutierrez The situation comes after the film's armorer, Gutierrez, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in relation to the case last week. She is now facing up to 18 months in prison and her sentencing was scheduled for next month. The 26-year-old was responsible for loading six dummy rounds into cartridges that were not supposed to be able to fire and were made to resemble real ammunition. These were the ones that were placed inside the gun that Baldwin held at the time that he fatally shot Hutchins. Gutierrez' lawyers laid the blame on the production for not affording her enough time for her armorer duties, a claim that producers have denied. Additionally, the defendant's legal team said that they plan to appeal the verdict. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who was in charge of Gutierrez' case, ordered the armorer to be taken into custody following the verdict. The 26-year-old is currently being held at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility while awaiting her sentencing, according to Yahoo Sport. Related Article: New York Subway Rider Shoots 'Aggressive' Commuter in Head as Rush Hour Passengers Duck for Their Lives: Report @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pashinian signaled on Tuesday his readiness to accept Bakus demands for Armenian withdrawal from four villages which were controlled by Azerbaijan in Soviet times and occupied by the Armenian army in 1991-1992. He did not make their handover conditional on the liberation of any Armenian territory occupied by Azerbaijani forces in the early 1990s and 2021-2022. The Armenian opposition portrayed his statements as the clearest indication yet that Pashinian is planning to cede the ruined villages, located inside Armenias northern Tavush province, to Azerbaijan without getting anything in return. They are simply putting aside the border delimitation and demarcation process and Azerbaijans statements that it will not cede any territory seized from Armenia, Tigran Abrahamian, a senior lawmaker from the opposition Pativ Unem bloc, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. In this situation, any unilateral concession by the Armenian authorities will go against the interests of Armenia and its people. Meanwhile, other opposition lawmakers pressed Mirzoyan on the subject as he met with members of the Armenian parliaments standing committee on foreign relations. The minister responded by essentially repeating what Pashinian said. Just like Pashinian, Mirzoyan gave no indications that Azerbaijan is ready to withdraw from any of the more than 200 square kilometers of Armenian territory which Yerevan says remains occupied by it. He also admitted that Baku is still unwilling to use Soviet military maps for delimiting the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The process of mutual recognition of territorial integrity and subsequent border delimitation must be based on the Almaty declaration, he said, referring to a 1991 document that committed newly independent ex-Soviet republics to recognizing their Soviet-era borders. There is more mutual understanding on this issue now than, for example, a month ago, added Mirzoyan. At least at the moment, I have the impression that we are very close to reaching a mutual agreement on this issue. The remarks contrasted with what Mirzoyan told the official Turkish Anadolu news agency last week. He said Baku and Yerevan continue to disagree on the delimitation principles. 15 March 2024 16:44 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more Before the emergence of issues like global warming and climate change, the world economy heavily relied on oil for its development. With many countries transitioning towards industrialization, recreational spaces such as tourism were diminishing. However, as global challenges intensified, there arose a need to explore alternative avenues for economic growth. Expanding tourism emerged as a healthy and secure option in this regard, with Azerbaijan positioned as a country with promising prospects in the field. The liberation of over 20% of territories and corresponding infrastructure projects have significantly influenced the sector's growth. Statistics indicate that between January and August 2023, Azerbaijan welcomed over 1.3 million travelers. Projections suggest that tourist inflow could reach 4 million by 2026, with a notable 50% increase compared to the previous year. Yet, challenges persist, particularly concerning closed land borders hindering tourist arrivals. In the period of January-October 2023, Azerbaijan experienced a significant surge in tourist arrivals from Central Asian countries, with notable increases from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. This uptick is largely attributed to events like the 30th TURKSOY, underscoring Azerbaijan's commitment to promoting shared Turkic heritage and cultural integration. Overall, these developments underscore Azerbaijan's growing appeal as a tourist destination, with concerted efforts to foster tourism growth and strengthen ties with Turkic countries contributing to increased visitor numbers in recent years. Here poses two questions: How can foreign and domestic investments be attracted for the development of tourism in Azerbaijan? Speaking to Azernews Gulnar Mustafayeva, Head of the Media and public relations sector of the State Tourism Agency, said that currently, investors interested in Azerbaijan's tourism sector can benefit from many mechanisms that encourage investment in non-resource sectors. "For instance, investors can obtain investment promotion documents to benefit from tax and customs duty incentives, utilize favorable loans from the Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIF), and access state guarantees and interest subsidies for loans offered by the Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund. It's worth noting that, according to data up to October of last year, tourism projects accounted for 1.5% of all investment promotion documents issued, while 8% of favorable loans provided by SIF in 2023 were allocated to tourism projects." "In addition to the aforementioned incentives, entrepreneurship entities in the tourism sector can also benefit from various general tax incentives depending on their size and volume of activity. These include simplified tax regimes based on turnover, voluntary participation in simplified tax regimes independent of catering establishment turnover, a 75% income and profit tax exemption for micro-entrepreneur entities, and a 100% property tax exemption. Furthermore, institutions providing placement services in regions can benefit from a 75% property tax exemption over the three years covering 2024-2026," she added. According to her, tourism-related investment projects implemented in the liberated territories can enjoy broader benefits over a period of 10 years starting from 2023. Investors contributing to these areas are exempted from income, profit, land, and property taxes. "Additionally, in order to optimize business fiscal expenses, entrepreneurs will gradually be relieved of their mandatory state social insurance obligations over the period from 2023 to 2033. Moreover, state guarantees are provided for loans attracted for projects, significant portions of interest expenses on these loans are subsidized, and even 20% of expenses for utility services are compensated from state funds." Mustafayeva noted that first and foremost, awareness among local and foreign investors about the aforementioned incentives and supportive tools should be increased, and all these opportunities, especially business support platforms, should be communicated to a wider audience. "The Agency continues its enlightening activities in the relevant direction within its capabilities and authorities. Nevertheless, we invite various professional associations, including business associations, to participate more actively in this field." "Furthermore, the State Tourism Agency continues its policy of improving cooperation with relevant government agencies to increase the attractiveness of the business environment in the tourism sector and ensure the continuity of investment flows into the sector," official of the agency concluded. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 20:44 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more France has reached its today's level of prosperity, betting on the blood and soul of other nations. It was as a result of this policy that not only the surface and underground resources of other nations was plundered, but even those nations themselves were sold to the American continent as slaves, and exploited their labour. Needless to say, these slaves, transferred to America by France, had no rights, they were sold as animals. Even at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, the French government portrayed slaves transferred to Jamaica as a living species between humans and animals, depriving them of all rights. However, it seems that the individuals who ruled France still imagine themselves in the Middle Ages. They still believe that they will be able to implement their disgusting policies at the cost of the lives and blood of other nations. The French political elite, especially Macron, not only perceive the events taking place in the modern world, but do not even know their own recent history. They have isolated themselves from world politics so much, they cannot understand that Imperial era is over and national States were established. They still assume that they will be able to sell people abroad as slaves, giving gifts to some African tribal leader, as in the Middle Ages. Because of this France, having experienced shameful defeats and committing vicious war crimes, in the middle of the last century was expelled first from the Far East, and then from Northern Africa. However, despite losing almost all of its colonies in Africa, France continued to treat them as its slaves. As a result of the weak French army, the economy grappling with the crisis, and the unsteady, coward French leader, the French state receives the lesson it deserves and is expelled from Africa. Macron, who looks down on other nations, but despite having scheduled a trip 3 times, did not manage to go to Ukraine out of fear, still thinks that he will somehow be able to exploit other nations. Despite the fact that every time he loses his power on the field of politics, he shamelessly does not abandon this foreign policy and clings to it tightly. As a result, he becomes the laughing stock in the world political arena and greatly harms not only his reputation, but also the reputation of the French state. His incongruous statements prove what an insecure person he is. For example, while he himself did not go to Ukraine out of fear, and the French army failed in Africa, he said that France would send the army to Ukraine to fight against the Russian army, the second most powerful army in the world. It is clear that the French army, defeated by groups in Africa armed with light small arms, will not go into battle with the Russian army at the word of a political leader who is afraid to go to Ukraine. And the French people will not sacrifice their children in Ukraine for Macron neither. However, Macron is so unsteady that he did not realize it and, making such a statement, proved to the whole world that he does not pass the word in his country. However, this was not the first time that Macron was hypocritical in world politics. Earlier, in 2020, during the 2nd Garabagh war, he accepted that Garabagh is belong Azerbaijan, but, cannot standing to pressure of the Armenian diaspora, he began to send a military help to Armenia and expressed incomprehensible words about Garabagh. He even claimed that he had done more about Garabagh issue than the Prime Minister of Armenia to prove that he was more Armenian than Pashinyan. All this facts shows that the French people should choose a normal political leader, and this political leader who will be elected to replace Macron, unlike him, should be far from racist thoughts, and should respect other nationalities. Otherwise, France will not only be expelled from Africa, but will lose its allies in Europe. We shouldn't forget that the history of mankind is full of dozens of empires and states that have long been erased from the political map. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The growing world economy reveals new opportunities and new risks throughout the globe. Based on the demand of the day, transport routes and the location of production facilities change; some old products are being removed from usage, new products are presented, and so on. Currently, the risks emerging in the traditional trade routes, such as the Ukrainian War and clashes in the Red Sea, make it necessary to find new alternatives. In this case, the Middle Corridor and its part, the Tran-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) step forward among such alternatives. Thanks to TITR the old Silk Way is revived and cargo is delivered from China to Europe and vice versa in the shortest period of time. During the visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev, it was noted that the period will be shortened further. Speaking to Azernews on the issue, expert on transport Rauf Aghamirzayev noted that it can be said that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is today the only land connection linking Asia and Europe on the Eurasian continent, and as it is known, the importance of this route is increasing day by day. He emphasized that this also was noted during the recent visit of the Kazakh President to Azerbaijan. "As mentioned during the visit, despite the Caspian Sea separating us, it also brings the continents together. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route also plays an important role here. Cargo transportation is observed with increasing dynamics. In 2023, 2.7 million tons of cargo was transported. However, I think that by 2030 this number will reach 10-15 million tons. It should be noted that the potential is many times greater than this. It should be taken into account that at the end of the 80s of the last century, the maximum transfer capacity of the Azerbaijani railways was 100 million tons. Reaching 100 million ton loads is inevitable. The foundation laying ceremony of Anaklia Port will be held this year. This port will be able to handle 100 million tons of cargo and receive one million containers," Rauf Aghamirzayev said. The emphasized added that the opening of the port of Anaklia will stimulate the Trans-Caspian transport route to attract and transfer more cargo. He also touched on the classification of cargo and said that different types of cargo will be transported through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. "Initially, the cargo of the regional countries, that is, the Central Asian countries, especially Kazakhstan, can be transported. Here includes the transportation of uranium, grain products, fertilizer products, partially oil products, non-ferrous metals, etc. This will continue on increasing dynamics. Because as the freight turnover increases, the efficiency of the route will increase, and after all the planned works have been completed, different prices and increase in the volume of freight will be observed," he pointed out. Rauf Aghamirzayev also added that the new export geography is also expected to increase. He noted that the delivery of cargo from Xian City of China to the Absheron Group Port of Baku exemplifies it. Block trains of this type are expected to arrive this year. He reminded that 60 blocks of trains have been delivered, and as a result of these works, the change of the location of exported products in the world is also on the agenda. "Events in the Red Sea have revealed new risks, and to minimize these risks, the transfer of production facilities to different regions is the subject of discussion. In this context, it is precisely the countries of the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, that are geographically located in the center. Being located in this center gives us additional opportunities to establish these production facilities in our countries and ensure their delivery on existing routes. The shorter the transport leg, the lower the transport costs. This is reflected in the final value of the product," expert Rauf Aghamirzayev concluded. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 18:14 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more An exhibition themed "The Polish Puppetry Art" has opened its doors in Baku. Organized by the Polish Embassy in Azerbaijan in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Puppet Theatre, the exhibition has garnered significant interest among theatergoers. The exhibition is a cultural project and photo exhibition initiated by professional photographer and art curator Aydin Sadikhov. Speaking with Azernews, the photographer said that his new photo project showcases 20 photographs captured in Poland's oldest and most renowned puppet theatres: Baj Theatre in Warsaw and Groteska Theatre in Krakow. "This cultural project provides a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the interesting history and development of Polish puppetry art. The project makes it possible to immerse yourself in the magical world of Polish puppet theatres. This is a fairytale-like journey with beloved cartoon characters, dragons, witches, fairies, book heroes, knights, and other magical creatures," the photographer said. "Through the art of photography, I invite viewers to enjoy the rarest, historical, and handmade examples of the Polish puppets and feel the unique atmosphere inside the workshops of the renowned Polish puppet theatres, where the real theatre magic happens every day," he added. The entrance to the exhibition hall was decorated with beautiful Polish dolls, wearing national Polish costumes. A stand with brochures, colorful cards, informing about the Polish Puppet Theatres, as well as two dolls, wearing Polish traditional costumes, was set up in the foyer. Representatives of different diplomatic corps, media representatives as well as cultural and art figures attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. The Polish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rafal Poborski welcomed the guests of the event. In his speech, the Polish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rafal Poborski hailed the cultural ties between the two countries, especially cooperation in theatrical art. Expressing gratitude to partner organizations in connection with the exhibition, the Ambassador noted that such events contribute to cooperation between Azerbaijan and Poland in the fields of culture, theatre, and art. Rafal Poborski outlined that Polish puppetry art has a centuries-old history. He added that there are numerous state and independent puppet theatre teams in Poland that preserve different artistic traditions. The Advisor to the Azerbaijan Culture Minister Oleg Amirbayov stressed that the exhibition is a great opportunity to get acquainted with Polish theatrical and puppetry art. Saying that theatre has a unifying power as the most universal and effective form of creativity, he emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of culture and art. After official part, the project curator and photographer Aydin Sadikhov briefed the guests of the ceremony about the photographs showcased as part of the exhibition. All guests of the event were briefed about the history behind each puppet photographed by Aydin Sadikhov. He also introduces the photos of the theatres' workshops and describes the magical atmosphere that was there. "Dolls and puppets are important parts of world culture. Being a kind of portrait of the international culture, the dolls and puppets show the history, development, and values of the culture of different nations. The doll and puppet, being part of the culture of all mankind, retains in its image the features of the nation creating it. The main value of the national doll and puppet is in this," said Aydin Sadikhov. "It is very important to mention the huge role of the puppets in the development of international theatrical art. Theatrical puppets could be human figures, animals, or birds, as well as "animate ", or "talking " trees, flowers, fantasy characters of different fairy tales etc. Puppets are made from different materials. They "come to life" with the help of the actions of puppeteer actors. He noted that theatrical stage puppets have their names: marionettes, puppets, glove puppets (placed on the hand), stick puppets, shadow puppets that project shadows onto the screen, etc. In theatrical performances there are also such puppets that move with electronic devices; these puppet actors are called "robot puppets". Puppet theatrical art plays a huge role in the development of the global culture because puppetry imbibes elements of all art forms such as literature, painting, sculpture, music, dance, drama, and enables people to develop their creative abilities. At the end of the event, the director of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre Rashad Ahmadzade presented the guests with beautiful memorable gifts. Note that Poland has a long and interesting history of the formation and development of national puppetry and theatrical art. Puppet theatre has existed in Poland for at least five centuries. The first documentary evidence dates from the 15th century and mentions puppet performers, which traveled through the country with their puppet shows. The artists of that theatre exhibited their puppet figures and presented puppet performances on the streets and main squares of the different cities of Poland. Their shows included many artistically sculpted and finely costumed puppets, clever lighting, and a fine collection of stage machinery which allowed changes of setting in full view with many special effects. In the second half of the 18th century puppet shows multiplied in Poland, probably due to the support offered them by Stanislas Auguste Poniatowski, the last king of Poland, sympathetic to the arts in general including puppetry to which he gave his big support. He attended the ever growing number of puppet performances, some given in large public spaces. A painting by Jan Piotr Norblin, "The Polish Marionettes", constitutes the first known iconographic document of the Polish puppet theatre. The painting shows puppet-actors, holding their control figures of the marionette type. Poland is one of the leading European countries for the highest level in the development of Puppetry Theatrical Art. Proof of this is the fact that almost every city in Poland has its own puppet theatres. Creative teams of different puppet theatres in Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Szczecin, Olsztyn, Torun, Bialystok, Wroclaw, Opole, Slupsk, Lomza, Lublin, Walbrzych and from other cities of Poland - every day delights its guests with the absolutely magnificent and colorful performances. The plays are designed for all age groups, so both children and adult visitors get the opportunity to enjoy watching the interesting programs presented by these wonderful theatres. Each year, different Polish cities - Opole, Torun, Bialystok, and others host large Polish and International Puppet Theatre Festivals. The Polish Festival of Puppet Theatres, which has been held since 1962, is one of the most important and ambitious Polish festivals devoted to puppet theatre. Baj Theatre is the oldest children's puppet theatre in Poland. It was founded in 1928 in the Zoliborz district of Warsaw, Poland. Its current name, Baj, was forged in 1930. The form and techniques used in the first plays took inspiration from a nativity scene, which is a traditional Christmas performance with puppets. The Theatre also organized puppetry classes all around Poland, popularising this type of theatre throughout the country. Many remarkable Polish artists and writers were engaged in the Theatre's activities, including Szczepan Baczynski, and Maria Kownacka. The Theatre has won numerous awards. Shows of the Theatre were presented at various festivals and competitions and during many guest performances. In recent years, actors in the Theatre have been traveling all around the world, presenting their amazing theatrical performances. Additionally, as an institution, the Theatre focuses on supporting, developing, promoting, and popularising theatrical work as well as finding new ways to grow. Apart from creating shows, Baj Theatre is engaged in various theatrical and educational undertakings and running educational programs for schools and kindergartens. The Baj Theatre has an amazing Puppet Gallery inside their building, where it is possible to acquaint yourself with the oldest historical and modern puppets that took part in different theatrical plays of the theatre. The curator of the Gallery and also creator of the most presented puppets of the theatre, Mr. ukasz Kuczynski holds the informative puppet tours there and shares with him interesting historical facts about all puppets. Groteska Theatre in Krakow is one of the oldest and most renowned puppet stages in Poland. The theatre was founded in 1945 by outstanding theatre artists Zofia and Wadysaw Jarem - directors, stage designers, and pioneers of modern thinking about puppet art and visual theatre. From the very beginning, the artistic vision of the theatre was co-created by outstanding artists, including Kazimierz Mikulski, Jerzy Skarzynski, and Lidia Minticz. Groteska directs its performances to multi-generational audiences. Performances for children and teenagers are characterized not only by interesting themes, and carefully selected repertoire based on outstanding literature, but also by top-class aesthetics using many forms of theatrical expression: a live set, puppets with various animation techniques, masks, costumes, and multimedia. The creators also attach importance to the musical aspect of the performances, enriching their shows with numerous songs that are easy to listen to, but also have a moral. Scenes for Children's performances are often based on classics. The Theatre's repertoire includes performances that are stage adaptations of famous fairy tales. Many outstanding directors, set designers and composers currently cooperate with the theatre. Grotesque enjoys great interest and audience attendance. The theatre performs approximately 500 performances annually, watched by nearly 100,000 people. Recognition for the high artistic level of the Groteska Theatre is expressed not only by attendance but also by awards won at theatre festivals and in audience polls. Since 2000, in June every year, Groteska Theatre has been organizing the Great Dragon Parade, a great dragon festival addressed to the mass audience. The extremely spectacular outdoor light and sound show on the Vistula River at the foot of Wawel Castle, featuring huge dragons floating in the air and animated on speeding shoulders, is very popular and is watched by approximately 70,000 people. viewers. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 11:31 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Guy Ryder, the Under-Secretary-General for Policy at the United Nations, Azernews reports. The meeting focused on the current agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN, as well as issues of joint action within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which Azerbaijan is set to host this year. FM Bayramov highlighted the importance of the UN's activities in Azerbaijan and emphasized effective cooperation with the organization and its specialized bodies. He also provided insight into prospects for the peace process and the current situation in the region, including recent progress between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Guy Ryder congratulated Minister Bayramov on securing the hosting of COP29 in Azerbaijan and affirmed the UNs readiness to provide full support. He also briefed about the Summit of the Future" planned to be held in New York in September this year on behalf of the UN Secretary General. The meeting also included discussions on regional issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 12:44 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more A historic opportunity has arisen for the signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Azernews reports that this was said by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov during the press conference on the results of the 9th tripartite meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye in Baku. "Today, along with other issues, I shared information about the post-conflict situation with Armenia, reconstruction and construction works, the return of internally displaced persons, the demining process. After the restoration of the territorial integrity of our country, a historic chance has arisen to achieve peace with Armenia, and Azerbaijan is taking the necessary steps for this. The international community should take positive steps to distract Armenia from revengeful ideas," said the minister. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 17:18 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a psychological support project for the healthy integration of the population in the liberated areas, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan's Health Minister Teymur Musayev as he saying this at the 6th panel discussion of the 11th Global Baku Forum themed "Fixing the Fractured World." He said that within the framework of the "I State Program on the Great Return", the government of Azerbaijan is carrying out construction and restoration works in the territories liberated from occupation. The concept of "health for everyone" is of particular importance in Azerbaijan in terms of ensuring the safe return of former IDPs to their homelands. "We are entering a new era called "Health for Everyone". This concept should not be taken as a fundamental responsibility addressed only to governments. Citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in healthy lifestyle programs and share responsibility for health with governments," the minister added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The DPRK held competitions among tank crews, during which new types of tanks were demonstrated, Azernews reports, citing the Korean Central Telegraph Agency (KCNA). "The competitions were held according to the division-by-division method. They are aimed at strictly checking the practical skills of tankers and working out methods of conducting combat operations on various tactical tasks. Distinguished tank crews from large tank formations participated in the competition," the agency said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Defense Minister Kang Soon Nam and Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army Lee Yong Gil attended the competition. "Comrade Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction that the new type of linear tank, which for the first time demonstrated its amazing combat capability at today's tank competitions, showed powerful striking force and maneuverability. He said that we can confidently be proud of our army's possession of the most powerful tank in the world," KCNA notes. After the competition, Kim Jong-un personally tested the new tank, taking the place of the driver. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 16 March 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Deputy Finance Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Japan Ruslan Tatikov and Masato Kanda held a meeting in Tokyo, where they discussed plans to create a Kyrgyz-Japanese Development Fund, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. According to the information, it is expected that this fund will contribute to increased investment, modernization and development of industry, as well as the effective expansion of economic cooperation and trade between the countries. It is reported that in addition, the issue of exchanging Kyrgyzstan's debt for climate projects was discussed. Issues of cooperation in the field of human resource development based on the implementation of the grant program of the Government of Japan for the training of civil servants (JDS*) were also discussed. Both sides noted successful trends in the development of cooperation between the two governments and expressed hope for further strengthening of friendly relations. Following the meeting, an agreement was reached on the exchange of experience in the field of reforming the financial management information system. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz In a bid to reshape the landscape of American labor practices, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont spearheaded a hearing on Thursday, advocating for his 'Thirty-Two Hour Work Week Act,' a renewed push to condense the standard US workweek to four days without any reduction in compensation. The bill, if passed, would gradually transition the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours over four years, along with adjustments to overtime compensation regulations for nonexempt employees. Sanders Advocates 32-Hour Workweek Despite GOP Opposition Sanders, in a statement, emphasized the need for change and claimed that moving to a 32-hour workweek with no loss of pay is "not a radical idea." "Today, American workers are over 400 percent more productive than they were in the 1940s. And yet, millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages than they were decades ago," he said in a statement. "That has got to change." California Democrat Senator Laphonza Butler will co-sponsor the bill alongside Sanders in the Senate, while Representative Mark Takano, also a California Democrat, will champion the bill in the House of Representatives. The hearing, chaired by Sanders and attended by notable figures like United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, delved into the socioeconomic ramifications and feasibility of a shortened workweek. During the proceedings, Sanders highlighted international examples, including France, Norway, and Denmark, where reduced workweeks have yielded positive outcomes. He pointed to studies suggesting that while American workers are toiling longer hours, their wages have stagnated, further fueling the urgency for legislative intervention. However, opposition emerged from Republican lawmakers like Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who cautioned against mandated reductions in work hours. Expressing concerns about potential repercussions on small businesses and industries, Cassidy argued that such policies might lead to layoffs or increased automation. Read Also: Expert Explains Why Gen Zs Prioritize Personal Lives Over Jobs: 'Work To Live,' Not 'Live To Work' Senate Resurrects Previous Bid to Reform Workweek Standards The Senate bill marks a resurgence of efforts to overhaul workweek standards in Congress, echoing a similar endeavor initiated in the House of Representatives. Democratic Representative Mark Takano of California reintroduced the companion legislation in March 2023, following its initial introduction in 2021. Despite garnering endorsement from the Congressional Progressive Caucus and generating online discourse, the bill faltered in advancing through Congress. The concept of a shorter workweek garnered widespread support from workers and labor advocates over the past few years, citing improved work-life balance and increased productivity reported in various trials and studies. A recent survey conducted by Morning Consult highlights broad backing for a four-day workweek among US workers. Out of the 1,047 individuals surveyed in 2023, an overwhelming majority-87%-indicated interest in a shortened workweek. Moreover, 82% of respondents expressed confidence that implementing a four-day workweek across the US would be successful. Nonetheless, the bill faces an uphill battle in Congress, given the current political landscape. While Democrats may rally behind Sanders' initiative, Republican resistance could stymie its progress, leaving its fate uncertain. Sanders' relentless advocacy reflects a broader societal shift towards reconsidering conventional work arrangements in light of evolving technological landscapes and changing workforce preferences. Whether his vision for a 32-hour workweek becomes a legislative reality hinges on intricate negotiations and compromises in the halls of Congress. Related Article: Sen. Bernie Sanders Calls on US Officials to Condition Aid for Israel Amid Gaza War @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 15 March 2024 19:56 (UTC+04:00) Turkiye is expected to reach natural gas production of 13 billion cubic meters annually by 2050, enough to power Istanbul and Ankara for 12 months, positioning it between Western markets and major energy suppliers in the Middle East and Russia, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. According to information compiled by Anadolu from the latest report prepared by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Turkiye is expected to incrementally increase its natural gas production in the Black Sea. This year, production from the Sakarya gas field in the Black Sea is estimated to reach 1.6 billion cubic meters, with the fields first-phase maximum production set to reach 3.5 billion cubic meters. With the completion of the development of the second phase of the Sakarya gas field, production is estimated to reach a total of 11 billion cubic meters per year. Emphasizing the importance of developments in the Sakarya field, the report said, "With the expansion of the Sakarya field and recent discoveries in the South Akcakoca Sub-Basin, Turkiye is on track to reach 20 billion cubic meters of production by 2040. However, in the absence of major discoveries, it is likely to fall to 13 billion cubic meters by 2050." Turkiye's steps closer to become regional hub With its pipeline connection to the rest of Europe and its reloading facilities at three of its regasification terminals, Turkiye has taken a step closer to becoming a regional hub. Russia and Turkiye have been discussing the establishment of an international gas hub in Turkiye since 2022, with Russian gas playing a significant role in this initiative. The report noted that Turkiye imported 54 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2022, 72% of which was purchased through pipelines. The report highlighted the countrys diversity of natural gas sources, with imports of natural gas via pipeline from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan, together with the countrys five liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals with a total annual capacity of 27 million tons. The report claimed that net natural gas imports will reach 55 billion cubic meters annually by 2050. "Turkiye experienced a huge development in its natural gas investment in 2022. The upstream gas investment increased by $1.6 billion to $2.3 billion in 2022, driven mainly by the first phase of the Sakarya project in the Black Sea. Over the long term, Turkiye is expected to reach a gas production of 13 bcm at an upstream capital investment of $8.7 billion," the report explained. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 15 March 2024 22:40 (UTC+04:00) The Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region has ruled in favor of Gazprom Export (GE) in the latter entitys lawsuit against Dutch gas transportation company Gasunie Transport Services (GTS) in which GE sought an injunction against the continuation of GTS international arbitration proceedings, a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom, Azernews reports, citing TASS. Further, the court ordered that GE be awarded penalties of 275.4 mln euros to be paid by GTS if the Dutch entity fails to comply with the injunction. "In case of failure by Gasunie Transport Services BV to comply with the ruling of the Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region on the prohibition on continuing the proceedings in the District Court of the Northern Netherlands (rechtbank Noord Nederland) <...> [the court hereby] awards in favor of Gazprom Export LLC 275.4 mln euros to be paid in rubles at the prevailing exchange rate of the Central Bank [of Russia]," the court ruling says. About dispute Gazprom Export sued to demand that GTS be prohibited from initiating and continuing arbitration proceedings against the Russian company in the District Court of the Northern Netherlands. Gazprom Export also demanded that it be awarded compensation should the Dutch company fail to comply with the court injunction. 16 March 2024 02:22 (UTC+04:00) Saudi Arabias electronic publication Swift News announced the start of the registration process for participation in the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF), Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency. The publication informs that the third Tashkent International Investment Forum will be held on May 2-3 of this year. TIIF is an important event not only for Uzbekistan, but also for the entire region. By tradition, its program includes a plenary session at the level of the head of state, more than 50 expert meetings dedicated to discussing various issues, including panel discussions, round tables and B2B negotiations, the message says. Washington / Oregon Coast Headed for Sunny, Warm Stretch - Portland Mid 70s Published 3/13/24 at 5:05 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Manzanita, Oregon) Some truly outstanding weather is coming to the Oregon and Washington coastline, while the inland portions and much of the I-5 Corridor will get into near record-breaking warm temps, climbing into the mid 70s. (Arch Cape, photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection) According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the entire Oregon coast and southern Washington coast are headed for a lot of sun starting on Thursday and likely going into Tuesday. Daytime highs will reach the low to mid 60s through the weekend, with sunny to mostly sunny conditions. Some areas will get up around 70 degrees, the NWS said, including possibly the north Washington coast near Forks. Everything from the tip of the Olympic Peninsula down through the south Oregon coast at Gold Beach and Brookings are heading for those lovely days, including Newport, Florence, Pacific City, Manzanita and Warrenton. Tuesday seems a turning point for many parts of the Pacific Northwest coast, with some areas going partly cloudy with some rain. See Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather In the Portland area, the weekend is at the peak of things with highs up around 73, although some other regional weather media are predicting 76-degree highs possible. Either way, the NWS said it's going to be quite warm for mid-March. Cape Blanco near Port Orford / Cape Blanco Heritage Society Climatologically the average March maximum temperature in Astoria is near 53 degrees, the NWS said. On Friday though, ensembles are showing highs ranging from 62-68 degrees Fahrenheit, and 66-71 degrees on Saturday. However, there is some wiggle room on those predictions, the NWS said, as forecast models have trouble handling rapid temperature shifts this time of year, something they called the shoulder season phenomena. A change in systems starts arriving on Monday, the NWS said, though at this time they are still predicting good amounts of sun for the Oregon coast and Washington possible into Tuesday. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Westport, courtesy Washington State Parks Near Gold Beach, courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for including the term of "consent" in the French law that defines rape. In France, the legal definition of rape encompasses the elements of "violence, coercion, threat or surprise," without explicitly addressing the concept of "consent." There is a growing demand from women's rights advocates to strengthen the law by encompassing the idea that any sexual activity without agree should be classified as rape. It is widely believed that a very small number of rape or attempted rape cases result in a conviction. Macron Vows to Add 'Consent' to Rape Law The organization Choisir La Cause des Femmes (Choosing Women's Cause) released a video of the meeting, which was verified by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday. Macron's decision to include consent in the law is in response to increasing demands from advocates for women's rights for better the law's protections against sexual violence. A group of lawmakers are currently working on a report that examines the possibility of including consent into the current law. The report is set to be presented in mid-April. Marie-Charlotte Garin, a lawmaker from the Greens, stated her appreciation for Macron's position, seeing it as a major move forward for women's rights. However, France stood among several nations opposing the inclusion of a consent-based definition of rape in a recent EU law. Critics argued that rape lacks the requisite transnational dimension to warrant common penalties across the European Union. Despite this, Macron expressed his intent to revise French law, emphasizing that rape isn't solely a "eurocrime." Earlier this month, the French Parliament made an important choice by signing a constitutional amendment, which solidifies abortion rights as a fundamental part of the nation's law. Macron also promised to include this right in the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights. Meanwhile, the discussion between Macron and the feminist association Choisir la cause des femmes on International Women's Day sparked exchanges related to approval in rape cases. Macron expressed his dedication to enshrine consent into French law, echoing the sentiments expressed in the confirmed video by AFP, according to Le Monde. Read Also: Bragg Asks for Brief Delay in Trump's Manhattan Trial Due to New Records Macron's Consent Stance Draws Criticism Currently, the term of rape under French law includes sexual acts that are committed under situations involving threats, force, unexpectedly or violence. Macron seeks to deal with this issue by actively including the notion of approval, in line with the approach taken by several other EU nations. The National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) defined the critical need for legal reform to address the issue of sexual violence. They pointed out that the high prevalence of such violence is a serious failure of French criminal policy. However, Macron's apparent change of stance on the issue caused criticism, especially considering France's opposition to a consent-based definition in the European directive meant for combating violence against women. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti has expressed objections about including consent in the Criminal Code, as he believes it may place an additional burden on victims to provide evidence of consent. MEP Nathalie Colin-Oesterle expressed dissatisfaction over France's unexpected shift in position, raising questions about the sincerity of Macron's recent support of consent. In a similar vein, Senator Melanie Vogel spoke of her criticism of Macron's perceived opportunism, accusing him of cynicism. The CNCDH identified the possibility of damage to France's reputation due to its in disagreement stance on approval within the EU directive. It advised that these inconsistencies might negatively impact the nation's standing on a global scale, EURACTIV reported. Related Article: James Crumbley Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter Month After Wife Found Guilty of Same Charges @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Autumn Spredemann at The Epoch Times Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants are flooding into U.S. hospitals for treatment and leaving billions in uncompensated health care costs in their wake. The House Committee on Homeland Security recently released a report illustrating that from the estimated $451 billion in annual costs stemming from the U.S. border crisis, a significant portion is going to health care for illegal immigrants. With the majority of the illegal immigrant population lacking any kind of medical insurance, hospitals and government welfare programs such as Medicaid are feeling the weight of these unanticipated costs. Apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the U.S. border have jumped 48 percent since the record in fiscal year 2021 and nearly tripled since fiscal year 2019, according to Customs and Border Protection data. Last year broke a new record high for illegal border crossings, surpassing more than 3.2 million apprehensions. And with that sea of humanity comes the need for health care and, in most cases, the inability to pay for it. In January, CEO of Denver Health Donna Lynne told reporters that 8,000 illegal immigrants made roughly 20,000 visits to the citys health system in 2023. The total bill for uncompensated care costs last year to the system totaled $140 million, said Dane Roper, public information officer for Denver Health. More than $10 million of it was attributed to care for new immigrants, he told The Epoch Times. Though the amount of debt assigned to illegal immigrants is a fraction of the total, uncompensated care costs in the Denver Health system have risen dramatically over the past few years. The total uncompensated costs in 2020 came to $60 million, Mr. Roper said. In 2022, the number doubled, hitting $120 million. He also said their city hospitals are treating issues such as respiratory illnesses, GI [gastro-intenstinal] illnesses, dental disease, and some common chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes. The perspective weve been trying to emphasize all along is that providing healthcare services for an influx of new immigrants who are unable to pay for their care is adding additional strain to an already significant uncompensated care burden, Mr. Roper said. He added this is why a local, state, and federal response to the needs of the new illegal immigrant population is so important. Colorado is far from the only state struggling with a trail of unpaid hospital bills. Dr. Robert Trenschel, CEO of the Yuma Regional Medical Center situated on the ArizonaMexico border, said on average, illegal immigrants cost up to three times more in human resources to resolve their cases and provide a safe discharge. Some [illegal] migrants come with minor ailments, but many of them come in with significant disease, Dr. Trenschel said during a congressional hearing last year. Weve had migrant patients on dialysis, cardiac catheterization, and in need of heart surgery. Many are very sick. He said many illegal immigrants who enter the country and need medical assistance end up staying in the ICU ward for 60 days or more. A large portion of the patients are pregnant women whove had little to no prenatal treatment. This has resulted in an increase in babies being born that require neonatal care for 30 days or longer. Dr. Trenschel told The Epoch Times last year that illegal immigrants were overrunning healthcare services in his town, leaving the hospital with $26 million in unpaid medical bills in just 12 months. ER Duty to Care The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986 requires that public hospitals participating in Medicare must medically screen all persons seeking emergency care regardless of payment method or insurance status. The numbers are difficult to gauge as the policy position of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is that it will not require hospital staff to ask patients directly about their citizenship or immigration status. In southern California, again close to the border with Mexico, some hospitals are struggling with an influx of illegal immigrants. American patients are enduring longer wait times for doctor appointments due to a nursing shortage in the state, two health care professionals told The Epoch Times in January. A health care worker at a hospital in Southern California, who asked not to be named for fear of losing her job, told The Epoch Times that the entire health care system is just being bombarded by a steady stream of illegal immigrants. Our healthcare system is so overwhelmed, and then add on top of that tuberculosis, COVID-19, and other diseases from all over the world, she said. A newly-enacted law in California provides free healthcare for all illegal immigrants residing in the state. The law could cost taxpayers between $3 billion and $6 billion per year, according to recent estimates by state and federal lawmakers. In New York, where the illegal immigration crisis has manifested most notably beyond the southern border, city and state officials have long been accommodating of illegal immigrants healthcare costs. Since June 2014, when then-mayor Bill de Blasio set up The Task Force on Immigrant Health Care Access, New York City has worked to expand avenues for illegal immigrants to get free health care. New York City has a moral duty to ensure that all its residents have meaningful access to needed health care, regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay, Mr. de Blasio stated in a 2015 report. The report notes that in 2013, nearly 64 percent of illegal immigrants were uninsured. Since then, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants have settled in the city. The uninsured rate for undocumented immigrants is more than three times that of other noncitizens in New York City (20 percent) and more than six times greater than the uninsured rate for the rest of the city (10 percent), the report states. The report states that because healthcare providers dont ask patients about documentation status, the task force lacks data specific to undocumented patients. Some health care providers say a big part of the issue is that without a clear path to insurance or payment for non-emergency services, illegal immigrants are going to the hospital due to a lack of options. Its insane, and it has been for years at this point, Dana, a Texas emergency room nurse who asked to have her full name omitted, told The Epoch Times. Working for a major hospital system in the greater Houston area, Dana has seen a zillion migrants pass through under her watch with no end in sight. She said many who are illegal immigrants arrive with treatable illnesses that require simple antibiotics. Not a lot of GPs [general practitioners] will see you if you cant pay and dont have insurance. She said the undocumented crowd tends to arrive with a lot of the same conditions. Many find their way to Houston not long after crossing the southern border. Some of the common health issues Dana encounters include dehydration, unhealed fractures, respiratory illnesses, stomach ailments, and pregnancy-related concerns. This isnt a new problem, its just worse now, Dana said. Medicaid Factor One of the main government healthcare resources illegal immigrants use is Medicaid. All those who dont qualify for regular Medicaid are eligible for Emergency Medicaid, regardless of immigration status. By doing this, the program helps pay for the cost of uncompensated care bills at qualifying hospitals. However, some loopholes allow access to the regular Medicaid benefits. Qualified noncitizens who havent been granted legal status within five years still qualify if theyre listed as a refugee, an asylum seeker, or a Cuban or Haitian national. Yet the lions share of Medicaid usage by illegal immigrants still comes through state-level benefits and emergency medical treatment. A Congressional report highlighted data from the CMS, which showed total Medicaid costs for emergency services for undocumented aliens in fiscal year 2021 surpassed $7 billion, and totaled more than $5 billion in fiscal 2022. Both years represent a significant spike from the $3 billion in fiscal 2020. An employee working with Medicaid who asked to be referred to only as Jennifer out of concern for her job, told The Epoch Times that at a state level, its easy for an illegal immigrant to access the program benefits. Jennifer said that when exceptions are sent from states to CMS for approval, denial is actually super rare. Its usually always approved. She also said it comes as no surprise that many of the states with the highest amount of Medicaid spending are sanctuary states, which tend to have policies and laws that shield illegal immigrants from federal immigration authorities. Moreover, Jennifer said there are ways for states to get around CMS guidelines. Its not easy, but it can and has been done. The first generation of illegal immigrants who arrive to the United States tend to be healthy enough to pass any pre-screenings, but Jennifer has observed that the subsequent generations tend to be sicker and require more access to care. If a family is illegally present, they tend to use Emergency Medicaid or nothing at all. The Epoch Times asked Medicaid Services to provide the most recent data for the total uncompensated care that hospitals have reported. The agency didnt respond. Related Legislation In Florida, a new 2023 law requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to collect and submit to the state information on patients immigration status (although the person can decline to answer). Gov. Ron DeSantis said the legislation is fighting back against reckless federal government policies and ensuring the Florida taxpayers are not footing the bill for illegal immigration. The Epoch Times requested the most recent report detailing the total uncompensated care costs attributed to illegal immigrants from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, but didnt receive a response. The Jackson Health System in Florida offers a discount on services to those without insurance, but they dont make payment arrangements. A representative named Elsie told The Epoch Times, We do offer a 70 percent discount to a patient that does not have insurance; however, they must have no insurance at all. The 70 percent discount is offered off the total charge of the bill. When asked what happens if a patient refuses to give an ID or provide any personal information at the hospital, Elsie said another department gets involved. If they are refusing to give information and want to be seen [by a doctor], the escalation team goes ahead to review all that information to see the reason behind why they dont want to provide information at the time of service. Other state legislators have also decried the amount of taxpayer money going to illegal immigrant healthcare. In Illinois, the states program of health benefits for undocumented immigrants is estimated to cost $990 million for fiscal year 2024, said state Rep. Norine Hammond, a Republican, during a 2023 press conference. She said its a $768 million, or 346 percent, increase over fiscal year 2023. Illinois taxpayers are already on the hook for more than $2 billion in costs to provide free healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants. When is enough enough? state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer said in a November 2023 statement. Mr. Davidsmeyer filed legislation in October 2023 to repeal the TRUST Act, ending Illinois status as a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants. In Maryland, lawmakers are seeking to create private insurance options. On March 8, the Maryland Senate passed the Access to Care Act, which would allow illegal immigrants to buy health insurance in the state. Some members of Congress have also been spurred into action. On Jan. 17, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) introduced the Protect Medicaid Act, which aims to prevent federal taxpayer dollars from being used to administer or provide Medicaid benefits to illegal immigrants. Liberal states, like California, have abused loopholes to provide Medicaid to illegal immigrants at the expense of hardworking taxpayers, Mr. Hudson said. Not only is this against the law, but it further incentivizes more illegal crossings at our border. With reporting by Brad Jones. As reported on WTIB radio this morning, an illegal alien on the terrorist watch list has been arrested in Gates County, right here in rural eastern North Carolina. He was arrested on another matter and tried to take away the deputy's gun to use against him, but the deputy kept control. After he was booked, the sheriff's department found he was on a "no bail" list of the very worst potential terrorists on the watch list. The sheriff's department found "military style equipment" at his residence. There is no word yet on when and how he got across the border, whether the Biden greeters at the border just let him in without vetting him or whether he took advantage of the weak border security to sneak across. But he was right here in eastern North Carolina where he was hiding out. Also reported on WTIB this morning, NC's own conservative Senator Ted Budd attempted to get the Laken Riley Act, already passed by the House, on the Senate calendar for consideration. This bill would require that illegal aliens who commit a list of crimes in the US be detained and deported. The Democrats blocked consideration. Biden and his Democrats are repeatedly showing their hands as globalist enemies of the American people. It is only a matter of time before we see a major terrorist event result from Biden's open borders. We are already seeing way too much crime result from it. An official government advisory panel has finally said the quiet part out loud. Pushing so-called "climate justice" really means restrictions on our freedom. "Climate justice" is a term often bandied about by the Biden regime. The Ethics Council, a body created by German law to advise the government and others on how to adjust to actions deemed necessary to fight "climate change" has issued an opinion saying that restrictions on freedom by government may be required. "If one's own exercise of freedom interferes in an unjust manner with the freedom and welfare of others or of future generations, the authorities may intervene with restrictions on freedom," the council declared. https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/german-ethics-council-restricting-freedoms-may-be-necessary-to-fight-climate-change/ This validates the warning issued over a decade ago by Dr. Vaclav Klaus, who is a former Czech Republic prime minister and president, who warned that climate alarmism is "a budding totalitarian ideology that is the greatest threat to freedom, democracy, and prosperity in the world today." Under the cover of Covid, and now in the shadow of the infamous Election Irregularities of that fated 2020 presidential election, with current emerging alleged election fraud in Nevada and Pennsylvania inconveniently slipping into the public discourse, there is proved a colluded ongoing Election Interference in the nomination of the Republican candidate, the likes of which has never occurred in our Constitutional Republic's history, albeit, the question remains: Do you support the plain-sight Election Interference of the Democratic Socialist party, employing its minions in their Propagandistic Media, and their Two Tiered Justice System? 98.7% No, I do not support Election Interference; I am a patriot unto our Constitution.1.3% Yes, I do support Election Interference; the alternative, Donald Trump, to this mentally diminished president is far worse.0% "What, me worry" if elections are rigged? By Zachary Stieber at The Epoch Times A large number of drone incursions are happening at the U.S.-Mexico border, a U.S. Department of Defense official said on March 14. Its my understanding, theres been a lot of drone incursions along our southern border. How many drone incursions have we had and what are they doing? Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) asked Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot during a Senate hearing. I dont know the actual numberI dont think anybody doesbut its in the thousands, Gen. Guillot said. He later added that there are likely more than 1,000 incursions happening at the border per month. The general, who became commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in February, said he recently spoke with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Justice officials learned about the surprising number of incursions. He described becoming alarmed. Are the incursions a defense threat to the homeland? They alarm me from being the person responsible for homeland defense, Gen. Guillot said. I havent seen any of them manifest in a threat to the level of national defense but I see the potential only growing. NORAD is a United States and Canadian organization whose work includes the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands. NORTHCOM leads the militarys homeland defense efforts. The hearing was held by the Senate Armed Services Committee. The subject of Mexican military incursions at the border did not come up. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman of the committee, inquired as to whether military base commanders were equipped with standard operating procedures in dealing with unmanned aircraft. The services do have authorities, but work remains to be done to ensure that we have standardized operating procedures to address those threats, Gen. Guillot said. And also work remains to be done to be able to use especially the non-kinetic capabilities that can bring down those systems safely, without interfering with our airspace structure. He said he was planning to recommend to the Pentagon and Congress ways NORAD can help develop those procedures after a 90-day assessment of NORAD and NORTHCOM is finished. Other Comments From New Commander Gen. Guillot also touched on a number of additional subjects during the hearing, his first since taking command. At one point, he said he was concerned about how many Chinese nationals are crossing into the United States. The number of Chinese that are coming across the border is a big concern of mine, he said. In fact, in the short period of time that Ive been in command, Ive gone down to the southern border to talk to the agents and leadership about that. And then Ive also spoken with the acting commissioner of the CBP on this subject. He added: What concerns me most about specifically the Chinese migrants isone, that theyre so centralized in one location on the border. And two, is while many may be political refugees, other explanations, the ability for counterintelligence to hide in plain sight in those numbers. Gen. Guillot also disclosed that Russia flew bombers near U.S. and Canadian airspace earlier in March but turned back before reaching the Air Defense Identification Zone, and said Chinese planes could follow. Gen. Guillot also told lawmakers that NORAD has improved its radars since officials allowed a Chinese balloon into American airspace in 2023. That has allowed us to have better domain awareness in that, he said. Gaps in the system, he added, are slated to be address by a new radar being introduced. Healthgrades recently released its rankings for the best hospitals in the U.S. for cardiac surgery, including three in Illinois. The rankings recognize hospitals that deliver superior patient outcomes in heart bypass surgery and heart valve surgery. Read more on the publication's ranking methodology here. Here are the leaders of the Illinois hospitals and health systems that were included in the rankings: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (Park Ridge) Eugene Woods, CEO Jim Skogsbergh, CEO Brad Clark, CFO and executive vice president Scott Rissmiller, MD, chief physician executive and executive vice president Mary Beth Kingston, PhD, RN, chief nursing officer and executive vice president Rush University Medical Center (Chicago) Omar Lateef, DO, president and CEO Matt Walsh, COO Patricia Steeves O'Neil, CFO Angelique Richard, PhD, RN, chief nursing officer Silver Cross Hospital (New Lenox) Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is in the process of bringing its MyChart system back online after it was taken offline Jan. 31 in the wake of a cyberattack. In a March 14 update on its website, Lurie said the process of restoring MyChart will take place "in the coming days." The restoration will bring back functionalities such as online scheduling, e-check-in, provider messaging, medication refill requests and bill pay. Lurie said on social media platform X that it anticipates "high volume" of MyChart activity. The attack forced Lurie Children's to take its IT and phone systems offline. The Rhysida ransomware is claiming responsibility for the hack. Even though Oracle Health is one of the largest EHR vendors in the world, the company does way more than that, its general manager says. Oracle Health also provides healthcare data intelligence, a clinical documentation tool and "military-grade" cybersecurity, Seema Verma said at this week's HIMSS 2024 conference in Orlando, Fla. "Oracle Health is not just an EHR company," Ms. Verma said. "We aim to transform the entire (healthcare) system to deliver a connected ecosystem through technology that is efficient, easy to implement, and where data not only flows with the patient, but it's clean, normalized and can interpret structured and unstructured data to provide insights and meaning for its users." Ms. Verma, who headed CMS during the Trump administration, recently expanded her role at Oracle to become general manager of Oracle Health, formerly known as Cerner. She spoke at HIMSS to introduce the company's Oracle Health Data Intelligence platform (formerly known as Healthy Intent) for analytics and care management. The program uses generative artificial intelligence to summarize patient journeys for care managers. "Oracle Health Data Intelligence is the cornerstone of our strategy to realize the vision of interoperability, the power of meaningful data to enable value-based care, drive better outcomes and lower costs," Ms. Verma said. Oracle Health plans to release a modernized patient portal in the coming months, while a payment system that allows for credit card use and a solution for providers and payers to exchange clinical data are coming later this year, she said. She also touted the company's RevElate patient accounting application and its use by Clearwater, Fla.-based BayCare Health System and Charleston, W.Va.-based Vandalia Health. Ms. Verma said Oracle's "military-grade security" protects providers and payers from the "terrorists" who have been roiling the industry with cyberattacks. And she predicted that Oracle Health's AI-powered Clinical Digital Assistant will be the "biggest antidote to provider burnout that we've ever seen." She said the company will soon realize the vision Oracle had when it acquired EHR vendor Cerner in 2022 for $28.3 billion. "Despite challenges, I have never been more hopeful for our future because, for the first time, advances in AI and other technologies hold the potential to revolutionize patient care and outcomes to reduce the administrative burden," she said. Healthcare leaders are addressing ongoing concerns over the future of Dallas-based Steward Health Care's nine Massachusetts hospitals, their patients, employees and trainees as the health system continues to battle financial challenges. Many of Steward's hospitals have various medical and nursing student programs, including post-graduate learners, Robert Goldstein, MD, PhD, commissioner of the state department of health, said during a March 13 public health council meeting. Should any of the health system's hospitals close, this could impact future healthcare workforce training. "We're working to catalog all of these to identify the number of students in each of the facilities and then to think about eventual placements should a facility need to no longer take students of any type," Dr. Goldstein said. "It is a big issue, I would say in particular it's a huge issue in nursing, because there are very limited nursing placements across the state, and as everyone knows, we have a nursing workforce shortage." Judith Pare', PhD, MSN, is the director of the division of nursing education at Massachusetts Nurses Association and an associate lecturer for the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Dr. Pare' told Becker's she fears that if the hospitals close, the existing nursing shortage could worsen. "It is just one more layer of this crisis," Dr. Pare' said. "We will have to deal with it just like we dealt with the onslaught of the COVID surges, and I don't say that lightly. I'm very proud of the fact that nurses are nothing if not resilient. We will have to regroup. We will look at potentially the use of simulation where we need to if we can't reassign students should that occur." Dr. Pare' has been in communication with nurses at Steward's Massachusetts hospitals, with many of them residing in the communities where the hospitals are located. "Their number one concern is the patients that they serve," Dr. Pare' said. "God forbid a hospital closed that would shut off access for their neighbors, for their family members, for their congregation. That is a concern. Where will these people get care?" The areas where many of Steward's hospitals are located include some of the most marginalized, ill, and poor patients in the state's population, Dr. Pare' said. "My overwhelming concern is we cannot have these hospitals close," Dr. Pare' said. "It will devastate healthcare for our already marginalized patients in the Commonwealth." Monitors from the state health department's bureau of healthcare and safety are currently in eight of Steward's nine hospitals to monitor supply levels, acute patient safety concerns, and staffing levels. "If anything comes from those monitoring events, we do what is necessary following that, meaning we do a formal investigation either under our state licensure authority or under our authority granted to us by CMS to make sure that we're following up, a corrective action plan is put in place, and quality is maintained in the system," Dr. Goldstein said during the public health council meeting. Dr. Pare' shared her concerns over nurses leaving the field all together should a hospital close. "There are jobs out there," she said. "I don't want a nurse leaving nursing because they are discouraged, frustrated, and unable to feel like they've made a difference. Every morning I get up and I feel privileged that I can contribute and make a difference. I want every nurse at night to say, 'I'm exhausted, this is the hardest job I've ever had, but I did make a difference.'" Steward has repeatedly said that it has no plans to close its hospitals and is instead looking to transfer ownership of all nine hospitals in Massachusetts. "We are 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 shared with Becker's. "We are committed to continuity of care in our communities." Most recently, New Bedford, Mass.-based Southcoast Health expressed interest in buying Steward's Fall River, Mass.-based Saint Anne's Hospital. "Southcoast Health is actively engaged with appropriate stakeholders in discussions about our region's evolving healthcare landscape," David McCready, president and CEO of Southcoast Health, said in a March 11 statement shared with Becker's. "We believe strongly that the best solution for our community and its people is for St. Anne's Hospital to join the Southcoast Health family." The United States Senate is set to take its time in considering a bill that was quickly passed by the House of Representatives for a TikTok ban amid concerns about a security threat. On Wednesday, the House voted 352-65 in favor of the new bill, only eight days after the proposal was introduced. While there is broad support in the Senate for taking action to address national security threats from foreign apps such as TikTok, there is no agreement on the right approach to take. Senate Takes Up TikTok Ban Bill During an interview, Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell said that she hopes for legislation to address broad concerns regarding foreign apps that would hold up in court. She said that she is not sure that the House bill goes far enough to address her concerns. Cantwell argued that they would probably have a better grasp on the situation in a week and would have an idea of what their options are. She did say that they want to use the strongest possible tool at their disposal, according to Reuters. A leading Democrat on tech issues, Sen. Ron Wyden, said that he is still reviewing the newly passed House bill. He said that he has serious concerns regarding any app that gives the Chinese government access to American people's private data. However, he argued that mistakes are made when lawmakers rush to legislate on tech and social media. The top Republican on the Commerce Committee, Sen. Ted Cruz, said that the new bill would be open to a "full amendment process," which could result in significantly delaying any action that officials can take. On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that only the Senate would review the legislation but did not give any timeline for action. On Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was on Capitol Hill to attend a second day of meetings with senators. Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said that there is a need for action on TikTok due to its parent company having links to China. He said that the threat stems from the fact that under existing Chinese law, any information that any Chinese company collects must be shared with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), said NBC News. Read Also: Trump Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Eyes Purchase of TikTok As Company Faces US Ban National Security Threat However, he noted that the Senate will not act as quickly as the House did, saying that they do things slowly because it takes time to make proper decisions. In order to break a filibuster, the chamber will require 60 votes. Some senators have also said that the national security threat that TikTok poses is urgent and others said that they are willing to support the new House bill. However, others want to take a broader approach that would encompass various foreign-controlled apps rather than singling out one company. Following the House's approval and awaiting a Senate decision, Americans could lose access to TikTok within months. The situation comes as lawmakers have long tried to regulate the social media platform. On the other hand, TikTok has repeatedly said that it would deny requests made by the Chinese government to share Americans' private data. The company also pointed to "Project Texas," which is an initiative that TikTok started in 2022 in order to safeguard American users' data on servers in the U.S. to ease lawmakers' concerns, according to CBS News. Related Article: Trump's Most Loyal Defenders in Congress Are Bucking Him Over TikTok Stance @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Karen Lynch, president and CEO of CVS Health, says she once considered herself "the plainest person you could ever meet." In a March 14 LinkedIn post, Ms. Lynch described her upbringing in a Massachusetts mill town and said that if you asked her what her career goal was in high school or college, she likely wouldn't have aimed very high. "At that time, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a specific kind of individual considered to be leadership material, and as a result, able to access broad professional opportunities," Ms. Lynch wrote. "Those individuals didnt look like me or have my background." Despite working hard throughout college and landing professional roles for years thereafter, she was told she didn't fit the profile for a senior executive role at a large company. She recalls one incident, early in her career, when she was invited to a meeting of senior managers in her division. When she asked one where to sit, he said, "Sit in the back, not at the table, because women just take up space." Now, at the helm of a $357.8 billion company, Ms. Lynch has been named one of the most influential CEOs in the world. She has also been selected as Fortune's most powerful woman in business, three years in a row. She explores her journey in a new memoir to be published soon called "Taking Up Space: Get Heard, Deliver Results, and Make a Difference." Read her full LinkedIn post here. Physicians at Salem (Mass.) Hospital, a Mass General Brigham facility, have voted to form a union with Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Union officials announced the results in a Facebook post March 13, saying that the Salem Hospital Physicians Union comprises attending physicians of the hospital, representing multiple inpatient specialties, who are "dedicated to advocating for their patients, their profession, and for each other to ensure that their members have a unified and impactful role in the decisions that affect the safety and quality of care of their patients." "Physicians are uniquely placed to be not only the most personally invested in their individual patients, but also the most knowledgeable about how that care should be provided. They seek to collect their voices to reassert their rightful place within the house of medicine, to impact positively their hospital, their patients, and ultimately, our healthcare system," the officials wrote. The vote comes after union officials announced the unionization effort in January. The union, which is based in Boston and affiliated with AFSCME International, represents approximately 45,000 public and private sector workers in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Patrick Gordan, MD, associate chief medical officer at Salem Hospital, shared the following statement with Becker's: "As an organization dedicated to providing the very best care to our community, we recognize the importance of partnering with our physicians and staff to support their professional journeys. While we are disappointed with the outcome of the election, we remain dedicated to working with our physicians and staff and focusing on the needs of our patients and community." Union activity has always been prevalent in healthcare. However, in recent years, physicians have been more involved in these efforts as they increasingly choose employment over private practice, according to the American Medical Association. In 1998, the AMA estimated that between 14,000 and 20,000 physicians belonged to unions. That number appeared to grow to 46,689 in 2014 and reach 67,673 in 2019. Generative artificial intelligence was the talk of this week's HIMSS 2024 conference in Orlando, Fla., with executives discussing their health systems' plans for the technology. But how do healthcare leaders employ ChatGPT and similar platforms during their day-to-day jobs? Becker's asked 12 executives at HIMSS '24 how they've used generative AI at work. Here are their responses: Crystal Broj. Chief Digital Transformation Officer of MUSC Health (Charleston, S.C.): Every day I'm on there looking up like, "How can I say this better so it sounds better?" Or "Take these three ideas and organize it in a certain way," "write a letter about this to someone," or "I have a job description for a change manager and I want to include this and this and this." It's like having an intern, right? You could tell the intern to go do this stuff and bring it back but then you always have to look at it. You have to have that person in the mix: "Well, no, I wouldn't say that, or this isn't how I would word it." Ann Cappellari, MD. Chief Medical Information Officer of SSM Health (St. Louis): Very recently, I had generative AI create a business document comparing a couple of different solutions. And it probably took an hour off my time in creating something immediately that would have taken me an hour or more just to look up what type of construct it is and how it should be and fill in basic stuff. I had to edit it a lot, but it still helped me immensely. Eve Cunningham, MD. Chief of Virtual Care and Digital Health at Providence (Renton, Wash.): I am really having fun experimenting with Bing Image Creator. If you look at my LinkedIn, I have lots of posts where I created images with it. I mean, it doesn't always get everything right. I did this one recently that was an OR setup, and it was just hilarious. I had to use it though, because it was just so cute. The camera doesn't quite look right. I don't know what that thing is it's like an alien or something in the background. There's no port where the laparoscope is going in. But you know what, it was close enough. Erik Decker. Chief Information Security Officer of Intermountain Health (Salt Lake City): I've asked it to help look at the tone of my emails. And it'll tell me like, "You need to change this or change that." And I do it. I do exactly what it says. And it's like, "No, you've got to change it this way." And I'm like, "I just did that." One time, I spent like five minutes writing an email and I was like, OK, I'm just going to send the email. Stephen Dorner, MD. Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer of Mass General Brigham Healthcare at Home (Somerville, Mass.): I haven't used it in the workspace space yet, but I think there's a lot of interest. And it's cool. It's also a little strange, right? I've played with it for more personal stuff, things like "How can I set up my backyard?" It told me I should put a pond in my backyard. And my backyard is not big enough for a pond. It's not big enough for a pool, much less a pond. It has lofty goals. So maybe I should use it for work and see what it does. Nick Frenzer. Population Health and Implementation Executive at Epic: When I'm trying to succinctly write something and I can say, "Here are the five points I want to get across," and give it a prompt, it gives me a good starting point. It's kind of similar to one thing we're doing for the providers with generative AI, which is proposing draft responses to patients. Gary Fritz. Chief of Applications at Stanford Health Care (Palo Alto, Calif.): Our development group created an AI bot and search engine that allows you to use AI to reach into all of the Stanford internal knowledge resources. So we not only can go outside, we can go inside, which is really powerful. Bill Giard. Chief Technology Officer of Blue Shield of California: We have rolled out Microsoft Copilot. That certainly is very helpful. Number one, we can turn it on and off depending on the nature of the meeting that we're having. So Teams has quite heavy usage, where you summarize actions, you're summarizing key insights. Sometimes you're busy and you join a meeting a few minutes late, and so you're getting caught up on the discussion that you've had. One of the most surprising ones that we've had an uptick from our employee base is Copilot for internal document sharing so its ability to actually comb through various different sets of documents on our internal loaded document repository, whether that's SharePoint hosted in Microsoft to other files, and being able to pull relevant pieces of information that you would normally search for. It does quite an adept job of finding and synthesizing information. Sherri Hess, BSN, RN. Chief Nursing Informatics Officer of HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.): Bing has a feature where you can create pictures. I said, "Give me a picture of a nurse with a patient." I didn't really like that one. I said, "No, make it a female nurse. Make it younger. Give them a hat. Make it a sketch." You could do watercolor. And it made this sketch: The nurse standing there, the patient's in bed, and I'm like, "Nobody else has that." So I created an image in less than five minutes, as opposed to going out and looking for something or using one of ours. I put it on one of my PowerPoint presentations. Bryan Sisk, DNP, RN. Chief Nurse Executive of Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston): Right now, I don't because we're still so early in vetting it. Some individuals use it for helping frame out different letters and stuff like that. I don't personally. But it's coming. When you see some of the integrations that are on the horizon for Microsoft or calendar management, I think that's probably where I will end up seeing it. Eric Smith. Chief Digital Officer of Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston): I've played around with ChatGPT. Not on our network. I have to do it outside of that because we block it, as you would expect. A lot of it for me is just research or how you create a policy around this or that, and use it as a starting point. Brendan Watkins. Chief Analytics Officer of Stanford Children's Health (Palo Alto, Calif.): I use it all the time. I'm a ChatGPT subscriber. Just the other day I wrote a letter of recommendation for somebody who just has moved on to a different country and is a brilliant person. So I wrote the letter of recommendation, put it into GPT and said, "Hey, how would you improve this?" It has to come from my voice. So I looked at the rewrite, and I said well, OK, I'll take maybe 5-10% of that. And I rewrote it with it. It had a better use of language or a different perspective on things. So I incorporated that, very much as an augmentative tool. CMS has sent a letter to HCA Healthcare's Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., to notify leadership that the hospital was found in violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act and must take action or risk losing federal funding, according to a letter obtained by the Citizen Times. In a March 14 letter addressed to Chad Patrick, CEO of Mission Hospital and Asheville Surgery Center, CMS gave the hospital until March 24 to submit a plan of correction to address deficiencies and avoid losing Medicare funding. "Unless Memorial Mission Hospital and Asheville Surgery Center has achieved substantial compliance within 90 days (June 5, 2024) of the date of this notice, the Medicare provider agreement between Memorial Mission Hospital and Asheville Surgery Center and [HHS] may be terminated," CMS said in its preliminary determination letter. The notice marks the second time in recent months the hospital has faced the possible loss of federal funding related to a series of site visits last year. In November, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services concluded a survey at Memorial Mission Hospital and Asheville Surgery Center on behalf of CMS based on a reported allegation of noncompliance with EMTALA, CMS said in its letter. EMTALA, enacted in 1986, requires that Medicare hospitals provide all patients appropriate emergency care regardless of state laws or mandates that apply to specific procedures. CMS said Mission failed to comply with EMTALA standards on medical screening exams. Hospital officials acknowledged receipt of the March 14 letter from CMS and addressed the agency's finding. "One finding from the initial survey was based on a medical screening examination in the emergency department," Nancy Lindell, a spokesperson for the hospital, said in a statement sent to Becker's March 15. "This subsequent 90-day standard notice was an expected part of this process and means that specific elements of our approved plan of correction will also be examined and re-surveyed in tandem with the revisit to ensure that this EMTALA finding has been addressed." The March 14 letter from CMS comes after Mission received a notice of immediate jeopardy from CMS Feb. 1 stemming from serious deficiencies it was cited for in January that centered around policies related to emergency department care. CMS in February found Mission in compliance with its plan of correction to address the issues. While CMS determined the hospital was no longer in immediate jeopardy last month, some nurses contend that steps to correct immediate jeopardy at Mission have "backslid." The previous immediate jeopardy status also stemmed from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services inspections at the hospital late last year on behalf of CMS and, once the immediate jeopardy status was lifted, CMS notified the hospital it has until June 5 to come back into full compliance and avoid losing federal funding. "As we continue to state, we take these matters very seriously and have made significant process changes to improve our patient care experience," Ms. Lindell said. "Ongoing measurement of various indicators, including EMS offload times and patient satisfaction, validates what we are hearing from our patients, providers and EMS partners that our care teams are excellent and significant improvement in emergency care has been recognized." Copley Hospital in Morristown, Vt., is facing a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by its former emergency department director, who is alleging the hospital retaliated against him after he raised safety concerns related to the switch to a new records system, according to a report from VTDiggerVTDigger. Liam Gannon, MD, was a senior emergency department physician when hospital administrators terminated him in November, according to the lawsuit filed March 6 in Vermont Superior Court. Court documents cited by VTDigger state that in 2020, Dr. Gannon tested a new records system the hospital was considering adopting and found it "could cause issues such as delayed or missed orders, which could in turn affect patient safety and the quality of patient care." After the new software was fully adopted, the lawsuit alleges "numerous safety offenses relating to the new system" were reported to the quality department, and that leadership grew increasingly antagonistic toward the physician until he ultimately stepped down from his position as ED director in March 2023. He was ultimately terminated in November, the suit alleges, after having raised concerns surrounding the performance of the physician who replaced him. In the months after his termination, several current and former employees wrote letters to hospital leadership protesting his firing, according to VTDigger. Nancy Banks, who was chair of the hospital's board of trustees at the time of Dr. Gannon's firing, decided not to seek another term when her term ended in January. The physician's firing, she told the news outlet, "was one of several items" that led to her decision. "As a hospital, we do take seriously the responsibility to protect the right to privacy for our patients, providers, and all of our employees," Emily McKenna, executive director of development, marketing and community relations at Copley, told VTDigger; she declined to comment on Dr. Gannon's firing. Becker's has reached out to Copley Hospital and will update this story if more information becomes available. Copley Hospital's website still lists Dr. Gannon as an emergency physician. Another woman has accused a New York City gastroenterologist of sexual abuse, NBC New York reported March. 14. Zhi Alan Cheng, MD, was arrested on Dec. 27, 2022, and charged with multiple counts of rape, assault and sexual abuse, among other charges. He was also charged in August with sexually abusing three patients at New York-Presbyterian Queens hospital and raping three other patients in his home. He allegedly drugged the women and filmed the assaults. The state has suspended his ability to practice medicine. The latest accusation comes from a 48-year-old woman, who said in November 2021 she was sedated for a colonoscopy inside the hospital and woke to allegedly find Dr. Cheng sexually abusing her. The woman's attorney has filed a lawsuit on her behalf and of other women involved in the case who say the hospital failed to act to remove Dr. Cheng after signs of predatory behavior. Dr. Cheng now faces more than 60 sex crime charges. He has pleaded not guilty to each of them. "The crimes detailed in these additional charges are horrific, and we are deeply sorry for all that the victims and their families have endured," a NewYork-Presbyterian spokesperson told Becker's. "We have continued to work with the District Attorney to advance the investigation and see that justice is served." The University of Chicago Medical Center has been found responsible in a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of a boy who died at age 4, and must pay $14 million to the family, The Chicago Tribune reported March 14. The jury awarded the $14 million to the estate of Oluwasemilore Praise Oyedapoafter reaching a verdict following a three-week trial on March 8. The boy's mother, Omotola Oyedapo, was rushed to the hospital via ambulance during the summer of 2016 with abdominal pain and low blood pressure. But after arriving, it seems no physician assessed the 33-week pregnant mother's condition. There were no records of her being seen, the lawsuit alleged. Less than one hour later, Ms. Oyedapo was taken to the labor and delivery department where they found the baby's heart rate had slowed and proceeded to perform an emergency cesarean section, the Tribune reported. After the birth, the team found that Ms. Oyedapo experienced placental abruption. There was a lack of oxygen being delivered to the baby's brain because of the condition, which causes the placenta to separate from the uterus prior to delivery. It ultimately caused the baby boy to develop hypoxic ischemic brain injury. He was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to his brain injury. He died in late 2020 at age 4 due to cardiopulmonary arrest, which was linked to the brain injury, according to the Tribune. Becker's reached out to UChicago Medicine to request comment. This story will be updated should new information become available. UChicago Medicine did decline the Chicago Tribune's request for comment. New research calls into question the severity of the nation's maternal mortality crisis, finding that flawed data has inflated death rates over the past two decades. The study, published March 12 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, centers on a change in the way pregnancy was noted on death certificates beginning in 2003. That year, the National Center for Health Statistics added a checkbox to death certificates to indicate whether the person was pregnant or had recently been pregnant, which was meant to improve the detection of maternal deaths. The pregnancy checkbox led to "egregious errors," including hundreds of people ages 70 and older listed as having been pregnant at the time of or in the year before death. Cancer deaths and those from other causes were also misclassified as maternal deaths if the box was checked, researchers said. When the research team looked at death certificates that listed pregnancy as a cause of death, as opposed to looking at those that had the pregnancy box checked, they found maternal mortality rates were lower and stabilized over time. "Identifying maternal deaths by requiring the mention of pregnancy among the multiple causes of death provides a more accurate, clinically coherent and compelling perspective on maternal mortality in the United States, and can serve as an evidentiary basis for clinical and public health initiatives," the study said. Under the revised tracking method, the study found the maternal mortality rate was 10.2 per 100,000 live births from 1999 to 2002, and 10.4 from 2018 to 2021. By comparison, with the pregnancy box, the National Vital Statistics System showed the mortality rate was 9.65 per 100,000 live births from 1999 to 2002, jumping to 23.6 in 2018 to 2021. Despite an overall reduction in maternal mortality, significant disparities remain, with disproportionately high rates among Black pregnant women. For some experts, this was the main takeaway. "We should be targeting a lot of our public outreach to focus on conditions that are affecting patients of color while they're pregnant," Colleen Denny, MD, associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and director of family planning at NYU Langone Hospital in New York City, told The Washington Post. View the full findings here. Howard University in Washington, D.C., lost accreditation for its orthopedic residency program due to a resident complaint, Howard University News Service reported. The university lost its accreditation effective Feb. 21 but is under appeal, the March 5 report said. If the decision isn't appealed, the 19 orthopedic residents at Howard will go to different accredited programs in June. Robert Wilson, MD, interim orthopedic residency director told the publication that withdrawal was related to problems that developed in the program. "We had some structural issues, as many residencies do," he told the publication. "Sometimes you need to do a certain amount of surgeries, or you have to have a certain number of doctors who teach. We're the only HBCU program in the country. We dont always have all the resources that we need like many other places." Andrea Hayes Dixon, MD, dean of Howard University's college of medicine said an appeal is in progress but didn't tell Howard University News Service why the orthopedic program lost accreditation. An orthopedic surgeon's $15 million verdict against Thomas Jefferson University was reversed, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported March 14. U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson tossed out a December jury decision that the Philadelphia-based hospital conducted a gender-biased investigation against John Abraham, MD, the report said. Before the ruling, the verdict was the largest-ever under Title IX, the report said. Dr. Abraham had faced allegations of sexual assault, and the hospital investigated the incident. He later resigned from the hospital. Dr. Abraham's attorneys didn't respond to The Philadelphia Inquirer for comment. Far-right Geert Wilders announced that he is dropping his bid to become the prime minister of the Netherlands despite his election victory. The announcement comes after the populist firebrand's potential coalition backers have refused to support him. Wilders' far-right Freedom Party (PVV) came in first during the Dutch parliamentary elections that were held late last year. Geert Wilders Drops Bid to Become Netherlands PM The party secured 23.5% of the vote and won 37 seats out of the available 150 in what observers called the Netherlands' "Trump moment." Following several weeks of negotiations, Wilders was unsuccessful in reaching an agreement with other parties and announced that he would no longer lead the next government. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday, he said that the only way he could become the prime minister of the Netherlands is if all parties in the coalition support him. He argued that that was the case. The far-right firebrand has hoped to form a coalition with the center-right Freedom and Democracy Party (VVD) that was led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte as well as the newly formed New Social Contract Party, according to CNN. Wilders is known for his radical anti-immigration, Islamophobic politics, and his staunch Euroscepticism. On Tuesday, the man overseeing the negotiations between the parties, Kim Putters, said that his expectation was that the parties would take the next step in the Cabinet formation. The development sets up the likelihood of a technical Cabinet in which politicians and experts who are not considered allies to any of the parties would be appointed to top government posts and work closely with parliament. While Wilders' decision to not lead the government came as a surprise, he and his party will remain a significant force behind the administration, said DW News. Read Also: European Lawmakers Pass AI Act, World's First Comprehensive Law on Artificial Intelligence Formation of a Coalition Government On Thursday, Wilders said that it was unfair and constitutionally incorrect for him to not become the prime minister. During an interview, he told reports that as the leader of the largest parties, he said that the new PM should be him. Following his decision to drop his bid to become the prime minister, Wilders will go back to his familiar place in the Dutch parliament. This is where he began his political career in 1998, which is a record that makes him the longest-serving lawmaker in the Netherlands. Additionally, as part of the deal that was revealed by Putters' final report, the other three party leaders, VVD's Dilan Yesilgoz, NSC's Pieter Omgtzigt, and BBB's Caroline van der Plas, have all agreed to keep their seats in parliament instead of taking ministerial posts. A PhD candidate at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University, Rickvan Well, said that the Netherlands is known for having the most extensive coalition governments in Western Europe. He added that a short coalition agreement would be considered a break from the increasingly lengthy document. However, even with the outline of a deal being released, the process of forming a government is not yet over. Experts said that they expect it would take several months of discussions on a coalition agreement and that lawmakers will face a number of issues that they would need to resolve, according to Politico. Related Article: Denmark Expands Military Conscription to Women Amid Rising European Tensions @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A business park in rural Co Tyrone is embarking on its third phase of development as part of a six-figure investment backed by Ulster Bank. Clonoe Village Business Park was developed in 2017 by Patrick Hughes, a plasterer who became a property developer. It started with 20 retail and office units and is now home to businesses like barbers and beauticians, law and financial services firms, bridal and sportswear brands, a dental hygienist, and the headquarters of a major engineering firm. Phase three of the development, which has been granted full planning permission and will begin construction in the spring, will add five new retail and office units, including a large coffee shop facing Washing Bay Road. Since the completion of its second phase in 2022, the business park has reported a 100% occupancy rate. Mr Hughes said: Our tenants are staying put. Its a huge endorsement of the facilities. The flow and return of customers is high and were seeing heightened demand for rental space. "The addition of the new coffee shop unit to the site will help secure the future of the business park and those who operate from within it. "It will put us on the map as more of a destination where members of the public can come and spend time, which we hope can be a driver for our tenants businesses too. Mary ONeill, Ulster Bank business development manager, described the development as a showcase of entrepreneurship. Were very much focused on equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to help unlock the full potential of their businesses. "Part of that is supporting members of the community, like Patrick, whose investment is creating a space where the entrepreneurial spirit can thrive. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Clonoe Village Business Park and the many businesses that call it home. Work on phase three is expected to be finished by the end of next year. Hes played for a string of US presidents and recorded with the Rolling Stones, but its a chance meeting with Belfast-born flautist Sir James Galway that lives long in the memory of traditional music legend Frankie Gavin. The fiddle virtuoso enjoyed an impromptu session with the celebrated flute player after a sliding doors moment brought them together in a hotel lobby in Russia at the Sochi Music Festival before the 2014 Winter Olympics. Belfast city centre bar The Bone Yard is set to reopen tomorrow (Saturday 16 March) ahead of St Patricks Day adding three popular eateries to its location. Popular Belfast pizza chain Orto recently announced a new city centre location as part of the relaunch of outdoor bar The Bone Yard. Orto already has a restaurant on Stranmillis and another on Talbot Street in the city centre the former branch was listed among the Sunday Lifes top 10 restaurants of 2023. It also has a third location on Bedford Street, which opened last year. The Bone Yard is also partnering up with chicken wing venue Wing It and HiBurger. Up until now, HiBurger had solely been based at Banana Block on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Wing It, which serves "proper chicken wings" from a food hatch attached to the Botanic Inn on Malone Road, was named one of the best restaurants in NI and Ireland last month at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards. The Bone Yard is part of the Clover Group which also operates the Post House, Whites Tavern and Margots. The redesign of the venue by ODonnell ONeil will see a newly constructed seated pergola area with a feature blossom tree in the centre to create an outdoor boutique and immersive experience. Mark Beirne, director of the Clover Group, said: At Clover we are always seeking to push boundaries and provide customers with quality and choice in a creative and innovative way. "Our exciting new design will create an inclusive and vibrant bar setting that is also flexible and spacious, with our food offering providing customers with unrivalled choice through some of the best brands this city has to offer. Pizza, burgers and wings of the highest quality in a fun and festival focused outdoor bar both during the day and in the evening, will add an exciting new dimension to the hospitality sector in our city. Royal Courts of Justice where the High Court and the Court of Appeal sit A man allegedly threatened to throw acid in the face of a woman he once shared a few kisses with, the High Court heard today. Marouane Bahjat, 38, is also accused of telling her she was going in a grave during menacing phone calls. Bahjat, of Cavendish Street in Belfast, faces charges of harassment, threatening communications and threats to damage property. Crown lawyer Adrian Higgins said the woman contacted police on February 13 amid claims the defendant had been contacting her for months. She said they kissed a few times years ago, were never in an intimate relationship, but he seemed to think they were, Mr Higgins told the court. He disputes that, saying they were in a relationship for seven years and only recently split after he walked in while she was in the company of his best friend. The woman was phoned more than 50 times from withheld numbers and claimed to recognise Bahjat in some of them. On one occasion the caller allegedly stated: Im going to wipe you out. At one stage there was a reference to a hitman, according to the prosecution. Mr Higgins contended: In the call he threatened to throw acid in her face and said your face is done. He said Im going to f****** break your neck, youre going in a grave and I will go to jail for it. Bahjat has also allegedly posted images and untruths about the woman on Facebook, the court heard. His application for bail was opposed amid fears he could flee. Conn ONeill, defending, argued that Bahjat has been in the jurisdiction for up to seven years. The barrister insisted his client voluntarily attended police interviews and answered all questions. Granting bail to Bahjat, Mr Justice OHara imposed a prohibition on entering the alleged victims neighbourhood. The judge further ordered: He is not allowed on Facebook. A Northern Ireland man has been jailed after pleading guilty to choking his girlfriend weeks after she gave birth to his child. Daryl Somers faced several charges, including non-fatal strangulation, common assault, criminal damage and burglary, over incidents that happened on July 15 and September 10 last year. The 21-year-old, of Old Bleach Villas in Randalstown and a previous address in Kilgreel Walk in Antrim, appeared at Antrim Crown Court on Tuesday for sentencing. He was first due to appear in court relating to the July incidents back in August, but he failed to show and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. The warrant was subsequently executed after his partner contacted police about a further assault. A police officer told a previous hearing that the woman called the police stating: My house is red-flagged for domestic violence. I need the police. Upon arrival of the police, she said Somers smacked her left cheek with the back of his hand after she asked him for a hug. He was alleged to have choked her, leaving her unable to breath for around 20 seconds and only stopping the assault after she stuck her finger in his mouth. After he was arrested, Somers told officers he had to restrain her due to her mental health, claiming she had tied a cord around her neck and said she would tell the police he was to blame. He was released on bail, but failed to appear in court in August and an arrest warrant was issued. Somers assaulted the woman again on September 10. A previous court hearing was told Somers and the victim had drinks together at her home after they encountered each other in a chip shop. After he left, the victim found him in the company of another woman. Somers is then said to have called her a f****** embarrassment, grabbing her by the throat and pinning her to a fence. Throwing her to the ground, he used both hands to grab her by the head and hit it off the ground, a PSNI officer told the hearing. After she asked him why he attacked her, Somers is said to have punched her in the face, knocking her out. He was said to have grabbed her by the throat again in another incident later that day. A judge told the previous hearing: It is not without significance that the injured party thought she would be killed. In court this week, Somers entered guilty pleas to several charges, including common assault and non-fatal strangulation. He was given sentences of five months for common assault and 18 months for non-fatal strangulation, with nine months to be served in prison and nine months on license, to run concurrently. He is appealing his sentence. A man residing at a hotel used as a shelter for migrants in Massachusetts was arrested Wednesday by the police and is currently facing serious charges after he allegedly raped a teenage girl on the premises. Cory B. Alvarez, aged 26, appeared before a Hingham District Court judge on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to a single count of aggravated rape of a child. Teen Allegedly Assaulted at Rockland Hotel Shelter The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office revealed that the incident unfolded at the Comfort Inn on Hingham Street in Rockland, where both Alvarez and the victim were residing. Law enforcement officials were alerted to the situation on Wednesday evening when staff at the hotel's front desk notified emergency services of a disabled 15-year-old girl who had reportedly been sexually assaulted. The victim, who communicates in French Creole, conveyed to the police, with the aid of translators, that Alvarez assaulted her in his room while she sought assistance with an application on her tablet. Despite her protests, the assault continued unabated. The victim was promptly taken to South Shore Hospital for medical attention. Read Also: New York Subway Rider Shoots 'Aggressive' Commuter in Head as Rush Hour Passengers Duck for Their Lives: Report Defense Discloses Details at Arraignment At the arraignment, Alvarez's defense attorney revealed that his client immigrated from Haiti and is part of the migrant system. According to his lawyer, Alvarez arrived in the country in June 2023 and has been residing at the hotel since October of last year while he applies for immigration status. The court ordered Alvarez to surrender his passport and prohibited any contact with the victim during his detention. A dangerousness hearing for Alvarez has been scheduled for March 22. Meanwhile, authorities are continuing their investigations, with police pledging to enhance safety measures at the site. "Our department provides community outreach to the hotel," Police Chief Nicholas Zeoli said, as reported by WCVB 5. "We also work in close partnership with the National Guard who are stationed there, and we work to just make it as safe as possible." Related Article: Utah Parents Admit Raping 15-Year-Old Daughter, Claim it Was 'Safer Than Sex With Strangers' @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Royal Courts of Justice where the High Court and the Court of Appeal sit A Co Tyrone man allegedly struck his girlfriend in the mouth with a curtain pole and used an axe to smash up his home during a row over breaking up, the High Court heard today. Prosecutors claimed 20-year-old Alex Powell inflicted such a large cut that the woman's teeth could be seen through it. Powell, of Nelson Park in Fivemiletown, faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm, common assault, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon with intent. As he mounted a successful application for bail, the court heard police were alerted to a woman screaming and a man wrecking the property on February 4. When officers arrived at the scene they found every window shattered and damage caused to internal doors. Powell was discovered in an upstairs bedroom with an axe beside him. He stated that he got angry and smashed all the windows, a Crown lawyer said. The alleged victim told police Powell had used the axe to damage the house during an argument between them. She also claimed that he threw a curtain pole at her with force, striking her in the mouth. Prosecution counsel added: She had a substantial cut above her lip and her upper teeth were visible through this laceration. The woman sustained significant injuries and required attention for a suspected facial fracture. Powell accepted damaging the property but denied any intentional assault or brandishing the curtain pole as a weapon. Defence barrister Michael Halleron told the court: He says that he hit her recklessly with a hot press door. According to Mr Halleron a row had started while his client and the woman were in the process of breaking up. Despite expressing concerns about Powells volatility, the judge granted bail but banned him from entering the village where the alleged victim lives. Mr Justice Huddleston said: He can turn his life around if he wants to do it, I will give him an opportunity. A west Belfast man who spat blood over a police officer while being taken to hospital for treatment for a broken jaw today narrowly avoided prison. Paul Ferran (47), of Dunmurry Lodge, was handed a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a PSNI constable in the execution of his duty and criminal damage to a police vehicle. Belfast Crown Court heard that on December 11, 2022, Ferran spat blood over a police officer and spat blood over the back of a police vehicle while being taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said that where someone spits at a police officer, especially blood, an immediate custodial sentence is the normal result which is on a deterrent basis. Police officers must be able to carry out their duties without any fear of injury, damage or infection of themselves and the court will treat these cases as a deterrent in terms of sentencing, said Judge Kerr. This is potentially a bad case and I take my starting point for sentencing as 15 months. I reduce that to 12 months because of his background and the fact that he has committed no further offences since 2011. I further reduce that by 25 per cent to nine months for his plea of guilty. The judge said he had received a medical report which made it clear that Ferran was being transported to hospital by police officers for treatment to a serious fracture of his jaw in three different places. One of the effects of that would be that he would have had to expectorate blood on a regular basis due to the blood inside his mouth, said Judge Kerr. Although the defendant had pleaded guilty to deliberately spitting blood on police, the judge said the case is now being made that had he not been spitting blood, he may well have had difficulty with his airways and his breathing. In those circumstances, and given the fact he has no recent convictions, I consider this an exceptional case. In those circumstances, I intend to suspend the prison sentence of nine months for two years. Judge Kerr told Ferran that if he committed no further offences in the next two years he would not have to spend nine months in prison. However, he warned the defendant: If you do commit a further offence over the next two years, not only will you have to serve the nine-month sentence, you may have to serve an additional sentence for whatever brings you back before this court. The sick leave rate for Education Authority (EA) staff in Northern Ireland involved in assessing children with special educational needs (SEN) is almost four times higher than the UK average, it has emerged. In the last year, these 138 staff took 3,042 days of sick leave, working out at 22 days per person, compared to the 2022 UK average for all workers of 5.7. Two other locations in Northern Ireland are featured amongst the 72 towns and villages in the comprehensive guide Portstewart has been names best place to live in NI by Sunday Times guide Picture: Philip Magowan / PressEye Portstewart has been named as the best place to live in Northern Ireland in this years Sunday Times guide with the judges hailing it as Northern Irelands most graceful seaside town. Co Down coastal town Donaghadee and Belfasts Ormeau area have also merited mentions in the guide, which is due to be published this weekend. In making their decision, the judges said: Year-round community spirit is the beating heart of Northern Irelands most graceful seaside town. Beach cleans, litter picks and the volunteers behind the annual Red Sails festival are just a few examples of the local pride thats always on display. The two-mile sandy beach is at the centre of life here, but there are also decent shops, cafes and restaurants and an interesting cultural scene at the Flowerfield Arts Centre. Helen Davies, Sunday Times editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2024. These are all places where you can feel grounded as well as upwardly mobile: they have a mature sense of community, lively, supportive high streets and an eye to the future, whether that is eco-friendly measures, transport and regeneration, or imaginative inclusion of new housing. Watch: Portstewart has been named best place to live in Northern Ireland The Sunday Timess judges visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street. What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there, added Helen. We can see what people really love about the places they live. That might be fast commutes and high-achieving schools but also clean water to swim in, lively town centres with useful shops, the possibility of earning a living and being part of a friendly community. The guide has been sponsored by the mortgage lender Halifax, which has provided an average house price for each location. We do consider affordability, though high house prices are no barrier to inclusion as long as they provide value for money, said Kim Kinnaird, Halifaxs homes and protection director. What all our best places have in common is that people love living in them and are proud to call them home. Two other locations in Northern Ireland are featured amongst the 72 towns and villages in the comprehensive guide. On Donaghadee judges said: Life revolves around the water in this scenic and sociable hotspot on the Ards peninsula. It helps that Donaghadee is reputedly the driest spot in Northern Ireland, but the picturesque harbour is usually awash with paddleboards, kayaks, sailing boats and the hardy swimmers of the Donaghadee Chunky Dunkers, who have raised more than 65,000 for charity in the past decade. The sense of community is as strong as the town is charming with its lighthouse, multicoloured houses and a centre packed with useful independent shops and friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants showcasing local produce. And on the Ormeau area of Belfast judges were impressed by the buzz of the community. Family-friendly BT7 remains Belfasts most liveable neighbourhood, with just the right amount of buzz in its cafes, they said. Importantly, the schools are great, and nowhere in the city can beat it for outdoor space. Dogs and kids can let off steam in Ormeau and Cherryvale Parks, while cyclists and joggers can canter along the towpath. North Berwick, East Lothian was named the overall best place to live in the UK and the full list of locations can be found at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live The Post Office has been criticised after employees at a Belfast branch failed to accept a parcel being sent to Letterkenny as the address was written entirely in Irish. The parcel which included the destinations Eircode was being sent by Belfast musician Grainne Holland. She was then asked to translate the address into English, which the Post Office worker wrote on the parcel instead. Ms Holland told RTE that she felt shocked and surprised "This has never happened me before, she added. "I have worked for Irish language companies since I left university. Ive posted countless, hundreds of letters over the years. "It has got me thinking that this was something that I took for granted and I know our parents generation have faced problems like this before but we never had and I always felt lucky like its no big deal. Grainne Holland A Post Office spokesperson said the advice for any item sent internationally, which includes the Irish Republic, has always been that the destination country has to be written in English. "It is an international regulatory requirement for parcels and large letters that contain goods that an electronic data customs file is required, they said. "This file should include details of addresses. The Post Office computer system uses an English alphabet keyboard and therefore, the country and the address need to be in English. But Padraig O Tiarnaigh from Conradh na Gaeilge said this isnt the first time the Post Office and Royal Mail has been criticised for failing to deliver a letter sent in Irish. In 2018, Piarais Mac Alastair spoke out after a letter he sent to Boucher Road addressed in Irish was returned to him by Royal Mail, saying the addressee was unknown and there was no such address. At the time, Royal Mail said it handles Irish language items on a daily basis and the overwhelming majority of these are delivered without any difficulty, adding: This is true, as long as the house or premises number and postcode appear correctly on mail items. On some occasions mail could be marked as we translate the location of the address. We are reminding all our staff of our policy and we will be taking appropriate steps to prevent this happening again. Mr Mac Alastair has now sent an official complaint to the Post Office on behalf of Ms Holland after the latest incident. He has questioned whether their policy directed from Royal Mail has changed on their stance over Irish-addressed postage. Either they have totally regressed from this policy they stood by back in 2018, or the staff dont know that it exists either way its totally unacceptable, he said. This isnt first time Irish speakers felt second-class customers with Royal Mail and its simply not good enough any more. It is concerning for us that in 2024, several years since the Language Identity Act was passed and more than 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement, that an Irish speaker is still being treated like they dont exist in some cases when they have to comply with English-only customer service. Irish speakers must challenge this idea and continue to challenge companies like Royal Mail on issues like this. Royal Mail has been approached for comment. The deadline for claiming a reward for information resulting in the recovery of the remains of three of Northern Irelands Disappeared victims has been extended until January 2027. Originally offered in May 2019, the $60,000 (46,994) reward relates to the bodies of Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh and Army Officer Robert Nairac. The money was put up by an anonymous donor, who has since passed away. Since the offer was offered, a fourth case was added to the list, that of Seamus Maguire, but the reward does not extend to that case. Crimestoppers confirmed that the reward has now been extended until January 2027. The charity added: Since the bequest was made, the donor passed away. This was before a fourth case, that of Seamus Maguire, was accepted by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) in February 2022. The effect of this is that for legal reasons, the original terms of the bequest remain and the reward can apply only to the original three cases. The Maguire family are aware of the position. The reward can only be claimed for information that is passed on directly and exclusively to Crimestoppers UK. The appeal is not about finding out what happened to the victims, but to enable the ICLVR to locate and recover their remains so that they can be returned to their loved ones for Christian burial. We hope that this will help bring the issue of the Disappeared closer to a conclusion. Joe Lynskey A former Cistercian monk who later joined the IRA, Joe Lynskey was abducted and murdered by the organisation in 1972. Despite several searches over the years, his remains have never been found. Teenager Columba McVeigh, from Donaghmore in Co Tyrone, disappeared in 1975. His family have strongly rejected claims he was an informer. A sixth unsuccessful search for his body at bogland in Co Monaghan concluded late last year. Robert Nairac was a captain in the Army working in intelligence when he was abducted from the Three Steps Inn in south Armagh in May 1977. Mr Nairac was shot dead and it is thought his remains were subsequently buried at an unknown location. Captain Robert Nairac The ICLVR was set up following the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to help find the bodies of those murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles. To date the bodies of 13 out of the 17 Disappeared cases have been recovered. The most recent victim to be found was Seamus Ruddy (32), who was murdered and secretly buried in France in 1985 by the INLA. His remains were uncovered at a site in a forest at Pont-de-l'Arche outside Rouen in northern France in May 2017. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) at a meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House. Pic: PA First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaks to US President Joe Biden at The White House. Michelle ONeill has urged the US President to play a constructive role in securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid. In her first opportunity to talk with President Joe Biden on her US tour, Michelle ONeill also called for an end to illegal settlements in the West Bank and a sovereign Palestinian state. Michelle ONeill said: The United States has been a critical partner for peace in Ireland. We deeply value this support. Our peace process and your role in this are a fine example of successful US diplomacy and foreign policy success. As the world watches on in horror at the genocide of the Palestinian people, I urge you to apply this same constructive role to securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; full humanitarian aid; an end to illegal settlements in the West Bank, and a sovereign Palestinian State. The republican party had come under pressure to boycott the St Patricks Day visit to The White House. Gerry Carroll of People Before Profit appealed to Sinn Fein, who he acknowledged as long-time supporters of the Palestinian cause, saying it is better to admit fault than to stubbornly continue down a wrong and reckless path. Biden has agreed with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's calls for a ceasefire in Gaza "as soon as possible", and that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace. The US President said "we both know there's a lot more that has to be done" in relation to the Middle East conflict, as he met the Irish premier at the White House on Friday. Mr Varadkar also called on the US to push for peace in the Middle East, as had been done in Northern Ireland, in a separate meeting with the US vice-president Kamala Harris. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) at a meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House. Pic: PA There has been political pressure on senior politicians to use the high-profile US visit for St Patrick's Day to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and to end the spiralling numbers of deaths and injuries. Mr Varadkar has been urged to use the White House meeting on Friday, and the shamrock bowl ceremony with Mr Biden on Sunday, to push for an end to Israel's military operation in Gaza including calls from former Irish president Mary Robinson. In brief comments to the media moments before the bilateral in the White House, the Taoiseach said he was "keen to talk" about the situation in Gaza. Addressing Mr Biden in the Oval Office, he said: "You'll know my view that we need to have a ceasefire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, get the hostages out. "We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two-state solution, which I think is the only way we'll have lasting peace and security." Mr Biden said "I agree" in response to Mr Varadkar's comments on a ceasefire, and again to the two-state solution. After the meeting, Mr Varadkar was asked whether the military support the US is offering Israel would continue. "The president was very clear that the US would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself," he said. "So I don't think that's going to change, but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used the way they are, the way they are being used at the moment is not self-defence." Over 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, following an attack by Hamas which killed 1,139 Israelis. Israels military has said it plans to transfer about 1.4 million Palestinian civilians trapped in southern city of Rafah to humanitarian islands in the middle of Gaza before it launches a ground invasion. But US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the US government has yet to see an Israeli proposal to get civilians out of harms way in Rafah and ensure shelter, food and medicine. Mary Lou McDonald has called for leaders in the United States to push for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The Sinn Fein leader is in the US alongside politicians from across the island of Ireland, for annual St Patricks Day engagements. Speaking in Georgetown University this afternoon, she said: Throughout this week we have been speaking to leaders on Capitol Hill and to the US Administration, about the change that is underway in Ireland but also the ongoing slaughter in Gaza. What is happening in Gaza is the gravest human rights violations of our time. Happening before the eyes of the world. Over the last six months, Gaza has become a graveyard for children. Children whose lives carry the same value as the lives of my own children and children the world over. History has its eyes on us. We cannot say we didnt hear, that we didnt see, that we didnt know. Our children and our grandchildren will one day look at us and ask how this was allowed to happen, and why the international community was so slow to respond. In Ireland, we know the pain of conflict but we also know the value of hard-won peace. The achievement of the Good Friday Agreement shows that no conflict is intractable, that peace is always possible and peace must now be the shared will of the international community. Leaders in the United States and across the world must now push unequivocally for an immediate full, permanent ceasefire and for the renewal of a peace process that can deliver a just settlement, Palestinian statehood and a secure Israel. This is the only way that the children of Gaza and Tel Aviv, the children of Haifa and Ramallah can have the future they deserve. Ms McDonald also discussed ongoing change in Ireland. My message from Ireland today is a message of hope, opportunity and optimism. It is a message of reunification, as we work to build a new Ireland as a home for everyone, she said. Seismic generational change is underway right across the country. Twenty-six years ago the historic Good Friday Agreement was signed. It was an agreement that transcended the past and changed the future for all of us. Today, a new generation - pulsing with ambition, talent and ingenuity - is determined to write the next chapter in Irelands story. The most powerful expression of this change is seen in Michelle ONeills election as First Minister, where she leads the Executive alongside DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly. Recently, Michelle and Emma visited a childcare facility on the Shankill Road together, and DUP Education Minister Paul Givan visited a Gaelscoil in Dungannon where he did a spot of traditional Irish dancing and said that the Irish language belongs to all of us. These small moments are powerful and we shouldnt miss their significance in shaping the future. A new Ireland has never been closer. We are living in the end days of partition. The cost of partition - economically, socially and politically - has been far too high. Irelands future now comes into sharp focus. We have built the peace, now is the time to build the momentum for reunification. The genius of the Good Friday Agreement is that it facilitates power sharing, protects citizens rights and manages political differences. Most importantly, it provides for referendums on Irish Unity, north and south. The future of Ireland is in the hands of the people. I believe that these referendums will happen in this decade. These referendums can be won and won well. But we take nothing for granted. It is now a matter of winning hearts and minds. Read more Border poll battle for middle ground is underway... here are three things they want Ms McDonald added that as an Irish republican, she will continue to argue passionately for Irish Unity, but will also listen with respect to the views of those who will argue for the preservation of the Union with Britain. "We must be ready. Now is the time to plan and prepare for constitutional change in Ireland. To plan for unity. Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson has called on Leo Varadkar to use meetings with Biden to push the US to stop sending military aid to Israel (Brian Lawless/PA) A former Irish president has called on the US to stop sending weapons and funds to Israel as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise. Mary Robinson, who is the chair of the group of senior statesmen The Elders, said that Irelands leaders should push for political responses to the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave. Mrs Robinson urged Irish premier Leo Varadkar to use meetings he has with US President Joe Biden and other senior US politicians this weekend to push this point. Mrs Robinson said on RTE Radio on Friday: Yes the humanitarian situation is utterly catastrophic and dire, reducing a people to famine, undermining all our values, but the message I want to deliver on behalf of the Elders is a direct message to our Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Niall Carson/PA) The United States can influence Israel by not continuing to provide arms, it has provided a lot of the arms, bombs that have been used on the Palestinian people and hes continuing to do that and hes also providing money. This (Israeli) government of Prime Minister (Benyamin) Netanyahu is on the wrong side of history, completely, is making the United States complicit in reducing a people to famine making the world complicit. Mrs Robinson said that Mr Varadkar should speak to all levels of US politics to make it clear that Israel depends on the United States for military aid and for money, thats what will change everything. The former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also questioned why funding to the UN agency for Palestinian aid UNRWA was stopped after allegations by Israel of 12 staff members involvement in the October 7 attack. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) at a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC. (Niall Carson/PA) Its as if UNRWA had to prove its innocence rather than have guilt proven, she said. She added that Mr Varadkar should tell Mr Biden to take the risk of the political fallout in what is a US election year to push for a peaceful solution or he will lose whatever reputation he had. What is happening is appalling and were watching it, she said. Speaking after meeting with Mr Biden at the White House on Friday, Mr Varadkar said he did not think the US would stop providing arms to Israel to defend itself, but added he didnt believe the weapons were being used in self-defence. The president is very clear that the US would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself so, I dont think thats going to change, but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used in the way they are. The way they are being used at the moment is not self-defence. He added: Theres a difference between self-defence and whats happening now and thats why we need to move towards a ceasefire. The US needs to remain open to good trade agreements to remain attractive to Irish investment, Irelands premier has said. Leo Varadkar made the remarks at one of several events focused on US-Ireland trade in the US capital on Thursday. Mr Varadkar is on a week-long visit to the US to mark St Patricks Day on Sunday, and will meet President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday. During a fireside chat with US Chamber of Commerce president Suzanne Byrne on Thursday, Mr Varadkar was asked what America could do to remain attractive to Irish investment. The Taoiseach said Ireland and the US enjoyed long-standing, mutually benefited trade relations, emphasising that he was proud Ireland was one of the top 10 investors in the US. However, when pressed on the topic, the Taoiseach said: Youre obviously doing a lot of things right and Irish companies invest in America because they see enormous opportunities here. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason with US Chamber of Commerce president Suzanne Clark (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Theres not a huge amount of advice that I can give you. I do think one area that is important though is openness to trade. Notwithstanding difficulties that we have ratifying trade agreements at EU level, we are getting them through. Its seems to be more difficult here and Id hope that across the aisle both parties the US will see that free trade with good trade agreements actually makes everyone better off and thats an area where I think we can do a bit better into the future. Mr Varadkar started the trip on Monday and since then has spoken several times at about how he will use the special platform of St Patricks Day visit to press Mr Biden to back a ceasefire in the Middle East. However, earlier on Thursday, he denied softening his language on Gaza throughout the week. At the start of the week in Boston, Mr Varadkar told the crowd that innocent men, women and children in Gaza should not be subject to collective punishment. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to the media at the Salamander Hotel, in Washington (Niall Carson/PA) He told the audience that no-one can avert their eyes from the deaths of thousands of children in Gaza. However, during an address at the Ireland Funds gala in Washington on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar said that Palestinian civilians are being subject to humiliation and starvation during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Asked by reporters on Thursday if his use of the term humiliation rather than explicit references to death was an indication of rolling back his rhetoric, Mr Varadkar said: No, not at all. He said he would not be softening his tone or language on the issue but said there was a need to tailor messaging to specific audiences. Theres nothing I wouldnt say here that I wouldnt say back home. But I think any time you speak to any audience, or any time you go anywhere in the world, you know, we have to get the tone right and tailor the message for the audience. He added: What I said back home, about Palestine and Gaza, Ill be saying here too and I think Ive used the term collective punishment in relation to Palestinians. And we all know what that means, its a violation of international humanitarian law. Mr Varadkars Washington comments on Gaza also received a more lukewarm reception than preceding remarks on continued support for Ukraine. Asked if he believed the reception to the comments was an indicator that it was going to be difficult to raise the Middle East conflict with Mr Biden, Mr Varadkar said: I suppose it depends on the audience. I was really encouraged by the response in terms of what I had to say about Ukraine because we need America in this battle to save Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty and independence, and I dont think the war will stop in Ukraine. If Ukraine falls, Putin will have another target and theres a number of European prime ministers in town today, Im not the only one, and were very much trying to put that message across to our American friends. If Putin is successful in Ukraine, he will at some point test Nato, and the consequences then for all of us are very serious. So Im very keen to use any opportunity I have to speak to US Congressional leaders in particular about getting the legislation passed to provide the funding and support for Ukraine that it needs. I appreciate that there will be difference of opinions in relation to Israel and Gaza you know, theres very strong historic support for Israel in the US, for lots of different reasons, but thats not going to deflect me from saying what I feel needs to be said. Mr Varadkar said there had not been any negative reaction to his remarks on Gaza during the trip so far. On Friday, he will meet with US vice-president Kamala Harris before holding a bilateral with Mr Biden. Chinese delegation advocates world without gender discrimination at UN CSW68 Xinhua) 10:47, March 15, 2024 UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The lead delegate of the Chinese delegation attending the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) has called for efforts to create a world free from discrimination against women. "China, along with the international community, will push forward the Global Development Initiative to be more in-depth and practical, building a world free of discrimination against women and creating a new era of global development," Huang Xiaowei, Minister and Deputy Head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, told the CSW68, which kicked off on Monday. In her speeches delivered at the huge gathering over the past few days, Huang said that China incorporates gender equality as a basic state policy into "the governing program of the Party," committed to promoting the synchronized development of women with the economy and society, empowering women to have confidence and independence. Huang stated that China insists on putting people at the center, winning the largest-scale battle against poverty in human history, contributing over 70 percent to global poverty reduction, with more than 44 million rural women lifted out of absolute poverty. "China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries, increase investment in women in the field of sustainable development, continue to promote women's poverty reduction, encourage women's participation in green transformation, and further implement gender equality and women's empowerment," Huang said. She stressed that China has supported capacity building for women in over 100 developing countries and will continue to work with countries worldwide to actively develop health education, digital education, and science education for women, helping them grow and develop better in enjoying equal quality education. At the China-EU side event on "Financial Inclusion for Gender Equality," which was held on Wednesday, Huang shared the significant opportunities brought to women's development by China's inclusive finance strategy. Through stories of "small changes" in women's lives, such as "the first time having the priority to get a loan," "the first time having their own seal and bank card," and "the first time buying lipstick with their own earned money," she showcased the "big revolution" in realizing women's economic empowerment and equal participation of men and women. During the CSW68, the delegation also spoke on topics such as supporting economic empowerment and capacity building for women and youth in developing countries, including conflict areas, and held several bilateral meetings with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Executive Director of UN Women Sima Sami Bahous and senior officials from various countries. Over the past days, the delegation participated in various multilateral activities, including a general debate, a ministerial roundtable, the high-level public debate of the Security Council, and thematic side events. CSW68, the UN's largest annual event dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment, takes place from March 11 to 22, at the UN headquarters in New York, under 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." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Al-Shabab militants claimed responsibility for the attack on the Syl Hotel located in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as residents heard gunfire and a loud explosion. The extremist group said that its fights assaulted the hotel on Thursday, saying that they were able to penetrate the hotel that is located not far from the presidential palace. The area is normally considered a secure part of Mogadishu. Somali Hotel Attack Attacks impacting the seaside capital had been uncommon in recent weeks following the bolstering of security in the area. The extremist group is known for opposing Somalias' federal government and has been responsible for many lethal attacks on various hotels and other places over the years. The last major attack that the group was responsible for in Mogadishu was conducted in October 2022. At the time, al-Shabab militants killed at least 120 civilians following twin car bombings at a busy junction. The local government has been engaged in a high-profile new offensive against the militant group that the United States has described as one of the deadliest organizations led by al-Qaeda. Previously, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared "total war" against the militant group, according to ABC News. This is not the first time that the Syl Hotel has been attacked and the militants have previously targeted the establishment, which is popular with government officials. The al-Shabab group said that armed Mujahideen took control of the hotel and were shooting workers and officers. However, it was not immediately known if there were any casualties. One resident, Farah Ali, who lives near the president's office, said that they first heard the sound of a huge blast and then later heard gunfire. On the other hand, a security officer said that several gunmen forced their way into the hotel after destroying the perimeter wall that was set up with a heavy explosion. Another individual, Hassan Nur, escaped by scaling a wall and noted that he did not know about any casualties but added that there were many people inside when the militants raided the hotel. Other witnesses also said they saw police arriving a few minutes after the initial attack, which prompted an exchange of gunfire. Read Also: Unusual Cooperation: Taiwan Joins China's Rescue Mission After Boat Sinks Near Kinmen Al-Shabab Militant Group The al-Shabab militant group is known to have control over large parts of southern and central Somalia. On Thursday, the Somali president met with defense officials in order to come up with plans on how to reclaim the territory that is under the extremist group's rule, said BBC. They are a proscribed terrorist group by several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, the latter has previously intervened to fight against the group's fighters. One previous attack that the group conducted was in 2022 when they targeted and stormed the Villa Rays hotel located in the capital and killed at least 14 people. Three years prior to that incident, al-Shabab militants killed at least 26 individuals, including a prominent journalist and several foreigners, in an attack on the Asasey hotel. The fight with the extremist group is not only on the ground as the Somali government is conducting efforts to battle disinformation. There were at least two websites that worked to spread the group's message that have been taken down recently but have quickly gotten back up and running once more. The group also has in operation al-Shabab affiliated social media accounts, mainly found on Telegram and Facebook, that consistently re-emerge as soon as the recognized accounts are taken down, according to the Voice of America News. Related Article: Relatives of Hamas Hostages Block Highway in Tel Aviv @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Ambassador of Ireland to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, during a meeting with representatives of the Capital Pride Alliance in Washington DC (Niall Carson/PA) Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said he is worried about homophobia and transphobia. Mr Varadkar made the remarks during a meeting with the Capital Pride Alliance in Washington DC. The group, which will host World Pride in the city next year, said he had played a strong leadership role in LGBT rights internationally. Mr Varadkar, who announced he was gay in 2015, the first time a serving minister did so in Ireland, discussed Irelands passing of a constitutional amendment through a referendum which extended marriage equality to same-sex couples. He also said there was legislation allowing transexual people to assign their own gender by choice. However, he added: But a bit like the rest of the world, theres been a bit of a backlash to that in the last couple of years. I think theres been an increase in violence towards the community and, sort of, starting to become acceptable again to be homophobic or transphobic, in particular. And I worry about that. Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason, US Chamber of Commerce president Suzanne Clark, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Patricia Clark at an event marking US-Irish relations (Cillian Sherlock/PA) During the meeting, Mr Varadkar and Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason also discussed Irelands work with South Africa on LGBT rights at the UN. The Taoiseach also noted anti-LGBT messaging of Vladimir Putins regime in Russia. Shua Goodwin, board member of Capital Pride Alliance, said that there has been progress on LGBT rights, there are also people who want to hold onto the past with transphobia and homophobia. Speaking to the PA news agency after the meeting with Mr Varadkar, Mr Goodwin said: Theres a way to counteract that, to say thats not normal just because it seems to be happening more and more. He said homophobia and transphobia could also be countered by letting LGBT people know they will continue to be supported. Thats just safe for everyone because we know when the most marginalised groups are insecure and unsafe, thats going to go across all lines of folks no matter what their religious belief, race, sexual orientation. I think him really focusing on that has thats why him raising that was fantastic. Mr Goodwin said the group invited Mr Varadkar because he, and the country of Ireland, had done such a fantastic job on human rights internationally. Amnesty International Ireland activists demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Dublin urging President Joe Biden to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Picture date: Friday March 15, 2024. Protests have been held in Dublin and Belfast urging US President Joe Biden to demand a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. The Amnesty International demonstrations took place to coincide with Irish premier Leo Varadkars meeting with Mr Biden at the White House as part of the traditional St Patricks Day visit. Activists from Amnesty gathered at US diplomatic offices in Dublin and Belfast on Friday morning holding banners that read: President Biden, listen to your Irish roots and demand a permanent ceasefire. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content A small number of Amnesty activists gathered at the gates of the offices of the US Consulate General in Belfast where they laid a bowl of shamrock at the front of the building and handed over a letter to a representative from the Consulate General. Senior politicians from Leinster House and Stormont have been in Washington DC this week to promote Irish business and culture. But pressure has been on politicians to also speak about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and to use the opportunity to call for an immediate ceasefire and to push for peace. Activists recalled Joe Bidens commitment to his Irish roots (Brian Lawless/PA) Israels military operation in the enclave was launched in response to Hamass deadly attack on October 7 that killed 1,200 people and saw militants seize more than 200 hostages. The subsequent Israeli invasion has killed more than 31,000, according to Gaza health officials, left much of the region in ruins and displaced some 80% of Gazas 2.3 million people. Irelands Culture Minister Catherine Martin said at the SXSW festival in Austin Texas that she felt revulsion at the scale of deaths and injuries in Gaza and appealed to the US, a country with strong ties to Israel, to join us in the pursuit of peace. Amnesty International Irelands executive director Stephen Bowen said they were asking Mr Biden to hear Irish people around the world pleading for an end to the atrocities. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict since Hamas October 7 assault (AP) Since the horrific attacks of October 7, more than 30,000 Palestinian people have been killed, the majority of them women and children. To allow this travesty to continue is unspeakable. Its time, Mr President. Call for a permanent ceasefire to end the mass humanitarian suffering in Gaza, aid the return of hostages, and calm the tensions multiplying in the region. Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: Here today Amnesty activists are gathered outside the US Consulate in Belfast, also today outside the US Embassy in Dublin and over the weekend outside the White House in Washington, as Irish leaders go to meet President Biden. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content We want them to bring a very clear message on behalf of people across Ireland north and south, to cry out for the Palestinian people, the people of Israel as well, in demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire. President Biden has loudly, proudly proclaimed his Irish roots so we are asking him to listen to people in Ireland, we are asking him to use his power to deliver a permanent and an immediate ceasefire for the benefit of all in the Middle East. He added: Some have chosen to go (to Washington) and bring the message of peace, some have stayed at home in protest, our focus is on the message itself and that is that President Biden need to listen to people in Ireland and across the world and use his power, and he has immense power diplomatically, to unequivocally call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and partner Matt Barrett (left) with Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff (Niall Carson/PA) US vice president Kamala Harris has told Irish premier Leo Varadkar that she and her husband consider him and his partner their new couple friends. Ms Harris praised Mr Varadkar as a global leader, who has been an extraordinary role model, during a St Patricks Day event in Washington DC. The Irish premier in turn praised Ms Harris as courageous for recent comments in which she called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The pair had a breakfast meeting at the vice-presidents official residence on Friday morning, ahead of Mr Varadkars high-profile White House talks with President Joe Biden. US vice president Kamala Harris had high praise for Leo Varadkar during their breakfast meeting (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Varadkars partner Matt Barrett and Ms Harris husband Doug Emhoff were also in attendance. She told Mr Varadkar: Doug and I decided last year that youre our new couple friends. Ms Harris praised the Taoiseach for leading by example and housing a Ukrainian refugee from Kyiv in his home. Under your leadership, Ireland has hosted one of the highest per capita populations of Ukrainian refugees, a testament to the generosity and the compassion of the Irish people, she said. Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar was courageous in the fight for womens reproductive freedom and praised him for being the first Taoiseach to attend the Munich Security Conference, which the US vice president also attended. She said: On a personal note, Taoiseach, you have been an extraordinary role model for people all around the world as one of the only openly LGBT leaders in history, and you so graciously talked last year here about the work that you and I have done to support and fight for the rights of (the LGBT community). Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar had also worked in the early part of his career to strengthen the ties with the Irish diaspora. America has, of course, served as a place of hope for millions of Irish immigrants and their descendants, including those who have held the highest offices in our land, and currently, of course, our president, Joe Biden, she said. In response, Mr Varadkar said he understands the difficulties of being deputy leader of a country, and added he finds being the leader a little bit easier. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and partner Matt Barrett, left, with US vice-president Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Varadkar explained how he went from Taoiseach, or Irish prime minister, to Tanaiste, or deputy prime minister, before returning to the role of Taoiseach at the end of 2022. Im not going to lie, I know which one I prefer, he said, prompting laughs from those present. I do even find it a little bit easier, even when its hard. He said the best vice presidents are the trailblazers who spoke from the heart. He added: I believe you, madam vice president, showed great courage and leadership in recent weeks, when you spoke publicly in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza. Im sure it cant have been easy but it was the right thing to do and your words echoed all over the world. Diane Abbott has denied reports she was not co-operating with Labour over the restoration of the whip (Jonathan Brady/PA) Diane Abbott has denied a report that she was offered the Labour whip back but refused because she would have had to go on antisemitism training. It comes as senior Labour senior figures appear split on whether to welcome the long-serving MP back into the party fold. An investigation has been ongoing into antisemitism accusations against her since her suspension last April. It came after she wrote a letter to The Observer suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people were not subject to racism all their lives. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Following a backlash, she apologised for any anguish caused and withdrew her comments. The row this week over alleged racist comments by major Conservative donor Frank Hester that Ms Abbott made him want to hate all black women and should be shot has sparked questions over why the probe has already taken 10 months. Ms Abbott on Friday rejected key facts in a report by the Independent, which said her own refusal to compromise was in part to blame. Citing unnamed sources in the party, the newspaper reported she was given the opportunity to be reinstated as a Labour MP if she gave a more fulsome apology and took an antisemitism awareness course. Ms Abbott, who is now sitting as an independent MP, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: A blatantly shoddy piece of journalism. I told the reporter that all the key facts in his piece were false on the record. Instead, he has led with the unattributable briefings from Labour party sources. The facts can be verified by LP. On the record. Labour declined to comment on individual cases. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the independent investigation into Diane Abbott was not resolved (Stefan Rousseau/PA) While Sir Keir Starmer said Ms Abbott should receive support in relation to the abuse she receives, he has resisted calls to restore her to his partys parliamentary ranks. The Labour leader on Thursday said her suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party was an entirely different issue and subject to an independent process that was separate from him. But his deputy Angela Rayner has been among those to say she would like Ms Abbott to be allowed back into the party. Ms Abbott, Britains first black female MP, expressed confidence that she would contest the general election later this year as the Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. Speaking a rally in support of her on Friday night, she told Channel 4 News: I have temporarily lost the whip. But Im completely confident that Keir Starmer will restore it. She said the supporters that had gathered in Hackney, including Jeremy Corbyn, had given her a lot of strength after what has been a very difficult week. Im sure that Keir Starmer will look at the strength of feeling and he will do the right thing. She said no Conservative has apologised after the emergence of Mr Hesters 2019 comments about her, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described as racist while refusing to return the 10 million he donated to the Tory Party. Ms Abbott said: They keep saying that the Hester guy, hes apologised. Hes not apologised. Hes apologised for being rude, whereas in fact he was racist, and hes not apologised for that. In fact, he was inciting violence. Hes not apologised for that. Mr Sunak has faced mounting calls to pay back Mr Hesters donations, including from within his own ranks, but has argued that the healthcare tech entrepreneurs apology should be accepted. James Heappey has told his constituents he will stand down as an MP at the next election (Victoria Jones/PA) James Heappey is set to leave his role as armed forces minister and quit as an MP. As first reported by The Times, Government sources have confirmed that the Conservative MP for Wells, Somerset, will leave his role at the end of the month. The veteran has also confirmed in a letter to his constituents that he will stand down from the Commons at the next general election. He said while it was a painful decision not to contest the election for the newly-created seat he had been selected for, he wanted to prioritise my family and pursue a different career. After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general election, he said in a letter shared on social media on Friday. I am enormously grateful to the new Wells & Mendip Hills Conservative Association for having selected me as their candidate at the special general meeting last year but, as you know, a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a different career. He pledged to support Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, both while continuing to serve as a minister and then from the backbenches, in a firm hint at his intention to step away from frontbench duties. The Times quoted an anonymous Tory MP who said Mr Heappey had been on resignation watch from his ministerial role after telling colleagues privately that he was unhappy about the level of defence spending. Downing Street, which confirmed the former soldier currently remains in his ministerial post, denied any fallout over the defence budget. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Prime Ministers official spokesman, pointing to Mr Heappeys stated desire to change career, said: I dont believe there is any suggestion that this is linked to defence spending. The Ministry of Defence said it would not be commenting. Mr Heappey served in the Army, reaching the rank of major, according to a profile on his website. During a 10-year career in the Rifles, he served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Kenya. He had been hotly tipped to succeed Ben Wallace as defence secretary following his resignation last year. But Mr Sunak instead gave the Cabinet post to Grant Shapps, who has no military experience. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has been lobbying for the Tories to commit to spending 3% of GDP on the military (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) Mr Heappey adds his name to a growing list of Tory MPs to announce they are to leave Parliament, with former prime minister Theresa May and former party chairman Sir Brandon Lewis some of the most recent additions. More than 60 Conservatives have so far said they do not plan to run, with the Commons facing a large turnover of MPs at the next election. As of Friday, some 98 MPs have said publicly they will either be standing down or will not contest their current seat. Mr Sunak on Thursday ruled out holding an election on May 2 to coincide with local elections, having previously indicated he will send the country to the polls in the latter half of 2024. Speaking at his partys spring conference in York, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey told the PA news agency: The number of MPs running away from the election is extraordinary. And a lot of them are running away from the Liberal Democrats because they know that we can beat them in those seats. (PA Graphics) He said his party is determined to beat lots of Conservative MPs up and down the country as he expressed optimism about doing so across the whole blue wall, where its a Liberal Democrat-Conservative fight. The UK Governments record on defence spending has come under close scrutiny due to global tensions, including Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas, and Beijing flexing its military might in the South China Sea. John Foreman, a former UK defence attache in Moscow, told BBC Newscast: I think the Prime Ministers not particularly interested, if Ill be honest, in defence and security issues. Thats why Ben Wallace left. Thats why Grant Shapps is Secretary of State for Defence. Thats why David Camerons Foreign Secretary. I think Mr Sunaks priorities are domestic and getting re-elected. During a visit to Poland on Wednesday, Mr Shapps called for the inclusion of the 3% target in the Conservatives election manifesto, saying: I want a bigger budget. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Mr Shapps said: Defence is the best way to protect ourselves against a military conflict you have to show your adversaries so I am clearly in favour (of a 3% target). Research by the Royal United Services Institute in 2022 suggested that increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, as suggested by Liz Trusss government, would require 157 billion in additional spending over the following eight years. Mr Shapps call follows demands from security minister Tom Tugendhat and Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan that spending rise from 2.27% of GDP to 2.5% immediately. Chancellor Jeremy Hunts Budget last week contained no new money for defence despite concerns about the state of Britains armed forces and the Governments commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on the military as soon as economic conditions allow. That decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, including former service chiefs such as Lord Stirrup, who served as chief of the defence staff between 2006 and 2010, and warned this week that basing military spending on the financial climate rather than threats to national security was not any kind of prudent. Two Albanian nationals who used a plane to illegally transport economic migrants from northern France to an aerodrome in Essex have been found guilty of people smuggling. Myrteza Hilaj, 50, and Kreshnik Kadena, 37, both of Leyton, east London, were found guilty on Friday at Southwark Crown Court of facilitating the commission of a breach of immigration law. The convictions followed an eight-year investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), codenamed Operation Micropus, into an Albanian organised crime group involved in facilitating illegal migration, money laundering, drug trafficking and the supply of counterfeit documents. The NCA said at least nine journeys of Albanian economic migrants in 2016 and 2017 were linked back mainly to Hilaj three involving light aircraft and others with migrants getting in the back of lorries. Albanian national Myrteza Hilaj, 50, was found guilty of people smuggling (NCA/PA) Kadena acted as his assistant and was primarily involved in smuggling migrants using the light aircraft. The groups pilot would take off from North Weald Airfield in Epping Forest, Essex, and fly to Le Touquet airport on the coast of northern France to collect three to four migrants to smuggle into the UK on each trip. The pilot would then fly to Stapleford Aerodrome, also in Epping Forest, where the migrants would leave the plane and be collected by Kadena. The Albanian migrants would pay up to 10,000 for transit into the UK and then a few hundred pounds extra for fake documents, the NCA said. NCA senior investigating officer Saju Sasikumar said Hilaj acted as a travel agent for the migrants. Mr Sasikumar told a media briefing: He was putting people in the right places at the right time and contacting the right people to get them to where they needed to be. He added that the case was one of the few examples of light aircraft being used by people smuggling gangs. Mr Sasikumar added: This investigation has dismantled an organised crime group who not only facilitated illegal migration but provided a complete service to those they helped into the country, ensuring they could gain work and access services illegally. Todays convictions may mark the end of this particular operation but our work to tackle the threat from organised immigration crime is only increasing. After a police interception in France on July 17 2017, the NCA said Hilaj and Kadena, both in the UK legally, were seen having a fallout meeting at a local pub. During the trial Kadena had suggested this was instead his birthday drinks. Hilaj, who came to the UK in the 1990s and previously worked as a restaurant owner and security guard, supplied the migrants with fake documents. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content A false identity counterfeiting group provided Hilaj with many of these including five individuals who produced tens of thousands of such documents at a facility in Stratford for use in banking fraud. He also sourced documents from a man operating a passport factory out of his loft in Battersea, London. Hilaj and Kadena were arrested on July 26 2017 at their home addresses by the NCA. Officers discovered messages on one of Hilajs phones in which he had corrected typing errors on false documents, as well as online searches regarding the aircraft interdiction on July 17. The two men are due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on May 17. British pilot David Green and facilitator Edward Buckley were jailed in France in 2017 for the light aircraft operation which ran from June to July in 2017. The operation by the NCA involved a total of 27 arrests with 11 convictions in the UK, and nine convictions overseas. The NCA said the operation that led to the arrests of the men ensured the safeguarding of over 50 migrants who were prevented from coming to the UK via dangerous means. It also involved the closure of four forgery factories, with confiscation orders of just under 1 million being issued. The wider investigation by the NCA, not linked directly to Hilaj or Kadena, involved the seizure of four tonnes of cannabis and 30 kilos of cocaine. Emergency services work at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) First responders who arrived at the scene of a Russian missile attack on homes in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on Friday were themselves struck by a second missile, officials said. A paramedic and an emergency service worker were among the 16 people killed. Officials said 53 other people were wounded in the attack on houses in the port city. The attack occurred as Russians voted in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend Vladimir Putins rule by another six years after he crushed dissent, and as the war in Ukraine stretches into its third year. Firefighters extinguish a fire at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) At least 10 houses in Odesa and some emergency service equipment were damaged in the attack, which started a blaze, according to Ukraines Emergency Service and regional governor Oleh Kiper. The tactic of firing a second missile at the same location, aiming to hit rescuers, is known in military terms as a double tap. Such strikes often hit civilians. Mr Kiper announced that a day of mourning in Odesa will be held on Saturday the second such observance in less than two weeks. On March 2, a Russian drone struck a multi-storey building, killing 12 people, including five children. Since last summer, Russia has intensified its attacks on Odesa, a southern port city with a population of around one million residents. The attacks have primarily targeted port infrastructure, aiming to disrupt the export of goods after Ukraine managed to restore maritime navigation with a series of successful operations in the Black Sea. A damaged fire engine at the scene of the attack in Odesa (Victor Sajenko/AP) Moscow officials have also claimed they are aiming at facilities where Ukrainian sea drones are stored for attacks on Russias Black Sea fleet. The Odesa regions ports were key to last years international agreement that let Ukraine and Russia ship their grain to the rest of the world. The citys residents largely speak Russian and its past is intertwined with some of Russias most revered figures, including Catherine the Great, author Leo Tolstoy and poet Anna Akhmatova. Its Orthodox cathedral belongs to Moscows patriarchate and at least until the Kremlin illegally annexed the nearby Crimean Peninsula in 2014 its beaches were beloved by Russian tourists. Meanwhile, in the Russian border region of Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a member of the regional territorial defence forces was killed and two people were injured in Ukrainian shelling on Friday. Overnight in Ukraine, two people were also killed and three wounded in the central region of Vinnytsia after Russia struck a building with a drone, according to regional governor Serhii Borzov. The Ukrainian air force said it shot down all 27 Shahed drones that Russia launched over the Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv regions. Billboards promoting the upcoming presidential election with the words in Russian Time to vote in St. Petersburg, Russia (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File) Voters headed to the polls in Russia on Friday for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putins rule by six more years after he stifled dissent. The election takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Mr Putin full control of the political system. It also comes as Moscows war in Ukraine enters its third year. Russian President Vladimir Putin is running for a fifth term virtually unchallenged (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Russia has the advantage on the battlefield, where it is making small, if slow, gains. Ukraine, meanwhile, has made Moscow look vulnerable behind the front line. Long-range drone attacks have struck deep inside Russia, while hi-tech drones have put its Black Sea fleet on the defensive. Voters will cast their ballots from Friday through to Sunday at polling stations across the vast countrys 11 time zones, as well as in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine. The first polling stations opened in Russias easternmost regions, Chukotka and Kamchatka, at 8am local time. The election holds little suspense since Mr Putin, 71, is running for his fifth term virtually unchallenged. His political opponents are either in jail or in exile abroad, and the fiercest of them, Alexei Navalny, died in a remote Arctic penal colony recently. Russian President Vladimir Putin is relying on his rigid control of the country established during his 24 years in power the longest Kremlin tenure since Soviet leader Josef Stalin (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) The three other candidates on the ballot are low-profile politicians from token opposition parties that toe the Kremlins line. Observers have little to no expectation that the election will be free and fair. Beyond the fact that voters have been presented with little choice, the possibilities for independent monitoring are very limited. Only registered candidates or state-backed advisory bodies can assign observers to polling stations, decreasing the likelihood of independent watchdogs. With balloting over three days in nearly 100,000 polling stations in the country, any true monitoring is difficult anyway. Sam Greene, director for Democratic Resilience at the Centre for European Policy Analysis in Washington, said: The elections in Russia as a whole are a sham. The Kremlin controls whos on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign. To say nothing of being able to control every aspect of the voting and the vote-counting process. Billboards promoting the upcoming presidential election have been put up in Luhansk, the capital of the Russian-controlled Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine (AP Photo) Ukraine and the West have also condemned Russia for holding the vote in Ukrainian regions that Moscows forces have seized and occupied. In many ways, Ukraine is at the heart of this election, political analysts and opposition figures say. They say Mr Putin wants to use his all-but-assured electoral victory as evidence that the war and his handling of it enjoys widespread support. The opposition, meanwhile, hopes to use the vote to demonstrate their discontent with both the war and the Kremlin. The Kremlin banned two politicians from the ballot who sought to run on an anti-war agenda and attracted genuine albeit not overwhelming support, thus depriving the voters of any choice on the main issue of Russias political agenda, said political analyst Abbas Gallyamov, who used to work as Mr Putins speechwriter. Russias scattered opposition has urged those unhappy with Mr Putin or the war to show up at the polls at noon on Sunday, the final day of voting, in protest. The strategy was endorsed by Mr Navalny not long before his death. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, has called on Russian voters to spoil their ballot or protest the election (@yulia_navalnaya Twitter channel via AP) His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said: We need to use election day to show that we exist and there are many of us, we are actual, living, real people and we are against Putin. What to do next is up to you. You can vote for any candidate except Putin. You could ruin your ballot. How well this strategy will work remains unclear. Golos, Russias renowned independent election observer group, said in a report this week that authorities were doing everything so that the people dont notice the very fact of the election happening. The watchdog described the campaign ahead of the vote as practically unnoticeable and the most vapid since 2000 when Golos was founded and started monitoring elections in Russia. Mr Putins campaigning was cloaked in presidential activities and other candidates were demonstrably passive, the report said. State media dedicated less airtime to the election than in 2018, when Mr Putin was last elected, according to Golos. Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of Russias leading election monitor Golos, is awaiting trial on charges widely seen as an attempt to pressure the group ahead of this months presidential election (AP Photo, File) Instead of promoting the vote to ensure a desired turnout, authorities appear to be betting on pressuring voters they can control for instance, Russians who work in state-run companies or institutions to show up at the polls, the group said. The watchdog itself has also been swept up in the crackdown: Its co-chair, Grigory Melkonyants, is in jail awaiting trial on charges widely seen as an attempt to pressure the group ahead of the election. The current elections will not be able to reflect the real mood of the people, Golos said in the report. The distance between citizens and decision-making about the fate of the country has become greater than ever. Adam Jan Figel/Shutterstock.com According to Luke 2:27, Jesus was born into a Jewish family that followed Jewish law. His lineage is from the tribe of Judah, one of the 12 tribes of Israel. He was born in Bethlehem, a Jewish town and raised in Nazareth. Jesus was fully immersed in Jewish nationality, culture, and religion. What religion was Jesus? Jesus practiced the religion of first-century Judaism. According to Galatians 4:4, He was born under the law and grew up learning the Torah, following its teachings. He obeyed the Mosaic Law, including all of the ordinances, commandments, and feasts. Not only did He obey the law, but He fulfilled it and brought its requirements to a close, as detailed in Matthew 5:17-18. Jesus and His disciples observed Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles and kept an unnamed Jewish feast in John 5:1. He taught in synagogues and attended worship services, advising others to observe the law of Moses and offer sacrifices. Jesus promoted respect for law as it was being taught by the Pharisees and scribes of His day. He often quoted the Tanakh and, in all this, showed that He was Jewish. As Jesus addressed a group of Jews, He issued a challenge to them, asking if any of them could prove that He was guilty of sin, as detailed in John 8:46. If Jesus had departed in any way from the religious observances of Judaism, His enemies wouldve immediately taken the chance to criticize Him. However, Jesus had a knack for silencing His opponents. Jesus had stern words for the leaders within His religion. Its essential to remember that Jesus condemnation of the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees wasnt a condemnation of the law or Judaism of the day. Jesus rebuke of corrupt officials, hypocrites, and the self-righteous sharply contrasted with His condemnation of those who were devout before God and lived their faith. Jesus spoke out against specific religious leaders because they taught manufactured ideas as if they were commands from God. On two occasions, He cleared the temple of rapacious, thieving sinners. These action werent designed to destroy Judaism but to purify it. He was an observant Jew who followed the law, and His death brought the end to the Old Covenant God made with Israel, shown in the tearing of the temple and established the New Covenant. The early church was established in Judaism and Jewish messianism. The earliest believers in Christ were mainly Jewish. Still, as the believers declared the risen Jesus as the Messiah, the unbelievers rejected them and were driven to make a clean break from Judaism. Jesus was the Messiah that the Jews waited for. He was born into Judaism, fulfilled the Jewish religion, and when His people rejected Him, He gave His life as a sacrifice for the worlds sins. His blood ratified the New Covenant, and soon after His death, Judaism lost its temple, priesthood, and sacrifices. If Jesus was Jewish, why arent Christians Jewish? If Jesus was Jewish, why is it that Christians dont follow Judaism? Judaisms Laws were given to Moses for Israels children in a special and sacred covenant at Mount Sinai and were recorded for us in Exodus. In this covenant, God wrote His laws on stone tablets, and Israel was told to be obedient to all that was revealed to them. Still, this incredible covenant was only a picture of a better and new covenant that God would give His people one day, both Gentile and Jew. We read about this new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which reads that the Lord will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah. It wont be like any covenant made with their forefathers when He took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt because they broke His covenant. The Lord said He would put His law in their minds and write it on their hearts. He will be their God, and they will be His people. A man will no longer educate his neighbor or a man his brother by saying, Know God because theyll all know Him, from the least to the greatest. He will forgive their evilness and remember their sins no more. Christians dont follow Judaism because Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic covenant. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said dont think that Hes come to abolish the law or the prophets because He came to fulfill them, not abolish them. The writer of the Hebrews wrote that by calling this covenant new, Hes made the first obsolete, and whats obsolete and aging will soon disappear, as detailed in Hebrews 8:13. As Christians, we dont have to obey the old covenant anymore because its been replaced. Now, we have a better covenant with a better sacrifice, overseen by a better High Priest. Hebrews 10:19-23 reminds us that since we have the conviction to enter the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus with a new and living way opened for us through the curtain that is His body. Since we have a priest over Gods house, we should draw closer to God with a genuine heart in complete confidence of faith, having our hearts scattered to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed purely. We should hold unswervingly to the hope we share, for He who promised is faithful. Jesus didnt come into the world to start another religion because the world has more than enough religions. He came to complete Gods work in redeeming sinful humanity. He came to conquer our enemy, Satan, and to seek and save the lost. Jesus came to fulfill the requirements of the law and establish a new covenant between God and humanity. Jesus came to redeem us all from evil and purify for Himself a people that are His, eager to do whats good. Christianity is the result of Jesus finished work of salvation, and now, He builds His church. In this sense, Christianity isnt a religion. Religion is mans effort to reach up to God. However, Christianity teaches that God has reached down to us. Jesus, the Son of God and the second Person of the Trinity took on human flesh, and during His time on earth, God reached out to us. Jesus wasnt a Christian; He was a Jewish rabbi who followed the Jewish law that God had given to Moses. Under the law, He lived perfectly to present Himself as a sacrifice without flaws, acceptable under that law. Christianity is the climax of Gods plan and the completion of what God started when He set the Hebrew people apart from Himself. The United States and other mediators have reportedly heard from Hamas on their Gaza ceasefire plan, which involves freeing Palestinian inmates in return for the release of Israeli captives. Previously, the office of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of continuing to make "ridiculous demands" in a bid to derail a hostage arrangement. Proposal by Hamas According to the proposal seen by Reuters, Hamas seeks the freedom of 700-1,000 Palestinian detainees in exchange for the first release of Israeli hostages. These hostages are said to include women, children, the elderly, and sick individuals. Hamas claims that after the first round of prisoner and hostage exchanges, a permanent truce would be agreed upon. A timetable for Israel's exit from Gaza would also be determined after the first round of exchange. According to the group, the second phase of the proposal would include the release of all prisoners from both sides. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged war cabinet members to reach a compromise. On Friday, March 15, the committee will convene to discuss the prospect of concluding the deal. "For the first time, we can envision embracing them again, please grant us this right," the families of the hostages pleaded in a statement. The families appealed to the prime minister and war cabinet, urging them to rescue all 134 children who were "cruelly taken, solely for being Israelis." See Also: Gaza Crisis: Dozens Killed, Injured in New Horrific Israeli Attack as Starving Palestinians Await for Aid Impasse in Negotiations An increasing humanitarian catastrophe sees one-quarter of the Gaza Strip's population threatened with starvation. Egypt and Qatar have been attempting to reduce the disagreements between Israel and Hamas about the parameters of a ceasefire. The Times of Israel pointed out that the current ceasefire plan is identical to an earlier draft that Hamas received in February from the Gaza truce negotiations in Paris. Both included a 40-day halt in all military activities and called for the exchange of Palestinian captives for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to 1. Last week, negotiations seemed to come to a standstill when Hamas insisted that Israel terminate the conflict and pull all soldiers out of Gaza instead of the partial pullout and six-week ceasefire that Jerusalem had previously agreed to. While Israel has committed to holding negotiations in accordance with the Paris agreement, it has repeatedly said that any ceasefire would be brief, reiterating its long-standing objective of continuing the conflict until Hamas is eliminated. See Also: Australia Resumes Funding Aid for Main Palestinian Relief Agency UNRWA @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tupungato/Shutterstock.com According to the Bible, the original 12 disciples of Jesus were Andrew, Peter, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, Matthew, Simon, Thaddeus, and Judas. Judas eventually betrayed Jesus, initiating His arrest and trek to be crucified on the cross, and Matthias replaced Judas in Acts 1:21-26. The apostles werent the kind of group that people would expect Jesus to send forth on His mission to reach the world. There wasnt anything truly spectacular or unique about them; they were just ordinary working men. However, Jesus formed them into the foundation of the church and gave them an extraordinary task: calling the entire world, including the strongest empire known to man, to faith and repentance in Christ. You can be sure that any first-century, educated Roman citizen wouldve laughed at any likelihood that Christianity would be the empires official faith within three centuries. The dispersion of the 12 disciples. Many people wonder how the 12 apostles died, but the New Testament shares the fate of only two of the apostles: Judas, who hanged himself after betraying Jesus, and James, Zebedees son, whom Herod executed in Acts 12:2. Legends and reports abound, and theyre not always reliable, but its safe to say that the apostles went far and wide to share the message of the risen Christ. An early legend says they divided up the world to establish who would go where so everyone could hear about Jesus. They suffered immensely for their faith and, in most cases, met horrible deaths due to their faith and bold witness in Christ. Heres what happened to the 12 disciples after Jesus ascension. Peter. Peters life holds a special place in Christian history. Originally named Simon, Peter was a humble fisherman from Bethsaida whom Jesus chose to be one of His 12 apostles. Known for his genuine faith and leadership, Peter was typically at the forefront of the disciples, ready to serve the Lord. His journey with Christ was marked with significant moments of faith, like when he walked on water at Jesus lead, showing his willingness to obey and trust Jesus. His relationship with Jesus changed Peters life. Despite his weakness, like denying Christ during the crucifixion, Peters story is one of grace and redemption. Jesus forgiveness and restoration of Peter after His resurrection shows the depth of Gods mercy and the power of repentance. Peters leadership in the early church is an inspiration for spiritual leadership and evangelism. His legacy continues to encourage Christians to live courageously and faithfully in their walk with Christ. Paul. Pauls missionary journeys took him throughout the Roman Empire, where he established several churches and wrote several letters, many of which are part of the New Testament. His epistles, including Corinthians, Romans, and Galatians, addressed theological issues, giving guidance for living a Christian life and encouraging unity within the early church. His teachings on salvation through faith in Jesus, the nature of the church as Christs body, and the Holy Spirits role have had a lasting impact on Christian theology. Although facing imprisonment, persecution, and several hardships, Paul remained loyal to his mission. His legacy continues to inspire Christians worldwide, as his example of faithfulness and writings remain central to Christian practice and belief. Paul and Peter were martyred in Rome around 66 AD during the oppression under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded, and Peter was crucified upside down, as he didnt feel worthy to die in the same way as Christ. Andrew. During his time with Jesus, Andrew was depicted as a dedicated and humble follower, typically seen in the background but always present in the critical moments of Jesus ministry. One notable example of his faith is recorded in John, where Andrew brings a boy with two fishes and five loaves of bread to Jesus, which Jesus miraculously multiplied to feed 5,000 people. After Jesus resurrection and ascension, Andrew is thought to have started missionary journeys to spread the Gospel, with tradition saying he preached in regions like Asia Minor, Scythia, and Greece. His martyrdom came in Patras, Greece, where he was crucified on an X-shaped cross known as Saint Andrews Cross. Andrews legacy lives on as the patron saint of numerous countries, including Russia, Scotland, and Greece. Andrews life continues to inspire Christians to share their faith. Thomas. Thomas is often remembered for his skepticism, earning the nickname Doubting Thomas. Still, theres much more to his story than this single moment of doubt. Hes mentioned numerous times in the Gospels, where hes shown as a curious and devoted follower of Christ. His most known doubt happened after Jesus resurrection when he declared that he wouldnt believe in the risen Christ unless he could touch and see His wounds. Aside from this episode, Thomass life after Jesus resurrection is filled with legend and mystery. According to tradition, he traveled eastward to spread the Gospel, reaching as far as India. Hes believed to have established Christian communities and performed miracles in Jesus name. Thomas is believed to have been martyred for his faith, and his relics are respected in churches across the world. Phillip. Phillips ministry went beyond the events recorded in the Gospels. Tradition says that he preached in various regions, including Phrygia in Asia Minor, where hes said to have performed miracles and converted several people to Christianity. His dedication to spreading Gods word emphasizes his dedication to his faith and his role as a missionary. Today, Phillip is remembered as a saint in numerous Christian denominations, and his life continues to inspire believers in their journeys of service and faith. He possibly had a ministry in Carthage in Asia Minor and North Africa, where he converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. In retaliation, the proconsul had Phillip arrested and put to death. Matthew. Matthew wrote the first Gospel in the New Testament. Before his call to be a disciple, he worked as a tax collector in Capernaum, a job that was typically hated by the Jewish community for its correlation with the Roman occupation and perceived as dishonest. After Jesuss resurrection and ascension, Matthew continued to spread the Gospel, traveling to preach in areas like Persia, Ethiopia, and Parthia. His legacy remains through his Gospel, which continues to be a foundational text for Christians worldwide. Some of the oldest reports say Matthew wasnt martyred, while others say he was stabbed in Ethiopia. Bartholomew. In some biblical accounts, Bartholomew is also known as Nathanael. The New Testament gives limited details about his life, but hes often identified with Nathanel, who was introduced to Jesus by Phillip and is mentioned in Johns Gospel. Christian tradition says that after Jesus ascension, Bartholomew dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel. Hes believed to have traveled extensively to spread Christs teachings, with some accounts suggesting that he went as far as Armenia, India, Ethiopia, and Mesopotamia. In Armenia, hes particularly revered for his missionary efforts and is considered one of the countrys patron saints. The circumstances of Bartholomews martyrdom arent definitively known, but numerous traditions suggest that he was either flayed alive or beheaded. His contributions to the church are remembered in his sainthood. James, the Lesser. James the Lesser is typically identified this way to differentiate him from James the Greater, another disciple of Jesus. He was the son of Alphaeus and is sometimes called James, the son of Alphaeus in the New Testament to differentiate him from the other James further. Little is known about his early life, but like the other disciples, James left everything to follow Jesus and become a devoted follower and witness to Jesus ministry. After Jesus resurrection and ascension, James became a renowned figure in the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Hes often associated with James the Just, who was known for his piety and adherence to Jewish law. Though less documented than those of some other apostles, James contributions to the spread of Christianity were significant in the early churchs foundation. Tradition states that he suffered martyrdom for his faith, though his death details vary among sources. Hes venerated as a saint in various Christian denominations. Simon, the Zealot. Simon the Zealot is somewhat of a mysterious figure in the New Testament, with limited details available about his life. His background suggests that Simon was a passionate supporter of Jewish independence and was likely characterized by a robust zeal for his convictions and beliefs. After Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, Simon continued to share the Gospel as part of the early Christian crusade. Tradition says that Simon preached in regions like North Africa, Egypt, and Persia, where hes believed to have been martyred for his faith. The story goes that he ministered in Persia but was murdered after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god. Matthias. Matthias has a special place among Jesus disciples, as he was chosen to replace Judas after he betrayed Christ and his subsequent death. He wasnt originally one of the disciples but followed Jesus from the start of His ministry. The New Testament doesnt give further details about Matthias ministry, but tradition says that he preached the Gospels in several regions, including the Caspian Sea area, Cappadocia, and Ethiopia. Tradition sends him to Syria with Andrew, where he was sentenced to death by burning. John. John, also called the Beloved Disciple, is a key figure in the New Testament and all of Christian tradition. He was Zebedees son, and his brother James was also one of Jesus 12 disciples. Hes known for his close relationship with Jesus and was part of the inner circle of disciples. Hes typically depicted as leaning on Jesus chest at the Last Supper, symbolizing his special relationship with Jesus. Johns contributions to Christianity are profound, as his writings highlight Christs divinity, the importance of love, and the promise of eternal life for all believers. After Jesus ascension, John played an important role in the early church, particularly in Ephesus, where hes said to have lived and ministered until his death. John is the only apostle thought to have died naturally from old age. He was the church leader in the Ephesus area and is said to have cared for Mary, Jesus mother, in his home. During Domitians persecution, John was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote Revelation. An early Latin tradition had him escaping unharmed after being thrown into boiling oil. James, the Greater. James, also called James the Greater, was Johns brother, who was another one of Jesus disciples. The two were fishermen when Jesus called them to follow Him. After Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, his life took a dramatic turn. James became an influential leader in the early Christian community in Jerusalem, playing a significant role in spreading the Gospel. The Acts of the Apostles say that James was the first disciple to be killed for his faith. Around 44 AD, James was executed under the orders of King Herod Agrippa. The disciples influence today. The names of Jesus disciples have become the most common names for men in the Western world. How many men do you know named Tom, Andy, or Phil? At least four of them were fishermen, so could this be why one of the earliest Christian symbols was the fish? After the death of the disciples, we dont find significant missionary figures of Pauls stature, but the faith continued to spread, even though Christianity was proclaimed illegal until the 4th century under Emperor Constantine. Jesus 12 disciples were ordinary men who were called to do something extraordinary. However, Jesus brought them together with the mission to spread His gospel throughout the world, which is precisely what they did. After Jesus' ascension, the disciples followed their instructions and spread the Gospel throughout the world. Unfortunately, some of them died for spreading their faith, but at that point, their job was done. Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the Move Forward Party, leaves a news conference at Parliament in Bangkok after Thailands Constitutional Court ruled that the progressive party must cease advocating amending the law on royal defamation, Jan. 31, 2024. UPDATED at 3:38 p.m. ET on 2024-03-15 This weeks recommendation by the Thai Election Commission that the Constitutional Court disband the progressive Move Forward Party the top vote-getter in last years general election raises new concerns about a two-tiered justice system. Such a move would deal another blow for democracy in Thailand. It would disenfranchise more than 14 million people, or 38% of the electorate, who had voted for Move Forward and its young leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, to lead the countrys first civilian-headed government in nine years. But they saw their dream denied. The commissions recommendation followed decisions by Thai authorities in recent weeks that allowed former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra to escape much of their legal jeopardy. It reflects how the military and pro-royalist elites still wield influence and can continue to thwart the will of the people. The Constitutional Court will likely act on the recommendation and move to disband Move Forward. In late January, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that MFPs proposal to amend Article 112 was a violation of the 2017 Constitution and tantamount to attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy and the democratic system. The article frames the strict lese-majeste law that guards against royal defamation in Thailand. In addition to dissolving the party, the high court will likely ban its executives from all political activity for 10 years. The Election Commissions move could be even more sweeping: Some have warned that it might push for a lifetime ban on all 44 of the partys MPs who endorsed the proposed reforms to the monarchy. Legal coups Despite Thailands ostensible return to democratic governance with last years establishment of a civilian-led government headed by Pheu Thai the party associated with the Shinawatras royalist and military elites continue to exert undue influence over the countrys politics. They have done so through the 250-member appointed Senate, which had a direct role in the 2019 and 2023 selections of the prime minister normally the sole purview of the lower house. But the most important tool to keep the MFP in check is the judiciary. In this case, the Constitutional Court has tried to have it both ways, arguing that while there is a legal parliamentary procedure for amending Article 112, MFPs actions both online and on the campaign trail had violated the law and exposed their hidden agenda to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (right) joins current Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during a homecoming dinner in Chiang Mai, Thailand, March 15, 2024. [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP] MFPs proposal was never to abolish Article 112, but to make it a non-security crime with shorter prison sentences. In seeking to direct complaints through the Royal Household Bureau, rather than through law-enforcement, party members were ostensibly separating defense of the monarchy from national security. That alone is the militarys most important priority and justification for ongoing interference in politics. The Court ruled that MFPs amendment proposal was the first step toward abolishing the law; something that Pita, the partys leader, has called unfeasible. But conservative parties and ultra-royalists vehemently oppose any attempts to amend the law. Currently there is an amnesty bill being studied for convicted violators of Article 112, but it is also running into opposition. Ultra-royalist paranoia has surged, especially as royal succession is uncertain. Last December, a popular Move Forward MP, Rukchanok Srinork, was jailed for six years on two counts of violating Article 112 for a tweet and re-tweet in 2021. In February, two journalists were charged with supporting vandalism for simply reporting on anti-monarchy graffiti being spray painted on the palace walls. In all, about 262 people have been charged under Article 112 since 2020, including one activist who was sentenced to an unprecedented 50 years in January 2024. Deja vu Move Forwards leaders have been preparing for this; after all, it is exactly what happened to the Future Forward Party in 2019. They will quickly re-register the party, which according to recent polls, remains the most popular in the country. The real problem is that the charismatic and widely known leadership under Pita will be banned from politics for 10 years the second generation of banned well-known and charismatic party leaders. MFP should emerge as a smaller party. Reconstituting themselves will require time and resources, all with lesser known candidates. Rival parties will move quickly in the by-elections, as well as move to encourage defections of any MFP parliamentarians who have not been disqualified. Many supporters who chose Move Forward for sweeping political reforms may grow discouraged and accept parties that can at least deliver social services. The royalist elites and military cannot completely defy the will of the people. The two parties led by the 2014 coup leaders were humiliated in the May 2023 polls, winning only 76 parliamentary seats, and even worse on the party-list voting. That is gobsmackingly low for incumbent parties. The grand bargain that allowed for the return of Shinawatras and the formation of a Pheu Thai-led government, has given the military/royalist-backed parties a presence in the cabinet. Though they are in a minority, theyre still in a position to thwart any policies or reforms that go against the interests of royalist and military elites. And with Thaksin Shinawatras parole after only serving six months of an eight-year term reduced to one through a royal decree raises more concerns about double standards. During his time in custody, the ex-PM spent less than 24 hours in a prison cell and the rest of the time as a patient in a VIP suite at a hospital in Bangkok. This week, Thaksin finally returned to his hometown of Chiang Mai, where he was greeted by his adoring supporters. Though Thaksin still faces a charge of lese-majeste, which can lead to a 15-year sentence, that is likely to be dropped in April. Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrives at the Supreme Court in Bangkok to make her final statements in a trial on a charge of criminal negligence for mishandling government project expenditures while she was in power in 2013, Aug. 1, 2017. [Sakchai Lalit/AP file photo] Meanwhile, a court acquitted his sister, Yingluck, who had been sentenced in absentia in 2017 for negligence in a government rice subsidy program. She has been in self-imposed exile since fleeing the country following the May 2014 coup. She will likely receive a token sentence for fleeing the country. In short, a deal between Pheu Thai once the standard bearer of opposition to military rule and the elites was clearly done, as both sought to neutralize the upstart Move Forward Party. Pheu Thai has become a status quo party while Prime Minister Srettha Thavsin remains acceptable to elites as long as he stays in his lane of reviving the economy, and quashes any attempt at political or monarchy reform. By mid-March, he had spent 30% of his time in office overseas. Pita has always remained optimistic, stating the Move Forwards time will come. But the Thai establishment is wearing the watch and seems able and willing to set the clock back, through coups or lawfare, as often as it needs. 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 BenarNews. An earlier version incorrectly stated that two journalists were charged in February under lese-majeste. Moscow has alleged that 10 Indonesians were fighting alongside the Ukrainian military as mercenaries against Russia since it invaded the former Soviet republic in February 2022, according to the Russian Embassy in Jakarta on Friday. Meanwhile, neighboring Malaysia said this week it had no information that any of its citizens had enlisted to fight on Russias side, as a branch of Ukraines military had claimed on its website in January. Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lalu Muhammad Iqbal said that Russias information needed to be verified,, telling reporters: Please ask Russia about the data they have. On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry released numbers it claimed were a breakdown of foreign mercenaries and fatalities among them by country. According to Russia, more than 13,000 foreigners had joined the conflict in Ukraine to support Kyiv, with confirmed fatalities numbering approximately 6,000. The allegations were relayed to the Indonesian public by the Russian Embassy in Jakarta on Friday via the instant messaging app Telegram. In a table attached to the embassys statement, Indonesia was listed with 10 fighters, four of whom were marked dead. Provide clear evidence The Ukrainian ambassador to Indonesia, Vasyl Hamianin, rejected Russias claims that his country hired foreign fighters. Is there any evidence and facts? If not, then everyone knows that the Russians are professional liars and provocateurs, Hamianin told BenarNews. Russia should provide details, said Teuku Rezasyah, from Padjadjaran University in Bandung. They have to provide clear evidence such as their identity, or at least photos, so that our government can identify them, Rezasyah, an international relations lecturer, told BenarNews. Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Kremlin in Moscow, June 30, 2022. [Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/AFP] In June 2022, Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo visited Ukraine and Russia as part of his self-declared peace mission to end hostilities between the two neighbors, which are among the worlds top breadbaskets. Back then, Indonesia held the rotational presidency of the G20 with Jokowi serving as chairman of the grouping of the worlds 20 largest economies. During his trip he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, where he stayed for a day, then popped over to Moscow for a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jokowi had said his trip was also aimed at averting a food crisis. Since the invasion, Russia has blocked all of Ukraines Black Sea ports and cut off access to almost all of the nations exports, especially of grain, sparking fears of a global food crisis. Anti-war activists in Malaysia hold placards calling for an end to hostilities after Russia invaded Ukraine, in Kuala Lumpur, Feb. 28, 2022. [Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters] Indonesias neighbor, Malaysia, had to deal with precisely the opposite allegation that is, Ukraines claim that Malaysians had signed up to fight on Russias side. When asked about it in Parliament, Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail issued a written statement, which he also published on the legislatures website. The Malaysian police did not receive any information on the allegation that Malaysians were recruited as mercenaries to fight along with the Russian military in the Donetsk Region in Eastern Ukraine, Saifuddin said. The specific reference to the Ukrainian region was in response to the allegation made by the National Resistance Center of Ukraine, a branch of the countrys military, on its website. Mercenaries from Malaysia, accompanied by a translator, as well as former Wagner members have been spotted in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk region said a post on Jan. 24 on the website. The fighters are currently at the training ground, it said. Malaysias top cop, Razarudin Husain, said that in addition to the usual checks to determine whether anyone was abroad and where, police went the extra mile to investigate the Ukrainian claims, local media reported. Razarudin said that further checks were conducted by the police departments intelligence division with its counterparts in Europe but they turned up nothing either. There was no information that our people were hired as mercenaries in any countries as reported, said Razarudin. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, in its two-year assessment of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, said that it had resulted in more than 10,000 civilian deaths and nearly 20,000 injuries since Russias full-scale invasion two years ago. Actual figures were likely higher, noted the U.N. report, which was released in February. Millions across the country have lost their homes, been forced to flee, or endured other hardship due to lack of access to basic services as a result of the war. The hostilities have damaged and destroyed hundreds of medical and educational institutions the report said. Entire cities have been destroyed. Vietnam has requested that China respect international law and bilateral agreements with Hanoi after Beijing drew a new baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin. The baseline is deemed as excessive by analysts, with one suggesting the United States should conduct a freedom of navigation operation to challenge it. Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews, was the first Western media to report the announcement earlier this month of a new baseline that defines Chinas territory in the northern part of the area known in China as the Beibu Gulf. This baseline, which Beijing said was set in accordance with Chinese law, did not exist before. On Thursday, Vietnamese foreign ministry spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said that all coastal countries need to abide by the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) when drawing the territorial baseline used to calculate the width of the territorial waters and other maritime zones. She highlighted the necessity for these baselines to not affect the lawful rights and interests of other countries, including the freedom of navigation and the freedom of transit passage through straits used for international maritime activities. The spokeswoman stopped short of rejecting the new Chinese baseline and instead called on Beijing to respect and abide by the agreement on the delimitation of the territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves of the two countries in the Gulf of Tonkin signed in 2000, as well as the 1982 UNCLOS. Chinas new baseline is shown in red in northern Gulf of Tonkin. [Google Maps/RFA] Beijing has yet to respond to Hanois statement but the Chinese foreign ministrys Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs said on its official WeChat account earlier that the announcement of the baseline was a necessary act to exercise national sovereignty and jurisdiction. Encroachment The Gulf of Tonkin, or Vinh Bac Bo in Vietnamese, is highly important to both Vietnam and China not only in terms of economic development but also defense and security. After nine years of negotiation, Hanoi and Beijing signed a Maritime Boundary Delimitation Agreement in 2000 to clearly demarcate each others territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in the Gulf of Tonkin. Some analysts said the new baseline would not affect Vietnams economic interests much as long as the signed agreement is observed. Others are concerned that Beijing would use it as a pretext to push Hanoi to renegotiate the boundary agreement. Chinas announcement of its baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin is a step up the ladder of escalation in its strategy of ratcheting up assertiveness in the South China Sea, said Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii. The new baseline puts Vietnams before a fait accompli, he said, It gives reasons for China to question the agreement that Beijing and Hanoi signed off in 2000 and push the boundary closer to the Vietnamese coast. UNCLOS stipulates that the drawing of straight baselines must not depart to any appreciable extent from the general direction of the coast, and the sea areas lying within the lines must be sufficiently closely linked to the land domain to be subject to the regime of internal waters. The new Chinese baseline at some points encroaches about 50 nautical miles (93 km) on international waters and on average, it represents an encroachment of 20 to 30 nautical miles upon international waters, Vuving said. Chinas baseline in the Tonkin Gulf is not in line with UNCLOS and can be rejected by an international court. Challenging Chinas claims Chinas unilateral creeping excessive claims in other countries maritime and territorial domains even while a border resolution instrument is in existence, are becoming a regular event, said Pooja Bhatt, an independent maritime security analyst. Vietnam, as well as other countries in the same situation, should protest against this move, raise the issue at the bilateral level and bring international attention to it, she said. Keeping silent to save immediate Chinese backlash will harm countries future territorial integrity and national interests, she said. The new expansive baseline would affect freedom of navigation activities in the area as no foreign ships or aircraft are allowed to make so-called innocent passage through a countrys internal waters inside the baseline. China also requires permission or notification before a foreign warship can sail through its territorial sea, measured 12 nautical miles outward from the baseline. Beijing has repeatedly protested against U.S. warships sailing in waters near the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos, which Washington insists is conducted in accordance with international law. Vuving suggested that several other countries may dispute Chinas new baseline and the U.S. may conduct a freedom of navigation operation to physically challenge Chinas excessive claims. Friday marked the initiation of a three-day electoral process as Russians cast their votes across the nation's 11 time zones. The outcome, almost guaranteed, is expected to extend Vladimir Putin's tenure by an additional six years as the head of the world's foremost nuclear power. Amidst the Ukraine war, deemed the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two, the 71-year-old Kremlin leader remains the central figure in Russia's political sphere. None of the other candidates listed on the ballot pose a credible threat to Putin's reelection. The Kremlin says Putin, leading since 1999 as president or prime minister, is likely to win. He garners significant support for his efforts in navigating Russia through the aftermath of the Soviet collapse and for his stance against what it views as Western arrogance and hostility, said Reuters. Some of Russia's more than 190 ethnic groups turned out to vote in national costume, from Chukotka on the Pacific 6,300 km (3,900 miles) away from Moscow to the Kaliningrad exclave on the Baltic Sea bordering Poland. In Yakutskan, an eastern Siberian city, the descendent of a Yukaghir shaman asked spirits to bring good luck to the winner during a ceremony at one polling station. Other Russian cities saw one woman dressed up as Barbie at a polling station and another woman dressed as a tiger. However, despite Putin's guaranteed win, the effects of the Ukraine war heavily loom over the election. Russia reportedly has more than 1 million men in arms and several hundred thousand fighting an artillery and drone war along the front line in Ukraine. Should Putin achieve an additional six-year term, he will surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalin to become Russia's longest-serving ruler since Empress Catherine the Great in the 18th century. Perhaps Russia's most well-known adversary stood a chance to persuade the election to go a different direction, however, Alexei Navalny died abruptly in an Arctic penal colony last month. And any other opposing Kremlin critics are exiled or in jail. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, alongside his supporters, has called on citizens across Russia to protest the election by voting at the same time at noon on Sunday in each of the country's 11 time zones. Positioned as a means for individuals to voice opposition without facing arrest, the "Noon Against Putin" movement encourages participation in lawful voting lines. Despite this, the Kremlin has warned people against participating in unauthorized gatherings. But not all Russians are abiding by Kremlin's strict orders, as a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a polling station in St. Petersburg on Friday. It was reported that authorities apprehended a woman attempting to ignite a ballot box using a Molotov cocktail, according to voting officials. Additionally, in the Chelyabinsk region, law enforcement detained an individual who sought to set off firecrackers at a polling station @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. The FBI reports a significant increase in the incidence of financially motivated sextortion. SB Arts Media/Getty Images Poster for the documentary film, "My Sextortion Diary." Handout The FBI sounded the alarm in December about an explosive increase in teenage boys being targeted online and extorted for money after being tricked into sending sexually explicit pictures. Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press Sen. Ted Cruz, right, greets from left, Brian Montgomery, Kristin Bride and Maurine Molak after a press conference, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. Cruz spoke on the proposed Kids Online Safety Act, (KOSA). Montgomery lost his son, Walker, 16, to suicide in 2022 due to sextortion. Bride lost her son, Carson, 16, in 2020. He died by suicide after he was cyberbullied. Molak lost her son, David, 16, in 2016 to suicide after he was cyberbullied. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Patricia Franquesa was angry when thieves ran off with her laptop in Madrid just hours before a meeting to share the latest edit of her documentary film. She wasnt thinking at all about the three nude photos on the hard drive. Hackers soon reminded her. Within a few weeks, hackers emailed Franquesa, informing her they had found the photos, accessed her email and downloaded her social media contacts, including business associates on LinkedIn. They demanded $2,600 deposited in bitcoin, or theyd share her photos with her world. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Franquesa did what documentary filmmakers do: she started recording everything. The result was My Sextortion Diary, which I saw at its world premiere at the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals in Austin. Sexual extortion is a rapidly growing global cybercrime where criminals demand cash or additional explicit materials from their victims. In most cases, once the victim accedes to the blackmailer, the extortion continues until the victim runs out of money. Franquesas film reveals the cat-and-mouse games extortionists play yearly on hundreds of thousands of victims worldwide. In January, the FBI revealed it has recorded more than 13,000 cases involving juveniles since October 2021, with the rate spiking over the past six months. Experts advise victims to contact the police and save the emails but never reply. Franquesa followed that advice, expecting the blackmailer to send her photos to her contacts all at once. But the hacker sent the pictures to a few contacts at a time over several months, routinely embarrassing her and amping up the pressure to pay. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The tactics are mind-bending for an adult, as the film shows, but can devastate teens, who are increasingly the targets. In the United States, at least 20 teens have died by suicide following sextortion attempts, the FBI said. Franquesa took matters into her own hands after one of the Spanish investigators asked her to take nude photos of him and his wife and the hacker showed no fear of getting caught. Ill give away no spoilers. Sextortion is a growing problem, but hackers soon wont require any authentic source material. Artificial intelligence allows them to create sexually explicit images that are convincing enough. Online companies sell users access to a program called FaceShifter to overlay photos onto pornographic actors in videos. Weve reached a level where we can use even one photo, and the result will be indistinguishable from the original, one site claimed. And in the end, we get the perfect overlap of the face with the other persons body. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Such videos and images are known as deepfakes and, revoltingly, some cretin has made one for almost every female public figure. While they are realistic, most are clearly cut-and-paste jobs. Advances in AI, though, could make identifying deepfakes more difficult. Governments and the AI industry are worried about how criminals may use deepfakes to blackmail people and spread disinformation. But so far, there are no good ways to label AI-generated content, according to Che Chang, general counsel for ChatGPT maker Open AI. We are sharing best practices, Chang told a SXSW panel. But no one has a good answer yet. Public awareness of sextortion and AI capabilities are the only antidote, experts agree. When it comes to the extortionists, who the FBI believes are primarily based in Asia and Africa, victims should know the hackers will almost always send out the compromising material, no matter what you do or how much you pay. There is no keeping it secret. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The best defense against deepfakes is to question any shocking material that elicits an emotional reaction. Did a billionaire pop star really make a professionally-produced porn video? Would President Joe Biden really urge people not to vote? Conversely, people are declaring some authentic images are fake. When journalists photographed red blotches on former President Donald Trumps hands, he falsely claimed they were generated by AI. Every technical advancement creates an opportunity for criminals and liars. We all want to believe were too smart to fall victim to a hacker or a psychological operation. But remember, these folks spend every minute of their day dreaming up new ways to fool you, often utilizing the latest scientific research. Professional journalists spend their lives separating good information from bad, as the doctored photos from the British royal family demonstrated. I hope that people will increasingly recognize the crucial services we provide, if someone hasnt fooled them into rejecting our profession first. BENNINGTON The two-day trial of a Pownal man charged in a domestic assault and robbery in 2021 for an alleged midday attack on a family member was cancelled right before it began Wednesday after prosecutors decided the chances of a conviction were slim and offered a plea deal. William Danforth, 35, was facing five counts stemming from the November 2021 attack in Pownal by him and two other individuals on a family member. Danforth faced two counts of aggravated domestic assault, assault and robbery, and two counts of aggravated assault. In all, he was facing a combined maximum of 70 years behind bars if found guilty on all counts. In the plea deal worked out by Danforths defense lawyer and state prosecutors, Danforth was charged with a sixth felony offense - accessory after the fact - which carries a maximum of seven years. Danforth then pleaded guilty to the new charge and received a one-year deferred sentence. That means that if he does not get in any more trouble during the year of probation, the charge will be erased from his record. All five of the original charges were then dismissed. Although we wouldve liked to see more in terms of punishment for the defendant, prosecutor Andrew Bevacqua wrote in an email, we had to weigh the risks of going to trial. According to Bevacqua, during a deposition in a co-defendant's case, that co-defendant provided testimony that was counter to what she and other key witnesses had initially told prosecutors had happened. It was unclear what a jury would decide after hearing testimony that would contradict what prosecutors were alleging happened. Her testimony would have been enough to give the jury reasonable doubt, Bevacqua said. This agreement puts the defendant under supervision and requires him to be accountable for what happened. This was the best outcome given the facts that we had, Bevacqua added. According to the original police affidavit in the case, Danforths family member was verbally and then physically accosted inside her residence by Danforths girlfriend three days before the incident. On Nov. 16, 2021, the victim was walking along Barber Pond Road in Pownal when Danforth and two other individuals, including his girlfriend, drove by and then stopped and approached the victim. Danforth allegedly assaulted the victim by hitting her and throwing her to the ground. Soon, the girlfriend joined the attack, stomping on the victims head and chest. A third individual then grabbed the victims hair and pulled her back, where she fell again. Danforth allegedly stole the victims backpack while she was still lying on the ground, the affidavit said. During a search of the individuals involved, including a witness who was later charged with giving false information to police officers at the scene, police found a bag of crack cocaine and $600 in cash. During a deposition in the case against co-defendant Lindsay Latour, Danforths girlfriend, Latour claimed under oath that Danforth never got out of the vehicle that day. Danforth has a criminal history in Vermont, including convictions for two assault crimes and two sex crimes. He is currently registered with the Vermont Sex Offender Registry. His year probation will start immediately. Danforth was given special conditions of probation, including no contact with the victim, no violent or threatening behavior, and no entering the victim's Pownal residence. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza is accusing Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wracked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155 others The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a bill that supporters say would help make early education and child care more accessible and affordable at a time when the cost of care has posed a financial hurdle for families statewide Jennifer Huberdeau is the features editor at The Berkshire Eagle. She can be reached at jhuberdeau@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6229. On Twitter: @BE_DigitalJen Aurora Champion does her part as her parents help a friend whose home was destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek fire on March 3 in Stinnett. Scott Olson/Getty Images Utility workers from Xcel Energy labor on power lines near a home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Feb. 29 in Stinnett. Julio Cortez/Associated Press A rancher uses a tractor to deliver dead cattle to a collection area as the cleanup process begins following the Smokehouse Creek Fire, March 1 in Skellytown. Julio Cortez/Associated Press Victims of the Smokehouse Creek fire get relief supplies at a donation center on March 5 in Canadian. Scott Olson/Getty Images Utility company Xcel Energy has said its equipment was likely involved in igniting the Smokehouse Creek fire still burning in the Texas Panhandle, which at one point covered more than 1.2 million acres and was the states largest wildfire on record. The blaze is the latest to be linked to equipment belonging to electric utilities, including the devastating 2015 Butte, 2017 North Bay and 2018 Camp fires in California and last years fire in Maui that destroyed the town of Lahaina, Hawaii. While California, in particular, has taken steps to require utilities to have wildfire mitigation plans and imposed specific equipment rules, Texas has minimal regulations for utilities related to wildfire mitigation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theres basically no wildfire regulatory structure in Texas, said B. Don Russell, an electrical engineering professor at Texas A&M University who has researched utility-linked wildfires for 30 years. Should there be? Thats an open question, that would take a lot of discussion, but there isnt today. The worst year by far for wildfires in Texas over the past two decades was 2011, when a total of nearly 4 million acres burned, according to data from the Texas A&M Forest Service, the lead agency tasked by the state to put out wildfires. Between 2011 and 2014, there were 4,000 power line-caused wildfires in Texas, costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the Texas Wildfire Mitigation Project at A&M. The two-year Wildfire Mitigation Project was authorized and funded by the Legislature in 2013 in response to the devastation experienced in 2011 and tasked Russell with studying how monitoring technology could detect downed power lines and other issues that cause fires to prevent them from occurring. The monitoring from the project is ongoing, but the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the states utility regulator, has not imposed new regulations or operating conditions for wildfire mitigation on utilities, Russell said. In an email, PUCT spokesperson Ellie Breed said long-distance transmission lines in Texas have to meet standards for construction and operation set by the American National Standards Institute and National Electric Safety Code. In addition, the PUCT requires utilities to file annual reports by May 1, including a storm hardening plan in which they must include information such as conductor inspections and pole construction standards, testing schedules and attachment policies. There is also an annual report on infrastructure improvement and maintenance in which utilities describe their plans to remedy system weaknesses. Utilities also must submit annual vegetation management reports. Utilities in Texas are also required to keep emergency operations plans they develop on file with the PUCT to serve as a framework for how they would respond to hazards like wildfires, hurricanes and cybersecurity attacks, David Mercado, vice president of high voltage and system operations at CenterPoint Energy, the Houston-area transmission and distribution utility, said in an email. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But these rules arent specific technical requirements imposed by the PUCT, Russell said. PUC does require that utilities report what they do, but the utility themselves makes up the rules on how they trim trees and they operate their system, he said. Additionally, the regulations dont have inspection mechanisms built in to ensure utilities follow through on their plan, said Rahul Dubey, co-founder of Rhizome, a company that sells utilities artificial intelligence software to identify climate risks and infrastructure weaknesses. The regulations also lack clear performance metrics the utilities plans should meet, he said. If I build a plan, is my plan really working if I implement the things I said I will implement? Dubey said. Wildfire risk in Texas There is no obvious trend over the last 20 years regarding the number of acres burned or the number of wildfires that have occurred in Texas, according to Texas A&M Forest Service data. However, climate models project the risk and severity of wildfires will increase across the state as weather conditions that fuel wildfires become more common due to climate change, according to data from Climate Check, a climate risk assessment company. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wildfires require a set of aligning conditions dryness, high winds, plentiful vegetation that hasnt burned in a long time and an ignition source. Hot temperatures exacerbate risk. In Texas, drought and heat waves are likely to become more severe with climate change. West Texas and the Panhandle region have traditionally burned most frequently and remain at the highest risk for wildfires, according to Climate Check. The Houston area historically has been at relatively lower risk for wildfires because the region has more rain, concrete infrastructure, and density, and is less forested, CenterPoints Mercado wrote. The CenterPoint service territory hasnt experienced wildfires linked to the companys equipment, he said. Wildfire mitigation strategies The Smokehouse Creek fire was caused by a power line after a utility pole that appeared to be decayed at the bottom fell onto dry grasses, according to a Texas A&M Forest Service investigative report. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Xcel Energys system experienced a sharp increase in stress about six hours prior to the ignition of the fire, with more than 70 grid malfunctions recorded, according to data from Whisker Labs, a company that monitors local grids. Malfunctions can include utility poles and equipment failing, wires touching wires, wires touching poles, wires pulling loose, wires breaking and vegetation touching wires, all of which can release sparks, Whisker Labs CEO Bob Marshall said. Fewer than one in 10 wildfires in Texas were likely started by utility equipment, Texas A&Ms Russell said, based on his research. The majority of utility-linked fires arent caused by the system failing on its own, but rather because external forces stress the system, including high winds that blow a tree onto a power line, he said. The single biggest thing Texas could do to prevent utility-linked wildfires is to add more sophisticated monitoring of the states power infrastructure, much of which was installed more than 50 years ago, Russell said. Another method to protect power lines and lessen not only the risk of wildfires but of outages is to put them underground. Mercado said 60% of CenterPoints distribution lines are buried. But undergrounding is unlikely to be feasible for most of the power lines in the state given how laborious and expensive the process would be, Russell said. Public safety power shutoffs, more common in California, during which utilities shutoff power during high fire risk days, are deeply controversial. Theyre also unlikely in Texas, Russell said, which already has one of the highest rates of outages nationwide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everythings a balancing act between long-term reliability, asset performance and what you actually expect the asset to be facing from an environmental standpoint, said Drew McGuire, director of transmissions and substations research and development for the Electric Power Research Institute, an electric research nonprofit. Still, Marshall said much more needs to be done to improve grid resiliency based on his companys data on grid malfunctions across the country. PITTSFIELD A proposed $80 million budget for Pittsfield Public Schools would result in the reduction of more than 100 staff positions, administrators say. And if more reductions are needed to the proposed fiscal 2025 budget for the 2024-25 school year, Pittsfield Public Schools could be forced to close an elementary school, Superintendent Joseph Curtis said during a presentation to the School Committee on Wednesday. Administrators outlined the constraints in the coming year: Namely, a smaller allocation from the states Chapter 70 education fund and the end of COVID-era federal funds. Pittsfield Public Schools found itself just three low-income students short of a threshold from the Department of Elementary and Secondary education that would have qualified it for an additional $2.3 million in Chapter 70 state aid for the upcoming fiscal year. Kristen Behnke, the school system's assistant superintendent for business and finance, recapped the district's main budget drivers: Contract salary obligations, transportation costs and special education tuition rates, which, combined, account for $6,425,600 more in spending. Mayor Peter Marchetti, who is contending with a City Council that has requested he pursue a level-funded budget, told the school department to keep any increase in the city's spending obligation to 3.5 percent. The proposed budget honors that cap request, which totals $2.7 million. The result is a $3.6 million local budget shortfall, leading to the proposed staff cuts and line item reductions, Behnke said. Were basically trying to fit $6.4 million into the $2.7 million additional [funding] weve got, Behnke said. Among the staffing cuts, which account for roughly $4 million, 27 teachers and 26 paraprofessional positions will be reduced. Other reductions of note include eight teachers who help students manage behavioral health, other staff in curriculum, instruction and school leadership roles and a central office reorganization that is expected to save the district an additional $238,430. Curtis did not have specifics yet about what that reorganization would look like, but he promised more details ahead of a March 27 budget workshop. Its certainly a shift in practice thats existed for decades, Curtis said. Curtis noted that the budget reductions affected each of the districts collective bargaining units except the bus drivers union, which is currently in negotiations, and cafeteria workers. The proposed budget cuts to line items would make $709,000 in reductions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, safety and security, curriculum and recruitment overhead costs. The budget also requests about $1.1 million for a number of positions in the district, including a reduced presence of school adjustment counselors. Curtis said that there was basically no cushion for the current cuts unless more sources of funding became available. If any more cuts had to be made, the districts next logical course of action would be to close an elementary school if needed. He said the district could close an elementary school currently and send students to other surrounding buildings while staying within recommended guidelines for class sizes. That option is on the table, but Curtis expressed some hesitation due to the tumult of trying to coordinate the migration of students within the next two months. In all transparency, there's no way to do that well," Curtis said. "There's no way to do that with an inclusive environment hearing everyone and their opinions. It's a decision, once made, that we know we have to accept will not be done with ease, or well, or responsibly." Curtis did not name a school for consideration. For the past three years, federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds have given the schools a total of $13 million over the last three years to fund a number of positions in the school, including school adjustment counselors and teachers of deportment who support student behavior and social emotional learning. According to a budget workshop presentation on Feb. 28, the equivalent of 44 full-time employees within the schools will be impacted by the loss of funding. Curtis said Wednesday that the current budget projections do not account for those positions, and that it would be difficult to bring back all of them given the current budget situation. The district also contends with a loss of about $2.3 million in state aid, as it found itself just three low-income students short of requirements to qualify for a higher level of Chapter 70 reimbursement. Behnke said that the district is in contact with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to see if there was a discrepancy in the state's numbers for the percentage of low-income students, but said Wednesday she really didnt have a guess how this is going to shake out. The budget will need to be approved by the School Committee at a later date, and ultimately by the City Council as part of the overall city budget. The School Committee is expected to vote on the budget on April 25. The School Committee will hold a special hearing at 6 p.m. March 20 at City Hall to give members of the public a chance to weigh in on the budget. The union's rejection on Tuesday of the museum's offer brings negotiations back to a standstill. Mass MoCA will close on March 25 "to allow managers covering shifts during this period to rest." Starting March 27, the museum will be open five days a week rather than six. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter NORTH ADAMS For music school teacher Staci Lazzari, yoga and keeping kids focused just go together. The Colegrove Park Elementary School teacher has a check-in board in her classroom, with five different yoga-related activities for students to choose from at the start of class. "One involves gentle tapping on your face, arms, legs, another is three collective breaths, another is a tense and release activity," she said. "It gives them a sense of calm when they come in. Lazzari, who also runs an after-school yoga class at the school, is one of the more than 30 North Adams Public Schools educators who have become certified yoga instructors since the pandemic began. Its all part of Superintendent Barbara Malkass plan. What started as a personal effort by Malkas to more consistently practice yoga in 2020 became something helpful for both my staff and my students. Partnering with the nonprofit organization Breathe for Change, which works to make yoga accessible in schools for teachers and students, Malkas has helped certify 34 teachers in the last few years, who now incorporate yoga for students in school, and run community classes and classes for colleagues. In 2021, Malkas offered a yoga class to colleagues on Fridays, and 10 to 15 teachers came consistently. At the end of the six-week program, she asked if anyone wanted to get certified, and 10 people signed up immediately. When you notice the difference it makes for you, and you feel it in your body, youre like, I need to figure out how to do this in my classroom, she said. That group was the first of educators to become yoga instructors; others have come every year since. While yoga in the school setting is successful for some students, Malkas acknowledges it isn't a one-size fits all cure. What were seeing is, its not for everybody," she said. "Not any one thing is going to fix all problems, but it does help those who are open to it, and weve had a lot of success at the elementary level. The high school has had moderate success. Theyre a little more difficult group to capture, she said. But the district has seen some positives, according to Malkas, particularly in the amount of behavioral discipline referrals, which have declined. They've also found yoga classes for students who were assigned detention had a "real impact." They didnt have to participate, they could if they wanted," she said. "What we found was, we then had to convince kids they didnt need to go to detention in order to do yoga. They could just come see us. Lazzari said she immediately took to the idea of yoga in the classroom, and had already started working it in for students soon after the pandemic hit, with weekly dance parties and yoga classes on Wednesdays, when everyone was remote. Lazzari ended up taking the 200-hour condensed course to become an instructor last summer, and has since increased the amount of yoga in the classroom in different ways. Sometimes its breathing exercises, just to help kids refocus and to ground them in the moment, Lazzari said. Malkas said the current yoga training cohort of teachers will be the last one because the school system will no longer have access to federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III funding that was available because of the pandemic. But still, Malkas said she will continue to encourage teachers who she calls a "coalition of the willing" to practice yoga in the classroom, even if its just mindfulness practices rather than yoga positions. But she also acknowledges that yoga is not the only answer to bringing kids back up to speed after the struggles of remote learning. These strategies are effective as a universal intervention, but you need more, you need on-site school adjustment counselors, you need to have intensive programs and tiered systems of support so that were meeting the needs of all students, she said. Still, the superintendent is ecstatic about how the district has incorporated yoga in recent years, in part because of its import to her personally. I dont think the community really understands how challenging it was to need to pivot as quickly as we did. It required an incredible amount of flexibility while we were all having this cultural trauma of our entire way of life having to change, Malkas said. We were working 24/7, and feeling the stress of that physically, mentally and emotionally. Finding Breathe for Change, I was able to find hope again, and because I found hope, I was able to communicate hope at a challenging time. The deal announced by the National Association of Realtors could save money for consumers but reduce agents' income. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A landmark agreement between the National Association of Realtors and consumer advocates could have sweeping ramifications for homebuyers and sellers, potentially saving consumers billions of dollars in real estate agent commissions annually. The settlement, which awaits court approval, could reduce real estate agent commissions, affecting NAR's nearly 1.6 million members, including 155,000 in Texas. The Realtor's group on Friday also said it would pay $418 million in damages and eliminate some real estate commission rules. The deal resolves claims against state, territorial and local Realtor associations and all associations owned by Multiple Listing Services, NAR said in a statement. And it resolves claims for most defendants in four antitrust class-action lawsuits, possibly affecting 50 million consumers, said Robert A. Braun, a partner in Cohen Milstein, which helped to negotiate the deal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The deal also could provide a pathway for settlements in two other similar Texas cases. An attorney representing homesellers in those cases, Michael K. Hurst, said his team is reviewing the proposed settlement with NAR, but added there are a number of serious concerns and questions including the amount of recovery to the actual consumers." At the heart of the lawsuits are real estate commissions, typically paid by sellers and split with buyers' agents. In the U.S., commission rates have hovered around 6 percent for decades. The lawsuits argued thats because of practices upheld by NAR and affiliated organizations pressure home sellers to offer the standard commission or risk buyers' agents steering clients from their properties. Under the terms of the settlement, NAR is banned from creating any rule that would allow sellers agents to set compensation for buyers agents. Typically, including in Houston, when buyers agents look at a listing on the MLS, they can see how much they would be receive. Under the new agreement, references to buyers' compensation on the MLS would be removed by July. Buyers agents, however, could still contact agents on the sellers side and ask about compensation. In the legal realm, the deal releases smaller real estate brokerages from liabilities, although large brokerages those with more than $2 billion in transactions annually as well as agents with HomeServices of America are still on the hook. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some analysts have estimated that the change in real estate commissions could save consumers as much as $30 billion every year, but also slash what agents make. Houston Association of Realtors, which has more than 48,000 members, declined to comment on the local impacts of the settlement. In a statement, however, HAR Chair Thomas Mouton said: The amount of compensation paid to both the sellers agent/broker and the buyers agent/broker has always been negotiable and will continue to be. This proposed settlement appears to make any compensation to the agents/brokers more consumer-directed, which is always a good thing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Opponents of changing the commission structure argue that reducing payments to buyers agents could diminish the level of services they provide to clients. Some Houston home sellers have already reduced the commission rate they offer to buyers' agents, said Tricia Turner, CEO of Tricia Turner Group, in Fort Bend County. Turner estimated in 70% of the contracts her company has handled in the past 90 days in the Houston area, the sellers no longer want to pay the usual rate. Eventually, as buyers become responsible for paying for their own real estate agents, some buyers may forgo using agents to save money. I could see this really whip-sawing first-time homebuyers ... (who) need the most help in terms of buying a home. If the seller is not paying their agents, then the buyer is not very equipped in many instances to be able to pay that Realtor, said Marty Green, principal with Polunsky Beitel Green, a law firm that works with mortgage lenders in Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Home sellers who paid a commission to sell their home through a real estate agent in recent years can submit a claim to be part of the settlement at realestatecommissionlitigation.com. When we sing this hymn, written in 1862, we extol the virtues of Jesus that bind our hearts to Him. His extreme love for us initiated our love for Him. We love Him because of His redeeming sacrifice at Calvary. Each verse deepens our commitment to adore Jesus through every circumstance on earth and looks into the future time when well continue to love Him in heaven. Some attribute this time-tested hymn to William R. Featherston, a sixteen-year-old from Canada. Others say James H. Duffell, who worked as an iron smelter in England, penned the words. Either way, Jesus is the object of our adoration and affection when we sing this song. One Final Hymn The men and women who wrote the rich lyrics of the hymns came from all walks of life. Many were lay people those working in the home or in ordinary jobs. Most have names we would not recognize as pillars of the faith in church history. God inspired all these faithful people to pen words to help His Church worship Him throughout the ages. Have you noticed the old hymns incorporate the Word of God throughout every line? This content paired with beautiful, figurative language brings depth of knowledge and application to our hearts and minds as we sing. The central focus of all songs should be God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The final hymn to make our list adores Jesus and His chosen instrument of salvation the cross. RELATED PODCAST: If you attend church regularly, you may notice that most (if not all) of the songs we sing are happy or uplifting. But that isn't necessarily the case when you look at the book of Psalms, which is an ancient songbook that was used by the people of Israel. 10. The Old Rugged Cross George Bennard began to write this hymn in 1912, and Charles H. Gabriel helped him to complete it in 1913. The song immediately became popular, but it was not widely included in church hymnals until decades later. Some claimed the authors placed too much focus on the cross and not enough on Christ. But Jesus said, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23). As Jesus followers, we are privileged to imitate Him as we bear our cross each day. Despite the title, The Old Rugged Cross points our hearts to Jesus, the dear Lamb of God. The lyrics remind us to be grateful for the suffering Jesus endured for our salvation and to relish the hope of eternity spent with Him. Get to Know God through Hymns I hope you have included hymns in your worship playlist. If you prefer, look for old hymns that have been set to more modern music while maintaining the integrity of the rich lyrics. As you meditate on the verses drawn straight from the Bible, you will know God better and trust Him more. Do you have any favorites you would add to my list of hymns to sing in church again? Historical information about these hymns came from Hymnary.org: https://hymnary.org/ Photo credit: Getty Images/aapsky BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. The incumbent congressman cited threats against his family and "false and defamatory rumors." He's now set to leave office at the end of his term. Continuing a series of campaign reversals, Republican Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale announced Friday morning that he will not seek re-election to the state's eastern U.S. House district. Rosendale, a hardliner who was elected to the House in 2020 after serving as Montana State Auditor, launched a long-anticipated campaign for the U.S. Senate Feb. 9, only to call it off six days later. Then, at the end of February - by which point several Republicans had already begun campaigns to fill his U.S. House seat - he filed to run for re-election to his current office. Assuming he doesn't reverse course again, Friday's announcement means he will leave office at the end of his term. Speaking with Montana Free Press Friday, Rosendale listed a number of reasons for his planned departure from the House: frustration with the difficulty of moving the needle on his policy priorities; retribution by his political enemies; "false and defamatory" rumors about him and even a death threat. And just this week, the anti-spending crusader noted, the GOP-controlled House passed a $460 billion omnibus spending measure replete with earmarks from members of his own party. Mara Silvers / MTFP "I've tried for three years to have an impact on the two big issues that I think are national security threats," he said. "And that is the out-of-control spending and immigration. For the last year, having the majority, we have not been able to move the needle a single bit. And look, I came in knowing that the system is severely broken, and it's in bad need of reforms. If I can't move the needle that much, and I am approaching my 64th birthday, it's time to step back and let someone else try." Rosendale said also that at about the time he filed for re-election, a death threat was made against him that resulted in the U.S. Capitol Police contacting law enforcement in Montana who sent officers to one of his sons' homes. A spokesperson for the Capitol Police said Friday the agency does not discuss potential investigations. Additionally, around the time Rosendale dropped out of the Senate race - a decision he attributed then to former President Donald Trump's endorsement of his primary opponent Tim Sheehy - an unsubstantiated rumor began circulating in Montana and in Washington, D.C. that Rosendale had conducted an affair with a staffer. Because the details of the story were hazy, and no party came forward with evidence of an affair or to make the allegations on the record, most media outlets did not cover the rumor until former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat from North Dakota, gave it air on a political podcast. That prompted a denial from Rosendale, a legal threat and a public statement of support for her husband by Rosendale's wife, Jean. Rosendale said Friday that the threat and rumor "placed a cloud on the MT-02 election." He added that he doesn't believe his dropping out of the race will further fuel the rumor mill. "The people across Montana know who I am," he said. "They know me. They trust me. My family certainly knows me and trusts me." Rosendale, a real estate developer who moved from Maryland to Dawson County in 2002, was first elected to the Montana State Legislature in 2010. He made his first federal bid to represent what was then Montana's at-large U.S. House district in 2014, but failed to advance beyond the Republican primary. He was back in the Legislature the next year, then successfully ran for state auditor in 2016. In 2018, he faced the incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in a tight, hugely expensive race that - despite several appearances in Montana by Trump in support of Rosendale - resulted in the largest victory margin of Tester's senatorial career. National Republicans would later keep that loss in mind when they recruited Sheehy, a wealthy Belgrade businessman and political neophyte, to face Tester in the 2024 cycle. Rosendale won election to Montana's at-large U.S. House district in 2020 and then to the newly created eastern district in 2022. In Congress, Rosendale joined the House Freedom Caucus and established himself as one of the GOP's most vocal hardliners. He voted against certifying 2020 presidential election results - and, indeed, against most big-ticket bipartisan legislation - is staunchly anti-abortion and was among the crew of GOP lawmakers who voted with Democrats last year to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who had endorsed Rosendale in 2018. Rumors that Rosendale would mount a Senate run on the strength of this reputation circled for much of 2023. Even before officially launching his campaign, he attacked Sheehy as "Mitch McConnell's lackey" and openly accused national Republicans of trying to strong-arm him out of the race. Notably, this put Rosendale at odds with Republican Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee and has aggressively played in GOP primaries. "During his time in public service, [Rosendale] has been a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, the Second Amendment and pushing back against federal overreach," Daines said in a statement Friday. "I thank him for his service and wish him well as he gets to spend more time with his wife Jean and their grandchildren." In the end, Rosendale's formal U.S. Senate campaign lasted less than a week before he abandoned the bid. By that point, several other Republicans with varying degrees of renown had begun campaigning to replace Rosendale. He told Montana Free Press Friday that he doubted whether he would even run for re-election, but that he was encouraged by many, including former President Donald Trump and "several of the current candidates," to do so. Given the advantages of incumbency and Rosendale's name recognition in the district, he would have proved a formidable opponent to any of his would-be challengers. But none of the other Republicans who have launched eastern district congressional campaigns backed off when Rosendale filed for re-election. In recent days, even fellow conservative stalwart Elsie Arntzen, the termed-out Superintendent of Public Instruction vying to replace Rosendale, has taken shots at him. Now, Rosendale says he doubts he'll ever again seek an elected political position. "You don't step into the arena that I have and take on these battles without creating a lot of very, very powerful enemies," he told MTFP Friday. "And unfortunately, a lot of them use whatever tools they have to impose some kind of retribution upon you. And unfortunately, that's one of the risks of public life." He said, though, that he didn't know where this vengeance was coming from. With Rosendale out of the race, it's hard to identify a clear favorite in the GOP primary. In addition to Arntzen, prominent candidates include state auditor Troy Downing and former Congressman Denny Rehberg. Four Democrats have filed for the seat as well, though its heavy Republican lean likely means the victor of the GOP primary in June will be elected to Congress in November. This story was updated on March 8, 2024, to include additional material from an interview with Congressman Matt Rosendale. See original story at: https://montanafreepress.org/2024/03/08/matt-rosendale-drops-out-of-eastern-montana-house-race/ Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. A worker installs fiber internet lines in Houston. According to Ookla's new Speedtest Performance Directory, Houston's home internet speeds track closely to overall Texas numbers. Comcast Texas You know those stats that show how the United States lags behind other nations when it comes to broadband service? Those numbers often come from Ooklas Speedtest Global Index, data generated via its ubiquitous Speedtest.net mobile, desktop and web apps. Now the index, found at speedtest.net/global-index, is drilling down to the city level, and you can see which internet providers have the fastest speeds in your town including Houston and its suburbs. In doing so, Ooklas Speedtest Performance Directory joins a growing number of sites that purport to help with an often confusing process: Picking an internet provider. But to be clear, it also provides a revenue stream for Ookla, which gets a commission when someone signs up with an ISP after clicking on the View Plans buttons near the results. This is typically how ISP-choosing sites make money. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its ownership of the Speedtest apps and website provide real-world medians for download and upload speeds versus what providers say their customers will get. It also shows the results of a test for latency or lag, which refers to how long it takes for a computer on the internet to respond to a request from your machine. It can also reveal ISPs who serve your area that you didnt know were there, though upload, download and latency results arent shown if a providers share of the Speedtest data is less than 3%. The data is collected from users running Ooklas apps on their devices as well as at the speedtest.net site when connected to broadband providers. Historically, Ooklas Speedtest Global Index has speed information for countries and large cities for broadband and mobile services, but the new Performance Directory tracks only broadband for now. And thats a shame, because Ookla used to participate in a robust project with one of its sister companies that tracked mobile internet speeds nationwide. Ookla is owned by longtime technology publishing company Ziff Davis, which also owns PCMag, originally known as PC Magazine. For years, the publication dispatched reporters in the U.S. on regional road trips in rental cars outfitted with a set of smartphones, one for each of the major cell providers. Installed on each handset was a custom version of the Speedtest app, recording upload and download speeds, latency and voice call reliability. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The last survey was in 2022 and was discontinued after its longtime overseer, Sascha Segan, left to work for Qualcomm. (I rode along with a PCMag reporter assigned to Houston in 2018 and saw the process firsthand.) Some interesting findings from poking around in the Performance Directory: The median broadband download speed in the city of Houston is 246 megabits per second, while median upload speeds are 41.22 Mbps. Latency or lag is at 11 milliseconds, is which pretty good. That tracks closely with the overall Texas numbers, which stand at 248.35 download, 36.35 upload and 12 latency. AT&T wins the race in Houston with the fastest speeds: 257.38 Mbps download, 211.52 upload and 19 milliseconds latency. Thats largely because of AT&Ts Fiber service, but the Ookla numbers also include its much slower, legacy DSL/Uverse products. Still, its uploads, bolstered by the fact that fibers download and upload speeds are usually symmetrical, trounce the other two providers whose numbers are included in the directory. Comcasts Xfinity service clocked in at 223.9 Mbps download, 22.85 Mbps upload and 23 milliseconds latency. Cable traditionally offers much slower upload speeds than fiber, but that will change this year when cable companies start rolling out DOCSIS 4.0, the latest version of the cable modem standard, which allows for symmetrical up and down speeds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Verizons numbers also make an appearance because of its wireless, 5G Home internet service: 98.88 download, 12.75 upload and 63 milliseconds latency. Those low numbers show up despite the fact that Verizon markets its 5G product as being capable of 1 gigabit per second downloads and 75 Mbps uploads. Four other providers serving Houston show up without data because their services dont meet that 3% threshold: Satellite providers Viasat, HughesNet and Starlink, as well as T-Mobiles 5G Home Internet. Its similar to Verizons product, but apparently doesnt make enough of a dent to provide data. That may be because Verizon has been offering its 5G for longer in the Houston area than T-Mobile. Once you venture outside Houston city limits, the landscape begins to change. There are quite a few smaller local and regional providers in the suburbs, usually fixed wireless or fiber services. For example, in the Conroe area, along with familiar names, there are three fiber providers: Consolidated Communications (216.49 Mbps down, 203.58 Mbps up, 15 milliseconds latency); Tachus (250.52 Mbps down, 296.35 Mbps up, 7 milliseconds latency); and Ezee Fiber, which doesnt meet the 3% threshold but offers speeds up to 10 Gbps both down and up. Head south to Lake Jackson and along with the usual suspects are two fixed wireless broadband providers that dont meet the 3% mark: Rise Broadband, which offers 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, and Southern Broadband, with 36 Mbps download and 12 Mbps upload. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And in Mont Belvieu, east of Houston, is one of the few municipal broadband services one operated by a governmental entity in the citys MB Link. It also doesnt show results data, but offers 1 Gbps down and up speeds. Rise Broadband serves Mont Belvieu, as does Frontier, an old-school DSL provider with unusual symmetrical 115 Mbps down and up speeds. Korean barbecue at Prime 131. Kirsten Gilliam Berg Hospitality, the group behind B&B Butchers, B.B. Lemon and The Annie Cafe, among other restaurants, is joining in on the live-fire trend with the opening of Prime 131, a Korean barbecue/steakhouse/sushi restaurant. Prime 131 is now open at 2505 W. 11th in a newly revamped industrial space at The Docks at Timbergrove. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This restaurant has been marinating in my mind for a long time and Im excited to finally bring it to life," stated Benjamin Berg, CEO of Berg Hospitality. "Our first steak-centric concept since the success of B&B Butchers nine years ago, Prime 131 is a testament to our commitment to providing unforgettable moments and exceptional food for Houstonians. The menu is vast at Prime 131 with 70 dinner-only items. Regional culinary director Alisher Yallaev said the menu is intended to be shared, mixed and matched. Sushi omakase at Prime 131. Kirsten Gilliam Korean barbecue omakase at Prime 131. Kirsten Gilliam S'mores dessert at Prime 131. Kirsten Gilliam Meals are cooked on four central wood-fire grills and two Josper charcoal ovens directly in front of customers. Stadium seating in the main dining room ensures everyone has a view of their meal being prepared. Prime 131 takes Korean and Japanese influence with high-end cuts of meat cooked over Korean barbecue tables at the highest level in the restaurant and premium cuts of sushi flown in from Japan. There are multiple omakase menus, from sushi (14 pieces of sashimi, 14 pieces of nigiri and a choice of 3 specialty rolls) to Korean barbecue with cuts of beef ranging from A5, snow beef to kobe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other menu items include chicken fried lobster, smoked veal bacon, Alaskan king crab, lobster and salted grilled branzino. A charcoal oven at Prime 131. Kirsten Gilliam Live fire cooking is loosely defined as a method in which food is cooked using flames. The fuel used to light the fire, such as wood, imparts flavor on the food, which can be cooked directly over flames or other methods, such as smoking. At Prime 131, food items are prepared using varying techniques on wood-fired and charcoal ovens capable of reaching 720 degrees. Customers will choose between a seafood or beef and what wood chip they want their protein cooked with: post oak, pecan or "bourbon." The ambiance of the restaurant takes inspiration from New York's Meatpacking District in the early 90s, according to a press release, and was fulfilled by Gail McCleese of Sensitori. The restaurant sits in an old factory with exposed metals and rustic textures. The hanging centerpiece in the dining room is an old factory crane painted red. The restaurant also has a patio. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An old warehouse crane painted red at Prime 131. Kirsten Gilliam A glass wall filled with wine separates the main bar and dining room. The cocktail menu focuses on retro cocktails. Executive pastry chef Ruchit Harneja created a dessert menu around the fire theme: skillet fudge of republics del cacao Mexican chocolate and s'mores. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code McDonalds has apologised to customers after they were unable to order food following an IT system outage in its restaurants. The fast food operator said the problem has now been resolved at its sites in Ireland and the UK. Advertisement On Friday morning, customers in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Japan complained about issues trying to buy from the fast food giant on social media. The company has apologised to customers over the issue (Adam Davy/PA) In the UK, a number of customers said on social media that their local restaurants were closed although they were able to make orders through the companys app. Advertisement Most stores across Ireland opened as usual on Friday morning despite the problem. The company blamed the issue on a technology outage and stressed that it was not linked to any cybersecurity issues. A McDonalds spokeswoman said: We are aware of a technology outage which impacted our restaurants. Advertisement The issue has now been resolved in the UK and Ireland. We thank customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. Advertisement The issue is not related to a cybersecurity event. It is understood that McDonalds sites in some other countries are still being disrupted by the outage. Vodafone has agreed an $8 billion deal to sell its Italian business to Switzerlands Swisscom. The mobile phone giant said it plans to hand 4 billion back to shareholders through a buyback following the sale. Advertisement It comes two weeks after the telecoms firms first confirmed they were in discussions over a potential deal. On Friday, Vodafone said the move represented an attractive valuation and marked the final step of its strategy to sell off parts of its European portfolio. Advertisement Swisscom will pay 100 per cent cash in a move which will be fully debt-financed. As part of the transaction, the two firms have agreed that Vodafone will continue to provide certain services to Swisscom over the next five years. Swisscom will pay annual charges of around 350 million. Advertisement Vodafone added that the two companies are also exploring a closer commercial relationship to enable collaboration across a broad range of areas, beyond Italy. Advertisement Margherita Della Valle, group chief executive of Vodafone, said: Today, I am announcing the third and final step in the reshaping of our European operations. Advertisement Going forward, our businesses will be operating in growing telco markets where we hold strong positions enabling us to deliver predictable, stronger growth in Europe. The sale of Vodafone Italy to Swisscom creates significant value for Vodafone and ensures the business maintains its leading position in Italy, which has been built through the dedicated commitment of our colleagues to serving our customers over many years. Vodafone has been looking to free up cash and improve its financial performance by selling off parts of the business, including its Spanish arm, having previously struck deals to sell its Hungarian and Ghanaian divisions. Former X Factor judge Louis Walsh is among the Celebrity Big Brother contestants who are up eviction after he received the most nominations from his fellow housemates. Walsh racked up eight nominations, Love Island star Ekin-Su Culculoglu received four, and reality TV star David Potts, former This Morning presenter Fern Britton and Dragons Den star Levi Roots got two each, putting them all at risk of being voted out of the show by the public. Advertisement The results of the vote will be revealed during Friday nights episode when two of the nominated housemates will be evicted. Pucker up, here's what happened in the Nomination Kissing Booth David, Ekin-Su, Fern, Levi and Louis will face Friday's double Eviction... Vote to save via the Big Brother app #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/tiwEv7MCLG Advertisement Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) March 14, 2024 Advertisement During the episode, the housemates had to deliver their nominations for eviction in front of everyone and then kiss who they had selected on the face. Many of the contestants opted to nominate Walsh as they felt he had been lazy around the house with chores and it was putting a strain on the rest of the house. Advertisement Theatre star Marisha Wallace said she felt he had been too truthful at times while YouTuber Zeze Millz added that she felt his mouth was a little bit too free. As Walsh delivered his nominations of Millz and Potts, he said that he felt people picking him for his laziness was not a valid reason, adding: Im not fake, Im not acting. A lot of people here are. SNEAK PEEK Tensions rise as a day at the funfair takes a turn #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/EIM0CHCU9s Advertisement Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) March 14, 2024 Tensions raised further after Wallace nominated her friend Culculoglu, saying: I know that if you get to the final with me, you will win the public vote. Advertisement I know that if we go head-to-head you have a huge following, youve played these games before, you know how to win and if I want to win this, if I ever have a chance, I wouldnt have a chance against you. Advertisement The reality star was shocked, claiming: I knew this was going to happen. Just judging me because I went on a f****** show before. She added: Youve been close with me this whole time, so youve been fake to me this whole time? Wallace replied that she did not feel she had been. Culculoglu refused to allow Wallace to kiss her and the pair later confronted each other after nominations were complete. After allowing the Love Island star some time to gather her thoughts, Wallace repeatedly apologised for upsetting her. An emotional Culculoglu said: You just reminded me of some people in my life and I thought Id come there, no one is going to judge me. Wallace confirmed that she had not judged the reality star and that she had chosen her as she couldnt think of anything for anyone. Later on, Culculoglu returned to Wallace to tell her: One thing I need to say is Im not going to forgive you that easily because I wouldnt do that to you. I like you and Im your friend and in my whole life I let people walk all over me because Im too nice and people judge me and Ive grown up to be, now, from all the shit Ive been through, Ill stand up for myself and that was pushing it. Advertisement The moment Marisha has been waiting for #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/3xYKskCnMy Celebrity Big Brother UK (@bbuk) March 14, 2024 She told the theatre star that she does not think she can forgive her and when asked if that was forever, she replied: I dont know about that but right now thats how I feel. Elsewhere in the episode, Wallace was told that she had been nominated for an Olivier Award for best actress in a musical for her performance in Guys & Dolls. As she was overcome with emotion at the news, her housemates ran to give her a hug and congratulate her. Afterwards, an emotional Wallace told Big Brother in the diary room: This is supposed to be the best day of my life and its the worst. I kind of just want to go home. Celebrity Big Brother continues on ITV. A former garda who put his ex-wife and stepsons through horror after horror over a 12-year period has been jailed for six years. Mark Doyle (38) with a previous address at Corbally Paddocks, Newbridge, Co Kildare, admitted five counts of assault causing harm to Meav Doyle and two counts of assaulting two of her sons causing them harm on dates between September 2007 and August 2019. Advertisement Mark Doyle, who had been stationed at Ronanstown, Blanchardstown and Cabra, was suspended by An Garda Siochana and later resigned from the force before pleading guilty on the day of his scheduled trial last October. He was a member of the Irish Defence Forces between 2002 and 2009 and a garda between 2009 and 2023. Reading her victim impact statement in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this week, Meav McLoughlin-Doyle said her ex-husband took herself and her children through horror after horror during the 12 years they were together. Advertisement She described a relationship marked by control, violence, coercion and abuse during which she and her children lived in constant terror and fear. Advertisement He was a respected member of the community but a monster in our home. He used his position to shake off any suspicion, she said. Sentencing Doyle on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said Doyle engaged in reprehensible behaviour which involved a pattern of violence against his partner and her two sons. For reasons known only to Mr Doyle, he couldn't control his temper and blamed his wife for his own bad behaviour, the judge said. The judge said it was noteworthy that Doyle was a former member of the defence forces and a member of An Garda Siochana. He noted the offending took place in front of children at times. Advertisement It was an oppressive house to live in, the judge said. Meav Doyle bears the scars of all of this. He handed down a global sentence of six years, backdated from Thursday when Doyle went into custody. The court heard that Doyle once showed up to a parent teacher meeting in his garda car and full uniform, after the school had expressed concerns over a disclosure by a child. Advertisement Home is supposed to be a place of support and safety, but it was the opposite. Our home was a place of fear, humiliation, violence and walking on eggshells, Ms McLoughlin-Doyle said in her impact statement. Advertisement Ms McLoughlin-Doyle said that she could never have imagined the tsunami of issues and constant fight to survive that she and her children had endured as fallout of the abuse. The trauma will last a lifetime, she said, adding that the abuse had turned her from a confident, outgoing, ambitious woman into a shell of herself, suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Her children suffer from numerous mental health difficulties including anxiety, self-harm ideation, and anger issues, the court heard. She concluded her victim impact statement with a powerful description of domestic violence as a targeted reign of terror. Advertisement Domestic violence is the erosion of confidence and self-worth. Domestic violence is isolation from family, friends and the world. Domestic violence is financial abuse. Domestic violence is constant carnage wreaked to the family home. Domestic violence is constantly second-guessing yourself. Domestic violence is the fear of violence all the time and of violence against children. Domestic violence is not knowing what will set the offender off, and when you think you have worked it out, it changes on a whim. Advertisement Domestic violence is fear of shame. Domestic violence is fear of having nowhere to go, while being judged for staying. Domestic violence is shame of letting it get that far. Detective Inspector Adrian Kinsella from the Garda National Protection Bureau gave evidence of the assaults to Dean Kelly SC, prosecuting. The court heard that Mark Doyle met his ex-wife in 2007 and they married in 2012. She had two children from her previous relationship and went on to have two further children with Doyle. Doyle would slag his wife and pick on her over issues like money, weight gain, or how things were done in the house and would react violently and hit her. Mark Doyle twice perforated his wifes eardrum by punching her to the head in front of her children, blaming her for the assault: You see what youve made me do. On one occasion, he grabbed her throat with both hands and tried to choke her, knocking her to the floor while she screamed. When the woman was five or six months pregnant with one of their children, Mark Doyle threw a chair at her, cutting her on the thigh and then saying it was her fault that she made him do it. Advertisement Another time he grabbed her by the hair like a dog and pulled her around while his children shouted at him to stop. During other assaults, he kicked his wife repeatedly while wearing boots and whipped her in the head with his jacket, cutting her with the zip. Ms McLoughlin Doyle required medical treatment on numerous occasions. On one occasion she lied to doctors and said her injuries were caused when she had fallen over the dog. Mark Doyle assaulted one of his stepsons with an airsoft gun, shooting him in the backside and laughing before removing the pellet with tweezers. This son recalls staying in his room a lot over the years and tuning out when the atmosphere changed in the house. His stepfather would call him names like stupid, fat cunt, retard and dope, he told gardai. Mark Doyle also assaulted his other stepson on several occasions, punching him to the stomach, banging his head on the table, pulling him out of bed by the hair and stamping on him causing cuts to his face, the court heard. Ms McLoughlin-Doyle filed a complaint to gardai in the spring of 2020. Mark Doyle met gardai by appointment in December 2020 and denied the allegations against him, saying everything had been twisted. Advertisement I have been experiencing abuse for years and controlling behaviour, he told gardai, alleging that one of his stepsons had drunkenly attacked him. He has no previous convictions. Inspector Kinsella agreed with Garnet Orange SC, defending, that Doyle indicated his intention to plead guilty about three months before his actual plea. The inspector further agreed that Doyle grew up in an environment of ongoing violence in the family and that his father had alcohol addiction. Mr Orange said Doyle had offered to apologise to his ex-wife but that this was rejected. The court heard that Doyle has not seen his children since 2021 and now accepts his guilt and the wrong that he did to his ex-wife and children. A psychological report submitted to the court said Doyle has expressed notable remorse, shame, embarrassment and regret and that he understands the traumatic effect of his behaviour. Doyle is now in a relationship with another woman who wrote a reference for him, the court heard. He was assessed as being at low risk of reoffending and described as psychologically resilient with satisfactory self-esteem". Counsel said Doyle has taken responsibility for his offending behaviour and does not seek to minimise it, but rather wants to do whatever it takes to set matters right. The court heard that the loss of his job in the guards weighs heavily on Doyle, who is now reduced to doing some part-time building work. Doyle is effectively supported by his partner, counsel said. Mr Orange said there has been considerable publicity about the case and that prison can be particularly difficult for former members of An Garda Siochana. Gardai have arrested 10 men in Co Cork under organised crime legislation. The men range in age from their mid-20s to mid-50s. Advertisement The Irish Examiner reports that the arrests were triggered by a suspected drug smuggling operation onto a remote pier in west Cork. The suspects, who were arrested at various locations near Skibbereen, were being held on Thursday night in Garda stations in Cork for questioning about the alleged activity. A camper van and an articulated truck have been seized for forensic examination, according to the Examiner. No drugs were found, but Garda investigations are continuing and searches are ongoing. Gardai said they would not make any further comment on the operation. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is worried about homophobia and transphobia. Mr Varadkar made the remarks during a meeting with the Capital Pride Alliance in Washington DC. Advertisement The group, which will host World Pride in the city next year, said he had played a strong leadership role in LGBT rights internationally. Mr Varadkar, who announced he was gay in 2015, the first time a serving minister did so in Ireland, discussed the passing of the constitutional amendment which extended marriage equality to same-sex couples in the Republic. He also said there was legislation allowing transsexual people to assign their own gender by choice. However, he added: But a bit like the rest of the world, theres been a bit of a backlash to that in the last couple of years. Advertisement Advertisement I think theres been an increase in violence towards the community and, sort of, starting to become acceptable again to be homophobic or transphobic, in particular. And I worry about that. Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason, US Chamber of Commerce president Suzanne Clark, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Patricia Clark at an event marking US-Irish relations (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Advertisement During the meeting, Mr Varadkar and Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason also discussed Irelands work with South Africa on LGBT rights at the UN. The Taoiseach also noted anti-LGBT messaging of Vladimir Putins regime in Russia. Shua Goodwin, board member of Capital Pride Alliance, said that there has been progress on LGBT rights, there are also people who want to hold onto the past with transphobia and homophobia. Speaking after the meeting with Mr Varadkar, Mr Goodwin said: Theres a way to counteract that, to say thats not normal just because it seems to be happening more and more. Advertisement He said homophobia and transphobia could also be countered by letting LGBT people know they will continue to be supported. Thats just safe for everyone, because we know when the most marginalised groups are insecure and unsafe, thats going to go across all lines of folks no matter what their religious belief, race, sexual orientation. Thats why him raising that was fantastic. Mr Goodwin said the group invited Mr Varadkar because he, and the country of Ireland, had done such a fantastic job on human rights internationally. US President Joe Biden has hailed the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland as a very positive step forward. The president and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discussed political progress in the region during a bilateral meeting at the White House ahead of St Patricks Day celebrations in Washington DC this weekend. Advertisement A number of political and business figures from Northern Ireland, including First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, are in the US capital, where they have been taking part in events. Leo Varadkar, left, at a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. The Stormont powersharing institutions returned last month following a two-year suspension. Advertisement Mr Biden had said he wanted to see the return of the political institutions during a visit to the island of Ireland last year. Speaking during his bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Biden said: As I said in Belfast, we remain committed to protecting the peace and progress in Northern Ireland since the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. Advertisement Like you, Im glad to see the Northern Ireland executive and Assembly back up and running. From my perspective, thats a very positive step forward. Advertisement Michelle ONeill, left, and Emma Little-Pengelly are in the US for St Patricks Day events. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Mr Varadkar later said he had updated the president on Northern Ireland during their meeting. He said: One of the issues we talked about is the situation in Northern Ireland, the president is always very keen to know what is happening. Advertisement So, encouraged that we have the Good Friday institutions up and running again and that we have settled trading arrangements with the UK so that we are able to avoid a hard border between north and south and focus on the Good Friday Agreement working again. He is a huge supporter, as you know, of Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. Mr Varadkar had earlier said the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala. The Stormont leaders had told US investors that Northern Ireland is open for business during the event. Urban Bird Hot Chicken recently opened in Cy-Fair and plans further expansion in Houston and Texas. Urban Bird Hot Chicken As hot chicken restaurants continue to trend in Texas, the owner of Houston-based Urban Bird Hot Chicken hopes to set the restaurant chain apart from dozens of others. The chicken restaurant offers menu items that range in spice levels from country, Tennessee BBQ and mild to Nashville hot, xtra hot and fire in the hole. They're also known for their massive loaded fries topped with mac & cheese, 2 jumbo tenders, pickles and bird sauce. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It seems like every day, a new hot chicken restaurant pops up in the Houston area. For Urban Bird Hot Chicken owner Brandon Gawthorp, it all started when he was looking to stay afloat after a pizza parlor he owned in Katy went out of business. Gawthorp said that around that time he tried hot chicken in Las Vegas and was craving it, so he decided to make it his next business venture. His initial thoughts were just to downsize to another location and open a hot chicken place to make his money back from the pizza parlor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once I started building it, I just really fell in love with it, and I fell in love with the food too and it just makes sense to keep growing it," Gawthorp said. He said Urban Bird's breading and recipe sets it apart from similar places, and that's the reason he thinks his restaurants will live beyond the hot chicken trend. It took me about nine months to get it open, said Gawthorp It took me so long just to create the product. So, it was about 60 experiments just to get the chicken where it's at today, just the fried chicken alone. Gawthorp said he didnt want customers to feel bloated after eating the food due to grease and heavy seasoning such as salt and sodium. Whenever I talked about those 60 experiments, it wasn't about the spice on the chicken, said Gawthorp I wanted to create a really good piece of fried chicken, that's where all my effort was." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Urban Bird also offers Chronic Fries, a virtual restaurant that offers menu items at all of its locations. A virtual restaurant, also known as a ghost kitchen, is a trending food service business that offer customers exclusives either online or through pickup orders. The Chronic Fries menu's loaded fries have even surpassed the hot chicken in popularity. Gawthorp said the mild, no spice and barbecue flavors are equally popular. Gawthorp said his company's strategy of remodeling former restaurant locations has made it easier to expand quickly. Urban Bird Hot Chicken will continue to grown in Houston with a new location on Westheimer Road that is expected to open this spring. Gawthorp said he also plans to look at opportunities in Austin and San Antonio this year. The coroner overseeing the inquests of the 48 people who died in the blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Dublin has started summing up months of evidence. The inquest into the deaths began in April last year and has heard evidence from 373 people. Advertisement Last Friday marked the beginning of the end of the inquest, when parties gave their closing submissions to the jury. Proceedings got under way on Friday, with Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane providing a summary of witness evidence at Dublin District Coroners Court. Antoinette Keegan, whose two sisters Mary and Martina died in the Stardust fire, at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin (David Young/PA) Advertisement The fire in Artane in the north of the city broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day in 1981. The new inquest, which is the longest ever held in the State, is coming close to an end following months of evidence. Dr Cullinane told the jury, who have heard evidence from witnesses over 95 days, that they have shown great commitment throughout the stressful proceedings. Advertisement Dr Cullinane also said it is their responsibility to consider all the evidence and return a verdict. Advertisement She said she would instruct the jury on the law that applies to their deliberations. Dr Cullinane also told the jury she would go through the verdicts that are available for them to return, and would go through a list of questions or issues she prepared that will help structure their findings. She said they should approach their task in an objective manner and that they will have heard discrepancies and conflicting evidence from different witnesses, but it is up to them to accept or reject it. She also told the inquest that they heard evidence from 373 people, including three forensic pathologists and three fire experts. Advertisement On Friday morning, Dr Cullinane went through the evidence related to planning and design, which included statements from people relating to events in the years and months leading up to the fire. Relatives of those killed in the Stardust fire gather at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin (David Young/PA) Dr Cullinane is summarising the evidence from a number of architects, engineers, building surveyors and electrical inspectors, as well as evidence from a salesperson from a floor covering company which supplied carpet tiles that were used on the walls of the premises. Advertisement She is also providing a summary from the former manager of the Stardust, Eamon Butterly, who sat in the witness box for eight days last year. Advertisement An original inquest in 1982 lasted just five days and recorded the cause of deaths in accordance with medical evidence, with no reference to the circumstances or the cause of the fire. In 2019, after a long campaign by the victims families, then-attorney general Seamus Woulfe directed that new inquests should take place. Housing charity Threshold has called for a register to be progressed for short-term lets ahead of the 2024 tourist season. The group claims a significant volume of houses which could be long-term homes are instead being let to tourists. Advertisement The European Parliament has now adopted a regulation which aims to streamline data collection and sharing obligations for online rental platforms. The proposed legislation aims to introduce registration requirements for property owners of short-term lets, ensuring compliance through fines of up to 5,000 for non-registration and penalties for online platforms advertising unregistered properties. Failte Ireland estimates up to 12,000 properties could be reintroduced to the long-term rental market on enactment of these regulations. Threshold chief executive John-Mark McCafferty said recent developments in the European Parliament around the acceptance of EU regulations for short-term lets means Ireland should now take the necessary action to pass legislation. Advertisement Advertisement "The number of short-term lets currently operating in Ireland is causing disruption to the long-term private rental market. The narrative of some companies that promote short-term letting is that hosts are 'renting a room in their primary home', but this is not always the case," Mr McCafferty said. "Studies have suggested that increasing touristification and gentrification have created a whole new class of homebuyer - the short-term rental speculator. "A high proliferation of short-term letting platforms can reduce affordable housing options, higher average asking rents, and erosion of neighbourhood social capital. This is impacting the viability of cities and towns. "One tangible example that many people may be able to relate to, is that of people who work in the tourist sector being unable to secure homes in or around where they are working. This simply has to change," he added. The relationship between Ireland and the US could not be stronger, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said. On the eve of a bilateral meeting with US president Joe Biden, Mr Varadkar attended an event hosted at the Irish ambassadors residence in Washington DC. Advertisement Speaking at the event, Mr Varadkar said: A hundred years of official diplomatic relations have woven a relationship that is stronger and deeper than ever. In his remarks, he also celebrated the countries long-standing, two-way trade relations, emphasising that he was proud Ireland was one of the top 10 investors in the US. Mr Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett arrive for a St Patricks Day Reception hosted by the Irish Embassy at the official residence of the Irish Ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason, in Washington DC (Niall Carson/PA) Advertisement On Friday, Mr Varadkar will meet US vice president Kamala Harris before a bilateral meeting with Mr Biden at the White House. He will also meet the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, at Capitol Hill. Advertisement On Sunday, The Taoiseach will also gift Mr Biden a bowl of shamrock as part of an annual tradition to mark St Patricks Day. Mr Varadkar started the trip on Monday and since then has spoken several times about how he will use the special platform of the St Patricks Day visit to press Mr Biden to back a ceasefire in Gaza, while also thanking the US for its leadership in support for Ukraine. Advertisement He said that the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala in Boston. Former president Mary Robinson has called on the US to stop sending weapons and funds to Israel as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise. Mrs Robinson, who is the chair of the group of senior statesmen The Elders, said Irelands leaders should push for political responses to the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave. Advertisement Mrs Robinson urged Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to use meetings he has with US president Joe Biden and other senior US politicians this weekend to push this point. Mrs Robinson said on RTE radio on Friday: Yes the humanitarian situation is utterly catastrophic and dire, reducing a people to famine, undermining all our values, but the message I want to deliver on behalf of the Elders is a direct message to our Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Advertisement Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Niall Carson/PA) Advertisement The United States can influence Israel by not continuing to provide arms, it has provided a lot of the arms, bombs that have been used on the Palestinian people and hes continuing to do that and hes also providing money. This [Israeli] government of prime minister [Benyamin] Netanyahu is on the wrong side of history, completely, is making the United States complicit in reducing a people to famine making the world complicit. Mrs Robinson said that Mr Varadkar should speak to all levels of US politics to make it clear that Israel depends on the United States for military aid and for money, thats what will change everything. The former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also questioned why funding to the UN agency for Palestinian aid, UNRWA, was stopped after allegations by Israel of 12 staff members involvement in the October 7th attack. Advertisement Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) at a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC. (Niall Carson/PA) Its as if UNRWA had to prove its innocence rather than have guilt proven, she said. She added that Mr Varadkar should tell Mr Biden to take the risk of the political fallout in what is a US election year to push for a peaceful solution or he will lose whatever reputation he had. Advertisement Advertisement What is happening is appalling and were watching it, she said. Advertisement Speaking after meeting with Mr Biden at the White House on Friday, Mr Varadkar said he did not think the US would stop providing arms to Israel to defend itself, but added he didnt believe the weapons were being used in self-defence. The president is very clear that the US would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself so, I dont think thats going to change, but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used in the way they are. The way they are being used at the moment is not self-defence. He added: Theres a difference between self-defence and whats happening now and thats why we need to move towards a ceasefire. Protests have been held in Dublin and Belfast urging US president Joe Biden to demand a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. The Amnesty International demonstrations took place to coincide with Taoiseach Leo Varadkars meeting with Mr Biden at the White House as part of the traditional St Patricks Day visit. Advertisement Activists from Amnesty gathered at US diplomatic offices in Dublin and Belfast on Friday morning holding banners that read: President Biden, listen to your Irish roots and demand a permanent ceasefire. Today we demonstrated outside the US Embassy to call on President Biden to demand a permanent Gaza ceasefire. With the Taoiseach making the annual St Patricks Day pilgrimage to the White House, we demand @POTUS listen to his Irish roots and call for a permanent ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/0A7avx8yGb Advertisement Amnesty Ireland (@AmnestyIreland) March 15, 2024 Advertisement Amnesty activists gathered at the gates of the offices of the US Consulate General in Belfast where they laid a bowl of shamrock at the front of the building and handed over a letter to a representative from the Consulate General. Senior politicians from Leinster House and Stormont have been in Washington DC this week to promote Irish business and culture. Advertisement But pressure has been on politicians to also speak about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and to use the opportunity to call for an immediate ceasefire and to push for peace. Activists recalled Joe Bidens commitment to his Irish roots. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Israels military operation in the enclave was launched in response to Hamass deadly attack on October 7th that killed 1,200 people and saw militants seize more than 200 hostages. Advertisement The subsequent Israeli invasion has killed more than 31,000, according to Gaza health officials, left much of the region in ruins and displaced some 80 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million people. Culture Minister Catherine Martin said at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas that she felt revulsion at the scale of deaths and injuries in Gaza and appealed to the US, a country with strong ties to Israel, to join us in the pursuit of peace. Advertisement Amnesty International Irelands executive director Stephen Bowen said they were asking Mr Biden to hear Irish people around the world pleading for an end to the atrocities. Advertisement More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict since Hamas October 7th assault. Photo: AP. Since the horrific attacks of October 7th, more than 30,000 Palestinian people have been killed, the majority of them women and children. To allow this travesty to continue is unspeakable. Its time, Mr President. Call for a permanent ceasefire to end the mass humanitarian suffering in Gaza, aid the return of hostages, and calm the tensions multiplying in the region. Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: Here today Amnesty activists are gathered outside the US Consulate in Belfast, also today outside the US Embassy in Dublin and over the weekend outside the White House in Washington, as Irish leaders go to meet President Biden. The USA and others cannot hide behind airdrops or efforts to open a maritime corridor to create the illusion they are doing enough to support needs in #Gaza. Governments must prioritise a permanent ceasefire and ground-based aid to prevent famine.https://t.co/BWkpqZkwZW Amnesty Ireland (@AmnestyIreland) March 13, 2024 We want them to bring a very clear message on behalf of people across Ireland north and south, to cry out for the Palestinian people, the people of Israel as well, in demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Advertisement President Biden has loudly, proudly proclaimed his Irish roots so we are asking him to listen to people in Ireland, we are asking him to use his power to deliver a permanent and an immediate ceasefire for the benefit of all in the Middle East. He added: Some have chosen to go (to Washington) and bring the message of peace, some have stayed at home in protest, our focus is on the message itself and that is that President Biden needs to listen to people in Ireland and across the world and use his power, and he has immense power diplomatically, to unequivocally call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Skodas new Epiq crossover will be the firms rival to the likes of the Jeep Avenger and Hyundai Kona EV, and it will be the Czech brands most affordable electric model when it goes on sale in Ireland next year. The Epiq is an electric adjunct to the existing Kamiq crossover, and is very compact, measuring just 4.1-metres in length (Skoda fans will note thats about the same size as the lamented Yeti, but lets not get ahead of ourselves with battery Yeti headlines just yet, eh?). In spite of the compact size, Skoda claims boot space of up to 490-litres, which would pretty easily make it one of the roomiest cars in its class. Advertisement New Skoda Epiq EV So, youll get big space but not a big price. Skoda is targeting a circa 25,000 price tag in Europe, which should keep the Epiq on the sunny side of 30,000 when it arrives here (all grants and rebates being equal). Advertisement The Epiq also kick starts a new style for Skoda. At the front, the traditional Skoda arrowhead badge has gone, replaced by the word Skoda in neat, slim letters. Speaking of slim, the grille (not that an EV really needs one) is very slim indeed, and bookended with LED headlights that appear almost to vanish into the bodywork. Below those, a front bumper with vertical Jeep-like slots (this is apparently called the Tech-Deck face) while at the rear is a forward-leaning roof pillar for a slightly racier profile. Advertisement New Skoda Epiq EV The Epiq is still technically a design study but its reckoned to be very close to the finished product. Oliver Stefani, Skodas head of design, said: Our new design language Modern Solid represents the next level of modernity. Smart functionality and practicality are harmoniously balanced by attractive new looks and our sustainability approach. The Skoda Epiq design study perfectly embodies all the key attributes of the new design language. This new style will actually get a production debut on the all-electric Elroq, which will go on sale late this year, and which will slot between this Epiq and the bigger Enyaq in terms of size. Inside, the cabin has been kept minimalist, but Skoda says that the two-spoke steering wheel (there is, kind of, a third spoke, but its not actually connected to the centre of the wheel) does retain proper physical buttons, and there are more proper buttons below the big central touchscreen. Advertisement Advertisement New Skoda Epiq EV Gear selection is now done via a column stalk, so theres more space for vast storage areas in the centre console (including a wireless phone charging space) while in the boot theres a false floor with a large storage space underneath. There will also be a strong emphasis on the use of recycled materials throughout both the cabin and the Epiqs exterior. Interior of new Skoda Epiq EV Needless to say, the name is a play on the word Epic, but using Skodas now-traditional Q ending for one of its SUV models. It will need to be pretty epic this is an increasingly crowded EV space in the market, and the Epic will have to deal with internal competition from VW (which is working towards a launch of a similarly-sized electric crossover, based on the ID2) and Cupra (which has already shown its Raval compact EV). Advertisement The Epiq will be built alongside those two cars, at VW Groups factory in Pamplona in Spain. Skodas chief executive, Klaus Zellmer said: "The coming Skoda Epiq will package a lot of car for an attractive price and a big interior with a compact size. "Our customers want choices, which is why we are expanding our growing e-mobility portfolio into this popular segment. I hope these first design teasers demonstrate that the Epiq will shine because of its modern design, everyday range and user-friendly technologies - all of it affordable." A burglar who cut a hole in the floor of a British military museum to steal a priceless haul of silver has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Police believe items taken by Graham Gallon from the Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum, including a rosewater dish described as a sister piece to the Wimbledon womens singles trophy, may have since been melted down. Advertisement A military polo trophy, statuettes of mounted soldiers and a cavalry trumpet were also stolen in October last year, after the hole was cut to gain direct access to a display case. The hole cut under a display case (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) Gallon (36), of Carrington Terrace in Rotherham, England, was arrested after his DNA was found on the base of a silver cup which he was not able to squeeze through the gap in the floor, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the offence, curators at the museum said it was disgusting that historic items had been taken from people who had served and fought for their country. The theft took place in the early hours and was discovered the following morning by a volunteer, who found a decorative Halloween skeleton under the hole. Gallon was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court earlier this week after pleading guilty to burglary. Advertisement Some of the stolen items (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) In a statement issued on Friday, officers said the case remains open. A 24-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man have also been arrested and remain under investigation. Detective Constable India Woodrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: The people who did this may have got away with silver, but as we said at the time they have not got away with the crime. Advertisement Gallon came to our attention very soon in our investigation and I am pleased that we were able to conclusively link him to this offence. We do not believe that he acted alone, and our investigation is continuing at pace. We are acutely aware, however, that no amount of convictions or jail sentences can bring back these priceless items, which we know meant a huge amount to veterans and museum staff. The crew of the European charity ship Ocean Viking said on Friday they had rescued another 135 migrants, including a pregnant woman and eight children, from a double-decker boat in Maltese search-and-rescue waters. In total, the vessel operated by the humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee was carrying 359 shipwreck survivors, it said, adding the ship had been assigned to the distant port at Ancona, in Italys central Marche region. Advertisement Such a long navigation should never be imposed on persons rescued at sea, the rescue organisation wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Non-governmental organisations operating in the central Mediterranean Sea have repeatedly warned that the far-right-led Italian governments policy of assigning ports farther north keeps their rescue ships out of waters where they can be saving lives. A migrant is helped to evacuate a partially deflated rubber dinghy by the rescue personnel of the SOS Mediterranee humanitarian ship Ocean Viking in the Mediterranean on Wednesday (Johanna de Tessieres/SOS Mediterranee via AP) Advertisement Advertisement Rome has recently ordered the ships to port after each rescue, punishing groups that conduct other rescues by holding ships in port for 20 days at a time. The Ocean Viking has been subject to three such blocks over three months, the most recently from February 8 until a judge lifted the block 10 days later. Fridays rescue came a day after survivors saved from a deflating rubber dinghy in the central Mediterranean on Thursday reported that some 60 people who departed from Libya with them more than a week ago had perished during the journey. The Ocean Viking spotted the dinghy with 25 people on board on Wednesday. Two were unconscious and were evacuated to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, some 60 miles (97km) to the north. The other 23 were in serious condition, exhausted, dehydrated and with burns from fuel on board the boat. Advertisement An SOS Mediterranee spokesman said the survivors were traumatised and unable to give full accounts of what had transpired during the voyage, adding that the number of missing and presumed dead was unlikely to ever be verified. Humanitarian groups often rely on accounts of survivors when pulling together the numbers of dead and missing at sea, presumed to have died. Advertisement The UN International Organisation for Migration says 227 people have died along the perilous central Mediterranean route this year through March 11, not counting the new reported missing and presumed dead. That is out of a total 279 deaths in the Mediterranean since January 1. A total of 19,562 people arrived in Italy using that route in the period. The European Unions executive arm on Friday proposed sacrificing even more climate and environmental measures in the blocs latest set of concessions to farmers apparently bent on continuing disruptive tractor protests until the June EU elections. Angering environmentalists across the 27 nations, the Commission proposed to further loosen rules imposed on agriculture which they said, not so long ago, were inherent parts of the blocs strategy to become climate neutral by 2050. Advertisement That challenge put the EU in the global vanguard of fighting climate change. Tractors parked behind a blockade in the European Quarter during a protest of farmers outside a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels in February (Nicolas Landemard/AP) The main goal of these legislative proposals is to further ease the administrative burden for EU farmers and give farmers and member states greater flexibility for complying with certain environmental conditionalities, a statement from Ursula von der Leyens Commission said. Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposals, the conditions to move farming to become more climate friendly were weakened or cut in areas such as crop rotation, soil cover protection and tillage methods. And small farmers, representing some two-thirds of the workforce and the most active within the continent-wide protest movement, will be exempt from some controls and penalties under the new rules. Politically, the bloc has moved right over the past year and the plight of farmers has become a rallying cry for populists and conservatives who claim EU climate and farm policies are little more than bureaucratic bungling from elitist politicians who have lost any feeling for soil and land. The Christian Democratic European Peoples Party of Ms von der Leyen had been among the most vocal and powerful in defending the farmers cause. Advertisement Scientists and environmentalists from around the globe though have insisted drastic measures are necessary just to contain global warming from getting worse, and have outpointed Europe as one of the places with the bleakest prospects. The Commission proposals still need to be endorsed by the member states, but considering previous concessions, they stand a good chance of being accepted quickly, observers said. Policemen stand next to tractors parked during a protest, near the Chateau de Versailles, outside Paris, earlier in March (Michel Euler/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Fridays plans were the EUs latest concessions in reaction to protests that have affected the daily lives of tens of millions of EU citizens and cost businesses tens of millions of euros due to transportation delays. Others have included shelving legislation on tighter pesticide rules and requirements to let some land lie fallow. On top of the EU itself, member states have also caved in to several of the demands as the tractor protests shot up the political agenda. Complaints have centred on excessive bureaucracy, intrusive environmental rules and unfair competition from third countries, including Ukraine. The Commission said that even though more flexibility measures for farmers were now proposed, the overall EU climate goals remained valid. Advertisement We are the first continent to have made a binding legal commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050, said Commission spokesman Eric Mamer. Not only have we done that but we actually fixed a roadmap to 2030 with the legal act to ensure that we are on the right path to meet that objective. He insisted Fridays proposals would not veer from that commitment, even though that we adapt from time to time to changing circumstances is obvious. A ship delivered 200 tons of humanitarian supplies, food and water to Gaza on Friday, the Israeli military said, inaugurating a sea route from Cyprus for aid to help ease the humanitarian crisis brought by Israels five-month-old offensive in the enclave. Israel has been under increasing pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, especially in the Palestinian territorys isolated north where hunger is at its worst, with many people reduced to eating animal feed and weeds. Advertisement The United States has joined other countries in airdropping supplies into northern Gaza and has announced separate plans to construct a pier to get aid in. Aid groups said the airdrops and sea shipments are far less efficient than trucks in delivering the massive amounts of aid needed. Instead, the groups have called on Israel to guarantee safe corridors for truck convoys after land deliveries became nearly impossible because of military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of order after the Hamas-run police force largely vanished from the streets. Advertisement Food aid, left on the pallets, from the US charity World Central Kitchen and the United Arab Emirates is seen being loaded aboard a second vessel preparing to depart for Gaza, at Larnaca port, Cyprus, on Friday (Petros Karadjias/AP) Advertisement The ship, operated by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday towing a barge laden with food, including rice, flour, lentils, beans, tuna and canned meat. The food was sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, which operates kitchens providing free meals in Gaza. Throughout the day on Friday, the ship could be seen off Gazas coast. In the evening, the military said its cargo had been unloaded onto 12 trucks. Grainy footage released by the military showed a truck on a pier approaching the barge. Advertisement The food is to be distributed in the north, the largely devastated target of Israels initial offensive in Gaza, where up to 300,000 Palestinians are believed to remain, mostly cut off by Israeli forces since October. The delivery is intended to pave the way for larger shipments. A second vessel will head to Gaza once the supplies on the first ship are distributed, Cypruss foreign minister Constantinos Kombos said. Its timing depends in part on whether the Open Arms delivery goes smoothly, he said. Advertisement The Israel-Hamas war was triggered by Hamas October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in another 250 being taken into Gaza as hostages. Israels offensive in Gaza has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and driven most of Gazas 2.3 million people from their homes. A quarter of Gazas population is starving, according to the United Nations. d site. Claire Partain is a suburban reporter producer for the Houston Chronicle, covering The Woodlands and writing the Woodlands Insider newsletter. She can be reached at claire.partain@houstonchronicle.com. She got her start as sports editor at Texas State University (go Cats!) before covering professional soccer team Austin FC and other Austin news at digital startup Austonia. Claire has also freelanced with her hometown paper, appearing in the Fairfield Recorder, Teague Chronicle and Corsicana Daily Sun. Former US vice president Mike Pence says he will not be backing Donald Trump in the 2024 election. It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year, Mr Pence said in an interview with Fox News Channel on Friday, commenting publicly for the first time since the former president became the presumptive Republican nominee. Advertisement Mr Pence ran against Mr Trump for their partys nomination but dropped his bid before voting began last year. The decision makes Mr Pence the latest in a series of senior Trump administration officials who have declined to endorse their former boss bid to return to the Oval Office. Advertisement While Republican members of Congress and other GOP officials have largely rallied behind Mr Trump, a vocal minority has continued to oppose his bid. Advertisement It also marks the end of a metamorphosis for Mr Pence, who had long been seen as one of Mr Trumps most loyal defenders but broke with his two-time running mate by refusing to go along with Mr Trumps unconstitutional scheme to try to remain in power after losing the 2020 election. When Mr Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 trying to disrupt the certification of Joe Bidens win, Mr Pence was forced to flee to a Senate loading dock as rioters chanted Hang Mike Pence! outside. Advertisement In order to participate in the Republican primary debates, Mr Pence was required to sign a pledge saying that he would support the partys eventual nominee. And during the first debate in Milwaukee, Mr Pence was among the candidates who raised their hands when asked whether they would support Mr Trump even if he were convicted in one of his four criminal indictments. Then-president Donald Trump listens as then-vice president Mike Pence speaks during a briefing at the White House in 2020 (Patrick Semansky/AP) But Mr Pence had made clear he had come to harbour serious reservations about Mr Trumps actions and his policy stances. Advertisement I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again, he said during his campaign launch speech. Advertisement As the campaign progressed, he raised alarms about the partys resistance to sending aid to Ukraine and called on his fellow Republicans to reject what he called the siren song of populism espoused by Mr Trump and his followers. In the Fox interview, Mr Pence said he was incredibly proud of his and Mr Trumps record in office, but said: During my presidential campaign I made it clear that there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues, and not just our difference on my Constitutional duties that I exercised on January the 6th. I mean, as I have watched his candidacy unfold, Ive seen him walking away from our commitment to confronting the national debt. Ive seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life, he went on, also referencing what he called Mr Trumps reversal on getting tough on China and supporting our administrations effort to force the sale of the popular TikTok app. Advertisement In each of these cases, Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. And thats why I cannot in conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign, he said. Advertisement Mr Pence declined to say whom he would be voting for Im going to keep my vote to myself, he said but made clear it would not be Joe Biden. I would never vote for Joe Biden, he said. Im a Republican. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sought to mobilise support for his brand of right-wing populism in a speech urging people to help him occupy Brussels in European Union elections this summer. Mr Orbans address, coinciding with a national holiday commemorating Hungarys failed 1848 revolution against Habsburg rule, criticised the EU and similarly to other speeches is recent years compared it to imperial occupiers that have dominated Hungary throughout history. Advertisement The nationalist leader, speaking from the steps of the National Museum in central Budapest, drew a sharp contrast between his country and the western world, accusing the latter of being a source of rootlessness and destruction. They start wars, destroy worlds, redraw countries borders and graze on everything like locusts, he told the crowd. We Hungarians live differently and want to live differently. Advertisement Crowds gathered to hear Viktor Orban deliver his speech (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP) Advertisement He was speaking less than three months before EU elections that are expected to show a surge for far-right parties across the continent that share many of Mr Orbans key positions. Opposition to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as a commitment to national pride and sovereignty, featured heavily in his comments on the national holiday, which often bore the tone of a campaign speech. Brussels is not the first empire that has set its eyes on Hungary, Mr Orban said, referring to the EUs de-facto capital. The peoples of Europe today are afraid that Brussels will take away their freedom If we want to preserve Hungarys freedom and sovereignty, we have no choice: We have to occupy Brussels. There is heightened political tension in Hungary following the resignation in February of the president, Orban ally Katalin Novak, amid outrage over her issuing of a pardon to a convicted accomplice in a case of child sexual abuse in a state-run orphanage. Advertisement The scandal also led to the resignation of a former justice minister and put unprecedented political pressure on Mr Orbans long-serving government, which has led Hungary since 2010. Advertisement Hungarys position among its partners and allies has also faced strain in recent months. Viktor Orban visited the United States last week where he met Donald Trump (Denes Erdos/AP) Advertisement On Thursday, in a speech reflecting on the 25th anniversary of Hungarys Nato membership, US ambassador David Pressman highlighted concerns over Hungarys reliability as an ally in the military alliance, stating that Mr Orbans government appears to have little interest in constructive dialogue to solve disagreements with its partners. In the speech in Budapest, Mr Pressman criticised Hungarys recent obstructionism toward Swedens Nato accession, and accused Mr Orban of pursuing dangerous relationships with Russia and China. Mr Orbans government, Mr Pressman said, labels and treats the United States as an adversary while making policy choices that increasingly isolate it from friends and allies. Hungarys government also faces a challenge from an unexpected source at home Peter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orban ally Judit Varga. Advertisement Once an insider within Mr Orbans Fidesz party, Mr Magyar in recent weeks has publicly called for fundamental change and gathered a significant following through internet posts and widely watched interviews. On Friday, Mr Magyar addressed a crowd of around 10,000 people in Budapest where he announced his plans to form a new political party to challenge Fideszs 14-year grip on power and act as an alternative to Hungarys fragmented opposition. Advertisement If Hungarian voters finally see a real political force that cannot be bribed or blackmailed, that is honest, straight, open and free of extremes, then more and more people will believe that there is hope for change after decades in a political swamp, Mr Magyar said in a speech, where he also accused Mr Orbans government of corruption and economic mismanagement. As Mr Orban hopes for success this summer for conservative forces in Europe, he has also achieved close ties with parts of the American right, including former president Donald Trump. The Hungarian leader last week visited the United States where he met Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and openly called for a Trump victory over President Joe Biden in November elections. In his speech on Friday, Mr Orban said that support for Mr Trump showed that American voters were rebelling, and predicted a political shift that will favour conservatives in Europe and the United States in 2024. This year will be a turning point, he said. At the beginning of the year we were still alone, and by the end of the year we will be the majority. A judge on Friday delayed former US president Donald Trumps hush-money criminal trial until at least mid-April after his lawyers said they needed more time to sift through evidence they only recently obtained. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to a 30-day postponement and scheduled a hearing for March 25 to address questions about the evidence dump. Advertisement The trial had been due to start on March 25. It is among four criminal indictments against Mr Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee. Mr Trumps lawyers wanted a 90-day delay, which would have pushed the start of the trial into the early summer. Donald Trump is the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee (Mike Stewart/AP) Advertisement Prosecutors said they were happy with a 30-day adjournment in an abundance of caution and to ensure that defendant has sufficient time to review the new materials. Advertisement Mr Trumps lawyers said they have received tens of thousands of pages of evidence in the last two weeks from the US attorneys office in Manhattan, which investigated the alleged hush money arrangement while Mr Trump was president. The evidence includes records about former Trump lawyer-turned-prosecution witness Michael Cohen that are exculpatory and favourable to the defence, Mr Trumps lawyers said. Prosecutors said most of the newly turned over material is largely irrelevant to the subject matter of this case, though some records are pertinent. Advertisement The hush money case centres on allegations that Mr Trump falsified his companys records to hide the true nature of payments to Cohen, who paid adult film actor Stormy Daniels 130,000 dollars (102,000) during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Mr Trump years earlier. Mr Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and has denied having a sexual encounter with Ms Daniels. His lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and were not part of any cover-up. Prosecutors contend Mr Trumps lawyers caused the evidence problem by waiting until January 18 a mere nine weeks before the scheduled start of jury selection to subpoena the US attorneys office for the full case file. Advertisement Advertisement District Attorney Alvin Braggs office said it requested the full file last year but the US attorneys office turned over only a subset of records. Mr Trumps lawyers received that material last June and had ample time to seek additional evidence from the federal probe, the district attorneys office said. Short trial delays because of issues with evidence are not unusual, but any delay in a case involving Mr Trump would be significant, with trial dates in his other criminal cases up in the air and election day less than eight months away. Advertisement The defence has also sought to delay the trial until after the Supreme Court rules on Mr Trumps presidential immunity claims, which his lawyers say could apply to some of the allegations and evidence in the hush money case. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments April 25. Mr Trump has repeatedly sought to postpone his criminal trials while he campaigns to retake the White House. We want delays, Mr Trump told reporters as he headed into a February 15 hearing in New York. Obviously Im running for election. How can you run for election if youre sitting in a courthouse in Manhattan all day long? First responders who arrived at the scene of a Russian missile attack on homes in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on Friday were themselves struck by a second missile, officials said. A paramedic and an emergency service worker were among the 16 people killed. Advertisement Officials said 53 other people were wounded in the attack on houses in the port city. The attack occurred as Russians voted in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend Vladimir Putins rule by another six years after he crushed dissent, and as the war in Ukraine stretches into its third year. Firefighters extinguish a fire at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Advertisement At least 10 houses in Odesa and some emergency service equipment were damaged in the attack, which started a blaze, according to Ukraines Emergency Service and regional governor Oleh Kiper. Advertisement The tactic of firing a second missile at the same location, aiming to hit rescuers, is known in military terms as a double tap. Such strikes often hit civilians. Mr Kiper announced that a day of mourning in Odesa will be held on Saturday the second such observance in less than two weeks. On March 2, a Russian drone struck a multi-storey building, killing 12 people, including five children. Advertisement Since last summer, Russia has intensified its attacks on Odesa, a southern port city with a population of around one million residents. The attacks have primarily targeted port infrastructure, aiming to disrupt the export of goods after Ukraine managed to restore maritime navigation with a series of successful operations in the Black Sea. A damaged fire engine at the scene of the attack in Odesa (Victor Sajenko/AP) Advertisement Moscow officials have also claimed they are aiming at facilities where Ukrainian sea drones are stored for attacks on Russias Black Sea fleet. The Odesa regions ports were key to last years international agreement that let Ukraine and Russia ship their grain to the rest of the world. The citys residents largely speak Russian and its past is intertwined with some of Russias most revered figures, including Catherine the Great, author Leo Tolstoy and poet Anna Akhmatova. Advertisement Its Orthodox cathedral belongs to Moscows patriarchate and at least until the Kremlin illegally annexed the nearby Crimean Peninsula in 2014 its beaches were beloved by Russian tourists. Advertisement Meanwhile, in the Russian border region of Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a member of the regional territorial defence forces was killed and two people were injured in Ukrainian shelling on Friday. Overnight in Ukraine, two people were also killed and three wounded in the central region of Vinnytsia after Russia struck a building with a drone, according to regional governor Serhii Borzov. The Ukrainian air force said it shot down all 27 Shahed drones that Russia launched over the Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv regions. The United States and allies warned Iran on Friday that major Western economies will pile new sanctions on Tehran if it moves forward with an advancing plan to provide ballistic missiles to Russia for its war with Ukraine. The Biden administration has raised alarms for months that Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran as Moscow struggles to replenish its dwindling supplies. Advertisement The US has yet to confirm that missiles have moved from Iran to Russia but US officials are alarmed by comments by Iranian officials that suggest that a deal is imminent. In September, according to the White House, Iran hosted Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to show off a range of ballistic missile systems a moment that sparked US concern that a deal could come together. An Iranian-built missile is displayed during a rally in Tehran in February (Vahid Salemi/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Asked why the deal has not already been consummated, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said he could not speak for the mullahs. The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to make the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on Iran and North Korea for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine and has disclosed intelligence findings that it says show as much. Russia has acquired and used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, however, say that North Korean missiles when deployed by Russian forces have frequently missed targets. Russia has received hundreds of one-way attack drones, as well as drone production-related equipment, from Iran, according to the White House. Advertisement The Biden administration also has accused Tehran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow. One action that the G7 (Group of Seven) countries are mulling is to prohibit Iran Air, the countrys national air carrier, from flying to Europe, according to a senior Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorised to comment and insisted on anonymity, declined to preview other sanctions that the US are considering beyond describing the potential action as significant measures. Advertisement The US and Europe already impose extensive sanctions against Iran targeting individuals as well as limiting the countrys access to trade, financial services, energy, technology and other sectors. Advertisement The sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the US maintains on any country, with thousands of individuals and entities targeted. Im extremely proud of the contribution every individual at PwC Australia makes to this firm and their ongoing commitment to producing exceptional results for our clients. This was the brave part of the statement PwC boss Kevin Burrowes made on Wednesday as he announced another 366 partners and employees would be cut at the embattled firm to right-size the shrinking business. PwC Australia CEO Kevin Burrowes announced this week that more than 360 employees and partners will go in the latest round of job cuts. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen This was on top of the 340 staff sacked in November due to the tax scandal, and economic conditions. As well as the 1300 staff that left when PwC was forced to spin off its lucrative government business for just $1 after it was banned from any further government work. The firms website still boasts of a workforce of 8000 employees, but those stats are from a year ago when the news surfaced that several PwC partners had allegedly used confidential government tax information to woo some of the biggest companies in the world as clients. Support for nuclear power has ticked up since October last year, when 33 per cent supported it. Resolve founder Jim Reed said nuclear proponents need to convert open-mindedness into informed consent, but would face pushback. A March 2011 file image of the damage at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. Credit: Tokyo Electric Power Company via Kyodo News The inevitable NIMBY scare campaign can really only be overcome through educating the public on where nuclear fits in Australia; why its needed, where the reactors would be, the benefits for heavy industry and home users, Reed said. Pollster Kos Samaras, founder of political consultancy RedBridge, said the question of social licence would be impossible to overcome. If people are losing their minds about whales bumping into offshore wind turbines, theyre going to be a little bit more animated when it comes to conventional nuclear reactors being built in nearby locations, which they have to be because they need water, Samaras said. In the Resolve polling, men were much more enthusiastic, with 51 per cent firmly in favour of nuclear power and a further 21 per cent open to it. For women, it was 21 per cent and 32 per cent. The highest support was among older voters. In the over-55 age group, 46 per cent supported nuclear and a further 22 per cent were open to it. Although young people are more likely to vote for parties that oppose nuclear, such as the Australian Greens, Resolve found they were just as open to nuclear power as the generation above them. In total, 59 per cent of people in both the 18-34 age group and the 35-54 age group were either supportive or open to the idea of nuclear power. The older cohort was more likely to firmly support it, while the younger respondents had more soft supporters. This matches Shackels experience, who said: Older generations are much more passionate in their beliefs towards nuclear power. Young people support it, but its not an emotional issue for them. He founded Nuclear for Australia last year, with funding from businessman Dick Smith. His goal is to lift Australias ban on nuclear energy, which dates from 1998 when former prime minister John Howard cut a deal with the Greens. Dr Rebecca Huntley, director of research at 89 Degrees East, said the openness of young people to nuclear power was partly generational and partly about the importance of climate change as an issue. Social researcher Rebecca Huntley is an expert on public sentiment on nuclear issues. Credit: Nick Moir Generation X grew up really worried about nuclear war, and thats just not something that the younger generation thinks or understands or worries about, Huntley said. More importantly, the younger generation just wants energy and climate change sorted, so perhaps theyre prepared to go OK, maybe we should consider it. In 2016 Huntley ran South Australias series of citizen juries to decide whether the state should accept the worlds nuclear waste and store it in secure facilities in the desert. She said most of the participants were open-minded at the outset, but eventually opposed, especially after hearing testimony from Indigenous elders who remembered the Maralinga nuclear testing in the 1950s and did not want it on their land. Huntley said participants in focus groups were bringing up nuclear more often than before the last federal election, but support usually dissolved once the discussion turned to timelines, logistics and the issue of how to store waste. Huntley said the government could find itself in a difficult position because if it ignored the idea, discussion would continue, but if it responded, it risked fuelling the debate and delaying renewables. Loading The discussion about nuclear power is being led out of Canberra, not the states, where the Coalition has made its support clear. Matt Kean, the former NSW energy minister under the previous Coalition state government, said his government looked seriously into nuclear energy but it didnt stack up in terms of cost, timelines or grid security. David Crisafulli, leader of the Liberal National Party in Queensland, has consistently said nuclear would need federal bipartisan support. Tony Wood, the energy program director at Grattan Institute, said large-scale nuclear reactors could not be built in time to replace existing coal-fired plants as they are decommissioned, while the much-vaunted small modular reactors do not yet exist. Wood said small modular reactors could be appropriate to fill in the gaps once renewables made up 80-90 per cent of the grid, but this was a decision for the late 2030s. Loading He said there was little investor appetite. If you lifted the nuclear ban tomorrow, no ones going to rush off and build a nuclear power station because its just too expensive, Wood said. Rio Tinto recently put out a tender for wind and solar to power an aluminium smelter near Newcastle, telling Renew Economy that nuclear power was too slow and expensive. Bill Gates, who has invested in nuclear power in the US, has said Australia should focus on its abundant solar and wind capacity. Samaras said not only would the soft support evaporate, but the other dynamic is the high levels of hard opposition. In the recent Resolve poll, 23 per cent of respondents opposed nuclear power, down from 24 per cent in October. Samaras polling puts it as high as 32 per cent. Either way, its a large constituency. Felicity Stevens and her son James, 14, at home in Sydney. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone If nuclear power ever became more than a twinkle in Duttons eye, it would be strongly opposed by the likes of Felicity Stevens from Balgowlah on Sydneys north shore, in Teal MP Zali Steggalls electorate. Stevens is active in the community, through groups such as Parents for Climate and the Zero Emissions Group. She said the health risks of a nuclear accident were a big concern. Advertisement Review Eating outPerth East meets west at this suburban bowls club with delicious, wallet-friendly results Under the command of two young gun chefs, the kitchen at Doubleview Bowling Club is a win-win-win for eaters, the community and most importantly hospitality workers. Max Veenhuyzen March 15, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 6 Roast chicken and fish and chips. Tori Lill 2 / 6 Ipoh curry with rice noodle, autumn veggies, and fried tofu. Tori Lill 3 / 6 Fish and chips. An all-time classic gets proper treatment at Doubleview Bowling Club. Tori Lill 4 / 6 Indonesian roast beef with peanut sauce, snake bean and coconut salad, and rice. Tori Lill 5 / 6 Roast chicken with creamed corn, cabbage, potato and gravy. Tori Lill 6 / 6 A basket of fried wontons. Perfect bowls snack. Tori Lill Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Australian$$$ On Wednesdays, the queue for the bistro at the Doubleview Bowling Club often starts forming before the kitchen opens at 5.30pm. For some, getting in line early is a matter of convenience. Maybe theyre on the way home from the office or school pick-up. Maybe theyre on the way out somewhere. Or maybe the bowlo is exactly where theyre supposed to be because theyve got a must-win four-a-side community bowls game that evening and need to be ready to roll at 7pm. For others, this early mealtime is simply good old-fashioned FOMO. Advertisement It pays to get in early for dinner at Doubleview Bowling Club. Tori Lill As your correspondent can attest to, Wednesday and Friday night late-comers to this community hub in hilly Doubleview run the risk of missing out on that days chalkboard specials. Perhaps therell be two lines of pink chalk through the char siu chicken Maryland served with rice and Asian greens ($25): a meal a pal texted me about and described as would not have looked out of place at any top restaurant. If youre unlucky, youll be in line as the final serve of thick-sliced roast oyster blade and garlic prawns ($25) gets picked up by its lucky owner; have just enough time to wonder what could have been; then watch helplessly as it disappears into the jumble of tables that populate the clubs sprawling hall. In your head, you hear the immortal (paraphrased) words of the Seinfeld universes most famous chef: no reef and beef for you! Advertisement Of course, bowlo kitchens running out of food isnt something to write home about. What is unexpected, however, is the breadth of flavours and influences in play at the Doubleview Bowling Club. Sure, one could reasonably expect to find roast chook ($25), roast beef and other classic Australiana on offer, but Japanese curry? Regional northern Malaysian noodles? Indonesian grilled beef? These arent the bowlo meals our grandparents ate. But then again, they didnt have Anisha Halik and Jacob DVauz cooking them dinner either. Anisha Halik and Jacob DVauz have brought their expertise to the Doubleview Bowling Club kitchen. Tori Lill For the past year, this hospo couple have been quietly running the kitchen at the Doubleview Bowling Club. If the name Jacob DVauz sounds familiar, then youre probably someone that tracks restaurants news closer than most. Or maybe you worked with DVauz at Rockpool, Madalenas, Uncle Joes Mess Hall or one of the many places hes cooked at over the past 15 years? Advertisement If so, youll know that old mate isnt shy when it comes to dishing out flavour in his cooking. But even if you werent aware of the DVauz origin story, one forkful of our mans pappardelle ragu ($25; craggy noodles in a deep ragu of beef short rib) lets you know that DVauz feels completely at home in a kitchen. The char siu chook might have eluded me, but its vego counterpart with grilled eggplant ($20) glazed with maltose, fermented soy and honey afforded me a similar contact high. While the five-dish menu changes weekly, the double cheeseburger ($20) is one of two permanent items and understandably so: its a banger. The patties are made with mince from cult Balcatta butcher Troys Meats, while lettuce, onion and tomato help freshen things up. Ever wondered what would happen if Maccas and HJs teamed up Marvel-Capcom style and combined the cheeseburger and Whopper? Wonder no more. The burger also comes with some of the greatest traditional chips Ive eaten in Perth. Chubby, brittle and crunchy on the outside and airy inside, theyre the pale yellow nubbins of fried potato we all dream of seeing when we unwrap our parcels of fish and chips. Big-up yourself, Anisha. Advertisement The days menu. Once its gone, its gone. Tori Lill A graphic designer by training, Halik is deep in the fish and chips game (a decade at Landsdale Fish and Chips; four years as the opening manager at the Sealanes fish and chipper) and it shows. As she tells it, frying chips isnt rocket science: you get a good product, dont put too much of it in the fryer, then wait for the oil (changed regularly) to come to temperature before cooking. But like so many things in life, theres a difference between someone that knows how to do something, and someone that has the discipline to sweat all the details. The fish and chips ($23) is the other menu mainstay and also Haliks domain. It is, unsurprisingly, also great and the giant plinths of fried fish (usually barramundi) are juicy, golden and crunchy everywhere they ought to be. In this instance, Halik is less forthcoming with details. Shes the only person that makes the batter and not even hubby knows the recipe. Of the 220-ish meals the kitchen serves each night, the fish-and-chips is, again unsurprisingly, a consistent performer. While dinner at Doubleview Bowling Club plays out like most suburban bowlos guests collect cutlery and clear their own plates; buzzers let you know to collect your meal there are signs that management are across wider food and drink trends. Tables can be booked online. The bar sells zeitgeisty craft beers, orange wines and cocktails (pornstar martinis!) at very sharp bowlo prices. A pre-batched Negroni will set you back $12. If youre a member, you pay even less. At a time when money is tight for so many, dollars saved matter. Not just for eaters, but for hospitality business owners too. Advertisement How do you make a small fortune in hospitality? Start with a big fortune. So goes the classic gallows humour of those in the food game. Right now, it feels like that game is extra challenging, with reduced spending and staff shortages two comments Im hearing regularly from operators. But despite the current climate, venues continue to open. While everyone is entitled to roll the dice and chase dreams, I just wonder if nows the time to open something. Or at least something that follows the traditional path of dropping six figures on building, fit-out, staff, marketing et al and opening the doors saddled with crazy debt. Why not think and do differently? Advertisement Advertisement In both these instances, bowls clubs gave operators a chance to test proof-of-concept before taking the plunge and opening permanent places. But in the case of DVauz and Halik, theyve reversed the polarity. After all, heres a couple that came from traditional hospitality backgrounds switching tack and doing something, well, weird. But weird can also mean winning. For everyone. The view from the al fresco dining area. Tori Lill Diners get delicious, high-calibre cooking at an accessible price (nothing on the menu is more than $25). The club wins, too, as more diners equals more money spent across the bar. And best of all, DVauz and Halik and their young daughter Naia get a life together. Something of a rarity in the hospo game. The couple are only in service two nights each week and, financially, in a much better position than previously in their careers. Honestly, theres no way I could afford a mortgage plus support my young family on a chefs income in the traditional restaurant model, says DVauz. Advertisement It just wouldnt work. This works. This model works for me and my family. The low-down Vibe: pure, uncut Australiana: TAB, thongs and all Go-to dish: double cheeseburger, fish and chips Drinks: A surprising, wallet-friendly mix of pub favourites and contemporary drinks Cost: about $60 for two, excluding drinks Advertisement Eating outRestaurant news From Barbie chai to cheesy pistachio knafeh: Five unmissable dishes at Sydneys most popular food festival How to navigate the 70+ food stalls at Ramadan Nights Lakemba. Bianca Hrovat March 15, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share More than a million people are expected to visit Ramadan Nights Lakemba this month to break their daily fast and experience the cultural showmanship along Haldon Street at more than 70 food stalls. The nightly food market, which attracted more crowds than The Royal Easter Show last year, coincides with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a time of prayer, self-discipline, reflection and charity. Albasha Knafeh & Coffee adds a dash of Salt Bae-inspired showmanship to the traditional dessert. Wolter Peeters From around March 11 to April 9, from sunrise to sunset, able-bodied and mature-aged Muslims will abstain from food, drink and other physical needs, believing this teaches restraint, sacrifice and empathy for those less fortunate. But when it comes time for iftar (the first meal of the day), the streets around Lakemba station spring to life plumes of smoke rise as Cocos Island chicken satay skewers hit the charcoal grill; wooden mallets are pounded into tubs of chewy Syrian ice-cream; and stallholders compete for attention, shouting about their brilliant chicken murtaba (a filled flatbread or pastry), or stretching chunks of knafeh, the pastry-topped sweet cheese dessert, as high as their arms will reach. Advertisement The crowds at Ramadan Nights Lakemba are less intense mid-week. Wolter Peeters Festivities kick off at dusk and continue until about 3am, though late nights are hardly an anomaly for Lakemba. In September, it became the third NSW district to receive the internationally renowned Purple Flag, recognising the suburb for its safety, vibrancy and diversity after hours. The markets are open to everyone, and charity and social enterprise Taste Cultural Food Tours hosts walking tours every Monday to Thursday. Taste provides training and employment for refugees and migrants, who draw on their Islamic background to guide guests on the 2-hour cross-cultural culinary journey (and avoid long lines). Taste tour guide Noorlindah Saleh will insist you take a second helping of murtaba. Wolter Peeters If you find yourself on Haldon Street this Ramadan, your senses overwhelmed, these are Good Foods pick of five dishes to look for, with the help of Ramadan Nights veterans and Taste tour guides Noorlindah Saleh and Latife Dogan. Advertisement Dish spellings and names may vary between stalls. Surprisingly tender patties of camel meat at Ramadan Camels. Wolter Peeters Camel Yassr Elyatims cheesy camel burgers started it all 17 years ago, with one small grill set up on Haldon Street. Now, its a major production outside Broaster Chicken, with long lines, multiple grills, and a large stuffed camel hanging from the awning. The once-a-year burgers, surprisingly tender, are still a must-order. But this Ramadan, they have competition: camel dumplings with goji berry sauce from Crescent Yum Cha on The Boulevard, and creamy camel milk hot chocolate at the Fresh Lemonade stall (next to Commonwealth Bank). Try: Lakembas original camel burger ($15) at Ramadan Camels. Advertisement Outside Broaster Chicken, 106 Haldon Street, Lakemba, instagram.com/ramadancamels Kashmiri Barbie chai at Mandi King. Wolter Peeters Kashmiri chai Taste guide Saleh has renamed Kashmiri chai Barbie tea for its rich pastel-pink hue. The colour, said to chase away the blues, emerges when green tea leaves are boiled with a dash of baking soda for upwards of an hour. The chemical reaction between the salt and the polyphenols creates a maroon liquid, which is later brightened with milk. Expect a warm, creamy tea infused with comforting spices such as cardamom and star anise, with a sprinkling of chopped pistachio nuts and a mild, salty aftertaste. Try: Kashmiri tea ($5) at Mandi King Lakemba, where its swirled with pizzazz alongside grilled meat skewers. Advertisement 99 Haldon Street, Lakemba Noor making the murtaba at Desi Paikari Bazar. Wolter Peeters Murtaba Fast, versatile and tasty, its a wonder this popular South and Southeast Asian street food staple isnt more common in Sydney. While its appeared in many forms since it was introduced (some say in Yemen, others say in Jordan) more than a century ago, at Ramadan Nights its made with paper-thin filo pastry stretched over a hot grill, stuffed with minced meat, coriander and egg, then folded, fried and chopped to serve. The murtaba chef at Desi Paikari Bazar, Noor, reveals he learned the skill in a Malaysian refugee camp after fleeing Myanmar. Try: Chicken murtaba ($15) at Desi Paikari Bazar, outside Exim Supermarket. Advertisement 70 Haldon Street, Lakemba Lamb haleem at Zam Zam Restaurant. Wolter Peeters Haleem Hearty bowls of haleem stew are a Ramadan staple, rarely served outside the holy month. The warming combination of masala curried lentils, wheat or barley, and slow-cooked meat (often lamb, goat or beef or a combination) satisfies hunger cravings, and what it lacks in Instagram aesthetics it makes up for in punchy flavours. The Bangladeshi variety at Zam Zam Restaurant is sweat-inducingly spicy, while the Pakistani variety at Pista House is rich and aromatic. Try: Bangladeshi haleem ($9) (with a side of daal puuri, fried dough stuffed spiced lentil filling, pictured top left) at Zam Zam Restaurant. 41 Haldon Street, Lakemba Advertisement Knafeh with pistachio sauce at Kanafandi. Wolter Peeters Knafeh Knafeh is one of the more eye-catching dishes at Ramadan Nights, owing to its long cheese pull (particularly magnificent at Albasha Knafeh & Coffee, thanks to a sunglasses-wearing stallholder channelling Salt Bae, the viral Turkish chef). Its a Levant (Eastern Mediterranean) dessert that varies between regions, but is always a textural delight. It features a layer of molten sweet cheese topped with crispy spun pastry, golden and soaked in a sugar-based syrup. Yummy Yummy Knafeh is a long-standing favourite of market-goers, but Taste guide Dogan swears by Kanafandi, a quiet alternative on the corner of The Boulevard. Try: The Palestinian-style pistachio knafeh ($15) at Kanafandi Nabulsi Knafeh House. 60 Haldon Street, Lakemba, instagram.com/kanafandi.sydney Ramadan Nights Lakemba. Wolter Peeters Tips to enjoy your Ramadan Nights experience The markets are officially open from Thursday to Sunday, but most food stalls operate throughout the week. Beat the crowds by visiting mid-week and arriving early. Take public transport. Lakemba Station is within easy walking distance of Ramadan Nights. Bring a tote bag to take away excess food. Canterbury-Bankstown Council advises against bringing dogs, as theyre conventionally considered unclean within the Muslim community. There are unique challenges that come with living in one of the smallest countries in the world, one at risk of being swallowed by the ocean as sea levels rise. Tuvalu, a collection of nine small islands or coral atolls in the South Pacific with a population of just over 11,000 people, has a single hospital. Residents can be forced to travel thousands of kilometres away, to a different hemisphere, for standard medical treatments. Funafuti, the capital of the island nation of Tuvalu, consists of strips of land encircled by a lagoon and the vast ocean. Credit: Alamy If they need to go for chemo [or] radiation, a lot of the women go to India, said Family Planning Australias international program director Anne Stuart. Its despite this remoteness and other significant challenges that the nation has recently become the first in the Pacific to reach the World Health Organisations global screening goal for cervical cancer screening of 70 per cent. China posts narrowed declines of home prices Xinhua) 11:05, March 15, 2024 BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Major Chinese cities reported falling home prices in February, with narrowed month-on-month declines, official data showed on Friday. Compared to a year ago, prices in the 70 large and medium-sized cities in general saw price drops due to a high base, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at octavia.johnson@houstonchronicle.com. Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast paced, audience-focused content. Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University. Universities are catching hundreds of students in a new wave of alleged cheating using ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence, as the tertiary sector deploys a new anti-plagiarism tool and eagle-eyed markers in an attempt to tackle the misconduct. Sydney University has disclosed that 330 instances of apparent plagiarism using artificial intelligence occurred in 2023, as the mainstream impact of the technology becomes evident. University of Sydney has recorded hundreds of instances of alleged plagiarism using artificial intelligence. Credit: Wolter Peeters Most other universities, however, are tight-lipped about the extent of artificial intelligence cheating in their institutions amid widespread fears that its undetectable. Deakin University cheating detection expert Professor Phillip Dawson said it was likely only a small portion of AI cheats were caught, given the limitations of available detection methods. A member of the public has chased a man accused of indecent acts towards children through Sydneys inner west before conducting a citizens arrest. Detectives from the sex crime squad put out a warrant on Monday for River Jordan, 32, who also goes by the name of Daniel Dowdy, after learning he had ripped off his ankle bracelet and destroyed it. Wanted man River Jordan has been arrested.. Credit: Police Media In their appeal to locate him, police said he could be spending time in public toilets. They warned the public not to approach him and instead to call a police hotline if he was seen. About noon on Friday, a member of the public spotted and recognised Jordan on Upward Street in Leichhardt but instead of dialling the hotline, chased after him. A Brisbane woman whose fight to avoid eviction became an election issue, backed by Greens mayoral candidate Jonathan Srirangathan, had no right to stay, a tribunal has ruled. Sriranganathan last month rallied behind Stephanie Cridland, 50, and organised a snap anti-eviction protest outside the Salisbury home where she had lived for 22 years. Stephanie Cridland, who lived at the Salisbury property for 22 years. She later moved voluntarily, while still arguing her case before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Property records indicate the modest house on a 2,023 m block set to go to auction this month is owned by Christopher Fry and valued at more than $1 million. For more than a century, a trip to Caloundra included a walk along Dicky Beach to wander through the wreck of the SS Dicky, often as the sun sank and the shadows lengthened. But those days have sailed. The remains of the SS Dicky at Caloundra. The Dickys timber deck collapsed in the 1960s and in 2013 Cyclone Oswald reduced what was a favourite beachside adventure playground to a safety hazard. Attempts to refloat the 226-tonne steam ship failed, and in 2015 the decision was made to shift most of the wreck to a safer resting place. Medici was fingered rightly or wrongly the year before for blowing up the car of a man known as the godfather of the Calabrian mafia in Victoria, Liborio Benvenuto, who survived and later declared he couldnt imagine anyone wanting to do him harm because he had no enemies. Giuseppe Furina. Credit: The Age The other body was of Medicis brother-in-law Giuseppe Furina, who was spared the ear torture but not the bullet because, it was said, he was judged by the assassin to have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Police believed the men had been lured to NSW with the promise of a juicy drug deal in Griffith, a town forever associated with the 1977 mafia-ordered disappearance of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay. It happened that I took some interest in these events. I interviewed Don Mackay two days before he disappeared, and I was in Griffith reporting on an unrelated story on the day the bodies of Medici and Furina were discovered in the Murrumbidgee. Griffith and Melbourne were tightly linked because the Calabrian mafia has long been active in both cities. Loading Indeed, Benvenuto who was never charged over the deaths of Medici or Furina had previously been investigated by police on suspicion of transporting marijuana from Griffith to Melbourne in fruit and vegetable trucks. The word mafia is used loosely here. The Calabrian mafia is known variously as Ndrangheta (Courageous Men), LOnorata Societa (the Honoured Society) or La Famiglia (The Family). As late as the 1950s and into 1960s, terrorised fruit and vegetable stallholders in Melbourne simply called it The Black Hand. The message that accompanied the 1984 murders can be traced much further back than the long series of shotgunnings and bombings that began in Melbournes markets in the early 1960s. The ritual hacking of ears had its beginning in Australia in 1934 during violence in north Queensland among members of what was known at the time as The Black Hand. Established by Italian criminals who migrated in the 1920s to work in the canefields, the enterprise specialised in extortion, kidnapping and brutal standover tactics. Letters of demand were signed The Black Hand to inspire dread. Police search for weapons during a dawn raid in 1964 on Victoria Market as part of an investigations into mafia-style shootings. Credit: Ken Wheeler Innisfail farmer Giovanni Iacona, who had taken to handing out his own extortion letters in defiance of the main organisation, got a visit from three members of the ruling Black Hand gang on February 11, 1934. Two of the gang, Giuseppe Parisi and Giuseppe Bueti, held Iacona down while their boss, Nicola Mamone, cut off his ears. The disfigurement, according to those who have studied the Honoured Society, is an old Calabrian technique of dishonouring enemies. Even then, Iacona resorted to omerta when police came to his hospital bed, asking questions. Instead, he waited three weeks to heal, retrieved his gun and shot Mamone dead in the main street of Innisfail. Honour restored, he walked to the police station and handed over his gun. He got a life sentence and was deported. This ancient Calabrian ritual of retribution, or payback killings, followed by omerta, captured public attention in Victoria following a new wave of immigration after World War II. Vincenzo Angilletta was shot dead in 1963. Credit: Fairfax Media Among the immigrants were hard-working Calabrian farmers who understood the value of growing and selling fruit and vegetables. A few of them also understood the value of extorting those who made their living in the trade. My colleague, John Sly of the Underworld Silvester, has compiled a long and detailed timeline of the mayhem as criminals fought to control Victorias markets. The timeline of blood begins on April 4, 1963, when Vincenzo Angilletta, cleaner and former produce grower, was shot dead with a double-barrelled shotgun outside his Northcote home. His crime? Ostensibly, hed rebelled against the Honoured Societys order to sell his farm to another member of the group. By the end of the year on November 26, 1963 Domenico Demarte, a fruit and vegetable market commission agent, was wounded by shotgun blast while leaving his North Melbourne home. It was considered payback for Angillettas killing. Two months later, on January 16, 1964, Vincenzo Muratore, market merchant, commissioned agent and financial adviser to the Honoured Society, was shot dead with a double-barrelled shotgun while leaving his Hampton home. The motive further payback for the Angilletta murder. The background to the shootings was a power vacuum that followed the death in December 1962 of the man reputed to have been the godfather of the society in Victoria, Domenico Italiano. Angilletta had not simply refused to sell his farm he was suspected of wanting to become boss himself. Liborio Benvenuto died in 1988. While police were trying to understand what was behind all the blood, and getting no help from a community dedicated to silence, a new power emerged. Liborio Benvenuto, born in 1927 in Reggio Calabria the province which gave birth to Ndrangheta used his influence as Melbournes new godfather to put an end to the early spate of killings. Violence, he ruled, was bad for business. A form of peace descended and everybody who valued their health paid up the extortion levied . Beneath the surface resentment simmered. When a bomb exploded in Benvenutos Toyota Landcruiser outside the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market on May 10, 1983, it was obvious something drastic had to be done to restore order and honour. Polcie divers surface during the search for the bodies of Rocco Medici and Giuseppe Furina in the Murumbidgee River in May 1984. Credit: Mike Martin Almost exactly one year later, on May 6, 1984, the bodies of Medici his ears and honour removed and the unfortunate Furina were retrieved from the Murrumbidgee. Benvenuto died of natural causes in 1988, having nominated as his successor an insurance broker named Giuseppe Arena. Six weeks later, Arena was murdered in the backyard of his Bayswater home. Alfonso Muratore was killed in 1992. Credit: Fairfax Media The struggle for power had resumed. Before nominating Arena, Benvenuto sounded out Alfonso Muratore, the son of Vincenzo Muratore, the fellow gunned down in 1964 at the start of the Market Killings. Alfonso, married to Benvenutos daughter Angela, turned down the offer of becoming godfather, but would soon die in a spooky re-run of his fathers execution. He was unwise enough to break two of the Honoured Societys hallowed laws: he left his wife the daughter of the old godfather for another woman, and in the end, he blabbed about the societys activities. Coles Myer, it emerged, was being extorted by the society to ensure a reliable supply of fruit and vegetables. Coles buyers were physically threatened as Coles state fruit and vegetable manager John Vasilopoulos undertook an inquiry into overpricing and kickbacks at the wholesale markets. On December 19, 1990, Vasilopoulos opened the front door of his Ivanhoe home and a man claiming to be Tony, shot him in the stomach. For the next two years, suburban fruit shops across Melbourne were torched and their owners and operators robbed and bashed, and in two cases, murdered, as a price war and battle for control of the markets raged. Loading Muratore, in a meeting with a Coles Myer representative in mid-1992, broke the law of silence by speaking about some of the Honoured Societys secret arrangements. Two weeks later, as he walked to his car outside his Hampton home, accompanied by a bodyguard, he died instantly from a shotgun blast to the head, just like his dad. And so it went. On May 8, 2000, Frank Benvenuto, son of Liborio Benvenuto and named in an inquest as Muratores possible killer, was shot dead in his car in Beaumaris. And here we are in 2024. Of 105 suppression orders issued in Victoria since the start of the year at Supreme, County and Magistrates courts most banned reporting of certain features in a case, including the name of an accused person or witness. The County Court signing off on 60, followed by the Magistrates Court with 31 and the Supreme Court of Victoria with 14. They included 22 interim orders. Of the 98 analysed by this masthead issued so far this year, not including VCAT cases: Eight gave media the required three days notice of an application being made 22 were interim orders Magistrates Court issued 31 County Court issued 50 Supreme Court issued 14 Most suppressed reporting of certain features, most commonly the name of the accused person or witness, from being reported anywhere in Victoria or Australia. They related to the below reasons: Name suppression of people on supervision orders in the community - 15 Mental impairment reasons - 17 Safeguarding trials - 5 Preventing the risk of prejudice or proper administration of justice - 27 Protecting the safety of a person - 12 In 30 instances reasons were not stated There were 15 orders made specifically to suppress the names and locations of people categorised as serious offenders in the community on supervision orders. Seventeen orders related to alleged offenders who may be found unfit to stand trial for reasons of mental impairment, and five were made to safeguard future trials. The data collected shows 27 were documented to relate to the prevention of prejudice to the proper administration of justice, with another 12 to protect the safety of a person. A further 30 did not state the reasons for a suppression order being made. Loading Justin Quill, from law firm Thomson Geer, said the gangland war of the early 2000s had facilitated an increased need for suppression orders to be made but believes the practice has since become ingrained in Victorian legal culture. If I just think about how many suppression orders Ive had to fight in Victoria versus other states, its 20-to-1, he said. Back in the day we used to laugh at South Australia which was known as the suppression capital. Then the gangland war happened ... and it changed things here. Its become a beast and its gotten worse and worse. Recently, this masthead has opposed numerous suppression order applications. They included a defence teams attempts to withhold the names of two people accused of kidnapping, assaulting and robbing Nemer Abusamha, 31. An interim suppression order was initially approved during a closed court hearing before being opposed by the press. More suppression orders are being dished out in Victoria than anywhere else in the country, data shows. Credit: Darrian Traynor The Age also fought a broad suppression order in a case involving a 12-year-old girl charged with murder which allowed the public to learn the child had been reported missing from her residential care home 275 times in less than three years before a woman was killed. The press argued that an order preventing any reporting of the case would also prevent public criticism of the governments handling of the at-risk child. Lawyers for the Australian Financial Review are currently fighting in the Federal Court to name a former tax partner of Ernst & Young being prosecuted by the Commissioner of Taxation for promoting a tax exploitation scheme. Other applications for suppression orders have not been opposed by this masthead, including a recent application to withhold the names of school children injured in a 2022 bus crash. Most suppression orders are being issued in the County Court of Victoria. Credit: Darrian Traynor The Open Courts Act 2013 is state legislation that requires the court to give open justice proper consideration. It exists largely to maintain impartiality and strengthen public confidence in the justice system while also helping hold those involved in the court process to account and to educate the community on what happens inside the states courts. The legislation also states the press should be given three days notice of a suppression order to determine its merits. Data collected by this masthead shows only eight of the 83 broad and proceeding applications made so far this year had given the media the appropriate notice period to facilitate objections on behalf of the public. The 22 interim orders made do not require that same notice period. Greg Barns, SC, national criminal justice spokesperson for the Australian Lawyers Alliance, rejected suggestions Victoria had become a suppression order city. He said publication bans were fundamentally important in ensuring defendants received fair trials and for the protection of vulnerable people, including witnesses. This, he said, was of the utmost importance in high-profile cases to prevent an atmosphere of guilt being created around an accused person before theyre able to face trial. Barns said many suppression orders were in place for only a short period of time with hurdles applicants must get over to have them made. Greg Barns SC. Credit: Eamon Gallagher Given the importance of open justice, perhaps it would be useful for the courts to educate the community on why suppression orders are granted, he said. Its a really good exercise for the legal system to explain to people how the system works. It is fundamentally important that defendants receive fair trials in all cases. Shadow attorney-general Michael OBrien noted a 2017 review by former justice Frank Vincent recommended that judges be better educated about the objectives of an open court policy. But the continued use of broad suppression orders by Victorian courts, OBrien said, suggested this had been ineffective. OBrien said Victoria remained a state where justice was too often dispensed in secret due to the overuse of suppression orders. Victoria has an Open Courts Act much as we have a Freedom of Information Act both full of good intentions but too often ignored in practice, he said. Criminal barrister Nick Papas, KC, said ultimately deciding whether or not to suppress information from the public was a challenging balancing act. Papas, who favours press access, said the public had a right to know what was going on in cases, as long as it didnt put the safety of people or the proper administration of justice at risk. He said judges and lawyers were well aware of their obligations and that suppression orders should only be made if absolutely necessary. I accept the proposition that we should ensure the Act is given full effect and therefore the community is part of the court process. Thats part of justice. But there are many parts of this process that do need to be restricted at times [such as] informer names, Papas said. Its a balancing act. A Victorian government spokesperson said it was vital for public trust in our justice system to have a court system that balances the principle of open hearings with the right for everyone to get a fair trial. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The NSW Mid North Coast holiday centre of Coffs Harbour has, apparently, moved at a huge cost to the states taxpayers. The Commonwealth Grants Commission, in its annual carve-up of the $90 billion GST pool this week, ruled that Coffs Harbour and its surrounding satellite towns and villages were no longer outer regional. It is now a part of inner regional Australia. While the earth didnt move for the almost 80,000 people living around the home of the Big Banana, that single definitional change cost the NSW government more than $200 million in GST. A change in the definition of Coffs Harbour has cost the NSW government $200 million in lost GST. Credit: Janie Barrett In the nations south, the towns of Mount Gambier in South Australia and the Tasmania north-coast centre of Devonport were reclassified from inner regional communities to outer regional. Again, neither town physically moved, but the description change meant extra GST for SA and Tasmania under the grants commission process. Advertisement NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says the fact a state can lose hundreds of millions of dollars simply because of a change in a towns description showed the grants commission system was broken. Coffs Harbour has been in the same place for more than a century, yet somehow its gone from being outer regional to inner regional and its costing us millions, he said. Usually, the release of the grants commissions annual carve-up of the GST grabs the interest of a few Treasury officials and a couple of treasurers. Loading But this weeks report on how the $90 billion will be shared in 2024-25 has started a nationwide debate, pitting state Labor treasurer against state Labor treasurer. After years of gripes by Western Australia about the process, NSW and Queensland are on the fiscal warpath with the Commonwealth Grants Commission straining to breaking point. Advertisement The commission, put in place by then-prime minister Joe Lyons in 1933 after West Australians voted to secede because of claimed financial injustice, tries to allocate the GST so that every state and territory can offer reasonably similar standards of goods and services to their citizens. Its processes consider a wide array of factors that stretch from the number of Indigenous people in a country town to the cost of natural disasters. The proportion of a states population in a remote or regional area, and their relative distance from their capital city, is also taken into account. That is how parts of a state are defined, via a process overseen by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, that led to the Coffs Harbour, Devonport and Mount Gambier changes. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and other state treasurers believe there are huge problems with the GST system. Credit: Louise Kennerley Based on the bureaus data, the population of Coffs Harbour and its hinterland grew enough between the census of 2016 and 2021 to reduce its relative distance from Sydney and its services for it to be described as an inner regional area in a $200 million hit to the NSW budget. But Devonport, whose population grew almost as fast as Coffs Harbour, went from an inner to outer regional area a definition that helped boost Tasmanias share of GST by $49 million. Advertisement Victoria gained an extra $702 million due to revisions by the commission of Melbourne, finding more multi-storey buildings in areas along key transport links qualified the state for extra GST to cover the cost of servicing urban centres. The ownership of an asset can also change a states share of GST. In 2021, the then NSW government sold its remaining 49 per cent share of the huge WestConnex motorway project. That shift in ownership, from public to private, affected state property values to such an extent that NSW gained $219 million in GST. Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 drove the price of a tonne of coking coal from around $US140 to a peak of $US432, delivering a multi-billion windfall to the coal-exporting states of Queensland and NSW. The grants commission took most of that windfall away. In a repeat of what happened to Western Australia as a surge in iron ore prices delivered a huge increase in royalties, the commission process spreads the windfall gain of one state to the others. NSW lost $872 million in GST and Queensland $1.7 billion due to the coal price surge. The winners from Russias war were WA (up $608 million) and Victoria ($1.3 billion). While there are always shifts in states GST shares, the 2024-25 changes were particularly large and unexpected. This caused the anger emanating from NSW and Queensland, and Victorias glee given it received the largest upward gain in two decades. Scott Morrisons GST deal was expected to cost just $8 billion over 8 years. Its on track to reach $50 billion over a decade. Credit: James Brickwood Advertisement It also exposed the tension within the grants commission process that has been simmering since the 2010s. As treasurer, Scott Morrison in 2018 under huge political pressure in WA overhauled a part of the process that directly fed more money across the Nullarbor. With WAs share of GST collapsing because it was earning so much from iron ore, Morrison struck a deal that put a floor under its share of the GST. Over time, this floor would be increased to something around what NSW and Victoria have long endured. Loading The federal government would tip in money to help bring WAs share up to this new standard. After pressure from Liberal senators in NSW and Victoria, who realised that their states could suffer big falls in their GST payments, the plan had a no worse off guarantee put on top of it with that cash also to come from federal taxpayers. As iron ore prices were expected to fall, the total cost of this floor and top-up system would be modest. Instead, iron ore prices have continued to climb. Advertisement ASIC pursued this matter because we considered that this product was being offered without the appropriate licence or authorisation and therefore without the benefit of important consumer protections, Mullaly said in a news release. There is so much to learn from this industry, and I've found that brokers are always willing to share their knowledge and experiences with you," she said, recalling a conversation with a senior executive who encouraged her to "ride the wave for as long as you can" a mantra she has adopted. A Houston Police officer uses cones to sets up a barricade blocking access to Centre Parkway near Bissonnet Street on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Houston police have begun blockading several streets in the Bissonnet Track in a bid to stop sex trafficking in the area. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Houston Police officers uses cones and barricades to to block access to Centre Parkway near Bissonnet Street on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Houston police have begun blockading several streets in the Bissonnet Track in a bid to stop sex trafficking in the area. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Centre Parkway and Bissonnet Street on Friday, May 26, 2023 in Houston. Houston police have begun blockading several streets in the Bissonnet Track in a bid to stop sex trafficking in the area. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Used condoms and discarded underwear used to litter the ground along the Bissonnet Track where scantily-clad women and the motorists seeking them out for anonymous sex once roamed, employees of a southwest Houston business said. Much of the street prostitution that garnered the neighborhoods international reputation for illicit activity fizzled when Houston police started blocking vehicle traffic on Plainfield Street and Centre Parkway at night, according to city officials and a businesses on Plainfield. The orange traffic cones continue to go up around 10 p.m. and are taken down around 5 a.m. to stop sex workers and drivers soliciting their services from congregating, according to authorities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The obvious traffic has died down, said Joe Gonzalez, a warehouse worker for Gulf Coast Services on Plainfield who has continued to see sex workers nearby in recent days. The prostitution thats left behind is less visible or moved elsewhere, he said. Read the Houston Chronicle investigation: The Track The prostitution along Bissonnet has long served as a nuisance to businesses and residents and in May, the mayor declared reducing sex trafficking along the stretch as a top priority. City officials gathered on Friday to celebrate the apparent decline in Track prostitution with the arrests of 145 people mostly pimps and johns since May 16, but police Chief Troy Finner said during a news conference that some of the prostitution activity may have moved elsewhere. Experts and advocates for those in the sex trade have worried that the crackdown would drive the illegal activity underground. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Finner lauded the progress by his officers to clean up Bissonnet, while other officials said they were unaware of nearby prostitution hot spots created in the wake of the crackdown. The chief stressed plans to keep tabs on possible displacement. We know we clean this area up, they are going to move to other locations, Finner said. From January until mid-May, when the blockading began, authorities had made more than 300 arrests in the same area, officials said. Jesse Saenz, a former Harris County Sheriffs Office sergeant, on Friday took shelter from the sweltering heat under a tent while working security on one of the streets thats closed to vehicles at night. He started the job eight months ago and has noticed a stark difference since the blockading started. Sex workers used to dominate the street and he would chase away them and those arranging and the johns profiting from their business transactions, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cars had to go around them, Saenz said. He, too, believes that prostitution has moved elsewhere. City councilman Edward Pollard, who pledged to undo the Track as a campaign promise, said the blockades have made a world of difference and that he had not caught wind of prostitution ramping up elsewhere in his district. We have not seen anything that comes close to what we saw here on Bissonnet, Pollard said. The displacement has not been an issue. The councilman announced plans on Saturday to dispatch volunteers for a neighborhood cleanup. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mayor Sylvester Turner, who pressed for robust policing on Bissonnet around the release of a movie by the same name, pledged during the news conference that $5 million in extra funds would be given to Houston Police Department, portions of which Finners officers can use as overtime to keep patrolling Bissonnet and blockading streets as needed. Turner blasted the movie on Friday and challenged the filmmakers to come up with a new film that takes place somewhere else. In a hearing presided over by Judge John T. Dorsey of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, edtech firm Byjus stated that the judge rejected the request made by the alleged debtor in possession and TLB Lenders for a mandatory injunction seeking the deposit of money with the court. Instead, Byjus reported that the court granted a preliminary injunction preventing transfers of the funds. This means that the funds remain safe where they are, and cannot be utilized or further transferred. Byjus described this as a major setback to the lenders' efforts to gain control over the disputed funds, as the court found they had not met the standards for the grant of a mandatory injunction. In connection with the Order passed at yesterdays hearing, Byjus mentioned that this Order merely maintains the status quo, as the firm has always maintained that the said funds are safely parked in one of its subsidiaries. As per the order, it will rightfully remain there. In fact, the court denied the primary relief requested - that a mandatory injunction be granted depositing the monies into court. We had also consistently maintained that the lenders last year were aware of the situation of the $500 million in Byjus Alpha. We are satisfied that this matter has been laid to rest, said Byjus. It is now clear that this so-called adhoc group is working in cohort with certain large investors of Byjus to exploit the situation and make windfall gains. This cartel has selectively released some remarks made by the presiding judge to build fake narratives in the media. There should be no doubt that we will continue to fight this falsehood for the sake of all our stakeholders, including the millions of students whom we proudly serve. This case represents a concerning attempt by a group of opportunistic foreign lenders to exploit an Indian start-up by levelling baseless allegations with the sole intent of extracting punitive monetary concessions, said Byjus. The legal counsel for Byjus Alpha, the alleged debtor in possession, admitted that representatives of the lenders of Byjus TLB had personally verified and certified that the $500 million funds were with a Byjus subsidiary as of early 2023. The company said this supports Byjus stance that the money has all along been with Byjus subsidiaries and that Byjus has all along acted transparently and in good faith. The company said that the judge remained unpersuaded by the lenders' assertions about locating the whereabouts of the said amount, let alone attaching it. Byjus said the judge remained unconvinced by the lenders' assertions, recognising the lack of substantial grounds to grant their requests. No mandatory injunction was, therefore, issued in this regard. Byjus counsel argued that by not pursuing the matter in courts of New York (which have exclusive jurisdiction under the Credit Agreement), the ad hoc group of lenders implicitly conceded that this is not a case of rights being breached but merely a claim for a refund of the term loan amounts. Byjus counsel further emphasised that the lenders cannot seek draconian relief of mandatory injunction seeking the deposit of the money in a bankruptcy court in furtherance of such monetary reliefs. This is more so when there is no evidence of irreparable harm. They cannot ask for draconian provisions in a bankruptcy court merely to pursue their demand for monetary refund, the counsel said. This is not a case of irreparable harm. They know this. That is why they withdrew their case in Florida. They are trying to enforce rights they are not entitled to, he added. The counsel also pleaded that it is outside the jurisdiction of the Delaware court to issue an injunction, though the judge proceeded to issue one. If they want to maintain their claim that Byjus is in breach of the covenant, then the proper jurisdiction is not Delaware but New York, he submitted. Instead, they have chosen to file their case in a bankruptcy court, which suggests that their primary objective is to seek a refund, rather than address any alleged contractual violations. The company said this line of questioning by Byjus legal team effectively highlighted the lenders' strategic manoeuvring, which appears to be driven more by profiteering motivations than legitimate concerns over contractual breaches. The company said it has reportedly made every interest payment under the Credit Agreement (on time and in full) until the ad hoc lender group arbitrarily and unlawfully accelerated the repayment of the loan. In fact, in Delaware Chancery Court proceedings initiated by lenders shortly after its unlawful acceleration, the Chancery Court ruled that lenders were not entitled to information in relation to the sums. With the lenders' statements and the court's ruling rejecting the relief for a mandatory injunction, Byjus said it has gained significant ground in the legal battle that has been forced upon it. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater oversight and accountability in the global financial system, where the pursuit of profit at all costs should never supersede ethical conduct, said the company. According to a Bloomberg report, Think & Learn Pvt (parent of Byjus) must freeze $533 million to protect the money for disgruntled lenders who claim the cash should only be used to pay them, a US judge said Thursday. The decision by US Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey was a mixed victory for lenders. They earlier demanded the money be placed under the control of the federal court to prevent the cash from being spent by the Indian education-tech firm, which operates under the name Byjus. Dorseys order was aimed at Riju Ravindran, one of the companys directors and the brother of founder Byju Raveendran. Lenders had previously seized control of a holding company set up by Think & Learn to issue $1.2 billion in debt. That unit, Byjus Alpha, is now in bankruptcy under Dorseys oversight. Ravindran is appealing a decision by Delawares Chancery Court approving that seizure, according to Bloomberg report. At the start of the Thursday bankruptcy hearing in Wilmington, Delaware, Dorsey ordered the arrest of the founder of a small Florida hedge fund for refusing to reveal where Think & Learn allegedly hid the cash. If he can be located by US Marshals, William C. Morton will be locked up for contempt of court under Dorseys order, according to Bloomberg report. Morton must also pay $10,000 a day until he provides details about the money, which was briefly placed with the hedge fund Camshaft Capital Fund. India will continue the ongoing negotiations for free-trade agreements (FTAs) with countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and Oman even after the model code of conduct for the general elections kicks in from Saturday. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha election Saturday. Following the announcement, the model code of conduct will be enforced in the entire country until the announcement of results. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel Model code of conduct doesnt restrain any ongoing projects. These are ongoing negotiations, these are not new negotiations. So (FTA) negotiations will continue at the same pace, Sunil Barthwal, commerce secretary, told reporters. ALSO READ: PM Modi talks with UK counterpart Sunak to review progress of FTA When asked whether the government would sign an FTA when the model code of conduct is in force, Barthwal said that call we will take when the time comes. That is not a concern at the moment. Negotiations are going on. At what point we are going to sign it, we will take that call at that point. On the ongoing FTA negotiations with the UK, Barthwal said both sides were very actively engaged in the negotiations. Both sides are quite committed to the fact that there should be a commercially meaningful, fair, and equitable trade deal between the two countries. Sensitivities of both the countries should be respected as well as the strengths should be reflected in the trade deal. Negotiations are going on even today. It is a very (very) complex deal. Both the countries want an ambitious deal. We are waiting for negotiations to conclude, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue to strengthen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic partnership. They assessed positively the progress made towards early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said. India-UK FTA negotiations, launched in January 2022, have had 13 rounds of talks so far. Chapterwise textual negotiations are nearly closed and schedules on goods and services are at an advanced stage of negotiations. Recently, the UK team visited India (March 5-7) for negotiations on outstanding issues. Teams have made good progress. Majority of difficult issues are towards resolution. A couple of key priority issues to seal the deal are being ironed out to have a balanced outcome, the commerce department said in a presentation. On the status of the FTA with Oman, Barthwal said it was pretty close. Whenever we do these FTAs, we look into not only the trade issues but national interest and geo-strategic interest. This is an FTA which will be concluded very soon, he said. On the ongoing FTA negotiations with the European Union, the commerce department said during the seventh round of negotiations from February 16-27, both sides focused on important policy areas where there was divergence. At the end of Round 7, there are gaps in our respective positions in many chapters, especially in some new policy areas such as sustainable development, ERM (Energy and Raw Materials), capital movements, etc. and also some traditional chapters such as IPR (intellectual property right), trade remedies, disputes settlement etc. Both sides have agreed to meet inter-sessionally through virtual modes on many chapters, before the commencement of the 8th round, which is being planned in June 2024 in Brussels, the secretary said. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Friday urged the Indian industry to explore business opportunities in the tourism sector in the neighbouring nation which has deep relations with India. Tobgay, who is on a five-day visit to India, made the remarks at 'India-Bhutan Tourism: Expanding Horizons' dialogue organised by industry body FICCI in the national capital. The overarching intent of Bhutan's Tourism policy is to enhance the happiness and wellbeing of tourists throughout their journey: His Excellency Mr Dasho Tshering Tobgay ( @tsheringtobgay ), Honble Prime Minister of Bhutan during a business meeting on 'India-Bhutan Tourism: pic.twitter.com/raSeizLTCR March 15, 2024 "I always wanted to meet ... captains of the industry and invite you to Bhutan. We have been blessed with excellent relation with India. India is our immediate neighbour. We want more and more Indians visiting Bhutan," he said addressing the gathering which included representatives of various sectors including travel and hospitality. On the opportunities in Bhutan, Tobgay said his country provides immense opportunities in the travel and tourism industry. The investors can come and set up hotels, restaurants, wellness centres in Bhutan of which 72 per cent is under forest cover. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel Travel for Indians is very easy as a person has to only seek a permit to enter the country at a charge of around Rs 1200 which is lower compared to tourists coming from other parts of the world, the PM said adding he is expecting around 1.50 lakh Indian tourists to Bhutan in 2024, more than double of 72,659 in 2023. The prime minister mentioned the railway service between India and Bhutan which offers a cost-effective means of transport. The train facility will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan. He also said in the coming years the number of airlines to Bhutan is expected to increase as part of the agreement between the two nations. Sharing the experience of his India visit, Tobgay said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is like his "older brother". Being in New Delhi with him is like being among friends, the visit has been very emotional, he added. Alphabet unit Google enjoys a competitive edge in generative artificial intelligence due to its trove of data and AI-optimised chips, Microsoft has told EU antitrust regulators, underscoring the rivalry between the two tech giants. The comments by Microsoft were in response to a consultation launched by the European Commission in January on the level of competition in generative AI. The growing popularity of generative AI, which can generate human-like responses to written prompts and is exemplified by Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's chatbot Gemini, has triggered concerns about misinformation and fake news. "Today, only one company - Google - is vertically integrated in a manner that provides it with strength and independence at every AI layer from chips to a thriving mobile app store. Everyone else must rely on partnerships to innovate and compete," Microsoft said in its report to the Commission. It said Google's self-supply AI semiconductors would give it a competitive advantage for the years to come, while its large sets of proprietary data from Google Search Index and YouTube enabled it to train its large language model Gemini. "YouTube provides an unparalleled set of video content; it hosts an estimated 14 billion videos. Google has access to such content; but other AI developers do not," Microsoft said. It said AI-powered voice assistants such as Google's Google Assistant and Apple's Siri give both companies an advantage. "They are well-positioned to evolve and leverage their respective existing voice assistants into leadership positions in generative AI. New entrants and competitors of Google and Apple will not enjoy the same advantages," Microsoft said. Google hit back at Microsoft. "We hope the Commission's study will shine a light on companies that don't offer the openness of Google Cloud or have a long history of locking-in customers - and who are bringing that same approach to AI services," a Google spokesperson said. Microsoft, whose more than $10 billion investment in OpenAI is now in EU antitrust regulators' crosshairs, also sought to fend off regulatory worries about such partnerships between Big Tech and start-ups. "All of these start-ups relied on different forms of investments and partnerships that enabled them to enter and expand in the space," it said. It pointed to Anthropic which has Google and Amazon as investors, France's Mistral in which Microsoft has invested 15 billion euros and Canada's Cohere which has Salesforce and Nvidia as investors. "Encouraging pro-competitive partnerships in the AI space is an effective way to prevent companies from becoming vertically integrated in a manner that would result in an anticompetitive advantage," Microsoft said. Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have a new, hypersonic missile in their arsenal, Russia's state media reported on Thursday, potentially raising the stakes in their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways against the backdrop of Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The report by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited an unidentified official but provided no evidence for the claim. It comes as Moscow maintains an aggressively counter-Western foreign policy amid its grinding war on Ukraine. However, the Houthis have for weeks hinted about surprises they plan for the battles at sea to counter the United States and its allies, which have so far been able to down any missile or bomb-carrying drone that comes near their warships in Mideast waters. On Thursday, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthis' secretive supreme leader, said the rebels will start hitting ships heading toward the Cape of Good Hope in Africa's southern tip. Until now, the rebels have largely struck ships heading into the Red Sea toward the Suez Canal, and such an escalation would target the longer, alternative route used by some vessels. It remains unclear how they would carry any possible assault out. Meanwhile, Iran and the US reportedly held indirect talks in Oman, the first in months amid their long-simmering tensions over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme and attacks by its proxies. Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, claims to have a hypersonic missile and has widely armed the rebels with the missiles they now use. Adding a hypersonic missile to their arsenal could pose a more formidable challenge to the air defence systems employed by America and its allies, including Israel. The group's missile forces have successfully tested a missile that is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and runs on solid fuel," a military official close to the Houthis said, according to the RIA report. The Houthis intend to begin manufacturing it for use during attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel". Mach 8 is eight times the speed of sound. Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds higher than Mach 5, could pose crucial challenges to missile defence systems because of their speed and maneuverability. Ballistic missiles fly on a trajectory in which anti-missile systems like the US-made Patriot can anticipate their path and intercept them. The more irregular the missile's flight path, such as a hypersonic missile with the ability to change directions, the more difficult it becomes to intercept. China is believed to be pursuing the weapons, as is America. Russia claims it has already used them. In Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi boasted that his fighters continue to expand the effectiveness and scope of our operations to areas and locations the enemy never expects. He said they would prevent ships connected to the Israeli enemy even crossing the Indian Ocean ... heading toward the Cape of Good Hope". The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel. The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, have increasingly had little or no connection to Israel, the US or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted. The Houthis don't have a navy, nor weapons reaching into the far distances of the Indian Ocean, making their Cape of Good Hope threat difficult. However, Iran is suspected of targeting Israeli-linked vessels previously in the Indian Ocean. The Houthis have claimed attacks assessed to have been carried out by Iran in the past, such as the 2019 attack on Saudi Arabia that temporarily halved its oil production. After seizing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Houthis ransacked government arsenals, which held Soviet-era Scud missiles and other arms. As the Saudi-led coalition entered Yemen's conflict on behalf of its exiled government in 2015, the Houthis' arsenal was increasingly targeted. Soon and despite Yemen having no indigenous missile manufacturing infrastructure newer missiles made their way into rebel hands. Iran long has denied arming the Houthis, likely because of a years-long United Nations arms embargo on the rebels. However, the US and its allies have seized multiple arms shipments bound for the rebels in Mideast waters. Weapons experts as well have tied Houthi arms seized on the battlefield back to Iran. Iran also now claims to have a hypersonic weapon. In June, Iran unveiled its Fattah, or Conqueror in Farsi, missile, which it described as being a hypersonic. It described another as being in development. Iran's mission to the UN did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Asked about the hypersonic claim, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said: We have no indication that they even have that capability. Israel's military declined to comment. Also Thursday, The Financial Times reported that the US and Iran held indirect talks in Oman in January that America hoped would curtail the Red Sea attacks. The last known round of such talks had come last May. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency indirectly acknowledged the talks but insisted they were merely limited to negotiations on lifting anti-Iran sanctions. The US State Department did not deny the January talks took place in a statement to The Associated Press, saying: We have many channels for passing messages to Iran. Since October 7, all of (the communications) have been focused on raising the full range of threats emanating from Iran and the need for Iran to cease its across-the-board escalation, it added. The assaults on shipping have raised the profile of the Houthis, whose Zaydi people ruled a 1,000-year kingdom in Yemen up until 1962. Adding a new weapon increases that cachet and puts more pressure on Israel after a cease-fire deal failed to take hold in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Earlier in March, a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel. It marked the first fatal attack by the Houthis on shipping. Other recent Houthi actions include an attack last month on a cargo ship carrying fertilizer, the Rubymar, which later sank after drifting for several days. A new suspected Houthi attack targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, but missed the vessel and caused no damage, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. A later attack similarly missed a vessel in the Red Sea off Yemen's port city of Hodeida, the centre said early Friday. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said he wouldn't be surprised if Iran transferred a new, hypersonic weapon to the Houthis. However, the question is how maneuverable such a weapon would be at hypersonic speeds and whether it could hit moving targets, like ships in the Red Sea. I wouldn't exclude the possibility that the Houthis have some system that has some maneuvering capability to some extent, Hinz said. It is also possible for the Iranians to transfer new stuff for the Houthis to test it. The Harris County Civil Courthouse is photographed Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The countrys largest Pentecostal church, along with its Texas and student ministry arms, was sued on Thursday in Harris County over accusations it abetted the sexual abuse of a legally blind college student. The man, who filed the lawsuit under the name John Doe, accused the Assemblies of God church of failing to monitor and protect him from the abuse of Daniel Savala, a convicted sex offender from Houston. Doe, a legally blind man from Montgomery County, alleges he was sexually abused when he was a student at Sam Houston State University. The abuse started in 2017 and continued until 2022, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad LOCAL CRIME: Florida deputies arrest man in connection to a $1 million Houston robbery Doe said he joined Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, a student group affiliated with the church that has hundreds of chapters around the country. He was connected to Savala by the groups pastoral leaders, Eli Stewart and Eli Gautreaux, according to the lawsuit. The ministers touted Savala as a prophet and angel, according to the lawsuit, and college students were sent to his house to perform home repairs. Doe described the visits, along with Stewarts and Gautreauxs support of Savala, as grooming that eventually led to abuse, according to the lawsuit. The Assemblies of God church has previously denied its connections to Savala, saying he was never a Chi Alpha staff member and didnt hold credentials with the church. However, according to Does lawsuit, Savala served as a counselor at an Assemblies of God church camp in Kerrville in the the 1980s and 1990s and was identified as a Chi Alpha staff member in the University of Lafayettes 1989 yearbook. As of Friday afternoon, the church had not yet responded to Does lawsuit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Savala is a convicted sex offender. In 2012, he was convicted of sexual abuse and served 90 days in prison following accusations he abused boys while serving as a youth pastor at a church in Ketchikan, Alaska, in the mid-1990s. Savala was required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction and is listed in the Texas sex offender registry, according to the lawsuit. COMBAT SEX TRAFFICKING: Harris County, HPD install permanent fencing to address crime on Bissonnet Track The lawsuit claims that Stewart, who was a member of Savalas youth group in Alaska, and Gautreaux, along with other church leaders, were aware of Savalas history of abuse and continued to send students to him. In April 2023, Savala was arrested in Houston and charged with sexual abuse over allegations he assaulted two boys in Waco. The former leader of Baylor Universitys Chi Alpha chapter, Christopher Hundl, also was arrested and accused of supplying the boys to Savala. Both men were charged with continuous trafficking of persons and sex abuse of a child in McLennan County, according to district court records. The charges are still pending, and neither man has entered a plea as of Friday, according to the McLennan County District Clerks Office. The attorneys representing Hundl and Savala could not immediately be reached for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The same month of Savalas arrest, lawyers representing a group of unnamed alleged victims of Savala sent a letter to college leaders at Texas A&M University, Rice University, Texas State University, the University of Texas and the University of Houston, outlining his connections to campus groups, contact with students and allegations of abuse. The letter called on the colleges to take action to address the allegations. Days before Hundls arrest, Stewart was let go by Mountain Valley Fellowship Church in College Station because of his relationship with Savala, according to the Christian Post. In a YouTube video showing Stewarts last message to his congregation, he called Savala a master manipulator and active predator, and announced he was leaving the church so an investigation could be conducted. This could take quite some time, but for the Lords sake and the purity of this churchs sake, we believe this to be the best and necessary course of action, Stewart said. The church announced in May that Stewart had fallen into sinful practices unbecoming of the office of a pastor and that he had neglected his duty to protect his flock from a known predator, and said he had been fired from his post. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Savala was then charged with sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child in Harris County in August 2023. Last month, he was charged with a second count of indecency with a child. The charges stem from alleged assaults of teenage boys that happened in Houston in 2005 and in 2021. Savalas appointed defense attorney for the Harris County charges did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The new lawsuit is the second one filed against the church in Harris County this year. In February, Stephen Holt, of Brazos County, sued the Assemblies of God, its North Texas district, the Texas A&M chapter of Chi Alpha and Mountain Valley Fellowship Church over their role in Savalas alleged abuse of Holts underage son, who was one of the Houston victims. The church has denied the claims made in Holts lawsuit. Savala was being held in custody at the Harris County Jail as of Friday morning, according to jail records. His bond was denied, according to jail records. A plane carrying British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps had its satellite signal jammed as it flew near Russian territory, the government said on Thursday. The government said the Royal Air Force jet carrying Shapps, officials and journalists temporarily experienced GPS jamming when they flew close to Kaliningrad on a flight from Poland to the UK. The Times of London, whose reporter was onboard, said that for about 30 minutes mobile phones couldn't connect to the internet and the aircraft was forced to use alternative methods to determine its location. Shapps visited Poland on Wednesday to see UK troops participating in a large NATO exercise, Steadfast Defender. Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave bordered by Poland and Lithuania, home to the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman, Dave Pares, said the jamming didn't threaten the safety of the aircraft at any point. He said it was not unusual for aircraft to experience electronic jamming near Kaliningrad. Western officials say Russia has significant electronic warfare capabilities based in Kaliningrad. Since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has engaged in GPS jamming in areas from Finland to the Black Sea. A regional Finnish carrier had to cancel flights on one route for a week as a result. On Thursday, 14 March 2024, Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata hosted a Socialization Dinner for Ambassadors of APO Members in Tokyo. The event, which was attended by ambassadors and representatives from 14 APO members, coincided with the APO Vision 2025: Pause-and-reflect Activity Steering Committee Meeting, for which delegates from seven APO members gathered in Tokyo to review the progress on the APO Vision 2025 and deliberate on the future vision beyond 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314512074/en/ Group photo with ambassadors and representatives from APO members, delegates from the APO Vision 2025: Pause-and-reflect Activity Steering Committee and Technical Working Group, APO Secretary-General, and Secretariat staffs. (Photo: Business Wire) Secretary-General Dr. Indras opening address underscored the importance of the dinner as a reflection of APOs commitment to broadening its engagement and inviting more stakeholders to join the productivity movement. Remarks by APO Chair Sheng-Hsiung Hsu of the ROC, elected by the 65th Session of the Governing Body highlighted the organizations unique capacity to bring people together through productivity. As the representative of the host country of the APO Secretariat, Deputy Director Yoshiaki Makino, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan, delivered the opening toast on behalf of APO Director for Japan Hideo Ishizuki, Director-General/Assistant Minister, International Cooperation Bureau, MOFA, appreciating the networking and reaffirming of personal ties among APO members while recognizing the ongoing initiatives of the Pause-and-reflect Activity and third-party evaluation. The event closed with remarks by APO Alternate Director for India S. Gopalakrishnan, IAS, who expressed gratitude to the ambassadors in attendance and Secretary-General Dr. Indra on behalf of all participants. He emphasized the untapped benefits of the APO platform and encouraged everyone to leverage the APOs international network of National Productivity Organizations to support government initiatives and the dinner's theme of collaboration and shared goals. About the APO The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is a regional intergovernmental organization dedicated to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation. It is nonpolitical, nonprofit, and nondiscriminatory. Established in 1961 with eight founding members, the APO currently comprises 21 member economies: Bangladesh; Cambodia; the ROC; Fiji; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; I.R. Iran; Japan; the ROK; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Mongolia; Nepal; Pakistan; the Philippines; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Turkiye; and Vietnam. The APO is shaping the future of the region by fostering the socioeconomic development of its members through national policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, institutional capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge sharing to increase productivity. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314512074/en/ Order Prohibits Further Movement or Use of $533 Million Rightfully and Contractually Owed to Lenders Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath Found to be Working in Concert With Defendants and Must Comply With Order Warrant Issued for Arrest of Camshaft Capital Founder William Morton Who Fled Country Ahead of Hearing The steering committee of the ad hoc group of term loan lenders (the SteerCo) of BYJUs $1.2 billion term loan today announced that the Honorable Judge John T. Dorsey of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the Court) issued an order granting a preliminary injunction (the Order) in favor of BYJUs Alpha, Inc. against Riju Ravindran, Inspilearn LLC, and Camshaft Capital Fund, LP and its affiliates (the Defendants). The Court also found that Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath are working in concert with the Defendants and ordered them to comply with its ruling. Pursuant to the Order, Byju, Divya, and the Defendants are prohibited from further transferring or using any of the $533 million in loan proceeds previously held by Camshaft Capital Fund, LP and subsequently transferred to an unnamed, unknown offshore trust. In making its ruling, the Court confirmed that the transfer of funds from BYJUs Alpha, and their continued concealment, likely constitutes a fraudulent conveyance. Relevant commentary from the Judge included: The fact that the parent company is attempting to hide where the assets are is huge. It shows that they are engaged in what appears to be a potential fraud. Mr. Ravindraneither was being untruthful or he's the most incompetent officer or director of a company in Delaware history. I'm still very upset about the fact that [the Defendants] are obfuscating where this money is. And they are trying every trick in the book to be able to say, we don't know, this guy doesnt know, that guy doesnt know, we dont know where it is, we cant tell you, and I'm tired of it. Additionally, the Court ordered the arrest of William Morton, the founder of Camshaft Capital Fund, LP, following his repeated refusal to appear in court and provide any of the requested information regarding the transfers of the $533 million in loan proceeds and the current status and location of the funds. Morton was also ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 per day until he complies with the Courts Order. In connection with the Order, the SteerCo issued the following statement: The significance of the Courts ruling for all aggrieved parties owed money by BYJUs cannot be overstated. This ruling confirms that Byju Raveendran himself is acting in concert with, among others, his brother, Riju, his wife, Divya, and fugitive William Morton, and that these individuals are continuing to intentionally defraud BYJUs lenders. The Court-ordered freezing of assets is an important step towards recovering the missing $533 million, and we will take all necessary legal actions to recover what we are rightfully owed. There should be no doubt that Byju is not the victim he purports to be, but rather the architect of a scheme that has vaporized tens of billions of dollars in value in what was once a great Indian company. We call on Byju to accept the will of Think & Learns shareholders and immediately step down as CEO and director to prevent further harm to the companys employees, students and their families, and Indias credibility among the global investment community. Background In 2021, BYJUs Alpha, Inc. was established as a U.S. subsidiary of BYJUs to receive proceeds of the term loan. In 2022, BYJUs Alpha, under the control of Riju Ravindran (and prior to his removal as sole director of BYJUs Alpha on March 3, 2023), transferred $533 million in loan proceeds to Camshaft Capital Fund, LP, an obscure, nascent hedge fund founded by William Morton. In March 2023, BYJUs Alphas LP interest in Camshaft Capital Fund was transferred by Riju to Inspilearn LLC, and then again transferred to, and then redeemed by, a still undisclosed entity in February 2024. To date, and in defiance of a Court order, neither the Defendants nor Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath have provided any specific information on the status of such funds to the lenders nor the new director of BYJUs Alpha. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314860556/en/ Claire Goodman is a senior reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering the Katy area. She also produces the Katy Insider newsletter, which sends every Monday and Wednesday. Claire can be reached at claire.goodman@houstonchronicle.com. Normandin, Quebec, March 15, 2024 The governments of Canada and Quebec are granting a total of over $3.5 million in financial assistance to Cereales Normandin to support the valorization of all grains processed at its conventional and organic grains centre in Normandin, in the SaguenayLacSaintJean region. This project, valued at over $5.8 million, will enable the business to expand its range of cereal products. The Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, and the Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region, Christopher Skeete, accompanied by the Member for Roberval and Assistant Government Whip, Nancy Guillemette, made the announcement today. More precisely, the aim of the project is to improve the businesss facilities and acquire specialized equipment to produce flours and semolina and to thermally process cereals and pulses. The protein concentrates will also be added to the processing line. The financial assistance is as follows: the Government of Canada is providing a repayable contribution of $1,252,000 under CEDs Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program. For its part, the Government of Quebec is granting a loan of $2,322,400 through the ESSOR program, administered by Investissement Quebec as the governments representative. Quotes The agri-food industry is a pillar of the economy in Quebecs regions, which is why our government is proud to support its businesses. Thanks to CEDs assistance, Cereales Normandin will be able to acquire and install new equipment to diversify its products. I am delighted with the success and spin-offs of this project in the SaguenayLacSaintJean region. The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED By supporting Cereales Normandin, our government is helping an integrated business that offers products grown and processed here in Quebec. This local agriculture strengthens our food selfsufficiency, while also improving the environmental footprint of our supply chain. Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region To meet the growing needs of the biofood industry, our businesses must diversify their operations and focus on marketing new products. On top of showcasing our local resources and expertise, this initiative positions Cereales Normandin strategically in our agrifood landscape. Nancy Guillemette, Member for Roberval and Assistant Government Whip To fill a gap in regional processing, Cereales Normandin is proud to be able to valorize the good cereals produced in the region by producers, and then process them and put them on consumers plates. A good example of the field to table approach. Jacquelin Drapeau, President and Founder, Cereales Normandin Quick facts Founded in 2017, Cereales Normandin specializes in the sale of cereals and the drying, sifting, storage, and processing of grains. The business, which has its own farmland, has also developed expertise in cereal production. CED is the key federal player in Quebec to promote economic development in the regions and among SMEs. With its 12 regional offices, it accompanies businesses, organizations, and all regions across Quebec into tomorrows economy. CEDs REGI program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions. The ESSOR program (webpage in French only), managed by Investissement Quebec as the governments representative, supports investment projects in Quebec with a view to enhancing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development. Stay connected Sources Marie-Justine Torres Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Cell: 613-327-5918 Email: marie-justine.torresames@ised-isde.gc.ca Leonie Bernard-Abel Press Secretary Office of the Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region Tel.: 418-999-1939 Stephane Gagnon Political Attache Riding Office of the Member for Roberval Tel.: 418-275-5050 Cell: 418-618-5382 Information Media Relations Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Email: media@dec-ced.gc.ca Jean-Pierre DAuteuil Head of Media Relations Communications Branch Ministere de lEconomie, de lInnovation et de lEnergie Cell: 418-559-0710 Email: relationsmedias@economie.gouv.qc.ca HAMBURG The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will travel to Hamburg, Germany, on March 1718, 2024, to participate in the CanadaGermany Hydrogen and Ammonia Producer-Offtaker Conference. While in Hamburg, Minister Wilkinson will meet with Dr. Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and make a hydrogen announcement. Accredited media representatives are welcomed to participate in a number of Conference program items: Conference opening Date: March 18, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. CET/ 5 a.m. ET Location: Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Adolphsplatz 1 Visit to Aurubis AG factory and photo opportunity Date: March 18, 2024 Time: 11 a.m. CET/ 6 a.m. ET Location: Aurubis Hamburg Plant, Hovestrasse 44 Visit to Mabanaft fuel depot Date: March 18, 2024 Time: 1 p.m. CET/ 8 a.m. ET Location: Headquarters of Mabanaft GmbH & Co. KG, Koreastr. 7 Senate reception Date: March 18, 2024 Time: 4 p.m. CET/ 11 a.m. ET Location: In the Kaisersaal of the Hamburg Town Hall, Rathausmarkt 1 Hydrogen announcement Date: March 18, 2024 Time: 4:15 p.m. CET/ 11:15 a.m. ET Location: Office of the First Mayor, Hamburg Town Hall, Rathausmarkt 1 Media representatives must obtain accreditation in advance of programming by emailing pressestelle@bwi.hamburg.de no later than Friday, March 15. Additional details will be shared upon registration. To conclude his visit, Minister Wilkinson will hold a call-back with Canadian media. Date: March 18, 2024 Time: 6 p.m. CET/ 1 p.m. ET All media are asked to pre-register for the call-back by contacting media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca by 3 p.m. CET/ 10 a.m. ET on March 18. Jeremy, an African spurred tortoise, is seen at Blue Heron Farm, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Waller. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer After going missing for about a day, the escape artist tortoise with a cult following, Jeremy, was back home safe Thursday at Blue Heron Farm. The 90-pound African spurred tortoise was reported missing Wednesday afternoon by Waller-based farm owners Lisa and Christian Seger. The Segers said they believed someone stole Jeremy after a neighbor reportedly saw a group of people standing around a car, looking back at what they believed to be a turtle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The owners Thursday took to X, formally known as Twitter, to tell Jeremy's fans and followers that he was found Thursday morning about two blocks from home. The Segers wrote: "OMG WE FOUND HIM. THE PEOPLE HOLDING HIM WERE ALSO GOOD SAMARITANS. THEY MADE CHRISTIAN IDENTIFY HIM BY HIS SHELL DAMAGE." Apparently, Jeremy was seen trying to romance another turtle, adding another layer to his already explicit nickname, Lisa Seger said. On Wednesday afternoon, a group of people pumping gas at a nearby gas station spotted Jeremy and assumed he was lost. They apparently brought him back to a mobile home community. A neighbor of the Segers spotted Jeremy and brought the tortoise to his house, where the neighbor also has tortoises, camels and emus, Lisa Seger said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After posting about his disappearance on social media, Seger said the group of people that rescued Jeremy commented on the post, telling her that the shelled pet with the neighbor with "camels." Christian Seger went over to pick up Jeremy after showing the neighbor proof that he was the owner, she said. While Jeremy is known to escape, getting as far as another neighbor's home, this is the farthest that he has run off, Lisa Seger said. "He gets out a lot," she said. "And we do our best to keep him in. But this is just what tortoises are." Jeremy was adopted in 2023 by the Segers and immediately gained a cult following for his shenanigans while earning an explicit nickname on merchandise and X posts about his escapades. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fans of British mobility brands will have a new reason to celebrate as Mutt Motorcycles is set to open a new location in Metro Manila. The B... South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem speaks on July 16, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, South Dakota state Sen. Reynold Nesiba, a Democrat, called for an inquiry into Noem's trip to Texas for dental work and a promotional video in which she praises the doctors for giving her "a smile I can be proud of and confident in. Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks to guests at the 2023 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum on April 13, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Scott Olson/Getty Images Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump greets South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem after she introduced him at the Monument Leaders Rally hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party on Sept. 8, 2023. Scott Olson/Getty Images South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is facing a lawsuit after travelling to a Sugar Land dentist and promoting the business in a social media video. On Monday, Noem posted a video on X, formally known as Twitter, where she talked about her experience at Smile Texas, a cosmetic dental practice. In the video, the governor said she was visiting the dentistry to fix her teeth after years of having to adjust them due to a biking accident, which knocked out all of her front teeth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The video is edited to appear like an infomercial, with the Republican governor praising Dr. Bret Davis, one of the dentists at the office, and the staff as clips are played showing the dentists working on other patients. Travelers United, a consumer advocacy group, filed a lawsuit against Noem shortly after the video was posted, accusing the governor of doing an undisclosed advertisement for Smile Texas, CNN reports. Former President Donald Trump, who is waging a comeback bid, has said Noem is on his short list of possible vice presidential picks. The lawsuit claims There are many dentists and cosmetic dentists in South Dakota. No one with an extremely important job in the South Dakota would fly to Texas to receive dental treatment and then sit in that office and film an advertisement without some form of compensation," CNN reports. The relationship is unclear between the governor and the dentist office. When asked about the lawsuit, a staff member at Smile Texas said they could not speak about it due to patient privacy laws. The dentist office acknowledged the governor's video in an Instagram post, while sharing it as well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "This gracious leading lady @kristinoem just received an executive, feminine, beautiful smile here at Smile Texas," the post reads. WCA host 7th General Assembly in London 15 March 2024 The World Cement Association (WCA) held its 7th General Assembly on February 27th in London at the National Liberal Club. Representatives from member organisations participated in the GA, both in-person and virtually, engaging in discussions on current activities, upcoming plans, and the election of new board members. The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for members to connect and exchange ideas. The agenda featured a comprehensive outlook on the global cement industry presented by Arnaud Pinatel, partner at On Field Investment Research. WCA President, Mr Wei Rushan, who is also the president and executive director of China National Building Materials Co Ltd (CNBM), delivered an address, discussing pressing industry issues such as carbon trading, overcapacity and key technological developments. Furthermore, he shared insights into the resilience of firms globally, highlighting their ability to navigate adversity and capitalise on opportunities in challenging times. WCA members were pleased to elect two new directors: Mohamed Naciri, CIMAT/CIMAFs general managing director and Matias Cardarelli, PPCs CEO. Mr Cardarelli replaced Roland van Wijnen who was previously PPCs representative on the Board of Directors from 2020. The WCA would like to thank Mr Van Wijnen for his contributions. In his report Ian Riley, CEO of WCA, reflected on the achievements of 2023 and outlined plans for the year ahead, notably highlighting the eagerly anticipated WCA Annual Conference scheduled for May in Nanjing, China. Mr Riley also encouraged members to participate in the 2024 WCA Awards, where outstanding contributions to the industry will be recognised. The WCAs 7th annual conference, will be taking place from 18-19 May 2024, in Nanjing, China. Published under The TikTok logo is displayed outside TikTok offices on March 12, 2024 in Culver City, California. House Republicans are moving forward with legislation which would force the owners of the popular Chinese social media app to sell the platform or face a ban in the United States. Mario Tama/Getty Images The U.S. House of Representatives' decision to pass a TikTok bill, moving it forward in Congress, has some wondering what will happen to the popular social media platform. The bill comes after lawmakers and the White House expressed concerns that TikTok's owner, Chinese Internet company ByteDance, posed a national security and privacy risk. The TikTok bill has been criticized by users, content creators, small businesses and other lawmakers, with some believing it will infringe on a person's constitutional rights. FOOD NEWS: Houstons TikTok influencers closely following bill that could ban the social media platform Advertisement Article continues below this ad "There are definitely issues that are in play here," said Geoffrey Roth, professor of practice at the Valenti School of Communications at the University of Houston. "Issues about freedom of speech, the First Amendment." If the bill were to pass in the U.S. Senate and be signed into law by President Joe Biden, the owner of TikTok would have two choices: sell the app to an American company or have the app removed from the states entirely. Here's what to know about the bill and the effects it could have on Houston and the U.S. What is the TikTok bill? Why was it created? The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, in early March and advanced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill states it will prohibit distributing, maintaining or providing Internet hosting services for a foreign adversary-controlled application such as TikTok. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It's a bill that empowers the president in the administration to force social media companies that pose national security threats to divest or face bans from the app stores in the United States," said Nikolas Guggenberger, assistant professor at the University of Houston Law Center. Lawmakers believed American TikTok users' sensitive data may be at risk of being shared with government in China, and worried some content may spread misinformation about global issues. Biden stated he will sign the bill if it passes in Congress. Guggenberger said the bill doesn't ban business practices, and is geared toward one specific app: TikTok. However, he said even with the bill, China may still have access to information through other means. "It's a very dubious claim to make that this is actually going to protect data flows from going to China," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He said a plausible argument for those who are pushing the bill could be the prevention of direct influence in the U.S., such as interfering with the elections by shaping public opinion. RELATED: House passes a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner refuses to sell Was information sent to China from TikTok? It's unclear whether data from the American users on TikTok was shared with the government in China. TikTok said they never shared user data with Chinese authorities and won't do so if asked, according to the Associated Press. AP also reported Wednesday the U.S. government has not provided evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, ByteDance said its employees had inappropriately obtained the data of two U.S. TikTok users who were reporters and a few of their associates in 2022. What would happen if the TikTok bill became law? ByteDance and TikTok would have six months to separate and the app would need to be sold to a U.S. company. If the owner refuses to sell, the U.S. would prohibit app stores and Internet hosting companies from offering TikTok to be downloaded. Companies such as Apple, Google and others could be fined for providing access to TikTok in the U.S. Roth said there's a good chance the bill could pass in the Senate. He believes the bill was based on hysteria about the Chinese government on whether they were gathering information about Americans through TikTok. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How can the TikTok bill affect users and phone companies in Houston? Houston has service providers throughout the fourth largest U.S. city, meaning there are a lot of smartphone users. Guggenberger explained that users could be affected depending on whether the bill passes. If ByteDance decides to sell TikTok, the decision on what happens to the app will be in the hands of the new owner. "It's possible that things just continue as they are because the new owner likes the concept and thinks the app is successful and wants to continue," he said. "And it's possible that the new owner takes the app in a different direction. We just don't know yet." Guggenberger added the bill could affect the competitive landscape of companies who may want to buy TikTok. According to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, the platform has 170 million users with 7 million businesses in the U.S. The number of users scrolling through TikTok could be a way to attract more advertisements. Guggengerber noted that tech companies could use TikTok to grow their market power, which could lead to the further concentration of digital markets. Some scholars argue market concentration weakens healthy competition. Roth said other social media platforms could become more competitive if ByteDance decides against selling TikTok and the app is banned in the U.S. Similar to how some people transitioned from X, formerly known as Twitter, to Threads after Texas native billionaire Elon Musk bought the app. "If TikTok went away, there are plenty of entrepreneurs out there that could find something to take its place," he said. Chew argued that banning the app would negatively impact small businesses and put "more than 300,000 American jobs at risk, FOX Business reported. IN THE SUBURBS: League City bans TikTok on all government devices Is TikTok banned in Texas? Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned state employees from using TikTok in December 2022 due to concerns about data privacy. His letter ordered state officials to prohibit officers and employees from downloading or using TikTok on any government-issued devices. Now that the TikTok bill has passed in the House, what's next? The TikTok bill will head to the Senate where the lawmakers will decide whether it should proceed forward. If Congress passes the bill, Biden said he would sign the bill into law. Some media outlets reported the Senate floor being skeptical of the wording of the bill, raising concerns that it could violate the Constitution since it only references TikTok and ByteDance. Could TikTok be gone for good if the bill passes? The question will continue to linger until Congress makes a decision. However, Guggengerber said even if TikTok were to be banned from the states, it wouldn't leave the app stores quickly, especially for people who already have the app downloaded. This service is a courtesy for our print subscribers to give them access to our online edition at no additional cost - if you haven't registered on the new site, you must do it now before you do anything else. Wesley "Wes" Blevins, age 52 of Trenton GA, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2024. A Gathering of Family & Friends to celebrate and honor Wes's life will be held on Wednesday, March 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Trenton Chapel of Moore Funeral Home. Born on October 13, 1971 to Gene and Trudy Dowdy Blevins, Wes was a cherished son, brother, father, grandfather, husband, and friend to many. Wes had a penchant for the outdoors and could oftentimes be found exploring its many wonders while hiking or kayaking or by discovering things with his metal detector. He enjoyed cooking delicious meals and barbecuing when the mood struck. Throughout it all, Wes loved spending quality time with his beloved wife, Brandi. Wes is survived by his devoted wife of 8 years, Brandi Blevins; his parents, Gene (Marie) Blevins and Trudy Blevins; his daughters, Presley Blevins, Kiera (Scott) Scherberger, and Brittany and Brianna (Corbin) Ciha; his brothers, Eric Blevins and James Wright; his sisters, Kim (Shawn) Blevins Williams, Karen Blevins and Janell Wright; his uncle, Mike (Mary) Dowdy; and his grandchildren, Brayden, Kove, Mila, and Baby Scherberger. His fur babies, Roxie, Lila, Huck and Toby held a dear and special place in his heart. Additionally, Wes is survived by nieces and nephews, Layla, Maddie, Gabe, Tristan and Ryland as well as many extended family members and a host of friends who will miss Wes dearly. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the nurses and staff of CHI Memorial and Tennessee Donor Services for their compassionate care and attention given to Wes in his last days. Wes love and kindness will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his last gifts thrive and may Wes rest in peace. Visit www.MooreFHS.com to share expressions of sympathy and view his memorial tribute. These arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Moore Funeral Home, Trenton, Ga. Justin Ballard is the Houston Chronicle's first ever newsroom meteorologist. He can be reached at justin.ballard@houstonchronicle.com. He brings five years of experience forecasting tropical systems, severe weather outbreaks, and blizzards to the Houston Chronicle. His unique experience in forecasting will serve him well in his role at the Chronicle, as Houston has experienced a number of impactful weather events in recent years. Justin looks forward to his work with the Houston Chronicle, where he'll be responsible for posting daily weather forecasts. On top of daily forecasts, he is excited to tackle more in-depth weather and climate stories that impact the residents of Southeast Texas. A North Carolina native, Justin joined the Chronicle in July 2023. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in December 2017. Charleston, Tennessees Jordyn Ledford successfully showcased her advanced heavy equipment operator skills by maneuvering difficult worksite challenges with extreme precision. Ms. Ledford was one of 18 women - representing Cat dealers throughout the Americas - who gathered at Caterpillars facility in North Carolina to compete in the state-of-the-art skills tests, gain insights into the latest industry trends and network with peers.The event celebrates female machine operators who build our world, advocate and drive awareness for their trade, and highlight solutions that address job site needs, said Caterpillar Marketing Manager Chrissy Metz.Each competitor demonstrates advanced abilities operating the latest Cat construction machines and technologies, showing the world the invaluable role women play in the construction industry.The skills tests included an expertise challenge on a small wheel loader, compact track loader and small hydraulic excavator. Along with the tests, the women participated in a panel discussion where they shared best practices, discussed managing a successful career in a male-dominated industry and discussed the importance of recruiting more female operators and technicians into the workforce. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson has released the following statement following his recent cancer diagnosis: After speaking with my family and staff, I want to give a statement directly to the citizens of Georgia. I have a record of being honest and transparent with the voters who elected me, and nothing will keep me from upholding that standard of representation. On Tuesday, I was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which has spread to my liver. I will provide updates with accurate information once available. While we wait on a final prognosis for chemotherapy, I can assure you I will continue to be who I have always been - a fighter. From the start, my life has been full of what seem like insurmountable challenges, but I've never given up and this farm boy from Montana doesn't intend to start now. To be clear, I will continue to fulfill my duties as Labor Commissioner throughout this time and will work with my highly professional and qualified staff to ensure Georgia citizens are served with uninterrupted excellence. I ask that you cover me, my family, and the DOL staff in prayer as we prepare to boldly take on this next battle. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close It has been over five decades since the end of the Vietnam War. Yet, Agent Orange still impacts numerous veterans to this day. Past research has indicated that millions of Americans might have also encountered this hazardous herbicide, commonly found in commercial weed killers. But now, a new study conducted by researchers at Brown University has suggested that Agent Orange exposure can actually initiate brain alterations, potentially resulting in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers Disease among older veterans. Between 1965 and 1970, the United States military heavily used Agent Orange a man-made herbicide to eliminate vegetation in Vietnam, revealing enemy hideouts. However, this led to the unintentional exposure of approximately 2.6 million American service members to its hazardous chemicals. Later findings linked Agent Orange to various health problems, including birth defects in the offspring of those exposed and a higher likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer among the directly affected individuals. Scientists realized that Agent Orange was a neurotoxin with potential long-term effects, but those werent shown in a clear way. Thats what we are able to show with this study, detailed Dr. Suzanne M. De La Monte, the studys author. The latest study discovered that dioxins, chemicals in Agent Orange, harm brain tissue in a manner similar to the initial stages of Alzheimers. More precisely, these dioxins cause the deterioration of frontal lobe tissue, accompanied by molecular and biochemical irregularities commonly associated with Alzheimers. According to De La Monte, identifying the initial effects indicates a looming issue that will eventually become problematic, and it also helps scientists understand the mechanism through which the agent is causing these issues. So, if you were going to intervene, you would know to focus on that early effect, monitor it, and try to reverse it, she said. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. The wintertime can tear couples apart. Sure, cuffing season begins in October with hopeful singles looking to find a partner, settle down, and cozy up together for the holidays. This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here. Over the past several weeks, I was away with a Christianity Today group, teaching through Exodus up and down the Nile River in Egypt. Along the way, I found myself in lots of temples and tombsmany of them filled with the embalmed corpses of ancient Egyptian kings and queens. As I was there, though, I couldnt help but think about the American church. With all the talksome legitimate, some notof an exodus away from religion, I wonder if weve lost the point. Maybe the American church isnt dead. Maybe its not even dying. Maybe the predicament is worse than that. Maybe the American church is mummified. Mummies are more than just a way of disposing of bodies; they represent a specifically ancient Egyptian vision of life and death. Mummification, after all, isnt easy. Only a society as technologically advanced as ancient Egypt could accomplish embalming bodies in a way that could preserve them for thousands of years. Mummification reflects a certain stability of the powers-that-be. Pharaohs and governors, and those they choose to be with them, are those who are mummifiedan assumption that in the life to come, power is defined just as power is now; the first will be first and the last will be last. Denial, as they say, is sometimes just a river in Egypt. Christians often forget the most famous mummy in Scripturethe way the Book of Genesis ends. Joseph, the hated younger brother of the sons of Israel, was, of course, sold into slavery, reported to be dead, and then rose to power in Egypt. He was so thoroughly acclimated into the Egyptian way that his own brothers did not recognize him when they saw him. Genesis ends with Joseph, having forgiven his brothers, pleading with them to carry his bones with them on the day God returns them to the Land of Promise. The book that starts with the words In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth ends with the words, They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt (50:26, ESV throughout). That seems like an anti-climax. Its actually a cliffhanger. These words signify the Exodus that is to comean exodus promised not with Israel in slavery in Egypt but with Israel in power there. In describing the faith of Joseph, the Book of Hebrews does not commend all the things we might expect: his interpretation of dreams, his refusal to sin sexually, his up-from-the-dungeon comeback to power, or his saving the world from a famine through the use of grain-storage technology. It doesnt even mention his forgiveness of those who had wronged him. Instead, it reads, By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave direction concerning his bones (Heb. 11:22). Article continues below At the end of his story, Joseph was as Egyptian as he could be: an embalmed mummy in the land of Pharaoh. His faith was that he saw a different future. Josephs skeleton ends up being a recurring theme in the Exodus account. With everything going onon the heels of a series of plagues, with Pharaohs armies on the march, with thousands of enslaved refugees needing to be evacuatedthe Bible says, Moses took the bones of Joseph with him (Ex. 13:19). When Israel crossed the Jordan into the Land of Promise, the Book of Joshua says, As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought (Josh. 24:32). Joseph wasnt the only one whose acculturation into the ways of Egypt had to be undone. The pivotal account of idolatrythe people of Israel dancing around a golden calf they named as the god who brought them out of Egyptwas because, the early Christian martyr Stephen preached, in their hearts they turned to Egypt (Acts 7:39). Having left a land of graven images, the people wanted one of their ownsomething they could see and feel, a source of solidarity and community since this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him (Ex. 32:1). The pull to Egyptianized affections is denounced by the prophet Isaiah, as the people of Israel sought protection from their enemies through the power of Egypt. Egypt as an ally was as bad as Egypt as an oppressor, perhaps even worse. Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation (Is. 30:3). Whether trusting in Egyptian-like statues or in Egyptian-led armies, the impulse was the same: seeking protection and a future in an idol instead of in the way of God, a way that looks, in the terms set by Pharaoh or Caesar, to be failure. The prophets warned that the making of idolsthose objects or ideas or affiliations that replace for us what should be ultimateare destructive. At this moment, though, the idols dont seem to be killing us. They seem to be helping us succeed. In reality, though, they are doing worse than killing usthey are deadening us. Article continues below Idols are useful. They draw people together. They give a person a sense of meaning, a cause for which to live and die. Nothing can mobilize a nationalistic sense of identity better than the chant Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! (Acts 19:28). Their usefulness, though, is the very reason the Bible says they are useless. Idols have two fatal flaws: They are self-created and they are dead. The man who falls in love with his chatbot can have all the glandular sensations of what seems like a love affair. Ultimately, though, he has to know that what he loves is himselfwhat the algorithms repeat back to him is what he put there in the first place. Idols, the Bible warns, are dead. And whats worse, the Bible warns, Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them (Ps. 115:8). At the end of the path to idols, you end up enclosed in your own self, but a part of you knows that whats controlling you is a construction of your making. You end up, moreover, deadnumb to the very source of your life and being. And then, seeking to answer the deadness, you construct some other idol to give a rush of what feels like life. Several years ago, I would have agreed with those who warned that the fundamental problem in the American church was that theres no place for truththat doctrinal shallowness was hollowing us out. I wonder now if the even more perilous problem wasand isthat theres no place for life. Bored by prayerless, numb lives, believers lose a sense of adventure and try to find it in political idolatry, in public spectacle, in addiction to online visual sex or online verbal violence. Lacking the confidence that comes with genuine life in the Spirit, we fall to Pharaoh hungerlonging for strongmen of the church or of the state to deliver us from evil at the price of our saying to them, Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Without life, we seek to prove our standing through choosing the right syllogisms, hunting the right heretics, fighting the right culture wars. Weve never been more technologically advanced. And weve never seemed more personally dead. Jesus warned us about this (Rev. 3:1), and, to turn it around, he gave us no ten-point strategy. He told us to wake up, to strengthen what remains and is about to die (v. 2). Article continues below Josephs embalming was a really Egyptian thing to do. And yet, his faith showed him all his mastery was just the keeping together of a corpse. Life would mean something else, depending on a people who could carry him back from where he was lost, and on a God who could count all his bones. Maybe American religion needs the same. You cannot have both a Pharaoh and a Father. You cannot serve both God and mummy. Russell Moore is the editor in chief at Christianity Today and leads its Public Theology Project. [ This article is also available in and . ] 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 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 Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez Courtesy Uvalde Police Department 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 Those of us fortunate enough to have been spared direct involvement in a mass shooting perhaps assume that communities undergo stages of grief, so to speak. They move through initial shock and disbelief, to horror, to a communal coming-together Uvalde Strong in support of those who have suffered grievous loss and then, ultimately, to acceptance. Perhaps we assume its a process similar to the five-stage model of death and dying pioneered by the psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. For survivors, for a community, Kubler-Rosss final stage, acceptance, would be necessary for life to go on. However apt the comparison, the experience of most communities is not that simple. Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators, has been battling truth-deniers for more than a decade. Members of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, survivors of a mass shooting that slaughtered 26 Sunday morning worshippers, are fighting the federal government over a financial settlement more than six years after the worst mass shooting in Texas history. Uvalde is the most recent aching example of the lingering devastation of a mass shooting. Uvalde survivors and family members, to put it bluntly, continue to get kicked in the teeth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nearly two years after the small southwest Texas city lost 19 of its precious youngsters and two of its teachers in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary, emotions are still raw, still jagged. Too many of those in a position to help ease a communitys suffering politicians and law enforcement in particular continue to fail those they presume to serve. The latest outrage is an independent investigation commissioned by the Uvalde City Council and conducted by a retired Austin police detective turned consultant. The 182-page report exonerates all 25 Uvalde Police Department officers who, for the most part, responded to the shooting on the morning of May 22, 2022, by standing around in a school hallway and doing nothing while children died in nearby classrooms. The 25 were among some 400 law enforcement officers from eight local, state and federal agencies who showed up at the school and waited as children and teachers were trapped for an agonizing 77 minutes with the 18-year-old shooter before officers killed him. The consultant concluded that the Uvalde officers acted in good faith. Don McLaughlin, the former Uvalde mayor best remembered for cursing at then-gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke for interrupting a news conference Gov. Greg Abbott was holding, told the Texas Newsroom he was shocked at the conclusion exonerating the acting Uvalde police chief. I dont fault the officers as much as I fault the leadership, because those officers were put on hold at one point and were waiting for somebody to do something, he said. I honestly believe if those officers had been told to go in they would have. The report says that the acting Uvalde chief had no doubt the school was under the jurisdiction of the school district police chief. Written in anticipation of legal defense, it also says the only officer who violated policy was a nine-month pregnant woman who did not ask a supervisors permission to deliver ballistic shields. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Parents and family members attending last weeks news conference were more than shocked. They were outraged. They directed their ire at the cowboy-hat wearing consultant, Jesse Prado, who not only refused to answer questions but left the building before the crowd chanting coward and bring him back shamed him into returning. Im insulted by this report, said Councilmember Hector Luevano, as reported by the Texas Tribune. The families deserve more, the community deserves more. Councilmember Ernest Chip King III apologized to the angry crowd, many of whom walked out in disgust when Prado blamed family members for trying to break through police lines at Robb Elementary and rescue their own children when it became obvious law enforcement was doing nothing. Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez, who was on vacation in Arizona during the shooting, said last week he will step down April 6, after 26 years on the force. His parting comments only added to Uvaldes injury. Together, we have achieved significant progress and milestones, and I take pride in the positive impact weve made during my tenure, he said in a statement. He didnt mention May 22, 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rodriguezs glib resignation letter and Prados absurd findings come two months after the U.S. Justice Department released a massive report that found cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy and training. An investigation by the Texas House of Representatives and various media outlets have reached similar conclusions. Unfortunately, the people of Uvalde have come to expect careless and irresponsible treatment, beginning with the governor communicating misinformation about brave law enforcement personnel rushing the school building. They have been stiffed by the Texas Department of Public Safety when they sought information. State lawmakers last year listened to them plead for some kind of gun-safety legislation and then, after the Uvalde residents got into their vehicles and began the long drive home, proceeded to ignore their pleas. And now Prado comes along to insult their intelligence. Uvalde is bracing for the next potential blow. District Attorney Christina Mitchell launched a criminal investigation into the police response months ago. A grand jury was summoned earlier this year, and some law enforcement officials have been called to testify. City officials, accusing Mitchell of refusing to provide them with information from other responding law enforcement agencies, sued her late last year. Family members of the victims fear a whitewash is in the works. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Uvalde DOJ report findings make me sick Advertisement Article continues below this ad Uvalde residents no doubt welcomed last weeks surprise visit by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, but the city, still suffering, needs so much more than celebrity attention. So does every other community in this nation too many of them to mention that have been scarred by gun violence. If our elected officials if not the American people have come to accept the consequences of a gun-saturated society, if they have come to accept the reality of periodic mass killing in our schools, churches and other public gathering places, then surely they have a responsibility to deal with the consequences. Texas elected officials and their counterparts in Washington continue to ignore sensible gun-safety measures, but the least they can do is fund an army of grief therapists on call for the next grim inevitability, on call for months, even years at a time. Acceptance, as the people of Uvalde will tell you, does not mean closure. The pain may ease, but it does not go away. We would vastly prefer the sensible, life-affirming approach to gun safety that Great Britain, Japan, Germany and almost every other advanced nation have chosen, but those nations are not America. Their way is not the American way, especially not this version so distorted by Second Amendment absolutism. For that theyre no doubt grateful. Want to stay up to date on our most recent thought-provoking editorials, columns and Letters to the Editor? Our Opinion-focused 'SaysHou' newsletter delivers our weekly highlights, directly to your inbox. Sign up now. I grew up believing women could do it all. In rural South Dakota, I was surrounded by farm women, who are some of the toughest, most resilient people I have ever met. My mom could bake delicious chicken and also slaughter them. South Dakota also frequently leads the nation in the percentage of women and mothers who work outside the home. So as a young girl, I never doubted that women could do whatever they wanted, that they were as equally capable as men. I could become president. I could be an astronaut. I could do whatever I set my mind on doing. But as I prepared to do so, I discovered a gap between what I had always been told and what I now sawand that gap was distinctly female-shaped. Despite the many women visible in the workforce in South Dakota, women felt largely invisible when it came to the work of theology. My home church had never had a female preacher. During seminary, I had one female professor. In my doctoral studies, I had two, but none in my religion classes. I was confident that Scripture supported women in teaching and leading the church: Women were the first to proclaim the gospel (Luke 24:512), and Paul names women like Junia and Phoebe, who acted as apostles and deacons (Rom. 16:1, 7). But compared to the pages and pages dedicated to Peter and Paul, Augustine and Aquinas, Calvin and Luther, women often felt like names merely mentioned in the margins. I wanted more than names. I wanted to see women leading. I wanted to see women teaching. I wanted to see their faces and hear their stories. I wanted exemplars I could imitate: women who, with Paul, could say, Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1, NLT). I wanted heroes. Eventually, on a trip to Italy, I found them. It was there I realized that the witness of women isnt hiding in the margins. Its written plainly. We just need to look at the inscriptions on the walls. I spent a good chunk of my time in Italy staring at stones. I was fascinated by the Colosseum, impressed by the grandeur of St. Peters, and marveled at the architectural perfection of the Pantheon. Most astonishing of all, however, was discovering that what I had struggled to find in ink and paper I could see clearly in stone and paint. Here, in and on the walls of ancient churches, I found my heroes. In Rome, I discovered churches not only named after Mary but also after Anastasia, Susanna, Agnes, and Sabina. When I wandered into some of these ancient churches, I discovered the connection was far deeper than a name written on a wall. In several of the churches, women were literally the foundation the church was built uponthe walls were built around their bones. Article continues below Tertullian famously said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, and 1 Peter 2:5 describes the church as the living stones that are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. So when ancient Christians built their places of worship, they often did so on the bodies of believers who lived so profoundly for Christ that they gave their lives for him. The martyrs were both the metaphorical and literal bedrock of the church. At the centerthe heartof the ancient church stood the Eucharistic altar, which usually contained the bones of Christian martyrs and saints. Their bodies, and their willingness to follow Christ to his death, acted as an example and a sign of what the Eucharist celebrates and calls the faithful to become. Taking bread and wine from a tombstone acted as a potent reminder that believers must die with Christ to be resurrected with him. Consequently, while scholars still debate whether women led the Eucharist in the early church, there is no debate over whether women were foundational to its celebration. Their tombsand therefore their bodieswere the building blocks not only of the Eucharist but of the entire church. In Ravenna, I saw their faces. Alongside Peter, Paul, and the rest of the apostles, Perpetua, Felicity, Daria, Euphemia, Cecilia, and Eugenia peered out at me from the glittering, intricate mosaics in the Archbishops Chapel of St. Andrew. These female heroes lived such lives of holiness that the early church wanted women and men to look up to them, both figuratively and on the wall; to be inspired by their witness and to follow their example. Hereright in front of my eyeswere women leaders of the church who were such authoritative teachers and exemplars that even the archbishop, one of the highest authorities of the church, looked to them for guidance. And there were more. In the Basilica of San Vitale, Empress Theodora stood equal in size and standing to her husband, Justinian. Along the length of the walls in the New Basilica of Saint Apollinaris, each side featured a procession of saints marching toward Christ. On the left was a line of women, and on the right, the men, equal in stature, equal in standing. The design and placement of the mosaics mirrored each other, so that as I stood in the church, I could plainly see what it meant for men and women to be one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). These werent women hiding in the margins or in the background but visibly leading the church toward Christ. Article continues below These early church heroes were distinctly concerned with their experience as women. And they werent afraid to talk about their female bodies. Perpetua and Felicitas, two of the women featured in the Archbishops Chapel, prepared for their martyrdom by talking openly about their breasts, nursing, and childbirth. Imprisoned in second-century North Africa, both women refused to renounce their faith, even though Perpetua had just given birth and Felicity was pregnant. In the account of their imprisonment and martyrdom, Perpetua describes the grief and pain she feels when guards refuse her request to nurse her child in prison. Felicity gives birth early, so that when she enters the arena to die, milk still drips from her breasts. Both women relate their bodies to Christ and describe their relationship to him in maternal ways. Perpetua has a vision where she receives milk curds from a shepherd, describing it with Eucharistic language. But that it is curds instead of bread and wine also connects the life-sustaining breast milk shes feeding her son with the pure, spiritual milk (1 Pet. 2:23) of eternal life that Christ offers us. Jesus is like a mother whose body offers nourishment and life. Felicity moves from blood to blood, the narrator of her martyrdom says, from childbirth to a martyrs death. During her labor, Felicity compares her pains of labor to her martyrdom, saying, I myself now suffer that which I suffer, but there another shall be in me who shall suffer for me, because I am to suffer for him. A martyr, upon dying, undergoes a baptism of blood and experiences a second birth: the birth into heaven. Felicity, like Perpetua, describes Jesus with maternal language. She relates imitatio Christi to the womb by describing her suffering and bleeding for Christ, who is inside her, and his suffering and bleeding for her, which will end in her rebirth. Both Perpetua and Felicity describe their bodies not as hurdles or temptations, but as ways to understand Christ, to become more like him. Theodora, the sixth-century empress who adorns San Vitales wall, was so powerful and influential that scholars often think of her as a coruler (and even the true ruler) of Byzantium. Theodora was likely an actress and prostitute (these roles were often intertwined) before marrying Justinian. Article continues below When she became empress, Theodora did not forget her origins and channeled her power and influence to help oppressed women. She freed women from forced prostitution, outlawed sex trafficking, closed brothels, and bought womens freedom, offering them shelter and resources for a new start. She also helped institute harsher consequences for rape, forbade men from killing their wives for adultery, and changed divorce, child guardianship, and property laws to give more rights to women. These laws formed the basis for womens rights laws we still have today. In these church spaces, the writing and artwork on the walls showed me that the female body didnt need to be shoved to the margins or made invisible but could be prominently displayed in worship spaces. When I looked at the witness of the women on the walls, the female body was not an impediment or an obstacle but a sign of holiness. Image: WikiMedia Commons We tend to think of theology as the study of written words. But theology is not only text-based, it is performedlivedin the body. Discovering womens bodies in and on the stones of ancient churches helped me realize that the female-shaped gap Id discovered during seminary was not so much an absence as it was a keyhole, pointing me to look beyond the page to the body. Embodied forms such as art, stories, and physical spaces act as a key that helps unlock what is often the hidden history of women. In my quest for female heroes, I did, in fact, discover proof that women had taught theology when I learned about women like Macrina and the desert mothers. But women also went on pilgrimages and commissioned sacred artwork. They dedicated their bodies to Christ with a vow of virginity, a physical way to exemplify their spiritual commitment to being the bride of Christ (and a choice that often required them to defy their fathers). Women owned several of the first house churches where Christians worshipped (Col. 4:15; Acts 16:15; 1 Cor. 1:11). They donated land for the catacombs, built churches, and founded monasteriesall heroic tasks that built the church, and the kind of work that both inspires and instructs. Witnessing the women on the walls helped me better see the witness of women in my own history too. In funneling my vision to only think of female leaders and heroes in a certain way, I had neglected to see the many women who had written their love and knowledge and holiness into my own life. Article continues below They were my prayer warriors. My Sunday School teachers. My most attentive listeners and advice givers. My models of patience and perseverance. My providers of practical wisdom, and the most fervent followers of Christ. They were, in short, my models and mentors, my inspirations and instructors, my authorities and leaders on almost everything that ended up mattering the most. The more I looked around during that trip to Italy, the more I realized how limited my view had been. The church was full of women leaders and teachers. They werent merely names in the margins but foundationalin every sense of the wordto the church. I just had to know where, and how, to look. Lanta Davis is the author of the forthcoming Becoming by Beholding (Baker Academic, 2024) and teaches at the John Wesley Honors College at Indiana Wesleyan University. Leonardo De Chirico is in an ongoing argument with the Italian government about the intrinsic characteristics of religious buildings. The evangelical pastor insists that Breccia di Roma (Breach of Rome), which is located in a simple storefront about a kilometer from the Colosseum, is a church. Christians meet there regularly to pray, praise God, and listen to the preaching of the Word. The national tax authority has noted, though, that the multifunctional space, which also houses a theological library and a missions training center, does not have the vaulted ceilings, stained glass, raised altar, candles, or saint statues commonly associated with churches in the majority-Catholic country and therefore doesnt qualify for religious tax exemptions. The arguments are silly and poor, De Chirico told CT. The pictures they showed were of impressive buildings, but we showed that Muslim prayer rooms are simple and some Catholic churches meet in shops. Synagogues look like our space. They are all tax-exempt. We are not asking for privilege. We are not asking for something that others dont have. This conflict has been going on since 2016. A lower court sided with the Reformed Baptist church, but the tax authority filed an appeal. The case is now going to Italys Supreme Court. But tax-exempt status is not the most serious disagreement De Chirico has with Italians about what a church is. In 2014, he wrote a pamphlet critiquing the papacy. In 2021, the Reformed pastor and theology chair of the Italian Evangelical Alliance wrote a book arguing that the theological framework of Roman Catholicism is not faithful to the biblical gospel. So it frustrated him, to say the least, when Thomas Schirrmacher, the head of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), joined an ecumenical prayer vigil in St. Peters Square, Vatican City, in September. It seemed to him that the secretary general of the global evangelical association was embracing the spiritual leadership of Pope Francis and endorsing a vision of unity not grounded in the gospel. When you pray with someone in public, you are saying that the differences between our theologies are mere footnotes, De Chirico said. Dialogue is welcome, but there are core differences we cannot forget or ignore. In October, the Italian Evangelical Alliance publicly criticized Schirrmacher, saying the evangelical leader had crossed a line. The Spanish Evangelical Alliance issued a similar statement the following month. Article continues below It is not easy to defend that we, evangelicals, do not bow our heads before the pope when the secretary general of the WEA does, the Spanish evangelical statement said. We consider it necessary that we publicly express our resounding rejection of his participation in that event and the way in which he acted. For most of evangelicals history, the relationship with Catholics in Europe has been defined by rejection, distinction, antagonism, and harassment. Go back far enough, and that history involves martyrs, heresy trials, and public executions. The first Evangelical Alliance, in fact, was organized in the 1800s to stand against state establishment of religion and Catholic suppression of conversions. The group mounted its first public campaign in 1851to free two Protestants imprisoned in Italy. A couple was found guilty of impiety after clashing with authorities in Florence over the intrinsic characteristics of Christian faith. In recent decades, however, that relationship has substantively changed. Concerns about communism during the Cold War and secularism and religious pluralization in the 21st centuryalong with the reforms of Vatican IIhave led many European evangelicals to see the Roman Catholic Church as a friend and ally. Italy, Spain, and other majority-Catholic countries no longer have state establishments of religion. The Catholic Church often still enjoys legal privileges, though. And it sets the norms for what officials recognize as religious, making life difficult for the evangelical minority. WEA leadership acknowledges that evangelical-Catholic relations can be a highly sensitive issue. But the organization has also insisted that ongoing intrafaith dialogue and collaboration on issues like religious freedom have not changed, betrayed, or compromised the WEAs theological principles. In majority-Catholic countries, however, many European evangelicals still find themselves needing to distinguish points of differencein part because they can still struggle for basic recognition. Sometimes that looks like a conflict with an official who has a very specific idea of what a church looks like. Other times, the struggle is against broad cultural assumptions about what even counts as religion. In places like Ireland, evangelicals arent even in the picture, said Bob Wilson, a church planter in Dublin supported by Communitas International. In the past, when everyone went to church, everyone went to the Roman Catholic Church. Now, when nobody goes to church, nobody goes to any church. Article continues below Ireland has been officially secular since a 1972 amendment to its constitution passed with overwhelming support. But the Roman Catholic Churchs influence over the culture is quite pronounced. Social expectations and normsfrom what a family looks like to what a minister looks likeare set by the Catholic church. That can make life difficult for evangelicals, especially church planters, pastors, and missionaries. Wilson sometimes struggles to convince people he is really a minister. A few years ago, he recalls, he ended up in a pub in Dublin trying to explain what it meant to be a church planter. He remembers really hoping he could create a safe space in the pub to talk about Jesus. It didnt go as hed hoped. Politely, a man tilted a pint of beer in Wilsons direction and said, You know, the average person in Ireland would think you are out of your fing mind. Not everyone has responded like that, though. Wilson has been encouraged to see some disaffected Catholics find their way to the church and discover a different way to have faith in Christ. But its slow going. Its all about building relationships, Wilson said, and thats just something you have to do one person at a time. Felipe Lobo Arranz, an evangelical Lutheran pastor, said its similar in Spain. According to demographic data, the country is two-thirds Catholic. But the reality is that many of them are lapsed. They dont take their Catholicism seriously, he said, though it still informs their strong opinions about what Christianity should look like. Arranz finds ways to use that, though. He often finds himself appealing to the ideals of disaffected and disillusioned Spaniards in his evangelistic work in the coastal city of Alicante. This is a country that knows when something is good and true, he said. The Spanish admire the humble: people who do good and relate to others as true friends. As a missionary, Arranz spends most of his time talking with others over good food and good drink. He forms relationships, gets involved in peoples lives, and sees people slowly open up to discussions about the gospel. After a long time, you are welcomed into the Spanish sancta sanctorum to talk about the divine, he said, but its necessary to heat the furnace of true friendship for a long time to get there. Article continues below Thats how it goes in Italy, too. Though De Chirico has found himself embattled in the courts and thinks its important to publicly critique Catholic theology, thats not his main work as an evangelical pastor. He preaches to and cares for his congregation of about 60 as he has since 2009and as he did for 12 years before that in the northern city of Ferrara. He connects with local peoplepriests, professors at the nearby Catholic seminaries, international students, and people who live in Rome. The church also serves as a training center for pastors and church planters and as a kind of hub for evangelicals across the country. Theres no physical threat, no fierce opposition in the sense of shutting down churches or anything, De Chirico said. Its just making our lives difficult. And while ministry is harder than it has to be, evangelicals in majority-Catholic countries just have to be faithful to their calling, he said. In a minority context like Italy its always step by step, or piano, piano, as we say. Ken Chitwood is a scholar of global religion who lives and works in Germany. [ This article is also available in espanol, Portugues, and Francais. ] Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Home News Biden calls for end to discrimination after 'nonbinary' Nex Benedict's death ruled suicide 'Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know' President Joe Biden issued an extensive statement Thursday calling for an end to discrimination following an autopsy report that found self-identified nonbinary 16-year-old Nex Benedict died by suicide. Benedict, a biologically female student at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma, made headlines last month after the White House and Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt joined LGBT groups in drawing attention to her death on Feb. 8, which occurred a day after she claimed to have fought with three girls in the school bathroom. "Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today," Biden said in his statement. "Nonbinary and transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But nobody should have to be brave just to be themselves." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Biden, who noted that first lady Jill Biden was also "heartbroken" by Benedict's death, went on to say that in her memory, Americans should work to address the "suicide crisis impacting too many nonbinary and transgender children." "Bullying is hurtful and cruel, and no one should face the bullying that Nex did," he said. On Feb. 8, Benedict's grandmother Sue, who served as her legal guardian, called 911 reporting a head injury. In a police video at the hospital that was later released, Benedict claimed that she poured water on three girls in the bathroom after they made fun of her for the way she dressed. The next day, Benedict was rushed to the hospital, where she died. The Education Department subsequently announced on March 1 that it was investigating the school district for allegedly failing to respond to "sex-based harassment." An autopsy report released Wednesday by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office found that Benedict died by suicide via a toxic level of pharmaceutical drugs. "From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide, Owasso Police Department Lt. Nick Boatman said. However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office." Hundreds marched at the Oklahoma state Capitol in Oklahoma City on Thursday in Benedict's honor, according to local ABC affiliate KOCO News. Oklahoma is among the states that prohibit trans procedures for minors and bans students from using bathrooms that don't align with their biological sex. Some politicians used Benedict's situation as a springboard to suggest that state laws segregating school bathrooms according to biological sex led to her death. "Nex Benedicts death from a brutal assault in their high school bathroom is outrageous and heartbreaking," former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., tweeted. "The anti-trans fervor fueled by extreme Republicans across the country is having deadly consequences for our children. We must stand up against anti-trans hate." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., also weighed in. "The killing of Nex Benedict is gut-wrenching and underscores the danger of extremists who are dehumanizing kids with anti-trans hate in Oklahoma and across the country," Warren tweeted. "Every student should feel safe at school and supported for who they are. Nex deserves justice." Home News Egypt officials abet kidnappers of Christian college student; Muslim Brotherhood behind abduction Authorities in Egypt have abetted the kidnapping and forcible conversion to Islam of a Coptic Christian woman, according to a widely published expert on the Middle East and Islam. Irene Ibrahim Shehata, a 21-year-old medical student at Asyut National University, disappeared on Jan. 22 between mid-term exams in Asyut, according to Raymond Ibrahim, distinguished senior Shillman fellow at the Gatestone Institute. Her father reported in February that she had managed to make a desperate, tearful call to her brother before a man seized the phone and said, OK, you heard her voice and know shes OK, right? Now go to Hell! before disconnecting, Ibrahim wrote in a report for human rights watchdog Coptic Solidarity. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe During the call, Shehata begged her brother either to rescue her or consider her dead and told him her location, according to an Egyptian source whose name is withheld. Her brother heard her screaming, someone was yelling at her, and then the call ended, the source said. It seems that she used his phone without his permission. This was a great piece of evidence that she was kidnapped. Having learned that she was in the city of Sohaj, the family went there and reported the phone call and her location to police, he said. The police officers threatened to arrest the family if they tried to rescue her and warned them that the kidnappers are armed, he said. On Feb. 21, police told her family that the kidnappers had changed her location to an unknown place, the source said. Another way to mislead families, he said. The Muslim Brotherhood Sharia Association in the Asyut Governorate, under security cover from Asyut and Sohaj cities, coordinated the kidnapping of Christian college student Irene Shehata. While officials eventually charged an unidentified man, State Security officials have been dismissive and hostile to Shehatas family, telling her father that she ran off with a Muslim man of her own free will, according to Ibrahim, a U.S.-born Egyptian who is fluent Arabic. The father further stressed that, if Irene had intended to run off with a Muslim man, why would she do it in between exams, while carrying medical supplies rather than travel items, he said. State Security officials know exactly where Shehata is, the father said in an interview on social media, but refuse to act or let her family speak or meet with her, according to Ibrahim. He said State Security had provided the family with several false leads that led Shehatas father and brother to travel up and down Egypt in futility. Her family on Feb. 29 released a statement revealing that electronic records showed the religion field on her national ID had been changed to Muslim against her will, adding, It is another way to force families to give up, Ibrahim reported. The family also made perfectly clear that they have confirmed that a Muslim Brotherhood network with a complicit State Security is behind the abduction of Irene and many other Coptic girls, Ibrahim stated. He said the family described her kidnappers as an organized terrorist group led by the Muslim Brotherhood to kidnap Christian girls in the Middle East. Six other Christian girls or women disappeared from the area in one recent month, the father said. The difficulty of documenting countless cases of trafficked Coptic women in Egypt is one reason for lack of action and international attention to the issue, according to Christian Solidaritys 2020 report, Jihad of the Womb: Trafficking of Coptic Women & Girls in Egypt. Government officials assertions that the girls and women have gone willingly also blocks efforts to end the heinous crimes, it noted. While few cases are genuine marriages, Coptic Solidarity estimates about 500 cases within the last decade where elements of coercion were used that amount to trafficking, the report stated. According to a former member of one of these kidnapping rings, the abduction of such girls is now at an all-time high. The Islamist kidnapping rings arrange for a Muslim leader to make conversion official, issuing a certificate and changing the religion designation on their national ID, the report stated. These networks are often supported by like-minded members (including high-ranking officials) of the police, national security and local administrations, Christian Solidarity reported. Their roles include refusal to lodge official complaints by the victims families, falsifying police investigations, organizing the formal sessions of conversion to Islam at Al-Azhar, or harassing families into silence and acceptance of the de facto trafficking of their loved ones. Egypt ranked 38th on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Home News Jack Hibbs tackles predestination, free will: 'Those in Hell are responsible for being there' Pastor Jack Hibbs weighed in on some of historys most controversial theological topics Gods sovereignty, predestination and whether or not an individual can choose their salvation in a recent sermon. In a March sermon, Hibbs, pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Chino, California, delved into themes presented in Romans 9-11 and drew from various theological viewpoints, including Arminianism, Calvinism and Augustinian thought, to emphasize the undeniable human capacity for choice, a gift he ascribed to God. These chapters challenge our human capabilities to understand or to fathom the very nature of who God is and what God thinks and what God does, he said. God doesn't answer to us, church. God is sovereign. God is not wringing His hands right now to figure out what the United Nations is going to do next. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Hibbs cautioned against following human committees or doctrines instead of the Scriptures themselves. "You want to follow the teachings of the Scripture," he stressed, pointing out the Bible's directive against private interpretation of its message. Central to Hibbs' sermon was the concept of God's sovereignty and foreknowledge, particularly in the context of salvation and human choice. He highlighted God's omniscience and the predestined path set for believers, all underscored by the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ. Does man have a choice? Is God involved? Is God sovereign? Is there some sort of sovereignty-given demand? Is there really the ability to choose, or did God make a bunch of robots? Did God make predetermined, pre-loaded in advance teleonomic beings? he asked. Hibbs also touched on controversial topics like the eternal fate of non-believers, emphasizing individual responsibility in choosing or rejecting God. He referred to biblical examples, such as Jeremiah, to illustrate the absolute nature of Gods power and knowledge, likening God to a potter and humanity to clay. People who slide into Hell wake up to the burning sensation of flames, he said. And they have nobody to condemn but themselves for having rejected the opportunity that God had given them. In other words, those who are in Hell are responsible themselves for being there. God's not to blame. He didn't want them to go there. You're going to learn this a lot. But those who are in Heaven cannot take any credit for being there because God provided the way. The pastor also touched on the significance of Israel in God's plan, affirming its ongoing role as Gods chosen nation. He reiterated biblical promises made to Abraham and their fulfillment through faith in Christ, extending beyond ethnic boundaries. Despite this truth, Hibbs reflected on Paul's sorrow for those who are lost, particularly his Jewish brethren who did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. This grief, Hibbs noted, is shared by many believers who long for their loved ones to find salvation. The scope of God's sovereignty includes sorrow and grief for the lost, he said. That's kind of sobering. He also preached against the notion of a capricious God, underscoring God's unchanging nature and fairness. The Bible says that He's the same yesterday, today and forever. He's not whimsical. He never changes His mind. He's not like a reed blowing in the wind. No, He's steadfast, the Bible tells us. And we need to remember this very thing that Paul's announcing to us that there is no injustice with God. That God is fair, that He's holy, that He's pure, that He's love, that He's good. An important aspect of the sermon was the discussion of choice and responsibility; Hibbs emphasized that while God is sovereign, individuals are still responsible for their choices. He challenged interpretations of predestination that remove human responsibility, arguing that such views misrepresent the nature of God. Hibbs brought attention to the role of faith in salvation, referencing the biblical story of the thief on the cross as an example of salvation through faith alone. He underscored that good works, while important, are not the basis of salvation. The pastor reiterated the importance of individual faith in God's plan, stressing that salvation is a personal decision and cannot be inherited or assumed. Hibbs concluded his sermon by urging believers to recognize their role in God's plan while acknowledging His ultimate control over all things. "We are all one in Christ Jesus," he declared. Following his sermon, Hibbs made an announcement on X encouraging people to participate in an event he called the "John 3:16 March. This initiative, he said, is focused on spreading the message of John 3:16 across social media and other platforms. Hibbs emphasized the importance of the verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believe in him will not perish but have everlasting life." He urged his audience to actively share this message on social media, emphasizing the collective effort in evangelism. "Tell someone, post it on your social media, get it out there and announce to everybody it's coming, he said. Together, we'll do it and we'll be evangelists all around the world at the exact same time. Home News Body of late-term baby found in pond, police search for mother: 'Deeply tragic situation' The body of a late-term unborn baby was found lifeless in a pond in a Virginia neighborhood earlier this week. A Loudoun County resident discovered the baby's body, and the police are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. The Leesburg Public Information Office said emergency services arrived later at the scene, and the baby was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia for an autopsy. "This is a deeply tragic situation," Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat said. "We urge anyone with information to come forward, not just for the sake of the investigation, but also to ensure that those in need are provided appropriate medical attention and services." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Leesburg Police Department urged anyone with information about the case to come forward, promising to protect confidentiality and handle any tips with the utmost discretion. A spokesperson for the Leesburg Police Department told The Christian Post on Friday that authorities haven't yet identified the deceased baby's mother and had no further updates to share publicly. In response to this tragic case, Kristi Hamrick, vice president of media and policy at Students for Life of America and its sister organization, Students for Life Action, highlighted the groups Standing With You initiative that helps connect pregnant women to free resources. While we don't know the details of this case, other than tragic headlines, we hope that mothers know about Safe Haven laws and other supportive services that exist to help pregnant and parenting mothers. No one needs to be alone in moments of crisis, Hamrick told CP on Friday. According to Virginias Safe Haven laws, a parent can surrender an infant who is 30 days old or younger at a designated Safe Haven location without the threat of criminal prosecution or civil liability. The designated Safe Haven locations in Virginia include a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services, an Emergency Medical Services agency, or a newborn safety device operated by a hospital or EMS. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, named by Pope Francis as the fourth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, encouraged prayer in response to the news of the deceased unborn baby. The bishop also cited resources such as the Gabriel Network and Catholic Charities, which offer assistance to pregnant women in need. It is with great sorrow that I learned today of the unsettling discovery of the body of an unborn baby described by police as a late-term fetus, found in a pond in Leesburg, Burbidge said in a Wednesday statement. The Diocese of Arlington has made it known that we are willing to assist with the proper burial and committal of the remains. I urge the faithful of the diocese and all people of goodwill to join me in prayer for the child's mother and for anyone involved in this incident, he added. Last year, three firemen with the Knoxville Fire Department recovered a baby from the state of Tennessees first safe haven baby box. The firefighters recovered the baby after midnight and called an ambulance to transport the infant to a nearby hospital. In an interview with CP, Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks of the Knoxville Fire Department said the states safe haven laws allow parents who might feel as if theyre in a crisis to ensure their child receives proper care. Our goal at the end of the day is to save lives, Wilbanks said. And we never want to be called out to a scene where there has been a child disposed of in a dumpster; thats hard to even think about or consider. But what you have to think about is the mom or dad was in a crisis situation and had nowhere to turn. Home News Suspected terrorists entering US with fake IDs, crossing southern border, FBI head says FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of an increase in the number of known or suspected terrorists using fake identification after crossing the southern border during a congressional hearing on national security concerns. During his testimony Tuesday before the House Select Intelligence Committee, Wray spoke of terrorists using fake IDs and the problem this poses for the intelligence community. Wray told Select Committee Chairman Michael Turner, R-Ohio, that the FBI has seen an increase within the last five years of known or suspected terrorists attempting to cross the southern border. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "There are a few different categories of people that we have concerns about," Wray said. "When a known or suspected terrorist, as in known that they're a known or suspected terrorist, is apprehended at the border, I'm confident in the vast majority of instances there's very close lash-up between FBI and DHS (Department of Homeland Security) on it. "The bigger concern is a situation, for example, where somebody presents fake identification documents at the border and there's not biometrics to match up so there's no way to be able to know that they're not who they say they are. Then, they get into the country; then somehow we find out that they're someone in fact who's on the list." Wray's testimony comes amid ongoing discussions about illegal immigration and the Biden administration's border policies. The concerns about suspected terrorists entering the country undetected are also nothing new. Last year, data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection showed that for the fiscal year 2023, 151 individuals on the Terrorist Screening Dataset were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. The previous fiscal year saw 98 known or suspected terrorist encounters at the Southwest border, with 2023 following the trend of three years of increases of such encounters. In 2021, which includes the last three-and-a-half months of the Trump administration and the first seven-and-a-half months of the Biden administration, 15 known or suspected terrorists were caught at the Southwest border. Three terrorist encounters occurred in fiscal year 2020, while fiscal year 2019 reportedly saw zero apprehensions of individuals on the terrorist watchlist at the U.S.-Mexico border. Fiscal year 2017 saw two known or suspected terrorist encounters at the southern border, whereas only six occurred in fiscal year 2018. Former intelligence officials say migrants will sneak into the country by moving to places like Brazil before coming to the United States and claiming that as their country of origin. "They're infiltrating us within these groups that are turning themselves in because a lot of them have been in Mexico for a while. They learned to speak Spanish. They shaved their beards. They look like possibly a Mexican national, a Central American, and they have fake documents," former Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Victor Avila told NewsNation. "So, they present these fake documents and enter with a different nationality. It just gives me chills to think of the national security implications that we're facing and that we possibly will face in the near future," he continued. In addition to concerns about suspected terrorists infiltrating the country through the border, another issue is the record number of migrants illegally entering the U.S. According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the number of border encounters reached a record high of 301,983 in December. The number of encounters in November was 242,407 and 240,942 in October. The number of encounters dropped to 176,205 in January 2024. Over 7 million migrants have entered the U.S. since February 2021, President Joe Biden's first full month in office. Biden revealed to reporters this week that he does not plan to take executive action to address the problem. "I'm counting on the border action happening by itself, them passing it," Biden said, according to Fox News, likely referring to the push for Congress to pass immigration reform legislation. Home News Woman recorded shooting pastor will not face death penalty A woman recorded on video fatally shooting a Nevada pastor in front of his family during a longstanding HOA dispute in December will not face the death penalty if she is convicted of murder. During an arraignment Thursday, the woman, 36-year-old Joe Junio, pleaded not guilty, 8 News Now reported. Prosecutors in the case also said a death review committee declined pursuing the death penalty against her. Junio is in custody at the Clark County Detention Center where she is being held without bail. A judge was scheduled to set a trial date on March 26. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On Dec. 29, 2023, the Rev. Nick Davi, 46, who served as a pastor of operations at the non-denominational Grace Point Church, was shot dead by Junio in a condominium complex near Deer Springs and Aviary ways. Junio was the pastors neighbor. Court documents cited by Fox 5 KVVU-TV say Davis widow, Sarah Davi, who was also shot in the attack recorded by her 12- and 15-year-old children from inside the family's car, is now seeking unspecified damages in a lawsuit she filed in January. Junio is facing charges of murder, attempted murder and child abuse. A police report cited by the publication said the late pastor and his widow had previously reported Junio to their homeowners association for violations in relation to chickens and dogs. Just weeks prior to the shooting, Junio began engaging in escalating threatening behavior that forced the pastor and his wife to call police twice in December. Junio once allegedly threw rocks in their yard and ran her finger across her throat in a cutting motion and told them they were next, according to police. The murder suspect further dumped dog feces on their property and flooded their home forcing them to file a restraining order against her. On the day of the shooting, the lawsuit said the pastor was talking to Junio outside his home as she was inside her vehicle and she suddenly opened the door of her vehicle and shot him and his wife in front of their children who managed to record the incident on a cellphone. As a result of Defendants actions, Grace Point Church and North Las Vegas lost a valuable member of the community, and a family lost their husband and father, Sarah Davis attorneys, James Urrutia and Andrew Barton, wrote in the lawsuit. This suit seeks to hold all those responsible civilly accountable for their actions. Home Books O.S. Hawkins: 'Criswell: His Life and Times' (Review) There have been several biographies written about W. A. Criswell over the years. There has even been an autobiography, Standing On The Promises (1990). As an avid reader of biographies, I have noted that the more biographies written on a person, the more facets of that persons life become understandable. This is true of the present volume by Dr. Hawkins as well, Criswell: His Life and Times (B&H Publishing, April 2024). I worked with Dr. Criswell for 13 years (1975-1988) and I learned numerous things from reading this present volume I did not know before. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Dr. Hawkins was one of Dr. Criswell successors as pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas from 1993 to 1997, while Dr. Criswell served from 1944-1990. In many ways they developed a father-son relationship. It is obvious that Dr. Hawkins had great affection for Dr. Criswell and vice versa. In many ways, this present volume is more personal and intimate in its portrayal of Dr. Criswell. The reader certainly gets a more intimate portrait of Dr. Criswell and the personal trials he endured during his incredibly productive and inspirational ministry (cf. Richard Land, Dr. W.A. Criswell: Hero of the Faith and Inspiration to Us All, CP, March 15, 2024). Whether you knew Dr. Criswell or just knew of him, you will have an even greater appreciation for Dr. Criswells greatness after having read this book. I loved and admired the man, and I love and admire him even more after having read this book. Thank you, Dr. Hawkins, for making the real W.A. Criswell even more accessible and familiar. Home News Asylum seekers melt away when asked to be involved in church before baptisms, priest says A former Church of England priest claims that many asylum seekers he came across withdrew their interest in baptism upon being asked to participate in church activities to ensure they weren't just looking to bolster their asylum applications, drawing pushback from the diocese. Matthew Firth, who served at St. Cuthbert's in Darlington before leaving the Church of England for the Free Church of England in 2020, gave testimony to the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday. He recounted his experience with asylum seekers at his church between 2018 and 2020. His testimony comes after judges voiced concern that church leaders are being "duped" by asylum seekers who claim to convert to Christianity to evade deportation amid heightened scrutiny following the Clapham chemical attack. The attacker, Abdul Ezedi, was reportedly granted asylum on the grounds of conversion to Christianity at a Baptist church. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Church of England has faced scrutiny into whether its leaders were supporting "bogus" asylum claims. Firth said he observed a significant number of asylum seekers, mainly from Iran and Syria, showing initial interest in converting to Christianity but dissipating when required to engage with the church community. His suspicion was fueled by interactions with an individual who, having secured the right to remain in the U.K., was bringing others to the church for baptism without seeking it personally. "After those baptisms, week-in, week-out, significant groups of mainly Iranian and Syrian young male asylum seekers were being brought to me in sizeable cohorts," Firth said, according to BBC. He said many brought to him "had already failed in their asylum claim." However, when the church implemented a more stringent process requiring regular church attendance before baptism, many individuals ceased their involvement. "I spotted that dynamic going on and pressed pause in a reasonable way," he claimed, adding that many "melted away" when he asked them to attend church regularly before baptism. "People would, fairly quickly, stop coming to that morning service. They weren't coming along to church after that," he was quoted as saying. "I think some of them are in very difficult situations and they are seeing baptism as a ticket to something whether that it's true or not." He further alleged that some churches provide support and advice to seekers whose applications are rejected. Firth described the Church of England as a "conveyor belt" for asylum seeker baptisms. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Durham says it has "not seen any evidence to support the claim made by Matthew Firth that the Church of England is being used as a 'conveyer belt' for baptisms in order for people to gain asylum status." "We are extremely proud of St. Cuthbert's and the work the church does to ensure asylum seekers and refugees are welcomed and supported in Darlington," the spokesperson said in a statement shared with media. "The baptism records before and during Mr. Firth's time at St. Cuthbert's, and the testimony of local church members, do not accord with Mr. Firth's evidence." The spokesperson said that parish records show that only 15 of 189 people baptized at the church since 2014 were asylum seekers, with half of those being baptized by Firth. "In the four years prior to Mr. Firth's arrival as Priest in Charge in 2018, only six people who may have been asylum seekers were baptized," the spokesperson added. "As Priest in Charge it was his responsibility to check the authenticity of candidates and it is surprising that, as he acknowledged to the committee, he did not report any sign of anything amiss, at the time. ... Even so, it is not the Church's responsibility to assess the veracity of asylum claims, and religion or faith is not a determinative reason for asylum." The Telegraph's investigation into immigration tribunal decisions has revealed skepticism from judges regarding the depth of scrutiny applied by religious leaders to asylum seekers' conversion claims. Instances were noted where asylum seekers failed to convincingly demonstrate their conversion to Christianity, leading to questions about the church's role in supporting asylum applications. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby recently defended the church's actions, emphasizing its commitment to biblical teachings of caring for the vulnerable, including refugees and asylum seekers. He stressed that the government and courts are responsible for border protection and asylum case judgments. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey criticized the church leadership for its handling of migration issues, suggesting that the church's approach may inadvertently support insincere asylum claims. He advocated for more rigorous baptism preparation to discern genuine conversions. Home News DOJ claims Utah drove trans inmate to cut off own testicles by refusing 'hormone therapy' The Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed a trans-identifying inmate cut off his own testicles because the Utah Department of Corrections (UDOC) discriminated against him by repeatedly refusing to give him cross-sex hormones and other accommodations. The DOJ suggested prisons are on the hook for providing hormones and sex-change procedures for trans-identifying inmates when it determined the UDOC violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide the unidentified prisoner's requested "hormone therapy," according to a Tuesday press release. The state corrections department also "failed to make reasonable modifications to its policies and practices to treat the complainants gender dysphoria" by neglecting to modify pat-down procedures, provide requested housing accommodations or allow him to purchase women's underwear and makeup, according to the investigation. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The male inmate had requested to be housed either individually or with women, which was reportedly denied. After 15 months of wrangling with corrections officials, the inmate received the cross-sex hormones he asked for, but the investigation determined that adequate steps were not taken to ensure their safe administration. The DOJ, which defined gender dysphoria as "a serious medical condition marked by clinically significant distress caused by an incongruence" between one's biological sex and gender identity, claimed that the inmate was driven to self-castrate after his gender dysphoria worsened "as a result" of the UDOC refusing to accommodate his requests over two years. "All people with disabilities including those who are incarcerated are protected by the ADA and are entitled to reasonable modifications and equal access to medical care, and that basic right extends to those with gender dysphoria," said Kristen Clarke, who serves as assistant attorney general of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. "The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that jails and prisons throughout the country do not discriminate against people with disabilities, and that right includes people with gender dysphoria," she added. The DOJ said it provided the UDOC with detailed remedial measures necessary to address its alleged discrimination against transgender individuals, which includes mandatory anti-discrimination training for all correctional officers in Utah. The UDOC will also have to pay damages to the inmate, though a dollar amount has yet to be determined. UDOC Executive Director Brian Redd repudiated the DOJ's allegations of discrimination and took issue with the nature of the investigation, according to The Associated Press. "We have been working to address this complex issue and were blindsided by todays public announcement from the Department of Justice," Redd said in a statement on Tuesday. "We have also taken steps on our own and as a state to address the needs of inmates while maintaining the highest safety standards." In January, the DOJ issued a statement of interest explaining that gender dysphoria qualifies as a disability under the ADA, and that correctional facilities failing to provide "gender-affirming care" are violating the Eighth Amendment, according to a 2022 federal court ruling. Home Opinion Bribing future generations for Marx? Can anybody name one square inch on the planet where communism has done anyone any good? Anywhere? Not for the ruling elites, but for the people themselves? It doesnt exist. How, then, do they continue to manage to create new recruits? Well, a story out of California last week explains one strategy. Writing for The Free Press for Free People, Francesca Block reports: An activist group in California has paid nearly 100 public high schoolers $1,400 each to learn how to fight for racial and social justice. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe This is the brainchild of a group called Californians for Justice (CFJ), and theyre working in Long Beach to create a new breed of Communists who are interested in learning restorative justice practices. Here is an example of where CFJ stands on the issues. After the brutal October 7th Hamas attack against some 1,200 Israeli men, women, and children in the Gaza area, Californians for Justice described Israel (the victim) as being guilty of ethnic cleansing and apartheid orchestrated by white supremacist settler colonialism bent on the goal of wiping out the indigenous Palestinian population. Dividing the world into the supposed oppressors (Israelis) and the oppressed (Hamas) is Marxism at work. The Free Press for Free People notes a recent social media video helping to recruit other students to join the movement for so-called social justice. One student was asked: Why should students join CFJ? The student replied, You get paid good. But, all bad grammar aside, do these naive students realize what they are defending? Years ago, I read a fantastic book by a former socialist and idealist on the problem of socialism and communism. His name is Joshua Muravchik, and as a young man, he was the president of the Young Socialists. But as he matured intellectually, he became a major critic of what he had earlier espoused. He wrote the book called, Heaven on Earth. The basic thesis is that the communists promised Heaven on earth and instead delivered Hell on earth. And how could they not? It always begins with the premise that there is no God and that man is basically good. Thus, from the very outset, it is always doomed to fail. As Muravchik noted in an interview I once did with him for Coral Ridge Ministries for our video expose on socialism: In terms of the most terrible kinds of socialism, the kinds that engaged in mass killing, I think theres, at the root of that, this idea that you can make a perfect society here in this world, that you can make a heaven on earth. And thats just a false idea. Muravchik observed that when you start from that premise, and you refuse to learn from experience and reality, youre in for trouble. And the communist and socialist radicals didnt learn. They just kept insisting that their ideas were perfect, and it was only the human beings who were getting in the way of achieving it. Then its not such a big step to start killing these human beings until you get all the bad ones out of the way, to build your little utopia out of the ones who are left. And the result, per Muravchik? The Communist countries did prove to be the greatest killers of all time. One of the remarkable books I have in my office was published by Harvard University Press in 1999. Its The Black Book of Communism. At the end of the 20th century, this bold book, written by many authors, dared to tell the truth that the vast killing fields of the 20th century were the fruit of communism in one form or another. In a review of the book, Publishers Weekly notes: Essentially a body count of communism's victims in the 20th century, the book draws heavily from recently opened Soviet archives. Americas founders showed the world a better way to promote lasting good in the world. You begin with the foundational truth that our rights come from God, not the state. Our nations birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence, indeed mentions God four times. And then, building on that clear structure, because of mans inherent sinful nature, you divide power so that no one man or small group can seize all the power for themselves. As James Madison, a key architect of the Constitution, summed up well: All men having power ought to be distrusted. Communism works the opposite way. It says man is good, but the system is bad. Lets tear down the system and implement social justice, and well usher in the long-awaited millennium. But as Muravchik notes: They promised heaven, but only delivered hell. If only more young people could learn the lessons of history and resist the temptation of intellectual bribery, before its too late. Home Opinion Why Lee Strobel lost faith in atheism Do you realize that it takes far more faith to be an atheist than to be a Christian? And not only that, but it takes a boatload of blind faith to remain an atheist once you begin to evaluate atheism logically and rationally. A case in point is Lee Strobel. Strobel posted a hugely insightful comment in 2017 regarding his departure from atheism: To continue in atheism, I would need to believe that nothing produces everything, non-life produces life, randomness produces fine-tuning, chaos produces information, unconsciousness produces consciousness, and non-reason produces reason. I simply didnt have that much faith. Lee is one of many former atheists who abandoned atheism after examining the evidence. Mathematical physicist and cosmologist Frank Tipler said, When I began my career as a cosmologist some 20 years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that one day I would be writing a book purporting to show that the central claims of Judeo-Christian theology are in fact true, that these claims are straightforward deductions of the laws of physics as we now understand them. I have been forced into these conclusions by the inexorable logic of my own special branch of physics. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Theologian and scientist Alister McGrath was also persuaded by the evidence for Christianity, along with the lack of evidence for atheism. McGrath said, Atheism, I began to realize, rested on a less-than-satisfactory evidential basis. The arguments that had once seemed bold, decisive, and conclusive increasingly turned out to be circular, tentative, and uncertain. The evidence for Christianity, on the other hand, is extremely solid. Lee Strobel said, It was the evidence from science and history that prompted me to abandon my atheism and become a Christian. Lee also stated, the scientific data point powerfully toward the existence of a Creator and that the historical evidence for the resurrection establishes convincingly that Jesus is divine. British writer and literary scholar C.S. Lewis put his finger on an issue that every atheist should seriously consider. Lewis said, Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But, if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? Its like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. But if I cant trust my own thinking, of course I cant trust the arguments leading to atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an atheist, or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God. Irish mathematician John Lennox said, Of course I reject atheism because I believe Christianity to be true. But I also reject it because I am a scientist. How could I be impressed with a worldview that undermines the very rationality we need to do science? Science and God mix very well. It is science and atheism that do not mix. William Thompson (Lord Kelvin) (1824-1907) codified the first two laws of thermodynamics. He said, If you study science deep enough and long enough, it will force you to believe in God. And Nobel prize-winning physicist Paul A.M. Dirac said, God is a mathematician of a very high order and He used advanced mathematics in constructing the universe. Albert Einstein opined, The fanatical atheists are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who in their grudge against traditional religion as the opium of the masses cannot hear the music of the spheres. When someone is holding a grudge against God or against traditional religion, it is next to impossible to see the forest through the trees. C.S. Lewis described what it was like to live with this type of anger: I was at this time living, like so many atheists or antitheists, in a whirl of contradictions. I maintained that God did not exist. I was also very angry with God for not existing. I was equally angry with Him for creating a world. If you find yourself holding a grudge against God today, you will need to turn to Him in humility and confess your sinful and ungrateful attitude toward your Creator. God will hear you and He will respond to your sincere confession and your prayer in Jesus name. Richard Morgan went from Mormonism to atheism and eventually to Christianity. He wisely stated, Science and philosophy do not have the answer to everything. If you are willing to listen with an open mind and an open heart and just say perhaps I do not possess all the truth, that is an act of humility and I know that God never rejects or ignores acts of humility. How humble are you before the Lord? Do you place more faith in the way your brain understands the Universe than you place in the Creator of the Universe Himself? You will stand before Him one day, and the only way you will be welcomed into Heaven is to trust in Jesus as your Savior. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Christians around the world will soon commemorate the crucifixion of Christ and the Lords resurrection from the dead 2,000 years ago. With those verifiable historical events in mind, I hope you will give some serious thought to one additional statement from Lee Strobel: Christianity is a very historical religion it makes claims that are open to testing. And when you test atheism and Christianity, the former requires blind faith, while the latter provides concrete historical and mathematical evidence upon which to base your faith in Christ. Christians could be caught out by new 'extremist' definition Christians are at risk of being branded 'extremists' under the government's new definition of extremism published this week, a campaign group has warned. The new definition says that "extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to" among other things "negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others". Christian Concern said that Christians who are pro-life, gender-critical or have traditionalist beliefs about marriage may fall foul of the new definition. "Christians who are pro-life could be seen as being opposed to an assumed 'fundamental right' to abortion and thus to be 'intolerant' and so extremist. It is already the case that being anti-abortion is on a Prevent list of ideologies seen as potential signs of extremism," the organisation said. "Christians who are opposed to same-sex 'marriage' could also be seen as wishing to 'negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others' and to be 'intolerant'." Prevent is the government's counter-terrorism scheme that aims to stop individuals from becoming terrorists. Christian Concern pointed to examples of Christians who have already been reported to Prevent for their beliefs, including school chaplain, Rev Dr Bernard Randall, who was referred over a sermon in which he told students they did not have to agree with LGBT ideology. In another incident, Christian teacher Svetlana Powell was reported to Prevent after saying "God loves you" to a lesbian pupil. Christian Concern said that the new extremism definition was "vague" and could lead to genuine Christians being excluded from influencing government policy. Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said the definition was "not fit for purpose" and that she expected to see more Christians being reported to Prevent. "It is absurd that Christians could be deemed 'extremist' for believing in real marriage or for being pro-life," she said. "Christian Concern has supported Christians who have been referred to Prevent for expressing their Christian beliefs. The new definition of extremism should have ensured that this would not happen again. "Sadly, I now expect to see more referrals of Christians to Prevent, not less." She called on the government to clarify that 'fundamental rights' do not include abortion, same-sex marriage or identifying as the opposite sex. "Without this clarification, Christians who express their legitimate belief that marriage is between a man and a woman would risk being deemed 'extremist' by the government," she said. "We urge the government to urgently clarify what 'fundamental rights' are intended in the definition of extremism." In 'God's Ghostwriters,' scholar Candida Moss looks at the hidden hands behind the Bible Some books are inspired by world-shattering events, like a global pandemic. Others by something as small as getting old enough to need reading glasses. New Testament scholar and author Candida Moss' new book, "God's Ghostwriters," was inspired by both. The book, due out March 26, looks at the behind-the-scenes people scribes, copyists, translators and others who brought the New Testament to life and who have been forgotten because they did their jobs too well, writes Moss. Moss said getting glasses made her look at the Bible in a new light. She began wondering how people in the ancient world, such as the authors of the New Testament, read and wrote if they could no longer see properly. Then COVID-19 hit and Moss, who is a kidney transplant recipient was stuck at home in New York and dependent on deliveries from Amazon and other companies for life's essentials. "I was able to isolate because other people were being placed in harm's way on my behalf," she said. That experience led her to think about the unknown people we all rely on and again had her thinking about the Bible. It also sent her looking into the history of literary work in ancient Rome, much of which was done by slaves and formerly enslaved people. Along the way, she came to see that much of the New Testament was likely produced by enslaved people and lower-status workers something that had not crossed her mind before. She began to think that scholars and readers of the Bible have overlooked something essential by missing the accomplishment of these behind-the-scenes contributors. "If you start thinking about enslaved people as co-authors of these texts, the Bible reads so differently," she told Religion News Service in a recent interview Much of New Testament scholarship and Bible interpretations focuses on finding the author's original intent and audience. That's based on an incomplete model that assumes the books of the New Testament had a single author instead of being collaborative efforts. "What we are missing is all the people who did all the work," she said. "And the kind of genius that goes into that kind of literary work." Moss said our understanding of how books of the Bible were written has also been shaped by Renaissance art which often depicted religious leaders such as the Apostle Paul sitting at a desk, surrounded by books, with quill in hand, writing on parchment. "Everything about that image is wrong," Moss said. The Apostle Paul, she said, makes it clear in his letters that he was dictating the text to someone else and in at least one case, made a point of writing out a line or two in his hand to show the difference. Most of his letters were written in prison and Roman prisons were dark places and not conducive for writing. During the time those letters were written, almost all dictation was taken by people who were enslaved or used to be enslaved, said Moss. Those literary workers were in high demand because so few people knew how to write or wanted to invest the time and energy needed to write by hand. She points out that the person who likely took dictation for the Book of Romans Paul's longest and best-known work was named "Tertius," or "Third." That's the kind of name given to a slave, said Moss. Roman literary workers who took dictation didn't use quill and parchment. Instead, Moss explains, they often used wax tablets on which they inscribed a kind of shorthand, then transcribed the shorthand into a written letter. They likely acted as editors as well taking rambling dictation and smoothing it into polished prose and as the first translators of the New Testament given that the spoken language of Jesus and his followers was Aramaic, while the New Testament was written in Greek. At times, Moss argues, scholars dismiss as mindless or mechanical the work of people like Tertius referring to them as "secretaries" without realizing the skill required for such projects. "This is mindful work," she said. Taking dictation and transcribing books and then copying and preserving manuscripts also requires a great deal of skill and is often overlooked. Moss said scholars tend to only think of copyists or other workers involved in preserving and passing on a text such as the New Testament when they make a mistake or introduce a change to the text. But those same scholars fail to consider how much those copyists and other workers did right in preserving the texts. And that erasure can create the illusion that the New Testament comes "straight from the Holy Spirit to your hand," Moss said, downplaying the role human beings played in creating the text. "A great scribe writes himself into nonexistence," she said. Instead of being praised for their skill, those who preserved the text get remembered only for their mistakes. "That negative characterization fails to represent the amount of work and craftsmanship and indeed love that went into protecting manuscripts and transmitting texts," Moss said. "Every time someone made a change in a manuscript, they didn't genuinely think that they were improving it. They're not all meeting around a table to plot and strategizing about ruining ancient literature. They're doing their very best and we only see them when they mess up." In writing the book, Moss drew on the techniques of scholars and historians who study the Atlantic slave trade, reconstructing the stories of enslaved people who have been erased from history. That meant looking at the roles enslaved people played in Roman society during the time the New Testament was written and then looking for places where the stories of enslaved people may have been overlooked. For example, Moss retells the well-known story of a paralyzed man from the Gospel of Luke. In that story, several people carry the man on a mat and lower him down through the roof of a house so Jesus can heal him. Readers of that story, said Moss, may assume the people carrying the man were friends. But the text gives few details about the people carrying the paralyzed man. And that kind of job would often have been done by slaves, she said, which would change the meaning of the story. Recognizing the role scribes and slaves played in creating the books of the New Testament can democratize the way people read the Bible, said Moss showing that many hands had a role to play instead of focusing only on key religious leaders. In the book, Moss also looks at the way early Christianity spread from the "lectors" who would have read the text out loud in congregations to the role that word of mouth played in passing the Christian message along. She said critics of early Christians downplayed the faith because women, slaves and other people considered to have low status were counted among the movement's followers. Gossip, it turns out, played a role in spreading the good news. "When you go look at non-Christian sources, they say that Christianity spread through slaves and women and gossip," Moss said. "That's a whole different way of thinking about who was spreading the good news. There was this whole host of people beyond the 12 apostles and Paul who were responsible for the rise of Christianity." Religion News Service Judge upholds dismissal of Christian actress over Facebook post about homosexuality An Employment Appeal Tribunal has upheld a previous judgment ruling that a theatre was within the law when it dismissed a Christian actress over a Facebook post that was critical of homosexuality. Seyi Omooba shared the Facebook post in 2014 when she was a student. In it, she said, "I do not believe you can be born gay, and I do not believe homosexual practice is right, though the law of this land has made it legal doesn't mean it is right." The post was dredged up five years later when she landed the lead role of Celie in a production of The Color Purple by Leicester Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome. Miss Omooba faced a backlash and received racist abuse and death threats over her casting. She was dismissed by Leicester Curve Theatre after she refused to retract the post and issue an apology. She was also dropped by her talent agency, Global Artists. The Central London Employment Tribunal later sided with the theatre and talent agency. On Thursday, Mrs Justice Eady at the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London upheld this earlier judgment. Miss Omooba, who is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), will now seek permission for a further appeal to the second highest court in England, the Court of Appeal. CLC chief executive Andrea Williams called the latest court judgment "unjust". "This is an open and shut case of discrimination against the Christian faith if there ever was one," she said. "Seyi was racially abused, received death threats and was hounded out of her career for a polite and temperate expression of what the Bible says about marriage. "An unjust ruling which defends her sacking cannot stand and we will be taking this to the Court of Appeal." Miss Omooba said:"I have long forgiven all those who have sought to ruin my theatre career, but the theatre world needs to be told, loud and clear, that cancelling people for their Christian beliefs is illegal and wrong. "From the outset, the theatre was offering to pay me off for terminating my acting contract, and I would not take that money. "This case is about the freedom of Christians to hold our beliefs in the modern world, and about the truth of what has happened to me." Thriving logistics reflect China's economic vitality 13:16, March 15, 2024 By Li Hongxing ( People's Daily If there were no fast logistics or delivery couriers, consumption in mountainous areas would be quite different. Li Xingying's home is located deep in the Gaoligong Mountains in southwest China's Yunnan province. A woman works on an intelligent sorting line in a logistics park in Lanshan county, Yongzhou, central China's Hunan province. (People's Daily Online/Peng Hua) Many years ago, she went to high school in another place in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture. When her parents wanted to send her some local specialties from home, they had to ride a motorcycle for 20 kilometers on a mountain road to the post office, which took at least an hour. It would take at least two days, even if they were in the same prefecture, before Li could receive the specialties. Now, every village in Yunnan has access to postal services, and villagers can enjoy courier services at their doorsteps. Recently, Li bought Spring Festival's goods for her family, and it took less than four days for these packages to reach her hometown after traveling over 2,000 kilometers from east China's Zhejiang province. "It's so convenient now. We can just order whatever we want on our phones and pick up the items with just a few steps outside," said Li's mother. According to data released by the State Post Bureau, express courier firms nationwide handled 132.07 billion parcels in 2023, up 19.4 percent compared to the previous year. This figure has ranked first in the world for 10 consecutive years. These parcels, connecting thousands of households and various industries, vividly depicted the vibrancy of China. Smooth logistics is driving development and improving living standards while meeting the needs of the people for a better life. Today, it takes as short as 48 hours for imported Boston lobsters to be put on the Chinese table from the moment when they are caught, and "next-day" delivery is so quick that customers don't even have time to change their delivery address. A courier sends a parcel to a resident in Shuili community, Dahua township, Renshou county, Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan province. (People's Daily Online/Pan Shuai) With the introduction of cold-chain logistics, various fruits, vegetables, and seafood can be kept fresh throughout the entire transportation process. The logistics industry, connecting production and consumption, vitalizes the commodity market and fosters innovation. Embracing the dual opportunities of consumption and industrial upgrades, a secure and efficient logistics network that connects domestic and international markets is rapidly taking shape. Efficiency in circulation and production are equally crucial for improving the overall operational efficiency of the national economy. Over a decade ago, "logistics overload" was a buzzword on the internet, as cross-border parcels were difficult to deliver on time. Slow speed and high costs became bottlenecks for the development of the industry. Problems give rise to changes. The introduction of electronic waybills initiated automated sorting, thus establishing intelligent logistics systems. The continuous improvement of urban and rural transportation infrastructure, with roads reaching every village, has made logistics smoother. China's internet penetration continues to increase, leading to a more complete and diverse logistics ecosystem. Thanks to economic development and social progress, the logistics industry has benefited from the dividends of informatization and digitization. It has made a qualitative leap in terms of hardware facilities, software technology, and operational methods, demonstrating remarkable "Chinese speed" and impressive "Chinese efficiency." A gantry crane hoists containers at a logistics base in Hai'an, east China's Jiangsu province. (People's Daily Online/Xu Congjun) The modern circulation system is a strong support for building a new development pattern. Every change in transportation tools and increase in business volume in the logistics industry, from manual handling to intelligent sorting, and from bulk freight to the opening of dedicated lines and air transportation, has greatly promoted the reshaping of the economic landscape. Today, China's logistics industry has achieved a remarkable leap from handling 10 billion parcels each year to 10 billion parcels each month. The super-large market of China provides vast space and opportunities for the development of the logistics industry. The thriving and active logistics industry also plays a crucial role in enhancing the reliability of domestic circulation, while elevating the quality and level of international circulation. More accesses result in greater space for development, and a higher level of openness yields stronger power for development. Thanks to the thriving international business of Chinese express courier firms, a Spanish consumer received a car diagnostic tool from China in just less than five days, and marveled at the speed of China's cross-border parcels. According to customs statistics, the total imports and exports of China's cross-border e-commerce reached 2.38 trillion yuan (about $331 billion) in 2023, up 15.6 percent year-on-year. As China's logistics industry accelerates its international expansion, the efficiency of global cargo transportation is steadily improving. With smooth logistics and global services, China's economy, with strong resilience and wide space, continues to bring new development opportunities to the world. Logistics aggregates commercial flows, while commercial flows drive logistics. As cargo planes take off and land, cargo ships arrive at ports for loading and unloading, packages are sorted and transported, and delivery vehicles depart and return, a more complete and smooth modern distribution system is contributing to a more dynamic and resilient Chinese economy. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Matt Rinaldi, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, is shown during the third and final day of the 2022 Republican Party of Texas Convention in Houston. Rinaldi announced he wont run for reelection. Michael Wyke / Contributor Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi wont run for reelection, he announced Friday afternoon. Rinaldi has served as chair for nearly three years, overseeing party operations during a time when Texas has lurched further to the right. Rinaldi has been a vocal proponent of that effort, aligning the party closely with far-right activists and disparaging Republicans he saw as too liberal including embattled Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But those actions also have angered some Texas Republicans, who say Rinaldi has stoked party divisions and refused to cut ties with GOP activists affiliated with white supremacists. Rinaldi said it is time to step down and focus on my obligations as a husband to my wife, Corley, and as a father to my 6-year-old son, Rush. I ran for the state chairman on a platform of growing the party, increasing its influence, and making it one that effectively amplifies the voice of grassroots Republicans, Rinaldi said in a release. I am happy to report we were successful on all accounts. Shortly after making his announcement, Rinaldi and his allies including Attorney General Ken Paxton rolled out endorsements for Abraham George, the chairman of the Collin County GOP. Texas GOP Vice Chair Dana Myers also is running to lead the party, which will select its new leader at its May convention in San Antonio. Rinaldi said he was proud to elect more Republicans down ballot during his tenure, and he said the partys advocacy this year contributed to the political earthquake in the March primary that sent several incumbent House members packing or to runoffs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I will be forever grateful for the honor of serving the millions of Texas Republicans working to preserve a society that values faith, family and liberty, he said. The Texas GOPs executive committee first elected Rinaldi, a former state representative, to serve as chair in 2021, replacing Allen West, who stepped down to run for governor. GOP delegates reelected him during the partys convention the next year. Despite overall successful years for the Texas GOP, Rinaldis tenure was marked by intraparty fighting and public controversy and some Republicans say the state party had nothing to do with the partys victories in the Capitol or at the ballot box. Rinaldis leadership has been under additional scrutiny in recent months after prominent GOP activist Jonathan Stickland, Rinaldis longtime friend and former colleague, met for more than six hours with white supremacist Nick Fuentes. Rinaldi was in the same building as Stickland when the meeting happened, but he later condemned Fuentes and said he didnt know Fuentes was there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, the incident sent shockwaves through the Texas Republican Party and brought renewed attention to Rinaldis relationship with Stickland, who also used to head the deep-pocketed Defend Texas Liberty PAC. Rinaldi declined to denounce Stickland or distance the party from the PAC, which has since rebranded as Texans United for a Conservative Majority. For many Texas Republicans, the incident underscored an ongoing shift in the state party, which was once primarily focused on fundraising and helping support local Republican clubs and candidates. Woodring acknowledges that, for Rocket Mortgage, which relies on Salesforce, Workday, and ServiceNow as many companies do, SaaS sprawl is a growing headache. Like Cushman & Wakefield, his engineers are often tapped to deliver code to integrate and stitch up problems between SaaS apps. And he doesnt see the issue going away anytime soon. These systems are getting bigger and more complicated. The sprawl, the complexity, the contracts, all the new features because theres an arms race where theyre all adding as much as they can, and much of it overlaps with each other all of it contributes to the challenges his team faces, he says. And while he appreciates that his engineers could not likely construct solutions to rival these best-of-breed enterprise SaaS solutions, it does make him wonder whether more SaaS adoption is worth it. Each has its own ecosystem of people that you need to hire and practices that you need to install, he says. And Ill admit, at the end of the day, you wonder if youve actually saved any money at all with all the other things that come with it. Strategic data initiatives During Martells tenure, the CDAO created the foundation for AI-based defense systems, by establishing five strategic initiatives to enable AI use at the DOD in fiscal year 2023, according to the DOD. Among those five initiatives were improved data quality and business performance metrics, along with better digital employee management. In addition, the CDAO began offering a new Digital On-Demand service in November to improve AI knowledge in the military. The new program provided access to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Horizons library of learning resources to all members of the DOD military and civilian workforce. The MIT Horizon online platform offers short training modules on AI and other emerging technologies, including 5G, edge computing, and big data analytics. Martells relatively short time on the job shouldnt raise red flags, said Avivah Litan, a distinguished vice president analyst covering AI at Gartner. Two years on the job seems just about right for this new type of role, especially for an executive coming from dynamic leading private sector companies such as Lyft, Dropbox, and LinkedIn, she said. The role of chief AI officer is still new: The US Department of Justice has just appointed its first CAIO. Organizations are trying to figure out what responsibilities the position should have, Litan said. Oftentimes, other executives in the organizations are not able to understand what the chief AI officer is actually accomplishing, she said. Nonetheless, Craig Martell seems to have achieved a great deal in his short tenure at DoD and I am guessing that the large bureaucracy couldnt keep up with him. Girl Develop It Girl Develop It offers web and software development courses at affordable rates in a judgement-free zone. The nonprofit organization offers hands-on programs that teach women and non-binary professional skills for software development and supports a diverse network of women in STEM. Girl Develop It has charters in 60 cities across the country, but if you cant find one in your area you can submit a request for a new chapter where you live. The goal of the organization is to help eliminate barriers for women and non-binary individuals through live and hybrid workshops on career topics, one-on-one instructor study, and learning and networking events for members. Girls in Tech Girls in Tech is a nonprofit organization that aims to stop gender inequality in the tech industry by empowering women through coding courses, bootcamps, and hackathons for girls and women of all ages and professions. The mission is to support women with the access and community they need to succeed in tech. The organization started in San Francisco in 2007 and has since grown to include more than 62,000 members in 33 countries. Events and programs vary by chapter and are designed to suit the specific needs of each community. Girls Who Code Girls Who Code is an organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech and redefining what it means to be a programmer. It includes after-school clubs, summer courses and programs, and career advice and networking support for college students. According to data from Girls Who Code, 66% of girls aged six to 12 are interested in computing programs, but that drops to 32% for girls aged 13 to 17 and down to just 4% for college freshmen. The organization focuses on keeping girls and young women engaged in STEM fields as they grow by giving them support and a community. IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) The IEEE is one of the largest technical professional organizations, and the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) is a branch dedicated specifically to supporting women in engineering. Its a global network of members and volunteers who are committed to empowering women engineers and inspiring girls around the world to embrace a passion for engineering and science. The organization recognizes influential women in STEM, hosts workshops and technical conferences, creates networking opportunities, and offers career development programs for women in engineering. Million Women Mentors To grow the ranks of women in STEM, girls and women need to see representation in the industry, and mentorship is key in building confidence for pursuing STEM careers. The Million Women Mentors (MWM) organization is committed to increasing the number of women in STEM and tech careers by building a global network of mentors and mentees. The organization hopes to encourage girls and women to pursue, persist, and thrive in STEM, by connecting industry mentors with young tech-hopefuls who could benefit from guidance and direction while starting out their careers. National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a community of change leaders focused on advancing innovation by correcting underrepresentation in computing. They offer several programs both for professionals as well as for kids, teens, and young adults. The organization, which was chartered by the National Science Foundation in 2004 and was one of the first organizations to focus on womens participation in computing fields, also offers support to companies that want to strengthen DEI in their organizations through hiring, awareness, inclusion, and systemic change. They also provide research and stats on diversity and inclusion in the tech industry for women and BIPOC technologists. Rain falls Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in the Colony Ridge neighborhood in Liberty County. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Raquel Reyna, right, with her son Angel Reyna and her husband, Irineo Cruz, stop to feed and pet dogs in their neighborhood of Colony Ridge, in Cleveland, Texas, northeast of Houston, Oct. 2, 2023. With cheap land and unconventional financing to homebuyers, many of them immigrants lacking permanent legal status, Colony Ridge has become a lightning rod for conservatives, with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott calling for hearings on the development. (Danielle Villasana/The New York Times) DANIELLE VILLASANA/NYT Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the business behind the controversial Houston-area development Colony Ridge, alleging deceptive trade practices and fraud in a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court. In a news release Thursday, Paxtons office said the lawsuit was the result of a monthslong investigation into the Colony Ridge developers company, which is led by brothers John and William Trey Harris III, and alleges it engaged in false, misleading, and deceptive sales, marketing, and lending practices that enabled their business model. Colony Ridges business model is predicated on churning land purchasers through a foreclosure mill, the lawsuit reads. Namely, Colony Ridge targets foreign born and Hispanic consumers with limited or no access to credit with promises of cheap, ready to build land and financing without proof of income. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TEXAS POLITICS: Pornhub disables website in Texas over objection to age verification law The developers denied Paxtons allegations, saying their business model has helped low-income families buy property for themselves. Colony Ridge, in nearby Liberty County about 40 miles northeast of downtown Houston, has also attracted many immigrant families fleeing rising housing costs concentrated in urban areas. Its population is estimated to be upward of 40,000. There is nothing new in the Texas Attorney Generals Lawsuit, said Colony Ridge CEO John Harris in a statement. Colony Ridge complies with the law. Full stop. We will be reviewing the specifics of this lawsuit with our attorneys and look forward to sharing the true story about Colony Ridge. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The community has been a contentious topic in Texas after fringe anti-immigrant conspiracy theories went viral on social media, spreading unsubstantiated claims of rampant crime and violence since last fall. The theories, refuted by residents, as well as local and state officials, gained traction with Republican state leaders, including Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott, and led to calls to investigate the development and those behind it. Although his offices lawsuit is targeting the company behind the development for its alleged deceptive practices, Paxton had previously taken issue with the fact that many of those living in the community are immigrants. In a letter he sent last year to members of Texas' congressional delegation, Paxton claimed that Colony Ridge had become an issue of national concern because it was enabling illegal alien settlement in the state of Texas and distressing neighboring cities and school districts. A lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last December also accused the Colony Ridge developers of allegedly operating a bait and switch land sales scheme, preying on low-income Hispanics by providing high-interest loans without properly assessing the borrowers. Nearly one in three Colony Ridge properties ended in foreclosure, 10 times the national average, the DOJ said in a news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 90 de idei de startup-uri din 5 tari au fost acceptate la cel mai mare accelerator autohton de startup-uri la etapa idee, Upcelerator by Dreamups, editia Orange Digital Center Termen extins - pentru selectarea unui expert/ unei experte sau a unei agentii pentru realizarea Entry si Exit Survey intr-un proiect din domeniul prevenirii violentei si asistenta incluziva pentru femeile in etate Jakhya Rahman-Corey was 14 when she joined the charity sector, as a volunteer in her local Oxfam shop. Born and raised in the UK, Rahman-Corey was inspired to give back after witnessing extreme poverty during a trip to Bangladesh, where her family is originally from. There, she also saw young girls in the village getting married quite early on and had this moment of questioning. My parents always mentioned the struggles they faced coming from Bangladesh to the UK, she says. Theyve sacrificed and given me and my siblings so much because they wanted us to have this better life. I have so much luck and opportunity the life I have and parents who invested in my education and opportunities. Rahman-Corey studied economics at university and volunteered overseas before working for charities in Australia, Cambodia, Costa Rica and India. Then in 2014, she joined Austrian jewellery company Swarovskis new charitable trust as a programme officer. By 2018, at the age of 30, she had risen to the position of director, which she has held since. Organisations DNA The Swarovski Foundation was set up in 2013 to promote sustainable livelihoods through education to reduce inequality by supporting charitable initiatives and organisations focusing on equity, water, and creativity. Over the last decade, it has reported helping more than two million people in 93 countries through 85 partnerships and 17 global emergencies in pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The jewellery business provides most of the foundations income, which totalled 2.09m in 2022, through grants. Rahman-Corey says her role involves honouring the philanthropic spirit of Daniel Swarovski, who founded the crystal business in 1895. Swarovski believed in philanthropy. He has this famous quote: A precondition for your long-term success is that you endeavour to think not only of yourselves but also of your fellow human beings. Those who adhere to this condition will certainly be blessed with success. I find that so powerful. The DNA of the organisation was giving back. He and his wife had employees who had housing and health and their kids had kindergarten. It was very much this ecosystem of giving back. She says his descendants continued the jewellery businesss philanthropic work but felt it wasnt as organised and impactful as it could be. Thats why they started the foundation, with this belief that if we can provide some structure and framework of giving back we can be accountable to give in pattern. Power imbalance between funders and grantees The foundation offers grants, advocacy and engagement to its grantees to fulfil our mission for a more inclusive and equitable society whilst creating protections for the environment. Rahman-Corey says the foundation has to collaborate with its funding recipients to have a more significant and lasting impact. Unfortunately, there is a power imbalance between funders and organisations on the ground and to recognise that goes back to the object of the grant-giving body what is it trying to achieve? She gives the example of her time in 2012 when she was working as a programme officer for Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care (CHEC), an NGO in the Asian country. CHEC had asked its funder whether it could adapt to meet the needs of beneficiaries, but the latter just wanted it to continue its programme delivery as previously agreed. There was a disconnect and I vowed that if I were ever in a position as a grant funder, I would never not listen to the voices of our charity partners, Rahman-Corey says. We as an organisation work with charities overseas and theyre the experts who can say: These are the needs and this is how its going to be. There has to be a dialogue. We should always have this question if youre a grant-giving body, why do you exist? If the true intention is creating impact, its then working with charities and organisations, recognising that they are the experts on the ground. Unconscious biases As a young woman of colour in a leadership position in the charity sector, Rahman-Corey recognises that she has felt unconscious biases. Upon meeting someone, theres often an unconscious tendency to make assumptions. From my personal experiences, there have been times I have encountered these assumptions as a young woman of colour in a senior position. Whilst there is that aspect, when given the opportunity to talk I always feel Im able to present my passion and integrity in that respect. She says she has numerous allies within the foundation and the business and sees herself as a bridge between these two worlds. I have significant support from colleagues who champion me. There were women before me who sent the ladder down that enabled me to climb up and I want to send that as well. The importance of diverse voices is necessary. Im very grateful Im surrounded by people who have been great allies. Rahman-Corey says she has never experienced imposter syndrome but accepts that it exists and there is a narrative about how women should feel. Im deeply passionate about this work and feel hugely accountable. Having amazing team members and allies who say: Jakhya, youre the right person. I take that with gratitude. Its about having more of those faces and voices in these spaces to say: Irrespective of my age and background, I come here with experience, knowledge and passion. I will be determined to achieve the goals and the targets of the organisation. We have to do things collectively Reflecting on the first decade of the foundation, Rahman-Corey says she is proud of what it has achieved and the progress it has made. She says the foundation has a clear strategy and is not squeamish. Were going out there saying: This is what we want to do. And we know we cant do this alone. So, whilst were going out there, were being accountable for this goal and feel our greatest assets are our partnerships. And it leverages this aspect of collective community. If we did things in silos, it wouldnt be achievable. We have to do things collectively. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Democrats are doing the most awkward TikTok dance. The Houses Wednesday vote to force TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the social media behemoth to an American entity has put Democrats from President Biden on down in a tough spot. Most are now on record backing a bill that could shutter a fast-growing platform thats most popular with the young voters they so badly need. TikTok users arent just kids mindlessly scrolling dance videos. Roughly one-third of Americans aged 1829 regularly get their news from TikTok, the Pew Research Center found in a late 2023 survey. Nearly half of all TikTok users say they regularly get news from the app, a higher percentage than for any other social media platform aside from Twitter. Almost 40 percent of young adults were using TikTok and Instagram for their primary Web search instead of the traditional search engines, a Google senior vice president said in mid-2022a number thats almost certainly grown since then. Overall, TikTok claims 150 million American users, almost half the US population; two-thirds of Americans aged 1829 use the app. It is astonishing the extent to which TikTok has become the primary information platform for young people, said Jesse Lehrich, a Democratic strategist and Big Tech critic. Us olds are slow to pick up on the ways that young people are actually using these platforms. People use it as search. People use it as their primary news source. Pissing off TikTok users is obviously a risk for Democrats. As Biden administration Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Bloomberg News a few weeks ago, if Democrats ban TikTok, the politician in me thinks youre going to literally lose every voter under 35, forever. (One irate TikTok user recently left a congressman a voicemail saying that TikTok is my Google and that, if they didnt vote against banning it, youre gonna see me at your house.) Sign up for CJR 's daily email The bigger issue for Democrats is how to reach the young Americans who are the heaviest users of the platformand who polls show are far less fired up about the 2024 election than they were four years ago. Many are furious at Biden over issues ranging from the war in Gaza and immigration to social justice and police reformtopics that feature prominently on the app. Thats why even though Biden says he supports the legislation that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok, his campaign actually joined TikTok last month. His official TikTok page has a quarter-million followers so far. Thats nothing compared to top influencers@MrBeast (ask your kids) is closing in on a hundred million TikTok followersbut its a start; some of Bidens bigger videos have collected millions of views. Bidens campaign and the White House have also heavily courted social media influencers: last week, they brought in dozens of digital creators, including ones with major TikTok followings, for a private briefing and lunch with Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the State of the Union. The Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump, has been much more transactional in his stance on the app. He spent years pledging to shut down TikTok, and, while in office, signed an executive order blocking companies from doing business with its parent company. But after a recent meeting with GOP megadonor Jeff Yass, a major ByteDance investor, Trump came out in favor of protecting the app, and against the House bill. But the voters Trump needs to chase are a lot more likely to be on Facebook. Democrats need TikTok users. Thats part of why so many Democrats and digital experts I spoke to were torn about this issue. Some Hill Democrats privately wish TikTok would magically disappearthey believe its content has radicalized some in their base with disinformation or biased reporting on issues like Gaza and Israel, turning them against Democrats with more moderate positions. Much of the division, even in Congress, is generational. The fifty Democrats who voted against the bill this weekalmost a quarter of the delegationincluded a swath of young progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who has nearly a million TikTok followers, and Rep. Max Frost (D-FL), a former grassroots organizer who, at twenty-seven, is the only Gen Z member of Congress. There are, obviously, real privacy and national security risks associated with having a company under the thumb of the Chinese Communist Party pushing reams of news content to Americans with little oversight. Given our collective experience with Russia using Facebook and other social media platforms to help push Trump across the finish line in the 2016 presidential election, we all should be concerned about a major foreign adversary having such a direct pipeline to voters. But that doesnt change the reality of 2024 politics. Biden needs to win back young voters. Theyre on TikTok. And unless and until that platform goes away, Democrats need to be where the voters are. Melissa Ryan works on combating extremism and disinformation online, and said that she understands the legitimate concerns many lawmakers have about China gaining access to Americans datathough she added that the disinformation on TikTok is no more pervasive than on other social media platforms. But as a former Democratic digital strategist who worked for President Obamas 2012 reelection and the pro-abortion-rights group EMILYs List, Ryan said it was obvious what Democratic candidates should do. I would absolutely tell my candidates they need to be on TikTok, particularly if they need younger voters like Biden does. And I would be ready to explain the fallout from casting that vote [in the House], she said. Lehrich, who was a foreign policy spokesman on Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, said he is alarmed about the power that TikTok gives China to influence and monitor Americans. But that doesnt mean Democrats can avoid itany more than they can abandon Twitter/X just because right-wing conspiracy theorist Elon Musk bought the platform. (Indeed, they could find themselves staring down much the same situation if former Trump cabinet official Steven Mnuchin buys TikTok, as hes now apparently trying to.) Theres a reason the Biden campaign felt obliged to make a TikTok account even though theyre obviously critical of the platform. You just cant refuse to meet people where they are, Lehrich said. We dont want this to be the information ecosystem that we live in. But lets not lose the election that might decide the fate of democracy because we want to take the moral high ground. Other notable stories: Reuters obtained a report, prepared by a United Nations body in Lebanon, that concluded that Israel violated international law when it killed Issam Abdallah, a Reuters photojournalist, near the countrys border with Lebanon in October. The report found that Israeli tanks opened fire on Abdallah and several other journalists who were clearly identifiable as such, at a time when no exchange of fire across the border had been observed in forty minutes. The report described the reason for the strike as not known. Yesterdayon the second anniversary of an attack in Ukraine that seriously injured Benjamin Hall, a Fox News correspondent, and killed his colleagues Pierre Zakrzewski, a videographer, and Sasha Kuvshynova, a contractorKuvshynovas parents and a security consultant for Fox sued the network, alleging that it pressured its team into reporting from a dangerous area and then covered up the true circumstances of the attack. Fox said that it would respectfully defend against inaccurate claims in the suit. In other international press-freedom news, Jaime Barrera, a broadcast journalist in Mexico, was found alive after going missing on Monday; he said that an armed gang had kidnapped him, beaten him, and warned him about his journalism. And municipal officials in China apologized for manhandling staffers from CCTV, the state broadcaster, during a live broadcast from the site of a deadly explosion caused by a gas leak. Per the AP, the apology was a rare acknowledgment of state aggression against journalists in China. Phil Chetwynd, the global news director of Agence France-Presse, spoke to the BBC about the agencys decision, along with several of its counterparts, to retract a photo of Kate Middleton, the princess of Wales, that had been provided by Kensington Palace after finding that the image had been manipulated. Chetwynd said that the palace is now absolutely not a trusted source for AFP, and pointed out how rare it is for the agency to retract a photo, noting that it last did so with images issued by North Korea and Iran. And for CJR, Belle Cushing makes the case that print is cool again among young people. Print may have largely vanished from the broader media landscape, but in high schools across the country, its alive and well, Cushing writes. Thats partly due to the involvement of older faculty advisers nostalgic for the heyday of the print newspaper, but in recent years, print has gained a newfound pull among young people, whose experience with physical newspapers is likely limited to visits with their grandparents. ICYMI: How print got cool again Cameron Joseph is a freelance political reporter with recent work in The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, and Politico Magazine. A recipient of the 2023 National Press Foundation Dirksen Award for distinguished reporting of Congress and the 2020 National Press Club award for excellence in political journalism, he previously worked for VICE News, Talking Points Memo, the New York Daily News, The Hill and National Journal. Bayer AG is weighing whether to use a controversial legal maneuver known as the Texas Two-Step bankruptcy to try to resolve tens of thousands of US lawsuits claiming its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, according to people familiar with its thinking. Faced with a recent string of costly jury verdicts over the herbicide, Bayer executives are consulting with law firms and advisers about how to prompt a bankruptcy judge to halt further trials scheduled for this year. The object is to wrangle a settlement of more than 50,000 cases, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a confidential matter. The bankruptcy maneuver gets its name from the use of a Texas state law that lets companies split their assets and liabilities into separate units, then place the unit loaded with liabilities into bankruptcy to drive a global settlement. Courts have rejected the tactic by 3M Co. over suits targeting faulty hearing protection devices for US soldiers and by Johnson & Johnson in litigation tied to its talc-based baby powder. Bayer shares were little changed in trading in Frankfurt on Thursday. The stock has lost about 70% of its value since Bayers 2018 acquisition of Monsanto, from which it inherited Roundup, for $63 billion. Bayer is looking for breathing room after it was hammered over the last four months with Roundup jury verdicts totaling about $4 billion. While the company has won more recent trials than it has lost, its latest courtroom defeat was its biggest yet, with a Pennsylvania jury awarding $2.25 billion to a man who blamed his cancer on long-term exposure to Roundup. Bayer maintains the product is safe. Given the recent rulings on Texas Two-Step bankruptcies, Im pretty sure Bayer knows this is a long-shot bid for a settlement, said Bruce Markell, a former federal bankruptcy judge who now teaches law at Northwestern University. But they may feel like they dont have any other choice. Stock Slide, Legal Overhang Bayer declined to comment on any plans for a bankruptcy filing over the Roundup litigation. But Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson has said he is prepared to explore every reasonable option to protect the company and protect our mission from the litigation industry. Bayer said in a statement that while it has faced large jury verdicts over Roundup, its succeeded in getting much of that reduced by more than 90% in post-trial proceedings. All told, its won 13 of the last 19 cases where judgments were entered. Bayer officials acknowledged earlier this month that profits are falling partly because of the ongoing litigation. While the chances of success with the Texas Two Step are slim, Bayer should leave no stone unturned as it seeks to stop the flood of claims for damages on Roundup, Markus Manns, a portfolio manager at Frankfurt-based Union Investment, a top Bayer shareholder, said in an email. The German conglomerate is taking steps that may be in preparation for a units bankruptcy filing. Last month it proposed to add veteran activist investor Jeff Ubben to its supervisory board. Ubben publicly called for Bayer to consider a Texas-Two Step filing to deal with the Roundup litigation more than a year ago. Bayer is also proposing to bring on former McKesson Corp. General Counsel Lori Schecter as a director. Before joining McKesson a drug distributor that paid $6 billion to settle litigation over its alleged mishandling of opioid painkillers in 2012, she was a partner at the Morrison & Foerster law firm, where she handled complex litigation and corporate investigations. Rejected Efforts Part of Bayers problem is that the company is facing tens of thousands of lawsuits in state courts across the country. When it tried to consolidate the litigation through a class settlement program in 2021, a federal judge rejected its efforts. Since then Bayer has sought to settle Roundup suits when it makes sense for the company and to go to trial when necessary. For a while, that strategy appeared to work Bayer won nine cases in a row. But in the fall it lost several trials, with big jury verdicts. Those losses have damaged its leverage in negotiating settlements and spurred plaintiff lawyers to bring new claims against the company. The idea of a filing would be to collect the scattered Roundup cases before a bankruptcy judge in hopes of negotiating a settlement. The company has spent about $10 billion of the $16 billion it set aside to resolve more than 110,000 Roundup cases so far. The remainder is intended for resolutions of newly filed cases, existing suits that bowed out of previous settlement efforts and future claims. The Texas Two-Step has drawn criticism from some legal experts for allowing solvent companies to use bankruptcy court to force settlements on claimants. Over the last 13 months, a federal appeals court and a US bankruptcy judge in New Jersey have shot down J&Js attempts to use a units Two-Step bankruptcy case to persuade former baby powder users to sign on to a nearly $9 billion settlement of their claims. The courts have concluded J&J isnt in enough financial distress from the cases to avail itself of bankruptcy protection. Still, J&J officials vow to take a third shot at using bankruptcy to generate settlements in the more than decade-long baby powder litigation. The Two-Step One way for Bayer to foster a settlement would be to move a unit to Texas so it can take advantage of the states laws. While Bayer is a foreign company, Monsanto was based in Missouri and the company retains major operations there. Its unclear whether Bayer would use Monsanto or another entity name for any Texas Two-Step, the people familiar with the discussions said. While the legitimacy of a Two-Step aimed at the Roundup litigation was hashed out in court, a bankruptcy judge would likely halt all litigation against the company, said Melissa Jacoby, a University of North Carolina law professor and bankruptcy expert. Given the track record of recent Texas Two-Step bankruptcies, the pursuit of this strategy looks like a strong sign that the company is more interested in delay than honoring the legal rights of cancer patients or a comprehensive settlement at a fair price, she said. Ralph Brubaker, a University of Illinois professor who teaches bankruptcy law, said bankruptcy could give Bayer time to come up with a settlement proposal. Even if Texas Two-Steps are ultimately repudiated by the courts, the strategy allows defendants to shut down all tort litigation indefinitely, Brubaker said. Top photo: A sign at the Bayer AG pharmaceutical campus in Berlin, Germany, on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. Bayer AG sees lower profit this year as it contends with falling prices for agriculture products in its crop science division, although the pharma division will probably see another year of about 1% sales growth and the consumer health unit could see sales rise by about 5%, it said. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. The National Flood Insurance Program has paid out $364 million on flood claims from Hurricane Idalia, the storm that swamped part of Florida in August. Thats a fraction of the $3.2 billion NFIP paid after Hurricane Ian, a much larger storm that churned through Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas in 2022. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a bulletin this week that NFIP had received 5,210 claims from Idalia and had closed 98% of them. For Ian, which hit more populated areas in late September 2022, NFIP saw some 46,400 claims. The average flood claim paid in Idalia was about $69,900. In Ian, the average was slightly less $68,900. FEMA said it also provided almost $83 million in direct grants to survivors of Idalia, a tempest that brought storm surge and flooding to the more rural Big Bend area of Florida. The grants included rental assistance to help with lodging while displaced residents rebuild their homes. The agency also sent $295 million to the state of Florida to assist state and local governments with emergency response efforts, and approved $79 million in low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations. Florida lawmakers last fall also earmarked more than $240 million for Idalia recovery for farmers and to help homeowners cover insurance deductibles. Overall, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reported more than 25,000 multi-peril claims from Idalia, including 452 private insurer flood claims. As of last November, the latest data available from OIR, only about 7,380 of those multi-peril claims had been closed with payment, suggesting that many of the claims were actually the result of flood damage and were not covered by wind policies. Only about 22% of Floridians carry flood insurance, the Florida Department of Financial Services has reported. Total insured losses from Hurricane Idalia have been estimated at more than $3.5 billion. The FEMA Idalia report comes as a stark reminder that thousands of Florida homes are vulnerable to flooding, but flood damage is not always disclosed. The Florida Legislature this month approved House Bill 1049, which, if signed by the governor, would require home sellers to provide a flood disclosure form to purchasers. Florida court rulings have differed on whether a tendency to flood must be revealed to potential buyers of real estate. And state law previously has not required a flood disclosure, a staff analysis of the bill explains. If signed into law, HB 1049 will take effect Oct. 1. Related: FEMA Adds $575 Million in Reinsurance Coverage for NFIP Top photo: Horseshoe Beach, Florida, after Idalias storm surge. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) US health authorities are investigating whether the cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group Inc.s Change Healthcare unit involved a breach of personal health information. The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights opened the probe into the companys compliance with health-privacy rules, according to a letter from the agency posted on its website on Wednesday. Given the unprecedented magnitude of this cyberattack, and in the best interest of patients and health care providers, OCR is initiating an investigation into this incident, the agency said. Both the White House and the FBI declined to comment on the investigation. The HHS Office for Civil Rights, asked about the incident last month, said at the time it does not comment on open or potential investigations. A UnitedHealth spokesperson said the company will cooperate with the investigation and is working with authorities to learn the extent of the breach. Our immediate focus is to restore our systems, protect data and support those whose data may have been impacted, the company said in a statement. The breach that has halted the flow of billions of dollars in medical payments is entering its fourth week. Neither the company nor the government have said how many patient records might have been exposed in the attack. Change Healthcare has said its systems process transactions for trillions of dollars of medical claims each year. Consequences Growing The wide-ranging consequences of the Change cyberattack are still becoming evident. Three-fourths of hospitals in a survey by the American Hospital Association said the hack directly affected patient care, including delays in authorizations. Of almost 1,000 hospitals responding to the survey, one-third said the attack disrupted more than half their revenue. The group is worried that hospitals could face payment denials from administrative problems caused by the Change outage, it said in a letter to leaders of the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday. The group asked Congress to give health agencies more power to send medical providers payments and other relief. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth said disruptions to Change Healthcares pharmacy systems are resolved and more than 99% of pre-incident claim volume is flowing, according to an update to its response website Wednesday. As the company works to bring other parts of its system back online as soon as March 15, its still telling clients they should seek workarounds. While we are making progress, we strongly recommend pursuing multiple paths and solutions, the company said. News of the HHS investigation was reported earlier by the Washington Post. Top photo: The breach that has halted the flow of billions of dollars in medical payments is entering its fourth week. Photographer: Bloomberg Creative Photos/Bloomberg Creative Collection. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP, Ohio --- While some look to groundhogs, red winged blackbirds or pitchers and catchers reporting to camp, many Northeast Ohioans rely on the venerable turkey vulture as the official harbinger of spring. A generous crowd of Hinckley Buzzard Day stalwarts and first-timers gathered early March 15 at the Cleveland Metroparks Hinckley Reservation Buzzards Roost to be among the first to sight this years first official Hinckley buzzards. And they waited and waited and waited. They are waiting for the updrafts and the sun we expect them in the next half-hour or so, said Metroparks Naturalist and Official Buzzard Spotter, Foster Brown, at roughly 8:50 a.m. They can fly, but they like to soar on the updrafts and it carries the smell of carrion. For the record, the first kettle of seven buzzards finally arrived on the scene at 10:34 a.m. Along the way, visitors gained a wealth of buzzard knowledge from Brown. For instance, a group of turkey vultures in flight is known as a kettle, a group in a tree is called a committee, and a committee (or a kettle) on the ground is a wake. Got all that? We like to take in all that is quirky and wonderful in Ohio, and this is part of ecology and is so important for kids to learn, said Tracey Bell, who recently moved to Ohio from Michigan with her husband, Gary. She said they were happy to now add scanning the Northeast Ohio skies for buzzards to their list of quirky Ohio festival experiences - like watching mashed potato wrestling at the Mantua Potato Festival. This is wonderful for the community, even if a buzzard may not be my first choice for a friend, Bell said. Have you seen their diet? The Bells and Dayton resident Tom Girz - a Lorain native in town visiting his friend, Matt Kiedrowski, of Brunswick were among this years Buzzard Day first-timers who traveled the farthest for the event. Carissa Hudock and her son Dorian, 3, were also freshman Buzzard Day attendees, with Dorian coming more prepared than most with his own set of binoculars. I grew up in Missouri and we have lived in this area for a little while, Hudock said. We always heard about it, and we see a lot of [buzzards] at our house so we decided to come. The first buzzards to return to the Cleveland Metroparks Hinckley Reservation this year arrived at 10:43 a.m. March 15.Brian Lisik Greg Kalbrunner, of Medina, said he recently took up the hobby of birding and was making his first return trip to Buzzard Day since I was a kid; probably 30 years. Tim Secrist and his girlfriend, Jennifer Kuhn also made their first pilgrimage to Buzzard Day this year, although Secrist said his late mother sent him every Hinckley Buzzard Day news report for years when he lived out of town. This years gathering also showcased the ingenuity of some buzzard fans, like regular Buzzard Day attendees and Hinckley residents Mark and Lori Manthey, who brought a festival food truck of sorts. Actually, a camping stove under a picnic umbrella and one volunteer employee, friend and master egg scrambler Dave Hoffman, of Strongsville. What gave me the idea? I was hungry, Manthey said of his remarkably well organized operation, which he dubbed (perhaps right on the spot) The Old Buzzards. And I think the sausage helps bring [the buzzards] in. The Pavlik family of Hinckley Matt, Erica and their children Hailey, 8, Jacob, 6, Luke, 4 and Tyler, 2 have made Buzzard Day an annual family event for the past three years. Although, Matt said, catching sight of the first buzzard of the year is always a gamble. Two years ago when we came, we waited for 45 minutes and decided to take a walk, he said. The first one came in before we got back. Erica said experiencing nature firsthand is invaluable to the kids. We see them in our backyard so we said, lets go to Buzzard Day, Erica said. I like that they are learning the history of it. We home school, so as we are learning about it, we live right here so we can see it. The history of Buzzard Day officially goes back to 1958, although turkey vultures locally known as buzzards although not at all related to European buzzards, which more resemble hawks than, well, turkeys have likely lived in the area for eons. The birds return from their fall migration each spring and nest in the high, rocky ledges of the Hinckley Reservation. Local folklore, however, claims that buzzards first came to town after the Great Hinckley Hunt in the winter of 1818. The hunt saw nearly 600 local men gather to eradicate the area of wolves and other predators that were wreaking havoc on livestock, leaving behind a veritable smorgasbord of carrion for hungry local buzzards. Whatever story you buy, the annual gathering has come to mean much more to participants than a science lesson or a visit to the park on a brisk, late-winter morning. I think my favorite thing is the tradition, said Metroparks Brecksville Nature Center Manager, Min Keung. You catch up with people and it is the joy of spring in Hinckley. That joy continues at the Hinckley Chamber of Commerces 67th annual Buzzard Sunday event, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24 at Hinckley Preparatory Academy, 1586 Center Road. Pushed back a week from its traditional first-Sunday-after-Buzzard-Day date this year due to St. Patricks Day falling on Sunday, Buzzard Sunday kicks off with a pancake breakfast followed by a craft show, carnival, a visit from a live buzzard and more. For more information, visit hinckleyohchamber.com/buzzard-day/. For me, the best part is seeing the look on kids faces when they see a live buzzard, said Hinckley Chamber President Melinda Mallari. And also seeing the adults faces. Read more news from the Brunswick Sun. MEDINA, Ohio It was a packed house at The Grind Coffee Bar as the owners, employees and customers celebrated the grand opening of their new location at 124 North Court Street March 15. It was just a little more than a year ago when owners Mike Meadows and Cosmin Bota opened their first location at The Common Ground and now at their new space they are offering coffee, tea, other specialty drinks and crepes to the citys historic district. China blasted the US government with its supposed "robber's logic" in pushing to ban ByteDance and TikTok in the country. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Thursday accused Congress of "unfairly suppressing foreign companies" and bringing down competition by masking it as "national security" concerns. China, along with Russia, North Korea, and Iran, were among the mentioned "foreign adversaries" in the bill. The spokesperson claimed that it "never asked and will never ask" its global business to give its users' data to the government, contrasting earlier assertions from US lawmakers. Risks of China tampering with TikTok's US user data and interfering with its upcoming elections have been cited as among the primary reasons for the rapid push for the bill aimed to ban the app in the country. Beijing-based ByteDance currently owns TikTok, although its American users' data and algorithm are stored within Texas-based Oracle Corp's cloud servers. The Financial Times first reported Wang's statement. Also Read: TikTok is Being Used by Chinese Gov't to Meddle with Elections, Intelligence Report Claims Chinese Gov't Accused of Employing AI to Spy on Foreign Agencies China's recent response follows the growing gap between the two superpower counties as both hurl accusations at each other over technology surveillance. Just last month, a massive trove of documents was leaked to the public showing one of China's partnered AI firms using its technology to spy on foreign governments, institutions, and companies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has linked China with cybercriminal groups attempting to breach into US agencies and critical facilities on several occasions. China has maintained that it has not directed the attacks and instead accused the US of spying on its people. Amid accusations and rumors, China has yet to be caught collecting US users' data from ByteDance or directly from TikTok. Related Article: TikTok Ban and the US Government: A Case of Restrictions, State Control, and Espionage Fears TikTok Ban Bill Set to Face Senate Panel After passing the House of Representatives, the proposed Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is scheduled to undergo a Senate hearing sometime soon. US President Joe Biden has already expressed support for the bill, vowing to sign it as soon as it gets passed by the Senate. As of writing, US senators are still divided on the matter as several lawmakers express fear of massive backlash from young voters if the bill gets passed. At least 41 million Gen Zs are expected to participate in the upcoming 2024 US Presidential Elections in November. BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Those passing by Beachwood City Hall have undoubtedly seen a large inatable teddy bear sitting on the lawn. That wont be the only sighting of this big fellow, as giant inflatables will be making surprise appearances in parks, city centers and shopping areas across Northeast Ohio -- all for a good cause. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Orange High School senior Anjali Chepyala was recently recognized as a 2024 candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Later in the spring, the semifinalists will be announced, followed by the final selection of 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars, according to a news release from the Orange City School District. KENT, Ohio On May 4, 1970, four students at Kent State University were killed by Ohio National Guard troops. Their deaths shocked the nation, galvanizing opposition to the Vietnam War and calling into question the use of lethal force against unarmed protesters. The incident eroded trust in government, fueled skepticism about the conduct of the war itself and bolstered the need for safeguards around the right to peaceful protest. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio A week after his violin was taken, a Cleveland Heights musician has increased the reward to $2,500. Alan Choo, a musician and concertmaster with the Apollos Fire Baroque Orchestra, said he believes his violin was stolen on March 8 when he was on a break at the St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights. When he returned from his 90-minute break, his 2018 Viseltear baroque violin, Louis Begin baroque bow and his case were missing. It has been a rollercoaster, Choo told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer on Friday. But at the same time, this has reminded me that Im surrounded by good people. Choo said he has received a surprising amount of support from his Apollo music family and community members. Choo and his support team have searched for the missing violin. They have gone to pawn shops and music stores, but they have not had any luck. Along with Choos other missing valuables, his backpack was also taken. He was able to track his Apple AirPods to Taylor Road and Superior Avenue, but he was unable to retrieve his items. Despite having a rough week, Choo has managed to remain a part of the music community. He borrowed a violin from a friend. On Friday, he played at a family concert at the Rainey Institute, a nonprofit community center that seeks to introduce Cleveland children to the arts. Its like a test of mental resilience, Choo said. As a musician, it is your call of duty to continue to play. Choo, who came to the United States from Singapore in 2012, looks forward to the safe return of his violin, and he hopes the increased reward will entice someone to turn it in. Choo said that when the violin is returned, he wants to play a song for the person who took it. I believe that behind every crime and every bad thing is perhaps someone who may have a difficult life, Choo said. This person already has my forgiveness. Choo initially set the reward for $400. He has since increased it. Anyone with information can contact him at 347-722-1734. COLUMBUS, OhioGov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine have worked for decades to build up a network of free schools for thousands of children in one of the poorest slums in Haiti. But as Haitis government has disintegrated and violent gangs now control most of the Caribbean country, the DeWines work is now at risk. CLEVELAND, Ohio - El Nino has been a meteorological buzzword all winter, a catch-all for explaining warmer temperatures and less snow. This year, Cleveland has seen some of the least snow on record and has had higher-than-average temperatures, classic traits of an El Nino winter. But how does El Nino influence weather conditions heading into the spring? COLUMBUS An unidentified driller asked the state to open all 85 acres of Keen Wildlife Area in Harrison County for oil and gas extraction. This marks the second land lease request in a week to the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission, which is also considering opening Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County for development. Only in America, can a kid without a cent, get a break and maybe grow up to be President. -- Jay and the Americans. CLEVELAND -- I guess its down to me and Donald Trump. Wait. What? Let me explain. I have a confession to make. I ran for president in the New Hampshire Republican primary election on Jan. 23, 2024. I tried to keep it quiet back in my hometown of Cleveland because I knew my friends and family would think that I was crazy. But I have some ideas about saving our great country from the mess that its in that werent being discussed anywhere else. What better way to publicize your ideas than to run for president? I even had an inside connection. My campaign manager, Ken Young, was a good friend from high school who transplanted to New Hampshire 40 years ago. Well, our game plan didnt quite work out as planned, but it was an educational experience. For instance, I was invited to a debate for the lesser-known candidates at Saint Anselm College that was nationally televised on C-SPAN, an honored tradition since 1972. And I was the only Republican quoted on NPRs Morning Edition coverage of the debate. Plus, I was interviewed the day before the election on the same New Hampshire radio program, Jack Heath of WTPL-FMs The Pulse, that President Trump used to promote his campaign on Election Day. I was also interviewed by CNBC, by a Russian journalist representing the Voice of America and by radio stations from France and Italy. Quite the heady experience. So, heres my platform that I shared with anyone who would give me a listen: First: As president, I would forgive all student loan debt and give a rebate to anyone who already paid theirs off. This program has turned an entire generation into indentured servants to the federal government. When I went to college you could pay your tuition working a summer job. We need to make college affordable again. Second: I want to replace our federal income tax with a flat tax that is much more fair and equitable. Our present tax laws are riddled with loopholes and punish anyone who wants to better themselves. Third: We need term limits for the members of Congress just like we have for the president. We dont need any more professional politicians like Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi who spend decades in Washington and are now multimillionaires. Fourth: We have to move the president, Congress and the Supreme Court out of Washington, D.C.s corrupt East Coast beltway into the middle of the country where people still understand the value of a dollar. Then we can finally begin tackling our massive $34 trillion national debt, a debt bomb that is going to blow up in our faces one of these days. My goal was to gain enough votes to send a few delegates to the Republican National Convention in July, where I hoped to shake up the partys establishment. But alas, it was not to be. I came up short, but I was in good company. Only Donald Trump and Nikki Haley were awarded delegates to the convention after the New Hampshire vote. So, I returned home with my tail tucked between my legs. And my secret New Hampshire campaign was out. A number of my friends heard my name mentioned during the early Election Day voting results on CNN and Fox News. However, my 7-year-old grandson, Luke, has not given up on me. Hes been telling his friends to tell their parents that they should vote for me for president. You could be number 26, is his campaign line. Yes, I only received 25 votes. But I told him not to worry. Im demanding a recount. Peter Jedick, a retired Cleveland firefighter, is the author of the self-published 2016 book, Why America Is Bankrupt: Who Did It and How to Save It. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com Car companies continue to develop autonomous vehicles that would one day replace human drivers, even though it did not exactly end well with General Motors' Cruise robotaxis. Regardless, Zoox robotaxis will conduct more tests. Amazon's Zoox Taxi Tests Self-driving taxis are becoming more common in metropolitan cities in the US, particularly in places like San Francisco, Seattle, and Las Vegas. Autonomous taxi service providers are improving their units to be the preferred service, and Amazon is no exception. The retail giant will be conducting tests in California and Nevada at a wider range and higher speeds, all of which will be done during the night. From 35 mph, the robotaxis will now drive at 45 mph and will extend its travel distance from one mile to five miles. Unlike other autonomous vehicles, Zoox doesn't have basic driving controls like steering wheels, pedals, and gear shifters. In other words, passengers will not have the choice to manually assist if things go wrong, adding more importance to the tests. The company said, "Driving in these larger areas exposes our robotaxis to the busiest conditions they've ever encountered," as reported by Reuters. It will even test its vehicles during light rain, which is essential for gathering additional data. Its competitors, namely Waymo, will be conducting more advanced and riskier tests. The Google-owned autonomous driving company announced that it will start operations in Los Angeles, in addition to San Francisco and Phoenix. Like other companies, the ultimate goal is to replace human drivers with the belief that it will be a safer way of transportation. Technologists say that it could be more reliable since autonomy eliminates the human error factor in driving. For now, the autonomous vehicles are being used as robotaxis, but ever since Amazon acquired Zoox back in 2020, there have been speculations that the retail giant plans to use it for deliveries, taking away the need for human delivery drivers. Read Also: Understanding the Potential Threats of Autonomous Vehicle Adoption Meanwhile, Waymo Has Expanded Its Operations Almost two weeks ago, California approved Waymo to operate its robotaxis on highways in certain areas of Los Angeles, meaning that the company will be allowed to drive as fast as 65 mph on local roads as well. Waymo spokesperson Julia Ilina said that the company has no immediate plans to extend its operations to highways and that the expansion will be "careful and incremental," according to The Verge. This could be the best approach especially since Waymo was involved in an incident about a month ago. There's also the protest from San Francisco agencies and other groups, stemming from the concerns over potential accidents. The doubt about autonomous vehicle operations is justified, considering that robotaxis were involved in both minor and serious accidents last year. It's also why Cruise was banned from operating its taxis in San Francisco, following the tragic vehicular incident that resulted in a woman being dragged for 20 feet after she fell victim to a hit-and-run by a human driver. With that said, one mistake could lead Waymo or Zoox to the same fate. Related: Waymo Expands Robotaxi Operations to LA, Offers Free Rides on Selected Areas (Photo : Unsplash/Mariia Shalabaieva) Uber and Lyft have discontinued their service in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities following the City Council's decision to override Mayor Jacob Frey's veto of boosting rideshare drivers' pay. The council voted 10-3 to override the mayor's veto. Council members initially voted 9-4 to approve the new ordinance, but Councilor Emily Koski switched her vote to support the override on Thursday, which takes effect on May 1. Lyft promptly announced it would cease services in Minneapolis on that date, while Uber is withdrawing services across the metro area. Koski changed her stance to review a recent state task force report on rideshare pay, released the day after the council initially passed the ordinance. The Minnesota Labor and Industry Department's Analysis of TNC Drivers' Earnings The Ward 11 council member's recent report proved that transportation network company (TNC) drivers earn below minimum wage and emphasized the importance of upholding worker rights and protections. READ ALSO: Lyft Will Allow Riders To Donate To Charity Through Its Round-Up Program The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's 2022 report studied data from over 18 million rides from 1,800 surveyed TNC drivers, which revealed an average of $14.48 per hour in the Twin Cities, falling below Minneapolis' $15.57 minimum wage. The study suggests paying drivers up to $1.21 per mile and 49 cents per minute for Twin Cities rides would meet the minimum wage requirements and could also include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement benefits. However, the Minneapolis ordinance mandates $1.40 per mile and 51 cents per minute, higher pay than suggested. Frey had initially pushed for $1.20 per mile and 35 cents per minute. The Pay Increase Veto Override Council members Robin Wonsley, Jason Chavez, and Jamal Osman co-wrote the policy, ensuring drivers get 80% of canceled rides and earn at least $5 per ride, which also includes yearly pay raises and limits on wage deductions. Wonsley described it as a David and Goliath situation, where ordinary workers challenged corporate giants and won. He emphasized that "Uber and Lyft want us to believe they are untouchable" and that the status quo cannot be fixed. Still, the vote showed the power of political determination instead. Lyft, Uber Fighting Against A Deeply Flawed Ordinance Both rideshare giants argue that the new ordinance would lead to fewer drivers and make their business models unworkable. Lyft stated the new ordinance is deeply flawed and will cease its operations in the city on May 1. Uber expressed disappointment over the city council's decision and stated it will also end its services in the Twin Cities metro area when the law takes effect, making it the first metro area in the U.S. without Uber. The city council noted that several small startup rideshare businesses are collaborating with the city on licensing and preparing to launch under the new regulations, which leaves the council and Frey ample time to adjust the ordinance before May 1. RELATED ARTICLE: Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash Causing Chaos on Valentine's Day as Drivers Strike Over Incredibly Decreasing Wages 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Unsplash/Arlington Research) Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) lawmaker and a self-described democratic socialist has introduced a 32-hour workweek proposal without any pay reduction, believing it would improve the lives of many Americans. Senator Sanders Pushing for a Shorter Workweek Without Pay Cuts Sander believes that American workers are now over 400% more productive than in the 1940s. Yet, many are still working longer hours for lower pay. Sanders's bill, named the Thirty-Two-Hour Workweek Act, aims to gradually shorten the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours over four years by adjusting the overtime pay threshold for non-exempt employees. The bill mandates time-and-a-half pay for workdays over eight hours and double pay for those exceeding 12 hours to safeguard workers' pay and benefits. It also includes provisions to prevent reduced pay and benefits due to the shorter workweek. European Nations Advocating for a Four-Day Workweek Lawmakers, business leaders, and academics in the U.S. are increasingly advocating for a four-day workweek, but some critics are skeptical about its impact on employers. Sanders highlighted in a fact sheet numerous European nations that have shortened work hours and observed positive outcomes, including France, with 35 workweek hours and ongoing discussions on whether to further reduce it to 32 hours, and Norway and Denmark, which have a 37-hour workweek. READ ALSO: Lamborghini Shift Gears Implements Four-Day Workweek for Staff Without Reducing Wages 4 Day Week Global, a nonprofit organization endorsing Sanders' bill, conducted a study last year where several companies enrolled in a pilot program to trial a six-month four-day workweek. The study revealed that most participating companies observed a general rise in revenue and productivity and have decided against reverting to a traditional five-day workweek. Dr. Dale Whelehan, CEO of 4 Day Week Global, stated that the bill highlights the growing trend of shorter work hours, with evidence showing that reducing work hours brings positive results for businesses, individuals, and the community. Critics' Stances on Shorter Workweek Hours However, critics caution that not all companies can afford shorter work hours without cutting wages. In a previous interview with Fox News, Mary Elizabeth Elkordy, founder of Elkordy Global Strategies, emphasized that companies must maintain their workload, potentially necessitating hiring and training additional staff. Elkordy pointed out that while a four-day workweek could suit certain businesses, such as those with extended hours, such as nurses or firefighters, its feasibility in service-oriented industries where pay correlates directly with time and output may be questionable. Sanders's Push For Equality in The Working Class However, Sanders mentioned that advancements in technology have enabled the reduction of work hours for many Americans. Sanders emphasized that the financial benefits from significant advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, and technology should prioritize the working class, not only the CEOs and wealthy stockholders. Sanders said that it is time to reduce stress and improve Americans' quality of life through a 32-hour workweek without pay reduction. RELATED ARTICLE: Workplace Revolution: 75% of U.S. Employees Believe Four-Day Workweek Could Boost Productivity 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As November's general election creeps closer, it's likely that more political discourse will seep into your social gatherings. For many Americans, these discussions can be uncomfortable, especially if their political leanings differ from those of their friends. In 2020, almost one-fourth, 22%, of registered voters said they have friends who support a presidential candidate they do not, according to data from Pew Research Center. There are a few ways to handle unwanted political talk, says Matt Abrahams, a Stanford University lecturer and communications expert. The key to seamlessly navigating political discourse when you don't want to discuss your views is to "signal understanding, but not necessarily agreement," he says. Here's how. Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen speaks during an interview with CNBC on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, Feb. 20, 2024. Adobe shares closed down nearly 14% on Friday after the company reported first-quarter results that beat estimates but delivered a light quarterly revenue forecast. The move marked the stock's steepest decline since Sept. 15, 2022, when shares closed down 16.8%. The design software company posted adjusted earnings per share of $4.48, above the $4.38 analysts were expecting, according to LSEG, formerly known as Refinitiv. Its revenue of $5.18 billion exceeded the $5.14 billion analysts estimated. For the current quarter, Adobe expects adjusted earnings per share of $4.35 to $4.40, while analysts were expecting $4.38. It said revenue will total $5.25 billion to $5.30 billion, slightly below the $5.31 billion estimated. The company also announced a $25 billion share buyback. Adobe also recently launched an artificial intelligence assistant for its Reader and Acrobat applications that can help users digest information from long PDF documents. Bank of America analysts lowered their price target for Adobe shares to $640 from $700 and reiterated their buy rating of the stock, expressing optimism about Firefly, the company's generative AI image creation tool. "No change to our view that Adobe is a major AI beneficiary," the analysts wrote in an investor note Thursday. "While the monetization ramp is slower than anticipated, Firefly is one of the [most] widely used generative AI offerings, with potential for multiple paths to monetization." Barclays dropped its price target for shares of Adobe to $630 from $700 while maintaining an overweight rating for the stock. Its analysts wrote Friday that they expect the stock to recover and "would be buying this dip because pricing is masking the underlying strength in Creative Cloud." Analysts at Morgan Stanley kept their overweight rating and $660 price target on Adobe stock, writing Friday that "more patience is likely warranted." "A smaller than expected beat in Digital Media Net New ARR likely increases investor concerns around competitive pressures," the analysts wrote. "However a growing number of vectors for monetizing GenAI and new monetizable solutions coming online in 2H24 should help improve the narrative going forward." CNBC's Jordan Novet contributed to this report. (Photo : Unsplash/Solen Feyissa) Following the US House of Representatives' approval of the TikTok ban bill, CEO Shou Zi Chew warned in a recent video of the harm the ban will cost creators and small businesses that could jeopardize over 300,000 jobs nationwide. The bill, now in the Senate, will force TikTok to either be sold by its Chinese owner, ByteDance Ltd., or banned in the US TikTok's Heightened Scrutiny Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has posed a challenge to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, especially among younger users. It has also come under scrutiny from lawmakers for security and mental health issues. Last week, Washington lawmakers received numerous calls from constituents after TikTok users urged them to stop a potential ban on the platform, which has an estimated 170 million American users. However, shortly afterward, the measure progressed unanimously through the House Energy and Commerce Committee with a 50-0 vote. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., committed to bringing the bipartisan bill for a vote before the full House within a week. Chew has consistently defended the app during a heated congressional hearing last March, refuting allegations of providing TikTok user data to Beijing government officials. He outlined plans to store US user data in a Texas-based facility and stated he has not seen any evidence of Chinese officials accessing user data. Chew also emphasized the app's efforts to enhance safety features for younger users, committing to invest two billion dollars in safety initiatives this year. During a Senate Judiciary Committee session in January, Chew emphasized that safety is a fundamental priority for TikTok under his leadership. READ ALSO: Meta Faces Unredacted Complaint, Denying Allegations Linked to Child Exploitation Content TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's Call To Save Businesses Chew's video targets TikTok creators and small businesses, highlighting that a ban would jeopardize their pockets. According to Chew, TikTok matters to small business owners who need to make ends meet, to teachers who inspire students to learn, and to everyone who finds joy on the platform. Chew firmly opposes the TikTok ban, portraying it as a defense for creators and small businesses, vowing to continue fighting and using legal means to protect the platform. Chew urged users to share their stories with friends and Senators to pressure the US government against the TikTok ban, encouraging users to protect their constitutional rights and be heard. Tech Figures Opposing TikTok Ban Tech figures, including Elon Musk, Mark Cuban, analysts Gene Munster and Dan Ives, have varied opinions on the proposed TikTok ban. Mark Zuckerberg was dragged into the debate as Trump claimed on Truth Social that banning TikTok would boost Facebook's business, citing, "I don't want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!" Elon Musk, on the other hand, criticized a potential federal ban on the TikTok app, stating that the proposed bill represents "censorship and government control." RELATED ARTICLE: Meta, X, Tiktok CEOs Grilled Over "Blood in Your Hands" in Children's Online Safety Hearing 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. watch now Calls for a wealth tax on the world's super-rich are once again gaining attention after U.S. President Joe Biden said he would impose a new "billionaire tax" on the country's wealthiest if reelected in November. Outlining his 2025 budget proposals on Monday, Biden took aim at the uber-affluent and reiterated plans for a 25% tax on Americans with a wealth of more than $100 million. "No billionaire should pay a lower tax rate than a teacher, a sanitation worker, a nurse," he said last week, during his State of the Union address. The plans, previously outlined in the president's 2024 budget, reignited a decades-old debate over how best to account for the wealth of the world's richest. The issue has taken on fresh significance this year, however, as governments globally look for new ways to plug dwindling public finances and tackle wealth inequality. This is about the wealthy contributing more ... the extremely wealthy contributing more and being proud to do that. Phil White retired business owner and member of Patriotic Millionaires Last month, global finance ministers meeting for a G20 summit in Brazil said they were exploring plans for a global minimum tax on the world's 3,000 billionaires to ensure the hypermobile super-rich 0.1% pay their fair share to society. Such ideas even have the backing of some of the world's wealthiest. In early 2024, a growing network of so-called Patriotic Millionaires signed an open letter to world leaders, calling for higher taxes for the wealthy. Among the 260 signatories were Disney heiress Abigail Disney and "Succession" star Brian Cox. "This is about the wealthy contributing more to the society, the extremely wealthy contributing more and being proud to do that," Phil White, retired business owner and Patriotic Millionaires co-signatory, told CNBC. But experts are divided over the effectiveness of a wealth tax, and how achievable it is in reality. What is a wealth tax? A wealth tax is a "broad-based" tax on the value of all or most of the assets belonging to a wealthy individual or household, such as cash, property, vehicles, jewelry and other valuable items. Unlike income tax, which is charged against annual earnings, and capital gains tax, which is imposed on profits accrued from the sale of an asset, a wealth tax is seen as a more holistic way of accounting for an individual's total wealth. Such taxes were once prominent in Europe, though implementation dwindled at the turn of the 21st century amid questions over their efficiency and a broader shift toward lower top-end tax rates. Wealth taxes were once a prominent source of tax revenues in Europe, though implementation dwindled at the turn of the twenty-first century CNBC As of 2024, Switzerland, Norway, Spain and are among the few countries to impose some form of wealth tax. But more countries are coming around to the idea. Colombia introduced a wealth tax in 2022, and the Scottish government is among others to have touted proposals. According to Arun Advani, associate professor of economics at the University of Warwick, the most effective wealth tax policies are those that are targeted and specific. "If you want a wealth tax that's actually going to be effective at the top end ... you typically want to start at quite a high threshold," Advani said, noting that historically abandoned policies either came in too low or allowed too many exemptions to generate sufficient tax revenues. A mass money exodus Tax specialists note, however, that even well-designed wealth tax policies can be hard to enforce in practice, with questions arising over which assets should be taxed and who should be responsible for evaluating their value. Indeed, the potential for behavioral shifts is one of the top arguments leveled against wealth taxes. Critics point to the increased risk of a wealth exodus among the highly mobile super-rich, including to tax havens, which they say undermines original efforts to boost government coffers. Business owners are forced to leave the country. This is a great impact for a lot of people, me as well, and it's not sustainable. Tord Kolstad founder and CEO of T. Kolstad Eiendom "We certainly see individuals looking at other countries to see is, is if there was a wealth tax to be introduced would there be merit in moving?" said Christine Cairns, personal tax partner at PwC. In 2022, when Norway increased its wealth tax on residents with assets above 20 million Norwegian kroner ($1.8 million), many flocked to Switzerland. Entrepreneur Tord Kolstad was one of approximately 70 super-wealthy Norwegians who made the move in 2023. "They doubled this taxation from one day to another. This is the reason Norwegian business owners are forced to leave the country. This is a great impact for a lot of people, me as well, and it's not sustainable in the long run," Kolstad, founder and CEO of Norwegian property group T. Kolstad Eiendom, said. Data suggests that wealth tax accounts for only a very small proportion of total tax revenues in the countries where it has been applied. CNBC Researchers are divided on the risks of capital flight from a wealth tax, with some contending that cash outflows would be limited. But they do raise other concerns over the costs of such a policy and its ability to redistribute wealth. Data suggests that a wealth tax accounts for only a very small proportion of total tax revenues in the countries where it has been applied. Often those revenues have failed to increase much over time. "There is more cost on the tax authority side, because they'll definitely need to be doing additional valuations," Advani said. "A different area of cost that you could be worried about is what does it do to, for example, incentives to invest." Addressing wealth inequality Still, proponents argue that the revenues generated from a wealth tax could mark a major step in combatting the wealth gap. Global wealth inequality has risen significantly over recent years, with the richest 1% bagging two-thirds of all new wealth created since 2020, according to Oxfam. The poorest 50% of the global population now own just 2% of total net wealth, while the richest 10% hold 76%. Of that, the wealthiest 1% own around two-thirds. Under Biden's proposals, a 25% tax on those with more than $100 million would raise $500 billion over 10 years to help fund benefits such as child care and paid parental leave. That would lift the average tax rate for America's 1,000 billionaires from 8.2% and bring it in line with the 25% paid by average American workers, according to Biden. According to SONAR, the price of 40-foot containers started its run-up in the U.S. on Jan 3, ranging from $3,063-$3,763 to a peaked on Feb. 9 from $5,353-$7,329. While rates have now declined, U.S. companies are paying more, with rates from Asia to West Coast ports up 155% year-to-date; Asia to East Coast up 129% year-to-date; and Asia to the Gulf Coast up 71.2% year-to-date. While the Red Sea issues have resulted in a shipping container rate spike, Hapag-Lloyd is forecasting a decrease in its earnings this year as costs increase related to the trade diversions from the Red Sea. "The last quarter of 23 was difficult because rates were at unsustainable levels," Jansen said. "I think everybody noticed that. We saw them coming up a bit towards the end of the quarter, and then of course, the Red Sea crisis ... which again changed the market." The company reported a steep drop in its 2023 net profit this week and slashed its dividend, which led to a stock decline. It was the third-best group profit in company history, albeit significantly lower than 2022, which was fueled by container congestion and high freight rates. "We also see that inventories are depleted in many cases and so far we've seen a good recovery after Chinese New Year," Jansen said. "So we've been fairly happy with that." Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, the world's fifth-largest ocean carrier, tells CNBC he has an improved view on trade for the rest of 2024. Conversations with clients and other logistics companies have led the shipping CEO to a more optimistic view on demand in the second half of the year than projected in previous forecasts. Attacks by the Houthis on commercial shipping interests in the Red Sea continue, with a tanker attacked in the Red Sea Friday while underway northbound in the Red Sea, though the tanker was empty at the time and continued on its journey, with no crew injuries reported. The day prior, the tanker was assessed to have been the subject of a near miss 47 miles southeast of Aden, Yemen. "It's a concerning situation and I think the [Red Sea] outlook is very difficult," Jansen said. "We hope that it will be over in a couple of months. But I'm very well aware that despite all the efforts that many countries are undertaking, some also believe that it might last quite a bit longer. In the end, we will do whatever we can to keep our people safe, even if that means that transit times are going to be a little bit longer." The route around the Horn of Africa is longer and more fuel is being burned by container vessels. In addition to the added costs, according to Sea-Intelligence, the Red Sea diversions could increase carbon dioxide emissions by 260%354%. As a result, ocean carriers with Europe-bound vessels will be paying higher emissions liabilities under the EU Emissions Trading System. According to maritime technology firm OceanScore's calculations, with the diversions increasing fuel consumption and sailing speed from 16-20 knots to make up some time, the emissions trading system imposes a 50% liability for voyages either originating from the EU or traveling to it, and 100% liability for ships docked at an EU port or completing transits from one EU bloc port to another. The longer voyages are creating a challenging and costly environment for Hapag Lloyd which has a goal of being net-zero carbon by 2045. "That is definitely a big problem," Hansen said. "Today we have to sail faster and we have to sail more. So that does not help us to achieve those sustainability goals. I would hope, however, that this is a temporary situation and that within some months, we can go back to the Suez and then of course, we can go back to the original trajectory." The ocean carrier industry has added approximately 5% vessel capacity to offset delays and container usage. Hansen says by sailing faster than normal it has increased capacity more in the range of an additional 8%-10% capacity. New ocean alliance with Maersk The reduction in global freight and schedule reliability are headwinds ocean carriers have been facing for months. One way to mitigate these challenges is by reducing operational costs and increasing customer satisfaction through the use of ocean alliances. In January, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced the Gemini alliance, which will take effect early next year. Both carriers say they will achieve a schedule of reliability of greater than 90% once the new network is fully rolled out, which would be a huge improvement, with Sea-Intelligence calculating global reliability at around 51.6%. The Gemini alliance will have both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd jointly allocating around 290 ships. It will be run by using a spoke and hub system similar in other transportation systems. "We believe in the hub and spoke system because it essentially is a system that works also in many other transportation modes," Jansen said. "When you look at the express industry or when you look at air freight, it's a very common and known system. The network is much more resilient than a traditional network where everything goes end to end." "You need more than one bus to run a bus rotation, and it's essentially the same for ships," said Lars stergaard Nielsen, Maersk's vice president of operations for the Americas. "We need to make sure that they go to the right ports at the right time and in the right sequence all over the world." Maersk and MSC, the world's largest carrier, announced they would be discontinuing the 2M alliance in 2025, with Maersk saying reliability as a focus was key in choosing a new partner. "With our new partner, Hapag, we have a very clear focus on making sure we deliver a new level of reliability to our customers," Nielsen said. "For many years, it has been hard to get the reliability much above 50%. So essentially every other shipment would have been delayed." Delayed shipments slow down the turning of containers which are used to move the freight the ocean carriers get paid to move. More efficiency in theory would mean greater container utilization. Peak shipping season outlook In addition to the ongoing Red Sea diversions and Panama Canal drought restrictions, Hansen said U.S. shippers, including most notably retailers, are planning ahead this year for peak shipping season ahead of potential East Coast and Gulf ports strikes, in line with what logistics decision makers told CNBC at one of the world's largest maritime/logistics conferences TPM, held in California last week. "I would also expect that peak season is going to start a little bit early," Hansen said. "I also expect that there'll be quite a number of people who tried to bring in their goods somewhere between June and August." Didi Global, the Chinese ride-hailing company, must face a lawsuit in a U.S. court claiming it defrauded investors by concealing and disobeying a Chinese government order to postpone its 2021 initial public offering until it resolved cybersecurity and privacy concerns. Didi Global, the Chinese ride-hailing company, must face a lawsuit in a U.S. court claiming it defrauded investors by concealing and disobeying a Chinese government order to postpone its 2021 initial public offering until it resolved cybersecurity and privacy concerns. In a 54-page decision on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan federal court said investors who brought the proposed class action sufficiently pleaded that Didi and various officials intended to defraud them in raising more than $4.4 billion in the June 30, 2021 IPO. The offering valued all of Didi at about $67.5 billion. Kaplan said the alleged desire to sell American depositary shares before a looming government crackdown on Chinese technology companies gave Didi and the officials a "concrete and personal economic motive" to go public before "the window for high valuation Chinese IPOs in the United States" closed. Lawyers for Didi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The investors' lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests. The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended the session down 0.2%, giving up earlier gains. Household goods led losses, down 1.8%, while telecoms added 1.5%. European markets closed lower on Friday, as investors remained cautious on the path of inflation ahead of rate decisions by the Bank of England and Federal Reserve next week. It comes after data on Thursday showed the U.S. producer price index, which measures pipeline costs for raw, intermediate and finished goods, rose at a faster-than-expected 0.6% in February. U.S. inflation data is being closely monitored on Wall Street ahead of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting starting next Tuesday. The central bank is widely expected to hold its benchmark interest rate next week, although market participants will be searching for clues about when and by how much the Fed could start cutting interest rates over the coming months. Philip Lane, chief economist at the European Central Bank, told CNBC on Thursday that the ECB must take its time to get interest rate cuts right and the institution will likely have a clearer picture of inflationary pressures in June. Asia-Pacific markets fell on Friday, led lower by Hong Kong's Hang Seng index. U.S. stocks edged lower in morning trade as investors digested the latest inflation reading. Reddit said on Friday that the Federal Trade Commission sent a letter to the company about its data-licensing business related to the training of artificial intelligence systems. "On March 14, 2024, we received a letter from the FTC advising us that the FTC's staff is conducting a non-public inquiry focused on our sale, licensing, or sharing of user-generated content with third parties to train AI models," Reddit said in an updated initial public offering prospectus. Reddit filed for an IPO in February, and plans to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "RDDT." Although Reddit's core business relies on online advertising, the company is seeking to make money in other ways, and is in the "early stages" of its "data licensing efforts," the filing said. Reddit said, "the opportunity does not conflict with our values and the rights of our Redditors," referring to its users and forum moderators. The 19-year-old company has filed to sell shares in its IPO at $31 to $34 each in an offering that would value the business at close to $6.5 billion. Reddit is trying to hit the public market during a historically slow period for tech IPOs. There hasn't been a notable venture-backed tech debut since Instacart and Klaviyo in September. Before that, the market had been largely shuttered since late 2021. Reddit's revenue rose 20% last year to $804 million. About 98% of its sales came from advertising. The remaining 2% includes data licensing. "These programs may subject us to evolving approaches to the regulation of this data and implicates complex and developing data privacy and data protection, misappropriation, and intellectual property laws, rules, and regulations," Reddit said in the updated filing. An FTC spokesperson declined to comment. Reddit said it entered into some data-licensing deals in January with a total contract value of $203 million over two to three years. It expects to recognize at least $66.4 million from these agreements in 2024. The same week that Reddit filed for its IPO, Google announced an expanded partnership with the company, giving the search giant access to data to train its AI models, among other uses. "We believe our growing platform data will be a key element in the training of leading large language models ("LLMs") and serve as an additional monetization channel for Reddit," the company said in its prospectus. Reddit said it's "not surprised that the FTC has expressed interest" in the matter, considering "the novel nature of these technologies and commercial arrangements." "We do not believe that we have engaged in any unfair or deceptive trade practice," Reddit said. "The letter indicated that the FTC staff was interested in meeting with us to learn more about our plans and that the FTC intended to request information and documents from us as its inquiry continues." Reddit noted that any dealings with regulators could be "lengthy and unpredictable" and could result in "substantial costs" and other probes and product changes that could "require us to change our policies or practices, divert management and other resources from our business, or otherwise adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects." Reddit's data-licensing business was at the center of a widespread protest from Reddit moderators, who were upset over the summer when the company announced a pricing change affecting some third-party developers using its application programming interface, or API, to build apps. The company said at the time that the API price hike was necessary to ensure it was adequately compensated by tech companies such as Google and OpenAI, which siphon massive amounts of Reddit data to help train and improve the capabilities of their AI models. But several developers complained that the API update proved too costly for them to continue operating their Reddit apps, which some Redditors used to help them moderate discussions. CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. CNBC's Michael Sheetz reports and curates the latest news, investor updates and exclusive interviews on the most important companies reaching new heights. Sign up to receive future editions. The past week saw a one-two punch of U.S. budgets for federal space programs, with Congress passing the final spending bill for fiscal year 2024 (yes, it started in September) and the White House unveiling what agencies are requesting for fiscal year 2025. With regard to NASA, the budgets make for some dismal reading. A year ago, the space agency was seeking budgets of $27.2 billion and $27.7 billion for 2024 and 2025, respectively. Now, more than $2 billion worth of those ambitions has been shaved off from each year the agency's final 2024 budget passed by Congress was $24.9 billion, and the 2025 request is now $25.4 billion. So what's losing out in the leaner budgets? A quick look at what's different between NASA's budget plan for 2025 as of a year ago versus now reveals that the requests for three of its largest Mission Directorates how its annual budgets are split up at the top end were cut by between $200 million to $400 million, while its Deep Space Exploration Systems (effectively the Artemis program) is $513 million less. And then there's the Science directorate, with nearly $900 million sliced off NASA's prior 2025 ambitions. The policy folks over at The Planetary Society specifically called out the ripple effect of the decreased 2025 request on NASA's science efforts, pointing out the agency is "canceling, delaying, and pitting various missions against others for funding." "If these budgetary trends continue, no top-priority flagship missions will be possible within a balanced portfolio in any of NASA's science divisions," the independent space advocacy organization wrote. Moreover, NASA's budget remains a tiny fraction (less than 0.4%!) of what the U.S. government spends each year, despite its historical economic return-on-investment and continued popularity among taxpayers. Put simply, the request hampers an already comparatively miniscule agency's budget at a time when global space ambitions are in a new era of expansion and exploration. On the military side of things, the Space Force's budget isn't in as rough of shape. But the branch isn't exactly enthused, with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall giving the 2025 request an "acceptable" grade. Space Force's budget has already surpassed NASA's, and the Pentagon is seeking $29.4 billion for the branch in 2025. That's still a cut from the $30 billion the Space Force asked for in 2024. But two of the Space Force's most significant programs for the space industry, NSSL (National Security Space Launch) and PWSA (Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture), are still planning to buy from companies heavily in 2025, with $1.8 billion allocated for NSSL and $1.7 billion for PWSA development. Overall, the federal budget's allocations for space feel bizarrely at odds with the domain's importance to the country, and muted in the context of geopolitical ambitions. Whether civil or military, space is increasingly a priority of governments around the world but the latest funding plans of the most influential spacefaring nation doesn't reflect that. This picture taken from Israel near the border with Gaza Strip shows an Israeli battle tank rolling along the border on March 12, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. At least 29 Palestinians were killed while awaiting aid in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Gaza's health ministry said. In the first incident, Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-ruled strip said eight people were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution center in Al-Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. Later, at least 21 people were killed and more than 150 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a crowd awaiting aid trucks at a northern Gaza roundabout, Gaza's health ministry said. In a statement, Israel's military denied attacking aid centers, describing the reports as "false." "As the IDF assesses the incident with the thoroughness that it deserves, we urge the media to do the same and only rely on credible information," the statement said. The Gaza conflict has displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million population. Chaotic scenes and deadly incidents have taken place during aid distributions as desperately hungry people scrambled for food. On Feb. 29, Palestinian health authorities said Israeli forces shot dead more than 100 Palestinians as they waited for an aid delivery near Gaza City. Israel blamed the deaths on crowds that surrounded aid trucks, saying victims had been trampled or run over. In Deir Al-Balah, also in central Gaza, an Israeli missile hit a house on Thursday, killing nine people, Palestinian medics said. Residents said Israeli aerial and ground bombardments persisted overnight across the enclave, including in Rafah in the south, where over a million displaced people are sheltering. Japan is launching a new high-speed bullet train, or shinkansen, extension on Saturday that will make an under-the-radar prefecture far more accessible to travelers. The coastal Fukui Prefecture is some 185 miles west of Tokyo. The new train will pass through the city of Fukui, the town of Awara and other places guidebooks rarely mention, before reaching the port town of Tsuruga, adding some 78 miles to the Hokuriku Shinkansen's existing Tokyo-to-Kanazawa service. Once it begins on March 16, the route will open a door to a part of Japan known for dinosaurs, Zen meditation and soothing hot-spring baths where few international travelers go. Jurassic Japan Of all the stops on the new extension, Fukui makes the best base for visiting the sights of the prefecture. Dinosaurs are one of the area's main draws, from the robotic replicas at Fukui Station to the local mascot, a smiley, green dino named Juratic, whose face is emblazoned on souvenirs throughout the city. There is good reason for that. Close to 80% of Japan's dinosaur fossils were discovered in Fukui, something the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama does an excellent job of detailing in Japanese and English. Just under an hour from Fukui Station on the trundling Katsuyama-Eiheiji rail line, the cavernous museum houses a collection of remains and exhibits on the existence and demise of dinosaurs, plus life-size animatronics of a menacing Tyrannosaurus rex and a long-necked herbivore. Fossil digs in the connected Katsuyama Dinosaur Park add a hands-on element that's especially well-geared for families. Finding Zen and hot springs On the local train back to Fukui, travelers interested in learning about Zen Buddhism can hop off at Eiheijiguchi Station to go to Eiheiji, a temple and monastery founded in the 1200s by the legendary Zen priest and scholar Dogen. Travelers with a couple of hours can explore the temple buildings, but it's also possible to plan an overnight temple stay that includes options for zazen meditation sessions and traditional plant-based Buddhist meals. A Geisha walks through a performance hall in Awara, Japan. Buddhika Weerasinghe | Getty Images News | Getty Images With an extra day in Fukui, another option is to take the new shinkansen to Awara for a spot of traditional pampering. Like many small hot spring towns in Japan, the reason most people visit Awara is to spend a night at a ryokan inn, where they soak in mineral-rich baths, slip into yukata gowns, unwind in tatami mat guestrooms and indulge in kaiseki-ryori dinners featuring a photogenic array of small in-season dishes. But there is plenty to do in Awara beyond baths and ryokans, with hands-on experiences like glassblowing and ceramics at Kanaz Forest of Creation a 200,000 square-meter forest home to art installations and walking trails. Rural areas also have orchard-picking strawberries in the spring and blueberries, grapes and Asian pears in the summer. The end of the line The new shinkansen service ends in the town of Tsuruga. Arguably, there's less to linger for here, but those with a few hours to spare can visit a few standout sights accessible via the town bus. Suishouhama Beach, near the town of Tsuruga. Arief Juwono | Moment | Getty Images The Kehi-no-Matsubara beachside pine grove is a nationally designated site of scenic beauty. Also along the coast is the Port of Humanity Museum, which details how Jewish refugees from Poland and Lithuania arrived in Tsuruga in the 1940s after being granted special visas by Japanese diplomat Sugihara Chiune. It's estimated that Sugihara saved several thousand Jews from Nazi concentration camps. Travelers can also follow the footsteps of the 17th-century haikuist Matsuo Basho, who visited Tsuruga's Kehi Jingu shrine to see the autumnal full moon during a journey immortalized in the haiku-punctuated travelogue "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." Kehi-no-Matsubara in Tsuruga, Japan. Mixa | Getty Images A participant holds up a placard as members of the LGBTQ community and supporters hand out information packets with chocolate to commuters arriving during the rush hour at Shinagawa Station to raise awareness on marriage equality in Japan on Valentine's Day in Tokyo on February 14, 2024. A high court in Japan on Thursday said the country's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, ruling on a matter that has divided lower levels of the judiciary and put the conservative government at odds with shifting public opinion. Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven industrialized nations that doesn't offer legal protection for same-sex unions. Rights groups say the omission is discriminatory and hurts its appeal as a global business center. Although polls show 70% public support for same-sex unions, they are opposed by the Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Japanese civil code rules that limit marriage to those of the opposite sex are "unconstitutional" and "discriminatory", the high court in the northern city of Sapporo said in its ruling, but dismissed the plaintiffs' claim for damages from the government. "Enacting same-sex marriage does not seem to cause disadvantages or harmful effects," the court said. "It was a long-awaited, delightful ruling which makes me cry," plaintiff Eri Nakaya told reporters after the verdict. The plaintiffs are considering appealing to the Supreme Court to clarify the unconstitutionality of existing law, lawyer Fumiyasu Tsunamori told a news briefing. The government will eye other upcoming court decisions, its top spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a briefing. A photo of a television screen shows French President Emmanuel Macron during a televised address to the nation, made from the Elysee Palace, after signing into law a pensions reform, in Paris, on April 17, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron has doubled down on the possibility of sending troops into Ukraine, a day before a key summit with Germany, which is staunchly opposed to the idea. "We cannot exclude options," Macron said in a joint interview with TF1 and France 2 TV on Thursday, when asked to revisit controversial comments made in late February. At the time, the French leader refused to rule out the prospective deployment of Western troops into Ukrainian territory resulting in scorn from Russia and a backlash from Macron's NATO allies. "What we are doing is giving ourselves red lines," the French president continued Thursday, in comments translated by CNBC, noting that the international community has placed "too many limits in our vocabulary" regarding the war. "If we decide today to be weak, if, in the face of someone who has no limits, who has crossed all the limits we have given him, if we naively tell him: 'I will not go farther than this or that.' In that moment we don't decide peace, we decide defeat." The French leader declined to specify how he envisages a potential troop deployment into Ukraine, stressing instead that "the security of Europe and the security of the French people is at stake here." In response to the comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "France is already involved in the conflict in Ukraine and is not averse to increasing its involvement," according to Google-translated remarks reported by Russian state news agency Tass. The latest statements by Macron once again risk pitting him against NATO allies, who in February distanced themselves from the possibility of their own national military deployment in Ukraine. The alliance members face separate pressure to increase their defense spending to a previously agreed target of 2% of their national GDP, with two-thirds of members set to meet this objective this year, according to the latest projections. "We have the capacity to give Ukraine what it needs. Now we need to show the political will to do so," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed during a press briefing. NATO member contributions have so far been used to supply ammunition and military equipment and maintenance to Ukraine, rather than sending troops into Ukrainian territory a move that would position the alliance closer to war with Russia. Foreign volunteers have assisted both Russia and Ukraine in the war so far, but not as part of any formal military deployment. (Photo : Unsplash/ Brooke Cagle) Comparably's annual Best Global Company Culture list showcases top-rated workplace cultures among large companies (over 500 employees) with an international presence. Rankings are based on feedback from current employees globally who anonymously shared their opinions on Comparably.com in the past year. Nearly 20 aspects of workplace culture were assessed, covering compensation, leadership, work-life balance, professional growth opportunities, and perks. Ratings were collected from February 2023 to February 2024. Uber Uber employees express satisfaction with their compensation package, including pay, stock, equity, and benefits. They rate their colleagues highly, with 803 participants giving them an A+. Most find Uber's meetings effective and look forward to interacting with coworkers. READ ALSO: Five Companies Known for Best and Strong Work Culture Workday Employees at Workday are very satisfied with their colleagues, with 867 participants giving them an A+. Most find Workday's meetings effective and enjoy interacting with coworkers. Additionally, the majority perceive the work environment as positive, with many finding the pace of work comfortable. Around 71% work 8 hours or less, while only 2% have days longer than twelve hours. ADP Culture Employees at ADP are satisfied with their overall compensation, including pay, stock, equity, and benefits. They are particularly pleased with their team, with 1421 participants rating their coworkers highly. Most find meetings effective and enjoy interacting with colleagues. Additionally, the majority view the work environment as positive and feel the pace of work is comfortable. About 68% work 8 hours or less, while only 1% have days longer than twelve hours. Elsevier Employees at Elsevier express high satisfaction with their team, with 2378 participants rating their coworkers highly. Most find meetings effective and enjoy interacting with colleagues. The majority also view the work environment as positive and feel the pace of work is comfortable. About 71% work 8 hours or less, while only 1% have days longer than twelve hours. Proofpoint Employees at Proofpoint are highly satisfied with their team, with 487 participants rating their coworkers highly. Most find meetings effective and enjoy interacting with colleagues. The majority also view the work environment as positive and feel the pace of work is comfortable. About 67% work 8 hours or less, while only 1% have days longer than twelve hours. Informatica Employees at Informatica are very satisfied with their team, with 702 participants giving their coworkers high ratings. Most find meetings effective and enjoy interacting with colleagues. The majority also feel the work environment is positive and that the pace of work is comfortable. About 57% work 8 hours or less, while 2% have days longer than twelve hours. Microsoft Microsoft employees have positive views of their team, productive meetings, and enjoyable interactions with colleagues. The majority perceive the work environment as positive and the workload as manageable. Approximately 55% work 8 hours or fewer, while 8% have more extended workdays. Mastercard Mastercard employees rate their team positively, finding their coworkers of high quality. Most perceive meetings as effective and enjoy interacting with colleagues. They also feel optimistic about the work environment and find the pace of work comfortable. Approximately 53% work 8 hours or less, while 8% have days longer than twelve hours. Netflix Netflix employees express high satisfaction with their team, rating their coworkers highly and finding meetings effective. Most feel positive about the work environment and perceive the pace of work as very fast. Approximately 49% work 8 hours or less, while 16% have days longer than twelve hours. Gympass Gympass employees are highly satisfied with their team, rating their coworkers as excellent. Most find meetings productive and enjoy interacting with colleagues. They also view the work environment positively and consider the pace of work comfortable. Around 67% work 8 hours or less, while only 1% have days longer than twelve hours. RELATED ARTICLE: Top 10 U.S. Companies That Applicants Should Keep an Eye on in 2024 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Open Arms vessel docked in the Cypriot port of Larnaca. - | Afp | Getty Images An aid ship was approaching the Gaza Strip's coastline on Friday with much-needed deliveries for the Palestinian people, as relief organizations warn that thousands in the besieged enclave are on the brink of famine. The ship called Open Arms and run by a Spanish charity of the same name carries around 200 metric tons of supplies including flour, rice and water, from Larnaca port in Cyprus. Video footage from the AFP news agency showed the ship visible off the shore of the Gaza Strip on Friday morning London time. The circuitous route comes as numerous trucks of food and aid await permission to enter the Gaza Strip via either the Kerem Shalom crossing, which borders Israel and Gaza, or the Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt and Gaza. Israel last year agreed to work with Cyprus in setting up an aid corridor across the sea between the European Union member and the Gaza Strip. Earlier this month, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said it welcomed the finalization of the initiative, which it said "will allow the increase of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, after security checks are carried out in accordance with Israeli standards." Juliette Touma, director of communications at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said the lack of humanitarian access had made the situation in northern Gaza significantly worse. "This is where starvation has been identified. We could have prevented that situation, it's a man-made situation," she told CNBC. Citizens queue for food that is cooked in large pots and distributed for free during war-time on December 28, 2023 in Rafah, Gaza. Ahmad Hasaballah | Getty Images "The fact that parts of northern Gaza [are] on the verge of famine, could have been prevented, if more humanitarian supplies including and especially food, were allowed to travel to the North on a regular basis." The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that, as of March 12, 27 people had died of malnutrition and dehydration in hospitals in the north of the enclave, of which 23 were children. There has been a 50% drop in aid trucks to the Gaza Strip in February compared to the previous month, according to Nebal Farsakh, spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society. "If there was one item the Israeli authorities think should not enter, they will stop the whole truck and send it back without telling us the item that was denied access," Farsakh told CNBC from the West Bank. Israeli authorities inspect all aid convoys that enter Rafah crossing and the process is lengthy, Farsakh said. "Thousands of trucks are still waiting at Rafah crossing, but they need to be approved by the Israeli authorities." Trucks carrying humanitarian aid and food supplies at the Kerem Shalom Crossing on the Israel-Gaza border. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said it continues to expand its efforts to enable the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. "The IDF takes great effort to facilitate the entrance of humanitarian aid and acts to enable the entrance of such in a safe and coordinated manner," the spokesperson told CNBC. "A ship carrying humanitarian aid from the WCK (World Central Kitchen) organization and funded by the United Arab Emirates set sail on Tuesday from the port of Larnaca in Cyprus toward the Gaza Strip. This was carried out in coordination with Israeli security and civilian authorities, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel and at the request of the U.S. government," the spokesperson added. On social media site X, the IDF has also accused Hamas of diverting aid, which the Palestinian militant group denies. Blocking aid Several humanitarian and non-governmental organizations have accused Israel of deliberately targeting aid convoys and workers at the Rafah crossing. "On three different occasions, our convoys have been hit either on the way in or out of the North. And in the three different incidents, it was the Israeli army that was responsible. So getting to the North is extremely difficult," the UNRWA's Touma said. An Israeli soldier stands by an Egyptian truck carrying humanitarian aid at the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing with the southern Gaza Strip on January 22, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Menahem Kahana | AFP | Getty Images Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA, said this week on X that a truck loaded with aid "has just been turned back because it had scissors used in children's medical kits." The Israeli army says that scissors are "dual-use" and are deployed by Hamas as weapons. Earlier this month, Refugees International released a report that alleges that Israel is obstructing the entry of life-saving supplies into the Gaza Strip. Jesse Marks from the U.S.-based humanitarian organization told CNBC that, while their report is detailed, "it reinforces what most humanitarian and UN actors know on the ground, that Israeli conduct is consistently impeding aid organizations in Gaza and has blocked legitimate aid efforts from moving forward." Global aid campaigns Israel's siege of the Gaza Strip followed a terror attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 in southern Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and saw more than 240 taken hostage. The subsequent bombardment of the enclave by Israel, and lack of aid to the area, have resulted in growing calls of a worsening humanitarian crisis. It has led countries and organizations from around the world to step up efforts to get food into the Gaza Strip via both air and sea. The United States and Jordan have conducted humanitarian airdrops, although these have been criticized by aid groups which called them "inefficient" because of Israel's land blockade. In this picture taken from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows a military aircraft dropping humanitarian aid over the Palestinian territory on March 12, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Menahem Kahana | AFP | Getty Images Morocco also sent 40 metric tons of humanitarian supplies via Israel's Ben Gurion airport in the latest effort to find new aid routes into the Strip. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the UN World Food Programme used a new land route to deliver six trucks of food directly into northern Gaza for the first time since Feb. 20. The Open Arms charity, which is collaborating with chef Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen organization, said it was working to establish a "vital entry route" into the Gaza Strip for food and necessities. "Although this mission is highly complex, it is undeniably necessary. Our vessel, the Open Arms, is equipped with tons of food and water, and our dedicated crew is ready to assist the most vulnerable," the charity said in a release. WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 14: Celebrity chef Jose Andres (C) joins Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) (L) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) for an interview following a meeting about getting humanitarian aid to Gaza at the U.S. Capitol on March 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. The founder of the World Central Kitchen, Andres is working with the United States and Israel for weeks to make a plan to deliver maritime shipments of aid to Gaza. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images Russians head to the polls on Friday in a presidential election that is all but certain to grant President Vladimir Putin a fifth term in power. Voting will take place over three days, though there is no credible opponent to the incumbent leader. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that Russian attempts to hold elections in occupied territories or to force regional residents to head to the polls would be "illegal" a sentiment echoed by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in a separate briefing, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, skirmishes continued Thursday in the Russian border regions of Belgorod and Kursk as three Ukraine-based Russian paramilitary groups the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Siberia and RDK battalions seek to break into Russian territory. Vladimir Putin at a rally at Manezhnaya Square near the Kremlin on March 18, 2018. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images There are no surprises over who will win Russia's presidential election this coming weekend with incumbent, Vladimir Putin, set to win a fifth term in office, keeping him in power until at least 2030. The heavily stage-managed vote taking place from Friday to Sunday is not expected to throw up any nasty surprises for the Kremlin which told CNBC months ago that it was confident Putin would win the vote comfortably. That's particularly the case in a country where Russian opposition figures are not represented on the ballot paper or in mainstream politics, with most activists having fled the country. Those that have stayed have found themselves arrested or imprisoned or have died in mysterious circumstances, as was the case with jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The Kremlin denied it had any hand in his death. In the 2024 election, there's no doubt who will win the vote; Putin's name is on the ballot paper along with only three other candidates who are part of Russia's "systemic opposition": Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, Leonid Slutsky from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) and Communist Party candidate Nikolay Kharitonov. Seen as token political opponents whose parties are generally supportive of the government, their inclusion on the ballot paper is designed to lend a degree of respectability to the vote, and a semblance of plurality to Russia's effectively autocratic political system. Putin has been in power either as president or prime minister since late 1999 and shows no sign of being ready to relinquish control of the country. He's backed by a loyal inner circle and retains the support of Russia's security services. Reflecting the Kremlin's nervousness over any potential for an electoral upset, however, even candidates who were only marginally representative of the "non-systemic opposition," such as anti-war hopefuls Yekaterina Duntsova and Boris Nadezhdin, were barred from participating in the election by Russia's Central Election Commission. The ban was widely seen as politically-motivated. Looking for a landslide Over 110 million Russian citizens are eligible to vote in the election, as well as an estimated 6 million people living in four partially Russian-occupied territories in the south and east of Ukraine, much to Kyiv's disdain. Putin's approval rating in Russia stands at the highest level since 2016, at 86% in February, according to the independent Levada Center, although analysts like Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, note that Putin's "power model" is heavily reliant on two unstable mainstays: "passive conformism and fear." Both factors have certainly been amplified since Russia invaded its neighbor Ukraine in February 2022, with any perceived criticism of Russia's "special military operation" portrayed as a glorious and patriotic defense of Russia's homeland potentially landing citizens in jail. That 315,000 Russian soldiers are estimated to have been wounded or killed in the conflict is not a subject the Kremlin will go near in public; Russia does not release death or casualty figures. Ukrainian soldiers fire with D-30 artillery at Russian positions in the direction of Klishchiivka as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on August 12, 2023. Diego Herrera Carcedo | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images The Kremlin will be hoping to see high voter turnout this election the first time a presidential vote has been held over three days and is looking for a momentous win for Putin in order to legitimize the war, analysts note. "The Kremlin seeks an election result that would demonstrate overwhelming public support for Putin and, by extension, his domestic and foreign policy agenda," Andreas Tursa, central and eastern Europe advisor at consultancy Teneo, commented Thursday. "The Kremlin is using the electoral contest to reaffirm Putin's legitimacy, mobilize public support for his policies, and showcase unity and determination to its external adversaries," he added, with the Kremlin looking for a "landslide victory." "According to official data, Putin received 77.5% of valid votes in the 2018 presidential election that saw a turnout of 67.5%. This year, both figures could be even higher," he said. "Putin does not face any real competition in the vote and, if needed, electoral authorities have various tools at their disposal to engineer the desired turnout and result. However, the preference is to generate the result with as little interference as possible," he noted. Widespread criticism Rising authoritarianism in Russia, and the erosion of the last vestiges of democracy in the country during Putin's tenure, have provoked widespread criticism and consternation. As such, it's no wonder that the 2024 vote has already been condemned by opposition activists, as well as neighboring Ukraine. Kyiv has been scathing about voting taking place in Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk this week. There have already been reports of coercion and illegitimate voting practices including evidence of armed soldiers accompanying pro-Russian officials, holding ballot boxes, as they go door-to-door to gather votes. Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday that Russia's attempt to "imitate" presidential elections on its territory "demonstrates the Russian Federation's continued flagrant disregard for international law norms and principles." It called the votes illegal and urged citizens in occupied regions not to participate. Russian opposition activists, most in self-imposed exile in order to evade arrest, imprisonment or attack, have also condemned the election. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, pleaded with Russian voters to vote for "any candidate except Putin" and called on citizens to vote en masse at midday local time on March 17, with the intention of overwhelming polling stations. She also asked the West to not recognize the election result. Kremlin opponents have also called on supporters abroad to protest outside Russian embassies this coming Sunday. Dmitrii Moskovii, an opposition activist and representative of the Russian Democratic Society in London, said the protests offered people a chance to show their opposition to Putin and the war. "When we're talking about Russia, we're always talking about an almost authoritarian regime in which there is no freedom of election, we're talking about an election that is obviously and for sure going to be faked by the Russian authorities," he told CNBC Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during a meeting with participants of the International Youth Festival, March 6, 2024 in Sirius territory, Sochi, Russia. Putin is visiting the Stavropolsky Krai and Krasnodar Krai regions in the southern part of the country ahead of the presidential elections scheduled March 15-17. Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images South Korea's financial regulator will look at speeding up the corporate reforms proposed last month and could reportedly add newer measures, after market players voiced concerns the announced steps might not be enough to tackle the so-called "Korea discount." The Financial Services Commission held a meeting on Thursday with domestic institutional investors and the country's pension fund, where vice chairman Kim So-young said the schedule for the reforms announced earlier would be speeded up, according to a Reuters report. "We will do our best to announce and implement before the previously planned schedule, as the market's expectations are high." In a statement issued after the meeting, the FSC said it aims to establish transparent markets, make capital market more accessible and push for shareholder returns to boost South Korea's undervalued stock markets. The regulator said it would also encourage institutional investors to "actively communicate with companies about the need to take voluntary measures to enhance valuations." WASHINGTON The Supreme Court ruled Friday that members of the public in some circumstances can sue public officials for blocking them on social media platforms, deciding a pair of cases against the backdrop of former President Donald Trump's contentious and colorful use of Twitter. The court ruled unanimously that officials can be deemed "state actors" when making use of social media and can therefore face litigation if they block or mute a member of the public. In the two cases before the justices, they ruled that disputes involving a school board member in Southern California and a city manager in Michigan should be sent back to lower courts for the new legal test to be applied. In a ruling written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court acknowledged that it "can be difficult to tell whether the speech is official or private" because of how social media accounts are used. The court held that conduct on social media can be viewed as a state action when the official in question "possessed actual authority to speak on the state's behalf" and "purported to exercise that authority." While the officials in both cases have low profiles, the ruling will apply to all public officials who use social media to engage with the public. During October's oral argument, Trump's use of Twitter before it was renamed X was frequently mentioned as the justices considered the practical implications. The cases raised the question of whether public officials' posts and other social media activity constitute part of their governmental functions. In ruling that it can, the court found that blocking someone from following an official constitutes a government action that could give rise to a constitutional claim. But the court made it clear that conditions have to be met for a claim to move forward, with Barrett noting that government officials are also "private citizens with their own constitutional rights." Determining whether a claim can move forward is not based simply on whether the person is a government official, but on the substance of the conduct in question, she added. Factors such as whether the account is marked as official and the official is invoking his or her legal authority in making a formal announcement can be taken into account, Barrett said. "In some circumstances, the post's content and function might make the plaintiff's argument a slam dunk," she added Trump himself was sued when he was president, with the courts ruling against him, noting that he often used his Twitter account to make official announcements. But that lawsuit was tossed out as moot once he left office in January 2021. At that point, Twitter had disabled Trump's account, although the company's new owner, Elon Musk, has reversed course as part of a major overhaul that has included changing the site's name. In other disputes, however, courts have reached other conclusions. The California case arose after two members of the Poway Unified School District Board of Trustees, Michelle O'Connor-Ratcliff and T.J. Zane, blocked parents Christopher and Kimberly Garnier from commenting on their Facebook page in 2017. O'Connor-Ratcliff also prevented Christopher Garnier from responding to her Twitter posts. Zane has since left office. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 ruled for the couple, upholding a similar decision by a federal judge in the Southern District of California. The appeals court concluded that the elected officials were acting in their official capacities. The dispute in Michigan began in March 2020, when Port Huron City Manager James Freed, an appointed official who described himself on his Facebook page as a "public figure," posted information there about the city's efforts to deal with the Covid pandemic. After resident Kevin Lindke posted comments criticizing the city's response, Freed blocked him. Freed argued that the no-longer-active Facebook page was a personal page that he used to share pictures of his family and comment on his daily activities. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, upholding a lower court decision, agreed in June 2022 that Freed was not acting in his official capacity and that therefore his Facebook activity did not constitute state action. Freed's page was somewhat different from the ones at issue in the school board case because it included a lot more personal content, making it much less clear whether it was an official page. The court is wrestling with a whole series of social media-related free speech issues in its current term, which runs until June. The Tesla logo is captured on a sign outside a shops in Zurich on Nov. 13, 2023. An Indiana jury found that electric vehicle maker Tesla and one of its employees were partially liable in a 2017 crash between a company-owned Ford truck and a motorcycle that left the motorcyclist with a partial amputation, permanent disfigurement and a traumatic brain injury. Tesla and the employee, Kyle Kaszuba, must pay more than $42 million in damages to the victim, Christopher Dugan, a Marion County jury said in a Wednesday verdict. The jury found that Dugan was 30% liable for the crash, reducing the award from $60 million to $42 million. Dugan's attorneys had reportedly been seeking an award of $191 million. The crash occurred while Kaszuba was operating a 2014 Ford vehicle owned by Tesla either with the permission of Tesla or while working in his capacity as a Tesla employee, Dugan alleged in his initial complaint. Dugan had exited an Indianapolis gas station and was in the "right-hand traffic lane" when Kaszuba, operating the Tesla-owned Ford Super Duty, "carelessly" drove the vehicle across two lanes of traffic while attempting to turn into a parking lot near the gas station, according to the complaint. Kaszuba allegedly crashed the truck into Dugan's motorcycle, throwing Dugan off the motorcycle and causing Dugan to sustain devastating injuries, "a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendants, Tesla, Inc., and Kyle Kaszuba," per the complaint. Tesla's attorneys from Quinn Emanuel had argued that Kaszuba was not negligent in his actions and that Dugan was closely following a vehicle that made it difficult for the Tesla employee to see him, according to Courtroom View Network. An attorney for Dugan, Nick Rowley, argued that Kaszuba was in a rush to get to work, according to CVN. The gas station near where the crash occurred is located just outside of a ramp to I-465, the ring road that encircles Indianapolis. Tesla did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. CNBC's Lora Kolodny contributed to this report. Meta Platforms and Salesforce stole most of the recent dividend thunder this year thanks to their surprise decisions to start making quarterly payouts to investors. But a group of the Club's existing dividend payers also boosted their distributions in 2024, offering signs of confidence in their businesses. The hikes also sweeten the potential total return for their stocks at a time when some Wall Street strategists are shining a light on that performance metric. Seven of our dividend-paying companies announced bumps to their payouts, led by Disney , which in February lifted its semi-annual payout by 50%, to 45 cents a share, only a few months after it reinstated its dividend after a pandemic-related pause. Meanwhile, TJX Companies and Danaher disclosed 12.8% and 12.5% increases to their quarterly dividends, respectively. Eaton Corp. , Linde , DuPont de Nemours , and Coterra Energy round out the list of dividend hikers to date though other Club holdings with track records of annual increases, like Procter & Gamble , are expected to follow in the coming months. DuPont's distribution date is Friday, while the others are slated for the coming weeks. Investors should generally welcome dividend payouts even if the annualized yield is fairly small and not the primary reason for owning a stock. The reason is that reinvesting the money in the stock to accumulate more shares unlocks the magic of compound returns , increasing what's known as "total return." That performance metric captures not just stock price moves but also gains from reinvested dividends. Steady dividend growth combined with stock price appreciation improves total return over time. And when it comes to investing, total return is what really matters. Additionally, investors typically view dividend increases as a healthy sign for the company, assuming that management would only commit to a higher payout if it had the cash flows to support it. Note: Disney's dividend is paid out semi-annually, rather than quarterly. Some on Wall Street see dividends growing in importance. "We believe that we are now in a total return world in which the contribution of dividends to total market returns could be significantly higher than it was in the last decade, a period marked by falling cash yields and lofty price returns," Bank of America strategists led by Savita Subramanian wrote in a note to clients Thursday. The difference between stock price performance and total return can be substantial, underscoring the benefits of reinvesting dividends. Consider that over the past 10 years, Linde's stock price has climbed 260%, according to FactSet. In the same period, the cumulative return for Linde, which has raised its dividend in 31 consecutive years, is a much larger 337%. Eaton's stock price has climbed 321% over the past decade while its total return is 462%. Despite our strong recommendation that members reinvest their dividends, the Club is unable to practice what we preach as a charitable trust. All dividend payouts collected and realized capital gains are distributed to charity at year-end. We made our 2023 donation, which totaled $157,459, this week. Since its inception, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust has donated about $4.3 million. Currently, 27 of the Club's 32 stocks pay dividends, including Meta Platforms and Salesforce, which made the unexpected announcements to begin doing so alongside their most recent earnings reports. The exceptions are Amazon , Google parent Alphabet , Palo Alto Networks , Bausch Health , and Foot Locker , which last year paused its quarterly payout amid its turnaround efforts. Some Club holdings raised their dividends in December, including Abbott Laboratories , Broadcom , and Eli Lilly . Also in December, Costco Wholesale announced its long-awaited special dividend, which came in at $15 a share and was paid out on Jan. 12. Ford Motor in February joined the special-dividend party, announcing a payout of 18 cents per share that was received earlier this month. Ford's base dividend of 15 cents a share has been in place since the summer of 2022. Who could be next Not every company raises its dividend annually. Nvidia , for example, has kept its very small quarterly payout equal now to a 0.02% annualized yield steady for the past few years. Others like Procter & Gamble have developed a track record of increases. Cincinnati-based P & G has raised its dividend for 67 straight years, and the consumer products giant is widely expected to do so again this spring. The company typically announces its raises in April. P & G has long been designated a dividend aristocrat, a crown given to companies that have raised their dividends annually for at least 25 years in a row. Linde and Stanley Black & Decker are also in that camp. Apple doesn't match P & G's reputation as a dividend payer, but since resuming payouts in 2012, the iPhone maker has been known to increase it annually in late April or early May. Costco also has historically bumped its base dividend payout in April. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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. People walk outside of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on September 05, 2023 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images News | Getty Images In this courtroom sketch, former U.S. president Donald Trump appears by video conferencing before Judge Juan Merchan during a hearing before his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, May 23, 2023. The trial in the New York hush money case against former President Donald Trump has been delayed until the middle of April, Judge Juan Merchan ruled Friday. Merchan said the trial originally scheduled to begin March 25 would be pushed back 30 days from Friday. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had previously said he would support the trial being delayed 30 days, into late April. Trump's legal team requested that it be postponed 90 days. Bragg said Thursday that Trump's request to delay the trial was the result of the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan providing over 100,000 pages of discovery, which Bragg said were "largely irrelevant to the subject matter of this case." The U.S. Attorney's Office provided an additional 15,000 pages of discovery on Friday, which Bragg's office said were also "likely to be unrelated to the subject matter of this case." The documents relate to Michael Cohen's guilty plea in 2018 to numerous criminal charges, including making secret payments to women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, lying to Congress about Trump's business dealings with Russia and failing to report millions of dollars in income. Bragg's office brought the case against Trump, accusing the former president of falsifying business records related to Cohen's $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels toward the end of the 2016 presidential campaign. In mid-February, Merchan scheduled the trial to begin on March 25. He said he expected it would last about six weeks. He had made clear he wasn't interested in postponing the trial, as Trump's lawyers had requested. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payments to Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty. President Joe Biden announces the cancellation of an additional $1.2 billion in student loan debt for about 153,000 borrowers, at meeting with community at Culver City Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, CA. The White House is talking up its actions to reduce the expenses burdening students, including moving to end origination fees on student loans. The "reforms would save students and borrowers billions in unnecessary fees and improve the college and loan repayment experience," according to a statement from the Biden administration released on Friday. While most private lenders have done away with student loan origination fees, the federal government still charges them. Federal student loan borrowers can face expenses of 1% to 4% of their total borrowing amount. President Joe Biden's 2025 budget, released earlier this week, calls for the end of these fees. The White House said on Friday it considers these expenses to be "junk fees," defined as "hidden costs or surprise fees that companies and institutions include on customer or student bills, increasing their costs." Consumer advocates praised Biden's efforts. "By eliminating origination fees on federal student loans, borrowers should be able to borrow less to cover their costs," said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit. More from Personal Finance: Why gas is so expensive in California Credit card users face 'consequences' from falling behind After Biden praises progress on inflation, economists weigh in Around 7 million undergraduate, graduate and parent student loan borrowers pay origination fees, which the White House described as "nothing more than a tax imposed on students by the government, costing consumers more than $1 billion annually." A typical teacher or nurse taking out federal loans for undergraduate and graduate degrees will pay $1,000 or more over the life of their loan because of these fees, the White House said in Friday's statement. "Parents often fare even worse, with the average parent borrower paying out an additional $2,800 or more," it said. Ultimately, the elimination of these fees would require an act of Congress, said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. But, he said: "There is bipartisan support for such a change." The ransomware attack on UnitedHealth's Change Healthcare subsidiary last month not only brought to light how attractive the data-rich U.S. health-care industry is to hackers and how devastating the consequences for patients and doctors, but also how sophisticated cyber criminals are becoming when targeting vulnerable sectors. The breach, which took place more than three weeks ago, prompted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week to launch an investigation into UnitedHealth. In a statement, the HHS Office for Civil Rights said it's investigating the cyberattack due to its "unprecedented magnitude." Change Healthcare is the largest clearinghouse for insurance billing and payments in the U.S. Since the February 21 attack, the thousands of doctors, hospitals and other health providers that depend on Change Healthcare for billing reimbursements have not been paid as the company works to bring its systems back online. UnitedHealth told CNBC in a statement that it will cooperate with the investigation from the OCR. "Our immediate focus is to restore our systems, protect data and support those whose data may have been impacted," the company said. "We are working with law enforcement to investigate the extent of impacted data." The breach, no doubt, is a nightmare for health providers who claim they are running out of cash to run their practices as they wait for Change Healthcare payments, as well as for consumers who are seeing delays in getting prescriptions filled or procedures approved. But it also underscores a much bigger problem: the vulnerability of the entire U.S. health-care sector. Going after companies that will pay Sumedh Thakar, CEO of cybersecurity company Qualys, said while the digitization of the U.S. health-care system has moved patient care forward, it's also amplified the need for better understanding and protection against every new cyber threat. "Why are hackers going after health care? Because they are looking at organizations that are most likely to be scared and therefore will pay," he said. By Park Han-sol As the oldest art fair in Korea, the Galleries Art Fair is gearing up for its return to full scale in early April, with hopes of serving as a barometer for gauging the countrys art market for the year ahead. As always, we are the first large-scale, major fair to open the year, which means that well be a gauge of the Korean art market in 2024, said Hwang Dal-seung, president of the Galleries Association of Korea, during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. In consideration of the current sluggish market, we have drastically reduced the participation fee for galleries. The five-day event, running from April 3 to 7 at COEX in southern Seoul, is joined by 156 domestic exhibitors, maintaining its record high from last year since its establishment in 1979. The event is exclusively open to some 170 homegrown dealers that are members of the association. Among the big-name returnees are Kukje Gallery, Hakgojae Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, Johyun Gallery and PKM Gallery. For the upcoming edition, the organizer has encouraged participating galleries to prioritize showcasing the latest works of emerging local creatives so that the fair can better highlight forward-looking contemporary Korean art and its rising stars, Hwang noted. He emphasized the growing significance of Galleries Art Fair as an affordable platform for young galleries and creators, especially when compared to its more high-end, international counterpart, Kiaf Seoul. Kiaf Seoul, also hosted by the association, runs alongside Frieze Seoul in September. The ZOOM-IN exhibition will return for its fifth iteration with an aim to introduce Korean artists under 39. Ten featured creatives, several with backgrounds in Eastern paintings, have been selected from a pool of 570 applicants. The top three prize recipients will be determined through a combination of on-site votes cast by visitors and judge evaluations on April 7. Following Galleries Art Fairs run in April, the Galleries Association of Korea is set to inaugurate another local fair in June in the Gwanggyo neighborhood of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The event, primarily focused on presenting a diverse range and size of mediums put forth by emerging artists, will be an even more accessible entry point for the group of younger collectors in their 30s and 40s, according to the organizer. In view of the ongoing developments in Haiti, a 24-hour Control room has been set up at @MEAIndia to provide information and assistance. In addition, a 24-hour emergency helpline has been set up at @IndiainDR. Press Release: https://t.co/8jTNI8ONRV pic.twitter.com/ghDQWUpLxC Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 15, 2024 The Ministry of External Affairs has set up a 24-hour Control room to monitor the situation in the Caribbean country Haiti and provide information and assistance. The contact details of the Control Room are: 1800118797 (Toll free), +91-11-23012113, +91-11-2301410, +91-11-23017905, +91-9968291988 (Whatsapp), and situationroom@mea.gov.in.The Embassy of India in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Haiti, has also set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, the government said.The government of Haiti on March 3 declared a 72-hour state of emergency and nighttime curfew in a bid to regain control of the streets after an explosion of violence over the weekend saw armed gang members storm the country's two biggest prisons. In a span of less than two weeks, several state institutions were attacked by the gangs, who chose unthinkable targets like the Central Bank.On Monday, the country's prime minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign once a transitional presidential council is created. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the European Union would face an existential threat of a Russian invasion unless Vladimir Putins forces are defeated in Ukraine.Who can think for a second that President Putin, who hasnt respected any of his limits or commitments, would stop there? Macron asked during a joint interview with TF1 and France 2 television channels on Thursday. The security of Europe and French people are at stake.He spoke ahead of a meeting with Polish and German leaders in Berlin on Friday at which hes expected to try to rally key Western allies behind Kyiv and step up Western support.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys troops are running desperately short of ammunition as they battle to hold off the Russian advances, fueling fears that a defensive collapse could see Putins forces closing in on Kyiv once again. For their part, European nations have struggled to maintain unity, bickering over what kind of equipment to provide and whether to consider sending troops into Ukraine.For a few years weve been living in a world where what we thought unthinkable is happening, Macron said. War is on European soil there is less than 1,500 kilometers between Strasbourg and Lyiv.Macron sparked tensions with allies two weeks ago by saying nothing should be ruled out when asked about putting boots on the ground in Ukraine. He argued strategic ambiguity was needed to deter Moscow. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the White House swiftly rebuffed the option, while Putin warned NATO risks a nuclear conflict if it sends troops to aid Ukraine.Macron has sought to take a lead in Europe on support for Ukraine, organizing a leaders summit in Paris at which countries agreed on a plan to source much-need ammunition for the Ukrainian military outside the European Union, and signing bilateral defense pacts with Ukraine and Moldova. Last week he sent his top diplomat to Lithuania to drum up support from the Baltic states, which praised his sense of urgency.At the same time, Scholz has faced criticism for refusing to agree to Kyivs request to provide it with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. The chancellor has instead highlighted that Germany is one of Ukraines most generous backers, pledging military assistance worth around $30 billion.While the meeting in Berlin wont be a game changer, it is the last chance for Scholz and Macron to mend their ties ahead of Junes EU parliament election and the appointment of a new NATO leader further in the summer, the Eurasia Group said in a note.It is good that we are coming together in the Weimar Triangle format at this time, Scholz told reporters Wednesday. It is of course right to sit down and talk to each other now, he added, while citing ammunition and artillery to Ukraine as urgent matters to be discussed. Scholz insisted his relationship with Macron is very friendly. Over the next two years, generative artificial intelligence (genAI) will force organizations to address a myriad of fast-evolving issues, from data security to tech review boards, new services, and most importantly upskilling employees. By 2027, AI will represent 29% of organizational spend, according to IDC President Crawford Del Prete, who spoke Thursday at the IDC Directions conference in Boston. This year alone, the average enterprise will spend $28 million dollars on genAI initiatives, based on data from a February IDC survey. In all, organizations will spend $150 billion on genAI tech initiatives by 2027, with a total economic impact of $11 trillion, according to IDC. Similarly, through 2026, tech providers expect to allocate 50% of R&D staffing and capex investments toward AI and automation. Forty percent of services engagements will also include genAI-enabled delivery, triggering a shift in human-delivered services. Enterprises are going to be going through a foundational shift; that includes hardware, software and data centric platforms, Del Prete said. IDC/Lucas Mearian Through 2025, 75% of organizations are expected to create AI implementation review boards; 40% will be looking to increase their outsourced AI services, including AI delivery; and 40% of new applications are expected to be more intelligent, as developers incorporate genAI to enhance existing and new use cases, according to a recent CIO survey by IDC. Over the last year, most organizations debated creating Chief AI Officers and centers of excellence to decide how to embed AI and create new business centers for new AI-enabled products and services, said Rick Villars, group vice president of IDCs Worldwide Research division. IDC On stage at IDC Directions, from left to right: IDC Group Vice President of Worldwide Thought Leadership Philip Carter; Group Vice President of Worldwide Researh Rick Villars; and IDC President Crawford Del Prete. CIOs are also rethinking their capital investment plans and staffing needs based on AI initiatives, according to Villars, including how AI will affect an organizations long-term revenue and profitability. Most organizations are likely to choose a hybrid approach to building out their AI plans that is, companies will partner with service providers while also customizing existing AI platforms such as ChatGPT, as well as building their own proprietary, but smaller, AI models for specific use cases. All applications you buy will become more intelligent, but make sure to not be redundant with the applications youre building in house, Del Prete warned. That will be a big, big part in efforts going forward. In fact, 60% of enterprises will likely underperform on their genAI initiatives by failing to engineer connections between data, AI models, and the genAI applications they adopt or create. The top five challenges to AI adoption will be: The top challenge, according to Del Prete: finding skilled workers or upskilling existing staff to address the shift in genAI internal rollouts as well as new AI-enabled products and services. IDC/Lucas Mearian Employee knowledge or training on large language models (LLMs) and genAI tools remains a top barrier to proper implementation, according to an October Harris Poll. That survey, conducted on behalf of Insight Enterprises, found that a majority of business leaders have been tasked with helping their company define the ROI from genAI. However, only 15% consider the costs of implementation, including technical debt due to outdated infrastructure, initial financial investments, and ongoing maintenance costs. The results of a more recent survey by global content and tech firm Thomson Reuters found that nearly 90% of respondents expect basic AI training to become mandatory for all professionals over the next five years. Phil Carter, group vice president of IDCs Worldwide Thought Leadership Research, said organizations shouldnt expect an immediate ROI from their investments. Like other major economic shifts, such as arrival of the tractors for farming, the arrival of genAI technology can take decades to achieve widespread adoption and ROI. IDC/Lucas Mearian "Tractors [invented in the late 1800s] promised to transform the agricultural industry and liberate farmers from mules and horses, Carter said. By 1940, only 23% of farmers owned a tractor. Like farming tractors, AI will require understanding of use cases, a willingness to spend significant revenue on buying the technology, working out problems with genAI's use and training workers. For example, travel site Expedia announced last year it had rolled out a ChatGPT bot to assist travelers in planning their trips. The bot, for instance, could recommend activities once a traveler reached a destination. While it was used by consumers, Carter said there was no material business impact, according to Expedias CEO Peter Maxwell Kern. The payback from genAI, however, can be tremendous, Carter said. By 2026, companies that master their deployments will double their growth over competitors through the creation of new internal efficiencies, and customer experiences and services. Every organization considering an genAI strategy will have to create a AI governance-by-design program, including an internal data model and usage governance model. In that way, data security and AI governance will come together, Carter said. The problem, however: only 36% of CIOs are currently building out AI governance programs, according to IDCs survey. Another concern for many has been the fear that genAI will kill jobs. Carter and others, however, are adamant that while the technology may change how employees perform their work, it will alleviate workers from mundane tasks and allow greater creative freedom. Last year, multi-national home furnishing store IKEA announced an AI-driven skills strategy to retrain more than 8,500 call center agents to serve as interior design advisors while allowing an AI bot to handle almost half of all common consumer inquiries. As a result, the company said it is not seeing a reduction in headcount due to AI. In another case study Carter presented to a packed house of attendees, an unnamed companys call center agents were able to use genAI to summarize customer call transcriptions; the technology saved each agent an average of two minutes per call, leading to a 25% productivity gain and the ability to jump onto the next call faster. This fear of AI taking our jobs; we hear a lot about that, Carter said. This is about someone who knows how to use AI better than you. We have to embrace these technologies to know how to do our job better. While training staff will be key to employee comfort with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney or other AI assistants, organizations need to start by training leaders in AI proficiency and change management. Apple has quietly acquired yet another AI startup, Canadas Darwin AI, a company focused on machine vision intelligence, smart manufacturing, improved machine learning efficiency and edge-based intelligence. All of these seem critical to Apples future plans. Who is Darwin AI? As reported by Bloomberg, several members of the Darwin AI team have now joined Apple. Ostensibly a visual quality inspection company, Darwin AI was developed to provide electronics manufacturers with a tool to improve product quality and production efficiency. A note on Arm.com suggests DarwinAIs patented Explainable AI (XAI) platform was in use across a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Audi, BMW, Honeywell, and Arm. That site also explains that the technology was used in the development of Covid-Net, an open source system to diagnose COVID-19 via chest x-rays. (The company was also declared a cool vendor in Gartners October 2019 Cool Vendors in Enterprise AI Governance and Ethical Response report. While Darwin AIs Twitter/X and YouTube feeds have been deleted, a four-year old video providing some insight into how the tech works is still available via Arm Software Developers/YouTube. Still, four years is a very, very long time in AI tech innovation particularly for a company whose co-founder, Alexander Wong, was in 2021 ranked as one of the worlds leading scientists by Stanford University. A tool for smart industries In July 2023, CEO Sheldon Fernandez explained to SMT007 Magazine (p.16) that the company was, leveraging our latest tools in deep learning to do visual inspection of PCBs in a compelling way. There are challenges to systems of this kind. Because they lean deeply on imagery, The AI can be great, but if the images are blurry, theyre not high resolution, or it doesnt work with their workflow, it wont be an effective product, he said. Fernandez pointed out that the AI his company developed could be trained to have a full understanding of a new PCB design in a couple of minutes. It can then take its seat on the production line, accurately monitoring product quality and detecting faults in real time. He also noted that the system becomes more accurate over time: Sometimes well bring up a system for a client thats 93% accurate, but within a couple of months were at 97%, he said. At the time, he argued that true robotic factories are in reach, saying the industry now anticipates AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) will appear around 2026. (Think ChatGPT on steroids.) It is also worth noting that Darwin AIs tech also has implications for healthcare tech, with funder Alexander Wong being the Canada Research Chair in Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence. So, theres a sea of possibilities to unlock in that as well. Robots that teach each other Another strand to the companys bow was revealed in an August 2023 Manufacturing Automation piece, which reported Darwin AIs involvement in "federated learning" research. This explored how robots can learn from each other without sharing their training data. The reports focus was on how robots could federate their learning without leaking company secrets. In incredibly over-simplistic terms, it works a little like this: Robots equipped with cameras learn to recognize different items and use a suitable picking method. With thousands of items to learn, building enough data for the AI is time-consuming. By working with lots of robots across multiple organizations, the data pool expands exponentially, As each robot learns, this information is share with a central machine learning server. That data can then be shared across robots across multiple companies, with no secrets revealed. Why this matters is that it in theory enables much faster creation of effective AI models while maintaining data privacy and security which meshes well with Apples overall approach to this technology. By using distributed learning, also known as federated learning, we are able to strike the right balance between having a wide range of data available and keeping data secure in the industrial environment, said Jonathan Auberle, of the Institute of Materials Handling and Logistics (IFL) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). KIT led the research. Data that flies? Send less data Yet another facet to Darwin AIs work lay in developing an AI fit for edge computing using 5G. A report from 5G Innovation Lab explained why networks are so important, In the Industry 4.0-enabled smart factory, computers are connected and talk to each other. Lines are fully automated and controlled by robots. Autonomous vehicles transport goods to and from work cells. All of this generates data that must be moved from the edge where it is created to the central server where it is analyzed. Indeed, the news comes as use of AI in manufacturing begins to proliferate, even as mobile networks build wireless technologies (network slicing, SD-WAN, etc) designed to support large numbers of connected devices across private networks built for resilience against hacking and also to deliver high QoS levels, as I noted elsewhere. What Apple might do With so much focus on manufacturing on the Darwin AI resume, it seems plausible Apple might deploy some of the tech on its own production lines. Doing so could help the company on its quest to build a circular manufacturing system and drive efficiencies on its increasingly global network of iPhone production lines. But the capacity to build effective machine-learning models using data in a private way will also be useful for a company with over one billion actively used devices in circulation. And the ability to minimize the data that must be transported on the network also has significant effect, particularly as Apple is thought to be developing AI models that perform almost entirely at the edge. The capacity to share insights between machines while maintaining user privacy and security might help generate the kind of high-quality data the very best AI systems are going to need. It's hard not to connect the dots and its really hard not to see a synergy between these systems and Vision Pro. After all, with automated systems ready to spot faults on the production line, its an obvious next move for a chief engineer to use the Vision Pro to take a closer look before despatching any incident response team. Thats just one of many implications, of course. But as the torrent of AI-related Apple news turns into a flood, youd better begin placing your bets on exciting AI-related news announcements as Apple prepares for WWDC. After all, the internet of things already exists now they just need to work better together. Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe. By Lee Yeon-woo Investors who have suffered financial losses from equity-linked securities (ELS) tied to the performance of the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index are voicing their dissatisfaction with the government's recently announced compensation guidelines. They are even considering the possibility of a class action lawsuit if the dispute resolution process fails to offer "adequate" compensation. On Friday, they staged a protest in front of NH NongHyup Bank headquarters in Seoul, demanding a reevaluation of the compensation proposal. "The compensation plans have been designed purely to benefit the banks, without considering the positions of the 'victims.' This is unacceptable," said Gil Seong-ju, the leader of the group. Gil denounced the banks' recommendations of the products as "financial fraud," stating that the group believes the base compensation rate should be at least 60 percent to 70 percent. "We will assess the adequacy of the compensation provided by each bank based on their voluntary schemes. Should these not align with investors' interests, we are prepared to pursue collective dispute resolution, and resort to a class-action lawsuit if necessary," he said. Their dissatisfaction arose after the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced compensation guidelines on Monday. These guidelines, which financial companies can apply voluntarily, are expected to cover from 20 percent to 60 percent of some investors' losses. Starting in April, the FSS will formally begin the dispute resolution process by selecting key cases of mis-sold ELS and establishing a mediation committee. However, there's a prevailing market expectation that achieving a level of compensation satisfactory to investors could be challenging, given that the process is guided by predetermined guidelines. In addition, banks are anticipated to take a conservative stance in calculating compensation ratios, driven by concerns over potential repercussions. They are currently conducting simulations in line with these guidelines to estimate the likely compensation amount. The situation could prompt investors to take legal action against the banks. Skepticism also exists about whether pursuing litigation would be more advantageous than accepting the voluntary compensation offered. "ELS products, which are typically distributed through public offerings, usually have fewer obvious structural flaws. This makes it challenging for investors to secure higher compensation amounts through lawsuits unless there is a clear instance of mis-selling," a lawyer specializing in financial investments said on condition of anonymity. Microsoft this week pushed out 61 Patch Tuesday updates with no reports of public disclosures or other zero-days affecting the larger ecosystem (Windows, Office, .NET). Though there are three updated packages from February, they're just informational changes with no further action is required. The team at Readiness has crafted this helpful infographic outlining the risks associated with each of the March updates. Known issues Each month, Microsoft publishes a list of known issues that relate to the operating system and platforms included in the latest update cycle; for March, there are two minor issues reported: Windows devices using more than one monitor might experience issues with desktop icons moving unexpectedly between monitors or see other icon alignment issues when attempting to use Copilot in Windows. Microsoft is still working on the issue. For Exchange Server, Microsoft published an advisory note: after you install the latest security update there is no longer support for the Oracle OutsideIn Technology (OIT) or OutsideInModule. For more information, see this service update. February was not a great month for how Microsoft communicated updates and revisions. With March being an exceptionally light month for reported known issues for desktop and server platforms, our team found no documentation issues. Good job Microsoft! Major revisions This month, Microsoft published the following major revisions to past security and feature updates including: CVE-2024-2173, CVE-2024-2174, and CVE-2024-2176: Chromium: CVE-2024-2173 Out of bounds memory access in V8. These updates relate to recent security patches for the Chromium browser project at Microsoft. No further action required. Mitigations and workarounds Microsoft released these vulnerability-related mitigations for this month's release cycle: CVE-2023-28746 Register File Data Sampling (RFDS). We are not certain how to categorize this update from Intel, as it relates to a hardware issue with certain Intel chipsets. The mitigation for this vulnerability requires a firmware update, and a corresponding Windows update enables this third-party firmware-based mitigation. More information can be found here. Each month, the team at Readiness analyses the latest Patch Tuesday updates and provides detailed, actionable testing guidance. This guidance is based on assessing a large application portfolio and a detailed analysis of the patches and their potential impact on the Windows platforms and application installations. For this March cycle, we have grouped the critical updates and required testing efforts into different functional areas including: Microsoft Office Visio will need to be tested for larger drawings. (CAD drawings are good candidates.) Microsoft SharePoint will require testing for the upload of files larger than 1GB. Excel will need a test of OLE embedded objects and all linked datasheet macros. Microsoft .NET and Developer Tools PowerShell: The Get-StorageDiagnosticInfo has been updated, so check your DACL (Discretionary Access Control List) for the correct resultant settings (e.g. has the correct owner). Windows The following core Microsoft features have been updated, including: SQL OLE and ODBC: These updates will require a full test cycle of database (DB) connections, SQL commands. We advise running basic SQL commands and trying different SQL servers. Hyper-V: Test that virtual machines (VMs) start, shut down, pause, resume, and then turn off the machine. Printing: Both Version 4 (V4) and V3 printer connections will require basic testing Telephony and FAX: Microsoft TAPI APIs have been updated, so remember to test your FAXPress servers USB Drivers: A basic test of USB devices will be required with a plug in, copy from and to the USB and detach cycle. Compressed files: a minor update will require basic testing of .7z, far, tar, tar.gz files. One of the key updates to the Windows file system this month is a change to how NTFS handles composite image files; Microsoft describes them as a small collection of flat files that include one or more data and metadata region files, one or more object ID files and one or more file system description files. As a result of their "flatness" CIMs are faster to construct, extract and delete than the equivalent raw directories they contain." Basic tests for this update should include creating, mounting, and browsing CIM objects. Automated testing will help with these scenarios (especially a testing platform that offers a "delta" or comparison between builds). However, for line of business applications, getting the application owner (doing UAT) to test and approve the results is still absolutely essential. This month, Microsoft made a major (general) update to the Win32 and GDI subsystems with a recommendation to test out a significant portion of your application portfolio. Windows lifecycle update This section will contain important changes to servicing (and most security updates) to Windows desktop and server platforms. Windows 10 21H2 will lose active support in 3 months (June 2024). Microsoft .NET Version 7 support ends in 2 months (May 2024). Each month, we break down the update cycle into product families (as defined by Microsoft) with the following basic groupings: Browsers (Microsoft IE and Edge); Microsoft Windows (both desktop and server); Microsoft Office; Microsoft Exchange Server; Microsoft Development platforms (NET Core, .NET Core and Chakra Core); Adobe (if you get this far). Browsers Microsoft has released three minor updates to the Chromium based browser (Edge) project this month (CVE-2024-1283, CVE-2024-1284 and CVE-2024-1059) with the following reported vulnerabilities: CVE-2024-1060 : Chromium: CVE-2024-1060 Use after free in Canvas. CVE-2024-1077 : Chromium: CVE-2024-1077 Use after free in Network. CVE-2024-21399 : Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. In addition to these standard releases, Microsoft issued these late additions with its monthly browser update: CVE-2024-26163 : Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability CVE-2024-26167: Microsoft Edge for Android Spoofing Vulnerability CVE-2024-26246: Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability All these updates should have negligible impact on applications that integrate and operate on Chromium. Add these updates to your standard patch release schedule. Windows In February, Microsoft released (another) two critical updates (CVE-2024-21407 and CVE-2024-21408) and 39 patches rated as important to the Windows platform that cover the following key components: Windows SQL and OLE DB Provider Windows Hyper-V Windows Kernel This month we do not see any reports of publicly reported vulnerabilities or exploits in the wild, and if you are on a modern Windows 10/11, all these reported security vulnerabilities are difficult to exploit. Please add this update to your standard Windows release schedule. Microsoft Office Following a recent trend, Microsoft released only three updates to the Microsoft Office platform for March (CVE-2024-21448, CVE-2024-21426 and CVE-2024-26199). All three patches have low potential for exploitability and should be added to your regular Office update schedule. Microsoft Exchange Server Microsoft has (again) released a single update for Exchange Server with CVE-2024-26198. This update only affects Exchange Server 2016 and 2019; Microsoft describes the vulnerability as, an attack that requires a specially crafted file to be placed either in an online directory or in a local network location. When a victim runs this file, it loads the malicious DLL. Microsoft rates this update as important and there are no reports of public disclosure or exploits. Add it to your regular server update schedule. For Exchange Server admins, we believe that each updated server will require a reboot. Microsoft development platforms Microsoft released three updates (CVE-2024-26190, CVE-2024-26165 and CVE-2024-21392 to .NET (Versions 7 and 8) and Microsoft Visual Studio 2022. All three updates are low-impact and can be included in regular developer patch release efforts. Adobe Reader (if you get this far) No Adobe updates this month. Other than the Intel firmware update (CVE-2023-28746), we do not have any third-party vendors/ISVs to add to this month's update schedule. When people go through stressful situations, they turn to their support system, and sometimes, this means turning to their pets for comfort. In a recent study, researchers found that spending time with dogs helps people relax and concentrate. They recruited 30 adults and measured their brain waves while interacting with a poodle named Aro, engaging in various activities such as walking, playing and hugging. Results showed that activities like walking and playing with the dog increased relaxation while brushing and massaging improved concentration. Participants reported feeling less stressed and depressed after each activity, with hugging and feeding the dog particularly boosting mood. The study concluded that specific interactions with dogs could enhance relaxation, emotional stability, attention, concentration and creativity. This research adds to existing evidence supporting the positive impact of spending time with dogs on mental health. Pets and mental health Many people believe their pets positively affect mental health. Earlier this year, in a survey of over 2,200 adults in the U.S., 84% said they experienced this. American Psychiatric Association President Dr. Petros Levounis pointed out the therapeutic role of pets, suggesting adoption for those with addiction or psychiatric disorders. Pets, with dogs being the most popular, were valued for calming presence, stress reduction, encouragement of physical activity, and social enhancement. According to Jeremy Barron of Johns Hopkins, adopting a pet offers numerous health benefits beyond altruism. Even short interactions like walking a neighbor's dog or cat-sitting can yield rewards. Petting a dog lowers cortisol and increases oxytocin, aiding stress reduction. Service dogs significantly alleviate PTSD symptoms and reduce medication usage. Dog ownership correlates with lower blood pressure and increased physical activity, endorsed by the American Heart Association for heart health. Pets combat loneliness and depression, offering social support and purpose. They also assist in managing specific health issues, from mobility limitations to medical condition detection, showcasing their multifaceted impact on well-being. "Outraged" at the move of the Central government to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA 2019) weeks before the election, the top rights group, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), has demanded that the law be repealed. Filing an urgent application for stay on the implementation of the law before the Supreme Court, PUCL said in a statement that it will "continue to fight against citizenship laws such as the CAA, which are unconstitutional and discriminates on grounds of religion." Text: Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) strongly condemns the move of the Central Government to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA 2019), by notifying the amended Rules in the official gazette on 11th March 2024, four years after the law was enacted, even as more than 200 petitions challenging the law are currently pending before the Supreme Court. It is deeply concerning that this decision has been announced just before the General Elections, putting to question the political motivations behind the decision, especially since the government itself took several extensions over this period and has shown no urgency in implementing the law. PUCL has maintained through its statements and public position in the last four years that this divisive piece of legislation is a betrayal of the ideals of our freedom struggle, disregards the inclusive and plural history of India and squarely violates the letter and spirit of the Indian Constitution. It is illegal, constitutionally immoral and unconstitutional as it makes an arbitrary and discriminatory link between religion and citizenship. The Indian Constitution through its citizenship provisions (articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and the Citizenship Act, 1955 (before the amendment brought in by the CAA 2019) do not make religion the basis of citizenship. However unlike both the constitutional provisions as well as existing statutory provisions on citizenship, the CAA 2019 is a statute which is discrimination writ large. While the aim of providing a pathway to citizenship to illegal immigrants is to be welcomed, such a pathway cannot violate the Indian Constitution. The problematic heart of the CAA 2019 is that it chooses to provide eligibility for Indian citizenship to illegal immigrants residing in India from the viewpoint of their religion and expressly excludes from its purview Muslims, while including persons belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community. Further only those from the above religious backgrounds from three countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan can seek the benefits of the law. Arbitrary, discriminatory It is important for every Indian to ask, what is the logic of selecting only three Muslim-majority countries and excluding immigrants from the Muslim community? If one thinks the logic is to create a pathway for citizenship for persecuted minorities, as narrated by the Home Minister in umpteen speeches, this narrative is debunked and exposed by the arbitrary nature of the exclusion of Muslim community and persons from several non-Muslim neighbouring countries from benefit of the law. It is a well-known fact that there are religious and non-religious persecuted people found in Indias entire neighbourhood including China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal, who too should have been considered, if the intention of the law was indeed to provide succour to persecuted minorities in the region. It should be pointed out here that over 100,000 Sri Lankan refugees of Tamil origin who fled racial persecution in Sri Lanka, (many of whom are Hindu by religion) and a large proportion of whom have been residing in camps in Tamil Nadu for over 40 years. These stateless Srilankan Tamils have been seeking citizenship in India with several generations born and bred in India. They are arbitrarily ignored by the 2019 amendment to the Citizenship Act which considers only persons from the above 3 countries. Moreover, the community that has faced the worst religious persecution in South Asia, being the Rohingya Muslims who have faced military crackdowns over decades, and over the years more than 1.5 million have been forced to flee Myanmar and rendered refugees, are also excluded from the ambit of the law. It bears noting that people persecuted in Pakistan include the Ahmadiyyas who are considered heretics and are not allowed to adopt and practice their religion. The only reason they are excluded from the benefits of the law is they claim to be Muslims, albeit persecuted Muslims. In Bangladesh the LGBTQI community has been subjected to relentless persecution, but no LGBTQI person can claim the benefit of this law. They stand excluded because the benefit of the CAA 2019 is only on the basis of religion. The benefit of CAA 2019 is not on the basis of persecution which is a constitutionally permissible ground of classification, but on the ground of belonging to a religion. This prima facie discriminatory piece of legislation goes against the core value of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution and also violates Article 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, under which the protection by the State of persons, both citizens and non-citizens has been underscored. Therefore discrimination against persons solely on the grounds of religion is unacceptable. Imminent threat of NPR-NRC As the Home Minister of India indicated, the CAA should not be seen in isolation but as part of a chronology, with it being followed by the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). First the NPR, being the register of all persons residing in a place, is to be prepared, which is to be followed by the NRC process under the Citizenship Rules, 2003. For conducting NRC, the Local Registrar is empowered to verify and scrutinise the particulars collected of every family and individual and identify those having doubtful citizenship, to send for further enquiry. In an empowerment of third party vigilantism, the rules give the power to anyone to object to the inclusion or exclusion of certain names, from the first list. The NPR and NRC process will create two categories of citizens in India, Citizens and Doubtful citizens. Those who are not included in the NRC upon failure to provide sufficient documentary proof, could be rendered without citizenship and essentially treated as foreigners or stateless. Depending upon the kind of proof of citizenship required, a threat of detention will hang over the heads of many millions who do not have the documentation required to prove citizenship. CAA ignores religious and non-religious persecuted people of China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal The NPR and NRC process gives the Local Registrar unprecedented and unchecked power to target certain communities and individuals. Based on the animus the state has shown towards Muslims there is also a legitimate fear that this power will be exercised with a discriminatory intent. The NPR and NRC will adversely affect not only Muslims who do not have documentation, but also other categories of persons without documents such as single women, LGBT persons estranged from their families, divorced women, homeless people, tribals or poor people. The fears around the NRC are not abstract as seen from the experience in Assam NRC of 2018 which required citizens to prove their citizenship based on documents. The process resulted in 1.9 million Indians being struck of the citizenship rolls, with more than sixty percent of those who were declared non-citizens and illegal migrants being Hindus. The NPR and NRC process will entrench the discrimination embedded in the CAA. Persons from communities eligible under the CAA will be able to take benefit of the law and apply for citizenship, meanwhile persons belonging to the Muslim community who have been excluded from the benefit of CAA, will be rendered remediless and termed infiltrators who cannot be given citizenship under the 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955. Those whose citizenship is considered doubtful will potentially be deprived of their right to vote and be subjected to a process of deportation as foreigners. As it is extremely unlikely that any neighbouring country will accept these detainees, they will be indefinitely detained in camps. Thus the animus towards the Muslim community which is at the heart of the CAA/NPR/NRC has serious implications for the future of the Indian polity. Public opposition ignored The law has seen overwhelming public opposition. Massive and peaceful protests and sit ins were held in 2019-2020 after the law was passed by citizens, youth from across universities and led by Muslim women from all over the country. The protests focussed on raising awareness about the discrimination and uncertainty of existence Muslims would have to face in their own land of birth and that of their ancestors, if unable to produce requisite documents. In Delhi, the assertive Muslim youth who coordinated the peaceful and democratic protests, ended up in Jail for exercising their constitutional right to expression and assembly. Several youth have been unjustly and falsely implicated in the communal violence in Delhi in February, 2020 in which 54 persons were killed, with more than 21 being booked under UAPA. The message sent out to the people was that they should be prepared for reprisals if they challenge the Governments decisions even through constitutional means by exercising their right to protest in opposition to discriminatory laws that violate the Preambular promise of equality and secularism. The governments optics in notifying rules for implementation of the law on 11th of March, 2023, the first day of the holy month of Ramzan for the Muslims, communicates a harsh message of intolerance to a minority community facing the brunt of humiliation on a daily basis with increasing communalism . The notification of the law, which comes around the eve of the Parliamentary elections of 2024, indicates that the ruling party at the centre is promoting divisive politics which will fray the bonds that bind India together. PUCL strongly condemns this deeply polarising decision that has been taken just weeks from the election and demands that the law be repealed. PUCL has filed an urgent application to stay the implementation of the law in the Supreme Court and challenge the rules notified to implement CAA 2019. PUCL will continue to work to raise awareness of how discrimination in citizenship laws is the beginning of the end of the constitutional idea of India. -- Kavita Srivastava, President, V Suresh, General Secretary, PUCL Tonight, you have the opportunity to take your beloved aside and deliver that message youve been saving up. You know what words were taking about. When the time is right, youll lean in close and say, This has all been a charade. You lured your target in as part of an elaborate plot, which all went according to plan. And now, you dont say, It started out fake, but I ended up falling for you for real! No, this isnt a rom-com. This is a rom-crime. Now is when you arrest them. Or murder them. Or maybe they murder you. These plans come in many forms. For example... 5 A Murder Victims Widow Infiltrated a Colombian Gang to Arrest the Drug Lord Until a year ago, one neck of Colombia was under the control of a criminal named Ruben Dario Viloria Barrios. His nickname was Juancho, a word we really hoped meant something cool like the Rumble, but it turns out its just a name, like Jack. Cordoba Police Once you see him, he doesnt really look like he deserves a cool nickname. Juanchos international crimes included shipping 1.5 tons of cocaine to the U.S. every month by speedboat. Locally, his gang was known more for murder. On January 29, 2023, for example, two weeks before Juanchos downfall, he was linked to the deaths of three men in a pool hall. A gang of six entered and shot up the place, and they left behind pamphlets explaining the massacre. They were just killing undesirables, explained the pamphlets. This included marijuana users, thieves and people who pick up newspapers. Regular people had nothing to fear. Just ensure your children are never out in public, warned the message, and they stood no risk of dying. Interpol had a warrant out for Juancho, but local authorities said they didnt have enough to act. Then Juanchos girlfriend approached police. She laid in front of them evidence shed collected, and in case that still wasnt enough, she arranged to drop him off, scheduling a date between him and herself that turned out to be an ambush where police awaited him. Aside from the drugs and suspected murders, they hit him with charges for explosives manufacturing, and Juancho easily scored a 22-year prison sentence. Cordoba Police Police faces are blurred to protect their identities, so you know Juanchos gang is hardcore. Advertisement The informant was not some long-term romantic partner whod grown tired of Juancho. She was the widow of a man hed killed. Two months earlier, shed approached him without revealing their connection, and she successfully seduced him to get close to the gang. The media arent releasing the names of her or her dead husband, for her protection. We cant help but suspect that the remaining gang members know those names by now anyway, so we hope she fled the immediate area, possibly by speedboat. 4 One Kid Arranged His Own Murder by Catfishing a Friend This following tale happened in 2004, back when people were a little more naive when it came to being approached on the internet. The word catfish, as we currently know it, didnt yet exist. So, when 16-year-old Mark (were not using his real name) in England met someone in an MSN chatroom claiming to be a 16-year-old girl, he believed it. Mark and Kate had romantic sessions online, which consisted of Mark doing stuff on a webcam while the girl stayed unseen. The girl introduced Mark to her 14-year-old stepbrother John (again, were using a fake name here), whom Mark met in real life. Advertisement Advertisement Then came a twist. Someone murdered Kate. At least, thats what the next person who approached Mark in the chatroom told him. Apparently, John had a stalker, and this stalker had turned his fury on the boys stepsister. Then this new person chatting with Mark? Believe it or not, this person was also murdered. Mark, who did believe it, next found himself chatting with Janet, who described herself as a 42-year-old secret agent. Janet was interested in Mark, both professionally and sexually. Giorgio Trovato/Unsplash Catfish wasnt a word in 2004, but MILF was. Janet soon had an assignment for Mark: to kill John, with a knife. John was dying of a brain tumor anyway, she said, so hed really be doing the kid a favor. This assassination would be Marks entrance test into the British intelligence services. If he succeeded, hed get a gun not in order to carry out the murder, just as a reward. Plus, hed get to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair. Most interesting of all, hed get to sleep with Janet. The plan was to walk with John into an alley and stab him. If MI5 called off the plan, theyd broadcast an abort code via megaphone: 6969. Advertisement Sadly, there was to be no 6969. Mark went through with it, stabbing John. The good news is, Mark wasnt especially good at stabbing, and John survived. It then fell on police to look through thousands of lines of chat logs to figure out who had ordered Mark to do this. They saw his chats with Kate, Janet and several other sketchy figures and easily figured out the accounts were operated by the same person (among other clues, they all typed the word maybe as mybye).The true mastermind behind all the personas? John himself, who had put all this together as an elaborate suicide plan. Compare Fibre What are you doing, stepbro? Dont be impressed by Johns skill at impersonating various fictional figures. The plans success relied more on Marks gullibility than Johns character work. Here, for instance, is the conversation where he first brought up the murder idea: Advertisement Advertisement Janet: could you stab someone? Mark: i haven't really thought about it Janet: well think please Mark: ok erm well i watch a lot of films Heres a later extract. Alti refers to the town of Altrincham. Mark: he will die in the middle of alti?? Janet: please! Mark: but thats wot will happen Janet: i wouldnt ask if it wasnt important? Mark: I understand that Janet: trafford centre or Manchester Mark: u want me 2 take him 2 trafford centre and kill him in the middle of the trafford centre?? thats wot ur asking? Janet: yes Thomas Park/Unsplash Social media would later make kids more literate. It was tricky to figure out what to charge the boys with, a task complicated further by both being minors. Mark pleased guilty to attempted murder, while John pleaded to perverting the course of justice and incitement to murder. As punishments, both just got supervision orders and were forbidden to resume contact. John was further forbidden from using the internet without adult supervision and was forbidden from using chartrooms, period. Some would say all 14-year-olds should receive the same restriction, for the sake of the rest of us. Advertisement 3 The Teen Nazi Killers Up next, we have another story of seduction instigated by a 14-year-old. Thats surely not a sentence you were hoping to read today, but dont worry, its better than it sounds. The girl in question is Freddie Oversteegen, and when she was 14, she made it a habit to go to bars to talk to men in uniform. Do you want to go for a stroll? the little girl with braids would say, and the man would gladly walk with her into the woods. National Hannie Schaft Foundation Just like in the fairy tale, the one with the wolf. Advertisement This doesnt sound like a rendezvous that would end very well for Freddie. But then, once they were some distance into those woods, shed take out her handgun and murder the guy. Thats because this was 1940 in the Netherlands, and the uniformed man was an occupying Nazi. Feddie was a member of the Dutch resistance. Advertisement She was a part of a trio, along with her sister Truss and a third girl, Hannie Schaft. The resistance had recruited them after seeing them passing out anti-Nazi literature, and their resistance duties covered a variety of jobs. Sometimes, they put on disguises, infiltrated concentration camps, and smuggled Jews out. Sometimes, they blew up bridges and rail lines with dynamite. And sometimes, theyd seduce Nazis and then shoot the men in the face. Thayts/Wiki Commons This is why its recommended to stick to public areas for your first date. Sometimes, the girls would be tasked with other assassinations, separate from these bar seductions. The challenge here was approaching the target and getting away without being caught. With Freddie, the solution was usually to do a drive-by. Meaning, to drive by and shoot him from a bicycle because she was too young to drive a car. Advertisement 2 The Attempt to Turn Ralph Nader Speaking about driving, lets talk a bit about the ultimate enemy of the auto industry: Ralph Nader. In the 1960s, he wrote Unsafe at Any Speed, about various dangers of cars as well as the automotive industrys history of resisting safety improvements. For over half a century, reads the books opening, the automobile has brought death, injury and the most inestimable sorrow and deprivation to millions of people. Most people who own cars and benefit from them would question that assessment. Disagreeing especially hard was auto manufacturer General Motors. Grossman Publishers One hundred percent of people alive right now would say cars didnt kill them. Advertisement Advertisement General Motors sent detectives to spy on Nader. We know for sure that detectives followed him around and went beyond what detectives are supposed to do. Nader won a lawsuit against them over this, and GMs chairman testified before Congress, delivering an apology to Nader. As for some specifics of what they did, they allegedly decided the best way to discredit him was to hire a sex worker to seduce him at the supermarket. The woman went up to him while he was at the cookie counter. Nader turned her down. He smelled a rat. That's not our way of questioning her hygiene but rather means he found her advances suspiciously forward and suspected she was a professional, hired by people trying to blackmail him. At this point, it made sense for General Motors to reassess their strategy. Allegedly, they now concluded Nader was gay, which meant their biggest mistake up to this point was choosing the wrong flavor of temptress. BrokenSphere/Wiki Commons Also, maybe Nader had been occupied with something far more tempting. Advertisement The next operative was a man. He followed Nader right into a Senate office building. If Nader engaged in some gay sex in a Senate hearing room, that might indeed cause a scandal, as last years sex tape incident revealed. This operative instead lost track of Nader and made the questionable decision to ask a police guard there for directions. What are you doing, following people here into the Congress? replied the officer. What's your name? And thats how the campaign against Nader unraveled. The backlash against General Motors went on to make the book more popular. Unsafe at Any Speed even led the government to form the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cars today are now roughly five times less likely to kill you than cars were in the 1960s. Thats not primarily a result of this book, but the book did play a role, so hooray for books. Advertisement Advertisement The Dead Parrot Sketch is no doubt Monty Pythons most famous comedy routine. Since it originally aired as part of Monty Pythons Flying Circus in 1969, the sketch has been performed in films, on stage and even in an episode of Saturday Night Live, which elicited little-to-no laughter because the studio audience was too busy mouthing the dialogue along with Michael Palin and John Cleese. The sketch became such an indelible part of modern culture, it was even quoted by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during a 1990 speech, although she reportedly didnt actually understand the joke. (In retrospect, perhaps the Upper Class Twit of the Year would have been a better fit). Advertisement Advertisement Despite the fact that this sketch was predicated on the hilarity of buying a deceased bird, or ex-parrot if you will, its widespread popularity was later used to help save parrots. Yeah, this is a story in which John Cleese actually comes off looking like a pretty good guy for a change. Not unlike how monorail enthusiasts got pretty fed up with constant Simpsons jokes, in the 1990s, wildlife advocates were sick and tired of how most media coverage concerning parrot conservation would inevitably reference The Dead Parrot Sketch which, according to the World Parrot Trust, would diminish the effect of any serious point that may be under discussion. So the group decided to use the sketch to their advantage by enlisting Cleeses help, hoping that he could tell the world how important it is to preserve parrots in the wild and look after them well in captivity. Cleese turned out to be a committed conservationist who had already been involved with the restoration of lemurs in Madagascar, so he happily joined the pro-living parrot cause. Advertisement Advertisement Cleese helped to launch World Parrot Month in August 1999 by starring in the aptly-titled The Live Parrot Video, along with Groucho the incredible singing parrot (who had beautiful plumage, but was in no way nailed to his perch). Because it was made back when VHS tapes were worth their weight in cocaine-frosted gold, the five-minute video cost 25 bucks, plus shipping. Of course, it all went to a good cause. Psitta In the video, shot at the Santa Barbara Zoo, Cleese brings attention to the dangers posed to parrots, while making countless callbacks to the classic sketch. When first meeting Groucho, he remarks, Now thats what I call a live parrot. While visiting another parrot, he notes that she is very much alive, but her species is threatened with extinction. Cleeses video was a big hit and generated a great deal of publicity for the World Parrot Trust and its effort to push for stronger parrot protections. For some reason, this success never led to similar promotional efforts from the cheese shop industry or lumberjack lobbyists. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Duke University recently announced their 2024 commencement speaker, the notable public figure tasked with inspiring the graduating class as they prepare to enter the nightmare realm known as adulthood. The news was delivered via a YouTube video in which Duke President Vincent Price (no relation) chats with students over a cup of coffee. The students say that they want a commencement speaker whos funny and who likes cinnamon babka. Its then revealed that the unseen figure whos been serving them coffee is none other than Bee Movie star Jerry Seinfeld! Yup, Seinfeld will be the one delivering the commencement speech in May. Ive got a lot of things to tell you, Seinfeld informed students at the end of the promo, while conveniently not divulging exactly how much of the speech will be about airline food. In some ways, this news isnt all that surprising, considering that Seinfelds daughter is a Duke alumna, and his son is a current student. But, then again, Seinfelds past comments have indicated that hes been avoiding college campuses like the (woke) plague. In 2015, Seinfeld made headlines for his complaints about college audiences after telling an interviewer, I dont play colleges, but I hear a lot of people tell me, Dont go near colleges. Theyre so PC. He went on to say that students just want to use these words: Thats racist; Thats sexist; Thats prejudice,' adding, They dont know what the hell theyre talking about. And to be fair, if theres one comedian who is an expert on how teenagers act, its Jerry Seinfeld. Advertisement During a 2018 interview with Ricky Gervais, the de facto authority on manufacturing nonexistent controversies, Seinfeld took issue with the reporting around this story, pointing out that he wasnt specifically boycotting colleges, merely relaying an opinion shared with him by an unnamed comedian friend. Of course, he also enthusiastically agreed with said opinion, but whatever. Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of whether Seinfelds claim that he doesnt play colleges was the result of his professional status (although he was performing at colleges as recently as 2012) or his fear of woke audiences who likely wouldnt respond well to his uninspired gay French King bit Advertisement students werent exactly thrilled with his comments. One San Diego State University student penned an open letter to Seinfeld, stating, We college students are politically correct. We will call out sexism and racism if we hear it. But if youre going to come to my college and perform in front of me, be prepared to write up a set that doesnt just offend me, but has something to say. Advertisement So now, Seinfeld will go once more unto the breach of an audience made up of people under 25. Hopefully his commencement speech goes smoother than the one delivered by his fellow college-phobe Bill Maher. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Interview: "Biggest risk is not being in China," says German Chamber of Commerce executive in Shanghai Xinhua) 13:18, March 15, 2024 Visitors walk past the China pavilion at the Heimtextil 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany, Jan. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) "Major new technologies will be developed in China, and if we are not here to participate in these developments, how can we survive abroad?" said a German expert. SHANGHAI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China remains appealing to German businessmen, and many believe that "the biggest risk is not being in China and therefore losing global competitiveness," Maximilian Butek, executive director and board member of German Chamber of Commerce in China-Shanghai, told Xinhua in a recent interview. German companies hope to "benefit from the innovation system" in China not only to have growth opportunities, but also to keep being competitive, said Butek, also chief representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Shanghai. German businessmen "are like in a 'time bubble' and see that the last three years China developed further," Butek said. "There are a lot of innovative new products. Digitalization was driven further. Artificial intelligence is developing so fast." "Major new technologies will be developed in China, and if we are not here to participate in these developments, how can we survive abroad? Luckily, I'm not so worried because most of the German companies understood that," said Butek. The German Chamber of Commerce in China released a business confidence survey for 2023/24 in January, with responses from 566 member companies. Over 90 percent of the companies, shows the survey, plan to continue establishing themselves in the Chinese market; more than half of them plan to increase their investments in China over the next two years; and 78 percent are expecting consistent growth in their industry in the coming five years. This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2021 shows the "Shanghai Express," a freight train linking Shanghai with Europe, leaving east China's Shanghai for Hamburg, Germany. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) Butek believes that the Chinese economy, which has become quite mature, can be very robust in the middle and long term. He commended the ever-improving business environment in China, saying that many Germans feel that it's "easy to talk about cooperation, about partnership in China." "I believe that Chinese companies learned quite well the last 30 years from German companies. It's time now for us to learn from Chinese companies. I think we are really on a level where cooperation could be both ways now," he said. He noted that China provides great chances for future advancement in areas like electric car batteries and autonomous driving. "That's why also startups are coming to China." Butek voiced confidence that the visa-free policy for some European countries, including Germany, will encourage more Germans to travel to China, hence more business and cultural exchanges. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) By Yi Whan-woo Wemix, Koreas domestically developed cryptocurrency, is falling sharply amid the crypto bull market after the CEO of Wemade, a blockchain game developer that created Wemix, stepped down abruptly. Wemix retreated to 3,548 won ($2.60) at one point, Thursday, down 40.64 percent from its daily high, on crypto exchange Bithumb after Wemades board of directors announced that its CEO Chang Hyun-kuk had resigned. While it recovered to the 3,700 won level on Bithumb as of 1 p.m. Friday, it continued losing ground at other digital asset exchanges the same day. For instance, it shed 20.83 percent from the previous day on CoinMarketCap. where it stood at 3,455.42 won as of 1:05 p.m. The board said Chang was immediately replaced with Park Kwan-ho, the firms founder and chairman, in a bid to placate investor concerns. It also explained that Chang had just been assigned as the vice chairman to back Park. The projects related to Wemix will not be affected by Changs resignation, it added. Nevertheless, sources familiar with the matter remain doubtful as to whether Wemix will fully bounce back in the market. They argued Chang is not free from legal challenges due to a cryptocurrency scandal surrounding independent lawmaker Rep. Kim Nam-kuk and that he voluntarily stepped down in order to minimize the risk to Wemade and Wemix. Last year, Kim, a former main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) legislator, came under fire following revelations that he owned around 800,000 Wemix coins in 2021. The coins were worth around 6 billion won, a significant amount, which was inconsistent with the frugal image that Kim presented as a politician. He quit the DPK in the wake of the scandal. Chang was summoned by the prosecution last year in connection to the investigation into Kim. The prosecutions investigation is not yet over and Wemade executives have been summoned this month. The details concerning those executives were not disclosed. Regarding Wemix's top management team, some sources raised concerns that it was Chang who mainly dealt with such business after the digital coin made its debut in 2019. Park distanced himself from the managerial role after setting up Wemade in 2000 and leading it for next 12 years. The listing photos for an 1860 cottage in Rhinecliff almost felt magazine-worthy, as if shot for a luxury travel magazine by the same team that photographs the hotels Post Company is known for designing. Photo: Four Seasons Sothebys Int The design studio Post Company specializes in hotels, restaurants, and combinations of the two. Its cabins at Inness, a Hudson Valley resort, look built for modern nuns, with hardback Shaker chairs and four-poster beds. At Sound View, the revamped beachside motel, rooms are paneled in nostalgic knotty pine. But two weeks ago, the first single-family home designed by Post was quietly put on the market a cream-colored cottage in Rhinecliff, New York, just over the Hudson from Inness. Details: Details Price: $995,000 ($7,188 annual tax) Specs: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Extras: Three outbuildings, a porch, an attic. All furniture is for sale. 60-minute driving radius: Inness Luxury Hotel and Resort, Kingston Point Beach, The Amsterdam Listed by: Annabel Taylor, Four Seasons Sothebys International Realty The place is owned by Jonny Mead, a music producer, and Krystal Mead, a floral designer, who had plans to update the property when they bought it in 2020. Instead, life called them to London, and they reached out to Post Company for help remodeling remotely. The firm has designed homes before a multi-family building, in Jackson, Wyoming but never a plain old house, with a price tag shy of $1 million. The listing says 42 Kelly Street was designed according to a philosophy that followed a rhythm of light and dark, restraint and saturation. Youll find the saturation in the mudroom, where closets are paneled in a reddish terra-cotta, or in a bathroom, where the counter is the same pink Calacatta thats on the bar at Rafs, Post Companys bar on Elizabeth Street. Then theres the restraint, which is visible everywhere: The listing highlights the posture-inducing chairs youll see at Inness, and the attic bedroom is walled in its signature lustrous plaster. The firms site describes the project as an effort to recontextualize and question the essentials of daily life. A lucky buyer who doesnt want to ask those questions can purchase this getaway which comes with all the furnishings included, sort of like a hotel. In staged photos, theres even a dinner party, already set on a back patio. And in the bathrooms, past the waffle-knit towels, a canister of Aesop soap. Aesop soap on the countertop. Photo: Four Seasons Sothebys Int A dinner party, staged and ready for a buyer or a hotel guest? Photo: Four Seasons Sothebys Int Photo: halbergman/Getty The National Association of Realtors has reached a $418 million settlement over agent commissions, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. As part of the settlement, the powerful trade group has agreed to eliminate its rules on sales commissions, meaning that the 6 percent commission, the decadeslong standard for anyone selling a home in this country is no more. Industry types all seem to agree that this will likely have far-reaching implications for the real-estate industry and homeowners the New York Times writes that housing experts expect it could trigger one of the most significant jolts in the U.S. housing market in 100 years. But what, exactly, can we expect? So whats this lawsuit about Realtor commissions all about? In October, a federal jury ruled that the National Association of Realtors had conspired to artificially inflate commissions and ordered the powerful trade group to pay damages of $1.8 billion. The ruling was the result of an anti-trust suit brought by a group of Missouri home sellers in 2019, which argued that the industrywide practice of requiring the seller to pay both the sellers and buyers agent commissions, and other practices that resulted in a nationwide standard of 5 to 6 percent, which is much higher than in many other countries, violated anti-trust laws. While NAR initially vowed to appeal the ruling, the group has undergone internal tumult with a sexual-harassment scandal and a series of leaders departing in quick succession. There were other compelling reasons to settle: Because the case involved anti-trust violations, the plaintiffs could have been eligible for triple damages of $5.4 billion, the Times reported. And separate litigation in Chicago expected to go to trial this year could have threatened a damages award of more than $40 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. In addition to the suit against NAR, there are more than a dozen copycat class-action suits against the countrys largest brokerages. Some have settled their suits Anywhere Real Estate, which includes the Corcoran Group, Sothebys International Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, and Century 21, paid $83.5 million in September. Others, notably Warren Buffetts HomeServices of America, have not. What does the NAR settlement mean for sellers and buyers? The most immediate impact is expected to be a drop in commissions economists who spoke with the Times estimated that they could fall by 30 percent as a result of home sellers being able to more easily negotiate fees with their agents. And buyers, who must now pay their own agents, may elect to forgo one altogether, or opt for pared-down services, like having an agent prepare an offer and a contract, while conducting home searches, inspections, and other parts of the sales process alone. Whether thats a good thing or a bad thing is debatable: While sites like Zillow and Redfin have made it easier to find homes, brokers argue that buyers benefit from representation, and if they must pay agents out of their own pockets, many will opt not to use one to their detriment. There is a widespread hope that a reduction in commissions, which are baked into sales prices, may cause home prices to fall, but that remains to be seen. What does the NAR settlement mean for real-estate agents? Besides less money, at least for some, its widely believed that it will lead to a winnowing of the industry The Wall Street Journal reports that the shake-up could drive out hundreds of thousands of agents. The settlement will also have implications for Multiple Listings Services across the country, the dominant way that agents outside New York City list their properties. (In New York, the Real Estate Board of New York, REBNY, which is not affiliated with NAR, has its own real-estate listings service.) Previously, getting a listing in the MLS a necessity of selling in many markets required joining NAR and following its rules. If thats no longer necessary, youre going to see innovation, says Jason Haber, a Compass agent who recently launched an alternative broker-trade group, the American Real Estate Association. Like what? Its hard to say this early on. Some have likened the fallout to the demise of travel agents and the rise of online booking sites like Expedia and Kayak. One thing is certain, though: Expect more tech start-ups to try to get a piece of the action. Weve already had emails from several. What remains to be seen is whether the increased competition will actually lead to lower prices or improve buyers and sellers experiences. What does this mean for New Yorkers? New York agents arent part of NAR, so while the settlement doesnt directly impact things here, the consequences are expected to reverberate throughout the industry. Many of the brokerages operating in the city have already reached separate settlements over agent commissions, and in January REBNY implemented new rules prohibiting listing brokers from paying buyers agents. Does this mean renters dont have to pay brokers anymore? No, the changes only apply to seller and buyer commissions. Renters still have to pay commissions, which once averaged 12 percent but have increasingly crept up to 15 percent and, in some cases, much more. Last year, City Councilmember Chi Osse introduced a bill that would require whoever hires the rental broker in most cases, the landlord to pay the fee. It didnt pass, but a few weeks ago, Osse reintroduced it. African Countries Hit By Severe Internet Disruption Severe Internet outages has been reported because multiple underwater communications cables reported breakdowns in a dozen of countries across Africa. Much of West and Central Africa has been left without internet service, as operators of several subsea cables reported failures. Widespread outages have hit Africa on Thursday 14th March in South Africa, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Benin, Gambia, Ghana and Ivory Coast. The West Africa Cable System (WACS), the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), SAT-3 and MainOne were among the system cables that observers said were affected in Thursday's outage. Services in Liberia and South Africa have already been restored but it is still a problem in other countries. One of the biggest network providers in Africa, MTN Group, said that many significant underwater cable failures were the cause of the continued outages. The South African corporation has released a statement saying, Our operations are actively working to reroute traffic through alternative network paths. The reason for the cable failures was not clear, and has caused serious problems for millions of users around the continent. Network disruptions caused by cable damage have occurred in Africa in recent years. However, this serious disruption points to something larger (and) this is amongst the most severe. "There seems to be a pattern in the timing of the disruptions, impacting from the north to the south of Africa," said Cloudflare Radar, which provides information on Internet connections. Internet connectivity in the Ivory Coast was down to around just 4% on Thursday morning and Liberia at one point dropped to 17%, while Benin was at 14% and Ghana 25%. A fault was also reported on the MainOne cable system which serves Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos. Citizens were unable to access the basic Internet as well as social media across the vast majority of the country. International bank transfers were also reported to be affected while there were limited international voice calls. The Liberia Telecommunications Authority said it was caused by an incident involving the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine communications cable in Ivory Coast. In Ghana, the National Communications Authority (NCA) reported that multiple undersea cable disruptions were responsible for the outage. BBC | Business Standard | The Guardian | First Post | African News Reuters | India Today | AA | Netblocks Image: Geralt You Might Also Read: Internet Cable To Encircle Africa: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription. Individual 5 per month or 50 per year. Sign Up Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible French Government Suffers Severe Cyber Attacks Several French government departments are victim to a series of cyber attacks of unprecedented intensity, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's office said Monday, March 11, and the hacker group Anonymous Sudan is claiming responsibility. The French Prime Ministers office has told Agence France-Presse that a crisis cell has been activated to deploy countermeasures helping restore most services and state websites. Frances cyber security agency said it was implementing filtering measures until the attacks are over. The French State Interministerial Network, consisting of over one million public sector agents and 14,000 state sites, has been hit recently. The hacker group Anonymous Sudan known for its distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks is said to work for the Kremlin and not related to Sudan at all. This group published on its Telegram page that the attack was carried out by the @InfraShutdown DDoS infrastructure. We have conducted a massive cyber-attack on the infrastructure of the French Interministerial Directorate of Digital Affairs French. The group further claims the targeted infrastructure includes over 17,000 IPs and devices, as well as over 300+ domains that have all been knocked down. These attacks come less than a week after Frances Defense Minister issued a warning against cyber attacks in the lead up to the EU Parliamentary elections in June and the 2024 Paris Olympics starting in July. Other speculations were raised online that this attack is related to French President Emmanuel Macrons threat to deploy French troops to Ukraine, as was claimed by retired military officer and NATO advisor @CaptCoronado. Anonymous Sudan has a history of attacking NATO-related personnel and nations and has previously performed repeated DDoS attacks on multiple high-profile NATO-linked targets, including Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Mossad, Sweden, Denmark, and Israel. The cyber gang has also joined forces with pro-Russian hacker groups KillNet and UserSec to attack NATO. The three launched simultaneous DDoS attacks and overwhelmed a targets website with traffic. These latest cyber attacks follows a call in February from Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu 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. I-HIS | Le Monde | Politico | France 24 | Le Monde Hindustan Times | Security Affairs __________________________________________________________________________________________ If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription. Individual 5 per month or 50 per year. Sign Up Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible By Yi Whan-woo Samsung C&T gained the upper hand against shareholder activists during its general meeting of shareholders Friday, in a tense standoff over whether dividends should be increased or not. Also on Friday, Daol Investment & Securities successfully kept its most dominant retail investor from mobilizing smaller individual investors to vote for his proposals aimed at reducing managements power at its shareholder gathering. The two meetings took place as shareholders are becoming more vocal on management-related issues, in the month after the government introduced the Corporate Value-Up Program, a set of measures aimed at boosting undervalued stocks. The program is aimed at improving corporate governance, which was regarded as a major reason for the typically lower valuations for listed companies in Korea compared to global peers. However, at the same time, companies here are concerned that shareholders may take advantage of the program to make extreme demands. In the case of Samsung C&T, five activist funds, including City of London Investment Management and Whitebox Advisors LLC, pressed the company to raise cash dividends and cancel treasury stocks. In particular, they asked the firm to return its profits to shareholders through dividends and a share buyback program that would amount to some 1.2 trillion won ($900 million). The requested dividends were far higher than the 2,550 won for common stocks and 2,600 won for preferred stocks offered by the company. The proposal by the five activist funds won only 23 percent of shareholders votes, as compared to 77 percent of Samsung C&Ts proposal for dividends worth 417.3 billion won in total. The amount was a 10.9 percent increase from 2023. A source familiar with the matter said that the result was widely anticipated, as the five activist funds' combined stake in Samsung C&T is only 1.46 percent. Samsung C&T said, Fully accepting the five activist funds demand was unrealistic because we need to secure cash for future growth engines and also to enhance competence in current businesses. Concerning Daol Investment & Securities, only 26 percent of shareholders endorsed its largest retail shareholder, Kim Gi-soo, while the other 73 percent voted against or abstained. Kim and his family combined are the second-largest shareholders in the company with a 14.34 percent stake, after Daol Investment & Securities CEO Lee Byeong-cheol who holds a 25.2 percent stake. Kim came up with a total of 12 proposals. They included a demand to lower the annual salary for members of the board of directors to 3.8 billion won, against the 8 billion won proposed by management. Kim also asked to exclude the largest shareholder from receiving dividends and overhaul regulations for the shareholders meeting, which he said is necessary for balance and to keep management in check. By Kwon Mee-yoo Nestled in the heart of Seoul, Deoksu Palace, renowned for its historical significance and architectural splendor, beckons the public to take part in a celebration of spring. From March 22 to 28, the palace opens its doors for a rare opportunity, inviting visitors to explore the interior of its five main halls through a special docent program. The tours aim to enhance visitors' appreciation of the palace's exquisite apricot blossoms in full bloom. The Deoksugung Palace Management Office, part of the Cultural Heritage Administration's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, unveiled the special tour, offering an immersive journey through the palace's main structures. Each hall, showcasing traditional Korean architectural elegance, reflects the early introduction of Western influences to Korea during King Gojong's era. This merging of traditional Korean and Western architectural styles highlights a unique blend of cultural influences within the palace's design. Among the highlights is Seogeodang Hall, a distinctive two-story wooden edifice, which will be accessible to participants who can ascend to the second floor for an unmatched view of the apricot blossoms, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of spring at Deoksu Palace. The tour will also cover several other key areas of the palace, including Junghwajeon Hall, the site of ceremonies and official functions; Hamnyeongjeon Hall, where King Gojong's life came to an end in 1919; Jeukjodang Hall, which once served as the king's executive office; and Junmyeongdang Hall, which is said to have been used as a kindergarten for Princess Deokhye, King Gojong's only daughter. The docent-led tour, lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes, is free of charge, although standard admission fees to Deoksu Palace still apply. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with registration beginning at 11 a.m. Friday on the official website of the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center. In addition, the palace's Western-style edifices, meticulously restored, now serve as exhibition halls. Seokjojeon Hall, transformed into the Daehan Empire History Museum, offers tours through advance booking. Jungmyeongjeon Hall and Dondeokjeon Hall are accessible to visitors. Dondeokjeon Hall was recently reinstated, nearly a century after its demolition by the Japanese colonial government. The 24-hour forex market: Main talking points The Forex Market trades 24 hours a day, five days a week. The greatest amount of volatility happens during market open overlap. Forex traders can enter and exit trades at any time during the global business day. The 24-hour forex market is the largest market in the world and stays open five days a week 24 hours a day. It is divided in to three trading sessions: Asia, London/Europe and New York, which allows forex traders to have their pick of trading times according to their schedules. Recommended by David Bradfield Forex for Beginners Get My Guide Why does the FX market trade 24 hours a day? The forex market is able to stay open 24 hours a day five days a week because forex trades over the counter (OTC). It does not trade at one central location. Forex trading is carried out using electronic communication networks (ECNs) in different locations around the world, mostly by big banks, and for a variety of different players. Whereas stock trading occurs on physical exchanges, meaning that traders have to adhere to the operating hours of the exchange, forex trading happens over the counter (OTC). When one regions business hours end, another opens which allows forex to trade continuously until the weekend. Although the forex market is open 24 hours a day five days a week, it is not always liquid. There are specific times during the day when the volume traded on the forex market is high. Traders usually take part in the forex market during these times of high liquidity. What does 24-Hour Forex trading involve? The majority of forex trading is done by financial institutions and dealers. Only an extremely small portion is done by retail traders. Traders will look to trade the forex market during the times of highest liquidity, like the New York session, London session, and Asian session because spreads will be lower and volatility could be higher. Source: Bank of International Settlements (BIS) Triennial Report from 2016, prepared by Warren Venketas Traders generally trade during the major forex sessions: the London session, the New York session and during the overlap. The overlap is a four-hour period of time from 8AM ET to 12PM ET when the New York session and the London session overlap leading to increased liquidity and volatility in the market. Traders do not need to be active 24 hours a day to take advantage of the forex market. They only need to pick a time that suits them when the market is liquid enough, and stick to a trading strategy. A common strategy amongst traders during the New York and London session is a breakout strategy that allows them to take advantage of the increased volatility during the session. Recommended by David Bradfield Introduction to Forex News Trading Get My Guide 1. Holidays Because the forex market is divided into sessions they have different holidays. If America has a banking holiday then the amount of US Dollars traded will be small, but the forex market doesnt stop. Plus, some brokers are not available on public holidays. 2. Liquidity Trading during the main forex market sessions, like the New York and London session, offers the advantage of a reduced spread and increased volatility. 3. Employ different strategies for different sessions Each forex market session has different characteristics and therefore a trading strategy should be adapted to suit these different conditions. During the London and New York session traders can use breakout strategies and during lower volatility sessions like the Asian session, traders can use range bound strategies. 4. Trading major currency pairs: The major currency pairs like EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, and USD/CHF trade in high volumes which means reduced spreads and lower costs for traders. 5. Learn the basics of forex trading We offer a free beginner guides outlining the fundamentals of forex trading, and how traders can take advantage of the 24-hour market. We also have in-depth research on the number one biggest mistake traders make, which offers useful tips for executing successful trades. Dont forget to stay up to date with our news and analysis on the latest currency price movements, and sign up to one of our free trading webinars for live updates. The unification ministry said Friday it has started discussions to draw up a new vision for unification between South and North Korea as it pushes to unveil the blueprint this year that espouses the principle of freedom. The Unification Future Planning Committee, an advisory committee launched last year designed to provide policy suggestions on unification, held its first meeting of the year earlier in the day, according to the ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs. "I hope the committee will play a pivotal role in collecting various opinions and fleshing out details of the new unification vision," Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said at the start of the meeting. In a 2024 policy briefing to President Yoon Suk Yeol, the ministry said there is a need to take into account changes in the security situation and muster global support for Seoul's unification policy in drawing up a new unification vision. The government plans to revise the National Community Unification Formula, South Korea's unification vision unveiled in August 1994 under the administration of late President Kim Young-sam. The move comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has defined inter-Korean ties as relations between "two states hostile to each other," and vowed not to seek unification and reconciliation with South Korea. In a speech marking the 105th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement, Yoon said unification is precisely "what is needed to expand the universal values of freedom and human rights." (Yonhap) Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Friday made a last-minute appeal for medical professors not to resign en masse in support of a prolonged walkout by junior doctors, as their threat to resign is expected to further disrupt services at major hospitals. More than 90 percent of the country's 13,000 trainee doctors have walked off the job for nearly four weeks in the form of mass resignations to protest the government's decision to increase enrollment at medical schools by 2,000 spots. The labor action has shown signs of escalating as medical school professors threatened to submit resignations en masse unless the government presents a breakthrough in the prolonged walkout. "The public will find it difficult to understand medical professors participating in collective action by abandoning patients when they should focus on persuading trainee doctors and students to return to hospitals and schools," Cho told a government response meeting. "If professors are concerned about junior doctors and students, please persuade them to return to the place of education," Cho said. Professors of 19 medical schools, meanwhile, launched an emergency committee earlier this week and plan to finalize their deliberations on whether to collectively submit resignations by Friday. Cho said health authorities will have top-tier medical emergency centers to prioritize patients in critical condition, given that those with mild symptoms still take up 27 percent of the patients being treated. "We will ensure timely treatment for patients in critical condition at large-scale medical facilities," he said, addressing concerns over cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency treatment at local hospitals amid the prolonged walkout. Deputy Health Minister Jun Byung-wang said defiant junior doctors could not seek another job because the government's return-to-work order for them remains in effect, adding that some defiant trainee doctors who left their worksites and found another job would face punishment. "The government has issued the order to all junior doctors to remain on duty, and as the directive is still valid, they are obligated to maintain patient care," Jun told reporters. "Hospital officials should exercise caution to avoid processing resignation requests from trainee doctors without thoroughly reviewing valid administrative orders," Jun said. The government has been pushing to sharply raise the number of medical students to brace for the country's fast-aging population, and a shortage of physicians in rural areas and essential areas, such as pediatrics and emergency departments. Doctors, on the other hand, say the quota hikes will undermine the quality of medical education and result in higher medical costs for patients. They have called for measures to first address the underpaid specialists and improve the legal protection against excessive medical malpractice lawsuits. (Yonhap) Another day, another royal public relations nightmare. The good news is that Princes William and Harry were both appearing at a ceremony to honour their late mother last night. The bad news is they appeared several hours apart, one in person, the other on a video call from 5,500 miles away. This emphasises the chasm between the two brothers and adds to a growing sense that the Royal Family is slipping into crisis. The passing of Queen Elizabeth was always going to be a watershed. Universally loved and admired, she was the only monarch most had ever known and her name was synonymous with the institution. There was a powerful feeling of national bereavement at her death, and uncertainty about how the family would fare without her. Many had deep forebodings. To add to their woes Prince Andrew was embroiled in a sex scandal, while Harry and Meghan had flounced off to California to emote at great length about how badly they were treated. To his credit, King Charles steadied the ship in those difficult days. The Coronation was a triumph and he quickly endeared himself to his people. King Charles' Coronation was a triumph and he quickly endeared himself to his people He continued his mothers staunch political neutrality and softened his own sometimes strident campaigning voice on such issues as architecture and the environment. The redoubtable Camilla has been his rock, while William, Kate and their children have sprinkled a little stardust, rejuvenating the monarchy for a new generation. In recent weeks, however, the Firm has been shaken by a series of shocks and misfortunes, which it has not dealt with well. On January 26, the King underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate, which the public were assured was benign. Days later it transpired he had cancer. We have not been told its location or how far advanced it is, but he wasnt well enough to attend an important Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday. Shortly before the Kings admission, the Princess Wales was also hospitalised for surgery on an unspecified abdominal condition. She remained there for nearly two weeks and will not resume public duties until after Easter. Of course, she needs time and space to recuperate but with no information about her recovery, speculation was bound to fill the vacuum. Social media has been awash with conjecture and conspiracy theories, not helped by Prince Williams last-minute decision late last month to pull out of the memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece. Confusion over whether the princess will attend Trooping the Colour in June has added to suspicions her condition may be more serious than is being admitted. Then came the fiasco of the Mothers Day photograph of Kate and her children, which had to be withdrawn because it was so heavily doctored, fuelling speculation that there is something to hide. Who on earth is advising the couple? Are there no wise old heads in their household or are they just not listening? Either way, these public relations disasters could and should have been avoided. Yes, William wants to shield his wife and children from the type of intense media scrutiny his mother experienced. But he is also heir to the throne and if the monarchy is to survive it must be accessible. The doctrine of never complain, never explain may have worked in more deferential times, but in this age of social media and 24-hour news it simply wont hold. In the outpouring of shock and grief after Princess Dianas death, the Queen declined for several days to leave Balmoral. Then, the Mail urged her to return to London saying: Your people need you, Maam. For Charles, William and Kate today, the reverse is true. In this time of gathering crisis, they need their people. And if they open up a little, they will find a ready and sympathetic audience. Inexcusable. Wildly irresponsible. Defence sources were unequivocal last night in their condemnation of Russia's extraordinary act of war: scrambling the GPS signal on an RAF jet carrying Defence Secretary Grant Shapps back from Poland on NATO's eastern front. For sound political and diplomatic reasons, Rishi Sunak tried to play down this troubling incident, describing it as 'not unusual'. But make no mistake: inside his No 10 bunker, there will be serious concern about what was, in fact, highly out of the ordinary and there will be plans for retaliation, too. That Russia deployed satellite-jamming technology against a British military plane carrying a Cabinet minister is an alarming development and yet another deterioration in our relations with Vladimir Putin's rogue state. Since the dictator launched his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, GPS jamming has become a critical weapon of the war. Kyiv and Moscow work tirelessly to block each other's satellite signals to prevent drones and aircraft from bombing their respective positions, and to make communication more difficult. Russians, thought to be working in Syria, also regularly jam aircraft taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Vladimir Putin speaks during an interview with Rossiya Segodnya International Media Group Director General Dmitry Kiselev in Moscow on Tuesday Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP and his team aboard an RAF Envoy IV CC Mk1 on route to visiting British service personnel So what exactly happened and how? GPS (Global Positioning System) is the technology that underpins digital navigation: from the iPhone in your pocket giving you the best route on the motorway, to military aircraft seeking bombing targets and, yes, to passenger jets hurtling around the globe. It allows terrestrial devices to communicate with satellites and establish their specific 'geolocation'. However, GPS's weak signal first developed in the 1980s is fragile by contemporary standards, and strikingly easy to jam. Only a few years ago, interfering with GPS was considered taboo, but now the ruthless Russian regime shows no compunction in doing so. Thankfully, Shapps was travelling in a sophisticated Dassault 900LX Falcon, whose pilot had access to a backup system for navigation and communication. The risk to the minister's safety was small and some experts warned last night that he may not even have been deliberately targeted, but was instead an 'accidental' victim of Russian malfeasance. Whatever the truth, the Kremlin's behaviour undoubtedly stands as a fearsome show of force. It is vital to look at where the incident took place. Shapps was flying close to the Russian 'exclave' (separated from the main country, as Alaska is from the continental United States) of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. According to the Lithuanian ministry of defence, Russia operates three GPS jamming outposts in Kaliningrad. President Biden departs from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with Air Force One in San Francisco, California Historically, the Baltic Sea has been a vital highway for Russia, providing not just access to Kaliningrad but also as a base from which to enter the Atlantic Ocean. However, following Finland's accession to Nato last year and Sweden's earlier this month, Russia's hold over the sea is threatened. The recent surge in GPS attacks in the region are likely to be reprisals, then, for this important geopolitical shift. We must face one further uncomfortable truth. Britain has become an easy target for Putin. He would not have tried this against Air Force One and his predecessors, had they had the capability, would not have attempted it against Margaret Thatcher, even at the height of the Cold War. Putin has watched as we've underfunded our defence for 30 years and although we have more recently led the way in defending Ukraine repeatedly failed to respond to his provocations. Air Force One is seen as U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at Moffett Federal Airfield of NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California Well, not any more. We have no choice but to rebuild our defensive capabilities. Spending must increase from 2.3 per cent of GDP to at least the 3 per cent Shapps has demanded. If we do not stand up to Putin's aggression, it will only embolden an increasingly erratic man. Edward Lucas is the author of The New Cold War: Putin's Threat To Russia And The West In 18th century Russia, Governor General Grigory Potemkin built a series of sham villages to impress his lover and empress Catherine the Great, and disguise the dilapidated state of her nation. What she saw as she was driven through them were colourful, freshly painted house and shop fronts. Behind this gaudy facade, however, was emptiness and decay. The notion of the Potemkin village has since come to mean any showy display designed to conceal an unpalatable reality. While it would be an exaggeration to say this describes the state of our national defences, there are certainly troubling parallels. We can boast two 3.5 billion state-of-the-art aircraft carriers. We've spent upwards of 12 billion supporting Ukraine in its hour of need. And we're in the vanguard of international efforts to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi rebel attacks. The United Kingdom has spent upwards of 12 billion supporting Ukraine in its hour of need The country is also in the vanguard of international efforts to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi rebel attacks (stock photo) An RAF jet carrying Defence Secretary Grant Shapps home from a visit to Nato soldiers in Poland was hit by a Russian cyber-attack on Thursday (stock photo) Yet behind these shows of strength and hubris lies an under-manned, under-resourced and under-appreciated military. The Army is at its smallest since the Napoleonic wars, a naval recruitment crisis has seen ships mothballed and the RAF has too few modern warplanes. The dangers of complacency were starkly illustrated on Thursday, when an RAF jet carrying Defence Secretary Grant Shapps home from a visit to Nato soldiers in Poland was hit by a Russian cyber-attack, jamming its communications. We now learn the plane was merely an 'RAF paintjob' a civilian aircraft with military livery but no military-grade protection. Despite appearances, it was defenceless. Potemkin would have been proud. Mr Shapps has told the Mail he wants military spending raised from under 2.3 to 3 per cent of GDP. This highly personal brush with danger should stiffen his resolve to fight Chancellor Jeremy Hunt for the money. If the Budget is anything to go by, it will be a bitter contest. Despite billions being sloshed around, Mr Hunt offered not a penny extra for defence, showing how low it comes down his personal shopping list. He is wrong. Yes, everyone needs money in these straitened times the NHS, schools, police, the courts etc. But while their causes may have merit, nothing is more important than the defence of the realm. Grant Shapps has told the Mail he wants military spending raised from under 2.3 to 3 per cent of GDP Vladimir Putin has been looking to expand Russia territory in Ukraine and Sweden now feels threatened We live in an age of global threat. Vladimir Putin is bent on building a new quasi-soviet empire by force. As we report today, Sweden, the latest country to feel threatened, has joined Nato and massively expanded its Home Guard reserve. Iran is financing a terrorist war on Israel and the West, while China is bringing great swathes of the developing world into its ambit and menacing its neighbours. We must be capable of military as well as diplomatic responses. US President Theodore Roosevelt said the key to foreign policy was, 'speak softly and carry a big stick'. Britain's stick is shrinking by the day. With a recent all-party Commons report exposing a record 29 billion shortfall in the MoD budget, the Mail, backed by four former defence secretaries and prominent military figures, is campaigning for a substantial funding boost. An immediate commitment to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP would be a good start, followed by a path to 3 per cent or beyond, as circumstances dictate. Big-ticket projects, diversity initiatives, glossy advertising campaigns and grand gestures are all well and good, but we must have the ships, aircraft, tanks, and personnel required to keep Britain safe. Otherwise, our armed forces will soon have about as much substance and durability as a Potemkin village. A fascinating documentary has lifted the lid on life inside a fundamentalist Mormon community where families still practice 'plural marriage' - but insist they're nothing like the horrific FLDS cult founded by Warren Jeffs. Peter Santenello, 45, a popular YouTuber who is based in the US, recently spoke to a group of people who are part of what's known as the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - and they spilled on everything from why the believe in polygamy to how the women combat 'jealousy' over their husbands spending time with his other wives. Peter visited the community that they live in, which is located in Nye County, Nevada and documented his experience in a video shared to his YouTube channel in December. They revealed that a 'prophet' chooses who they should marry - but vowed that every woman has the final say unlike Warren's 'horrible' and 'mind controlling' FLDS. A fascinating documentary has lifted the lid on life inside a fundamentalist Mormon community where families still practice 'plural marriage' Peter Santenello, 45, a YouTuber based in the US, spoke to a group of people who are part of what's known as the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints They spilled on everything from why the believe in polygamy to how the women combat 'jealousy' over their husbands spending time with his other wives 'Of all the 17 million Mormons that exist in this world, under half of one per cent have stuck to the fundamentalist doctrine,' explained the YouTuber in his vlog. 'We're gonna get in with some of these fundamentalists to see how they live, understand plural marriage better, and get an inside look of a world that most of us will never see. Let's do this.' In the documentary, he chatted with one woman, named Trina, who revealed that she used to be part of a plural marriage before her husband passed away. When asked why they practice polygamy, she explained that they believe that if a man is 'really good and righteous' he should 'have the opportunity to be the father to as many children as possible.' 'The way we believe is, if you don't have the marriages the heavenly father wants, in the next life you won't be married. You will be single. You will eternally be single,' she added. 'We try to find out who it was in the previous existence that we covenanted with to be with in this life.' She said that her husband had a whopping five wives - and between them all, he had 22 children. When asked if they all lived together in one house, she revealed, '[At first] we did but as the family grew it was better to have our own abodes - but we still came together for many functions.' Peter visited the community that they live in, which is located in Nye County, Nevada and documented his experience in a video shared to his YouTube channel in December In the documentary, he chatted with one woman, named Trina, who revealed that she used to be part of a plural marriage before her husband passed away When asked why they practice polygamy, she said they believe that if a man is 'really good and righteous' he should 'have the opportunity to be the father to as many children as possible' Trina explained that she grew incredibly close to her sister wives, which helped when her husband had to be 'called away on missions to do the Lord's work.' 'Our husbands aren't always around, so it's nice to have that close-knit companionship with other women,' she said. 'A woman relates to another woman a lot better sometimes. We are supportive to each other and help each other's children.' But that doesn't mean that it didn't come with its 'challenges,' as she admitted that it's 'a lot of responsibility' on the man 'to make sure that everyone's happy.' 'There's challenges but you learn to rise above those and love and care for each other and each other's children,' she continued. 'It's just a different attitude and perspective. You have to get over your fears and jealousies.' Trina said that a 'prophet' decides who should get married to who, but vowed that the woman has 'the final choice.' 'It's not for everyone, it's only for those who really want to,' she dished. 'No woman should be forced.' She insisted thatthey're nothing like the horrific FLDS cult founded by Warren Jeffs. It was said that Warren imprisoned and sexually and physically abused multiple women and children He had more than 70 wives, 24 of whom were underage girls, when he was arrested in 2008. He's seen in 2011 'Warren Jeffs is horrible. There's a lot of mind control in that [group] and we don't believe in mind control, we believe in free agency,' Trina said She added that 'free agency' is 'highly honored' in their community, and that a woman could leave a plural marriage 'any time they want' - insisting that they are nothing like Warren's FLDS. One of Trina's former sister wives, named Annette, also spoke to Peter about some of 'scarifies' she had to make to be in the polygamist relationship It was said that Warren brainwashed, imprisoned, and sexually and physically abused multiple women and children, eventually resulting in him being sentenced to life in prison. He had more than 70 wives, 24 of whom were underage girls, when he was arrested in 2008. 'Warren Jeffs is horrible. There's a lot of mind control in that [group] and we don't believe in mind control, we believe in free agency,' Trina said. 'We are encouraged to keep our covenants and try to work through differences of course, but nobody is gonna be hunted down and killed [if they left].' One of Trina's former sister wives, named Annette, also spoke to Peter about some of 'scarifies' she had to make to be in the polygamist relationship. 'Of course you don't have as much time with your husband as you would in a monogamous marriage but that's a sacrifice you make,' she shared When asked if she would ever get upset by her husband spending time with his other wives, she admitted, 'It was just something I accepted; 'Of course you don't have as much time with your husband as you would in a monogamous marriage but that's a sacrifice you make,' she shared. One member of the group, named Benjamin, told Peter that he thought what happened in the FDLS community was a 'tragedy' 'You learn to love the other wives just as much as the husband. We became best friends, we always hung out, and did things together.' When asked if she would ever get upset by her husband spending time with his other wives, she admitted, 'It was just something I accepted. 'I knew within me that he loved them just as much as he loved me and as long as I knew he loved me it didn't matter to me.' One member of the group, named Benjamin, told Peter that he thought what happened in the FDLS community was a 'tragedy.' 'Unfortunately, their whole community has been torn apart by the evils and corruptions and violence,' he said. 'We have nothing to do with them. Separate leaders, separate communities.' One couple, named Marissa and Simion revealed that they don't currently have a don't have a polygamist relationship but explained that they were open to it in the future 'Whenever we feel like God has called us to do that then the time will come,' said Marissa, adding that they both 'grew up in plural families' One couple, named Marissa and Simion revealed that they don't currently have a don't have a polygamist relationship but explained that they 'do believe in it' and were open to it in the future since they both 'grew up in plural families.' 'Whenever we feel like God has called us to do that then the time will come,' said Marissa, who revealed she has 21 siblings. 'It's important to realize that the whole plural situation is based off of whether we want to or not. None of us are forced into it. Everyone has to consent.' One woman, who did not share her name, explained that their lifestyle was 'more than just a religion' for them. 'We lean on each other, you know? We're a true family,' she said. 'I know in my community that if I might need something, somebody will be there to help me.' As a teenager growing up in Sydney, Australia, Donna Ida Thornton had a picture on her wall of a quintessentially English countryside scene, complete with thatched cottage. Not that the woman now known among the fashion set as the Queen of Jeans had her sights set on anything so humble as a cottage. Oh no. Back then, Donna dreamed of living in a manor house. She also had a list of what she thought were the signs of success which included a driver and monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage. Fast forward a few decades and outwardly Thornton, an impossibly dewy, slight 50-year-old with a mane of tumbling blonde hair and a penchant for tight-fitting denim jumpsuits (her own, naturally), might appear to be living the dream. Amanda Holden and Jodie Kidd are among her celebrity fans, shes notched up a Louis Vuitton jewellery case and an array of designer handbags, with Gucci a particular favourite. Donna Ida Thornton built up a jean empire after moving to the UK from her native Australia Donna Ida Thornton (left) counts Amanda Holden, Jodie Kidd (centre) and Laura Whitmore (right) among her celebrity fans Nestled in an idyllic spot in South Devon, Langdon Court is a stunning 16-bedroom, Grade II-listed, stone-built affair, within walking distance of the coast And then theres her more sizeable recent acquisition - her very own Jacobean manor house, Langdon Court. Nestled in an idyllic spot in South Devon, it is a stunning 16-bedroom, Grade II-listed, stone-built affair, within walking distance of the coast. But appearances are not always what they seem. Langdon Court, repossessed by the bank from its former owner, was in a dire state when it was snapped up by Thornton and her husband Robert Walton, 66, in 2021. And, far from being a dream come true, renovating the property has led to the Antipodean lady of the manor finding herself locked in a rather undignified wrangle with the builder she employed over an unpaid bill that now stands at nearly 250,000. There have also been tales of some rather bizarre and risque goings-on over the cement mixers and mugs of sugary tea on site that you certainly wouldnt find in any Downton Abbey script. The bitter dispute reached a crescendo in January when builder Keith Elliott sought - and won - an independent adjudication ruling that Ms Thornton and her husband Robert Walton MBE (she called him Bobby Dazzler) should pay him 236,000 (a sum made up of accumulated costs). Thornton put in a counter claim, but this was thrown out. Then, earlier this month, the builder went a step further, taking her to the High Court after claiming he had not received any money since the ruling. So what happens next? That is the million-dollar question - or possibly more, given the glamorous couple, who met in Barbados in 2009 and married at St Pauls Cathedral in May 2010, snapped up the property for 1.2million and have lavished untold extra funds on renovating it. Could Langdon Court, and Thorntons childhood dream, be in peril? Certainly, the couple were painting a determined, business-as-usual picture on social media this week, announcing a trio of upcoming pyjama parties at the exclusive single-use hotel, the first being held later this month and the last in July. What these pyjama parties entail is a little unclear, but it appears to include a movie and popcorn, as well as a set of branded pyjamas and slippers, and Sunday breakfast. The Jean Queen with her husband Robert Walton MBE (she nicknames him Bobby Dazzler) Thornton has been accused of objectifying male workmen - who she calls 'Hot Tradies' - on her renovation Instagram account Meanwhile another unedifying picture has been emerging via social media posts of life at the manor. Thornton, some might say, is a chatelaine with a rather unconventional approach to overseeing a building project. Her Instagram account, on which she has 62,000 followers, includes numerous images of tradesmen working on the renovation project, sometimes bare-chested and showing off their tattoos. She calls them her hot tradies, a phrase that would cause an outcry if it were applied by a man to describe female contractors, but appears to be acceptable when used by a quick-tongued Aussie businesswoman. Take, for instance, the night in November 2022, when Keith Elliott and his team were still involved in the project, that culminated after a magazine photo shoot in a soiree for staff and all the Hot Tradies who made it all happen. Video posted by Thornton shows a spread of beers, burgers and cakes in the kitchen laid on for The Dream Team The Langdon Court Hot Tradies, adding: Anything for the hottest tradies in hot tradie land. Talking to the Mail, Mr Elliott recalls: I turned up late with my two-year-old and my wife, and they were giving out prizes for the sexiest guys and I was just like, what the hell is going on?. The evening, he says, continued with all the men and their wives being offered complimentary pairs of Donna Ida jeans. Did he get a pair? No, I tried a pair on but wasnt bothered about taking them, he chuckles. Clearly the jeans were a hit with some, however, for Thornton went on to use several images of her tradesmen in said jeans, to advertise the launch of her menswear line. Decorators Neil Jackson and Ross Wheeler, of Plymouth-based firm R & N Decorators, were sub-contracted to work on Langdon Court by Mr Elliott and remain mystified by some elements of the project. Keith is a top man, says Mr Jackson. He was brilliant. He paid all his workers in full. But for him it is an absolute nightmare because they [the couple] owe him a lot of money. The job was a little bit weird because Donna was walking around with cameras all the time. You would turn around and Donna would be filming you and everything was being rushed because she wanted photoshoots done. We did not get involved in it, none of the Instagram pictures or anything else. It was day in, day out, her going on about her hot tradies. To me that was unprofessional. Keith Elliott won a dispute in which it was ruled he is owed nearly 250,000 For Mr Elliott there is clearly a serious note to all of this; he parted ways with the Thorntons in Christmas 2022, amicably he insists, but after financial discussions. Now, looking back, he says: It was the most bizarre and unprofessional project we have ever been involved in. As the people responsible for delivering the construction element of the works and providing the health and safety provisions, the clients behaviour and resistance made these things very difficult indeed. By the end it was an embarrassment to be part of it despite the work looking excellent. Langdon Court Manors renovation journey has been unconventional from the start. Everything has been documented on its own standalone Instagram account, created in September 2021. On one of its first posts, by Thorntons husband, Bobby Dazzler Walton, a dapper individual who favours bespoke suits, a keen chef as well as president of the Restaurant Association, declared that he and his wife were on top of the world. Its something that we had been wanting to do for some time to create a venue that offers the best in food and accommodation, supporting up-and-coming chefs in stylish surroundings. You can follow our journey as we renovate the property. Thornton subsequently shared a video taken on their first viewing, writing: It was a cold and wet February and we thought if she looks this beautiful today, imagine how shell feel once we love her. There was less love, however, among certain corners of the local community when access across land owned by the couple leading to the coast was cut off. But it was not a public right of way. The Thorntons, meanwhile, cooed about how much they loved their new home creating a private suite within the property as their personal living space, the centrepiece of which is a Christobelle bed, with a pink cast iron bath in the en-suite. They certainly loved the stable room created for their pack of pet chihuahuas - a project Mr Elliott remembers well. The dormitory was hastily erected for a photoshoot complete with tongue and groove panelling (painted in Farrow & Balls Oval Room Blue). And dogs (Emilio, Julio, Fernando, Eduardo and Gonzalo) arent the only animal residents vying for likes on social media. There are guinea fowl, rescue geese and ducks, too. Video posted by Thornton shows a spread of beers, burgers and cakes in the kitchen laid on for The Dream Team The Langdon Court Hot Tradies, adding: Anything for the hottest tradies in hot tradie land' She posts another shirtless picture of one workman on her controversial Instagram page Another post suggested she had been making sexual innuendos around the workmen We had to navigate our way around them all the time and they left piles of mess around the site. It was very unhygienic, says Mr Elliott. By far his biggest complaint, apart from the unpaid bill, is his concern for the heritage of the building. Langdon Court is a Grade II-listed property which was on the at risk register with Historic England. Its dear to all our hearts, being local. We were excited to be chosen to front the project initially. The rip out phase of the project started in February 2022 when 30 workers repaired collapsing floors, water ingress and general degradation. As work progressed, the list of necessary building materials grew: 10,000sq ft of carpet was rolled out along with 12 miles of electrical cable, while 4,000sq ft of marble was installed. Overseeing the look was Thornton and her interior designer Geraldine Apponyi. When you acquire a listed building you must respect the heritage and history. As an owner of a special building like this, you are actually more of a custodian looking after this property for future owners as well as the local community. Langdon Court deserved this kind of respect and love. Unfortunately, it is mutton dressed as the most expensive lamb. Mr Elliott is not the only tradesman the Mail has spoken to this week, and is far from alone in feeling as he does. At least one other Devon tradesman was on the brink of court action before his bill was paid. Thornton has twice been at the helm of businesses which have gone into liquidation owing a total of nearly 3.5million to creditors. Her pictures showed her cosying up to the young builders as they renovated her home Langdon Court As one associate told us: She is capable of being very charming and presents an extravagant lifestyle. Charm is how she operates just look at her Instagram with her tradies wearing her jeans, cuddling her chihuahuas, celebrity friends. She charms the people around her, but at what cost? When she liquidates, owing money, she seemingly moves on unscathed. I admire Keith hugely for what he has done. Thornton, who moved to the UK in 1999 for a career in marketing, spotted a gap in the market for carefully crafted jeans and opened her first shop in Londons Chelsea in 2006. She then set up her own denim-based fashion brand inspired by her grandmother Ida in 2012. But Donna Ida Limited, the fashionistas first business foray, went into administration in 2014, followed by her second business Donna Ida (Online) Ltd, the liquidation of which concluded, according to Companies House documents, last year. Nevertheless, she has continued to promote her denim and is, as of last year, director of a third fashion business, House of Donna Ida Ltd. Its all rather convoluted, particularly given her husband appears to have helped keep everything afloat through his own business enterprises. Until a couple of weeks ago, he was a co-director of Langdon Court, when he removed himself from company records. What next for the Queen of Jeans and chatelaine of Langdon Court? Mr Elliott very much hopes his bill will be paid and that will be the end of the matter. Meanwhile at the manor, theres the next pyjama party to get ready for, and whatever financial challenges might lie ahead, Thornton is, by her own account, well prepared. She did not respond to requests for comment. But, as she told a fashion blog a few months ago: I have had so many challenges, I have made every mistake in the book. But the best lessons are the financially painful ones, once something hits your pocket you really never forget it. It is easier to keep up than catch-p, so I keep working - almost all the time - so that I stay on top of work and keep constant momentum. I really like working though, it isnt really work to me. It is a way of life. Additional reporting: Andy Jehring and Tim Stewart Tracy King's young life was blighted by her father's killing: not only by profound grief and loss, but also abject terror, because she believed his killers seemingly wrongly acquitted roamed free near her home. For 34 years this misunderstanding cast a malign shadow. 'I thought my dad, Mike, had been killed with a karate chop to the head by the ring-leader of a gang of five violent youths who had fled the scene after the fatal attack,' she says. 'The dread, that I could be passing them in the street or at school, consumed me.' Tracy stopped going to lessons, stopped sleeping and says she lived 'in a state of constant exhaustion and fear'. 'I didn't know how to cope with the enormity of my feelings,' she adds. 'My Mum, severely agoraphobic and anxious herself, was ill-equipped to help me. I had a noise in my head like tinnitus or the buzz of a thousand bees. Our doctor prescribed sleeping pills. 'I remember sitting by the side of Mum's bed sobbing, holding the packet. I didn't intend to take them. I didn't want to die. I just wanted to stop the noise that plagued me.' The trauma persisted, unresolved, into her adult life. Then, two years ago when Tracy was 46 she confronted it head-on. Writing her new memoir, Learning To Think, she decided to research her father's death. Today Tracy, 48 - a writer, producer and science communicator - lives in London with her partner and two cats. She is amiable, talkative, likeable, approachable Tracy was a confident, irrepressible child until her beloved dad was killed With astonishing courage, she arranged to meet Andrew Reynolds, the man she believed had killed him it was a meeting that would shatter every conviction she had harboured. Today, instead of clinging to the truth as she perceived it, she admits, with spectacular honesty, that she was wrong. 'I met the man who killed dad... and I liked him very much,' she says. 'Andrew is a kind, thoughtful person without a shred of hatred or aggression. He told me how very sorry he was that he had struck the blow that ended my dad's life.' That was Tracy's first surprise: Reynolds' genuine contrition. But there was more: 'Since I was 12, I had been convinced the dad I loved so much my dear, kind, clever, flawed father, who was so engaged with my learning and taught me to be curious had met a brutal death at the hands of an aggressor. 'This belief tortured me for decades. But then, in 2022, Andrew's story shifted my perspective on the events that changed my life that evening in 1988. It was liberating to know the truth at last.' Today Tracy, 48 a writer, producer and science communicator lives in London with her partner and two cats. She is amiable, talkative, likeable, approachable. She was a confident, irrepressible child 'rent-a-gob... a showbiz version of my more introspective older sister Emily,' is how she puts it until her beloved dad was killed. The family lived hand-to-mouth on a council estate in the Midlands. Her father Mike, 44, a former RAF engineer, worked in a succession of low-paid jobs. But Tracy remembers his questing mind: 'He was interested in logic, puzzles, but also fostered my creativity. He took us on walks and we'd pretend to be hobbits or spies. He was also anxious, an alcoholic, and we were poor. We struggled to survive.' Tracy's mum, Jackie, loved writing, literature and poetry, but agoraphobia made her anxious and over-protective of her children. The day Mike died began happily enough. Emily, then 14, had a local authority-funded boarding school place and she'd come home for a visit, so the family decided to celebrate with a rare takeaway. Mike went to order the meal and called Jackie from a public phone booth to tell her he was going to pop into the pub as he waited for it. It was their last conversation. When Mike didn't come back, Jackie and the girls assumed he'd got waylaid in the pub, which wasn't unusual. Later that evening, police arrived at the house to say Mike had collapsed and been rushed to hospital where he was on life support. 'I felt disbelief, dread and overwhelming fear,' Tracy recalls. 'The next day they turned off the life support machine. I wasn't there. Mum didn't want us to see dad in the hospital bed attached to tubes. I wanted to cry but shock doesn't always show in tears. Every muscle was tense, my throat and chest a solid mass.' Doctors told the family that Mike's death had been caused by an aneurysm a burst artery in the brain a random ticking time-bomb which had exploded minutes after the phone call to Jackie. Then came a fresh and horrifying twist: just as the family was adjusting to the shock of their loss, police arrived to tell them they were investigating Mike's death as a potential murder. A manhunt was underway with 15 CID officers on the case. Tracy's family lived hand-to-mouth on a council estate in the Midlands. Her father Mike, 44, a former RAF engineer, worked in a succession of low-paid jobs Following her father's killing, Tracy stopped going to lessons, stopped sleeping and says she lived 'in a state of constant exhaustion and fear' A group of teenage boys had been sitting on a low wall close to the phone boxes taunting Mike, calling him names until one, Tracy was led to believe, suddenly flew at him with a karate chop that instantly felled him. 'Dealing with bereavement, I suddenly had a reason to be terrified, blinded by a fog of rage,' says Tracy. 'Life would never be the same again.' Her overriding emotion, aside from sadness, was 'abject fear', her terror centring round the youths 14-year-olds Reece Webster, Chris Hendon, Anthony Mears and Ian Burrows she believed had been involved in the death, along with 17-year-old ringleader Reynolds. 'We didn't know these kids, other than Reece, a neighbour who had played with Emily and me. The vision of Dad being knocked out by Reynolds played over like a film reel as I tried to sleep. The police were adamant: Reynolds, a martial arts black belt, had landed the fatal blow.' The five boys were arrested on suspicion of murder, held and questioned for several days. Four were then released without charge; Reynolds was kept in custody. 'I'd been a teacher's pet, a model pupil, but to get to school I had to walk past the spot where Dad had died,' Tracy says. 'A rumour circulated that the boys had made off on BMX bikes, running over dad's head. Mum, plagued by her own fears, did not force me to go to school.' It was over a year before her father's case came to court. While her mother and the family went in to follow the proceedings, Tracy and Emily waited outside in the lobby. The four boys would be called as witnesses, milled around the court precincts. Reynolds was held in a police cell. Tracy saw his parents sitting near them as they waited for the case to begin. 'They looked like a nice couple,' she remembers. The trial was supposed to last five days, but on the second day it collapsed and Reynolds, to shock and fury, was acquitted of manslaughter. 'All I remember was our family's outrage, their contention that the whole thing had been a farce, a miscarriage of justice, their firm belief that Reynolds had got away with the killing. 'I didn't go back to school at all after that. I was too frightened of meeting the youths who were now to my complete dismay free to roam our estate.' Instead, she educated herself with the help of her mum, who encouraged her love of reading: 'I devoured the classics Hardy, Orwell, Dickens taking no interest in teenage hobbies such as fashion and boys.' Learning To Think by Tracy King (16.99, Doubleday) is out now Tracy flourished academically, gaining qualifications in computer studies, and excelled in her first job, leaving with an impressive CV. Until 2020, she continued to live uneasily with her dad's brutal death. As well as the karate chop, she believed his assailants had fled after he collapsed. When Tracy started to write her book, she began to question accounts, searching for the truth. The idea of contacting the 'gang' now all grown men made her feel sick, but she quickly found Reece on social media. Assuring him she harboured no ill-will towards him, she suggested a Zoom meeting. To her surprise, Reece agreed. 'As the screen flickered into life, there he was,' she recounts. 'There was no stabbing pain in my heart, no sickening lurch of recognition; just a slightly familiar man with a kind and unthreatening gaze.' What Reece told her during their two-hour conversation was totally unexpected. In fact it overturned everything she believed. Yes, the five teenagers had been sitting on the brick wall near the phone box and, yes, they had been taunting Mike but far from being floored by a vicious karate chop from Reynolds, it was her dad who'd struck the first blow. 'One of them, Chris Hendon, had apparently called him a slap-head; perhaps even said 'f*** off old man' when asked to be quiet. 'But after the call, Dad had retaliated by hitting Chris quite hard in the face. Chris tried to hit back but the punch did not really connect and Dad reeled backwards towards Andrew, who threw out his arm in self-defence. His fist connected with the side of Dad's head. It was a hard hit one of the boys heard my dad say, 'Bloody hell, that was a good one,' before collapsing to the ground. 'I was very calm when I heard this. Although Dad was a kind and loving man he had never been remotely aggressive towards any of us these events made sense.' She tracked down and spoke to two more of the five men Chris Hendon and Anthony Mears finding their separate recollections persuasive. 'They told me their memories, the subtle disparities in their accounts making them all the more convincing. There was nothing for them to gain from speaking to me. I respected them and I believe what they told me,' she says. In 2022, Tracy spoke to Andrew Reynolds on the phone. She recalls the quickening of her heartbeat before the hour-long call, the huge effort of will and courage it took. 'My heart hurt, my head was buzzing,' she says. 'The first thing he said was how sorry he was. He told me he'd been sitting on the wall that night waiting for his girlfriend. The boys weren't a gang; they weren't even friends. Andrew was 17 and came from an owner-occupied part of the estate. 'After Dad had punched Chris, Andrew recalls he'd also kicked him in the stomach. Andrew had taken a swing in self-defence.' Reynolds wasn't a black belt in anything: 'He didn't jump off a wall and land a karate chop to the back of my dad's head, but clumsily defended himself in the scuffle as my dad lunged towards him.' Mike had then staggered away, fallen to his knees and collapsed. It was, she concedes, a very difficult conversation. But also 'warm and positive'. 'What happened had clearly affected him deeply his whole life. He told me barely a week had passed that he hadn't thought about it, how he tried, in vain, to help my dad. I liked Andrew very much; for his genuine remorse, his sincerity.' In late 2022 they met in a pub in the town where they'd both lived as children. 'He seemed nervous, but as we'd spoken on the phone several times, I trusted him,' Tracy adds. 'I looked at his hands and thought about how the karate chop that had never happened had haunted me. 'He said again how sorry he was and as we left I opened my arms for a hug. We parted as friends.' They've since stayed in touch a few times a year via text. 'I feel no guilt at all for liking him. He is a lovely man.' Today Reece, too, remains a friend. 'We talk regularly. I realise now he was a daft kid, not party to a murder.' Reece's life had been turned on its head by the accusation: 'His grandmother never spoke to him again. His father disowned him.' She now realises she misunderstood large swathes of her father's death. Rumour and gossip added to the fear that consumed her. The police investigation had concluded that Reynolds probably acted in self-defence, which made his acquittal on manslaughter charges the right verdict. And, perhaps most conclusively, the boys had in fact tried to help Mike when he fell the police concluded they would've stayed at the scene until the ambulance arrived were it not for two adults who told them to 'scarper'. Does she forgive Andrew Reynolds for striking the blow that killed her father? 'The fact is,' she says, 'I do not blame him. I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.' After years of unresolved trauma over her father's death she has now had therapy. 'And knowing the truth about what really happened to him has been liberating,' she says. 'Actually, it has set me free.' Some names have been changed. Learning To Think by Tracy King (16.99, Doubleday) is out now 'For over 70 years now, Colombia, Korea have enjoyed very close relations' By Kim Hyun-bin Colombian Ambassador to Korea Alejandro Pelaez Rodriguez said the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations has great potential for the agricultural and industrial sectors of his country, expressing an aim to reach $1 billion in exports to Korea in the near future. "In that FTA, Colombia sees the possibility to export agricultural products and food processed products mainly but not exclusively. The agricultural and industrial sectors stand out as winners of the FTA with Korea," Ambassador Rodriguez said during an interview with The Korea Times on March 5, noting the substantial growth in Colombian exports to Korea through the impact of the FTA, signed on Feb. 21, 2013. "Colombian export products of these sectors went from $79 million in 2015, the year prior to the entry into force of the agreement, to $175 million in 2021, with an average annual growth of 14 percent. Trade is actually the most powerful platform you can create a diplomatic relationship," he said. While acknowledging the progress, Rodriguez expressed optimism about the prospect of expanding exports further. "For me, a good number or the goal that we should achieve in a very short time should be exports of at least $1 billion," he emphasized. Rodriguez also stressed the need to diversify Colombian exports, identifying potential areas such as processed foods and tropical fruit. He highlighted the efforts of the commercial sector to identify new products to enhance the commercial basket. On the Korean side, Rodriguez acknowledged the significant advantages gained from the FTA. He noted the prevalence of Korean products in Colombia, particularly in sectors like public transportation and home appliances. "Today, if you go to Colombia, you are going to be amazed, for instance, about taxis in Colombia. The public transportation in Colombia is mainly Korean. I would say that easily 90 to 95 percent of the taxis today in Colombia are Hyundai or Kia." he said. Every single house in Colombia has at least one Korean home appliance, either a TV set or a mobile phone." Rodriguez acknowledged the challenges posed by physical distance but emphasized the potential for bilateral cooperation and opportunities on both sides. "Well, distance is definitely a challenge, and it's something that you cannot help whenever I speak with a CEO, with an entrepreneur, with a guy who's running a startup. This is the issue that arises at first," he said. Despite the distance, the ambassador pointed out various opportunities for collaboration, particularly in light of Colombia hosting the COP 16 later this year, which he believes will open doors for business and consultancy services, especially in biodiversity. "Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, where, for instance, the cosmetics industry can find ingredients that are not available here in Korea," he said, highlighting potential partnerships in forestry, renewable energy and infrastructure development. Discussing potential areas for collaboration between Korean and Colombian SMEs, Rodriguez said, "Startups and technological solutions here in Korea have an opportunity in Colombia. No doubt if you do or open the space for joint ventures for partnerships." The ambassador also highlighted the Korean food sector's interest in entering new markets, considering Colombia's sizable population and openness to new flavors, suggesting opportunities for processed food exports. The K-food sector is at thi moment interested to conquer new markets and Colombia is a market that has the same size as Korea, nearly 50 million people, and it is a market that is open for new flavors, Rodriguez said. Moreover, the ambassador identified the electrical and medical appliances sectors as promising areas for collaboration, citing the increasing demand for new technologies driven by the shift toward green energy sources. Diplomatic ties The ambassador provided an insightful overview of the longstanding diplomatic relations between Korea and Colombia. Spanning more than 70 years, these relations have matured into a multifaceted partnership that includes cooperation, cultural exchange, economic ties, and mutual support in critical projects. Rodriguez emphasized the enduring bonds between the two nations, rooted in a shared history that dates back to Colombia's participation in the 1950-53 Korean War. "For over 70 years now, Colombia and Korea have enjoyed very close relations that stem from an everlasting brotherhood after the participation of the Colombia battalion in the Korean War," he said. Highlighting the evolution of bilateral relations over the past 62 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Ambassador Rodriguez outlined four key pillars that characterize the relationship between the two nations. The first pillar he mentioned is cooperation, describing Colombia as a strategic partner for Korea across various domains including culture, economy and politics. "Colombia is a strategic cooperation partner with Korea in the cultural side, in the economic side and in the political side," he said. The second pillar emphasized by Ambassador Rodriguez is cultural exchange, which he considers a vital aspect of public diplomacy. He highlighted the active exchange of activities between both countries, including initiatives such as participating in movie festivals and showcasing Colombian culture at events like book trade fairs. He noted the growing popularity of Korean cultural expressions among Colombians, particularly among the younger generation, citing K-pop and K-dramas as examples. In terms of education, Rodriguez praised Korea as a destination for Colombian students seeking high-quality education, especially in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs. He highlighted the increasing interest in studying in Korea and the growing number of students learning Korean through institutes like the Sejong Institute's branch in Bogota. "We consider cultural and public diplomacy a very important matter and we work a lot in order to be as active as possible and in order to share our culture here in Korea," he said. Economic ties form the third pillar of the bilateral relationship, with a focus on investment, tourism and trade. Ambassador Rodriguez noted Colombia's efforts to attract investments from Korea, positioning the country as a nearshoring destination to serve all of the Americas. He highlighted Colombia's strategic location, strong commercial legal framework and industrial base as factors that make it an attractive destination for Korean investors. The fourth pillar, according to the ambassador, is mutual support in critical projects that contribute to the future development of both countries. He cited examples such as Colombia's support for the Busan World Expo and Korea's assistance in the Cadaster project, which aims to facilitate rural reform based on data. Reflecting on his experience in Korea, Rodriguez expressed admiration for Korean culture and cuisine. "Korea has been one of the best experiences of my life," he shared, mentioning his fondness for Korean barbecue and 'galbitang,' a beef rib soup, as his favorite dishes. Meghan Markle will likely make six figures within weeks of officially launching American Riviera Orchard, a brand expert has claimed. After the Duchess of Sussex, 42, made an explosive return to social media last night where she opened the account for her lifestyle and cooking brand, royal fans have been sent into a frenzy. And while little information has been released about what American Riviera Orchard will offer, brand expert Hayley Knight says the anticipation for its products and content will stand the business in good stead in its opening months. She added it 'wasn't by accident' that the Duchess launched the brand on the same day her husband Prince Harry was due to appear via video message at the Diana Legacy Awards, and that by teasing fans with a 'glimmer' of information, she was building up anticipation for what the brand will offer. Hayley also said it 'makes sense' that the Duchess has decided to launch a lifestyle brand following the success of competitive A-list brands such as Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop and Kourtney Kardashian's Poosh, adding that the Duchess 'wants to place herself among celebrity counterparts'. The Duchess of Sussex, 42, will 'make six figures' within weeks of the first products being released from American Riviera Orchard, a branding expert claims Speaking to FEMAIL, Hayley said: 'We have seen in the past, everything Meghan wears, promotes and sells, sells out instantly, and there are websites dedicated to What Meghan wears showcasing her brand power.' She added that Meghan had 'incredibly strong' instincts when it comes to PR and marketing, and 'wouldn't have launched this if she didn't think it was going to work'. So far, little has been shared about what American Riviera Orchard will look like when it officially launches, however Hayley believes it's safe to assume it will target 'the mid to upper market', with Meghan 'leaning into the brand and her personal style'. American Riviera Orchard officially launched on Instagram and via a website on Thursday evening The Duchess's new lifestyle and cooking brand launched on Instagram last night with a glossy Instagram video Hayley predicted: 'Im sure we can expect homely, yet stylish, unique, modern designs for the stylish and modern home, with undertones of spirituality and mindfulness.' The brand expert admitted it's difficult to tell how much the Duchess will make from American Riviera Orchard because no products nor prices have yet been released. However she predicted: 'Meghan will certainly see success quickly once the store is launched. We have seen with previous celebrity launches, that the demand is incredibly high, and products sell quickly.' She added Meghan will likely move on to selling her 'own range' of products that she will claim to use herself, which will be 'a hot selling point'. 'I cant imagine Meghan will make less than six figures within the first few weeks of opening, if not in the first week if the company sells globally,' she said. In terms of brand collaborations on social media, Hayley said it's unlikely Meghan will make money through paid partnerships because the Sussexes will likely only use social media to promote the brand, rather than return to platforms with their own accounts. However she added: 'However, there is a chance she could do interviews, and IG lives with other people within the industry, and if theyre paid opportunities, she can gain upwards of $1M per post.' American Riviera Orchard was launched on Instagram and via its new website on Thursday night with a slick video to accompany the brand, which featured Meghan in her kitchen mixing batter in a bowl. An 'authentic fit' for Meghan Ben Austin, Founder, RollerSix, a celebrity-venture partner agency, said: 'If I was running the white board session with Meghan on what product suite she could bring to market, my gut says this could be an attractive play as it's an area that not many celebrities have moved in to and it personifies well with Meghan's brand. 'Not only for style and positioning, but there's also a lot of existing retail partners that are aligned to Meghan's brand which would get behind the distribution this kind of product range. It feels like an authentic fit in a non saturated space, and celebrity brands need to be: 1. Authentic. 2. In a space that you can own and that is not in a sea of lookalikes. We just facilitated a partnership with Gwyneth Paltrow and a meditation platform as she's the Queen of Wellbeing and so it was a really natural fit 'To understand how successful this will be, we would need to look at the whole business operation from manufacturing, supply chain, margin, operations and then distribution. Retail always take a big chunk (but will give her reach) and then there's direct-to-consumer (which is all her revenue but requires a machine to fund, iterate and scale). At the moment, she's keeping her cards close to her chest so we look forward to seeing how she plays this one.' Advertisement Another frame showed her picking plush roses from a posy. Insiders told the Daily Mail the business was set to be a 'lifestyle and cooking brand' which would focus on things Meghan holds dear. It is fitting that the Duchess's venture will feature cooking and food, which is something she has shown a passion for in the past. In 2018 when she was living in the UK as a working royal, Meghan bonded with survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire when she joined a community kitchen in the area and had no qualms with pitching in to help create meals. The Sussexes' explosive Netflix series revealed Meghan stays in touch with the community today, despite now living in California. The Duchess has also previously contributed recipes to charity cookbooks - including a lemon cake in The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope, which was published last year. Brand expert Emily Austen advised Meghan 'removing herself from the brand'. 'It should come as no surprise that Meghan Markle has jumped on the wellbeing brand train, despite her apparent dislike of neutral tones throughout her time in the UK,' she told FEMAIL. 'Meghan and Harry as a couple have encouraged a family first narrative, and Meghan has dabbled in kitchen based brand moments, such as her cookbook; Together. She famously awoke at 5am to practise yoga in Buckingham Palace, and wrote in The Tig (her former blog and lifestyle website) about taking Ashwaganda in the early days of her relationship with Harry to keep her calm. 'The LA, clean living aesthetic has been thoroughly thought out by wellness titans such as Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow and Poosh. Less than 24 hours after her new brand announcement, the dedicated Instagram page had just shy of 350,000 new followers, although nothing yet in the way of product teasers. 'Instagram is a hugely lucrative platform for celebrities, and it has been widely predicted by brand experts that Meghan would find her way back to it. In the US particularly, homeware as a category has exploded, more so since Covid. Baking, tablescaping, flower arranging, and other, wholesome, home activities have dominated social media, and become lucrative additions to high street retailers, such as Zara and H&M. 'Meghan is a divine character and public opinion lands differently depending on your geography. The success of her brand will likely hinge on the positioning of the products and the price point. The initial branding does suggest that it leans to the higher end of cost for these products. The market is incredibly competitive with many brands taking ownership over specific categories, rather than the whole home. Success stories include Our Place, recently collaborating with Selena Gomez. Markle can expect to see a lot of initial interest in her brand, but the reality of achieving long term success will require considerably more than a press release and a sneak peak on Instagram. 'It is understood that Meghan will be selling her own products on the website, rather than other brands, but can expect to see much interest from brand collaborations and partnerships. This will provide large fees, however, will also dilute the purity of message on her own brand. My advice, which I shall give despite not being asked, would be to remove Meghan as much as possible from the imagery and the brand. 'Whatever your thoughts about her, she is incredible divisive and not widely liked. Its risky to integrate yourself so intrinsically with a brand given the relationship she has with the public. 'Id also change the name - its hard to spell, long winded and looks like a wedding invitation for a country club. Perhaps she got the inspiration from sitting in the Rosewood in Montecito, which also has a permanent Goop store on site 'Celebrity is no doubt an enormous driver of short term success; Kylie Cosmetics, Skims, Hailey Biebers Rhode. However, it doesnt guarantee long term success. Celebrities such as these can earn millions of pounds from posting on social media, and drive huge sales as a result of their cult following. 'In order for Meghan to make money from Instagram, she will need an engaged, interested audience, with purchasing power. A product that actually is needed, strong imagery and messaging that actually connects with those viewing it, rather than inauthentic posturing. 'I wouldnt expect a business like this to see a profit certainly in the first 12 months, but it is unclear at this time whether there has been any external investment, who is actually running the business, or what the launch plan is, eg. D2C through to website. 'A smart move would be to collaborate with the established people in this space, to ensure an audience share, and to enhance credibility. Whether or not others would be up for this, remains to be seen,' she added. After a tumultuous few days for the Royals, Rebecca English answers your questions LIVE on MailOnline this Friday at 12pm. Email yours to mailbox@dailymail.co.uk Prince William appeared 'regal' in his appearance at an awards ceremony in honour of his mother Princess Diana on Thursday night, while Harry's more resembled a 'rock star', a body language expert has claimed. The Prince of Wales attended the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London yesterday while Prince Harry made an appearance virtually from his Californian home after his older brother had left. William took the stage to AC/DC's song Thundertrack, which he referred to as 'George's song', before telling the audience himself and the Princess of Wales channel Diana's legacy through their work. Body language expert Judi James told FEMAIL that their very different appearances signified that the distance between the once-close brothers has only 'expanded' - as Harry seemed 'casual' and 'relaxed', while William seemed to show a display of 'inner tension'. Prince Harry looked like a 'rock star' in his virtual appearance from Montecito at the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London, a body language expert has claimed Meanwhile a 'regal' Prince William seemed to be displaying signs of 'inner tension' She said: 'This was a night of "Regal" William versus "Rock Star" Harry, with both princes playing to their charisma strengths at this event to honour their mother. 'Their alienation has clearly given them carte blanche to expand their differences. 'Two boys who were often dressed alike as children and who appeared as an Ant & Dec style matching duo through much of their adult life, now have no need to co-ordinate with either their styling of their body language behaviour.' She added that William looked almost like 'James Bond' with his 'formal' and 'elegant' attire as he stood behind a lectern to address the live audience from the stage. Harry's clothing made a marked contrast to the Prince of Wales, wearing 'an open-neck denim shirt and seeming to be sitting in some kind of cowboy service station complete with a line of Stetsons hanging from the ceiling behind him'. The Duke's appearance, though only via video link from Montecito, was met with rapture, as winners told him he was 'missed' back in the UK. Judi determined that Harry looked 'casual and relaxed', while William appeared 'less assured than usual' as he paid tribute to his mother. She said: 'Harry appeared on screen more as a talking head and to a boardroom-sized audience but the fan-club-style shrieks and applause that greeted him prompted a return of his signature cheeky show-boating. Regal vs rock star: Judi said while Harry showed off his 'signature cheeky show-boating', William's clutching of the lectern betrayed an 'inner tension' The Diana Awards had been touted as a rare joint appearance by estranged brothers William and Harry, albeit 5,000 miles apart from each other and at different times of the evening Prince William told the winners that they are 'driven by courage, compassion and commitment qualities shared by my mother' 'His cheeks raised and became rounded in utter delight and he even raised both hands in a beckoning gesture to encourage more adulation with a Go for it! 'His praying hand gesture as he apologised for not being there in person became gestures of motivation as he addressed his audience by first questioning them and then giving them praise. 'His more serious points came with some sucked-in lips or subtle body-rocking to show energy and emphasis. Overall he looked casual and relaxed with a very connective style of delivery.' But the Prince of Wales appeared 'modest' and his stance appeared 'inner tension' - which is perhaps unsurprising following the intense speculation and conspiracies regarding his wife Kate's ongoing absence, and his father King Charles's illness. Judi continued: 'Williams approach was modest though and his delivery rather less assured than usual, hinting at some overwhelming emotions as he clutched the lectern with both hands, even seeming to lean on it at times as his torso angled forward. 'His feet were often splayed but not in the horizontal power splay. He held one foot forward which again, suggested inner tension. 'His greeting of his audience looked shy. Instead of connecting with his eyes as he spoke he looked down and read his greeting from his notes. 'Although his arrival and chats showed a sense of playful animation and laughter that hinted at bravado, some of the sentiment of his missing wife, unwell father and of course speaking of his beloved mother seemed to affect his delivery here.' Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards last night A royal expert has claimed that Princess Diana (pictured in 1983) would have insisted the brothers set their feud aside to present the award in her name The event came just hours after his wife Meghan Markle launched her latest business venture - luxury lifestyle brand American Riveria Orchard. Fans who sign up for information on the Duchesses' new business venture will be notified about 'products' - which some commentators have suggested is a clear breach of the agreement by the Sussexes' to not profit off their royal titles. In a double-whammy of announcements, the Sussexes went on to reveal the winners of their $100,000 NAACP Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award while William was still speaking and handing out awards to the winners. Prince Williams speech in full: Prince William from the Science Museum in London where he told the audience: 'This evening's Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of The Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect my mother's belief that young people can change the world. 'I know that she would have been honoured to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe. 'She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life,' he said. 'That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years. 'I am so proud to see this belief of my mother's manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight.' Advertisement The Sussexes' timing to coincide with the Diana's awards has been questioned by royal experts, with one telling MailOnline 'the Sussexes in my opinion do nothing by accident'. As William left the event, Harry began his talk via video-link from Montecito, where he told the young winners: 'I'm sorry I am not there. I wish I could be there with you guys.' He went on to thank the group for 'for inspiring so many others' and 'protecting my mother's legacy' before joking with the winners about not getting into 'too much trouble' if they planned to head out in the capital to celebrate. Throughout his speech, Prince William also paid a moving tribute to his mother as he handed out awards in his memory. He told the crowd that Princess Diana had taught him that 'everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life' and that her legacy was an inspiration to both him and his wife Kate, who is currently recovering from abdominal surgery. 'She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life,' the Prince said. 'That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years. 'I am so proud to see this belief of my mother's manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight.' The brother's tributes to their mother comes as royal experts claimed that Princess Diana would have insisted the men put aside their feud to present the award in her name. The legacy award was introduced by The Diana Award in 2017 to celebrate the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, on the 20th anniversary of her death. Addressing walking onto Thunderstruck, Prince William told the audience: 'I like AC/DC, that's George's song'. After presenting the awards, William met the winners and told them: 'The breadth of what you all cover, I'm amazed.' He added: 'I'm so blown away by everything you're doing, because you're doing it alongside your studies, your lives, your families, everything else. 'There are a lot of barriers I'm sure a lot of you are facing every time you're doing this.' Prince William appeared at the Diana Legacy Award event at the Science Museum in London today, as he is pictured meeting key staff and supporters of the Diana Award Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Baroness Doreen Lawrence as he attends last night We are delighted to announce that HRH The Prince of Wales will be joining us as our guest of honour at The Legacy Award Ceremony, taking place on Thursday 14 March 2024, and will present the Award to each of our recipients! Find out who they are on Thursday @ 7pm! pic.twitter.com/yYyjhjrucp The Diana Award (@DianaAward) March 12, 2024 Prince William told the @DianaAward winners tonight that they are driven by courage, compassion and commitment qualities shared by my mother She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back, that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life. pic.twitter.com/AQYnAG8S51 Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) March 14, 2024 The timing of the Duchesses' new business project and the announcement of the couple's foundation award has been questioned by experts on the royal family. What Prince Harry said during his chat: Speaking virtually from his home in Montecito, California, Prince Harry told the group of 20 winners: 'I'm sorry I am not there, I wish I could be there with you guys.' 'So much of the future depends on you guys. 'Some of the work you do may feel as though you are small, some of it is big but the impact again that you are having on hundreds of thousands, millions of people. ... 'You don't need me to tell you that but I want to tell you that. Every single day you are working on these things and you do not know the impact you are making. 'You don't know that when you meet people and have these interactions you may have changed their outlook changed their perspective given them a bit more hope and inspired them to do something similar. 'I am seriously impressed by the work that you do, particularly at the young age you are at, and the future is yours and your going to help with that future.' 'My mum would be incredibly proud of all the work you have done I am incredibly proud and thank you for doing all the work you have done.' 'You're going to come up against barriers and all different ways of thinking but it seems like you guys are always thinking outside the box.' 'Remember when you leave London you have to stay in contact with each other and help each other out. Enjoy the rest of your evening and don't get in too much trouble if you're continuing to go on. 'Thank you for protecting my mothers legacy.' 'Thank you very much for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mother's legacy, I really appreciate that. 'And Tessy (Ojo, chief executive of the Diana Award), again, well done on this fantastic group of individuals.' Advertisement Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told MailOnline: 'The Sussexes in my opinion do nothing by accident and timing is often absolutely pivotal. 'We found that out one way over the weekend and we've now just been reminded that there may be more shots in their locker than some of us thought. And it's no accident. 'For years they've been unpredictable but they have been predictable in one sense, and that is the unerring timing when they believe it's beneficial to get information out. They don't do anything by accident.' The Duchesses' latest project is said to feature 'all things that are close to her heart'. She will be making and selling her own products with a book and blog said to accompany her cookery display. It has led to some questions about whether the California-based royals will be breaching their agreement not to profit off the Sussex title. Opening the event, Prince William gave a speech in person to mark the charity's 25th anniversary and present awards to 20 recipients. He told the room: 'This evening's Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of The Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect my mother's belief that young people can change the world,' he said. 'I know that she would have been honoured to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe.' He added: 'I am so proud to see this belief of my mother's manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight.' During the ceremony hosted by Cel Spellman, an actor and presenter, and Diana Chao, a former award winner, William presented awards to each of the 20 award recipients who had flown in from around the world. Each winner had been asked beforehand to choose their own song for the moment at which they walked onto the stage. Tom Walker performed halfway through the awards ceremony, saying: 'It's rare to be in a room full of so many inspiring people. We don't feel worthy.' Walker said the song he performed, Lifeline, was written after a friend died, adding: 'A friend of mine took a wrong turn and we lost them. 'I think it's important to speak about the stigma of mental health and I try and do a little bit in my song.' Later on, Prince Harry spoke to the winners who sat in a small conference room and chatted to him over Zoom. One award winger, Sophie Pender, founder of the 93% Club - a student society dedicated to making universities more inclusive for state-educated students - told the Duke that 'we really miss you here [in London]'. Throughout the call, the Prince applauded the group for the 'amazing work you guys are doing' telling them the volunteers and charity workers they had a bright future ahead. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Diana Awards in 2017 The Prince met key staff and supporters of the Diana Award, before joining the ceremony where he heard about the recipients' work. Pictured with Dr Tessy Oho CBE The Prince of Wales appeared at the awards event alone as his wife Kate is still recovering Prince William poses with award winners during the Diana Legacy Awards last night The Prince said: 'So much of the future depends on you guys. Some of the work you do may feel as though you are small, some of it is big but the impact again that you are having on hundreds of thousands, millions of people. 'Without you guys doing that and without you inspiring other people because it feels good and because you get so much from it, that inspiration is like a ripple effect and it goes all across the water. 'You don't need me to tell you that but I want to tell you that. Every single day you are working on these things and you do not know the impact you are making. 'You don't know that when you meet people and have these interactions you may have changed their outlook changed their perspective given them a bit more hope and inspired them to do something similar. 'I am seriously impressed by the work that you do, particularly at the young age you are at, and the future is yours and your going to help with that future.' Award winner Oluwadamilola Akintewe, 24, was described as 'exemplifying the spirit of the late Princess Diana' through her work on gender-based violence in Nigeria. After the event she said: 'The Prince asked me if I received enough support in my country and I said compared to the past it's getting better.' Speaking after William left, another award winner Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, 18, who won an award for her charity Cases 4 Care's work with undocumented children, said that meeting him was 'like a dream come true'. Prince William presents an award to Christina Williams from Jamaica at the event, who founded the Changemaking Education in the Caribbean charity The Prince of Wales meets Oluwadamilola Akintewe at the Science Museum 'He was really nice and welcoming,' she said, adding that winning the award was 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' but it also felt like 'the beginning of something new'. Joel Nkeonye Mordi, 26, who won an award for founding a LGBT+ youth charity in Nigeria, said that it was 'such a huge honour' and that it marked 'a call to action.' Harry's appearance at the awards was planned to take place after the brother's left the ceremony amid their ongoing post-Megxit feud. For most of their lives, the royal brothers have been close, united by the shared trauma of losing their mother who died aged 36 in a 1997 Paris car crash when William was 15 and Harry was 12. But since Harry's 2018 wedding to his wife Meghan Markle, relations between them have soured. An explosive interview that the couple gave chat show host Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 marked a new low, while anecdotes about their relationship in Harry's bombshell memoir, Spare, which was released last year, also saw them grow further apart. Prince William presents an award to Joel Nkeonye Mordi, 26, from Nigeria, during the Diana Awards. Joel founded the Mordi Ibe Foundation, Nigeria's only charity catering for LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable students to keep them in school Maddison O'Gradey from Australia, receives the award from Prince William. The 26-year-old founded the Orygen Global Youth Mental Health Advocacy Fellowship Prince William presents an award to Dejea Lyons, 21, from the Cayman Islands. Her youth-led environmental organisation Protect Our Future boasts over 60 members Prince William presents an award to Gabrielle Wong, 18, from England, founder of the Discimus Foundation, at the event last night The Prince of Wales meets Gobhanu Sasankar Korisepati, 19, from Oman, who founded Sustaining Women in Financial Turmoil, dedicated to providing financial support to women Prince William poses with Uday Bhatia, 18, from India, of Uday Electric Prince William presents an award to Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, 18, from Indonesia. At age 11, Chiara founded Cases 4 Care Indonesia, after learning about the human rights violations Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Alizey Khan, 26, from Pakistan of the RUHIL Foundation as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum last night William poses with Yusuf Ben-Tarifite, 23, from England. He founded The Aspiring Medics (TAM) to help students from diverse backgrounds pursue careers in medicine Prince William poses with Sofia Scarlat from Romania during the Diana Legacy Awards Prince William, Prince of Wales meets Netra Venkatesh as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards The Prince of Wales with Nafira Nayeem Ahmad from Bangladesh, aged 20 The feud between the estranged brothers has cast a shadow over the whole family, which saw Harry and Meghan leave the UK. There was hope for a reunion when Harry flew back to Britain after the news of King Charles' cancer diagnosis was announced. But the King only saw Harry for half an hour - and William made no plans to see his brother. As well as receiving The Legacy Award, recipients received bespoke personal and professional development support to enhance their social action work with the long-term aim of inspiring and mobilising other young people to engage in social action. Dr Tessy Ojo CBE, Chief Executive, The Diana Award said: 'As we mark the start of our 25th Anniversary year these young people couldn't be a more fitting tribute and legacy to Diana, the late Princess of Wales and her belief that young people have the power to change the world. 'Through their courage, selflessness and sheer determination they are making change happen, often, in the face of huge adversity. Their compassion, determination and agency to make positive change today and in the years ahead is immense.' The 20 Legacy Award recipients have been chosen by a prestigious independent judging panel, chaired by Baroness Doreen Lawrence. 'These young people represent the next generation of change-makers and innovators across the globe and it is their stories from which we should listen and learn. 'This is why Gilead Sciences is supporting The Diana Award, which recognises young people who are already making strides for social and humanitarian change. We are immensely proud to continue our support for this programme that mentors these young winners and encourages them to make a lasting impact on the world.' Prince William presents an award to Hailey Richman, 16, who founded KidCaregivers, a non-profit dedicated to supporting young carers dealing with loved ones with Alzheimer's William with Shamim Ahmed Mridh, 26, a from Bangladesh, founder of Eco-Network Global Prince William poses with Sikander Sonny Kahn. At university, Sonny founded the Paani Project; an organisation that tackles Pakistan's lack of secure access to clean water The Prince of Wales with Olivia Zhang from USA as he attends the Diana Legacy Awards The feud between the estranged brothers has cast a shadow over the whole family Princess Diana exhibition Princess Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince William and Prince Harry on holiday in Majorca, Spain on August 10, 1987 The Diana Award is an accolade given to a young person aged 9-25 for their social action work Ingrid Seward, the royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine says that the pair's mother - who the evening is in tribute to - would have forced the warring brothers to reunite to celebrate the prize's winners. 'And if she failed, I think she would have insisted that they came together however briefly by speaking over the video link in order to celebrate the winners of the prize organised in her name,' she told the Mirror. It comes as Meghan Markle launched launched a luxury lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard with a glitzy Instagram video yesterday. The Diana Award is an accolade given to a young person aged 9-25 for their social action work. The charity was set up to reflect the Princess of Wales' belief that young people have the power to change the world. The brothers' reluctance to acknowledge each other's presence at the event lays bare the depth of their feud as before their falling out they often appeared together in person to pose with the award winners. While a spokesman for the award told The Telegraph that Harry will be a 'key part' of the celebration. A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'The Prince [of Wales] will meet key staff and supporters of the Diana Award, before joining the ceremony where he will hear about the recipients' work, make a short speech and present Legacy Awards to this year's winners.' Legacy Award recipient Alizey Khan, 26, established the RUHIL Foundation, with the goal of ensuring nobody would go hungry in her city. To combat food poverty, they delivered 5,500 monthly food parcels and 10,000 meals. Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang, aged just 18, founded Cases 4 Care Indonesia when she was 11. Christina Williams, from Jamaica, she fundraised millions of Jamaican dollars in supplies to support homeless students and those unable to leave their campuses due to closed borders. Recipient Dejea Lyons, 21, has presented at COP26, became a young editor of magazine OH-WAKE, and attended COP28 representing the Caribbean and the Cayman Islands raising awareness about climate injustice in her region. Entrepreneur Steven Bartlett has taken both the business and TV world by storm over the last few years - from his Diary of a CEO podcast to arguably being the most sought-after investor on Dragons' Den. As well as being the founder of multiple successful businesses, the 31-year-old has recently been branded the new 'main guy' of the BBC show, with viewers claiming all the entrepreneurs are eager to seek funding from him above the other investors. Not only did he become the youngest investor on the show when he joined in 2022, but he also became a millionaire aged just 23 after co-founding his social media marketing agency, Social Chain. However, the business expert has had equal success when it comes to his love life, boasting a long relationship with his glamorous girlfriend, Melanie Vaz Lopez, 31. Here, FEMAIL looks into the power couple's relationship, including how he met the lifestyle influencer, and the business she founded herself. The business expert has had equal success when it comes to his love life, boasting a long relationship with his glamorous girlfriend, Melanie Vaz Lopez, 31 Who is Steven Bartlett? Steven Bartlett became a thriving millionaire and huge success after co-founding his Social Chain in 2014 alongside Dominic McGregor. In 2017, he launched his podcast series, Diary of a CEO, where he sits down with some of the world's most influential people - it went on to become the number one most popular podcast on Apple Podcasts in the UK. Meanwhile, Social Chain is now valued at $600m and Bartlett stepped down as CEO aged 27 in 2020, before appearing as an investor on BBC One's Dragons' Den in 2022. However, the businessman hasn't had an easy rise to fame - born in Botswana and brought up in Plymouth, Barlett had a difficult childhood. The young entrepreneur previously revealed how his independence at a young age helped him succeed in life - explaining that his 'hardest-working' mother would sleep at her store, while he was left to fend largely for himself while growing up in Plymouth. He was expelled for non-attendance in the sixth form and dropped out of his course at Manchester Metropolitan University after just one lecture, before going on to start his first business. The entrepreneur often talks about how he went from being a 'broke student' to venturing into the world of business without any conventional means. Steven Bartlett became a thriving millionaire and huge sucess after co-founding his Social Chain in 2014 alongside Dominic McGregor Steven Bartlett's girlfriend is Melanie Vaz Lopes, a 31-year-old nutritionist and influencer from France Who is Steven Bartlett's girlfriend Melanie Vaz Lopez? Steven Bartlett's girlfriend is Melanie Vaz Lopes, a 31-year-old nutritionist and influencer from France. Keen listeners of his podcast will have heard him mention his partner in a couple of episodes, without going into too much detail. Boasting 134,000 followers on Instagram under her handle @meloai, where she also goes by Melanie Lopes, the lifestyle pros content focuses on breathwork and bodywork. She was born in Bordeuax, France, but is now based in London and spends a lot of time in Bali for her work. Like her partner, Melanie runs her own successful wellbeing company called Bali Breathwork. The 31-year-old runs a private sanctuary in Shoreditch that runs private sessions, events, and retreats. On the company website, the founder penned: 'I believe that each one of us has the power to unlock our inner magic, heal, and live life to the fullest. Boasting 134,000 followers on Instagram, Melanie's content focuses on breathwork and bodywork Like her partner, Melanie runs her own sucessful wellbeing company called Bali Breathwork 'My journey to founding this space has been one of transformation, self-discovery, and a deep commitment to helping others do the same.' Melanie started out as a wellness therapist - a role she stayed in for six years, before going into digital marketing for two years. During this time she claims her 'intuition called her back to her true purpose'. After living in Bali for three years, the businesswoman wants to help others go on a 'journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation'. How did Steven Barlett and Melanie Vaz Lopez meet and how long have the pair been together? In his 2021 memoir, Happy Sexy Millionaire, Bartlett said marriage was not for him. In fact, he insisted cohabiting was a no-no and terms like soulmate drove him around the bend. However, he's now getting ready to have children in the next few years and says marriage could be on the cards in the future. Steven and Melanie met on Instagram in 2016 and spent a year together before briefly splitting up in 2017. The pair reconciled in 2022, after he realised 'she was the one'. Appearing on Tolly T's podcast My Love is..., Steven confessed: 'She flew to the other side of the world and lived in Bali for a year. 'I think as time went on, I reflected on that, I learned more about things and life, and sex and relationships, and because she was such a special person, I realised that she was the one. So, I flew to Bali, and I went and said sorry to her.' Now, the couple are loved-up and happy as ever, though they tend to keep their relationship out of the limelight. Princess Beatrix, 86, was in Utrecht today helping volunteers with farm work Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands tried her hand at farming today during a volunteering campaign today. The royal, 86, looked in high spirits as she helped volunteers feed animals, stain woodwork and dig soil for primary school children to help them grow plants in Utrecht. Beatrix, who use to be Queen, opted for a practical outfit, donning a white Oranje Fonds zip-up waistcoat and a black long-sleeved T-shirt underneath. She wore comfortable black trousers and flat shoes as she bent down to give cows hay for them chew on. She wore her grey hair down in her signature bob and opted for glamorous makeup - purple eye shadow and a hint of blush. Beatrix opted for a practical outfit, donning a white Oranje Fonds zip-up waistcoat and a black long-sleeved t-shirt underneath Princess Beatrix was in Utrecht for the largest volunteer campaign of the country Princess Beatrix, 86, looked in high spirits as she helped volunteers feed animals The mother-of-three helped young children dig soil to help with their planting The animal lover enjoyed stroking the sheep as beaming volunteers looked on The mother-of-three paired her ensemble with silver circular earrings and a gold watch. The Dutch royal family is known for being huge animal lovers as King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Alexia and her sisters, Catharina-Amalia and Princess Ariane, own three Labradors called Luna, Skipper and Nala. On World Animal Day in 2020, the family shared a sweet photo of the three pups paying with a ball on their royal estate, Landgoed De Horsten, in Wassenaar. Every March, Dutch charity Oranje Fonds organises a national volunteering day where everyone gets involved. It was formerly referred to as 'Make a Difference Day'. Oranje Fonds was founded in 2002 as the country's wedding present for Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander. The organisation is committed to strengthening and connecting the community. In 2013, Princess Beatrix abdicated the throne so that her son, Willem-Alexander, could take over the monarchy. Princes Beatrix looks shocked as she tends to animals at a farm today She helped other volunteers varnish a wooden stable at the farm Princess Beatrix could not hide her excitement as she enjoyed feeding the sheep She wore her grey hair down in her signature bob and opted for glamorous makeup - purple eyeshadow and a hint of blush Princess Beatrix poses with volunteers and children as she helps them with planting Oranje Fonds was founded in 2002 as the country's wedding present for Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander Princess Beatrix helped feed the cows at the farm today as she stroked the animals He was the first male to accede to the Dutch throne since 1890, with his mother ruling the Netherlands since April 30, 1980. The King made a cheeky jibe over Kate's Mother's Day photo gaffe after a little girl spoke to him about his own family portrait yesterday. During a royal engagement in Zutphen, one of the country's oldest cities, the monarch was speaking with a crowd of schoolchildren dressed in paper crowns when one young girl told him about a photo of him with his whole family. And the quick-witted king laughed - saying: 'At least I didn't photoshop it!' to the giggles of the crowd. It comes as William and Kate continue to face intense scrutiny after the Princess publicly apologised and confessed to digitally editing a family portrait taken by her husband and released by Kensington Palace to mark Mother's Day last Sunday. On Monday, Kate publicly took the blame for the manipulated family photograph released by Kensington Palace as she issued a personal apology for the 'confusion'. The Dutch Telegraph (De Telegraaf) said the King's joke was a 'striking moment during a work visit by King Willem-Alexander in Zutphen, where he appears to joke about Kate-gate'. The final day of the 2024 Cheltenham festival was its most fashionable yet Cheltenham festival is as well known for its glamorous attendees as for the horse racing - and the 2024 meet has been no different. The UK's royals, soap stars, fashionistas and showbiz titans put on their most fashionable display yet on Friday for the final day of the Gloucestershire event, with the Gold Cup due to be awarded this afternoon. The event is famed for its spectator attire including neutral macs, knee-high riding boots and wide-brimmed fedoras galore. But the hottest accessory of all for 2024 seems to be having an equally voguish partner. Couples - including the likes of Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Talulah Riley, Nick Knowles and Katie Dadzie, and Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson - proved on top of the latest trend by wearing matching outfits. The hottest accessory for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival seems to be one's own partner! Pictured: Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Talulah Riley Talulah and Thomas, aged 38 and 33 respectively, looked as loved-up as ever after becoming engaged in July. And they demonstrated their blossoming relationship even further through their complementary attire. Tallulah was a vision in her chic look, comprising a feather-rimmed fedora and a belted brown coat. And Thomas was every inch the supportive fiance, matching her colour palette perfectly with a tan suit and waistcoat. Also following the on-trend theme were Nick Knowles, 61, and his fiancee Katie Dadzie, 33, both of whom looked stylish in country-inspired ensembles. They chose the same pattern of green tartan, as Katie's long coat was complemented by her green top and jeans - while Nick's outfit was the spitting image of hers. Tweed was the theme for Ex Emmerdale and Strictly star Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz Marsland. Liz rocked full country chic and a feathered fedora with Kelvin donning a flat cap. Terrific tartan! Also following the on-trend theme were Nick Knowles, 61, and his fiancee Katie Dadzie, 33, both of whom looked stylish in country-inspired ensembles Tweed was the theme for Ex Emmerdale and Strictly star Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz Marsland Matching mayhem! Gossip Girl actor Ed Westwick was also pictured with his Bollywood actress fiancee Amy Jackson donning co-ordinated waistcoats The star donned black leather trousers and a brown overcoat, while his girlfriend looked on trend in a co-ordinated checked trousersuit and waistcoat Thomas and Talulah demonstrated their blossoming relationship even further through their complementary attire Gossip Girl actor Ed Westwick was also pictured with his Bollywood actress fiancee Amy Jackson donning co-ordinated waistcoats. The star donned black leather trousers and a brown overcoat, while his girlfriend looked on trend in a co-ordinated checked trousersuit and waistcoat. The incredibly stylish couple posed for photos at the final day of the four-day race meet, which originated in 1860. Co-ordinated couples have clearly been the theme of this year's event - as Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi wore matching shades and textures on Thursday, while many spectators in the crowd have also followed suit. The Gold Cup is the UK and Ireland's most lucrative horse jump race besides the Grand National. The 2024 prize will have a jaw dropping prize pot of 625,000 ($800,000). However this is to be split between the top five finishers. Elsewhere on Friday, Princess Anne cut an elegant figure in a bright red coat, teamed with black suede boots and a brown fur hat. The Princess Royal was accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence. Also in attendance were Mike and Zara Tindall, again back for more racing after also attending the event on Thursday. Nick Knowles, Katie Dadzie, Jade Holland Cooper and Julian Dunkerton arrive for day four of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse Co-ordinated couples have clearly been the theme of this year's event - as Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi wore matching shades and textures on Thursday Houndstooth for two; this chic couple wore complementing attire to attend the final day The Princess Royal, 73, pictured arriving at Cheltenham for the second day in a row on Friday, with husband Sir Tim Laurence also in attendance Zara and Mike Tindall were all smiles as they arrived for their second day at Cheltenham. The couple looked a vision of rural chic, with Mike donning a full tweed suit, and Zara opting for a stylish grey coat with over-sized collar The royal couple, who puckered up for a sweet kiss at one point, exuded rural chic in a coordinated outfit, with Mike opting for a full tweed suit, and Zara in a grey belted coat with over-sized collar and black suede knee-high boots. Guests at this year's meet have hiked up their hemlines, chugged beer and Red Bull and ditched Jimmy Choos for thigh high boots and trainers in a move that has lead to comparisons with Aintree, the Merseyside meet famed for it's rowdy crowds and street style. Last year, the Jockey Club scrapped its strict dress code at its racecourses in the hopes of encouraging a younger crowd to racing events, with jeans and trainers no longer looked down upon, and 'come dressed to feel your best' guidance in place. The formal dress codes - which often included a jacket and tie - were dropped in an effort to make horseracing more 'accessible and inclusive', the Jockey Club said in an announcement. In previous years men would wear suits and women would wear smart dresses and heels, while jeans and trainers were usually avoided. But this year, stilettos have been traded in for chunky boots, and traditional long dresses have been hiked up. Noughties fashion seemed to be in vogue, with people opting for rara skirts and blazers. A mother-of-one has called for a ban on 'liquid BBLs' after a botched procedure left her buttocks with leaking black holes and in pain 'worse than childbirth'. Monique Sofroniou, 30, from London, booked an appointment at what she believed was a reputable salon to enlarge her bottom after undergoing a 'Brazilian Butt Lift' in 2021. The aesthetician spent 3,000 on the non-surgical procedure to have one litre of filler injected into each bum cheek - and waited excitedly to finally have her dream look. But when Monique turned up for the appointment in September 2022, she felt 'weird' about being directed to a nearby hotel where she underwent the hour-long filler procedure. Later that evening things took a turn for the worst when she discovered her bum was 'swollen' and 'very red', and had reached a temperature of 41C. Monique was immediately rushed to A&E where she was given the news that she had sepsis. Monique Sofroniou (pictured), 30, has called for a ban on 'liquid BBLs' after a botched procedure left her buttocks with leaking black holes and in pain 'worse than childbirth' Pictured: a recent image of Monique's buttocks more than a year after getting botched bum filler with just scarring left She recalled: 'After the procedure I was really lightheaded, then that night I woke up and was being sick everywhere. 'I felt so ill. I had a temperature of 41 but I was shivering, freezing cold. I was being sick all night. 'My bum was swollen and very red around the area where you could see where the filler was. It was just getting redder and redder. 'I went to hospital and stayed in for a week on an antibiotic drip, but after I just went home with oral antibiotics. 'It just continued to get worse and worse to the point where I woke up and there were bumps of blisters with fluid inside them. 'I didn't want to look at it, it made me feel sick. It was really burning to the point where I had to have ice packs on it, but even to put the ice pack on it where it was touching was agony. It was burning and stinging. 'It was the worst pain I've ever been through in my life, and I've had childbirth'. The surgery - popular with celebrities - requires a person to have fat taken from their abdomen and moved into their hips and bottom to create an hourglass shape. Monique booked the procedure on the recommendation of a friend, assuming it would be at a clinic. Monique was rushed to hospital where doctors attempted to remedy the situation (pictured: the mother-of-one after surgery in hospital to repair damage caused by the filler) The aesthetician spent 3,000 on the non-surgical procedure to have one litre of filler injected into each bum cheek (pictured: Monique's bottom two weeks after the 'liquid BBL' with blood seeping from her wound) However she claimed that she was only given the address of the procedure just one day before the appointment - and was walked by the couple to the local hotel. Although she regretted not 'walking out' at the time, she said she knew pals that had frequented the practitioners' services and so went ahead. She revealed: 'I didn't know it wasn't going to be done in a clinic. 'When I got there they met me [at the address] and walked me to an opposite hotel, I thought, "oh this is a bit weird". 'I do think I probably should have walked out at that point and been like "no" but because I knew quite a few people who had been there before I just thought it'd be fine. 'I thought filler would be a less invasive procedure, it's not supposed to be dangerous'. The morning after the injections, she was rushed to Stoke Mandeville Hospital A&E in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The mum-of-one was told she had developed sepsis and that the practitioner had used non-dissolvable silicone, rather than hyaluronic acid which is typically used for fillers. Sepsis occurs when the body reacts to an infection by attacking its own organs and tissues. She said she felt 'weird' about being directed to a nearby hotel to have the hour-long filler done (pictured: Monique three-months after her repair surgery, still sore with scars showing) After a week in hospital, the mother returned home but the respite was short lived, To her dismay the skin on her bum had turned black and was oozing out the injected filler. The botched outcome began a three-week cycle of GP and hospital visits where Monique underwent painful procedures to extract the filler which left her 'crying' in pain. 'A surgeon syringed some of the stuff out to see what it was' explained Monique. 'I was crying in agony while he was doing it, I said "it's too painful, you've got to stop". 'I went home with a plaster on it where he'd put a tiny little hole in one of the blisters - it was filler mixed with blood. 'The next morning when I woke up, where he'd put the hole in to syringe some stuff out, the skin had collapsed in on itself and [the whole area] had gone nearly black. 'It was awful, I didn't even want to look, I felt sick. It was so abnormal, I thought "oh my God, what is going on?". 'The surgeon said he thinks it was likely down to the fact that a high volume of this filler was put in and there was no room for it to go. The mum is sharing her story in a bid to get the 'high risk' procedure 'banned' or at the very least to encourage tighter regulations 'That filler just needed to come out somewhere to the point it caused my skin to die, there was too much pressure on the skin. 'They didn't tell me it wasn't dissolvable. If they did, I'd never have had it done'. Following the gruesome ordeal, Monique has been left with permanent scarring around her buttocks. Now the mum is sharing her story in a bid to get the 'high risk' procedure 'banned' or at the very least to encourage tighter regulations. She said: 'I'm quite a strong person, even though I'm fuming I know there are other people going through a lot worse. 'I'm not after sympathy but I just want to spread awareness because I think it needs to be more regulated. I don't think it will be banned but personally in my opinion I think it should be banned. WHAT IS SEPSIS? Sepsis occurs when the body reacts to an infection by attacking its own organs and tissues. Some 44,000 people die from sepsis every year in the UK. Worldwide, someone dies from the condition every 3.5 seconds. Sepsis has similar symptoms to flu, gastroenteritis and a chest infection. These include: S lurred speech or confusion lurred speech or confusion E xtreme shivering or muscle pain xtreme shivering or muscle pain P assing no urine in a day assing no urine in a day S evere breathlessness evere breathlessness I t feels like you are dying t feels like you are dying S kin mottled or discoloured Symptoms in children are: Fast breathing Fits or convulsions Mottled, bluish or pale skin Rashes that do not fade when pressed Lethargy Feeling abnormally cold Under fives may be vomiting repeatedly, not feeding or not urinating for 12 hours. Anyone can develop sepsis but it is most common in people who have recently had surgery, have a urinary catheter or have stayed in hospital for a long time. Other at-risk people include those with weak immune systems, chemotherapy patients, pregnant women, the elderly and the very young. Treatment varies depending on the site of the infection but involves antibiotics, IV fluids and oxygen, if necessary. Source: UK Sepsis Trust and NHS Choices Advertisement 'No matter who carries it out or how it's regulated, the procedure itself is so high-risk so it's not worth it. 'Thankfully it's a lot better now, it's not hard anymore. There's just the scars really. 'I'm quite thick-skinned. I'm grateful it didn't turn out to be any worse. I'm probably going to get a tattoo to cover it'. The government-approved register Save Face reported that 214 complaints have been made about non-surgical BBLs and breast augmentations since 2022, with 87 percent of these complaints requiring treatment at a hospital. They also stated that in 100 per cent of cases, the procedure was being carried out by non-health care professionals and so are now calling on the government to ban the 'liquid BBL'. Elizabeth Smart has marked the 21st anniversary of her kidnapping rescue with an emotional post in which she insisted 'miracles happen.' The now 36-year-old took to social media to reflect positively on the milestone as she shared: 'I believe in happy endings. I believe in dreams coming true.' Smart was just 14 years old when she was abducted at knifepoint from her bed at the family's home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 5, 2002. She was held captive by Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee and repeatedly raped for nine months before she was rescued on March 12, 2003. Elizabeth Smart has marked the 21st anniversary of her kidnapping rescue with an emotional post in which she insisted 'miracles happen' Smart was just 14 years old when she was abducted at knifepoint from her bed at the family's home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 5, 2002 The mom-of-three, 36, took to social media to reflect positively on the milestone as she shared: 'I believe in happy endings' In a clip, which was shared to TikTok on Tuesday, Smart spoke directly to camera as she explained: 'Today is March 12 and it will always be a reminder that miracles happen and that there are dreams that come true and that good things are abundant in this world. 'For those of you who don't know me, my name is Elizabeth Smart and back in 2002 I was kidnapped and I was held hostage for nine months. 'But I was rescued on March 12 of 2003 so today is 21 years since I was rescued.' She candidly continued: 'I know anniversaries mean a lot of different things for different people. 'I respect whatever it means to everyone individually but for me it really is a reminder that life is good and that dreams really do come true and that we should never, ever give up - because we all have hard times and we all have struggles but good things do come and I think that's really important.' Smart, who now shares three children with husband Matthew Gilmour whom she married in 2012, concluded: 'I think it's really important to savor the happiness in life and savor the joy in life so no matter where you're at, I hope you find happiness.' Elsewhere, she took to Instagram to share another touching caption that read: 'I believe in miracles. I believe in happy endings. I believe in dreams coming true. 'Today is the 21st anniversary of being rescued. My life is far from perfect but I'm so happy and grateful for the life I have today. Elsewhere, she took to Instagram to share another touching caption that read: 'I believe in miracles. I believe in happy endings. I believe in dreams coming true' Back in 2002, Mitchell, a self-proclaimed prophet, kidnapped Smart with Barzee's help and took her into the woods, where he performed a mock-wedding ceremony before raping her for the first time Smart (pictured with her parents a month after she was rescued) was held captive by Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee and repeatedly raped for nine months before she was rescued on March 12, 2003 'When I was kidnapped I thought I'd never finish school, go to college, fall in love, get married, or have a family. I thought every dream I had for myself was stolen. 'For me today is a celebration of all the happy moments of my life, and a reminder to never give up. 'I know each of us has a story and we all have our dark days in life but I hope whoever reads this finds themselves believing in miracles, dreams coming true, and hope for a better future.' Back in 2002, Mitchell, a self-proclaimed prophet, kidnapped Smart with Barzee's help and took her into the woods, where he performed a mock-wedding ceremony before raping her for the first time. To keep her from escaping, she was tied up with steel cables in a dugout filled with mice and spiders. Smart was forced to take drugs and drink alcohol, she testified in 2009, and was raped daily as often as four times a day. Back in 2002, Mitchell (left), a self-proclaimed prophet, kidnapped Smart with Barzee's (right) help and took her into the woods, where he performed a mock-wedding ceremony before raping her for the first time Mitchell and Barzee's trials were dragged out for years due to delays and mental evaluations - it took nearly eight years for Mitchell's case to finally come to court Mitchell and Barzee later moved her to Lakeside, California, where they plotted to kidnap other girls. But, after their last failed kidnapping attempt, she convinced them to return to Utah. Smart was rescued at age 15 after she and her abductors were recognized by witnesses in Sandy, a city in Salt Lake County. Mitchell and Barzee's trials were dragged out for years due to delays and mental evaluations. It took nearly eight years for Mitchell's case to finally come to court. Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes, but Barzee was given just 15 years. In a plea deal, she was given credit for the seven years she had already served. Barzee was released from prison in September 2018 and lived to the same town as Smart, despite the survivor's pleas to the parole board not to set her free. Smart - who has since gone on to become a public speaker, author and advocate - founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011 and has spent over a decade combatting the victimization and exploitation of sexual assault. The royal, 52, was taking part in the NLDoet national volunteering scheme Queen Maxima of the Netherlands put on a vibrant look on Friday as she donned a practical apron for Dutch national volunteering day. The royal, 52, got stuck in as she prepared a high tea for vulnerable elderly people in Badhoevedorp, The Netherlands. While King Willem-Alexander prepared the desserts in the kitchen, Maxima carefully put together some fruit skewers, according to Dutch paper De Telegraaf. The royal couple were volunteering as part of the NLDoet scheme which sees people across the Netherlands roll up their sleeves and take part in charity work. The Queen prepared a magnificent spread, including cakes, scones and fruit, and even sat down with the guests to enjoy the high tea together. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands donned a vibrant floral overcoat before swapping it for a practical apron in Badhoevedorp, for Dutch national volunteering day The royal, 52, got stuck in as she prepared a high tea for vulnerable elderly people She looked stunning in a vibrant ensemble as she made her way to the event, teaming a bright yellow jumpsuit with an eye-catching floral coat. The mother-of-three added matching leather shoes and a bag, while pinning her blonde locks back into a chignon to prepare for her afternoon of practical work in the kitchens. Once there, the beaming royal swapped her attire for an Oranje apron and delighted the guests with her preparation skills and gregarious manner as she served the food. She was still flawlessly accessorised, adding a beaded jade necklace and gold hoop earrings. The annual campaign with charity Oranje Foods encourages Dutch people across the country to volunteer for a day. The charity was set up in 2002 as the country's wedding gift to Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander, meaning they are patron and patroness. While King Willem-Alexander reportedly prepared the desserts in the kitchen, Maxima carefully put together some fruit skewers (pictured) The mother-of-three pinndc her blonde locks back into a chignon to prepare for her afternoon of practical work in the kitchens The Queen prepared a magnificent spread, including cakes, scones and fruit, and even sat down with the guests to enjoy the high tea together She also helped to prepare the scones, and piped the filling onto the tray with a bag She then helped to serve the high tea to the guests - those who were vulnerable and elderly On Thursday the talented monarch made a very different appearance as she sported an all-gold ensemble beneath a camel coat. She looked exceptionally radiant as she attended a conference on the circular economy in the Dutch city of Nijmegen. Maxima made yet another fashion statement as she paired a tight-fitting jacquard pencil skirt with a blouson-sleeved, crew-neck silk top. Her outfit made an even greater impact thanks to the wide, sparkly gold belt that cinched her in at the waist. The beaming mother-of-three completed the outfit with a pair of gold suede pumps and a matching clutch bag. With her blonde hair brushed back into a chignon, she revealed a pair of pair of large gold earrings complete with pearls. Once there, the beaming royal swapped her attire for an Oranje apron and delighted the guests with her preparation skills and gregarious manner as she served the food Fit for a Queen! Maxima was all too willing to help as she brought the magnificent tea out on stands She made sure no detail was spared as she took part in the NLDoet scheme which sees people across the Netherlands roll up their sleeves and take part in charity work Queen Maxima was visiting De Vasim in Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, to attend a conference organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. She was photographed touring the conference and, at one point, the smiling queen took to the podium herself. The meeting was dedicated to boosting the circular - or sustainable - economy that aims to minimise waste across industries. Gypsy Rose Blanchard has opened up about her decision to delete her Instagram and TikTok accounts - while warning that social media is a 'roadway to hell' and admitting that she no longer wants to be 'famous.' The Munchausen by proxy victim was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for second-degree murder after persuading a former boyfriend to stab her mother to death - but was released early in December last year. The 32-year-old felon-turned-reality star rose to stardom following her release from prison after her story was shown in various documentaries, causing her to be shot into the limelight, earning more than 7.8 million online followers, many of whom rallied behind her on social media. However, Gypsy has now shared that she is over her brief stint with fame after she deleted both her Instagram and TikTok accounts in an effort to create a private life. Gypsy Rose Blanchard has revealed why she deleted her Instagram and TikTok accounts as she branded social media a 'roadway to hell' The Munchausen by proxy victim was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for second-degree murder after persuading a former boyfriend to stab her mother to death The 32-year-old felon turned-reality-star rose to stardom following her release after her story was shown in various documentaries causing her to be sprung into the limelight (seen as a child with her mom) After removing any trace of herself from Instagram, she took to TikTok in a since-deleted video that has been reposted by a fan account, to explain why she no longer wanted to live life in the limelight. 'So a lot of people already noticed that I already deleted my Instagramthe public onewith the 7.8 million followers when I deactivated it or, I deleted it, I permanently deleted it,' she said. She noted that many people were stunned she had no issue leaving behind her life online because of her large following. Gypsy claimed that she didn't give a 'f***' about the following and said it wasn't 'real life' - before noting that her dad was the one that helped her put things into perspective when it came to her public life. She added: 'A lot of people are like, "What happened?" and what happened is, I had a really good conversation with my dad and he gave me some guidance that I feel like I really needed. And that guidance was that real life is something you can touchsomething you can feelpeople you can actually hug.' The 32-year-old noted that social media now felt like a 'roadway to hell' for her - explaining that following her release from prison, she fell under a microscope and people began analyzing everything she did. She said: 'With the public scrutiny as bad as it is, I just don't want to live my life under a microscope. So I created a private Instagram, and I got it verified. And I had absolutely no doubts or trouble with deleting that public one. 'I had people who were like, "Oh my god, you're insane for deleting that kind of a following." and I'm like, "I could give a f*** about a following." That's not real life. ' Gypsy noted that although she craved social media during her time behind bars and looked forward to sharing 'selfies' online, she soon realized she no longer wanted the fame that came along with it. After removing any trace of herself from Instagram, she took to TikTok in a since-deleted video to explain why she no longer wanted to live life in the limelight (seen as a child with her mom) Gypsy noted that although she craved social media during her time behind bars and looked forward to sharing 'selfies' online, she soon realized she no longer wanted the fame (seen with her husband Ryan) She explained that she wanted to be able to go to the grocery store and 'buy a box of tampons without taking a picture with someone' (seen as a child) She explained that she wanted to be able to go to the grocery store and 'buy a box of tampons without taking a picture with someone.' The Munchausen by proxy victim added that she wasn't even sure why people were so interested in following her life - adding that she did something 'bad', and while it's her 'cross to bear', she didn't want people idolizing her. She added: 'I don't understand why people are so interested in my life, I don't get it. I don't see myself as famous. Especially forfor what? Like, I did something bad. 'I'm trying to make myself a better person now but I don't get it. That's not me, I'm not famous. I'm not anything. I'm just Gypsy.' The 32-year-old felon spent her childhood posing as a wheelchair-bound invalid after Claudine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard shaved her daughter's head, pumped her full of drugs and convinced the world she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy. Their 'inseparable' bond ended when Gypsy burst free of her warped mom's control in 2015 by letting her besotted internet boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn creep into their Springfield, Missouri home to stab 48-year-old Dee Dee to death. The 32-year-old felon spent her childhood posing as a wheelchair-bound invalid after Claudine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard shaved her daughter's head, pumped her full of drugs and convinced the world she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy Their 'inseparable' bond ended when Gypsy burst free of her warped mom's control in 2015 by letting her besotted internet boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn creep into their Springfield, Missouri home to stab 48-year-old Dee Dee to death (Nick and Gypsy seen in their mugshots) Gypsy was jailed for 10 years for the matricide but was granted early parole seven years in after friends and family begged authorities to take account of the cruel abuse and needless medical procedures she endured while being cynically paraded at charity events and fundraisers. Gypsy's story is one of the more famous examples of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, where a person treats a perfectly healthy dependent, usually a child, as if they have a physical or mental illness. Dee Dee shaved her daughter's head to mimic the effects of leukemia, doctored her birth certificate to pretend she was younger and fed her unnecessary medications that caused her to drool and eventually lose her teeth. She basked in the role of doting caregiver, forcing Gypsy to use a wheelchair and undergo unnecessary surgeries on her eyes and salivary glands while cashing in with charity handouts and perks including a free trip to Disney World. When doctors in their native Louisiana raised red flags, Dee Dee relocated to Missouri in 2008, where she got a bright pink home built for free, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity, and told everyone that Gypsy's medical notes were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. Gypsy was 23 when she was arrested on a second degree murder charge. She is shown in court in 2015 Gypsy revealed she is now focusing on enjoying a private life with her husband Ryan, whom she married while she was imprisoned When Gypsy was 14 a neurologist deduced she was a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy but didn't feel he had enough evidence to report her mother to authorities. The former nurse even fooled ex-husband Rod Blanchard, who remained close to his daughter but struggled to get access to her once Dee Dee moved away and constantly made excuses to cancel his visits. It was only when he witnessed his daughter walk into a courtroom in handcuffs that the shell-shocked dad finally grasped that Gypsy didn't need a wheelchair. Dee Dee was found dead on the morning of June 14, 2015, after being knifed 17 times in her sleep by Godejohn, 34, who is serving life in prison without parole. Gypsy revealed she is now focusing on enjoying a private life with her husband Ryan Scott Anderson, whom she married while she was imprisoned. Long Island Medium star Theresa Caputo was mercilessly mocked for her voluminous hairdo following an appearance on The View, with some people even joking that she could be 'hiding' a spirit underneath her impressive locks. The 56-year-old psychic medium is known for her exaggerated blonde hairstyle, and Friday was no exception as she joined Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin at the Hot Topics table sporting her larger than life locks. The mother-of-two, who reduced Sunny and Ana to tears when claimed to have made contact with their late relatives, was her usual glamorous self dressed in a black and white checked blazer dress - but it was her hair that caught everyone's attention - with one viewer describing it as being 'as high as heaven'. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, another person posted: 'That lady got some hair !!! #TheView,' while another joked: 'No Theresa the medium affecting the ozone layer how many cans of hair spray did she use today #TheView definitely a Long Island girl.' Long Island Medium star Theresa Caputo was mercilessly mocked for her voluminous hairdo following an appearance on The View Theresa was sporting her usual exaggerated peroxide blonde hairstyle as she chatted to panelist Ana Navarro Some viewers mocked Theresa and suggested a spirit could 'chat with her' about her hair One person tuning into Friday's episode of The View described Theresa's hair as a caricature Someone else joked that Theresa was 'affecting the ozone layer' with her hair Another viewer made a joke about Theresa 'hiding spirits' under her voluminous hairdo Someone else tweeted: 'I'm always looking to see something or someone to pop out of [her] hair any minute #theview,' while another asked: ''Does she live in Texas? Every thing is BIGGER in TX. Are there spirits hiding under that hair?! #TheView.' 'Oh boy - that hair has become a caricature of itself. #theview,' one viewer claimed, while another accused Theresa's hair of not being real: ''Looks like that wig is trapping some spirits #TheView #HotTopics.' A different user posted: '#teresacaputo hair is too much reminds me of the 70s it looks like a damn #TheView.' Referring to Theresa's line of work, another viewer joked: 'Maybe a spirit should chat with her about her hair.. #TheView.' And someone else suggested that one of The View hosts should mention her hairstyle and posted: 'Is anyone going to ask Theresa about her hair? I mean #TheView. Ive never seen anything like it. How are they not asking, Girl, what the f*ck is up with your hair? #TheView.' The former TLC star was on The View to promote her new television show Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits and explained to the panel how the pandemic made her want to return to TV. 'I felt that my gift was needed more than ever. Someone might not have lost someone during Covid but we lost something during these years and what I do is so much more than communicating with people that have died,' Theresa explained. 'People, you know, haven't spoken to maybe family members or they lost their faith, they don't know how to live, they don't know how to laugh and they'll come for a reading and it'll change their life to just live life in a more positive light.' Speaking about her live shows, Theresa continued: 'They're amazing. To go out on the stage in front of thousands of people and to be in a space and feel the energy and watch a perfect stranger heal in right front of your eyes... you watch it and you feel it and watching, everyone in the audience, strangers consoling each other and feeling for them, it is something truly special.' When Sara Haines asked her thoughts are on people who are skeptical of what she does, Theresa replied: 'I get it. First of all, I'm the first one to say that what I do is crazy. How can someone communicate with someone who died? The 56-year-old star looked her usual glamorous self in a black and white checked blazer dress Theresa reduced Sunny Hostin to tears when she claimed to have made contact with her maternal grandmother The mother-of-two pictured at SiriusXM Studios in New York City on March 13 'And it might be common themes but this has nothing to do with me, it has to do with the souls communicating and also to the person that is receiving the messages. You know, I get it.' Theresa continued: 'This is why I kind of put my gift in God's hands and said, "if this is what I'm supposed to do, I want to help people heal". 'Because if we're too easy with burdens, guilt, only IFS, or just any negative emotion, how can you heal? You're going to block yourself and you get this wall of maybe anger and bitterness and then all of our faith goes out the window because of that.' Last year, Theresa told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview that she 'struggled' coming to terms with her unique gift, which she first discovered when she was four-years-old. Mediumship is the practice of purportedly mediating communication between familiar spirits or spirits of the dead and living human beings. 'I didn't realize I was different, I've been seeing and sensing spirits since I was four so for me it was normal to see someone standing at the foot of my bed at night or talking to me and there was no one else in the room. 'It wasn't until later in my twenties when I realized not only was I able to connect with my departed loved ones but everyone else's because I believe that.' Speaking about coming to terms with being different, Theresa said: 'I realized I had this ability and then I struggled for over five years. 'But then I realized no matter who dies and what age, here in the physical world we are left with burden and guilt. At the end of the day all of those emotions don't give us the ability to heal, I want to help people heal and give them the ability to move on.' By Kim Hyun-bin North Korea, which has strongly responded to joint military drills between South Korea and the United States through major provocations, remained relatively quiet during the latest exercise. This in consideration of key political events involving its friendly nations, including the 75th anniversary of its relations with China and the imminent possibility of a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to experts, Friday. Seoul and Washington concluded the annual computer-simulated Freedom Shield exercise on Thursday. During the 11-day exercise, the North promoted Kim Jong-un's visit to military units, but no actual military provocations occurred. This stands in stark contrast to the events of last year, which saw the regime firing strategic cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles as well as a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Pyongyang has accused allies' joint exercises of being a rehearsal for an invasion. Analysts pointed to several factors contributing to the North refraining from its usual provocations during the latest joint drill. One significant consideration, of course, was China's major political events, the Two Sessions, which may have influenced the North's decision-making process. China holds two major annual political meetings, the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, usually in March. In addition, Russia's presidential election, which began on Friday, was thought to have played a role. "From North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's perspective, it seems that there isn't much advantage in actively escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula amid domestic and international sentiments, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, said. Stirring up a crisis in the current situation wouldn't be beneficial, considering various factors such as a significant portion of military personnel being deployed for local development projects, upcoming events like the 75th anniversary of North Korea-China relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin's potential visit after the election and ongoing discussions on nuclear issues amid the U.S. presidential race. Taking all this into account, it appears that North Korea is managing the Korean Peninsula situation differently from the past. Yang, however, raised concerns about the potential for increased tensions in the West Sea during the upcoming crab fishing season April through June traditionally marked by heightened military activities. Currently, North Korea refuses to acknowledge the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea. Additionally, they are planning to finalize the territorial boundary including the West Sea soon," he said. "Considering past incidents of conflicts during crab fishing season and all these factors, there might be a higher likelihood of such tensions in the West Sea. There could be a higher chance of accidental military clashes between North and South Korea. Heartwarming new images of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's surprise visit to the family of a woman killed in the Uvalde school shooting have been shared by the late teacher's nephew in a touching birthday tribute to his mother. Irma Garcia bravely sacrificed her own life during the mass shooting at Texas' Robb Elementary School in May 2022 in a bid to allow her young students to get to safety. Then, just two days later, her husband Joe tragically died of a heart attack. Last weekend, Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, paid a surprise visit to Irma's sister at her home - delivering a cake and flowers, before singing 'Happy Birthday' in honor of her special day. Now, her son, John Martinez, has shared several new images from the Sussexes' visit to his home - one of which captures the heartwarming moment that Meghan pulled his mother into a big hug. Heartwarming new images capture the sweet moment Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise visit to the family of a woman killed in the Uvalde school shooting The photos, which were shared by the nephew of heroic teacher Irma Garcia, show Meghan, 42, warmly embracing the late educator's sister while marking her birthday 'My mom wanted me to post these as her birthday pics,' her son, John Martinez, 22, wrote while share the images on X, formerly known as Twitter. The first of the photos showed Meghan and John's mother posing together at a local event held to honor the victims of the shooting, while another taken inside his home, features Meghan and Harry standing alongside the birthday girl. In the image, John's mother can be seen posing proudly with a large bouquet of roses, which was delivered to her by the Sussexes, while Meghan holds up a white frosted birthday cake topped with several strawberries. Meanwhile Harry, looking casual in a blue sweater and dark grey jeans, stands with his arm around John's mom. The new images come just days after John first shared a glimpse inside the surprise Sussex visit - revealing a heartwarming video of the moment that Meghan and Harry sang 'Happy Birthday' to his mother inside the family's kitchen. Meghan was seen holding a cake with candles for John's mother, before she turned around to Harry to check he is still there and calls him 'my love'. John, 22, shared the first photos and videos of the royals' visit to his house on X, where he expressed his surprise at just how 'loving and supportive' the Sussexes had been to his family. He said that having Harry and Meghan come into their home 'felt like having family and friends over' and that they fit 'right in'. Meghan was also seen posing with Irma's sister at a local event held to honor the victims of the May 2022 mass shooting Earlier this week, images were released that showed Harry and Meghan with the mother of Layla Salazar who was tragically killed in the Uvalde shooting The Sussexes were seen embracing families at the local event to support the families of the shooting victims John explained that the couple surprised his mother with a cake - as videos showed a glowing Meghan smiling warmly as she held the white dessert. She and Harry - who were stood in the kitchen among their family - led the singing as they joined the heartwarming scene. Meghan lit the candles on the cake and began the countdown for singing happy birthday before saying 'with everyone singing too,' to which a family member responded 'It's you first and then we'll go after!' The actress looked in high spirits as she held the decorated gateau, with her husband Prince Harry smiling in the background. And as they shared 'intimate memories', John said they shared 'tears of joy' with the Montecito pair. 'Meghan Markle singing my mom happy birthday was the cutest most adorable thing ever, she even bought her a cake,' Ms Garcia's grateful nephew wrote. Speaking to HELLO!, John added: 'It truly meant the world that Harry and Meghan showed up to visit the family, there were lots of tears of joy and heartfelt moments. 'They were the kindest, most humble people ever, it was like having family and friends over, having an amazing time together. 'They fit right in, we laughed a lot and shared intimate memories together.' The latest pictures were shared by Irma's nephew, John Martinez, who praised Harry and Meghan for their 'love and support' Prince Harry and Meghan timed their visit to coincide with John's mother's birthday, with the couple even bringing them a birthday cake John explained that the pair had 'kept in touch' with the Garcia family regularly since the senseless shooting. 'They keep in touch every other month, sometimes a little longer, but with their busy lives, them visiting truly felt more special,' he said. On the May 24, 2022, 19 children and two teachers were killed after a gunman walked into Robb Elementary school in Texas and began firing. One of the children, aged 10, aspired to be a lawyer and another wanted to be a marine biologist. A third pupil had been saving up money to go to Disney World. But they never got the chance to go on the trip. Meghan visited Uvalde just two days after the shooting where paid her condolences and laid a bouquet of white roses tied with a purple ribbon at the cross for 10-year-old Uziyah Garcia. A spokesperson for the Sussexes told the outlet that Meghan went there unannounced to privately pay her condolences at the time. After the visit, it is believed the Duchess went to the Herby Ham Activity Center, delivering crates of food and drinks to blood donors. Harry and Meghan's trip to Texas - which also coincided with the Duchess of Sussex's keynote appearance at the SXSW festival in Austin last Friday - came just days before the former Suits star announced a new lifestyle venture on Instagram. The mother-of-two made the announcement about the launch of her new company, called American Riviera Orchard, on Instagram on Thursday - while simultaneously publishing its new website. The Duchess of Sussex has announced the launch of her new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, for which she has trademarked an array of products from jams to cookbooks While little was revealed about the brand on its website and social media account, an insider told the Daily Mail that American Riviera Orchard will be a 'lifestyle and cooking brand', centered around passions of hers. The new lifestyle website and brand launch comes seven years after Meghan shuttered her popular blog The Tig - which she ran while starring in the hit legal drama Suits. Meghan used the website to document her travels, favorite foods, fashion recommendations and even featured guest posts from her celebrity friends. However, shortly after Meghan and Harry went public with their relationship, the Duchess shuttered the website. Although her latest launch is already being referred to as 'The Tig 2.0', American Riviera Orchard will actually extend far beyond the realms of a lifestyle blog, with trademark application documents for the company revealing Meghan's plans to release a wide range of products and books. Documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal the Duchess has applied for trademarks on everything from 'edible oils and fats' to jellies, jams, spreads, nut butters, cookware, and books. Brand expert Hayley Knight told DailyMail.com that Meghan will likely make six figures within weeks of officially launching her brand. 'We have seen in the past, everything Meghan wears, promotes and sells, sells out instantly, and there are websites dedicated to What Meghan wears showcasing her brand power,' Knight said. She added that Meghan had 'incredibly strong' instincts when it comes to PR and marketing, and 'wouldn't have launched this if she didn't think it was going to work'. Home decor expert Tayler Lowden revealed how to make your home look classy An interior design expert has revealed how to make your home look more expensive in minutes - and all you have to do is make one simple change. Tayler Lowden, from Ohio, regularly shares tips on how to upgrade your home on a budget. And in her most recent video she said the simple act of moving your couch away from the wall elevates the living space and gives it a more 'opulent' feel. 'If the back of their couch touches the wall, then they're not rich,' she said. 'Rich people just have their couches out there.' To prove her point, Tayler demonstrated the move in a video and immediately transformed her living room. Tayler Lowden said the back of your couch should not touch a wall Most professionals state that embracing 'floating furniture' is the best long-term solution for your home's aesthetic. To do this, you simply have to start decorating in the middle of the room and then space your furniture out, ensuring that nothing is pressed up against a wall. Contrary to popular opinion, floating furniture makes the room feel and look larger because you're creating a more intimate seating arrangement while freeing up the wall space. Contrary to popular opinion, floating furniture makes the room feel and look larger because you're creating a more intimate seating arrangement while freeing up the wall space The biggest styling mistakes people make in the living room Overlooking budgeting for small decor items Lining wall with furniture Falling prey to a 'showroom' look Hanging art incorrectly Hanging curtains incorrectly Selecting a disproportionate coffee table Forgetting furniture heights Buying a rug that's too small Discounting lighting Sacrificing comfort for style Source: Bed Threads Advertisement Another mistake most people make is having the wrong sized artworks for their walls - which instantly makes the home look cheaper. Julie Sousa has spent years working in the home decor and content creation industry, and often shares advice online on how to spruce up property. She recommended using a simple calculation to measure the ideal frame size - and thousands admit that it has 'saved' their living rooms. 'Multiply length of the wall by 0.60 to get the minimum length needed, then multiply then length of the wall by 0.75 to get your maximum length. Both numbers will serve as a range for the appropriate length for your artwork. Repeat these steps for width,' she said. Julie Sousa has spent years working in the home decor and content creation industry, and often shares advice online on how to spruce up property The expert recently shared that having the wrong sized artworks for walls instantly makes the space look cheaper The interior designer showcased an example of a wall in her home where she replaced a small artwork with a larger one and made it immediately look more eye-catching. The rule also helps for when artwork or a photo frame is too large for walls and grabs attention from the rest of the room. Ms Sousa provided some more advice for different scenarios. 'In a narrow hallway, I would suggest using mirrors - unless there's a point of entry where your body directly faces the art, then art is a good option. And yes same dimensions would apply,' she advised. The expert also revealed that if you have a piece of furniture - such as a console table - up against the wall, it's important to only measure the empty space and not the whole wall. 'If you have a piece of furniture against the wall, calculations would be only for the wall space above the furniture. Maybe opt for the smaller dimension, closer to 0.60, to leave enough negative space around the edges,' she added. Use this simple calculation to figure out the ideal range for an artwork in your home Hundreds were in awe of her simple tip. 'I have to say that is an absolutely phenomenal tip!' one said. 'Now it actually looks expensive,' another added. 'Perfect scale for the artwork! Looks so much better!' a third said. A mum has sparked a fierce debate after asking if it's publicly acceptable to leave the house with wet hair. Evie Farrell, who runs the business 'Mumpack Trips' hosting holidays for women, was in Malaysia when an American noticed her hair was dripping wet. Evie told FEMAIL the traveller was 'surprised' - even more so when other Australians on the trip did the same. She shared a snap of her with wet hair on Facebook alongside the caption: 'It's a very Aussie thing apparently?' 'In my opinion as long as my hair is dry by time I get to where I'm going (restaurant, dinner, work etc) I am good with leaving the room with wet hair,' Evie continued. Evie Farrell (pictured) hardly ever blow dries her hair. While in Malaysia an American traveller found it strange. She asked if it's okay to leave the house with wet hair or not 'Why waste time with a blow dry especially when it takes time and makes me hot, plus no guarantee it will look better than the drip dry anyway.' A debate took off in the comments, with many saying they never dry their hair after washing it. 'As a curly girl, I am anti-heat damage, so I've left my house with wet hair every day since I was probably 12 years old,' one wrote. 'I've never owned a blow dryer in my life. Wet hair, don't care!' another said. 'As an Aussie I guess I've never thought it was weird I just always let my wet hair dry when it felt like it,' a third wrote. A debate sparked in the comments, with many saying they never dry their hair after washing it However, others disagreed and always dry their hair after showering. 'I cannot stand the smell of wet hair - it's actually my pet hate. Especially if you can smell it on the bus or public transport. I always dry my hair before leaving the house,' one said. 'I blow-dry every day. Looks awful without it,' another added. Another woman said: 'I'm Aussie and would never leave with wet hair, at least the front to be dried and styled.' One woman, from Scotland said: 'I'd catch pneumonia if I went out with wet hair generally speaking!' 'The only time Ive bothered to dry my hair before leaving home is when I lived in London in winter,' one more added. According to Mayo Clinic, wet hair in a cold environment will not make you sick. Thousands have been left in stitches over a single man's creative Hinge voice prompt. Tom Southey, a musician from Sydney, impressed women with his Transformers-inspired answer to the prompt 'I wish more people knew'. The singleton recites a short monologue to the Linkin Park track What I've Done just like the ending of the first Transformers movie which has been parodied in videos all over social media. Hinge users are able to answer prompts on their profile with a 30-second voice recording. 'It's Tuesday night, 9pm, you're eating a bit of garlic bread swiping through Hinge, then you see me. You put down your girl dinner, you take an enormous sip from your gigantic water bottle, you found your Ken,' he said. Scroll down for video Tom, a musician from Sydney, impressed many women with his creative Hinge voice note inspired by the ending of the first Transformers movie 'This is a message for the ladies of Sydney, My name's Tom and I'm emotionally available.' He shared his attempt to woo the single women of Sydney in a TikTok video that quickly racked up more than 430,000 views. 'Bro got Michael Bay to direct his Hinge profile,' one user laughed and another said: 'That is one of the most original voice prompts I've heard from around here. You definitely stand out'. 'This would be an automatic swipe right for me,' one woman said and another agreed: 'This would immediately work on me'. 'The way I wish I was in Sydney because there aren't men like this where I live,' someone added. 'Thank god I don't live in Sydney or this man would definitely steal my girl,' a man said. This isn't the first time Tom attracted attention for his hilarious Hinge prompts. The Sydney musician went viral back in January 2023 for his Bunnings-style voice note which many men subsequently copied He went viral back in January 2023 for his Bunnings-style voice note which many men subsequently copied. 'We all hate online dating - swipe swipe swipe - it sucks,' he said with the Bunnings commercial tune in the background. 'Get on down to Tom's DMs. 50 per cent off compliments and two-for-one deals on red flags. Everything you need to be a bit confused and pissed off. 'If you think you've had the worst first date, don't worry - I'll beat it by 10 per cent. 'Get on down to Tom's DMs. Yes, I'm 28 and I still live with my parents. Get on down to Tom's mum's house.' He then sang 'Tom's mum's house, red flags are just the beginning' to the tune of jingle 'Bunnings Warehouse, lowest prices are just the beginning'. Single males complained they would never be able to compete with Tom's impressive dating tactic while women applauded the 'genius' voice note. Parents of a baby boy with a rare muscle-wasting disease are desperately fighting to raise money for a miracle drug to keep their son alive. Ted Chadwick, now eight months old, had trouble sleeping and feeding shortly after he was born. Then, when he was just six weeks old, his parents learnt these were symptoms of condition called spinal muscular atrophy type one (SMA1). This is the most severe form of a neuromuscular condition which sees the spinal cord motor neurons, cells critical to governing how we move, gradually deteriorate, impairing movement. Ted has already undergone a life-changing gene therapy which medics believe has prolonged his life expectancy past his second birthday. However, the tot from London, still struggles to hold his head up or even swallow food. His family hope the drug, Risdiplam, will help preserve his strength. Ted Chadwick (pictured), now eight months old, had trouble sleeping and feeding shortly after he was born. Then, at just six weeks old, his parents learnt these were symptoms of condition called spinal muscular atrophy type one (SMA1) Ted has already undergone a life-changing gene therapy which medics believe has prolonged his life expectancy past his second birthday. Pictured, Ted with his mother Daniela Marinova and father Louis Chadwick in Greece The tot from London , still struggles to hold his head up or even swallow food. His family hope the drug, Risdiplam, will help preserve his strength. Risdiplam, sold under the brand name Evrysdi, was the first oral medication approved by the NHS to treat SMA1. Taken daily, the syrup can be given within days of birth and has been shown in studies to slow the march of the condition and, in some cases, even reverse it But Ted, who underwent the gene therapy in Bulgaria, is still too unwell to return to the UK and access the drug at home. Recalling Ted's ordeal, his mother Daniela Marinova told MailOnline: 'I felt guilty, as if something we had done caused this. 'It's been a rollercoaster of emotions and although we have a wonderful baby boy, who is intelligent, funny and very loving, we're finding it hard as a family to have any normality. 'Initially, we didn't think we had much time left and it felt like we were in the mourning process for someone who is still here. 'But now we've been given hope due to a one-time treatment option but it comes at a price.' WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY, THE NUMBER ONE GENETIC CAUSE OF DEATHS FOR INFANTS Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a disease that weakens a patient's strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord. Those affected never gain the ability to walk, eat or breathe. SMA is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. It is genetic and passed from parent to child. There are four primary types of SMAI, II, III and IV, which are based on age of onset and the physical milestones achieved. Type I Onset is shortly after birth Weakness Difficulty breathing, sucking and swallowing Never reach the developmental milestone of being able to sit on their own Children with type 1 SMA can survive for a number of years Advertisement Risdiplam, sold under the brand name Evrysdi, was the first oral medication approved by the NHS to treat SMA1. Taken daily, the syrup can be given within days of birth and has been shown in studies to slow the march of the condition and, in some cases, even reverse it. It increases levels of a protein needed to keep spinal cord motor neurons vital nerve cells that send instructions to muscles alive. Unlike spinraza, another treatment for the condition that is injected into the spine every four months, risdiplam can be easily taken at home. But it has a list price of nearly 8,000 ($10,000) per dose. While the risdiplam is available on the NHS, as Ted was born in Bulgaria and hasn't been able to travel back to the UK, he isn't registered with the NHS. This leaves the family trapped, they cannot travel until Ted is well enough but face a huge bill for his treatment while overseas. Ms Marinova, who welcomed Ted with her partner Louis Chadwick in July 2023 after a two year long battle to conceive via IVF, said they initially assumed his issues with feeding and sleeping were typical for a newborn. But during a trip to Corfu in Greece in August 2023 to visit Mr Chadwick's parents, Ted developed red blotches over his body and became 'limp'. Ms Marinova, 44, said: 'I went to school in Greece, so I picked up from the doctors that they were worried about neuromuscular diseases and I hoped that this was a mistake. 'But the realisation started setting in as no other tests were showing problems and then a genetic testing confirmed his condition. 'I didn't know what SMA was I thought it was the children's milk formula but when I saw information on the disease, my world hit the floor. We were beside ourselves.' Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by a fault in a gene called SMN1. The fault causes spinal cord motor neurons to gradually deteriorate, impairing both voluntary movements like lifting an arm and involuntary movements like breathing. Symptoms include floppy limbs, and difficulties sitting up, crawling, breathing and swallowing. As sufferers cannot cough properly, mucus can build up in the airways leading to recurrent infections. Older children may also develop bone problems, including scoliosis, when the spine twists and curves to the side. Ms Marinova said she and Ted's father Mr Chadwick initially assumed his issues with feeding and sleeping were typical for a newborn. But during a trip to Corfu in August 2023 to visit Mr Chadwick's parents, Ted developed red blotches over his body and became 'limp'. Pictured, Ted after developing the rashes Determined to give Ted the best possible chance in life, his parents researched the different forms of therapy available immediately after his diagnosis. And in October, they flew to Bulgaria so Ted could undergo the gene therapy Zolgensma for free on the country's healthcare system There is no routine NHS screening system to pick up newborns with SMA, which affects around 70 children every year in the UK and 400 in the US. Because most babies don't show clear symptoms for several weeks or months, experts fear many continue to slip through the cracks. Campaigners have long urged ministers to back plans to test babies at birth. Determined to give Ted the best possible chance in life, his parents researched the different forms of therapy available immediately after his diagnosis. And in October, they flew to back to Bulgaria so Ted could undergo the gene therapy Zolgensma for free on the country's healthcare system. Zolgensma has been proven in studies to help sufferers sit, crawl and walk something they would never normally be able to do and also prevents them from being put on a ventilator. The one-off infusion, given in just an hour, uses a harmless virus to deliver a healthy version of the SMN1 gene. It passes into the nerve cells to replace the defective gene and restores normal function, allowing the baby to live a healthy life with minimal symptoms. 'His life expectancy has now increased to over two years but to what extent past this, we don't know', Ms Marinova told MailOnline. 'He has difficulty with movement and it's unlikely he'll hit any milestones without more medical intervention. 'But there's little-to-no research on the lasting effects of this on children since all medication for SMA is relatively new.' Zolgensma, which made headlines in 2021 when it became the most expensive approved drug in the world, is a genetic therapy. With one injection, it permanently replaces the faulty SMN1 gene with a functional one In a bid to preserve Ted's strength and prolong his life, they are raising cash for Risdiplam. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover the cost of the life-preserving treatment, raising over 30,000 since December She added: 'Ted is currently going through physiotherapy and there's been some improvement, but nothing permanent. 'He is very weak and struggles to hold up his head, as well as swallowing solid food. 'But he's getting better each day.' In a bid to preserve his strength and prolong his life, they are raising cash for Risdiplam. They have launched a GoFundMe to help raise cover the cost of the life-preserving treatment, raising over 30,000 since December. 'Due to the cost, the 30,000 would only see us for around three months' supply and he needs this for life,' Ms Marinova said. 'The money raised is also going towards therapeutic aids and physiotherapy. 'Although the fundraising is great, we haven't touched the sides of his needs going forward. 'We have self-funded some bottles until then, but we cannot support this any longer.' She added: 'We are grieving for the life we would have had and for the fact there is so much work and luck involved for him to reach each next step. 'We both want to devote all our time and energy to him and while it's had a huge financial and emotional impact, with such an unknown future, we want to give him the best quality of life. 'Like any parents, we want him to have a long and fulfilling life all our efforts will go into making that possible.' Doctors should stop using the term long Covid as it is creating 'unnecessary fear' in patients and hindering recoveries, research suggests. Experts said the long-term symptoms some patients experience following infection are no different to those caused by other viruses such as flu. Giving it this label 'wrongly implies there is something unique and exceptional about longer term symptoms' following a bout of Covid, they say. Often self-diagnosed, the term was coined for a number of symptoms following Covid infection, which can persist for months or even years after the initial infection. Around 1.9 million people in the UK are reported to suffer with it, with the term covering everything from fatigue and breathlessness to muscle and joint pain. Often self-diagnosed, the term 'long Covid' was coined for a number of symptoms following Covid infection, which can persist for months or even years after the initial infection. Around 1.9 million people in the UK are reported to suffer with it, with the term covering everything from fatigue and breathlessness to muscle and joint pain But researchers from Queensland Health say that it has only come to people's attention because of the sheer numbers infected with Covid, rather than the severity of long Covid symptoms or functional impairment. Dr John Gerrard, Queensland's Chief Health Officer said: 'We believe it is time to stop using terms like 'long Covid'. 'They wrongly imply there is something unique and exceptional about longer term symptoms associated with this virus. 'This terminology can cause unnecessary fear, and in some cases, hypervigilance to longer symptoms that can impede recovery.' To understand more about the impact of long Covid on the Australian state of Queensland, researchers surveyed 5,112 adults who had either Covid or flu between 29 May and 25 June 2022. A year later, participants were asked about ongoing symptoms and the degree of functional impairment using a questionnaire. What is long Covid ? Most people with Covid feel better within a few days or weeks, but those with long Covid take much longer to recover. The symptoms include: Fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell and muscle aches. It can also cause: Memory problems, a tight chest, insomnia, heart palpitations, dizziness, joint pain, pins and needles, tinnitus, stomach aches, loss of appetite, high temperature, a cough, rashes and depression. Source: NHS Advertisement Overall, 16 per cent of all respondents reported ongoing symptoms a year later, and 3.6 per cent reported moderate-to-severe functional impairment in their activities of daily life. The analysis found no evidence that those who had Covid were more likely to have moderate-to-severe functional limitations a year after their diagnosis than those with other viral infections, including flu. Those who were more likely tended to be aged 50 years or older, and those who had symptoms of dizziness, muscle pain, shortness of breath, post-exertional malaise, and fatigue. The findings will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases conference in Barcelona next month. Dr Gerrard added: 'In health systems with highly vaccinated populations, long Covid may have appeared to be a distinct and severe illness because of high volumes of Covid cases during the pandemic. 'However, we found that the rates of ongoing symptoms and functional impairment are indistinguishable from other post-viral illnesses. 'These findings underscore the importance of comparing post-Covid outcomes with those following other respiratory infections, and of further research into post-viral syndromes.' A&E consultant Dr Rob Galloway has previously expressed his concern over diagnoses of the condition. Writing for the Mail, he said he had been 'frustrated by the number of patients labelled with it, often without any convincing reason beyond a collection of ongoing symptoms'. He wrote: 'The implications of this label can be significant, impacting on their mental wellbeing. Many of those I've been involved with treating seem defeated by the assumption that they are unlikely to get better. 'But also because it means that clinicians may not look for other causes of their symptoms.' Dr Janet Scott, Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases, University of Glasgow who was not involved in the study, said yesterday: 'Many infections cause post infection syndromes, and it may be that 'long Covid' is indeed not markedly different from other post -respiratory virus syndromes. 'It is important however not to minimise the huge personal and economic impact the long Covid have on individuals. 'The big difference with long Covid is the sheer number of people infected with the same virus in a short space of time which has facilitated more coordinated research in the area which I hope will benefit all sufferers of post Infection syndromes.' Researchers used a risk tool to determine chance Covid was of 'unnatural' origin After being denounced as a conspiracy for years, the Covid lab leak hypothesis is now considered the most likely origin of the virus, according to a new analysis. Researchers from Australia and Arizona used a risk analysis tool- which they described as the most comprehensive yet - to determine the chances the SARS-CoV-2 virus was of 'unnatural' or 'natural' origin. The team compared the characteristics of the virus and the pandemic to 11 criteria that analyzed things like the rarity of a virus, the timing of a pandemic, the population infected, the spread of a virus and the unexpected symptoms of a virus. Based on the nature of Covid, researchers assigned a score to each category - less than 50 percent meant the pandemic would be classified as a natural outbreak, but 50 or more percent would mean the pandemic was an unnatural outbreak. Covid received a score of 68 percent. Shi Zhengli - dubbed the 'Bat Lady' or 'Bat Woman' for her work on bat coronaviruses - investigated the possibility Covid could have emerged from her lab back in 2020, according to colleagues Between 2015 and 2023, at least seven US entities supplied NIH grant money to labs in China performing animal experiments, totaling $3,306,061 The study said: 'The origin of [Covid] is contentious. Most studies have focused on a zoonotic origin, but definitive evidence such as an intermediary animal host is lacking.' However, just because Covid received a higher score, the researchers said the 'risk assessment cannot prove the origin of [Covid], but shows that the possibility of a laboratory origin cannot be easily dismissed.' Co-author Dr Raina MacIntyre, a professor of Global Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales, told DailyMail.com: 'The key point [the findings] make is that the likelihood of [Covid] originating from a lab is non-trivial and cannot be dismissed as a conspiracy theory.' In the study, the virus and pandemic scored the maximum number of points in three categories. The first was the 'existence of a biological risk,' which is considered to be a geopolitical environment from which a biological threat could originate. With the pandemic, a biological risk was present in an area where dangerous pathogens were researched and where poor lab security could allow a pathogen to be released. Covid scored nine out of nine. Researchers said the score was high because WIV was located just 1,000 feet from the wet market believed to have been the site of the first cases of Covid and because Chinese researchers were experimenting with dangerous pathogens under lax protocols. In the 'unusual strain' category, Covid also scored a nine out of nine. This class was described as virus strains having atypical, rare, newly emerging or antiquated characteristics, as well as showing signs of gain-of-function or genetic engineering. This score was attributed to the virus' unique characteristics that allowed it to evade the immune system and be adept at infecting humans and mutating. Lastly, Covid scored the maximum nine-out-of-nine points in the 'special insights' category. This was defined as 'suspicious circumstances and other insights identified prior to the outbreak, during the period of outbreak or post-outbreak.' In this area, researchers highlighted the extensive debates around the origin and 'a series of unusual actions at the WIV,' including handing over control of the lab to the military and removing a large virus database containing 20,000 samples from bats and mice. Overall, out of a possible maximum 60 points, the Covid virus and the pandemic scored 41 - or 68 percent. All four characteristics scientists sought to create in a novel virus in a 2018 research proposal match features of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid The above is an email from Peter Daszak to researchers included in a 2018 project proposal The above is an email from Peter Daszak to researchers included in a 2018 proposal talking about work to be done by scientists as part of a project While controversial, the Covid lab leak theory - that the virus was borne out of gain-of-function research at Wuhan Institute of Virology bankrolled by the US taxpayer through Dr Anthony Fauci's former department - has been endorsed by the FBI and other government agencies. Those subscribing to the zoonotic theory believe the virus originated in animals and jumped from host to humans. A September 2023 study published in the journal Nature found a strain of coronavirus found in the rare animal pangolin - believed to be the zoonotic origin - was nearly identical to the the virus that sparked a worldwide pandemic. The discovery led the scientists to theorize that the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 likely jumped from pangolins to immunocompromised people. This gave the novel virus ample opportunity to mutate and replicate until it reached its full pandemic potential. However, lab leak supporters were recently emboldened after it was revealed that American and Chinese scientists sought to create a Covid-like virus just a year before the pandemic began. Records - obtained by FOIA requests in December - laid out a plan to 'engineer spike proteins' to infect human cells that would then be 'inserted into SARS-Covid backbones' at WIV in December 2018. The proposal was made by the now-notorious EcoHealth Alliance, a New York nonprofit that channels US government grants abroad to fund these types of experiments. Ultimately, the application was denied by the US Department of Defense, but critics say the plans laid out in the proposal served as a 'blueprint' for how to create Covid. Talking about the implications of the study, Dr MacIntyre told this website: 'For policy, this [study] matters because we have more control over prevention of unnatural outbreaks, many of which arise from simple human error or inadequate biosafety. 'Poor biosafety procedures in bat sampling and at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were documented but lab accidents are common all over the world.' Hospitals told not to wait until supplies are exhausted before placing orders The life-saving asthma drug expected to be in short supply until mid April Doctors have been told to ration a lifesaving drug used in treating serious cases of asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. A UK-wide shortage of the liquid form of salbutamol, used to keep patients who cannot breathe without medical intervention alive, has hit NHS hospitals. The medication, delivered as a fine spray through a special medical mask called a nebulisers, relaxes muscles involved in breathing reopening a patient's airway. Officials from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England issued a 'safety critical' national alert issued on 26 February that 2.5mg and 5mg dose vials of salbutamol liquid are in short supply. Shortages are expected to last until mid-April 2024, according to the notification. Shortages of the liquid form of salbutamol are expected to last until mid-April 2024, according to the safety alert (stock image) Hospitals have been told to 'place urgent orders for unlicensed imports of salbutamol nebuliser liquid' and to not 'wait for supplies to be exhausted' before ordering more. The alert also urged medics to 'wean all patients off nebulisers as soon as their condition has stabilised'. One specialist lung medic who regularly dishes out the drug to patients who need it to breath told The Guardian that the situation was worrying. READ MORE: Outrage as thousands of breast cancer-stricken women in England are denied life-extending drug available in Scotland Advertisement 'This is a life-saving drug that is the bread-and-butter medicine we use when patients with serious breathing problems are acutely unwell,' they said. The unnamed doctor added they have been told by bosses to use the drug 'sparingly' and only when essential. Supply issues of the lifesaving drug have been caused by a combination of manufacturing issues and medical systems scrambling for remaining stock, the alert said. Other drugs that work in a similar way remain available but officials warned these supplies cannot keep pace with increased in demand, the alert added. Salbutamol is a reliever medicine used to open a patient's airways and calming inflammation in the short term, according to charity Asthma and Lung UK. Only the liquid version of the medication, sold under the the brand name Ventolin and used in nebulisers, is impacted by the shortage. Salbutamol inhalers, which are usually blue coloured, and used by patients with lung conditions such as asthma to use if they get short of breath are unaffected. The charity Asthma and Lung UK reassured users of the salbutamol nebuliser liquid on its website that there are alternatives available for patients. Only the liquid version of the medication, sold under the the brand name Ventolin and used in nebulisers is impacted by the shortage Salbutamol is a reliever medicine that opens up your airways and calms inflammation in the short term, according to the charity Asthma and Lung UK It said: 'Nebuliser liquid from other countries that have similar high standards of licensing to the UK will also be made available.' Medicine shortages were said to be putting lives at risk earlier this year as data showed 106 commonly taken drugs were out of stock across the UK, in January. Over the past two years, supply problems have hit crucial antibiotics and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs, as well as type 2 diabetes, cancer medicines and a treatment for controlling epileptic seizures. Experts warned supply problems are forcing some patients to switch to other brands and, in extreme cases, leaving cancer patients without medicines needed to control the spread of their disease. A womans selfie on vacation in New York City may have saved her life. While browsing through her holiday photos, Megan Troutwine, now 33, noticed one of her eyes was drooping in a photo taken by a fountain not far from Times Square. She became suddenly concerned that the physical change may be linked to her recent bout of cognitive problems and trouble exercising. She raised her concern with her doctor and was referred to a visit to a neurologist for an MRI, which confirmed that something indeed was wrong - she had a large tumor in her brain. While undergoing 30 rounds of radiation and two surgeries to remove the non-cancerous mass, doctors found another, more dangerous tumor called a glioma, which can be difficult to treat and can lead to brain damage. In this selfie, Megan Troutwine's eye drooped slightly, something she thought was odd, though nothing to worry about. But 15 minutes after undergoing an MRI, the doctor confirmed she had a benign tumor pressing against her brain Her treatment journey began in 2016 and, while she still goes to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa for regular check-ups, shes healthy. She also went from being a patient to an employee at Moffitt, comforting patients in the same position as she was. On her trip to New York, Ms Troutwine did what any tourist would do took selfies in front of famous landmarks like Times Square and the Freedom Tower. But she looked at one of the photos, puzzled. She said: I'm like, oh, that's weird. That picture looks weird. Little did I know. In 2016, doctors identified a meningioma in Ms Troutwines brain just 15 minutes after she underwent an MRI. Doctors knew that it was benign though they considered it aggressive, meaning it may have been growing or invading nearby brain tissue. Meningioma is one of the most common types of brain tumors, accounting for 30 percent of all of them. They originate in the meninges, the outer three layers of tissue that protect the brain under the skull. Ms Troutwine has long been an avid runny, but her many rounds of radiation and necessary recovery forced her to slow down Symptoms of meningioma creep in slowly and can include Changes in vision, such as seeing double or blurring, headaches that are worse in the morning, hearing loss or ringing in the ears, memory loss, loss of smell, seizures, weakness in the arms or legs, and trouble speaking. The experience caused her to have cognitive issues, which she considered the most distressing. Also, a long-time runner, she has had to slow down her pace a bit. Troutwine said: Dealing with the cognitive issues and dealing with the memory loss and stuff like that, that was probably the hardest, because I know that I'm smarter than that. I'm more capable than that. I can do more. But, it's learning how to give myself the grace in the midst, too. Throughout her treatment, her doctor, Moffitt Cancer Center Neuro-Oncologist Dr Sepideh Mokhtari found another primary brain tumor. That time, it was a glioma, which has a survival rate of around seven years when diagnosed early in young people. Dr. Mokhtari said: It was very tiny. And as we are following it over the years, we are seeing a little bit of increase in size over time. But Ms Troutwine considers herself lucky, knowing full well how dangerous gliomas can be and having lost friends to the brain condition. She said: A low-grade glioma is like a blessed juxtaposition, I guess you could say, because it's like you're on a cliff, and you know what's going to happen. You know it will progress. You will have to do treatment for it. You know it may very well be what could jeopardize your mortality in the future. But, you know, at the same time, you're like waiting for it to do something. Ohio health officials issued a warning to attendees at a Disney on Ice show in Cincinnati last week may have been exposed to measles. The Cincinnati Health Department reported a person with measles attended the show on March 8 at Heritage Bank Center, which seats more than 17,000 people. People at the show or who were in the building up to two hours after the 7 pm should stay vigilant for symptoms of infection high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash beginning 3-5 days after other symptoms occur. The United States appears to be heading down the path of a potential measles crisis, with cases in the first two months of 2024 nearly outpacing the whole of last year. People who attended the March 8 Disney on Ice show were exposed to a case of measles, according to local health officials [File from 2016 Toronto show] The case in Ohio comes on the heels of two cases being confirmed at a migrant shelter in Chicago A total of 45 measles cases were recorded in the US over the first two months of 2024 across 17 states, data from the CDC suggests, near the tally of 58 infections recorded in the whole of 2023. Florida is a hotspot with at least 10 infections linked to Manatee Bay Elementary School in South Florida. Ohio has reported four cases of measles so far this year. In one of the counties where a case was reported, Montgomery County, it was the first measles infection since 2005. And it comes on the heels of a second measles case being 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. At the same time, vaccination rates against the virus dropped to 93.1 percent for kindergarteners over the 2022 to 2023 school year, the latest available below the estimated 95 percent needed to stop the virus from spreading. Measles is highly infectious and very preventable. Florida is a hotspot with at least 10 infections linked to Manatee Bay Elementary School in South Florida Dr Julia Rosebush from the University of Chicago said: 'For persons who are unimmunized and have never been exposed to the virus, the likelihood of contracting measles is 90 percent in close-contact settings. 'Patients with measles infection are contagious from four days before the rash through four days after the rash appears.' It was declared eliminated -- meaning the absence of continuous disease transmission for greater than a year - from the US in 2000. This was thanks to a highly effective vaccination program to administer the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. But the rise of the anti-vax movement has set the US back about 24 years. Generally, when a large enough population gets vaccinated, the transmission of the virus can become so low that the overall herd immunity protects someone who cannot get vaccinated and is therefore vulnerable to severe infection. Children undergoing cancer treatments, for instance, are at high risk but may not get the full benefits of a vaccine. Symptoms of the virus typically come one about a week after exposure to it. They start with runny nose, watery eyes, and fever. That can progress quickly to a rash on the body. Other symptoms may include a sore throat, white spots in your mouth, muscle pain, and sensitivity to light. Measles can be severe and life threatening. In fact, about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the US who get measles is hospitalized. A person can suffer pneumonia and encephalitis, or a condition in which the brain becomes so inflamed that it swells in size In the US, death from neurologic or respiratory complications of measles occurs in one to three of every 1,000 cases. An Indian exporter has been arrested for allegedly exporting cheap gold jewelry from his country to the United States by labeling them as Korean goods, the customs agency here said Friday. The man, whose identity was withheld, was arrested and indicted by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently on charges of bringing 94,036 Indian gold items to South Korea and forging their country of origin marks as Korean articles before selling them to the U.S. from 2020-21, according to the Korea Customs Service. The suspect had done that in conspiracy with two Koreans with a goal to avoid the U.S.' duty of 5.5 percent levied on Indian imports. The value of the goods came to 26.7 billion won ($20.2 million). The Korean customs agency detected the case and sent it to the prosecution in November 2022. But the Indian suspect has refused to come under probe here while staying in the U.S., prompting the Seoul authorities to seek cooperation with the HSI, it added. "There have been attempts of using Korea as a base for country of origin laundering to avoid trade barriers by advanced nations. The government will strengthen the crackdown on any such illegal acts in close cooperation with foreign investigative bodies," the agency said. (Yonhap) Prescriptions for a new and potentially more potent weight loss drug have overtaken Wegovy for the first time. There were 77,590 new scripts written in the US for Eli Lilly's Zepbound during the week ending March 8 - around 6,000 more than its rival. However, there were still more overall prescriptions for Wegovy when existing patients were factored in, according to data company IQVIA. Lilly launched Zepbound in the US in December more than two years after Wegovy's approval in June 2021. Trials indicated that the former sheds more fat. Prescriptions for a new and potentially more potent weight loss drug Zepbound have overtaken Wegovy for the first time (file) Zepbound contains the active ingredient tirzepatide which works by suppressing two appetite-regulating hormones, making people feel fuller for longer. Wegovy, on the other hand, only acts on one hormone. Market analysts see the weight loss drug industry growing to at least $100 billion by the end of the decade. Data analytics firm GlobalData in a report on Friday said GLP-1 drugs are on pace to this year surpass cancer immunotherapies as the best-selling medicines. Merck and Co's cancer drug Keytruda is currently the world's top-selling prescription medicine with over $25 billion in annual sales. Zepbound and Wegovy belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists developed for type 2 diabetes that also reduce food cravings and cause the stomach to empty more slowly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week approved Wegovy for lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack in overweight or obese adults who do not have diabetes. GlobalData forecast the market for these medicines reaching $105 billion by 2029, and that Novo Nordisk would capture more than half of that with its portfolio of GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy. The Danish drugmaker last week said it was confident it would launch a pill version of its experimental weight-loss drug amycretin this decade. Currently GLP-1 drugs are injected. Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro, which has the same active ingredient as Zepbound, will be the top-selling GLP-1 with $33.4 billion in annual sales by 2029, GlobalData forecast. Lilly this week said it has partnered with Amazon.com's pharmacy unit to deliver drug prescriptions sent to its direct-to-consumer service LillyDirect, including those for Zepbound. Frank Cunningham, an executive at Lilly, said the company was "very pleased" with the number of prescriptions it had filled through LillyDirect so far. As many as a third of people have stopped using baths to cut water and energy bills - and even shower users are trying to save money, research claims. For those bath owners who still use their tub, almost half reported that they have reduced the amount they use it, according to a study by comparison firm Uswitch. Two in five said they have reduced the amount of water they fill their bath with, and an iron-willed 12 per cent report they now take cold baths instead of hot ones. The average household energy bill is currently 1,928 a year, falling to 1,690 from 1 April. Expensive habit: Almost half of people from Edinburgh no longer use their bath due to the cost With energy prices still eating into peoples' wallets, two in five have taken to reducing the length of their showers. Consumers are now spending an average of just eight minutes in the shower - seven minutes for men and nine for women. Around a quarter of shower users have also taken to cutting their usage by investing in energy-efficient shower nozzles, and by turning off hot water while shampooing their hair. A considerable number, 21 per cent, even said they try to avoid using hot water at home by showering at the gym or at work. Those in Edinburgh prove the most likely to dodge the tub, with 49 per cent having stopped using their bath, with Sheffield the second highest at 37 per cent. But in Belfast, only 15 per cent said they were willing to sacrifice their baths in order to save on energy costs. But people from the Northern Irish city make up for it by taking short showers, at 6.8 minutes long, beaten only by people from Brighton who take 6.7 minutes on average. Uswitch energy expert Ben Gallizzi said: 'The energy crisis has changed the way we use energy and a third of bath-owners have pulled the plug on soaking in the tub. 'Baths require a lot more hot water than showers, meaning they're a more expensive way of washing. Some consumers have continued taking baths during the energy crisis, but have reduced the amount of water they use to cut costs.' How much does cutting out baths really save? Big savings: Ben Gallizzi says energy efficient shower heads could save you money At current energy costs, an eight-minute shower, using a 7.5kW electric shower, will set you back 28p on average. In April, with the introduction of the new price cap, this will fall to 24p. The energy needed to heat the water to run an 80-litre bath at 42C, on the other hand, will cost you 81p, more than three times the cost of a shower. An eight-minute shower using an electric shower will also use around 40 litres of water, half that required to fill a bath. Over the course of a week, seven showers at eight minutes each will come in at a total of 1.96. If you switched two baths into your weekly routine and had showers on the five remaining days, your costs would rise by more than a third to 3.02. In a year, having two baths per week will bring your costs to 157.04, compared with just 101.92 if you stick to showers. With a gas boiler, showering costs would fall to 7p for eight minutes, and just 21p to run a bath, bringing your yearly totals to just 25.48 per year for a week of showers, and 40.04 if you treat yourself to two baths per week. If you have a gas-heated bath and an electric shower, baths would prove the cheaper option, coming in 7p cheaper than the current cost of an eight-minute shower. These figures don't include the cost of water use, for those that are on a meter. Adding up: Cutting two minutes off the duration of your shower could save you as much as 25 over the course of a year How can you make savings? The possible savings that could be made by changing your washing habits might not be astronomical, but a little change can go a long way. 'People wanting to save money in the shower could consider getting an energy-efficient shower head,' Gallizzi told This is Money. 'These reduce the amount of hot water you use, but will still make it feel like a strong shower.' Gallizzi also recommends being mindful of how much hot water you use, as cold showers can prove a great energy-saving measure. 'Using less hot water means you will save money on energy, but you will also save money on water bills if you are on a meter,' he said. 'Reducing the time spent showering is another way to save energy and water. Some people also save energy by turning the water off when they are shampooing their hair. Similarly, filling the bath with less water will cut down your energy and water usage.' Even cutting the length of your shower by a couple of minutes can have a major impact, with a six-minute shower saving you around 25 per year compared to the cost of an eight-minute shower. The price of a new electric car will drop to the same level as an equivalent new petrol or diesel model 'much faster than initially expected,' a report published this month claims. This is because electric vehicles (EVs) will, on average, will be cheaper to make than cars with internal combustion engines by 2027, says US market research firm, Gartner. However, it's not all positive news for the EV transition. That's because repair costs are set to surge - and it means a battery-powered car is more likely to be written off in the coming years. Electric vehicles will be cheaper to produce than equivalent petrol and diesel cars by 2027, according to a new report. And it means EV prices are going to fall 'much faster than expected' One of the biggest hurdles facing EVs is their premium up-front price, which alongside concerns about a lacklustre public charging network and range anxiety has seen public demand for battery models drop significantly in recent months. Official figures show that sales of EVs to ordinary drivers fell by almost a fifth in the first two months of 2024. Of nearly 40,000 new electric cars registered in January and February, just 6,500 were purchased by individuals. The remaining 33,500 (which represents around 84 per cent of all registrations in the two months) were snapped up by fleet and leasing companies as a result of lucrative tax benefits, including the salary sacrifice scheme. But Gartner predicts this all could change from 2027, when lower manufacturing costs should begin to translate to affordable EV prices. It claims that new manufacturing methods will reduce production costs below those for a comparable car with an internal combustion engine within the next three years. In its new report published this month, it said it expects build costs to drop considerably faster than the cost of batteries, which are the most expensive part of an EV and account for around 40 per cent of the vehicle's price. The research group's bold statements are based on the belief that 'innovations that simplify production costs such as centralised vehicle architecture or the introduction of gigacastings that help reduce manufacturing cost and assembly time'. 'Gigapresses' are massive casting machines pioneered by US market leader Tesla to make large single pieces of vehicle underbodies, streamline production and reduce the work of robots. This new technology - and automakers tailoring their vehicle designs to make them more efficient to build - 'will see BEV production costs drop considerably faster than battery costs,' the US firm claimed. Gartner claims new manufacturing methods will reduce production costs below those for a comparable car with an internal combustion engine within the next three years The research group's bold statements are based on the belief that innovations that simplify production, such as Tesla-style gigacastings, will help reduce manufacturing cost and assembly time for EVs 'New OEM incumbents want to heavily redefine the status quo in automotive,' explained Pedro Pacheco, vice president of research at Gartner. 'They brought new innovations that simplify production costs, such as centralised vehicle architecture or the introduction of gigacastings that help reduce manufacturing cost and assembly time, which legacy automakers had no choice to adopt to survive.' Is the high cost of EVs already about to fall? There are currently only seven electric cars on sale in the UK today priced 30,000 or less. This includes the Vauxhall Corsa Electric (from 26,895), BYD Dolphin (from 25,490), MG4 (from 26,995), Fiat 500e (from 28,195, though dropping to 25,195 with Fiat's e-grant scheme), Nissan Leaf (from 28,495 while stocks last), Mazda MX-30 (from 28,995) and next-generation Mini Cooper E (from 30,000). Dacia's first EV, the Spring, should move the EV market's pricing goalposts when first deliveries arrive in October. That's because the budget-friendly brand has recently confirmed its 137-mile-range EV will start from 14,995 - this makes it the sixth least expensive new car across all fuel types. Such is the existing premium price to build and sell EVs that some major brands are already back-pedalling on their electric car promises. It was revealed earlier this month that German auto giant Mercedes-Benz is going to extend the production cycle of one of its biggest-selling models due to concerns about EV take-up. The A-Class hatchback, which was due to be retired by the end of this year, will continue to be built through to 2026 as part of a more 'flexible' Mercedes strategy for transitioning to EVs. CEO Ola Kallenius has said the company will continue to produce combustion-engine cars based on existing platforms well into the next decade because price parity between EVs and petrols 'is many years away'. EVs might become cheaper to buy, but they will also get costlier to repair While Pacheco was positive regarding the outlook for EV manufacturing costs and the new model prices, he raised major alarm bells by saying that repair costs will be 'considerably costlier'. The market research firm expects the average cost of repairing an EV body and battery after a serious collision could rise by 30 per cent by 2027. That could make crashed EVs more prone to a total write-off, as Gartner added that the repair could cost more than the residual value of the vehicle itself. High costs tied to repairing EVs are already a concern among potential buyers. An investigation by Reuters last year found that insurance companies are increasingly being left with little to no choice but to permanently take EVs off the road after minor collisions, which in turn is pushing premiums higher for all motorists. The report warns of scratched and mildly damaged battery packs 'piling up in scrapyards in some countries'. In recent months, UK owners of Chinese EVs have complained of escalating insurance premiums, with some unable to find affordable cover for their new cars. This has been triggered by a lack of available parts and expertise to repair them that has seen premiums soar. Drivers of BYD and GWM Ora vehicles are facing extremely steep quotes for cover because only a few insurance providers will underwrite them due to the difficultly to fix them. Gartner says there could be a 'consumer backlash' if reductions in production costs come at the expense of higher repair costs. And there was more bad news for new electric car manufacturers. The market researcher also expects around 15 per cent of EV companies founded since the last decade will be acquired or bankrupt by 2027. 'This does not mean the EV sector is crumbling. It is simply entering a new phase where companies with the best products and services will win over the remaining,' Pacheco added. Billions of pounds were wiped off the value of Reckitt Benckiser after it was ordered to pay 50million to the mother of a premature baby who died after being fed its Enfamil baby formula. Reckitt shares in the consumer goods giant, which also owns brands such as Nurofen, Dettol and Durex, tumbled 14.6 per cent to their lowest level since 2014 following the judgment from an Illinois court. This wiped 5billion off the FTSE 100 company's value amid fears it could face a wave of costly payouts relating to Enfamil. Hit: A jury found Mead Johnson, the Reckitt arm responsible for baby formula, negligent and of failing to warn of the risk of intestinal disease known as necrotising enterocolitis A jury found Mead Johnson, the Reckitt arm responsible for baby formula, negligent and of failing to warn of the risk of intestinal disease known as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Following the decision, the business will need to pay 50million which includes compensation to Jasmine Watson, the baby's mother. Mead Johnson has said it plans to appeal the decision. But Ben Whiting, partner at Keller Postman, the law firm that represented the mother, said: 'This verdict confirms what Mead Johnson has known for years: cow's milk-based baby formula causes NEC in pre-term infants, often with fatal consequences.' The verdict is the first trial of more than 400 lawsuits in the US against Reckitt and its competitor Abbott claiming that they caused NEC with their formulas. Susannah Streeter, head of money at broker Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'This ruling has come at a bad time for Reckitt which had already been struggling with falling volumes across its household goods and hygiene ranges. 'It's not simply the size of this payout which has caused nervousness, but the fact a long line of other lawsuits is pending, which could mount up to be huge sum for the company.' The reputational damage caused by the lawsuit is problematic for the group, Streeter added. The judgment comes less than a month after profits hit 2.5billion for 2023, down 22 per cent compared to the year before. A Chinese retailer has become the second foreign predator in a week to abandon plans to buy Currys. Online giant JD.com said it would not make a formal bid for the High Street electrical retailer less than a month after expressing its interest. Its decision to walk away came days after Currys fought off a separate bid from US hedge fund Elliott Advisors. Walking away: With both suitors ending their interest, Currys shares fell 3.9 per cent, or 2.3p, to 56.6p and are down almost 20 per cent since late last month The New York-based activist investor, which owns book shop Waterstones, pulled out of the race after being rejected 'multiple times'. With both suitors ending their interest, Currys shares fell 3.9 per cent, or 2.3p, to 56.6p and are down almost 20 per cent since late last month when hopes of a bidding war were at their peak. But the failure of both JD.com and Elliott to get a deal over the line is the latest sign that British boards are taking a stand against foreign predators. This week Direct Line revealed it had shrugged off a second offer from Belgian insurance group Ageas. Elliott initially proposed an offer that valued Currys at 700million, or 62p a share, and raised it to 757million, 67p a share. But Currys rebuffed these approaches, saying they 'significantly undervalued the company and its future prospects'. JD.com said its decision was made after 'careful consideration'. JO Hambro Capital Management, a top ten shareholder in Currys, last week said the value of the bids showed the 'absurdity' of the UK stock market. 'Whistleblowing wasn't part of my DNA,' Pav Gill says. As a lawyer by training, he admits his stance on revealing internal company information was 'supposed to be the extreme opposite.' But Gill blew the whistle on his former employer, the German payment provider Wirecard, in 2018, exposing financial irregularities which indicated a falsely enlarged profit. Two years later Wirecard collapsed, filing for insolvency after whistleblowing by Gill and others led to the firm admitting a 1.9billion gap in its accounts. Its former chief executive, Markus Braun, has been in custody ever since, while ex-chief operating officer Jan Marsalek is still on the run, reportedly in Russia. Whistleblower: Pav Gill exposed financial irregularities at his former employer, German payment processor Wirecard, in 2018 Gill tells This is Money that his life became difficult after he began investigating. Shortly after he did, he was pushed out of the firm. His actions had serious repercussions, including, he says, anonymous phone calls threatening his life. Gill never wanted to blow the whistle, he says, but was 'forced into a whistleblowing situation'. It was his mother that contacted the Financial Times on his behalf. Now, spurred by his experience of exposing wrongdoing at Wirecard, Gill has launched Confide, an anonymous reporting platform for staff. The encrypted platform offers a way for employees to anonymously convey their concerns to a company's management, without fear of repercussions. It is designed to help companies manage serious concerns internally, and prevent whistleblowing scandals from having to take place. You need a tool that's encrypted and anonymous, where [bosses] can't run to the IT guys and track down who sent what 'You need a tool that's encrypted and anonymous, where [bosses] can't run to the IT guys and track down who sent what,' he explains. According to Gill, it seeks to find a solution for the problems he saw at Wirecard. 'If you're in a situation where you need to speak up or raise an issue, the question is often - who should you confide in?' he explains. 'You might be over-confiding in the wrong person. You might not even be allowed legal privilege. [Staff who want to raise issues] are usually doing it in isolation and that can be quite challenging.' Despite being told his reporting would be anonymous, Gill says the company chief executive was informed that he had blown the whistle. Wirecard launched its own internal reporting tool after Gill began his investigations. With Confide, he is seeking to create a platform that is mutually beneficial for employees and employers, offering potential whistleblowers protection from reprisal activity, and allowing businesses to avoid a press nightmare. Confide's encrypted and anonymous platform allows employees to raise concerns without fear of retaliation 'The key difference here is that it's immutable, so the audit trail is there. The company knows that, and hopefully that forces them to be more sensible in how they're dealing with reports,' he says. 'Our unique platform transcends the limitations of existing "glorified inbox" solutions, embodying our commitment to promoting a corporate world where swift, internal issue resolution is the norm - benefitting employees, organizations, and lawmakers alike.' The startup, which Gill co-founded alongside long-time colleague Ryan Dougherty, also offers a system to digitise the investigation process, and allow those investigating to collect and manage their case information. Not only does this open the way for companies to deal with issues more effectively, Gill hopes it will be part of a new era of transparency. Staff want to work for honest companies Too often, concerns are stifled by middle management, or brushed off by higher-ups, to the point where employees can be too worried about coming forward. 'There is always a hesitancy' for potential whistleblowers, Gill says. 'Whistleblowing to me is a huge emotional problem, speaking up is an emotional problem'. Normally, he points out, it takes major PR scandals or fines from regulators for companies to make change, with media storms having plagued recent scandals such as those surrounding FTX or Boeing 737 MAX jets. New dawn: Gill and co-founder Ryan Dougherty (pictured right) aim to create a whistleblowing system that benefits both companies and employees 'I think if we can change that mindset, companies will be much better off and employees will feel free to speak up knowing they won't be taken revenge on,' Gill says. The younger generation, he adds, are not keen on being told to keep their heads down and ignore problems at work. 'They will just say sorry, can you repeat that, and take out their phone and record you.' 'I think companies need to evolve with the times. I think also, it's just common sense.' The kind of issues reported on Confide don't have to be serious wrongdoing or mismanagement, however. The platform could just as easily be used to report problems as trivial as the choice of coffee in the staffroom, or unfavourable working hours. While there will always be bad apples, and whistleblowers exposing them, some companies are beginning to see that becoming more transparent can be a benefit, according to Gill. 'These tools will go a long way towards letting companies know how good an employer they are and what kind of culture they have in place,' he adds. The workforce, too, is shifting its ideals. Job-hunters are increasingly screening prospective employers for ideals that match their own whether in their environmental focus, charitable work, or transparency. Speaking up: Younger employees are more likely to call out bad practice at their companies According to LinkedIn, 59 per cent of Europeans would not work for a firm that doesn't align with their values, with 68 per cent in the UK reporting that they would prioritise a role in a company which aligns with their values. 'Three years ago, no one would have imagined in their wildest dreams that candidates will be asking employers how many trees they are planting and how green they are,' he says. The same goes for governance and conduct. 'We saw that with the "Me Too" movement, BLM and Occupy Wall Street. I think the world that we are living in now is very focused on speaking up,' Gill says. 'Any company that doesn't recognise this is just going to suffer and be heard the wrong way.' He fled the US in October after FBI agents started contacting his friends and family and has been issued documents stating he's 'wanted for terrorist acts' A TikTok influencer who took part in the January 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol has been placed on a US terror list, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. It is the first case of terror charges allegedly being leveled against those involved in the violent protest a step beyond the convictions for 'seditious conspiracy' for some participants. The accused, a man in his mid-20s who provided information on the condition of anonymity, fled the US in October after FBI agents started contacting his friends and family. After spending three months in a Swiss refugee camp, he ended up in Costa Rica, where immigration officials kept him in solitary confinement for eight days and gave him documents saying he was 'wanted for terrorist acts' in the US. He was released last month and is now in a third, unknown country. DailyMail.com can reveal a TikTok influencer - not in the pictured above - who took part in the January 6 , 2021 riot at the Capitol has been placed on a US terror list The alleged 'terrorist' is a man in his mid-20s man who provided information on the condition of anonymity and will only be identified as Mike Mike got a text from his mother on May 6, saying: 'The FBI came to my house and questioned me about you yesterday,' followed by a sad face emoji Former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin said that the documents suggest the young man has been placed on a domestic terror list under Section 266 of the Comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Act, giving authorities broad powers to surveil him. However, no public charges have been filed against him in the US. The man, who DailyMail.com is naming only as 'Mike', says he did not take part in any violence and does not believe he committed any crimes on January 6 claiming that he can prove it with a video of the entire day shot on a GoPro camera he wore. Former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin said that the documents suggest the young man has been placed on a domestic terror list under Section 266 of the Comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Act, giving authorities broad powers to surveil him He lived on the US East Coast, is a former Eagle Scout, and does not have a criminal record. Mike is a social media entrepreneur, with over 350,000 followers on TikTok. His videos have 35 million total views and over 6 million likes. But as far as the US authorities are concerned, he may now be considered a terrorist marking a potential escalation in the legal treatment of January 6 participants. FBI director Christopher Wray condemned the Capitol riot as 'domestic terrorism' in a Congressional hearing two months after the event. But prosecutors have so far refrained from using domestic terror charges against any participants. Statistics from the Department of Justice released three years after the event say 1,265 defendants have since been charged, and 889 convicted. Among these are 57 charged with conspiracy, including 'conspiracy to obstruct a congressional proceeding'. Participants in the riot were accused of violent attempts to prevent Congress from formalizing Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory. These included members of far right militia groups the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Mike says he was not part of any militia groups, and attended the January 6 Washington, DC protest with his family. He says he didn't take part in any violence and emerged unscathed from the event. But in the months following, he became increasingly nervous as he read stories of hundreds of others facing federal charges over the riot. His picture without his name even appeared on the website SeditionHunters.org, run by a group of civilian researchers who have used social media to identify 901 January 6 participants, many of whom have since been charged. Mike first became aware of the FBI's active interest in him after he moved to another state where his cousin lives in 2022. After arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica, Mike told immigration officials he was seeking asylum. He said he was taken to a room with a bunk bed and 24/7 security (pictured) and was kept there alone until February 3 While detained at Juan Santamaria International Airport, Mike was interviewed and told by Costa Rican officials that he had been flagged in a US system as a 'domestic terrorist', meaning he would be denied residency there A write up of Mike's interview with Costa Rican immigration officials, originally obtained by right wing nonprofit Marco Polo, which revealed he was allegedly put on a terror list On February 15 last year, agents visited his cousin's roommate, asking about Mike's whereabouts though they did not say he had committed any crimes. On May 4 they visited Mike's former landlord, again asking for his whereabouts. The landlord texted Mike about it the next day. He also got a text from his Mother on May 6, saying: 'The FBI came to my house and questioned me about you yesterday,' followed by a sad face emoji. Feeling hunted, the final straw came when he learned extra funding had been granted by the Biden administration for the Bureau's January 6 investigation. Fearing he would end up in federal prison if he stayed, he resolved to take the drastic step of fleeing the country. On October 10 he shut off all his electronic devices and used paper maps to drive from his residence to the Texan border with Mexico. Four days later he crossed the border on foot. He flew from Mexico City to Zurich, Switzerland, lived in an apartment there for about six weeks, then applied for asylum and was sent to a refugee camp in Belerna for three weeks. He said he gave Swiss immigration officials all his videos, photos and text messages showing his involvement in January 6, arguing that he would not get a fair trial if he was sent back to the US. The Swiss authorities denied his application, but allowed him to instead buy a flight to Costa Rica on January 31, 2024. After arriving at Juan Santamaria International Airport, he told immigration officials he was seeking asylum. He said he was taken to a room with a bunk bed and 24/7 security, and was kept there alone until February 3. While detained, he was interviewed and told by Costa Rican officials that he had been flagged in a US system as a 'domestic terrorist', meaning he would be denied residency there. DailyMail.com has obtained papers written in Spanish recording his interview with an immigration official, which contained the claim he was 'wanted for terrorist acts' in the US. 'Initially I asked you if you had committed any crime, and you indicated no, but Costa Rican immigration has confidential information that you are wanted for terrorist acts. Can you explain that to me please?' the Costa Rican official said, according to the Spanish-language document. 'The government labels people who disagree with its decisions as terrorists,' Mike responded. A copy of Mike's ticket from Zurich, Switzerland to San Jose, Costa Rica on January 31 FBI director Christopher Wray condemned the Capitol riot as 'domestic terrorism' in a Congressional hearing two months after the event In text messages with a friend shown to DailyMail.com, he said the immigration official told him he was 'labeled as either a potential domestic terrorist or as a domestic terrorist, but gave no reason as to why.' He told the officials he was in Costa Rica seeking 'security and freedom', and feared that 'I will be arrested when I set foot on American soil.' 'I think they are looking for something to put me in jail because the FBI went looking for me,' Mike said, according to the immigration interview writeup. Mike sent pictures of the documents to right wing nonprofit Marco Polo, which shared them with DailyMail.com. Mike said that he chose Costa Rica because a conservative activist, Marc DeGiovanni, is currently residing there. But after about a week his application was denied, and he has now settled in another, undisclosed country. 'I already spent almost two months in [a] hell hole just to be told no,' Mike wrote in a text. 'They told me the same thing that there's no way in hell I'm gonna be able to stay. 'I would rather hop from country to country and take my chances than be trapped as a voluntary prisoner with no hope for bail or parole.' His mother, who accompanied him to the January 6 Trump rally that preceded the riot at the Capitol, said she is in regular contact with Mike, and that he is getting back on his feet. 'He's doing good. He's getting his peace of mind back,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I went down there to show my support for Trump and to show that this should not happen. An entire election was stolen, there's no question in my mind,' she said. 'However, my family members and relatives of myself, my husband and my son, believe the opposite.' This is the first case of terror charges allegedly being leveled against those involved in the violent protest Mike's parents spoke to DailyMail.com on the condition of anonymity. His father said he is 'not surprised' that the government has put his son on a terror list, according to Costa Rican officials. 'They're calling all of them domestic terrorists. It's because they know how the public responds, it's a trigger word. 'We thought our government wasn't crooked, our judicial system and our media, wasn't crooked,' he said. 'But the people in charge are corrupt.' He said that while he was hopeful Mike could return under a Trump administration in 2025, his participation in January 6 could have lifelong consequences. 'I believe Trump will win in November and when he is sworn in, in January of next year, our son will be free to come home. 'But I'm not the one with the threat of prison hanging over my head. So I gotta go with his feelings,' he said. 'It's been very stressful for all involved. 'People will google his name to try to get some background information on him, and the first thing that pops up is that he's a terrorist. His mother added: 'If his name is cleared in 11 months it doesn't matter because the story's already read, it's already out there.' She said Mike was also afraid that law enforcement could pursue her though she was happy to fight her case. 'He said to me, 'Mom, they could come and scoop you up,' because I'm here in the States, and I was there on January 6. But I say, at my age, if they want to take me, do it,' she said. 'Assuming Trump is legitimately voted in next time, he said he'd pardon all J6ers that were nonviolent.' Former FBI agent Seraphin, who has become a vocal activist for January 6 accussees, said that the lack of charges and the secrecy around terror lists makes Mike's case hard to scrutinize. 'How do you fix a list you can't even prove you are on?' he said. 'No one from J6 has been charged with a terrorism charge. They have threatened some with 'terrorism enhancements'.' But he added that he believes all the FBI's January 6 suspects have been put on a terror watch list under 'Section 266', a law pertaining to domestic terrorists. 'They all have parallel 266 cases, which are domestic terrorism. But if they don't have criminal charges, there's no 'terrorism' involved,' he said. '[Mike] would be better with a criminal complaint or statement of facts from the FBI coming for them. Then you could see there is nothing more than some bulls**t trespassing charge.' Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, escaped with a slap on the wrist today as a judge dramatically ruled she could stay on the Trump election interference case in Georgia. But she can only do so if her prosecutor 'lover' Nathan Wade removes himself from the case. In a 23-page ruling Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee slammed Willis for a 'tremendous lapse in judgment' and for acting in an 'unprofessional manner'. However, he said not enough evidence had been shown to establish her romantic relationship with Wade amounted to an 'actual conflict of interest' - which would have led to her disqualification from the Trump case. Trump's lawyers slammed the decision to let Willis stay on the case and said they would pursue 'all legal options' in response. Judge McAfee ruled Willis should not be disqualified from leading a case she has brought against Donald Trump and 18 codefendants, in which they are accused of conspiring overturn the results of the November 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden. But the judge said: 'This finding is by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing.' Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides in court, Feb. 27, 2024, in Atlanta He added that 'an odor of mendacity remains' in the case but the court was not 'under an obligation to ferret out every instance of potential dishonesty from each witness.' McAfee had self-imposed a deadline of this week to rule after holding bombshell hearings featuring testimony by Willis herself about her 'romantic' relationship with Wade. At issue in his decision was when the affair between the two prosecutors Willis and Wade began, and whether it posed an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of one. The judge and clashing attorneys explored those issues in sensational hearings that featured angry testimony by Willis. She was confronted by defense lawyers and there was conflicting testimony about whether the couple were involved in a 'romantic' relationship before Wade joined her team in 2021. The hearings also featured details about cruises and luxury travel the pair engaged in and whether it constituted any sort of improper benefit to Willis that allowed her to gain financially from the prosecution of Trump and his allies. In his ruling Judge McAfee said: 'The prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the State selects one of two options. 'The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office. 'Alternatively, Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case.' This handout image released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on August 24, 2023 shows the booking photo of former US President Donald Trump. Former US president Donald Trump was photographed for a police mug shot after his arrest on August 24 at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia The judge stressed that 'no ruling of mine is ever gong to be based on politics.' He then sorted through whether Wade and Willis had an actual financial conflict. Judge McAfee wrote: Whenever a private attorney - like Wade - is paid by the billable hour, a motive exists to extend or prolong the assignment. 'This, however, is a tension that the legal profession has long accepted.' His ruling goes through the various trips the pair took, including to Aruba and Napa Valley. But he found Willis did not get a direct financial benefit from her decision to hire Wade. He also essentially accepted her claims that she reimbursed Wade in cash for expenses during their travels. Such a reimbursement practice may be unusual and the lack of any documentary corroboration understandably concerning. 'Yet the testimony withstood direct contradiction, was corroborated by other evidence (for example, her payment of airfare for two on the 2022 Miami trip), and was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable. However, as the District Attorney herself acknowledged, no ledger exists. 'Other than a best guesstimate, there is no way to be certain that expenses were split completely evenly - and the District Attorney may well have received a net benefit of several hundred dollars.' ulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta Trump and the other defendants are charged with a racketeering conspiracy to overturn the state of Georgia's election results in 2020 after it voted for Joe Biden. The ruling on whether Willis should be disqualified has high-stakes implications for Trump and his codefendants as well as the nation. A disqualification of Willis would throw off the schedule for the Georgia case at a time when some of Trump's other trials are in peril. Judge McAfee's ruling comes shortly after he dismissed three charges against Trump from the sprawling racketeering indictment brought by Willis and her prosecutors' office. McAfee wrote Wednesday in an order that six of the charges in the indictment must be quashed. But the order leaves intact many other charges in the indictment and the judge wrote that prosecutors could seek a new indictment on the charges he dismissed. The six charges in question have to do with allegedly soliciting elected officials to violate their oaths of office. That includes two charges related to Trump's infamous phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on Jan. 2, 2021 asking him to 'find' 11,780 votes. Willis and Wade acknowledged the affair in filings and testimony Explosive allegations of an affair The relationship between Willis and Wade burst onto the national scene after lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Trump codefendant Michael Roman, issued a court filing in January. It alleged that Willis and Wade had an 'ongoing, personal relationship' even as Wade got paid more than $600,000 serving as special prosecutor on the case. It claimed they engaged in 'a personal, romantic relationship that has ultimately yielded substantial income to the special prosecutor.' That prompted a response from Willis that denied any improper conduct even while confirming the affair. 'Much of Defendant Romans motion relies on supposition and innuendo regarding the private relationship between District Attorney Willis and Special Prosecutor Wade,' according to the filing. 'District Attorney Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office,' she writes. 'While the allegations raised in the various motions are salacious and garnered the media attention they were designed to obtain, none provide this Court with any basis upon which to order the relief they seek,' she wrote. John Floyd III, father of Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis, testified about living with her while she dated a man named 'Deuce,' and said he didn't know his daughter was later dating prosecutor Nathan Wade Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade faced a series of questions about out of town trips with Willis and the ways he and Willis paid for them Dramatic testimony by former friends of both Willis and Wade A mid-February hearing featured testimony by former Willis friend and colleague Robin Yeartie, who directly contradicted Willis and Wade by saying there was 'no doubt' the two were in a romantic relationship before Wade got hired. She said she was 'certain' about it. She said the DA, a former college friend, told her about it personally. Defense lawyers called Terrance Bradley, a former friend of Wade's, also appeared under subpoena. He was a former law partner of Wade's who also acted as his divorce lawyer. His appearance brought a fight over attorney-client privilege, as defense lawyers tried to force him to testify about conversations they said would speak to the personal relationship and when it began. The drama peaked when a furious Willis slapped back at 'extremely offensive' allegations she slept with her prosecutor ex-boyfriend Nathan Wade the first time they met. 'It's a lie, it's a lie,' she said. She accused Merchant of 'trying to implicate that you slept with somebody the first day you met the.' 'Im not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial,' she told Merchant, who during a dramatic moment got to question the DA she is facing in court after exposing her affair. She also lashed out at the media for 'printing lies for the world to see' and the attorneys for suggesting they hadn't verified any information about their luxury work trips and their 'good' sex life. In Wade's own earlier testimony, he shot back at Donald Trump's lawyer Stephen Sadow's questions, steering his answers to literal comments about sex. Wade told him that his relationship with Willis ended in the summer of 2023, prompting Sadow to ask if they had 'any personal relationship at all' at that point. 'Are you asking me have I had intercourse with the district attorney?' Wade shot back. 'The answer would be no.' 'You say personal. Were very good friends,' he told Sadow. 'Probably closer than ever because of these attacks. But if youre asking me about specific intercourse, the answer is no.' Terrance Bradley, a former law partner of Wade's, was the first witness to appear. He and his lawyer raised attorney client privilege issues when he got asked about the relationship. He later got confronted with texts with lawyer Ashleigh Merchant Robin Latrice Yeartie testified that Fulton County DA told her about meeting special prosecutor Nathan Wade at a judicial conference in 2019, in a bombshell hearing to determine if Willis gets disqualified from the case of Donald Trump and codefendants Clash over when the affair began Both Willis and Wade testified their romantic relationship began after Willis brought him on. They also confirmed information in Merchant's initial filing about luxury trips and cruises together. But Willis denied any financial conflict, saying she always paid her way, and said she did so in cash. 'If youre a woman and you go on a date with a man you better have $200 in case,' she further advised. Willis said on her 'worst days' she had $500 cash. 'At my best days, I probably had $15,000 in my house, cash,' she said. She also said her belief in storing a stash of cash came from her father, something her father, backed up in his own time on the stand. John Floyd III, a former Black Panther, flew in from California to testify that his daughter always carried cash at his insistence, that she was dating a deejay named 'Deuce' in 2019 when he moved in with her. He said he didn't meet Wade until after Wade and Willis started prosecuting Trump. Defense lawyers charged that Willis kept her relationship with Wade a secret from her office as well as from her father. Fulton County Special prosecutor Anna Cross, who is representing the DA in the matter, announced a decision not to question Willis further after her appearance, which moved the case onto other matters. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant initiated the effort to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump Former President Donald Trump speaks , Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga Wade's lawyer Terrence Bradley doesn't recall relationship origins despite texts Another critical moment came during testimony by Wade's former law partner Terrence Bradley. Bradley on the stand was unable to call details of the origins of the relationship. 'I do not have knowledge of it starting, or when it started,' he said. 'I dont recall any specific dates,' he said under questioning. 'I dont have anything it wasnt a specific date There wasnt something I can attribute to him telling me whatever. You are asking for a date, asking for a year and I am telling you at this time I am telling you that I do not have the date.' He kept that line even amid questioning about his texts with Merchant where he made statements that the relationship started earlier than Willis and Wade claimed. 'I was speculating, I didnt have a no one told me. I was speculating,' he testified. That included a text when he told Merchant the two had begun dating when Willis was a judge in South Fulton. 'Why would you speculate when she was asking you a direct question about when the relationship started?' Sadow pressed him. 'I have no answer for that,' Bradley responded. A U.S. veteran-led group is on the ground in Haiti attempting to rescue Americans trapped in the embattled country currently overrun by ruthless gangs. The Caribbean nation devolved into chaos this month as gangs seized control and overran prisons releasing at least 4,000 inmates who have since gone on a killing spree, taking over many public buildings and shutting down travel in and out of the country. The gangs have also taken over the streets and airports, effectively trapping people attempting to escape. Project DYNAMO, a veteran-led nonprofit specializing in conflict and natural disaster rescue, was in Haiti Friday conducting rescue missions to get Americans out. DYNAMO Founder and CEO Bryan Stern said Thursday before the mission the situation on the ground was going to be treacherous. 'The gangs own the roads, the gangs own the airports,' he told DailyMail.com. 'They're very well armed, they're very well resourced.' The group has received 30 requests for evacuation as of Friday morning, including several for small children. They estimate up to 500 Americans could be trapped in the country. Gang violence has broke out on the streets throughout Haiti, making it difficult for visitors trying to evacuate The group will also avoid the roads because of the unpredictability of the gang violence that is playing out on the streets. 'A lot of the threat actors on the streets are 15, 16, 17-year-old kids with belt-fed machine guns,' he told reporters Thursday. The evacuation, he said, will have to take place by air. 'Our intent is to do a ground movement for some Americans from where they are to a rally point.' Then, Stern said, the group would 'land helicopters,' board the passengers, and 'fly those helicopters over to the Dominican Republic.' It will take multiple trips to and from the landing area to shuttle out all of the individuals who have requested rescue, Stern said. The group could evacuate individuals by sea, but the CEO said the option is slow and the sea conditions are poor. Some of the Americans who have contacted his group were on vacation or on missionary trips. Time is of the essence, the DYNAMO leader added, because soon the gangs will begin kidnapping Americans and holding them for ransom. 'The kidnapping threat, that's the next phase of this. Americans are the lottery ticket, which is how the gangs are already funding themselves, largely through kidnappings.' Most of the ransoms so far have been non-Americans, Stern said, but that could soon change. Project DYNAMO CEO Bryan Stern has been coordinating rescue operations from the Dominican Republic DYNAMO will opt to evacuate Americans using helicopters as the streets are too dangerous Gangs have also overrun several airports, trapping those wishing to fly out of Haiti Haitian police officers take part in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire And there are plenty to rescue. American missionary Jill Dolan who runs the Love a Neighbor orphanage in rural Haiti was trapped with three of her children, aged 14 to 20, when fighting broke out. She said the U.S. government has done little to help her or her family. Reps. Cory Mills, R-Fla., and Lisa McClain, R-Mich., however, helped coordinate a rescue mission for several Americans trapped in Haiti this week, getting them safely out of the country. The State Department, meanwhile, has not released a figure on how many Americans remain stranded on the island nation. DYNAMO has conducted rescue operations across the globe, most notably in Afghanistan during the U.S. military withdrawal. The group has rescued over 6,800 people, according to its site. The families of American personnel killed in the suicide attack on Kabul airport say they want a second Pentagon review of the bombing to finally get to the bottom of what went wrong and who was to blame for the deaths during the final chaotic days of the Afghan evacuations. Some 13 U.S. service members and more than 160 Afghans died when a lone suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the Abbey Gate of the airport in August 2021. An investigation published in 2022 concluded the deaths were not preventable. But other service personnel came forward to claim that the bomber had been identified and could have been stopped. This week U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said a supplemental review, which included additional witnesses, had been concluded and families were being informed of the findings. Darin Hoover, whose son Marine Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover was killed in the blast, said he wanted transparency, accountability and an admission that the attack could have been prevented. How the bomb attack on Kabul airport unfolded. 13 US personnel were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his deadly payload on 26 August, 2021, in the final days of the withdrawal The Americans killed in the blast were: (left to right, starting with top row) Cpl. Daegan W. Page - Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo - Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover - Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza - Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum - Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui - Cpl. Hunter Lopez - Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz - Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss - Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez - Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak - Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola - Sgt. Nicole L. Gee He said he wanted 'heads to roll.' 'Nobody slapped down their stars. Nobody threatened to quit. Nobody's been fired over it,' he said, before adding that he wanted Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to accept responsibility. 'I want Blinken and Austin gone. I want them to lose their jobs.' The supplementary review was announced in September soon after family members expressed their fury at what they saw as a lack of accountability for the messy withdrawal. In particular, they wanted to know how the first investigation was not preventable when Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews testified before Congress that he spotted a person matching descriptions of a suicide bomber just before the attack. He said his superiors were not interested in his warnings and that his testimony was not sought afterwards. 'Plain and simple, we were ignored. Our expertise was disregarded. No one was held accountable for our safety,' Vargas-Andrews said. A book published last year also concluded that commanders twice missed chances to take out the ISIS-K cell behind the attack. On one occasion the Taliban, who by then controlled Kabul, refused a request to raid a hotel that was a known staging post for the rival terror group, according to the authors of 'Kabul: The Untold Story of Biden's Fiasco and the American Warriors Who Fought to the End.' Darin Hoover said he wanted 'heads to roll' and that the new report should acknowledge that the attack was preventable The blast was outside The Baron Hotel, at the Abbey Gate of Kabul airport. Westerners were staying in the hotel before their evacuation flights And officers vetoed a plan for a drone strike elsewhere because of the 'negative response' of the Taliban to such a raid. A spokesperson for CENTCOM said the supplemental review was now complete and that relatives were being informed. 'Over five months, a team of 13 service members from the Army and Marine Corps interviewed more than 50 service members who were present during the attack, including 12 service members who were not previously interviewed due to medical evacuation or treatment,' said the spokesperson. 'These interviews sought to determine whether those service members possessed any new information surrounding the attack, and, if so, whether that information would affect the findings of the initial Abbey Gate investigation, completed in November 2021.' Several relatives contacted said they had been told they would be briefed on the reports findings next month. Christy Shamblin, whose daughter-in-law Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee died, said she hoped the second review would prevent any repeat. Slides shown during a Pentagon briefing show how the US dead and wounded were close to the canal where the bomber detonated his explosives, and had clustered together to search potential evacuees. The worst hit were standing on a wall overlooking the canal Pictures show the haphazard conditions at the airport before the attack Christy Shamblin, whose daughter-in-law Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee died in the attack, was a guest of Rep. Michael McCaul at last week's State of the Union address to Congress 'My hope is we can learn from the findings and make the next evacuation casualty free,' she said. 'If we can make an impact of casualty free evacuations and never have another avoidable mass casualty it would be a legacy I could be happy with.' In the meantime, the Biden administration has insisted it did everything it could. A review by the White House National Security Council blamed the Trump administration for setting up the conditions for a chaotic withdrawal. And the Pentagon has repeatedly said senior officers did everything they could to protect troops at the airport. 'Based on our investigation at the tactical level, this was not preventable and the leaders on the ground followed the proper measures, and any time there was an imminent threat warning they followed the proper procedures: they lowered their profile, they sought cover, and at times, they even ceased operations at the gate,' said Brig. Gen. Lance Curtis, the lead investigator, in February 2022. Hoover said that did not reflect information that had come to light in the weeks and months after the investigation was published. 'We've gotten information that the bomber was in a hotel down the street making ready for all of this,' he said. 'And it could have been stopped at that point. It wasn't. And I want to know why. There's so many questions right now that I want answered.' Leaders of the country's biggest doctors' association appeared before police Friday for another round of questioning over allegations that they instigated the mass walkout by trainee doctors. "We ask the government to think in a more flexible, forward-looking way," said Kim Taek-woo, emergency committee chief of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), before entering the public crime investigation unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. "The government is responsible for ensuring people's health and medical professionals are responsible for remaining by the side of patients," he said. "If the medical circle and the government come together on this issue, we can resolve this issue." Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Pediatric Association, also appeared for questioning and denied his involvement in the collective resignations of trainee doctors. Lim, who plans to run for the next president of the KMA in the elections starting next week, said after the questioning that he will lead a nationwide strike by doctors if elected KMA president. "We will no longer be pushed around by government violence," he said. "The government is treating trainee doctors and even professors like criminals." The questioning came after the health ministry filed a complaint last month against five current and former leaders of the KMA on suspicion of instigating the ongoing mass walkout by thousands of trainee doctors. (Yonhap) Most 81-year-olds have already stopped working to spend their retirements with loved ones. Few are making plans to enter the world's biggest popularity contest and commit to a grueling job until 2029. Not so for Joe Biden, the Democratic president who pepped himself up to deliver an energetic State of the Union speech last week as he seeks another four-year stint in the West Wing. This leaves many voters and analysts wondering why. With this in mind, we commissioned a DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll on what voters say motivates the president. TIPP pollster Raghavan Mayur says respondents were 'all over the map' Most 81-year-olds aren't looking for another grueling five years in the office, but not Joe Biden Raghavan Mayur, the lead pollster, said our 1,419 participants were split. 'Respondents were all over the map when we asked why the 81-year-old president was running for a second term.' said Mayur. 'Most often, they said Biden wants to stop Trump getting back into the Oval Office. 'But large numbers also said he's in it for power, principal, or just to save the skin of his errant son, Hunter.' Respondents could select three motivations. By far the most popular was that Biden wants to stop his predecessor Donald Trump from winning another term in the White House. Fully half of respondents said the president wanted to 'stop Trump.' That's not surprising, as it echoes what Biden himself says about his reason for running. The way the president tells it, Trump is a 'threat to democracy' who uses lies and violence to stay in power much like he did in the assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Fully 11 percent of respondents said First Lady Jill Biden is driving her husband on to a second term Another one-in-ten say the president is running again so he can look out for his troubled son, Hunter Next up, 28 percent of respondents said Biden wanted to 'continue serving the country.' Another quarter said he wanted to complete the policies he launched in his first term. Biden's re-election manifesto covers everything from abortion access to education. But his central plan involves reindustrialize swathes of the US with climate-friendly infrastructure projects. Not everyone sees noble motives, however. A similar number of respondents 24 percent said Biden likes the feeling of power from sitting behind the Resolute Desk. Another fifth said Biden was motivated by ambition and building his legacy. That makes sense for a man who started out in politics in 1970 a full half-century before he landed the top job. Some 16 percent of voters said Biden was succumbing to pressure from his Democratic Party, where some, but not all, members say he's the strongest candidate to take on Trump. Others said Biden was motivated by his personal ties, including the 11 percent who thought wife Jill Biden was nudging him toward another term. Biden's biggest motivator, however, is keeping his predecessor Donald Trump out of the Oval Office, our survey shows Republicans and Democrats disagree over the president's motivations, according to the survey by TIPP, which bills itself as the 'most accurate pollster for the past five presidential elections' One-in-ten, however, said he wanted to keep the top job as he was worried about his son, Hunter, who is being probed by Republicans over a slew of damaging drug, gun, tax, and business dealings. Finally, 7 percent said Biden is 'making way for someone else,' which hints at the long-shot theory that Biden will withdraw his candidacy at or shortly before the Democratic National Convention in August. That would make it easier for another candidate to clinch the nomination without fighting their way through the primaries. The leading outside candidate is former First Lady Michelle Obama, according to Bet365, even though she says she will not run. Republican and Democratic voters broadly agreed on Biden's motivations, though members of the president's own party were more generous towards him. Nearly half of Democrats said Biden was running to 'serve his country' and finish up his policy agenda. Republicans, however, were more likely to say Biden was being driven by his wife or to protect his son, Hunter. The nationwide survey was carried out earlier this month, and has a +/-2.7 percentage point error margin. Prince Harry and Megan's Archewell Foundation has announced the new winner of an annual award meant for figures who have overcome racist and sexist biases in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Each year, the winner of The NAACP - Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award is awarded $100,000 to advance their work in civil and human rights. This year, the Sussexes revealed in a video shared on the Archewell website that the winner was Ghanaian-American- computer scientist Joy Buolamwini, for 'research to overcome racist and sexist biases in artificial intelligence,' as Markle puts it in the clip. Dr Buolamwini, 35, is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, a digital advocacy non-profit that 'unmasks' the harms and biases of AI toward women and people of color. Boasting two masters degrees from Oxford and MIT, she recently wrote 'the rising frontier for civil rights require algorithmic justice' - a claim the couple Thursday said they 'could not agree [with] more.' Prince Harry and Megan's Archewell Foundation on Thursday named Ghanaian-American- computer scientist Joy Buolamwini (right) as this year's winner of the annual award intended for figures who have overcome racist and sexist biases in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) Dr Buolamwini, 35, is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, a digital advocacy non-profit that 'unmasks' the harms and biases of AI toward women and people of color 'Every year, we come across the most incredible leaders in tech, and face a difficult choice of picking just one winner for the NAACP Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award,' the actress'-turned-duchess says in the clip, joined by her husband. 'And this winner is, Dr. Joy Buolamwini.' The video then pivots to Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, personally delivering the news to the renowned speaker, whose writing has been featured in publications such as Time, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and The Atlantic. 'You won!' Meghan tells her in the snippet, congratulating her with a warm hug. Prince Harry - who recently battled back claims he illegally entered the country due to taking illegal drugs - then also warmly embraces Buolamwini, who appears beside herself after running into the Royals. 'Y'all got me good,' she admits in the video, which includes a disembodied voice that outlines some of her accomplishments, and an explanation of the Archewell Foundation's mission from Meghan, after it was founded by her and her husband in 2020. 'This an organization leading the way to overcome racist and sexist biases in AI systems, especially when it shows up in policing, education, and in healthcare,' the Duchess explains. 'She recently wrote that 'the rising frontier for civil rights require algorithmic justice' - and we could not agree more.' 'Every year, we come across the most incredible leaders in tech, and face a difficult choice of picking just one winner for the NAACP Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award,' the actress'-turned-duchess says in the clip, joined by her husband The video then pivots to Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, personally delivering the news to the renowned speaker, whose writing has been featured in publications such as Time, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and The Atlantic You won!' Meghan tells her in the snippet, congratulating her with a warm hug Prince Harry - who recently battled back claims he illegally entered the country due to taking illegal drugs - then also warmly embraces Buolamwini, who appears beside herself after running into the Royals. 'Dr. Joy is an expert and an inspiration, and is so deserving of this award,' Markle says at a point in the the clip 'Dr. Joy is an expert and an inspiration, and is so deserving of this award.' The recorded encounter looked to have taken place at the SXSW Conference in Austin Friday, where Meghan appeared on a panel called 'Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen.' The Suits alum appeared alongside stars like Katie Couric and Brooke Shields, and donned the same collared shirt and skirt seen in the clip. Dr. Buolamwini, meanwhile, is seen holding a SXSW lanyard, as Meghan toted a copy of the AI expert's book: Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines. Penned in the first-person, the 2023 tome recalls how when she was a grad student, she discovered that sine facial recognition couldn't detect her dark skin.' In it, Buolamwini writes, 'The rising frontier for civil rights will require algorithmic justice. AI should be for the people and by the people, not just the privileged few.' 'Since this discovery, she's gone on to become one of the world's most 'inspiring, passionate, and impactful figures in AI today,' the video claims - with the voiceover then adding: '...at a time where her expertise is needed so badly. It further recounts how Dr. Buolamwini was troubled by how facial recognition software would only recognize her when she put on a white mask - a dynamic represented by the bestselling book's cover. Meghan toted a copy of the AI expert's book: Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines during the surprise meetup, which appeared to take place the SXSW Conference in Austin Friday Penned in the first-person, the 2023 tome recalls how when she was a grad student, she discovered that sine facial recognition couldn't detect her dark skin.' In it, Buolamwini writes, 'The rising frontier for civil rights will require algorithmic justice. AI should be for the people and by the people, not just the privileged few' It further recounts how Dr. Buolamwini was troubled by how facial recognition software would only recognize her when she put on a white mask - a dynamic represented by the bestselling book's cover The NAACP - Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award, meanwhile, is 'celebrates a new generation of leaders who are creating transformational change at the intersection of social justice and technology,' the foundation's site says The group is part of the greater, Archewell Inc. - a Beverly Hills-based mix of for-profit and not-for-profit businesses registered in Delaware, oversaw by the Duke of Sussex and his wife Dr. Buolamwini went on to found the Algorithmic Justice League, before authoring her book examines the social implications of technology and discusses the movement to prevent AI harm. The NAACP - Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award, meanwhile, is 'celebrates a new generation of leaders who are creating transformational change at the intersection of social justice and technology,' the foundation's site says. The group is part of the greater, Archewell Inc. - a Beverly Hills-based mix of for-profit and not-for-profit businesses registered in Delaware, oversaw by the Duke of Sussex and his wife. In a statement Thursday, Buolamwini gushed about receiving the distinction. 'I am incredibly humbled and honored to join such an illustrious group of receipts for the Digital Civil Rights Award from the NAACP and The Archewell Foundation, she wrote. 'With the rapid proliferation of AI, it is more crucial than ever to ensure that these algorithms acting as gatekeepers serve us all and do not impede on the civil rights of marginalized communities. 'This award will help the Algorithmic Justice League continue our work to prevent AI harms, connect the excoded to resources and raise awareness about AIs impact on society through our advocacy, art and research.' To learn more about the award, visit NAACP.org. Top female bankers are fleeing Goldman Sachs despite the CEO promising to make promoting women to senior levels of the firm a priority. David Solomon told colleagues at the investment bank nearly five years ago that he would be working to make changes to the company. According to the Wall Street Journal, he will host a dinner with female partners at his Manhattan apartment on Monday to face questions over why that didn't work. In an analysis by the outlet, they found that two-thirds of the women who were partners at the end of 2018 have left the firm or no longer have the title. They also reported that no woman currently runs a major division or is seen as Solomon's likely successor, with two of the eight executive officers being women. David Solomon told colleagues at the investment bank nearly five years ago that he would be working to make changes to the company In the companies division of investment banking, a number of female partners have left or are no longer partners after seeing little movement up the ranks In the companies division of investment banking, a number of female partners have left or are no longer partners after seeing little movement up the ranks. Stephanie Cohen, who worked her way to running a major division in the company, went on leave last June for personal reasons, according to the journal. The outlet reported that 'high-level critics' within the company called the strategy behind Cohen's department 'bulls***' and pulled back from the business. After going on leave last year, Cohen is not expected to return to the company, according to partners in the firm. Beth Hammack, a top trader for twenty with the firm was moved to co-head of global financing in the investment banking division, after missing out on the CFO position. Goldman Sachs said last month that Hammack would retire and become a senior director, which was described as an advisory role by the company. The Journal reported that Hammack is standing down after not seeing any of the posts she was interested in opening up. While Susie Scher, who became a partner in 2006, told the company last summer that she no longer wanted to be a partner. Stephanie Cohen speaks during the 2018 New York Times Dealbook on November 1, 2018 in New York City Susie Scher, who became a partner in 2006, told the company last summer that she no longer wanted to be a partner The Goldman Sachs company logo is on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 13, 2021 Scher was made head of global financing in 2021, which according to the journal put her out of the running to ever becoming a division head. The sprawling markets division in the company has also lost nearly all of its longer-tenured female partners. Anne Marie Darling, one of the last remaining women at the division, is planning to leave soon, according to partners who spoke to the journal. More high level departures include Katie Koch, who was head of Goldman's asset-management division for two decades. Koch is now the CEO of TCW Group. The journal said they nearly 20 current partners, both male and female for the article, with sources including long-tenured employees across different divisions. Partners described that in some cases the work of female partners was disparaged, and named executive Marc Nachmann, global head of asset and wealth management, with undermining their careers. Nachmann is alleged to have told other execs that certain women 'can't lead', 'don't know how to do their jobs', or are 'light' or lack substance. One female partner said that Nachmann was 'blind to the fact that it is harder to do what I do because I am a woman here.' In a statement to the outlet, Nachmann said: 'The women Ive worked with here are the best leaders in our industry. 'I continue to be committed to personally investing in their growth and advancement to the most senior levels on my team and across the firm.' Nachmann, seen here, is alleged to have told other execs that certain women 'can't lead', 'don't know how to do their jobs', or are 'light' or lack substance In a meeting in 2022 arranged by Solomon, following a wave of departures, several women raised concerns that Nachmann had no women reporting to him, he now has one. They also said that there were too few women in revenue producing positions and on the management committee. According to the journal, the chances of heading a division are low if you don't have a high revenue producing job, and the most powerful execs tend to be on the management committee. The outlet also reported that Nachmann told Stephanie Cohen that she 'wasn't making sense', and that her consumer business strategy was 'bulls***'. Last year, Meena Flynn came forward and said Nachmann had spoken negatively of her in conversations with other senior execs. Flynn is one of Goldman's most senior women and has been with the company for over 23 years. Partners have also raised their frustrations after the company failed to install a woman in a senior role when one of three co-heads of global banking and markets announced their departure. Goldman said that they would not be replacing the co-head, Jim Esposito after his departure. Solomon said in a written statement to the Journal: 'Advancing women into our most senior ranks is an area where we have not accomplished our goals. 'Our longer term success depends significantly on developing female partners in senior roles.' The deeply offensive comment allegedly made by the high-flying boss of Tabcorp which cost him his $2million-a-year job and $10million bonus has been revealed. Adam Rytenskild, 52, tendered his resignation as chief executive on Thursday, effective immediately, over the use of 'inappropriate and offensive' language at work. It followed the Tabcorp board deciding the language allegedly used was 'inconsistent' with his continued leadership. Mr Rytenskild allegedly called the woman a 'useless c***', 'or words very close to that effect', in front of a number of people, The Australian reported. Rytenskild is said to have made the remark about a senior female figure in the gaming regulatory industry, who was not present. He said it in a meeting and three of the people in it were subsequently boned, then they complained after,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. Adam Rytenskild (pictured) has been forced to resign amid claims of inappropriate and offensive language READ MORE: Can you spot what's wrong in this photo of AFL fans? Footy fans spotted what appeared to be an issue at the MCG Advertisement Mr Rytenskild has since said that he doesn't recall making the alleged comment. Despite racking up almost 24 years with the gambling giant, he will only receive a termination payment and has forfeited any bonuses. His resignation has cost him up to $10m in unvested shares and options. It's been reported that Tabcorp engaged external lawyers to probe into the allegations after a complaint was made a fortnight ago. The company board ruled to terminate his employment before Mr Rytenskild offered his resignation at an urgent meeting between the two parties on Wednesday. 'Tabcorp expects its leaders to uphold company values at all times and will not hesitate to take action to uphold expected standards of conduct,' a company statement read. 'To protect the privacy of those involved, Tabcorp does not intend to make any further comment in relation to the conduct.' Mr Rytenskild had been in the top job for just under two years. 'I don't recall making the alleged comment and it's not language I would usually use, but I have regrettably agreed to resign,' he said in the Tabcorp statement. Adam Rytenskild (pictured) was in the top job for just under two years 'Tabcorp has been an enormous part of my life for many years and I believe in the journey the company is on.' Tabcorp chair Bruce Akhurst will step into the vacant managing director and chief executive roles until replacements are found. 'The board regrets that Mr Rytenskild's employment has ended this way =,' Mr Akhurst said. '[It] acknowledges his commitment to Tabcorp's growth over more than two decades, including the last two years as MD and CEO, and his contribution to the transformation of the company.' Mr Rytenskild started out flipping burgers at a Mobil service station as a teen and became a father at the age of 19 before he first joined Tabcorp in 2000. He worked his way up to become an executive by 2010 and became chief executive when Tabcorp split off its lotteries business in May 2022. 'Frankly, this is a bit colloquial, but it's true for me,' Mr Rytenskild told The Australian Financial Review following his appointment to the top job. 'I really have a 'no dickhead policy'. I think that's important.' Do you know more? tips@dailymail.com Fani Willis' future on the Donald Trump election fraud case in Georgia hangs in the balance with a judge set to decide on Friday if she should be disqualified over her affair with prosecutor Nathan Wade. Judge Scott McAfee set himself a deadline of this week to announce his ruling after a set of blockbuster hearings where the embattled Fulton County District Attorney was questioned about her dating history and thousands of texts and phone calls. Trump and his co-defendants in the Georgia racketeering case have called for Willis to be kicked off, claiming Wade and Willis' relationship was improper and broke ethics rules. One of the main questions from the hearing was whether Willis started dating Wade before or after she hired him to start investigating Trump. She has denied the claims, and have called the allegations politically motivated. Willis has even been accused by defense attorneys of playing the race card. Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides in court, Feb. 27, 2024, in Atlanta The judge and clashing attorneys explored those issues in sensational hearings that featured angry testimony by Willis. She was confronted by defense lawyers and there was conflicting testimony about whether the couple were involved in a 'romantic' relationship before Wade joined her team in 2021. The hearings also featured details about cruises and luxury travel the pair engaged in and whether it constituted any sort of improper benefit to Willis that allowed her to gain financially from the prosecution of Trump and his allies. Trump and the other defendants are charged with a racketeering conspiracy to overturn the state of Georgia's election results in 2020 after it voted for Joe Biden. The ruling on whether Willis should be disqualified has high-stakes implications for Trump and his codefendants as well as the nation. A disqualification of Willis would throw off the schedule for the Georgia case at a time when some of Trump's other trials are in peril. Judge McAfee's ruling comes shortly after he dismissed three charges against Trump from the sprawling racketeering indictment brought by Willis and her prosecutors' office. McAfee wrote Wednesday in an order that six of the charges in the indictment must be quashed. But the order leaves intact many other charges in the indictment and the judge wrote that prosecutors could seek a new indictment on the charges he dismissed. The six charges in question have to do with allegedly soliciting elected officials to violate their oaths of office. That includes two charges related to Trump's infamous phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on Jan. 2, 2021 asking him to 'find' 11,780 votes. ulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta Willis and Wade acknowledged the affair in filings and testimony Explosive allegations of an affair The relationship between Willis and Wade burst onto the national scene after lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Trump codefendant Michael Roman, issued a court filing in January. It alleged that Willis and Wade had an 'ongoing, personal relationship' even as Wade got paid more than $600,000 serving as special prosecutor on the case. It claimed they engaged in 'a personal, romantic relationship that has ultimately yielded substantial income to the special prosecutor.' That prompted a response from Willis that denied any improper conduct even while confirming the affair. 'Much of Defendant Romans motion relies on supposition and innuendo regarding the private relationship between District Attorney Willis and Special Prosecutor Wade,' according to the filing. 'District Attorney Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office,' she writes. 'While the allegations raised in the various motions are salacious and garnered the media attention they were designed to obtain, none provide this Court with any basis upon which to order the relief they seek,' she wrote. John Floyd III, father of Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis, testified about living with her while she dated a man named 'Deuce,' and said he didn't know his daughter was later dating prosecutor Nathan Wade Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade faced a series of questions about out of town trips with Willis and the ways he and Willis paid for them Dramatic testimony by former friends of both Willis and Wade A mid-February hearing featured testimony by former Willis friend and colleague Robin Yeartie, who directly contradicted Willis and Wade by saying there was 'no doubt' the two were in a romantic relationship before Wade got hired. She said she was 'certain' about it. She said the DA, a former college friend, told her about it personally. Defense lawyers called Terrance Bradley, a former friend of Wade's, also appeared under subpoena. He was a former law partner of Wade's who also acted as his divorce lawyer. His appearance brought a fight over attorney-client privilege, as defense lawyers tried to force him to testify about conversations they said would speak to the personal relationship and when it began. The drama peaked when a furious Willis slapped back at 'extremely offensive' allegations she slept with her prosecutor ex-boyfriend Nathan Wade the first time they met. 'It's a lie, it's a lie,' she said. She accused Merchant of 'trying to implicate that you slept with somebody the first day you met the.' 'Im not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial,' she told Merchant, who during a dramatic moment got to question the DA she is facing in court after exposing her affair. She also lashed out at the media for 'printing lies for the world to see' and the attorneys for suggesting they hadn't verified any information about their luxury work trips and their 'good' sex life. In Wade's own earlier testimony, he shot back at Donald Trump's lawyer Stephen Sadow's questions, steering his answers to literal comments about sex. Wade told him that his relationship with Willis ended in the summer of 2023, prompting Sadow to ask if they had 'any personal relationship at all' at that point. 'Are you asking me have I had intercourse with the district attorney?' Wade shot back. 'The answer would be no.' 'You say personal. Were very good friends,' he told Sadow. 'Probably closer than ever because of these attacks. But if youre asking me about specific intercourse, the answer is no.' Terrance Bradley, a former law partner of Wade's, was the first witness to appear. He and his lawyer raised attorney client privilege issues when he got asked about the relationship. He later got confronted with texts with lawyer Ashleigh Merchant Robin Latrice Yeartie testified that Fulton County DA told her about meeting special prosecutor Nathan Wade at a judicial conference in 2019, in a bombshell hearing to determine if Willis gets disqualified from the case of Donald Trump and codefendants This handout image released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on August 24, 2023 shows the booking photo of former US President Donald Trump.. Former US president Donald Trump was photographed for a police mug shot after his arrest on August 24 at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia Clash over when the affair began Both Willis and Wade testified their romantic relationship began after Willis brought him on. They also confirmed information in Merchant's initial filing about luxury trips and cruises together. But Willis denied any financial conflict, saying she always paid her way, and said she did so in cash. 'If youre a woman and you go on a date with a man you better have $200 in case,' she further advised. Willis said on her 'worst days' she had $500 cash. 'At my best days, I probably had $15,000 in my house, cash,' she said. She also said her belief in storing a stash of cash came from her father, something her father, backed up in his own time on the stand. John Floyd III, a former Black Panther, flew in from California to testify that his daughter always carried cash at his insistence, that she was dating a deejay named 'Deuce' in 2019 when he moved in with her. He said he didn't meet Wade until after Wade and Willis started prosecuting Trump. Defense lawyers charged that Willis kept her relationship with Wade a secret from her office as well as from her father. Fulton County Special prosecutor Anna Cross, who is representing the DA in the matter, announced a decision not to question Willis further after her appearance, which moved the case onto other matters. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant initiated the effort to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump Former President Donald Trump speaks , Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga Wade's lawyer Terrence Bradley doesn't recall relationship origins despite texts Another critical moment came during testimony by Wade's former law partner Terrence Bradley. Bradley on the stand was unable to call details of the origins of the relationship. 'I do not have knowledge of it starting, or when it started,' he said. 'I dont recall any specific dates,' he said under questioning. 'I dont have anything it wasnt a specific date There wasnt something I can attribute to him telling me whatever. You are asking for a date, asking for a year and I am telling you at this time I am telling you that I do not have the date.' He kept that line even amid questioning about his texts with Merchant where he made statements that the relationship started earlier than Willis and Wade claimed. 'I was speculating, I didnt have a no one told me. I was speculating,' he testified. That included a text when he told Merchant the two had begun dating when Willis was a judge in South Fulton. 'Why would you speculate when she was asking you a direct question about when the relationship started?' Sadow pressed him. 'I have no answer for that,' Bradley responded. Says same symptoms as other viral infections 'Long Covid' is a 'sinister' term that causes 'unnecessary fear' and should be abolished, according to Queensland's Chief Health Officer. Dr John Gerrard said the term was 'probably harmful' because it implied Covid could create 'unique and exceptional' long-term symptoms, whereas new research showed they were almost identical to other post-viral conditions. 'We believe it is time to stop using terms like "long Covid",' Dr Gerrard, who is an infectious disease expert, said. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard says 'long Covid' demonstrates symptoms almost identical to those that result from a number of viruses 'It implies that there is something particularly sinister and ominous about Covid-19. 'Our evidence suggests that there isn't, that it is not dissimilar to other viruses. That does not mean that you can't get these persistent symptoms following Covid-19, but you're no more likely to get it after Covid than with other respiratory viruses.' The conclusion was drawn from a recent Queensland study which monitored the lasting effects on about 2,400 people who caught Covid and about 2,700 people who caught other viruses such as influenza. A year after infection around 16 per cent of all respondents reported ongoing symptoms regardless of whether they had Covid or other viruses. Three per cent of Covid patients reported moderate to severe impairment while for those who had other viruses, 4.1 per cent reported more serious long-term effects. Those symptoms were commonly fatigue, brain fog and changes to taste and smell, all of which could intensify after exercise. After controlling for factors including age, sex and whether participants were Indigenous, the researchers found that Covid had no longer lasting impairment than other respiratory viruses. Dr Gerard stressed that long Covid was a real risk but it wasn't unique. 'Post-viral syndromes do occur. We're absolutely saying that it does exist,' Dr Gerrard said. 'We see it with Ross River virus. Clearly, we see it with influenza as well.' The medical community is debating whether long Covid is a unique condition or a syndrome that can be contracted from a number of viruses The study, which had interim findings published in medical journal BMJ Public Health after conducting a survey of suitable participants over 12 weeks, will look at other complications from Covid. These include strokes, heart attacks and myocarditis which is inflammation of the heart muscle. 'Somewhere between four and five million Queenslanders have caught Covid-19 over the last couple of years, so even a very small complication rate translates to a significant number of people,' Dr Gerrard said. Responding to the study, Murdoch University Professor of Medicine Jeremy Nicholson said the debate over long Covid was whether it was a unique condition or just a syndrome that could be triggered by a number of viruses. He said in order to prove this, the observational Queensland study was not enough because besides the self-reporting of symptoms there needed to be physiological or detailed functional follow-up data. 'Until this is resolved, we should still use the long Covid term because it pinpoints exactly the underlying viral cause for a given individual, which may be relevant to future treatments,' Nicholson told Ninefax papers. Former federal deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth, who was one of the medical experts who led Australia's response to the Covid pandemic, disagreed. 'In my view its illogical to say that the existence of long Covid should be disproved, rather the burden is on the scientific community to prove that it exists as an independent condition to other post-viral syndromes,' he tweeted. 'If not (and its been 4 years and multi-million dollars of research funding) then Professor Gerrard's argument stands based on this study.' Could Prince Andrew be blamed for holding his head in his hands? Hot on the heels of January's publication of embarrassing court papers which diminished any hope of the rehabilitation of the duke's reputation, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signs a law allowing the release of new grand jury documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein's 2006 trial. It's not known yet if Andrew will be in this batch. Declares DeSantis: 'The public deserves to know who participated in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking. Nobody should be protected from facing justice due to their wealth or status.' While there is no evidence to link Andrew with Epstein's crimes and he protests his innocence the constant drip of sordid details about his friend means he is unlikely to be ever seen grinning again from the Buckingham Palace balcony. Could Prince Andrew be blamed for holding his head in his hands? Florida governor Ron DeSantis signs a law allowing the release of new grand jury documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein 's 2006 trial Jeffrey Epstein. DeSantis said: 'The public deserves to know who participated in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking' Lord (Charles) Moore of Etchingham claims that a group of international photo agencies created Kate's photoshop embarrassment out of resentment. 'I hope it is not unduly cynical to point out that these agencies hate the fact that HRH distributes her own pictures (without charge),' says his lordship. 'Her homemade pics take the bread out of the agencies' mouths. Suppose other world figures get the DIY habit what will become of the professionals then? Are the agencies trying to teach the princess a lesson?' Lord (Charles) Moore of Etchingham claims that a group of international photo agencies created Kate's photoshop embarrassment out of resentment Having fat shamed Keir Starmer, Peter Mandelson reveals he has a personal trainer, another Keir the son of Leftie Scottish lawyer Helena Kennedy. 'He is a food puritan and makes me give an honest(ish) account of my intake in the form of a daily food diary.' Mandy tells The Spectator confessing he was spotted sneaking into a Marylebone Lane restaurant to buy a doughnut, adding: 'Needless to say [my trainer] takes an extremely negative view of doughnuts and almost everything else that is fun to eat.' Peter Mandelson reveals he has a personal trainer, another Keir the son of Leftie Scottish lawyer Helena Kennedy Father Ted's Mrs Doyle, alias Pauline McLynn was attacked by a fox near Belgrade filming the 2020 series of the BBC's Pilgrimage. Fellow pilgrim Adrian Chiles, recalling the incident at the launch of a new series of the religious show, said the footage was never shown by the BBC. 'I remember Pauline having a fight with a rabid fox, which bit her,' he reveals. If the fox was rabid wouldn't Pauline be swivel-eyed and foaming at the mouth? As that's her normal appearance on Father Ted the jury will retire to consider its verdict of guilty. Father Ted's Mrs Doyle, alias Pauline McLynn was attacked by a fox near Belgrade filming the 2020 series of the BBC's Pilgrimage Cheltenham punter Rich Ricci fell foul of bookmaker Coral's affordability rules when he telephoned from the racecourse to place a 500 wager. He was asked for proof that he had the funds. Ricci, owner of winner Lossiemouth, pocketed 44 million when he left Barclays in 2013 and won 400,000 in one day after three of his horses won at Cheltenham. He took his bet elsewhere. Cheltenham punter Rich Ricci with winning jockey Paul Townend Left to right, Ricci Rich, jockey Paul Townend, owner Susannah Ricci, Jackie Mullins and trainer Willie Mullins after winning the My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase with Gaelic Warrior Asked about his 'goals' when he turns 80 next year, frisky rocker and father-of-eight Sir Rod Stewart vows: 'No more babies. The banana's back in the fruit box.' Boeing whistleblower John Barnett ate a quesadilla, drank a Coke, and 'did not seem upset at all' on the night before his alleged suicide in South Carolina, according to sources. Barnett, 62, was found with a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound in Charleston, where he had been in the middle of depositions in a bombshell lawsuit related to the production of the 787 Dreamliner plane. Staff at the Holiday Inn where Barnett was found dead revealed that the former quality manager seemed fine in the evening before his 'suicide', as questions surfaced about where he took his own life. Barnett ate a quesadilla, drank a Coke, scrolled on his phone, and seemed fine on the evening of March 8, the unnamed hotel employee told the New York Post. His lawyer previously questioned the coroner's office findings that the gunshot wound was 'self-inflicted,' saying Barnett was in good spirits in between his depositions. Boeing whistleblower John Barnett ate a quesadilla, drank a Coke, and 'did not seem upset at all' on the night before his alleged suicide in South Carolina, according to sources Barnett was found dead inside his pickup truck on Saturday in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Charleston, pictured above Barnett was found with a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound in Charleston, where he had been in the middle of depositions in a bombshell lawsuit related to the production of the 787 Dreamliner plane. Pictured: the Boeing Distribution Services Inc. HQ in Hialeah, Florida 'I didn't think of him at all until I heard the news the next day. He didn't seem upset at all,' the employee said. A police report obtained by DailyMail.com reveals that Barnett extended his stay at the Holiday Inn two days prior to his suspected suicide and had been set to check out the day before the alarm was raised. The report details that a friend of Barnett's contacted the hotel asking for a welfare check at 10am on March 9, with employees knocking on his hotel room door with no response. A member of staff then searched for his orange Dodge Ram in the parking lot of the hotel, and discovered Barnett deceased in the driver's seat with a 'silver handgun' in his right hand. Barnett had his 'right pointer finger remaining on the trigger', and suffered a 'gunshot wound near his right temple, according to the Charleston Police Department. The report added that there was a 'white piece of paper that closely resembled a note', lying in plain view on the passenger seat. The contents of the note have not yet been revealed. In January, Barnett explained why he believed both models were ticking time bombs, as both incidents remain under investigation Barnett said he had problems with how Boeing was handling its production of its 737s and 787s in particular, days after a door plug blew out on a 737 blew out at 16,000ft A member of staff at the hotel told investigators that he heard a 'pop' at around 9.30am when he was working on the exterior of the hotel, with Barnett's truck discovered at the rear of the property. Surveillance footage also shows Barnett exiting the hotel on the morning of March 8, though the alarm was not raised until 24 hours later. In a statement issued after DailyMail.com published the contents of the incident report on Tuesday, Barnett's lawyers, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, claimed there had been 'no indication' the former Boeing employee would take his own life. The statement read in part: 'John was in the midst of a deposition in his whistleblower retaliation case, which finally was nearing the end. 'He was in very good spirits and really looking forward to putting this phase of his life behind him and moving on. We didn't see any indication he would take his own life. No one can believe it. 'We are all devastated. We need more information about what happened to John. The Charleston police need to investigate this fully and accurately and tell the public what they find out. No detail can be left unturned.' Boeing's assembly plant in North Charleston - where the deceased worked for decades - is pictured The Charleston Police Department said the coroner's report found Barnett's death appears to result from a self-inflicted gunshot wound but detectives are still investigative the formal cause of death Barnett's attorney Knowles told the BBC that Barnett had been in the middle of a deposition in a whistleblower lawsuit in Charleston related to production of the 787 Dreamliner plane. Timeline of whistleblower John Barnett's claims against Boeing April 2019: Barnett tells the New York Times that Boeing repeatedly ignored safety concerns from workers in favour of pushing out Dreamliner planes November 2019: Barnett tells the BBC that up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on 787 Dreamliners may be faulty and might not work when needed. He added that faulty parts were deliberately fitted to planes. January 2024: The whistleblower tells TMZ that corner cutting was rife in the plane-making world. January 2024: Footage from inside the cabin of a Boeing 737 Max showed the door blowing off shortly after taking off from Portland, Oregon. February 2024: Barnett files an AIR21 lawsuit against Boeing, alleging it had undermined his career over his whistleblowing. March 2024: The Department of Justice launches a criminal investigation into the Boeing blowout in Portland, Oregon. March 2024: John Barnett is found dead in his truck. Advertisement On the third day of his deposition, he was due to be cross examined by his own lawyers but failed to show up. The suit alleged under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting 'sub-standard' parts to Boeing 787s, and that brass were sweeping defects under the rug to save money. The FAA has since revealed the firm failed a whopping 33 of 89 audits during an exam of its 737 Max production. In January, Barnett appeared on TMZ to provide his take on a technical failure that saw a door fly off its hinges of a 737 - a model he said was being victimized by recent shifts in strategy along with the 787. His warning would prove prophetic, as a 787 experienced a midair 'technical event', injuring 50 passengers. In January, Barnett explained why he believed both models were ticking time bombs, as both incidents remain under investigation. 'This is not a 737 problem - this is a Boeing problem,' he said after being asked if he believed the 737 was safe to fly following the door incident and a subsequent FAA inspection. 'I know the FAA is going in and done due diligence and inspections to ensure the door close on the 737 is installed properly and the fasteners are stored properly,' he said, citing the parts that likely played a part in the incident. 'But, my concern is, 'What's the rest of the airplane? What's the condition of the rest of the airplane?'' He went on to provide a reason for that concern - one that he said led him to file the lawsuit against the aviation firm 'Back in 2012, Boeing started removing inspection operations off their jobs,' he told TMZ's Charles Latibeaudiere and Harvey Levin, recalling his time as a quality overseer at Boeing's plant in South Carolina, which manufactured mostly 787s. 'So, it left the mechanics to buy off their own work,' he explained. Barnett went on to charge that the incident involving the door was indicative of something greater - and something alleged in his lawsuit: Boeing turning a blind eye to safety concerns in order to raise their bottom line. 'What we're seeing with the door plug blowout is what I've seen with the rest of the airplane, as far as jobs not being completed properly, inspection steps being removed, issues being ignored,' he charged, months before his sudden death. 'My concerns are with the 737 and 787, because those programs have really embraced the theory that quality is overhead and non value added. 'Those two programs have really put a strong effort into removing quality from the process.' Aussies are outraged after a woman's 'unfair' parking act was caught on dashcam. The footage showed the motorist driving down a street and spotting a woman standing in a parking spot on a busy Gold Coast street in south-east Queensland. The dashcam owner then turned around in the street and headed for the parking spot the woman was standing in. An argument then ensued after the driver asked the unmoving woman if she was actually 'reserving' the spot. 'That's really unfair, you're not even a car,' he said. The footage showed the woman standing in a parking spot on a busy Gold Coast street The young woman refused to move, allegedly saying 'We're not moving for you, you're going to have to find a new one I'm sorry'. She continued to point at her mother's car, which was behind the man trying to park. Eventually the exasperated driver gave up and drove off. Almost everyone who saw the exchange shared their disapproval online, saying they would not have 'given up'. 'Ahhhh the road rage I'm feeling watching this,' one person said. 'This makes me so mad!! I would have parked around her half off the road and walked away,' another said. 'She has NO RIGHT to do that. You should have parked and filmed her. YOU had the right to that park,' a third added. A few supported the woman, saying they thought it was 'perfectly okay to reserve a spot'. The incident follows on the heels of a similar incident in a car park in January when a woman attempted to hold a parking spot by standing in the place. Dashcam footage captured the shopper being forced to move as the driver moved his car straight into the parking spot. While it is not illegal for a pedestrian to reserve a car space in Queensland, the move has been slammed as extremely anti-social She initially held onto the front of the car's bonnet before realising the driver had no intention of backing out, causing outrage on social media. In both instances, social media users flocked to the comment section, saying 'standing there trying to hold the spot is unacceptable'. While it is not illegal for a pedestrian to reserve a car space in Queensland, the move has been slammed as extremely anti-social. However, transport legislation does state that 'a pedestrian must not unreasonably obstruct the path of any driver or another pedestrian'. The NRMA also said it 'should go without saying' that a spot cannot be claimed in this way in a blog post about car park etiquette rules. A respected Melbourne snake catcher is fighting for life after being bitten by a highly venomous tiger snake. Mark Pelley was on a routine job to remove a snake from a property in Diamond Creek on March 10 when it became startled after his equipment malfunctioned and bit him on the hand. His daughter, Aishah Pelley, said she watched him 'lose consciousness very fast in front of my eyes'. 'The venom went straight into his circulation system from a deep bite and started to have neurological effects immediately,' Ms Pelley said. Mr Pelley stopped breathing several times and she feared he was already dead while emergency services rushed to the property. Mark Pelley was on a job to remove a snake from a property in Diamond Creek on March 10, when his equipment malfunctioned, causing the snake to bite him on the hand. Mr Pelley was bitten on the hand and rushed to hospital The tiger snake is one of the deadliest snakes in the world due to its potent venom The single father of four daughters received two doses of antivenom and is battling muscle, nerve damage and heart irregularities while being treated in intensive care. In another cruel blow, trolls have attacked the family claiming they are making a big deal out of the snake attack in a bid to attract attention. Responding to the haters, Ms Pelley shared a video of her dad in the hospital bed moments before he stopped breathing. 'Getting nasty messages saying I'm doing this for attention. Here is dad in hospital just before he stopped breathing. 'The venom affected his neurological system and he could not open or control his eyes.' In the video, Mr Pelley warns Australians to never touch snakes. 'I can't open my eyes and I feel so sick,' he said. 'This is what it looks like when you catch a tiger snake and it bites you. 'Even someone as experienced as me can get bitten.' Tiger snakes are infamous for their potent venom and aggressive behavior when threatened. They are responsible for the second-highest number of snake bites in Australia. With a venom that attacks the nervous system, muscular and blood clotting systems, tiger snake bites can prove deadly in just 30 minutes, causing paralysis, respiratory distress, and organ failure. Mark Pelley is pictured with a tiger snake during a previous job Mr Pelley's daughter Aishah is trying to raise funds for the family as he is treated in hospital As her father fights for life, Ms Pelley is looking after her three sisters and grandmother. She is also running the family snake catching business and is tending to over 100 animals that her father usually cares for. She has started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the family and continue construction of a new reptile facility after the old office was flooded in January. 'My dad is my hero as a single dad and the sole provider for our family and elderly grandma,' Ms Pelley said. 'If you knew my dad, he would never ask for any help, I am asking for your aid during this time. 'Once dad gets out of hospital, it may be a long time before he is able to work properly again.' Many Aussies have donated to the fundraiser, with more than $21,945 raised as of Friday morning. 'Mark has helped us out on two occasions, removing a tiger snake from near our front steps, and searching for a snake in a bedroom of our home,' Sharyn Lanham wrote. 'Wishing Mark a speedy recovery, and strength to his family at this most difficult time.' "Squid Game" actor O Yeong-su was given a suspended prison term Friday on charges of sexually harassing a woman in 2017. The Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court sentenced O to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, along with an order to complete 40 hours of a sexual offender treatment program, saying the victim's account of what happened is consistent. The 80-year-old O was indicted in November 2022 over allegations that he hugged a woman and kissed her on the cheek against her will during his two-month tour to a regional area for a performance in 2017. He has denied the charges. "What's written in the victim's diary, and the counseling report of the victim after the incident pretty much match the details of this case," the court said, adding the victim's testimony is coherent and "not something that can be made up." Leaving the court after the hearing, O told reporters he plans to appeal the court decision. O won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role on TV at the 2022 Golden Globe Awards for his role in the sensational Netflix original series "Squid Game." (Yonhap) The grieving widow of tragic Met Police officer Matt Ratana is suing the force as she accuses them of a 'shoddy and inadequate' search of his killer. Sgt Ratana, 54, was killed on September 25, 2020 by Louis de Zoysa, 26, who opened fire with an antique revolver at Croydon custody suite in south London. De Zoysa had earlier been arrested and searched but officers failed to find the gun he was carrying. And Su Bushby, 47, says that she was not told about the blunder, where De Zoysa did not have an officer holding him or handcuffs. 'If it was an effective search the gun would have been found on de Zoysa and Matt would be alive now,' Ms Bushby, of Worthing, West Sussex, told the Mirror. Sgt Ratana, 54, was killed on September 25, 2020 by Louis de Zoysa, 26, who opened fire with a revolver at Croydon custody suite in south London. Pictured: Matt Ratana and Su Bushby De Zoysa (pictured) had earlier been arrested and searched but officers failed to find the gun he was carrying The revolver used by Louis De Zoysa to shoot Metropolitan Police officer Matt Ratana in the chest inside a custody block in Croydon 'The shoddy and inadequate search by officers was a neglect of their duty and left Matt vulnerable. The number of failures that came out during the inquest has left me devastated. 'I have not been informed by anyone during this time that the actions of the Metropolitan Police may have contributed towards Matt's death.' Metropolitan Police sergeant Matt Ratana was killed on September 25 2020 by Louis de Zoysa, 26, who opened fire with an antique revolver at a Croydon custody suite in south London. De Zoysa, who is autistic, had earlier been arrested and searched but officers failed to find the gun he had in an underarm holster, despite discovering bullets in his pocket. PC Richard Davey, the officer who carried out the search along with Pc Samantha Still, told an inquest at Croydon town hall on Wednesday: 'The weapon was there, I should have found it, if not the weapon, the holster.' Dominic Adamson KC, representing Sgt Ratana's partner Su Bushby, identified four occasions where PC Davey 'failed to do the job you were supposed to do'. The lawyer asked: 'If you had done your job properly Sergeant Ratana would still be alive, wouldn't he?' PC Davey answered: 'I don't know.' Metropolitan Police sergeant Matt Ratana (pictured) was killed on September 25 2020 by Louis de Zoysa, 26, who opened fire with an antique revolver at a Croydon custody suite in south London De Zoysa, who is autistic, had earlier been arrested and searched but officers failed to find the gun the 26-year-old had in an underarm holster, despite discovering bullets in his pocket De Zoysa later managed to move his handcuffed arms from behind his back to fire at Sgt Ratana The officer agreed with Mr Adamson that an adequate search would have identified the gun. Senior coroner Sarah Ormond-Walshe, concluding an inquest at Croydon Town Hall today into Sgt Ratana's death, ruled it was an unlawful killing. Sgt Ratana's partner of five years, Ms Bushby, told an inquest at Croydon town hall: 'My life changed forever. Hearing of his death ripped through my body and I was overwhelmed with grief.' 'It has left me in a state of limbo, I've not been able to get on with my life.' The inquest heard Sgt Ratana's murder left Ms Bushby with 'insomnia, anxiety and depression' and that she misses him 'more than words can express'. Ms Bushby also said: 'My pain was indescribable, it just wasn't fair.' An emergency ambulance worker who arrived at the scene said in a written statement read to the inquest that there was a 'desperate battle' to keep Sgt Ratana alive. The statement continued: 'It was quite simply a scene of carnage.' In the custody van, de Zoysa was seen in footage wriggling and jerking, which according to expert evidence was him repositioning the firearm to his hands. After arriving at Croydon's Windmill Road custody centre, de Zoysa was allowed to walk without an officer gripping his arm, or handcuffs. Sgt Ratana's partner of five years, Su Bushby, told reporters she was 'angry' because his death 'should have been avoided'. Pictured: Matt Ratana and son Luke De Zoysa is serving a whole-life jail term for Sgt Ratana's murder after a trial earlier this year, during which his legal team said he was suffering an autistic meltdown at the time of the shooting De Zoysa later managed to move his handcuffed arms from behind his back to fire at Sgt Ratana. The New Zealand-born officer, 54, who had served in the Met Police for almost 30 years and was three months from retirement, was hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by de Zoysa within three seconds. A second bullet struck him in the thigh before de Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers, as a third round hit the cell wall. Former tax office data analyst de Zoysa, who was living in a flat on a farm in Banstead, Surrey, discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing him brain damage. He is serving a whole-life jail term for Sgt Ratana's murder after a trial earlier this year, during which his legal team said he was suffering an autistic meltdown at the time of the shooting. A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'We have received a civil claim in relation to the murder of Matt Ratana and remain in dialogue with the claimant's legal representative. We will not be discussing further while the claim remains ongoing.' Wants net immigration intake cut to levels of the late 1990s Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith says a record influx of new immigrants is a 'disaster for young people' and couples wanting to buy their own home. The electronics chain founder, who turns 80 next week, wants Australia's net immigration slashed to 75,000 a year to ease Australia's rental and housing affordability crisis. This would take immigration levels back to where they were in 1997, before the overseas intake doubled within a decade, only to double again after the pandemic. 'You're led to believe that each generation should be better off than the previous generation as we accumulate wealth and our country grows but when it comes to housing purchases, it's the opposite,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'It's a disaster for young people. 'It goes back to the fact we have no population plan: every Australian family has a population plan; you can have up to 20 children but none do, they have the number of children they can give a good life to.' Australia's population is estimated to double in the next 50 years, with big business interests advocating high immigration to boost the supply of labour. Mr Smith said billionaires donating to political parties only promoted high population growth to expand their wealth, by relying on negative gearing tax breaks for investor landlords. 'It's basically driven by the greed of the wealthy,' he said. Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith (pictured) has said the influx of new immigrants to the country is a 'disaster' for families as he offers his own bold solution Mr Smith believes immigration numbers should be slashed to just 75,000 per year to reduce pressure on house prices, rents, roads and hospitals (pictured, commuters in Sydney) 'Housing has now become a way of wealth creation for the wealthy and you have people who own five or six houses they've got with negative gearing and that's making it even more impossible for young couples to be able to buy a place to live.' New Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Thursday showed Australia welcomed 125,410 permanent and long-term arrivals in January, marking the highest January on record. Accounting for departures, the net growth in permanent and long-term arrivals for January reached 55,330, surpassing the previous highest intake in January 2009 by 40 per cent. Treasury economists are expecting Australia's overseas intake, covering skilled migrants and international students, to slow to 375,000 in 2023-24. This would be lower than the record 518,000 intake for 2022-23 and below January's annual increase of 481,620. But this would still be almost double the pre-pandemic level of 194,400 in 2019-20, before Australia was closed from March 2020 to December 2021. 'What we should do as a country is, we should have the number of people in the country that we can give a good life to and that means affordable housing, affordable food, being able to keep warm in winter,' Mr Smith said. 'Those basic rights but that's been completely forgotten.' Official data showed the majority of new arrivals are settling in NSW and then Victoria, leading to more congestion in Australia's two biggest cities. Most migrants begin as renters, leading to more competition for accommodation in Sydney and Melbourne. High population growth is also creating problems in other states, with Brisbane the recipient of high interstate migration, as south-east Queensland attracts residents from NSW and Victoria in search of more affordable housing and warmer weather. Mr Smith (pictured) said 'billionaire political donors' were only promoting high population growth to expand their personal wealth Daniel Wild, the deputy executive director of the Institute of Public Affairs think tank, agreed high immigration was behind Australia's housing crisis (shoppers in Sydney) Daniel Wild, the deputy executive director of the Institute of Public Affairs think tank, said high immigration was behind Australia's housing crisis and falling productivity levels. 'The federal government's lazy, short sighted migration strategy is making it harder for Australians to get ahead at a time of acute cost of living pressures, and has failed to solve our worker shortage crisis,' he said. 'Migration has played a critical role in our history, and will continue to do so, but it must be planned for, and the federal government must deliver sustainable economic growth through increased productivity, not by merely bringing in record numbers of arrivals we cannot accommodate.' Sydney's median house price of $1.396million is well beyond the reach of an average, full-time worker on $98,218 who can only afford a house worth up to $639,000, based on banks lending borrowers 5.2 times their salary. A low, six-figure salary professional would also struggle to buy the mid-point priced house in Melbourne ($942,779), Brisbane ($899,474) and Adelaide ($779,914), based on CoreLogic data. That's even with a hefty 20 per cent mortgage deposit, which means workers buying on their own have to live in a far, outer suburb or in an apartment. The head of Nato warned that Ukraine was being 'outgunned' on the battlefields as he demanded members increase their support for Kyiv. In an impassioned plea, Jens Stoltenberg said Ukrainian troops faced a bleak prospect on the frontlines due to the critical shortages of shells and artillery. They were recently forced to withdraw from the strategically significant city of Avdiivka because they could no longer withstand the intensity of Russia's assault. The Nato secretary-general said: 'Ukrainians are not running out of courage, they are running out of ammunition'. Mr Stoltenberg issued his appeal at yesterday's launch of NATO's annual report, which showed that 11 countries are now meeting the alliance's defence spending target of 2 per cent of GDP. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (pictured) issued his appeal at yesterday's launch of NATO's annual report Emergency service personnel attend to the site of a blast on October 10, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine At least seven more Nato members are expected to achieve the target by the end of this year, a sixfold increase in a decade. But despite the bloc's increased funding, Mr Stoltenberg warned that Ukraine needed more help urgently. He revealed the lack of 'political will' to help Ukraine was having consequences on the battlefield 'every day'. He said: 'The US, Canada and Europe have to do more. The Russians are able to outgun the Ukrainians every day. It is one of the reasons why the Russians have been able to make some advances on the battlefield in recent months. Therefore it is an urgent need for allies to make the decisions necessary to step up and provide more ammunition to Ukraine. A woman is evacuated from a burning apartment building in Kyiv on March 15, 2022, after strikes on residential areas killed at least two people 'Of course we have the capacity, we have the economies to be able to provide Ukraine with what they need. This is a question of political will to take the decisions and to prioritise support.' The failure by the US Congress to rubberstamp President Joe Biden's most recent multi-billion-dollar aid package was a prime example of a lack of political will. A minority of Republicans were able to block the bill which would have provided Ukraine with sufficient ammunition to last several months. Mr Biden subsequently apologised to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. A Russian victory in Ukraine would increase the likelihood of Vladimir Putin (pictured) ordering an attack on a NATO state Continued ammunition shortages could lead to his forces being compelled to sacrifice further territory, while a Russian victory in Ukraine would increase the likelihood of Vladimir Putin ordering an attack on a Nato state. Ukrainian commanders are also deeply concerned about the prospects of a victory for Donald Trump in November's presidential election. As the former President has repeatedly signalled, he would refuse to sign off on military aid for Ukraine, forcing the country to negotiate a peace settlement with Russia on the Kremlin's terms. Mr Stoltenberg added: 'Unprecedented aid from Nato allies has helped Ukraine survive as an independent nation. But Ukraine needs even more support and they need it now. 'It is an urgent need for allies to make the decisions necessary to step and provide more ammunition to Ukraine. That's my message to all capitals.' The father of Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after supplying the gun used in the shooting to his son. A jury convicted James Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deadly shooting in 2021 after deliberating for ten hours. Crumbley, 47, joins his wife Jennifer Crumbley who was also found guilty on February 6 of involuntary manslaughter. The two are the first parents in the US to be held responsible for a child carrying out a mass school attack. Their son Ethan, then aged 15, opened fire at the school in Oxford, Michigan, and murdered Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, and Justin Shilling. Crumbley, seen here, joins his wife Jennifer Crumbley who was also found guilty on February 6 of involuntary manslaughter His son Ethan, then aged 15, opened fire at the school in Oxford, Michigan , and murdered Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, and Justin Shilling Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to his crimes and is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole, after murdering four classmates in the Oxford High School shooting in 2021 He pleaded guilty in 2022 to four counts of first-degree murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December. Crumbley faced four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the victims at Oxford High School in the 2021 shootings. Jurors began deliberating on Wednesday. 'This is a very egregious and rare, rare set of facts,' Oakland County, Michigan, prosecutor Karen McDonald told the jury during closing arguments on Wednesday. McDonald said Crumbley ignored signs that his son was deeply disturbed, did not get him the help he needed, and did not safely store the firearm in the family home. McDonald also presented the jury with texts that Ethan Crumbley had sent to a friend and journal entries he had written in the months leading up to the shooting. In those, he talked about wanting medical attention and hearing voices, but he was worried his parent would be 'pissed.' On one occasion, according to a text message to a friend, Ethan asked Crumbley to take him to the doctor, but his dad 'gave me some pills and told me to suck it up.' Defense attorney Mariell Lehman argued that James Crumbley could not have possibly foreseen that his son would carry out a mass shooting. 'James had no idea that his son was having a hard time,' Lehman told jurors during her closing argument, saying no evidence had been presented that James knew the contents of his son's text messages or journal. In court, the prosecution presented a picture showing James, left, with his son Ethan at a shooting range Justin Shilling, 17, (left) and Tate Myre, 16, (right) were two of four students killed in the senseless shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan Madisyn Baldwin, 17, (left) and Hana St Juliana, 14, (right) died in the 2021 shooting rampage at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit Crumbley, accompanied by Ethan, bought a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun over Thanksgiving weekend in 2021. The boy called it his 'new beauty' on social media. His mother described the gun as a Christmas gift and took him to a shooting range. Four days after the purchase, the parents went to Oxford High to discuss a violent image their son had drawn on a math assignment. Alongside the drawing including phrases that said: 'The thoughts wont stop. Help me.' There was a gun on the paper that looked similar to the Sig Sauer. The Crumbleys didn't take him home, and school staff - believing he might be suicidal - also didn't demand it. But no one checked the boy's backpack for a gun, and the shooting happened that afternoon. During the trial, prosecutors showed that the gun, a newly acquired Sig Sauer 9 mm, was not safely secured at the Crumbley home. On the morning of the school shooting, teachers became concerned after finding alarming drawings and writings on his homework, seen here He had kept the guns in a drawer under the island of his kitchen, keeping both a Derringer and a KelTech in the box secured with just a '000' code He had kept the guns in a drawer under the island of his kitchen, keeping both a Derringer and a KelTech in the box secured with just a '000' code. ATF Special Agent Brett Brandon testified that when he inspected Ethan's 9mm, he 'found no evidence that a cable lock was ever installed on that firearm.' The cable lock was found in the gun box still in its original packaging, despite Brandon noting it would have taken around 10 seconds to secure. In a dramatic step, the prosecutor demonstrated how to use a cable to lock the gun that was used in the shooting. Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty on February 6 of involuntary manslaughter, making her the first parent in the US to be held responsible for a child carrying out a mass school attack. Prosecutors said that Jennifer Crumbley was more interested in pursuing an extramarital affair with a local fireman that caring for her son. Following the killings, she texted her lover Brian Meloche that the shooting 'could have been prevented' and that the school should not have allowed him to return to class. The gun used in the shooting was a Sig Sauer 9mm his father had purchased with him just four days earlier, seen here Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer were both charged in connection with the shooting Crumbley's secret lover claimed she wanted to meet up the morning of the shooting, and said they had been meeting regularly in a parking lot across from her work. Crumbley told her lover that she had 'failed miserably' as a parent after her son was arrested for the murders. Her son Ethan addressed a packed court room after he was sentenced to life in prison. He said: 'What I did. My actions were because of what I chose to do. I could not stop myself, I do not diminish any ability to anyone that could have stopped me. 'They did not know and I did not tell them what I planned to do so they are not at fault for what I done. 'I am a really bad person. I've done terrible things no one should ever do, I have lied. I've hurt many people, that's what I have done. 'Whatever sentence it is I do plan to be better. I will change, it may not show it now but I am trying. 'All I want is for the people I hurt to just have a final sense of culpability that justice has been served in any capacity. 'Any sentence they ask for I ask that you do impose it on me, I want them to be happy, to feel secure. I do not want them to worry another day. I am really sorry. I cannot give it a back.' In a journal, the shooter wrote about his desire to watch students suffer and the likelihood that he would spend his life in prison. He made a video on the eve of the shooting, declaring what he would do the next day. Jennifer Crumbley is set to be sentenced on April 9 and could face a sentence of up to 60 years in state prison. His personal stake in TikTok's parent company ByteDance is worth $15 billion Yass is the co-founder of Susquehanna International Group LLP, a technology and trading firm The 68-year-old GOP mega-donor is among the names included on a shortlist Billionaire TikTok investor Jeff Yass is among the names on a shortlist for former President Donald Trump's treasury secretary, should he win a second term. Insiders told Bloomberg that the 68-year-old was a strong contender, along with former US trade representative Robert Lighthizer, Key Square Group LP founder Scott Bessent and hedge fund titan John Paulson. Yass is the co-founder of Susquehanna International Group LLP, a technology and trading firm based in Philadelphia. The largest single asset in his $40.8 billion portfolio is a stake in TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, worth a whopping $15 billion. The GOP mega-donor's name has cropped up in the news recently amid speculation that TikTok may be banned from app stores and web servers in the United States. Former President Donald Trump is reportedly considering GOP mega-donor Jeff Yass for treasury secretary, should he win a second term Yass is the co-founder of Susquehanna International Group LLP, a technology and trading firm He owns a $15 billion stake in TikTok's parent company, ByteDance The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass legislature that could ban the platform in the United States. Trump led the charge to ban the app in 2020, but recently reversed his stance, voicing his opposition to the bipartisan bill. 'If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business,' the former president wrote on social media, making a snarky reference to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. 'I don't want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!' The declaration came after Trump met with Yass during a donor event organized by Club for Growth, a conservative nonprofit that counts the billionaire as one of its biggest backers. Trump has since denied that they ever discussed the video-sharing platform. 'No, I didn't,' the 77-year-old told CNBC on Monday morning. 'He never mentioned TikTok.' However, former campaign manager and White House adviser Steve Bannon has implied that Yass was behind Trump's change of heart. 'Simple: Yass Coin,' Bannon wrote on social media, sharing an Axios article titled 'Inside Trumps TikTok flip-flop.' Yass and Trump met at a donor event for conservative nonprofit Club for Growth last week. Shortly after, Trump changed his tune on TikTok, which he previously sought to ban in the U.S. So far, Yass has given $46.4 million to Republican candidates and committees in the 2024 election cycle Trump has since denied that Yass 'mentioned TikTok' during their meeting at the donor event in Palm Beach, Florida Yass and his wife, Janine, contribute millions to education providers each year through the Yass Prize The billionaire contributed $47 million to Republican candidates and committees during the 2022 midterms, making him the nation's third-largest conservative political donor at the time. He eclipsed that record this year, shelling out $46.4 million so far and claiming the top spot as the biggest donor in the 2024 election cycle. Yass and his wife, Janine, are also co-founders of the Yass Prize, a nonprofit that contributes millions to education providers each year. Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung maintains that there have been 'no discussions of who will serve in a second Trump administration.' In August 2020, Trump issued an executive order demanding ByteDance sell its U.S. assets and destroy all data within 90 days. This followed an earlier set of orders banning the tech giant from conducting any transactions in the United States by September of that year. 'There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that ByteDance Ltd. ... might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States,' Trump wrote in the order. New data has revealed that 20,000 people are off work due to their mental health every month. Two thirds of incapacity benefits are dished out to people who are unable to work because of mental health problems according to new figures that show the extent of sicknote Britain. Those claiming these benefits have an average of 2.7 health conditions each, prompting experts to warn that the benefits bill could become ever more expensive as long term medical conditions become more complex. This comes after data was published, showing that the numbers on long-term sick from work hit another record high of 2.8m in the wake of Covid which has triggered fears over the cost of benefits for those of working age. The Resolution Foundation think-tank said data shows 'Britain has a bigger, but sicker workforce than previously thought'. The total number of those on long term sick - for September to November last year - is more than double the 1.3million registered as unemployed (stock image) New data shows that 69 per cent of those claiming incapacity benefits were unable to work due to 'mental and behavioural disorders' (stock image) The Prime minister has committed to reducing long-term sick numbers and has said: 'We should be encouraging everyone who can to work' Hannah Slaughter, senior economist at the think-tank, said: 'Tackling rising ill health is a huge social and economic challenge that we'll be facing throughout the 2020s, as will getting the UK employment back up to and beyond pre-pandemic levels.' The true cost of providing for those on sick could increase by tens of billions of pounds over the next parliament. Figures have also shown that mental health and learning disabilities take up the bulk of benefits funding and are paid regardless of whether someone can work or not. Incapacity benefits are paid through universal credit for those who struggle or are out of work. Figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that two million people are receiving universal credit health benefits - an increase of 400,000 in a year and 69 per cent are judged unfit for any work. The data also shows that 69 per cent were deemed unable to work due to 'mental and behavioural disorders', and most people 538,000 were judged to have no prospect of being able to even look for work. Physical ailments also made up a large portion of reasons people were unable to work with back and joint problems making up 48 per cent of claims. Officials stress that claims can involve several different conditions and that the data does not distinguish which is the primary driver of illness. More than 42million 16- to 64-year-olds were in work, around 75 per cent of the population broadly the same as in September to November 2022 The true cost of providing for those on sick could increase by tens of billion of pounds over the next parliament (stock image) Other reasons for the explosion of people unable to work or on long term sick included chronic health problems such as diabetes and obesity which accounted for 15 per cent of cases. Heart disease and digestive illnesses, such as hernias, made up more than 20 per cent of cases. Rishi Sunak has faced mounting pressure to get the cost of benefits under control and the Health Secretary Victoria Atkins previously told Sky News that she wanted to 'change the conversation from getting a sick note to getting a fit note'. The Prime minister has committed to reducing these figures and has said: ' We should be encouraging everyone who can to work. 'We now have almost 2.5million working-age people who have been signed off as unfit to work or even look for work or think about working and I don't think that's right. 'We now sign off three times as many people to be out of work than we did a decade ago. That just doesn't strike me as a system that's working properly. 'I believe strongly in a society that rewards hard work. I've talked a lot about it and I believe work gives us a sense of purpose, a sense of identity. But Christopher Rocks of the Health Foundation, a think tank, said the data 'reinforces the increasing importance of mental health on people's ability to work'. This was echoed by Nil Guzelgun from mental health charity Mind who said the data 'highlights the acute need for mental health support'. Mr Rocks also warned that cutting benefits for people who are on long-term sick for serious health conditions was counterproductive and instead created an incentive for people to claim other health benefits - adding rather than cutting the benefits burden. He also emphasised that the health of working-age people had declined since the pandemic and in the last decade, saying 'work-limiting health condition has gone up from 15 per to 19 per cent'. Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, has set out plans for job support to the long-term sick as well as forcing more people with mental health conditions to look for jobs. Despite these plans many key reforms not due to happen for a year or more but a DWP spokeswoman said: 'We are taking the long-term decisions to help everyone who can work to do so, improving lives and growing the economy. 'Our landmark welfare reforms will cut the number of people due to be put onto the highest tier of incapacity benefits by over 370,000 and instead give them personalised support, while our Chance to Work Guarantee will enable people to try work without fear of losing their benefits.' New York City commuters scrambled for cover after an 'aggressive' rider was shot in the head on a subway train during rush hour on Thursday. The shooting occurred on a northbound A train in Brooklyn shortly after 4.45 pm, when a verbal dispute between two strangers escalated into a fight. A 32-year-old man boarded the train at the Nostrand Avenue stop and was approached by a 36-year-old man who appeared to be 'aggressive and provocative,' according to witnesses. As the train started moving, the 36-year-old flashed a sharp object believed to be a knife or a razor blade, Michael Kemper, the Police Department's Chief of Transit, said at a news conference. At one point, he pulled out a gun from his jacket, walking toward the 32-year-old as the verbal dispute escalated into a physical fight. The shooting on the nation's busiest transit system occurred less than a week after New York Governor Kathy Hochul stationed 750 national guard members in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence on the subway. New York City commuters scrambled for cover after an 'aggressive' rider was shot in the head on a subway train during rush hour on Thursday The shooting occurred on a northbound A train in Brooklyn shortly after 4.45 pm, when a verbal dispute between two strangers escalated into a fight A video from ABC reporter Joyce Philippe captures the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers ducked for cover and yelled for help Social media users shared a clip of the fight that led up to the shooting, as the 36-year-old, wearing a black hoodie, can be seen punching the other guy multiple times. The 36-year-old also landed a punch on a woman, who appeared to have stabbed him in the back multiple times as he shouted repeatedly, 'you stabbed me?' Blood visibly seeped through the black hooded man's shirt as the two men grappled, with the 36-year-old man ultimately sitting atop the 32-year-old. At one point, the hooded man took off his jacket, revealing the weapon, and proceeded to load it. Passengers can be heard shouting desperately, 'get me out, get me out,' before the car doors were opened. The 36-year-old also landed a punch on a woman (pictured right) in jeans, who appeared to have stabbed him in the back multiple times as he shouted repeatedly, 'you stabbed me?' At one point, the hooded man took off his jacket, revealing the weapon, and proceeded to load it Blood visibly seeped through the black hooded man's shirt as the two men grappled, with the 36-year-old man ultimately sitting atop the 32-year-old The video did not capture the moment when the 32-year-old grabbed the firearm from the aggressive attacker, but multiple shots can be heard in the background. A video from ABC reporter Joyce Philippe captures the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers ducked for cover and yelled for help.' 'Where's the NYPD, oh my God!' one woman exclaimed as others said, 'close the door, close the door!' The train pulled into the HoytSchermerhorn Streets station, where law enforcement authorities who heard the gunshots flooded the scene. The 32-year-old shooter was arrested before he stepped onto the platform and remained in custody. The 36-year-old man was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was under going surgery and remained in critical condition. A video from ABC reporter Joyce Philippe captures the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers ducked for cover and yelled for help' Footage posted by social media user Owen Anderson shows first responders rushing the person on a wheeled gurney into an ambulance I live above the Hoyt/Schermerhorn street station . There was a shooting in the subway station that has a PRECINCT IN IT. @NYCMayor @GovKathyHochul step up or step out. The safety of many should not be squandered by a few. pic.twitter.com/nJ1cQwieG3 Owen Anderson (@OwenAnderson41) March 14, 2024 Footage posted by social media user Owen Anderson shows first responders rushing the person on a wheeled gurney into an ambulance. 'When you bring a gun on a train and you start a fight, it's not right and it's absolutely outrageous,' Chief Kemper said. He added that authorities have not yet determined whether the alleged shooter's actions would be considered self-defense. No charges have been brought against him as of Thursday evening. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman Janno Lieber said, 'The victim here, as the chief said, appears to be the aggressor.' The alleged shooter was taken into custody by police, who said he did not seem to be the initial aggressor in the altercation He added that authorities have not yet determined whether the alleged shooter's actions would be considered self-defense. No charges have been brought against him as of Thursday evening He added, 'But the real victims are the people I saw in those videos, who are having a harrowing time because they're on a train with somebody with a gun.' Lincoln Restler, the City Council member who represents the area, wrote on X: 'This is a horrible tragedy and deeply unnerving to the millions of New Yorkers who take the subway every day.' The shooting follows a series of criminal activities on the trains including 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.' New York Governor Kathy Hochul told subway riders who refuse to submit to bag checks to 'go home' 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. NYC Democrat Mayor Eric Adams said earlier this month that he's bringing back bag checks for subway riders and station 750 national guard members at the city's busiest stations. The Big Apple saw 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. In May of last year, a 24-year-old former Marine was seen putting an erratic subway passenger in a headlock until he died. The 30-year-old Jordan Neely entered the subway car and started threatening passengers. He was held down on the floor and became unconscious. When an EMS team boarded the train, which remained at the platform, they were unable to revive him. Police have chosen not to identify the 24-year-old man, who was released without charges after the incident. A theoretical paper argues that atmospheric metal pollution from defunct satellites could create an invisible shield around our planet that could weaken its magnetic field. The controversial new paper was penned by Seattle based scientist Sierra Solter-Hunt, and has yet to be peer reviewed. It claims falling space junk could very well weaken our magnetosphere, but some experts are skeptical. It cites specific satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's Starlink network, which may generate enough magnetic dust to cut our planet's protective shield in half, Solter-Hunt writes. In the worst-case scenario, the so-called 'Spacecraft dust' could lead to satellite disasters as well 'atmospheric stripping,' the author told Live Science - a phenomenon where increased levels of radiation could begin to blow away the outer edges of our atmosphere. The paper cites specific satellite 'megaconstellations' like SpaceX's Starlink network, which allegedly could generate enough magnetic dust to cut our planet's protective shield in half. Pictured: A Starlink satellite orbiting earth The paper was penned by Seattle based scientist Sierra Solter-Hunt (pictured), and has yet to be peer reviewed. She believes the floating space junk will likely settle in the upper part of the ionosphere - some 50 to 400 miles above the Earth's surface - weakening its magnetic field The has already occurred naturally on planets like Mars and Mercury, the paper points out, making them especially uninhabitable. 'I was shocked at everything that I found and that nobody has been studying this," Solter-Hunt told Live Science Monday of her findings. 'I think it's really, really alarming.' In her paper, the astrodynamicist goes on to posit that somewhere between 500,000 and 1 million private satellites could orbit our planet in coming decades - a lofty jump considering the 9,494 active satellites listed as currently orbiting Earth. That comes as company's like Elon Musk's SpaceX also expand secretive satellite programs like the Pentagon's Starshield, which is currently being used by the federal government. A Space Force spokesperson in September confirmed that SpaceX was awarded a one-year contract for Starshield with a maximum value of $70 million, as it quietly forges deeper links with U.S. intelligence and military agencies. Meanwhile, satellites from SpaceXs Starlink network can already be seen orbiting Earth, interfering with radio telescopes and obscuring cosmic images being snapped by astronomers. Private satellites also pose other issues, like the potential of collision with other spacecraft - though, Solter-Hunt puts it, the biggest concern comes when they cease working. The paper claims falling space junk from burnt out satellites could very well weaken our magnetosphere, as the number of private-owned craft continues to increase Pictured: SpaceX Falcon 9 carries Starlink satellites on January 28. Starlink has proven a lifeline for Ukrainian forces fighting the Russian invasion in Eastern Europe A SpaceX rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites takes off from Kennedy Space Center on January 28 Pictured: A graphic artist's impression of the effect Earth's gravity has on spacetime When that happens, satellites in low orbits at an altitude of a few hundred miles from the ground or lower will enter the atmosphere and burn up in a time frame ranging from several years to decades - while higher orbit satellites would not come down for more than 100 years. When these satellites eventually fall to Earth, it could increase the amount of spacecraft dust in the atmosphere to billions of times its current level, Solter-Hunt warns - adding at a point 'And it could just stay there forever.' She believes the floating space junk will likely settle in the upper part of the ionosphere - some 50 to 400 miles above the Earth's surface. It is here the physicist fears metal pollution will cause issues, creating a 'perfect conductive net around our planet' potentially capable of carrying an electric charge,' she writes. In the event of such an occurrence, the magnetosphere, which normally extends thousands of miles into space, could be "distorted to stay under the conducting material," diminishing its reach to the upper ionosphere, That around 300 to 400 miles above Earth's surface, right at the edge of space. A reduced magnetic field means this satellites could thus be exposed to higher levels of radiation and even solar storms, which could knock them out of the sky, Solter-Hunt warns. 'They could be weakening the magnetosphere with what they're doing,' she goes on to add, which, she said, 'puts [satellite companies] at risk.' Pictured: Illustration of how space-time curves in the presence of a massive object - in this case, the Earth "It's a real Catch-22 for satellite companies," she add. But even if the increased levels of radiation could strip our atmosphere, rest assured - Solter-Hunt says would likely still take centuries, if not millennia, to occur. Still, not all scientists agree - with John Tarduno, a planetary scientist and magnetosphere expert at the University of Rochester in New York, responding to his contemporary's claims in a strongly worded email. 'Even at the densities [of spacecraft dust] discussed, a continuous conductive shell like a true magnetic shield is unlikely,' he told Live Science Wednesday. He added that some of the conclusions Solter-Hunt jumped to are 'too simple and unlikely to be correct' - a stance echoed by at least to other seasoned researchers who spoke to the publication. Jose Ferreira, a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California, told Live Science that no one has ever modeled how spacecraft dust will settle in the atmosphere, so there is no precedent nor proof that magnetic shielding is even possible. The expert on space dust pollution's statement was stood up by a research fellow at England's Durham University who, specializes in space ethics, who also told Live Science the scenarios laid out by Solter-Hunt are too speculative. The paper is an "interesting thought experiment," Fionagh Thompson said, but without clearly outlining exactly how spacecraft dust will cause these problems, "it shouldn't be passed off as "this is what is going to happen"' she said. She went on to add that the number of potential satellites orbiting Earth in the future estimated by Solter-Hunt also 'seems exaggerated,' citing how many touted satellite launches never occur. "This is not an issue to be ignored, [and] [t]here is a need to step back and view this [space junk pollution] as a completely new phenomenon." "There's a desperate need to study this as fast as possible," University of Regina astronomer Samantha Lawler added, calling Solter-Hunt's work, at the very least, 'an important first step.' She conceded: 'Honestly, I don't think anyone knows what could happen.' Voters are heading to the polls in Russia today for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin's rule. Members of the public will cast their ballots through till Sunday at nearly 100,000 polling stations across the vast country's 11 time zones as well as in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine. The first polling stations opened in Russia's easternmost regions, Chukotka and Kamchatka, at 8am local time, with voters already pictured casting their ballots in some of Russia's eastern-most cities. The election holds little suspense since Putin, 71, who has been in power since 2000, is running for his fifth term virtually unchallenged. If voted in he will serve another six years as Russia's president. It is taking place amidst the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system. A man casts a ballot at a polling station during a presidential election in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, 3566 miles east of Moscow A cadet of the Maritime State University votes in the presidential election at a polling station in Vladivostok The election holds little suspense since Putin (pictured), 71, who has been in power since 2000, is running for his fifth term virtually unchallenged Putin's political opponents are either in jail or in exile abroad, and the fiercest of them, Alexei Navalny, died in a remote Arctic penal colony recently. The three other candidates on the ballot are low-profile politicians from token opposition parties that toe the Kremlin's line. Observers have little to no expectation that the election will be free and fair. Beyond the fact that voters have been presented with little choice, the possibilities for independent monitoring are very limited. Only registered candidates or state-backed advisory bodies can assign observers to polling stations, decreasing the likelihood of independent watchdogs. With balloting over three days in nearly 100,000 polling stations in the country, any true monitoring is difficult anyway. 'The elections in Russia as a whole are a sham. The Kremlin controls who's on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign,' said Sam Greene, director for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington. Ukraine and the West have also condemned Russia for holding the vote in Ukrainian regions that Moscow's forces have seized and occupied. In many ways, Ukraine is at the heart of this election, political analysts and opposition figures say. They say Putin wants to use his all-but-assured electoral victory as evidence that the war and his handling of it enjoys widespread support. A Russian serviceman casts his ballot at an improvised polling station during early voting in a Moscow-controlled Ukrainian region A woman casts her ballot at a mobile polling station during early voting in Russia's presidential election in Donetsk Am elderly woman casts her vote at a polling station in Vladivostok. The first polling stations opened in Russia 's easternmost regions, Chukotka and Kamchatka, at 8am local time Members of a local election commission, accompanied by a serviceman, prepare a mobile polling station during early voting in Russia's presidential election in Donetsk A woman casts a ballot at a polling station during a presidential election in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the capital of Kamchatka Peninsula region Volunteers prepare a polling station ahead of the presidential election in Moscow Putin faces three challengers in the elections, none of which have criticised him. Two candidates who had hoped to run on a platform of calling for an end to the war in Ukraine were ruled ineligible. 'The Kremlin banned two politicians from the ballot who sought to run on an antiwar agenda and attracted genuine - albeit not overwhelming - support, thus depriving the voters of any choice on the "main issue of Russia's political agenda",' said political analyst Abbas Gallyamov, who used to work as Putin's speechwriter. Russia's scattered opposition has urged those unhappy with Putin or the war to show up at the polls at noon on Sunday, the final day of voting, in protest. The strategy was endorsed by Navalny not long before his death. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya said. 'We need to use election day to show that we exist and there are many of us, we are actual, living, real people and we are against Putin. 'What to do next is up to you. You can vote for any candidate except Putin. You could ruin your ballot.' Opinion polls show Putin is supported by a majority of Russians - with one survey last month giving him 75 per cent support. The poll was conducted by VCIOM - the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre, which is owned by the Russian state. A man casts his ballot at a polling station during early voting for Russia's presidential election in the village of Sennaya Guba, Republic of Karelia, on March 10 A member of a local electoral commission installs an electronic voting machine at a polling station during preparations for the presidential election, in Moscow A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Mariupol within a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine Volunteers stand with puppets outside an early polling station in Donetsk, within a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine on Wednesday Graffiti depicting Vladimir Putin in the Russian-annexed Crimea region of Ukraine. The slogan in red reads: 'Crimea is our common property' A huge billboard encouraging people to vote in the Russian-controlled city of Luhansk, Ukraine Putin yesterday appealed to voters in annexed parts of Ukraine to cast their votes in the presidential elections, saying voting on Russia's future is a 'demonstration of patriotic feeling'. He directed his message to those living in occupied regions to cast their votes - particularly those who had voted for annexation by Russia in 2022 referendums denounced by Western countries as illegal. In a video message broadcast on Thursday in Russia's furthest eastern reaches, Mr Putin told voters to be united in casting their votes. 'It is vital to underscore our cohesion and resolve and move forward together. Every vote you cast is valued and meaningful,' he said. 'I therefore ask you in the coming three days to exercise your right to vote.' Queensland Premier Steven Miles is looking down the barrel of a crushing electoral defeat later this year despite a social media blitz, including showing off his fatherly devotion by making his kids' lunches. The latest Newspoll, published in News Ltd papers on Friday, showed the Liberal National Party had opened up a substantial gap on Mr Miles' government, threatening to end Labor's nine years in power at the upcoming state election in October. Newspoll had the LNP leading the two-party preferred vote 54 per cent to 46 per cent - a 10-point decline in Labor's standing since they won the last state election in 2020 under then premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Labor Premier Steven Miles has been showing off his school lunch-making skills but it has failed to impress voters, according to the latest Newspoll The poll dampens hopes that the handing over of leadership by Ms Palaszczuk - who announced her retirement from politics in December - to Mr Miles would reverse Labor's polling decline. Since becoming premier, Mr Miles has tried to revive the government's flagging fortunes with a range of policy announcements and a continual stream of social media posts starring himself. He has made a habit of delivering political monologues while making his children's lunches in social media posts along with sharing plenty of photos and videos of him out and about in Queensland. While Mr Miles habitually displays a big grin to camera - his nickname coming up through Labor ranks is 'Giggles' - his most recent approval ratings show little to smile about. Newspoll found only 38 per cent of Queensland voters approved of the job he was doing, compared with LNP leader David Crisafulli who was given a 47 per cent satisfaction rating. On Newspoll's reported two-party preferred vote, the LNP would sweep into power with Labor losing 18 seats on a projected 7.2 per cent swing against them. A major issue dogging Labor is the state's growing homeless population as tent cities have started popping up near Brisbane's CBD and even in Mr Miles' own electorate. A cluster of tents has been erected in Mckillop Park in Rothwell, north of Brisbane, which sits in Mr Miles' electorate of Murrumba. In response Mr Miles has announced a $3billion Home for Queenslanders plan that aims to to build 53,500 new social housing properties in Queensland by 2046. Since taking over the leadership Steven Miles has been posting images of himself out and about in Queensland as he tries to reverse his government's falling popularity It has also ramped up efforts to provide emergency accommodation including buying inner-city hotels and other disused properties to increase capacity. An increase in crime, particularly by youths, has also taken the gloss off the Queensland Labor government. Mr Miles caused outrage in February when he appeared to giggle when he was asked a question about youth crime just days after a horrific alleged stabbing death of a grandmother at a shopping centre. The repeated attempts by Sky News bureau chief Adam Walters to get him to talk about youth crime at a housing policy launch prompted the chuckle from Mr Miles. His response angered many in the wake of the death of Vyleen White, 70, who was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her young granddaughter in the underground carpark of Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre. The Premier was forced to deny he was being frivolous about the matter, which saw a 15-year-old boy being arrested. 'No-one in Queensland, myself included, is laughing at this tragedy, and for any news outlet to suggest so is disrespectful,' he later tweeted. 'A family and community are grieving. Sensational headlines and misrepresentations have no part to play in Queensland this week.' Interview: Angola ready to work with China to boost economic development, says business leader Xinhua) 14:08, March 15, 2024 LUANDA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Angola stands ready to learn from China's experience and achieve social and economic development through cooperation with China, Luis Cupenala, president of Angola-China Chamber of Commerce (CAC), has said. "It's a miracle that China went from privation to the world's second largest economy. We are impressed and inspired," Cupenala told Xinhua in an interview. This is the experience "we want to learn from and to work humble on our side," he said, adding that many Chinese came to Angola in 2002, right after the civil war ended, "making robust investment while boosting the Angolan market through fair trade." Angolan President Joao Lourenco is currently in China on a state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two countries announced the decision to lift their relations to a strategic partnership in 2010. Cupenala said he hoped President Lourenco's China trip will "renew the vigor in bilateral relations," adding "our expectation is to mobilize more investment and cooperation, especially from private sectors to our country in agriculture, industrialization, and sustainable development." Pledging to work with all sides to promote a business-friendly environment in Angola, the CAC leader hoped his country's over 40-year friendship with China will continue to move forward vigorously and the reciprocal cooperation between them will set an example for the African continent. Angola, China's second-largest trading partner in Africa, has an economy heavily reliant on oil. Cupenala hopes both countries will work together to promote Angola's economic diversification. According to Chinese customs statistics, the total volume of bilateral trade stood at 23.05 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, down 15.2 percent from the previous year mainly due to the drop in global crude oil prices. Cupenala highlighted agriculture as a sector with immense potential for bilateral cooperation in the coming years, welcoming Chinese assistance with agricultural equipment, seed industry, farming skills and food security. "China is advanced in agriculture and Chinese people are vision-driven and very committed," he said. "Angola has many diligent young people just like China, (so) the successful experience can be replicated and implemented here." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) By Jun Ji-hye The government needs to create jobs for 894,000 more people in the next decade to tackle the economic slowdown that is widely attributed to the country's population decline. Vice Labor Minister Lee Sung-hee made the comments during a government meeting on Friday, citing a report written by the Korea Employment Information Service. The report highlighted that the countrys deepening demographic woes stem from rapid aging and a rapidly declining birthrate, which will have a direct impact on the labor market. It noted that demand for workers in various sectors such as child care, health and welfare as well as information and communications, and scientific technologies will increase, while the number of those working in manufacturing will see a decline. Based on this analysis, the report said that the country needs 894,000 more workers in order to achieve its economic growth forecast by the end of 2032. In response to a decreasing working-age population, the government will formulate policies aimed at boosting the employment of the youth, women and middle and old-aged people, Lee said. We will expand flexible work programs and enhance child care support as well as enhance support for changing jobs, Lee said. In the short term, we will make efforts to place workers with the right skills in appropriate positions. He also vowed to support the issuance of work permits for foreign workers and assist their settlement in the country. Actor Alec Baldwin is asking to be let off the hook in the 'Rust' manslaughter case, claiming prosecutors rigged the jury process in the case. The 65-year-old and his attorney Alex Spiro have filed new legal documents, seen by TMZ, where he asks to have his case thrown out. Baldwin and Spiro argue that the grand jury process was rigged by the Santa Fe County D.A.'s office, alleging that they add 7 witnesses who were biased. The filing reportedly adds that three of the witnesses were on the DA's payroll, two of them were from Santa Fe Sheriff's Office and one was suing him in a civil case. It is also alleged that the FBI tested the pistol used in the fatal scene that killed Halyna Hutchins, and that the DA failed to present all the evidence from the testing. The 65-year-old and his attorney Alex Spiro have filed new legal documents, seen by TMZ , where he asks to have his case thrown out Baldwin was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter of Halyna Hutchins but the allegations were dropped in April last year, before being charged last month The documents allege that the testing showed that the revolver did fire without the trigger being pulled when fully loaded, just as they were on the day of the tragedy. During the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed earlier this year, agent Bryce Ziegler said he had to break the gun with a mallet to get it to fire without using the trigger. Ziegler, appearing for the prosecution, said that couldn't have happened on the set of Rust because the gun was in working order when it came to him. His analysis contradicts claims by Baldwin that he only pulled back the hammer on the vintage-looking pistol. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 26, was the armorer for Rust and was was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The verdict spells trouble for Baldwin when he goes on trial in July in the same courthouse for involuntary manslaughter. If found guilty he faces 18 months in jail. Baldwin was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter but the allegations were dropped in April last year. He was dramatically charged again last month and pleaded not guilty. The shooting happened in October 2021 after two weeks of filming while Baldwin was practicing drawing out his gun from the holster. He opened fire on Hutchins, 42, a married mother-of-one whose son was nine at the time, and the bullet went through her and lodged in the shoulder of director Joel Souza, who survived and testified in court. The shooting happened in October 2021 after two weeks of filming while Baldwin was practicing drawing out his gun from the holster Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and also faced a charge of tampering with evidence The jury was shown shocking images of cinematographer's Halyna Hutchins' the blood-stained shirt During the trial of Gutierrez-Reed, prosecutors painted a damning portrait of a film that was in a state of 'rushed chaos.' The night before the incident, six members of the camera crew quit because of their concerns over safety. Gutierrez-Reed's defense was to blame everyone but her, but especially Baldwin. Her lawyer, Jason Bowles, said Baldwin was the 'big boss' on set that nobody stood up to even though he rushed people and ignored safety checks because Rust, which he was a producer on, had a tight budget. The jury heard that Baldwin commissioned director Souza to write the script, which he owned the rights to. Baldwin was the lead actor on the movie and was also a producer. Bowles called Gutierrez-Reed, who was just 24 at the time of the incident, a 'scapegoat' for wider failings that led the New Mexico safety regulator to issue a $136,000 fine to the producers for 'willful and serious' safety failings. Bowles told the court that Baldwin himself made the set unsafe by waving his gun like a 'pointing stick' at people. During the trial of Gutierrez-Reed, prosecutors painted a damning portrait of a film that was in a state of 'rushed chaos' Jurors were shown a video shot during production of Rust in which Baldwin pointed the gun at the crew and cast members including a 12-year-old boy between scenes Jurors were told Baldwin himself made the set unsafe by waving his gun like a 'pointing stick' at people and firing rounds after the director said cut A behind the scenes video from the filming showed Baldwin demanding a second shot immediately after one that just finished. He was heard saying: 'Right away! Right away! Let's reload. Here we go, come on! We should have two guns, both reloading.' Asked if that kind of conduct was typical, Carpenter said no, adding that it put pressure on the armorer to stand up to him. Moments later, after the director shouted cut, Baldwin let loose another blank round while standing next to the 12-year-old actor. Carpenter said that when somebody yells cut, nothing else should be fired and that Baldwin 'went off script.' Baldwin could have used a Nerf gun in the scene where he accidentally shot Hutchins dead because it was just a rehearsal known as blocking, the jury heard. But Baldwin insisted on using the real guns, known as his 'hero props', because he preferred them, just like he preferred the most powerful dummies possible because they were more realistic. A firearms expert showed off to the jury a gun similar to that Baldwin used to shoot Hutchins Production of Rust stopped abruptly in October 2021 when a prop gun held by Baldwin fired a live round that killed Hutchins In his opening statement, Bowles said that Baldwin 'violated basic gun safety' by pointing the gun at Hutchins because he didn't intend to shoot at her. He said: 'The primary thing here was rush, get this thing so we can get the money and that's all on production and Mr. Baldwin is one of the primary producers. That's on them. Miss Gutierrez-Reed had no control over that.' During cross-examination of Addiego, Bowles asked: 'Did you ever stand up to Mr Baldwin and say we're not going to move this fast?' Addiego said it was 'not my job' and he didn't recall 'anybody standing up to Mr Baldwin on the set of Rust.' 'He's running the show, he's the big boss, right?' Bowles said. 'He's number one, so yes,' Addiego said. The criminal case is not the only court proceedings resulting from the shooting of Hutchins. In 2022 Baldwin settled a civil lawsuit filed against him by Matthew Hutchins, the widow of Hutchins, and the father of their son. Under the terms Rust continued production at a new location in Montana and Matthew Hutchins, who has called his wife's death a 'terrible accident,' is an executive producer. No date has yet been set for the film's release. A radical imam who helped prompt the government's extremism crackdown is reportedly still active in his local mosque where he 'speaks to primary school children'. Shakeel Begg was found to be an 'extremist preacher' by a High Court judge in 2016. It was also found that his role as an imam put him in a position to 'plant the seed of Islamic extremism in a young mind'. But despite the ruling, Begg is still the head imam of the Lewisham Islamic Centre (LIC) in south-east London, The Times has reported. The mosque is regularly visited by schoolchildren from the local area and has links with the local council. According to Lewisham Islamic Centre's Facebook page, the mosque has welcomed pupils from nearby schools on at least six occasions in 2022 and 2023. Shakeel Begg (pictured), who helped prompt the government's extremism crackdown, is reportedly still active in his local mosque where he 'speaks to primary school children' Shakeel Begg (right) was found to be an 'extremist preacher' by a High Court judge in 2016 The imam has been pictured having discussions with the schoolchildren, some of whom are primary-school age. The mosque's school was itself sent hundreds of thousands of pounds in government grants before it closed in 2019. Begg has also continued to work with the Met Police and in September, Trevor Lawry, the local borough commander visited the mosque for an interfaith forum. Furthermore the force supported Begg's libel case against the BBC in 2016 saying he had supported Prevent - the government's counter-extremism programme. Michael Gove, the communities minister, said in the House of Commons yesterday that Begg's case was brought to the attention of the government and was a factor that pushed them to redefine extremism. Begg (far right) is still the head imam of the Lewisham Islamic Centre (LIC) in south-east London. He has continued to work with the Met Police The mosque is regularly visted by schoolchildren from the local area and has a link with the local council Michael Gove, the communities minister, said in the House of Commons yesterday that Begg's (right) case was brought to the attention of the government and was a factor that pushed them to redefine extremism Begg was also criticised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism in November in light of comments he made about the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. He told his followers on the Friday after the attack: 'Grant victory to the people of Palestine, the people of Gaza, support them over their enemy, your enemy. Punish the oppressors [Israel] destroy them and tear them apart.' He added that the West and Israel were 'smearing' Muslims by saying that they had killed 'innocent children' in Israel. 'We know that's a lie,' he told worshippers. He went on to slam pro-Israeli celebrities, naming Justin Bieber, Kylie Jenner and Floyd Mayweather, as 'sick' people. Begg's case was brought to the High Court in 2016 after he sued the BBC for libel when they labelled him extremist. However Lord Justice Haddon-Cave dismissed this, saying that Begg had promoted religious violence 'by telling Muslims that violence in support of Islam would constitute a man's greatest deed'. Begg however has previously said that the statements referred to by the judge were interpreted in a different way to how he intended them and he apologised for the confusion. He added that he condemns terrorism and extremism and did not want to encourage violence. A spokeswoman for Lewisham council said: 'We work with organisations which engage with the many different groups within our community, and faith organisations of all kinds are a very important part of that. 'There are a significant number of Muslims in Lewisham and the Lewisham Islamic Centre as a body supports our efforts to increase and sustain community cohesion.' A spokesperson for The Met denied that Mr Begg had an advisory role with the force and instead attended a faith breakfast with officers. They said these types of events are critical for 'engagement work' and that the purpose of the faith breakfast was to talk about the 'stop and search charter'. MailOnline has contacted Lewisham Islamic Centre for comment. The Met Police and Lewisham Council have also been approached for further comment. The murder conviction of a Jamaican dancehall star has been quashed due to attempts to bribe the jury during his trial. Vybz Kartel won his appeal at the Commonwealth Court in London on Thursday after lawyers acting for the 48-year-old claimed his conviction was unsafe because of bribery attempts at his trial over a decade ago. They argued the trial judge wrongly handled the allegations that one juror offered 500,000 Jamaican dollars (2,533) to fellow jurors to return not guilty verdicts. The musician, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is one of Jamaica's most popular artists and has collaborated with performers such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, Digga D and Unknown T. He has been in jail in Jamaica since 2011 over the disappearance of his associate Clive 'Lizard' Williams, whose body has never been found. The murder conviction of a Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel has been quashed due to attempts to bribe the jury during his trial . Pictured: the musician performs in Jamaica in 2005 Kartel won his appeal at the Commonwealth court in London on Thursday. Pictured: Kartel poses for a photograph backstage during MTV's Tempo network launch celebration in 2005 The musician, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is one of Jamaica's most popular artists and has collaborated with performers such as Jay-Z and Rihanna After a 64-day trial in Kingston, one of the longest in Jamaican history, Kartel and three others were convicted in 2014. Kartel was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 35 years, later reduced on appeal to 32-and-a-half. Prosecutors had said Williams was murdered at Kartel's home over two guns that Williams and another man had lost. They relied, in part, on messages sent by Williams before his alleged murder and others sent by one of Kartel's co-defendants. But lawyers representing Kartel and his co-defendants argued the messages were obtained in breach of Jamaican law and should not have been put before the jury. Last month, Kartel and his co-defendants mounted their final possible appeal at the Privy Council in London, the final court of appeal in Jamaica and some other Commonwealth countries. Their appeals were allowed by the court on Thursday, in a ruling which could see Kartel and his co-defendants face a retrial. An Indian girl who escaped poverty by starring in an Oscar-winning film and enjoyed a rise to stardom that saw her toss a coin before the Wimbledon final in 2013 is penniless once again. Pinki Sonkar was just five years old when she starred in the 2008 American documentary film 'Smile Pinki' centred on the life-changing surgery to correct her cleft lip. Directed by Megan Mylan, the film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) and generated national attention for raising public health awareness about clefts. Pinki Sonkar was just five-years-old when she starred in the 2008 American documentary film 'Smile Pinki' (Pictured here at Wimbledon in 2013) Pinki Sonkar with Andy Murray at the beginning of the Wimbledon final in 2013 Soon after, Ms Sonar enjoyed a spell of fame and took part in the customary coin toss at the Wimbledon final in 2013 between Andy Murry and Novak Djokovic. But Ms Sonar, who is now 18, is back in her village of Mirzapur, near Varanasi and has found herself in 'the same circumstances as before'. Speaking to The Telegraph she said: 'Nothing has changed for me. Visiting the Oscars was a great experience it filled me with joy.' Ms Sonar went on to say that 'apart from journalists', no one comes to visit her. As a young girl, Ms Sonar was isolated from her community because of her deformity and was not allowed to attend school. Australia is the top destination for Singapore property investors as its millionaires look for somewhere to retire or send their children to study. The city state nation of six million people is also Australia's No.1 source of foreign investment on a per capita basis accounting for population - even though the Chinese buy the most Australian property. Juwai IQI, which markets property to wealthy investors in Asia, found Australia topped the list for Singaporeans making enquiries between January 2020 and Novmber 2023. The group's founder and chief executive Kashif Ansari said Singaporeans were particularly interested in Australia because many were considering either moving there or enrolling their children in an Australian university. Australia is the top destination for Singapore property investors as its millionaires look for somewhere to retire or send their children to study (pictured is Marina Bay Sands in Singapore) 'When Singaporean investors purchase overseas residential real estate, they are usually seeking to diversify their investments, take advantage of Singapore's strong dollar, avoid higher transaction costs at home, provide housing for their children who are studying abroad, or obtain second homes for retirement and holidays,' he said. Singaporeans accounted for 27.5 per cent of foreign enquiries about buying real estate in Australia, ahead of Thailand's 16.5 per cent and Malaysia's 13.2 per cent, with prospective Chinese buyers not on Juwai IQI's top ten list of countries. But China is still Australia's No. 1 origin of foreign property buyers, with the Chinese buying $3.4billion worth of real estate assets in Australia in 2022-23, Treasury figures showed. Singapore was equal fourth on the list with $300million worth of transactions in line with India and Taiwan but behind Hong Kong ($600million), Vietnam ($400million). But Singapore's investment in Australia is the highest per capita, with its population of 5.92million marginally more than Sydney's 5.3million - and well below China's 1.4billion. 'While the total international residential real estate investment out of Singapore isn't comparable to the total from China, it still far out-paces any other country on a per-capita basis,' Mr Ansari said. Juwai IQI founder and chief executive Kashif Ansari said Singaporeans were particularly interested in Australia because many were considering either moving there or enrolling their children in an Australian university. Singapore is also home to 240,100 millionaires and 27 billionaires - making it the world's seventh richest city for high-net worth individuals, London-based immigration consultancy Henley and Partners found. 'There are several reasons that Singapore is one of the world's top buyers of international real estate, but at the base of them all is a cultural preference for property investment and an abundance of capital,' Mr Ansari said. 'Singapore is a small country with a constrained domestic market, high levels of wealth, and an international outlook.' Foreigners are only allowed to buy an established property in Australia - or something that is not a new build - if they are residents and can prove they are living, working or studying locally. But foreigners not living in Australia are only allowed to buy something that is brand new, in a bid to encourage more residential apartment building to boost the supply of homes. Permanent residents are treated differently to foreigners and do not need Foreign Investment Review Board approval to buy a new or established property, or a block of land. Education is Australia's fourth biggest export after coal, iron ore and natural gas, being worth $26.6billion a year (pictured are students outside the University of New South Wales) Education is Australia's fourth biggest export after coal, iron ore and natural gas, being worth $26.6billion in 2022, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade data showed. This has led to big immigration influx with 125,410 permanent and long-term arrivals in January alone, with that figure including international students because they stay for more than a year. On a net basis, with departures factored in, the 55,330 figure for January was 40 per cent higher than the previous monthly record of 39,460 in 2009, Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Thursday showed. An internal Labor bunfight over the annual GST carve-up has escalated as Victoria's treasurer accuses NSW of being a 'welfare recipient' in response to its claims the most populous state has been short-changed. The Commonwealth Grants Commission on Tuesday announced the recommended 2024/25 GST distribution, with the national take estimated to grow to $89 billion from about $85 billion in 2023/24. Under the distribution, NSW and Queensland's share of the GST pool will fall because rising coal royalties have put them in stronger budgetary positions. Victoria is due to receive nearly $3.7 billion more than in 2023/24, while NSW will receive $310 million less. The carve-up has led to a civil war between the Labor states, with NSW Premier Chris Minns on Thursday describing Victoria as a welfare state taking 'money from the pockets of NSW families'. Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has returned fire after the NSW premier slammed its share of the GST Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas returned fire on Friday, saying not a single dollar of NSW GST was headed south of the border and calling Mr Minns 'mathematically challenged'. 'He might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but he is a tool,' he told reporters in Melbourne. 'He has totally got the GST break-up wrong.' Referencing Mr Minns' 'welfare state' barb, Mr Pallas suggested NSW had been an infrastructure 'welfare recipient' from the Commonwealth at Victoria's expense for decades. 'It's just so Sydney of the premier of NSW to scream outrage about the fact we're coming close to getting a reasonable GST share and bemoan Melbourne's success,' Mr Pallas added. 'It demeans him, it belittles his state.' But the NSW premier doubled down with his criticism, repeatedly questioning whether the unfavourable carve-up was 'planned or accidental', and saying the entire GST system needed fixing. 'The only thing worse than Victoria taking our money is them crying about it afterwards,' he told reporters on Friday. Mr Minns has called for GST to be split on a per-capita basis, with additional funds distributed via grants to states and territories that needed further support. Such a system would benefit the larger states, which receive less in GST per resident than they raise, but would lead to South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory pocketing less. Chris Minns doesn't expect the GST meeting between state and federal treasurers will be friendly 'When the states sit down to eat, NSW can't eat last every single time,' Mr Minns said. 'This is public money, it's not government money, it's owned by the people of Australia and it should be distributed in a fair way.' But the idea has been shot down by Mr Pallas. 'It really just drips of entitlement and selfishness,' he said. He also said Victoria remained committed to ceding some of its GST to poorer states. The war of words could make for an awkward virtual meeting between state and federal treasurers on Friday. Mr Minns said he did not anticipate the meeting would be friendly but state Treasurer Daniel Mookhey had no choice but to put the best case forward as key negotiations continue over education, health and infrastructure funding deals. Federal Labor frontbencher Jason Clare wasn't fazed by the friendly fire, saying the same 'argy-bargy' takes place every year when the grants commission hands down its independent decision. 'I'm old enough to remember Bob Carr making the same argument to John Howard,' he told Seven's Sunrise program. Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley labelled the GST fight 'blokey' and urged state leaders to have constructive talks. 'This is all sounding a bit shouty and loud and I would suggest to the Labor leaders that maybe they dial down the testosterone,' she said. The Australian woman killed when a landslide swept away her Balinese villa filmed herself dancing on its deck in stormy conditions just hours before tragedy struck. Angelina Smith, 47, and her Dutch partner Luciano Kross, 50, were fast asleep in their wooden villa when a hill behind their Yeh Baat accommodation near the village of Jatiluwih collapsed on Thursday morning following heavy rain. Indonesian authorities said the couple, who were on the first night of a mountain retreat, were found dead amongst the debris in 'sleeping positions'. Ms Smith, who described herself as a 'feminine embodiment leader' and 'movement explorer', shared videos of her dancing at the villa in the 48 hours before the landslide. 'My dance is my connection to the divine,' she captioned a series of videos that showed her smiling at the camera as she swayed to the music in several locations. 'These are just some humble dances to graze this space. With love, Angelina.' Angelina Smith, 47, and her Dutch partner Luciano Kross, 50, were asleep in their wooden villa when a hill behind their Yeh Baat accommodation near the village of Jatiluwih collapsed on Thursday morning following heavy rain (the couple is pictured) Angelina Smith, who describes herself as a 'feminine embodiment leader' and 'movement explorer' shared videos of her dancing in the villa 48 hours before the landslide READ MORE: Major update in death of Australian woman and Dutch partner in Bali Advertisement Just before the tragedy, Ms Smith also shared footage of powerful winds whipping the palm trees nearby. The strong winds of the incoming storm blow the leaves of a nearby tree and stretch out the fabric of her dress in the breeze. The monsoon-like rainfall that followed would later overload the nearby water canals and trigger the fatal landslide that swept away the mountainside villa on Thursday. Ms Smith was originally from Melbourne but was a permanent US resident who spent a lot of time in Indonesia, according to her social media profiles. The spiritual healer spent time in Byron Bay in northern NSW as recently as December. She offered four-month apprenticeships for online alchemy and mysticism training that promised to provide 'a place of deep healing'. 'Passion to love your life is contagious around Angelina,' her website states. 'Her adventurous and dynamic spirit connects people to their own unique potential and true essence. Her dedication to this is paramount to her health & well-being & that of others that she passionately works with.' Her partner, Mr Kross, was a former massage therapist and holistic medicine tutor. Ms Smith (pictured) offered four-month Blue Lotus apprenticeships of online alchemy and mysticism training that promised to provide 'a place of deep healing' Just hours before the tragedy, Ms Smith shared footage of powerful winds whipping the palm trees while her partner captioned photos of their villa (pictured) as 'ancient paradise' Water canals that sat above the villa for irrigation were eroded by the severe rain and triggered the fatal landslide (damage is pictured) Water canals that sat above the villa for irrigation were eroded by the severe rain and triggered the fatal landslide. Two empty villas next to the couple's accommodation remained intact. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Ms Smith's family. 'We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,' a spokeswoman said. Large areas of Indonesia are prone to flooding and landslides during the wet season which starts in November. Landslides are more common in the archipelago due to deforestation, with prolonged torrential rain causing flooding in some areas. Landslides and floods triggered by intense rains last week killed at least 27 people on Sumatra island. A man arrested in a murder-for-hire plot to smother a 96-year-old woman and steal her $5 million Montecito mansion pleaded not guilty on Thursday. Henry Rostomyan, 33, appeared in Santa Barbara Superior Court today after being charged last week in connection with the murder of Violet Evelyn Alberts. Appearing before Judge Thomas Adams, Rostomyan entered a plea of not guilty. Adams subsequently ordered him back to jail without bail, citing him as a danger to the public. Alberts was found dead in her bed by a caretaker in May 2022, with one window in her home broken. She had been making cookies for her birthday moments before she was killed. Nearly two years after the death, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests of Rostomyan, Harry Basmadjian, 58, Ricardo MartinDelCampo, 41, and Pauline Macareno, 48. Henry Rostomyan, 33, arrested in a murder-for-hire plot to smother a 96-year-old woman and steal her $5 million Montecito mansion pleaded not guilty on Thursday Rostomyan, 33, appeared in Santa Barbara Superior Court today after being charged last week in connection with the murder of Violet Evelyn Alberts Alberts, 96, was found dead in her bed by a caretaker in May 2022, with one window in her home broken Alberts had been making cookies for her birthday moments before she was killed in her $5 million home (pictured) Rostomyan appears stressed, clad in an orange jail suit, as he covers his face and lowers his head in exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com. He can be seen smirking in one of the photos before being escorted back to jail. The other three suspects did not appear. Officials said last week that Alberts' killing was a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by Macareno, who had previously tried to con Alberts out of her home. '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.' Brown said in 2020 the 48-year-old woman was 'referred' to Alberts, who needed additional money after she 'aged out' of her savings. '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. 'She needed some additional money and she was approached by Pauline Macareno with the scheme to sell her a reverse-mortgage.' Macareno had tried to gain control of Alberts assets by posing as a real estate agent, forging documents and using fraudulent entities. She was convicted for using a real estate scheme to convince Alberts to transfer the title of her home to herself and is currently serving a six-year sentence in state prison. Rostomyan appears stressed, clad in an orange jail suit, as he covers his face and lowers his head in exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com He can be seen smirking in one of the photos before being escorted back to jail. The other three suspects did not appear Nearly two years after the death, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests of Rostomyan, Harry Basmadjian(right), 58, Ricardo MartinDelCampo, 41, and Pauline Macareno, 48 (left) Basmadjian was arrested in January in connection with Alberts' death 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. Immediately after Alberts' death two years ago, detectives found little to no leads - but soon after, they 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. The sheriff said Alberts was making cookies for her birthday moments before she died and the ingredients for those cookies were found in the table when police arrived. Appearing before Judge Thomas Adams(pictured), Rostomyan entered a plea of not guilty. Adams subsequently ordered him back to jail without bail, citing him as a danger to the public 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 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. '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,' the sheriff said. 'Despite facing challenges with her memory and cognition, Violet's spirit remained undaunted.' 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 desperate search to find missing mum Samantha Murphy's remains is about to enter its seventh week as the devastated community is confronted with more heartbreak. Friday marks 40 days since the 51-year-old vanished after she left her home at Eureka Street in Ballarat East at about 7am on February 4 for a run in nearby Woowookrung Regional Park in a cold case that has shocked the nation. No trace of of the mother-of-three has ever been found, despite Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, being charged with her murder eight days ago. However, Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia on Friday afternoon that 'no search activity is immediately planned'. Several days after shattered residents gathered for a candlelight vigil and took part in a fun run in honour of the one Ms Murphy was unable to finish, the community was rocked by its third tragedy within six weeks. A collapse at Ballarat Gold Mine on Wednesday afternoon killed one worker, critically injured another and left 28 others trapped for hours. Father-of-two Kurt Hourigan, 37, died after he became trapped 500m underground underneath rubble alongside another miner. His body was retrieved early the next morning. Another Ballarat miner 21, continues to fight for life in a Melbourne hospital. The mine disaster at Mount Clear is just 5.5km from Ms Murphy's home. Mum-of-three Samantha Murphy vanished without a trace 40 days ago. The desperate search for Samantha Murphy's remains will enter its seventh week on Sunday READ MORE: Sad reality facing Aussie women after Samantha Murphy vanished Samantha Murphy was last seen leaving her home at Eureka Street in Ballarat East, Victoria, on February 4 at 7am (pictured) for her regular 14km run through nearby Woowookrung Regional Park Advertisement The region has also been hit by raging bushfires which have ripped more than 17,000 hectares of land and destroyed several properties. The community is on the brink of emotional and mental burnout following months of disaster and loss, according to the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. 'It does seem a bit like we can't take a trick and continue to have these really difficult, tragic, events happen,' chief executive resident and Ballarat local Margaret Moreton told the ABC. 'When compounding events happen like this events that are actually unrelated to one another it makes it more difficult.' She urged the community to support each other as the reclaiming of sense of safety begins. 'There are a number of elements of psychological sense of wellbeing and one of those is a sense of safety,' Ms Moreton said. Ballarat mayor Des Hudson told Sunrise: 'We are a resilient community, we look after one another, and we come together to support one another, and I have no doubt that our community will absolutely do the same while this issue at the gold mine is being worked through.' Meantime, a mine shaft explorer has vowed to leave no stone unturned as the search for Ms Murphy's body continues. Raymond Shaw has already explored dozens of mine shafts for any items of interest and found at least 100 in Ballarat bushland. 'I've been searching ever since (Ms Murphy) went missing, and I'll continue doing that. We need answers,' Mr Shaw told the Herald Sun. The collapse at Ballarat Gold Mine at Mount Clear is just 5.5km from Ms Murphy's home. The miner killed in the Ballarat Gold Mine collapse has been named as Kurt Hourigan (pictured) The Ballarat region has been hit with raging bushfires in recent weeks. Pictured are firefighters battling the Bayindeen-Rocky Road fire north-west of Ballarat on February 28 'A lot of mine shafts around Ballarat and close to Mount Clear are undiscovered, I don't think people know much about the dense forest either. 'There's about 4000 to 6000 mine shafts underneath the town of Ballarat. A lot of them are in the forest but some are in remote patchy areas.' The body of another local mum Kobie Parfitt, 43, was found 5m deep in an abandoned mine shaft several months after she was brutally bashed to death three years ago. Victoria Police haven't provided any further updates in the last week, when Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said that detectives were doing everything they could to find Ms Murphy's remains. Stephenson, 22, faced Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday, where a magistrate approved his lawyer's application to temporarily suppress his name from media reporting. But the order was lifted the next morning, after his lawyer withdrew the application on advice from his client. Stephenson is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, who played 15 games for Geelong and Richmond between 2012 and 2014. Police say they are not seeking anyone else in relation to Ms Murphy's disappearance. The Ballarat community is reeling following recent bushfires, the alleged murder of Samantha Murphy and a deadly mine collapse this week. Pictured are residents at a vigil for Ms Murphy The search for Samantha Murphy continues, a week after a man was charged with her murder A similar meetup over the weekend saw a Jeep doused in gasoline and set on fire A woman was hit by a car and thrown to the ground in footage posted online A woman was clipped by a car and knocked unconscious during a rowdy 'street takeover' event at a notorious intersection in Los Angeles. The incident occurred at the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and West 63rd Street in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Over the weekend, the intersection was plagued with outbreaks of lawless activity including a vehicle being set on fire. In footage uploaded to social media, a blonde woman stands in the path of a black sedan as it does donuts. As the vehicle swings around, it clips the woman and sends her flying through midair. She hits the pavement and rolls onto her back, out cold. Members of the crowd hurry over, with two bystanders frantically fanning her face. One person grabs her arm and attempts to lift her limp body before the video cuts off. The Los Angeles Police Department told DailyMail.com it is unable to confirm whether anyone was seriously injured in the accident. Video posted to social media shows a woman hit by a car and thrown to the ground at an infamous intersection in Los Angeles As a black sedan performs donuts, it clips the woman and sends her flying to the ground, where she lies unconscious. The incident occurred at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and West 63rd Street in Hyde Park Street takeovers, also known as sideshows, are informal demonstrations of car stunts that are often held in public intersections. Drivers burn their tires and perform tricks as crowds of onlookers watch. The meetups are also subject to bouts of gun violence and fatal crashes. Police estimate 50 cars were involved in the weekend's street takeover. The crowd was beginning to break up by the time officers arrived at around 3:30 am Saturday. That morning, a Jeep was doused in gasoline and set ablaze in the middle of the intersection as another vehicle did donuts around it. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made, officials said. In December 2022, a meetup just down the street turned deadly when a woman was pinned between a light pole and an out-of-control Chevy Camaro. Three cars were speeding and doing donuts at the intersection of Florence Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard when one of the drivers lost control and plowed into a crowd that had gathered on the sidewalk. Elyzza Guajaca, a 24-year-old nursing student, was taken to the hospital and later succumbed to her injuries. On Saturday morning, a Jeep was doused in gasoline and set on fire at the same intersection. The vehicle burned in the middle of the street as another car did donuts around it Nursing student Elyzza Guajaca, 24, was killed just down the street in 2022 after an out-of-control driver crashed into a crowd, pinning her between a lamppost and his vehicle Surveillance video showed the Camaro driver climbing out of the car and fleeing on foot after getting into a scuffle with witnesses. That man, identified as 28-year-old Dante Chapple Young, fled to Arizona before he was arrested outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was slapped with murder charges and had his bail set at $2.2 million. Early last month, the Los Angeles City Council voted 12 to 1 to launch a pilot program at 20 intersections to combat street takeovers. Raised center lines will be installed to deter motorists from doing stunts, officials said. The program will cost $80,000. Speaking to KTLA last year, LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno denounced the illegal meetups in the wake of Guajaca's death. 'People are getting ran over, hit, people are getting attacked, assaulted. Were waiting, like, "Wheres the police report?" and they never come forward,' Moreno said. 'Its kind of sick in a way. This culture is, thats kind of what they do. 'Its kind of like a code I guess they go by, where somebody would get beaten nearly to death and they dont come forward to be a victim.' By Lee Hae-rin The southern resort island of Jeju is pushing to impose a so-called eco-tourism tax on visitors to curb the adverse effects of tourism such as environmental damage. On Thursday, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province revealed a report by the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) about action plans to impose a share of expenses for the preservation of the island's environment onto visitors. The report suggests imposing 1,500 won ($1.10) per capita per night for accommodation, 5,000 won per rented vehicle a day and 5 percent of chartered bus fees as a green tax a price scheme recommended in a 2018 study by the Korean Association for Local Finance on the validity of the island imposing the eco-tourism tax. According to the scenario, a group of four people who spend three nights and four days on the island with a rented car will be taxed 38,000 won. Under the scheme, the revenue generated by the tax would be used to solve the islands growing pollution and sewage issues and protect natural resources from an influx of over 10 million annual visitors. The report stated that the potential introduction of the tax would be a first for Korea, although similar taxes are already common in other popular destinations around the world including cities in Europe, saying the tax measure should be actively considered. It cited the benefit principle under the country's Framework Act on Environmental Policy as a legal basis for the measure. The act states that When a person gains significant benefits from a project for environmental conservation, the state or a local government may require the person who gains benefits to fully or partially bear the cost of the project for environmental conservation within the limit of such benefits. The report also highlighted Jejus nature as a unique eco-tourism destination and the budgetary deficit it suffers while tourism has become a major source of pollution on the island. The tourism-dependent island contains Koreas first UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes and other internationally recognized biosphere reserves, yet ranks bottom among municipalities in terms of regional economy. Additionally, the report suggested the island form a coalition with municipalities such as Gangwon Province and Ulleung Island, which may later need to introduce similar taxation systems. Since 2018, several European countries including Italy, Greece and Spain have introduced their own green tax systems to prevent overtourism from harming the environment and causing gentrification. Last month, Bali introduced a 150,000 rupiah ($10) tax on tourists upon their arrival, and lawmakers of Hawaii proposed a $25 climate tax on tourists. Maldives and some regions of Japan and Australia have joined the initiative. The tourism-dependent Jeju has also seen multiple efforts to legislate a similar tax since 2012, which have all failed under multiple names, including tourism tax, environment tax, share of expenses and contribution fee, due to opposition from various stakeholders who view it as an island entrance fee. The green tax initiative reemerged in the 2022 presidential election as a pledge by both of the main parties' candidates, Yoon Suk Yeol and Lee Jae-myung, as well as by incumbent Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun who has been pushing to introduce the system. However, there are concerns that the eco-tourism tax would deter local tourists from visiting the southern island, as many Koreans have already shown an increasing preference for overseas trips after the post-pandemic reopening of borders and low value of the Japanese yen. According to the Jeju Tourism Organizations latest visitor survey from 2022, high travel expenses ranked top at 53.4 percent among Koreans reasons to be unhappy with their visits to Jeju, as they can visit Southeast Asian countries and other regional destinations at similar expenses spent for Jeju trips. The number of domestic visitors to the resort island dropped to 12.6 million last year, down 8.5 percent from 13.8 million in 2022. Meanwhile, Koreans' outbound tourism jumped from 6.5 million in 2022 to 22.7 million last year. The report will be discussed on March 25 at the islands provincial assembly, which seeks to launch legislative efforts to amend the Jeju Special Act once the 22nd National Assembly kicks off after the general elections in April. An Adelaide man who was rejected by a supermarket giant before working as a trolley collector has made Australias top 250 Rich List after building an $827 million empire. Roger Drake is the founder of independent chain Drakes Supermarkets which operates 60 stores across South Australia and Queensland. He came in at number 173 on the list, which was published by The Australian on Friday, after revenue for his supermarket chain hit $1.18 billion in 2023, according to documents lodged with the corporate regulator. Mr Drake purchased his first supermarket in Adelaide 50 years ago, which he initially called Jack & Jills, overcoming setbacks and even rejection from another grocery giant. Roger Drake purchased his first supermarket in Adelaide 50 years ago, which he initially called Jack & Jills, before Drakes Supermarkets was born 'I had visions of being a doctor, but my parents couldnt afford to send me to university so I applied for a job at Woolworths supermarkets,' he told SALIFE in 2022. 'But they said I wasnt suitable for retail. I went across the road and got a job with Coles collecting trolleys.' After rising through the ranks to become a manager at Coles, Mr Drake resigned and bought a small store at Mitcham for $29,000. 'When I made that decision to open our first store, I thought that both Coles and Woolworths all started as independents with one store,' he said. 'The vision was always to grow the business so I could compete against the multinational chains. 'Having one store and being independent, we had the flexibility to cater for the local community and we brought in a lot of local products. 'We made sure we exceeded customer expectations every day we opened the doors.' He's just fallen short of the list in recent years, but hard work has now got Mr Drake a place back among the ranks of Australias wealthy elite. Roger Drake built his $827million empire after he was rejected for a job with supermarket rival Woolworths He's fallen short of the list recent years, but hard work has got Mr Drake a place back among the ranks of Australias wealthy elite (pictured, with his son John-Paul Drake) The supermarket chains latest set of financial accounts showed a 3.3 per cent increase in sales last year, with Mr Drake making a $36million net profit. The richest South Australian on the list was Chris Thomas, who owns Australias largest family-owned meat processing company Thomas Foods International. He came in at number 82 after his meat processing plants in South Australia, NSW and Victoria turned over more than $2.7billion. Gina Rinehart, who is the Chairperson of Hancock Prospecting, came in at number one after making $5.04billion profit for the 2023 financial year. The list included 159 billionaires, including new 25 entrants to the ranks, and 20 people aged 40 or younger. A female massage parlor owner has been cuffed for allegedly holding a woman captive to sell her for sex. Ying He - the 55-year- old owner of Message Therapy in Willmar, Minnesota - is now facing felony charges as a result, including the soliciting or inducing of someone to commit prostitution. She also faces gross misdemeanor counts of Operating a Disorderly House and 5th Degree Assault, after the unnamed woman told cops she was locked in a small room at the business, and controlled when she could eat and bathe for several days. According to the charges filed Tuesday, officers were called 1:30pm Saturday to the business, responding to a report of a woman screaming. They then were waved down by someone outside a neighboring store, before finding the woman inside. The complaint recalls how she was upset and crying, and spoke to officers through a translation app on her phone. She said the suspect hit her in the head and would not let her drink water, cook food, or turn on the lights, while living in the 'locked... small room every day when there was not any business,' the complaint states. Ying He - the 55-year- old owner of Message Therapy in Willmar, Minnesota - is now facing felony charges as a result, including the soliciting or inducing of someone to commit prostitution The woman - who was subsequently hospitalized - later told police she'd been living at Massage Therapy since sometime after March 3. That's was the day she flew from her native California to Minnesota under the pretense He was going to give her a job, with investigators learning more about her alleged ordeal during an interview at the hospital. 'She stated she worked with an agency in Los Angeles looking for massage work,' the complaint recounts of the sit-down. 'She paid this agency $100 to find work and asked specifically for legitimate massage work and not involving "sex."' The woman then told cops her flight cost $630, and that she was told by her new boss that she would pay half. When she arrived, He - pictured in a Kandiyohi County mug shot - arranged for a taxi to pick her up for the airport, after which she regulated the woman's each and every move. This included eating and bathing, cops wrote - adding that the suspect allegedly instructed her to 'do whatever the customer wanted her to do.' Officials claim this referred to sex acts and sexual intercourse - acts that if the woman refused, she would be met with reprimands and threats. "She was not allowed to leave the business," cops wrote, charging that this was at He's behest. 'She was threatened that if she left, [He] would find her and [He's] boss in L.A. was a lawyer for the courts.' She also faces gross misdemeanor counts of operating a Disorderly House and 5th Degree Assault, after the unnamed woman told cops she was locked in a small room at the business, and controlled when she could eat and bathe for several days Police then eventually returned to the business, to hone in on He. Upon their arrival, He was questioned, and denied hitting the woman or forcing her to live in the room inside the business. Cops went on to ask her to provide a copy of the video footage to investigators, to which she obliged. Upon perusing video footage the interaction, they looked for a particular, alleged incident that the victim had told them about - her being punched twice by He after refusing one of her orders. The alleged strikes caused her to be dizzy and have a headache, she said - adding that the incident was likely captured on one of the business's surveillance cameras. Cops wrote that He allegedly closed out of the video and claimed it was malfunctioning when it got to the part they were interested in, which they went on to view. In the clip in question, He is allegedly shown punching the woman twice in the head as she passes him by, while at another point, a man in his underwear is shown in the hallway. The victim, cops wrote, was struck as she was walking to the room she was forced to stay in. Cops went on to conduct search of the business, eventually confiscating around a dozen items. The evidence included several phones and sex toy whips, as well as several DNA swabs in the parlor's rooms. He was arrested that days, and is charged in Kandiyohi County District Court with one felony count of soliciting an individual to practice prostitution and the two misdemeanors. Unconditional bail was set at $150,000 and her next court appearance was scheduled for March 20. She has updated her social media bio to break her silence twice now A dog owner who was savaged by her Rottweilers has said that she is 'nothing' without them after both were euthanised following the attack. Nikita Piil, 31, almost died when her two dogs, Harlem and Bronx, mauled her at her Success home, in the southern suburbs of Perth, on September 16. Her family later said she was trying to calm the dogs following an incident in the neighbourhood when she unfortunately got caught in the crossfire and was attacked herself. Ms Piil was raced to hospital with severe injuries to her arm, legs and head and has since undergone at least five life-saving operations. During the attack, police were forced to shoot Bronx following failed attempts to distract and Taser the dog. He was later euthanised by vets. About six weeks later, she was asked to surrender Harlem to City of Cockburn's animal management centre so he could be put down. Ms Piil has never spoken publicly about the attack, but has quietly turned her social media bios into tributes for her beloved pets in recent weeks. Nikita Piil (pictured) almost died after she was mauled by her own Rottweilers in Perth Ms Piil (pictured in hospital) almost lost her arm and has undergone at least five life-saving surgeries 'Harlem & Bronx, you made me the proudest Rottweiler Mama on the planet,' Ms Piil wrote in a new update. READ MORE: Aged care worker mauled on the job by client's dog Lynda Watson (pictured), 51, was suddenly set upon by her client's French Mastiff Advertisement 'I am nothing without you.' Ms Piil had previously updated her bio in January to say that she will never stop loving the dogs, breaking her silence since the vicious attack. 'My existence is forever altered, irrevocably changed in your absence, I'm broken. Harlem & Bronx,' she wrote on Facebook. On Instagram, she said: 'No words can aptly capture the torment that engulfs my heart. 'Harlem & Bronx - you made life, worth living. I will never stop loving you.' She included a wilted rose emoji in all three posts. Ms Piil only gave Harlem up to the council because she was given an ultimatum - she could either comply with the state's dangerous dogs requirements or he would be put down. To keep Harlem, she would have had to have kept him in an escape-proof and child-proof enclosure, place 'dangerous dog' signs at property access points, and he would need a leash and muzzle at all times in public areas. On October 25, the council confirmed Harlem had been euthanised humanely. Police were alerted on the day the dogs attacked Ms Piil by neighbours who heard her screams at about 4.45pm and tried to help but found were confronted by a dangerous situation. Nikita Piil quietly updated her Facebook profile (most recent pictured left) Ms Piil also turned her Instagram bio into a tribute to her dogs (pictured) One neighbour, Bryn Spencer, said he and another person tried to intervene but couldn't access Ms Piil's backyard without putting themselves in danger. 'I was hearing 'help, help, please help!',' Mr Spencer told Nine News 'I was contemplating jumping the fence and getting in there to try to rescue her but, obviously, there were two Rottweilers in there. 'I didn't have a knife, I didn't have anything really good to take this dog out. 'I only had a bat. All I could really do was watch this girl get mauled apart while I am smacking the fence.' Another neighbour turned a hose on one of the dogs, momentarily distracting it. 'The dog stopped for a bit and it was looking at me deciding what to do next,' Mr Spencer said. 'I kept screaming at it and smacking the fence and then it decided, 'stuff you' and it got the girl and dragged her behind the back corner.' Ms Piil's oldest dog, Bronx, was shot by police during the attack while her youngest, Harlem, was euthanised (Harlem and Bronx pictured) Nikita Piil (pictured) was attacked on September 16 and both her dogs were put down Mr Piil's family revealed in a GoFundMe post she almost died during her operations. 'The rehabilitation journey ahead will be painful, long and costly,' they said. 'We nearly lost our precious girl a couple of times but as you all know, Nikita is our little fighter.' The City of Cockburn had previously received complaints from neighbours over the Rottweilers' excessive barking, however there were no reported incidents of attacks prior to September 16. Ms Piil loved Rottweilers and was part of multiple breed-specific groups on Facebook prior to the attack. She once described Bronx as her 'whole world - loyal, intelligent and protective'. Australia has unfrozen aid to a United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees after security advice following accusations some staff helped attack Israel. Foreign Minister Penny Wong also announced a further $6million in aid for the Gaza Strip after expressing horror at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave. The foreign minister in January froze funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) after allegations by Israel that some staff were involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas. Foreign Minister Penny Wong also announced a further $6million in aid for the Gaza Strip after expressing horror at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave A small number of the agency's staff were fired following the accusations. The allegations warranted an immediate and appropriate response, Senator Wong said as she defended the decision to freeze aid. 'The Australian government in the face of such allegations has to ensure we go through the process we have to assure Australians we're able to ensure funding goes to the appropriate people and that's what we've done,' she said on Friday. 'The best available current advice from agencies and the Australian government lawyers is that UNRWA is not a terrorist organisation.' Israel wanted the UN agency disbanded and replaced after accusing it of being aligned with Hamas, which is a recognised terrorist organisation by Australia. The decision was slammed by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Australian Jewish Association, who argued there was a risk Australian money would be wasted or used by Hamas. Israel only provided some of the evidence it relied upon to make the accusation UNRWA staff took part in the Hamas attack, in which 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 200 people taken hostage, according to Tel Aviv. That was considered by Australia, the foreign minister said, and the government also took advice from security agencies and government lawyers. 'It's a primary consideration in restoring funding to ensure that Australian funding is used appropriately ... it's also a primary consideration to recognise that we have children and families who are starving,' she said. A Palestinian holds pasta pieces at the site of an Israeli strike on an aid warehouse, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas The disbursement of $6 million to UNRWA will come as Australia finalises a new funding agreement with the agency to include more stringent oversight and assurances, including guarantees staff remain neutral. The safeguards allowed for funding to be resumed but there would be no tolerance for members of terrorist organisations working for UNRWA, Senator Wong said. The move follows the reinstatement of funding by partners such as Canada, Sweden and the European Commission. Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said Australia should have waited until the US had made a decision about funding restoration. 'If UNRWA funding was to be restored, it should have been done at the conclusion of independent analysis and verification works being undertaken by the United Nations,' he said. 'It should be done only in concert with a key partner like the United States, who have the weight and influence to ensure that conditions are applied and verification processes in place.' Palestine's envoy in Australia, Izzat Abdulhadi, welcomed the funding but also called for Australia to press ahead with recognising Palestine as a state after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a two-state solution. Australia will also provide an additional $4 million to UNICEF to provide urgent services, and $2 million for a UN co-ordinator to expand humanitarian access into Gaza. Additionally, a C-17A Globemaster plane will deliver 140 aerial delivery parachutes to help Jordan and the United Arab Emirates airdrop aid into Gaza. The extra funding brings Australia's total commitment of humanitarian aid for Gaza to $52.5 million. More than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the local health ministry, since Israel retaliated against Hamas' attack on October 7. The foreign minister also addressed concerns about Palestinians fleeing Gaza having Australian visas cancelled while they were en route. The vast majority of Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members who wanted to leave the besieged strip had been helped, she said. 'All visa applicants undergo security checks and are subject to ongoing security assessment,' she said. The public is largely opposed to Prince Harry returning to royal duties even on a temporary basis, according to a new poll. The Ipsos poll also revealed that nearly half of Britons think that the Royals are very or fairly divided, with the prince and his wife Meghan being most often blamed for the split. Fieldwork for the poll was carried out from February 29 to March 3, before recent stories about Kate's Mother's Day photograph. When asked if Prince Harry should return to his royal duties, amid the context of King Charles' and The Princess of Wales' absence due to their health, 40 per cent said that they would be opposed to this on a temporary basis, and 39 per cent were opposed to this on a permanent basis. Just 26 per cent supported his return on a temporary basis and 25 per cent supported a permanent return. Poll reveals who people most blame for the divisions within the Royal Family Two in five say they would oppose Prince Harry returning to complete Royal duties on either a temporary or permanent basis The Ipsos poll also revealed that nearly half of Britons think that the Royals are very or fairly divided, with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan for the split being most often blamed And 29 per cent neither supported nor opposed Prince Harry returning to his royal duties on either a temporary or permanent basis. Almost half of Britons (48%) consider the Royals to be very or fairly divided, according to the poll. And 25 per cent said that the royal family is very or fairly united while 18 per cent said they are neither. The 48 per cent of respondents who think the Royal Family is divided were asked who they think is 'most' responsible for the divisions. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex jointly received the most blame of 41 per cent each. Prince Andrew was in third place on 28 per cent. The media was in fourth at 20 per cent. King Charles was in fifth place place with 17 per cent of respondents saying he was most responsible for splits in the Royal Family and his wife the Queen was in sixth place at 14 per cent. Prince William was also thought to be most responsible for royal divisions by 14 per cent. His wife the Princess of Wales was thought to be responsible by nine per cent. Staff within the Royal Household were blamed for divisions by six per cent of respondents and only two percent blamed Prince Edward while one per cent blamed Princess Anne. One per cent blamed Beatrice and her sister Eugenie was not thought to be responsible by any respondents. And 11 per cent thought that everyone listed was equally responsible for divisions within the Royal Family. This comes after a poll this week named the Princess of Wales as the UK's favourite royal, as Harry and Meghan's popularity dropped. The poll - which was also carried out before the publication of the controversial edited Mother's Day photo - found 38 per cent of Brits like Kate Middleton the most. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have plummeted in popularity by three points - with Harry on 11 per cent and Meghan on seven per cent. The results of a poll asking Britons who is most responsible for splits in the Royal Family Two in five think it would be worse for Britain in the future if the monarchy was abolished, compared to a quarter who say it would be better Prince Andrew was the third most blamed for splits in the Royal Family at 28 per cent The poll results come after Sussexes raised an eyebrow last night as they made two announcements that clashed with Prince William's speech at an awards ceremony in honour of his mother Princess Diana. Despite perceptions of divisions, attitudes to the Royal Family as an institution appear largely unchanged, according to the new Ipsos survey. The poll shows that 25 per cent think it would be better for Britain if the Monarchy was abolished. And 41 per cent think Britain would be worse if the Monarchy was abolished and 24 per cent think it would make no difference. These figures that have not moved much since the start of 2023. Ipsos Director of Politics Keiran Pedley said of the findings: 'These numbers make clear how far Prince Harry's popularity has fallen in recent times. Once the most popular Royal, now just one in ten say he is their favourite. 'Meanwhile, whilst Harry and Meghan are most likely to be blamed for Royal divisions, there is significant public hesitancy about Harry returning to Royal duties, even on a temporary basis. Even if a majority are not actively opposed.' Network Ten has argued it would be inappropriate for the judge in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case to make any findings about whether Brittany Higgins lied to secure her $2.4million taxpayer-funded payout. Justice Michael Lee this week emailed parties involved after receiving a submission from Network Ten arguing that allegations Ms Higgins 'committed a fraud on the Commonwealth' were not relevant to the case. Lawyers for Mr Lehrmann had earlier argued Ms Higgins made 11 representations about her alleged rape in her settlement that they claimed were either false or contradicted by evidence she gave in the defamation case. According to newly released court documents, Network Ten submitted 'it would be inappropriate for this Court to make any finding as to the characterisation of Ms Higgins' conduct contended for by Mr Lehrmann'. 'In substance that she was prepared to tell lies, including elaborate lies, in respect of matters that she warranted to be true and correct with the intention of inducing the Commonwealth of Australia to enter into the Deed which provided for the payment of a life changing settlement sum.' Brittany Higgins won't be recalled to give evidence in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial about whether she lied to secure a nearly $2.5miilion government payout Network Ten argued in its submission that Ms Higgins had addressed the allegations by Mr Lehrmann's lawyers. 'Ms Higgins' position in relation to the alleged inconsistencies was, with one exception, sufficiently clear from the evidence she gave in cross-examination.' In his email, Justice Lee said Network Ten appeared to be suggesting it would be against procedural fairness to make a decision on the allegations in order to determine Ms Higgins' 'general credit'. He said recalling Ms Higgins to give further evidence about the inconsistencies was unnecessary but also warned that nothing in his email indicated 'a view, one way or another, as to the underlying merit of any credit submission based on the commonwealth deed'. Ms Higgins was paid $2.445m by the government in the settlement after a single day of mediation. The inconsistencies include that Mr Lehrmann got into Ms Higgins' taxi on the night of the alleged rape without her agreement. She testified she had agreed. They also include that he told the cab to stop at Parliament House without getting her agreement but she later gave evidence she 'just went along with it'. Lawyers for Mr Lehrmann argued that there were 11 inconsistencies between what Ms Higgins said to secure her payout and the evidence she gave in the case Also that he directed her to get out of the cab when she testified 'I don't know why, but when it stopped I got out too'. And that they did not speak on the following Monday when they actually did exchange emails and go for coffee. The settlement deed also stated Ms Higgins was barred from attending election campaign events with her then boss Senator Linda Reynolds but she had been photographed seated next to her at one. Ms Higgins said in cross examination when she arrived to that event she was 'accidentally' seated next to Senator Reynolds because it was one of the only seats left. Ms Higgins, 29, and her partner David Sharaz recently moved to the village of Lunas in France where they intend to settle into a newfound anonymity 17,000km from their former home in Australia. They purchased a home which has a gazebo and large pool for entertaining and is worth an estimated $600,000 - with the village apparently abuzz with talk about 'the Australians', according to the local mayor. Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz are pictured as they picked up their pets from quarantine at the airport after relocating to their new home in December The pair were forced to return to Australia from their new life overseas because of a separate case in which Ms Higgins' former boss Senator Linda Reynolds is suing over social media posts she claims defamed her. Despite the pair travelling the long distance to face her in person, the outgoing politician reportedly chose to sit in a separate room during the mediation talks. Both sides were locked away from about 10am until almost 7pm - not even leaving the building for lunch, which was instead brought up to them. By the time the parties finally emerged in the evening, the building had long been closed and security staff had vacated. Ms Higgins smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the media as she had arrived that morning at WA Supreme Court but there were reports she was admitted at Royal Perth Hospital that night. 'I had been confidentially made aware of this very unfortunate development and am very concerned for Ms Higgins' well-being,' Senator Reynolds told WA media. 'Legal negotiations are unfortunately sometimes difficult and testing for all participants and yesterday was a tiring and difficult day for all of us.' Voting for Russia's presidential elections was disrupted today in the border region Belgorod amid new shelling and incursions of anti-Kremlin Russian groups from Ukraine that forced 'thousands' of people to evacuate. Polling was suspended in Belgorod city after it came under artillery fire, with clips circulated by Russian news channels on the Telegram messaging app showing trucks and cars blown to pieces by the shelling. Election officials were seen wearing bulletproof gear as they monitored voting on the first day of a three-day election expected to return Putin by a landslide. Meanwhile, footage appears to show anti-Putin pro-Ukrainian partisan paramilitary forces active in Kozinka border village, on Russian soil. The rebel forces appeared to have taken prisoners, as two men are seen blindfolded and being marched away. Partisan forces claimed 'more than 7,000 civilian vehicles of residents of Belgorod and the Belgorod region' heeded their call to evacuate. It comes a day after the Freedom of Russia Legion, a group comprised primarily of Russian citizens opposed to Vladimir Putin fighting on the side of Ukraine, appealed to the governors of the territories to issue evacuation orders to reduce the number of civilian casualties. Polling was suspended in Belgorod city after it came under artillery fire, with clips circulated by Russian news channels on the Telegram messaging app showing trucks and cars blown to pieces by the shelling A car is seen on fire following strikes in Belgorod Suspected Russian partisan fighters in Belgorod region on Russia's border with Ukraine Election commission officials donned body armour this morning as attacks on Belgorod unfold Buildings in Belgorod are seen on fire following shelling Suspected Russian partisan fighters in Belgorod region on Russia's border with Ukraine There was reported to be 'panic' in the city of Grayvoron as people evacuated en-masse, according to the partisan Siberian Battalion. Russian state media also admitted an evacuation. 'People keep leaving [Belgorod region],' said a report by state controlled RT. 'This is a queue at the petrol station. More cars are coming. All these people are from Grayvoron.' Meanwhile in border region Kursk, 'more than 600 civilian vehicles used the evacuation corridor'. Three anti-Putin partisan groups claim to be active in the Belgorod and Kursk border areas - the Russian Freedom Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion. Pro-Putin governor of Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov admitted the evacuation of civilians was underway but denied Ukrainian forces were on Russian territory. 'I can say there are no Ukrainian troops on the territory of the region, the battle is taking place outside its borders,' he claimed despite video evidence to the contrary. 'But our Kozinka suffered greatly, the destruction was very serious.' He claimed to have visited Kozinka and to have organised the evacuation of residents due to the cross-border attacks. 'Along with the territorial self-defence fighters and the priest, we took the residents to a safe place and, if desired, will send them to their relatives or to a temporary detention centre,' said Gladkov. He also admitted that villages Gora-Podol, Glotovo and Gruzskoye were under siege. The Freedom of Russia legion yesterday said it would carry out strikes along with the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion. 'We call on the authorised persons of these regions, primarily the Governor of the Kursk Region Roman Starovoit and the Governor of the Belgorod Region Vyacheslav Gladkov, to immediately announce an evacuation from the entire territory of the above-mentioned regions and evacuate civilians without delay. 'Civilians should not suffer from the war, and any casualties during the fighting will be on the conscience of Starovoit and Gladkov. 'The operation to liberate the Kursk and Belgorod regions will continue until all goals are achieved. Victory will be ours!' it concluded. Earlier this week, Russian reports claimed their troops repelled a pair of cross-border attacks, with the Russian Defence Ministry declaring 195 Ukrainian soldiers and five tanks were eliminated, two days after saying Russian forces had killed 234 Ukrainian troops in another border assault. But these figures could not be verified, and it was unclear whether these cross-border attacks were launched by Ukraine's armed forces or Russian rebel groups. Specialists of various services work by a damaged shopping centre following an air attack on Belgorod This handout photograph published on the official Telegram account of Belgorod mayor Valentin Demidov, on March 12, 2024, shows the damaged Belgorod city hall hit by a drone attack Voting in Putin's election disrupted as new attacks hit border region and people flee villages close to the frontier. Employees of an election commission wear bulletproof vests Service members with the Freedom of Russia Legion under the Ukrainian Army prepare to fire a mortar at a Russian military position Russian partisans from to so-called Freedom Legion and Siberian Battalion make incursions inside the border from Ukraine in this footage shared on their Telegram channels The Freedom of Russia Legion is a group comprised primarily of Russian citizens opposed to Vladimir Putin fighting on the side of Ukraine Governor of Belgorod Region Vyacheslav Gladkov (L) visits the scene of an incident, what local authorities called a Ukrainian missile attack, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Belgorod, Russia Both Belgorod and Kursk, sitting East of Ukraine's Kharkiv and Sumy regions, have for months suffered intermittent missile and drone attacks by Ukraine's armed forces. Their location along the Ukrainian border means they are prime targets for Kyiv's forces seeking to destroy factories, sabotage supply lines and hit troops far behind enemy lines. Belgorod in particular was subjected to a spate of Ukrainian air attacks this week, which according to reports resulted in at least two civilian deaths. Governor Gladkov declared in a series of extensive Telegram posts today that Ukraine's armed forces were continuing to strike, but issued no evacuation order. Instead he told citizens to stay in place, stay away from windows and avoid using transport. 'I understand that it is impossible to completely eliminate movement in transport, but please be careful. If there is even the slightest opportunity, then postpone this trip for one or two days. 'Everything that is necessary is being done by our Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the Federal Security Service, the Border Service, and the Russian Guard... I am sure that victory is ahead. Kursk governor Stavropoit meanwhile wrote: 'Ukrainian terrorists do not give up their attempts to enter our territory... But the soldiers of the Border Service of the FSB of Russia and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation did not and will not allow them to do this. 'In a real battle, the enemy fails, but in an information war, each of us must fight back.' A view of the site after Ukrainian shelling that damaged buildings and vehicles in Belgorod, Russia on March 14, 2024 Smoke rises due to fire at an industrial plant after Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod Local residents and self-defence unit volunteers participate in an evacuation drill during a simulated emergency over a Ukrainian shelling, in Belgorod, the main city of Russia's southwestern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, on February 28, 2024 A view shows what Russian Defence Ministry says is a destroyed tank of Ukraine-based armed groups after an attempted incursion into Russian territory Officials gather around the damaged buildings and cars after a Ukrainian shelling, which killed at least 6 and injured 17 according to Russia's statements in the region of Belgorod, Russia on February 15, 2024 The Ukrainian assaults on Russian territory in recent days, including long-range drone attacks and the alleged incursions by Ukraine-based Russian proxies, have come as Putin heads for near-certain reelection. Putin has sought to persuade Russians to keep him in power against a backdrop of what he says are foreign threats to the country and as the Ukraine war stretches into its third year. Since coming to power almost 25 years ago, Putin has eliminated nearly all independent media and opposition voices in Russia, particularly after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Analysts say the Kremlin is worried about low turnout during the three days of voting and needs Russians to participate to give legitimacy to Putin, who is almost certain to win another six-year term. Sam Greene, with the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington, called Russia's election 'a sham'. 'The Kremlin controls who's on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign... To say nothing of being able to control every aspect of the voting and the vote counting process.' Russia's exiled opposition figures are calling on Russians to protest against the election by gathering at polling stations at noon on Sunday in a signal that they don't support Putin. The event has been dubbed 'Noon against Putin' and is being supported by Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader who died in a remote Arctic penal colony last month - though it is widely believed he was assassinated at the behest of the Kremlin. A man was killed after falling from a large Buddha statue and being impaled on another following a meth-fuelled rampage inside a temple, according to reports. The 49-year-old man assaulted a monk and smashed holy statues at the site at the end of February. The man, named as Ek, allegedly took drugs with the monk before attacking him with a fluorescent tube. He then locked all the doors and windows of the main hall and started smashing up religious statues. Police on the scene were concerned that he may be armed and initially waited outside the temple doors. The man plummeted onto the sharp end of a smaller Buddha statue situated below it, killing him at the scene. Pictured: A smashed up statue in the Temple They tried to get him to surrender before the sound of destruction inside the temple fell eerily silent. Officers then forced their way into the main hall and found the man lying in a pool of blood. A Buddha statue had pierced his chest and lungs at the temple in Chon Buri Province, Thailand. Following a preliminary investigation, it was revealed that he climbed up the large Buddha statue in the temple but apparently fell while trying to vandalise it. The man then plummeted on the sharp end of the smaller Buddha statue situated below it, killing him at the scene. Police forced their way into the main hall and saw the man lying in a pool of blood According to local reports, the assaulted monk, named Best, admitted to the police that he had taken meth with Ek earlier that day. Apparently, under the influence, Ek hit the monk before running into the temple. Best has since left the monkhood for his misconduct. Chilling never-before-seen footage from a nanny cam has revealed the moment a battered husband cowered on the floor while his wife hurled abuse at him and brandished a knife in their home during her 20-year reign of terror. Damning videos of Sheree Spencer's attacks on husband Richard at their seven-bedroom home in Bubwith, East Yorkshire, were captured on cameras the couple had installed to monitor their children. And explosive clips from police interviews show Sheree casually lying about her husband being the abuser, only for her face to turn ashen when confronted with the footage. On one occasion she defecated on the floor and forced him to clean it up, and on another she beat him with a wine bottle so hard it permanently disfigured his ear. Sheree, 45, was jailed for four years at Hull Crown Court in March last year by Judge Kate Rayfield, who told her: 'This is the worst case of controlling and coercive behaviour I have seen.' Now, Mr Spencer is sharing his story in vivid detail in Channel 5 documentary My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage, which airs on Monday. And today, MailOnline can reveal Sheree went to desperate lengths through the courts in a bid to stop the documentary being broadcast. Damning clips of Sheree Spencer's attacks on husband Richard at their seven-bedroom home in Bubwith, East Yorkshire, were captured on cameras the couple installed to monitor their children The hidden nanny cam gave a vital way out for battered husband Mr Spencer after he endured years of physical and verbal abuse from his wife, that sometimes left him 'broken' in a foetal position Sheree's reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker The couple met in 2000 in a nightclub and married in Thailand in 2009 before having three daughters Sheree's reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker Footage showed furious wine-fuelled tirades, in which Sheree would call her husband 'fat boy,' 'a pussy' and 'dumb dumb' and inflict bruises and scratches The footage, obtained from the nanny-cam, gives a chilling real-life echo of Harlan Coben's Netflix adaptation Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan. In it, Keegan plays a woman who installs the small camera to keep watch over her young daughter, only to recognise an eerie figure from her past creeping into her home. Mr Spencer felt his harrowing experiences should be seen to raise awareness of the type of abuse men can suffer in their daily lives at the hands of violent partners but Sheree tried to block it. He told MailOnline: 'Sheree tried to stop the documentary being broadcast in the crown court but failed, then she applied for a prohibited steps order through the family court, which luckily was rejected and thrown out at the first hearing. 'The broadcast has been delayed due to the legal challenges for about six months, but now it is finally going to be shown. 'I'm hopeful that the film will be well received and will make a difference.' The hidden nanny cam gave a vital way out for battered husband Mr Spencer after he endured years of physical and verbal abuse from his wife, that left him 'broken' on the floor in a foetal position. Mr Spencer had met his wife in a nightclub in 2000, and the pair married on a Thai beach in 2009. After they welcomed the eldest of their three daughters in 2015, Mr Spencer installed the nanny cam so they could keep watch over her. Instead, footage showed furious wine-fuelled tirades, in which Sheree would call her husband 'fat boy,' 'a p**sy' and 'dumb dumb' and inflict bruises and scratches that he would need to cover with make-up before going outside. Mr Spencer told The Sun: 'We had two [cameras] one in the playroom and one in the bedroom. They were there for reassurance, to keep an eye out because it's a big house. 'It was on something like a 28-day roll, where if something new came in it would delete the old footage.' When police finally became involved, Mr Spencer handed over 43 images of his bruised face, taken on different dates following savage assaults he had suffered. Equally explosive clips from police interviews show Sheree casually lying about her husband being the abuser, only for her face to turn ashen when confronted with the clips Mr Spencer, now happily settled with a new partner, decided to take part in the Channel 5 documentary to help other abused men speak out Mr Spencer handed police 36 photographs he took of himself, showing cuts and bruises to his face and body Sheree Spencer, 45, was jailed for four years for making her husband Richard's life a living hell with daily beatings and verbal attacks that left him cowering on the floor in the foetal position Richard Spencer secretly recorded video and audio of his wife's attacks on him for years. When police became involved he handed over 43 images of his bruised face and body A police officer tells the documentary: 'This has been going on for such a long time, that this is who he is. Withdrawn and broken.' Mr Spencer says: 'I just wanted the abuse to stop. I was in a situation and there was no way out.' Hull Crown Court heard that mother-of-three Sheree had carried out most of the attacks on her husband in the family home. Sheree worked at the highest levels for HM Prison and Probation Service and bragged to friends that she had the ear of former prime minister Boris Johnson. She was a project manager in the department's directorate of strategy and performance. A former friend said: 'She would brag about being only two down from the prime minister in her field and had meetings with Boris Johnson, who she spoke of as though he were a friend. 'She was bragging about her high flying career while subjecting her poor husband, a lovely man, to daily abuse, degradation and humiliation.' It was described as 'a great irony' that Spencer had done so much work aimed at investigating the effect of custodial sentences on the family. Within months of becoming a couple in 2000, Richard endured her violent rages, which happened whether she was drunk or sober. The worst of the assaults on him happened in April 2021 when his wife attacked him with the empty wine bottle. Mr Spencer, who stands at 5ft 10in, told the court that although he was bigger and physically stronger than his petite wife, he did not fight back when she began to attack him. He said he became almost immune to the physical abuse she meted out, even though she would cause him immense pain by sinking her teeth into him. But he said the mental scars left by 16 years of her hate-filled attacks were what would leave the most lasting effect. Sheree's reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker. Her arrest that day on suspicion of assaulting her husband opened a door into the hell he had kept private for his entire married life. Mr Spencer said: 'In trying to block the footage being shown, she continued trying to exert control even from jail, but fortunately justice prevailed. 'Its astonishing to me that shes living a relatively easy life in prison, having been moved to an open jail after six months of her sentence. 'The judge in her case described it as the worst case of coercive control she had ever seen, so why she was considered for open prison so early is beyond me. 'She is due for release next February but she is able to go out for family and friend meetings and has been working in a cafe. Spencer worked at the highest levels for HM Prison and Probation Service and bragged to friends that she had the ear of former prime minister Boris Johnson Hull Crown Court heard Spencer was a mother of three young children and that many of the attacks on her husband had occurred in the family home The court heard that Spencer beat him with the bottle all over his head and body and caused a serious injury to his ear, which swelled dramatically 'It doesnt seem a just sentence for someone who committed such serious offences. Since his ex-wife's imprisonment, Mr Spencer has joined a campaign called ManKind Initiative, which supports male victims of domestic abuse. He has also found love again and told media he is happily settled with his new partner. Speaking to media after Sheree was jailed last year, he said: 'I have become resigned to the fact that I will never fully recover from her abuse and that it will have a permanent damaging impact on mine and my family's life. 'Sheree's abuse towards me evolved and escalated over time, she used repeated acts of physical assault, threats, verbal abuse, and humiliation to punish and exercise control over me. 'The abuse was hidden from the outside world, including friends and family. Sheree manipulated me into believing that I was a responsible and willing participant in the abuse. She remorselessly proclaimed that I deserved to be punished, and that it was a justifiable consequence of me disappointing her in some way. 'Little by little, I lost my independence and willpower and just accepted that was how my life was going to be. I complied with Sheree's demands, and she controlled most aspects of my everyday life, including things like what activities I could participate in and when, which room I could sleep in, and even which toilet I could use. 'Gradually I became isolated from family and friends and was left deep in debt causing me to feel trapped. 'After a while, I learnt to cover my face with my hands and curl up into a foetal position to try and avoid sustaining any visible facial injuries, so that I could still take the children to school and nursery.' My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage, Channel 5 Monday 18 March at 10pm Hamas has presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the U.S. which would see the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences. The group said the initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly, and ill hostages in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, according to the proposal. The release of Israeli 'female recruits' is included. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Thursday a new Gaza truce proposal presented by Hamas to mediators was still based on 'unrealistic demands.' His office said an update on the issue will be presented to the war cabinet and extended security cabinet on Friday. Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like as a deepening humanitarian crisis has one quarter of the population in the battered Gaza Strip facing famine. A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest calling for the release of hostages kidnapped, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 14, 2024 Demonstrators hold placards during a protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants, in Tel Aviv on March 14, 2024 Hamas said ceasefire negotiations had faltered over the past few weeks due to Netanyahu's rejection of its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from the strip, the return of the displaced in the south of the enclave to the centre and the north, and stepping up aid without restrictions. In February, Hamas received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris which included a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one - a similar ratio to the new ceasefire proposal. Israel also rejected that draft proposal, citing its long-held goal of not ending the war until it destroyed Hamas. Hamas insists an agreement should end the war. According to the latest proposal, Hamas said a date for a permanent ceasefire would be agreed upon after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners as well as a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group said all detainees from both sides would be released in a second stage of the plan. Egypt is also seeking to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, increase entry of aid, and allow for the displaced in the south of the enclave to move to the north, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Friday. Sisi, speaking in a recorded message, also warned against the danger of an Israeli incursion into the border city of Rafah. Meanwhile, Australia said it would resume funding to the United Nations' main Palestinian relief agency on Friday, almost two months after pausing ties over allegations that some of the agency's employees participated in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Australia had consulted with UNRWA and other donors and was satisfied the aid agency was not a terror organisation, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. New and additional safeguards would protect aid money, and A$6 million ($3.9 million) in paused funding would be released immediately, she said. 'We have children and families that are starving and we have a capacity along with the international community to assist them,' Wong said at a news conference. 'We know that UNRWA is central and vital to delivering that assistance.' Australia along with more than a dozen countries, suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in January after Israel accused 12 of the agency's 13,000 employees in Gaza of participating in the deadly October 7 Hamas attack. A displaced Palestinian man along with his belongings sits on a donkeycart amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment, west of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip on March 14 Children wait with empty pots as Turkish NGO IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation workers distribute food on the 4th day of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza on March 14, 2024 The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7 that left 1,200 people dead and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's air, sea and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 31,000 people and wounded over 71,500, according to Gaza health authorities. The conflict has spread to other parts of the volatile Middle East. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah has frequently exchanged fire with Israel along the border. Pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq have attacked U.S. forces in the country and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked shipping lanes in and around the Red Sea to show their solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. Late on Thursday, Hamas said it presented to mediators a comprehensive vision of a truce based on stopping what it calls Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing relief and aid, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. With the war now in its sixth month, the U.N. has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access for aid. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Friday filed a complaint with the anti-corruption investigative body against President Yoon Suk Yeol and the foreign and justice ministers in connection with the controversial departure of the new top envoy to Australia. Rep. Park Ju-min, the DPK's senior vice floor leader, submitted the complaint against Yoon, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, party officials said. The DPK accused them of letting Lee Jong-sup, the new ambassador to Canberra, leave the country to take up his top envoy post in Australia despite Lee being a subject in an ongoing investigation into the death of a Marine. The party claims that Lee's appointment amounts to helping a suspect flee overseas. Lee, a former defense minister, is suspected of exerting undue influence in the Marines' internal probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died last July during a search mission amid heavy rains. "Naming an ambassador means appointing a public official who will engage in diplomatic affairs on behalf of the Republic of Korea," the DPK said. "Appointing a key suspect as ambassador and giving him the grounds to leave the country goes against the purpose of giving him that authority." Earlier in the week, the DPK submitted a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into the presidential office, and the foreign and justice ministries over Lee's departure. The DPK has vowed to seek the impeachment of the two ministers to hold them responsible for Lee's exit. The presidential office made it clear Thursday it has no plans to withdraw Lee's appointment. Lee left the country Sunday to take office as ambassador, two days after an exit ban on him was lifted. (Yonhap) Two brothers have become a global sensation and are even rivalling TikTok star Spud Man with their jacket potatoes as they cash in on the latest craze. Jacob, 28, and Harley Nelson, 21, are known as the Spud Brothers. Customers queue for hours to get their jackets from their tram in Preston Flag Market. After going viral on TikTok, people have travelled from Australia, Turkey, Spain, Germany and Amsterdam to Lancashire to try their potatoes. The success comes amid a new craze among Gen-Zers, seemingly fuelled by social media, for jacket potatoes. Rival vendor, Ben Newman, 39, known as 'Spud Man', became a household name on TikTok in recent months, with tens of millions of hits online and a fanbase extending from Malaysia to Hawaii. But now Jacob and Harely, whose username is @TheSpudBrothers, are seeing similar success and they often have to turn customers away due to the high demand. Jacob said: 'We open at 11.30am and we always have around 30 people in the queue waiting for us to open. Jacob, 28, and Harley Nelson, 21, aka TheSpudBrothers have become a global sensation for their baked potatoes The brothers started appealing to students on TikTok and were shocked at how many followers they got People queue for hours in Preston just to try the brothers' jacket potatoes Ben Newman, aka Spud Man, has also seen surprising success from serving the humble jacket potato 'Then it's constant to 3pm so we have to turn people away because the jacket potatoes take around two hours to cook. 'We hate doing it and disappointing people, but we have to do it. 'We don't even know how many potatoes we can serve in a day, which is bizarre, because it's constantly busy from open to close. 'We've had people come from Germany, Amsterdam, Turkey, Spain and Australia come to visit. 'We love the support and we are so grateful for people trying our little potato van in Preston so we always try and make it special for them. 'We try and serve food and also give people that customer interaction.' The brothers have managed to get millions of views posting themselves serving jackets The brothers often have to turn people away because demand is so high Spud Brothers Jacob and Harley took over their TikTok account from their dad, Anthony, 57, who managed to get a whopping 60,000 followers. But Jacob quit his job as a sales manager to work at the company full time and now they have almost reached a million followers. The sibling duo decided to start posting on TikTok to market themselves to the thousands of students that live in Preston. Instead of highly-edited videos, they decided to want to bring 'a lot of northern humour' to their content. Jacob said: 'There's a lot of students in Preston and we just used to see them walking past the tram, going to McDonalds or Greggs. 'My dad started the TikTok and struggled with it - even though he did get us up to around 60,000 followers. 'But then me and Harley decided to take it up to the next level so we did a lot of research and decided we wanted to bring a lot of northern humour to it. 'We wanted banter and for it to be more raw and natural, so a lot of the videos that we do is just raw footage. 'It might be slightly edited but what you see, is what you get and a lot of people in the north west get it.' Jacob said they didn't think they would have as many followers as they do now. But within months, they had hundreds of thousands of people following them. He added: 'We are nearly at a million now and I never would have thought we would have got to this stage, just based on the humble jacket potato. They've now added 'Harley's Tram Chilli' as an option and are trying new butters A picture of the Spud Brothers' jacket potato with beans 'We've got one video that's got 20million views. It's just of me doing a pov, doing what we do, serving the spuds.' The business was founded in 1955 by Ernie Rhodes, who then passed it on to his nephew Keith Roberts in 1978. Exactly 30 years later, Keith passed the company to his son, who was also called Keith, but he passed away in 2020. Harley and Jacob's dad took over the business, and the two brothers have served jacket potatoes five days a week ever since. Now punters flock to pick up baked potato meals with a variety of toppings, which sell for around 5 a pop. Jacob added: 'I actually worked with Keith and it was my first ever Saturday job 14 years ago. 'It was always a good business that did well and had a good reputation in Preston. 'Nobody in his family wanted to take it on so he spoke to my dad about it because they were good friends and I used to work there. 'We just decided to buy the business and made a go of it to keep the legacy going. It's just insane.' The sibling duo serve all types of classic spud toppings including cheese and beans, tuna and coleslaw. They've now added 'Harley's Tram Chilli' as an option, which Jacob says has also gone viral on the social media platform. Jacob said: 'We're now trying to really focus on the food and make the best jacket potatoes. 'There's a TikToker called @Mr.Munchbox who went all around the UK to try all the jacket potato places and he ranked us number one. 'We're now trying out different butters. So we've got a garlic one, a chilli butter and we're looking at a lemon and pepper butter. 'We're also looking at spicy beans and homemade chilli con carne which has gone viral on TikTok as well. 'We call it 'Harley's Tram Chilli and everyone is going mad for it.' A lot of British staples such as crumble and baked beans on toast have become highly sought after thanks to influencers online. The latest humble dish to go viral in recent months is the jacket potato, with millennials taking over the internet in their droves to lap up content about one of Britain's oldest and easiest-to-prepare snacks. Ben Newman is known as the Spud Man and has an army of fans online Mr Newman, 39, said he is under 'no illusion' they are currently experiencing a huge wave of hype for jacket potatoes Thanks to the power of TikTok, and the recent booming fascination with the classic British dish, the 'Spud Man' has been selling as many as 1,450 spuds a day. Mr Newman, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, told MailOnline: 'Retail has changed. There isn't the passing trade in town. You can't just rely on footfall of people and word of mouth anymore. 'January is normally a hard time for a lot of market traders and shops in town. 'But the amount of people that are just in Tamworth on a Saturday and throughout the week, like everyone is having a really good January off the back of this.' He added: 'We had customers today from Malaysia. They landed in Gatwick this morning and drove straight up. 'They came to England to get a jacket potato. I asked them "Have you got holiday plans?", and they were like "No, we came to England to come and see you".' Brittany Miller sent TikTok into pandemonium with her jacket potatoes and cheese cauliflower dish, amassing over 7.9million views People flocked to the comment section begging her to teach them how to make the cauliflower cheese - one person mistook the spuds for a 'brioche bun' Ben has also leveraged the recent social media frenzy to benefit other jacket potato vendors across the UK, with many experiencing non-stop trade after his social media videos. However, the content creator, who skyrocketed from 350,000 to 1.9million followers on TikTok in October, is under 'no illusion' they are currently experiencing a huge wave of hype. 'They're not coming just for jacket but are they're coming to meet a TikToker. They're coming to show support and see what it's all about. 'We're a social media business that sells potatoes. Social media is just as big a thing as the actual business now.' TikTok influencer Brittany Miller, who has a following of over 1.9million, stunned followers with her jacket potato and cauliflower cheese recipe. In a video with over 7.9million views, she said: 'I always mash the potato into the butter because I want all the potato to be drenched in butter.' While many were begging for the cauliflower cheese recipe, others unfamiliar with jacket potatoes were left stunned. 'Girl I thought that was a brioche bun at first,' one quipped, while another questioned: 'Is a jacket potato the same thing as baked potato?' An Indian schoolgirl who shot to fame after starring in an Oscar-winning documentary has told how her 'Cinderella fairytale' was over 'in no time' and she was plunged back into a life 'full of pain, trauma and poverty'. At five years old, Pinki Sonkar captured the hearts of the world when she starred in Smile Pinki, which told the story of the cruel abuse and taunts she suffered for having a cleft lip before she received life-changing surgery. She went on to walk the red carpet alongside Hollywood A-listers at the 81st Academy Awards when the acclaimed film won an Oscar in 2009, a time she describes as 'the best moments of my life'. Her newfound stardom saw her invited to do the coin toss at the Wimbledon Men's Singles Finals in 2013, kicking off what was to be Andy Murray's historic win over Novak Djokovic. But that brief taste of happiness was ripped away from her shortly after, Pinki has now revealed, and she is back living in her childhood village, where her circumstances remain tough. She says 'nothing has changed', and laments that 'her life is a story of full of false promises, poverty, hardships and short-lived fame'. Pinki Sonkar (pictured as a child) is back living in her childhood village, which is in one of India's poorest areas Smile Pinki told the story of the cruel abuse and taunts the little girl suffered for having a cleft lip - before she received life-changing surgery Pinki shot to fame after starring in Oscar-winning documentary Smile Pinki (Pictured at a press conference for the 2009 Oscars with the doctor who performed her surgery and her father) Pinki's newfound stardom saw her invited to do the coin toss at the Wimbledon Men's Singles Finals in 2013 Pinki (left), along with 30 other residents living in her village, were told they needed to leave their homes and served with demolition notices last year While she came back with her prized golden statuette, Pinki says not much of the sparkle of Hollywood remained in her life when she got back to India Now aged 21 and in her final year of high school, Pinki spends most of her time studying or doing domestic work, helping to support her family. They live in the Mirzapur district, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the poorest areas of India. Pinki has three sisters and two brothers, with the family continuing to battle financial woes despite her celebrity. The family's house has just two rooms and no running water, no bathroom and no front door, The Telegraph reports, and is regularly struck by power outages. 'The villagers have to walk nearly half a kilometre to the well to fetch water for our daily use,' she said. The tough young woman previously worked in the fields, but says her brothers and father now carry out that work while she carries out domestic tasks 'like countless other Indian girls'. She still watches the Oscars every year, she says, in an effort to recapture the fleeting joy she felt attending the star-studded event and spending time in Los Angeles. She described her experience as being 'like a fairytale in real life,' recounting catching flights, wearing expensive clothes, staying in luxury hotels, mixing with the glitterati and enjoying food that she and her father 'could not even imagine'. Pinki Sonkar flashes her famous smile at Doctor Subodh Kumar Singh (right), who operated on her cleft palate, as her father Rajendera Sonker looks on (left) 'It was like the story of Cinderella, the bedtime story for kids,' Pinki told News18. 'I make sure that I watch the Oscar awards every year, as it's the only way to relive the moments, which I once lived. 'But, in no time, the fairytale ended and I was back to my real life, which is full of pain, trauma and poverty.' The struggles began for Pinki at birth, being born with a cleft palate, a condition that left her 'socially ostracised'. 'I remember being treated as an outcast by my schoolmates. My relatives didn't want me around and used to consider me 'inauspicious',' she said. Pinki Sonkar (pictured) with Andy Murray at the beginning of the Wimbledon final in 2013 Pinki Sonkar was just five-years-old when she starred in the 2008 American documentary film 'Smile Pinki' (Pictured here at Wimbledon in 2013) Pinki's life was turned around when, by chance, she was spotted, by NGO Smile Train India. They got her to a plastic surgeon in Varanasi, who performed her surgery for free, and the student still credits the charity with 'freeing her' from the trauma she experienced as a young girl. Cleft palates occur when babies' lips or the roofs of their mouth do not join together, which can make it difficult to eat, and the birth defect affects tens of thousands of children in India. Pinki's journey was documented by American filmmaker Megan Mylan, who came across the little girl and her father after discovering the sheer scale of the problem, with thousands of children being treated at just one hospital. Pinki Sonkar being carried by her father during a picture with the then-Indian Prime Minister's wife Gurcharan Singh Kaur Smile Train regional director Mamta Carroll recalls Pinki being a 'shy, unsure, thin girl' when she met her for the first time, before her life was transformed by the surgery and support from the charity. Carroll, who Pinki credits with helping her to stay in education, said the young woman 'is today full of beans, a bright, confident young girl.' The youngster got incredible opportunities after Smile Pinki catapulted her to global fame, travelling to the US as a special guest of Mylan's at the Oscars. However, while she came back with her prized golden statuette, Pinki says not much of the sparkle of Hollywood remained in her life when she got back to India. Pinki's journey was documented by American filmmaker Megan Mylan, who came across the little girl before she received treatment for her cleft lip 'After returning from America, life became the same again. I restarted selling seasonal fruits to meet expenses of my family,' she said. But while she was able to continue her studies, financial constraints mean she holds out little hope for being able to pursue her dream of higher education. 'I'm studying commerce, but as for my future plans, I don't have any,' she told The Telegraph. 'With two brothers and three sisters, life is busy.' On top of the family's money worries, last year they were threatened with eviction as officials investigated whether the land their house was on belonged to them. Pinki, along with 30 other people living in her village, were served with demolition notices. Pinki walked the red carpet alongside Hollywood A-listers at the 81st Academy Awards when the acclaimed film won an Oscar in 2009, a time she describes as 'the best moments of my life' The strong-willed 20-something spoke out, asking 'why was this house given to me by the local administration years ago when I returned from the US?' and calling for 'relief and justice' for her and the other villagers. Despite the hardship she still faces, Pinki is determined to improve the lives of those around her, who she describes as 'unfortunates like [myself]'. She is currently setting up a library in her home with donated books and is committed to pulling herself, and her village out of poverty. After all that she's been through, Pinki remains certain that a brighter future lies ahead, smiling as she told reporters: 'The day will come when I will beat poverty and emerge victorious.' Britain's HMS Prince of Wales has been pictured leading a NATO fleet as the military alliance carries out its largest joint drill in decades. The Royal Navy aircraft carrier, which cost 3.5bn to build, led 14 vessels in formation through an exercise in the North Sea as part of the Nordic Response 24 drill, set on training the alliance's ability to reinforce Europe's northern frontiers. The 65,000-ton ship was seen on Wednesday flanked by the American destroyer USS Paul Ignatius, and Spain's ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon frigate as Swedish and Finnish fighters flew overhead. Operating around the icy fjords of Norway through Friday, the carrier strike group will practice defensive manoeuvres and amphibious landings to 'recapture allied territory'. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is part of the broader Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War, bringing together more than 90,000 troops from all 32 countries to train in unison as war edges ever closer to Europe amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy leads fifteen ship formation as jets fly past at sea for Exercise Nordic Response 24 HMS Prince of Wales leads the fifteen ship formation on March 13 2024 through exercises continuing through Friday Pictured behind the Prince of Wales were Britain's HMS Portland, Germany's HNLMS Karel Doorman, Norway's HNoMS Magnus Lagabte, Britain's RFA Tidespring, HNoMS Olav Tyrggvason, Italy's carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, and the French frigate FS Normandie. Behind them were pictured RFA Mounts Bay, Norway's frigate HNoMS Otto Sverdrup, HNoMS Gnist, Norway's Kv Bjornoya and German replenishment ship FGS Bonn. Aircraft participating in the flypast were six Finnish F18 and two Swedish JAS-39. Exercises on land, by sea and in the air will take place along Norway's Arctic coast through until Friday, involving more than 20,000 troops, more than 50 frigates, submarines and other vessels, and some 110 fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft. Norway's armed forces said most of the activity took place between March 3 and March 14, starting from Bjerkvik and inner Troms, and extending northeast to Alta and central Finnmark. 'Throughout the winter, there has also been widespread allied military presence in Northern Norway, with training, preparations, and various allied exercise activities. 'This has been done to ensure that allied forces are as well-prepared as possible to train in Nordic winter conditions.' Steadfast Defender, more broadly, will involve as many as 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO Allies, joining American forces with European militaries in Europe between January and May 2024 to 'demonstrate NATO's ability to defend every inch of its territory, and the commitment by NATO Allies to protect each other from any threat'. It comes at a time of heightened concern for NATO members with Russia continuing its war in Ukraine and former President Trump, who is seeking re-election, saying he would not defend NATO allies from Russia if they did not meet up to his idea of contributing enough defence spending. The HMS Prince of Wales set sail to lead the group in February after a short delay, filling in for HMS Queen Elizabeth after final checks revealed a problem with its propeller shaft. But senior naval figures still fear the HMS Prince of Wales, which cost 3.5billion to build, could be mothballed or sold for a knockdown price to a friendly nation, over the fleet's flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth as Britain struggles to justify additional defence funding. The MoD has not confirmed whether HMS Prince of Wales will take over all of its sister ship's scheduled duties while it undergoes repairs. The UK-led Carrier Strike Group amalgamates with the NATO Amphibious Task Group and additional Norwegian naval units for a PHOTEX March 13 24 F-35 B Lightning jets from 617 Squadron lined up on HMS Prince of Wales flight deck at sunrise during Exercise NORDIC RESPONSE 24 (File) But HMS Prince of Wales also broke down in August 2022 one day after setting off for a diplomatic mission to carry out exercises with the US Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and the US Marine Corps. The carrier came to a halt off the Isle of Wight and was brought under tow back into harbour for the problem to be identified. Inspections by divers and engineers found the carrier's 33-ton starboard propeller - the same weight as 30 Ford Fiesta cars - had malfunctioned, with a coupling holding it in place breaking. HMS Prince of Wales was taken to the Babcock shipyard where it was built in Rosyth, Fife, to undergo repairs to a propeller shaft, which took nine months to complete. At that time, the HMS Queen Elizabeth was available to fill in for the Prince of Wales. Drivers are being handed an average of more than 35,000 parking tickets by private companies - with one firm paying almost 1.5m for personal data from the DVLA. Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation said many drivers could feel 'badly let down' by the delay in ministers introducing a code of conduct aimed at eradicating some of the sector's worst practices despite legislation being passed. Of the tickets issued, ParkingEye has sought information belonging to 569,000 motorists over a nine-month period last year. Its analysis of Government data found 9.7million tickets were issued to drivers by private parking companies in Britain between April and December last year, which is equivalent to nearly 35,300 every day. Each ticket can cost drivers up to 100. The DVLA charges private parking companies 2.50 each time they wish to access your personal data - which earns them around 32million a year. Since 2018-19, the DVLA has made some 122.4million from private parking firms accessing the personal details of drivers. Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. The Parking (Code of Practice) Bill received Royal Assent five years ago on March 15 2019, but the code has not be implemented. At least 32.2million tickets have been issued by private companies in Britain since the legislation was passed. Your browser does not support iframes. Private parking companies are issuing 25 tickets every minute according to new research The code was originally laid before Parliament in February 2022 and due to come into force across Britain by the end of 2023. It included halving the cap on tickets for most parking offences to 50, creating a fairer appeals system, higher standards for signage and banning the use of aggressive language on tickets. But the code was withdrawn by the Government in June 2022 following a legal challenge by parking companies, and has not been reintroduced. According to a review by the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, the Government's plans failed to take account the impact the changes would have on the 1billion-a-year private parking industry. The industry complained to peers that an added discount could see their revenues slashed by 40 per cent - 'resulting in job losses, business failures and a reduction in managed car parks'. Five parking firms make up almost half of all 11.1million tickets issued on private land in the 12 months to the end of March The British Parking Association told the House of Lords that 3,000 jobs could be lost in the parking industry within 12 months with 46 per cent of operators becoming 'insolvent'. A new call for evidence run by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) closed on October 8 last year. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: 'Since March 2019 many things have happened. The five years have seen us through four prime ministers, a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis. 'But what we've not seen is the implementation of the protections MPs were queuing up to support when the Parking (Code of Practice) Act made its way onto the statute book all those years ago. 'Ministers would do well to consider how their performance looks to the many millions of drivers who've been issued with a ticket since the law was enacted. 'What's needed is a swift dose of hurry-up treatment in this election year if those voters are not to be left feeling badly let down.' The analysis of parking tickets is based on the number of records obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by companies chasing vehicle owners for alleged infringements in private car parks, such as at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway service areas. They do not include council-run car parks. On the rise: Parking tickets issued by private companies across the UK over time, reaching a record in the last year The trend of parking tickets is even more stark when looked at over the past decade and more. In the last financial year more than 11million vehicle keeper records were bought from the DVLA by private parking firms. The companies use the data to send out demands for up to 100 for supposed infringements of parking rules on private property Today's figures do not include tickets issued on council-owned land Some 185 parking management businesses requested vehicle owner records between April and December last year. ParkingEye was the most active, buying nearly 569,000 records. The DVLA charges private companies 2.50 per record. The agency says its fees are set to recover the cost of providing the information and it does not make any money from the process. A DLUHC spokesman said: 'We remain committed to introducing the private parking code of practice to help improve the regulation of the private parking system. 'We have recently concluded a call for evidence and will consult on elements of the code in due course. 'The Government continues to work with the industry and consumer groups to reissue the code as quickly as possible.' Furious McDonald's customers have taken to social media to express their frustration after an IT outage left them unable to order food. The worldwide issue began early on Friday morning, but within only a few hours it had Brits complaining online. One user posted on Twitter: 'You have ruined my morning McClowns. I have been eating here daily and I was denied my McMuffin due to your rubbish system being down. 'I thought you had discontinued Roland McDonald's persona years ago.' Just before 12pm, around six hours after the outage was first reported, McDonald's confirmed that the problem had been resolved. The company also issued an apology to it customers for the error which led to restaurants being forced to close all over the country. It has said the glitch was not related to cyber-security. While the outage was taking place, dozens of social media users expressed disappointment that the company 'couldn't even serve a latte this morning'. Another person commented their rage at the situation: 'Sooooo, for the first time in ages I'm gagging for a nice McMuffin... order online, drive to the McD's and... you've got a country-wide failure? 'How about you lock the app then until it's sorted instead of allowing people to order? Just a thought?' A system used to monitor IT problems for businesses, Downdetector, noted a spike in issues with the McDonald's UK app from around 5am on Friday. In 2018 McDonald's said on average the company serves 3.5 million customers per day in the UK. Another user took to social media to question why McDonald's could not continue to take orders down with pen and paper following the digital shutdown. They moaned they 'had not had their McBreakfast today' due to the failure. Some social media users began to compare the McDonald's five hour closure to the infamous KFC chicken shortage of 2018. The shortage led to the viral moment when one customer irately procralimed she 'had to go to Burger King'. McDonald's UK app noticied a spike in problems from around 5am on Friday Social media users began to compare the closure to the KFC shortage of 2018 The firm's rival Burger King seemed to be enjoying the carnage with a cheeky tweet about not loving information technology or I.T. However one company which seemed to be enjoying the carnage was rival company Burger King - who cheekily tweeted 'Not loving I.T.' in a reference to information technology. However it is thought not all stores were affected by the outage and a small number continued to operate throughout the impacted countries. A McDonald's spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of a technology outage which impacted our restaurants. 'The issue has now been resolved in the UK and Ireland. We thank customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. 'The issue is not related to a cybersecurity event.' It is understood that McDonald's sites in some other countries are still being disrupted by the outage. McDonald's customers were unable to order food in its restaurants due to an IT outage (stock image) In 2018 McDonald's said on average the company serves 3.5 million customers per day in the UK The issue has been reported across the world, including in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Media organisations in China and Sweden published similar problems, and social media users complained about the same issue in Germany and Austria. In Japan, the company apologised to customers on social media and said they may need to 'wait a while' for problems to be resolved. McDonald's in Japan, which has around 3,000 stores in the country, said: 'There is currently a system failure. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask that you please wait for a while until the service is restored.' A McDonald's Australia spokesman said it was 'aware of a technology outage' currently impacting stores across the country. One manager in the country wrote on Reddit his store continued accepting orders by writing them down on paper, while other locations decided to close. The IT outage comes after McDonald's UK and Ireland 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. 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 McDonald's in the UK and offered customers 'The United Tastes of America'. 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 is the first picture of the tragic five-month-old baby who died in Lanzarote after a driver 'under the influence of alcohol' mounted the pavement and mowed down two families. Harper Ayton, pictured being cuddled by her mother, had been on holiday with her parents Alex Chadkirk, 28, and Timothy Ayton, 40, and grandparents Andrea and Derek Chadkirk before the shocking incident on Monday evening. Timothy is said to be in a critical condition in a local hospital where the rest of the family, who are believed to be from South Shields, are also receiving treatment. The driver, Olivia Brown, 23, was allegedly over the legal limit when her 'out of control' car mounted the pavement and slammed into the family. She is currently under house arrest and could be jailed for up to 25 years for causing the death of the new-born baby. The minimum sentence she faces is seven years. Harper Louise Ayton, the five-month-old baby killed in a horror crash in Lanzarote on Monday Mother Alex Chadkirk with her baby, Harper Louise. Alex was among six injured in the crash Grandparents Andrea and Derek Chadkirk were also injured in the accident The family were staying in a rental villa close to a popular waterpark in the Playa Blanca resort. They were less than quarter of a mile from the villa when they were hit by the 'out of control' car. Eye witnesses described hearing piercing screams and watched as the mother attempted to revive her baby while others attended to the injured. They group had only just started their holiday and were reportedly on their way back from a nearby supermarket when they were hit. Until her pregnancy Alex worked for a specialist education recruitment firm called Vision of Education. Staff at the Newcastle branch where she worked were aware that she had been involved in an accident. A member of staff said:' I am sorry but we just cannot talk about that.' A Swedish mother and daughter were also injured by the Ford Fiesta which eyewitnesses have told police was speeding and made no attempt to slow down before mounting the pavement. The mother suffered three heart attacks while in hospital and is still listed in a critical condition having been flown to Gran Canaria for specialist treartment. Her daughter remains in Lanzarote at a hospital in Arrecife. Speaking to the MailOnline, one young English family revealed that in the aftermath of the crash there was panic on the streets of the idyllic holiday spot. They said: 'It was horrific. People who saw it stopped us from coming down as they didn't want our daughter to see it. 'What we did see was bad enough. 'We heard this harrowing scream from one of the injured women and there was a man who had a really bad head injury, his entire skull was badly cut up. 'A couple in our hotel who saw it have already cut their holiday short, which is understandable. 'They saw too much. We keep thinking, it could have been us. 'Everything we're doing on holiday, we just think: 'They should be doing this.' 'It's just terrible.' Yesterday, Brown's first appearance at court had to be abandoned after she suffered a panic attack and was unable to give any evidence. A judge at the Arrecife Court ruled that Olivia Brown was 'not fit' to make a statement and give her version about the accident in the resort of Playa Blanca. Court sources said the 23-year-old was 'distraught and unable to answer any questions' A spokesman for the court said ex pat Brown was facing charges of reckless homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The hotel worker has been granted bail and ordered to report to a police station on the 1st and 15th of each month. Brown lives on the island with her parents and is understood to work at a hotel in the resort of Playa Blanca where the accident took place. Her social media shows scenes of sunset on the island, posing in front of palm trees and with her mother. The Brown family are thought to have lived on the island for several years. Days after the crash, floral tributes and teddy bears continue to be left at the scene of the accident. One note pinned to a bouquet said:'For a five month old little angel'. Another message said:' RIP baby girl. Love and prayers to your family'. Alex Chadkirk (left) was injured in Monday's crash. Her baby tragically died Grandparents Andrea and David Chadkirk were among six injured in the crash Olivia Brown could face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of manslaughter 23-year-old Olivia Brown appeared in court on Thursday, accused of driving under the influence Shocking images of the scene showed police and paramedics working desperately on the stricken pedestrians in the aftermath of the crash More than half a dozen bouquets and five teddy bears had been left by well wishers shocked by the new born's death. At the scene debris from the car is still in the road. The point of impact was on the wide road opposite a hotel and close to a waterpark. There was no sign of any skid marks from an attempt to brake and slow the car down prior to the collision. A stone wall surrounding an apartment complex had been demolished in the impact. Russia is continuing to commit serious rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine, including 'systematic' torture and rape, United Nations investigators said on Friday. The high-level Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the rights situation in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, said that it had found fresh evidence of widespread abuses. It also voiced concern about the continued use of explosive weapons in civilian areas, confirming 'a pattern of disregard by Russian armed forces for possible harm to civilians'. 'The evidence shows that Russian authorities have committed violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law and corresponding war crimes,' COI chief Erik Mose told reporters. 'Further investigations are required to determine whether some of the situations identified may constitute crimes against humanity,' he added. Moscow has been waging war on Ukraine for more than two years and has recently made territorial gains on the battlefield. An office chair stands in the corridor of a basement in a building used, according to a war crime prosecutor, by Russian forces as a place of torture in Kherson, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 Plastic ties for torture and a broken chair are seen inside a basement of an office building, where prosecutors say 30 people were held two months during a Russian occupation, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson, Ukraine, December 10, 2022 FILE - A recently swapped Ukrainian prisoner of war cries while calling his relatives after a prisoner exchange on the Ukrainian Russian border, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 Photo shows Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov, undated. The Ukrainian man was allegedly kept in Russian captivity for 20 months Oksana Minenko, 44-year-old, shows how she was tortured by occupying Russian forces as he speaks with Reuters, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues (FILES) This photograph shows a empty coffin after the exhumation of bodies in the mass graves dug during the Russian occupation in the city of Izium, eastern Ukraine on January 2, 2023 A garage adjacent to a courthouse in the village of Bilozerka, in Ukraine's southern Kherson region, December 2, 2022 where Ukrainian authorities say Russian forces were stationed and unlawfully detained civilians Oksana Minenko, 44-year-old, who says she was repeatedly detained and tortured by occupying Russian forces, speaks during an interview with Reuters, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kherson, Ukraine, December 11, 2022 Confirming previous findings, the UN said that torture by Russian authorities has been 'widespread and systematic' in both Ukraine and Russia. The investigators said they compiled their latest report after speaking to more than 800 people during 16 separate visits to Ukraine. The team found that Russia's treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war was 'horrific'. 'The report documents incidents of rape and other sexual violence committed against women in circumstances which also amount to torture. 'It also details incidents of torture with a sexualised dimension and threats of rape against male prisoners of war.' Investigators also found 'additional evidence' that Ukrainian children had been unlawfully transferred to areas under Russian control. For the first time, the investigators looked into Russia's looting of Ukrainian cultural objects and archive documents, in particular from the city of Kherson, which was first occupied by Russian forces in March 2022 before it was liberated around eight months later. During the last weeks of occupation in October and November 2022, 'Russian authorities transferred cultural objects from the Kherson Regional Art Museum and archival documents from the State Archives of Kherson province to' occupied Crimea. 'According to estimates of staff of both institutions, over 10,000 objects from the Museum and 70 per cent of the documents from the main building of the State Archive, were removed,' the report said. The UN report described this cultural appropriation as a 'war crime'. Rishi Sunak's woes deepened today as a defence minister quit amid a bitter row over funding - with the Tory exodus gathering pace. The PM has been struggling to stabilise his premiership after the Budget failed to shift the political dial, and the party was engulfed in a race row over donor Frank Hester. Last night Mr Sunak finally moved to rule out fevered speculation about an election at the start of May, with the Labour lead over 20 points in many polls. James Heappey has informed his constituency association in Wells that he will not stand again when the ballot is held, saying he wants to 'prioritise family' and 'pursue a different career'. He is expected to stand down from his government role at the end of the month. Mr Heappey is said to have voiced frustration internally with the defence funding settlement, after the Budget did not offer more money. However, it was apparently not the main factor in his resignation. Rishi Sunak has been struggling to stabilise his premiership after the Budget failed to shift the political dial, and the party was engulfed in a race row over donor Frank Hester James Heappey has reportedly informed his constituency association in Wells that he will not stand again at the election Mr Sunak finally moved to rule out fevered speculation about an election at the start of May, with the Labour lead over 20 points in many polls He is the 62nd Tory MP to announce he is stepping down, including ex-PM Theresa May and former Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis over the past week. In a letter to the chairman of the Wells and Mendip Hills Conservative Association, John Osman, Mr Heappey said 'a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years'. Mr Heappey said: 'After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general election. 'I am enormously grateful to the new Wells & Mendip Hills Conservative Association for having selected me as their candidate at the special general meeting last year but, as you know, a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a different career.' Earlier this week Defence Secretary Grant Shapps threw his weight behind the push to increase military spending to 3 per cent of GDP. Adding pressure on Mr Sunak, he said more cash was needed to match the threat posed by Vladimir Putin. Currently the UK spends 2.27 per cent of gross domestic product on defence. Mr Shapps said he was in favour of spending 3 per cent and called for its inclusion in the Conservatives' election manifesto. Mr Sunak yesterday insisted the Tories are 'united' despite a rising sense of panic over the 'massacre' the party is facing. The PM said the country had 'turned a corner' after 'a difficult couple of years' as he was challenged on fresh rumours of a coup bid. He also underlined that his 'working assumption' remains that the election will happen in the second half of the year. Some Cabinet ministers have been discussing what would happen if Mr Sunak was replaced before an election, even though they remain supportive, according to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Tory MPs told MailOnline that plotting is reaching fever pitch in the corridors of Parliament. He is the 62nd Tory MP to announce he is stepping down, including ex-PM Theresa May and former Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis Theresa May announced she was quitting at the end of last week 'There is huge muttering,' said one former Cabinet minister. 'It is quite miserable as a Tory in the House of Commons at the moment. 'Normally there have been two or three people huddled together plotting. But now it is five or six in the Tea Room.' The MP said Mr Sunak 'can't do anything right', and was being buffeted by different groups in Downing Street and CCHQ who cannot agree on tactics. 'Some want to go in May and others want to hold back,' they said. There have been claims circulating that Mr Sunak is preparing to trigger an election next week to take place on May 2 - although many regard that as an attempt to frighten rebels into staying in line. Some Tories are also angry with 'Yorkshire Mafia' allies of Mr Sunak including former chief whip Julian Smith, who has a constituency neighbouring his Richmond seat and is regarded as highly influential. However, No10 insiders have been voicing defiance, mocking those on manoeuvres against the PM as lazy. Two men have been jailed after they attempted to smuggle 39 asylum seekers out of the UK in the back of a lorry. Jamal Elkhadir, 47 from Morocco, was driving the refrigerated lorry with his accomplice, 32-year-old Houcine Argoub from Bromley in London, when they were arrested at Dover docks in Kent. National Crime Agency (NCA) officers opened the back of the lorry and discovered 39 migrants from Morocco and Algeria were hiding inside, including a family with a six-year-old son and a teenage girl. NCA officers were watching Elkhadir and Argoub when they met in a lay-by near Sandwich, Kent, in September 2023. Argoub parked his van close to Elkhadir's Moroccan registered HGV lorry. From Argoub's van, officers saw a number of people exit the van and climb in the back of the lorry before driving off towards Dover where they were stopped by NCA officers. Jamal Elkhadir, 47 from Morocco, was arrested by NCA officers in Dover after 39 migrants were found in the back of his lorry. He pleaded guilty to assisting unlawful immigration and has been sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment Elkhadir's accomplice, Houcine Argoub (pictured), 32, was arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration in November 2023. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful immigration and received a prison sentence of five years and three months Elkhadir's Moroccan registered lorry where 39 asylum seekers were found. Elkhadir first claimed he was delivering cherry tomatoes and had stopped for a rest with the doors unlocked. He then claimed he had been threatened at gunpoint to transport the migrants to France Elkhadir was arrested at the docks on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration and Argoub was arrested at his home address for the same offence in November 2023. Originally, Elkhadir claimed he was delivering cherry tomatoes to three business in the UK and had stopped for a rest with the doors unlocked. He later claimed he had been threatened at gunpoint to transport the migrants to France. Both men pleaded guilty to assisting unlawful immigration at Canterbury Crown Court on 13 March. Elkhadir was sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment and Argoub received a prison sentence of five years and three months. NCA operations manager John Turner said: 'Their only concerns were about the money they were making and how they could avoid detection, not for the safety of those hiding in the back of the HGV. 'The same criminals who take people out of the UK illegally often bring them in too, which is why we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the networks involved in people smuggling. 'This form of criminality not only puts people at risk, it also threatens the border security of both the UK and France, which is why the NCA works closely with partners here and overseas to tackle those facilitating illegal migrants in each direction.' One of the racist killers of schoolboy Kriss Donald could be freed later this year after 20 years in prison. Daanish Zahid, 40, listened to Krisss screams as three other men viciously stabbed him and set him on fire but did nothing to help the 15-year-old as he fought for his life. Kriss was kidnapped and killed 20 years ago today in a racially aggravated murder that was Scotlands first to be prosecuted under race crime laws. His distraught family have been told that Zahid is eligible for limited access to the community which could include work placements to test his suitability for possible release, which could happen later this year. It will be up to the Parole Board for Scotland (PBS) to decide whether Zahid is ultimately freed a move that would prove controversial as Krisss murder sparked months of racial tension. Kriss Donald was stabbed and set on fire Last night, a friend of the Donald family said they had been told about Zahids parole eligibility. The friend said they hope to have a peaceful and respectful remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the 15 years that we had with our wonderful Kriss. The other killers Imran Shahid, 47, his brother Zeeshan, 45, and Mohammed Faisal Mushtaq, 45 were jailed for life in 2006. Shopkeeper Zahid was jailed for life for a minimum of 17 years in 2004 and was later called as a witness at the trial of Shahid and his two accomplices. He refused to name the men as the killers, claiming he feared for his life. Zahid was charged with trying to pervert the course of justice but it was later dropped. Krisss mother Angela told the Mail at the time: It is sickening that he sat there during that trial and failed to tell the truth to save his own skin and yet they have dropped the charge against him. The Shahids and Mushtaq were jailed for a total of at least 70 years for Krisss cold-blooded execution. At their 2006 trial, Zahid was a witness and repeatedly refused to answer questions about the abduction and killing. He did tell the High Court in Edinburgh that the real culprits were not in the dock and that he would like to reveal their identities but said: My life is worth more to me than that. Zahid later gave evidence during Imran Shahids 2011 appeal against his conviction. Judges threw out the appeal after concluding Zahid had lied. Angela Donald claimed Zahid tried to save his own skin Daanish Zahid could be freed later this year after 20 years in prison Imran Shahid was jailed for life in 2006 Zahid, whose minimum of 17 years behind bars ended in 2021, was jailed for another six years to run consecutively after he admitted attempting to defeat the ends of justice. He has reached the halfway point of the six-year term, meaning he is eligible for parole. Kriss was last seen alive as he was bundled into a car by the Shahids and their helpers near his home in Pollokshields, Glasgow, on March 15, 2004. He was targeted simply because he was white and lived in the area. After driving around for several hours, the gang dragged Kriss from the stolen Mercedes, stabbed him 13 times, doused him in petrol and set him on fire while he was still alive. His charred, half-naked body was found near Celtic FCs training ground in Glasgows East End the following day. Zahid, a first offender, was unanimously convicted by a jury of the racially aggravated murder and jailed in December, 2004. The Shahids and Mushtaq spent months on the run in Pakistan. Imran Shahid was ordered to spend at least 25 years behind bars. Zeeshan Shahid was jailed for a minimum of 23 years, while Mushtaq will remain in jail for at least 22 years. After the guilty verdicts were delivered, it emerged that Imran Shahid described as a sadistic thug by the trial judge had killed Kriss after being released early from a 30-month jail term for assaulting a female social worker and driving a car at her. The PBS and the Scottish Prison Service declined to comment. More candidates likely to be withdrawn over recent and dredged-up controversies By Nam Hyun-woo The two main rival parties have each stripped their respective politicians of their electoral candidacies for controversial remarks made recently and also in the past, fearing that those inappropriate comments could hamper party goals as the April 10 general elections rapidly approach. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) canceled its candidate nomination for Do Tae-woo in Daegus Jung and Nam constituency on Thursday night, just two days after deciding to persevere with Dos candidacy. Do has faced criticisms over his comments stemming from a 2019 YouTube video, where he stated that in the past, it was reasonable to think that North Korea influenced the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju, thereby being seen as trying to link the historic movement with North Korea, a claim often used by conservative political figures, which has often caused consternation for Gwangju's citizens. The Gwangju Uprising was a response by the city's residents to the May 17 coup through which Chun Doo-hwan came to power as a military dictator and implemented martial law in the country. Despite public criticisms and PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoons request for reconsideration, the party's candidate recommendation committee unanimously decided to retain his candidacy on Tuesday, stating that Do had already issued sincere apologies. However, Dos other controversial past comments were revealed afterward during a 2019 public rally of conservatives, Do said, Some people say that when they see such bizarre behavior from (then-President) Moon Jae-in, they imagine, Will he stop only when he dies? After these comments resurfaced, the committee then withdrew the candidacy, saying in a statement, We have stated that a candidate can lose his or her candidacy when he or she causes social controversies or makes comments not meeting public expectations. The ruling party also canceled the candidacy of Rep. Chung Woo-taik for the Sangdang District of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on Thursday afternoon, after he received criticisms due to a video that showed him receiving an envelope filled with money from a businessman in the region. Chung said he returned the money, but the businessman said the opposite. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), also on Thursday night, annulled its nomination of former lawmaker Chung Bong-ju in Seouls Gangbuk-B constituency. In a 2017 YouTube video, Chung mocked two staff sergeants who had their legs severed due to a land mine explosion during a 2015 mission in the Demilitarized Zone near Paju, Gyeonggi Province. In the video, Chung said: We have great stuff in the DMZ, don't we? Ankle mines. We could all go into the DMZ and give out prizes. Give a set of crutches to each of those who step on the mines. As this became a controversy later on, Chung claimed that he apologized to the victims, but the sergeants said Chung had not. DPK spokesperson Park Sung-joon said in a statement, Chung caused public concern with controversies surrounding his false apologies to the victims, so the party decided to nominate another person for the constituency. Controversial comments made by candidates have always affected Koreas major elections. However, it is rare to witness the two main parties both removing candidates for past remarks soon after giving them candidacies. This is triggering criticisms that the two parties poorly conducted their vetting and primaries to screen out problematic figures. Though the rival parties belatedly sidelined controversial candidates, chances are high that there will be more to follow. Jang Ye-chan, a PPP candidate for Busans Suyeong, posted his apology on Facebook on Friday over his SNS postings in the past, which contained inappropriate remarks on various social issues. The posts I left on Facebook about 10 years ago are causing concern among the public, he wrote. Although most of them were deleted earlier, captured images remained, causing controversy. Once again, I sincerely apologize to the people. It was the young politician's second apology following one on Tuesday. He is under fire for more than 10 past postings. In a 2014 post, he wrote Wouldn't it be a healthier society to respect professionals, even if they enjoy sexual promiscuity and flirt with people regardless of gender, as long as they demonstrate expertise in their assigned duties? In a 2012 post, he wrote I want to blow up the animal hospital on the first floor of my office, and I doubt that the civic awareness and cultural level of people in Seoul can even come close to the dust on the toenails of Japanese people. Over Jangs issue, PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok told reporters Friday, It is obvious that remarks not meeting public expectations are affecting the elections and the public's sentiment. PPP Secretary-General Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok also told reporters that the party "will consider various factors such as the content of the statement, the problematic points, how it will be perceived by the public and the candidates stance on the coverage. On Saturday, the PPP canceled the candidacy of Jang, saying, "Following extensive discussions, it has been confirmed that Jang made numerous remarks that went against the public sentiment and were inappropriate as a candidate seeking public office." Cho Su-yeon, PPP candidate for Daejeons Seo-A constituency, is also mired in controversies for her previous social media posts: It would be better for people to live under Japanese colonial rule, rather than the feudal rule of the Joseon Kingdom. At the main opposition DPK, its Chairman Lee Jae-myung's remark, is also causing a stir. During a canvassing event in Sejong, Thursday, he said, if you are satisfied with your life now under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, vote for number 2 (the PPP) or just stay at home. The remarks drew criticisms that the main opposition head was trying to dissuade voters from exercising their rights in a divisive manner. Lees aides said the remarks were meant to underscore the importance of judgment concerning the Yoon administration, and not aimed at discouraging people from voting. South Korea's 'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su has been found guilty of sexual misconduct, a local court said Friday, after he was charged with assaulting a woman in 2017. The 79-year-old in 2022 became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance as a seemingly vulnerable old man in the mega-hit Netflix dystopian thriller. The actor was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court reported. He has been also ordered to complete 40 hours of classes on sexual violence, the court added. O Yeong-su, who starred in Netflix's global TV sensation 'Squid Game', leaves Suwon District Court in Suwon, some 30 km south of Seoul, South Korea, 15 March 2024 The 79-year-old in 2022 became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance in Squid Game South Korean actor O Yeong-Su attends the 'Hansan: Rising Dragon' VIP Screening at Lotte Cinema Box on July 26, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea The victim's own records of the assault and her claims are 'consistent ... and appear to be statements that cannot be made without actually experiencing them,' judge Jeong Yeon-ju said, according to the court. As he was leaving the court, O told reporters he planned to appeal against the decision. He has seven days to appeal or the ruling will be upheld. O was indicted in 2022 without detention on charges of sexually assaulting a woman, who has not been identified, on two occasions. The incidents took place when O was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance in 2017, on a walking path and in front of the victim's residence, respectively, according to the Suwon District Court. Womenlink, a women's rights group in South Korea, welcomed the ruling and urged O to apologise to the victim. 'The defendant resembles other offenders of sexual violence in theatre in the past who tried to cover up their sexual violence as 'favour' and 'friendship',' the group said in a post on X. The controversy over the accusations of sexual harassment saw him drop out of an upcoming film in South Korea. As he was leaving the court, O told reporters he planned to appeal against the decision. He has seven days to appeal or the ruling will be upheld O won best supporting actor in television at the Golden Globes for his role in 'Squid Game' in 2022, becoming the first South Korean to snatch the award. Within less than four weeks of its release in 2021, Squid Game attracted a staggering 111 million viewers O won best supporting actor in television at the Golden Globes for his role in 'Squid Game' in 2022, becoming the first South Korean to snatch the award. He played the elderly character O II-nam, one of the main antagonists of the first season. The series that depicts a dark world where marginalised individuals are forced to compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games, quickly gained immense popularity on Netflix. Within less than four weeks of its release in 2021, it attracted a staggering 111 million viewers. The show's success has amplified South Korea's increasingly outsized influence on global popular culture, following global fame won by the likes of K-pop band BTS and the Oscar-winning film 'Parasite'. Multiple figures in South Korea's film industry - including late filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun - have faced sexual assault allegations. The world's largest adult content website, Pornhub, has blocked users from accessing it and its sister sites in Texas over a dispute regarding an age verification law that the Lone Star State passed in 2023. Last week, an appeals court in Texas upheld the law with the battle likely now to rage on. The appeals court did strike down a law requiring users to read a health and safety warning before logging on. The Texas Attorney General's office appealed that decision. Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law in October 2023. Those who attempted to access Pornhub in Texas on Thursday were greeted with a message explaining the Canadian-based company's position. A 2023 survey found 58 percent of Americans have watched porn at some point. 'As you may know, your elected officials in Texas are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website.' 'Not only does this impinge on the rights of adults to access protected speech, it fails strict scrutiny by employing the least effective and yet also most restrictive means of accomplishing Texas's stated purpose of allegedly protecting minors,' the message reads. Pornhub is owned by Aylo Holdings and is based in Canada Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill requiring age verification into law in October 2023 The message that greets users attempting to access Pornhub in Texas The message goes on to state that Pornhub believes that age verifications are 'not an effective solution for protecting users online, and in fact, will put minors and your privacy at risk.' Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton immediately shot back on X. 'PornHub has now disabled its website in Texas. Sites like PornHub are on the run because Texas has a law that aims to prevent them from showing harmful, obscene material to children. We recently secured a major victory against PornHub and other sites that sought to block this law,' he wrote. The Texas law is one of several similar age verification laws passed in other states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Utah and Louisiana. The Texas law carried fines of up to $10,000 per violation that could be raised to up to $250,000 per violation by a minor. The Utah law was upheld by a federal judge who last month rejected a lawsuit challenging it. Arkansas' law, which would have required parental consent for children to create new social media accounts, was struck down by a federal judge Thursday and a lawsuit challenging the Louisiana law is pending. Opponents have argued that age verification laws for adult websites not only infringe upon free speech, but also threaten digital privacy because it's impossible to ensure that websites don't retain user identification data. In 2023, Pornhub's owners paid out $1.8 million after admitting to profiting from sex trafficking and agreed to make payments to women whose videos were posted without their consent in a New York Court 'States are attempting to do an end run around the First Amendment by outsourcing censorship to citizens,' said Alison Boden, the executive director of Free Speech Coalition said in 2023. 'It's a new mechanism, but a deeply flawed one. Government attempts to chill speech, no matter the method, are prohibited by the Constitution and decades of legal precedent.' Also in 2023, Pornhub's owners paid out $1.8 million after admitting to profiting from sex trafficking and agreed to make payments to women whose videos were posted without their consent in a New York Court. Aylo Holdings, the websites parent company, reached a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve a charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions involving sex trafficking proceeds. Prosecutors said Aylo has agreed to pay victims compensation, but details such as who is eligible and how they can apply will be forthcoming. The charge stemmed from Aylos role in hosting videos and accepting payments from GirlsDoPorn. Andrew Tate today sent a defiant message to the British women accusing him of sexual assault as he returned to court in Romania today, where he and his brother face separate charges of rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to exploit women. The former professional kickboxer, 37, updated his biography on X, formerly Twitter, with a sarcastic message that read: 'Human trafficker because I told friends how to post on TikTok. Rapist because some girl remembered from 15 years ago once I became rich.' In an eventful week, Tate was arrested in Bucharest on Monday on behalf of British authorities after he was accused of sexually assaulting four British women in the UK between 2012 and 2015. The Bucharest Court of Appeal later granted a request by the British authorities to extradite Andrew Tate once legal proceedings in Romania had been concluded, according to his spokesperson. The Tate brothers, who are dual UK and US citizens, reject the charges brought by the British authorities. Andrew Tate was pictured with his brother arriving at the Bucharest Tribunal in Romania today after a court on Wednesday extended geographical restrictions against the influencer while he awaits trial for the charges. Tate was spotted smiling with his brother upon arrival at the court, where members of the media flocked the brothers for reactions. Tate arrives at the court for a hearing on pre-trial judicial procedures in Bucharest today Andrew Tate (C) arrives at the court for a hearing on pre-trial judicial procedures, at the Bucharest Court in Bucharest, Romania, 15 March 2024 Andrew Tate, right, and his brother Tristan arrive at the Bucharest Tribunal in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, March 15, 2024 Andrew Tate arrives at the Bucharest Tribunal in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, March 15, 2024 Andrew Tate updated his Twitter bio as he faces new charges in the UK over alleged attacks Four women had reported Andrew Tate to the UK authorities for alleged sexual violence and physical abuse in the period 2012-2015, but Britain's Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute him on the charges. The alleged victims turned to crowdfunding to cover their legal fees as they pursued a civil case against him. 'We handed over our evidence about the horrific acts of violence we endured and waited for action,' they state on their campaign page. 'But four years later we were told the U.K. authorities would not prosecute him. It's our one remaining route to hold him accountable.' Spokesperson Mateea Petrescu expressed 'profound disappointment' that 'such serious allegations are being resurrected without substantial new evidence'. Matthew Jury, a managing partner at the legal firm representing the four British women, McCue Jury & Partners, said the news was 'very welcome as it had been a significant concern to many that Tate would seek to avoid justice in Romania and abroad.' 'We are grateful to the British authorities for taking our concerns seriously and issuing an arrest warrant. 'Tate is accused of serious criminal offenses against a large number of victims and he must be held accountable.' Both brothers were arrested in Bucharest on Monday on behalf of Bedfordshire Police, though it was not immediately clear what Tristan Tate is accused of in the UK. Bedfordshire Police said: 'As part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of rape and human trafficking, Bedfordshire Police has obtained a European arrest warrant for two men in their 30s. 'We are working with authorities in Romania as part of this investigation and will provide an update in due course.' On Tuesday, Romanian authorities agreed to extradite the pair back to the UK following the conclusion of legal proceedings in Romania, prompting outcry from Tristan Tate. 'They'll do anything to put you in jail,' he wrote in quotation marks on X. He went on to suggest that he is being denied a trial in the country - while criminal proceedings are ongoing. 'This is day 441 of my arrest,' he added, 'I have a clean criminal record and am an American citizen.' Outside court , Andrew Tate also insisted that he and his brother are 'very innocent men'. In a strange rant, he went on: 'Unfortunately I don't think many people in Romania understand, but in the West, in the countries that are owned by the satanists, when you get to a certain level of fame you either put on a dress or you go to jail and I'm happy to make my choice which is jail every single time, my soul is not for sale neither are my principles. 'We're very innocent men and in time everybody's going to see that. 'We are excited to finish this judicial process and clear our names.' The alleged victims turned to crowdfunding to cover their legal fees as they pursued a civil case against him Tate smiles as journalists approach him for comment at the Bucharest Tribunal on Friday Andrew Tate (pictured today) and his brother Tristan were arrested on 29 December 2022 as a result of the DIICOT (Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism) inquiry on charges of human trafficking and intention to form an organized crime group Andrew Tate gestures upon exiting a police detention facility in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, March 12, 2024 Former professional kickboxer and social media influencer Andrew Tate (L), escorted by a masked police officer, winks towards a fan after a hearing in Bucharest on 12 March The British-American brothers were first indicted for rape and human trafficking charges in Romania in June last year, but their case is still being discussed in the preliminary chamber stages and no trial dates have yet been set. Andrew Tate was first arrested in that case in December 2022, along with his brother and two Romanian women. Romanian prosecutors formally indicted all four in June 2023 and they have denied the allegations. The Tate brothers are currently banned from leaving Romania while being investigated and had been under house arrest since their initial detention in December 2022. But this condition was later removed on the condition they remain in the country. A request to leave Bucharest and visit their mother in Luton who had suffered a heart attack was denied at Christmas by officials. At least three people have been killed in Ohio following devastating tornadoes which also battered Indiana, Kentucky and Arkansas. Dozens of people have been left injured, with a 'mass casualty event' declared at Mary Rutan Hospital in Logan County, where two of the deaths were recorded. All three deaths took place in Ohio and it is feared the toll could climb dramatically as the clear-up operation begins. A desperate hunt for survivors began again this morning, after homes were levelled and buildings collapsed during the powerful storms on Thursday. Officials fear the death toll could rise further as the true extent of the damage becomes known. Terrifying footage shows a double vortex twister ripping along the side of the road near the Ohio city of Vanlue. Terrifying footage from shows a double vortex twister ripping along the side of the road near the Ohio city of Vanlue An overhead shot taken 8am Friday in Medway, Ohio, shows the scene of devastation after a tornado ripped through a mobile home community Another image clearly shows the path of the tornado, which destroyed multiple homes but left others nearby relatively-unscathed At least three people have been killed in Ohio following devastating tornadoes which also battered Indiana , Kentucky and Arkansas. Pictured: Debris from severe storms scatters the ground in Lakeview, OH Officials warned the death toll could rise further as the hunt for survivors resumed on Friday The storms ripped through the Midwest on Thursday. Pictured: Damage from a severe weather system is seen in Lakeview, Ohio, Meanwhile in Cleveland, the National Weather Service warned of a 'very serious' tornado half a mile wide tearing through the city. A number of buildings in Lakeview were destroyed, Amber Fagan, the president and chief executive of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, told ABC 6 news. 'It's pure devastation,' she said. 'I have never seen anything like this in my entire life. Our Lakeview municipal building is demolished. Our laundromat is gone. The old plastics building is just completely demolished. Downtown, it's bad.' The tornado touched down near the southern end of Indian Lake, impacting the villages of Lakeview and Russells Point, said Sheri Timmers, a spokesperson for Logan County, home to the villages. Tens of thousands of Midwesterners were left without power, with around 20,000 people in Ohio still off grid as of Friday morning. In Indiana, dozens were injured after a tornado hit the towns of Winchester and Selma, but no deaths have been reported, police said. 'There have been many many significant injuries but I dont know the number, I don't know where they are. I don't know what those injuries are,' Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter told reporters at a news conference. Some amazing #tornado videos on TikTok from today - heres one with an incredible double vortex structure from Ohio pic.twitter.com/CA836b7QVE Sam Shamburger (@shamnadoes) March 15, 2024 Tornado movement seen in St Charles Missouri on Thursday Crews work to clean up after a tornado touched down on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Milton, Kentucky A Walmart is closed to the community after overnight severe storms leaving extensive damage Friday, March 15, 2024, in Winchester, Indiana He described the storms as a 'terrible, terrible event' and said that some buildings and homes had been completely destroyed in Winchester where a trailer park had been left decimated. He added that work will begin in the morning to find if people were still trapped in those buildings. The Indiana Task Force 1 would assist in the search and rescue process and the police will come back with an update on Friday morning, Carter added. The National Weather Service had earlier said that it could not confirm that a tornado touched down in Winchester, but that it was 'likely' judging by the damage and images taken by people on the ground. In Jefferson County, Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police said on social media that 'Multiple homes are damaged, with trees and power lines down' following a reported hurricane. He shared photos of the devastation, including massive hail which fell across the county. The storms were part of a night of violent weather that stretched from northeast Texas to Ohio and saw 13 million people were placed under weather warnings Debris covers the ground in front of a damaged home after severe weather passed the area on Thursday, March 14, 2024 in Jefferson Manor Subdivision near Hanover, Indiana Dozens of people were left injured in Indiana after homes were flattened and buildings collapsed Matt True, director of the emergency management agency in Jefferson County, told the Washington Post at least two tornadoes had appeared to touch down there, damaging 29 homes and injuring two people. 'This one popped out of nowhere. There was no warning,' he said. The storms ripped across the Ohio River and into Kentucky's Trimble County, ripping the rooves of up to 30 homes. No injuries were reported, but 85 percent of homes were left without power on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, Arkansas was rocked by violent storms overnight which caused widespread damage and plunged 8,000 people into darkness on Friday night. Hot Springs was one of the worst affected areas, with locals waking up to find damage as well as people's possessions strewn across the streets. Parts of the state were also issued flash flood warnings, with an inch an hour falling in Little Rock last night. Tornado movement was also seen in the skies above Missouri, after an early spring severe weather system moved through far eastern Kansas and western Missouri causing several' supercell thunderstorms' to produce large hail up to two inches in diameter across the Kansas City Metro area. The storms were part of a night of violent weather that stretched from northeast Texas to Ohio and saw 13 million people were placed under weather warnings. NYPD detectives are urgently seeking a female subway passenger filmed stabbing a gunman during a train brawl, shortly before he was shot with his own weapon. The woman, who has not been identified, was seen stabbing the unnamed victim, 36, in the back several times as he fought with another male passenger aged 32. 'You stabbed me? You stabbed me?' the shooting victim said to the woman repeatedly, as she responds: 'I didn't do nothing' while blood seeped from his shirt. Terrified commuters scrambled to escape the melee, which appeared to be initiated by the shooting victim, dressed all in black, as he accused the other man, who wore a yellow sweater, of being a 'migrant beating up cops.' He was seen producing a gun and moving towards the woman seen stabbing him. Panicked passengers began to flee towards the Northbound A train's doors as it pulled into Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets Station in Brooklyn Thursday evening. Gunshots could be heard ringing out as they fled screaming onto the platform. But it was the gunman himself - the 36-year-old dressed in black - who ended up being shot with his own gun after a struggle, leaving him critically injured. The NYPD told DailyMail.com on Friday morning the shooting victim, seen in the footage wearing a dark jacket and yellow hat, remains in critical condition, while the gunman, wearing a yellow shirt, is in custody. NYPD detectives are urgently seeking a woman (pictured) connected to a grisly shooting on a Brooklyn subway that left a man in critical condition On Friday, cops shared an image of the gun used in the shocking shooting on Thursday night She was seen stabbing a man several times in the back as he erupted into a wild brawl on the subway with another man, before the shooting began The 36-year-old man, who appeared to initiate the argument, had blood seeping from his shirt after the stabbing. He was later shot in the head with his own gun after the other man, 32, wrestled the weapon away from him and opened fire It comes as harrowing video reveals the moments leading up to the shooting, where the agitator accuses another man of a being a 'migrant beating up cops' in a heated argument The NYPD also shared an image of the gun used in the shooting, alongside updated statistics showing they have seized 1,265 guns since January 1, 2024. Since the start of 2022, that figure stands at 14,855 firearms. The shooting erupted Thursday evening on the A line at Brooklyn's Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station, as chilling footage captured the crazed moments that led up to it. The two men became embroiled in a wild fight after the shooting suspect appeared to agitate the other man and call him a 'migrant', shouting: 'F**k your kind. F**k your race. F**k you.' 'You think you're gonna beat up cops? I'll beat you up,' the man said, seemingly referencing the January incident in which a group of migrants attacked NYPD officers in Times Square. Cops were quick to note the shooting victim's role in the incident, saying at a press conference that 'when you bring a gun on the train and start a fight, it is not right. It is outrageous... that's what happened here.' As the footage of the fight continued, the suspected gunman's 32-year-old female companion then appeared to whip out a knife from her pocket and stab the other man in the back multiple times. While still fighting the man in yellow, he repeatedly yelled, 'you stabbed me? You stabbed me?' 'I didn't do nothing,' she responded, as blood visibly seeped through the man's shirt. The two then continued grappling, with the 36-year-old man ultimately sitting atop the 32-year-old. Other passengers were begging the pair to stop as one person said, 'come on, there's babies on here.' In separate footage from after shots were fired, a train car's full of people were seen cowering in fear and pleading for the subway to pull away from the crime. 'Where's the NYPD, oh my God!' one woman exclaimed as others said, 'close the door, close the door!' In separate footage from after shots were fired, a train car's full of people were seen cowering in fear and pleading for the subway to pull away from the crime A video from ABC reporter Joyce Philippe captures the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers ducked for cover and yelled: 'Where's the NYPD? Oh my god!' The shooting erupted Thursday evening on the A line at Brooklyn's Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station, near Prospect Park An NYPD officer waits at the station on Friday morning, the day after the shooting A man wearing a reflective vest managed to separate the two guys, but the 36-year-old rushed the woman and yelled, 'I'm bleeding. You stabbed me, right?' 'I didn't do nothing,' she answered. At one point, the hooded guy threw down his jacket, revealing the weapon, and proceeded to load it as he charged at the 32-year-old. Passengers can be heard shouting desperately, 'get me out, get me out,' before the car doors were opened. At a press conference on Friday, NYPD officials said the shooting victim had skipped his train fare, as they claimed there is a correlation between fare skippers and those bringing knives and guns onto subways. 'Too often, we see people enter the subway system looking to cause harm that skip their fares,' said NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. He said no charges have been brought and it would be up to the district attorney to bring any, as he stressed that the investigation is still active. Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry added that ahead of Saturday's St Patrick's Day Parade, they have not identified any 'credible threats' to the event. 'We encourage people to take the trains tomorrow,' he added. 'He thinks you are a migrant,' a woman(pictured wearing a black shirt and light blue jeans) who appears to accompany the 32-year-old man can be heard saying as tension escalated The 36-year-old also landed a punch on the woman, who appeared to have stabbed him in the back multiple times as he shouted repeatedly, 'you stabbed me?' At one point, the hooded guy threw down his jacket, revealing the weapon, and proceeded to load it as he charged at the 32-year-old Blood visibly seeped through the black hooded man's shirt as the two men grappled, with the 36-year-old man ultimately sitting atop the 32-year-old The video did not capture the moment when the 32-year-old grabbed the firearm from the aggressive attacker, but at least four shots can be heard in the background. Another video from ABC reporter Joyce Philippe captures the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers ducked for cover and yelled for help. 'Where's the NYPD, oh my God!' one woman exclaimed as others said, 'close the door, close the door!' The train pulled into the HoytSchermerhorn Streets station, where law enforcement authorities who heard the gunshots flooded the scene. The 32-year-old shooter was arrested before he stepped onto the platform and remained in custody. He is seen lying on the staircase outside the subway car, then being led out of the station in handcuffs in a different video that surfaced after the shooting. Officers flooded into the train where the shooting took place, finding the 36-year-old man lying on the floor, unmoved. He was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was undergoing surgery and remained in critical condition. The 32-year-old shooter was arrested before he stepped onto the platform and remained in custody. He is seen lying on the staircase outside the subway car He was led out of the station in handcuffs in a different video that surfaced after the shooting Footage posted by social media user Owen Anderson shows first responders rushing the person on a wheeled gurney into an ambulance. 'When you bring a gun on a train and you start a fight, it's not right and it's absolutely outrageous,' Chief Kemper said. He added that authorities have not yet determined whether the alleged shooter's actions would be considered self-defense. No charges have been brought against him as of Thursday evening. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman Janno Lieber said, 'The victim here, as the chief said, appears to be the aggressor.' He added, 'But the real victims are the people I saw in those videos, who are having a harrowing time because they're on a train with somebody with a gun.' Lincoln Restler, the City Council member who represents the area, wrote on X: 'This is a horrible tragedy and deeply unnerving to the millions of New Yorkers who take the subway every day.' The shooting on the nation's busiest transit system occurred less than a week after New York Governor Kathy Hochul stationed 750 national guard members in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence on subway. Footage posted by social media user Owen Anderson shows first responders rushing the person on a wheeled gurney into an ambulance I live above the Hoyt/Schermerhorn street station . There was a shooting in the subway station that has a PRECINCT IN IT. @NYCMayor @GovKathyHochul step up or step out. The safety of many should not be squandered by a few. pic.twitter.com/nJ1cQwieG3 Owen Anderson (@OwenAnderson41) March 14, 2024 NYC Democrat Mayor Eric Adams said earlier this month that he's bringing back bag checks for subway riders and station 750 national guard members at the city's busiest stations. The Big Apple saw 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. A 13-year-old girl has been left orphaned after her parents drowned while fishing in Western Australia. Leslie, 49, and Jon Ballo, 50, a Filipino couple who arrived in Perth nine years ago, died while crabbing. Their bodies were recovered by police from the water near the Herron Point boat ramp about midday on Thursday. Leslie, 49, and Jon Ballo, 50, a Filipino couple who arrived in Perth nine years ago, died while crabbing. Their bodies were recovered by police from the water near the Herron Point boat ramp about midday on Thursday Loved ones reportedly raised the alarm when the pair failed to show up for work on Thursday after they went crabbing together on Wednesday. The couple had renewed their wedding vows two weeks ago and went fishing every week as a bonding exercise. It is understood their car was found at the Herron Point camping grounds. Friend of the family Marisol Armada has vowed to raise the couple's daughter. 'I know how much they loved their daughter and we will do the same thing for her.' Ms Armada told Nine. 'They really were a golden couple ... We will cherish them forever in our hearts.' The church Mr and Ms Ballo attended have shared their devastation at the loss of the couple, revealing their urgent efforts to find them. Head Pastor of the New Life Filipino-Australian Community Church said in a statement he had known the couple since they first arrived in Perth. 'At 6am on Thursday they both failed to turn up work,' he told The West Australian. 'We spotted brother Jon's car at the carpark around 9.15am on Thursday ... one police car (was one) minute ahead of us because they tracked down the ping of Leslie's (phone). 'Even looking in the distance, while the rubber boat was approaching, I knew back in the back of my mind the worst thing had happened.' The couple had renewed their wedding vows two weeks ago and went fishing every week as a bonding exercise Sharing a heartfelt tribute to her sister and brother-in-law on Facebook, Ms Ballo's sister Lei Ortega-Moises said she knew they both were 'in a good place with the Lord'. 'It's sad to think that you left us like this,' she wrote. 'We love you very much. It hurts so much for me/us that you are gone. 'We couldn't believe it.' She thanked her churchmates and friends for their fellowship, including the church leadership. 'We love you so much sister and brother. Rest in paradise,' she wrote. Police confirmed in a statement on Friday the pair had drowned and said their deaths were not suspicious. French President Emmanuel Macron has declared his nation 'ready' to use nuclear weapons in an uncharacteristically brash retort to Vladimir Putin following the latest bout of nuclear sabre-rattling from the Kremlin chief. Macron chastised Putin for threatening the use of nuclear devices and reminded him France also has an advanced weapons programme in interviews with French media yesterday. It comes after the Russian President earlier this week told state TV 'weapons exist in order to use them' in reference to the possibility of deploying nukes should Western troops be deployed in Ukraine. 'We must first and foremost feel protected because we are a nuclear power. We are ready; we have a doctrine (for the use of nuclear weapons),' Macron told reporters, saying the Kremlin's willingness to issue nuclear threats was inappropriate. Having nuclear weapons 'imposes on us the responsibility never to escalate,' Macron said, in a dig at the constant reminders issued by top Russian officials and media personalities of their nuclear arsenal. His statements come amid a hardening of Paris' stance towards Moscow after Macron abandoned his longstanding efforts to maintain a closer bond with Putin. Britain and France are Europe's only nuclear powers, but even their collective power is a fraction of that employed by Russia, which has the world's largest and most varied collection of nuclear weapons by some margin - even larger than that in Washington's vast stockpiles. Speaking with French and Ukrainian media, Macron chastised Putin for threatening the use of nuclear devices and reminded him France also has an advanced weapons programme A Yars intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile is fired during a training, from Plesetsk cosmodrome in Northern Arkhangelsk region, Russia Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile launch on April 20, 2022 The statements come amid a hardening of Paris' stance towards Moscow after Macron abandoned his longstanding efforts to maintain a closer bond with Putin Macron for half a decade sought to cultivate a partnership with Russia but has now become an implacable foe of the Kremlin, warning that Putin poses a threat not just to Ukraine but the security of all Europeans. Weeks after taking office in 2017, Macron signalled his intentions towards Russia by rolling out the red carpet for Putin at a summit in the former royal residence of the Versailles Palace. In 2019, the Russian leader was invited to the French president's Mediterranean summer residence where Macron addressed Putin as 'dear Vladimir' and famously declared Russia was part of a Europe that extended from 'Lisbon to Vladivostok'. Even after Putin ordered Russian tanks into Ukraine in the February 2022 invasion, Macron sought to keep up a channel of dialogue with the Russian leader, speaking to him on multiple occasions until September that year and insisting on the need 'not to humiliate Russia'. Macron openly acknowledges his position has now undergone a major turnaround, citing a 'hardening' in Russia's stance at home and abroad, which has seen the prison death of opposition figure Alexei Navalny that supporters have blamed on the Kremlin, as well as a flurry of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns against countries including France. He has repeated as a mantra that 'Russia cannot win this war' and shocked European allies in February by refusing to rule out the sending of Western ground troops. 'Who would think for a single second that President Putin, who did not respect any of his limits and engagements, would stop there?' he said in an interview with French television on Thursday, insisting there should be 'no limits' in support for Ukraine and describing the war as 'existential' for Ukraine and Europe. Macron gave the interview on the eve of stage-managed presidential elections in Russia that should see Putin win another six-year term. He is in Berlin today for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has expressed discomfort with France's more bellicose stance, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. 'If Russia wins the life of the French will change. We will have no more security in Europe,' Macron warned. A French presidential official, who asked not to be named, said that Macron had 'gone to the end' in seeking a possible diplomatic path with Putin, even visiting Moscow in February 2022 in a last ditch attempt to prevent war. After this 'he (Macron) is the one who has the best justification to say that this path is not possible', the official said, adding: 'It is the Kremlin which has changed, not him (Macron)'. Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to TV host and Director General of Rossiya Segodnya (RIA Novosti) news agency Dmitry Kiselyov at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 12, 2024 A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system drives in Red Square during a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2023 French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky, left, at a press conference in Paris on February 16, 2024 Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visits Sarmat nuclear missile production facilities in Krasnoyarsk region The breakdown in the Macron-Putin relationship is shown starkly in a February 2022 telephone conversation on the eve of the invasion - which extremely unusually was filmed and broadcast in a French TV documentary - where both men drop diplomatic niceties for open shows of anger. 'Listen to me carefully! What's up with you?' said Putin in the conversation recorded in the documentary which was broadcast in the summer of 2022 but was shared virally on social media this week. In a sign of their previous intimacy, both men still use the informal 'you' ('tu' in French, 'ty' in Russian). 'The metamorphosis of Emmanuel Macron, the dove become hawk,' said the Le Monde daily this week. In an interview this week with French channel BFMTV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Putin had 'deceived' Macron by promising him and several leaders a few days before the war there would not be an invasion. 'I think he realised that Putin had personally deceived him.' Macron's more assertive position, and in particular the warning that the sending of Western ground troops was not ruled out, has raised hackles in Russia. Interviewing Putin this week, the star presenter with the state-run Rossiya channel Dmitry Kiselev asked the Russian leader 'what has happened to Macron? Has he lost his marbles? He looks like a fighting Gallic cockerel! He has frightened all Europeans.' Putin swatted the question away, claiming that 'such a sharp reaction, quite an emotional one' from Macron was linked to France losing influence in African countries where Russia has gained the upper hand through the Wagner mercenary group. 'Putin's position has not significantly changed. There are very serious changes in Macron's position,' said Sergei Markov, pro-Kremlin director of the Institute of Political Studies in Moscow. For Tatiana Kastoueva-Jean, Russia specialist at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), the change in Macron's stance towards Putin triggered this reaction from Russia. 'There is incomprehension (in Russia) over how someone who wants to discuss with Russia, to be the mediator, turns into someone who takes the lead of the toughest camp opposing it,' she said. A millionaire dubbed 'Britain's worst landlord' has been accused of harassing councillors despite a previous court injunction which cost him 125,000. Ashford Borough Council (ABC) claims Fergus Wilson, 73, once the biggest private landlord in the country, has continued to harass and insult its staff, despite legal action a couple of years ago. The injunction came after a 'decade of harassment' in which the buy-to-let landlord repeatedly instructed councillors to kill themselves and sent huge numbers of unsolicited letters and emails. ABC's legal representative Adam Solomon KC previously handed over a staggering 454 pieces of correspondence sent by Mr Wilson to council officials in the space of just over four years - between February 2016 and July 2020. Mr Soloman said his behaviour had made workers feel harassed and intimidated, with some receiving emails from him on a daily basis. Mr Wilson had been banned from contacting Ashford Borough Council for life after aggressively abusing staff there, including telling councilors to kill themselves Wilson with his wife Judith (pictured) who bought up scores of properties in the 1980s He was served a permanent injunction stopping him from contacting current and former officers, employees, councillors and agents of the council. The judgment required he should only communicate with one senior officer at the council. The case concluded in September 2021 and in May 2022, the court ordered Mr Wilson to make a payment of 125,000 to Ashford Borough Council as a part payment 'on account' while the full costs were assessed. The council believes this value, just under 75 per cent of their estimated costs of 170,000, represents a reasonable sum. But this week, Anthony Dunne KC, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, heard evidence from the authority that since the previous injunction was secured, Mr Wilson has on multiple occasions continued to contact and harass staff and councillors on a range of issues. Mr Wilson, of Boughton Monchelsea near Maidstone, represented himself in court. Judge Dunne reserved judgment and is expected to publish his decision next month. A previous High Court hearing heard some workers had received daily messages of abuse, the court heard, leading to some feeling bullied and distressed, being unable to respond to allegations and breaking down in tears. Included in the council's evidence was a letter, sent to former council leader Gerry Clarkson's home address, calling him a 'buffoon', 'an a******', 'a bag of ****' and said he should 'do all the young people in Ashford a service and commit suicide'. Fergus Wilson, 73, had previously been stopped from selling off his properties to plead poverty to dodge a legal bill Ashford Borough Council's (pictured) representative, Adam Soloman KC, handed in a staggering 454 copies of correspondence to the High Court, sent by Wilson to council officials between February 2016 and July 2020 Wilson also referred to a female member of staff as an 'objectionable lady' and 'Michelin lady' in an email where he called for her to be sacked. The council later took further legal action because Mr Wilson defaulted on three court judgements relating to the payment of 250,000 legal costs. But the multi-millionaire claimed he had no money and was unable to pay. Mr Wilson began rapidly disposing of their assets and the council believed there was a risk that the costs orders of the court would go unsatisfied, and that future orders would be frustrated if a freezing injunction was not made Investigators claimed Mr Wilson and his wife, Judith, made more than 40million from the sale of 166 properties - with 35 million made in the last two years. A High Court injunction stopped him from disposing of the remaining assets, including five homes he owns in Ashford, Kent. Mr Wilson said his wife Judith Wilson would pay 250,000 to the council. Six years ago, the landlord gained infamy for banning tenants he described as 'coloured' because he said they smell like curry. In 2017 this ban was overturned in a court victory for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. A major investigation has been launched in the wake of a young mum's shocking death after she went under the knife for a 'minor' surgery in Melbourne. Harjit Kaur, 30, unexpectedly fell pregnant after landing a new IT job with Nike and made the tough decision with her husband to schedule an abortion for January 12. Ms Kaur tragically died while her surgeon, Dr Rudolph 'Rudy' Lopes, was operating. Dr Lopes on Friday had his registration suspended by the Medical Board of Australia, pending an investigation, using regulatory powers that are typically reserved for extreme cases. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest any wrongdoing by Dr Lopes. Nor does Daily Mail Australia suggest any wrongdoing by the anaesthetist. After their initial probe into Dr Lopes, the watchdog established a specialist team to investigate the wider industry citing 'grave concerns' to patient health and safety. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is working alongside the state health department to conduct an investigation into multiple practitioners across a number of professions and practice locations. Harjit Kaur, 30, (pictured with her two young children, two and four) tragically died after having a 'routine' surgical abortion at a women's health clinic in Melbourne Martin Fletcher, chief executive of the AHPRA, said that further action needs to be taken to save lives. 'While the coroner continues to examine the tragic death of a patient, our inquiries are focusing on a wider range of issues that our investigations bring to light,' Mr Fletcher told The Age. 'We are gravely concerned by the picture that is emerging, national boards stand ready to take any further regulatory action needed to keep patients safe.' The watchdog refused to comment on the specific nature of Dr Lopes' suspension while its probe was underway. 'Patient safety is our paramount concern,' it said in a statement on Friday. 'Our investigation will continue in parallel with the coronial inquest into the death of a patient, respecting the integrity of the coroner's critical work. 'We are prioritising the integrity of our ongoing work and cannot provide further detail at this stage. We will update the register of practitioners if and when changes occur.' Ms Kaur died in the moments after her surgery at the Hampton Park Women's Health Clinic, in Melbourne's south-east, when her heart unexpectedly stopped beating. Ms Kaur was preparing to buy a family home with her husband, Sukhjinder Singh, where they could raise their four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. Dr Rudolph 'Rudy' Lopes (pictured), who operated on Ms Kaur, had his registration suspended by the Medical Board of Australia on Friday But when she discovered she had accidentally fallen pregnant the busy mum felt she was not mentally, physically and financially ready to have a third child, so the couple made the tough decision to have an abortion. After consulting with a doctor, they scheduled the surgery, which is considered a minor procedure. Ms Kaur messaged her husband as she was heading into the operation room and assured him she would call after her procedure - instead, it was Ms Kaur's surgeon, Dr Lopes, who called Mr Singh just over an hour later. 'He told me the procedure was successful but, while they were moving her into the general ward, her heartbeat stopped and there was an ambulance there giving her CPR,' Mr Singh said. 'I tried to enter the general ward but they stopped me and asked me to stay outside. Five minutes later the doctor came to me and said, 'Sorry your wife is dead'. 'I was dead then. My life destroyed in a second.' Family spokesperson, Suresh Rajan, said that 'an investigation into the practices of this clinic and into this particular doctor' is what they have been waiting for. Mr Singh described to Daily Mail Australia the harrowing moment he was finally let in to see his wife one last time. 'I begged her to come back for [the sake of] our little kids,' he said. Her devastated husband Sukhjinder Singh is struggling to comprehend what his future will look like without his wife Dr Lopes stood down voluntarily pending clearance of any surgical cause of death. The Age revealed that Mr Lopes faced another suspension in 2021 after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that he had engaged in sexual misconduct towards his patients over a period of six years. The tribunal opted not to cancel his registration at the time given that he had already been suspended for more than three years. The three-member panel said that Dr Lopes had to work in a supervised environment under specific conditions. 'We conclude here that Dr Lopes is now a suitable person to practise, subject to appropriate conditions, therefore we will not order that his registration be cancelled,' they found at the time. Dr Lopes' current suspension does not not apply to general practice services. The Hampton Park Women's Health Clinic was banned from conducting day surgeries and specialty services on February 29 as the investigation to determine the cause of Ms Kaur's death continues. Ms Kaur attended Hampton Park Women's Clinic (pictured) for the procedure on January 12 Mr Singh said he and Ms Kaur married in 2018, settling in Australia to 'give our kids a good life'. Now, without her, he has no idea what the future will look like for their family. 'She was so young and healthy,' he said. 'She just struggled her whole life for better life. She was so excited to move in her new home. She had lots of dreams. 'Now how will I take care of two kids by my self and manage my work? 'How will I pay off our mortgage? What will I tell my kids when they are asking for their mum? 'I'm fully destroyed.' A GoFundMe has been set up to support Mr Singh with funeral costs and as he takes time off to be with his children, with members of the community rallying to so far raise $59,000. The White House on Friday demanded Speaker Mike Johnson end his impeachment crusade against President Joe Biden, saying 'enough is enough.' 'The investigation has continually turned up evidence that, in fact, the President did nothing wrong,' White House counsel Edward Siskel wrote in a letter to Johnson. 'It is obviously time to move on, Mr. Speaker. This impeachment is over.' The aggressive new tone from the White House comes as Republicans have essentially come to a standstill in their effort to impeach Biden. Johnson, who has a thin majority in the House, doesn't have the votes to impeach the president. But ending the probe would essentially be a declaration that Biden did nothing wrong - an admission Republicans don't want to make in an election year. The White House is demanding House Republicans end their impeachment probe of President Joe Biden The speaker has acknowledged that it's unclear if investigation will disclose impeachable offenses and admits 'people have gotten frustrated' that it has dragged on this long. 'Does it reach the `treason, high crimes and misdemeanor standard?' Johnson said at the House Republican retreat, referring to the Constitutions high bar for impeachment. 'Everyone will have to make that evaluation when we pull all the evidence together.' Siskel, in his four-page letter to Johnson, points out Republicans have spent a year investigating Biden 'in an effort to find somethinganythingto hurt the President politically' but have turned up nothing. 'It is clear the House Republican impeachment is over,' Siskel writes. He goes on to berate Johnson for the investigation, calling it 'abusive.' 'Instead of admitting the truth that the President did nothing wrong, the Majority is wasting even more time on abusive steps like trying to re-interview witnesses who already testifiedperhaps hoping the facts will be different the second time around. This is just the latest abusive tactic in this investigation,' he writes. 'It has targeted the President's children, grandchildren, siblings, and in-laws for no reason. It has intruded into private citizens' personal records on everything from medical visits to birthday presents.' White House counsel Edward Siskel's letter to Speaker Mike Johnson Speaker Mike Johnson, who has a thin majority in the House, doesn't have the votes to impeach President Joe Biden White House counsel Ed Siskel wrote to Speaker Johnson, saying: 'It is clear the House Republican impeachment is over' Siskel's letter comes three days after congressional testimony by former special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden's mishandling of classified documents. Hur decided not to prosecute Biden and his probe failed to unearth any bombshell revelations linked to the impeachment probe. Democrats have always argued the impeachment probe was election-year politics to try and undermine Biden in his bid for a second term. Republicans had centered their probe around Biden's son Hunter, arguing that Hunter used his father's name and political power to cash in on business connections to increase the family wealth. President Biden said repeatedly he was never involved in his son's business deals. And Republicans' closed-door deposition of Hunter Biden didn't deliver the hoped-for smoking gun, leaving the probe at a standstill. Hunter Biden responded aggressively to Republicans. 'For more than a year, your committees have hunted me in your partisan political pursuit of my dad,' Hunter Biden, according to a copy of his opening statement, which was given in a closed-door hearing. 'You have trafficked in innuendo, distortion, and sensationalism all the while ignoring the clear and convincing evidence staring you in the face. You do not have evidence to support the baseless and MAGA-motivated conspiracies about my father because there isn't any.' House Oversight Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, who are leading the inquiry, said there is more work to do. Comer has said he will make criminal referrals in his report but hasn't said of who. 'At the end of the day, what does accountability look like? It looks like criminal referrals. It looks like referring people to the Department of Justice,' he told Fox News. Comer said he was 'very prepared' to bring criminal referrals and directly referenced the possibility of the 'next president' picking them up. 'If Merrick Garland's Department of Justice won't take any potential criminal referrals seriously, then maybe the next president, with a new Attorney General, will,' Comer said. Some House Republicans see criminal referrals to the DoJ as an 'exit strategy' to get them out of holding an impeachment vote, ABC News reported. Republicans are also considering new laws that would require tighter financial disclosure and foreign lobbying guardrails. The Republicans targeted Hunter Biden in their probe; he is seen above with his lawyer Abbe Lowell, arriving for his closed-door deposition in the Capitol in February Former special counsel Robert Hur's probe failed to unearth any bombshell revelations linked to the impeachment probe After 14 months, over 100,000 pages of documents and over 40 interviews Republicans have failed to uncover evidence to support their allegations against Biden. Additionally, Alexander Smirnov, who Republicans called 'a highly credible FBI source,' was indicted by special counsel David Weiss on felony false statement and obstruction charges after he allegedly provided false information about Joe and Hunter Biden. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, who supports impeaching Biden but acknowledges the GOP doesn't have the votes, told CNN: 'We are eight months away from a presidential election. We've done our job and laid a good case out there. Let's move on. Our focus should be on getting Donald Trump elected.' 'If the impeachment vote would fail, how would that make us look?' Nehls asked. Opposition lawmakers urge Yoon to dismiss controversial secretary By Nam Hyun-woo Hwang Sang-moo, senior presidential secretary for civil and social affairs, has apologized for his inappropriate reference to a 1988 terrorist attack on a journalist. "I apologize for causing concern to the public through my words and actions," he said in a statement sent to reporters, Saturday. "I failed to understand the situation of the listener. I apologize to all journalists." He added: "From now on, as a public official, I will be especially careful about my words and actions and behave more responsibly." His apology came two days after Hwang mentioned the decades-old case, in which agents from the Korea Defense Intelligence Command (KDIC) attacked a reporter who had criticized the military, according to broadcaster MBC, Thursday. I finished my military service at the KDIC and there was a case of an economic newspaper reporter being stabbed in the leg twice in 1988 in front of Hyundai Apartment in Apgujeong (Seoul), Hwang was quoted as saying. To make his situation worse, he directed the comment toward MBC, which has been critical of President Yoon Suk Yeol. He said, MBC should pay attention. Hwang was referring to the case of the late journalist Oh Hong-keun, who had been the city desk editor of the now-defunct JoongAng Economic Daily and later became the presidential spokesperson for Kim Dae-jung, who was Korea's president from 1988 to 2003. Oh wrote a column titled Military culture that should be eradicated in the August 1988 edition of Monthly JoongAng, and was attacked on Aug. 6 that year near his home by two men in tracksuits. The defense ministry investigation later found that the attack was ordered by a general of the KDIC, and the KDIC commander approved the crime. During the luncheon, Hwang reportedly said his remark was a joke and asked the reporters present not to mention it in their information reporting, which is a journalists memo to their desk editors about the information they collected that is inappropriate for a news article. While referring to the case, Hwang said writing stories critical of the government in those days had been problematic, MBC reported. More recently, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has been butting heads with MBC after the broadcaster reported that Yoon used profanity in referring to the U.S. government in a hot mic incident on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in September 2022. At the time, Yoon had accused the broadcaster of airing malicious fake news, to which an MBC reporter yelled at the president, What do you think is malicious? This resulted in a quarrel with a presidential secretary. The presidential office then banned reporters working for MBC from boarding the presidential jet on the president's state visit to the U.S. in April 2023. The ban was lifted later, but tensions remain between the broadcaster and the presidential office. Since the quarrel, Yoon has not been holding official press conferences, instead resorting to live broadcasting or streaming to deliver his remarks to the public. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea issued a statement denouncing the senior secretary, who is also a former news anchor, accusing him of threatening the press and saying Yoon should dismiss him from his post. It was a frightening threat by a key official of the presidential office, DPK Rep. Ko Min-jung said. Though Hwang said it was a joke, it is a devastatingly thoughtless comment that cannot be the subject of any joke. Reform Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok wrote on Facebook Is a knife attack in response to reports that do not suit their tastes the media policy of the Yoon administration? Saemirae Party Chairman Lee Nak-yon also said, The comments show that democracy and freedom of the press were downgraded to that of the era of military dictatorship during the Yoon administration. Oh Hyung-keun, the younger brother of Oh Dae-keun, told Hankyoreh newspaper, The presidential secretary, who is a former journalist, used the brutal incident as a means of public coercion by openly threatening a specific media outlet. An enormous North Carolina pig, named Thanos because of his large size, is now receiving hospice care for a broken leg only two weeks after going viral. The 800-pound farm pig was first spotted traipsing around Wake County, North Carolina, and he visited multiple neighborhoods between Knightdale and Wendell following his escape from an as of yet unidentified farm. Locals posted videos of Thanos strutting across people's lawns on Facebook, and soon, the pig went viral. 'Who sees a big pig, just roaming around?!' Dr. Jennifer Federico, the Director of the Wake County Animal Center, asked in a Facebook group that discussed Thanos' big adventure. Wake County Animal Control ultimately nabbed the itinerant pig on Eagle View Drive, which was south of where he had initially been spotted. Thanos was discovered puttering about the North Carolina neighborhoods between Knightdale and Wendell The 800-pound pig was captured at Eagle View Drive, and then, he was taken to the Wake County Animal Control Center Thanos was taken to the center, but his massive size prevented him from being able to stay in a kennel. The staff decided to engineer a new home for Thanos: a spacious outdoor pen that would provide him with ample room. No owner came forward to claim Thanos, so in accordance with state law, the pig was to be auctioned off this past Tuesday. But X-rays of Thanos revealed that the pig had been hobbling around on a leg that was broken and arthritic. The auction was cancelled. Before Thanos could be auctioned off, X-rays uncovered a deep fracture in his leg and the sale was cancelled Thanos will now live out his days at the Flip Side Sanctuary, where a consummate staff will take care of his different medical needs 'That leg has been fractured. It's an old fracture. But he has extensive arthritis in that leg,' Dr. Federico told WNCT. 'He really is a hospice case at this point.' Dr. Federico explained that although the overpopulation of dogs is an issue we hear about, the overpopulation of pigs is an even bigger issue. This is because pig shelters aren't available in every county. 'All of the sanctuaries are full, because pigs live so long. And it's really a sad state of affairs.' But Thanos will be all right. With the help of the Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary, Dr. Federico and her team were able to find the pig a new home at Flip Side Sanctuary. Flip Side Sanctuary, which is in Tabor City, North Carolina, will administer to Thanos' special medical needs. 'They also have other elderly pigs that have mobility issues that are on pain meds twice a day, so he's not going to be unusual for them,' Dr. Federico said. At Flip Side Sanctuary, Thanos will even have his own pen, in which he will have plenty of space to move his 800-pound bulk. 'I think it's cool to see where he is and just complete the story for him,' Dr. Federico concluded. Disney, its animation subsidiary Pixar and fellow film giant Warner Brothers have been accused of 'normalising' the mutilation of dogs by featuring disfigured animals in films. MP and vet Dr Neil Hudson took aim at films such as Up and DC's League of Super Pets for featuring dogs with cropped ears. The procedure that is illegal in England and Wales but cropped dogs can still be imported from countries where it is legal, including the US. The procedure has become more popular, with celebrities including Kendall Jenner owning Dobermans with ears that have been cut away so they stand up straight. Pixar's Up features a Doberman called Alpha with cropped - or docked - ears that stick up tall instead of flapping down naturally. Additionally, Super Pets features a dog called Ace, voiced by Kevin Hart, who is a crop-eared sidekick to Batman. The criticism came as MPs debated a fresh bid to crack down on puppy smuggling. Tory MP Selaine Saxby's proposed legislation would ban cropped dogs from being brought into the UK. DC's League of Super Pets features a dog called Ace, voiced by Kevin Hart, who is a crop-eared sidekick to Batman. The procedure has become more popular, with celebrities including Kendall Jenner owning Dobermans with ears that have been cut away so they stand up straight. Dobermans have naturally floppy ears Dr Hudson, the MP for Penrith and The Border, said: 'We've got to have a look at popular culture as well, if you look at the popular animated films - one of my favourite films that I watch with my children was the Disney Pixar film Up, which we all absolutely love. 'But if you look really closely at the dogs in that film, many of them are cropped. And so if people are going to the cinema with their kids, and seeing this on the big screen, that looks normal and that is wrong. 'Equally so, in the last couple of years there was another hugely successful animated film, The Super Pets film, again the lead character was an ear-cropped dog. 'Now a lot of people then, in our country, they love their animals but they don't realise that ear cropping is not normal and so they want to have those dogs, and unfortunately there is a popular culture, a celebrity culture, as well. 'So we need to educate people that these dogs have been horrifically mutilated. So this law, when it comes in, will really close that loophole down.' The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill went before MPs this morning. The Government is set to throw its support behind the measures, it is understood. It aims to ban dogs and cats under six months from being brought into the UK. It would also prohibit the importation of heavily pregnant animals. The proposals, which come in a private member's bill, will also limit the number of pets a person can travel with. It comes after the Government came under pressure from Tory MPs following the decision to scrap its own planned legislation last May. The Bill had been expected to have cracked down on puppy smuggling, banned live animal exports for fattening and slaughter, and helped to tackle pet abduction and livestock worrying, among other changes. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said last year her colleagues 'should be reassured' that the Government still plans to fulfil its pledges. Ms Saxby today urged the Government to crack down on puppy, kitten and ferret smuggling by closing loopholes which are exploited by 'unscrupulous' commercial traders. Opening the second reading debate, Ms Saxby said: 'As a dog owner myself, it is horrific to hear stories of puppies and kittens being smuggled across the border and the poor conditions they have to endure. 'Pets are more than just property they are family, and the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill will ensure that pets are not sold or traded as objects.' More passengers who were left traumatized after a blow out that left a door-sized hole in the main cabin during their Alaska Airlines flight in January are suing with one saying that his seat belt saved his life after his shoes and socks were sucked out. Seven passengers filed a suit against Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Spirit AeroSystems and 10 other unnamed persons. It was filed in King County in Washington State. The flight was en route from Seattle to Ontario, California. The incident appeared to set off a series of high-profile safety failures for Boeing in 2024. Just last week, a Boeing plane lost a wheel after take off, crushing cars below. Among the plaintiffs is Cuong Tran, who made headlines worldwide at the time of the incident when his phone was found in Oregon and returned to him intact and still working. Tran was seated in the row behind where the hole appeared. In the suit, Tran says that he could feel the pulling from the hole. His shoes and socks were sucked out and he injured his foot when it hit off the seat in front of him. On January 5, the door plug blew out on a flight above Oregon causing an emergency landing and a massive federal probe into airline safety Crucial bolts were MISSING from door plug that blew off Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX plane, according to the NTSB Just last week, the DOJ announced it was reopening its criminal investigation into the incident 'Our clients and likely every passenger on that flight suffered unnecessary trauma due to the failure of Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Alaska Airlines to ensure that the aircraft was in a safe and airworthy condition,' attorney Timothy A. Loranger said. The group are seeking punitive damages as well as compensation and damages due to negligence and failing to protect passengers. 'I was just dozing off, my phone in hand, and then the captain messaged we were above 10,000 feet. Next thing I know, I hear this whoosh sound really strong-sounding wind,' Tran told The Los Angeles Times in January. 'My shoe and sock got sucked out of the airplane, along with my phone,' he added. Tran also said that he saw a person's shirt get sucked out and fly across the plane. On Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice had reopened its criminal investigation into the incident. 'In an event like this, it's 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.' The Journal reported that the investigation would assist the Department's 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. The door plug was later found in the yard of an Oregon teacher 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 last week. The company said its 'working hypothesis' was that the records about the panel's removal and reinstallation on the 737 MAX final assembly line in Renton, Washington, were never created, even though Boeing's systems required it. Utah cops have revealed that the mother of accused killer Kouri Richins may have been involved in her son-in-law's alleged murder. Richins, from Kama in Utah, is accused of poisoning her husband by serving him a fentanyl-laced Moscow mule on March 3, 2022. Now investigators have revealed a new theory that Richins got the idea from her mother Lisa Darden, 64. In May 2023, a Summit County Sheriff's Office detective submitted a search warrant affidavit based on a suspicion that Darden was 'involved in planning and orchestrating Eric's death,' based on her previous involvement with a mysterious death in 2006. 'In investigating Kouri Richins' associates, it was discovered that in 2006, Richins' mother, Lisa Darden was living with an adult female with whom she was having a romantic relationship,' the detective wrote in the affidavit. 'In April of that year, her romantic partner died unexpectedly.' Kouri Richins is accused of poisoning her husband Eric, 39, by slipping him five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow Mule in March 2022 Investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting that Richins' mother Lisa Darden, 64, (pictured) may have played a role in Eric Richins' death The partner was Gertrude Lee Moore, who died at the age of 49 'suddenly' on April 30, 2006. In Moore's obituary, Darden was described as 'her best friend.' An autopsy revealed that Moore's 'immediate cause of death was a drug poisoning from an overdose of oxycodone,' Fox News reported. 'Further investigation showed that Lisa Darden had been named as the beneficiary of her partner's estate a short time before her death,' the detective continued. 'The female did have current prescriptions for oxycodone and reportedly struggled with abusing her meds. She, however, was not in a state of recovery from addiction at the time of her death. 'Based on my training and experience, this would likely rule out the possibility of an accidental overdose.' The detective suggested that, based on Darden's proximity to Moore's suspicious overdose death and her close relationship with Richins, she could have been involved in 'planning and orchestrating' Eric's overdose death. Skye Lazaro, the attorney representing Kouri Richins, denied the detective's suggestion and said Darden's partner was a victim of the national opioid crisis. 'Summit County is well aware that opioid addiction and fentanyl overdose is a rampant problem throughout the country. According to the CDC, 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl,' Lazaro said in a statement to Fox. Skye Lazaro, the attorney representing Kouri Richins, denied the detective's suggestion that the mother was involved and said Darden's partner was a victim of the national opioid crisis Richins is accused of poisoning husband Eric (pictured right), 39, by slipping him five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into the drink in March 2022 The night that Eric died, the mother and daughter were celebrating Richins' recent closure on a $2 million mansion. Richins owned a real estate company and her husband owned a successful masonry business. One day after his death, affidavits for search warrants show that Kouri signed the closing papers on the property and invited friends for a party where she was drinking and celebrating. Richins and her husband had previously been arguing about her plans to purchase and flip a 10-acre $2 million home in the days before he was found dead at their Utah home last March, according to court documents. Prosecutors say Eric found out that his wife had taken out a $250,000 home equity line of credit and spent it, withdrawn $100,000 from his bank accounts, and spent more than $30,000 on his credit cards. Kouri Richins also stole about $134,000 from her husband's business meant for tax payments, the documents state. The documents state that she agreed to repay her husband back when he confronted her about the missing money. Prosecutors allege Kouri purchased four different life insurance policies, which totaled over $1.9 million between 2015 and 2017. Kouri, now 35, was charged with aggravated murder and drug possession in 2023. Authorities claim that she poisoned Eric with fentanyl to collect millions in life insurance funds. Kouri is said to have bought four life insurance policies on her husband totaling $2million in the years prior to his death, according to court records Richins and her husband had been arguing about her plans to purchase and flip a 10-acre $2 million home, pictured here, in the days before he was found dead Prior to his death in March of 2022, Eric had changed his will to make his sister the sole beneficiary of his life insurance policy and was even thinking of getting a divorce from Kouri, according to his family. Family attorney and spokesperson Greg Skordas previously told DailyMail.com Eric was afraid Kouri was trying to kill him after two separate instances in which he became violently ill after drinking or eating with his wife. Darden told the broadcaster: 'I believe Eric may have gotten pain pills and didn't realize that they had fentanyl in them. 'If you knew Kouri, she would never ever do this. Not only to Eric, but to those boys.' Her brother Ronnie also told the show: 'She loves her boys way to much to take their father away from them. 'They were in probably the best spot we've seen them in in a long time at the time of his death.' The family also claimed that Eric 'loved to party', with Ronnie adding: 'Eric loved to party, he loved to have a good time. 'The simplest answer is often the correct one, it was most likely an accidental overdose.' Darden previously said Eric, who came from a prominent Mormon family in Kamas, would cheat on his wife and left her with a black eye after she confronted his alleged former mistress. She identified the mistress as Jennifer White, 40, who like Eric worked in the masonry business. Darden said her daughter grew suspicious when her husband's phone rang at home. She picked it up, and the woman on the other end instantly hung up. Richins quizzed her husband, who confessed to the affair, according to Darden. It is claimed that Richins then phoned the alleged mistress the next day, shouting at her and demanding she leave her husband alone, the mom said. 'Eric responded angrily, and this wasn't the first time,' Darden said. 'He'd push her, he'd punch her.' Darden also claimed Eric would cheat on his wife and identified his mistress as Jennifer White, 40 (pictured) - who denied the affair Richins had written a book following her husband's passing and appeared on TV promoting it Approached by DailyMail.com, White acknowledged the confrontational call, but said she denied the affair and that was the end of it. Shortly after her husband's death, the mother of three self-published a children's book titled 'Are You with Me?' about an angel wing-clad deceased father watching over his sons. She promoted it on television and radio, describing the book as a way to help children grieve the loss of a loved one. She said in an interview that she was motivated to write the book after searching Amazon and Barnes and Noble and finding 'nothing' to help them 'cope'. 'I went on Amazon and Barnes and Noble to try to find something to help us cope at night, nights are the hardest. I just wanted some story to read to my kids at night and I couldn't find anything that suited them, so I was like "let's just write one".' The entrepreneur told the student there expectation were too high and he wishes 'ample doses of pain and suffering' on them Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told Stanford students they needed to 'suffer' in order to become successful in business. Huang, 60, co-founded Nvidia in the 1990's helping to build it into a $2 trillion leader in the artificial intelligence revolution. Thirty years and at least one brush with bankruptcy later, Nvidia is the hottest stock on Wall Street, up more than 250 percent over the last year. At an event on March 7 Stanford students gathered to hear the business secrets of a man that has built a company worth more than Amazon, Google and Meta. 'For all you Stanford students, I wish upon you ample doses of pain and suffering' he told the crowd at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is now the 20th richest man on the planet with a net worth of $69.7 billion He graduated as computers were breaking into the mainstream in 1984 - the same year Apple released its first Macintosh and the term 'cyberspace' was coined Huang explained that he believes suffering is part of character formation and building resilience, both key to becoming successful in the business world. 'One of my great advantages is I have very low expectations,' he told the students. 'Most of the Stanford graduates have very high expectations.' 'You're surrounded by other kids that are just incredible. You should have very high, you naturally have very high expectations,' he said while looking relaxed in his trademark black leather jacket. However, 'people with very high expectations have very low resilience' he argued. 'Unfortunately, resilience matters in success,' he said. 'I don't know how to teach it to you except for I hope suffering happens to you.' 'Character isn't formed out of smart people,' he said. 'It's formed out of people who suffered.' Huang with his wife Lori on San Francisco's Billionaires' Row. His home (pictured) has an estimated worth of $44 million, according to Redfin Homes in the elusive neighborhood cost tens of millions of dollars and you can count tech giants Larry Ellison and David Sachs as neighbors Adding: 'I don't know how to do it, but for all you Stanford students, I wish upon you ample doses of pain and suffering.' Huang is currently the 20th richest person on the planet with a net worth of $69.7 billion, Bloomberg estimates. It marks an astonishing reversal of fortune for a shy former Denny's worker who was bullied at his Kentucky school after arriving from Thailand when he was nine. Today, the 61-year-old father-of-two lives with his wife Lori on San Francisco's Billionaires' Row where homes cost tens of millions of dollars and you can count tech giants Larry Ellison and David Sachs as neighbors. The 11,400-square-foot, seven-bedroom property boasts panoramic views of the city's Gold Coast and has an estimated worth of $44 million, according to Redfin. Property records show Huang also owns a home in Maui, Hawaii - with an estimated value of $33 million - while he sold a third place in Los Altos, California, for $9.9 million in 2022. A 'double tap' Russian missile strike on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa killed at least 14 people and injured 46 others, including emergency responders who rushed to the scene to save the first victims, local officials said. The two waves of strikes early on Friday saw a missile hit houses, before a second was blasted into the same location as emergency crews arrived at the scene, authorities said. Among those killed were a paramedic and an emergency service worker, with pictures from the scene showing victims lying in pools of blood and firefighters covered in dust. At least 10 houses in Odesa were damaged in the attack, which started a blaze, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service and regional Governor Oleh Kiper, which firefighters battled despite the looming threat. Bodies covered the streets of the residential area early following the brutal attack by Vladimir Putin's forces, and a day of mourning has been declared in Odesa Oblast on March 16. A firefighter who is covered in dust and is bleeding sits against a tree following the brutal attack Emergency services work at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, March 15 Fires raged at the site of the attack, with emergency workers fighting to get them under control Medical staff providing assistance to an injured rescuer following a missile attack in Odesa The tactic of firing a second missile at the same location, aiming to hit rescuers, is known in military terms as a double tap. Such strikes often hit civilians, as was the case today, and it is a method Russia has used in the past with devastating consequences. In August last year, two Iskander missiles hit Pokrovsk city centre in the Donetsk region, killing nine, including civilians, a first responder and a soldier. The number of injured surpassed 80 in the double strike, which hit 12 high-rise buildings, a hotel, a pharmacy, shops and cafes, according to Ukrainian authorities, who blamed it on Russia. Civilian deaths have continued to climb amid Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Overnight, two people were killed and three wounded in Ukraine's central Vinnytsia region after Russia struck a building with a drone, according to regional Gov. Serhii Borzov. An injured rescuer was left covered in dirt and with a huge rip in his jacket following the chaos Firefighters extinguish a fire amid rubble after the 'double tap' attack wrecked 'at least 10' houses Rescues carry an injured colleague at the site of the Russian missile strike The Ukrainian air force said it shot down all 27 Shahed drones that Russia launched over Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv regions. The attack occurred as Russians voted in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend Vladimir Putin's rule by another six years. The election takes place amid a ruthless crackdown by the Kremlin, that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups, giving Putin full control of the political system as Moscow's war in Ukraine enters its third year. Voters are casting their ballots Friday through to Sunday at polling stations across the vast country's 11 time zones, as well as in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine. Ukraine and the West have also condemned Russia for holding the vote in Ukrainian regions that Moscow's forces have seized and occupied. Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to secure another six-year term in the Kremlin In many ways, Ukraine is at the heart of this election, political analysts and opposition figures say. Putin wants to use his all-but-assured electoral victory as evidence that the public support his handling of the war, which he continues to refer to as a 'special military operation'. Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv's forces on one side and pro-Russian Ukrainians and Russian proxies on the other. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed and many more wounded on both sides, thousands of Ukrainian civilians are dead and Ukraine's economy and infrastructure have suffered damage worth hundreds of billions of dollars. LATAM Boeing 787 flying from Sydney to Auckland took a terrifying plunge after a flight attendant serving a cockpit meal inadvertently hit a switch on the pilot's seat. The accidental action set off a chain reaction, activating a motorized function that jolted the pilot into the controls, sending the aircraft into a descent that some passengers describe like a scene from the 'The Exorcist.' Boeing issued a memo to operators of 787 jets on Thursday night, urging them to inspect cockpit chairs for loose covers on switches and providing instructions on how to deactivate the pilot seat motor if necessary. 'Closing the spring-loaded seat back switch guard onto a loose/detached rocker switch cap can potentially jam the rocker switch, resulting in unintended seat movement,' stated the memo, obtained by The Wall Street Journal. Boeing also mentioned that updates to flight crew manuals are being considered. LATAM Boeing 787 flying from Sydney to Auckland took a terrifying plunge after a flight attendant serving a cockpit meal inadvertently hit a switch on the pilot's seat. A photograph taken on March 9, 2023 shows a view of the cockpit of a United Airlines Boeing 787 aircraft Latam, an airline based in Chile, has stated that the Dreamliner experienced a 'technical event during the flight which caused strong movement,' as indicated by preliminary evidence from an investigation. This switch, which is supposed to be covered and not operated while a pilot is seated, led to the inadvertent activation of the control system. A Latam spokesperson said the company is cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation. 'We are in contact with our customer, and Boeing stands ready to support investigation-related activities as requested,' Boeing said in a statement. 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.' 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 Boeing 787 Passenger Records 'Final' Video to Mother After Flight NosedivesA passenger documented what it was like onboard a Boeing 787 operated by LATAM Airline Moments after the plane dropped abruptly during its flight from Sydney to Auckland on Monday, March 11 The LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that suddenly lost altitude mid-flight a day earlier, dropping violently and injuring dozens of terrified travellers, is seen on the tarmac of the Auckland International Airport in Auckland on March 12 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 An ambulance leaving Auckland International Airport after a number of passengers were injured 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 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. 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 He said he had problems with how Boeing was handling its production of its 737s and 787s in particular, days after a door plug blew out on a 737 blew out at 16,000ft, '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. This comes as the Boeing whistleblower found dead on Saturday had given stark warnings over the aviation giant's 787 Dreamliner and 737 Max models just weeks before his demise. John Barnett, 62, was found with a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound in the parking lot of a hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. Barnett was found dead inside his truck on Saturday in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Charleston, pictured above Barnett's attorney, Brian Knowles, told the BBC that Barnett had been in the middle of a deposition in a whistleblower lawsuit in Charleston related to production of the 787 Dreamliner plane. The suit alleged under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting 'sub-standard' parts to Boeing 787s, and that brass were sweeping defects under the rug to save money. The FAA has since revealed the firm failed a whopping 33 of 89 audits during an exam of its 737 Max production. In January, Barnett appeared on TMZ to provide his take on a technical failure that saw a door fly off its hinges of a 737 - a model he said was being victimized by recent shifts in strategy along with the 787. Former President Donald Trump is weigh in on Republican Senate leadership as the race heats up to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The ex-president endorsed Senator John Barrasso for the number two GOP Senate spot Thursday night. 'John Barrasso is a fantastic Senator for the incredible people of Wyoming,' Trump wrote in a social media post. 'He is running to be the next Republican Whip for the Senate Republican Conference, a very important job, to ensure we pass and enact Strong Legislation that puts America First. I know John very well he will never let you down.' Trump wrote Barrasso has his 'Complete and Total Endorsement!' Barrasso currently serves in the No. 3 spot as Republican Conference Chairman and worked closely with Trump when he was president. He endorsed Trump in his bid to return to the White House in January. Donald Trump and Sen. John Barrasso in West Palm Beach, FL in 2019 The shakeup in Senate Republican leadership comes after McConnell announced last month he would be stepping down as Republican Senate leader in November. He is the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history. Two Republican senators have already announced they're running for the top spot. Minority Leader McConnell served as top Senate Republican since being elected in 2007. He announced he would step down from leadership in November Senators John Cornyn and John Thune have both jumped in the race for top Senate Republican after McConnell announced he would leave the post Senator John Cornyn of Texas jumped in the race at the end of February. He touted his previous Republican leadership experience as he angles for the job, having served as the GOP Senate Whip from 2013 to 2019 and as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He left his Senate leadership post in 2019 because the position is term-limited. The current No. 2 Senate Republican John Thune also jumped in the race to replace McConnell earlier this month. The South Dakota senator told a local news outlet McConnell stepping down is a 'chance for a reset' and he would 'like to be a part of it.' Trump has reportedly been pushing Montana Senator Steve Daines to also run for leadership as he was an early endorser of Trump's 2024 presidential bid. Megyn Kelly has mocked her former CNN colleague Don Lemon for getting fired by Elon Musk before his Twitter show even began. Lemon, who was dumped by CNN in April 2023 after allegations of misogyny, interviewed the Twitter owner for his episode, but the fallout was disastrous. Musk reneged on the multimillion-dollar deal hours after the sit-down, where Lemon asked him about hate speech on Twitter and his drug use. Kelly, a longtime Lemon adversary, spent 12 minutes on her SiriusXM podcast rubbing salt in the wound on Thursday. 'Don Lemon got fired again. He got fired, before he really got hired. It's very hard for Don Lemon to keep a job, and we know why,' she began. Megyn Kelly has mocked her former CNN colleague Don Lemon for getting fired by Elon Musk before his Twitter show even began Kelly gave Lemon a modest amount of credit for being in the awkward position of trying to do a proper interview with that man who hired him. 'Don't interview your boss, that is the lesson that came out of his hot mess,' she said. 'It's very hard for Don Lemon in this position to both be a good journalist and be a good employee - the man's paying your salary so you do owe him a level of respect and discretion. 'But at the same time you want to prove to us, in your first interview back, how hard-hitting you are, and those two goals are not aligned.' But Kelly still have very little sympathy for Lemon's fate, saying she 'doesn't blame' Musk for being incensed by the interview. 'Don Lemon behaved like an a**hole who was not grateful to Elon Musk for resurrecting his career,' she said. Kelly then played one of the few clips released from the interview where Lemon asked Musk about policing hate speech on Twitter. After the clip aired, Lemon said that he wouldn't have brought up the drug use had Musk not already admitted to it Musk reneged on the multimillion-dollar deal hours after the sit-down, where Lemon asked him about hate speech on Twitter and his drug use Musk said he didn't have to answer such questions and only gave him the interview because he was working for Twitter. Kelly then claimed Lemon should have asked Musk about 'how great X is doing' instead of 'being partisan' with negative questions. Twitter lost 13 per cent of its active users in the first year after Musk's $44 billion takeover in October 2022 and revenue fell 22 per cent to $3.4 billion. Kelly played another clip where Lemon explained in a CNN interview that he asked Musk about Twitter users and hate speech because rhetoric like 'migrant invasion' and the white supremacist 'great replacement theory' were in the manifestos of mass shooters. The 'Great Replacement Theory' preaches that white European populations are being demographically and culturally replaced by non-white peoples - especially from Muslim countries. Brenton Tarrant, who shot dead 51 Muslims in a New Zealand mosque in 2019, was heavily influenced by it before his rampage. One of Kelly's guests suggested Lemon's plan all along was to get fired as a publicity stunt, but she said 'I really think you overestimate his (Lemon's) intelligence'. 'You're not the victim, you're not a victim in any way. And yet he continues to escape consequence - CNN says "you're fired because you turned out to be a misogynist, in our view", and he plays the victim there,' Kelly said. 'Now this happens, and he says I've been victimized again, [Musk] doesn't like diverse people... he's reveling in "poor me and my millions".' CNN aired footage showing Lemon asking Musk about his recreational use of horse tranquilizer ketamine During a bizarre interview with the network that unceremoniously fired him, Lemon spoke in detail about his interview with Musk, revealing the pair spoke about drug use, supporting Trump, and white supremacy. When asked why the show was canceled, Lemon told former colleague Erin Burnett: 'That's a good question for Elon Musk, quite franklin. What happened? I don't know. As I said in my statement, I felt really good about the interview.' While Lemon claims he is clueless over why Musk became 'so upset' by the interview, the billionaire countered that he canned the show after finding Lemon's approach was 'basically just CNN, but on social media.' 'And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity,' he wrote on Twitter. In the clips that have surfaced from the piece, which Lemon described as 'tense at moments,' the pair covered a wide-range of topics, including Musk's use of drugs, his lack of support for Joe Biden and issues over moderation at X. CNN aired footage showing Lemon asking Musk about his recreational use of horse tranquilizer ketamine. The Tesla founder's use of the drug has been widely reported on and he himself has admitted to taking it. 'The reason I mentioned ketamine with prescription on the X platform is because I thought: "Maybe this is something that could help other people." That's why I mentioned it. 'Obviously I'm not a doctor but I would say that if someone has depression issues, they should consider talking to their doctor about ketamine.' Burnett went on to air a tweet from Musk made days before, in which the outspoken South African complained about migrants changing the political climate of the US After the clip aired, Lemon said that he wouldn't have brought up the drug use had Musk not already admitted to it, in the wake of a Wall Street Journal expose that accused him of micro dosing at work and full dosing while partying. In another exchange, Musk described his recent meeting with ex-President Donald Trump in Florida. Musk said that he was having breakfast at a friends' home when Trump happened to stop by. 'He did most of the talking,' Musk joked. Lemon pressed Musk by asking him if he would be paying any of Trump's legal bills and asking if the Republican nominee asked for any money, including a political donation. Musk said no. Lemon then asked if Musk was leaning towards wither Trump or Biden ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Musk said his only 'lean' was 'away from Biden.' The interview became tense when Lemon asked Musk about moderation amid the rise in hate speech since the SpaceX founder took over Twitter in October 2022. Musk has long championed the platform as a 'digital town square.' The billionaire earned huge criticism when he responded to a post endorsing the white supremacist 'great replacement theory.' Musk stressed that he didn't need to answer questions about his endorsement of the theory. 'Don, the only reason I'm doing this interview is because you're on the X platform and you asked for it.' 'I'm criticized constantly, I could care less,' he added. The short-lived series, called 'The Don Lemon Show,' was scrapped shortly after the interview was filmed, leaving Lemon without a platform again. Lemon went on to outline the encounter in a scathing statement Wednesday, before providing more detail to Burnett. It served as the first time he appeared on CNN since his firing, during which brass reportedly paid him more than $24million. 'As I said in my statement, I felt really good about the interview,' Lemon told Burnett. 'I said to him as we were doing the interview - and it was tense at moments - "I think it's good that people see folks like you and I who have different worldviews come together and talk." 'As he says, have free speech,' he specified. 'Apparently that doesn't matter to Elon Musk. 'It's just for talking points for him - or rhetoric,' Lemon continued, appearing stoic despite the cancelled contract. 'Because it doesn't seem to matter when it's about him - questions about him. From people like me.' He concluded: 'Free speech is only important when someone you don't like, or I would say someone who doesn't have your same point of view... if they're allowed to speak freely and to say their point of view.' 'He didn't quite seem to understand that he did,' Lemon answered, before citing how the billionaire has faced accusations from the Anti-Defamation League and others of tolerating antisemitic messages on the platform since purchasing it - leading to a public apology and a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau with a rabbi, Ben Shapiro and a Holocaust survivor (seen here) Lemon revealed earlier in the day that his new X show has been canned by Elon Musk after the billionaire became 'so upset' by their unreleased interview Burnett went on to air a tweet from Musk made days before, in which the outspoken South African complained about migrants changing the political climate of the US. 'Exactly,' Musk wrote, replying to a post from an alt-right political theorist that claimed US officials' counting of migrants in the census 'incentivizes Democrats to continue the [migrant] invasion in order to build up power.' He went on: 'Increasing illegals boosts Dem voting power, causing them to recruit even more! 'If Dems win President, House & Senate (with enough seats to overcome filibuster), theyll grant citizenship to all illegals & America will become a permanent one-party deep socialist state.' The statement is somewhat in line with the ideas of The Great Replacement Theory - concocted by French author Renaud Camus in 2010 - picked up steam on then-Twitter prior to Musk's takeover, before being censored by Musk's predecessors. Upon taking the helm in 2022, Musk made it his mission to create a platform devoid of censorship, before going on to allow such posts to be seen censor-free. The far-right activist, who made the assertion Musk agreed with, for example, had been banned before Musk bought the website. Hours before, Lemon took to his own X profile to slam Musk's decision as an attack on his free speech, after which Musk countered by insisting Lemon is free to share his show on the platform 'without' censorship. However, the Tesla boss quickly added, 'we reserve the right to make decisions about our business partnerships.' Meanwhile, Lemon, after losing out on what was likely a lucrative contract, told his 1.4 million followers of the ill-fated encounter: 'We had a good conversation. Clearly [Musk] felt differently,' He went on: 'His commitment to a global town square where all questions can be asked and all ideas can be shared seems not to include questions of him from people like me.' 'Hardcore questions were asked,' Lemon added in a separate post shortly after, declining to say what it was that angered Musk. Journalist Kara Swisher, a contributor at New York Magazine, posited that the billionaire took offense to 'questions about his ketamine use', after insiders told the Wall Street Journal Musk regularly micro-doses ketamine for depression and takes full doses at parties Lemon - who went on to proudly advertise his return to the network where he spent 17 years later in the day - has yet to produce the full-clip. The called-off show's first episode, for now, remains unseen. President Joe Biden and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's annual meeting - always scheduled around the St. Patrick's Day holiday - is usually a lighthearted affair. But this year's Oval Office meeting - followed by a lunch on Capitol Hill - was overshadowed by Israel's war in Gaza. The Irish are loudly pro-Palestinian and Varadkar has said he will impress that message upon Biden, who has been supportive of Israel, though has reportedly expressed criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu behind closed doors. 'I want to keep talking about situation in Gaza as well,' Varadkar told Biden at the top of their meeting. 'My view is we need a ceasefire as soon as possible, to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out. We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two state solution.' The president nodded in agreement and twice said, 'I agree.' President Joe Biden (right) welcomes Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) to an Oval Office Friday, as the war in Gaza looms over the two leaders Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) shakes hands with President Joe Biden (right) in the Oval Office on Friday. A crystal bowl of shamrocks can be seen behind the two leaders in celebration of the St. Patrick's Day holiday Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left) started his day with a breakfast meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris (right) at her Naval Observatory residence Earlier this week in Boston, Varadkar told reporters, ' 'I'm not here to tell him off or tick him off,' also saying that 'we're certainly not going to start with uncomfortable truths.' As Biden kicked off the meeting, he thanked Varadkar for the hospitality he received when he paid a visit to the nation in April. 'May the hinge of our friendship never go rusty,' Biden said. 'I don't think we're going to let it go rusty.' Biden's support in Ireland has eroded due to his support of Israel, as Palestianian civilians have been killed en masse as Israel tries to root out Hamas, with some Irish politicians calling the American president complicit. The president noted that the Americans and Irish have hit a 100-year diplomatic relationship, adding that it 'keeps increasing, not diminishing' and was 'stronger than ever.' Biden said on the issue of Gaza, 'we both know a lot more has to be done.' Afterward, Varadkar addressed reporters outside the West Wing. Asked if he asked Biden to stop sending U.S. weapons to Israel, Varadkar responded, 'The president was very clear that the U.S. would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself. So I don't think that's going to change.' 'But I think none of us like to see American weapons being used in the way they are and the way they're being used in the moment is not self-defense,' Varadkar said. Vice President Kamala Harris (center right) and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff (right) welcomed Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (center left) and his husband Matthew Barrett (left) to their Naval Observatory residence Friday morning for breakfast Varadkar also answered a question on whether there was a purposeful distinction when he said 'immediate ceasefire' versus a 'ceasefire as soon as possible,' the language he used with Biden. He said no. 'I wouldn't read too much into that. When I say ceasefire, I mean yesterday,' Varadkar said. 'A ceasefire is well overdue. The level of suffering, the number of lives that have been lost, it's just too much.' 'But a ceasefire has to be on both sides, has to be Hamas as well as Israel,' he added. Varadkar and Biden were then headed to a luncheon on Capitol Hill hosted by Congressional leaders. During his time in Boston, a reporter for The Journal of Ireland asked Varadkar if Biden understood that he's lost support from the people of Ireland. Biden consistently touts his Irish ancestry and quotes Irish poets. 'He's a politician. I think he understands what people think. I'm sure he's seeing the opinion polls here in the U.S. that are showing that younger people in particular, in America, are concerned about what's happening in Gaza.' 'And there's a shift in American opinion, particularly among younger people that is evident and I'm sure he's aware of that,' Varadkar continued. Varadkar pointed to the swaths of Democratic voters who chose to vote 'uncommitted' instead of for the president in the Democratic primaries, a protest vote over the White House's handling of Gaza. During last week's Super Tuesday primaries, about 20 percent of Democratic voters in Minnesota chose uncommitted over the now presumptive Democratic nominee. Varadkar and his husband Matthew Barrett also had breakfast Friday morning at the Naval Observatory home of Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. By Ko Dong-hwan Imported mango-flavored products from Southeast Asian nations have become increasingly popular among Korea's MZ generation, as the delicious treat is creating quite a buzz online with their sales in local retailers increasing dramatically, according to market observers, Thursday. The trend began with people aged between 20 to 30, who after tasting the mango-flavored confection while traveling in the region, decided to buy some when returning home. The viral search trend has shaken the country's local retailers with a sharp rise in demand, while those who have managed to purchase the delicious treat are now sharing which stores still have it in stock. GS25, a convenience store chain belonging to GS Retail, has responded to the rising trend by promoting its product Mango Jelly on Instagram. Calling it a "must-bring item from Thailand," the company in January created the hashtag #Mahachanok Mango Jelly, for the jelly product imported from Thailand which is priced at 2,000 won ($1.52), using mahachanok, an artificially developed treat that closely resembles the taste of Thai mangos, as a main ingredient. Comments on the post by consumers followed, praising its richness, chewiness and quality which is almost on par with the actual fruit. Top Fruit Fudge, a mango jelly product of Vietnam, are yet another hit in Korea's retail outlets including convenience stores and online shopping platforms like Coupang. GS25 launched the product last month and saw its sales reach 10,000 in just a week. CU, another major convenience store franchise in the country, saw the same product's sales from January to March jumping 253.7 percent from the previous year. The popularity is not restricted to particular products or brands as consumers appear to be buying a number of different types of mango-flavored snacks from overseas. It has formed a movement online whereby people are now sharing any mango-flavored product they happen to come across. Among those are confectionary shop owners in local markets promoting different kinds of mango-flavored products, which they are selling, including Rich Apple Mango Jelly from China. One Instagram user last year posted an ad looking for people interested in joining a bulk-ordering group for mango jelly products so that they could purchase them for a discounted price. Among retailer operators, meanwhile, securing enough stock of the products has become more difficult than before because of the rise in demand. On an online community reserved for the country's convenience store owners, saw that many posts were from those facing shortages of the products and are calling for larger shipments of the products. "With the country's overseas travellers on a consistent rise, there came increasing opportunities for them to visit Southeast Asian countries and taste local sweets," a market expert said. "Such consumption is particularly spread fast among the MZ generation who easily communicate on SNS and come across the frenzy." He was the ultimate conman whose criminal exploits were immortalised in the Hollywood film Catch Me If You Can. So Frank Abagnale - who evaded the FBI for years - should know a thing or two about fraud. The 75-year-old, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2002 movie, has warned AI will create a 'tsunami' of scammers just like him. 'Anything today can be replicated, duplicated, counterfeited, deep-faked, or AI-manipulated,' he said, adding: 'Technology breeds crime. It always has and always will.' Once one of the most formidable forgers, Mr Abagnale has since changed his ways and now advises governments and businesses on cybersecurity, identity theft, and scams. Frank Abagnale Jr (pictured), a leading fraud expert and former scam artist Leonardo DiCaprio playing Frank Abagnale in the 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can Fraud accounts for 40 per cent of all crime in England and Wales, with a study this week revealing one in five Britons falling victim over the past three years. A government report last year predicted generative AI - the technology behind chatbots - would fuel scams both in number and sophistication over the next 18 months. Catch Me If You Can - directed by Steven Spielberg and also starring Tom Hanks - follows the FBI's pursuit of Mr Abagnale during his criminal career in the mid-1960s and early 1970s. The tale details how, between the ages of 16 and 21, he impersonated a Pan Am pilot, a hospital doctor, and a lawyer and cashed 17,000 bogus checks totalling around 2m. Now reformed, Mr Abagnale - who admits parts of the story was 'exaggerated' - has spent the past five decades advising banks, businesses, and government agencies how to protect themselves against others like him. In an interview with Techopedia, Mr Abagnale said: 'AI is going to cause a tsunami of problems because of criminals' ability to commit all types of crimes and scams. 'Generative AI will play a major role in making it harder to know who is on the other end. 'Deepfakes will become the norm. Companies must use the next level of identity verification that is immune to GenAI. Mr Abagnale warned that AI is going to cause 'a tsunami of problems' as technology 'breeds crime' 'When young people ask me what career they should look into, I tell them that cybersecurity would be their best opportunity. Over the next several years, we will need more than half a million cybersecurity professionals.' However, he said that AI would not be able to protect against 'social engineering scams', in which criminals exploit the victims' trust to get money or information from them. He said: 'There is no technology, and there never will be any technology, including artificial intelligence, that can defeat [this]'. Instead, he said the most powerful tool to safeguard the public against scammers was education, adding: 'If I can explain to you how the scam works and you understand it, you will not be a victim of that crime.' Former President Donald Trump's legal team says the fight is not over after the decision Fulton County DA Fani Willis will be allowed to stay on the Trump election interference case in Georgia as long as she cuts ties with prosecutor Nathan Wade. The ex-president's lead defense counsel on the case, Steve Sadow, released a statement on the judge's decision, saying they 'believe that it did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade.' It goes on to list 'financial benefits, testifying untruthfully about when their personal relationship began, as well as Willis extrajudicial MLK church speech, where she played the race card and falsely accused the defendants and their counsel of racism.' 'We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place,' Sadow continued. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee made the consequential decision as he considered whether Willis should be disqualified from the case involving Donald Trump and 18 codefendants. Former President Trump has blasted the Willis as 'corrupt' and slammed her relationship with 'lover' Wade as lawyers tried to get her removed from the case Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides in court, Feb. 27, 2024, in Atlanta McAfee had self-imposed a deadline of this week after holding bombshell hearings featuring testimony by Willis herself about her 'romantic' relationship with Wade. The ruling on whether Willis should be disqualified has high-stakes implications for Trump and his codefendants. A disqualification of Willis could have thrown off the schedule for the Georgia case at a time when some of Trump's other trials are in peril or could have led to it being thrown out altogether. In the 23-page ruling McAfee slammed Willis for a 'tremendous lapse in judgment' and acting in an 'unprofessional manner' when she gave evidence in his court. But he said not enough evidence had been shown to establish her romantic relationship with Wade amounted to an 'actual conflict' of interest which would lead to her removal. Trump and the other defendants are charged with a racketeering conspiracy to overturn the state of Georgia's election results in 2020 after it voted for Joe Biden. DA Fani Willis at a hearing to determine whether she should be removed from the Trump election interference case on March 1 Judge McFee ruled Willis could stay on the case as long as she cuts prosecutor Nathan Wade. The judge and clashing attorneys explored when the affair between the two prosecutors began and whether it posed a conflict of interest or the appearance of one in a series of sensational hearings that featured frustrated testimony by Willis. She was confronted by defense lawyers and there was conflicting testimony about whether the couple were involved in a 'romantic' relationship before Wade joined her team in 2021. The hearings also featured details about cruises and luxury travel the pair engaged in and whether it constituted any sort of improper benefit to Willis that allowed her to gain financially from the prosecution of Trump and his allies. Willis speaking at a press conference alongside prosecutor Nathan Wade after a grand jury brought back indictments against the former president last August In his ruling Judge McAfee said: 'No ruling of mine is ever gong to be based on politics.' His ruling goes through the various trips the pair took, including to Aruba and Napa Valley. But he found Willis did not get a direct financial benefit from her decision to hire Wade. He also essentially accepted her claims that she reimbursed Wade in cash for expenses during their travels. Such a reimbursement practice may be unusual and the lack of any documentary corroboration understandably concerning. 'Yet the testimony withstood direct contradiction, was corroborated by other evidence (for example, her payment of airfare for two on the 2022 Miami trip), and was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable. However, as the District Attorney herself acknowledged, no ledger exists. The company says it wants to double its immigrant hires to 84,000 this year Angry shoppers are boycotting Tyson Foods products as the $53-million meat firm shutters plants in Iowa and elsewhere while hiring thousands of asylum seekers at job fairs in New York. Campaigners are urging consumers to stop buying Tyson products amid its wave of closures of poultry- and meat-processing plants across Iowa, Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana, and Missouri. They point to Tyson's efforts to hire thousands of asylum seekers in New York, offering $16.50-an-hour wages and free immigration lawyers, accusing the firm of ditching US-born workers for cheaper migrant labor. America First Legal, a conservative action group launched by former Trump administration officials, warned Tyson that it could be breaking the law by favoring foreign-born workers over Americans. Tyson seeks to double its number of immigrant employees to 84,000 this year, including roles at this plant in Springdale, Arkansas Tyson Foods says it wants to hire 42,000 immigrants this year and offers 'job-and-lawyer' packages to new arrivals in New York 'It is ILLEGAL under federal law to discriminate against American citizens based on their citizenship in favor of non-citizens of any kind when it comes to employment,' the legal action group posted online. Tyson Foods, based in Springdale, Arkansas, which made $52,881 million in sales last year through its Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, and other brands, did not answer DailyMail.com's requests for comment. The boycott raises tough questions for Tysons $13 million-a-year CEO Donnie King, who has led the firm since 2021, during which time it has funded the campaign chests of President Joe Biden, Nikki Haley and others, according to Open Secrets. Poll Does the Biden administration have a grip on immigration? Yes No Not sure Does the Biden administration have a grip on immigration? Yes 147 votes No 5529 votes Not sure 47 votes Now share your opinion The case spotlights fears about migration across the US-Mexico border, and that asylum seekers are replacing Americans, especially in meat-packing and other undesirable jobs amid record low unemployment. Tyson this week said it would shutter its pork plant in Perry, Iowa, this summer, putting 1,276 people out of work in a town of just 8,000. About half of the plant's workers are understood to be Latino, according to local news outlets. Last May, Tyson Foods closed two facilities in Virginia and Arkansas that employed more than 1,600 people. In April, it announced plans to cut 10 percent of corporate jobs and 15 percent of executives. Plants in North Little Rock, Arkansas; Corydon, Indiana; and Dexter and Noel, Missouri are set to end operations in the first half of 2024, following a 0.8 percent slump in the company's sales between 2022-2023. Tyson meanwhile has moved to hire more of the asylum seekers who headed to New York and other cities after entering the US, seeking to fill undesirable jobs amid a low unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. Tysons $13 million-a-year CEO Donnie King has led the company since 2021 Conservatives on social media called for a boycott of Tyson and its various food brands Tyson is America's biggest meat and poultry firm, by sales, which dropped by 0.8 percent to $52,881 million last year Tyson's pork plant in Perry, Iowa, is the latest to be mothballed, with 1,300 jobs lost The meat-packer already employs about 42,000 immigrants among its 120,000-strong US workforce, and seeks to boost this by cooperating with the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a nonprofit, among other efforts. 'We would like to employ another 42,000 if we could find them,' Garrett Dolan, who leads Tyson's social efforts, told Bloomberg recently. In recent weeks, the company hired dozens of asylum seekers from Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia at a job fair in New York City. They travelled to work at its poultry plant in Humboldt, Tennessee. According to Dolan, asylum seekers fill the gaps at plants with a high turnover of staff the company needs to fill 52,000 jobs this year. Executives offer pay starting at $16.50 an hour, with paid-for immigration lawyers and other perks. A large portion of new hires 'are going to come from refugees and immigrants, so we're now in the business of strategically thinking that through,' Dolan said. Asylum seekers cannot work upon entering the US, and typically don't get permits until 180 days after they apply for legal status. Many wait for years before their first immigration court hearing to judge their asylum claim, during which time they can work. Workers, including many Latinos, have protested Tyson's plant closures, like this one in Van Buren, Arkansas, in April 2023 Tyson Foods brands include Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, and Aidells In a bid to help its migrant employees, Tyson has spent millions of dollars on immigration lawyers and offers paid time off to attend court hearings. Many also benefit from temporary housing, onsite childcare, transportation and English classes. Tyson in 2022 agreed to hire 2,500 refugees under the Tent program. The firm increased that last year by 150 hires, including 50 Afghan refugees to work in Arkansas, including in Fayetteville, Springdale, and Bentonville. The boycott underscores fears that Americans are losing jobs to economic migrants from overseas, who drive down blue collar wages. Data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that between July and August 2023, there was a staggering decrease of 1.2 million native-born people in the workforce. In stark contrast, some 688,000 jobs were secured by foreign-born workers, underlining the difference in President Joe Biden's pro-migration policies versus Donald Trump's tough border stance. A former aide to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Texas Senator Ted Cruz died in Washington DC at the age of 32, according to his obituary. John Bartley Boykin, a native of Mississippi and Ole Miss graduate, had recently transitioned out of frontline politics and had begun working for Goddard Gunster, a political lobbying firm most famous for its role in Brexit. Boykin's cause of death has not been made public. His funeral will be held in Meridian, Mississippi, on Saturday, 100 miles east of Jackson. Among the pallbearers will be Gov. Bryant. Boykin began in politics after graduating with Chancellor's Honors from Ole Miss in 2014 where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He went to work for Republican Senator Thad Cochrane in DC. From there, Boykin began working for Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant where he developed a 'strong passion for Mississippis international trade and international relations.' Boykin then worked on Herschel Walker's disastrous senate campaign as the field director. His most recent job in politics was for former presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz where he was a senior adviser on financial issues and business development. John Boykin played a key role in facilitating the friendship between ex-President Donald Trump and Nigel Farage Since 2016, Trump and Farage have been close allies At an unspecified time, he began working as the Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy Strategies for Gunster. At the time of writing, his profile does not appear on the group's website. His most recent update on LinkedIn is from 2023 in which he states that he has taken up a job in Cruz's office. His obituary mentions that he was preceded in death by his father, Bart. 'His tall stature and good looks coupled with Southern friendliness, drew people to him. He loved hard, blessed, and touched many lives. He was passionate about many things, putting God first, his family, and his friends,' the tribute continues. According to a 2018 feature in Washington Monthly on the allegations of nefarious Russian influence in western politics, Boykin is named as the person who put the Mississippi governor in contact with Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage. Following Trump's formal nomination in 2016, Farage drank well into the night at his hotel. At the bar, he met Boykin, who it's mentioned 'accompanies Bryant to nearly every public or private function,' who suggested Farage come to Mississippi. A 2019 Jackson Free Press story on the encounter reports that Boykin 'burst' into Bryant's hotel room to tell him that he met with Farage. A month later, Farage spoke at a Donald Trump rally in the Magnolia State. Since then, Bryant and Farage have forged a relationship, regularly visiting with one and other with the governor even appearing on the controversial activist's radio show in London. His tall stature and good looks coupled with Southern friendliness, drew people to him. He loved hard, blessed, and touched many lives. He was passionate about many things, putting God first, his family, and his friends,' one section of his obituary reads Willie Pam pleaded guilty to shooting Boykin's father dead in an attempted robbery in 2018 Boykin was regularly tagged in social media posts alongside prominent Brexit advocates such as Andy Wigmore and Lord Michael Ashcroft. In 2018, he appeared in a photo with Wigmore at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's primary residence. Bryant is referred to the man who facilitated Trump's relationship with Farage in Arron Banks' book The Bad Boys of Brexit: Tales of Mischief, Mayhem and Guerrilla Warfare in the EU Referendum. 'Amid the alcohol-fueled joviality, it apparent that Gov. Bryant's right-hand man John Bartley Boykin - known as JB - was eager for us all to visit Mississippi, where Farage would have an opportunity to speak to grassroots Republican voters,' Banks wrote. The book discloses that Bryant and Farage became friendly during the 2016 RNC convention. This is not the first tragedy to befall the Boykin family. In December 2018, Boykin's father Felon 'Bart' Boykin II was shot dead during a robbery in Holllandale, Mississippi. Willie Pam was arrested and pleaded guilty to the shooting in 2021. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the crime. During the attack, the victim, also an Ole Miss graduate where he was considered a baseball prodigy, was shot twice. Former Arsenal and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes has been jailed for five months for contacting his ex-girlfriend against court orders, despite his lawyer arguing that a month behind bars awaiting sentence had been 'unpleasant' and chastening for him. Stokes, 35, left his prison cell in central Scotland on Friday to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court in handcuffs. Having served 28 days at HMP Addiewell, it had been thought that he may not be sent back behind bars for what police described as the harassment of ex-girlfriend Eilidh Scott and her parents and the subsequent breach of an order banning him from contacting her. But Sheriff Colin Dunipace ordered Stokes, of Dublin, to be locked up after criticising him for his conduct towards his former partner. He was also banned from contacting Ms Scott for five years and her parents for a year. Former Arsenal and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes has been jailed for five months for contacting his ex-girlfriend against court orders Stokes pictured with ex-girlfriend Eilidh Scott, as a court heard he harassed her and her parents Stokes was banned from contacting Ms Scott for five years and her parents for a year Sheriff Dunipace said: 'It is extremely disappointing for this court to see someone like you, who is clearly a man of some talent and ability, who has so much to give and who has no doubt brought joy to many, to now find yourself in this situation and I find it extremely tragic. 'It is apparent that your former partner fears for her safety and the statements offered by her to this court are little short of chilling. 'You should be under no illusion that the duty of this court is to protect women from this sort of behaviour. 'You were advised when you were sentenced to a community payback order that it was a direct alternative to custody and yet you have failed to comply. I can have no confidence that you would abide by the terms of a further community order.' As the sentence was backdated to February 16, when he was first sent behind bars, Stokes could be released from prison within a month. In an interview with Mailsport before taking a ferry from Dublin to Scotland, where he had jumped bail, and handing himself into police, Stokes said that he wanted to draw a line under a controversial past.' All this stuff the police charges, avoiding them, has been draining. But I want to move on from it, hand myself and draw a line,' he said. Jim O'Dowd, defending Stokes, said in court: 'Since he has been remanded, there has been quite a sea change in his attitude towards the offences. He clearly now realises the difficulty and upset that has behaviour has caused his victims. Anthony Stokes, pictured playing for Celtic in 2011, was described as 'a man of some talent and ability' 'He has been in Addiewell since last month and it has been a particularly unpleasant experience for him because people know who he is and he has had quite a hard time. 'He was kept behind his door for 23 hours per day and this has led to him now understanding how serious these matters are. He advises me he would comply with any community order but knows custody will be uppermost in the court's mind.' In 2019, Stokes admitted bombarding Scott with a string of abusive messages on WhatsApp and email after their relationship came to an end while he was seeing out his playing career in Iran. He also turned up at her home in Shotts, Lanarkshire, late at night and demanded to know her whereabouts. A 17-year-old high school student from Texas was found naked and strangled to death in a ditch - just an hour after she was reported missing. Kaitlin Hernandez's family said she had gone for a walk with a male friend from her neighborhood in Northeast side of town but did not return home. He reportedly told them he did not know where she was and her frantic loved ones reported her missing on Tuesday night at around 11.30pm. An unidentified man found her cell phone in a ditch and gave it to the police. Officers from the San Antonio Police Department then found the missing woman's jacket and later her nude body under a bridge in a drainage ditch on Oak Dell Drive around half a mile from her home at about 12.30am on Wednesday morning. Kaitlan Hernandez, 17, was found naked and strangled to death in a ditch just an hour after she was reported missing by her family Officers from the San Antonio Police Department found the missing woman's jacket and later her nude body under a bridge in a drainage ditch on Oak Dell Drive. A cross (pictured) was placed at the site where the murder took place Katilin's devastated aunt, Crystal Rodriguez wept as she said: 'She wanted to become a veterinarian. Y'all took her from us too soon. Seventeen years old' Police said her body showed visible signs of trauma. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that the young woman had been strangled, KHOU11 News reported. Police said the case, which started as a missing person, is now being treated as a homicide. San Antonio Police Department released pictures of an unknown man asking the public for help identifying 'this person of interest'. A SAPD spokesperson Ximena Alvarez told DailyMail.com on Friday morning that a person of interest, who has not been named, has now been identified and is cooperating with the investigation. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing, the spokesperson added. Hernandez was a senior at Roosevelt High School, and set to graduate in May. Her devastated family said she had dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Katilin's distraught mother Angie Hernandez said: 'We need to find out who did this because she didn't deserve this. To be left there like an animal is very ugly and cruel and I don't know what this person was thinking. Why they targeted her. I don't understand.' In a heart-wrenching interview with KSAT News on Thursday, Kaitlin's aunt Crystal Rodriguez said: 'She wanted to become a veterinarian. Y'all took her from us too soon. Seventeen years old.' 'And now her little sisters, they no longer have time with her,' she said through tears. Rodriguez described her niece as ' funny, always making other people laugh.' Hernandez was also remembered as a devoted big sister to her younger siblings Kaitlin pictured at a bowling alley with her loved ones Officers are pictured searching for the young woman after her family reported her missing The woman's body was discovered in the drainage ditch under a bridge early Wednesday morning Rodriguez pleaded: 'I am begging you please ... please somebody speak up ... somebody say something.' She told the news outlet the family is in a state of shock: 'We're barely holding up. We're taking life right now one minute at a time.' The aunt has also created a GoFundMe to help raise money for her niece's funeral where she explained the grieving family had lost her sister only four months earlier. 'Now they're together in heaven,' she said. As of Friday morning more than $6,000 has been raised towards their goal of $10,000. Rodriguez described her niece as 'funny, always making other people laugh.' Hernandez was also remembered as a devoted big sister to her younger siblings. 'She loved her family so much and we loved her. She loved her dogs, she always slept with them,' she said. We miss her dearly.' She also shared that love for animals and had four dogs of her own and her aunt recalled how she always fed the stray animals in the neighborhood, KSAT News reported. Kaitlin pictured with her family over the Christmas holidays A vigil will be held at 6pm on Friday at 118 Ashland Drive. The family said there will be a pastor leading the service, and friends and family of the young woman will have an opportunity to speak. At the memorial, they will go to a bridge where Hernandez was found and play music in her memory. There was 'no proof' two children and their church minister father who drowned on holiday in front of the rest of their family could swim, an inquest heard. Comfort Diya, nine, her brother, Praise-Emmanuel, 16, and their father, Gabriel, 52, all died after Comfort 'got into difficulty' in a pool at the Club La Costa World resort in Spain. Praise-Emmanuel and Gabriel jumped in to help, while Comfort's other sister, Favour, 14, threw a lifebuoy into the water in a bid to save them, Croydon Coroner's Court heard. Tragically, the bodies of all three family members ended up at the bottom of the pool and, despite receiving CPR, they all died 'within minutes of each other', the court was told. Favour and heartbroken mother Olubumni Diya both witnessed the horror from the side of the pool. There was 'no proof' that Comfort Diya, nine, Praise-Emmanuel, 16, and father Gabriel, 52, who drowned in a swimming pool at a Spanish hotel on Christmas Eve, could swim, an inquest has heard (pictured: Mr Diya, surviving sister Favour, Praise-Emmanuel and Mrs Olubumni Diya) Comfort (pictured, right) was said to have 'gotten into difficulty' in a two-metre deep pool at the Club La Costa World resort when her teenage brother Praise-Emmanuel and father Gabriel, a British church minister, jumped in to help Coroner John Taylor has told the court that there were 'slightly conflicting versions' of the tragic events that unfolded in the resort (pictured) around 20 miles from Malaga in southern Spain Favour and heartbroken mother Olubumni Diya (right) witnessed their family members' deaths READ MORE: Spanish judge sanctions new probe into death of British preacher and two of his children in Costa del Sol swimming pool after cops ruled it an accident Advertisement Coroner John Taylor told the court that there were 'slightly conflicting versions' of the tragic events that unfolded in the resort around 20 miles from Malaga in southern Spain. He said: 'Some say that Comfort was in the pool and got into difficulty; some say she had difficulty getting out of the pool. 'There is no dispute that a lifebuoy was thrown to her and no dispute that her brother and father jumped in to help her. 'Mrs Diya was not able to categorically say that any of the three deceased could swim. 'She said she assumed her husband could swim because he had told stories of swimming in lakes in Nigeria and said the children were taking swimming lessons at the resort. 'But there was no proof of them being able to swim independently. He later added in his conclusion: 'It seems clear they were not accomplished swimmers and there were references to not being able to swim - but I cannot confirm this for sure.' The court also heard that Mrs Diya believed that there had been a fault with the pool and contacted an investigative reporter from ITN to talk about her suspicions. Mr Taylor concluded that all three had died from 'asphyxia due to drowning' Civil guard divers (right) working at the side of a swimming pool at the Club La Costa World holiday resort near Malaga, Spain, on December 24 2019 Mr Taylor read an email exchange between the two: 'The reporter wrote: 'Following my trip to the site, I firmly believe that the owners and the police in Spain are involved in a cover-up. 'Upon arrival, I was asked for permission to inspect the site, but the owner procrastinated and failed to give an answer. 'As the area was public, I then walked around the pool, filmed by ITN camera crew.'' Mr Taylor continued: 'The investigative reporter raised concerns about the pool's output system, water level, and skimmers. 'He said: 'I believe this would have created a tremendous suction which the nine-year-old became entrapped in. 'Her 16-year-old brother and father then also became entrapped when they bravely tried to save her.' But Mr Taylor told the court: 'He has drawn this conclusion without seeing firsthand evidence.' Club La Costa World denied any negligence and said there was 'no problem' with the pool. Croydon Coroner's Court also heard that Spanish authorities had sent documents in 2019 which stated that the operation of the pool's motor was being investigated and tests were being carried out on the water. He later added in his conclusion: 'It seems clear they were not accomplished swimmers and there were references to not being able to swim - but I cannot confirm this for sure' 'But in the last four years since the deaths, we have had no information about the outcome of the investigations,' Mr Taylor said. Mr Taylor concluded that all three had died from 'asphyxia due to drowning'. He added: 'This must be a terrible tragedy for the family, who were on holiday in Spain in the week leading up to Christmas.' Shocking new footage shows fires engulfing the streets of chaos-racked Port-Au-Prince on Friday. The city has descended into pandemonium after heavily-armed gangs took over Haiti's capital and released thousands of prisoners who went on a killing spree, as the nation teeters on the edge of civil war. Footage shared with DailyMail.com by rescue charity Project DYNAMO shows flames in the streets and billowing clouds of smoke rising into the skies. Haitians are seen carrying buckets of water towards the blaze as official authorities remain largely absent throughout the ongoing crisis. Other residents walk calmly through the street, resigned to the turmoil, including a school girl skipping along with her backpack on. Dynamo is run by Bryan Stern, an Army and Navy combat veteran who specializes in rescuing Americans from hostile foreign territory. Haitians are seen carrying buckets of water towards the blaze as official authorities remain largely absent throughout the ongoing crisis Jimmy 'Barbeque' Cherizier, Haiti's top gang leader has threatened the families of political leaders The country's top gang leader Jimmy 'Barbeque' Cherizier has threatened the families of political leaders who would support a planned transition council replacing ousted Prime Minister Ariel Henry. 'Don't you have any shame?' Barbecue said in a seven-minute audio message distributed on Thursday. 'You have taken the country where it is today. You have no idea what will happen' he said of the politicians. 'I'll know if your kids are in Haiti, if your wives are in Haiti... if your husbands are in Haiti,' he said in an apparent threat to their families. 'If you're gonna run the country all your family ought to be there' he added. In his remarks, Barbecue said the resignation of Henry was only 'a first step in the battle' for the island nation of around 11 million. A police union said the national police chief Frantz Elbe's house had been set on fire on Thursday. It is not yet clear if anyone had been hurt or give details on Elbe's whereabouts. The city has descended into pandemonium after heavily-armed gangs took over the capital and are clashing with police (pictured Thursday) Tires have been burnt in the streets of Port-au-Prince during protests following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation on Tuesday A protester burns tires during a demonstration in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday A police officer is seen in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire on Thursday Ron DeSantis announced that he will send over 250 additional soldiers - and a fleet of aircraft and boats - to 'protect' Florida from vessels carrying Haitian asylum seekers It comes as American citizens are scrambling to flee the war-torn nation but claim to have been 'abandoned' by the US government. Private rescue charity Project Dynamo is currently attempting to rescue 30 Americans, including children. The US government is yet to address exactly how many Americans remain stranded. Officials are considering housing refugees in Guantanamo Bay if there is a mass exodus. Germaine Byrd, of Miami, told NBC6 he is desperately trying to rescue his mother from Cherere Belhumeur from the war-torn island. Byrd says Belheumer has been driven out of her home by gangs. She was deported from the US in 2007 over immigration issues and now fears for her life. Byrd said of his mom's predicament: 'It really hurts because it's above me, it's nothing I can really do.' The White House is discussing the plans amid fears thousands could try and reach the U.S. to escape the Caribbean nation on the brink of collapse. Haitians would be processed on the base 200 miles from Haiti in a center separate to Camp X, where terrorist suspects are held, CNN reported. The Department of Homeland Security says migration from the island being overtaken by gangs is so far low. Ron DeSantis announced that he will send over 250 additional soldiers - and a fleet of aircraft and boats - to 'protect' Florida from vessels carrying Haitian asylum seekers. Jill Dolan who runs the Love a Neighbor orphanage in rural Haiti is trapped with three of her children aged 14 to 20 A person pushes a cart past tires set on fire by demonstrators during a protest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 12 March 2024 Police officers take part in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire, as a powerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would take part in a still-unformed transition council for the country The conservative governor made the edict Wednesday, as unrest in the Caribbean country continued for a second week. The deployment will include 48 National Guardsmen, as well as four helicopters that will add to an already boisterous line of defense along the state's southern coast. A further 39 officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 30 from Florida Highway Patrol, and 23 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will also join the front, as well as a litany of aircraft and drones and eight boats. On Friday Ron DeSantis said he was preparing to 'ward of a potential influx of vessels' form Haiti to Southern Florida that may be 'carrying illegal immigrants.' 'This is not a new operation for us' he told reporters at a press conference on Friday morning. 'We've been assisting the Coast Guard, who are the primary vehicle to protect the shorelines of the United States. The federal government has had a level four travel alert in place for Haiti for four years, which advises against all travel to the country and tells anyone in the country to leave as soon as they can. Washington mother Jill Dolan, who runs the Love a Neighbor orphanage in rural Haiti was trapped with three of her children, aged 14 to 20, when fighting broke out. They say they've had little help from the US government, despite public assurances from the State Department that it is doing everything it can to evacuate stranded citizens. Former Haiti prime minister Ariel Henry says only he can appoint a transitionary council to transfer power following his resignation 'We hear a lot of gunfire, generally at night. We hear a lot... There's no way out,' Dolan told CBS. Jill's husband, Ryan Dolan, who had left before the fighting started told K5: 'I'm nervous. I'm not feeling supported or hopeful that the U.S. government is going to come to our aid or help evacuate in a timely fashion.' It comes after American parents raised the alarm on their adoptive children that they say are stuck in the country. The parents, who are based in states such as Iowa and Florida, told DailyMail.com they fear for the youngsters' lives as the island descends into anarchy. In horrifying testimony, they revealed they could hear gunshots and screaming as they spoke to the kids on the phone this week. 'Our children will not survive this,' warned adoptive mom Michelle Reed, who is trying to get her adopted six-year-old son Esai home to Florida to reunite with his two biological siblings who she previously adopted. The families' testimony came less than a day after Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to resign, following an emergency summit called to address gang-led violence currently occurring in the country. The 74-year-old head of state tendered his resignation a week after the growing coalition of gangs warned of civil war if he did not step down. People wait to collect water in containers along a street after Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged to step down Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier (pictured) warned of a 'genocide' unless Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry stepped down. The country is now in a state of flux The volatile situation has seen dead bodies pile up in the streets of the nation's capital Port-au-Prince His resignation was swiftly confirmed by Guyana's president Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the current chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The coalition called the emergency meeting as gangs across the Caribbean country continue to unite, targeting government buildings and foreign embassies - and killing many innocents caught in the crossfire. As a result, thousands have had fled their homes, and locals continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead. Meanwhile, politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution - one that may now be in sight following Henry's removal. 'We acknowledge his resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and naming of an interim prime minister,' Ali said, thanking Henry - who came to power unelected after the assassination of Haiti's previous president - for his service. The decision, said to have been made Friday, came shortly before the US deployed Marines to evacuate its embassy as gangs led by former police officer Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier continue to attack state institutions. Henry, at the moment, remains unable to return home, stranded in Puerto Rico since Tuesday after officials deemed it unsafe for him to land in neighboring Dominican Republic. On Saturday, the office of Dominican President Luis Abinader issued a statement explaining that decision - saying 'Henry is not welcome in the Dominican Republic for safety reasons.' That decision came shortly after another that saw the Caribbean nation close its land border with its embattled neighbor, seemingly leaving the other side of Hispaniola to its fate. The conflict has sparked concerns among Republicans that Haitian refugees will travel to the US. Judge Scott McAfee in his bombshell ruling Friday writes that neither Fani Willis nor defense lawyers were able to establish conclusively when her affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade began but still says an 'odor of mendacity' remains. He calls out the Fulton County DA for legally 'improper statements,' blasts Wade for lying in his divorce case, and rips the credibility of a witness who couldn't recall key elements of his own text exchanges. He addressed a key dispute from his evidence hearing last month about when the steamy affair began, which brought conflicting testimony between Willis and Wade on one side, and a former college friend and the texts of Wade's former lawyer on another. The Court is not under an obligation to ferret out every instance of potential dishonesty from each witness or defendant ever presented in open court, McAfee writes. Such an expectation would mean an end to the efficient disposition of criminal and civil proceedings.' Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee tore into Fulton County DA Fani Willis' conduct in his new ruling Yet reasonable questions about whether the District Attorney and her hand-selected lead [prosecutor] testified untruthfully about the timing of their relationship further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it. Although the judge was unpersuaded by defense lawyers' claims of an actual financial conflict of interest, he rules that there was an 'appearance' of one and that the DA should have anticipated it. To McAfee such appearance issues are no minor matter. Citing case law on the matter, McAfee noted that even the appearance of impropriety threatens confidence in the legal system itself. He ruled that the appearance exists even if the relationship began after Willis had hired Wade, as each of them claim noting that Willis kept him on the payroll while they were dating. Even if the romantic relationship began after SADA Wades initial contract in November 2021, the District Attorney chose to continue supervising and paying Wade while maintaining such a relationship.' He also calls her out for her financial practices, which as she testified included relying on large sums of cash, almost no receipts, and ad hoc transfers with her romantic partner. 'She further allowed the regular and loose exchange of money between them without any exact or verifiable measure of reconciliation. This lack of a confirmed financial split creates the possibility and appearance that the District Attorney benefited - albeit non-materially - from a contract whose award lay solely within her purview and policing, he writes. He also calls out Wade for being untruthful in his divorce case that surfaced the affair allegations that upended the case. He pointed to Wades patently unpersuasive explanation for the inaccurate interrogatories he submitted in his pending divorce indicates a willingness on his part to wrongly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney. As the case continued, reasonable members of the public could easilybe left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed, McAfee wrote. He ruled that neither side was able to establish when the relationship evolved into a romantic one. In addition to admonishing Wade, he said he found the testimony of Wades former lawyer Terrance Bradley not credible. First, the Court finds itself unable to place any stock in the testimony of Terrance Bradley. His inconsistencies, demeanor, and generally non-responsive answers left far too brittle a foundation upon which to build any conclusions, he writes. He also called out Willis for her speech to an Atlanta church where she blasted the initial filing that referenced her affair and tore into defense lawyers. Donald Trump's lawyer Steven Sadow accursed her of playing the 'race card.' The judge noted that Willis didn't mention any defendant by name, and her speech was far enough from jury selection to taint the jury pool. 'But it was still legally improper,' he wrote. Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into. The time may well have arrived for an order preventing the State from mentioning the case in any public forum to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity, but that is not the motion presently before the Court,' he wrote, even while denying the defense motion for 'forensic misconduct.' Sadow blasted the ruling in his own statement Friday. 'While respecting the Courts decision, we believe that the it did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade, including the financial benefits, testifying untruthfully about when their personal relationship began, as well as Willis extrajudicial MLK church speech, where she played the race card and falsely accused the defendants and their counsel of racism. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place,' he wrote suggesting an appeal could be in the works. Willis can stay on the Trump election interference case in Georgia but only if she cuts ties with her prosecutor lover Nathan Wade, a McAfee dramatically ruled Friday. In his ruling Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee slammed Willis for a 'tremendous lapse in judgment' and acting in an 'unprofessional manner' when she gave evidence in his court. Judge McAfee made the stunning comments as he considered whether Willis should be disqualified from the case she brought against Donald Trump and 18 codefendants. The judge ruled that her relationship with Wade did not amount to an 'actual conflict' of interest. But he went on: 'This finding is by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing.' He added that 'an odor of mendacity remains' but the court was not 'under an obligation to ferret out every instance of potential dishonesty from each witness.' McAfee had self-imposed a deadline of this week to rule after holding bombshell hearings featuring testimony by Willis herself about her 'romantic' relationship with Wade. At issue in his decision was when the affair between the two prosecutors began, and whether it posed an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of one. The judge and clashing attorneys explored those issues in sensational hearings that featured angry testimony by Willis. She was confronted by defense lawyers and there was conflicting testimony about whether the couple were involved in a 'romantic' relationship before Wade joined her team in 2021. The hearings also featured details about cruises and luxury travel the pair engaged in and whether it constituted any sort of improper benefit to Willis that allowed her to gain financially from the prosecution of Trump and his allies. In his ruling Judge McAfee said: 'The prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the State selects one of two options. 'The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office. 'Alternatively, Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case.' The judge stressed that 'no ruling of mine is ever gong to be based on politics.' He then sorted through whether Wade and Willis had an actual financial conflict. Judge McAfee wrote: Whenever a private attorney - like Wade - is paid by the billable hour, a motive exists to extend or prolong the assignment. 'This, however, is a tension that the legal profession has long accepted.' His ruling goes through the various trips the pair took, including to Aruba and Napa Valley. But he found Willis did not get a direct financial benefit from her decision to hire Wade. He also essentially accepted her claims that she reimbursed Wade in cash for expenses during their travels. Such a reimbursement practice may be unusual and the lack of any documentary corroboration understandably concerning. 'Yet the testimony withstood direct contradiction, was corroborated by other evidence (for example, her payment of airfare for two on the 2022 Miami trip), and was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable. However, as the District Attorney herself acknowledged, no ledger exists. 'Other than a best guesstimate, there is no way to be certain that expenses were split completely evenly - and the District Attorney may well have received a net benefit of several hundred dollars.' Trump and the other defendants are charged with a racketeering conspiracy to overturn the state of Georgia's election results in 2020 after it voted for Joe Biden. The ruling on whether Willis should be disqualified has high-stakes implications for Trump and his codefendants as well as the nation. A disqualification of Willis would throw off the schedule for the Georgia case at a time when some of Trump's other trials are in peril. Judge McAfee's ruling comes shortly after he dismissed three charges against Trump from the sprawling racketeering indictment brought by Willis and her prosecutors' office. McAfee wrote Wednesday in an order that six of the charges in the indictment must be quashed. But the order leaves intact many other charges in the indictment and the judge wrote that prosecutors could seek a new indictment on the charges he dismissed. The six charges in question have to do with allegedly soliciting elected officials to violate their oaths of office. That includes two charges related to Trump's infamous phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on Jan. 2, 2021 asking him to 'find' 11,780 votes. ulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta Willis and Wade acknowledged the affair in filings and testimony Explosive allegations of an affair The relationship between Willis and Wade burst onto the national scene after lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Trump codefendant Michael Roman, issued a court filing in January. It alleged that Willis and Wade had an 'ongoing, personal relationship' even as Wade got paid more than $600,000 serving as special prosecutor on the case. It claimed they engaged in 'a personal, romantic relationship that has ultimately yielded substantial income to the special prosecutor.' That prompted a response from Willis that denied any improper conduct even while confirming the affair. 'Much of Defendant Romans motion relies on supposition and innuendo regarding the private relationship between District Attorney Willis and Special Prosecutor Wade,' according to the filing. 'District Attorney Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office,' she writes. 'While the allegations raised in the various motions are salacious and garnered the media attention they were designed to obtain, none provide this Court with any basis upon which to order the relief they seek,' she wrote. John Floyd III, father of Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis, testified about living with her while she dated a man named 'Deuce,' and said he didn't know his daughter was later dating prosecutor Nathan Wade Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade faced a series of questions about out of town trips with Willis and the ways he and Willis paid for them Dramatic testimony by former friends of both Willis and Wade A mid-February hearing featured testimony by former Willis friend and colleague Robin Yeartie, who directly contradicted Willis and Wade by saying there was 'no doubt' the two were in a romantic relationship before Wade got hired. She said she was 'certain' about it. She said the DA, a former college friend, told her about it personally. Defense lawyers called Terrance Bradley, a former friend of Wade's, also appeared under subpoena. He was a former law partner of Wade's who also acted as his divorce lawyer. His appearance brought a fight over attorney-client privilege, as defense lawyers tried to force him to testify about conversations they said would speak to the personal relationship and when it began. The drama peaked when a furious Willis slapped back at 'extremely offensive' allegations she slept with her prosecutor ex-boyfriend Nathan Wade the first time they met. 'It's a lie, it's a lie,' she said. She accused Merchant of 'trying to implicate that you slept with somebody the first day you met the.' 'Im not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial,' she told Merchant, who during a dramatic moment got to question the DA she is facing in court after exposing her affair. She also lashed out at the media for 'printing lies for the world to see' and the attorneys for suggesting they hadn't verified any information about their luxury work trips and their 'good' sex life. In Wade's own earlier testimony, he shot back at Donald Trump's lawyer Stephen Sadow's questions, steering his answers to literal comments about sex. Wade told him that his relationship with Willis ended in the summer of 2023, prompting Sadow to ask if they had 'any personal relationship at all' at that point. 'Are you asking me have I had intercourse with the district attorney?' Wade shot back. 'The answer would be no.' 'You say personal. Were very good friends,' he told Sadow. 'Probably closer than ever because of these attacks. But if youre asking me about specific intercourse, the answer is no.' Terrance Bradley, a former law partner of Wade's, was the first witness to appear. He and his lawyer raised attorney client privilege issues when he got asked about the relationship. He later got confronted with texts with lawyer Ashleigh Merchant Robin Latrice Yeartie testified that Fulton County DA told her about meeting special prosecutor Nathan Wade at a judicial conference in 2019, in a bombshell hearing to determine if Willis gets disqualified from the case of Donald Trump and codefendants This handout image released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on August 24, 2023 shows the booking photo of former US President Donald Trump.. Former US president Donald Trump was photographed for a police mug shot after his arrest on August 24 at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia Clash over when the affair began Both Willis and Wade testified their romantic relationship began after Willis brought him on. They also confirmed information in Merchant's initial filing about luxury trips and cruises together. But Willis denied any financial conflict, saying she always paid her way, and said she did so in cash. 'If youre a woman and you go on a date with a man you better have $200 in case,' she further advised. Willis said on her 'worst days' she had $500 cash. 'At my best days, I probably had $15,000 in my house, cash,' she said. She also said her belief in storing a stash of cash came from her father, something her father, backed up in his own time on the stand. John Floyd III, a former Black Panther, flew in from California to testify that his daughter always carried cash at his insistence, that she was dating a deejay named 'Deuce' in 2019 when he moved in with her. He said he didn't meet Wade until after Wade and Willis started prosecuting Trump. Defense lawyers charged that Willis kept her relationship with Wade a secret from her office as well as from her father. Fulton County Special prosecutor Anna Cross, who is representing the DA in the matter, announced a decision not to question Willis further after her appearance, which moved the case onto other matters. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant initiated the effort to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump Former President Donald Trump speaks , Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga Wade's lawyer Terrence Bradley doesn't recall relationship origins despite texts Another critical moment came during testimony by Wade's former law partner Terrence Bradley. Bradley on the stand was unable to call details of the origins of the relationship. 'I do not have knowledge of it starting, or when it started,' he said. 'I dont recall any specific dates,' he said under questioning. 'I dont have anything it wasnt a specific date There wasnt something I can attribute to him telling me whatever. You are asking for a date, asking for a year and I am telling you at this time I am telling you that I do not have the date.' He kept that line even amid questioning about his texts with Merchant where he made statements that the relationship started earlier than Willis and Wade claimed. 'I was speculating, I didnt have a no one told me. I was speculating,' he testified. That included a text when he told Merchant the two had begun dating when Willis was a judge in South Fulton. 'Why would you speculate when she was asking you a direct question about when the relationship started?' Sadow pressed him. 'I have no answer for that,' Bradley responded. A 14-year-old boy lost his father in a tragic scuba-diving accident only three weeks after his mother died from a battle with cancer. Since his son David was eight years old, Kenneth Lowery had been taking him on annual scuba trips to Florida. The Texas natives never bucked this tradition, even after David, who is known as Xander, lost his mother to cancer a few weeks ago. Kenneth and Xander's mother had split up, but the two remained close until her death. The father and son chartered a boat and set off for the darks waters off Juno Beach. But after both plunged into the sea, only Xander reemerged. 'He called his big brother and told him he was standing there and that he thought his daddy had drowned,' Xander's grandmother Kelly Bezayiff told WPTV. 'They went out I guess on a boat. They went down. He knew there were problems, and he tried to get his dad back up, and he couldn't get him back up,' Bezayiff said. Kenneth Lowery pushed his son 'up towards the top,' and Xander swam up as quickly as he could. 'When he came up, he looked back and his dad wasn't there,' Bezayiff said. Kenneth Lowery (pictured above) and his son Xander went on an annual scuba-diving trip. Xander's mother (also pictured) had recently passed away from cancer. At the time of his tragic death, Lowery was dive-certified, and he was in the process of becoming a diving instructor. Xander tried 'to get his dad back up, and he couldn't get him back up' According to authorities, the Republic IV charter boat, engaged through the Jupiter Dive Center, took Xander and his father on a tour around 9 a.m. By 9:50 a.m., they both went down into the water. Only minutes later, Xander resurfaced and yelled for help. Around 10 minutes after, the Jupiter police and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived at the scene, searching the waters in the region of Captain Mike's reef. Through their concerted efforts, authorities found Lowery's body. At the time of his death, Lowery was dive-certified and in the process of becoming a diving instructor. Lowery pushed his son 'up towards the top' of the water before he drowned Lowery had engaged the services of the Jupiter Dive Center for their scuba trip Xander's mother (pictured) had recently died from cancer Kelly Bezayiff, Lowery's former mother-in-law, said that 'he was phenomenal to my daughter as she was dying.' Bezayiff, Lowery's former mother-in-law, remembered him as a great father and a good man. 'He was phenomenal to my daughter as she was dying. He was there for her, even though they weren't together anymore,' Bezayiff said. She continued: 'I mean, he was just that type of guy.' Bezayiff observed that with Lowery's death, Xander had lost both of his parents over the course of three weeks. When she received the phone call about Xander's father, she was in Texas. She acted immediately. 'I just started to get to Florida.' By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics, which is building a chip foundry plant in the U.S. state of Texas, will likely receive over $6 billion in subsidies from Washington, allowing the Korean chipmaker to better compete with TSMC, the world's leader in the contract-based chip-making business, according to media reports and industry experts Friday. The U.S. Department of Commerce will soon announce that it will provide Samsung with sizable subsidies, as part of Washingtons chip subsidy program known as the CHIPS and Science Act, according to Bloomberg. The act was enacted in 2022 to support semiconductor companies with federal subsidies for constructing factories and producing chips on American soil. Samsung plans to invest $17 billion to build a foundry plant in Taylor, Texas, and is currently constructing that facility. This news is encouraging for Samsung if confirmed, as it was widely expected that the company would receive a lower-than-expected subsidy. Given TSMC is expected to receive $5 billion in subsidies, if Samsung receives a greater amount, this will help the Korean company to better compete with the Taiwanese chip giant. TSMC has a market share of more than 60 percent in the foundry business, much larger than Samsung which is in second place, which has just a 10 percent share in the sector. The U.S. has been working on bringing chip manufacturing back to its shores with the act, amid its ongoing technological rivalry with China, but the subsidy payments have been slower than planned, delaying Samsung's plans and other companies to start up their new plants. Samsung's Taylor foundry plant was initially scheduled to start mass production by the end of this year, but due to a sharp increase in construction costs and the delayed subsidy payment, Samsung had to postpone the commencement of operations until after next year. Experts said that Samsung receiving more subsidies from the U.S. than TSMC is a positive signal for its foundry business. "There were concerns that foreign companies might be discriminated against as predictions emerged that Samsung Electronics would receive less in subsidies. This report could dispel such concerns, Kyung Hee-kwon, an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET), said. If Samsung receives a larger subsidy than TSMC, it could be interpreted as Washington's high expectations for Samsung to increase advanced chip production within the country. The researcher further commented about Samsung's potential opportunity in the U.S. foundry business and forecast AI chip demand there. "Since most chip design companies are in the U.S., and demand for AI chips is expected to increase, Samsung Electronics should focus on strengthening its foundry business there," Kyung added. When contacted by The Korea Times, a Samsung spokesperson declined to confirm any details. Meghan Markle launched her new luxury lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard o the fourth anniversary of what Prince Harry dubbed their 'freedom' day - the date they moved to California. A glitzy Instagram video released yesterday showed Meghan in a large, bright kitchen, providing fans with a glimpse into her plans to sell cookbooks, jams and tableware under her new umbrella company Mama Knows Best. Sources close to the royal told the Mail the launch coincided with the Duchesses' plans to have a cooking show on Netflix which is said to be starting within 'a few weeks'. And on the same night the couple announced Archewell's winner of a $100,000 civil rights award in the US. The timing of the announcements had already raised some eyebrows from royal and PR experts who suggested the couple had planned the brand's launch for the same time William was speaking at an event dedicated to Princess Diana's life's work. Yet the date appears to be even more significant as it marks the fourth anniversary of when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew with Archie, then 10 months old, and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, to America. Footage revealed in Harry's bombshell Netflix series showed the Prince joyfully celebrating his emigration after Megxit was confirmed. The clip taken as the world entered a pandemic saw Harry on board the luxury plane, putting his fingers his lips and smiling as he said: 'We are on the freedom flight. We are leaving Canada and we are headed to Los Angeles. Shh!' On the day they left from Vancouver Island to Canada on March 14 2020, Prince Harry celebrated their emigration calling it there 'freedom flight' The couple's launch of Meghan's new business American Rivera Orchard was released yesterday on the four year anniversary of them moving to California He later turns the camera around filming Meghan, the baby and his mother-in-law, as well as their two dogs, saying: 'Grandma's here, Pula's here with a ball in her mouth.' The Duchess beaming into the camera while wearing a black beanie adds: 'Archie, say hi, we are about to go where Mommy's from.' The family had been given actor Tyler Perry's private jet to take them from Vancouver Island to Los Angeles, where they have been living since quitting their role as senior royals. Mr Perry, who is also Archie's godfather, also offered the couple the use of his home in California before they bought $14.7million dollar mansion in Montecito. The Duke later paid thanks to Mr Perry in his docuseries Harry & Meghan. He said: 'This is the current situation thanks to another amazing friend who we've never met but who believes in us and wants to help.' The couple's latest business venture was announced in the late afternoon not only coinciding with their emigration anniversary but also Diana's Legacy Award that was taking place at the Science Museum in London. Prince William was there in person giving awards to the winners and paying tribute to his late mothers work - which he described as an inspiration to himself and his wife, the Princess of Wales. But Harry and Meghan's new venture was launched just before William arrived at the event, leading royal experts to once again question the timing of the launch. Meghan's regal looking logo and branding The Diana Awards had been touted as a rare joint appearance by estranged brothers William and Harry, albeit 5,000 miles apart from each other and at different times of the evening Prince William, Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE as he attends The Diana Legacy Awards last night Royal biographer and commentator Phil Dampier said today: 'Nothing happens by accident with Harry and Meghan. 'Harry probably felt he wasn't getting the exposure he deserved as William was actually at the event and he wasn't. 'As for American Riviera Orchard I've always thought Meghan would end up doing some sort of Gwyneth Paltrow style lifestyle range and this has clearly been planned for many months. 'If it means she concentrates on making money and not on attacking the royal family I'm all for it'. Later on in the evening, Harry also spoke at the event virtually from his home in Montecito. He told winners that he was 'sorry he could not be there' in person. Last nights business reveal came after the bosses of Netflix revealed that Britons 'devour' any content released by the Sussexes' and that the couple had a 'bunch' of new projects lined up. An insider told the Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden: 'Meghan is starting to film her Netflix show in a few weeks' time. It will tie in with the American Riviera Orchard brand.' While another added: 'It's a lifestyle and cooking brand called American Riviera Orchard. The brand is meant to coincide with the launch of a new cookery show for Netflix. Royal expert Phil Dampier said: 'It's hard to believe that Harry and Meghan would have used their titles for commercial gain so blatantly if Queen Elizabeth was still alive' The Duchess of Sussex's coat of arms appears on the newly launched Sussex.com website Harry and Meghan's decision to relaunch their 'Sussex.com' website last month has been seen as part of a wider 'relaunch' by the California-based royals 'Meghan will be making, and selling, products such as jams. And at some point there will be a book and blog etc.' The new brand is set to be an extension of her former lifestyle blog The Tig, an insider told America's Page Six, adding: 'She's been working on this for over a year and it's all the things that are close to her heart.' Royal experts claimed the California-based royal's latest venture is just another attempt to 'cash in' on Meghan's royal status and could be a breach of the agreement they struck with the late Queen, experts said today. Publicity materials make no attempts to hide Meghan's royal links or her brand's nakedly commercial nature, with its Instagram profile including the caption 'by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex'. Meghan's biographer Tom Bower said the initiative flies in the face of the Sussexes' vow to the former Queen not to trade off their royal connections following the so-called 'Sandringham Summit' in 2022. He told MailOnline: 'Meghan and Harry promised they would not use their titles as commercial vehicles and they have broken that understanding. The only solution is for the King to strip the Sussexes of their titles. Hopefully he will find the resilience.' Archewell has been contacted for comment. A sculpture which pays homage to a young, metropolitan woman of colour and a life-sized person on a horse cast in slime-green resin will feature on the Fourth Plinth in London's Trafalgar Square in 2026 and 2028 respectively. However, there have been complaints that no statue of the late Queen were considered for the plinth. Artists Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuta will join an illustrious list of renowned artists, including Sir Antony Gormley and Dame Rachel Whiteread who have previously exhibited their work in the capital. Samson Kambalu's Antelope currently appears on the Fourth Plinth, while the next sculpture titled Improntas (Imprints) from Mexican artist Teresa Margolles will be unveiled in September. New York-born artist Self's Lady In Blue sculpture will be installed in 2026. Her bronze artwork is inspired by a contemporary 'everywoman', patinated with Lapis Lazuli blue - a rare and refined pigment that has been used since antiquity with global historical significance. US artist Tschabalala Self's artwork entitled 'Lady in Blue' is one of two artworks chosen to be displayed on the Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square Romanian-American artist Andra Ursuta's artwork 'Untitled', pictured, will be displayed on the Fourth Plinth in 2028 Samson Kambalu's Antelope currently appears on the Fourth Plinth, while the next sculpture titled Improntas (Imprints) from Mexican artist Teresa Margolles will be unveiled in September 'My work "Lady In Blue" will bring to Trafalgar Square a woman that many can relate to,' Self said. 'She is not an idol to venerate or a historic figurehead to commemorate. She is a woman striding forward into our collective future with ambition and purpose. 'She is a Londoner, who represents the city's spirit.' Self said the city of London has 'supported my artistic development' and she is 'beyond thrilled' to be giving back to the visual landscape with the commission. 'London is the best possible home for such a powerful figure as Lady In Blue,' she added. Meanwhile Untitled by Romanian-born Ursuta will be installed in 2028. The hollow equestrian statue covered in a shroud embodies multiple histories of public sculpture, during an increasing debate about the use of public space. 'My work deals with history; history makes sense of us as we try to make sense of it,' she said. 'Trafalgar Square is a place where multiple histories face one another in an open-ended standoff. It will never be finished. This is such a crucial, and beautiful, accident.' The pair were selected from a seven-strong shortlist including Liverpool-born Chila Kumari Singh Burman; Argentinian Gabriel Chaile; Scottish Ruth Ewan; London-born Thomas J Price and Montserrat-born Veronica Ryan. Models of the shortlisted artworks are on display at the National Gallery until March 17 2024 Models of the shortlisted artworks are on display at the National Gallery until March 17 2024. The Trafalgar Square north-west pedestal has been home to art commissions for more than 25 years, with the first work titled Ecce Homo by Mark Wallinger unveiled in 1999. Justine Simons, deputy mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, said: 'I'm delighted that Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuta have been selected as the next artists to display their work on the world-renowned Fourth Plinth. 'These artists were chosen from a fantastic shortlist that has inspired debate among Londoners. 'The sculpture prize has entertained and brought out the art critic in everybody for 25 years, and I have no doubt these two very different pieces will continue that fine tradition.' The winning artworks were independently chosen by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, chaired by Ekow Eshun, and informed by the public who were invited to have their say. Justine Simons, deputy mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, pictured left, said: 'I'm delighted that Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuta have been selected as the next artists to display their work on the world-renowned Fourth Plinth' Uber and Lyft say they'll withdraw from Minneapolis from May 1 after the city enacted a new $15.57-an-hour minimum wage for drivers. The ride-sharing services announced their withdrawal Thursday, hours after the Minnesota city's council voted 10-3 to overrule Mayor Jacob Frey's veto of the ordnance. Minneapolis' new law comes into effect May 1 - the same day Uber and Lyft now plan to stop offering ride shares in the city. Frey, a Democrat, had pleaded with his fellow lawmakers to lower the minimum wage to a level more acceptable to Uber and Lyft bosses. Minnesota, pictured on February 21 2024, is set to lose Uber and Lyft ride sharing services thanks to a new minimum wage law Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's bid to stop Uber and Lyft withdrawing from his city has failed, after city lawmakers insisted on passing a new minimum wage bill Local Uber and Lyft drivers say current rules mean they can no longer make ends meet. Many were cabbies before the apps became popular - with that type of taxi service all-but disappearing after ride-sharing start-ups boomed in popularity. Uber and Lyft issues statements that simply confirmed plans to cease operations. Both companies continue to operate in New York City and Seattle, which have similar minimum wage laws. Minneapolis' proposed wages sit far higher than figures proposed by a Department of Labor and Industry report. Federal officials suggested drivers be paid 89 cents per mile and 49 cents a minute to reach minimum wage. Bumping pay up to $1.21-a-mile and 49 cents a minute would enable drivers to receive paid leave, health insurance and retirement savings. Uber and Lyft will withdraw from Minneapolis on May 1, sparking fears of travel chaos for locals who rely on their cabs But Minneapolis city councilors passed pay of $1.40-a-mile and 51 cents a minute, which equates to $15.57-an-hour. Drivers of disabled-access cabs would have gotten $1.20-per-mile and 35 cents a minimum. Lawmakers also decreed a $5 minimum for all ride-share rides. It is unclear if bosses at Uber and Lyft would be willing to compromise with Minneapolis should lower minimum wages be offered. Republicans who represent Minnesota suburbs say they're planning to introduce a state-wide bill to stop similar laws being enacted in their areas they fear could deprive locals of transport options. Rep. Pat Garafolo told the Star Tribune: 'This is clearly unacceptable to Minnesotans, it jeopardizes the quality of life of our state, the freedom of mobility for seniors and limits the opportunity for people to get around.' Uber, which launched in 2010, and Lyft, which launched in 2012, revolutionized the taxi industry by letting riders book cabs using an app on their phones and take cashless rides. Payments made using a card whose details were uploaded to the app. Both San Francisco-headquartered firms were hailed for the convenience of their offerings. But they've also been blamed for destroying millions' of taxi drivers livelihoods and lowering fairs to kill the local cab trade, then jacking them up after that mission has been accomplished. The firms have also been accused of exploiting workers, who they classify as freelance 'gig' workers, rather than regular staff members. Two state police officers involved in the shooting death of a student teacher in the Mexican Pacific coast state of Guerrero have been placed in pretrial detention while a third cop, who allegedly fired the deadly shot, is still on the run. The two cops, whose names have not been released by the Mexican government, turned themselves in on Wednesday amid pressure from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez and public outcry after Yanqui Gomez, 23, was shot dead during a traffic stop on March 7. Both agents are being investigated for intentional murder and attempted murder, but were not charged during a hearing before a judge in the resort town of Acapulco on Thursday. 'I want them to be punished with life imprisonment and that this be for all criminals and murderers,' Gomez's mother, Lilia Gomez, told Milenio news network earlier this week. Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado announced Thursday the resignations of State Secretary General, Ludwig Reynoso, and Public Security Secretary, General Rolando Solano. Student teacher Yanqui Gomez was shot dead by a cop during a traffic stop in Ayotzinapa, Mexico on March 7. Two cops have been placed in pretrial detention and a third, who allegedly fired the shot that killed Gomez, is on the run Guerrero State Secretary General, Ludwig Reynoso (left), and Public Security Secretary, General Rolando Solano (right), resigned Thursday as pressure mounted in Mexico over the investigation into the death of a 23-year-old student teacher, who was shot by a police officer during a traffic stop on March 7 Local media outlets have reported that Salgado called for the removal of Attorney General Sandra Valdovinos, who as of Friday remained in her post. 'For my removal from office, constitutional and legal procedures must be exhausted,' Valdovinos said. 'I will assert my right to a hearing before the State Congress.' The Guerrero State Police initially said the officers approached the parked Nissan Frontier in which Gomez and two other students were traveling on the evening of March 7 near Ayotzinapa teachers' college because it had been reported stolen. The law enforcement agency said that the students were armed and fired at the officers. State prosecutors said that a gun and drugs were found in the pickup truck. Gomez was shot by one of the police officers and died while receiving medical attention. Despite being called on to resign as the Attorney General for the Pacific coast state of Guerrero, Sandra Valdovinos had not done so as of Friday Students clashed with police in Chilpancingo, the capital of the Mexican Pacific coast state of Guerrero on Tuesday over the death of fellow student, Yanqui Gomez, who was shot by a cop on March 7 during a traffic stop in the city of Ayotzinapa Firefighters put out fire from the Guerrero State Attorney General Office vehicles that were vandalized by students on Tuesday in Chilpancingo, Mexico Following the incident, Reynoso and Solano met with reporters and doubled down on the claim that the pickup truck had been reported stolen and that the students did not want to stop at the checkpoint for a routine inspection of stolen vehicles. The officials also said that the students had opened fire on the cops first. However, two days later, the Guerrero State Attorney General's Office retracted the claim and said that the cops would be placed under investigation. Ballistics report showed that the vehicle the students were in was impacted by four shots, according to Vidulfo Rosales, the lawyer representing Gomez's family. Investigators with the prosecutor's office searched the scene and failed to find any bullet casings, thus negating the state police claims that the students were carrying a firearm. They were unable to inspect the vehicle the students were in because it had been removed from the scene by the police. Gomez's death has sparked a series of protests that turned violent in which objects and vehicles were set on fire outside the Guerrero State Attorney General's Office in Chilpancingo, the state capital. At least 15 National Guardsmen and four municipal cops have been injured. A Royal Air Force jet jammed by the Kremlin while flying over the Baltic was not fitted with electronic warfare protection equipment. The aircraft, which was bringing home the UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps from a Nato exercise in northern Poland, was literally defenceless when it was attacked. According to The Times, this was because the military could not afford to pay for the protective systems to save up to 200million in a decision now being reversed. For half an hour on Wednesday the jet's primary GPS system was degraded and internet communications were lost. It also had no chaff, flares or other counter-measures against a missile strike. This the flight path that Mr Shapps plane took before it was hit by a Russian cyber attack just outside Kaliningrad Yet the Dassault 'Falcon' 900LX was flown close to Vladimir Putin's stronghold enclave of Kaliningrad the epicentre of Russian electromagnetic and cyber warfare capabilities. So it suffered a sustaining jamming attack which exposed the shocking vulnerability of the aircraft. Despite its lack of military-grade defensive aides, the luxury jet has been used routinely by senior members of the Royal Family and Prime Ministers. The French-manufactured aircraft is also the favoured by the global jet-set, including pop stars such as Taylor Swift. When the RAF acquired two Dassaults for 80million in February 2022 air chiefs reassured the public the jets would be 'upgraded with missile jamming systems and military communications'. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps speaks during his visit to northern Poland on Wednesday But this work, which is expected to cost a further 150million, and is required to bring the jets up 'full capability', will not be undertaken before 2026. So all its passengers and crew face at least another two years of jeopardy over their safety. Only then will the Dassaults offer the same protection to the Royal Family, Prime Ministers and senior defence officials as the four 'Royal Flight' BAE-146s they succeeded in service. Former defence minister Mark Francois said: 'It beggars belief that this country's VIP transport aircraft, for senior ministers and even members of the Royal Family, was brought into service without a comprehensive defensive electronics suite. 'Nelson's sailors used to talk about 'spoiling the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar', but this is the 21st century equivalent. It is just ridiculous.' The RAF Dassault Falcon 900's primary GPS system was degraded (file picture at Northolt) The BAE-146s, which were withdrawn from service in 2022, were fitted with defensive aids suites to protect against electronic warfare threats. Such equipment helps to detect, prioritise and counter threats automatically, employing measures such as chaff, flares and countermeasures such as infrared lamps or lasers and radar warning receivers. Defensive aides such as these have been fitted to the much larger RAF Voyager aircraft favoured for long-haul flights by King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Mail understands the Dassaults are specifically lacking some critical US technologies including Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASM) and M-Code, which would have protected her. SAASM are decryption components in GPS receivers which provide enhanced security against Russian jamming systems, such as the Tobol (14Ts227) stationary electronic warfare system in Kaliningrad. Grant Shapps and Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz on Wednesday A security source told the Mail: 'These modules ensure that military GPS receivers have access to more precise and encrypted P(Y) code signals, offering higher location precision than civilian GPS receivers. 'SAASM's encryption capability protects against spoofing attacks, ensuring military receivers can continue to access authentic GPS signals even in jamming environments. 'It is cravenly dangerous to fly a UK military aircraft close to Kaliningrad without this sort of protection. 'For the Ministry of Defence to just say 'oh, we'll live with the risk until 2026 and pay for the upgrades then is so complacent. 'As UK Defence Secretary Mr Shapps would have known about the risk. The attack could have been much worse. The Royal Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint spy plane has been patrolling Poland and its border Commercial executive jets are for made for executives and pop stars not to buzz around the Baltic which is close to a state of war at the moment.' M-Code is another security feature commonly used in military aircraft. Its operational benefits include resistance to jamming and interference as well as encryption. The BAE-146s also had additional armour added to their cockpits to protect against conventional ground to air threats. No such protection has been added to the Dassaults. The threat posed by Russian electromagnetic and electronic warfare is not restricted to the airspace surrounding Kaliningrad. The Kremlin has stationed similar jamming systems in Syria in a bid to jam unprotected aircraft as well as across Russia. Just hours after the electronic warfare attack on Mr Shapps' plane, the UK, the US and Nato's newest member Sweden sent elec- tronic surveillance aircraft to the Baltic. At 6.50am yesterday, a USAF Rivet Joint took off from Mildenhall in Suffolk. An hour and ten minutes later, a RAF Rivet Joint departed from Waddington, Lincolnshire. For several hours the aircraft flew loops close to Kaliningrad, maintaining an optimal operational altitude of 33,000ft. The Rivet Joints are equipped with sensors which 'soak up' electronic emissions from GPS jammers, such as the Russian Tobol system. The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment. The family of Nex Benedict who passed away a day after being attacked at school are disputing a medical examiner's ruling the non binary teenager died by suicide. Benedict's relatives issued a statement following the partial release of the teen's autopsy saying the full report shows they suffered clear signs of 'physical trauma'. 'The Benedicts feel compelled to provide a summary of those findings which have not yet been released by the Medical Examiner's office, particularly those that contradict the allegations of the assault on Nex being significant,' the family said through their attorney. 'As outlined in the full report, the Medical Examiner found numerous areas of physical trauma over Nex's body that evidence the severity of the assault.' Nex, 16, died on February 8, just a day after sustaining head trauma in a bathroom fight in Owasso High School, Oklahoma. The family of Nex Benedict who passed away a day after being attacked at school are disputing a medical examiner's ruling the non binary teenager died by suicide The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's report said Benedict's death was caused by a combined overdose of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine the day after they were hospitalized from a fight Their death became a rallying point for trans and LGBT activists across the country - and several vigils were organized to remember the student Their family highlighted several injuries listed on the Medical Examiner's full report including abrasions, lacerations and swelling on Nex's head, torso and extremities. On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's report said Benedict's death was caused by a combined overdose of Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine and ruled it a suicide. Police also subsequently released a statement which confirmed their preliminary investigation pointed towards suicide. 'From the beginning of this investigation, Owasso Police observed many indications that this death was the result of suicide,' they said in a statement. 'However, investigators did not wish to confirm that information without the final results being presented by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office.' But the Benedicts said they released the additional details, 'to ensure other pertinent portions of the report are not overshadowed by the "classification" of Nex's death.' The teen's biological grandmother and legal guardian, Sue Benedict, told The Independent that her child had been repeatedly bullied by various students for over a year due to their non-binary identity. Nex's death became a rallying point for trans and LGBT activists across the country - and several vigils and walk-outs were organized to remember the student. Benedict's relatives issued a statement following the partial release of the teen's autopsy saying the full report shows they suffered clear signs of 'physical trauma' 'The Benedicts continue to call on our schools, administrators, lawmakers and communities to come together to prevent any other family from having to suffer through the heartache now borne by Nex's loved ones,' the statement added. The family also revealed they had been 'overwhelmed by the outpouring of support' in the form of cards, letters, donations and vigils. Officers investigating Nex's death said that they were called to the hospital by the teen's family at around 3pm on February 7, but that no 911 call had been made by the school. Nex was asked by the family member whether they were OK and the teen replied saying they were 'all good' and had some scrapes and bruises. They also added: 'If I'm dizzy or nauseous in the morning I might have a concussion.' Bodycam footage of an interview conducted with Nex by police after the altercation showed the teen explaining how the fight began after girls in the bathroom were ridiculing them. In retaliation, Nex said they threw water over one of the girls before they were 'jumped'. Sue said: 'Those girls started everything from the get go.' Nex described in text to their family what happened before being taken to the hospital before they died. Oklahoma non-binary Nex Benedict reportedly died by suicide from a drug overdose, not from injuries sustained in a school fight, according to the medical examiner People chant during a vigil for the death of Nex Benedict outside Stonewall Inn in New York A walkout for Nex Benedict at Owasso High School on Monday, February 26 'I got jumped at school. 3 on 1, had to go to the ER,' Nex wrote, adding: 'They had been bullying me and my friends and I got tired of it so I poured some water on them and all 3 came after me. School did not report to police.' Following their death, a GoFundMe was set up for the family which has so far raised $165,000. Sue said she was aware Nex, who she said saw themselves as neither male or female, was bullied for being gender fluid but that she 'didn't know how bad it had gotten'. 'I was so proud of Nex. They were going some place, they were so free,' she said. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that public officials can block critics on social media in certain circumstances without violating constitutional protections for free speech. It's an important case as lawmakers and other public officials often deal with combative critics on X, formerly Twitter, and other social media platforms. The court previously confronted the issue in 2021 in litigation over former President Donald Trump's effort to block critics on X. The justices did not end up settling the matter and the case was deemed 'moot' after Trump left office. At issue in the legal fight was whether the officials, in blocking their critics, were acting in a governmental capacity. The First Amendment's protections for free speech generally constrain government actors, not private individuals. President Joe Biden's administration had sided with the officials in both cases. Free speech advocacy groups urged the justices to back the plaintiffs. The court previously confronted the issue in 2021 in litigation over former President Donald Trump 's effort to block critics on X The justices Friday vacated rulings by lower courts in two cases - one from California and another from Michigan - involving lawsuits brought under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment by people who were blocked after posting criticisms on the social media accounts of local officials. The justices directed the lower courts to reconsider the matter. The Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases in October. The first case involved two public school board trustees from the California city of Poway who appealed a lower court's ruling in favor of parents who sued them after being blocked from the accounts of the officials on X and Facebook, which is owned by Meta Platforms. The second case involved a Michigan man's appeal after a lower court ruled against his lawsuit challenging a Port Huron city official who blocked him on Facebook. The California case involved Michelle O'Connor-Ratcliff and T.J. Zane, elected trustees of the Poway Unified School District. They blocked Christopher and Kimberly Garnier, the parents of three students at district schools, after the couple made hundreds of critical posts on issues including race and school finances. Zane and O'Connor-Ratcliff both had public Facebook pages identifying them as government officials. The parents sued O'Connor-Ratcliff and Zane in 2017, arguing that their free speech rights under the First Amendment were violated. A federal judge in California ruled that the parents' First Amendment rights were violated and the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, ruling that Zane and O'Connor-Ratcliff had presented their social media accounts as "channels of communication with the public" about school board business. "When state actors enter that virtual world and invoke their government status to create a forum for such expression," the 9th Circuit wrote, "the First Amendment enters with them." In the Michigan case, Port Huron resident Kevin Lindke sued in 2020 after City Manager James Freed blocked him from his public Facebook page following critical posts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lindke accused Freed of violating his First Amendment rights. Freed's account also was a public Facebook page identifying him as a public figure. A federal judge ruled in favor of Freed in 2021 and the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year agreed. The 6th Circuit found that Freed's blocking of Lindke did not constitute an official act. The justices also are expected to issue rulings by the end of June in other important cases involving speech on social media. One involves a challenge to Republican-backed state laws limiting the ability of social media platforms to remove or moderate content deemed objectionable or misinformation. Another involves a bid to prevent the Biden administration from encouraging such content moderation. During their first introduction for a zoo breeding program on Thursday, a lion tore out a lioness's throat in front of horrified staff as they were forced to watch on. Male big cat Nestor and female Maya had been getting used to each other's scent from behind bars in the Belgian Bellewaerde Park. Nestor, also known as 'Lion King', had recently moved from Antwerp Zoo to Ypres in West Flanders as part of a breeding program for endangered species. The 12-year-old predator was initially meant to mate with two Czech lionesses, sisters Maya (two) and Numa (one). The three wild animals were given the opportunity to adapt to each other's presence from behind a barrier for a few days, and zookeepers reportedly saw no signs of aggression between the lions. Nestor, also known as 'Lion King', tore out the throat of his intended mating partner Maya at Bellewaerde Park's zoo in Belgium on Thursday Maya and Nestor were part of a breeding program for endangered species Staff then decided on Thursday it was time to let Nestor and Maya outside together with no bars between the two. According to the zoo, things were going smoothly when the two cats first came face-to-face with one another. But this quickly changed as the lions began showing signs of aggression. 'They started fighting and Nestor bit Maya in the throat,' spokesperson Filip Van Dorpe told local media. The zookeepers attempted to save the wounded lioness, but it was too late. 'A distress signal that Nestor knows to return to his accommodation could no longer help,' he added. Van Dorpe expressed his disappointment on the incident, calling it 'very unfortunate'. 'They remain wild animals, this of course also happens in nature. 'We deeply regret this, everyone in Bellewaerde is devastated. We went from pride to sadness in one day'. Having only said goodbye to Nestor a couple of weeks ago, the zookeepers at Antwerp Zoo still have fond memories of the lion, reported VRT News. The zoo's spokeswoman Ilse Segers said that the news that Nestor has killed his intended mating partner has been met with sorrow and shock. 'We all have reacted with complete disbelief'. Nestor was born in Antwerp Zoo, and according to staff there, he had never shown any signs of aggression. Segers told VRT News: 'When he was born he was little on the shy side, but since then, he has really opened up. 'He was always gentle with his cubs and with his former partner Tasa. You did have to leave him alone while he was eating though. He didn't want anyone near him then'. Local media has reported that there will now be a waiting period before Nestor is introduced to other lionesses. He will also remain in the enclosure and the breeding program is expected to continue. Listeria in pre-packed chicken mayonnaise sandwiches was a more than minimal cause of the deaths of two hospital patients during a deadly 2019 outbreak, an inquest jury concluded today. Retired nurse Beverley Sowah, 57, and mother-of-five Enid Heap, 84, were given the sandwiches on successive days while patients at Manchester Royal Infirmary. The women, who both had underlying health problems, died within days, prompting a national alert which saw the bacteria traced to a sandwich firm that supplied more than 40 NHS trusts. A total of nine people were infected across England during the outbreak, of whom seven died, prompting then health secretary Matt Hancock to promise a root and branch review of how food was served in NHS hospitals. Retired nurse Beverley Sowah, 57, pictured, died after eating a chicken sandwich while undergoing treatment at Manchester Royal Infirmary Mother-of-five Enid Heap, 84, also received chicken sandwiches over successive days which contained listeria Today an inquest jury concluded that both Mrs Sowah and Mrs Heap died after developing listeriosis contracted from eating contaminated sandwiches. In both cases, jurors concluded that listeria was a more than minimal cause of their deaths. They also concluded that the listeria entered the food chain at Salford-based North Country Quality Foods which sold the cooked chicken to sandwich manufacturer Good Food Chain. From there, the contaminated meat was supplied to the hospital in the form of chicken mayonnaise sandwiches and served to both women, jurors said said. The scandal over potentially deadly listeria in pre-packed hospital sandwiches in 2019 saw nine patients infected, with seven dying. This weeks inquest into the first two victims, Beverley Sowah, 57, and mother-of-five Enid Heap, 84, saw details of how the bacteria entered the food chain spelt out for the first time. It revealed how it was traced back to a chilled meat supplier based in Salford, Greater Manchester - probably through cross-contamination when the chicken was diced. But experts were unable to pinpoint hygiene failings either at the producer, North Country Quality Foods (NCQF), or the sandwich firm the chicken was supplied to, Staffordshire-based Good Food Chain (GFC). Sodexo, the catering contractor at Manchester Royal Infirmary where both women were being treated was also found to kept sandwiches at safe, chilled temperatures. Both women were patients at Manchester Royal Infirmary when they ate infected sandwiches The 2019 outbreak sparked a public outcry, with the Mail revealing that food safety experts had warned three years earlier that hospitals were risking patients lives by serving them pre-packed sandwiches. A 2016 report said that the packaged snacks had been responsible for almost all hospital outbreaks of listeria over the preceding 13 years. Questions were also asked over why Public Health England waited until June 7, 2019 to go public about the outbreak, by which point three patients had died. That was nearly two weeks after the NHS was ordered to stop serving sandwiches and salads made by GFC. In response, then Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons he had ordered a root and branch review of food served within NHS hospitals. He pledged to MPs that a full and thorough investigation would be held with severe consequences if theres any evidence of wrongdoing. This weeks inquest heard that while the source of the outbreak had been traced back to NCQF, inspections of its plant and the GFC sandwich factory found no evidence of poor hygiene. However a report released by Public Health England at the height of Covid the following year and hence largely ignored at the time pinpointed shocking failings by hospitals, with fridges in many cases not cold enough to stop listeria multiplying. Jamaica-born retired nurse Beverley Sowah, 57, was receiving palliative care for terminal cancer A major report on food in the NHS commissioned to fulfil Mr Hancocks promise of a root and branch review, and led by Bake Off judge Prue Leith was published in October 2020. Among a string of recommendations highlighting how serving good quality food can boost hospital patients recovery, it said all NHS trusts should have someone at board level responsible for food safety lead to ensure hygiene standards. Hospitals should also be registered with their local council as food businesses to ensure regular inspections, it said. However food safety experts yesterday warned there was a risk of further listeria outbreaks if hospitals only pay lip service to the recommendations. Listeriosis is a rare but deadly infection caused by eating food contaminated with a bacteria called listeria monocytogenes. There are about 170 cases of listeriosis in the UK every year, and it kills about one in four of those affected, sometimes leading to sepsis or meningitis. Most people who eat food contaminated with listeria develop mild flu-like symptoms that pass within a few days. But listeriosis frequently proves deadly for those with weak immune systems with pregnant women, newborn babies, people aged over 60 and those being treated by chemotherapy most at risk. Listeria is most commonly spread in pre-packaged sandwiches and other chilled food, and is widespread in the environment, including in food production businesses. Jeffrey Thomas, pictured, was the MD of North Country Quality Meats when the food poisoning outbreak occurred in 2019 Brenda Elmer, pictured right, is also a victim of the listeria outbreak Unlike many other bacteria, listeria thrives and reproduces at temperatures as low as 0C. This enables it to survive in the fridge and pass through food-processing equipment and the food chain. However storing foods below 5C and discarding uneaten produce before its use-by date three days in the case of pre-packed sandwiches should prevent listeria reaching harmful levels. There has never been a major outbreak of listeriosis in the UK, but there have been product recalls following scares. Jamaica-born retired nurse Beverley Sowah, 57, was receiving palliative care for terminal cancer. She was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary on April 15, 2019 over fears the disease had spread to her spine. Mrs Sowah was given a chicken mayonnaise sandwich on April 17 but later developed sepsis. On April 26, tests revealed she was suffering from listeria infection, and she died later that day. What is Listeriosis and why is it so dangerous? Listeriosis is a rare but deadly infection caused by eating food contaminated with a bacteria called listeria monocytogenes. There are about 170 cases of listeriosis in the UK every year, and it kills about one in four of those affected, sometimes leading to sepsis or meningitis. Most people who eat food contaminated with listeria develop mild flu-like symptoms that pass within a few days. But listeriosis frequently proves deadly for those with weak immune systems with pregnant women, newborn babies, people aged over 60 and those being treated by chemotherapy most at risk. Listeria is most commonly spread in pre-packaged sandwiches and other chilled food, and is widespread in the environment, including in food production businesses. Unlike many other bacteria, listeria thrives and reproduces at temperatures as low as 0C. This enables it to survive in the fridge and pass through food-processing equipment and the food chain. However storing foods below 5C and discarding uneaten produce before its use-by date three days in the case of pre-packed sandwiches should prevent listeria reaching harmful levels. There has never been a major outbreak of listeriosis in the UK, but there have been product recalls following scares. Advertisement Retired pharmacy assistant, Enid Heap, 84, had been suffering from lung disease when she was admitted onto a different ward at the hospital on March 25, 2019. On April 18 the mother-of-five was served with a chicken mayonnaise sandwich, but a listeria infection was not detected until May 3 and she died three days later. With two cases in the space of a week, an outbreak meeting was held the day after her death. However it was not until May 16 that lab results established that both Mrs Sowah and Mrs Heap had been infected by identical strains of listeria, showing they had caught it from eating the same batch of food. That was a day after haulage contractor Ian Hitchcock, 52, was admitted to Royal Derby Hospital with advanced cancer. Examination of what the two women had eaten during their hospital stays narrowed the source down to sandwiches made by Staffordshire-based Good Food Chain. It supplied 43 NHS trusts, all of which were told to stop serving its products to patients on May 24. By now, 81-year-old Brenda Elmer had been discharged home after a stay at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, during which she too had eaten a contaminated chicken mayonnaise sandwich. Mr Hitchcock died on June 8 the day after Public Health England went public about the outbreak. Last year an inquest jury concluded he had died from liver failure due to metastatic cancer and listeria infection. They said it was probable that he contracted listeria eating food on a hospital visit. Jurors also said some fridges at Royal Derby Hospital were at too high a temperature, meaning sandwiches were insufficiently chilled. In response, the trust said it had taken immediate steps to improve aspects of how food was stored. Meanwhile Mrs Elmer, a much-loved grandmother who was being treated for breast cancer, was struggling to recover at home in Gravesend, Kent following an unrelated operation. She was rushed to her local hospital in Tunbridge Wells on June 2 after becoming uncommunicative, testing positive for listeria and dying on July 17. A coroner, Penelope Schofield, later suggested that an information black hole may have prevented Mrs Elmer being diagnosed sooner as she had not lived within the area of the trust where she ate the contaminated sandwich. She said it was inexcusable that some hospitals had not reported cases of listeria quickly enough None of the three other patients whose deaths were linked to the outbreak were ever publicly named. This weeks hearing heard how Public Health England was notified on May 7, 2019, the day after Mrs Heaps death the second case of fatal listeria infection at Manchester Royal Infirmary in ten days. Listeriosis is especially dangerous for people who are immunocompromised or have an underlying illness The primary hypothesis was that pre-packed sandwiches were to blame, but it was not until May 16 that lab results established both women had become infected by the same source. By now, cases of listeria had been identified at other hospitals, and a national investigation was launched, the inquest jury at Manchester Coroners Court heard. On May 24, sandwich supplier Good Food Chain was pinpointed as the source, and its products withdrawn, with the outbreak later traced back to its chicken supplier, North Country Quality Foods. Giving evidence, NCQF managing director Jeffrey Thomas said cooked meat was kept below 5C throughout the process of storing, dicing, packaging and delivery. Tests carried out by environmental health officers at both plants found evidence of listeria, the inquest heard but none matching the strain which had infected Mrs Sowah and Mrs Heap. However an unopened pack of diced chicken sent from NCQF to GFC tested on May 24 was found to contain listeria matching the outbreak strain at a level of 1,000 units per gram ten times the legally permissible limit. The inquest heard this was an unprecedented level and the maximum that the testing lab could record. Additionally, a pack of bacon sent by NCQF to a different supplier tested positive for the same outbreak strain of listeria. With the contaminated sandwiches long since eaten or discarded, this was the only evidence definitively linking NCQF to the fatal outbreak. Mr Thomas agreed the presence of the strain in two different meats supplied by his company which is no longer trading meant there must had been cross-contamination at the dicing stage. But he insisted the bacteria would not have reached harmful levels as long as refrigeration and use-by rules were followed properly. The inquest heard that the pack containing 1,000 units of listeria per gram had been delivered four days earlier, making it impossible to say whether it had been at an unsafe level when it was dispatched. Environmental health officer Emma Norman was asked by Mrs Heaps son Alistair whether the discovery of listeria at NCQF indicated failures in cleanliness. She replied: No, its that the bacteria is very hard to get rid of when its established in a business. NCQF labelled its cooked chicken with a use-by date of two days after opening, but GFC extended this to three days to give hospitals time to serve the finished sandwiches. However David Bell, business development manager at GFC also no longer trading insisted sandwiches had remained safe to eat if properly stored once delivered to hospitals. The inquest heard that the batches of sandwiches eaten by Mrs Heap and Mrs Sowah were checked on arrival by hospital catering contractors Sodexo and found to be under 5C. Tina Potter, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, told the hearing the source of the listeria contamination had been traced to cooked chicken in the sandwiches the two women ate. She said finding genetically related infection in two food products within the same business would lead us to a likely hypothesis that theres an environmental contamination thats persisted. But she said it was not possible to definitively confirm at what point between manufacture to consumption the outbreak strain was present at a level that meant it could be injurious to health. As a result, coroner Zak Golombeck told jurors there was an insufficiency of evidence for them to make a finding that breaches in the food supply chain contributed to Mrs Sowah and Mrs Heap becoming infected. Afterwards Mrs Heaps son Alistair said the two womens deaths should serve as a reminder to the food industry of the potentially fatal consequences of failing to maintain high safety standards. He said the case had highlighted the importance that businesses involved in the food process should maintain a strict standard of care and be subject to rigorous testing when supplying food to the public, particularly vulnerable groups in hospital environments. Mr Heap said the five years since learning that listeria had contributed to their mothers death had been distressing and emotional. But he welcomed the comprehensive understanding of the circumstances leading up to the tragedy which the inquest had provided. Mrs Sowahs eldest son Stephen said: The conclusion reached today is satisfactory for us as a family. Its been a long five years. My mother wasnt just a mother, she was obviously a wife, a sister, a daughter, a great friend, and very recently a grandmother as well. We can only look at this day as a moment of relief and final closure on what has been a hard chapter for us all. Afterwards a spokesman for former NCQF managing director Jeff Thomas said the firm had co-operated fully with investigations following the outbreak. He stressed that no evidence was found of unsafe levels of listeria in any products when they left the companys facility at the start of the supply chain. Hospital caterers Sodexo said it had cooperated fully with the inquest. In a statement it welcomed the finding that there was no breakdown in its cold chain for the delivery and storage of food at Manchester Royal Infirmary. The inquest heard the firm was not linked to outbreaks at other hospitals in 2019. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust offered its condolences to both families and said it had taken action on food safety and hygiene. The Department of Health and Social Care said its deepest sympathies were with the womens loved ones. It said it had worked with NHS England to ensure all hospital patients have access to high quality, nutritious and safe food. Training on safe handling of food should now be given to all non-catering staff who may come into contact with food, such as nurses and porters. In addition, NHS trusts are responsible for meeting robust food safety procedures and assuring themselves their supply chain is safe, it said. NHS England said hospitals with hygiene scores of three and under were made subject to action plans Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that he expects the House to hold a standalone vote on Israel and Ukraine aid as pressure builds from the Senate after it passed foreign aid package last month. He insisted he would not be pressured to rush the Senate package to the floorm as the White House says Ukraine's need for defense aid is urgent to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin at bay. 'We will work the will of the House,' Johnson said during a fireside chat at the House GOP retreat. 'No one wants Vladimir Putin to prevail,' he went on. 'I'm of the opinion that he wouldn't stop in Ukraine. If he was allowed, he would go all the way through Europe.' Johnson revealed that he expects the House to hold a standalone vote on Israel and Ukraine aid as pressure builds from the Senate after it passed foreign aid package last month 'I understand the timetable and understand the necessity of the urgency of the funding,' the speaker said, adding that the House would not work through foreign aid until the government funding fight for fiscal year 2024 is completed. 'I think it is a stand-alone, and I suspect it will need to be on suspension,' Johnson later told Politico of foreign assistance. Suspension requires a two-thirds majority and wide Democratic support. Johnson uses the procedure when he can't pass a rule for legislation, since passing the rule relies on Republican-only votes. Emergency services work at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, March 15, 2024 Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a missile attack in Odesa on March 15, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine Congress has spent months at an impasse over further aid for U.S. allies - as the rightward flank of the House has even begun to threaten to motion to vacate Mike Johnson from the speakership if he puts further Ukraine aid on the House floor. Another vote in the House would be the third go at aid for Israel. The House first passed $14 billion in aid for Israel, but it was offset by cuts to the IRS - killing it in the Democratic-led Senate. And after last month a vote on a stand-alone Israel aid bill failed, Johnson declined to bring it up again. Earlier this month the House passed its first tranche of six funding bills combined into one package. Another funding deadline looms on March 22 for the next six funding bills. All 12 appropriations bills were supposed to be passed before the start of the fiscal year on October 1. Johnson has seemingly backed down from demanding border security before passing Ukraine aid. He mentioned border security in comments about foreign aid, but did not lay out any clear line demanding it in exchange for the money. 'It's difficult to explain to some people around the country that were "securing the border" of the European nation when our own border. It's wild,' Johnson said. 'The fact is that the President has not yet taken executive action.' In December of last year, Johnson had explicitly told the White House: 'Supplemental Ukraine funding is dependent upon enactment of transformative change to our nations border security laws.' The Senate's $100 billion foreign aid package included border provisions in addition to money for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific. But House Republicans shunned the package, arguing it was more about immigration reform than securing the border. Voters headed to the polls in Russia on Friday for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putins rule by six more years after he stifled dissent. The election takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system. It also comes as Moscows war in Ukraine enters its third year. Russia has the advantage on the battlefield, where it is making small, if slow, gains. Ukraine, meanwhile, has made Moscow look vulnerable behind the front line: Long-range drone attacks have struck deep inside Russia, while high-tech drones have put its Black Sea fleet on the defensive. Voters will cast their ballots Friday through Sunday at polling stations across the vast countrys 11 time zones, as well as in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine. The first polling stations opened in Russia's easternmost regions, Chukotka and Kamchatka, at 8 a.m. local time. The election holds little suspense since Putin, 71, is running for his fifth term virtually unchallenged. His political opponents are either in jail or in exile abroad, and the fiercest of them, Alexei Navalny, died in a remote Arctic penal colony recently. The three other candidates on the ballot are low-profile politicians from token opposition parties that toe the Kremlins line. Observers have little to no expectation that the election will be free and fair. Beyond the fact that voters have been presented with little choice, the possibilities for independent monitoring are very limited. Only registered candidates or state-backed advisory bodies can assign observers to polling stations, decreasing the likelihood of independent watchdogs. With balloting over three days in nearly 100,000 polling stations in the country, any true monitoring is difficult anyway. The elections in Russia as a whole are a sham. The Kremlin controls whos on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign. To say nothing of being able to control every aspect of the voting and the vote-counting process, said Sam Greene, director for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington. Ukraine and the West have also condemned Russia for holding the vote in Ukrainian regions that Moscows forces have seized and occupied. In many ways, Ukraine is at the heart of this election, political analysts and opposition figures say. They say Putin wants to use his all-but-assured electoral victory as evidence that the war and his handling of it enjoys widespread support. The opposition, meanwhile, hopes to use the vote to demonstrate their discontent with both the war and the Kremlin. The Kremlin banned two politicians from the ballot who sought to run on an antiwar agenda and attracted genuine albeit not overwhelming support, thus depriving the voters of any choice on the main issue of Russias political agenda, said political analyst Abbas Gallyamov, who used to work as Putins speechwriter. Russias scattered opposition has urged those unhappy with Putin or the war to show up at the polls at noon on Sunday, the final day of voting, in protest. The strategy was endorsed by Navalny not long before his death. We need to use election day to show that we exist and there are many of us, we are actual, living, real people and we are against Putin. ... What to do next is up to you. You can vote for any candidate except Putin. You could ruin your ballot, his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said. How well this strategy will work remains unclear. Golos, Russias renowned independent election observer group, said in a report this week that authorities were doing everything so that the people dont notice the very fact of the election happening. The watchdog described the campaign ahead of the vote as practically unnoticeable and the most vapid since 2000, when Golos was founded and started monitoring elections in Russia. Putins campaigning was cloaked in presidential activities, and other candidates were demonstrably passive, the report said. State media dedicated less airtime to the election than in 2018, when Putin was last elected, according to Golos. Instead of promoting the vote to ensure a desired turnout, authorities appear to be betting on pressuring voters they can control for instance, Russians who work in state-run companies or institutions to show up at the polls, the group said. The watchdog itself has also been swept up in the crackdown: Its co-chair, Grigory Melkonyants, is in jail awaiting trial on charges widely seen as an attempt to pressure the group ahead of the election. The current elections will not be able to reflect the real mood of the people, Golos said in the report. The distance between citizens and decision-making about the fate of the country has become greater than ever. (AP) President Joe Biden, Speaker Mike Johnson and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met at the Capitol for an annual lunch celebrating the relationship between the U.S. and Ireland Friday afternoon. The group, all sporting green ties for the occasion, were greeted by servers carrying pints of Guinness and other Irish refreshments. Bagpipe players also mulled about the area setting a joyous tone in the Capitol leaders dined in the paneled Rayburn Room, sitting just feet away from the House floor. The annual lunch came after a White House meeting between Biden and Varadkar where the Irish prime minister expressed his desire to see an lasting ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. The two then traveled down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol to meet Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who threw cold water on a stand down in February, saying 'Hamas will not respect a ceasefire.' 'I'm deeply grateful for Ireland's unwavering humanitarian aid to people of not only Ukraine but also Gaza,' Biden said during the event. 'I'm committed to continuing to do our part.' He also pressured Johnson to pass foreign aid funding for Ukraine. 'I think a vast majority of members of Congress are willing to do their part. And I continue to urge every member in this room to stand up to Vladimir Putin. He's a thug,' Biden said. President Joe Biden (C) and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are greeted by Speaker Mike Johnson (Second from right) after arriving to the U.S. Capitol The leaders arrived to the Capitol to celebrate the traditional St. Patrick's Day Friends of Ireland luncheon The trip to Capitol Hill follows a meeting between Biden and Varadkar in the Oval Office Speaker Mike Johnson host Biden and Ireland leader Leo Varadkar for the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon at the Capitol Later during the lunch, Varadkar spoke and brought up the Israel-Hamas war as Johnson and Biden looked on. 'The savage attacks of October 7 in Israel and the terrible violence and loss of human life in Gaza, which has followed and continues, we very much want that to end,' the Irish leader said. 'These are global challenges that demand our courage, our empathy and our action,' he continued. Speaker Johnson also addressed the Israel-Hamas war. 'Our allies and friends such as Israel and Taiwan, continue to fight for their very right to exist. And I know everyone in this room is committed to the same things that we know that we all must stand for national sovereignty and work for peace.' He noted how though they may disagree on policy 'we should all appreciate traditions like this, an occasion for thoughtful discourse.' At the White House earlier in the day, the Biden and Varadkar discussed the war and next steps. 'We need a ceasefire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out,' Varadkar said to Biden. 'We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two-state solution.' Biden agreed with Varadkar on the ceasefire, despite his latest position being that he would support a temporary six-week ceasefire, not a permanent one like the Irish leader is pushing for. Still, despite the apparent divergence on foreign affair strategy, Johnson warmly welcomed Biden and Varadkar to the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon hosted by the Speaker on Capitol Hill. The lunch is just one of the several annual events hosted around St. Patrick's Day to honor the relationship between the U.S. and Ireland. As large groups of tourists roamed under the Capitol dome they appeared oblivious that the President was just down the hall eating lunch. Biden speaks at the annual Friends of Ireland lunch Speaker Mike Johnson host Biden and Ireland leader Leo Varadkar for the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon at the Capitol Biden agreed with Varadkar Friday that a ceasefire must occur in the Israel-Hamas war, but Johnson has remained skeptical a stand down could work U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as they meet in the Oval Office Friday morning Varadkar also celebrated the strong diplomatic relationship the two countries share. 'We look forward to working with America for the next 100 years, a second century of friendship and alliance.' Though the ties between the two democracies date back over a century, the annual lunch at the Capitol is relatively new. The Congressional Friends of Ireland dates back to the early 1980's when Irish-American Sens. Ted Kennedy, Daniel Moynihan and House Speaker Tip O'Neil founded the group to promote peace between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Notable lawmakers like House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul and Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the current longest serving Democrat in the House, were in attendance. New York City Mayor Eric Adams blamed the shocking Brooklyn subway shooting on 'severe mental illness', after the victim appeared to start the fight before being shot with his own gun. The horrific shooting unfolded Thursday night at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station, as a 36-year-old man was filmed shouting at a 'migrant' man before they erupted into a wild brawl that ultimately led to the shooting. Adams said Friday that after reviewing the footage, 'it is clear that it personifies what our pursuit is involved around those with severe mental health illnesses,' he told NY1. 'And as the investigation unfolds, were going to see the nexus between the actions that took place there and the many of the random acts of violence that just unnerves New Yorkers,' the mayor said. 'Far too many people suffering severe mental health (problems).' It comes as NYPD detectives continue to search for a woman involved in the shocking incident, as she was filmed stabbing the gunman during the brawl while terrified commuters scrambled for safety. New York City Mayor Eric Adams (pictured Tuesday) said the subway shooting victim 'personifies' the mental health issues plaguing New York's subway system Chilling footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, where the agitator accuses another man of a being a 'migrant beating up cops' in a heated argument - before being shot in the head with his own gun On Friday, cops shared an image of the gun used in the shocking shooting on Thursday night Adams' focusing on mental health comes amid an alarming spike in crimes on the Big Apple's subways, particularly targeting MTA workers, that led officials to deploy 1,000 National Guard troops to subways a week ago. The mayor said 38 people were charged with attacking MTA employees last year, including a woman earlier this month who struck a cello performer over the head with a bottle that had been institutionalized several times. Of the 38 perpetrators charged with 41 separate attacks, 20 of them had at least five arrests and documented mental health issues, according to the New York Post. '(There are) some real, severe mental health illnesses' behind the surge in attacks, Adams said. The NYPD also shared an image of the gun used in the shooting, alongside updated statistics showing they have seized 1,265 guns since January 1, 2024. Since the start of 2022, that figure stands at 14,855 firearms. Following Thursday's shocking fight and shooting, many have felt it is indicative of the declining safety New Yorkers feel on the subway system, as it appeared to be triggered out of the blue while people commuted home from work. Chilling footage captured the crazed moments that led up to it, showing the two men start brawling after the shooting suspect appeared to agitate the other man and call him a 'migrant', shouting: 'F**k your kind. F**k your race. F**k you.' 'You think you're gonna beat up cops? I'll beat you up,' the man said, seemingly referencing the January incident in which a group of migrants attacked NYPD officers in Times Square. Cops were quick to note the shooting victim's role in the incident, saying at a press conference that 'when you bring a gun on the train and start a fight, it is not right. It is outrageous... that's what happened here.' NYPD detectives are urgently seeking a woman (pictured) connected to a grisly shooting on a Brooklyn subway that left a man in critical condition She was seen stabbing a man several times in the back as he erupted into a wild brawl on the subway with another man, before the shooting began The 36-year-old man, who appeared to initiate the argument, had blood seeping from his shirt after the stabbing. He was later shot in the head with his own gun after the other man, 32, wrestled the weapon away from him and opened fire The woman being sought by cops, who has not been identified, was seen stabbing the unnamed victim, 36, in the back several times as he fought with another male passenger aged 32. 'You stabbed me? You stabbed me?' the shooting victim said to the woman repeatedly, as she responds: 'I didn't do nothing' while blood seeped from his shirt. Terrified commuters scrambled to escape the melee, which appeared to be initiated by the shooting victim, dressed all in black, as he accused the other man, who wore a yellow sweater, of being a 'migrant beating up cops.' He was seen producing a gun and moving towards the woman seen stabbing him. Panicked passengers began to flee towards the Northbound A train's doors as it pulled into Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets Station in Brooklyn Thursday evening. Gunshots could be heard ringing out as they fled screaming onto the platform. But it was the gunman himself - the 36-year-old dressed in black - who ended up being shot with his own gun after a struggle, leaving him critically injured. The NYPD told DailyMail.com on Friday morning the shooting victim, seen in the footage wearing a dark jacket and yellow hat, remains in critical condition, while the gunman, wearing a yellow shirt, is in custody. As the footage of the fight continued, the suspected gunman's 32-year-old female companion then appeared to whip out a knife from her pocket and stab the other man in the back multiple times. While still fighting the man in yellow, he repeatedly yelled, 'you stabbed me? You stabbed me?' 'I didn't do nothing,' she responded, as blood visibly seeped through the man's shirt. The two then continued grappling, with the 36-year-old man ultimately sitting atop the 32-year-old. Other passengers were begging the pair to stop as one person said, 'come on, there's babies on here.' In separate footage from after shots were fired, a train car's full of people were seen cowering in fear and pleading for the subway to pull away from the crime. 'Where's the NYPD, oh my God!' one woman exclaimed as others said, 'close the door, close the door!' In separate footage from after shots were fired, a train car's full of people were seen cowering in fear and pleading for the subway to pull away from the crime A video from ABC reporter Joyce Philippe captures the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers ducked for cover and yelled: 'Where's the NYPD? Oh my god!' The shooting erupted Thursday evening on the A line at Brooklyn's Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station, near Prospect Park An NYPD officer waits at the station on Friday morning, the day after the shooting A man wearing a reflective vest managed to separate the two guys, but the 36-year-old rushed the woman and yelled, 'I'm bleeding. You stabbed me, right?' 'I didn't do nothing,' she answered. At one point, the hooded guy threw down his jacket, revealing the weapon, and proceeded to load it as he charged at the 32-year-old. Passengers can be heard shouting desperately, 'get me out, get me out,' before the car doors were opened. 'He thinks you are a migrant,' a woman(pictured wearing a black shirt and light blue jeans) who appears to accompany the 32-year-old man can be heard saying as tension escalated The 36-year-old also landed a punch on the woman, who appeared to have stabbed him in the back multiple times as he shouted repeatedly, 'you stabbed me?' At one point, the hooded guy threw down his jacket, revealing the weapon, and proceeded to load it as he charged at the 32-year-old Blood visibly seeped through the black hooded man's shirt as the two men grappled, with the 36-year-old man ultimately sitting atop the 32-year-old The video did not capture the moment when the 32-year-old grabbed the firearm from the aggressive attacker, but at least four shots can be heard in the background. Another video from ABC reporter Joyce Philippe captures the chaos after gunfire rang out, as terrified passengers ducked for cover and yelled for help. 'Where's the NYPD, oh my God!' one woman exclaimed as others said, 'close the door, close the door!' The train pulled into the HoytSchermerhorn Streets station, where law enforcement authorities who heard the gunshots flooded the scene. The 32-year-old shooter was arrested before he stepped onto the platform and remained in custody. He is seen lying on the staircase outside the subway car, then being led out of the station in handcuffs in a different video that surfaced after the shooting. Officers flooded into the train where the shooting took place, finding the 36-year-old man lying on the floor, unmoved. He was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was undergoing surgery and remained in critical condition. The 32-year-old shooter was arrested before he stepped onto the platform and remained in custody. He is seen lying on the staircase outside the subway car He was led out of the station in handcuffs in a different video that surfaced after the shooting Footage posted by social media user Owen Anderson shows first responders rushing the person on a wheeled gurney into an ambulance. 'When you bring a gun on a train and you start a fight, it's not right and it's absolutely outrageous,' Chief Kemper said. He added that authorities have not yet determined whether the alleged shooter's actions would be considered self-defense. No charges have been brought against him as of Thursday evening. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman Janno Lieber said, 'The victim here, as the chief said, appears to be the aggressor.' He added, 'But the real victims are the people I saw in those videos, who are having a harrowing time because they're on a train with somebody with a gun.' Lincoln Restler, the City Council member who represents the area, wrote on X: 'This is a horrible tragedy and deeply unnerving to the millions of New Yorkers who take the subway every day.' The shooting on the nation's busiest transit system occurred less than a week after New York Governor Kathy Hochul stationed 750 national guard members in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence on subway. Footage posted by social media user Owen Anderson shows first responders rushing the person on a wheeled gurney into an ambulance I live above the Hoyt/Schermerhorn street station . There was a shooting in the subway station that has a PRECINCT IN IT. @NYCMayor @GovKathyHochul step up or step out. The safety of many should not be squandered by a few. pic.twitter.com/nJ1cQwieG3 Owen Anderson (@OwenAnderson41) March 14, 2024 NYC Democrat Mayor Eric Adams said earlier this month that he's bringing back bag checks for subway riders and station 750 national guard members at the city's busiest stations. The Big Apple saw 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. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has today slammed a Hamas proposal for another ceasefire and vowed to press on with a military operation in Rafah despite international condemnation. Hamas earlier this week presented to mediators its latest Gaza ceasefire proposal which would see the release of Israeli hostages, including women, children, the elderly and the infirm, in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners. These exchanges would take place amid a six-week ceasefire in which Israeli forces would need to withdraw from 'all cities and populated areas in the Gaza Strip' and allow for the return of displaced Gazans 'without restrictions', a Hamas official told AFP. Netanyahu today declared such terms were 'absurd' just a day after his office insisted Hamas was making 'unrealistic demands' - though he added an Israeli delegation would nevertheless head to Qatar to continue negotiations with intermediaries. Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like as a deepening humanitarian crisis has one quarter of the population in the battered Gaza Strip facing famine. But Netanyahu also announced he had approved a plan for the IDF to launch a military incursion into the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinian civilians are said to be sheltering. It comes despite much of the international community, including Israel's chief ally the United States, warning Tel-Aviv a military operation in Rafah would lead to unconscionable civilian casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed a Hamas proposal for another ceasefire, declaring its terms 'still absurd' and vowing to press on with a military operation in Rafah despite international condemnation Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, queue to receive food distributed by aid organizations on March 15, 2024 Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, queue to receive food distributed by aid organizations on March 15, 2024 A displaced Palestinian man carries containers amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment in Hamad area, west of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 14, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas movement Palestinians carry and fill up the water bottles amid clean water and food crisis from mobile storages of charities as they have limited access to water due to Israeli attacks and imposed blockade in Rafah, Gaza on March 15, 2024 Displaced Palestinians walk through a street amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment in Hamad area, west of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 14, 2024 Demonstrators hold placards during a protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants, in Tel Aviv on March 14, 2024 In February, Hamas received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris which included a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one - a similar ratio to the new ceasefire proposal. Israel also rejected that draft proposal, citing its long-held goal of not ending the war until it destroyed Hamas. Hamas insists an agreement should end the war. Hamas said ceasefire negotiations had faltered over the past few weeks due to Netanyahu's rejection of its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from the strip, the return of the displaced in the south of the enclave to the centre and the north, and stepping up aid without restrictions. According to the latest proposal, Hamas said a date for a permanent ceasefire would be agreed upon after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners as well as a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group said all detainees from both sides would be released in a second stage of the plan. Egypt is also seeking to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, increase entry of aid, and allow for the displaced in the south of the enclave to move to the north, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Friday. Sisi, speaking in a recorded message, also warned against the danger of an Israeli incursion into the border city of Rafah. Meanwhile, Australia said it would resume funding to the United Nations' main Palestinian relief agency on Friday, almost two months after pausing ties over allegations that some of the agency's employees participated in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Australia had consulted with UNRWA and other donors and was satisfied the aid agency was not a terror organisation, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. New and additional safeguards would protect aid money, and A$6 million ($3.9 million) in paused funding would be released immediately, she said. 'We have children and families that are starving and we have a capacity along with the international community to assist them,' Wong said at a news conference. 'We know that UNRWA is central and vital to delivering that assistance.' Australia along with more than a dozen countries, suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in January after Israel accused 12 of the agency's 13,000 employees in Gaza of participating in the deadly October 7 Hamas attack. A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest calling for the release of hostages kidnapped, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 14, 2024 A displaced Palestinian man along with his belongings sits on a donkeycart amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment, west of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip on March 14 Children wait with empty pots as Turkish NGO IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation workers distribute food on the 4th day of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza on March 14, 2024 Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, queue to receive food distributed by aid organizations on March 15, 2024. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has continued its attacks for 6 months, are trying to hold on to life despite destruction and hunger Smoke billows form the northern part of the Gaza Strip as a result of an Israeli airstrike, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, 14 March 2024 The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7 that left 1,200 people dead and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's air, sea and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 31,000 people and wounded over 71,500, according to Gaza health authorities. The conflict has spread to other parts of the volatile Middle East. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah has frequently exchanged fire with Israel along the border. Pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq have attacked U.S. forces in the country and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked shipping lanes in and around the Red Sea to show their solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. Late on Thursday, Hamas said it presented to mediators a comprehensive vision of a truce based on stopping what it calls Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing relief and aid the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. With the war now in its sixth month, the U.N. has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access for aid. Don Lemon has revealed Elon Musk dished to him about his private chats with Donald Trump before the 'tense' interview resulted in the Tesla billionaire deciding to ax his show from his network. Lemon was due to partner with Musk's X before things turned sour after the former CNN anchor questioned him about the rise in hate speech on his app. Lemon appeared on The View on Friday to plug the forthcoming show, which is still going ahead through other platforms, where was consoled about the cancellation. 'I think getting fired by Elon Musk is something you should wear as a badge of honor,' host Ana Navarro told him. Despite the rift, Lemon revealed he was able to glean some more information about Musk's relationship with Donald Trump which has been in the spotlight following reports the two billionaires had met. Don Lemon revealed Elon Musk dished to him about his private chats with Donald Trump before the 'tense' interview resulted in the Tesla billionaire deciding to ax his show Lemon appeared on The View on Friday to plug the forthcoming show, which is still going ahead through other platforms, where was consoled about the cancellation Lemon was due to partner with Musk's X before things turned sour after the former CNN anchor questioned him about the rise in hate speech on his app 'Did he show his hand on whether he would support Trump?' Host Alyssa Griffin asked. 'He did talk about the meeting, why he went down, the context and the venue were in and he did talk to me about what the former president did have to say,' Lemon replied. Musk met with Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, fueling speculation he could be about to provide a much-needed cash injection into the presidential hopeful's campaign. Scant details have been released about the meeting, although Musk publicly came out to deny he would be endorsing any candidate shortly after. The South African CEO invited Lemon to bring his show to X after the former CNN host was dumped by the network on April 2023 after allegations of misogyny. But Musk reneged on the multimillion-dollar deal hours after the sit-down, where Lemon asked him about hate speech on Twitter and his drug use. In one clip played on The View, Lemon asked Musk about X users and hate speech including the 'great replacement theory' which Musk himself has amplified. The 'Great Replacement Theory' preaches that white European populations are being demographically and culturally replaced by non-white peoples - especially from Muslim countries. Musk reneged on the multimillion-dollar deal hours after the sit-down, where Lemon asked him about hate speech on Twitter and his drug use Speculation was ignited that Musk could be backing Trump after the two met in Florida. Pictured: President Donald Trump talks with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk at the White House Feb. 3, 2017 But the billionaire was unimpressed and refused to answer the question directly, telling Lemon he did not have to agree to the interview. 'I don't have to answer questions from reporters. Don the only reason I'm doing this interview is because you're on the X platform and you asked for it. I'm criticized constantly I could care less.' The exchange prompted The View co-host Joy Behar to brand Musk a 'snowflake' and to ask Lemon if he knew what he was getting into with the controversial billionaire. 'There's an old saying in the south, you knew I was a snake when you picked me up. I'm not saying he is a snake, but it is relative to this situation I went into it with my eyes open. 'Truly I went into it with the best of intentions. I am an independent regardless of what people think, Elon Musk thinks I'm on the left, I am an independent. 'I believe in free speech. I believe people have the right to say whatever they want to say but you suffer the consequences for it. 'Twitter or X is one of the biggest information platforms in the world so why cede that to extremists? I wanted to get on their and fight it out so that everybody could have a voice.' Lemon revealed he was able to glean some more information about Musk's relationship with Donald Trump which has been in the spotlight following reports the two had met Musk has stated he is not endorsing any candidate in the upcoming election Lemon previously claimed he is clueless over why Musk became 'so upset' by the interview, the billionaire countered that he canned the show after finding Lemon's approach was 'basically just CNN, but on social media.' 'And, instead of it being the real Don Lemon, it was really just Jeff Zucker talking through Don, so lacked authenticity,' he wrote on Twitter. In the clips that have surfaced from the piece, which Lemon described as 'tense at moments,' the pair covered a wide-range of topics, including Musk's use of drugs, his lack of support for Joe Biden and issues over moderation at X. CNN aired footage showing Lemon asking Musk about his recreational use of horse tranquilizer ketamine. The Tesla founder's use of the drug has been widely reported on and he himself has admitted to taking it. 'The reason I mentioned ketamine with prescription on the X platform is because I thought: "Maybe this is something that could help other people." That's why I mentioned it. 'Obviously I'm not a doctor but I would say that if someone has depression issues, they should consider talking to their doctor about ketamine.' Police have arrested nearly 1,900 criminals in raids on drug gangs across Britain while they seized items ranging from guns and knuckle dusters to XL bully dogs. In the week ending March 10, a total of 1,874 suspects were arrest and 245 drug dealing phone lines were shut down. Further to this a total of 1,653 people who were being exploited were brought to safety. With just over half of them being children. In the coordinated raids in which every police force across the UK joined in, more than 600 weapons including guns, nunchucks and knuckledusters were seized alongside eight XL bully dogs. Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, head of the county lines coordination centre, says that police had now shut an estimated 5,000 drugs lines since 2019, but he believed there to still be at least 4,000 remaining. Merseyside Police carrying out a raid as part of a coordinated county lines crackdown with every force in the UK. In the week ending March 10, a total of 1,874 suspects were arrest and 245 drug dealing phone lines were shut down A man is arrested by Greater Manchester Police during the county lines crackdown. Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, head of the county lines coordination centre, says that police had now shut an estimated 5,000 drugs lines since 2019 He said: 'In April 2022, we had a commitment to close 2,000 lines, which we exceeded in half the time. 'And so we've made a new commitment to close another 1,000 lines by August and seizing 245 last week is another key step towards that new ambition,' Mr Mitchell said. 'So we think there could still be upwards of 4,000, but what we have seen since 2019, since we've done all this activity over the last few years, we've seen a reduction in the number of county lines that emanate from the big cities of Liverpool, London, Manchester and Birmingham - so those four big exporter areas. 'We're seeing fewer lines coming out of these areas now which is really positive, and we're also seeing less children coming to notice and being involved on those lines.' Det Supt Mitchell said he was concerned at the increased number of bladed weapons seized compared to the last intensification week in 2023. Some of the 466 bladed weapons seized by police, including rambo knives and machetes, he believed had gained popularity through social media. He said: 'There's a greater awareness and with social media, we've seen viral videos of people with machetes fighting and I wonder if that then sets a trend where people think 'those are the weapons we want to go and get' and obviously, during the intensification week, those are the weapons that we were seizing, which is really concerning.' Det Supt Mitchell also said the XL bully breed had become a 'status symbol for drugs gangs'. A woman is arrested by Greater Manchester Police. More than 600 weapons including guns, nunchucks and knuckledusters were seized alongside eight XL bully dogs A drug sniffer dog with an officer. Police seized class A and B drugs, including crack, heroin, cocaine and cannabis, worth more than 2.5 million last week (stock image) He compared them to imitation firearms, of which he said 46 had been seized: 'An imitation firearm isn't a real gun, but it appears as if it is and it causes fear and harm, and it can be used to intimidate. 'I think that's probably what's happening here - the XL bully is acting in a similar way, because of all the media around it, now it's been labelled as a dangerous dog and has been banned.' READ MORE: Rise of county lines gangs exploiting vulnerable Scots - top cop tells of threat from expanding drug networks Advertisement Officers seized class A and B drugs, including crack, heroin, cocaine and cannabis, worth more than 2.5 million. They also visited 1,284 addresses that had been taken over by the drug gangs in a process known as cuckooing - which is where vulnerable people are forced to allow criminals to use their homes as a base for storing or dealing drugs. Policing minister Chris Philp said: 'County lines gangs inflict harrowing damage and misery, using violence and intimidation to exploit children and vulnerable people to do their dirty work. 'Our police forces work incredibly hard every day to break up these criminal networks and I want to pay thanks to our officers for their continued efforts to tackle this vile activity.' Of the 1,653 people being exploited by the gangs, over half were children. They can be forced into acting as couriers for county lines gangs, as well as being tricked into taking part in financial crimes. Mr Mitchell said: 'Some of the 1.8 million in cash that we seized last week, some of that money will be put through children's bank accounts.' 'This is one of the tactics they're using to launder it, so that's just one of the ways that children are being financially exploited.' James Simmonds-Read, national programme manager at The Children's Society, said: 'Sadly, financial exploitation is often connected to other forms of abuse. 'What may start with sharing bank details and the promise of easy cash can then turn into threats of sexual abuse or children being made to hold or move drugs for criminal groups. 'It's a serious problem which needs attention to protect children from being exploited. 'Financial exploitation can happen to any child, in any village, town or city regardless of their background. 'While criminals don't care about the children they target online through gaming and social media platforms, or places like shops and cashpoints, we know the public do care about keeping children safe.' A man has been charged with insurance fraud after trying to claim over 1million for a double amputation caused by alleged self-inflicted frostbite. Investigators accused the man, identified only by his surname Chang, of deliberately immersing his legs in a bucket filled with dry ice for 10 hours in order to claim money from insurers when his limbs were amputated for frostbite last February. The 24-year-old suspect claimed he suffered the injuries after riding his scooter on a cold evening in northern Taiwan, suffering blistering injuries as a result. But Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said investigators were alerted when insurers flagged suspicious claims, and found he had taken out several high-payout packages just days before the alleged scooter trip. The CIB noted in their report that 'Taiwan is a subtropical region' and there are, as a result, 'no known cases of serious frostbite requiring amputation due to natural climate factors in the flatlands'. Liao documented the stunt between 2am and noon on 27 January 2023, according to the prosecutor's statement on March 14. Pictured: Chang freezing his legs Officials in Taiwan arrested two people in connection to the bizarre fraud case. Pictured: Chang Direct contact with dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide with a surface temperature of -78.5C, can quickly damage skin cells and lead to frostbite. (File photo of dry ice pellets) Chang, a student, underwent emergency surgery in February last year and both legs were amputated below the knee due to fourth-degree frostbite, sepsis and bone necrosis. According to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, he was allegedly helped by an accomplice named as Liao, 24. Liao allegedly helped Chang to fill a plastic bucket with dry ice before strapping him into a chair with cable ties. Prosecutors said Chang then spent around 10 hours with his legs immersed in the dry ice. Liao documented the stunt between 2am and noon on 27 January 2023, according to the prosecutor's statement on March 14. Direct contact with dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide with a surface temperature of -78.5C, can quickly damage skin cells and lead to frostbite. The two suspects successfully were able to claim the equivalent of 5,489 (USD 7,000) from one insurance firm a month after Chang lost his lower legs. Four other companies refused to pay out the rest of his eight disability claims. All five firms reported his suspicious insurance claims to the authorities. In total, the claims reportedly totalled around 1million (USD 1.3 million). Reporting on their investigation, the CIB presented weather reports that showed the temperatures on the day in question were between 6.1C and 17C, too mild to cause serious frostbite. The agency said Chang's injuries showed he wasn't wearing shoes or socks at the time of his injuries, concluding that they were therefore 'man-made'. Following a raid on his home in November last year, the police found the bucket he allegedly used along with a polystyrene box that held the dry ice. Chang and Liao, who went to high school together, have been charged with insurance fraud and attempted insurance fraud as the case continues. Chang was pictured being walked by officials following his arrest. In the photo he appears to have use of his lower limbs. It was not clear whether he was using prosthetics. Chang claimed that Liao had told him gang members were after him, prompting him to fabricate the claim. Picture shows Liao after being detained by officials in connection to the case Police search Chang's home after investigating a potential fraud case In another bizarre case, in November 2021 a court in Hungary ruled that a man who lost both of his legs after being run over by a train had intentionally put himself in its path so that he could then claim over 2.4million in compensation. The defendant, who was named only as Sandor Cs., faced scrutiny from the authorities for nearly a decade after both of his legs were run over by a train in the Hungarian village of Nyircsaszari. The Pest Central District Court ruled on November 9, that Cs. had climbed onto the tracks with the intention of having both of his legs run over so that he could make a large insurance claim totalling to over 2.4 million, according to local media outlet Blikk. Suspicion surrounding the incident was sparked when the authorities were informed of the fact that the defendant had taken out 14 high-risk life insurances policies in the year building up to the incident. Cs, who was wheelchair bound after the incident and now uses prosthetic limbs, claimed that he took out the policies after receiving financial advice telling him returns are better on insurance policies than savings accounts. His wife filed the insurance claims directly after the incident, but they refused to pay up on grounds that they suspected Cs. had inflicted the injury on himself. Who will guard against the corruption of some of America's guardians? No one, apparently. Not in Georgia anyway. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, adjudicating over the state's election interference case against Donald Trump, has essentially let District Attorney Fani Willis off the hook. Willis has been prosecuting the sprawling racketeering case against the former president and 18 other co-defendants. That was until proceedings were abruptly halted in early January when it was revealed that she had engaged in a secret romance with the special prosecutor she appointed for the trial. After weeks of silence, Willis and her now-former lover Nathan Wade admitted to their 'personal relationship,' but insisted it began after November 2021, when Wade was hired. In a dramatic role reversal, Willis and Wade both took the witness stand for two days of evidentiary hearings that delved deeply into their private lives. It was revealed that Wade billed the Georgia taxpayer more than $728,000 in legal fees for his work on this case. And some of the money helped finance a lifestyle of vacations to Belize, California's Napa Valley and the Caribbean that he and Willis enjoyed together. In the world of public service, this alleged offense is known as 'self-dealing' - the practice of exploiting one's position of authority to enrich oneself. After weeks of silence, Willis and her now-former lover Nathan Wade admitted to their 'personal relationship,' but insisted it began before Wade was hired in November 2021. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, adjudicating over the state's election interference case against Donald Trump , has essentially let District Attorney Fani Willis off the hook. Trump's defense attorneys claimed that their relationship created an untenable conflict of interest and grounds for the judge to disqualify Willis from the case. Yet, on Friday, Judge McAfee somehow found a way to look the other way and deal public faith in American justice another sickening blow. Logic, the law and morality be damned. It's a decision that would make the wise King Solomon shudder. For Judge McAfee has split the baby in half. In a 23-page order, he found that Willis committed a 'tremendous lapse in judgment' and behaved in an 'unprofessional manner' for failing to disclose her romantic relationship with Wade. Yet inexplicably, McAfee ruled that Willis would not be disqualified from the case. He concluded that there was only an 'appearance of a conflict of interest,' and not enough evidence of a material 'conflict' to merit her dismissal. McAfee gave Willis two options: either she and her office voluntarily withdraw from his case or Wade quits. Big surprise - Wade stepped aside Friday afternoon. Now, it may well be true that the Georgia case against Trump was not commenced for the sole purpose of making Willis and her lover rich. But that is hardly not the proper standard on which McAfee should have based his decision. The evidence shows that both parties were enriched during their investigation. That is a clear conflict of interest and far more than a mere 'appearance'. In fact, the real question is not if Willis should be barred from continuing her prosecution, but whether she should be investigated, indicted and convicted. If DA Fani Willis were prosecuting citizen Fani Willis, she would surely have an extremely strong case. In a dramatic role reversal, Willis and Wade both took the witness stand for two days of evidentiary hearings that delved deeply into their private lives. Willis has been prosecuting the sprawling racketeering case against the former president and 18 other co-defendants. Among the potential charges: perjury, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Willis testified under oath that her romantic relationship with Wade began in 2022 after he was appointed to join the case. But Robin Bryant-Yeartie, a former friend and co-worker of Willis, testified that she had 'no doubt' Willis and Wade began dating in 2019. Terrence Bradley, Wade's former law partner, corroborated that claim in text messages revealed to the court, even though he later claimed on the witness stand that he had 'no personal knowledge' of when their relationship began. Perhaps, if that was the entirety of the proof, Willis should be believed. It's not. Cell phone records shows Wade was in the area of Willis' apartment in the middle of the night, not at a likely time for business meetings, on multiple instances in 2021, and notably before 2022 when Willis claimed their relationship began. In one instance, cell phone pings indicated that Wade traveled from his home in the direction of Willis' home late one evening in September 2021 and remained in the area until 3:30 in the morning. He then sent Willis a text message at 4:20 a.m., according to an affidavit filed by Trump's attorneys. There's also the allegation that Wade used his income as special prosecutor to pay for their exotic trips. Terrence Bradley (above), Wade's former law partner, corroborated that claim in text messages revealed to the court, even though he later claimed on the witness stand that he had 'no personal knowledge' of when their relationship began. Willis testified that she paid Wade back every penny for her half of the getaways he funded. But she has no proof of repayment even though the burden of proof should be on her to show repayment. Alan Dershowitz is a lawyer, Harvard Law School Professor and author of 'Get Trump: The Threat to Civil Liberties, Due Process, and Our Constitutional Rule of Law' As a DA, Willis has a legal obligation to report any gifts she receives. She must have assumed that one day she may be asked to establish that Wade was reimbursed. But there are no bank withdrawals or deposits, no handwritten notes, and no photographs of any reimbursements. According to Willis and Wade, these repayments were made in cash. No reasonable jury would believe this. Yet here we are. A judge has ruled that Fani Willis will not be disqualified from prosecuting a case against the presumptive Republican presidential candidate. Trump and his co-defendants should seek an immediate review of this gross injustice by an appellate court. Certainly, if the former President or any others are convicted, there will be grounds to seek those convictions be overturned. But no matter the outcome, this prosecution has been irrevocably tainted and the U.S. justice system sinks deeper into decay. President Joe Biden on Friday praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's controversial Senate floor speech in which the New York Democrat called for new elections in Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Thursday, Schumer said Netanyahu had 'lost his way' and had become an 'obstacle to peace' due to putting together a coalition of 'far-right extremists' to lead the Israeli government in its war against Hamas after the October 7 terror attacks. That war has led to an escalating death toll of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, leading to a global outcry for a ceasefire, including on the Democratic left, who have voted 'uncommitted' in Democratic primaries to send Biden a message. 'Sen. Schumer contacted my staff - my senior staffer - that he was going to make that speech. And I'm not going to elaborate on the speech,' Biden told reporters Friday as he met with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office. 'He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans,' Biden added. President Joe Biden on Friday praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's controversial Senate floor speech in which the Democratic leader called for new elections in Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu On Thursday, Schumer said Netanyahu had 'lost his way' and had become an 'obstacle to peace' due to putting together a coalition of 'far-right extremists' to lead the Israeli government in its war against Hamas after the October 7 terror attacks An earlier statement from the White House said that Schumer alerted the president that he planned to make the speech and the administration expressed 'no approval or disapproval' of it. During the Friday afternoon briefing, both National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre couldn't exactly define what Biden meant was 'good.' 'The president spoke about the passion in which Leader Schumer made that speech and the president said that he knows those remarks resonate with many Americans out there,' Kirby said. When another reporter asked if the president meant that the substance of the speech was good or the 'passion' of the speech was good, Kirby answered, 'I'll leave it at the president's comments.' Later, Jean-Pierre wouldn't say if Biden had spoken to Schumer since he made his address. Both Israel and Republican allies in Congress slammed Schumer's words. Israel called Schumer's speech 'unhelpful' while the country was 'at war against a genocidal terror organization.' The top Senate Republican, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, called Schumer's speech 'grotesque.' 'It is grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of the democratically elected leader of Israel,' McConnell said. 'This is unprecedented.' Israel's Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, said: 'Israel is a sovereign democracy. It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally. It is counterproductive to our common goals.' Schumer's harsh criticism follows moves from President Joe Biden and Democrats to ramp up the pressure on Netanyahu to protect Palestinian civilians as he carries on his offensive. Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas following the terrorist group's October 7 atrocity in Israel The Biden administration has also called for a temporary ceasefire to get aid to Palestinians and to allow the release of hostages captured by Hamas. Netanyahu has vowed to carry on fighting until Hamas has been destroyed. But Democrats have started to question his motives, sparking Schumer to deliver some of the most scathing criticism to date. Schumer added: 'He (Netanyahu) has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah. 'As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. 'The world has changed radically since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past.' Schumer said the only solution is 'a demilitarized Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in equal measures of peace, security, prosperity and dignity.' Netanyahu has rejected the idea of two-state solution because he believes it will allow a Hamas to maintain its presence and threaten the future of Israel. Schumer's comments sparked an immediate reaction from Republicans who called his speech 'inappropriate and offensive'. 'The last thing Israel needs is the "foreign election interference" that Democrats so often decry here,' Republican Sen. Tom Cotton said. 'Besides, the main elections that worry Chuck Schumer aren't Israel's but our elections, because the rampant anti-Semitism that the Democratic Party has allowed to fester in its ranks is massively unpopular with the pro-Israel American public.' A fitness influencer has died after falling into a ravine while he filmed a video of him and his pals exploring an abandoned ghost town in Italy. TikTok star Giorgi 'Tzane' Janelidze, 23, tragically died on Wednesday in Roghudi Vecchio, Calabria. The content creator's death was confirmed by his friend and fellow influencer Chris Kogias, who had been with him on the ill-fated trip. 'Tzane is no longer with us,' the devastated internet personality said on Thursday, according to Greek media. 'He left us yesterday afternoon during the trip we made to Italy. Please pray with us for his soul to rest in peace.' Giorgi 'Tzane' Janelidze, 23, tragically died on Wednesday after plummeting into a ravine while exploring an abandoned village in Italy The ravine was so deep that firefighters struggled to reach his body. A helicopter was called in to transfer the body to the authorities The accident took place while Janelidze and his two friends were shooting a video for the star's social media. The trio were exploring an ancient mountain village that had been abandoned in the 1970s following a severe flood. As the group stood on a balcony with no railings, the tattooed influencer suddenly slipped and fell into a deep and rocky ravine. Fire brigade teams from the Melito Porto Salvo detachment and the SAF unit dashed to the scene but it was too late. Firefighters struggled to climb the steep slope and were forced to call in a helicopter from the Lamezia Terme del Corpo flight department with a secured stretcher to recover the body, local media reported. Janelidze's body was transferred by air to the coastal town of Saline Joniche, and left in the hands of the local authorities. Further details on why the fitness influencer - who boasted over 103,000 followers on Instagram - risked stepping onto the unprotected balcony remain unknown. The fitness influencer had been filming a video for his social media, alongside two pals, when the tragedy took place. His friend confirmed his death to Greek media on Thursday. The trio were exploring an ancient mountain village that had been abandoned in the 1970s following a severe flood Janelidze, who was born in Georgia but lived in Greece, was known as one of the 'best fitness influencers on Greek TikTok' and in recent months had set up a business with his pal known as 'Dream Greek'. The duo sold T-shirts and protein powder online and would regulary post workout and travel snaps. Janelidze's friends and family were left devastated by his loss. 'The most beautiful person inside and out, the biggest adventure I've ever had with someone,' Janelidze's girlfriend Elena Margariti wrote in an Instagram story. 'With my man, my whole life.' She continued, 'Many dreams, a home together, through our difficulties, through our joys, and we made it, us against all odds. So unfairly, so early. I love you so much. We will meet again. My Tzitsi.' According to the Greek Reporter, the social media star's father is travelling to Calabria to identify the body and bring his deceased son back home to Greece. Convicted gangster Curtis Warren has appeared in court again charged with a further seven breaches of an order put him place to stop him from committing any further serious offences. 'Cocky' Warren, 60, is a former drug trafficker and crime lord and was charged last November with 11 counts of failing to comply with a serious crime prevention order. They are said to have been committed following his release from prison in 2022. Today, he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court charged with a further seven offences. Pictured: Crime Lord Curtis 'Cocky' Warren leaving Liverpool Magistrates Court last December The 60-year-old convicted drug dealer outside Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Liverpool at a previous hearing in December last year Curtin Warren, 60, was charged with a further seven breaches of a serious crime prevention order The new charges allege he failed to notify the National Crime Agency (NCA) of changes relating to the use of vehicles, communication devices, business premises, the particulars of bank accounts and that he had in his possession more than 1,000 in cash. They are dated between May 2023 and January 2024. Warren, who gave an address in Boldon, South Tyneside, made no indication of pleas to the offences. He wore a black Nike tracksuit, with black trainers, and held a cap while in the dock for the five-minute hearing. Magistrates sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court, where Warren is due to appear on April 12, and released him on conditional bail. Warren was arrested by the NCA in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, in July last year. A trial date has already been fixed for November 18 at Liverpool Crown Court. Warren, a former nightclub bouncer who has the nickname Cocky, was once featured on the Sunday Times rich list. Apple has reached a $490 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit that alleged Chief Executive Tim Cook defrauded shareholders by concealing falling demand for iPhones in China. A preliminary settlement was filed on Friday with the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, and requires a judge's approval. The lawsuit stemmed from Cook's comment on a Nov. 1, 2018, analyst call that although Apple faced sales pressure in markets such as Brazil, India, Russia and Turkey, where currencies had weakened, "I would not put China in that category." On Jan. 2, 2019, Apple unexpectedly cut its quarterly revenue forecast by up to $9 billion, blaming U.S.-China trade tensions. Its shares fell 10 percent the next day, wiping out about $74 billion of market value. Apple and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reuters) Reptile farms in Thailand that supply leather to Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton kill snakes by hitting them in the head with hammers. Video and photos from inside Closed-Cycle Breeding International and Si Satchanalai Python Farm show the disturbing ways reptiles were housed and slaughtered. Workers put the python's head on a table and repeatedly whacked it with a hammer, a shocking method experts said may not even knock them out. They then drove a metal hook through their head and pumped the snake full of water to make it easier to remove the skin. Phokkathara Crocodile Farm, which supplies skins to Kering brands like Gucci and YVS, also killed its reptiles using shocking and painful methods. Workers put the python's head on a table and repeatedly whacked it with a hammer, a shocking method experts said may not even knock them out They then drove a metal hook through their head and pumped the snake full of water (pictured) to make it easier to remove the skin The footage was obtained by undercover investigators from animals right group PETA, who spoke to farm owners and toured their facilities. CCBI and Si Satchanalai, owned by a father and son, told the investigators they supplied leather to Caravel, a tannery owned by Kering, and to Louis Vuitton. The massive CCBI farm had 15,000 pythons in captivity and killed 20 to 30 a day during busy seasons to fulfil a 5,000-skin contract with Caravel this year. Snake skins are used to make bags, shoes, belts, and other accessories sold around the world by the luxury brands. Pythons on the two farms were bred in captivity and housed in completely bare small cages and boxes, sometimes slithering in their own feces. The owners said snakes sometimes killed each other during breeding season, when females were mated with three or four males. They pointed out one emaciated snake that 'didn't eat for a long time' and said 'they should get rid of it it's better to kill'. Another snake hadn't shed properly and its molting scales were stuck in its eyes, which the owner said was also reason to kill and discard it. Pythons on the two farms were bred in captivity and housed in completely bare small cages and boxes, sometimes slithering in their own feces Snake skins are used to make bags, shoes, belts, and other accessories sold around the world by the luxury brands A worker pumps a snake with water as skinned snakes are seen in boxes The massive CCBI farm had 15,000 pythons in captivity and killed 20 to 30 a day during busy seasons to fulfil a 5,000-skin contract with Caravel this year The owner said the snakes were chilled for a day before they were killed, but scientists are not convinced hypothermia significantly reduces their sensitivity. Clifford Warwick, a reptile expert whom PETA showed the footage to, said it was likely the snakes were conscious during their painful deaths. Many of the snakes kept moving during and even after the process that was supposed to kill them. Investigators also toured the crocodile farm, which supplied Caravel, and watched how workers tried to kill the animals with a 'nape stab' to sever their spinal cord. PETA said the method 'likely caused extreme pain and a slow, agonizing death'. 'This animal's legs continued to move for at least 23 minutes after the worker violently thrust a metal blade into his or her neck,' it said. 'Scientific evaluation suggests that crocodiles may remain alive and conscious for over an hour and a half after sustaining such injuries.' The farm's owner claimed to have 4,000 crocodiles on site, which were kept in murky pools filled with disease. Metal hooks are driver through the pythons' heads so they can be skinned - but they may still be alive and conscious Workers bash pythons on the head with hammers to stun or kill them Investigators also toured the crocodile farm, which supplied Caravel, and watched how workers tried to kill the animals with a 'nape stab' to sever their spinal cord An invoice between Closed-Cycle Breeding International and Caravel Kering lists Caraveli Pelli Pregiate SpA, the legal name for the Caravel tannery, as a fully owned entity. It bought a majority stake in the company in 2001 and acquired the rest in 2008. Kering's animal welfare standards state animals must have 'room to move around freely' and be 'managed to promote good health and treated immediately should disease or injury be discovered'. They also require 'humane handling at end of life'. Kering helped start the Python Conservation Partnership in 2013, which focuses on 'improving sustainability, transparency, animal welfare and local livelihoods for the python skin trade'. PETA claimed its investigation showed these standards were not being followed. About 500,000 snake skins are legally imported into Europe from Southeast Asia every year, according to a 2017 report. Kering and Louis Vuitton parent company LVMH were contacted for comment. Intense footage shows knife-wielding abuser Sheree Spencer denying her hellish treatment of her husband - as she attempted to cast him in the role of villain. Spencer's attacks on husband Richard at their seven-bedroom home in Bubwith, East Yorkshire, were captured on cameras the couple had installed to monitor their children. Spencer, 45, was jailed for four years at Hull Crown Court in March last year by Judge Kate Rayfield, who told her: 'This is the worst case of controlling and coercive behaviour I have seen.' But explosive clips from police interviews after her arrest show Sheree casually lying about her husband being the abuser, only for her face to turn ashen when confronted with full audio footage showing her threaten him. The video appears in Channel 5 documentary My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage, which airs on Monday. During the police interview, a female police officer asks Spencer about the footage obtained from a nanny-cam in their child's room, showing her carrying a knife. Equally explosive clips from police interviews show Sheree casually lying about her husband being the abuser, only for her face to turn ashen when confronted with the clips Damning clips of Sheree Spencer's attacks on husband Richard at their seven-bedroom home in Bubwith, East Yorkshire, were captured on cameras the couple installed to monitor their children Sheree's reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker Spender responds: 'Yeah it looks like a sharp object' The police officer says: 'Its a sharp object, its a carving knife. What did you do then?' Spencer answers: 'I went to push him back.' The officer presses on: 'Youve got a knife in your hand, what are you doing pushing him with a knife in yourh and? So you must know exactly whats happening here. Could you explain that to me please?' Spencer says: 'I wanted to give him it because he had threatened me, that he wanted to kill me, hed rather kill me than divorce me. And I did reach for a knife - if he wants to kill me, just do it.' When interviewed by the documentary makers, the officer described Spencer's brazen lies, saying:; She just went into autopilot and she said this scenario, she was saying "I was saying I wanted to die and I was giving Richard the knife and saying youre going to have to kill me because I cant live like this any more". Another officer added: [It was] almost as if she had planned ahead, or if she knew exactly what was going to be referred to. But that all kind of shattered really when I played the video back again but with the audio.' But Spencer's lying version of events was shattered when officers switched on the audio of the home footage, in which she could clearly be heard threatening her husband while brandishing a knife Spencer is heard slurring as she says to her husband: 'Shame, it takes that level of violence.' The hidden nanny cam gave a vital way out for battered husband Mr Spencer after he endured years of physical and verbal abuse from his wife, that sometimes left him 'broken' in a foetal position The couple met in 2000 in a nightclub and married in Thailand in 2009 before having three daughters Sheree's reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker Footage showed furious wine-fuelled tirades, in which Sheree would call her husband 'fat boy,' 'a pussy' and 'dumb dumb' and inflict bruises and scratches Today, MailOnline can reveal Sheree went to desperate lengths through the courts in a bid to stop the documentary being broadcast. The footage, obtained from the nanny-cam, gives a chilling real-life echo of Harlan Coben's Netflix adaptation Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan. In it, Keegan plays a woman who installs the small camera to keep watch over her young daughter, only to recognise an eerie figure from her past creeping into her home. Mr Spencer felt his harrowing experiences should be seen to raise awareness of the type of abuse men can suffer in their daily lives at the hands of violent partners but Sheree tried to block it. He told MailOnline: 'Sheree tried to stop the documentary being broadcast in the crown court but failed, then she applied for a prohibited steps order through the family court, which luckily was rejected and thrown out at the first hearing. 'The broadcast has been delayed due to the legal challenges for about six months, but now it is finally going to be shown. 'I'm hopeful that the film will be well received and will make a difference.' The hidden nanny cam gave a vital way out for battered husband Mr Spencer after he endured years of physical and verbal abuse from his wife, that left him 'broken' on the floor in a foetal position. Mr Spencer had met his wife in a nightclub in 2000, and the pair married on a Thai beach in 2009. After they welcomed the eldest of their three daughters in 2015, Mr Spencer installed the nanny cam so they could keep watch over her. Instead, footage showed furious wine-fuelled tirades, in which Sheree would call her husband 'fat boy,' 'a p**sy' and 'dumb dumb' and inflict bruises and scratches that he would need to cover with make-up before going outside. Mr Spencer told The Sun: 'We had two [cameras] one in the playroom and one in the bedroom. They were there for reassurance, to keep an eye out because it's a big house. 'It was on something like a 28-day roll, where if something new came in it would delete the old footage.' When police finally became involved, Mr Spencer handed over 43 images of his bruised face, taken on different dates following savage assaults he had suffered. Mr Spencer, now happily settled with a new partner, decided to take part in the Channel 5 documentary to help other abused men speak out Mr Spencer handed police 36 photographs he took of himself, showing cuts and bruises to his face and body Sheree Spencer, 45, was jailed for four years for making her husband Richard's life a living hell with daily beatings and verbal attacks that left him cowering on the floor in the foetal position Richard Spencer secretly recorded video and audio of his wife's attacks on him for years. When police became involved he handed over 43 images of his bruised face and body A police officer tells the documentary: 'This has been going on for such a long time, that this is who he is. Withdrawn and broken.' Mr Spencer says: 'I just wanted the abuse to stop. I was in a situation and there was no way out.' Hull Crown Court heard that mother-of-three Sheree had carried out most of the attacks on her husband in the family home. Sheree worked at the highest levels for HM Prison and Probation Service and bragged to friends that she had the ear of former prime minister Boris Johnson. She was a project manager in the department's directorate of strategy and performance. A former friend said: 'She would brag about being only two down from the prime minister in her field and had meetings with Boris Johnson, who she spoke of as though he were a friend. 'She was bragging about her high flying career while subjecting her poor husband, a lovely man, to daily abuse, degradation and humiliation.' It was described as 'a great irony' that Spencer had done so much work aimed at investigating the effect of custodial sentences on the family. Within months of becoming a couple in 2000, Richard endured her violent rages, which happened whether she was drunk or sober. The worst of the assaults on him happened in April 2021 when his wife attacked him with the empty wine bottle. Mr Spencer, who stands at 5ft 10in, told the court that although he was bigger and physically stronger than his petite wife, he did not fight back when she began to attack him. He said he became almost immune to the physical abuse she meted out, even though she would cause him immense pain by sinking her teeth into him. But he said the mental scars left by 16 years of her hate-filled attacks were what would leave the most lasting effect. Sheree's reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker. Her arrest that day on suspicion of assaulting her husband opened a door into the hell he had kept private for his entire married life. Mr Spencer said: 'In trying to block the footage being shown, she continued trying to exert control even from jail, but fortunately justice prevailed. 'Its astonishing to me that shes living a relatively easy life in prison, having been moved to an open jail after six months of her sentence. 'The judge in her case described it as the worst case of coercive control she had ever seen, so why she was considered for open prison so early is beyond me. 'She is due for release next February but she is able to go out for family and friend meetings and has been working in a cafe. Spencer worked at the highest levels for HM Prison and Probation Service and bragged to friends that she had the ear of former prime minister Boris Johnson Hull Crown Court heard Spencer was a mother of three young children and that many of the attacks on her husband had occurred in the family home The court heard that Spencer beat him with the bottle all over his head and body and caused a serious injury to his ear, which swelled dramatically 'It doesnt seem a just sentence for someone who committed such serious offences.' Since his ex-wife's imprisonment, Mr Spencer has joined a campaign called ManKind Initiative, which supports male victims of domestic abuse. He has also found love again and told media he is happily settled with his new partner. Speaking to media after Sheree was jailed last year, he said: 'I have become resigned to the fact that I will never fully recover from her abuse and that it will have a permanent damaging impact on mine and my family's life. 'Sheree's abuse towards me evolved and escalated over time, she used repeated acts of physical assault, threats, verbal abuse, and humiliation to punish and exercise control over me. 'The abuse was hidden from the outside world, including friends and family. Sheree manipulated me into believing that I was a responsible and willing participant in the abuse. She remorselessly proclaimed that I deserved to be punished, and that it was a justifiable consequence of me disappointing her in some way. 'Little by little, I lost my independence and willpower and just accepted that was how my life was going to be. I complied with Sheree's demands, and she controlled most aspects of my everyday life, including things like what activities I could participate in and when, which room I could sleep in, and even which toilet I could use. 'Gradually I became isolated from family and friends and was left deep in debt causing me to feel trapped. 'After a while, I learnt to cover my face with my hands and curl up into a foetal position to try and avoid sustaining any visible facial injuries, so that I could still take the children to school and nursery.' This is the wild moment Sopranos actor Michael Imperioli shoved climate change activists out of the theatre midway through his Broadway performance of An Enemy of the People On Thursday night, three environmental activists from the group Extinction Rebellion, halted the show by shouting 'no theater on dead planet' during the beginning of the second act. One protestor was then seen being escorted out of the theatre by cast members, including Imperioli, who shoved and dragged the rebel up the stairs - all while remaining in character. In a video posted on X, formerly know as Twitter, a protestor is seen walking on to the stage while stars Imperioli and Jeremy Strong, who plays Kendall Roy on succession, were in the middle of performing a rather tense scene. 'I am very, very sorry to interrupt your night and this amazing performance. I am a theater artist,' the rebel shouted before being escorted offstage by security. Climate change activists interrupted a performance of the Broadway play An Enemy of the People Michael Imperioli (left), who plays Christopher Moltisanti in the show Sopranos, told the protestors to 'go back to drama school' The protestor continued: 'The oceans are rising. It will swallow this city and this entire theater whole. I am putting my career on the line because we are not doing anything about this crisis. The water is coming for us!' 'Go back drama school!' Imperioli yelled in true gangster fashion. Strong, still in character retorted loudly 'let them speak.' Imperioli then left the stage and helped to shove the activist up the stairs and out of the theater. Some of the crowd members believed the protestors were part of the show as the plot addresses environmental concerns and involved audience participation. When the final activist was kicked out of the theatre, the majority of the room applauded. A group called Extinction Rebellion was responsible for the protest Audience members thought the protestors were a part of the production When the final activist was kicked out of the theatre, the a majority of the room applauded their efforts for social change The actors were told to exit the stage by an announcement, but the majority of the group refused to comply. Imperioli posted a response to the incident on Instagram, suggesting that while his persona might not agree with the demonstrators, he still values science. 'Tonight was wild.no hard feelings extinction rebellion crew,' he wrote. 'Michael is on your side but mayor stockmann is not. Much love.' A statement released by the climate change group said: 'Today's action highlights the failure of governments and corporations to treat climate and ecological breakdown as the crisis it is.' 'The group emphasizes that the present socio-economic system can't protect people from the environmental crises to come, because its very structure creates these crises and then ignores them.' An autistic computer whizz from London accused of masterminding an international cybercrime racket has urged authorities to stop his extradition to the US. Diogo Santos Coelho, 24, is at the centre of a tug-of-war between his native Portugal and the US on suspicion he was a key player in a scam which sold the illegally obtained personal details of millions of victims, making shadowy criminals rich in the process. Santos Coelho, who was raised in Croydon, south London, said he was effectively groomed as a friendless teenager, and had no idea he was doing anything wrong. He has cooperated fully with authorities since being arrested as he got off a flight into Gatwick in January 2022, and is determined to 'face justice' - but not in the US. Last night, Santos Coelho told the Mail on Sunday: 'I am simply trying to go back to my home country, to my family, and face whatever consequences come at me. Diogo Santos Coelho, 24, is at the centre of a tug-of-war between his native Portugal and the US on suspicion he was a key player in a cybercrime racket The autistic computer whizz from London (pictured with his sister sister Ana) has urged authorities to stop his extradition to the US. 'I believe Portugal, the country of my birth, and in Europe, I think they focus on rehabilitation. But in the US, they are focussed only on retribution. 'In America, I feel there is no hope. 'Logically, because of my autism, I can't see a life beyond being sent to America. When I think of that, I just think: Why live at all? 'So I hope the authorities understand there is a human aspect to this, and let me face justice in Portugal.' Santos Coelho appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court this month where he consented to being extradited to Portugal where he is wanted for money laundering, tax fraud, and cyber criminality over his alleged role as the 'chief administrator' of the RaidForums website. But he is also fighting being sent to the US amid fears for his human rights, with particular concern prison conditions will not take his recently diagnosed autism into consideration. Santos Coelho is unable to comment on the specifics of the case for legal reasons - including, his defence team say, because they are yet to be provided with evidence. There is no requirement for the US to serve prima facie evidence when seeking extradition from the UK. But Santos Coelho is alleged to have pocketed more than half a million euro out of a scam in which victims across the planet are believed to have lost around 400 million. RaidForums was a 'black hat' site that enabled the selling of people's personal information Santos Coelho, who was raised in Croydon, south London, said he was effectively groomed as a friendless teenager, and had no idea he was doing anything wrong. Medical experts fear the prospect of a 52-year jail term and isolation from friends and family in the States, rather than a 12-year sentence in Portugal where he has a support network, make Santos Coelho at 'high risk' of suicide. His appeal against extradition to the US is currently going through the High Court, so the decision of where Santos Coelho should eventually be sent falls to the Home Office. So how did a shy, ostracised and severely bullied teenager living in Croydon become what the US authorities believe to be a major player in an international cybercrime scheme? Santos Coelho said he was a 'friendless' 11-year-old who sought solace in computer game chat rooms when he was befriended by a group of older contributors. 'I was always very fascinated by computers and how things worked,' he said. 'Then when I was around 13 or 14, these people who were in my group online asked me if I could help them build a website. 'I had no issue with that, I was always very keen on learning how to do new things. 'So I just said yes. And I suppose that's how that all started.' Santos Coelho said he was a 'friendless' 11-year-old who sought solace in computer game chat rooms when he was befriended by a group of older contributors. He said these 'friends', who he has never met in person, told him the website would direct new followers to livestreamers, and would occasionally involve pranks - nothing 'mischievous or illegal', he said. 'I was a child, I essentially did what they asked,' he said. 'Over time I always tried to reassure myself I wasn't doing anything illegal. 'I would always ask them: Is this wrong? Is this gonna get you or me in trouble? 'And they would always assure me: No, you're just a developer of the website.' He said these 'friends' turned nasty and threatened him when, aged 16, he said he wanted to spend less time on the website and more time on his engineering apprenticeship. Santos Coelho and his family originally moved to England when he was nine because of his father's work. But by the time he was 14, his mother was gravely ill with the degenerative condition Huntington's Disease and Santos Coelho was apparently being mercilessly picked-on at school. He is said to have spent much of his time in his room on the computer, free from any meaningful parental supervision. Santos Coelho and his family originally moved to England when he was nine because of his father's work. He is pictured with his sister Ana It was at this stage, his lawyers argue, that the impressionable and naive Santos Coelho was 'groomed and exploited' by much older criminal gangs online. Santos Coelho said: 'Now, looking back as an adult, I think the signs are quite obvious. 'But when I was growing up, it never occurred to me, it was never in my mind that was being groomed or exploited.' By the age of 16, Santos Coelho had moved back to Portugal with his father. And for the next six years, prosecutors say, he was the chief administrator for RaidForums, an English-language website which allowed criminals to buy and sell stolen personal and financial information, amounting to around 10 billion individual records, such as bank accounts and payment details. The website was seized by the FBI in 2022, and Santos Coelho arrested. He was charged with six criminal counts, including conspiracy, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. District Judge Michael Snow this month described both Santos Coelho and the system for which he was allegedly chief administrator as 'very sophisticated', and warned the suspect he faced 'a very substantial prison term if convicted'. But Ben Cooper KC, the suspect's lawyer, informed the extradition court that the Home Office has already recognised that there are reasonable grounds to believe Santos Coelho was a victim of modern slavery, acting on behalf of those with nefarious plans for him. His autism was undiagnosed at the time, and so he was not receiving any support for his disability. The case echoes that of Gary McKinnon, a British self-confessed 'bumbling computer nerd' who was wanted in the US for hacking into Pentagon and Nasa computers in a naive attempt to unearth information about UFOs more than two decades ago. Mr McKinnon has Asperger's, a form of autism, though, like Santos Coelho, his condition was undiagnosed at the time of the alleged offending. He faced up to 60 years behind bars if convicted, but was blocked from being extradited to the US by then-Home Secretary Theresa May in 2012 following a relentless Daily Mail campaign to allow him to go on trial in England. The Crown Prosecution Service later confirmed no charges would be brought against Mr McKinnon. Mr Cooper KC said: 'Bearing in mind that Diogo is a victim of grooming and suffers from autism, a disability that was exploited by online adults when he was still a child and the impact an extradition to the US would have (length of sentence, prison conditions, away from family, risk of suicide), it is unnecessary and clearly disproportionate for extradition to America to take priority / to proceed given his consent to extradition to Portugal and his full cooperation with the Portuguese authorities.' A Home Office spokesman said: 'It is longstanding government policy that we do not routinely comment on individual cases.' Fani Willis is facing a potential gag order of even talking about the Donald Trump case in public, even as a Georgia judge issued a ruling that could allow her to keep prosecuting the case. Judge Scott McAfee included language inside his blistering ruling admonishing the Fulton County DA indicating he would be open to imposing an order that would block her from speaking about the charged case in public. He was responding to charges about her fiery speech at an Atlanta church over MLK weekend after she was first accused of having an affair with prosecutor Nathan Wade that defense lawyers said amounted to playing the 'race card.' 'The time may well have arrived for an order preventing the State from mentioning the case in any public forum to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity, but that is not the motion presently before the Court,' wrote McAfee, hinting at his inclination. That came even as he denied defense lawyers' demand that Willis be disqualified from the case that that it be dismissed. Defense lawyers blasted DA Fani Willis for playing the 'race card' in her speech at an Atlanta church Donald Trump lawyer Steven Sadow and others attorneys invoked Willis' 'church speech' as grounds for dumping her, saying it prejudiced the case and claiming it amounted to a race attack, saying a group she identified only as 'they' were targeting Wade, who is black. That came before Willis and Wade acknowledged their affair through a court filing and in testimony. The timing of the speech, days after Michael Roman defendant Merchant filed an explosive motion that first surfaced allegations of an affair between Willis and Wade, suggested Willis may have been settling scores. 'I hired one white woman, a good personal friend and great lawyer, a superstar,' Willis said at Big Bethel AME, Atlanta's oldest Black church . 'I hired one white man brilliant, a great lawyer: and I hired one black man. Another superstar, a great friend, and a lawyer. They are going to be mad when I call them out on this nonsense.' She continued: 'First thing they say. Oh, she going to play the race card now? But no. God, isnt it them whos playing the race card when they only question one? Isnt it them playing the race card when they constantly think I need someone from some other jurisdiction in some other state to tell me how to do a job Ive been doing almost 30 years,' she said. McAfee evaluated prosecutors' claims that Willis was not specifically targeting the defendants in the case but said her comments left the matter open to interpretation. The judge also concluded that her comments did include Trump codefendant Michael Roman and his lawyer Ashleigh Merchant within their scope. Wrote McAfee: 'In these public and televised comments, the District Attorney complained that a Fulton County Commissioner and so many others questioned her decision to hire [prosecutor] Wade. When referring to her detractors throughout the speech, she frequently utilized the plural they.' Judge McAfee admonished Willis and said her comment was open to interpretation and said it took the DA into 'dangerous waters' Donald Trump lawyer Steven Sadow accused Willis of playing the 'race card' and asked that she be disqualified from the case McAffee found the DA's statement did include defendant Michael Roman and his lawyer Ashleigh Merchant 'within its ambit.' Merchant had filed an explosive motion that first surfaced allegations of an affair between Willis and Wade 'The State argues the speech was not aimed at any of the Defendants in this case. Maybe so. But maybe not. Therein lies the danger of public comment by a prosecuting attorney. By including a reference to so many others on the heels of Defendant Romans motion which instigated the entire controversy, the District Attorney left that question open for the public to consider.' McAfee found considering the statement 'as a whole' that the speech 'did include Defendant Roman and his counsel within its ambit, whether intentional or not.' Then he called her actions 'legally improper.' 'Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into,' he wrote. Imposing a gag on Merchant and her office would be just the latest humiliation. Typically, it is defendants who suffer such orders, as Trump himself did after a New York judge attempted to clamp down his attacks on court personnel in his fraud case there. A motion for a gag would represent one of many potential opportunities for defendants to continue to try to stall or shape the case, after Trump's lawyer said he would 'use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case.' Miami police descended on real estate mogul Patrick Carroll's glitzy $16.4 million mansion this week to investigate gunshot sounds heard outside his home. In videos posted on Carroll's Instagram, the 44-year-old billionaire was seen dressed in white tee, black joggers and a red MAGA cap and holding a half-smoked cigar as four police vehicles from the MPD pulled up to his ultra-luxury property. A tattooed and agitated Carroll stood in his driveway, with his Doberman Pinscher and Goldendoodle scurrying about, and quipped: 'I didn't do anything wrong.' One of the officers responded: 'You didn't do anything wrong? You are shooting bullets in the back. We don't know if it is bullets, or rounds, or anything.' Patrick Carroll pictured in the driveway of his ultra-luxury home with one of his dogs as four police vehicle pull up outside his home Carroll quipped, 'I didn't do anything wrong,' before he said, 'not without my lawyer present' Miami police officers are seen on the scene outside Carroll's house Carroll responded: 'I'm not letting them on my property'. At one point, he waves his arm at the cops, and asks: 'Am I under arrest. I need to know so I can ask my lawyer.' The businessman filmed the incident and posted it to his Instagram with the caption: 'I know my rights' with an American flag emoji. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Miami Police Department for comment. In a statement issued to Page Six, a police spokesperson said: 'I can confirm that law enforcement personnel responded to 810 Lakeview Drive regarding allegations of possible gunshots heard in the area.' 'MBPD conducted a preliminary investigation which yielded no victim or scene. This incident was routed to our Criminal Investigations Division for a more thorough assessment,' they added. Carroll is later seen in walking down his driveway with two Rolls Royce's visible in the video clip. 'Look at all these cops. Like they have nothing better to do,' he says on the recording. 'Hello? Hello? I need to get out. I need to get out of my driveway.' 'Can someone please move. I am in a hurry. Would someone mind moving?' One of the cops respond: 'I am getting the person to move the car.' One of the officers responded: 'You didn't do anything wrong? You are shooting bullets in the back. We don't know if it is bullets, or rounds, or anything' This week's incident was not the first time Carroll, who is worth an estimated $8.2billion, has made headlines Carroll's Instagram story offers a further glimpse of his fast-paced lifestyle filled with exclusive hotels, high-end restaurants, yachts, luxury cars, designer clothes, jewels, and wads of cash that he appears to be showing to the camera. In one video, Carroll appears in his car complaining about the Miami traffic before he has a tantrum inside a Rolls Royce dealership showroom regarding an issue with his luxury vehicle. He snipped at the manager about the service, and when the manager told him politely he would arrange to get him transportation to his meeting, Carroll snapped: 'Well do it than. What am I stopping you 'mother f******.' Carroll posted the incident to his Instagram and said: 'I think a leader should take responsibility for their s***** employees'. A photograph has also emerged showing him brandishing what appears to be an assault rifle on his yacht, as per the news outlet. A source told Page Six: 'We want him to know that people care about him and want him to get help.' DailyMail.com has contacted Carroll's lawyer for comment. This week's incident is not the first time Carroll, who is worth an estimated $8.2billion, has made headlines. In April 2023, Carroll reportedly tried to hit on a woman who was on a date at Miami's Japanese restaurant Hiyakawa, and then spit in the manager's face. Carroll asked the woman's date if he could buy her a drink, which the maitre d' says he politely declined to allow. In his Rolls Royce on his way to the car dealership Carroll fans out a wad of hundred dollar bills while in his Rolls Royce As the meal progressed, Carroll - not taking no for an answer - tried to follow the woman into the restroom, and when the manager tried to stop him, and that is when Carroll spit in his face. As the meal progressed, Carroll - not taking no for an answer - tried to follow the woman into the restroom, and when the manager tried to stop him Carroll spit in his face. Months before that incident, Carroll was accused of telling the service manager he was a 'street n****r,' which resulted in him being banned from five Miami restaurants. In that case, Carroll is said to have disapproved of a glass of wine that was poured for one of his guests. The lawsuit claims he followed a Carbone server outside into the street and pushed him. Their altercation caught the attention of the service manager who walked over to intervene. The lawsuit describes how the service manager told him that his ongoing aggression had become a problem. In response, Carroll tried to give him cash - which he refused. According to the complaint, he then told him: 'Never in my life will I bow down to a street [n-----] like yourself.' The Daily Beast reports that Carroll also admitted to hitting his ex-wife in 2019, and that he threatened to beat up a Colorado ski resort official. He was also reportedly sued for defamation by his ex-wife's lawyer, who he'd claimed 'messed with young children', and also allegedly posted a video of his ex-wife having sex on Instagram, previously reported by DailyMail.com. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a challenger in the Democratic primary for the New York 14th Congressional District seat. Wall Street veteran Marty Dolan launched a long-shot bid to unseat the progressive lawmaker who represents a district that includes parts of Queens and the Bronx in New York City. Dolan has called for the Democratic party to 're-center' and argues the 'Radicals' influence on the party is overweight. 'New Yorkers have seen it all, including scams like the Radicals offer. But we know better that New Yorkers want NYC to be the best city in the best country in the world,' he said on his website. After launching his bid the former banker appeared on Fox News where he held up a copy of the New York Post with the headline 'Hell Ride.' He said New Yorkers are getting a complete lack of confidence in the street and 'enough is enough' and there is a lot of dissatisfaction in the district. Ex-banker Marty Dolan launched a longshot primary bid against Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in New York's 14th District Rep. Ocasio-Cortez represents a NY district that includes portions of Queens and the Bronx Dolan slammed the 34-year-old congresswoman over the Green New Deal, opposition to Amazon building its second headquarters in Queens and over New York's migrant crisis, saying she's 'putting headlines first and constituents second.' Dolan told Fox News he is a moderate Democrat and said the left wing of the Democratic party is too far to the left. He said his main focus will be the quality of life for New Yorkers as the feel of the city has gotten 'too out of control.' The 14th District is a safe blue district. Ocasio-Cortez won reelection in 2022 with overwhelming support. The congresswoman first made headlines nationwide in 2018 after unseating a longtime incumbent in the Democratic primary and at 29-years-old becoming the youngest women ever elected to Congress. She was reelected in 2020 and 2022, recently 70 percent of the vote in the most recent midterms. The proud progressive Democrat is a member of the 'squad' and has been a fierce advocate for the Green New Deal, Medicare-for-all and other liberal priorities. But she has also been known to toe the party line, voting with Democrats on compromise deals reached with more moderate members of the caucus. She has also thrown her support behind President Biden for reelection touting his legislative accomplishments since taking office. Her primary challenge comes as New York City has been facing a cost of living crisis as well as an influx in migrants which as put a burden on city resources. And while crime overall overall in the city in 2023 compared to the prior year, felony assaults and car thefts have remained high. New York holds its primary June 25. Republican Ohio Senate candidate Bernardo 'Bernie' Moreno is blasting a bombshell report linking him to an adult website profile as 'salacious lies that are intended to be a last-minute smear campaign' just days ahead of the competitive Ohio primary. The Associated Press report found Moreno's email was associated with the creation of a 2008 profile on a website Adult Friend Finder for a user 'looking for young guys to have fun with while traveling.' The email that was used, bernie@clevelandporsche.com, was also reportedly listed next to his name on the website of a car dealership he owned. The account was connected with username 'nardo19672.' The profile created under that email indicated interest in 'Men for 1-on-1 sex,' and selected 'prefer not to say' on marital status. The report came out just days before former President Trump is set to travel to Ohio to campaign with Moreno, 57, who is in the midst of a tough three-way race. 'It's a sick, last-minute attack by desperate people. This is what they do. Look at what they did to Judge Kavanuagh, look at what they did to President Trump,' Moreno told Politico after a campaign event on Friday. Moreno is married to wife Bridget and has four adult children. Ohio Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno's email was linked to a 2008 adult website profile according to an AP report. Moreno blasted the report as a 'sick' attack Former President Trump endorsed Bernie Moreno in the Republican Ohio Senate primary Moreno's lawyer said the 2008 AFF account was created by an intern as a prank using a publicly available email address and Moreno had nothing to do with it The AP confirmed someone with access to Moreno's email account created the profile, but it could not confirm the profile was created by Moreno himself. In response to the AP report, Moreno's lawyer, Charles Harder, said a former intern 16 years ago created the account as a prank and abandoned in the same day. He insisted Moreno had nothing to do with it. 'We have provided AP a copy of a signed letter from that intern, admitting to this, as well as another signed letter from a former VP of Mr. Moreno's company, confirming this interns employment at the time the account in question was created,' Harder said in a statement to DailyMail.com. He noted the email was listed on the company website, not Moreno's personal one. 'According to metadata, the AFF account was never even usedthere were no communications or contacts sent to or from any other AFF accounts, and no photos or content were uploaded to it,' he continued. 'The AFF account existed for less than a half-day, 16 years ago.' In a letter provided to DailyMail.com the former intern Dan Ricci said he was 'thoroughly embarrassed by an aborted prank I pulled on my friend, and former boss, Bernie Moreno, nearly two decades ago.' He went on 'never in my wildest dreams did I think this stupid prank would be used to harm my dear friend years later.' Former President Trump is set to visit the state on Saturday ahead of the March 19 primary. He endorsed Moreno earlier this year. Moreno, a businessman who owned car dealerships, has touted the coveted Trump endorsement which could help him across the finish line in the three way race. Moreno told Politico he had not discussed the story with Trump, and the former president's campaign said in a statement Trump was not reconsidering support for Moreno. 'The left wing media is obsessed with destroying anyone who supports the America First movement and this ridiculous slime job is simply more proof that Bernie Moreno is a threat to the entire swamp,' said Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson. He said it was 'shameful' and 'embarrassing' the report ran. A Republican strategist in the state said he still expects Moreno to win though 'narrowly' despite the AP report, and Trump coming to Ohio for a rally will be an important factor. Moreno (right) with Frank LaRose (center) and Matt Dolan (left) at in a forum on Feb. 19 Moreno is in a tight race with state Sen. Matt Dolan, who is backed by the governor, and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose for the Republican Senate nomination to take on Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in November. The Senate race in the red-leaning state is expected to be one the most competitive in November and a GOP win there could play a key role in helping Republicans retake the Senate majority. Moreno and Dolan have already put millions of their own money into the primary race. There are already $142 million in ad reservations for the fall, according to ad tracking. The party's surge in the polls has led to panic in Downing Street , and talk about a return to frontline politics for Nigel Farage. But a Mail on Sunday investigation into the candidates selected to stand at the next election for Reform UK - the successor to Mr Farage's Brexit Party - has revealed that the potential MPs include a convicted animal abuser and a fortune-teller who sold spells for 200 on the pornography-dominated site OnlyFans . Other candidates have also shared anti-Semitic, far-Right, racist and sexist material and spread Covid misinformation. Some polls have put Reform UK, which is led by Richard Tice, just four per cent behind the Conservatives, which if replicated in a general election would split the Tory vote and contribute to a landslide for Sir Keir Starmer 's Labour . Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that 'a vote for Reform is a vote for Labour', but the warning has not dented the party's polling rise. An alleged member of a Georgia gang was arrested in northwestern Mexico state of Sonora last weekend after being on the run for more than a year. Alleged Ghost Face gang member David D. Young was apprehended spotted walking in the Hermosillo neighborhood of Solidaridad on Saturday and immediately captured by agents assigned to the Ministerial Criminal Investigation Agency. The 43-year-old is facing drug trafficking conspiracy charges in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, according to the FBI. He was turned over to Mexicos National Institute of Migration and extradited to the United States. David D. Young, an alleged member of the Ghost Face gang, was arrested in Hermosillo, Mexico, on Saturday, the FBI said. Young fled from Georgia after an arrest warrant in December 2022. The 43-year-old is accused of conspiring to traffic drugs David. D. Young was indicted in Operation Ghost Busted in January 2023 and was the last of 76 defendants to be arrested after Mexican authorities intercepted him while he was walking in the northwestern city of Hermosillo Young, who is also known as Khados, was the last of the 76 defendants who were indicted in Operation Ghost Busted in January 2023. The suspects were accused of running a drug ring that distributed fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and alprazolam in southern Georgia and northern Florida regions. In December 2022, the Southern District of Georgia issued an arrest warrant for Young, who allegedly conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute a controlled substance. The FBI initially reported that Young had fled to Puerto Penasco, a resort city on the Gulf of California that is popular with American visitors. The Ghost Face gangs roots date back to the early 2000s when it was formed in the Cobb County Jail and later branched out to other prisons across Georgia. The criminal organization made headlines in February 2020 when five members invaded a Coweta County home, where tied a woman and shot dead her 14-year-old daughter, Haley Adam. In 2016, imprisoned leader Jeffrey Alan Bourassa directed members to punish another member, identified as JBB. The gang associates held him at gunpoint and cut off his gang tattoo with a knife. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell told reporters four officers have been arrested and charged under the country's Police Act Four Grenada police officers have been charged with lying and permitting the escape of prisoners who allegedly went on to murder an American couple on their yacht. Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 23, and Abita Stanislaus, 25, were meant to be imprisoned in individual jail cells with a 'secure locking mechanism' but were instead placed in a 'corridor' with burglar bars they bent and escaped from. The trio hijacked the yacht of Virginia couple Kathleen Brandel and Ralph Hendry before allegedly raping Brandel and throwing their bodies overboard on February 18. Their remains have not been found. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell told reporters on Wednesday that four officers 'so far' have been arrested and charged under the country's Police Act, including for making a false statement, permitting the escape of prisoners and breaches of the Standing Orders. They haven't been named or pictured. 'It is also clear that the leadership at the station is a matter that requires attention as well, and the commission of police has commissioned an investigation into the role of leadership at the time' Mitchell said at the press conference. Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel (pictured) had been sailing around the Caribbean island and had docked near Saint George's when their catamaran was taken on February 18. Police fear the couple may have been murdered by three men who escaped a Grenada jail Ron Mitchell, Trevon Robertson and Atiba Stanisclaus (pictured) have each been charged with two counts of capital murder over the deaths of Ralph Hendry and Kathleen Brandel Despite the arrests Mitchell expressed his support for law enforcement and said 'disrespecting the police will not be tolerated.' The murder suspects were captured and returned to Grenada last week where they where they were all charged with two counts of capital murder, escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and two counts of kidnapping. Stanislaus was also charged with rape. Robertson was shot in the foot by police on St. Vincent during his arrest. Kathleen Brandel and her husband Ralph Hendry were on a trip of a lifetime sailing around the Caribbean when their yacht was hijacked and they were murdered. The trio made their first court appearance in St. Georges Magistrates Court in Grenada last week and are next due in court on March 27. It was originally not clear if Stanisclaus' rape charge was linked to the case, but police told DailyMail.com: 'Atiba Stanisclaus was charged by the Grenadian police with one count of rape on Kathy Brandel. 'I believe he is also facing another rape charge from a separate incident in Grenada.' The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married 27 years, have been able to travel to 'many parts of the world' due to their boat lifestyle and were living a 'life of joy and love'. Pictured together: Hendry and Brandel The couple had been sailing on their catamaran yacht 'Simplicity' and were enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime trip when the incident occurred Brandel's son Nick Buro revealed the family was concerned 'there might be a possibility that they aren't with us,' which has unfortunately proven to be true The boat was found 85 nautical miles from where the couple had last been seen on it The victims' bodies have not yet been recovered but information suggests the suspects 'disposed of the occupants' while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent, which is about 80 miles away. The men had escaped from prison where they were facing charges of entering the country by boat and disembarking without the consent of Immigration officer, entering without a passport, entering at a point other than an official port of entry and landing as a prohibited immigrant. They were being held at the South Saint George's Police Station on the island when they escaped and are believed to have killed the couple before traveling to St. Vincent. Hendry and Brandel had lived on their yacht, Simplicity, since 2013, after they decided to sell their home and the majority of their possessions to buy a boat. They spent most of their time stationed in Florida, but would travel to Rhode Island during hurricane season. This winter was the first time the pair had sailed to the Caribbean. Although Brandel 'worked her whole life' and has since retired, Brandel's son Nick Buro said that Hendry - who is in the financial services industry - had 'continued to work from the boat.' The suspects, Trevon Robertson (left), Atiba Stanislaus (middle) and Ron Mitchell (right) are seen walking out of Kingstown Magistrate Court last week in St. Vincent Two of the three murder suspects are seen hiding their faces with paper in the back of a pickup truck after they exited the court. The person in the middle is another prisoner being transported who is not related to the case The couple, who were lifelong sailors and married 27 years, have been able to travel to 'many parts of the world' due to their boat lifestyle and were living a 'life of joy and love.' Bryan Hendry, son of Hendry, revealed that his parents just 'wanted to immerse themselves in different communities and share love and spread joy.' The St Vincent Times reported that the boat was found with bloodstains on the interior, but no sign of the couple. 'Copious volumes of blood were discovered in the master stateroom. Numerous personal belongings were also lost. A Pennsylvania cop who killed a teen in a head on crash while driving the wrong way at double the speed limit lied that he was on his way to an accident at the time, the victims' parents claim. Marion T Holmes, 18, died after officer Brendan J. Kovach slammed into the car he was a passenger in on October 3, 2023. At the time, Kovach was travelling at 50mph in a 25mph zone. Holmes was removed from the wreck and rushed to the hospital where he later died. Police subsequently said Kovach was responding to an 'emergency incident' at the time of the collision and he was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, a PennLive investigation revealed the incident he was en route to, a traffic stop, had ended minutes before the crash. A Pennsylvania cop who killed teen Marion T Holmes in a head on crash while driving the wrong way at double the speed limit lied that he was on his way to an accident at the time, the victims' parents claim Holmes, 18, died after officer Brendan J. Kovach slammed into the car he was a passenger in on October 3, 2023. His wrecked cruiser is pictured, with the white sedan that Holmes died in pictured just behind it At the time, Kovach was travelling at 50mph in a 25mph zone. The damage the smash caused is evident in this photo of a street corner taken afterwards Holmes' parents have now filed a lawsuit claiming he lied about the moments leading up to the tragedy. 'We cannot rest until we know what happened,' the family told the outlet. 'Marion was innocent in this tragedy. Since requests to the police and the DA have not resulted in any answers, we look to the community and the media to raise these issues and force the authorities to allow us to have the evidence.' Holmes' parents lawsuit accuses Kovach of disregarding Harrisburg Police policy, which requires officers to take precautions while driving to maintain public safety. 'No assignment, complaint or any other type of incident justifies the disregard of the public's safety,' the police policy obtained by the family's attorneys states. 'The Bureau requires responding personnel to drive at a safe and reasonable speed based on existing conditions and the available information regarding the emergency to which they are responding,' the department policy says, according to copies of the policy obtained by the Holmes family's attorneys. The policy further states officers remain alert to their surroundings and obey all traffic laws. The must also be cognizant of unpredictable' factors like weather, road conditions, vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Holmes was removed from the wreck and rushed to the hospital where he later died Police subsequently said Kovach was responding to an 'emergency incident' at the time of the collision and he was cleared of any wrongdoing Unpredictability was a key factor in the decision to clear Kovach of wrongdoing, after DA Fran Chardo determined there was no way the officer could have anticipated Holmes' vehicle would roll through the intersection without waiting at the stop sign. Emergency vehicles are granted some privileges under Title 75 of Pennsylvania law such as the ability to exceed speed limits or surpass stop sings. However, this is subject to certain conditions including use of 'audible and visual signals'. The law also notes that the privilege, 'does not relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons'. There was some dispute over whether Kovach had his sirens activated, however surveillance footage and testimony from Holmes' girlfriend who was also in the vehicle suggests they were in use. There are no set rules for approaching intersections and Chardo said Kovach did slow down as he approached but that Holmes' car, driven by Detrail T. Porter, 20, rolled through the stop sign. When clearing Kovach, Chardo recommended charges against Porter, who is also named as a defendant in the Holmes family's lawsuit. Harrisburg police have also launched their own internal review following Chardo's findings. Kovach, who was injured in the crash, returned to work on February 5 on temporary duties but has not been cleared for field work yet. According to records obtained by PennLive, he was paid $21,000 while off for 600 hours of medical leave. 'A grieving family lost a beloved son,' the Holmes family said in a statement to the outlet. 'They have the right to know what happened. Clearly, the interest of clearing the police officer is more important than answering the questions of the victim's family. On behalf of the family, we ask that all information be released to us immediately.' The family are suing for medical and funeral expenses, as well as Holmes' potential earnings if he had survived the cash. The filings also cover his 'prospective services,' including 'loss of advice, guidance, companionship, counsel and management.' Harrisburg spokesman Matt Maisel declined to comment on the lawsuit when approached by PennLive. A Louisiana trucker is charged with causing 160-car pile-up that killed eight people by speeding down a highway in a 'superfog' and slamming into cars in front of him. Ronald Britt, 61, was been charged with negligent homicide for his role in a fiery highway pileup that left eight dead last year. Britt was speeding on Interstate 55 west of New Orleans on Oct. 23, when he slammed into the back of a car that had stopped in the left lane behind several other vehicles, Louisiana State Police said in a statement Tuesday. The 'super fog' of marsh fire smoke and dense fog snared more than 160 vehicles, authorities said. Eight people died in the multi-collision pileup and 63 were injured, including 60-year-old James Fleming. His wife, Barbara Fleming, 69, survived but was seriously injured in the crash. A Louisiana truck driver has been charged with negligent homicide for his role in the fiery highway pileup that left eight dead after a 'super fog' of marsh fire smoke and dense fog snared more than 160 vehicles Ronald Britt, 61, was been charged with negligent homicide for his role in a fiery highway pileup that left eight dead last year Eight people died in the multi-collision pileup and 63 were injured, including 60-year-old James Fleming. His wife, Barbara Fleming, 69, survived but was seriously injured in the crash The 'super fog' of marsh fire smoke and dense fog snared more than 160 vehicles It took a month for the interstate to fully reopen after repairs were made to the road and bridge, both damaged by the crashes and vehicle fires The St. John Parish Coroners Office identified some of the eight people killed in the 168-car pile-up on I-55 Eight individuals were killed and 63 were injured It took a month for the interstate to fully reopen after repairs were made to the road and bridge, both damaged by the crashes and vehicle fires. Britt, a commercial truck driver from Lafayette, was arrested on multiple charges, including negligent homicide, negligent injuring, reckless operation and other traffic-related offenses, state police said. Britt voluntarily surrendered to authorities Monday. It was unknown if he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Another driver who was hit during the accident is still recovering from his injuries. Months after the crash, Will Lee - who was trapped for hours on I-55 - is still in pain from the injuries sustained when his head gashed open during the collision. Negligent homicide carries a maximum of five years in prison and a possible $5,000 fine in Louisiana. Drone footage and videos showed apocalyptic scenes from the aftermath of the wrecks showed a long stretch of mangled and scorched cars near New Orleans. Vehicles were crushed, rammed under one another and some engulfed by flames. Many people initially stood on the side of the road or on the roof of their vehicle looking in disbelief at the disaster, while others cried out for help. Piles of disformed cars, heaped on top of one another as firefighters trudged through the debris, remained on the interstate as the sun set. Hours after the crashes, the smell of burnt wreckage still wafted in the area. Christopher Coll, 41, was among the drivers in one of the pileups. Coll could smell smoke as he heard the sounds of crashing cars and popping tires. 'I was already on the brakes, slowing down when an F-250 drove up on top of my work trailer and took me for a ride,' Coll told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. He was able to kick open his passenger door to escape and then helped others - pulling out one person through a car window. A vehicle is seen in the water below Interstate 55 near Manchac Clarencia Patterson Reed was also in the wave of wrecked cars as she drove to Manchac with her wife and niece. Reed told the newspaper that she could see people waving their hands for her to stop, but when she did her car was hit from behind and on the side by two other vehicles. 'It was `Boom. Boom. All you kept hearing was crashing for at least 30 minutes,' Reed said. She was able to scramble out of her car, but her wife was pinned inside and injured her leg and side. While 25 people were transported to the hospital, with injuries ranging from minor to critical, many others sought medical aid on their own, authorities said. Gov. John Bel Edwards asked for prayers 'for those hurt and killed' on Monday and issued a call for blood donors to replenish dwindling supplies. Louisiana State Police shared aerial photos on their Facebook page showing the crashed cars and extensive debris on both northbound and southbound lanes of the elevated interstate, which passes over swamp and open waters between lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas. A Haitian migrant who came to the US via President Biden's controversial parole program has been charged with the rape of a 15-year-old disabled girl. Cory Alvarez, 26, was arraigned Thursday in Rockland, Massachusetts after allegedly attacking the girl in a hotel-turned-migrant center the night before. Rockland Police took the Haitian migrant into custody at the hotel, where Alvarez had been living, and the 15-year-old was transported to an area hospital. The suspected child rapist arrived in the US last June through the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole program, according to Fox News. The program has been criticized as it allows up to 30,000 migrants to skip the border every month, with Alvarez believed to have flown into New York City straight from Haiti with a two-year parole grant. Cory Alvarez, 26, allegedly raped a 15-year-old disabled girl in a Massachusetts migrant hotel on Wednesday night Police were called to the Comfort Inn in Rockland, Massachusetts and arrested Alvarez at the scene. The hotel had been turned into a migrant center Immigration officials have since filed a detainer on the 26-year-old with local authorities. Fox News reporter Bill Melugin added that the Haitian has a sponsor listed in New Jersey as part of his parole. At his arraignment on Thursday at the Hingham District Court, Alvarez pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated rape of a child. The CHNV program that brought him to the US has come under fire since it was first opened in October 2022 to Venezuelans, before it was opened up to other nations in the subsequent months. When it was announced, the program facilitated a limited number of Venezuelans to obtain flights to the US, so long as they had not previously entered illegally, passed certain checks, and had a sponsor in the US. The program was then opened up to Haitians, Nicaraguans and Cubans in January 2023, as the number of migrant allowed to enter was expanded to up to 30,000 per month. Since it was expanded at the start of last year, over 138,000 Haitians have been brought to the US via the program. Since President Biden expanded the CHNV program in January 2023, he has brought over 138,000 Haitian migrants to the US Alvarez' arrest comes at a time of heightened concern of Haitian migrants flooding to the US as they escape gang-led violence sweeping the nation. The leader of the gang violence, former police officer Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier, is seen in Port-au-Prince Monday Those that enter are also allowed to receive work permits and receive a two-year authorization to remain in the US. It has come under scrutiny from Republicans, with 20 GOP states recently filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration accusing it of abusing the parole process. The lawsuit was dismissed in court. However, the program was defended by Biden's Department of Homeland Security, which insisted that the CHNV program is a 'safe and orderly way to reach the United States.' Alvarez' arrest comes at a time of heightened concern of Haitian migrants flooding to the US as they escape gang-led violence sweeping the nation. On Monday, the Prime Minister Ariel resigned amid threats from cannibal gangs that they would unleash civil war if he didn't step aside. As a result of the chaos, thousands have had fled their homes, and locals continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead. Meanwhile, politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution - one that may now be in sight following Henry's removal. The US is bracing for an increase in the number of Haitian migrants hoping to flee to a stable country. Officials have analyzed home security video and may have found more clues about the disappearance of 15-year-old autistic teen Sebastian Rogers Investigators may have found more clues about the disappearance of 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers after mysterious surveillance footage emerged. Rogers, an autistic teen, is believed to have left his family home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, with a flashlight in the early hours of February 26. Officials have now been able to analyze home security video from the Hendersonville neighborhood and discovered signs of what may have happened to Rogers. Footage obtained by NC5 shows two people near the family's home at around 3:10 am on the day the teen went missing. Footage obtained by NC5 shows two people near the family's home at around 3:10 am on the day the teen went missing Sebastian Rogers, 15, left his family house with a flashlight on February 26 and has since been missing The camera, which was placed at the back of the house, captured two light sources far away and another light source named 'Subject One' closer to the house. Another light source named 'Subject Two' can be seen briefly appearing in the footage and and moving toward Subject One before being obscured by bushes The back of the family's Hendersonville, Tennessee neighborhood that was captured on security camera The camera, which was placed at the back of the house, captured two light sources far away and another light source named 'Subject One' closer to the house. Another light source named 'Subject Two' can be seen briefly appearing in the footage and and moving toward Subject One before being obscured by bushes. A few seconds later, Subject One can be seen moving out of frame. Subject Two then reappears in the video and follows Subject One. While officials have not been able to determine if one of the light sources was Rogers, they believe the video has provided them with solid proof that another person was outside Rogers's house that night. But father Seth Rogers has said that his son would not get into a stranger's vehicle. 'It's up in the air for me. He would not get into a vehicle unless he knew them,' he told the channel. Earlier this week, the troubled father said he was at his wits' end trying to work out what happened to his son with no leads that make sense. A few seconds later, Subject One can be seen moving out of frame. Subject Two then reappears in the video and follows Subject One Sebastian's father Seth Rogers said that his son would not get into a stranger's vehicle Searches were scaled back last week, and Rogers hoped a tip-off to police would help track his boy down He said Sebastian was not one to wander off, and due to an experience as a young boy, would never go far without shoes on. 'He decided he wanted to step into a mound of what he thought was dirt. It was fire ants, and since then he doesn't like to get his feet in the dirt. He likes to have his shoes and socks on,' he told WTVF. Rogers was also confused about why so little trace of his son could be found, saying there were 'missing pieces to the puzzle.' 'With the information that I've gotten from Sumner County and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the fact that dogs aren't 100 percent they're not picking up his scent,' he said. 'One dog tracked him to a construction area over there and it just disappeared, and it's confusing. There are missing pieces to the puzzle, and I'm having difficulty solving this.' Rogers said Sebastian was not one to wander off, and due to an experience as a young boy, would never go far without shoes on Sebastian's mother and stepfather, Katie and Chris Proudfoot, said they felt overwhelming 'helpless and hopeless' grief following the disappearance of their 15-year-old son His parents don't know what would have prompted Sebastian to disappear into the woods in Hendersonville, Tennessee, which lies on the outskirts of Nashville Searches were scaled back last week, and Rogers hoped a tip-off to police would help track his boy down. Police and volunteers have spent the past two weeks searching nearby woods blasting Eye of the Tiger, which is Sebastian's favorite song. Almost 100 miles north, Kentucky State Police also searched a landfill in Hopkins County for clues, but came up empty. But with the emergence of this new video, officials may be closer to figuring out what happened to missing teen. The head of a private rescue mission attempting to evacuate American citizens form war-torn Haiti claims the US government is blocking his efforts by not allowing him to use a landing zone next to the embassy. Bryan Stern, the CEO and founder of Project DYNAMO, told DailyMail.com his attempts to rescue almost 40 US citizens is being hampered by the State Department which he says will not allow him to land private helicopters on the land outside the American embassy in Port-au-Prince. The airport in Port-Au-Prince has been entirely shut off to the public amid mounting violence under mob boss Barbecue, now controlling the country. The State Department is yet to confirm how it is getting Americans out, or how many are even there. Stern says there is nowhere safe to land a helicopter, load up passengers and flee from, aside from the embassy. Haitians are seen carrying buckets of water towards the blaze as official authorities remain largely absent throughout the ongoing crisis 'The US government won't use helicopters to get people out but there but there there is an argument to be made that they should assist or help non-profits that have to do it' Stern told DailyMail.com on Friday. Bryan Stern is trying to evacuate 40 Americans from Haiti but says the State Department is hampering efforts 'There is a landing zone right in front of the US embassy, but at this time we are denied because we're not government but surely the US government could use their own helicopters and landing zones to bring US citizens out?' Stern said. 'Its not necessarily a bad thing or bad decision that they don't want to put US troops at risk and do not to evacuate Americans but they should therefore assist other efforts to do so. 'As long as we can operate, we will continue to operate even with no assistance from the federal government, financially or otherwise' he explained. The US State Department did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Stern said the situation for the Americans he is trying to rescue is deteriorating as Haiti slips into further chaos. 'We are trying to rescue people sheltering in place in Port-au-Prince with stacks of bodies outside the front door. 'The gangs are focused on the population zones, so the risk profile of those we are attempting to rescue is based on location' he explained. The city has descended into pandemonium after heavily-armed gangs took over the capital and are clashing with police (pictured Thursday) Tires have been burnt in the streets of Port-au-Prince during protests following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation on Tuesday A protester burns tires during a demonstration in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday Adding: 'Some of the families are way out west where it is relatively safe and benign at the moment but they still need to get out.' According to Stern the gangs currently running Port-Au-Prince are 'very active very kinetic and not controlled.' 'In other conflict zones globally if there is a leader they are able to control their forces, in this case that is not exactly accurate' he explained. 'If gang leaders try communicating with their guys on the street they won't listen. 'There is decentralized command and control indicative of a breakdown in law and order. 'That breakdown is not just of legitimate rule, but also now the illegitimate law and order.' Going forward Stern suggested the US government 'needs to do whatever it can to bring law and order back. 'If that is a peace keeping force with foreign partners in the UN whatever that looks like. 'The way you stop Haitians fleeing Haiti is making Haiti a place you don't need to flee' he said in reference to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis efforts to block boats travelling from Haiti landing in Flordia. 'I can comprehend where Governor DeSantis is coming from but it doesn't solve any problems on a long term basis' he said. Adding: 'You're curing the symptom not the disease.' Stern intends to evacuate US citizens by helicopter or boat if necessary. 'We're still working on it, although we are imminent of an operation we won't start something that we won't finish we don't try, we succeed' he said on Friday. 'Of the 609 missions we've undertaken around the world in the last ten years, we have rescued over 7000 people. 'Every person we have tried to rescue we have succeeded.' The city has descended into pandemonium after heavily-armed gangs took over Haiti's capital and released thousands of prisoners who went on a killing spree, as the nation teeters on the edge of civil war. Footage shared with DailyMail.com by Project DYNAMO revealed flames in the streets and billowing clouds of smoke rising into the skies. Haitians are seen carrying buckets of water towards the blaze as official authorities remain largely absent throughout the ongoing crisis. Other residents walk calmly through the street, resigned to the turmoil, including a school girl skipping along with her backpack on. The country's top gang leader Jimmy 'Barbeque' Cherizier has threatened the families of political leaders who would support a planned transition council replacing ousted Prime Minister Ariel Henry. 'Don't you have any shame?' Barbecue said in a seven-minute audio message distributed on Thursday. 'You have taken the country where it is today. You have no idea what will happen' he said of the politicians. 'I'll know if your kids are in Haiti, if your wives are in Haiti... if your husbands are in Haiti,' he said in an apparent threat to their families. 'If you're gonna run the country all your family ought to be there' he added. In his remarks, Barbecue said the resignation of Henry was only 'a first step in the battle' for the island nation of around 11 million. A police union said the national police chief Frantz Elbe's house had been set on fire on Thursday. It is not yet clear if anyone had been hurt or give details on Elbe's whereabouts. A police officer is seen in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire on Thursday Ron DeSantis announced that he will send over 250 additional soldiers - and a fleet of aircraft and boats - to 'protect' Florida from vessels carrying Haitian asylum seekers It comes as American citizens are scrambling to flee the war-torn nation but claim to have been 'abandoned' by the US government. Private rescue charity Project Dynamo is currently attempting to rescue 30 Americans, including children. The US government is yet to address exactly how many Americans remain stranded. Officials are considering housing refugees in Guantanamo Bay if there is a mass exodus. Germaine Byrd, of Miami, told NBC6 he is desperately trying to rescue his mother from Cherere Belhumeur from the war-torn island. Byrd says Belheumer has been driven out of her home by gangs. She was deported from the US in 2007 over immigration issues and now fears for her life. Byrd said of his mom's predicament: 'It really hurts because it's above me, it's nothing I can really do.' The White House is discussing the plans amid fears thousands could try and reach the U.S. to escape the Caribbean nation on the brink of collapse. Haitians would be processed on the base 200 miles from Haiti in a center separate to Camp X, where terrorist suspects are held, CNN reported. The Department of Homeland Security says migration from the island being overtaken by gangs is so far low. Ron DeSantis announced that he will send over 250 additional soldiers - and a fleet of aircraft and boats - to 'protect' Florida from vessels carrying Haitian asylum seekers. Jill Dolan who runs the Love a Neighbor orphanage in rural Haiti is trapped with three of her children aged 14 to 20 A person pushes a cart past tires set on fire by demonstrators during a protest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 12 March 2024 Police officers take part in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire, as a powerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would take part in a still-unformed transition council for the country The conservative governor made the edict Wednesday, as unrest in the Caribbean country continued for a second week. The deployment will include 48 National Guardsmen, as well as four helicopters that will add to an already boisterous line of defense along the state's southern coast. A further 39 officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 30 from Florida Highway Patrol, and 23 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will also join the front, as well as a litany of aircraft and drones and eight boats. On Friday Ron DeSantis said he was preparing to 'ward of a potential influx of vessels' form Haiti to Southern Florida that may be 'carrying illegal immigrants.' 'This is not a new operation for us' he told reporters at a press conference on Friday morning. 'We've been assisting the Coast Guard, who are the primary vehicle to protect the shorelines of the United States. The federal government has had a level four travel alert in place for Haiti for four years, which advises against all travel to the country and tells anyone in the country to leave as soon as they can. A woman who enjoyed a lavish girls' weekend party in Dubai to celebrate her 40th birthday collapsed and died as she was travelling home. Vanessa Brown suffered a suspected heart attack as she was leaving the desert state where she had gone for a four-day break with girlfriends. Ms Brown, from Wolverhampton, was awarded an MBE, for her work campaigning for victims of the Windrush scandal. The mother-of-one's grown up daughter had been apparently unaware of any existing health issues so her sudden death on Sunday, 10th, March, came as an enormous shock to her family. And their heartache was compounded as the father of her youngest daughter, Earl, had passed away just a week before. Vanessa Brown (pictured) suffered a suspected heart attack as she was leaving the desert state Ms Brown was on a lavish girls' weekend party in Dubai to celebrate her 40th birthday Her grief-stricken sister Maria Brown told MailOnline: 'We are all utterly heartbroken. Within a week my niece Vaneigha has lost both her parents and her baby boy has lost his grandparents.' Ms Brown, a civil servant, was usually the 'life and soul' of the party. But she began feeling unwell shortly after arriving in the Gulf city-state on Wednesday. Maria explained: 'Vanessa had long planned to go to Dubai for her 40th birthday. She was really looking forward to it. 'She is usually the life and soul of the party. 'But when she got there she was not feeling well. She went to the hospital to get checked over. But between the hospital and the hotel she passed out. 'We still don't know what happened, but from what we understand she suffered a cardiac arrest.' Vanessa's loved ones have been inundated with messages of support as family and friends honour the popular and much loved woman from Wolverhampton. In 2020 she was awarded the MBE for her volunteer work on the Windrush Reform Programme helping British subjects many from the Caribbean descent who were detained, denied legal rights or threatened with deportation. Vanessa worked for the Home Office, supplying information for more than 2,000 people affected by the scandal. She also volunteered at the London Olympics in 2012. A committed Christian, Vanessa worshipped at a number of churches in Wolverhampton and was a member of a gospel choir. Her sister Maria asked well-wishers to pray for her sister, in a Facebook post. She wrote: 'What am I going to do? The one that taught me everything I know, we had each other's back regardless. The mother-of-one's grown up daughter had been apparently unaware of any existing health issues 'I'm asking you all to pray, pray for our family. I'm alive but I'm not living... That's the only way to explain it.' Maria Brown is working with the Foreign Office to repatriate Vanessa's remains to the UK. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: 'We are providing support to the family of a British woman who died in Dubai.' A memorial service to honour Vanessa's memory will held upon her return. Fani Willis' 'lover' prosecutor Nathan Wade has dramatically stepped down from his role as lead prosecutor in Donald Trump's election interference case in Georgia after a judge's ruling earlier today. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, escaped with a slap on the wrist as the judge decided she could stay on the case. But the judge said she could only do so if Wade removed himself to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. Wade's resignation letter was addressed to Willis, his now former boss, who accepted it. He wrote: 'The furtherance of the rule of law and democracy has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow of the results of Georgia's 2020 presidential election.' Wade said he was stepping down 'in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible.' In accepting her former lover's resignation Willis complimented Wade's 'professionalism and dignity'. She said he had 'endured threats against you and your family, as well as unjustified attacks in the media in court on your reputation as a lawyer.' Special prosecutor Nathan Wade resigned after having a romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis In his four paragraph letter Wade said: 'I am sure that the case and the team will be in good hands moving forward and justice will be served.' He said the remaining prosecutorial team, which includes Willis, had 'my prayers for your safety and your success in the pursuit of justice.' Former President Donald Trump was unpersuaded by Wade's public appeals to democracy and the rule of law, after hearings that took the spotlight off his alleged conspiracy to overturn the election results and focused on sensational revelations about the office romance. 'The Fani Willis lover, Mr. Nathan Wade Esq., has just resigned in disgrace, as per his and her reading of the Judges Order today,' Trump posted on his Truth Social network, before poking at Wade, Willis, and January 6 Special Counsel Jack Smith. 'Nathan was the Special, in more ways than one, Prosecutor engaged by Fani (pronounced Fauni!) Willis, to persecute TRUMP for Crooked Joe Biden and his Department of Injustice, for purposes of Election Interference and living the life of the Rich & Famous. This is the equivalent of Deranged Jack Smith getting canned, BIG STUFF, something which should happen in the not too distant future!!!' Earlier, in a 23-page ruling Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee slammed Willis for a 'tremendous lapse in judgment' and for acting in an 'unprofessional manner'. However, he said not enough evidence had been shown to establish her romantic relationship with Wade amounted to an 'actual conflict of interest' - which would have led to her disqualification from the Trump case. Trump's lawyers slammed the decision to let Willis stay on the case and said they would pursue 'all legal options' in response. Judge McAfee ruled Willis should not be disqualified from leading a case she has brought against Donald Trump and 18 codefendants, in which they are accused of conspiring overturn the results of the November 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden. But the judge said: 'This finding is by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorney's testimony during the evidentiary hearing.' Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides in court, Feb. 27, 2024, in Atlanta He added that 'an odor of mendacity remains' in the case but the court was not 'under an obligation to ferret out every instance of potential dishonesty from each witness.' McAfee had self-imposed a deadline of this week to rule after holding bombshell hearings featuring testimony by Willis herself about her 'romantic' relationship with Wade. At issue in his decision was when the affair between the two prosecutors Willis and Wade began, and whether it posed an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of one. The judge and clashing attorneys explored those issues in sensational hearings that featured angry testimony by Willis. She was confronted by defense lawyers and there was conflicting testimony about whether the couple were involved in a 'romantic' relationship before Wade joined her team in 2021. The hearings also featured details about cruises and luxury travel the pair engaged in and whether it constituted any sort of improper benefit to Willis that allowed her to gain financially from the prosecution of Trump and his allies. In his ruling Judge McAfee said: 'The prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the State selects one of two options. 'The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office. 'Alternatively, Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case.' This handout image released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on August 24, 2023 shows the booking photo of former US President Donald Trump. Former US president Donald Trump was photographed for a police mug shot after his arrest on August 24 at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia The judge stressed that 'no ruling of mine is ever gong to be based on politics.' He then sorted through whether Wade and Willis had an actual financial conflict. Judge McAfee wrote: 'Whenever a private attorney - like Wade - is paid by the billable hour, a motive exists to extend or prolong the assignment. 'This, however, is a tension that the legal profession has long accepted.' His ruling goes through the various trips the pair took, including to Aruba and Napa Valley. But he found Willis did not get a 'direct financial benefit' from her decision to hire Wade. He also essentially accepted her claims that she reimbursed Wade in cash for expenses during their travels. 'Such a reimbursement practice may be unusual and the lack of any documentary corroboration understandably concerning. 'Yet the testimony withstood direct contradiction, was corroborated by other evidence (for example, her payment of airfare for two on the 2022 Miami trip), and was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable. However, as the District Attorney herself acknowledged, no ledger exists. 'Other than a 'best guesstimate,' there is no way to be certain that expenses were split completely evenly - and the District Attorney may well have received a net benefit of several hundred dollars.' Wade announced his decision in a letter to Willis hours after a judge's ruling Willis remains overseeing the probe of Trump and 18 codefendants now that her former lover Nathan Wade is off the case. But Trump lawyers already said they would keep fighting the charges ulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta Trump and the other defendants are charged with a racketeering conspiracy to overturn the state of Georgia's election results in 2020 after it voted for Joe Biden. The ruling on whether Willis should be disqualified has high-stakes implications for Trump and his codefendants as well as the nation. A disqualification of Willis would throw off the schedule for the Georgia case at a time when some of Trump's other trials are in peril. Judge McAfee's ruling comes shortly after he dismissed three charges against Trump from the sprawling racketeering indictment brought by Willis and her prosecutors' office. McAfee wrote Wednesday in an order that six of the charges in the indictment must be quashed. But the order leaves intact many other charges in the indictment and the judge wrote that prosecutors could seek a new indictment on the charges he dismissed. The six charges in question have to do with allegedly soliciting elected officials to violate their oaths of office. That includes two charges related to Trump's infamous phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, on Jan. 2, 2021 asking him to 'find' 11,780 votes. Willis and Wade acknowledged the affair in filings and testimony Explosive allegations of an affair The relationship between Willis and Wade burst onto the national scene after lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Trump codefendant Michael Roman, issued a court filing in January. It alleged that Willis and Wade had an 'ongoing, personal relationship' even as Wade got paid more than $600,000 serving as special prosecutor on the case. It claimed they engaged in 'a personal, romantic relationship that has ultimately yielded substantial income to the special prosecutor.' That prompted a response from Willis that denied any improper conduct even while confirming the affair. 'Much of Defendant Roman's motion relies on supposition and innuendo regarding the private relationship between District Attorney Willis and Special Prosecutor Wade,' according to the filing. 'District Attorney Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office,' she writes. 'While the allegations raised in the various motions are salacious and garnered the media attention they were designed to obtain, none provide this Court with any basis upon which to order the relief they seek,' she wrote. John Floyd III, father of Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis, testified about living with her while she dated a man named 'Deuce,' and said he didn't know his daughter was later dating prosecutor Nathan Wade Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade faced a series of questions about out of town trips with Willis and the ways he and Willis paid for them Dramatic testimony by former friends of both Willis and Wade A mid-February hearing featured testimony by former Willis friend and colleague Robin Yeartie, who directly contradicted Willis and Wade by saying there was 'no doubt' the two were in a romantic relationship before Wade got hired. She said she was 'certain' about it. She said the DA, a former college friend, told her about it personally. Defense lawyers called Terrance Bradley, a former friend of Wade's, also appeared under subpoena. He was a former law partner of Wade's who also acted as his divorce lawyer. His appearance brought a fight over attorney-client privilege, as defense lawyers tried to force him to testify about conversations they said would speak to the personal relationship and when it began. The drama peaked when a furious Willis slapped back at 'extremely offensive' allegations she slept with her prosecutor ex-boyfriend Nathan Wade the first time they met. 'It's a lie, it's a lie,' she said. She accused Merchant of 'trying to implicate that you slept with somebody the first day you met the.' 'I'm not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial,' she told Merchant, who during a dramatic moment got to question the DA she is facing in court after exposing her affair. She also lashed out at the media for 'printing lies for the world to see' and the attorneys for suggesting they hadn't verified any information about their luxury work trips and their 'good' sex life. In Wade's own earlier testimony, he shot back at Donald Trump's lawyer Stephen Sadow's questions, steering his answers to literal comments about sex. Wade told him that his relationship with Willis ended in the summer of 2023, prompting Sadow to ask if they had 'any personal relationship at all' at that point. 'Are you asking me have I had intercourse with the district attorney?' Wade shot back. 'The answer would be no.' 'You say personal. We're very good friends,' he told Sadow. 'Probably closer than ever because of these attacks. But if you're asking me about specific intercourse, the answer is no.' Terrance Bradley, a former law partner of Wade's, was the first witness to appear. He and his lawyer raised attorney client privilege issues when he got asked about the relationship. He later got confronted with texts with lawyer Ashleigh Merchant Robin Latrice Yeartie testified that Fulton County DA told her about meeting special prosecutor Nathan Wade at a judicial conference in 2019, in a bombshell hearing to determine if Willis gets disqualified from the case of Donald Trump and codefendants Clash over when the affair began Both Willis and Wade testified their romantic relationship began after Willis brought him on. They also confirmed information in Merchant's initial filing about luxury trips and cruises together. But Willis denied any financial conflict, saying she always paid her way, and said she did so in cash. 'If you're a woman and you go on a date with a man you better have $200 in case,' she further advised. Willis said on her 'worst days' she had $500 cash. 'At my best days, I probably had $15,000 in my house, cash,' she said. She also said her belief in storing a stash of cash came from her father, something her father, backed up in his own time on the stand. John Floyd III, a former Black Panther, flew in from California to testify that his daughter always carried cash at his insistence, that she was dating a deejay named 'Deuce' in 2019 when he moved in with her. He said he didn't meet Wade until after Wade and Willis started prosecuting Trump. Defense lawyers charged that Willis kept her relationship with Wade a secret from her office as well as from her father. Fulton County Special prosecutor Anna Cross, who is representing the DA in the matter, announced a decision not to question Willis further after her appearance, which moved the case onto other matters. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant initiated the effort to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump Former President Donald Trump speaks , Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Rome, Ga Wade's lawyer Terrence Bradley doesn't recall relationship origins despite texts Another critical moment came during testimony by Wade's former law partner Terrence Bradley. Bradley on the stand was unable to call details of the origins of the relationship. 'I do not have knowledge of it starting, or when it started,' he said. 'I don't recall any specific dates,' he said under questioning. 'I don't have anything it wasn't a specific date There wasn't something I can attribute to him telling me whatever. You are asking for a date, asking for a year and I am telling you at this time I am telling you that I do not have the date.' He kept that line even amid questioning about his texts with Merchant where he made statements that the relationship started earlier than Willis and Wade claimed. 'I was speculating, I didn't have a no one told me. I was speculating,' he testified. That included a text when he told Merchant the two had begun dating when Willis was a judge in South Fulton. 'Why would you speculate when she was asking you a direct question about when the relationship started?' Sadow pressed him. 'I have no answer for that,' Bradley responded. The jury has been discharged in the trial of a man who was accused of biting and beating his model ex-partner at his west London flat. Chloe Othen, 33, was left with bite marks, bruises and a septic cut all over her body after she went to see Ricky Lawrence, 32, at his 1.5million Knightsbridge flat on October 15 2022. The jury, sitting at the City Nightingale Crown Court in Holborn, central London, were discharged on Friday after they were unable to reach a verdict in the trial of Mr Lawrence. They had spent six hours and seven minutes considering their decision. The prosecution has yet to confirm if there will be a retrial. Mr Lawrence denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to the Instagram influencer in the early hours of October 15 2022. A row erupted upon her arrival, with Lawrence allegedly lashing out and refusing to let the model, who has 305,000 followers on Instagram , leave the apartment Mr Lawrence denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to the Instagram influencer in the early hours of October 15 2022 Lawrence, of Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Miss Othen (pictured) In releasing the jury, Judge Noel Casey told them: 'Thank you for trying. Thank you for all the time you have given to this case.' He said that situations involving a hung jury can happen 'from time to time and a juror is entitled to whatever their own view is of the case - you are discharged from your deliberations.' Ms Othen had claimed she was punched in the head 30 times, strangled and dragged along the floor by her hair by the defendant. She had also accused Lawrence of biting her, taking her phone and stopping her from leaving his flat in Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge. At the trial on March 5 the teary model said she feared Lawrence was going to murder her after he invited her over in the early hours of the morning by text. She claimed that Lawrence also grabbed two knives and said he was going to cut her throat. 'He just went into a frenzy and attacked me, bear hugged me, punched me about 30 times, bit me, strangled me, it went on for about an hour and a half or whenever I left,' she told the court. 'He threw me on the floor, he dragged me by my hair, he pulled me up and down, he pinned me down, he strangled me, just as I was about to lose consciousness, he bit me on my neck and he punched me repeatedly.' Teary Miss Othen told jurors today that she feared Lawrence was going to murder her and was left 'scared for her life' Miss Othen pictured at Suspect Lingerie launch party in Mayfair in April 2022 Miss Othen was a finalist in Miss Universe GB in 2015 and has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram Miss Othen pictured with Georgia Harrison at Suspect Lingerie launch party in Mayfair in April 2022 Miss Othen said she was left with a cauliflower ear which had to be drained after it had swelled up from punches. 'I could not (get away), every time I tried to get up, he would not let me leave,' she added. 'I thought I was going to die. I was definitely in there for about an hour.' When police arrested Lawrence the next day, police found messages that the businessman had sent on the day of the alleged attack. They read: 'You f***ed up tonight, watch what I do now, you silly c***' and 'you f***ing stupid c***, you're f****d now I swear, I will do anything in my power to f*** up the rest of your life, screenshot that.' Miss Othen told jurors how Mr Guccuk kept calling and she started screaming the address and for him to call the police. Speaking about the injuries she suffered, Miss Othen continued: 'He bit my face, bit my neck which got infected, I have a bite on my arm, my scar, he bit my hip, all of them really deep, I had a tooth mark for about eight months. 'I physically can't do this myself and bite my own neck. He bit me six times that drew blood. He punched me at least 30 times. 'He kicked me in the ribs, he kicked me on the floor like a dog, he was just hitting me and hitting me and he just would not stop. 'I begged him to stop. He went and got two kitchen knives and told me he was going to slit my throat and chased me around the dining room.' Telling the jurors how she escaped, Miss Othen said: 'He dragged me into the bedroom, he throws the phone and my glasses at the other side of the room, he then throws them back at me and that is when I escape and run. 'He was on the other side of the bedroom so I could run. 'The bedroom is opposite the front door. 'I ran to the Berkeley and called my friend Alex to meet me and met her there. 'After all these events I cannot remember how it happened after, I just remember what happened in that flat. I was traumatised, in shock.' Three women who had made sex allegations against controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan in Romania have dropped their complaint, MailOnline can reveal. One woman was removed from the case last month and another two asked to be 'declassified' as victims at a behind closed doors hearing in the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Friday morning. It means that of seven women who originally made the accusations of rape and human trafficking only three remain and judges will now have to decide how to proceed with the case. Self-confessed misogynist Tate, who revels in his rants against women, and his brother were originally arrested by Romanian police late in 2022 and held in custody for several months before being released. Investigators claim the two men - who have dual UK and US citizenship - formed a criminal gang with two women to sexually exploit and human traffic other women but all deny the charges. Andrew Tate pictured leaving court in Bucharest, Romania on Friday after a hearing; MailOnline can reveal the proceedings saw two women ask to be 'declassified' as victims Tate and his brother Tristan (pictured) have been accused of rape and human trafficking in Romania. They also face extradition to the UK on separate charges Self-confessed misogynist Tate, who revels in his rants about women, and his brother deny the allegations made against them in both Romania and the UK Romania's anti-organised crime agency DIICOT alleged the four defendants had formed a criminal group in 2021 'in order to commit the crime of human trafficking' in Romania as well as the US and Britain. The agency alleged seven female victims had been deceived and transported to Romania, including some who were 'misled' by 'false claims of marriage and love'. The alleged victims were taken to buildings in the outskirts of Bucharest where prosecutors said they were sexually exploited and subjected to physical violence by the gang. A source in Bucharest told MailOnline: 'Two women said they no longer wish to be seen as victims and another did the same last month. 'This means that the case is now hanging in the balance as almost half of the seven have pulled out. 'The judge will not have to listen to the legal objections raised by the lawyers and set a new date for another preliminary chamber hearing. 'He could in theory also reject the objections, close the preliminary hearing and set a trial date or he could send the whole investigation back to DIICOT.' Earlier this week the two brothers were arrested by Bucharest place at the request of Bedfordshire Police after they obtained a European Arrest Warrant to investigate claims of rape and human trafficking in the UK. MailOnline has seen a copy of the warrant which says there are three women making a total of eleven allegations ranging three rapes, to six sexual assaults and two offences of human trafficking. A judge ordered they could be extradited back to the UK but only after the conclusion of the Romanian case and they are now back at their Bucharest villa and deny the fresh allegations. Representatives for Tate declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. Chinese "internet-famous cities" find key to development 14:20, March 15, 2024 By Wang Jingyue ( People's Daily Tourists pose for pictures in a century-old street in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang province. (People's Daily Online/Sun Lijun) This past winter, Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang province just went viral, gaining huge fame on the internet as a tourism hot spot. According to statistics released by a big data research institute under Chinese technology company Sina, information about Harbin's tourism began surging in late December last year. The total online information exceeded 10 million pieces, a quadruple increase year-on-year. Videos showcasing Harbin's features spammed social media pages. They showed Oroqen people walking on the street, leading their reindeer and wearing traditional hats made of Siberian roe deer fur, plump arctic foxes curling docilely in the arms of tourists, with their eyes squinted to slits, as well as exquisite frozen pear slices and an artificial moon hanging above the St. Sophia Cathedral... Driven by the social media buzz, Harbin's offline tourism was equally prospering. According to big data analysis by Harbin's culture and tourism bureau, during the three-day New Year holiday, the city welcomed a total of over 3 million visits, generating 5.9 billion yuan ($821.11 million) in tourism revenue, 4.4 times and 7.9 times the figures from the same period last year, respectively. During the Spring Festival period, Harbin received more than 10 million visits, with tourism revenue reaching 16.42 billion yuan, both all-time highs for the city. Harbin's popularity reminds people of other Chinese cities that have previously captured internet stardom: Chongqing, Changsha in Hunan, Zibo in Shandong, Litang in Sichuan... Despite their distinct characteristics and varied styles, these cities have all drawn massive crowds of tourists with their diverse urban landscapes. A traditional Chinese music performance is staged in an intangible cultural heritage exhibition hall in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian province. (People's Daily Online/Lin Sheng) According to Wang Xin, associate dean of the National Institute of Advertising at the Communication University of China, cities can develop their iconic cultural concepts by uncovering and amplifying distinctive spatial and cultural activities based on existing perceptions of urban culture held by residents and visitors. These cultural concepts then spread widely through social media, attracting attention from people who are not present and giving first-hand experiences to those on site. For instance, those who are not in Harbin can watch the city's attractions online, and tourists to the city can share their first-hand experiences by posting photos on social media and more. This process exponentially attracts more tourists to spontaneously participate in the promotion of "internet-famous cities." How do "internet-famous cities" attract even more tourists? They have mastered the art. Quanzhou in southeast China's Fujian province, the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, has leveraged its rich resources of intangible cultural heritage to launch an experiential activity that encourages visitors to not only appreciate the local marionette show but also try manipulating the marionettes themselves. Additionally, the city has opened night markets and increased evening performances by local troupes, expanding nighttime tourism options for visitors. Dali in southwest China's Yunnan province, a renowned tourism destination now gaining fame on the internet, is currently cultivating an urban culture centered around coffee. Nowadays, visitors to Dali can not only admire the scenic Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, but also savor different varieties of coffee to feel the charm of the "City of Coffee." Tourists visit a pedestrian street in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Debin) For those cities that rose to internet fame through TV dramas and films, relevant governments have adopted creative approaches, blending the features of the cities with filming locations. For instance, the web series "The Bad Kids" was filmed in the Chikan Old Street in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. After the hit went sensational, the local government invited history and culture experts to train a volunteer service team, so that the team could share the rich history and cultural heritage of the old street with visitors. Regardless of what propelled a city to internet stardom, it's evident that "internet-famous cities" are all attempting to integrate culture and tourism. This allows tourists to take away more than just "buzzwords" and "catchphrases," leaving them with deeper, more lasting memories. How to convert online data traffic into long-term popularity and sustained development is a question every "internet-famous city" grapples with. Experts suggest that upholding a visitor-centric philosophy is paramount for a city to thrive in tourism. Providing comprehensive and thoughtful public services is crucial for retaining visitors. "Service awareness is cultivated over the long term," said Liu Simin, vice president of the tourism branch of the China Society for Futures Studies. While making short-term, intensive efforts to improve services for visitors can provide temporary relief during peak tourist seasons, an "internet-famous city" can only sustain long-term popularity by establishing an overall visitor-friendly environment and continually enhancing supporting amenities and public services. Culture is the soul of a city. "When the online fame becomes a thing of the past, to retain visitor traffic and maintain lasting appeal, cities must focus on local culture and residents, as these are elements that cannot be replicated," said Huang Zhuowei, associate professor at the School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University. Huang added it is important to develop non-mainstream attractions or those not driven by online trends. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Home > 2024 > ASEANs solution to Myanmar is at a tipping point | William J (...) Violence in Myanmar is spreading with armed ethnic groups now confronting the Tatmadaw across different regions. 2023 saw victories by the Three Brotherhood Alliance in Shan State, the Karen National Liberation Army in the northeast and the Karen National Union in the south. Recently, the Arakan Army defeated Tatmadaw forces in the west, forcing hundreds of state security forces to flee into India. The spread of anti-junta fighting and battlefield successes has spooked many in ASEAN. Concerned about spillover from the fighting in western Myanmar, India has begun reinforcing its border with Myanmar whilst repatriating Tatmadaw soldiers who fled into India [1]. Of greater interest is the shift in policy in Bangkok. Under the previous government led by former prime minister and military leader Prayut Chan-o-cha, Thailand was a rogue state within ASEAN. Bangkok paid lip service to ASEANs Five-Point Consensus while pushing fleeing civilians back across the border [2], allowing aircraft [3] into Thai airspace to bomb anti-regime forces and openly supporting Min Aung Hlaing and his military government [4]. Since assuming office, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has shifted Thai foreign policy towards Myanmar. Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara has led the diplomatic turn towards a consultative, ASEAN-based approach. This shift is in line with ASEAN Chair Laos wish for quiet diplomacy. Bangkok is now fully committed to implementing ASEANs Five-Point Consensus and has abandoned the previous governments policy of undermining ASEAN positions. Bangkok is insisting that the Myanmar peace process will be Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned. These two points align with ASEAN approaches that indicate a growing consensus that Myanmar should resolve its problems internally, with ASEAN providing support. A regional tipping point which may bring the violence under control and hopefully to an end in 2024 is starting to emerge. Myanmars growing isolation is evident in its recent comments at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat in Luang Prabang, where it urged ASEAN to accord fair and balanced treatment to Myanmar. At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat, Myanmar was represented by Marlar Than Htike the countrys ASEAN Permanent Secretary. This is the first time since the 2021 coup that Myanmar sent a non-political representative to high-level ASEAN meetings. ASEAN now has a single point man in ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar Alounkeo Kittikhoun, a seasoned diplomat who is well-versed in the cultures and nuances of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam who is now working with ASEAN member states collectively. This will prevent the embarrassment of having an ASEAN leader rebuffed by [5] another ASEAN member [6] for acting without consensus, as was the case in 2022 with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen. The softer approach undertaken by the new ASEAN Chair, Laos, appears to be bearing some fruit. It remains to be seen whether this will continue. Thailand will begin distribution of humanitarian aid along the MyanmarThailand border in Mae Sot in March 2024. This will reach an estimated 20,000 people in need. But several unknowns are causing concerns. Not all ethnic armed organisations along Thailands frontier have endorsed the humanitarian aid processes. This indicates fracturing in the Thai approach, with the Thai military not able to exert enough influence among disparate armed groups. While Bangkok insists that humanitarian aid be processed and distributed in a non-political manner, this is rarely the case in internal civil conflicts. The shift in policies of Myanmars neighbours from tacit support and disengagement to a guarded and engaged position does not augur well for generals in Naypyidaw. Naypyidaw already finds itself isolated in the international arena and it is now facing pushback from its regional allies and immediate neighbours. This, coupled with increasing internal pressure, is finally pushing the Myanmar issue to the forefront. This is not to say there are easy paths towards peace. But it appears the days of ASEAN turning a blind eye to the tragedies unfolding in Myanmar are finally narrowing. As the turbulence in Myanmar increases in 2024 [7], ASEAN will have to assume responsibility for regional security as it is the central node for coordination with its partners. For example, ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit allow for frequent high-level diplomacy, contact and coordination with major regional and extra-regional stakeholders in the Myanmar conflict. These include ASEAN states, China, India, the European Union, Japan and the United States. These parties represent powerful sources of economic, international political and humanitarian aid leverage that can ease conflict and push the warring parties [8] towards some form of cessation of hostilities. With Thailand rejoining the mainstream and ceasing its undermining of ASEANs position, the five original ASEAN members are now narrowing their Myanmar policies and finding common ground. The crisis in Myanmar will likely deteriorate in the near future as the junta struggles to maintain its grip on power [9]. The junta is hunkering down [10] by enforcing its conscription law to help replenish the ranks of its faltering army leading many to flee into hiding or towards Myanmars neighbours [11]. Geographically, Myanmars generals are more isolated with all land routes now cut off from military resupply making maritime delivery the only route left, thus raising the costs further. While the centrality ASEAN puts on its brand of reconciling regional security issues is now in tatters, recent internal and external shifts may see a semblance of credibility restored. Hopefully, ASEAN can finally deliver results that stabilise the situation in ASEANs albatross. (Author: William J Jones is Assistant Professor and Chair of the Social Science Division at Mahidol University International College) [Reproduced from East Asia Forum under a Creative Commons License] On Wednesday, an 11-foot, 750-pound blind alligator was removed from a home in upstate New York. The 30-year-old alligator, nicknamed Albert, had been living in a man's home on Marie Drive in Hamburg, New York. According to environmental conservation officers, the man had designed his house to suit the alligator. He built an addition to his house that was fitted with an indoor pool for his prehistoric pet. Conservation officials alleged that the alligator's owner let visitors get in the pool with the reptile to pet him According to environmental conservation officers, the man had designed his house to suit the alligator The conservation officers alleged that the man, whose identity has not been reported, allowed visitors to get into the pool to pet the unsecured alligator. While the man did previously have a DEC license for possession of Albert, the license expired in 2021, and the man did not renew it. The alligator's health was deteriorating. It developed blindness in both eyes and spinal complications. In collaboration with Hamburg's police department and the Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the conservation officers were able to secure the alligator and remove him from the home via a stretcher. This action prompted outcry from several Facebook users who claimed to be familiar with Albert and his owner. One user named Nadine Kaczmarski wrote: 'I am absolutely heartbroken! I used to clean this man's house. My husband helped build (the) inside of Albert's atrium. It was top-of-the-line, a proper environment for Albert to live in.' She went on to claim that Albert was 'used for educational purposes,' and said that he 'needs to be returned to his HOME!' Another user, Joelle Janish, wrote: 'This is hard to watch. He loves Albert. He has always been well taken care of.' The alligator's health was deteriorating. It developed blindness in both eyes and spinal complications The 30-year-old alligator has been committed to the care of a licensed professional until such at such a date when a permanent home has been found She urged people who have interacted with Albert and his owner to gather pictures from their experiences and 'get on the news and show what a nice environment he was living in.' And Laura Lautner decried the conservation officers' actions, writing that it was 'Absolutely HORRIBLE that gov't can just come and take someone's beloved pet.' She also took issue with the manner in which the officers transported the alligator in the van: 'how they treated him by not securing him in the van was UNCONSCIONABLE...I'm beyond disgusted.' The authorities have committed Albert to the care of a licensed professional. This professional will act in the capacity of a temporary guardian, housing and caring for the alligator until it can be taken some place for permanent care. Authorities said that charges against the man are pending an interview with a veterinarian and the careful review of evidence taken from the home. The White House is preparing to host a much smaller ceremony for Ramadan amid Arab-American anger at Joe Biden and fears the event would be boycotted by prominent Muslims. Traditionally, the president hosts hundreds of Muslim leaders from around the country for an Eid al-Fitr celebration, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. But the White House has discussed limiting invitations this year to a smaller group of administration officials and ambassadors from Muslim-majority nations, officials told Politico. President Joe Biden at the 2023 Eid al-Fitr at the White House, marking the end of Ramadan The administration has been struggling with ongoing frustration within Arab American and Muslim communities over President Biden's handling of the war in the Middle East. Outside the White House bubble, President Biden has been heckled repeatedly at various events by pro-Palestinian protesters who refer to him as 'Genocide Joe.' White House officials have held meetings with various Muslim groups to hear their concerns and that outreach will continue. 'The White House is actively engaging with the community and we have been ... since October 7th,' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday. But some Muslim leaders told the news outlet there was no appetite to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with the president. 'I'm not sure how they're going to be able to do this this year. A lot of people are just not going to go,' said a Muslim leader who has attended past Ramadan receptions hosted by Biden, adding that many would find it difficult to celebrate 'with the president they deem responsible, or partially responsible, for what's happening.' Salam al-Marayati, the president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said there was 'no appetite' among the community to attend. Biden has been targeted by protesters unhappy with his handling of the Israel-Hamas war Protesters in Los Angeles voice their anger at the administration's policies The Biden administration faces growing pressure at home and abroad to do more to rein in Israel and to help the suffering Palestinian population. The president has been a frequent target of demonstrators as demonstrators heckle him for standing with Israel and Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu as they pursue their war in Gaza after the October 7th terrorist attacks organized by Hamas. The White House is trying to counter the protesters. The president's campaign and security teams are making Biden's events smaller, keeping exact details from the media until the last minute, and avoiding college campuses, according to NBC News. College students are among the most vocal protesters. Polls show young voters in particular are unhappy with President Biden's handling of the war. Amid the unhappiness, Biden and his advisers have made several trips to Michigan. That state is home to the largest Arab American population in the nation. But Biden was in Michigan on Thursday. And he didn't visit Dearborn, which has a high concentration of Palestinian voters, instead being further north in Saginaw. Biden's team kept the location of his stop close as it tried to minimize the chances of protests. There were still protests in Saginaw on Thursday. Activists from the 'Abandon Biden' movement held a news conference in the town's center, urging Biden to support a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. He has called for a temporary one in order to get the hostages out and aid to starving Palestinians. President Joe Biden was in Michigan in Thursday but did not meet with any Muslim groups Protesters lined the route for Biden's State of the Union address last month Biden has another goal in Michigan: wooing his own Democrats. During the primary in that state, 13% voted 'uncommitted' instead of for the president, citing his handling of the war. That added up to more than 100,000 voters across the state, raising concerns about Biden's general election prospects after he beat former President Donald Trump by 154,000 votes in Michigan in 2020. While Biden made several stops around Saginaw on Thursday, senior White House officials held private meetings with Arab American and Muslim community leaders in Chicago, which has a large Palestinian American population. But more than 40 Muslim, Palestinian and Arab American leaders and groups there refused those meetings, citing the US's continued funding of Israel's war on Gaza. In a letter to the White House, the leaders said there was 'no point' in additional meetings when they had already made clear their demand for a permanent ceasefire. 'We believe another meeting would only act to whitewash months of White House inaction followed by meek handouts. We are interested in serious action,' they wrote in the letter. An 11-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Chicago while trying to protect his 33-weeks pregnant mother from her 'abusive ex-boyfriend'. Suspect Crosetti Brand, 37, was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing on Wednesday that took the life of Jayden Perkins and left his mother, Laterria Smith, in critical condition. Brand was Smith's ex-boyfriend and on parole after being sentenced to 16 years in prison for a home invasion. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said that Brand had been released on parole just one day before the attack. 11-year-old Jayden Perkins was stabbed to death trying to protect his pregnant mother The suspect in custody, Crosetti Brand, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Brand was released on parole the day before he carried out the attack Smith had an order of protection against the suspect 20 years prior to Wednesday's attack for repeatedly threatening and attacking her and her mother Pictured: Neighbors embracing each other as they grieve the death of Jayden Perkins Pictured: Cops outside the family's apartment complex, investigating the crime scene Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said the boy died from a stab wound to the chest while trying to protect his mother on Wednesday morning. Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said in a press conference that Brand was 'paroled and placed on electronic monitoring last October'. 'While he was on parole, he threatened the female victim via text and also showed up at her home. 'He was sent back to prison in February for this parole violation.' Smith had an order of protection against the suspect 20 years prior to Wednesday's attack for repeatedly threatening and attacking her and her mother, per a motion filed by prosecutors in an unrelated case. His abuse allegedly began in September 2006 after Smith broke up with the suspect. Brand came to her house and threatened her with a gun, firing it in the hallway before leaving. Brand continued to harass the family, throwing rocks at their window and calling them obsessively. Two years after the breakup, he reportedly punched the mother at a bus stop for dating someone else. A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said Smith also had a five-year-old son, Perkins' brother, and lived in the complex with her fiance. The mother of three told the Chicago Tribune that her sister had heard screaming coming from the apartment. In addition to murder Brand has also been charged with three counts of home invasion with a dangerous weapon, one count of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count of aggravated domestic battery, one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, one count of violation of a prior order of protection and one issuance of a warrant for a parole violation. A vigil was held outside the apartment complex Thursday 'No one can replace him. No one can take his place,' Perkins' friend Alexis Perez said. A fundraiser has been made to support Perkins' family during this time Neighbors held a vigil for Perkins Thursday outside the apartment complex. 'No one can replace him. No one can take his place,' Perkins' friend Alexis Perez told local ABC affiliate WLS.' 'He's the kindest, trustworthy friend you could probably ever ask for,' Perkins' friend Nathaniel Vodak, 12, told WLS. A fundraiser has been made to support the victim's family during this time, which had raised over $27,000 as of Friday afternoon. A Las Vegas man suspected of murdering his 30-year-old roommate has revealed that the victim was a scam artist who was allegedly running Ponzi schemes. Gino Anthony Julian, 30, was arrested last year for allegedly murdering Aaron Chavez. He was taken into custody by San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in August 2023 after they found him with a burned and partially buried body in the middle of the desert. After being arrested, Julian told detectives that he was working for unknown individuals in Miami, who had reportedly sent him duffle bags to deliver to various locations and was paid $5,000 to $10,000 per delivery, according to police documents. On August 10, he received an ominous note that read 'take care of it.' Gino Anthony Julian, 30, was arrested last year for allegedly murdering Aaron Chavez Julian revealed to police that Chavez (pictured) had a earned lot of money that he gained through Ponzi schemes Julian told officials that he found a Chavez's dead body wrapped in the backseat of his Mercedes and believed a message he received to 'take care of it' was meant for him to dispose of it Julian further claims that many people were mad at Chavez due to his allegedly fraudulent activities, according to grand jury transcripts Two days later, he told officials that he found a Chavez's dead body wrapped in the backseat of his Mercedes and believed the message was meant for him to dispose of it. While Julian awaits a jury trial, which is set in May, he has revealed to police that the victim had a earned lot of money that he gained through Ponzi schemes. He further claims that many people were mad at him due to his allegedly fraudulent activities, according to grand jury transcripts. A Ponzi scheme is described as an investment fraud where people pay existing investors with funds collected from new investors. But Julian's claims might just be true as two unidentified California men told 8NewsNow that they had been scammed by Chavez. The two men told the channel that they had given Chavez $25,000 to invest in protein cookies. Detectives have also found videos on Julians phone that showed the two men together before Chavez died In one clip, Julian can be seen physically assaulting Chavez (pictured) while another showed the suspect pouring gasoline on Chavezs body which was wrapped in blankets When they reached out to ask how their investments were doing, the now-dead victim would make excuses. But once they found Chavez's social media accounts and saw his extravagant lifestyle, they realized they had been scammed out of their money. 'I was texting our group chat saying hes gonna fake his death,' one of the investors told the channel. Evidence related to his death has also revealed that Chavez had gotten into arguments with the accused and another man, Stefan Jakubov. Chavez had told Julian in one of their exchanges: 'If Im touched you will be sued,' to which the suspect replied: 'Dead men cant sue.' In a similar tone, Jakubov had also allegedly texted 'Break his face' and 'Delete our convos' to Julian, according to police. Julian had then written back: 'Where should I put on the show?' and 'Is there bleach or chlorine?' Detectives have also found videos on Julians phone that showed the two men together before Chavez died. In one clip, Julian can be seen physically assaulting Chavez while another showed the suspect pouring gasoline on Chavezs body which was wrapped in blankets. There was also a text on Julians phone to an unknown person that read: 'We shouldn't have people over for a while because we need to clean the apartment', according to documents. The suspect remains in custody in the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas. The first aid ship plying a new maritime corridor from Cyprus began unloading its cargo of desperately needed food in Gaza today as Hamas proposed a new six-week truce in the war. The Open Arms set sail from Cyprus on Tuesday, towing a barge that the Spanish charity operating it says is loaded with 200 tonnes of food for Gazans threatened with famine after more than five months of war. 'World Central Kitchen is unloading the barge connected now to the jetty,' said Linda Roth, a spokesperson for the US charity that is working with Open Arms. The Israeli military said it had deployed troops to 'secure the area' around the jetty. The 'vessel underwent a comprehensive security inspection,' it added. The Gaza Health Ministry said Israeli fire had earlier killed 20 people waiting to receive aid. Israel blamed 'armed Palestinians' it said had opened fire on civilians. The 'Open Arms' is the first to come in to Gaza and it is said to be carrying 200 tonnes of food Over five months of war has left Palestinians in desperate need of food aid Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, queue to receive food distributed by aid organizations The ministry said at least 149 people had been killed in the past 24 hours. Witnesses reported air strikes and fighting in the southern Gaza Strip's main city Khan Yunis as well as areas of the north where humanitarian conditions have been particularly dire. As Muslim worshippers marked the first Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan, thousands attended prayers in the revered Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, amid a heavy Israeli security presence and restrictions on entry. 'It's the first year I see so many forces (police), and their eyes, their look... Two years ago I could argue with them, but now... they're giving us no chance', said Amjad Ghalib, a 44-year-old carpenter. In southern Gaza's Rafah, the last major population centre yet to be subjected to a ground assault, AFPTV footage showed worshippers praying by the rubble of a destroyed mosque. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday he had approved the military's plan for an operation in Rafah, where most of the Gaza Strip's population has sought refuge, without providing details or a timeline. US President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel during the war, has said an invasion of Rafah would be a 'red line' without credible civilian protection plans in place. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington had not seen any plans for a Rafah operation, but reiterated that it wanted a 'clear and implementable plan' to ensure civilians are 'out of harm's way'. In negotiations aimed at securing a new truce and hostage deal, Hamas has put forward a new proposal for a six-week ceasefire and the exchange of several dozen Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an official from the militant group told AFP. Hamas would want this to lead to 'a complete (Israeli) withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a permanent ceasefire', the official added. The proposal would involve the release of some 42 hostages, who would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners at a ratio of between 20 and 50 prisoners per hostage, the official said, down from a previous proposal of roughly 100 to one. Reports say that Palestinians have taken to eating leaves and animal food in desperation Some aid that comes into Gaza doesn't make it to the people as the vehicles are destroyed Pressure is mounting on Israel to provide more aid to the starving Palestinians 200 tonnes of food may sound like a lot but there are over two million people living in Gaza Without the help of aid charities there would be even less food entering Gaza There is often rushes to get the food as it arrives leading to alleged killings by the IDF The fasting month of Ramadan has begun but here, in the daylight, desperation overrides Desperate Palestinian parents are unable to feed their children as the war rages on Over 31,000 Palestinians have now died in the conflict with the rest suffering starvation Palestinian militants seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages during the Hamas attack of October 7, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes about 130 captives remain in Gaza including 32 presumed dead. Israel said it was sending a delegation to Qatar for a new round of negotiations, a day after Netanyahu accused Hamas of 'clinging to unacceptable demands'. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was working 'intensively' with its fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar 'to bridge the remaining gaps'. The United States, which provides Israel with billions of dollars in military assistance, has grown increasingly critical of Netanyahu over his handling of the war. It isn't only food that Gaza is short of, it is other necessities such as water and medicine Restrictions and violence in the conflict are two reasons Gaza is extremely low on food Palestinians carry and fill up the water bottles amid the clean water and food crisis US Senate leader Chuck Schumer called for a snap Israeli election, describing Netanyahu as one of several 'major obstacles' to peace in a speech praised by Biden. 'I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans,' the president said. Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party retorted that Israel was 'not a banana republic but an independent and proud democracy'. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of looming famine, with only a fraction of the supplies needed to sustain Gaza's 2.4 million people being let in. With fewer aid trucks entering by road, efforts have multiplied to get relief in by air and sea. World Central Kitchen is a charity that cooks meals for those affected by disasters in the world Without organisations such as World Central Kitchen, the crisis would be even worse It is World Central Kitchen's 200 tonnes of food on the 'Open Arms' boat Cyprus, the nearest European Union member country to Gaza, has said a second, bigger vessel is being readied for the fledgling maritime air corridor after the Open Arms completes its mission. 'God willing, they will bring food for the children, that's all we ask for', displaced Gazan Abu Issa Ibrahim Filfil told AFPTV. Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 31,490 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry. The ministry said Israeli troops opened fire from 'tanks and helicopters' as Palestinians gathered at a roundabout in Gaza City on Thursday, killing 20 people and wounding dozens. Mohammed Ghurab, director of emergency services at a local hospital, told AFP there were 'direct shots by the occupation forces' on people waiting for a food truck. Trucks are often used to deliver aid, however can only carry a limited amount of food There is also the danger of trucks creating violence as has been seen before by the IDF The IDF, seen here a the boarder, have surrounded the ship as it docked on the shore The IDF blame Hamas and the desperation of Palestinians for violence when it comes to aid Ramadan has begun and Palestinians are praying wherever they can amidst the destruction Palestinians have had to deal with fasting for the last five months before Ramadan even began The Israeli military denied it had fired on the crowd. 'Armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy,' and then 'continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks', an army statement said. UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said: 'People should not have to die while trying to keep their families alive. 'Distributing aid in Gaza should be done in a safe, dignified and predictable manner.' A Venezuelan woman was arrested at a hotel in Colombia after she allegedly drugged two Brazilian men and robbed them of their personal belongings. Surveillance video footage showed security helping one of the victims, who was drunk, on to a wheelchair and the victims friend pushing him to the elevator as the woman followed them to the elevator during the early hours of Tuesday morning. The woman, whose name was withheld by the police, reportedly drugged the tourists and later headed back to the lobby, where a security stopped her after noticing her suspicious behavior, hotel director Oscar Restrepo told Noticias Caracol. A Venezuelan woman was arrested at a hotel in Colombia after she allegedly drugged two Brazilian men and robbed them of their personal belongings Surveillance video footage showed security helping one of the victims, who was drunk, on to a wheelchair and the victims friend pushing him to the elevator as the woman followed them to the elevator during the early hours of Tuesday morning The security staff did a wellness check and called the Brazilian mens room, but after they saw that they were not answering the phone, they decided to call the police. The men, whose names were not released by the police, were found in an incoherent state. 'We were able to enter one of the rooms, we identified two citizens of Brazilian nationality who were in a state of defenselessness, apparently due to the ingestion of a toxic substance,' Bogota Metropolitan Police commander, Colonel Oscar Landazabal, told the outlet. Cops questioned the woman in the lobby and confiscated a white powdery substance that she would have used to drug the men, and were able to recover the two luxury watches and two cell phones she had stolen. The security staff did a wellness check and called the Brazilian mens room, but after they saw that they were not answering the phone, they decided to call the police The Venezuelan woman's arrest comes a week after Colombian national Paola Parra, who was wanted for drugging and robbing a Brazilian man in Rio de Janeiro, was nabbed at Jose Maria Cordoba International Airport in Medellin moments before she could board a flight to the Dominican Republic. Parra, Colombian authorities said, had in the past used the dating app Bumble to meet men and then rob them. An Interpol Red Notice was issued for her arrest after Brazilian cops said she drugged a man to steal more than $23,000 in crypto, $650 in cash, as well as bank cards and other valuables. Paola Parra was arrested at Jose Maria Cordoba International Airport in Medellin on March 5. The 25-year-old Colombian is accused by authorities of stealing $23,000 in cryptocurrency from a man in Brazil after meeting him through Bumble Paola Parra was arrested at an airport in Medellin, Colombia on March 5 after authorities in Brazil sought help from Interpol, which issued a Red Notice for her capture. Parra, a native of Colombia, allegedly used a banned substance to make a Brazilian man fall unconscious before stealing $23,000 in crypto currency and 3,244 Brazilian reals, about $656 In January, the United States Embassy in Colombia warned travelers about the use of dating apps following the deaths of eight Americans in Medellin between November 1 and December 31, 2023. The embassy indicated that several of the deaths pointed to 'possible drugging, robbery, and overdose and several involve the use of online dating applications.' The embassy advised also American visitors that they should 'strongly consider meeting only in public places and avoiding isolated locations, such as residences or hotel rooms, where crimes are most likely to occur.' 'It is also recommended that if Americans decide to invite a person they met to a home or hotel, they speak to the 'attendant/concierge beforehand and establish a policy as to what information your new visitor should provide before being authorized entry (photo of identification, etc.) and what process should be followed when your visitor departs,' the mission said. One of two brothers who led the UK's most notorious sex grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 13 has a parole hearing and hopes to be freed after less than 12-years in jail. Mubarek Ali, then 29 and his brother Ahdel 'Eddie' Ali, 24, led the gang of seven men, which operated in Telford, Shropshire, that preyed on 100 young girls between 2006 and 2009. The town was a hub of abuse which saw up to 1,000 girls, some as young as 11, fall victim to sex gangs over a four-decade period. Over a three-year period, the Ali brothers' gang targeted schoolgirls who they controlled as child prostitutes by giving them alcohol, food and money. The Ali brothers were found guilty in 2012 of numerous offences against four girls aged from 13 to 17, including rape, sexual activity with a child, inciting and controlling child prostitution and trafficking children for sex. Mubarek Ali was jailed for 14 years and Ahdel Ali was sentenced to an 18-year jail term after a eight week trial at Stafford Crown Court. Mubarek was released automatically part way through his sentence in 2017, but was sent back to prison just under a year later after breaking his licence conditions. His brother Ahdel was first released in late 2020 when halfway through his 18-year jail term. But he was recalled to jail just seven months later for breaching his licence conditions, believed to be around the use of a mobile phone. MailOnline can reveal that Ahdel, now aged 35, had a parole hearing in December 2023 based on prison documents and the decision was to keep him in jail. He will be eligible for another appeal in two-years time. In respect of Mubarek, now 40, his new appeal will be his third since being recalled. The panel at his second in May 2022 found it 'could find no evidence to suggest that his level of risk towards others had reduced. In respect of Mubarek (pictured), now 40, his new appeal will be his third since being recalled. The panel at his second in May 2022 found it 'could find no evidence to suggest that his level of risk towards others had reduced Mubarek Ali was jailed for 14 years and Ahdel Ali was sentenced to an 18-year jail term after a eight week trial at Stafford Crown Court (pictured) They were 'not satisfied' that Mubarek Ali was suitable for release, according to a to document setting out the decision. A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm the parole review of Mubarek Ali has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. 'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. 'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.' During the brothers' trial the court heard that the two men systematically groomed young girls in such a way that eventually they could exploit them sexually for their own gain and gratification. The Ali brothers, both of Wellington, Telford, denied a total of 24 offences alleged to have been committed against four girls between March 2008 and December 2009. The court was told that the men, who were married, had described their victims as 'w****s', 's***s' and 's**ts'. The Ali brothers, both of Wellington, Telford, denied a total of 24 offences alleged to have been committed against four girls between March 2008 and December 2009. Pictured: Ahdel Ali (left) and Mubarek Ali (right) Speaking after seeing the men sentenced, detective chief inspector Neil Jamieson, senior investigating officer for West Mercia Police said: 'We are satisfied with the sentences handed down at court today and are pleased these two men will now serve significant custodial sentences. 'This is one of a number of high profile trials which have taken place recently across the UK and we are satisfied with the convictions in this case. 'Ahdel Ali and Mubarek Ali targeted these girls because of their vulnerability and then systematically groomed them in such a way that eventually they could exploit them sexually for their own gain and gratification.' Five other men from the Telford area pleaded guilty to charges they faced prior to the start of their trials and were jailed for between two-and-a-half and seven years. The operation to snare the sex abusers, 'Operation Chalice', was one of the largest in West Mercia Police history. A team of up to 50 officers worked on the inquiry to bring the men to justice. In 2018, one of the victims of abusers in Telford spoke anonymously on Good Morning Britain to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid about their ordeal. Telford has the third highest number of child sexual offences recorded in the UK, just behind Blackpool and Rotherham, according to the Home Office. The woman, going by the name of 'Holly', described how she was sold 'countless times' for sex. She said: 'I was abused from the ages of 14-18, my abuse started with boys my own age, who went on to sell my phone number to older men. 'And from there it was just a whirlwind of rape every day basically. I was going into the doctors and the youth sexual health clinic to get the morning after pill, probably twice a week, and nobody even questioned anything. 'I had two abortions, still nothing was said to me. I was in cars that were stopped by the police and they asked me no questions of why I was there with a much older man... it got to the point where I tried to commit suicide, and still nobody asked me any questions about what was going on in my life and why I was reacting the way I was reacting.' Holly added: 'The way I got out of it was by actually leaving Telford and isolating myself from my friends and family and everybody else that I knew. 'The reason why it went on for so long was because the men were blackmailing me saying that they were going to rape my family members or burn my house down.' Asked by Susanna Reid how many men she thinks were responsible for the abuse she suffered, 'Holly' said: 'I couldn't even put a figure on it, it's that many. The operation to snare the sex abusers, 'Operation Chalice', was one of the largest in West Mercia Police history 'The main abusers, I'd say seven, but I was being sold every day, countless times, for four years.' The authority in charge of the town, Telford and Wrekin Council, acted on just half of the warnings they received, it emerged at the time 'Holly' spoke out. They were given 715 child sexual exploitation referrals in three years, but just 324 of the cases were referred. Authorities had been warned of abuse a decade before Operation Chalice. But authorities were warned of the abuse a decade before Operation Chalice. Only 303 were passed to its Children Abused Through Exploitation team, according to the figures released under freedom of information laws. A four-year-old Wyoming boy was found emaciated and weighing just 18 pounds after his mother allegedly nearly starved him to death. The unnamed youngster's weight was so low, it was equivalent to an eight-month-old baby and his health was in such dire condition he suffered brain damage. The boy's mother, Tanya Hannon, 24, also known as Tanya Earl, was charged with one count of aggravated child abuse on claims she starved her child. On Friday Big Horn District Court elevated her case to a felony-level. She faces up to 25 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, Cowboy State Daily reported. Tanya Hannon, 24, also known as Tanya Earl, was charged with one count of aggravated child abuse, on claims she starved her child. The mother of five is pictured with four of her children Tanya Hannon pictured with her boyfriend, Ty Myers On February 15, Hannon found her son unresponsive, and contacted her mother. The mother and daughter, took the child to the emergency room at Three Rivers Hospital in Basin, Wyoming, as per an evidentiary affidavit filed in the case. Hannon told the Greybull police that her son had tripped on a toy that day. The boy was was placed in the pediatric intensive care unit because he was reportedly in critical condition. According to an affidavit, the young boy's lips and hands were colorless, he didn't react to pain and his eyes were fixed and dilated. He was also unable to clear his own throat, in which food had lodged, and it was reported that he had to be intubated. The boy's mother told the hospital that her son started losing weight about two months earlier but she didn't seek help for him, according to the court document. The child was close to death and had to be life-flighted to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Medical personnel treated gave the boy medications and electrolytes. He was also put on ventilators since he was unable to breathe on his own. Dr. Margaret Russell, child abuse pediatric fellow at Primary Children's Hospital, spoke to Greybull Police Chief Kenneth Blosser, and disputed the Hannon's claims that her son tripped on a toy. She told the police chief that the child could not have been active enough to do that. She reported that the youngster suffered from shock, dangerously high levels of sodium, extremely low oxygen levels, and acute kidney injury. Russell also noted that his body also was emaciated and he had 'pressure sores' on his back, shoulder blades and bottom, which indicated that he was unable to move from a lying position. She said the child had hair loss, brain volume loss, fluid build-up in the brain and an electrolyte imbalance threatening his vital organs, as per the news outlet. Based on her analysis, she suspected that the little boy was starved, and that it most likely went on for weeks or months, as per the documents. The depraved mother is pictured holding a baby, her fifth child as her boyfriend looks on When police executed a search warrant at Hannon's home on February 27th, they allegedly found methamphetamine pipes and residue, and a 'tooter' straw, in the couple's home Kristy Michaels, a case worker with the Wyoming Department of Family Services told the police chief that Hannon has four other children, including a newborn. Hannon told another case worker in Salt Lake City that she was a 'stay-at-home mom.' According to Michaels, she reportedly found no medical records for Hannon's other children. The police chief, probation agent Bradley Lee, and Michaels went to Hannon's home to investigate, and learned that Hannon shares a home with her boyfriend Ty Myers. During the search, Hannon's other children were at their maternal grandparents' home, where the children remained during the investigation, officials said. On February 16, child protective authorities in Salt Lake City determined that the child had suffered severe child abuse, and the police chief was called. Hannon's father told the police chief, on February 21, that he had not seen his grandson in about a month, prior to the incident. He recalled, the boy looking 'a little Ethiopian,' and said, he 'ate up a storm,' at his house. At the time, he also told his daughter to take the child to the doctor, as per the news outlet. On February 23, Hannon was reported to have disappeared from the hospital. Four days later, on February 27, when police executed a search warrant at Hannon's home, they allegedly found methamphetamine pipes and residue, and a 'tooter' straw. On March 1, Hannon was in police custody, as per court documents. Pence said he was also at odds over Trump's opposition to a Congressional ban on the TikTok social media platform Pence said he would remain at odds with Trump over what he described as his 'Constitutional duty' that he performed on January 6 Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served under former President Donald Trump, said Friday he would not endorse the former president for the 2024 election. The former vice president announced the news during an interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum. 'It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year,' Pence said. Republican former Vice President Mike Pence said he would not endorse former Donald Trump for president in 2024, citing too many differences he had with the president Pence said he was proud of the work the Trump administration did during their first term but said there were 'profound differences' between him and the former president. He cited Trump's failure to address the national debt, distancing himself from pro-life issues, and Trump's opposition to a Congressional bill banning TikTok as three reasons he would not endorse Trump. 'In each of these cases, Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on. Pence also cited his most famous disagreement with Trump on his decision to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6. 'Given these deep differences,' Pence said. 'I cannot in good conscience publicly endorse President Trump.' Pence, who ran his own failed presidential campaign in 2024, said he would continue traveling the country and talking about what Republicans should be supporting. 'What I'm going to spend the rest of the year is talking about what we should be for,' he said. 'The broad mainstream conservative agenda that has defined our party and always made America strong and prosperous and free.' Pence refused to say who he would support in the 2024 election but said he would not vote for President Joe Biden. 'I would never vote for Joe Biden but how I vote when that curtain closes, that will be for me,' he said. He indicated he would also not run as a third party candidate. 'I'm a Republican, Martha,' he said. A prestigious private school long favoured by celebrity parents has been rocked by an antisemitism scandal after graffiti including the phrase 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' was daubed in the girls' toilets. The headmaster at the 20,000 per year King Alfred School in Golders Green, North London, confirmed that an on-going investigation has been launched after the 'deeply upsetting and offensive' phrase which 'for many it is seen as advocating the destruction of the State of Israel' was discovered along with other graffiti this week. In an email to parents, headteacher Robert Lobatto stressed that the school, whose past pupils include television presenters Jonathan Ross and Gaby Roslin and the actress Zoe Wanamaker, 'must be a safe space for everyone, and this graffiti made it feel unsafe.' Headteacher Robert Lobatto stressed that the school, whose past pupils include television presenters Jonathan Ross and Gaby Roslin and the actress Zoe Wanamaker, 'must be a safe space for everyone' 20,000 per year King Alfred School in Golders Green, North London , confirmed that an on-going investigation has been launched about a 'deeply upsetting and offensive' phrase He added: 'We removed the graffiti as soon as it was discovered and have been investigating who was responsible. The investigation remains ongoing. 'The phrase is deeply upsetting and offensive to many in our community and beyond. Whilst it is open to more than one interpretation, for many it is seen as advocating the destruction of the State of Israel. 'We are not immune to the wider currents in society. We know that this phrase has been used on the marches that have taken place through London, on social media, and was recently projected on to the Elizabeth Tower outside the Houses of Parliament.' While he said he recognised that debate and discussion was vital and must be encouraged, 'it has to come from a place of education and views must be expressed in appropriate ways, with sensitivity and mutual respect.' The head said the investigation would mean everyone in the Upper School would be spoken to next week. King Alfreds is renowned for its liberal approach to education, with pupils calling teachers by their first names. It is currently the choice of several celebrity parents to educate their kids. Jonathan Ross, who attended the school, pictured here on March 4 at the Oscars The head admitted in Friday's email that issues around the conflict in Gaza had occurred in other schools. He wrote: 'Speaking with fellow Headteachers, this issue remains challenging for all schools, and we will continue to work hard to navigate it as effectively as we can.' Jewish communal leaders have repeatedly called for tougher action from the government and from police over the use of the chant 'From The River To The Sea.' Organisers of the near weekly pro-Palestine demos have attempted to defend the use of the chant saying it is merely a call for a Palestinian state. Former home secretary Suella Braverman was among those to brand the chant antisemitic. Rishi Sunak branded those using the chant as 'dangerously misinformed.' Mr Lobatto acknowledged that there had been a single incident of graffiti discovered in the school this week, which was immediately removed. 'Speaking with fellow Headteachers, the Israel-Gaza conflict is an ongoing challenge for all schools. We are working with our whole community - students, parents and staff- to navigate the situation as effectively as we can.' In 1901, Lenin published his much awaited book, What is to be Done? This masterpiece of Marxist literature is an unparalleled handbook for anyone wanting to build a Bolshevik party, for anyone serious about the struggle to overthrow capitalism today. In this article, we explain what gives this book its enduring power, and why every communist should conquer this text today. After the delegates of the first congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) were arrested in 1898, the Marxist movement in Russia was in disarray. Amateur methods, looseness and a lack of political clarity prevailed in the small, isolated Marxist circles across Russia. After leaving Siberian exile, Lenin headed to western Europe, where he, Martov and Potresov joined up with the veterans of the Marxist movement, Plekhanov, Zasulich and Axelrod. Together, they formed a new paper, Iskra, as a tool for remedying these problems. By means of this paper, they set about drawing together all the threads, bringing direction, clarity and organisation to the party. [For a fuller analysis of this important chapter in Lenins life, we recommend chapter 5 of Rob Sewell and Alan Woods new biography, In Defence of Lenin.] But their efforts were resisted by some. A trend existed in the party that made a virtue out of the deplorable situation the Marxists laboured under. They celebrated the amateurish, confused methods, and they worshipped the purely spontaneous nature of the workers movement, instead of trying to raise it to the level of a conscious, organised movement under communist leadership. This trend was known as Economism. It was necessary to wage a sharp political struggle to defeat this tendency if the party was to overcome the crisis of its adolescence and enter adulthood. And it was always in sharp clashes of ideas that we saw Lenin at his very best. The short book, What is to be Done?, was the fruit of this polemic. The masterpiece of Marxist literature is full of lessons for today on how to build a revolutionary party. It remains essential reading for every serious communist. As Lenins lifelong partner and comrade Nadezhda Krupskaya put it, this is a book that should be studied by everyone who wants to be a Leninist in practice, and not in words alone. Economism From the mid-1890s, Russia had seen an enormous upsurge of workers unrest. Strikes broke out in all the major factories. The Marxists threw themselves into agitation around economic questions. Quite often, it was enough for a leaflet by the RSDLP to appear on the scene, exposing some abuse in a factory, to bring the workers out on strike. This was a spontaneous, elemental movement. It represented the first glimmers of an awakening consciousness of the working class. Lenin and the supporters of Iskra understood that the role of the party of the vanguard of the working class, was to raise the level of consciousness of the working class: to turn these first glimmers of class consciousness into a clear, revolutionary understanding. With the workers beginning to move against their own boss, it was necessary to raise their sights: to explain how their enemy was not just one boss, but the bosses as a class, the landlords, and the whole tsarist autocracy. If the working class was to rise to the level of a fighting force that could challenge the autocracy, it would be necessary to supplement economic agitation with all-round political agitation and propaganda in other words, to raise this spontaneous, semi-conscious awakening to the level of an organised, conscious, revolutionary movement. The Economists, on the contrary, worshipped the spontaneous movement of the working class. The editors of Rabocheye Dyelo accused Lenin and the supporters of Iskra of putting too much emphasis on politics and theory, fit only for intellectuals and advanced workers, and too little on practical, day-to-day work and simple economic agitation aimed at the average worker. Political consciousness, they claimed, would flow automatically from the economic struggle politics flows from economics. The intervention of a vanguard to raise this consciousness was therefore unnecessary. All that was necessary was for Marxists to energetically encourage the strike movement and the workers would do the rest themselves. But Lenin explained that the workers know much better than the Marxists that they are economically exploited! If Marxists restrict their agitation to telling the workers what they already know, they are liable to bore the workers. Down to the present, there are many so-called Marxist sects that continue to think, as the Economists did, that workers are only interested in practical, bread-and-butter questions. Their grey newspapers read less like organs of revolutionary struggle and more like night-time reading designed to cure insomnia. The real Lenin is a mystery to these modern day sects, though they swear by Lenin in every other sentence. They try to find a shortcut to the backward workers by watering down their material, and in doing so, they treat the workers like children: You, gentlemen, who are so much concerned about the average worker, as a matter of fact, rather insult the workers by your desire to talk down to them when discussing working-class politics and working-class organisation. Talk about serious things in a serious manner; leave pedagogics to the pedagogues, and not to politicians and organisers! By restricting themselves to economic questions, Lenin accused the Economists of reducing the role of a party member to that of a trade union secretary. On the contrary, what was needed was a party founded on the basis of professional revolutionaries, steeled in Marxist theory, who could act as tribunes of the people, exposing and educating the workers on the whole inner workings of capitalism, bringing lively reports and analysis that help the worker to see the class struggle from its many, varied sides. He explained that there were many more forms of agitation and propaganda that could rouse and educate the masses than economic questions alone: The rural superintendents and the flogging of peasants, the corruption of the officials and the police treatment of the common people in the cities, the fight against the famine-stricken and the suppression of the popular striving towards enlightenment and knowledge, the extortion of taxes and the persecution of the religious sects, the humiliating treatment of soldiers and the barrack methods in the treatment of the students and liberal intellectuals do all these and a thousand other similar manifestations of tyranny, though not directly connected with the economic struggle, represent, in general, less widely applicable means and occasions for political agitation and for drawing the masses into the political struggle? Only when the workers rise to the level of understanding that not only are they in conflict with this boss, but with the boss class, with their state apparatus, media and education system, when the workers learn to understand the real meaning of the phrases of politicians, to see the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition of non-working-class layers, can they really ready themselves for the final battle for socialism. The role of the communists is to organise and give an all-round political education to the working class, starting with its advanced layer. But instead of striving to lead the workers, and raise their political understanding, the Economists lowered themselves to the level that their preconceived notion of where the workers consciousness was at. They sneered at the party theoreticians who they accused of elitism for talking about things that they alleged are beyond the interest and understanding of the average worker. In a word, they celebrated backwardness and ignorance among the working class, and appealed to the worst prejudices that existed against leaders and theoreticians with demagogic phrases about the masses, the workers for the workers, etc. Instead of helping the movement mature beyond its early phase, this workerism as Marxists refer to it, actually helped to artificially keep the mass movement in its infancy. And by abandoning the political struggle, they effectively surrendered influence over the working class to the bourgeois liberals. In What is to be Done?, Lenin took a hard line against this contempt for theory justified by the need to focus on small, practical deeds which, then as now, leads inevitably to political subservience to the liberal bourgeoisie: We can judge [how] tactless Rabocheye Dyelo is when, with an air of triumph, it quotes Marxs statement: Every step of real movement is more important than a dozen programmes. To repeat these words in a period of theoretical disorder is like wishing mourners at a funeral many happy returns of the day. Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement. This idea cannot be insisted upon too strongly at a time when the fashionable preaching of opportunism goes hand in hand with an infatuation for the narrowest forms of practical activity. ...the role of vanguard fighter can be fulfilled only by a party that is guided by the most advanced theory. We see the same workerist attitude of sneering at theory being used today to justify the most disgusting opportunism. In a 2018 Vanity Fair article, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gave a crude example of this attitude: It is a slander against the working class to say that they are not interested in theory or incapable of understanding it / Image: nrkbeta, Flickr I think its real bougie to grow up with a defined political ideology. You need to have college-educated parents for that, with a political lexicon. My mother doesnt even have an English lexicon! When people say I'm not Socialist enough, I find that very classist. Its like, What I didn't read enough books for you, buddy? On the one hand, she flaunts her working-class credentials to sneer at the bougie, bookish communists who take ideas and theory seriously. On the other hand, what has she done? She has used her influence to channel workers directly into the arms of the ruling class! In 2019, she, Sanders, and the whole Squad, disgracefully supported Biden and the Democrats. Much worse has followed, including backing Bidens ban on the railway workers strike, and new military aid to Israel since 7 October. Of course, AOC is a transparent careerist climber. It is a slander against the working class to say that they are not interested in theory or incapable of understanding it. If simply and skillfully explained in a lively way, if Marxists write good agitation and good propaganda on the diversest subjects, workers, starting with the advanced layer, will certainly be able to understand it. The power of Marxist theory is that it is true, and life teaches these same truths to workers on a daily basis. The role of Marxists is precisely to help workers draw all the correct revolutionary conclusions from their experience. We cannot take it for granted that correct political conclusions will automatically and spontaneously flow from the workers economic struggles. Lenin pointed to the example of Britain where the advocates of Fabianism, of snail-pace gradual reform, dominated the leadership of the Labour Party to show how the workers movement for concessions on the economic plane can also come under the political influence of middle-class liberals who look no further than petty reforms on the parliamentary plane. To avoid this, a determined struggle for political influence must be waged by the communists. As a short aside, we should note that in countering the distortions of the Economists, Lenin sometimes bent the stick in the other direction. This led to one formulation in particular in What is to be Done?, which Lenin actually borrowed from Kautsky but never subsequently repeated, that the working class exclusively by its own effort, is able to develop only trade union consciousness. This is clearly a mistake borne of exaggeration. As Lenin explained in the book itself, this was a sharply simplified and a blunt formula. This hasnt prevented many so-called Leninists from repeating these words. In fact, history is replete with examples of workers drawing far-ranging political conclusions, without these ideas necessarily being brought in from the outside by Marxists. It is enough, for instance, to point to the advanced political conclusions of physical force Chartism in Britain in the 1830s. What Lenin was correctly driving at, however, was the indispensable role of the revolutionary party in waging the political struggle, the first cadres of which can be drawn from all classes which in Russia included not only many students, but even the sons and daughters of capitalists and even aristocrats and the building of which is to some extent independent of the growth of the workers movement. A party of professional revolutionaries The Economists pointed to all the real problems plaguing the Marxist movement particularly the amateur methods and the resulting police raids that constantly disrupted its work but then drew all the wrong conclusions. In particular, they blamed these problems on the fact that students had for a long time predominated in the leadership of the Marxist circles. They argued, instead, to neglect work among students in favour of a broad party of workers; a party of masses, not leaders. But Lenin explained that the opposite of a loose, amateurish, poorly-led organisation is a centralised, disciplined, well-led organisation of trained, professional revolutionaries. By this, Lenin didnt just mean full-time party workers. As he put it in the editorial of the first issue of Iskra, a professional revolutionary is someone who will devote the whole of their lives, not only their spare evenings, to the revolution. Whether a professional revolutionary is a former student, intellectual or worker is immaterial. To explain his point, Lenin drew a direct comparison between the class war and conventional warfare. Many times in history, a small but well disciplined fighting force with good officers has defeated larger armies, composed of brave soldiers but led by poor officers. The same is true in the class war. A revolutionary party, if it is to be at all effective, must be built around politically and technically trained and steeled cadres. The only way such a party can achieve both political clarity and unity in action is by means of democratic centralism. The fullest democratic discussion throughout the party ranks before a decision is made in order to achieve clarity and raise the level of understanding. But after a decision is made, the strictest unity in action is absolutely necessary. This wasnt something Lenin invented. In fact, he took as his model the whole of the Marxist movement before him, and particularly the example of the German Social Democratic Party, which at that time still called itself a Marxist organisation and was regarded as a model internationally. Today, there are many people on the so-called Left who scoff at democratic centralism, having bought into the lies of bourgeois historians who blacken Lenins name by connecting it with Stalinism, falsely equivalating democratic centralism with the monstrous bureaucratic centralism of the Stalin dictatorship. These Lefts buy into this myth, believing they have discovered something far more democratic than Lenin in broad, loose networks as opposed to centralised party ties. Invariably, their innovations in democracy always lead to the emergence of bureaucratic cliques of unelected, unaccountable leadership, and finally to disaster. This is precisely what Lenin was aiming to prevent. In reality, the leaders of Momentum and Podemos were afraid of losing control of the organisation by giving initiative to the rank and file / Image: own work To take one example, shortly after Corbyn was elected Labour Party leader in 2015, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary workers and young people flooded the party, an attempt was made to give Corbynism an organised expression in Momentum. In its early days, hundreds of Momentum groups sprang up across the country and tens of thousands of people were drawn to its banner. Its leaders, like Jon Lansman, claimed they were creating a broad, grassroots movement. It all sounded very nice, very democratic. What did it mean in practice? Instead of democratic delegate conferences that could discuss political ideas, raise the level of understanding, and develop a programme of action that could push the internal revolution inside the Labour Party to completion, they erected a facade of democracy with occasional digital votes. They took as their model the example of Podemos, which held numerous, seemingly very democratic online debates and consultations. In the latter case, only those who had all the time in the world to dedicate to this online world of discussions could participate. Without proper internal channels, the majority ended up alienated from the whole process, reduced to a position of passivity. In reality, the leaders of Momentum and Podemos were afraid of losing control of the organisation by giving initiative to the rank and file. Instead, members were treated like unthinking foot soldiers for an electoral machine that could be turned on and off like a tap. In the end, Podemos became junior partners in a right-wing, social-democratic government. Meanwhile, Momentum led the Corbyn movement to a complete rout, and today, it is all but dead as an organisation. Deservedly so. The Momentum leaders, for their part, never had any pretension of being Marxists. But the situation is not much better for the many sectarian groups that do call themselves Marxist and even Leninist. Having rejected the existing mass workers organisations as rotten and bureaucratic, the Socialist Party in Britain has repeatedly tried to simply proclaim new, broad mass workers parties. In practice, they simply end up watering down their revolutionary profile, as the Economists did, taking on a reformist colouration, talking exclusively about bread and butter questions, and wasting a whole lot of time artificially keeping their lifeless broad front alive. Without exception, attempts like these have always failed. For us, as serious revolutionary communists, the building of a tight, disciplined organisation of professional revolutionaries grounded firmly in Marxist theory is not a flight of fancy. Its the absolutely indispensable prerequisite for building a fighting revolutionary party that can vie for political leadership of the working class. The October Revolution proved once and for all the correctness of Lenins conception. What is to be Done? remains, therefore, a handbook for us, as we move forward to found a Revolutionary Communist International. An all-Russian Marxist newspaper Once it is understood and agreed that we need a party of professional revolutionaries, the question is posed of a plan. How are we to go about this? Lenins answer was clear: the revolutionary movement required an all-Russian Marxist newspaper. The Economists were perplexed. For them, the question of a plan didnt even enter their horizons, and Lenins plan, at any rate, seemed awfully bookish. No, they said, we just need to do something: to do more practical activity, to build the movement, to collect strike funds, etc., etc. But the revolutionaries across Russia were already doing an awful lot of activity! The problem was, that activity was poorly coordinated. Groups in one part of the country were not able to learn from other areas. News of strikes in the Urals, massacres in the countryside, etc. went unnoticed elsewhere. Good quality theoretical material only sparingly made its way to the local groups, and connections with the national leadership were patchy at best. There was a massive duplication of effort as local newspapers sprang up all over the place, only to shut down after a wave of arrests by the Okhrana (tsarist secret police). As a guide line helps coordinate common work, so a paper would serve to guide the common work of a party / Image: public domain A national newspaper would allow the party to tackle all these issues at once. Such a newspaper would condense and bring to the attention of all its readers the main political points, the main lessons, and the key incidents in the class struggle nationally and internationally that the minds of the workers must be focussed on. But more than this, even the technical preparation of a paper would steel and discipline the organisation. Lenin explained the role of the paper using the brilliant analogy of a guide line used by bricklayers: The publication of an all-Russia political newspaper must be the main line by which we may unswervingly develop, deepen, and expand the organisation (viz., the revolutionary organisation that is ever ready to support every protest and every outbreak). Pray tell me, when bricklayers lay bricks in, various parts of an enormous, unprecedentedly large structure, is it paper work to use a line to help them find the correct place for the bricklaying; to indicate to them the ultimate goal of the common work; to enable them to use, not only every brick, but even every piece of brick which, cemented to the bricks laid before and after it, forms a finished, continuous line? And are we not now passing through precisely such a period in our Party life when we have bricks and bricklayers, but lack the guide line for all to see and follow? [] If we had a crew of experienced bricklayers who had learned to work so well together that they could lay their bricks exactly as required without a guide line (which, speaking abstractly, is by no means impossible), then perhaps we might take hold of some other link. But it is unfortunate that as yet we have no experienced bricklayers trained for teamwork, that bricks are often laid where they are not needed at all, that they are not laid according to the general line, but are so scattered that the enemy can shatter the structure as if it were made of sand and not of bricks. As a guide line helps coordinate common work, so a paper would serve to guide the common work of a party. It would stimulate regular contact and correspondence between the regions and the centre. It would require a network of distributors, the collection of money to fund the revolutionary organisation, and the development of a reliable network of contacts in the factories. The same contacts that Iskra and the various papers of the Bolshevik party later established among the Russian masses would act like the nerve network when the day came for preparing an insurrection. Continuing these tried and tested methods, in the run up to the launch of the Revolutionary Communist International, our comrades have recently launched or relaunched the communist press in a number of countries in the past few months, including in Britain, Canada, Germany, El Salvador, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary, with new papers in preparation in a whole series of further countries. Today, there are many so-called Lefts (including many who consider themselves disciples of Lenin!) who continue to scoff at genuine Leninists for insisting upon publishing a newspaper. They point to new forms of electronic and social media. Indeed, with a blog, any individual sitting in their basement can say whatever they like. But building a newspaper requires an all-round, professional organisation. It requires a clear editorial line, and a strong network of trained, educated correspondents. The carping critics of the revolutionary press fail to understand that what we are really building is not a paper at all: we are building the embryo of a revolutionary organisation. An international split Although Lenin was a Russian Marxist leader, his outlook was anything but purely national. He immediately grasped the overarching significance of Economism as merely the Russian form of a worldwide opportunist trend that had emerged within the workers movement. Everywhere, a clear division had been developing within the Socialist International between a revolutionary wing and an opportunist wing within the workers movement. In Germany, the labour movement was, in words, still committed to Marxism, but a treacherous bureaucracy of comfortable careerists was increasingly entrenching itself, particularly in the upper echelons of the party and the trade unions. A long period of boom lasting until 1914, in which the ruling class granted important concessions without serious class battles being fought, had sowed the illusion among a layer that things would continue getting better and better. Eduard Bernstein was the first to try and give a theoretical justification for this opportunism / Image: public domain Eduard Bernstein was the first to try and give a theoretical justification for this opportunism by attempting to revise Marxism. Capitalism, he claimed, was on the path of solving its internal contradictions. Peaceful development would continue indefinitely. For him, gradual, piecemeal reforms could obviate the need for revolution all the SPD had to do was increase the size of its parliamentary fraction, to push for small reforms, and press for incremental economic concessions.They were answered long in advance, however, by Rosa Luxemburg in her brilliant 1899 pamphlet, Reform or Revolution. All Bersteins prognostications about capitalism having rid itself of its contradictions would later be shattered in 1914 by the outbreak of the First World War. Unlike in Germany, Russian communists had to work underground. There were few legal avenues open to the party. A life of danger and sacrifice was all it could offer its members. Only those motivated by the noblest intentions were drawn into the movement. Self-serving careerists could find nothing there for them. Nonetheless, the same opportunist trend expressed itself, only in a subtler guise. But precisely the dangers and difficulties of revolutionary work in Russia, and the forcing of a whole generation into exile where they learnt from the lessons of the international movement, sharpened the minds of thousands of young revolutionaries. There is nothing accidental about this cleavage in the workers movement between opportunism and revolution. Its a sign of the times. With capitalism lurching from one crisis to the next, the room for serious, long-lasting reforms is evaporating. The days when serious reforms could be won, while paying lip service to the future socialist revolution, which seemed like a distant future prospect, are behind us. The question of the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism by the working class looms large. These days, reformism quickly ends up in betrayal and utter capitulation before the ruling class. The carcasses of Syriza and the Corbyn and Sanders movement are a stark reminder of this fact. The struggle to draw together all revolutionary communists into a party that will fight to break the influence of reformist opportunism over broad sections of the working class is the decisive struggle of our age. Before communists can conquer power, we must conquer the working class. In that sense, What is to be Done? has lost none of its vitality today. Reformists, sectarians and anarchists the world over regularly regurgitate the arguments of the Economists. They patronise the working class. They tell us that the consciousness of the working class is too low to understand revolutionary agitation. Instead, we must restrict ourselves to small deeds, they say. We narrow our focus to things like pure-and-simple trade unionism, mutual aid and bread and butter questions; we must make ourselves electable to the broad masses, instead of raising the sights of the masses to broad historical tasks that are beyond their ken. They treat workers like children, and, in fact, confuse their own backwardness and low level of consciousness for that of the workers. They dismiss the idea of a party of the vanguard of the working class based on professional revolutionaries as elitist. Instead, the reformists conceive of a party only as an electoral machine to get them into the parliament; whereas the anarchists worship spontaneous working-class action, conveniently absolving them of any need to act at all, except perhaps to give the workers a push through direct action. Lenin answered all this long ago, in razor-sharp polemical style, in What is to be Done? Communists must go back and read and reread this book to prepare for the period ahead. The patient work of Lenin and the Iskraists through texts like Where to Begin?, What is to be Done?, and in the pages of Iskra scored a stunning political victory against Economism. This laid the basis for the Second Congress of the RSDLP in 1903. In reality, this was the first real Congress of a mature party. But shortly after the Congress opened, a new split that would take on historic significance emerged. All the Congress participants were taken by surprise, and the editors of Iskra themselves were now divided: between Bolshevikii and Menshevikii words that in the years to follow took on enormous significance as synonyms for the revolutionary and opportunist wings of the party. Next week we will take a look at Lenins important 1904 work, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, in which he gave his first, meticulous assessment of this new division in the Russian workers movement. MPs on the Right of the Tory party have held talks with moderates about uniting behind Penny Mordaunt to replace Rishi Sunak. Sources said discussions were held this week about the possibility of crowning Ms Mordaunt as the new leader in a 'coronation' if the Prime Minister faces a confidence vote in the coming weeks. The move would mean an astonishing third change of PM since the last election but would avoid the need for another divisive leadership contest. Ms Mordaunt has been identified as a potential standard-bearer for Tory moderates in a future contest in which Right-wingers such as Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman would start as favourites. Until now, MPs on the Right of the party have opposed her because of her 'woke' views on gender issues. But a source involved with the rebels said a deal was emerging in which they could support her provided she sub-contracts the issue to them. Rebel Tory MPs are plotting to install Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt as Prime Minister in a 'coronation' A former minister from the moderate wing of the party suggested that it was 'much more likely' Rishi Sunak would be replaced as PM A deal between with rebels on the Right would see Ms Mordaunt sub-contract issues to them 'The mood has shifted a long way this week,' the source said. 'There is a feeling that we cannot go on as we are and that even Penny would be better. 'She would have to allow social policy to be set by others but if you got over that hurdle, you could see the Right prepared to swing behind her if it was the only way to get rid of Rishi and avoid a contest.' A former minister on the moderate wing of the party also suggested that replacing Mr Sunak was becoming 'much more likely' and that Ms Mordaunt was the only candidate the party could unite around without a contest. The source said: 'Until very recently I thought the idea of changing leader again was ridiculous. But No 10's handling of some recent events has been so astonishingly bad that I think it is becoming much more likely to happen. You could not have another contest and the only possible candidate I can see people uniting behind is Penny.' The plot has echoes of 2003 when Tory MPs removed Iain Duncan Smith as leader and replaced him with Michael Howard in a so-called 'coronation' because they feared electoral meltdown. Ms Mordaunt narrowly missed out in the contest to succeed Boris Johnson in 2022 when concern among Tory MPs about her views on trans rights saw her squeezed out of the final race between Mr Sunak and Liz Truss. But she has since boosted her national profile after a show-stealing performance in the Coronation in which she wielded the 8lb sword of state. A poll of Tory voters last month identified her as the only candidate able to boost the party's chances of winning the election. Respondents said Ms Mordaunt had a better chance than the PM of beating Sir Keir Starmer by a net margin of plus-seven points, compared with minus-20 for Ms Badenoch and minus-27 for Mrs Braverman. Respondents said Ms Mordaunt had a better chance than the PM of beating Sir Keir Starmer by a net margin of plus-seven points The prospect of a deal between moderates and the Right will send shockwaves through No 10, which is reeling from a week dominated by rows over the racist comments of a Tory donor and the defection of former deputy chairman Lee Anderson to Reform. Mr Sunak is planning to switch his focus back to the economy next week as he tries to convince his restive MPs they can still win the next election, despite polls showing a huge Labour lead. The PM is planning a series of announcements on business and apprenticeships in a bid to move on from a bruising week. He is also braced for a high-profile clash with peers over the flagship Rwanda legislation, which ministers hope to push through Parliament before Easter. On Thursday night, Mr Sunak formally moved to rule out a May 2 election after being warned by Tory MPs it would be a 'kamikaze mission'. But yesterday it appeared to have done little to boost the morale of Conservative MPs dismayed by the failure of the Budget to make an impact on opinion polls. 'The whole situation is just totally depressing,' said one MP. 'Until last week we could cling to the hope that the Budget would shift the dial, but it hasn't even caused a flicker. 'Instead, we've had another week of infighting and the next thing on the horizon is the local elections, which are going to be dire.' One source connected to the rebels said there had been a 'vibe shift' among MPs, with the mood going from 'resigned' to 'actively angry', following the botched handling of the row about the racist comments of leading Tory donor Frank Hester. An ally of the PM acknowledged that the past week had 'not been easy' but stressed the Government was still dealing with the fallout from the pandemic and war in Ukraine. Strategists believe that green shoots of recovery in the economy, coupled with significant tax cuts, will gradually feed through into a more benign environment for the party. Donald Trump's Stormy Daniels hush-money trial has been officially delayed by 30 days by a judge. The trial over claims the former president, 77, falsified records to cover up payments to porn star Stormy Daniels was due to begin on March 25. But the start date was pushed back due to a recent disclosure of thousands of pages of new documents by federal prosecutors that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's team and Trump's defense attorneys must sort through. Prosecutors led by Bragg had asked for a 30-day delay in the start of the trial to review new evidence on Thursday. And Trump last week asked Justice Juan Merchan to delay his trial on 34 counts until the Supreme Court finishes reviewing his claim of presidential immunity. The Supreme Court announced last month that it will hear arguments in Trump's immunity case on April 25. The trial over claims the former president, 77, falsified records to cover up payments to porn star Stormy Daniels was due to begin on March 25 Prosecutors in Donald Trump's hush money case said on Thursday they were not opposed to a 30-day delay in the trial Trump, the Republican candidate to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election , has pleaded not guilty. Without addressing that request, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan - which had previously looked into the allegations - had disclosed more than 100,000 pages to the parties in the case this month, and could soon produce more. Trump, the Republican candidate to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, has pleaded not guilty. With the Supreme Court agreeing to take the case, it also pushed back Trump's January 6 alleged insurrection case led by Special Counsel Jack Smith at least until the summer. It means the trial could be delayed by months, even if the former president loses at the Supreme Court, and if he wins the charges will be dismissed. The Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Trump is also facing federal charges for his alleged mishandling of classified documents when leaving the White House. He is separately facing state charges that he attempted to subvert the 2020 election results in Georgia. Trump has pleaded not guilty in all of the four criminal cases against him, seeking to portray them as politically motivated. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is leading the Stormy Daniels case against Trump In a single-page writ for what would be a historic ruling, the Supreme Court said it would consider: 'Whether and if so to what extent does a former president enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office.' The case got up to the Supreme Court after a lower appeals court in D.C. ruled he was not immune from prosecution. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on February 6 ruled 3-0 against Trump's immunity claim. The judges rejected his bid for 'unbounded authority to commit crimes that would neutralize the most fundamental check on executive power - the recognition and implementation of election results.' But after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the immunity argument, Smith's original March 4 date set for trial in Trump's election interference federal case was postponed indefinitely. Toronto police sparked outrage after advising residents to leave their car keys at the front door and let thieves to take their vehicles. This shocking message comes as car thefts have soared by 150 percent over six years in Canada's largest city, forcing residents to hide their cars in secret locations and fortify them with round-the-clock security. At a recent community safety townhall meeting held in Etobicoke, Toronto Police Service (TPS) Constable Marco Ricciardi addressed the issue and offered his controversial tip. 'To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your fobs at your front door, because thieves are breaking into homes solely to steal cars. They don't want anything else,' said Ricciardi. This bizarre advice has left residents and social media users outraged, with many attributing the rampant car theft to lax bail and sentencing rules under the administration of Justin Trudeau. Toronto police sparked outrage after Constable Marco Ricciardi (pictured) advised residents to leave their car keys at the front door and let thieves to take their vehicles The shocking message comes as car thefts have soared by 150 percent over six years in Canada 's largest city, forcing residents to hide their cars in secret locations and fortify them with round-the-clock security. Pictured: a car theft in Ontario's Richmond Hill back in August This bizarre advice has left residents and social media users outraged, with many attributing the rampant car theft to lax bail and sentencing rules under the administration of Justin Trudeau Ricciardi said residents could avoid potential home invasions by leaving car fobs at front doors, suggesting those break-ins could be violent and life-threatening. 'A lot of them that [police] are arresting have guns on them. And they are not toy guns. They are real guns, they are loaded,' he said at the meeting. A social media user wrote: 'Just leave the f**king car running at the end of your driveway. Why make them walk all the way up to the front door? Duh!' Another person chimed in by saying, 'That's a slippery slope because next it will be suggested to leave gas money too.' A flurry of comments points out that advising individuals to give their keys to armed thieves does not make sense and could lead to much more serious consequences. One user wrote: 'Let them have your car because they have guns. We knew that would happen. Next will be keep your doors unlocked and wife, girlfriend, or 10-year-old daughter ready to be gang raped at home.' Toronto residents have taken great pains in protecting their vehicles, as an estimated 90,000 cars are stolen each year in the city. Ricciardi said residents could avoid potential home invasions by leaving car fobs at front doors, suggesting those break-ins could be violent and life-threatening Critics have cited lax laws from Justin Trudeau , who in turn has blamed the previous Conservative government 'A catchy slogan won't stop auto theft,' the eight-year prime minister said at the conference February 8, speaking to allies, conservative rivals, and an assortment of police officers Meanwhile, auto thefts are up across the board in Canada's provinces - 50 percent in Quebec, 48 percent in Ontario, 34 percent in Atlantic Canada, and 18 percent in Alberta - costing residents about $1.2 billion a year. That's not including the fees incurred by private security firms employed by people like Nick Elworthy whose Farrari was stolen last year, which typically cost about $1200 to $1700 per day. Elworthy told the New York Times Saturday of how he was contacted by cops in Ottawa who recently found his Ferrari in a shipping container after it was stolen this past summer. 'I was absolutely ecstatic when I got the call from that officer. I was literally jumping up and down,' he said. Ottawa-based security service Northern Force Security said a premium service, 'includes round-the-clock security for private persons, and companies conducting on-site customer service.' These agents can do everything from patrolling to screening people entering the building as well as cars - typically in eight-hour shifts with three persons sharing the amount each day. Services that offer dogs - which Northern Force does not - tend to cost extra. The only pricier service is typically full-time security detail, usually reserved for celebrities and politicians. A stolen 2024 Chevrolet Corvette recovered by The Caledon Community Street Crime Unit this past December. Canadian collectors of luxury cars are taking greater pains in protecting their vehicles Toronto residents have taken great pains in protecting their vehicles, as an estimated 90,000 cars are stolen each year in the city. Pictured: Two of 25 stolen vehicles valued at more than $3.2 million recovered by cops in York in January Auto thefts are up across the board in Canada's provinces - 50 percent in Quebec, 48 percent in Ontario, 34 percent in Atlantic Canada, and 18 percent in Alberta - costing residents about $1.2 billion a year. Pictured: a stolen vehicle recovered by the York police The latter assembled in Ottawa February 8 to finally confront the far-reaching problem, which has reached crisis levels under Trudeau's administration. 'A catchy slogan won't stop auto theft,' Trudeau said in Ottawa February 8, speaking to an assortment of liberal allies, political rivals, and police officers. 'Cracking down on auto theft means bringing law enforcement, border services, port authorities, carmakers and insurance companies together.' The 52-year-old, who has been in office since 2015, proceeded to blame is conservative predecessors for the now years-long uptick, citing their lower spending on efforts surrounding border security. This, he claims, has made it harder for him to prevent stolen car from leaving the country - an industry that at this point valued in the billions. The sheer extent of theft occurring across the country, experts at the Ottawa conference said, has resulted in more than $1billion in costs to Canadian insurance policyholders and taxpayers. That sum spurred the Insurance Bureau of Canada to declare the country's spate of car theft had reached 'national crisis' levels, citing how insurers paid out the record sum, the equivalent of about $890 million American, in theft claims in 2022. This past year, meanwhile, could prove even worse, as 2022 is the most recent year nationwide statistics for such thefts are available. Still, Trudeau last month reassured Canadians the government is aware of the issue and is already considering a number of responses, including investing in its border agency. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has blamed the rise on Trudeau's passing of Bill C-75, a law it passed in 2019 that updated bail provisions in the Criminal Code. Others, including Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, brought up increasing penalties for auto thieves, and banning imports of key fob hacking devices like the TikTok-famous Flipper Zero. Poilievre, meanwhile, has since taken to social media and YouTube to criticize Trudeau and his administration, claiming it is excessively lenient in bail and sentencing for offenders. He has called for Trudeau to in turn reverse Bill C-75, a law it passed in 2019 that updated bail provisions in the Criminal Code. 'The prime minister, with the support of The NPD, passed catch and "release" that allows career car thieves to be released the same day they are caught stealing cars, to have house arrest, and to have shorter sentences, many of which they serve in their living room watching Netflix,' Poilievre said at Canada's Parliament this month. 'That has led to a 100 percent increase in car theft in Montreal and Ottawa, and a 300 percent increase in Toronto. 'Will they reverse these disastrous and reckless policies so that we can stop the crime?' Students have occupied university buildings around the country as part of pro-Palestine protests organised by the 'extremist' Socialist Workers Party. It is the latest escalation in campaigning on campuses by the far-Left group, which has expressed 'unconditional' support for Hamas. An investigation by the Daily Mail discovered that the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) has set up student societies at 26 universities 17 of which are officially affiliated with student unions. Undercover reporters who attended talks on campus organised by the Manchester Socialist Workers Student Society (SWSS) and the London SWSS last month heard speakers praise the October 7 terror attacks and demand students take more radical action to support Palestine. Politicians and Jewish charities condemned student unions for allowing the SWP to form official societies. Students have occupied university buildings around the country as part of pro-Palestine protests organised by the 'extremist' Socialist Workers Party. Picture from protest at Leeds University An investigation by the Daily Mail discovered that the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) has set up student societies at 26 universities. Picture from protest at Leeds University Minister for skills Robert Halfon said: 'I have contacted all vice chancellors reaching out to many personally to ask them to step up and crack down on anti-Semitism on university campuses.' On Thursday student protesters linked to the Leeds SWSS swarmed the university's landmark Parkinson Building chanting 'Israel is a terror state' and 'ceasefire now'. They have refused to leave until the university's management meets their demands, which include firing the university's Jewish chaplain, Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch, who served as a reservist in the Israel Defence Forces. He and his young family were forced into hiding last month after being bombarded with rape and death threats. A University of Leeds spokesman said: 'Whilst we respect the right to free speech, we are working to minimise disruption for building users and to conclude the occupation.' Jake, a Jewish student at Leeds University, said: 'It is disappointing to be in such a hostile environment while the university seems to be doing nothing.' Leeds SWSS is not officially affiliated to the university's student union. In Bristol, students affiliated to the SWP occupied the university's Victoria Rooms last Friday. They have refused to leave until the university stops being 'complicit' in the 'Gaza genocide'. A University of Bristol spokesman said: 'We respect our students' freedom of speech and right to protest.' At University College London (UCL), students, including some linked to the London SWSS, stormed the Jeremy Bentham Room on Thursday, adorning the wall with a banner that reads 'apartheid-free zone'. They are refusing to leave until their demands are met. These include renaming UCL's Student Centre after Gazan poet and activist Refaat Alareer, a former student at the university who was killed in an Israeli air strike in December. Following claims that an Israeli baby was found burned alive in an oven after the October 7 terror attacks, Mr Alareer tweeted: 'With or without baking powder.' A UCL spokesman stressed that London SWSS is not formerly affiliated with UCL's students' union. A spokesman for the Community Security Trust, a charity that protects Jews in the UK, said: 'The SWP is an extremist organisation with a history of anti-Semitism and students' unions should not have anything to do with them.' Last month, a Mail undercover reporter attended a Manchester SWSS meeting at which Lewis Nielsen, national secretary of the SWP, said: 'The 7th of October was the Palestinians fighting back.' Politicians and Jewish charities condemned student unions for allowing the SWP to form official societies. Picture from protest at Leeds University Addressing around 25 students, he said: 'To be honest with you, like all anti-colonial struggles... I actually think that people have the right to fight back against colonialism.' He added: 'It's incredibly brave that the Palestinian people fight back at all.' Manchester SWSS is officially affiliated with the Manchester University Students' Union. This means that SWSS events can be held on campus and they can advertise themselves at student fairs. A student SWP leader told our undercover reporter: 'We did get banned for a bit at the University of Manchester because of our position on Palestine. 'But we're kind of back there now anyway. We are registered at both of them [Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University].' Members of the Manchester SWSS are encouraging students to participate in 'more radical action', including 'occupation, mass civil disobedience, [and] walkouts'. At a separate SWSS meeting in London last month, organisers distributed a revised version of a booklet entitled 'Palestine: Resistance, Revolution and the Struggle for Freedom'. In October, the pamphlet was investigated by police for 'unconditionally' praising Hamas. The updated edition, handed out at the SWSS event in London, removed explicit references to Hamas but still stated that Palestinians 'have the right to take up arms'. Speakers at the meeting, held at Birkbeck University, stood in front of banners carrying the notorious slogan 'from the river to the sea'. The phrase has been labelled as 'genocidal' by the Campaign Against Antisemitism because they claim it calls 'for the destruction of the world's only Jewish state'. Last October 14, several SWSS societies shared an Instagram message expressing 'unconditional but not uncritical' support for the October 7 attacks. The post has since been deleted. Laurence Taylor, the Metropolitan Police's deputy assistant commissioner, has previously said: 'The law is clear that support for proscribed organisations is illegal. A spokesman for the Union of Jewish Students said: 'It is high time universities disaffiliate any society found guilty of spreading such racist extremism.' The SWP did not respond to a request for comment. An RAF jet attacked by the Kremlin was denied electronic warfare protection in a desperate effort to save money. The aircraft, which has been routinely used by senior members of the Royal Family and prime ministers, was literally defenceless when Russia jammed its GPS system. The VIP jet was flying Defence Secretary Grant Shapps home from a Nato exercise in Poland when it suffered a half-hour satellite and communications blackout on Wednesday. As well as the lack of military-grade GPS, the aircraft also has no counter-measures against a missile strike. The sustained jamming attack exposed the shocking vulnerability of the aircraft which will eventually cost an estimated 150million to upgrade to military standards. Yet the Dassault Falcon 900LX was flown close to Kaliningrad the epicentre of Russian electromagnetic and cyber warfare capabilities. The VIP jet was flying Defence Secretary Grant Shapps home from a Nato exercise in Poland when it suffered a half-hour satellite and communications blackout on Wednesday The aircraft, which has been routinely used by senior members of the Royal Family and prime ministers, was literally defenceless when Russia jammed its GPS system Rishi Sunak has flown on the jet at least nine times. It has also been used by the King and Prince William, as well as Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. The French-manufactured aircraft is favoured by the jetset, including Taylor Swift. When the RAF acquired two Dassaults for 80 million in February 2022 air chiefs insisted the jets would be 'upgraded with missile jamming systems and military communications'. But the essential work will not be undertaken before 2026, according to official documents. Only after military upgrades will the Dassaults offer the same protection as the four Royal Flight BAE-146s they succeeded. The decision to accept the Dassaults into service without military grade protections and to fly the aircraft into Vladimir Putin's backyard has stunned MPs. Former defence minister Mark Francois told the Mail: 'It beggars belief that this country's VIP transport aircraft, for senior ministers and even members of the Royal Family, was brought into service without a comprehensive defensive electronics suite. 'Nelson's sailors used to talk about 'spoiling the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar', but this is the 21st century equivalent. It is just ridiculous.' The BAE-146s, which were withdrawn from service in 2022, were fitted with defensive aids suites to protect against electronic warfare threats. It was allegedly attacked by the Kremlin. The sustained jamming attack exposed the shocking vulnerability of the aircraft which will eventually cost an estimated 150million to upgrade to military standards Such equipment helps to detect, prioritise and counter threats automatically, employing measures such as chaff, flares, infrared lamps, lasers and radar warning receivers. The Mail understands the Dassaults are specifically lacking critical US technologies including Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASM) and M- Code, which would protect them. SAASM are decryption components in GPS receivers which provide security against Russian jamming systems. A security source said: 'It is cravenly dangerous to fly a UK military aircraft close to Kaliningrad without this sort of protection. For the Ministry of Defence to just say 'oh, we'll live with the risk until 2026 and pay for the upgrades then' is so complacent.' The decision not to upgrade the VIP jets with military-grade technologies was last night defended by Ben Wallace, who was defence secretary at the time. He told The Times it would have been 'a vanity project' that took 'millions away from military programmes when the defence budget was already being squeezed.' Last night an MoD spokesman said: 'As announced in 2022, the Envoy aircraft are being upgraded to full military and operational capability. It is not unusual for aircraft to experience GPS jamming near Kaliningrad and at no time was the safety of the aircraft threatened.' Nicola Sturgeon was handed an astonishing 64,000 taxpayer-funded payoff after she stood down as First Minister, the Mail can reveal. The former SNP leader was given the huge sum to help her to prepare for life after high office. It was worked out based on her reign of just over eight years as Scotland's longest-serving First Minister. She was handed the 'officeholder resettlement grant' in late June. It is not known what Ms Sturgeon has done with the money. Critics said the public will find the payoff 'hard to stomach' following a series of controversies since she left Bute House. Nicola Sturgeon was handed a taxpayer-funded 64,000 payoff after stepping down as First Minister Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: 'This significant payout will stick in the craw of hard-pressed Scots. 'While this payment is within the rules, Nicola Sturgeon has lost all credibility and many members of the public who are also feeling the effects of her failures to focus on Scotland's real priorities during her time in office will find this news hard to stomach. 'Nicola Sturgeon's record as First Minister is dire in virtually every policy area, so this payoff looks like a reward for failure.' The details were uncovered following a freedom of information request to the Scottish parliament, which is responsible for issuing resettlement grants to MSPs and government ministers. It asked how much severance pay was awarded to Ms Sturgeon when she stepped down as First Minister. The response said: 'We can confirm a resettlement grant of 64,378 was paid to Nicola Sturgeon MSP in 2023.' Officials confirmed the payment is required to be made 90 days after a First Minister formally ceases holding office, which was June 26. Before 2009, First Ministers received 50 per cent of their final salary as an annual pension. Following the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Act 2009, they now receive a minimum of 50 per cent of salary as a one-off payment. A complicated formula to work out the sum divides the number of years of continuous service by 12 and then multiplies this by 100 to work out how many thousands of pounds are handed over. Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said that Ms Sturgeon had 'lost all credibility' Ms Sturgeon tendered her resignation on March 28 last year. She was arrested and questioned by police on June 11 as part of Operation Branchform into the SNP's finances, before being released without charge pending further investigation. In January she was criticised over deleted WhatsApp messages when she appeared at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. She said she had deleted her exchanges about Covid, but insisted any 'salient points' discussed about government policy would be recorded on the corporate record. Last year, Ms Sturgeon set up a company to handle income from her earnings outside politics. She registered Nicola Sturgeon Ltd at Companies House weeks after she signed a deal for her memoirs. Experts have estimated she could secure as much as 1million from the contract with publisher Pan Macmillan. Her Scottish parliament register of interests shows she received 75,000 from Pan Macmillan in August as the first of four advance payments for the book. Last night, a Scottish parliament spokesman said: 'The grant payable to First Ministers on leaving office is set out in the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009.' The Mail asked a spokesman for Ms Sturgeon if there was anything specific she intended to do with the resettlement grant but she declined to comment. A gang of suitcase snatchers stole luggage worth 14,000 from unsuspecting train passengers in a series of thefts, a court has heard. Nadezhda Ivanova, 42, her daughter Gina Kalcheva and Mariana Petrova caused huge disruption, stress and inconvenience to the LNER customers. The three women - who were aided by a Bulgarian interpreter in court - were tracked down because one victim had locator software on her stolen iPad. Ivonova was jailed for 27 months while Kalchev, 22, and Petrova, 30, received suspended prison sentences at Newcastle Crown Court. adezhda Ivanova (left) and Mariana Petrova (right) at Newcastle Crown Court today The three women - who were aided by a Bulgarian interpreter in court - were tracked down because one victim had locator software on her stolen iPad. Pictured is Gina Kalcheva The trio were targeting passengers travelling between Newcastle and Darlington on 'various trains' - and were captured on CCTV at different railway stations. The first victim was targeted in June 2022 and had 815 worth of belongings stolen from her. In an impact statement read to the court, she said the items were 'irreplaceable' and she suffered anxiety after the incident, the Chronicle reported. She hasn't travelled by train since and lacks confidence that her luggage will be safe. The very same day, another woman had belongings worth 6,000 stolen from her. Vince Ward, prosecuting, said: "In that woman's luggage was an iPad with tracker software downloaded to it, and because of that the police were able to discover that the iPad was in a local youth hostel,' the Chronicle reported. Pictured is Nadezhda Ivanova, who has been jailed for 27 months at Newcastle Crown Court Mariana Petrova, who received a suspended sentence for her part in the thefts Gina Kalchev, 22, admitted three counts of theft at Newcastle Crown Court today A few days later, another woman had more than 2,000 of property stolen. She was at the beginning of a journey back to China and lost both jewellery and medication. In February last year, a man had 5,000 worth of luggage stolen - including two iPads and four family passports which were later recovered. Some of the items had been discarded in a churchyard. At Newcastle Crown Court, Ivanova and Petrova admitted four counts of theft while Kalcheva admitted three counts of theft. Petrova was sentenced to two years suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work. Ivanova was jailed for 27 months and Katcheva got eight months suspended for 12 months, with 150 hours unpaid work. Pierce Brosnan offered his 'heartfelt apologies' as he was fined $500 (392) for stepping off a trail in Yellowstone National Park. The James Bond star was caught after posting pictures online of himself in the thermal area during a visit in November, a Wyoming court heard. He has also been ordered to make a $1,000 donation by the end of the month to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organisation that supports the park. Posting on his Instagram page late on Thursday, Brosnan, 70, said he was 'an environmentalist' who had 'the utmost respect for and love of our natural world'. He added: 'However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. Pierce Brosnan offered his 'heartfelt apologies' as he was fined $500 (392) for stepping off a trail in Yellowstone National Park The James Bond star was caught after posting pictures online of himself in the thermal area during a visit in November, a Wyoming court heard READ MORE: Pierce Brosnan pleads guilty to illegal hiking charge and agrees to pay $1,500 fine for walking into protected Yellowstone hot spring Advertisement 'I did not see a 'No Trespassing' sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. 'I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy.' Brosnan, 70, walked in an off-limits area at Mammoth Terraces, in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana line, on Nov. 1, according to citations issued by the park. He uploaded images of himself standing in the snow on the thermal feature to his Instagram page, court records said. Mammoth Terraces is a scenic spot of mineral-encrusted hot springs bubbling from a hillside. Federal rules stipulate visitors to national parks must stay on the designated walkways. Brosnan left the designated walkway and attempted to access thermals at Mammoth Terraces The Irish star had been in the area filming 'The Unholy Trinity,' a Western starring Brosnan as a sheriff alongside Samuel L. Jackson. He is seen here in 'Dante's Peak' Venturing off the boardwalk is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Brosnan initially pleaded not guilty in January to wandering into the 'delicate' and dangerous hot springs at Yellowstone National Park, despite being pictured standing on the protected area at the time of the alleged infraction. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick then granted the 70-year-old's request to cancel his initial appearance. The features at Yellowstone are dangerous and fragile and if damaged they can take years to correct. Numerous people have been killed from falling into Yellowstone's scalding pools. They include Colin Nathaniel Scott, who is thought to have dissolved in the hot acidic water after leaving the boardwalk at the parks Norris Geyser Basin in search of a place to soak in 2015. In 2021, a Connecticut woman was jailed for seven days, fined $2,000 and banned from Yellowstone for two years for leaving the walkway and approaching the thermals. Labour is set to drop its flagship pledge on the economy, a Shadow Cabinet source said last night. Sir Keir Starmer vowed last year that he would transform the UK into the fastest growing economy in the G7 by the end of Labours first term in office. The pledge was the first of Sir Keirs five missions for a Labour government and was launched in a blaze of publicity in which he claimed his new mission-led approach would put an end to the sticking-plaster politics of the past. But the promise has been downgraded in a new campaign Bible produced for activists ahead of the election. Sir Keir Starmer vowed last year that he would transform the UK into the fastest growing economy in the G7 by the end of Labours first term in office The pledge was the first of Sir Keirs five missions for a Labour government and was launched in a blaze of publicity in which he claimed his new mission-led approach would put an end to the sticking-plaster politics of the past. Pictured: Enviroment Minister Therese Coffe Labour yesterday insisted that the pledge had not been dropped. But a Shadow Cabinet source told the Mail that it would be abandoned altogether before the general election after a review found it could not be delivered. The growth pledge is dead. Its already being replaced by get Britain building and you wont see a word of it in the manifesto, the source said. Former Cabinet minister Therese Coffey said the move was further evidence that Labour had no plan to transform the economy. Ms Coffey, a member of the Commons Treasury committee, said: It shows Labours lack of ambition to get the economy growing in the way that we need to get good jobs and sustainable funding for public services. 'This government has turned the corner and is getting growth going again. The crucial difference with Labour is that we have a plan to get on the growth accelerator and they dont. When the Labour pledge was launched by Sir Keir and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves in February last year, it was headlined: Secure the highest growth in the G7. The Labour leader said it would be delivered by the end of his first term in office. But in a new official guide for Labour candidates, the mission on the economy has been rebranded as Get Britain Building Again and focuses on the more modest ambitions of planning reform and boosting skills training. Achieving the fastest growth in the G7 receives only a brief reference in the small print. When the Labour pledge was launched by Sir Keir and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) in February last year, it was headlined: Secure the highest growth in the G7' Several Labour insiders believe it will join the growing list of promises jettisoned by Sir Keir has he tries to make his manifesto bomb-proof against Tory attacks. One senior figure pointed the finger at Ms Reeves, whose pledge to borrow 28 billion a year to fund green initiatives has already been watered down. It is another example of a loose pledge which should never have been made, the source said. How can we promise to make growth the fastest in the G7? It is not something we can completely control it is undeliverable. Maybe Rachel isnt quite the strategic genius we keep being told she is. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer could face prison after he refused to reveal the identities of whistleblowers in Britain's special forces who raised concerns about the alleged executions of Afghans conducted by members of the SAS. Former soldier Mr Mercer has declined to provide an inquiry into the alleged atrocities with the names of his sources despite being the subject of an official request, according to reports. His sources are said to be witnesses who were given assurances that their identities would be protected were they to raise concerns about their comrades. However, Mr Mercer has been told that his refusal to name sources is 'completely unacceptable' and is obstructing the inquiry's progress. Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, chair of the inquiry, told Mr Mercer during a hearing that he has 'very significant powers' under the Inquiries Act 2005 which he would be willing to use if necessary. Johnny Mercer, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, could face prison if he continues to refuse to reveal the identities of his sources alleging war crimes in Afghanistan The inquiry is looking into allegations that British special forces carried out illegal killings of Afghan detainees and unarmed men (file picture of British soldiers in Afghanistan in 2010) Mr Mercer giving evidence to the Afghanistan Inquiry in February. He has been warned he could fall foul of the Inquiries Act, which can compel people to hand over evidence Inquiry chair Sir Charles Haddon-Cave told Mr Mercer he had 'very significant powers' under the Act that he would use if necessary Section 36 of the Act states that a person is guilty of an offence if they fail 'without reasonable excuse' to comply with a request to produce evidence. Those found guilty of the offence can be fined up to 1,000 and sent to prison. In England and Wales, the maximum jail term is 51 weeks. And if convicted, Mr Mercer would find himself with a criminal record - a breach of the ministerial code that could force him out of office. READ MORE: Extraordinary scenes as Johnny Mercer hits back at demands to name officers who told him about alleged Afghanistan crimes Advertisement The Telegraph reports that Lord Justice Haddon-Cave warned the veterans minister he ran the risk of being 'part of what is, in effect, an omerta, a wall of silence, and this wall of silence is obstructing the inquiry and access to the truth'. 'Omerta' is a term originating in southern Italy among organised crime groups such as the Mafia, referring to the code of silence adhered to by members when they are placed under investigation. It forbids gangsters from responding to questions from authorities such as the police and government on their activities. The inquiry chair told Mr Mercer of his refusal to hand over details of his sources: 'It gives rise to potentially serious legal consequences which may need to be put in train. 'I have, I'm afraid, very significant powers under the Inquiries Act 2005, which I would prefer not to have to use. But you can be assured, Mr Mercer, that I will if necessary.' The probe is investigating claims that special forces carried out extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, shortly before Britain withdrew from the country alongside other Nato allies. Mr Mercer said in a written statement to the inquiry last year that 'serving officers' had informed him of allegations of war crimes regarding the UK's most elite soldiers. The allegations include claims of SAS troops shooting Afghan detainees and unarmed men dead in suspicious circumstances. In some cases, untraceable weapons were allegedly placed on the bodies of those killed in order to suggest that they posed a threat before they were killed. The MP served in Afghanistan and told the inquiry he had been aware of allegations about SAS activities in the country - investigating them after he was appointed to his ministerial role. Mr Mercer said of his sources: 'The simple reality is at this stage that I'm not prepared to burn them.' Mr Mercer declined to comment when approached by the Telegraph. MailOnline has contacted the MP for further comment. But a friend of the MP told the paper: 'These sources are not people who are in any way suspects. This is not about him protecting wrongdoers.' Tessa Gregory, a partner at Leigh Day, the law firm representing some of the Afghan families whose relatives were allegedly killed by the SAS, previously told BBC News that his testimony 'lays bare the depth of concern...that UK special forces were carrying out extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan'. A United Airlines plane built by Boeing was grounded Friday after it was found to be missing a panel after it touched down following a flight. The plane is a Boeing 737-824, and successfully touched down in Medford Airport in Oregon despite the missing part. No injuries were reported, Jackson County Airport Director Amber Judd said, adding the flight had originated from San Francisco. She reiterated the plane was not a new aircraft, unlike the slew of incidents seen in recent months. An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-MAX 9 lost a door mid-flight in January. The incident - only the latest from the embattled manufacturer - occurred Monday, and is the sixth involving a Boeing plane in 10 days. Judd further clarified the part fell off midflight, as feds continue to look into Boeing's production practices. A United Airlines plane built by Boeing was grounded Friday after it was found to be missing a panel after it touched down following a flight. Pictured: The missing part on the 25-year-old Boeing 737-824 Jackson County Airport Director Amber Judd reiterated the plane was not a new aircraft, unlike the slew of incidents seen in recent months. An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-MAX 9 lost a door mid-flight in January, with several incident involving Boeing-made planes occurring since 'It was not a MAX aircraft,' Judd said following the Friday scare. United Airlines, meanwhile, issued a statement, confirming that the 139 passengers and six crew members who had been on board were all safe. It read: 'This afternoon United flight 433 landed safely at its scheduled destination at Rogue Valley International/Medford Airport. 'After the aircraft was parked at the gate, it was discovered to be missing an external panel. 'Well conduct a thorough examination of the plane and perform all the needed repairs before it returns to service. 'We'll also conduct an investigation to better understand how this damage occurred.' United went on to reveal that it was the wing-to-body fairing that ripped off - a part is located on the underside of the aircraft where the wing meets the aircraft body. The panel sits just adjacent to where the landing gear deploys, and serves as a protective shell between the wing and the fuselage. According to the online flight tracker FlightAware, the flight took off from San Francisco International at 10:20am PDT, and landed in Oregon at 11:36am. The same aircraft, tail number N26226, was supposed to embark on a flight from Medord to Denver later in the day - a trip that has since been postponed due to the panel blowout. United brass acknowledged the delay in a statement to its website, saying: 'We're sorry for the delay. Our Maintenance team needs to service equipment on the exterior of your aircraft before we depart. 'We'll keep you updated as we get more information'. The incident comes just three days after another incident, where a Boeing plane was forced to land due to hydraulic fluid spewing from its landing gear area. Now being investigated, the technical failure also occurred in midair on a United flight Meanwhile, ex Boeing Quality Manager John Barnett - who had been in the midst of a whistleblower retaliation suit against the manufacturer - was found dead from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday, while meeting Boeing lawyers in South Carolina Barnett was found dead inside his truck on Saturday in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Charleston, pictured above The incident comes just three days after another incident, where a Boeing plane was forced to land due to hydraulic fluid spewing from its landing gear area. It was also a United Flight. Also under investigation, the forced landing happened as the San Francisco-bound 777-300 embarked from Sydney, with fluid filmed leaking from its undercarriage. It also comes less than a week after a former Boeing staffer was found dead by an apparent suicide, while doing depositions for a suit he filed against the firm alleging he witnessed second-rate parts being fitted on planes. After the incident Monday - and another hours before that saw 50 passengers injured on the firm's flagship 787-Dreamliner - Boeing lost more than $4billion overnight, after shares dropped more than 4 percent Tuesday morning. The FAA has since revealed the firm failed 33 of 89 audits during an exam of Boeing's 737 Max - a model it had been planning to update with the long delayed Max 10. After the incident Monday - and the several before - United Airlines requested the firm halt work on the unreleased jets: an apparent sign of carriers' diminishing faith. The Boeing whistleblower found dead, 62-year-old John Barnett, had given stark warnings over the aviation giant's 787 Dreamliner and 737 Max models specifically in an interview, just weeks before his demise. In the midst of a deposition in a whistleblower lawsuit in Charleston related to production of the 787 Dreamliner plane, Barnett was found with a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound in the parking lot of a hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. A file photo show Boeing employees walk the company's new, flagship 787-10 Dreamliner down towards the delivery ramp at the company's facility in South Carolina His suit alleged under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting 'sub-standard' parts to Boeing 787s, and that brass were sweeping defects under the rug to save money. The FAA has since revealed the firm failed a whopping 33 of 89 audits during an exam of production practices involving the also new 737 Max - another model Barnett mentioned in a January interview with TMZ days after the door incident. Providing his take on a technical failure that saw a passenger compartment fly off its hinges midflight, Barnett claimed both models were being victimized by recent shifts in strategy by Boeing brass to meet manufacturing deadlines. 'This is not a 737 problem - this is a Boeing problem,' he said after being asked if he believed the 737 was safe to fly following the door incident and a subsequent FAA inspection. 'I know the FAA is going in and done due diligence and inspections to ensure the door close on the 737 is installed properly and the fasteners are stored properly,' he said, citing the parts that likely played a part in the incident. 'But, my concern is, "What's the rest of the airplane? What's the condition of the rest of the airplane?"' He went on to provide a reason for that concern - one that he said led him to file the lawsuit against the aviation firm. 'Back in 2012, Boeing started removing inspection operations off their jobs,' he told TMZ's Charles Latibeaudiere and Harvey Levin, recalling his time as a quality overseer at Boeing's plant in South Carolina, which manufactured mostly 787s. 'So, it left the mechanics to buy off their own work,' he explained. 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 Barnett went on to charge that the incident involving the door was indicative of something greater - and something alleged in his lawsuit - Boeing turning a blind eye to safety concerns in order to raise their bottom line. 'What we're seeing with the door plug blowout is what I've seen with the rest of the airplane, as far as jobs not being completed properly, inspection steps being removed, issues being ignored,' he charged, months before his sudden death. 'My concerns are with the 737 and 787, because those programs have really embraced the theory that quality is overhead and non value added. 'Those two programs have really put a strong effort into removing quality from the process.' The FAA appears to have stood up some of the expert's assertions after revealing how a six-week audit found 'multiple instances where [Boeing] allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements' of its 737s. At one point during the exam, feds found that mechanics at Spirit AeroSystems - one of Boeing's main suppliers - used a hotel key card to check a door seal, and a liquid Dawn soap to a door seal 'as lubricant in the fit-up process.' That action was 'not identified/documented/called-out in the production order,' a document outlining the probe said - spurring FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker to decree Boeing must develop a comprehensive plan to address such 'systemic quality-control issues' within 90 days. Days earlier, another United Airlines jet, flying out of Australia, had to turn around midflight because of a midair mechanical issue. that caused 'a strong movement' that jolted passengers in their seats, reportedly sending one into the ceiling He sent a summary of its findings to the companies in its completed audit, after an all-day February 27 meeting with CEO Dave Calhoun. He did not state the specific corrective actions Boeing and Spirit must take. 'Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,' Whitaker explained at the time last week. 'We are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations.' Calhoun responded in his own statement, saying that Boeing's leadership team was 'totally committed' to addressing FAA concerns and developing the plan. Meanwhile, Spirit, which makes the fuselage for the now scrutinized MAX, issued a statement saying it was 'in communication with Boeing and the FAA on appropriate corrective actions.' In response, Boeing brass claimed that after the 'quality stand-downs, the FAA audit findings, and the recent expert review panel report, [the firm has] a clear picture of what needs to be done.' Days earlier, another United Airlines jet, flying out of Australia, had to turn around midflight because of a midair mechanical issue. that caused 'a strong movement' that jolted passengers in their seats, reportedly sending one into the ceiling. At least five were hospitalized, and roughly 50 people were treated by first responders. The cause of the issue - as is the case with the California-bound craft - remains unknown. Both incidents are now under investigation, at a time where the firm is already under heavy scrutiny. The first, also involving a Boeing 737, occurred March 4 shortly after takeoff from Florida's Fort Meyers, and saw one of the plane's engines catch fire. Footage from the cabin showed passengers screaming as they witnessed flames billowing over one of the plane's wings That attention stems from a separate incident involving a 737 Max that happened in early January, where an unused emergency exit door blew off a brand-new plane shortly after take-off from Portland International. Feds have been vetting the incident ever since, during which time Boeing's value has nosedived an eye-watering $150billion to $112billion. Also within that span, the firm has seen at least five other planes - including the one Friday - experience technical failures. The first, also involving a Boeing 737, occurred March 4 shortly after takeoff from Florida's Fort Meyers, and saw one of the plane's engines catch fire. Footage from the cabin showed passengers screaming and crying as they witnessed flames billowing up over one of the plane's wings, after one of the turbines on the United flight somehow ingested bubble wrap before the departure, the airline said. No one was injured during the incident. A few days later, on another United flight, a wheel fell off a Boeing 777-200 shortly after takeoff in San Francisco. As was the case with the other mishaps, it occurred shortly after take-off, and saw the 256lb wheel crush several cars parked below after plummeting to the ground. The United Airlines flight on its way to Osaka was barely off the runway when the Boeing 777-200's wheel came off, with footage showing it laying on the runway A few days later, on another United flight, a wheel fell off a Boeing 777-200 shortly after takeoff in San Francisco . As was the case with the other mishaps, it occurred shortly after take-off, and saw the 256lb wheel crush several cars parked below after plummeting to the ground Then, on Friday, On Friday, a United Airlines aircraft skidded off a runway into a grassy area after a rough landing in Houston The aircraft, which arrived from Memphis, is said to have suffered some form of gear collapse as it exited the runway at George Bush Airport. The 160 passengers and six crew were not injured Footage showed the plane stopped with its wing touching the ground by the side of the runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder. The plane, in that case, was also a Boeing 737 Max The next day, retired Boeing Quality Manager Barnett - seen here complaining about the production practices of the 737 Max and 787 in an interview with TMZ earlier this year -was found dead in South Carolina. The plane with 235 passengers and 14 crew diverted to Los Angeles Airport after it was alerted to the landing gear failure at 11:35am Thursday, before eventually landing safely at LAX at around 1.20pm with no further incident. No injuries reported on the ground. United, at the time, issued a statement that seemingly attempted to quell riders' concerns: 'The 777-200 has six tires on each of its two main landing gear struts. 'The aircraft is designed to land safely with missing or damaged tires.' The craft is the same model seen leaking hydraulic fluid in Sydney on Monday. Then, on Friday, On Friday, a United Airlines aircraft skidded off a runway into a grassy area after a rough landing in Houston. The aircraft, which arrived from Memphis, is said to have suffered some form of gear collapse as it exited the runway at George Bush Airport. The 160 passengers and six crew were not injured. Footage showed the plane stopped with its wing touching the ground by the side of the runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder. The plane, in that case, was also a Boeing 737 Max. A few hours later, a flight from San Francisco to Mexico City was diverted to LA after an issue with the planes hydraulic system, United Airlines said - this time referring to a Boeing 777-300, the same model seen spewing hydraulic fluid on Monday. None of the 183 passengers or crew were injured. The next day, retired Boeing Quality Manager Barnett was found dead in South Carolina. In January, he outlined to TMZ in January how he began to push back at brass at the then-new South Carolina plant in 2010 when they allegedly started to pushback on his quality control of the 787 Dreamliner, one of several crafts now making headlines. 'When I first started working at Charleston, I was in charge of pushing back defects to our suppliers,' he told Latibeaudiere and Levin, appearing virtually days before heading back to the South Carolina city to handle depositions with Boeing lawyers, his attorney confirmed 'What that meant was, I'd take a group of inspectors and actually go to the supplier and inspect their product before they sent it in,' he continued. 'I'd take a team of four inspectors to Spirit Aerosystems to inspect the 41 section [the portion of an aircraft, extending from the nose to just aft of the cockpit window] before they sent it Charleston, and we found 300 defects.' He went on: 'Some of them were significant that needed engineering intervention. 'When I returned to Charleston, my senior manager told me that we had found too many defects, and he was gonna take the next trip,' he then revealed. 'So, the next trip he went on, he took two of my inspectors, and when they got back they were given accolades for only finding 50 defects. So, I pulled that inspector aside, and I said, "did Spirit really clean up their act that quick? That don't sound right. 'And she was mad. She said, no - the inspectors were given two hours to inspect the whole 41 section and they were kicked off the airplane.' 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.' 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'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 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. Since then, the 737 has continued to experience technical failures, after being grounded by the FAA for two years following two crashes in 2017 and 2019 that collectively killed 346. Clearing them to fly again in 2021, officials deemed the crashes to be the result of a combination of oversight, design flaws, and inaction by Boeing brass. That said, the door blowing off the brand-new 737 in January sparked a renewed probe by the DOJ - one that could get complex as these failures continue. Further complicating matters is the fact that Boeing's continued crises have now forced airlines like United and Southwest to cut flights and even pause hiring - decisions bolstered by United's decision to hold off on the unproved 737 Max 10, Once the Max 10 gets clearance to operate, Kirby said Monday, United will start accepting some of the craft into its fleet. Back in January, shortly after the door incident, Kirby said the airline would build a fleet plan without the Max 10 because of constant delays. On Friday, United told staff it would have to pause pilot hiring this spring because new Boeing planes are arriving late, CNBC reported. 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 That crash came five months after another flight on a Boeing 737 MAX jet left 189 people dead in Indonesia. Pictured are inspectors at the site of the Lion Air Flight crash in November 2018 Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun speaks with reports at the Capitol in January after MAX 9 planes were grounded following the door incident. The company is now under criminal investigation Southwest Airlines, which only flies Boeing 737s, also trimmed its capacity forecast for 2024, saying this week that it was reevaluating the year's financial guidance, citing fewer Boeing deliveries than it previously expected: 46 as opposed to 79. Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said at the JPMorgan industry conference Tuesday: Boeing needs to become a better company and the deliveries will follow that.' Alaska Airlines added Tuesday that its 2024 capacity estimates are 'in flux due to uncertainty around the timing of aircraft deliveries as a result of increased FAA and DOJ scrutiny on Boeing and its operations.' Boeing, meanwhile, issued a statement on the recent incident Monday, as it faces not only a criminal investigation from the DOJ for the door incident, but the still-to-be seen repercussions from the several incidents since 'We maintain all of our aircraft in accordance with Uniteds FAA-approved maintenance program,' the firm said in a statement after passengers on the San Francisco-Sydney flight were seen exiting safely, before being given hotel rooms to stay overnight 'We take every safety event seriously and will investigate each incident to understand what happened and learn from it. 'Much of this work is conducted together with the manufacturers, the FAA, and the NTSB, as well as with the manufacturers of individual components. 'While this work is ongoing, each of these events is distinct and unrelated to one another. Safety is our top priority, and well continue to do everything we can to keep our customers and employees safe.' On Friday, the company said it is 'committed to continuing to cooperate fully and transparently' with the investigation, which, after more than three months, remains ongoing. The Ministry of Defence is facing a 3billion 'real-terms' cut to spending this year, Treasury figures suggest. An analysis of last week's Budget shows day-to-day expenditure falling by 2.5billion equal to a 7 per cent squeeze. Meanwhile, capital spending will fall by 0.5billion. It comes just days after Defence Secretary Grant Shapps backed the Mail's campaign to increase the ministry's spending to 3 per cent of GDP. Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson and former Army Major Richard Foord MP commented: 'The Conservative Government is complacent about risks to the defence of the nation and the security of the UK and our allies. An analysis of last week's Budget shows day-to-day expenditure falling by 2.5billion equal to a 7 per cent squeeze. Pictured: British army sniper It comes just days after Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (pictured) backed the Mail's campaign to increase the ministry's spending to 3 per cent of GDP 'At a moment when war is raging on our continent, we should be bolstering deterrence, in concert with NATO allies, and supporting Ukraine. 'Yet these concerning figures are the latest indication of how little value this Conservative Government puts on these vital aims.' In real terms prices, the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit - the annual budget allocated to the Ministry of Defence - will fall from 35billion to 32.5billion next year. Capital spending will also take a hit, from 19.2billion to 18.7billion. Last week's budget was conspicuous due to the absence of any major announcement on defence spending, prompting a backlash from military figures and Tory MPs. Defending the decision, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the Government had already 'done a lot' and was committed to raising spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. But 'further reforms' were needed to the notoriously wasteful system of defence procurement before more cash was allocated. Earlier this year Mr Shapps was forced to defend the Ministry of Defence's decision to cut troop numbers from 82,000 to 73,000 by 2025, its smallest size since the Napoleonic era. In real terms prices, the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit - the annual budget allocated to the Ministry of Defence - will fall from 35billion to 32.5billion next year. Pictured: British soldiers from 21 Air Assault Battery Royal Artillery Mr Foord added: 'The reduction in the size of the Armed Forces is frankly irresponsible. The next Government must urgently reverse Conservative cuts to the Army.' The Ministry of Defence said the Treasury's spending forecasts did not include supplementary spend. Once those figures are released, they said, the 2024/25 figures would show a real terms spending increase. It is not clear why this data from last year has not been reflected in the budget tables. Today Mr Foord will present a motion at the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference calling for a full reversal of troop cuts and for NATO defence spending commitments to be met as a minimum. Every self-respecting dictator loves a rally. Hitlers took place at Nuremberg, Stalin paraded troops around Red Square, and North Koreas pudgy despots like to salute colour-coded crowds in central Pyongyang. Vladimir Putin is no different. His most recent opportunity to soak up the adulation of brainwashed masses came last Wednesday night, on a neon-lit stage at a packed indoor stadium in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Here, Russias president was delivering the closing address at the World Youth Forum, a Kremlin propaganda event with the theme We Stand Together with Russia that saw several members of his genocidal politburo deliver tub-thumping speeches. As an adoring crowd waved flags, screamed and, in some cases, wept, Putin waxed lyrical about his desire to overturn the injustice in todays world order and make the world more transparent, just, democratic, sustainable, balanced and safe. Afterwards, 20,000 hand-picked delegates, all of them under the age of 35, were invited to take part in something called the Immortal Regiment March. Over 20,000 hand-picked delegates hailed Putin in the 'Immortal Regiment March' at the World Youth Forum - a Kremlin propaganda event The sinister proceedings were broadcast across Russia and culminated a week-long event to bolster Putin's standing on the global stage It saw them goose-step around an arena carrying sepia-tinged photos of soldiers who have died fighting for Mother Russia. President Putin is hailed as the leader of the Great Awakening, was how a pro-Kremlin journalist described the event. A hero and liberator to the youth of the world. Bold, revered, unstoppable! The sinister proceedings, which were broadcast across Russia, marked the culmination of a week-long event designed to bolster the Putin regimes tattered standing on the global stage. Staged by Presidential decree, the World Youth Forum saw 10,000 young Russians joined by 10,000 of their contemporaries from other countries for a programme of so-called cultural enrichment. Highlights included lectures by Putins predecessor Dmitry Medvedev, who unveiled a map showing what Ukraine will look like after his countrys glorious victory, and childrens minister Maria Lvova-Belova, an indicted war criminal described in the official programme as a mother of many children. There was also a speech from foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, who raged about what he dubbed the current war of the West against Russia. Perhaps the ugliest propaganda could be found in the convention centre, where delegates were invited to attend an exhibition on Nato entitled history of deception, history of evil which accused the western military alliance of seeking to methodically expand and bring its military infrastructure closer to Russias borders. It included a room decorated with a horrifically anti-Semitic mural depicting various hook-nosed businessmen conspiring with trigger-happy cowboys to hoard a container filled with missiles. World Youth Festival has shown to participants from the entire world the alliances cruelty and tyranny, was how one visitor summed up the whole thing on social media. We, the youth, now understand that Nato is a weapon of war. So who were the youth who contributed to this crude exercise in Kremlin brainwashing? Where exactly did they come from? And what will they be doing next? Well, heres where things get really interesting. For, rubbing shoulders with delegates from Russias traditional allies (Iran, Cuba, and China) and its more recent chums (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, plus various African client states) was a collection of special guests whod travelled all the way to Sochi from our very own Great Britain. I can reveal that this highly questionable delegation included a professional racing car driver, a smattering of hard-Left university students, various pro-Palestine activists, one IT professional, a musician and a cryptocurrency expert from Surrey who defected to Moscow after ending up on the FBIs most wanted list. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov also spoke at the event to rage about the current 'war of the West against Russia' Perhaps most concerning of all was the presence of a senior official in the Workers Party of Britain, which recently gained a foothold in the Houses of Parliament with the election of George Galloway. He appears to have travelled to Mr Putins propaganda event with the explicit blessing of party bosses. The officials name is Jesse Winney, and hes a former defence officer for a Corbynite trade union called Acorn. A founding member of the Workers Party, he appears to have become its recruitment officer in recent months. This was the capacity in which he decided to travel to Sochi last week. Winney then popped up in a social media video filmed at the event by a pro-Kremlin journalist, and widely circulated in Russia, in which hes described as Jesse of the Workers Party and tells viewers: Im having an amazing time! Its been one of the best experiences of my life, he adds, of the event. I love Russia. I love the Russian people. Its a beautiful country, especially here in Sochi. He finished by saying: Cheers to George Galloway! The official Workers Party account on social media platform X responded to the clip, which has been viewed 30,000 times, by saying that was great to see . . . Jesse having a great time at the World Youth Festival. Thats one way to put things. Another take on his attendance at Putins event is offered by the UK Friends of Ukraine pressure group, whose director Alex Rennie tells me: While a festival of 20,000 useful Kremlin idiots might seem harmless, these people coming back to the UK and spreading Putins lies are effectively foot soldiers of his disinformation campaign. The attendance of a founding member of a party represented in Parliament is deeply concerning, he adds. We know Galloway was opposed to arming Ukraine before the full-scale invasion and if we took his advice, a Russian flag would be flying over Kyiv. There should be no space in British politics for Putins useful idiots. Mark Dixon, of the Moral Rating Agency, which campaigns for sanctions against Russia, is similarly horrified: This event is nothing more than a propaganda stunt to trick Russians into thinking their country isnt a pariah state and to dupe young people coming from abroad. No one there was a young leader, but either a young dictator or, at best, a young idiot. They remind me of the naive British apologists who travelled to pay homage to Hitler in the 1930s. Also in Sochi, to that end, was Christopher Emms, the aforementioned crypto-currency expert. He boasts an intriguing backstory, having previously made headlines by winding up on the FBIs most wanted list after giving a speech in 2019 at a conference in Pyongyang. The U.S. authorities, perhaps unfairly, decided that his appearance at the event violated sanctions against North Korea. As a result, he was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2022 on an Interpol red notice. There followed a lengthy extradition battle, which eventually saw him released, and he subsequently took up residence in Moscow. Since arriving in Russia, Emms has worked as a pundit for Russia Today, the pro-Kremlin TV news outlet. Cryptocurrency expert Christopher Emms (pictured with wife Alexandra Kashurnikova), who works as a pundit in Russia, was also at the event in Sochi He has also acquired a wife, Alexandra Kashurnikova, a local TV journalist who has interviewed Putin in her capacity as an activist for Russias Popular Front youth movement, described by one local commentator (possibly with some exaggeration) as a sort of Hitler Youth without the swastikas. In recent months, Emms, 32, has begun using X to share Russias PR lines about the Ukraine conflict. In December, he told followers Russia is victorious. It is only now a matter of time. A couple of months back, he circulated a post by the Russian Embassy in London describing the phrase Slava Ukraini! [long live Ukraine] as a neo-Nazi slogan. His profile picture on WhatsApp has, meanwhile, become an image of the letter Z, a symbol used to denote support for the Russian armed forces. Like many of the Brits who attended the World Youth Festival, Emms appears to have had a significant portion of his costs and accommodation paid for by the event, which was sponsored by an array of corporations with close links to the Putin regime. They range from Sberbank, Russias sanctioned state bank, to Aeroflot, its sanctioned state airline, to VK, a tech firm whos sanctioned CEO is oligarch Vladimir Kiriyenko, the son of Sergey Kiriyenko, Putins First Deputy Chief of Staff. Contacted by the Mail this week, Emms claimed to have spent most of the conference in his hotel, chilling by the pool. The same cannot, however, be said of two Britons who took part in the festivals official programme of events. One was Mark Reinski, a classical musician who (perhaps ironically, given the recent fate of Alexei Navalny) is the son of a major benefactor of a charity called Prisoners of Conscience. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Reinski moved to Moscow in 2019 to study at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and came to Sochi to perform Vivaldis Four Seasons at a concert that formed part of the events cultural enrichment programme. The other was Nicholas Gilkes, an Anglo-Canadian racing driver whose father Brent competed in Formula 2000 and sister Megan works as a trackside support engineer for the Aston Martin F1 team. He travelled to Sochi to take part in a motor racing demonstration on the citys track which, prior to the sporting boycott that followed the invasion of Ukraine, used to host Formula One events. Asked why he travelled to Vladimir Putins Russia, Gilkes tells me he was representing Drivex, a Spanish racing team that employs him to drive in the Eurocup, a competition sponsored by Renault. He claims to have been ignorant of the Kremlins involvement in the event, adding that he spent my time predominately at the hotel or with my Spanish, Italian and Australian competitors. Whether his sponsor Pirelli, the tyre company which is supposedly boycotting Russia, will be so sanguine about the whole thing is anyones guess. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the British involvement in the Sochi conference, however, was the manner in which it has already been weaponised to fuel Putins domestic PR agenda. Several UK delegates were interviewed by local media outlets, which quoted them offering effusive praise to Russia. One such talking head is James Wark. Hes a 32-year-old IT specialist from Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, who studied at Cambridge University, spent five years working for professional services network PWC and, somewhat grotesquely in the circumstances, uses the networking website LinkedIn to list his interests as civil rights and social action. He spoke to reporters during a recreational hike with other delegates in the Caucasus Mountains. We went tubing in the snow, he said. It was great . . . Now I want to become an ambassador of hiking tourism in my homeland. I had no prejudices before visiting Russia. Cool place, friendly people. Russians are great guys! Mr Wark appears to earn a crust working for SECR Tech, an IT firm which helps clients improve their ecological footprint. Intriguingly, its owned by Maxim Maximovitch Demin, a Swiss-based 22-year-old who controls a network of companies alongside Maxim Victorovich Demin, a secretive 54-year-old Anglo-Russian billionaire who made a fortune in the petrochemicals industry and used to own Premier League club Bournemouth. On its website, SECR calls Wark our carbon accountant and decarbonisation specialist. Or at least it did. Contacted by the Mail, the firms boss, Scott Hanson, said this week he was unaware that Wark had attended Putins PR event, and described him as an independent consultant who worked as a contractor. Wark subsequently vanished from SECRs website, with Hanson telling me the company has stopped using Mr Warks consultancy services. He stressed the business should not be associated with Warks actions in any way. Also on Russias airwaves during proceedings was Elissaios Schulman, a grammar school-educated student from Birmingham who studies in Nottingham and is a supporter of Jeremy Corbyns Stop The War coalition. A video he took during his Sochi trip was shared by the notorious pro-Kremlin TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov and went viral on the social network Telegram, where it clocked up half a million views. Im from England, said Schulman. Obviously in the West theres very much this antagonistic opinion [of Russia] but I think slowly, over time, young people have realised its not always true what state media are saying in the West. Staged by Presidential decree, the World Youth Forum saw 10,000 young Russians joined by 10,000 of their contemporaries from other countries for a programme of so-called cultural enrichment Speaking effusively about the World Youth Festival, he added: Everything here in Sochi proves the fact that not everything you see in the news in the West is true. I dont think that if Russia was not a democracy, not free, not powerful and wealthy, that it would be able to do something this grand, this amazing. Its been a pleasure to experience that and see for myself first-hand. Telegram forums also contain images of a prominent Russia Today host named Donald Courter posing with two young Britons who are activists for the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist). One was Maximiliano Francisco Escudero Morland, a former PhD student in robotics at Kings College London. He posed at the event holding a flag bearing an image of Stalin, a despot responsible for around seven million deaths. The other was Eleonore Mbra, who also goes by the name Eleonore Koffi, and who was photographed drinking lager with Mr Courter. Mrs Mbra, who lives in London, was also pictured in a Left-wing newspaper in December, proudly posing with a group of pro-Palestinian activists outside Sutton police station in South London. Four of them had been arrested at a demo in the capital and were held at the station after police seized pamphlets bearing images of the Star of David and a swastika. Amid claims of spreading racist material, they were, however, released after 24 hours, without charge. Having returned to our shores, Mrs Mbra can remain in contact with the Putin loyalists she met in Sochi via VK, a Russian version of Facebook where she opened an account this week. Russia and China are not the enemy! she wrote on social media recently. The enemy is our ruling class that we must overthrow if we want a chance to have a future. Like many of the useful idiots who secretly travelled from the UK to Sochi last week, this budding class warrior will doubtless be spreading further Kremlin propaganda on streets of a major city some time soon. REBECCA: Hi Jenn. I think we were all rather spoilt with the longevity and stability of Queen Elizabeth's reign. She truly was a remarkable woman. I do actually think the King has had a very good start to his reign but yes, it has been a difficult few months with his cancer diagnosis. However I think Buckingham Palace have done the right thing in making sure he is as visible as possible - whether in his car, meeting senior leaders and ambassadors or via photographs and video messages. As regards Queen Camilla, I agree that her popularity ratings, although much higher than previously, are still far from unanimous and that many have long memories. What I would say is that I think she has absolutely stepped up to the plate, both as Duchess of Cornwall and now as Queen, in her support of the king and causes (such as domestic abuse, literacy etc) that she has chosen to champion. She and I both started our jobs around the same time, and I promise you that I had no preconceptions of what she would be like. I see as I find, as they say here! And I have genuinely found her to be very warm, funny, loyal - and much more of a woman's woman than I ever imagined she would be. I think many do consider her to be an asset now. Patric Gagne is your typical Los Angeles middle-class suburbanite- she is a wife and mother of two who, on the outside, appears to be a caring, kind person to all she meets. There's just one problem: she's a sociopath. At 48 years old, she still doesn't experience the normal emotions people feel when they look at their newborn child or meet the love of their life. When her baby was born, she wasn't overcome with love for her child, she didn't have 'romantic, flowery emotions' when she met her husband and still just thinks of her first-born as just 'a great kid.' Her lack of empathy in her youth led her down a path of crime, not because she wanted to steal, but because that act fulfilled the void left by her 'absence of social emotions like shame and empathy,' Gagne wrote. Sociopaths act like they care for others but lack the common societal norms of apathy (stock image) Gagne described her experiences in a personal article in The Wall Street Journal, saying her earliest memories of exhibiting sociopathic behavior was in kindergarten when she noticed that she didn't show the same emotions as other children. She didn't experience guilt when she lied or compassion or empathy when a fellow classmate injured themselves on the playground, or fear - she felt 'nothing.' Memories of her childhood were vague - except for the times she punched one classmate and stabbed another with a pencil. 'All I knew was I felt this pressure, and something in my brain was telling me, Punch that kid, and youll feel better,' she told The New York Times. Gagne then went down a road of theft and violence before finally coming to the realization that she was a sociopath. She added that she worked to replace the 'nothingness' with something, anything that would make her feel better through theft - whether it was a locket, a barrette or a pair of glasses. 'This impulse felt like an unrelenting pressure that expanded to permeate my entire self,' Gagne wrote. 'The longer I tried to ignore it, the worse it got. My muscles would tense, my stomach would knot. Tighter. Tighter. 'It was claustrophobic, like being trapped inside my brain. Trapped inside a void.' As an adult, when Gagne shares her diagnosis with others, they sometimes tell her their own often disturbing secrets. Gagne told The New York Times that about two years ago she was sitting across from a man at a dinner party and when she mentioned that she is a sociopath, he told her: 'You know, I have thoughts of killing my wife a lot.' She asked him to tell her more, and he said: 'I've really thought about it. I've reached out to people about hiring somebody to kill her.' People assume that Gagne is sympathetic to their plights, she told the outlet, because they think she would related to them. The term sociopath wasn't formally recognized as a disorder until the 1930s when it was called psychopathy, but still wasn't commonly discussed until 1952 when the term changed to sociopathy. A person with sociopathy is not always easy to spot - they can come off as friendly and charming, but their lack of a conscience and empathy, their disregard for following rules and other societal norms, their reckless disregard for their own safety, and their impulsive and aggressive tendencies make them stand out. READ MORE: These are the five personality traits that indicate someone you know is a psychopath The first sign of a psychopath is someone who leads a 'parasitic life' in that they 'leech off' others rather than doing anything for themselves. Advertisement Gagne wasn't sure at first that she was a sociopath until she reached college age but was told the disorder couldn't be treated and there was 'no hope for a normal life,' according to her press release. But after years of studying and examining the link between not feeling remorse, anxiety, apathy, and stress with the need to 'behave destructively,' she was finally able to control her impulses. Gagne studied the disorder for years, did intensive therapy and earned a Ph.D. in psychology before she came to terms with her disorder and realized sociopaths aren't 'bad' or 'evil' or 'crazy,'' they just don't process feelings and emotions as well as others. 'For more than a century, society has deemed sociopathy untreatable and unredeemable,' Gagne wrote. 'The afflicted have been maligned and shunned by mental health professionals who either don't understand or choose to ignore the fact that sociopathylike many personality disordersexists on a spectrum.' Scientists still aren't sure about what causes sociopathy, which is now more commonly called antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) by psychologists. They believe people are more likely to develop the disorder if they have a family history of sociopathy or had a traumatic experience in their childhood. Research suggests that roughly one percent of the global population has sociopathic tendencies like not showing remorse or turning the blame on another person for something hurtful they've done - also called gaslighting. There is evidence that there sociopathy, or psychopathy, isn't an either/or phenomenon, meaning people aren't either full sociopaths or not sociopaths, Scott Lilienfeld, an Emory University psychology professor, told Austin American-Statesman in 2018. It is more the case that there are varying degrees of sociopathy, with some people exhibiting only a few sociopathic tendencies. 'It is a tragic misconception that all sociopaths are doomed to hopeless, loveless lives,' Gagne wrote. 'The truth is that I share a personality type with millions of others, many of whom have good jobs, close-knit families and real friends,' she continued. 'We represent a truth that's hard to believe: There's nothing inherently immoral about having limited access to emotion. I offer my story because I know I'm not alone.' READ MORE: Otzi had dark skin and a balding head - and was not fair and hairy He died more than 5,000 years ago, shot in the back with an arrow by a mysterious assailant in the frosty Alps. But Otzi the iceman, Europe's oldest mummy, is continuing to reveal secrets today, thanks to the numerous tattoos over his shriveled body. Despite the fact he lived between 3350 and 3105 BC, scientists in Tennessee claim to have cracked the mystery of how these tattoos were made. They say the tattoos were likely created by Otzi himself using a technique known as 'hand poking', where a sharp handheld implement repeatedly stabbed at the skin. One of the experts tattooed himself using multiple ancient techniques to find out which one resulted in markings most similar to the iceman's. Otzi the Iceman is the natural mummy of a man who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC. Otzi's remains were discovered on September 19, 1991, in the Otztal Alps Who was Otzi? Since his discovery on September 19, 1991 by German hikers, Otzi has provided window into early human history. His tattooed, mummified remains were uncovered in melting glacier in the mountainous border between Austria and Italy. Analysis of the body has told us that he was alive during the Copper Age and died a grisly death at the age of 46. Otzi, who was 46 at the time of his death, had brown eyes, relatives in Sardinia, and was lactose intolerant. He was also predisposed to heart disease. Advertisement Otzi presents some of the earliest direct evidence of tattooing in the human past, they say in their new study, published in the European Journal of Archaeology. The ancient male had a total of 61 tattoos, consisting of 19 groups of black lines, mostly less than an inch in length. Despite decades of study, until now, it has been unclear how the iceman's tattoos were created and what tools and methods were used. Popular discussions describe his tattoos as having been made by 'incision technique', which involves first cutting the skin and then rubbing in plant-based pigment. But researchers at the Tennessee Division of Archaeology (TDOA) now bring this into question, instead claiming that a 'hand-poking' technique was used. This is where the sharp implement is dipped in the tattoo ink and then poked into the skin dot by dot. 'One early discussion of the iceman's marks proposed that they weren't traditional tattoos, but instead places where plant matter had been packed into incised wounds and then set on fire,' TDOA archaeologist Aaron Deter-Wolf told ScienceAlert. 'There's absolutely no proof of that, and over time the bit about fire got left behind, but the idea of their being incised persisted. Reproduction of Oetzi the Similaun Man in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy The mummified, 5,300-year-old corpse was found by hikers in 1991, melting out of the ice in the Alps, some 10,532 feet (3,210 metres) above sea level The experts tattooed themselves using multiple ancient techniques to find out which one resulted in markings most similar to the iceman's READ MORE: Otzi the iceman used ACUPUNCTURE Otzi may have benefited from a form of prehistoric healthcare Advertisement 'Most of the archaeologists who have discussed Otzi's tattoos in recent years are upfront that we don't know how they were made but the idea still appears in just about every popular media discussion.' Deter-Wolf worked with tattoo artist Danny Riday of the Temple Tattoo in New Zealand to reveal more about how Otzi got his tattoos. Using four different tattooing techniques, they replicated Otzi's tattoos on Riday's leg, allowed them to heal, and then compared them to the ancient originals. 'Every time a tattooing tool breaks the skin it makes a small wound, and all wounds have distinctive traits that depend on how they were created,' Deter-Wolf said. While the incision technique gives straight clean edges from the blade, the hand poking technique results in tiny overlapping circles or irregular shapes. The team found that the incisions on the iceman most closely resembled the latter, and were likely made with a shape bone or copper awl, a small pointed tool. Using four different tattooing techniques, they replicated Otzi's tattoos on Danny Riday's leg. allowed them to heal and then compared them to the ancient originals. Pictured, tattoos on Riday's leg the day they were made (left) and six months later (right) Comparison of tattoos on Riday (A-F) to tattoos on Otzi (G) suggested the 'hand poking' technique was used by the iceman Deter-Wolf told ScienceAlert that these types of artifacts appear in the archaeological record of the Otzi Alps where his mummified body was found. None have ever been identified as tattooing tools, but the team's new study may prompt archaeologists to reassess what they were used for. Otzi's frozen body was found accompanied by his clothing, gear and an abundance of plant and fungi traces preserved on his clothing and in his gut. High in the Italian Alps 5,300 years ago, Otzi the iceman was shot in the back with an arrow and likely bled to death within minutes. On top of this discovery, the researchers found that Otzi descended from early farmers who migrated from Anatolia. Pictured is an artist's impression of what experts think he looked like Having collapsed in the ice, his body was then preserved until it was discovered in 1991, making him Europe's oldest mummy. Mystery and intrigue has followed ever since, including research into who might have killed him, and fresh secrets continue to be unlocked. Last year, another team of scientists announced that Otzi had dark skin, dark eyes and a balding head, not fair and hairy as previously thought. On top of this discovery, the researchers found that Otzi descended from early farmers who migrated from Anatolia. A 2018 study of his remains concluded an arrow delivered a fatal blow to Otzi by severing the nerve to his shoulder and hitting his major vessels. It's something that we all look forward to after a stressful day at work. But when you climb into bed and pull your duvet up around you, which position do you naturally gravitate towards? To celebrate World Sleep Day 2024, experts have revealed the best and worst sleep positions. From the 'Foetus' to the 'Soldier', most people sleep in one of six main positions - and some are much better for us than others. 'While you may not feel instantly uncomfortable in bed, if you regularly wake with aches and pains, or if you find that you frequently suffer with a disturbed night's sleep, a bad sleeping position may be the cause,' said Adam Hirst, head of digital at Woolroom. From the 'Foetus' to the 'Soldier', most people sleep in one of six main positions - and some are much better for us than others People who sleep on their stomach with their head to one side and their arms wrapped around the pillow are classed as Freefallers (stock image) The 6 sleep positions Foetus : Curled up into a ball on your side Log : Arms and legs extended on your side Yearner : Arms stretched out in front and legs extended on your side Sodier : Arms by your sides while lying on your back Starfish : Arms stretched above your head while lying on your back Freefaller : On your stomach with your head to one side and arms wrapped around the pillow Advertisement With the average Briton getting between seven and nine hours sleep every night, it's no surprise that most of us have a favourite position. However, there's a distinct difference between a comfy sleeping position and a healthy one. 'It's natural to assume that if we're comfy in bed, we must be in the correct sleeping position,' Mr Hirst explained. 'But, in reality, when we have a bad sleeping position we can become used to it over time, so we're led to believe that it's the best sleeping position.' There are six main sleep positions, which experts have nicknamed the Foetus, Log, Soldier, Starfish, Yearner, and Freefaller. The Foetus gets its name from the position of a baby in the womb, and sees the sleeper curled up into a ball as they lie on one side. According to a 2019 study, led by experts from Curtin University, 60 per cent of adults spend the majority of the night in a side position. If you're a Log sleeper, you also lie on your side, but this time with your arms and legs exended, while Yearners sleep on their side but with their arms stretched out in front. Sleeping on your front can leave you with back and neck pain the next day, according to the experts (stock image) People who prefer sleeping on their back are generally categorised as Soldiers - those who sleep with their arms by their sides - or Starfish, who have their arms stretched above their head. Finally, people who sleep on their stomach with their head to one side and their arms wrapped around the pillow are classed as Freefallers. Speaking to MailOnline, Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at The Sleep Charity, explained that all of these positions are 'fine' - except the Freefaller. 'It's fine to sleep on your back or sides but we suggest avoiding sleeping on your tummy as it puts a lot of strain on your neck as it is permanently twisted throughout the night,' she explained. Martin Seeley, a sleep expert at MattressNextDay, agreed that sleeping on your front is a no-go, and highlighted that sleeping on your back isn't the best option for people who snore. The Foetus gets its name from the position of a baby in the womb, and sees the sleeper curled up into a ball as they lie on one side 'Sleeping on your side is regarded as the best position,' he told MailOnline. 'It can help improve circulation and digestion, and also opens the airways for easier breathing which means less chance of snoring.' Whatever your position preference, Ms Artis says that the correct support is 'crucial'. 'A good bed can make all the difference to your sleep,' she told MailOnline. 'Did you know that your head weighs 4.5-5.5 kilos (10-12lbs), and that your neck contains seven of the spine's 33 vertebrae? 'Neck pain, stiff necks and even persistent headaches could simply be the result of poor pillow support while in bed sleeping. 'A good pillow should hold your head in the correct alignment that is, in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing upright with the correct posture. 'One that is too soft will allow the head to flop, curving the neck. One that is too hard will give you a crick in the neck.' This weekend, Irish people around the world will be pouring themselves a pint of Guinness as they celebrate St Patrick's Day. And if you want the ultimate drinking experience, scientists say you should listen to Irish music. Guinness tastes better while listening to Irish music - and its flavour even changes depending on the type of tune being played, according to the experts. Revellers can enjoy a sweeter-tasting pint of the black stuff while listening to Orinoco Flow by Enya, or What Can I Do by The Corrs. But those who prefer a bitter beer should listen to songs like Drunken Sailor by The Irish Rovers, or Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. This weekend, Irish people around the world will be pouring themselves a pint of Guinness as they celebrate St Patrick's Day. And if you want the ultimate drinking experience, scientists say you should listen to Irish music (stock image) Revellers can enjoy a sweeter-tasting pint of the black stuff while listening to Orinoco Flow by Enya, or What Can I Do by The Corrs (pictured) READ MORE: Why you should only buy wine in DARK bottles Clear bottles let sunlight reach the wine, which can lead to a phenomenon called 'sun strike'. In the worst cases, this can leave your wine tasting of wet dog, boiled cabbage, and drains - no matter how much you paid for it Advertisement Dr Annemieke van den Tol, of the University of Lincoln, said: 'Irish beer tastes the best when accompanied by Irish music on St Patrick's Day. 'This is because of two psychological phenomena. The first is priming. 'This is the idea that exposure to one stimulus may influence a response to a subsequent stimulus without conscious guidance or intention. 'For example, exposure to German music increased how many German wine bottles people bought in a wine shop, while exposure to French music did this for French wine. 'The second psychological phenomenon is "musical fit". 'Our brains function better when things are as we expect them to be, or are well put together. 'For example, people are willing to pay more for their drinks when the music in a bar or restaurant fits the decor and types of foods being sold.' The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, said different styles of song can alter the flavour your brain perceives while drinking stout like Guinness. Researcher Prof Felipe Reinoso Carvalho from Vrije University in Brussels said: 'Certain frequency ranges, tempos, timbres and harmonies are associated by our brains with flavour attributes such as the sweetness, bitterness, sourness and perceived body and strength of the beer.' those who prefer a bitter beer should listen to songs like Drunken Sailor by The Irish Rovers, or Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison (pictured) He said frothy, lighter-sounding tunes lead to a sweeter taste, while heavy, emotionally charged music makes the drink seem more bitter. 'Guinness has a lot of body to begin with, but to enhance the perception of bitterness, you could listen to some Sinead O'Connor or the Cranberries' Zombie,' he added. 'The super heavy guitar and strong emotions are likely to make your Guinness taste even heavier, stronger and more bitter.' The research was presented by music streaming platform Deezer, which revealed that Grace, by Aoife Scott, Roisin O and Danny O'Reilly, is the UK's favourite Irish song. An in-store brand of Walmart's 'honey roasted' cashews have been recalled in 30 US states and from their online retail site due to the risk of potentially fatal allergies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the notice Wednesday, warning consumers that 'a limited amount' of 8.25 oz Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews 'may contain undeclared coconut and milk.' Although rare, medical researchers have documented potentially fatal cases of coconut exposure leading to moderate 'anaphylaxis,' an allergic reaction that can include swelling and closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, nausea and shock. The FDA found the tainted nuts were found in Walmart stores located in across the country - from California to Kansans and Vermont - and are urging customers to throw out the recalled cans. Tainted 8.25 oz containers of 'Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews' were distributed to some Walmart stores in the following states: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, WV, as well as via Walmart.com The FDA's recall for 'Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews' (above) warned that the product may contain coconut and milk. Although rare, medical researchers have documented fatal cases of coconut exposure. Children are the most at risk for both milk and coconut allergies The FDA noted that the Walmart cashew recall was a 'voluntarily' effort by John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (JBSS), which markets itself as a 'global leader of quality-driven and innovative nut solutions.' In addition to their partnership with Walmart, nut supplier JBSS also sells nuts under its Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest, Squirrel Brand and Southern Style Nuts labels In addition to their partnership with Walmart, the firm supplies nuts under its Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest, Squirrel Brand and Southern Style Nuts labels as well. None of these other JBSS brands appear to have to the been tainted by the coconut and milk cross-contamination that hit their Walmart-brand Great Value Honey Roasted Cashews. The far-reaching factory error was first brought to the company's attention by a customer complaint. An investigation by the JBSS later found that 'a limited number' of the nut firm's coconut cashew products had become incorrectly labeled as honey roasted cashews during the packaging process. Plastic containers of the cashews with a July 8, 2025 'use by' date, which can be seen at the bottom of the can, were the products potentially affected, the FDA said. The tainted cashews can be further identified by their bright, wrap-around Walmart-blue label and a UPC code of 078742133348. The far-reaching factory error was first brought to the company's attention by a customer complaint. An investigation later found that 'a limited number' of coconut cashew products had become incorrectly labeled as honey roasted cashews during the nuts packaging process 'No adverse reactions have been reported to date,' according to the JBSS and FDA recall warning. READ MORE: Got allergies? These are the 20 worst US cities to vacation to (you might want to rethink Florida) The above map shows the 20 worst places to live in or take a vacation if you have a pollen allergy in the United States. Some 17 out of 20 are in the South, with Florida having the most at seven out of 20 hotspots. Experts warned the state's year-round mild weather was to blame The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has revealed America's worst 20 cities for pollen counts - with seven in Florida alone. Experts warn a milder winter could make allergy season worse. Advertisement Researchers with Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine investigated the prevalence of dangerous and mild coconut allergies last November, for a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Reviewing the largest study, to date, examining 257 US patients with a documented coconut allergy, they found that 'approximately half' of the 57 allergy patients who ingested coconut products 'met the criteria for mild or moderate anaphylaxis,' which can be fatal. The mean or average age for the first discovery of the condition, via an initial allergic reaction, was 5 years old. Coconut-containing hygiene products like soap and lotions appeared to have played a factor: more than two-thirds of the patients for whom data were available and who exhibited allergic symptoms had reported a history of rashes or other skin issues due to topical coconut product like lotions or soap. The Mayo Clinic advises that parents who suspect their child might be allergic to dairy milk should take their child to the doctor as soon as possible after the symptoms develop. 'If possible,' they said, 'see your [healthcare] provider during the allergic reaction to help make a diagnosis.' The FDA told Walmart consumers concerned about milk or coconut allergies that they can return the tainted cashews back to their local store for a full refund. Consumers with further questions were encouraged to contact the responsible global nut supplier, John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., at 1-800-874-8734 (Monday Friday, 8:00am 5:00pm Central). The company can also be reached via email at info@jbssinc.com. Advertisement As a former resident of the French capital, where famously glib waiters might slam your croque monsieur down accompanied by an unintelligible grunt, I was intrigued, when, in 1992, Disneyland debuted in Paris. Within weeks, Id whisked my daughter, Lili, to the Disneyland Hotel and now, more than 30 years later and following its two-year renovation were here again, joined by Lilis children, Bodhi, five, and Cosmo, two. Arriving at the station, the sight of the palatial pink fairy-tale hotel injects a frisson of excitement into excited wannabe pirates and princesses. And Disneyland Hotel is still the flagship place to stay. While Smarties for breakfast is Lilis prevailing memory, I recall swathes of swagged curtains, ruched blinds and questionable carpets reminiscent of a Cincinnati convention centre, disporting an unashamedly U.S. ethos. Andrew Harris stays at the flagship Paris Disneyland Hotel, pictured, following its two-year renovation Today a 12,000-piece Bohemian crystal chandelier dangles from the ceiling of the lobby (pictured), Andrew says Andrew stays at the hotel with his daughter and her two children. Pictured: The Princely Suite Beauty and the Beast bedroom Today a 12,000-piece Bohemian crystal chandelier dangles above the massive, multi-height reception space, crafted by one of some 200 French and European companies involved in the revamp. The pool is crowned with a new conservatory, a kids club provides nursery services, and stylists at My Royal Dream transform children into Disney characters. Princesses are everywhere. The top floors are dedicated to the Castle Club, where 41 rooms and 18 themed suites proffer the ultimate in childrens opulence. The top floors are dedicated to the Castle Club, pictured above with a view of the park's Sleeping Beauty Castle The top floors comprise 41 rooms and 18 themed suites. Pictured: The lounge of the hotel's Princely Suite LEFT: Andrew recalls 'swagged curtains' and 'ruched blinds' at the hotel from his previous visit. These features are nowhere to be seen in this picture of the new lobby. RIGHT: A glass slipper on display in the Cinderella Signature Suite At the Royal Buffet, Bodhi and Cosmo are entranced by Mickey and Minnie, just like their mother had been, while La Table de Lumiere, inspired by Versailles Hall of Mirrors, where Belle and her prince stopped by our table for a chat, conveyed a notably elevated standard of cuisine. Inside the park, which, since our first visit, has welcomed 375 million visitors, much was recognisable, including the queues, although purchasing Premier Access to skip them remains an option. Cosmos favourite ride is Its A Small World, introduced by Uncle Walt himself in 1964. Im never sure what hes telling me, but it couldve been; If it aint broke dont fix it!. At La Table de Lumiere restaurant (above) Andrew is greeted by Princess Belle and her prince who 'stop by his table for a chat' Inside the park, much was recognisable including the queues, says Andrew, although purchasing Premier Access to skip them remains an option. Pictured: The Paris Disneyland Hotel's Frozen Signature Suite Andrew says Disneyland Paris and especially the Disneyland Hotel is a beguiling blend of the best America and France have to offer An entire new park, Walt Disney Studios, appeared in 2002, within which the Marvel Avengers Campus was launched in 2022, with state-of-the-art rides such as Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure, and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, requiring the realignment of my internal organs. Overall, Disneyland Paris and especially the Disneyland Hotel is a beguiling blend of the best America and France have to offer. Vive la difference and pass the Smarties. John Magaldi, 61, was found dead Wednesday in Litchfield after he was charged Friday in a Meriden police and FBI child sex sting, officials said. Meriden Police Department A Hartford Healthcare doctor who was found dead Wednesday after he was arrested last week in an FBI sting operation when he showed up at a Meriden hotel to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl, according to a police report. The Meriden police report said undercover officers had been communicating online with the doctor, John Magaldi, who showed up last Friday at the hotel with $100 intending to spend a half-hour with the girl. After he was released on bond, the 61-year-old was found dead Wednesday when state police troopers were called around 9:15 a.m. for an "unresponsive" person on White Wood Road in Litchfield. State police said Magaldi was pronounced dead at the scene and the initial investigation showed no criminal aspect. His cause and manner of death were pending an autopsy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Magaldi was Hartford HealthCare's chief of rheumatology at its Bone and Joint Institute. He was placed on administrative leave after his arrest. The hospital system did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Magaldi's death. In a previous statement after his arrest, Hartford HealthCare said: We are troubled to learn of the arrest and we take these allegations seriously. With safety as a core value, we have placed Dr. John Magaldi on administrative leave, and we are working to gather information from law enforcement authorities so that we can address this situation appropriately." According to the report supporting Magaldi's arrest, police posted an advertisement online on March 8 in an attempt to identify and apprehend child sexual predators. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the report, an ad was placed on a website often used by sex workers to connect with clients. The ad intentionally contained words commonly used by sexual predators to suggest the person was underage, the report stated. The phone number listed in the ad was being controlled by undercover officers, who were soon contacted by Magaldi, the report said. Magaldi started off the conversation with the undercover officers by asking what town they were working in, and whose pictures were posted in the ad, the report stated. He was informed that the person in the photographs was 15 years old, according to the report. Magaldi then shared what specific sexual acts he was looking for and ultimately agreed to meet for a half-hour for $100, the report stated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He was directed to a room at a hotel on North Broad Street in Meriden, and was taken into custody when he entered the room. According to the report, Magaldi had two adult toys with him at the time. Magaldi was charged with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor between the ages of 15 and 17 and attempted risk of injury to a child under a provision dealing with indecent intimate contact. He was also charged with attempted second-degree sexual assault and a misdemeanor charge of interfering with police or resisting arrest. Staff writer Alex Wood contributed to this story. Along with free flights, he is able to score complimentary upgrades When your parent works for an airline, jetsetting around the world comes easy, as one self-confessed 'airline nepo baby' has revealed. Joshua Crawford, 23, from New Jersey, has built a burgeoning social media following thanks to his globetrotting content - which he admits is down to the fact his father works as a Aircraft tooling, calibration, & support equipment Supervisor for United, meaning that his son can hop on flights for free. In one TikTok post, Joshua - whose father has worked for the airline for 24 years - shows how he has clocked up 260,212 miles in the last five years, after taking 123 flights to more than 30 cities around the world. In another upload, he outlines the other perks of being an 'airline nepo baby' - along with being able to fly for virtually nothing. Joshua Crawford, 23, from New Jersey, has built a burgeoning social media following thanks to his globetrotting content - which he admits is down to the fact his father works for United He has clocked up 260,212 miles in the last five years, after taking 123 flights to more than 30 cities around the world. Above, pictured on a recent trip to Paris The first plus point he gives is that international travel is 'easy.' This is because he has Global Entry, which includes TSA pre check. While he didn't get Global Entry for free, he told Business Insider he got a discounted rate thanks to his dad's job. Next up, Joshua says he is able to score free upgrades - including to first class - on any flights when seats are available. In a photo, he demonstrates how he landed a $7,000 fully lay flat seat in United's Polaris business class cabin for no extra charge. And in dozens of other clips he can be seen enjoying the food in premium cabins, with glassware and silver cutlery in view. The third perk of being an airline nepo baby, Joshua says, is that he gets lounge access at airports, so he never has to spend money on food in the terminals. In 2023, the influencer visited four continents, with trips across the US, Europe, Australia and Japan. At United Airlines, children of employees have their flight privileges revoked when they turn 26. However, because Joshua is listed as his father's 'primary companion,' he has managed to maintain the VIP treatment. Joshua says he is able to score free upgrades - including to first class - on any flights when seats are available Another perk of being an airline nepo baby, Joshua says, is that he gets lounge access at airports, so he never has to spend money on food in the terminals While Joshua can fly throughout America for free by being on standby, he has to pay taxes on international flights but he says this is a fraction of what a full price ticket would be. For instance, he only had to pay $70 for a last-minute flight from Japan to the U.S. He told his TikTok followers that he feels 'blessed.' Off the back of his posts, other airline nepo babies have chimed in. One of Joshua's fans wrote: 'My mom works at Delta and my dad at Southwest. Had so many great experiences because of that.' Another revealed: 'Being able to hop on a flight whenever you need to is truly a blessing. I used Delta like Uber in college.' Like Joshua, one TikToker said that her mother who works for JetBlue made her a 'flying partner' so she wouldn't lose the benefits when she turned 24. 'The most amazing privilege for real,' she added. Joshua currently lives in California. After finishing a degree in marketing, he is looking for employment while working part-time at Trader Joes. In his TikTok outlining the pluses of being an airline nepo baby, United Airlines issued a response, exclaiming: 'We love this for you!' Joshua hinted that he might be interested in following in his father's footsteps by forging a career in the aviation industry, with his reply reading: 'I LOVE YOU GUYS to the bottom of my HEART. I'm also looking for a job.' 'Timothee didn't like all the attention he got with Kylie,' source says Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet are still dating, insiders have confirmed to DailyMail.com, despite recent fears that the couple may have called it quits. The pair have not been spotted together in public since January, leading some fans to believe they had quietly separated. Now, insiders have claimed the smitten duo have deliberately taken a step back from the limelight to 'protect' their relationship - and because Timothee, 28, was uncomfortable with the coverage of their kiss at the Golden Globes and feared it could distract from his new film, Dune 2. 'Timothee didn't like all the attention he got with Kylie during the Golden Globes and their kiss took away from the reason he was there,' a source told DailyMail.com. Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet are still dating, insiders have told DailyMail.com Fans feared they had quietly parted ways - despite Kylie wearing a bracelet at an Oscar's party which bore a striking resemblance to a design Timothee has previously worn 'His career is taking off and he wants to protect it and let it thrive based on his talent not who he is or isn't dating. He also wants to protect his relationship with Kylie.' Timothee appears to be following the lead of his Dune costar Zendaya who has also walked the red carpets without her partner, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, while promoting their blockbuster sequel worldwide. The insider continued: 'They are still dating. But Timothee has decided to keep a low profile with Kylie, mainly because he wants Dune 2 to get all the attention and for the movie to speak for itself. 'Zendaya and others from the film have also refrained from flaunting their relationships during the press tour, because they want the movie to be its own thing and not have any outside drama or distractions ruining that.' They added that Kylie, 26, has been completely understanding. 'She knows that he thinks the world of her, and she gets the person that he is personally and the person he wants to be professionally,' they said. 'Maybe a year from now when Dune 2 starts getting nominated for things, he will be more relaxed about being out with her and attending more red carpets together. 'But as of now, he is keeping the relationship close to his chest and Kylie is fine with that.' Kylie and Timothee's very public makeout session at the Golden Globes caused a social media frenzy at the start of the year Timothee - wearing a necklace similar to Kylie's bracelet - has reportedly struggled with the 'attention he got with Kylie' after their Golden Globes kiss A second source added that the mother-of-two is enjoying the privacy and claimed the reality star sees a real future with Timothee. 'Kylie family feel she is a much more humble and real person when she is around Timothee,' the insider said. 'She loves him so much and she's said she believes he is the one.' DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Timothee and Kylie for comment. The update comes after Kylie inadvertently fueled break-up rumors when she posted a TikTok video earlier this month showing her going through her daily routines with her daughter Stormi Webster, six, and older sister Kendall Jenner, 28. Fans and commenters were convinced the post was an attempt to 'soft-launch' a break-up by highlighting how well she is doing on her own as a single mother raising two children and taking care of her ever-expanding business empire. She was also accused of deflecting when asked by the New York Times how she feels about fans claiming she 'changed her style' for Timothee. 'I don't know how I feel about it, I just don't want to talk about personal things,' she said. However, TikTok user @giferreiro went viral after she claimed to have seen the couple together at an ice cream shop in Santa Monica on March 9. Timothee and Kylie were reportedly first acquainted after meeting up at Paris Fashion week in January 2023, but made their public debut in September that same year The couple proved they were not shy about displaying their affection for one another as they shared kisses at Beyonce's concert in LA and then the US Open Men's final (pictured) 'Me and my mom decided to get ice cream at a place called McConnell's,' she began. 'Kylie was in the middle of ordering and I recognized her right away, like immediately. So I started freaking out in silence. They both had a hood on and a mask on. 'I look up at Timothee and he's staring at me like, "Here we go, she know who we are"... After I got my ice cream and went outside, they were still there. I asked for the picture and they did say no. Kylie was very nice about it.' Days later, Kylie made an appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty wearing a Cartier Love Necklace that both she and Timothee had been seen wearing months earlier. Timothee wore the item, which costs close to $5,000, in October 2023 at a dinner celebrating the fragrance, Bleu de Chanel. Kylie has been spotted wearing the necklace as a bracelet in several Instagram snaps - and most recently flashed the jewelry on her wrist at the Oscars Vanity Fair party. Fans previously theorized that the Wonka star had either gifted her the piece, or that the two had matching versions. Timothee and Kylie were reportedly first acquainted after meeting up at Paris Fashion week in January 2023, around the time she split from Travis Scott. But it wasn't until April of that year that rumors of a relationship began flying when Kylie's recognizable black SUV was seen at Timothee's home in Beverly Hills. The source claimed: 'Timothee is keeping the relationship close to his chest and Kylie is fine with that' An eyewitness told DailyMail.com later that month that Timothee had gotten into Kylie's SUV after they left an art show in Santa Monica. They were reported to be officially dating by the end of the month, though they tried to keep the details of their relationship under the radar. DailyMail.com obtained photos of the two arriving separately in their own cars to the actor's home on June 1, suggesting that things were heating up between the two. They were the subject of breakup rumors back in August, before making their public debut one month later at Beyonce's Renaissance tour in Los Angeles. They followed it up with a trip to the US Open later that month. When Timothee went on to host Saturday Night Live in November, Kylie reposted a promo for the episode, which is as close as she has come to publicly speaking about the relationship. Things seemed to be getting serious by December 2023, when People reported that Kylie was now calling Timothee her 'boyfriend.' The two showed off more affection in January when they put on a loved-up display at the Golden Globes. Though they sat together at the same table, they opted not to walk the red carpet together. The two haven't made any major public displays or comments in the last two months, which set off speculation that the burgeoning relationship was already over. A young Australian woman has revealed how she was invited to Taylor Swift's home in 2016. TikTok user alltoobrooke shared a video, explaining she received a secret invite to the pop star's Los Angeles property for a 'secret session'. The woman named Brooke said Taylor had been following her on social networking site Tumblr since 2016 and by 2018 she was 'interacting with my posts all the time.' 'One day I just randomly got this [direct message] from Taylor Nation and I couldn't believe it,' she said. 'I genuinely did not think it was real. But then I immediately knew it was for the Lover secret sessions because people had gotten the same message in the past.' After a couple of days, Brooke received a call from a New York number asking if she could attend a 'secret event in Los Angeles in two weeks time'. 'He told me this was the only phone call I would get so to make sure I would write all the [information] down. He told me the date and time and place to meet and not to tell anybody about it,' she said. She then booked a flight and on the day of the event, made her way to the meeting place where several vans picked up 50 fans. 'We had to hand over our phones and any gifts we wanted to give to Taylor,' she said. The fans were taken to the house and walked into the living room which was set up for them. 'Later the door opens and Taylor walks out. I was in shock,' she continued. TikTok user alltoobrooke shared a video, explaining how she received a secret invite to Taylor Swift's Los Angeles property for a 'secret session' in 2016 'She comes in, sits down in a chair in front of us all, connects her phone to a speaker to plays us to the whole Lover album before it was released to the public.' Brooke said they sat in the room for hours while Taylor explained the inspirations behind each song. 'We then all got called in to have one on one time with Taylor,' she added before revealing she had spoken to her about love and relationships. 'It was truly the best night of my entire life.' Emily Ratajkowski hinted at her enviable cleavage in a tantalizingly lacy top while stepping out in New York City on Thursday. The saucy sighting came four days after she suffered a busty wardrobe malfunction in a Jacquemus gown at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Undeterred, she was flashing the flesh again four days later in a springtime chic blue top that featured latticed fabric over her bust. Her blouse, which was perfectly fitted to emphasize her taut midriff, went stylishly with her long white skirt and screamingly bright red sneakers. Earlier that day, Emily exuded a corporate chic in a simple tan blazer paired with a loose-fitted pair of black slacks while walking her dog Colombo. Emily Ratajkowski hinted at her enviable cleavage in a tantalizingly lacy top while stepping out in New York City on Thursday Her blouse, which was perfectly fitted to emphasize her taut midriff, went stylishly with her long white skirt and screamingly bright red sneakers Wearing her dark hair down in gentle waves, she accessorized with a pair of spectacles and an unobtrusive set of earrings. However she did give a tip of the hat to her fashionista roots by throwing on a white blouse that featured a eye-catchingly stylish pointed hem. That day, she posted a spirited TikTok video making a free speech argument against the current push in the US Congress to outlaw the social media app. The House Of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to pass a bill that would ban TikTok unless its Chinese parent company sold its stake. Now the bill will head to the Senate, and if it passes there will arrive on the desk of US President Joe Biden, who has said he will sign it into law. 'So in my personal life people have made fun of me for how much I talk about TikTok and how important I think it is. Theyll joke like: "Oh, do you work for the Chinese government? Like whats going on?"' Emily said in her new video. 'And whenever they raise privacy concerns, what I say to them is: "You dont think Meta and Apple steal all of our date and our information and sell it to the US government?"' the supermodel reasoned. 'Because this is one of the few platforms that isnt completely controlled by the US government, or through corporations that have the US governments interests in mind, progressive politics have been able to blossom on here. We have been able to see stories and point of views that we would not have access to otherwise.' Earlier that day, Emily exuded a corporate chic in a simple tan blazer paired with a loose-fitted pair of black slacks while walking her dog Colombo Wearing her dark hair down in gentle waves, she accessorized with a pair of spectacles and an unobtrusive set of earrings That day, she posted a spirited TikTok video making a free speech argument against the current push in the US Congress to outlaw the social media app Emily theorized: 'TikTok is being banned because the US government is legitimately scared by the influence its having on the American people and the general population' The saucy sighting came four days after she suffered a busty wardrobe malfunction in a Jacquemus gown at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Emily theorized: 'TikTok is being banned because the US government is legitimately scared by the influence its having on the American people and the general population which to me indicates that TikTok is a very powerful tool for organization, for alternative thinking and for activism.' She concluded that 'while it was really funny and some, like, end-time apocalyptic humor to watch Nancy Pelosi do the TikTok Talk, whatever, TikTokToe thing, we should be really, really scared and this is a huge moment in our history.' Emily is no stranger to raising her voice against censorship on the internet, even to the point of courting controversy. In 2021 she was a rare celebrity arguing against Facebook banning then US President Donald Trump in the wake of the storming of the Capitol on January 6. Irina Shayk showcased her toned figure in an eye-catching ensemble as she posed up a storm during a photo shoot on a beach in Malibu on Thursday. The Russian-born supermodel, 38 - who recently went topless while starring in Aritzia's latest Sweatfleece campaign - could be seen having a blast while taking a variety of pictures on the sandy shore. The mother-of-one donned a sleeveless, gold satin dress that clung to her frame and contained a hem that stopped a few inches above her ankles. She accessorized the look with a pair of large, hooped earrings as well as chunky rings on each of her hands. For an additional flashy flare, the beauty also opted for gold cuffs that were placed on her upper right arm. Irina Shayk, 38, showcased her toned figure in an eye-catching ensemble as she posed up a storm during a photo shoot on a Malibu beach on Thursday The mother-of-one donned a sleeveless, gold satin dress that clung to her frame and contained a hem that stopped a few inches above her ankles During a portion of the photo shoot, Irina's dark locks were pulled back away from her face and styled into a chic bun. However, she later let her hair fall out of the up do to allow the strands to effortlessly flow down naturally past her shoulders. At one point during the busy day, Shayk could be seen posing on top of a large rock as the waves crashed down around her. She also enjoyed strolling along the shore and seemed unbothered as the hem of her dress became a little damp from the water. When the supermodel wasn't in front of the camera, she mingled and held a lighthearted conversation with other crew members on the set. The star also bundled up in a couple blankets to help her stay warm in the chilly breeze while on the beach. While she put on a fashionable display during the photo shoot on Thursday, Irina recently opened up to InStyle earlier this week about her own personal sense of style when not on sets. 'Comfort and ease are my priorities,' she expressed to the outlet. 'Because I'm always on the go, I gravitate towards loungewear that looks polished that I can dress up or down.' She accessorized the look with a pair of large, hooped earrings as well as chunky rings on each of her hands For an additional flashy flare, the beauty also opted for gold cuffs that were placed on her upper right arm However, she later let her hair fall out of the up do to allow the strands to effortlessly flow down naturally past her shoulders She also enjoyed strolling along the shore and seemed unbothered as the hem of her dress became a little damp from the water At one point during the busy day, Shayk could be seen posing on top of a large rock as the waves crashed down around her The star added that she tends to, 'usually have on something cozy like a hoodie or a pair of sweatpants, but pair it with a sleek coat or tailored blazer for an elevated look that's not too serious.' She later stated that, 'Effortlessness comes from embracing your own personal style, which for me is a combination of comfort and sophistication.' 'The cool factor is a natural result of the confidence that comes with putting together an outfit that is uniquely you.' With the warmer, spring season just around the corner, the model also expressed that she was also already anticipating fall later this year. 'I just got back from Paris Fashion Week, and am so excited about what I saw for fall,' the model told the publication. 'I almost never leave the house without a jacket or long coat, so I can't wait for some major outerwear moments this year.' Irina has been filtering through a busy schedule, and turned heads while attending the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars party over the weekend on Sunday. She put on a leggy display wearing a sheer, black tulle minidress as well as a fitted bodysuit underneath. While she put on a fashionable display during the photo shoot on Thursday, Irina recently opened up to InStyle earlier this week about her own personal sense of style when not on sets 'Comfort and ease are my priorities,' she expressed to the outlet. 'Because I'm always on the go, I gravitate towards loungewear that looks polished that I can dress up or down' The star added that she tends to, 'usually have on something cozy like a hoodie or a pair of sweatpants, but pair it with a sleek coat or tailored blazer for an elevated look that's not too serious' When the supermodel wasn't in front of the camera, she mingled and held a lighthearted conversation with other crew members on the set The star also bundled up in a couple blankets to help her stay warm in the chilly breeze while on the beach Shayk additionally wore a pair of black, over-the-knee socks that were secured with garters. To complete the look for the star-studded event, the model also slipped into a pair of closed-toed, black heels and wore a pair of opera-length, black gloves. Her locks were parted to the side, and cascaded down past her shoulders in elegant waves. Irina opted for minimal accessories to allow the outfit to be the main focal point during the evening, and wore a pair of mini, silver earrings. Her makeup was glammed up and also comprised of a bold, red tint to her lips that added a pop of color to the monochromatic ensemble. Later in the night, the star was seen crossing paths with other fellow supermodels, including Emily Ratajkowski. Before heading to the venue, Irina also shared an assortment of behind-the-scenes snaps to her main Instagram page to give her fans a closer glimpse at the stylish look. For most of the images, the mother-of-one posed outdoors and at one point, turned away from the camera and put on a cheeky display. 'The cool factor is a natural result of the confidence that comes with putting together an outfit that is uniquely you,' she also told InStyle Irina has been filtering through a busy schedule, and turned heads while attending the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars party over the weekend on Sunday (seen above) Before heading to the venue, Irina also shared an assortment of behind-the-scenes snaps to her main Instagram page to give her fans a closer glimpse at the stylish look For most of the images, the mother-of-one posed outdoors and at one point, turned away from the camera and put on a cheeky display When she is not busy on sets or glamming up for the red carpet, Irina puts her main focus into raising her daughter Lea, six - whom she shares with ex Bradley Cooper; seen on Sunday at 2024 Oscars In the caption of the post, Shayk penned to her 23.4 million followers, 'Why don't u [heart] me...' When she is not busy on sets or glamming up for the red carpet, Irina puts her main focus into raising her daughter Lea, six - whom she shares with ex Bradley Cooper. The actor notably attended the 96th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday alongside his mother and was nominated for Best Actor - although the honor eventually went to Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy. The star - who has been romantically linked to Gigi Hadid - was seen having a blast with his daughter at Disneyland just two days after the 2024 Oscars. Mathew Knowles, 72, took to Instagram to write a sweet tribute to his granddaughter Blue Ivy cheering her on for her bravery and spirit as she dances on Beyonce's concert tour. The former Destiny's Child manager posted an up close image of the twelve-year-old on stage as she danced in a shimmering camouflage costume. Her hair was swept up as she wore natural makeup that make her eyebrows and pout pop, looking like a spitting image of her famous mother. His message served as hope and inspiration for the young dancer as she broadens her horizons and explodes in the industry. The lengthy post proved to be a hit as fans wrote, 'The hive are super proud of you Blue Blue,' referencing her mother's fandom. Mathew Knowles , 72, took to Instagram to write a sweet tribute to his granddaughter Blue Ivy as she dances on Beyonce 's concert tour 'Dear Blue Ivy, I remember coming back stage in London to the concert and asking about you, Beyonce replied "she is there rehearsing" and then I understood why because one of your friends had commented negatively about your first performance on the tour. In that moment I was so proud that you wanted to put in the work to get better, 'Knowles started. 'I want to take a moment to appreciate the amazing determination and willingness to learn that you displayed. Your excitement for life and your eagerness to soak up knowledge and new experiences is truly inspiring. You have already shown the world that you are a force to be reckoned with, and I have no doubt that one day you will continue to astound us all.' 'It's clear that you have an extraordinary Knowles spirit, and I am confident that you will find your true passion in life,' he continued, 'Whether it's in music, art, science, business, or any other field, I hope that you have the courage to pursue it wholeheartedly. Whatever path you choose, I hope it brings you fulfillment, joy, and a deep sense of purpose.' 'I also want to encourage you to never be afraid of exploring new opportunities. The world is full of endless possibilities, and I hope you are brave enough to step outside of your comfort zone and seize the chances that come your way. Always be open to new experiences, for they have the potential to broaden your horizons and lead you to uncharted territories. 'Blue Ivy, I hope you may continue to embrace life with the same determination and willingness to learn that you possess now. Your journey is just beginning, and I have no doubt that you will leave an lasting mark on the world. Chase your dreams, follow your heart, and always believe in the extraordinary potential that lies within you,' he finished. The post comes as Beyonce recently revealed that Cowboy Carter will be the name of her upcoming country album. Blue Ivy was a backup dancer on her mother's record-breaking Renaissance World Tour to promote her four-time Grammy-winning, Billboard 200-topping LP of the same name. The Grammy winner tried to enhance her performance after making her debut at the tour's Paris stop, and she danced to My Power and Black Parade at almost all of the stops on the North American portion of the tour. Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce followed the artist as she preformed during her historic tour. During the movie, Beyonce talks about how she first hesitated to allow Blue to dance with her but later realized how dedicated and hardworking her daughter was to getting better every time she performed. 'I want to take a moment to appreciate the amazing determination and willingness to learn that you displayed... your excitement for life and your eagerness to soak up knowledge and new experiences is truly inspiring,' wrote Mathew The Grammy winner tried to enhance her performance after making her debut at the tour's Paris stop Beyonce's eighth studio album is slated to come out on March 29 and has already released two songs - Texas Hold 'Em and 16 Carriages. She announced her latest project during her Super Bowl commercial in which she partnered with Verizon Wireless. It is set to be a country album as she intends to go back to her Texan roots and embrace this new style of music. Chloe Burrows couldn't contain her smile as she enjoyed a date night with Harry Johnson in Waltham Forest on Thursday evening. The Love Island star, 28, and the Too Hot To Handle winner, 31, sparked romance rumours as they enjoyed one another's company. The reality stars were spotted enjoying a romantic meal together and sipping on cocktails. Chloe layered a black bomber jacket and a khaki cropped jacket over a plain white crop top. She showed off her toned midriff in the number which she teamed with grey wide legged jeans and khaki trainers. Chloe Burrows couldn't contain her smile as she enjoyed a date night with Harry Johnson in Waltham Forest on Thursday evening The Love Island stunner and the Too Hot To Handle winner looked loved-up as they enjoyed one another's company Leaving her long blonde tresses in loose waves, the ITV2 star toted her belongings around in a black handbag. Meanwhile Harry looked cool in a beige bomber jacket which he teamed with a white T-shirt, black jeans and Nike trainers. The reality stars were pictured leaving the restaurant before departing in a taxi together. Harry and Chloe seemed in good spirits as they were seen laughing away in the taxi before driving off. Chloe previously dated Toby Aromolaran after meeting on Love Island in 2021. The former couple came in second place on the ITV2 show. They went on to date for over a year and even moved in together in Essex but later split in 2022. Toby has since appeared on the latest series of Love Island All Stars and is now with Georgia Steel. The reality stars were spotted enjoying a romantic meal together and sipping on cocktails Chloe looked incredible as she layered a black bomber jacket, a khaki cropped jacket over a plain white crop top She showed off her toned midriff in the number which she teamed with grey wide legged jeans and khaki trainers Harry looked cool in a beige bomber jacket which he teamed with a white T-shirt, black jeans and Nike trainers The reality stars were seen laughing as they departed in a taxi together This is the first time Chloe and Harry have been spotted out together During his appearance on All Stars there were several cheating allegations flying around between Chloe and Toby. Meanwhile Harry won 34,000 on season 3 of the Netflix show Too Hot To Handle with ex girlfriend Beaux Raymond. The pair split weeks after the filming the show. Earlier this month Chloe was spotted having a cosy chat with Tyler West at a hotel after the 2024 Brit Awards. The Strictly star and radio presenter, 27, was seen chatting to reality star in the foyer of the hotel after the star-studded event. Tyler at one point gave Chloe his jacket to keep her warm - which she wore over her silver mini dress - as they waited in the entrance. It came after Tyler earlier in the night had posed with his girlfriend Molly Rainford as they attended the Universal Music Brit Awards afterparty at 180 The Strand. In January this year Tyler and Molly told how they were thrilled to be 'moving in together' as they prepared to take their relationship to the next level. Chloe previously dated Toby Aromolaran after meeting on Love Island in 2021. The former couple came in second place on the ITV2 show A top doctor has slammed the celebrity usage of Ozempic and claimed they are giving the weight loss drug a 'terrible name'. Dr Nick Coatsworth appeared on the Today show on Friday to discuss the drug becoming a trend in Hollywood after stars have admitted to using it to lose weight. The physician, who specialises in infectious diseases, claimed that the Hollywood stars who are using Ozempic to slim down have given the drug a 'terrible name'. Ozempic is a diabetes medication but it is also being sold privately for weight loss, and celebrities including Sharon Osbourne, Amy Schumer, Boy George and Heather Gay have admitted to using the drug. Speaking about the rise in celebrities using it, Dr Coatsworth alleged that many of the stars using Ozempic are not of a weight where they need to be on the drug. Dr Nick Coatsworth has slammed the celebrity usage of Ozempic and claimed they are giving the weight loss drug a 'terrible name' as he appeared on the Today show on Friday He said: 'I think Ozempic has been given a terrible name now by the celebrity usage, and obviously most celebrities are of the weight that you don't need to use those Ozempic at all, but if you are carrying more weight, in particular a body mass index of greater than 30, it can have quite a remarkable weight loss effect. 'It is in that sense a wonder drug. It's elevated Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer, to the number one company in Denmark. That's how good it is.' It comes after the manufacturer of blockbuster weight loss drugs has urged Hollywood stars to stop hogging Ozempic and similar medications because of shortages. In a bizarre 30-second advert on television, Eli Lilly - which makes weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound - urged those who are not obese to steer clear of the weight loss drugs. It said they had only been tested and approved for people who were overweight or obese - who have a higher risk of other conditions like heart disease and cancer - or who have type two diabetes. Dr Coatsworth alleged that many of the celebrities using Ozempic are not of a weight where they need to be using it. Sharon Osbourne is among the stars who have admitted to using it zempic is a diabetes medication but it is also being sold privately for weight loss, and it has surged in popularity in recent years (stock image) A caption on the advert read: 'Some people have been using medicine never meant for them. 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.' Eli Lilly's CEO David Ricks also recently told CNN: 'We have a point of view about how these drugs are being used. 'These medications were invented for people with a serious health condition; they were not invented just to have someone who is famous look a little bit better.' Blockbuster weight loss drugs which cost about $950 a month out-of-pocket have been in shortage for months amid surging demand. Elon Musk recently said he lost almost 30lbs (13.6kg) while on the drug, saying his transformation was due to 'Fasting + Ozempic/Wegovy + no tasty food for me' The number of prescriptions written for weight loss drugs in the US has surged more than 2,000 percent since 2019 from 230,000 prescriptions in 2019. The drugs, which are given via a weekly injection, work by mimicking a hunger hormone in the body, making someone feel full even if they haven't eaten recently. Celebrities including Chelsea Handler, Elon Musk and Patti Stanger have admitted to taking Ozempic, while speculation has been rife around other stars using it. Chelsea previously said she shed a few pounds on the drug but stopped using it after she realized it was Ozempic, saying it should be left for diabetes patients. She said: 'I'm not on it anymore. That's too irresponsible. I've injected about four or five of my friends with Ozempic because I realized I didn't want to use it 'cause it's silly. It's for heavy people.' Tesla CEO Elon also said he lost almost 30lbs (13.6kg) while on the drug, saying his transformation was due to 'Fasting + Ozempic/Wegovy + no tasty food for me'. Chelsea Handler previously said she shed a few pounds on the drug but stopped using it after she realized it was Ozempic, saying it should be left for diabetes patients Sharon Osbourne has also revealed she took Ozempic, but said she lost so many pounds on the drug that she 'needed to put weight back on'. The 71-year-old started taking the drug last December when she weighed 142lbs (64.4kg) and shed more than 45lbs (20kg) on the medication, but then her weight fell down to 97lbs (43kg). She told Women magazine: 'You can lose so much weight and it's easy to become addicted to that, which is very dangerous. 'I couldn't stop losing weight and now I've lost 42lbs and I can't afford to lose anymore.' Bella Hadid is truly embracing her new Western chic style as her romance with professional cowboy Adan Banuelos heats up. On Thursday, the supermodel, 27, was spotted walking her dog Glizzy Petunia Beans in Los Angeles amid reports she's moved to Texas to be closer to Adan. Hadid rocked a double denim outfit that included flared blue jeans and a fitted zip-up jacket. She also had on a tiny white tank top and brown heeled cowboy boots. Hadid's adorable Australian Shepherd remained by her side as they trekked along the sidewalk together during their errand run. Bella Hadid is truly embracing her new Western chic style as her romance with professional cowboy Adan Banuelos heats up At one point, the runway maven knelt down to give Glizzy some undivided attention that included a few scratches behind the ears. Bella then led the way to an SUV, which she and her pup promptly jumped in and then drove away. Her four-legged family member is far from just a typical household pet, in the eyes of Hadid. Hadid has had Glizzy by her side as she took a six-month hiatus from working amid her years-long battle with Lyme disease. She documented her recent struggle and recovery in photos shared to Instagram last year many of which featured Glizzy. In one notable shot that was posted in August, the dog is seen resting beside Hadid, who had IVs attached to her arm. On Thursday, the supermodel, 27, was spotted walking her dog Glizzy Petunia Beans in Los Angeles amid reports she's moved to Texas to be closer to Adan Hadid's adorable Australian Shepherd remained by her side as they trekked along the sidewalk together during their errand run Hadid has had Glizzy by her side as she took a six-month hiatus from working amid her years-long battle with Lyme disease Hadid has praised Glizzy for being by her side during her struggles with Lyme disease In one notable shot that was posted in August, the dog is seen resting beside Hadid, who had IVs attached to her arm 'And God Bless my Angel Glizzy P. Beans aka Petunia aka Beans,' she gushed with gratitude in the caption. 'For never leaving my side not for one second.' Along with her love for Glizzy, Hadid has also had a passion for horses since she was a little girl. The decorated equestrian has been able to embrace her inner cowgirl once again thanks to her new romance with Banuelos. He is a professional horseman and the son of Ascencion Banuelos, the first Mexican-American to be inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. The couple first sparked dating rumors in October 2023 when TMZ published photos of the pair kissing in Fort Worth, Texas. Hadid recently supported him at a rodeo tournament, where she was photographed cheering him on from the stands. Hadid has reportedly relocated from New York to Texas to be closer to her new boyfriend Adan Banuelos, according to TMZ It was claimed this week that Hadid recently moved to Texas from New York City to be close to Banuelos. The model is said to have purchased a home in a rural neighborhood of Fort Worth which is still close enough to the city she doesn't feel completely cut off. According to TMZ, Hadid appears to be settling in well to life in the Lone Star State and she is in Fort Worth more often than not. Banuelos is said to own a home close to Bella and the couple split their time between their two places. An Australian DJ has gone viral after he played an impromptu set of house music for Sydney concert goers on the train heading to Fred Again's show at Qudos Bank Arena this week. Sydney-born Mistah Cee fashioned together a mixer and soundboard in an old shopping trolley and performed to commuters during peak hour on Wednesday. Footage shared to TikTok showed the rising star having a ball with close to 100 passengers who excitedly raved to his music. Mistah Cee told Daily Mail Australia the reason he decided to host his own spontaneous concert ahead of UK-based DJ Fred Again's sold-out show. 'Sydney is a bit of a dud city, it's a little bit dry in terms of the culture and flavour. My goal is to carve out my name, to be that one DJ that is thinking outside the box,' he said. An Australian DJ has gone viral after he played an impromptu set of house music for Sydney concert goers on the train heading to Fred Again's show at Qudos Bank Arena this week 'We were going to do it outside but I said to my management, "What if we do it inside a train?" One thing I live by is seek forgiveness, not permission.' Cee added he had not yet met his idol Fred Again, but had reached out to him and was eagerly awaiting a response. 'The plan is to be as big as Fred Again one day. My father is African-American and my mother is Australian, so I was exposed to a lot of culture,' he said. Sydney-born Mistah Cee fashioned together a mixer and soundboard in an old shopping trolley and performed to commuters during peak hour on Wednesday 'There's a lot of flavour in African-American neighbourhoods. Australia is lacking that freedom of expression, to let loose and completely let go.' Mister Cee, who has a popular YouTube channel with over 17,000 subscribers, hinted he had something equally big planned when American R'n'B star SZA arrived in Sydney in April. He has been DJing since 2006 and has developed a reputation for wowing crowds with a mixture of old and new hip hop songs. Meanwhile, Fred Again kicked off his tour in Melbourne, playing three back-to-back shows from March 4 to March 6 at Rod Laver Arena, before he headed to a pop up location on the Gold Coast on March 9. He then returned to Sydney for three shows at Qudos Bank Arena from March 12 to March 14, performing to packed houses. Fred will perform his final Australian show in Sydney on Saturday at The Domain. MANCHESTER A new driving school with connections to a facility closed by the state last year could open up in a Main Street storefront. Zahid Khan, owner of Atlas Driving School in West Hartford, said he plans to open a "branch office" at the former location of Shining Star Driving School, which was owned and operated by his wife, Antoinette Khan. Shining Star Driving School had its license suspended by the state Department of Motor Vehicles in September. State DMV officials said an investigation into "irregularities" in the school's operation uncovered a number of violations to statutes and regulations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shining Star Driving School filed an "interim notice" with the Secretary of the State of Connecticut, dated Oct. 23, that indicated Zahid Khan had replaced his wife as the company's manager and principal. Khan said he was not at all involved in the situation that led to the closure of Shining Star Driving School. Khan said that he took ownership of Shining Star Driving School with plans to reopen it under his own instructor's license in January, but he was unable to gain approval from the state because the license for Shining Star had already been suspended. Earlier this month, Khan filed a permit with Manchester to change the name on signage to Atlas Driving School. An inspection from the town's Building Department indicated that the permit was rejected due to issues with the application. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Khan said he plans to have all local zoning sorted and an active license for Atlas Driving School's new Manchester location within six weeks at the latest. "It's been almost six months, so I think it's good to have a driving school back there," Khan said. Representatives from the state DMV did not return a request for comment Thursday. Hearst Connecticut Media Group obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request a document detailing the findings of the investigation, as well as a "stipulated agreement" signed by both parties that would allow for the restoration of the driving school's license. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Documents indicate that in January 2023, a DMV analyst reported what she believed were students receiving driving lessons at the school's proposed Wethersfield location, despite the fact that the DMV rejected an application for the expansion. The ensuing investigation led to an audit of the school, which revealed that nearly 190 electronic certifications were signed by an instructor with an expired license and that another individual provided instruction without holding a license. The stipulated agreement would restore the school's license if Shining Star Driving School addressed the issues found during the investigation, stopped providing driving instruction in Wethersfield, paid a $5,000 civil penalty, and provided free instruction to all students who took or paid for classes after the instructor's license expired. State DMV officials said in November that Shining Star Driving School was closed by the state later in September after the school violated the terms of the stipulated agreement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Khan said his wife has not renewed her expired instructor's license and she is unsure if or when she will. Australian Mad Max stunt man Grant Page has died in a car accident. The 85-year-old screen legend was driving alone near his home in Kendall on the mid-north coast of New South Wales on Thursday when he hit a tree. His son Leroy Page told Daily Mail Australia that ambulance and police were at the scene within minutes. No further details of the accident have been released. Leroy, 49, described his father as a 'legend' and said the tragic accident came at a time when Grant was making plans for new projects. 'He died in very high spirits and he was very motivated. He was very happy.' World famous Australian 'Mad Max ' stunt man Grant Page has died in a car accident. The 85-year-old screen legend was driving alone near his home on the mid-north coast of New South Wales on Thursday when he hit a tree. Pictured: Grant Page Grant Page was a pioneer of Australia's golden age of cinema in the 1970s. His long list of credits include such action-oriented films as Mad Max (1979), Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985), The Man from Hong Kong (1975) and Roadgames (1981). Page also had a secondary career as an actor and starred in Deathcheaters (1976) and Stunt Rock (1978). Grant Page pictured in 1975 after being doused in petrol and sliding off a 100metre cliff. His long time friend and former manager Trenchard-Smith posted a touching tribute to Page on his blog on Thursday. 'Grant Page was Australias pioneer stunt performer and my friend for fifty-two years,' Trenchard-Smith shared. 'I will miss him terribly. He was an inspiring man, who lived uncompromisingly. Pictured: Grant Page in a scene from Stunt Rock (1978). 'Most people accept that age weighs upon us, gravity holds us down, death awaits us if we dare too much. Not necessarily, said Grant, as he successfully tampered with the laws of physics and probability.' In the documentary film Not Quite Hollywood, Trenchard-Smith summed up Page's extraordinary skill and daring. 'He's the guy you get to dodge the cars, slide down the cliff on fire, jump into the water and fight the shark.' Pictured: A Grant Page stunt scene in Mad Max (1979). He performed this dangerous collision at high after breaking a leg in an accident. His leg was plaster when he did the stunt. Known for his fearlessness Page came to stunt work in films and TV after graduating from the University of Adelaide. After catching sight of a military parachute display by chance one day, he was inspired to join the Australian Commandos, a special forces unit. He later entered filmmaking after teaming with director Brian Trenchard-Smith. Grant Page won fame in the stunt film for being able to perform stunts like this - which involved being 'hit' by a car. Page called feats like this 'illusions of danger'. The pair created a number of eye-popping TV specials designed to show off Page's amazing skills and charismatic personality including The Stuntmen (1973) and Kung Fu Killers (1974). Known for extraordinary ability to stage eye-popping stunts with vehicles, Page was famed for a trick known as the 'transfer'. This entailed Page climbing out the window of one car into another car travelling side by side at high speed. He was also famous for leaping off cliffs on fire and his ability to withstand being 'hit' by a fast moving vehicle. Page's stunts were a highlight of the 1974 action film The Man from Hong Kong, also directed by Trenchard-Smith. The pair devised a number of sequences to feature the then new 'dare devil sport' of hang-gliding. In one particular dangerous scene Page can be seen flying over Hong Kong. He attracted plaudits in the local industry for his work on Mad Dog Morgan (1976). In one scene he leapt off a 24metre cliff into a pond of water - on fire. His ability to create realistic 'mayhem' for the screen attracted director George Miller who hired him to work on the hair-raising car stunts for Mad Max (1979). Page broke his leg in a motorbike accident early in filming. But undeterred he kept working. It was Page who performed the memorable scene in Mad Max in which a 'muscle car' collides with a wooden caravan reducing it to splinters. Page filmed the stunt with one leg in plaster. He recently worked again with George Miller on his film Three Thousand Years of Longing. He also set to appear in the Mad Max prequel Furiosa. Page recently worked on George Miller's films Three Thousand Years of Longing and the Mad Max prequel Furiosa (star Anja Taylor-Joy pictured) as a performer and stunt co-ordinator. His other recent credits include Patrick: Evil Awakens (2013), Gods of Egypt (2016), Mechanic: Resurrection (2016), The Defector (2018) and The Legend of the Five (2020). He was also famous for leaping off cliffs on fire and his ability to withstand being 'hit' by a fast moving vehicle. Page was survived by his four sons Adrian, 52, Jeremy, 51, Leroy, 49, Gulliver, 47, ex-wife Joy and former partner Ulli. Sydney Sweeney discussed details of the upcoming third and final season of the HBO series Euphoria. While promoting her new film Immaculate, the 26-year-old actress told MTV, 'I go into Euphoria,' when asked if she'll be taking a work break any time soon. 'I always feel like I go home,' she noted about returning to director Sam Levinson's set. 'It's like home when I go back to it. I like it. I'm excited, it's like family,' she explained. Returning to the series alongside Sweeney are costars Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Nika King, Alexa Demie, and more. Sydney Sweeney discussed details of the upcoming third and final season of the HBO series Euphoria; pictured at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Sydney portrays the fraught character Cassie on the hit series about students at a California high school The show will return in 2025, HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys confirmed last november. The first two seasons of Levinson's racy series starred Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Sweeney, Maude Apatow, Demie, Elordi, the late Angus Cloud, Barbie Ferreira and Dominic Fike. During a fall press event, bits from the successful show were shown in a reel. Included with the snippets was a note that read: 'Coming in 2025.' The delay is partly due to the now-resolved WGA strike and the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Levinson's and Zendaya's packed schedules also contributed to the lag. Last August, Levinson teased limited details about the upcoming installment in an interview with Elle. The director offered insight into what would happen to Zendaya's character Rue during the show's new run of episodes, revealing that her role would be to 'explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.' He additionally noted that he envisions the show leaning into 'film noir.' Alexa Demie (R) is expected to return to the series alongside Sweeney Hunter Schafer and Zendaya pictured in an intimate scene Levinson also praised Zendaya's work ethic and her dedication to pushing herself as a performer. 'She's the most competitive person I know, in a good way. She's constantly growing as an artist and always seeking a challenge. She's never complacent,' he said. Zendaya has starred as the drug-addled teen since Euphoria debuted on HBO in 2019. The first season of the program ran for eight episodes and was followed by a pair of specials released in 2020 and 2021. Euphoria's second season premiered in 2022 to critical and commercial acclaim. Do you know more? Email charlotte.karp@mailonline.com Pip Edwards and her P.E Nation co-founder Claire Greaves' split comes amid fresh rumours they had a toxic falling out and can't work together anymore. That's despite the pair denying they had a relationship breakdown last year when Greaves' office at P.E Nation's headquarters was cleared out while she went on extended leave. A company spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that Greaves (previously Tregoning) would keep her share of the business and remain on the board, but that Edwards would take over as the sole 'visionary' creative director. They said: 'Pip and the company are in complete support of Claire's transition to pursue other creative endeavors and wish her the absolute best in her next chapter.' Only a year ago, Daily Mail Australia revealed Greaves' office at P.E Nation's headquarters in Alexandria, in Sydney's inner-west, had been converted into a creative space while she took a leave of absence. At the time, a well-placed source claimed that the co-founders were embroiled in a feud - which P.E Nation and Greaves herself denied, insisting the pair were 'committed and collaborative business partners'. But Daily Mail Australia understands the real reason Greaves - who has a restraining order against her ex-husband, Tim Tregoning - has moved away from the everyday management of the business is due to ongoing tensions between the pair. A source with knowledge of the situation said there was 'no love lost' in the decision to end their business partnership. Claire Greaves and Pip Edwards (pictured) announced on Thursday they are not business partners anymore Pip Edwards is pictured near the P.E Nation office in Alexandria, in Sydney's inner west Tim Tregoning seen with a mystery woman on Friday in Avalon following his ex wife Claire's departure from P.E Nation The shock exit According to the statement on Thursday, Greaves left to pursue other creative endeavours. 'Claire Greaves has made the decision to step out of the day-to -day running of the business,' a spokesperson said. 'Claire will remain on the board and will retain her shareholding as the company continues to thrive in the very creative, visionary hands of Pip Edwards at the helm. 'Pip and the company are in complete support of Claire's transition to pursue other creative endeavours and wish her the absolute best in her next chapter.' Greaves did not address her split with Edwards after the announcement on Thursday. Instead, she used Instagram to post photos from her trip to Los Angeles. Edwards didn't directly address Greaves' departure from the business either, but instead posted that P.E Nation had achieved B Corp status - which means it has reached global recognition for its sustainability efforts. Rumours of Greaves' departure from P.E Nation had been circulating for months, partly fuelled by her extended absence from the office. Last year, a company spokesperson would not confirm whether Greaves intended to return to headquarters. They said: 'Whilst Claire is not in the office, we are using her office space for other purposes, including a meeting and creative room.' The pair were pictured together at the Australian Fashion Laureate in October, but Greaves appears to have a lot of time in Byron Bay recently, where she is involved with luxury guesthouse, Sun Ranch. Greaves did not address her split with Edwards after the announcement on Thursday. Instead, she used Instagram to post photos from her trip to Los Angeles (pictured) Claire Greaves and Pip Edwards are pictured together in October last year Marriage breakdown Amid rumours of Greaves' relationship breakdown with Edwards, it was revealed she and her ex-husband Tim Tregoning quietly separated in 2022 but the news was made public eight months later, last January. The former couple have two children together. She told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time the split was amicable. 'It is very amicable, we still love each other, we are co-parenting and he remains a great friend,' she said. 'Things change and that's just what happened for us, but we are getting through that with a lot of respect and support for each other.' Tim Tregoning quietly separated from Greaves in 2022 with the couple saying the split was amicable (he is pictured with a friend on Friday in Avalon) Ms Greaves and Mr Tregoning have two children together who they are co-parenting In November last year, he was arrested taken to Manly Police Station, in Sydney's northern beaches, where officers filed an apprehended domestic violence order against him on Greaves' behalf. He was then charged with stalking or intimidating her with intent to cause physical or mental harm between November 1 and 3 last year. Tregoning, who has the name 'Claire' tattooed on his ribs next to a heart and arrows, pleaded not guilty and is represented by celebrity lawyer Bryan Wrench. The matter is still before the courts. Last year, he was slapped with a good behaviour bond after he was caught buying a $600 bag of cocaine from a dealer at Bondi Beach. A court heard he bought the drugs on the same day Greaves told him not to come home. Despite that situation, she still wrote him a glowing character reference. Claire Tregoning confirmed her split with her husband Timothy (pictured together) in 2023 Ms Greaves said the she still has a 'lot of respect and support' for Mr Tregoning Mr Tregoning has the name Claire tattooed on his ribs with a heart and arrows Mr Tregoning was given a good behaviour bond after he bought a $600 bag of cocaine from a dealer in Bondi Beach last year The rise of P.E Nation Greaves and Edwards worked together as designers at Sass & Bide before they joined forces and launched their activewear brand in 2016. They turned the luxury label into an international brand earning a huge number of celebrity clients. In May 2023, they expanded by opening their first brick-and-mortar store, in The Galeries on Sydney's George Street. The shop is designed by a architect and features bespoke lights, sculptures and furniture by local designers. According to the company website, P.E Nation 'was born from a universal need for multi-faceted active wear, given the global shift towards juggling a fast pace life'. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Greaves and Edwards for comment. Kristen Wiig opened up about struggling through her IVF journey, before ultimately welcoming her four-year-old twins Shiloh and Luna in 2020 via surrogate. The 50-year-old Bridesmaids actress, who is married to Avi Rothman, 46, explained that while she loves being a parent, the road to motherhood was traumatic. 'It was such a struggle. When you go through (IVF), you meet other people who are going through it, and it's almost like this secret little... the whispering conversation at a party,' she told The Hollywood Reporter. 'It feels like not a lot of people talk about it.' She continued: 'It is such a private thing, but maybe it doesn't have to be. It's part of my story and part of how I got my amazing family.' Kristen Wiig opened up about struggling through her IVF journey, before ultimately welcoming her four-year-old twins Shiloh and Luna in 2020 via surrogate (pictured in January 2024) Kristen is famed for rarely publicly opening up about her family life and has shunned social media. Despite her private nature, the actress did tell InStyle in 2020 she and her husband had tried IVF for three years before turning to surrogacy. At the time, she revealed there 'was a lot of stress and heartache' during the IVF process. 'Its hard not to personalize it when you get a negative result,' she told the outlet. As for how it affected her marriage, Wiig said she and her spouse had 'together for about five years, and three of them were spent in an IVF haze.' 'Emotionally, spiritually, and medically, it was probably the most difficult time in my life,' she confessed. 'I wasnt myself. There are so many emotions that go with it youre always waiting by the phone and getting test results, and it was just bad news after bad news.' The comedian added: 'Occasionally there would be a good month, but then it was just more bad news. There was a lot of stress and heartache.' Wiig also said she had a difficult time not blaming herself for their fertility hurdles, something that was particularly isolating. 'You go through so much self-deprecation, and you feel like your partner may be seeing you in a different way and all this other stuff we make up in our heads,' she told the magazine. The 50-year-old Bridesmaids actress, who is married to Avi Rothman, 46, explained that while she loves being a parent, the road to motherhood was traumatic (seen in 2016) She also admitted the choice to use a surrogate was tough. Kristen added: 'I remember when our doctor mentioned going other routes and I was just like, 'Nope. Don't ever bring that up again. I'm getting pregnant. I'm doing this.' But she said she eventually was forced to change her mind. 'You go through so much self-deprecation, and you feel like your partner may be seeing you in a different way and all this other stuff we make up in our heads,' she told the magazine. But Kristen realized she wasn't alone when she started broaching the topic with other women. 'When I did talk about it, every time I said that I was going through IVF, I would meet someone who was either going through it, about to go through it, or had a friend who just did it. Its like this underground community thats talked about but not talked about.' Though initially hesitant about surrogacy, the Bridesmaids actress realized it was okay to admit it was time for help. 'It was such a struggle. When you go through (IVF), you meet other people who are going through it, and it's almost like this secret little... the whispering conversation at a party,' she told The Hollywood Reporter . 'It feels like not a lot of people talk about it' (seen in 2020) Despite her private nature, the actress did tell InStyle in 2020 she and her husband had tried IVF for three years before turning to surrogacy; seen in 2020 at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards 'I remember when our doctor mentioned going other routes, and I was just like, "Nope. Dont ever bring that up again. Im getting pregnant. Im doing this." I finally realized that I just needed help. And, thank God, we found the most amazing surrogate.' She added: 'I finally realized that I just needed help. And, thank God, we found the most amazing surrogate.' Kristen also called her journey to motherhood 'bittersweet' and said she was finally at peace with how it had unfolded. She said: 'Overall it was a very beautiful thing, and now that I'm on the other side, I wouldn't have had it any other way. 'I've always believed that things happen the way they're supposed to happen, and this is how (our twins) were supposed to get here.' Wiig ignited rumors she was starting a family when she thanked her own mother for 'preparing me to be a mom myself' during a Mother's Day sketch on SNL in 2020. She and Avi have been dating since 2016 and were engaged last year. Kristen was previously married to actor Hayes Hargrove from 2005 to 2009. Jenna Coleman cut a stylish figure in a grey dress at the launch party of Chioma Nnadi's first issue of British Vogue as Head of Editorial content on Thursday. The actress, 37, looked incredible in the striking metallic grey gown which boasted dramatic puff sleeves and a cinched waist. She elevated her frame in a pair of chunky black heels as she posed for photos at the event which was sponsored by Don Julio 1942. Styling her brunette tresses in loose waves, Jenna applied a glamorous palette of makeup including smokey eye shadow and a swipe of bold red lipstick. Celebrities descended into Ladbroke Hall in Notting Hill to celebrate Chioma's first issue since she replaced Edward Enninful, the outgoing editor in chief. Jenna Coleman cut a stylish figure in a grey dress at the launch party of Chioma Nnadi's first issue of British Vogue as Head of Editorial content on Thursday The actress, 37, looked incredible in the striking metallic grey gown which boasted dramatic puff sleeves and a cinched waist Jenna also posed with Zawe Ashton and Oliver Jackson-Cohen at the party as they supported the former US editor, who relocated to the UK following her new role Chioma is known as the 'nicest person at Vogue', before the announcement, an insider told The Times: 'Chioma is a great choice. She is serious and clever and really knows her stuff. She doesn't suffer fools.' 'Chioma isn't the terrifying fashion editor of old,' another Conde Nast insider said. 'She's quite shy one-on-one, and very calm. She's one of those people that pauses before she answers a question.' While a veteran fashion PR said: 'Off the record, [Nnadi] is the nicest person I've ever dealt with at Vogue.' Her mixed-race and multi-cultural background makes her stand out in the world of fashion, she has said. Speaking at the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2018 she claimed: 'Too often I look around . . . fashion week and I'm one of a handful of black and brown faces. Black creatives are underrepresented at every level . . . Racism is a systemic problem'. Styling her brunette tresses in loose waves, Jenna applied a glamorous palette of makeup including smokey eye shadow and a swipe of bold red lipstick Jenna also posed with Zawe Ashton and Oliver Jackson-Cohen at the party as they supported the former US editor, who relocated to the UK following her new role Roxy Jacenko shared a hilarious video to social media on Thursday to highlight the difference between buying a chicken in Australia and Singapore. The 43-year-old PR guru posted a short clip to Instagram, showing her terrified son Hunter, 10, running in fear from their kitchen. The blonde beauty captioned the clip with some hilarious words: 'Actually dying. So Hunty wanted chicken soup. 'Catch is when you buy a "chicken" here, it comes complete with head and legs. No one wants chicken soup now.' Roxy is then heard asking him, 'What did you just see?' and he responded with a yelp. Roxy Jacenko shared a hilarious video to social media on Thursday to highlight the difference between buying a chicken in Australia and Singapore Her post highlighted a cultural difference in how food is prepared in Australia vs Singapore. The entrepreneur, who is currently in Sydney for the launch of her latest boot camp, settled in to the Southeast Asian country six months ago and has been living it up in style ever since. She moved there with her husband Oliver Curtis and their two kids - daughter Pixie, 12, and son Hunter. The 43-year-old PR guru posted a short clip to Instagram, showing her terrified son Hunter, 10, running in fear from their kitchen. The blonde beauty captioned the clip with some hilarious words: 'Actually dying. So Hunty wanted chicken soup. 'Catch is when you buy a "chicken" here, it comes complete with head and legs. No one wants chicken soup now' Earlier this month, Roxy revealed she will never return to Sydney. 'I don't have any plans to come back. I'm sorry to say,' she told Daily Mail Austraila. 'I love Australia. Don't get me wrong. It's so nice to look out at the ocean and have that opportunity. But I love being so close to all different places. 'Since being in Singapore, I've travelled to Thailand, to Vietnam and to India. We're so far away from everything in Australia. All of a sudden my life has become a lot more colourful. I can explore and do different stuff.' 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. At the time of her move, Roxy admitted her life in Sydney has a stark difference to her upcoming new life overseas. 'No one knows me there, no one has any preconceived idea of who or what I am, no one has any expectation, and best of all, no one actually cares!' she told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time. Roxy moved to Singapore with her husband Oliver Curtis and their two kids - daughter Pixie, 12, and son Hunter last year Brittany Cartwright revealed she got a chin liposuction in a new preview for reality series The Valley. The star, 35, made the admission after the show's previous trailer saw her doubting that her husband Jax Taylor, 44, was still 'attracted' to her and revealing that they 'never have sex', though he recently denied cheating on her. The pair who recently announced their split were seen in a new teaser clip for the show, which is a Vanderpump Rules spinoff series, with Brittany's face bandaged up. She revealed that it was 10 days after her surgery. 'For the longest time I have been so self-conscious about my double chin. Or like a turkey gobbler is what we like to call it. So I had lipo in my chin,' she shared. She added, 'Jax and I are very lucky because we have friends who are plastic surgeons. They did all 3 or 4 of Jax's nose jobs. They did my boobs.' Brittany Cartwright, 35, revealed she got a chin liposuction in a new preview for The Valley, amid fears her now estranged husband Jax Taylor, 44, is not attracted to her anymore The reality star said she wanted to get rid of her 'turkey gobbler' so she got liposuction on her chin; (L) seen in a still from the clip, (R) pictured with her old chin in 2022 'I just don't have full control of my jaw,' she told Jax, who had said that she looks 'great' post surgery. 'I just have to remember that nighttime activities,' he replied. 'Yeah, you ain't getting no BJs,' she said, laughing. 'No, you ain't going anywhere near that,' he quipped. Earlier this week the pair's marriage woes were highlighted on the new trailer for The Valley. In a teaser clip for the upcoming show Brittany admitted that she doesn't think her husband is 'attracted' to her and that they 'never have sex', as other cast members discussed online rumors about Jax cheating. The pair are also seen getting into a heated argument in one scene. 'You're my f*****g husband and you're trying to make me look like I'm a bad person F**k you!' she shouts at him a during what appears to be a get-together with friends. 'She has a f*****g problem,' Jax responds. The trailer starts off with some foreshadowing as Jax happily tells Tom Schwartz, 'I got a beautiful son, I got a beautiful bar, money in the bank' to which Schwartz responds, 'Only a matter of time until you're gonna be living with me, divorced and miserable.' Later in the trailer Jax and his wife have a tense conversation after she admits that her 'baby fever is through the roof.' She made the admission after the show's previous trailer saw her doubting that Jax was still 'attracted' to her, revealing that they 'never have sex', though he recently denied cheating The pair who recently announced their split were seen in a new teaser clip for the show, which is a Vanderpump Rules spinoff series, with Brittany's face bandaged up She revealed that it was 10 days after her surgery 'For the longest time I have been so self-conscious about my double chin. Or like a turkey gobbler is what we like to call it. So I had lipo in my chin,' she shared 'I just don't have full control of my jaw,' she told Jax, who had said that she looks 'great' post surgery 'I just have to remember that nighttime activities,' he said. 'Yeah, you ain't getting no BJs,' she replied, laughing. 'No, you ain't going anywhere near that,' he quipped The two already share son Cruz, who was born in April 2021, and Jax doesn't appear to want more. 'Bringing in another human being, it's worrisome to me,' he tells her. 'I live for my kid,' she passionately says, appearing to get emotional. 'Don't cry,' he responds. 'See, I can't even have an emotion,' she replies, appearing frustrated with the conversation. 'You can't,' he shoots back. A distraught Brittany then tells her friend, 'I don't feel like he's attracted to me. Like, we don't have sex ever.' Meanwhile Jax is heard saying in a voiceover, 'It's so hard to be married sometimes.' His castmates then bring up the rumors about Jax's infidelity, with one saying: 'There's a rumor about Jax cheating online.' The next scene shows Jax appearing overwhelmed, as he shares, 'I don't know how to manage raising a child, raising a family, starting a business.' She added, 'Jax and I are very lucky because we have friends who are plastic surgeons. They did all 3 or 4 of Jax's nose jobs' The clip showed three different snaps of Jax with a bandage on his nose Brittany also revealed she's gotten a breast augmentation from the same surgeons, telling the camera, 'They did my boobs' The upcoming series resumed filming in March to 'capture the aftermath' of the breakup after wrapping production last year, according to ET. The extra footage is scheduled to be broadcast at the conclusion of the first season, slated to premiere on March 19 The trailer then leads to the dramatic moment when Brittany screams at Jax in front of their friends. The upcoming Vanderpump Rules spinoff resumed filming in March to 'capture the aftermath' of the breakup after wrapping production last year, according to ET. The extra footage is scheduled to be broadcast at the conclusion of the first season, slated to premiere on March 19. It comes after Taylor fiercely shut down speculation that he cheated on his estranged wife Brittany ahead of their shock separation. He discussed the rumors, raised by their costars Scheana Shay, Katie Maloney and Lala Kent, on Tuesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules. In response to Maloney accusing him of 'running around town' and being unfaithful, the TV personality vehemently denied the claim during a conversation with Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz. 'Katie loves to f**king just start s**t. Thats what she does,' he told his former pals. He continued: 'She plays at home and she sees something on her phone on Reddit, and she will start the rumor mill. Thats what she does. Shes spreading all kinds of s**t.' Their marriage woes were highlighted on the new trailer for The Valley earlier this week, following their recent split, with the pair getting into a heated argument Jax shut down speculation that he cheated on his estranged wife Brittany ahead of their shock separation; seen in November 2023 Late last month, the former couple revealed they were separated and 'taking time apart' after four years of marriage. The pair share son Cruz, who was born in April 2021 Brittany and Jax began dating in 2015 after they met in Las Vegas. They tied the knot in a fairy-tale themed wedding ceremony on June 2019 in Kentucky after a year-long engagement During the latest episode, Shay and Maloney alluded to cheating rumors about Jax Taylor as Shay admitted that she also heard he was sneaking around behind Cartwright's back. Late last month, the former couple revealed they were separated and 'taking time apart' after four years of marriage. Brittany announced the news this week on their joint podcast When Reality Hits, confirming: 'Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health.' However, Brittany also later hinted that the 'split' could be temporary, as she asked fans to 'pray for us,' and added that she believes 'everything will be just fine.' The beloved Bravo stars tied the knot in a fairy-tale themed wedding ceremony on June 2019 in Kentucky after a year-long engagement. New mom Ashley Benson embraced her chic style alongside husband, Brandon Davis, as they took their adorable pup, Billie, for a vet visit in Los Angeles on Thursday. The Pretty Little Liars star, 34 - who announced the birth of her baby girl three weeks earlier - was seen holding the small dog in her arms as she strolled on a sidewalk next to the grandson of billionaire oil tycoon, Marvin Davis. She donned a black minidress that had white-striped details and was held up with thin straps that wrapped around her shoulders. Benson slipped into a pair of black, ankles socks as well as black loafers to complete her overall ensemble for the outing. Her locks were parted in the middle, and pulled back into a sleek bun, preventing any loose strands from falling onto her face. New mom Ashley Benson, 34, embraced her chic style alongside husband, Brandon Davis, 43, as they took their adorable pup, Billie, for a vet visit in Los Angeles on Thursday Ashley accessorized the look with flashy, gold earrings as well as gold-chained necklaces. For a finishing touch, the actress also sported a pair of fashionable shades to protect her eyes from the bright, California sunshine. Her husband, Brandon, also kept it casual and wore a pair of dark gray pants as well as a black, hooded sweatshirt. He completed his outfit by donning a pair of black sneakers and similar to his wife, Davis also opted for a pair of black shades. Their outing comes just three weeks since the lovebirds announced that they welcomed their first child - a baby girl - to the world. Late last month on February 29, Benson jumped to her Instagram stories to share a close-up image of her daughter's tiny hand that was wrapped around her own finger. Although the star chose to not add any caption or text, Ashley simply added a pink heart emoji over the sweet image. Late last year in November, the couple confirmed that they were expecting their first child together when they were seen shopping for a baby registry in Beverly Hills. She donned a black minidress that had white-striped details and was held up with thin straps that wrapped around her shoulders Late last month on February 29, Benson jumped to her Instagram stories to share a close-up image of her daughter's tiny hand that was wrapped around her own finger A source recently gave an update to Us Weekly to reveal how Ashley and Brandon were adjusting to being new parents and stated that the pair, 'couldn't be more ecstatic to have welcomed their baby girl.' 'Although this is their first, Ashley has taken to motherhood like a total pro, and Brandon is already making an incredible father.' The insider added that the oil her has been 'waiting on Ashley and the baby hand and foot,' and said the actress, 'thinks it's so sweet to see him holding and taking care of their daughter.' Both Ashley and Brandon's mothers 'have both been spending plenty of time with the baby and they're thrilled to have this precious little girl to dote on. It's a very special time for the whole family.' Before the birth of her daughter, the Wilderness star graced the cover of Ladygunn Magazine and showcased her growing baby bump. She also admitted to the outlet that, 'Being a parent is gonna f***ing change everything.' The beauty later opened up about first meeting her husband, Brandon, at a time when she was 'working' on herself and focusing on self-growth. 'I kept private because being so seen by everyone else, everyone has an opinion. It's very lonely and you just feel judged. It's really hard,' she explained. A source recently gave an update to Us Weekly to reveal how Ashley and Brandon were adjusting to being new parents and stated that the pair, 'couldn't be more ecstatic to have welcomed their baby girl' 'Although this is their first, Ashley has taken to motherhood like a total pro, and Brandon is already making an incredible father,' the source added 'I had to do a lot of work on myself. I had to really be fine being alone. And you know, I love being in relationships, so I kind of jumped from relationship to relationship.' Ashley then added, 'The person that I've always wanted to be, I was becoming. And I just wanted to just let that ride out and see where life takes me.' 'Which ironically is when I connected with Brandon,' the actress said, and recalled, 'It was immediate. I was just like, "I think I'm gonna marry you."' The couple were first romantically linked earlier last year in January 2023 when they were seen attending a Los Angeles Lakers game together. The pair were spotted on various occasions soon afterwards, such as enjoying a double date with actress Emma Roberts and her boyfriend Cody John the following month in February. In July of the last year, the lovebirds announced their engagement when Brandon took his own Instagram stories to share a photo of Ashley's eye-catching, diamond ring. He added the text, 'Love of my life @ashleybenson' over the image, which Benson reposted. She had also sweetly added a message of her own which read, 'My best frienddddd. I love you.' And only a few months later in November, Benson and Davis tied the knot - which was confirmed by the star's mother, Shannon, who uploaded a snap of the pair sporting wedding bands. Before the birth of her daughter, the Wilderness star graced the cover of Ladygunn Magazine and showcased her growing baby bump. She admitted that, 'Being a parent is gonna f***ing change everything'; seen in November 2023 in Beverly Hills In July of the last year, the lovebirds announced their engagement when Brandon took his own Instagram stories to share a photo of Ashley's eye-catching, diamond ring Also in January of this year, the pair held a star-studded baby shower where they revealed the gender of their child: a girl Also in January of this year, the pair held a star-studded baby shower where they revealed the gender of their child: a girl. The shower was held at Kathy Hilton's house, and guests such as Demi Lovato and Nicky Hilton were treated to tasty desserts, such as a layered cake that was decorated with white and pink sugary frosting. One of the decorations at the party included a pink, neon sign that read, 'It's a girl,' and Brandon paused for a snap in front of the sign. Since becoming parents, both Ashley and Brandon have been seen on a few other outings this month - such as enjoying a lowkey lunch date in Beverly Hills on Wednesday. Michelle Bridges has opened up about her drink driving arrest four years ago after her harrowing split with long-term partner Steve 'Commando' Willis in one of her most candid interviews to date. The Biggest Loser star made headlines in 2020 when she was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 while her son, who was four years old at the time, in the car on Australia Day 2020. Bridges pleaded guilty after being pulled over in her Range Rover with her son Axel as she drove through Bellevue Hill, in Sydney's eastern suburbs. She was fined $750, her licence was disqualified for three months, and was required to install an alcohol interlock device in her car for a year. Bridges, 53, said the incident came amid one of the toughest periods in her life. Michelle Bridges has opened up about her drink driving arrest four years ago after her harrowing split with long-term partner Steve 'Commando' Willis in one of her most candid interviews to date on The Big Talk With Jess Rowe this week '...That was probably one of the hardest times of my life, really,' the celebrity trainer said during an appearance on The Big Talk Show with Jess Rowe podcast this week. She explained she got pulled over by police the morning after having drinks with girlfriends, and the alcohol affected her more than usual because she had lost a lot of weight following her breakup with Willis. '[There I was] eight kilos lighter than I am, stressed to the eyeballs and sitting up with my girlfriends... having too many red wines and crying on their shoulders and the next morning going out and having a DUI, which was again, really public,' she said. Bridges, 53, said the incident came amid one of the toughest periods in her life, her split with Willis, pictured here 'It was a time where I just had to allow myself to be completely vulnerable. 'I just leaned into it. And what got me through was my family, my friends and complete strangers, the Australian public. You know, like I had so many people write to me, contact me. And I just allowed myself to be arms wide open, vulnerable.' After the incident and her court appearance, Bridges made a public apology in a statement. The Biggest Loser star made headlines in 2020 when she was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 while her son, who was four years old at the time, in the car on Australia Day 2020. She is pictured leaving court 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation (over) this incident and extreme lack of judgment,' she said outside court. 'I would like to apologise to my family, friends and community for this gross error in judgment and the consequences of these actions will haunt me forever. 'I ask for your forgiveness to my greater community and my family and I thank you for your support.' She told Rowe she got pulled over by police the morning after having drinks with girlfriends, and the alcohol affected her more than usual because she had lost a lot of weight following her breakup with Willis After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement she said she was going 'very difficult time' dealing with her split with Willis. 'I would like to express my deep regret for breaking the law, this was a terrible mistake and an error of judgment,' Bridges said in a statement. 'This behaviour is inexcusable, and I am absolutely devastated and embarrassed to find myself in this position. 'It has been a very difficult time for me the last few weeks dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship.' Model Madeleine Holtznagel, 27, is living the high life as she continues her romance with billionaire bar tsar Justin Hemmes, 51. The brunette beauty beamed as the couple returned back to Australia following a trip to Texas on Friday. Madeleine had brought home a souvenir from the state, and strutted through Sydney Airport with a big black cowboy hat on her head. She also wore a matching black T-shirt, trousers and a pair of comfortable sneakers. She accessorised with a pink designer handbag and wheeled her luggage through the terminal. Billionaire bar tsar Justin Hemmes' model girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel wore a giant cowboy hat as couple returned back to Australia after a trip to America on Friday Justin, who is worth around $1.39 billion, was also dressed casually in grey trousers and a crisp white T-shirt. He tied his long hair up in a bun and had a pair of spectacles hanging around his neck. Madeline and Justin quietly began dating in 2019, a year after the publican made his debut on the Financial Review Rich List with an estimated net worth of $951million. Back in June, Madeline teased her Instagram followers by wearing a ring on her wedding finger while cuddling up to Justin as they enjoyed a bowl of Udon noodles together at a restaurant in Japan. trip to Texas on Friday. Madeleine had brought home a souvenir from the state, and strutted through Sydney Airport with a big black cowboy hat on her head She also wore a matching black T-shirt, trousers and a pair of comfortable sneakers The bling appeared to be a pretty turquoise dress ring she teamed with her outfit. Another photo saw her wearing a different ring on the same finger as she posed in front of a bathroom mirror for a selfie. Earlier this year, Madeleine celebrated her 27th birthday party with a lavish bash at Justin's $100million home in Vaucluse, Sydney. Following the festivities, Madeline revealed on Instagram that her beau had also bought her two llamas as a tribute of his love. Madeline shared snaps of herself meeting the adorably fluffy farm animals. EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A 1-year-old boy died in Connecticut after a dog attacked the child while he was on a trampoline with his mother, police said. Police responded just after 3 p.m. Wednesday to a home in East Hartford where the child had been bitten several times, Officer Marc Caruso, a police spokesperson, said in a statement. Mom and the child were on a trampoline when a larger, mixed breed dog attacked the child, Caruso told CT Insider. The mother also sustained minor dog bite injuries and was transported to the hospital. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Emergency responders performed lifesaving measures and took the child to a hospital, but the boy died despite the valiant efforts of medical professionals, Caruso said. The death is under investigation, Caruso said, adding that two dogs were removed from the home. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones as they mourn their loss, Caruso said. May they find solace and strength during this challenging time." Jeffrey proposed to fiancee, Eunice Jaymie Tan in front of The Siam Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on March 8 She was peripherally involved in his eventual split with his former fiance amid a family disagreement at the height of the pandemic RHOBH star Crystal Kung Minkoff said Thursday that her brother Jeffrey Kung has gotten engaged to his fiancee, Eunice Jaymie Tan. 'Congratulations to my brother @jeffreypkung and my future sister-in-law @eunicejaymie on your engagement!' the 41-year-old reality star told more than 460,000 followers on Instagram. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills personality added, 'I am overjoyed you have found each other!' The Los Angeles native shared a series of photos of the newly-engaged pair in the moment they confirmed their marriage, as Jeffrey, a pop star in China, knelt in front of The Siam Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on March 8. Kung Minkoff has past spoken on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills about the influence she had on her brother in his romantic relationships, which has led to familial strife in the past. RHOBH star Crystal Kung Minkoff, 41, said Thursday that her brother Jeffrey Kung, 42, has gotten engaged to his fiancee, Eunice Jaymie Tan The Los Angeles native shared a pic of the newly-engaged pair in the moment they confirmed their marriage, as Jeffrey, a pop star in China, knelt in front of The Siam Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on March 8 Kung Minkoff, who joined the cast of the Bravo series in October of 2020, said on the show earlier this year that there were family issues in 2020 with Jeffrey. They occurred after she and her mother leaned on Jeffrey to relocate from China to Los Angeles at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving his then-fiance Vivi behind, as she resided in China. The decision led Jeffrey to end his engagement to Vivi; he told Kung Minkoff on the January 17 edition of RHOBH he was emotionally 'wounded' as a result of the lost love, but had forgiven her for pressuring him to do so. Kung Minkoff, who co-founded the coconut beverage company Real Coco with Jeffrey, subsequently said in a confessional that she has 'realized' it's up to her to 'accept' her brother's life decisions without getting involved, lest they wind up in conflict again. Kung Minkoff, who is mother to kids Max, 11, and Zoe, eight, with her husband Rob Minkoff, 61, told costar Dorit Kemsley on the RHOBH After Show that Jeffrey had distanced himself from her following the series of events. 'I've never in my life felt disconnected to Jeff, but I am now the outsider to what's happening in my brother's life,' Crystal said. 'He needed to have distance from me to really recover from the loss.' She said that 'Jeff is with someone else now that he adores,' and that she will not 'say anything' to try to influence the situation moving forward. Jeffrey on Thursday shared his thoughts about his fiance Eunice Jaymie Tan in a series of photos of the romantic exchange he posted on his page. Crystal was seen in 2020 posed with her brother's former fiancee Vivi Crystal and her brother ran into problems after she and her mother leaned on Jeffrey to relocate from China to Los Angeles at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving his then-fiance Vivi behind, as she resided in China Kung Minkoff is mother to kids Max, 11, and Zoe, eight, with her husband Rob Minkoff, 61 'The first time we spoke I knew it was special,' he said. 'The first time we met I knew she would one day be my wife. Stunning beauty with an equally beautiful heart. We get lost in conversation every time we talk.' He continued: 'As you many of you know, for me, this time was very different and sometimes out of character. So fast. So public. So in love. 'The universe works in mysterious ways. A stranger online who lived on the opposite side of the earth completely changed my life and made me believe in love again.' The vocalist said he 'proposed to Eunice Jaymie Tan' and 'she honored me by saying YES.' He continued: 'Shes my best friend and now she will be my wife! Thank you to all sharing the joy with us and enduring my lovey-dovey social media posts lol (and more to come)' Carl Radke explained on Thursday why he asked for the engagement ring back after calling off the wedding with his ex-fiancee Lindsay Hubbard. The 39-year-old Summer House star while appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen was questioned about his reasoning for asking for the ring back. 'It's New York State law. It's my property and I wrote her an email one-on-one and asked for the ring back,' Carl said. 'Carl, no. I don't like that rule,' chimed in fellow guest Trishelle Cannatella, 44, who won season two of The Traitors. 'It is the law in New York state. If I purchased the ring and given to the condition of an engagement. We did not move forward with the wedding and the ring is returned to me. That is the law, so I was just following the law,' Carl said. Carl Radke explained on Thursday why he asked for the engagement ring back after calling off the wedding with his ex-fiancee Lindsay Hubbard 'Trishelle, it's the law,' Andy said. 'I don't like it,' Trishelle said. 'Well, we don't like some laws. They are the laws,' Andy said. Andy earlier relayed a question from a viewer who asked Carl how he felt watching Lindsay questioning his sobriety while also admitting that she knew he was sober. 'So far it has been hard to rewatch and relive. I'm picking up on things that I wasn't privy to up until recently. For me deep down I think it is a reminder that I made the right decision,' Carl said. Andy wondered if Lindsay was referring to Carl smoking pot at the time. 'I was not using THC at all in those moments whatsoever. I have a sponsor who I'm very open with about my THC usage. I have a lot of people that I've been very open with that about. The drugs that were killing me were alcohol, cocaine, Ambien, Aderall, ecstasy, molly and I removed all of those from my life. I'm very proud of that,' Carl said. Carl informed Lindsay last August that he was 'unable to 'move forward with the wedding' and their split was captured by the Summer House cameras. Carl last Augsut informed Lindsay, shown on Wednesday in Nashville, that he was 'unable to 'move forward with the wedding' and their split was captured by the Summer House cameras 'Carl, no. I don't like that rule,' chimed in fellow guest Trishelle Cannatella, 44, who won season two of The Traitors Andy earlier relayed a question from a viewer who asked Carl how he felt watching Lindsay questioning his sobriety while also admitting that she knew he was sober 'So far it has been hard to rewatch and relive. I'm picking up on things that I wasn't privy to up until recently. For me deep down I think it is a reminder that I made the right decision,' Carl said The engagement was called off less than three months before their wedding date and just two weeks after Lindsay celebrated their upcoming nuptials at a lavish bridal shower attended by Carl. According to their Honeyfund page, the couple were set to tie the knot on November 17, 2023. Lindsay and Carl became engaged on August 27, 2022 at Dune Beach in Southhampton. They first met in 2016 during season one of Summer House but were dating other people at the time. They started dating in summer 2019 before quickly going their separate ways, but later reconciled. Carl on WWHL said there were 'foundational' issues between him and Lindsay that prevented him from getting married to her. The 2024 Bezos Courage and Civility Awards took place in Washington, on Thursday. Eva Longoria, 49, and Gloria Estefan, 66, looked sophisticated in elegant black gowns at the event. The Desperate Housewives star oozed elegance in her floor-length, textured dress, which featured a demure high-neck design. Eight-time Grammy Award winner Gloria slipped into a bodycon number, boasting a slash neckline, which she teamed with platform heels and a sleek black bag. The talented women happily posed together for photographs before mingling with the other impressive attendees at the ceremony. Eva Longoria , 49, and Gloria Estefan, 66, looked sophisticated in elegant black gowns at the 2024 Bezos Courage and Civility Awards, which took place in Washington, on Thursday The talented women happily posed together for photographs before mingling with the other impressive attendees at the ceremony (Pictured with Ana Navarro) Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos awarded Eva $50 million on the evening Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos awarded Eva $50 million on the evening, as part of his annual prize to individuals who make significant contributions to society. Bill McRaven, a retired Navy admiral and former chancellor of the University of Texas System, also received $50 million. Eva is set to focus on education and entrepreneurship in Latino communities through the Eva Longoria Foundation, which she founded in 2012. The actress connects Latinos and Latinas in lower-income areas with peer mentors, and also has a start-up fund for Latino-owned small businesses. Eva told CNN: 'Of course, I am honored and thrilled personally, but I am even more excited about the impact I think we can have on this country through/by investing in the strength of the Latino community. 'Latinos in the US are a rapidly growing group with extraordinary potential, but we disproportionately lack the infrastructure opportunity we need and I'm excited to invest in that opportunity.' Before becoming one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood, Eva worked part-time at a Wendy's restaurant for three years to help earn money for her quinceanera. She also earned her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, before winning the title of Miss Corpus Christi USA. The mother-of-one shares a five-year-old son Santiago Enrique, with her beloved husband Jose Baston, who wed in 2016. Billionaire Jeff awards the vast sum annually, to individuals who make significant contributions to society (L-R Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, Cris Abrego, Eva) Eva was supported by her proud husband Jose Baston, who was dapper in a grey suit Bill McRaven, a retired Navy admiral and former chancellor of the University of Texas System, also received $50 million (Pictured next to Eva) Eva smiled widely for a snap with Laura Sanchez and Nina Garcia Bob Mortimer has revealed he saw a white light at the end of a tunnel and no longer fears death after an eery vision during surgery. The comedian, 64, underwent a triple heart bypass surgery in 2015 when his heart was stopped for 32 minutes after discovering that 95% of his arteries were blocked. Bob, who also struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, had an experience during the surgery that made him believe in life after death. Speaking on Kathy Burke's Where There's A Will, There's A Wake podcast, Bob said: 'I did see the light at the end of the tunnel. I experienced going towards the light and feeling happier than I have ever felt, ever. 'It was quite extraordinary, and then I woke up a day later and I was OK. I thought, 'This is great. I no longer fear death and everything'.' Bob Mortimer has revealed he saw a white light at the end of a tunnel and no longer fears death after an eery vision during surgery The comedian, 64, underwent triple heart bypass surgery in 2015 when his heart was stopped for 32 minutes after discovering that 95% of his arteries were blocked But after mentioning his near-death experience, Bob was told: 'Loads of people wrote to me and said, 'It's because your body gives out loads of PCT, some chemical to get you through that and it gives you these hallucinations'. I was a bit sad about that.' Doctors told Bob before his surgery that he risked having a heart attack on stage because of his blocked arteries. So bad was his prognosis that he married his girlfriend of 22 years Lisa Matthews on the day he was admitted. Bob endured the 'worst health year' of his life in 2023 after he was told by doctors he has lost 20% of muscle function. The Gone Fishing star said his health took a rapid decline after contracting shingles - a painful condition caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. He told his friend Paul Whitehouse on Gone Fishing: 'It's been a very, very, very unhealthy year for me Paul with my shingles. 'It was the worst health year of my life to be honest and you know what, it was worse than my heart period. Paul, 65, said: 'With this, you had misery and pain in equal measure didn't you? Bob, who also struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, had an experience during the surgery that made him believe in life after death (pictured with Paul Whitehouse) Bob told him: 'At the moment the consultant saying I'm heading for 80% muscle recovery in my leg and she said 'you'll just have to see what that means for you. 'The muscles I've lost, I've lost But other ones can compensate for it, you know what I mean? 'I can make the other muscles stronger but I have a terrible feeling I'm never going to be able to run again and you know that I used to like to run Paul.' Bob has been open about his health in the past and has candidly spoken about his triple heart bypass surgery and struggles with arthritis. In December 2020, Bob admitted he feared the coronavirus pandemic would cut his life short by two years. Confessing he ditched his healthy lifestyle in lockdown, he said: 'I've done no exercise, I've eaten so much and drunk so much booze. Lockdown has probably taken two years off of my life.' The comedian previously spoke about his struggles with rheumatoid arthritis. Bob said: 'In my mid-twenties I got struck down with rheumatoid arthritis. I just woke up and it was like, 'bang'. 'I have been free of it since I have been 34 and it came back 10 days ago. It is really sad for me to know whether it will go. Yes I might be fat but actually I am on steroids. 'At around 60 I like turned off and did not want anything different to happen. But it takes until you are 60 to realise all the things you could have done.' Kate Beckinsale hit back at a vile troll who claimed her beloved dog will die while she battles a mystery health ailment. The actress, 50, has been in hospital for reasons not disclosed and during her time in the medical centre she has received visits from her pet pooch Mylf and cat Willow. After she posted a snap with her Pomeranian, Kate was messaged by a troll who penned: 'Her cat is dead so I guess this dog will do', quickly followed up by: 'Omg. I didn't mean to send that to you. ignore.' Sharing a screenshot of the message, Kate commented: 'Both my dads are dead so I guess my mum will do, you could also say. If you really meant for me not to see this you could have deleted it. You chose not to. 'You wanted me to feel pain. I already do, in many ways. Don't feel you need to message me again. Please.' Kate Beckinsale hit back at a vile troll who claimed her beloved dog Mylf will die after her pets visited her during her concerning mystery hospital stay After she posted a snap with her Pomeranian, Kate was messaged by a troll who claimed he'd accidentally sent her a message about her dog dying Kate is grieving the death of her stepfather Roy Battersby - who died in January after suffering 'a massive stroke' while battling two forms of cancer - and has also been caring for her mother Judy Loe while she also battles significant health issues. Her biological father Richard Beckinsale died in 1979 aged 31 from a heart attack in his sleep. While Kate has not disclosed the reason for her hospitalisation, a source claimed to ET on Wednesday that Kate 'hasn't been doing or feeling well' but is 'doing her best to take care of herself.' In a Mother's Day post earlier in the week, Kate shared a slew of snaps of Judy tucking into cake and enjoying champagne as well as images of herself on the ward and her dogs playing. She captioned the images: 'Happy birthday and UK Mothers Day this last week to my incredible mother. Thank you to those that love us and support us when its s**t and try to make sure there are some bits that arent.' Kate continued: '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. 'Thank you for loving us, those who do ,and for the amazing, kindest Nick, and especially for my mothers capacity for joy. It is so inspiring and beautiful. 'Happy everything mama. Your fight for joy despite also welcoming tears is the experience of watching a warrior up close. I love you x' In recent months, Kate had been caring for her mother and late stepmother after flying them out from the UK to stay with her in Los Angeles. 'Kate has been caring for her parents, who both have serious illnesses, for most of the year,' a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com late last year. 'She brought them to her home in LA and has made looking after them her number one priority.' The actress, 50, has been in hospital for reasons not disclosed and during her time in the medical centre she has received visits from her pet pooch Mylf and cat Willow The actress is grieving the death of her stepfather Roy Battersby - who died in January after suffering 'a massive stroke' - and has also been caring for her mother Judy Loe Kate revealed she's in hospital in a Mother's Day post earlier in the week where she shared a slew of snaps of her mother Judy as well as images of herself on the ward She has kept fans updated with pictures from her hospital stay but has not revealed the reason for the lengthy stint in the medical centre On January 10, Kate announced the death of stepfather Roy aged 87. The insider revealed that the Snow Angels star has been feeling the emotional toll in recent months. 'She was spotted this week several times crying in the corridors of UCLA hospital,' the source added. 'Her friends are very concerned that she has been under relentless strain for months and hardly sleeping or eating. 'Kate appears to be very strong but this has been incredibly hard and, given that she lost her father so young, is affecting her very deeply. Her friends are concerned for her own health.' A second source explained that her mother Judy has chosen to keep her health battle private, stating: 'She's extraordinary, you wouldn't even know by looking at her. She has been keeping a very positive attitude throughout everything.' Last month, Kate shared a picture of Roy's order of service that revealed he was cremated on Monday February 19 at Mortlake Crematorium near Kew in west London. She also shared another look at the document which had a sweet message on, along with more snaps of Roy. It read: 'We wish to thank you, our family and friends, for your loving support and being with us today to honour and commemorate Roy. 'Please join us afterwards to celebrate him and his life, share memories and stories, and inevitably miss him, knowing how much he would enjoy such a get-together.' Last month, Kate shared a picture of Roy's order of service that revealed he was cremated on Monday February 19 at Mortlake Crematorium near Kew in west London Kate's actress mother Judy married Roy in 1997, 18 years after Kate's father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died (pictured in 1986) Kate's mother Judy married Roy 18 years after Kate's father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died. Roy enjoyed his own successful career as a director, working on major British on-screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost. Kate's biological father Richard was best known for his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp. He also had a daughter Samantha, 55 who is his only child from his marriage to Margaret Bradley. Nigella Lawson is currently in Australia for her speaking tour. And the 64-year-old celebrity cook was cutting a chic figure at Melbourne Airport as she jetted into the Victorian city on Friday. The British star looked chic in a black suit that consisted of a blazer and a matching pair of trousers. She added a dark shirt underneath and carried a crossbody bag while wearing a pair of designer sunglasses. Nigella opted for minimal makeup and had her brunette locks down around her face. Nigella Lawson (pictured) is currently in Australia for her speaking tour She completed the ensemble with a pair of stacked white sneakers and skipped the accessories. Last 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, Nigella 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. The 64-year-old celebrity cook was cutting a chic figure at Melbourne Airport as she jetted into the Victorian city on Friday The British star looked chic in a black suit that consisted of a blazer and a matching pair of trousers She added a dark shirt underneath and carried a crossbody bag while wearing a pair of designer sunglasses. Nigella opted for minimal makeup and had her brunette locks down She also posted photos of her delicious meal. '[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. Last Saturday she enjoyed some down time at a swanky restaurant in Cottesloe, ahead of her first show at Perth 's Concert Hall '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 was 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. She has a supermodel body which rivals women half her age. So it was no surprise to see Laura Csortan indulging in a gruelling Pilates workout on Thursday. The former Miss Universe Australia beauty queen, 46, showed off her super toned figure at JSHealth Vitamins x ModiBodi Move With Your Cycle event at Bodylove studio n Sydneys CBD. Laura joined a host of influencers and former reality stars to do the class to celebrate Menstrual March, an annual initiative to support the unique journey of womanhood. The group of gorgeous women did a 45-min reformer pilates session with master instructor and studio owner Ali Handley, finished off with a 10-minute mindfulness moment of breath work and meditation. Laura Csortan (pictured) showed off her super toned figure at JSHealth Vitamins x ModiBodi Move With Your Cycle event at BodyLove in Sydneys CBD Laura clad her slender legs in a pair of tight bike shorts teamed with a white crop top and sheer tank for the workout session. Meanwhile, former Bachelor star-turned-influencer Cass Wood revealed her fit frame in a black crop top and matching bottoms. Laura quickly snapped back into shape after giving birth to her daughter Layla Rose in November 2016. Meanwhile, former Bachelor star turned influencer Cass Wood revealed her fit frame in a black crop top and matching bottoms at the event Laura and Cass joined a host of influencers and former reality stars to do the class to celebrate Menstrual March, an annual initiative to support the unique journey of womanhood Despite her impressive weight loss, Laura downplayed the achievement at the time. The former Wheel of Fortune host told Daily Mail Australia: 'It's taken me almost two years to start getting back somewhat of a routine. 'And even still, I don't have much of one to be honest since I'm really busy! Laura has a model body which rivals women half her age The group of gorgeous women did a 45-min reformer pilates session with master instructor and studio owner Ali Handley, finished off with a 10-minute mindfulness moment of breath work and meditation 'I mean I literally have a two-year-old stuck to my hip 24/7, so I just do not stop.' Laura is known to be single with her speaking about her private life on the Kinda, Sorta, Dating podcast with Jana Hocking. 'It's hard being a single mum and trying to date,' Laura said in September, 2021. 'I have found it harder since having a little girl, but I don't know whether it is coming from me or the dude,' she added. Jake Gyllenhaal looked in great spirits as he was seen leaving Scotts restaurant in Mayfair alongside his girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu on Thursday evening. The actor, 43, looked positively radiant as he followed behind Jeanne, 28, in a simple all black ensemble. Meanwhile his model girlfriend showcased her effortless sense of style as she kept it smart in a white shirt and black tie. The Columbia student threw an oversized black suit jacket over her shoulders and completed the look with some white trainers. The pair enjoyed the restaurant date where they dined for over three hours after attending the Road House screening earlier in the night. Jake Gyllenhaal beamed as he joined his stylish girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu for a dinner date at Scotts in Mayfair after the Road House film screening on Thursday evening The actor, 43, looked positively radiant as he followed behind Jeanne, 28, in a simple all black ensemble Jake posed alongside his co-star Conor McGregor at the screening of their upcoming film at the Curzon in Mayfair on Thursday. The star transformed himself into Elwood Dalton for his role in the remake of the late Patrick Swayze's 1989 film. This new Dalton is a ripped former UFC fighter who becomes a 'cooler' for a dingy bar in the Florida Keys. Jessica Williams, Daniela Melchior (in the Kelly Lynch role) and Billy Magnussen (in Ben Gazzara's place), star alongside actual UFC fighter Conor. Jake and Jeanne were first romantically linked back in 2018 when they were seen on outings together in New York City and also Paris. They later took the next step and made their red carpet debut in September 2021 by attending The Lost Daughter premiere to support Maggie Gyllenhaal. Jake previously revealed he would 'love to have a family' with the model. He told People last September: 'I would love to have a family, and if it's anything like the family my sister's raised and has cultivated I would be proud.' His model girlfriend showcased her effortless sense of style as she kept it smart in a white shirt and black tie The Columbia student threw an oversized black suit jacket over her shoulders and completed the look with some white trainers The pair enjoyed the restaurant date where they dined for over three hours after attending the Road House screening earlier in the night Jeanne embraced a natural make up look for the evening as her brunette locks fell naturally over her shoulders The couple were then seen climbing into a car as they called it a night Conor McGregor, 35, playfully posed with his co-star Jake at the star-studded screening of Road House at the Curzon in Mayfair, London on Thursday Conor, who will be making his acting debut in Road House, couldn't help but pose with his fists up next to Jake He added that his relationship with his nieces as 'one of the most important in my life.' In regards to how their relationship has changed throughout the years, the Brokeback Mountain actor stated, 'It's all about growing together and listening and being open. It's really not much different from any relationship when it works.' The pair keep things mainly private, with the star explaining, 'It's no secret that I'm in a relationship and it's a wonderful relationship.' 'We are private, but I guess we are who we are. We're just living our lives. We always have. And I love that people are interested, but at the same time, it's like what's ours is ours,' the Prisoners actor added to the outlet. The actor previously opened up about starting a family and marriage with Jeanne in 2021 during an interview on The Howard Stern Show. 'That's all I want is to be a good husband and a father.' 'And now that I have fulfilled a lot of things in my career that I feel comfortable with, I can safely say that. I don't know if I could have said that before,' and later added about Cadieu, 'I love her so much, she's such a good person.' Emily Ratajkowski shared her views on the TikTok ban facing the US after Congress voted overwhelmingly to force the app's Chinese parent company to divest. The House Of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass a bill that would ban TikTok unless its Chinese parent company sold its stake, despite calls from both Donald Trump and Elon Musk to go against the bill. And now the model, 32, has spoken out against the man in a spirited TikTok video as she made a free speech argument against the ban. Speaking to her followers, she explained that 'progressive politics has blossomed' on the platform and warned 'we should be rally really scared' as she insisted 'this is a huge moment in our history.' She began: 'So in my personal life people have made fun of me for how much I talk about TikTok and how important I think it is. Emily Ratajkowski, 32, spoke out as TikTok faces a US ban as she warned 'we should be really scared' and insisted it's a 'huge moment in history' Speaking to her followers, she explained that 'progressive politics has blossomed' on the platform and warned 'we should be rally really scared' as she insisted 'this is a huge moment in our history' 'They'll joke "Oh do you work for the Chinese government? What's going on" and whenever they raise privacy concerns, what I say to them in is "you don't think Meta and Apple steal all of our data and our information and sell it to the US government?"' Emily continued: 'Because this is one of the few platforms that isn't completely controlled by the US government or through corporations that have the US government's interests in mind. 'Progressive politics have been able to blossom on here. We have been able to see stories and point of views that we would not have access to otherwise.' Emily concluded: 'TikTok is being banned because the US government is legitimately scared by the influence that it's having on the US people and the general population - which to me indicates that TikTok is a very powerful tool for organisation, for alternative thinking and for activism. 'And so while it was really funny and like end-time apocalyptic humour to watch Nancy Pelosi do Tic Tac Toe thing or whatever we should be really really scared and this is a huge moment in our history.' The House passed the bill Wednesday morning in a bipartisan vote 352 - 65, and it will head to the Senate, where if it passes it will arrive on the desk of US President Joe Biden, who has said he will sign it into law. However, as the bill has gained more steam, so too has its opposition. Last week Trump insisted that if TikTok is banned its rival Facebook would 'double their business.' The House Of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to pass a bill that would ban TikTok unless its Chinese parent company sold its stake, despite calls from both Donald Trump and Elon Musk to go against the bill Emily concluded: 'TikTok is being banned because the US government is legitimately scared by the influence that it's having on the US people and the general population - which to me indicates that TikTok is a very powerful tool for organisation, for alternative thinking and for activism' TikTok sent this notification to users on Tuesday morning, prompting them to get in touch with their lawmakers to let them know whether they support the TikTok bill Last week Trump insisted that if TikTok is banned its rival Facebook would 'double their business' Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk has come out against the TikTok bill, claiming it could be used as a form of government suppression He wrote: 'I don't want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!' Elon Musk also hit back at the ban as he called it government 'censorship,' in a post on X Tuesday. He penned: 'This law is not just about TikTok, it is about censorship and government control! If it were just about TikTok, it would only cite 'foreign control' as the issue, but it does not.' The House China Select Committee says Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials through ByteDance are using TikTok to spy on its U.S. users' locations and dictate its algorithm to conduct influence campaigns, making it a national security threat. ByteDance would have 165 days after the law is signed to divest from TikTok. If it does not, app stores and web hosting platforms would not be allowed to distribute it in the U.S. Emily is no stranger to raising her voice against censorship on the internet, even to the point of courting controversy. In 2021 she was a rare celebrity arguing against Facebook banning then US President Donald Trump in the wake of the storming of the Capitol on January 6. Tributes have flowed in after the death of Australian Mad Max stunt man Grant Page in a car accident. The 85-year-old screen legend was driving alone near his home in Kendall on the mid-north coast of New South Wales on Thursday when he hit a tree. His long time friend and former manager Brian Trenchard-Smith posted a touching tribute to Page on his blog on Thursday. 'Grant Page was Australia's pioneer stunt performer and my friend for fifty-two years,' Trenchard-Smith shared. 'I will miss him terribly. He was an inspiring man, who lived uncompromisingly. Tributes have flowed in after the death of Australian Mad Max stunt man Grant Page in a car accident. Pictured: Grant Page The 85-year-old screen legend was driving alone near his home in Kendall on the mid-north coast of New South Wales on Thursday when he hit a tree 'Most people accept that age weighs upon us, gravity holds us down, death awaits us if we dare too much. Not necessarily, said Grant, as he successfully tampered with the laws of physics and probability.' Director Jamie Blanks posted to X: 'I just learned the devastating news of the passing of legendary Australian stuntman, and my dear friend, GRANT PAGE. 'Grant was one of the most wonderful, kind and brave men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I mourn the loss of this Aussie legend deeply today. RIP Grant.' Film critic Dr Luke Buckmaster posted to X: 'Australia's greatest stuntman. I've never met anyone like him: a bold, brilliant, devilishly cheeky man whose legacy is written in tyre streaks and burn marks'. His long time friend and former manager Brian Trenchard-Smith posted a touching tribute to Page on his blog on Thursday Director Jamie Blanks posted to X: 'I just learned the devastating news of the passing of legendary Australian stuntman, and my dear friend' Film critic Dr Luke Buckmaster posted to X: 'Australia's greatest stuntman. I've never met anyone like him: a bold, brilliant, devilishly cheeky man whose legacy is written in tyre streaks and burn marks' In the documentary film Not Quite Hollywood, Trenchard-Smith summed up Page's extraordinary skill and daring. 'He's the guy you get to dodge the cars, slide down the cliff on fire, jump into the water and fight the shark.' His son Leroy Page told Daily Mail Australia that ambulance and police were at the scene within minutes. No further details of the accident have been released. Leroy, 49, described his father as a 'legend' and said the tragic accident came at a time when Grant was making plans for new projects. 'He died in very high spirits and he was very motivated. He was very happy.' Pictured: Grant Page in a scene from Stunt Rock (1978) Page recently worked on George Miller's films Three Thousand Years of Longing and the Mad Max prequel Furiosa as a stunt performer Grant Page was a pioneer of Australia's golden age of cinema in the 1970s. His long list of credits include such action-oriented films as Mad Max (1979), Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985), The Man from Hong Kong (1975) and Roadgames (1981). Page also had a secondary career as an actor and starred in Deathcheaters (1976) and Stunt Rock (1978). He recently worked on George Miller's films Three Thousand Years of Longing and the Mad Max prequel Furiosa as a stunt performer. Known for extraordinary ability to stage eye-popping stunts with vehicles, Page was famed for a trick known as the 'transfer'. Pictured: A Grant Page stunt scene in Mad Max (1979) Grant was known as 'indestructable' in the film world This entailed Page climbing out the window of one car into another car travelling side by side at high speed. He was also famous for leaping off cliffs on fire and his ability to withstand being 'hit' by a fast moving vehicle. Page was survived by his four sons Adrian, 52, Jeremy, 51, Leroy, 49, Gulliver, 47, ex-wife Joy and former partner Ulli. U.S. attorneys say Nicolas Davila was sentenced to prison for his role in a crew that would steal catalytic converters and sell them to scrap dealers in CT. Hearst Connecticut Media A member of a New England-wide theft ring that would steal catalytic converters and sell them to scrap dealers in Connecticut has been sentenced to prison time, officials say. In a release, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts said Nicolas Davila was sentenced to 37 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Davila pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in October. The U.S. attorney's office noted the drug charge came from cocaine found during the search of Nicolas Davilas home as part of the catalytic converter theft investigation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In April 2023, the U.S. attorney's office said, Davila was arrested and charged along with six others in connection with the theft, transportation and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from at least 496 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 through April 2023 alone. "It is believed that a significant number of additional thefts have not been identified or were not ever reported to law enforcement," it said. The U.S. attorney's office said there has been a significant decline in the number of catalytic converters reported stolen in Massachusetts as a result of the April 2023 takedown. It said only seven incidents of catalytic converter theft have been reported in the 11 months following the arrests, compared to hundreds reported in the nine months prior. Davila was a member of skilled, organized theft crews led by his brother Rafael Davila, the U.S. attorney's office said, adding the crew used battery operated tools to cut away and steal catalytic converters across Massachusetts and in New Hampshire. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The theft crew would travel hundreds of miles, hours on end in a single night, to specific locations, including home driveways and business parking lots, where large numbers of these vehicles were located in order obtain an economy of scale," it said. "On numerous occasions, the crew targeted more than 10 vehicles in a single night, with one night reporting thefts from 26 vehicles." Each theft resulted in the loss of about $5,000 per vehicle, the U.S. attorney's office said, with some trucks costing more than $10,000 to repair. It said the total cumulative loss for the 300 victims of the thefts was about $2 million. After they stole the catalytic converters, the U.S. attorney's office said, the crew would sell them to Jose Torres, who would take stolen good from multiple theft crews and sell them to scrap dealers in the northeast. It said he would sell anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000 worth of the stolen catalytic converters in a week. "In particular, Torres sold stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers who have since been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering in the District of Connecticut, the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma," it said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Davila was held accountable for his participation in 42 catalytic converter thefts during his sentencing, the U.S. attorney's office said, as well for his possession of cocaine and a fire at the time of his arrest in April 2023. It said he is the fifth person to plead guilty in the case, adding he also faces a pending murder charge in Massachusetts. The release date for the new series of Doctor Who has finally been revealed, with Ncuti Gatwa's first full run in the TARDIS set to hit screens on 11th May. For the first time ever, the long-awaited series will release its first two episodes on BBC iPlayer at midnight. The episodes will then arrive on BBC One later that day, ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. Viewers outside of the UK will see The Doctor and his companion Ruby Sunday kick off their time-travelling adventures on Disney+. Viewers in the UK will now be able to watch whenever and wherever they choose, with the option to stream at midnight on BBC iPlayer or tune in at primetime on Saturday nights on BBC One. The release date for the new series of Doctor Who has finally been revealed, with Ncuti Gatwa's first full run in the TARDIS set to hit screens on 11th May The new season of Doctor Who will see Ncuti Gatwa return as the Fifteenth Doctor, alongside Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, after they made their debut on Christmas Day in The Church on Ruby Road. Within the upcoming series, audiences will see the Doctor and Ruby travel through time and space on adventures to unknown lands, to the Regency era in England, to outer space worlds and the sixties. This season will also see the return of Michelle Greenidge as Carla Sunday, Angela Wynter as Cherry Sunday and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood. The eight-episode series will also feature an array of special guest stars including Jinkx Monsoon, Aneurin Barnard, Yasmin Finney, Jonathan Groff, Bonnie Langford, Jemma Redgrave, Lenny Rush and Indira Varma with more to be announced soon. Showrunner Russell T Davies said: 'At last, it's my great delight to unleash a whole new season of the Doctor and Ruby's adventures together. 'Monsters! Chases! Villains! Mysteries! And a terrifying secret that's been spanning time and space for decades. Don't miss a second!' Viewers will get their first glimpse of TARDIS action, before tuning in to see if Olly Alexander can be crowned Eurovision champion when he represents the UK at the live final in Malmo, Sweden. Millie is only set to star as The Doctor's companion Ruby for one full series, with sources claiming she'll make a handful of appearances in the second run before being replaced by Varada Sethu. For the first time ever, the long-awaited series will release its first two episodes on BBC iPlayer at midnight, before airing later that day on BBC One, before the Eurovision Song Contest Amid reports of her axing, a resurfaced interview saw Millie admit that if her new role on Doctor Who 'went wrong, at least she'd tried it' as she gambled her steady job on Coronation Street. After starring as trouble-prone teen Kelly Neelan on Coronation Street since 2019, the actress decided to take a huge risk and leave the soap, a prospect which appeared to have initially paid off. Speaking to the Independent last month, Millie explained: 'I'd thought: 'I'm so young, why the hell not? I've not got a mortgage, I've not got kids, not got anyone to pay. So if it does go wrong, at least I'll have tried it.'' Ncuti made his first appearance as The Doctor in the third 60th Anniversary Special in December, when The Doctor 'bi-generated' meaning two incarnations of him were in existence at the same time. He and the Fourteenth Doctor (played by David Tennant) thwarted the Toymaker's evil plan, with the previous incarnation deciding to stay on Earth with his own TARDIS, best friend Donna Noble and her family. Ncuti made his first appearance as The Doctor in the third 60th Anniversary Special in December, when David Tennant also reprised his role as the Time Lord Speaking ahead of the festive episode, titled The Church On Ruby Road, Ncuti revealed he wants to bring his 'black beautiful self' to the character, when asked what will be different about his incarnation of The Doctor. He said: 'It is such a hard question to answer because the role of the Doctor is everything anyway. 'He is an explorer who has been around for a billion years so they have so many quirks and intricacies, rage and joy and they are full of a lot of emotions. 'So to pick what I was going to bring out differently is a very hard question to answer. I guess myself, my black beautiful self. I bring my blackness.' Ncuti will be the first black actor to take on a full-time stint as The Doctor, after Jo Martin briefly played a version of the character in 2020. Conor McGregor has revealed he is the 'top paid' first time actor in Hollywood after claiming he raked in over 4million for his screen debut in Road House. The UFC star, 35, features alongside the Jake Gyllenhaal, 43, in a remake of the late Patrick Swayze's 1989 film, set for release by Amazon's Prime Video on March 21. He plays Knox, who collides with Jake's protagonist, Elwood Dalton, a former UFC fighter who becomes a bouncer for a dingy bar in the Florida Keys. Conor previously claimed to have tipped Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's $5.5 million (4.3million) pay day for his debut role in 2001's The Mummy Returns. Admitting you have to 'fake it until you make it,' Conor said the positive response from critics has taken him by surprise after he was dubbed 'his generation's Arnold Schwarzenegger. ' Conor McGregor, 35, has revealed he is the 'top paid' first time actor in Hollywood after claiming he raked in over 4million for his screen debut in Road House (pictured on Thursday) The UFC star features alongside the Jake Gyllenhaal, 43, in a remake of the late Patrick Swayze's 1989 film, set for release by Amazon's Prime Video on March 21 Speaking to Richard Arnold on Friday's Good Morning Britain, he explained: 'Ive never done a movie before so I am akin to a white belt, a beginner.' 'It kind of took me back because I was like, what if Im no good here but you know, fake it until you make it sometimes.' Conor also confirmed rumours that he was given the biggest cheque for a debut in Hollywood, adding: 'Thats the fact, the highest paid first time actor of all time so its a nice feather in the cap. 'Theres not an action star in Hollywood that could take me on and thats a fact, so lets see how it goes.' In 2001 The Rock landed his first film role in The Mummy Returns, for which he earned $5.5 million (4.3million) and obtained a Guinness World Record. The Mummy Returns earned $202 million domestic and $443.2 million worldwide, which lead to The Rock getting his own 2002 spin-off The Scorpion King. In a now deleted Tweet, Conor wrote: 'What did you think of my acting debut movie trailer? Hell of a ride! I am now officially the highest-paid first-time actor of all time, on record, pipping Dwayne Johnson for the top spot. Incredible!' Discussing the naked scene in the film, he later revealed he took inspiration from his pal Arnold Schwarzenegger. Conor previously claimed to have tipped Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's $5.5 million (4.3million) pay day for his debut role in 2001's The Mummy Returns (The Rock pictured) In a tweet he wrote: 'Hell of a ride! I am now officially the highest-paid first-time actor of all time, on record, pipping Dwayne Johnson for the top spot. Incredible!' Admitting you have to 'fake it until you make it,' Conor said the positive response from critics has taken him by surprise after he was dubbed 'his generation's Arnold Schwarzenegger' Conor confirmed rumours that he was given the biggest cheque for a debut in Hollywood, adding: 'Its a nice feather in the cap' (pictured alongside Jake Gyllenhaal) He added: 'They cut it short by a few seconds! Thats how Arnold Schwarzenegger came into the movie business in Terminator, he was down, crouched over, butt naked also so I thought, maybe, why not.' In the photos ahead of Road House's release Conor is seen as he pulls Jake into a headlock. Jake's character's unconventional peace-keeping methods as a bouncer bring him into direct conflict with some feisty characters, including Conor's Knox. Jake's unconventional peace-keeping methods as a bouncer bring him into direct conflict with some feisty characters, including Conor's Knox. Jessica Williams, Daniela Melchior (in the Kelly Lynch role) and Billy Magnussen (in Ben Gazzara's place), star alongside UFC fighter Conor. Jake's character, renamed Elwood for the remake, has a love interest portrayed by The Suicide Squad breakout Daniela Melchior. No Time To Die actor Billy Magnusson, You hunk Travis Van Winkle and veteran Portuguese actor Joaquim de Almeida are also in the cast. It comes as Hollywood writer Lance Hill sued Amazon.com on Tuesday to halt its upcoming remake of the 1989 film Road House, arguing the film violates his rights in the original's screenplay. Lance, 81, said in the California federal court lawsuit Amazon never received a license to remake his screenplay after he reclaimed his copyright in it. He requested an unspecified amount of monetary damages and a court order to block Amazon from distributing the movie without a new license. The remake, starring Jake, is set to debut as the opening night film at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, on March 8 and then move to Amazon's Prime Video streaming platform on March 21. An Amazon MGM Studios spokesperson said the lawsuit was 'completely without merit.' Hill's attorney, Marc Toberoff, said that major studios should 'respect the fundamental rights and artistry of creators on whose sweat and toil their empires are based.' Discussing the naked scene in the film, he revealed he took inspiration from his pal Arnold: 'He was down, crouched over, butt naked also so I thought, maybe, why not' Conor said (Arnold Schwarzenegger pictured in The Terminator - 1984) In the film, Jake's character's unconventional peace-keeping methods as a bouncer bring him into direct conflict with some feisty characters, including Conor's Knox Both men showed off their muscular physiques as they grappled with one another. In another photo Jake sported a bloodied and bruised face after a fight The lawsuit said Hill wrote the Road House screenplay in 1986 and transferred his rights to the film's producer United Artists later that year. U.S. copyright law allows artists to terminate transfers and reclaim their rights after decades in some circumstances. Hill told the court that he notified Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which owns United Artists, in 2021 that he was reclaiming his rights to the screenplay. MGM allegedly responded that Hill could not reclaim the copyright. Amazon acquired MGM in March 2022. Hill said he regained his copyright last November, and that Amazon set a deadline to finish the film the day before the termination became effective. Hill said Amazon took 'extreme measures' to meet the deadline, including using artificial intelligence to recreate actors' voices during a Screen Actors Guild strike, but did not finish the movie until January. Amazon's spokesperson denied that the remake uses any AI in place of actors' voices. Hill frequently used the pseudonym David Lee Henry in Hollywood and he is best known for the cult film Road House. Henry is credited with creating the story for the original Road House and shares screenplay co-writing credit with Hilary Henkin, 71. Hollywood writer Lance Hill sued Amazon.com on Tuesday to halt its upcoming remake of the 1989 film Road House that starred the late Patrick Swayze, shown in a still from the cult movie Swayze is shown in a fight scene from Road House Reset to the Florida Keys, the remake is directed by Doug Liman, whose filmography includes Swingers, The Bourne Identity and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Jake has a longtime connection to the late Patrick Swayze, having worked with him on the beloved 2001 sci-fi thriller Donnie Darko. 'He was always so loving and lovely to me,' Jake recalled on Good Morning America in 2022 after wrapping production on the new Road House. 'I take that all to heart in playing the role and there are some things I take from him, but generally we made a whole new movie and I'm really excited about it.' He acknowledged that remaking Road House was a formidable task, saying: 'They're big shoes to fill, but Patrick was a friend when he was here.' Patrick Swayze died at the age of just 57 in 2009, less than two years after being diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Good Morning Britain weekdays from 6am on ITV1 & ITVX Advertisement Kanye West's Australian wife Bianca Censori put on another scandalous display while exiting a private jet in Los Angeles on Wednesday ahead of Kanye's performance at the Rolling Loud music festival. The designer, 29, left little to the imagination in a completely sheer G-string leotard that almost completely exposed her incredible physique. She was joined by Kanye, as well as rapper Ty Dolla $ign, their entourage - and even her own mother Alexandria. Kanye and Ty headlined the Rolling Loud festival on Thursday night, which was attended by the Gold Digger hitmaker's ex-wife Kim Kardashian. Bianca and Kim already crossed paths at a Vultures listening party in Tuesday, and the pair seemed to be friendly with each other and even stood shoulder to shoulder. Kanye West's Australian wife Bianca Censori put on another scandalous display while exiting a private jet with her husband in Los Angeles on Wednesday The designer, 29, left little to the imagination in a completely sheer G-string leotard that almost completely exposed her incredible physique Bianca was joined by members of Kanye's entourage, as well as her own mother Alexandria Alexandria opted for more conservative attire than her daughter by wearing a black turtleneck dress that cut off just below her knee Despite rumors that Bianca's parents have been 'mortified' by her raunchy outfits, Alexandra didn't seem bothered by her daughter's daring leotard. The sheer garment, which Bianca wore with tights, revealed the beauty's breasts and voluptuous derriere. Mom Alexandria opted for more conservative attire by wearing a black turtleneck dress that cut off just below her knee. The motley crew seemed to be enjoying themselves on the tarmac after exiting the flight, with Alexandria happily posing for photos with her daughter and son-in-law. Since the couple privately wed in December 2022, Bianca's friends and family have expressed their fears that the 29-year-old Aussie has changed - with some of those closest to her going as far as staging an intervention over Kanye's alleged 'controlling ways.' However, one insider has now claimed that Bianca has a 'game plan' when it comes to her attention-grabbing stunts and is not being coerced like many have feared. 'Bianca has talked to her family and she has told her friends the same thing since she was last back home, namely that she knows what she is doing and she has this under control,' the insider told DailyMail.com. Indeed, the architectural designer appears to have a goal in mind when it comes to what she will do with her newfound level of fame, and is said to be making smart investments within her marriage. While many believe the rising fashion star has simply become the Grammy-winner's 'trophy wife,' Bianca has long been someone who works with Kanye to build his empire. The sheer garment, which Bianca wore with tights, revealed the beauty's breasts and voluptuous derriere Kanye was dressed in an oversized black sweatsuit that covered his frame completely The Vultures hitmaker stood at the car door as he waited for the rest of his crew to follow him Kanye burst out laughing with a pal on the tarmac and appeared to be in jovial spirits One of the pilots helped the A-list rappers with their items On top of heading the architecture for Kanye's brand, Yeezy, since November 2020, Bianca is listed as a joint officer and manager of Oxpaha LLC, which Kanye founded in October 2023. 'She has a lot invested in her marriage to Kanye and her game plan is starting to become apparent,' the source explained. 'She has ownership in his clothing line, in his music she is the only model in his latest video and on the cover of Vultures in his real estate investments, and more,' the insider explained. 'She is a very smart woman and it appears she is just as involved in her outrageous outfits as he is. 'She has always been risque, but she knows that this is her minute and that her minute wont last forever.' Kanye and Bianca have been making important moves through, Oxpaha, with all of Kanye's recent trademark applications - including clothing items used for his album release - filed under the company. A 7,416-square-foot commercial building on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, which it is believed he will use as a multi-purpose unit for his Yeezy fashion and music businesses, was also purchased last year under Oxpaha. Bianca couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she pointed at something in the distance The Australian beauty directed a friend as he took photos of her mom Alexandria Bianca's leotard wasn't conservative enough to hide her cleavage The scantily-clad architect posed for pictures with her mom Alexandria as Kanye walked over to join them Bianca's physique was on full display while her mother remained covered up Everybody seemed to be having a great time on the tarmac as they laughed and chatted Bianca was named special power of attorney for the property deal, highlighting her importance within the rapper's business dealings. She was also listed as a business partner in VZW Acquisition group for many years before she first connected with Kanye. Insiders previously told DailyMail.com that her loved ones fear Kanye is 'locking' Bianca in by giving her more stake in his business ventures. 'He continues to lock her in by giving her more stake and ownership over various projects that he has going on, including the clothing,' they said. The source also claimed that her parents Leo and Alexandra have been left 'mortified' by the many 'disgusting' outfits their daughter has worn in public. 'Her parents are so distressed over this because they do not recognize her,' they said. 'She would not be doing this unless she was being controlled.' Bianca (second, left) comes from a glam and affluent family. Pictured left is Bianca's mother Alexandra, second right is Bianca's sister Alyssia and far right is Bianca's other sister Angelina Bianca has drastically transformed her style since meeting Kanye Bianca grew up in an upper-class neighborhood in Melbourne and attended the prestigious Carey Baptist Grammar School. One of her former classmates previously described her as a 'social butterfly who was friends with everyone' before finding fame. Kanye and Bianca have continuously exhibited some bizarre outfits since going public, with Bianca frequently spotted wearing nude tights and flesh-flashing tops. Kanye's pictures of Bianca raised eyebrows as he had previously criticized Kim for being 'overly sexualized' with the promotion of her SKIMS brand, and once also claimed the wet look Thierry Mugler dress she wore to the 2019 Met Gala was 'too sexy.' Celebrity Big Brother star Nikita Kuzmin has revealed he receives hateful messages criticising his decision not to return to his native Ukraine to fight for his country. In February 2022, Russia amplified the RussoUkrainian War, which began in 2014, by invading the entire country and causing more than $10billion in damages since. On Friday night's episode of the show, housemates are tasked with hosting a podcast, on which they lay bare various inside stories from their lives. Speaking candidly to his co-stars, Strictly star Nikita said: 'It happened 24th February 2022', while David, who was hugging Fern and viewing on a screen, commented: 'When Russia invaded', while Fern stated: 'Yeah Ukraine'. Nikita continued: 'I just remember my first instinct was to forget everything go for it, go back, knowing you're not coming back. I still get messages today'. Celebrity Big Brother star Nikita Kuzmin has revealed he receives hateful messages criticising his decision not to return to his native Ukraine to fight for his country In February 2022, Russia amplified the RussoUkrainian War, which began in 2014, by invading the entire country and causing more than $10billion in damages since (Kyiv pictured in January) On Friday night's episode of the show, housemates are tasked with hosting a podcast, on which they lay bare various inside stories from their lives He went on to explain that anytime he posts on social media, he receives messages about his decision not to return to Ukraine, saying: 'I just post anything about Strictly and the only reply which I get is: "Go back home and fight for your country".' Elsewhere in the challenge, Ekin-Su Culculoglu also got choked up while discussing her romantic life - as she became overwhelmed while discussing being cheated on. Back in 2022, Nikita shared how his family in Ukraine check on each other every morning due to 'heartbreaking' war with Russia that continues to rage on. The dancer said at the time that his grandparents and the rest of his family ring each other as soon as they wake up to ask 'are you alive?'. Nikita told how he contacts them regularly to try and 'uplift' their spirits but that their reality is 'heartbreaking' and 'difficult'. Speaking on Morning Live, he said: 'My grandparents, they try to uplift each other, their morning starts with them calling each other, that's the first thing they do... 'They are just asking on the phone 'are you alive' and they reply 'yes, I'm alive are you alive?'. It has been the same as that for the last 12 days. This is their reality now... 'It is hard on the people, hearing my grandmother's voice, every single day it is just getting harder obviously trying to uplift them but obviously this is just difficult. The war is going on and it is all just heartbreaking.' Speaking candidly to his co-stars, Strictly star Nikita said: 'It happened 24th February 2022', while David, who was hugging Fern and viewing on a screen, commented: 'When Russia invaded', while Fern stated: 'Yeah Ukraine' He went on to explain that anytime he posts on social media, he receives messages about his decision not to return to Ukraine, saying: 'I just post anything about Strictly and the only reply which I get is: "Go back home and fight for your country".' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pictured in December 2023 It comes after last week Nikita shared his heartbreak over his grandmother being trapped in Ukraine amid the devastating Russian invasion. During an appearance on Lorraine at the time, the dancer expressed his anguish about the troubles his family is facing, admitting to the host that things are 'incredibly scary' Nikita was born in Ukraine but he and part of his family relocated to Italy when he was just nine years old. He said he's been calling his relatives every day after she was caught up in the conflict, stating that she was trying to protect him and his family from the worst news. He explained: 'Luckily, we still have a connection to her, so we are video calling her all the time. She's actually trying to protect us from being scared... 'Everytime we can hear gun shots or explosions in the background, she's always telling us that it's a movie that she's put on TV and only afterwards, a couple of hours later, she's confessing that actually it's a real bomb, real gun shots - it's incredibly scary.' Nikita went on to share his pride at the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people, noting that Russia is not only battling against the Ukrainian army, but the whole country. Keleigh Teller shared a very raunchy kiss with her movie star husband Miles Teller on Friday via Instagram. During the steamy moment in the back of their car, she wore an elegant floor length dress that bared her waist and showed off her chest. She looked glamorous with bold makeup as she displayed her toned figure and passionate love for her partner. Miles, 37, opted for a full tuxedo and styled hair as he held his wife in the affectionate display as they drove to an Oscars after party. The post was a hit as she captioned it with a simple bolt and film camera emoji. Keleigh Teller took to Instagram as she shared a very raunchy kiss with her movie star husband Miles Teller on Friday She wore an elegant floor length dress that bared her waist and showed off her chest Fans went wild over the Hollywood 'it' couple as Rachel Zoe hit the like button and one comment wrote, 'My favorite couple of all time! Stunning!' The brunette beauty, who is a close pal of Taylor Swift, first met Miles back in 2013 when they hit it off at a Grammys party. 'Keleigh had caught my eye early in the night, and we talked," the Top Gun: Maverick actor told Vogue. 'I didn't think it went well, but after a few more attempts, I got her to dance with me, and a week later, we went on a date. After we met, I knew she was the one.' The pair began dating May of that same year and were inseparable since as she said, he was 'so charming and charismatic. I adored him from the first moment we met.' After four years together, the pair got engaged at an African Safari in August of 2017. Keleigh reminisced about the special moment to People saying, 'I'll never get the image out of my head of him down on one knee with a tear in his eye. He really thought about every detail and was so nervous!' They said 'I do' on September 1, 2019 in a tropical Hawaiian wedding on the island of Maui. 'It's been pretty easy because right now, her full-time gig is kind of being with me and before her, I would never invite a girl into that world because I didn't think I could have both,' the actor said of his wife. 'She's allowed me to be able to really focus on acting and do what I want to do. She can come to set and visit me and hang out and doesn't really distract me from it,' he added. The Hollywood 'it' couple said 'I do' in a tropical Hawaiian wedding on the island of Maui in 2019 'She's allowed me to be able to really focus on acting and do what I want to do... she can come to set and visit me and hang out and doesn't really distract me from it,' Miles said Miles Teller is set to star opposite of Ashley Olsen and Callum Turner in an A24 film titled Eternity as he executive produces it Miles Teller is set to star opposite of Ashley Olsen and Callum Turner in an A24 film titled Eternity as he executive produces alongside Olsen. The movie is described as a romantic comedy in which each character must choose the person they want to spend eternity with, but the specifics of the plot are being withheld. With a release date pending, the film will be directed by David Freyne who has also worked on The First Wave and Dating Amber. Kristen Stewart's Love Lies Bleeding screening in the Detroit-area of Michigan was disrupted when a man was arrested for indecent exposure. During the screening of her new film at the MJR Southgate Cinema, officials responded just after 9 p.m. local time 'for a disorderly person who was intoxicated and refusing to leave the business'. According to a police report shared with People on Friday, the 33-year-old man was 'taken into custody by officers for possession of narcotics, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest'. The actress, 33, was most recently spotted with her fiancee Dylan Meyer in New York City. Variety was the first to report the alleged incident and arrest. Kristen Stewart's Love Lies Bleeding screening in Detroit was disrupted when a man was arrested for indecent exposure. The actress, 33, was most recently spotted with her fiancee Dylan Meyer in New York City Stewart's new lesbian romance film, which she said includes 'horny and visceral sex scenes' was released on March 8. Twitter / X user @UglyXKorean shared a NSFW photo of the person and wrote that they 'went to see Love Lies Bleeding and this drunk guy jacked himself off to sleep'. Stewart's new film was released on March 8. Recently, while promoting the romance movie, Stewart delved deep into the 'horny and visceral' sex scenes. 'They're not the most explicit,' she told USA Today in an article published on Thursday. 'You don't see much. 'They're just gnarly because you're not used to seeing things like that,' she continued. Her co-star Katy M. O'Brian, 35, who plays her love interest in the film chimed in and said it was 'fun' because they were respectful of each other. 'Kristen was very straightforward, like, "If I do anything that makes you uncomfortable, please voice it." It was a cool, collaborative thing and it wound up being fun,' she said. Director Rose Glass added that she 'wasn't interested in doing the tasteful lesbian period drama where it's all fleeting glances and hand grazes.' During the screening of her new film at the MJR Southgate Cinema, officials responded just after 9 p.m. local time 'for a disorderly person who was intoxicated and refusing to leave the business' Twitter / X user @UglyXKorean shared a NSFW photo of the person and wrote that they 'went to see Love Lies Bleeding and this drunk guy jacked himself off to sleep' Recently, while promoting the romance movie, Stewart delved deep into the 'horny and visceral' sex scenes. 'They're not the most explicit,' she told USA Today in an article published on Thursday. 'You don't see much. 'They're just gnarly because you're not used to seeing things like that,' she continued In Love Lies Bleeding, the story follows a reclusive gym manager called Lou (Stewart), who falls hard for an ambitious bodybuilder named Jackie (O'Brian) The movie is set in 1989 and in a remote town in New Mexico, where Lou's father Lou Sr. is the local, infamous crime lord (Ed Harris). According to the synopsis, Lou and Jackie's love 'soon leads to violence as they get pulled deep into the web of Lou's criminal family' Stewart concurred and added: 'It's nice to do something that's a bit hornier and more visceral.' In Love Lies Bleeding, the story follows a reclusive gym manager called Lou (Stewart), who falls hard for an ambitious bodybuilder named Jackie (O'Brian). The movie is set in 1989 and in a remote town in New Mexico, where Lou's father Lou Sr. is the local, infamous crime lord (Ed Harris). The film also stars Jena Malone and Dave Franco as Lou's sister Beth and her abusive husband. According to the synopsis, Lou and Jackie's love 'soon leads to violence as they get pulled deep into the web of Lou's criminal family'. Rebel Wilson has claimed that she will reveal the 'massive a**hole' she worked with in Hollywood in her new book. The comedian, 44, is gearing up to release her hotly-anticipated memoir Rebel Rising next month, and she hasn't shied away from giving some very candid details. She took to Instagram on Saturday to reveal that she has dedicated a whole chapter in her book to a 'massive a**hole' she worked with in Hollywood. The Pitch Perfect actress claimed she will name which male colleague prompted her to adopt a 'no a**holes policy' with everyone she works with. She shared: 'When I first came to Hollywood, people were like, "Yeah, I have a no-a**holes policy that means, like, I don't work with a**holes". I was like, "Yeah, I mean, that sounds sensible and logical.' Rebel Wilson has claimed that she will reveal the 'massive a**hole' she worked with in Hollywood in her new book 'But then it really sunk in what they were meaning by that, older people in the industry. Because I worked with a massive a**hole, and, yeah, now I definitely have a a**holes policy. 'Chapter on said a**hole - it is chapter 23, that guy was a massive a**hole.' She added on her Instagram Stories: 'Do you want to know who is the biggest a**hole I've ever worked with in Hollywood? Chapter 23 lists it all out!' In a caption, she continued to tease: 'Do you wanna know why I have a 'no a**holes' policy now with people I work with?' 'Well it's all in the book: REBEL RISING available for pre-order now (drops April 2nd, link in bio) oh and YES I name the a**hole!' The comedian, 44, is gearing up to release her memoir Rebel Rising next month, and has claimed she will name the 'massive a**hole' she has worked with Her revelation comes after Rebel recently celebrated her 44th birthday, taking to Instagram to mark the occasion. In the sweet post, she gushed over her fiancee Ramona Agruma, 40, and their daughter Royce, 15 months. She posted a picture of herself striking a playful pose as she seemingly enjoyed a sun-soaked day out on a boat to celebrate the special day. In the snap, she cut a stylish figure in a floral print gown and a white cardigan and shielded her eyes with a pair of dark sunglasses. She sweetly described her family as the 'best present ever' in the caption of her birthday post. The actress penned: 'Happy 44th birthday to me! I got the best present ever - a healthy child, a healthy relationship and a career that keeps challenging me (directing a new film, writing a book, producing AND acting) and so many amazing friends and fans who inspire me to keep going! Love you all x' Her revelation comes after Rebel recently celebrated her 44th birthday, taking to Instagram to mark the occasion with a sun-soaked snap of herself on a day out In the sweet post, she gushed over her fiancee Ramona Agruma, 40, and their daughter Royce, 15 months, describing them as the 'best present ever' Rebel first met her fiancee Ramona in 2021, and they announced their engagement in February last year. She welcomed daughter Royce in November 2022, with Rebel confirming the news in a gushing social media post at the time. 'Beyond proud to announce the birth of my first child, Royce Lillian, born this past week via surrogate,' she wrote. Cara Delevingne's beloved cat was seen being saved from the massive fire that destroyed her $7million mansion in Studio City, California on Friday. While the 31-year-old model was in London, a devastating fire engulfed her home, but fortunately her pets were safely rescued. Initially, she believed both of her pets had perished in the fire and shared a post on her Instagram Stories about how her 'heart is broken'. Later, she shared a post expressing relief that her cats were actually saved and extended her gratitude to the many firefighters who put out the huge blaze and rescued them. 'They are alive!! Thank you to the firefighters,' she wrote alongside a red heart emoji over a photo of her precious pets. Cara Delevingne's beloved cat was seen being saved from the massive fire that destroyed her $7million mansion in Studio City, California on Friday While the 31-year-old model was in London, a devastating fire engulfed her home, but fortunately her pets were safely rescued In a since-deleted post, she had written alongside a picture of the two animals: 'My heart is broken today. I cannot believe it. Life can change in a blink of an eye. So cherish what you have.' Around noon local time, one of her cats looked visibly distressed but was safely wrapped in a blanket and being carried by a man. He was spotted carefully putting Delevingne's pet into a car and being taken away from the scene. The fire began sometime in the early hours of Friday morning and caused extensive damage to the property and left her roof collapsed as seen in aerial photos. Firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving a 911 call was made around 3:57am PST, according to TMZ. It was reported that a total of 94 firefighters showed up to fight the blaze arriving in 13 different engines. It is believed that the blaze started in a backroom of the expansive property, but it is currently unknown how the fire started. Images obtained by DailyMail.com reveal that entire parts of the roof have now collapsed due to the fire. Initially, she believed both of her pets had perished in the fire and shared a post on her Instagram Stories about how her 'heart is broken' Around noon local time, one of her cats looked visibly distressed but was safely wrapped in a blanket and being carried by a man. He was spotted carefully putting Delevingne's pet into a car and being taken away from the scene Her precious cat was seen looking around attentively Her pet did not appear to be seriously injured. The man was seen cradling the cat to his chest gently as he brought the cat to a vehicle to be taken safely away Her other cat was not pictured but was also safe, according to her Instagram post Initially, she believed both of her pets had perished in the fire and shared a post on her Instagram Stories about how her 'heart is broken'. Later, she shared a post expressing relief that her cats were actually saved and extended her gratitude to the many firefighters who put out the huge blaze and rescued them She was in London and away from her pets when the fire occurred in the early hours of Friday morning The fire began sometime in the early hours of Friday morning and caused extensive damage to the property and left her roof collapsed as seen in aerial photos It was reported that a total of 94 firefighters showed up to fight the blaze arriving in 13 different engines It is believed that the blaze started in a backroom of the expansive property, but it is currently unknown how the fire started It is said to have taken firefighters almost two hours to get the fire fully contained with at least one person injured, though it is not yet clear who. TMZ claimed that one firefighter fell from a ladder while trying to put out the blaze and was injured. One person who was staying at her home was also said to have been treated for smoke inhalation. According to the Los Angeles Times, Cara bought her her 8,000-square-foot mansion for $7million in 2019. Science hasn't confirmed if and how this works, but doctors are taking notice Young women have taken to social media to rave about yet another, little-known benefit of the weight loss drug Ozempic. It is helping them cope with painful periods. The blockbuster drug, which can help overweight and obese patients shed 16 pounds in a few months, has recently been lauded as a remedy for a wide range of ailments and conditions - to heart conditions and even mental health problems. And now, patients have identified yet another use: relieving agonizing menstrual cramps. In January, a young woman who goes by the name of cgo_of_me shared a video in which she details that she lost 90 pounds on the drug over the past two and a half years. When she stopped, her period returned quickly, with a vengeance. 'This has to be the most painful period I've had in the past two and a half years,' she said. She claims that the drug helped regulate her menstrual cycle, as she suffers irregular periods as a result of the common reproductive condition, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). And according to the scores of comments on her videos, she's not alone. 'Omg same Ive been off eight weeks worst period and ovulation,' wrote one woman, while another added: 'Ive lost my period with Ozempic!' a user named Michelle added. TikTok user M. Wright commented on the video 'it [Ozempic] helps my PCOS and I think its definitely helping how awful my periods are.' Other women have taken to social media to report similar effects; lighter, less painful periods. In March, one young woman named Ashley, who has 91,000 followers on TikTok, posted a clip explaining that, as well as improving her confidence, Ozempic had given her, 'regular cycles and balanced hormones.' Elsewhere on the forum website Reddit, thousands of comments from women tell of changes to their periods on Ozempic - with many citing reduced pain and lighter flows. But what does the science say? One doctor who has a theory as to how Ozempic may affect menstrual cycles is Dr Myra Ahmed, who specializes in obesity medicine and is based in San Francisco. In a video posted to her TikTok channel, where she has 24,000 followers, she explains that it may be to do with the loss of fat cells that happens when you take the drug. Ozempic and similar drugs are what's known as GLP-1 agonists, which means they trigger the release of a hormone called GLP-1 that promotes fullness and curbs hunger. When people lose weight on the drug they also lose fat cells, which can contain hormones, like estrogen that are part of regulating a woman's monthly cycle - including the intensity of cramps. When you have an excess of fat tissue, she said, you may have more of these hormones and that can disrupt the cycle and also increase cramps. Some nine million prescroptions for GLP-1 agonists are written every three months in the US, according to recent data. In particular, high levels of hormones called prostaglandins can increase the normal squeezing or contraction of the muscle in the wall of the uterus. 'GLP-1 medications and other anti-obesity medications help to reverse that cycle and get some of these [hormones' under control],' said Dr Ahmed. Doctors have highlighted that most women who report menstrual changes on the drug suffer from the common reproductive condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. Estimated to affect five million US women, PCOS is characterized by irregular and often painful periods, increased testosterone and small cyst-like growths that form on the ovaries. Symptoms range from excess facial hair growth to obesity to acne. It's also been linked to infertility and diabetes, according to the CDC. Providers have been prescribing semaglutide - the drug in Ozempic - off-label for years because it provides benefits to PCOS patients. One Dr. Andrea Dunaif, an endocrinologist at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City told NBC that 'GLP-1 agonists are very promising for the treatment of PCOS in affected women with overweight or obesity.' Even with individual doctors and a bevy of patients noticing the affect, the connection between PCOS, the menstrual cycle and GLP-1 agonists has not been confirmed by experts. However, US doctors are currently running clinical trials in both women and girls to investigate how the medication can be used in treating PCOS. In 2023, an Italian study showed that semaglutide helped 80 percent of the 27 participants with PCOS lose weight and regulate their periods. Further, the Italian scientists detailed in the paper, these people had been resistant to previous PCOS treatments. Chick Fil-A is opening its totally new type of restaurant in New York City on Thursday - a concept set to roll out across America if its a hit. Customers can only order sandwiches, fries and drinks using their mobile phone - there are NO cashiers. And there will be NO seats as there has always been in Chick-fil-A restaurants until now - instead it is aimed as a takeaway outlet and for delivery driver pick-up. The idea is the customer 'gets their freshly prepared order into their hands quickly'. With no parking, it will be a walk-up store for locations with lots of foot traffic. An artists creation of the walk-up store with no cashiers designed for locations with lots of foot traffic will open in New York City on Thursday Chick-fil-A's new concept for busy inner-city areas only allows customers to order sandwiches, fries and drinks using their mobile phone. There is no seating Chick-fil-A says the idea is customers 'gets their freshly prepared order into their hands quickly' Chick-fil-A says the restaurant on 79th & 2nd will cater to busy New Yorkers by focusing solely on delivery and mobile app ordering that can be easily and quickly collected. It is expected the concept will be rolled out to other locations in the Big Apple. It will also land in other cities around America too. How does Chick-fil-A's new mobile ordering only restaurant work? Guests will order ahead for delivery or carryout via the Chick-fil-A App or online. The restaurant will be alerted by geofencing when Guests are on their way to expedite the process and ensure each meal is timed with the Guest's arrival. Inside the restaurant, there will be active status board screens designated for delivery or mobile pickup, so Guests and delivery drivers can see when their orders are ready in real time. Once it is ready, Guests and delivery drivers will receive their freshly prepared order with a smile so they can quickly be on their way. While the restaurant will not offer a seating area or dine-in services, Chick-fil-A's signature hospitality will be prominent in every step of this digital-focused experience. Advertisement This new restaurant is one of two digital-focused test concepts the fast food chain is opening. The second of which is the elevated drive-thru concept set to open later this year. See images below. Chick-fil-A first unveiled the new drive-thru concept - featuring a four-lane drive-thru, an overhead kitchen and chutes to deliver food to customers - last year. The totally new design, that has lanes running through the middle of the bulding, will debut in the company's home base of Atlanta, Georgia. A 'sophisticated food transport system' made up of an overhead conveyor belt with chutes down the sides will then deliver the chain's famous chicken sandwiches to employees stationed at the ground level, Chick-fil-A announced. 'Digital orders make up more than half of total sales in some markets and growing so we know our customers have an appetite for convenience,' said Khalilah Cooper, executive director for restaurant design. It is no surprise Chick-fil-A is looking to boost its drive-thru offering. The popularity of drive-thrus has soared 30 percent in the three years to 2022 as customers choose to eat in the comfort of their cars rather than risk coming face-to-face with cranky staff. Experts say the boom is thanks to the pandemic which saw people socialize less and increasingly avoid in-person interactions with strangers. It also no surprise that Chick-fil-A is looking to speed up how quickly it serves customers. It was ranked as the SLOWEST drive-thru restaurant with customers forced to wait up to SEVEN minutes. Taco Bell was the speediest. Customers of the chicken sandwich restaurant wait 436.09 seconds - around seven minutes - on average to receive their orders, according to a new study by QRS magazine. But it was ranked highest for good customer service. Designed to cater to the fast food giant's growing digital business, the new drive-thru design will debut this year at a restaurant in the company's home base of Atlanta, Georgia The elevated building means the kitchen will have twice as much capacity as traditional locations The innovative drive-thru concept can hold up to 75 cars, according to Chick-fil-A Other Chick-fil-A concepts have hit problem. An attempt to build a 'mega' restaurant with a playground and two drive-through lanes in a small Tennessee town was blocked by the local council. The fast food chain wanted to construct a 6,110-square foot restaurant in the town of Collierville, roughly 30 minutes outside Memphis. The new restaurant would have included a large outdoor seating space, playground, employee meeting room and dual drive-thru lanes with the capacity to handle 43 cars. Sam's Club - the Walmart-owned rival to Costco - is using new camera technology that dramatically changes checkouts. It will allow customers to scan and pay for groceries with an app on their phone and just walk straight out. Meanwhile, Whole Foods is launching stores for shoppers in a rush - the new concept is a fraction of the size of its normal shops and you can pay with your palm using Amazon technology And Costco announced plans to open a 'showroom' style store for big ticket items. 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. Experts say it could cause commission of 5 to 6 percent to fall by around a third The trade association agreed its rules would change in a landmark settlement Americans will likely see a drastic drop in the cost of selling their homes after a landmark legal settlement will end the notorious commission system used by real estate agents. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed on Friday morning to pay $418 million in damages and to amend its controversial rules in order to settle a wave of threatening lawsuits. Experts say the change could cut costs by 30 percent, or around $20,000 on the sale of a $1 million home. As it stands, agents in the US make between 5 and 6 percent on the sale price of a home - far more than almost anywhere else in the world. That's because for decades they have relied on a controversial mechanism to keep their rates high and extract as much commission as possible from sellers. Americans will likely see a drastic drop in the cost of selling their houses after a landmark legal settlement was reached on Friday morning Previously, the buyer's agent could see which properties have the highest sales commission and 'steer' buyers to them The settlement agreed on Friday will still require approval from a federal court. In a press release announcing it on Friday morning, the association denied doing any wrongdoing. 'NAR has worked hard for years to resolve this litigation in a manner that benefits our members and American consumers,' said Nykia Wright, interim CEO of NAR. 'It has always been our goal to preserve consumer choice and protect our members to the greatest extent possible. This settlement achieves both of those goals,' she added. Last year, the NAR and a number of brokerages were found by a federal jury in Missouri to have conspired to force home sellers to pay higher fees. In the US, rules stipulated by the NAR mean sellers pay between 5 and 6 percent commission - which is split equally between the buyer's and seller's agents. Michael Ketchmark (pictured) was the lead attorney in the class-action lawsuit brought against the NAR in Missouri Plaintiffs argued that buyer's agents were incentivized to steer their clients towards homes whose owners were paying higher broker's fees because they would then earn more themselves. Sellers were therefore incentivized to pay higher fees if they wanted their home to be shown to prospective buyers, the jury found. In the wake of the Missouri ruling came a wave of 'copycat' lawsuits. 'The filing of copycat lawsuits throughout the country made painfully clear that the litigation path was going to be massively expensive' said Marty Green, principal of law firm Polunsky Beitel Green, in a statement on the settlement. He suggested changes thanks to the settlement would take time to come into effect and that mortgage underwriting could also be impacted. 'I think we will begin to see some creative buyer's agent arrangements that may have been harder to get traction on before,' he added. 'But these changes won't happen overnight and I anticipate a certain amount of uncertainty for the coming months.' The NAR is the largest trade association in the US and only its fee-paying members are allowed to call themselves 'Realtors'. They are also the only people with access to its proprietary databases of properties available for sale. It is through those databases that agents list the amount of commission that is being paid for the sale of a home. While the changes will benefit sellers, they could also cause significant disruption to the livelihoods of the NAR's 1.6 million members. Desirae Wykoff, 36, got her Realtor license in 2015 and earned between $15,000 and $25,000 a year to supplement the income from her full-time job In recent years, acquiring a real estate license has become a popular side hustle for Americans. In 2020 and 2021 - when the pandemic forced many out of work - a record 156,000 people became Realtors, according to the NAR. 'I feel like realtors are getting an unfair reputation from this,' agent Desirae Wykoff, 36, told DailyMail.com after the Missouri ruling. 'I could see a lot of these people hanging up their license.' Wykoff got her license in 2015 when her husband quit his job to start a new business, but it was slow to get off the ground. When they divorced five years later she became a single mother-of-three. She worked full-time at a local car dealership in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and brokered real estate deals on the side to supplement her income - usually an extra $15,000 to $25,000 a year. 'When you're on the outside looking in at this profession, it looks like easy money. It looks like you do a little bit of work for a lot of money but that is not at all what it is,' she told DailyMail.com. Realtors body CREDAI has hailed the new framework for Small and Medium Real Estate Investment Trusts (SM REITs), saying that this will boost the inflow of funds in the Indian property market. Amid rising demand for high-value realty assets, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has notified the framework for SM REITs. The watchdog notified the amended regulations for REITs on March 8, permitting fractional ownership of REITs and it will encompass commercial and residential properties. Investors can now have fractional ownership of rent-yielding real estate assets by making a minimum investment of Rs 10 lakh. Commenting on the development, CREDAI President Boman Irani said, SEBIs decision to amend the regulations and establish guidelines for the creation of SM REITs will provide a significant boost to the inflow of investments in the Indian Real Estate Sector. The additional transparency and measures to enhance investors protection, as well as the decision to reduce minimum investment threshold to Rs 10 lakh will encourage participation from retail investors, he added. With this move, we project this segments growth to be on an accelerated path characterised by a more regulated, mature market coupled with added awareness among stakeholders, Irani said. Somy Thomas, Managing Director, Valuation & Advisory and Capital Markets, Cushman & Wakefield, said SM REITs is a landmark development that can help organise the small commercial offices and other assets in India including tier 2 and 3 cities. Investment in real estate is preferred by many Indian families and this measure institutionalises the same and mitigates risks to some extent, he added. Proptech firm Housing.Com CEO Dhruv Agarwala said the SEBIs recent introduction of norms on fractional ownership in real estate marks a pivotal moment for Indias investment landscape. For generations, Indians have revered traditional investments like real estate and gold. However, amidst a changing economic landscape, a burgeoning segment of high-net-worth individuals and the upper middle class craves innovation and diversification, he said. SEBIs progressive regulations would not only democratise access to real estate assets but also foster diversified portfolios for investors, mitigating risks while maximising returns, the Housing.Com CEO said. By enabling investors to own a piece of coveted real estate without the hefty price tag of traditional ownership, Sebis embrace of fractional ownership embodies regulatory adaptability in the face of evolving investor preferences, Agarwala said. Aankush Ahuja, CEO and Founder, FOIP, said the move will have various advantages for investors. These include ensuring uniformity, protecting investor interests, promoting fairness and transparency, and providing access to mechanisms for dispute resolution. The regulation of the fractional ownership industry under this framework will encompass both commercial and residential properties, thereby enhancing investor protection, he added. This move creates numerous opportunities for retail and institutional investors to participate in office yielding real estate across various market sizes and product types, Ahuja said. Sudeep Chandran, Founder and COO of YOURS (a platform for Fractional Ownership of Luxury second homes), said the appetite for co-ownership of luxury properties has been on the rise. This trend is here to stay. In fact, the recent guidelines on SM REITs will also help in deepening the fractional ownership market, he said. pti n New Delhi Realtors body CREDAI has hailed the new framework for Small and Medium Real Estate Investment Trusts (SM REITs), saying that this will boost the inflow of funds in the Indian property market. Amid rising demand for high-value realty assets, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has notified the framework for SM REITs. The watchdog notified the amended regulations for REITs on March 8, permitting fractional ownership of REITs and it will encompass commercial and residential properties. Investors can now have fractional ownership of rent-yielding real estate assets by making a minimum investment of Rs 10 lakh. Commenting on the development, CREDAI President Boman Irani said, SEBIs decision to amend the regulations and establish guidelines for the creation of SM REITs will provide a significant boost to the inflow of investments in the Indian Real Estate Sector. The additional transparency and measures to enhance investors protection, as well as the decision to reduce minimum investment threshold to Rs 10 lakh will encourage participation from retail investors, he added. With this move, we project this segments growth to be on an accelerated path characterised by a more regulated, mature market coupled with added awareness among stakeholders, Irani said. Somy Thomas, Managing Director, Valuation & Advisory and Capital Markets, Cushman & Wakefield, said SM REITs is a landmark development that can help organise the small commercial offices and other assets in India including tier 2 and 3 cities. Investment in real estate is preferred by many Indian families and this measure institutionalises the same and mitigates risks to some extent, he added. Proptech firm Housing.Com CEO Dhruv Agarwala said the SEBIs recent introduction of norms on fractional ownership in real estate marks a pivotal moment for Indias investment landscape. For generations, Indians have revered traditional investments like real estate and gold. However, amidst a changing economic landscape, a burgeoning segment of high-net-worth individuals and the upper middle class craves innovation and diversification, he said. SEBIs progressive regulations would not only democratise access to real estate assets but also foster diversified portfolios for investors, mitigating risks while maximising returns, the Housing.Com CEO said. By enabling investors to own a piece of coveted real estate without the hefty price tag of traditional ownership, Sebis embrace of fractional ownership embodies regulatory adaptability in the face of evolving investor preferences, Agarwala said. Aankush Ahuja, CEO and Founder, FOIP, said the move will have various advantages for investors. These include ensuring uniformity, protecting investor interests, promoting fairness and transparency, and providing access to mechanisms for dispute resolution. The regulation of the fractional ownership industry under this framework will encompass both commercial and residential properties, thereby enhancing investor protection, he added. This move creates numerous opportunities for retail and institutional investors to participate in office yielding real estate across various market sizes and product types, Ahuja said. Sudeep Chandran, Founder and COO of YOURS (a platform for Fractional Ownership of Luxury second homes), said the appetite for co-ownership of luxury properties has been on the rise. This trend is here to stay. In fact, the recent guidelines on SM REITs will also help in deepening the fractional ownership market, he said. The Army initiative is empowering rural youth through computer literacy in Jammu and Kashmir The Indian Army launched a three-month project in November of the previous year to enhance computer skills among students at a government high school located in the border area of Khui Milan, Akhnoor tehsil, Jammu district. This initiative aimed to equip students with basic computer skills, paving the way for future employment opportunities. Upon completing the course, students received certification. Balvir Singh, the computer teacher appointed by the army for this school, explains that the program was designed for students to grasp the fundamentals of computers within 90 days. He emphasised the programs goal: to ensure that children in rural areas are at par with their urban counterparts, bridging the technological gap. In the past, children used to receive computer education directly from army personnel. However, facing challenges in commuting to them daily, as mentioned by the Regional Education Officer, Vidushi Gupta. In response to this, the army has donated 10 computers to the school under this program, ensuring that children dont have to travel far to learn computers. Sanjeevani Verma, a student from the same high school, expressed gratitude, stating, My familys financial situation is very weak, due to which I could not go anywhere to learn computers. Now, the Indian Army has provided computers to our school and also appointed a teacher to teach us. She further added, This has proved to be very beneficial for us. Todays India is becoming digital, and therefore, we need to learn computers. In remote rural areas, computer literacy rates are still low. Especially compared to men, rural women and girls are still distant from computer knowledge. According to a 2023 report, over 40% of the Indians surveyed in the age group of 15-29 years reported having the basic skill of handling files on computers. However, the abilities declined as the difficulty level of skills increased. The report also stated that mens abilities with computers far exceeded those of women and urban areas were better at handling computer-related tasks. The share of men who could perform the simplest task of handling computer files was 13 percentage points more than women. Under the stark urban-rural gap, in urban areas, the same task was performed by 27% more people than those living in rural areas. Other organisations have joined the effort to impart computer skills to the children of Jammu and Kashmir. In the bordering district of Poonch, a non-governmental organisation named Seva Bharati has established a centre in Manganad village dedicated to teaching children computer skills. Prince Kumar, a 22-year-old youth, shared, I come to learn at this computer centre every day. Initially, I did not know about computers at all, but now I have gradually learned many things about computers. The organisation has provided two computers, and a teacher has been appointed, dedicating two hours to instructing adolescent boys and girls. This initiative is particularly beneficial for girls in the village, where computer literacy is low, and the female computer literacy rate is almost negligible. Today, due to the advancement of computers, the entire world has shrunk into the form of a technological village. In todays era, knowing computers has become a priority. There is no field today where the use of a computer is not essential, whether it is the government or the private sector. A 25-year-old woman named Suraksha Devi says that keeping up with the digital world without knowledge of computers is challenging. While almost everyone today has a smartphone, which is a type of computer, certain things remain incomplete without learning about computers. In the centre of Manganad village, Suraksha Devi has learned things about the Internet. She has also learned to work on MS Word and Excel. She says that todays girls, whether from rural areas or urban areas, should be computer literate because it will be crucial in making them empowered and self-reliant. Reflecting on the success of the course, Balbir Singh expresses, Over the 3-month course, our primary aim has been to impart comprehensive foundational knowledge to the children. The basic test we administered during this period yielded remarkably positive results from the students. We extend our gratitude to the Indian Army for generously providing us with 10 computers. Witnessing the dedication of the children, they took the initiative to install these computers within the school premises. Adarsh Sharma, a sixth-grade participant in the computer course, expresses, The computer skills weve acquired in this course can prove beneficial in our future endeavours. Whether its a government or private job, the demand for computer literacy spans across all sectors today. I extend my gratitude to the Indian Army, whose support has afforded us the chance to learn about computers at an early stage. Additionally, I want to thank our computer instructor for imparting valuable knowledge and insights. (The writer writes on socio-economic development challenges of rural communities of J&K; views are personal. Charkha Features) India makes a significant stride in its defence programme with the approval of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the project to design and develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) on March 7. This aircraft will be a fifth-generation, medium-weight stealth fighter jet. The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is spearheading the project, valued at around Rs 15,000 crore. Under this project, DRDOs Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will collaborate with various private and public sector agencies to develop the stealth jet and associated technology. Its anticipated that approximately five prototypes will be built within a span of five years. The manufacturing of these prototypes will involve the public sector unit Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This endeavour will propel India into a select group of nations either possessing or developing 5th generation fighter jets. A fifth-generation fighter jet possesses four primary attributes. Firstly, it boasts stealth capabilities, rendering it nearly invisible to enemy radars due to its minimized radar cross-section. Secondly, it can achieve Supercruise, enabling it to fly faster than the speed of sound without relying on fuel-intensive afterburners. Thirdly, it is equipped with advanced avionics, sensors, and network-centric operations. Increasingly, artificial intelligence is being integrated to enhance the pilot-aircraft interface, allowing a single pilot to manage both flight and combat operations. Lastly, it has the ability to outperform adversaries by detecting and engaging targets from considerable distances, facilitated by active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. Achieving stealth involves meticulously shaping the aircraft to scatter radar waves rather than reflecting them, in addition to employing specialized materials and paints known as Radar Absorbing Structures to further minimize radar reflectivity. In stealth mode, these fighters conceal their weapons within internal bays, relying solely on internally-carried fuel to avoid radar detection, as external weapons or fuel tanks compromise stealth by reflecting radar waves. The AMCA is slated for development in two phases. Phase 1 will result in the AMCA Mk-1, powered by the US GE-414 engine. Phase 2 will see the development of the AMCA Mk-2, featuring a more advanced and powerful engine. However, its important to note that the projected induction of the AMCA by 2035 may not result in a Completely 5th-generation fighter aircraft. China is poised to surpass the US in stealth aircraft production. Chinas J-20A Mighty Dragon, its first fifth-generation fighter, was expected to outnumber the US Air Forces F-22 Raptor fleet last year. Notably, the F-22 Raptor, the first operational fifth-generation fighter, has ceased production, with the US focusing on the more cost-effective F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter family. India withdrew from the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft program (FGFA) in April 2018, a joint effort with Russia aimed at developing an India-specific variant of the Russian Su-57 stealth fighter. Following a series of challenges, Indias indigenous LCA Tejas has been inducted by the Indian Air Force. Despite this, Indias fighter squadron strength continues to decline, falling short of the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. New Delhi is exploring various options to bolster squadron numbers, recognising that a few Rafale and Tejas LCA squadrons are insufficient to bridge the gap. From the Indian Air Forces perspective, the urgency and importance of acquiring manned stealth fighters necessitate Cabinet Committee on Security approval for the AMCA project. While the project has received the much-awaited green light, its crucial to remain vigilant regarding potential pitfalls and the projects impact on the Indian Air Forces combat capabilities. With meticulous planning and execution, it could prove to be a game-changer. (The author is a freelance writer, views are personal) A Raja, a DMK MP, has sparked controversy with his recent statement, dismissing India as a nation and branding it as a subcontinent instead Nothing is shocking in the statement made by A Raja MP, that India was not a nation but a sub-continent. India was neither a nation in the past nor will it remain as a nation in future, declared Raja while addressing a meeting held by his party, the DMK. Neither the DMK nor the Dravida Kazhakam, its precursor, accepted the concept of India. The founding fathers of these Kazhakams (Tamil for Forum) have an inherent hatred towards anything that is Indian. The Dravidians firmly believe Robert Caldwell, a British evangelist who came to India during the colonial era, claims that there is no link between the Dravidians and Aryans (north Indians) and Tamil is the mother of all languages. The Dravidians have no answer to the question of how an evangelist with no known credentials as a linguist claims that Tamil has no connection with Sanskrit. Muthuvel Karunanidhi, the DMK patriarch, who never missed any chance to ridicule Sanskrit and Hindi is on record insulting these languages as impotent. The name Karunanidhi itself is a Sanskrit term. His grandchildren Udhayanidhi, Dayanidhi and Aditya, grand nephews Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi flaunt Sanskrit names. Karunanidhis son Stalin, the reigning chief minister, claims that Sanskrit and Hindi are part of Hinduism. This is not the first time people like Raja have courted controversy by putting their foot in the mouth. Immediately after the 2019 Lok Sabha election, T Thirumavalavan, who is the founder of the SC/ST outfit VCK declared that North Indians were not welcome in Tamil Nadu. He also declared that Rohingya Muslims and Islamic immigrants should be given citizenship in Tamil Nadu. Thirumavalavan, in his eagerness to prove his anti-Hindutva stance, went one step further and changed the name of his nonagenarian father from Ramasamy to Tholkappian! Every uttering by the leaders of the DMK and its allies gives enough hint that they are for seceding from India and forming a separate Dravida Nadu. Stalin, while speaking in a public function at Erode in 2018 declared that a separate Dravida Nadu was still an agenda of the DMK and it has been put on the backburner for the time being. Stalin declared that all South Indian States should unitedly demand a Dravida Nation. If such a situation comes it would be welcome. We hope that such a situation arises, said the DMK chief. Stalin has become wiser over the years to understand the truth that Tamil Nadu can never become a stand-alone State without Karnataka and Kerala. If Karnataka refuses to release Kaveri River Water and Kerala decides to go ahead with its plans to build a new dam in place of the existing Mullaperiyar, which has outlived its utility, Tamil Nadu is in for major crisis. The intransigent attitude of the Dravidian party not to accept the reforms and suggestions proposed by the Centre is ample proof of the fact that the State wants to pursue an independent path. Its refusal to launch the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya program in the State speaks volumes of the DMKs aversion to anything that is Indian. A scheme conceived and introduced by late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to make public school education available to the poorest of the poor in the country envisaged the setting up of Navodaya Vidyalaya in each district of India. The school to be built in the backward region of the district would have a cosmopolitan atmosphere with students drawn out from all over the country a la the public school in Dehradun where Rajiv Gandhi had his schooling. While the concept was accepted in toto by all States, Tamil Nadu remains the only State in India that has not allowed the opening of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. The reason? The DMKs opposition to teaching Hindi and Sanskrit. Though this is a blatant violation of Fundamental Rights assured in Part III of the Constitution, Congress is reluctant and afraid to take up the issue with its Big Brother. The AIADMK has been mesmerized by the DMKs claim that any move to introduce Hindi in Tamil Nadu would have disastrous results. Hindi was accorded the status of national language by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Chennai is the headquarters of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha which was instituted by Gandhi. He was the chairman of the Sabha from its inception in 1918 till his last in 1948. While the DMK is always at the forefront of attacking Sanatana Dharma for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, the party has no qualms about having an electoral alliance with forces that support the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi. The party had gone out of its way to get clemency for the murderers of Rajiv Gandhi and even their liberation from imprisonment. The MDMK led by Vaiko and VCK led by Thol Thirumavalavan are fanatic supporters of LTTE and its founder V Prabhakaran. Every year on the birth and death anniversaries of Prabhakaran, rationalists Vaiko and Thirumavalavan offer prayers for the LTTE chief and his comrades who waged war against India. There are enough instances to prove the secret secessionist plans being conceived by these elements. The DMK and its associates are a threat to the national security and integrity. The centre and other state governments are advised to be Caveat Emptor (Customers, Beware!) in their dealings with the DMK and fringe parties like MDMK and VCK. (The writer is special correspondent with the Pioneer, views are personal) As Jimmy Carter reaches the milestone of his 100th birthday, let us reflect on the extraordinary journey of the 39th President of the United States We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changesand we must: Jimmy Carter. At 100, Jimmy Carter is the oldest president in United States history. James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States, has not only witnessed the ebb and flow of American history but has actively shaped its course with a commitment to peace, justice, and compassion. Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carters journey from a humble peanut farm to the highest office in the land is a testament to the American dream. As we commemorate his centennial birthday, it is an opportune moment to delve into the extraordinary life of a man whose presidency, post-presidential years, and philanthropic endeavours have left an indelible mark on the fabric of our nation and the world. Join us on a reflective journey through the highs and lows of Jimmy Carters century-long life, exploring the milestones, challenges, and enduring principles that define his legacy. From the Oval Office to Habitat for Humanity work sites, Carters story is one of resilience, compassion, and an unyielding belief in the power of diplomacy and cooperation. As we celebrate the centennial of this statesman, it is an occasion not only to honour the past but also to glean insights from a life rich in experiences, lessons, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. From 1977 to 1981, Jimmy Carter served as the President of the United States. Before becoming president, Jimmy Carter served as the Governor of Georgia in 1971. Despite running for president again in 1982 (Democrat) and competing against Ronald Reagan, he faced defeat. After leaving the presidency, he, along with his wife Rosalynn Carter, established the Carter Centre in 1982 in pursuit of helping the disadvantaged. Rosalynn Carter became the first lady and the first woman to serve as a board member of the Carter Centre. In 2002, Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts towards peace and his exemplary actions in promoting human welfare. Despite reaching the age of 90, he remained active in various fields. Carter continued his philanthropic work, including building houses for low-income families through Habitat for Humanity, reducing diseases and elevating the quality of life for the underprivileged. His advocacy for human rights, international conflict resolution, presidency, human rights, and socio-economic development reflects his dedication to humanitarian causes. Carters dedication to peace and social justice, as well as his active involvement in public service, sets him apart among U.S. presidents. Carter played a key role in mediating international conflicts, notably contributing to the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. His post-presidential activities, including receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and actively participating in various humanitarian initiatives, showcase his commitment to making a positive impact on the world. However, his attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran, known as Operation Eagle Claw, failed. In his personal life, Jimmy Carter married Rosalynn in 1946, and their marriage lasted more than seven decades. They have four children: Jack, James, Donnel, and Amy. Roselyn Rosalynn Carter, actively participated in various activities, including writing, activism, and advocacy for different causes. She was born in 1927. Rosalynn was actively involved in various meetings and discussions as the First Lady. She faced controversies, engaged in foreign trips, and represented her husband in diplomatic roles. In 1978, the then-American President Jimmy Carter visited India. Morarji Desai was the Prime Minister at that time. He had a meeting with 500 media persons. Carter visited the village of Chumukedima. The purpose of his visit was to revitalise the village where his mother, Lillian Peace, had served in the Peace Corps. During his journey, Carter distributed a considerable amount of money to the villagers. The village was later renamed as Carterpuri. Despite facing challenges and controversies, Jimmy Carter remained an active and influential figure in national and international affairs throughout his life. His contributions to diplomacy, human rights, and conflict resolution earned him recognition and respect. Even though his time as the American President failed, he left the White House and continued his work as a global advocate for human rights. He established the Carter Presidential Foundation to protect human rights globally, helping those in need and experiencing hardship. The organisation has grown globally, assisting those in distress in Africa, Latin America, and other societies. Carters compassionate activities in these regions included healthcare services and other humanitarian initiatives. Today, he remains one of the eminent figures among the great presidents of America. As Jimmy Carter reaches the remarkable milestone of a century on this Earth, we find ourselves not merely celebrating the passage of time but honouring a life devoted to service, humility, and the unwavering pursuit of a better world. From the peanut fields of Plains, Georgia, to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., Carters journey has been emblematic of the American spirita testament to the belief that ordinary individuals can bring about extraordinary change. As we reflect on the legacy of the 39th President of the United States, it becomes evident that Jimmy Carters impact extends far beyond the confines of his political career. His commitment to diplomacy, human rights, and humanitarian causes has transcended the boundaries of his presidency, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage. Carters post-presidential years have been characterized by a tireless dedication to building homes with Habitat for Humanity, mediating conflicts, and advancing public health initiatives. His work stands as a reminder that true leadership extends beyond the trappings of office, resonating in the actions and deeds that shape the lives of those around us. As we commemorate Jimmy Carters 100th birthday, let us not only acknowledge the historical significance of his tenure but also recognize the enduring relevance of his values. In an era marked by division and uncertainty, Carters commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and compassion serves as a beacon of hopea reminder that the pursuit of justice and peace knows no age limit. As the sun sets on a century of Jimmy Carters remarkable life, we are left with a legacy that challenges us to aspire to something greater than ourselves. May we draw inspiration from his example, fostering a world where empathy triumphs over apathy, where diplomacy prevails over discord, and where the pursuit of a better tomorrow remains a timeless endeavour. Happy 100th birthday, President Jimmy Cartera centennial celebration of a life well-lived and a legacy that continues to illuminate our path forward. We know that a peaceful world cannot long exist, one-third rich and two-thirds hungry.- Jimmy Carter. (The writer is an associate professor, views are personal) Randeep Hooda says he hasn't ruled out joining politics in future but wants to focus on his acting career for the time being. There were reports that the actor, who is awaiting the release of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar", a biopic of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, is likely to contest Lok Sabha polls as a BJP candidate from his hometown Rohtak, Haryana. "Politics is as serious a career as a movie maker or an actor. I've been more than sincere and full-hearted about my acting. If I am to join politics, I'll take it on as a full-time job. I'm not a person who can do many things at the same time. Right now, I've movies to do as an actor and there's my new found career as a director, which I enjoyed although it was very tough" the actor told PTI. "It's not the right time to jump into it (politics) and leave my movie career because being half-hearted has never excited me. I like doing 'seva' as a Khalsa aid or cleaning beaches or working for other environmental causes. I've always had that in me, but you never know about the future, Hooda, known for movies such as Highway, Sarbjit and Sultan, added. "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar was initially to be helmed by Mahesh Manjrekar, who quit the project citing creative differences. The film is now directed, co-written and co-produced by Hooda, who also plays the titular role. Hooda, who was first cast as an actor for the film, said as the circumstances were beyond control, he began co-writing the script with writer Utkarsh Naithani and later came on board as a director. "When I was cast as an actor, I had people telling me not to do it, saying, 'You're an artist, and you will get branded, be known as a party member, you should be neutral'. I was like, What if I was making a film on Mr Jawaharlal Nehru? Would I become a Congress member? No'. So, I found a lot of bias there, the actor said. Hooda said through the film he will bring out some unknown facets of Savarkar in an engaging and entertaining way. "I'm going to entertain and give you the knowledge. So, I did not make it like a preachy film, preaching about 'desh bhakti'. I've made a film which is engaging and I tell facts with dates, and break the myth when it comes to calling him a British apologist or Muslim hater or a person who is involved in Mahatma Gandhi's death, we've addressed them in the movie," he added. The actor recalled reading negative comments after the trailer of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar was unveiled. "It does not irk me but this conversation will help people to get to know more about him, because then I hope some of them read up or come watch this movie. If I had made a movie about Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, would that be a propaganda movie? No'. So, there is a bias towards it. All our freedom fighters were part of political parties..." Ask Hooda if he will continue to direct, produce, and act in films, he said he will focus on his acting career for a while. His next release is Tera Kya Hoga Lovely, in which he is paired opposite Ilena D'Cruz. Produced by Zee Studios, Anand Pandit, Sandeep Singh, Randeep Hooda, and Yogesh Rahar, SwatantryaVeer Savarkar is set to hit cinemas worldwide on March 22. The film will be released in Hindi and Marathi. A staggering 16,000 kilograms of shark fins were seized from different parts of the country between January 2010 to December 2022 and most of the confiscated Shark-derived products were destined for Singapore, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Sri Lanka, and mainland China. According to a report by World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) and TRAFFIC, the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network, the confiscated shark fins constituted more than 80 per cent of the seizures. Significant volumes of shark cartilage and teeth were also seized. A new factsheet "Netted in illegal wildlife trade: Sharks of India"-released by the WWF-India and TRAFFIC, a global non-governmental organization monitoring the trade in wild plants and animals -- has sounded alarm about India's illegal shark trade and highlighted ongoing threats and conservation concerns. Tamil Nadu accounted for nearly 65 per cent of the shark seizure incidents, followed by other states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Maharashtra. The Shark-related products confiscated were bound for Singapore, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Sri Lanka, and mainland China. "The demand for shark fins and meat is a major driver of the global shark fishery. Shark fins are the most sought-after shark product used to make "shark-fin soup,' a delicacy", Dr Merwyn Fernandes, Associate Director of TRAFFIC's India Office, said. "Other shark products are also in demand, albeit to a lesser extent. Shark's meat is consumed as food; skin as leather; liver oil (squalene) as a lubricant, in cosmetics and as a source of vitamin A; cartilages for chondroitin sulphate extraction in the preparation of medicines and jaws and teeth for making curios", Dr Fernandes said. Sharks are crucial to our ecosystem. Being top predators in the oceanic food web, sharks prey on various species, including plankton, fish, crustaceans and marine mammals. Overfishing, coupled with low biological productivity, puts them at a higher risk of extinction when compared to most other vertebrates. Of 160 shark species reported in India, only 26 sharks and rays have been given the highest protection status under the amended Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 by listing them in Schedules I and II. Species in Appendix I and II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) have been listed in Schedule IV of the Act. Dr Dipankar Ghose, Senior Director of Biodiversity Conservation, WWF-India, and Interim Head of TRAFFIC's India Office, said: "Illegal shark trade is a serious conservation threat to sharks not just in India but globally. Misdeclaring relevant species on permits is one of the main ways sharks are traded illegally worldwide". "The lack of capacity to identify the shark fins against numerous potential shark species in trade is a significant gap in curbing their illicit trade. Insufficient monitoring mechanisms further make it challenging to differentiate between legal and illegal trade of sharks," Dr Ghose said. To help law enforcement officials such as Customs identify dried and unprocessed fins, TRAFFIC has created 3D-printed and painted replica fins. Last year, these were shared with the concerned enforcement agencies in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by TRAFFIC's India Office. India and Bhutan reviewed the entire spectrum of their bilateral ties during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Tshering Tobgay who conveyed his deep appreciation for Indias role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutans developmental priorities. Tobgay, who is on a five-day visit to India, said this during wide-ranging talks he and Prime Minister Modi held on Thursday evening, Ministry of External Affairs(MEA)said here on Friday. Modi is visiting Bhutan next week. In their talks, the two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral ties in various areas, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation, according to an official readout. They (Modi and Tobgay) reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship, MEA said. The Prime Minister of Bhutan conveyed his deep appreciation for Indias role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutans developmental priorities, it said. The MEA said on behalf of the Bhutanese King, Tobgay extended an invitation to Modi to visit Bhutan next week. The prime minister accepted the invitation, it said. President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said India deeply values its multi-faceted partnership with Bhutan and the spiritual heritage of Buddhism connects the two countries. She said Bhutan can count on India as a reliable friend and partner. Welcoming Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, who called on the president at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu said India and Bhutan enjoy a close and unique relationship, based on mutual trust, goodwill and understanding at all level. She appreciated the fact that the Bhutanese prime minister chose India for his first overseas visit after taking the oath of office. President Murmu said the shared spiritual heritage of Buddhism connects the two countries. She highlighted that India deeply values its multi-faceted partnership with Bhutan, spanning across sectors such as energy cooperation, development partnership, people-to-people relations and trade and investment linkages, according to a statement issued by the presidents office.The President said India is privileged to partner with Bhutan in the development of the cooperation sector and towards enhancing the socio-economic well-being and prosperity of the people of the Himalayan country. President Joe Biden meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 15, 2024 in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP President Joe Biden meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 15, 2024 in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP President Joe Biden meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 15, 2024 in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP President Joe Biden meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 15, 2024 in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP President Joe Biden, center, climbs the steps at the Capitol to be greeted by, from left, Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., for a Friends of Ireland luncheon, in Washington, Friday, March 15, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite/AP Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks at a Friends of Ireland luncheon with President Joe Biden, not pictured, on Capitol Hill, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Washington. Andrew Harnik/AP House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at a Friends of Ireland luncheon with President Joe Biden and Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Capitol Hill, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Washington. Andrew Harnik/AP President Joe Biden, left, and Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, right, attend a Friends of Ireland luncheon on Capitol Hill, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Washington. Andrew Harnik/AP WASHINGTON (AP) With St. Patrick's Day this weekend, President Joe Biden got to dwell Friday on one of his favorite subjects: Ireland. Biden played host to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House and then the two attended a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol as the two countries celebrate a century of diplomatic relations. The president wore a green necktie for Ireland and the Oval Office was decorated with a bowl of shamrocks placed in front of the fireplace. May the hinge of our friendship never grow rusty, Biden said to the Irish prime minister. Advertisement Article continues below this ad House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., hosted the president and Varadkar for the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the Capitol. Johnson introduced the president as America's most famous Irishman. Biden used the event to push for foreign aid to support Ukraine as it fights against Russia and Israel as well as provide humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza. Varadkar used his remarks at the luncheon to thank the United States for its work to bring peace between Ireland and Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. But he turned to the war in Ukraine, as the House has been unable to pass military aid for the country, much to Biden's frustration. Ukraine must not fall and together, we need to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes, Varadkar said. We look forward to working with America for the next 100 years. Biden is nearly as fond of his Irish heritage as he is of his home state of Delaware and his birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He loves to quote the Irish poet Seamus Heaney, among others. He has delivered Irish toasts before formal dinners. He has routinely brought up Ireland with leaders from other foreign countries. He spoke at a pub last year while visiting Ireland, reveling in the chance to be there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last year while Biden visited that country, Joe, one thing that everybody has learned about you is that youre a proud Irish American. His campaign planned to hold a virtual event on Friday to mobilize Irish American voters in a sign of the Democrats' interests. The Census Bureau has said that more than 30 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry, with the largest group being in the Chicago area. ___ Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Indian Navy has responded to an SOS by Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier with 23 crew members that was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia earlier this week, the Navy said in a statement on Friday. The MV Abdullah was sailing from Mozambiques capital Maputo to the United Arab Emirates with a cargo of 55,000 tonnes of coal when it was attacked around midday on Tuesday, the company said. A group of 15-20 Somali pirates hijacked the ship, said Meherul Karim, chief executive officer of Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills, which owns the MV Abdullah vessel. On receipt of intimation, the Long-Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) aircraft was immediately deployed and on locating the MV (Abdullah) in the evening of 12 March, attempted to establish communication to ascertain status of ships crew members. However, no response was received from the ship, said the Indian Navy. The Mission Deployed warship on Maritime Security Operations, which had also been diverted, intercepted the hijacked MV on the morning of 14 March. The safety of the MVs crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain in close vicinity of the MV till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia, it added. In the last few weeks, the Indian Navy has extended assistance to a number of merchant vessels in the Western Indian Ocean following attacks on them. The Indian Navy, earlier this month, foiled a piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel with a crew of 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals along the East coast of Somalia. In January, Indian warship INS Sumitra rescued 19 Pakistani crew members of a fishing vessel after their Iranian-flagged vessel was attacked by pirates in the east coast of Somalia. The Navy on January 5 thwarted an attempted hijacking of Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea and rescued all its crew members. Liberian-flagged vessel MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was the target of a drone attack off Indias west coast on December 23. The Navy has already enhanced deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft for maritime security operations in view of the maritime environment in critical sea lanes, including in the North and Central Arabian Sea. There have been mounting global concerns over Houthi militants launching a series of attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea in the last few months. Hijackings off Somalia since December have fuelled concerns about a resurgence of Indian Ocean raids by opportunistic pirates, coming on top of a separate surge in attacks launched by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Houthi militia, who control a part of Yemen, have launched scores of drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden targeting what they deem to be Israeli-linked vessels in response to Israels war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. International naval forces have been diverted north from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea, sparking fears that pirates will exploit the security gap. The Election Commission (EC) on Friday said it will announce the poll schedule on Saturday for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as simultaneous Assembly elections in a few States setting the tone and tenor for the three months long festival of democracy. "Press Conference by the Election Commission to announce schedule for general elections 2024 & some State Assemblies will be held at 3 pm tomorrow ie on Saturday, March 16. It will be live-streamed on social media platforms of the ECI," the poll body announced. The Pioneer had reported on Thursday that Nirvachan Sadan will share on Friday the dates for the announcements of poll schedule. The EC will also announce the dates for the Assembly elections scheduled in Odisha, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, are also set to vote, in line with a Supreme Court order directing the conduct of Assembly polls by September 30 as the first step towards restoration of statehood. With the announcement of poll schedules of the Lok Sabha polls, the Model Code of Conduct will come into effect as soon as the announcement is made. It is a set of guidelines issued by the EC for the political parties, candidates, Government and the party in power during the polls concerning speeches, announcements, election manifestos and general conduct. The announcement by the EC regarding the poll schedule comes on a day the two newly-appointed Election Commissioners - Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu - assumed the charge of the Election Commissioners. According to sources, the Lok Sabha elections are expected to be held in seven to eight phases. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, accompanied by the newly elected Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, will announce the poll dates. The EC had ended its survey with a tour of Jammu and Kashmir this week. In a first, the poll panel has given 24-hour notice of a Press conference to announce voting dates, polling phases, and other details, including deployment of security personnel in States where post-poll violence and clashes with Maoist or rebel forces is a factor that needs to be considered. The term of the 17th Lok Sabha is set to end on June 16 while the terms of the Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim Assemblies will end on June 11, June 2, June 24 and June 2, respectively. Last time the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and held in seven phases beginning April 11. Votes were counted on May 23. According to EC, nearly 97 crore people are eligible to cast vote in the upcoming polls at over 12 lakh polling stations. The upcoming Lok Sabha polls are again being dubbed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi vs the rest in the absence of a single Opposition face to counter the BJP. However, a host of leaders from both sides of the political divide are dominating the narrative in the run up to the general election. The BJP has so far released two lists of 267 candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, while the Congress announced the names of 82 candidates over two lists. For the BJP, Modi is the electoral poster boy who is already criss-crossing the country to woo voters across the States. Regional and national parties have already begun announcing their candidates for the elections to the 543 Parliamentary constituencies. The BJP is looking to consolidate its grip on power as it aims for a historic third term while a band of Opposition parties, including the Congress, has formed a united front called INDIA to deny PM Modi another victory. Several other regional heavyweights are also in the fray, including a bevy of topline southern parties, who are fighting to bolster their presence in the states they represent. In 2014, BJP stormed to power by winning 282 seats in the Lok Sabha. Its coalition NDA secured 353 seats. The Congress was reduced to just 44 seats in the Lok Sabha, its lowest ever tally in history. In terms of vote share, BJP managed to secure 31 per cent of the total votes while Congress won 19.3 per cent of the total votes cast. In 2019, the BJP improved its tally even further, winning 303 seats in the lower house. It was the first time in over three and a half decades that a party managed to cross the 300-seat mark in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress, which was again the principal opponent, managed to improve its seat tally slightly as it won 52 seats in the general election. Notably, the BJP saw a big surge in its vote share, winning 37.3 per cent of the votes in 2019. Besides the BJP and the Congress, regional parties like TMC, SP, AIADMK, DMK, JD(U), BSP, AAP, TDP, YSR Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP were also in the fray from their respective States. Animal activists and organisations, while welcoming the ban on the import, sale, and breeding of 23 'ferocious' dogs by the Centre on Wednesday, have also highlighted some concerns about the reason mentioned behind it and the implementation of regulations. The move aims to curb the rising cases of dog bites in the country on citizens, especially on the elderly and children. While the activists support the ban, they said the reason is false and attribute the aggression in dogs to humans who engage them in exploitative activities such as dogfighting. People For Animal (PFA) Trustee and animal right's activist Ambika Shukla said, "We are for the regulation of dog breeding but using the term 'threat to human life' pins the blame on dogs. Humans are unleashing cruelty and abuse and treating them as prisoners, making them aggressive. If you want to ban them, do so because humans do not know how to breed them in this country." She said because these voiceless creatures aren't a vote bank for the political parties, it's easier for the Government to impose rules on them instead of humans who engage in cruelty and abuse. People For Animals Public Policy Foundation (PFAPPF) director and member of the executive committee, Delhi Animal Welfare Board, Dr Asher R Jesudoss lauded the ban, while stating, "We are in support of the ban. These breeds aren't suited for the Indian climate. The limited urban spaces, where these dogs are raised, hamper their exercise and training, resulting in making them aggressive. Let us find homes for the 4 crore street dog population before bringing more foreign breeds into the country." He said the Delhi Animal Welfare Board is not functioning properly. "Since its formation in 2023, the board has met once, with no agendas listed for the meeting," he said. The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government must step up the implementation of the rules in the city, he said. The activist said, "It has been tough to get Delhi Animal Welfare Board to fulfill their mandated duties towards these animals. There has been close to no action on the ground. Moreover, people involved in heinous activities like illegal dog breeding & dogfighting are vote banks for political parties across the country. Even though the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court had ordered the Delhi Animal Welfare Board to hold a meeting once every month, nothing has moved on that front since then. The list of banned dog breeds, by the Union Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, includes Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Rottweiler, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf dogs, Canario, Akbash dog, Moscow Guard dog, Cane Corso, and every dog of the type commonly known as a 'Ban Dog'. The ban also extends to mixed and crossbreeds of these dog breeds. The department has also sent a letter to the Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories to ensure the proper implementation of the ban. Asher R Jesudoss also said people who currently do not need to worry if they have these dogs. "Breeders need to just sterilise them and can continue raising them for as long as they are alive," he added. The State cabinet here on Thursday approved expansion of the Chief Ministers Solar Pump Scheme and implement it under the name Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana. The Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana will be implemented by the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam as per the guidelines issued under the Kusum B scheme of the Central Government. To provide solar agriculture pump connections to farmers/groups of farmers, solar agriculture pump connections are also being provided under the currently prevalent Mukhyamantri Krishak Mitra Yojana. The Council of Ministers has granted administrative approval for work to be done in the first and second phase of the Ken-Betwa Link Project at a cost of Rs 24 thousand 293 crore 24 lakh. The project will provide irrigation to 6,57,364 hectare drought affected area of ??Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Datia and Vidisha, Shivpuri, Raisen districts of Betwa basin of Bundelkhand region and drinking water facility to about 44 lakh population. The Council of Ministers has approved the establishment of Chitrakoot Development Authority for the integrated development of Chitrakoot city, by disintegrating the existing Chitrakoot Special Area Development Authority by the Urban Development and Housing Department. With the establishment of Chitrakoot Development Authority, overall development of this naturally, historically and religiously significant region will be possible. Besides, the implementation of the proposals of effective development plan by the Directorate of Town and Country Investment will become possible. The Council of Ministers approved a grant-in-aid amounting to Rs 20 crore for the authority. The Collector has been authorized to make other necessary arrangements. The Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Public Works Department and National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) for the development, implementation, construction, operation and maintenance of the ropeway. The ropeway projects proposed in the National Ropeway Development Programme Parvatmala were approved. In the first phase of the project at four places, including Railway Station to Mahakal Temple, Ujjain Ropeway, Tikitoria Mata Mandir (Sagar) Funicular, Empire Stadium to Gurudara (Via Rampur Chowk and Avenue Mall), Jabalpur and Civic Center to Baldevbagh (Via Malviya Chowk, Lodganj, Barafuara), Jabalpur Cabinet approved to authorize Public Works Department to select the options for the remaining ropeway projects found feasible in future and as mentioned in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) of the proposed projects. Approval has been given to expand the Mukhya Mantri Solar Pump Yojana and implement it under the name Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana. The implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana will be done as per the guidelines issued by the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Yojana under the Kusum B scheme of the Central Government. For the entire ropeway project proposed in Madhya Pradesh, approval was given to authorize the Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation on behalf of Madhya Pradesh Government for approval of alignment of the project. Approval was given to authorize the Principal Secretary, M.P. Government, Public Works Department for notifying the Geo coordinates of all ropeway project alignments in the Gazette of the State Government, approving all actions related to land acquisition, signing the Definitive Agreement and appointing NHLML as Promoter for implementing the projects. Uttar Pradeshs Director General of Police Prashant Kumar, on Friday, said that three main conspirators behind the leaking of the question paper of UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board examinations on February 17 and 18 were arrested. Police have arrested 54 people so far in the paper leak case. The UP government had to cancel the examination after reports of large-scale leak of the question paper. Kumar said in a press conference here: After a thorough investigation by several teams of Uttar Pradesh Police and the Special Task Force, it has been concluded that the examination paper was leaked by these three persons. Kumar said, When the examination paper was being taken from the printing press to the strong room, the accused leaked the paper. According to the DGP, the arrested persons were identified as Abhishek Kumar Shukla, a native of Prayagraj, Shivam Giri, a resident of Mirzapur, and Rohit Kumar Pandey, a resident of Bhadohi district. Kumar said that the three were arrested by a team of STF in Ghaziabad on Thursday. The accused are part of an interstate gang that leaks question papers of recruitment examinations. According to UP Police, the responsibility of printing the question paper was given to an Ahmedabad based firm. The transportation company engaged to carry the question papers has its headquarters in Gurgaon. DGP Prashant Kumar and STF chief Amitabh Yash said during the press conference that the papers were cancelled after the leak of the police recruitment exam paper. A total of 178 cases have been registered so far in which 396 accused have been named while 54 accused have already been arrested so far. The DGP disclosed that Abhishek Shukla is a former employee of an agency named TCI and Shivam Giri and Rohit Pandey are employees of TCI. He said that TCI was responsible for the storage and transportation of the examination papers. Apart from this, Dr Shubham Mandal, a resident of Bihar, is currently in custody. DGP Prashant Kumar said that Ravi Atri of Noida and Rajiv Nayan Mishra of Prayagraj were the main accused in the paper leak case and they were absconding. Rajiv Nayan Mishra is also an accused in the UP TET exam and MP exam. He has been to jail earlier as well. Ravi Atri is an accused in the contract examination of Madhya Pradesh and is also wanted in Haryana. According to the UP DGP, Ravi Atri told Abhishek Shukla that as soon as the paper reached the warehouse, he should be informed about it. Abhishek Shukla gave him information about the arrival of the paper exactly as per his instructions. A photo of the trunk box was also sent. Dr Shubham Mandal opened the trunk, took out the paper and took its photo and put the paper back in the trunk. Papers were also taken out from the warehouse on February 8. The papers were sent to others like Vikram Pahal, Monu Dhakla, Gaurav Chaudhary, Satish Dhangarh, Neetu and Dheeraj. UP Police said the places where the mastermind distributed the papers were being investigated. A 36-year-old man died while his brother escaped with injuries after their car overturned after being hit by another speeding car at Arera Hills late in the night on Thursday. In the accident, the deceased was identified as Kapil Jethani who runs a mobile phone business in MP Nagar while younger brother Naveeb and the driver of the other car were injured. According to the police, Kapil Jethani lived in Bhagyashree Apartment Lalghati. He used to operate a mobile shop in MP Nagar. After closing the shop, he was going home late at night in his car with his brother Naveen. His Fortuner car was hit hard by another from the left side in Arera Hills in front of Bhopal Court. Kapil's car overturned in the accident. Due to this he died on the spot. He suffered serious head injuries when his head hit the windscreen. His brother Naveen sustained minor injuries. He has been admitted to a private hospital. After the car overturned the deceased and his brother were trapped. People rescued Naveen and took him to the hospital. Kapil was trapped in the car and died on the spot. His body was badly trapped between the steering wheel and the seat. Police have seized both the cars and started further investigation. Eyewitnesses said that the car's airbags of the deceased failed to open while the airbag of another car opened which saved the life of the driver. Kapil used to operate a mobile shop in MP Nagar Zone 2. He was very fond of wearing gold. For this reason he is known as Gold Baba. They have two children, Divya and Vibhaan. Meanwhile, a 52-year-old man died after his bike was hit by a truck at Piplani intersection in the morning on Friday. According to Piplani police, Kamta Patel of Jai Jyoti Homes Tagore Nagar left home on Friday morning for Raisen to meet a relative and later his bike was hit by a truck in Piplani at around 10 in the morning. Police reached the spot after receiving the information and started further investigation. Police are searching for the accused truck driver who escaped leaving the truck on the spot. In a significant development during Delhi Assembly session, Vijender Gupta exposed the AAP Government's failures in addressing the longstanding water woes of Delhi. Highlighting the Government's tendency to shift blame onto the chief secretary, Gupta criticised the administration for shirking its responsibilities and engaging in theatrics rather than providing tangible solutions. Gupta brought to light the bureaucratic red tape introduced by successive Water Ministers first by Satyendra Jain, who mandated ministerial approval for allocations exceeding `50 lakh, followed by Saurabh Bharadwaj, who extended this requirement to even the smallest allocations. Given the Delhi Jal Board's (DJB) substantial annual budget of `10,000 crore, this policy has resulted in a staggering backlog of 20,000 files awaiting ministerial approval, thereby severely hampering basic maintenance and operational efficiency. Over the past nine years, despite a reported capital expenditure of `25,000 crore by the DJB, Gupta questioned the conspicuous lack of improvement in the water distribution system. As Hindu and Sikh refugees staged a protest near Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals residence, demanding an apology from him over his statements against the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the Delhi Chief Minister slammed the protesters calling them Pakistanis and questioned their audacity. "The audacity of these Pakistanis! First, they illegally infiltrated our country, breaking our laws. They should have been in jail. They have the audacity to protest in our country, causing unrest? After the implementation of CAA, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis will spread all over the country and harass people. BJP is causing trouble to the entire country for its own selfish interest of making them their vote bank," Kejriwal posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.The Hindu and Sikh refugees living in Rohini, Adarsh Nagar, near Signature Bridge and Majnu ka Tilla took part in the protest. The protesters said Kejriwal should withdraw his statements against the CAA and refugees and tender an apology. The protestors also held a protest near the Congress headquarters here on Friday over statements made by INDIA opposition bloc leaders on the CAA. Lambasting the AAP supremo, the Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said it seems Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is politically frustrated with the implementation of CAA and lost his political cool. Expressing their anger, Hindu and Sikh refugee protesters carried placards and raised slogans against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, and AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "When the BJP-led Centre is implementing the CAA to give us citizenship, why are other political parties opposing it? We are protesting against them for opposing the law," Panju Ram, one of the protesters, said. The protesters assembled near Jaisalmer House and started marching towards Akbar Road but were stopped, according to police. In view of the protest, police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the Central Delhi area. Sona Das, who came to India from Sindh in Pakistan, said that "opposing the CAA is not a good thing". "Minorities from Pakistan came to India for refuge. We are Hindu refugees, we fled from Pakistan," Das said, amid chants of "Jai Shri Ram". Nanki, another refugee from Sindh, said, "Some political leaders have spoken against us and said that the process to give citizenship should be stopped. We have no enmity with them. We have just come to ask why (the process to give) our citizenship should be stopped?" The Hindu and Sikh refugees staged a protest near Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal's Civil Lines residence here on Thursday, demanding an apology from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader over his statements against the implementation of the CAA. The protesters had said Kejriwal should withdraw his statements against the CAA and refugees, and tender an apology. Gwalior's first woman collector Ruchika Chauhan, during discussions with journalists here on Wednesday talked about planning a new employment program for the youth. She said that a new scheduling is prepared for the youth of the city so that they are ready to work in good companies and industries in a positive direction. The collector further said that Gwalior is strategically located and industrial areas like Delhi and Noida are very close. She said that the administration will contact companies in these areas and will try to create new employment opportunities for the youth. A framework will be prepared so that the youth of the city can get better employment opportunities. The collector further said that the administrations priority is to provide employment to the unemployed under the schemes run by the government so that the unemployment rate in Gwalior is reduced. On the topic of elections, the collector said that preparations are going on for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the code of conduct may be announced soon. She added that the administration is fully aware about the security issues and will work with all departments to see that the elections are conducted safely. On the topic of water scarcity she said that keeping in mind the coming summer, the main focus of her administration will be on improving drinking water system. She also said that special campaigns will be conducted to stop food adulteration. Before being posted in Gwalior, Ruchika Chauhan was posted as Additional Secretary in the state government. She has experience of working on important positions like Ratlam Collector, Additional Collector, Joint Election Officer of Gwalior and Bhopal and positions in other departments including urban development and administration. Surprising move came week after he staged protests against AAP Govt in Assembly A week after two-time Congress MLA and partys legislative wings deputy leader Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal staged protests against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government during the recently-concluded budget session in Punjab Vidhan Sabha on the issues of states deteriorating law and order, and mounting debt burden, the radiologist-turned-politician on Friday joined hands with the ruling party. Chabbewal MLA Dr Chabbewal, in a surprising defection, not only resigned from the Congress party, but also as a member of the Vidhan Sabha. This is the second setback for the Congress party in Punjab in a weeks time after former MLA Gurpreet Singh GP joined AAP, and has been declared party candidate for ensuing Lok Sabha polls from Bassi Pathana in the first list of candidates released a day before. Now, Dr Chabbewal is likely to be fielded from Hoshiarpur constituency. The development comes after weeks of resistance from both Congress and AAP to form an alliance in the State, with AAP now actively recruiting leaders from the Congress camp. Dr Chabbewal, known for his vocal opposition to the ruling AAP government, has sent shockwaves through the states political landscape and taking everyone by surprise with his decision. During the recently-concluded budget session, Dr Chabbewal symbolically carried a bale on his head to draw attention to Punjab's soaring debt under the AAP Government, emphasizing the urgent need for corrective measures. On another day, he was carrying an iron chain to be handed over to the Speaker imploring AAP legislators to stay home during the impending elections, signaling his dissatisfaction with their accomplishments. Despite his criticisms, Dr Chabbewal now finds himself aligning with the very government he opposed vehemently. His decision has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the motives behind his sudden shift in allegiance. It has been learnt that the Congress party learned about Dr Chabbewals talks with AAP two days ago and attempted to dissuade him from joining the ruling party. However, their efforts proved futile as Dr Chabbewal remained steadfast in his decision. We had talked to him and made every effort to convince him but I guess he had already decided to switch overMay be the vigilance inquiry against him could be the main reason, a senior Congress leader said, while talking with The Pioneer. Notably, Dr Chabbewal came under the Vigilance scanner the previous year for allegedly distributing 4,601 fake sanction letters among SC beneficiaries of Punjab Nirman Programme ahead of 2022 assembly elections. Two-time MLAs induction into AAP was formalized in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who stated that Chabbewal was impressed with AAPs policies. A medical professional with an MBBS and MD in radiodiagnosis, Dr Chabbewal entered politics in 2010 with the aim of extending his social work. Despite an initial defeat in 2012 assembly elections, he secured back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2022, representing Chhabewal segment in Hoshiarpur district. Dr Chabbewal, addressing the media after joining AAP, emphasized his commitment to the public welfare and cited education and healthcare as AAPs priorities, which resonated with his own vision. He shared his humble beginnings and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the public. Justifying his protests against AAP and joining the party days later, Dr Chabbewal contended that as the opposition leader, it was my duty to raise such issues in the Vidhan Sabha, like mounting debt, reservation in law officers posts, among others. The government has ensured reservation in the states law officers, and then Finance Minister (Harpal Singh) Cheema ji agreed that debt has increased but that was mainly in servicingThey said that they are working to improve the states finances and taking initiatives to improve the law and order, he added. Senior AAP leaders hailed Dr Chabbewal's decision, citing it as a testament to the party's growing strength at the grassroots level. We respect Chabbewal for his honesty in sharing his opinion on all major issues facing the state, said Cheema. Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that more leaders from the opposition, who were convinced with the AAP working in the last two years, would join them in the coming few days. Dr Chabbewal, who contested as the Congress candidate from Hoshiarpur in 2019 elections, faced defeat at the hands of BJPs Som Parkash, with a margin of 48,530 votes. Joining the Congress fold in 2009, Dr Chabbewal's political journey saw him elected to the assembly from Chabbewal in 2017, securing the seat again in February 2022. Recognized for his contributions, he was appointed the deputy leader of the CLP on April 10 of the same year. Prior to this role, he served as the chairperson of the Congress Scheduled Caste (SC) wing in Punjab. Alongside his political engagements, Dr Chabbewal continues his profession as a radiologist, operating scanning centers in Hoshiarpur and its neighboring regions. Opportunistic Betrayal, says Cong Leaders Expressing strong disapproval of Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal's decision to join AAP, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring labeled it as an act of opportunism. Criticizing Chabbewals defection, Warring cited the significant support he had received from the Congress over the years while highlighting his past roles within the party, including three MLA candidacies, chairmanship of the state SC Commission, and position of Deputy CLP Leader. Warring emphasized the detrimental impact of such opportunistic moves on public trust in politicians, particularly noting Dr Chabbewal's sudden alignment with AAP after being denied an MP ticket. Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Pratap Singh Bajwa, strongly condemning the move, urged Punjab's voters to rebuke such betrayals in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Bajwa expressed deep disappointment in Dr Chabbewals actions, citing his respected status within the state Congress and characterizing his defection as a shameful betrayal. Accusing Chabbewal of deceiving his mother party for personal gain, Bajwa vowed that the Congress would remember his treachery and work tirelessly to ensure his defeat in future elections. He also criticized AAP Punjab for allegedly targeting Congress leaders under BJPs direction, asserting that Punjab's electorate would reject such opportunistic politics in the upcoming polls. Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday spoke about the importance of state history during a conference on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, on the campus of Central Connecticut State University. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media Central Connecticut State University History Professor Matt Warshauer, during a Friday conference on the upcoming commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in 2026. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media NEW BRITAIN Hundreds of Connecticuts amateur and professional historians gathered in a Central Connecticut State University auditorium on Friday to begin the two-year sprint of planning and preparation for the 250th commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. Organizers want the celebration to be inclusive, collaborative and part of a wider discussion on where weve been and maybe more importantly where were going. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even Gov. Ned Lamont got to show off his historian-hobbyist chops, and to start the state clock ticking toward July, 4, 2026 national celebration. Connecticut, as an original colony and one of the first 13 states, may have an over-sized part, with experiences including free Blacks who fought for freedom which they may or may not have attained to Benedict Arnold, who went from valiant freedom fighter, to a traitor. We had our share of heroes and rogues who traveled through the great state of Connecticut during those magical times, Lamont said during a morning keynote address to people from throughout the state brought together by the Connecticut Semiquincentennial Commission, which the governor created in a 2022 executive order aimed at enhancing education, preservation, recreation, economic development and tourism while commemorating the biggest national anniversary since the 1976 Bicentennial. Benedict Arnold, as you know, from Norwich, Connecticut, he flipped and he ended up being probably one of the most-devastating generals on the part of the British, Lamont said to about 150 people in the campus student center. Hes the guy who led the war that broke down New London and devastated Fort Griswold. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In that 1781 battle, two Black men, Jordan Freeman and Lambert Latham, were killed defending the fort. We had 800 or 900 Connecticut African Americans who were fighting on behalf of freedom, Lamont said. They were fighting on behalf of our freedom and they thought maybe they were fighting on behalf of their own freedom. Many of the African Americans who fought in the war were freed and many were not. And its just a reminder that our struggle continues, and in order to form a more perfect union we strive every day. Weve got to make this real, thats what teaching is all about. Thats what history is all about. And make it real for all the citizens of our great state. Make sure that people who were even left out of the Declaration of Independence know why it is still meaningful for them today, and every day we strive to achieve those ideals. Jason Mancini, executive director of the state Humanities Council, which has a leading role along with Denise Merrill the former House majority leader and secretary of the state, in the planning for 2026, said as the nation seems divided politically in this moment, its even more-important to make the upcoming commemoration something for all Connecticut residents. These opportunities can become life-defining, he told the audience as part of a four-day roll-out of subcommittees and goal outlines. There are some needed and necessary tensions that exist in a democracy, Mancini said. Thats what were experiencing. We have to find a way to reconcile those tensions in our ways and through the democratic processes set forth by our predecessors. This is a grassroots effort. We are here as shepherds, if you will, to write guidance and leadership and support to help you make the most of it. The entire run of the American Revolution and constituting this nation and Connecticuts role in that story is part of where we need to continue to acknowledge what our ancestors contributed to. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mancini added that all Connecticut residents should "see themselves" in the commemoration. What this is all about is having us all gather together and start facing in the same direction, said Matt Warshauer, a CCSU history professor. Start thinking about what does our organization want to do when it comes to commemorating Connecticut and our role. Its a little bit of a cliche to say were living in historical times, right? Were always living in historical times. But oh boy were living in historical times. Earlier in the week, 250 high schoolers from throughout the state participated in a two-day program that focused on history and freedom, called the Declaring Freedom Youth Conference. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Warshauer, who is a member of the state Council for Social Studies, said the high schoolers who were on campus on Wednesday and Thursday, and who endured the height of the four-year pandemic, might be the truest voices of the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. Indias first Saragarhi Museum, commemorating the valiant sacrifice and bravery of 21 Sikh soldiers who laid down their lives in the historic battle of Saragarhi, was unveiled to the public on Friday. With an investment of Rs two crore, the Museum was inaugurated by Ferozepur (Urban) MLA Ranbir Singh Bhullar and Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman. The state government orchestrated a ceremony to honour national heroes, raise awareness about Punjab's illustrious history, boost tourism, and foster the development of significant sites. The Museum showcases artifacts, equipment, and the signaling technology utilized during the Saragarhi War, providing visitors, especially students, with historical and technical insights. Comprising seven galleries, the Museum delves into various facets of the Saragarhi Post and the battle. The first gallery recounts the history of Saragarhi, featuring a model of the post and details about the martyrs. Gallery-2 hosts a 3D theater screening a film depicting the battle, while Gallery-3 showcases heliography techniques used for signaling during that era. Gallery-4 provides a comprehensive overview of the battle's events and aftermath, followed by Gallery-5, which exhibits replicas of weapons used by Sikh soldiers and Afghans. Gallery-6, known as the Last Man Gallery, pays homage to the last martyr, Gurmukh Singh, while Gallery-7 serves as a tribute and selfie gallery, featuring interactive displays and newspaper clippings. Constructed to honour the 21 soldiers who valiantly defended the Saragarhi post against 10,000 Afghans on September 12, 1897, the Museum stands as a testament to their courage and sacrifice. Additionally, the ongoing development of the Saragarhi Memorial, initiated by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is expected to further enhance tourism in Ferozepur and educate visitors about Punjabi valour. DC Rajesh Dhiman highlighted the Government's efforts to promote tourism and upgrade historical sites in Ferozepur, including the renovation of the Hussainiwala Martyrdom Memorial. With a focus on enhancing facilities and amenities for tourists, a substantial investment of Rs 25 crore has been allocated for the beautification of monuments, parks, and infrastructure. The unveiling of the Saragarhi Museum not only pays homage to the heroic soldiers but also signifies Punjab's rich heritage and the government's commitment to preserving it for future generations. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday announced that about 4,000 households will be redeveloped in Kalandhar colony in Shahdara area as part of the BJP led Central Governemnts JahanJhuggiWahinMakan(where there are slums there will be houses) program. The decision was taken following a visit by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena last week following which he convened a meeting of the DDA and other stakeholders officials. This important decision was taken in a meeting headed by Delhi LG, VK Saxena along with DDA Vice Chairman and other senior officials on Friday regarding three slum clusters in East Delhi, which will be the first in situ rehabilitation project in the entire Trans-Yamuna Area (East and North-East Delhi) and the fourth project overall in the National Capital after the in situ rehabilitation projects at Kalkaji Extension, JailorwalaBagh and Kathputli Colony, according to a Raj Niwas Press note. Highlighting the issues of the slum dwellers living in pathetic conditions, bereft of basic civic amenities, while taking a jibe at the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, LG took to social media and said, Dear @ArvindKejriwalji, as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, it is my constitutional responsibility and duty to highlight the issues of the people before the Chief Minister of my government and draw your attention towards the problems being faced by the people of Delhi.Last evening, in this connection, I went to Qalandar Colony in Shahdara, North-East Delhi and saw the condition worse than hell. It is not possible to express in words the plight of people living amidst potholes, clogged drains, heaps of garbage and bad smell in the name of roads, Saxena said in a statement. . Along with attacking the CM, Saxena also mentioned that MCD, that comes under the control of the Kejriwal led AAP needs to look after providing the basic public facilities in the slum. The Election Commission of India has devised a plan to encourage voters in Uttar Pradesh, which recorded a tepid turnout of 59.11 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, to exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections. As part of its Turnout Implementation Plan (TIP), the poll body has shortlisted 10 of UPs 80 Lok Sabha constituencies where the voter turnout was lower than the states polling percentage. These Lok Sabha constituencies are Phulpur (48.57 per cent), Kanpur (51.39 per cent), Allahabad (51.75 per cent), Shravasti (52.05 per cent), Gonda (52.11 per cent), Domariyaganj (52.26 per cent), Pratapgarh (53.36 per cent), Bhadohi (53.45 per cent), Amethi (54.05 per cent) and Sant Kabir Nagar (54.15 per cent). The voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh in the 2019 elections was quite low at 59.11 per cent, even though the state has the highest number of voters. So, efforts are being made with utmost attention and in a concentrated manner to ensure that more and more people are enrolled as voters as subsequently they cast their votes. We call this roll to poll, said UPs Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa. This time, a Turnout Implementation Plan has been made and constituencies and booths where polling has been low have been shortlisted. Now, why the voting has been less there, the (district) collectors will personally go there and see. They will try to convince, appeal and request the voters to participate in elections, Rinwa said. An overall voter turnout of 67 per cent was recorded in the country in the last Lok Sabha elections. The voter awareness express vans will go to Kanpur, Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharthnagar, Pratapgarh, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Ambedkar Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ghazipur, Ballia, Bahraich, Lucknow, Kaushambi Jaunpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh and Deoria. According to Election Commission data, there are approximately 15.29 crore voters in Uttar Pradesh (as on January 23). This includes 8.14 crore male voters, 7.15 crore female voters and 7,705 transgender voters. Rinwa on Thursday emphasised on efforts to get voting turnout above 70 %. Following a review meeting on Thursday, the CEO said, Back in 2019, the polling percentage of UP was 59.21 point. This needs to go above 70 per cent. He said that SVEEP (systematic voters education and electoral participation) activities should be conducted more frequently, so that voters could be motivated for registration and voting and the voting percentage in the state could rise. All departments should display slogans, videos, messages etc. related to voter awareness on their websites and portal, he said, adding that the Election Commission of India had signed memorandums of understanding with the Education department, Postal Department and Indian Bank Association to widely spread voter awareness. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav dedicated Golghar, a heritage monument safeguarded by the Madhya Pradesh Archeology Department, transformed by the Tourism Department into a versatile art center. Dr. Yadav emphasized the timeless relevance of ancient centers of knowledge and science, praising the initiative to bridge past heritage with present-day aspirations. Originally named Gulshan-e-Alam, Golghar in Bhopal, constructed by Nawab Shahjahan Begum during the 19th century, earns its moniker from its distinctive circular structure. Congratulating the Archeology and Tourism Department for the construction and dedication of the ancient heritage Golghar, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that there is a need to see Golghar and understand the technology of its construction. After renovation, this center will definitely become the center of public attraction. Among those present were MLA Bhagwan Das Sabnani, Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai, former Mayor Alok Sharma, Ashish Aggarwal, Municipal Corporation Bhopal Chairman Kishan Suryavanshi and art lovers and citizens. Yadav lauded the innovative approach employed in the construction of architectural marvels like Golghar, emphasizing the rich legacy of exceptional engineering showcased by ancient constructions such as dams, monuments, and forts. He highlighted the meticulous planning involved in the creation of Bhojtal, the expansive lake in Bhopal, which incorporates efficient drainage systems to prevent overflow even during heavy rainfall. Constructed economically, the lake's design prioritizes the preservation of water resources, utilizing natural rocks to sustain its existence for centuries to come. Chief Minister Yadav said that various constructions in Golghar are examples of excellent engineering. This old heritage has been given a new look through restoration. This is a matter of joy. The arrangement for sale of various goods here makes this center multipurpose. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav appreciated the presentation of the ancient singing art Char Bait in the programme and said that art centers should be utilized well for the preservation of arts. Yadav said that craftsmen have been encouraged through local for vocal under PM Modis efficient leadership. Every district has its own specialty. Promotion and sale of various products is being done in about 700 districts of the country. The idea of ??the ancient market has been realized in a new form by connecting this ancient center of pride of Bhopal with the empowerment of women. The building has now been enlivened. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and other guests also released the calendar published by Madhya Pradesh Archaeology, Tourism and Culture Council. At the outset, the guests were welcomed with gifts of saplings. Yadav dedicated the renovated Golghar and visited various galleries. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also got a glimpse of History of Bhopal through VR (Virtual Reality) headset. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav met Raj Saini, Dheeraj Prajapati and other artists associated with painting and clay crafts, saw their art demonstrations and praised their skills. Managing Director of Tourism Corporation Ilaiah Raja.T, Archaeological Commissioner Urmila Shukla and officials were present in the programme. Features of newly renovated Golghar- Art and Craft Center was developed in the galleries of Golghar Memorial. Arrangements have been made to provide a platform to the artists to preserve the old crafts of Bhopal. Items made by local artists and artisans will be available for sale here. Handicrafts produced by women groups have been given priority. Golghar has again been decorated and developed as a gift to the city of Bhopal as per the original concept of historical heritage. It will also become a center of attraction for tourists. Haryana Government on Friday issued orders to increase the Dearness Allowance (DA) rate for the State Governments employees, pensioners, and family pensioners. The revised rate, which has been increased from 46 to 50 per cent, will be effective from January 1, 2024, said the government official spokesperson. Sharing the information, the spokesperson said that the increased DA will start being paid to the government employees with their March 2024 salary, payable in April 2024. Along with this, the arrears for the months of January and February 2024 will be paid in the month of May 2024. Spokesperson added that the State Government has also issued orders to provide Dearness Relief (DR) to its pensioners and family pensioners from January 1, 2024, onwards. They will also be paid DR with their March 2024 pension and family pension payable in April 2024 and the arrears for January and February 2024 will be paid in May 2024, added the spokesperson. India Travel Mart (ITM) Bhopal a travel and tourism exhibition and conclave, was Inaugurated by representatives of India Tourism Ministry of Tourism along with Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Himachal Pradesh Tourism, Gujarat Tourism with Travel Trade, Travel Agents, Tour Organizers, Hoteliers and media representatives from all over Bhopal and nearby areas. The three-day B2B travel and tourism showcase and conclave started from, March 15th, 2024, at Mayuri Harnoor Palace, Opp. Hotel Jahanuma Palace, Shyamala Hilla Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and will be held till Sunday, 17th March 2024. Madhya Pradesh is a major outbound, domestic, and inbound travel market. Many state tourism departments, travel agents, and tour organizers, supported by: India Tourism (Ministry of Tourism), Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Himachal Pradesh Tourism (Feature State), Gujarat Tourism (Feature State), along with leading resorts, hotels, and DMC that are exhibiting their products to promote their destinations to and from Bhopal. We are looking forward to see B2B travel agents and tour operators from Bhopal and nearby cities to interact with state tourism departments, hoteliers, and promote their products and destinations. The primary goal of holding this exhibition is to increase tourism awareness globally. We believe that the influx of domestic and outbound tourists will increase in the coming months, and Bhopal will play a vital role in promoting tourism. "Our busy lives often lead us to seek refreshing holidays and unique travel destinations to unwind. To cater to this need, we organize ITM BHOPAL annually. The continuous support and keen interest from the travel industry make it a success year after year," says Mr. Ajay Gupta, Managing Director of ITM. The B2B travel and tourism showcase and conclave is open from 11AM to 6PM on (16th March 2024) and 11 AM to 5 PM on the last day (Sunday). Entry is FREE with exciting daily lucky draws, and more. Days after notorious criminals Sandeep Kala Jathedi and Anuradha Madam Minz's marriage in the national Capital, another gangster Yogesh Dahiya alias Tunda on Friday tied the knot here under the watch of police personnel at a temple in west Delhi's Vikaspuri area, officials said. Tunda, a native of Sonipat, Haryana was given six hours of parole between 12 pm to 6 pm by the Delhi High Court for his marriage. One of the main henchmen of Gogi gang, Tunda is allegedly involved in the murder of gangster Sunil Maan alias Tillu Tajpuria in May 2023 inside Tihar Jail, where the former is currently lodged. Tunda is allegedly involved in over a dozen cases of murder, attempt to murder, robbery, extortion, among others in Delhi. He is also facing a case of MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) charged by Delhi Police Special Cell. The wedding of Sandeep alias Kala Jadhedi, an associate of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, with history-sheeter Anuradha Choudhary alias Madam Minz was held amid deployment of police force on March 12. He also had a six-hour parole for the wedding ceremony in a banquet hall in Delhi's Dwarka Sector 3. Tunda's marriage was held with the presence of police at Arya Samaj Temple in Vikaspuri. "Policemen were deployed in and around the temple. Some officials were also deployed on roads and flyovers," an officer said. The officer said officials from the Special Cell and Crime Branch were also present to prevent any gang related violence or the possibility of his escape from custody. Tunda was taken to the temple in a jail van under the security of Delhi Police's Third Battalion at noon. The bride was waiting for him at the temple, the officer said. According to Tunda's lawyers, the bride and groom's sides were allowed eight guests each all of whom were allowed entry into the temple after verification of their IDs. Later, jaimala' and other marriage rituals were held at the temple, the officer said. Tunda and his girlfriend -- a south Delhi resident -- had been in a relationship for the past nine years, the officer added. According to police officials, Tunda is among the main henchmen of the Gogi gang. Jatinder Mann alias Gogi was killed in Rohini court in September 2021 by members of rival Tillu Tajpuria gang. Tunda and three others are alleged to have avenged Gogi's death by reportedly stabbing Tillu Tajpuriya about 100 times inside Tihar Jail last year in May. The rivalry between the Gogi and Tillu gangs has killed over a dozen persons from both sides, officials said. Tunda was allegedly involved in several murders since 2015, they said. In an alleged attack by the Tillu gang in December 2021, Tunda lost sensation in one of his hands earning him the nickname, Tunda (someone with crooked hands), another officer said. After the wedding on Friday, he was escorted back to Tihar in a jail van, the officer added. Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the continuation and renewal of contract of 461 Part Time Vocational Teachers (PTVTs) in government and government-aided of Delhi for the academic year 2024-25. The move will help in overcoming the shortage of vocational teachers for teaching subjects relating to NSQF (National Skill Quality Framework) which was introduced by the CBSE In place of vocational stream. The NSQF is a nationally integrated education and competency-based skill and quality assurance framework that provide for multiple pathways, horizontal as well as vertical, including vocational education, vocational training, general education and technical education, thus linking one level of learning to another higher level. It was notified on 27thDecember 2013. The NSQF enable a person to acquire desired competency levels, transit to the job market and at an opportune time, return for acquiring additional skills to further upgrade their competencies. PTVTs are engaged in providing education relating to various NSQF courses which includes Fashion Studies, Stenography (English and Hindi), Shorthand, Beauty and Wellness, Web Application, Information and Technology, Accountancy and Auditing, Office Procedures and Practices, Typography & Computer Application, Insurance, Library and Information Science, Textile Design, Banking, Horticulture, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Electronics Technology and Automotive. While the services of 449 (437 Qualified and 12 Non-Qualified) PTVTs have been continued in Delhi Government Schools for the period 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2025, the LG has given his nod for the renewal of contract of 03 PTVTs engaged in teaching Food Productionin three (03) schools for the duration of 01.03.2024 to 28.02.2025. Further, services of 09 PTVTs in 04 Government aided Senior Secondary Schools engaged in providing education relating to Fashion Studies, Stenography (English and Hindi), Beauty and Wellness, Web Application, Information and Technology and Accountancy & Auditinghave been continued for the academic session 2023-25. The PTVTs are staff appointed on a contingent basis and they were engaged on contract basis and their services are dispensed with on attaining the age of 60 years. Their continuation is renewed every year with the approval of the LG. The approval for the Mohapani to Baragaon road in Gadarwara, Narsinghpur district, signals a significant development boost for the region. During today's Cabinet meeting in Bhopal, the construction of this road, estimated at a cost of Rs. 40 crore 75 lakh, was approved. School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh has been steadfastly dedicated to the advancement of the mentioned road. Villagers have long advocated for its construction. Expressing gratitude towards Chief Minister Mohan Yadav following the approval of the proposal, Minister Singh highlighted that this road will directly link Gadarwara to Chhindwara, facilitating convenient transportation and catalyzing business activities in the region. He assured that the sanctioned road will be completed with high quality within the designated timeframe. The length of the said road L-063 Mohapani to Baragaon (Talaiya) is 29.10 kilometers. Its cost is Rs 40 crore 75 lakh. A provision of Rs 1 crore 40 lakh per kilometer has also been made for road maintenance. This road will be built by Madhya Pradesh Rural Roads Authority. In a historic move, the Odisha Government on Friday awarded Habitat Rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) to 32 villages of the Paudi Bhuyan community in Deogarh district, marking a significant milestone under the Mo Jungle Jami Yojana (MJJM). Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena handed over the Habitat Rights titles to the community leaders at the Lok Seva Bhawan here. Paudi Bhuyan, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PTVG), is the first indigenous community from Odisha to receive the Habitat Rights. It is the fourth such title awarded in India under the category following the Bharia PVTG in Madhya Pradesh and Kamar PVTG and Baiga PVTG in Chhattisgarh had legal title and rights over their forest habitats. During the entire claim filing process, the technical support was extended by Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) under the ST&SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department. Hailing the move, Commissioner-cum-Secretary ST&SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department Roopa Roshan Sahoo said. This is a proud moment for all of us as the first PVTG community from Odisha, Paudi Bhuyans from Deogarh, have been awarded Habitat Rights under FRA. Indramani Tripathy, Director SCSTRTI and Director ST at the Department, said "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that the relentless efforts of the State programme management unit team along with the unwavering support of the facilitating NGOs have culminated in this official recognition. Chendali Pradhan (60), priest of the community goddess Rambha Devi of Paudi Bhuyan community, from Pacheripani village, after receiving the title document, said, Now, we will be collecting the minor forest produce (MFP) from the forests and could sale it to the SHGs and government agencies under Laghu Bana Jatiya Drabya Kraya (LABHA) Scheme to ensure minimum support price. SK should go forward, not backward, to expand Chinese market despite US wedge 15:27, March 15, 2024 By Hu Weijia ( Global Times Illustration: Liu Xiangya/Global Times It has always been the US' desire to persuade allies to tighten curbs on China's access to semiconductor technology, but South Korean policymakers must be clear-minded that every step taken by Seoul to back down will result in economic losses for South Korean semiconductor makers. The Yonhap News Agency published an article on Wednesday stating that the South Korean government is considering cooperating with the US-led restrictions on the export of chipmaking equipment to China. This news has not been confirmed yet, but it has attracted attention from industry insiders, because many believe if Seoul succumbs to US pressure, South Korean semiconductor-related industries will suffer huge losses. Amid increasingly fierce international competition, if South Korean companies' chip competitiveness is being damaged, their market shares will soon be seized by competitors from other countries. The discussion came after Bloomberg reported on March 6 that the US government is pressing allies to further tighten restrictions on China's access to semiconductor technology. US politicians have become hysterical partly because of the progress Chinese semiconductor companies have made in independent innovation, but it is precisely because of China's technological progress and intense competition from other countries that the South Korean government should provide more support to domestic semiconductor manufacturers, rather than pursue political benefit to enhance the US-South Korea alliance at the expense of South Korea's chip competitiveness. China is an important consumer of semiconductors because of the size of its domestic electronics market and its status as production base for global manufacturers. South Korean semiconductor enterprises cannot afford losing the Chinese market. That's why they have made significant investments in China. Citing South Korea's presidential office, Reuters reported in October 2023 that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will be allowed to supply US chip equipment to their plants in China indefinitely without nods from the US government. This is crucial for both companies, as they make many of their chip products at their Chinese factories. No matter how much pressure the US piles on South Korea, Seoul should not step back. Even though some people believe it is not easy to move forward, creating more space for South Korean semiconductor enterprises to develop in China under the pressure from Washington, at the very least, the achievements already made in the past year by South Korea should not be erased. As reported by Reuters, Samsung makes about 40 percent of its NAND flash chips at its plant in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, while SK Hynix makes about 40 percent of its DRAM chips in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province. South Korea should consider how to strengthen cooperation with China and help its companies further expand investment in China, rather than succumbing to US pressure and harming the interests of its own industries and enterprises. Reuters said in another report that South Korea's exports rose for a fourth month in January, as a rebound in sales to China and the biggest surge in chip shipments in six years provided a boost to the economy at the start of 2024. This added to evidence that China's market is attractive and has great potential and vitality. Although it may be too early to state that the chip surplus has started to ease, the global semiconductor industry is undergoing subtle changes. Many South Korean companies hope to seize the opportunity of market recovery and increase their presence in the Chinese market. At present, South Korean semiconductor companies are in a critical period of stabilizing their sales in China. Hopefully the South Korean government can play a positive role in promoting bilateral cooperation. China and South Korea have a strong economic complementarity in the fields of chip supply chains. Improving semiconductor cooperation is in the fundamental interest of both sides. Amid uncertainty generated by US chip war against China, South Korea will inevitably face pressure from the US, but South Korea should go forward, not backward, to protect the legitimate interests of South Korean enterprises. The author is a reporter with the Global Times. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Dhar SP Manoj Kumar Singh has directed entire police Staff of all the police stations of Dhar district to main zero tolerance towards women related crimes. On the guidance of DSP pithampur Amit Mishra The accused of raping a minor in Sector 1 police station area of industrial city Pithampur was arrested from Jam Nagar in Gujarat. Police station in-charge Santosh Kumar Dudhi said that about three months ago, the family of the minor had filed a case at the police station that someone had lured their minor girl and taken him away. The police, after a continuous search, found the minor in Indore a few days after she went missing. The minor had told in his statement that Arjun son of Santosh Dhare, aged 24 years, had taken him on the pretext of outing and he raped the minor for several days and fled away leaving him in Indore. After getting the information from the minor, the police searched for the accused at many places. After getting the location of the accused in Jamnagar from his relatives and other sources, the police team arrested the accused Arjun last evening where the accused is being interrogated. A reward of Rs 5 thousand was also announced by the Superintendent of Police on the same accused Arjun. The Odisha unit of the Congress unveiled its manifesto on Friday, offering ten guarantees to the people of the State ahead of the Assembly elections. The manifesto was launched in the presence of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Pattanayak, partys State in-charge Dr Ajoy Kumar and other leaders at a Press conference at the Congress Bhawan here. In its manifesto, the Congress pledged to provide bonus along with Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,000 per quintal for paddy. Additionally, the party promised to waive agricultural loans and offer a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 for farmers. The manifesto also includes provisions for providing 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers in the State. The Congress further pledged to generate employment opportunities for approximately 5 lakh youths and provide an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month. The other promises in the manifesto include loan waivers for women Self-Help Groups, a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for female heads of households under the Gruhalaxmi scheme and providing LPG cylinders to every family at Rs 500. Furthermore, the Congress guaranteed free healthcare services of up to Rs 25 lakh in government and private hospitals for both government employees and other citizens. The party also committed to provide monthly allowances of Rs 2,000 for old-age, widow and differently-abled individuals. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday, said that due to the efforts of the double-engine government, Siddharthnagar district was fast emerging as a developed district from an aspirational one. Addressing a gathering after gifting 551 development projects worth Rs 1,885 crore to the people of Siddharthnagar and laying the foundation stone of a nursing college in Madhav Prasad Tripathi Government Medical College ahead of the Holi festival, the chief minister said that the double-engine government had effectively lifted Siddharthnagar out of the shadow of underdevelopment. He stated, Today, the nation aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a developed India. This vision can only be materialised with the development of Uttar Pradesh. However, Uttar Pradeshs development hinges on the progress of Siddharthnagar. To achieve this, the presence of the Bharatiya Janata Party is indispensable. He attributed the backwardness of the district in the past to a lack of basic amenities and job opportunities. Recounting personal anecdotes, Chief Minister Yogi lamented the past neglect of critical issues like encephalitis-related child fatalities. He added: Today, under the double-engine government, significant strides have been made while both mafias and mosquitoes have been eliminated from the district. The underprivileged are getting housing, free health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh, and free ration for five years. The educational and healthcare facilities have also improved significantly in Siddharthnagar. The chief minister attributed these achievements to the policies championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a public gathering, he questioned whether previous administrations, including those of the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, could have delivered similar benefits or facilitated the construction of Ram temple, to which the audience responded with a resounding No. He underscored Indias economic progress under Prime Minister Modis leadership, citing its rise from the 11th to the 5th largest global economy. With a third Modi term, he expressed optimism that India would soon secure the third spot among world economies. Chief Minister Yogi also praised the hard work of local Member of Parliament Jagdambika Pal. He said that during the Congress government when Jagdambika Pal was a Congress MP, he used to fight against encephalitis by joining his voice in Parliament. Even today, the amount of hard work he does for Siddharthnagar is like that of a 40-year-old youth. The people here deserve appreciation for electing such an energetic MP, he said, adding that it was important for Jagdambika Pal to remain an MP for the development of Siddharthnagar. The statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be installed near Lalghati intersection of Bhopal. This decision was taken in the MIC (Mayor in Council) meeting of the Municipal Corporation. At the same time, sugarcane juice traders will have to pay Rs 257 every day to operate shop. There has been an increase of 10 percent from last time. Before the implementation of the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections, an MIC meeting was held in the presence of Mayor Malti Rai. In this, the proposal to make the dedicated lane of BRTS corridor between Ampri to Misrod as a mixed lane was also passed. Sugarcane juice stall traders will have to pay Rs 257 as marketing fee. Last year this fee was Rs 234. This has increased by 10 percent. This amount will have to be paid for a temporary shop of a total area of 24 square feet.< Under PM Awas Yojana, approval was given for 23 houses in Kokta Transport Nagar and 2 in Bagmugalia. Permission was granted to select an agency and tender for the work of processing and disposal of solid waste in Adampur Cantonment. The time limit for completing the work of A and B Block near Neelbar Maidan was extended till December 20-24. Approval was given to extend the period of Mahamrityunjaya Go-Seva Sadan Gaushala located in Kokta till August 31. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday escalated his legal offensive against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, serving a hard-hitting defamation notice in response to alleged slanderous remarks targeting his private business ventures. Sukhbir underscored his demand for a formal apology from Mann within seven days, warning of impending criminal defamation proceedings in case the Chief Minister fail to comply. The notice, served by Sukhbirs legal team and backed by senior advocate Himanshu Raj, challenged Mann's purported accusations of rule-bending to facilitate the construction of a private resort Oberoi Sukhvillas and the grant of Rs 108 crore in tax exemptions during the erstwhile SAD-BJP government's tenure. Sukhbir vehemently denied these claims, asserting that Mann's statements were false and malicious. Sukhbir emphasized his unwavering stance against the propagation of baseless allegations, stating, Now the Chief Minister will be held accountable for every utterance made by him. He will have to substantiate each and every allegation made by him or be ready to go behind bars. The legal notice, he said, meticulously dismantled Mann's accusations, debunking claims of rule manipulation and tax favoritism. It highlighted the Central Government's authority over granting Change of Land Use (CLU) for land under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), absolving the Punjab Government of any involvement in the process. Furthermore, it provides detailed documentation of compliance with regulatory requirements and disputes Manns assertion regarding the scrapping of eco-tourism policies post-resort completion. Moreover, the notice elucidated the evolution of eco-tourism incentives under successive governments, including the AAP-led administration's enhancements in 2022. It refuted allegations of misappropriated state funds for infrastructure development, citing explicit financial transactions between the resort and relevant authorities. Dismissing Manns claim of exorbitant tax exemptions amounting to Rs 108 crore, the notice exposed the factual discrepancies, revealing the actual incentives received by the resort under eco-tourism policies. Sukhbirs legal team meticulously delineated the nuances of tax exemptions and financial benefits accrued by the resort, dispelling Mann's inflated figures. Against Mann's allegations that Sukhvillas received Rs 108 crore exemptions in SGST, electricity duty, luxury tax, and annual license fees, the notice revealed that the resort actually received incentives amounting to Rs 4.29 crore under the eco-tourism policy. It further clarified that the electricity duty exemptions totaled Rs 2.19 crore, with an additional exemption of Rs 73.90 lakh pertaining to luxury tax and license fees. The Advanced Carbons Company (TACC), a subsidiary of HEG Limited on Friday performed the Bhumi Pujan of its graphite anode manufacturing facility in Sirsoda village located in Dewas district. The auspicious ceremony took place in the virtual presence of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav. Minister of MSME (MP) Chetanya Kumar Kasyap; Member of Parliament Mahendra Singh Solanky; MLA (Sonkatch) Rajesh Sonkar and TACC Chairman Riju Jhunjhunwala graced the event, underscoring the profound significance of this momentous occasion. HEG Limited (an LNJ Bhilwara Group company), which is a leading graphite electrode manufacturer across the globe, will invest about INR 1850 crores on this latest greenfield project. The investment will be done through LNJ Bhilwara Group's newly formed, fully-owned subsidiary of HEG Limited - TACC. The unit spread over 100-acre of land will manufacture 20,000 MT PA of anode material to meet the evolving energy storage and mobility needs.Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Ravi Jhunjhunwala, Chairman- LNJ Bhilwara Group said, This new venture of LNJ Bhilwara Group is a step to accelerate Indias journey to achieving the net-zero emission target by 2070. The project aligns with our Prime Minister Narendra Modis push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. We have set foot in Madhya Pradesh over 50 years ago with our graphite plant in Mandideep - this is now a global milestone with the single largest graphite plant setup in one location. Therefore, I have every reason to believe Madhya Pradesh will become a significant manufacturing hub. Riju Jhunjhunwala, Chairman- TACC Limited said, China currently dominates about 90% of the anode production market. TACC is an attempt by the LNJ Bhilwara Group to position India in the green energy landscape and reduce our carbon footprint. Our company has a strong focus on R&D and with the advanced materials we are geared up to cater to other sophisticated mateDrials like Graphene, Hard carbon for sodium ion batteries and graphite for Hydrogen applications as well.Ankur Khaitan, MD & CEO- TACC Limited said, Our mission is to support Indian manufacturers by supplying world-class quality anode material. The RBI Chair Unit, Department of Applied and Analytical Economics at Utkal University, organised a two -day national conference on institutional finance and economic development here from Friday. The conference, attended by scholars from economics from across the country, aimed to facilitate discussions and exchanges on crucial topics in the realm of finance and economic development. The inaugural session was presided over by chief guest, Professor Sudhakar Panda. Professor Mitali Chinara, Head of the Department, and the convener of the conference delivered the welcome address. Professor BK. Bhoi, the chief organiser and head of the RBI Chair, introduced the theme of the conference, laying out the focal points for discussion and deliberation. A highlight of the inaugural session was the keynote address by MS Sahoo, former Chairperson of the IBBI, who spoke on the topic "Stress Resolution Mechanism in India." Sahoo emphasised the need for a clear alignment between policy objectives and instruments. Drawing parallels with economic theory, he highlighted the evolution of insolvency laws, particularly the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) as a dynamic process shaped by practical experience and market conditions. Stressing the primary objective of the code to rescue struggling firms, the speech underscored the challenges posed by unprecedented events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, necessitating pragmatic adaptations like the suspension of insolvency proceedings during certain periods. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday, said that Uttar Pradesh, which previously relied on imported medicines and essential medical products, was fast transitioning from a pharma consumer state to a major producer and exporter of pharmaceutical products. To facilitate this transformation, the government is building a Pharma Park spanning 2.000 acres in Lalitpur. Additionally, plans are underway for the development of a Medical Device Park in Uttar Pradesh. This initiative will open up vast opportunities for the youth in the pharmacy sector, Yogi said. The chief minister was addressing a gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the pharmacy building to be built at a cost of Rs 24.69 crore at Madan Mohan Malviya University of Technology (MMMUT) and the distribution ceremony of tablets and smartphones to 4,000 students under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme in Gorakhpur. The chief minister personally handed tablets and smartphones to 15 students. Chief Minister Yogi said that barring the reluctance and lack of determination of the then state leadership to develop Uttar Pradesh, the state had all the resources, which it boasts now. The state is the same, the people are the same, the machinery is also the same, but when the work culture changes, results become evident. Today, Uttar Pradesh appears as a new and transformed state. It has become a state of progress and investment. There are ample opportunities and possibilities for progress in every sector, he remarked. Encouraging the youth to grab each and every opportunity that comes their way, the chief minister emphasised that with faith and perseverance, one can achieve even the seemingly impossible. The chief minister said that through the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme, the youth of UP were being provided smartphones and tablets to make them technically competent. He added that under the scheme, the government will distribute smartphones and tablets to as many as two crore youths in the state. The smartphones and tablets incorporate vital government initiatives at both the central and state levels, aimed at fostering self-reliance of the youth, the chief minister added. By becoming technically competent, the youth will move forward and contribute in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a developed India. Technically skilled youth will play a significant role in building a developed India, he said, adding that the technically adept youth would play a crucial role in the nations development. Reflecting on the legacy of Madan Mohan Malviya, one of the heroes of the independence movement and founder of Banaras Hindu University, the chief minister noted that MMMUT, named in honour of Malviya, was consistently making strides towards success. In line with Prime Minister Modis vision of self-reliance, the university is building the pharmacy building with its own resources. The crime branch Bhopal nabbed an absconding accused who was wanted in crimes registered with Crime Branch and Nishatpura police. The accused was absconding in the crime of Arms Act of the police station crime branch while he was absconding for the last in case registered under sections 294, 323, 324, 506, 34 of the IPC by Nishatpura police station. Police said information was received that the absconding accused in the arms case was from the police station crime branch, standing near Hari Mazar and is waiting for someone. Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Friday said she will order an enquiry into the nearly 8-month-long pendency into the sewer-related issues and fix accountability. Speaking in the Delhi Assembly on the issue of water and sewer problems, she said such issues had not even come up during the Covid-19 lockdown. "It is very rare that the opposition and the ruling party are on the same page regarding water issues and everybody wants a solution," she said. During the debate, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar along with officials were present in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha. Atishi informed the assembly that officials have begun work on the water and sewerage issues across Delhi. Orders were given to investigate the causes of this problem over the past year. The Arvind Kejriwal government on Friday called a special session of Delhi Assembly to discuss the issues related to water and sewer problems. The Chief Secretary presented a report on the actions taken during the past week. It was stated that many complaints have been addressed, while others will be resolved promptly. The lack of coordination between the Delhi Jal Board, Urban Development Department, and Finance Department over the past year has cost the people of Delhi dearly. There should be an investigation into this, and strict action should be taken against those responsible. Immediate and long-term solutions to issues such as sewer overflow, contaminated water, and pipeline leaks were presented, and these solutions have been passed by the Vidhan Sabha unanimously, the AAP government said in a statement. On March 9, a resolution was presented in the Vidhan Sabha regarding the growing problems of sewage and water. The Vidhan Sabha directed the Chief Secretary to resolve water supply and sewage issues within a week. Following the Vidhan Sabhas stern directives, the Chief Secretary has undertaken work related to sewage and water issues in the city over the past week and assured progress on several fronts. This information was presented today by Water Minister Atishi in the Vidhan Sabha. "In the last one week, work was carried out to resolve sewer issues. If they could be resolved within four to five days, why did they remain unresolved for so long. This is a matter of investigation," Atishi said while speaking in the House. The minister said she will issue directions for an inquiry into the matter and conceded there was a lack of coordination between the Delhi Jal Board, Urban Development department and Finance Department. "The problems arising in the last one year have not risen in Delhi's history. Sometimes there are no sewer machines, or a pipeline has burst right in the middle of the road or there is leakage in the pipeline. The resolution of issues regarding water and sewer has always been a difficult task in Delhi," she said. Noting that the scale of Delhi's infrastructure growth does not match the scale of migration, she said such problems were taken care of even during the Covid-19 lockdown, when the city faced an emergency. The fault lines between the Delhi Jal Board, Urban development and Finance Department have come out in the open. People of Delhi have to bear the brunt of this. All the people sitting in this House get salaries from the taxpayers' money. People of Delhi have faced issues. It needs investigation and after that a white paper will also be brought out," she added. The minister stressed that someone has to be held accountable whether it is the DJB members or other departments' officials. The minister also informed the Assembly that they have signed an MoU with Himachal Pradesh for release of water to Delhi. "But Haryana has put a roadblock saying they have the first right on that water. I request the BJP to help us in this since they have a government in Haryana. If they support our case in the Upper Yamuna River Board, we will start getting 100 MGD of water the next day," she said. The minister informed the Assembly that Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has personally taken the responsibility for groundwater augmentation. The government will also set the timeline for the desilting of trunk sewers and peripheral sewers, she added. On March 8, Atishi had written to Chief Secretary saying the Delhi Jal Board has more than 10,000 unresolved complaints. "I am shocked that senior Delhi Jal Board officers have not been able to take any long-term corrective action in the matter despite recurring complaints. In the absence of an effective public grievance system, the people of Delhi are being forced to live in inhuman conditions," she had then said. TOKYO, Mar 15 (News On Japan) - A residential district in northeast Tokyo is currently undergoing a reformation, with rows of authentic Chinese restaurants, Chinese-style hair salons, and supermarkets displaying signs exclusively in Chinese. Takenotsuka in Adachi Ward has doubled its Chinese population in a decade. Entering a store that just opened one month ago, the menu is entirely in Chinese. The food being eaten by customers is also, for the most part, rarely seen in Japan. In a "serious Chinese eatery," the taste of China is brought over directly. Soft tofu topped with a thick sauce, a staple Chinese breakfast, its name is "tofu brain." Chinese regular customer: "It's very delicious! It tastes like my hometown." A duck dish simmered at low temperature over a long time is also popular. Many Chinese have become regular customers. Chinese customer: "The price is cheap. I've come to this store about 4 or 5 times already." Why are Chinese people moving to Takenotsuka? Chinese resident in Takenotsuka: "Houses are cheap, and prices are low." According to a local real estate agency, renting a one-room apartment in central Tokyo costs about 80,000 yen per month, but in Takenotsuka, it can be as low as 30,000 yen. Chinese resident in Takenotsuka: "I moved here through a coworker's introduction. Everyone is living here." Experts point out that the rapid increase in Chinese people in Takenotsuka is related to the rising unemployment rate in China due to the economic downturn. A China expert commentator explained: "In China, unemployment is spreading, and companies are going bankrupt. Small and medium-sized business owners, or individual store owners, have no work in China, so they are going out to find new worlds." Source: FNN On the occasion of World Kidney Day, the Pediatrics Department of AIIMS Bhopal hosted a significant program on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of kidney health awareness. The event was graced by Professor (Dr.) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, who highlighted the critical need for widespread awareness regarding kidney health and timely treatment. In his address, Professor Singh underscored the necessity of dispelling misconceptions surrounding kidney transplants and urged parents to seek timely treatment for their children. Emphasizing the role of awareness in preventing the need for transplants, he stressed the importance of early intervention in curing diseases. Furthermore, Professor Singh urged the exploration of the role of AYUSH in chronic renal diseases, indicating a holistic approach towards kidney care. Earlier, Professor (Dr.) Shikha Malik, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, extended a warm welcome. Throughout the week leading up to the event, various activities were organized, including national and undergraduate level quiz competitions, outreach programs in schools and colleges, and engaging competitions like fancy dress and drawing for children. Over 150 participants actively took part in these events. In a notable achievement, the Pediatric Nephrology branch of AIIMS Bhopal, in collaboration with McGill University of Canada, has elevated its status from Level C to Level A under the Sister Renal Program of the International Society of Nephrology. Additionally, the branch has been recognized as a Fellowship Training Centre by the International Pediatric Nephrology Association. The event concluded with Professor (Dr) Ajai Singh felicitating the winning participants, marking a successful celebration of World Kidney Day and a significant step forward in promoting kidney health awareness at AIIMS Bhopal. On this occasion, a booklet named "Vrikkankit" was also released which will have complete detail about the treatment given to the kidney patient. A day after the Election Commission published the electoral bonds data, the Aam Aadmi Party challenged the BJP to disclose the details of overall funds it got through these bonds, and accused it of receiving proceeds of crime from companies under probe by the ED. Addressing a press conference here, Delhi cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj asked if the BJP would accept receiving funds from companies that were attached by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with money laundering. "The Bharatiya Janata Party received over Rs 6,000 crore in the form of electoral bonds, the biggest share than any other party. Why was the BJP not revealing how much funds they have received. "These companies bought the electoral bonds after they were raided by the ED. This means the proceeds of crime have gone to the Centre via the electoral bonds," Bharadwaj alleged as he read out names of companies raided by the ED. He also presented a timeline of the ED raids on the companies and when they bought the electoral bonds. Bharadwaj said the BJP should also be held responsible for accepting the money from companies that were being investigated for money laundering. "Will the parties which accepted money from companies that were investigated for money laundering be also considered an accused and investigated in the matter," he asked. The Election Commission on Thursday published the data of electoral bonds bought between April 2019 and February 2024. According to the data, the BJP received the highest contributions, Rs 6,566 crore or 54.77 per cent, followed by the Congress, which received Rs 1,123 crore or 9.37 per cent, and the Trinamool Congress, which got Rs 1,092 crore or 9.11 per cent. The data published by the Election Commission does not include the details of bond purchase from March 2018 to April 11, 2019. The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. In a post on X, the poll panel said a press conference to announce the schedule for Lok Sabha elections and some state assemblies will be held at 3 pm on Saturday. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 16 and a new House has to be constituted before that. The term of the assemblies in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha is coming to an end on various dates in June. Last time the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and held in seven phases beginning April 11. Votes were counted on May 23. In 2014 also, the EC had sent invites for its poll schedule press conference a day in advance. The invite was sent in the evening for the presser to be held early next day. Nearly 97 crore people are eligible to cast vote in the upcoming polls at over 12 lakh polling stations. In the last parliamentary polls, the BJP had won 303 seats while the Congress got 52 seats. It could not muster enough numbers to claim the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The 2024 parliamentary polls are being seen as a do or die battle for the opposition INDIA bloc. According to a News 18 opinion poll, the BJP-led NDA is headed for a "historic mandate" in the upcoming pols. The opinion poll claimed that the NDA is set to win 411 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha with the BJP alone clinching a record 350 seats. According to an opinion poll survey by ABP-CVoter, the INDIA bloc is likely to get only six seats in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has conveyed to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi his deep appreciation for India's role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutan's developmental priorities. Tobgay, who is on a five-day visit to India, said this during wide-ranging talks he and Prime Minister Modi held on Thursday evening. Modi is visiting Bhutan next week. In their talks, the two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral ties in various areas, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation, according to an official readout. "They (Modi and Tobgay) reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "The Prime Minister of Bhutan conveyed his deep appreciation for India's role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutan's developmental priorities," it said. The MEA said on behalf of the Bhutanese King, Tobgay extended an invitation to Modi to visit Bhutan next week. "The prime minister accepted the invitation," it said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the people of Jammu and Kashmir rejected those who dreamt of breaking the country and that Tamil Nadu will also do the same. Addressing a public meeting here, Modi said the DMK and Congress wanted to come to power to 'loot' people and alleged that the DMK was the 'biggest beneficiary' of the 2G Spectrum scam. While the BJP has development initiatives to showcase to people, the PM said, opposition bloc INDIA, however, only, has 'scams.' He went on to detail such scams saying the 'list is big'. Targeting Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, he alleged the DMK has hatred towards the country, its culture and heritage and that the Dravidian party is an enemy of Tamil Nadu's future, its culture. He alleged the DMK and Congress were anti-women and they only fooled and insulted women. Continuing to be soft towards Tamil Nadu's main opposition AIADMK, he said people knew how the DMK treated late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and added that such a culture continued even today and crimes against women were on the rise in the state. He reiterated his party's allegation that the state 'banned' the broadcast of the recent Ayodhya temple event. Modi said the Central government was 'fast tracking' many initiatives for the Kanyakumari district. The Delhi High Court on Friday expressed its displeasure over certain "derogatory" content posted by BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover against the financial technology company and directed him to take down his social media posts targeting it. Justice Prathiba M Singh said Grover's tweet calling SBI chairmen "petty people" was an innuendo aimed at the present BharatPe board chairperson Rajnish Kumar, who earlier held that post. Observing that it was "completely avoidable", she said Grover prima facie acted in complete violation of earlier court orders asking him not to make defamatory allegations against the firm. The judge also ordered taking down of news reports about a letter written by Grover to the RBI, levelling allegations against Bharat Pe. The court's order came on a lawsuit by Resilient Innovations Pvt Ltd, which owns BharatPe, against its former Managing Director Ashneer Grover and his family members for recovery of over Rs 88 crore and relief against defamation. "Defendant number 2 (Ashneer Grover), being a businessman and being the founder of the plaintiff company, ought not be making such tweets and derogatory remarks," Justice Singh said. "Mr Subramanium, please warn him," the judge told Grover's lawyer, as she asked him not to make further objectionable statements against the company. "Whatever things are happening, you will not yourself do anything. You will not go public like this," added the court. Senior counsel appearing for the plaintiff company said in spite of earlier court orders passed in the matter, Ashneer Grover recently made tweets with respect to his letter to the RBI alleging that BharatPe "defrauded" the regulator. He asserted that allegations were also made against the present chairman of the company's board. The court observed that making "unnecessary" public statements would not only adversely impact the company's business and employees but also its reputation. "This is a well established company. Whatever dispute there is, will be resolved. You will not destroy the business of the company. If that happens, who will invest further?" the court said. "The said tweets and publication be taken down by Defendant no 2 as well as (the media platform). Any publication based on the letter be taken down by the platform," the court ordered. Resilient Innovations had filed the lawsuit in 2022 against its former MD Grover and his family members for restraining them from making defamatory statements. The high court had earlier issued summons to Ashneer Grover, his wife and other defendants on the suit filed by the fintech firm which has accused the couple of misappropriating funds. Grover had resigned from the company in March 2022 and his wife was removed from her post. In the suit, besides seeking to restrain the defendants from making defamatory statements, the company has also sought direction for payment of over Rs 88.67 crore along with interest towards recovery of alleged misappropriated funds and damage caused to the reputation of the firm. The plaintiff had earlier claimed before the court that Grover, his wife and other relatives were carrying out a vicious and vitriolic campaign against the company which has a large number of foreign investors. Besides Grover and his wife, the company has arrayed as defendants Deepak Gupta, Suresh Jain and Shwetank Jain, who all were relatives of the couple and were appointed to different posts in the company. In May 2023, the high court had asked all parties to avoid recourse to unparliamentary and defamatory publications against each other. In November 2023, the high court had imposed costs of Rs 2 lakh on Grover for his defamatory social media posts, saying it was "appalled" to note the "persistent" and "blatant" violation of its earlier orders and assurances given by him. From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the untamed wilderness of Shaba National Reserve, and the pristine beaches of Mombasa, Kenya beckons with promises of adventure, serenity, and hospitality. Join Divya Bhatia as she uncovers the hidden gems and unforgettable moments that await in this extraordinary African paradise In recent years, Kenya has blossomed into a radiant beacon of adventure and natural wonder, casting a spell on Indian travelers with its awe-inspiring landscapes and vibrant biodiversity. The proposal by Ranbir Kapoor to Alia Bhatt amidst the scenic backdrop of Masai Mara only served to etch Kenya deeper into the consciousness of Indian wanderers, leaving an indelible mark on their souls. While Masai Mara gleams as an iconic wildlife haven, Kenya offers a rich tapestry of diverse experiences for the discerning traveler, promising an immersive escapade into nature's embrace, where serenity, warmth, and hospitality intertwine to craft unforgettable memories. Unraveling Nairobi Our expedition commences in Nairobi, a vibrant metropolis pulsating with life and culture. Despite its modern skyline and bustling thoroughfares, Nairobi retains a profound connection with the natural world, seamlessly blending urban dynamism with wilderness allure. As we delve into the city's heart, a kaleidoscope of experiences unfolds before us - from wildlife safaris within city limits to cultural showcases honoring Kenya's rich heritage. Our first stop, The Giraffe Centre, stands as a testament to Nairobi's unique allure, providing sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Here, amidst verdant surroundings, visitors have the rare chance to observe these graceful creatures up close. From a raised platform, we extend our hands to feed the gentle giants, their inquisitive gazes reflecting a bond between humans and wildlife. Our journey continues to Nairobi National Park, an oasis of tranquillity amidst urban sprawl, where majestic lions roam against the backdrop of Nairobi's skyline, reminding us of the delicate harmony between progress and preservation. No exploration of Nairobi is complete without wandering its bustling markets - the Maasai Market and City Market. Here, we immerse ourselves in a riot of colours and textures, navigating alleyways lined with stalls brimming with handcrafted treasures, each artifact narrating a tale of Kenya's rich cultural mosaic. Embarking on a Safari Leaving Nairobi behind, we venture into Kenya's wilderness, bound for Shaba National Reserve. Nestled between Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Parks, Shaba unveils untamed landscapes and abundant wildlife across its rugged terrain. As we traverse dusty plains and rocky hills, a symphony of sights and sounds unfolds - Somali giraffes, Grevy's zebras, and the famed "Special Five" thriving amidst the harsh beauty of Shaba. Against this backdrop, life's resilience in adversity becomes apparent, a testament to nature's enduring spirit. Lake Nakuru National Park Our journey leads us to Lake Nakuru National Park, nestled within the Great Rift Valley. Named for its algae blooms, the lake teems with birdlife, while terrestrial wonders abound - endangered rhinos, graceful giraffes, and towering waterbucks. Against the lake's shimmering waters, a tableau of life unfolds, each creature a testament to the delicate balance of nature. From the lumbering hippopotamuses to the agile impalas, Lake Nakuru's wildlife captivates us with its beauty and resilience, reminding us of the fragility of the natural world. Venturing into Maasai Mara We were filled with eager anticipation, brimming with high expectations, as we awaited the chance to behold the majestic Lions in their natural domain. Each day held the promise of a fresh adventure, yet it was the exhilarating game drives, offering glimpses of the iconic "Big Five" in their native environs, that truly elevated our excitement to unprecedented heights at Maasai Mara. Famed for its awe-inspiring wildebeest migration, a spectacle defying adequate description, Maasai Mara exceeded all expectations. At long last, our much-anticipated moment arrived, and the sight of these magnificent creatures in their element undoubtedly made our day. The longer one spends in Maasai Mara, the deeper the enchantment with its splendour grows. Undoubtedly, it stands as one of Earth's most breathtaking locales, its expansive savanna vistas leaving visitors spellbound. Here, the dream of encountering the "Big Five" becomes tangible reality. During our sojourn, we were privileged not only to observe a regal lion family but also to witness cheetahs stealthily concealed amidst the golden grass, a lioness on the hunt for her next meal, and a sizable herd of hippos luxuriating in the Mara River. And who could overlook the majestic African elephants traversing the plains? Yet beyond its abundant wildlife, Maasai Mara offers a portal into Kenya's rich cultural tapestry, with opportunities to engage with Maasai communities and partake in age-old customs firsthand. As we immersed ourselves in the cadences of Maasai existence, we were warmly embraced, our hosts eager to impart their traditions and narratives. From the intricate beauty of Maasai beadwork to the pulsating rhythms of traditional melodies, Maasai Mara serves as a gateway to a world untouched by the passage of time, where ancient customs endure amidst the shifting currents of modernity. Exploring Mombasa Our journey culminates in Mombasa, a coastal gem blessed with pristine beaches and rich cultural heritage. Diani Beach beckons with its azure waters and golden sands, while Mombasa Marine National Park offers a glimpse into underwater wonders. Snorkeling amidst vibrant marine life, we conclude our adventure with a taste of Mombasa's vibrant nightlife. Finding a Place in Wilderness As we journey through Kenya, we discover solace in a variety of lodges and camps, each offering a distinctive fusion of comfort and adventure amidst the untamed wilderness. Ranging from opulent safari lodges to humble tented camps, Kenya's accommodations cater to the preferences of every traveler, ensuring a tranquil haven following a day of exploration. Throughout our excursion, we chose to reside at Sarova Hotels, Resorts & Game Lodges across all our destinations. Among the standout attributes of Sarova properties are their remarkable locations and exclusive experiences. The Sarova Hotel Group not only furnishes sumptuous accommodations but also upholds a steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism and ethical practices. Through active participation in environmental conservation and community initiatives, the hotel group demonstrates a sincere dedication to safeguarding Kenya's natural and cultural legacy. For further information regarding Sarova Hotels and Resorts or to make reservations, please visit their website at www.sarovahotels.com. Travel Between the Cities Kenya's cities are well-connected by road, but for those seeking true adventure, consider ALS for swift and scenic travel. For game drives, rely on One Above Destination Management Service for a fleet of vehicles and experienced drivers. In Kenya, adventure beckons at every turn - a symphony of nature's bounty and cultural riches, promising indelible memories and a journey of a lifetime. In a major relief to ex-Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharifs family, an anti-corruption court on Thursday cancelled the permanent arrest warrants against his two sons, who recently returned from the UK after a seven-year self-imposed exile. Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz left the country in 2018 after they were named in the 2016 Panama Papers scandal. They faced charges in cases related to the Panama Papers but never appeared before the courts, which declared them absconders. The brothers returned to Pakistan on Tuesday after an Islamabad anti-corruption court suspended the perpetual arrest warrants against the two until Thursday, clearing the last hurdle for their safe return to the country. On Thursday, Hassan and Hussain appeared at the Islamabad-based Accountability Court, which, after hearing the arguments, cancelled the permanent arrest warrant issued in the Flagship, Al-Azizia and Avenfield corruption cases. A Japanese high court ruled Thursday that denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and called for urgent government action to address the lack of any law allowing for such unions. The court does not have the power to overturn the current marriage law, which has been interpreted to restrict marriage as between a man and a woman. Government offices may continue to deny marriage status to same-sex couples unless the existing law is revised to include LGBTQ+ couples, or a new law is enacted that allows for other types of unions. The Sapporo High Court ruling said that not allowing same-sex couples to marry and enjoy the same benefits as straight couples violates their fundamental right to have a family. A lower court issued a similar ruling earlier Thursday, becoming the sixth district court to do so. But the Tokyo District Court ruling was only a partial victory for Japans LGBTQ+ community calling for equal marriage rights, as it doesnt change or overturn the current civil union law that describes marriage as between a man and a woman. Five previous court decisions in various districts said Japans policy of denying same-sex marriage is either unconstitutional or nearly so. However, unlike the Sapporo ruling, none of the low-level courts clearly deemed the existing marriage law unconstitutional. Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven nations that still excludes same-sex couples from the right to legally marry and receive spousal benefits. The Iranian ambassador to Pakistan has said a Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan is likely to be finalised during the planned visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad, according to a media report on Friday. Iranian Ambassador Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam, while addressing a business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Thursday, said the FTA would increase mutual trade and several bilateral economic and trade agreements would also be signed during the visit, the Dawn newspaper reported. However, the Iranian envoy did not provide any details such as the timing of the upcoming visit of his countrys president. He also said that the two countries need to have strong air, maritime and sea links, which will strengthen the economic relations and Pakistan will also be connected to regional and global trade. The envoy emphasised the closeness of maritime links, especially Karachi and Gwadar and Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports and said that Gwadar and Chabahar should be declared as sister ports. He said the current bilateral trade volume was just USD 2.5 billion, which increased by 11 per cent in the last 11 months. After the FTA and bilateral agreements for the promotion of mutual trade, there is a strong possibility that the mutual trade between Pakistan and Iran would reach USD 5 billion in the next few years, he added. He said Pakistan and Iran can fulfil 70 per cent of each others needs by engaging in mutual trade, just as Iran imports halal meat, Pakistan can do a lot of work in Iran in this sector. The envoy added that the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline was a significant project, which would benefit both the domestic and industrial sectors of Pakistan. Iran is serious about resolving Pakistans energy problems and that is why Tehran completed the gas pipeline project for USD 1 billion in 2009 so that Pakistan could meet its energy needs, he said, adding that it was essential that the project be completed at the earliest. He added that Iran was already trading in the gas and the energy sector with Turkiye, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, therefore Pakistan can also follow the procedure adopted by these countries. He acknowledged that the banking channel between Pakistan and Iran was a serious issue, but Iran has banking links with Turkiye, Bahrain and Iraq, reported the paper. Pansy Wright, a grandmother of eight, is shown at her former house on Woodmont Avenue in Bridgeport in early November, 2023, a few days after she was evicted over a 17-year-old credit card debt of less than $9,000. Dan Haar/Hearst CT Media State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the legislative Judiciary Committee, in a file photo from the recent session of the General Assembly. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media The sad case of the Bridgeport teacher and grandmother of eight who lost her house over a credit card debt of less than $9,000 has inspired a reform move by Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport. Pansy Wright, who was evicted on Nov. 1 with her adult son from the house on Woodmont Avenue where her family had lived for 26 years, was not offered state-run foreclosure mediation by the judge overseeing her case. The reason: The action against her was over a non-secured consumer debt, not a mortgage default. I wrote about Wright's case in a column that appeared Feb. 29 detailing a 17-year saga in which the debt led to Wright's eviction from a house worth upwards of $300,000 or perhaps more, in which she appeared to have significant equity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wright, a certified teacher and long-term substitute in the Bridgeport schools, was not eligible for Connecticut's state-run foreclosure mediation program. Only mortgage-related foreclosures can enter the program. That's unfortunate because the mediation, launched in the depth of the Great Recession in 2008, has a strong history of averting evictions and title takeovers by banks and mortgage companies. After reading my column, Stafstrom, co-chairman of the state legislature's influential Judiciary Committee, added language in a pending court operations bill that would require judges to offer mediation in all foreclosure cases including credit card debts and other judgments, not just those related to mortgage defaults. The bill, which comprises more than 30 adjustments in how state courts function, is scheduled for a public hearing Monday. Wright represented herself in the foreclosure action by SACOR Financial Inc. and did not file an appearance in the case until March, 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic five months after SACOR filed the foreclosure lawsuit. Over the following 15 months, Wright filed various motions in an attempt to stave off the taking of her house, to no avail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "If this case had come in and this woman was filing a bunch of motions and the judge looked at the file and said, 'Let me send this to mediation,'" Stafstrom told me, "I think this entire process could have been avoided." But Stafstrom added that judges don't have that leeway in non-mortgage foreclosures under the current rules. The expansion of the state mediation program is one of several possible reforms that could, or should, happen in the wake of this case and others like it. Those include what a judge is allowed to tell defendants representing themselves and how foreclosure cases handle property appraisals. It's unclear whether Stafstrom's proposal will face opposition. Some lenders opposed the establishment of the mortgage foreclosure mediation program, a national model run by the Judicial Branch, when it started. It was originally voluntary and was set to end in 2014 but was later extended and must be offered to eligible people in danger of losing their homes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Among the 6,290 foreclosure cases in Connecticut state courts last year, 4,012, or nearly two-thirds, were eligible for state-run mediation, the state's Judicial Branch said. It's unclear how many actually did use the program. From the start of the mediation in mid-2008 through January of this year, Judicial Branch data shows, 33,819 foreclosure defendants and their creditors used the state mediation program. Of those, 71 percent remained in their homes, 16 percent moved out and 13 percent of the cases were not settled in mediation. That is a rate of about 2,000 mediated cases per year. The system, which includes ten mediators paid for through a state banking fund, would most likely be able to handle the extra workload, a spokeswoman for the Judicial Branch said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We're still looking at implementation issues but the Judicial Branch does believe that cases involving judgment debts could benefit from mediation, spokeswoman Melissa Farley said. One expert on court practice in Connecticut, Carolyn Kaas, a law professor at Quinnipiac University, said she applauds the proposed change. "It certainly would have helped in this point," said Kaas, a member of the state Committee on Judicial Ethics, referring to Wright's case. "It may be effective going forward." It's true that mediation might have led Pansy Wright to reach a payback agreement and keep her house but in her case, there is some dispute about whether she had a repayment plan with SACOR. The California company's lawyers told Judge Walter Spader Jr. in Superior Court that SACOR and Wright reached an agreement. They later said in filings that Wright bounced a check, and the foreclosure moved forward. Wright did send SACOR a check for $1,200 but then stopped payment on it a few days later, court documents show. She said she could not contact SACOR after sending the check and claimed there was no repayment plan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Today Wright is still staying with friends and considers herself homeless with the hope of regaining ownership of her house. It's unclear whether she has any avenues for that. On Feb. 8, SACOR sold her former house in Bridgeport for $365,000, four years after entering a private appraisal for $175,000, which left Wright with no proceeds from the sale after Wright's mortgage and a sewer lien were paid off. SACOR did not return my messages seeking comment for the column. Three of its attorneys in the case either declined to comment or did not return calls and emails. Foreclosures from credit card judgments are exceedingly rare, lawyers told me. It's unclear what types of debts led to the one-third of foreclosures that were ineligible for mediation last year. But Stafstrom said he's mainly aiming his proposal at cases such as Wright's. "Really I think what we're most concerned about is consumer debt," Stafstrom told me. "It's not a massive number of cases in comparison to the number of cases the foreclosure mediation already covers." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Indian tourists, who used to flock to the Maldives, are now shunning the island nation and its tourism industry is already feeling the pinch of declined revenue, prompting calls for mending the fence with New Delhi. India has slipped to sixth position in 2024 compared to being a topper in visitor numbers in 2023, prompting voices from the local tourism industry to flag the danger for the tourism-dependent economy of the archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean. A full-blown backlash was directed at the Maldives following derogatory remarks against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media by three Maldivian officials after Modi posted photos and video of the pristine Lakshadweep Islands on Indias west coast on January 6 on his X handle. According to the Maldives Tourism Ministry statistics, over 17 lakh tourists visited the island nation in 2023, out of which more than 2,09,198 visitors were Indians followed by Russians (2,09,146) and China (1,87,118). The number of Indian visitors was more than 2.4 lakh in 2022 while over 2.11 lakh Indians flew to the Maldives in 2021. The Maldives was also one of the few countries open for international tourists during the pandemic and nearly 63,000 Indians visited that country during that period. India occupied the sixth spot in tourist arrivals in 2024, the Ministrys statistics showed, compared to the consistent first spot since 2020 with Indian tourists visiting the island nation even during the pandemic time. Till about 10 days ago, the Ministry data showed that tourist arrivals from India as of March 2 was 27,224, which is a 33 per cent decline compared to last year when the corresponding number stood at 41,224. The local tourism industry is worried about the development and already flagged caution. Explaining how India plays a vital role in sustaining tourism-related receipts to the state during off-peak season, a news portal Sun.mv said: Indian travellers have a counter-travel pattern to European travellers; meaning Indian visitors frequent to the Maldives during hot seasons, which coincides with a drop in European market arrivals. In other words, India is the most significant filler for the Maldives tourism off-peak season. It further reported on Tuesday, how, tourism industry experts and analysts have highlighted the adverse impacts of dwindling Indian arrivals to the Maldives, while some have forecast estimated losses north of USD 1.8 billion to USD 2 billion. Travel agencies and operators relying on Indian arrivals report a revenue decline of 80 per cent a dangerous prospect, the report said. Quoting an official from Lets Go Maldives, a prominent travel agency, the portal said, the Indian traveller market consists of multiple demographics and segments from affluent to budget travellers and India is a large summer market. Without India, the occupancy rate is impacted negatively. This makes it a crucial market for us, the official added. It is not just the Indian passport holders that have boycotted the Maldives but the arrival of affluent and wealthy Indian-origin travellers from other nations as well has declined, which too indicated the contribution of the Indian market in Maldives tourism, the news report said quoting a prominent travel agency, Travel Connection Maldives CEO Mohamed Mirshad. Authorities are hoping that the resumption of direct flights between Hanimaadhoo International Airport in Maldives and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala state of India would bring back some more visitors from India. This is the most opportune moment for the island nation to mend fences with its ally. It is also logical that the smaller countries are in need of security and safety ensured by their larger allies. Any conduct to the contrary would not result fortuitously for the Maldives, as evident with the current tourism industry statistics and revenues, Sun.mv said. Arrogance will not benefit us, it would damage the sensitive economy of the country even further. True wisdom lies in accepting ones own weaknesses and strengths, and the reality that we live in to avoid any future brunt, it added. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined troops training on a new tank model and drove one himself, state media reported on Thursday, as his rivals South Korea and the US wrapped up their annual military exercises. Its the third time Kim was reported to have observed military exercises since the start of the 11-day South Korean-US drills, which he views as rehearsals for an invasion. Thats a less provocative option than missile tests. North Korea has intensified launches since 2022 and ramped up belligerent rhetoric this year. At the tank drills Wednesday, Kim praised the countrys latest tank as the worlds most powerful and told his troops to bolster their fighting spirits and complete preparations for war, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. The other two drills he inspected recently were dedicated to artillery firing and maneuvering exercises. The tank was first unveiled during a military parade in 2020, and its rolling during Wednesdays drill indicates that its ready to be deployed, South Korean experts say. Photos of the tank released by North Korea shows it has a launch tube for missiles, a weapons systems the former Soviet Union already operated in the 1970s. The new tank could pose a threat to South Korea, said Yang Uk, an analyst at Asan Institute for Policy Studies, but it remains to be seen whether it can be mass produced. The Norths Defense Ministry last week threatened responsible military activities in reaction to the South Korea-US military drills, which involved a computer-simulated command post training and 48 kinds of field exercises, twice the number conducted last spring. The US and South Korea have been expanding their training exercises in a tit-for-tat response to the Norths weapons testing spree. Concerns about North Koreas military preparations have deepened since Kim vowed in a speech in January to rewrite the constitution to eliminate the countrys long-standing goal to seek peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula and cement South Korea as its invariable principal enemy. He said the new constitution must specify North Korea would annex and subjugate the South if another war breaks out. Kims moves signal North Koreas fundamental change on its South Korea policy, beyond just rhetoric, as the Norths previous push for inter-Korean unity had allowed it to make a steadfast call for the removal of US troops in South Korea, a senior South Korean presidential official said. told a small group of reporters Monday. He requested anonymity, citing the delicate nature of the issue. Observers say Kim likely wants to use his upgraded weapons arsenal to win US concessions like extensive relief of international sanctions on North Korea. They say North Korea is expected to extend its testing activities and ramp up warlike rhetoric this year as South Korea holds parliamentary elections in April and the US a presidential election in November. The South Korean-US training is over, but the Norths isnt over yet, Yang said. They wont just stand still ... theyve been talking about war, The Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari-led Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) got the lions share in the Senate by-elections on Thursday by winning four of the six seats in the polls held to fill the vacant seats in the upper house of Parliament. The polling for the six Senate seats in the National Assembly, Sindh and Balochistan provincial assemblies began at 9 am and ended at 4 pm. The seats had fallen vacant when the senators were elected as members of National or provincial assemblies in the general elections held on February 8. Article 223 of the Constitution bars dual membership. The National Assembly lawmakers voted to elect one senator while the members of Balochistan and Sindh elected three and two senators respectively. Former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was a joint candidate of the newly-formed eight-party ruling coalition, won in the National Assembly, polling 204 of the 301 votes cast, while his rival Sunni Ittehad Councils Ilyas Mehrban got only 88 votes. Nine votes were rejected during the vote count. Gilani is expected to become the Senate Chairman of the ruling coalition. The PPP also won two seats from Sindh for which polling was held in the Sindh Assembly. Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo and Muhammad Aslam Abro were elected by obtaining 58 and 57 votes respectively. Nazeerullah and Shazia Sohail of the Sunni Ittehad Council got four votes each. One vote was rejected. The total strength of the Senate is 100, including 23 members each from the four federating units, and four each from the erstwhile tribal region and Islamabad. Seven more Nepalese citizens serving the Russian Army in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have died in the last week, taking the total number of deaths to 19, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. Nepals Ministry of Foreign Affairs latest update on the toll came two days after Deputy Prime Minister Kaji Shrestha asked Russia to share a list of Nepalese citizens serving the Russian Army in the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war but stressed that complications remained in bringing them back from the war zone. He also met the Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov on Tuesday over the matter when the latter called on him. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths of seven more Nepali nationals who were fighting from the Russian side in the Russia-Ukraine war. With the deaths of 7 more Nepalese citizens with the Russian Army, the total number of such cases have touched 19, said the statement. The ministry said that the deaths of Nepali nationals in the Russian Army come even as the Nepal government has banned the recruitment of Nepali nationals in foreign armies except for those countries with whom Nepal has signed a traditional agreement. The ministry has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in Ukraine. The ministry said it has once again requested the Russian government to provide compensation to the kin of deceased soldiers, to provide treatment to those injured in the war and to repatriate those recruited illegally into the Russian Army. Nepal government has placed top priority on the works relating to repatriating those Nepalese nationals who have been recruited into the Russian Army, the ministry said. Hundreds of Nepali citizens are reported fighting for the Russians against Ukraine. A small number of Nepali citizens are serving in the Ukrainian Army too, but both conflicting nations have not shared the details with the government of Nepal. On March 7, Shrestha held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and raised the concerns of the Nepali side. Shrestha also reportedly said that he wants to visit Russia and take stock of the condition of the Nepali nationals in Russia. He said he is keen to know how Nepali nationals were duped and brought to Russia and talk to Russian officials to resolve the issue. Pakistans newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday promised his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that he would work closely with him to deepen the all-weather strategic partnership with Beijing and in the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Zardari, the husband of late Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto was elected as the 14th President of Pakistan on Saturday, becoming the only civilian president of the coup-prone country for a second time. Responding to Xis congratulatory message to him on his re-election as the President of Pakistan, Zardari said, Our solid friendship serves as an anchor for regional peace, stability and development. He emphasised that Pakistan and China shared a unique bond forged in the crucible of history and nurtured by mutual respect, understanding, and common views on all global issues. Zardari expressed his commitment to working closely with the Chinese President to deepen practical cooperation, strengthen the all-weather partnership, and foster a shared community for the benefit of the two countries. Pakistan and China were not merely neighbours, but iron-clad brothers fully committed to the success of our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Zardari noted with satisfaction that Pakistan and China had made significant progress in the diverse fields of bilateral cooperation, particularly in developing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said President Xis support would remain instrumental in achieving the CPECs continued development and meeting the two peoples shared objectives of progress and prosperity. In his message to Zardari on Sunday, soon after his re-election, Xi said China and Pakistan are good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers, adding that the two countries iron-clad friendship is a choice of history and a precious treasure of the two peoples. President Xi said that the two countries have in recent years maintained close high-level exchanges, supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, achieved fruitful results in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and maintained a high level of development of bilateral relations. The USD 60 billion CPEC is a 3,000-km Chinese infrastructure network project under construction in Pakistan. It connects strategic Gwadar Port in Pakistans Balochistan with Chinas Xinjiang province, giving Beijing an opening to the Arabian Sea. India is opposed to the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS Get Free Report) in a report issued on Wednesday. The brokerage set a hold rating on the stock. American Shared Hospital Services Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:AMS opened at $2.66 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.03, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. American Shared Hospital Services has a 1 year low of $2.16 and a 1 year high of $3.00. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $2.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.00 and a beta of 0.66. Get American Shared Hospital Services alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Shared Hospital Services Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AMS. CI Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in American Shared Hospital Services in the 4th quarter worth $470,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in American Shared Hospital Services by 65.5% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 74,795 shares of the companys stock valued at $191,000 after purchasing an additional 29,595 shares during the period. Citadel Advisors LLC increased its position in American Shared Hospital Services by 140.0% during the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 33,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 19,381 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in American Shared Hospital Services by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 117,884 shares of the companys stock worth $280,000 after purchasing an additional 16,475 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 166,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $467,000 after purchasing an additional 7,375 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.54% of the companys stock. American Shared Hospital Services Company Profile American Shared Hospital Services provides radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to health care providers. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Shared Hospital Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Shared Hospital Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Comstock (NYSE:LODE Get Free Report) in a note issued to investors on Wednesday. The firm set a sell rating on the stock. Comstock Price Performance Comstock stock opened at $0.40 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $46.33 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 2.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. Comstock has a 1 year low of $0.28 and a 1 year high of $0.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $0.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.46. Get Comstock alerts: Comstock (NYSE:LODE Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.03) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.04) by $0.01. Comstock had a net margin of 718.51% and a negative return on equity of 4.04%. The company had revenue of $0.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.10 million. On average, research analysts forecast that Comstock will post -0.15 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Comstock About Comstock A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LODE. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Comstock by 28.6% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 104,083 shares of the companys stock valued at $174,000 after acquiring an additional 23,164 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Comstock by 2.0% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,703,112 shares of the companys stock valued at $715,000 after purchasing an additional 33,293 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Comstock during the second quarter valued at $26,000. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Comstock by 21.6% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 211,716 shares of the companys stock worth $154,000 after purchasing an additional 37,600 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Comstock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.17% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Comstock Inc engages in systemic decarbonization business in Nevada. It operates through Renewable Energy, Metals and Mining, and Strategic and Corporate Investments segments. The company produces aviation, and marine fuel; carbon neutral ethanol, oil, gasoline, renewable diesel, and other renewable replacements. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Comstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Comstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. decreased its holdings in Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI Free Report) by 2.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,567 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 360 shares during the quarter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Armstrong World Industries were worth $1,236,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 28.9% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 8,825 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $794,000 after buying an additional 1,980 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 7.3% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 13,988 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,262,000 after buying an additional 950 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 7.5% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 3,949 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $355,000 after buying an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 32.0% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 29,164 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,723,000 after buying an additional 7,064 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Armstrong World Industries during the first quarter valued at about $178,000. Institutional investors own 98.93% of the companys stock. Get Armstrong World Industries alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently weighed in on AWI. Truist Financial increased their price target on Armstrong World Industries from $95.00 to $131.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Armstrong World Industries from $111.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. UBS Group raised Armstrong World Industries from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the stock from $75.00 to $103.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Armstrong World Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Armstrong World Industries has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $98.29. Insider Buying and Selling at Armstrong World Industries In other Armstrong World Industries news, CEO Victor Grizzle sold 22,914 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.02, for a total value of $2,268,944.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 332,435 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,917,713.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.09% of the companys stock. Armstrong World Industries Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of Armstrong World Industries stock traded up $0.79 during trading on Friday, reaching $122.33. 84,367 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 350,502. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has a twelve month low of $62.03 and a twelve month high of $123.82. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $108.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $90.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.12. Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The construction company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by $0.18. Armstrong World Industries had a return on equity of 41.56% and a net margin of 17.28%. The business had revenue of $312.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $305.44 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.08 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Armstrong World Industries, Inc. will post 5.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Armstrong World Industries Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were paid a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.92%. Armstrong World Industriess payout ratio is 22.40%. Armstrong World Industries Company Profile (Free Report) Armstrong World Industries, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of ceiling and wall solutions in the Americas. It operates through Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties segments. The company offers mineral fiber, fiberglass wool, metal, wood, felt, wood fiber, and glass-reinforced-gypsum; ceiling component products, such as ceiling perimeters and trims, as well as grid products that support drywall ceiling systems; ceilings, walls, and facades for use in commercial settings; and manufactures ceiling suspension system (grid) products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Armstrong World Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Armstrong World Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO Get Free Report) Chairman Hyatt J. Brown sold 144,323 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.96, for a total value of $12,406,005.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 37,460,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,220,113,605.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Brown & Brown Stock Down 0.2 % NYSE BRO traded down $0.19 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $84.80. The company had a trading volume of 235,810 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,381,810. Brown & Brown, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $53.14 and a fifty-two week high of $86.53. The company has a market capitalization of $24.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.78, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 1.95 and a quick ratio of 1.95. The firms 50 day moving average is $79.78 and its 200 day moving average is $74.59. Get Brown & Brown alerts: Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 20.44% and a return on equity of 15.46%. The firm had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.50 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Brown & Brown, Inc. will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Brown & Brown Dividend Announcement Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brown & Brown The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.61%. Brown & Browns dividend payout ratio is presently 16.99%. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Clear Street Markets LLC increased its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new position in Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new position in Brown & Brown during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp lifted its holdings in Brown & Brown by 166.5% during the 4th quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 509 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the last quarter. 70.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Brown & Brown from $72.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Brown & Brown from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Brown & Brown from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lowered their price target for the company from $84.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Monday, January 8th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Brown & Brown from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Brown & Brown from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $85.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Brown & Brown has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $83.60. Read Our Latest Analysis on Brown & Brown About Brown & Brown (Get 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brown & Brown Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brown & Brown and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co. reduced its position in shares of Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR Free Report) by 12.3% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 2,382 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 333 shares during the quarter. Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Co.s holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $382,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 55.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 33,686,341 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,095,585,000 after purchasing an additional 12,055,172 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 29.7% during the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 17,876,089 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,660,805,000 after purchasing an additional 4,096,408 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,421,581 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,402,402,000 after purchasing an additional 23,698 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 22.1% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 6,505,834 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $790,975,000 after purchasing an additional 1,178,760 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cohen & Steers Inc. lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 23.2% during the 2nd quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 5,599,950 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $833,528,000 after purchasing an additional 1,054,442 shares during the last quarter. 66.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Gwyn Goodson Mcneal sold 1,350 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.00, for a total transaction of $195,750.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,028 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,369,060. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Gwyn Goodson Mcneal sold 1,350 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.00, for a total transaction of $195,750.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,028 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,369,060. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CMO Samrat Sondhi sold 2,048 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.46, for a total value of $299,950.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 94,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,785,693.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,532 shares of company stock worth $514,819 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.55% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently weighed in on EXR shares. Scotiabank started coverage on Extra Space Storage in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. They set a sector underperform rating and a $131.00 price target for the company. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $138.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $168.00 to $187.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. TheStreet raised Extra Space Storage from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Extra Space Storage in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $141.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $149.33. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on EXR Extra Space Storage Price Performance Shares of EXR traded down $0.40 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $141.91. The companys stock had a trading volume of 412,244 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,176,977. Extra Space Storage Inc. has a one year low of $101.19 and a one year high of $165.85. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $145.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $134.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.74. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.03 by ($1.01). The business had revenue of $797.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $778.05 million. Extra Space Storage had a net margin of 31.81% and a return on equity of 8.34%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 57.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.09 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Extra Space Storage Inc. will post 8.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Extra Space Storage Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.57%. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio is currently 131.17%. About Extra Space Storage (Free Report) Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,651 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.5 million units and approximately 279.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EXR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Former Madison high school teacher Alison Marchese. Journal Register Co. NEW HAVEN >> Former Madison high school teacher Allison Marchese, who was sentenced Friday to serve three years in prison for charges related to inappropriate contact with two students, listened silently in court as victims in their statements described the long-term pain she has caused the families.. Marchese was called selfish and a sexual predator for her actions toward two boys, ages 15 and 17, at Daniel Hand High School in 2014-2015. In addition, Superior Court Judge Melanie Cradle, who imposed the sentence previously agreed upon by all parties, told Marchese she had undermined the trust of students, parents and the community that is accorded to teachers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Calling teaching a noble profession, Cradle said school teachers play an important role in shaping the lives and values of students. A teacher is a role model, somebody a student should look up to, Cradle said. A teacher should model appropriate behavior. Your conduct undermines those principles. As in Marcheses previous court appearances, the details of that conduct were not revealed. But according to the Madison police arrest warrant, she called the 17-year-old into her classroom, locked the door and performed sexual acts during school hours. The warrant also stated the 15-year-old told police that Marchese sent him repeated electronic messages in which she described how good-looking he was and that it made it impossible for her to concentrate in class or to sleep. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supervisory Assistant States Attorney David Strollo, who prosecuted Marchese, has said that from July 2014 through January 2015, the defendant inappropriately contacted victim two by computer or phone numerous times despite victim two telling her not to do so. Marchese, 39, originally was charged with second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child. Under the agreement, she pleaded guilty last November to reduced charges: two counts of first-degree unlawful restraint, two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, one count of second-degree harassment and one count of second-degree threatening. The sentencing agreement also calls for Marchese to serve five years of probation, register as a sex offender for 10 years and to be under criminal protection orders forbidding her to have any contact with the victims and their families for 10 years. Marchese declined to say anything in court Friday when Cradle gave her an opportunity to speak. She simply replied Yes after Cradle asked her if she understood the conditions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There were about 30 people in the courtroom Friday afternoon to watch the sentencing hearing. When Marchese entered, dressed in a gray sweater, white pants and brown boots, the room went utterly silent. Her face was drawn and she was clearly tense, avoiding looking at the spectators, including some of the victims parents. The only person Marchese interacted with, in whispered exchanges, was her attorney, William F. Dow III. Shortly after the hearing began, Strollo called forward the father of one of the victims. The man came up to the podium, pulled out a piece of paper and took a deep breath. He said Marchese had caused immeasurable damage and he also blamed a school that was supposed to protect our son. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The father noted the events caused pain for our entire family but he added, We have pulled together as a family and we will continue to do so. He said his family hopes Marchese takes advantage of counseling services offered in prison to get better. He concluded, This cant happen again. Maura Crossin, an associate attorney for the Victim Rights Center of Connecticut, read aloud statements from one of the victims and from a mother of one of the victims. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The victim said after the events occurred, Because of the power of rumors, my name got out. I became an outcast. I wanted to fit in, so this was painful. As a result of being ostracized, he said, I lost respect for my peers. He said he relocated thousands of miles from home. He finished by saying, The pain persists. The mother said her son continues to suffer emotionally, physically and psychologically. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What the school and this woman have done have scarred him for the rest of his life, she added. The mother accused Marchese of being selfish and acting for her own benefit, not considering the harm it would cause. She took it upon herself to prey on him. The mother recalled that many times her son was unwilling to go to school afterward. He became reclusive and showed signs of guilt, shame, depression and lack of self-confidence. She also said he is now plagued by doubt, mistrust and anger. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before this, she said, he was a very happy teenager. Everybody in school knew who he was, she noted. People made up stories and called him names. Sexual assault is not sexy, she added. When it happens to your son, its a nightmare for the family. But she charged of Marchese, She has no remorse and called her a sexual predator. However, she said, My son will rise above this nightmare. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When Dow got his turn, he said Marchese in fact feels regret and remorse. Its incorrect to portray her as someone who lacks sympathy or remorse. Dow said her inappropriate conduct occurred in a difficult time of her life after a friend had committed suicide. Dow noted she was also having problems at the school with her husband, who was her supervisor. They are now divorced. While acknowledging Marcheses actions were offensive, Dow said, It has taken a toll on her. Her marriage has been shattered. Dow alleged that her former husband has not been supportive, so she has to deal with that. She is the mother of two children, Dow noted. Tonight when she goes to bed, she cannot tuck them into bed. She will not be able to help them with their homework. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dow said Marchese is working on the ability to look forward, not back and he said everybody else should do the same. No one is entitled to monopolize the moral high ground, Dow said. He added, Revenge is never sweet. And he closed by saying, Nothing good ever comes from looking back. When Cradle addressed Marchese, she said the sentence is appropriate and reflects the totality of the circumstances. You do appear to be remorseful, Cradle said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The judge clearly was puzzled by Marcheses conduct. You had a good upbringing, a supportive family. You dont have a criminal history. I find it surprising that when you had everything going for you -- a good family, a husband, kids, a job -- you wound up before this court. Cradle announced a total effective sentence of three years and 360 days, to be suspended after Marchese serves three years. Strollo asked Cradle to order the Madison police to hold onto evidence in the case, such as text messages and photos because attorneys representing the victims have concurrent civil actions. He also asked that the Madison Board of Education laptop data in the case be preserved. Cradle agreed to issue those motions. The civil lawsuits were filed against Marchese and the school board. There was no mention made during the hearing of Marcheses uncertain status after she is released from prison. As a Canadian citizen, she might face deportation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When the hearing concluded, Marchese tossed some tissue paper into a wastebasket and was taken away by two judicial marshals while the victims families watched silently. Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY Get Free Report) and Ashford Hospitality Trust (NYSE:AHT Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership and valuation. Insider & Institutional Ownership 79.5% of Weyerhaeuser shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.0% of Ashford Hospitality Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Weyerhaeuser shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Ashford Hospitality Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Weyerhaeuser alerts: Volatility and Risk Weyerhaeuser has a beta of 1.43, suggesting that its share price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ashford Hospitality Trust has a beta of 2.26, suggesting that its share price is 126% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Weyerhaeuser 0 3 3 0 2.50 Ashford Hospitality Trust 0 1 0 0 2.00 This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Weyerhaeuser and Ashford Hospitality Trust, as reported by MarketBeat. Weyerhaeuser currently has a consensus price target of $37.67, suggesting a potential upside of 9.94%. Ashford Hospitality Trust has a consensus price target of $2.50, suggesting a potential upside of 83.82%. Given Ashford Hospitality Trusts higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Ashford Hospitality Trust is more favorable than Weyerhaeuser. Profitability This table compares Weyerhaeuser and Ashford Hospitality Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Weyerhaeuser 10.93% 7.36% 4.37% Ashford Hospitality Trust -13.13% N/A -4.75% Dividends Weyerhaeuser pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Ashford Hospitality Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 17.6%. Weyerhaeuser pays out 69.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ashford Hospitality Trust pays out -4.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Weyerhaeuser has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Ashford Hospitality Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Weyerhaeuser and Ashford Hospitality Trusts revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Weyerhaeuser $7.67 billion 3.26 $839.00 million $1.15 29.79 Ashford Hospitality Trust $1.37 billion 0.03 -$178.49 million ($5.65) -0.24 Weyerhaeuser has higher revenue and earnings than Ashford Hospitality Trust. Ashford Hospitality Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Weyerhaeuser, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Weyerhaeuser beats Ashford Hospitality Trust on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Weyerhaeuser (Get Free Report) Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. We are also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. Our company is a real estate investment trust. In 2022, we generated $10.2 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,200 people who serve customers worldwide. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. About Ashford Hospitality Trust (Get Free Report) Ashford Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing predominantly in upper upscale, full-service hotels. Receive News & Ratings for Weyerhaeuser Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Weyerhaeuser and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Czech National Bank boosted its stake in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 0.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 191,015 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 409 shares during the period. Czech National Banks holdings in Southern were worth $13,394,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Southern by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 99,572,665 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,444,343,000 after acquiring an additional 352,023 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of Southern by 5.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 38,906,760 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,518,045,000 after buying an additional 1,838,857 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Southern by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,816,104 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,387,945,000 after buying an additional 452,511 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Southern by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 16,070,918 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,128,982,000 after acquiring an additional 642,737 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors increased its position in Southern by 8.0% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 11,910,166 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $836,689,000 after acquiring an additional 883,544 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.85% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Southern news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.94, for a total transaction of $334,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 129,552 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,672,210.88. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,099 shares of Southern stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total transaction of $706,526.04. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,007,222.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.94, for a total value of $334,700.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 129,552 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,672,210.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 25,998 shares of company stock worth $1,806,063 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock. Southern Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of Southern stock traded down $0.37 during trading on Friday, reaching $69.01. 3,110,017 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,676,763. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.29 billion, a PE ratio of 19.11, a P/E/G ratio of 4.37 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $68.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.69. The Southern Company has a 1-year low of $61.56 and a 1-year high of $75.80. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The utilities provider reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.05. Southern had a net margin of 15.79% and a return on equity of 11.40%. The company had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.26 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Southern Company will post 4.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southern Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. Southerns payout ratio is 77.14%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Southern from $68.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Southern from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 16th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $80.00 price target on shares of Southern in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Southern from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Southern from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.46. Get Our Latest Stock Report on SO Southern Company Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Country Trust Bank cut its holdings in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report) by 10.2% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,480 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 169 shares during the period. Country Trust Banks holdings in Duke Energy were worth $144,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CKW Financial Group acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth $41,000. 63.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Duke Energy alerts: Duke Energy Price Performance NYSE:DUK traded down $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $94.77. 2,371,226 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,167,026. The company has a market capitalization of $73.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 0.46. Duke Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $83.06 and a 12 month high of $100.39. 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 businesss 50-day simple moving average is $94.63 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $92.50. Duke Energy Announces Dividend Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $7.21 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.24 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 8.93% and a net margin of 9.78%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.11 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be given a dividend of $1.025 per share. This represents a $4.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 15th. Duke Energys payout ratio is 115.49%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Duke Energy news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total transaction of $277,710.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,213 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,315,697.41. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently commented on DUK. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on Duke Energy from $101.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. Bank of America downgraded Duke Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the company from $105.00 to $96.00 in a report on Monday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upgraded Duke Energy from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $90.00 to $108.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. KeyCorp increased their price target on Duke Energy from $106.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Duke Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $101.00 to $113.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $100.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on Duke Energy Duke Energy Profile (Free Report) Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DUK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:NXR Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Wednesday, March 13th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.053 per share on Monday, April 15th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of . The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Performance Get Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3 Funds primary objective is current income exempt from regular federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. Read More The Fund invests in municipal securities that are exempt from federal income taxes. The Fund invests at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal securities rated investment grade at the time of investment, or, if they are unrated, are judged by the manager to be of comparable quality. Receive News & Ratings for Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC cut its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 16.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 84,425 shares of the companys stock after selling 16,671 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $7,943,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the third quarter worth $27,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the second quarter worth $27,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the third quarter worth $36,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the third quarter worth $37,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 950.0% in the second quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 420 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 380 shares during the period. 79.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. UBS Group downgraded Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and lowered their price target for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Societe Generale raised Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Argus reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $105.40. Insider Activity In other news, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total value of $457,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 102,918 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,412,880.28. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.69, for a total transaction of $181,380.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 9,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $882,050.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was 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 of the companys stock, valued at $9,412,880.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Philip Morris International Stock Down 0.3 % NYSE PM traded down $0.26 during trading on Friday, hitting $93.69. 2,830,146 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,882,910. The company has a market capitalization of $145.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.64. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $87.23 and a 12-month high of $101.92. 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 the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.99 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 116.29%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.39 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.55%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 20th. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 103.59%. About Philip Morris International (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (NYSE:KFS Get Free Report) (TSE:KFS) Director Joseph Stilwell sold 7,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.76, for a total transaction of $63,948.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 648,797 shares in the company, valued at $5,683,461.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Joseph Stilwell also recently made the following trade(s): Get Kingsway Financial Services alerts: On Friday, March 8th, Joseph Stilwell sold 13,095 shares of Kingsway Financial Services stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.84, for a total transaction of $115,759.80. Kingsway Financial Services Price Performance KFS stock opened at $8.38 on Friday. Kingsway Financial Services Inc. has a 52 week low of $6.25 and a 52 week high of $9.48. The firms 50-day moving average is $8.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.58. Institutional Trading of Kingsway Financial Services About Kingsway Financial Services Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Kingsway Financial Services by 17.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 547,719 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,012,000 after purchasing an additional 79,836 shares in the last quarter. Stilwell Value LLC raised its holdings in shares of Kingsway Financial Services by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Stilwell Value LLC now owns 7,391,464 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $40,653,000 after purchasing an additional 172,494 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Kingsway Financial Services by 48.1% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 20,949 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $115,000 after purchasing an additional 6,801 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Kingsway Financial Services by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 400,998 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,286,000 after purchasing an additional 18,183 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Kingsway Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. 68.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) Kingsway Financial Services Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the extended warranty and business services in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator. The Extended Warranty segment markets, sells, and administers vehicle service agreements and related products for new and used automobiles, motorcycles, and ATVs. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kingsway Financial Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kingsway Financial Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the twelve research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $58.18. A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on KBH shares. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of KB Home from $55.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered KB Home from a hold rating to a sell rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $55.00 to $46.00 in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of KB Home from $52.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of KB Home from $57.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on KB Home from $63.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Get KB Home alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on KBH KB Home Trading Down 4.7 % Shares of KB Home stock opened at $66.87 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $62.86 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $55.28. KB Home has a 1-year low of $34.32 and a 1-year high of $70.91. The company has a market cap of $5.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.50, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.73. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 10th. The construction company reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.63 billion. KB Home had a net margin of 9.21% and a return on equity of 15.63%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.47 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that KB Home will post 7.59 EPS for the current fiscal year. KB Home Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.20%. KB Homes dividend payout ratio is currently 11.36%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CAO William R. Hollinger sold 45,471 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.47, for a total transaction of $2,749,631.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 109,981 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,650,551.07. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Jeffrey T. Mezger sold 59,157 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.34, for a total value of $3,569,533.38. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,491,298 shares in the company, valued at approximately $89,984,921.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO William R. Hollinger sold 45,471 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.47, for a total transaction of $2,749,631.37. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 109,981 shares in the company, valued at $6,650,551.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 373,635 shares of company stock worth $22,400,005 in the last three months. 4.44% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On KB Home Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in KB Home by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,306,480 shares of the construction companys stock worth $532,948,000 after acquiring an additional 87,274 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of KB Home by 1.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,970,899 shares of the construction companys stock worth $258,098,000 after buying an additional 108,191 shares during the period. Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its position in KB Home by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 3,980,992 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $113,299,000 after buying an additional 85,582 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of KB Home by 0.3% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,793,847 shares of the construction companys stock worth $112,257,000 after purchasing an additional 7,935 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of KB Home by 93.9% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,526,838 shares of the construction companys stock worth $116,942,000 after buying an additional 1,223,612 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.27% of the companys stock. KB Home Company Profile (Get Free Report KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Knife River (NYSE:KNF Get Free Report) is one of 29 public companies in the Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Knife River to similar businesses based on the strength of its profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation and dividends. Profitability This table compares Knife River and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Knife River alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Knife River 6.46% 15.98% 7.14% Knife River Competitors 20.38% -22.53% 3.80% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Knife River and its competitors, 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 231 1073 1439 13 2.45 Earnings and Valuation Knife River presently has a consensus target price of $72.20, suggesting a potential downside of 5.19%. As a group, Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies have a potential upside of 11.53%. Given Knife Rivers competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Knife River has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. This table compares Knife River and its competitors 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 $2.25 billion $333.07 million 6.28 Knife River has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its competitors. Knife River is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Insider & Institutional Ownership 67.1% of Knife River shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 50.1% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are owned by institutional investors. 7.0% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. 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. Receive News & Ratings for Knife River Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Knife River and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on shares of Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW Free Report) in a report published on Monday, Briefing.com reports. The firm issued an outperform rating and a $128.00 price objective on the specialty retailers stock. A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on LW. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Lamb Weston from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 5th. StockNews.com lowered Lamb Weston from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Lamb Weston in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. They issued an overweight rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Lamb Weston in a report on Thursday, February 1st. They set a buy rating and a $132.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $127.20. Get Lamb Weston alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Lamb Weston Lamb Weston Trading Down 1.6 % LW stock opened at $101.30 on Monday. Lamb Weston has a one year low of $81.25 and a one year high of $117.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The stock has a market cap of $14.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $104.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $99.38. Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 4th. The specialty retailer reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.70 billion. Lamb Weston had a return on equity of 63.19% and a net margin of 17.71%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 35.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.28 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Lamb Weston will post 5.94 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lamb Weston Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LW. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC grew its position in shares of Lamb Weston by 113.4% in the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 303 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Lamb Weston in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Clear Street Markets LLC boosted its holdings in Lamb Weston by 92.5% in the first quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 283 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co purchased a new position in shares of Lamb Weston in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 330.1% during the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 628 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 482 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.77% of the companys stock. About Lamb Weston (Get Free Report) Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. It offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Lamb Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lamb Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lumen Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LUMN Get Free Report)s stock price was down 4.1% on Friday . The company traded as low as $1.51 and last traded at $1.52. Approximately 8,102,960 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 41% from the average daily volume of 13,827,038 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.58. Lumen Technologies Stock Down 4.1 % The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 47.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.15 and a beta of 1.11. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $1.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.48. Get Lumen Technologies alerts: Lumen Technologies (NYSE:LUMN Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The technology company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.11. Lumen Technologies had a positive return on equity of 4.85% and a negative net margin of 70.74%. The company had revenue of $3.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.45 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.43 earnings per share. Lumen Technologiess quarterly revenue was down 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Lumen Technologies, Inc. will post -0.3 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Lumen Technologies Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lumen Technologies In other Lumen Technologies news, Director T Michael Glenn bought 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $1.47 per share, for a total transaction of $73,500.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 272,019 shares of the companys stock, valued at $399,867.93. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . In other news, Director James Fowler acquired 33,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $1.68 per share, for a total transaction of $56,280.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 216,538 shares of the companys stock, valued at $363,783.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, Director T Michael Glenn acquired 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $1.47 per share, with a total value of $73,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 272,019 shares in the company, valued at approximately $399,867.93. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have purchased 113,500 shares of company stock worth $174,780. 0.76% of the stock is owned by company insiders. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its position in shares of Lumen Technologies by 20.6% in the 3rd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 21,698,150 shares of the technology companys stock worth $31,344,000 after acquiring an additional 3,713,167 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lumen Technologies by 137.5% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,085,381 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,961,000 after purchasing an additional 1,207,329 shares during the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its position in shares of Lumen Technologies by 33.2% during the third quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 1,611,863 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,289,000 after buying an additional 401,850 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lumen Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $951,000. Finally, FMR LLC increased its position in shares of Lumen Technologies by 48.0% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,696,850 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,250,000 after purchasing an additional 1,199,520 shares in the last quarter. 69.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Lumen Technologies (Get Free Report) Lumen Technologies, Inc, a facilities-based technology and communications company, provides various integrated products and services to business and residential customers in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Business and Mass Markets. It offers dark fiber, edge cloud services, internet protocol, managed security, software-defined wide area networks, secure access service edge, unified communications and collaboration, and optical wavelengths services; ethernet and VPN data networks services; and legacy services to manage cash flow, including time division multiplexing voice, private line, and other legacy services, as well as sells communication equipment, and IT solutions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lumen Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lumen Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Reverend William J. Barber II gives the keynote address for The Creating Community Summit at the NXTHVN art gallery in New Haven on March 5, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Reverend William J. Barber II gives the keynote address for The Creating Community Summit at the NXTHVN art gallery in New Haven on March 5, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Senator Chris Murphy, center, listens to Reverend William J. Barber II give the keynote address for The Creating Community Summit at the NXTHVN art gallery in New Haven on March 5, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Senator Chris Murphy, center, moderates a panel discussion at The Creating Community Summit at the NXTHVN art gallery in New Haven on March 5, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz speaks at The Creating Community Summit at the NXTHVN art gallery in New Haven on March 5, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN When Victoria Kozar started medical school at the University of Connecticut in August 2020, she would wake up, walk a few feet to her computer and do online school for 12 hours a day, chatting with peers who were just an icon on a screen, she said. She lived alone. That time was probably the lowest for most of my friends and peers, myself included, said Kozar, now 28 and living in Simsbury. Medical professionals, policy makers and community leaders are bringing awareness to the negative impacts of loneliness. While the conversation has gone mainstream, community members have already been working to build social connectedness. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People aged 18 to 22 are one demographic most impacted by social isolation, according to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Adults over the age of 70 are another. When she was a senior in college, Kozar lived rent-free at an assisted living facility for older adults as part of a partnership between Quinnipiac University and Wallingford-based Masonicare, a retirement community. She ended up becoming best friends with a 91-year-old. The sense of change and uncertainty about whats next college students experience can be scary and isolating, Kozar said. She said it mirrors the experience of older adults, including her grandfather. Kozar is now a fourth-year medical student and young adult representative for For All Ages, an organization that works to build intergenerational connection. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People that they love are passing or their friends are getting sick," Kozar said. "They're faced with mortality. And that's a topic that people don't want to talk about. And when you have family that you don't want to come off as a burden to, who do you turn to about those really heavy, deep topics? Social isolation can have serious health effects, officials said. Being lonely is the health equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death, according to a health advisory about the epidemic of loneliness issued by the surgeon general last May. But some people are working to create connections in their local communities. When Caitlin Azar, 31, moved to New Haven last January, she turned to her tried-and-true method for making friends: Bumble BFF, a feature of the dating app Bumble. Once she started making friends on the app, she added them all to a WhatsApp group which now has about 30 people. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When Azar wanted to go to the Renaissance fair last fall, she had other people to dress up with. When her husband was out of town, she hosted a slumber party. They used to have a pub trivia team. Its a friend-making strategy Azar has used elsewhere. In Chicago she started a language-exchange group that grew to a 3,000-person Meetup. She went to a nudist retreat in California with a girl from Bumble BFF, the first and only time they met. Azar has even started a group in the Netherlands, where shes been for the past several months for work, which she said shell pass off to someone when she leaves. She said she's met up with about 100 girls during the years shes used the app and never had a bad experience. When you think of an app for friends, I think most people are just like, Yeah, I can meet someone to hang out with, but you don't really think that you can meet your best friends, Azar said. But genuinely, I've met some of my best friends using it. So it's possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most people spend the majority of their time at home and at school or work. A third place though is another place where people can go to socialize, and it can strengthen a sense of community, according to nonprofit think tank Brookings Institution. Matt Fantastic, co-owner of Elm City Games, said the guiding principle of the board game store has always been making a place that they themselves would want to hang out at. When presented with the option of doing something cooler for the community or the bottom line, Fantastic said, theyre going to choose the cooler thing. Elm City Games keeps its membership price low on purpose to drive membership with fees at $20 for the month or $10 for a day pass, Fantastic said. People play board games and role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons in the store. We want people to treat us as their living room, especially in a city like New Haven where there are so many transplants, so many people that are here for only so long, so many students, Fantastic said. It is very difficult to settle into a new place, but at the same time, New Haven because of that is very welcoming. You just need to find the sort of place and community that you feel speaks for you. Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has made the issue of loneliness prominent in his political agenda, saying social isolation impacts policy by creating negative health outcomes and increases political violence. In December, he introduced a bill with another senator that would provide annual funding to local community organizations for outreach and training to combat social isolation. Murphy recently hosted an event called the Creating Community Summit with panels on how social isolation impacts young adults and how to build vibrant third places and healthy downtowns held at nonprofit arts center NXTHVN in the Dixwell section of New Haven. Faith and social justice leader Bishop William J. Barber II gave a keynote address about how social injustice produces isolation among poor people, Blacks, people with disabilities and other marginalized populations. Barber is co-chair of the Poor Peoples Campaign, former president of the North Carolina NAACP and a professor at the Yale Divinity School. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $16.15. PBR has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $20.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Monday. Bank of America downgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $16.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Friday, March 8th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. Get Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on PBR Institutional Trading of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras Stock Performance Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. MONECO Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras during the 4th quarter worth $1,586,000. SageView Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras during the 4th quarter worth $706,000. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 3,961 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 41.4% in the 4th quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 135,927 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 39,797 shares during the period. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 242.5% in the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 1,091,595 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $17,433,000 after purchasing an additional 772,859 shares during the period. 11.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. PBR stock opened at $14.72 on Friday. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras has a 52-week low of $9.56 and a 52-week high of $17.91. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $16.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.96. 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VerticalScope (TSE:FORA Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by stock analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from C$13.00 to C$14.00 in a research note issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price would suggest a potential upside of 79.72% from the companys current price. FORA has been the subject of several other research reports. CIBC raised shares of VerticalScope from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from C$6.00 to C$9.00 in a report on Friday. Eight Capital increased their target price on VerticalScope from C$7.00 to C$9.00 in a research note on Friday. Cormark boosted their price target on VerticalScope from C$8.25 to C$9.25 in a research note on Friday. TD Securities upgraded VerticalScope from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from C$6.50 to C$7.50 in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on shares of VerticalScope from C$8.00 to C$9.00 in a research report on Thursday. Get VerticalScope alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on FORA VerticalScope Stock Performance VerticalScope Company Profile VerticalScope stock traded up C$1.31 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$7.79. 140,190 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 14,259. VerticalScope has a 52 week low of C$2.64 and a 52 week high of C$8.33. The firm has a market cap of C$143.26 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.37 and a beta of -0.53. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$4.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$5.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 84.95, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.68. (Get Free Report) VerticalScope Holdings Inc, a technology company, operates a cloud-based digital community platform for online enthusiast communities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It provides digital advertising services, including direct advertising campaigns, programmatic advertising, and custom content solutions; and e-commerce solutions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for VerticalScope Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VerticalScope and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 29th, there was short interest totalling 4,540,000 shares, a decrease of 16.1% from the February 14th total of 5,410,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,520,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.0 days. Currently, 2.3% of the companys shares are short sold. OGE Energy Stock Up 0.4 % NYSE:OGE traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $33.55. 562,958 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,494,207. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.73. OGE Energy has a 1 year low of $31.25 and a 1 year high of $39.09. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $33.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.15. Get OGE Energy alerts: OGE Energy (NYSE:OGE Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The utilities provider reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $566.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $986.67 million. OGE Energy had a net margin of 15.59% and a return on equity of 9.37%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.25 earnings per share. Analysts predict that OGE Energy will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year. OGE Energy Cuts Dividend Insider Activity at OGE Energy The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.418 per share. This represents a $1.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.98%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 5th. OGE Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 80.68%. In other OGE Energy news, VP Cristina F. Mcquistion sold 4,187 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.92, for a total transaction of $142,023.04. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 25,926 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $879,409.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.42% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of OGE Energy A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in OGE. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in OGE Energy by 178.1% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 762 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 488 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of OGE Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of OGE Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of OGE Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of OGE Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.99% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH cut shares of OGE Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $36.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. TheStreet cut OGE Energy from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. StockNews.com cut OGE Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Mizuho raised their target price on OGE Energy from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of OGE Energy from $38.00 to $35.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, OGE Energy presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $33.60. Get Our Latest Analysis on OGE Energy About OGE Energy (Get Free Report) OGE Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy services provider in the United States. The company generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy. In addition, it provides retail electric service to approximately 896,000 customers, which covers a service area of approximately 30,000 square miles in Oklahoma and western Arkansas; and owns and operates coal-fired, natural gas-fired, wind-powered, and solar-powered generating assets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for OGE Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OGE Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report released on Tuesday. TFC has been the topic of several other research reports. Odeon Capital Group raised shares of Truist Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $40.45 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Truist Financial from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Truist Financial from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $43.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Truist Financial from $37.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Truist Financial from $34.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Truist Financial has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $39.14. Get Truist Financial alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TFC Truist Financial Stock Down 3.9 % TFC stock opened at $35.03 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $46.75 billion, a PE ratio of -32.44, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.82. Truist Financial has a one year low of $25.56 and a one year high of $38.47. The firms 50 day moving average price is $36.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.98. Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The insurance provider reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.13. Truist Financial had a negative net margin of 3.28% and a positive return on equity of 9.64%. The business had revenue of $5.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Truist Financial will post 3.35 EPS for the current year. Truist Financial Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio is currently -192.59%. Insider Buying and Selling at Truist Financial In related news, Director K. David Jr. Boyer sold 3,764 shares of Truist Financial stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.48, for a total value of $141,074.72. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 16,132 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $604,627.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in Truist Financial during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of Truist Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. West Tower Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Truist Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Operose Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Truist Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co boosted its position in shares of Truist Financial by 227.2% during the 4th quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 854 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 593 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.11% of the companys stock. Truist Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Truist Financial Corporation, a financial services company, provides banking and trust services in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer Banking and Wealth, Corporate and Commercial Banking, and Insurance Holdings. Its deposit products include noninterest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Truist Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Truist Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StrongBox Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Free Report) by 15.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,126 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 430 shares during the quarter. StrongBox Wealth LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $316,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Optimum Investment Advisors increased its position in Novartis by 23.3% in the 4th quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 530 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,488 shares of the companys stock valued at $453,000 after purchasing an additional 354 shares during the last quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 8,355 shares of the companys stock valued at $844,000 after purchasing an additional 804 shares during the last quarter. InTrack Investment Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 57.4% in the 4th quarter. InTrack Investment Management Inc now owns 3,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $374,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,285 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,846,000 after purchasing an additional 435 shares during the last quarter. 7.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Novartis alerts: Novartis Stock Down 1.2 % NVS traded down $1.13 during trading on Friday, hitting $97.00. 902,442 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,428,664. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The businesss 50 day moving average is $103.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $100.04. Novartis AG has a fifty-two week low of $81.80 and a fifty-two week high of $108.78. The stock has a market cap of $205.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.67, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.54. Novartis Increases Dividend Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.64 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $11.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.69 billion. Novartis had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 29.90%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.51 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 7th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th were issued a dividend of $3.7772 per share. This represents a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. This is an increase from Novartiss previous annual dividend of $3.47. Novartiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.26%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. HSBC lowered shares of Novartis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. They set a market perform rating and a $114.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an equal weight rating and a $114.00 target price on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $104.33. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Novartis About Novartis (Free Report) Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. It offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StrongBox Wealth LLC cut its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 0.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 20,872 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 116 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. makes up 2.1% of StrongBox Wealth LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. StrongBox Wealth LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $3,550,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 105,652.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 98,000,567 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,141,876,000 after buying an additional 97,907,897 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 4th quarter valued at $3,894,646,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 15.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 59,049,256 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,918,506,000 after buying an additional 8,088,433 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 42,421,711 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,151,997,000 after buying an additional 4,603,090 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 51.6% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 8,422,975 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,225,037,000 after buying an additional 2,868,091 shares during the period. 68.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: Insider Activity at JPMorgan Chase & Co. In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, CEO Jennifer Piepszak sold 1,649 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $166.59, for a total value of $274,706.91. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 34,467 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,741,857.53. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Ashley Bacon sold 3,368 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $166.73, for a total transaction of $561,546.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 205,461 shares in the company, valued at $34,256,512.53. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Jennifer Piepszak sold 1,649 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $166.59, for a total transaction of $274,706.91. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 34,467 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,741,857.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 845,383 shares of company stock valued at $154,341,636 over the last ninety days. 0.79% of the stock is owned by company insiders. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of NYSE:JPM traded up $1.68 during trading on Friday, reaching $189.65. 5,878,766 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,904,362. The firm has a market capitalization of $546.26 billion, a PE ratio of 11.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.14. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $177.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $160.42. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12-month low of $123.11 and a 12-month high of $191.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.91. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.73 by ($0.69). The business had revenue of $38.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $39.73 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 17.80%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.57 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 15.93 EPS for the current year. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler increased their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $191.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $232.00 to $238.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $177.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $179.11. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on JPM About JPMorgan Chase & Co. (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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. reduced its stake in shares of BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ Free Report) by 1.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 35,138 shares of the companys stock after selling 422 shares during the quarter. BJs Wholesale Club makes up approximately 1.1% of Tealwood Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Tealwood Asset Management Inc.s holdings in BJs Wholesale Club were worth $2,342,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 45.3% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 491 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 23.9% during the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 824 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. raised its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 0.5% during the second quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 32,172 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,027,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 5.9% during the first quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,225 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 5.0% during the first quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 3,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. 98.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get BJ's Wholesale Club alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $70.00 price target (down previously from $73.00) on shares of BJs Wholesale Club in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Gordon Haskett lowered shares of BJs Wholesale Club from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $70.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Roth Mkm reissued a neutral rating and issued a $63.00 price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club in a research report on Monday, November 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $72.53. Insider Activity at BJs Wholesale Club In other BJs Wholesale Club news, Director Christopher J. Baldwin sold 73,062 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.95, for a total transaction of $5,402,934.90. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 173,294 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,815,091.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. BJs Wholesale Club Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BJ traded up $1.76 on Friday, hitting $75.36. The stock had a trading volume of 546,647 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,300,211. BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. has a twelve month low of $60.33 and a twelve month high of $78.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a current ratio of 0.73. The firms 50 day moving average price is $68.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.12. The company has a market capitalization of $10.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.26. BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported $1.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.05. BJs Wholesale Club had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 40.84%. The company had revenue of $5.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.38 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.00 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. will post 3.92 earnings per share for the current year. BJs Wholesale Club Profile (Free Report) BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides perishable, general merchandise, gasoline, coupon books, promotions, and other ancillary services. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. trimmed its position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 2.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,178 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 44 shares during the period. Tealwood Asset Management Inc.s holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $1,805,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 7.2% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,372,006 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,447,721,000 after acquiring an additional 294,558 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 17.2% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,396,928 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $966,451,000 after acquiring an additional 204,507 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 0.5% in the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,074,055 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $846,989,000 after acquiring an additional 5,744 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,054,372 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $829,498,000 after acquiring an additional 27,222 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1.8% in the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 751,855 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $520,163,000 after acquiring an additional 13,063 shares during the last quarter. 71.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently commented on GWW. StockNews.com cut W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 8th. Jefferies Financial Group cut W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $825.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $800.00 to $925.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $809.00 to $907.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Stephens increased their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $775.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, W.W. Grainger currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $886.11. Insider Transactions at W.W. Grainger In other news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,813 shares of the firms 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 transaction, the vice president now owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,756,231.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,122 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $950.22, for a total value of $2,966,586.84. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,664,629.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,813 shares of the firms 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,756,231.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 9.90% of the companys stock. W.W. Grainger Stock Performance GWW stock traded down $2.57 during trading on Friday, reaching $989.12. The stock had a trading volume of 83,148 shares, compared to its average volume of 242,881. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 52 week low of $625.97 and a 52 week high of $1,016.89. The stocks 50 day moving average is $921.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $811.86. The company has a current ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market cap of $48.64 billion, a PE ratio of 27.39, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.14. W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $8.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $7.14 earnings per share. W.W. Graingers revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.22 earnings per share for the current year. W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 12th were issued a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 9th. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is 20.55%. W.W. Grainger Profile (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Trooper Brian North, right, shakes hands with his defense attorney, Frank Riccio, after a jury delivered a verdict of not guilty on all counts in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn. March 15, 2024. North was tried on charges of 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 Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North and wife Carly walk out of Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found North not guilty in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media The family of Mubarak Soulemane walk out of Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North not guilty Friday in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media The family of Mubarak Soulemane walk out of Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., Friday, March 15, 2024. A jury found Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North not guilty Friday in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North, third from right, walks out of Connecticut Superior Court with wife Carly and support team in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found North not guilty in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Cathleen Walsh, of Southbury, a supporter of Connecticut State Trooper Brian North, is moved to tears outside Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North not guilty Friday in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Cathleen Walsh, of Southbury, a supporter of Connecticut State Trooper Brian North, hugs Dina Tantimonaco, of Milford, outside Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North not guilty Friday in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media State Trooper Brian North, center, listens as a jury reads a verdict of not guilty on all counts in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn. March 15, 2024. North was tried on charges of 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, center, stands in Connecticut Superior Court at the start of the third day of jury deliberations for his trial in Milford, Conn. March 15, 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, center, stands in Connecticut Superior Court at the start of the third day of jury deliberations for his trial in Milford, Conn. March 15, 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 Cathleen Walsh, of Southbury, shows her support for Connecticut State Trooper Brian North outside Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. The jury deliberating whether Trooper Brian North, who is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the 2020 shooting death of Mubarak Soulemane, on Friday asked to hear his testimony again. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Frank Riccio, defense attorney for Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North, speaks outside Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found State Police Trooper Brian North not guilty Friday in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Steve Bogan, of Fairfield, holds a sign in support of Mubarak Soulemane outside Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., March 15, 2024. A jury found Connecticut State Police Trooper Brian North not guilty Friday in the January 2020 death of Mubarak Soulemane. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Signs in opposition to Connecticut State Trooper Brian North outside Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., Friday, March 15, 2024. The jury deliberating whether Trooper Brian North, who is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the 2020 shooting death of Mubarak Soulemane, on Friday asked to hear his testimony again. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media MILFORD Connecticut State Trooper Brian North was found not guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Mubarak Soulemane, a six-person jury determined Friday. North was the first law enforcement officer in the state to be charged in a fatal shooting in nearly two decades. He rejected a plea offer in the case calling for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, with a right to argue for less time behind bars. If found guilty, he wouldve faced up to 40 years in prison. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The jury also had the option to convict North of one of two lesser included charges: second-degree manslaughter with a firearm, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years, or criminally negligent homicide, a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year behind bars. The jury, comprised of four men and two women, decided to exonerate the state trooper on all three possible charges. As each of the verdicts was read, North stood completely still between his lawyers in the packed courtroom. In the first row of the gallery behind him, his wife began crying and an audible sigh could be heard from those sitting behind the trooper after the foreperson read the last verdict not guilty for negligent homicide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A victim advocate could be seen rubbing the back of Soulemanes sister on the other side of the room. Soulemanes brother stood up and left after all the verdicts were read aloud. Inspector General Robert Devlin, the lead prosecutor on the case, declined to comment immediately afterward, but released a prepared statement Friday afternoon thanking the jury. While the Office of Inspector General is disappointed with the outcome of the case, the office respects the jurys decision and thanks them for their service," the statement said. After the verdict, Devlin and his second chair in the case, Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Andrew Slitt, could be seen sitting with Omo Mohammed, Soulemanes mother, outside the courtroom, speaking with her and the family attorney, Mark Arons. Advertisement Article continues below this ad North left the courthouse holding his wifes hand shortly after the verdict without speaking to reporters. His attorney, Frank Riccio, said he was happy with the result. We are very happy with the verdict and the result, he said in a brief statement outside the courthouse. Next to him were Jeffrey Ment, his co-counsel in the case, and Andrew Matthews, the executive director of the Connecticut State Police Union. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Riccio noted he couldnt say much because a civil case is still pending. This is definitely not a time for celebration, he added. A young man still lost his life. So, we are happy with the result, we await the civil case and how it resolves, he continued. Other than that, I really cant say anything more. Arons, who is representing the Soulemane family in the civil case, called it a terrible day for everybody concerned. He vowed to move forward with a wrongful death lawsuit, which he said had been put on hold temporarily due to North's criminal trial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With members of Soulemanes family standing behind him, Arons said it was extremely difficult for the family to have to hear the verdict. "They're very disappointed," he said of Soulemane's family. "Heartbroken." We commend the jury for listening to all the evidence, taking it seriously, Arons said. We disagree obviously with the result, but we accept the result. Its a tough nut to swallow because, while we do strenuously disagree with the result, we accept it, he continued. Thats what we have to do, and now the family will move on and decompress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Arons thanked Devlin, Slitt and the rest of his staff for their tremendous work, hard work, putting on this very difficult case. North, who is white, was charged with first-degree manslaughter in April 2022 in the shooting death of Soulemane, a Black man. It was the first time a Connecticut law enforcement officer had been criminally charged with an on-duty, fatal shooting in 17 years. The last officer to face charges was Hartford Police Detective Robert Lawlor, who was acquitted of manslaughter and assault charges in 2009 in the killing of Jashon Bryant. The case against Lawlor was the only instance an officer was charged in 76 police-related deaths that were investigated between 2001 and 2020, according to reports from the Chief States Attorneys Office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The first Connecticut police officer charged with murder for an on-duty incident was Scott Smith in 1999. The New Milford police officer was convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of 27-year-old Franklyn Reid. However, the conviction was overturned and Smith eventually pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and avoided prison. The last officer to be convicted in an on-duty death was Jason Anderson, who was convicted of misconduct with a motor vehicle in 2012 in connection with the June 2009 deaths of two Orange teens in a crash. 'Terrible event' The jury in the North trial began deliberating Wednesday the trials eighth day after closing arguments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In their final summations, attorneys illustrated the competing interpretations of Norths decision to fire seven shots through the drivers side window of a stolen car driven by Soulemane after a chase on Interstate 95 and a crash in West Haven Jan. 15, 2020. On Wednesday morning, a rebuttal expert hired by the state said officers at the scene should have called a tactical pause to allow for a supervisor to provide more guidance. Riccio said his client had no choice because he had an objectively reasonable belief that Robert Rappa, a West Haven police officer who broke the passengers side window of the car, could be in mortal danger from a knife Soulemane was holding. Sadly, what other forces could have been used? he said, arguing his client was doing his job after a reported carjacking with a knife followed by a high-speed pursuit down a busy highway, with a suspect that had not shown one iota of compliance up to that point. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Devlin, noted that North didnt say he thought Rappa or Trooper Joshua Jackson, who was also on the other side of the vehicle, were in danger until he provided a statement a month after the shooting, having reviewed video of the incident with his lawyer and union representative. The night of the shooting, he noted, North told fellow cops he started shooting after Soulemane came to when the window was broken and pulled a knife from his pants. He saw the knife and he fired, Devlin repeated again and again during his closing argument. In this case, weve had too many excuses, too many rationalizations, he said. This young man is dead and he shouldnt be, thats the bottom line. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Riccio said North didnt mention Rappa or Jackson in his initial statements because he was a poor kid in shock after experiencing the most traumatic event of his life. He thinks about this every day, Riccio said. This is a terrible event. Someone lost their life. But the question is, is Trooper North criminally responsible for that? He is not. Devlin, in his closing argument, pointed to a notion, kind of in the shadows of this case, that somehow because of misdeeds in Norwalk or on Interstate 95 that Mubarak Soulemane forfeited the protection of the law at Campbell Avenue. Thats not true, and thats a disturbing assertion, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The prosecutor began his closing by noting the centuries-old tradition of trials by jury, and argued the court system would have dealt with Soulemane fairly. The thing is that court system never got a chance to work because this defendant shot and killed Mubarak Soulemane, Devlin said. The trial began March 4 with Devlin calling family and friends of Soulemane to the stand who recalled the teens issues with mental illness. Prior to the pursuit, the 19-year-old Soulemane, whose family said he suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, acted erratically while armed with a knife at an AT&T store in Norwalk, then assaulted a Lyft driver before stealing his vehicle at a gas station, witnesses testified. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The driver and a Norwalk cop who responded to the scene testified that they pulled guns during the incident, but didnt fire any shots. The officers who were at the scene of the shooting described a chaotic, fast-paced incident, and testified that it wasnt realistic to pause and de-escalate the situation. Jackson and Rappa said they feared for their lives from the danger of Soulemane lunging toward them with the knife. Devlin noted that Soulemane would have had to leap out of the bucket seat of the vehicle, over its center console, and through a broken window to get at them. After the prosecution rested, North took the stand in his defense last Friday, saying he had no choice but to pull the trigger after he saw Rappas head dip below the vehicles roofline and thought the officer was entering the vehicle. I had tunnel vision at that point, he said, describing his emotions as almost like an, Oh, my God, feeling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I felt like I had to act in that moment or the West Haven officer or possibly Trooper Jackson could be killed, he said. 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. Under cross-examination, North, who said throughout his testimony that he relied on his training, admitted 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, who remained calm and composed throughout his testimony, echoed others who testified that they had to respond to a dynamic, evolving event. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The jury also heard from two former cops who testified on behalf of the defense. Brought in as experts, Paul Taylor and James Borden reviewed footage of the incident and concluded North fired his weapon in response to an articulable deadly threat posed by Soulemane. Taylor and Borden were first retained by Michael Gailor, a prosecutor who handled the investigation prior to Devlin. However, Judge H. Gordon Hall limited their testimony to questions mostly about the methods and facts leading up to the gunshots, leaving the ultimate question of whether the trooper was justified up to the jury. Prior to closing arguments, the state brought in its own expert, Darrin Porcher, a professor and former New York City Police lieutenant who said North and other troopers should have taken a tactical pause and called a supervisor to the scene. John Magaldi, 61, was arrested during a sting operation in collaboration with the FBI, according to Meriden police. Meriden Police Department An autopsy has been completed on a Connecticut doctor who police say was found dead days after he resisted arrest when he was caught trying to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl at a Meriden hotel. John Magaldi, 61, was arrested last Friday by Meriden police during an operation assisted by the FBI. According to the police report for his arrest, Magaldi went to the hotel to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl "willing to engage in sexual activity for money." An FBI agent had set up the meeting with Magaldi by posing as the girl's "handler," the report stated. Magaldi was arrested along with two other men during the sting, Meriden police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Magaldi served as Hartford HealthCare's chief of rheumatology at its Bone and Joint Institute and was placed on administrative leave after his arrest. After he was freed on bond, Magaldi was found dead Wednesday morning on White Wood Road near his home in Litchfield, police said. An autopsy was conducted Thursday and determined Magaldi died by suicide, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said. The news of the arrest and death of Dr. John Magaldi is deeply troubling," Hartford HealthCare said in a statement. "We are ensuring all patients will continue to be cared for, and we are providing support for our colleagues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Magaldi's arrest came after he responded to an advertisement posted on a website for sex workers to meet clients, the report said. "Throughout the post, words commonly used by sex predators to identify underage females were used to suggest that the female was not old enough to consent to sexual activity," the report stated. The report contained text messages between Magaldi and the FBI agent who was posing as the girl's handler that indicated she was 15 years old. Magaldi contacted the undercover officers and discussed sexual acts he was interested in, the report said. He requested a half-hour for $100, and was directed to a hotel room in Meriden that authorities were using for the sting operation, the report said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When he walked in, police directed Magaldi to show his hands, the report said. Magaldi "reached down to his pocket and began to resist arrest," the report said. He was then taken into custody and searched. Police found sex toys in his pocket, along with $100 in cash, the report noted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hudson Bay Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Orchid Island Capital, Inc. (NYSE:ORC Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 546,162 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $4,648,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP owned approximately 1.04% of Orchid Island Capital as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Get Orchid Island Capital alerts: Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Orchid Island Capital by 182.3% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,221 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 2,726 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of Orchid Island Capital by 205.3% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,563 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 4,413 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its holdings in shares of Orchid Island Capital by 497.6% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 9,018 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 7,509 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning bought a new stake in shares of Orchid Island Capital in the 4th quarter worth about $107,000. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System bought a new stake in shares of Orchid Island Capital in the 2nd quarter worth about $116,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.47% of the companys stock. Orchid Island Capital Price Performance Shares of NYSE:ORC opened at $8.57 on Friday. Orchid Island Capital, Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.90 and a 12 month high of $11.27. The companys 50-day moving average price is $8.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.15. Orchid Island Capital Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 16.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Orchid Island Capitals dividend payout ratio is currently -175.61%. Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Orchid Island Capital to a sell rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Orchid Island Capital Orchid Island Capital Profile (Free Report) Orchid Island Capital, Inc, a specialty finance company, invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) in the United States. The company's RMBS is backed by single-family residential mortgage loans, referred as Agency RMBS. Its portfolio includes traditional pass-through Agency RMBS, such as mortgage pass through certificates and collateralized mortgage obligations; and structured Agency RMBS comprising interest only securities, inverse interest only securities, and principal only securities. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Orchid Island Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Orchid Island Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Manuel Camacho of Pine Street in the Fair Haven section speaks to the Board of Alders Finance Committee at the first public hearing on the 2024-2025 budget on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Budget Director Michael Gormany discuss the proposed $680.4 million fiscal 2024-2025 budget on March 1, 2024. The budget Elicker presented would increase spending by $17.7 million, or 2.66 percent, increase the number of city housing inspectors and separate the Parks Department from Public Works while increasing parks staff. Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN New Haven residents are looking for action and improvement on quality-of-life issues and are hoping to see that happen through changes in the coming year's budget. The need for affordable housing, a proposal to add housing inspectors, high taxes and maintenance of New Haven's parks were among the major concerns speakers raised at the first of three public hearings on Mayor Justin Elicker's proposed 2024-2025 budget. "Our city has one of the tightest rental markets in the country, and there are too many people leaving because they can't afford the rents and ... don't have enough to buy a house in New Haven," said former Ward 6 Hill/City Point Alder Dolores Colon at the hearing Wednesday night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "My neighbors shouldn't be worried about getting evicted or priced out of their neighborhood because of Yale's growing footprint in New Haven," said Colon, suggesting that at least part of the solution would be for Yale University to do even more to help support the city it's located in. About 80 people turned out for the hearing in City Hall's Board of Alders chamber. More than 20 shared their opinions with the alders' Finance Committee, which will spend the better part of the next three months reviewing Elicker's $680.4 million recommended budget. The proposed budget would increase spending, increase the number of Livable City Initiative housing inspectors and separate the Parks Department from Public Works while increasing parks staff. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The proposed budget figure represents a $17.7 million, or 2.66 percent, increase over the current fiscal year's $662.7 million budget, according to Elicker and Budget Director Michael Gormany. It proposes 31 new full-time positions and two part-time positions paid for by the General Fund, as well as seven full-time grant-funded positions. New Haven currently has 1,409 full-time employees, officials have said. "I know the struggles," said Rebecca Corbett, a member of city's Affordable Housing Commission. "As a single mother on welfare, I found myself homeless years ago." That was before she "found a good union job" and bought a house, said Corbett, a member of the Yale union-affiliated New Haven Rising coalition. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It's clear, we need a long-term commitment from institutions such as Yale so we don't end up right back where we started," she said. Stephanie Fitzgerald, who has lived for more than 40 years on Edgewood Avenue near Edgewood Park, and Rosanne Condon, who has lived for 35 years on Winchester Avenue near Scantlebury Park, both spoke in favor of the Elicker's proposal to separate the Parks Department and Public Works and hire more parks maintenance staff. "I remember when parks were more fully funded than today," said Fitzgerald. "I remember a time when we had seven park rangers. "I fully support remaking the Parks Department into its own department with its own parks director," Fitzgerald said. "We need more staff to improve maintenance of the parks. ... We need a comprehensive plan for the parks, not crisis management, as it is right now," she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Condon said, "I'm really concerned about what's not happening now. We really need a separate, stand-alone parks department." Nan Bartow of Ellsworth Avenue, a longtime leader of Friends of Beaver Ponds Park, said, "We've seen changes in the Parks Department that we're not happy about, especially when the two departments were put together." She's hoping that making the Parks Department its own department again will help. Quinnipiac Avenue resident Hope Vaughn, who is president of one of the city's new tenant unions, spoke in favor of Elicker's proposal to add seven housing inspectors to LCI. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It would help alleviate some of the lag time to getting back to people after inspections," Vaughn said. She said that one time, she "had a mold situation where I literally had mushrooms growing out of my bathroom walls," but LCI didn't have the staff to respond. "It took them over two weeks," Vaughn said. "Ultimately, it left me homeless. I was living on couches" and "racking up points at the hotel," she said. Lyons Street resident Mona Berman was concerned about Elicker's proposed 1.48-mill increase in the tax rate, which she said would come on top of a 35 percent increase she saw last year as a result of revaluation. Elicker has said that even if it goes from the current 37.2 mills to 38.68 mills, New Haven's tax rate would remain lower than Waterbury, Hartford, Bridgeport, Hamden and West Haven. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Birch Drive resident Gary Doyens was concerned about possible tax increases. "I'm here to ask you to have zero tax increases, zero new employees," Doyens said. "We can't afford it." But Hill neighborhood activist Thomasine Shaw thought it was a pretty good budget. "This is a budget that at least appears to have been thought-out, for a change," said Shaw, who lives on Howard Avenue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jessica Stamp, steward of the Blake Street Tenants Union, also spoke in favor of the mayor's request for seven new LCI inspectors. "I would ask that you please make housing a priority," he said. Leslie Blatteau, a Hill resident, New Haven teacher and parent who is president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers, urged the alders to fully fund Superintendent of Schools Madeline Negron's budget request. In addition, "I think we agree that the state of Connecticut should invest more in our city's schools ... and the ultra-wealthy and corporations should pay more," Blatteau said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She also urged the alders to "make sure there's a full-time librarian in every city school." The Finance Committee also heard budget presentations from the City/Town Clerk's Office, the Mayors Office, Registrar of Voters, Fair Rent Commission, Assessor's Office, the Department of Finance, Office of Policy & Grants, the Board of Alders and the Corporation Counsel's office. The second public hearing on the budget will take place on March 21 at 6 p.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a calculated display of military strength, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently participated in military exercises, including driving a new tank model, amidst the conclusion of the annual joint drills between South Korea and the United States. This proactive engagement underscores North Koreas unwavering commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities in the face of perceived threats and regional tensions. Get alerts: Kim Jong Uns Active Participation in Military Exercises Despite the conclusion of the 11-day South Korean-U.S. joint military exercises, Kim Jong Un continues to actively observe and participate in military drills. Viewing these exercises as rehearsals for potential invasions, Kims involvement clearly indicates North Koreas steadfast dedication to maintaining readiness against external threats. Notably, Kims participation in tank drills marks the third instance of his engagement in military activities during the joint exercises, underscoring the regimes emphasis on preparedness and strategic defense planning. The Strategic Significance of North Koreas Latest Tank Model At the center of Kim Jong Uns recent military demonstration is North Koreas latest tank model, hailed as the worlds most powerful. Unveiled during a military parade in 2020, this tank represents a significant technological advancement for the North Korean military. Its deployment in recent drills showcases North Koreas progress in developing and operationalizing cutting-edge military hardware. Implications for Regional Security and Stability The tanks advanced features, including a launch tube for missiles reminiscent of systems utilized by the former Soviet Union in the 1970s, highlight North Koreas ongoing efforts to modernize its military arsenal. Kim Jong Uns praise for the tank underscores the regimes confidence in its military capabilities and determination to maintain a formidable defense posture. Unaware of the potential threat posed by North Koreas latest tank model, South Korean experts express concerns regarding its regional security implications. Analysts, such as Yang Uk from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, acknowledge the tanks capabilities but question its feasibility for mass production. North Koreas deployment of advanced weaponry heightens tensions in the region and underscores the need for continued vigilance and diplomatic efforts to address underlying security concerns. Furthermore, North Koreas emphasis on military exercises and weaponry advancements contribute to the Korean peninsulas overall volatility. As neighboring countries navigate the complexities of regional security dynamics, the development and deployment of sophisticated military hardware by North Korea necessitate a multifaceted approach to mitigating the risk of conflict escalation. Diplomatic Responses and Pathways to De-Escalation In light of heightened tensions and military posturing, diplomatic initiatives play a crucial role in fostering stability and reducing the risk of conflict escalation. Efforts to engage North Korea in constructive dialogue to address security concerns and promote regional cooperation remain essential. Diplomatic channels, including multilateral dialogues and engagement with key stakeholders, offer avenues for de-escalation and conflict resolution on the Korean peninsula. Moreover, sustained diplomatic engagement provides opportunities for building trust and confidence among regional actors, laying the groundwork for peaceful coexistence and long-term stability. As tensions persist, diplomatic efforts must prioritize maintaining open lines of communication and pursuing mutually beneficial outcomes to mitigate the risk of conflict and promote peace in the region. The development and deployment of advanced weaponry by North Korea pose challenges to regional stability. This necessitates continued vigilance and diplomatic efforts to address underlying security concerns. Diplomatic initiatives offer pathways to de-escalation and conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation among regional actors. Pursuing diplomatic solutions remains paramount in promoting peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and beyond as tensions continue to increase. OLD National Bancorp IN lowered its position in Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN Free Report) by 9.8% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 4,437 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 482 shares during the period. OLD National Bancorp INs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $212,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Devon Energy alerts: Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Resources Management Corp CT ADV grew its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 29.0% during the third quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 12,649 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $603,000 after buying an additional 2,840 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC increased its holdings in Devon Energy by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 18,809 shares of the energy companys stock worth $897,000 after purchasing an additional 1,422 shares in the last quarter. Camarda Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Devon Energy by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter. Camarda Financial Advisors LLC now owns 28,720 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,370,000 after purchasing an additional 3,282 shares in the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 2.0% in the third quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 26,413 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,260,000 after purchasing an additional 519 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Spouting Rock Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $301,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.34% of the companys stock. Devon Energy Stock Up 1.0 % DVN opened at $47.87 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $43.38 and a 200 day moving average of $45.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Devon Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $40.47 and a 12 month high of $56.19. The company has a market cap of $30.39 billion, a PE ratio of 8.21, 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 issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The energy company reported $1.41 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.02. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 31.72% and a net margin of 24.56%. The business had revenue of $4.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.88 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.66 EPS. The firms revenue was down 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Devon Energy Co. will post 5.06 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.68%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 15.09%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho dropped their price objective on Devon Energy from $54.00 to $53.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $55.00 price target on shares of Devon Energy in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Devon Energy from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price target for the company from $57.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on Devon Energy from $52.00 to $48.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Devon Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $56.65. Get Our Latest Report on Devon Energy Devon Energy Profile (Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DVN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (OTCMKTS:TLKMF Get Free Report) shares shot up 2.6% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as C$0.26 and last traded at C$0.26. 1,980 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 9,512 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.25. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Price Performance The firms 50-day moving average price is C$0.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.24. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Company Profile (Get Free Report) Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides information and communications technology, and telecommunications network services worldwide. The company operates through mobile, consumer, enterprise, Wholesale and International Business, and Other segments. The Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, value added services, and mobile broadband services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 17.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 860 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc.s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $434,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Keebeck Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 11.6% during the second quarter. Keebeck Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,788 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $5,185,000 after purchasing an additional 1,122 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 24.0% during the second quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 42,045 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $20,209,000 after acquiring an additional 8,144 shares in the last quarter. Ascension Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $216,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the third quarter worth $207,000. Finally, Bartlett & Co. LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 5.7% in the third quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC now owns 164,353 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $82,865,000 after acquiring an additional 8,873 shares during the last quarter. 85.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 0.2 % NYSE:UNH opened at $489.08 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $510.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $517.85. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a one year low of $445.68 and a one year high of $554.70. The company has a market capitalization of $450.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.54. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.98 by $0.18. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.39%. The firm had revenue of $94.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $92.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $5.34 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Monday, March 11th will be paid a $1.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 8th. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.54%. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is currently 31.54%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have issued reports on UNH. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $596.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $605.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $591.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Friday, January 19th. HSBC reissued a reduce rating and issued a $480.00 price target (down from $550.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a buy rating and issued a $675.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $579.33. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on UnitedHealth Group Insiders Place Their Bets In other UnitedHealth Group news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total value of $451,127.82. Following the transaction, 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 SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,236 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $483.48, for a total transaction of $597,581.28. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,364 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,527,306.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was 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 approximately $16,977,233.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. UnitedHealth Group Profile (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,393 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 219 shares during the quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc.s holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $194,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get NextEra Energy alerts: A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Country Trust Bank increased its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% during the third quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp grew its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 59.8% during the third quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 556 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of NextEra Energy in the second quarter worth about $32,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy during the second quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in NextEra Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.48% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have issued reports on NEE. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $74.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. StockNews.com lowered shares of NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, February 19th. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a research report on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $69.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim increased their price target on NextEra Energy from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, NextEra Energy presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $71.85. NextEra Energy Price Performance NEE stock opened at $59.54 on Friday. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $47.15 and a 1 year high of $79.78. The businesss 50-day moving average is $57.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.50. NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 period last year, the firm posted $0.51 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. NextEra Energy Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This is a boost from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 26th. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.46%. NextEra Energys payout ratio is presently 57.06%. 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas Co. (NYSE:MGY Free Report) by 112.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,537 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 813 shares during the quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Magnolia Oil & Gas were worth $35,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Get Magnolia Oil & Gas alerts: Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State of Wyoming raised its holdings in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 38.8% during the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 2,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 713 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 42.4% during the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,608 shares of the companys stock valued at $85,000 after acquiring an additional 1,075 shares in the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 48.7% during the third quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 3,794 shares of the companys stock valued at $87,000 after acquiring an additional 1,242 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 41.4% during the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 4,168 shares of the companys stock valued at $87,000 after acquiring an additional 1,220 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its holdings in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 22.2% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 4,653 shares of the companys stock valued at $110,000 after acquiring an additional 846 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.73% of the companys stock. Magnolia Oil & Gas Trading Down 0.3 % Magnolia Oil & Gas stock opened at $24.02 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.88. Magnolia Oil & Gas Co. has a one year low of $18.72 and a one year high of $24.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.91 billion, a PE ratio of 11.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 2.03. The businesss fifty day moving average is $21.34 and its 200 day moving average is $21.88. Magnolia Oil & Gas Increases Dividend Magnolia Oil & Gas ( NYSE:MGY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by ($0.04). Magnolia Oil & Gas had a net margin of 31.65% and a return on equity of 21.21%. The firm had revenue of $322.63 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $324.95 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Magnolia Oil & Gas Co. will post 1.99 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a $0.13 dividend. This is an increase from Magnolia Oil & Gass previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.16%. Magnolia Oil & Gass dividend payout ratio is currently 25.37%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $30.00 to $29.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $23.00 to $21.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 19th. Citigroup downgraded Magnolia Oil & Gas from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $24.00 to $18.00 in a report on Monday, December 11th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $26.00 to $24.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $25.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on MGY Magnolia Oil & Gas Profile (Free Report) Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids reserves in the United States. Its properties are located primarily in Karnes County and the Giddings area in South Texas principally comprising the Eagle Ford Shale and the Austin Chalk formation. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MGY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Magnolia Oil & Gas Co. (NYSE:MGY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Magnolia Oil & Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magnolia Oil & Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Derry and Strabane Council has approved funding for an arts festival inspired by James Joyces Ulysses, featuring female artists from across Europe. The inaugural YES Festival will take place in Derry and Donegal from 13 to 16 June 2024 and will receive 35,000 from the councils National Event Fund. A report was presented to Council at the Business and Culture Committee on 12 March and Council Officers recommended the approval of the funding application. The YES Festival is the culmination of Ulysses European Odyssey 2022-2024, an international project funded by Creative Europe and the Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland. Female artists from 18 cities across Europe involved in the project will travel to Ireland for the YES Festival to present work in venues and public spaces across Derry~Donegal. The programme will include theatre, dance, visual arts, installations, film, writing and use the novel as the starting point to explore contemporary issues, from migration to the environment and disability to mental well-being. Councillor Rory Farrell proposed they accept the officers' recommendation and approve the funding. I think the Yes Festival is an interesting and exciting proposal. It's a 350,000 programme of events right across the city, which will get us international visitors and international exposure, the SDLP councillor said. But I've got a question about the impact on our cultural grant aid process. I know that they had applied for the headline event fund and were successful. I know that they've applied for the National Event Fund and are likely to be successful subject to ratification at this committee. How does that impact the Headline Events [Fund]? I know some organisations were unsuccessful and didn't get funded. Does that mean that there is scope within that budget to fund other organisations? A Council Officer explained that if this application was successful the funds previously awarded to the festival under the Headline Events Fund would become available to others. Just to be clear in case it wasn't in the report this organisation will not be successful with both funds. It will be either/or. We've made that clear to the organisers, she said. If they're successful in the National Events [Fund], theoretically they can get up to 35,000 but it is subject to their match [funding], so, subject to the conditions that would have been set out in the letter of offer. If their match funding doesn't come in, where we expect it to be, the recommendation there is that it's pro rata. So if that 35,000 drops on a pro-rata basis, if they're successful in this fund, then that will be reallocated into Headline Events Fund and as you know, there's a couple of events sitting in the wings waiting to come in should that budget become available. Sinn Fein Cllr Grace Ui Niallais seconded Cllr Farrell's proposal. Alderman Derek Hussey asked if the event had to include Strabane to meet the Council's criteria. Its definitely an exciting project if it comes to fruition or whatever way it comes to fruition, through whatever fund, the UUP Alderman said. My remarks are in the aftermath of the Strabane Drama Festival not being funded so take it in that context if you wish but 2.3 within the criteria says the event must highlight the district council area as an events and tourism area through high profile. Then I look at 3.2, where the festival will be 'city-wide'. How do those two equate if it's to be a district council event? Within the letter of offer will there be stipulations that this must impact district-wide as well? The Council Officer said any event coming here would serve to benefit both. Well, I think that refers to the city and district council areas as an events and tourism destination. I suppose any event coming here will highlight the overall city and district that's the purpose. It's a one-council approach, the National Events Fund, she said. I'm happy to talk to them about how they're going to look at their programming throughout the city and district. Independent Councillor Paul Gallagher asked about how the estimated number of bed nights, 2585, was reached in the application. The Council Officer said the figure was only an estimate. They put details into their application of the number of bed nights that they estimate they will bring to the city and district into their application. Then we work with them. Usually, Partly it's research what the hoteliers, with Visit Derry, they're asked to provide us with the detail of where their bed nights come from their number of their participants, she said. It's not an exact science, but you take it on the basis of their audience numbers and you overlay that with data that generally comes from Visit Derry and their hotelier's survey. A County Derry seaside town has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK. Portstewart was named as the regional winner in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide. The popular tourist destination was praised for its sandy beach, shops, cafes and interesting cultural scene. The top prize was won by the Scottish seaside town of North Berwick in East Lothian. The comprehensive guide is released online on Friday, with an abridged version to be published as a magazine supplement on Sunday. Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: Wherever you are on the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you. The Sunday Timess judges visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street. Kim Kinnaird, Halifaxs homes and protection director, said: Where you want to live is a very personal decision. We know it can be daunting, whether its deciding where to buy your first home or making a move as your circumstances change. There can be lots to think about around what is right for you and your family. More information about the research is available at www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live. From left; Partners Trevor Arguin, Thomas Mastrangelo, and Norge Mastrangelo,at their Center Street Social bar in Shelton, Conn. on Friday, January 19, 2024. Norge Mastrangelo and son Thomas are going to be contestants on The Blox Show, an entrepreneural competition to air on Prime Video. The longtime downtown eatery also soon will be undergoing a transformation, including new name and menu. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media Owner Norge Mastrangelo at his Center Street Social bar in Shelton, Conn. on Friday, January 19, 2024. Mastrangelo and son Thomas are going to be contestants on The Blox Show, an entrepreneural competition to air on Prime Video. The longtime downtown eatery also soon will be undergoing a transformation, including new name and menu. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media Center Street Social at 127 Center Street in Shelton, Conn. on Friday, January 19, 2024. The longtime downtown eatery will be undergoing a transformation, including new name and menu. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media SHELTON In 2022, Norge Mastrangelo went from being security at Center Street Social to securing ownership of the longtime downtown bar. During his initial months at the helm, he enjoyed strong patronage with the Center Street bar filled most weekends. But as months passed, the bar patronage dropped and profits began to sink. But instead of closing his doors, Mastrangelo welcomed in two new partners, longtime friend Trevor Arguin, who worked security at the bar alongside Mastrangelo for years, and his 19-year-old son Thomas, who began as a dishwasher at Center Street Social and now is a part owner. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "This is a success story we hope succeeds, Mastrangelo said with a laugh. The new partnership comes with a rebranding, starting with the name. Center Street Social will soon become Lost & Found, featuring a new menu with fun, elevated bar food, specialty drinks and a softening of the music, he said. The goal, Arguin says, is to allow for people to sit, enjoy a craft beer or bottle wine, a good meal and some conversation without blasting base tones blocking them out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its time for a change here, said Arguin, whose business experience comes from his 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry. I have come here for years ... I worked here for years with (Norge). We know it is time to try something new. We want to serve the entire community. The trio has brought in experts to help with the rebranding. Work on the menu and drink selection remains ongoing. The interior will see some minor upgrades with painting and new furniture. Mastrangelo said the changes will truly take shape come the end of March. He has already used social media to inform the community that Center Street Social will close its doors for the last time after brunch on March 31. Lost & Found will be unveiled on April 5. Its a fresh start ... we are excited about this, Mastrangelo said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mastrangelo is taking his ownership education even further. He was selected to participate in an upcoming season of The Blox Show, a reality competition show for startup business owners and existing entrepreneurs. The show, which debuted in the summer of 2021 and airs on Facebook, YouTube and Prime Video, serves as a platform to showcase the skills, creativity and resilience of entrepreneurs. Mastroangelo, who will be joined by his son in the competition, was one of 90 selected out of 200,000 applicants. The Mastrangelos will be traveling to Oklahoma for the tapings in June. This is a huge deal for my business, he said, and I will proudly be representing the Town of Shelton. They average 1 to 3 million viewers per episode, so I think this is a great shot to put our town and the business in a great spot to show our potential. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The Blox Show" measures contestants' abilities through a series of exercises, pitches and tests graded with a point system. Throughout a week of filming, contestants live together, exchanging stories and tips for running a successful business. Police have frozen four bank accounts in an investigation into the criminal activities of the West Belfast UDA. The four accounts frozen belonged to one individual and contained a total of 41,428, a police spokesperson said. Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF), assisted by officers from the Police Services Economic Crime Unit, used an Account Freezing Order. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Irelands Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) assisted by officers from the Police Services Economic Crime Unit, have used an Account Freezing Order to freeze four bank accounts pic.twitter.com/hGSId2gVat Police West Belfast (@PSNIBelfastW) March 15, 2024 The move was described as part of an ongoing investigation into the criminal activities of the West Belfast UDA and the accounts will be frozen for an initial period of six months. Police can freeze a bank or building society account where the balances exceed 1,000, and the funds are suspected to be either the proceeds of criminal conduct or intended for use in unlawful conduct. A police spokesperson said: The origins of the frozen money will be subject to an investigation and, if shown to be criminal proceeds, the money will be subject to a forfeiture order. Our investigation continues and we rely upon your support. I would encourage anyone with information on these criminal activities to contact our detectives on 101. HIGHLIGHTS Google has announced an important update to its Safe Browsing feature within Chrome, introducing real-time functionality. With this this new capability, Google expects to stop 25 percent more phishing attempts. Google also introduced new password protections on Chrome for iOS. Cybersecurity attacks are always changing, and catching them quickly is really important. To keep up with the increasing pace of hackers, Google has announced an important update to its Safe Browsing feature within Chrome, introducing real-time functionality. This update involves the system actively checking against Googles server-side list for increased security measures. Additionally, Google has introduced new password protections on Chrome for iOS as another way to help users safely navigate the web. Also read: Google Chrome will now offer more helpful search suggestions, gets 3 new features Lets delve into the new Chrome updates. Real-time protection through Safe Browsing Safe Browsing already keeps over 5 billion devices safe worldwide. It defends against stuff like fake websites, harmful software, and other sneaky things Previously, the Standard protection mode of Safe Browsing only checked if a website or file was dangerous using a list stored on your device. But this list was only updated every 30 to 60 minutes. Google found out that most harmful sites dont last that long usually less than 10 minutes! So now, if youre using Chrome on your desktop or iPhone, the Standard protection mode will check sites against Googles server-side list of known bad sites in real-time. If it thinks a site might be risky, itll give you a warning with more details. By doing this in real-time, Google expects that it can stop 25 percent more phishing attempts. Its worth noting that the new capability uses encryption and other privacy-enhancing techniques to make sure that no one, including Google, knows what website youre visiting. This new capability will also roll out to Android later this month. Also read: Google Chrome to get new generative AI features: Tab Organizer, custom themes & more Password Checkup on iOS also got an update. Now, in addition to flagging compromised passwords, it will flag weak and reused passwords, too. Google Chrome will display an alert whenever it detects an issue with a password youve entered, but you can check your passwords any time by visiting Safety Check in Chrome Settings. HIGHLIGHTS Google Drive has recently been targeted by a surge of spam attacks. Google has issued a warning, urging users to remain cautious and take necessary precautions. Users should not click on any links in the document or approve it. Google Drive, the widely used file storage and synchronisation service, has recently been targeted by a surge of spam attacks. These attacks involve users receiving dubious file approval requests, posing significant risks to their online security. In response to this concern, Google has issued a warning, urging Drive users to remain cautious and take necessary precautions. Also read: Google Chrome will now offer real-time protection with upgraded Safe Browsing: Why it matters? Google Drive is aware of a recent wave of Spam attacks wherein the user receives a request to approve a suspicious file, Google said in a post. Also read: Google Drives new feature lets you lock files easily: Heres how The tech giant said that users can open the file without risk and then report it as abuse and block the user. Google emphasised that users should not click on any links in the document or approve it. In cases where the notification fails to open the file, it indicates that Google has blocked the spam document, but not until after the notification was sent. Google is actively working on improvements to detection to prevent notifications from being sent. Also, the company advises marking any suspicious files as spam or reporting them. Last year, Google introduced a dedicated spam folder within Google Drive to host unwanted files that are shared with you containing spam or abusive content. When an unsolicited file is moved to the spam folder, you will be unsubscribed, preventing all comments, sharing, and mobile push notifications for the file. Once unsubscribed, you will not be able to find the file anywhere in Drive outside of your spam folder. The spam folder in Google Drive aims to enhance security by giving users a way to suppress potentially malicious content to stay safe and distraction free. Once a file has been in the spam folder for over 30 days, it will be permanently deleted from Google Drive. HIGHLIGHTS Google I/O conference sees developers, technologists, and enthusiasts coming together. The word is that AI could grab the most limelight at Google I/O 2024. It is also anticipated that Google could also introduce the highly awaited Google Pixel 8a. As we are a couple of months down into 2024, tech companies are all set to present everything they have worked on in the past year. I am talking about Google I/O, the companys developer conference, which happens annually. The tech company has announced the event date, happening on May 14. Hosted by Google, this event sees developers, technologists, and enthusiasts coming together. The company gives an exclusive insight into its advancements and future technologies across platforms such as Android, Chrome, Google Cloud, and more. Theres still some time and Google is being tight-lipped about what can happen during the event, but the word is that AI could grab the most limelight. Until then, read along to know what we think Google can present during its I/O this year. Also read: Google Gemini AI finally comes to life: Is it going to be a tough time for ChatGPT? 3 announcements we expect at Google I/O 2024 Conference AI to take centre stage at Google I/O First, as I said, AI could be the centre of attention at this years Google I/O. The reason behind this is the fact that Google, like most others, has been playing around with AI for a while. Bard, Googles AI chatbot was turned into Gemini and it could even generate images now. Further, Google Search was also enhanced with AI, so we could see more in that space. Google Pixel 8a In addition to that, it is also anticipated that Google could also introduce the highly awaited Google Pixel 8a during this event. A Google engineer had confirmed the device was really under work sometime back. Also read: Google accidentally confirms Pixel 8a with this battery stats feature Android 15 Lastly, as Android 15 has been under work for a while now, Google could also announce the same during this years I/O. Theres a lot more that can happen in May. Lets wait and see what Google has in store for the year. Stick around for more updates. Nvidia and OpenAI's legal battle over AI data use sparks debate over data supply chain regulation Following the allegations against OpenAI, Nvidia is now also under fire for training its model by using the works of creators without permission. According to Reuters, three American authorsBrian Keene, Abdi Nazemian, and Stewart O'Nan say their novels were used as the training data for Nvidia's NeMo model without their consent. These allegations have emerged as demand for AI training data surges, prompting calls from Stanford University members for the government to consider how to properly regulate the "AI data supply chain," especially the data used to train models. Nvidia vs. novelists Amidst these accusations, Nvidia reportedly removed the works of the authors from its training data several months ago but has yet to respond to the allegations. The class-action lawsuit argues that Nvidia's removal of the data effectively admits to copyright infringement. The authors demand an investigation into whether NeMo's training data infringed on the rights of other Americans over the past three years. Simultaneously, OpenAI, known for its ChatGPT model, is facing a series of copyright lawsuits, including actions filed by The New York Times against both OpenAI and Microsoft, as well as separate lawsuits from other authors. OpenAI has consistently denied these allegations. AI data supply chain In response to these growing concerns, Stanford University's Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute (Stanford HAI) released a white paper in February, urging policymakers to reconsider privacy issues in the AI era. The paper describes the continuous act of data collection as an "AI data supply chain," highlighting that data is the foundation of all AI systems. As AI continues advancing, the demand for training data is expected to exacerbate the competitive stance on data acquisition that has been building for decades. Unregulated data collection violates individual privacy rights and could pose broader societal risks. The Institute recommends changing the default terms of data collection from "opt-out" to "opt-in," to "denormalize" the collection of personal data. Data collectors should also incorporate privacy protections by default. The white paper suggests managing the process of building AI training datasets as a supply chain, with transparency and accountability mechanisms throughout the entire lifecycle of data use. This includes ensuring data sources, obtaining personal consent for using personal data, aligning data use with the original purpose of collection, and providing options to delete data when necessary. Balanced AI regulations Given the varying degrees of regulatory strictness in different regions, some areas experience relatively free and unregulated data collection, posing a challenge to the global development of responsible AI. However, excessive regulation could hinder AI development. The Institute calls for joint investments by the public and private sectors to build ethically compliant data sets, maintaining an open data ecosystem and preventing monopolization by tech giants. The Institute has recently warned of the "industry-academia imbalance" in AI development. Its report shows that in 2022, 32 of the machine learning models originated from the industry, with only three coming from the academic sector. Fei-Fei Li, co-director of the Institute, reiterated the call for increased government investment in public sector AI during her participation in President Biden's State of the Union address, highlighting the urgent need to address this imbalance. Taiwan-Japan Economic Summit galvanizes semiconductor collaboration amidst global trade shifts Experts from key industries and government officials from Japan and Taiwan gathered at the 2024 Taiwan-Japan (Kyushu) Economic and Trade Forum to discuss strengthening collaboration in the semiconductor and innovation sectors. According to statistics from the International Trade Administration of MOEA, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Japan in 2023 totaled US$75.8 billion, experiencing a slight decline of approximately 14% compared to the previous year. Despite this, Japan remains Taiwan's third-largest trading partner and a significant source of foreign investment and technology while Taiwan is Japan's fourth-largest trading partner. Bilateral Trade Dynamics Regarding trade relations between Taiwan and Japan, electronic components, information and audiovisual products, basic metals and their products, and machinery account for the lion's share of exports, totaling 73.7%. Conversely, imports are dominated by electronic components, machinery, chemicals, and basic metals and their products, constituting 63.7% of total imports. Key discussions at the forum included Japan's continued expansion of semiconductor-related investments in Taiwan, aiming to enhance cooperation in semiconductor critical supplies like gallium arsenide(GaAs) and leveraging Japan's expertise in hydrogen energy applications and infrastructure. Statistics from Mizuho Bank highlight a significant shift in Japanese investments in Taiwan, with semiconductor raw materials and equipment dominating the investment landscape in 2022, reaching a record high of USD$1.7 billion. Semiconductor Synergy Kyushu, Japan's "Silicon Island," boasts a robust semiconductor industry cluster, automotive, and stable, competitive green energy, making it a prime destination for overseas semiconductor investments. Kyushu's semiconductor industry has seen significant growth, with approximately 1,000 companies and offices clustered in the region. The semiconductor sector's output, including ICs, comprises about 49% of Japan's market share, with notable contributions from global enterprises such as Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing, Renesas Electronics, and Mitsubishi Electric. The semiconductor industry in Kyushu has witnessed a resurgence since 2013, with IC production reaching a historic high of JPY9.964 trillion in 2022, a 15-year record, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment production reaching JPY5.137 trillion, also an all-time high, representing 20% of Japan's total semiconductor output. To foster further collaboration, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between Kyushu and Taiwanese institutions, such as the Kyushu Semiconductor & Digital Innovation Association and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan, to facilitate joint research and development initiatives. Regional Development and Investment Incentives Kumamoto has rolled out lucrative incentives, particularly aimed at attracting foreign enterprises. Notably, the semiconductor manufacturing sector stands to benefit substantially, with incentive support amounting to approximately 3-5% of the investment made by foreign companies, capped at JPY15 billion. The decision by TSMC to establish a presence in Kumamoto has sparked a flurry of activity, 48 enterprises have confirmed expansion plans, accompanied by a notable uptick in logistics warehouse facilities. Investments by TSMC's Kumamoto plant and the forthcoming second plant spread across Kyushu and Yamaguchi Prefecture are anticipated to surpass JPY20 trillion over the next decade. This trend isn't confined to the semiconductor realm; it's also driving Taiwan's financial sector to establish footholds in Kyushu. Switching gears, Taiwanese companies are diversifying their outward direct investments away from mainland China, surpassing investments in the ASEAN region in 2023. Factors contributing to this shift include rising investment costs, a decelerating Chinese economy, supply chain restructuring, and geopolitical risks. A survey conducted at the Taiwan-Japan Investment Cooperation Forum 2023 shed light on future trends in Taiwan's semiconductor industry. The majority of respondents expressed optimism, with 68% indicating expansion plans. Back-end processes in semiconductor manufacturing are particularly poised for growth, with 59% of respondents foreseeing growth in front-end and back-end processes. Taiwan's economic resilience, with a projected growth of 3.4% this year, outperforming the global average of 2.3%. Notably, Taiwan's exports have consistently ranked in the top three globally over the past three years, experiencing a growth rate exceeding 30% in the past five years, surpassing the global average of 25%. Furthermore, a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham) indicated positive sentiment, with 81% expressing optimism about this year's economy and 92% intending to maintain or increase investments in Taiwan. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Nissan and Honda eye partnership in EV race In a bid to navigate the increasingly competitive landscape of electric vehicle (EV) transition, Japanese automotive titans are showing signs of forging strategic partnerships. Recent reports from prestigious sources like Nikkei and TV Tokyo indicate that Nissan is contemplating a collaboration with Honda in the realm of EVs. This potential alliance between Japan's second and third-largest automakers could herald significant shifts in the global automotive arena. Insiders privy to the matter reveal that Nissan broached the subject of collaboration with Honda during a pivotal board meeting held on March 12, 2024. Following deliberations, the company secured approval to move forward and is now poised to explore formalizing this arrangement through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). While specific details of the collaboration are still under wraps, Nissan is keen on exploring avenues for standardization and joint procurement of critical EV components, such as the drive system (e-Axle), in tandem with Honda. Moreover, joint initiatives in designing and developing EV platforms are on the cards. However, it's important to note that discussions are in nascent stages, with the proposal originating from Nissan's end and Honda yet to commit. Negotiations could encompass battery procurement for EVs and collaborative ventures in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) development. The intensified competition in the EV market, fueled by the rise of industry stalwarts like Tesla and BYD, underscores the urgency for strategic alliances. China's ascendancy in global automotive exports, surpassing Japan in 2023, further accentuates the imperative for Japanese automakers to recalibrate their strategies. Despite Japan's prowess in hybrid technology, the relatively sluggish pace of EV development has prompted a reassessment of strategies. Japanese automakers face stiff competition from Chinese EVs, even in traditional strongholds like Southeast Asia. This, coupled with the gradual erosion of market share for Japanese battery manufacturer Panasonic by Chinese and South Korean rivals, underscores the need for proactive measures. Against this backdrop, Nissan and Honda are contemplating production capacity reductions in China, a response to dwindling sales that have left their manufacturing facilities underutilized. The focus now shifts to optimizing resource management efficiency through integration and bolstering cost competitiveness. As the automotive industry braces for a seismic shift towards electrification, collaboration emerges as a strategic imperative for Japanese automakers navigating this transformative landscape. Indian PC vendors to meet production targets by fiscal 2023 under IT hardware PLI Thanks to a more flexible version of India's incentive policy and an import management system that may restrict computer imports, PC and notebook vendors are reportedly increasing their local production in India. According to the Hindu BusinessLine, sources said most recipients under India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware 2.0 are likely to meet their production targets by the end of fiscal 2024 (April 2023 to March 2024). However, sources said some PC and notebook vendors may begin making products covered by the PLI scheme in 2025. The PLI scheme for IT hardware aims to encourage local production of all-in-one PCs, notebooks, tablets, servers, and ultra-slim form factors. Most of the computers sold in India are imported from overseas, particularly China. India launched the PLI scheme for IT hardware in 2021, which failed to attract investments from global players for various reasons, including a lack of a local ecosystem and India's FTA with Southeast Asia. India revised the PLI scheme in 2023 by increasing the incentive rate and budget outlay and providing a flexible base year for applicants to choose between 2023, 2024, and 2025. In the first iteration of the PLI scheme, 14 companies, including Foxconn and Wistron, were approved. In the revised version, at least 27 companies, including Dell, HP, and Flex, applied for the scheme. An import management system implemented in November was seen as a boost for local production of PCs and notebooks. In November, Intel, which decided to designate India as a separate geography in mid-March, announced a partnership with eight Indian EMS providers to manufacture entry-level notebooks in India by helping these partners set up SMT lines and quality control procedures, as well as offering support for SKD and CKD assembly processes. In January, S. Krishnan, secretary of the Ministry of IT of India, said India needs to reduce costs and set up a supply chain ecosystem to compete globally, adding that India must achieve 40% of local value addition to be resilient. Operation O-RAN: The US plan to neutralize Huawei (and why it will work) The US has a devastating not-secret plan to beat Huawei once and for all. The US and China are fighting for control of the global telecommunications architecture that underlies all mobile communications, including the Internet. Each superpower has selected its prizefighter in the battle for cyberspace. In a contest for the control of the internet, China is backing RAN (Radio Access Network) architecture, the traditional radio element of a cellular network. The US is putting its money behind a low-key emerging architecture called O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network). The reason behind the US O-RAN push is simple. O-RAN will topple Huawei for good. The US is orchestrating a campaign at home and abroad to persuade the world to drop RAN in favor of O-RAN. The move would pull the throne from under Huawei, finally ending the company's reign as the world's biggest telecoms equipment vendor. The Washington Post wrote that US President Biden has appealed to the leaders of India, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia to adopt O-RAN. The campaign is part of a push to persuade countries to say yes to Open RAN and no to Huawei. The US Congress appropriated $500 million for the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund for developing O-RAN technology. The country's Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund, authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), added another $1.5 billion to speed up the process. What on earth is RAN? A Radio Access Network (RAN) is an essential element of telecommunications infrastructure, facilitating the connection of wireless-enabled devices to various segments of a central public or private network. In essence, the RAN functions as the radio portion of a cellular network. Given the importance of RAN infrastructure in the functioning of wireless devices, it's easy to see that control over it equates to control over the internet. A monopoly of such infrastructure is a boon for whoever claims it, and a threat for those who do not. The radio, hardware, and software are proprietary in a conventional RAN setup. This means that most of the equipment originates from a single supplier. In the RAN framework, operators cannot mix radios from one vendor with hardware and software from another vendor when deploying a network. RAN is the status quo of mobile communication networks. The current RAN landscape is dominated by a five-company oligopoly. The dominant players include China's Huawei and ZTE, Scandinavia's Ericsson and Nokia, and South Korea's Samsung. Huawei is the global leader in supplying RAN equipment. This is a headache for the US. Enter O-RAN An Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) is an open-source rendition of the Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure. It facilitates interoperability among cellular network equipment supplied by various vendors. The US O-RAN push is based on the rationale that having multiple suppliers offers an alternative to closed end-to-end systems that depend on Chinese equipment. This could end Huawei's dominance of the market. Huawei as telecoms boogeyman Fears about using Huawei's equipment relate to the belief that the company is an arm of China's ruling communist party which uses it to gather SIGINT or signals intelligence on the country's western adversaries, including the US. In a 2019 interview with Fox News, then US President Donald Trump said, "We don't want [Huawei's] equipment in the United States because they spy on us." Suspicion and opposition against Huawei among Western governments and companies began in earnest in 2012 following a series of cyber-attacks against US companies and Western governments. There was a broad consensus within the US government that the attacks were mounted by China. In 2012, a US congressional committee approved a proposal aimed at identifying and removing technology developed by Chinese telecommunications firms from the U.S. nuclear weapons infrastructure. In the same year, the country's House Intelligence Committee concluded that Huawei and ZTE Inc were national security threats. However, Digitimes analyst Benson Wu suspects that the official reasons the US gives for choosing not to use the Chinese telecom giant's equipment might be disingenuous. He said that the reasons for the effort to flush the ubiquitous Chinese tech out of the US telecoms system might be economic and protectionist rather than purely related to national security concerns, as US politicians often claim. Benson said that Huawei has been used in the US for longer than people think. Security was never an issue when Huawei was providing the infrastructure for 2G and 3G communications, he added. Benson said the argument that the US is preventing Huawei's access to the country for national security reasons does not stand up to reason. Companies from other communist countries such as Vietnam are not subject to similar restrictions, he added. The Huawei killer Benson said that O-RAN originally began as a commercial idea. The technology was coopted by US authorities to remove Huawei and China from the US telecommunications nerve system, he added. Benson said the US hopes to persuade the world to switch from RAN to O-RAN. However the US proposition is not the easiest to sell for various reasons, he added. When it comes to the Huawei question, Benson said that the world's largest vendors such as Nokia and Ericsson find themselves trapped between a rock and a hard place. They are forced to walk a geopolitical tightrope and balance US and Chinese interests. In October 2020 Swedish regulators banned the use of Huawei from its 5G networks. In November of the same year, Ericsson's CEO Borje Ekholm criticized the blanket ban. He argued for a more nuanced response. Sweden should take measures to mitigate risks to its 5G network, he added. In response to the ban, Gao Feng, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said "China urges Sweden to immediately correct the mistake, and meet China halfway and find solutions based on preserving China-Sweden economic and trade cooperation." Ericsson's Q12021 sales in China subsequently tanked. If Sweden did not follow the lead of the US in banning Huawei, Ericsson could have been hit by a limitation on its access to the US market, Benson said. This demonstrates that political and commercial interests are sometimes at odds when it comes to the Huawei question, he added. Benson said the US rip-and-replace strategy is complicated by the invisible hand of the market. Huawei's equipment is significantly cheaper than that of other vendors, he added. The rip-and-replace initiative, implemented in 2020, requires American enterprises to remove telecommunications equipment manufactured by Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. The US warns that equipment from these companies might be exploited by Beijing for espionage purposes and the illicit acquisition of proprietary information. US operators need to find an alternative to fill the equipment void, Benson said. The problem is that the equipment supplied by trusted vendors such as Ericsson and Nokia is much more expensive than Huawei and ZTE's. Not all US operators are as big as AT&T Benson explained. Some operators are much smaller and not so wealthy, he added Benson noted that smaller operators find it difficult to afford alternatives in Huawei's absence. The US government is providing subsidies to companies to help them rip and replace, but they do not come close to the cost-effectiveness of using Huawei's ostracized Chinese tech, he added. Ericsson plays it smart Benson said the US$14 billion open RAN deployment deal between US carrier AT&T Ericsson demonstrated the conflicting motives complicating US efforts to promote O-RAN. AT&T's choice of Ericsson was telling, he added. AT&T's pick of Ericsson for the initial deployment of the carrier's open radio access network (RAN) caused some in the telecom industry to scratch their heads. Ericsson was not regarded as a prominent vendor in the open RAN space and was more associated with the more traditional and financially stable RAN architecture. Ericsson's offering was unique, Benson said. The deal included deploying O-RAN base stations and traditional closed RAN base stations, he added. This model allowed Ericsson to adopt a Janus-like position to the US O-RAN push, Benson explained. Ericsson could play ball with the US government's O-RAN promotion while not appearing to be completely behind it, he added. This is not a cold war Benson said that the China-US telecommunications standoff should not be considered a tech-cold war. In the Cold War there were competing different ideological standards, he added. When it comes to telecommunications, there is only one standard, he said. That standard is the 3GPP he added. The 3GPP consists of seven national or regional telecommunications standards organizations collaborating to develop protocols for mobile telecommunications. The US Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and China's China Communications Standards Association (CCSA) are 3GPP organizational partners. Geopolitical tension manifests in telecommunications as a schism in supple chains, Benson said. Once tensions lead to sanctions on equipment from a certain country, then two distinct supply chains form, he added. No telecom security standards Benson said there are no international standard operating procedures for assessing the security of wireless communication equipment. Without guidelines operators have no way of measuring potential risks, he added. Benson said the O-RAN ALLIANCE is an interesting character in this story. The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a community of mobile network operators, vendors, and research & academic institutions founded by AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, NTT DOCOMO, and Orange in 2018. The organization's mission is to "re-shape the RAN industry towards more intelligent, open, virtualized and fully interoperable mobile networks". Benson said the US effort to promote O-RAN to topple Huawei puts the O-RAN ALLIANCE in an awkward position. Given that the alliance is made of Chinese vendors such as China Mobile, if it is seen to be promoting O-RAN, Chinese vendors could be seen as shooting themselves in the foot, he added. Explaining the dilemma facing the O-RAN ALLIANCE, Benson said, "There are some Chinese equipment vendors in it". "How can they promote this industry to replace their own products?" he asked. Better the devil you know Benson said the US promotion of O-RAN as a solution to fears of built-in backdoors in Huawei's equipment is hypocritical. The US is keenly aware of such threats because it has used similar means to spy on targets, he added. Benson cited the example of the US National Security Agency (NSA)'s PRISM program. PRISM was a system that enabled the US government to gather user data from corporations such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Yahoo, and others. O-RAN can be risky business Benson warned that O-RAN is not without its own security issues. O-RAN equipment is vulnerable to attack, he added. The interoperability and the ability to pick and choose equipment from different vendors could be a blessing and a curse, Benson said. O-RAN's increased cost efficiency could come at the price of a larger attack surface for bad actors who would steal information, he added. Benson explained the security challenge of switching from RAN to O-RAN with a metaphor. A network is like a house, Benson said. "If my house has one window, it's not easy for a burglar to get inside", he said. "If you increase the number of windows then it increases the risk of your house getting broken into", he added. Damned if you RAN, damned if you don't The US argument that O-RAN is safer than using Huawei equipment is paradoxical Benson, said. The choice between RAN and O-RAN architecture means you can either let the Chinese communist party access your personal data via Huawei's equipment, or you can kill Huawei with O-RAN and let everyone hack you, including the US, Benson explained. Benson said he sees a slow but visible telecommunications shift toward O-RAN. However, this shift is not driven by Washington's will, he added. Benson said in the short term, vendors will embrace a half-open half half-closed strategy to the O-RAN issue. This is the approach Ericsson took in its deal with AT&T he added. Telecom operators naturally favor O-RAN because it gives them the freedom to choose whose equipment they use, Benson said. It also allows increased competition and cheaper equipment, he added. Squeezing Huawei with the invisible hand Even if the US successfully uses the "Huawei killer" O-RAN to dispatch the Chinese telecom giant, Washington could only be considered an accomplice. The final nail in Huawei's coffin will be hammered in by the invisible hand of the global telecommunications market, not the long arm of Washington. Stephan Oliveira of Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Shards of broken glass were on the welcome mat at the entrance to New Havens Strange Ways when owner Alex Dakoulas got to the store last Wednesday morning. Welcome mat at New Haven's Strange Ways the morning after the store was burglarized. Strange Ways / contributed Security footage showed that hours earlier someone had smashed the front door, entered the store with a black trash bag, hat, face mask and gloves, and stole thousands of dollars of merchandise and apparel, much of it made by local artists from marginalized communities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The words on the mat feature the eponymous opening lyrics of Nirvanas 1991 single Come as You Are. They reflect, Dakoulas said, the safe and welcoming atmosphere he strives for in the store, especially for members of the LGBTQ community. Alex Dakoulas of Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media "Its become a safe space, in the sense that they can come in and hold hands with their partner, or wear something very identifiable, or be openly trans, and were accepting of that, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Screenshot from surveillance video of a burglary at New Haven's Strange Ways. Strange Ways / contributed New Haven police said they could not comment about the incident, but confirmed there is an active investigation. Surveillance footage Dakoulas sent to Hearst Connecticut Media Group shows a person enter the store around 2 a.m. near the Come as You Are welcome mat and walk up a long ramp decorated with an elongated progress Pride flag, past a wall painted in pink and black geometric shapes with an open-mouthed skull and neon stay strange sign, and begin to stuff shirts and sweaters into a trash bag. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media Strange Ways got its start about 10 years ago as an online shop selling stickers, shirts, patches, pins and other accessory items. Then came a brick-and-mortar storefront in the citys Westville section. A few years ago, it moved to Pitkin Plaza. Dakoulas also owns the Westville General Store. The doors broken glass was cleaned and replaced almost as quickly as it was discovered. Police were called and items were inventoried. Dakoulas said staff at local businesses like G Cafe, Trinity Bar and Blue Orchid reached out to offer support. Other local businesses, like Devils Gear and Ritual Pizza, shared social media posts about the burglary. Some of the people who created the stolen merchandise even offered to replace them for free, Dakoulas said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media I do feel like theres a great sense of community in the Ninth Square business district, he said. We all want this area to succeed. We are all small business and we support each other when we can, so thats been great. But the most support, Dakoulas said, came from his staff, who made sure the store kept running smoothly and patrons felt as welcome as ever. Alex Dakoulas of Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media On the Saturday after the break-in, there were few signs that a violent act had been committed days ago. Even as employees readied to close the store for the night, minutes before 6 p.m., customers entering were greeted from across the store with a bright and chipper Hi! Welcome to Strange Ways. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stephan Oliveira, a 21-year-old student at Yale University, said working at Strange Ways has been more than a job. Its a dream. Oliveira found Strange Ways while in high school in Los Angeles and became a fan of the store, purchasing items and following it on social media. When he got to New Haven after transferring to Yale from a community college in L.A., he jumped at the chance to work at the store. Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media It spoke to the activist in him, he said. There was something punk rock about the store's embrace of counterculture, non-conformist elements mixed with whimsy. Its not rainbow capitalism, Oliveira said, but a space where art, creativity, fashion and social consciousness come together. And, he said, its part of why he loves New Haven. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It just generally made me feel like the city is a welcoming space, he said. This is a space where you are going to be part of New Haven. Even talking to my professors, they know Strange Ways and they know Alex. This place, as its changed locations, has still been a part of what makes New Haven New Haven. Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media To the person who broke in, Oliveira said he offers grace. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For the second consecutive day Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) remains in the top three hospitals in Ireland that have recorded the highest number of admitted patients waiting on trolley beds. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said 34 admitted patients were waiting for beds this morning at LUH, up from 32 yesterday. On Thursday, 14 patients were waiting in the LUH emergency department (ED), while a further 18 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital. Today this had risen to 34 patients on trolley beds, with two fewer patients in LUH ED, but 22 in other wards distributed across the hospital. Nationally, LUH ranked third in terms of overcrowding on Thursday but had jumped to joint second with Cork University Hospital by Friday, with University Hospital Limerick consistently recording the highest number of patients on trolley beds. Commenting on todays figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: Once again we are heading into a bank holiday weekend with an unacceptable amount of patients, particularly young children, being treated on trolleys or chairs. St. Patricks weekend is always a very busy weekend for our members. Our members will be working short in many hospitals this weekend as so many patient-facing roles remain vacant. Nurses and midwives are now dealing with very real risks to patient and staff safety when roles continue to remain unfilled because of the moratorium. The INMO has made clear to HSE and Government the very real impacts the recruitment moratorium is having on our members and the patients they are trying their best to provide safe care to. They must now reverse their continued position that is leading to staff and patient safety being compromised. In a statement Saolta had already confirmed yesterday: "The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital has experienced very high levels of attendances this week and there is significant pressure on bed availability. "Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity." They also offered an apology to all those affected. Budding young farmer and star of The Late Late Toy Show Sheamie Garrihy has joined forces with Irelands best value supermarket retailer Lidl to officially open The Lidl Farm for the 2024 school season. Located at Lidls Regional Distribution Centre in Newbridge, County Kildare, Lidl was the first Irish retailer to launch a free farm experience where school children can trace the farm to fork story, beginning with the soil, through an outdoor classroom experience. Speaking at The Lidl Farm launch, Clare-native Sheamie Garrihy said: Ive had a great day at The Lidl Farm in County Kildare. It was interesting to learn about the farm to fork experience, seeing how the vegetables on our plate are planted and harvested on the farm. The Lidl Farm also has cows and sheep throughout the year so students can learn about livestock farming. While Id know my way around a farm, I wouldnt know how everything is stored in the warehouse and how it gets delivered to Lidl stores so the train ride through the warehouse was a highlight for me. Thanks to Lidl for having me and, when you go to the farm yourself, tell them Sheamie sent you. Since its launch in October 2022, the Lidl Farm has welcomed more than 4,000 school children and 400 teachers from primary schools across the length and breadth of Ireland. Developed with The Lidl Farms official education partner Agri Aware and key supplier Meade Farm, this unique experience set across 8.5 acres of farmland is completely free and provides students with an insight into how many everyday products grown and harvested locally by Lidls network of Irish suppliers make their way from the farm to the shelves of their local Lidl store. Led by Agri Awares Education Officers, students participate in a combination of hands-on activities and discussions, seeing first-hand how crops are grown and learning the best practice of livestock farming. Each educational experience ends with a train ride through Lidl Regional Distribution Centre where students learn about the retailers quality check process and how fruit and vegetables are stored to ensure that produce is fresh when it arrives to a Lidl store. Commenting on the success of The Lidl Farm, Agri Aware Chairman, Shay Galvin said: The Agri Aware partnership with The Lidl Farm is brimming with positivity for agriculture, giving school children firsthand learning about where their food comes from. More than 4,000 school children have come through The Lidl Farm gates with great enthusiasm, ready to learn about the Farm to Fork experience. School tours at The Lidl Farm are completely free, with schools only needing to cover their own transport costs to get there, making this an affordable school trip which has been welcome news for many schools and parents. Lidl Ireland launched its innovative Farm Experience in 2022 as part of its overarching A Better Tomorrow Sustainability Strategy and is the only supermarket retailer in the country to provide this hands-on farm-to-fork educational programme which has been guided by the SESE curriculum. Tours run on The Lidl Farm twice a year - from March to June, and from September to October. To learn more and for schools to register an interest in visiting, please visit thelidlfarm.abettertomorrow-lidl.ie. US vice-president Kamala Harris has praised Leo Varadkar as a global leader who has been an extraordinary role model, during a St Patricks Day event in Washington DC. The Irish premier in turn praised Ms Harris as courageous for recent comments in which she called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The pair had a breakfast meeting at the vice-presidents official residence on Friday morning, ahead of Mr Varadkars high-profile White House talks with US President Joe Biden. Ms Harris praised the Taoiseach for leading by example and housing a Ukrainian refugee from Kyiv in his home. Under your leadership, Ireland has hosted one of the highest per capita populations of Ukrainian refugees, a testament to the generosity and the compassion of the Irish people, she said. Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar was courageous in the fight for womens reproductive freedom and praised him for being the first Taoiseach to attend the Munich Security Conference, which the US vice-president also attended. She said: On a personal note, Taoiseach, you have been an extraordinary role model for people all around the world as one of the only openly LGBT leaders in history, and you so graciously talked last year here about the work that you and I have done to support and fight for the rights of (the LGBT community). Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar had also worked in the early part of his career to strengthen the ties with the Irish diaspora. America has, of course, served as a place of hope for millions of Irish immigrants and their descendants, including those who have held the highest offices in our land, and currently, of course, our president, Joe Biden, she said. In response, Mr Varadkar said he understands the difficulties of being deputy leader of a country, and added he finds being the leader a little bit easier. Mr Varadkar explained how he went from Taoiseach, or Irish prime minister, to Tanaiste, or deputy prime minister, to return to the role of Taoiseach at the end of 2022. Im not going to lie, I know which one I prefer, he said, prompting laughs from those present. I do even find it a little bit easier, even when its hard. He said the best vice-presidents are the trailblazers who spoke from the heart. He added: I believe you, madam vice-president, showed great courage and leadership in recent weeks, when you spoke publicly in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza. Im sure it cant have been easy, but it was the right thing to do and your words echoed all over the world. Ms Harriss husband Doug Emhoff and Mr Varadkars partner Matt Barrett were also present at the event at the US Naval Observatory. US vice president Kamala Harris has told Irish premier Leo Varadkar that she and her husband consider him and his partner their new couple friends. Ms Harris praised Mr Varadkar as a global leader, who has been an extraordinary role model, during a St Patricks Day event in Washington DC. The Irish premier in turn praised Ms Harris as courageous for recent comments in which she called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The pair had a breakfast meeting at the vice-presidents official residence on Friday morning, ahead of Mr Varadkars high-profile White House talks with President Joe Biden. Mr Varadkars partner Matt Barrett and Ms Harris husband Doug Emhoff were also in attendance. She told Mr Varadkar: Doug and I decided last year that youre our new couple friends. Ms Harris praised the Taoiseach for leading by example and housing a Ukrainian refugee from Kyiv in his home. Under your leadership, Ireland has hosted one of the highest per capita populations of Ukrainian refugees, a testament to the generosity and the compassion of the Irish people, she said. Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar was courageous in the fight for womens reproductive freedom and praised him for being the first Taoiseach to attend the Munich Security Conference, which the US vice president also attended. She said: On a personal note, Taoiseach, you have been an extraordinary role model for people all around the world as one of the only openly LGBT leaders in history, and you so graciously talked last year here about the work that you and I have done to support and fight for the rights of (the LGBT community). Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar had also worked in the early part of his career to strengthen the ties with the Irish diaspora. America has, of course, served as a place of hope for millions of Irish immigrants and their descendants, including those who have held the highest offices in our land, and currently, of course, our president, Joe Biden, she said. In response, Mr Varadkar said he understands the difficulties of being deputy leader of a country, and added he finds being the leader a little bit easier. Mr Varadkar explained how he went from Taoiseach, or Irish prime minister, to Tanaiste, or deputy prime minister, before returning to the role of Taoiseach at the end of 2022. Im not going to lie, I know which one I prefer, he said, prompting laughs from those present. I do even find it a little bit easier, even when its hard. He said the best vice presidents are the trailblazers who spoke from the heart. He added: I believe you, madam vice president, showed great courage and leadership in recent weeks, when you spoke publicly in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza. Im sure it cant have been easy but it was the right thing to do and your words echoed all over the world. We Are China Singapore Airlines transports nearly 2 mln passengers in February Xinhua) 15:51, March 15, 2024 SINGAPORE, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Airlines transported 1.99 million passengers in February, up 29.7 percent year-on-year, according to the operating statistics revealed Friday. The low-cost airline Scoot within the same group recorded over 1.06 million passengers in February, a year-on-year growth of 25.6 percent. The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group attributed the significant passenger traffic growth to a boosted demand during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday season. The cargo carriage also increased by 12.9 percent year-on-year in February on the back of robust e-commerce flows, said the SIA Group. The SIA Group's passenger network covered 121 destinations in 35 countries and regions by the end of February. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Xian Jiangnan) Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. The hearing is to determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the case because of a relationship with Nathan Wade, special prosecutor she hired in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. Alex Slitz/AP FILE- Special prosecutor Nathan Wade looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. A progressive Democrat and a Republican who briefly worked in Donald Trump's administration entered the Fulton County district attorney's race Friday, March 8, 2024, as the current officeholder, Fani Willis, awaits a judge's decision on whether she will be removed from the Georgia election interference case against the former president because of a relationship with Wade. Alex Slitz/AP FILE- Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides over a hearing is to determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the case because of a relationship with Nathan Wade, special prosecutor she hired in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. Scott McAfee, who's presiding over the election interference case, drew two challengers Friday, March 8, 2024, for his nonpartisan race in May: civil rights attorney Robert Patillo and Tiffani Johnson, a staff attorney for another Fulton County judge. Alex Slitz/AP ATLANTA (AP) Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can prosecute Donald Trump on charges that he interfered with Georgia's 2020 election now that a special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship has withdrawn from the case. But the long-term impacts of allegations of impropriety that have roiled the case for weeks remain to be seen, with Trump and his allies certain to continue to attack the legitimacy of the prosecution against the former president and 18 others. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled Friday that Willis could stay if special prosecutor Nathan Wade left. That was a partial victory for Willis, whom defense attorneys had pushed to have removed from the case over her relationship Wade. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the judge also rebuked Willis for her tremendous lapse in judgment and questioned the truthfulness of Wade's and her testimony about the timing of their relationship. It's an extraordinary decision in a case that in recent weeks has taken on a soap opera atmosphere as the prosecutors who pledged to hold Trump accountable had their own personal lives thrust into the spotlight. Here are some major takeaways from the judge's ruling: Advertisement Article continues below this ad ____ THE JUDGE PUT THE BALL IN WILLIS' COURT The judge's ruling threw it to Willis to decide whether she and her entire office would step aside or whether Wade would withdraw from the case. The judge said the prosecution couldn't move forward until one of those two actions was taken. Several hours after the ruling came down, Wade offered his resignation and Willis accepted it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If Willis had instead opted to step aside, the case would have been referred to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council a nonpartisan association of Georgia district attorneys to be assigned to a different prosecutor. That could have upended the entire prosecution. Another prosecutor could have continued on the track that Willis has taken, could have chosen to pursue only some charges or could have dropped the case altogether. FINANCIAL CONCERNS The defense attorney who first revealed the romantic relationship, Ashleigh Merchant, alleged that Willis paid Wade large sums for his work and then improperly benefited from the prosecution of the case when Wade used his earnings to pay for vacations for the two of them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Willis and Wade argued that the district attorney received no financial benefit from the relationship and that she either paid for things herself or used cash to reimburse Wade for travel expenses. Judge McAfee called it concerning that there were no documents to corroborate Willis' claim that she paid Wade back. But he said Willis' testimony withstood direct contradiction and was corroborated by other evidence, including her purchase of a flight for two in 2022. That led the judge to conclude that the claim was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable. The judge said there was no way no know for sure that Willis and Wade's expenses were split evenly and Willis may well have received a net benefit of several hundred dollars. But, McAfee said the defendants didn't provide sufficient evidence to prove that Willis financially benefited from hiring Wade. Furthermore, McAfee concluded that enriching herself through her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor in Willis' decision to bring the case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The judge noted that Willis was not financially destitute throughout this time or in any great need, but was making more than $200,000 per year. He also said there was no indication she was trying to prolong the case to rake in more money, noting that prosecutors had initially wanted the case to go to trial less than six months after they brought the indictment. WILLIS PUBLIC STATEMENTS Attorneys for Trump and others said Willis public statements about the case veered into the realm of misconduct, saying she expressed her belief in the guilt of the defendants. McAfee noted that he had to consider whether the remarks were part of a calculated plan to prejudice the defendants in the minds of future jurors. He said the comments must be egregiously improper to justify disqualification. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The judge found that statements Willis made describing the charges in the indictment, her offices conviction rates and personal anecdotes were not disqualifying. That extended to her unorthodox decision to speak on the record to authors of a book about the special grand jury investigation that preceded the indictment, he wrote. A speech she gave at a historic Black church in Atlanta less than a week after the allegations of her relationship with Wade surfaced was a different matter, the judge wrote. Willis complained in those remarks that people had questioned her decision to hire Wade and questioned his qualifications, seeming to suggest the criticism arose from the fact that she and Wade are Black. McAfee noted that the speech did not mention any defendant by name and did not address the merits of the charges in the case or disclose any sensitive or confidential evidence. He said he didnt find that it crossed the line to the point that the defendants couldnt have a fair trial. But it was still legally improper, he wrote. Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He noted that it may well be time for an order preventing prosecutors from mentioning a case in public to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity, but he said that was not the issue currently before him. McAfee has recently made his own public statements about the case. He said in an interview on WSB Radio last week that hed had a rough draft of his ruling ready before he knew that anyone planned to challenge him in a May election and that the result is not going to change because of politics. When a WSB-TV reporter snagged him on the sidelines of a Rotary Club lunch Thursday, McAfee said the ruling would be out Friday and that no ruling of mine is ever going to be based on politics. McAfee was appointed to his seat by Georgia's Republican governor and faces two challengers in a May election. The race is nonpartisan, but Fulton County is a Democratic stronghold. Advertisement Article continues below this ad LACK OF CANDOR Wade was questioned on the stand about statements he had made in his divorce case that he hadnt been romantically involved with anyone other than his wife during their marriage. His patently unpersuasive explanation for those inaccuracies indicates a willingness on his part to wrongly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney, McAfee wrote. McAfee also found himself unable to determine the answer to a central question in the evidentiary hearing: whether Willis and Wade began their romantic relationship before she hired him. Neither side provided sufficient evidence to make a conclusive determination, he wrote. But he said, an odor of mendacity remains. He wrote that reasonable questions about whether Willis and Wade testified truthfully about that timing further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ____ After a busy week of really successful events, Local Enterprise Office Louth concluded Local Enterprise Week with the Louth Enterprise Awards last Friday. This celebration of enterprise and entrepreneurship across the county brought together business owners, mentors, support agencies and representative bodies. The event was hosted by Local Enterprise Office Louth and Louth County Council and was, as always, the highlight of Local Enterprise Week. The event commenced with an opening address by the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Paula Butterly. The awards ceremony was presided over by journalist and broadcaster Alison Comyn, featuring a headline interview with entrepreneur Edel Treanor of Mullan Lighting. Edel offered valuable insights on expanding a business internationally, balancing personal and professional development, and the importance of innovation to remain competitive. Following this, Alison proceeded to announce and interview the winners of this years awards. The Best Start-Up Award was won by Donal Quinn of ENSO Initiatives. Donal has developed a unique platform to specifically help small businesses, who cannot afford specialist teams and consultants, to develop, implement, track, and communicate their sustainability plans. Above: Winner of the Best Start-Up Award, Donal Quinn of Enso Initiatives Limited, pictured with Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr. Paula Butterly and LEO Louth's Pamela Kerr. Image - Jenny Callanan Photography Frank Clarke of Omuu was named winner of the Innovation Award. Frank has developed an innovative insect based veterinary dog food. The product is designed to help dogs from nose to tail with each ingredient perfectly chosen to serve a unique nutritional purpose. It helps dogs with allergies, dental disease, gastrointestinal problems, kidney disease, and arthritis. This sustainable, unique product meets the needs of the market and is underpinned by strong environmental values and actions. Above: Winner of the Innovation Award, Frank Clarke, Omuu Limited, with Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Paula Butterly and LEO Louth's Pamela Kerr. Image - Jenny Callanan Photography The award for Best Established Business was presented to David Kieran of ZOMA. Established back in 2017 as a marketing, branding and web development agency, the company has evolved to offer 3D and Augmented Reality services. Employing 8 full time staff, the business has seen significant growth in demand for its services since early 2020 and has recently launched a new online ordering platform for food service businesses that aims to be a major disruptor in the online food ordering sector. Above: Winner of the Best Established Business Award, David Kierans, Zoma Creative Marketing and Web Design, with Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr. Paula Butterly and LEO Louth's Pamela Kerr. Image - Jenny Callanan Photography The highpoint of the ceremony was the announcement of ZOMA as the overall winner of the Louth Enterprise Awards 2024. David Kieran will now represent Louth at the National Enterprise Awards finals at The Mansion House, Dublin, in May. Sarah Mallon, the Coordinator of Local Enterprise Week for Louth, wrapped up the event by emphasising the vital role of enterprise in Louth's economy: Local Enterprise Office Louth provides a superb range of supports to SMEs in the county to drive growth and job creation. Explore these services and identify the ones that will help your business to grow and thrive by visiting www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Louth/ReadyTo, and then talk our team. Local Enterprise Week may have come to an end for another year, but we are here for you all year round. The Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) are hosting a Spring concert, featuring performances by students on the Music and Musical Theatre programmes on Thursday 21 March at 7pm in the Fr McNally Recital Room, Carroll Building. The repertoire for the concert will feature a mix of choral, Irish traditional music and musical theatre favourites. Final year students on the BA (Hons) Music will perform a mix of traditional tunes and songs, including a homage to Dundalks own The Mary Wallopers. The group includes award-winning country music star Gavin Gribben and Jessica Muldrew, who recently starred in the production Brigid, Lady of Light in An Tain Arts Centre. Students on the BA Musical Theatre will perform selections from Mean Girls, Sweeney Todd and Spamalot. This exciting new programme is building towards their first major production in 2025. The choir, which brings together students from across the Department, will perform arrangements of popular songs including Lean On Me, Killing Me Softly and La La Land. They have been working on a variety of projects with students in music production this semester and are looking forward to performing live for this event. The Spring concert is one of the highlights of the second semester activities and students say they are really looking forward to sharing their musical learning journey. For more information and bookings email creativearts@dkit.ie or telephone 0429370280. 16 students from Louth were among a total of 626 first-year students from Ireland and overseas who received prestigious Entrance Exhibition Awards for the 2023/4 academic year from Trinity College Dublin. The awards go to students accepted into the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent). The 16 Louth students are: Sophie Alwright - Drogheda Grammar School Ava Plunkett - St Vincent's Secondary School, Dundalk Dalin Mariya Sagy, Emily Davis - Sacred Heart School, Sunnyside, Drogheda Oisin Murphy - Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer Daniel O Neill - St Mary`S Diocesan School,Beamore Road, Drogheda Grainne Conlon - St Marys College,Dundalk Finnegan Clancy - St Olivers Community College,Rathmullen, Drogheda Eoghan Sayers - Christian Brothers,St Josephs Secondary School, Drogheda Conall Mullins Shortt - Colaiste Ris, Dundalk Sarah Dunne - St Louis Secondary School Conor Reilly - Dundalk Grammar School Renars Ozolins - Community School, Ardee Sean Havern - De La Salle Secondary School, Dundalk Clodagh King - Our Ladys College,Greenhills,Drogheda Many former awardees have gone on to make a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond. The students come from 445 different schools and from all 32 counties on the island of Ireland as well as 28 countries overseas. The awards were delivered at three ceremonies at Trinity, to which the students and their school principals were invited. Provost of Trinity Dr Linda Doyle said: The Entrance Exhibition Awards are our way of recognising these fantastic students and acknowledging the huge effort they put into their Leaving Certificate exams. I am really honoured that they have chosen Trinity College Dublin for this next step of their education. "This years award recipients are now in the First Year of their studies and I hope they are finding their studies enjoyable and rewarding, and enjoying the huge variety of clubs and societies in Trinity. Our Entrance Exhibition Awards programme includes a special event for school principals, and I want to really acknowledge the amazing work of principals, teachers and school staff who are so dedicated in making sure that students achieve their full potential. Students who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school with at least 500 points in the Leaving Certificate (or its equivalent EU/EEA second-level final examinations) are eligible for an Entrance Exhibition Award. This includes bonus points for Mathematics. When more than one student from a school gets the same high points, all receive an award. Awardees received a certificate and a 150 book token. Families are invited to embark on an enchanting, augmented reality journey in Carlingford this St Patrick's Day, to find a gang of friendly but mischievous leprechauns, the Carlichauns, with the launch of the magical Carlichauns Adventure Trail. This St Patricks Day, families are invited to step into a free location-based AR app - the Carlichauns Adventure Trail. This new immersive experience will see the little heroes, known as the Carlichauns, virtually hide amongst the festivities of the day and they need your help to grant wishes to children all over the world. From the Cooley Peninsula and the shores of Carlingford Lough come the Little Heroes from the Land of the Legends, called the Carlichauns Hazel, Riley, Dara, Zara and Big Green. People heading to SKYPARK in Carlingford will be transported to the captivating Carlichaun Kingdom through a free immersive AR app. Be swept along by mysterious adventures and endless fun as you use your phone or tablet to search for the Carlichauns. For anyone managing to catch them there, are special prizes to be won, including a bar of gold! To download the Carlichauns Adventure Trail App visit the App Store or Google Play and share your adventures #Carlicahuns. A modern embodiment of Irish folklore, the magical Carlichauns grant important wishes from kids around the world via secret portals from Carlingford Lough. Each Carlichaun character has their own special superpower, collectively making them a fearless force along the Carlichauns Adventure Trail, with plenty of mystery, magical and laughs too. From Irelands Last Leprechaun Whisperer, Kevin Woods, the Carlichauns are the re-imagining of centuries-old tales. Kevin said: Its been my ambition to build a legacy for the myth and legend you can find in Carlingford and bring it to a worldwide audience. And the Carlichauns are doing just that, ensuring this element of Irish folklore continues for generations to come. Weve always been a nation of storytellers, now the Carlichauns will be telling our tales, sharing our magic and inviting people from around the world to immerse in our legends. I know the leprechauns of Ireland approve theyve told me. Follow the Carlichauns on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Visit carlichauns.com to follow the Carlichauns journey and see whats next for this formidable gang. Motorists will feel the pinch in their pocket again this year with petrol and diesel prices expected to rise on four separate occasions. The changes will add around 12c to a litre of diesel and 15c to the cost of a litre of petrol. It comes amid claims the Government are "punishing" drivers. After Budget intervention halted excise hikes, motorists got a slight reprieve as prices stalled after surpassing 2 per litre. However, Leo Varadkar has now said there are no plans this year to stop planned excise hikes. They were temporary and there to reflect the fact that petrol and diesel prices had exceeded 2 a litre at one stage so Minister McGrath set out in the Budget how those excise duty cuts would end, and there is no change to that and it will be as it was set out in the Budget, Mr Varadkar said after jetting off to Washington to meet US President Joe Biden for St Patrick's Day. 5c on the price of petrol and 4c on diesel will be added at the end of April while prices will rise again in August, October and next January - four hikes within a year. The overall price difference is expected to be 15c on a litre of petrol and 12c on a litre of diesel. Michael Kilcoyne, chair of the Consumers Association of Ireland said the hikes are "just punishing motorists" and increasing the cost of living. He noted that fuel prices impact the price of other goods and services. He has said Minister for Finance Michael McGrath should postpone the next two fuel price hikes. The jury at the Stardust inquest have started hearing a summary of some of the key evidence outlined in the almost year-long inquiry into the deaths of 48 people who died in the blaze. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane is providing a summary of witness evidence at the inquest, which is being held at Dublin District Coroners Court on the grounds of the Rotunda Hospital. As the inquest draws close to the end, the jury has been reminded of details given by witnesses of the fire, including door and bar staff, as well as the former manager of the Stardust, Eamon Butterly. The inquest into the deaths began in April of last year and has heard evidence from 373 people. Dr Cullinane will address the jury for a number of days before it retires to deliberate and come back with a verdict. The fire in Artane in north Dublin broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day in 1981. The new inquest, which is the longest ever held in Ireland, is coming to an end following months of evidence. Dr Cullinane told the jury that they have heard evidence from witnesses across 95 days, and that they have shown great commitment throughout the stressful and vast proceedings. Dr Cullinane also said that it is their responsibility to consider all the evidence and return a verdict. She said she would instruct the jury on the law that applies to their deliberations. Dr Cullinane also said that the jurors were the arbiters of the facts, and that she would go through the verdicts that are available for them to return. The jurors were also told by the coroner that she would go through a list of questions or issues she prepared that will help structure their findings. She said they should approach their task in an objective manner and that they will have heard discrepancies and conflicting evidence from different witnesses, but it is up to them to accept or reject it. She also told the inquest that they heard evidence from 373 people, including three forensic pathologists and three fire experts. On Friday morning, Dr Cullinane went through the evidence related to planning and design, which included statements from people relating to events in the years and months leading up to the fire. Dr Cullinane is summarising the evidence from a number of architects, engineers, building surveyors and electrical inspectors as well as evidence from a salesman from a floor covering company which supplied carpet tiles that were used on the walls of the premises. She is also providing a summary from Mr Butterly, who sat in the witness box for eight days last year. The jury was also reminded how an insurer visited the Stardust venue months before the fire and refused to provide an insurance quote for fire cover, and how the use of carpet tiles on the walls was the most significant contributor to the spread of the fire. The jury also heard again how there were a number of incidents leading up to the fire, including possible electrical issues, sightings of smoke in the premises by staff as well as complaints in relation to blocked doors and exit pathways. The inquest heard that a week before the fire, priest Fr Dermod McCarthy, a member of All Priest Show, performed at the Stardust. He tried to leave half-way through the show through an exit door, but there were chains across the door, which was locked. He gave evidence that he spent five minutes trying to open the door, but was unable to and left through the main entrance. Another performer, who played in a tribute band, gave evidence that he saw yellow sparks coming from the back of the hall a week before the fire. Jurors were also reminded that staff working at the Stardust said they received no fire safety training and were not aware of a fire evacuation plan. Dr Cullinane was told of how some door-staff said that a policy came into place before the fire which involved keeping exit doors locked when members of the public were on site to prevent people getting in for free, despite this contravening by-laws. An original inquest in 1982 lasted just five days and recorded the cause of deaths in accordance with medical evidence, with no reference to the circumstances or the cause of the fire. After a long campaign by the victims families, in 2019 then-attorney general Seamus Woulfe directed that new inquests should take place. Layla Schlack is an award-winning writer and editor. As a food reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group, she covers restaurant openings and closings, Connecticuts history and agriculture. Wine is a big area of interest in her reporting, as are trends in restaurants and whos driving them. Previously, she's worked as an editor with Whetstone Media, Wine Enthusiast, Fine Cooking and more. Her byline has appeared in The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Food & Wine, Food 52 and Epicurious, among others, and she holds an MFA in Creative & Professional Writing from Western Connecticut State University. She lives in Norwalk with her husband, dog, cat and amaro collection. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Minister of State for Women's Affairs in the Government of National Unity, Houria Khalifa al-Tarmal, chaired for the first time a dialogue session at the United Nations on "How to activate international and national legislation and legal mechanisms to protect women and girls in times of war" Our website uses cookies We are always working to improve this website for our users. To do this, we use the anonymous data provided by cookies. Learn more about how we use cookies Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born in Erinville Hospital in Cork city way back in the 60s and I currently live about a mile away from the same spot, I think I may be part homing pigeon. Left school and joined the Naval Service and after that moved to London with the band, The Frank and Walters. Were still together 30-odd years later and still enjoying it. The day job is in Cork Opera House which, strangely enough, is also about a mile from where I was born, spooky. What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night? Because of the band and the job I dont really have weekends in the traditional sense, Im either playing or working or both, it suits me though, I like to keep busy. Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you? Definitely a night person, the morning is over-rated. Does work creep into your weekend at all? A little bit, but its part of being in the industry Im in, I could complain but no one would listen If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? I like most cities, not a huge fan of the countryside, its fine for ten minutes but a tree is a tree. Cities are multi-layered and the more you explore the more they reveal, I dont get bored in cities. Members of the iconic Cork Band, The Frank and Walters pictured in Fitzgerald Park with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy at the launch of the Cork St. Patricks Festival. The Frank and Walters are the Grand Marshal of the Cork St Patricks Day Parade. See www.corkstpatricksfetival.ie Picture: Clare Keogh And who would you bring with you? Family, friends, anyone really, Im not a solo traveller, I dont particularly like sight-seeing so just aimless wandering with people I get on with usually turns into a bit of an adventure Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries? I really like the old parts of the city, around Shandon or the South Parish where both my mam and dads family were from. I like the harbour and the beaches around Myrtleville and Roberts Cove. I do like west Cork, particularly the Beara Peninsula, but dont visit half enough. Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend? Doesnt have to be weekends but yes, whenever possible. Were quite a close-knit family and I still keep in touch with friends from school and from the Navy. Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator? I do a bit of swimming. I watch ridiculous amounts of sport, any sport, its such different discipline from the world that I work in. Entertain or be entertained? Definitely entertained. If its the latter do you have a signature dish? I can make toast. We have so many places to eat out in Cork - where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal? I like Cork Coffee Roasters, Perry Street is nice for lunch. Sunday night comes around too fast. How do you normally spend it? Cowering from that Riordans/Glenroe feeling and worrying if Ive done my maths homework or not. What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning? Various, but always too early! ABOUT THE PARADE Ashley Keating is a member of the Frank and Walters who are the Grand Marshal at this years Cork St. Patricks Day Parade on March 17. The Cork St. Patricks Day Parade will begin at 1pm, on the familiar route from South Mall to Merchants Quay. The parade will include more than 3,000 participants, performance showpieces from professional art groups Cork Puppetry Company and Spraoi, and marching bands and groups from America, United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland. The Lord Mayor of Cork has brought home to the city a small shaving kit taken from the body of a Ballincollig patriot shot by Crown Forces during the War of Independence. At a small event in Cork Public Museum on Thursday afternoon, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Kieran McCarthy, welcomed the family of Commandant Leo Murphy to an event marking the return to Cork of Commandant Murphys shaving kit. Walter Leo Murphy was born in The White Horse public house in Ballincollig in 1901. He was targeted by Crown Forces for his role as Commander of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Cork Brigade, and for his involvement in numerous notable IRA activities in the area. He was shot and killed by soldiers from the Manchester Regiment during a surprise raid on a secret IRA meeting at ODonovans Pub, now OSheas, in Waterfall, on June 27, 1921. As Murphy lay dead at the side of the road, his pockets were searched, and the contents kept as souvenirs of war. One of the items removed, a small personal shaving kit used by Murphy while on the run, ended up on display in the Manchester Regiment Museum in the town hall of Ashton-under-Lyne, in Tameside, Greater Manchester. When the museum closed, its collection passed to the Portland Basin Museum in Tameside, and last year, Cork Museum curator Dan Breen arranged with his counterpart there the loan of the shaving kit for display in Cork. In January, Mr McCarthy travelled to Tameside in January to officially receive the shaving kit and bring it home to Cork. On Thursday, Mr McCarthy said that from his early days in Na Fianna, Leo Murphys story had been one of courage and resilience. His promotion to quarter master of the 3rd Battalion by the age of nineteen in 1920, is an indication of his leadership qualities and the high esteem in which he was held by all within the Cork IRA. Our commemoration of his life and times in our time shines a spotlight on his leadership and sacrifice, he said. Mr Breen said the return of the shaving kit to Cork brought closure to one chapter of Irish War of Independence and it also highlighted the complex history shared by the cities of Cork and Manchester. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A group of members of the High Council of State, Libya's consultative body, have called on the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, to reconsider the electoral laws as published by the House of Representatives (Parliament) A CORK City Council tenant with a disability has claimed that because she has a dog she has twice been denied the chance to move out of damp, dilapidated accommodation. Kayleigh (not her real name) is a 43-year-old social housing tenant living in a Fort Street council flat which has black mould on the walls. Last September, tenants on Fort Street, Noonans Road, St Finbarrs Road and Dean Street were told by Cork City Council that it favours rehousing tenants, demolishing the 60-year-old flats, and redeveloping the sites. Now, around one-third of the Noonans Road and St Finbarrs Road flats are shuttered, but Fort Street and Dean Street residents say they dont know when theyll be moved. Kayleigh, a Ballyphehane native, has been in her flat for 13 years and lives with her best friend, a tiny, 10-year-old rescue Chihuahua-terrier cross. The reason I cant get a place is because of the dog, I have him since he was six-weeks-old, she said. Kayleigh has a disability, and in 2019 she suffered a stroke and an aneurysm, subsequently requiring brain surgery. I had to completely relearn how to walk and talk, and I still lose my words. My balance was badly affected, and my left side is still worse than the right. A crumbling Fort Street balcony is supported by scaffolding and a timber brace, erected after a previous brace came away a fortnight ago. The window frames in her home are taped together in an attempt to prevent drafts, and black mould dots the door and window surrounds. The bedroom is full of dampness. I have very bad asthma, Im on two inhalers. Kayleighs cramped shower unit contains a plastic-wrapped stool. I have to sit sideways on it because the door opens inward and Im constantly afraid Ill go flying through the glass, she said. I asked the council for a walk-in shower with a seat seven years ago, and Im still waiting to hear back, she claimed. Outside, a crumbling balcony is supported by scaffolding and a timber brace, erected after a previous brace came away a fortnight ago. Kayleigh has requested a transfer to a new home, but she believes the fact she has a pet has gone against her. I would love a little bungalow with a small garden, but Ive missed out twice and I feel it was because of my dog. A bar stool, donated by a neighbour, is wrapped in plastic in the shower unit of Fort Street resident "Kayleigh"'s bathroom. Picture: Donal O'Keeffe She said that although her quality of life is badly affected by remaining in the flat, she cannot live without her dog. Im not going anywhere without my dog, hes my life and my soul. Housing activist William OBrien said Kayleigh is one of many people in the regeneration process who find that having a pet limits their opportunities. Peoples pets are members of their families, and if a family is being uprooted, then the whole family unit has to be moved, and allowances have to be made, he said. Mick Finn, Independent councillor for Cork City South-Central, said he had made repeated representations on Kayleighs behalf. Vulnerable tenants need to be expedited in their transfer out of these outdated apartments, he said. He said pets are not a problem in most council properties, but some approved housing bodies dont allow pets, thus limiting the options available to pet-owning tenants. Mould on the window surround in the flat of Fort Street resident "Kayleigh". Picture: Donal O'Keeffe A spokesperson for Cork City Council said that, generally, tenants are allowed to have a maximum of two domestic pets, which must be kept under control at all times. They added that some multi-unit apartment complexes may have rules forbidding dogs, and council tenants living in there would have to abide by those rules. When advertising the availability of such properties on the City Councils Choice Based Letting system, it would be clearly advertised that dogs would not be allowed and persons would, therefore, be aware of the rule before considering whether to bid for the property or not, they said. TEN men have been arrested in West Cork following an organised crime operation by An Garda Siochana. The arrests, some of which took place in Leap village, are thought to be drug related, though this has yet to be confirmed. The men were aged between their mid-twenties and mid-fifties, and are currently detained at a Garda station in county Cork. A Garda spokesperson told The Echo, This morning, 14th March 2024, An Garda Siochana commenced an operation in West Cork. During the course of the Operation 10 males (ages ranging from mid 20s to mid 50s) were arrested. All 10 males continue to be detained at Garda Station in County Cork under Organised Crime legislation. A number of vehicles were also detained and remain detained subject to ongoing technical examination. An Garda Siochana is making no further comment at this time. PARENTS have been left in the dark about the transfer of paediatric patients from the Mercy to Cork University Hospital (CUH), a city councillor has said. Independent North East councillor Ken OFlynn has called for increased transparency around the transfer, which is to take place in April. A mother whose son has leukaemia and who has been a patient of Mercy University Hospital reached out to Mr OFlynn, saying: I cant get answers to my questions. Though staff are amazing at the Mercy, they, too, are in the dark, the mother said, saying: The staff in the Mercy are incredible. I feel sorry for them: Theyre fighting for the children. She said that whenever her son gets sick, he can go straight to the doctor in the Mercy, but in CUH he will have to go through the emergency room, which worries her because to how susceptible he is. She has also questioned if he will be able to get his monthly chemotherapy in CUH, as he has done in the Mercy, or if he will have to travel to Crumlin. The worry for us parents could be avoided if management were transparent with the plans and how everything will be put in place, she said. A spokesperson for the hospital group declined to comment on whether sick children will have to go in through the emergency room, or if chemotherapy services will be moved. Mr OFlynn said: Thats one example, but theres probably an awful lot of concerned parents out there, and their questions are not being answered. Theres nobody from the HSE engaging with parents, nobody asking them for their point of view; the dialogue and openness with concerned parents has been totally overlooked. He added: The Mercy has built a reputation and a repertoire between staff and children they have a very special connection so I dont know why the HSE have decided everything has to be on the one campus, considering if something goes wrong at the Mercy youre not a million miles away from CUH anyway. He said of the decision to transfer paediatric services: This was a decision made somewhere in Dublin; it hasnt taken into account the people involved. Whats more frustrating is the lack of response to questions. Its disappointing, the way this has been handled, as the not-knowing is one of the biggest problems. We cant treat people like this. A South/South West Hospital Group spokesperson told The Echo that it is working with the Mercy and CUH to plan the transfer and consolidation of paediatric services, saying: The new paediatric department development located at CUH, combining both MUH and CUH paediatric departments, will cater for a centralised paediatric service within one location in Cork and, in preparation for this transition, an extended paediatric clinical governance structure is now led by a clinical director for the combined city services. This new development will deliver high-quality care for children and will provide much-needed paediatric care, consistent with... the model of care. THE Department of Integration has confirmed that Ukrainians living in a former convent in Blackpool will be moved elsewhere to facilitate a new use of the centre. It was announced on Wednesday that in line with new legislation to bring into effect a revised approach to supporting new arrivals from Ukraine, commencing yesterday six new centres will provide 90 days of accommodation. Five of six designated accommodation centres were announced by the Department of Integration this week, including the former convent on Gerald Griffin Street, Cork, with capacity for 107 people. The department confirmed to The Echo yesterday that Ukrainian refugees were already living in the Cork centre and had been since last year. The former North Presentation Convent building on Gerald Griffin Street in Blackpool is currently housing Ukrainian refugees, and has been since December 2023, with the contract due to be in place until December 2024. It was offered to the department as potential accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection in 2022, but required significant works to be undertaken first. In response to a query about the people already resident there, a spokesperson for the department told The Echo: The accommodation centre at North Presentation Convent in Cork city has only been in use since December 2023. Beneficiaries of temporary protection who were located there have/are being moved to other locations in the city. They explained that all emergency accommodation is intended to be short-term only and for operational reasons it often becomes necessary to move people, sometimes at short notice. As in this case, where such necessities arise, every effort is made to keep people in the general locality. Sinn Fein Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould previously criticised the Government for reannouncing an already-opened accommodation centre and said that this latest information only confuses people more. A briefing document on the centre explained that the accommodation is in own-door rooms with ancillary facilities within the building, and that it is catered. It added: The safety and security of the beneficiaries of temporary protection residents is of paramount importance. The new arrivals to the centre will be provided with food, laundry, other services and integration supports in designated accommodation centres, but benefits will be less than those enjoyed by Ukrainians already in Ireland. They will be entitled to a reduced weekly allowance of 38.80 per adult and 29.80 per child in respect of daily expenses, though the changes do not affect child benefit, and they will be entitled to apply for standard social welfare assistance after securing their own accommodation. The new legislation will not affect people from Ukraine who arrived in Ireland before this policy came into force and are already registered for temporary protection, so they will not need to adhere to the legislation which entitles them to only 90 days of State accommodation. Ballyogan Road in Dublin City will provide capacity for 392 people; Stradbally, Co Laois, will provide capacity for 950; Fernbank, Limerick City, will provide capacity for 250; and Punchestown, Co Kildare, will provide capacity for 378. A touch of gold has been brought to the streetscape of Ballintemple in honour of Cillian Murphys Oscar win as a local post box has been enhanced as a nod to the most recognised trophy in the world the Oscar statuette. Covered in gold wrap and bearing a sign that reads Cillian Murphy Best Actor Oppenheimer, the unique post box sits outside Ballintemple Post Office near Murphy's childhood home. Speaking to The Echo, postmistress of Ballintemple Post Office, Colette Collins, said the initiative was led by An Post. Fair dues, An Post stepped up it was fantastic to be able to do it, she said. Ms Collins said that, in the lead up to Patricks Day, staff in the post office are decked out in green today and that the celebrations are twofold. Weve had people taking pictures of us hanging off the post box outside! Theres a great old atmosphere around the place. Cillian Murphy became the first Irish-born actor to win a Best Actor Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday. The post box outside Ballintemple Post Office has been covered in gold wrap in honour of Cillian Murphys Oscar win. Picture: Amy Power Murphy won the prestigious accolade for his portrayal of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans biopic about the father of the atomic bomb. Tributes to Murphy have poured in since his success at the weekend. President Michael D Higgins led the congratulatory messages on the wonderful achievement which Murphy so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere. Meanwhile Tanaiste Micheal Martin paid tribute to his fellow Cork native for his performance in Oppenheimer, which he said will stand the test of time, while the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy described Murphy as a true arts treasure, who remains grounded. Mr McCarthy said Murphy serves as a huge inspiration for others from Cork and Ireland involved in the international cinema scene. President of the Court of Criminal Appeal George Birmingham was praised in Cork on the last sitting of the court outside Dublin before his forthcoming retirement. His role in investigating child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church was described as pioneering by Judge Helen Boyle of Cork Circuit Court. Judge Boyle also said: He worked very hard for people high up and low down. Tom Creed senior counsel, Donal T. McCarthy, barrister, and John Fuller, president of the Southern Law Association, all said that as practitioners in Cork they greatly appreciated that Mr Justice Birmingham had taken the Court of Criminal Appeal out of Dublin for occasional sessions in Cork and other parts of the country. These speakers described how innovative it was of the president to bring the Court of Criminal Appeal out of Dublin in this manner. Mr Creed said that following George Birminghams call to the bar in 1976 he developed one of the busiest mixed civil and criminal practices in the country before taking the brave decision to put himself before the people in a different kind of act of public service when he was elected as a TD for Dublin North Central. In the following eight years he filled various roles as a public representative, not least at Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. On behalf of his colleagues in the Court of Criminal Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards said that the president had been enormously supportive of the other judges and would be greatly missed. Mr Justice Birmingham said Cork and Munster had been a special place for him in his life not least because three of his grandparents came from Munster. He said that in his role as president of the Court of Criminal Appeal the relationship developed through his colleague Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with the law faculty in UCC had been particularly successful and gratifying. At a personal level he said: I am thinking of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn attending their own funeral. Listening to the speeches put me in mind of this who is this person they all seem to have encountered? He concluded by thanking the speakers and added: I am embarrassed. A DISPLAY of creativity from schools across Cork will be on view in The Glucksman at University College Cork (UCC) this St Patricks Day weekend. A total of 800 young people from schools across Cork were asked to respond using their creative talents to the current exhibition running at The Glucksman entitled Radical Archaeologies: Unearthing Landscape in Contemporary Irish Art. The young people worked with art facilitators to explore ideas of history, heritage, archaeology, climate change, biodiversity and learning from the past to help shape a better future. The result has been the Beneath Our Feet exhibition which is a series of sculptures, printmaking and drawings. The workshops were developed in partnership with colleagues from UCCs Department of Archaeology involved in the Irish Research Council (IRC) funded IPeAAT project. This project aims to collate all available information on the archaeology recovered from industrially extracted Bord na Mona peat bogs to better understand and communicate how these landscapes were used in the past. The Beneath Our Feet exhibition features artwork by students from St Catherines NS, Scoil na nOg Glanmire, St Josephs NS, Glasheen BNS, St Finbarres NS, Scoil Mhuire JS, Scoil Realt na Mara NS, Gaelscoil na Duglaise, St Lachteens NS, Kilmagner NS, St Columbas GNS, Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil, St Marys Special School, Togher Girls School, St Columbas GNS, Beaumont GNS, Scoil Phadraig Naofa, St Maries of the Isle, Togher BNS, Scoil Eanna, Fermoy Adair NS, and Grange National School. Glucksman Director, Professor Fiona Kearney said: Peatlands are a cultural as well as environmental resource and so in partnership with our UCC archaeology colleagues, we have been thrilled to enable hundreds of young people to explore the rich worlds that exist beneath our feet. The exhibition is a fantastic testament to the many ways in which the next generation wants to learn about the past to shape a better future. The exhibition will be on display on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. A CORK businessman is suing Derek Blighe and the political party of which he is president, Ireland First. Adrian McCarthy was previously a shareholder in a company which owns a B&B in Fermoy which is earmarked to be used an accommodation centre for people seeking international protection. Mr Blighe, an anti-immigration campaigner, and his party have posted a number of videos on social media in relation to the property. A spokesperson for the court service confirmed that the case 2024 1267 P was filed on March 8 by Adrian McCarthy against Derek Blighe, adding It is a defamation case. Mr Blighe addressed the claims that he was being sued in a video on X on Wednesday evening, saying that he had received no notification of such a case. Ireland First was formed in 2023 and is running a number of candidates in the upcoming European and local elections. The Echo has reached out to Holmes OMalley Sexton LLP, who are representing Mr McCarthy, for comment. An investigation is underway following the death of a man in Cork Prison. Gardai were alerted to the discovery of the body of an inmate, aged in his 20s, in Cork Prison on Thursday morning. All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana, where circumstances warrant. A file will be prepared for the coroners office, which will determine the cause of death, the garda and prison service press offices said. The next of kin of the young man have been informed of his death. A statement from the Irish Prison Service said it could confirm that there was a death of a person in custody in Cork Prison on Thursday, March 14. Gardai were alerted to the discovery of the body of a male aged in his 20s in Cork Prison on Thursday morning, March 14, the Irish Prison Service said. A garda spokesperson said: As this is a matter for [the] Irish Prison Service, An Garda Siochana cannot comment further at this time. The Inspector of Prisons was asked for a comment. A MAN accused of assault causing harm to two prison officers has said by video link from prison that this was not OK for him and that he wanted to go home. Judge Mary Dorgan refused jurisdiction to deal with the case at Cork District Court. It involves two counts of assault causing harm, and now a book of evidence will have to be prepared in the case. Judge Dorgan remanded Mohammed Laceb, 26, in continuing custody until March 27, on the application of Sergeant Pat Lyons. Mr Laceb spoke up on the video link from prison, saying: This is not OK for me, this long time here. I will go back to my own country. The accused man allegedly assaulted two prison officers, causing them harm during an incident at Cork Prison last September. Sergeant Lorna Healy arrested Mr Laceb and charged him with carrying out assaults on two prison officers. Each count is brought under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and states that the accused assaulted a prison officer, causing him harm. Sgt Healy said the accused made no reply when charged and cautioned. Mr Laceb was represented in court by solicitor Michael Quinlan under the free legal aid. The allegations in the case were that the accused was in a prison cell when two officers approached the door and noticed a mess in the cell. When he was spoken to and told to clean up the mess, it is alleged that the prisoner spat at one officer in the face and kicked him in the chest. It is alleged that he kicked the second officer in the groin and received lacerations to his right knee. Judge Dorgan was told that both officers needed medical attention following the alleged incident on September 8, 2023. Stamford Police Officer Jeff Booth flies a DJI Phantom III drone used by the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Squad. Booth is one of the departments four FAA-certified drone pilots. Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media (Peter Hvizdak - Hearst Connecticut Media)Orange, Connecticut: July 19, 2017. Orange Fire Marshall Tim Smith demonstrating a DJI Inspire 1 drone the fire department received from a $3000 grant from FM Global to the Orange Fire and Police Departments to test drone capabilities in firefighting and police work. 13 members of the Orange Fire and Police Departments have been trained and certified to fly the drone. Digital First Media In an effort to protect against foreign spying and hacking, Connecticut would ban towns from using Chinese- and Russian-made drones under a proposal being considered by the state legislature. Two of the top-ranking state Senate Democrats have sent a letter to municipal leaders warning of the dangers of drones made by Chinese and Russian firms. Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said municipal leaders might not understand the risk. At some point the software gets uploaded. Even if they say it doesn't, it does, Duff said. What we've seen in other states with these Chinese-made drones is where they have hacked in and frozen electrical systems in Texas hospitals, schools and, according to the FBI, this is all about when China invades Taiwan, which sounds so conspiratorial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That almost sounds ridiculous. But this is what we're hearing from the FBI, Duff said. The letter, obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media Group, and sent by Duff and Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, D-New Haven, to Connecticut Conference of Municipalities CEO Joe DeLong and Connecticut Council of Small Towns Executive Directot Betsy Gara, details some of the ways foreign-made drones have been used to gain access to internet-connected systems used by towns and cities across the United States. According to Duff and Looneys letter, drones manufactured in China and Russia are sending proprietary information back to China and Russia through backdoors installed in the drones. Gara said she is taking the senators concerns seriously, but is wary of municipal agencies incurring any additional cost. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Local law enforcement and firefighters have invested considerable funds in purchasing drones, many of which have been manufactured by Chinese, she said. To replace those would be cost prohibitive. We're looking at opportunities to ensure that the drones are used in such a way that they don't pose cybersecurity risks. Duff said the goal is not to destroy existing drones, but to prevent additional purchases of drones made in Russia and China. We want to make sure that we stop buying them and when the lifecycle of these current drones are done, they don't buy more Chinese drones, Duff said. I'm not sure that people understand the severity or the real risk of having these drones. We're not saying take a hammer to them tomorrow, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The proposed ban, included as a section of a larger bill, would prevent any public agency in Connecticut from purchasing any small unmanned aircraft system assembled or manufactured from the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation and any governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof. Michael Shabenas, fire chief at the Dayville Fire Company in Killingly, spoke against the ban during public testimony. He said his fire company uses a drone made by DJI, specifically mentioned in the senators letter. Our drones are used for public safety purposes including (but not limited to): structural fires, wildland/forest fires, and search and rescue operations, Shabenas said. Losing that operational capability would be detrimental to our ability to protect life and provide for incident stabilization and property conservation. DJI, one of the world's largest drone manufacturers, is based in Shenzhen, China. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense listed DJI as a "Chinese military company working with the Peoples Liberation Army. DJI issued a statement saying the company "has never designed or manufactured military-grade equipment, and has never marketed or sold its products for military use in any country." Advertisement Article continues below this ad In response to concerns heard at the public hearing, Duff and Looneys letter said that the threat to local and statewide security is not "overblown." We would like to point out that the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Congress, President Biden and former President Trump have all stated that these devices do pose significant risks and have implemented policies to ban these drones, the letter said. Moreover, it is the drone hardware itself that presents the security risk, as the security software updates for Chinese-made drones are controlled by Chinese entities that can introduce unknown data collection and transmission capabilities without the users awareness. Connecticut would not be the first state to ban the purchase or use of Chinese and Russian drones. As of April 5, no state or municipal agencies in Florida may use drones made in a foreign country of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Syria, among others. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Florida will allocate $25 million to help local agencies buy new drones. Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee have also enacted similar measures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gara said state funding could make the request feasible. Funding would be essential if the ban goes forward because the use of drones has proven very effective in searching for and rescuing people and responding to other emergencies. Theyve become a tool that is relied on very heavily by our communities, Cofrancesco said. But at the same time you have to be very concerned if these are used in such a way that they can subject infrastructure to sabotage or allow the use of data to be used in nefarious ways. While Duff said state funding might happen, I'm not sure it's necessary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We're not saying if we pass that provision in the bill that they have to then scrap them all and start from scratch, he said. We're just saying you can't buy any more and then when the other ones stop working, you can't buy Chinese ones anymore. A NUMBER of countries, including Ireland, have important elections taking place this year, and dirty tricks may play a part in some of them. Political parties and their supporters have always looked for clever ways to discredit opponents, but todays technology provides unscrupulous operators (domestic and foreign) with tools that would have been the stuff of science fiction just a dozen or so years ago. If you use social media, expect it to be awash with deepfakery in the months to come. Deepfakes are generated using machine learning employed in artificial intelligence technology; they can be audio, video or individual images. For many, deepfakes are a bit of fun: perhaps youve giggled at the fake photos of Donald Trump in an orange prison jumpsuit. However, it was no joke for the Hong Kong branch of a multinational company when an employee was tricked into transferring more than $25million following video calls that turned out to be deepfakes. Spotting a deepfake Theres no guaranteed way to spot a good deep fake, but most scams are not top quality. Theyre usually quite cheaply done, unless you are a high value individual and its worth investing significantly in a targeted scam. When trying to spot a deepfake, there are aspects of the human body that it struggles with more than others: eyes; hair; teeth; facial expressions, especially emotion; body posture and movement. Keep a close eye on these, especially when the head is moved. Does the hair move naturally? Do the eyes, nose and mouth move in sync or are they slightly off? If you are suspicious during a video call, try to get a reaction. Do they respond appropriately with laughter, smiling and eye tracking? Because of these tells, a deepfake will avoid movement. If the speaker is unnaturally still, that is another sign that you are looking at a deep fake. You versus AI While most of us are unlikely to be targeted by Mission Impossible level deepfake scam artists, whether we know it or not, AI and its mimicry of humans is creeping into our lives more and more. ChatGPT was launched in 2022 with the capability to rapidly generate text on any topic. Suddenly, articles could be written at the push of a button. The result is many content creators generating large amounts of AI created content, making it harder to compete for an audiences attention. How can humans stand out with so much computer-generated text sloshing about? The answer is to lean into being human. The good news is a well-established model can help us do this: The SUCCESS model. To stand out as human you need to create: Simple Unexpected Concrete Credible Emotional Stories. Lets play the imitation game. Consider these two reviews of a trip to the Greek island of Andros. Only one was written by a human. Review 1 There are lots of hidden gems on Andros. Tiny villages clinging to the mountainside where cars cannot go and mules are still used to transport goods and building materials (and suitcases). Glittering waterfalls with clear pools surrounded by flowers and foliage and the famous picture-perfect Bridge of Love featured in the hugely successful Greek movie Little England. And there is always the comedy element with a serious side. A house balanced precariously over the path, with wooden supports clearly rotted and breaking under the strain. Put in metal supports maybe? No, just warn visitors to run as fast as they can as they make their way under it! Thank you to our guides Fotis and RG from Explore Andros for sharing these wonderful treasures with us. Review 2 Nestled in the mountains, Andros captivates with its car-free charm. Mules serve as transport to the village, adding a touch of tradition. Waterfalls and the famous Bridge of Love from Little England create a serene backdrop. The villages unique architecture, like a house balanced over the path, adds intrigue. Guided by Explore Andros First and RG, our journey was enriched with local insights, making it a truly memorable escape. The first review, although longer, is simple, getting straight to the point. It is also concrete, painting a mental picture with just a handful of words. AI tends to dilute impact with superfluous ornamentation. The first review is credible with believable language. As emotion and story are the true markers of humanity, look at the third paragraph of the first version. Consider the comedy element when visitors are told to run fast before the house collapses over them. This surprising solution to the problem can only make us smile. A good emotional story remains out of reach of an artificial intelligence. And did you notice the AI replaced Fotis with First. It mistook a name for a spelling mistake! If you are a small business communicating with established and prospective customers, you have something very powerful: a shared story that is in progress or set to begin. You are providing something that they need, joining together in a mutually beneficial relationship. Now, take a look at what you are writing. Is it simple, credible and real? How can you weave those stories into your text? How can you surprise readers and make them feel emotion? By applying the SUCCESS model, you will show readers and potential clients you are human and connect with them in a way no machine ever could. Ged Byrne is a member of Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit organisation that has provided communication and leadership skills since 1924 through a worldwide network of clubs. To find your nearest club, visit www.toastmasters.org Cillian Murphys Oscar win this week is an historic first for an Irish actor and one of the big topics of discussion around the country. Cillian is a great ambassador for Cork, his hometown, and for Ireland and for the arts, and has been in regular attendance at gigs and shows here. Most recently, he has helped curate the bi-yearly Sounds from a Safe Harbour music festival. Those of us who remember Cillian from the early days of his career have been reminiscing about his music group, Sons of Mr Green Genes. Cillian emerged at a very special time for the music and arts scenes in Cork, and he has always been effusive in his praise for an era which helped shape his artistic perspective at a crucial time in his career. I was thinking about the 1990s era recently, having just done a podcast interview with Shane and Greg of Fish Go Deep, about Sir Henry's and the impact of various record shops, pirate radio, venues and other components of the scene that was thriving in Cork at the time. It wasn't responsible for Cillian's success: He is the kind of personality who would have reached the summit of whatever path he took, but its worth looking at some of the places and spaces that shaped the journey. Stevie admires a Cillian Murphy bus in Cork city in 2018. The 1990s arts scene allowed actors and musicians to experiment. In 2024, there are not many spaces to hone ones craft, not in Cork and not in other cities either, and as we rush to celebrate Cillian, its an opportunity to recognise that artists of many disciplines will flourish if they have more pathways to create and to try things out. Sons of Mr Green Genes would have been playing regularly in Cabaret Deluxe, a wonderful Sunday evening affair that took place in the old Half Moon Theatre at the back of the Cork Opera House. I was among the residents who used to DJ in the main room and we could be joined by the likes of Paul Murphy or Shane Johnson in what was a pretty eclectic affair. Guests included Jason Boardman, Mr Scruff and Mark Rae, and the music policy was freeform, so youd hear everything from soul, funk, jazz and hip-hop to house and drum n bass. The smaller Green Room, by the stage door, was where you might encounter other DJs and live acts, such as Cillians group. On occasion, the main room of the Opera House would be accessed by Cabaret Deluxe, and the dancefloor would become even bigger. The Green Genes were famously offered a record contract by Acid Jazz, but by then Cillian had his eyes on other opportunities. Corcadorcas Pat Kiernan put on a memorable production of A Clockwork Orange, by Enda Walsh, in Sir Henrys that helped inspire the young actor, who got his first big break with Enda in Disco Pigs soon afterwards. The rest of the story is well known and we are all very proud of Cillian's achievement on the global stage. As a youngster finding his way and trying to work it all out, he spent those crucial last few years in Cork going out to gigs and clubs, playing them, and listening to Radio Friendly, which started broadcasting in 1996. He has previously spoken about how radio helped broaden his musical horizons and nearly 30 years on he often hosts a popular radio show himself, broadcasting occasionally on the BBC. There were more creative club and live spaces in the mid 1990s. Its a lot more difficult to do business now and its a lot more expensive for teenagers and youngsters who are trying to live outside home. That era allowed Cillian and his generation to try things out and experiment with music, drama and other pursuits. It didnt happen overnight but the years of trying to work it all out have probably helped him remain the same balanced, down-to-earth guy he ever was, even as he became a big star. Music and art and culture are very important to us around these parts so, hopefully, our next big stars will find the space and time in Cork, and elsewhere, to help develop their own practice. Congrats Cillian! Gardai are investigating after a man was injured in an incident in Dublin city centre on Thursday afternoon. Officers from Store Street Garda station responded to reported of an incident on O'Connell Street Upper shortly before 3.30pm. A man in his late 20s was injured during the incident and was taken to the Mater Hospital for treatment. His injuries are understood to be non-life threatening. Gardai said the area was examined by local crime scene officers. No arrests have yet been made and investigations into the matter remain ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Store Street Garda station on 01-666 8000, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 111. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. In the past eight years, the Great Barrier Reef the largest coral reef in the world, stretching 1,429 miles has experienced five mass bleaching events, tied by scientists to climate change. Most recently, corals around six islands in Turtle Group National Park, located about 6.2 miles off Australias Queensland Coast, have seen extensive bleaching, according to scientists from James Cook University, as reported by Reuters. It was quite devastating to see just how much bleaching there was, particularly in the shallows (but) they were all still at the stage of bleaching where they could still recover as long as the water temperatures decline in time, Maya Srinivasan, lead researcher of the survey, told Reuters. Warming sea surface temperatures cause corals to expel the beneficial, colorful algae that live in them while providing them with food, causing the corals to turn white. If ocean waters cool in time, bleached corals may recover, but if temperatures stay elevated long enough, the corals will die. The researchers carried out aerial surveys of more than 300 reefs and found that most had prevalent shallow water coral bleaching, CNN reported. According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, ongoing surveys in the water that can gauge the depth and severity of bleaching were also being conducted. We now need to combine the spatial coverage captured from the air with in-water surveys to assess the severity of coral bleaching in deeper reef habitats across the different regions of the Marine Park, said Dr. Neal Cantin, Australian Institute of Marine Science senior research scientist, as reported by The Guardian. Srinivasan said data collected from the six Turtle Group islands would be used in an ongoing analysis of the ways in which corals are impacted by bleaching, floods and cyclones, Reuters reported. The Reef has demonstrated its capacity to recover from previous coral bleaching events, severe tropical cyclones, and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said, as reported by CNN. The Australian Climate Council, an independent climate change communication organization, said the Great Barrier Reefs sudden shifts point to larger risks for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, according to Reuters. With climate change where theres predictions that these sorts of disturbance events will become more frequent and be of higher intensity its becoming even more crucial than ever to have these long-term monitoring programs continue into the future, Srinivasan added. Simon Bradshaw, Climate Councils research director, described the current bleaching event as an underwater bushfire. Climate change is the biggest risk not just to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia but also to coral reefs around the world, said Tanya Plibersek, Australias environment minister, as CNN reported. We know that we need to give our beautiful reef the best chance of survival for the planet and animals that call it home, for the 64,000 people whose livelihoods depend on reef tourism. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. A common old world tree, European beech can be found across Europe from southern Scandinavia and Spain to Sicily and northwest Turkey. A new study by an international team of researchers has found that the summer solstice triggers synchronized beech tree reproduction all over the continent, influencing ecosystem functions. We got inspired by a recent Science paper where researchers from Switzerland found that the effects of temperature on leaf senescence switch at the summer solstice. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, and happens at the same time anywhere in the Hemisphere, said Dr. Valentin Journe, lead author of the analysis and a postdoctoral researcher at Polands Adam Mickiewcz University, in a press release from University of Liverpool. The researchers examined the relationships between the seed production of perennials like the European beech and weather patterns, as well as looked at how trees synchronize their reproduction across thousands of miles. Earlier research by the team had revealed that an external factor like weather triggered the synchrony, but the mystery remained as to how the beech which grows in highly diverse climates carried this out. The team looked at small changes in the beech trees temperature responses and concluded that the summer solstice was the trigger. A celestial cue that occurs simultaneously across the entire hemisphere is the longest day (the summer solstice), the authors wrote in the study. European beech abruptly opens its temperature-sensing window on the solstice, and hence widely separated populations all start responding to weather signals in the same week. This celestial starting gun generates ecological events with high spatial synchrony across the continent. The study, Summer solstice orchestrates the subcontinental-scale synchrony of mast seeding, was published in the journal Nature Plants. The sharp response of beech trees is just remarkable. Once the day starts to shorten after the summer solstice, the temperature sensing-window opens simultaneously, all across Europe, said Jessie Foest, co-author of the study and a Ph.D. researcher in the Department of Geography at University of Liverpool, in the press release. Whats truly jaw-dropping is that the change in day length that the trees are able to detect is really small we are talking about a few minutes over a week. Apparently, trees are able to recognise the difference. Many perennials only reproduce every few years in order to build up resources and produce an abundance of seed. Ecosystems are greatly affected by the European beechs wide-ranging, coordinated annual seed production. Such large-scale regional synchronisation of seed production by trees has important consequences for ecosystems. Large-seeding years result in a pulse of resources for wildlife, while reproductive failures result in famines for seed-eating animals. When this variation is synchronised at sub-continental scales the consequences include far-reaching disruptions in food webs, including rodent outbreaks, migration of ungulates and birds, and spikes in wildlife-borne human diseases, the press release said. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo (l),Christine Sterling and Rev. Kenneth Mtata at the World Council of Churches on March 12, 2024. A gathering at the World Council of Churches has highlighted the right to health and dignified access to it, as well as the faith sector's engagement with migrants and refugees for health and HIV services in fighting stigma and discrimination Related WHO hooks up with non-State players, but will that help faith groups? Faith based health carers should not be so modest says UN official UK Sets Rules for Faith-based Anti-Poverty, Development Collaboration Doctor at World Council of Churches works with global bodies on holistic wellbeing Role of faith-based organizations is critical for fighting HIV, says UN agency New churches global health head knows personally of AIDS affect Health Care Reform Reflects Christian Faith, Professor Says Workshop facilitator Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo, general secretary of the International Catholic Migration Commission, thanked UNAIDS and PEPFAR, the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, for supporting faith communities in health. "We want to have a call for action," Vitillo said at the workshop as speakers recalled days gone by when some international groups did not welcome faith-based groups into the discourse on health, HIV, and AIDS. Rev. Kenneth Mtata, the WCC's director of Public Witness and Diakonia, made welcoming remarks. "The UNAIDS-PEPFAR Faith Initiative is one of the key global success stories of interfaith engagement platforms in health and the HIV response," said Mtata. The March 12-14 workshop is titled "Strategic Engagement of the faith sector with migrants, refugees, and other displaced populations for increased access to Health and HIV Services." Vitillo referred to the involvement and engagement of faith-based organizations with migrants and refugees in different circumstances and worldwide. "Engaging the faith sector increases access to both health and HIV services for migrants, refugees, and other displaced populations," said Vitillo. "It's essential for several reasons. One is that faith communities and faith institutions have a trusted presence within communities. "And also, we have our infrastructure for care that's present, and it's very important because in many communities, people first go to religious institutions to deal with many problems, social as well as health problems, economic problems, and social problems." Vitillo stressed that most faith communities serve all people, not just those from their own particular faith group. This brings essential force and strength to the world's response to the situation of migrants and refugees. COVID-19 PANDEMIC He referred to the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed down progress in response to other health crises. "That interrupted much of the progress that we made in promoting health and promoting access to health, that we've committed to making huge progress by 2030, so we have much catching up to do because of the COVID challenge," said Vitillo. "And also, we have serious challenges of other illnesses, chronic non-communicable diseases, which have a heavy impact on migrant and refugee populations, antibacterial resistance, mental health challenges, which maybe we're more sensitive to than we were before the COVID pandemic." Not enough mention of non-governmental and civil society groups in the health sphere is made, he noted. Mtata said that Christianity and other faiths affirm the sacredness of all human beings and the sanctity of creation. "The values of love, justice, and peace compel faith communities to respond to the needs of the marginalized and excluded," said Mtata. "When people leave their country of origin, one of the first rights to be affected is the right to health, increasing their vulnerability. Women, young people, and children are highly vulnerable to gender-based violence, including rape," said the WCC director. "Their risk of acquiring HIV is multiplied, and if they already live with HIV, they might stop taking their medications and then get sick. Many transit and destination countries do not recognize the right to health of noncitizens, and some explicitly rule out people living with HIV. This is why this conversation today is important." Mtata said churches can provide practical assistance for people on the move, including food, shelter, health checkups, and access to prevention items along the route. "Faith communities can provide accompaniment and solidarity, networking and advocacy, by exercising our prophetic voice and challenging unfair regulations, particularly the draconian laws that increase people's vulnerability," said Mtata. FAITH NETWORKS "In each country of origin, transit, and destination, faith communities have working networks that can help. Even providing access to data for a phone call to families in the origin country is highly important; these are the 'I am alive' kinds of calls," Mtata stressed. UNAIDS's deputy executive director for Policy, Advocacy, and Knowledge, Christine Sterling, thanked the International Catholic Migration Commission for leading the preparatory process and the WCC for hosting the three-day workshop. "Increasing the number of faith-based organizations and religious leaders in a critical area of the HIV response is a real success, but it also creates an ongoing obligation towards our partnerships," said Sterling. She said that as of September 2023, there were 114 million people worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and human rights violations. "And we're also increasingly witnessing an accelerated displacement trend by extreme weather events and climate change. Many of the areas most affected by HIV are also the areas and the populations most affected by those adverse climate change events," said Sterling. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Dr Mwai Makoka photographed at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland on Feb. 14, 2017. Dr. Mwai Makoka's work on health and healing at the World Council of Churches entails connecting people in churches which link with national and international health organizations in many ways. Working as a medical doctor in his home country Malawi seems to have given Dr. Makoka ideal experience for his task of program executive for Health and Healing at the WCC. He has experience in medical microbiology, HIV and AIDS, working for both government and church-based institutions after graduating as a doctor in Malawi, a country accustomed to working with church-run hospitals. Prior to joining the WCC in late 2016, Makoka, a Presbyterian, was executive director of the Christian Health Association of Malawi part of the continent-wide Africa Christian Health Associations Platform and a member of ACT Alliance. Malawi's Christian health association is responsible for 37 percent of of the southern African nation's health services, as well as training 80 percent of the southern African nation's healthcare practitioners. Now Makoka's duties involve running an office that liaises with international organizations and nearly 350 member churches in the WCC in different parts of the world. CHURCHES AND HEALTHCARE "This is an old desk. Churches have been involved in health care since time immemorial. Some of my work entails liaising with the WHO (World Health Organization) and consolidating the voice of the churches and the ecumenical family there". "We have been working with WHO since it was established (in 1948). I think we are the first faith-based organization to have a relationship with the WHO," says Makoka. He notes that faith-based organizations, especially churches, are essential providers of health services in many countries, especially in Africa. For example, in Malawi, churches run 11 nursing schools. Its neighbours, Zambia and Zimbabwe have similar involvement of churches in health provision. "At the WCC we look at holistic health. Health is not medicine. Health is not purely medical. Health is complete well-being'. "When church leaders are standing in the pulpit and they preach and talk about health issues, they are not digressing. That is the place to talk about health. Health is not just hospitals," he says showing the coalescing of the spiritual with the practical. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS These days, however, when it comes to global public health, Makoka says it is very difficult to do anything outside the parameters of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), a series of clearly outlined targets for global human development set out by the United Nations for 2030. "We want to consolidate our response to SDGs as there are many of them. "There are many mission hospitals, training doctors, nurses and health workers. We need to have a comprehensive strategic plan to see what is unique for our response to SDGs to guide us to 2030. At the WCC, he says, "we can't just make the plan here and run with it. We need to consult our constituencies as to how to use, coordinate and share information". This entails "South to South" sharing within developing areas of best practices and information. There is also the sustaining and improving of relationships with other institutions that can help build capacities, working with medical and academic institutions, non-government organizations and state players. One of the goals is to help develop models to increase universal health coverage, making sure there are not duplications within the relevant institutions forging synergies. "For example there is ACHAP and the All Africa Conference of Churches the continental ecumenical body that has interaction with African Union," explains Makoka. ACHAP, which focuses on health, does not have a relationship with the AU. And if the AU, which is also involved with the SDGs, gives the AACC, with which it does have relations, a health question, it can take it to ACHAP. "Instead of the AACC feeling it has its hands tied, we can work as a unified family. Part of my job is facilitating that." MAPPING Dr. Makoka also notes, "Mapping of churches involvement in healthcare is high on our agenda. It has been discussed, but more progress needs to be made. There have been isolated efforts here. Now that I am here, this will be one of the first parts of my work." Mapping of churches involvement and interaction with health care institutions is not only necessary in Africa where ACHAP met this year, but is also needed in other regions such as the Pacific, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. "It will be a very important tool. Mapping is not just for prestige. It is valuable to know about your work to help in advocacy for resources mobilization and allocation," says Makoka. "If providers of health services do not have clear data, they might not have resources allocated to them. If you have data you can more easily lobby for resources, for example, with members of parliaments." Dr. Makoka gives the example of the enduring presence of church-run medical services in countries where the state has ceased to function effectively such as the Democratic Republic of Congo or even more recently South Sudan. "The State may have ceased functioning in South Sudan, but the churches continue to run the medical services. The state may not be there to provide these for the people, but the church is always there." "And when we look at fighting Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone [from 2014], the churches were running 50 percent of the medical services," so the WHO had to rely on their help eventually in countering the pandemic." Senator urges Philippines' government to help poultry raisers Philippine senator Cynthia Villar is prodding the Philippine government to assist local poultry raisers. Speaking before the events of the United Broiler Raisers Association (Ubra) and the Philippine Egg Board Association, the senator noted that the poultry subsector is a major contributor to the Philippine economy. "Improved genetics and breeding, good farm management, excellent nutrition, feeding and an effective biosecurity with complete vaccination programme will prevent highly contagious diseases from entering the farm, reduce mortality and increase the overall health of the poultry sector," said Villar, who chairs the Senate Agriculture and Food committee. She said the Philippine broiler industry comprises 20% taken up by small farms and 80% by commercial farms, with 588 registered poultry farms and approximately 175 meat processors. "Our total chicken inventory is composed of native/improved chicken, 43.3%; broiler chicken, 34.5% share and layer chicken with 22.2% share," the senator added. The highest chicken inventory in the Philippines, she said, was recorded in Central Luzon with 33.68 million birds, followed by Calabarzon with 27.32 million birds and Northern Mindanao with 25.87 million birds. "These three regions accounted for a 43.4% share to the country's total chicken inventory. Western Visayas has the highest 12.91 million birds which are native/improved variety," Villar added. Central Luzon reported the highest inventory of broiler chicken with 18.48 million birds, while Calabarzon had the highest layer chicken stocks with 16.35 million birds. To further boost the poultry industry, she pushed for the passage of the Livestock, Poultry and Dairy bill which seeks to strengthen the livestock industry to promote its development, protection and regulatory functions. According to Villar, a twin bill, the Corn Industry Development bill, is "at the final stage" at the Senate. She said the measure intends to improve the availability, profitability and development of corn farming. "Our corn requirement for livestock and poultry feeds is imported. We have to increase production and lower cost of inputs to make our farmers earn more and be competitive," Villar said. - Business Mirror Largest soybean meal shipment arrives at HES Gdynia terminal, Poland The bulk carrier CSSC Le Havre docked at the HES Gdynia terminal in Poland, marking the arrival of the largest soybean meal shipment ever received by the terminal, Dry Cargo International reported. Loaded with over 88,000 tons of soybean meal directly from the port of Santos in Brazil, the CSSC Le Havre's arrival shatters the previous record for soybean meal shipment volume at HES Gdynia. This record was previously held by the capsize vessel Maran Astronomer, which delivered over 57,000 tonnes in March of the previous year. The vessel, with a capacity of 120,000 deadweight tons (dwt), measures over 254m in length and boasts a draft of 12.8m. Equipped to handle vessels of such magnitude, the HES Gdynia terminal operates storage facilities specifically designed for agricultural commodities, capable of accommodating large volumes within its warehouses. Recent enhancements in the main seaways of the Port of Gdynia, deepening them to 16m, have further bolstered the terminal's capabilities. Additionally, plans are underway to deepen the draft at HES Gdynia terminal to 15m, ensuring even greater accessibility for larger vessels. Coupled with the construction of new storage capacities totalling 64,000 tonnes, HES Gdynia anticipates facilitating even larger shipments in the near future. - Dry Cargo International Thai Union launches shrimp decarbonisation initiative for sustainable seafood Thai Union Group, a global seafood leader, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at drastically reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the shrimp supply chain, Newswit reported. Developed in partnership with environmental organisation The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Ahold Delhaize USA, the Shrimp Decarbonisation programme signifies a major advancement in promoting sustainable aquaculture practices. The pilot programme sets out to produce 1,000 metric tonnes of processed shrimp with reduced environmental impact while upholding the highest quality standards. Under the supervision of Thai Union subsidiary Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, the shrimp will be meticulously traced from hatchery to final shipment. This initiative underscores Thai Union's dedication to environmental stewardship and its ambition to lead the seafood industry towards a more sustainable future, aligning with its SBTi-approved goal of a 42% reduction in GHG emissions across its operations and supply chain. Adam Brennan, chief sustainability officer at Thai Union, highlighted the collaborative effort with TNC to establish a model of shrimp production that is environmentally responsible and economically viable. The pilot programme for 2024 represents Thai Union's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and setting new sustainability standards in the seafood sector, aiming to inspire industry-wide transformation. The programme prioritises on-farm investments to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. By optimising feed and farm practices, significant gains in productivity and reductions in emissions are anticipated. Upon successful implementation of the pilot, Thai Union plans to expand these initiatives to other shrimp farms in Thailand and beyond. This broader adoption of sustainable practices will support farms in transitioning towards more environmentally friendly operations. Ahold Delhaize USA, a major grocery retail group, is backing the programme, with two of its brands - Food Lion and Hannaford - committing to purchasing shrimp produced through the initiative. Marc Stolzman, chief sustainability officer for Ahold Delhaize USA, emphasized the company's dedication to sustainability and responsible sourcing, viewing the Shrimp Decarbonisation initiative as a significant advancement in sustainable aquaculture. Tailored intervention packages, including the installation of photovoltaic panels, will be rolled out in two phases across various farm types. These interventions are expected to substantially reduce GHG emissions, demonstrating the programme's potential for significant environmental impact. - Newswit Stephan Oliveira of Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Shards of broken glass were on the welcome mat at the entrance to New Havens Strange Ways when owner Alex Dakoulas got to the store last Wednesday morning. Welcome mat at New Haven's Strange Ways the morning after the store was burglarized. Strange Ways / contributed Security footage showed that hours earlier someone had smashed the front door, entered the store with a black trash bag, hat, face mask and gloves, and stole thousands of dollars of merchandise and apparel, much of it made by local artists from marginalized communities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The words on the mat feature the eponymous opening lyrics of Nirvanas 1991 single Come as You Are. They reflect, Dakoulas said, the safe and welcoming atmosphere he strives for in the store, especially for members of the LGBTQ community. Alex Dakoulas of Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media "Its become a safe space, in the sense that they can come in and hold hands with their partner, or wear something very identifiable, or be openly trans, and were accepting of that, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Screenshot from surveillance video of a burglary at New Haven's Strange Ways. Strange Ways / contributed New Haven police said they could not comment about the incident, but confirmed there is an active investigation. Surveillance footage Dakoulas sent to Hearst Connecticut Media Group shows a person enter the store around 2 a.m. near the Come as You Are welcome mat and walk up a long ramp decorated with an elongated progress Pride flag, past a wall painted in pink and black geometric shapes with an open-mouthed skull and neon stay strange sign, and begin to stuff shirts and sweaters into a trash bag. Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media Strange Ways got its start about 10 years ago as an online shop selling stickers, shirts, patches, pins and other accessory items. Then came a brick-and-mortar storefront in the citys Westville section. A few years ago, it moved to Pitkin Plaza. Dakoulas also owns the Westville General Store. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The doors broken glass was cleaned and replaced almost as quickly as it was discovered. Police were called and items were inventoried. Dakoulas said staff at local businesses like G Cafe, Trinity Bar and Blue Orchid reached out to offer support. Other local businesses, like Devils Gear and Ritual Pizza, shared social media posts about the burglary. Some of the people who created the stolen merchandise even offered to replace them for free, Dakoulas said. Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media I do feel like theres a great sense of community in the Ninth Square business district, he said. We all want this area to succeed. We are all small business and we support each other when we can, so thats been great. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the most support, Dakoulas said, came from his staff, who made sure the store kept running smoothly and patrons felt as welcome as ever. Alex Dakoulas of Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media On the Saturday after the break-in, there were few signs that a violent act had been committed days ago. Even as employees readied to close the store for the night, minutes before 6 p.m., customers entering were greeted from across the store with a bright and chipper Hi! Welcome to Strange Ways. Stephan Oliveira, a 21-year-old student at Yale University, said working at Strange Ways has been more than a job. Its a dream. Oliveira found Strange Ways while in high school in Los Angeles and became a fan of the store, purchasing items and following it on social media. When he got to New Haven after transferring to Yale from a community college in L.A., he jumped at the chance to work at the store. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media It spoke to the activist in him, he said. There was something punk rock about the store's embrace of counterculture, non-conformist elements mixed with whimsy. Its not rainbow capitalism, Oliveira said, but a space where art, creativity, fashion and social consciousness come together. And, he said, its part of why he loves New Haven. It just generally made me feel like the city is a welcoming space, he said. This is a space where you are going to be part of New Haven. Even talking to my professors, they know Strange Ways and they know Alex. This place, as its changed locations, has still been a part of what makes New Haven New Haven. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retail items at New Haven's Strange Ways. Daniel Figueroa IV/Hearst Connecticut Media To the person who broke in, Oliveira said he offers grace. The latest series of Doctor Who will debut on iPlayer and globally on Disney+ at midnight in the UK. The first two hour-long episodes land on May 11, which will then air on BBC One later that day in prime time. Those who know how time zones work will have already guessed that Doctor Who will now be available to view in the US on May 10 at 7pm ET and 4pm PT. There are plenty of sucky things about living in the UK, one of which is that were a day behind the US TV schedule. Buzzy shows like Lost were often spoiled by the internet long before it was legally available to view here. To curb the rampant piracy, shows like Game of Thrones and Succession were broadcast at 2am or 3am. That way, ardent viewers could DVR those airings and watch them before they got to work lest it be spoiled. Because, if you didnt, youd have to be extremely careful when you were treading around on the internet. There were very few shows I didnt have spoiled for me given that I work on the internet all the damn day. So you can imagine my dismay to learn that Doctor Who, one of the crown jewels in the British TV firmament, will now be treated the same way. Its hard not to feel annoyed given that the bulk of the series funding comes from the license fee paid by the majority of TV owners in the UK. It seems mad, to me, that the global simulcast isn't tied to the UK broadcast, rather than this obvious tweak to ensure the US gets it first. Especially when the alternative is to stay up until 2am on a Saturday morning. (Yes, I know theres precedent for this, The Five Doctors aired on PBS two days before the UK airing, and the TV movie aired on Fox twelve days earlier. But that was in the pre-internet heyday when you didn't have every big moment from the show shared by its own official social channels mere seconds after it aired.) Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products. Less than four months after debuting its mid-range Accentum headphones, Sennheiser revealed another version at CES that remains more affordable than its flagship Momentum set. Dubbed the Accentum Plus, this more-expensive model swaps the physical buttons for touch controls while offering revised active noise cancellation (ANC), wear-detection and other conveniences the first version didnt. All of the additions come at a price, though, as the Plus ($230) costs $50 more than the regular Accentum. For a set of headphones that mostly looks the same, are internal updates enough to justify a bigger investment? Design Its difficult to tell the Accentum Plus and Accentum apart at first glance. That lack of physical controls on the older model is what primarily distinguishes the two. The Plus version still has one button which manages power, pairing and voice assistants, but all of the audio and call controls are touch-based and located on the outside of the right ear cup. They work well, from taps for playback to swipes for volume, but depending on your preferences, ditching the physical controls for touch may be a turn off. The other difference is that the Plus has a 3.5mm aux jack along with a USB-C connection whereas the first Accentum only has the latter. Sennheiser 72 100 Sennheiser Accentum Plus Despite changes to ANC and a few new features, the Accentum Plus isnt a significant upgrade over the regular Accentum that debuted last year. Pros Better-than-expected battery life Trademark Sennheiser sound at louder volumes Multipoint Bluetooth Wear detection Cons Cheap-looking design Adaptive ANC isnt a huge difference Sound suffers at lower volumes $218 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $230 at Macy's$230 at World Wide Stereo A nearly identical design means Sennheiser didnt address my key criticism of the first Accentum. The headphones remain almost entirely made out of plastic, which gives them a cheap look and feel. Plus, it doesnt inspire a lot of confidence in the build quality for a set of $230 headphones. The company introduced its new design style on the Momentum 4 in 2022, which it continued with the overall look on the Accentum line. But, the latest Momentums are a bit more polished than these two more recent models. Software and features For the most part, the Sennheiser Smart Control App offers the same features for the Accentum Plus as it does for the Accentum. Almost everything youd need is on the main screen, with battery percentage at the top. Below that sit connection management for multipoint Bluetooth and My Sound audio customization. There, you can adjust a five-band EQ, select a prebuilt sound preset or make your own. The company also offers Sound Personalization that calibrates the audio based on your responses to a few samples in the app. Sennheisers Sound Zones are here as well, giving you the ability to configure specific audio settings based on your location. You can create up to 20 of these for places like home, work, gym and more. Of course, you have to give the app permission to track your location, which could be a nonstarter for some users. The last item on the main interface of the app is ANC control. Here, you can disable the automatic adaptive adjustment to the Accentum Plus noise cancellation and leave regular noise cancellation on. Theres a slider to blend of ANC and transparency as you see fit. You can cycle between ANC and transparency mode with a double tap on the right ear cup, but that action doesnt allow you to activate any preferred blends. Instead, it only turns on full ANC or complete transparency. Sound quality Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget Sennheisers flagship earbuds and headphones have consistently offered the best sound quality among all of the products Ive tested. The company has a knack for a well-tuned audio profile that's dynamic, but not overbearing, and that offers plenty of fine detail thanks to excellent clarity across the EQ. That trademark crispness returns on the Accentum Plus, but its at its best at around 65-75 percent volume. Knock that level down to around 50 percent and sound quality begins to suffer. Theres a pleasant airy, atmospheric quality to tracks on Fever Rays Radical Romantics on the Accentum Plus, enveloping you the way the sound on more expensive headphones would. However, when you decrease the volume to about 50 percent, bass begins to overpower some of the details and the audio profile begins to muddy. The clarity that makes Sennheisers headphones so good is gone at this point, which is a bummer for those of us who don't always desire louder listening. While theres ample bass thats offset by crisp highs throughout most genres, more chaotic styles like metal can be a mixed bag. Boomy bass is still there on Texas In Julys Without Reason and Better Lovers God Made Me An Animal, but finer details in guitars and drum textures start to get lost. The overall performance is a bit flat with all of the instruments coming across compressed compared to other sets. Switch over to something more mellow like Charles Wesley Godwins Live From Echo Mountain and its like you put on different headphones. It feels much more like youre in the room where this was recorded. ANC performance Sennheiser says the Accentum Plus has hybrid adaptive ANC where the Accentum just has hybrid ANC. This means that the Plus model adjusts to changes in environmental noise while the regular model has just one level of blocking ability. During my tests, I struggled to tell a big difference between the two, even when switching quickly from one set to the other. The overall ANC performance is solid in most circumstances, but its far from what youd get on the best that Bose, Sony and even Sennheiser have to offer. And since the Plus version is more expensive, I expected an obvious improvement. Call quality Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget Like most over-ear headphones, the Accentum Plus is just fine for calls. The audio quality isnt pristine, but its certainly passable for most uses. That includes work calls, although Id suggest something with a better mic if youre actually leading the presentation. Overall, the voice quality comes across compressed and a bit tinny. Its not the worst, but its also probably not what you want when how you sound really matters. You can choose to have the headphones automatically switch to transparency mode when you take a call. However, the Accentum Plus doesnt pipe in your voice, so the overall audio isnt as natural as more-expensive options like the AirPods Max. Battery life The Plus battery life remains unchanged from the regular Accentum at 50 hours. Thats definitely not a bad thing. In fact, I exceeded that figure during my tests, notching 57 hours of use with ANC enabled. This included a mix of listening and calls, and during the latter I switched to transparency mode instead of noise cancellation. There were also a few days in between sessions where the headphones sat unused. When you do find yourself out of juice, you can get five hours of listening time after plugging in for only 10 minutes. The competition Given that the upgrades on the Plus are marginal, its hard to recommend them over the cheaper Accentum. Both carry Sennheisers crisp, clear sound that performs well most of the time. The ANC improvements arent enough to justify spending more and the only thing you may truly benefit from is automatic pausing that wear-detection brings. The companys Momentum 4 would definitely be an upgrade over either Accentum, but that costs around $300. Plus, Sennheisers flagship headphones still have its newer, more-boring design albeit with a few refinements. If youre in the market for affordable noise-canceling headphones that dont cut too many corners, consider the Sonys WH-CH720N. Currently available for $105, this budget option wont win any design awards as its also all-plastic, but its more comfortable and has great audio for the price. Noise cancellation is just okay, though Adaptive Sound Control allows you to automate audio settings based on activity or location and theres support for Sonys 360 Reality Audio. Wrap-up Sennheisers attempt to improve on its initial mid-range Accentum offering is a mixed bag. For all of its updates, the Accentum Plus isnt the massive improvement youd expect with its higher price. Sure, the sound is great at times and the ANC will get the job done, but the best thing about this Plus version is the better-than-expected battery life. However, you can get that same play time on the regular Accentum for $50 less. Some small design refinements and a more-obvious step up in terms of audio quality and ANC performance wouldve made a larger impact. But, as it stands, the Accentum Plus isn't a significant upgrade over last years model. One day after a bill that could lead to a ban of TikTok in the United States passed the House of Representatives, the company is doubling down on its strategy of urging users to call lawmakers. The app began pushing new in-app messages to users asking them to "tell your Senator how important TikTok is to you and to ask them to vote not on the TikTok ban. The new alerts are the second such message TikTok has pushed to users about the bill. Prior to the House vote, the company prompted users to call their representatives in the House. The step may have backfired as lawmakers accused the company of trying to interfere with the legislative process as Congressional offices were reportedly overwhelmed with calls, many of which came from somewhat confused teenagers. The latest notifications are even more direct. The House of Representatives just voted to ban TikTok, which impacts 170 million Americans just like you, it says. Now, if the Senate votes, the future of creativity and communities you love on TikTok could be shut down. Like the previous alerts, users can choose to call now, and the app will find phone numbers if a zip code is provided. Screenshot via TikTok TikTok didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But the message underscores just how big a threat the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is to the company. If passed, TikTok would have about six months to sell itself or face a ban in the US. Though there have been several previous attempts to ban the app or force a sale, no measure has received as much bipartisan support so quickly. If passed by the Senate, President Joe Biden has said he would sign it into law. The multinational corporation Boeing is experiencing technical difficulties sparking concerns across the nation regarding flying with the $77 billion airliner. Currently standing as the world's largest aerospace company, their aircrafts are reportedly revealing catastrophic mechanical issues that have rendered passengers in critical condition in some cases. The ongoing Boeing controversy is leaving travelers concerned with a desire to constantly stay informed on what the issues are and which jetliners they're flying with. ENSTARZ has compiled the Boeing's occurrences that brings us to where we are today in Boeing's recent list of purported mishaps. RELATED: Two Passengers Brawl Mid-Air On Southwest Airlines Flight To Hawaii 1. January: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, Cabin Door Blowout January 2024 kicked off a whirlwind of tech issues for Boeing when a cabin door blewout mid-flight on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet. The incident happened at about 16,000 feet, approximately six minutes after takeoff during Alaska Airlines flight 1282 from Portland International Airport on Jan. 5. Reportedly, four bolts used to secure the cabin door plug were missing when the flight occurred. Boeing's records proved that the plugs was previously reinstalled with no bolts prior to delivery of the jet. Four of the passengers from that flight have banded together for a lawsuit citing the "terror" they experienced on board. 2. February: United Airlines Boeing 757-200, Damaged Wing Passenger Kevin Clarke, an announcer for the World Pro Ski Tour, claimed he was worried after the plane took off due to the Boeing 757-200 aircraft "shaking". "All of a sudden I hear this loud vibration and noise that I've never heard from a plane before and it stopped within seconds and I'm like, well that's good it stopped," Clarke said, per ABC-7. Except seconds later, passengers were informed of a diversion due to damage to a wing slat near the engine. The flight landed safely, diverting to Denver about 45 minutes after takeoff. RELATED: Boeing Whistleblower John Barnett Found Dead After Testifying Against Company 3. March: United Airlines Boeing 737-900, Left Engine Explosion Whos Flying DEI today? A United Airlines Plane Engine Caught Fire Mid-Flight Forced to do an Emergency Landing Kinda crazy how many incidents like this is occuring 10 minutes into the United Airlines flight, from Houston to Fort Myers, one of the planes engines burst into pic.twitter.com/ZIyaO9CZhi MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) March 7, 2024 Passengers were terrified last week when a United Airlines flight from Texas to Florida had a horrific incident where bright flames shot out of the craft's engine, resulting in an emergency landing. United flight 118 reported an "engine issue" around 6:55 p.m. CST, per NBC News. The incident occurred about 20 minutes after takeoff. While the Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines didn't pin the exact issue, it appeared to be a compression stall according to reports, which could result in fire flying out the back of the engine. Other harrowing occurrences include landing gear failure in Texas, a Boeing-made LATAM plane bound for New Zealand that suddenly lost altitude, and two deadly crashes involving two Max 8 jets in 2018 and 2019 leaving 346 dead. Per Travel Noir, Southwest, United, Alaska, and American Airlines currently fly Boeing aircrafts. Israel needs 'significant course corrections,' says Schumer US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Israel must make significant course corrections to achieve lasting peace with Palestinians. 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Hey there, its Terry Brock and Im back with another exciting episode of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs! Today, I will show you a fabulous and nifty little tool thats going to turbocharge your productivity and give your presentations and output a serious upgrade. Im talking about the (WOW!) iOS recordings feature on Castmagic. This game-changing tool not only gives you a quick transcript of your speech (amazingly fast!) but it also allows you to repurpose the content in multiple ways. Join me as I walk you through how content entrepreneurs and other creators can leverage iOS recordings. You will be able to level up your presentations and and interviews to create killer social media content. Trust me, youre going to want to hear all about it! First, heres a gift for you to better understand AI and build sales Recommended AI tools for business growth. http://AItools4biz.com Heres Your Video Link: https://youtu.be/WiMK9lMriCw Listen to this & other episodes on our podcast https://bit.ly/sre_podcast Here are 7 timestamps highlighting key points in the episode: 00:00:00 Introduction by Terry Brock, mentioning a productivity tool for recording and transcribing speeches. 00:00:55 Explanation of the recording process using the iOS recording app and the speed of transcription. 00:01:28 Benefits of using iOS recordings for professional speakers and presenters. 00:02:13 Demo of using the Cast Magic interface to work with recordings and transcripts. 00:03:25 Exploring the features of Magic Chat and Studio for additional content creation. 00:04:27 Emphasizing the value of carefully planning and repurposing content from transcripts on social media. 00:06:24 Terry Brocks recommendation to join Stark Raving Entrepreneurs and information about AI tools for business. These timestamps should help you navigate to the key points discussed in the episode. __________________________________________________ Spanish Language Summary En este episodio de Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, Terry Brock presenta la herramienta Castmagic, que permite grabar sesiones desde dispositivos iOS, generar transcripciones, y utilizar la inteligencia artificial para repurposing de contenido. Explica como esta herramienta es beneficiosa para oradores y profesionales de marketing, y anima a los oyentes a unirse a Stark Raving Entrepreneurs para explorar herramientas de inteligencia artificial para negocios. __________________________________________________ Here is an unedited transcript for your further learning and growth Terry Brock [00:00:00]: Ive got a tool I wanna show you that is gonna increase your productivity dramatically. And if you do speeches, be able to record you, give you a transcript of it and the audio, and create a lot of extra components that you can use for repurposing. Hi. Im Terry Brock. And with Start Craving Entrepreneurs here, we talk about how you can increase that. Im gonna show you exactly how today with a program that Ive talked about before. Here it is. Its called Cast Magic. Terry Brock [00:00:24]: And Im over here on the thing making me a little bit larger here. This is just a between you and me kind of a recording. I want to show you what is available with the thing they call iOS recordings. And iOS recordings is exactly what you think it would be. Its from your Apple devices that youre able to record. We dont have it yet for Android as Im recording this, but Im looking for to that coming pretty soon. But youll see over here on the side, we just take a look at the recordings right here, Ios recordings. Ive clicked on that and these come in in addition, because what you do is you need to load an app. Terry Brock [00:00:55]: You load the app for this special one, again for Ios only, but then it gives you the ability to just tap on a screen on the screen and start recording. It goes all the way through, and then when its done, its ready with a transcript in just a few minutes. Mine was, recently I did a couple of days ago, was about an hour 5, hour 10 minutes or so. And I was able to get it processed. It was about in 10 minutes. So pretty fast transcript and everything there. And this gives a lot of capability. Now this is something that you wanna look into if you are presenting a lot. Terry Brock [00:01:28]: If youre a professional speaker, absolutely. If youre getting ready for a big presentation, this will be really good. Because what you can do is you go through your presentation. Id recommend using it with your slides, your PowerPoint slides, or your keynote slides. Use Ios recordings, and you do a recording of it. Youre doing a dry run. Youre doing an actual sample of it. Then you can go back, and with the words there written down, as well as listening to them, you can go back and go, I could have said that differently here. Terry Brock [00:01:56]: Or, oh, that was a good line. I wanna use that one. And then you can use that and amplify it. See, and thats part of the real benefit of this. What you can do with Ios recordings is you can get those, put them into cast magic. Thats where theyll come from. And then you can roll there. Let me show you what Im talking about here. Terry Brock [00:02:13]: So I make this just a little bit smaller right here. Pick me up. Ill move me over here out of the way. So Im in this and I can see all the various recordings that Ive done. And matter of fact, heres one that I did. Let me show you as an example that shows me going through talking about, whats there. I can see, a lot of different examples where I can use this. So I can say, like for instance here, people are talking about this. Terry Brock [00:02:35]: I go, yeah. Ive heard about that now. It has changed. Theres some negatives that are out there, etcetera. So I can grab that just like that and be able to take that and then I can copy it over into, the studio. Youll notice up here at the top we can get a transcript. I can use AI content with it. Use magic chat as well as studio. Terry Brock [00:02:57]: Now the magic chat is much like chat g p t. Thats really where its tying into. And so you can use that to create all kinds of extras like give me a sample of this in Spanish. Something that Im doing already. So I get a summation of the program in Spanish. Well, you could do that for your speeches now, as well as for your podcasts and your YouTube channel. And then theres also studio. Studio, we talked about on a recent video where really it was good. Terry Brock [00:03:25]: You can create those quotes, those cue quotes. So you have a graphics card with a quote on it. Well, now if you find something here thats really good, you can say, oh, okay. I like this text right here. Im gonna grab this text, etcetera. Then what Ill do is Ill copy it. Im using my Mac here. So command c, control c on your windows, and then I can take that move it over here. Terry Brock [00:03:44]: But this is all within the Ios recordings. So what you do is you carefully plan it that you have a special line you want to say. You want to make that an Instagram post. You want to make that a post on x or on LinkedIn or Facebook or where wherever it might be. You can just make sure you say that, pull it out and put it in there. Youre being able to now create a lot of content in some really powerful ways that we just, well, we couldnt do before. And now, it gives us the ability to do a lot more, a lot faster, and theres no extra charge for it. Youre just using the minutes that you have, as youre working with them on your particular platform, whatever it is. Terry Brock [00:04:27]: So this is something I want you to take a look at and think about how this can help you. For me, I see some real benefits coming to it, to a gas hoot from using it because what well be able to do is be able to carefully plan not only that presentation and not only review it, but look at it and think, okay. How can I make this better? Ive got a transcript And it gives you the ability to have that AI assistant. Ive talked about Yudlee here on the channel before. And its great. Well this gives you power to do a whole lot more particularly in repurposing it on social media. So with social media using iOS recordings on Cast Magic, its gonna be something that you want to take a look at and start working with. Let me show you some of the other features that you can use with this as we work with it. Terry Brock [00:05:20]: Like I mentioned here, using the, content. I can click on this content here, and look what it did. It gave me some time stamps here, key topics and bullets that I can use. So if somebody says, oh, I wanna find out about using AI to create images from textual descriptions, oh, thats in there. Okay. Thats good. And then I can see all of that. Now the time stamps will tell you where it happened and how it was in there. Terry Brock [00:05:44]: This is giving us an ID a summation of the various features that are there. And here Ive got my time stamps knowing that I talked about, Kroger and how its using AI for personalized online shopping somewhere at including the studio. And the way I look at it is this is just a great way to make sure that you can get all of those elements put together and become a much more powerful, more persuasive presenter. And then also a publisher. Theres all the ps in there. Yeah. You can put all that in there together, and its gonna help you to do a lot more. Cast magic is the tool. Terry Brock [00:06:24]: I recommend getting that and taking a look at it and also recommend that you join us over at Stark Raving Entrepreneurs. We meet regularly with people. You can come in and take a chair, a test to see how its like for $1. Check it out, see what its like for a whole month. Get a chance to see and learn about AI and marketing and how to build your business in some big ways. And weve got something here we wanna make available to you that is ongoing. This is the AI tools for biz. It gives you the ability to get access to a lot of different tools, chat gpt, DALL E 3, Canva and many others as well. Terry Brock [00:06:59]: So thatll be something. And you could also pick this up here if youre catching this on video with AI tools for biz. Thats the number 4 biz.com.ai tools for biz.com or use your camera and you get a QR shot of this right there. So lots of good ahead for you. And we encourage you to keep working on this. And by the way, check out the video above. Itll be talking also about cast magic and how you can use that. Im Terry Brock. Terry Brock [00:07:25]: Thank you for joining me. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low near 25F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low near 25F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Elsie Arntzen, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, walks into Parental Rights Education Action meeting at Crosspoint Church in Missoula, Montana on November 1, 2021. (Tommy Martino for The Daily Montanan.) Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen is repeatedly failing to implement education laws intended to help children, and her office is causing widespread confusion among schools, said members of a legislative interim committee in a 6-2 vote Wednesday. The vote was in support of sending a letter to Arntzen. The net result of the decisions that have been made by the superintendent of public instruction is that programs that we have put into law are being disrupted or impeded, said Chairperson Dave Bedey, R-Hamilton. Calling for formal action, Bedey said the interim budget committee on education had heard two days of testimony from educators who described harms from the Office of Public Instruction under Arntzens leadership. He said legislation passed during the 2023 session and now being stymied include a public charter school bill (House Bill 549), an update to Indian Education for All (House Bill 338), support for early literacy (House Bill 352), and project to modernize data to help students and teachers (House Bill 367). Citing concerns raised in committee from education professionals across Montana, Bedey and other legislators voted to send a letter to the lame-duck Republican superintendent calling on her to return to fulfilling her Constitutional duties. Reading from the letter, Bedey said the Office of Public Instruction was interpreting bills contrary to legislative intent and failing to provide clear and timely guidance to school districts. The justifications offered by your chief legal counsel were not persuasive, said Bedey, reading from the letter the committee will submit to Arntzen. It further became apparent that you at this time have no desire to change course. The result has been widespread confusion in the field, potential delays in program implementation, and delivery of programs that do not comport with the law. Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, and Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber, opposed sending the letter. Esp shared the committees concerns but disagreed with the admonition. Im disappointed, too, Esp said. But I think the remedy is through the courts, as it has been in the past. Arntzen is termed out of the superintendent role and is one of many Republicans running for Montanas eastern Congressional seat. She declined invitations to attend the meeting, but after the vote, she said action by the committee was political persecution in a letter read at the microphone by her chief legal counsel. Im being attacked because I am conservative, said Rob Stutz, chief legal counsel, on behalf of Arntzen. I stood up for limited bureaucracy, fought the radical transgender agenda, opposed wokeism, promoted good government and delivered results for our children, parents and schools. Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, said he has been actively and aggressively engaged in the education field and related laws for some 20 years. He said during the years, differences of opinion arise on bill interpretation, and sometimes, court intervention is needed. This time, though, Jones said the Office of Public Instruction is offering a different interpretation to a high number of education bills, and he said the pattern concerns him. Additionally, he said, multiple renowned legal experts in education disagree with Arntzens legal team. Ive kind of lost confidence that these bills are going to be able to do positive and good work for students because we continually find ourselves here, Jones said; the committee had discussed similar concerns late last year. Jones also said the Office of Public Instructions pushback on legislative intent was curious given that the majority of legislators voted for the bills in question, and Gov. Greg Gianforte signed them into law. Its strange that we were all so confused we didnt know what we were voting for or on so many times in a row, Jones said. Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, a Democrat from Box Elder who sponsored one of the bills, shared Jones skepticism. He said he worked carefully on an update to Indian Education for All, but was later told to my face that a plan for implementation didnt reflect legislative intent. For me to be told that wasnt my intent baloney, Windy Boy said. Sen. Dan Salomon, R-Ronan, said the last couple of days had been frustrating. He said the committee set up the meeting to have productive conversations about education legislation, but in every case, theres a calculation to impede these bills. And why? The problem is we are hurting kids, Salomon said. These are good programs. He also said the committee was taking action to solve problems, not to posture: This is not a publicity stunt. This is to get things resolved. Rep. Connie Keogh, D-Missoula, said another problem was school districts were not getting the resources and answers they needed from the Office of Public Instruction, and they were stressed. She and other legislators said employees at the agency work hard, but Bedey said leadership matters. In advocating for formal communication from the committee to Arntzen, Bedey said he wanted to relay that she has failed to meet her constitutional obligation to execute laws the legislature passed. But Stutz, in reading the letter from Arntzen and addressing the agencys approach to bill implementation, said the Office of Public Instruction would not disregard written law. He said doing so would set a dangerous precedent in Montana. OPI will continue to abide by the written law, as we are constitutionally required to do, Stutz said for Arntzen. Anything less would put our state, children and families at risk of agency overreach. Voting in support of the bill were Bedey, Jones, Keogh, Windy Boy, Salomon, and Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula. The post Montana lawmakers say state Superintendent Arntzen not fulfilling constitutional duties appeared first on Daily Montanan. BUTTE, Mont. -- In just a few short days, the Mining City will be painted green for its favorite holiday of the year, St. Patrick's Day. And a brand-new business in the heart of Uptown is ensuring that the Irish spirit stays alive and well all year round. It's well-documented that Butte has had a historied affinity for Ireland. But, as it turns out, the inverse is true too. "Growing up in Ireland, I grew up on stories of Butte," said Irish Johnny, the director of blarney and shenanigans (and manager) of Shawn O'Donnell's Irish Pub in Butte. "I grew up on stories of Our Lady of the Rockies, the folklore of Marcus Daly. I grew up hearing there was this place in the heart of Montana that was known as the Ireland of the Rockies, and that it was the most Irish town in all of America." Curiosity eventually led Irish Johnny to the Mining City in 2020, where he immediately fell in love with the town's affection for the Emerald Isle. But after the closing of famed Irish store Cavanaugh's County Celtic and the iconic eatery Mac's Tavern, Johnny felt that a little something was missing--something that he hopes will be restored his new restaurant, Shawn O'Donnell's Irish Pub, now operating out of the same historic building where Mac's once was. "Butte has been aching for a hub to gather," Irish Johnny said. "And I hope we can provide that hub with Irish food, Irish music, Irish poetry, Irish books--we've got the largest collection of Irish books in the whole state of Montana." "It's the most natural place for an Irish man to be," Johnny continued. Well, men and women, Irish or not, will flock to Butte for St. Patrick's Day this coming Sunday. And with O'Donnell's officially open for business as of last week, that boost in the local Irish spirit doesn't come at a better time. "It's an Irish man's dream come true," Irish Johnny said. "To be in the most Irish city in all of America, in the Ireland of the Rockies, in an Irish restaurant, on the biggest Irish day of the year... there's not much more I could ask for." The British Farming Awards, which aim to shine a light on the work taking place across the industry and the driving forces behind it, have now opened for entries. Now in its 12th year, the annual event, supported by Morrisons, will celebrate the diversity and resilience of British farmers and their businesses. Alongside the core farming sectors arable, beef, dairy, sheep and beef the awards also recognise the importance of sustainable practices, innovations within agri-tech and those who have diversified. The role of family farms will be championed, as will new entrants and agricultural students, all of which are seen as vital to the future of the industry. The awards also welcome nominations of businesses which have introduced positive changes, streamlined production and efficiency and adapted structures to tackle the industry's challenges. Sarah Whittaker-Smith, event director of the awards said: I am honoured to play a role in an event that magnifies the extraordinary talent within the UK agricultural sector. "The awards gives our community an opportunity to celebrate amongst peers. It is an evening where we all together to honour the unsung heroes of farming and to reflect on the strides we have made throughout the year. "We are excited to announce that we will be hosting an entry guidance day on 12 April designed to assist you in navigating the entry process and offer guidance on crafting a compelling submission." The Farmers Guardian Farming Hero is a prestigious award included in the event, designed to recognise one individuals dedication to the farming industry. This person will have worked tirelessly for UK farming, either through delivering innovation, championing the needs for fellow farmers, spearheading change and/or promoting the industry to the wider public. The public can nominate someone, and they will not be notified that they have been nominated unless they are chosen as the winner of the award. The British Farming Awards has also launched a new award for 2024 - the Agricultural Influencer of the Year. The introduction of social media influencers in farming is booming, with more and more farmers recognising the benefits of multimedia platforms. MPs are being urged to back the 'Buy British Bill' which calls for a boost in the proportion of British food available in schools and hospitals. The Private Members Bill - Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) has its Second Reading in the House of Commons today (15 March). Launched by Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, it has the backing of the NFU and other farming groups. It would amend two existing Acts of Parliament relating to requirements to be followed in public procurement. These include the need for a contracting authority to consider what proportion of the food originates from the UK. Over three-quarters of the public want the government to commit to sourcing at least half of all food for schools, prisons and hospitals from British farms, a survey by the NFU says. But despite the public procurement of food encompassing a spend of 2.4 billion, there is currently no record of what proportion of this food is currently supplied by British farmers. In its election manifesto, the NFU is calling on the next government to commit to sourcing 50% of food into the public sector from British farms. It also seeks the reporting of the origin of public sector sourced food, which is 'essential' to monitor progress towards this ambition. NFU deputy president, David Exwood said: We know there is huge support across the country for food served in the public sector to be British. This would guarantee more British farmers and growers delivering high quality, fresh, seasonal and affordable food to world-leading environmental and welfare standards into our schools, prisons, hospitals and the military. We fully support Sarah Champion for introducing her Bill and encourage all Parliamentarians to support it and back British food and farming. It comes as major supermarket chains have announced new 'buy British' sections on their websites in a bid to better signpost locally produced food. The NFU recently released a survey showing that most people (81%) agreed that British farms should grow as much food as they can to boost food security. A man in Thailand was rushed to hospital after squeezing himself into 11 penis rings. A man in Thailand was hospitalised after squeezing into 11 penis rings The unnamed 30-year-old male lost consciousness after suffering bruising and swelling and required admission to a medical facility in Bangkok, where doctors were forced to cut him free. They are believed to have struggled to cut them off due to the amount of swelling, but were successful in the end. Penis rings are usually worn to enhance pleasure and improve erections, but they can be dangerous and cause a condition called priapism, which causes a persistent and painful erection of the penis. Medical experts advise keeping the rings on for no longer than 30 minutes to avoid side effects including swelling and bruising as well as complications such as penile strangulation. In rare cases, it could lead to a disorder called penile gangrene which if not treated immediately could lead to amputation. Yellowstone actor Cole Hauser is mourning the death of his mum. Yellowstone actor Cole Hauser is mourning the death of his mum The 48-year-old star, best known for playing Rip Wheeler in the Western drama, announced the news of Cass Warners passing by sharing a photo of her on Instagram that showed them riding horses together. He captioned the image: It is with a heavy heart that my mother Cass Sperling Warner passed away at the age of 76. Her kindness, love, humour and amazing spirit will be missed by not only my family but the world. You have touched so many. He added: I know you will be up in the heavens sitting next to all the great humans that have passed through our earth. We will meet again. Bye for now. Coles mum Cass was the daughter of film producer Milton Sperling and Betty Warner Sheinbaum and her granddad Harry Warner was one of the four founders of Warner Bros., formed in 1923 and remains one of Hollywood's largest companies. Cass wrote a biography of Warner Bros. titled The Brothers Warner and also wrote, produced, directed and narrated an accompanying documentary film about the studio released in 2007. She also founded her own production company Warner Sisters and recently shared photos of her actor son, his wife Cynthia Daniel and the couples three children Ryland, Colt and Steely Rose on Instagram. Cass referred to herself on social media as a third generation filmmaker, author, mother, Nona, concerned citizen, Rips mom. Cole has shared photos of himself and his mother on Instagram in the past, and in 2021 posted a childhood photo of himself smiling with Cass to mark Mothers Day. He captioned the image: Happy Mothers Day momma! @casss.warner to many more years together on this planet. Everything that Goa stands for - sun, sand, sea and inevitable fun - AntiSocial Goa invites you to experience all this and more at a single place. For decades, Goa has been a perennial favorite among travellers for its vibrant party culture. However, tucked away from the bustling clubs and crowded beaches lies a hidden gem that is redefining the concept of "antisocial" in this coastal paradise. Here you will find rockstars, ravers, rappers, drag queens, and everything in between with unique curations of live acts, spoken word, flea markets, and bazaars, and maestros of the electronic music scene.Sprawled across 4.5 acres, this dreamy destination is set on the widest and most scenic length of Morjim beach. With its capacity to house as many as 1,000 people on the dance floor and 500 people seating space. Beach lovers can get to spend the whole day lounging, dancing, sipping cocktails with their friends and family, taking a board out to surf a wave or catch a game of beach volleyball. The venue also features a poolside cafe, a 360 bar, two exclusive VIP lounges, a hotel, and state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor dance floors equipped with India's finest audio systems.As word of mouth spreads and the allure of antisocial Goa continues to grow, Morjim Beach is fast emerging as a mecca for alternative nightlife in Goa. Travelers seeking an escape from the mainstream party scene are drawn to its laid-back vibe and immersive cultural offerings, while locals cherish it as a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of tourist hotspots.While Goa's nightlife often revolves around large-scale events and crowded venues, the ethos of antisocial Goa embraces a more intimate and exclusive experience. Here, amidst the serene backdrop of swaying palms and golden sands, a burgeoning community of music enthusiasts and party-goers has found solace in the unconventional. From locally-sourced seafood delicacies to global fusion creations, the menu caters to a diverse palate, ensuring a gastronomic journey like no other. Whether indulging in freshly grilled Goan fish or savoring exotic cocktails infused with indigenous ingredients, patrons are treated to a symphony of flavors that celebrate Goa's rich culinary heritage.Beyond its culinary delights, Antisocial emerges as a cultural hotspot, hosting an array of music festivals, live performances, and artistic collaborations. From intimate acoustic sets to electrifying DJ performances, the venue pulsates with energy, drawing music enthusiasts from far and wide. Whether reveling in the infectious rhythms of electronic beats or swaying to the soulful melodies of local artists, visitors are enveloped in a sensory experience that transcends boundaries and fosters connections.At the heart of the antisocial movement in Goa is a growing roster of independent musicians, DJs, and event organisers. Drawing inspiration from Goa's rich cultural heritage and diverse music scene, these underground pioneers curate events that celebrate individuality and self-expression.Far removed from the pulsating beats of commercial EDM, the soundtracks of antisocial Goa are characterized by a diverse range of genres, from deep house and techno to ambient and experimental sounds. Attendees are treated to immersive sonic journeys that transcend the boundaries of conventional club culture, fostering a sense of connection and belonging among like-minded individuals. What sets the antisocial gatherings at Morjim Beach apart is their emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability.In a world increasingly dominated by mass consumerism and digital connectivity, the rise of antisocial Goa serves as a poignant reminder of the power of community, creativity, and human connection. As the sun sets over Morjim Beach and the sounds of underground music fill the air, one can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for this hidden oasis in the heart of Goa's coastline. Nestled along the pristine shores of Morjim-Ashwem Beach Road in Mandrem, Goa, Sao By The Shore emerges as a beacon of tranquility and culinary delight. As its name suggests, Sao encapsulates the essence of health, wholesomeness, and sanity, offering patrons an unparalleled experience of seaside dining amidst the breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea.Sao By The Shore represents a fusion of sophisticated dining, chic ambiance, and unparalleled hospitality. From the moment you step into Sao, you are greeted by an ambiance that transcends the ordinary. Designed by interior designer Neetika Daga, the space exudes a sense of calm and connection with nature. A warm bamboo tunnel welcomes guests, leading them into a space adorned with fawn hues, spear palm leaves, and refurbished pivoted windows. Every corner of Sao is meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of serenity and comfort, reminiscent of a leisurely day spent in one's own backyard.With sunbeds, a backyard, and a lounge area offering the perfect setting for soaking up the sun and enjoying the gentle sea breeze, Sao's outdoor area is a testament to Goa's unique charm. Handpicked accessories sourced from Goan markets adorn the space, adding to its rustic yet refined appeal.However, Sao's allure extends beyond its captivating ambiance. The culinary offerings at Sao are a true testament to the fusion of Goan and European flavors, curated to tantalize the taste buds of even the most discerning diners. From Prawn Sol Kadi Ceviche with Tender Coconut & Edible Flowers to Moroccan Lamb Kebab and Truffle Buffalo Mozzarella Fragottini, the menu boasts a diverse array of dishes that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of the region.At the heart of Sao's culinary experience lies its innovative bar menu, crafted by the renowned mixologist Fay Barretto. With a focus on Indo-Portuguese elements infused into modern cocktails, Sao's bar menu offers a refreshing take on classic favorites. Signature cocktails like the Rose Dream, made with Codigo Rose, Samsara Pink, Strawberry, and watermelon, and the Of Flower & Fruits, featuring Frangipani-infused Vodka, Lychee liqueur, Apple juice, and Vanilla Jasmine foam, promise to transport patrons to a world of flavor and indulgence.As the sun sets over the horizon, Sao transforms into the perfect evening destination, offering a romantic ambiance and panoramic views that are sure to enchant even the most seasoned travelers. Whether you're lounging by yourself or celebrating with friends and family, Sao offers ample space and privacy to ensure an unforgettable experience for all.With a focus on wellness, gastronomy, and unparalleled hospitality, Sao By The Shore redefines the concept of seaside dining in Goa. So, the next time you find yourself craving a taste of paradise, make your way to Sao By The Shore and indulge in a culinary journey like no other. Indias Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) test fired Agni-5 on March 11 and it has been a significant development in countrys missile sector. R. Sheena Rani who spearheaded a team at the DRDO, she played a pivotal role in the successful flight-test of Agni-5 missile equipped with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology. This groundbreaking achievement, launched from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, marks a significant milestone in India's defence capabilities. Sheena's illustrious career began with a stint at ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, where she developed her skills for eight years before transitioning to DRDO in 1999. Since then, she has been a driving force behind India's Agni missile programme. Her dedication and commitment have been instrumental in the development and induction of various Agni variants into the country's defence forces. She served as the programme director at the Hyderabad-based Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) of DRDO. Under her leadership, ASL developed the Agni-5 missile, equipped with multiple nuclear warheads, catapulting India into an elite club of nations with advanced missile technology. However, it is the successful integration of MIRV technology into the Agni-5 missile that stands as Sheena's crowning glory. With her heart and soul invested in the project, she led her team of DRDO scientists, including several talented women, to achieve this remarkable feat. In a media interview, Sheena expressed her pride in contributing to a programme that safeguards the nation's borders and ensures its security. Beyond her professional achievements, she embodies resilience, dedication, and the spirit of innovation. Her leadership serves as an inspiration to aspiring scientists and engineers, particularly women, seeking to make their mark in the field of defence technology. critic's rating: 3.0/5 Trailer : Yodha Yodha, an action-packed thriller set against the tense backdrop of a hijacking, promises adrenaline-pumping sequences within the confines of an aircraft. Drawing parallels to classic action films like Passenger 57 and Olympus Has Fallen, it aims to deliver a similar pulse-pounding experience.Arun Katyal (Sidharth Malhotra) a soldier from the Special Yodha Task Force, faces suspension after a mission failure. The mystery deepens when he's unexpectedly found on a hijacked flight. The big question arises: is he a traitor or a patriot? This mystery fuels the suspense of the plot. Directed by Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha, who are making their debut with Yodha, the film is definitely high on action, though lags a bit in the writing department. Sidharth Malhotra dons the army uniform once again after his commendable portrayal in Shershaah (2021). While he carries the uniform with aplomb, the film fails to match the emotional depth and engagement of the Vikram Batra biopic. Nonetheless, Sidharth Malhotra's presence adds a layer of credibility to the narrative. Sidharth is made out to be a super soldier who doesnt hesitate to put his life on fire for the service to his country. His entry scene, the fight before the interval, as well as the climax, are all larger-than-life sequences and scream out his credentials as a bonafide action hero.The real highlight of Yodha lies in its action set pieces, particularly those set inside the plane. These sequences are a visual treat, showcasing well-choreographed stunts that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. However, amidst the excitement, the screenplay falters, often feeling incoherent and juvenile in its execution.Raashii Khanna shines in her role as a concerned wife and hostage negotiator, bringing depth to her character amidst the chaos. Her portrayal adds a layer of realism to the film's premise. Additionally, Disha Patani surprises with her action prowess, delivering memorable moments, including action-packed sequences in a saree. However, Yodha is Sidharth Malhotras vehicle all the way. He has the required physique to look like a commando and does his best to infuse patriotism in his portrayal. He and Raashii share a good chemistry together, though their romance seems hurriedly put together.One commendable aspect of Yodha is its non-jingoistic approach. The film depicts leaders and security forces from India and Pakistan battling a difficult situation together, emphasising cooperation over conflict. While patriotism is evident, it's portrayed in a balanced manner, avoiding unnecessary chest thumping.Watch the film for its slick fight scenes. The money shot is the one involving Sidharth Malhotra fighting the bad guys as the aeroplane gets inverted midair, resulting in chaos all around. Yodha offers enough thrills to keep action aficionados entertained. With its blend of intense action, dramatic tension, and fine performances, it makes for decent masala fare, albeit with some flaws along the way. Amitabh Bachchan Health Update: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan underwent an angioplasty at Mumbai's Kokilaben Hospital. He was admitted to the hospital in the early hours of Friday (March 15). According to the ongoing reports, the angioplasty was performed not on his heart but on a clot in his leg. WHY AMITABH BACHCHAN GOT ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL? After experiencing discomfort while attending events, Amitabh Bachchan was advised by doctors to undergo a general checkup. Subsequently, they recommended the operation. According to the portal, the actor is said to be in improved health now. Since morning, his fans were concerned about his health. However, the veteran superstar is better now and expressed gratitude to his well-wishers. In his most recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he expressed his gratitude, saying, "In gratitude ever." Take a look at the post below: Yodha OTT Release Date & Platform: When & Where To Watch Sidharth Malhotra's Film After Theatrical Run? T 4950 - in gratitude ever .. Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 15, 2024 Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD Teaser Release Date Announcement Soon? Here's An Update You Might Want To Know Additionally, he posted a video promoting his Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) team. However, neither Amitabh Bachchan nor his family has issued a statement regarding the matter yet. LIST OF AMITABH BACHCHAN'S UPCOMING FILMS Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in the film Goodbye, starring Neena Gupta. His upcoming projects include Kalki AD 2898, featuring Deepika Padukone and Prabhas. He is also part of the cast for Rajinikanth's film Vettaiyan, which also stars Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, and Manju Warrier. Additionally, Amitabh Bachchan is expected to appear in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood movie The Intern, where Deepika Padukone will play the lead role and serve as a producer. However, there's been no update on the project for a long time now. Also, since Deepika is expecting her first child with Ranveer Singh, it looks like the film is going to get delayed further. He replaced late actor Rishi Kapoor in the project. Here's wishing him a speedy revovery and keep watching this space for more updates! Yodha Review: Sidharth Malhotra is all over the headlines today and rightfully so. After all, his recent release Yodha has released today. Helmed by Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha, the movie happens to be an action thriller which also features Raashii Khanna and Disha Patani in the lead. Yodha features Sidharth in the role of a brave soldier who is ready to take on the terrorists. From the teaser to trailer, everything about the movie made headlines and left the audience wanting for more. After all, everyone has been eager to see Sidharth in an action mode. And while Yodha has finally hit the theatres today, it has got the social media buzzing with an opinion as everyone is all praises for Sidharth Malhotra's performance. Yodha X Review Taking to the micro-blogging site Twitter (now X), a Twitter user gave Yodha 3.5 stars and wrote, "Interval Block, Suspense, Climax and Twist & Turn is literally blow your mind, #SidharthMalhotra performance is Terrific, Storyline is Good not up to the Mark, direction is brilliant, Disha & Rashi Acting is decent. Overall #Yodha is a Good Movie". On the other hand, another user gave the movie 4.5 stars and tweeted, "It's so inspiring and perfect film-making in all aspects be it Details, filming, camera work, music and acting! All are at their peaks! @SidMalhotra take a bow, Delhi Boy has delivered his career best performance in #Yodha". #YodhaReview - Interval Block, Suspense, Climax and Twist & Turn is literally blow your mind, #SidharthMalhotra performance is Terrific, Storyline is Good not up to the Mark, direction is brilliant, Disha & Rashi Acting is decent. Overall #Yodha is a Good Movie. pic.twitter.com/7A3DeNm2yr AMIR ANSARI (@FMovie82325) March 15, 2024 #SidharthMalhotra#YodhaReview It's so inspiring and perfect film-making in all aspects be it Details,filming,camera work, music and acting ! All are at their peaks ! @SidMalhotra take a bow , Delhi Boy has delivered his career best performance in #Yodha pic.twitter.com/Nkc9lxcgc5 fB (@Sonali4c) March 15, 2024 #YodhaReview FIRST HALF It's going amazing, #SidharthMalhotra is awesome, narrow space action scenes are good. waiting for 2 half #Yodha #YodhaMovie DI Bravo (@DIbravo47) March 15, 2024 Meanwhile, talking about Yodha, Sidharth spoke about the movie and said, "Yodha is a completely fictitious story. We have created a new task force - Yodha. So when you create something from zero, then you can take a lot of liberties. We have done many variations in the film and also the action I got to perform is very different from 'Shershaah'. Here I am more energetic, and lean, and use different sorts of weapons. It is a far more commercial and entertaining film. I think it has got my best of action sequences that I have done in last decade or so" SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2024 / Cooke Aquaculture Pacific, LLC ("Cooke") has filed a motion with the Superior Court of the State of Washington to dismiss its appeal against the Washington State Department of Natural Resources ("DNR") seeking reinstatement of Cooke's leases at the Rich Passage and Hope Island steelhead trout fish farms in Puget Sound. This action was initially commenced by Cooke in response to DNR's refusal to allow enough time to safely harvest its fish and remove farming equipment from the water following DNR's arbitrary and punitive lease renewal denials in 2022. Cooke is grateful that in January 2023 Judge Indu Thomas of the Superior Court of the State of Washington swiftly enjoined DNR from enforcing unrealistic deadlines without endangering its employees. As a result of DNR Commissioner Hilary Franz's arbitrary decision, over 100 Washington fish farming professionals including farm managers, veterinarians, hatchery technicians, truck drivers, processing plant workers and vessel crew have since been forced out of their jobs by Franz following the baseless closure of locally established fish farms. The Rich Passage and Hope Island fish farms were present at the same locations for more than 40 years, with scientific studies and monitoring data consistently showing that the farms did not have an adverse impact on the environment. In 2019, The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife approved Cooke's five-year trout farming permit after conducting an extensive review under the Environmental Policy Act. Since the injunction was issued against DNR in January 2023, Cooke has endeavored to obtain public records from DNR that it believes are needed to allow for a fair appeal hearing before the Court on the issue of whether DNR properly denied Cooke's lease applications. Despite the request being pending for almost a year, DNR refused to work with Cooke on the timeline to provide records and has never provided any substantive responses that would allow Cooke to explain to the Court the arbitrary basis for the lease denials. Based on the number of records that DNR claims are responsive to Cooke's request, at the rate DNR has produced records to date, it would take another six to seven years for all responsive records to be produced by DNR which is an untenable and inconceivable situation. A further hearing on this matter is futile without Cooke having an opportunity to review DNR's internal records and ensure the record before the Court is complete. Such a hearing would be a waste of judicial resources and everyone's time, therefore, Cooke has filed a motion to dismiss its appeal. Marine aquaculture farming is one of the healthiest and most efficient ways to feed the population with minimal environmental impact, the lowest freshwater use and the lowest carbon footprint of any animal protein. Aquaculture farming and the associated supply chain are a vital part of job creation and domestic food production needed to curb a massive seafood deficit where 90% of seafood consumed in the United States is imported. Wild fish catches cannot meet the projected demand for seafood, and aquaculture is essential to preserving wild fisheries. As such, Cooke continues to work with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and pursuing projects that allow the Tribe to provide for its people and that foster sustainable seafood production on the Olympic Peninsula. Cooke's core purpose is to "cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities." About Cooke Inc. The Cooke Inc. family of companies includes global aquaculture divisions including its wholly-owned subsidiary Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd, as well as seafood and wild fishery divisions under Cooke Seafood USA, Inc., Icicle Seafoods, Inc., Wanchese Fish Company, Inc. and Omega Protein. Cooke Aquaculture Inc. is a vertically-integrated family company based in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada, with salmon farming operations in Atlantic Canada, the United States, Chile and Scotland as well as seabass and seabream farming operations in Spain. Cooke ships fresh, sustainable True North Seafood branded products to over 67 countries. For the second year in a row, Cooke Inc. earned the #1 spot on the SeafoodSource list of Top 10 North American Seafood Suppliers and Cooke Aquaculture Inc. was once again recognized as a Platinum Member of one of Canada's Best Managed Companies. Cooke Aquaculture Inc. was recently recognized as the top private growth company in Canada by Grant Thornton and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Press Contact: Joel Richardson Vice President Public Relations Cooke Aquaculture Inc. / for Cooke Aquaculture Pacific LLC +1-506-694-4939 Joel.Richardson@cookeaqua.com SOURCE: Cooke Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2024) - iMining Technologies Inc. (TSXV: IMIN.H) ("iMining"), (the "Company" or "iMining"), a leading Canadian technology firm dedicated to fostering future technology ventures in Canada, proudly announces an addition to AiMining Technologies ("AiMining"). AiMining Technologies announces the strategic appointment of David Colombo to its Advisory Board. Colombo, celebrated in tech circles as a "Cyber Prodigy" as written by Bloomberg and "Tech Genius" by the Khaleej Times brings his extraordinary achievements, to the AiMining team. His addition underscores AiMining's commitment to leading-edge applied AI solutions in multiple industry verticals. Colombo's role as Cyber Security Advisor will harness his extensive experience, heralded at events like BlackHat and the World Government Summit, to navigate the complex cyber security landscape. "The fusion of AI and cyber security is the battleground of our digital future," states Khurram Shroff, CEO of iMining Technologies. "With David's strategic insights and innovative mindset, we are more equipped than ever to advance our position at this crucial junction." David Colombo shared his perspective on joining the members of the advisory board: "As AiMining is exploring the cutting-edge of enhancing cyber security solutions with machine learning and artificial intelligence, I'm looking forward to providing my industry insights and strategic advice. I'm very excited to see what the team of top-tier researchers assembled by AiMining will bring to market. The synergy between ML/AI, if done the right way, will definitely help to shape the future of cyber defense and secure digital societies." David Colombo's celebrated strategic partnership with AiMining Technologies' Advisory Board heralds an innovation era in cyber security. Acclaimed for the remarkable ethical hack of Tesla, his expertise is a beacon for pioneering AI-empowered security defenses. Colombo brings a treasure trove of knowledge and a unique perspective to the vanguard of AI-enhanced cyber security systems. This alliance promises to forge powerful, far-reaching cyber security frameworks to safeguard stakeholders around the globe. About iMining Technologies Inc. iMining Technologies Inc. is a publicly listed technology company which together with its subsidiaries acquires, builds, and manages future technology companies in Canada. The Company's industry specific technology businesses provide specialized and innovative solutions in future technologies and serves private sector markets. iMining Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. About AiMining Technologies Inc. AiMining Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of iMining Technologies Inc., stands at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation. Comprising a dedicated research arm focused on collaboration with esteemed institutions and a monetization arm geared towards market engagement, AiMining seamlessly integrates into iMining's technology portfolio and is committed to advancing responsible AI development. About iMining Technologies Inc. iMining Technologies Inc. is a publicly listed technology company that acquires, builds, and manages future technology companies in Canada. The Company's industry-specific technology businesses provide specialized and innovative solutions in future technologies and serve private sector markets. iMining Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. About AiMining Technologies Inc. AiMining Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of iMining Technologies and recognized as a Nvidia Inception Partner, as well as being chosen for the Microsoft start-up Founders Hub, stands as a pioneering force in Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancement. With a specialized applied research lab fostering collaboration with prestigious institutions and a commercialization program tailored for market interaction, AiMining seamlessly integrates into iMining's technology repertoire. Our dedication lies in propelling responsible AI development to new heights. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "Khurram Shroff" Khurram Shroff, President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please contact: iMining Corporate Offices: Saleem Moosa, CFO and Director Email: investor@imining.com Telephone: 1-604-602-4935 Toll-Free: 1-866-602-4935 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/201832 SOURCE: iMining Technologies Inc. China hands over 1st section of renovated irrigation system to Kyrgyzstan Xinhua) 16:25, March 15, 2024 BISHKEK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China handed over the first section of a renovated irrigation system, a China aid project, to Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday outside the city of Balykchy in the Issyk-Kul Oblast. Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Bakyt Torobayev thanked the Chinese government for assistance when addressing the handover ceremony, saying that the Kyrgyz people will always remember the help of the Chinese people. "Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to relations with China, and will push for new achievements in the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era," said Torobayev. Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Du Dewen said in her speech that the project has effectively benefited the Kyrgyz people, fully demonstrating the high-level China-Kyrgyzstan relations and the profound friendship of the Chinese people towards the Kyrgyz people. China is willing to work with Kyrgyzstan to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future, said Du. The renovation project was officially launched in May 2018 and undertaken by China Railway No.5 Engineering Group. It included the construction, maintenance, renovation and expansion of agricultural irrigation canals and subsidiary structures. The first section of the project, covering three irrigation areas, was finished in the Issyk-Kul and Batken Oblasts in 2021. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2024) - EtherDrops Bot has announced the integration of a groundbreaking new feature 'Who is?'. This innovative addition enables users to obtain insights into any wallet by simply inputting a name, Twitter handle, or website. EtherDrops Bot Integrates 'Who is?' Feature for Enhanced Wallet Insights To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/201707_44e1528884927815_002full.jpg The 'Who is?' functionality represents a notable improvement to EtherDrops' already robust monitoring toolkit. It stands out as a unique service within the cryptocurrency sector, offering an unprecedented depth of information gathering about any wallet or entity. This leap forward in technology is underpinned by the bot's access to a database comprising over 100 million wallets, allowing for detailed analysis and insights. With just an address, name, or title, users can now unleash the full potential of the tool, uncovering everything related to their search queries. The findings can then be integrated into personal monitoring systems or used to create dedicated profiles, with the option to redirect notifications to specific groups or channels. About EtherDrops Bot A Telegram bot EtherDrops was created to monitor the cryptocurrency and NFT markets. It offers a special blend of cutting-edge features for managing wallets and coins, NFTs, liquidity pools, and much more. For further information, please visit: EtherDrops Tracking Bot Twitter Contact Info: Name: Kris Varley Email: hello@dropstab.com Organization: EtherDrops Website: https://dropstab.com/products/etherdrops-bot To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201707 SOURCE: Plentisoft Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Kennametal Inc. (KMT) said that Sanjay Chowbey, currently Vice President, Kennametal and President, Metal Cutting Segment, will succeed Christopher Rossi as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2024. Rossi has decided to retire from the company after nearly seven years as Chief Executive Officer, effective May 31, 2024. Rossi will continue to serve on the company's Board of Directors until his retirement, at which time Chowbey will join the Board. Rossi and Chowbey will work together to ensure a seamless transition. Chowbey joined Kennametal in 2021 as President of the Metal Cutting segment. The Company has launched a search for Chowbey's Metal Cutting successor, considering both internal and external candidates. Chowbey will also continue in his current role during this transition period until he officially steps into the CEO role. 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. Japan's second domestically-made superconducting quantum computer TOKYO, Mar 15, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - A Japanese consortium of research partners including RIKEN, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Osaka University, Fujitsu Limited, and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) have been recognized with the prestigious Prime Minister's Award as part of the 53rd Japan Industrial Technology Awards for the successful development of a high-performance computing platform that leverages Japan's second domestically-made superconducting quantum computer.The platform leverages Japan's second domestically-made 64-qubit superconducting quantum computer, which has been offered on the cloud since October 2023 to promote its use for commercial industrial research and development, and jointly developed by Fujitsu and RIKEN based on the know-how for the development of the first domestically-made 64-qubit superconducting quantum computer released in March 2023 by the joint research group.The research group offered Japan's first superconducting quantum computer under a joint research agreement for non-commercial use for the purpose of promoting and developing research and development in quantum computation and other fields. RIKEN and Fujitsu also unveiled Japan's second superconducting quantum computer, based on the technology of the first superconducting quantum computer, on the cloud for industrial research and development in 2021, two and a half years after they established the RIKEN RQC-Fujitsu Collaboration Center.These milestones highlight the rapid progress and innovative potential of Japan's original quantum technologies, which are now demonstrating the ability to withstand the demands of the first stages of industrial application. One particularly promising technology is the superconducting quantum bit chip design proposed by RIKEN, which uses a unique three-dimensional mounting layout with scalability that can support expansion to the 1,000-qubit level.RIKEN and Fujitsu's superconducting quantum computer is provided as part of a hybrid quantum computing platform that also supports Fujitsu's 40-qubit quantum simulator, which remains one of the largest scale simulators in the world (1). This platform implements a scalable cloud architecture that allows seamless operation of both quantum computers and quantum simulators to promote and accelerate adoption and collaboration between various companies.The platform was highly praised at the 53rd Japan Industrial Technology Awards for its technological capabilities (originality and advancement), and for marking an important step toward the industrial use of quantum computers based on Japan's unique quantum technology, and for its connection to efforts to expand the search for practical applications for quantum technology in various fields such as materials, finance, and drug discovery by providing a combination of quantum computing and quantum simulators to companies to engage in joint research projects.In the future, the platform is anticipated to stimulate further research and development of quantum applications and accelerate the practical application of quantum computing technologies for both hardware and software, offering access to companies engaged in research in various fields.The joint research group will continue to promote the social implementation of quantum computing by leveraging the strengths of each organization.About the Japan Industrial Technology AwardsThe Japan Industrial Technology Awards, sponsored by the Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun newspaper, honors companies and organizations that have contributed to industry and society over the year through the development and practical application of innovative large-scale industrial equipment and structures, and cutting-edge technology. It was established in 1972 to celebrate achievements that have contributed to the development of society and to encourage technological development. This marks the 53rd time that the award has been given to recognize "achievements that bring together comprehensive technology," an increasingly relevant distinction for today's era of industrial sophistication and systemized technology.AcknowledgementsThis work was supported by Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology s Quantum Leap Flagship Program (MEXT Q-LEAP) "Research and Development of Superconducting Quantum Computers' (Team Leader: Yasunobu Nakamura; Grant No. JPMXS 0118068682)(1) one of the largest scale simulators in the world :World's largest permanent dedicated quantum simulator of state vector method (as of September 2023, according to Fujitsu)About FujitsuFujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$28 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.About RIKENRIKEN is Japan's largest comprehensive research institution renowned for high-quality research in a diverse range of scientific disciplines. Founded in 1917 as a private research foundation in Tokyo, RIKEN has grown rapidly in size and scope, today encompassing a network of world-class research centers and institutes across Japan. www.riken.jp/en/about/About National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)AIST, one of the largest public research organizations in Japan, focuses on the creation and practical realization of technologies useful to Japanese industry and society, and on "bridging" the gap between innovative technological seeds and commercialization.AIST, as a core and pioneering existence of the national innovation system, has about 2300 researchers doing research and development at 12 research bases across the country, based on the national strategies formulated bearing in mind the changing environment regarding innovation. https://www.aist.go.jp/index_en.htmlAbout National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)As Japan's sole National Research and Development Agency specializing in the field of information and communications technology, NICT is charged with promoting ICT sector as well as research and development in ICT, which drives economic growth and creates an affluent, safe and secure society.For more information, please visit https://www.nict.go.jp/en/.About Osaka UniversityOsaka University was founded in 1931 as one of the seven imperial universities of Japan and is now one of Japan's leading comprehensive universities with a broad disciplinary spectrum. This strength is coupled with a singular drive for innovation that extends throughout the scientific process, from fundamental research to the creation of applied technology with positive economic impacts. Its commitment to innovation has been recognized in Japan and around the world, being named Japan's most innovative university in 2015 (Reuters 2015 Top 100) and one of the most innovative institutions in the world in 2017 (Innovative Universities and the Nature Index Innovation 2017). Now, Osaka University is leveraging its role as a Designated National University Corporation selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to contribute to innovation for human welfare, sustainable development of society, and social transformation.Website: https://resou.osaka-u.ac.jp/enAbout Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)NTT believes in resolving societal issues through our business operations by applying technology for good. We help clients accelerate growth and innovate for current and new business models. Our services include digital business consulting, technology and managed services for cybersecurity, applications, workplace, cloud, datacenter and networks all supported by our deep industry expertise and innovation. As a top 5 global technology and business solutions provider, our diverse teams operate in 80+ countries and regions and deliver services to over 190 of them. We serve over 80% of Fortune Global 100 companies and thousands of other clients and communities around the world. For more information on NTT, visit www.global.ntt/.Press Contacts:Fujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiries (https://bit.ly/3rrQ4mB)RIKENRIKEN Global CommunicationsPhone: +81-(0)48-462-1225E-mail: pr@riken.jpNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)Media Relations Office, Branding and Public Relations DepartmentE-mail: hodo-ml@aist.go.jpNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)Press Office, Public Relations DepartmentE-mail: publicity@nict.go.jpOsaka UniversityDr. Makoto Negoro (Associate Professor, Vice Director of the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology at Osaka University)E-mail: negoro.sec@qiqb.osaka-u.ac.jpNippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)NTT Service Innovation Laboratory GroupPublic RelationsE-mail: nttrd-pr@ml.ntt.comSource: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Deutsche Wohnen reported a preliminary Group funds from operations from continuing operations of 521.8 million euros or 1.31 euros per share in the financial year 2023. The Adjusted NAV amounted to 16.98 billion euros or 42.77 euros per share. The publication of the final numbers for the financial year 2023 is scheduled for March 20, 2024. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. 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. Church & Dwight partners with Rockwell Automation to uplevel OT cybersecurity program, implementing rigorous security standards BRUSSELS, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Automation Inc., the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced it has been selected by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE: CHD) to strengthen the consumer goods company's cybersecurity program. Church & Dwight chose Rockwell specifically to help build resiliency and minimize risks in its operational technology (OT) manufacturing security practices. The number of cyberattacks against manufacturing and critical infrastructure continues to rise. A recent report found critical manufacturing was one of the most frequently attacked verticals in the OT/industrial control system (ICS) sector. With several global consumer brands under its umbrella, Church & Dwight recognized the critical impact and importance of a strong OT security posture and enlisted Rockwell. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of its manufacturing risk profile by identifying critical assets, vulnerabilities and security gaps. After examining and prioritizing risk, Rockwell collaborated with Church & Dwight to develop a remediation roadmap, new security policies, and other measures to minimize risks. "We selected Rockwell Automation because we were looking for a new partner to help us uplevel our OT and manufacturing security posture. We knew we needed the best of the best who understood our vision," said David Ortiz, chief information security officer (CISO) at Church & Dwight. "Throughout our work with Rockwell Automation on our OT cybersecurity program, we've gained a thorough understanding of our cybersecurity landscape and the tools needed." "At Rockwell Automation, we firmly believe in helping organizations recognize the importance of OT cybersecurity," said Mark Cristiano, global commercial director at Rockwell. "Over the course of our partnership with Church & Dwight, we have implemented new security controls and processes and have already seen a dramatic shift in the company's OT practices. We are proud to leverage our best-in-class partnerships to help Church & Dwight achieve its cybersecurity goals." As a longtime Rockwell Industrial Solutions customer, Church & Dwight expanded its partnership in 2020 to advance its Manufacturing Cybersecurity Program initiative. Since then, Church & Dwight has achieved its cybersecurity objectives in mitigating risks and understanding its OT landscape. Once threat detection capabilities were in place, Church & Dwight implemented continuous monitoring through managed OT services from Rockwell. These managed services integrate and support Church & Dwight's current IT Security Operations Center, bridging the gap between IT and OT networks, and mitigating cyber risks across the enterprise. To read more about the Church & Dwight and Rockwell Automation partnership, download the full case study. About Church & Dwight Church & Dwight Co., Inc., founded in 1846, is the leading U.S. producer of sodium bicarbonate, popularly known as baking soda. The Company manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household, and specialty products under recognized brand names such as ARM & HAMMER, TROJAN, OXICLEAN, SPINBRUSH, FIRST RESPONSE, NAIR, ORAJEL, XTRA, L'IL CRITTERS and VITAFUSION, BATISTE, WATERPIK, ZICAM, THERABREATH, and HERO MIGHTY PATCH. These 14 key brands represent approximately 85% of the Company's product sales. For more information, visit the Company's website. About Rockwell Automation Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in industrial automation and secure digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981317/Rockwell_Automation_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/consumer-packaged-goods-leader-church--dwight-selects-rockwell-automation-to-increase-manufacturing-cybersecurity-resilience-302089730.html On Thursday, 14 March 2024, Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata hosted a Socialization Dinner for Ambassadors of APO Members in Tokyo. The event, which was attended by ambassadors and representatives from 14 APO members, coincided with the APO Vision 2025: Pause-and-reflect Activity Steering Committee Meeting, for which delegates from seven APO members gathered in Tokyo to review the progress on the APO Vision 2025 and deliberate on the future vision beyond 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314512074/en/ Group photo with ambassadors and representatives from APO members, delegates from the APO Vision 2025: Pause-and-reflect Activity Steering Committee and Technical Working Group, APO Secretary-General, and Secretariat staffs. (Photo: Business Wire) Secretary-General Dr. Indra's opening address underscored the importance of the dinner as a reflection of APO's commitment to broadening its engagement and inviting more stakeholders to join the productivity movement. Remarks by APO Chair Sheng-Hsiung Hsu of the ROC, elected by the 65th Session of the Governing Body highlighted the organization's unique capacity to bring people together through productivity. As the representative of the host country of the APO Secretariat, Deputy Director Yoshiaki Makino, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Japan, delivered the opening toast on behalf of APO Director for Japan Hideo Ishizuki, Director-General/Assistant Minister, International Cooperation Bureau, MOFA, appreciating the networking and reaffirming of personal ties among APO members while recognizing the ongoing initiatives of the Pause-and-reflect Activity and third-party evaluation. The event closed with remarks by APO Alternate Director for India S. Gopalakrishnan, IAS, who expressed gratitude to the ambassadors in attendance and Secretary-General Dr. Indra on behalf of all participants. He emphasized the untapped benefits of the APO platform and encouraged everyone to leverage the APO's international network of National Productivity Organizations to support government initiatives and the dinner's theme of collaboration and shared goals. About the APO The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is a regional intergovernmental organization dedicated to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation. It is nonpolitical, nonprofit, and nondiscriminatory. Established in 1961 with eight founding members, the APO currently comprises 21 member economies: Bangladesh; Cambodia; the ROC; Fiji; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; I.R. Iran; Japan; the ROK; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Mongolia; Nepal; Pakistan; the Philippines; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Turkiye; and Vietnam. The APO is shaping the future of the region by fostering the socioeconomic development of its members through national policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, institutional capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge sharing to increase productivity. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314512074/en/ Contacts: For details contact: Digital Information Unit, APO pr@apo-tokyo.org Phone: +81-3-3830-0411 Website: https://www.apo-tokyo.org 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) - The Australian dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday. The Australian dollar fell to a 3-day low of 1.6542 against the euro and a 2-day low of 97.33 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.6529 and 97.59, respectively. Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the aussie dropped to a 9-day low of 0.6557 and an 8-day low of 0.8881 from Thursday's closing quotes of 0.6580 and 0.8904, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.67 against the euro, 95.00 against the yen, 0.64 against the greenback and 0.87 against the loonie. 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. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German real estate services company Vonovia SE (VONOY) reported that its fiscal 2023 Group funds from operations or FFO from continuing operations dropped 9.1 percent to 1.80 billion euros from last year's 1.98 billion euros. Group FFO per share from continued operations dropped 11.1 percent to 2.23 euros from 2.51 euros a year ago. Group FFO, including contributions from the development-to-hold business and the non-strategic Care segment, was 1.85 billion euros, down 9.3 percent from 2.04 billion euros last year. Group FFO per share was 2.27 euros. The company recorded a loss of 6.76 billion euros, compared to prior year's loss of 669.4 million euros. EBT was negative 9.19 billion euros, wider than prior year's loss of 604.6 million euros. Adjusted EBT fell to 1.87 billion euros from 2 billion euros a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA Total from continuing operations dropped to 2.58 billion euros from 2.61 billion euros a year ago. The Adjusted EBITDA total was 2.65 billion euros, including the development-to-hold business and the non-strategic Care segment, down 4 percent from last year. Total segment revenue for the year dropped 7.5 percent to 5.15 billion euros from 5.57 billion euros last year. Vonovia's core business, the Rental segment, continued to develop positively. It was supported by synergies from the company's merger with Deutsche Wohnen. Further, Vonovia said its Supervisory Board plans to propose a dividend of 0.90 euro per share to its shareholders on May 8, 6 percent higher than previous year. Looking ahead, the company said it is confident of 2024 financial year wih positive developments in Vonovia's core business and disposals well above target. For the current financial year, Vonovia is expecting to see an Adj. EBITDA range of 2.55 billion euros to 2.65 billion euros, the Adj. EBT will be in a range of 1.70 billion euros to 1.80 billion euros. In 2024, Vonovia is aiming to realise 3 billion euros in disposals. In Germany, Vonovia shares settled on Thursday at 26.82 euros, down 1.43 percent. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. 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. 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) - The New Zealand dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday. The NZ dollar fell to a 1-1/2-month low of 1.0770 against the Australian dollar and a 4-day low of 90.44 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.0729 and 90.91, respectively. Against the U.S. dollar and the euro, the kiwi dropped to 9-day lows of 0.6095 and 1.7839 from Thursday's closing quotes of 0.6129 and 1.7742, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.08 against the aussie, 89.00 against the yen, 0.59 against the greenback and 1.80 against the euro. 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. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading software engineering company Sibedge and leading technology company EjadTech are joining forces to drive data solutions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Sibedge adds its big data and software engineering expertise to EjadTech's extensive experience in digital transformation, particularly for companies that rely heavily on data-intensive operations. This promising partnership positions them to offer customers a comprehensive solution to their data challenges. The highly customizable LegatoData solution, driven and developed by Sibedge, enables organizations to securely store data on-premises or in the cloud, then efficiently process it to extract valuable insights, and finally present those insights in clear and actionable visualizations. This holistic approach ensures that any organization, regardless of size or capabilities, can effectively address its data challenges in any environment. Both companies have ambitious goals, particularly in Saudi Arabia with its data localization regulations. They aim to leverage their combined strengths to deliver customized data solutions for the MENA region, enabling businesses to grow and sustain. For more information about Sibedge and its services, visit www.sibedge.com . About Sibedge Sibedge is a full-cycle software engineering company specializing in business automation and digital transformation. With over 17 years of experience and a global presence, Sibedge delivers innovative solutions to businesses across various industries. About EjadTech EjadTech is a leading technology company based in Saudi Arabia, offering a wide range of IT services, consultations, and digital transformation solutions. Committed to excellence, EjadTech strives to be at the forefront of the technology industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For more information, please contact: Samir Shammas, MENA Regional Manager, Sibedge, samir.shammas@sibedge.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sibedge-and-ejadtech-partner-to-provide-data-solutions-to-enterprises-in-the-mena-region-302087987.html The rise in health consciousness has created a significant shift in consumer preferences toward sugar-free and low-calorie options, which has helped boost the demand for flavor drops. Moreover, collaboration of flavor drop manufacturers with various food and beverage companies has created significant market growth opportunities for the flavor drops market PORTLAND, Ore., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Flavor drops Market by Flavor Type (Fruit, Tea/Coffee, Chocolate, Lemon, Vanilla, and Others), Content Type (Regular and Sugar Free), Nature (Organic and Conventional): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032". According to the report, the global flavor drops market was valued at $86.39 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $192.12 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 8.6% from 2023 to 2032. Download Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A294544 Prime determinants of growth Flavor drops offer a convenient solution for individuals striving to reduce their sugar consumption while still enjoying flavorful experiences. These drops allow consumers to customize the taste of their beverages and foods according to their preferences, without the need for added sugars or calories. Moreover, the versatility of flavor drops, which can be added to water, coffee, yogurt, or baked goods, appeals to a wide range of health-conscious consumers seeking to enhance their culinary experiences without compromising on their wellness goals. As the demand for healthier options continues to rise, the flavor drops market is expected to experience substantial growth, driven by the increasing adoption of sugar-free and low-calorie alternatives in response to shifting consumer preferences toward healthier lifestyles. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $86.39 million Market Size in 2032 $192.12 million CAGR 8.6 % No. of Pages in Report 275 Segments covered Flavor Type, Content Type, Nature, and Region. Drivers Rise in demand for sugar-free and low-calorie options Convenience and portable nature of flavor drop products Growth in demand for natural and organic flavor enhancers Opportunities Collaboration of flavor drop manufacturers with various food and beverage companies Increase in partnerships with health and wellness brands Innovations in flavor drop products Restraints Concerns related to long-term effects of artificial flavoring agents Limited consumer awareness regarding the availability of flavor drops Regulatory challenges surrounding flavor drop products The fruit segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By flavor type, the fruit segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-fourth of the global flavor drops market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Fruits are universally admired for their natural sweetness and refreshing taste, making fruit-flavored drops immensely popular among consumers seeking flavorful alternatives to plain water or beverages. Additionally, fruit flavors offer a wide variety of options, ranging from traditional favorites such as strawberry and orange to exotic choices such as mango and passionfruit, catering to diverse taste preferences. Furthermore, the perceived health benefits associated with fruit flavors, such as vitamins and antioxidants, align with the growing trend toward healthier lifestyle choices, driving demand for fruit-flavored drops as a guilt-free indulgence. The versatility of fruit flavors also extends to various applications across food and beverage categories, including water enhancers, flavored teas, and baking recipes, further strengthening the dominance of this segment in the flavor drops market. For Purchase Enquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A294544 The regular segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By content type, the regular segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global flavor drops market and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Despite the growing health consciousness among consumers, there remains a significant portion of the market that prioritizes taste and indulgence over health considerations. Regular flavor drops typically contain sugar or other sweeteners, providing a more satisfying and familiar taste experience for those who prefer sweeter beverages and snacks. In addition, some consumers may perceive regular flavor drops as offering a more authentic taste compared to sugar-free alternatives, which may utilize artificial sweeteners or natural sugar substitutes that alter the flavor profile. Furthermore, the availability of a wide range of flavor options in the regular segment, including classic favorites such as cola and lemonade, caters to diverse consumer preferences and strengthens its dominance in the market, particularly among those less concerned with calorie intake or sugar content. The conventional segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period By nature, the conventional segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global flavor drops market and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Conventional flavor drops often have a lower price point compared to organic counterparts, making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers, particularly those who prioritize affordability over organic certification. Moreover, conventional flavor drops benefit from widespread availability and established distribution networks, allowing them to reach a larger audience across various retail channels. In addition, for some consumers, the perceived benefits of organic products may not outweigh the added cost, especially when it comes to flavor drops, which are viewed as indulgent rather than essential items. Furthermore, the conventional segment often offers a broader range of flavor options and product varieties, providing consumers with more choices and catering to diverse taste preferences, which further solidifies its dominance in the flavor drops market. North America to maintain its dominance by 2032 By region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The region features a large consumer base with a strong preference for convenient and on-the-go food and beverage options, driving demand for flavor drops as a portable and customizable flavoring solution. In addition, North America has a well-established food and beverage industry with a culture of innovation, leading to continuous product development and introduction of new flavor profiles to cater to evolving consumer preferences. Furthermore, increasing health consciousness and concerns about sugar consumption have boosted the adoption of sugar-free and low-calorie alternatives, further fueling the demand for flavor drops in the region. Moreover, the widespread availability of flavor drops across various retail channels, coupled with aggressive marketing and promotional efforts by manufacturers, has contributed to the rapid growth of the market in North America. Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://bit.ly/48MbIEJ Leading Market Players: - Beyond Water Flavorah Flavor West Manufacturing LLC. GymBeam One on One Flavors Prozis SodaStream Inc. LorAnn Oils Capella Flavors, Inc. My Protein 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 Porter's five forces analysis to determine the factors affecting market growth. Trending Reports in Food and Beverages Industry: Food Cultures Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Flavored Alcohol Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Flavor Enhancer Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Food Texture Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 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. Contact: David Correa United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/food-and-beverages Follow Us on Blog: https://www.dailyreportsworld.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/flavor-drops-market-to-reach-192-12-million-globally-by-2032-at-8-6-cagr-allied-market-research-302090223.html MILAN, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 12th to 15th, 2024, the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) was grandly held in Milan, Italy. MCE is the prestigious exhibition and global business platform in the HVAC+R, renewable sources, energy efficiency, and water processing. TICA proposes the theme"Go Beyond Comfort, Go Net Zero", and showcased its latest achievements in the HVAC field, including the TICA Noah ATW Heat Pump, providing low-carbon solutions for residential environments. TICA Noah ATW Heat Pump Who is the "Noah's Ark"? It saved us when we were in the center of the vortex. The European Green Deal, approved in 2020, comprises a series of policy measures proposed by the European Commission with the overarching goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 in the European Union (EU). Climate change mitigation has become a top priority for nations, businesses, and individuals alike. Committed to being a leading global provider of intelligent clean environments and green energy, TICA introduced the Noah ATW Heat Pump, utilizing the new environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant. R290, as the latest technology in the European industry sector, has no potential for ozone layer depletion. Its low GWP value proves its environmental characteristics, providing robust support for achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the EU. According to on-site staff, its features are not limited to providing integrated systems for heating and cooling and domestic hot water, but also can be connected to photovoltaic power generation and solar heating systems. Users can monitor and manage energy system operations in real-time through a mobile app, achieving intelligent management of household energy. Furthermore, TICA has made efforts to achieve multiple soundproof designs, reducing outdoor equipment noise to 36dB(A), at a lower price than competitors with similar performance. The outlet water temperature can reach 80C, higher than the industry standard of 75C. This better ensures the impact of heat attenuation on water temperature in extreme environments. About TICA TICA focuses on extreme air environment fields and energy-saving applications in refrigeration systems used in buildings, as well as expanding into six major energy markets including geothermal power generation, industrial waste heat power generation, LNG cold energy power generation, biomass energy, solar thermal power generation, and CO2 liquefaction storage, with a global installed capacity of nearly 1000MW. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2362762/IMG_8388.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tica-unveils-cutting-edge-low-gwp-products-for-comfort-and-net-zero-solutions-at-mce-2024-302089533.html COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a serendipitous moment, two then-unknown chemists engaged in conversation at a pub and laid the foundation for a genomics revolution. Professors Sir David Klenerman and Sir Shankar Balasubramanian are now being honoured with the 2024 Novo Nordisk Prize for their pioneering work, which enables the human genome to be sequenced in just an hour. This has opened the door to personalised healthcare and enhances our understanding of human diversity and disease. Photo: Nathan Pitt, University of Cambridge. Humans are, of course, all different. Understanding the genetic basis for what makes us all unique, including disease-related aspects, requires sequencing of not just one, but many, human genomes. Professors Sir David Klenerman and Sir Shankar Balasubramanian at the University of Cambridge co-invented a technology that has revolutionised our fundamental understanding of life by enabling fast, accurate, large-scale genome sequencing. In 2000, one human genome took over 10 years to sequence at a cost of more than 1 billion dollars. Their new technology means that a human genome can be sequenced in just one hour and for less than USD 1,000, meaning millions are sequenced each year. The technology, now known as Solexa-Illumina Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS), transformed the understanding of cancer by enabling targeted treatments through the identification of key genetic mutations. It has also revolutionised the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases by significantly reducing the time to diagnosis, facilitating rapid, targeted interventions. NGS played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiding in the tracking of the virus's spread and the evolution of variants. For their pioneering efforts, Sir David Klenerman and Sir Shankar Balasubramanian are receiving the 2024 Novo Nordisk Prize. "The achievements of Sir David Klenerman and Sir Shankar Balasubramanian represent breakthrough innovations in science. Their work has enabled a new phase in personalized medicine, significantly improving our ability to diagnose and manage many diseases. Their technology for rapid and affordable genome sequencing unlocks scientific advancements critical for our future, and it exemplifies how forward-thinking research can help solve urgent global challenges. The Novo Nordisk Foundation is proud to recognize their monumental contributions, which are consistent with our commitment to supporting scientific innovation that enhances human health," says Professor Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Jrgen Frkir, Chair of the Novo Nordisk Prize Committee, adds: "The groundbreaking technology created by Sir David, Sir Shankar and their team is set to drive major progress in disease detection and therapy in the coming decades. However, the medical community is already leveraging this innovation. Remarkably, cancer cells shed part of their DNA into the bloodstream. By collecting and analysing this free-floating DNA, we unlock a powerful method for early cancer detection, significantly improving patient survival rates and providing effective treatment." The prize is awarded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and recognises active scientists who have provided outstanding international contributions to advance medical science to benefit people's lives. David Klenerman says: "It might sound a bit corny, but the greatest reward is seeing the technology in use and knowing that it has genuinely saved people's lives. Receiving recognition from this award is wonderful. Shankar and I were fortunate enough to initiate the whole process, but in my mind, the Prize represents acknowledgment of a technology to which a large number of people contributed. They took an idea from a piece of paper and turned it into reality." It started in a pub In 1994, when David Klenerman and Shankar Balasubramanian met, neither was contemplating DNA sequencing. Balasubramanian needed someone with laser experience to conclude a study, which is how he met Klenerman and started collaborating in a study of the genetic copy machine DNA polymerase. However, the experiments did not proceed as smoothly as they had hoped. To brainstorm solutions, they visited the Panton Arms pub with their two postdoctoral fellows. "At the time, the Wellcome Sanger Institute nearby was determining the three billion bases of the human genome for the first time ever. The Human Genome Project underscored the need for a more rapid and cost-effective sequencing method. We realised that our work could be adapted to meet this need," recounted Sir Shankar. Their innovative approach revolutionised DNA by employing parallelisation. Instead of analysing one DNA molecule at a time, they fragmented the three billion bases of the human genome into millions of tiny pieces - allowing for the simultaneous sequencing of millions of fragments and speeding up the sequence determination. "Then we could reconstruct the genome sequence by finding and connecting overlapping segments. Key to our process was the colour-coding for the four different DNA bases using fluorescent markers. Each added base emits a specific colour, allowing us to read the sequence as the DNA is being synthesised," explains Sir David. In November 1997, Balasubramanian and Klenerman proposed their concept to venture capitalists from Abingworth, leading to the founding of Solexa in 1998, which was acquired by Illumina for USD 650 million in 2007. They overcame significant challenges, and Solexa developed a sequencing technology that was ultimately able to detect billions of coloured spots on a chip and determine how their colour changed as DNA was synthesised step-by-step, to decode the DNA sequence. "Today's sequencers can process multiple trillions of bases per experiment, so we have now achieved over a million-fold improvement. In experimental science, million-fold enhancements don't happen very often. So I believe it is a technology that has made, is making, and will continue to have an impact in the life sciences and human health," concludes Balasubramanian. The Prize will be awarded at a prize ceremony in Bagsvrd, Denmark on 19 April. About Sir David Klenerman 1979 MA, Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge 1982 PhD, University of Cambridge 1985-1985 Postdoctoral fellow, Stanford University 1987-1994 Research Scientist at BP Research 1994-2007 Lecturer and Reader, University of Cambridge 2007 Professor of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Cambridge 2012 Fellow of the Royal Society 2015 Fellow of the Academy of Medical Science 2016 Royal Society Glaxo Wellcome Professor of Molecular Medicine 2018 Group leader, UK Dementia Research Institute, Cambridge 2023 Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) About Sir Shankar Balasubramanian 1988 BA (Hons) Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge 1991 PhD, University of Cambridge 1991-1993 SERC/NATO Research Fellow, Pennsylvania State University 1994-1998 Royal Society University Research Fellow 1998-2008 Lecturer, Reader and then Professor of Chemistry, University of Cambridge 2008- Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Cambridge 2010- Senior Group Leader, Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute 2011 Fellow of the Academy of Medical Science 2012 Fellow of the Royal Society 2023 Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) About the Novo Nordisk Prize The Novo Nordisk Prize recognises active scientists who have provided outstanding international contributions to advance medical science to benefit people's lives. The prize is awarded annually by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and is intended to further support biomedical research in Europe. The prize is accompanied by DKK 5 million (672,000) and comprises a DKK 4.5 million (605,000) research grant and a personal award of DKK 0.5 million (67,000). The Foundation will award an additional DKK 0.5 million for hosting an international symposium within the recipient's field(s) of research. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/novo-nordisk-foundation-the-revolution-began-at-a-local-pub-now-the-human-genome-can-be-read-in-just-one-hour-302090236.html Established the Novo Holdings Bioindustrial Investments team, now overseeing a dynamic portfolio of 23 companies. Made substantial investments, solidifying Novo Holdings' position as one of the world's foremost active investors in the bioindustrial sector. Welcomed three innovative companies to our portfolio. Achieved significant milestones with existing portfolio companies, showcasing strong progress and commitment to sustainable solutions. COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Holdings Bioindustrial Investments team today publishes its review of 2023 - paving the way for a more sustainable future. Novo Holdings Bioindustrial Investments team understands that radical innovation is needed if we are to win the battle against global warming and its damaging effects on the health of people and the planet. Recent innovations in biological sciences and technology hold the promise to deliver the breakthroughs needed, but too few of them have been successfully commercialised to a level where they can make a meaningful, sustainable impact. The Bioindustrial Investments team remains steadfast on harnessing the power of biotechnology to deliver impactful solutions for both industry and agriculture. Anders Spohr, Senior Partner, Head of Bioindustrial Investments, said: "With the establishment of our dedicated investment team, Novo Holdings is more focused than ever on the bioindustrial sector, and our portfolio now comprises 23 companies, ranging from industry giants like Novozymes and Chr. Hansen to dynamic startups. These companies are pioneering the use of microorganisms and fungi to create sustainable substitutes such as biofuels, biomaterials, and chemical alternatives. "As we embark on another year of advancing the green transition, at Bioindustrial Investments our focus is on scaling up, aiming to amplify our impact on society through bioindustrial innovations." For more information and to read the review in full, please visit link on our website. About Novo Holdings A/S Novo Holdings A/S is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is the holding company of the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, and is responsible for managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets. Novo Holdings is recognized as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: www.novoholdings.dk. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2023-novo-holdings-bioindustrial-investments-team-annual-reviewbusiness-update-302090256.html HORSHAM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Myonex, a leading global clinical trial supply company, has reached an agreement with the owners of Creapharm Group to acquire the Creapharm Clinical Packaging & Distribution and Commercial Packaging business and bioservices, headquartered in Reims, France with additional locations in Bordeaux and Bailly-Romainvilliers, France, and Marietta, Georgia, USA. The completion of this transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. This strategic acquisition will bring complementary strengths to the marketplace. Myonex is the market leader in drug sourcing and clinical trial prescription services with growing franchises in clinical packaging, labeling and distribution, and ancillary equipment and supply. Creapharm will bring scale and deep expertise in clinical packaging and distribution alongside existing franchises in commercial packaging and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) supply chain management. "By combining, we will fill a gap in the market with broad and deep expertise, integrated services, and extraordinary client focus," said James Lovett, CEO of Myonex. "Myonex looks forward to combining with our Creapharm colleagues to meet the needs of our clients with agility and speed." "Growing with Myonex is an obvious step for Creapharm to move forward, contributing our expertise and wide range of packaging solutions to their operations while we will expand the range of services we offer in support of always more effective, efficient, patient-centric clinical trials," said Eric Placet, Creapharm's CEO and Founder. "Creapharm is pleased to evolve the overall mission of Myonex through our complementary strengths and to provide scale and flexibility in meeting our clients' needs." "We have complementary strengths and cultural alignment that make this an exciting solution for the industry, our colleagues and clients," said Michael Cohen, Myonex's Co-Owner, and Executive Chairman. "We share traditions of entrepreneurship and engagement with team members, as well as a commitment to social and environmental responsibility to ensure the success of our clients, clinical trial sites and patients." Conditional upon the successful completion of the transaction, Mike Cohen will continue as Executive Chairman and James Lovett as CEO of the combined company. Eric Placet will reinvest into Myonex as well as join Myonex's Board of Directors further solidifying the relationship. Creapharm's Carla Da Costa will join the combined management teams and Edouard Placet will also have a strategic and leadership role in the combined company. About Myonex Myonex is a leading global clinical trial supply company offering tailored solutions in drug sourcing, packaging & labeling, equipment & supplies, and market leading CTRx solution for each trial's specific requirements and complexities. With our locations in the US, EU, and UK we partner with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, contract research organizations (CROs), and other clinical trial service providers seeking a flexible, comprehensive solution for their trial supply needs. Learn more at www.myonex.com. About Creapharm With decades of experience in global clinical trial supply management, Creapharm supports Pharma and Biotech key players with customized solutions. Creapharm has a strong expertise in cold-chain management and recently developed ultra-cold solutions to handle biologicals and ATMP supply chain management. For marketed health products, Creapharm offers expert commercial packaging services to pharmaceutical and food supplement industries. Learn more at www.creapharm-pharma.com Contacts Maryanne Walsh +1 267-307-0876 SINGAPORE, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) ("Genius Group" or the "Company"), a leading entrepreneur edtech and education group, and FatBrain AI ("FatBrain AI") an AI SaaS and Solutions company (OTCMKTS:LZGI) today announced completion of their merger to form an AI-powered Education and Acceleration group to power Sovereign AI ecosystems of tomorrow for entrepreneurs, enterprises, governments and students through AI education and enablement. Following NYSE approval, Genius Group completed the merger, acquiring FatBrain AI in an all-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, Genius Group has acquired the AI software assets, customer relationships and specific operations of FatBrain AI, with an anticipated increase of approximately 150% in the Company's 2023 pro forma revenue guidance to an estimated $76 million to $80 million, and an anticipated increase of $4 million in pro forma net profit guidance to $7 million to $9 million. Genius Group and FatBrain AI together enable a 'Genius City' exponential growth cycle with their AI edtech platform supporting over five million students and a fifteen thousand partner marketplace joining peer intelligence and AI solutions across energy, finance, logistics, manufacture, retail, tech and telco sectors delivered to SMEs, enterprises and government institutions. Roger Hamilton, CEO of Genius Group said "The demand for AI and entrepreneurial skills continues to grow. Countries and cities around the world are seeing these skills as increasingly vital to be competitive in the age of AI. The desire for Sovereign AI institutions where countries, cities and companies can own their own data and build their own AI platform calls for localized education platforms. While 'Smart Cities' have been defined by the use of smart technology, our 'Genius City' model calls for upskilled humans alongside smart technologies and puts personalized education and peer intelligence at the heart of driving growth." "UAE just committed $100 billion to be a world leader in AI and recently hosted the World Governments Summit to highlight the significance of Sovereign AI enabling localized LLMs to maintain unique culture, values and data integrity. Singapore also leads with its AI strategy based on tripling their AI experts through education and training funds, together with S$1 billion in funding to implement their National AI Strategy 2.0. Our expanded team is excited to launch the Genius City growth model to accelerate the Sovereign AI reach into 100 Genius City operations as part of our goal to educate 100 million AI learners worldwide." Peter B. Ritz, co-founder of FatBrain AI said "Our FatBrain AI investors and global team are excited to become part of the Genius Group. As the need for upskilling and training in this age of AI accelerates, and we're looking forward to an exciting future ahead where our combined companies will enable us to meet the massive growing, global demand for Sovereign AI and peer intelligence solutions." "We look forward to the partnerships and initiatives formed as part of our Genius City growth plans. We're excited to build critical assets driving the economies of tomorrow: the global Genius City peer intelligence systems boosted by our entrepreneur education platform to share insights, talent and opportunities between countries and cities, accelerating their progress in harnessing exponential technology to become economic and social leaders of the future." Following a successful visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in February by Genius Group's Roger Hamilton together with FatBrain AI Board Members, Peter Ritz and Michael Moe, the newly merged group will launch their Genius City model in April 2024 with the Dubai Genius City and Abu Dhabi Genius City, followed by the Singapore Genius City, each with a target to educate and impact one million students, entrepreneurs and enterprises within each city within a year of launch. The merger enables the companies to combine Genius Group's AI-driven Edtech platform with FatBrain AI's AI-driven peer intelligence, sector-specific SaaS solutions to SMEs (Companies with 500 or less employees), larger enterprises and governments, creating a full 'Genius City' end-to-end AI Education and Acceleration ecosystem, with four global revenue drivers focused at B2S (Students), B2C (Entrepreneurs), B2B (Enterprises) and B2G (Governments): B2B - For Students: Government and company funded AI camps and accelerators together with a scholarship fund for young students at high school and university level to learn future-focused skills, both virtual and in-person, personalized with their Genie AI. The Genius Curriculum progress through to full undergraduate and master's degree programs integrating with personalized gamified and Genius Metaversity, with AI-driven learning libraries shared across participating students and institutions. Government and company funded AI camps and accelerators together with a scholarship fund for young students at high school and university level to learn future-focused skills, both virtual and in-person, personalized with their Genie AI. The Genius Curriculum progress through to full undergraduate and master's degree programs integrating with personalized gamified and Genius Metaversity, with AI-driven learning libraries shared across participating students and institutions. B2C - For Entrepreneurs: Full suite of upskilling courses in AI, exponential technologies and entrepreneurship, delivered by certified trainers and partners globally, ranging from AI Microschools to three-month in-house accelerators, linked with the Genius Scholarship to connect student apprentices with entrepreneurs and enterprises, and linked to FatBrain AI's SAAS solutions to share peer intelligence, industry trends and leaderboards. Full suite of upskilling courses in AI, exponential technologies and entrepreneurship, delivered by certified trainers and partners globally, ranging from AI Microschools to three-month in-house accelerators, linked with the Genius Scholarship to connect student apprentices with entrepreneurs and enterprises, and linked to FatBrain AI's SAAS solutions to share peer intelligence, industry trends and leaderboards. B2B - For Enterprises: Enterprise portal and suite of upskilling courses for companies to upskill their workforce in AI, exponential technologies and entrepreneurship, delivered in-house, in-person and via the GeniusU Edtech platform, giving companies AI-powered insights into their workforce's personalized talent development progress and access to FatBrain AI's SAAS solutions to increase peer intelligence and productivity. Enterprise portal and suite of upskilling courses for companies to upskill their workforce in AI, exponential technologies and entrepreneurship, delivered in-house, in-person and via the GeniusU Edtech platform, giving companies AI-powered insights into their workforce's personalized talent development progress and access to FatBrain AI's SAAS solutions to increase peer intelligence and productivity. B2C - For Governments: A full AI education ecosystem providing participating cities, regions and national governments with a full AI-driven, lifelong learning system for future-focused education and upskilling, with direct benefits in increased skills, competitiveness and shared intelligence within the rapidly changing Age of AI and Exponential Technologies. With the closing of the merger, FatBrain AI's CEO, Peter Ritz, and Chairman, Michael Moe, will join Genius Group's Board. Peter B. Ritz is a co-founder of FatBrain AI and earlier exec chair of Observable Networks (acquired by Cisco), and Michael Moe is Founder and CEO of GSV Ventures, an early investor in Edtech companies including Coursera, Chegg, Course Hero, Masterclass, and Guild Education. About Genius Group Genius Group is a leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, with a mission to disrupt the current education model with a student-centered, life-long learning curriculum that prepares students with the leadership, entrepreneurial and life skills to succeed. Through its learning platform, GeniusU, the Genius Group has a member base of 5.4 million users in 200 countries, ranging from early age to 100. For more information, please visit https://www.geniusgroup.net/ About FatBrain AI FatBrain AI provides powerful and easy-to-use AI solutions to empower the enterprise stars of tomorrow to grow, innovate, and drive the majority of the global economy. FatBrain's AI 2.0 technologies and advanced data services transform continuous learning, narrative reasoning, large language models, cloud and blockchain technologies into auditable, explainable and easy to integrate AI solutions. FatBrain's subscriptions allow all companies to deploy its advanced AI solutions quickly, easily, and securely behind their firewalls or via cloud. FatBrain's global delivery includes 600+ team across design, development centers in the US, UK, India and Kazakh Republic. For more information, please visit https://FatBrain.ai/ Investor Notice Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, as amended for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on June 6, 2023 and August 3, 2023. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below. Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this press release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will", "plan," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Reports of a Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise. Contacts Christian Briggs and Esteemed Guests Discuss Critical Discussions on Financial and Political Landscapes SAN JUAN, PR / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / The Hard Asset Money Show, hosted by Christian Briggs, CEO of Hard Asset Management Inc., has recently broadcasted five riveting episodes, featuring a blend of financial insights and political analyses. These episodes bring to the fore significant discussions on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), surveillance, global politics, and the evolving digital landscape's impact on individual freedoms and privacy. Federal Chairman Jerome Powell's Testimony Analyzed In a compelling dialogue with Jameson Haygood on A Good Fight Show, Christian Briggs scrutinizes Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's recent testimony. Powell's hints at the Federal Reserve's approach to balancing privacy with the implementation of CBDCs were dissected, revealing the nuanced preparations for a digitized financial future. The episode also touched on the burgeoning network of digital control facilitated by the alliance of big government and corporations. Listen Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-asset-money-show/id1576564099?i=1000649100721 Unveiling the 2016 Surveillance of Donald Trump Christian, alongside former FBI Assistant Director Tom Fuentes, revisits the controversial surveillance of Donald Trump in 2016, orchestrated by the Obama and Clinton administrations. The discussion uncovers the intricate web of political espionage and its implications for democracy and individual liberties. Listen Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-asset-money-show/id1576564099?i=1000646655471 The 2024 Election and the Role of CBDCs In a thought-provoking session, Christian and Mandy Gunasekera engage with Jameson Haygood to explore the speculative dynamics of the 2024 election and the potential candidacy of Michelle Obama. The conversation extends to the broader implications of CBDCs, envisioning a future where financial autonomy could be curtailed by governmental control mechanisms, exemplified by the Canadian trucker protest. Listen Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-asset-money-show/id1576564099?i=1000644392233 IMF, ESG, and the Dangers of Digital Centralization Christian and Mandy Gunasekera delve into the expanding influence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the strategic use of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria as instruments of ideological conformity. The episode raises alarms about the imminent centralization of global power structures, threatening the foundational principles of liberty and freedom. Listen Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-asset-money-show/id1576564099?i=1000641913205 BRICS+ January 2024 Update: A Challenge to the U.S. Dollar The addition of five new member states to the BRICS+ bloc signals a concerted effort to dethrone the U.S. dollar's global dominance. Christian discusses the geopolitical and economic ramifications of this expansion, with a focus on the contention between major BRICS+ nations to lead the charge with their digital currencies. Listen Now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-asset-money-show/id1576564099?i=1000641114926 "It's paramount that we understand the multifaceted challenges presented by the rapid advance of digital currencies and the reshaping of global financial and political orders," said Christian Briggs. "Through the Hard Asset Money Show, we aim to equip our listeners with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate these turbulent times." These episodes of The Hard Asset Money Show are essential listening for anyone keen on grasping the complexities of today's economic and political realities. Tune in to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Contact Information: John Grainer info@bmcham.com 844-426-4653 SOURCE: Hard Asset Management, Inc View the original press release on newswire.com. CHICAGO, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Gas Separation Membrane Market by Module, Material Type, Application (Nitrogen Generation & Oxygen Enrichment, Hydrogen Recovery, CDR, Vapor/Gas Separation, Vapor/Vapor Separation, Air Dehydration, H2S Removal), and Region - Global Forecast to 2030", gas separation membrane market is projected to reach USD 1.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.4% from USD 1.0 billion in 2023. The major factors propelling the gas separation membrane market include the increasing demand for membranes in carbon dioxide removal. However, a significant challenge in this market is the plasticization of polymeric membranes in high-temperature applications. Nonetheless, there are opportunities for market growth, such as the rising focus on clean energy sources like hydrogen and natural gas, which has led to an increasing demand for efficient gas separation technologies. Additionally, the development of mixed matrix membranes presents further opportunities for advancement in the industry. Browse in-depth TOC on "Gas Separation Membrane Market" 217 - Tables 56 - Figures 266 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=50564392 Polyimide and polyaramide segment is projected to be the fastest growing type, in terms of value, during the forecast period." Polyimide & polyaramide gas separation membranes have exceptional chemical compatibility and heat resistance, making them suitable for challenging operational environments. Their exceptional gas separation capabilities, specifically in the removal of carbon dioxide, are attributed to their distinctive structure and composition. Polyimide and polyaramide exhibit the capacity to efficiently purify gases, making them valuable in the petrochemical sector, where there is a rising demand for its goods. The increasing demand for environmentally friendly solutions across various industries such as chemical processing, oil & gas, and waste management, fuels the expansion of the gas separation membrane market. "Hollow fiber segment is the second fastest growing segment by module, in terms of value, during the forecast period." Hollow fibers are composed of a collection of extremely thin, tubular strands, usually crafted from polymers such as cellulose acetate, polyimide, or polymeric materials tailored specifically for gas separation tasks. Each fiber features a porous membrane wall, facilitating gas separation. The design of hollow fiber membranes offers several benefits, including a large surface area, compact structure, scalability, and the ability to selectively separate gases. These attributes render hollow fiber membranes versatile and highly effective for various gas separation needs across diverse industries. 'Vapor/vapor separation is fastest growing segment on the basis of application, in terms of value, during the forecast period." Vapor/vapor separation membranes are cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution used for separating various gas mixtures, particularly in industrial processes where vapor streams need to be separated or purified. The demand for vapor/vapor separation membrane applications is propelled by a growing requirement for effective separation technologies to tackle environmental issues and meet strict regulations governing emissions and air quality. These membranes are used for processes such as vapor recovery, dehydration, solvent recovery, and purification, among others, enhancing process efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=50564392 "Asia Pacific is fastest growing market on the basis of region for gas separation membrane during the forecast period, in terms of value." Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the gas separation membrane market in 2023. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the region's robust economic growth, escalating demand for sanitation and clean water, advancing urbanization trends, and improving living standards. Government initiatives focused on manufacturing, emission reduction, and the promotion of eco-friendly products are fostering innovation in gas separation membrane technologies. Additionally, the increasing adoption of gas separation membranes across diverse applications such as carbon dioxide capture and hydrogen recovery are propelling market growth in this region, supported by continuous technological advancements. New product launches and expansions are the major growth strategies adopted by the key players in the market. The key global players in the gas separation membrane market include are Air Liquide (France), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (US), UBE Corporation. (Japan), Honeywell UOP (US), FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. (Netherlands), SLB (US), DIC Corporation (Japan), PARKER HANNIFIN CORPORATION (US), Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (US), and Generon (US) among others. Browse Adjacent Market: Membranes Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Membranes Market - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. 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Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl NECKARSULM (dpa-AFX) - German IT enterprise Bechtle AG Friday said it expects significant increase in fiscal 2024 business volume, revenue and earnings, while EBT margin will remain at prior year level. The company said it is optimistic and again expects the company to deliver above-market business performance in 2024 despite the challenging framework conditions. Thomas Olemotz, CEO, said, 'However, we are confident that the macroeconomic situation will gradually improve in the course of the year, especially in the second half of the year. This is also likely to result in increased willingness on the part of our medium-sized customers to invest. More than once, we have furnished evidence of our ability to achieve profitable growth even in challenging times.' Further, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose to the Annual General Meeting to increase the dividend to 0.70 euro per share, a year-on-year increase of 7.7 percent. In fiscal 2023, earnings after taxes grew 5.7 percent to 265.51 million euros from last year's 251.12 million euros last year. Basic earnings per share were 2.11 euros, compared to 1.99 euros a year ago. EBIT grew 7.6 percent to 382.30 million euros, and EBIT margin grew to 6 percent from 5.9 percent last year. Revenue went up 6.5 percent to 6.42 billion euros from 6.03 billion euros last year. Business volume grew 7 percent to 7.79 billion euros from 7.29 billion euros a year ago. In Germany, Bechtle shares were trading at 49.16 euros, up 0.80 percent. 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. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") and 100%-owned U.S.-based subsidiary Pebble Limited Partnership ("Pebble Partnership" or "PLP") is filing two separate actions in the federal courts challenging the federal government's actions to prevent the companies from building a mine at the Pebble Project. Action Seeks to overturn EPA's illegal veto One action, in Federal District Court in Alaska, seeks to vacate the Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA") veto of a development at Pebble. This is the main focus of our legal actions. We are confident that the court will vacate the EPA veto and allow permitting of the Pebble project to resume because, as we have previously stated, the veto violated the law and was arbitrary and capricious. The complaint in this action alleges, among many other points, the veto was issued in violation of various federal statutes regarding Alaska's statehood rights and a land exchange approved by Congress; it was based on an overly broad legal interpretation of EPA's jurisdiction which has since been over-ruled by the Supreme Court; its geographic scope exceeds that allowed by the statute; it was based on information previously developed by EPA in an illegal preemptive veto process that was designed to reach a predetermined result; and the factual basis stated to support the veto is directly contradicted by the July 2020 Environmental Impact Statement published by the United States Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE"), which is an important part of the administrative record. The EPA has not demonstrated that either the development of the Pebble deposit will have unacceptable adverse effects under Section 404(c), or that there are any impacts to Bristol Bay fisheries that would justify the extreme measures in the final determination (veto). "Whatever authority the EPA may have under section 404(c), the general provision in the Clean Water Act cannot authorize the EPA to take action to block the specific economic activity that was Congress's express purpose for granting these lands to the State of Alaska under the Cook Inlet Land Exchange," Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty President and CEO, stated. "It cannot authorize the EPA to override the State's regulatory preferences for the lands, or the State's preference to allow modest use of some streams and wetlands in the vicinity of the Deposit to facilitate the extraction of the valuable critical minerals. This is just another example of gross EPA overreach of the powers granted to it by Congress." Takings case An action is also being filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC, claiming that the actions by the EPA constitute an unconstitutional "taking" of Northern Dynasty's and the Pebble Partnership's property. We plan to ask the court to defer considering this action until the EPA veto case, discussed above, has been finally resolved. Our permitting strategy is focused entirely on winning the EPA veto case and permitting the Pebble project. We have filed a takings case against the federal government to preserve our ability to seek compensation for a violation of our rights in line with the protections under the Fifth Amendment. There are procedural rules regarding takings cases that made it necessary to get this claim on file at this time. We note, however, that the damages for "taking" the world's largest undeveloped copper deposit could be very substantial. "Our priority is to advance the District Federal Court Complaint, because overturning the illegal veto removes a major impediment from the path of getting the permit to build the proposed mine," said Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty President and CEO. "The filing of the takings complaint puts the US Government on notice that we will be seeking very substantial compensation if they continue to illegally block the lawful permitting process. It is basically an insurance policy, ensuring that this case is available to us when, or if, we decide to pursue it further," Mr. Thiessen continued. The State of Alaska will also be filing similar actions in Federal District Court in Alaska and the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC. About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project. For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1- 800-667-2114. Review public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov. Ronald W. Thiessen President & CEO U.S. Media Contact: Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897 Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, which address permitting, including the legal actions described above, development and production for the Pebble Project are forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding: (i) the ability of the Pebble Project to ultimately secure all required federal and state permits; (ii) if permitting is ultimately secured, the ability to demonstrate that the Pebble Project is commercially viable; (iii) the ability of the Company and/or the State of Alaska to successfully challenge the EPA's Final Determination process under the Clean Water Act, including the legal actions described above; and (iv) the ability of the Company to secure the significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as ultimately funding mine construction, for which financing may not be available to NDM on acceptable terms or on any terms at all. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government and environmental permits, regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Projects in light of the EPA's Final Determination or regarding NDM's ability to secure significant additional financing. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the following assumptions: (i) the Pebble Project will ultimately obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses; (ii) NDM will be successful in its legal action against the EPA and any action taken by the EPA in connection with the Final Determination will ultimately not be successful in restricting or prohibiting development of the Pebble Project; and (iii) the Company or its subsidiaries will be able to secure significant additional financing. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed on SEDAR plus and included in the Company's annual report on Form 40-F filed by the Company with the SEC on EDGAR, and the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, and nine months ended September 30, 2023, each as filed on SEDAR plus and EDGAR, for a discussion of the risks that may impact our forward-looking statements. The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently contemplated. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings 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: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com Yuri Milner's Breakthrough Junior Challenge has named its 2023 winner: 17-year-old Sia Godika from India. Godika won the ninth annual science competition for teenagers with her video about Yamanaka factors. She has earned prizes worth a total of $400,000 for herself, her science teacher, and her school. Julia and Yuri Milner established the Breakthrough Junior Challenge in 2015. The global science competition invites students aged 1318 to create short, original videos that illuminate a concept or theory in mathematics, physics, or the life sciences. To date, the competition has received 25,000 submissions from over 200 countries. Sia Godika's Winning Video on Yamanaka Factors Can we turn back the clock on cellular ageing? Godika's winning video explores how special gene transcription factors can reverse the cell specialisation process, restoring adult cells to their original undifferentiated, youthful state. Cell Specialisation At the start of her video, Godika appears as an elderly woman. She explains that embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, which means they can become any cell type. Like balls rolling down a hill, undifferentiated cells go through chemical changes that lead to cell specialisation. Eventually, they become different types of cells, such as muscle, liver, intestinal, and nerve cells. Scientists considered this process irreversible until Japanese researcher Shinya Yamanaka made a breakthrough in the field. Four Special Gene Transcription Factors Transforming back into her teenage self, Godika explains that Yamanaka discovered four gene transcription factorsOct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4that can cause adult cells to turn back into stem cells. Scientists call these induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Godika's video uses clear, colourful animations to illustrate how these factors, now known as Yamanaka factors, produce iPSCs. They do this by resetting cell identity, silencing specialisation, activating pluripotency, and modifying protein packing in adult cells. Fighting Age-Related Diseases Yamanaka won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his pioneering research. His discovery of iPSCs has far-reaching implications for the treatment of degenerative diseases. Godika explains that studies show low doses of Yamanaka variants can reprogramme cells to reach their youthful state. Through this reversal process, the Yamanaka factors "wash away" old age while retaining cell identity. Scientists could, for example, turn old muscle cells back into young muscle cells. If clinically proven, harnessing the power of Yamanaka factors could help us fight age-related diseases, drastically expanding people's health span. (Our lifespan is the number of years we live, while our health span is the period of our life in which we are healthy). Choosing the 2023 Breakthrough Junior Challenge Winner More than 2,400 teenagers from over 100 countries entered the 2023 Breakthrough Junior Challenge. After entrants scored each other's videos in a mandatory Peer-to-Peer Review, an Evaluation Panel narrowed the pool to 30 semi-finalists. Next, these semi-finalists competed in the Popular Vote. During this stage of the judging process, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge invites the public to vote for their favourite videos on the Breakthrough Prize Facebook or YouTube pages. The 30 videos reached over 500,000 people during the 15-day Popular Vote, inspiring and enlightening viewers worldwide. In September 2023, the competition announced its 15 finalists and Popular Vote Regional Champions. Godika was a finalist and the Popular Vote Regional Champion for India. Lastly, a Selection Committee of science experts and scholars reviewed and scored the 15 finalists, selecting up to 5 entries for final consideration. The 2023 Selection Committee Members The 2023 Selection Committee members included: Ian Agol, professor of mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics laureate. Rachel Crane, a space and science correspondent at CNN. Pascale Ehrenfreund, president of the International Space University. John Grunsfeld, a former NASA astronaut and administrator. Mae Jemison, a former astronaut, science literacy expert, and leader of the 100-Year Starship initiative. Jeffery Kelly, professor of chemistry at Scripps Research Institute and a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences laureate. Scott Kelly, a retired NASA astronaut. Salman Khan, the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, one of the partners of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. The non-profit organisation is on a mission to provide everyone with free, world-class education. Ijad Madisch, the co-founder and CEO of ResearchGate. Nicole Stott, a NASA astronaut. Andrew Strominger, a professor of physics at Harvard University and a Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics laureate. Terence Tao, a UCLA professor and Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics laureate. Esther Wojcicki, the founder of the Media Arts Center at Palo Alto High School. Pete Worden, the chairman of the Breakthrough Foundation and the executive director of the Breakthrough Initiatives. Life-Changing Educational Prizes The Breakthrough Junior Challenge announced Godika as the overall winner on 6 February. Godika will receive a $250,000 college scholarship, paving the way for her plans to attend a university in the U.S. after she graduates from high school in 2024. Additionally, Godika's science teacher, Arka Moulik, will receive a $50,000 cash prize. Plus, her schoolNeev Academy in Bangalorewill receive a state-of-the-art science lab valued at $100,000. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a leader in biomedical research and education, will design the lab. Godika's older brother Samay had the duty of telling Godika that she had won the competition. Samay is himself a past Breakthrough Junior Challenge champion. He won the competition in 2018 with his video on circadian rhythms. Godika watched her brother receive the Breakthrough Junior Challenge prize at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony six years ago. Now, the Breakthrough Prize will honour Godika alongside its 2024 laureates on 13 April at this year's ceremony in Los Angeles. "This is such an unbelievable honour, and I am so grateful," Godika said. "My grandparents are battling cancer and age-related neurological disorders. I wanted to learn everything I could about the latest science to help in finding cures." "Reversing cellular ageing can proactively prevent several debilitating diseases," she added. "I'm determined to contribute to research that can make this future a reality." Yamanaka himself commented on Godika's win, saying: "It's exciting to see a talented young student finding out about my work and explaining it to others in such a clear and creative way. My congratulations to Sia, and I hope she continues her journey in the life sciences, where so much waits to be discovered." Nurturing the Next Generation of Science Communicators Julia and Yuri Milner's Breakthrough Foundation organises and sponsors the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. The couple created the competition to foster enthusiasm for science amongst young people and inspire them to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The competition also captures the imagination and interest of the general public, illuminating important concepts of fundamental science. "I am excited that the Breakthrough Junior Challenge is reaching young people around the world, helping them to grow as scientists and share the wonders of science with their peers," Julia Milner said. She congratulated Godika for her "brilliant and dramatic film about one of the most promising discoveries in modern biology." "Sia's video submission is a brilliant, funny, and visually creative rendition of a sophisticated, recent discovery in genetics that has profoundly impacted the biological sciences," Selection Committee member Salman Khan said. "I am heartened and inspired that through this Challenge, we are growing the next generation of powerful science communicators," he added. Applications for this year's Breakthrough Challenge open on 1 April 2024. Yuri Milner and the rest of the Breakthrough Foundation team look forward to watching the inspirational videos that this year's contestants submit. About Yuri Milner Yuri Milner is a successful tech entrepreneur and prolific science philanthropist. He has co-founded and funded several groundbreaking science-focused initiatives, including the Breakthrough Junior Challenge and Breakthrough Prize. He and his wife signed the Giving Pledge in 2012, joining other billionaires who have committed to give most of their wealth to charitable causes. The Milners' Giving Pledge focuses on investing in the world's leading minds and our shared future. In 2021, Milner released his short book Eureka Manifesto: The Mission for Our Civilisation. Eureka Manifesto explores Milner's ideas about science, space exploration, and the future of humanity and the Universe. BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The passage of a Bill that would potentially ban TikTok will put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk, says TikTok chief. A bipartisan bill that would require Chinese company ByteDance to sell the popular video app TikTok or face a ban in the United States had passed overwhelmingly in the House earlier this week. Responding to the development, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said that the bill would take 'billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses'. 'It will also put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk and it will take away your TikTok,' he said in a video message posted on TikTok and X. The Chinese foreign ministry said the legislation 'runs contrary to the principles of fair competition and justice'. 'When someone sees a good thing another person has and tries to take it for themselves, this is entirely the logic of a bandit,' foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a news conference in Beijing. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521), which would protect Americans and prevent foreign adversaries like China from targeting, surveiling, and manipulating the American people through online applications such as TikTok, was passed by 352 to 65 votes Wednesday. The legislation needs the approval of the Senate and be signed by the President to become law. The Bill requires Beijing-based Bytedance to divest TikTok and other applications it controls within 180 days after enactment of the bill, or those apps will be prohibited in the United States. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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 Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has sharply criticized Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Middle East crisis, and called for new elections to facilitate leadership change. According to him, Netanyahu remains one of several major obstacles to restore peace in Gaza. Speaking on the Israel-Hamas war in the Senate, the top-ranking Jewish-American Democrat said, 'As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed, radically, since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past.' Schumer said that as the war has exceeded five months, it is clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and change course. 'At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government.' Netanyahu has been 'too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza,' he told the lawmakers. The Israeli leader has been under criticism from within the country as more than 31,000 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the war broke out on October 7, and more than 200 Israelis are being held hostage by Hamas. 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. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on three Israeli settlers and two farms in the occupied West Bank. The State Department said it is taking this step to promote accountability for those perpetuating violence and causing turmoil in the West Bank. In February, President Joe Biden issued an executive order giving the Department of State new authorities to target violent Israeli settlers in the Palestinian territory. Since the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, violence in the West Bank has increased sharply. Extremist settler violence against Palestinian and Israeli civilians has forced displacement of farmers and villages in the border region. 'There is no justification for extremist violence against civilians or forcing families from their homes, whatever their national origin, ethnicity, race, or religion,' State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. 'The United States is committed to enduring peace and prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis alike and will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for those engaging in actions that threaten the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank,' he added. Moshes Farm and Zvis Farm are the farms that were sanctioned by the U.S. 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. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Choosing a domain name for a small business requires careful consideration, as it is often the first thing people see about your business. The domain name of a business is often considered a piece of real estate on the internet, or your business home on the web. It is core to the digital presence of your business. GoDaddy shares eight tips to help select a domain name that is right for your business and can serve you for years to come. The first rule of choosing a domain name is to keep it simple. If your domain name has an unusual spelling or is difficult to type, chances are people could mis-spell your domain name and not find you on the internet. Use proper spellings for words, instead for example of using 'u' for 'you' or 'c' for 'see'. If you have to explain how to spell your domain name, then it might be too confusing. Consider aiming for six to fourteen characters to the left of the dot. The fewer characters your domain name has, the easier it will be to type, say and share. There is also less risk of losing visitors who might mistype or misspell it. This also allows more of the URL address to show up in search engine list results, which can help customer quickly find your website. Using keywords that describe your business and the products or services you offer can make it easier to recognize the nature of your business. For example, if you run a specialized cake business, you might want to register a domain name with the words "specialized" and "cakes" in it, depending on your business name. Try to Include keywords that people might enter when searching for your product or service can help improve your search engine results. You may want to consider including your location in your domain name, by choosing a domain name extension for your location, like a .ph. or a .sg domain name, shows customers that you are a business located in the country. This can be important for customers who would like to do business with companies located in their country. Whether you add your location before or after the dot, customers will be able to find you geographically more easily. They will know quickly they are dealing with someone based locally and supporting a local business. Numbers and hyphens can easily cause confusion. People who heard your domain spoken might not immediately known if you are using a number, or whether the number is spelled out as a word. Likewise, if you used a hyphen, customers could forget the hyphen and mistype your URL. Or they would remember the hyphen but put it in the wrong place. Either way, the result is the same, a potential customer lost because they could not find your website. With so many businesses online, there is a lot of competition out there. So having a catchy and memorable domain name is essential. An easy-to-remember custom domain name will help to encourage word-of-mouth advertising and help spread your brand faster. If you cannot get your domain name down to one memorable word, you might want to think about joining two words together. The internet's been around for decades, but there's still a strong bias towards choosing a .com domain name extension. So, if you can, you can try and register a .com domain address. But if the .com domain name you want isn't available, there are a variety of industry-specific domain extensions available, such as .co, .net, .org, .online and .news. There are also extensions that can clearly show the nature of the business such as .photography, .shop, .coffee and .club. To help further protect your brand, consider registering your domain name with various domain extensions, as well as misspelled versions of your domain name, if you think that might be helpful. This can help to prevent competitors from registering different versions of your domain name, and then using them to pull traffic away from your website. Once you have found the perfect domain name(s) for your business, it is important to check that the name is not trademarked or copyrighted by another company. It can also help to check that the domain name you want is available on social media sites, by checking social media networks to make sure the name is not already taken, and helpful to have the same name across your website and social platforms for consistency. And finally, be sure to keep your domain names current and registered, as you do not want the registrations to lapse. Providers, like GoDaddy, offer automatic renewals for domain names to help ensure they do not expire. Take your time and do it right and your domain name will be a proud representation of your business for many years to come. For more information on how GoDaddy can help your small business: Domain Names, Websites, Hosting & Online Marketing Tools - GoDaddy IE About GoDaddy GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online. GoDaddy's easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.godaddy.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2363619/GoDaddy_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/godaddy--eight-tips-for-choosing-a-domain-name-for-your-small-business-302090320.html The Epic Of Humanity Special Edition by Billy Carson and Matthew LaCroix WESTON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Published under the banner of 4BiddenKnowledge, "The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition," crafted by the renowned authors Billy Carson and Matthew LaCroix, has clinched the #1 spot on Amazon's Encyclopedias Bestseller List. This marks an incredible milestone for the book, celebrated for its meticulous exploration into mankind's history and the evolution of human consciousness, reflecting 4BiddenKnowledge's commitment to unveiling deep truths and wisdom. The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition Combining Carson's expertise in ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial phenomena with LaCroix's deep understanding of spirituality and consciousness, "The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition" presents readers with a captivating journey through the ages. "Securing the top position in the Encyclopedias category on Amazon with 'The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition' is a dream come true. This accomplishment highlights our shared, unending quest for knowledge and understanding. It stands as proof that exploring our history reveals the foundations of our future," expressed Billy Carson. "I am profoundly thankful and moved by the global readership's support and excitement. My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who has accompanied me on this extraordinary voyage of exploration." Matthew LaCroix added, "'The Epic of Humanity' has just hit a #1 Bestseller in Encyclopedias! The world is clearly hungry for truth and a new understanding of our timeline and ancient past." "The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition" is a unique opportunity for readers to delve into the rich tapestry of human history and consciousness. The book explores the mysteries of the human origin story, the timeline of lost civilizations, and ancient catastrophes. Billy Carson - is the founder and CEO of 4BiddenKnowledge Inc., the bestselling author of "The Compendium Of The Emerald Tablets," "Woke Doesn't Mean Broke," and "The Epic of Humanity." He is also the winner of the 2022 Stellar Citizens Award. Mr. Carson is also the founder and CEO of 4BiddenKnowledge TV, a conscious streaming TV network, the host of the 4BiddenKnowledge podcast, and the Co-Host of the Bio-Hack Your Best Life podcast. He is also a writer and contributor to Rolling Stone and Entrepreneur magazines. Mr. Carson appreciates the dedication and hard work it takes to accomplish great things. Recently, Mr. Carson earned a Certificate of Science (with an emphasis on Neuroscience) at M.I.T. and has a certificate in Ancient Civilization from Harvard University. Among his most notable achievements, Billy is the CEO of First Class Space Agency based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Specifically, his space agency is involved in the research and development of alternative propulsion systems and zero-point energy devices. Matthew LaCroix - is a passionate writer and ancient history researcher who grew up exploring the mountains of northern New England. After college, his focus became studying archeology, ancient civilizations, physics, and history - and at age 32, he published his first major book entitled: "The Illusion of Us." In 2019, Matthew released his second book: "The Stage of Time," which seeks to unravel the mysteries of the lost civilizations of antiquity, the ancient catastrophes that destroyed them, and a library of the greatest knowledge they left behind. In 2023, he released his third book, co-written with Billy Carson, entitled: "The Epic of Humanity," and went on to make a major archeological discovery near Lake Van in Turkey, where he found evidence of a previously unknown lost civilization - known as the Ararat Civilization, which would become the focus of his career in the future. This led Matthew to start his own company called Ayanis Legacy, which focuses on uncovering and documenting the secrets of the Ararat Civilization through archaeological discoveries, film creation, and books. Matthew has appeared on shows such as Ancient Civilizations and Beyond Belief on Gaia, The UnXplained on the History Channel, and hosted his own show called Mystery School of Truth on 4BiddenKnowledge TV. Best Seller Source: https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/11732/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_books Contact Information Elisabeth Hoekstra Creative Director business@4biddenknowledge.com 954.256.1515 Nikki Sheppard Executive Assistant nikki@4biddenknowledge.com 954-931-1567 SOURCE: 4BiddenKnowledge Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Adtran Holdings, Inc. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Adtran Holdings, Inc.: Release according to Article 50 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 15.03.2024 / 14:21 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 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 MEXICO CITY (dpa-AFX) - Drones are making more than 1,000 incursions along the U.S.-Mexico border each month, the U.S. Northern Command's top general said during testimony at a Senate Armed Services Committee posture hearing. 'I don't know the actual number - I don't think anybody does - but it's in the thousands,' said Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot in response to one senator's question. 'The number of incursions was something that was alarming to me as I took command last month,' said Guillot, who took over as commander of Northcom and the North American Aerospace Defense Command on February 5. When asked if such incursions present a defense threat to the homeland, Guillot said he hasn't seen any of the incursions 'manifest in a threat to the level of national defense.' The Pentagon quoted him as saying that he does 'see the potential only growing.' In recent years, members of Congress have shown a growing, bipartisan concern about dangerous unmanned aircraft systems activity, including activity linked to drug and human traffickers who have used UAS technology to facilitate their illegal operations. As a command being primarily tasked with continuously providing 'worldwide detection, validation and warning of a ballistic missile attack on North America,' NORAD is also charged with providing 'continental detection, validation, warning and aerospace control' of airborne threats to North America, including unmanned aircraft systems, according to the NORAD website. Beyond conventional, human-operated unmanned aircraft systems, Guillot also addressed what lessons NORAD learned from the high-altitude, Chinese balloons flight over North American airspace early last year. Guillot said that NORAD has since adjusted the sensitivity of its radars. 'And that has allowed us to have better domain awareness in that regime,' he told senators. 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. The "Czechia Data Center Market Investment Analysis Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Czechia data center market is projected to reach a value of $515 million by 2028 from $270 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 11.36%. This report analyses the Czechia data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments. In Czechia, data center providers include CEZ Group, Centrepoint Verne and Vapor IO, Host-telecom, CE Colo, GTS (T-Mobile), MasterDC, TTC TELEPORT, itself, vshosting, and SPCSS. The country witnessed data center investments from T-Mobile and Ceske Radiokomunikace investing in two facilities. The Czechia data center market also saw investments from new entrants such as DataSpring, Seznam.cz, and SafeDX. In Czechia, Prague, Brno, and Oslov have emerged as top destinations for data center investments, powered by an expanding pool of STEM graduates and more foreign investment, resulting in higher data center deployments and job possibilities. Inland connection in Czechia is improving, thanks to the establishment of significant internet exchange points such as Sazecska 10, Tiskarska 10, DC Nagano CETIN, Datacenter Kounicova, Datacenter Autoninska, and Mahlerovy sady 1. Major telecom companies such as O2, Vodafone, and T-Mobile have commercially introduced 5G in Czechia. In Czechia, more than five state-supported and municipal industrial zones exist. Ovcary, Mosnov, Most, Zatec, and Holesov are some state-owned industrial zones that provide tax incentives for investments. Czechia aims to achieve more than 20% renewable energy by 2030, and the country seeks to reduce 80% carbon emissions by 2050. Currently, Czechia has around 2.2 GW of power from solar power plants and 0.32 GW of capacity from wind power plants. By 2030, the country aims to generate about 9 GW of solar energy and 1.4 GW of power from wind power plants. WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH? Market size regarding investment, area, power capacity, and Czechia colocation market revenue is available. An assessment of the data center investment in the Czechia by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country. A detailed study of the existing Czechia data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the market size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in the Czechia Facilities Covered (Existing): 25 Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 01 Coverage: 2 Cities Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity) Data Center Colocation Market in the Czechia Market Revenue Forecast (2022-2028) Retail Colocation Pricing The Czechia data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry. Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry. A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry. IT Infrastructure Providers Arista Networks Atos Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Deloitte Extreme Networks Fujitsu Hewlett Packard Enterprise Huawei Technologies Hitachi Vantara IBM Juniper Networks Lenovo NetApp Oracle Pure Storage Super Micro Computer Data Center Construction Contractors Sub-Contractors Altron Black White IMOS ISG KKCG Group Support Infrastructure Providers ABB Carel Carrier Conteg Caterpillar Cummins Eaton HITEC Power Protection Johnson Controls JCB Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Perkins Engines Rittal Schneider Electric Stulz Siemens Trane Vertiv Data Center Investors Aruba Ceske Radiokomunikace Casablanca INT CE Colo PPF Telecom SafeDX SEGRO SPCSS TTC Teleport T-Mobile Czechia Vegacom vshosting EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Prague Other Cities List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) REPORT COVERAGE IT Infrastructure Servers Storage Systems Network Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Switches Switchgear PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC and CRAH Units Chillers Units Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers Economizers Evaporative Coolers Other Cooling Units General Construction Core Shell Development Installation Commissioning Services Engineering Building Design Fire Detection Suppression Physical Security Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Tier Standard Tier I Tier II Tier III Tier IV For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r63m47 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315215049/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Masterbatch Market is Segmented by Type (White Masterbatch, Black Masterbatch , Colour Masterbatch, Additive Masterbatch , Plastic Filler Masterbatch ), by Application (Packaging Industry, Agriculture, Industry, Consumer Products). BANGALORE, India, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Masterbatch Market was valued at USD 15610 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 24870 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-11159/Global_Masterbatch Major Factors Driving the Growth of Masterbatch Market The growing need for plastics in a variety of industries, including packaging, automotive, consumer products, and construction, is one of the main drivers of the masterbatch industry. Masterbatches are essential for attaining desired qualities like color, flame retardancy, and UV resistance since they are additives that improve the properties of plastics. Furthermore, in response to customer demand for ecologically friendly products, bio-based and eco-friendly masterbatches have been developed in response to the increased emphasis on sustainable practices. The need for masterbatches is also growing internationally as a result of technical developments in production processes and the growing trend of product customisation. All of these elements work together to support the Masterbatch market's strong development and expansion. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-11159/global-masterbatch TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF MASTERBATCH MARKET The increasing demand from several end-use sectors, including packaging, automotive, construction, and consumer products, is propelling the masterbatch market's expansion. In these industries, masterbatches are frequently used as colorants, additives, and modifiers in the production of plastic goods. The need for masterbatch products is being driven by the growing demand for packaged goods, autos, infrastructure, and consumer goods resulting from urbanization and population growth. One major factor driving the masterbatch industry is consumers' desire for polymer-based products over conventional materials like metal and glass. Polymer materials are favored in a variety of sectors, including electronics and packaging, due to their benefits such as lightweight, durability, and design flexibility. Masterbatches increase the functionality and aesthetics of polymer goods, which encourages more people to use them in a variety of applications. The market is expanding due to the trend towards functional masterbatches and high-performance additives, especially in sectors where specific qualities like conductivity, antimicrobial protection, and barrier qualities are needed. Plastic items may now be used in demanding applications like electronic gadgets, healthcare products, and automotive components thanks to functional masterbatches, which improve the performance and functionality of plastic products. One major factor propelling the masterbatch market is the growth of the consumer goods and packaging sectors. In order to improve the appearance, usability, and shelf appeal of products, masterbatch additives and colorants are becoming increasingly necessary due to the rising demand for packaged food, drinks, personal care items, and home goods. The expansion of online shopping and e-commerce also quickens the need for packaging solutions, which propels market expansion. Own It Today - Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-11159&lic=single-user MASTERBATCH MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS The top five producers of masterbatch worldwide are Cabot Corporation, A. Schulman, Inc., Ampacet Corporation, Clariant, and Americhem, Inc. And around 8% of that was used for Clariant manufacture. The packaging, automotive, and electronics sectors exhibit strong demand in North America's masterbatch market. The area is a leader in masterbatch formulation innovation thanks to its sophisticated industrial infrastructure and technological know-how. Tight regulations pertaining to environmental sustainability and product safety also impact market dynamics, resulting in the creation of high-performing and environmentally responsible masterbatch solutions. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-11159/global-masterbatch/3 Key Players: Americhem Cabot Corporation PolyOne GCR Group Tosaf Plastika Kritis.S.A RTP Company Polyplast Mueller GmbH Plastiblends Astra Polymers Alok Masterbatches Hubron Hengcai Gabriel Chemie Group Prayag Polytech Wave Semuliao Group Heima Clariant A. Schulman, Inc. Clariant AG Ampacet Corporation Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-11159/global-masterbatch/1 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Antimicrobial Silicone Masterbatch Market - Antimony Trioxide Masterbatch (ATO Masterbatch) market was valued at USD 854.2 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1103.2 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch market was valued at USD 75 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 115.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Antimony Trioxide Masterbatch (ATO Masterbatch) market was valued at USD 854.2 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1103.2 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Plastic Defoaming Masterbatch Market - Food Grade Silicone Masterbatch Market - Plastic Filler Masterbatch market was valued at USD 373.1 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 444.4 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 2.5% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Environment Friendly Masterbatch market size is expected to reach USD 336.6 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2023 to 2029. - Antiviral Masterbatch Market - Silicone Masterbatch Additive Market - Cable Grade Masterbatch Market - EVA Masterbatch market size is expected to reach USD 1791.3 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2023 to 2029. - Ready-to-use Flame Retardant Masterbatches market is projected to reach USD Million in 2029, increasing from USD Million in 2022, with the CAGR of % during the period of 2023 to 2029. - Oxygen Scavenger Masterbatch Market revenue was USD 71 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 105.1 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period (2023-2029). - Anti-Blue Masterbatch market is projected to reach USD 448.3 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 323 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 5.4% during the period of 2023 to 2029. - Wire And Cable Masterbatch market - BOPP Film Masterbatch Market - PA Masterbatch market was valued at USD 1457.1 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1953.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Anti-aging Masterbatch Market - Smooth Masterbatch Market - Anti-slip Masterbatch Market - Flavor Masterbatch Market - Silicone Masterbatch Market revenue was USD 84 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 125.2 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period (2023-2029). - Toughened Masterbatch Market - Oxygen Scavenger Masterbatch market was valued at USD 71 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 105.1 Million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Calcium Carbonate Masterbatch Market - Color Masterbatches market is projected to grow from USD 4903.5 Million in 2023 to USD 6437.2 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during the forecast period. - Thermal Insulation Masterbatch Market - ABS Masterbatch market size is expected to reach USD 2562.3 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2029. - Anti Rodent Masterbatches Market - Conductive Masterbatch Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! 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Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/masterbatch-market-size-to-grow-usd-24870-million-by-2030-at-a-cagr-of-6-8--valuates-reports-302090484.html NORTH BERGEN, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Resonate Blends, Inc. (OTCQB:KOAN) ("Resonate Blends" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has completed a Share Exchange Agreement with the holders of certain preferred stock of Emergent Health Corp. (OTC Pink:EMGE) ("Emergent Health" or "EMGE") (The "Agreement"), with the closing having taken place on March 14, 2024. Resonate Blends, the parent company, will become known as Apollo Biowellness, Inc. ("Apollo Biowellness"). The company is now located at One Marine Plaza, Suite 305A, North Bergen, NJ 04047. The Company (to be known as Apollo Biowellness) is a holding company focused on regenerative medicine sold primarily to doctor's offices and clinics, as well as the public. The Company now consists of the following subsidiaries: Evolutionary Biologics, Integrative Practice Solutions LLC and Juventix Regenerative Medical LLC, and soon-to-be-launched Maximus Mean's Health. The Company, as Apollo Biowellness, is a synergistic ecosystem of companies disrupting the next generation of the $5.6 trillion Global Health & Wellness Market. The global regenerative medicine market is currently at $20.04 billion in 2021 and predicted to be worth around $125.54 billion by 2030. We offer a one-stop solution for regenerative medicine with superior proprietary products and processes focused on the $1.1 trillion Personal Care, Beauty and Anti-Aging markets, with products sold through professional offices and directly to consumers. Our offerings include skin care, wound care, cosmetics, regenerative aesthetics, hair growth, ED, longevity/anti-aging, osteoarthritis and more. We foresee significant growth once we open DTC and OTC markets with FDA approval, which we will apply for, for skin care and hair growth products using human exosomes. We currently have a professional sales force with 700+ independent sales reps and distribution partners covering all aspects of our brand ecosystem. The company's subsidiaries will benefit from synergies in all backroom disciplines as well as sales & marketing and a seasoned collaborative management team. Emergent Health Corp. will continue with the operations of Wholistic Brands, a majority-controlled subsidiary as a separate, but affiliated entity of the Parent Company, it is a brand that represents the best natural formulas made from plant-based ingredients, including shelf-stable plant-based exosomes. Wholistic is developing products in support of our suite of businesses while building a proprietary D2C and consumer business around clean wholistic health. As part of the Agreement, Jim Morrison is the new Chairman of the Board of Directors and President/CEO of the Company. Morrison has stepped down as CEO/President of Emergent Health Corp. but will continue as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Emergent. The new management of Emergent will also be appointed and will report to the Board of the Company. Jim Morrison is considered by many to be one of the leading personal care strategists in the world, as well as one of the top executives. Morrison was Chairman and President/CEO of Emergent Health Corp., a dynamic company in the wellness and regenerative biologics space. He has most recently been CEO of StarShop, which was the first celebrity-driven video shopping app, that was launched in partnership with SPRINT. His track record of leadership and accomplishment in the personal care products space has been unparalleled. Morrison was President of L'Oreal for over nine years. He was responsible for many acquisitions, including both Redken and Matrix, and top-line growth that averaged over 20% during his tenure. Prior to L'Oreal, Morrison was President and CEO of Graham Webb, one of the most successful startups in the hair care space. After leaving L'Oreal Morrison was CEO and owner of Sexy Hair Concepts for four years. In 2006, Business Week Magazine wrote, "Over the last two decades, Mr. Morrison has had a profound impact on the American Beauty Industry. In the industry's history no other executive has had the level of financial responsibility or breadth of organizational experience as Jim. His devotion to, and success within the industry is unmatched." As part of the transaction, the Company is conveying the previous assets of Resonate Blends to prior management. About the former parent company Resonate Blends, Inc. (OTCQB:KOAN) Resonate Blends is the former parent company, and as part of the transaction all the Intellectual Property and assets associated with it are being conveyed and transferred back to the former founding executive of Resonate Blends. Apollo Biowellness is the new parent company and has no connection with the previous business of Resonate Blends. ABOUT EMERGENT HEALTH CORP./Apollo Biowellness, Inc. (OTCMarkets Pink EMGE) Emergent Health curates, develops and sells products in the regenerative health space. Its products comprise of ingestibles as well as topicals for the whole family. The company distributes its products online and through "Content Based Shopping" using "Influencers" to successfully position products throughout the United States and Internationally. Evolutionary Biologics is a new kind of biologics company founded for a clear purpose: bring cutting-edge regenerative products to the medical community. Emergent asserts that its products are not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease(s). For more information, please visit Emergent's website. Before using any of our products, you should always consult with your veterinarian and/or family doctor. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's current expectations include those risks and uncertainties relating to our ability to raise capital, the regulatory approval process, the development, testing, production and marketing of our drug candidates, patent and intellectual property matters and strategic agreements and relationships. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business, including the business of any of its subsidiaries, is included in "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Corporate Contact: Jim Morrison CEO/Director jmorrison@evolutionarybiologics.com www.emergenthealthcompany.com 203-253-9191 Contact Information: Jim Morrison President/CEO jmorrison@evolutionarybiologics.com 2032539191 Jim Zimbler President, Emergent Health jzimbler@emergenthealthcompany.com 6318061420 SOURCE: Resonate Blends, Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, the subject of a recall effort, has been accused of firing two employees for supporting her political rival. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle 2023 Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, facing a recall effort and recent allegations of illegal and retaliatory conduct against a journalist and employees, has been accused of wrongfully terminating two additional workers for supporting her chief political opponent in the 2022 race for her seat, documents obtained by the Chronicle show. Maria Ramirez said in a March 2023 claim that she was escorted out of the courthouse office like a common criminal on her fifth day of work, after Price learned that the administrative assistant had worked as a field organizer for Terry Wiley, a veteran Alameda County prosecutor whom Price narrowly bested in the election. Im a single mom with two kids. If I supported Terry, its because I got paid for a job I did for him, Ramirez told the Chronicle. It wasnt fair. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Douglas Butler, in a separate claim, asserted in July 2023 that Price fired him shortly after he returned to work after dislocating his shoulder and fracturing his knee in the office, and filing for workers compensation. The program services coordinator, then 76, said he believed he was terminated because of his age and disability, as well as over his support for Wiley during the campaign. Butler, a formerly incarcerated person who worked for the offices network of rehabilitative and treatment programs, told the Chronicle that he believed Price had him on her hit list already because he had been hired by her predecessor, Nancy OMalley, whom she disliked. If youve done absolutely nothing to cause an employment termination, that impacts you, mentally, physically, psychologically, Butler said of his sudden firing, adding: I should be able to support who I want to support. Ramirez and Butler each sought more than $25,000 in damages from Alameda County. Neither said they had been given a reason for their termination, though Ramirez said in her claim that she believed her firing was meant to send a message to other employees who may have supported Prices political opponents. Wiley, now the inspector general for the San Francisco Sheriffs Oversight Board, said that in his view, the Ramirez firing had clearly been an act of retaliation by Price and her team. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As soon as they found out that she worked on my campaign, they walked her out, he said. Wasnt based on anything else. A spokesperson for the district attorneys office declined to comment, citing personnel matters. Neither claim appears to have escalated to a lawsuit. Neither Butler nor Ramirez have received any money from the county to date, they told the Chronicle. Barbara Nguyen hold a recall sign at a recall drive calling on the removal of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price in Oakland in October. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle 2023 Employees in California can legally be terminated without warning and for many reasons or even no reason at all, a condition known as at-will employment. But the law has exceptions to protect at-will employees from getting fired for certain reasons, including discrimination based on protected categories such as age, disability and political beliefs. While public officials such as Price have the right to select higher-ranking officials based in part on political alignment, it is illegal for them to retaliate against rank-and-file workers for having differing political views, said William Gould, an emeritus professor of law at Stanford University and former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If Price did fire Butler or Ramirez because of their political beliefs, he said, that is against the law. The embattled DA, facing a likely recall election thanks to a campaign organized by political moderates who disapprove of her progressive approach to public safety, has more recently been accused of illegally retaliating against people she perceives as unsupportive of her. Last November, members of Prices team barred Berkeley Scanner editor in chief Emilie Raguso, whose journalism had been highly critical of Price, from attending a news conference. After widespread condemnation by local journalists and First Amendment advocates, Price reversed course and granted Raguso access to future news conferences. In February, Patti Lee Prices former spokesperson and one of the employees who denied Raguso entry to the November news conference filed a wrongful termination claim against the DA. In the claim, Lee said Price had fired her in December after she raised concerns about the office possibly violating the First Amendment by hiding and altering public records. According to Lees claim, which was first reported by the Berkeley Scanner, Price also constantly and openly made racist remarks about Asian Americans, once allegedly telling Lee, who is Asian American, that Prices enemies were the media and the Asians. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 23, 2024 / Mighty Fire Breaker (MFB), a subsidiary of General Enterprise Ventures, Inc. (OTC PINK:GEVI) and a pioneer in eco-conscious fire control solutions, showcased its latest advancements in fuel treatment technology during a special event hosted by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation on March 15, 2024. The live demonstration featured the company's innovative Proactive Wildfire Defense Equipment and CitroTech fire chemistry, recognized for environmental safety by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safer Choice program. (Correction) The name of the San Diego River Conservatory was used in error, without permission or knowledge of the San Diego River Conservatory and the San Diego River Conservatory does not endorse, recommend, or support the use of MFB's proactive Wildfire Defense Equipment or CitroTech fire Chemistry and has not undertaken any independent studies on such products. This funding was dedicated to integrating MFB's advanced technology into the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's (SDFD) wildfire preparedness initiatives, particularly within the strategic San Diego River watershed. Wendy Robinson, the Executive Director of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, expressed the organization's dedication to bolstering the SDFD's holistic fire prevention strategy, emphasizing community safety, education, and resilience. "We deeply appreciate the San Diego River Conservancy's support. Today's event underscores a significant advancement in our city's proactive firefighting measures," said Robinson. Participants of the event were treated to a live burn test, demonstrating the effectiveness of MFB's Proactive Wildfire Defense Equipment. The demonstration vividly illustrated how the treated areas could better withstand wildfire conditions, significantly reducing the impact and enhancing firefighting efforts. This collaboration between MFB, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, and the SDFD signifies a crucial move towards combining environmental conservation with public safety in managing wildfires. By implementing Mighty Fire Breaker's cutting-edge technologies, there is a new option in protecting the communities and natural areas of San Diego from wildfire dangers. For additional information, photos, and footage from the event or to learn more about Mighty Fire Breaker's technology and mission, please contact: For more information, please visit www.mightyfirebreaker.com For technical product information: Info@mightyfirebreaker.com Contact Information Twitter@GEVIOfficial Website:? https://generalenterpriseventures.com/ Forward-Looking Statements: This document contains "forward-looking statements", which includes statements regarding expected financial performance and growth information relating to future events. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond the control of the Company and its officers and directors, and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can typically identify these forward-looking statements through use of words such as "may," "will," "can" "anticipate," "assume," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "seek," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "point to," "project," "predict," "could," "intend," "target," "potential," and other similar words and expressions of the future. The Company expresses its expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, there is no assurance that these expectations, beliefs and projections will prove to have been correct. SOURCE: General Enterprise Ventures, Inc. ("GEVI") View the original press release on accesswire.com TORINO, Italy, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 5th Superyacht Chef Competition is coming up at the Yacht Club de Monaco. Organised by the YCM in partnership with Bluewater, it takes place on 4th April 2024 under the aegis of YCM's La Belle Classe Academy training centre. This internationally renowned celebration of the art of fine cuisine at sea puts the spotlight on an essential aspect of yachting professions. "Every year, this event brings together talented chefs from all over the world, ready to take up the challenge of creating unforgettable culinary experiences as a showcase of gastronomic excellence on superyachts, the Superyacht Chef Competition continues to make its mark on the yachting world while promoting the values of our collective 'Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting' approach", says YCM General Secretary Bernard d'Alessandri. "On behalf of my son, I would like to express my gratitude to you all for supporting our association. Your assistance is invaluable," said Chef Yannick Alleno. The 5th Superyacht Chef Competition promises again to surprise the eyes and taste buds, the end results being judged by a Jury of top professionals supervised by Joel Garault, President of Gouts et Saveurs. Chef Glenn Viel succeeds Yannick Alleno to head up this international Jury. The three-Michelin star chef is passionate about local produce, combining his Breton roots with Provencal culinary traditions and stands out for his eco-responsible cuisine. Winner of the previous edition, Marco Tognon (M/Y Planet - 72m) is also coming to give his opinion on the quality of the dishes presented alongside Chef Danny Davies. Host of "Behind the Line with Chef Danny Davies" and author of two vegan books, Danny Davies has over 25 years of experience on private yachts. Finalist of Objectif Top Chef, Chef Victoria Vallenilla completes the Jury line-up with Chef Julien Roucheteau, a former student of the Ferrandi School in Paris, two time Michelin star, and Chef Fred Ramos, a disciple of the renowned chef Jacques Maximin who will judge the cuisine and way of working aspects. This year again the nine superyacht chefs selected to take part have to comply with an anti-waste criterium under the watchful eye of Chef Duncan Biggs, requiring contestants to use every ingredient in the mystery basket, or risk a penalty from an external scoring grid. Three rounds to the grand finale of excellence. Participating in this fifth edition are: Paulo Ucha Longhi (M/Y Hercules - 50m), Joelyanne Le Faucher (M/Y Artemis - 33m), Mateusz Mitka (M/Y Lady Britt - 63m), Margot Laurent (M/Y Leonardo III - 43m), Enzo Di Gabro (M/Y L.A.U.L. - 39m), Giacomo Seregni (M/Y Severin's - 55m), Jeremie Gruson (M/Y Victoria del mar - 50m) and Ava Faulkner (M/Y Light Holic - 60m). The criteria behind the contest's success have been retained where contestants only find out what's in the basket of mystery ingredients five minutes before they get behind their stoves. Thinking on their feet and being super-adaptable is key. During this time, the public can add a missing ingredient to the basket. They are then invited to vote for the best culinary presentation adding another interactive dimension to this prestigious competition. As they compete to show off their ingenuity and expertise, participating chefs always manage to keep spectators in suspense right through to the final showdown. In a nutshell, all the ingredients are there to ensure this competition lives up to its reputation as a major event. For more information: Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/722d5bb8-cda3-421f-a64b-3d7fd86e0c0e Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Sri Lanka has launched a tender for 165 MW (AC) of ground-mounted solar, accepting applicants to develop solar plants up to 5 MW ins size, connected to one of 20 selected substations across the country. The winners will sign 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board. Sri Lanka's Ceylon Electricity Board has kicked off a tender for the development of up to 165 MW (AC) of ground- mounted PV projects on a build, own, operate basis. The solar plants can range in size from 1 MW to 5 MW and will be connected to one of 20 grid substations outlined in the ... 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. AM Best has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a-" (Excellent) of Stonefort Insurance S.A. (Stonefort Insurance) (Luxembourg). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. Concurrently, AM Best has withdrawn these ratings as the company has requested to no longer participate in AM Best's interactive rating process, following the company board's recent decision to place Stonefort Insurance into run-off. The ratings reflect Stonefort Insurance's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also consider, in the form of rating lift, AM Best's expectation that the Stonefort group will provide financial support to the company during the run-off period, if needed. In addition, Stonefort's run-off business is protected by reinsurance from sister company, Stonefort Reinsurance S.A. Stonefort Insurance's balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which is at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects the company's risk-adjusted capitalisation to be maintained at the strongest level throughout the entire run-off period. The company benefits from a liquid investment portfolio and has a history of prudent reserving. Stonefort Insurance's marginal operating performance assessment is underpinned by an average return-on-equity ratio of -11.7% and an average combined ratio of 122% for the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, as calculated by AM Best. In 2022, the company reported a net loss of EUR 12.8 million (2021: EUR 0.5 million profit). Modest prospective operating losses are also expected in the run-off period. Stonefort Insurance's limited business profile assessment is mainly supported by the company's run-off status. The company has in place a well-defined run-off strategy with clear risk appetite targets and objectives. At year-end 2022, the company's book of business was diversified by geography and product, with a product offering characterised by medium to high-risk products, including fire, commercial property, surety and other risks. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com Copyright 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315327969/en/ Contacts: James Kenfack Associate Financial Analyst +31 20 308 5428 james.kenfack@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Jose Berenguer, CFA Associate Director, Analytics +31 20 308 5429 jose.berenguer@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com Takeda's 'In Their Shoes' program sheds light on the daily challenges faced by individuals with IBD in South Africa, promoting empathy and awareness JOHANNESBURG, March 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Takeda, the patient-focused biopharmaceutical firm, introduced its worldwide 'In Their Shoes' initiative to Johannesburg, South Africa. This effort, aimed at increasing awareness about the challenging symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), involved an immersive two-day simulation that provided profound insights into the impact of the disease on patients' daily lives. It is estimated that more than 10 million people worldwide live with IBD.[1] Whether Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, IBD rates are increasing in South Africa.[2] Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a lifelong condition characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, inflicts extensive damage, leading to debilitating effects on both patients and society. Common IBD symptoms include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue, while its cause involves a weakened immune system reacting to environmental triggers and genetic factors.[3] The unpredictability of symptoms makes managing the disease difficult and increases the burden of the condition. The 'In Their Shoes' initiative offers participants a profound understanding of IBD throughout the simulation. Using a mobile app and an 'IBD kit,' participants engaged in common struggles, gaining insights into the disease's physical and emotional challenges. Through role-play and interactions with actors, they gained valuable perspective on how IBD affects both professional and personal life. Although the simulation couldn't fully replicate the experience, it fostered empathy for individuals living with IBD. The initiative falls in line with Takeda's people-first focus, that not only encompasses patients, but caregivers, medical professionals, employees, and the wider communities in which they operate. Of the esteemed participants was Philippa Jane Hime, Infusion Practice and IBD Nurse, who commented on her experience in the simulation saying, "The most unexpected realization about the challenges of IBD patients was the amount of planning that goes into their day, especially when they don't feel well. For me, the invitation to dinner as part of the role-play portion, was the only non-medical situation, and the most uncomfortable one. You wouldn't normally imagine social events being so difficult until you are put in their shoes. I tend to spend a reasonable amount of time with my patients as a healthcare professional. This experience reiterated the importance of seeing the patient holistically and focusing on how the disease affects every aspect of their lives. I think that HCPs are mostly focused on the medical facets of their patients that they don't always consider how it influences their lives on other levels. It is hugely beneficial to understand how patients are living with their disease or condition, and this experience was definitely able to deliver that." Ursula Myles, Country Manager for South Africa, at Takeda, said, "At Takeda, our commitment to addressing life-limiting gastrointestinal diseases is unwavering. Alongside our continuous work on innovative treatments within our gastroenterology portfolio, we recognize the significant impact programs like 'In Their Shoes' can have on improving patients' lives. We take pride in cultivating advocates, both within our organization and externally, who genuinely empathize with the disease, exemplifying Takeda's dedication to a patient-first approach." The 'In Their Shoes' initiative was first launched in the U.S. with a two-day simulation during which dozens of Takeda employees learned about the condition in the most effective and profound way: by "living with it." Following the success of the launch at our U.S. headquarters in Deerfield, Takeda extended the reach of "In Their Shoes" by organizing more simulations across the world, with the aim of spreading awareness and knowledge of IBD's negative effects on its sufferers' daily lives. About Takeda Pharmaceuticals Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) (NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Diseases, Neuroscience, and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com. [1] https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/WorldIBDDay [2] https://ibdafrica.org/what-is-ibd/ [3] https://www.cdc.gov/ibd/what-is-IBD.htmsymptoms Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2360606/Takeda_logo.jpg BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 15 BH Macro Limited (the "Company") (a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235) Transaction in Own Shares 15 March 2024 BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc: Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Sterling Date of purchase: 15 March 2024 15 March 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 29,000 117,218 Lowest price per share 335 333 Highest price per share 335 336.5 Trading venue JPSI LSE Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 29,000 117,218 Weighted average price per day per trading venue: 335.0000 335.4724 The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury. Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows: Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 363,075,972 Sterling Shares 10,531,567 Sterling Shares 29,759,638 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares From 15 March 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 556,719,936. Enquiries: Company website: www.bhmacro.com William Simmonds JPMorgan Cazenove Tel: 020 7588 2828 The Company Secretary Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Tel: 01481 745001 Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 15 For immediate release 15 March 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 165,637 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 847.28 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company. The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 23 January 2024. Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 35,637,412; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 189,353,891. The figure of 189,353,891 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For and on behalf of Frostrow Capital LLP Company Secretary For further information, please contact: Victoria Hale Frostrow Capital LLP Tel: 020 3 170 8732 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Southern California region of the Colorado River has recently been found to harbor a dangerous parasite that can prove to be fatal for dogs. This parasite, known as the Heterobilharzia Americana or liver fluke, was previously thought to only exist in Texas and neighboring Gulf Coast states. Researchers at the University of California Riverside have identified the presence of this flatworm, which can cause a disease known as canine schistosomiasis affecting the liver and intestines of dogs. Unfortunately, available treatment options may not always be effective, and severe cases may even necessitate euthanasia. Professor Adler Dillman, who led the research team, has expressed his concern for pet owners whose dogs may come into contact with the parasite while swimming in the Colorado River. He emphasized the need for public awareness about this issue, as dogs can die from this infection. The transmission of this infection is facilitated by two snail species capable of hosting the parasite that serve as intermediary hosts for the parasite. Freshwater sources are the primary breeding ground for these parasites, and dogs and raccoons are particularly vulnerable to contracting these worms. The parasite enters the snail's body and travels through its system before seeking out a mammal host to infect within 24 hours. The worm can penetrate the intestinal lining veins to mature, mate, and lay eggs. These eggs then migrate to the lungs, spleen, liver, and heart, causing an autoimmune response that leads to organ failure. Infected dogs may exhibit gradual symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and signs of liver disease. Veterinarian Emily Beeler recommends a fecal test if a dog displays these symptoms after swimming in the Colorado River. Treatment typically involves the use of multiple medications and close monitoring of the dog by a veterinarian. Despite concerns, the parasite is easily filtered out of urban drinking water, and it does not infect humans. However, since 2019, numerous dogs have been affected by this parasite in California. Therefore, it is recommended that dog owners avoid letting their pets swim in freshwater sources that may harbor these parasites. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - Showcase Minerals Inc. (CSE: SHOW) (FSE: ZJ0) ("Showcase") is pleased to announce that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has approved the bond rider for its planned 12-hole drill program anticipated to cover 11,985 feet (3,653 m) in length on its Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project located in Elko County, Nevada. The bond approval will enable drill site construction and drilling to begin. Showcase intends to complete an initial two-hole program of approximately 1500 feet (457 m). The target for both holes is gold mineralization at the contact of Webb Formation shales with the underlying Devils Gate limestone and a modeled northeasterly fault. The holes will be angled to adequately test the contact in the projected vicinity of this fault. Drilling is anticipated to begin in April. The remaining ten sites will be completed pending these initial results. The drill targets have been identified using analysis of 53 historic drillholes, localized geologic mapping, surface sampling Controlled Source Audio Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) surveys, seismic, and gravity surveys. A clear trend of mineralization near to historic drilling has been identified, which aligns with the regional trend of mineralization of the Rain Mine to the northwest and the Dark Star Deposit approximately 1.5 miles south of the southwest end of the Dixie Flats-North Star claim block. This drill program is designed to expand the known ore body near previous high-grade intercepts and then extend the ore body along strike of identified structures. About the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project: The Dixie Flats-North Star Property (the "Property" or "Dixie Flats") is located on the east side of the Pinon Mountains, 21 air-miles south of the City of Elko in northeast Nevada. It is a combination of two claim blocks, the Dixie Flats group of claims and the North Star group of claims. The Property is comprised of a total of 236 total unpatented mineral claims on Federal land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"). The Property lies on the southern margin of the Carlin Trend, a northwest-trending belt of sediment-hosted gold deposits that makes up the greatest geographic concentration of gold deposits in North America, with reported production of more than 92.5 million ounces of gold since 1961 (Muntean, 2019). The Dixie Flats-North Star Property is underlain by rocks known to host gold mineralization on the Carlin Trend, and surface sampling has shown anomalous gold, silver, arsenic, antimony, and mercury levels in rock, soil, and biogeochemical samples from the Property, which is a characteristic geochemical signature of Carlin-Type gold deposits. The Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project is approximately three miles south of Newmont Mining Company's Emigrant Springs Mine, which finished production in 2018, and approximately 4.5 miles southeast of the past producing Rain Mine. Both deposits are hosted in dissolution breccia zones at the contact between the Webb mudstone, the basal unit of the overlying assemblage, and the underlying Devils Gate limestone. Prior exploration on the Dixie Flats-North Star Property has been focused on delineating this contact at depth and discovering possible extensions to the regional structures controlling mineralization at the Rain and Emigrant Mines and their demonstrated extension to the Dixie Flats-North Star Property. The information on the adjacent projects is taken from publicly available sources and is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Dixie Flats-North Star Property. Additional information on the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project can be found in the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Exploration Property", Elko, Nevada, dated September 21, 2022, which has been filed on SEDAR at www.Sedar.com. Qualified Person: Mr. Steve McMillin, M.Sc., C.P.G. is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. About Showcase Minerals Inc. Showcase is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project and the Woodruff Gold-Vanadium Project (subject to various net smelter returns royalties ranging from 2.25% to 4.25%), which collectively consist of unpatented 254 lode mining claims covering approximately 1,818 hectares located in Elko County, Nevada. For further information, please contact: Kirk Reed, President Showcase Minerals Inc. Telephone: 1-800-982-0670 Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201965 SOURCE: Showcase Minerals Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") announces that the second tranche of the non-brokered private placement pursuant to an agreement with Trafigura Pte Ltd ("Trafigura"), whereby Trafigura is to invest USD$970,000 to acquire units at CAD$0.25 (each a "Unit"), is now expected to close on or around April 15, 2024, see press releases dated November 6, 2023, December 8, 2023, December 21, 2023 and February 2, 2024. Each Unit consists of one Common Share and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Trafigura Warrant"). Each Trafigura Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share for $0.37 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. Securities issued pursuant to the private placement will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. About Kuya Silver Corporation Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with a focus on acquiring, exploring, and advancing precious metals assets in Peru and Canada. For more information, please contact: David Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 398-4493 info@kuyasilver.com www.kuyasilver.com Reader Advisory This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favourable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing statements, any discussion of the potential of exploration targets is forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/201970 SOURCE: Kuya Silver Corporation Barbara Nguyen holds up a sign at a recall drive calling on the removal of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price in Oakland in October. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle 2023 UPDATE: Supporters of Alameda DA Pamela Price allege misdeeds by backers of recall The Alameda County Registrar of Voters was unable to determine as part of an initial random sampling count whether the critics of District Attorney Pamela Price who organized a campaign to remove her from office collected enough signatures to trigger a recall election. The results of the random sampling are not sufficient to determine whether the signature threshold to call for a recall election has been met, the Registrar of Voters said in a statement. The office will begin a manual count. Related: Alameda DA Pamela Price accused of retaliating against employees who supported rival Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supporters of the recall handed in 123,000 signatures last week, a day before their deadline, according to Save Alameda for Everyone, one of two groups behind the recall effort. About 73,000 signatures are required to set a recall in motion. After all that noise, theyve failed their first test, said William Fitzgerald, Price supporter and campaign spokesperson on the Protect the Win campaign. Well wait to crack up the Guinness until the votes are manually counted but things are looking good. Their whole campaign is nothing but a hack job trying to oust a democratically elected DA. Price, a former civil rights attorney, won her seat with 53% of the vote in 2022 after she promised to reduce mass incarceration, lighten sentences for defendants under age 25 and hold police accountable for misconduct. When she took office, Price enacted progressive directives, including policies against special-circumstance allegations and sentencing enhancements that extend prison time for defendants, except in extraordinary situations with supervisors approval. She also directed prosecutors to offer defendants probation whenever possible. Prices decisions drew opposition from prosecutors and community members who view her policies as far too lenient. About two dozen prosecutors, including several veterans, resigned in protest early on in her tenure. In July, less than seven months into her term, her critics formed a recall committee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supporters of Price point out that crime is complicated and influenced by many factors. Price has defended her decisions, saying it takes a while for criminal justice reforms to produce results. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - Hertz Energy Inc. (CSE: HZ) (OTCQB: HZLIF) (FSE: QE2) (the "Company") announced today the resignation of independent director Robert W. Barker and the appointment of Jamie L. Hogue to fill the vacancy on the Company's board of directors (the "Board"). Robert W. Barker joined Hertz as a founding Board member in February of 2022. Dr. Barker has more than 45 years of experience in successful, multi-commodity mining exploration, with 29 years in exploration and acquisition leadership. "On behalf of the Board and management, we would like to thank Robert for his valuable contribution as a founding director of the Company and throughout his subsequent tenure. We wish him the best with his future endeavours," expressed Kal Malhi, CEO of the Company. Jamie L. Hogue brings more than two decades of strategic leadership and financial analysis experience to drive growth and financial success. With a focus on business scaling, her expertise covers energy, natural resources, water, and sustainability. Ms. Hogue's track record includes developing collaborative frameworks and innovative solutions to enhance organizational resilience and achieve sustainable financial success. Ms. Hogue currently serves in executive roles in the public and private sector as well as academia. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics and master's degree in public administration from Arizona State University. The Board has granted stock options (the "Options") to Jamie Hogue to purchase 150,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") pursuant to a consulting agreement between Ms. Hogue and the Company. The Options, which vest over a period of one year, are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.20 per Share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant. About the Company Hertz Energy is a British Columbia-based junior exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of energy metals mineral properties. Hertz owns 100% interest in the the Cominco uranium property located in Bathurst Inlet, Nunavut, Canada which was last explored in the mid 1970s by Cominco and Noranda with positive early results. The company's lithium exploration projects include the Lucky Mica lithium project, the district scale AC/DC and Snake lithium projects in James Bay, Quebec and the Patriota lithium project along the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Belt in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Hertz is also partnered with Penn State University to develop a patent-pending process for extracting lithium from hard rock lithium-bearing materials. For further information, please contact Mr. Kal Malhi or view the Company's filings at www.sedar.com. On Behalf Of the Board of Directors Kal Malhi Chief Executive Officer and Director Phone: 604-805-4602 Email: kal@bullruncapital.ca The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any U.S. person or any person in the United States, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. "United States" and "U.S. Person" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company 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", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201987 SOURCE: Hertz Energy Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - Alset Capital Inc. (TSXV: KSUM.H) ("Alset" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $4,777,323 (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one (1) Common Share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each, whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. In connection with closing of the first tranche of the Offering, the Company paid finders' fees of approximately $289,696.88 and issued an aggregate of 1,711,154 Common Share purchase warrants (the "Finders' Warrants") to eligible finders. Each Finders' Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Common Share (each, a "Finders' Warrant Share") at a price of $0.15 per Finders' Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends on using the net proceeds from the Offering for capital expenditures, working capital and general corporate purposes. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months plus one (1) day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or to any "U.S. Person" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act")) of any equity or other securities of the Company. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of U.S. securities laws. On behalf of Alset Capital Inc. "Morgan Good" Morgan Good Chief Executive Officer About Alset Capital Inc. Alset Capital Inc. is an investment issuer that is focused on investment in diversified industries such as technology, healthcare, industrial, special situations, operating businesses through both debt and equity using cash resource or shares in its capital. The Company is led by an experienced, entrepreneurial group of executives having a diverse industry and capital markets background. For further information about ALSET CAPITAL INC., please contact: Morgan Good, CEO and Director T: 604.715.4751 E: morgan@alsetai.com Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the intended use of proceeds, the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants and the issuance of the Finders' Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Finders' Warrants. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201993 SOURCE: Alset Capital Inc. Paylode, a Miami, FL-based company that provides, manages, and monetizes perks programs for their customers, raised $5.5M in Seed funding The round saw participation from Susa Ventures, Vinyl Capital, Struck Capital, Day One Ventures and others. The company intends to use the funds to build new digital customer engagement tools. Founded by Mikhail Naumov, Paylode is a perks marketplace that includes pre-negotiated and pre-vetted offers, enabling companies to customize and curate their own private-labeled perks programs in less than 15 minutes. It also provides tools to offer relevant perks during the checkout process, deploy email campaigns to create micro-engagement moments, and give deals or freebies to motivate specific customer actions. While in beta, the company enrolled 50+ clients and 1,000+ brands into its embeddable perks ecosystem. Companies using Paylode are major hotel brands with thousands of locations, residential housing operators managing millions of apartment rentals, consumer mobile apps, and top-tier insurance companies. FinSMEs 15/03/2024 PPRO, a London, UK-based local payments platform, completed a dual tranche funding round totalling 85m. The funding was provided by new and existing investors, including Eurazeo, HPE Growth, Sprints, PayPal Ventures, J.P. Morgan, Citi Ventures, and funds managed by BlackRock. The company intends to use the funds to pursue growth in key markets and further enhance its global network of local payment methods. PPRO is a fintech company that provides digital payment solutions to businesses and banks to scale their local payment services through one connection. Stripe, PayPal, and J.P. Morgan, and others work with PPRO to accelerate their roadmaps, boost their conversions, and eliminate the complexities of local payments. FinSMEs 15/03/2024 We took the Immediate Edge trading platform out for a test spin in our review. This is what you need to know before you begin trading cryptos here. Hey there, fellow Canadian crypto traders! Youre probably aware of the buzz around Immediate Edge its all the rage these days. So, whats the real deal with this app? What makes it stand out, and are there areas that could use a tune-up? Most importantly, is this platform legit? To answer these questions, weve prepared an in-depth Immediate Edge review, offering you clear, comprehensive insights. Advertisement Lets get started. Immediate Edge Review for Canada: Quick Stats Our Rating : 4.85/5 Free Demo Trading Account : Yes Minimum Deposit : $250 Trading Fees : None Account Fees : None Transaction Fees : 2% commission Supported Cryptocurrencies : LTC, XRP, BTC, ETH & More Advertised Success Rate : 87% Available in: Canada Immediate Edge Pros & Cons Pros: Up to 4000:1 leverage No hidden fees 87% success rate 24/7 customer support Variety of assets supported Cons: Minimum deposit is a bit high Limited in some locations Disclaimer: This review is specifically focused on Immediate Edge, a cryptocurrency trading bot available for users in Canada. Please be aware that the features, services, and capabilities of Immediate Edge discussed in this review are relevant only to Canadian traders. >> Trade cryptos with 4000:1 leverage at Immediate Edge What Is Immediate Edge? Explained for Beginners Crypto trading can be quite demanding especially for short-term traders. Analysing the charts, being up to date with all the developments, and conducting the trades on your own can easily get very tiring. To make things go smoother, many traders use sophisticated AI tools to automate some parts of trading. This is exactly what Immediate Edge aims to do. By monitoring the markets for you, the app is able to detect profitable opportunities in the market and even open sell or buy positions for you. While its main focus is on cryptos, Immediate Edge can also trade many other assets Forex, indices, stocks, and even commodities, just to name a few. How Does Immediate Edge Work? Immediate Edge mainly assists users in tracking market trends and making informed trading decisions. It uses quantum computing to analyse vast amounts of market data and then uses AI and machine learning technologies to predict market movements and identify potentially profitable opportunities. Advertisement To better understand how it works, lets take a look at Immediate Edge in action: Lets say that its the middle of the day youre having lunch with your friends and dont have any time to monitor the market. But its happening the price of crypto is dropping significantly, which is a perfect time for buying. Advertisement If you are not using a bot, you will miss the opportunity. But, if you leave the bot running, it will detect the changes, analyse them, and execute a buy order on your behalf. Who Is Immediate Edge For? Lets get this out of the way Immediate Edge Bitcoin trading app is for everyone. It does not matter whether you are just getting started or have been trading cryptos for years; an app like this can make your life much easier. Advertisement First, its very easy to use beginners wont have any issues navigating through it. Secondly, its very customisable, allowing experienced traders to retain control over their trades, create or amend strategies, and be in charge. For example, if you are not comfortable with the app conducting trades for you, you can simply use it for market analyses and take care of other details on your own. Alternatively, you can let the app do all the work for you. Advertisement >> Start trading cryptos with 0 fees at Immediate Edge Immediate Edge Bot Review: Key Features in Canada Now that weve briefly discussed what Immediate Edge is, its time to take a closer look at its features. Trading Strategies Immediate Edge uses High-Frequency Trading (HFT) strategies. These strategies involve the use of complex algorithms to trade assets at a rapid pace. The platform is capable of executing thousands of trades per minute, capitalising on arbitrage opportunities that arise when theres a price difference of a cryptocurrency across different exchanges. Advertisement Variety of Cryptos Supported Whether you want to trade well-known cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH or go with lesser-known options, Immediate Edges got you covered. Here are some of the digital coins you can trade here: Bitcoin Ethereum Litecoin Ripple Bitcoin Cash The platform also supports cryptocurrencies like Cardano, Solana, and popular meme coins Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. Immediate Edge Fees Unlike other automated trading tools that charge high subscription and trading fees, Immediate Edge is completely free to use and there are no hidden fees whatsoever. The only small charge that youll have to pay is the 2% fee on profits so its in the best interest of the app to help you make profits! Data Processing via OLAP Cube The foundation of the Immediate Edge model is a custom OLAP cube. An OLAP cube, which stands for Online Analytical Processing, is a way to store and organise large amounts of data in a multi-dimensional structure. Advertisement Imagine it like a 3D version of a spreadsheet. For example, in a regular spreadsheet, you have two dimensions: rows and columns. But an OLAP cube adds another dimension, creating a 3D cube. This extra dimension allows for more complex analysis and faster processing of data. Now, Immediate Edge uses a custom OLAP cube for its statistical modelling. This means theyve tailored their cube to handle specific types of data related to trading. It can analyse this data from many different angles quickly and efficiently, helping the system make better predictions about future price movements. Advertisement In simpler terms, think of the OLAP cube as a super-powered Rubiks Cube. Each tiny square on the Rubiks Cube holds a piece of data. Immediate Edge can twist and turn the cube in any direction to see different patterns and trends, helping it make smart decisions about when to buy and sell cryptocurrencies or other options on the site. Advertisement Security The Immediate Edge platform employs industry-standard security measures to protect user data and funds. These include: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) : An extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two types of identification before accessing their account. Encryption : This ensures that any data transmitted between the user and the platform is unreadable to any unauthorised individuals. Secure Servers: It is necessary to safely store all user data and financial information. Immediate Edge servers are distributed in London, Singapore, Oman, and Sydney. >> Take advantage of 87% success rate at Immediate Edge Pros of Using Immediate Edge Crypto Bot Lets first discuss some of the Immediate Edge pros and the reasons why you should opt for this site over other trading platforms. Automation at its Best Immediate Edge crypto bot is like your own personal trading assistant. It uses AI and a custom OLAP cube to handle the heavy lifting of crypto trades. This means you can kick back while it does the grunt work analysing trade patterns, spotting profitable opportunities, and executing orders. More than Just Crypto With Immediate Edge , youre not just stuck with cryptocurrencies. You also get access to Forex currency pairs, commodities, and other assets. Having an all-access pass to the world of trading gives you the chance to mix things up and potentially reduce risk. Works 24/7 for You This bot doesnt sleep its constantly scanning global markets and keeping an eye on crypto prices in real time. Its like your own personal market watchdog, ready to pounce on profitable trading opportunities as they arise. Furthermore, the Immediate Edge trading platform claims an impressive 87% success rate. Easy to Use, Free of Charge Dont be scared if youre new to crypto trading. Immediate Edge has a user-friendly interface thats easy to navigate. Its designed to make your trading experience as smooth as possible, even if youre just starting out. The trading platform is free and only requires a $250 initial deposit to get started. Advertisement Safe & Secure Trading App In the online trading world, security is a big deal. Immediate Edge understands this. As we found, it offers robust security measures to keep your investments and personal info safe from cyber threats. Leverage Up to 4000:1 Want to maximise your trading potential? Immediate Edge has got you covered. The platform offers an impressive leverage of up to 4000:1. This means you could control a trade worth 4000 times more than your original trade. Its like supercharging your trading power, but remember, while leverage can increase profits, it can also increase losses. So, make sure to use it responsibly. No Hidden Fees With Immediate Edge , what you see is what you get. All it takes is a minimum deposit of $250 to get started. The platform charges a 2% commission, but only on your profits. If you make money, they make money. Its a fair system that aligns with your success. Where Immediate Edge Could Improve While the Immediate Edge app offers a host of benefits, its not perfect. Here are the three areas we believe it could catch up to compared to some of the other trading platforms. No Mobile Immediate Edge App In an increasingly mobile world, many users prefer the convenience of managing their investments on the go. Unfortunately, Immediate Edge does not currently have a dedicated mobile application. Advertisement Note that the trading platform is still accessible via a web browser on mobile devices. The reason why we root for a mobile Immediate Edge app is because it allows for push notifications about market changes and trade updates, for example. Higher Minimum Deposit Immediate Edge requires a minimum deposit of $250, but the company actually recommends investing at least $500 for optimal results. This relatively high entry point may be a deterrent for beginners or those with limited funds who wish to explore cryptocurrency trading. While a higher initial deposit might potentially lead to higher returns, it also means a greater risk. Still, this is the price range many other trading bot platforms are in. Immediate Edge Review for Canadians: Our Ratings Lets dive into the world of Immediate Edge, a trading robot platform thats making waves in the financial market. Our Immediate Edge review will focus on six key benchmarks: Variety of Markets, Payout Speed, Security Measures, Fees, User Reviews, and Customer Support. Lets have a closer look at it. Variety of Markets: 5/5 One of the highlights of Immediate Edge is the wide range of markets it supports. The platform lets you trade not just cryptocurrencies but also Forex, indices, stocks, and more. Such diversity provides traders with a lot of opportunities to diversify their portfolio, earning Immediate Edge a full score. Payout Speed: 4.5/5 The payouts at Immediate Edge are not bad, but theyre not the best either. Most of the withdrawals are processed within 24-48 hours here, which could use an improvement. Security Measures: 5/5 Immediate Edge takes its users security seriously. The platform utilises encryption to keep its users data safe, combined with 2FA and secure servers at multiple locations worldwide, including London, Sydney, Oman, and Singapore. Fees: 5/5 The fee structure of Immediate Edge is straightforward a flat 2% commission on profits. With no lurking hidden charges, the platform provides transparency that traders appreciate, warranting another perfect score. Customer Support: 4.75/5 You can reach out to the support team around the clock, any day of the week. The team is professional, and while the response times are not instant, they are pretty close. A solid rating overall! Immediate Edge Alternatives Available in Canada If youre looking for crypto trading bots similar to Immediate Edge, opening a trading account on Quantum AI would probably be the best choice. Lets talk more, shall we? Quantum AI Fantastic variety of altcoins No fees Forex and CFDs also included Quantum AI is a high-quality trading bot thats pretty similar to the Immediate Edge platform, with an extra focus on altcoins. It provides about a dozen ways to fund your account and requires a minimum deposit of $250. Unlike many other trading platforms, Quantum AI charges no fees, providing a transparent and cost-effective trading experience. In addition to its robust crypto offerings, Quantum AI also covers stocks, Forex, and CFDs, delivering a comprehensive trading platform for both seasoned traders and beginners. The trading bot uses a sophisticated automated system that leverages quantum computing and artificial intelligence to analyse market trends accurately. To get started with Quantum AI, you need to create an account, which is free of charge. Once your account is active, you can instruct the bot on which cryptocurrencies to monitor and set your transaction limits. The bot keeps a watchful eye on the market fluctuations of several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dash, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and more. Quantum AI mirrors the strengths of Immediate Edge, offering an advanced auto-trading bot that excels in spotting new trading opportunities and automating the trading process. How to Register an Immediate Edge Account in Canada All it takes to join the Immediate Edge platform can be summed up in 3 steps. Heres how its done. Step 1: Sign-Up for Your Immediate Edge Account Visit the Immediate Edge website Fill out the sign-up form on the front page Provide your full name, email, and phone number Click the register button Step 2: Immediate Edge Account Verification The site will send a verification link via email & click on it In some locations, phone verification is also required Provide any KYC docs the trading platform might require Step 3: Make the First Deposit Log in to your new account Choose your deposit method from the payment methods accepted Make the Immediate Edge minimum deposit of $250+ Step 4: Start Trading Cryptos Online Open your account Try out the demo account to practice Set the trading parameters to your liking and start trading! Immediate Edge Review Canada: FAQs Is Immediate Edge Scam? No, Immediate Edge is not a scam. Its a legit crypto trading platform thats been around for nearly half a decade. This automated trading platform has offices in Lisbon, Nicosia, and Krakow. They only collaborate with CySEC-licensed trading brokers. Based on multiple positive Immediate Edge reviews, the site offers a legitimate piece of trading software combined with 24/7 Immediate Edge customer support. What Assets Can I Trade With Immediate Edge? While the primary focus is on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, the Immediate Edge app also supports the trading of traditional financial instruments like Forex, stocks, and CFDs. How to Start Trading with Immediate Edge? Starting to trade with Immediate Edge involves a few simple steps. First, you need to register an account on their official Immediate Edge site. Once your account is verified, youll need to deposit a minimum of $250. After that, you can set up your trading parameters and start using the auto-trading robot. Can Beginners Use Immediate Edge? Absolutely, beginners can use Immediate Edge. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and accessible for both professional and beginner traders. It even offers a demo account feature, allowing novices to practice trading strategies without risking real money. Can You Use Immediate Edge in Canada? Yes, you can use Immediate Edge in Canada. The platform is accessible worldwide, including Canada, Australia, and more. What Are the Fees for Using the Immediate Edge Website? Using the Immediate Edge website comes with a 2% commission on profits. There are no hidden fees, making it a transparent platform for traders. The crypto trading platform operates on the principle of we only win if you win. Immediate Edge Review for Canadians: Final Words We hope you learned something new about this trading platform because thats a wrap for our Immediate Edge review. Again, the most important thing for us was to establish that its safe to use Immediate Edge and it is. All the brokers that partner with Immediate Edge are CySEC-licensed, the customer support is readily available and helpful, and you can use the demo account before trading for real money. If youre looking for an alternative to Immediate Edge trading software, we recommend Quantum AI. Either way, stay safe, only trade with funds you can afford to lose, and have a good one! DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only. We do not offer financial advice and brokerage services nor recommend readers to buy or sell cryptocurrencies, stocks, or securities. Online trading is risky, so make sure to approach it with caution. This is a Partnered Post. SMEs and MSMEs have an integral role in Indias economic growth but are yet to be integrated into the financial ecosystem The role of fintechs has transcended borders, and they strive to provide trade finance solutions and better credit access to suppliers. In India, the trade finance gap is immense. Small businesses are the most affected by this phenomenon, as they have limited access to traditional banking and thus suffer due to a lack of sufficient credit and liquidity required for day-to-day operations. With access to credit being a consistent issue, fintechs are providing a viable solution by offering integrated credit insurance. Advertisement Trade Credit Insurance is integral for small businesses Suppliers supplying goods or undertaking services on Open Account/Credit Terms are exposed to nonpayment risk. And the same can be mitigated largely by availing of trade credit insurance coverage. It ensures the nonpayment risks of a buyer on account of the insolvency of the buyer and protracted default (willful default). For cross-border trade transactions, there is additional coverage on account of incidents arising due to political risk scenarios leading to disruptions in the payment process. Suppliers can focus on their day-to-day business, and the insurers take care of nonpayment risks from the buyers, which they are good at. Since it is more of a buyers market due to global trade, buyers are increasingly demanding credit/open account terms from suppliers. Suppliers refusing to provide credit to their buyers risk loss of business. Advertisement Insurers underwriting the risks conduct detailed due diligence on the buyers while setting up credit limits and tracking buyer exposure, group exposure, industry exposure and country exposure. The all-round underwriting of the buyer exposures ensures that there is a lower possibility of bad debts for the supplier, and there is continuity of business between the supplier and the buyer. In the event of any overdue payment from an approved buyer, insurers place such buyer under watch and inform other suppliers on their database. Helping as a tool of risk management, this step avoids any future losses. Having a trade credit insurance policy protects the open account receivables, which is a key element in the balance sheet of the suppliers, enabling them to enter new markets with strong support from the insurer. Advertisement Role of fintech in providing credit insurance to SMEs Credit insurance can be a valuable tool for managing risk and ensuring seamless lending and investment activities for SMEs. It can be beneficial for protecting small businesses in cases of non-payment of trade receivables. Additionally, it covers losses due to the insolvency or default of buyers by reimbursing for unpaid invoices, reducing the impact on their cash flow and scalability. Advertisement Today, there are nearly 63.4 million MSMEs in India, and only 15-20% have access to formal credit. It is projected that greater formalization could lead to a spike in demand for formal credit by 30-50%. In such a scenario, fintechs come as a ray of hope, providing small businesses with alternative sources of financing and reducing their reliance on traditional channels for financing solutions. Advertisement In todays digitally-driven times, fintech platforms are leveraging technology and data-driven approaches to assess credit risk effectively. They assess the creditworthiness of borrowers through a robust check and verification system. This enables them to make informed decisions and extend credit to suppliers that meet the criteria and require money but have a limited credit history. Hence, they are in a position to empower small businesses to minimize their credit risk. Advertisement Fintech platforms help SMEs increase their businesses and get more orders with the available cash to buy raw materials and sustain their operations smoothly. They further relieve small businesses from buyer default risk and worries about non-payments by transferring such aversions to themselves. By providing credit insurance, fintechs convert SMEs receivables into cash, thereby making their balance sheet healthier. Overall, they provide protection against financial defaults and strengthen the resilience of the supply chains of small businesses. Advertisement To sum up SMEs and MSMEs have an integral role in Indias economic growth but are yet to be integrated into the financial ecosystem. Access to trade finance is a challenging road for them, making them more prone to risk. With credit insurance in place, they can have a better, stable financial situation. Today, fintechs are shaping the future of finance, incorporating innovation, and stepping into the realm of credit protection with insurance for suppliers. They provide complete protection against buyer non-payment risk, with some of them even offering timely, affordable, and collateral-free financing and full-stack supply chain solutions. Combining technology with domain expertise, such fintechs are facilitating easy access to capital for small businesses backed by a strong network of insurance companies. Providing an array of services and offering their support to uplifting small businesses in all ways possible, such fintech platforms will continue to witness an uptick in the coming times and will be integral in shaping the future of the countrys financial landscape. Advertisement The author is Co-founder & CEO, VoloFin. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Star cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Raashii Khanna, Disha Patani, Tanuj Virwani, Sunny Hinduja and Ronit Roy Director: Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha Tumhein Na Kashmir Milegi Na Uski Tasveer! Your inner patriotism roars after this dialgue in Yodha. The story of the film starts with the government starting a special task force named Yodha with Major Surender Kateyal (Ronit Roy) for handling and tackling and national international threats to the country. Advertisement In one of the operations, Surender gets martryed and Arun (Sidharth Malhotra) his son, who is close to his father and always consider him as his hero and idol, becomes one of the recruits of Yodha Task Force. However, Arun has quite a different style of working as he doesnt negotiate with the opposition as he always (Yodha ka style kabhi negotiation ka tha he nahi) and even sometime break the law or chain control. But, he makes sure that every operation is successful with no threats alive. In one of the operations (around 2001), a plane is hijacked by terrorists at the Amritsar airport, who ask for Rs 50 lakhs along with their members, who are in jail, in exchange for the passengers. But little did they know, that in the plane there is a VIP called Anuj Nair, who is the most efficient and popular nuclear scientist in the country and responsibility for his security is of Arun, who is with him. Priyamvada played by Raashii Khanna, who also holds a high position in the government (also Aruns wife) engages in a negotiation with terrorists. While talking on a call, Arun tries to give Priya an emergency message but when she and the government fail to give a quick response, he fights with the terrorists for the safety of the nuclear scientist but unfortunately, he gets kicked out of the plane and it flies with the scientist and other passengers. Advertisement After the conditions of terrorists get accepted, they send back the plane but not without assassinating the nuclear scientist. This turns out to be a major embarrassment for the government and they decide to shut down the Yodha Task Force. However, Arun fights with the system and says that he did his best but the government couldnt respond to its emergency message quickly, which resulted in an unfortunate incident. Advertisement He continues his battle with the government but slowly his colleagues leave him as they apologize to the system and take transfers for their new jobs. This whole scenario also affects the married life of Arun and Priyamvada. A few years, later Arun as an Air Commando boards a flight from Delhi to London. And he realizes there is something, weird, unusual and wrong in the plane. While he assumes that the flight has been hijacked, it is much bigger than that, which involves two neighbouring countries and their relationship. To know that critical situation and its outcome, you have to watch Yodha on the big screen. Advertisement First and foremost, kudos to first-time directors Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha for their gripping narrative with the addition of solid twists and turns thatll not only surprise you but also cheer and make you whistle. They handle the storytelling brilliantly and make sure to keep it watertight for two hours and 13 minutes. Advertisement Special brownie points to the renowned South African action choreographer Craig Macrae for designing some great high-octane stunts and hand-to-hand combat and knife techniques. Star Performances Sidharth Malhotra unleashes his inner action hero and delivers a bravura performance. Apart from action sequences, his act in the emotional scenes is superb. Raashii Khanna also shines as Priyamvada and makes her mark with her subtle act. Disha Patani is in fine form and transformation from a simple girl to a terrorist is amazing. Her fight sequence with Sidharth Malhotra is one of the major highlights. Sunny Hinduja is superb in his negative shade. Special mention for Ronit Roy, who has the power to make his presence memorable despite being a cameo. Advertisement On the whole, Yodha is a commercial entertainer filled with action-packed sequences and superb star performances. Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars) Yodha is playing in cineamas near you The Election Commission of India will announce the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on 16 March. The poll agency is bound by rules when announcing the election dates. But what are they? People walk past the Election Commission of India (ECI) premises, in New Delhi. On 16 March (Saturday), the poll body will announced the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. File image/PTI When are the elections? When are the Lok Sabha polls? The answer to these questions will finally be revealed on Saturday, 16 March, when the Election Commission of India (ECI) will reveal the dates for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections . In a post on X, the polling agency also said that the election schedule for some state Assemblies would also be announced at the same time 3 pm. Advertisement Interestingly, this is the first time that the poll panel has given a 24-hour notice of a press conference to announce the dates, reported NDTV. As we gear up for the big announcement on Saturday, lets take a closer look at what goes into deciding these dates and also how these dates are the latest they have been made. EC and polls in India The Election Commission , an autonomous and permanent constitutional body, is in charge of organising free and fair elections in the Union and States of India. The Constitution grants the ECI with the power of direction, superintendence, and control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India. Advertisement As part of its responsibility of conducting elections in India, the EC is also charged with deciding when the country will go to the polls. This means that the body has to prepare an election schedule, which includes all dates from the date of issue of gazette notification to the date before which the election process shall be completed. For voters, the two most important dates in the schedule are the date(s) of polling and counting. Advertisement As per Sections 14 and 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the polling body has to notify election dates at any time within six months of the end of the term of Lok Sabha or a state Assembly. So, for instance, for the Lok Sabha polls, the term of the Lower House ends on 16 June 2024. Hence, as per the law, the Election Commission has to announce the dates before that time. Advertisement Furthermore, the EC is bound by rules for announcing poll dates. As per an office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice in 2011, approved by the Supreme Court, the polling body has to announce the dates not more than three weeks ahead of the actual polling. What this means is when the EC announces the dates of the Lok Sabha elections on 16 March, the election itself has to begin in three weeks time. Advertisement Indian polling officials carry electronic voting machines and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT). The EC is in charge of conducting free and fair elections in the country. The announce the poll schedule for elections taking into account factors such as availability of security forces as well as logistics of transporting election materials. File image/PTI Factors that determine poll dates The poll body takes into account several factors before announcing poll dates. The poll panel visits different areas of the country from north to south and east to west to review the preparedness of the states before they announce the poll dates. In fact, the EC has been travelling across the length and breadth of the country, checking election readiness. Advertisement The Election Commission also has to consider the availability of security forces for the polls and hence, it meets with Ministry of Home Affairs officials to discuss deployment of central forces in states. For these Lok Sabha polls, the agency has sought 3.4 lakh Central Armed Police Force personnel. Other factors such as the logistics of arranging electronic voting machines (EVMs) and poll officials also is considered before announcing the election schedule. The poll body also considers major national and local festivals, and the prevailing law and order situation. In 2019, former chief election commissioner Navin Chawla had said: There is no particular date (to announce the poll dates) as the EC determines a lot of things including the number of central forces, timings and how many phases they are planning. Advertisement A young voter shows her finger marked with indelible ink at a polling station during the sixth phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, at Patparganj in New Delhi. In 2019, the Lok Sabha polls began on 11 April for which the dates were announced on 10 March of 2019. File image/PTI Previous poll dates Now that we have understood how election dates are decided and finalised, lets take a look back at what have been the poll dates in the past. Last elections, in 2019, began on 11 April and were held in seven different phases. The polling ended 19 May and the results were announced on 23 May. For these polls, the Election Commission had made the announcement on 10 March. Advertisement In fact, it was then that the Opposition had questioned the delay in announcing the polls dates with Congress Ahmed Patel asking the EC whether it was waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modis official programme to conclude. For the 2014 general elections, which were held in nine phases between 7 April and 12 May, the Election Commission had made the announcement on 5 March. The counting of votes was held on 16 May in which Narendra Modi and the BJP stormed to power. Advertisement The Election Commission held a press conference on 2 March 2009, announcing the poll dates for the 15th Lok Sabha polls. Elections were held in five phases between 16 April and 13 May and the results were declared three days after the last phase of polling on 16 May. In 2004, the Election Commission announced the polls quite early, one could say. On 29 February, the poll agency announced that elections would be held two months later beginning on 20 April and ending on 10 May. The winner of the polls was then announced on 13 May. Advertisement Five years earlier, the Election Commission announced the poll dates for the 13th Lok Sabha elections on 4 May and the polls were held in two phases on 5 September and 3 October. The winner was then declared on 6 October. With inputs from agencies Russia is holding its presidential election from 15-17 March, only to re-elect President Vladimir Putin for another six-year term. Heres how the election will unfold Russia is going to vote from today (15 March) to 17 March. Except for an unexpected development, the elections results are not expected to surprise anyone. The elections are set to cement President Vladimir Putins hold on power until at least 2030, giving the Kremlins longest-serving leader since Josef Stalin a sixth term. Advertisement But how the elections in Russia works. How the voting takes place. Who is on the ballot and whether the vote will be free and fair. Lets take a closer look. How will voting take place? The election will be held on 15-17 March. Results will follow shortly afterwards and the winner will be inaugurated in May. Voting will also take place in what Russia calls its new territories parts of Ukraine now controlled by Russian forces which have been placed under Russian law. Ukraine says it will not rest until it has ejected every last Russian soldier from the annexed territories. A remote online voting system will be available for the first time in a Russian presidential election. Advertisement There are 112.3 million people with the right to vote in the election. Another 1.9 million people abroad have the right to vote and 12,000 in Baikonur, a cosmodrome which Russia rents in Kazakhstan. Around 70-80 million people usually cast ballots. Turnout in 2018 was 67.5 per cent. Advertisement Who are the candidates in the fray? Putin is running against Communist Nikolai Kharitonov, Leonid Slutsky, leader of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, and Vladislav Davankov of the New People party. Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war candidate, was barred from running as was Yekaterina Duntsova. Presidential candidate Nikolai Kharitonov of the once-dominant Communist Party is Vladimir Putins nearest competitor in the upcoming polls. File image/Reuters Putin, 71, a former KGB lieutenant colonel, was appointed acting president by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999. He won the 2000 presidential election with 53.0 per cent of the vote and the 2004 election with 71.3 per cent of the vote. Advertisement In 2008, Dmitry Medvedev ran for president and Putin served as prime minister before winning 63.6 per cent of the vote in the 2012 presidential election and 76.7 per cent in 2018. How long a president can rule in Russia? Putin has already served as president for longer than any other Russian ruler since Josef Stalin, beating even Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnevs 18-year tenure. Advertisement The 1993 Russian constitution, based loosely on Frances 1958 constitution, was seen by some in the West as a development that would lead to democracy in post-Soviet Russia. It originally specified that a president could only serve two terms of four years if they were back-to-back. But amendments in 2008 extended the presidential term to six years, while amendments in 2020 formally reset Putins own presidential term tally to zero from 2024, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2036. The changes also banned ceding any territory. Advertisement Can we expect a fair election? The West casts Putin as a war criminal, a killer and a dictator, but opinion polls at home show he has approval ratings of 85 per cent higher than before the invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin says Putin enjoys overwhelming support from the Russian people, that Russia does not want to be lectured by the West about democracy. Advertisement Russian officials say the West is trying to undermine Russia by casting doubt on the legitimacy of the election. Supporters say Putin halted the spiral of decline which peaked with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and restored at least some of the clout once held by the general secretaries who ruled the Soviet Union while standing up to what the Kremlin casts as a declining West led by the United States. Advertisement People, including supporters of Russian incumbent president and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin, take part in a procession organised on the occasion of the upcoming presidential election, in the Chechen capital Grozny, Russia. Reuters Much of the Russian Opposition which ranges from hardline communists to radical nationalists adheres to the formal rules of the tighty-controlled political system and, despite having seats in parliament, does not oppose the Kremlin on major issues. Pro-Western liberals do have any seats in parliament. Supporters of late Opposition politician Alexei Navalny are either in jail or have fled abroad. Other opponents, like former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, are also living abroad. Advertisement They cast Putin as a mafia-style godfather who has constructed a system of personal rule reliant on corruption. Putins opponents have been predicting since 1999 that turmoil will one day bring down the system he presides over. Can the death of Alexei Navalny affect elections? Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has said that the scale of public support for him since his death was proof that his cause lived on, and called for a massive election day protest against Putin. Advertisement Navalny, in one of his last public messages, had urged people to protest against Putin by voting en masse at noon local time on 17 March, forming large crowds and overwhelming polling stations. Navalnaya took up her husbands call. This is a very simple and safe action, it cannot be prohibited, and it will help millions of people see like-minded people and realise that we are not alone, she said. We are surrounded by people who are also against war, against corruption and against lawlessness. Advertisement Russian nationalist ex-militia commander Igor Girkin, who was jailed for four years in January, said that the March election would be a sham with the winner already clear. Girkin, who does not recognise Ukraine as a sovereign state and says much of it is part of Russia, said Russia would face defeat in the war unless it sacked top commanders and began to fight in a much more serious way. What do observers of elections say? The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europes Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in January that it was deeply regrettable that Russia had decided not to invite OSCE observers to the election. We regret that conditions have deteriorated so much in the Russian Federation that we cannot deploy observers for the presidential election in March, said Pia Kauma, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The very first election observation mission organised by the OSCE PA was to Russia in 1993, and since then we have observed ten national elections in the country. It is very unfortunate that democratic backsliding has reached such a critical point that we cannot be on the ground to observe this year, but we will of course continue to follow the situation closely. In 2018, ODIHR said that there were intense efforts to promote turnout and that citizens voted in significant numbers. Yet restrictions on the fundamental freedoms of assembly, association and expression, as well as on candidate registration, have limited the space for political engagement and resulted in a lack of genuine competition, it said. While candidates could generally campaign freely, the extensive and uncritical coverage of the incumbent as president in most media resulted in an uneven playing field. Overall, election day was conducted in an orderly manner despite shortcomings related to vote secrecy and transparency of counting. With inputs from Reuters Some of the top electoral bond donors have had run-ins with law enforcement agencies. Future Gaming, which is No. 1 on the list, has been under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate. The other firms, which have faced probes or tax raids, include infrastructure company Megha Engineering, mining giant Vedanta, and realty firm DLF, among others Lottery company Future Gaming and mining giant Vedanta, which were among the top donors of electoral bonds, were under the scanner of the ED. File photo/PTI In a landmark verdict on 15 February, the Supreme Court declared electoral bonds unconstitutional. Now a month on, they continue to be in the spotlight. After the top court rap, the State Bank of India (SBI) furnished details about electoral bonds to the Election Commission, which uploaded the data on its website on Thursday. It has information on which political parties redeemed the electoral bonds, the donors and more. Advertisement Its some of the top donors who are grabbing headlines today. Turns out, several have had their run-ins with the law they have been under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Income Tax (I-T) department and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Of the top five donors of electoral bonds to political parties between 2019 and 2024, three companies faced probes from the ED and tax authorities. Of the top 30 donors, 14 were raided by probe agencies. We take a look at some of the companies that purchased and donated poll bonds and their encounters with law enforcement agencies. Future Gaming and Hotel Services According to data published by the Election Commission, the top purchaser and donor of electoral bonds is lottery giant Future Gaming and Hotel Services. It made purchases worth Rs 1,368 crore between 2019 and 2024. Advertisement Based in Coimbatore, the company has a turnover of Rs 7,000 crore. It is headed by Martin Santiago , a labourer from Myanmar, who is now known as Indias lottery king. Future Gaming has been under the radar of the ED, which began a money laundering probe against it in 2019. In July 2019, the enforcement agency had attached the companys assets worth Rs 250 crore. Advertisement Martin Santiago heads Future Gaming and Hotel Services, which has purchased electoral bonds of more than Rs 1,300 crore between 2019 and 2024 Santiago and his aides inflated prize-winning ticket claims, violated provisions of the Lottery Regulation Act, 1998, and made wrongful gains by cheating the Sikkim government, according to the ED. Martin and his associates made illegal gain to the extent of Rs 910.3 crores on account of inflating the prize winning tickets claim for the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.08.2010, it said in a statement on 22 July 2019, reports The Indian Express. Advertisement On 2 April 2022, further action was taken with the ED attaching movable assets worth Rs 409.92 crore in the case. Future Gaming bought Rs 100 crore in electoral bonds on 7 April 2022, five days after the ED move, the report says. Also read: With Rs 1,368 crore, Lottery King Santiago Martin is biggest electoral bonds donor. Who is he? Advertisement Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) The second largest buyer of electoral bonds is the Hyderabad-based Megha group of companies, which purchased electoral bonds worth Rs 1,186 crore between 2019 and 2024. It is helmed by business tycoon Krishna Reddy. In October 2019, the Income Tax department raided multiple offices of Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) in Hyderabad and other cities. The ED has also started a probe. Advertisement Since then, the company has donated Rs 966 crore in electoral bonds, reports The Quint. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) is the second-largest buyer of electoral bonds This business group has been involved in various projects of the Telangana government like the Kalewarama Dam Project. It is reportedly building the Zojila tunnel, which will establish all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. However, last year, the government rejected an investment proposal of Chinese electrical car marker BYD and its partner MEIL to set up an EV manufacturing plant in India, reports The Indian Express. Advertisement Also read: Why are electoral bonds contentious? Vedanta Limited Vedanta Limited, founded by businessman Anil Agarwal and headquartered in Mumbai, contributed Rs 386 crore to political parties through the bonds. It is the fifth largest donor, according to the data released by EC with the first trance published in April 2019. In 2018, the ED claimed that it had evidence about Vedanta Groups alleged involvement in a bribe-for-visa case where some Chinese nationals were given visas by allegedly violating rules. The authorities also raided a Vedanta Group company Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL) in connection with a money laundering probe in August 2022. Advertisement Also read: Files in pen drive, password in envelope: How SBI submitted data on electoral bonds to EC The other big names Haldia Energy Limited, which is part of the Sanjiv Goenka group, bought electoral bonds worth Rs 395 crore. It faced action by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in March 2020. Advertisement Among the top donors appears the name DLF Commercial Developers Limited. The realty developer, which donated Rs 130 crore in electoral bonds, has faced probes by the CBI and ED. CBI officials raided the company in January 2019 over alleged irregularities in land allocation. In November 2023, the ED searched its Gurugram offices in connection with an investigation against real estate firm Supertech, reports The Quint. Advertisement The realty developer company DLF donated Rs 130 crore in electoral bonds. File photo/PTI Jindal Steel and Power is among the top 15 donors of electoral bonds, having given Rs 123 crore to political parties. In April 2022, ED searched the premises of the firm in connection with a probe linked to the alleged violation of foreign exchange regulations. Dr Reddys Laboratories Limited had made donations worth Rs 80 crore until last year. In November 2023, IT officials raided Dr K Nagender Reddy of Dr Reddys Laboratories over allegations of tax evasion. This was part of a larger operation, which involved searching the premises of Telangana education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy. Advertisement Aurobindo Pharma, which is embroiled in the Delhi liquor scam case, donated Rs 49 crore since 2019. In November 2022, the ED arrested Sarath Reddy, the director of the company in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the alleged scam. With inputs from agencies Pedestrians cross the street at Broadway and walk down Columbus Avenue in North Beach in February 2023. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency plans to install one of its 33 speed cameras in this busy corridor. Adam Pardee/Special to the Chronicle San Franciscos transportation agency plans to install 33 new speed cameras early next year on some of its most dangerous streets, with many of them concentrated in northeast neighborhoods. Busy corridors like the Embarcadero near Pier 19, Columbus Avenue in North Beach, King Street near the Fourth Street Caltrain Station, and Mission Street in South of Market have been pegged for speed cameras by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Each of the 11 supervisor districts will get at least two speed cameras, which the city will pilot after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation last year allowing San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and three other cities to do so. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Street safety advocates, for years, have pushed to give San Francisco the authority to deploy automated speed cameras to curb the spree of severe traffic injuries and deaths experienced on city streets annually. Speeding plays a factor in most of the citys severe and fatal crashes, according to advocates, and cities like New York say speed cameras have proved a potent tool in forcing speeding drivers to slow down. San Francisco already deploys automated cameras to deter against running red lights at certain intersections, and the new speed cameras will work similarly. Motorists driving more than 11 miles over the posted speed limit will be fined, with the ticket going to the owner of the vehicle. Its unclear how much those fines would cost. Speeding motorists caught by the automated cameras will get a warning for the first 60 days after the city activates the cameras. The speed cameras are not allowed to use facial-recognition software to identify drivers, and data collection is restricted to a drivers license plate, according to the new law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Marta Lindsey, spokesperson for Walk San Francisco, said the 33 new cameras are a starting point that will help improve street safety in the city but added, We need speed to come down on all streets in San Francisco, not just where theres cameras to cause widespread behavioral shifts in speedsters. Our hope is that, as the city moves toward this launch of the speed cameras, there can be other things happening at the same time to send a message to drivers that this is a city where you go the speed limit, Lindsey said. The city should pair the speed cameras with other road changes, such as reducing posted speed limits and installing other street-calming measures such as speed humps, Lindsey said. The SFMTA board will discuss speed camera deployment at its Tuesday meeting. Heres the transportation agencys list of the proposed locations: Third Street from Key Avenue to Jamestown Avenue Advertisement Article continues below this ad Seventh Street from Harrison Street to Folsom Street Ninth Street from Bryant to Harrison Street 10th Street from Harrison to Folsom Street 16th Street from Bryant Street to Potrero Avenue Alemany Boulevard from Farragut Avenue to Naglee Avenue Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bay Street from Octavia to Gough Street Bayshore Boulevard from the Highway 101 off-ramp to Tunnel Avenue Broadway from Powell to Stockton Street Bryant from Second to Third Street Cesar Chavez from Folsom to Harrison Street Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cesar Chavez from Indiana to Tennessee Street Columbus Avenue from Lombard to Greenwich Street Embarcadero from Green Street to Battery Street Franklin Street from Union to Green Street Fulton Street from Arguello Boulevard to Second Avenue Fulton from 42nd to 43rd Avenue Geary Boulevard from Seventh to Eighth Avenue Geary from Webster to Buchanan Street Geneva Avenue from Prague Street to Brookdale Avenue Guerrero Street from 19th to 20th Street Harrison from Fourth to Fifth Street King Street (northbound only) from Fourth to Fifth Street Lincoln Way from 27th to 28th Avenue Market Street from Danvers to Douglass Street Mission Street from Eighth to Ninth Street Mission Street from Ottawa Avenue to Allison Street Monterey Boulevard from Edna to Congo Street Ocean Avenue from Friday Kahlo Way to Howth Street San Jose Avenue from 29th to 30th Street San Jose Avenue from Santa Ynez to Ocean Avenue Sloat Boulevard from 41st Avenue to Skyline Boulevard The Supreme Court has issued notice to the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing the unique alphanumeric code on electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India. This number is present on each bond which is only visible in specific light The State Bank of India has not disclosed the unique alphanumeric code on electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India. Reuters (Representational Image) The Supreme Court on Friday (15 March) sought a reply from the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing the unique alphanumeric code on electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI). A month ago, the apex court had ordered Indias largest lender to submit complete donation details to the poll body, including the date of purchase of the electoral bonds, name of the buyer and denomination of each bond. The information on bonds encashed by political parties, the date of encashment, and denominations of the electoral bonds were also to be furnished. Advertisement Earlier this week, the SBI told the apex court that it had provided the details of the purchase and redemption of electoral bonds to the ECI. However, a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud observed on Friday that the public sector bank has not fully abided by the top courts 11 March order in which it had directed the SBI to disclose all details related to electoral bonds. This comes a day after the ECI uploaded the details on electoral bonds issued from 12 April 2019 to 15 February 2024 that it got from the SBI, in two separate lists. What are the unique alphanumeric codes on electoral bonds? Why did the SBI not share them with the ECI? What has the Supreme Court said? Lets take a closer look. Advertisement What are the unique codes on electoral bonds? A unique alphanumeric code is printed on each electoral bond issued by the State Bank of India that is only visible in a specific light. This number could be used to match each donation to the political party that received it, as per Indian Express. Advertisement The existence of such a number came to light in April 2018 when The Quints investigation found that electoral bonds have unique hidden alphanumeric numbers not visible to the naked eye. The report stated this unique number could be used to link buyers of electoral bonds with the political parties to whom they made the donations. Advertisement The SBI had told The Quint that this number was a security feature, claiming there was no way to connect which donor donated to which party. The process of issuance and payment has been designed in such a manner that the bank will not have any record of the above number either for the donor or political party, the bank had reportedly said. Advertisement According to the SBI, the unique code on electoral bonds was a security feature. Reuters File Photo In a press release issued by the Finance Ministry at the time, the government said that the random serial number was not noted by the SBI in any record associated with the buyer or political party depositing a particular electoral bond. It is thus not linked to any party transaction when the Bank issues a bond to the buyer. As such the number is not being used nor can be used to track the donation or the buyer, the ministry had said. Advertisement However, a HuffPost India report published in November 2019 claimed that the alphanumeric code was used by the SBI to track the buyers of electoral bonds and to which political parties these donations were eventually made. ALSO READ: With Rs 1,368 crore, Lottery King Santiago Martin is biggest electoral bonds donor. Who is he? Advertisement Why has SBI not shared electoral bond numbers? According to the SBI, the unique alphanumeric code was not recorded in the system. Former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, who served as the Economic Affairs Secretary when the Electoral Bonds scheme was conceived in 2017, said the unique code was a security feature, which was not recorded either at the time of sale of the bond or when it was deposited by a political party, reported Indian Express. Advertisement Without this, it would be impossible to match the donor with the party, he said. Supreme Court raps SBI The Supreme Court categorically said that the SBI has to disclose electoral bonds numbers, as per LiveLaw. In our judgment of 15 February, we had directed disclosure specifically of all the details of the electoral bonds, including date of their purchase, the amount, names of purchasers, the political parties which redeemed the bonds, etc. But the bank has not disclosed the numbers of the bonds purchased and encashed. Why? CJI Chandrachud asked during the hearing, as per a report by The Hindu. Advertisement The five-judge bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, was hearing a plea by the election commission seeking the retrieval of electoral bond documents submitted in sealed covers or boxes to the top court. The Supreme Court on Friday (March 15) categorically stated that the State Bank of India (SBI) has to disclose electoral bonds numbers as well, in addition to the details it has already disclosed regarding the purchase and redemption of the bonds. Read more: pic.twitter.com/xALHQeZelu Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) March 15, 2024 Advertisement Senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for the petitioner Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), argued that the SBI had said in its application seeking more time that it has bond numbers, reported Indian Express. Advertisement Taking objection to the SBI not furnishing the electoral bond numbers, the CJI said, Really speakingwe can take exception to what they have disclosed because they were duty bound The court then issued a notice to the bank and listed the case for hearing on 19 March. In a landmark judgement on 15 February, the apex court struck down the electoral bonds scheme, deeming it unconstitutional. With inputs from agencies SpaceX carried out the third trial of its biggest and most powerful rocket, the Starship. It flew for nearly an hour in space, though it didnt survive re-entry into Earths atmosphere. Despite the loss, the Elon Musk company has hailed it a big step forward, as the spacecraft achieved several milestones SpaceX's mega rocket Starship launches at dawn in the haze on it's third test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. AP On Thursday, Elon Musks SpaceX launched Starship, its largest and most powerful rocket ever built, only to lose contact with it on the descent, with engineers suspecting it to have broken up. However, the Elon Musk-led company considers the launch a win in their books, calling it a big step forward. Advertisement Even NASA hailed the launch, with administrator Bill Nelson writing on X, Congrats to @SpaceX on a successful test flight! Starship has soared into the heavens. Together, we are making great strides through Artemis to return humanity to the Moon then look onward to Mars. We take a closer look at what was the latest launch all about the third of its kind and why despite losing the ship, SpaceX is happy with the outcome. Its a blast-off! On Thursday, Starship , SpaceXs next-generation mega rocket, lifted off at 9:25 am ET (6.55 pm IST) from SpaceXs Starbase test site in Boca Chica, Texas. Hundreds of spectators, including many SpaceX fans, also gathered along the southern shores of South Padre Island and surrounding areas to witness the third test flight of the biggest rocket ever built. Advertisement For the unaware, Starship, which weighs about 5,000 tonnes, is the spaceship that will eventually carry NASA astronauts to the moons surface through the Artemis III mission slated to take off as soon as September 2026. Moreover, SpaceX considers it crucial to its founding mission: to carry humans to Mars for the first time. Advertisement At ~5000 tons, Starship is the largest flying object ever made https://t.co/r5kzjpbD9B Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2024 Advertisement On Thursday, the Starship had a near-perfect launch with a huge rumble from its 33 engines, and the vehicle then proceeded to step perfectly through all of the anticipated phases in the climb to space. As per the plans, the separation of the booster from the ship occurred at two minutes and 44 seconds into the flight. It then powered on, crossing the Atlantic and southern Africa. In fact, video footage of the ship revealed spectacular views of the earth. Advertisement It was after almost an hour-long integrated flight test that the craft was expected to make a re-entry, expecting to splash down in the Indian Ocean at the conclusion of the flight. However, SpaceX reported that the ship had been lost, and suspected it had broken up. SpaceXs communications manager, Dan Huot, said: The ship has been lost. So no splashdown today. Advertisement Watch the super hot plasma field grow as Starship re-enters the atmosphere! pic.twitter.com/to4UOF2Kpd Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2024 Advertisement Cheers and applause Despite the ship being lost, SpaceX was delighted with Elon Musk writing on X: Starship will take humanity to Mars. The company also said, Its incredible to see how much further we got this time around. People react as SpaceXs next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket lifts off from the companys Boca Chica launchpad on an uncrewed test flight, as seen from South Padre Island, near Brownsville, Texas. Reuters It added further, What we achieved on this flight will provide invaluable data to continue rapidly developing Starship. Advertisement Even NASA celebrated the test, with Bill Nelson writing, Starship has soared into the heavens. Together, we are making great strides through Artemis to return humanity to the Moon then look onward to Mars. Milestones reached But why the praise and hoopla? Thats because Starship completed many milestones on this test flight, coming one step closer to its eventual mission of taking people up to Mars. Advertisement For the first time, the spacecrafts cruise vessel flew around the globe, with SpaceX confirming, This is the furthest and fastest that Starship has ever flown. There were other key objectives also met on this mission. The 120-metre-tall Starship was able to open and close its payload doors in space and transfer propellant from one fuel tank to another. The rockets Super Heavy Booster was also able to complete a flip manoeuvre to begin its return to earth. Advertisement Starship re-enters the Earths atmosphere. SpaceX came close to completing an hour-long test flight of its mega rocket on its third try, but the spacecraft was lost as it descended back to Earth. AP As per a CNN report, SpaceX also carried out what the company is calling a propellant transfer demonstration. The goal was to move some of the propellant on board the Starship vehicle from one tank to another. This was done to show how Starship will be refuelled on future missions while its in orbit. Advertisement However, not all objectives of the mission were reached. A BBC report said that SpaceX had hoped the booster after separation might have been able to power its way back to a controlled drop into the sea just off the Texas coast. It got close but it looked as though the vehicle came in way too fast and hit the water very hard. A security guard monitors the entrance at SpaceXs launchpad. Thursdays test of the Starship was its third such flight. Reuters Starship tests In fact, this third test is the furthest that the Starship has gone. The first test in April last year resulted in SpaceX blowing up its rocket four minutes of the launch, after the booster rocket and the second-stage engine failed to separate. This was followed by environmentalists filing a lawsuit, complaining of the rockets impact on the surrounding area. Then came the November launch. In that the booster separated from the spaceship, but both then exploded over the ocean, eight minutes into the flight. SpaceXs next-generation Starship spacecraft, atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket, explodes after its launch from the companys Boca Chica launchpad on a brief uncrewed test flight near Brownsville, Texas. File image/Reuters Both times, Musk and SpaceX have refused to label them as failures, saying lessons were being learnt for future missions. In fact, shortly before the third test was to take place, SpaceX said in a statement: Each of these flight tests continue to be just that: a test. They arent occurring in a lab or on a test stand, but are putting flight hardware in a flight environment to maximise learning. And SpaceX intends to launch at least four more test rockets in the coming months, with their final aim to be completely ready for the Artemis mission, scheduled for 2026. With inputs from agencies Pilot fatigue came to the limelight again after reports of two pilots falling asleep mid-flight on an Indonesian airline surfaced. While fatigue is a major safety concern, there is a widely available pill approved by air forces in several countries, including India, for its fighter pilots to boost alertness and fight off sleep Indonesian airline Batik Air is under fire after its two pilots fell asleep mid-flight in January. Reuters File Photo Pilot fatigue is back in the news after reports of two pilots falling asleep on an Indonesian airline came to light this week. Indonesia has launched a probe into local carrier Batik Air after it was found that both its pilots drifted off for 28 minutes during a January flight with over 150 people on board. Advertisement The pilots have been temporarily suspended and the airline has come under scrutiny. Lets take a closer look. What happened on Indonesian flight? The Airbus A320 veered off course for a while as both the pilots dozed for nearly half an hour mid-flight on 25 January. However, the aircraft landed safely, with no harm to any of the 153 passengers and crew members, BBC reported. According to a report by Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee, the incident took place on a roundtrip to Jakarta when the 32-year-old commanding pilot asked his second-in-command if he could take a rest, which the latter allowed. After 20 minutes, the 28-year-old co-pilot inadvertently fell asleep when the flight was roughly 36,000 feet in the air, CBS News reported. Advertisement The co-pilot was reportedly tired from helping his wife take care of their one-month-old twin babies. Indonesian local carrier Batik Airs two pilots drifted off for 28 minutes during a January flight with over 150 people on board. Reuters (Representational Image) There was no contact with the cockpit of the Batik Air A320 for 28 minutes. It was then that the commanding pilot woke up and realised that the aircraft was not in the correct flight path, CBS News cited the transport ministry report. Advertisement The pilots then responded to calls from Jakarta air traffic control and landed the aircraft safely. Aviation expert Alvin Lie told BBC Indonesian that the pilots seemed to be fully rested ahead of the flight but medical tests failed to ascertain whether the quality of their rest was good. What is pilot fatigue? Advertisement The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) says fatigue is a physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss or extended wakefulness, circadian phase, or workload (mental and/or physical activity) that can impair a crew members alertness and ability to safely operate an aircraft or perform safety-related duties. Advertisement Pilot fatigue is a global problem. In 2020, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) identified the state of well-being and fitness for duties as the leading safety issue for large planes. A survey conducted last year of 6,900 pilots employed in Europe found that 72.9 per cent felt they did not get enough rest to recover between shifts. Three quarters also reported experiencing microsleeps in the cockpit. Advertisement The issue assumes all the more importance in India which is the worlds fastest-growing aviation market. A 2022 study by the non-profit organisation Safety Matters Foundation stated that 66 per cent of 542 surveyed Indian pilots admitted falling asleep on the flight without the consent of their fellow pilots. About 31 per cent revealed having a close call while flying which could have caused an incident due to fatigue. Advertisement The survey blamed fatigue as one of the main reasons for airplane accidents, along with pilots being unable to cope well with the pressures of their jobs, Hindustan Times (HT) reported. In January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indias aviation regulator, sprung to action after an IndiGo pilot suddenly collapsed and died last August before his flight. Introducing changes to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for flight crew, the DGCA increased the mandatory weekly rest period from 36 hours to 48 hours. Advertisement For pilots working at night, it further reduced the maximum flight duty period to 10 hours from 13 hours. The DGCA also limited the number of flight landings to two during night operations. The regulator made it compulsory for airline operators to submit quarterly fatigue reports and comply with the revised regulations by 1 June 2024, Reuters reported. Advertisement The revised regulations came following a rare review of pilot fatigue data by the air safety watchdog that it collected during spot checks and surveillance of airlines. In the United States, pilots on two-pilot flights can be on duty for a maximum of 14 hours during the day and nine hours for late-night operations, as per Reuters. Advertisement The magic pill that helps pilots stay awake The issue of pilot fatigue is not new. In fact, some drugs are used by militaries across the world to tackle the situation. Modafinil is one such pill. It was developed in the 1970s for treating narcolepsy a disorder that affects the brains control over sleeping and waking up and excessive daytime sleepiness. It not only keeps you awake but also enhances alertness and boosts overall cognitive ability, as per BBC. Advertisement However, the medication has its own side effects including headache, nausea, nervousness, dizziness, or even hallucinations. Today, the drug is widely available and is famous in military aviation circles. Fighter pilots used the powerful stimulants as go-pills. The drug is also used by Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots. A 2016 report in Times of India (TOI) said IAF fighter pilots pop the pill to increase alertness, improve cognitive performance, and battle fatigue and sleep deprivation during round-the-clock combat exercises and long-range sorties. Air forces in Singapore, France, the Netherlands, and the US are also allowed to use Modafinil. The US also approves Modafinil for its air force. Reuters (Image used for representational purposes only) Although the drug is less addictive than amphetamines, it can still be abused. Studies also show that Modafinil can lead to people becoming overconfident while taking judgement, something that can result in tragedy during critical operations. Speaking to BBC, Yara Wingelaar-Jagt, a lieutenant colonel and head of the aerospace medicine department at the Dutch Ministry of Defence in Soesterberg, the Netherlands, said that though the drug improves performance even in times of fatigue, it should not be recommended for commercial pilots. I believe for commercial aviation we have to be sceptical about what we ask of our pilots and our society. Do we really need our commercial pilots to fly through the night to get us to our city trip, or do we need to accept that even humans have their limits and respect the universal need for sleep? With inputs from agencies The Model Code of Conduct finds its origin during Assembly elections in Kerala in 1960, when the administration attempted to evolve a code of conduct for political parties. According to the Election Commission of India, the code has evolved over the last 60 years to assume its present form The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines and rules that political parties and candidates must follow during the election period. File image/PTI The Lok Sabha elections are days away, and political parties have already ramped up their campaigns, as the Election Commission of India prepares to announce the schedule for the general elections 2024 and Assembly elections in some states at 3 pm on Saturday (16 March). With the election schedule, comes the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which will remain in effect until the results are announced. But what is it? When was it first implemented? Heres everything you should know about it. Advertisement What is Model Code of Conduct? The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines and rules that political parties and candidates must follow during the election period. The Election Commission enforces the code to ensure fair and free elections while also providing a level playing field for all political parties and candidates. According to the guidelines, no party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. Political parties and candidates must ensure that their supporters do not interfere with or disrupt other parties meetings and processions. The party or candidate needs to inform the local police of the venue and time in advance before organising a meeting or procession. Advertisement According to the MCC guidelines, no party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. File image/PTI The MCC also prohibits criticism of a candidates private life; instead, criticism should focus on the candidates or partys policies, initiatives, and programmes. Ministers, with the exception of civil servants, are not allowed to laying foundation stones or initiating any projects or schemes after the Lok Sabha election schedule is announced. Advertisement The guidelines also states that the party in power at the Centre and in the states should ensure that it does not use its official position for campaigning. Ministers and other government authorities cannot announce financial grants in any form. No project or scheme which may have the effect of influencing the voter in favour of the party in power can be announced, and ministers cannot use official machinery for campaign purposes. Advertisement The MCC also prohibits criticism of a candidates private life; instead, criticism should focus on the candidates or partys policies, initiatives, and programmes. Ministers, with the exception of civil servants, are prohibited from laying foundation stones or initiating any projects or schemes after the Lok Sabha election schedule is announced. Ad hoc appointments to government or public entities that could persuade voters to support the ruling party are strictly prohibited. Once the Model Code of Conduct is implemented, official visits cannot be combined with electioneering work, and the use of official machinery or personnel for electioneering is not allowed. Advertisement Additionally, the Election Commission of India prohibits the publication of advertisements at public expense in newspapers and other media during the election season. When did the idea to implement the code originated? The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) finds its origin during Assembly elections in Kerala in 1960 when the administration tried to evolve a code of conduct for the political parties. According to Election Commission of India (ECI), the code has evolved over the last 60 years to assume its present form. Advertisement However, the Supreme Court has upheld its sanctity on several occasions. The Election Commission is fully authorised to investigate any violation of the code, and pronounce punishment. The code has evolved over the last 60 years to assume its present form. It had its origin during Assembly elections in Kerala, 1960 when the administration tried to evolve a code of conduct for the political parties, read the book titled Leap of Faith. Advertisement The Model Code of Conduct was first issued by Election Commission of India under the title of Minimum Code of Conduct on 26 September, 1968 during the Mid-Term Elections 1968-69. The code was further revised in 1979, 1982, 1991 and 2013, read the book titled Leap of Faith, which was published by the ECI to document journey published by the Election Commission to document the journey of elections in India. Advertisement The ECI has powers to even cancel the polls in that constituency where the Model Code of Conduct has been violated. File image/PTI Another document titled, Role and Responsibilities of Political Parties during Elections: An Appeal to Political Parties for the Observance of a Minimum Code of Conduct during Election Propaganda and Campaign, determining the standard political behaviour, was prepared by the commission during the midterm general elections of 1968 and 1969. It was in 1979 that the Election Commission, in a conference of political parties, consolidated the code by adding a section monitoring the conduct of parties in power. A revised code with a comprehensive framework was hence issued to prevent the powerful political actors from obtaining an undue advantage of their position. Advertisement A parliamentary panel had in 2013 recommended that MCC be granted legal backing to ensure there is no vacuum for ECI to exercise its power, which is residuary in nature. The panel had also recommended that MCC be enforced from the date of notification of polls and not date of announcement; a revision in election expenditure limit of candidates to make it more realistic; fast-track courts to dispose of election disputes within 12 months and allowing independent MPs to join any political party within six months of election. Advertisement Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi was a strong advocate of legalisation of the MCC during his tenure and had suggested stringent legal action against politicians who flout it. What if these guidelines are violated? The Election Commission oversees the behaviour of political parties and candidates during elections. If a party or candidate is found in violation of the MCC, the Election Commission takes action. First, it issues a warning. In more serious cases, an FIR can be filed. Violations can also lead to imprisonment. The ECI has powers to even cancel the polls in that constituency where the Model Code of Conduct has been violated. Advertisement The MCC, however, is not legally binding on its own. Still, certain provisions of it may be enforced through corresponding clauses in other statutes, such as the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1973, and the Representation of the People Act of 1951. Additionally, under paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968, the ECI has the authority to suspend or withdraw a partys recognition, as per a Hindustan Times report. With inputs from PTI A new puzzle has been uploaded to the UK intelligence organisation GCHQs LinkedIn handle to identify and recruit the upcoming generation of its intelligence staff. The agency is seeking lateral thinkers who had never thought of working with the UK Signals Intelligence Service, which secures communications The answers will be released on the agency's LinkedIn profile after Thursday. Image Courtesy: GCHQ Puzzle-loving brainies might be able to compete with the worlds top code-cracking spies. A new puzzle has been uploaded to the British intelligence organisation GCHQs LinkedIn channel to identify and recruit the upcoming generation of intelligence staff. The brain teaser was created in collaboration with artist Justin Eagleton, according to the Cheltenham-based intelligence organisation, to identify lateral thinkers. Advertisement Heres all we know about the puzzle. The puzzle Try your luck by finding the letters in the picture and piecing them together to uncover a secret message. Puzzles are at the heart of our vital work, reads the statement. These skills represent our historic roots in cryptography and encryption and continue to be important to our modern-day mission to keep the country safe. Within the image are 13 elements that represent letters of the alphabet. Your task is to identify those letters and assemble them to reveal a hidden message. A sign directing to Cheltenham, Manchester, Scarborough, and Budesome of GCHQs designated officescan be seen in the image. They have secret stations across the world. Advertisement The classic Roman alphabet is combined with features of British Sign Language and braille in this puzzle. One suggestion would be to consider the NATO phonetic alphabet. A nod to the intelligence agencys historic links with code-breaking, the intelligence agency stated in its riddle. It added the puzzle has been designed to appeal to people who process information differently and possess strong lateral-thinking skills. Advertisement The answers will be released on the agencys LinkedIn profile after Thursday. Recruiting lateral thinkers GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler explained that she was seeking lateral thinkers who had never thought of working with the UK Signals Intelligence Service, which provides signals intelligence and information assurance to the government and armed forces, according to UK-based The Sun. Advertisement According to her, the puzzle was posted to assist the organisation in assembling the right mix of minds to tackle challenges ahead. The spy chief said that the puzzle is part of a wider recruitment drive to bring in people with different backgrounds, different experience, different insights, different knowledge, and creating a team where all of us can play our part, as per iNews. Advertisement Notably, the prominent intelligence agency is still a diverse group with just 3.1 per cent of its staff who were from black or minority Ethnic backgrounds, much lower than the UK average, according to the UK-based news outlet which cited a 2018 special report from the Intelligence and Security Committee. It also cited an approved history of GCHQ is provided in a 2020 book titled Behind the Enigma, which also describes how the agency prohibited the hiring of non-white applicants until about 1980. Advertisement About the organisation Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ as most people call it, is one of the three intelligence and security agencies in the UK, along with MI5 and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). GCHQ, which has its headquarters in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, is in charge of both the countrys offensive and defensive cybersecurity efforts. Advertisement The iNews report claims it is a financially sound organisation, having a 3.7 billion budget for 20212022. Currently, 7,181 people work there. According to CNN, the agency played an important role in the Second World War, with its staff member Alan Turing famously decrypting coded German messages sent using the Enigma cipher machine. Advertisement Furthermore, this organisation has not always been without controversy. Aiming to create a user profile for every visible website on the internet, GCHQ had been conducting an operation known as Karma Police since early 2008, according to papers obtained by US National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2008. Crucial time for the UK Advertisement The hiring comes after MI5 chief Ken McCallum said that Chinese spies had tapped almost 20,000 Britons on LinkedIn. He said, Week by week, our teams detect massive amounts of covert activity by the likes of China in particular, but also Russia and Iran. According to him, agents from China, Russia, and Iran pretended to be hiring consultants. Advertisement We think were above 20,000 cases where that initial approach has been made online through sites of that sort. With inputs from agencies As per the report by the high-level panel on simultaneous elections, 32 parties including the BJP and its allies, support the proposal, while 15 parties, of which 10 are from the INDIA bloc, oppose it. The proponents argue the exercise would save costs, while the critics say it would undermine democracy As many as 32 political parties backed the proposal of simultaneous elections, while 15 parties opposed it, the report by the high-level committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election has revealed. The panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind had approached 62 parties, of which 47 responded. The high-level committee submitted the report to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday (14 March). After the panel was formed last September, it engaged with various stakeholders, including political parties and former Chief Election Commissioners (CECs), to seek their opinions on holding simultaneous polls. Advertisement Lets take a look at where political parties stand. 32 in favour, 15 oppose Out of the more than 30 parties that supported synchronising elections to Lok Sabha, state Assemblies and local bodies, all are either the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allies or have cordial relations with the saffron party, as per an Indian Express report. Twenty-six parties that are part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are in favour of One Nation, One Poll (ONOP), while only one is against it. Out of the 32 parties backing the proposal, only two are recognised as national parties by the Election Commission the BJP and its ally the National Peoples Party (NPP), the newspaper report noted. Advertisement The BJP allies which support simultaneous elections include All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Apna Dal (Soneylal), Asom Gana Parishad, Lok Janshakti Party (R), Nagalands National Democratic Progressive Party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, Mizo National Front, United Peoples Party Liberal, Janata Dal (United), and Shiv Sena (a faction of which led by Eknath Shinde is a part of NDA). Advertisement One nation, one election will lead to simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. PTI (Representational Image) The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which is in alliance talks with the BJP and has supported the Centre in crucial Bills, has supported One Nation, One Election . The Shiromani Akali Dal and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), part of the NDA earlier, also support the proposal. All 10 parties of the Opposition INDIA bloc, including the Congress, do not want simultaneous polls. Four of the 15 parties against the move are national parties the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M). Advertisement The other parties opposing the move are All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Communist Party of India (CPI), Naga Peoples Front (NPF), Samajwadi Party (SP), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the CPI(M-L), and Social Democratic Party of India. Advertisement The 15 parties that did not respond to the Kovind-led panel were Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), BJPs new allies Rashtriya Lok Dal, JD(S) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Jammu And Kashmir National Conference, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann), Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, Indian Union Muslim League, Sikkim Democratic Front, Kerala Congress (M), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party. Advertisement What parties supporting simultaneous polls said Simultaneous elections have been the BJPs agenda for a long time. It is not a new idea either. In fact, the practice was applicable in India till 1967. However, as several state Assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968-69, it led to different polling cycles in those states. Advertisement In 1970, the Lok Sabha was dissolved a year ahead of schedule; mid-elections were held the next year. The saffron party has called for bringing back this practice. In its response to the Kovind panel, the BJP pointed out that simultaneous polls worked seamlessly between 1952 to 1967. It emphasised in its letter submitted this February about the significant loss of up to 800 days in five years due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), saying this adversely impacts developmental work and governance efficiency. The saffron party also talked about the repeated diversion of security forces from key internal security duties during the election phase. Advertisement Simultaneous elections have been the BJPs agenda for a long time. PTI (Representational Image) The JD(U), which has recently rejoined the NDA, said ONOP would streamline the electoral process, as well as lead to cost saving, policy continuity, and focused governance, the HLC report mentioned. However, the party opposed holding local body elections with Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, arguing that they are held as per different laws in different states. Advertisement Naveen Patnaiks BJD iterated its longstanding support of the idea, saying holding multiple polls at different levels and periods causes fiscal strain and delays in governance. The party that is in power in Odisha also implored the Kovind-led panel to take the plan to its logical conclusion. Backing simultaneous polls, the ruling party in Meghalaya, the Conrad Sangma-led National Peoples Party, called for convening separate consultations with regional parties in the Northeast. Advertisement Why some parties are against ONOP The Congress vehemently opposed the idea of simultaneous elections in India. In its letter to the Kovind-led panel, the Grand Old Party argued that implementing ONOP would lead to substantial changes to the basic structure of the Constitution, adding that it went against the guarantees of federalism and would subvert the parliamentary democracy. Advertisement The party termed the argument that the cost of holding multiple elections is extremely high baseless, saying that people will be willing to consider this small amount as the cost of free and fair elections. The Congress said in its January letter to the panel that there is no place for the concept of simultaneous elections in a country that has adopted a Parliamentary system of government. The AAP told the high-level committee that ONOP would undermine democracy, the Constitutions basic structure, and the federal polity of the country. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party said the move would institutionalise a Presidential form of government which cannot be dislodged by a vote of no-confidence. Mayawatis BSP did not explicitly oppose the idea but asked the Kovind panel to provide a working framework for simultaneous elections. The party stressed the challenges of such an exercise, citing large territorial spread and Indias population. It also called on the need to strengthen, optimise and ensure responsiveness in the existing electoral system before implementing such a massive shift, saying the real solution to the present problems was in carrying out free and fair elections. In its January letter, the Naga Peoples Front said simultaneous polls would invariably defeat the spirit of federal structure, as a national agenda would overshadow regional and local issues. It also raised objections to the overhaul of the Constitution, which is required for implementing the proposal. The DMK said that dissolving the state Assemblies prematurely to hold simultaneous polls was unconstitutional. It also said the constitution of the Kovind-led committee by the Centre was illegal, and questioned its jurisdiction. The ruling party in Kerala, the CPI(M), called ONOP fundamentally anti-democratic, saying that it strikes at the root of the parliamentary democratic system as ordained in the Constitution. With inputs from agencies Vladimir Putin will once again be picked as Russias president. What he does after he crosses the finish line is whats provoking anxiety among observers. He might order a second military mobilisation to fight in Ukraine or test NATOs resolve to support Kyiv Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during an interview with a Russian state-owned media organization in Moscow, Russia. AP There is hardly much political drama in the battle for Vladimir Putins re-election to a second six-year term as president of Russia. The 71-year-old will almost certainly be able to hold office until 2030 as a result of the voting that ends on Sunday, giving him a complete three decades to lead Russia as either the prime minister or president. Advertisement However, its what he does after he crosses the finish line that grabs attention and causes anxiety in a lot of onlookers. Lets take a closer look. Putins firm grip on authority Putin has a solid hand thanks to his lengthy-term and the widespread silence of powerful domestic opposition voices. The unexpected endurance of the Russian economy in the face of extensive Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine supports that position. This stance is further cemented by Moscows steady advances on the battlefield in recent months, the US and other countries support for military assistance to Kyiv, and the growing scepticism of some Western countries regarding increasingly progressive social attitudes that echo Putins advocacy for traditional values. Putin, in short, would head into a new term with few obvious restraints, and that could manifest itself quickly in major new actions. Advertisement Russias presidential election is not so important as what will come after. Putin has often postponed unpopular moves until after elections," Bryn Rosenfeld, a Cornell University professor who studies post-Communist politics, said in a commentary. A chance for a second military mobilisation In Russia, some people think it might happen. Ordering a second military mobilisation to fight in Ukraine would likely be the most unpopular thing at home but it might the families of the troops who were drafted 18 months prior. Advertisement Notably, the first one, in September 2022, generated protests and caused a large number of Russians to flee their country to avoid being called up. Russian leaders are now talking of consolidating the whole of Russian society around its defense needs," Brian Michael Jenkins, a senior adviser at the RAND Corporation think tank told The Associated Press. Advertisement The precise meaning of this phrase is not entirely clear, but it suggests that Russias leadership understands that the war Putin describes will go on for a long time, and therefore resources must be mobilized, he added. In other words, Russian society must be organized for perpetual warfare. But Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, says Putin doesnt need a mobilisation partly because many Russians from poorer regions have signed up to fight in order to get higher pay than what they can earn in their limited opportunities at home. Advertisement In addition, Putins apparent confidence that the war is turning in Russias favour is likely to make him continue to insist that the only way to end the conflict is for Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table, she said. Which, in fact, means capitulation. Testing NATOs resolve Although there is still a lack of support for Ukraine in Washington, recent statements from Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski and French president Emmanuel Macron indicate that sending soldiers to defend Kyiv is at least an ideal option. Advertisement Considering those remarks, Putin would be inclined to challenge NATOs determination. Alexandra Vacroux, executive director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University, posits that Russia within several years will make an attempt to assess NATOs commitment to Article 5, the alliances common defense guarantee under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Advertisement I dont think that Putin thinks that he needs to be physically, militarily stronger than all of the other countries. He just needs them to be weaker and more fractured. And so the question for him is like instead of worrying so much about making myself stronger, how can I make everyone else weaker? she said. Advertisement So in order to do that, its like you have to find a situation where you could test Article 5, and if the response is mild or uncertain then youve shown that, like NATO is just a paper tiger, Vacroux said. Russia could run such a test without overt military action, she said, adding, You could imagine, like, one of the big questions is what kind of cyberattack constitutes a threat to attack? Advertisement Fears of Moldova Neighbouring Moldova, although not being a member of NATO, is growing more and more concerned about being targeted by Russia. Moldova has been dealing with issues since the invasion, which has caused residents of Chisinau, the countrys capital, to worry that their nation is also under Kremlin attack. Due to reported mounting pressure from Moldova, the congress in the separatist Transnistria area of Moldova, where Russia maintains a base with 1,500 soldiers serving as nominal peacekeepers, has asked Moscow for diplomatic protection. Advertisement That appeal potentially leaves a lot of room for escalation, said Cristain Cantir, a Moldovan international relations professor at Oakland University. I think its useful to see the congress and the resolution as a warning to Moldova that Russia may get more involved in Transnistria if Chisinau does not make concessions. Advertisement Potential events at home Even though independent media and allies of the opposition are already intimidated or silenced, additional repressive measures may be implemented on the domestic front in Russia under the new Putin administration. Stanovaya suggested that rather than initiating repressive measures personally, Putin authorises them when they are created by others with the understanding that the head of the Kremlin will accept. Many players are trying to survive and to adapt, and they compete against each other and often they have contradictory interests," she said. And they are trying all together in parallel to secure their own priorities and the stability of the regime. Russia last year banned the notional LGBTQ+ movement by declaring it to be extremist in what officials said was a fight for traditional values like those espoused by the Russian Orthodox Church in the face of Western influence. Courts also banned gender transitioning. Ben Noble, an associate professor of Russian politics at University College London, said he believes the LGBTQ+ community could face further repression in a new Putin term. In the Kremlins eye, they can be held up as an import from the decadent West, he said. With inputs from The Associated Press The UK announced Wednesday that it intends to prohibit foreign governments from owning British newspapers, a move that could derail the contentious Abu Dhabi-led takeover of the Telegraph Media Group. Heres who will be affected, and who owns what? According to The Telegraph, Rupert Murdoch's giant News Corp and the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) have held talks about a potential joint takeover of the Telegraph titles. AFP The UK government has made a bold move to safeguard what they call the integrity of their press, by planning to prohib foreign state ownership of British newspapers and news magazines, on Wednesday. The development comes in response to concerns raised about the proposed takeover of the Daily Telegraph and Spectator by a group backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Advertisement The proposed ban appears to risk plans for an Abu Dhabi-led bid to acquire the Telegraph Media Group (TMG). Even if the Telegraph plan by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAEs deputy prime minister, fails, rival groups are looking to tighten their grip on UK media. According to The Telegraph, Rupert Murdochs giant News Corp and the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) have held talks about a potential joint takeover of the Telegraph titles. Lets take a closer look. Who owns what? Three companies DMG Media (part of DMGT), News UK (the British arm of News Corp) and Reach dominate 90 per cent of the UK national newspaper market, according to a 2023 report by the Media Reform Coalition. The three groups also account for more than 40 per cent of the total audience reach of the UKs 50 largest online news brands. Advertisement DMG Media titles Metro and The Daily Mail and News UKs The Sun are the dominant brands in the newspaper market. DMGT Jonathan Harmsworth is the great-grandson of the founder of The Daily Mail and the chairman and sole owner of DMGT. It controls 40 per cent of the UKs national newspaper market through The Daily Mail, its weekly sister paper The Mail on Sunday, the i and the Metro freesheet. Advertisement If DMG Media buys the Telegraph titles, it would mean that a single publisher would be close to controlling half of all national UK newspaper circulation. News UK US-Australian billionaire Rupert Murdochs News UK, which publishes The Sun, The Times and their Sunday titles, controls one-third of the UKs newspaper market, according to the Media Reform Coalition study. Advertisement Murdochs son Lachlan has since taken over as chairman of parent company News Corp, but his father is still believed to be closely involved in operating the familys global media empire. Reach Reachs brands include national titles The Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star and Daily Record in Scotland, as well as major local titles The Manchester Evening News, The Liverpool Echo and WalesOnline. Advertisement As Trinity Mirror, it bought up a number of local, regional and national titles before rebranding. Lebedev Holdings Limited The Russian-born son of a former KGB agent and oligarch, Evgeny Lebedev owns Londons Evening Standard newspaper and the largest share of ownership in The Independent online newspaper. In 2020, he was nominated to the House of Lords by former prime minister Boris Johnson, becoming Baron Lebedev of Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and of Siberia in the Russian Federation. Advertisement TMG Brothers David and Frederick Barclay bought the Telegraph titles in 2004 after building a business empire of real estate, retailing and hotels, including The Ritz in London. In 2009 The Telegraph was lauded after it launched an investigation into MPs expenses claims based on millions of leaked documents. But the titles, which traditionally supported the Conservative party, built up debts and last year Lloyds bank sent in receivers to take control of the Telegraph titles and the Spectator magazine, known as the Tory bible and formerly edited by Boris Johnson. Advertisement Scott Trust The Guardian newspaper, owned by Guardian Media Group, has only one shareholder the Scott Trust, which receives more than half of its revenue from readers. According to the Media Reform Coalition report, The Guardian & Observer websites and apps had 7.3 million users in 2022, roughly 10.9 per cent of the UK population. Advertisement Tech giants Global tech giants own huge swathes of the spaces and technologies that are used to fund, find and access media content online, the report said. Meta and Google command around four-fifths of all online advertising spending in the UK, giving these two tech giants unparalleled power over how online news is found and funded, the report said. Advertisement Largest audiences According to Ipsos, the BBC, with an audience of 38 million, was the most popular news website in the UK in January 2024. It was followed by The Sun (24.3 million), The Mail Online (22.8 million), The Mirror (22.6 million) and The Guardian (21.2 million). The Independent had an audience of 20 million, The Telegraph was at 15.1 million, Metro at 13.9 million, The Daily Express at 13 million and The Times and Sunday Times at 11.5 million. Advertisement With inputs from AFP Online detectives speculate that Kate Middletons absence may be connected to an alleged relationship between her husband, Prince William, and Rose Hanbury. A neighbour of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the former model has been spotted during royal occasions including the coronation of King Charles III Over the past few days, tweets about rumours of an alleged affair between William and Rose have been trending. Image Courtesy: @JeffChangx/X As digitally changed features of Princess Kates controversial Mothers Day portrait control the headlines these days, focus is also being drawn to Kate and Williams close circle, particularly the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Some online detectives are speculating that Kates absence may be connected to an alleged relationship between her husband, Prince William, and Hanbury, as stated by Stephen Colbert in his Tuesday night monologue on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Advertisement Who is Rose Hanbury? For many years, Sarah Rose Hanbury more popularly known as Rose Hanbury was closely associated with the Prince and Princess of Wales. She was frequently captured on camera during royal occasions such as the coronation of King Charles III, the memorial ceremony for Prince Philip, and the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Rose was born to website designer Timothy Hanbury and fashion designer Emma Hanbury. Her connection to the royal family dates back several generations. Her maternal grandmother, Lady Elizabeth Lambert, was one of eight bridesmaids at the late Queen Elizabeth IIs wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh. After attending the prestigious Buckinghamshire school Stowe, she signed with Storm, the renowned modelling agency that discovered Kate Moss, at the age of 23. In 2005, she was featured in tabloids after being pictured on vacation with Tony Blair and her younger sister, Marina. Advertisement The 39-year-old now manages an estate for her husband, David Rocksavage, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, after working as a researcher for Conservative MP Michael Gove, according to The Independent. The pair resides in Houghton Hall, a Grade I-listed historic mansion in Norfolk, with their three children: daughter Lady Iris Marina Aline Cholmondeley, age eight, and twins Alexander Hugh George Cholmondeley, Earl of Rocksavage, and Lord Oliver Timothy George Cholmondeley, both 15 years old. Advertisement Their house is very close to Anmer Hall, the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. While on vacation in Italy in 2003, Rose Hanbury met David Rocksavage, who was 23 years her senior. Six years later, on the eve of a low-key ceremony at Chelsea Town Hall in 2009, they announced their engagement. Advertisement In addition, she works for several nonprofit organisations, such as the East Anglia Childrens Hospice. She has drawn attention recently for her glitzy attire at royal events, such as the 2017 state dinner at Buckingham Palace where she was seated near to Prince Harry. Also read: MIA! Why hasnt Kate Middleton been seen in public for 2 months? Advertisement Is she dating Prince William? Over the past few days, tweets about rumours of an alleged affair between William and Rose have been trending. Thanks to Stephen Colbert bringing it up on his Late Show With Stephen Colbert, it became widely known. He joked, The Kingdom has been all a flutter about the seeming disappearance of Kate Middleton. Well now, internet sleuths are guessing that Kates absence may be related to her husband, and the future King of England, Williiam, having an affair. Advertisement The affair allegations between William and Hanbury initiated in 2019, with various sources and social media whispers contributing to the narrative, though none have been substantiated. Regarding official responses, there has been no public acknowledgment or rebuttal from Hanbury, Middleton, or Prince William. What is the royals response? The claims of an affair between William and Hanbury began in 2019, and while there have been rumours on social media and from other sources, none of them have been verified. Advertisement As for official responses, neither Hanbury nor Middleton nor Prince William have made any public acknowledgement or refutation. A former royal courtier told the Daily Beast that Colberts remarks were deeply annoying and unhelpful for the palace, but its not surprising that the affair rumors are being reheated. What else are people supposed to think when she sends out a photo not wearing her wedding ring? Advertisement Whats the controversy around Kates 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. Advertisement Kate has her hands around Charlotte and Louis waist, while George is standing behind, wrapping his arms around his mother. 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 Advertisement 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). Advertisement 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. 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. 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. With inputs from agencies MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the emergency helpline has been established at the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic India has set up a 24-hour control room and has also released a list of emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals stuck in the violence-hit Haiti, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced on Friday. The spokesperson said the the embassy is in constant touch with the Indian community in Haiti and will give all information and necessary assistance. Advertisement #WATCH | On Haiti violence, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "The Embassy is in touch with the Indian community. They are monitoring the situation. As you know there is a crisis in Haiti, and if required, we will evacuate we are ready to evacuate." pic.twitter.com/FQJNSlzajT ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 Jaiswal also said that an additional 24-hour emergency helpline has been established at the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic, which is accredited to Haiti, and if the need arises, the government is ready to evacuate all 50 to 80 members of the Indian community from the island country. Advertisement Haiti has been engulfed in rampant gang violence and crimes over several years which has led the country into a state of political instability and chaos. The Caribbean nation declared a state of emergency last week. In view of the ongoing developments in Haiti, a 24-hour Control room has been set up at @MEAIndia to provide information and assistance. In addition, a 24-hour emergency helpline has been set up at @IndiainDR. Press Release: https://t.co/8jTNI8ONRV pic.twitter.com/ghDQWUpLxC Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 15, 2024 Advertisement The surge in violence began when armed groups with its leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier launched a wave of attacks in the capital Port-au-Prince collapsing the law and order situation in the country and leading to its Prime Minister Ariel Henrys resignation. Advertisement Gangs set up several police stations on fire and conducted raids on two prisons that led to the escape of thousands of inmates. As per UN estimates, almost 4,000 people were killed and 3,000 kidnapped in gang-related violence in 2023. More than 300,000 people have been displaced, at least 15,000 of them in the recent times. School closures in San Francisco and Oakland look even more likely after district officials on both sides of the bay concluded this past week that their dire fiscal outlook is now worse. A sign in Oakland pushed back on proposed school closures back in 2022. Paul Kuroda/Special to the Chronicle School closures in San Francisco and Oakland look even more likely after district officials on both sides of the bay concluded this past week that their dire fiscal outlook is now worse. Both the San Francisco Unified School District and Oakland Unified School District have been overspending for years. Both face ongoing declining enrollment and too many empty seats. Both are scrambling to make budget cuts to overcome massive deficits. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And top officials in both districts say they cant see a path forward that doesnt include closing schools. Misery loves company, said Oakland school board president Sam Davis, acknowledging the two districts are facing the months-long process to merge or close schools. The San Francisco school district has already started the work, with a list of schools slated for closure expected by September. The Oakland school board is scheduled to vote later this month on whether to launch the process this year as well. In both cases, officials with community input would determine which schools to close starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, resources are spread thin across under-enrolled schools in both districts, where, in many cases, buildings are old, boilers are broken and insufficient staffing means not all students have the programs, classrooms, playgrounds and support they deserve, officials said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bottom line is that OUSD has too many schools for the number of students we serve. And many of our students are not and will not be served by a quality school in their neighborhood unless we correct course, Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell wrote in a letter to the community. Currently, 11,000 seats are empty across our district-run schools and the current cost of buildings, utilities, and staff is not sustainable long term. Oakland has 34,000 students, down from 37,000 a decade earlier, with significant losses in enrollment in the years prior as charter schools gained popularity. In San Francisco, district enrollment is expected to be about 44,000 students by 2032, down from 49,500 this year and 53,000 in 2015. The loss of students brings a loss of state revenue as both districts face rising costs related to historic raises, employee benefits, pensions and more. San Francisco and Oakland are not alone in facing declining enrollment as well as budget shortfalls, with districts up and down the state dealing with fiscal crises. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Yet the two Bay Area districts arguably have some of the biggest challenges as they grapple with aging buildings, lower enrollment and state-assigned fiscal watchdogs. To mitigate financial disaster, San Francisco has started the process to eliminate about 900 already vacant positions out of the nearly 10,000 jobs in the district, though it might, also send out some pink slip notices to existing staff this spring. It wont be enough. The San Francisco school district is still overspending, by $88 million this year, out of a $1.2 billion budget, and again in the next two years, although by smaller amounts. Elliott Duchon, the fiscal expert appointed by the state to help guide the district in the budget process, said the situation is serious. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You are still ending the year and the next two years with structural deficits, he said during the school board meeting this past week. Thats not good. Cutting at any level at any time at any amount is never easy, he said. I think its been pointed out, you really dont have much of a choice. Duchon added that the districts budget plan is based on a best-case scenario rather than a worst-case situation. He recommended the district act more aggressively to cut expenses given a dismal outlook for the state budget, with the cost of living adjustment expected to decline to 0.76%, down from a projected 3.94% increase. For starters, he said, the district should implement a hiring freeze for nonessential positions and put an aggressive stop to new contracts unless theyre absolutely essential. Clearly, we have more work and tougher decisions ahead, board member Jenny Lam said following Duchons remarks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Oakland, with just under a $1 billion budget, district officials are facing a $57.2 million deficit this school year and continued ongoing overspending in years to come. At some point, if significant action isnt taken, each district would run out of pandemic recovery funds, savings, rainy day accounts or other pots of cash to backfill the budget and pay the bills. At that point, officials acknowledged, the only option would be a state takeover to get the loan that comes with it. Both districts used the same analogy for describing the severity of the situation. We cant kick the can any longer, said SFUSD school board President Lainie Motamedi. We need to make long overdue and tough decisions. While difficult, this is also the opportunity to create the schools our students deserve and our families expect. The dates of General Elections 2024 will be announced during a press conference by Election Commission of India which will be livestreamed on social media platforms of the ECI Lok Sabha polls 2024 dates will be announced on Saturday, 16 March at 3 pm, the Election Commission of India said. Along with, dates of General Elections 2024, the ECI will announce schedule for some state Assembly polls on Saturday during the press conference that will be held in New Delhis Vigyan Bhawan. Advertisement Press Conference by Election Commission to announce schedule for General Elections2024 and some State Assemblies will be held at 3 pm tomorrow i.e. Saturday, 16th March. It will livestreamed on social media platforms of the ECI, the poll body said in a post on X. Press Conference by Election Commission to announce schedule for #GeneralElections2024 & some State Assemblies will be held at 3 pm tomorrow ie Saturday, 16th March. It will livestreamed on social media platforms of the ECI pic.twitter.com/1vlWZsLRzt Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) March 15, 2024 In 2019, Lok Sabha poll dates were announced on March 10. It was held in seven phases beginning April 11 and counting of votes took place on May 23. Advertisement Where to see Lok Sabha elections 2024 dates announcement LIVE? Lok Sabha elections 2024 dates announcement can be watched LIVE on ECIs YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/eci , or on the poll bodys X handle - https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP . Also, once can catch the LIVE Lok Sabha polls 2024 announcement on ECI Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/ECI/ Advertisement What happens after election dates are announced? The Model Code of Conduct, or MCC, will come into effect soon after the announcement of Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be announced. As per reports, the Lok Sabha 2024 elections are likely to be held in seven phases. Key fight between BJP and I.N.D.I.A The Lok Sabha elections will see a tough political battle between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- led NDA and the loosely stringed opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A. that is led by the Congress. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is eyeing a third consecutive term. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 16 and a new House has to be constituted before that. With inputs from agencies As regards the US State Departments statement on the implementation of CAA, and there have been comments made by several others, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted. Indias Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. There are no grounds for any concern or treatment of minorities, said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal Hours after the US expressed concern over the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) in India, Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that the CAA is Indias internal matter and dismissed the US statement on the issue as misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted. Addressing the media on Friday, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said,"As regards the US State Departments statement on the implementation of CAA, and there have been comments made by several others, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted. Indias constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. There are no grounds for any concern or treatment of minorities." Advertisement #WATCH | On CAA, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "As you are well aware, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and a long-standing commitment to human rights. The act grants a safe haven to pic.twitter.com/cJBiDvI7JU ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 Jaiswal said that the vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress and called on the well-wishers of India to welcome the the step. Advertisement Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of Indias pluralistic traditions and the regions post-partition history are best not attempted. Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken, added Jaiswal. Reiterating governments stand on the CAA, Jaiswal underlined the fact that CAA is about giving citizenship and not about taking away citizenship. Advertisement As you are well aware, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with Indias inclusive traditions and a long-standing commitment to human rights. The act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before 31st December 2014. The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship, so this must be underlined. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights, added the MEA spokesperson. Advertisement The Indian government implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 on Monday, paving the way for the grant of citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. Reacting to the development, the Opposition parties and leaders described the Act discriminatory in nature, with three states - Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal - going to the extent of saying that they wont implement the legislation. Advertisement Pakistan too waded in saying Indias new Citizenship (Amendment) Act is discriminatory in nature, claiming that it differentiated between people based on their faith and the US said it is concerned about the CAA notification in India and is closely monitoring its implementation. Addressing a daily briefing on Thursday, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11. We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Bhutanese PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay, on behalf of the King of Bhutan, extended invitation to PM Modi to visit Bhutan next week Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a visit to Bhutan next week. The Indian Prime Minister is likely to be in Bhutan on March 21 and 22, on invitation of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The Bhutans King invitation to PM Modi was extended on Tuesday (March 14) by Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay who is on a visit to India, his first overseas visit after assuming office in February 2024. Advertisement PM Modi and PM Tobgay met in New Delhi on Tuesday. Both the leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people to people exchanges and development cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship. PM Modi accepted the invitation of the Bhutans King, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The Bhutan PM also conveyed his deep appreciation for Indias role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutans developmental priorities. PM Modi took to X to share pictures of him meeting his Bhutanese counterpart and wrote, Glad to meet my friend and PM of Bhutan @tsheringtobgay on his first overseas visit in this term. Had productive discussions encompassing various aspects of our unique and special partnership. I convey heartfelt thanks to His Majesty the King of Bhutan and @PMBhutan for inviting me to visit Bhutan next week. Advertisement Glad to meet my friend and PM of Bhutan @tsheringtobgay on his first overseas visit in this term. Had productive discussions encompassing various aspects of our unique and special partnership. I convey heartfelt thanks to His Majesty the King of Bhutan and @PMBhutan for inviting pic.twitter.com/Ab7wXH2TVt Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2024 Advertisement Meanwhile, Bhutanese PM Tobgay in a post on X said: Wonderful to meet my friend, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi. I thanked him for his steadfast support to Bhutan, and we discussed a range of issues to strengthen relations between Bhutan and India. Prime Minister Modi Ji also agreed to visit Bhutan soon next week, in fact! Advertisement Wonderful to meet my friend, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi I thanked him for his steadfast support to Bhutan, and we discussed a range of issues to strengthen relations between Bhutan and India. Prime Minister Modi Ji also agreed to visit Bhutan soon next week, in fact! pic.twitter.com/7yWIxyWbWn Tshering Tobgay (@tsheringtobgay) March 14, 2024 Advertisement This is a developing story. Refresh for more updates The Supreme Court on Friday rapped the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing the electoral bonds numbers (unique alphanumeric numbers) and issued notice to the central bank, seeking a response by 18 March The Supreme Court on Friday rapped the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing the electoral bonds numbers (unique alphanumeric numbers) and issued notice to the central bank, seeking a response by 18 March. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra reconvened today to hear an application filed by the Election Commission. Advertisement One thing. Who is appearing for the State Bank of India? They have not disclosed the bond numbers. It has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India, Live Law quoted Chief Justice Chandrachud as saying right at the outset of the hearing. The court said the judgment of the Constitution bench had clarified that all details of electoral bonds should be made available including date of purchase, name of purchaser, and the denomination. The numbers reveal the links between donors and political parties, that is, who donated to which political party specifically. The SBI had submitted data on the bonds to the ECI on 12 March. On 14 March, the ECI put out the entire list of entities that have purchased electoral bonds for making political donations. Advertisement Meanwhile, Supreme Court allowed the request of ECI to return the data for being uploaded on the website. The apex court asked registrar judicial to ensure that documents are scanned and digitised and once the exercise is complete, the original documents are given back to the ECI which will then upload them on the website on or before 17 March. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The timing of the rules notification indicates a proactive approach by the government, possibly influenced by considerations of potential law and order issues and the impending general elections The Hindus and Sikhs who are in Pakistan, if they do not wish to live there, then without doubt, they have the right to come to India. In this matter, the Government of India will be bound to provide them employment, citizenship, and all facilities to live a comfortable life. - Mahatma Gandhi Advertisement We feel concerned about our brothers and sisters who have become alienated from us due to political boundaries and are not able to participate in freedom celebrations. I would like to say that they belong to us, will always belong to us. Their welfare and difficulties shall always be uppermost in our minds. The Sikhs and Hindus of Pakistan, whenever they choose to come to India, we shall welcome them. - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Congress is duty-bound to provide complete security to all Non-Muslims of Pakistan who have crossed the boundary or are likely to come here to protect their life and honor. - Indian National Congress, Official Resolution, 25th November 1947 As India embarked on the journey of Independence in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi, the torchbearer of non-violence, foresaw the challenges faced by non-Muslims in the newly carved Pakistan. In a prayer meeting in Delhi on 16 July, 1947, he articulated, There is the problem of those who fear, imaginary or real, will have to leave their own homes in Pakistan." He emphasized that if hindrances were created, the duty of the adjoining Indian provinces would be to accept them with open arms, providing opportunities to build a new life. Advertisement Gandhi acknowledged the fears of the Hindu minority in Pakistan, expressing his concerns during a prayer meeting in New Delhi on 21 July, 1947: If all the Hindus of Pakistan or a very large number of them come away from Pakistan, will India give them shelter? I think that such people should certainly be given shelter." His words reflected the pressing need for India to provide refuge to those facing persecution across the border. Advertisement Similarly, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, expressed concern for the displaced brethren in the Parliament on 5 November, 1950. The Honble Member referred to the question of citizenship. There is no doubt, of course, that those displaced persons who have come to settle in India are bound to have citizenship." Nehru recognized the need for legislative changes to ensure the rights and security of those who chose to make India their new home. Advertisement In an official resolution adopted on 25 November, 1947, the Indian National Congress declared its duty to provide complete security to all non-Muslims of Pakistan who sought refuge in India. The resolution echoed the sentiments of Gandhi and Nehru, emphasizing the commitment to safeguard the lives and honour of those who had been displaced. Advertisement However, as time unfolded, the dream of a secure and welcoming haven for the Hindu and Sikh minorities from Pakistan faced its share of challenges. The echoes of promises made by Gandhi, Nehru, and the Indian National Congress lingered, prompting reflection on the journey from partition to the present, and the fulfilment of the collective vision for a harmonious and inclusive India. Advertisement In the shadow of history, the plight of West Pakistani Hindus during the partition remains a silent narrative, known to few outside the community. The early signs of tragedy unfolded even before partition, etched in the Muslim League attack on Sikhs and Hindus in the Punjab 1947 report. The massacre in Havelian, a chilling preview, left thousands dead, prompting an exodus to seek refuge in Punjab. Advertisement Tragically, the horrors birthed a pattern of persecution against non-Muslims in Pakistan, a reality etched in documented massacres and tragic events like Sheikhupura, where 10,000 and 20,000 Hindus and Sikhs died in two days. Orchestrated by the government and military, ethnic cleansing forced many to leave everything behind. The train attack in Kamoke, where refugees were butchered and children murdered, stands as a testament to the orchestrated violence. Advertisement Fast forward to the present, religious minorities in Pakistan endure persistent persecution, denied and downplayed by the government. The US designation of Pakistan as a country of particular concern for religious freedom violations highlights the stark contrast between official denials and harsh realities. Amidst this, the rise in forced conversions and marriages of young girls from religious minorities raises disturbing questions. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistans report, around 1,000 girls are forcibly converted to Islam every year. How did we reach a point where families feel powerless against these atrocities? The urgent call for immediate measures to curtail such practices echoes globally, pleading for intervention against ongoing human rights violations. Advertisement In Pakistan, the plight of Dalit and Hindu women and girls is heart-wrenching. Despite the official census figures, the actual number of minorities, especially scheduled castes, is likely much higher, yet they remain unseen and unheard. Bonded labour grips their lives, with young Dalit women in agriculture facing unspeakable horrors of violence and exploitation. Take the case of Jeetvi, a 14-year-old, snatched from her family, converted, and married off as a second wife to settle a meagre debt. The destruction of community spaces leaves them exposed and defenceless. Their suffering demands our urgent attention and action. Advertisement The misuse of blasphemy laws poses a severe threat, casting shadows on international legal obligations and deep-seated discrimination against non-Muslims. Recent killings, mosque demolitions, and protests against false blasphemy cases unfold as modern-day examples, echoing the fears of Gandhi and Nehru. In this tumult, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) emerges as a beacon of hope. Does it hold the promise of sanctuary and justice, aligning with the visions of Gandhi and Nehru? Yes, it does. As misinformation circulates about the CAA, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction and accept it wholeheartedly. Implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CAA stands as a necessary and commendable step towards a compassionate and inclusive India, fulfilling the aspirations of those persecuted minorities seeking refuge. Advertisement In this analysis, Ive encapsulated the key facets of the recently notified Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The recently notified Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, supplement the existing Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), effective since 10 January, 2020. Centred on providing citizenship to minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, the CAA is now detailed by the new rules, disclosed on 11 March, 2024. The regulations emphasize a fully digital approach through the Indian Citizenship Online Portal, enhancing transparency. Two key committees, the District Level Committee (DLC) and the Empowered Committee (EC), ensure efficient district-level evaluation and centralised oversight, respectively, streamlining the implementation of the CAA. The rules maintain the focus on aiding refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, aligning with the objectives of the CAA. The cutoff date of 31 December, 2014, serves as an additional protective measure for pre-existing migrants, while also easing the citizenship process for those who arrived later. The timing of the rules notification indicates a proactive approach by the government, possibly influenced by considerations of potential law and order issues and the impending General Elections. The oppositions claim of the notification being designed to polarize should be taken in the context of the political landscape. The CAA rectifies historical limitations, redefining the citizenship process. Rooted in the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950, which aimed to protect religious minorities in India and Pakistan, the pacts unfulfilled promises led to ongoing persecution in Pakistan. The Muslim population in India has witnessed a significant sevenfold increase from 30 million in 1947 to 210 million in 2022. In stark contrast, at the time of partition, almost 23 per cent of Pakistans population comprised non-Muslims. However, today, there has been a drastic decline with their population almost wiped out, remaining as low as 3 per cent. In response, India implemented the CAA, offering refuge to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Despite debates on its implications for secularism and minority rights, the CAA addresses the pacts shortcomings, emphasizing the protection of marginalized communities. The pacts failure, marked by violence and discrimination against minorities in Pakistan, prompted international concern and paved the way for the CAAs implementation. The rationale behind excluding certain communities from the CAA lies in its focus on specific forms of religious persecution in countries with a state religion, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups. These exclusions are justified based on the nature of persecution faced by different communities and practical limitations in providing refuge to all affected populations. The CAA in the context of Assam transcends the simplified narrative of Hindu-Muslim dynamics. Its a nuanced issue about preserving the Assamese identity and safeguarding against illegal migration. In Assam, the binary is between the Assamese and the outsiders, irrespective of their religious affiliations. This distinction might be lost on many in India who perceive it solely as a Hindu-Muslim dichotomy. The collective struggle in Assam is not limited to a specific religious community; it unites Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Muslims alike in the common goal of preserving the rich Assamese identity and the broader Indian cultural tapestry. As an Assamese Muslim, endorsing the CAA is a recognition of the shared battle to protect our composite Indian culture, particularly the distinct Assamese culture. Growing up in Assam, whether one is Hindu, Muslim, or Christian, religion rarely came between us. Assam, with its lush landscapes and vibrant traditions, has been our shared identity. I spent a significant part of my childhood in Assam, where the tapestry of Assamese culture bound us together, transcending religious differences. Assams cultural richness is embedded in its diverse festivals, traditional music, and warm hospitality. Its an identity we all hold dear, regardless of our religious backgrounds. I wholeheartedly support the CAA as a means to protect this cherished identity, ensuring that the tapestry of Assamese culture remains vibrant and inclusive for generations to come. Lastly, while acknowledging the historic significance of the work initiated by the CAA, it is crucial to address the concerns regarding the 2014 cut-off. The provision, while a positive step, needs continuous evaluation and modification to align with the evolving realities of the plight faced by non-Muslims in these neighbouring countries. The situation for religious minorities may vary each year, demanding a flexible approach to ensure the timely inclusion and protection of those in desperate need. This provision must undergo regular scrutiny and adjustments to maintain its effectiveness in safeguarding the rights and well-being of persecuted communities. In conclusion, the implementation of the CAA is not just a legislative move; it is a compassionate response to the heart-wrenching plight of our brothers and sisters, whose suffering echoes the tragic experiences of the Jewish community under Hitlers regime. Prime Minister Modis commitment to addressing the harrowing conditions faced by religious minorities mirrors the empathy and resilience embedded in the visions of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Indian National Congress. Let us collectively embrace this historic stride toward justice, equality, and compassion, ensuring that every Indian, irrespective of their faith, finds solace and protection in the land they call home. The author is a practising Advocate. She writes articles on womens rights, politics and law. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. 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 India has culminated a momentous journey by signing a comprehensive Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The group has some of the richest countries in the world: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The FTA is a significant milestone, not just for the combined economic potential that it unlocks going forward but also for the strategic shift it reflects in Indias trade negotiation approach. Here is a confident nation that has shed the baggage of the East India Company. Advertisement With this agreement, India tells the world that this is the template she will follow. In any agreement, India will take her time to negotiate a good deal. This agreement took almost as long as a routine trial in Indian lower courtsa full sixteen years to conclude. The big story here is that India has learned her lesson in trade negotiations. The India-EFTA TEPA comes on the heels of a not-so-successful free trade agreement (FTA) with the ASEAN bloc. The India-ASEAN FTA, signed in 2009 by the Congress regime, was a disaster. It resulted in a widening trade deficit for India, with a surge in imports from ASEAN countries but minimal growth in Indian exports. This experience served as a crucial lesson for Indian negotiators. This time, India adopted a more cautious and strategic approach, ensuring a balanced agreement that uniquely links it to the $100 billion promised investments in India while at the same time safeguarding domestic industries, especially the dairy and agricultural sectors, while promoting exports. Yet India gave ground to some processed food items, so it was willing to trade in a way that left juice for both parties. Advertisement The India-EFTA TEPA is also a unique agreement in its structure. It includes a binding commitment of $100 billion in investments from EFTA countries to India over the next 15 years, along with the creation of an estimated one million direct jobs. This investment focus is a strategic win for India. Advertisement The influx of capital will bolster domestic infrastructure development, modernise manufacturing facilities, and foster technological advancements, while many of these facilities will be partly owned by the European partners. This, in turn, will enhance Indias export competitiveness and create a multiplier effect on job creation across various sectors. Gold: A Balancing Act Advertisement Gold imports have been a contentious issue in India, impacting the countrys current account deficit. Gold is Indias biggest import from the target countries of the FTA. The India-EFTA TEPA acknowledges this concern. While India has retained its existing duty structure on gold imports, it has conceded a 1 per cent reduction in the import duty ceiling. This seemingly minor concession allows for a calibrated approach. It demonstrates Indias commitment to trade liberalisation without jeopardising its balance of payment stability. The reason India could pull the gold deal off is because, at nearly $90 billion a year of gold that India imports, this is a huge market, and even a slight concession goes a long way. Advertisement The Service Sector Soars The Indian service sector, a key driver of economic growth, stands to gain significantly from the TEPA. The agreement provides for enhanced market access for Indian IT, professional services, healthcare, and education providers in the EFTA countries. These will open doors for Indian companies to tap into these high-value markets, generate foreign exchange, and create more skilled jobs in India. Advertisement Europes Gain Under the TEPA, pharmaceuticals, in particular generic drugs, could have a head start, although the fine print is not yet clear on how Switzerland, the world leader in the drug industry, will gain access to India and at what cost. For India, the FTA eliminates tariffs on most pharmaceutical products, making them more affordable for EFTA consumers. This will significantly boost Indian pharmaceutical exports. It remains to be seen if Indian price control regimes need to be adjusted after this deal. Advertisement In automobiles and auto components, the FTA reduces tariffs on Indian automobiles and auto components, making them more competitive in the EFTA markets. This will not only benefit Indian manufacturers but also attract foreign investments into Indias growing automobile sector. The link to European-owned India-based firms attracting investment with zero duties for export is the big takeaway from his FTA across sectors. Advertisement For India, the textiles and apparel sector is a key gain from the FTA. Given its mass employment potential, the industry will gain duty-free access to the EFTA markets. A lot of top brands, such as Gucci, do very high-end work in India. This will improve export competitiveness and create new opportunities for Indian textile manufacturers and garment exporters. In gems and jewellery, the reduced tariffs and streamlined customs procedures under the TEPA will incentivise exports of finished jewellery and attract investments into the sector. Advertisement Beyond the Numbers: Strategic Benefits The India-EFTA TEPA holds immense strategic significance beyond immediate economic benefits. It strengthens Indias economic ties with developed European nations, fostering closer political and diplomatic cooperation. Additionally, the agreement positions India as a reliable and competitive trade partner, boosting its global image and attracting further foreign investment. Advertisement The Road Ahead: Implementation and Beyond The successful implementation of the TEPA will be crucial to reaping its full benefits. Both India and EFTA member states need to work towards streamlining regulatory procedures and fostering business-to-business linkages. This will ensure a smoother flow of trade and investments. The key areas to watch out for in any FTA are transfer pricing and tax jurisdiction, and those will only emerge from the details of implementation. Advertisement The India-EFTA TEPA marks a paradigm shift in Indias trade negotiation strategy. By learning from past experiences, India has secured a balanced agreement that prioritises both market access and domestic industry protection. As the agreement unfolds, it has the potential to propel Indias economic growth and create jobs. It also gives the European partners access to a growing market. Competitive advantages are at work here. Proper oversight could turn this into a win-win. The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. As China expands its influence in South Asia through divide and rule tactics, India must find effective ways to counter these manoeuvers The British colonial legacy of divide and rule has left a lasting impact on global geopolitics, particularly in regions like South Asia. Now, decades later, China seems to be adopting a similar playbook, aiming to wield influence and power by creating divisions within the region. This strategy, while not new, poses a significant challenge for India and its neighbours. Advertisement The concept behind divide and rule is straightforward: create internal strife within a community or region, diverting attention away from the colonial or imperialist power and towards internal conflicts. This tactic was effectively employed by the British in India, leading to the fragmentation of society and easier control over the subcontinent. Chinas divide and rule approach Today, China is following suit, employing similar tactics in South Asia. Recent events indicate a concerted effort by Beijing to build military alliances and offer inducements to Indias neighbouring countries, thereby potentially undermining Indias regional influence. One notable example is the Maldives, where China recently signed a defense pact, providing arms and training while asking Indian troops to leave. This move not only signals a shift in allegiance but also exemplifies Chinas strategic ambitions in the Indian Ocean region. Advertisement Chinas military diplomacy Moreover, Chinese military delegations have been making diplomatic visits to countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal, offering military equipment and proposing joint initiatives. These actions raise concerns about Chinas intentions and its broader geopolitical agenda in the region. In Sri Lanka, for instance, joint initiatives focusing on maritime security have been discussed, accompanied by the transfer of military equipment, alluding to closer military cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. Similarly, in Nepal, China is pushing for military procurement and joint military exercises, indicating a deepening military partnership. Advertisement Chinas approach mirrors its dealings with the Maldives, where it provided free military assistance and strengthened cooperation. This consistent strategy of offering incentives, military aid, and fostering closer ties serves to advance Chinas interests while potentially fracturing Indias regional alliances. Challenge for India For India, this presents a significant challenge. As China expands its influence in South Asia through divide and rule tactics, India must find effective ways to counter these manoeuvers. This requires strategic diplomacy, bolstering alliances and offering viable alternatives to Chinas inducements. Advertisement In conclusion, Chinas adoption of the divide and rule strategy in South Asia poses a new challenge for Indias regional interests. By exploiting internal divisions and offering incentives to neighboring countries, China aims to advance its geopolitical agenda at Indias expense. However, with careful planning and proactive measures, India can mitigate the impact of Chinas nefarious designs and safeguard its strategic interests in the region. Advertisement Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and geopolitics, Malaysias ascent as a key player in the global chip war serves as a testament to the intricate interplay between innovation, diplomacy and strategic foresight In the scope of technology and geopolitics, a new battleground has emerged the global chip war. Chips, once mere components in electronic devices, have now become strategic assets coveted by nations worldwide. The epicentre of this conflict lies primarily between two giants: the United States and China. At its core, the US aims to sever Chinas stronghold on the semiconductor industry by imposing stringent restrictions, a move that reverberates across borders and significantly impacts global chip manufacturers. Advertisement A shift in power Countries around the world are scrambling to position themselves as alternative chip manufacturing hubs. Vietnam, Thailand and India have all thrown their hats into the ring. However, the unexpected victor in this high-stakes competition is Malaysia, an old player in the chip-making game. As of today, Malaysia stands as the favoured destination for chip manufacturing investment. Major players in the industry, including Intel, German chipmaker Infineon, and NVIDIA, are pouring billions into the countrys economy. Other notable firms such as Austrias AT&S, Texas Instruments, Ericsson, Germanys Bosch and Americas Lam Research are also investing heavily in Malaysia. Malaysian advantage But why Malaysia? What sets this Southeast Asian nation apart in the fierce competition for chip dominance? The answer lies in Malaysias long-standing presence in the semiconductor industry. Malaysia began its journey as a chipmaking hub over half a century ago when Intel established its first overseas factory in Penang in 1972. Attracted by Malaysias incentives such as free trade zones and tax breaks, Intels decision paved the way for subsequent investments by companies like AMD, Hitachi and Hewlett-Packard. Advertisement While initially chosen for low-tech assembly work, Malaysias strategic location, cost-effective labour and English-speaking workforce have made it an attractive destination for advanced manufacturing ventures. Intels recent $7 billion investment in an advanced chip packaging site for 3D packaging underscores Malaysias growing importance in the global semiconductor supply chain. The political game Advertisement Beyond its technological prowess, Malaysias diplomatic finesse has played a crucial role in attracting investments from both the US and China. Embracing a policy of active neutrality, Malaysia maintains friendly relations with both superpowers, positioning itself as a safe haven for chip manufacturing amidst escalating tensions. Chinese firms, wary of potential US sanctions, have sought refuge in Malaysia through joint ventures, exploiting the countrys neutrality to circumvent trade restrictions. With the US already importing over 20 per cent of its chips from Malaysia, the Southeast Asian nation has become indispensable to global chip supply chains. Advertisement Future outlook Yet, as Malaysia basks in its newfound prominence, questions linger about the sustainability of its dual-sided approach. Will the delicate balancing act between the US and China eventually unravel, leaving Malaysia caught in the crossfire? Only time will tell whether Malaysias gamble in the 70s will continue to pay dividends or whether the global chip war will ultimately disrupt its lucrative position in the semiconductor industry. Advertisement In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and geopolitics, Malaysias ascent as a key player in the global chip war serves as a testament to the intricate interplay between innovation, diplomacy and strategic foresight. As nations vie for control over this critical industry, Malaysia stands at the forefront, navigating the turbulent waters of international relations while cementing its status as a linchpin in the world of semiconductors. Advertisement Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The Citizenship Amendment Act stands at the intersection of politics, law and societal values in India BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia celebrates with migrants from Pakistan after the central government notified the rules for implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, in Jalandhar, on 12 March, 2024. PTI In recent years, one of the most prominent and contentious issues in India has been the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Passed in December 2019, the CAA has sparked debates, protests, and legal challenges across the nation. Lets delve into the intricacies of this legislation and its potential impact on Indian society. Advertisement Background and overview The CAA is multifaceted, serving as a political promise, a ray of hope for persecuted migrants and a long-pending demand. However, it has also become synonymous with controversy due to its selective approach towards granting citizenship based on religion. The CAA applies to migrants belonging to six religious groups Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Christians and Buddhists from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Those falling under this category and meeting certain criteria stand to have their Indian citizenship fast-tracked. The Indian government argues that the CAA is essential to protect religious minorities facing persecution in neighbouring countries. Thousands of individuals from these communities have sought refuge in India and the CAA aims to provide them with a fresh start. Controversies and criticisms The exclusion of Muslims from the list of eligible migrants has been the focal point of criticism. Rights organizations, opposition parties and even Indian Muslims have raised concerns about the discriminatory nature of the law. Critics argue that using religion as a criterion for citizenship violates the principles of the Indian Constitution. Advertisement The CAA has already been challenged in the Supreme Court through around 200 petitions, citing constitutional violations. Additionally, several states, including Kerala and West Bengal, have expressed their reluctance to implement the law, leading to a potential federal standoff. The CAA mandates migrants to provide evidence of their country of origin, religion, date of entry into India and proficiency in an Indian language. The process of verifying this information has undergone significant changes, with relaxed documentation requirements to prove migrant status and entry dates. Advertisement Impact on Indian minorities There are concerns that the CAA could adversely affect Indian Muslims, particularly in conjunction with the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). While the government has stated that there is no immediate plan for the NRC, apprehensions remain regarding its potential implementation and its implications for minority communities. Advertisement With elections looming on the horizon, the CAA is expected to remain a hot-button issue, with both proponents and opponents leveraging it for political gain. However, the legal challenges and the complex dynamics between the Central and state governments suggest that the saga of the CAA is far from over. The Citizenship Amendment Act stands at the intersection of politics, law and societal values in India. While it aims to address the plight of persecuted minorities, its selective approach and potential ramifications have sparked widespread debate and dissent. As the nation grapples with these issues, the future of the CAA remains uncertain, with its full implications yet to unfold. Advertisement Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. In West Asia, the US and Iran are talking, though not directly. Reports suggest the two sides held indirect talks in Oman. A lot was discussed but the sticking point was the Houthis. Since October, they have attacked ships in the Red Sea. The US has tried everything: a global maritime force, direct strikes, bombing Yemen, but nothing has worked. Advertisement The Houthi attacks continue. So now, Washington is asking Tehran for help. The US wants Iran to rein in its proxies. Its a catch 22 situation that America is facing in West Asia. A report suggests the US officials were in Oman in January. The US wants Houthis to stop the Red Sea attacks. Of course, its not a request it could make directly as the US and Iran are enemies. They havent had direct talks in ages. On the US side was Brett Mcgurk, White Houses top advisor for West Asia, and Abram Paley, the envoy for Iran. On Tehrans side, was Ali Bagheri Kani, countrys deputy foreign minister. Oman acted as a mediator. This was the first such negotiation in ten months. So there was a lot of ground to cover. The two sides also discussed the Iranian nuclear programme. The US raised concerns about it. Washington discussed the war in West Asia but the sticking point was the Houthis. Advertisement Since October, Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea, the US has hit back. It has responded with direct strikes, but nothing has deterred them. The attacks continued and just two days ago, the Houthis fired missiles at a Liberian-flagged container ship. So Washington has now turned to Iran and it wants Tehran to rein in its proxies. Advertisement Irans proxies constitute Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and other armed groups in Iraq and Syria Iran calls them the axis of resistance. Since October 7, Iranian proxies have attacked the US forces 170 times, but nothing has bothered Washington like the Houthis. They have attacked commercial ships, trade has been disrupted, supply chains have been affected. In a gloomy global economy, this means more doom and the US is just not ready for that. Advertisement The Houthis enjoy Iranian support. The US reports say Iranian Revolutionary Guards are embedded inside Yemen. But there are doubts over Irans control over the group. Some reports suggest Iran has very little direct control, others mentioned that Houthis operate with some degree of autonomy. Even Iran says the rebels that control northern Yemen operate independently. So the Houthis seem to be acting on their own and the US may have asked Iran for help but no one knows how much Tehran can actually help. Advertisement However, these talks are an indication that US actions in the Red Sea havent worked. They announced a global maritime force. They hit back at the Houthis. They launched strikes in Yemen but nothing has deterred the Houthis. They are still striking ships and they have launched 99 attacks since October, these so-called secret talks happened in January but nothing has changed since then in the high seas. Advertisement The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Keith Massey, a United States Postal Service employee, works his mail route in Oakland. New legislation aims to improve protections for letter carriers. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2020 U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy slammed a federal judge in San Francisco this week for what he perceived as a lenient sentence given to a suspect involved in the armed robbery of a letter carrier in the city, labeling the light punishment as simply unacceptable. DeJoy was referring to a case in February where a suspect, who pleaded guilty to holding a gun to a postal carriers head during a robbery in San Franciscos Ingleside neighborhood in August 2022, received a 30-day jail term from U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer. It is simply unacceptable that a criminal was sentenced to a mere 30-days for threatening a letter carrier at gunpoint and stealing his personal possessions, as well as both the publics mail and packages, DeJoy said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He expressed concern that such a sentence sends a message that encourages criminals and fails to provide adequate protection for public servants. Americas postal workers are entitled to feel protected as they go about their public service mission, and at a minimum should be able to take solace in knowing that the law protects them against crime as they perform their duties, and that any such crimes will be taken seriously by the courts, DeJoy said. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy slammed a federal judge in San Francisco this week for what he perceived as a lenient sentence given to a suspect involved in the armed robbery of a letter carrier in the city, labeling the light punishment as simply unacceptable. Tom Williams/Associated Press His remarks coincide with legislative efforts in Congress to expedite mailbox key replacement, increase prosecutions, and review sentencing guidelines for robberies targeting U.S. Postal Service letter carriers under the bipartisan Protect Our Letter Carriers Act. Despite increased enforcement efforts nationwide leading to a decline in robberies by the end of the year, postal carrier robberies rose to 643 incidents last year, marking a nearly 30% increase from 2022. Figures from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service show a troubling sixfold increase in robberies over the past decade. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Criminals have specifically been targeting carriers for their access keys to mailboxes. Criminals have specifically been targeting letter carriers for their mailbox access keys. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2020 Efforts to combat these crimes have intensified with initiatives like Project Safe Delivery, resulting in over 1,200 arrests related to mail thefts and letter carrier robberies since last May. The Postal Inspection Service has also conducted law enforcement operations in San Francisco, Chicago and various cities in Ohio. Jeff Adams, a postal service spokesperson, said postal robberies nationwide dipped 19% over the past five months, while arrests for letter carrier robberies grew 73% in the 2024 fiscal year. The outcome in the San Francisco case has drawn significant criticism, with the leader of the letter carriers union describing the 30-day sentence handed down by Breyer as absolutely ludicrous. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Postal carriers should be able to do their job without any concern of someone putting a gun in their face or in any way assaulting them while theyre just trying to do their job and deliver to the American people their mail, said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker. Despite increased enforcement efforts nationwide leading to a decline in robberies by the end of the year, postal carrier robberies rose to 643 incidents last year, marking a nearly 30% increase from 2022. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2020 The Bay Area has been a particular hotbed for these crimes, where items such as carriers cellphones and wallets as well as packages and envelopes out for delivery have been stolen in the robberies. This week, the Postal Service announced a $150,000 reward for information on a suspect who robbed a letter carrier on March 2 on the 400 block of Euclid Avenue in Oakland. The proposed legislation in Congress aims to address issues such as replacing antiquated keys with electronic versions and enhancing prosecutorial efforts against postal crimes. U.S. Postal Service delivery vehicles drive through Denver in June 2022. A USPS official said postal robberies nationwide dipped 19% over the past five months, while arrests for letter carrier robberies have grown 73%. David Zalubowski/Associated Press Federal law allows for a sentence of up to 10 years for an assault on a postal worker and up to 25 years for a subsequent offense, officials said. Mail theft typically carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, and possession, concealment or disposal of property carries a sentence of up to 10 years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There used to be a mindset among the public that those are federal employees, Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said. If you mess with them, youre going to be in big trouble. Thats what we have to make a reality again. Steve Mnuchins bid is not the first attempt to transfer TikToks control to American entities. In 2020, then-President Trump supported a proposed deal involving Oracle and Walmart to create a US-based enterprise that would take ownership of TikTok If the Senate approves the bill and President Biden signs it into law, ByteDance will have six months to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity, or face removal from US app stores. Image Credit: Reuters Former United States Treasury Secretary and a close aide to former US President Donald Trump, Steve Mnuchin has unveiled his intentions to assemble investors to purchase TikTok from its Chinese parent company ByteDane. This announcement follows the House of Representatives passing of a bill that aims to ban the app in the US and have it removed from all app stores unless ByteDance divests its US operations. Advertisement The House of Representatives has been trying to legislate TikTok and its connections with ByteDance, citing national security concerns. However, the US Senate has not scheduled a vote on this bill, as of yet. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has expressed his intention to sign the bill if it advances to his desk, although its fate in the Senate remains uncertain. Speaking on the CNBC business program Squawk Box, Mnuchin, who served under former President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021, stated his intentions for TikTok. Mnuchin emphasised why it was important for the US to own TikTok if it were to have access to the kind of data of Americans it currently enjoys. Mnuchin went on to say that the reverse situation, where an American company with close ties to the American government would not be permitted in China if it too was collecting huge troves of data as TikTok does. Advertisement The details of Mnuchins plans, including potential investors, remain unknown. However, this is not the first attempt to transfer TikToks control to American entities. In 2020, then-President Trump supported a proposed deal involving Oracle and Walmart to create a US-based enterprise. US legislators have long raised concerns about TikToks extensive user base, fearing data security risks due to its Chinese ownership. The recent House vote on the potential TikTok ban received overwhelming support, with 352 votes in favour and 65 against. Advertisement China calls it Robbers Logic, Unfair Suppression In response to the Houses decision, Beijing criticised the US, accusing it of adopting a robbers logic towards TikTok. Chinese officials urged Washington to cease unfair suppression of foreign companies. If the Senate approves the bill and President Biden signs it into law, ByteDance will have six months to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity, or face removal from US app stores. Advertisement TikTok has initiated Project Texas, a restructuring effort aimed at safeguarding US user data from Chinese influence, involving partnerships with American companies like Oracle. The platform has also expanded into e-commerce, generating substantial revenue. The bipartisan concern over TikTok underscores broader worries about Chinese influence in various sectors. Despite political divisions, both Democrats and Republicans support measures to address these concerns. Advertisement ByteDances last-ditch effort ByteDance has vigorously opposed the proposed ban, arguing it would harm small businesses and disrupt its operations. TikToks revenue primarily stems from advertising, but its e-commerce platform has grown significantly. ByteDance, meanwhile is asking users in the US to reach out to their representatives and senators and address how crucial TikTok is for their businesses, how it has become the livelihood of some creators. Advertisement Instagram, owned by Meta, has emerged as TikToks main competitor in the US, introducing similar features to attract users. Last year, Instagram surpassed TikTok as the most downloaded app globally. As debates continue, the fate of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with significant implications for both the tech industry and national security. Paedophiles are using Metas Facebook Messenger and Meta to buy and sell child sexual abuse material, mainly videos. An investigation into various court proceedings revealed that on many occasions, Meta failed to flag suspicious messages and activities, whereas other chat services did Meta has often been accused of harbouring paedophiles and not being strict enough on child abusers, and CSAM content. Image Credit: AFP Meta is falling short of its own standards when it comes to curbing the dissemination of CSAM or child sexual abuse material. A recent investigative report by The Guardian has revealed that paedophiles and child abusers often use Metas Facebook Messenger and Meta Pay to buy and sell videos and images of children getting abused. Advertisement The investigation started off authorities in the US state of Pennsylvania, arrested one Jennifer Louise Whelan in November 2022 on multiple charges, including sex trafficking and indecent assault involving three young children, some of whom were as young as six. Whelan would create photos and videos of her abusing the children and then would sell the content to paedophiles via Facebook Messenger. Authorities came to know of Whelan when one Brandon Warren was indicted in February 2022. Warren was accused of distributing explicit material involving minors. Warren, like Whelan, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Both Whelan and Warren were using Metas Facebook Messenger to send and receive the content. They also used Meta Pay for financial transitions in lieu of the abuse materials. Advertisement Meta Pay, formerly Facebook Pay, is a simple peer-to-peer payment service integrated with Metas social networks. Court documents reveal that Meta failed to flag Whelan and Warrens activities. Instead, it was Kik Messenger, a different messaging app that first reported Warrens suspicious uploads to authorities, which triggered a police investigation in West Virginia. Advertisement Subsequent findings led to the discovery of videos and images allegedly purchased from Whelan via Facebook Messenger. Former Meta content moderators claim they observed suspicious transactions related to child sex trafficking via Meta Pay but lacked avenues to report them to compliance teams. Former moderators also note the ease of using Meta Pay within Messenger, facilitating potentially illicit transactions. Despite this, Metas systems reportedly do not flag such transactions, especially those involving relatively small amounts of money. Advertisement Meta Pay, as a money services business, is subject to US anti-money laundering regulations. Failure to detect and report illicit transactions could constitute violations of these laws. Experts highlight the need for better detection mechanisms, especially given the visibility social media platforms have into users activities. The siloed nature of Metas operations further complicates the situation. Former moderators highlight their inability to communicate internally about suspicious transactions they encounter. Advertisement As scrutiny intensifies, questions arise about Metas effectiveness in combating illicit activities facilitated through its platforms. The implications extend beyond regulatory compliance, touching on broader issues of child safety and corporate responsibility. (With inputs from agencies) Microsoft is trying to pull Google under the bus as the EU investigates the tech giant and its $10 billion investment in OpenAI. Microsoft, despite OpenAIs dominance as an AI model, claims that Google has an advantage over others because of their AI focussed chips and tons of data In a rather surprising move to divert attention away from its $10 billion investment in OpenAI Microsoft has pointed fingers at Google, accusing the tech giant of holding an unfair advantage in generative artificial intelligence (AI). This accusation comes despite Microsofts significant involvement with OpenAI, perhaps the biggest player in AI today. It should be noted that Microsoft has access to all of OpenAIs LLMs and other AI models, which have consistently proven to be a better product than Googles Gemini AI. Advertisement Microsofts claims surfaced during discussions with EU antitrust regulators. They argued that Google, backed by Alphabet, has gained a competitive edge in generative AI due to its vast reservoir of data and specialized AI chips. This highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two tech titans. The remarks from Microsoft were prompted by an inquiry initiated by the European Commission earlier this year concerning competition within generative AI. Generative AI, has seen a surge in popularity. Technologies like Microsofts ChatGPT and Googles Gemini chatbot are prime examples. However, concerns have come up regarding the potential for misinformation and fake content. Microsoft emphasized Googles unique position, asserting that the companys self-supplied AI chips and access to extensive proprietary data from platforms like Google Search and YouTube provide it with a substantial advantage. Advertisement According to Microsoft, Googles access to a staggering 14 billion videos on YouTube offers unparalleled resources for training its AI models, a luxury not available to other developers. Moreover, Microsoft highlighted the dominance of Google and Apple in the field of AI-powered voice assistants, such as Google Assistant and Apples Siri. These established players, Microsoft argues, are primed to maintain their leadership positions in generative AI, leaving little room for newcomers. Advertisement In light of its own investments in OpenAI, Microsoft sought to allay concerns about potential antitrust issues arising from collaborations between industry giants and startups. It pointed to various startups, like Anthropic, Mistral, and Cohere, which have secured investments from major players such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, and NVIDIA. Microsoft advocated for fostering pro-competitive partnerships in the AI sector as a means to prevent monopolistic practices and ensure a level playing field. Advertisement As regulators delve into Microsofts more than $10 billion investment in OpenAI, the debate over fairness and competition in AI development continues to evolve, with implications reaching far beyond the tech industry. Sam Altman realises that in the ling run, OpenAI will need to have its own AI processors, or will not be able to compete with the market for long, despite being one of the better offerins. NVIDIA is charging an arm and a leg AI can be extremely costly especially when you look at the computing power needed and the hardware that will be required to power all of it. Image Credit:AFP For months now, Sam Altman has been trying to line up investors for his semiconductor venture, one that would provide AI-focussed processors, instead of having to rely on a few select GPU makers, namely NVIDIA. It looks like he may finally have a shot at getting some of the wealthiest people on the planet to invest in his latest venture. Advertisement Abu Dhabis newest investment firm, MGX, is in talks to support OpenAIs ambitious chip venture, marking this the United Arab Emirates latest endeavour to wield influence in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape. Backed by the UAE government, MGX is currently engaged in preliminary discussions for a funding arrangement with OpenAI, according to a report by the Financial Times. OpenAIs CEO, Sam Altman, is spearheading efforts to establish a semiconductor business, aiming to diminish reliance on advanced chips provided by Nvidia. AI is going to be extremely resource-heavy, especially when we consider computing hardware. Experts have estimated that the costs associated with building AI infrastructure can vary widely, very quickly. This means that it can range from a few hundred of billion to trillions of dollars over the coming years, surpassing anything that traditional technology venture capitalists have ever handled. This means that Altman has no option but to approach and engage with nation-states. Advertisement MGX, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, UAEs influential national security adviser, launched as an AI-focused fund with aspirations of positioning Abu Dhabi as a central hub in the global AI landscape. The UAE, leveraging its substantial wealth, abundant energy resources, and political backing, seeks to gain an edge in the race for AI dominance. Advertisement UAEs AI minister, Omar Sultan Al Olama, revealed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed interest in collaborating with the Gulf state. Al Olama emphasized the UAEs focus on creating partnerships aligned with economic interests and fostering AI advancements led by Emiratis or in collaboration with global leaders. Sheikh Tahnoon, overseeing a vast $1.5 trillion empire, chairs G42, a group of AI-focused companies backed by Abu Dhabis sovereign investment fund Mubadala. By establishing MGX alongside G42 and Mubadala, Abu Dhabi aims to bolster its position as an AI leader and attract top technology talent and investment. Advertisement The UAEs proactive stance in AI development has attracted industry leaders like Altman and Nvidias Jensen Huang, drawn by the nations ambition and financial resources. Despite its ambitious plans, the UAE has navigated challenges, including trade tensions between the US and China. G42, in particular, severed ties with Chinese partners and divested its investments in China, aligning with the UAEs strategic decision to prioritize collaboration with US tech partners. Advertisement While emphasizing the UAEs commitment to responsible and non-controversial AI applications, Al Olama reiterated the nations openness to working with global partners to drive AI innovation. The UAEs approach underscores its dedication to leveraging AI for long-term benefits while ensuring alignment with economic objectives and responsible governance principles. (With inputs from agencies) We are now back on the original police agreement (with China) that has been restored, we had reviewed it for 12 months, Fiji home affairs minister Pio Tikoduadua said in an interview, according to a report Fiji home affairs minister Pio Tikoduadua has confirmed that his country will uphold a policing cooperation agreement with China after reviewing the deal, despite earlier concerns within the Pacific nation over the agreement. According to The Guardian, Tikoduadua said the review had been completed and Fiji would be sticking with Beijing. In 2011, amid Fijis military rule, a contentious agreement was inked. It entailed the training of Fijian officers in China and the integration of Chinese police into the Fijian force. Furthermore, Beijing furnished advanced equipment, such as surveillance gear and drones. Advertisement Recently, the pact came under scrutiny following concerns voiced by Fijis Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. He highlighted disparities in values and judicial systems between the two nations, prompting a review of the agreement. We are now back on the original police agreement (with China>) that has been restored, we had reviewed it for 12 months, The Guardian quoted Tikoduadua as saying in an interview. The agreement facilitates collaboration across various domains such as intelligence sharing, visits, training, and equipment provision. For instance, prior to Fijis 2014 election, China supplied vehicles, communication tools, and surveillance equipment. In the past, Chinese officers have been integrated into the Fiji police force. The minister of home affairs stated that both nations would jointly determine the implementation of the agreement going forward, including personnel exchanges. Presently, there are no Chinese officers integrated into the force. Advertisement There will only be Fijian officers training in China and no embedding of Chinese officers in the Fiji police force now, Tikoduadua told The Guardian. Shortly after coming to power in December 2022, Rabuka told local media that he saw no need for the police agreement with China to continue. In June last year, prior to signing a defence agreement with New Zealand to strengthen military ties, Rabuka appeared to soften his position and said the agreement would be reviewed before any decision was made. Advertisement We need to look at that again before we decide on whether we go backward or continue the way we have had in the past: cooperating with those that have similar democratic values and systems of legislation, law enforcement and so on, Rabuka said at the time. With inputs from agencies Reacting to a report suggesting that former US president Donald Trump had authorised CIA to launch a clandestine campaign against Chinese government, the Kremlin on Friday said that the US was currently trying to conduct a similar campaign against Russia, which is holding a presidential election between Friday and Sunday Russia's Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov answers a question during a meeting with journalists in Vladivostok, Russia, in this picture released on September 12, 2023. Reuters File Reacting to a report suggesting that former US president Donald Trump had authorised Central Intelligence Agency to launch a clandestine campaign against Chinese government, the Kremlin on Friday said that the US was currently trying to conduct a similar campaign against Russia, which is holding a presidential election between Friday and Sunday. Advertisement According to a Reuters report, Kremlin said that Moscows security services had taken action to minimise the impact of USs covert influence campaign that it has unleashed against the Russian authorities. Reuters had earlier reported that Donald Trump as US president authorised the Central Intelligence Agency to launch a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion in China against its government. Incumbent Vladimir Putin, who is at odds with the West over the war in Ukraine, is expected to easily win another six-year term in office. One thing I can say is that we have experienced such activities for many years. The United States and the relevant agencies and intelligence services have been doing the same in our country and are still trying to do so, Reuters quoted Peskov as saying. Advertisement And only decisive actions to protect the domestic political landscape and our society from attempts at such interference have largely minimised the effectiveness of the work of the US special services. However, this does not mean that they are abandoning their attempts, he added. Peskov said Washington might be running similar campaigns against the governments of other countries too. Advertisement On Monday, Russias foreign intelligence accused the US of interfering in Russias presidential election and asserting plans for a cyber attack on the online voting system. Contrastingly, the Kremlin recently declared Russias non-interference in the upcoming US presidential election in November. It also dismissed American claims of Russian involvement in influencing both the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections. Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has held a paramount leadership position since the end of 1999, has made several ironic comments regarding the US election. Among them, he expressed a preference for Joe Biden over Donald Trump as the next US president. With inputs from agencies UNRWA, the UN organisation for Palestinian refugees, has been the subject of controversy ever since Israel charged 12 of its staff members of having ties to the Islamist organisation Hamas Displaced Palestinians wait to receive United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) aid, in Rafah. Reuters Australia said on Friday that it will once again pay the UN agency that handles Palestinian refugees after looking into reports that certain employees were connected to the October 7 attack by Hamas. UNRWA, the UN organisation for Palestinian refugees, has been the subject of controversy ever since Israel charged 12 of its staff members of having ties to the Islamist organisation Hamas. Advertisement Earlier this year, the agency saw a funding cut of around US$450 million due to the withdrawal of support from approximately 15 nations, which included the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The nature of these allegations warranted an immediate and appropriate response, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Friday. The best available current advice from agencies and Australian government lawyers is that UNRWA is not a terrorist organisation. After consideration by the national security committee this week, Australia is unpausing our contribution to UNRWA. The Canadian and Swedish governments announced they were resuming funding for the cash-strapped agency earlier this month, infuriating Israeli officials. Wong said Australia would resume its stalled US$4 million contribution after the aid agency agreed to put in additional safeguards. Advertisement I know there are people starving in Gaza, she told reporters. I know that UNRWA is critical to providing this assistance to people who are on the brink. Hamass October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in about 1,160 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Advertisement Israels retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 31,341 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-ruled territorys health ministry. There is International pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza. At home in the US, President Joe Bidens strong backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the Israel-Hamas war could cost him re-election. There are more reasons why the US patience with the Israeli leader is now running thin The Joe Biden administration's patience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be running thin. Source: Reuters File The United States seems to have finally run out of patience for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. There is no clearer indication than the US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumers remarks. Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the US government, on Thursday called for fresh elections in Israel to oust Netanyahu. Advertisement As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may [> But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel, he said. That is best accomplished by holding an election, he opined. Schumer went so far as to say that Netanyahu had lost his way. Two things are crucial here. First, the White House already knew about the remarks Schumer was going to make. They refrained from making edits and did not give their approval or disapproval, maintaining a neutral stand on it. This is a marked difference from Washingtons vociferous defence of Israels actions. Second, anticipating heavy criticism, but still risking it. Republican Mitch McConnell called Schumers 40-minute speech grotesque and unprecedented. Israels leaders, too, reproached the senator. Netanyahus Likud party said, it is expected of Senator Schumer to respect Israels elected government and not undermine it. Advertisement It should be well-understood within the Joe Biden administration that when someone as high up the chain as Schumer makes such remarks, it would attract criticism. So, why was such a risk taken, that too, with the White House entirely in the know? Here are 5 possible reasons contributing to the USs patience with Netanyahu running thin. Advertisement 1- Restlessness among Democrats ahead of US Presidential elections During the Democratic primary process, a protest campaign organised by Vote Uncommitted WA saw substantial success. The group had reached out to thousands of voters and was able to convince them to tick uncommitted delegates in their primary ballots to send a message to Biden in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. That was a clear sign of the brewing restlessness in the Democratic base about the progress of the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement That is not all. There are concerns within the Biden administration, too. Some Democrat party members arent happy about Israels handling of the war. This is considered a key obstacle for Biden in his re-election bid. 2- Consistent and mounting international pressure Last month, the Hamas-run health ministry said that 30,000 Palestinians - primarily children and women - have been killed in Gaza since October 7. The actual number is expected to be much higher. Advertisement Graphics from the ground in Gaza show a quickly worsening humanitarian crisis with hordes of Palestinians on the edge of starvation. In the face of this man-made disaster, calls from international bodies for a ceasefire have intensified. Amnesty International and Oxfam have long demanded a humanitarian ceasefire. But it is not just these human rights and social justice groups. Advertisement The European Parliament, late on Thursday, adopted a resolution calling on Israel to open all crossings to Gaza for humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the US has been getting flak for vetoing United Nation Security Councils resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza. The pressure in the international arena is high. Schumers comments, where he criticised Israel for failing to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and pressed on the need to make course corrections, come against this backdrop. Advertisement 3- Fear over long-time allys deteriorating image For 25 years, Schumer has backed Israel in the Senate. Now, he is concerned about what Netanyahus actions are doing to the countrys image. (Netanyahu) has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah, he said. Advertisement Schumer said the Israeli leader had come to allow his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel. 4- Shifting support to Benny Gantz Earlier this month, Schumer welcomed Benny Gantz, an Israeli war cabinet member and a centrist, to Washington. This was widely believed to be a snub to Netanyahu, who has not yet been invited to the US. by Schumer and administration officials of Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz was widely seen as a snub to Netanyahu, who has yet to be invited to the Biden Advertisement According to Reuters, US officials hope Gantz will someday replace Natanyahu. The shift towards Gantz came only two months after a survey released in January showed that only 15 per cent of Israeli voters wanted Netanyahu to remain in office once the conflict ends. 5- Frustration over the two-state solution Another reason the Biden administration may be nearing the limit of its patience with Netanyahu is his vehement resistance to a two-state solution. The US sees this solution as key to helping to douse the conflict. Advertisement With inputs from agencies A flight attendant unintentionally hit a switch located on the pilots seat while serving a meal, causing a motorised failure that pushed the pilot into the controls of the plane, according to a report Passenger Larry Reef prepares to check in at Auckland, New Zealand airport for a LATAM Airlines flight to Santiago, Chile, on 12 March, 2024. LATAM said a flight Monday from Sydney to Auckland experienced strong movement that injured at least 50 people. Reef was on the flight Monday. AP FILE The abrupt mid-air descent experienced during a Latam Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland, which resulted in injuries to 50 passengers on Monday, was purportedly triggered by a mishap involving a cockpit seat which allegedly led to the pilot being pushed into the controls of the Boeing 787, according to a report, citing industry officials from the United States. Advertisement According to a Wall Street Journal report, a flight attendant unintentionally hit a switch located on the pilots seat while serving a meal, causing a motorised failure that pushed the pilot into the controls of the plane. The switch has a protective cover by default and is not meant to be used while a pilot is in the seat, added the report. As many as 50 passengers aboard the Sydney to Auckland flight needed medical assistance, with several individuals finding themselves pressed against the aircrafts ceiling during an abrupt descent. Latam, an airline headquartered in Chile, attributed the incident to a technical event on the Dreamliner that resulted in significant turbulence. According to the report, a spokesman for Latam said the company is working with authorities on the investigation, but declined to comment further until the investigation is finished. Advertisement We are in contact with our customer, and Boeing stands ready to support investigation-related activities as requested, WSJ quoted Boeing as saying in a statement. The investigation is continuing and evidence can emerge later to contradict preliminary findings. On Wednesday, two investigators representing Chiles civil aviation agency landed in New Zealand to spearhead the inquiry. Accompanying them is an expert from New Zealand, WSJ quoted a spokesperson for the agency as saying on Thursday. Advertisement The Latam aircraft, which experienced a sudden descent, returned to Chile with only crew members aboard and is currently stationed at Santiagos airport, added the spokesperson. Boeing is anticipated to distribute a memorandum regarding the seat reconfiguration to airlines operating the 787 Dreamliner, a popular wide-body aircraft frequently utilised for long-haul international routes. Earlier, the Air Current, an industry publication, highlighted a cockpit seat adjustment as a focal point of the investigation. Advertisement Following an incident on 5 January involving a fuselage panel detaching from an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX aircraft mid-flight, Boeing is under scrutiny for unrelated manufacturing and safety deficiencies. With inputs from agencies Decades of conflict have plagued the eastern Congo, with over 120 armed factions vying for territory, control, and occasionally even for the defense of their towns As security forces fight the insurgents, the bloodshed in the area has been worse in recent weeks. According to locals, the fighters of this gang typically assault from hillsides with a view of distant cities using bombs Image Courtesy AP According to a statement made on Friday by the justice ministry, Congo has lifted a moratorium on the death sentence that was in place for more than two decades as the countrys authorities work to reduce violence and terrorist attacks. According to the statement, which was released earlier this week, the 2003 prohibition let people who were charged with treason and espionage escape punishment. Advertisement Decades of conflict have plagued the eastern Congo, with over 120 armed factions vying for territory, control, and occasionally even for the defense of their towns. According to the administration, the bloodshed in the east has caused ongoing unrest throughout the nation and sparked an increase in attacks that have terrified local populations. The M23 rebel group, which is the most powerful in the area and is said to have ties to Rwanda, has been attacking villages in recent years, driving many of them to escape to Goma, the biggest city in the region. Approximately half of the province of North Kivu is under the grip of M23, which has besieged multiple settlements. Advertisement As security forces fight the insurgents, the bloodshed in the area has been worse in recent weeks. According to locals, the fighters of this gang typically assault from hillsides with a view of distant cities using bombs. In its statement, the justice ministry said capital punishment will be reserved for offenders involved in criminal conspiracies, armed gangs, insurrection and also those who commit treason and war crimes. It will also be applied to the military, including those who rebel or desert and join enemy ranks. Advertisement Rights groups have condemned the decision, calling it a step back for the country. This initiative is against the constitution, said Jean-Claude Katende, president of the African Association for Human Rights. We dont think that capital punishment and the execution of this sentence are appropriate measures to restore order. (With agency inputs) Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down the Bay Bridge in conjunction with the APEC summit in San Francisco on Nov. 16. The San Francisco District Attorneys office announced it will not push for a trial of those involved. Noah Berger/Associated Press The San Francisco District Attorneys Office said Thursday that 78 pro-Palestinian protesters who were arrested for blocking the Bay Bridge in November agreed to pay restitution and participate in community service to avoid going to trial. The 78 people will be required to complete five hours of community service within two months, the district attorneys office said. Each of the 78 people will need to pay restitution to a single victim who came forward in court. The total amount of restitution will be set at a later date, the district attorneys office said. However, the Palestinian Youth Movement Bay Area said the restitution would at most be $4,448 for the whole group. We will continue to ensure that appropriate avenues for the expression of free speech and social advocacy exist and are protected in San Francisco, the district attorneys office said in a statement. I truly believe that we can achieve engaging in free expression while maintaining the safety of our communities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the Nov. 16 protest, participants stopped their cars and chained their arms to the bridge. They rallied with bullhorns and waved signs reading stop genocide and no U.S. military aid to Israel. Some protesters ditched their cars and tossed their keys off the bridge, the California Highway Patrol said after the protest. The bridge was shut down for more than four hours. According to the district attorneys office, one person arrested that day declined the courts diversion offer and will be arraigned on April 15 on charges of false imprisonment, refusing to comply with a peace officer, unlawful public assembly, refusing to disperse and obstruction of a street open to the public. The protesters supporters called the agreement a win in a statement from Palestinian Youth Movement Bay Area. This is a victory not only for those exercising their right to protest a genocide being fueled by their tax dollars, but for the growing global movement demanding freedom for the Palestinian people, said Aisha Nizar, one of the Bay Bridge protesters. We emerge from this case even stronger and more united in our commitment to one another and to the people of Palestine. If any of the protesters are arrested again during the two-month diversion period, the court could end the agreement and order criminal proceedings to resume, the district attorneys office said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Nov. 16 protest was one of several demonstrations during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that week, which saw global politicians and dignitaries, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, flock to San Francisco. The protest snarled traffic and delayed transplant organs being transported to and from UCSF. Tensions around the conflict have flared as some Bay Area cities, including San Francisco, passed resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and another 70,000 wounded in the Gaza Strip, the Associated Press reported. The Bay Bridge protesters are part of a long legacy of people of conscience who have used civil disobedience to bend the arc of history toward justice, said Jeff Wozniak, one of the attorneys representing the Bay Bridge protesters. We will continue to vigorously defend all people who take bold action to demand justice and bring an end to this genocide. James Crumbley has now been found guilty by the jury of contributing to the 2021 Oxford High School shooting deaths of four studentseven though he did not fire the guntogether with Jennifer Crumbley. The first parents in the US to face charges in connection with a child-perpetrated mass school shooting, they went through separate trials. In February, Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter A second verdict against the teens parents for allegedly neglecting to keep a gun in the house and failing to see the warning signals of his mental instability was handed down on Thursday, when the father of the Michigan school shooter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. James Crumbley has now been found guilty by the jury of contributing to the 2021 Oxford High School shooting deaths of four studentseven though he did not fire the guntogether with Jennifer Crumbley. Advertisement The first parents in the US to face charges in connection with a child-perpetrated mass school shooting, they went through separate trials. In February, Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The four victims received separate verdicts, which were announced at around 7:15 p.m. following a full day of proceedings in Oakland County court. James Crumbley, 47, who heard the outcome through headphones because of a hearing problem, shook his head from side to side as the jury foreman said guilty. Family of some of the fallen students wept quietly and gripped each others hands in the second row of the courtroom. Later at a news conference, county prosecutor Karen McDonald stood next to them and praised their unwavering courage through extraordinary tragedy and grief. Advertisement This verdict does not bring back their children, but it does mark a moment of accountability and will hopefully be another step to address and end gun violence, McDonald said. Defense attorney Mariell Lehman said James Crumbley obviously feels terrible about what happened at the school. He and his wife each face a possible minimum sentence of as much as 10 years in prison when they return to court April 9. Advertisement While we are disappointed with the verdict, we know that the jury had a very difficult task in front of them, Lehman told The Associated Press. Prosecutors focused on two key themes at the trial: the parents response to a morbid drawing on Ethan Crumbleys math assignment a few hours before the shooting, and the teens access to a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun purchased by James Crumbley only four days earlier. Advertisement Ethan, 15, made a ghastly drawing of a gun and a wounded man on a math assignment and added disturbing phrases, The thoughts wont stop. Help me. My life is useless. But James and Jennifer Crumbley declined to take Ethan home following a brief meeting at the school, and staff didnt demand it. A counselor, concerned about suicidal ideations, told them to seek help for the boy within 48 hours. Advertisement Ethan had told counselor Shawn Hopkins that he was sad over the death of his dog and grandmother and the loss of a friend who had abruptly moved away. He said the drawing was simply his jottings for a video game and that he wasnt planning to commit violence. Neither he, nor his parents, told school officials about the gun they had just bought, according to trial testimony. Advertisement Hopkins had hoped Ethan would spend the day with his parents. But when that was ruled out, the counselor felt the teen would probably be safer around others at school. Ethan later pulled the Sig Sauer from his backpack and began shooting that same day, killing Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16. No one had checked the bag, though a school administrator had joked about its heaviness. Advertisement James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did, McDonald told the jury Wednesday. James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and for what he didnt do. He doesnt get a pass because somebody else actually pulled the trigger, she said. Hopkins told the jury that James Crumbley showed empathy toward his son during the meeting about the drawing, but took no additional action. Advertisement When James Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his DoorDash job and looked for the gun. I think my son took the gun, he said in a frantic 911 call. Investigators found an empty gun case and empty ammunition box on the parents bed. A cable that could have locked the gun was still in a package, unopened. Advertisement Ethan told a judge when he pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism that the gun was not locked when he stuffed it in his backpack before school. Lehman, the defense lawyer, tried to emphasize to jurors that James Crumbley did not consent to any gun access by his son. He did not know he had to protect others from his son, she said. He did not know that it was reasonably foreseeable that his son would commit these offenses. He had no idea what his son was planning to do. Advertisement There was no testimony from experts about Ethans mental health, and no records were introduced. The boys lawyers said before trial that he would invoke his right to remain silent if called to testify. But the judge allowed the jury to see excerpts from the teens handwritten journal. I have zero help for my mental problems and its causing me to shoot up the school, Ethan wrote. I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. Advertisement Now 17, he is serving a life sentence with no chance for parole. After Judge Cheryl Matthews lifted a gag order that had prevented lawyers from speaking to reporters, Jennifer Crumbleys attorney Shannon Smith declined to comment Thursday night. We believe the victims, their families, and the community need and deserve the space and time to begin healing from this tragedy, Smith said on Facebook. Ukraine has suffered a number of combat losses in repelling Russian soldiers, as its forces have faced acute ammunition shortages and help from Western partners has been sporadic On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet in Berlin following a public outburst of hostility between the two over their views on how best to assist Ukraine. Following a courtesy encounter at the chancellery, Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland, will join the two for urgent talks over more European military support for Kyiv. Advertisement Ukraine has suffered a number of combat losses in repelling Russian soldiers, as its forces have faced acute ammunition shortages and help from Western partners has been sporadic. A large US assistance plan of $60 billion (55 billion euros) is still being delayed in Congress by right-wing Republicans, and President Joe Biden has recognised that the $300 million in interim help offered Tuesday was not nearly enough. It falls to Paris, Berlin and Warsaw to mobilise all of Europe to provide Ukraine with fresh aid, Tusk said. But simmering disagreements between Macron and Scholz threatened to undermine cooperation between the allies. Debates between France and Germany may have culminated in what we have seen in the last weeks, but there have been difficulties for quite a long time now, said Nico Lange, an analyst for the Munich Security Conference (MSC). Advertisement Calculated effort The summit of the so-called Weimar Triangle of European powers in Berlin was a good sign that finally the errors are corrected to some extent, Lange said. Germanys European partners have been frustrated by Scholzs refusal to provide its long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, despite urgent calls from Kyiv. The chancellor, on the other hand, reacted angrily to Macrons refusal to rule out sending troops to Ukraine and his pointed comments urging allies not to be cowards. Advertisement With his comments, the French president sought to restore a certain level of strategic ambiguity to complicate Russian President Vladimir Putins decision-making, said Jacob Ross from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). As well as provoking a debate on where to draw the line on help for Ukraine, the remarks may also have been a calculated effort to rally Eastern European allies, Ross said. Advertisement But the pressure from Macron has also shone a spotlight on glaring differences with Scholz. German soldiers participating in the conflict is a limit that I, as chancellor, do not want to cross, he told parliament on Wednesday. This applied not just to the deployment of army personnel in Ukraine but also to any potential operational planning in Germany, he said in outlining his reasons for refusing to supply Taurus missiles. Advertisement At no point should German soldiers help select where will be targeted where will be hit, Scholz said, a service he has suggested French officials provide to Ukraine for the long-range Scalp missiles supplied by Paris. Macron remained combative late Thursday when he told French television a Russian victory in Ukraine would reduce Europes credibility to zero, insisting that the continents security was at stake. Advertisement Warning allies against imposing limits on assistance, he added: If the situation should deteriorate, we would be ready to make sure that Russia never wins this war. And he said anybody advocating limits on aid to Ukraine chooses defeat. Different opinions Despite their differences, Scholz said he and Macron had a very good personal relationship as shown by their frequent consultations. Advertisement The strength of the cooperation comes particularly from the fact that we do this even when both countries have different opinions on individual issues, Scholz said. Fridays meeting is of great importance for allies to organise as much support as possible for Ukraine, said Scholz, who spoke Thursday with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone and underlined Germanys unbroken solidarity with Kyiv. Advertisement Germany has been Ukraines single largest backer after the United States, but European efforts to mobilise support have faced challenges. The EU is pushing to bolster weapons and ammunition production by its defence industry, but with the war in its third year, it is still struggling to ramp up output. Poland has been one of Ukraines staunchest allies, and the presence of Tusk, a seasoned politician who served as European Council president, would help moderate differences in French-German relations, Lange said. Advertisement On Ukraine, it was in the overarching interest of both to move closer together, he said. Hamas has presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the US which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a report. Hamas has submitted a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the US, which entails releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners freedom, with 100 of them serving life sentences, as per a document reviewed by Reuters. According to the proposal, Hamas suggests initially releasing Israeli hostages comprising women, children, elderly, and the ill, in return for freeing 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, including Israeli female recruits. Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office dismissed Hamas new stance as grounded in unrealistic demands. Egypt and Qatar are endeavoring to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas regarding the terms of a ceasefire, as the humanitarian crisis in the beleaguered Gaza Strip deepens, with a quarter of its population facing famine. In February, Hamas received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris which included a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one - a similar ratio to the new ceasedfire proposal. Israel also rejected that draft proposal, citing its long-held goal of not ending the war until it destroyed Hamas. Hamas insists an agreement should end the war. Advertisement According to the latest proposal, Hamas has stated its willingness to finalise a date for a permanent ceasefire following the first exchange of hostages and prisoners. Additionally, a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would be established after the first phase. The group has outlined that all detainees from both sides would be released during the second stage of the plan. Advertisement Late on Thursday, Hamas said it presented to mediators a comprehensive vision of a truce based on stopping what it calls Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing relief and aid, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. With the war now in its sixth month, the UN has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access for aid. Advertisement The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on 7 October that left 1,200 people killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israels air, sea and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 31,000 people and wounded over 71,500, according to Gaza health authorities. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Yemens Houthi group reportedly possesses a new hypersonic missile, capable of reaching Mach 8, aiming to target Red Sea and Israeli locations. If confirmed, this missile could challenge US defense systems Yemens Houthi terrorists reportedly have a new, deadlier-than-ever hypersonic missile in their hands. The group has already successfully tested the munition and plans on manufacturing and using it for attacking targets in the Red Sea and in Israel as well. Russias state-run RIA Novosti Thursday cited a military official close to the Houthis saying the groups missile forces have successfully tested a missile that is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and runs on solid fuel." Advertisement The official also confirmed that the Houthis plan on manufacturing this ultra high-speed projectile for use during attacks in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and in Israel. Can this tip the balance for Houthis? Hypersonic missiles, by definition, are those that travel at speeds at least five times higher than that of sound. A missile travelling at Mach 8 eight times the speed of sound would be extremely difficult for the United States and its allies air defence systems to counter. Ballistic missiles fly on a trajectory in which anti-missile systems can anticipate their path and intercept them. The more irregular the missiles flight path, such as a hypersonic missile with the ability to change directions, the more difficult it becomes to intercept. Since November last year, the Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians. Advertisement Adding a new weapon gives them more leverage to pressurise Israel after a cease-fire deal failed to take hold in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Is there any merit to this claim? RIA Novosti did not provide any proof backing the officials claims. The Houthis, too, have not mentioned hypersonic missiles yet. However, their leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, last month warned of surprises that the enemies do not expect at all." Advertisement Another key Middle-Eastern player is involved in this game of tall claims. Iran, widely known to be backing the Houthis, says it possesses a hypersonic missile, Fattah. Assertions aside, strong proof remains scant. Iran has denied arming the Houthis. Indias interest in the Red Sea The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a key waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. It is vital for 30 per cent of global container traffic. Advertisement The Red Sea is also a busy corridor for Indias sea trade to Europe and the US, making any potential disruptions to the route a significant concern. Regarding India, the primary export items travelling through this particular route are steel, engineering products, textiles, chemicals, vehicles, and agricultural products. Additionally, the movement of fertilisers, sunflower oil, machinery components, and electronic goods into India has seen delays. Advertisement According to a study conducted by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in 2023, the recent spike in threats to cargo vessels on the Red Sea may cause exporters to hold back on shipments due to rising fears. This could potentially lead to a drop in Indias exports by around $30 billion. Advertisement With inputs from agencies A delegation from the International Monetary Fund has arrived in Islamabad to hold negotiations before releasing the much-needed last $1.1 billion tranche of the $3 billion rescue plan agreed upon last year The IMF has voiced unhappiness with cash-strapped Pakistans declaration that it has met all structural benchmarks, as well as quantitative and indicative objectives, even before the global lender scrutinised and completed its analysis. A delegation from the International Monetary Fund has arrived in Islamabad to hold negotiations before releasing the much-needed last $1.1 billion tranche of the $3 billion rescue plan agreed upon last year. Advertisement Media reports state that Nathan Porter, the head of the IMF Mission, and his colleagues expressed their dissatisfaction with the finance ministry for announcing its decision before the $3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) programme was fully reviewed. They had only recently begun the programme and would only provide recommendations after examining official data from various sectors of the countrys economy. Before receiving any reply from the IMF, the finance ministry had earlier declared in its official handout that they had satisfied all structural benchmarks and other goals. In the first round of the review discussions, the finance ministry team was grilled by the IMF review mission, and The News International said that none knew how to reply. Advertisement However, Finance Minister Aurangzeb took the stance that he had taken note of it and such an episode would never be repeated in future. Pakistan and the IMF kick-started parleys for the completion of the second review and striking an agreement on the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) after which the release of the last tranche of $1.1 billion will be presented before the Funds Executive Board in the second week of April 2024. Advertisement The possibility of any mini budget cannot be ruled out at the moment, so the IMF may come up with prescriptions of raising rates of different taxes, especially General Sales Tax (GST) in order to fetch additional revenues on an instant basis. It will only become affirmative if the FBR faces any shortfall in achieving the tax collection target of Rs879 billion for March 2024, top official sources confirmed while talking to the newspaper on Thursday. Advertisement The IMF team also asked about the possibility of achieving the target for the last quarter (April-June) to meet the desired annual tax collection target of Rs 9,415 billion. The IMF team inquired about the exact timeframe for unveiling the simplified tax scheme for retailers and the political will of the incumbent regime in this regard. Advertisement The FBR high-ups were not able to reply. The IMF also held crucial talks with energy sector high-ups and asked them to come up with a plan to restrict the circular debt to avoid any further accumulation. The Ministry of Energy high-ups said that they were withdrawing gas subsidies for fertiliser plants and wanted direction on cheaper fertiliser bags for farmers to reduce the input of the farm sector. Advertisement According to an official announcement made by the finance ministry on Thursday, an IMF mission called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Ministry of Finance. The mission is in Pakistan to conduct the Second Review of the Stand-by Arrangement (SBA). The finance minister welcomed the mission and expressed the governments commitment towards working with the IMF on the reform agenda for economic growth and stability of Pakistan, according to the paper. The Indian Navy promptly dispatched a vessel and the Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) upon receiving notifications. It found the Bangladeshi vessel and attempted to contact it to find out the crew members whereabouts, but it was unable to get a response When pirates attacked the coal-carrying Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Abdullah, it was traveling from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Image Courtesy PTI In response to a pirate raid on a ship flying the flag of Bangladesh off the coast of Somalia, the Indian Navy moved quickly to free the hostages on board. When pirates attacked the coal-carrying Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Abdullah, it was traveling from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Indian Navys Mission deployed warship and an LRMP responded to a piracy attack on MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi-flagged vessel, whilst enroute from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates, the Indian Navy said in a statement on social media platform X. Advertisement On receipt of intimation, the LRMP was immediately deployed & on locating the MV in the evening of 12 Mar 24, attempted to establish communication to ascertain status of ships crew members. However, no response was received from the ship, the statement added. The Indian Navy promptly dispatched a vessel and the Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) upon receiving notifications. It found the Bangladeshi vessel and attempted to contact it to find out the crew members whereabouts, but it was unable to get a response. On Thursday morning, the MV Abdullah was intercepted by the warship assigned to Maritime Security Operations, which had also been diverted, as part of the mission. The crew of the ship, all citizens of Bangladesh who were being held captive by armed pirates, was checked on by the Indian Navy to ensure their safety. Advertisement The Mission Deployed warship on Maritime Security Operations, which had also been diverted, intercepted the hijacked MV on the morning of 14 Mar 24. The safety of the MVs crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates was ascertained & the IN warship continued to maintain in close vicinity of the MV till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia, the Indian Navy statement said. Advertisement A merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden caught fire after being struck by a missile earlier this month. The Indian Navy quickly responded to the distress signal and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian person. The Indian Navy said in a statement on Thursday that all of the crew members of its navy cruiser, INS Kolkata, were safely evacuated to Djibouti after the ship responded quickly to the maritime incident on Wednesday. Advertisement An Indian Naval ship mission that was stationed in the North Arabian Sea for maritime security operations responded to a distress call from a fishing vessel last month. The ship undertook strengthening the hull and assisted with damage control, making the boat safe for future travel. The statement went on to say that the Indian Navys unwavering efforts underscore its commitment to ensuring the safety of all ships and sailors passing through the area. Israeli forces allegedly opened fire on the citizens gathered at Kuwait Square late on Thursday, killing 21 and injuring over 150, according to the Gaza Strips health ministry, which is managed by Hamas The investigation discovered that while civilians were waiting for the relief vehicles, armed Palestinians opened fire one hour before the convoy reached an IDF-established corridor Image Courtesy AFP The Israeli army denied accusations by the health ministry of the Hamas-ruled enclave that Israeli soldiers were to blame, saying on Friday that armed Palestinians opened fire on people in northern Gaza who were waiting for humanitarian relief. Armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy in Gaza City on Thursday and then continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks, the army said in a statement. Advertisement Israeli forces allegedly opened fire on the citizens gathered at Kuwait Square late on Thursday, killing 21 and injuring over 150, according to the Gaza Strips health ministry, which is managed by Hamas. The Israeli military declared that it had concluded that the IDF did not open fire at the aid convoy at Kuwait Square following a intensive preliminary review. A convoy of 31 trucks carrying food and other humanitarian supplies for residents arrived in northern Gaza on Thursday night, according to the IDFs investigation. The investigation discovered that while civilians were waiting for the relief vehicles, armed Palestinians opened fire one hour before the convoy reached an IDF-established corridor. While the IDF continues its humanitarian effort to supply food and humanitarian aid to the civilians of the Gaza Strip, according to a statement released by the military, Hamas terrorists continue to harm Gazan civilians who are seeking food, and Hamas is blaming Israel for it. Whether Maria Machado gets to contest the Venezuelan Presidential elections in July may impact the Indian economy. It has to do with the United States foreign policy and crude oil supply The election ban on Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado could impact oil supply from the country. Source: Reuters Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado - a popular leader that polls said was likely to dethrone the countrys incumbent President Nicolas Maduro - is facing pressure from her allies to choose a substitute to run in her place in the July elections. Leaders of opposition parties want her to decide on an alternative candidate, Reuters reported citing opposition sources. The current situation spells bad news for the Venezuelan people and democracy. It may also be bad news for India. Advertisement How could Machado being forced to drop out of the upcoming Presidential polls possibly impact India? It has to do with the United States and oil. Maduros candidature under threat Last October, Machado won an opposition primary with 92 per cent of votes in her favour. However, the countrys top court, understood to be an institution aligned with authoritarian Maduro, banned her from holding public office on grounds of corruption and for her support of the sanctions against the current administration. She has said that the corruption allegations are fabricated. Analysts note that if her disqualification is not overturned, the opposition coalition will need to pick a substitute. The US and its oil sanctions threat This is where the US comes in. Washington has insisted that the Maduro government lift the ban on Machado. The Joe Biden administration has already threatened to re-impose oil sanctions on Venezuela if Machado is not allowed to run the elections. Advertisement The Biden administration had broadly eased Venezuelan oil sanctions in October 2023 after signing an election guarantee deal. The problem for India India, the worlds third-largest oil consumer, is currently one of Venezuelas top crude buyers. However, from 2020 to 2023, the South Asian country did not purchase oil from Venezuela due to sanctions. Advertisement The looming threat of re-imposition of sanctions are sure to disrupt crude oil supply to India, a nation that meets 85 per cent of its oil requirements through imports. Venezuelan oil was one of Indias solutions to its heavy reliance on supplies from Russia and the Middle East. Multiple Middle Eastern countries, in line with the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) supply cuts, have restricted oil output. Russian oil refineries, on the other hand, have recently come under attacks by pro-Kyiv drones. Advertisement If sanctions are levied on Venezuela once again, it will also adversely impact attempts by public sector refiners to use stuck dividends to procure barrels. Glimmers of hope Nothing is set in stone yet. Sources told Reuters that Washington could urge Machado to decide on a substitute. Last week, Brian Nichols, a State Department official said that the US would take its cues from the opposition. Advertisement The United States will continue to support the will and the right of Venezuelans and Venezuelan political parties to select their presidential candidates, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said. The statement suggests that their stance on Machado is not so hardline anymore. In this dynamic situation, actions taken by Maduros government and Machado and her allies, among other factors, can influence Washingtons decision. There is a chance that sanctions will be avoided. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Customers in parts of Asia had trouble ordering at stores, on mobile apps and at electronic kiosks in McDonalds restaurants Hungry and planned to order your favourite burger from McDonalds but unable to? Heres why. The fast food chain on Friday said it was facing tech outage that has led to disruption in operations at many of its outlets worldwide, from Japan to Australia. As per reports, customers in parts of Asia had trouble ordering at stores, on mobile apps and at electronic kiosks in the restaurant. The trouble has been attributed to a system outage. However, McDonalds ruled out the possibility of a cybersecurity incident. Advertisement A spokesperson at McDonalds Holdings Company Japan said the company was working to restore operations across its outlets soon. We are aware of a outage, which has had an impact on our restaurants; the issue is being resolved, McDonalds said in a statement. The outage seemed to be have impacted customers in Hong Kong, New Zealand and the UK, with a number of people complaining on social media about disruptions at stores. McDonalds Japanese arm took to X, and posted, saying that it was currently experiencing a system failure and temporarily suspending operation at many outlets. Stores in China were also not being able to take orders for several hours but the firm later said its online ordering system had been fully restored. McDonalds in Hong Kong took to Facebook to inform that its mobile ordering and self-ordering kiosks are not functioning but later reported its system was gradually returning to normal. Advertisement Service has been temporarily suspended due to regular server maintenance for website stabilisation, read an error message on McDonalds delivery website in South Korea. Services in Singapore and New Zealand were also affected. McDonalds has about 40,000 outlets worldwide, with more than 14,000 stores in the US. It operates nearly 3,000 outlets across Japan and roughly 1,000 in Australia. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Mpox became a focus of worldwide concern during an international outbreak in 2022 that saw the disease spread to over 100 countries, mainly by sex among gay or bisexual men. Mpox has been endemic in parts of central and west Africa for decades, but most cases involved infection from rodents, limiting the spread of the disease The Republic of Congo has recorded its first cases of mpox in several regions, the health ministry said, an indication of how the disease may be spreading across Africa since sexual transmission was first confirmed on the continent last year. AP File According to the health ministry, the Republic of Congo has had its first instances of mpox in a number of locations, suggesting that the illness may be spreading throughout Africa since sexual transmission was first identified on the continent last year. The virus that causes mpox usually infects wild animals before making its way to humans, where it can then infect other people. Because research monkeys were the first to contract the virus, it was once known as monkeypox. Advertisement In November, the World Health Organisation said that it had finally verified the first-ever sexual transmission of mpox in Congo. African scientists cautioned that this may make it more challenging to control the illness. The study was released on Wednesday by the health ministry of the Republic of Congo. The report said some 43 cases had been reported to the ministry, including in nine out of the countrys 12 departments. The government has not issued any further comment on the publication, which was not officially distributed to the media and appears to have been intended for internal use. Mpox became a focus of worldwide concern during an international outbreak in 2022 that saw the disease spread to over 100 countries, mainly by sex among gay or bisexual men. Mpox has been endemic in parts of central and west Africa for decades, but most cases involved infection from rodents, limiting the spread of the disease. Advertisement The WHO declared the outbreak a global emergency and there have been over 90,000 cases to date. In Congo, where sexual transmission was first confirmed, it has tracked more than 12,500 cases and 580 deaths, its largest ever outbreak. The WHO previously warned that sexual transmission could mean the disease is spreading in other parts of the continent. Advertisement In Africa, the figures are likely an underestimate, experts say, because testing facilities are limited and victims may avoid stepping forward because of prejudice and draconian laws targeting LGBTQ+ communities. While the outbreak of mpox prompted mass vaccination campaigns in Europe and North America, in Africa there are no such plans. Clare Fonstein is a reporter who joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle. In Houston, Fonstein covered breaking news and trending stories. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, then attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she majored in journalism and international relations. She previously worked as an intern at the Morning Call, the daily newspaper of the Lehigh Valley, and her college newspaper at Lehigh University. She can be reached at Clare.Fonstein@sfchronicle.com. Russian forces last month captured the city of Avdiivka just a few kilometres to the north of Donetsk and said pushing Ukrainian forces back would help protect residents of areas under its control from shelling Both Russia and Ukraine fired a barrage of artillery and drone fire on Friday, claiming that people had been killed by nighttime aircraft raids. Two persons were killed by a Russian drone attack in the Vinnytsia area of central Ukraine, according to Ukrainian police, while three children were killed by shelling by Kyivs army on the Russian-held city of Donetsk, according to authorities posted in Moscow. Advertisement Russian troops attacked the Vinnytsia region with drones, there are dead and wounded, Ukraines national police said in a statement on Telegram. As a result of the enemy attack, a 52-year-old man was killed and his 53-year-old wife died in hospital, it said. The distance between the front lines and the Vinnytsia area is almost 400 km (250 miles). In the Russian-held city of Donetsk, authorities established in Moscow claimed that three children had been killed by bombardment. As a result of barbaric overnight shelling a direct hit was recorded on a house in a residential area, Alexey Kulemzin, the Russian-appointed mayor of Donetsk, said in a post on Telegram. Advertisement Three children died. A girl born in 2007, a girl born in 2021, and a boy born in 2014, he added. Russian forces last month captured the city of Avdiivka just a few kilometres to the north of Donetsk and said pushing Ukrainian forces back would help protect residents of areas under its control from shelling. Advertisement The head of Ukraines army said Friday that Russia had launched a wave of attacks to try to break through further in the area. The enemy has concentrated its main efforts and has been trying to break through for several days in a row, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said in a statement after visiting troops on the frontlines around Avdiivka. Advertisement Ukraines air force said earlier that Russia fired 27 Iranian-style drones and eight missiles at its territory overnight including at the Vinnytsia region. It claimed to have shot them all down. Russia also said Ukraine launched overnight drone attacks on areas closer to the countries shared border. Russias defence ministry said Friday it had downed drones and rockets over the Belgorod border region and the Kaluga region, southwest of the capital Moscow. Advertisement Air defence equipment intercepted and destroyed five drones and two rockets over the territories of the Belgorod and Kaluga regions, it said in a statement on Telegram. In a later statement it said another seven Ukrainian-launched rockets had been shot down over Belgorod at 8:15 am (0515 GMT) shortly after voting in Russias presidential elections got underway in the region. Advertisement The governor of Russias Lipetsk region also said Friday two drones were downed in a district around 300 kilometres (180 miles) away from Ukraine. Voting is being held across more than 94,000 polling stations in Russia. Arrangements have also been made to include Russian citizens overseas to cast their votes Russia began voting on Friday to elect its next president of 6 years. This election is one of a kind as it will use technology, will have a three-day voting period, and a provision of voting electronically from remote areas including Russias occupied new regions'. Despite concerns around his ill health, Putin, 71, is eyeing a fifth term as the regime has no credible opponent running the Presidential race. Advertisement This year, at the very start of the presidential race, a total of 33 people were expected to contest, but as the deadline for filing documents expired on January 1, only 11 candidates remained eligible to contest. Out of these, only four were eventually registered. Since dictator Joseph Stalin, President Putin has been the countrys longest-running leader. With either being the prime minister or the president, Putin has been in the Kremlin since the beginning of the 21st century. In a first, Russias new regions will cast votes Amid Russias ongoing war with Ukraine, the country has occupied a chunk of territories of the neighbouring country, which it now calls new regions. For the first time Donbass and Novorossia territories will be voting in Russia elections. Polling in these places began 10 days before the elections started in the rest of Russia. Advertisement As per a TASS report, polling stations have already opened in Russias Far Eastern regions, particularly the easternmost Kamchatka and Chukotka. As the two regions are voting for the first time, social media has been flooded with advertisements urging people to cast votes. Also, all state-controlled TV channels in Russia have been asking people to vote for Putin, promoting him as a national leader who stood head and shoulders above any potential adversaries and is presented as a peoples leader. Advertisement For first time Russia is holding elections for 3 days In a maiden move, the presidential election in Russia will continue for three days. Russians say they liked the new electoral format which gives them more opportunity to cast votes, Russian Central Election Commission Chair Ella Pamfilova said. Overall, more than 94,000 polling stations will be open in Russia from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (local time). With the exception of several locations abroad, the vote will be formally over at 9:00 pm on March 17 (Sunday). Advertisement Casting ballots to go electronic The presidential election is also the first time that voters have the choice of casting their votes electronically, with electronic voting ballots available in 29 regions, including Moscow, more than 4.7 million Russians have submitted applications to vote electronically. Russia has also made arrangements to include its citizens overseas, with a total of 295 polling stations open in 144 foreign countries, including India and 11 time zones. Advertisement Special voting booths were arranged in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram for Russian citizens to cast their votes. A hub for Russian tourists and residing overseas citizens, the countrys consulate made arrangements to ensure Russian nationals participation. The results of the online vote will be known on Sunday between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm (local time). Advertisement With inputs from agencies Russians will vote presidential election ballots for three days beginning Friday, with incumbent Vladimir Putin all but guaranteed to win against three competitors, none of whom have challenged him A pedestrian walks with an umbrella outside the Embassy of the Russian Federation, near the Glover Park neighborhood of Washington, US. Reuters File Russias ambassador to the United States stated on Thursday that his embassy has received a number of threats in connection with the Russian presidential election this week. We are getting a great many provocative calls, threats, Russian news agencies quoted Ambassador Anatoly Antonov as saying on state television. We know that there are plans for anti-Russian acts, around our embassies and consulates, and there will be attempts to gain entry to our embassy. Not so much to disrupt the election, because that wont work, but to make things more difficult and just to spoil our mood. Advertisement Russians will vote presidential election ballots for three days beginning Friday, with incumbent Vladimir Putin all but guaranteed to win against three competitors, none of whom have challenged him. Maksut Shadayev, the Russian minister of digital development, told the Tass news agency earlier on Thursday that he anticipated widespread hacking assaults on the voting systems infrastructure during the election. Ousmane Sonko, who has been incarcerated since July, is engaged in a protracted legal struggle in an attempt to compete for president in the March 24 election. According to Sonkos attorney Bamba Cisse, who spoke to The Associated Press, both he and his important ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye were freed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko addresses journalists following his release from police custody in Dakar, Senegal, on March 8, 2021. Senegals top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, was released from jail late Thursday, March 14, 2024, ahead of the country's presidential election scheduled for March 24, his lawyer said. AP file Ousmane Sonko, the leading opposition figure in Senegal, was let free from prison late on Thursday, ahead of the countrys presidential election later this month, sparking joyous celebrations around the city. Many consider Sonko to be the principal rival of President Macky Salls ruling party. Crowds of admirers met him outside the prison, holding up posters, yelling, and waving flags. Advertisement Sonko, who has been incarcerated since July, is engaged in a protracted legal struggle in an attempt to compete for president in the March 24 election. According to Sonkos attorney Bamba Cisse, who spoke to The Associated Press, both he and his important ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye were freed. The immediate effect of their publications on the election was unclear. Sonko was disqualified from standing for office, and Faye was chosen as the oppositions candidate. Supporters also gathered at Sonkos house and at other locations in Dakar to celebrate. Convoys of supporters drove around the capital tooting their horns and yelling until late at night. Sonko, who finished third in the 2019 presidential election, is popular among young people and his fiery campaign to tackle corruption has resonated in a country with economic hardship. The war in Ukraine has pushed up food and energy prices, further straining the economy. Advertisement Sall himself ultimately decided not to seek a third term in office after Sonkos supporters launched months of protests that at times turned deadly. The protests have rocked Senegals image as a pillar of stability in West Africa, where dozens of coups and attempted coups have taken place in recent decades. Advertisement Sonkos presidential bid has faced a prolonged legal battle that started when he was accused of rape in 2021. He was acquitted of the rape charges but was convicted of corrupting youth and sentenced to two years in prison last summer, which ignited deadly protests across the country. In January, he was disqualified from the ballot because he faces a six-month suspended sentence following his conviction for defamation, Senegals highest election authority, the Constitutional Council, said at the time. Advertisement Sonkos supporters maintain his legal troubles are part of a government effort to derail his candidacy. His release follows Salls decree to exonerate political prisoners, including hundreds that were arrested in the violent protests last year. Presidential candidates kicked off their election campaigns on Saturday, following weeks of violent protests after the vote was delayed. Advertisement Sall tried to postpone the election last month, just weeks before it was to take place on Feb. 25. His announcement that the vote would instead be held 10 months from now plunged Senegal into uncertainty and drew protesters to the streets again. But the Constitutional Council, rejected Salls postponement and ordered the government to set a new date as soon as possible. At an undisclosed meeting, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah assured Quds chief Esmail Qaani that he preferred to avoid dragging Iran into a conflict with Israel or the US. He emphasised that Hezbollah was prepared to defend itself independently, according to a report, citing sources Lebanese army soldiers secure a site that was hit by a strike, after Israeli jets hit Lebanon's Bekaa Valley for a second day on Tuesday, according to security sources, in Saraain, Lebanon March 12, 2024. Reuters Amid the ongoing attacks on its ally Hamas in Gaza, the leader of Irans Quds Force made a visit to Beirut in February to discuss the potential threat if Israel were to target Hezbollah in Lebanon, an offensive that could severely hurt Tehrans main regional partner, according to a Reuters report, citing seven sources. Advertisement During his visit to Beirut, Quds chief Esmail Qaani held talks with Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, marking at least their third meeting since the deadly attacks by Hamas on October 7 and Israels subsequent retaliation on Gaza. Discussions revolved around the prospect of Israel launching a full-scale offensive in Lebanon. Such an escalation could not only harm the Shiite Islamist group but also compel Iran to respond more aggressively than it has since October 7, according to the report, citing three Iranian sources close to the power circle. Over the past five months, Hezbollah, a long-standing enemy of Israel, has demonstrated solidarity with Hamas by firing limited rocket volleys across Israels northern border. At the undisclosed meeting, Nasrallah assured Qaani that he preferred to avoid dragging Iran into a conflict with Israel or the United States. He emphasised that Hezbollah was prepared to defend itself independently, the report quoted the sources. Advertisement This is our fight, Reuters quoted Nasrallah as telling Qaani, citing an Iranian source with knowledge of the discussions. Despite efforts to prevent a significant escalation, the clashes in Lebanon have displaced tens of thousands of individuals on both sides of the border. Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of over 200 Hezbollah militants and approximately 50 Lebanese civilians, while attacks from Lebanon into Israel have claimed the lives of twelve Israeli soldiers and six civilians. Advertisement In recent days, Israel has intensified its retaliatory strikes, raising concerns about the potential for the situation to spiral out of control. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant suggested on Sunday that Israel would escalate attacks to decisively remove Hezbollah fighters from the border if a ceasefire in Gaza were to occur, although he expressed willingness to explore diplomatic avenues. Advertisement In 2006, Israel engaged in a brief yet intense conflict with Hezbollah, inflicting significant damage on Lebanon. Israeli security sources have previously stated that while Israel aims to prevent the spread of hostilities, it remains prepared to engage on additional fronts if necessary. However, a full-scale war on its northern border would strain Israels military capabilities. Advertisement According to sources aligned with the Tehran government, Iran and Hezbollah are acutely aware of the dangers posed by a broader conflict in Lebanon, including the potential for it to escalate and result in strikes on Irans nuclear facilities. The United States considers Iran a state sponsor of terrorism and has long sought to curb Tehrans nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, Israel views Iran as an existential threat, although Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons. Advertisement According to Reuters, four Iranian and two regional sources, along with a Lebanese source ho confirmed the thrust of the meeting. Two US sources and an Israeli source said Iran wanted to avoid blowback from a Israel-Hezbollah war. All requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, added the report. The US State Department, Israels government, Tehran and Hezbollah did not respond to requests for comment, the report added. Advertisement The Beirut meeting highlights strain on Irans strategy of avoiding major escalation in the region while projecting strength and support for Gaza across the Middle East through allied armed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, Reuters quoted analysts as saying. Qaani and Nasrallah want to further insulate Iran from the consequences of supporting an array of proxy actors throughout the Middle East, Reuters quoted Jon Alterman of Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank as saying. Advertisement Probably because they assess that the possibility of military action in Lebanon is increasing and not decreasing, added Alterman. Already, Tehrans carefully-nurtured influence in the region is being curtailed, including by Israels offensive against Hamas along with potential US-Saudi defence and Israel-Saudi normalisation agreements, as well as US warnings that Iran should not get involved in the Hamas-Israel conflict. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The proposed legislation would require ByteDance to divest TikTok within six months or face a nationwide ban. In the event of a ban, it would likely take time for TikTok to disappear as ByteDance would be expected to pursue all legal ways to challenge the law. Devotees of TikTok gather at the Capitol in Washington, as the House passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app if its China-based owner doesn't sell, Wednesday, March 13, 2024.- AP Days after the House of Representatives in the United States passed a bill that made it mandatory for the TikTok owner to sell the social media platform or face a total ban in the country, US investors of ByteDance are exploring various options to tackle concerns expressed by the government about TikTok while safeguarding their investments including considering measures to take voting control over the widely used video-sharing platform. Advertisement The US investors of Bytedance include the likes of private equity firm General Atlantic as well as Susquehanna International Group and Sequoia Capital, according to reports. The recent move of US lawmakers to advance a bill aiming to separate TikTok from Chinese-owned ByteDance citing national security concerns has taken investors by surprise. Among US investors, one idea gaining traction involves restricting ByteDances influence over TikToks operations while allowing it to retain its existing stake in the company. However, discussions are in a preliminary stage and the Financial Times reported that any implementation would require approval from the Chinese government. The proposed legislation would require ByteDance to divest TikTok within six months or face a nationwide ban. In the event of a ban, it would likely take time for TikTok to disappear as ByteDance would be expected to pursue all legal avenues to challenge the law. Meanwhile, Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has expressed interest to acquire ByteDances TikTok. Advertisement Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that he will put together an investor group to buy TikTok after the House passed a bill that would ban the popular video app in the U.S. if its China-based owner does not sell its stake. I think the legislation should pass and I think it should be sold, Mnuchin, who leads Liberty Strategic Capital, told CNBCs Squawk Box on Thursday. Its a great business and Im going to put together a group to buy TikTok. Advertisement The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted into strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technology and data security, seen as essential to each countrys economic prowess and national security. Trump himself has voiced opposition to the House bill, saying that a ban on TikTok would help its rival, Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. Some other Republicans who oppose the bill say the U.S. should simply tell Americans about the security concerns with TikTok, but let them decide if they want to use the platform. Advertisement Meanwhile, some Democrats have expressed concern about singling out one company when other social media platforms also collect vast amounts of data on users. Opponents of the bill also say it would disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on the platform for income and run afoul of the First Amendment, which protects free speech. We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11. We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles, said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller The United States on Thursday expressed concern regarding the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in India, stating that it is actively monitoring the implementation of the act. Addressing a daily briefing on Thursday, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11. We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles. Advertisement #WATCH | On CAA implementation, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller says, "We are concerned about the notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Act. We are closely monitoring how this Act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the pic.twitter.com/55Xhog4Itp ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reassured the public regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying that its sole purpose is to safeguard the rights of persecuted minorities who were once part of undivided India, while affirming that it wouldnt infringe upon anyone elses rights. Advertisement I have spoken on CAA at least 41 times on different platforms and spoken on it in detail that the minorities of the country need not be afraid because it has no provision to take back the rights of any citizen. The CAA 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, and through this law, their sufferings can be ended the Home Minister had said in an interview to ANI. Advertisement Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 enable persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship and applications are to be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided by the government. The Centre notified the rules for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act on March 11. Advertisement The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees who had sought shelter in India before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in three neighbouring countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, of six minority communities there. The CAA removes legal barriers to rehabilitation and citizenship and gives a dignified life to refugees who have suffered for decades. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Russia has successfully imposed its passports on nearly the entire population of occupied Ukraine by making it impossible to survive without them, coercing hundreds of thousands of people into citizenship ahead of elections that Vladimir Putin is certain will win 42-year-old Vyacheslav Ryabkov, an internally displaced person from Kozachi Laheri in the Kherson region of Ukraine, shows the scars on his arms caused by Russian soldiers who cut him with a knife. AP Despite being the last in his town to obtain a Russian passport, he and his parents were under increasing pressure. Vyacheslav Ryabkov gave up after receiving three beatings at the hands of Russian forces invading the Kherson area of Ukraine. His face remained unbruised despite the troops breaking two of his ribs in the September 2023 passport photo, which showed him without a smile. Advertisement It was insufficient. They nabbed the welder in December as he was leaving work. Subsequently, one forcefully struck Ryabkovs face with his weapon, breaking the bridge of his nose. Why dont you fight for us? You already have a Russian passport, they demanded. The beating continued as the 42-year-old fell unconscious. Lets finish this off, one soldier said. A friend ran for Ryaboks mother. Russia has successfully imposed its passports on nearly the entire population of occupied Ukraine by making it impossible to survive without them, coercing hundreds of thousands of people into citizenship ahead of elections that Vladimir Putin is certain will win, according to an Associated Press investigation. However, getting a passport implies that men living in occupied area might be recruited to fight the same Ukrainian army that is attempting to rescue them. Advertisement A Russian passport is required to establish property ownership and maintain access to healthcare and retirement benefits. Refusal can lead to child custody loss, jail time, or even worse. According to a recent Russian law, everyone in the seized regions who does not acquire a Russian passport by July 1st would be imprisoned on the grounds that they are a foreign citizen. Advertisement However, Russia also provides incentives, such as financial support for relocating to Russia from the seized zone, humanitarian relief, pensions for retirees, and cash for parents of babies who have Russian birth certificates. Every passport and birth certificate that is provided makes it more difficult for Ukraine to recover its stolen territory and its children, and every new citizen gives Russia the mistaken impression that it has the right to defend its own citizens from an adversarial neighbour. Advertisement According to the AP research, the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia areas alone have seen at least 1,785 residences and businesses taken over by the Russian government. Ukraines Crimean leadership in exile reported on Feb. 25 that of 694 soldiers reported dead in recent fighting for Russia, 525 were likely Ukrainian citizens who had taken Russian passports since the annexation. Advertisement AP spoke about the system to impose Russian citizenship in occupied territories to more than a dozen people from the regions, along with the activists helping them to escape and government officials trying to cope with what has become a bureaucratic and psychological nightmare for many. Ukraines human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said almost 100% of the whole population who still live on temporary occupied territories of Ukraine now have Russian passports. Advertisement Under international law dating to 1907, it is forbidden to force people to swear allegiance to the hostile Power. But when Ukrainians apply for a Russian passport, they must submit biometric data and cell phone information and swear an oath of loyalty. People in occupied territories, these are the first soldiers to fight against Ukraine, said Kateryna Rashevska, a lawyer who helped Ukraine bring a war crimes case against Putin before the International Criminal Court. For them, its logical not to waste Russian people, just to use Ukrainians. Advertisement Changing the law The combination of force and enticement when it comes to Russian passports dates to the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russian citizenship was automatically given to permanent residents of Crimea and anyone who refused lost rights to jobs, health care and property. Nine months into the Russian occupation of the peninsula, 1.5 million Russian passports had been issued there, according to statistics issued by the Russian government in 2015. But Ukrainians say it was still possible to function without one for years afterward. Advertisement Beginning in May 2022, Russia passed a series of laws to make it easier to obtain passports for Ukrainians, mostly by lifting the usual residency and income requirements. In April 2023 came the punishment: Anyone in the occupied territories who did not accept Russian citizenship would be considered stateless and required to register with Russias Internal Affairs Ministry. Advertisement Russian officials threatened to withhold access to medical care for those without a Russian passport, and said one was needed to prove property ownership. Hundreds of properties deemed abandoned were seized by the Russian government. You can see it in the passport stamps: If someone got their passport in August 2022 or earlier, they are most certainly pro-Russian. If a passport was issued after that time it was most certainly forced, said Oleksandr Rozum, a lawyer who left the occupied city of Berdyansk and now handles the bureaucratic gray zone for Ukrainians under occupation who ask for his help, including property records, birth and death certificates and divorces. Advertisement The situation is different depending on the whims of the Russian officials in charge of a particular area, according to interviews with Ukrainians and a look at the Telegram social media accounts set up by occupation officials. In an interview posted recently, Yevgeny Balitsky, the Moscow-installed governor in Zaporizhzhia, said anyone who opposed the occupation was subject to expulsion. We understood that these people could not be won over and that they would have to be dealt with even more harshly in the future, he said. Balitsky then alluded to making some extremely harsh decisions that I will not talk about. Advertisement Even children are forced to take Russian passports. A decree signed Jan. 4 by Putin allows for the fast-tracking of citizenship for Ukrainian orphans and those without parental care, who include children whose parents were detained in the occupied territories. Almost 20,000 Ukrainian children have disappeared into Russia or Russian-held territories, according to the Ukrainian government, where they can be given passports and be adopted as Russian citizens. Its about eradication of identity, said Rashevska, the lawyer involved in the war crimes case. Natalia Zhyvohliad, a mother of nine from a suburb of Berdyansk, had a good idea of what was in store for her children if she stayed. Zhyvohliad said about half her town of 3,500 people left soon after for Ukrainian-held lands, some voluntarily and some deported through the frontlines on a 40-kilometer (25-mile) walk. Others welcomed the occupation: Her goddaughter eagerly took Russian citizenship, as did some of her neighbors. But she said plenty of people were like her those the Russians derisively call waiters: People waiting for a Ukrainian liberation. She kept her younger children, who range in age from 7 to 18, home from school and did her best to teach them in Ukrainian. But then someone snitched, and she was forced to send them to the Russian school. At all hours, she said, soldiers would pound on her door and ask why she didnt have a passport yet. One friend gave in because she needed medicine for a chronic illness. Zhyvohliad held out through the summer, not quite believing the threats to deport her and send her brood to an orphanage in Russia or to dig trenches. Then last fall, the school headmaster forced her 17-year-old and 18-year-old sons to register for the draft and ordered them to apply for passports in the meantime. Their alternative, the principal said, was to explain themselves to Russias internal security services. By the end of 2023, at least 30,000 Crimean men had been conscripted to serve in the Russian military since the peninsula was annexed, according to a UN report. It was clear to Zhyvohliad what her boys risked. With tears in her eyes and trembling legs, she went to the passport office. I kept a Ukrainian flag during the occupation, she said. How could I apply for this nasty thing? She hoped to use it just once at the last Russian checkpoint before the crossing into Ukrainian-held territory. When Zhyvohliad reached what is known as the filtration point at Novoazovsk, the Russians separated her and her two oldest boys from the rest of the children. They had to sign an agreement to pass a lie detector. Then Zhyvohliad was pulled aside alone. For 40 minutes, they went through her phone, took fingerprints and photos and questioned her, but they ultimately let her through. The children were waiting for her on the other side. She misses her home but doesnt regret leaving. I waited until the last moment to be liberated, she said. But this thing with my kids possibly being drafted was the last straw. Weaponizing health care Often the life-or-death decision is more immediate. Russian occupation officials have said the day is coming soon when only those with Russian passports and the all-important national health insurance will be able to access care. For some, its already here. The international organization Physicians for Human Rights documented at least 15 cases of people being denied vital medical care in occupied territories between February 2023 and August 2023 because they lacked a Russian passport. Some hospitals even featured a passport desk to speed the process for desperate patients. One hospital in Zaporizhzhia oblast was ordered to close because the medical staff refused to accept Russian citizenship. Alexander Dudka, the Russian-appointed head of the village of Lazurne in the Kherson region, first threatened to withhold humanitarian aid from residents without Russian citizenship. In August, he added medicine to the list of things the waiters would no longer have access to. Residents, he said in the video on the village Telegram channel, must respect the country that ensures their safety and which is now helping them live. As of Jan. 1, anyone needing medical care in the occupied region must show proof they have mandatory national health insurance, which in turn is only available to Russian citizens. Last year, if you werent scared or if you werent coerced there were places where you could still get medical care, said Uliana Poltavets, a PHR researcher. Now it is impossible. Dina Urich, who arranges the escapes from occupied territory with the aid group Helping to Leave, said about 400 requests come in each month, but they only have the money and staff for 40 evacuations. Priority goes to those who need urgent medical care, she said. And Russian soldiers at the last checkpoints have started turning back people without the Russian passports. You have people constantly dying while waiting for evacuation due to a lack of health care, she said. People will stay there, people will die, people will experience psychological and physical pressure, that is, some will simply die of torture and persecution, while others will live in constant fear. Importing loyalty Along with turning Ukrainians into Russians throughout the occupied territories, the Russian government is bringing in its own people. It is offering rock bottom mortgage rates for anyone from Russia who wants to move there, replacing the Ukrainian doctors, nurses, teachers, police and municipal workers who are now gone. Half of Zhyvohliads village left, either at the start of the war when things looked dark for the Kherson region or after being deported across the frontline by occupation officials. The school principals empty home was taken over by a Russian-appointed replacement. Artillery and airstrikes damaged thousands of homes in the port city of Mariupol, which was besieged by Russian forces for months before falling under their control. Most of the residents fled into Ukrainian-held territory or deep inside Russia. Russians often take over the property. Russia also offered residential certificates and a 100,000 ruble ($1,000) stipend to Ukrainians willing to accept citizenship and live in Russia. For many people tired of listening to the daily sounds of battle and afraid of what the future might bring, it looked like a good option. This again follows Russias actions after the annexation of Crimea: By populating occupied regions with Russian residents, Russia increasingly cements its hold on territories it has seized by force in what many Ukrainians describe as ethnic cleansing. The process is only accelerating. After capturing the town of Adviivka last month, Russia swooped in with the passports in a matter of days. The neighboring Kherson town of Oleshky essentially emptied after the flooding caused by the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam. The housing stipend in Russia looked fabulous by comparison to the shelling and rising waters, said Rima Yaremenko. She didnt take it, instead making her way through Russia to Latvia and then to Poland. But she believes the Russians took the opportunity to drive the waiters from Oleshky. Maybe they wanted to empty the city, she said. They occupied it, maybe they thought it would be theirs forever. Ryabkov said he was offered the housing stipend when he filled out his passport paperwork but turned it down. He knows plenty of people who accepted though. By the time the Russian soldiers caught Ryabkov in the street, in December, everyone in his village was either gone or had Russian citizenship. When his mother arrived, he was barely recognizable beneath all the blood and the Russian guns were trained on him. She flung herself over his body. Shoot him through me, she dared them. They couldnt bring themselves to shoot an elderly woman, and she eventually dragged him home. They started preparations to leave the next day. It took time, but they made it out using the Russian passports. When I saw our yellow and blue flag, I started to cry, he said. I wanted to burn the Russian passport, destroy it, trample it. This week, Russian border districts were again invaded by pro-Kyiv militias made up of Russians opposed to the Kremlin, and they were the focus of deadly Ukrainian bombardments Putin asserted that at least three attempts had been made by Ukrainian assault units to seize control of Russian territory in the Belgorod border region and the neighboring Kursk province Image Courtesy AFP On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that his armed forces would retaliate against a series of strikes on Russia by the Ukrainians, which he perceived as an attempt by Kyiv to sabotage the presidential elections. This week, Russian border districts were again invaded by pro-Kyiv militias made up of Russians opposed to the Kremlin, and they were the focus of deadly Ukrainian bombardments. Advertisement These strikes by the enemy do not and will not go unpunished, Putin said in televised comments at a meeting with his security council. I am sure our people, the people of Russia, will respond to this with even greater unity, he said. Putin asserted that at least three attempts had been made by Ukrainian assault units to seize control of Russian territory in the Belgorod border region and the neighboring Kursk province. This is an attempt to interfere with the presidential election, Putin said. Additionally, he asserted that Russian air defense systems had shot down the majority of the missiles fired by Kyivs forces, and that Russian troops had driven out Ukrainian forces from both the Kursk and Belgorod districts. (With agency inputs) China's commercial space industry embraces rapid growth 16:42, March 15, 2024 By Liu Shiyao ( People's Daily At the beginning of 2024, a carrier rocket developed by Chinese commercial aerospace company OrienSpace blasted off from waters off the coast of Haiyang in east China's Shandong province, sending three satellites into the planned orbit. The Gravity-1 commercial carrier rocket is the world's largest solid-propellant launch vehicle. Through technological innovation, its payload capacity has been expanded from 1 or 2 tons to 5 or 6 tons, while the launch costs have been reduced by over 30 percent. The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket independently developed by Chinese private space launch provider LandSpace blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on July 12, 2023. It is the world's first rocket powered by liquid oxygen-methane fuel and successfully entered its planned orbit. (Photo from the official website of LandSpace) The launch vehicle has facilitated the deployment of large-scale satellite constellations, enhanced China's capacity for diversified and large-scale launches of medium- and low-orbit satellites and enriched the country's launch vehicle variety. The successful launch of the Gravity-1 rocket was a miniature of the rapid development of China's commercial spaceflight. Commercial spaceflight refers to the participation in the development of the space industry through commercial operations under market principles. It aims at exploring new mechanisms for the marketization and commercialization of national civil space infrastructure. In recent years, China's commercial space industry has transitioned from its initial stage to a period of rapid growth, becoming an important complement to the country's space endeavors. According to a recently published blue paper, in 2023, a total of 26 commercial launches were completed (including rideshare and co-passenger launches), which accounted for 39 percent of China's total launches for the year. Among them, 25 were successful, marking a success rate of 96 percent. Experts noted that China's commercial space industry has witnessed vigorous growth, emerging from its infancy to become a thriving sector. The industry has preliminarily established an industrial system and market system. Today, a number of private companies have entered various segments of the commercial space sector, including rocket launches, satellite manufacturing, and satellite application services. Each leading commercial spaceflight enterprise has shown its own characteristics and development trends in areas such as rocket and satellite development, constellation deployment, and data services. A relatively flexible market mechanism would contribute to technological exploration and innovation in the commercial space industry. Last year, China launched a Long March-2D rocket to place 41 satellites, including the Jilin-1 Gaofen 06A developed by the Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd., in orbit, setting a domestic record for the most satellites lifted in one go. The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket independently developed by Chinese private space launch provider LandSpace was successfully launched, becoming the world's first rocket powered by liquid oxygen-methane fuel to be successfully launched in a row. The Gravity-1 carrier rocket developed by Chinese commercial launch vehicle designer and manufacturer OrienSpace is launched from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong province, Jan. 11, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Ding Yi) Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology Ltd., better known as iSpace, completed the second flight test mission for its commercial reusable rocket SQX-2Y, the first reuse of such a rocket in China. These achievements demonstrate the diverse research and development routes and directions of innovation of commercial space exploration, effectively promoting the overall progress of space technology. With the help of satellite communication, it is now possible to make phone calls and send messages even in uninhabited areas. Commercial low-orbit satellites can immediately provide image coverage of the ground after earthquakes and other disasters, supporting emergency rescue efforts. Zhong Xing, chief designer of Chang Guang satellites, said commercial remote sensing satellites have made China a world-class participant in remote sensing data acquisition. The price of satellite remote sensing data obtaining service has dropped from several hundred yuan to just over 10 yuan per square kilometer. Zhong believes that the commercial space industry can help lower satellite launch costs and improve launch efficiency, thus contributing to large-scale satellite launches and faster constellation deployment, and better facilitating the economy, society, and people's lives. Experts said that China's commercial space industry is bursting with vitality, demonstrating enormous market potential. High-frequency commercial launches will become a development trend, and intensive rocket launches will drive exponential growth in the number of commercial satellites. The networked deployment of low-Earth orbit satellite constellations will be an important trend in the development of commercial satellites. Innovation is the gene of commercial spaceflight development. Chinese commercial space launch enterprise CAS Space has established a test center covering nearly 10,000 square meters in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, with an aim to meet various testing needs for the development of carrier rockets. Over 80 percent of the employees at OrienSpace are engaged in research and development. Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. has invested more than 1.3 billion yuan (around $180 million) in research and development so far. These examples demonstrate the high importance placed on technological innovation. Thanks to technological innovation, the commercial space industry has continuously developed new technologies and created new models, promoting industrial innovation along the innovation chain and accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces. Experts believe that the fruitful results of China's space innovation and the country's rich reserve of space talents provide strong support for the commercial space industry. China has the world's largest market demand and most diverse application scenarios, which offers a huge market for the commercial space industry in terms of technology translation and consumption. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Danielle Echeverria is a reporter for The Chronicles Engagement and Breaking News team. She recently completed her Master's degree in journalism at Stanford University, where she won the Nicholas Roosevelt Environmental Journalism Award for her reporting and covered agriculture, climate change and worker safety. She previously interned The Chronicle on the Business desk, as well as at Big Local News, focusing on data journalism. She is originally from Bakersfield, California. She can be reached at danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com. Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen received a large, colorful bouquet from San Francisco Symphony orchestra members Kristen Loken At the conclusion of the San Francisco Symphonys all-Sibelius matinee concert in Davies Symphony Hall on Thursday, March 14, the orchestra musicians sent flowers to Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen on the podium. Other things happened too, but thats the one that left the most vivid impression. More Information San Francisco Symphony: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 15-16. $39-$225. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-864-6000. www.sfsymphony.org It happened hours after Salonen revealed his plans to leave his position at the end of the 2024-25 season and immediately after he and the musicians served up a reminder of the remarkable musical riches this partnership has brought to San Francisco. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The program began with a lustrous, blazing rendition of the short tone poem Finlandia, an explosion of nationalist fervor by Salonens fellow Finn, and concluded with a subtle and evocatively shaped account of the composers First Symphony. In between came a radiant, wiry rendition of Sibelius Violin Concerto, marking the return to Davies of the Georgian-born German violinist Lisa Batiashvili for the first time since 2006. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the San Francisco Symphony in music of Sibelius. Kristen Loken All of it was a backdrop to the days shocking developments. Were devastated the musicians as a whole and me personally, principal bass Scott Pingel told the Chronicle before the concert. The timing is terrible. These relationships take a while to gel, and weve just been getting to that point. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Inside the hall, the announcement of Salonens resignation at the conclusion of only five years at the helm was so recent that not everyone was aware of it. Linda Membreno, who drove down from Santa Rosa for the performance, could only muster a wordless wail of anguish when asked for her reaction to the news. But she soon regained her composure. It all feels very sudden, she said. And now theres just over a year for them to find another music director. Thats a very short time. Frequent Symphony attendee Pauline Tajchman of Alameda was just as dismayed. Im so bummed, she said. Hes amazing to me, and I was excited when he was first hired. His choices are so daring! The laments felt all the more impassioned given the beauty and drama of the afternoons concert, the first of three for this program running through Saturday, March 16. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Finlandia landed as a fervid but impeccably controlled onslaught, cresting on powerful contributions from the brass and thunderous outbursts from principal timpanist Edward Stephan. Violinist Lisa Batiashvili, left, with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony in Sibelius Violin Concerto. Kristen Loken Much of that energy carried through into the First Symphony, but leavened now by an air of dark introspection. Principal clarinetist Carey Bell intoned the long opening solo with a kind of mournful luxuriance, a mood that resurfaced in the still-voiced tenderness of the slow second movement. Katherine Siochi, the orchestras newly hired principal harpist, adorned the finale with bits of fine-tuned filigree. Batiashvilis solo performance, by turns self-possessed and fiery, was enough to make a listener regret her long absence. Through it all, Salonens mastery of Sibelius stylistic thumbprints his darkly gleaming orchestral colors, his roundabout but surprisingly logical formal ideas registered again and again. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco Symphony librarian Margo Kieser, right, gives flowers to Esa-Pekka Salonen after the orchestras all-Sibelius concert. Kristen Loken When the last notes of the concert had sounded, there was a small but noticeable pause as everyone in Davies both onstage and in the audience took a beat to pull ourselves together. Salonen stepped into the orchestra to take his bows, as if to assert the strength of the partnership between him and his musical collaborators. Then Margo Kieser, the Symphonys principal librarian, walked on with a large and gorgeously colored bouquet to offer Salonen, a tribute to his artistry and leadership from the very people best positioned to appreciate them. There were feelings. Salonen hurried offstage before there were visible tears as well. Anger over city fees underscores how small quality-of-life issues can pile up, eventually fomenting frustration, which Mayor London Breeds political opponents are using against her. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Befuddlement and frustration with San Franciscos parking permit process runs deep. That was the main takeaway from the avalanche of reader emails I received in response to my recent column on the citys costly, confusing and time-consuming procedure to get a temporary parking permit for a moving van. Before my move to San Francisco, I had been astonished to discover that the citys Municipal Transportation Agency charges a minimum of $320 for the permit and requires a processing time of at least five business days. I wanted to comply with the citys rules, but the timeline and cost were prohibitive, effectively leaving me with no choice but to double-park my moving truck. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Based on your responses, Im far from the only one whos calculated that its easier and cheaper to bypass the permitting process than it is to follow it. As numerous readers and X users pointed out, the fine for double parking is $108, or about one-third the cost of getting a temporary parking permit. The moving company I hired a few years ago told me not to bother getting a permit because its cheaper to just pay the ticket if you get one, San Francisco resident Max Dubler posted on X (formerly Twitter). Why do the right thing and get the permit? Makes no sense, one reader wrote. Another noted that San Franciscos yearly residential parking permit costs just $170, about half the cost of a temporary permit. What a joke! the reader wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Michael Roccaforte, a San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency deputy spokesperson, told me in a statement that the double-parking fee is largely set by state vehicle code. He also noted that fee differences reflect the different amount of labor and materials involved for each permit. Nevertheless, the systems perverse incentives can make residents who do pay for the temporary parking permit feel ripped off. I found the permit info early enough to purchase it but was shocked by the $320 cost. I was expecting more like $50, a reader named Paul told me. I paid it and then later when I put up the signs and told the landlords, they said, Oh, tenants usually just double park. He added ruefully, Now I know what Ill be doing when I move out. A reader named Dru told me that when she moved from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco, I wanted to do the right thing, so I shelled out the $320 and put up my signs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But her efforts were brushed aside by the moving van driver, who said, Nah, Im gonna park over here, closer to your door. Cops dont ticket moving vans. And he was right, Dru said. Another reader, who asked that I not share her name, recounted how she paid $320 to reserve a parking spot in front of her Nob Hill building for her moving van. But on the day of the move, she discovered that the signs had been torn down and cars were parked in the space reserved for her van. She said that she called the Municipal Transportation Agency, which referred her to a parking control officer, who, in a Kafkaesque twist, told her the cars couldnt be towed because there were no signs indicating the spot was reserved. Two hours later, she said, the transit agency finally sent a worker to post new signs but by then shed already been forced to park the van elsewhere. I was charged $320 to park in front of my own apartment building for a product, curb space, that SF could not actually deliver! the resident told me. These stories which represent just a sliver of the responses I received underscore how small quality-of-life issues can pile up, eventually fomenting frustration deep enough that nearly 75% of residents said in a recent survey they feel San Francisco is on the wrong track. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theyre also a source of ammunition for candidates seeking to unseat Mayor London Breed in the November election. Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie blasted the $320 fee and lengthy permit process on X, declaring, This isnt just a headache, its a barrier to entry for new residents and yet another example of a system that favors process over outcomes. As mayor, I will streamline the permitting process so the government works for the people. Former San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell told me in a statement, Skyrocketing parking fees, lengthy processing times and unclear guidance are more stark reminders of the unnecessary bureaucracy plaguing the lives of San Franciscans on a daily basis. I will do everything in my power to ensure were not nickeling and diming residents and businesses. Breed has taken important steps to, as she put it in her recent State of the City speech, help San Francisco go from a city of no to a city of yes including slashing red tape and cost-prohibitive fees for housing developments and small businesses (although hurdles remain). Following my column, the mayor also directed the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to clarify the parking permit website and to improve the application process, Breed spokesperson Jeff Cretan told me. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Such changes are sorely needed. But they likely wont make much difference for San Franciscans unless those efficiencies are translated into significant cost reductions. Roccaforte, the transit agency spokesperson, said that while free or reduced permits would be nice, the agencys budget is limited and resources need to be used strategically. Yet the $320 price point is undermining the agencys strategy. The reader emails I received make clear that the majority of people are willing to pay for permits. They just dont want to feel like theyre being swindled. Republican Senate candidate Steve Garvey admires Ronald Reagan but did virtually nothing to emulate him other than color his hair similarly. Jack Ohman/The Chronicle In his 1939 farewell address at Yankee Stadium, Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig told the crowd that he considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth. In 2024, the luckiest first baseman in America is former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey. Garvey is now the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate facing Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, without raising money for television advertising or, really, much more than gas money driving around California with his son Ryan as his bodyman. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He can thank Schiff for his second-place finish because Schiff shoveled millions of dollars into elevating him as his true opponent. Ask Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee what their plans are now because of that political welfare check Schiff cut for Garvey. Porter was similarly inspired to try to run an ad propping up the hapless GOP Senate candidate Eric Early. Now that Garvey is in the runoff, its eminently clear that the so-called jungle primary is a poor idea whose time has passed. Its also clear that the California GOP is officially dead. Oh, the Republicans were running the table for decades in the Golden State. They produced major national figures by winning the governorship and U.S. Senate seats. Heres a quick list for those playing at home: Gov. Earl Warren, the 1948 GOP vice presidential nominee, as well as former presidents Richard Nixon (vice president, twice, and three times as presidential nominee) and Ronald Reagan. In fact, from 1948 until 1984, except for 1964 and 1976, there was a California Republican presidential or vice presidential nominee. Wow, thats so over. Californias Republicans now produce people like Garvey, who isnt quite the most recent silliest GOP candidate for statewide office thats goofy gubernatorial gadfly John Cox, who ran for just about every office while in Illinois (Cook County recorder of deeds, Congress, the U.S. Senate and president of the United States) and then ran for California governor. He is exponentially smarter than Garvey, who is obviously least prepared for the task. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garvey entered the race late, but he had been sniffing around the edges of politics for decades. He admired Reagan enormously but did virtually nothing to emulate him other than color his hair similarly. In contrast, Reagan, while not a great intellectual, took the time to steep himself in policy and politics for years. If you want to see Reagan in his prime, hit YouTube and type in Reagan and Robert F. Kennedy. There you will see verbally adept Reagan debating before the Oxford Union, standing toe-to-toe with a former attorney general and New York Senator with a real skillset. Garvey wouldnt even last 30 seconds against RFKs kooky scion Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Now all the California GOP can burp up is Garvey, who had utterly embarrassing debate performances against three accomplished members of Congress. Some Democratic operatives are already fretting that Garvey gives the GOP a strong candidate and that he could gin up turnout in a few congressional districts that Republicans hold. If the definition of strong is the ability to stand behind a lectern in a decent suit and tie, yeah, sure, Garvey is strong. Fantastic forearms, too. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But thats about all hes got. Hes as vaguely generic as a pharmaceutical commercial. When he speaks, its like hes trying to remember the English language word for everything he says. Its not that Garvey is dumb thats too harsh but hes obviously stunningly intellectually lazy, and thats worse. Consider these Garvey position statements: Energy: Lets get back to energy. The border crisis: Lets close the border. Crime: Lets enforce crime, crime on the streets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Homelessness: (Ive) touched them and listened to them. On voting for Trump: (I) will make that decision when the time comes. Oh, he also said the gravest threat to democracy is the deconstruction of the Constitution. I doubt Garvey could speak confidently about anything other than a batting order. If Garvey votes for Trump, and Trump gets his way, Garvey wont have to answer any more pesky questions about deconstructing the Constitution. Hell just be living it, a member of the Senate Politburo, rubber-stamping Trump bills. Garvey could probably function in that role, as it requires some eye-hand coordination. Hannah Arendt once wrote about the banality of evil, but Garvey is the evil of banality. His vagueness serves no one. Its just pathetic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garveys superpower in the primary was being in the right place at the right time. Now hell be lucky if Schiff does one debate with him on a 5,000-watt college public radio station, and Schiff is done writing checks. Hell be sending that money to Sen. Jon Tester of Montana and other tough-race Dems in nasty reelection fights. Schiff got what he wanted: the utterly hapless and completely unprepared Steve Garvey. One screenshot of his supposed tour schedule has been spread around more than the address of a house party back in year 11. It isnt confirmed in the slightest and its origins are unknown, but it schedules Fred to arrive in Auckland on Friday the 22nd of March and play two shows at Spark Arena on Tuesday the 26th and Wednesday the 27th. Bob Egelko has been a reporter since June 1970. He spent 30 years with the Associated Press, covering news, politics and occasionally sports in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, and legal affairs in San Francisco from 1984 onward. He worked for the San Francisco Examiner for five months in 2000, then joined The Chronicle in November 2000. His beat includes state and federal courts in California, the Supreme Court and the State Bar. He has a law degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and is a member of the bar. Coverage has included the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the appointment of Rose Bird to the state Supreme Court and her removal by the voters, the death penalty in California and the battles over gay rights and same-sex marriage. He can be reached at begelko@sfchronicle.com. The N 12th St.and Orchard Avenue building that hosts Subway and Jimmyz Hamburgers is one of multiple buildings purchased by Colorado Mesa University, with the school spending roughly $8.5 million to acquire buildings between Orchard Avenue to the north, Mesa Avenue to the south and 12th Street to the west. Map of Somalia locating the capital city of Mogadishu where Islamist militants on Thursday attacked a popular hotel near the presidential palace Russia is using the 'V' logo that is associated with its military campaign to promote the election A still pending legal settlement may lead homes in California to fall in price. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A real estate industry policy that critics accuse of making homes more expensive is set to end after an industry giant said Friday it will settle a lawsuit against it. The rule changes will likely cause many home buyers to pay their agents directly, instead of having the fee included in the sale price of the home, as is currently the standard practice. That could encourage sellers, who no longer have to account for commissions they pay to the buyers agent in their listing price, to sell their homes for slightly cheaper, a housing expert said. Real estate map: Home prices in every Bay Area city and ZIP code Advertisement Article continues below this ad A jury ruled in October that the National Association of Realtors, the United States largest trade group and a major political force, had violated federal antitrust law through its cooperative compensation policy. That policy requires its members, when listing a home publicly, to offer a commission to the buyers agent. The longstanding practice is to offer between 2.5% and 3% of the homes price usually around the same commission the sellers agent makes. At a price of $1.1 million, the value of a typical home in the San Francisco metropolitan area, those agent fees alone will often total roughly $66,000. But sellers usually include the cost in their listing price, passing it on to a buyer who has no way to negotiate the commission down. Thats changing. Realtors generally use multiple listing services, or MLS, to list and search for homes. As part of the settlement, which still needs to be approved by the court, NAR will ban MLS listings from including a compensation offer for the buyers agent. Sellers will still be able to offer buyers agents compensation, but it must happen through direct negotiations with the buyer. This means buyers agents cant direct clients to the listings that would get them the highest compensation, which was one of the arguments behind the lawsuit. The rule changes would not go into effect until mid-July, NAR said. But the result could be lower costs all around, according to Jenny Scheutz, a housing researcher at the Brookings Institution. Sellers will no longer have to pay for their buyers agent, which should mean they dont include that fee in the listing price. Buyers will have to pay for their own representation, but because theyll be compensating their agent directly, theyll be able to negotiate the cost. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats good news for both the buyers and the sellers, Scheutz said. Some sellers might try to shave off even more of their costs by listing their homes themselves, rather than using an agent, Scheutz said, though she expects that to be a viable option only in the most competitive markets. She also predicts some buyers agents will start offering a barebones service just writing the contract and meeting with the seller for around a 1% commission. In highly competitive markets like the Bay Area, she added, buyers might pay closer to the traditional commission to get the full suite of services an agent offers, such as knowing what homes will be available before theyre publicly listed. But home prices in those areas could also see the biggest cuts after the cooperative compensation rule ends. I think it really does depend on what buyers and sellers know and how empowered they feel to negotiate on the fees, Scheutz said. Daniel Winkler, who leads an East Bay housing brokerage, is more skeptical that the settlement will result in sweeping changes. He doesnt believe it will lead to cheaper housing, since sellers could charge the same amount but keep more of the money. And because buying a home in California is so complicated, he thinks most people will want an agent to help them through the process. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What will be different, Winkler said, is that agents will have to prove their services are worth paying for something he believes they havent done very well. I feel that buyer agents will need to (show) exactly what their value (is) in the transaction, just like a listing agent does, Winkler added. Home values in much of the Bay Area have risen over the past year, fueled by a dip in mortgage rates and pent-up demand. In some cities, such as San Jose, theyve jumped much more than the 3% buyers currently pay in agent fees. As part of the settlement, NAR continued to deny wrongdoing. It will pay $418 million over about four years, the organization said, far lower than the $1.8 billion in damages the lawsuit charged NAR and its co-defendants, real estate brokerage firms Keller Williams Realty and HomeServices of America. Keller Williams also settled the lawsuit in February, paying $70 million and ending a requirement that its agents be members of NAR. NAR has worked hard for years to resolve this litigation in a manner that benefits our members and American consumers, Nykia Wright, NARs interim CEO, said in a statement. It has always been our goal to preserve consumer choice and protect our members to the greatest extent possible. This settlement achieves both of those goals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stocks of several real estate companies, including Zillow, Redfin and Compass, tumbled after NAR announced its settlement. Seventy-eight protesters have been ordered to do five hours of community service and pay restitution to avoid criminal proceedings for allegedly blocking traffic on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge for hours in November to demand a cease-fire in Gaza This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Thursday, March 14, 2024 shows a new jetty is under construction on the Gaza coastline just south of Gaza City on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. A Grand Junction man who is serving life without parole in the murder of Thomas Huddleston and the attempted murder of his brother after the 2020 Super Bowl wont have to pay $619 in restitution on an unrelated conviction. In addition to serving sentences for first-degree murder and attempted murder, Christopher Rizo, now 33, later was found guilty of assaulting a Mesa County deputy by spitting in his face in 2021 while incarcerated on the murder charge. At his sentencing for that assault charge, for which Rizo was given an additional 4 years, there was no mention of paying restitution. Later, District Judge Lance Timbreza eventually issued a restitution order 115 days after Rizo was convicted and sentenced on the assault charge, well beyond the 91 days required for such an order to be valid, a three-judge panel of the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. As a result, the court vacated that restitution order. It does not impact Rizos $4,354 restitution order in the murder, nor the $14,813 in prosecution costs from his murder trial. There is no dispute that the restitution order in this case was entered more than 91 days after Rizo was sentenced, without a finding of good cause to extend that deadline, Judge Karl Shock wrote in the ruling, which was joined by Judges Anthony Navarro and W. Eric Kuhn. That would ordinarily be the end of the story. We would vacate the order, Shock added. The people nevertheless argue that the restitution order should be upheld because Rizos original sentence, which included no reference to restitution at all, was not authorized by law and thus subject to correction at any time. We disagree. By the time Rizo was being sentenced for assault, he had already been convicted of shooting Huddleston to death and wounding his brother, Bill Huddleston. The brothers, both truckers, had been watching the Super Bowl at a restaurant near the TA Express Truck Stop at 2222 U.S. Highway 6&50. Rizo had been kicked out of the restaurant for being belligerent toward guests and staff when he forced the brothers to their trucks in an attempt to rob them, according to court records. During trial, which also was overseen by Timbreza, prosecutors said Bill Huddleston tried to defend himself against Rizo, who shot him and then killed Thomas Huddleston. Rizo ultimately was convicted on six separate charges, including murder. He currently is serving his sentences at the Buena Vista Correctional Complex. U.S. Central Command conducts ninth humanitarian airdrop into Gaza U.S. Central Command Press Release | March 13, 2024 USCENTCOM March 13, 2024 Release Number 20240313 - 01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command conducted the ninth air drop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on March 13, 2024, at 1:17 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. The joint operation included two C-130s and one C-17 Globemaster III U.S. Air Force aircraft, and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance supplies. U.S. C-17 and C-130s dropped over 35,712 U.S. meal equivalents and 28,800 bottles of water into Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid. This was the first time a C-17 was used to deliver aid since the air dropping of humanitarian aid began on March 2, 2024. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on Advancing a Maritime Corridor to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza Ministerial Consultations US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson March 13, 2024 The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Republic of Cyprus, the European Commission, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar on Ministerial Consultations to Advance a Maritime Corridor to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza. Begin Text On March 13, Republic of Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Constantinos Kombos hosted U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken; European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic; UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron; UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Qatar Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag for a virtual ministerial to advance planning to open a maritime corridor to deliver much-needed additional humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea. The ministers agreed that there is no substitute to land routes via Egypt and Jordan and entry points from Israel into Gaza for aid delivery at scale. The ministers also agreed that opening Ashdod port to humanitarian assistance would be a welcome and significant complement to the corridor. The ministers committed to continue their engagement and send senior officials to the Republic of Cyprus during the week of March 18 for in-depth briefings on the further activation of the corridor, including U.S. military planning efforts to establish a temporary pier able to receive significant quantities of humanitarian assistance. Senior officials will also undertake consultations on the possibility of establishing a common fund to support the maritime corridor, and coordinate in-kind and financial contributions to its sustainment. The ministers reaffirmed that this maritime corridor can and must be part of a sustained effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial commodities into Gaza through all possible routes including expanded land routes and continued aerial delivery, working closely with Coordinator Sigrid Kaag who is charged with facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying the flow of aid into Gaza under UN Security Council Resolution 2720. The ministers underscored the need for Israel to open additional crossings so more aid can reach Gaza, including the North, and to ease overall customs restrictions to facilitate an increased flow of life-saving humanitarian assistance. End Text NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Combined Forces Complete 10th Humanitarian Airdrop into Gaza U.S. Central Command Press Release | March 14, 2024 USCENTCOM March 14, 2024 Release Number 20240314 - 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 14, 2024, at 11:57 a.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict. The combined joint operation included Jordanian provided food and a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. A U.S. C-130 dropped 13,900 meal equivalents, 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. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark disburses planned contribution to UNRWA Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark 14.3.2024 The DKK 105 million contribution will primarily support UNRWA's efforts to mitigate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The disbursement follows the initiation of a number of necessary UN measures, and decisions by like-minded such as Sweden and Canada, as well as the EU, to disburse aid to UNRWA. The UN has conducted a credible follow-up on the case of Israeli accusations regarding the participation of UNRWA employees in Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Among other things, the UN and UNRWA immediately dismissed the surviving employees under accusation and launched an urgent investigation into the matter by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). Furthermore, an external and independent investigation into UNRWA's control and supervision mechanisms is currently underway and will present recommendations on strengthening the organisation, including procedures for handling future accusations against employees of the organisation. UNRWA has also launched internal efforts to strengthen its existing control mechanisms. Against this background, countries such as Canada and Sweden, which had temporarily suspended their support to UNRWA, decided to resume the payment of new contributions. The EU has also disbursed its payments. Similarly, the Danish Government will disburse the Danish core contribution to UNRWA amounting to DKK 105 million. This contribution will support the organisation's programme initiatives for Palestine refugees in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, with a particular focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "The accusations against UNWRA have pointed to a number of organisational weaknesses in UNRWA's control mechanisms and handling of accusations. Denmark, like other countries, has engaged in close dialogue with UNRWA on how these weaknesses can be remedied. Given this dialogue, the follow-up by the UN, and the agreement we have entered into with UNRWA, we can now pay out the planned support as pledged. Our decision to disburse this payment is aligned with similar decisions by Sweden, the EU and Canada. The support comes at a time when the humanitarian situation is disastrous, and will help to support the life-saving humanitarian operation. There is currently no alternative to UNRWA in Gaza. In the longer term, it will be absolutely critical that important reform measures are initiated in the organisation," says Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jrgensen. UNRWA has entered into a bilateral agreement with Denmark to share information relating to the internal control of employees, strengthened control mechanisms, and the protection of Danish funds in the event of suspicion of an UNRWA worker's participation in the terrorist attack of 7 October. UNWRA has entered into similar agreements with Sweden and the EU. "The Danish Government urgently appeals for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. It is essential that we get more emergency aid on the ground as quickly as possible. If this effort is to succeed, UNRWA plays an indispensable role right now. It is probably too much to hope that all of the weak points of the organisation have disappeared, but the leadership has initiated a number of measures to restore trust. Therefore, in line with a number of like-minded countries, we have decided to disburse our planned contribution. Meanwhile, we are engaged in a wide range of other efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including support for the maritime humanitarian corridor and putting pressure on Israel to improve humanitarian access by land," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Lkke Rasmussen. Background Denmark has a strategic partnership with UNRWA and provides an annual core contribution of DKK 105 million. In addition to the core contribution, Denmark has also provided extraordinary support to UNRWA in times when the humanitarian situation has become significantly more critical. Under its mandate, UNRWA provides protection, schooling and health services for 5.6 million Palestine refugees. UNRWA thus helps to ensure basic services for Palestine refugees living in some of the most vulnerable areas of the Middle East, such as Gaza and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. UNRWA's scaled-up relief effort in Gaza and other regions builds on the organisation's existing structures and more than 5,000 employees in Gaza alone. On 26 January 2024, UNRWA notified Denmark and the other donors of accusations by Israel against 12 named UNRWA employees. At the time, Denmark had not yet disbursed its annual core contribution to UNRWA, which thus gave Denmark the opportunity to take stock of the UN's follow-up on the matter. Since the accusations, Denmark has engaged in close dialogue with UNRWA and UN leadership, as well as other donors, about the handling of the matter. On 1 March, the EU Commission announced that the planned support would be disbursed in two instalments. Canada has also resumed its support in response to the sharing of preliminary findings of the UN's internal investigation into UNRWA, and has announced its intention to pledge additional funding. Sweden has also announced the resumption of Swedish support. Norway, Spain and Ireland have maintained - and increased - their support to UNRWA throughout the process. According to the health authorities in Gaza, more than 30,800 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October and at least 72,400 injured, and 165 UNRWA workers have been killed. Approximately 1.7 million people are internally displaced in Gaza, corresponding to approximately 75% of the population. The majority are living in difficult, overcrowded and unhygienic conditions. The lack of security for aid workers and facilities, including health facilities and medical personnel, is a serious challenge. WFP estimates that the entire civilian population of Gaza is suffering critical food insecurity, and that one in four families are suffering extreme food insecurity and at risk of starvation. Around 90% of children under the age of 5 are sick. According to figures from UNICEF, approximately 81% of households lack adequate access to clean water. In 2023, Denmark gave a total of DKK 171. million in humanitarian aid to UNRWA. No aid payments have been disbursed to UNRWA in 2024 before now. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 14, 2024 Transcript Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Conference DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Hey. Hi, everyone. Good afternoon. Just a few things here at the top, and then happy to jump in and take questions. So on Monday, Secretary Austin will depart for Germany where he and the Chairman, Chairman C.Q. Brown, Jr., will host the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base. The Secretary and the Chairman will join ministers of defense and senior military officials from nearly 50 nations around the world to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and reiterate that the United States and this coalition continue to stand with the people of Ukraine, and that we will not let Ukraine fail in its war to defend themselves against Russian aggression. Separately, Secretary Austin today announced that Dr. Radha Plumb will serve as the department's next chief digital and artificial intelligence officer. Dr. Plumb currently serves as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for acquisition and sustainment, and during her time, has worked to address critical acquisition matters in defense of our nation, including maintaining and strengthening a robust national security industrial base and supply chains. Dr. Plumb's expertise will enhance the CDAO's innovative efforts and help accelerate the department's adoption of data, analytics and A.I. to generate decision advantage. On behalf of the department, we also want to thank Dr. Craig Martel for serving as the first CDAO over the past two years. Dr. Martel and the CDAO team brought together diverse talents and cultures of four organizations to advance data, A.I. and analytics for America's national security and deliver tangible results in a short period of time. Also today, Secretary Austin and Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Spruds met here at the Pentagon, where they discussed regional bilateral defense issues, NATO's deterrence capabilities and the situation in Ukraine. They highlighted the importance of alliance unity, defense production and Latvia's increased defense spending and contributions to NATO. The meeting underscored a continued U.S.-Latvian cooperation ahead of the 75th anniversary NATO Summit here in Washington, D.C. later this year. Shifting gears, I just want to take a moment today to highlight the inclusion of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 in the minibus funding package that President Biden recently signed. As a result, our national security priorities in the Pacific and economic assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau, will now extend well into the 2040s. The compacts ensure that the United States, and only the United States, can maintain a military presence in the freely-associated states. Also because of the compact, citizens from these three partners are able to serve in the U.S. military, which they do at high rates, and we're incredibly grateful for their service. As you heard the Department earlier this year, extending the compacts was one of the most important things Congress could do to help drive our Indo-Pacific strategy, and thanks to the leadership of this administration, hard work across the interagency and a strong bipartisan majority in Congress, we got it done together. Also in the Indo-Pacific this week, in Thailand, the 15th iteration of Exercise Hanuman Guardian began with 2,000 soldiers of the Royal Thai Army and U.S. Army Pacific. A.G. '24 is designed to enhance Stryker-centric training, long-range artillery, bilateral aviation, medical and battle staff capabilities. A strong, forward-looking U.S.-Thai defense alliance helps foster a free and open Indo-Pacific region where all countries enjoy peace and prosperity. And for more information, I would direct you to Army Pacific Public Affairs. And finally, Secretary Austin will go to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center tomorrow afternoon for a scheduled routine follow-up appointment with his doctors. The Secretary continues to recover well from his medical treatment earlier this year, and you can expect that he'll be conducting these types of follow-on checkups from time to time. We will be sure to keep you updated regarding any significant developments as appropriate. And with that, I'm happy to take your questions. I think we have Lita Baldor, A.P., on the phones with us right now. Q: Hi, Sabrina. Thank you very much. Just two quick things on Haiti. General Richardson this morning talked about plans for a NEO (non-combatant evacuation). Can you say what, if anything, the Pentagon is doing right now to prepare for any potential NEO? And has there been any request yet for the Pentagon to do anything? And separately, can you tell us if there's any actual planning or preparations going on right now at Guantanamo for any possible migrants to flow there? MS. SINGH: Thanks, Lita, for your questions. I think you're referring to the General Richardson's testimony on the Hill. So right now, the embassy in Port-au-Prince remains open. We did enhance our security posture there over the weekend and earlier this week, but the embassy continues to remain open at this time. As you can appreciate, we are a planning organization, but that's not something that, you know, we are planning for right now. I would direct you to the State Department for further guidance or more answers to your questions about the embassy, specifically. But again, our mission right now with the personnel that are on the ground is to shore up security at the embassy, and we were able to remove some nonessential personnel, but that's our main focus at this time. In terms of any requests at Guantanamo Bay, we are certainly in touch with the Department of Homeland Security, with the State Department. I don't have anything to preview right now at this time, but should that change, we'd certainly keep you updated. Yes, Jen? Q: Sabrina, the Army found $300 million and spare change for weapons to Ukraine. Are the other services going to find something similar? And will we hear about those weapons this week? MS. SINGH: If there is a any other contracts that come in under bid, we would certainly let you know, but this does happen but it was a unique circumstance. And given what's happening on the battlefield in Ukraine, the fact that they are having to, you know, fortify their defensive lines and having to give up some territory in order to do that, the Secretary, the President felt that it was important to use this you know, these contracts that came in under bid in order to supply a PDA package, an emergency one. Q: But it's only the Army that had these contracts that were under bid? MS. SINGH: It's only the Army right now. Again, if there are any other contracts that come in under bid, we'd certainly keep you updated. Q: And has the administration finally decided to provide ATACMS, the longer-range weapons, to Ukraine, given the delay of five months of weapons that they need? MS. SINGH: Yeah, I don't have anything to announce from here today. I think we on our website, on Defense.gov, you can see a breakdown of some of the items that are included in the package, but I just don't have anything more to speak to at this time. Joseph, yeah? Q: Thanks. Two questions, one on the Houthis. This morning, the White House earlier today, the White House said that there's no indication that they have had access to a hypersonic weapon. MS. SINGH: Yeah. Q: And do you guys, you know, agree with that assessment? One. But two, are you concerned, is the department concerned that these strikes that the U.S. has been carrying out since January have not deterred them from their attacks in the Red Sea? One. And two, if are you guys concerned that these attacks may have, you know, forced the Houthis to look at expanding their capabilities in different manners? MS. SINGH: So on the first one, I think you're referring to reports out there that they have used a hypersonic, and I can tell you that that is inaccurate. We have no indication that they even have that capability. Second, to your point on just deterrence in the region, I mean, again, look, we are going to continue to conduct these dynamic strikes. We feel confident that we continue to degrade the Houthis' capabilities. But we know that they have they still continue to get access and are provided weapons and capabilities and support by Iran. That support continues. We haven't seen that lag in any way. And we know that they have these sophisticated weapons and systems. But we're going to continue to support what we're doing through Operation Prosperity Guardian to make sure that commercial ships can continue to transit that very important waterway, which is the Red Sea, and we're also going to defend our interests while doing so. Q: Is the Department looking at increasing not capabilities but efforts to cut the re-supply of these weapons from Iran? MS. SINGH: We continue to look for ways. I mean, you've seen CENTCOM lead some interdiction efforts, but, you know, there are other ways that Iran is able to supply the Houthis. But we continue to monitor how they get weapons. But beyond that, I wouldn't get into a further intelligence assessment. Sure. Q: ... CNN reported, I think yesterday, that the U.S. military has finished an additional review of the Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 American service members. Can you share anything about that investigation or the results of it? MS. SINGH: I don't have anything to share at this time. That is the additional review that CENTCOM led. I believe they will be briefing families. So I'm not going to get ahead of that. Once that's concluded, of course we will share the results. Natasha? Yeah. Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Can you give us an update on the Besson? Has it arrived in the Eastern Med yet to start those efforts to construct the pier and the causeway? And also, do you have any more updates on kind of how this operation is going to look, in terms of the security that's going to be, you know, in Gaza helping with the distribution of the aid once this is all up and running, or anything else you can tell us about how this is going to actually look once it's set up? MS. SINGH: Yeah, so in regards to the Besson, I'm not aware that she's on station yet. I believe most of the ships are have left or will be departing in the coming days. Again, as we announced I believe it was last Friday General Ryder was up here announcing our efforts to establish this floating pier from when he announced, it was going to be approximately 60 days. So doing the math, it's just over 50 days now, and that's for when ships will actually arrive on site and be able to construct this floating pier, but I'm not aware that they're there yet. In terms of your second question on aid distribution I think that's yeah... Q: ... (inaudible). MS. SINGH: Right. So still working through that. We are in, of course, communication with the IDF, with other partners in the region on what aid distribution would look like, what security around this floating pier would look like. I don't have an update for you at this time just yet. When we get closer to announcing something, we'll certainly keep you updated. Q: ... and shifting gears for one sec, the Department of Defense today announced that they were examining that balloon that was found by fishermen off the coast of Alaska. MS. SINGH: Yeah. Q: Do you have any updates on when that review might be complete or any preliminary indications of what the balloon was for example, if it's a spy balloon? MS. SINGH: No indications yet. It's something that, you know, the department is reviewing right now, at this time, and, you know, being able to exploit some of the details of what we're finding. But I just don't have more information at this time. When we are ready to share that, I'm sure we will. Konstantin? Q: Thanks, Sabrina. So as far as the Navy's amphibious ability is concerned, the USS Boxer has been delayed from deploying for several months now. I think just in the last few days, the USS Wasp, which is undergoing a maintenance period, had to limp back into port. You know, and this is all happening as we're talking about a possible NEO in Haiti. So, I mean, very broadly, I guess my question is does Secretary Austin have faith in the Navy's ability to maintain its fleet of amphibious ships? MS. SINGH: The Secretary absolutely has confidence in the Navy. I would direct you to the Navy for, you know, more updates on specific ships. I just don't have that in front of me. But the Secretary is very confident in the Navy and its abilities to be able to conduct whatever mission is tasked, that they're able to do it. Q: And have just a quick follow-up so have there been any impacts on any of the recent missions as a result of maintenance issues with the Navy? MS. SINGH: For more maintenance details, I would direct you to the Navy, but not to my knowledge. Q: Thanks. MS. SINGH: Janne? Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Nice to see you. And regarding in the Freedom Shield, the U.S. and South Korea military joint exercises, and why were U.S. strategic assets not allowed to participate in this exercise? MS. SINGH: I'm not aware of the exercise that you're referring to. I'd refer you to... (CROSSTALK) MS. SINGH: I'm not sure I'd refer you to INDOPACOM for more for more information on that. Yeah. Q: ... one on Ukraine the Ukraine government announced that most of North Korean weapons used by Russia were defective. Is North Koreans still supplied by the do you think that North Korea's still supply these weapons to Russia? MS. SINGH: I can't speak to their effectiveness. We haven't done an assessment of that. But what I can tell you is that we know that Russia continues to look to partners, like North Korea, like Iran, to seek more weapons in its ongoing war with Ukraine. How effective those are, I just don't have an assessment for you, but it's very clear that Russia has further isolated itself on the world stage, and going to these allies to or going to these partner countries that, you know, Russia seeks relationships with is certainly stands in stark opposition to what the United States has convened, which is the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which has, you know, almost 50 countries and allied nations, part of that helping support Ukraine. Q: On the 155mm artillery shells, do you still want South Korea provide 155mm to surge to Ukraine? MS. SINGH: We support any partner or allied country that would support Ukraine in whatever security assistance it needs. 155mm rounds are certainly something that we know Ukraine needs on the battlefield. And since you gave me the opportunity, I'm going to take it to make a plug for Congress to pass our urgent supplemental request that we still don't have. And as you know, we've provided an emergency $300 million package just earlier this week on Tuesday, but that is not sustainable. Obviously, that was something that contracts came under bid, and we were able to provide an emergency PDA to Ukraine. But we really need Congress not only to fully authorize and fund this department with our FY '24 budget request; we need the urgent supplemental request also funded, and we're heading into FY '25 budget season, so we're also going to need that funded. Carla? Q: Hey, can (inaudible). Speaker Johnson has suggested to make this assistance to Ukraine a loan or lend-lease type of program. Does the Pentagon think that that's a viable option? MS. SINGH: Look, I know negotiations are ongoing in Congress. I'm not going to get ahead of those. Right now, what we need is a supplemental. A nation like Ukraine that's going through a war, I think it's going to be very hard, obviously, for a country like that to, you know, repay these loans, but that's something that would have to obviously be worked out with not just the Department of Defense, but the State Department, with the White House. So I'll just leave it at that. Q: And then one more follow, and then I do have a question, too, but... MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: When you you told Lita, you said we were a planning organization. But a NEO is not something we are planning for right now. You were referencing the NEO. Did you mean that the Pentagon is not planning for a NEO right now? Or did you mean that the State Department has not tasked the Pentagon with executing a NEO right now? MS. SINGH: We have not been tasked with executing a NEO. Again, the embassy is fully up and running right now, open in Port-au-Prince. Yes, we have installed additional security personnel there to reinforce our security posture there, but that's all they're doing, is just securing the embassy. We plan for a range of contingencies. I don't have anything more to share today. Q: OK, and then my last question is on Turkey's president. President Erdogan has said that Ankara is going to be able to hopefully recoup $1.4 billion that it paid for the F-35s. It was blocked from buying those. Can you provide us any sort of update on that? Can you confirm that that will happen? What's going on with those talks now between Turkey and the U.S.? MS. SINGH: I don't have any update on that. I'd direct you to the State Department. Yeah? Yes. Q: Me? MS. SINGH: Over to you. Yes. Yeah. Unless you don't have a question. Q: Regarding U.S. forces in Syria, is there any change in their positions? MS. SINGH: No, there's no been no posture changes. Q: A follow-up. So there's no plant to withdraw from Syria? MS. SINGH: I have no updates to announce. There's been no changes to our force posture in Syria or Iraq. Q: You know, I'm asking this because according to some reports, Russia and Syrian governments are coordinating to (inaudible) that others with Iraq. MS. SINGH: Yeah, I cannot confirm those reports. Again, our posture hasn't changed. Our mission in Syria and Iraq remains to ensure the continuing defeat of ISIS. I have no posture changes to announce today. Yeah? Go ahead. Q: Thank you, Sabrina. So I asked about this on Tuesday, and I thought maybe we could just get some more clarity. So in terms of the port, the temporary port that's being constructed, it would seem from the perspective of the U.S. taxpayer who's funding that and the civilians in Gaza who now have to wait 60 days to get the aid, that it would seem more logistically to make sense to use a port either in Egypt or Israel and bring the aid through. So why are we constructing a port instead of doing those two things? MS. SINGH: Yeah, no, I appreciate the question, and you're not going to get much more of a different answer than you got on Tuesday. But to clarify, this is a floating pier with a causeway. And in terms of other access points, this is what the U.S. military deemed as the most efficient way to get aid in with our capabilities, and that's why that decision was made. Ryo? Q: More efficient than, you know, how could it take 60 days to get, you know, items from Israel and just drive them down? MS. SINGH: Well, we fully support the entry ports on the crossings like on land to allow aid to flow more freely in. That's something that we continue to pressure. You've seen that in some of the Secretary's readouts with Minister Gallant, that we continue to want to see humanitarian aid increase into Gaza. The best way to do that is by land options. Those are clearly, you know, not viable at this time. And so at the direction of the president, he directed more aid to flow into Gaza, to the Palestinian people, so we started conducting airdrops, and now, we're conducting a floating pier. Q: To go further then, (inaudible)... MS. SINGH: Yeah, can I... Q: ... why not demand that from the government of Israel, who we're, you know, paying billions to support their war? MS. SINGH: We have very direct conversations with the IDF and at all levels of government with the Israeli government. Ryo? Q: Yeah, thank you, Sabrina. The President essentially opposed the Japanese companies sponsored by U.S. Steel the morning. So does the Pentagon assess that Japanese investment in the U.S. could be a national security concern for the United States? MS. SINGH: I don't have anything more for you on that, Ryo. I'm sorry. I'd direct you to the White House. I know they spoke to this earlier today. Q: As I understood, it's the Pentagon called for more integrated defense supply chain with allies and partners. MS. SINGH: Yeah. Q: So how concerned is the Pentagon that the U.S. opposition to this steel deal with Japan could have broader negative impact on the Pentagon's incentives to increase the defense industrial cooperation with Japan? MS. SINGH: We certainly value our relationship with the Japanese government. We work closely with them, whether it be in exercises or in other ways, through commercial economic aspects. For this specific question, when it comes to this deal that you're referencing, I just don't have more information for you on that. That's sort of out of the Department of Defense. I'd refer you to the White House. Yeah, Tom? Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Following up on the Haiti evacuations... MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: ... of nonessential U.S. personnel from the embassy, there was, over last couple days, also the evacuation of private U.S. citizens from more remote parts of Haiti helped facilitated in part by the U.S. military. I'm wondering, to the best of your knowledge, how does that work? In other words, who comes to the Pentagon and asks for that support? I know you guys don't initiate that. That would I couldn't figure that out. I couldn't find that out. How does that work, please? MS. SINGH: So I'm not tracking any citizens within Haiti that need like, from further remote parts that needed evacuation. That's something that, like, if you are an American citizen in a country that needs, whether it be assistance, that would go through the State Department. But the personnel that left with some of our servicemembers were embassy personnel, nonessential personnel. Q: Your it's to your understanding that the military has not helped evacuate we're not talking about embassy people or those associated with the embassy. MS. SINGH: Right. Q: To your understanding, the military has not evacuated any other... MS. SINGH: My understanding, that's correct. Q: OK. MS. SINGH: It's just embassy personnel. Q: Thank you. MS. SINGH: Yeah. (inaudible), yeah. Q: (inaudible). I have questions on Osprey. MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: Yesterday, U.S. Forces Japan resumed Osprey flights in Japan. First, do you know if the U.S. military resumed Osprey flights somewhere other than Japan after they lifted grounding? MS. SINGH: I don't. I would direct you to the services to speak to that, on where other flights have taken off from. Q: And secondly, in local communities in Japan, there are such concerns that there is not enough efficient explanation about the cause of the Osprey crash last year. So what would be your response to such concerns? MS. SINGH: Well, the Secretary had a call with his Japanese counterpart yesterday, and I think we've put out a readout of this. At the end of the day, this was a decision that the services made, that these Ospreys are able to fly. The Secretary has confidence in the services' ability to conduct an investigation into what happened but also on the ability for our service members to fly these Ospreys. And so I would refer you to the services to speak more broadly on, you know, any in-depth investigations or incidents that you're referring to, but the Secretary certainly has confidences in NAVAIR and what they were able to do. I'm going to go the phones and then I'm happy to come back in the room. Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose? Q: Thank you. Is the United States sending ships, aircraft, and other assets to the Caribbean in case they are needed? MS. SINGH: Yeah, Jeff, at this time, right now, we are not. Of course, if asked by DHS or the State Department, if we need to, we can certainly surge assets to any region that might need help. But at this time, again, our focus I think you're referring to Haiti our focus right now is just on making sure that our personnel in the embassy are safe, and that's why you've seen an increase in our security posture there. OK, and I'll take one more from the phone. Heather, USNI? Q: Hi, thanks so much. Just to follow up on the Red Sea, with (inaudible), you in terms of the what the Houthis have been doing, we now have had ships sink, three people killed, and then another attack with about 28 different drones. So it seems like it's escalating. So in terms of the deterrence, I know that you said you're continuing to work on it, but is the U.S. concerned that its deterrence is not working? And then a quick question about weapons being sent to Israel. Given that there's been so many casualties among civilians, has the U.S. and the Department of Defense, you know, said, "hey, you know, Israel, we're no longer going to be sending you these weapons unless you start being better about not killing innocent civilians"? MS. SINGH: Thanks, Heather, for the question. So right now, the Department's priorities still continue to be supporting Israel in its fight against the terrorist organization Hamas. So that does include security assistance, and that is through FMF and FMS. But as you are seeing, this department is working around the clock to also provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, whether that be through aid drops and I think I want to say we're we had our 10th one this morning and then of course the floating pier that we will be setting up that will be off the coast of Gaza, that will be able to get whether it be meals, water, whatever else the people need, be able to flow that into Gaza at a more regular rate. In terms of your question on the Red Sea, again, we're under no impression that we have completely wiped off the map all of the Houthis' capabilities. We know that they continue to have a robust arsenal, they continue to threaten commercial shipping. I would put the question back onto you though and you know, when you're thinking about this, is that every time the Houthis strike a commercial ship or threaten that passageway, they are endangering commerce in the region, they are putting at risk 12 to 15 percent of the world's commerce that flow through. That doesn't just impact the United States, that doesn't just impact Israel, that affects the entire world, including the people in Yemen. And so like you mentioned with the Rubymar that was recently that they did hit and that was (sunk), that was carrying pounds and pounds of fertilizer, not to mention oil that is now leaking out into the Red Sea that's going to cause an environmental disaster right in their backyard. So it's up to them to make the calculation on when they decide to stop these attacks. I can tell you that the United States military, in conjunction with our partners and allies, will continue to hold the Houthis accountable. Yes, Jen? Q: Sabrina, is it your assessment or the Pentagon's assessment that the Iranian spy ship that is back in the Gulf of Aden is assisting with the targeting that the Houthis when they fire these missiles or drones? And if so, is it a legitimate target? MS. SINGH: Yeah, I'm not going to get into our intelligence assessments. This ship has been there for many years, long before this conflict, you know, sort of started in the Red Sea. It's a ship that, you know, rotates out with other Iranian ships. They obviously have equities in the region. So we're fully aware of its ability to operate there, but beyond that, I just wouldn't be able to speak to that. Q: ... aside from Djibouti after the U.S. and Britain started attacking Houthi sites in Yemen ... MS. SINGH: Yeah. Q: ... it left, it returned. Is it involved with is it a legitimate target? MS. SINGH: Yeah no, I appreciate the question, I'm just not going to get it further into that. Thank you, Jen. Yes? And then come back over here. Q: ... you, Sabrina. So completely different topic. Last month, I asked you about Sentinel, the Air Force program that's under review. The 2025 budget includes funding for this program. So is that, like, getting ahead of the review? Is that saying the program's already cleared? MS. SINGH: I would direct you to the Air Force for more specifics on that. I just don't have that in front of me. I just don't have anything to add. Yeah. Yes, last question? Q: Thank you, Sabrina. My question will be about the defense budget review that published by the DOD. One specific part, especially a graphic, catch my attention. It's about 2024's budget, the Fiscal Year 2024. It says the supplemental's under the supplementals, Ukraine has $44 billion of aid, which is fighting a nuclear power country like Russia with its tanks and planes and everything. On the other hand, the help to Israel is $10 billion, a quarter of that amount that you are spending for army that fights a conventional, proper army. Can we can you give us a breakdown of this amount? Is that including the annual $3 billion aid as well? MS. SINGH: I don't have a breakdown in front of me. OMB of course that website has our budget breakdown, and you saw the Secretary and others testify on the Hill on FY '24. And of course, we still don't have that budget approved. Now we're moving to FY '25. What I can tell you is that we can do many things at once. We can continue to support Ukraine with what it needs on the battlefield through security assistance, we can continue to support Israel, one of our longstanding allies, in its fight against Hamas. And one of the things that the budget of course is guided by our NDS, which of course always keeps an eye on our pacing challenge in the Indo-Pacific, which is the PRC. But for a larger budget breakdown, look, I just don't have all of that in front of me. I would direct you to OMB's website. Q: And for the ... MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: ... the aid ship that is going to Gaza, you just said south of Gaza you will put the pier (sic) at the south of Gaza. Is that ... MS. SINGH: I don't think I said a location. No I don't think I did. If I did, I did not intend to. We don't have a location yet. That's not something that we're going to speak publicly to yet. It's not a ship, just to correct you there. It's a pier that we'll be able to it's a Trident pier that will of course be able to be, you know, basically breach into the beachhead, and then we'll have a floating pier further off-site that will allow for ships and cargo to basically go there and then be transited to that floating causeway. Yeah. All right yeah, one more question? Yeah? Q: ... is the is the U.S. military still conducting ISR operational flights over Gaza to help Israel? MS. SINGH: We continue to work with the Israeli government in trying to free those hostages. One of the things that we were doing is flying some of that ISR. But beyond that, I just don't have more for you. Yeah? Q: ... the Department is currently doing? MS. SINGH: I'm not going to speak to what we're currently doing, but we are of course assisting in any hostage recovery and rescue that we can do. One of the things that you heard us speak to at the very beginning was flying ISR, but I just don't have more for you on that. And I'm sorry, I thought I had seen Anne, and then maybe your question got answered. Q: ... follow-up earlier on ... MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: ... Marines in Haiti. I mean, if you can say anything more about their mission there? And sorry if this has been asked before, but has the reason why the Marines aren't involved in an evacuation of U.S. citizens in Haiti, is there any reason for that, other than the White House has not asked? Is there any ... MS. SINGH: That's not their mission right now. Their mission is to secure and, you know, make sure that our embassy personnel are safe. Obviously, the environment continues to change in Haiti. What we want to see here and I know my colleagues at the State Department can speak to this much better but we want to see, you know, governance restored, security restored in Haiti. Until that happens, we also need to protect our personnel. That's just what they're doing. They're just there at the embassy. Should they be tasked with something different, of course they would be able to respond, but right now, their mission is just to secure that embassy. Q: ... Do you know how many Americans are in Haiti right now, beyond the embassy personnel? MS. SINGH: I don't. That would be something that the State Department might be able to help with. All right, thanks, everyone. Yeah? Q: I just want to be absolutely clear on your response to me to the best of your knowledge, no U.S. military personnel has helped evacuate any U.S. citizens beyond those at the embassy? MS. SINGH: To the best of my knowledge, it has been embassy personnel that non-essential personnel that have left. And of course I would direct you to SOUTHCOM for more information on, you know, our presence there. But again, the folks that are on the ground right now are just there to ensure the security of the embassy. Q: Thank you. MS. SINGH: All right, thank you. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3707825/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 14, 2024 Transcript Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds to the Pentagon SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Well, good morning. Good morning, Mr. Minister, and welcome to the Pentagon. I had a great visit to Riga in 2022, so I'm glad to be able to return the favor and host you here today. You're here at a vital time for European security and global security. Two years ago, Putin launched his all-out invasion of Ukraine, and he assumed that Ukraine's friends would give in. But instead, we still stand strong against Putin's aggression. And together we're helping Ukraine fight back against the Kremlin's war of choice. And we must not let up. Now, Latvia has given Ukraine tremendous support, including both security assistance and humanitarian aid. In fact, relative to the size of your economy, you're among the top contributors of military assistance to Ukraine. Latvia is donating more than 1 percent of GDP to help Ukraine defend itself. And that just proves that countries of all sizes can make a big difference to all of our security. Let me also commend Latvia for your investments in your own defensive capabilities. And this includes your recent purchases of HIMARS and naval strike missiles, as well as your defense systems. Now, these systems are crucial for your security and for NATO's collective deterrence and defense. We just welcomed Sweden as NATO's 32nd member. So, I should note that Latvia graciously hosts NATO forces, and we'll continue to maintain a persistent rotational presence of U.S. forces in the Baltics. The United States remains fully committed to the defense of Latvia. And our commitment to NATO and to Article 5 remains ironclad. So, thanks again for making the trip today, Mr. Minister. We couldn't ask for a better ally or friend. And I look forward to a great discussion. Over to you, sir. DEFENSE MINISTER ANDRIS SPRUDS: Mr. Secretary, thank you so much for welcoming me, welcoming us. It is a great pleasure. I highly appreciate the visit and to meet you and exchange thoughts. You, of course, the United States have taken a leading role in unifying the alliance and, of course, supporting Ukraine. You, personally -- we're also very grateful for your personal leadership in this regard, for your support for uniting the alliance in our support for -- supporting Ukraine. Yes, of course, we are facing quite a number of challenges. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is a major challenge. And, of course, in this situation, we support Ukraine as much as we can. And of course, we should stand also unified and united. NATO has proven its viability again, with a strong U.S. leadership. And of course, also, Sweden and Finland joining, I think this is also just once more a demonstration that our alliance is strong and efficient and is willing to deal with those different challenges, the global ones and regional ones. Of course, the continued for Ukraine is absolutely indispensable and instrumental. And I think we've done a lot together. Of course, Latvia believes that the steady, unwavering support, continued support, absolutely must be there. And we've done a considerable part, of course, how we can contribute, but of course, again, the U.S. and your personal leadership has been highly valued and very, very instrumental and important. Yes, of course we believe that also such aggressive countries like Russia could be contained, that we should be united in front of dictatorships, dictatorships such as Russia. And of course, here, I think the alliance once more has proven its unity and its efficiency. Latvia, of course, is doing our important homework to contribute to the strengths of the alliance, of course, for our own defenses, but we do it together with our indispensable allies, of course with our NATO allies. The NATO presence in Latvia is extremely important, and it is also, of course, showing the NATO flag is important, but at the same time, among allies, we very much appreciate our partnership with the United States. The United States presence in Latvia is, again, very instrumental for us. The United States is an indispensable nation. We have a trans-Atlantic linkage, and of course we are happy to be here once more to strengthen, underline and add additional momentum to our, I think, very productive, very strong, very solid partnership which has been established. But, of course, we are very much looking, also, for additional opportunities, even, to strengthen it more. So, thank you so much, once more, Mr. Secretary, for welcoming us, for hosting us, and of course for, also, your leadership once more. So, thank you. SEC. AUSTIN: Again, Mr. Minister, thank you so much for coming. We're delighted to have you. And we look forward to a great discussion. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3707349/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 14, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Spruds Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Latvian Minister of Defence, Andris Spruds, at the Pentagon today. The two leaders exchanged views on several regional and bilateral defense issues, including the importance of Alliance unity and continuing to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine. The two leaders also spoke about ways to strengthen NATO's credible deterrence and defense capabilities; the need for expanded defense production to continue supporting Ukraine, replenish Allied munitions and equipment stocks, and meet the increased requirements of the defense plans adopted at the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius; and U.S. and Latvian cooperation on Indo-Pacific issues. Minister Spruds highlighted Latvia's commitment to further boost defense spending to 3 percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2027, its work on the Drone Capability Coalition, and its support for visiting U.S. and NATO deployed forces. The Secretary lauded Latvia's steadfast commitment and many contributions to the Alliance and efforts to ensure the security of NATO and its Eastern Flank. Secretary Austin and Minister Spruds affirmed their commitment to continuing to work closely together in the lead up to the 75th anniversary NATO Summit in July in Washington, D.C. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3707289/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Workers lay down the planned roads and sidewalks on the construction site of the Potrero Power Station project site in San Francisco in October. The site could welcome the expansion of UCSF. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2023 UCSF is in advanced talks to become the anchor tenant in the redevelopment of the Potrero Power Station, the ambitious mixed-use expansion of San Franciscos Dogpatch onto 21 acres of formerly industrial land on the waterfront. While any deal has to be signed off by the University of California Board of Regents, UCSF is looking at opening a clinic, precision cancer center and health tech incubator on block 2, a 50,000-square-foot parcel directly across a paseo from the first building to break ground at the defunct power plant, a 105-unit affordable housing complex. There is more due diligence to complete and approvals from the UC regents to obtain, but we are hopeful that we can move forward with this unique opportunity at Power Station, said Brian Newman, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of UCSF Real Estate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although the details are still in flux, the building would likely be upward of 130 feet and about 300,000 square feet. It would be designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the international architecture firm based in Switzerland, which is designing several of the buildings slated for the former power station redevelopment. The Power Station redevelopment, which was approved in 2020, will eventually include 2,600 housing units, 1.6 million square feet of commercial space and a 250-room hotel. Construction continues on the Potrero Power Station project site in San Francisco, as seen last year. The site will house a combination of residential, commercial and office buildings as well as a hotel and water transit dock. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2023 If the project goes forward, UCSF could play a similar role at the Power Station as it has a few blocks to the north at Mission Bay. There, its decision to put a hospital and research campus on former railyards became the catalyst of a neighborhood that now is home to more than 10,000 residents, dozens of tech and biotech companies as well as the Golden State Warriors. Enrique Landa, who leads the project for Associate Capital, said his group has been eager to keep the momentum going after construction started last fall on the Sophie Maxwell Building, the low-income complex that will be the first structure to open in the neighborhood. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These large projects are kind of like sharks: if they dont keep moving they die, Landa said. Landa said he hopes that the regents would vote on the deal in the fall and construction could start in the summer of 2025. He said the due diligence is still ongoing, but the Power Station has always viewed UCSF as the ideal anchor tenant. For me, it really is an opportunity to promote what UCSF cares about, which is healing, teaching and discovery, Landa said. Developer Enrique Landa said that he hopes the construction on a UCSF expansion at the site of the former Potrero Power Plant will start in summer 2025. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The potential deal comes as the Potrero Power Station construction crews are ahead of schedule on the project, which has been progressing with lightning speed compared to other mega-projects such as the Hunters Point Shipyard, Pier 70 or Parkmerced, all of which are stalled more than a decade after winning approvals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In contrast, less than four years after the Board of Supervisors approved the Power Station, a new seawall has been built, neighborhoods streets and sidewalks are under construction, and the foundation has been poured on the 105-unit affordable building. Landa said the hope is to start work soon on the neighborhoods first park: a piazza that will be centered around the 300-foot concrete chimney that is one of several historic buildings from the power plant being preserved. We have housing going, weve got commercial potentially happening and now we want to start with the waterfront park, Landa said. We are advancing evenly with community benefits, housing and commercial. Attorney J.R. Eppler, president of the group Potrero Boosters, said the neighborhood has always conceived of the Power Station as a location where institutional uses such as UCSF and life sciences would be able to expand. A new sea wall is under construction during development of the Potrero Power Station project site in San Francisco in October. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2023 These large waterfront developments serve as a relief valve for that kind of expansion, Eppler said. The neighborhood can retain its small-scale residential and retail character while the big floorplates are developed on the large sites on the bay. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supervisor Shamann Walton, who represents the neighborhood, said he supports UCSFs potential expansion into the Power Station. As we continue to build more housing in District 10 to meet state goals, and as we continue to increase vibrancy in the southeast sector of San Francisco, having UCSF interested in developing life science opportunities at the power station is an added plus, Walton said. The opportunity for community benefits, long term employment, and the higher education connection is appealing. Mayor London Breed said, I am especially excited about expanding health care in this part of the city. UCSF has played a huge role in San Franciscos public health care and as a leader in innovation for more than a century and I cant think of a better fit. March 14, 2024 By David Vergun , DOD News DOD Applauds Funding for Pacific's Freely Associated States Representatives of the Defense Department, State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development testified today at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, welcoming enactment of legislation providing funding for the Freely Associated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. The funding legislation, signed March 9 by President Joe Biden, provides $7.1 billion to the islands, to be distributed over a 20-year period. Under the compacts of Freely Associated States, the U.S. provides guaranteed financial assistance in exchange for defense guarantees. Ely S. Ratner, assistant secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs, testified that this legislation will maintain America's commitment to the Freely Associated States. "From a national security perspective, the Pacific Islands form an essential part of a strategically vital region," Ratner said. "The U.S. military's access and posture in the Pacific Islands are crucial for our logistics, sustainment and power projection throughout the region. Moreover, hundreds of billions of dollars in maritime trade flow through the Pacific Islands and our partners there provide critical linkages between the continental United States and our allies across the Indo-Pacific," he said. That's why the United States is strengthening its diplomatic, economic and security ties throughout the Pacific Islands. And it's why the department plays a significant role in deepening these partnerships and sustaining its defense posture and presence, he said. The significance of these agreements isn't only about building capacity through security cooperation. "We're conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities with our partners. We're also working together with allies and partners like Australia, Japan and New Zealand. More than ever, we're devoting attention and resources that reflect the strategic significance of this region," he said. The compacts ensure that the United States can maintain a military presence in the Freely Associated States, and they enable compacts island citizens to serve in the U.S. military, he said. These compacts provide assured access for DOD operations, and they prevent would-be adversaries from accessing sovereign FAS land, airspace and territorial waters, Ratner said. Other Pacific islands are also important to DOD's Pacific defense posture, he said, mentioning Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea and American Samoa. Last year, the U.S. and Papua New Guinea signed a "landmark" Defense Cooperation Agreement, he noted. The importance of the Pacific to U.S. and regional security is critical, at a time when China is drawing from a range of coercive tools in an attempt to erode longstanding U.S. partnerships, and advance Beijing's own influence, he said. In recent years, these activities have included covert efforts to bribe local officials, economic pressure against sovereign nations that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that harms both the environment and local economies, he testified. Ratner emphasized the whole-of-government approach to engaging with Pacific partners, lauding the efforts of the other officials also testifying: Daniel J. Kritenbrink, assistant secretary at the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and, Michael Schiffer, the USAID's assistant administrator of the Bureau for Asia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 14, 2024 By Joseph Clark , DOD News Austin Underscores NATO Unity in Meeting With Latvia's Defense Minister Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the United States' commitment to stand alongside its NATO allies against Russian aggression during a meeting with Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds today. The secretary commended his counterpart for Latvia's continued assistance in helping Ukraine defend against Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and urged all allies to remain steadfast in their support. "You're here at a vital time for European security and global security," Austin said as he welcomed Spruds to the Pentagon. "Two years ago, Putin launched his all-out invasion of Ukraine. He assumed Ukraine's friends will give in, when instead we still stand strong against Putin's aggression. And together, we're helping Ukraine fight back against the Kremlin's war of choice." "We must not let up," he said. The two leaders met following Tuesday's announcement that the Defense Department would provide an additional round of military aid to Ukraine valued at up to $300 million to support the country's immediate air defense and antitank requirements. The aid package, sourced through presidential drawdown authority, is the first to be approved this year. It was made possible after the Army negotiated a lower price for supplies already sent to Ukraine. The latest round of U.S. assistance comes amid continued negotiations on Capitol Hill over President Joe Biden's request to Congress to continue critical funding for military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. In a move that has yet to pass in the House, the Senate last month approved a supplemental funding measure that would include additional funds for Ukraine security assistance. In addition, it would provide urgent support for Israel following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists and humanitarian support for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The measure would also provide additional resources for U.S. Central Command to deter attacks by Iranian-backed militia groups and protect vessels operating in the Red Sea from attacks by Houthi rebels. It would also provide critical funds needed to bolster U.S. deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Defense officials have continued to underscore the urgent national security imperative for approving the funding. "We urgently need Congress to pass DOD supplemental requests," said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at Tuesday's news briefing announcing the latest round of assistance. Ryder said the PDA package, while providing urgent capabilities to Ukraine's forces, is not nearly enough. "And the only way to meet Ukraine's battlefield needs is for Congress to swiftly pass the supplemental," he said. During his meeting with Spruds, Austin noted that Latvia remains among the top European contributors of military assistance to Ukraine relative to the size of their economy. "Latvia is donating more than 1% of its GDP to help Ukraine defend itself," he said. "That just proves that countries of all sizes can make a big difference to all of our security." Austin also noted Latvia's investments in its own defense capabilities, including recent purchases of High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, naval strike missiles and air defense systems. "These systems are crucial for your security and for NATO's collective deterrence and defense," he said. Spruds underscored his appreciation for the United States' leadership in unifying NATO allies amid Russian aggression and echoed Austin's calls to continue supporting Ukraine. "The continuous support for Ukraine is absolutely indispensable and instrumental," he said. "I think we've done a lot together. Latvia believes that the steady unwavering support, continued support absolutely must be there." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finland to boost its high-technology profile in NATO - An accelerator and two test centres to be established in Finland Finnish Ministry of Defence 14.03.2024 The Board of Directors of NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) have approved Finland's proposal to establish one accelerator and two test centres in Finland. The Ministry of Defence submitted Finland's proposal to DIANA's Board of Directors in July 2023. The Ministry of Defence will act as the national single point of authority responsible for the project. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland coordinated the preparation of Finland's proposal in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. In accordance with Finland's proposal, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland will establish an accelerator in Otaniemi in Espoo in collaboration with Aalto University and the University of Helsinki. The new accelerator will focus on next generation communications and on quantum technology. It will offer companies mentorship in business development in the defence sector. Primary customers of the accelerator will be startups and small- and medium-sized companies that have little experience of working with the defence and security sectors. "The accelerator and test centres to be established in Finland will raise awareness of Finland and create new business opportunities for Finnish companies among NATO member countries. Finland's leading position especially in the development of new generation communication technologies and quantum technologies is likely to attract operators and experts to Finland. Our profile as a frontrunner of dual-use communication technologies will make Finland more attractive to international financiers and strengthen our technological input as a NATO member," Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen says. The test centres will be established at the University of Oulu and the Otaniemi office of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The test centre in Otaniemi will specialise in cyber-secure communications, quantum technologies and space technologies, while the test centre coordinated by the University of Oulu will offer companies opportunities to test 6G network technologies. The services offered by the test centres could include assessment of concepts and technologies developed by companies and support for their development. "Digital communications systems play a vital role in modern warfare. Investing in different kinds of test environments and pursuing international research and development cooperation are central to verifying the military usability of new technologies. We have a high level of expertise and a tradition of long-term investment in communication network and quantum technologies. Finland's active involvement in DIANA opens up new opportunities, reinforces the technological and industrial base of Finland's defence and improves the security of the Alliance through national top expertise," says Minister Hakkanen. The purpose of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is to identify future challenges in the defence sector and find technologically innovative solutions together with the private sector. NATO launched DIANA at the Brussels Summit in 2021. DIANA focuses on emerging and disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, autonomous technologies and quantum technologies that have dual-use potential, which means that they can be used both commercially and in the civilian and defence sectors. Most dual-use innovations nowadays have a market-driven origin in the civilian sector. Tapping this potential requires new mechanisms for identifying developers of promising technologies and stronger links between the defence sector and commercial innovation ecosystems. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Government is advising against trade and business activity with Israeli settlements Government of Norway Press release | Date: 14/03/2024 The Government is reiterating its position on Israel's settlement policy on occupied land by advising Norwegian companies not to engage in business cooperation or trade that serves to perpetuate the illegal Israeli settlements. 'Norway has long maintained that Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is in violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights, and undermines the prospects of achieving a future Palestinian state and a peaceful resolution of the conflict,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. The recommendation to Norwegian companies is a response to the intensification of Israel's settlement policy during the past year as well as new settlement expansions and increased settler violence against Palestinians. A number of Western countries, including the US, have introduced measures against the settlements, such as travel bans and asset freezes for violent settlers. Several European countries have already issued advice to their business sectors with regard to trade with the settlements. 'The Norwegian business community has sought advisory guidelines from the Norwegian authorities. This recommendation makes it clear that Norwegian companies should be alert to the fact that engaging in any economic or financial activity in the illegal Israeli settlements could put them at risk of contributing to violations of international humanitarian law and human rights,' said Mr Eide. The situation on the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is extremely serious. Since 7 October 2023, 400 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including 102 children. In 2023, Israel implemented a number of policy changes that have promoted a rise in West Bank construction and settlement activity. 'Palestinians are being driven from their homes, which are then destroyed. Last year was also the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the United Nations began keeping records. I say again that the injustices being done to the Palestinians must stop,' Mr Eide said. The advice to Norway's business sector concerns business activity and trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements . The Government expects Norwegian companies to operate in a responsible manner and to comply with the Norwegian Transparency Act, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza death toll reaches 31,341 martyrs IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Health Ministry's headquarters in the Gaza Strip has announced that the number of martyrs in the besieged area has reached 31,341 since October 7, 2023, up until now. According to Al Mayadeen TV channel, the health ministry also announced that the Israeli occupying regime's forces also killed 69 Palestinians and injured 110 others over the past 24 hours. The latest statistics show that the number of injuries has reached 73,134 people so far. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) also declared that 23 children have lost their lives due to malnutrition in northern Gaza. In the 160th day of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, the regime's military forces conducted aerial and artillery attacks on different areas of the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip are suffering from critical humanitarian circumstances as a result of the Israeli attacks, as well as the siege on Gaza. The US and the UK are also complicit in the devastating war. 4208**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah keeps on attacking Israeli military positions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has announced that its fighters will continue strikes on the Israeli regime's military gatherings in northern occupied Palestine. According to Elnashra newspaper, Hezbollah fighters continued the anti-Israel attacks on Thursday morning. Hezbollah issued a statement, announcing that in line with the support for the steadfast Palestinians in Gaza and in assisting the brave resistance fighters there, the Lebanese resistance targeted a gathering of the Israeli armed forces in eastern areas of the al-Abad military site near the border with Lebanon around 11 p.m. local time. On Wednesday night, Hezbollah fighters also targeted Zabedin, Hanita, and Roysat Alam with missiles, and they succeeded in forcing an Israeli drone to retreat from the airspace of Lebanon's border. Hezbollah started the ongoing clashes with the Israeli regime only one day after the onset of the onslaught on Gaza in a bid to engage the occupying forces in the northern borders of Palestine and reduce the pressure on the Palestinian resistance movement in the besieged strip. Secretary General of Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday night reiterated support for the people of Gaza with prayers and military and financial aid. He also criticized US President Joe Biden for failing to stop the Israeli genocidal war on the besieged Palestinian territory. Nasrallah, during his speech on the occasion of the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, raised the question of who believes that Biden can't stop the war in Gaza, according to Lebanon's Al-Ahed news site. 4208**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi resistance drone targets Israeli airbase IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance of Iraq has announced targeting yet another Israeli military base located near a city off the Mediterranean coast. In a statement, the umbrella group of resistance factions said that the Palmachim airbase was targeted using a drone, IRNA cited a report by the Iraqi Resistance media. The Islamic Resistance of Iraq has conducted a number of anti-Israeli operations in recent days. Earlier this week, the group attacked a military base of the Zionist regime in the "Rash Pina" airport located in the Al-Jalil region. The power plant of Haifa city airport in occupied Palestine was also targeted by a drone attack that plunged the airport and part of the city into darkness, last week. Since the onset of the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, regional resistance groups including Iraq's Islamic Resistance keep targeting US and Israeli interests in an effort to exert pressure on the regime to end its bloodshed in Gaza. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah releases footage of attacks on Zionist targets IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement released pictures and video of attacks it carried out on Zionist regime positions on Saturday night. Hezbollah announced as quoted by Lebanese media that it targeted the Birket Risha barracks as well as bases of Zabedin, Hanita and Roysat al-Alam with missiles. In the first attack, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked the Zebedin base in the occupied Shebaa Frams by firing a Falak missile which directly hit the target. Hezbollah fighters also forced a Zionist occupation drone in the sky over the border areas with occupied Palestine to retreat. 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. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latvia will not recognise the illegal holding of the Russian presidential "election" and their results in Moldova's region of Transnistria and Georgia's regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14.03.2024 Latvia condemns the organization of the Russian presidential "election" in the Transnistrian region of Moldova as well as in the regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are under a temporary occupation by the Russian armed forces, and will not recognise the results of the said "election" in those regions. Latvia condemns Russia's arbitrary and illegitimate activities in the Transnistrian region of Moldova - the opening of its polling stations in the region without an approval from the Government of Moldova. Latvia also underlines that the continued occupation of Georgia's regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia constitutes a gross violation by Russia of international law, earlier international commitments assumed by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and by Moscow itself. Latvia reiterates its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and Georgia within their internationally recognised borders. On earlier occasions, Latvia has already expressed its position concerning the illegitimate organisation of Russia's presidential election in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied and illegally annexed by Russia - see Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General launches his Annual Report for 2023 NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 14 Mar. 2024 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg launched his annual report for 2023 on Thursday (14 March 2024), which covers all aspects of the Alliance's work over the past year. The Secretary General announced the results of NATO's annual polling, which also surveyed participants from Finland and Sweden for the first time. Mr Stoltenberg said "the data is clear. Public support for NATO is extremely strong on both sides of the Atlantic. If a vote were held today, an overwhelming majority of citizens across Allied countries would vote in favour of NATO." He added "in the United States, only 13 percent would vote against," underlining that "over 80% of our citizens believe that North America and Europe must continue to work together for our shared security." He underlined that these results indicate that "across the Alliance, support for NATO remains rock-solid." In 2023, Allies continued to provide unprecedented levels of support to Ukraine. Mr Stoltenberg said, "for the first time, a number of Allies also sent long-range systems, UK Storm Shadow and French SCALP missiles and Allies agreed to send F-16 aircraft." He added that several Allies have now signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. "The Ukrainians are not running out of courage. They are running out of ammunition... This is a critical moment and it would be a grave, historic mistake to allow Putin to prevail. We cannot allow authoritarian leaders to get their way by using force." The Secretary General welcomed that 2023 was the ninth consecutive year of increased investment across Europe and Canada, amounting to "defence spending rising by an unprecedented 11%." In 2024, Mr Stoltenberg highlighted that NATO Allies in Europe will invest a total of $470 billion in defence, amounting to 2% of their combined GDP for the first time. "This year, two-thirds of Allies will meet the 2% target, up from just three Allies in 2014." he said. Mr Stoltenberg said that he expected Allies to take further steps to support Ukraine, to reinforce and resource NATO's defences and deepen partnerships around the world at NATO's 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington. At the 2023 Vilnius Summit, Allies agreed a new Defence Production Action Plan to ramp up production, strengthen engagement with industry, and increase interoperability. The Secretary General highlighted that "since then, NATO has agreed contracts worth tens of billions of dollars for ammunition and key capabilities." NATO has also further deepened its relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific, and the European Union. At a critical time for Euro- Atlantic security the Secretary General also underlined that Finland joined the NATO family last year and "just last week, Sweden became the 32nd Ally... NATO is now bigger and stronger." The Secretary General also noted that NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic - DIANA - is doubling its network of accelerators and test centres. These world-class sites on both sides of the Atlantic will focus on solving defence and security challenges, and sharpening NATO's technological edge in areas ranging from artificial intelligence and cyber, to 5G, hypersonics, and autonomous systems. The Secretary General's Annual Report for 2023 details NATO's work and achievements throughout the year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A high-pressure system over the Pacific Northwest, and low-pressure system over the Mojave Desert, define a textbook Rex block, a nearly stationary weather pattern that can persist for days or weeks. Baron/Lynx Not a cloud was in the sky across Northern California on Thursday, and sunshine will continue Friday and through the weekend. The only hazardous weather expected in the coming days is continued gusty north-northeast winds Friday. Gusts of 25-40 mph are possible through the early afternoon in the valleys and at the coast, possibly eclipsing 50 mph at the highest peaks. The breezy winds should be confined to the North Bay by Friday evening, eventually tapering off overnight. A high-pressure system is expected to remain in place over the Pacific Northwest and Northern California this weekend, steering storms away and resulting in abundant sunshine. To the south, scattered thunderstorms are possible in the Mojave Desert and Arizona the next couple of days, as an area of low pressure spins moisture overhead. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This weather pattern is known as a Rex block, characterized by high pressure to the north and low pressure to the south. Rex blocks are most common during spring and can persist for several days, or even a week at a time. For the Bay Area, the Rex block will result in plenty of sunshine and the warmest stretch of weather so far this year. Temperatures will be 5-10 degrees above normal this weekend, with highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s. Many coastal locations could even eclipse the 70-degree mark Friday. High temperatures are expected to be in the upper 60s to mid-70s in the Bay Area on Friday. Baron/Lynx A gradual cooling trend is expected at the coast Saturday and Sunday, with summerlike fog possibly creeping toward San Francisco and Oakland on Sunday morning. The fog should be short-lived, with sunshine likely to prevail by the afternoon. The Rex block is expected to continue into early next week, with highs in the 60s and 70s. The pattern is showing signs of finally breaking down later in the week, opening the door for wet weather systems to return to California. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weekend breakdown San Francisco: Another windy morning is in store Friday, with northeast gusts of 25-35 mph, up to 40 mph in Twin Peaks. Wind is expected to gradually diminish throughout the day, leading to a tranquil afternoon. Highs will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s, even in the Presidio and at Ocean Beach, the warmest day so far this March. Lows will be in the lower 50s. Wind is expected to reverse direction by Saturday afternoon, with light gusts up to 15 mph out of the west. This flip to onshore winds will knock temperatures down a few degrees, but mostly sunny skies should continue. Highs are forecast to be in the mid-60s in the Richmond and Sunset districts and upper 60s in SoMa, downtown and the Mission District. Lows will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s, with patchy fog possible Sunday and Monday mornings. North Bay: Blustery north-northeasterly winds are expected to persist until Friday evening, gusting 40-50 mph in the mountains and 25-35 mph in the valleys. Aside from the wind, Friday should be a pleasant day with highs in the lower 70s throughout the North Bay. Warm weather should continue in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Napa, Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville on Saturday and Sunday, with highs in the lower 70s. Point Reyes, Sausalito and Tiburon are expected to gradually cool over the weekend, to the mid-60s Saturday and lower 60s Sunday. Patchy summerlike fog is possible at the coast Sunday morning. Lows in the North Bay will be in the mid- to upper 40s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad East Bay: The warmest stretch of weather since November is on tap for the East Bay this weekend, with three straight days of 70-degree temperatures possible in Concord, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Danville, Pleasanton and Livermore. Friday will feature the final burst of Diablo winds, gusting up to 45 mph in the Oakland and Berkeley hills and 30-40 mph elsewhere. Wind is expected to relax in the evening. Highs Friday will be in the lower 70s throughout the East Bay. A slight cool down is expected in Oakland, Hayward and Berkeley on Saturday and Sunday, to the upper 60s. Inland valleys will remain in the 70s. Lows will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Gusty easterly wind is expected to continue Friday, reaching up to 35 mph in San Mateo County. These offshore winds will blow warm air all the way to the coast. Pacifica and Half Moon Bay both have a chance of hitting the 70-degree mark. Lower 70s are also expected in San Bruno, San Mateo and Redwood City. Lows will be around 50. The return of the familiar fog is possible at the coast this weekend, but whether it arrives Saturday afternoon or holds off until Sunday will have an impact on temperatures. Saturday looks like it will be in the mid-60s in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay with a slow arrival of fog in the evening. Sunday might be back in the lower 60s. Highs this weekend should remain warmer along the Interstate 280 and Highway 101 corridors, in the upper 60s. Lows will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s. South Bay and Santa Cruz: Northeast winds should begin to relax throughout the day in South Bay and Santa Cruz, shaping up for a calm, sunny afternoon. Highs are expected to be in the upper 60s to lower 70s in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek and in the mid-70s in Milpitas, San Jose, Cupertino and Mountain View. Lows will be in the mid- to upper 40s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Secretary General thanks President Duda for Poland's contributions following 25 years of NATO membership NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 14 Mar. 2024 Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Polish President Andrzej Duda to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (14 March 2024), two days after the 25th anniversary of Poland's accession to NATO. The Secretary General praised Poland for its contributions to the Alliance and its strong support for Ukraine. Mr Stoltenberg underlined that since joining NATO Poland has become "a key Ally and a security provider. You are building one of the biggest armies in NATO. You spend around 4 percent of GDP on defence, topping the NATO table," the Secretary General said, "and you are adding major capabilities, including F-35s, HIMARS, and helicopters." The Secretary General and President Duda addressed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the need to step up support. "Despite heavy Russian losses, Putin has not scaled back his war aims. The situation remains difficult. Ukraine is in dire need of ammunition," Mr Stoltenberg said. He thanked Poland for being one of Ukraine's strongest supporters and underlined that NATO's latest polling across Allied countries found strong public support for continued aid to Ukraine. In response to Russia's war, NATO has increased its presence in the east of the Alliance, including in Poland, the Secretary General emphasised. "This month, more than 20,000 soldiers are participating in the Polish-led Dragon 24, part of exercise Steadfast Defender, our largest military exercise since the Cold War," he said. "Poland makes the whole Alliance stronger and NATO makes all Allies safer." Poland joined on 12 March 1999 alongside Czechia and Hungary. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-British coalition conducts 4 airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemeni port city People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:06, March 14, 2024 SANAA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes of the U.S.-British naval coalition on Wednesday conducted four airstrikes on port city Hodeidah's airport in western Yemen, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. No further details or casualties were reported, but Hodeidah's residents near the airport said via social media that the strikes hit Houthi military targets. The U.S. Central Command has regularly reported the targeting of Houthi mobile missile launchers, weapon depots, drones, and unmanned boats in Hodeidah, a port under Houthi control. The Houthis have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles, drones, and unmanned boats since November last year in what the group said in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group vowed to escalate attacks against Israeli, U.S., and British ships until Israel stops its war on Gaza. The Houthi attacks have already disrupted international shipping movement in one of the world's busiest waterways, forcing many companies to re-route around Africa, resulting in extended transit times and elevated costs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany greenlights humanitarian airlift to Gaza People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:07, March 14, 2024 BERLIN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The German Armed Forces will participate in an airlift of humanitarian aid for Gaza, and the deployment of aid could begin as early as the end of the week, Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday. Initiated by Jordan, the operation will airdrop relief supplies to the population in Gaza. The United States and France are also participating in the airlift. The Bundeswehr (German armed forces) is providing two C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, stationed in Evreux in France. Each plane can transport up to 18 tons of cargo. The population in Gaza is "stalked by hunger, disease, and death," Martin Griffiths, head of the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warned last month. Around 2.2 million people live in the Gaza Strip. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Algeria, EU discuss efforts to achieve ceasefire in Gaza People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:15, March 14, 2024 ALGIERS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, and the European Union's Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Sven Koopmans, discussed here on Wednesday efforts to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian actions in the Gaza Strip, said a statement by the Algerian Foreign Ministry. According to the statement, the two sides discussed developments in the occupied Palestinian territories in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza, and called on the international community to "find a permanent, just and final solution to the Palestinian issue that guarantees the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state." Since the beginning of its non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in January, Algeria has been working to pass a draft resolution toward a ceasefire in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel plans forced exodus of Palestinians ahead of Rafah incursion Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 9:38 AM Israel seeks to forcibly displace a significant part of 1.4 million Palestinians currently sheltering in Rafah toward the so-called "humanitarian islands" in the center of the territory ahead of an incursion into Gaza's southernmost city. Israel's chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari made the announcement while speaking to reporters on Wednesday as Israel plans to launch a ground invasion of Rafah. He added that the transfer of Palestinians in Rafah to the designated areas was a key part of the military's preparations for its invasion of Rafah. "We need to make sure that 1.4 million people or at least a significant amount of the 1.4 million will move. Where? To humanitarian islands that we will create with the international community," Hagari said at the briefing. He did not give further details about the time of Rafah exodus or the city's invasion but noted that Tel Aviv seeks the timing to be right operationally and to be coordinated with neighboring Egypt. Egypt has previously said that it does not want an influx of displaced Palestinians crossing its border. It is constructing a walled enclosure along its border with Gaza, sparking concerns over potential Palestinian displacement as Israel considers expanding its offensive into Rafah. The Israeli military spokesman also claimed that Israel plans to "flood the area" with aid, including housing, food, and water. This comes as humanitarian groups have expressed concern over the fate of Palestinians displaced as a result of Israel's war as well those living in Rafah, saying an offensive in the crowded region would be catastrophic. Even the US, a staunch supporter of Israel, has cast doubt on Israel's claim that it will provide protection and aid for civilians in its plan to drive them out of Rafah. "We need to see a plan that will get civilians out of harm's way if there's a military operation in Rafah. We've not yet seen such a plan," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Washington on Wednesday after convening a virtual ministerial meeting on Gaza aid with officials from the UN, the EU, Britain, Qatar, the UAE, and Cyprus. Israel's relentless bombing of Gaza has forced the local residents to flee toward the southern city of Rafah. According to Gaza's health ministry, at least 31,272 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 73,024 others injured since the Israeli regime launched its US-backed onslaught on Gaza on October 7, 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen won't backtrack on 'steadfast' pro-Palestine stance: Ansarullah Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 8:34 AM The Ansarullah resistance movement has reiterated Yemen's "steadfast" position in supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid a bloody Israeli war. "Yemen will stand by Gaza until the [Israeli] aggression ends, the blockade [on the Palestinian territory] is lifted and humanitarian aid enters there," al-Masirah television network quoted Ansarullah spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam as saying on Thursday. "Yemen will not backtrack on its steadfast ... approach regarding Gaza." He also noted that Yemen considers support for Gaza to be a "religious, humanitarian and moral duty for Muslim and freedom-seeking people." Earlier, Spokesman of Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the military will keep up its pro-Palestine maritime campaign as long as the war on Gaza and the siege continue He also warned that Yemen will intensify its pro-Palestine naval operations during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Israel waged its US-backed genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 following a historic operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group against the occupying regime. The Tel Aviv regime has so far killed at least 31,272 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 73,024 others. In solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, Yemeni forces have targeted ships going to and from ports in the occupied territories, or whose owners are linked to Israel, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and even in the Arabian Sea. In response to the pro-Palestine attacks, the US and its allies have bombed Yemen in violation of the country's sovereignty and international law. The illegal attacks prompted Yemen to declare American and British vessels as legitimate targets for its armed forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli strike on UN food distribution center in Rafah kills 5, injures 22 Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 7:57 AM The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says at least five people, including a staff member, were killed and 22 others wounded after Israeli forces targeted a food distribution center in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini in a statement on Wednesday said that the strike hit one of the very few remaining UNRWA distribution centers in the eastern part of Rafah. "Today's attack on one of the very few remaining UNRWA distribution centers in the Gaza Strip comes as food supplies are running out, hunger is widespread and, in some areas, turning into famine," Lazzarini said. "Every day, we share the coordinates of all our facilities across the Gaza Strip with parties to the conflict," he continued. He said the attack was carried out even though "the Israeli Army received the coordinates including of this facility yesterday." Lazzarini further urged the protection of the UN, its staff, and its premises and called for an independent investigation. Israel acknowledged an airstrike on a food aid distribution center in southern Gaza, which it claimed targeted and killed a high-ranking member of Hamas. Meanwhile, the statement by the UNRWA head added that since October 7, at least 165 team members have been killed while in the line of duty and more than 400 people sheltering in UN buildings also lost their lives due to Israel's attacks. More than 150 of the agency's facilities, including schools and shelters, have been hit in the war, with some destroyed, and UNRWA staff have reportedly been mistreated and humiliated while in Israeli detention centers, according to the UNRWA. Six aid seekers killed in Israeli attack Separately, the health ministry in the Gaza Strip said six people were killed in the latest attack on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid at the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City. The Wafa news agency said some 83 people who were wounded in the attack have been transferred to the al-Shifa Medical Complex in the city. Over the past weeks, Israeli forces have increased their offensives on the Kuwait Roundabout, an area where large groups gather to wait for aid deliveries. Israeli forces killed 11 people waiting for food aid at the roundabout on Monday night. 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 prevention of aid convoys comes as humanitarian officials have already issued a dire warning, stating that unless a ceasefire is implemented and aid is significantly increased, the toll of malnutrition and disease is expected to rise, leading to an alarming loss of lives. So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 31,272 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 73,024 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US pause on funding UNRWA may become 'permanent': Report Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 3:21 AM The United States' controversial decision to pause its funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees earlier this year is reportedly likely to become "permanent." Reuters news agency carried the report on Wednesday, attributing the likelihood to opposition at Congress to the country's financial contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). UNRWA provides healthcare, education, and other vital services to the Palestinian people. The agency was accused by Israel in January of having links to an October 7 operation launched by the Gaza Strip's Palestinian resistance movements against the occupying entity in response to the intensification of Tel Aviv's decades-long crimes against Palestinians. The allegations prompted more than 10 donor countries, including the United States, Germany, the European Union, Canada, and Japan, to suspend financial support. The funding from these countries used to make up the bulk of all funding received by the agency. The collective move against UNRWA came amid mass displacement and approaching all-out famine across Gaza prompted by a ongoing genocidal war that the regime has been waging against the coastal sliver in response to the October operation. "Bipartisan opposition in Congress to funding UNRWA makes it unlikely the US will resume regular donations anytime soon, even as countries such as Sweden and Canada have said they will restart their contributions," Reuters' report said. "A supplemental funding bill in the US Congress that includes military aid to Israel and Ukraine contains a provision that would block UNRWA from receiving funds if it becomes law," it said, adding, "[US] President Joe Biden's administration supports the bill." "We have to plan for the fact that Congress may make that pause permanent," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday. "...any new funding would need the support of at least some Republicans, who hold a majority in the House. Many have expressed their opposition to UNRWA," Reuters' report added. It cited a statement by Representative Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability -- one of the opponents -- as alleging that "UNRWA is a front..." "It masquerades as a relief organization while building the infrastructure to support Hamas...," he claimed. Back in February, the UN agency said some of its employees had been tortured by the occupying regime to falsely admit that the agency had ties with Hamas and its retaliatory operation in October. The assertion made in a February report by UNRWA, detailed various cases of mistreatment in Israeli detention centers against Palestinians, including several working for the agency. The document said several UNRWA Palestinian staffers had been detained by the Israeli occupation army in Gaza, and that the ill-treatment and abuse they said they had experienced included severe physical beatings, waterboarding, and threats of harm to family members. "Agency staff members have been subject to threats and coercion by the Israeli authorities while in detention, and pressured to make false statements against the Agency, including that the Agency has affiliations with Hamas and that UNRWA staff members took part in the 7 October 2023" operation, the report said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mar. 13: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 7:16 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed at least 31,272 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 Wednesday, March 13, are as follows: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Mar. 13: Shelled Israeli soldiers and their vehicles with 60-caliber mortar shells in the axis south of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. Carried out a total of 17 different operations, including engaging in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and targeting their vehicles with artillery shells, in different parts of the Gaza Strip, resulting in multiple casualties. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Mar. 13: Targeted Taybeh military site with a barrage of artillery, causing heavy damage. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in Jenin camp, inflicting casualties. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Mar. 13: Seized Israeli military's Evo Max 4T drone in the north of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah's operations on Mar. 13: Eastern sector: At around 16:50 local time, the Zibdin site in Shebaa was targeted with a Falaq missile. At around 16:55 local time, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site Kafr Shuba was targeted with missiles. At around 17:00 local time, the Ramim site was targeted with a volley of missiles. At around 23:00 local time, Israeli soldiers east of the Al-Abad site were targeted with appropriate weapons. Western sector: At around 10:00 local time, Israeli soldiers east of the Hanita site were targeted with artillery fire. At around 17:00 local time, the Israeli drone was targeted with appropriate weapons, forcing it to retreat and return to the occupied territories. Iraqi resistance's operations on Mar. 13: Targeted the Israeli military's Palmachim air base with a drone, inflicting heavy damage. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Envoy Says Concerns About Hungary's Ties To Russia 'Cannot Be Ignored By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service March 14, 2024 The U.S. ambassador to Hungary has warned Budapest about its expanding relationship with Russia and raised "legitimate security concerns" in a speech marking the 25th anniversary of Hungary joining NATO. Ambassador David Pressman said on March 14 that while Hungary was a longtime friend and ally, it had been doing things that undermine trust and friendship, and the concerns he has are shared by Hungary's NATO allies and "cannot be ignored." The concerns center on a government "that labels and treats the United States an 'adversary' while making policy choices that increasingly isolate it from friends and allies," Pressman said at the anniversary event organized by the U.S. Embassy. The United States "cannot ignore the speaker of Hungary's National Assembly claiming that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war in Ukraine is in fact 'led by the United States,'" Pressman said. "We cannot understand or accept that the prime minister identifies the United States as the 'main adversary' of...Hungary." Pressman added that Hungary's allies were warning of the dangers of Hungary's "close and expanding relations with Russia," and if this is Hungary's political decision, "then we must decide how best to protect our security interests, which should be our common security interests as allies." Western government have been unhappy over Prime Minister Viktor Orban's continued warm ties with Moscow despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Relations between Budapest and Washington soured over Hungary's delay in the ratification of Sweden's NATO accession. The ambassador recalled that Orban was prime minister in 1999 when Hungary joined NATO and said then that his country had "finally anchored" itself to the West, but is now increasingly isolated within the alliance. He said Hungary had openly called for the United States and other allies to cut off Ukraine from military support in order to force an immediate cease-fire and peace negotiations. "The United States also wants peace. We want this war to end. But the Hungarian proposal does not stand up to reality," he said. Pressman said the problem was not only what the government has said but also what it has done. This includes the "systematic seizure of independent media" and harassment of the remaining independent press. He also took aim at the government "securing all aspects" of power and cited favorable conditions created for businesses owned by party leaders, their family members, and old friends. He stressed that the United States continues to seek dialogue with the Hungarian government and wants a relationship based on "democratic values, common security, and prosperity." The U.S. leadership has decided that it wants to improve relations, but this has not yet been matched by the Hungarian government, he said. Earlier this week, Pressman was summoned by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto after President Joe Biden made a comment about Orban's visit the previous week to former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Biden said Orban had "made it clear that he does not believe democracy works." Szijjarto denied that Orban had ever said that, adding that Budapest was "not obliged to tolerate such lies from anyone. Not even if the person happens to be the president of the United States of America." The mood was further soured when U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan refused to retract Biden's statement and added that he was watching with concern as the Hungarian government attacked democratic institutions. Szijjarto responded on March 13 on Facebook with a post saying that the U.S. government "has continued its campaign of lies against Hungary." He said the Democratic Party in the United States found it "difficult to bear the fact that in the middle of Europe's progressive liberal sea there is still an island where we proudly proclaim: no war, no gender, no migration!" With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-us-ambassador- russia-ties/32862085.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Food and Drug Administration recalled oysters that were harvested off the coast of Westport on Feb. 20 and subsequently shipped to a dozen states. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images An outbreak of norovirus in Minnesota is linked to oysters grown and harvested near Westport, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which ordered a recall of the oysters in a dozen states on Thursday. The recall affected oysters that were sold by Norwalk-based Norm Bloom and Son, after being harvested on Feb. 20 from beds off the coast of Westport, the FDA said. The FDA did not say how many people it believed had become ill after eating the oysters, though it said the contaminated batch was associated with an outbreak in Minnesota. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The affected oysters were also distributed to restaurants and retailers in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas. The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat the recalled oysters, the agency said in its recall notice, which added that contaminated oysters may look, smell and taste normal. A person who answered the phone Friday at Norm Bloom and Son declined to comment. Norovirus is the leading cause of food-borne illness in the United States, and can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain. Symptoms usually develop within 12 to 48 hours after coming into contact with an infected person or eating contaminated food, according to the FDA. Most people get better within one to three days. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Raw oysters can become contaminated with norovirus if they are grown in water that contains particles of untreated sewage. For that reason, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture strictly regulates the areas where shellfish may be commercially harvested. The department regularly monitors samples from water and local shellfish, and may close off certain areas from shellfishing after sewage leaks or poor test results. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Friday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Norovirus is not related to the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, which made headlines last summer after two Connecticut residents died after coming into contact with the flesh-eating bacteria from raw shellfish or swimming in Long Island Sound. Majority Leader Schumer Calls On Israeli Government To Hold Elections Senate Democrats 03.14.2024 In Speech, Schumer Outlines Four Obstacles For Peace For Israelis & Palestinians: Hamas, Right-Wing Israelis In Government, Palestinian Authority President Abbas, And Israeli PM Netanyahu Schumer Lays Out Major Plan To Revive Two-State Solution, Calls For New Elections In Israel After Threat Of Hamas Is Radically Reduced Schumer Says Netanyahu's Vision Stuck In The Past, No Longer Fitting The Needs Of Israel Schumer Says If Current Israeli Governing Coalition Remains In Power After War, America Should Take More Active Role To Change The Present Course Washington, D.C. - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today gave a major address on the Senate floor, laying out a major plan to revive two-state solution and calling for the Israeli government to hold new elections after the threat of Hamas is radically reduced. In his speech, Majority Leader Schumer also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vision is stuck in the past and no longer fits the needs of Israel and the Israeli people. Below are key excerpts from Leader Schumer's speech followed by the full text of remarks as prepared. Four Obstacles To Peace Right now, there are four major obstacles standing in the way of two states, and until they are removed from the equation, there will never be peace in Israel and Gaza and the West Bank. Those four major obstacles are: Hamas, and the Palestinians who support and tolerate their evil ways. Radical right-wing Israelis in government and society. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. ... These are the four obstacles to peace, and if we fail to overcome them, then Israel and the West Bank and Gaza will be trapped in the same violent state of affairs they've experienced for the last 75 years. These obstacles are not the same in their culpability for the present state of affairs. Call for New Elections Five months into this conflict, it is clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and ask: must we change course? At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government. I also believe a majority of the Israeli public will recognize the need for change, and I believe that holding a new election once the war starts to wind down would give Israelis an opportunity to express their vision for the post-war future. Of course, the United States cannot dictate the outcome of an election, nor should we try. That is for the Israeli public to decide a public that I believe understands better than anybody that Israel cannot hope to succeed as a pariah opposed by the rest of the world. As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may. But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel after October 7. In my opinion, that is best accomplished by holding an election. Two State Solution And now, as a result of these inflamed tensions in both the Israeli and Palestinian communities, people on all sides of this war are turning away from a two-state solution including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in recent weeks has said out loud repeatedly what many have long suspected by outright rejecting the idea of Palestinian statehood and sovereignty. As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in our government, and a staunch defender of Israel, I rise today to say unequivocally: This is a grave mistake. For Israel. For Palestinians. For the region and the world. ... As I said, there are also some Israelis who oppose even a two-state solution with a demilitarized Palestinian State because they fear that it might tolerate or be a harbor for further terrorism against a Jewish state. I understand these fears. But the bitter reality is that a single state controlled by Israel, which they advocate, guarantees certain war forever, and further isolation of the Jewish community in the world to the extent that its future would be jeopardized. Let me elaborate. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If Israel were to not only maintain the status quo, but go beyond that and tighten its control over Gaza and the West Bank, as some in the current Netanyahu administration have suggested in effect creating a de facto single state then what reasonable expectation can we have that Hamas and their allies will lay down their arms? It would mean constant war. Criticism of Netanyahu Government I have known Prime Minister Netanyahu for a long time. While we have vehemently disagreed on many occasions, I will always respect his extraordinary bravery for Israel on the battlefield as a younger man. I believe in his heart his highest priority is the security of Israel. However, I also believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel. He has put himself in coalition with far-right extremists like Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and as a result, he has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah. Prime Minister Netanyahu has also weakened Israel's political and moral fabric through his attempts to co-opt the judiciary. And he has shown zero interest in doing the courageous and visionary work required to pave the way for peace, even before this present conflict. As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed radically since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past. Nobody expects Prime Minister Netanyahu to do the things that must be done to break the cycle of violence, preserve Israel's credibility on the world stage, and work towards a two-state solution. If he were to disavow Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and kick them out of his governing coalition, that would be a real meaningful step forward. But regrettably, there is no reason to believe Prime Minister Netanyahu would do that. He won't disavow Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir and their calls for Israelis to drive Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank. He won't commit to a military operation in Rafah that prioritizes protecting civilian life. He won't engage responsibly in discussions about a "day-after" plan for Gaza, and a longer-term pathway to peace. FULL TEXT OF THE REMARKS AS PREPARED I rise to speak today about what I believe can and should be the path forward to secure mutual peace and lasting prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians. I speak for myself, but I also speak for so many mainstream Jewish Americans a silent majority whose nuanced views on the matter have never been well represented in this country's discussions about the war in Gaza My last name is Schumer, which derives from the Hebrew word Shomer, or "guardian." Of course, my first responsibility is to America and New York. But as the first Jewish Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in America ever, I also feel very keenly my responsibility as Shomer Yisroel a guardian of the People of Israel. Throughout Jewish history, there have been many Shomrim, and plenty who were far greater than I claim to be. But nonetheless, this is the position in which I find myself now at a time of great difficulty for the State of Israel, for the Jewish people, and for non-Jewish friends of Israel. So I feel an immense obligation to speak and act. I speak as a member of a community of Jewish Americans that I know very well. They are my family, my friends. Many of them are my constituents, many of them are Democrats, and many are deeply concerned about the pursuit of justice, both in New York and around the globe. From the Talmud Tikkun Olam, the call to "repair the world" has driven Jews around the globe to do what is right. We love Israel in our bones. What Israel has meant to my generation, within living memory of the Holocaust, is impossible to measure. The flowering of the Jewish people in the desert from the ashes of the Holocaust, and the fulfillment of the dream of a Jewish homeland after nearly two thousand years of praying and waiting represents one of the most heartfelt causes of my life. And unlike some younger Americans, I remember how hard it was to achieve that dream. I remember clutching my transistor radio to my ear in James Madison High School during the Six Day War wondering if Israel would be pushed into the sea. If the events of the last few months have made anything clear, it is that Israel is surrounded by vicious enemies, and there are many people around the world who excuse and even support their aims to expel and kill Jews living in their hard-won land of refuge. I will never underestimate the grave threats Israel faces and has faced for the entirety of its existence, nor will I ever underestimate the oppression that the Jewish people have endured for millennia. It is precisely out of this long-standing connection to, and concern for, the State of Israel and its people that I speak today about what I view are the most pressing existential threats to Israel's long-term peace and prosperity. After five months of suffering on both sides of this conflict, our thinking must turn urgently to how we can achieve lasting peace, and ensure prosperity and security for both the Jewish people and the Palestinian people in the Middle East. I believe that to achieve that lasting peace which we so long for Israel must make some significant course corrections, which I will outline in this speech. But first, let's not forget how we arrived at this critical moment. What Hamas did on October 7 was brutal beyond imagination. I have sat with the families of those killed in the assault. I have seen the footage and heard the stories of innocents murdered and raped in heartless cruelty. As long as I live, I will never forget these images this pure and premeditated evil. Many of my family members were killed by Nazis in the Holocaust. October 7 and the shameless response to support that terrorist attack by some in America and around the globe have awakened the deepest fears of the Jewish people that our annihilation remains a possibility. Today, over 130 hostages remain captive in Gaza. I am anguished by the plight of so many hostages still trapped deep inside Hamas's network of tunnels. I pray for them, and for their families, who have inspired me with their tenacious advocacy to ensure their loved ones are not forgotten. Many of them are Americans: Jonathan Dekel Chen, Hersch Goldberg Polin; and some are my constituents in New York: Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel, and Itay Chen, who we tragically learned this week was brutally killed on October 7 while serving near the Gaza border. Hamas still holds his body, as well as those of Americans Judi Weinstein and Gad Haggai. I have sat with many of these families and I have wept with them. Each day that their loved ones don't come home carries enough anguish and grief to last a lifetime. I am working in every way I can to support the Biden Administration as negotiations continue to free every last one of the hostages. I urge every actor at the table the Israelis, the Biden Administration, the Qataris, the Egyptians, and anybody else at the table to continue doing everything possible to get to a deal. Hamas has been given a deal already. They should say yes. There is no time to waste. My heart also breaks at the loss of so many civilian lives in Gaza. I am anguished that the Israeli war campaign has killed so many innocent Palestinians. I know that my fellow Jewish Americans feel this same anguish when they see the images of dead and starving children and destroyed homes. Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe entire families wiped out, whole neighborhoods reduced to rubble, mass displacement, children suffering. We should not let the complexities of this conflict stop us from stating the plain truth: Palestinian civilians do not deserve to suffer for the sins of Hamas, and Israel has a moral obligation to do better. The United States has an obligation to do better. I believe the United States must provide robust humanitarian aid to Gaza, and pressure the Israelis to let more of it get through to the people who need it. Jewish people throughout the centuries have empathized with those who are suffering and who are oppressed because we have known so much of that ourselves. As the Torah teaches us, every human life is precious, and every single innocent life lost whether Israeli or Palestinian, is a tragedy that as Scripture says, "destroys an entire world." What horrifies so many Jews especially is our sense that Israel is falling short of upholding these distinctly Jewish values that we hold so dear. We must be better than our enemies, lest we become them. Israel has a fundamental right to defend itself, but as I have said from the beginning of this war how it exercises that right matters. Israel must prioritize the protection of civilian casualties when identifying military targets. I have repeatedly called upon the Israeli government to do so. But it must also be said that Israel is by no means the only one responsible for the immense civilian toll. To blame only Israel for the deaths of Palestinians is unfair, one-sided, and deliberately manipulative and it ignores Hamas's role in this conflict. Hamas has knowingly invited an immense civilian toll during this war. Their goal on October 7 was to provoke a tough response from Israel by killing as many Jews as possible in the most vicious manner possible by raping women, executing babies, desecrating bodies, brutalizing whole communities. Since then, Hamas has heartlessly hidden behind their fellow Palestinians by turning hospitals into command centers, and refugee camps into missile-launching sites. It is well documented that Hamas soldiers use innocent Gazans as human shields. The leaders of Hamas, many of whom live lives of luxury in places far away from the poverty and misfortune of Gaza, do not care one iota about the Palestinians for whom they claim to nobly fight. It bothers me deeply that most media outlets covering this war, and many protesters opposing it, have placed the blame for civilian casualties entirely on Israel. All too often, in the media and at protests, it is never noted that Hamas has gone to great lengths to make themselves inseparable from the civilian population of Gaza by using Palestinians as human shields. Too many news agencies and newspapers give Hamas a pass by hardly ever discussing this shameful practice that is central to their fighting strategy, and this has led to an inaccurate perception of the harsh realities of this war. I believe stories that justifiably mentions the loss of innocent Palestinian life should also note how Hamas uses civilians as human shields. It almost never happens. And I believe that every protest that justifiably decries the loss of innocent Palestinian men, women, and children, should also denounce Hamas for their central role in the bloodshed. When protesters decry the loss of Palestinian life, but never condemn this perfidy or the loss of Israeli lives, it confounds and deeply troubles the vast majority of Jewish and non-Jewish Americans alike who support the State of Israel. Given that Hamas launched their attack on October 7 to provoke Israel, given that Hamas sought the ensuing civilian toll in Gaza, given that Hamas wanted both Israelis and Arabs to be at each other's throats... tensions on both sides have dramatically intensified. And now, as a result of these inflamed tensions in both the Israeli and Palestinian communities, people on all sides of this war are turning away from a two-state solution including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in recent weeks has said out loud repeatedly what many have long suspected by outright rejecting the idea of Palestinian statehood and sovereignty. As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in our government, and a staunch defender of Israel, I rise today to say unequivocally: This is a grave mistake. For Israel. For Palestinians. For the region and the world. The only real and sustainable solution to this decades-old conflict is a negotiated two-state solution a demilitarized Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in equal measures of peace, security, prosperity, dignity, and mutual recognition. Both Jews and Palestinians have long historic claims to this land. Contrary to the unfounded, absurd, and offensive claims by some that the Jewish people are "colonizers" in their ancestral homeland, Jewish people have lived in the Holy Land continuously for more than three millennia. For centuries, Jews have made aliyah and gone to the land of Israel to live and settle. For centuries, at Passover, Jews at every corner of the globe have prayed, "Next year in Jerusalem." A Jewish homeland in Israel is no twentieth-century contrivance. Israel is our historic home. A home for people oppressed for centuries. The Palestinians, too, have lived on the land for generations, and in past centuries, they have formed their own distinct culture, identity, cuisine, and literature. The idea espoused by some that "There is no such thing as Palestinians" today is inaccurate, offensive,and unhelpful. The only just solution to this predicament is one in which each people can flourish in their own state side-by-side. But for a two-state solution to work over the long term, it has to include real and meaningful compromises by both sides. For example, too many Israelis who say they want a two-state solution don't acknowledge how the amount and extent of expanding settlements render that a virtual impossibility. And too many Palestinians who say they want a two-state solution don't acknowledge how their insistence on an unequivocal "right of return" is a fatal impediment to progress. Both ways of thinking are impeding the peace process. And there are others on the left who view a two-state solution with skepticism as an ideal that will never happen, a far-off goal that allows for the continuation of the status quo in Gaza and the West Bank, where Palestinians face unique obstacles compared to their Israeli counterparts. As a result, they reject a two-state solution in favor of one state, where Palestinians and Israelis would supposedly live in democratic peace side-by-side. I can understand the idealism that inspires so many young people in particular to support a one-state solution. Why can't we all live side-by-side and house-by-house in peace? I count at least two reasons why this wouldn't work, and why it is unacceptable to most Jewish people. First, this combined state could take an extreme turn politically, putting Jewish Israelis in peril. This state would be majority-Palestinian, and in the past, some Palestinians have voted to empower groups like Hamas, which seeks to eradicate the Jewish people. It is longstanding American policy to support democracy overseas, but in this hypothetical single state, democracy could cost Israeli Jews their safety if extremists were to take control of this new state of affairs to ultimately achieve their true aim: the violent expulsion of Jews from the Holy Land. This is no abstract fear. Thousands of years of Jewish history show that when things go badly, the people of the country in which Jews live even in a democracy all too often turn on them as convenient scapegoats. There is no guarantee this wouldn't happen again in a single Israeli-Palestinian state. To have Palestinian voters be the protectors of Israeli Jews would be a bridge too far to accept. Second, Jews have a right to their own state. It is troubling to me that many people, especially on the left, seem to acknowledge and even celebrate this right to statehood for every group but the Jews. If a national homeland for all peoples of the world has been the driving goal of the anticolonial movement of the last century, then why are only Jews seemingly penalized for this aspiration? Jews have a human right to their own state just as any other people do, Palestinians included. As I said, there are also some Israelis who oppose even a two-state solution with a demilitarized Palestinian State because they fear that it might tolerate or be a harbor for further terrorism against a Jewish state. I understand these fears. But the bitter reality is that a single state controlled by Israel, which they advocate, guarantees certain war forever, and further isolation of the Jewish community in the world to the extent that its future would be jeopardized. Let me elaborate. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If Israel were to not only maintain the status quo, but go beyond that and tighten its control over Gaza and the West Bank, as some in the current Netanyahu administration have suggested in effect creating a de facto single state then what reasonable expectation can we have that Hamas and their allies will lay down their arms? It would mean constant war. On top of that, Israel moving closer to a single state entirely under its control would further rupture its relationship with the rest of the world, including the United States. Support for Israel has declined worldwide in the last few months, and this trend will only get worse if the Israeli government continues to follow its current path. I appreciate that so many Israelis cannot contemplate the possibility of two states right now because they remain so traumatized and angry by what Hamas did on October 7. The brutality, the viciousness, the sexual assault, the imprisonment and abuse of hundreds of hostages. I'm of course sympathetic to this point of view. I'm upset and angry, too. We will never forget what happened on October 7. But even while we carry the anguish in our hearts, we have to think ahead to the future, the medium and long term, and how we can ensure that something like October 7 never happens again. We cannot let anger or trauma determine our actions and cloud our judgment. A two-state solution may feel daunting, especially now, but I believe it is the only realistic and sustainable solution on the basis of security, on the basis of prosperity, on the basis of fundamental human rights and dignity. But in order to achieve a two-state solution, the reality is that things must change. Right now, there are four major obstacles standing in the way of two states, and until they are removed from the equation, there will never be peace in Israel and Gaza and the West Bank. Those four major obstacles are: Hamas, and the Palestinians who support and tolerate their evil ways. Radical right-wing Israelis in government and society. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I will explain each in detail. The first major obstacle to peace is Hamas, and the Palestinians who support and tolerate their evil ways. Hamas is for the destruction of Israel, and in past decades, it has undermined any hope for peace at every turn. It was Hamas who began its vicious campaign of suicide bombings against innocent Israelis to derail the nascent peace process in Oslo. It was Hamas who assassinated more moderate Palestinian political representatives in Gaza in 2007. It is Hamas who has held Gaza under repressive, undemocratic rule for close to two decades. And it is Hamas who has targeted those brave Gazans who have spoken out against its actions or tried to bridge the divide between Israelis and Palestinians. Jewish Americans and Israelis alike have been appalled and hurt at efforts to rebrand Hamas, which is designated by the United States as a terrorist organization, as noble resistance or freedom fighters. Attempts to excuse their horrific actions against both Israelis and Palestinians are morally repugnant. A permanent ceasefire, effective immediately, would only allow Hamas to regroup and launch further attacks on Israeli civilians. There can never be a two-state solution if Hamas has any significant power. However, a temporary ceasefire, such as President Biden has proposed, which would allow for the return of hostages and humanitarian relief for suffering Palestinians, is quite different, and is something I support. But any proposal that leaves Hamas with meaningful power is unacceptable to me and most all Israelis. It should go without saying that Hamas cannot have any role in a future Gaza if we are to achieve peace. The same goes for the minority of Palestinians who support Hamas and those who demonstrate other forms of extremism, even if they're not card-carrying members. The Gazans who ventured into Israeli territory on October 7 to loot and pillage. The people in the West Bank who flooded the streets and cheered from afar the cold-blooded killing of mothers and children. This is appalling behavior, and while it may fall short of terrorism, it has no place in a peaceful future for Israel and Palestinians, and it ought to be denounced by the Palestinian public and their leaders who believe in a more sustainable future beyond the cycle of violent revenge. The second major obstacle to peace is radical right-wing Israelis in government and society. The worst examples of this radicalism are Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Ministry of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. Minister Smotrich has in the past openly called for the subjugation or forced displacement of all Palestinians in the West Bank. In the current crisis, he has used inflammatory rhetoric and called for punitive restrictions on Palestinian farmers in the West Bank during the olive harvest. He has prevented the transfer of funds to the Palestinian Authority, and he has opposed the provision of any humanitarian assistance to Gaza, going so far as to stop agreed-upon shipments of flour. Minister Ben-Gvir is no better. When he was a young man, he was barred from Israeli military service for his extremist views. Last year, in a move only intended to antagonize the Muslim population, he visited the Temple Mount with his supporters as a brazen show of force towards Palestinians. And during this current conflict, he has facilitated the mass distribution of guns to far-right settlers, exacerbating instability and fueling violence. There is a nastiness to what Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir believe and how they use their positions of authority and influence; an eagerness to inflame and provoke that is profoundly irresponsible and self-destructive. In my conversations with Israeli leaders, I have urged them to do more to clamp down on the unacceptable vigilante settler violence in the West Bank, and I have supported the Biden administration's efforts to impose consequences for extremist settler violence. But the unfortunate reality is that this violence is openly supported by Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and as long as they hold their positions of power, no true progress will be made. While not equivalent, extremist Palestinians and extremist Israelis seek the same goal: from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, they aim to push the other from the land. Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir may not say they want to kill all Palestinians outright, but they are clear in their desire to displace them from their homes and replace them with Israeli settlers. This is also abhorrent. As long as these two hold their positions of power, peace will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. The third major obstacle to peace is the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, who is beholden to his narrow political interests, to the detriment of both the West Bank and Gaza. Over the years, President Abbas has evaded the democratic process, declining to hold elections for over a decade and failing to empower future leadership. Despite his long tenure leading the Palestinian Authority, he has achieved few of his self-proclaimed goals. The Palestinian Authority remains corrupt and continues to incite instability through the martyr payment system. Palestinians are no more prosperous, no safer, and no freer than they were when Abbas first took power. As a result, President Abbas has lost the trust of the Palestinian people. Furthermore, he is a terrible role model and spiritual leader. In the past, he has participated in outright Holocaust denial, attempting to justify Nazis actions. This embrace of antisemitism extended to his refusal, for weeks, to condemn the loss of Israeli civilian life on October 7. Should Abbas remain, the Palestinian people can have no assurance that a Palestinian state would be able to ensure their safety or prosperity. Nor can they have any belief that the government would be free of corruption. For there to be any hope of peace in the future, Abbas must step down and be replaced by a new generation of Palestinian leaders who will work towards attaining peace with a Jewish State. Otherwise, the West Bank will continue to suffer, and Hamas or some similarly extreme organization will continue to maintain a foothold in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority under new leadership must undertake a reform process and emerge as a revitalized PA that can viably serve as the basis for a Palestinian State with the trust of the Palestinian people. The fourth major obstacle to peace is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has all too frequently bowed to the demands of extremists like Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and the settlers in the West Bank. I have known Prime Minister Netanyahu for a long time. While we have vehemently disagreed on many occasions, I will always respect his extraordinary bravery for Israel on the battlefield as a younger man. I believe in his heart his highest priority is the security of Israel. However, I also believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel. He has put himself in coalition with far-right extremists like Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and as a result, he has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah. Prime Minister Netanyahu has also weakened Israel's political and moral fabric through his attempts to co-opt the judiciary. And he has shown zero interest in doing the courageous and visionary work required to pave the way for peace, even before this present conflict. As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed radically since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past. Nobody expects Prime Minister Netanyahu to do the things that must be done to break the cycle of violence, preserve Israel's credibility on the world stage, and work towards a two-state solution. If he were to disavow Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and kick them out of his governing coalition, that would be a real meaningful step forward. But regrettably, there is no reason to believe Prime Minister Netanyahu would do that. He won't disavow Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir and their calls for Israelis to drive Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank. He won't commit to a military operation in Rafah that prioritizes protecting civilian life. He won't engage responsibly in discussions about a "day-after" plan for Gaza, and a longer-term pathway to peace. Hamas, and the Palestinians who support and tolerate their evil ways. Radical right-wing Israelis in government and society. President Abbas. Prime Minister Netanyahu. These are the four obstacles to peace, and if we fail to overcome them, then Israel and the West Bank and Gaza will be trapped in the same violent state of affairs they've experienced for the last 75 years. These obstacles are not the same in their culpability for the present state of affairs. But arguing over which is the worst stymies our ability to achieve peace. Given the complexity and gravity of this undertaking, many different groups have a responsibility to see it through. The Palestinian people must reject Hamas and the extremism in their midst. They know better than anybody how Hamas has used them as pawns, how Hamas has tortured and punished Palestinians who seek peace. Quite frankly, I haven't heard enough Palestinian leaders express anguish about Hamas and other extreme elements of Palestinian society. I implore them to speak up now, even when it may be hardest. Because that is the only true way to honor the lives of all those lost by transcending the enmity and bloodshed, and working together in good faith for a better future. Once Hamas is deprived of power, the Palestinians will be much freer to choose a government they want and deserve. With the prospect of a real two-state solution on the table, and for the first time, genuine statehood for the Palestinian people, I believe they will be far more likely to support more mainstream leaders committed to peace. I think the same is true of the Israeli people. Call me an optimist, but I believe that if the Israeli public is presented with a path to a two-state solution that offers a chance at lasting peace and coexistence, then most mainstream Israelis will moderate their views and support it. Part of that moderation must include rejecting right-wing zealots like Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and the extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank. These people do not represent a majority of the Israeli public, yet under Prime Minister Netanyahu's watch, they have had far too much influence. All sides must reject "From the river to the sea" thinking and I believe they will if the prospects for peace and a two-state solution are real. Beyond the Israeli and Palestinian people and their leaders, there are others who bear a serious responsibility to work towards a two-state solution. Without them, it cannot succeed. Middle Eastern powers like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and other mainstream Arab states can have immense power and influence with the Palestinians. Working with the United States, they must responsibly deploy their clout, their money, and their diplomacy to support a new demilitarized Palestinian State that rejects terror and violence. I believe they have the leverage to do this with the support of the majority of the Palestinian people, who want what any other people want: peace, security, and prosperity. I believe there is enough strength in the Arab world to get President Abbas to step down, and to support a gradual succession plan for responsible Palestinian leaders to take his place. Hamas has so wrecked society in Gaza that it will take the outside involvement of Arab countries to help rebuild something better and more sustainable. It may take some time to identify such leaders, but with the considerable resources of the Arab world backing them, I believe these leaders can and will emerge knowing that they have support. The outlines of the deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel that were reported before October 7 still make a great deal of sense, and can be the catalyst for the creation of a viable Palestinian State. Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations should continue to pursue normalization with Israel, and this should be the foundation of a grand bargain in the Middle East that will finally make meaningful Palestinian statehood a reality. For our part, the United States the world's superpower must work together with our allies to bring our immense diplomatic and financial power to bear on this situation. We can be a partner to a grand bargain in the Middle East by deepening our relationship with the Saudis and other Arab nations to induce them to make a deal but only if they actively guide Palestinians toward a more peaceful future. On the Israeli side, the U.S. government should demand that Israel conduct itself with a future two-state solution in mind. We should not be forced into a position of unequivocally supporting the actions of an Israeli government that includes bigots who reject the idea of a Palestinian state. Israel is a democracy. Five months into this conflict, it is clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and ask: must we change course? At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government. I also believe a majority of the Israeli public will recognize the need for change, and I believe that holding a new election once the war starts to wind down would give Israelis an opportunity to express their vision for the post-war future. Of course, the United States cannot dictate the outcome of an election, nor should we try. That is for the Israeli public to decide a public that I believe understands better than anybody that Israel cannot hope to succeed as a pariah opposed by the rest of the world. As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may. But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel after October 7. In my opinion, that is best accomplished by holding an election. If Prime Minister Netanyahu's current coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down, and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing U.S. standards for assistance, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course. The United States' bond with Israel is unbreakable, but if extremists continue to unduly influence Israeli policy, then the Administration should use the tools at its disposal to make sure our support for Israel is aligned with our broader goal of achieving long-term peace and stability in the region. I believe this would make a lasting two-state solution more likely. Now, I know there are many on both sides who question how we can discuss peace at a moment like this. So many Gazans are displaced from their homes and struggling to meet their most basic needs. Many are still burying and mourning their dead. Entire families have been wiped out. In Israel, everyone knows someone who was killed on October 7. So many Israelis feel that people around the world have no respect for the grief and rage unleashed by Hamas's vicious attack. So is there real hope for peace and a two-state solution? In the face of this atrocity, who could blame even the most hopeful among us for hardening their hearts, for giving up on the possibility of peace, for giving in to hate? I seek my inspiration in the example of leaders who have come before us and worked for peace in the face of extreme circumstances. Some of Israel's greatest warriors and security experts have been staunch advocates for peace because they understand better than anybody that it is essential to Israel's security. David Ben-Gurion, Yitzhak Rabin, Ehud Barak... all of them sought peace with the Palestinians. On the Palestinian side, we don't have to look back very far to see a model of responsible leadership Salam Fayyad, the former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, who was clear in his condemnation of violence against Israelis. And for the Arab leaders of today, may they find inspiration in Anwar el Sadat of Egypt and King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan, who had the courage and vision to seek peace with Israel. Before October 7, things were moving in the right direction. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia both were on the path to normalization with Israel, and with conditions that would greatly benefit the lives of the Palestinian people. Many believe that Iran motivated Hamas to disrupt this process, and indeed there have been setbacks since October 7, but recent talks between Arab and American leaders suggest the desire is stronger than ever now to find a path forward.Arab leaders cannot lose their stomachs for peace now at this critical inflection point. They must continue to pursue the path to normalization of relations with Israel, and the U.S. should use all of its power and influence to bring them to the table and make them cooperate constructively. If my speaking out today has any effect, it will probably have greater influence on the Israeli and Jewish side of things, but if this conflict is to be resolved, we need comparable Palestinian and Arab leaders to also speak responsibly to their people about the path forward to peace. Now is the time for courageous leadership. After Israelis and Palestinians have experienced so much horror and loss of life, to not have something meaningful come out of this war would be doubly tragic. History will look back on what we do here. Are we prepared together to have the courage to make an all-out push to bring about peace, once and for all? To bring to this conflict what the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the "fierce urgency of now" to end the cycles of tragedy and pain? I have always said when horrific things happen, some turn inwards and let their grief consume them, while others light a candle and turn their grief into power. They are able to see hope in the darkness. In Scripture, we read about how God created the world from an infinite void that out of the greatest darkness can come the greatest light. I hope and pray that from the brutal slaying of Israelis by Hamas, and the harrowing civilian toll in Gaza, that a two-state solution where Jews and Palestinians can live in peace will prevail. I know I am not alone in this prayer. There are right now Palestinians in Gaza, some of whom are still pulling dead family members from the rubble, who are defying Hamas and their murderous ideology and calling for a pathway to peace. There are right now some families of the victims of October 7 who have been calling for peace, asking their government to transcend the cycle of bloodshed and revenge. If they can find in their hearts a path to peace, then surely we can also. From the ashes, may we light the candles that lead us to a better future for all. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with Mauritanian President Ghazouani US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson March 14, 2024 Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani today. Secretary Blinken congratulated President Ghazouani on his election as Chairperson of the African Union (AU) for 2024 and highlighted our commitment to work together to address global issues including democracy and governance, peace and security, climate, and food security in line with AU Agenda 2063 Goals and Aspirations. They discussed President Ghazouani's AU priorities for the coming year and the U.S.-Mauritania bilateral relationship. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Peruvian Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea Before Their Meeting US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson Room Washington, D.C. March 14, 2024 SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good morning, everyone. And it's a distinct pleasure to have my friend, my colleague, the foreign minister of Peru here today with us at the State Department. We just had a wonderful moment where it was a great honor for the United States to be able to return to Peru some extraordinary documents dating to the 16th century that document the very first theater troupe in the Americas - quite remarkable. And thanks to very good work between our governments, we were able to return these documents to make sure that the extraordinary cultural heritage of Peru is further reinforced. So thank you Mr. Minister, Javier, for this really wonderful moment. It shows the incredible, powerful connections between our countries, our hemisphere that goes back so many years, so many centuries, but is - continues to have powerful expression in the present. So I thank you for that. And I really want to thank the - in particular, our colleagues from the FBI, from the Justice Department for the many years of efforts that went into recovering what were stolen documents and now being able to return them to where they rightfully belong to Peru and in Peru. This is an important year in the relationship between our countries. We're celebrating 15 years of our free trade agreement. Peru, of course, is hosting APEC, a very significant undertaking, and President Biden looks forward to that. In a couple of months' time - in May - we will hold our formal high-level dialogue and the agenda is extremely important, particularly when it comes to economic and security issues, which we'll be - also be discussing today. And, of course, Peru is a very valued member of the Americas Partnership. The bottom line is there are many opportunities that we seek to advance between the United States and Peru: the work that we're doing together on security, on democracy, on economic cooperation and inclusive growth. In all these areas and many more, we're joined as partners, and I really welcome the opportunity today with the foreign minister to pursue our conversations, to pursue our work in the spirit of deepening the partnership between our countries. Javier, the floor is yours. FOREIGN MINISTER GONZALEZ-OLAECHEA: (Via interpreter) A very good morning to you, Mr. Secretary of State, dear friend, Antony. First of all, on behalf of the Peruvian Government I would like to say to you that we are deeply appreciative for this demonstration of friendship shown by gifting us in practice - by returning this historic document with the help of the FBI and the Department of Justice. This simply underscores the work the U.S. does with friendly countries. This will be guarded in the most appropriate way possible in Peru once the document arrives back in Lima. And I would also like to thank you, Antony, for this third conversation that we're having. The first one was in San Francisco officially. The second was at the table, where you were so kind as to invite me, and now for the third time in this wonderful room. I would like to thank you here for your cooperation, for our honest relationship, and for the dialogue that has been ongoing with Brian, who is a friend to Peru. Sometimes we don't always agree, but the important thing is that we do share the same values and the same feelings, and I say this truly from the heart. This year obviously is a year of common challenges. We are waiting for confirmation of the President's visit, which would be a wonderful opportunity to open our arms and offer everything that Peru can offer to leadership, leadership that you as Secretary - I believe you spend 80 hours a day on this in tackling the challenges that humankind is currently facing. And on this issue specifically, I wanted to highlight in this meeting the fact that we completely share your concern regarding Ukraine, regarding the crimes and the terrorism - not to use another word for it - that is being perpetrated in the Middle East. And I'll take this time also to tell you that when I received the visit of our Israeli colleague in December, understanding perfectly well the reactions that had been seen, we said that our traditional, historic, and professional diplomacy could be a part of the solution, and we offered every capacity that our ministry has to offer so that the day after, when he thought there would be a group of friendly countries, that he could consider that Peru, although it is not so involved in that area, could have a role to play in support and facilitation. And I wanted you to know that directly. There are other concerns as well. I had mentioned to you in San Francisco what is happening in Venezuela. And on this point, what is happening in Venezuela, I shared this concern at that organization that was created without the United States, which is ECLAC. And I said specifically to Foreign Minister Mauro from Brazil, our friend, that they needed to be a part of the solution as well. We do not want countries in the region to act against democracy. I know that the press is here, but what I say privately I say publicly. And I think it is good for that to be known. That is how this friendly foreign minister acts. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Gracias. Thanks, everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK calls on Iran to cease its unlawful support for the Houthis Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen. 14 March 2024 Thank you President and thank you Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Wsornu for your briefing. We are grateful for all the work you and your teams are doing to bring sustainable peace and humanitarian relief to the Yemeni people. President, since we last met, the Houthis have continued their reckless attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The UK offers our condolences to the families of the innocent crew killed and injured during their recent attack on the MV TRUE CONFIDENCE, targeted while en-route from China to Saudi Arabia. In recent days, similar actions have resulted in the sinking of the fertiliser laden MV RUBYMAR and continue to risk exacerbating the humanitarian crisis Yemen. These attacks are impacting all of us. Ships from around the world are being targeted. It has also been more than 100 days since the seizure of MV GALAXY LEADER and its crew, who continue to be unlawfully detained. We call for the immediate release of the vessel and her crew. The Houthis alone are risking further escalation. The United Kingdom condemns these abhorrent attacks and we call on the Houthis to stop the attacks, to respect the freedom of navigation of all vessels, and to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea. President, today the Council will hear an update from the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, UNVIM, which monitors ships entering Yemeni ports. The inspection of vessels is fundamental to interrupting illicit arms entering Houthi-controlled areas, while preserving the flow of goods into Yemen. Nearly 90% of all food in Yemen comes through commercial imports so maintaining the integrity of these ports is vital. Reports of Iranian ships circumventing these inspections are therefore extremely concerning. The UK calls on Iran to cease its unlawful support for the Houthis. All ships entering Hudaydah must comply and report to UNVIM for inspection. We recommit our support to UNVIM, so it has the necessary capacity and funding to ensure Yemenis have access to essential goods while abating the smuggling of illicit arms. Finally, President, the peace process in Yemen remains critical, as Special Envoy Grundberg has set out. We urge all stakeholders and parties to the conflict to prioritise the peace process and build on the progress made by the Special Envoy. This is the best opportunity for sustainable peace in Yemen in nine years. We must take it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2726 (2024) Meetings Coverage Security Council 9575th Meeting (AM) SC/15624 14 March 2024 The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan until 30 April 2024, unanimously adopting resolution 2726 (to be issued as document S/RES/2726 (2024)) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. By the text, the Council authorized the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMISS) to use all necessary means to carry out its tasks, determining that the situation in the country continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security. By other terms, it recalled its previous resolutions, statements of its President and press statements concerning the situation in South Sudan, and decided to remain actively seized of the matter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Concentric Circles of Escalation, Risky Military Adventurism in Red Sea Could Spark New War Cycle in Yemen, Special Envoy Warns, Urging Maximum Restraint Meetings Coverage Security Council 9576th Meeting (AM) SC/15625 14 March 2024 With concentric circles of escalation and risky military adventurism in the Red Sea, Yemen could descend into a new cycle of war, the Organization's senior official for that country warned the Security Council today, as he urged all actors to exercise maximum restraint and work towards de-escalation and the peace process. Following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Palestine, attacks by the Houthi rebel group on commercial shipping have continued, significantly disrupting global trade routes in the Red Sea. "Although we have tried to shield the peace process from regional developments since the war in Gaza, the reality is, that what happens regionally impacts Yemen and what happens in Yemen can impact the region," said Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen. The longer the escalatory environment continues, the more challenging Yemen's mediation space will become, he cautioned, noting that, with more interests at play, the parties to the conflict in Yemen are more likely to shift calculations and alter their negotiation agendas. Accordingly, he emphasized the importance of remaining focused on the long-term aims. Although hostilities have remained relatively low in Yemen compared to the pre-2022 truce period, there have been continued clashes and troop movements in Hudaydah, Lahj, Ma'rib, Sa'adah, Shabwa and Ta'iz. The parties also continue to make public threats to return to war. "Many Yemenis I have spoken to have expressed their fears of a potential escalation in internal fighting," he said, adding: "We must do all we can to prevent this." Noting that his focus remains on reaching a ceasefire and starting a political process, Mr. Grundberg detailed his mediation efforts, including recent meetings with key security officials in Aden and Ta'iz to prepare for a future nationwide ceasefire. He urged that all parties keep channels of communication open and do not lose focus on delivering results for Yemenis. "Supporting the freedom of movement of people and goods across Yemen remains a priority for my Office," he added. Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reported that "positive progress observed since the UN-brokered truce in April 2022 is at risk of unravelling". Levels of food insecurity and malnutrition have surged recent assessments by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) showed an 11 per cent increase in food insecurity since November 2023 and that nearly half of all children under the age of five are experiencing moderate to severe stunting. "The causes are familiar," she said conflict, a protracted economic crisis and severe funding shortfalls that significantly impact humanitarian assistance. Noting that WFP requires $230 million over the next five months to cover three food distribution cycles for the most vulnerable families in Houthi-controlled areas, she urged donors to step up with this much-needed funding. "For most people in Yemen, food insecurity is an issue of affordability, not accessibility," she stated, urging the international community to support the UN's development framework for Yemen to enable its people to "break the cycle of dependence on external assistance". She also pointed out that rising regional tensions and the escalating situation in the Red Sea further threaten the modest economic improvements and humanitarian progress since the truce. Attacks against vessels could directly and indirectly impact the livelihoods of thousands of people in coastal communities that rely on fishing for survival. Accordingly, she urged all concerned parties to refrain from actions that could exacerbate the situation and underlined the importance of full humanitarian access to Yemenis in need, adding: "The people of Yemen can ill-afford to see the progress made since the UN-brokered truce ebb away." In the following discussion, numerous Council Members among them, the representatives of Malta and Ecuador voiced alarm over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen. They stressed that Yemen continues to be one of the most food-insecure countries in the world, with 18 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Without the necessary funding, food security will continue to deteriorate sharply, many observed, urging the international community to ensure that WFP and its partners have the requisite resources and access to resume food distribution in Houthi-controlled areas. The speakers for Switzerland and Slovenia highlighted that women have borne the brunt of the war in Yemen and yet have displayed time and time again their relentless commitment to peace at the grassroots level. The increasing exclusion of Yemeni women from public and political life, including restrictions on their freedom of movement, is, therefore, harmful for peace efforts. Many speakers deplored the Houthi missile attack on the True Confidence cargo ship on 6 March, which resulted in the death of three seafarers and injured four others, as well as the missile attacks on the Rubymar. The representative of the United States emphasized that the attacks affect every Member State, making it vital that "we speak with one voice in rejecting efforts to interfere with the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms". Citing recent progress to Yemen's stability through a durable ceasefire and inclusive UN-led political process, he warned that the Houthis risk throwing it away and "these actions do nothing to alleviate hardships facing the Yemeni people, much less help meet the needs of Palestinian civilians in Gaza." Echoing his stance, France's delegate said that the Houthis are "singlehandedly" responsible for the escalation in the Red Sea and the resulting fallout on regional stability and international maritime trade. Demanding that Iran halt their destabilizing actions by ceasing to fund and arm them, she said that France will continue its commitments under the European Union's Operation "ASPIDES". She reported that a French frigate intercepted several Houthi drones in the context of that operation, whose stance is "purely defensive". In the same vein, her counterpart from the United Kingdom urged Iran to cease its unlawful support for the Houthis, stating: "This is the best opportunity for sustainable peace in Yemen in nine years. We must take it". He also emphasized the role of the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, noting that the integrity of commercial imports through which 90 per cent of all food comes to Yemen is vital. The speaker for the Republic of Korea stressed that the sinking of Rubymar carrying fertilizer earlier in March is also concerning due to the possible environmental contamination of the Red Sea. The representative of Sierra Leone, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana, and Mozambique, added that a high concentration of these dangerous goods may pose a severe threat to the marine ecosystem and the Yemeni fishing industry. Accordingly, he called on the international community to support the capacities of the Yemeni Coast Guard in protecting the country's coastline. Also condemning the Houthis' "outrageous and unjustifiable conduct" which is impeding global commerce and undermining navigational rights and freedoms Japan's delegate called for the immediate release of the Japanese-operated Galaxy Leader and its 25 crew members. China's delegate, meanwhile, countered that "the Security Council has never authorized any country to use force against Yemen". The tensions in the Red Sea are "a clear manifestation of the spillover effects of the Gaza conflict", he observed, urging Israel to cease its collective punishment of the Palestinian people and on "the country concerned" to enable the Council to take immediate action towards a ceasefire. The speaker for the Russian Federation echoed that a further destabilizing factor aside from the presence of the "so-called coalition" led by the United States and the United Kingdom was the dispatch of naval vessels from European Union countries as part of the bloc's Operation "ASPIDES". While operations initiated by the United States and its satellites have not stabilized the situation in the Red Sea, "the only diplomacy that Washington recognizes is gunboat diplomacy", he stated. For his part, the delegate for Yemen said his country is under economic siege, which had led to food insecurity, due to continued aggression by the Houthi militias against commercial ships carrying food and humanitarian assistance to Yemeni ports. The continued influx of Iranian weapons to Houthi militias will only protract the conflict and further exacerbate Yemen's humanitarian crisis. "There is a dire need to review how to counter the activities of the [Iranian] proxies destabilizing the region," he said. The Houthis must stop their war against the Yemeni people and, instead, open the crossing and main roads, free prisoners in detention and resort to peace, he stressed, adding that peace "cannot be achieved without supporting the Government of Yemen, promoting its ability to restore State institutions and protect its territorial waters." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway to Raise Defense Budget to Meet 2% NATO Target By VOA News March 14, 2024 Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced on Thursday plans to raise the nation's defense spending this year to equal 2% of its GDP. Norway was initially set to meet the goal in 2026 but will hit the goal early amid a potential threat from what the prime minister called a "dangerous and unpredictable" Russia. The 2024 defense budget, initially expected to be about $8.75 billion, will be raised in a spring budget bill, Store said, without providing a specific figure. In 2022, Norway's defense budget accounted for 1.57% of the nation's GDP, according to NATO. On Thursday, Store met with political rivals in parliament to discuss plans for long-term military strategies, the results of which are expected to be presented on April 5. "The security policy situation is serious," Store said in a statement. "We have to live with a more dangerous and unpredictable Russia, probably for a long time." Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering fears among Russia's neighbors. Norway and Russia share a nearly 200-kilometer-long border in the Arctic. Norway's decision comes before the upcoming NATO summit, set to take place in July. Store said Norway's increased defense budget will send a "powerful message" that the nation's spending goals will align with other allies. Denmark announced similar plans to raise its budget Wednesday, saying it would be increased by $5.9 billion over the next five years, which would allow it to reach the NATO goal by next year, rather than 2030 as initially planned. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said in February that 18 NATO members could meet the 2% target this year. Sweden officially joined the security alliance last week, bringing the number of members to 32. According to Reuters, more countries are emphasizing meeting the NATO spending goal after recent comments from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who said the U.S. wouldn't protect NATO members that didn't spend enough on defense. Some information in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken to Visit Philippines to Reinforce Alliance Amid South China Sea Tensions By Nike Ching March 14, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the Philippines next week, following a recent trade mission there by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The visit comes amid escalating tensions between the Philippines and China over maritime disputes in the South China Sea. "Secretary Blinken will travel to Manila to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our Philippine allies" and "promote peace and stability in the South China Sea," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a Thursday briefing. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced his meeting with Blinken on March 19, with a focus on issues of cooperation and security. "The secretary's visit will also underscore the importance of our strong bilateral ties, which for 75 years, have been critical to advancing our shared vision for a free and open connected, prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific region," Miller said. During Commerce Secretary Raimondo's trade and investment mission to Manila this week, she announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in the Philippines' tech sector and help double the number of semiconductor factories in the country. Washington's move is seen as boosting Manila's chip sector amid intense competition with Beijing. Blinken will start his trip late Thursday, heading first to Vienna for a meeting of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. His trip will include a stop in Seoul where South Korea is hosting a Summit for Democracy. The meeting between Marcos and Blinken is set against a backdrop of increasing tension over territorial disputes in the South China Sea between Manila and Beijing. Marcos has committed to upholding the Philippines' maritime claims, following Chinese President Xi Jinping's call for military preparedness for potential sea conflicts. A recent collision near the waters around Second Thomas Shoal (known as Ren'ai Shoal in China) has further strained the relationship between the two countries. The rich fishing ground is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the nearest Philippines island and 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) from China. On March 5, the Philippine Coast Guard said Chinese ships carried out dangerous maneuvers and fired water cannons on Philippine vessels, causing multiple collisions, and damaging at least one Philippine vessel. China accused the Philippines of intruding on its territory "without the permission of the Chinese government." A PRC spokesperson said the Chinese foreign ministry "has lodged solemn representations with the Philippines and expressed strong protest." According to an international tribunal's legally binding decision issued in July 2016, Second Thomas Shoal is located within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and China has no lawful maritime claims to the waters around the low-tide feature. Beijing has rejected the ruling, claiming "indisputable sovereignty" over most of the South China Sea. The United States said it stands with the Philippines. The State Department issued a strong statement on March 5 to condemn "the PRC's repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels" and said Beijing's actions "show disregard for the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos and international law." The White House has announced that it will host Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for an official visit on April 10. Japanese media outlet The Asahi Shimbun reported that leaders from Japan, the United States and the Philippines are planning a summit in Washington around that time. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Observers: US Investments in Philippines Seen Easing Reliance on China By Peh Hong Lim March 14, 2024 During a trade mission visit to Manila this week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in the Philippines' tech sector and help double the number of semiconductor factories in the country. Observers say the pledge and visit highlight the Southeast Asian nation's growing importance to Washington and will also help reduce the Philippine economy's reliance on China. "U.S. companies have realized that our chip supply chain is way too concentrated in just a few countries in the world," Raimondo said in remarks at a business forum on Tuesday. "Forget about geopolitics. Just at that level of concentration, you know the old adage, 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket.' Why do we allow ourselves to be buying so many of our chips from one or two countries? That's why we need to diversify," Raimondo said. American business executives from 22 businesses, including Alphabet's Google, Visa and Microsoft, joined Raimondo on the trip. Possible expansion of chip industry JC Punongbayan, resident economist and columnist of the online news website Rappler.com, said that while the Philippines is one of the key centers in the global electronics industry chain, it does not yet have the ability to manufacture smartphone or computer chips. The Philippines currently has 13 semiconductor factories that focus on assembly, packaging and testing. "This commitment by the U.S. government to boost the local semiconductor industry is a welcome development because right now, even if semiconductors have figured prominently in trade statistics, these are not high value-added. So basically, we import a lot of components and then export them after assembly and packaging," Punongbayan told VOA's Mandarin Service. "Hopefully, these investments by the U.S. government and private sector partners will enable the Philippines to export higher value-added goods in the future," he said. Punongbayan believes that at a time when the Philippines is working hard to amend its regulations and hoping to attract more foreign direct investment, the promised investment from U.S. companies could provide a strong boost to the capital-starved country. "We have had some difficulties when it comes to attracting foreign investments. And in fact, from 2020 to 2023, foreign direct investments dropped by more than 6% on an annual basis. So, we really need these investments in order to boost the economy," Punongbayan said. "And the billion-dollar investment pledge of the U.S. is several times the actual foreign direct investments that have come in recent years in fact, almost nine times the foreign direct investment from the U.S. in 2023. These are very crucial to Philippine development," he said. During Raimondo's two-day visit, U.S. companies committed to invest in the digital and energy sectors, areas that are in line with Manila's overall development plans and will help the Philippines' industrial upgrading and transformation, Punongbayan said. Defense and economy Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies, a policy think tank in the Philippines, said that over the years, the Philippines' economic growth has been mainly driven by strong consumption. These investment commitments by U.S. companies will accelerate local economic growth, Manhit said, benefiting both the public and private sectors and positively affecting areas such as the Philippines' manufacturing supply chain and business process outsourcing. He said these investments could also allow Manila to fully understand that strengthening its alliance with Washington will not only bring it defense assistance but also economic security. "Because we all share values, democratic values. We value jobs for people. In the case of the Philippines, imagine if we can create jobs that could provide better income for Filipinos," Manhit said. "Then we will see the strong partnership with the U.S. not limited to national security only, but also economic security." Washington's pledges of economic support for the Philippines comes at a time of rising tensions between Manila and Beijing over sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo warned that Manila is facing severe "economic coercion" from China. He also said the Philippines relies heavily on trade relations with China and hopes to expand economic and trade connections with other countries, including establishing formal free trade agreement negotiations with the European Union as soon as possible. Punongbayan said that despite the disputes in the South China Sea, Manila continues to import a large amount of goods from China, which is the largest source of the country's trade deficit. That shows how difficult it is for the country to decouple its economy from China, and why it is imperative for Manila to lessen its dependence on Beijing. Greater interest from the United States to invest in the Philippines is a step in the right direction, he said. "If we import a lot from China, then indirectly we are boosting China's economy at the same time. And of course, part of the revenues coming from these payments to China will go to the Chinese government," Punongbayan said. "So indirectly, in a way, the Philippines is funding China's incursions in the West Philippine Sea." Manhit, however, said compared with other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippine economy is not very dependent on China. According to recent poll by Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies, the country Filipinos most want to maintain good economic relations with is the U.S., followed by Japan, while China ranks at the bottom. He said the poll not only shows that China does not have as strong an economic influence on the Philippines as Beijing claims, but also that Filipinos are unanimously willing to expand economic cooperation with countries that share common democratic values, or values of human rights and the rule of law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Central Africa Says Economic Bloc Poorest, Integration Stagnant at 4% By Moki Edwin Kindzeka March 14, 2024 The Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC, marks its 30th anniversary this week but by some measures has little to celebrate. The bloc says member countries conduct most of their trade with outside countries and have made little attempt to break down economic barriers between them, leaving CEMAC the least developed and poorest economic bloc in Africa. Officials say the Central African Economic and Monetary Community remains the least integrated economic bloc in Africa, despite its very strong economic and social potential. CEMAC officials say member countries conduct more than 80 percent of their foreign trade with Europe, China and Russia - and only 4 percent with each other. The CEMAC countries -- Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Gabon and the Central African Republic --- created the bloc in 1994 to promote the free movement of goods and persons across borders and promote regional integration. Sylvestre Michel Nkou is an economic adviser to the Congo government and CEMAC. He spoke during celebrations marking the economic bloc's 30th anniversary in Yaounde Thursday. Nkou says CEMAC member states should emulate the Economic Community of West African States, in which civilians and merchants move from one country to the other without fear of police harassment, brutality or the confiscation of their goods. He says poverty will be reduced in central Africa and the economic bloc will cease to become the poorest on the continent when integration becomes a reality, not a political slogan. Nkou said CEMAC countries continue to erroneously believe that each state can develop on its own. He said CEMACs close to 70 million population constitute a large market which remains underused. Achingale Queen Anyifuet, an international relations scholar at Cameroon's International Relations Institute, says insecurity, Boko Haram conflicts affecting Chad and Cameroon, political tensions and armed attacks in the CAR and the military juntas in Chad and Gabon have diverted the CEMAC leaders' attention from economic development. "If you look at the rankings of 'Ease to do Business' countries in the world, the CEMAC region is far below," saod Achingale. "Out of the 197 countries, Cameroon which is the first [among CEMAC states], is ranked 167, so there is a lot to do. We have to put in place programs that address the key roots of conflicts, we have to look at security, ensuring a stable environment which is very key to economic development. We need to promote peace, which is one of the objectives of CEMAC." Achingale said the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business report quantitatively measures the ease of doing business in countries around the world, focusing on business regulations and property rights protections. Thierry Ndong, an expert in regional integration and analyst working with CEMAC, says the regional economic bloc has also failed to create a regional airline, build roads linking capitals of CEMAC member states and create a regional stock exchange. Ndong says a program to develop an economic zone in the border towns of Kye-Ossi, in Cameroon, Bitam in Gabon and Ebebiyin in Equatorial Guinea is among failed projects initiated by CEMAC officials. He says he is surprised that CEMAC keeps money to organize seminars to evaluate nonexistent projects that were initiated 15 years ago as a sign of economic integration without consulting the people who are the main beneficiaries. CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who is also the CEMAC president, is expected to address issues concerning the underdevelopment of the economic bloc in a March 16 message. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas speaks during a news conference at Wilbur Cross School on the day of the redo primary election for Mayor, in Bridgeport, Conn. Jan. 23, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas on Friday announced that she has asked the State Elections Enforcement Commission to investigate a series of allegations of election fraud during last months mayoral race, including a claim from a city employee that the John Gomes campaign offered residents cash for absentee ballots. The potential violations of election law were uncovered by the states election monitor program for Bridgeport, which was expanded to help oversee the recent do-over election after the original primary was marred by allegations of fraud, according to a letter Thomas sent to the commission. Thomas said the reported violations also include four incidents of suspicious activity captured by surveillance cameras at drop boxes suggesting possible absentee ballot irregularities, three of which seemed to involve the same person. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When alerted, the Secretary of the States office is required to send allegations of election malfeasance to SEEC for their review and decision to investigate if any laws were broken, Thomas said in a statement. Referrals are not proof of wrongdoing, but an important step to ensure that our elections are secure. Thomas letter to the commission also referred to reports from at least eight voters who told officials they received absentee ballots without requesting them, and an allegation from a resident that an unknown individual came to his home, asked him to sign paperwork and then left with his ballot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One notable complaint came from the mayors newly named deputy chief of staff, Constance Vickers. According to documents obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Vickers told an election monitor that a resident in a Washington Avenue apartment building informed her that individuals from the Gomes campaign had offered cash in return for their completed absentee ballot. The documents show the election monitor attempted to reach the resident by phone, but was not able to corroborate that account. Vickers, a Democratic activist who also serves as a legislative liaison, and did not return requests for comment Friday. Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Gomes denied the allegation and said he supported an investigation by the SEEC into potential irregularities during the lead up to the Feb 27. election. I cant even make a comment on that because it's so ridiculous, Gomes said. We've always been straightforward in saying we welcome any investigation and any thing that can be done to rectify the integrity when we talk about the voting process here in Bridgeport. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A spokesperson for the SEEC confirmed the investigative body has received Thomas referral, but declined further comment. Republicans in the state General Assembly, who have seized on the allegations of ballot fraud that upended the Park Citys mayor race, suggested that Thomas announcement is evidence the states laws are too lax. Sen. Stephen Harding and Rep. Vincent Candelora, the Republicans leaders in their respective bodies, called on lawmakers to ensure people who break election rules face the threat of jail time. Ensuring that residents have confidence in the integrity of our elections is a core responsibility of what we do, and if Democrats aren't willing to lead on this issue right now by installing a mandatory penalty for criminal elections violations, they simply aren't listening to Connecticut residents who are demandingand certainly deservethis level of reform, Harding and Candelora said in a joint statement. In her announcement, Thomas noted that she has proposed legislation to boost election security, including measures requiring surveillance of ballot drop boxes, changes to how ballot data is recorded, shortening the window for obtaining an absentee ballot and limiting who can apply for a replacement ballot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She has also recommended the state form a 17-member board tasked with reviewing and mitigating election administration issues that she claims her office and the SEEC do not have the power to address. The proposed board, she said, would have the authority to mandate training and monitor elections when needed. Operation Iron Swords - Day 160 - 14 March 2024 As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me the Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7," Senator Chuck Schumer said in the speech from the Senate floor. "The world has changed radically since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past." New York Sen. Chuck Schumer urged new elections in Israel, called for a two-state solution and said the United States should use its leverage to push for its goals in the region if Netanyahu remains in power. The highest-ranking elected Jewish official in U.S. history, added, near the end of the speech, Israel is a democracy. Five months into this conflict it is clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and ask, must we change course. At this critical juncture I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government. The U.S. government should demand that Israel conduct itself with a future two-state solution in mind. We should not be forced into a position of unequivocally supporting the actions of an Israeli government that includes bigots who reject the idea of a Palestinian state, Schumer said. Schumer harshly criticized Netanyahu in a lengthy tirade on the Senate floor. Schumer said that the Israeli prime minister placed himself in a far-right coalition and "as a result, was completely willing to tolerate the civilian death toll in Gaza, which pushed global support for Israel to its lowest levels." Schumer is a staunch ally of the Israeli government, visiting the Jewish state days after the Hamas attack on October 7, and delivering a lengthy speech before the Senate in December in which he denounced the kind of brazen, widespread anti-Semitism the likes of which we have not seen in generations in this country, if we've ever seen anything like it." The Jewish advocacy group J Street said that Schumer's statements indicate a historic shift for Democrats who care deeply about the future of Israel. The group added, "We agree with our pro-Israel allies on the necessity of comprehensive political change and believe that the Israeli and Palestinian peoples need new leadership." It stressed that Netanyahu failed the leadership test during the decades he spent in power, and expressed the need for leaders who provide security, protect democracy, and promote peace with their neighbors. Israel's ambassador to the United States said that "it is useless to comment on the domestic political scene of an allied democratic country." For its part, the Likud Party said that Israel is not a "banana republic" in response to Schumer's comments about the necessity of holding new elections in the Hebrew state, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party confirmed that it is leading a policy that enjoys "large public support". The Israeli Likud Party led by Netanyahu said that Israel is not a banana republic, but rather an independent democracy that is proud to have elected Netanyahu. In turn, Smotrich said that he expected "the largest democracy in the world to respect Israeli democracy." On the other hand, the opposition leader in Israel , Yair Lapid, said that Senator Chuck Schumer's speech indicates that Netanyahu is intentionally losing Israel's major supporters in the United States. War Termination Hamas executed the sheikh of a local clan in the Gaza Strip, according to reports on social media Thursday, after allegations of collaborating with Israel. Israel Hayom reported that Hamas members arrested the leader of the Doghmush clan before he was executed in Gaza Citys Family Court. According to the reports, he had ordered the theft of humanitarian aid to later be sold to Gazan civilians. Members of his clan were also accused of maintaining ties with Israel. HAMAS released no official statement regarding the incident, although the Israeli daily said that, if the reports are true, it indicates Hamas has regained control of the northern parts of the Palestinian enclave that the Israeli army vacated. The execution was said to be a message to other tribal leaders so they refrain from assisting Israel in administering Gaza after the IDF concludes major operations. Families' elders in the Gaza Strip informed UN officials of their rejection of any cooperation except through the government and security services in the Strip, which is led by the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ). Sources told Al Jazeera that the families' notables expressed their willingness to cooperate in bringing in and distributing aid on the condition of coordination with the security services in Gaza, and they rejected an offer of cooperation made by the Israeli government affairs coordinator in the Strip. In this context, military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi says that the idea of distributing aid through tribes and families in Gaza is an extremely malicious attempt that reminds everyone of the awakenings in Anbar, Iraq. During his analysis for Al Jazeera, Al-Duwairi explained that when the American army was unable to sustain its combat operations, it found in the Awakening an alternative to fighting the "Islamic State of Iraq." He pointed out that the Israeli occupation is looking for new awakenings that will assume the aid mission in the beginning and take over the security dimension later, believing that the Gazans do not accept to be rides and agents of the Israeli army. The Israeli Channel 14 reported that Palestinian Intelligence Director Majid Faraj began working on building an armed force (south of the Gaza Strip), consisting of families who do not support Hamas, to distribute aid from the south of the Gaza Strip to its north. After that, a Hamas security official said, Accepting communication with the occupation, including mukhtars and tribes, to work in the Gaza Strip is a national betrayal that we will not allow, stressing that the occupations attempt to create bodies to administer Gaza is a failed conspiracy that will not be achieved. It should be noted that the Support, Rescue, or Awakening Councils are Sunni tribal gatherings that were mostly established after the American occupation of Iraq to confront Al-Qaeda, especially since the declaration of the Islamic State of Iraq. The first beginning of the emergence of the Awakening Councils was in late 2006 in Anbar Governorate, western Iraq, which is the largest Sunni governorate, and from there the idea of ??the councils spread to other governorates such as Diyala, Salah al-Din, and Nineveh. The American occupation forces provided the Awakening Councils with money and weapons, either directly or through the Iraqi government, and these councils succeeded to a large extent in reducing the influence of Al-Qaeda and were able to expel large numbers of its members. Mystery surrounds what was revealed by the Israeli media about Palestinian Intelligence Director Majid Faraj beginning to work on building an armed force in the southern Gaza Strip. While the government media office of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) categorically denied the formation of such forces on the ground, the response of circles close to the Palestinian Authoritys intelligence services was ambiguous, between denying and confirming the beginning of the formation of a force affiliated with it in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Channel 14 said that the director of Palestinian intelligence has begun work on building an armed force in the southern Gaza Strip , adding that Farajs force - which he is working on - consists of families who do not support the Hamas movement to distribute aid from the south of the Strip to its north. Since June 2007, and the collapse of the security services of the Palestinian Authority before Hamas in an armed confrontation that ended with this Islamic movement extending its control over the small coastal strip, there have been no official armed forces affiliated with the Authority, or armed phenomena, whether factional or family, loyal to the National Liberation Movement ( Fatah) . In order to achieve this, the security forces affiliated with Hamas - which were formed after this date, which they call resolution and which Fatah describes as a coup - dealt with families loyal to their rival Fatah with a harsh security fist, and succeeded in neutralizing and disarming them to a large extent. Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip is living in what may be called a security vacuum due to the absence of Hamas security and police forces, for fear of physical liquidation following direct Israeli targeting of it, the most recent of which was on Wednesday, when two of its members were assassinated in the city of Rafah in the far south of the Gaza Strip. The director of the HAMAS government media office, Ismail Al-Thawabta, told Al Jazeera Net, categorically denied monitoring any signs of the formation of armed groups in the Gaza Strip affiliated with the Authoritys intelligence in Ramallah, and composed of families opposed to the Hamas movement. Hamas does not have a good relationship with the head of the agency, Faraj, who is very close to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Over the past years, the movement has repeatedly accused him and security figures close to him of being responsible for events in Gaza aimed at creating chaos and the return of what it describes as security chaos. A press source close to Farajs circle did not give Al Jazeera Net a decisive response regarding the formation of armed forces in Gaza. He said, From the beginning of the war, soft forces were formed and are based on securing aid affiliated with the Ministry of Social Development in the authority and distributing it to those who deserve it. Given the security situation, these forces were armed to protect Aid. However, the same source did not explicitly acknowledge the affiliation or loyalty of these forces to the intelligence service, or the credibility of what Israeli Channel 14 revealed about Israeli political and security efforts to put Faraj in charge of the Gaza Strip and build an alternative body to Hamas to rule Gaza the day after the war. Palestinian circles, including observers and analysts who are not affiliated with Hamas - and Al Jazeera Net polled their opinions - said that the authority, through several movements and figures, including Hussein Al-Sheikh, Minister of Civil Affairs, Secretary of the Executive Committee and one of those close to Abbas, began returning to Gaza as a means of humanitarian aid, but Without an official announcement or crude appearances. In the first official Palestinian reaction, a Fatah leader denied what was published about Faraj establishing a military force in Rafah and his preference for managing the Gaza Strip, describing the distribution of aid as distortion, sabotage, and Israeli evasion of a political solution. He continued, "This is a kind of dilution of the issue, sabotage and distortion of the political situation that we demand, and drives wedges between the components of the Palestinian people. Abu Bashar (Faraj) I know closely. He is a respected patriotic man and does not play these roles." At the same time, this leader pointed to a role for Fatah members in distributing aid provided by the authority, and spoke about a role for the intelligence service in distributing aid to the people of the Gaza Strip, explaining, Even if it (the agency) had a role in distributing aid through our people in the Gaza Strip. Gaza, this aid is to strengthen peoples steadfastness, not to control the Gaza Strip. He added, "Even if aid is distributed from the Palestinian Authority, it will be distributed by our people in the Gaza Strip who are affiliated with the organization (Fatah), not the tribes." The Palestinian Authority had stressed the need for aid to be introduced and distributed in the Gaza Strip in full coordination with it as the legitimate leadership of the Palestinian people. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said, in a statement issued on Wednesday, that the mechanism for introducing and distributing aid must be carried out in full coordination with the legitimate leadership of the Palestinian people, and through approved and irreplaceable international mechanisms such as UNRWA, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and relevant international institutions. The statement added that bringing in aid by all means is a priority, along with a ceasefire and preventing forced displacement. Munir Al-Jagoub, a leader who is close to the decision-making circles of the Authority, including Faraj, said that all Palestinians have broad lines that cannot be crossed, neither politically nor nationally, which is that the Gaza Strip is part of the Palestinian state, and we are looking for a comprehensive political solution. He continued that the Israelis are "trying to eliminate political solutions, specifically within the Gaza Strip, and for there to be no political representation, and for the story to go to the tribes and the distribution of aid through so-and-so and advertising... Al-Jaghoub reaffirmed the political position of the Palestinian leadership regarding the day after the war, which is that "the Gaza Strip is part of the Palestinian state that we seek and want." The Fatah leader referred to statements by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that the Authority lost security control over the Gaza Strip and Hamas took control of it, "but in reality the Authority remained and all its obligations remained there." The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (KAN) said that Security Council President Tzachi Hanegbi recently met with Faraj, with the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It pointed out that Defense Minister Yoav Galant proposed that the head of Palestinian Authority intelligence take over the administration of the Gaza Strip temporarily after the end of the war, adding that Israel is considering using him "to build an alternative to Hamas the day after the war." While the leader of the opposition in Israel, Yair Lapid, said, "It is natural for us to mention Faraj's name, as he in the Palestinian Authority is one of the figures who worked most with us against Hamas." Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a plan prepared by the security establishment with the support and backing of the United States , stipulating that members of the Fatah movement would control parts of the Gaza Strip. The newspaper added that details of the plan were presented at the political level in recent weeks, which aims mainly to prevent humanitarian aid and food supplies from reaching the hands of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), and to establish post-war infrastructure in Gaza. According to the plan, the head of Palestinian General Intelligence, Majed Faraj, will identify a list of candidates from Fatah members in the Gaza Strip, in numbers ranging from 4,000 to 7,000, and transfer the names to Israel to ensure that they are not involved in terrorism. In the second phase of the plan, Israel allows them to leave the Gaza Strip to be trained in the West Bank as a security force, with American General Michael Wenzel, the American security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, taking responsibility for the training process, before returning them with their weapons to the Gaza Strip. In turn, Israeli Channel 12 said that a dispute broke out between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant , during a discussion about bringing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and who should be responsible for distributing it. Gallant stated, "The party that should be responsible for distributing aid cannot be Sweden, it must be Fatah, and that there is no harm if the person responsible for that is Muhammad Dahlan or Majed Faraj." But Netanyahu expressed his anger and said that he did not want to hear anything about the Palestinian Authority. Israeli Channel 14 said that Palestinian Intelligence Director Majid Faraj had begun work on building an armed force in the southern Gaza Strip composed of members of families who do not support the Hamas movement, with the aim of distributing aid in areas extending from the south of the Strip to its north. While the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation revealed that National Security Council Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi recently met with Palestinian Intelligence Chief Majid Faraj, with Netanyahus approval. In a related context, sources told Al Jazeera that family notables in the Gaza Strip informed UN officials of a meeting yesterday, Wednesday, that they rejected any cooperation except through the government and security services in the Strip. The Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas announced that it has presented to mediators in Qatar and Egypt a comprehensive vision regarding its stance on halting the aggression on the Gaza Strip and the issue of prisoner exchange with the Israeli occupation, a statement released by the movement explained. The head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, had confirmed that there was an opportunity to reach a multi-stage agreement on the exchange of prisoners and a ceasefire in Gaza if Israel abandoned its intransigence. For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel "for the first time" saw pressure from Qatar on the Hamas movement regarding a prisoner exchange deal with Israel. The movement emphasized in a statement that this comes as part of its follow-up to negotiations through intermediaries to halt the Israeli aggression, provide relief and assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza, facilitate the return of the displaced to their homes, and the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Strip. In its statement, it stressed that its vision is based on these principles and foundations, which it considers vital for any agreement, and that it will remain committed to the rights and concerns of the Palestinian people. The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that the Qatari mediators on Thursday evening conveyed to the Israeli negotiating team an official response from the Hamas movement regarding the framework of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal. According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, the response includes a list of demands that an informed source says are reasonable and indicate positive progress in the talks. The source indicated to Kan: An agreement can be reached. Israeli Army Radio indicated that Tel Aviv is studying Hamas' response to the conditions for completing the exchange deal. Earlier this week, a senior Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that Qatari and Egyptian mediators believe they have managed to break the long deadlock in talks to secure a truce and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas. According to the Israeli channel, "The diplomat indicated that progress had been made after Doha exerted great pressure on Hamas, warning it of the possibility of expelling its leaders residing in Qatar from the country if they did not adapt to its approach to the negotiations." Operational Update The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" said in a report by writer Uri Misgav that Israel , under Netanyahu's rule, is descending into the security, diplomatic and economic abyss, "a country whose south is destroyed and whose north is deserted." The writer adds that Israel has become more isolated and hated abroad than ever before, and is suffering from deficits with a low credit rating and excessive costs of living, and concludes by saying that it is a country devoid of any horizon. In turn, writer David Ignatius, in his article in the American newspaper The Washington Post, considered that the dispute between Biden and Netanyahu is deeper than the dispute over Rafah . Washington doubts - according to the author - that Netanyahu has a sound strategy to end the conflict and achieve stability in the region, as he has had a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians and is increasingly harming American interests around the world. The Chinese newspaper "China Daily" opined in its editorial that American hypocrisy is deepening the crisis in Gaza. Washington shows concern for humanitarian aid and at the same time obstructs the work of UNRWA . It also insists that Israel be responsible for inspecting and controlling all aid provided to refugees. The newspaper adds: It is an absurdity that reveals the cruelty of self-interest at the heart of American policy. As for the British newspaper, the Financial Times, it published a lengthy report in which it said that the war in Gaza eliminated promising talent and destroyed the educational system, adding that hundreds of thousands of students have little realistic hope of resuming studies any time soon. Academics warn - according to the newspaper - that the destruction of the education system in Gaza represents a catastrophe that will further destroy the lives of Palestinians, noting that the Israeli war also led to the killing of a large number of students, young professionals, cultural figures, teachers and university professors. In turn, Australian Senator David Pocock said in an article published by The Guardian newspaper that the crisis in Gaza represents a diplomatic test for Australia, and he considered his country's response to the devastating violence in Gaza extremely painful because it was a test of its moral fabric. The Israeli newspaper "Jerusalem Post" devoted space to a statement by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Naledi Pandor, about Pretoria's warning to its citizens fighting alongside the Israeli army that they will be arrested when they return to the homeland. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Ofer camp today, where he met with the commanders and fighters of the Nitzan 636 unit. Prime Minister Netanyahu to the soldiers and observers of Nitzan Unit 636: "While you and the IDF are preparing to continue fighting, there is international pressure to prevent us from entering Rafah and completing the job. As Prime Minister of Israel, I repel these pressures - I will continue to repel the pressures and we will enter Rafah, complete the elimination of the remaining Hamas battalions, restore security and bring complete victory to the people of Israel and the State of Israel." The Prime Minister received a review from the commander of the unit, Lt. Col. G, on the work of the large battalion in the IDF - both in terms of the fighters of the combat collection and in terms of the work of the observers who serve as the eyes of the entire Central Command sector - the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Brigade. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to fighters and female observers: "The development of your work is very impressive, it greatly helps the fighting forces and it hurts the enemy. You are actually the eyes of the fighting force, and this gives a huge advantage. I want to thank you first of all, thank you commander, and therefore you for the important work. "Your companies are still being held captive by Hamas. We are doing everything to get them and the other abductees out. This is a sacred mission, and the mission you are doing is also sacred. We are determined to win - to achieve absolute victory. "While you and the IDF are preparing to continue fighting, there are international pressures to prevent us from entering Rafah and completing the job. As Prime Minister of Israel, I repel these pressures. We have been doing this successfully for five months - this is a record time in the history of Israeli wars. I will continue to repel The pressures, we will enter Rafah, we will complete the elimination of the remaining Hamas battalions, we will restore security and we will bring complete victory to the people of Israel and the State of Israel. I want to thank you for your important part in this act. So thank you very much. Keep looking, flying and hitting." The Prime Minister was accompanied by Chief of Staff Rabbi Tzachi Braverman, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary General Avi Gil, the Chief of Staff of the Central Command Brigadier General Roy Shatrit, the Commander of the IOS Division Brigadier General Yaki Dolf and the commander of the unit Lt. Col. G. Operational Update - Gaza Maariv newspaper quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that there is international pressure to prevent a military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip , but it will not prevent him from launching this operation. According to the newspaper, Netanyahu said - during his visit to military unit Nitzan 636 There is international pressure to prevent us from entering Rafah and completing the mission. He continued, "As Prime Minister of Israel, I will continue to repel these pressures. We will enter Rafah and complete the elimination of the remaining Hamas brigades." The American administration - the main supporter of Israel - had stressed that the Israeli army should not attack Rafah - where more than a million displaced Palestinians are seeking refuge - without a plan to evacuate the population to safe areas, noting that Washington has not yet presented such a plan. The American newspaper "Politico" reported that senior officials in the United States informed their Israeli counterparts that the administration of President Joe Biden would support them in achieving their plans to carry out an operation in Rafah , in the southern Gaza Strip , to pursue what it described as high-value targets of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), but it stipulated that the matter be done. Without a large-scale invasion, it may cause massive casualties among civilians. The newspaper explained that the Biden administration is currently considering the Israeli military operation that it could accept to implement in Rafah, and noted that Biden a few days ago set a red line stating that Israel should not carry out its campaign in Rafah without reliable plans to protect civilians. The newspaper quoted Israeli officials as saying that the occupation army is still developing ideas to ensure the safety of 1.3 million Palestinians in and around Rafah, many of whom were displaced to the region coming from other areas in the Strip, which has been subjected to Israeli aggression since the seventh of last October. It pointed out that senior US administration officials offered their Israeli counterparts their support for a plan closer to counter-terrorism operations than a comprehensive war, and administration officials say that this would reduce civilian casualties and eliminate resistance elements without repeating the scenes that led earlier. To stir up world public opinion regarding the Israeli war and Bidens handling of it. On the other hand, an Israeli official who spoke to Politico confirmed that there is no doubt that Israeli forces will at some point launch an operation of some kind in Rafah, and said, Ultimately, we cannot win this war without defeating the Hamas brigades in Rafah. However, the newspaper confirmed that some key members of Biden's team doubt that Israel aims to carry out a major military operation in Gaza soon, and a Defense Ministry official said that the lack of action so far is a sign that Israel is taking American warnings into account. All the officials Politico spoke to stressed that Israel's plans could change at any time, due to changes in the political situation in the country. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had confirmed that the military operation in Rafah, which does not protect civilians, which cuts off the main arteries of humanitarian aid, and places enormous pressure on the Israeli-Egyptian border, is not something that President Biden can support. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier expressed his rejection of the American position, and spoke via video before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee ( AIPAC ), a pro-Israel group in Washington, and said that friends of Israel cannot say that they support Israels goal of destroying Hamas and then... They oppose Israel when it takes the necessary measures to achieve that goal. Weeks have passed since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government announced their intention to invade the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, which faced an American demand to guarantee the safety of civilians before launching the attack. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that there is a need for at least 500 trucks or the equivalent of aid to enter the Gaza Strip daily, amid the worsening starvation campaign launched by Israel on the residents of the Strip, north and south. In her post on the X platform, von der Leyen said that the initiative to send humanitarian aid from the island of Cyprus to Gaza is not an alternative to the arrival of humanitarian aid via land routes. She stressed the need for the sea corridor to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza to be part of a continuing effort to increase the flow of aid to Gaza through all routes, including expanded land routes. Israel will try to "flood" Gaza with humanitarian aid from several entry points as international pressure mounts to confront the growing hunger problem in the blockaded enclave, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said. More than five months after the outbreak of war in Gaza, aid agencies warn that the region's population of 2.3 million people faces an increasing risk of famine unless food supplies increase significantly, and Israel is accused of not doing enough to ensure the arrival of adequate aid. Israel says it does not impose restrictions on the amount of aid it allows into Gaza, and blames relief agencies for the delay, but it faces increasing demands even from its closest allies to do more. We are trying to flood the region with humanitarian aid, Hagari told a group of foreign reporters. Earlier, the Israeli military announced that six trucks loaded with supplies from the World Food Program had entered the northern part of the Gaza Strip, where the hunger crisis is particularly acute, from a crossing in the security fence known as Crossing 96. Hagari said convoys like this would enter later, in addition to shipments from other entry points, via airdrops and by sea. He added, "We learn, improve, and introduce different changes so that we do not create a pattern, but rather diversity in the ways in which we can deliver aid." But Hagari acknowledged that getting supplies into the sector is only one part of the problem and that more needs to be done to solve the problem of how to distribute them fairly and effectively to those who need them most. "The problem inside Gaza is the problem of distribution," he said. The challenges facing safe delivery and distribution of aid became clear earlier this month when thousands gathered around an aid convoy and were shot by Israeli forces, killing dozens. Palestinian health authorities said that most of the dead were shot by the Israeli army, while Israel said that most of them died in a stampede or were run over by trucks amid a state of panic. Bloomberg news website quoted informed sources as saying that British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps prevented the airdrop of his countrys aid into Gaza because of the risks to civilians. The sources said that British officials had drawn up a plan that included the Royal Air Force dropping aid packages by parachute on areas of Gaza, in a move similar to what a number of countries have taken over the past few days when they dropped aid for the people of Gaza who face the risk of starvation in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression for more than 5 months. Shapps refused to sign the use of Royal Air Force aircraft to carry out the missions, according to the sources who spoke to Bloomberg, and the minister justified his position with fears that airdrops would be dangerous, citing reports that airdrops carried out in recent days caused the martyrdom of a number of Palestinians by mistake. Bloomberg reported that the decision not to join the countries that are airdropping aid caused frustration among government officials in Britain, and quoted Foreign Secretary David Cameron as saying, We are doing everything we can to increase aid to Gaza, while the government confirmed that it is exploring new ways to bring in more. of aid to Gaza, and is pressuring Israel to open more crossings and lift restrictions on the arrival of aid. The HAMAS Ministry of Health in Gaza said - last week - that 5 people were killed as a result of the failure of some parachutes and the fall of aid boxes on the heads of citizens. The government media office in Gaza said that random airdrops of humanitarian aid are ineffective and not the best way to deliver aid. The office indicated - in a previous statement - that part of this aid is located at sea, while another part is located near the separation fence or areas controlled by the occupation army, or within the occupied Palestinian territories. Satellite imagery captured between March 11 and 13 shows the construction of a jetty south of Gaza City, which will reportedly be used to facilitate aid shipments. The jetty is being constructed by charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), which is working with the organization Open Arms to deliver aid to Gaza. An Open Arms ship carrying almost 200 tons of food set sail from Cyprus on March 12 and is headed toward the Gaza Strip, the organization said. These satellite images were captured by Maxar Technologies, which told Storyful that the jetty currently juts out about 50 meters from the shoreline. Storyful has not confirmed this number. Al Jazeera Net correspondent Muhammad Wad wrote "Occupied Jerusalem - The positions in Israel appeared to be reconciled and compatible with US President Joe Bidens announcement of the establishment of a floating port off the shores of Gaza , under the pretext of significantly increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip, as this reconciliation by Benjamin Netanyahu s government carries within it many messages in line with With the goals of war and the conduct of fighting. "Contrary to what is common and accepted regarding the debate between Washington and Tel Aviv, regarding the conduct of the war, the exchange deal, and a temporary ceasefire, none of the ministers in the emergency government came out against this American step specifically, on the basis that the humanitarian issue, which causes... Intense pressure on Israel in the world is a decisive issue for the war. "Amid the timid Israeli welcome to Biden's project, Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz chose to recall his initiative in the past decade, which he renewed during the war on Gaza, aiming to establish an organized port on an artificial island off the coast of Gaza, a position that reflects the Israeli-American harmony regarding the floating port project, This is a means of controlling the distribution of humanitarian aid. "The floating port project, if implemented on the ground, will be the first crossing in Gaza that will not be under Israeli or Egyptian control, since the Nakba in 1948, but the Netanyahu governments lack of opposition to the Biden project indicates that Israel will be responsible or at least participate in security inspections for everything that enters. To and from Gaza via the floating port. "This American project comes after the Israeli army deliberately eliminated the UNRWA infrastructure and destroyed the Palestinian civil system, in addition to the occupation project in the Zaytoun neighborhood that aims to divide Gaza and separate the north of the Strip from its south, in an effort to control medical and relief aid. "The American floating port is in line with the artificial island project with an area of ??8 square kilometers off the shores of Gaza to transport about half a million Palestinians from the Strip, which was presented by the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yisrael Katz, during the meeting of European foreign ministers in Brussels last January. "The researcher on Israeli affairs at the Taqaddam Center for Policy, Amir Makhoul, considered that the floating port project is in harmony with the phase of the ongoing Israeli occupation of the Strip, as the Netanyahu government is reactivating the occupation structure that existed until 2005 before the unilateral withdrawal. "Makhoul explained to Al Jazeera Net that the floating port project, which comes under the pretext of distributing humanitarian aid, is consistent with the methods and mechanisms for engineering, distributing and delivering aid to the northern Gaza Strip, as well as with the broad road project that the Israeli army is making from southeastern Gaza towards the sea, and the so-called Zaytoun Neighborhood project. Aiming to dismember Gaza. "The researcher believes that Israel deliberately, through the demonstrations and protests of right-wing elements, prevented the entry of trucks from the Kerem Shalom crossing, and obstructed and impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid to northern Gaza through land crossings, to show the world that northern Gaza has become separated from the south, and to obtain international recognition of this reality that it seeks to impose. "The same researcher believes that the American project carries with it many messages, perhaps the most prominent of which is that the administration of President Joe Biden is not interested in exerting great pressure on Netanyahu and imposing its agenda on Israel, amid the absence of any Arab and Islamic role that could put pressure on Washington to provide relief to Gaza. "Also, Makhoul says, it is not unlikely that it will witness transport movement in both directions, transporting food and medical supplies to the Strip and transporting Palestinians from Gaza, within the displacement plan that the Israeli war failed to achieve, which confirms that all American steps are being carried out in agreement and coordination with Israel. "The researcher on Israeli affairs warned of the repercussions of the floating port, and considered this a prelude to a foothold and the imposition of American control over the Gaza Strip, under the pretext of distributing humanitarian aid, which will be under mechanisms and infrastructure under the supervision and control of the Israeli army, which means prolonging the war and the continuation of the Israeli occupation structure in the Strip. "In the same context, he stressed that the floating port project serves Israel and its plans to control the Gaza Strip, as well as prolonging the fighting, saying, America must stop sending ammunition and weapons to Israel. It does not make sense for it to direct arms shipments to Tel Aviv, which kills and destroys the Palestinians, and then carries out operations. An airdrop in the northern Gaza Strip for ready-to-eat meals. "The same proposition was adopted by political analyst and writer Taha Igbaria, who confirmed that all American discourse regarding the Israeli war on Gaza is linked to the presidential elections that will be held next November, and pressures among liberals in the Democratic Party not to send weapons to Israel if it invades Rafah. Al Jazeera Net's political analyst suggested that Washington's policies and Biden's statements critical of Netanyahu are nothing but an attempt to absorb the anger of Arabs and Muslims in America, as opinion polls suggest the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump and Biden's exit from the White House. "Igbaria believes that the establishment of the American floating port off Gaza confirms that the Biden administration has not discussed any solutions to end the war on Gaza, but rather discusses and researches ways to prolong the war against the Palestinian resistance factions and Hamas in particular and maintain the state of fighting while ensuring mechanisms for entering and distributing aid to the Palestinians in the Strip. "In a reading of the American-Israeli harmony over the floating port project and the Arab silence, the political analyst does not rule out that the port project falls within the vision of the day after the war, in order to establish the American presence in the Strip in a way that serves Israeli interests and achieves what Israel could not accomplish in the war. The political analyst warned of the repercussions of the American presence in the Gaza Strip, which comes under the pretext of alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians and providing humanitarian aid, saying that the American presence will crystallize policies towards regional solutions and settlements after the war." Talk does not subside about hidden American goals behind its decision to establish a floating seaport on the coast of the Gaza Strip , despite Washingtons claim that the port will be temporary and aims to bring aid into the Strip, which is suffering from famine as a result of an unprecedented, devastating Israeli war. However, there are those who question the American goals and believe that they aim to achieve economic interests, most notably controlling the gas off the Gaza coast and protecting the economic corridor linking Europe to the Middle East region, which will be in the face of the Chinese Belt and Road project . This is due to the presence of more than 8 crossings with the Gaza Strip, one with Egypt and another directly into the Strip from the Mediterranean Sea (Gaza Port), and the rest with Israel , which together can deliver aid to the Strips population of more than 2.3 million people. Even today, the idea of delivering aid via airdrop from military aircraft cannot be comprehended. With the presence of these land and sea crossings, the floating port raises more questions about other goals far from delivering aid. In this context, European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, said that air drops of aid into Gaza or the inauguration of a sea corridor will not replace the opening of more land routes to deliver aid to the Strip. Aside from the political goals, there are economic points that are believed to be among the goals that prompted Washington to engage in the idea of establishing this sea corridor and the sea dock in Gaza, the most important of which are natural gas resources and international trade routes in the region. Since 2012, interest has increased in the Eastern Mediterranean region, with major discoveries of natural gas by Israel, which has reached a stage of sufficiency due to gas fields in the Mediterranean. Israel has 5 gas fields on the Mediterranean Sea: the Levitan field , which is the largest, and the Tamar, Delit, Karish, and Nemim fields. While Egypt has several gas fields that made it self-sufficient until mid-2023, the largest of which is the Zohr field, which produces 2.4 billion cubic feet per day and more than 3,700 barrels of condensate. While the Palestinians own the Gaza Marine Field discovered at the end of the 1990s, the reserve in the field is estimated at 1.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, or 32 billion cubic metres. In June 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the implementation of the Gaza Marine Field development project within the framework of the ongoing steps between Israel, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority, to focus on developing the Palestinian economy, according to a statement at the time by Netanyahus office. In light of all these wealth, the American presence may be justified from our perspective in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially with Lebanon entering the line, after a border demarcation agreement with Israel. Today, the United States is competing with Qatar and Australia for the title of the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world. According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group, US exports of liquefied gas reached 88.9 million metric tons in 2023. The energy file, and natural gas in particular, is one of the most prominent elements of strength for developed and developing economies, and its importance has become more apparent with the Russian-Ukrainian war and the European Union countries suffering from a gas supply crisis. The other economic scenario for the American presence in the Eastern Mediterranean is to secure one of the most prominent trade corridors anticipated, which was announced at the G20 summit in India last year. Last September 10, Saudi Arabia, the United States, India, the Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding a project to establish a new economic corridor linking India, the Middle East, and Europe. The expected corridor, which crosses Israel, will be a competitor to the Chinese Belt and Road project, which is an American goal to weaken it by creating trade routes between the markets of the East and the West. The Mediterranean region will be the point of maritime transportation of goods from east to west, which means that the American presence will be justified, within its conflict with China. The fighters of the Counter-Terrorism Unit from the Al-Hamarom Brigade fought deep in Khan Yunis under the 7th Brigade's combat team. The forces carried out special and targeted missions in the heart of the built-up area, raiding hiding apartments and military strongholds of Hamas in the various neighborhoods in Khan Yunis. As part of the searches in the area, the fighters located many weapons under the bed in the bedroom, including missiles and explosives. Following the searches in the area, the unit's fighters located a missile and rocket launcher near a school and destroyed it. Fighters of the Magellan unit have been fighting for the past week in the Hamad neighborhood in Khan Yunis. During the fighting, they raid high-rise buildings, encounter terrorists at close range and eliminate them. The fighters locate weapons and arrest terrorists. During a raid by Magellan's fighters in a building, the force encountered a squad of terrorists barricaded on the fifth floor. The fighters broke out from the fourth floor, opened massive fire at the terrorists, and directed 'Maoz' drones at them along with other precision weapons. The terrorists fired RPGs at our forces and during the exchange of fire the fighters eliminated a number of terrorists. Israeli force entered a high-rise search, identified four terrorists and fired at them," recalls Lt. L., the fire officer of the Magellan unit, "a total of four terrorists were killed in the encounter." The fighters directed an air force aircraft that attacked the building where the terrorists were staying. All the terrorists were eliminated. An attempt to launch an IED from the central area of the Gaza Strip to the surrounding settlements was detected, which fell in the territory of the Gaza Strip. In less than 5 minutes, the terrorist squad that carried out the shooting in the northern area of ??the Gaza Strip was identified, an aircraft attacked and eliminated the squad. The Israel Defense Forces continues to operate in the center of the Gaza Strip and eliminated a number of terrorists throughout the last day. In one of the attacks, the forces identified a terrorist squad near the forces and eliminated them by firing tanks. In another attack, the Air Force, in cooperation with the brigade's fire complex, eliminated a terrorist in the area using an aircraft. The 98th Division forces continue to operate in Khan Yunis, raiding terrorist targets and eliminating terrorists. Givati TDF fighters raided buildings in the Hamad area, in one of the scans the fighters located rocket launchers and destroyed them. In addition, last night, the forces identified two terrorists in the area, within a few minutes the Air Force, in cooperation with the brigade's fire complex, attacked and eliminated the terrorists using aircraft. Last night, the fighters of the 7th Israel Defense Forces identified a squad of three terrorists in the Bnei Sohila area that were moving towards the forces and eliminated them by firing tanks. The 7th Brigade fire complex identified two terrorists near a Hamas weapons warehouse in the area, an aircraft attacked and eliminated the terrorists. Operational Update - Judea-Samaria The Hamas movement called on the Palestinians to participate in breaking the Zionist siege of Al-Aqsa Mosque and to pray and pray at its sides and celebrate its nights. Hamas said in a statement: We mobilize the masses of our people in occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank and the interior on the first Friday of the month of Ramadan to participate urgently in defending Al- Aqsa Mosque against the aggression that lurks in these critical times, calling for active participation in breaking the occupations siege. On Al-Aqsa, arriving at prayer, staying close to its sides, and reviving its nights. HAMAS added: Gaza, the glory that unleashed the great flood of Al-Aqsa, in defense of Al-Aqsa, its sanctity, and the rights of our people and our nation, and which has been waging the greatest epic against the enemy for 160 days, calls upon you to live in prayer and in jihad in the path of your noble Prophet. It stressed that "today Al-Aqsa is the qibla of Muslims in jihad and the bond, and there is no reward higher than the bond, and accordingly we call on our people in the neighborhoods, towns and villages of Jerusalem to adhere to performing prayers in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque only." The security forces acted tonight to arrest 13 wanted persons throughout Judea and Samaria and in the Bekaa and Emekim division. In a brigade operation to counter terrorism in Jericho, the forces arrested four wanted persons, located and confiscated weapons and carried out numerous searches. In the village of Dora in the Yehuda Division, four wanted persons were arrested and two guns were located and confiscated. Terror funds were confiscated in Kalkilia in the Ephraim Brigade. In Luvan a-Sharqiya, in the Binyamin Brigade, many forces entered to carry out illegal searches and occasional arrests. The wanted persons who were arrested were transferred for further investigation by the security forces, there are no casualties to our forces. A number of Palestinian citizens were injured and others were arrested at dawn on Thursday during a massive raid and incursion campaign carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in various parts of the West Bank. In Nablus , two brothers were injured as a result of occupation soldiers assaulting them during a raid campaign in the village of Al-Laban Al-Sharqiya, south of Nablus. Local sources reported that the occupation soldiers assaulted the two brothers Sameh and Yazan Daraghmeh after storming their house, and they were transferred to the Martyr Yasser Arafat Hospital in the city of Salfit. The sources stated that several Israeli military vehicles, in addition to a foot force, stormed the village, toured several areas, and was stationed in the center of the village. They raided several homes, searched them, and tampered with their contents. The owners were identified as Majid Daraghmeh Abu Salah, Rasmi Owais, and the two brothers Majid and Muhammad Al-Sarhan. They also raided two buildings, one of which was The other belongs to the citizen Mustafa Al-Nubani, and the other belongs to the citizen Nael Abu Ahmed. The occupation forces stole gold jewelry and a sum of money from the home of the citizen Majed Daraghmeh Abu Salah. The sources confirmed that the occupation forces beat two citizens during their storming of the village, which led to their injuries, and one of them was transferred to a hospital. The occupation forces also conducted a massive search operation in the village cemetery. In Bethlehem, the occupation forces arrested a citizen from the town of Al-Khader, south of Bethlehem. Local sources said that the occupation forces arrested Ahmed Youssef Atwan (26 years old), after they raided his familys house in the town. In occupied Jerusalem, the occupation forces arrested two young men from the town of Abu Dis, east of occupied Jerusalem. Local sources in the town said: The occupation forces stormed the town and arrested the two young men, Muhammad Rabie, secretary of the Fatah movement, and Hassan Qurei, after storming their homes, searching them, and sending away their contents. The sources indicated that confrontations broke out with the occupation forces, during which they fired heavy tear gas. A young man was also injured by Israeli occupation forces' bullets during clashes at the Qalandiya checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem. Local sources reported that confrontations broke out between citizens and the occupation forces at the Qalandiya checkpoint, during which the occupation forces fired live and sound bullets, which led to the injury of a young man with live bullets. He was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The sources added that the Israeli occupation forces stormed Qalandia camp and toured several areas without any arrests being reported. Operational Update - Lebanon Fighter jets attacked Hezbollah terrorist infrastructures in the Konin area. Following the warning in the Kfar Blum area, the air defense fighters intercepted a suspicious aerial target that crossed from Lebanese territory to Israeli territory. Fighter jets attacked Hezbollah military buildings in the Nakura area. Also, the IDF attacked with artillery in Wadi Hamool to remove a threat. Another terrorist infrastructure of the organization was attacked in Kfar Yaron. In the last few hours, three launches from Lebanese territory to Israeli territory in the Malkia region were detected. The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced that it had targeted two positions of the occupation army with missile weapons, confirming that direct hits had been achieved. The resistance issued two statements stating: In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance: At 15:15 pm today, Thursday (Lebanon time): The Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance targeted the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba hills with missile weapons, and hit it directly. At 15:15 pm today, Thursday: The Islamic Resistance Mujahideen targeted the Al-Samaqa site in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba hills with missile weapons, and hit it directly. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib instructed to submit a complaint before the UN Security Council, following the Israeli aggression that targeted civilians in residential areas around the city of Baalbek in the east of the country. Operational Update - Syria / Iraq rien Operational Update - Yemen American-British coalition launched a new attack with raids targeting the airport in Hodeidah Governorate, western Yemen. During the four days of the holy month of Ramadan, the aggression aircraft launched 16 raids on various areas, targeting Hodeidah International Airport , the areas of Al-Jabanah located next to the port of Hodeidah, Al-Taif in Al-Durayhimi District, Al-Arj in Bajil District, and Ras Issa in Al-Salif District. The American-British aggression comes two days after the Yemeni armed forces announced that they had targeted the American ship (Pinocchio) in the Red Sea with a number of missiles, stressing that they would continue to prevent Israeli navigation or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine in the Red and Arab Bahrain until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people is lifted. The American-British forces targeted al-Jah with four airstrikes, Hodeidah Airport with one airstrike, al-Faza with two airstrikes, and Ras Issa with four. Later, Al Mayadeen correspondent reported that the joint forces carried out two airstrikes on the Abs District in Hajjah Governorate, northwest Yemen. The hostile strikes came shortly after the leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abdul al-Malik al-Houthi, announced that the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) are heading toward expanding the scope of their operations conducted against the Israeli occupation forces' war on the Gaza Strip. He affirmed that the YAF is heading toward launching attacks on vessels in the Indian Ocean that have been redirected toward the Cape of Good Hope Route. Al-Houthi confirmed that "Yemen has presented 34 martyrs in support of our people in Gaza, and we are honored to offer martyrs in this sacred battle." A source from Yemen's armed forces announced the successful testing of a hypersonic missile with high destructive capabilities, amid escalating tensions over recent strikes on shipping vessels linked to the Israeli regime in the Red Sea. The missile can reach speeds of up to Mach 8 (6,200 miles per hour) and is powered by solid fuel, an unnamed military source told Russia's Sputnik news agency. "Yemen plans to begin manufacturing it for use in attacks in the Red and Arabian Seas and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel," the source added. The source went on to say that following months of testing, Yemeni forces have also upgraded their missiles and drones to carry warheads of twice the explosive power as what it had in its arsenal. "What comes next will be greater in every sense of the word," Yemen's Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi warned last week, after saying new weapons were used in recent Red Sea operations that surprised the US and Britain. "The Armed Forces have many cards they have not yet played," Yemen's Defense Minister Major General Mohammad Nasser al-Atifi also stated. Yemeni forces have launched repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden in support of Palestinians. They say the operations will continue unless Israel stops its war on Gaza, which has killed at least 31,000 Palestinians since early October. The maritime attacks have forced major shipping and oil firms to suspend transit through the vital trade route. Yemen has added US and British assets to its list of legitimate targets after the two countries began air and sea strikes on Yemen in support of Israel's Gaza campaign. The announcement by the leader of Ansar Allah Al-Houthi, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, targeting ships in the Indian Ocean heading through the Cape of Good Hope towards Israel heralds a major escalation in the world linked to developments in Gaza. According to observers, the Houthi announcement will lead to the imposition of the blockade on Israeli ports on the Mediterranean, after its success in besieging the port of Eilat in the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea. Expectations confirm that the new Houthi threat will lead to an increase in insurance rates for shipments, which had already risen with the start of the Houthi attacks on ships heading to Israel through the Red Sea, in response to the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, which will lead to an increase in the cost of shipping in general. The world is awaiting international reactions, especially in the United States, to the Houthi declaration and its actual entry into force. The leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, Mr. Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, said that the Israeli enemy is carrying out the crime of the century in every sense of the word, with American participation and contributions from Western and Arab countries. Al-Houthi added during his speech Thursday evening that for the 160th day, the Zionist crimes continue in the Gaza Strip, which is genocide in every sense of the word. The leader of the Ansar Allah movement stressed that the martyrs of Gaza are not just numbers, but rather human lives lost and their lives wasted. He pointed out that the Israeli enemy is carrying out the crime of the century in every sense of the word, with American participation and contributions from Western and Arab countries, stressing that the failure and negligence of Muslims, led by most Arabs, contributes to the crime of the century against the Palestinian people. He stressed that the martyrs of Gaza are not just numbers that people hear, but rather they are human lives that are lost and their lives wasted, and the wounds and suffering of a people that are annihilated... For the 160th day, the Zionist crimes continue in the Gaza Strip and it is genocide in every sense of the word... The Israeli enemy is carrying out a crime. Century in every sense of the word, with American participation and contributions from Western countries. Al-Houthi said, "The failure and negligence of Muslims, most of whom are Arabs, contributes to the crime of the century against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip." He continued, "The Israeli enemy is carrying out the crime of the century with the participation of the Americans and Western countries." He pointed out, "The American landing operations cover only a small percentage of the needs. The American landing operations aim to deceive public opinion to continue the crime. In exchange for the limited aid to the people of Gaza, America provides tons of bombs to kill them." He said, "If Muslims had supported the resistance seriously, the picture of the battle in Gaza would have been different." Al-Houthi added, The American is increasing its contribution to the continuation of the Israeli crime against the Palestinian people by preventing the cessation of the aggression and its insistence on continuing the siege, and explained that Washington is trying to circumvent the legitimate entitlement of the Palestinian people, which is to stop the aggression, end the siege, and open the land crossings for aid to enter. He said, The Americans are dealing in a deceptive way, neither fully opening the land corridors nor adding real ports or sea lanes through which the necessary needs flow. He also shifted the issue from the entry of enough food and medicine for the people of the Gaza Strip to other alternatives to provide very little that does not even stop hunger deaths. Al-Houthi stressed that the American landing operations do not cover a small percentage of the need, and they aim to deceive public opinion and distract Muslim peoples to continue their crimes. He continued, The American alternatives do not provide a respectable amount of food and medicine for the Palestinian people, and the tragedy continues in its great size. Al-Houthi explained that the American seeks, through landing or the sea port, to ensure that the aid remains visible in the picture, but in reality hunger and severe suffering continue, pointing out that the American bypass methods that it wants to be an alternative to the correct measures are part of the aggression against the people of Palestine. Al-Houthi stressed that in exchange for the limited aid that the Americans deliver from the air in a seditious and dishonorable manner, they provide tons of bombs to kill the people of Gaza. Al-Houthi stressed that despite the severe suffering of the Palestinian people in the #Gaza Strip, there is great steadfastness, patience, steadfastness and cohesion that is unparalleled. Al-Houthi stressed that if Muslims had taken a serious approach to supporting the Palestinian resistance, even with less than what America and the West are offering to the enemy, the picture would have been different from the battle in Gaza. Al-Houthi explained that more than 50 Islamic countries do not provide weapons to the Palestinian resistance, and the only unique case is the Islamic Republic of Iran, and stressed that the Palestinian resistance in the first trench is fighting the battle of the entire nation, so why do Islamic countries not go to support it? Al-Houthi continued, It has become shameful to talk about providing support to the Palestinian resistance, as if it should not be helped to continue the battle against the Israeli enemy. He said, America and the Western countries are not embarrassed to provide the deadliest weapons to the Israeli enemy to kill the Palestinian people, their children and their women. Al-Houthi pointed out that despite the huge arsenal that the enemy possesses, we see America and the Western countries supplying him with weapons, inciting him to continue fighting, and supporting him politically, medially, and financially. He said, Some Arab regimes have not only failed the Palestinian resistance, but are abusing it and working to distort it and include it on terrorist lists. ! He said, Until now, some Arab countries have not changed their position on the Palestinian resistance after previously including them on terrorist lists. He continued, Some Arab countries are working to criminalize the jihad of the resistance fighters in Gaza and prevent donations to them, and are even still arresting some on the grounds of their support. He stressed, There is a great responsibility and excuse on Muslims for their failure to support the mujahideen in Palestine with their steadfastness and steadfastness, and stressed that society in the Gaza Strip, which is in suffering unparalleled in any part of the world, is steadfast and steadfast and has not changed. Al-Houthi explained, The position of the people in embracing the resistance and the Mujahideen has not changed, and this is due to their humanity, values, morals, awareness, and insight, and he said, The more the crime committed by the Israeli enemy against the people of Gaza, the greater is their will, determination, and awareness of the necessity of confrontation. Al-Houthi stressed that the Israeli enemy is a dangerous and bad enemy that poses a threat to humanity and life. Maps All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness. Bystanders Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard criticized the international community for ignoring the planned starvation in the Gaza Strip , which has been subjected to continuous Israeli aggression since last October 7. Callamard said that the international community is ignoring the starvation orchestrated by Israel in the Gaza Strip, and is busy portraying the situation in the region as a humanitarian crisis. In a post she posted on the X platform Callamard explained that Israel continues to violate international law without facing any criminal penalties. She pointed out that airdrops of humanitarian aid, and Washington's intention to build a temporary port on the coast of Gaza, will not be effective in the face of Israel's violations of international law. Axis of Resistance The head of the Hamas political bureau , Ismail Haniyeh , said that the field and negotiations are two parallel lines, calling on the American administration to make more efforts to stop the genocidal war and the policy of starvation to which the Gaza Strip is being exposed. Haniyeh indicated - via Telegram - that the movement is basing its negotiations on the greatness of steadfastness and the genius of resistance, and stressed that the movement is striving with all force to end the aggressive war. He pointed out that there is an opportunity to reach a multi-stage agreement if the occupying government abandons its intransigence. Haniyeh added that the position of US President Joe Biden is changing in rhetoric and is being tested in application. He stressed that the American administration is required to take many actions to stop the genocidal war and the policy of starvation to which our people are exposed in Gaza and the north. He pointed out that as a result of the war and Israeli restrictions, the population of Gaza, especially in the Gaza and North governorates, is on the verge of famine, in light of a severe scarcity of food, water, medicine and fuel supplies, with the displacement of about two million Palestinians from the Strip, which has been besieged by Israel for 17 years. Regarding the situation in the West Bank, Haniyeh explained that it is being subjected to abuse with the aim of distracting it from supporting Gaza and emptying the strategic reserve it represents in the resistance project and the political constants of our cause. He added, "All this torture and oppression will not succeed and will be swept away by the wind." For months, the United States, Egypt and Qatar have been trying to reach a new mediation between Israel and Hamas that would guarantee a ceasefire in the Palestinian Strip and an exchange of prisoners. However, the Israeli Prime Minister refuses to yield to any demands made by Hamas during the course of the negotiations, and insists on continuing the fighting. The secretary general of Lebanons Hezbollah resistance said Israeli regimes army is in a state of exhaustion, adding that the regime is incapable of eliminating the Palestinian resistance despite all the massacres in its war on Gaza. "The Israeli army today is tired and exhausted on all fronts," Seyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address on Wednesday, adding, "The enemy's senior experts acknowledge the strategic losses." "Gaza, which resists, fights, and endures in a scene close to a miracle and astonishing the world, is the culture of the Quran and it is a divine proof for the whole world," Nasrallah said. "The number of its dead is very large and much greater than (what has been) announced," adding, "We announce our martyrs on live broadcasts, but the enemy hides its dead, and this has an impact on the Israeli army." The Hezbollah leader noted that "on the northern front, there is extreme secrecy about the losses in terms of (Israeli) soldiers, military vehicles, and others." Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network reported recently that the Palestinian resistances operations against the Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip had confirmed the presence and strength of the resistance, and refuted the Israeli claims of imposing control over northern Gaza. "After five months, the Israeli army has a shortage of personnel and wants to recruit 14,500 officers and soldiers and even wants to recruit the Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Israelis)," Nasrallah noted. He also pointed to a pledge by Tel Aviv to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where the majority of the coastal territory's 2.4-million-strong population has taken refuge from the ravages of the war. The regime claims that by conducting the invasion, it will have realized its ambition of "eliminating" the Gaza-based resistance movement of Hamas. Nasrallah, however, radically rejected the claim. "Today, in the sixth month (of the war), (Israeli regimes prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu stands up to say that if we do not go to Rafah, we will lose the war," the Hezbollah leader said, Press TV reported. "We say to Netanyahu that even if you go to Rafah, you have lost the war and you cannot eliminate Hamas or the resistance, despite all the massacres," he added. "One of the signs of defeat for the enemy is that the occupation is negotiating with Hamas in the sixth month of the war," Nasrallah stated, adding, "Hamas is negotiating today on behalf of the resistance and not from a position of weakness, and it sets the conditions." He reminded that resistance fronts all across the region, namely in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, were performing their duty towards lending support to their fellow resistance fighters in Gaza. "We affirm our stand with the Palestinian resistance factions, especially with the leadership of Hamas...and we continue on the support fronts," the Hezbollah leader said. The pro-Palestinian operations staged by the regional resistance movements have seen them firing numerous missiles, drones, and rockets against Israeli targets or those belonging to the occupying regime's supporters. Yemeni forces have been targeting Israeli vessels or those heading towards the occupied territories' ports, while Iraq's Islamic Resistance have been firing numerous missiles and drones towards the occupied territories. The resistance fronts have also been striking American targets in protest at the United States' all-out political, military, and intelligence support for the war. "The Islamic resistance in Iraq and its sending of drones and missiles to the entity is ongoing and ongoing," Nasrallah noted, commending the Arab country's resistance movements' pro-Gaza operations. "The support fronts are completing their work and we praise the Yemen front and its effects and blessings are very great, especially on the enemys economy," he stated. "Neither the Americans nor the British nor the Europeans who followed them were able to prevent the Yemeni brothers from striking ships heading to occupied Palestine," Nasrallah said. He was referring to anti-Yemeni strikes by the United States or those of its allies in the UK and Europe that have been launched in a failed attempt to stop Yemen's pro-Palestinian operations. Nasrallah, meanwhile, noted that the United States could easily end the ongoing aggression against Gaza and the simultaneous attacks that the Israeli regime has been staging against Lebanon. "With the stroke of a pen, US President Joe Biden can stop the aggression in Gaza and Lebanon." Earlier in the month, however, Biden alleged in an interview with The New Yorker that the Israeli war machine still had to be given "a little bit of time." Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, Mohammad al-Hindi, confirmed on Thursday that there is a US-Israeli agreement to bring back the captives held by the Resistance in Gaza without stopping the aggression on the Strip. Talking to Al Mayadeen, he said that "neither the Israelis nor the Americans want to stop the war," adding that Washington is only concerned about an Israeli invasion of Rafah due to internal tensions in the United States and the upcoming elections. He explained that no one has officially committed, especially the United States, to stopping the war on Gaza, even in the second stage of the agreement proposal. On Israeli public plans to invade Rafah and "eliminate the Resistance," the deputy chief of the PIJ confirmed that a ground attack on the city "will not change anything in the equation" and that the Israelis can't eliminate the Resistance groups. Allied for Democracy A storm of controversy was sparked by the statements of a senior Israeli army general in which he criticized the country's political leadership and called on politicians to show the cohesion shown by soldiers on the battlefield and adopt a unified position, in reference to the disputes plaguing Israel as a result of the divergence of views between the ruling coalition and the opposition. In statements broadcast by Israeli media, General Dan Goldfus, commander of the 98th Division fighting in the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, addressed political officials, saying: You must demonstrate merit and be at the level of what the soldiers have been providing in the field for about five months. Goldfus called on politicians to ensure "everyone's participation," in a clear reference to the summoning of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, who have been exempt from military service for decades, to conscript into the army, an issue that has sparked widespread controversy in Israel for weeks. Divisions are escalating among Israeli political circles regarding the management of the war in the Gaza Strip, with differing views regarding the future of the conflict between members of the war government coalition, and the continuing controversy related to the hostage issue. The emergency government coalition in Israel is under "intense pressure" as the war continues. While far-right politicians are demanding that the army take stronger action in Gaza, relatives of the hostages, along with members of the war government and the opposition, are pressing for concessions to ensure their return. Israeli political analyst Eli Nissan believes that Goldfus's statements are realistic "because he indicated that the soldiers and military forces want the people to be united" behind their armed forces. Nisan added in an interview with Al-Hurra website that the Israeli generals statements do not indicate that there is a split in the ranks of the army or that there is a rift between the army and the government. This commander has been fighting in Gaza for more than 4 months. Nissan continues that although the opposition forces supported his statements and there was also support from parties within the government coalition, the matter has not yet reached a split. The only blame for such statements was not obtaining permission from his leaders before making them, according to Nissan. Goldfus was summoned by the Israeli army to provide clarifications after he "crossed the long-standing taboo" regarding Israeli army officers not interfering in politics publicly. Haaretz newspaper said that the commander of the Israeli army's Central Command, Yehuda Fuchs, and the army chief of staff, Herzl Halevy, are the ones who will interrogate Goldfus. The newspaper added that the Israeli army confirmed that it was aware of Goldfus's statements and approved of their content, but was not aware of the part in which he criticized political leaders. Some Israeli lawmakers expressed their agreement with Goldfus's statements, while others expressed their dissatisfaction with the general making political statements of any kind. Opposition lawmaker Yoav Segalowitz told Kan public radio on Thursday, An officer in uniform needs to speak only about what is related to his decisions or take off the uniform. Veteran political and military analyst Nahum Barnea wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, With all respect for the sincere feelings of the distinguished officer, the fighting in Gaza does not give him the right or authority to express his position on political issues. He added, "It is nice that Goldfus bears responsibility, like other officers, but where is the humility, where is the modesty." Nissan rules out imposing any severe penalties on Goldfus that would lead to his discharge from the army because of these statements. Nissan said, "The media in Israel stands with him, so I do not think that the military leadership will impose any sanctions on him, take any punitive measures, or discharge him from the army." The commander of the Israeli commando brigade, Omer Cohen, acknowledged that his forces were engaged in battles in Khan Yunis, south of Gaza, that had not been witnessed anywhere else in the Strip. Cohen said in statements to Haaretz newspaper, "We have been in Hamad City for a week and two days. We have fought here a fight that we have not seen anywhere else in the Strip so far." He pointed out that " Hamas has greater capabilities to manage the forces here, and this is clear in the fighting that took place over the past few days." He added that the neighborhood is full of Palestinian fighters and the most advanced combat equipment, including high-level explosives that have already been used against us. He continued, "While Hamas in large parts of the Gaza Strip lost its ability to command and control, but here in the Hamad neighborhood the (combat) formation is still working." For his part, the commander of the Egoz Unit, a special reconnaissance unit affiliated with the Golani Brigade, said, When you enter Hamad District, you truly realize that this is a hornets nest for terrorists, according to the same source. The Israeli newspaper correspondent, who accompanied the forces in Khan Yunis, explained that after about a week and a half of fighting, it appears that the Hamad neighborhood, like most of the places that the Israeli army entered in the Gaza Strip, will no longer be habitable. He pointed out that almost all of the 120 buildings in the place were destroyed or damaged, and major reconstruction would be needed for people to be able to reside there. In a letter published by the media, more than 500 former Israeli security officials alerted the war government to the danger that the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip poses to Israel's security and to its relations with its Western and Arab partners. At a time when the humanitarian chaos and failure to achieve a ceasefire between the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and Israel in the Gaza Strip raise deep international concern, more than 500 former generals from senior officials in the Israeli army, intelligence services ( Mossad and Shin Bet ) and the police sent a critical message. In particular to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet. The French newspaper La Croix says that this message, which was published on March 10 and broadcast in its English version on March 12, warns Israels security leaders of the cumulative risks that threaten the countrys security and strategic interests, resulting from government policy. Concerning humanitarian aid to more than two million non-combatants of Gaza. According to this non-partisan group, which was established in 2014 to promote the two-state solution and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beyond moral aspects, the crisis in the Gaza Strip, which is on the verge of turning into a humanitarian catastrophe, constitutes a threat to vital national interests for Israel. This group, which includes four former Mossad directors and a former head of the Shin Bet, recommends that the war government review its approach by stopping quarreling with friends and others over every aid delivery, and that it must significantly increase the amount of aid, as well as the means of transportation and the number of crossing points. allocated for this aid, while ensuring its safe distribution to two million non-combatants. The newspaper commented on these recommendations by saying that they do not agree with Israeli public opinion, which shows, according to a poll conducted by Channel 12 at the end of last January, that 72% of the Israelis surveyed believe that the Palestinian Strip should not receive humanitarian aid, unless The Israeli detainees there are released. But the letter warns that the intensity of public protests in the United States, as well as the impact of the situation in Gaza on the erosion of support for Israel (particularly among young people) should concern all those who appreciate the importance of the American factor in Israel's present and future. For this group, which submits its recommendations to parliament or representatives every week, this policy, linked to scandalous statements by irresponsible ministers and representatives, undermines the foundations of security and diplomatic support provided to Israel by its allies. Accordingly, the group launched an urgent call to limit extremist abuses, prioritize Israel's security and strategic interests, and urgently undertake large-scale humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, before Israel's relations with the United States, Arab peace partners, Europe, and the international community are exposed to irreparable risks. he fuse of a new crisis has ignited between Netanyahu and his Minister of War, Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu warned Gallant against endangering the stability of the government due to the new conscription law not being submitted to a vote in the Knesset , according to what the Israeli Occupation Broadcasting Corporation reported. Netanyahu told Gallant, If you do not present a decision to the government on Sunday regarding the vote in the Knesset on the conscription law, you are endangering its stability. But Gallant responded, saying, I ask for a few more days to try to reach an understanding with Benny Gantz, a member of the war council and leader of the State Camp party. Gallant announced last week that he would not submit the new conscription law that exempts Haredim or religious Jews from military service to a vote as long as there is no consensus in the government and the War Council on this law. Gantz opposes the draft law and demands the participation of all segments of Israeli society in compulsory military service. . While Netanyahu pledged to the religious parties that previously participated in his government to approve a new conscription law that exempts them from military service in exchange for their agreement to join his government and support it in the Knesset. These disagreements come after the Chief Rabbi of the Eastern (Sephardic) Jews, Yitzhak Yosef, caused an uproar earlier this week when he said in a religious lecture that religious Jews would leave the entity if compulsory service was imposed on them. He added at the time, All these secularists must understand that without the Torah and the religious school, the army would not have succeeded. It also comes at a critical time for the Israeli occupation prime minister, who has faced widespread criticism both at home and abroad for months. Gallant's recent visit to Washington at the beginning of this month (March 2024) aroused his extreme dissatisfaction. However, it also shed light on the decline in his support behind the scenes of the US administration, due to the approach he is taking in the Gaza Strip, the significant increase in the number of civilian martyrs, as well as his determination to invade the city of Rafah, and his opposition to all the plans that have been put forward so far regarding managing the Strip after the end of the war. US President Joe Biden said in previous statements that Netanyahu is doing more harm to Israel than good by the way he managed the war in Gaza, noting that the decisions he took that caused the killing of civilians are a big mistake. In an interview with MSNBC, Biden considered, Netanyahu has the right to defend Israel and continue attacking Hamas. But he must be more careful about the innocent lives lost due to the measures taken, adding, In my opinion, this harms Israel more than it benefits her." Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers 73,134 Gazans injured, 28% adult male 40,000 Gazans killed, including buried under rubble 33,000 Gaza targets attacked 31,341 Gazans martyred 15,000 rocket launched from Gaza 14,664 Israelis were injured [i24 TV] 13,430 Gazan children martyred 13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [N12] 12,000 HAMAS combatants killed [IDF] 11,000 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank in 2023 9,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons 9,000 IDF psychological assistance 9,000 Gazan women martyred 8,000 Gazans missing 7,500 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank since Oct.7th 6,000 HAMAS combatants killed [HAMAS] 5,500 IDF wounded [reports] 4,700 West Bank Palestinians wounded 3,484 administrative detainees 3,400 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria 2,976 IDF wounded [IDF] 1,609 terrorists killed on the first day 1,500 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria affiliated with Hamas 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day 575 Israeli officers and soldiers killed 433 West Bank Palestinians martyred 247 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza 222 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon 126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody 50 civilians killed in Lebanon 29 IDF deaths were caused by "friendly fire" 15 Israelis killed in the West Bank and Israel Many of these numbers fluctate, up and down, with no apparent explanation. This list records the highest number reliably reported for each matter, under the theory that reality with catch up with reports, as is relentlessly the case. The Palestinian resistance says that the losses of the Israeli forces are much greater than what is announced. Al Jazeera military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi expressed his conviction that the numbers of dead and wounded announced by Israel cannot represent the truth, due to a discrepancy between the Israeli armys data and the Walla website, which is close to the army itself. In an interview with RT, Military strategist retired Tunisian Brigadier General Tawfiq Didi said that the number of Israeli army deaths in the Gaza battles is much greater than what Israel announces. Didi explained in an interview with the Best Saying program on RT channel, The number of people killed in battles can be easily known, as the equation in wars is that for every 3 wounded there is a dead person, and the numbers now in Israel hover around 12,500 wounded and disabled people, and when we divide by Three, we find that the death toll exceeds 4,000, especially after eliminating more than a thousand tanks and armored vehicles, and I know what happens when Kornet missiles hit a tank. Its ammunition explodes and no one is left alive. He added, "The Israelis announce their dead only of those of Jewish origin and of the first race, meaning all Arabs, Falash, and those who are among them. They are not counted because they are of the second category. So I am sure that the number exceeds 4 thousand dead, and this is a very easy military calculation." He pointed out, "The Palestinian resistance documented everything it did, unlike the Israelis. The resistance documented shooting at tanks and armored vehicles and destroying the houses in which the Israeli soldiers were holed up, and we saw them being killed... We saw the Kornet hitting the tanks, we saw Al-Yassin 105, so the difference is clear." Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed have been held as hostages in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, respectively. Unlike the roughly 240 people kidnapped in the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks, the campaign for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed has received little publicity. Mengistu is known to suffer from what HRW deemed "serious" mental health issues. "Avera crossed one of the safest borders in the world, under the eyes of the security services," recalled Gil Elias, a relative. "We're talking about a mentally ill person who got lost." The calls for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed have been barely audible during the many years they have been held captive in Gaza. Abraham Wyner, Professor of Statistics and Data Science at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, reported 06 March 2024 that : "While the evidence is not dispositive, it is highly suggestive that a process unconnected or loosely connected to reality was used to report the numbers.... Another red flag, raised by Salo Aizenberg and written about extensively, is that if 70% of the casualties are women and children and 25% of the population is adult male, then either Israel is not successfully eliminating Hamas fighters or adult male casualty counts are extremely low. This by itself strongly suggests that the numbers are at a minimum grossly inaccurate and quite probably outright faked.... Taken together, Hamas is reporting not only that 70% of casualties are women and children but also that 20% are fighters. This is not possible unless Israel is somehow not killing noncombatant men, or else Hamas is claiming that almost all the men in Gaza are Hamas fighters.... "Israel estimates that at least 12,000 fighters have been killed. If that number proves to be even reasonably accurate, then the ratio of noncombatant casualties to combatants is remarkably low: at most 1.4 to 1 and perhaps as low as 1 to 1. By historical standards of urban warfare, where combatants are embedded above and below into civilian population centers, this is a remarkable and successful effort to prevent unnecessary loss of life while fighting an implacable enemy that protects itself with civilians." This makes perfect sense under a third possibility, namely that the IDF doing a really good job of targeting male combatants, most of whom are in proximity to their families. There are no HAMAS barracks, so everyone lives at home, en famille. Co-habiting extended families are common [hence reports of dozens of family members killed in a single strike]. The HAMAS battalions are organized by neighborhoods, so it would not be surprising that multiple HAMAS combatants live in a single building. So casualties structured as one male combatant, one female cohabitant, and two children are approximately consistent with both expectations and reports. Lord Roberts of Belgravia (Con) stated 08 February 2024 "My Lords, even if we were to take as accurate Hamass statistics and the 27,500 figure there is no reason why we should; we do not do that with Putin or ISIS if one subtracts the number of Gazans who have been killed by the quarter or so of the Islamic Jihad and Hamas rockets that fall short, one is left with a less than 2:1 ratio of civilians to Hamas terrorists killed, of whom there have been more than 9,000 so far. War is hell, and every individual civilian death is a tragedy, but I speak as a military historian less than 2:1 is an astonishingly low ratio for modern urban warfare where the terrorists routinely use civilians as human shields. It is a testament to the professionalism, ethics and values of the Israel Defense Forces." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Developing national capacities to strengthen cybersecurity OSCE | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 14 March 2024 Promoting the responsible use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by OSCE participating States was the focus of a two-day training event held in Belgrade, Serbia on 13 and 14 March. With the continued digitalization of societies, states are increasingly using ICTs to pursue their objectives. However, in a borderless domain such as cyberspace, this can lead to misperception and a lack of transparency. The training event, organized by the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, focused on strengthening national cyber resilience and increasing regional co-operation. This ensures that countries are better prepared for threats from cyberspace and work collectively to address them. Igor KuAelka, Acting Assistant Minister for Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, underlined "the importance that the Republic of Serbia attaches to cyber security as a complex global and current security challenge. We remain open to all types of international co-operation, especially within the OSCE, as one of the most important partners in this area" Thirty-three participants from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe participated in the event. Led by expert speakers, participants identified regional capacity-building priorities, promoted the inclusion of non-state actors in national approaches to cybersecurity and provided updates on relevant national developments. "The OSCE Mission has been actively supporting Serbia in developing activities related to OSCE confidence-building measures such as awareness raising, national strategies and programmes, focal points, capacity building, effective communication channels, private-public partnership, and critical infrastructure," said Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia. "Our partnership is aimed at enhancing Serbia's increased ability to address cybersecurity threats by working closely with national counterparts." On the second day, participants engaged in a table-top exercise to explore the practical applicability of the OSCE's 16 cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures (CBMs). CBMs are practical measures which address misperceptions and misunderstandings in cyberspace by fostering transparency, communication and co-operation between States. The training event was delivered as part of the "Activities and customized support for the implementation of OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures" project, with the financial support of the United Kingdom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Sixth U.S.-France Cyber Dialogue US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson March 14, 2024 On March 11-12, 2024, the United States and France held the sixth bilateral Cyber Dialogue in Washington, D.C., to reaffirm our ongoing partnership on cyberspace and digital policy issues. Our governments are both committed to promoting an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable cyberspace in which all states behave responsibly. At the bilateral meeting, the United States and France discussed efforts to advance stability in cyberspace; diplomatic progress in multilateral and regional security venues; cyber resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure; combatting cybercrime; critical and emerging technologies; and cyber capacity building in Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the Americas, and the Indo-Pacific. Both countries reaffirmed their support for the framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, based on respect for existing international law, adherence to non-binding peacetime norms of state behavior, and implementation of practical confidence building measures. The delegations also discussed cybersecurity deliverables for the NATO Washington Summit; increasing membership to the Budapest Convention; United Nations processes in the First and Third Committees as well as the future UN Cyber Programme of Action. Representatives discussed digital freedom priorities, including co-chairing the OECD DIS/MIS Resource Hub with France and the United States' participation in France's Children Online Protection Lab. On the margins of the dialogue, the two sides engaged with civil society and industry. Liesyl Franz, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Cyberspace Security, led the U.S. delegation that included representatives from the National Security Council, the Office of the National Cyber Director, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and State. Henri Verdier, Ambassador for Digital Affairs, led France's interagency delegation that included representatives from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the National Cybersecurity Agency, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of the Armed Forces, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Justice. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Kenya William Ruto Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau March 13, 2024 Calgary, Alberta Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Kenya, William Ruto, about the situation in Haiti. The leaders welcomed the news of a political agreement among Haitian stakeholders to move forward with the appointment of a provisional council and a transitional government. They stressed the importance of restoring democratic order in Haiti. Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his appreciation for Kenya's leadership of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to restore stability in Haiti. The Prime Minister and the President discussed the latest developments and shared their deep concerns over the security and humanitarian crises, reiterating their commitment to supporting the people of Haiti and the MSS mission. Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted that Canada will contribute $80.5 million to the MSS mission and noted Canada's ongoing efforts to support Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members as they prepare to participate in the mission. The leaders underlined the need for additional international partners to step up and provide much-needed support for the mission. Prime Minister Trudeau and President Ruto reaffirmed the strong bond between Canada and Kenya and agreed to remain in close contact as the situation evolves. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Petitpas Taylor announces major investments to upgrade Gagetown military base National Defence News release March 14, 2024 - Oromocto, New Brunswick - Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, visited 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. The Minister was accompanied by Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton. On behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, Minister Petitpas Taylor announced that the Government of Canada is investing $55.6 million to upgrade 255 buildings on the base through an Energy Performance Contract. This includes LED lighting upgrades, heat and energy recovery systems for heating and cooling equipment, high efficiency boilers for heating, upgraded building envelopes, high efficiency water fixtures, a new high-efficiency gas power generator, and geothermal technology. Once completed in 2026, this project will reduce the base's energy costs by 24%, or $3 million annually, and its GHG emissions by over 8,700 tonnes per year - the equivalent of taking more than 1,700 cars off the road. The first emissions reduction and energy savings will be available starting next month, in April 2024, and we expect the upgrades to be complete by April 2026, with the full reduction in energy costs coming into effect at that point. This project is expected to create more than 200 jobs in the Oromocto area during construction. In addition, already-hired workers will be gaining new skills through training on the use of the upgraded equipment. Ameresco Canada Inc., from Richmond Hill, Ontario, has also been awarded this second contract. On behalf of Minister Blair, Minister Petitpas Taylor also announced that the Government of Canada is investing approximately $19.7 million to construct a solar farm with an output of up to 8.9 megawatts (MW) at the Gagetown military base. The federal government has awarded a contact for this project to Ameresco Canada Inc., of Richmond Hill, ON. Once completed in 2025, the solar farm will help power over two-thirds of the energy used during peak hours at the base, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by about 3,200 tonnes per year. The farm will produce approximately 8,900 MW hours of electricity annually, which is about a 20% of 5 CDSB Gagetown's electricity requirements, or the equivalent of enough energy to power 2,000 homes. The solar farm will help the Government of Canada fulfil its target of using 100% clean electricity at all federal buildings by 2025 - and contribute to the federal government's target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. This project will generate significant economic benefits for the surrounding region, including Indigenous peoples. At least 5% of the value of goods, services and contracted labour will come from Indigenous-owned businesses and Indigenous peoples. We expect the total project investment to be about $27.5 million, including construction - and 25 years of operation, maintenance, life cycle and administrative costs, and more. The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces have already reduced GHG emissions by 36% across Canada, compared with 2005 levels.The Government of Canada will continue to make landmark investments to reduce the carbon footprint of Defence infrastructure by powering military bases with clean electricity and improving the energy efficiency in our buildings. Quotes "We have an obligation to provide our military personnel with modern, green infrastructure that meets their needs - and that is exactly what we are doing with these investments. These upgrades to our Gagetown military base will create hundreds of jobs and reduce our emissions - creating a healthier environment for our military personnel and all Canadians." The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence "The modernizations to the Gagetown base will benefit our military members and make the base more sustainable in the long term. By supporting green projects like these, we're investing in Atlantic Canada's economic prosperity while developing local employees' expertise in these new green technologies. This is an excellent step forward on our path to reduce emissions." The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence "Projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help save costs are good for the environment and good for the economy. As the Member of Parliament representing Base Gagetown, and as someone born and raised in Oromocto, I know that the people in this community care deeply about both making life more affordable and combatting the climate crisis. Investing in smart, effective projects like the solar farm and the energy-efficient upgrades will help us do that." Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton Quick facts The solar farm will be built at 5 CDSB Gagetown, in the range and training area located between Shirley Road and the Trans-Canada Highway. We expect the solar farm will occupy approximately 40 acres of land. We are committed to building and maintaining positive relationships in the communities we operate. With this in mind, we engaged the community for public comment on this project. The public comment period ran from April 2021 until the end of October 2021. As part of our local engagement prior to contracting the project, we reached out to 16 nearby Indigenous communities and have taken their feedback into consideration while developing this contract. Accordingly, this contract will include an Indigenous Benefits Plan, engaging the contractor to source at least 5% of the goods and services for this project from Indigenous-owned suppliers and businesses, and to hire Indigenous peoples for at least 5% of the contracted labour. Results of our environmental studies suggest that the project poses a low risk to the surrounding environment, and that any impacts could be effectively mitigated or offset. We are taking necessary steps to minimize impacts on the environment prior to and during construction. Though the solar farm project, when complete, will be able to meet a significant portion of Base Gagetown's electricity needs, DND will continue to purchase energy from New Brunswick Power for its remaining electricity needs at the base. An EPC is a contract with an energy services company, where the company finances energy retrofit projects at a base or wing and guarantees the savings. DND then uses the savings from the reduction in our energy costs to pay back the company over a five- to 15-year period, limiting upfront costs for the government. Our facilities remain fully functional during the project, with no impact on military operations. For this EPC, the money saved in energy costs will be used to pay Ameresco Inc. back over 14 years, minimizing upfront costs and guaranteeing that the upgrades produce savings. In addition to Gagetown, similar projects are underway at Borden, Kingston, Halifax, Greenwood, Valcartier, Esquimalt, and Petawawa, with similar contracts in development in Alert, Comox, Trenton, and Shilo. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Iran, Russia wrap up sea phase of joint naval exercise Global Times Rescue training of commercial ships reflects peaceful nature of trilateral cooperation By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Mar 14, 2024 06:14 PM The five-day China-Iran-Russia joint naval exercise Security Belt-2024 on Wednesday wrapped up its sea phase. The core part of the drill saw warships from the three countries conducting training to rescue civilian ships, which reflected the peaceful nature of the trilateral cooperation, experts said on Thursday. Held near the Gulf of Oman from Tuesday to Wednesday, the sea phase of the joint exercise featured training courses including live-fire shooting at maritime targets and armed rescue on hijacked commercial ships, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said in a press release on Thursday. On Tuesday, the three countries' warships took turns and fired at mock targets at sea during both day and night, and practiced light signal communications, the PLA Navy said, attaching a photo showing a Chinese special force member firing a machine gun on board of a warship. On Wednesday, the three countries mixed their vessels into two task forces and conducted a rescue operation for two Iranian ships playing the roles of commercial ships. Under the command of the PLA Navy destroyer Urumqi, the task force one consisted of six warships from the Chinese and Iranian sides quickly maneuvered to advantageous positions, conducted reconnaissance on a mock commercial ship hijacked by pirates, and sent small boats to approach the vessel. Special force members then boarded the ship, neutralized the mock hostile forces, controlled the vessel and rescued the mock hostages. The exercise also practiced extinguishing fire broke out on the mock commercial ships, another photo released by the PLA Navy shows. With the participating warships' return to the Chabahar Port in Iran on Wednesday local time, the sea phase of the Security Belt-2024 joint exercise successfully completed, the PLA Navy said. The joint exercise, kicked off on Monday and will run until Friday, is organized in three phases, namely the harbor phase, the sea phase and the summarize phase, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday after the launch of the drills. The sea phase is usually the core part of a naval exercise that features actual force deployment, while the harbor phase and the summarize phase often include organizing and tactical discussions as well as exchanges that boost participants' mutual understanding and friendship, a Chinese military expert who observed several other joint naval drills told the Global Times on Thursday, requesting anonymity. Highlighted by the rescue of hijacked commercial ships near the Gulf of Oman, an important international sea lane featuring the transport of key energy and goods, the exercise showed that the trilateral military cooperation focuses on the safeguard of the maritime security in the region in terms of non-traditional security threats, rather than dealing with traditional security threats or stressing bloc confrontation or geopolitics, the expert said. Zhang Junshe, another Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that the China-Iran-Russia joint exercises, which have been held for four editions since 2019, all focused on non-traditional security threats, and they did not target any third country, nor were they related to regional situations. The exercise area near the Gulf of Oman, located in the northern part of the Arabian Sea, is connected with the Persian Gulf with the Strait of Hormuz, giving it strategic significance in terms of international shipping, experts said, noting that the trilateral exercise is conducive to the safeguard of the international sea lane as well as maritime security in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HK representatives to UNHRC defend Article 23 legislation, calling it 'key safeguard' for maintaining stability Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: Mar 14, 2024 09:45 PM A Hong Kong representative to the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva clarified that the implementation of the Article 23 legislation will codify necessary procedural safeguards in line with international human rights standards while some Hong Kong lawmakers refuted the latest claims from a UNHRC expert saying that some of the charges on national security crimes in Hong Kong are too broad. Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, representing the International Probono Legal Services Association, who is also a lawmaker from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said at the UNHRC session that the Article 23 legislation will become a key safeguard for maintaining Hong Kong's security and social stability, according to a speech transcript he sent to the Global Times on Wednesday night. He pointed out that the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens support the Article 23 legislation, hoping that no one will ever feel uneasy again due to bullying and intimidation by local violent elements. The law will codify necessary procedural safeguards in line with international human rights standards, as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and international labor conventions, as stated in Article 39 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong representative said. The Bills Committee of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR has completed the review of the Article 23 legislation draft bill, also known as the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and committee chairman Martin Liao Cheung-kong said on Thursday that he will submit an oral report to the House Committee and Subcommittees on Friday. In his concluding remarks at the meeting, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, Secretary for Justice of HKSAR, expressed his gratitude to the committee for its relentless reviewing of the draft ordinance over the past week, which allowed the important legislative process to be completed in a very tight timeframe. The review process fully reflected the respective duties of the executive and legislative bodies, working together, striving to do their utmost and fulfilling the constitutional responsibilities under the Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law. The completion of the review of the draft ordinance by the Bills Committee brings the legislative work closer to the finish line, Lam said. Also, the process achieved some very important purposes including giving the local authorities an opportunity to reflect on how to further improve the drafting of the relevant clauses, the official noted. The local government not only had the opportunity to respond to the committee, but it also had the opportunity to further explain to the public in detail the legislative intent behind individual clauses, the risks to national security they aim to address and how the clauses would operate in practice. Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, said during the session that the scope of certain charges under the National Security Law for Hong Kong is overly broad, raising concerns about its legality and the impact on basic freedoms such as freedom of expression and press freedom, which are protected internationally, according to media reports. With the imminent passage of the Article 23 legislation, we encourage the HKSAR government to contact our office or other offices so that they can work together to improve the relevant legislation, Saul was quoted as saying in the reports. "I believe some representatives from the US-led Western bloc are trying to smear our legislation, but we should note that many other representatives from different countries recognize our efforts in safeguarding the national security," Dominic Lee Tsz-king, a Hong Kong lawmaker, told the Global Times in response to Saul's remarks. The Article 23 legislation bill is relatively more lenient compared to many similar laws in foreign countries, Lee said. For instance, compared to the UK's national security law, significant efforts have been made in protecting human rights, he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China appoints Chen Xiaodong, former ambassador to South Africa, as new vice foreign minister, totaling four Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 14, 2024 10:45 PM The Chinese Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced the appointment of Chen Xiaodong on Thursday. Chen, who previously served as the Chinese ambassador to South Africa, will assume the role of vice foreign minister. The addition of Chen brings the total number of vice foreign ministers to four in China, including Ma Zhaoxu, Sun Weidong, and Deng Li. Chen served as the Chinese ambassador to South Africa for nearly three and a half years. According to the embassy website, Chen and his wife Zhang Bin held a farewell reception at the embassy, followed by a pre-departure visit to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. They returned to China on Monday. Chen, a member of the Communist Party of China, was born in December 1965 and hails from Lujiang, East China's Anhui Province. He graduated from the Beijing International Studies University, majoring in Arabic. He has a master's degree in business administration. With extensive experience in diplomatic work, he served for many years in the West Asia and North Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). He has also held diplomatic positions in countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, the UK, and Singapore. In 2006, Chen was appointed as the Chinese ambassador to Iraq, and in 2008 as the minister-counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the UK. He was named the director-general of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs at the MFA in 2010, and in 2015 served as the Chinese ambassador to Singapore. In 2017, Chen returned to China to serve as the assistant minister of Foreign Affairs, overseeing affairs related to West Asia, North Africa, Africa, foreign security, and archives. Chen arrived in South Africa to take up his post as the sixth Chinese ambassador to the country in September 2020. At the time, he said at the airport, that the current international situation, marked by a century of change and the COVID-19 pandemic, is intertwined, making it more necessary than ever for China and South Africa to strengthen unity and cooperation. During Chen's term as the ambassador, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to South Africa in August 2023 and attended the 15th BRICS Summit. Before departing from South Africa, Chen said he was "most delighted" to see the cake of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two partners grow bigger and bigger. China has been South Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and South Africa has participated in the China International Import Expo for six consecutive years. South African products such as beef, oranges, red wine, oysters, and rooibos tea are widely consumed by Chinese consumers. At the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, the bilateral trade volume was only about $1.57 billion. By 2022, it had reached $56.74 billion, an almost 35-fold increase, Chen noted. During his farewell visit to Ramaphosa, the South African President highly commended the outstanding work and contributions made by Chen during his tenure. According to the Revised Organic Law of the State Council passed on Monday, each constituent department of the State Council is to have one minister and two to four vice ministers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 14, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-03-14 21:06 At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Penny Wong, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to New Zealand and Australia from March 17 to 21. During his visit to Australia, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. China News Service: I'd like to follow up on your announcement that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit New Zealand and Australia. Could you share more about the background of the visit and China's expectations? Wang Wenbin: China has comprehensive strategic partnerships with both New Zealand and Australia. This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's state visit to New Zealand and Australia and also the 10th anniversary of the China-New Zealand and China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnerships. After his previous visit to New Zealand and Australia seven years ago, Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit this time will kick off this year's high-level exchanges between China and the two countries. During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the foreign ministers and leaders of the two countries will have extensive and in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. China looks forward to working with the two countries to deliver on the common understandings between the leaders, enhance strategic communication, deepen mutual trust, advance exchanges and cooperation, promote the steady and sustained growth of the China-New Zealand and China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnerships and contribute to world peace, stability and prosperity. AFP: The US House of Representatives passed legislation yesterday that would ask ByteDance to divest TikTok. What's your response?a Wang Wenbin: This bill adopted by the US House of Representatives puts the US on the opposite side of the principles of fair competition and international trade rules. If the so-called "national security" can be cited at will to bring down other countries' competitive companies, there would be no fairness or justice to speak of. It is sheer robbers' logic to try every means to snatch from others all the good thingsathatatheyahave. How the US has handled the TikTok incident enables the world to see clearly whether the US's so-called "rules" and "order" serve the whole world or the US itself. The Associated Press: I'd like to know if you can give us any more details on the New Zealand part of Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit? Any particular issues in New Zealand that will be coming up or anything that will be talked about? Wang Wenbin: I shared relevant information just now. On further details about Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit, we will read out in due course. Please check back for updates. Reuters: Taiwan dispatched coast guard boats today rescue a capsized fishing vessel from the mainland near Kinmen. Can you confirm this and provide more details?a Wang Wenbin: It's not related to foreign affairs. I'd refer you to competent authorities. Bloomberg: The UK government is considering curbing the number of Chinese nationals who can enter the UK on official business, over fears the system is being abused to bring spies into Britain. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment? Wang Wenbin: The cross-border travel of diplomats and people on official business is very important to the sound development of our bilateral relations and also conducive to enhancing mutual trust and practical cooperation across the board. China has provided long-standing facilitation for UK diplomats and people on official business to visit China and hopes that the UK can work with China in the same direction and provide facilitation for Chinese personnel in accordance with mutually beneficial arrangements reached by the two sides. AFP: I have another question on TikTok. The Chinese mainland has banned YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. What is the difference between this and the US ban on TikTok? Wang Wenbin: We welcome foreign platforms and services of various kinds to the Chinese market on the premise that they observe China's laws and regulations. This is completely different from the US way of handling TikTok, which is clearly a bullying act and robbers' logic. Kyodo News: It is reported that Japan, the US and the Philippines will hold a summit in Washington in April. Relevant consultation has begun. The three countries will carry out discussions on response to China's increasing hegemonic activities in the East and South China Seas. What is China's comment on this? Wang Wenbin: China's activities in the East and South China Seas are completely consistent with domestic and international laws and beyond reproach. By contrast, the US has traveled halfway around the world to China's doorsteps to form exclusive circles, flex muscles and make provocations. These are out-and-out hegemonic activities. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests brook no infringement. China has unwavering resolve and will to uphold its lawful rights. We will resolutely respond to any country's attempt to violate China's sovereign rights and interests. NHK: Another follow-up question regarding TikTok, it seems that the concern of the US side is the fact that Chinese companies are subject to national security law, requiring them to share data with the government on request. What is China's thought on this concern? Would you say there is no such concern? Wang Wenbin: The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting data privacy and security. We have never asked and will never ask businesses or individuals to collect or provide data in other countries for the Chinese government in violation of local laws. The problem of the US is that while never finding evidence of TikTok threatening its national security, the US resorts to state power and abuses national security as the reason to suppress this company. CCTV: According to reports, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on March 12 that "we (the Philippines) have not rejected any proposal that China made to us, and what is unacceptable is Beijing basing its expansive claim on its '10-dash line', which is not recognized by any country, any international body. Until that premise that China has made in terms of all its discussions with the Philippines, it is difficult to see a way forward. I vowed to defend the Philippine Constitution when I sworn in, and the first article of the country's Constitution clearly defines its territorial area, including maritime and land-based territory." What's your response? Wang Wenbin: China was the first country to discover, name, explore and exploit Nanhai Zhudao and relevant waters, and was the first to exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Nanhai Zhudao and relevant waters continuously, peacefully and effectively. After World War II, the Chinese government recovered and resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, which had been illegally occupied by Japan during its war of aggression against China pursuant to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. China has territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, including that China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao; China has internal waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone, based on Nanhai Zhudao; China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, based on Nanhai Zhudao; And China has historic rights in the South China Sea. The above positions are consistent with relevant international law and practice. As early as in 1948, the Chinese government officially released the dotted line, which has been upheld by successive Chinese governments. For a long time, it has never been questioned by any country. China never claimed that the whole of the South China Sea belongs to China. The Philippine side accuses China of claiming all waters inside the dotted line as territory. It is not in line with the fact and is deliberate distortion of China's position. The Philippine side should stop misleading the international community, using the South China Sea issue to instigate disputes, and counting on external forces to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea region. To address the South China Sea issue, we are firm in upholding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and stand ready to address the maritime differences through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts. Pending a solution to the differences, China also stands ready to work with countries directly concerned to manage the situation at sea, achieve win-win results by carrying out maritime cooperation, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. Bloomberg: China and NATO held their eighth security policy dialogue in Beijing on Wednesday. Can you tell us what was discussed? Wang Wenbin: The Ministry of National Defense of China has released a readout. If you are interested in specific issues, I'd refer you to the Ministry of National Defense.a NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong blasts criticism of its Article 23 security law Under the bill, likely to pass next week, any criticism of the authorities could be regarded as sedition. By Gigi Lee, Alice Yam and Cheryl Tung for RFA Cantonese 2024.03.14 -- The Hong Kong government, poised to pass its stricter "Article 23" national security law next week, blasted criticism of the bill from rights experts who say it will undermine freedom of religion in the city. The Safeguarding National Security bill, currently before the Legislative Council, includes sentences of up to life imprisonment for treason, insurrection, sabotage and mutiny, and 20 years for espionage. It can punish people 10 years for crimes linked to "state secrets" and "sedition," and allow the passports of anyone who flees overseas to be revoked. Critics say the ruling Communist Party has a broad and vaguely defined interpretation of many of the crimes in the bill, and that "national security crimes" are already being used to prosecute people for peaceful dissent and political opposition. Hong Kong Justice Secretary Paul Lam warned last week that anyone who hears that another person has committed "treason" but not reported it could be jailed for up to 14 years, once the law takes effect. This "has grave implications for the confidentiality of Confession in the Catholic Church and other Christian traditions," according to a letter signed by 16 experts and published by Hong Kong Watch on March 13. "The new law could force a priest to reveal what has been said in Confession, against his will and conscience and in total violation of the privacy of the individual confession," the group said. A Hong Kong government spokesman said Hong Kong Watch is an "anti-China organization," and its members were "frontline destabilizing forces." He said ordinary citizens were in no danger of committing treason, which he defined as "levying war against China, or instigating a foreign country to invade China with force," and called their letter a "blatant, shameless and barbaric intervention." Advocating for democracy is a crime Under the "Article 23" legislation, any attempt to push for legislative changes or criticism of the authorities could be regarded as sedition, and any contact with overseas individuals or organizations could be prosecuted as courting foreign interference, the letter said. Under another clause, "advocating for democracy and the restoration of civil liberties in Hong Kong, anywhere in the world, could now constitute a crime and result in the cancellation of one's Hong Kong passport," it said. The new law has been rebooted three decades after being shelved following mass protests against it in 2003 and fast-tracked through the legislature in mere days after Chinese officials said it should be completed "as soon as possible" at the National People's Congress in Beijing last week. It looks likely to be made law next week. The experts said that the "vague provisions within the law ... open the potential for politically-motivated prosecutions under illegitimate 'national security' grounds," pointing to clauses allowing the extension of detention without charge and the prevention of contact between arrestees and their lawyers. 'More like mainland China' Taiwanese national security expert Shih Chien-yu said the legislation will have an indelible impact on Hong Kong, which was once promised the continuation of its traditional rights and freedoms for 50 years after the 1997 handover to Chinese rule. "The Article 23 legislation basically will make Hong Kong even more like mainland China," Shih told RFA Cantonese. "The penalties are very heavy, mostly more than three years." Shih predicted that many businesspeople will leave Hong Kong because of it. Lawmakers completed their detailed review of the bill on Thursday, adding in a strengthened supervisory role for the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, which is itself under the direct supervision of the central government in Beijing. London-based rights group Amnesty International called on the government to "step back from the brink" and halt the legislation. Hong Kong "is now taking repression to the next level," the group's China Director Sarah Brooks said in a March 8 statement. "The apparent overarching purpose of Article 23 is to stifle any and all criticism of the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities and their policies, within the city and globally," she said. Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Interview: Community with a shared future for mankind contributes to sustainable development, says Yemeni media leader Xinhua) 16:48, March 15, 2024 ADEN, Yemen, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Building a community with a shared future for mankind contributes to sustainable development by building bridges across regions and cultures, said a Yemeni media leader. While participating in the 6th China-Arab States Broadcasting and Television Cooperation Forum, Khaled Alyan, deputy director of Yemen National Television, was greatly impressed by China's urban development and management. This has inspired him to learn more about China, leading to a deeper understanding of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, he told Xinhua in a recent interview. The article, which was published on the website of Yemen National Television on March 6, introduced China's development philosophy and praised its continued economic growth and increasing global influence. China-proposed concepts have provided innovative ideas for promoting global cooperation, he wrote. The concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been incorporated into various United Nations resolutions, helping more countries understand the idea of realizing common development through cooperation, he wrote. He noted the longstanding friendship between China and Arab countries, characterized by mutual trust, can be traced back to the ancient Silk Road period, and the Belt and Road Initiative has brought the two sides closer. He also pointed out that both China and Arab nations had stood against colonial rules and now are advocating for developing countries' rights on the global stage. There is thriving cooperation in the energy and investment sectors between Arab countries and China, facilitated by forums like the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, he wrote. Increasing Chinese language education initiatives in Arab countries and an increasing number of Arabic language courses at Chinese universities help to foster cultural exchanges and bring the two sides closer, he wrote. Alyan likened the current world situation to a turbulent sea. "We are all in the same boat, and no one should cause damage to this boat," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Cece Cummins, center, as Dolly Levi and the cast of Darien High School Theatre 308's production of "Hello, Dolly!" Robin Gilbert / Contributed Photo DARIEN Darien High School's Theatre 308 brought "elegance" with this year's spring musical "Hello, Dolly!" which closed Saturday. Based on the Thornton Wilder play "The Matchmaker," the musical follows New York matchmaker Dolly Levi as she tries to marry the prominent Mr. Horace Vandergelder while pairing the young widow, Irene Molloy, and her assistant Minnie Fay, with two of Vandergelder's comedic assistants Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker. The show was directed by Tim Sorensen with assisted and vocal direction by Matt Tracey and choreography by Kelsey Kaminski. Technical direction and set design were coordinated by Chris Andrade and Lily Morgan and costumes were designed and executed under the guidance of Amy Raskopf. The pit orchestra was directed by Jon Grauer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Directing 'Hello, Dolly!' has been a true joy," Sorenson said. "This company of young artists brings an amazing energy to the stage that I hope will ignite the love of musical theater in every patron who comes to see them." Chinese Cyber Nationalists Target Nobel Laureate, Water Company By William Yang March 14, 2024 Online nationalism has been surging in China in recent weeks, with a growing band of cyber nationalists targeting the country's first Nobel laureate in literature, Mo Yan, and the largest bottled water producer, Nongfu Spring. The online attacks against Nongfu Spring began after prominent nationalist billionaire Zong Qinghou, the founder of the company's key competitor, Hangzhou Wahaha Group, passed away on February 25. Some netizens began comparing Zong with Nongfu Spring's founder, Zhong Shanshan, the richest person in China, and it quickly grew into an all-out attack against Nongfu Spring. Some online nationalists claimed packaging of Nongfu Springs' products contains Japanese elements, accusing him of being pro-Japan, while others focused on allegations that Zhong's son is a U.S. citizen. "If the successor of Nongfu Spring is an American, this company's ideology is unacceptable," wrote one Chinese netizen on China's popular social media platform Weibo. "I can't accept that an American becomes the richest man in China," another netizen Liu Jia-nan wrote on Weibo. "Even if I can't change anything, me and my family can definitely stop buying Nongfu Spring's products." The call for boycotting Nongfu Spring's products has affected the company's stock, which dropped more than 6% since the attacks began last month. Amid the turmoil, Chinese media outlets reported that Zhong Shanshan stepped down as legal representative of one of Nongfu Spring's subsidiaries on March 11. Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan, whose real name is Guan Moye, also came under attack from a self-proclaimed nationalistic blogger last month. Wu Wanzheng, who runs the account "Truth Telling Mao Xinghua" on Weibo, announced on February 27 that he planned to sue Mo for violating the Heroes and Martyrs Protection Law in China, which carries a maximum three-year jail sentence if found guilty. In the indictment shared by Wu on Weibo, he accused Mo of glorifying the Japanese invaders in his novel "Red Sorghum," which tells the story of a Chinese family during the Second Sino-Japanese War. He also claimed that Mo tried to "smear heroes and martyrs of the People's Liberation Army" during the Chinese Civil War in another novel. Wu demanded that Mo apologize, offer an equivalent of $0.14 U.S. dollars to each Chinese citizen as compensation, and have his books removed from shelves across China. Mo and Nongfu Spring are not the only targets of Chinese nationalists' online attacks in recent years. Several Chinese and global brands, including Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Ning and Western brands such as H&M, Nike and Adidas, have come under fire for either having designs that resemble Japanese soldiers' uniforms during World War II or for boycotting cotton from China's Xinjiang region. Some experts say for Chinese people engaging in online activities, "wielding the flag of nationalism" is like "a protective shield. "Those people choose their targets very carefully and they know they can drive a lot of online traffic to themselves," Dali Yang, a political scientist at the University of Chicago, told VOA in a phone interview. He said in some cases, Chinese nationalists may feel a "moral righteousness" when they target certain businesses or individuals. "Unless the situation becomes too excessive, the overall environment would generally be permissive toward people who engage in these activities," Yang said. And while there used to be mechanisms to prevent content on Chinese social media from becoming too nationalistic, online content regulators are focused more now on removing critical opinions that may be deemed "unpatriotic" or "sensitive" by Chinese officials. "There is no resistance to nationalistic content on the Chinese internet, and the reason why Chinese authorities don't remove nationalistic content online is because it's in line with the government's narrative," Eric Liu, a former Weibo moderator and an editor at U.S.-based bilingual news website China Digital Times, told VOA by phone. After facing threats from the nationalistic blogger, Mo participated in an event with British writer Abdulrazak Gurnah in Beijing earlier this week, which was covered by several Chinese state media outlets. China's state broadcaster CCTV also reportedly conducted an interview with the celebrated writer. Separately, some Chinese netizens have come out to urge nationalists to stop targeting Nongfu Spring, while several state-controlled media outlets across China have published opinion pieces to call on nationalists to "stop the witch hunt against another business owners" in China. Despite efforts from state media to push back against the online attacks, some observers said it's unlikely the Chinese government will try to stop this trend. "The government would have punished those online nationalists if they want to stop these targeted online attacks," Murong Xuecun, a prominent Chinese novelist, told VOA by phone. "China's free speech environment is already in a bad shape after a decade under Xi's rule, and if the trend of targeted online attacks continues, the free speech environment in the country will likely further deteriorate," the novelist said. In addition to a deteriorating free speech environment, Liu at China Digital Times said this trend may create a chilling effect for many Chinese internet users. "The online environment in China will deteriorate to a point where many internet users may be concerned about becoming the target of such attacks," he told VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World's Largest Drone Maker Expands in US Amid Rights Abuse Allegations By Kasim Kashgar March 14, 2024 Chinese drone maker DJI is expanding in the U.S. with its first flagship store in New York City amid allegations of links to human rights abuses and ties to China's military. DJI's "first concept" North American store on New York's Fifth Avenue welcomes customers into a futuristic, minimalist space to shop. The company describes itself on its website as "the world's leader in civil drones and creative camera technology." "We continue to see growing consumer demand throughout North America as we expand our consumer product portfolio," said Christina Zhang, senior director of corporate strategy at DJI. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, the company was founded in 2006. DJI, also known as Da Jiang Innovations, has become the world's largest drone maker, having achieved global dominance in less than 20 years. The company now supplies 70% of the world's consumer drones and nearly 80% of U.S. consumer drones. Abuse allegations On March 5, the day of DJI's official store opening in New York, the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), a Washington research and advocacy group, released a report titled Surveillance Tech Series: DJI's Links to Human Rights Abuses in East Turkistan. The report accuses DJI of being involved in mass surveillance and rights violations against Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and other Muslim communities in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which the group calls East Turkistan. "DJI is directly involved in mass surveillance schemes in East Turkistan and has supplied public security agencies with tools to surveil and target Uyghurs, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz people," the UHRP report said. "Xinjiang public security departments entered into seven procurement orders with DJI that were worth nearly US$300,000 between 2019 and 2022." The report stated that DJI sells drones to Xinjiang's paramilitary organization, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, which the U.S. government sanctioned because of its "connection with serious rights abuses against ethnic minorities" in Xinjiang. "Other documents show tenders worth US$47,000 for DJI drones for the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps," the UHRP report stated. The report also said that a DJI drone captured footage of dozens of individuals, seemingly Uyghur prisoners, blindfolded and shackled at a train station in southern Xinjiang. The video, first released on YouTube in 2019, garnered widespread media attention. "It's unethical to support a company that knowingly engages in egregious rights violations," Nuzigum Setiwaldi, the report's author, told Voice of America. The U.S. and several Western parliaments have accused China of genocide in Xinjiang, targeting Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim populations. The U.N. human rights office released a report saying the human rights violations in Xinjiang may amount to crimes against humanity. China criticized Western nations for spreading "lies" about human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet. A spokesperson from DJI told VOA the company has not engaged in any activities, including sales distribution and product development, that violate or abuse human rights. "Like other manufacturers, we do not have control over how our products are used as they are available off the shelf," wrote a DJI spokesperson in an email response. "However, we have demonstrated - through years of investments in product safety and security initiatives - that our products are developed for peaceful and civilian use only." Chinese military company or not? In 2022, The Washington Post reported that DJI obscured ties to Chinese government funding. In the same year, the U.S. Department of Defense classified DJI as a "Chinese military company." As of January, DJI remains on the list of such companies operating in the United States. The department said it maintains companies on the list to counter China's Military-Civil Fusion strategy, which supports the modernization of the Chinese army. Reuters reported that former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who ran the U.S. Justice Department from 2015 to 2017 and is now with the Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison law firm, wrote a letter to the Defense Department last July on behalf of DJI, urging the removal of her client from the Pentagon's Chinese military companies list. In her letter, Lynch cited the importance and urgency of such a move because of the wide use of and dependence on DJI products by a variety of U.S. stakeholders. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warned in January that Chinese-made drones posed "significant risk" to U.S. national security and critical infrastructure. "[T]he PRC's 2017 National Intelligence Law compels Chinese companies to cooperate with state intelligence services, including providing access to data collected within China and around the world," CISA said in its cybersecurity guidance on Chinese manufactured drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). However, DJI's spokesperson told VOA that DJI "is not a Chinese military company." According to DJI, the company remains one of the few drone companies that clearly "denounce and actively discourage" the use of drones in combat. "We do not pursue business opportunities for combat use or operations. Our distributors, resellers and other business partners globally have also committed to following this policy when they sell and use our products," DJI spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on the State Visit of President to Mauritius (March 13, 2024) India - Ministry of External Affairs March 14, 2024 Shri Rajesh Parihar: Director (XPD): Good afternoon, everyone. I welcome you all to this special media briefing on the ongoing visit of honorable President to Mauritius. And for that, I have the pleasure to introduce you, sitting on dais with me, Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of India, Shri Puneet Agrawal, Joint Secretary for Indian Ocean Region, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ms. Navika Gupta, Deputy Press Secretary to the honorable President. With this brief introduction, now I would like to request the Foreign Secretary to brief on the visit. Sir. Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you very much, Rajesh. Good afternoon to the friends from the media for this special briefing on the ongoing visit of honorable Rashtrapati ji to Mauritius. As you all know that honorable Rashtrapati ji is on a state visit to Mauritius at the invitation of the honorable Prime Minister of Mauritius. And she participated as a chief guest of the National Day celebrations of Mauritius, which were held yesterday. Just to recall and refresh that this is the first outgoing VVIP visit from India to Mauritius since March 2018. You would recall that honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji had visited Mauritius in March 2015. This visit of the honorable Rashtrapati ji was of special significance because it comes in the context of the first full-fledged celebrations of the Mauritian National Day after a gap of five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also the sixth such state visit by an Indian dignitary as the chief guest of the Mauritian National Day since 2000. You would recall that honorable Prime Minister of India had participated in the National Day celebrations of Mauritius when he had visited here in March 2015. And it was during that visit that honorable Prime Minister had announced India's and his vision of SAGAR, which is the security and growth for all in the region, essentially a vision which guides our engagements with partners in the Indian Ocean region, countries including Mauritius. You would be all aware that 12th March, the date marking both the Independence Day and Republic Day of Mauritius, was consciously chosen by the Mauritian leaders to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi since it was on this day that Gandhiji began his famous Dandi march. This fact alone testifies to the close, special and historical bonds that exist between India and Mauritius. If I could briefly share with you some of the important programming elements of the ongoing visit of honorable Rashtrapati ji. On arrival on 11th March, honorable Rashtrapati ji was accorded a ceremonial welcome and was received with full state honors by honorable Prime Minister of Mauritius. Rashtrapati ji then held a meeting with the President of Mauritius, His Excellency Prithvirajsing Roopun, and discussed ways to further advance our exceptional and close relations between our two countries. Later in the day, honorable Rashtrapati ji had a tete-a- tete with Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and a banquet was also hosted in honour of honorable Rashtrapati ji by Prime Minister Jugnauth and Mrs. Kobita Jugnauth. During this banquet, honorable Rashtrapati ji also interacted with other key political leaders of Mauritius, as well as eminent members of the Mauritian Society and friends of India who were present there. During her interactions both with the President of Mauritius and the Prime Minister of Mauritius, honorable Rashtrapati ji presented a RuPay card issued by the Indian banks, both one to the honorable President of Mauritius and the other to the Prime Minister of Mauritius. On 12th March, Rashtrapati ji was conferred the degree of Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa, by the University of Mauritius. This conferment was then followed by a metro ride to Mahatma Gandhi Station, which is among India's flagship development partnership projects in Mauritius. She thereafter addressed a civic reception at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, attended by members of the Indian diaspora and representatives of Mauritian social-cultural organizations that were present at the Institute. On 12th March itself, after National Day celebrations at Champ de Mars, honorable President witnessed the flag-raising ceremony, a parade by the Mauritian forces and an Indian contingent, as well as cultural performances by the Mauritian artist. Prime Minister of Mauritius earlier today met with honorable Rashtrapati ji, during which both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the relationship, assessed progress in our partnership across various domains, reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the bilateral ties across all sectors, as well as between peoples of our two countries, which remain a special foundation of our relationship. In terms of substantive outcomes during the visit and some of the announcements that you would have also heard, honorable Rashtrapati ji announced Government of India's support to supply 200 electric buses to Mauritius and redevelopment of the Ganga Talav area, which was warmly welcomed by Mauritian Prime Minister. honorable Rashtrapati ji is currently visiting Ganga Talav Heritage Area even as we speak. honorable President also announced Government of India's decision that the special dispensation under which Mauritian nationals of Indian origin were eligible for overseas citizens of India cards, OCI cards, up to the sixth generation will now be extended to seventh generation Mauritians of Indian origin. honorable Rashtrapati ji and Mauritius Prime Minister today also laid the foundation stone of the forensic science laboratory project, which is being built with India's development assistance. They also virtually inaugurated 14 small development projects which are funded through Indian grant assistance. Several important MoUs were exchanged in the presence of honorable President and the Prime Minister of Mauritius. These MoUs capture various segments of our bilateral cooperation across different domains such as public administration, avoidance of double taxation, financial services and good governance. Without going into the details, if I could just share broadly the thematic areas of cooperation in these MoUs. So the MoU, which is between the Union Public Service Commission of India and the Public Service Commission of Mauritius, talks of partnership in the field of sharing of experiences and the areas of recruitment and also developed institutionalized linkages between the two public service commissions. Two, signing of the protocol to amend the India Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Agreement to make compliant with base erosion and profit sharing minimum standards. You would recall that BEPS project, as it was called Base Erosion and Profit Sharing, was approved by one of the G20 meetings and this protocol essentially makes amendments to the India Mauritius Protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance to make it compliant with the Base Erosion and Profit Sharing Minimum Standards. Third, the MoU between the GIFT city and Financial Services Commission of India. Essentially, this MoU will build on the foundations which were laid when the GIFT city and the Financial Services Commission signed an MoU in July 2017 and will facilitate our cooperation in the financial services sector including banking, insurance, capital markets and fintech. Fourth, is the cooperation agreement, MoU between Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI of India and Independent Commission Against Corruption, ICAC of Mauritius. During her ongoing visit, honorable President also received several other dignitaries from Mauritius including the Leader of Opposition and leaders of other political parties. She also visited historical sites, one of them earlier today, Aapravasi Ghat, as part of her ongoing visit. Just now, we have come from a lunch which was hosted in honor of honorable Rashtrapati Ji by the honorable President of Mauritius and as I said, the honorable President is currently visiting the sacred Ganga Talav for prayers there, before she departs for India. To recapture a sense of strength and substance in India Mauritius ties, our relations with Mauritius are special and historically unique dating back to pre-independence years, centuries old people to people ties and continued cultural interactions forms a very strong basis and foundation of this very special relationship. Mauritius is one of the very important components and segments of our priorities under India's neighborhood first policy, Prime Minister Modi's vision of SAGAR, as also India's priority focus on Africa. So, Mauritius in a sense lies at the convergence of these three major policy pillars that Government of India follows. There is also very regular, frequent and intense higher level political engagement between the leaders of the countries. Our Prime Minister, Prime Minister Modi Ji and Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth have interacted five times just in the last six months and key manifestation of the privileged and special relationship that India has with Mauritius was captured in Mauritius participation as one of the guest countries under India's G20 presidency. This really underscores the special relationship that India and Mauritius enjoy. The visit of honorable President to Mauritius reflects the growing expanse of long-standing and trusted partnership between India and Mauritius. The visit reinforces the positive, continuing positive momentum and trends in our special relationship. And it also signals our shared and strong commitment to further intensify our relations with this important partner. I will stop here. And if there are any questions, we'll take them. Thank you. Girish Nishana: Sir, namaskar. Sir, main Girish Nishana DD News se. Sir, abhi haal hi mei Mauritius ke andar UPI aur RuPay Card sevaon ke mahatva ke baare mei kya aap jankari de sakte hain? Aur kya ye Bharat aur Mauritius ke bich mei vittiy connectivity ko badhane mei kis tarah se madad karega? [Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, greetings. Sir, I'm Girish Nishana from DD News. Sir, could you please provide information about the importance of UPI and RuPay Card services within Mauritius recently? And how will it assist in enhancing financial connectivity between India and Mauritius? Unknown Speaker: Sir recently India aur Mauritius ke Pradhan Mantri ne jointly inaugurate kiya tha facility at AgalAga, Mauritius. Toh Sir usmai bata sakte hain aap ki woh project ko kis tarike se aage badhaya ja raha hai? Kya kuch usmai create kiya ja raha hai? [Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, recently, the Prime Ministers of India and Mauritius jointly inaugurated a facility at AgalAga, Mauritius. Could you please tell us how that project is being further developed? What is being created as part of it? Bhupen Singh: Sir, this is Bhupen Singh from All India Radio News. Sir, my question is India has been actively involved in supporting various developmental projects in Mauritius. Could you shed light on the impact and success stories of these projects, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, health care, and education? Thank you. Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Infrastructure, health care, and? Bhupen Singh: Education. Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you. I think I'll take the last question first, because I think in many ways, your question captures the larger and overall sense of the complete spectrum, at least the major parts of the spectrum of India-Mauritius Partnership. If you look at the key points of the frame of reference of India-Mauritius Partnership, you will find that it is anchored first and foremost in the Mauritian priorities. So India's development cooperation template that we follow with any country, in particular the countries of the Global South, and especially the countries which are key priority areas under our Neighborhood First, under the vision of Prime Minister Modi of SAGAR, our development partnership, first and foremost, is anchored on the priorities of the receiving countries. So whatever are the priorities of Government of Mauritius is the driving feature of our cooperation projects. It is in alignment with this particular policy that if you analyze any of the projects that are ongoing in Mauritius, including the two specific projects which were mentioned in the two previous questions, one relating to financial connectivity and other related to the larger connectivity issue, they're all centered in that particular template. And these projects comply with that frame of reference to be based on the priorities of Government of Mauritius. So if you look at, for example, Metro Express project in Mauritius, and if you have gone around the city, you would see that the Metro Express project is a very shining example of how infrastructure cooperation in urban areas, which is based on development partnership template, can actually be a strong driver of a city's planned urban growth. It is one of the flagship development projects that India has with Mauritius. As is obvious, it has provided very reliable, environment friendly, and highly urbanized transport system, which has, I'm told, become widely popular among the local population here in the city. Under our special economic package, you talked about infrastructure. We have implemented around 950 plus social housing units, educational projects like e-tablets for schoolchildren, new Supreme Court building, which was constructed and got ready in record time, is a classic example of infrastructure cooperation in the judicial domain. So it combines two spaces through this project. State of the art ENT Hospital. You talked of health care. Mauritius is the first country with which India has signed, India has agreed to build health cooperation under the Prime Minister Modi's Jan-Aushadi scheme. Essentially, it provides for quality medicines, generic medicines, at affordable prices for the masses. That's the concept and the specifics. We hope that, you know, we are confident that this would take off in a major way and will serve as a useful template of partnership with other countries also in the field of delivery of health governance, so to speak. Projects which spread across a wider section of the communities, Government of India is implementing 96 small communities development projects across Mauritius. And you would have seen that earlier today, honorable President inaugurated 14 of them in a ceremony with the Mauritian Prime Minister. And these projects, again, touch lives of common people in various areas. We are also currently constructing a new civil services college to train the public service officers of Mauritius. We are also assisting Government (inaudible) this is a traditional project to one renal transplant unit, one medical unit, and two health area centers. I can go on and on about various aspects of our partnership. But this broadly captures more recent achievements of our successful development partnership between our two countries, and also the future pipeline in terms of what we would be looking at. But again, just to repeat that, the principal driving impulse of our partnership with Mauritius converges through neighborhood first, SAGAR Vision, and is based on the Mauritian priorities. Dekhiya aapka jo prashna tha AgalAga ko le ke, AgalAga ka project bhi, uske 3 mukhya bhag hain, ek toh air strip ka construction, jetty ka construction aur wahan par community development projects, ye sabhi projects jo hain abhi chanda din pahle, Bhartiya Pradhan Mantri manniya Narendra Modi ji aur Mauritius ke Pradhan Mantri ne mil ke in sabhi projects ka anavaran kiya tha. Aur yadi aap dhyan se dekhain toh ye projects 3-4 mukhya chizon pe kendrit hain. Sabse pehla connectivity, aapne pichle prashna mei vittiy connectivity ki baat ki ye ek bhautik infrastructure connectivity hai, jo ki AgalAga island aur mainland Mauritius ke bich mai ek prakar se jo unki connectivity hai usko aur sashakt aur samarthya pradhan karega. Iske karan kisi bhi prakar ka jo AgalAga island se emergency evacuation hona hai chahe woh swasthya ki aapda ho ya aur kisi bhi prakar ki emergency ho usmai mahatvapurna sahuliyat pradhan hoti hai, jo ki pahle thi lekin thodi kathin thi. Isi prakar se is connectivity ke karan travel, AgalAga aur mainland Mauritius ke bich mai pradan hota hai. Jo wahan par humne community development projects launch kiye hain, woh AgalAga island nivasiyon ke vikas aur unki development jaruraton ke aadhar pe hi unka implementation aur unka conceptualization kiya gaya hai. Tisra yadi aap dekhenge toh jahan tak maritime security, maritime surveillance ki jo hamari, Bharat aur Mauritius ki jo ek sanjhi prathmikta hain, AgalAga project usko bhi aage badhane mei kafi mahavapurna sabit hoga, usmai chahe hydrography ho, chahe humanitarian assistance ho, chahe maritime kshetra mei drug trafficking ki baat ho, human trafficking ki baat ho ye sabhi jo hamare ek prakar se sanjhi chunautiyan hain maritime kshetra ko le ke, AgalAga mei jo bhi bhautik connectivity ke project aur community development ke project jo Bharat ne kiye hain woh inhi prathmiktaon ko madyanazar kiye hain aur humain purna vishwas hai ki isse us kshetra ke vikas mei kafi madad milegi. [Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] See, regarding your question about AgalAga, the project at AgalAga also has three main components: the construction of an airstrip, the construction of a jetty, and community development projects there. All these projects were recently inaugurated by the honorable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, and the Prime Minister of Mauritius, together. And if you look closely, these projects are focused on three to four main things. The first aspect is connectivity. In your previous question, you mentioned financial connectivity, but this is a physical infrastructure connectivity that will strengthen and support the connectivity between AgalAga Island and mainland Mauritius. As a result of this, any emergency evacuation from AgalAga Island, whether it's a health emergency or any other kind of emergency, is facilitated with significant convenience, which was somewhat challenging before. Similarly, due to this connectivity, travel between AgalAga and mainland Mauritius is facilitated. The community development projects launched there are implemented and conceptualized based on the needs and development requirements of the residents of AgalAga Island. Thirdly, if you look at it, in terms of maritime security and maritime surveillance, the shared priority of India and Mauritius, advancing the AgalAga project will prove to be quite significant. Whether it's hydrography, humanitarian assistance, or addressing issues like drug trafficking and human trafficking in the maritime domain, all these shared challenges in the maritime domain, the physical connectivity projects and community development projects that India has undertaken in AgalAga are aimed at addressing these priorities. We are fully confident that this will greatly assist in the development of that area. Dekhiye jo aapne prashna kiya RuPay aur Unified Payment System linkage ke bich mei, iske karan jo, aapne bilkul sahi kaha, main aapse puri tarah sehmat hoon ki yeh vittiy connectivity ka ek mukhya aadhar hain. Connectivity ki paribhasha aaj ke yug mei kewal bhautik connectivity tak simit nahi hain, apitu digital connectivity ho, financial interoperability ho, vittiy connectivity jaise aapne kaha ye sab nayi ubharti hui dimensions hain sambandhon ki aur connectivity ki. Usmai yadi dekha jaye toh RuPay Card aur UPI system ka ek dusre se - ek prakar se kahain, financial systems ka ek dusre se baatchit karne ki jo ek sahuliyat utpanna hui hai woh iska ek mukhya aadhar hai. Iske antargat jo Bhartiya yatrigan jo Mauritius ki yatra karte hain aur Mauritius ke nagrik jo Bharat ki yatra karte hain woh dono UPI aur instant payment systems, jo Mauritius ke hain unko prayog karte hue immediate payment kar payenge. Ye ek prakar se samjhiye toh iska people to people sambandho mei dono deshon ki jo vittiy sansthayain hain unke sahyog mei, aur tourism ke vikas mei, tinho mai jo hai woh kafi madad pradan hoti hai. Mauritius also, iske sath pehla African desh hoga jisne UPI payment system ka adoption kiya tha. RuPay card ka jahan tak prashna hai, RuPay card ab chahe automatic teller machines ho, ATM machines ho, POS - Point of Sales machines ho, uspar prayog kiye ja sakte hain. Again, iska bhi phir yahi fayda hai ke ek prakar se ease of travel, ease of communication, financial communication aur ease of tourism, tourism ke badhave mei kafi madad milti hain. Aur isko bhi dekhenge toh shayad Mauritius shayad pehla aisa non-Asian desh hoga jisne RuPay card adopt kiya. Aur jaise ki maine kaha manniya Rashtrapati ji ne swayam se Mauritius ke Rashtrapati ko aur Mauritius ke Pradhan Mantri ko ye Bhartiya RuPay card pradan kiya. Aur jis tarah se vittiya connectivity mei aur badhav aayega, aur gehrai aayegi aur uski jo intensity exchanges ki badhegi toh payment systems jyada seamless honge, tourism ko pratyaksha roop se kafi samarthan pradan hoga, aur people to people connectivity aur iske chalte jo exchanges hain donon deshon ke bich mei woh badhenge. Toh yadi dekhain toh new economy ke ye jo naye mapdand hain usmai bhi Bharat-Mauritius ka sehyog jo hai kafi hi sadhrudh, kafi hi sashakt aur samarthwan roop se aage badh raha hai. [Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Regarding the question you asked about the linkage between RuPay and the Unified Payment System, because of this, as you rightly mentioned, I completely agree with you that these are major pillars of financial connectivity. The definition of connectivity in today's era is not limited to just physical connectivity but extends to digital connectivity, financial interoperability, and financial connectivity, as you mentioned. These are all emerging dimensions of relationships and connectivity. If we look at it, the interaction between the RuPay Card and the UPI system can be seen as a facilitation of communication between financial systems. This is a major foundation of it. Within this framework, Indian travelers visiting Mauritius and Mauritian citizens traveling to India will be able to make immediate payments using the UPI and instant payment systems available in Mauritius. To understand it in a way,it helps in all 3, i.e in people-to-people relations, the cooperation between the financial institutions of both countries and in the development of tourism. With this, Mauritius will be the first African country to adopt the UPI payment system. As for the RuPay card, it can be used on various platforms such as automatic teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) machines. Again, the benefit here lies in ease of travel, ease of communication, financial communication, and ease of tourism, which greatly contribute to the promotion of tourism. Furthermore, Mauritius might be the first non-Asian country to adopt the RuPay card...and as I mentioned, honorable President herself presented the Indian RuPay card to the President and Prime Minister of Mauritius. And as financial connectivity progresses and deepens, and the intensity of exchanges increases, payment systems will become more seamless. This will provide direct support to tourism, and people-to-people connectivity will further enhance exchanges between the two countries. So, if we look at it, in the context of the new economy's new emerging criterias, the cooperation between India and Mauritius is progressing quite robustly, strongly, and in a supportive manner. Shri Rajesh Parihar: Thank you, Sir, as we are running short of time. Sir, with your permission, I would like to conclude this media briefing. Thank you, Sir, and thank you, everyone, for joining us today. Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian, Russian, Chinese military units intercept, destroy air targets in joint drills IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran, Russia and China have continued their joint drills in the northern Indian Ocean, intercepting and destroying air targets during the latest stage of the exercises. According to the spokesman of the drills, Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajeddini, the operations to fire at air targets at night and during the day were successfully conducted as part of the Maritime Security Belt 2024. He also said that both types of operations require exact coordination and orders, adding that the nocturnal operation is among significant maritime maneuvers. Russian and Chinese warships arrived in Iran's territorial waters on Tuesday to participate in the joint naval drills whose main phase kicked off later that day. The exercises are aimed at consolidating security in the region and expanding multilateral cooperation among the participating countries to show their ability to jointly support world peace, maritime security, and to create a maritime group in the future. 4208**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US presses Panama on anti-Iran sanctions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 14, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The United States has asked Panama to prevent Iranian ships from using its flag in yet another attempt by Washington to press other nations to implement its unilateral anti-Iran sanctions. Abram Paley, the US Deputy Special Representative for Iran Affairs issued the call during his trip to Panama, according to AFP report cited by IRNA. Iran and its related actors are trying to circumvent the sanctions as they are trying to take advantage of the registration of the Panamanian flag for their ships, Paley claimed. The American official emphasized that the aim of his visit was "to make sure that the Panamanian shipping registry and jurisdiction are not used by entities that are trying to circumvent US sanctions against Iran." According to the Maritime Administration of Panama, 8,540 ships are registered in this country by foreign firms, which makes up about 16% of the global commercial fleet. Washington claims that some of the Panamanian-flagged vessels are being used to transport Iranian oil and oil derivatives to circumvent the US sanctions. Paley said the US administration expects the Panamanian government to continue cooperating with Washington based on its domestic laws and international obligations. The Central America country is known for its famous Panama Canal which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is a global shipping route, with over 14,000 vessel transiting the canal every year. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden Keeps Israel Close, but Netanyahu Away By Patsy Widakuswara March 14, 2024 With increasingly frequent and vocal expressions of frustration, U.S. President Joe Biden appears to be distancing himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed that international pressure will not prevent Israel from achieving "total victory" in its war against Hamas. The rift is fueling speculation that the U.S. might restrict the supply of American weapons, particularly if Netanyahu moves to "finish the job" against Hamas in Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are sheltered. Placing conditions on military aid would be Washington's strongest leverage to affect Israel's conduct of the war, which has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians according to Gaza's health ministry. While U.S. media have quoted anonymous administration sources saying they are considering that option, officially the White House has declined to "entertain hypotheticals." "The president has been very clear about our position on Rafah," national security adviser Jake Sullivan said during Tuesday's White House briefing. "A military operation in Rafah that does not protect civilians, that cuts off the main arteries of humanitarian assistance, and that places enormous pressure on the Israel-Egypt border, is not something that he can support." Biden himself was ambiguous about whether invading Rafah would cross a red line, saying he would never abandon Israel. At the same time, he rebuked the Netanyahu government for the way it has gone after Hamas following the militant group's Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 240 hostage. "The defense of Israel is still critical, so there's no red line [where] I'm going to cut off all weapons, so they don't have the Iron Dome to protect them," he said in a recent interview with MSNBC, even as he underscored that Israel "cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead." However, the president is telegraphing his rebukes. Caught on a hot mic while speaking to a Democratic senator last week, Biden said that he has told Netanyahu they are heading for a "come to Jesus" meeting, an expression for having a blunt conversation. Told by an aide that he could be heard, Biden said, "Good. That's good." Electoral goals Biden's increasingly public criticism of Netanyahu comes as he ramps up his campaign for reelection in November. The president faces competing constituencies within his Democratic base. He cannot afford to give Republicans an opportunity to capture pro-Israel votes. But he also needs to stop progressive Democrats, young voters, Muslim and Arab Americans from abandoning him, as threatened by the significant portion of voters in some Democratic primaries who marked their ballots "uncommitted" to signal their outrage at the president's support for Israel. To address his domestic politics and foreign policy goals, Biden is "performing a political amputation of Bibi," said Laura Blumenfeld, a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies, using a nickname for Netanyahu. The goal, Blumenfeld told VOA, is to separate what Biden considers Netanyahu's "toxic war policies" from the state of Israel so that the president can follow his political instincts: to protect Israel from further attacks and facilitate the release of hostages "without sacrificing his moral core." Biden's souring on Netanyahu may not be enough to appease pro-Palestinian Americans, particularly if a cease-fire isn't secured soon. "Uncommitted" voters say they would abandon the president even when Biden surrogates point out that the Republican presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies, is likely to give Israel freer rein over its war conduct. "I've lived through four years of Trump," said Samraa Luqman, co-chair of the Abandon Biden campaign in Michigan. Palestinians, she told VOA, "cannot live through another Joe Biden presidency." Trump has avoided stating an explicit position on the war other than saying in a Fox News interview that Israel must "finish the problem" and that the "horrible invasion" by Hamas "would have never happened" if he were president. Netanyahu hits back In response to Biden's criticism that Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than helping Israel," the prime minister hit back, saying in an interview with Politico that he has the support of the Israeli people. If Biden meant "that I'm pursuing private policies against the majority, the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then he's wrong on both counts," Netanyahu said. Only 15% of Israelis want Netanyahu to stay in office after the war ends, according to a poll by Israel Democracy Institute. But 56% believe that continuing the military offensive is the best way to recover the hostages. In general, Israelis are focused on toppling Hamas, said Jonathan Rynhold, head of the Department of Political Studies at Israel's Bar-Ilan University. To them, protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid are "details," he told VOA. "They don't understand the significance in America." Distrust in Netanyahu Earlier this week, an annual threat assessment released by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) cited deepening "distrust of Netanyahu's ability to rule" since the war broke. The prime minister's "viability as leader" may be in jeopardy, the report said. "It's clear that the U.S. administration is going after Netanyahu," said Nimrod Goren, senior fellow for Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute. As the process toward a political transition in Israel begins, Goren told VOA, the U.S. "is an actor in it." The ODNI report noted that "a different, more moderate government is a possibility," drawing ire from Israeli officials who felt snubbed earlier this month when Israeli war Cabinet member Benny Gantz was received by Vice President Kamala Harris, Sullivan and Democratic congressional leaders. Many see Gantz's invitation to Washington as a sign of the administration's support, should the popular centrist politician become Israel's next prime minister. Asked by VOA if Gantz's visit is a signal that the administration is looking forward to an Israeli government without Netanyahu, national security communications adviser John Kirby flatly said, "No." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Video Shows Rohingya Forcibly Recruited Into Myanmar Military By Ingyin Naing March 14, 2024 VOA has recently obtained video footage depicting Rohingya from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps being trained as soldiers in Rakhine state, the scene of heavy fighting between Myanmar's military junta and ethnic armed groups. The footage shows the young refugees armed with weapons and undergoing military training, revealing what appears to be forcible recruitment by the junta. Experts and witnesses say they believe the young recruits will be used as human shields by the junta in their struggle to regain territory lost in recent battles with the Arakan Army in Rakhine. The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority group, have faced persecution and discrimination in Myanmar for decades. Denied citizenship under a 1982 Citizenship Law, they have been subjected to systemic discrimination, violence and expulsion from their homes in Rakhine state, bordering Bangladesh to the north. The military government has long portrayed the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, marginalizing them from society. The junta, which seized power in a bloody and widely denounced coup just over three years ago, began enforcing a militia conscription law on February 10. Soon after, rumors began circulating of Muslims in Rakhine being arrested and forced to join the military. Despite the junta's denials, a video released on March 6 shows about 300 Rohingya youths from IDP camps near Sittwe, Rakhine's junta-controlled capital, being forced to wear military uniforms and sitting in a large warehouse. The video also features the minister of security and border affairs of Rakhine state, Colonel Kyaw Thura, supervising the operation. Amid continuing losses in battles with the Arakan Army (AA), a powerful ethnic armed group based in Rakhine state, "the military junta is attempting to use Rohingyas as human shields for political gain," said Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) deputy human rights minister, Aung Kyaw Moe, in an interview via Zoom. The NUG views itself as a shadow government for Myanmar. "The military junta, which has been heavily defeated in the battles with the Arakan Army, is using the Rohingya because of the need to reinforce their ranks, and they are taking them from refugee camps where there is no land to run to," said Aung Kyaw Moe, NUG's first Rohingya minister. Arakan Army The Arakan Army, established in 2009 by Rakhine youth leaders, is a well-trained and well-armed military faction representing a Buddhist ethnic minority. It is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Ta'Ang National Liberation Army. The alliance has achieved several major victories against the junta, beginning with the "1027" operation in October of last year in which the junta suffered significant losses of territory and troops. According to Rakhine observers, there are an estimated 45,000 troops in the AA. The group seeks autonomy from Myanmar's central government in Rakhine state, aiming to "restore the sovereignty of the Arakan people," according to its mission statement online. The name Arakan is another name used to refer to the Rakhine people. Fighting between the junta and the AA, which began in November 2023, is fierce. Dozens of Rohingya civilians were killed in January and February during junta attacks, some with heavy artillery, on AA troops based in Rohingya villages, according to local human rights organizations. Forced recruitment tactics Local Rohingya sources have confirmed to VOA that approximately 500 Rohingya youths from IDP camps controlled by the Myanmar military have undergone military training, raising concerns about forced recruitment tactics. "When the military enforced the conscription law, junta commanders visited IDP camps in Sittwe and Rohingya villages around February 11 to 13, areas they had previously avoided," a young Rohingya man, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told VOA. "They first consult with camp leaders, then pressure us to take up arms, citing our duty as Myanmar citizens under the conscription law. "In addition," he said, "they threaten us that those who refuse to take up arms will face dire consequences." Since 2017, approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees have been forcibly displaced from Myanmar, seeking shelter in neighboring Bangladesh. Additionally, an estimated 630,000 Rohingyas, designated as stateless by the United Nations, face movement restrictions inside Rakhine state. "Rohingya, who have endured severe oppression by the Myanmar military, reaching the level of genocide charges in Rakhine state, are now being coerced by the army to join their ranks and confront the Arakan Army as human shields. Young Rohingya from villages are unable to flee to neighboring Bangladesh," said the Rohingya youth. Several videos have surfaced on social media, revealing recruited Rohingya wearing uniforms and holding rifles riding a military truck and undergoing military training in a field. When VOA checked with local sources, it was confirmed that these events occurred last week near the Rakhine state capital, Sittwe. A spokesperson for the junta has not yet responded to questions from VOA about the videos, including one that shows the Rakhine border minister visiting Rohingya while wearing a military uniform. Consequences of coercion "Initially, the junta claimed that because the Rohingya are not citizens, they have no reason to give them military training," Aung Kyaw Moe told VOA. "The junta said that it was fake news, but the videos we received prove that they put the Rohingya in uniforms and give them military training." Although the young men are being forced into military service, the videos show them laughing and joking, looking unaware of their situation. "A Rohingya child who has been locked up in a refugee camp since the age of 6 is now 18 years old. This child does not know what is going on in the outside world," the deputy minister said. "There are hundreds of thousands of people who have been locked up in refugee camps for years and don't know what's going on outside. The junta knows this and is using it. "On the other hand," he added, "among the Rohingya and other ethnic groups, there are leaders who do business with the junta and organize the Rohingya according to their will." Historical coexistence Aung Kyaw Moe also highlighted consultations between the NUG and the Arakan Army regarding Rohingya in Rakhine State. "The Arakan Army has condemned forced Rohingya recruitment, citing their historical coexistence," he told VOA. "Historically, the Muslim Rohingya and the Buddhist Rakhine communities have shared a relationship of peaceful coexistence, characterized by mutual respect and cooperation. "Despite occasional tensions," he continued, "both communities have often lived side by side, intermingling culturally and economically. This historical bond has been a testament to the resilience of communal harmony in the region." Holding the junta accountable "The military junta is the common enemy," the young Rohingya man told VOA. "Not just for the Rohingya, but for the entire country. We must question why [it] now arms us. The army exploits Rohingya suffering for its gain." Miemie Winn Byrd, a former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Myanmar-U.S. military relations expert, remarked on the irony that the same army responsible for brutally killing thousands of Rohingya is now arming them as soldiers. "Today the junta are saying the Rohingya are citizens and should be conscripted into the military, whereas for all this time the junta has said that they are not citizens," she said in a recent interview with VOA. "This highlights the lack of legitimacy of the current government. "They do as they please because they are not a legitimate government; they are essentially a group trying to terrorize the country. Therefore, it's not surprising to witness such actions from them, because they are not a professional organization." Aung Kyaw Moe emphasized that the junta's exploitation of vulnerable Rohingya violates international law. "This is inhumane and a clear violation of the provisional measures issued by the ... World Court, which called for the prevention of genocidal acts against the Rohingya minority," he said. "The military junta must be held accountable for these egregious violations of human rights and international law." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Address to the citizens of Russia March 14, 2024 10:00 President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Citizens of Russia, friends, Tomorrow, March 15, the polling stations will open across our vast country, and the three-day voting in the presidential election will begin. This is the eighth time a presidential election will be held in Russia, which shows the inviolability of the principle of holding regular elections which is one of the basic principles of a democratic state. The outcome will directly affect the development of the country in the coming years. This is an important high-stakes event and, as the incumbent head of state, I believe it is necessary to address you today. I would like to emphasise that the people are the only source of power in our country. This key legal provision is enshrined in the Constitution. It means that only you, the citizens of Russia, determine the future of the Fatherland. You will not just cast your vote, but will firmly declare your will and aspirations, and your personal involvement in the future of Russia, because an election is a step into the future. I am confident that you realise that our country is going through a difficult period, and we are facing formidable challenges in almost all spheres. In order for us to continue to meet them with dignity and to successfully overcome difficulties, we need to stay united and confident in ourselves. We have proven that we can stand together as we defend Russia's freedom, sovereignty, and security, uphold our values, traditions, history and culture, and act in line with what conscience, truth and justice are telling us. We have our own view on what kind of a country we want and how we should build it, and what plans we should carry out. Today, it is critically important not to stray from this path, to achieve what we have set out to achieve, and to fulfil our ambitious goals. So, a lot depends on each of you in the coming days. Let me be frank with you: participating in the election today is a manifestation of patriotism. This is well understood by the residents of Donbass and Novorossiya who, under the most trying circumstances, voted during referendums on unity with Russia and will make their choice now as well. Our military on the frontlines will vote as well. They display courage and heroism, defend our Fatherland, and participate in the elections to set an example for all of us. It is imperative to confirm our unity and our resolve to move forward together. Your every vote is valuable and important. So, I urge you to exercise your right to vote during the next three days. Polling stations will open everywhere, in every city, town, and village of our large country. Friends, All of us, the multi-ethnic people of Russia, are one big family. We care and worry about our native country. We want it to flourish, to be strong, free, and prosperous. We want the standard of living and quality of life to improve. And so it will be. We will do everything exactly the way we want it. So, please come to the polling stations and make your civic and patriotic position clear, vote for the candidate of your choice, and for the prosperous future of our beloved Russia. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin calls on Russians to vote in election in this 'difficult' period Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 3:47 PM President Vladimir Putin has urged Russians to vote in the upcoming presidential election in the face of a difficult period for the country. Putin made the call during an address to the nation on the eve of the vote, which will be held from Friday through Sunday, more than two years after Moscow launched a full-scale military operation in Ukraine. "I am convinced you realize what a difficult period our country is going through, what complex challenges we are facing in almost all areas," the 71-year-old president said. "And in order to continue to respond to them with dignity and successfully overcome difficulties, we need to continue to be united and self-confident." Putin's likely win in the race will allow him to remain in power at least until 2030, longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the eighteenth century. "Let me be clear, participation in the elections today is a demonstration of patriotic sentiments," he added, stressing that the vote will also take place in four Ukrainian regions that Moscow added to the Russian Federation, as well as in the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014. "Our fighters at the front will also vote. They, showing courage and heroism, defend the Fatherland and, participating in the elections, set an example for all of us," Putin said in a video message, while flanked by flags of the Russian tricolor and the president's state insignia. "We have already shown that we can be together, defending the freedom, sovereignty and security of Russia. Today it is critically important not to stray from this path," he said. Russia began its "special military operation" in eastern Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In response, US-led Western countries supported the anti-Moscow Kiev regime with cash and heavy weaponry while imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russian officials and entities. Russia has repeatedly warned the West that flooding Ukraine with weapons and munitions will only prolong the conflict, not stopping the Russian troops from reaching their military objective in the region. In his state-of-the-nation address last month, Putin issued the latest cautionary statement, alerting the West that escalating its participation in the conflict in Ukraine could potentially lead to a nuclear war. Earlier this week, Putin once again stressed that his country is "fully prepared" for a nuclear war. The conflict has caused the deepest downfall in Russia's relation with the West since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin's Foils: The Other Three Names On The Russian Ballot By Todd Prince March 14, 2024 The Kremlin's tight grip on electoral politics and the media means that President Vladimir Putin is sure to secure a new six-year term in the March 15-17 election barring a huge, unexpected development. But Putin is eager to maintain a veneer of pluralism, even if few people in Russia or abroad are fooled. Urging citizens to vote in brief remarks on March 14, Putin said that holding regular elections "demonstrates the inviolability of one of the basic principles of a democratic state." So, while two anti-war would-be candidates were barred from the ballot, three people from what is widely known as the "systemic opposition" have been allowed to run. Here they are: The Aging Communist Nikolai Kharitonov, 75, is a senior member of the Communist Party who has been a deputy of the State Duma, the lower parliament house, since 1993. He ran for president in 2004, coming in second to Putin with 13.7 percent of the vote. The former collective farm director backs the war in Ukraine and has not criticized Putin by name during the campaign. He has run a low-key campaign, visiting museums, meeting small groups, and laying wreaths at Soviet and Russian monuments rather than seeking to stage big rallies. In meetings with voters, Kharitonov has criticized Russia's capitalistic turn, praised Soviet achievements, and called for restoring Volgograd's Soviet-era name, Stalingrad. The Newbie Vladislav Davankov, 40, a State Duma deputy from the New People party, is the youngest candidate, five years over the minimum age to run for president. A former businessman who casts himself as a relative liberal, he has criticized the government crackdown on the media and freedom of expression, saying it mimics Soviet-era repression, and called for easing state pressure on business. He has suggested he supports peace talks with Ukraine but "on our terms and with no rollback," meaning Russia would note cede territory it has occupied. Davankov ran for mayor of Moscow in 2021, coming in fourth with 5.3 percent of the vote according to official results. Not Zhirinovsky Leonid Slutsky, 56, is chairman of the inaccurately named right-wing Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), having taken the helm after the death in 2022 of its founder, the flamboyant nationalist firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky. A State Duma deputy since 1999, he is chairman of its International Affairs committee. In that role, he has actively supported Putin's foreign policy, including the invasion of Ukraine. In 2018, several female journalists accused him of sexual harassment, which he denied. Slutsky is campaigning on the legacy of Zhirinovsky, who consistently ranked among the most trusted politicians in Russia. His campaign slogan is "the work of Zhirinovsky lives." Long before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zhirinovsky had called for the Kremlin to seize parts of Ukraine and other former Soviet countries. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-election-other- candidates-systemic-opposition-foils/32861901.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In A Whirlwind Of War And Repression, Putin Set To Secure Six More Years In Power By Robert Coalson March 14, 2024 The backdrop for Russia's election is grim: The war against Ukraine grinds on, the relentless repression of dissent has moved political debate from the campaign trail to the courtroom, and President Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponent is dead. Putin, who has been president or prime minister for nearly 25 years, is set to prolong his rule by securing a new six-year term in a tightly controlled March 15-17 election whose outcome, with the Kremlin holding levers of power nationwide, is not in doubt. The election -- in which Putin, 71, is running against three token candidates who barely campaigned and whose positions are indistinguishable from the incumbent's -- is being held in the shadows of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, and the suspicious death of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny in an isolated Arctic prison on February 16. Although the result is predictable, the election is nonetheless a portentous one for Russia. The Kremlin is seeking to turn it into a convincing demonstration of national unity behind Putin and his chief policies: war in Ukraine, repression at home, and confrontation with the West. The country's beleaguered opposition, mostly relegated to prison or exile, wants to make its presence felt and show that a significant portion of the Russian public opposes the country's descent into authoritarianism and militarization. "It's a plebiscite about Putin, and even more so it's a plebiscite about the war," said Sergei Medvedev, a Russian historian who teaches at Charles University in Prague and a contributor to RFE/RL. "Putin wants a resounding endorsement of his war with Ukraine, with the West, and basically a world war to remake the world order." Russian political analyst Ivan Preobrazhensky describes the election as "a special operation to reappoint Vladimir Putin," a reference to the Kremlin's insistence that the war against Ukraine be euphemistically termed a "special military operation." "There is no way you can call this an election," he told RFE/RL. "And the majority of the population understands this perfectly." That appears to include the other candidates on the ballot: They are "not even trying to pretend to really want to run or get votes," said the independent election-monitoring organization Golos. The group, banned in Russia after documenting reports of widespread fraud in previous elections, described the current campaign as "the emptiest" in the post-Soviet period. Political analyst and former Putin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov told the Associated Press that the election is one in which "multiple choice is replaced with a simple, dichotomic one: Are you for or against Putin?" Voting In Ukraine As it has in other Russian elections since Moscow seized Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014, Moscow is conducting voting this year in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. There are reports of occupation authorities using intimidation tactics to get out the vote in these areas, and the Kremlin has been encouraging people who live in parts of Ukraine that Moscow claims but does not occupy to vote electronically. Ukraine has denounced the election on its territory, which is illegal under international conventions. On February 20, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania issued a joint statement denouncing the voting in occupied parts of Ukraine as "a grave violation of international law, the UN Charter, and Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity." Analysts also say the voting in the combat zone on Ukrainian territory is a key tool for the Kremlin to falsify the results and boost Putin's margin of victory. It's Not 2018 Anymore Critics say elections under Putin have never been free or competitive. However, much has changed since the last presidential vote in 2018, when liberal politician Grigory Yavlinsky and television personality Ksenia Sobchak were allowed to run and to campaign in opposition to Putin. Navalny was not allowed to run because of a 2013 criminal conviction that he and many others said was drummed up to stifle his political ambitions, but he issued a campaign manifesto, gathered signatures in a demonstration of his political pull, and commented extensively on the election. Since then, however, the authorities have carried out a sweeping crackdown on dissent that has accelerated steadily since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Navalny's organizations were declared "extremist," forcing most of its activists to flee the country or face criminal prosecution. When the invasion came, independent media outlets fled en masse, unwilling to work in Russia under conditions of wartime censorship. Political dissent was increasingly equated with "treason," as was made clear when opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in prison -- mostly on a treason conviction -- in April 2023. The current election is being held under conditions that economist and political scientist Kirill Rogov calls "mature authoritarianism," the main characteristic of which "is that the opposition has insufficient resources to exercise any significant influence in the results of the voting or the election." This year, the two would-be candidates who seemed to articulate positions genuinely different from Putin's -- journalist Yekaterina Dunstova and former parliament deputy Boris Nadezhdin -- were barred from participating by the Central Election Commission. Analysts suspect they were shut out because the prospect of their anti-war candidacies generated a substantial level of enthusiasm among the Russian public, with people standing in long lines to sign petitions supporting Nadezhdin's effort to get on the ballot. "I might not agree with what Nadezhdin or Duntsova said, but I would happily vote for them," said exiled opposition politician Olga Sidelnikova. The Battle Over Turnout With would-be candidates who represented opposition to Putin and the war out of the picture, the Kremlin is pulling out all the stops to boost turnout. As in past elections, the authorities are in particular targeting voters vulnerable to pressure, such as teachers, state-run factory workers, and other public-sector employees. "If you don't go to vote, there's the door," said one Russian man who works in a state heating plant in St. Petersburg and asked not to be identified out of safety concerns, quoting the message company managers had for workers at a meeting last week. His supervisor, the man said, showed him a list of employees who didn't vote in the 2021 national legislative elections: "They have some sort of connection [with election officials]." A St. Petersburg teacher told RFE/RL that staff at her school had been reregistered so that they had to vote at the school instead of in the neighborhood where they live. "It is clear the administration has been told that as many people as possible must vote," said the woman, who also asked not to be identified out of safety concerns. Analysts say the authorities are demanding that local officials and the ruling United Russia party ensure 80 percent turnout in a bid to foster an air of legitimacy around the compromised process. With such a turnout, they say, the authorities can use their control of election commissions at all levels and the absence of independent election monitors to produce support for Putin in the region of 85 percent. Comments from officials and state-funded poll results have suggested that the Kremlin is aiming for an outcome of above 80 percent for Putin, who official results said received 77.5 percent on the 2018 election. Official turnout was 67.5 percent. Urging Russians to vote in a brief address on March 14, Putin said, "We must affirm our unity and our determination to move forward." He asserted that Russians are "one big family." For an opposition beset by obstacles, the task is to make a showing that could cast doubt on Kremlin claims that the Russian people are united in their support for Putin, for the war of aggression against Ukraine, and for the confrontation with the West. 'Noon Without Putin' The demonstrations of support for Nadezhdin and Duntsova were not the only indications of simmering discontent with Putin and his policies in Russia. Thousands of people braved an intimidating police presence to pay tribute to Navalny during his funeral in Moscow on March 1. The families of mobilized soldiers have been carrying out regular protests for months now, venting anger over their treatment of their loved ones at the front. Thousands of people in the central region of Bashkortostan protested in January against the conviction and sentencing of a popular local activist, a wave of protests that analyst Gallyamov said was driven by "the accumulated burden of grievances and the perception that the regime is weakening." Emboldened by such developments, opposition leaders have been promoting an election tactic called Noon Without Putin. The idea, they say, is for everyone who opposes Putin to show up at polling stations at exactly 12 p.m. on March 17 in a massive, and entirely legal, show of strength. "The Noon protest gives everyone a chance to express themselves as they wish in proportion to their anger or rejection of the regime," said former St. Petersburg lawmaker Maksim Reznik, who came up with the idea. "The main thing is the unity of time and place.... Of course, these days it is not about an election, it is about impressions." Once voters come to the polls, Reznik said, they can do as they see fit -- not vote, spoil their ballots, or cast their vote for one of the other three candidates, Nikolai Kharitonov, Leonid Slutsky, and Vladislav Davankov. Navalny endorsed the Noon Without Putin idea in one of his last social-media posts before his death, saying "it could be a powerful demonstration of the mood of the country." "It will be a Russia-wide act of protest against Putin that is happening right near your home," he wrote. "Everyone, everywhere can participate. Millions of people could take part, and tens of millions will see them." Many in the opposition, however, cast doubt on the utility of such symbolic gestures, arguing that the Kremlin can easily spin the appearance of long lines as a show of support for Putin. The Morning After "What is really important is what happens the next day, March 18," activist Aleksei Manannikov, a former member of Russia's upper parliament chamber, said on Facebook. "Will these same people, as usual, go off and assemble tanks and drones, transport convoys of military equipment to the front, continue to devise new weapons, and pay taxes to the chekist junta so that it can continue the war?" he wrote, using a historical term for the secret police to point to the predominance of security officials in Putin's circle. "Or will they stay home? Or will they come out and protest against the war?" Human rights activist Aleksandr Podrabinek, in an essay for RFE/RL's Russian Service, said the Noon Against Putin protest was "a generous gift for Kremlin propaganda" and the only result will be to allow people to tell themselves "I didn't do nothing while the country was being destroyed." While the outcome of the election is not in doubt, what comes after is less clear. In his state-of-the-nation address on February 29, Putin largely ignored the war and laid out an expensive vision of expanded social programs, infrastructure development, and economic growth. Critics, however, say that vision is unrealistic, given the pressures of the ongoing war and the standoff with the West. What is more likely in Putin's new six-year term, they say, is the accelerated militarization of society, including the prospect of expanded call-ups to the armed forces -- something Putin has been wary about ordering after an unpopular "partial mobilization" he decreed in September 2022 and higher taxes. In addition, there are indications the government is preparing new limitations on Internet access and other steps to further isolate Russians from the West. According to polling by the Khroniki research group, nearly two-fifths of Russians expect a new military mobilization in Putin's next term and nearly three-quarters expect an increase in military spending. Only 28 percent foresee the restoration of relations with the West. The same study, using indirect questioning in an effort to circumvent the public's reluctance to discuss the war freely, found that 17 percent of Russians are "consistent supporters of the war," while 19 percent could be classified as "consistent opponents." The rest have more ambiguous views. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service and Current Time Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-election-russia- war-repression-power/32861769.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address State Department's Miller Among Scores Of Americans Banned By Russia By RFE/RL March 14, 2024 Russia has banned more than 200 U.S. citizens -- including State Department spokesman Matthew Miller -- from entering the country in retaliation for sanctions imposed by Washington on Russians for their support of the Kremlin's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow said in a statement on March 14 that a total of 227 Americans were banned because they "are involved in the outlining, implementation, and justification of the current U.S. administration's Russophobic course, as well as directly being involved in anti-Russia actions." The list, which now totals 2,078, targets representatives of the executive branch of power in the United States, businesspeople, journalists, and academics. Along with Miller, the list includes former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, former Treasury Secretary and Harvard University President Emeritus Lawrence Summers, State Department policy adviser Derek Chollet, Deputy Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi, and Alexander Vindman, the Kyiv-born former National Security Council's European affairs director whose testimony before the U.S. Congress provided evidence that resulted in the abuse of power charge in then-President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial. "In addition to declaring undesirable in the Russian Federation a number of American humanitarian NGOs used by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to recruit 'agents of influence,' the current expansion of the Russian 'stop list' aims, among other things, to consolidate Washington's reflexive awareness of the simple truth that that any aggressive attempts will not go unpunished and will receive a decisive rebuff," the statement said. Kimberly Marten, a political-science professor at Columbia University, and Rob Person, a professor of international relations at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, both called being placed on the list a "badge of honor." "Some professional news: as of today I've been officially sanctioned by the Russian government and banned from the country. It's a badge of honor that I will wear with the greatest pride," Person wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Separately on March 14, the ministry issued a statement accusing Austria of "yet another unfriendly step" for its move to expel two diplomats from the Russian Embassy in the capital, Vienna. A day earlier, the Austrian Foreign Ministry ordered two Russian diplomats to leave the country, stressing that they "engaged in acts incompatible with their diplomatic status" and were declared "personae non gratae." The details about the Russian diplomats or their actions were not provided. An Austrian official with knowledge of the matter told the AP on March 13 on the condition of anonymity that the expulsions were related to spying activities. Russia's Foreign Ministry called the decision "ungrounded," adding that Vienna is "fully responsible for the consequences of the situation" and that "measures in response will be carried out in a timely manner." With reporting by AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-bans- state-department-miller-200-persons/32861738.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuanian Official Dubs Attack On Navalny Aide 'Political Terrorism' By RFE/RL March 14, 2024 The attack on Leonid Volkov, a close aide of late Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, was a well-planned case of political terrorism, a senior Lithuanian official told the media on March 14. Volkov, who left Russia in 2019 fearing for his personal security, was attacked late on March 12 with a meat hammer by an unidentified assailant in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, leaving him bloodied, with a broken arm and other injuries. The attack occurred less than a month after the death of Navalny under suspicious circumstances at a prison in the Russian Arctic. "This is the first time that such an incident has happened in our country, such a case of political aggression, political terrorism on our soil," Vilmantas Vitkauskas, the head of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center, told national radio on March 14. Lithuanian intelligence services have said the assault appeared likely to be an operation "organized and implemented by Russia," the purpose of which was to hamper the actions of Russian opposition members who fled the country. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he could not confirm Lithuanian claims that Russia's special services were involved but said the assault was a reminder of the "very real threats" to Kremlin opponents. Vitkauskas said on March 14 that while at the current stage of the investigation it was too early to establish with precision who was behind the attack on Volkov, it appeared to be a carefully planned operation. "One thing is clear:Tthe longer the investigation goes on, the clearer it becomes that the operation itself was professional, well-planned, and whoever carried it out was either well-prepared or received very good instructions," Vitkauskais said. The Department of State Security of the EU and the NATO member said on March 13 the attack appeared to have been orchestrated by Russia "in connection with the forthcoming undemocratic Russian presidential elections." President Vladimir Putin, 71, is expected to easily win the tightly controlled March 15-17 presidential elections as he faces no serious competition. President Gitanas Nauseda called the attack on Volkov a failed provocation against Lithuania. "I can only say one thing to Putin: Nobody is afraid of you here," Nauseda said on March 13. Russian dissidents who have fled their homeland amid a brutal crackdown on dissent by Putin have often warned they are being targeted with threats and attacks. The death of Navalny -- Putin's most vocal critic -- last month while being held at an Arctic prison on convictions widely seen as politically motivated has only served to heighten those fears. With reporting by lrt.lt and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lithuania-attack- volkov-navalny-russia-/32861357.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address at a ceremony to mark the 90th anniversary of the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Ministry of Russia, Moscow, March 14, 2024 14 March 2024 13:06 481-14-03-2024 Mr Yakovenko, Mr Ushakov, Mr Panov, Colleagues, First of all, I would like to extend my personal greetings to the management, professors, the faculty and students of the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Ministry of Russia on its anniversary. The history of the Academy is inseparably connected to the illustrious chronicle of the Foreign Ministry of Russia. Established in a difficult pre-war period to strengthen the personnel of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, the Diplomatic Academy has trained several generations of graduates who have upheld the interests of Russia on the international stage with distinction. Its graduates include legendary diplomat Anatoly Dobrynin and outstanding modern statesmen such as Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, who is attending this event. I am delighted to welcome all of you. The Academy worked commendably during the difficult periods of change and has adapted to modern realities, gaining the prestige of a leading academic and educational centre in the field of international relations. It offers broad opportunities for receiving an excellent education and learning several foreign languages thanks to the teaching staff who wisely combine their years of diplomatic experience with fundamental theory. Our special thanks go to the Academy's veterans - outstanding academics and diplomats who contributed to the school's unique academic and educational potential. The Diplomatic Academy, just like the ministry's other university, MGIMO, is a pool of talents for Smolenskaya Square. We appreciate the high standards of its graduates, who do not waste time to become an integral part of the tightly-knit ministry staff and work hard in the interests of our country in the ministry's head office and foreign missions. Academy graduates also apply their knowledge in other spheres like government service, the corporate sector, multilateral organisations, journalism and science. In light of the ongoing development of a multipolar world order, international relations are becoming more complicated and unpredictable, as President Vladimir Putin said in detail in his addresses, including his interview with Dmitry Kiselev on March 13, 2024. Russian diplomats should continue learning and improving their skills throughout their career. They are assigned very different tasks ranging from global economy and cultural and humanitarian ties to digital diplomacy, artificial intelligence, arms control, climate change and other issues which traditional diplomacy did not deal with before. Traditional diplomacy only dealt with issues of war and peace. Globalisation, even though it is now taking the form of regionalisation, has increased the interdependence of everything and everyone on this planet. There are no longer any borders between different disciplines, spheres of human life and regions. When countries "sort out" their relationship, they should use instruments that reflect professional knowledge and their connection to global events. I would like to express special gratitude to the Academy's professors and faculty for their contribution to the advanced training of the ministry's staff. It is a separate and very important sphere of the Academy's activities. The Academy's Higher Diplomatic Courses, where senior diplomatic workers for Russia's foreign missions are trained, remain as popular as ever. We highly appreciate the Academy's contribution to analytical support for the Foreign Ministry's performance, as well as the involvement of young people, including from the Council of Young Scientists and the Scientific Student Society, in preparing expert materials. We are grateful to the Academy's veterans, rector Alexander Yakovenko and vice-rectors for their contribution to this work, for promoting their own research projects and for helping young scientists. The Diplomatic Academy is keeping up the tradition of training foreign students and offering advanced training to diplomats from post-Soviet countries and many states of the Global South, that is, Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Latin American states. This helps strengthen interstate relations and debunk the anti-Russia myths, which are being promoted increasingly actively by our ill-wishers. I am sure that the Diplomatic Academy will continue to keep pace with the times, introduce modern training methods and contribute to our common efforts to implement the foreign policy set out by the President of Russia and aimed at strengthening our country's positions in the world. For our part, we will continue to provide all-round assistance and support to the Academy. In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that our foreign policy is not opportunistic but is strategic and looks to the future, which President Putin has clearly and unambiguously reaffirmed in his interview with the Rossiya television channel on March 13, 2024. Our policy is rooted in the fundamental national interests of our country and all peoples of Russia rather than on election cycles as in many "democratic" Western countries. The most important thing is that the policy of President Putin enjoys overwhelming support from the majority of our citizens. There is no doubt that they will reaffirm their support at the presidential election, which will begin on March 15, 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Excerpt from an interview with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for the Evening with Vladimir Solovyov programme on Rossiya 1 TV channel, Moscow, March 14, 2024 14 March 2024 21:15 488-14-03-2024 Question: To what extent did the return of Crimea to its native shores in 2014 alter the geopolitical map of the world? How did it affect Russia's relations with the United States and NATO? Sergey Lavrov: These events have changed quite a few things. First of all, the mindset that the Americans had developed in the last year or so before the Soviet Union broke up and shortly after. In September 1990, speaking in Congress, then US President George Bush Sr. proclaimed the advent of a new international order which foreshadowed Fukuyama's "end of history." A year later, the Americans had no doubt whatsoever that from then on no one would even try to stand up to Washington as the undisputed hegemon, as they would be calling the shots now, appointing the "performers" and determining the runtime of "performances" in all instances and on all continents. This viewpoint was in plain sight. Two circumstances largely played into this. The first one was the fact that the USSR-led socialist camp, which was part of the bipolar world, disappeared followed by disappearance of the Soviet Union, which fragmented into former union republics within their existing borders. With regard to Crimea, we are aware of the extent of violations of the Soviet law and procedures that went into presenting this "gift." In 2007, President Putin delivered his Munich Speech which included his analysis of the developments in relations between Moscow and the West, and the policy that the Westerners had initially opted for with regard to the new Russia. They considered our country significantly weakened and internally unstable. They said it should listen up and be willing to support (or at least not stand in the way of) Western endeavours in other parts of the world, be it the Middle East, Africa, or Latin America. The audience received his speech in a twofold manner. Some were indignant saying how dare Putin say such things, after all he had many economic problems and was being helped and some promises were made to him. Others laughed it off saying that it was just an attempt to account for the "sad" developments in Russia's foreign policy by Western scheming. But some people took it seriously. They were a minority. The majority ignored it, shrugged it off, or was outraged. A year later, the NATO summit was held in Bucharest (the NATO-Russia Council summit was held there at the same time as well), where the sacramental words were written down that Georgia and Ukraine would be part of the bloc, which is exactly what President Putin warned against in Munich in 2007. When we were confronted with an accomplished fact and gathered for the Russia-NATO meeting, the President of Russia asked why they did it. The then Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Angela Merkel, went into extended explanations, saying they did not give Ukraine and Georgia a membership plan, just said these countries would be in NATO. Vladimir Putin looked at her pitifully. Indeed, the membership plan had not been mentioned. But this peremptory phrase caused Mikheil Saakashvili to lose his mind a few months later. He took it carte blanche and attacked the peaceful city of Tskhinval and Russian peacekeepers there, thus attacking the Russian Federation, for which he paid the price. Later, during our five-day operation, our Western colleagues begged us to halt our march on Tbilisi. Question: In fact, the West declared war on us in 2008, overstepping Russia's national interests and using that NATO decision to let us know that it was not going to responsive to the wishes of our country. Sergey Lavrov: Something else amazes me even more. They wrote this "slogan" on their "tablets" just a year after Putin's Munich speech. However, the West realised that we were there for our peacekeepers and the people who were the subject of agreements at the OSCE and the UN. Their security was guaranteed. Russia was among the guarantors. Could we really allow the then Georgian leadership to destroy them? To reiterate, not much time had passed since President Putin's Munich speech then. But a lot of time had elapsed by 2014 and not only after the speech itself, but also after our moves in August 2008 and our decisive steps to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. During this period, after August 2008 and before the Crimean Spring, our relations with the West had become increasingly open and, therefore, tense. It was unwilling to draw conclusions. Neither the EU, nor NATO was willing to do so. They explicitly began to realise their plan to take Ukraine into its fold, to make it a tool of containment and suppression of Russia, and to prevent our country from taking a dignified place in the world based on its history, economic potential, and people. Question: The outcome is quite engaging. Concurrently, they are withdrawing from all agreements on strategic stability, breaking all existing agreements with us, and working hard to support the opposition. At the same time, they are doing everything possible to make the opposition feel that America is on its side. The collective West was completely unaware of what was happening in our government and the defence complex, but was confident in its ability to finish us off and destroy us, to the point that it missed Crimea in 2014, which was followed by the hysterical response of President Obama and his sanctions. Suddenly, we responded in Syria in 2015, which caused all-out geopolitical hysteria on their part. Sergey Lavrov: They were left with no Kremlinologists or experts in Russian studies who had good knowledge and analytical abilities during the Cold War. When the end of history came, everyone around... Question: Experts in Russian studies were replaced by Russophobes. Sergey Lavrov: They took things for granted and were sure that Russia would do as told. They stopped training Kremlinologists. Americans are pragmatic people. What do they need Kremlinologists for if we can tell them everything ourselves? It was a complete failure, lack of knowledge of our history, people, habits, our proverbs. Question: President Reagan tried to learn a few. Sergey Lavrov: The Russians saddle slow but ride fast. A man will not cross himself unless a fried rooster pecks him. Question: French President Macron shouldn't be told this proverb, because the Gallic rooster keeps trying to peck something. Sergey Lavrov: Not only Macron. I believe this is a major failure of Western "planners" who targeted the entire globe. Question: We tried to address things like normal human beings but then we were left without a choice. I talked to Director of the Russian Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin. He said that according to information obtained in early 2022, the Ukrainian authorities approached their American masters and got the green light to carry out an operation to mop up Donbass. Sergey Lavrov: True, Plan B was to mop up Donbass. Moreover, preparations for this operation had already begun back then. Since the beginning of February 2022, the bombing attacks have intensified 10- to 12-fold. Question: We cited specific statistics. Donbass did not experience shelling that intense even once the special military operation started. It was artillery preparation fire. Clearly, this war is not against the people of Donbass, far from it. It is a war with Russia. Sergey Lavrov: Even when there were still false hopes that the Minsk agreements would be implemented, when the Kiev regime was violating them by shelling Donbass, about 2 million people left there for Russia. And even more did so after the special military operation was launched. You have been there. I am going to visit. The Russian Foreign Ministry has representative offices in Lugansk and Donetsk. They will be established in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions later. I want to go there and talk to the staff at our offices, to see what they need. The Russian Foreign Ministry, our foreign missions and departments, and the Ministry's Main Administration for Service to the Diplomatic Corps are rendering humanitarian aid. I think it is the right thing to do. We get feedback. The men from the frontline send us videos with greetings. Question: I saw some of your phrases and your portrait on shoulder and chest patches. They really love you on the frontline. You make life better for the troops. They quickly quote you. Sergey Lavrov: I watch documentary footage in your shows as well on other channels. Avdeyevka is all but destroyed. Ukraine's armed forces dug their defences in there, as usual, in residential areas, and mined everything. It is impossible to fake, teach or learn using Stanislavsky's system, the joy displayed by the people welcoming our soldiers. They have finally seen us come. And this is in a situation where people have half of a house left, no water or electricity. This only means one thing: they have the burden of the Nazi regime lifted from their shoulders, which treated them like a "species." In 2021, before the special military operation and when attempts were being made to follow the Minsk agreements, an interviewer asked Vladimir Zelensky about his attitude towards the people across the line of contact. He was surprised and replied that "there are people and there are species." In yet another interview he said that those residents of Ukraine who feel a connection to Russian culture and civilisation should leave for Russia for the sake of their children and grandchildren. This was said back in August 2021. And that rhetoric persisted throughout all the years the Minsk agreements were in effect. Question: It transpired that our "partners" were lying to us all these years. They were fulfilling completely different tasks than those specified in the agreement. Sergey Lavrov: Absolutely. That was a confession. The same is true of the "leak" of the audio recording of the conversation the German generals had. This was also a sincere confession. They were talking from the bottom of their heart and recalled the "good old Luftwaffe." This is telltale. Question: De facto, they have declared war on us if we look at how America behaves. Sergey Lavrov: They are already waging it. Question: French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that they are supposedly probing the ground but are de facto about to declare that French troops are ready to be brought into Ukraine. The Germans that are essentially... Sergey Lavrov: Several dozen French mercenaries have perished there... Question: ...they were there all the time anyway. France disagreed with this. I think it disagrees because it considers them career officers rather than mercenaries. Probably, it does not like the word "mercenaries." As for the death of French citizens, apparently, there is no doubt about this. Taurus missiles are also a big question. They violate the fundamental document that set forth the outline for modern Germany. Now what? Should be repeal the agreement and demand the return of the German Democratic Republic? Should we refuse to recognise the Federal Republic of Germany? This brazen, cowardly reaction of the EU ambassadors who are afraid to meet you. What is the point of their presence in Moscow then? Sergey Lavrov: This is a big mystery to me. By and large, this is just rude. If this is their attitude toward having an opportunity to talk to the representatives of the Russian leadership, we will certainly take into account their lack of interest in this. Let them sit in their offices for the time being and speak with their capitals by telephone. What is happening now with the West is a frenzy. The worse the situation at the front, the more furious the West is talking - we don't have the right to allow Ukraine to lose and Russia to win. It appears that President of France Emmanuel Macron had been persuading his NATO partners for two weeks before he made his public statement. They told him it was a bad idea. Nevertheless, he voiced it. Later the French Foreign Minister corrected him several times. Finally, the French President said that they have not determined their final position but nothing should be ruled out. He said he retains his position and they will think of what else should be done to help Ukraine, in part, by sending troops to Ukraine's territory. Question: Does this mean that a war, a direct confrontation with NATO is becoming inevitable? Sergey Lavrov: I don't know what plans they have. However, judging by everything, they will be sneaky like the Germans ("we will remotely target deadly weapons against Russian cities") or will simply say that these are just instructors that are sitting and watching what the Ukrainians are doing. Question: We have lost the West but gained the Global Majority. Sergey Lavrov: Yes, this is true. President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (I attended G20 sessions in Brazil and met with him) confirmed his last year's plan - to develop alternative methods of payments via BRICS in any case. Finance ministers and central bank governors met in Sao Paulo the week before last. They are working on this in practical terms. On his return Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said that this is being done. In part, they are working on the transfer to national currencies and the creation of alternative multilateral payments systems. Of course, reserves kept in dollars are being diminished gradually, not in one go. An abrupt move won't work because other countries keep too many dollars. The main goal is not to harm oneself. This world order will be built along all these lines. Question: We are saying we are ready for talks. With whom should we talk? The language of diplomacy is gone. It is spoken in BRICS but the West has switched to the language of outright rudeness. The behaviour of the American leaders is beneath any diplomatic standards. With whom can we come to terms? Who won't betray us? Sergey Lavrov: When talking about our readiness for negotiations, we always recall the example of the past, notably, Istanbul in April 2022. Head of the Ukrainian delegation David Arakhamia said that they had agreed but the then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson prohibited them from coming to terms. He told them to continue fighting. Mr Arakhamia said this with such a naAve expression on his face that I even felt a bit sorry for him. He seemed to be upset that Boris Johnson had behaved so badly. We are saying that if you are ready to conduct honest talks taking into account our real concerns, Russia's lawful interests about which we talked to you for many years but you won't listen... If you return to what we had called for, let's talk. But so far we don't see any evidence. Question: With whom should we talk? US Secretary of State Antony Blinken? President of France Emmanuel Macron? US President Joseph Biden? Sergey Lavrov: No. But there was a delegation that came from the African Union. Question: Is it possible to talk with them? Sergey Lavrov: They brought a proposal to exchange prisoners. It was backed. We issued a statement. It exerted influence on the resolution of humanitarian issues. There is a Chinese proposal. China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui made a second visit. The main difference of his proposal from all others is that he insists on the need to admit the real reasons behind this situation and settle it by removing the causes that had led to the current crisis by ensuring the lawful security interests of all parties. This is exactly what we suggested many times. As for Zelensky's ultimatum, I won't even discuss it. I find it strange that Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has swallowed the bait. Now he is trying to push through Zelensky's formula. Meanwhile, I explained to him in New York last January (when we attended UN Security Council meetings on Palestine, he asked me to meet and we talked face-to-face) that this was a non-starter and he would only be wasting his time on it. Now they plan to hold one more meeting in Switzerland without inviting us. They want to complete the editing of Zelensky's formula and make its final, irreversible, and unchangeable version. Then they would call us and hand it to us as Zelensky said later. He meant to hand it to us but not for talks. They are "serious fellas." Question: I won't even ask you what they are smoking because they prefer sniffing. Sergey Lavrov: Yes. Indicatively, this neocolonial mentality is completely immune to change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Denies Strategy to Spread Influence in Africa After Wagner 'Rebrand' By Henry Ridgwell March 14, 2024 Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied he is seeking to oust Western influence in Africa, as new analysis suggests the Kremlin's military intelligence arm has taken over activities of the disbanded Wagner Russian paramilitary group on the continent. In a television interview broadcast in Russia on March 13, Putin dismissed claims that Moscow is seeking to displace France as the major partner of countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. "We have not ousted anyone. It's just that the African leaders of certain countries made agreements with Russian economic operators, wanted to work with them and did not want to work in certain areas with the French. It wasn't even our initiative, it was an initiative of our African friends," Putin said. "We are not instigating anyone and do not seek to turn anyone against France. To be honest, overall, we do not have national tasks at the Russian state level there. We're just being friends with them, that's all," the Russian president added. 'Regime survival package' In the past decade, analysts say Moscow has sought to extend its influence in Africa through the deployment of Russian forces a often under the guise of paramilitary fighters a and arms deals with African governments, in return for access to resources. A recent analysis by Britain's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) suggests that Russia has rebranded the former Wagner paramilitary group as an expeditionary corps which is now under the control of Moscow's military intelligence arm a known as the GRU a and is offering what it calls a "regime survival package" to autocratic governments in Africa. "At a time when many Western states were trying to economically isolate Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin saw the development of economic ties with Africa and the Middle East as a means to sanction-proof Russia, and he had a pitch for the leaders of these states," the report said. "It centered on the proposition that the 'international rules-based order' advocated for by the West structurally favored Western interests, whereas Russia's emphasis on sovereignty would offer a mutually beneficial partnership. The reality a as Russian officials acknowledged internally a was a renewed Russian colonialism," the RUSI report added. Wagner rebranded Wagner fighters have been deployed in several African countries, including Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. They have frequently been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses. In June 2023, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine was struggling to make progress, Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led a failed mutiny against Moscow, accusing the defense ministry of depriving his fighters of ammunition. Wagner was disbanded shortly afterward. Two months later, Prigozhin died in a suspicious plane crash. That left a dilemma for the Kremlin: What to do about Wagner's operations in Africa? "After that so-called mutiny, the decision was made that it would be better to have it more in-house rather than outsourced," said Oleksandr Danylyuk, an associate fellow at RUSI and a co-author of the report. The analysis shows that Moscow has rebranded the Wagner group as the expeditionary corps of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, with a target of recruiting a further 40,000 troops to serve in the force. Its aim is to secure Russian interests overseas a including access to resources such as oil, gas and minerals a while also reducing Moscow's vulnerability to Western sanctions. Russia colonialism "What they're doing is just expanding colonialism in the Global South countries. And right now they are very much focused on African countries, but they have plans for Latin America as well, some Asian countries. They will also have political technologists, media experts, intelligence officers who are specialized in political warfare, economic operations. So, pretty much everything to be able not only to infiltrate those Global South countries, but also to establish pro-Russian regimes there," Danylyuk told VOA. The RUSI report says Russia helped to foment military coups in parts of Africa and is now seeking to displace Western influence. Mali France and other European nations sent troops to Mali in 2013 to help fight an Islamist insurgency. They were withdrawn in 2022 after successive military coups and a breakdown in relations between Paris and Bamako. A 12,000-person United Nations peacekeeping force also pulled out last year at the request of the junta government. Several hundred Russian-backed fighters are now in Mali supporting the military junta under interim President Colonel Assimi Goita. Moscow also has backed military governments in Niger and Burkina Faso, and is supporting General Khalifa Haftar in Libya against the unity government under Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. 'Plausible deniability' The pretense that Wagner was a private army separate from the Kremlin allowed Russia to deny involvement in its Africa operations. "Many of the operations being conducted were either at the expense of other states or violated U.N. Security Council resolutions," according to the RUSI report. "The problem for the Expeditionary Corps is that it risks the removal of this plausible deniability... It appears that Russia has finally decided to explicitly challenge the international system rather than pretend to comply with it." Western challenge The authors of the report warn that Russia's expansion of operations in Africa could have serious consequences for Europe and the West. "Through persistent instability, Russia can push migration into Europe, creating the conditions... to pursue political destabilization," the report warns. "Leverage over natural resources is also expanding. Perhaps most problematic, however, is how the pitch for values is giving Russia access to communities that interface with a range of extremist beliefs." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More Than A Decade on, No End in Sight for Syria's War By Sirwan Kajjo March 14, 2024 As Syria's conflict enters its 14th year, analysts say a permanent political resolution for the war-torn country remains elusive. Despite gradually recapturing most of the territory previously held by anti-government rebels, forces loyal to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and their Russian and Iranian allies remain engaged in several battles, particularly in the northwestern part of the country, where rebels and Turkish-backed groups still control some territories. In the northeast, U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces control a large swath of territory, some of which they liberated from the Islamic State terror group. "It is hard to imagine a sustainable political resolution in Syria while the fighting is still raging," said John Saleh, a Washington-based Syria researcher. "The complex nature of the Syrian conflict makes it extremely challenging to find viable solutions. This is a multifaceted war, and ending it requires an international consensus, which is clearly hard to get," he told VOA. Protest becomes civil war A protest movement that started in 2011 against the Assad regime quickly turned into a civil war that has killed more than 300,000 people and displaced more than 13 million people at home and abroad, according to the United Nations. Other war monitors, including the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, put the death toll at 500,000. The United Nations said this week that 16.7 million people inside Syria need humanitarian assistance. "More than 90 percent now live in poverty, the economy is in free fall amid tightening sanctions, and increased lawlessness is fueling predatory practices and extortion by armed forces and militia," said Paulo Pinheiro, chairperson of the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry for Syria. The commission said in a report released this week that in recent months, the country has experienced a wave of violence not seen since 2020, warning that parties to the conflict have carried out attacks against civilians and infrastructure that amount to war crimes. UN-led efforts Last week, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for bringing an end to the war through the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254. Adopted in 2015, it aims to end the Syrian conflict by pursuing a political transition. The U.N. also has sponsored several rounds of talks between government and opposition representatives with the objective of drafting a new constitution for the country. But David Adesnik, director of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said U.N.-led peace talks on Syria have not shown any signs of viability in recent years. "The regime is content to create the illusion of cooperation by having the talks drag on endlessly. Assad feels no real pressure to bend after the Arab League welcomed him back into the fold, despite his continuing atrocities and total lack of contrition," he told VOA. Last year, the Arab League readmitted Syria into the regional bloc after a suspension of nearly 12 years over the Assad government's brutal crackdown on antigovernment protesters in 2011. Several Arab countries in the region also have restored ties with Assad in recent years, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and others. "Almost all Arab countries have abandoned U.N.- and Western-led efforts to advance change in Damascus, whether through constitutional reform or isolation," said Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. The Captagon factor More than a decade of conflict has shattered Syria's economy, which has led to a flourishing enterprise that depends on drug trafficking and other illicit activities. As a result, experts say the country, particularly regime-held areas, has become a regional hub for the production and smuggling of Captagon, which is a cheaply produced, addictive, amphetamine-like drug. "When we talk about a political settlement a particularly under U.N. Resolution 2254 a in Syria, countering illicit networks affiliated with the regime should be part of the conversation," said Caroline Rose, a senior analyst at the New Lines Institute. "However, it shouldn't be perceived as the 'gateway' or initial step that can lead to greater progress towards a settlement," Rose told VOA. "Captagon has been used as a low-hanging fruit in normalization discussions, which has proved to be a failed tactic, as the regime has not made any meaningful concessions in reducing its role in the trade or stemming the flow." Adesnik of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies shared similar views. "The Jordanians have learned an unpleasant lesson about Arab efforts to reconcile with Damascus," he said. "What Amman wanted most was an end to Captagon trafficking, which has only gotten worse while the Syria-Jordan border region has become more violent." With Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, blocking resolutions that target the Syrian regime and given the defeat of antigovernment rebels, "there is little prospect of solving the Syria crisis except on Assad's terms," Adesnik said. "But this shouldn't mean giving up," he said. "The U.S. and Europe should toughen sanctions and do whatever they can to deprive Assad of the revenue to cause more damage." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Presence of U.S. Army Special Forces on outlying islands confirmed ROC Central News Agency 03/14/2024 07:07 PM Taipei, March 14 (CNA) Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (ea) on Thursday confirmed that U.S. Army Special Forces personnel are stationed on Taiwan's outlying islands and said their presence was part of an exchange and was meant to be a "learning opportunity" for Taiwan's armed forces. The defense minister made the remarks after he was asked by reporters on the sidelines of a legislative hearing to comment on recent media reports that American Army Special Forces, commonly known as the "Green Berets," are training Taiwanese troops in Kinmen and Penghu. Chiu said the U.S. presence was meant to help Taiwan's armed forces identify any weaknesses or blind spots, and to allow forces to engage in exchanges with friendly teams or countries. Such deployments allow the two sides to observe and learn from each other and address any issues, the minister said, adding that these exchanges "do not involve any proposals regarding the purchase of military equipment." U.S. military news outlet SOFREP earlier this month said military instructors from the U.S. Army Special Forces had "started to take up permanent positions" at the Taiwanese Army's amphibious command centers in Kinmen and Penghu, and that their missions include regular training and exercises alongside Taiwan's elite forces. These deployments, according to the report, were carried out per the U.S. 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. The Act requires the U.S. secretary of defense, in consultation with "appropriate officials in Taiwan," to establish a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for Taiwanese military forces, consistent with the U.S.' Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act. One type of training offered by the American Army Special Forces involves teaching their Taiwanese counterparts how to operate the Black Hornet Nano, a compact military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and creating necessary guidelines and manuals, according to the report. According to SOFREP, the Taiwanese Aviation and Special Forces Command proposed acquiring the micro drone from the U.S. through military sales avenues. A Pentagon spokesperson earlier this month declined to comment on specific operations, engagements, or training when asked to comment on the issue. The presence of U.S. Special Forces on Taiwan soil was first confirmed by President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) in an interview with CNN in 2021, although no information on their location was released. (By Sean Lin and Matt Yu) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken, Czech foreign minister express support for Taiwan during call ROC Central News Agency 03/14/2024 02:48 PM Taipei, March 14 (CNA) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky expressed support for Taiwan's international participation during a phone call Wednesday. According to a statement released by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken and Lipavsky discussed exploring "deeper cooperation on energy issues and on supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in international fora." They also discussed the importance of shared democratic values, the statement added. In Taipei, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Jeff Liu () on Thursday thanked both countries' top diplomats for their support. Liu said that Taiwan would continue to work with the United States, the Czech Republic and other like-minded countries to expand the nation's global participation and contribute to global peace. Relations between Taiwan and the Czech Republic have warmed up over the past few years, despite a lack of official diplomatic relations. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu () twice visited the Czech Republic, in 2021 and 2023, where he gave public addresses. After Czech President Petr Pavel was elected in January, 2023, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen () held a brief congratulatory phone call with him. The call was a rarity, as political leaders in countries that formally recognize Beijing instead of Taipei normally refrain from direct contact with Taiwanese leaders to avoid angering China. Prior to her call with Pavel, the last publicized phone call made by Tsai to the president-elect of a country without diplomatic relations with Taiwan was to Donald Trump in December 2016. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Retired military officers indicted under national security law ROC Central News Agency 03/14/2024 10:15 PM Kaohsiung, March 14 (CNA A retired army colonel surnamed Liu (), a retired rear-admiral surnamed Sun () and a man surnamed Chu () were indicted Thursday for allegedly developing an organization for China in contravention of the National Security Act. The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office's Kaohsiung branch said in a statement that Sun and Chu are considered a flight risk and prosecutors received permission from the Taiwan High Court Kaohsiung branch to take them into custody for three months. The trial is ongoing, it added. The case started after the trio were recruited by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and used their personal connections to find retired high-level military officers to visit China and the United States from 2017 to 2023, with travel expenses covered by the CCP. The operation provides opportunities for China to win over and recruit people from Taiwan, and promote united front ideas such as "peaceful unification" and "one country, two systems," according to prosecutors. According to prosecutors' initial estimates, at least a dozen retired military officers were entertained and more than 20 retired high-ranking officers, including generals and lieutenant-generals, have been questioned as part of the case. After interrogations, prosecutors concluded the trio violated the National Security Act and developed an organization for China. Prosecutors also said that Sun and Liu had received funding from China to organize events in Taiwan to campaign for specific candidates in Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections in January, giving away freebies such as zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, and peanut butter candy. (By Hung Huseh-kuang and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Michelle Troconis remains in custody after a jury found her guilty in the death and disappearance of New Canaan mother Jennifer Dulos. Connecticut Department of Correction / Contributed Photo STAMFORD A Superior Court judge on Thursday ordered Michelle Troconis to remain in Connecticut if she posts a $6 million bond. Nearly two weeks after being convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in the death and disappearance of Jennifer Dulos, Troconis appeared remotely from York Correctional Institution, donning handcuffs and an orange prison jumper, before Judge Gary White. The hearing focused on a recent motion by Assistant States Attorney Elizabeth Moran that sought to modify Troconis conditions of release, despite defense attorney Jon Schoenhorns claims that his client has no present ability to post the bond. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the motion, Moran asked the court to order Troconis to remain in Connecticut and to undergo intensive probation services should she post bond. The motion also asked the judge to order Troconis to surrender any active or expired passports. On Thursday, Moran argued that Troconis had provided bail commissioners with an address in Miami Beach, Fla., which she said concerned prosecutors. That, of course, caused concerns with the state given that we sought to revoke the defendants bond after conviction based on her lack of ties to Connecticut and her ties outside of Connecticut and outside of the country, Moran said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moran said the state would not be able to properly monitor Troconis if she did not live in Connecticut, though bail commissioner Shereen Webley later contradicted her, saying they have done so in the past and would be able to in the future. Schoenhorn claimed that requiring Troconis to live in Connecticut should she post bond was unconstitutional. I dont know why were having this hearing. It is a complete waste of time, Schoenhorn said. These issues were raised with Judge (Kevin) Randolph the date of the verdict. We stated on the record and both Your Honor and Judge Randolph knew that Ms. Troconis no longer lived in Connecticut. Despite Schoenhorns objections, White granted all of the modifications requested by the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im persuaded by the states argument and Im going to grant the motion, White said before adding that Troconis must also post bond in court, which neither Schoenhorn nor Moran objected to. The hearing comes about a week after Schoenhorn filed two motions: one asking the judge for a post-trial acquittal and another requesting a new trial. On March 1, a jury convicted Troconis, 49, of all six counts she faced: Conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of conspiracy to tamper with physical evidence, two counts of tampering with physical evidence and one count of second-degree hindering prosecution. Troconis, who is being held in lieu of a $6 million bond, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31. She faces a maximum prison term between 20 years (if her sentences run concurrently) and 50 years (if her sentences run consecutively). Advertisement Article continues below this ad Schoenhorn told Hearst Connecticut Media Group last week that even if Troconis were to post that bond, it will likely take a while to put together an adequate bond package. Since Randolph increased Troconis' bond by $4 million after the jury returned the guilty verdict, her family would have to contract with a bondsman for 7 percent of that amount a payment of about $280,000, Schoenhorn said at the time. They also have the option of paying 10 percent to the court, which means $400,000 in cash, not assets such as real estate, according to Schoenhorn. If Troconis is released on bond, Randolph ordered that she be under house arrest and GPS monitoring. Troconis, 49, was accused of creating an alibi for her then-boyfriend Fotis Dulos on the day his estranged wife disappeared on May 24, 2019. Troconis was also accused of helping Fotis Dulos clean a pickup truck that police believe was used in the crime. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Troconis was first arrested on June 1, 2019, and charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and first-degree hindering prosecution. Those charges were related to the Hartford surveillance footage that captured her with Fotis Dulos making a series of stops along a 4-mile stretch of Albany Avenue the night Jennifer Dulos was reported missing, police said. The second arrest occurred on Sept. 5, 2019. Troconis turned herself in to state police and was charged with tampering with evidence. The third arrest occurred on Jan. 7, 2020, when police charged Fotis Dulos, Troconis and attorney Kent Mawhinney in connection with Jennifer Dulos' homicide. Fotis Dulos faced new charges of murder and kidnapping, while Troconis and Mawhinney were each charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In August 2020, the state filed more charges against Troconis, including two additional counts of conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence. Prosecutors also removed one charge of first-degree hindering prosecution and added a second-degree hindering prosecution charge. PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 14, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/03/14 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Wednesday to Thursday, Mar. 13-14 2. PLA activitiesis 25 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 18 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Proves No Safe Haven For Central Asian Activists By Chris Rickleton March 14, 2024 ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Such is the life of a Central Asian activist abroad: One minute you are bringing attention to a fellow activist in trouble, the next minute the trouble has reached you. "Transnational repression" -- or a government going abroad to silence an opposition activist -- is increasingly a mainstay topic for rights organizations covering Central Asia, with the region's three most authoritarian countries -- Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan -- all high-level offenders. The phenomenon involves governments around the world -- usually nondemocratic ones -- seeking to intimidate, extradite, and sometimes even kill their perceived enemies in foreign jurisdictions. About a decade ago, Turkey was one of the safer places for Central Asian activists to seek refuge, due to its lack of travel restrictions for regional citizens and a fairly low extradition threat. In recent years, though, that has not been the case, with experts indicating a changing attitude on the part of the Turkish authorities. Tajik Activists Disappear Just in the last month, two Tajik political activists living in Turkey have vanished without a trace, raising fears they have been transported back to their homeland where long jail sentences and mistreatment in detention have been the norm for government critics. According to Central Asian rights expert Steve Swerdlow, Suhrob Zafar of the Group 24 Tajik opposition group had spent the last two weeks trying to trace fellow activist and Istanbul-based exile Nasimjon Sharifov, with whom no one has had contact with since February 23. The effort included visits to migrant detention centers and requests for information from Turkish authorities, who claimed no knowledge of Sharifov's whereabouts, Swerdlow said on X, formerly Twitter. He also recalled how Zafar had contacted him in a bid for assistance. But on March 11, it was Zafar's disappearance that Tajik activists were raising alarm over, after being unable to contact the Group 24 leader since March 10. Throughout his decade living in Turkey, according to Group 24, Zafar has received regular threats in the form of text messages warning him that he would be killed or abducted. He has also been detained by Turkish authorities on several occasions, presumably at Tajikistan's request, before later being released. In Tajikistan, Group 24 has carried the designation of an "extremist organization" since a Supreme Court ruling in October 2014, shortly after it called for rallies against the regime of authoritarian President Emomali Rahmon. The ruling broadly coincided with the end of the regime's tolerance for even limited political opposition. Less than a year later, the high court applied the same label to the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) -- a moderate, faith-based opposition party that had held seats in the parliament prior to contentious elections in March 2015. Many of the IRPT's top leaders were then jailed after a court found them guilty of masterminding a purported rebellion that took place when a top defense official and his supporters broke ranks before being beaten by government troops in clashes outside the capital, Dushanbe. Of course, 2015 was also the year that Group 24's founder, businessman Umarali Kuvvatov, was shot dead in Istanbul -- something of a watershed moment for Central Asian dissidents living in the city. Turkey's 2016 Turning Point It seems unlikely that Turkey had any direct hand in the oppositionist's killing, even if the assassins were able to skip the country before they could face justice. The Tajik-born man who reportedly lured Kuvvatov to the dinner where he was poisoned before being gunned down in the street was sentenced to life in jail by a Turkish court. But recent years have seen Turkish authorities much more prepared to engage with Central Asian governments over the dissidents seeking safe haven on its territory. And that is likely because Ankara expects its Central Asian partners to return the favor. In an update published last month, Freedom House listed Turkey and Tajikistan among the Top 5 most prolific perpetrators of transnational repression based on data from the last decade. China, Egypt, and Russia were the other three. The turning point for Turkey was undoubtedly the 2016 coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the government when some 250 people were killed. That event led Turkey's government to declare an all-out war on the network of U.S.-based Muslim thinker Fethullah Gulen, a former Erdogan ally that Ankara held responsible for the coup, charges that Gulen fiercely denies. Tens of thousands of dismissals and jailings followed in Turkey, and increasingly tense relations between Ankara and any country where Gulen had connections -- mostly through the network of the scholar's private schools. While some other Central Asian governments had cracked down on Gulen-linked institutions before the coup attempt, many schools and universities continued to function in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. During Erdogan's visit to Bishkek in 2018, he referenced what Ankara calls FETO -- Fethullahist Terrorist Organization -- multiple times in his speeches and openly warned then-President Sooronbai Jeenbekov that he risked being overthrown by "Gulenists." In the end, Jeenbekov was overthrown in 2020 by forces supporting current Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who pointedly failed to condemn Ankara when Orhan Inandi -- the Turkish-born founder of the Gulen-inspired Sapat school network in Kyrgyzstan -- was abducted by Turkish agents in Bishkek in June 2021. Inandi, who also held a Kyrgyz passport when he was abducted, was sentenced last year by a court in Ankara to 21 years in prison for "establishing an armed terrorist group." Marked Turkmen In the early years of Central Asia's post-Soviet independence, Turkey risked souring its relationship with the region's largest country, Uzbekistan, by refusing to extradite opposition leaders Muhammad Solih and Abdurahmon Polat. Uzbekistan halted visa-free travel between the two countries in response, a benefit that was only reinstated after Shavkat Mirziyoev came to power following the death of the first Uzbek president, Islam Karimov, in 2016. Until recently, Turkey was one of the few countries where citizens of Uzbekistan's neighbor, Turkmenistan, could travel visa-free. But that changed in 2022 when the Turkish government revoked the visa waiver at Turkmenistan's insistence. Tajikistan is the only Central Asian country in Freedom House's longer-term transnational repression Top 5. But Turkmenistan was in the watchdog's "Top 5 perpetrators in 2023." And Ashgabat would not have earned that status without active support from Turkey, which has long been the main destination for Turkmen seeking a way out of their highly repressive, economically failing country. Although sources of RFE/RL's Turkmen Service have described deportations by Turkey in their thousands since Ankara reimposed visa restrictions, the closed nature of Central Asia's most authoritarian state makes it difficult to separate politically active migrants from the regular kind. But at least six Turkmen political activists have been deported to Ashgabat: Farhat Meimankuliev, Rovshen Klychev, Umit Kuzybaev, Dovran Imamov, Maksat Baimuradov, and Serdar Durduliev, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service has reported. Dursoltan Taganova -- a relatively high-profile opposition activist in Istanbul -- had at least two close shaves with deportation even before the new travel restrictions were imposed when she was detained in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, Taganova was held in a deportation center before being released after 11 human rights organizations urged the Turkish authorities not to follow through with the deportation. The next year, Taganova told journalists she had been summoned to Turkish immigration, where she was warned she might face problems with her residency unless she stopped her political activities. Turkmen activists in Turkey were a notable focus of a brief submitted for Turkmenistan's Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council by the University of Southern California Human Rights Advocacy Group and the Vienna-based advocacy group Freedom for Eurasia. The brief's authors called Turkey "an increasingly unsafe environment" for Turkmen political activists and rights defenders, where Turkmen as a whole face "surveillance, travel restrictions, discrimination, and other abuses that Ashgabat and Ankara have increasingly used to control and monitor" both them and their relatives back home. The brief noted that Turkish police had "reportedly compiled a list of 25 Turkmen migrants subject to deportation, as directed by the Turkmen Consulate [in Istanbul]." These concerted efforts to end the status of Turkey's largest city as a hub for Turkmen political activism may be having the intended effect. Eziz Mamedov, another Turkmen resident of Istanbul, has reported regular acts of intimidation since he became politically active in 2021, including being knifed by an unidentified assailant during a protest outside the consulate. In January, though, Mamedov said he was no longer pursuing activism. "I thought, why am I throwing myself into the fire?" Mamedov said. "What we have sacrificed and done on behalf of the [Turkmen] people has not paid off." With contributions from RFE/RL's Tajik and Turkmen services and RFE/RL's Ferghana Valley Bureau Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkey-central- asia-dissidents-erdogan-disappearances/32861944.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks The new helicopters will have double the range of the existing Chinooks in service among the UK Armed Forces 14 March 2024 14 state-of-the art Chinook helicopters to provide versatile heavy-lift capability over double the range of a standard Chinook. Programme now confirmed to bring in an estimated A151 million of extra investment to UK economy. UK companies will produce components critical for manufacturing and maintaining the helicopters. Britain's heavy lift capability will be bolstered with the purchase of 14 extended-range Chinooks (CH47-ER), which will pump an estimated A151 million into the UK economy. The new Chinooks significantly enhance the UK's strategic mobility with its ability to operate in challenging environments. From the desert to the arctic, the helicopter has double the range of a standard Chinook and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, with the ability to carry up to 55 personnel or 10,000 kg of cargo. With a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour, the new helicopters will have a range of new capabilities, including an advanced digital cockpit and a modernised airframe to increase stability and survivability. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the commitment to proceed with the contract after meeting crew members from one of the Chinooks in the Royal Air Force's existing fleet. Through successful negotiations between MOD's procurement arm - Defence Equipment & Support - and the US Government, the UK has reduced costs for elements of the programme by more than A300 million, ensuring value for money whilst providing our armed forces with a cutting-edge heavy lift capability. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: Procuring these Chinook helicopters will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the agility of the UK Armed Forces, cementing our ability to respond at pace to situations and threats across the globe. The Chinook is one of our most iconic aircraft, having been operated in every major conflict since the Falklands War. Delivering on this deal not only enhances our capability, but will boost UK industry and skills. The Defence Secretary also visited Poland yesterday and met his counterpart to discuss international support for Ukraine, and made a further visit to meet British troops currently exercising in Poland. As part of the deal, UK companies will also produce components critical for manufacturing and maintaining the Chinooks, supporting jobs in areas such as aircraft avionics and electric power, supporting skills development and wider UK industry. Beyond the Chinook, the Government's extensive negotiations with United States has helped to enshrine critical reforms into law that will benefit the UK. These laws will increase the speed and predictability of military procurement from the US going forward, and will strengthen shared partnerships like AUKUS through technology sharing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins: Ukraine remains our priority to help mobilise all support it needs Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14.03.2024 On 14 March 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krisjanis Karins, as part of his visit to the United Kingdom, met with Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, whose responsibilities include Ukraine reconstruction. The meeting addressed the involvement of Latvia and the United Kingdom in the reconstruction of Ukraine and the possibilities for further cooperation in order to provide Ukraine with what the country need. Latvia is committed to long-term engagement, and since the mid-2022 it has been one of the first to implement reconstruction projects in Ukraine, primarily in the Chernihiv region. For instance, a Latvian non-governmental organisation, Centre MARTA, which works on the advocacy of women's rights, has opened two support centres for women there. 2024 is a crucial year that will require all the resolve of Ukraine's partners to strengthen Ukraine's resilience so that it can win the war. The Drone Coalition led by Latvia and the UK is also providing its contribution, and cooperation opportunities are available in the field of research on 5G solutions. Latvia will retain its focus on the reconstruction of Ukraine's social infrastructure, psychological support to women, digitalisation, and promotion of Ukraine's European integration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany plans to open at least four arms factories in Ukraine Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 7:34 PM Germany's largest weapons, ammunition, lethal systems, and military equipment manufacturer, Rheinmetall, has devised plans to set up arms factories in Ukraine. Rheinmetall announced on Thursday that it plans to open at least four factories in Ukraine, as it targets a record 10 billion euros ($10.9 billion) in sales this year. The factories in Ukraine will be modeled on an ammunition factory that Rheinmetall is building in Germany. The Ukrainian forces war against Russia has boosted Germany's weapons sales. Rheinmetall announced that the factories in Ukraine would be for producing shells, military vehicles, gunpowder and anti-aircraft weapons. "Ukraine is now an important partner for us, where we see a potential of between two and three billion euros (in sales) per year," Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said at the presentation of the company's 2023 results. Rheinmetall, which makes key proponents for the Leopard tanks, reported record sales of 7.2 billion euros last year, and is aiming to top 10 billion in 2024. Shares of the Duesseldorf-based company went up five percent in Frankfurt stock exchange after the results were announced. Rheinmetall, which already operates a joint venture in Ukraine for repairing military vehicles, is also going to build a factory in Lithuania, where Germany plans to deploy a brigade-sized military unit on a permanent basis to help secure NATO's eastern flank. Germany's largest manufacturer of military equipment, which had already announced an agreement with a Ukrainian company in February to build artillery shells in Ukraine, said it was planning to ramp up its production of artillery shells to provide Kiev with more ammunition. However, German lawmakers in the lower house of parliament rejected calls to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Lawmakers in the Bundestag on Thursday voted against the delivery of the Taurus cruise missile to Ukraine which had been proposed by the opposition MPs. On Wednesday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told lawmakers that prudence is a virtue and rejected the call to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. Ultimately, lawmakers in the Bundestag voted against the motion by 495 votes to 190, with five abstentions. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces were running out of ammunition, complaining that NATO member states were not providing enough arms and munitions. "Unprecedented aid from NATO allies has helped Ukraine survive as an independent nation. But Ukraine needs even more support and they need it now," Stoltenberg said talking to reporters at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. "The Ukrainians are not running out of courage, they are running out of ammunition," Stoltenberg said. "NATO allies are not providing Ukraine with enough ammunition and that has consequences on the battlefield every day." "It is an urgent need for allies to make the decisions necessary to step and provide more ammunition to Ukraine. That's my message to all capitals," Stoltenberg said. Last week, European Union (EU) member states agreed to allocate an additional 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine at a meeting in Brussels. The EU agreement came after months of debates among member states, with France and Germany playing a key role in shaping the discussions. They finally agreed to give priority to the European defense sector, while "exceptionally allowing" for flexibility in cases where it cannot provide within a timeframe compatible with Ukraine's needs. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri), at least 30 countries have provided weapons and ammunition to Ukraine since Russia's military operation was launched in February 2022. The US recently approved a new weapons package worth $300 million for Ukraine. However, an additional $60 billion in funding for Kiev has been blocked by lawmakers as Republicans in Congress have put it on hold, arguing that President Joe Biden is only prolonging the war against Russia, with no plans to end the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU countries agree to provide Ukraine with a5 billion military aid Iran Press TV Thursday, 14 March 2024 11:03 AM European Union member states have agreed to allocate an additional 5 billion Euros ($5.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, as a new component to an EU-run assistance fund. Ambassadors from the EU's 27 member countries reached a deal to add a5 billion to the Ukraine Assistance Fund a part of the EU's off-budget European Peace Facility (EPF) a at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. The assistance fund is used to partially reimburse member countries for the weapons they provide to Ukraine, enabling countries of all sizes to contribute and offer assistance. It is an "off-budget" initiative due to restrictions on military-related spending. The fund has a budget of up to five billion Euros annually for the next four years. "The message is clear: we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell posted on social media platform X after the decision. According to the EU, around 6.1 billion Euros ($6.7bn) have already been allocated from the EPF to provide military aid for Ukraine since early 2022. a Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) March 13, 2024 The agreement comes after months of back-and-forth discussions among EU members, with France and Germany playing a key role in shaping the debate. France, a staunch supporter of European defense industries, backed by Greece and Cyprus, demanded the EPF be used exclusively to purchase weapons and ammunition made inside the bloc. Other countries argued that such a requirement would inhibit efforts to buy worldwide to get weapons to Ukraine quickly. Germany, the largest contributor of military aid to Ukraine in Europe, has insisted that donations should be taken into account in determining the size of countries' financial contributions to the fund. The final text said the scheme should give priority to the European defense sector, while "exceptionally allowing" for flexibility in cases where it cannot provide within a timeframe compatible with Ukrainian needs. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said his country has lost ground in recent months due an "artificial shortage" of weapons and urged allies to send arms to Kiev. Europe has seen a significant increase in weapons imports over the last five years, with a doubling in numbers. This surge has been attributed in part to the conflict in Ukraine, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). Sipri noted that at least 30 countries had supplied major weapons as military aid to Ukraine since Russia's military operation in February 2022. Other European nations also increased imports, with a larger share coming from the world's number one armourer, the US. The United States has recently unveiled a fresh weapons package worth $300 million for Ukraine. However, the progress of an additional $60 billion in funding has hit a roadblock as Republicans in Congress have put it on hold, arguing that President Joe Biden is only prolonging the conflict with Russia without providing a clear strategy to end the violence. Ukraine has become the world's fourth-largest arms importer, while France has replaced Russia as the world's second-largest exporter behind the US. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Reported Killed In Ukrainian Strikes On Russian Regions By RFE/RL's Russian Service and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service March 14, 2024 Russia's border regions of Belgorod and Kursk have been targeted again in a series of Ukrainian drone and missile strikes that killed at least two people, wounded several others, and caused material damage. The Defense Ministry in Moscow said on March 14 that it had thwarted another attempt by troops from Ukraine to cross into Russia's Belgorod region following a similar claim on March 12. The ministry said its air-defense systems shot down 14 Ukrainian drones overnight -- 11 drones over Belgorod and three over the Kursk region. Several border settlements in the Belgorod region, along with its capital, were shelled on the morning of March 14, media and Russian pro-war bloggers reported. The Baza Telegram channel, citing local residents, reported a loud midmorning blast near the train station in the city of Belgorod and later added that at least three people were wounded as a result of Ukrainian shelling. Belgorod regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that one person was killed and two others were wounded in the attack in Belgorod. Later, reports said a second person died on March 14 in the city. Both deaths apparently occurred in vehicles struck by blasts in Belgorod. Meanwhile, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), one of the groups of Russians fighting alongside of Ukrainian armed forces against Moscow, called on the residents of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions to either evacuate or "immediately take shelter." RDK, together with the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Siberian Battalion, which are also comprised of Russian citizens who have been fighting alongside Ukrainian armed forces in the war, on March 12 claimed to have launched cross-border attacks into Russia territory. The Kremlin said Russian forces repelled the incursions and inflicted heavy losses on the armed groups. Neither claim could be independently verified. Dozens of Ukrainian drones have struck energy infrastructure in several Russian regions in recent days, including oil refineries in the Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and the Leningrad regions. Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Ukrainian intelligence sources told media outlets, including RFE/RL, that the attacks were part of systematic strategy to damage Russia's economy. "Our task is to deprive the enemy of resources and reduce the flow of oil money and fuel, which the Russia directs toward the war and the murdering of our citizens," a source told RFE/RL on March 13. In Ukraine, the northeastern regions of Sumy and Kharkiv were attacked with drones and a missile, causing damage to civilian infrastructure, regional officials reported. The attacks targeted the cities of Sumy, Shostka, Trostyanets, and Bilopil in Sumy, the regional military administration reported this morning, adding that the damage was still being assessed. In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, the attackers used drones and an S-300 missile, causing minor damage to several apartment buildings but no casualties, Mayor Ihor Terekhov and regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov reported. The Ukrainian military said its air-defense systems shot down 22 of the 36 drones launched overnight by Russia. In late afternoon on March 14, an air-raid alert was declared for the entire territory of Ukraine. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-downs- ukrainian-drones/32861217.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia is attempting to apply a veneer of legitimacy to its illegal presence in Ukraine: UK statement to the OSCE Ambassador Neil Holland condemns Russia holding its presidential elections on the sovereign territory of Ukraine. 14 March 2024 Thank you, Madam Chair. As we have said countless times in this room, Russia's assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic State. Russia's aggression began in 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea. And we have watched Russia's attempts to land grab further territory since the start of its full-scale invasion two years ago. Now, in the regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed, Russia is holding its presidential election against the will of the Ukrainian people. This is another blatant attempt by Russia to apply a veneer of legitimacy to its illegal presence in Ukraine. And this is yet another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, principles that are fundamental to the Helsinki Final Act, which Russia has torn to shreds. The UK echoes ODIHR in strongly condemning Russia for holding its presidential election in Ukraine, which is contrary to international law including the UN Charter. To be perfectly clear, these so-called 'elections' on the sovereign territory of Ukraine are illegal. Many of us highlighted last week what 10 years of Russian rule has brought to the people of Crimea, and international reports paint a stark picture of life in the territories temporarily under Russia's control. Russia and its proxies have committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of international human rights law. This includes enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture, forced deportations, and summary executions. Russia has attempted to erase Ukrainian identity and language through forced passportisation and the imposition of Russian law, media, education, and currency. Russia has also taken further steps to manipulate the demographics of these regions through the inward migration of the Russian population. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian population is relentlessly repressed and forced out. In this environment of fear and intimidation, Ukrainians are now expected to take part in these sham elections. Russia has no legitimate basis for any such action on the territory of Ukraine. Reports of door-to-door visits of armed military forcing residents to vote have already emerged. The UK has been clear, we will never recognise Russia's attempts to consolidate its illegal control over Ukrainian territory which is in breach of the UN Charter. We will not recognise the results of any sham referendums or elections. Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea are all part of Ukraine. Holding sham elections in these regions will not alter that fact. The UK will continue to speak up for the freedom and democratic will of the people of Ukraine who bravely resist Russian aggression in pursuit of an independent and sovereign Ukraine. Madam Chair, Russia must follow international law and commitments both within and beyond its borders. The UK does not question Russia's right to hold presidential elections on its sovereign territory, but Ukraine is not sovereign Russian territory. We echo ODIHR's concerns regarding Russia's failure to invite OSCE observers to its elections. This is in breach of the commitments it has made to all of us here. The only path to peace is if Russia ceases its illegal war, withdraws all of its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, and respects the will of the Ukrainian people for a wholly independent and democratic Ukraine. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak had a phone call with PAter SzijjArtA President of Ukraine 14 March 2024 - 20:39 Following the meeting of Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary PAter SzijjArtA in Uzhhorod on January 29, 2024, Andriy Yermak had a phone call with PAter SzijjArtA today. The parties discussed Ukrainian-Hungarian relations and the ways to move forward. In this regard, the Head of the Presidential Office and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary agreed to hold a bilateral meeting between the teams on governmental level next week. Andriy Yermak and PAter SzijjArtA emphasized the significance of personal contact and expressed hope to find mutually beneficial solution to the most complex issues on bilateral agenda. As part of the ongoing dialogue, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade agreed to maintain regular communication. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak met with the Ambassador of India to Ukraine President of Ukraine 14 March 2024 - 20:37 Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Ukraine Harsh Kumar Jain. The interlocutors discussed areas of further cooperation, in particular in establishing a just peace in Ukraine. The Head of the President's Office praised the participation of Deputy National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India Vikram Misri in the fourth meeting of national security advisers and political advisers to the heads of state in Davos on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Andriy Yermak briefed Harsh Kumar Jain in detail on the preparations for the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland at the level of heads of state and emphasized the importance of India's further involvement in this process together with other partners of Ukraine, in particular the G7 and the countries of the Global South. "We are committed to fair and open consultations, as we are willing to make decisions based on the recommendations from our partners, including from you. The Peace Summit is very important for us. We will be happy to see a representative of India," the Head of the Presidential Office said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrew Schmidt at his December 2018 sentencing in state Superior Court in Stamford for his role in the April 2016 hit-and-run crash that killed a 43-year-old Greenwich man. Schmidt was recently arrested on charges related to firearms, explosives and drugs following a months-long Norwalk police investigation. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Andrew Schmidt, right, with his attorney, Eugene Riccio, in state Superior Court in Stamford in August 2016. Andrew Schmidt at his December 2018 sentencing in state Superior Court in Stamford for his role in the April 2016 hit-and-run crash that killed a 43-year-old Greenwich man. Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media Andrew Schmidt at his December 2018 sentencing in state Superior Court in Stamford for his role in the April 2016 hit-and-run crash that killed a 43-year-old Greenwich man. Schmidt, now 25, was recently arrested on charges related to firearms, explosives and drugs following a months-long Norwalk police investigation. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Andrew Schmidt at his December 2018 sentencing in state Superior Court in Stamford for his role in the April 2016 hit-and-run crash that killed 43-year-old Greenwich resident Edward Setterberg. Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media State Superior Court in Stamford, Conn., where 25-year-old convicted felon Andrew Schmidt was recently arraigned on charges related to firearms, explosives and drugs following a months-long Norwalk police investigation. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media NORWALK A convicted felon currently on probation for his role in a fatal hit-and-run accident eight years ago in Greenwich is in custody on $1 million bond after his arrest on a new set of unrelated charges. Andrew Schmidt, 25, of Norwalk, was arrested Tuesday on charges ranging from attempt to commit illegal bomb manufacturing and criminal possession of a firearm/ammunition to controlled substance possession following a months-long investigation. The investigation started in August 2023, after a Homeland Security special agent contacted Norwalk police about two parcels from China, addressed to Schmidt, that were targeted for examination at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The parcels each contained pill die, a substance used with a pill press to cut and mark tablets often by individuals engaged in the manufacturing of distribution-quantities of pills or capsules, according to the warrant for Schmidts arrest. After looking up Schmidt in the Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing system, Norwalk police contacted his probation officer and learned that he was under supervision with a listed address in Stamford. The warrant for his arrest notes that Schmidt who was sentenced in December 2018 to two years in prison plus five years of probation for his role in a fatal hit-and-run accident had not updated his current residence with his probation officer. Schmidt, 17 at the time, was the driver of a car that struck and killed a 42-year-old Greenwich man who was walking on East Putnam Avenue in April 2016. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Sept. 1, a Norwalk police officer went to the Norwalk address listed on the parcels targeted at JFK with Schmidts probation officer. Schmidt who was at the residence and said he understood he needed to update his address with probation told the officers he was sleeping in the basement of the home and showed them what he claimed was his bedroom, according to the warrant for his arrest. While no items of interest were found in that room, police said there were some items in other rooms of the home. In addition to observing a barrel of a rifle and a box belonging to a stock for a rifle in a second-floor room, the warrant for Schmidts arrest says the officers found a bag with a charging handle for an AR-15-style rifle and a box for a firearm component. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Inside a closet in another room, police said they found a gas mask and body armor, which Schmidt said belonged to a relative. As a convicted felon, Schmidt who told the officers there were no firearms in the residence, according to the warrant for his arrest is prohibited from possessing body armor or firearms. After the discovery of the gas mask and body armor, the officers stopped the search after Schmidt advised them that he had talked to his attorney and did not want them to continue, according to the arrest warrant. In the days that followed, Norwalk police said they were informed about more parcels from China, addressed to Schmidt, that had been targeted for examination at JFK Airport. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two parcels examined on Sept. 6 which had been manifested as vacuum parts and a filter fiber air filter, according to the warrant for Schmidts arrest contained firearm suppressors. As a convicted felon, the warrant for his arrest notes, Schmidt is prohibited from purchasing or possessing the sound-muffling devices. Several days later, police said another parcel addressed to Schmidt, containing two firearm suppressors, was targeted for examination at the airport. After meeting with officials of Connecticut Probation and Homeland Security, Norwalk police said they conducted a secondary visit to Schmidts residence the morning of Sept. 15. During the second visit, police determined Schmidt had lied about his sleeping quarters and was actually using an upstairs bedroom, where officers had located the items of interest during the previous visit, according to the warrant for his arrest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even though some of the items of interest observed the first time were missing, the warrant states, There was still a heavy presence of very concerning items found in Schmidts possession during the second visit. In addition to pamphlets for AR-15 parts and a firearms catalog, police said they found two laptops, a large 3D printer and keys to a Dodge Charger that Schmidt admitted to have control of during the initial visit. According to the arrest warrant, the items were found in the upstairs bedroom determined to be Schmidts sleeping quarters and a spare room that police said was evident he had been using. After finding an unmarked glass container containing Xanax bars in the Dodge Charger parked outside the residence, police said they entered a garage on the property using a door code Schmidt provided. According to the arrest warrant, several packages and documents with Schmidts name on them were found on the first floor of the garage, leading police to believe he was the only person storing belongings there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In addition to three ballistic helmets and 20 rimfire casings, the warrant says police located a 3D printer and many spools of filament in the garage, as well as a polymer pistol frame with no serial number or markings that looked to be constructed on the same type of material as the filament for the 3D printer. They also found numerous hollowed out 12 gauge shotgun shells and a live rifle round, according to the warrant, as well as a book with directions on how to make improvised ammunition and explosives and a five-pound bag containing potassium nitrate and explosive fireworks. Explosive technicians from the Stamford Police Department and the FBI were called to the scene to assess the items which they did not believe were volatile at (the) time, according to the warrant for Schmidts arrest. Norwalk police said the Stamford Police Departments Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit later informed them that the items were not a threat separately but could be combined to produce an improvised explosive device/explosive hazard. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police said they obtained a search warrant in November 2023 for one of Schmidts laptops and discovered files that could be used with the 3D printer and filament found at his residence to create weapons. Utilizing a 3D printer, most of (the) files, including handguns, files and landines, (could) all be easily printed with the 3D filament in Andrew Schmidts possession, police said in the warrant for his arrest. Authorities said they also found searches for ghost guns and other firearms, tactical gear, weapon parts and accessories, as well as military vehicles and how to register one in Connecticut, in Schmidts internet browsing history. According to the warrant, there were also searches related to drug manufacturing. Upon reviewing his internet history, it (is) abundantly clear Andrew Schmidt had interest in acquiring items relating to firearms, silencers/suppressor and items related to drug manufacturing, states the warrant for his arrest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to Norwalk police, their findings along with the information from Stamfords EOD Unit led them to believe (Schmidt) had the means to assemble an improvised explosive device. Schmidt was taken into custody March 12, and charged with attempt to commit illegal bomb manufacturing, attempt to commit possession of a silencer, criminal possession of body armor, possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of exploding fireworks and criminal possession of a firearm, ammunition or electronic defense weapon. He was held at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, according to the state Department of Correction, with a disposition hearing scheduled for March 27. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Schmidt is represented by Attorney Eugene Riccio, who declined to comment. Ukraine started negotiations with Latvia on a bilateral security agreement President of Ukraine 14 March 2024 - 20:03 In pursuance of the G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine, the initial talks with Latvia on the conclusion of a bilateral security agreement have been launched. The Ukrainian delegation as enshrined in the Decree of the President of Ukraine, is led by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. The current meeting was led by Deputy Head of the Office Ihor Zhovkva. The delegation also included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine etc. The sides outlined its scope, key elements and thematic blocks. The schedule for further negotiations was agreed upon. Currently, Ukraine is engaged in similar negotiations with eight countries: the United States, Japan, Romania, Norway, Spain, Greece, Finland, Latvia, and the EU. Seven security agreements have already been signed with the following partners: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. Ukraine's task is to ensure that each such agreement strengthens our country, brings victory closer and contributes to international law and order. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On Ukrainian Volunteer Day, we thank each and every person who stood up for the Ukrainian state and society - President awarded the warriors President of Ukraine 14 March 2024 - 17:46 On Ukrainian Volunteer Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the servicemen and presented state awards, including the Golden Star Orders of the Hero of Ukraine. "Today, we thank each and every one of those who stood up for the Ukrainian state and society. We thank those who chose Ukraine when everything depended on it. Those who did not stand aside and were not afraid to fight," the Head of State said, addressing the attendees. According to him, your own national state and national culture are never just an inheritance. It is always a courageous manifestation of the will of the people who dedicate themselves to preserving Ukrainian. "Russia did not break Ukrainians, because people went to defend what is theirs and did not surrender Ukraine to the enemy. And until now, millions are united by a common feeling that Ukraine is all its people, all those who are really fighting for it. It is this feeling that brings victories. A feeling of togetherness. A feeling of duty. A feeling of Ukraine. Our unity, our will to fight against the Russian occupation. To fight boldly and win rightfully," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized. The President expressed gratitude to every Ukrainian soldier and every commander who is fighting for Ukraine, and to everyone who is working for the common Ukrainian victory. The attendees observed a minute of silence in memory of all Ukrainian heroes of different times who gave their lives for Ukraine to live. The Head of State presented the Golden Star Order to the Hero of Ukraine, Junior Lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vitaliy Sukach, who had voluntarily joined the Armed Forces in 2014. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the company commander has been performing combat missions in Donetsk region, in particular, successfully holding back the enemy and inflicting heavy losses in manpower and equipment on the occupiers. The President also handed over the Golden Star Order to the family of the fallen Hero of Ukraine, Junior Sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vasyl Polishchuk, who had been defending Ukraine since 2014 and had been performing combat missions in the east of the country. In August 2022, during an enemy offensive in Kharkiv region, he led his subordinate personnel out of the line of fire but sustained a fatal wound. Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Golden Star Order to the family of the serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine, Chief Sergeant Vadym Zhukov, who was posthumously conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine. He has been defending the country since 2014, and since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, he has been performing combat missions in Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, repeatedly distinguishing himself with accurate shots from a grenade launcher. The highest state award was also presented to the family of the fallen Hero of Ukraine, Junior Lieutenant Pavlo Trukhan, who voluntarily joined the ranks of the defenders of the Homeland in February 2022. The commander of a machine gun platoon performed tasks in the east of the country. In April 2023, during an enemy assault on their positions and mortar fire, the warrior evacuated his brothers-in-arms and sustained a fatal wound. Also, the Head of State awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II class, to Senior Lieutenant of the National Guard Oleksandr Sliusar. Senior Lieutenant Vladyslav Roik and Major Dmytro Tarasenko from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as Captain of the National Guard Oleksandr Maliarenko were awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class. The President also presented the Orders "For Courage", III class, and the Orders of Danylo Halytskyi to the servicemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olaf Scholz coordinated positions ahead of the Weimar Triangle leaders' meeting President of Ukraine 14 March 2024 - 17:06 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the head of the German government and the people of Germany for their continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, which was enshrined in the bilateral security agreement. The leaders discussed further political, economic and defense cooperation between Ukraine and Germany. Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the approval by the European Commission of the draft Negotiating Framework on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. "Ukraine has completed all four legislative steps set out by the European Commission in the Enlargement Package, which is the basis for the approval of the Negotiating Framework. Now it is up to the member states. The prompt reaction of our partners will demonstrate their commitment to Ukraine's accession to the EU," the President of Ukraine said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olaf Scholz discussed the development of defense cooperation both at the level of states and at the level of defense companies. Special attention was paid to the issue of localization of defense production in Ukraine. The President also conveyed the priority needs of Ukrainian defenders in armored vehicles, artillery and air defense. He thanked Germany for joining the Czech Republic's efforts to purchase artillery rounds for our country. "We know that there are similar initiatives from our other partners. They should receive the same attention and funding. This will greatly help us to defend our country," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President of Ukraine and the German Chancellor also exchanged views on the outcomes of the conference in support of Ukraine held in Paris on February 26 and coordinated positions ahead of the Weimar Triangle leaders' meeting. On Friday, Olaf Scholz will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Berlin. The leaders also discussed the organization of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC-2024) in Berlin in June. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the participation of the German representative in the efforts to prepare the Global Peace Summit. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak and Anders Fogh Rasmussen held a regular meeting of the International Working Group on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine President of Ukraine 14 March 2024 - 09:29 Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak and NATO Secretary General in 2009-2014, former Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen held a regular online meeting of the International Working Group on Security Issues and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. The interlocutors discussed our country's progress towards integration into the Euro-Atlantic security system and the necessary steps to achieve this. "Inviting Ukraine to join NATO will not lead to an escalation of the war; on the contrary, the absence of an invitation will instigate new escalations. It is important to understand that Putin has already crossed the 'red lines' he is the new Hitler after World War II. There are no rational arguments for him that will make him stop," noted Andriy Yermak. The Head of the Presidential Office also briefed the group on the situation at the front and emphasized the importance of the U.S. Congress's prompt approval of the decision to support Ukraine. Andriy Yermak also spoke about preparations for the first Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland. "Nobody discusses the very idea of the summit anymore; the discussions are about the format, the outcomes, and the documents that can be agreed upon at the summit. And, of course, our fundamental stance is that only countries that respect international law should be present at the inaugural peace summit, which is why Russia will not be invited," he noted. NATO Secretary General in 2009-2014, former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen emphasized the importance of further military support for Ukraine. "Our responsibility is that we are determined to guarantee Ukraine's victory. Otherwise, we risk jeopardizing not just Ukraine but the entire world. Putin insists that this war cannot be won. We cannot accept these Kremlin calls. We must fight back with a bold proposal, which is the goal of our group," said Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He added that the members of the International Working Group should use all available tools to ensure that Ukraine receives everything it needs to protect civilians and soldiers on the front line. Anders Fogh Rasmussen also emphasized the importance of continuing work at the level of NATO member states to achieve positive decisions at the Alliance's summit to be held in Washington. All the attendees spoke in detail about the group's future work and support for Ukraine. On the Ukrainian side, the meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva, and advisors to the Head of the Presidential Office Dariia Zarivna and Oleksandr Bevz. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address German Bundestag rejects providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:06, March 15, 2024 Scholz reiterated his support for Ukraine regarding military equipment but refused to provide Taurus missiles. BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, on Thursday once again vetoed a motion of sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The question has been a key issue in the political debate in recent months. The motion came from the conservative opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Meanwhile, parts of the governing parties -- Social Democratic Party, Greens, and Free Democratic Party -- also support the idea of providing long-range missiles. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday underlined his refusal to supply far-reaching weapon systems to Ukraine. He said the system can only be used if they were linked to the deployment of German soldiers. "That is a line I do not want to cross as Chancellor," he told the Bundestag. The majority of Germans support Scholz on the issue. According to a survey published by public broadcaster ARD last week, 61 percent are against the delivery of Taurus to Ukraine, 9 percentage points up from August last year. Nevertheless, Scholz reiterated his support for Ukraine in terms of military equipment. Also on Thursday, he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky via phone that Germany would continue to support Ukraine in the military sector in close coordination with European and international partners, a German government spokesman said. Considered one of Germany's most modern weapon systems, the Taurus missile is an air-launched missile with an operational range of about 500 km. It travels at almost the speed of sound and flies at an altitude of only 35 meters, which makes it hard for radar systems to detect it, local media reported. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of Class A common stock of Snowflake Inc. (NYSE: SNOW) between September 16, 2020 and March 2, 2022, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important April 29, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Snowflake Class A common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Snowflake class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22950 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 29, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Snowflake had systematically oversold capacity to customers which created a misleading appearance of the demand for Snowflakes products and services; (2) 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; (3) 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; and (4) consequently, Snowflakes product revenue and remaining performance obligations had been artificially inflated leading up to and during the Class Period. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Snowflake class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22950 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ODDITY Tech Ltd. (ODDITY) today announced the pricing of a previously announced underwritten secondary public offering of 4,782,609 of ODDITYs Class A ordinary shares (Ordinary Shares) by a fund managed by L Catterton (the Selling Stockholder) at a price of $43.50 per share. The Selling Stockholder has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 717,391 Ordinary Shares. The offering is expected to close on March 19, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. ODDITY is not selling any Ordinary Shares in the offering and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares being offered by the Selling Stockholder. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Allen & Company LLC and Evercore Group L.L.C. are acting as joint lead book-running managers for the offering. Barclays Capital Inc. is also acting as a lead book-running manager for the offering. Truist Securities, Inc., Citizens JMP Securities, LLC and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. are acting as book-running managers for the offering. The proposed offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the final prospectus related to the offering may be obtained, when available, from: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526, or by email at prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, by telephone at 1-866-803-9204, or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, by telephone at 1-866-718-1649, or by email at prospectus@morganstanley.com. A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2024. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, 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 registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About ODDITY ODDITY is a consumer tech company that builds and scales digital-first brands to disrupt the offline-dominated beauty and wellness industries. The company serves approximately 50 million users with its AI-driven online platform, deploying data science to identify consumer needs, and developing solutions in the form of beauty and wellness products. ODDITY owns IL MAKIAGE and SpoiledChild. The company operates with business headquarters in New York City, an R&D center in Tel Aviv, Israel, and a biotechnology lab in Boston. Contacts Press: Michael Braun michaelb@oddity.com Investor: investors@oddity.com Omaha, Nebraska, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a remarkable display of digital mastery, Websnoogie, LLC, a leader in Omaha web design, SEO, and web hosting services, has been honored with the prestigious "The Best of Omaha" award in the web hosting category. This accolade celebrates the company's dedication to providing superior web solutions, enhancing the digital footprint of businesses throughout Omaha. "Websnoogie has a robust infrastructure so while affordable, customer satisfaction is excellent," according to the CEO, Rod Atwood. "It's the quality of our products, customer service, and the price point that has made Websnoogie such a great company. Our team consists of select designers and technicians that strive to create, host, and market for customers," says Rod. "The price point attracts customers, but it is our down to earth attitude, knowledge base, and speed of response that keeps them with us, We really go all out for the customer, and what separates Websnoogie from other web hosting companies are things that you have to pay for with other companies, we include with our web hosting packages," adds Rod. Websnoogie's web hosting also is unique by offering free web design assistance to clients. "If it is a small problem with HTML or CSS, we will go in and fix it on the spot. Customers love these extras." Rod Atwood added. The company currently hosts many client locations in the Omaha area. "Recent upgrades to the architecture allow us to easily scale our customer's business. We now can provide web hosting for anything from a single page, to large enterprise accounts." "Since switching to the platform, our SEO performance has increased," says Gary, who is an owner of a computer company in Omaha, Nebraska, and a Websnoogie customer. Focusing on Omaha SEO, Websnoogie has become a leader in the Omaha marketing industry. Websnoogie proactively meshes web services with a focus on customer satisfaction and retention. The company had previously won "The Best of Omaha" for consumers and was pleased to have won "The Best of Omaha B2B". One of their past marketing slogans was "Do you want to Websnoogie?" and the answer is many customers do appreciate and recommend their services every day. As Websnoogie continues to grow, it is proving to be a formidable contender in the hosting technology sector nationwide. Websnoogie, LLC stands out for its exceptional Omaha web hosting services, known for unparalleled reliability, swift performance, and robust security. Their hosting solutions are designed to meet the critical demands of uptime, speed, and security, ensuring Omaha businesses thrive online. With state-of-the-art data centers, Websnoogie promises consistent availability and optimal website performance, backed by comprehensive redundancy and backup systems. Websnoogie delivers with advanced caching, CDN, and cutting-edge servers, resulting in fast-loading websites that enhance user experience and SEO. Security-wise, they employ rigorous measures like software updates, firewalls, and malware scanning to safeguard websites against cyber threats. Beyond the technical aspects of hosting, Websnoogie differentiates itself by offering a suite of value-added services that complement its web hosting packages. From free website migrations and domain registrations to integrated email solutions and one-click installs of popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Websnoogie provides clients with tools and resources that streamline website management and development. These added benefits not only make Websnoogies hosting solutions more attractive but also provide tangible value to businesses looking to grow and succeed online. The prowess of Websnoogie's web design is further amplified by its mastery of user experience (UX) principles. Recognizing that the success of a website extends beyond aesthetics, the team prioritizes functionality, ease of navigation, and user engagement. Websites designed by Websnoogie are characterized by intuitive layouts, seamless user journeys, and responsive designs that ensure optimal viewing across devices. This meticulous attention to UX enhances user satisfaction, drives engagement, and ultimately, contributes to higher conversion rates. Its this commitment to creating user-centered designs that sets Websnoogie apart and cements its status as a leader in web design in Omaha. At the heart of Websnoogies web design excellence is its collaborative process, which emphasizes client involvement at every stage. The company believes that the best outcomes are achieved through partnership and open communication. From the initial concept discussions to the final design revisions, clients are encouraged to share their insights, feedback, and visions. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product accurately reflects the client's needs while benefiting from Websnoogies expertise and creative input. Its this balance of professional guidance and personalized service that has led to numerous successful projects and satisfied clients in Omaha for web design. Websnoogies SEO process begins with in-depth keyword research, identifying the terms and phrases that are most relevant and profitable for their clients' businesses. By leveraging advanced tools and analytics, Websnoogie uncovers the keywords that Omaha-based customers are using to search for products and services. This meticulous approach to keyword selection is fundamental to crafting Omaha SEO strategies that not only increase traffic but also attract the right kind of visitorsthose most likely to convert. Websnoogie excels at creating optimized, high-quality content that engages and informs. Recognizing that search engines favor websites that offer valuable content, Websnoogie works closely with its clients to develop informative blogs, articles, and website copy that reflect their brand while incorporating targeted keywords seamlessly. This content strategy not only enhances website relevance in the eyes of search engines but also provides a better user experience for visitors, fostering trust and authority in the Omaha market. As a beacon of digital excellence in Omaha, Websnoogie, LLC's award signifies more than just an achievement in web hosting; it's a celebration of their prowess in web design and SEO. The company continues to champion the growth of Omaha businesses, inviting all to embark on a journey toward unparalleled online success. Discover how Websnoogie, LLC's award-winning Omaha web design, SEO, and hosting services can transform your business's digital narrative. Partner with a team that is as invested in your success as you are. The Best of Omaha Award Rooted in a tradition of acknowledging local business excellence, "The Best of Omaha" award shines a spotlight on companies that demonstrate outstanding service and community contribution. Websnoogie, LLC's recognition in this category underscores its impactful role in elevating Omaha's web hosting, design, and SEO landscape. About Websnoogie, LLC Websnoogie, LLC was established with a mission to revolutionize the online presence of businesses by offering top-tier Omaha web hosting, web design, and SEO services. The company's commitment to excellence and innovation has not only carved a niche in the digital services domain but also earned it the distinguished "The Best of Omaha" award. About Leadership Rod Atwood, CEO of Websnoogie, LLC, expressed his gratitude and vision, stating, "Winning 'The Best of Omaha' in web hosting is a testament to our team's relentless pursuit of excellence in web hosting, web design and SEO. We are honored to serve the Omaha community and remain committed to driving forward the digital success of our clients You also can see more about Websnoogie winning the Best of Omaha B2B in the announcements on our web hosting platform. Connect with Websnoogie: Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Alignable Google Media Contact: Tami Atwood, Office Administrator tami@websnoogie.com 402-813-4034 (option #3) Websnoogie, LLC Brooklyn, NY, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ship Essential , the high touch local fulfillment company, today announces the acquisition of Carry, the innovative same-day local delivery startup. By adding Carrys mobile sorting breakthroughs, New York brands can fulfill online orders faster and more affordably. Carrys inventive and scalable approach to local delivery fits right in with Ship Essentials high touch fulfillment ethos, said Ship Essential Founder, David J Sitt. As New York brands set global trends, Ship Essential meets their logistical needs in todays fast paced global economy. Speed Matters Hyperlocal same-day fulfillment starts with Carry's real-time order ingestion by integrating with multiple e-commerce platforms. Carry picks up orders from retailers and warehouse locations, including Ship Essential's Brooklyn facility. Next, those orders are sorted in vans on the go, meeting drivers at strategic metro locations for seamless delivery. For same-day delivery to online shoppers in New York City, there is nothing that compares to Carrys innovative approach, said Sidra Qasim , co-founder and CEO of Atoms . Adding Carry to the Ship Essential line-up provides Atoms with a one-stop-shop for a thoughtful and hands on fulfillment solution helping increase customer satisfaction and retention. Simply put, my kids and I could not have launched Roll Rider as simply and effectively as we did this holiday season without Carry and Ship Essential, said Jennifer Fleiss , co-founder of Rent the Runway and partner at Initialized Capital. We needed a reliable and nimble same-day service for our pre-ordered launch and between Carrys innovation and Ship Essentials hands-on approach, our first family launch went off without a hitch. Progressive Fulfillment Fulfillment can make or break a brand depending on the resulting customer experience. No longer can nimble retail startups nor established brands take a commodity approach to retain todays discerning omnichannel consumer. Ship Essential was founded on the belief that every aspect of fulfillment is ready for improvement. Todays innovative brands are leaving outdated 3PLs and low-touch fulfillment providers and turning to Ship Essentials progressive approach for many reasons - High Touch - prompt communication to meet needs in a timely manner. SKU flexibility - progressive brands dont have to worry about SKU limits. Local - products are closer to customers than traditional 3PLs. Comprehensive Fulfillment - omnichannel, from-store, replenishment (retail store, pop-up, trade-show, product launches) Returns - integration with industry leading Loop Returns Services Other 3PLs cant do - Ship From Store, Same Day Delivery About Ship Essential Ship Essential is an innovative, high touch retail fulfillment company founded in 2020 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. Ship Essential has over 50 employees and is expanding to the west coast to help modernize global fulfillment from a hyperlocal perspective. For more information go to www.ShipEssential.com ### Dublin, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Philippines Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Philippines data center market is expected to reach a value of $1.61 billion by 2029 from $750 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 13.58% from 2023-2029 This report analyses the Philippines data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments. The Philippines data center market is witnessing growth due to significant digitalization, strong fiber connectivity, growing adoption of technologies like AI, and other factors. Public and private organizations are investing in data centers in the country due to the growing need for cloud services, 5G, artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). In terms of 5G connectivity, in the Philippines, telecom operators such as PLDT, Globe Telecom, and DITO Telecommunication have been offering commercial 5G services across the country. Connectivity is significantly growing in the Philippines data center market. The Philippines has around 18 existing submarine cables connecting the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The country also has 11 upcoming submarine cables that are expected to go live in 2026. The growing investment opportunities in the Philippines data center market have attracted several new entrants to invest in the market, including ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, Edge Centres, Digital Halo, and others. Renewable energy is experiencing significant expansion in the Philippines. The government actively utilizes abundant renewable resources to achieve its environmental sustainability objectives. In line with this trend, data center operators in the nation are anticipated to adopt renewable energy sources to power their operations. The Philippines data center market has the presence of several global IT infrastructure providers, such as Atos, Broadcom, Fujitsu, Dell Technologies, Cisco Systems, IBM, and others, which has led to an increase in the availability of advanced IT infrastructure in the market. The Philippines data center market has the presence of local and global construction contractors who have catered to several data center projects over the years. For instance, In 2023, ePLDT signed a contract with MACE to develop their data center facility in the Philippines. WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH? Market size regarding investment, area, power capacity, and Philippines colocation market revenue is available. An assessment of the data center investment in the Philippines by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country. A detailed study of the existing Philippines data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about market size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in the Philippines Facilities Covered (Existing): 22 Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 15 Coverage: 7+ Cities Existing vs. Upcoming (Area) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity) Data Center Colocation Market in the Philippines Colocation Market Revenue & Forecast (2023-2029) Wholesale vs. Retail Colocation Revenue (2023-2029) Retail Colocation Pricing Wholesale Colocation Pricing The Philippines data center market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry. Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry. A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 109 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $750 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $1610 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.5% Regions Covered Philippines VENDOR LANDSCAPE IT INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS Atos Broadcom Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Fujitsu Hewlett Packard Enterprise Huawei Technologies IBM Lenovo NetApp Oracle Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors Arup Aurecon Comfac Data Center Design Corporation (DCDC) First Balfour Gensler JSLA Architects Leighton Mace PRONET Red Engineering Syska Hennessy Group Thornton Tomasett Support Infrastructure Providers ABB Caterpillar Cummins Cyber Power Systems Eaton Fuji Electric KOHLER Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Rolls-Royce Schneider Electric Vertiv ZTE Data Center Investors Beeinfotech Bitstop Network Services Digital Edge DITO Telecommunity ePLDT Globe Telecom New Entrants Ayala Land & FLOW Digital Infrastructure Converge ICT Solutions Digital Halo Edge Centres EdgeConneX Megawide Construction Corporation SpaceDC ST Telemedia Global Data Centres YCO Cloud EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Manila Other Cities List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Manila Other Cities REPORT COVERAGE IT Infrastructure Servers Storage Systems Network Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgears PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Rack Cabinets Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers Other Cooling Units General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & Commissioning Services Engineering & Building Design Fire Detection & Suppression Systems Physical Security Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Tier Standard Tier I & Tier II Tier III Tier IV For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8bjnbj About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment FILE - Former President Donald Trump leaves Manhattan criminal court, Feb. 15, 2024, in New York. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed Friday, March 16, to delay former President Donald Trumps hush-money criminal trial in New York until mid-April after his lawyers said they needed more time to sift through new evidence. Mary Altaffer/AP Judge Juan Merchan poses for a picture in his chambers in New York, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Merchan could become the first judge ever to oversee a former U.S. presidents criminal trial. He's presiding over Donald Trumps hush money case in New York. Seth Wenig/AP Judge Juan Merchan poses for a picture in his chambers in New York, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Merchan could become the first judge ever to oversee a former U.S. presidents criminal trial. He's presiding over Donald Trumps hush money case in New York. Seth Wenig/AP NEW YORK (AP) Donald Trumps New York hush-money criminal trial was delayed Friday until at least mid-April as the judge seeks answers about a last-minute evidence dump that the former president's lawyers said has hampered their ability to prepare their defense. Manhattan Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to a 30-day delay starting Friday and scheduled a hearing for March 25 after Trump's lawyers complained that they only recently started receiving more than 100,000 pages of documents from a previous federal investigation into the matter. The trial had been scheduled to start on March 25. The delay means the trial would start no earlier than April 15. Prosecutors had said they wouldn't object to a short delay. Trumps lawyers have requested a three-month delay as well as asking for the case to be thrown out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement Friday, the Trump campaign continued to argue that the case has no basis in law or fact, and should be dismissed. In a letter Friday, Merchan told Manhattan prosecutors and Trump's defense team that he wanted to assess who, if anyone, is at fault for the late production of the documents, whether it hurt either side and whether any sanctions are warranted. The judge demanded a timeline of events detailing when the documents were requested and when they were turned over. He also wants all correspondence between the Manhattan district attorney's office, which is prosecuting Trump, and the U.S. attorneys office, which previously investigated the matter in 2018. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Manhattan district attorney's office declined comment. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche also declined comment. Merchan's decision upended what had been on track to be the first of Trump's four criminal indictments to go to trial. Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has fought to delay all of his criminal cases, arguing that he shouldn't be forced into a courtroom while he should be on the campaign trial. Trumps lawyers raised the evidence issue last week, though their court filing wasn't made public until Thursday. In their motion, they made multiple requests. Among them, they asked for a 90-day delay, which would push the start of the trial into the early summer; that certain witness testimony be precluded; and that Trump's charges be dismissed. Prosecutors said they were ready to proceed to trial on March 25, but were OK with a 30-day adjournment "in an abundance of caution and to ensure that defendant has sufficient time to review the new materials." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trial on this matter is adjourned for 30 days from the date of this letter on consent of the People, Merchan wrote, referring to the prosecution. The Court will set the new trial date, if necessary, when it rules on Defendants motion following the hearing. Merchan said his prior directive that the parties, including Trump, not engage or otherwise enter into any commitment pending completion of this trial remains in effect. Trumps lawyers said they have received tens of thousands of pages of evidence in the last two weeks from the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan, which investigated the hush money arrangement while Trump was president. The evidence includes records about former Trump lawyer-turned-prosecution witness Michael Cohen that are exculpatory and favorable to the defense, Trumps lawyers said. Prosecutors said most of the newly turned over material is largely irrelevant to the subject matter of this case, though some records are pertinent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The hush money case centers on allegations that Trump falsified his companys records to hide the true nature of payments to Cohen, who paid porn actor Stormy Daniels $130,000 during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump years earlier. Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels. His lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and were not part of any cover-up. Prosecutors contend Trumps lawyers caused the evidence problem by waiting until Jan. 18 a mere nine weeks before the scheduled start of jury selection to subpoena the U.S. attorneys office for the full case file. District Attorney Alvin Braggs office said it requested the full file last year but the U.S. attorneys office only turned over a subset of records. Trumps lawyers received that material last June and had ample time to seek additional evidence from the federal probe, the district attorneys office said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Short trial delays because of issues with evidence arent unusual, but any delay in a case involving Trump would be significant, with trial dates in his other criminal cases up in the air and Election Day less than eight months away. The defense has also sought to delay the trial until after the Supreme Court rules on Trumps presidential immunity claims, which his lawyers say could apply to some of the allegations and evidence in the hush money case. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments April 25. Trump has repeatedly sought to postpone his criminal trials while he campaigns to retake the White House. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TORONTO, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copper Road Resources Inc. (TSXV: CRD) (Copper Road or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has negotiated the settlement of $190,068.25 related to accounts payable for professional services in consideration for the issuance of 3,801,365 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.05 per common share. The debt settlement is subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. The common shares to be issued pursuant to the debt settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period which will expire four months and one day from the date of closing of the debt settlement. About Copper Road Resources Copper Road Resources (TSXV: CRD) is a Canadian based explorer engaged in the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of properties for the mining of precious and base metals. The Company is exploring for large copper/gold deposits on the 24,000-hectare Batchewana Bay Project, 80 km north of Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada. For more information, please contact: Mark Goodman, Chairman Cellular: 416.324.9613 Email: mgoodman@libralithium.com Web: www.copperroad.ca Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of PSQ Holdings, Inc. (PSQ or the Company) (NYSE: PSQH). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether PSQ 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 March 14, 2024, PSQ disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that management identified a classification error, between financing activities and operating activities in the Companys Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, which the Company filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023 (the Third Quarter Form 10-Q). The Company previously classified cash outflows associated with transaction costs incurred in connection with the Business Combination as a financing activity. Based on the predominance principle in ASC 240, Statement of Cash Flows, the Company determined that these cash outflows should be classified within operating activities in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Accordingly, PSQ determined that the financial statements at issue, as well as any reports, related earnings releases, investor presentations or similar communications of the [financial statements], should no longer be relied upon. On this news, PSQs stock price fell $0.18 per share, or 3.72%, to close at $4.66 per share on March 14, 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. NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Methode Electronics Inc. (Methode or the Company) (NYSE: MEI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Methode 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 July 14, 2023, Methode announced that [o]n July 10, 2023, Joseph Khoury was placed on leave from his position as Chief Operating Officer . . . , and his powers, authority and duties as such officer of the Company were suspended. On this news, Methodes stock price fell $0.53 per share, or 1.57%, to close at $33.27 per share on July 14, 2023. Then, on December 7, 2023, Methode announced that the Company had removed Joseph Khoury from his position as Chief Operating Officer and terminated him as an employee. On this news, Methodes stock price fell $2.27 per share, or 9.27%, to close at $22.13 per share on December 7, 2023. Then, on March 7, 2024, Methode announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended on January 27, 2024. The Company reported third-quarter non-GAAP earnings per share of -$0.33, missing expectations by $0.41, and revenue of $259.5 million, missing expectations 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 this news, Methodes stock price fell $6.55 per share, or 31.13%, to close at $14.49 per share on March 7, 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 dpeyton@pomlaw.com 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 Today the Government Debt Management on behalf of the Treasury and primary dealers signed agreements regarding Issuance and Market Making in Treasury securities. The objective of the agreements is to maintain the Treasurys access to financing, to enhance price formation in the secondary market for Treasury securities and promote an active system of benchmark issues in Iceland. As of 1 April 2024, five financial institutions have been appointed as primary dealers in Treasury securities. They are: Arion Banki hf., Fossar Investment Bank hf., Islandsbanki hf., Kvika banki hf. and Landsbankinn hf. The following bullet points describe the main content of the Agreement: Primary dealers have exclusive access to auctions of Treasury securities. Primary dealers have exclusive access to special facilities such as repurchase agreements offered by the Government Debt Management on behalf of the Treasury. Primary dealers are obliged to submit bids at each auction for a minimum of 100 m.kr. nominal value. Primary dealers are Market Makers in the secondary market for government bond series. They are obliged to submit bid and ask offers on the stock exchange for at least 60 to 100 m.kr. nominal value in each benchmark series (as laid out in the agreements). Primary dealers are in their bid and ask quotes governed by maximum spreads as laid out in the agreements. Primary dealers are obliged to renew their offers within ten minutes after execution of transaction. The primary dealer is entitled to depart from the maximum spread requirement if certain conditions are fulfilled. The agreement is valid from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Further information can be obtained from Bjorgvin Sighvatsson, head of the Government Debt Management at +354 569 9600. NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (Bristol Myers or the Company) (NYSE: BMY). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Bristol Myers 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 March 13, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted briefing documents in advance of meeting of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee, scheduled for March 15, 2024, regarding Bristol Myerss CAR-T cell therapy Abecma. The briefing documents noted that Abecma was linked to earlier deaths, citing late-stage clinical trial data submitted by Bristol Myers. On this news, Bristol Myerss stock price fell $1.75 per share, or 3.22%, to close at $52.65 per share on March 13, 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. Dublin, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Data Center Colocation Market - Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The data center colocation market was valued at USD 30.42 billion in 2022 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.25% from 2022 to 2028, reaching USD 46.3 billion in 2028 The European data center colocation market is attracting substantial investments, with Western Europe drawing the focus of those global operators seeking to extend their presence. Furthermore, favorable policies make the Nordics an attractive hub for investments. The major contributors to green data center development in Latin America include Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay; these countries' data center operators and governments are working toward adopting renewable energy and other measures. In Central and Eastern Europe, data center operators are securing land for new facilities or repurposing existing buildings to meet the growing demands for infrastructure. Over USD 450 million was invested in Central & Eastern European countries in 2022. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are the major contributors to power capacity in the Middle East & Africa region, accounting for a share of around 24% and 16%, respectively. The data center colocation market in these countries is expected to skyrocket in four to five years due to the shift from the oil economy to the digital economy. In addition, South Africa is the major contributor to power capacity in Africa, accounting for a share of over 60%; Nigeria and Kenya follow this. Cloud-based services, smart city developments, and fiber connectivity are the other factors driving continuous colocation data center investments across the region. The Middle East & Africa market is continuously growing in terms of connectivity by deploying new submarine cables, such as Africa-1, 2Africa, India Europe Xpress (IEX), Raman, Saudi Vision, Blue, Equiano, Medusa Submarine Cable System, and SeaMeWe - 6, which will be ready for services during the forecast period. Data centers in the Middle East & Africa region invest in cooling infrastructure due to the prevalence of high temperatures in some countries. In 2022 cooling systems accounted for over 65% of the total mechanical infrastructure. KEY MARKET TRENDS Growing Focus on Sustainability Companies in the global data center colocation market focus on using renewable energy as their main power source. Operators are planning to reduce environmental harm by using clean energy solutions. This change is part of a larger trend in the industry to adopt renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, to run data centers and other infrastructure. 5G Deployments Fueling Edge Data Center Demand 5G network deployments have fueled digital transformation, the growth of IoT and smart cities, and the fourth industrial revolution. All the regions are working toward adopting digital transformation to attract foreign investments. Rapid investments in 5G technology have increased the demand for high-bandwidth internet in Tier II and Tier III cities and contributed to substantial data volume. These factors have accelerated data center developments to process the information at par with the major countries and supported the data center colocation market growth. The deployment of 5G services has impacted the ICT, government, manufacturing, services, agriculture, and retail industries. 5G network services play a key role in supporting enterprise digitalization, thereby driving the adoption of IoT applications. Adoption of Advanced IT Infrastructure in Data Centers Data centers are equipped with servers and network and storage solutions. Traditional IT infrastructure constantly influences the data center industry as it requires more physical space and is more expensive, resulting in a drop in demand. Converged infrastructure is a hardware platform where servers with internal or external storage options and network switches are offered as integrated rack-scale systems. ARM is a chip technology firm that creates intellectual property, which other firms license to form their processor chips. An ARM server is an enterprise-class computer server that employs many ARM processors rather than a traditional processor. Server virtualization divides the physical server into multiple and isolated servers using various software applications. Server virtualization is widely adopted in the data center colocation market since a single physical server can host dozens of applications as virtual machines instead of hosting each application in its designated server, reducing recurring technology expenses by 50%. Surge in Rack Power Density Rack power density is one of the critical factors in data center design, capacity planning, cooling, and power provisioning. Over the past few years, an unprecedented rise in the rack power density of IT equipment has been observed. The adoption of compute-intensive workloads, such as AI, IoT, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and the popular cryptocurrency mining trend have increased the data storage and processing requirements, necessitating high-density racks. The surge in demand for High-Performance Computing (HPC), led by the adoption of converged and hyper-converged solutions and virtualization techniques, will contribute to the rise in rack power density to an average of 10 to 12 kW during the forecast period. The growth in rack power density has propelled the use of innovative and flexible facility designs along with augmenting the adoption of rack-level UPS solutions and diverse electricity feeds for racks. Market Growth Enablers Growing M&A and Joint Ventures in the Market Growing Submarine & Inland Connectivity Big Data & IoT Fueling Data Center Investments Government Support for Data Center Developments Market Restraints Rising Carbon Emissions from Data Centers Location Constraints on Data Center Development Concerns of Power Availability Challenges Lack of Skilled Data Center Professionals Security Challenges in Data Centers High Maintenance Costs & Inefficiencies Supply Chain Disruptions Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 980 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $30.42 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $46.3 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.2% Regions Covered Global SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS Segmentation by Colocation Services Retail Colocation Wholesale Colocation Segmentation by Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure General Construction Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgear PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Segmentation by Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers Economizers & Evaporative Coolers Other Cooling Units Segmentation by Cooling Techniques Air-based Cooling Liquid-based Cooling Segmentation by General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & Commissioning Services Engineering & Building Design Fire Detection & Suppression Physical Security DCIM/BMS Solutions VENDOR LANDSCAPE Wholesale and retail colocation vendors are expected to thrive in the future due to the increased demand in the market. Various sectors, including BFSI, IT/telecom, and cloud, drive the demand for colocation services. The global data center colocation market has grown significantly over the last few years, with investments from global, regional, and data center operators. The development of hyperscale data center campuses in all regions will bring in a significant revenue opportunity for vendors that offer the fastest-growing technologies, such as liquid immersion cooling, direct-to-chip cooling, lithium-ion UPS, HVO generators, microgrid technologies, renewable power solutions, and net-zero water data centers. Prominent Data Center Investors China Mobile International China Telecom China Unicom Chindata Group CoreSite CyrusOne Digital Realty EdgeConneX Equinix GDS Services NTT Data STACK Infrastructure ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Vantage Data Centers VNET Other Prominent Vendors 365 Data Centers AdaniConneX Africa Data Centres AirTrunk Aligned Data Centers American Tower Atman atNorth AT TOKYO Aruba Big Data Exchange CDC Data Centres Center3 Chayora CloudHQ Cologix Colt Data Centre Services Compass Datacenters COPT Data Center Solutions CtrlS Datacenters Cyxtera Technologies DATA4 DataBank DC BLOX DCI Indonesia Edge Centres ePLDT Flexential Global Switch Green Mountain Gulf Data Hub H5 Data Centers HostDime Iron Mountain Internet Thailand KDDI Keppel Data Centres Khazna Data Centers LG Uplus MettaDC NEXTDC Open Access Data Centres Orange Business Services Princeton Digital Group QTS Realty Trust Rostelecom Data Centers Sabey Data Centers Skybox Datacenters Stream Data Centers Scala Data Centers Sify Technologies SUNeVison Holdings (iAdvantage) Switch T5 Data Centers Tenglong Holding Group TierPoint Turkcell Urbacon Data Centre Solutions Viettel IDC Wingu Yondr Yotta Infrastructure New Entrants AQ Compute Corscale Data Centers Gaw Capital Partners EDGNEX Data Centres by DAMAC ESR Gatineau Data Hub (GDH) iMCritical IXAfrica Kasi Cloud PowerHouse Data Centers Quantum Loophole QScale YCO Cloud YTL Data Center For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6te5ek About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif., March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Malaga Financial Corporation (OTCPink:MLGF) announced today the declaration of a cash dividend in the amount of 25 cents per share to shareholders of record on March 26, 2024. The dividend will be paid out on or about April 2, 2024. Randy C. Bowers, Chairman, President and CEO, remarked, We are pleased to reward our loyal shareholders with this 25-cent quarterly dividend which represents a 4.39% annualized yield based on our most recent closing price of $22.80. We are grateful for the efforts of our colleagues which has positioned us to declare this 79th consecutive quarterly cash dividend. Malaga Bank, a subsidiary of Malaga Financial Corporation, is a full-service community bank headquartered on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with six offices located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. For over fifteen years Malaga Bank has been consistently recommended by one of the nations leading independent bank rating and research firms, Bauer Financial Inc. Malaga Bank was awarded Bauers premier Top 5-Star rating for the 65th consecutive quarter as of December 2023. Since 1985, Malaga Bank has been delivering competitive consecutive banking services to residents and businesses of the South Bay, including real estate loan products custom-tailored to consumers and investors. As the largest community bank in the South Bay, Malaga is proud of its continuing tradition of relationship-based banking and legendary customer service. The Banks web site is located at www.malagabank.com . NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 newaction@pomlaw.com 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, BATs 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 dpeyton@pomlaw.com 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM or the Company) (NYSE: ADM). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com 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 ADM 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 ADM 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 21, 2024, ADM announced that on January 19, 2024, the Companys Board had place[d] Vikram Luthar, the Companys Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, on administrative leave, effective immediately. ADM stated that Mr. Luthars leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for the Company and the Boards Audit Committee regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to the Companys Nutrition reporting segment, including as related to certain intersegment transactions and that [t]he investigation was initiated in response to the Companys receipt of a voluntary document request by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). On this news, ADMs stock price fell $16.50 per share, or 24.2%, to close at $51.69 per share on January 22, 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. DENVER, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) announced today that its Board of Directors appointed Ms. Robin Doyle as a Director of the Company, effective March 18, 2024. Doyle will serve on the Audit & Risk Committee. Doyles distinguished career in international financial services has spanned over three decades with a focus in finance, regulatory affairs and risk management. She spent 28 years at J.P. Morgan in several senior management roles including managing director in their Office of Regulatory Affairs, and chief financial officer for the firms risk management organization. After retiring from J.P. Morgan in 2021, Doyle started her own consulting firm focused on strengthening clients data and risk management capabilities. Doyle is on the board of Dress for Success Center New Jersey and serves as a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Finance Committee. She has served as a founding board member of the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation, a founding board member for the Rutgers Business School Center for Women in Business, the Rutgers Business School Deans Advisory Board, the board of New Jersey Junior Achievement, and the board of Easter Seals of New Jersey. Doyle has an MBA in Finance and a BS in Accounting from Rutgers University and she is certified as a CPA. Tim Laney, the Companys Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, We are pleased to welcome Robin to our Board of Directors. Her strong audit and risk background complements the skills and experience of our established Board. We believe she will bring valuable insight as we continue to be vigilant around protecting our organization, our clients, and our communities. About National Bank Holdings Corporation National Bank Holdings Corporation is a bank holding company created to build a leading community bank franchise, delivering high quality client service and committed to stakeholder results. Through its bank subsidiaries, NBH Bank and Bank of Jackson Hole Trust, National Bank Holdings Corporation operates a network of over 90 banking centers, serving individual consumers, small, medium and large businesses, and government and non-profit entities. Its banking centers are located in its core footprint of Colorado, the greater Kansas City region, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico and Idaho. Its comprehensive residential mortgage banking group primarily serves the banks core footprint. Its trust and wealth management business is operated in its core footprint under the Bank of Jackson Hole Trust charter. NBH Bank operates under a single state charter through the following brand names as divisions of NBH Bank: in Colorado, Community Banks of Colorado and Community Banks Mortgage; in Kansas and Missouri, Bank Midwest and Bank Midwest Mortgage; in Texas, Utah, New Mexico and Idaho, Hillcrest Bank and Hillcrest Bank Mortgage; and in Wyoming, Bank of Jackson Hole and Bank of Jackson Hole Mortgage. Additional information about National Bank Holdings Corporation can be found at www.nationalbankholdings.com. For more information visit: cobnks.com, bankmw.com, hillcrestbank.com, bankofjacksonhole.com, or nbhbank.com, or connect with any of our brands on LinkedIn. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. FILE - TurboTax is displayed in a Costco warehouse in Pittsburgh on Jan. 26, 2023. It's tax season in the U.S., and for many people, filing tax returns can be a daunting task that's often left until the last minute. Gene J. Puskar/AP NEW YORK (AP) It's tax season in the U.S., and for many people, filing tax returns can be a daunting task thats often left until the last minute. But if you want to avoid the stress of the looming deadline, start getting organized as soon as possible. Whether you do your taxes yourself, go to a tax clinic or hire a professional, navigating the tax system can be complicated and stressful. Courtney Alev, a consumer financial advocate for Credit Karma, recommends you go easy on yourself. Take a breath. Take some time, set out an hour, or go through it over the weekend. Youll hopefully see that its a lot simpler than you think, Alev said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you find the process too confusing, there are plenty of free resources to help you get through it. Here are some things you need to know: WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO FILE TAXES? Taxpayers have until April 15 to submit their returns from 2023. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WHAT DO I NEED TO FILE MY TAX RETURN? While the required documents might depend on your individual case, here is a general list of what everyone needs: Social Security number W-2 forms, if you are employed Advertisement Article continues below this ad 1099-G, if you are unemployed 1099 forms, if you are self-employed Savings and investment records Any eligible deduction, such as educational expenses, medical bills, charitable donations, etc. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tax credits, such as child tax credit, retirement savings contributions credit, etc. To find a more detailed document list, visit the IRS website. Tom OSaben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, recommends gathering all of your documents in one place before you start your tax return and also having your documents from last year if your financial situation has drastically changed. OSaben also recommends taxpayers create an identity protection PIN number with the IRS to guard against identity theft. Once you create a number, the IRS will require it to file your tax return. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HOW DO I FILE MY TAXES? You can either file your taxes online or on paper. However, there is a great time difference between the two options. Paper filing can take up to six months for the IRS to process, while electronic filing cuts it down to three weeks. WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE? The IRS is piloting a program where you can file your federal taxes online for free called Direct File. This program is now available in 12 states, which include California and New York, and for people who have very simple W-2s, an employees wage and tax statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aside from Direct File, IRS offers free guided tax preparation that does the math for you. This is available for people who make $79,000 or less per year. If you have questions while working on your tax forms, the IRS also offers an interactive tax assistant tool that can provide answers based on your information. Beyond the popular companies such as TurboTax and H&R Block, taxpayers can also hire licensed professionals, such as certified public accountants. The IRS offers a directory of tax preparers across the United States. The IRS also funds two types of programs that offer free tax help: VITA and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program (TCE). People who earn $64,000 or less a year, have disabilities or are limited English speakers, qualify for the VITA program. Those who are 60 or older, qualify for the TCE program. The IRS has a site for locating organizations hosting VITA and TCE clinics. If you have a tax problem, there are clinics around the country that can help you resolve these issues. Generally, these tax clinics also offer services in other languages such as Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HOW CAN I AVOID MISTAKES IN MY TAX RETURN? Many people fear getting in trouble with the IRS if they make a mistake. Heres how to avoid some of the most common ones: Double check your name on your Social Security card. When working with clients, OSaben always asks them to bring their Social Security card to double-check their number and their legal name, which can change when when people get married. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You may have changed your name but you didnt change it with Social Security, OSaben said. If the Social Security number doesnt match to the first four letters of the last name, the return will be rejected and that will delay processing. Search for tax statements when you have opted out of paper mail. Many people like to opt out of snail mail but when you do, it can also include your tax documents. If you didnt get anything in the mail doesnt mean that there isnt an information document out there that you need to be aware of and report accordingly, OSaben said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Make sure you report all of your income. If you had more than one job in 2023, you need the W-2 forms of each. WHAT ABOUT THE CHILD INCOME CREDIT? Earlier this year, Congress announced a bipartisan agreement to enhance the current child tax credit. Currently, the tax credit is $2,000 per child, but only $1,600 is refundable. The bill would incrementally increase the maximum refundable child tax credit to $1,800 for 2023 tax returns, $1,900 for the following year and $2,000 for 2025 tax returns. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If this agreement goes through, around 16 million children in low-income families would benefit from this child tax credit expansion, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Lawmakers are hoping to move this bill as soon as possible. WHAT IF I MAKE A MISTAKE? Mistakes happen, and the IRS takes different approaches depending on each case. In general, if you make a mistake or youre missing something in your tax records, the IRS will audit you, Alev said. An audit means that the IRS will ask you for more documentation. Generally, they are very understanding and willing to work with folks. Youre not going to get arrested if you type in the wrong field, Alev said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WHAT IF I HAVENT FILED FOR YEARS? You can file taxes late and, if you were supposed to get a refund, you might still get it. If you havent filed for years and you owe money to the IRS, you may be hit with penalties but the agency will can work with you to manage payment plans. HOW CAN I AVOID SCAMS? Tax season is prime time for tax scams, said OSaben. These scams can come via phone, text, email and social media. The IRS uses none of those means to contact taxpayers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sometimes scams are even operated by tax preparers so its important to ask lots of questions. If a tax preparer says you will get a refund that is larger than what youve received in previous years, for example, that may be a red flag, OSaben said. If you cant see what your tax preparer is working on, get a copy of the tax return and ask questions about each of the entries. HOW LONG SHOULD I KEEP COPIES OF MY TAX RETURNS? Its always good practice to keep a record of your tax returns, just in case the IRS audits you for an item you reported years ago. OSaben recommend keeping copies of your tax return documents for up to seven years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HOW DO I FILE A TAX EXTENSION? If you run out of time to file your tax return, you can file for an extension. However, it is important to remember that the extension is only to file your taxes, not to pay them. If you owe taxes, you should pay an estimated amount before the deadline so you avoid paying penalties and interest. If you expect to receive a refund, you will still receive your money when you file your taxes. Filing an extension will give you until Oct. 15 to file your taxes. You can file for an extension through your tax software or preparer of preference, the IRS Free File tool or via mail. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU FILE TAXES LATE? Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you missed the tax deadline and you dont file for an extension, there are several penalties that you might receive. If you missed the deadline you might receive a failure-to-file penalty. This penalty will be 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month the tax return is late, according to the IRS. If you owe taxes and you didnt pay them prior to the tax deadline, you will receive a failure-to-pay penalty. Interest will also be charged on both taxes and penalties owed. If you are due for a refund, you will not receive a penalty and you will receive your tax return payment. If you had special circumstances that meant you were unable to file or pay your taxes on time, you might be able to remove or reduce your penalty. If the amount of taxes you owe becomes too large, you can apply for a payment plan. Payment plans will allow you to pay off over time. ___ Advertisement Article continues below this ad A version of this story moved in January 2023. This story has been updated with new details and comment. ___ The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (Reckitt or the Company) (OTCMKTS: RBGLY) investors that the law firm has initiated an investigation on behalf of investors that lost money on their Reckitt stock. Reckitt 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. Portnoy Law is initiating an investigation into Reckitt in light of recent events that have led to a significant decline in the company's stock value. This follows an Illinois jury's decision to award $60 million in damages to the plaintiff in a lawsuit involving Reckitt's Enfamil baby formula. The verdict was announced on behalf of the mother of a premature infant who tragically passed away from an intestinal disease, allegedly linked to the use of Enfamil. In response to the verdict, shares of Reckitt Benckiser, a leading consumer goods conglomerate known for brands such as Lysol, Dettol, and Strepsils, experienced a drastic drop of more than 15%, marking the lowest point in a decade for the London-listed shares. This severe market reaction reflects growing investor apprehension regarding the potential financial impact of numerous pending lawsuits claiming that Enfamil and other baby formulas, including Abbott Laboratories' Similac, are responsible for a fatal disease primarily affecting premature infants. The investigation aims to determine whether Reckitt Benckiser and its executives violated securities laws by failing to disclose material information to shareholders about the safety of its products and the associated legal risks. 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 NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Juan Monteverde, founder and managing partner of Monteverde & Associates PC (the M&A Class Action Firm), has recovered money for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2018-2022 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are now investigating: Superior Drilling Products, Inc. (NYSE: SDPI ), relating to its proposed sale to Drilling Tools International Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, SDPI shareholders are expected to receive a combination of cash and Drilling shares. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/superior-drilling-products-inc . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. relating to its proposed sale to Drilling Tools International Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, SDPI shareholders are expected to receive a combination of cash and Drilling shares. Minim, Inc. (Nasdaq: MINM ) , relating to its proposed merger with e2Companies, LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, MINM shareholders are expected to own approximately 3% of the combined company. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/minim-inc . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. , relating to its proposed merger with e2Companies, LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, MINM shareholders are expected to own approximately 3% of the combined company. The L.S. Starrett Company (NYSE: SCX ) , relating to its proposed sale to an affiliate of MiddleGround Capital. Under the terms of the agreement, SCX shareholders are expected to receive $16.19 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/ls-starrett-company . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. , relating to its proposed sale to an affiliate of MiddleGround Capital. Under the terms of the agreement, SCX shareholders are expected to receive $16.19 in cash per share they own. Akari Therapeutics, PLC (Nasdaq: AKTX ), relating to its proposed merger with Peak Bio Inc. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/akari-therapeutics-plc. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask? Do you recover money for shareholders? Do you litigate and go to Court? Do you even go to the office and wear a suit? About Monteverde & Associates PC Juan Monteverde is a Spaniard and a born fighter. Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholdersand we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341. Contact: Juan Monteverde, Esq. MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC The Empire State Building 350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740 New York, NY 10118 United States of America jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com Tel: (212) 971-1341 ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steppe Gold Ltd. (TSX: STGO) (OTCQX: STPGF) (FSE: 2J9) (Steppe Gold or the Company) announces the following Board changes. Matthew Wood has resigned as a director of the Company. The President of the Company, Byambatseren Tsogbadrakh, has joined the Board, with both notifications effective immediately. The Company would like to pay special thanks to Mr. Wood for his outstanding contributions to Steppe Gold. As one of the founders of Steppe Gold, Mr. Wood was responsible for identifying the opportunity at the then ATO Deposit to develop a two-phase project, to minimize the initial capex required and allow for the development of the larger project, the Phase 2 Expansion which is currently under construction. Mr. Wood has a long history of success in mining development in Mongolia and was a recipient of the prestigious Polar Star, the highest state honour that can be awarded to a non-citizen of Mongolia. Bataa Tumur-Ochir, Chairman and CEO of Steppe Gold, commented We are hugely grateful for Matts leadership of Steppe Gold, from the early days as a private company with a greenfield site in Eastern Mongolia. He was instrumental in all aspects of the development of the Company, through the additional exploration phase and development strategy and the IPO in 2018. As we move to become a multi-asset producer in Mongolia with the pending acquisition of Boroo Gold, Matt will leave the Board to focus on his exploration ventures both in Mongolia and elsewhere. We wish him every success in his future endeavors. We will look to refresh our Board as we work to conclude the Boroo Gold acquisition, and we welcome our President, Byambatseren as a Board member. In connection with Mr. Woods resignation, Steppe Gold intends to issue an aggregate of 2,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.78 per share to settle all amounts owing by Steppe Gold to Mr. Wood (the Settlement Transaction). The Settlement Transaction is subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and other customary third-party approvals. The common shares issued to Mr. Wood, or an affiliate, will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation, and such further restrictions as apply under foreign securities laws. The Settlement Transaction will constitute a related party transaction as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), as Mr. Wood was a director of Steppe Gold at the time of approval of the Settlement Transaction. The Company will rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the common shares to be issued to Mr. Wood will not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Settlement Transaction was unanimously approved by all disinterested directors of the Company and is subject to the review and approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and other customary third-party approvals. About Steppe Gold Steppe Gold is Mongolias premier precious metals company and 100% owner of the ATO gold mine and the Uudam Khundii project in Mongolia. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information, including, obtaining Toronto Stock Exchange approval and other customary third-party approvals for the Settlement Transaction and the anticipated refresh of the Companys board of directors, the Companys move to become a multi-asset producer in Mongolia and the acquisition of Boroo Gold, as well as those factors disclosed under Risk Factors in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as expect, promise, plan, commitment, continuous and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results may, can, could, would, might, or will be taken, occur, or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. 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 as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Contact Information Steppe Gold Bataa Tumur-Ochir, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeremy South, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Shangri-La office, Suite 1201, Olympic Street 19A, Sukhbaatar District 1, Ulaanbaatar 14241, Mongolia Tel: +976 7732 1914 HOUSTON, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A transformative merger has been announced in the industrial inspection services sector with the formation of Allco Solutions, LLC, a dynamic new company resulting from the integration of GIR Solutions, GIR Mechanical Integrity, and CCI Inspection Services. This merger brings together three industry leaders to create a company unlike any other, offering comprehensive mechanical integrity inspections alongside coating and corrosion inspections, all under one roof. Founded by Jonell Nixon in 1986, CCI Inspection Services has long been recognized for its commitment to excellence in providing top-tier inspection solutions. Over the years, the company has earned a reputation for its meticulous approach to protective coatings and corrosion mitigation, setting industry standards and delivering unmatched results. Notably, Jonell Nixon mentored Jeremi Day, a distinguished AMPP Master Coatings Inspector, whose expertise and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the company's success. In addition to its expertise in coatings and corrosion mitigation, CCI Inspection Services has a proven track record in failure analysis, offering comprehensive assessments to identify the root causes of coating and corrosion failures, allowing clients to implement effective preventative measures. By leveraging advanced analytical techniques and industry-leading methodologies, CCI Inspection Services provides invaluable insights into failure modes, enabling clients to mitigate risks and enhance asset integrity. GIR Solutions, established in 2017, and GIR Mechanical Integrity, established in 2020, have quickly emerged as leading energy service companies specializing in a range of essential services, including Non-Destructive Testing, Level 1 Topside Inspection, Construction Inspection, and Data Management solutions. With a focus on customizable strategies and cutting-edge technology, they have been at the forefront of innovation, consistently exceeding client expectations and driving industry progress. Alongside its mechanical integrity inspection services, GIR Solutions and GIR Mechanical Integrity offer comprehensive failure analysis solutions for mechanical components. Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and expertise, they conduct thorough investigations to pinpoint the root causes of mechanical failures, providing clients with actionable insights to optimize maintenance strategies and enhance equipment reliability. The fusion of these three powerhouses into Allco marks a significant milestone in the industrial inspection landscape. By offering both mechanical integrity inspections and coating/corrosion inspections, Allco becomes a one-stop shop for essential inspection needs across various industrial markets. This comprehensive approach ensures clients receive unparalleled service, streamlined processes, and cost-effective solutions, all delivered with the utmost precision and expertise. Allco is proud to announce its leadership team, comprising seasoned industry veterans dedicated to guiding the company toward continued success. Marlin Lester assumes the role of CEO, bringing a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the helm. Jeremy Johnson steps in as COO, leveraging his expertise in operational excellence to drive efficiency and growth. Jeremi Day, renowned for his mastery in protective coatings and corrosion mitigation, serves as CTO, while Trevor Doucet and Richard Fregia join as VPs of Operations, overseeing mechanical integrity and coatings respectively. Archie Cox takes on the pivotal role of Board Chair, providing invaluable guidance and leadership. Jeremy Johnson, COO of Allco, expressed his enthusiasm about the formation of the company, stating, "The merger of GIR Solutions and CCI Inspection Services marks a pivotal moment in our industry. Together, we are poised to deliver unmatched value and innovation to our clients, setting new standards for excellence. Additionally, Allco is an employee-owned company, with field and office personnel holding a stake. This facet of company structure is a major factor in attracting industry talent and maintaining a consistent workforce for clients." Marlin Lester, CEO of Allco, emphasized the company's commitment to revolutionizing the industry, stating, "Allco is more than just a merger; it's a catalyst for change. By offering a comprehensive suite of inspection services, we're empowering our clients to thrive in a competitive landscape, while driving industry-wide transformation." With a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction, Allco is poised to lead the way in the industrial inspection services sector, setting new benchmarks for quality, reliability, and efficiency. For more information, please visit www.allcosolutions.com . Media Contacts Marlin Lester, CEO marlin.lester@allcosolutions.com 832.228.1346 Jeremy Johnson, COO jeremy.johnson@allcosolutions.com 337.581.8892 Jeremi Day, CTO (Coatings & Corrosion) jeremi.day@allcosolutions.com 409.454.9329 VANCOUVER, March 14, 2024 - Almadex Minerals Ltd. ("Almadex" or the "Company") (TSX-V: "DEX") is providing an update regarding its Request for Consultations delivered to the United Mexican States ("Mexico", see press release dated December 14, 2023). As previously reported, on December 13, 2023, Almadex delivered to Mexico a written Request for Consultations in accordance with Article 9.18 of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ("CPTPP"), setting out a brief description of facts regarding the measures at issue. On December 29, 2023, Mexico acknowledged receipt of that Request and stated that it would propose dates for a consultation meeting in the near future, but never reverted with proposed dates, leaving the dispute unresolved. Accordingly, on March 14, 2024, Almadex delivered to Mexico written notice of its intention to submit a claim ("Claim") to arbitration against Mexico (the "Notice") in accordance with Article 9.19.3 of the CPTPP. This Notice has been delivered by Almadex together with Almaden Minerals Ltd., on behalf of themselves and their Mexican subsidiaries. Amongst other things, the Notice sets out the factual background of the dispute as well as the legal basis of the resulting Claim, the provisions of the CPTPP that Mexico has breached, and the relief sought. The damages relating to the Almadex and Almaden Claim will be for no less than US$200 million, in the aggregate. Almadex would be entitled to damages relating to its 2.0% NSR royalty on the Ixtaca project, if damages were to be awarded. The Notice enables the Company to initiate arbitration should an amicable resolution of the dispute with the Mexican government not be reached. The filing of the Notice must precede initiation of arbitration by a minimum of 90 days. In good faith and in the spirit of cooperation, Almadex invites Mexico once again to engage in discussions and negotiations with a view to achieving an amicable resolution of the dispute. If such consultations with Mexico are unsuccessful, Almadex may then submit the Claim to arbitration under the CPTPP, seeking damages for the harm incurred, plus interest, costs, and any such further relief as a Tribunal may deem appropriate. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "J. Duane Poliquin" J. Duane Poliquin, Chairman Almadex Minerals Ltd. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements in it, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things, the timing and nature of any future consultation, negotiations or settlement between the Almadex and Mexico, whether the Company pursues claims before an arbitral tribunal, and the timing, result and damages of such claims before an arbitral tribunal. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant legal, regulatory, business, operational and economic uncertainties and contingencies, and such uncertainty generally increases with longer-term forecasts and outlook. These assumptions include: stability and predictability in Mexico's consultation process under the CPTPP; stability and predictability in the application of the CPTPP and arbitral decisions thereon; continued respect for the rule of law in Mexico; market prices; exploitation and exploration successes; permitting; continued availability of capital and financing; equipment availability; and general economic, market or business conditions. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to: Mexico's consultation process under the CPTPP; the application of the CPTPP and arbitral decisions thereon; continued respect for the rule of law in Mexico; political risk in Mexico; crime and violence in Mexico; corruption in Mexico; environmental risks, including environmental matters under Mexican laws and regulations; impact of environmental impact assessment requirements on the Company's planned exploration and development activities; certainty of mineral title and the outcome of consultation, litigation and arbitration; community relations; governmental regulations and the ability to obtain necessary licences and permits; risks related to mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and other defects in title; changes in mining, environmental or agrarian laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may increase costs of doing business and restrict operations. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that our forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to on forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact Information: Almadex Minerals Ltd. Tel. 604.689.7644 Email: info@almadexminerals.com http://www.almadexminerals.com/ VANCOUVER, March 14, 2024 - Almaden Minerals Ltd. ("Almaden" or "the Company"; TSX: AMM; NYSE American: AAU) is providing an update regarding its Request for Consultations delivered to the United Mexican States ("Mexico", see press release dated December 14, 2023), and its listing on the NYSE American stock exchange (see press release of October 25, 2023). Request for Consultations As previously reported, on December 13, 2023, Almaden delivered to Mexico a written Request for Consultations in accordance with Article 9.18 of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ("CPTPP"), setting out a brief description of facts regarding the measures at issue. On December 29, 2023, Mexico acknowledged receipt of that Request and stated that it would propose dates for a consultation meeting in the near future, but never reverted with proposed dates, leaving the dispute unresolved. Accordingly, on March 14, 2024, Almaden delivered to Mexico written notice of its intention to submit a claim ("Claim") to arbitration against Mexico (the "Notice") in accordance with Article 9.19.3 of the CPTPP. This Notice has been delivered by Almaden together with Almadex Minerals Ltd., on behalf of themselves and their Mexican subsidiaries. Amongst other things, the Notice sets out the factual background of the dispute as well as the legal basis of the resulting Claim, the provisions of the CPTPP that Mexico has breached, and the relief sought. The damages relating to the Almaden and Almadex Claim will be for no less than US$200 million, in the aggregate. The Notice enables the Company to initiate arbitration should an amicable resolution of the dispute with the Mexican government not be reached. The filing of the Notice must precede initiation of arbitration by a minimum of 90 days. In good faith and in the spirit of cooperation, Almaden invites Mexico once again to engage in discussions and negotiations with a view to achieving an amicable resolution of the dispute. If such consultations with Mexico are unsuccessful, Almaden may then submit the Claim to arbitration under the CPTPP, seeking damages for the harm incurred, plus interest, costs, and any such further relief as a Tribunal may deem appropriate. NYSE American Continued Listing Standards As previously announced, Almaden is not in compliance with the continued listing standards of the NYSE American exchange because the Company's securities have been selling for a low price per share for a substantial period of time which NYSE American determines to be a 30-trading-day average price of less than US$0.20 per share. The Company's continued listing on the NYSE American exchange is predicated on it demonstrating sustained price improvement within a reasonable period of time which has determined to be no later than April 19, 2024. Although Almaden has requested consultations with Mexico under the CPTPP, to date Mexico has not proposed a date for these consultations. In view of this, and the Company's wish to provide predictability to shareholders, the Company has determined to voluntarily delist from the NYSE American exchange. Almaden intends to seek a listing on the OTCQB Marketplace in parallel with its de-listing from the NYSE American exchange to ensure a continued U.S. trading platform for its U.S. shareholders. The Company provided notice of the voluntary delisting to the NYSE American on March 14, 2024 and intends to file a Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a timely manner to effect the delisting. It is anticipated that the delisting will become effective at the end of business on or about April 4, 2024. The Company has made an application to the OTCQB and expects that its common shares will be quoted on the OTCQB on the next trading day without interruption. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "J. Duane Poliquin" J. Duane Poliquin Chair Almaden Minerals Ltd. Safe Harbor Statement Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things, the timing and nature of any future consultation, negotiations or settlement between the Company and Mexico, whether the Company pursues claims before an arbitral tribunal and the timing, result and damages of such claims before an arbitral tribunal, and the delisting from the NYSE American exchange, listing on the OTCQB exchange, and related timing of each. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant legal, regulatory, business, operational and economic uncertainties and contingencies, and such uncertainty generally increases with longer-term forecasts and outlook. These assumptions include: stability and predictability in Mexico's consultation process under the CPTPP; stability and predictability in the application of the CPTPP and arbitral decisions thereon; and continued respect for the rule of law in Mexico. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to: Mexico's consultation process under the CPTPP; the application of the CPTPP and arbitral decisions thereon; continued respect for the rule of law in Mexico; political risk in Mexico; crime and violence in Mexico; corruption in Mexico; environmental risks, including environmental matters under Mexican laws and regulations; impact of environmental impact assessment requirements on the Company's planned exploration and development activities on the Project; certainty of mineral title and the outcome of consultation, litigation and arbitration; community relations; governmental regulations and the ability to obtain necessary licences and permits; risks related to mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and other defects in title; changes in mining, environmental or agrarian laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may increase costs of doing business and restrict operations; as well as those factors discussed the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Almaden's Annual Information Form and Almaden's latest Form 20-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that our forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to on forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact Information: Almaden Minerals Ltd. Tel. 604.689.7644 Email: info@almadenminerals.com http://www.almadenminerals.com/ FILE - A page from the 2019 U.S. Medicare Handbook is displayed on Nov. 8, 2018, in Washington. About half of Medicare Advantage members left their plans by the end of five years, according to a study published in 2023. Most switched to another Medicare Advantage plan, but not necessarily because they liked Medicare Advantage. Returning to Original Medicare can be tricky after you first sign up, because you may not be able to get a Medigap plan. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP About half of Medicare Advantage members left their plans by the end of five years, according to a 2023 study from Brown University School of Public Health. Most switched to another Medicare Advantage plan, but not necessarily because they liked Medicare Advantage. Returning to Original Medicare can be tricky after you first sign up, because you may not be able to get a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, known as Medigap. But for people with serious or chronic health conditions who have Medicare Advantage, limited provider networks and prior authorization requirements may make it difficult or expensive for them to get the care they need. Its helpful to understand your options. WHEN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ISNT THE RIGHT PLAN Advertisement Article continues below this ad Medicare Advantage plans typically require members to get health care from doctors and hospitals within a network. Members might have trouble if their doctor falls out of network or they want to see a specialist who doesnt take their plan. Medicare Advantage plans also may require you to get approval before they cover some services or medications. While most Medicare Advantage enrollees are in plans with a $0 premium, getting medical care costs money, and Medicare Advantage plans can have an annual out-of-pocket maximum as high as $8,850 in 2024. Joanne Giardini-Russell, owner of the insurance agency Giardini Medicare in Michigan, recalls a client who had a Medicare Advantage plan and got cancer. He was hitting his max out-of-pocket year after year, she says. And then throw in prior authorizations, which he wasnt a fan of. WHEN YOU CAN CHANGE PLANS Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you have Medicare Advantage and you want to switch plans or go back to Original Medicare, there are two annual opportunities: Medicares fall open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 and Medicare Advantage open enrollmentfrom Jan. 1 to March 31. However, if you want to return to Original Medicare and you have health issues, you may not qualify for Medigap, which helps keep Original Medicare affordable. In most states, after Medigaps initial enrollment period in which you can buy any plan from any insurer, regardless of health status companies can decline to cover you. Everybody thinks the open enrollment in the fall is going to save them, Giardini-Russell says, remembering a client with a Medicare Advantage plan who couldnt qualify for Medigap due to a heart condition. She said, I thought in November, you could just change during open enrollment, Giardini-Russell says. She didnt have any way to get out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WHAT ARE THE EXCEPTIONS? There are two trial rights scenarios in which someone with Medicare Advantage can switch back to a Medigap plan without a medical exam: If you start with a Medicare Advantage plan when you first qualify for Medicare, you have 12 months to go back to Original Medicare with any Medigap plan. If you have a Medigap plan and drop it to try a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, you have 12 months to return to Original Medicare and the Medigap plan you dropped, as long as the company still sells it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you work with an insurance agent, they might also know which Medigap company would approve you based on your health. There are some that will treat certain conditions differently than others, says Adam Hyers, an insurance broker and founder of the insurance agency Hyers and Associates in Columbus, Ohio. We keep a list of who might be more likely to accept a client who is in a gray area. In four states, residents have a chance at least once a year to buy a guaranteed-issue Medigap plan: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New York. There are also quirky exceptions: In 2022 and 2023, Blue Shield of California offered an underwriting holiday during which California residents could join Medigap Plan G without medical underwriting. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois offers guaranteed-issue Medigap plans to Illinois residents. Obviously, the premiums are going to be higher, because theyre going to have higher claims, says Cynthia Pruemm, founder and CEO of SIS Financial Group in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. In the worst-case scenario, moving out of your plans service area grants you another chance at guaranteed-issue Medigap. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WHAT IF YOU CANT GET MEDIGAP? If its not possible to get Medigap, you may have to find the best Medicare Advantage plan for your needs. Dont get sidetracked by perks; pay attention to doctors and drug coverage. For guidance, call a broker rather than the providers directly. You want to talk to somebody whos independent, that represents all of the companies, Pruemm says. ______________________________ Advertisement Article continues below this ad This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Kate Ashford is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: kashford@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kateashford. RELATED LINKS: NerdWallet: What is Medicare Advantage open enrollment? https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-medicare-advantage-open-enrollment METHODOLOGY Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brown University School of Public Healths study, published in the JAMA Health Forum, included 524,442,225 beneficiary-year observations representing 82,377,917 unique Medicare beneficiaries from 2011 to 2020. The primary source of data for this analysis was the Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF). Data analysis took place from September 2022 to March 2023. VANCOUVER, March 14, 2024 - P2 Gold Inc. ("P2" or the "Company") (TSXV: PGLD) (OTCQB: PGLDF) reports that it has closed the second tranche (the "Second Tranche") of the non-brokered private placement of convertible debenture units (the "Units") at $1,000 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $1,665,000 (the "Offering"), previously announced on February 13, 2024 and March 5, 2024. The Second Tranche consisted of 303 Units for gross proceeds of $303,000. Each Unit consists of one convertible debenture (a "Convertible Debenture") with a principal amount of $1,000 and 12,500 Share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"). The Convertible Debentures will bear interest at a rate of 7.5%, payable semi-annually on the last day of June and December of each year, commencing on June 30, 2024. Interest will be paid in common shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") based on the greater of the Market Price (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange")) and 15-day volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of the Shares on the Exchange or cash, at the Company's election, subject to Exchange approval. The Convertible Debentures will have approximately a two-year term (the "Term"), with the principal amount being due to be repaid in full by the Company on January 31, 2026 (the "Maturity Date"). At any time during the Term, the Company will have the option to extend the Term by up to one additional year on payment of an extension fee to the holders of the Convertible Debentures (the "Holders") in the amount of six month's interest payable in Shares based on the greater of the Market Price and the 15-day VWAP or cash, at the Company's election, subject to Exchange approval. The Convertible Debentures are unsecured. Under the terms of the Offering, at any time during the Term, a Holder may elect to convert the outstanding net principal amount, or any portion thereof, into Shares at a conversion price of C$0.07 per Share up to January 31, 2025 and $0.10 per Share from February 1, 2025 up to January 31, 2026 (the "Conversion Price"). In the event the Company announces a business combination and the 15-day VWAP of the Shares on the Exchange is greater than $0.07, the Company will have the right to require the Holders to convert the outstanding net principal amount into Shares at the Conversion Price by giving notice to the Holders by news release or other form of notice permitted by the Convertible Debentures that the Convertible Debentures will convert on the closing of the business combination. Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $0.15, for a period of 24 months (the "Expiry Time"), provided that, if after the later of four months from the date of issue and conversion, the closing price of the Shares on the Exchange is equal to or greater than $0.30 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days at any time prior to the Expiry Time, the Company will have the right to accelerate the Expiry Time by giving notice to the holders of the Warrants by news release or other form of notice permitted by the certificate representing the Warrants that the Warrants will expire at 4:30 p.m. (Vancouver time) on a date that is not less than 15 days from the date notice is given. The majority of the proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund obligations under the Termination Agreement. The securities issued pursuant to the Second Tranche are subject to a four-month hold period expiring on July 14, 2024. In connection with the Second Tranche, the Company paid finder's fees of an aggregate of $11,400 and issued an aggregate of 171,375 warrants to an arm's length finder, representing 6% of the proceeds raised from subscriptions by, and 6% of the Units issued to, certain placees. The securities to be offered in the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Insiders of the Company subscribed for 85 Units of the Second Tranche. The issuance of Units to insiders is considered a related party transaction subject to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 on the basis that the participation in the Private Placement by the insiders did not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the company's market capitalization. About P2 Gold Inc. P2 is a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing precious metals and copper discoveries and acquisitions in the western United States and British Columbia. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, information with respect to the Company's expectations, strategies and plans for exploration properties including the Company's planned expenditures and exploration activities at the Gabbs Project, the significance of the removal of the debt overhang as it relates to the development of Gabbs, the completion of the Offering, and the use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to use the proceeds from the Offering as anticipated, that the settlement of outstanding debt will allow the Company to optimize mine development at Gabbs as well as the other assumptions disclosed in this news release. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including without limitation, the inability to use the proceeds from the Offering as expected and that the settlement of outstanding debt will not allow for the optimization of mine development at Gabbs and risks associated with mineral exploration, including the risk that actual results and timing of exploration and development will be different from those expected by management. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated March 16, 2023 filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for a discussion of these risks. The Company cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. SOURCE P2 Gold Inc. TORONTO, March 15, 2024 - Copper Road Resources Inc. (TSXV: CRD) ("Copper Road" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has negotiated the settlement of $190,068.25 related to accounts payable for professional services in consideration for the issuance of 3,801,365 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.05 per common share. The debt settlement is subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. The common shares to be issued pursuant to the debt settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period which will expire four months and one day from the date of closing of the debt settlement. About Copper Road Resources Copper Road Resources (TSXV: CRD) is a Canadian based explorer engaged in the acquisition, exploration and evaluation of properties for the mining of precious and base metals. The Company is exploring for large copper/gold deposits on the 24,000-hectare Batchewana Bay Project, 80 km north of Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada. For more information, please contact: Mark Goodman, Chairman Cellular: 416.324.9613 Email: mgoodman@libralithium.com Web: www.copperroad.ca Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Montreal, Quebec / TheNewswire / March 15, 2024; Glen Eagle Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: GER) ("Glen Eagle" or the "Company") announces that the court has homologated the judgement, ordering the Company to pay Gem Yield Bahamas Limited a compensation of $1,875,895 dollars including interest and $90,000 in penalty. The amount awarded by the arbitrator Simon Potter on September 8, 2022 was $1,502,583 or less than half of what GEM was seeking. The Company has no intention to appeal the decision. 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. Karl Trudeau, President Glen Eagle Resources Inc. 1000 Sherbrooke West #2700 Montreal, Quebec Tel: 819-440-8495 Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. ULAANBAATAR, March 15, 2024 - Steppe Gold Ltd. (TSX: STGO) (OTCQX: STPGF) (FSE: 2J9) ("Steppe Gold" or the "Company") announces the following Board changes. Matthew Wood has resigned as a director of the Company. The President of the Company, Byambatseren Tsogbadrakh, has joined the Board, with both notifications effective immediately. The Company would like to pay special thanks to Mr. Wood for his outstanding contributions to Steppe Gold. As one of the founders of Steppe Gold, Mr. Wood was responsible for identifying the opportunity at the then ATO Deposit to develop a two-phase project, to minimize the initial capex required and allow for the development of the larger project, the Phase 2 Expansion which is currently under construction. Mr. Wood has a long history of success in mining development in Mongolia and was a recipient of the prestigious Polar Star, the highest state honour that can be awarded to a non-citizen of Mongolia. Bataa Tumur-Ochir, Chairman and CEO of Steppe Gold, commented "We are hugely grateful for Matt's leadership of Steppe Gold, from the early days as a private company with a greenfield site in Eastern Mongolia. He was instrumental in all aspects of the development of the Company, through the additional exploration phase and development strategy and the IPO in 2018. As we move to become a multi-asset producer in Mongolia with the pending acquisition of Boroo Gold, Matt will leave the Board to focus on his exploration ventures both in Mongolia and elsewhere. We wish him every success in his future endeavors." "We will look to refresh our Board as we work to conclude the Boroo Gold acquisition, and we welcome our President, Byambatseren as a Board member." In connection with Mr. Wood's resignation, Steppe Gold intends to issue an aggregate of 2,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.78 per share to settle all amounts owing by Steppe Gold to Mr. Wood (the "Settlement Transaction"). The Settlement Transaction is subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and other customary third-party approvals. The common shares issued to Mr. Wood, or an affiliate, will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation, and such further restrictions as apply under foreign securities laws. The Settlement Transaction will constitute a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as Mr. Wood was a director of Steppe Gold at the time of approval of the Settlement Transaction. The Company will rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the common shares to be issued to Mr. Wood will not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Settlement Transaction was unanimously approved by all disinterested directors of the Company and is subject to the review and approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and other customary third-party approvals. About Steppe Gold Steppe Gold is Mongolia's premier precious metals company and 100% owner of the ATO gold mine and the Uudam Khundii project in Mongolia. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information, including, obtaining Toronto Stock Exchange approval and other customary third-party approvals for the Settlement Transaction and the anticipated refresh of the Company's board of directors, the Company's move to become a multi-asset producer in Mongolia and the acquisition of Boroo Gold, as well as those factors disclosed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "promise", "plan", "commitment", "continuous" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. 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 as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Contact Information Steppe Gold Bataa Tumur-Ochir, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeremy South, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Shangri-La office, Suite 1201, Olympic Street 19A, Sukhbaatar District 1, Ulaanbaatar 14241, Mongolia Tel: +976 7732 1914 Daniel Ricciardo is keen to return to Red Bull Racing, but performances at Visa Cash App RB are not yet anything to write home about. In the podcast Formula For Success, Eddie Jordan discusses the difficult situation for the Australian driver. After being shown the door at McLaren, Ricciardo initially returned as Red Bull Racing's third driver in 2023. Halfway through the year, he impressed enough to take over Nyck de Vries' seat at AlphaTauri. In the races that followed, and especially those in 2024, Ricciardo has yet to show he can return to his old level. Is the end of Ricciardo near? "I don't think there is a more loved personality in Formula One. Certainly got the best smile that I've ever seen in Formula One. He's a magic guy to have in the team. But, that doesn't give you the right to be the driver in the team. And I'm just worried that the end of the end of McLaren era was really something that stood out. And I couldn't see where he'd lost it. And there's been nothing since then that convinces me that I would want to invest my hard-earned sponsorship cash to keep Daniel. So he needs a result more than anyone, perhaps. And he needs to get it together because otherwise he is going to be replaced," said the former team owner. Article continues under ad "And he can understand why he would be replaced because the performance is not just there. I mean, he shouldn't be spinning the car. He shouldn't be getting himself into outer sequence in a pit stop. That's all part You don't see Max doing that. You don't see other people doing it. So, Daniel, as much as we absolutely adore him and I think he's a huge asset for Formula One. The stopwatch, you always say, David never lies. And the stopwatch in terms of Daniel, the question marks are out there. And people, when we see people like Oliver Bearman coming like the way he did, people like Daniel Ricciardo will have to look over his shoulders and say, how much time have I left here?" Ricciardo lost the qualifying duel to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. In Bahrain, Ricciardo still finished ahead of his teammate, but he owed that mainly to a team order. In Jeddah, the Japanese finished ahead of Ricciardo, although both drivers are still without points. Barcelona reveals EUR 50m bid to stay on F1 calendar The Circuit de Catalunya is spending no less than 50 million euros to convince Formula 1 to stay in Barcelona. Start, Spanish GP 2023 Red Bull It was recently announced that F1 will head to a rival project in Madrid from 2026 - the final year in Barcelona's current contract. Formula 1 is not ruling out a new deal with Barcelona, but it would probably only be an annually alternating arrangement with another European circuit. Madrid, however, appears to be optimistic about becoming F1's sole Spanish race from 2027 onwards. The optimism is ours, the Circuit de Catalunya's track director Josep Lluis Santamaria insisted to Spanish media this week. The reporters were at the circuit to check out progress on renovation works that are currently underway - with EUR 50m slated to be spent by 2026. For MotoGP we will have finished everything on the terrace, the pit building, the control power and almost the entire rooftop structure, which will be finished for F1, he said, referring to the MotoGP race in late May, and F1's Spanish GP about a month later. The innovative 'Rooftop' structure straddles the track on the back straight, and is a bold gamble by Barcelona aimed at convincing F1 to keep the circuit on the calendar in 2027 and beyond. There are countries that have up to three grands prix, like the United States, Santamaria insisted. "Why can't you have two in Spain? "(Stefano) Domenicalli has already said that. Just like in Italy as well. We are working on it and we are sure that Formula 1 will stay here for many years. The contacts we have (with F1) are continuous, he continued. Every week we have meetings. Meetings with commercial teams, with the promotion team. What we can already show this year is the quality of the work we have done. Santamaria says some of the talks with F1 and its CEO Domenicali have been taking place in the wake of the Madrid GP announcement. F1 came here, he confirmed. "And we had a meeting in London explaining the projects. That was last month. Last week, the F1 engineering team came and they stood still because of how quickly we are moving forward. Santamaria says one of F1's demand is that the city of Barcelona needs to get more involved with promoting festival-like events to promote the race. You will soon have information on what will be done in the city, he revealed. "Last year there were already activities and this year there will be too. It is true that with the changes in government of the Barcelona council, relations have improved a lot and allow us to hold joint events with the city. (GMM) Heavy rain, winds, hail and possibly tornadoes could occur into this evening. tunart/Getty Images After a round of storms this morning, another round of potential severe weather is headed for the entire region. The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a tornado watch until 9 p.m. that stretches across three states; Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. A tornado watch means there is the possibility of tornadic activity in the current weather system. NWS-St. Louis also says a few tornados are likely as the day moves along, and there is also the possibility of Apple-sized hail and winds up to 70 miles per hour. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Thunderstorms are likely through tonight. Some of these thunderstorms could be severe capable of producing very large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes through this evening," the NWS-St. Louis Hazardous Weather Outlook reads. Once the system pushes through the region, it will make way for a weekend cold front which will have partly sunny skies and temperatures from the low 50s to mid-60s Friday through Sunday. Temperatures are predicted to go below freezing on Sunday and Monday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Horner's accuser lodges Red Bull investigation appeal The Christian Horner scandal just keeps racing forwards, with news emerging now that the woman at the centre of the allegations has lodged an appeal. Christian Horner, Saudi Arabian GP 2024 Red Bull It's clear, however, that the saga is not just about allegations of bad behaviour for Red Bull's 50-year-old team boss, but a wider power struggle for control. Christijan Albers, a former F1 driver, told De Telegraaf that Horner currently has a terrifying amount of power at Red Bull, which has more than riled up the opposing faction including Dr Helmut Marko and even the Verstappens. And after Horner was cleared in an internal investigation into his behaviour, the next phase of the scandal is now emerging - the suspended woman's right to appeal Red Bull's findings. For all that she was suspended from the job she loves and from a sport that she is highly regarded in, a friend of the so-far silent female staffer told the Daily Mail. Questions need to be asked of the Red Bull investigation, transparency would bring confidence in what is happening to her, the newspaper, claiming that her appeal has now been lodged. The Daily Mail added: The woman is appealing Red Bull's decision and has appointed lawyers to fight her corner but no timeframe has been given as to the process. Albers predicts the saga will continue to run and run until Horner is ousted, admitting he thinks the way Horner is standing firm is downright frightening . The way this has all been brushed off has made the other side particularly angry, said the former Minardi driver. I think a lot more is going to come to the surface. Albers thinks Red Bull could continue to thrive even with Horner out of the picture. Which drivers did he put in the car and which drivers did Dr Marko put in the car? he said. "With all due respect, all the formulas for success come from Marko. When you really look at who has the eye on the talent, there is absolutely no debate about that. That's just Dr Marko. He always made the right decisions. (GMM) James Vickers, 45, was sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Mar. 5, in Casper, Wyoming. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 28, 2023. According to court documents, on Sep. 9, 2023, Rock Springs Police Department responded to Santa Fe Southwest Grill to a report of shots being fired inside the restaurant. RSPD officers contacted Vickers in the parking lot and took him into custody. Officers searched Vickers and located a magazine loaded with ammunition as well as one loose round of ammunition in his pocket. Vickers admitted to tossing two guns when officer arrived. At the time of the gunshots, approximately 25-30 people were inside the restaurant, all of whom were evacuated. Vickers could not sit still during the interview and told officers he was coming down from methamphetamine. He also explained that he thought people were after him. Vickers, a previously convicted felon, possessed the firearms illegally. This case was investigated by the FBI and the RSPD. Tracy Warren was sentenced to time in the Wyoming State Penitentiary after pleading guilty to conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance of methamphetamine and fleeing or attempting to elude police officers. Warren appeared for sentencing in the Third District Court of Judge Suzannah Robinson Monday, March 11. He was sentenced to 7-12 years for the count of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance of methamphetamine and 2-4 years for the count of fleeing or attempting to elude police officers. The two sentences are to be served concurrently. Warren will receive credit for 299 days served to be applied to both counts. The sentence was part of a plea agreement that dismissed other counts initially brought against Warren. "I find that probation is not warranted," Judge Robinson told Warren, adding "I'm sure you know why. Your criminal history is not good." She noted that Warren has had an ongoing criminal history for the past 20 years and that he has had multiple batteries and violent offenses. She said she hopes he'll start making changes in his life once he gets out. Warren was arrested May 18, 2023 and pleaded guilty during a change of plea hearing on October 5, 2023. Cyndy Dyer, 71, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. She was a resident of Rock Springs, Wyoming, for the past two years and former resident of Austin, Texas. She was born July 10, 1952 in Arizona; the daughter of Marshall Lee Sanson and Patricia Peddy. Cyndy attended schools in Flintridge, California, and was a 1970 graduate of Flintridge Sacred Heart High School. She attended college and Tyler Jr. College in Texas. Cyndy was married in July of 1981 in Sugarland, Texas, to Jesse "Bo" Dyer, whom she met while living in Colorado. Cyndy and Bo welcomed two sons, Randolph Lee Dyer in 1984 and Jeremiah Ernest Dyer in 1986. They were later divorced, but remained friends throughout life. She worked at Austin Veterinary Diagnostics Hospital for 30 years, holding several titles, until her retirement in 2019. She left a piece of her heart at AVDH when she retired. Cyndy adored the animals, her clients, and the people she worked with as they were not just fellow coworkers, but a family that meant the world to her. Cyndy was an avid supporter of The Boy Scouts of America; helping both her boys become Eagle Scouts and now with her grandchildren. She also was a proud Marine Mom. Any time she could support either group by volunteering time, knowledge, or money, she would be the first to sign up. She loved and supported all groups that grow and shape our youth. Cyndy enjoyed cooking and would often find new dishes to try that she saw on one of the multiple cooking shows she watched; she even got her grandson interested in cooking as they would watch various cooking shows together. She loved crafting; every Christmas, everyone knew she would be working on a special Christmas craft project that would be made with nothing but love. Cyndy had a special place in her heart for animals and her love for them was unmatched, especially bulldogs. She loved a good joke and would often times play little pranks. Above all else, her favorite and most cherished moments were spending time with family, especially her two grandchildren. Cyndy was a kind and compassionate person; she would take you into her heart and into her arms and would hold you there forever letting you know you always had someone with you. She was adventurous and mischievous often telling stories to her daughter in law about the things she and her friends would get into growing up. Cyndy was intelligent, but humble. She was always the go to during family trivia games for all subjects, but her knowledge for music, literature, and cooking was unrivaled. She was filled with humor and grace and humility, but mostly, she was filled with love for all. Survivors include her son, Jeremiah Dyer and wife Nicole of Rock Springs, Wyoming; two grandchildren, Jase Dyer and Reagan Dyer; three nieces Susie, Marsha, and Dell; a great-niece, Becky and her family, and great nephew, Robert. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Patricia Miller and husband Bill Miller; and one son, Randy Dyer. The family respectfully requests donations be made in Cyndy's name to Rock Springs Humane Society, 310 Yellowstone Road, Rock Springs, Wyoming, or American Legion Archie Hay Post 24, 551 Broadway Street, Rock Springs, Wyoming, 82901 Cremation has taken place; a Celebration of Life will be conducted at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Cafe Milano, 4601 Southwest Parkway, Austin, Texas. Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com. On Friday evening we gaveled a close to the 67th Budget Session in the Wyoming Senate and House. It was a tumultuous budget year. Yet, despite political differences and policy disagreements, the Legislature passed a conservative, balanced budget that addresses our state's needs and invests in the future. Those investments include funding for nursing homes, preschool for developmentally disabled children, and home services for senior centers. The budget supports mental health efforts and funds energy projects. Additionally, and importantly, the final budget restored more than $300 million for the construction of K-12 schools. All of this was achieved with a general fund budget that is $200 million lower than the budget proposed by the governor or introduced by the Joint Appropriations Committee. We are proud of the work that was accomplished and commend our fellow citizen legislators for a job well done. Heading into the session, addressing runaway property taxes was our top priority. It remained so until the end. We are pleased to report that the Legislature passed the largest property tax reform package in the history of our state. This package is made up of three pieces of legislation-Senate File 54, House Bill 45, and House Bill 4-which together provide a three-pronged approach to alleviate the increases residents have suffered over the past several years and provide protections against continued growth. Senate File 54 provides a twenty-five percent exemption on the first two million dollars of the fair market value of a single-family residential structure for all Wyoming homeowners. At the same time, it offers a backfill to towns and counties to avoid cuts to critical services and programs and includes a two-year sunset clause to adjust for any unforeseen impacts. Another exemption bill, House Bill 3 provides a 50 percent exemption for those sixty-five years of age or older, who have paid residential property tax in Wyoming for twenty-five years or more on any residential property and that the property is the person's primary residence. Homeowners are eligible for one of these two exemptions. House Bill 45 provides long-term protection, capping annual increases at four percent. This will prevent residents from getting slapped with massive, unforeseen tax hikes, which have become routine in many parts of the state and allow them to plan their finances from year to year. The percentage is a compromise between the House and Senate bills and was decided on after careful consultation with town and county representatives. Finally, House Bill 4 provides additional access to existing relief funds for lower income residents. This bill adjusts the threshold to apply for local property tax relief-funds that have already been approved and budgeted by the Legislature-from 125 percent of the local gross median income to 165 percent. This will ensure retirees, lower-income earners, and other at-risk families are not taxed out of their homes. These bills have been years in the making. The committee chairs and members that spent countless hours writing and rewriting legislation, consulting with stakeholders, and building consensus deserve full credit-as do all the members of both chambers who voted in support. These bills show what the Legislature can do when it works together to tackle a challenge, and they promise to help resolve the single biggest issue residents are grappling with. As the presiding officers of the House and Senate, property tax reform has been our number one non-budgetary focus. This work required a balanced approach, ensuring Wyoming people received the relief they need and want without compromising the operations of towns, counties and schools. After all, property tax revenue supports crucial services such as the work of snowplow drivers, teachers and law enforcement. These property tax reform bills will provide real, comprehensive relief that residents can take to the bank. And they are part of a budget that will set our state on a path of continued growth and practical investment for years to come. In fact, the final budget approved by the House and Senate, along with current statute, puts over $800 million into long-term savings over the next biennium, and prudently funds our schools, infrastructure, and life-saving programs. We are proud of the work the Legislature accomplished this year, and we stand firmly behind it. It was not easy, but this body demonstrated that even when we don't see eye-to-eye, it can still do what's right for our state and the people who call it home. It has been the honor of a lifetime serving as the President of the Wyoming Senate and the Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives-and we thank you, the public, and each of our colleagues for the privilege and responsibility. Albert Sommers is the Speaker of the House and has served In the Legislature since 2013. Ogden Driskill is the President of the Senate and has served in the Wyoming Legislature since 2011. This Monday Samsung made the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 mid-rangers official, and then shortly after that it was revealed that the company wasn't planning on selling the A55 in the US, while the A35 would be offered over there. This was and is an interesting reversal of the past, when the A3x model generally wasn't available in the US, but the A5x device always was. At the time we got no reason from Samsung for not wanting to sell the A55 in the US, but today that changes, since the company issued another statement, this time to Android Authority, and this one explains things pretty well. Here's what Samsung had to say about the situation: We can confirm that Galaxy A35 5G will be coming to the US market and look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks. While we will not be carrying Galaxy A55 5G at this time, consumers can still take advantage of our Galaxy innovation at great value with Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 FE. At first glance you might simply gloss over that - the S23 and S23 FE surely have to be much more expensive, right? Wrong. Both of those are within at most $50 of what the A55 would have been sold in the US for had it made the trip - Samsung can't outright tell you that, but we can. The truth is, the A55 would've been a terrible deal considering the S23 and S23 FE's pricing in the US. Compared to those, the A55 has no redeeming qualities, so why would anyone pay almost the same price for it? Exactly. The story is of course different with the A35, which should be much cheaper, and it's also different in other parts of the world, like Europe, where the S23 and S23 FE are still more expensive than the A55, even though when you factor in the specs they are probably the better buys over there too. OnePlus is set to arrive next week, and the company posted more teasers about the midranger. Today, we learned that it will have a version with 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB UFS 4.0 storage. In addition, the phone should have extremely excellent battery life, according to Louis Jie, President of OnePlus China. He posted a screenshot on his Weibo page, claiming the Ace 3V will perform better in the long run even compared to the OnePlus 12. OnePlus Ace 3V teasers for AI, display, and memory OnePlus confirmed the Ace 3V will have a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset which is yet to be unveiled. We believe Qualcomm will showcase the chipset at its event next week, where we also expect to see a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 platform. Getting back to the Ace 3V, reports are the phone will make it outside China but under the name Nord 4 (or Nord 5, depending on how superstitious OnePlus executives are). We believe this might be the case as Ace 2V relaunched as Nord 3 internationally, but official confirmation should arrive soon. Source 1 Source 2 (both in Chinese) | Via Two small yet powerful smartphones. Two of the most popular handsets on the market. Two specimens from the worlds most famous mobile rivals. This is the Galaxy S24 versus the iPhone 15 Pro. Table of Contents: The Galaxy S24 is easily recognizable as it has undergone minor changes over the last few years. It offers a clean no-nonsense design with two flat Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panels and a metal frame. It is IP68-rated for your usual dust and water resistance. What we like about the Galaxy S24 is its clean camera island, which consists of three simple rings. On the other side, we have the iPhone 15 Pro, which is just as recognizable as well. However, it has a much lighter body this time thanks to the new titanium frame. Other than that, it looks as stylish as ever, you get Ceramic Shield glass front and back. It is IP68-rated, too. However, the super busy camera island will definitely not be everyones cup of tea - if you care for this sort of things. For starters, you can compare the complete specs sheets or directly continue with our editor's assessment in the following video or in the text further down below. Size comparison Samsung Galaxy S24 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm (5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 in) 167 g Apple iPhone 15 Pro 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm (5.77 x 2.78 x 0.33 in) 187 g There isn't much to discuss about dimensions and weight. Both handsets are almost identical, with the iPhone 15 Pro being ever so slightly thicker. And we should applaud Samsung for fitting a slightly larger screen into the exact same body. Even better, the Galaxy S24 is also the lighter phone, 20 whole grams to be specific, which is yet another great thing about the Samsungs smartphone. Then again, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro has a supposedly more premium and tougher titanium frame (instead of aluminum), and its IP68 rating has been expanded, so it can survive in up to 6m-deep water. Overall, the design is a matter of personal choice, but both smartphones have equally impressive build quality. The iPhones might be more solid, though, but only time will tell. Display comparison Samsung Galaxy S24 LTPO OLED 120Hz 1080x2340 pixels 416 ppi 6.2" Apple iPhone 15 Pro LTPO OLED 120Hz 1179x2556 pixels 461 ppi 6.1" The Galaxy S24 has the slightly larger display - 6.2" vs. 6.1" but it is of the lower resolution 416ppi vs 461ppi on the iPhone 15 Pro. The Apple screen has better-rated video support it has both HDR10 and Dolby Vision capabilities. The Galaxy S24 offers a much smaller cutout as the phone relies on a single front camera and under-display fingerprint scanner for biometric security. The cutout on the iPhone is enormous as it incorporates Apple's FaceID, which works for secure unlocking, and Apple has found a way to add some clever functionality around it with the Dynamic Island. The iPhone 15 Pro has a brighter display - the 15 Pro panel offers 845nits of manual and 1786nits of auto brightness, while the S24 OLED has 785nits of manual and 1,401nits of auto brightness. For the untrained eye, this probably won't make much of a difference, but there are some potential benefits from the extra 400 nits on a bright sunny day outdoors. While the two devices have great screens, the iPhone 15 Pro does offer a slightly better one. Its cutout, on the other hand, is quite large by todays standards. Battery life The Galaxy S24 has a 4,000mAh battery, while the iPhone 15 Pro has a smaller 3,274mAh. Contrary to what these numbers might suggest, the iPhone has the longer battery life in our testing. The Galaxy S24 scored an Active Use Rating of 12:06 h., while the iPhone 15 Pro 12:58 h. The iPhone is better in all of our screen-on tests but uses to the Galaxy S24 in the call runtime. That's nothing out of the ordinary, as we've often seen iPhones post average or below-average call times. Charging speed There has been no upgrade in the charging speed on either phone, so dont expect fierce competition. The Galaxy S24 supports 25W fast charging over the Power Delivery standard, while the iPhone 15 Pro 20W over USB-PD. This means both devices charge slowly compared to some of their competitors. At least they both support 15W fast wireless charging. The Galaxy S24 also offers reversed wireless charging, something Apple could not figure out and eventually scrapped. Samsungs 25W charger takes the Galaxy S24 battery (4,000mAh) from 0% to 29% in 15mins, 59% in 30mins and up to 100% in 75mins. Apples 20W Power Adapter recharges the dead iPhone 15 Pro battery (3,274mAh) from 0% to 32% in 15 mins, 57% in 30 mins, and it takes 93 minutes for the full charge to complete. Samsung Galaxy S24 15min 29% 30min 59% Full 75min 25W Apple iPhone 15 Pro 15min 32% 30min 57% Full 93min 20W The Galaxy S24 recharges its larger battery a bit faster, and it also offers reverse wireless charging - that is why it scores a win here. Speakers test Both the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15 Pro have hybrid stereo speaker setups. The one on the Galaxy S24 is a bit louder. But the iPhone 15 Pro speakers offer richer sound with deeper bass and better vocals. The high frequency range is not that great, though. Performance The Galaxy S24 is powered by the most recent Exynos 2400 chipset by Samsung, while the iPhone 15 Pro runs on the A17 Bionic. Apples chips have been leading the performance charts for quite some time, but their development have slowed down significantly lately and the competition not only caught up, it can even outperform them. Samsung Galaxy S24 Exynos 2400 4 nm 8GB/128GB base config Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple A17 Pro 3 nm 8GB/128GB base config When it comes to raw CPU power, the Apple processor is a bit faster. In the GPU tests the Galaxy S24 did better by 25% or higher margin. Samsung Galaxy S24 Geekbench 6 2,177 single-core Geekbench 6 6,747 multi-core 3D Mark W.Life 14,351 Apple iPhone 15 Pro Geekbench 6 2,922 single-core Geekbench 6 7,172 multi-core 3D Mark W.Life 10,012 The global Galaxy S24 is available in two memory configurations 8GB RAM + 128GB and 8GB RAM + 256GB. The same options are available for the iPhone 15 Pro, but it can also be purchased with 512GB and 1TB storage. As far as throttling is concerned the iPhone 15 Pro throttles less 85% CPU and 76% GPU stability versus 60% CPU and 50% GPU stability for the Galaxy S24. Samsung promises 7 years of major OS updates for the S24, which certainly looks better than Apple's unwritten policy of offering its phones 5-6 years of major iOS updates. The more extended software support means better value preservation overall. However, the big question is how well the hardware in a 7-year Android phone would keep up with the software in terms of performance. Nobody needs an updated phone that may be borderline unusable due to lag, whereas iPhones have already proven to be quite usable for years after launch without colossal performance degradation. So, for now, we'll call this one a tie. However, Samsung has the upper hand in software thanks to Google's latest mobile AI features. You can read more about those in our dedicated One UI 6.1 review but the list includes: Circle to search. Chat translations. Generative AI message creation. Webpage summarization. Language interpreting for live calls or in-person convos. Recorded speech transcribing and summarization. Generative AI wallpapers and edits in the Gallery, such as content-aware fill or object moving and removal. Camera comparison The Galaxy S24 has a 50MP OIS primary camera, a 10MP OIS 3x telephoto, a 12MP ultrawide camera (fixed focus), and a 12MP selfie camera with PDAF. It's the same camera hardware as the Galaxy S23, but the newer version promises better processing thanks to the improved ISP. The iPhone 15 Pro offers a similar camera kit. It has three cameras on its back - a 48MP OIS primary, a 12MP OIS 3x telephoto and a 12MP ultrawide with PDAF and macro capabilities. The selfie camera on the iPhone is a 12MP OIS with PDAF. The iPhone's primary camera offers 2x lossless zoom, and it can even shoot at 24MP. We chose 12MP shots for this comparison. It has a higher-res telephoto and a better ultrawide camera that can do closeups, too. The ultrawide cameras from both smartphones produce equally pleasing photos. They offer quite a wide field of view, a lot of resolved detail, low noise, wide dynamic range and good contrast. We can say that both UW cameras save a bit of over-processed photos, even if they are done in a different manner. The iPhone's camera offers more realistic colors, and it can also capture macro photos, though. We can draw the same conclusions for the primary cameras. The two smartphones capture great, noise-free photos with solid detail and sharpness and a wide dynamic range. The Galaxy camera saves somewhat more natural photos, which are maybe not as processed as the iPhone'se. The iPhone offers a more natural color rendition, as usual. The 2x lossless zoom is more advanced on the iPhone 15 Pro - its zoom samples are more detailed and more natural. Finally, the iPhone also offers the higher resolution 3x camera (10MP vs. 12MP). The Galaxy S24 upscales its photos to 12MP, so it can match the output of the other cameras. Quite expectedly, the iPhone 15 Pro has the more impressive 3x zoomed photos - they are more detailed and sharper, with more realistic colors. Galaxy S24: 0.6x 1x 2x 3x iPhone 15 Pro: 0.6x 1x 2x 3x Galaxy S24: 0.6x 1x 2x 3x iPhone 15 Pro: 0.6x 1x 2x 3x The Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15 Pro capture equally great selfies. Galaxy S24 iPhone 15 Pro The nighttime photos are solid across both devices. The ultrawide, main and zoom cameras on the iPhone have better noise reduction, while the Galaxy's photos sometimes offer wider dynamic range and better sharpness. Galaxy S24: 0.6x 1x 3x iPhone 15 Pro: 0.6x 1x 3x Video recording quality The video capturing on both smartphones is great, with all sorts of options available. The Galaxy S24 can do 8K videos, something the iPhone cannot. However, Apple offers a better implementation of its Cinematic mode, which creates a blurred background behind your subject to mimick a professional camera. The three rear cameras on the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15 Pro shoot top-notch videos - the quality is very good across the board - detail, noise reduction, contrast, and dynamic range. The colors are more realistic on the iPhone, and sometimes its videos look a tiny bit more natural. Galaxy S24: 0.6x 1x 3x iPhone 15 Pro: : 0.6x 1x 3x Galaxy S24: 0.6x 1x 3x iPhone 15 Pro: : 0.6x 1x 3x Verdict We doubt many people will be having the Galaxy S24 or iPhone 15 Pro dilemma. Those two are parallel devices of totally different universes the open Android OS with powerful One UI on the Galaxy and the closed Apple iOS with all sorts of restrictions and limitations. But for those who may be interested in the outcome nonetheless, here is what we found. The Apples iPhone 15 Pro is the tougher smartphone with a better display, more stable performance, longer battery life, better speakers and a somewhat more versatile camera experience. The Galaxy S24 is the lighter phone of the two, with a larger screen and a smaller notch. It packs a more powerful graphics processor, recharges faster and can do 8K videos if you need that. Finally, and probably most importantly, the Galaxy S24 is at least 300 cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro in Europe and at least $200 cheaper in the US. Money is often the deciding say on a purchase, and we understand why many people would go for the Galaxy S24 instead of the iPhone 15 Pro. Get the Samsung Galaxy S24 for: Android OS The larger display with a smaller cutout. The lighter body and cleaner design. The longer call times. The faster charging and reverse wireless charging. The under-display fingerprint unlock. The more powerful graphics chip. The Galaxy AI features. The 8K@30 video recording and the High-bitrate video option. The lower price. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, March 15, 2024. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP A ship belonging to the Open Arms aid group approaches the shores of Gaza towing a barge with 200 tons of humanitarian aid on Friday, March 15, 2024. The ship set sail Tuesday from Cyprus to inaugurate a sea route to get desperately needed aid into the war-wracked enclave, which is suffering a humanitarian crisis five months into the Israel-Hamas war. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Palestinians buy food at a local market next to a destroyed residential building by the Israeli airstrikes, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Fatima Shbair/AP An airplane from U.S. Air force airdrops humanitarian aid over Gaza Strip, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Leo Correa/AP Palestinians buy food at a local market next to a destroyed residential building by the Israeli airstrikes, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Fatima Shbair/AP Destroyed buildings are seen through the window of an airplane from the U.S. Air Force overflying the Gaza Strip, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Leo Correa/AP This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Thursday, March 14, 2024 shows a new jetty is under construction on the Gaza coastline just south of Gaza City on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies, via AP) AP Members of the U.S. Air Force load an airplane prior to drop humanitarian aid over Gaza Strip at an area in Jordan, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Leo Correa/AP Members of the U.S. Air Force fly over the Mediterranean Sea toward the coast to drop humanitarian aid over Gaza Strip, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Leo Correa/AP The Palestinian Health Ministry accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wracked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155. The Israeli military said Friday that Palestinian gunmen opened fire in that attack and that none of its forces fired toward the waiting crowd or the aid convoy. Some of those in the crowd near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, the aid distribution point, were run over by the trucks, the military said. The Israeli forces were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks when the violence erupted late Thursday, it added. Meanwhile, an aid ship loaded with some 200 tons of food was seen approaching Gaza's shores on Friday morning in a mission to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, five months into the war. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The ship, operated by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday towing a barge laden with food sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. The international community has been pushing for more aid to enter Gaza, frustrated with the growing humanitarian crisis and with Israels restrictions that have prevented more aid getting in by land. Australia announced early Friday it would resume funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians and pledged additional money to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza. A quarter of Gazas population is starving, the United Nations has warned, and the territory's Health Ministry said Friday that at least 31,490 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in southern Israel during the Hamas-led incursion on Oct. 7 that sparked the war. Around 250 people were abducted, and Hamas is believed to still be holding about 100 hostages. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Currently: A proposed U.S. resolution would back global efforts for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Gaza. Palestinian leader Abbas appoints his longtime adviser as prime minister in the face of calls for reform. A suspected attack by Yemens Houthi rebels strikes a ship in the Red Sea. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Top Democrat Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Here's the latest: UN COURT TO HEAR CASE FILED BY NICARAGUA THAT ACCUSES GERMANY OF FACILITATING GENOCIDE BY SUPPORTING ISRAEL THE HAGUE, Netherlands The top United Nations court said Friday it will hold hearings next month into a case filed by Nicaragua accusing Germany of breaching the genocide convention by providing arms and support to Israel during its assault on Gaza. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Israel strongly denies allegations that the military offensive it launched on Gaza following the deadly Oct. 7 incursion by Hamas militants in southern Israel amounts to genocide. Israel argues the country is acting within international law to defend itself. In its case filed March 1 at the International Court of Justice, Nicaragua accuses Germany of facilitating genocide and failing to do everything possible" to prevent it. On Wednesday, German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said that Berlin considers the case unfounded. We will set out our arguments and are convinced that they will resonate, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nicaragua has asked the court to hand down preliminary orders including that Germany immediately suspend its aid to Israel, in particular its military assistance including military equipment in so far as this aid may be used in the violation of the Genocide Convention and international law. The court will hold initial hearings April 8 and 9. Hearings on the case will be held at a later date. Earlier this year the court held similar hearings after South Africa accused Israel of breaching the genocide convention in Gaza, which Israel denied in court hearings. The court issued orders for Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza, but stopped short of ordering an end to the military offensive that has laid waste to the Palestinian enclave. Advertisement Article continues below this ad IRISH PRIME MINISTER TELLS BIDEN THAT CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA IS NEEDED TO GET AID IN AND HOSTAGES OUT WASHINGTON President Joe Biden said Friday during an Oval Office chat with Irelands prime minister that a whole lot more needs to be done in Gaza. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told Biden he wanted discuss getting Israel and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire as soon as possible, as well as how to go about achieving lasting peace by creating two states for the Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side. My view is that we need a cease-fire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out. We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two state solution, Varadkar said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Varadkar, who was in Washington for the upcoming March 17 St. Patricks Day holiday, said a two-state solution, also supported by Biden, is the only way well have lasting peace and security. NETANYAHUS OFFICE SAYS ISRAEL HAS APPROVED PLANS TO ATTACK GAZAS SOUTHERNMOST TOWN OF RAFAH JERUSALEM Israel has approved military plans to attack Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza where the majority of the embattled strips population is sheltering, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said Friday. The operation will involve the evacuation of the civilian population, the statement said, without specifying how or when this would take place. There are 1.4 million displaced Palestinians living in Rafah. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The military had said on Wednesday that it planned to direct them to humanitarian islands in the center of the territory ahead of its planned offensive in the area. Officials from the United States and other countries have expressed concerns over Israels plans to invade Rafah, fearing for the safety of the civilians. However Netanyahu has said he had no intention of backing down, saying that attacking Hamas in Rafah was crucial to his goal of eliminating the militant group. HAMAS PROPOSES A 3-STAGE TRUCE THAT WOULD END THE WAR BUT WON'T GIVE UP ITS HOLD ON GAZA BEIRUT Hamas latest cease-fire proposal calls for a three-stage process, starting with a partial Israeli pullback from Gaza and the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for freeing all female hostages the militants are holding in the enclave. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The details of the proposal were first reported by the Al-Jazeera network and confirmed to The Associated Press by a Palestinian official on Friday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal the content of the negotiations. International mediators had been working to broker a six week truce before the onset of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that started earlier this week. Hamas rejected any deal that would not lead to an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent truce. Hamas new proposal suggests three phases, six weeks each, according to the report. In the first phase, Israeli forces would pull back from two major streets linking north and south Gaza and would allow hundreds of thousands of displaced people to return home and aid to reach the isolated north. Hamas would the release all the female Israeli soldiers being held in Gaza while Israel would release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the second stage, a permanent cease-fire would be declared and Hamas would release all the Israeli soldiers the militants have taken hostage. In the third and last stage, reconstruction of Gaza would begin and the Israeli blockade of the Hamas-run enclave would be lifted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the proposal for the hostage release unrealistic, but said Israel would send negotiators to Doha for more talks. Bassem Mroue in Beirut Advertisement Article continues below this ad GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR IS HEADING TO JORDAN AND ISRAEL, EXPECTED TO PRESS FOR MORE GAZA AID BERLIN German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is making his second trip to the Middle East since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. He plans meetings with the leaders of Jordan and Israel. Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz will depart Saturday for Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah II. He plans to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in Israel on Sunday. 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Berlin plans to have its air force participate in Jordanian-initiated airdrops of aid to Gaza. But Hebestreit stressed on Friday that deliveries by sea or air are at best a second-best solution and aid should be sent to Gaza overland, as well as renewing calls for Hamas to free Israeli hostages. SHIP CARRYING 200 TONS OF AID APPROACHES GAZA'S SHORES WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip A ship carrying 200 tons of aid that set off from Cyprus was approaching the shores of Gaza on Friday. The shipment was intended to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to bring more assistance into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian crisis brought by Israels offensive in the enclave. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Friday morning, the boat could be seen far in the distance from the beaches of Wadi Gaza in the middle of the Gaza Strip. Israel has been under increasing pressure to allow more aid into Gaza after five months of war between Israel and Hamas. THE UNITED STATES' PROPOSED RESOLUTION WOULD BACK GLOBAL EFFORTS FOR A SUSTAINED CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA UNITED NATIONS The United States circulated the final draft of a United Nations Security Council resolution late Thursday that would support international efforts to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war as part of a deal to release hostages taken captive during Hamas surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. Advertisement Article continues below this ad No time has been set for a vote, and the draft, obtained by The Associated Press, could still be changed. The U.S. circulated the initial draft on Feb. 19, a day before it vetoed a widely supported Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the war in the embattled Gaza Strip, saying it would interfere with negotiations on a deal to free the hostages. The U.S. draft would demand that all parties comply with international law requiring protection of civilians and civilian objects, which include hospitals, schools and homes. The draft would also express the councils deep concern about the threat of conflict-inducted famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza, as well as the number of undernourished people, and the catastrophic levels of hunger. If the resolution is approved, it would for the first time condemn the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, as well as its taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, and sexual violence including rape, as well as its use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and to hold hostages. It would also demand that Hamas and other armed groups immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining hostages. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ISRAEL DENIES GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY'S CLAIM THAT ISRAELI FORCES KILLED 20 NEAR AN AID DISTRIBUTION CENTER DEIR-AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wracked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155 others. The Israeli military said in a statement that Palestinian gunmen were the ones to open fire and that none of its forces, who were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks, fired toward the waiting crowd or the convoy. Some of those in the crowd were run over by the trucks, it said. The violence occurred late Thursday near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, which has been a point for the distribution of aid in north Gaza over the past weeks. The health ministry said a group waiting there for aid was hit by Israeli shelling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Health Ministry said Friday that 149 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing to at least 31,490 the number of Palestinians killed in the war. The United Nations says one-quarter of Gazas 2.3 million people face starvation, many of them in the isolated north, the largely devastated target of Israels initial offensive in Gaza. Bloodshed surrounding an aid convoy on Feb. 29 killed 118 Palestinians in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said some of its forces fired at people in the crowd who were advancing toward them. Witnesses and hospital officials said many of the casualties were from bullet wounds. The Israeli military said many of the casualties were caused by a stampede over the food and people being run over by the aid trucks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Say what you want about Sony's design language for its smartphones, but you can't say it hasn't been a consistent design language throughout the past few years. And apparently it will remain so overall - the Xperia 1 VI is now rumored to keep the same design but change two rather significant things ahead of its probable release in May. First, it won't have a 4K screen anymore. Sony is the only company that pushed 4K in smartphones and now it's rumored to finally be giving up on that - there was probably no point insisting any further since every other flagship device that sells better than the Xperia line doesn't have a 4K screen and no one cares. Sony Xperia 1 V (left) vs. Xperia 1 VI (right) concept renders Next up, and more noticeably, the Xperia 1 VI is said to also drop the tall cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio in favor of 19.5:9. Thus, it should be shorter and wider than its predecessor, as the concept images above try to show. This once again has been one of those Sony-only things that doesn't seem to have worked out, so if you were wondering when it would be gone, the answer seems to be - this year. That is, of course, if this rumor pans out. There's a lot of logic to these rumored moves, but that doesn't necessarily mean the information is accurate. While we wait to see what's what, don't forget that a few days ago the RAM amounts for the Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 5 VI, and Xperia 10 VI also got leaked. Thanks for the tip, Josip! Source (in Chinese) The governor is trying to stop ongoing investigations by appealing to the Supreme Court of Guam, Attorney General Douglas Moylan said. Adelup on Thursday asked the islands high court to settle the matter of Moylans withdrawal from representing 22 agencies and departments that his office is actively investigating. Lawyers for the governors office asked the court to rule that Moylan could not simply withdraw from his legal obligation to represent those 22 agencies, an action which has paralyzed the government. Court filings also assert that Moylans office is required to set up controls on conflicts of interest when investigating an agency it also represents. Where that hasnt already happened, Moylan should be removed from investigations and prosecutions, and be required to pay for the attorneys for the impacted agency, Adelups request stated. This application by the governor is highly irregular, Moylan told the Pacific Daily News, when asked about the move. (Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero) is applying directly to Guams highest appellate tribunal to stop civil and criminal investigations involving her office and the (governors) Cabinet by the AGs Office, which investigations were referred to us by the Office of the Public Auditor and others, he said. The request is interference trying to silence and to replace the Peoples 2022 choice of attorney general to protect their rights and enforce Guams criminal laws against public officials, Moylan said. We are gravely concerned that the governors application violates the People of Guams rights to investigate and prosecute no fewer than 24 ongoing criminal cases, 2 of which are already before judges, and to have an evidentiary record created in the Superior Court with reasoned decisions, and reviewed by the Supreme Court of Guam under important procedural protections, he continued. It also violates the rights of those being investigated and accused of wrongdoing by our grand juries (People) by depriving them of a right to jury and appellate review, he stated. His office will be responding to the governors application in the Supreme Court of Guam as required, Moylan added. The AGs withdrawal late last month was triggered by attempts by defense attorneys to disqualify him from prosecuting two ongoing government corruption cases against officials who were previously represented by his office. The AG in recent weeks has argued he represents the government of Guam or the people of Guam as a whole, not individual government employees. Allowing each affected agency to file individual suits in the Superior Court of Guam would take too long, and cost too much, according to the filing. Two children found at a Sinajana residence during a drug bust reported witnessing drug use, with a 7-year-old saying he had been forced to smoke marijuana, according to charging documents. It taste good, he told police, according to the charging documents. I quit smoking weed already. Police executing a search warrant arrested one man in connection with drug charges and two women in connection with child abuse, according to magistrates complaints filed in Superior Court. Roque Evangelista Mendiola II, 47, was charged Thursday with possession with intent to deliver a Schedule II controlled substance as a first-degree felony and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance as a third-degree felony. When police searched the house, they found a glass pipe and a plastic bag with suspected methamphetamine residue and multiple items of drug paraphernalia located throughout the suspects residence, according to the complaint. Officers also found the two children. Tonisha Therese Rosario, 28, was charged with child abuse as a third-degree felony. Charges against the second woman were dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could refile the charges. The older child, 11, told police he has seen adults in the home using drugs he described as cocaine, according to the complaint. He said he would sometimes be dropped off at the residence, and he said adults would use glass pipes and a glass tubey thing with water to smoke drugs. The younger child, who was reportedly registered at school but hasnt attended any classes yet, told police the last time he ate was a long time ago, and that he has no food or snacks at home, according to the complaint. He said he showered last week, and that he is frequently left alone, according to the complaint. If found guilty of the charges, Mendiola could face 18 years in prison. He was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. Rosario, who could spend three years in prison, was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. A woman accused of climbing behind the wheel of a running police car in Tamuning two weeks ago was back in court Thursday this time accused With Guam increasingly in the crosshairs of cyberattacks from the U.S. mainland and abroad, a proposal to pool information from the local government and private sector to thwart such attacks is seeing support. Senators this week heard testimony on Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes Bill 190-37, which would form a Marianas Cyber Security Working Group. Made up of representatives from the telecommunications, utilities, banking, and defense sectors, the group would meet on a monthly basis to tackle cyber security issues, and to analyze threats to the government of Guam. Information would be shared with the Marianas Regional Fusion Center, the office responsible for collecting and analyzing data about criminal and terrorist activity in the region, and disseminated to the public. Muna Barnes during a Wednesday hearing said the goal is to ensure cyber security information is shared throughout the government properly, something that did not always happen in the past. Disorder caused by cyber criminals made headlines early last year, after cyberattacks temporarily shut down operations at the Guam Memorial Hospital, and left Docomo Pacific customers without service. Microsoft likewise published reports that found Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored hacking group from China, had targeted critical infrastructure organizations on Guam. Volt Typhoon also took to spying on U.S. defense contractors, with Guam being selected as one of the most frequent targets of such attacks, according to Microsoft. Hundreds of people monitoring Guam Putting together a cyber security working group for the island was critical, Melvin Kwek, Guam Power Authority chief information technology officer, told senators on Wednesday. Guam is a major target based on our geopolitical scene right now, our proximity to Asia, and all thats going on around us. And also, because of our (Department of Defense) bases on island, Kwek told senators. He said that GPAs security team was just a handful of people, but then, our adversary has a team of 50 people, 100 people, 200 people, monitoring us 24/7. But Kwek and others also wanted to ensure that sensitive information shared during working group meetings wasnt disseminated in a way that would open Guam up to further attacks. GovGuam Chief Technology Officer Frank Lujan chimed in on the matter. Though he supported the working group idea, Lujan said that reporting the details about cyberattacks to the public could serve as roadmap for future attacks from those that look to compromise the power grid, communication networks, or water treatment facilities. Disclosing details prematurely could jeopardize ongoing investigations, allowing attackers to escape apprehension or modify their tactics to evade detection, he said. It could also cause repetitional damage and panic, causing people to not want to do business with the entity exposed to an attack. Telecom providers want in More than just one telecommunications company should be represented in the cyber security working group, said Jay Shedd, vice president of business development for telecommunications company Pacific Data Systems. Currently, Bill 190-37 calls for only one telecom representative, appointed by the governor, to be present at working group meetings. Shedd told senators that much of the information that would be shared would likely be confidential, and telecom providers, specifically internet service providers, would need to know many of the details that couldnt be shared publicly. Although we are communications companies, we dont really share communications too well with each other, Shedd said. Dan Tydingco, executive vice president for Teleguam Holdings LLC, agreed with Shedd. He said one solution might be to include every telecom company with a certificate of authority from the Public Utilities Commission to be included in the working group. Here are the government agencies that would be in the working group: The governor The speaker of the Legislature The chief justice The general managers of the Guam Power Authority, Guam Waterworks Authority, and Port Authority of Guam The executive manager of the Guam International Airport Authority The director of the Department of Military Affairs GovGuams chief technology officer, The governor will also appoint the following representatives: Theres no time like spring in New Orleans: The sun is out, crawfish are aplenty, and it seems like the streets are buzzing with a new festival every weekend, filled with live music and local food. Make sure to mark your calendars for the best season yet. St. Patricks Day When: Saturday, March 16, and Sunday, March 17. Where: The Irish Channel neighborhood and the French Quarter. Tickets: Free entry. Move over, Boston. New Orleans is the new top dog when it comes to celebrating St. Paddys. Enjoy a block party that rivals Mardi Gras, drink green beer at one of the citys many Irish pubs, and catch cabbages at the annual Irish Channel St. Patricks Day Parade. Wednesdays at the Square When: From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday from March 6-May 8. Where: Lafayette Square, South Maestri Street, New Orleans. Tickets: Free entry. Jam along to free outdoor music every Wednesday in the spring, while enjoying Abita beer and food from local vendors. Big Sam's Funky Nation plays at the Wednesdays at the Square Concert Series on March 6, 2024.Emily Topping Freret Street Festival When: Saturday, March 30. Where: Freret Street, between Napoleon Ave. and Valmont St. This neighborhood day festival features over 200 vendors and 20 bands across three stages. Enjoy free live music all-day long while shopping from local artisans. Hogs for the Cause When: Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6. Where: University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave., New Orleans. Tickets: $50 Friday, $60 Saturday, $99 two-day general admission, on sale now. Hogs for the Cause transforms the lakefront of UNO into a festive springtime barbecue with an impressive musical lineup while raising funds for pediatric cancer research. This year, over 95 teams of chefs will present some of the finest pork dishes on the planet. Last years menu included such treats as bacon-wrapped bananas Foster, cheesy porkdita crunches, honey Old Bay wings, pulled pork chimichangas and countless more. French Quarter Festival When: Thursday, April 11, to Sunday, April 14. Where: The French Quarter. Tickets: Free entry. This festival embodies what New Orleans is all about: over 400 hours of free music, a top-notch culinary lineup, and performances by world-class local marching bands all within the beauty of the French Quarter. New Orleans Jazz Fest When: Weekends of April 25-28 and May 2-5. Where: Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans. Tickets: Starting at $95 single-day, $320 Weekend 1 Pass, $270 Weekend 2 Pass, on sale now. The crown jewel of New Orleans festivals is bigger and better than ever this year. Headliners include The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Hozier, Vampire Weekend and more. New Orleans' Jazz and Heritage Festival brings music lovers from around the world to the Mid-City neighborhood. (Chris Graythen | Getty Images)Getty Images NOLA Crawfish Fest When: Monday, April 29 to Wednesday, May 1. Where: The Broadside Theater, 600 N. Broad St., New Orleans. Tickets: $60 per day, available now. Celebrate the end of crawfish season by getting your hands dirty. NOLA Crawfish Fest invites crustacean lovers to dig in to thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish, expertly prepared by the Crawfish King himself, Chris Shaggy Davis. Daze Between When: Tuesday, April 30, and Wednesday, May 1. Where: Faubourg Brewing Co., 3501 Jourdan Road, New Orleans. Tickets: $70 for Tuesday, $85 for Wednesday, on sale now. Theres no need to languish in the days between Jazz Fest weekend: Thats why Daze Between was invented (get it?). This midweek festival features a lineup so funky itll do more than just tide you over. Bayou Boogaloo When: Friday, May 17, to Sunday, May 19. Where: 3205 Orleans Ave., New Orleans. Tickets: $39.50 for weekend pass, available now. Wouldnt it be nice if all festivals could be enjoyed while lounging in an inflatable tube? The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo invites attendees to enjoy the musical lineup from land, or in the cool waters of the Bayou St. John, via kayak, raft or giant blow-up flamingo. Really, its whatever floats your boat. New Orleans Greek Festival When: May 24-26. Where: 1200 Allen Toussaint Blvd., New Orleans. Tickets: $10 at the door, free for children under 10. Souvlaki, baklava, tzatziki, oh my. New Orleans Greek Fest hosted by the community of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral features authentic Greek music, Hellenic dancers and, of course, the most authentic Mediterranean food this side of the Baltic Sea. Prepare to walk away more stuffed than the grape leaves. With more than a decade of experience in protesting governments, corporations and everything in between, Crowds on Demand, a company that pays people to show up to protests, insists they can get media attention for any cause or candidate and currently, theyre hiring. Apparently the company is seeking to hire around 20 giants to regularly appear at rallies theyre organizing. The job description, posted on LinkedIn, says: We are currently seeking individuals with a very specific profile to join our team of professional protesters. This is a giant opportunity for those who are more than 7 feet tall and weigh over 300 lbs. Your presence at events will be pivotal in adding an undeniable intimidation factor, bringing a giant to the gate of organizations accused of wrongdoing and helping to ensure our protests are taken seriously and can achieve their intended impact. But whether its standing outside the gate of an organization implicated in misconduct or showing up for social causes, Adam Swart, the CEO and founder of Crowds on Demand, believes his giants will have a huge impact on any campaign. Having 7-foot-tall folks at our events will be a truly unmissable sight and help us deliver great results for our clients, Swart said. At this point, the demand for this group is mostly on the corporate advertising side as opposed to the protest side of our business. However, we may well use this amazing group for protests, based on the demand we see. Swart founded Crowds on Demand as a college student at UCLA in 2012 because, he said, he understood the power of a crowd to shape peoples perceptions. The same speech by a politician has a different meaning if it is given in front of 1,000 people instead of 10, Swart said. A routine conference becomes controversial when 50 protesters are outside an ordinary product launch becomes a newsworthy event when delivered with fanfare and flair. Whether its trade shows, product launches, guerrilla marketing campaigns or brand ambassador campaigns, Swart said his clients continue to ask for more unique ways to stand out and get attention. For example, the company was hired by a digital media firm to get attention for its new product that offered an alternative to internet banner advertisements. Crowds on Demand created a tongue-in-cheek protest against banner ads featuring 50 protesters holding signs on opening day of the conference. Swart said the event led to a popular hashtag, industry media coverage and an increase in sales of 500% immediately following the conference. In addition to protesters, the company also can provide paparazzi and fans, as they did during a red carpet gala sponsored by a high-end event planning firm, which hired Crowds on Demand to add some add flair to the evening. A foreign government reportedly even hired Crowds on Demand to help generate a positive reception for its newly elected leader during the U.N. General Assembly by creating demonstrations of support. Talk show hosts, opinion columnists and politicians are all paid to advocate for their positions and Swart believes peaceful protesters also deserve to be compensated fairly for their time in advocating their point of view. Most Americans dont have the luxury to be able to take time off work or other responsibilities to attend a protest for causes they truly believe in, Swart said. Our job is to facilitate their participation. But what about the ethical considerations of paid protesters? According to Swart, most paid protesters actually support the cause they are just being incentivized to show up. Swart said his clients are entities, individuals, companies, organizations or anyone who wants a good turnout to any event, not just a protest. A routine conference becomes controversial when 50 protesters are outside, he said. An ordinary product launch becomes a newsworthy event when delivered with fanfare and flair. Twelve years on, he said Crowds on Demand continues to take a hands-on approach with clients. We help them to advocate for important causes, build their businesses, settle disputes, or amplify their message often when other strategies have failed, Swart said. We do our best when we create a splash. FILE - Police patrol Pusher Street in at Christiania, Copenhagen, Friday, May 25, 2018, after the street reopened after having been closed for three days. The inhabitants of Copenhagen's freewheeling Christiania neighborhood want dig up the aptly named Pusher Street where cannabis has been sold for decades although the trade is illegal, in the latest attempt to stop the hashish sale which has led to deadly gang turf wars and sometimes violent confrontations with the police. (Nils Meilvang/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File) Nils Meilvang/AP COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) The inhabitants of Copenhagen's freewheeling Christiania neighborhood plan to dig up the aptly named Pusher Street, in their latest attempt to stop illegal hashish sales which have led to deadly gang turf wars and sometimes violent confrontations with the police. Residents of the hippie enclave are calling for volunteers to help dig up the street on April 6, the Berlingske newspaper wrote Thursday. All are welcome, and participants can take home one of its cobblestones as a souvenir. It is yet unclear what will replace the street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The residents are fighting to preserve Christianias reputation as a free-wheeling society made up of political idealists and aging hippies. For years, hash has been sold openly in Christiania from roadside stalls, among buildings painted in psychedelic colors. But inhabitants say that feuding gangs, not them, control the trade and the survival of their community hinges on ending it. The neighborhood has been a world apart from the rest of Copenhagen since 1973, when hippies squatted at a derelict naval base and set up a community dedicated to the flower-power ideals popular at the time: free cannabis, limited government influence, no cars and no police. After more than four decades of locking horns with authorities, they were given control over their homes when the state sold the 84-acre (24-hectare) enclave for 85.4 million kroner ($12.5 million) to a foundation owned by its inhabitants. There are nearly 700 adults and about 150 children living in the community today, and it's one of the Danish capital's biggest tourist attractions. The Christianites have made several attempts to close the hashish market in the roughly 100 meter (328 foot)-long street. Police say the trade, worth millions, is controlled by the Hells Angels and the outlawed Loyal to Family. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Authorities tolerated hashish sales in Christiania until 2004, when police started to crack down. To preempt police raids, residents took down hash booths, but trading soon came back. Last year, they brought heavy machinery to tear down the market but masked men stopped them. In the past month, Christiania has worked with local authorities to make plan that includes ending the drug trade and replacing it with other activities. The social and housing ministry said that it was an important prerequisite to get rid of the organized hashish trade" before Christiania can get 14.3 million kroner ($2.1 million) earmarked for the work. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 30-year-old man who was selling drugs was shot and killed, and four others injured, in August; in 2022, a man selling hashish from one of the streets booths was shot dead. The previous year, a man was shot and killed at the entrance to the same street. Haiti - Politic : Dennis Bruce Hankins new American ambassador to Haiti Thursday March 14, 2024, the US Senate ratified (89 votes for, 1 vote against) Dennis Hankins (65) as United States Ambassador to Haiti in a bipartisan vote, resolving a vacancy from the start of the last ambassador in office, Michele Sison in October 2021, while Haiti is facing a political and security crisis not seen in decades. Let's remember that Biden had appointed Hanking in May 2023 Hankins https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39576-haiti-usa-dennis-hankins-next-american-ambassador-to-haiti.html The White House said it was "urgent" for Hankins to take office at a crucial time for Haiti where gangs threaten to overthrow the country's fragile transitional government. "This is a critical time to make sure that we have an ambassador in place," National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters Thursday, noting that violence in the capital Port-au-Prince had only increased in recent days. "We certainly urgently need him in place." Hankins' experience will be a critical asset as the United States pushes for the deployment of a multinational security mission to Haiti, led by Kenya. Most of his diplomatic career focused on Africa. He also served as deputy director of peacekeeping in Washington. The career diplomat has nearly 40 years of experience in some of the world's toughest posts, including Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, working there during the first war. He also served as ambassador to Mali and Guinea. He was Consul in Haiti in 1992. During his career, Hankins served three times as deputy chief of mission in Sudan, Mauritania and Mozambique, principal officer in Sao Paulo and consul general in Riyadh. But most of his diplomatic career appears to have been spent in Africa, which could be beneficial with the upcoming arrival of the Kenyan-led Security Support Mission. In Washington, Hankins served as deputy director of peacekeeping, senior monitoring officer and head of the Angola office. Hankins earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a master's degree from the National War College. Hankins has a wife, Mira, and a son, Danu, who works for the US Navy. He speaks English, French, Portuguese and Indonesian. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - USA : A second group of Marines lands Four US Army helicopters, carrying marines, arrived in Haiti Tuesday evening, with a view to reinforcing the security service team of the American Embassy, explained the United States Southern Command on Wednesday Our receipt of a second airlift of Marines provided support to the current Diplomatic Security Service Embassy (DSS) security team and is consistent with standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide. Our Embassy remains focused on continuing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in Haiti. "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 See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41832-haiti-flash-marines-deployed-in-haiti.html The U.S. Embassy remains open and limited operations continue, focused on assisting U.S. citizens and supporting Haitian-led efforts to ensure 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." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41832-haiti-flash-marines-deployed-in-haiti.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Bahamas : 107 Haitian boat people intercepted On Wednesday March 13, 107 Haitian boat people (89 men, 17 women and one minor) were intercepted by a patrol boat of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF), in the south of the Bahamas. This fourth group of migrants intercepted in the waters of the Bahamas brings to 370 the number of Haitians intercepted in the waters of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, in 4 days. Residence of the DG of the PNH, looted and burned : (Video) Thursday March 14, 2024 in the sailor, armed individuals attacked, looted and set fire to the (unoccupied) residence of Frantz Elbe, Commander-in-Chief a.i. of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) located in Santo 17 (Commune of Croix-des-Bouquets) Mission : Blinken spoke with President Ruto On Wednesday, March 13, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto about the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) to ensure security and stability for the Haitian people, as well as as the next measures likely to facilitate this deployment. Blinken briefed President Ruto on the commitments made by the United States and other international partners in support of the mission. The French Embassy closed "Ambassador Fabrice Mauries, who was in France at the time of the suspension of flights, returned to his diplomatic post in Port-au-Prince this morning. Let's remember that the services of the French Embassy in Haiti are closed to the public until at least Friday March 15. Its staff remains mobilized to serve the security of our community," informed Stephane Sejourne, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs at the National Assembly. Fire at the National Penitentiary Early Thursday March 14, 2024, a fire of unknown origin broke out in the block named "Titanic" of the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince. SOUTHCOM and security of Americans in Haiti "U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is prepared with a broad range of contingency plans to ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Haiti," SOUTHCOM said in a statement. HL/ HaitiLibre Yingge dance captivates London in stunning overseas debut 13:22, March 15, 2024 By Yu Ying, Irene Xu ( People's Daily Online How far is 10,000 kilometers? Chen Laifa, a nationally recognized inheritor of Puning Yingge dance, noted this as the distance from Puning to London. For Chen, it's the farthest he and his team have ever traveled. To many Britons, China is a vast country with diverse cultures, making it challenging for them to know where to begin their exploration. However, an opportune moment arose when Chens Yingge dance team received an invitation to the U.K. Originating from the Chaoshan area of south China's Guangdong Province, Yingge dance is a 300-year-old tradition. It has been classified as a national intangible cultural heritage in China. The dance is primarily associated with the classic Chinese novel of heroism, "Water Margin." Its opera-style facial makeup, featuring diverse colors and patterns, reveals the personalities of the characters being portrayed. This integration of drama, dance, and martial arts creates a unique performance style, characterized by powerful, expressive movements and a rich history. This occasion marked the first time the dance was performed live anywhere in Europe, and Chens team was brimming with excitement. From early in the morning, the 16 team members meticulously prepared for their performance, adorning themselves with elaborate facial makeup to symbolize the rich cultural heritage they represent. The performers on Chens team come from various walks of life farmers, workers, students, teachers, and chefs. Typically, they engage in their regular occupations. However, when it's time for a Yingge performance, they quickly shift into performance mode, dressing in costumes, applying makeup, and picking up wooden sticks. Chen hadn't anticipated the warm reception his team would receive during their debut in London, delivering electrifying performances at London's Burlington Arcade, the Grand Parade, and Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The performers' robust and agile moves, coupled with the rhythmic clashing of their sticks, left audiences in awe. As the performers took their final bows at Trafalgar Square, they were met with thunderous applause. Their amazing performances quickly spread across social media in the U.K., becoming an iconic symbol of Chinese culture in the Year of the Loong. Numerous British media outlets and fashion news segments featured Chen's Yingge dance performance. On Feb. 10, at Burlington Arcade, Chen and his team transformed the luxurious fashion runway into a stage showcasing Chinese intangible cultural heritage. The following day, during the Grand Parade, the streets were packed with a sea of people, each holding twin short sticks. They danced rhythmically, striking the sticks together to the beat of drums and the resonant sound of horns that filled the air and echoed through the streets. The cheers from the crowd amplified the spirits of the Yingge dancers. On that same day in Trafalgar Square, more than 700,000 people joined the celebration. Spectators eagerly took snapshots and videos on their smartphones, trying to capture the vibrant scenes unfolding before them. Those who witnessed the Yingge dance described it as "a sensory cultural feast!" The responses ranged from, "Its the first time Ive seen this kind of dance; its so cool!" to "Beautiful and colorful costumes, it was a 100 percent amazing performance!" Others commented, "Very energetic!" and "Awesome!" Mark Lord, the Burlington Arcade's head beadle, joked that Europe had patiently awaited its first glimpse of the Puning Yingge dance. "We've waited more than 300 years for the dance troupe to leave China and come perform in Europe," he said. "I have to say, it was well worth the wait. It has been fantastic." For the Yingge performers, it was an unforgettable experience. They had to overcome the exhaustion brought on by jet lag to deliver the most spectacular performances. Over the three days in London, the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures left lasting impressions on everyone involved. Art is a universal language that transcends borders and connects people from all corners of the globe. This will not be the end of Yingge's journey overseas. Before returning to China, Chen said, Londoners are incredibly warm-hearted, and I truly felt that atmosphere. I will definitely be back!" (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) MBABANE Neither the Crown nor Parliament, or any person acting under the authority of the Crown or Parliament, or any person whatsoever, shall interfere with judicial officers in the exercise of their judicial power. This is the response that was tabled before Parliament when MPs alleged that the chief justice (CJ) was a law unto himself. The MPs requested the minister to lead the portfolio committee to His Majesty the King to try and resolve this issue. The minister was asked if he had power over the Judiciary and made an example of the ongoing probe at the Masters Office that has been unilaterally ordered and authorised by the CJ, despite the ministers non-involvement at any of the stages leading up to the probe. The responses from the ministry which were tabled in Parliament cited Section 2 of the Constitution, which provides for the supremacy clause that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Accordingly, the independence of the Judiciary, as a third arm of government, and as entrenched and enshrined in section 141 of the Constitution, should be respected by all. The ministry mentioned that the Constitutional provision provides, inter alia, that in the exercise of the judicial power of Eswatini, the Judiciary, in both its judicial and administrative functions, including financial administration, shall be independent and subject only to the Constitution, and shall not be subject to the control or direction of any person or authority. It further provides that neither the Crown nor Parliament nor any person acting under the authority of the Crown or Parliament or any person whatsoever shall interfere with judicial officers in the exercise of their judicial power, reads the response. Furthermore, the ministry stated that the Constitution also provided that all organs or agencies of the crown shall give to the courts such assistance as the courts may reasonably require to protect the independence, dignity and effectiveness of the courts, under the Constitution. It provides further that the Judiciary shall keep its own finances and administer its own affairs. Moreover, the ministry mentioned that the law states that the Judiciary shall keep its own finances and administer its own affairs, and may deal directly with the ministry responsible for finance or any other person in relation to its finances or affairs. To that extent the doctrine of separation of powers between the three arms of government is a constitutional imperative, which prohibits the interference and overreach of the functions of the three arms of government. The MPs had mentioned that if the minister does not have power over the Judiciary, why should he be lobbying on behalf of the Judiciary for allocation of its budget in Parliament? Should the Judiciary attend Parliament itself to lobby for its budget since it is independent of the minister? The response was that the registrar of the Supreme Court serves as the controlling officer. The MPs also questioned why the officers implicated in corruption and misconduct in the Masters office were not suspended pending the completion of the Masters Office probe. In response, the ministry said the current probe into the Masters Office sought to address such allegations with the objective being to help the office improve on service delivery and transparency. Montana Rep. Paul Tuss, D-Havre, is running for reelection this year, a rematch between former Montana House representative Ed Hill, a Republican he beat in the last cycle. Tuss, the Executive Director of Bear Paw Development, said he's been serving the area for more than two decades, with his organization providing assistance to businesses in five counties and two reservations, experience he said has served him well in the Legislature. He said his history in economic development familiarized him with the strengths and deficiencies of the Havre area so he could better advocate for policie... by Emily Mayer There were many articles in the Havre Daily Promoter this week 100 years ago regarding agricultural interests. Locals were organizing in many ways, trying to find new ways to bring income to an economy that had been having problems for several years, the causes including drought, a glut of various products in the market, and depreciated prices. People were losing their farms; in fact, there are numerous entries in the Legal section of the paper of Sheriff Sales of farms that had gone bankrupt. One of those recently formed groups was the Hill County Development Association, a... North Central Senior Center March 18-22 Menu Monday, March 18 Breakfast wraps, fruit, dessert Tuesday, March 19 Beef Stroganoff, bread and Butter, Veggies, Dessert Wednesday, March 20 Stir fry, rice, fruit, dessert Thursday, March 21 Pulled pork, bun, potato salad, veggies, dessert Friday, march 22 Soup, chefs choice, dessert News from our gift shop Spring is just around the corner. New items will be added often. Easter items are available new this week. Picture frames, yes we have some. The ice will be melting soon fishing will be good with handmade fishing flies from the gift... THULWANE - A 16-year-old girl died after being stabbed, banged against a wall and hit with pieces of bricks allegedly by her suitor. The suspect, aged 39, allegedly committed this offence after being released on bail following a charge of statutory rape linked to the deceased. The spine-chilling incident happened on Wednesday at Thulwane, under Mafutseni Constituency in the Manzini Region. Apart from the statutory rape, the suspect was out on bail on two murder charges, as he was arrested for purportedly killing teenage girls one in Matsapha and the other at Thulwane. According to a source close to the matter, Mphilwenhle Mavimbela dropped out of school in Form III last year as the suspect would waylay her on the way from school and force her to his home, where he kept her for days without her consent. School The teenager attended school in one of the schools in the Manzini Region. Mphilwenhles suitor was reported to the police as they feared that he might continue to waylay her along the way from school. The suspect was eventually arrested in November 2023, and charged under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act of 2018. The source told this publication that about a fortnight ago, the accused was released on bail and he returned to the community of Thulwane. The source said when the family of Mphilwenhle learnt that her suitor was back in the community, after being released on bail, they feared for their lives. As a result, according to the source, last Wednesday, Mphilwenhles mother, Sakhile Dlamini, called her sister who lives in Matsapha. Preferred Mphilwenhle informed her mother that she had a change of heart and preferred to remain behind. He said on Monday the mother, who was worried about the safety of her daughter, came back home to check on her. Later on same the day, around 6pm, the source said Mphilwenhle, who was with her friend, asked to walk her (friend) out and that was the last time her mother saw her as she did not come back home. The source said the teenagers mother suspected that it might happen that his suitor saw her and took her to his home as he usually did. He said however, the worried mother was afraid to go to his home. According to the grieving mother, she spent Monday night and the whole of Tuesday anticipating that her daughter would come back home, but in vain. She said on Wednesday, she received a phone call informing her that her daughter had been found dead in an abandoned three-room house near Mzimpofu River between Thulwane and KaBhudla. The source said this was after some boys, who were looking after cattle, heard voices coming from the direction of where the house was and they went to investigate. According to the source, when the boys arrived at the house, they found that its steel door was locked and they peeped through one of the windows. They saw something which looked like a lifeless body sprawled on the floor and they call a the neighbours, the source said. He said the neighbours called the police, who responded promptly and upon arrival, the law enforcers, who are stationed at Mafutseni Police Station, opened the house. He said they found the body of the teenager lying in a pool of blood.According to the source, when they inspected the body, the police found that she had multiple wounds, which included a stab wound in the head. Also, he said the scene suggested that the teenager tried to defend herself as there were struggle marks on the floor. Again, he said the teenagers head was banged against the walls as there were blood stains on the walls. He added that there were suspicions that the supposed killer of the young girl also hit her with pieces of bricks as some had bloodstains. Relatives Thereafter, he said as the police were speaking to some of the people who knew the deceased, including her relatives at the scene, some community members picked up the information that her out-on-bail suitor was listed as a prime suspect and they ran to look for him at his parental home. He said when the angry mob, which was baying for the alleged suspects blood, arrived at the homestead; his mother told them that she did not know his whereabouts. The murder was confirmed by Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni.She also confirmed that previously, the police had arrested the suspect in connection with two passion murder cases. She said the suspect was still on the run. The police advised him to surrender himself to the nearest police station. Helsingin Sanomat wrote yesterday, citing information it has obtained, that the so-called refoulement act is expected to grant authorities responsible for upholding border security relatively extensive rights to refuse entry to migrants sent to the border as part of a hybrid campaign by a foreign state, such as Russia. PRIME MINISTER Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Thursday offered Members of the Finnish Parliament the first details of a bill designed to bolster security at the border between Finland and Russia. The migrants could be removed from the country forcibly, if necessary. Sources of the newspaper also indicated that the bill would enable authorities to suspend the receipt of asylum applications regionally for a pre-determined period of time, with possible exceptions for asylum seekers who are sick or who would likely face serious problems upon their return to Russia. Drafted under the guidance of the Ministry of the Interior, the bill has yet been published in its entirety. Orpo on Thursday stressed that preparatory work is ongoing and that the government would hold additional meetings today, declining to comment on whether all ruling parties support what, from the perspective of international treaties, is a problematic bill. Well find out tomorrow, he retorted when asked if the bill will be published for comments on Friday. Orpo also declined to shed further light on the contents of the bill. In Finland, decisions concerning national security have always been made and will be made together now, too. If and when we move forward with this, we need a large parliamentary majority. Thats why this co-operation between the government and opposition is so important, the premier said in the Parliament House. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the Swedish Peoples Party informed its coalition partners last month that it is not prepared to approve a bill that clearly violates the constitution, international treaties or EU law. Chairperson Anna-Maja Henriksson described the border security bill to the newspaper yesterday as very difficult and challenging to enact. We dont have the final proposal yet, but everyones aware that were in sensitive territory when it comes to basic rights. Finland has a long tradition of holding fast to international treaties and EU law, she noted. There are still a lot of question marks, and its impossible to say whats the final position of the Swedish Peoples Party. Well have to examine the final bill and get assessments from experts in constitutional law and international law, as well as other relevant parties. The Finnish government last month decided to extend the closure of border-crossing points on the eastern border until 14 April. The expectation is that the closure will continue at least until a bill that addresses the situation has been passed, despite the complications the closure has caused for people with family on both sides of the border. A Russian hybrid campaign has brought roughly 1,300 asylum applicants from 29 countries to Finland since August 2023. YLE on Thursday reported that over 200 of the applicants have disappeared since arriving in reception centres, according to an estimate by the National Bureau of Investigation (KRP). KRP yesterday told the public broadcasting company that the arrivals include dozens who, based on a provisional assessment, might pose a threat to national security. Such people can include people with ties to armed groups or extremist organisations, people who have participated in hostilities, people who are subject to an international arrest warrant, people who are believed to have used forged travel documents, people who may have participated in human smuggling, or people who have been convicted of a criminal offence or imposed an entry ban in the Schengen Area. Aleksi Teivainen HT The test centres will be established at the University of Oulu and at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in Espoo, with the former offering companies the opportunity to test sixth-generation (6G) wireless technologies and the latter in cyber-secure communications, quantum technologies and space technologies. NATO has agreed to set up one business accelerator and two test centres for new technologies in Finland, reports the Finnish Ministry of Defence. To be set up in Espoo, the accelerator will focus on communication and quantum technologies, offering companies mentorship in developing their business in the defence sector. Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen (NCP) estimated that the facilities will both raise awareness and create business opportunities for Finland within Nato. Finlands leading position especially in the development of new-generation communication technologies and quantum technologies is likely to attract operators and experts to Finland. Our profile as a frontrunner of dual-use communication technologies will make Finland more attractive to international financiers and strengthen our technological input as a Nato member, he envisioned. The facilities are established as part of Diana, a Nato programme that seeks to identify future challenges in the defence sector and find technological solutions in collaboration with the private sector. The test centres set up under the programme test the military applications of disruptive and emerging technologies with dual-use potential. The Ministry of Defence pointed out that most dual-use innovations have a market-driven origin in the civilian sector. Taking advantage of the potential, it added, requires new mechanisms for identifying technology developers and stronger links between the defence sector and commercial innovation ecosystems. Finland submitted an application to host the accelerator and test centres last summer. The application was granted by the board of directors of Diana. Aleksi Teivainen HT A TEACHER convicted of child sex offences has been banned from the profession for life. Harvey McGough, 55, the former head of design and technology at Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, was found to be unsuitable by a professional conduct panel. The decision comes after he was found guilty of making indecent photographs of children and of possession of prohibited images of children at Reading Crown Court in 2021. McGough was employed at the independent school from January 2008 until his resignation in March 2021 after police launched an investigation. On January 4, 2021, Thames Valley Police requested information about an email address, which turned out to be McGoughs. On January 19, a Wokingham council officer contacted members of the school about safeguarding concerns relating to McGough, who was suspended while the investigation continued. The following day, the school received a letter from the police confirming that McGough had been arrested on January 19 for possessing an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph an image made by computer graphics of a child. He was convicted on November 2 that year after admitting the offences and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. He was also made the subject of a sex offenders notice, a sexual harm prevention order, and a requirement to register with the police, all for a period of 10 years. His phone containing images was forfeited and destroyed. The conduct panel considered the case for the Teaching Regulation Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education. McGough had requested no hearing. The panel ruled that McGough had breached the professional standards for teaching. The panel noted that although McGoughs actions did not appear to involve a pupil or a colleague at Reading Blue Coat School, his actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and working in an education setting, in particular because he had made and possessed indecent images of children and used his work email address. The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offence could have had an impact on the safety or security of pupils and members of the public. It considered McGoughs behaviour could undoubtedly affect public confidence in the teaching profession, particularly given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community. It said his conduct ran counter to what should have been at the very core of his practice as a teacher with a duty of care towards children and noted that his behaviour ultimately led to a sentence of imprisonment, albeit suspended, which was indicative of the seriousness of the offences. The panel found the seriousness of the offences was relevant to McGoughs ongoing suitability to teach and said that public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if McGough was not treated with the utmost seriousness. The panel decided that there was no evidence that McGoughs actions were not deliberate nor was there evidence to suggest that McGough was acting under extreme duress. It found his actions to be calculated and motivated. McGough did not provide any mitigation and the panel said there was limited evidence of regret, remorse or insight. It said there were positive statements about his teaching history and ability but did not consider that this outweighed the seriousness of the allegations. The panel made a recommendation that a prohibition order should be imposed with immediate effect. Marc Cavey, on behalf of the Secretary of State, approved the recommendation to maintain public confidence in the teaching profession. He said: In my judgement, the lack of full insight means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils. I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision. This means that Harvey McGough is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or childrens home in England. Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that he shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach. In 2020, McGough worked with Leighton Park School in Reading to produce more than 6,000 protective visors for NHS and private medical staff treating coronavirus patients across Oxfordshire and Berkshire. A spokeswoman for Reading Blue Coat School said: This is a deeply distressing situation for the school community concerning a former member of staff. The offences did not involve any of our students in any way. The highest priority for the school is the safety and wellbeing of our students. Kanyakumari, Mar 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the DMK-Congress INDIA alliance can never make Tamil Nadu a developed State as its history is of scams and corruption. Addressing an election rally here, as part of his Southern outreach for the Lok Sabha election, Modi said on one side, you (people) have the welfare schemes of BJP. On the other side, you have the scam list of the INDIA alliance. We provided people with optical fiber and 5G internet. But, they (INDIA alliance) took peoples money by orchestrating the 2G scam, he said. We initiated the UDAN scheme, and they initiated the Helicopter scam. We have the results of Khelo India, they have the scam of the Commonwealth Games, the PM added. Modi said DMK and Congress want to come to power to loot people. The DMK is the biggest beneficiary of the 2G scam, he said. The people of Jammu and Kashmir rejected those who dreamt of breaking the country. Now, the people of Tamil Nadu are going to do the same, the PM said. 'Our performance in Tamil Nadu this time will shatter the arrogance of the DMK-Congress INDIA alliance', he said and added Today, the wave that is rising from Kanyakumari, the Southern tip of the country, will go very far, Lashing out at the DMK, the Prime Minister in his fifth visit to Tamil Nadu this year, said the DMK is an enemy to the future and heritage of the state and they hate Indian culture. Before the Ayodhya Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony, I came to Tamil Nadu and visited the important temples. But, the DMK government attempted to stop the telecast of the Ram temple consecration. The Supreme Court had to reprimand the Tamil Nadu government on this. They (DMK) also did not like the installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament. He said the DMK and Congress only know how to cheat and insult women. The people of Tamil Nadu know how the DMK behaved with the late TN Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. That culture continues today. Both the DMK and Congress were anti-women and they do politics in the name of women. DMK leaders also questioned our move to bring the Womens Reservation Bill. Modi said the NDA government paved the way for Jallikattus return to Tamil Nadu and worked non-stop for development of the State. UNI GSM CS Night sky over Summer Lake Hot Springs, outside of Paisley, Oregon, a few days before the height of the Perseid meteor shower. (Samantha Swindler/Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian) 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. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Bengaluru, March 15 (UNI) Raising serious concerns about the integrity of electoral finance and the conduct of the ruling party in India, AICC Chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday demanded a high-level inquiry into BJP's misuse of electoral bonds. Kharge alleged that the BJP has received a disproportionately large amount of donations through electoral bonds compared to other parties, particularly the Congress party. He alleged that it might be due to pressure exerted by the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on individuals and corporations to donate to their party, potentially in exchange for favours or to close legal cases against them. Kharge alleged unequal treatment by government agencies in this regard. He claimed that while the BJP's accounts remain open and unaffected, the accounts of Opposition parties, especially the Congress, have faced scrutiny and restrictions, such as the freezing of funds. This is seen as creating an unfair playing field for elections, the Congress President said. "SBI data shows that BJP got 50% donation. Congress got only 11%. Our voting pattern if you see, we are nearly 1/3rd and the rest of the parties are two-thirds, including BJP. But BJP got more than 50% of donations. How can they get this much money? How can the other capitalists or other companies give such donations?" Kharge told reporters in a press conference here. "So, there are many dubious donors. And who are these? Nearly all people who have donated either are involved in ED or I-T cases. Modi ji and his party pressured these people to give more donations to their party. Otherwise, this much of difference cannot be," he further alleged. The Rajya Sabha MP also alleged that the government froze the Congress account and money seized through IT sleuths. He said nearly Rs 300 crore they froze. How can we go for election? If you are collecting crores of rupees through electoral bonds. "On the other hand, the Congress got donations from workers, MPs and even other small, small donors. Our account is closed. Their (BJP) account is open and they have got Rs 6,000 crores of rupees, whereas others have got little money. If the account of the Opposition parties is frozen then how they will fight the election? Where is the level playing ground? They (BJP) are doing this," he alleged. Therefore, Kharge demanded a high-level inquiry into these allegations, including freezing the accounts of the BJP until the truth is revealed. "I demand an inquiry at the highest level and until the truth comes out, their (BJP) account also should be frozen. A special investigation should be done whether the donations have come in exchange for favours or due to harassment, or asking them for donations to close their ED and I-T cases," he said. The AICC Chief also said that the Prime Minister is accountable for the actions of his party because he takes credit for everything and does not acknowledge the contributions of other parties or individuals. "The Prime Minister should be held accountable because he is the main man and the prime minister himself claims always 'This is Modi's government, Modi's party, Modi's guarantee. So, everything is in his name only and he never takes BJP's name," he stated. Kharge expressed concern that such practices undermine democratic principles and the federal structure of the country. He also warned against the dangers of pressuring individuals and corporations into donating to a particular party, which could lead to inequality and erode the democratic fabric of the nation. "This tendency what Modi ji is developing in this country, a country which is democratic, and our country which beliefs in the federal system, that also he is destroying and apart from that we are very worried because if you pressurize the people, then naturally people will donate as they like ... This will bring great inequality," he said. Replying to a query, Kharge indicated that further discussions will take place within the Congress party, possibly in a working committee meeting, to decide on the next course of action. UNI BDN CS In early January 2016, Iran and Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties over an incident that played out along sectarian fault lines Riyadh executed Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia critic of the Saudi monarchy, imprisoned since 2012. Iran, which had advocated for Nimrs release, allowed Shia protesters (some with alleged state-backing) to commit arson at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, forcing it to shut. Both states then declared each others ambassadors as persona non grata and severed diplomatic ties. Given the Saudi influence, several other Middle East/North African states, including Sudan and Djibouti, followed suit in breaking their own ties with Iran. Meanwhile, Iran was slowly gaining the upper hand in the Syrian Civil War (and the war against the Islamic State) with Russias newly declared support for the Bashar-al-Assad regime. Moreover, Iran and the United States were just beginning to feel the thaw in the ice, given the success of their nuclear deal. While Irans position in the region was improving, Saudi Arabia and its allies were mired deep in Yemens civil war against the Iran-backed Houthis. Riyadh also maintained that the Iran nuclear deal was a flawed agreement (and later celebrated US President Donald Trumps withdrawal in 2018). By 2023, given Saudi Arabias firm efforts to extricate itself from the civil war in Yemen, Irans desire to resuscitate the older Obama-era nuclear deal, and an evolving geopolitical scenario, China had enough goodwill in both capitals to don the role of power broker. Eventually, other Middle Eastern states such as Sudan also normalised their ties with Iran (after a more than five-year hiatus). Evidently, while both states have been increasing their economic relationships with China, the agreement also allowed for both to explore new avenues of trust in a new Middle East where after at least four years (in 2021) of Saudi Arabia and Arab allies blockading Qatar for its ties to Iran (among other things), Arab states made peace with Doha. Given their own evolving positions in the region and around the world, it is the regional aspect which has also allowed both states some commonality of positions. Notably, the agreement in 2023 was a rapprochement to fix a broken bridge between two states that had cut ties. It was not an agreement that advanced cooperation between two states that have enjoyed warm ties underpinned by common interests. This instantly lowers the yardstick to be applied when analysing what the agreement has yielded. In so far as its objective of bringing the Iran-Saudi relationship to the pre-2016 levels, the agreement has categorically succeeded. However, the degree to which both states can take advantage of the new goodwill generated as a result of the prolonged negotiations and the final agreement is an open question. On one hand, the obvious regional de-escalation has been a virtual cessation of Houthi rocket attacks from Yemen into Saudi Arabia, given that a halt on cross-border attacks into Saudi Arabia was a priority. Moreover, while in 2016 both states were on divergent geopolitical trajectories, in 2024 they find themselves aligned on key issues. The Gaza war has emerged as an unanticipated area of alignment, given both states current desire for a ceasefire. Moreover, as Saudi Arabia retreats from Yemen and refrains from joining any US-led anti-Houthi naval coalition, its focus has long turned to sustainable economic growth, evinced in its nascent interest in taking advantage of the lingering momentum of the Abraham Accords to seek normalisation with Israel. On the other hand, the intensity of Israel's war in Gaza allows Tehran (which has been a vocal critic of the Abraham Accords), to couch its earlier disdain for Arab-Israeli normalisation within its anti-Israel rhetoric and its support to proxy groups; these include the Houthis whose attacks now focus on the United States and Israel. As explained in an earlier column, the Houthis' attacks against Israel placate sentiments on the Arab street which demand retribution for Israels disproportionate bombing of Gaza. Across the last year, following the Saudi-Iran rapprochement, Iran has also normalised ties with Sudan and Djibouti. Discussing the war in Gaza with Egypt in December 2023, Iran also actively sought potential resumption of diplomatic ties with the North African heavy-weight, even as Cairo grows impatient with Tel Avivs intransigence at the Rafah border (and its continuing operations in Gaza). Yet, even as both states have discernibly reduced their mutually hostile rhetoric (and Saudi Arabia has reduced/halted funding to anti-Iran media platforms), it is the Gaza war which corrupts the purity of any measurement of success. Given the common desire for a ceasefire, the war has allowed both Riyadh and Tehran to come together (using diplomatic and militant-proxy means respectively) to increase pressure on Israel. However, the real test for the Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement will begin only once a ceasefire is in place. On one hand, there is little clarity on the degree to which Iran and Arab states will differ on concessions to be made to Israel, given that Arab states might continue to have economic incentives for normalisation of ties, after the war, but Iran remains an outlier. On the other hand, Irans web of proxy actors has new-found success both in increasing pressure points for US troops and military assets in the region, as well as effecting an international pressure point in the Red Sea to influence global policy on Israels war in Gaza. The manner in which these groups will display pro-active tendencies to continue disruptive behaviour after the war, thus hurting Arab interests eventually, is also an open question. Cumulatively, these contain the seeds of putting Riyadh and Tehran on a collision course again (especially with conservatives having been re-strengthened in the Iranian polity), unless both states institutionalise more agreements for prospective cross-sectoral cooperation and build enough stakes in their bilateral relationship taking ahead the momentum of the rapprochement. Bashir Ali Abbas is a research associate at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research, New Delhi, and a South Asia Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center, Washington DC. The views expressed are personal This is an active week for planetary transits. Mars, the fiery warrior, will enter into the innovative sign of Aquarius, igniting a desire for change and progress. Simultaneously, Jupiter, the planet of abundance, will transit through the Bharani Pada, bestowing its blessings upon efforts aligned with wisdom and expansion. The Sun, the ruler of the zodiac, will move into the mystical domain of Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra, shedding light on hidden truths and spiritual growth. Amidst these movements, Venus and Saturn will engage in a planetary war, catalysing intense transformations and inviting us to learn lessons within the chaos. Some auspicious muhurtas are available this week for griha pravesh and vehicle and property purchases. Let's explore this weeks Panchanga in detail for New Delhi, NCT, India. Get weekly Panchang to determine auspicious and inauspicious time for performing day-to-day tasks based on the prevailing planetary position. Shubh Muhurat This Week According to Vedic Astrology, the odds of accomplishing a task successfully are significantly enhanced if they are carried out during an auspicious muhurta. An auspicious muhurta provides us with the best outcome possible according to our destiny if we execute the work in harmony with the cosmic timeline. That is why it is essential to take muhurta into account while commencing any auspicious work. This weeks Shubh Muhurat for various activities is as follows: Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Vivah Muhurat : No auspicious Marriage Muhurat is available this week. : No auspicious Marriage Muhurat is available this week. Griha Pravesh Muhurat : Auspicious Griha Pravesh Muhurat is available this week on March 15, Friday (10:09 PM to 06:29 AM, Mar 16) and March 16, Saturday (06:29 AM to 09:38 PM). : Auspicious Griha Pravesh Muhurat is available this week on March 15, Friday (10:09 PM to 06:29 AM, Mar 16) and March 16, Saturday (06:29 AM to 09:38 PM). Property Purchase Muhurat : Auspicious property purchase Muhurat is available this week on March 21, Thursday (06:24 AM to 06:22 AM, Mar 22). : Auspicious property purchase Muhurat is available this week on March 21, Thursday (06:24 AM to 06:22 AM, Mar 22). Vehicle Purchase Muhurat: Auspicious Muhurat is available this week on March 15, Friday (04:08 PM to 10:09 PM), March 17, Sunday (06:28 AM to 04:47 PM) and March 20, Wednesday (06:25 AM to 10:38 PM). Upcoming Planetary Transits This Week In Vedic astrology, planetary transits are particularly crucial since they are the principal way of anticipating changes and advances in life. Planets move on a daily basis and go through several nakshatras and rashis in the process. It assists in comprehending the nature and characteristics of events as they occur. Here are the upcoming transits this week: Mars enters Aquarius on March 15 (Friday) at 06:22 PM Mercury enters Revati Nakshatra on March 16 (Saturday) at 06:25 AM Jupiter transits Bharani Pada on March 16 (Saturday) at 09:59 PM Sun enters Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra on March 17 (Sunday) at 09:05 PM Venus and Saturns Planetary War on March 21 (Thursday) at 08:26 AM Upcoming Festivals This Week Amalaki Ekadashi (March 20, Wednesday): Amalak Ekadashi is a Hindu fasting day devoted towards Lord Vishnu. It lies on the 11th day (Akh Dashi) of the waxing moon in Phalgun. The worship is performed to garner God's blessings and self-transcendence. Narasimha Dwadashi (Thursday, March 21): This auspicious Hindu festival marks the appearance of Lord Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to respond to the supplication of his follower, Prahlad. Celebrated on the seventeenth day of the waxing fortnight (Shukla Paksha), devotees abstain from food and chant prayers for welfare. Inauspicious Rahu Kalam This Week According to Vedic astrology, Rahu is an inauspicious planet. During the transition of planets, the time under the influence of Rahu should be avoided to do any auspicious work. Doing Puja, Hawan or Yagya to propitiate auspicious planets during this time is interfered with by Rahu due to its malefic nature. It is important to consider Rahu Kaal before starting any new work. By doing so, the possibility of achieving desired results is increased. Following are the timings of Rahu Kalam for this week: March 15: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM March 16: 09:30 AM to 11:00 AM 09:30 AM to 11:00 AM March 17: 05:00 PM to 06:31 PM 05:00 PM to 06:31 PM March 18: 07:58 AM to 09:28 AM 07:58 AM to 09:28 AM March 19: 03:30 PM to 05:01 PM 03:30 PM to 05:01 PM March 20: 12:29 PM to 02:00 PM 12:29 PM to 02:00 PM March 21: 01:59 PM to 03:31 PM Panchanga is a calendar used in Vedic astrology to determine the auspicious and inauspicious time for performing day-to-day tasks based on the prevailing planetary position. It comprises five elements - Vaara, Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana. The essence of the Panchanga is the inter-relationship between the Sun (our soul) and the Moon (mind) on a daily basis. Panchanga is used for different branches of Vedic astrology such as natal, election, prashna (horary), religious calendars, and to understand the energy of the day. The day of our birth panchanga depicts our emotions, temperament, and nature. It can provide more insight into who we are and how we feel. It can amplify the effect of the planets and endow us with additional characteristics that we may not understand only based on our natal chart. Panchanga is the life force energy that nourishes the birth chart. ---------------------- Neeraj Dhankher (Vedic Astrologer, Founder - Astro Zindagi) Email: info@astrozindagi.in, neeraj@astrozindagi.in Url: www.astrozindagi.in Contact: Noida: +919910094779 You have been a postman, a student of international relations, a journalist, and an intern at the Maldives High Commission in London. How did these things happen for you? Author Daniel Bosley (Aishath Naj) As I am sure is the case in India, the increasing numbers being funnelled into university in the UK leaves many people from working class towns with qualifications and aspirations that prompt circuitous paths. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In the UK, for most graduates, this leads through London and unpaid internships, requiring a great deal of money. I acquired this through whatever work I could find in the north-west, including payroll offices, postal work, pet shops, and delivering Indian takeaways (for which the International Relations degree was very useful). I even acquired a truck-drivers license to help fund my southern migration. There was limited time for this story in the book in which I wanted the Maldives to star though I think it is a journey that many are familiar with as society changes with increasing rapidity, pushing people further and further from where they imagined their lives might take them. I never dreamed of going to somewhere like the Maldives, nor of the privilege of becoming a journalist. I just needed a job and serendipity seemed to take over from there. 424pp, 467; Macmillan You must have a rare combination of skills because of all the work you have done. How did these skills help you while writing your book Descent into Paradise? I am not sure about how useful many of the specific skills were, but these jobs certainly taught me that you dont have to let what you are doing right now influence what you will do in the future. Certainly, in the UK, too many young people live under the tyranny of having a slight gap in their CV, which can prevent them from trying new things and taking unorthodox paths to where they want to go. I dont think that my background and experiences have granted me the sharpest of intellects, and certainly not the greatest verbal eloquence, but it has given me a strong work ethic, topped up by a nagging inferiority complex. This can get you further than youd think; it might just take a bit longer to get there. All this helped when writing Descent into Paradise as I knew the only way I could do it to the best of my abilities was to fully embrace my voice and my perspective. Its for this reason that the book is, I think, unusually honest at times. Journalism continues to be dominated by middle-class voices and former postmen from Crewe dont get to write about places like the Maldives very often or ever. I think lots of people like me have equally fascinating stories, but very few ever get the opportunity to tell them. What were your impressions about the Maldives before you began to work there? Why did these impressions change? My impression was that it was a place very rich people went on holiday and which I would never have the money to visit. I also had no idea where it was. These impressions changed as soon as I stepped into the High Commission and began to learn that the Maldives, while tiny, is as complex as any country, despite selling itself to the world as a slightly two-dimensional place of picture postcard perfection. But I was still right about the rich people! How did you end up working with a publisher in India on this book? Teesta Guha Sarkar, who is editorial director at Pan MacMillan India, had visited the Maldives and maintained a keen interest in the place. The book was her bright idea. Naj (Bosleys wife Aishath Naj, who is a photographer and visual artist) and I had been writing about the history and culture of the islands on the Two Thousand Isles blog and it caught her eye. I had thought it would be nice to write a book about the country sometime in the dim and distant future, but had no idea how to go about it. Even after Teesta approached me, I assumed that it was a scam right until the moment they sent me a contract. Tell us about Riz and Yameen, the people you dedicate the book to and call brothers in disobedience. How did they happen to come into your life? Ahmed Rilwan and Yameen Rasheed were unique thinkers and early pioneers of social media in the Maldives. Riz was initially drawn towards Salafi-jihadi groups as a young man before becoming a driven journalist who could offer unique insights into this dangerous subculture. Yameen was raised in Trivandrum after his family sought to avoid the worst excesses of Maumoon Abdul Gayooms dictatorship. He thus returned to Male after university with an outsiders perspective that, along with his superb wit, turned him into the countrys best writer and satirist. The two soon became kindred spirits. Almost a decade ago, as Al-Qaeda-affiliated terror cells fused with local criminal groups, encouraged by the exploits of ISIS, Riz became a target for Islamist vigilantes. After being stalked for weeks, he was followed home on August 8th, 2014, by gang members and abducted. He has not been seen since. After campaigning tirelessly for his friend for more than two-and-a-half years, and refusing to back down in the face of relentless threats, Yameen was ambushed upon entering his apartment block on April 23rd, 2017, and stabbed to death. Riz was the first person I hired after becoming editor at Minivan News (an English-language news website founded by members of the Maldivian Democratic Party in 2005), while Yameen and I became good friends during the campaign for Riz. Having been unable to bring them justice through our journalism, sharing the thoughts and words that they died for in this book seemed to be the very least that I could do. While writing this book, what was it like to recount all that you went through, especially as someone who has a Maldivian wife and many Maldivian friends? It was emotional at times, from recalling the exciting early days when everything was new and the whole thing felt like an adventure, to the crushing feeling of impotence when tragedy struck and we were unable to do a thing to stop it. Writing it all down for a wider audience was definitely cathartic, but also tinged with a sense of guilt: perhaps I have been indoctrinated over the years by those who accuse foreign journalists of tarnishing the Maldives international image to boost their own careers. I am also reluctant to ruin peoples image of their dream destination. Where I am from, we would call this pissing on someones chips. Everyone needs a Maldives to dream of, and I would hate to ruin it for anyone. But I firmly believe that if you claim to love a place you should want to know more about it. I would like people to understand the whole country, its people and the issues that affect their lives. The book attempts to do that, placing the less-than-perfect reality of the place in proper historical and cultural context. What was it like to be in India for the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival to speak about your book Descent into Paradise? It was amazing to visit Kolkata for the first time and be around such literary heavyweights. It was exciting to meet so many people who were so interested in the book. It was exactly the kind of experience I could never have imagined having when posting letters in Macclesfield. After being asked so much about India versus China, I was delighted to meet Meghna Pant and hear about her novel The Man Who Lost India on the very same subject. I am reading it at the moment. Despite the esteemed authors on display, however, first impressions are usually the strongest and I will never forget seeing goats herded through the city streets at 2 am on my way from the airport to the hotel that I was staying at. How has your book been received in the Maldives? After putting down your thoughts about Islamist zealots, the muzzling of dissent and the abduction of reporters, how safe is it for you to visit the Maldives? It has taken some time to get the book into the Maldives, and copies have been selling there for only a few weeks now. As I mentioned at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, Maldivians in general do not pay much attention to what outsiders write about the place and I have only ever met a handful of people who are familiar with the few English-language non-tourism books ever published about the country. The only such book I ever recall breaking into the wider consciousness did so because it was considered to contain significant errors, causing nationwide outrage. This book had also gone largely unnoticed until one reader started a storm on Twitter. As I recently found out over the new year, I am fine to visit as long as the book hasnt gone viral and is mainly being read by more liberal thinkers. I dont think it would be particularly comfortable or wise to hang around in the country should an online storm ensue, but the attention spans of the extremist elements who remain at large are fleeting and unpredictable. When you look at the changing political situation in the Maldives today, what gives you some hope amidst all the despair? After the tumultuous period documented in the book was followed by an underwhelming five-year term under the Maldivian Democratic Party, I have never seen people in the country more apathetic about politics. Corruption and extremism have reached a level at which serious questions have to be asked about the general rule of law in the country. It is hard to find a great deal of hope in this situation, particularly as relentless policies of centralization to the capital threaten to erase an ancient island culture before a proper conversation about handling the climate crisis can take place. Perhaps the silver lining to all this disillusionment, however, may be that citizens in a maturing democracy begin to demand more from their elected officials. How does the conflict between India and China for greater influence in Maldivian politics affect people living in the Maldives? This geopolitical conflict is rarely talked about beyond campaign rallies. Opposing parties have picked sides for political reasons and I dont believe theres any genuine animosity towards either Indians or the Chinese. The development money continues to flow regardless of whether its source is Delhi or Beijing. With Maldivians heavily dependent on medical tourism in India, however, prolonged deterioration of relations with Delhi would be felt by locals, who can currently visit India without a visa. Servicing the huge levels of debt lavished upon greedy governments by foreign donors could also exacerbate the import-dependent countrys already-dwindling foreign currency reserves. Maldivians normally face restrictions on foreign cash withdrawals, but these would surely increase if fears of a default were to become reality. Chintan Girish Modi is a freelance writer, journalist and book reviewer. Overview of Detroit Web Design Market In Detroit, the web design market is robust with a variety of agencies offering comprehensive services. When we look at Detroit Web Design, we observe a vibrant scene that's tailored to suit businesses of all sizes and sectors. Diversity in Services: These agencies offer customized solutions, from e-commerce platforms to informative websites. Their expertise typically encompasses UI/UX design, mobile responsiveness, and brand development. Agencies in Detroit value user experience, ensuring that websites not only look good but are also intuitive and easy to navigate. The quality of work produced by these Michigan-based firms is commendable. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Agency Profiles: Many agencies are small to medium-sized, allowing for more personalized services. It's impressive to see the collaboration between local businesses and these agencies, highlighting Michigan's community-driven approach to business growth. Websites designed by Detroit agencies are tailored to their clients' needs, reflecting the uniqueness of local and national brands. It's evident that Detroit, MI serves as a hub for creative and technical talent, contributing to the dynamic web design landscape in the region. In summary, the Detroit Web Design market is characterized by its variety of services and community-focused approach. Whether you require a simple website or a complex web application, the agencies here are equipped to deliver high-quality digital solutions. Identifying Top 3 Web Design Companies When on the hunt for the best Web Design Companies in Detroit, one must pay close attention to a few key indicators. Reviews are one of the most important elements, telling readers what customers have experienced firsthand. It's not just the quantity of reviews but the quality that matters. Look for companies with high review scores, indicating consistent customer satisfaction. Assess feedback for mentions of professionalism, timely delivery, and responsive communication. Awards can also be a sign of a distinguished Web Design Company. Recognition by industry peers suggests a level of innovation and quality that stands out in a crowded market. To gauge a company's impact, one must evaluate their portfolio and the customers they've served: Notice if they've worked with diverse industries, showing a broad range of skills. Spot the solutions they've offered to unique business challenges. In Detroit, you'll find companies praised for their creative flair and technical prowess. These firms not only build websites but craft digital experiences that resonate with audiences. They understand the local market and how to give businesses in the Motor City a competitive edge online. To summarize, identifying the top players involves analyzing reviews for customer insights, checking for awards that indicate industry respect, and reviewing the diversity and success of their client work. This formula helps us pinpoint which companies really lead the pack in web design. Here's a shortlist to start: Experience - A track record of successful projects. Customer Feedback - Positive testimonials and high ratings. Recognition - Industry awards and accolades. Client Portfolio - Varied and results-driven work. Local Insight - A firm understanding of the Detroit market. #1 - Our Favorite - WebsiteForFree.com This is a very interesting agency based out of Detroit, which offers free websites built using Wordpress. Free website, whats the catch? It turns out that they are very skilled at making new wordpress builds, to the point where they can get a site created in a couple days that looks amazing. And they basically use the website to get people in the door, so they can gain trust and pitch other services down the line like SEO and email marketing, etc. In this case, thes other services were not purchased, analysts just stuck with the website, and had no issue. Overall, great experience with these guys, and they are highly recommended if you are looking for a good looking website for your business. #2 - Close Second - BlueBike.co This is more of a full-service marketing agency that also does websites. But with a five star google rating, they definitely provide good websites. They created a website for a real estate agent, and the results were impressive. The website was very creative, and created in only two weeks! This shop also works very fast. The only downside is they are somewhat costly, with the average build costing between $2-3k, which is pretty standard. They were very responsive throughout the entire process, always available to hop on a phone call whenever necessary. #3 - Runner Up - MichigansBestWebsites.com This is another great option. This agency was used to build a very simple one page landing page for a clients, and they delivered! This agency took a couple weeks to deliver the final product which isnt ideal, but not the end of the world. The site ended up looking really sleek, so cant complain at all. Essential Qualities of Reputable Web Designers Essential Qualities of Reputable Web Designers When evaluating web design companies in Detroit, one must examine specific characteristics that separate the professionals from the rest. These traits are critical in assessing their ability to deliver effective web solutions. Experience and Portfolio A solid track record and a diverse portfolio are indicative of a reliable web designer's capabilities. Their past work serves as a testament to their expertise and their ability to handle projects across various industries such as healthcare, e-commerce, and the IT sector. Range of Services Offered A comprehensive range of services, from graphic design to software development, reflects a web designer's versatility. Whether it's incorporating SEO principles, social media marketing, or email marketing, their skill set should contribute to a business's digital strategy holistically. Client and Industry Focus Look closely at a web designer's experience with specific client types, including startups, nonprofits, and local clients. This information provides insight into their capability to address the unique challenges and goals that different clients bring to the table. Technical Capabilities and Expertise The technical aspect of web design cannot be overlooked. Firms with prowess in WordPress, custom websites, and mobile app development are preferred, as these are crucial in today's digital landscape. User Experience and Branding Emphasis Effective web designers place a premium on UX/UI design to ensure optimal user experience. Additionally, their ability to understand and translate brand identity into the digital space is critical in creating a cohesive brand experience. Customer Support and Service Maintenance Post-launch support, such as website maintenance and hosting services, is crucial. Sound customer support ensures websites remain updated and functional, offering a reliable resource for any arising issues. Project Management and Strategy Their approach includes an emphasis on adept project management and a clear marketing strategy aligned with business goals. This ensures that the final product not only looks good but also effectively engages the target audience and drives results. Development and Technical Aspects Development and Technical Aspects When selecting a web development company, it's crucial to consider how they handle the technical aspects of website creation. This includes ensuring that the design is both responsive and functional, the site is optimized for search engines, and the right software and platforms are used. Additionally, the integration of interactive elements can greatly enhance user engagement. Responsive and Functional Design Ideally they prioritize responsive design to ensure that websites are mobile-friendly and deliver optimal usability across all devices. It's important that the functionality of a website doesn't detract from the user experience. For example, menus should be easily navigable, and contact forms should work seamlessly, regardless of whether the user is on a smartphone or desktop. Search Engine Optimization SEO is embedded in the web development process from the start. They focus on site performance and load times, as they are critical factors in SEO and retaining visitors. Employing strategic use of keywords within the website's content and in meta tags helps improve visibility on search engines. Creating SEO-friendly URLs Ensuring fast page load speeds Using header tags effectively Software and Platform Considerations Choosing the right CMS (Content Management System) like WordPress or Wix is essential for website functionality and maintenance ease. Consider software integrations such as Adobe for high-quality images and video production, which enhances the content's appeal, as well. Integration of Interactive Elements Websites that engage users with interactive elements such as videos, images, and other multimedia content offer more memorable experiences. In designs, the importance of these elements being integrated in a way that elevates the user interface without compromising the performance or speed of the website is emphasized. Embedding videos without affecting load times High-quality images that are optimized for web use Effective Online Branding and Marketing Effective Online Branding and Marketing In the dynamic world of online branding and marketing, strategies focused on digital growth and engagement are critical. Here, lets explore key elements that shape a potent Internet presence, ensuring companies tap into their target audience effectively. Comprehensive Digital Marketing Approach A well-structured digital marketing strategy encompasses various facets of online advertising, including social media marketing and pay-per-click campaigns, to reach a broader audience. By honing in on specific demographics, one can maximize return on investment and build sustainable online visibility. Social Media Marketing: Platforms like Facebook and Twitter serve as forums to interact with followers, promote services, and bolster brand image. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter serve as forums to interact with followers, promote services, and bolster brand image. Pay-Per-Click Advertising: This approach allows users to target advertisements effectively, ensuring budget efficiency and high conversion rates. Brand and Logo Development Understand the power of a memorable logo design and the essence it carries for our brand experience. It's not just a graphic; it's the representation of the company's values and mission. Branding Agency: Collaborate with skilled professionals to create a visual identity that resonates with your brand's core values. Collaborate with skilled professionals to create a visual identity that resonates with your brand's core values. Logo Design: Ensure the logo reflects the unique qualities of your business, aiding swift recognition and connection with your audience. Content Strategy and Management Effective content management is the backbone of your digital presence. Operating a content management system allows you to streamline and distribute content marketing efforts seamlessly, from blog posts to videos. Content Marketing: Create authentic, compelling content that speaks to your audience and reinforces your branding. Create authentic, compelling content that speaks to your audience and reinforces your branding. Blog: Utilize a company blog to provide valuable insights, keeping your followers informed and engaged with industry news and trends. Measuring Success and ROI To assess the performance of Detroit's top web design companies, closely examine Return on Investment (ROI) and overall success. ROI isn't just about financial gains; it's about the value added to your business through quality design that increases user engagement and drives conversions. Key Metrics to Evaluate Success: Conversion Rate : Look at the percentage increase of website visitors who take a desired action. : Look at the percentage increase of website visitors who take a desired action. Traffic Growth : Monitor the rise in the number of visitors to the site post-redesign. : Monitor the rise in the number of visitors to the site post-redesign. User Experience: Use reviews and feedback to determine improvements in usability. To accurately measure performance, consider these steps: Set clear goals: What do you aim to achieve with a new website design? Track progress: Use analytics to monitor user behavior and website performance. Gather reviews: Collect and analyze client feedback for a holistic understanding of the design's impact. It's crucial to remember that ROI can be seen through a variety of lenses. While direct sales are transparent indicators, indirect benefits such as brand strengthening and customer loyalty are equally valuable. In conclusion, keeping a diligent and informed eye on these metrics will guide you toward understanding the tangible and intangible benefits a skilled web design company can offer. Costs and Investment Considerations When considering partnering with a web design company in Detroit, it's important to understand the various cost factors involved. These typically include the project's complexity, the agency's expertise, and the additional services they offer. Web design investments cover a spectrum, and here are the elements to consider: Hourly Rates : Most agencies work on an hourly rate, which can range greatly depending on their experience and reputation. Rates in Detroit tend to fall within the $125/hr range according to DesignRush, but this can vary. : Most agencies work on an hourly rate, which can range greatly depending on their experience and reputation. Rates in Detroit tend to fall within the range according to DesignRush, but this can vary. Budget: Before initiating the project, you should define the budget clearly. Web design projects can range from $1,000 to $10,000 in Detroit, based on the scope. To guide your financial planning, heres a brief breakdown: Initial Design and Development: This is a critical phase which involves site layout, navigation, and user interface design. It can be a substantial part of our overall cost. Content Creation: If we need the agency to generate content, this is also a budget consideration. Maintenance and Updates: This is an ongoing cost, which may be charged at a similar hourly rate as the initial design or at a reduced rate within a maintenance package. A structured approach to considering these points can ensure your investment yields a quality website without unexpected expenses. Choosing the Right Web Design Partner When searching for a web design agency in Detroit, understand the importance of aligning with a partner that complements our business objectives. A cooperative partnership with a web design company is crucial for crafting an online presence that represents our brand effectively. Finding the Right Fit Assess Portfolio: Evaluate their previous work to gauge their design style and diversity. Does their portfolio reflect versatility and creativity? Evaluate Expertise: Ensure they have experience in your industry to guarantee relevant design insights. Check Reviews: Look at client testimonials to discern their reputation in delivering projects successfully. Understanding the Relationship Communication is Key: Open and consistent communication with a potential partner is essential for collaboration. Align on Goals: Ensure their approach to web design aligns with your business goals and they understand your target audience. Transparency in Process: Get a partner that operates with transparency, providing clear timelines and project expectations. Considering the Costs Remember, the least expensive option may not always yield the best value. Your focus should be on the return on investment a competent web design agency can offer. Support and Maintenance Long-term Partnership: Consider whether the agency offers ongoing support and maintenance post-launch. A good partnership doesn't end with the project delivery; it adapts and grows with our business. By taking these steps, you can place yourselves in a good position to select a web design agency that not only looks good on paper but also proves to be a valuable asset to your business in the digital space. Building for the Future: Trends and Innovation In today's web design landscape, one can notice certain trends that are steering the industry's future. With a finger on the pulse of innovation, one can understand that staying ahead involves embracing these changes. Industry Trends: Staying current is crucial. The web design industry is moving towards minimalistic and clean designs that prioritize user experience. Integrate bold typography and asymmetrical layouts to capture user attention and deliver an unforgettable experience. Staying current is crucial. The web design industry is moving towards that prioritize user experience. Integrate and to capture user attention and deliver an unforgettable experience. Innovation: Harness cutting-edge techniques like motion UI and micro-interactions to create engaging and interactive websites. These elements add a layer of sophistication and aid in storytelling, guiding your clients' customers through the site with ease. Harness cutting-edge techniques like and to create engaging and interactive websites. These elements add a layer of sophistication and aid in storytelling, guiding your clients' customers through the site with ease. Mobile-Friendly Website: One can't emphasize enough the importance of a responsive design . These websites ensure seamless performance across all devices, from desktop to smartphone. This adaptability improves accessibility and is a benchmark of modern web design. One can't emphasize enough the importance of a . These websites ensure seamless performance across all devices, from desktop to smartphone. This adaptability improves accessibility and is a benchmark of modern web design. UX Design: Users' needs are at the forefront of the design process. By crafting intuitive navigation and user-centric interfaces , the designs enhance usability. This focus ensures that the visitor's journey through the clients' websites is logical, engaging, and efficient. Users' needs are at the forefront of the design process. By crafting intuitive navigation and , the designs enhance usability. This focus ensures that the visitor's journey through the clients' websites is logical, engaging, and efficient. Custom Software Development: Bespoke solutions are often necessary to meet specific business objectives. The approach to custom software development fuses innovation with function, resulting in personalized systems that are not only robust but also scalable and ready for the future. Integrate these aspects to lead the charge in building forward-thinking, effective web designs that serve clients today and position them for success tomorrow. Case Studies and Success Stories Here are compelling case studies and success stories from some of the top web design companies in Detroit. The focus is to highlight how these firms have transformed the online presence of local businesses through their innovative services and solutions. Case Studies : Portfolios that showcase a variety of projects, from small businesses to larger entities, were examined. These case studies demonstrate the agencies' skills in addressing unique challenges and achieving specific client goals. : Portfolios that showcase a variety of projects, from small businesses to larger entities, were examined. These case studies demonstrate the agencies' skills in addressing unique challenges and achieving specific client goals. Success Stories: The collection includes narratives of businesses that have seen substantial growth and improvement in performance after revamping their websites. These stories often feature improved user engagement and increased conversions. Service Offerings are diverse, typically including: Custom website design Responsive layouts E-commerce solutions Content management systems Search engine optimization Case studies often reveal the process of creating a cohesive brand identity through design, while success stories may emphasize the long-term client relations and sustained online success following a site launch or redesign. Frequently Asked Questions When looking for a web design company in Detroit, it's crucial to focus on specifics such as their service range, project quality, and industry experience. What factors should I consider when selecting a web design company in Detroit? When choosing a web design company in Detroit, evaluate their experience in the industry, the quality of their portfolio, customer testimonials, and their ability to understand and meet your business needs. Make sure they're skilled in responsive design and follow SEO best practices. How do I evaluate the portfolio of a Detroit web design firm to determine quality? To assess the quality of a Detroit web design firm's portfolio, look at the variety of their designs, the functionality of the showcased websites, and whether their projects are user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. It's important that the portfolio resonates with your vision and shows a track record of satisfied clients. What services do top web design agencies in Detroit offer to small businesses? Top web design agencies in Detroit cater to small businesses by offering a range of services such as custom website design, mobile optimization, e-commerce solutions, andSEO. They usually provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure the best performance of your website. Can you recommend reputable web design companies that specialize in digital marketing in Detroit? In Detroit, we can recommend these three companies: WebsiteForFree.com, BlueBike.co, and MichigansBestWebsites.com. How does Detroit compare to Chicago in terms of web design industry trends and quality? Detroit's web design industry is burgeoning with vibrant and innovative firms. While Chicago might host a larger number of web design companies, Detroit agencies are known for personalized customer service and staying ahead of the curve with the latest design and marketing trends. Compiled by The Neighbor Network LLC. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Multi-campus York University in Canada is rapidly building momentum on the global stage and the proof is in the 2023-24 Canadian and world rankings. Retaining or moving up in rankings by reputable higher education data providers such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, Financial Times Executive Education Rankings and Macleans University Rankings all show that York Universitys reputation continues to shine, both locally and internationally. Guided by a University Academic Plan that strives to both inspire and deliver positive change, York Universitys high-quality academic programming, transformative interdisciplinary research, and welcoming multi-campus experience continue to position the university as a leader in post-secondary education in Canada and around the world. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Recognised as a global leader for five consecutive years in The Impact Rankings, and number one in global joint research publications in the province of Ontario, Canada, York University is positioned to take on the worlds most pressing challenges. York Universitys strength has always been truly exceptional programs, with more than 200 to choose from. Our professional schools, Lassonde School of Engineering, Osgoode Hall Law School, and Schulich School of Business, are consistently ranked among the best internationally. Our new Markham Campus is offering emerging programs in creative and digital technologies and entrepreneurship. York also has the only Space Engineering program in the country, a new Global Health program, the first of its kind Disaster and Emergency Management program in Canada, a unique cross-discipline program in Digital Media, and several options for studying Data Science, AI, and Information Technologies, highlights Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps. In QS World University Rankings 2024 for business masters programs, Schulichs Master of Marketing placed number one in Canada and 10th overall in North America, based on several criteria, including employability, thought leadership, class and faculty diversity, value for money, and alumni outcomes. The program also ranked 10th in the world in the category of Alumni Outcomes, highlighting the career success of graduates. York University also excels in health programs. Its Psychology program placed 4th in Canada in QS World University Rankings 2023, the latest available rankings by subject. As a thriving community hub, York Universitys Keele Campus experience is enhanced by its proximity and access to economic and cultural centres The impressive performance was also recognised in theQS World University Rankings 2024 top global universities rankings, which saw York University rise 103 spots to 353rd in the world an improvement of 25percent in the universitys standing over the past eight years. York University emerged as one of the top four institutions in Canadas Best Comprehensive Universities category in the latestMacleans University Rankings, the go-to Canadian source for information pertinent to prospective students and their parents and other influencers when exploring post-secondary education and future career options. Institutions are ranked based on research activity and the undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The Macleans ranking results follow on the heels of the York Us upward momentum in global rankings, includingmoving up to the 351-400 band in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, from its previous place in the 401-500 band over the previous two years. York Us performance is also underscored by the latest THE Impact Rankings, which showcase the universitys commitment to sustainable development, reflected in theglobal top 40 result. More recently, York University demonstrated a continued commitment to our sustainable future, climbing more than 100 spots in the latest QS Sustainability Rankings which evaluates the social, environmental, and governance impact of global institutions to rank 118th out of more than 1,400 universities globally. In addition to its momentum in the overall rankings, York also achieved strong global placement in several significant categories, including ranking 14th in equality, being home to one of the largest and most diverse student bodies in Canada, with nearly 55,000 students and 370,000 alumni from over 170 countries, and leading professors working to tackle pressing issues with partner institutions, corporations, government, andnon-government organisations. York University also shines as one ofCanadas Greenest Employers,recognised with the distinction for the 11th consecutive year by Mediacorp Canada Inc. in 2023. The competition recognizes organizations leading the country in creating a culture of environmental awareness and sustainability. York U has not only embraced these values but embedded them at the heart of its strategic plan. Learn more about York Universitys network of campuses and learning opportunities by visitinghere. York University moves up in the Canadian and global rankings, securing top positions in QS, Times Higher Education, Financial Times & Macleans University Rankings. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. NEW DELHI: India reported a robust 12% annualised growth in merchandise exports at $41.4 billion in the month of February despite global headwinds, narrowing contraction in the first 11 months of 2023-24 by 3.6% to $395 billion, a senior official said. In 2022-23, Indias merchandise exports crossed $451 billion while overall exports (goods and services together) achieved a record $770 billion. (AFP) Services exports in February were estimated at $32.15 billion, a 17.3% year-on-year growth over the February 2023 figure of $27.4 billion. Cumulatively, services exports were up by 7% at $314.82 billion in April 2023-February 2024 as against $294.89 billion in the corresponding period of FY23, according to data released by the commerce ministry on Friday. Services data for February are an extrapolation of the previous months numbers because the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases figures for the services sector with a lag. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Releasing the monthly trade data on Friday, commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal said the February figures indicate that we have overshot last years numbers, which gives me hope that by the end of March when we close to this financial year, our overall exports (goods and services combined) will exceed the numbers of FY23. In 2022-23, Indias merchandise exports crossed $451 billion while overall exports (goods and services together) achieved a record $770 billion, on a high base as Indias total exports both goods and services -- in 2021-22 was also a record at $676 billion. In 11 months of 2023-24, Indias overall exports (goods and services combined) are estimated at $709.81 billion, a growth of 0.83% over $ 704 billion in April-February 2022-23. According to Barthwal, Indian exporters achievements are remarkable as they withstood global headwinds, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, recessions in many markets, and logistics disruptions due to disturbances in the Red Sea to achieve significant growth in February. If you look at the 11 months of the financial year, this is the highest export growth which we have achieved, both merchandise as well as overall. This is very heartening, he said adding that Indias overall exports are likely to be higher this financial year than the last years record exports. The main drivers of exports in the month were engineering goods, electronic goods, chemicals, petroleum products, drugs and pharmaceuticals. Export of engineering goods in February saw a 15.9% year-on-year growth, while about 55% growth was witnessed in electronic goods. Data showed that in exports of electronic goods, particularly, smartphones, India and Korea have dominated the US market, with India having a larger share. There has been a decline in the share of China, Vietnam and Hong Kong, another official said who did not wish to be named. India witnessed a trade deficit of $18.71 billion in February, which was $16.57 billion in the same period a year ago, mainly due to a surge in gold imports. The country imported gold worth $6.15 billion in February 2024, about a 134% jump from $2.63 billion in the same period a year ago. In the 11 month period of FY24 (April-February), over $44 billion worth of gold was imported, a 39% y-o-y jump. Overall, the country imported goods worth $60.11 billion in February 2024, a 12.2% year-on-year jump as compared to $53.58 billion in February 2023. Indias overall imports (goods and services combined) in April 2023-February 2024 are estimated at $782.05 billion, showing a contraction of 4.64% as compared to $820.14 billion in the corresponding period of the last financial year. Commenting on the trade data for February, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) president Ashwani Kumar said the last time the figures showed such a higher growth was in March 2023, when it was at $41.96 billion. Imports rose by over 12% to $60.11 billion showing a four-month high growth. Such an impressive increase in overall export growth despite the Red Sea crisis, tight monetary stance by the developed world and falling commodity prices posing challenge, not only portrays the dedication and commitment of the sector but also the resilience of the exporting community, who have continuously been braving such odds since Russia-Ukraine war, he said. Recent tensions in West Asia especially the threat for consignments routing through the Red Sea have further added to the woes of the exporting community, as the freight rates have gone up unimaginably high, with the burden of various surcharges, he said. Much will depend on the new contracts to be signed with buyers during the new fiscal as the exporters have been absorbing the burden of increased freight cost as per the old agreement, he added. Japan's economy is no longer in deflation, and a strong trend of wage hikes is taking place, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Friday. Japans economy slid back into recession in July-September as uncertainty over the overseas outlook hurt business investment.(AFP ) Policymakers, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Suzuki, have repeatedly said in recent days that the country was not yet in a position to be able to declare a solid exit from deflation. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The government will mobilise all available policy steps to continue the positive momentum on wages, Suzuki said, declining to comment on Bank of Japan policy steps at its meeting taking place next week. Mukesh Ambani-Nita Ambani: An old interview of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani has resurfaced in which he talks about his marriage with Nita Ambani with celebrity host Simi Garewal. Mukesh Ambani revealed during the chat that he proposed to Nita Ambani while they were stuck in a traffic jam on Mumbai's Pedder Road. At the time, the couple had been courting for three weeks, Mukesh Ambani said. In the middle of traffic, he suddenly realised that Nita Ambani was the one for him. Mukesh Ambani-Nita Ambani: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and his wife and Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson Nita Ambani.(ANI) Mukesh Ambani told Simi Garewal, "Nita was really the first girl I had seen. I had pretty much made up my mind that this is it, this is my life partner. So once when we were driving down Peddar Road, it occurred to me out of the blue and I said, 'Nita, will you marry me? Just say yes or no now.'" Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Then Nita Ambani asked him to drive because of the worsening the traffic jam, she said, sharing, "People were shouting and cars were blowing horns and I said 'Mukesh, move on.' And he said, 'Tell me yes or no. I shall not move the car.'" Mukesh Ambani had to ask Nita Ambani three times before she finally accepted his proposal, he shared. After this Nita Ambani even asked him what he would have done if she had rejected his offer. Watch video here: "'Would you have asked me to get out of the car then and there and driven off?'" Mukesh Ambani recalled her as saying. I said, No, I would have dropped you off home and we would have remained friends, he said at the time. During the chat, Nita Ambani also revealed that she started teaching at Sunflower Nursery within a year of her marriage to Mukesh Ambani. People used to laugh at me at that time, but I think it gave me a lot of satisfaction, Nita Ambani said. Paytm Share Price today: Shares of India's Paytm rose 5%, a day after National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) granted approval to Paytm's parent company One97 Communications Limited (OCL) to participate in UPI services as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP). Paytm share price today: A QR code for the Paytm digital payment system at a store in Mumbai.(Bloomberg) What NPCI said in its approval for Paytm? NPCI said in a statement, YES Bank shall also be acting as merchant acquiring bank for existing and new UPI merchants for OCL. @Paytm handle shall be redirected to YES Bank. This will enable existing users and merchants to continue to do UPI transactions and AutoPay mandates in a seamless and uninterrupted manner. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. NPCI also advised Paytm to migrate all existing handles and mandates to new PSP banks at the earliest. Four banks - SBI, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and YES Bank will act as payment service providers to Paytm. How has Paytm stock been performing? Paytm's stock has been hitting lower circuits following RBI's ban on Paytm Payments Bank from conducting certain operations. So far this year, Paytm stock has crashed over 44 per cent hitting record low of 318 per share on February 16. Morgan Stanley on regulatory nod for Paytm Morgan Stanley said this move is a positive development and in line with expectations. The brokerage firm said, We will continue to await an update on the potential impact on the company's businesses during February 2024. We await updated commercials for the company as Paytm Payments Bank's business moves to other banks. Morgan Stanley shared an 'equal-weight' call on the counter with a target price of 555 which means that an upside of 57 per cent from current level is predicted by the brokerage firm. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri on Thursday announced that Centre has cut the prices for petrol and diesel across the country by 2. The price cut in fuel rates comes just a few days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. The petrol and diesel prices across the country have been cut by 2.. (HT Photo) The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas released the revised prices on its official X account, announcing that the new fuel rates will come into effect across the country from 6 am on March 15. The ministry tweeted, Reduction in petrol and diesel prices will boost consumer spending and reduce operating costs for over 58 lakh heavy goods vehicles running on diesel, 6 crore cars and 27 crore two-wheelers. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Hailing the decision by the central government, Puri posted on X, By reducing the prices of petrol and diesel by 2, the country's illustrious Prime Minister Modi has once again proved that the welfare and convenience of his family of crores of Indians is always his goal. The central government further said that the price cut in petrol and diesel rates will benefit the citizens of India in multiple ways, including a boost in travel and tourism sector; boost in disposable income; reduced outgo for farmers on tractors, and many more. Read more: Farmers set 12 vehicles on fire over drop in chilli prices Hardeep Puri further said that the with the rate cuts, India has one of the lowest fuel prices as compared to other major European nations. On March 14, 2024, in rupee terms, petrol in India is on average 94 per litre but in Italy 168.01- i.e. 79% more; In France 166.87 i.e. 78% more; In Germany 159.57 i.e. 70% more and in Spain 145.13 i.e. 54% more, he said. Petrol, diesel prices on March 15: City-wise rates City Petrol price per litre Diesel price per litre Delhi 94.72 87.62 Mumbai 104.21 92.15 Kolkata 103.94 90.76 Chennai 100.75 92.34 In January this year, there was speculation that the union government is planning a significant cut in petrol and diesel prices. However, Puri had rejected all speculations, saying that there would be no fuel rate cuts in the near future keeping in mind the high crude oil prices. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Sebi stress test: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) raised concerns about froth building in mid-cap and small-cap segments which prompted the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) last month to tell mutual funds to conduct stress tests and publish the result on its own websites as well that of AMFIs. Starting today (March 15) this is to be done once every 15 days and will be an indication of how healthy the funds are. Sebi stress test: Sebi aims to protect investors through the stress test and ensure that small cap funds can handle unexpected redemptions. What does the Sebi stress test check? The test checks two things: selling speed and price impact. Selling speed checks how quickly can a fund manager sell small company stocks if many investors redeem their investments and the price impact checks whether selling these stocks would bring down their price significantly or not. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What is the aim of Sebi stress tests? Sebi aims to protect investors through the stress test and ensure that small cap funds can handle unexpected redemptions. Through the stress tests, Sebi is also making sure that funds are prepared in a situation of liquidity and have a plan for selling assets if required. Why small caps are in focus though? Sebi is checking is fund managers can sell enough stocks fast enough to meet redemption requests and smallcap stocks can be harder to sell quickly than large companies. What are the results? Each fund is disclosing how long it would take to sell 25% and 50% of their holdings which will help investors know how easily they can get their money back from the fund. Quant Mutual Fund: It said that Quant midcap fund could return your money in six days if you needed to sell out half (50%) of the fund and would take 3 days to get 25% back while Quant small cap fund might take 22 days to return your money if you want to sell out half and 11 days for 25%. Edelweiss MF: Edelweiss MF said that their small-cap fund could be liquidated fast: three days to sell out 50 per cent and two days to sell 25 per cent. Nippon MF: Nippon India Mutual Fund (MF) said that it would require up to 27 days to liquidate 50 per cent of the SmallCap fund portfolio and 13 days for 25 per cent of the assets. Paytm UPI: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) gave One97 Communications Limited- Paytm's parent company- approval to be a third-party app on UPI platform. Following this, Yes Bank and Axis Bank went live on Paytm app using which users can create new handles. This comes as RBI's deadline for Paytm Payments Bank Limited to stop all banking operations ends today (March 15). Paytm UPI: RBI's deadline for Paytm Payments Bank Limited to stop all banking operations ends today (March 15). (Reuters) What it means for Paytm UPI users? New users trying to register for UPI on Paytm app will get new handles which will be backed by these banks instead of Paytm Payments Bank Limited. Yes Bank has gone live with a closed user group of users with @ptyes handle and Axis Bank has gone with @ptaxis handle. The former has the additional role of migrating existing @paytm handles as of now. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Currently, Paytm has around 90 million UPI users who are using @paytm handles. What about SBI and HDFC? SBI and HDFC Bank will likely go live in a couple of days on the platform. SBI will go with @ptsbi and HDFC will go with @pthdfc handles as payment service provider (PSP) banks. What is Paytm's market share in UPI? Paytm has around 11 per cent market share in UPI. It processes more than three billion beneficiary transactions and around 1.6 billion outgoing transactions. In good news for commuters in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday gave a green signal for the commencement of construction work required for phase 3 of the Namma Metro railway network in the city. Authorities also set a deadline to complete the project by 2028, which is estimated to cost 15,611 crore, according to news agency PTI. Bengaluru's Namma Metro railway. (ANI)(HT_PRINT) Bengaluru, infamous for its traffic congestions and infrastructure fails, depends on mass transit systems like the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited's (BMRCL) Namma Metro to limit jams and allow smooth vehicular movement on the daily. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ALSO READ | Tejasvi Surya advises deeper introspection for Bengaluru's Namma Metro amid frequent disruptions Phase 3, coming up along the entire stretch of the Outer Ring Road (ORR), is expected to run along a distance of 44.65 kilometres (km). Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda spoke to the media about the works being undertaken in this regard and said the first metro rail line under phase 3 will be constructed from Hebbal to JP Nagar, around 32.15 kms long. The second line will touch areas including Gorguntepalya, Magadi Road, Mysuru Road and reach JP Nagar. Phase 3 will also run along Hosahalli to Magadi Road and then to Kadabagere, which roughly makes up the remaining 12.5 kms. ALSO READ | Bengaluru airport metro works are on track, Phase 2 will be done by 2025: Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar It will pass from JP Nagar to Silk Board, Silk Board to KR Puram, and from KR Puram to Hebbal. It will continue from Hebbal and will cross Tumakuru Road from near Dr Rajkumars memorial and will cross Magadi Road, Mysuru Road, Kanakapura Road and join JP Nagar. It will cover the entire Outer Ring Road, The Revenue Minister, Gowda, said, as quoted by the agency. The Centre has also given a thumbs up for the expansion of the line and a feasibility test has also been conducted, he added. ALSO READ | Bengaluru metro's first driverless train arrives at Chennai port from China: Report The BMRCL has said in its note that it can finish (Phase-3) by 2028. The state government will bear 80 to 85 per cent cost of the project. We expect 13 to 15 per cent from the Centre, He further stated. (With inputs from PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday warned pro-Kannada activists that they should not take the law into their own hands for implementing the 60:40 rule for the use of Kannada on signboards. Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar (PTI)(HT_PRINT) "60:40 signboards are mandatory. The government is committed to implementing it," Shivakumar told reporters here. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. READ | In India's tech capital, Kannada now gets "prominence" on signboards of businesses " We allowed time because the manufacturing of the signboards was taking a lot of time. But I don't want pro-Kannada activists to take the law into their own hands on this issue," he added. The deadline for complying with the rule ended on Wednesday. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has said that the rule has already seen 98% implementation. READ | Bengaluru traffic signboard 'follow someone home' goes viral thanks to quirky twist Earlier, Shivakumar orally announced the extension by two weeks of the previous deadline of February 28. His announcement came after BBMP started to shut down shops for non-compliance. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike spearheaded the campaign for Kannada signboards in December 2023, which degenerated into vandalism on December 27 in the city. The Commercial Street Shop Owners' Association said that in Commercial Street, about 90% of shopkeepers have complied with the law. However, they expressed apprehension in forced implementation of the rule. Meanwhile the Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar assured Bengaluru's citizens that there was no water crisis in the city as the government had made alternate arrangements. READ | Maharashtra plans legal action against Karnataka mandating 60% Kannada on signboards "As far as Bengaluru is concerned, there is no water crisis. We have made alternative arrangements. BJP is saying that we are releasing water to Tamil Nadu. This is absolutely false. I appeal to the PM and BJP MPs that we get permission for the Mekadattu dam" DK Shivakumar said. Earlier the BJP had accused the state Congress Government of knowing well in advance about the looming water crisis in Bengaluru but acting against the interests of the people by releasing water to Tamil Nadu only to please its alliance partner. A two-day national seminar on National curriculum framework for school education-2023: A paradigm shift towards excellence in school education was inaugurated at Government College of Education (GCE), Sector 20, in Chandigarh on Friday. Government College of Education principal Sapna Nanda introduced the theme of the seminar with an emphasis on equitable and accessible education for all enhancing life skills. (HT Photo) Sponsored by Indian Council Of Social Science Research North-Western Regional Centre, Panjab University, the programme started with Saraswati Vandana and lamp lightening ceremony. Principal Sapna Nanda introduced the theme of the seminar with an emphasis on equitable and accessible education for all enhancing life skills, and welcomed chief guest professor Sanjay Kaushik, DCDC, PU & honorary director, ICSSR, North-Western Regional Centre, PU, and delegates from various institutions from all over the country. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Programme convener Dr Anurag Sankhian shared the importance and significance of the seminar focused on National Education Police (NEP) 2020 and its implementation. He added that the aim of the seminar is to facilitate all the stakeholders to present their innovative ideas for successful implementation of NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023 in particular. He also shared the layout and the sub-themes of the two day national seminar with the attendees. Kaushik, in his inaugural address, discussed about the focus of NCF on holistic development of a child. He also highlighted that teacher education plays a vital role in its realisation of goals of NEP2020 at ground level. Formal vote of thanks was proposed by dean of the college Dr AK Srivastava. Various key issues related to NCF were reflected upon in the technical sessions of this seminar. In the first technical session, professor Sunil Dutt, formerly with department of education & educational management, NITTER, Chandigarh, chaired the session. He addressed the delegates on the themes of NCFSE-2023: Aims and curricular areas of school education, key competencies and learning outcomes, the 5+3+3+4 scheme and corresponding curricular concerns. Second technical session was chaired by resource person Gulshan Sharma, principal, Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula. In her address on Learning in the foundational stage, five-fold development (Panchkosh Vikas) through school education, learning standards, selection of content, methods of teaching and assessments (Pariksha pe Charcha). The college also signed an MOU with GRIID, Sector 31, Chandigarh, during the afternoon technical sessions of the programme. Two more technical sessions will be held on Saturday. Delegates from across the country participated in the inaugural of the seminar and presented papers on the concept of NCFSE-2023. It was followed by interactive and stimulating discussions. Formal vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Sheojee Singh, convener of the programme to the chief guest, Resource persons and delegates. The seminar is being organised under the able guidance of Dr Sapna Nanda, principal of the college, Dr AK Srivastava, dean (Patrons) and Anurag Sankhain and Sheojee Singh (conveners of the event). The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha has issued show-cause notices to nine BJP MLAs for allegedly creating a ruckus in the House on February 28. They have been told to file their reply by March 18. The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha has issued show-cause notices to nine BJP MLAs for allegedly creating a ruckus in the House on February 28. They have been told to file their reply by March 18. (HT File Photo/ Representational image) Those who were issued show-cause notices are Satpal Satti, Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, Surender Shourie, Vipin Parmar, Trilok Jamwal, Inder Singh Gandhi, Lokender Kumar and Deep Raj. The secretariat of the legislative assembly issued the notices to the nine BJP MLAs on the directions of speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Notices were issued on March 13 for breach of privilege and contempt raised by Nahan legislator Ajay Solanki. Congress legislator in the complaint alleged that when the speaker made a ruling under 319 of the Rules on a motion moved by parliamentary affairs and industries minister Harshvardhan Chauhan for suspending 15 BJP MLAs, nine of them under a premeditated design intentionally raised slogans and reached the well of the House. He alleged that nine legislators violated Rule 299 of the Rules and made derogatory remarks against the chair. The state has been facing political instability after six Congress MLAs and three Independents cross-voted for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27, subsequently pushing the Congress government into a political crisis. The six Congress legislators Sudhir Sharma, Rajender Rana, Ravi Thakur, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chaitanya Sharma, and Devender Bhutto were disqualified from the House under the anti-defection law. The disqualification of six legislators has currently brought down Congress strength in the 68-member House from 40 members to 34. Water minister Atishi on Friday said the Delhi government will conduct an inquiry into why several sewer-related complaints in the city have remained pending for months, adding that action will be taken against those found to be responsible for the delay. Atishi was speaking at the Delhi assembly which had passed a resolution on March 9 urging immediate action to address issues of water scarcity and sewage overflow. (HT Photo) Atishi was speaking at the Delhi assembly which had passed a resolution on March 9 urging immediate action to address issues of water scarcity and sewage overflow, and directed chief secretary Naresh Kumar to fix the issues in a week and submit a report. The minister added that Kumar has submitted the report. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In the last week, very fast work has been done on the complaints (related to water and sewer). The question arises that when the work can be done in a week, why it was not done earlier? I will order an inquiry into it to find out how work pending for 4-5 months was fixed in 4-5 days. The accountability must be fixed. A white paper should be presented on that... and strong action should be taken, Atishi said. As the assembly session began on Friday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief whip Dilip Pandey informed the House that several grievances have been taken up speedily in the last week. Delhi Jal Board has worked on a war footing in the last five days to resolve grievances. However, strong action needs to be taken against officers who have not done their duties in resolving water and sewerage-related grievances in the last few months, Pandey said in a fresh resolution he moved on Friday. Read Here: Delhi Jal Board issues advisory over water supply curbs in south Delhi Atishi asked the MLAs to share specific problems related to sewer and water with detailed locations. Water woes and overflowing sewer lines are the latest flashpoints in the tussle between the AAP-led Delhi government and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP recently claimed that BJP leaders were trying to defame the Delhi government by blocking the citys sewerage network, an allegation the BJP has rejected. It said that AAP has neglected the citys water crisis and indulged in corruption in DJB. Atishi said that there is an issue in coordination between DJB, the finance department and the urban development department. The last year has brought all the fault lines in coordination to the fore. We are accountable to the people of Delhi, Atishi said. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP MLA Vijender Gupta said the AAP government has failed to address the longstanding water woes of the city. The Delhi government is shirking its responsibilities and engaging in theatrics rather than providing tangible solutions. Despite a reported capital expenditure of 25,000 crore by DJB, there has been a conspicuous lack of improvement in the water distribution system... 50% of water continues to be lost to leakages, and the situation has been exacerbated by the merging of stormwater drains and sewers, a problem that remains unaddressed by both the AAP and the previous Congress governments, Gupta said, demanding the release of a white paper on the DJB to shed light on its operations and finances. The next sitting of the House has been called on March 22 where the chief secretary has been asked to provide a report on resolving the pending issues and providing long-term solutions. NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday ordered Tihar prison to let Aaftab Amin Poonawala, who is accused of strangling his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar and chopping her body into pieces in 2022, out of his prison cell for eight hours every day like the rest of the inmates. Aaftab Amin Poonawala, accused to have murdered his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, being brought to the Mehrauli forest area, in New Delhi, on Nov. 15, 2022. (PTI File) Since it is the request of the petitioner, we direct the jail authority to unlock for eight hours as applicable on other prisoners and during the night, he be lodged in solitary confinement, a bench of justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Girish Kathpalia said in their order. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The order came on a request by Poonawala against being kept in solitary confinement, complaining that he was allowed to step out of his cell for two hours in a day, an hour each in the morning and evening, unlike other prisoners who were unlocked for eight hours. Poonawalas lawyer Akshay Bhandari complained on Friday that he had been kept in solitary confinement since March last year on the pretext of ensuring his security. Its illegal. Everyone else comes out for 8 hours a day. Im not allowed to communicate with anyone there, he told the bench. Tihar jail officials disputed the complaint, saying Poonawala was not kept in solitary confinement but was lodged separately in a special security ward that has 10 cells with about 30 inmates. The arrangement was made in light of a Delhi court ordering the jail superintendent to ensure safe production. To be sure, the Delhi court order on March 31, 2023, was passed following an attack on Poonawala by some members of the public when he was taken to court for production and forensic science laboratory (FSL) in Rohini. Lao also added that dedicated personnel were deployed round the clock for Poonawalas safety given the threat perception. Poonawala and Walkar, both originally from Vasai near Mumbai, had been in a relationship for years and had moved to Delhi in May 2022. Walkar was estranged from her family, who said they opposed her relationship with Poonawala. Days later, Poonawala allegedly killed Walkar on May 18, 2022 at their rented accommodation in south Delhis Chhattarpur Pahadi, chopped up the body and dumped the pieces in forested areas in and around south Delhi -- a tactic that helped him avoid being caught till his arrest on November 12. For two days, a team of eight Delhi Police officers scanned footage from 500 CCTV cameras, spoke to at least 100 informers and to residents in central Delhi, and finally found a 70-year-old South Korean tourist who had been reported missing by the countrys embassy for over a month. The woman was found on Thursday morning, seated in a crowded lane near the New Delhi railway station, dressed in a green jacket and beige pants. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO) The woman was found on Thursday morning, seated in a crowded lane near the New Delhi railway station, dressed in a green jacket and beige pants. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A senior Delhi Police officer said, The woman had planned a solo trip to India in February and left Korea without telling anyone in her family. She was supposed to return home on February 10 but was not allowed to board her flight after violent behaviour was reported by airline staffers. This was also confirmed to HT by an IGI airport official anonymously. HT is not revealing the name of the woman. On Monday, a month after she missed her flight back home, her family unaware of her whereabouts reached out to the embassy in India after they found printouts of her travel plans to India at her house, said the police officer, who asked not to be named. A day later, the embassy reached out to the Delhi Police with a missing persons complaint. Thats when the Delhi police unit at the IGI airport swung into action. The CCTV trail The CCTV trail revealed that after not being allowed to travel back home, the elderly woman went towards the skywalk near New Delhi Railway Station. Another police officer, who was a part of the team that found her, said: We followed the CCTV trail from Delhi Aerocity, Dhaula Kuan, to Shivaji Stadium and New Delhi. We came to know that she was seen leaving the airport on February 10. She then took the Metro and reached the skywalk near Ajmeri Gate. She spent the night sleeping under the skywalk. The next day, she went to the New Delhi Railway Station and then to Metro stations nearby. The second officer added that, after that, the woman stayed near that area. CCTVs near the railway station and Metro stations showed that she took short trips on the Metro but would sleep near the railway station. She didnt have a debit card or much cash. She would sit with beggars or go to temples for food. We dont know how she survived without any help, said the officer, who asked not to be named. On Thursday, she was found sitting with locals who didnt know her, said police. The first investigator said that since the area where she was spotted on CCTV is large, a network of informers was deployed, and posters were pasted on walls. We questioned hawkers, taxi drivers, hotel owners and auto-rickshaw drivers but got no lead. Later, an informer told us that an old, Korean-looking woman was seen near the New Delhi railway station. A few auto-rickshaw drivers also confirmed that they had seen her. Thats how we found her, said the second investigator. How did she survive? While the woman has been found, the mystery around how she survived without any help, a language barrier, little money, and no shelter or phone, for over 30 days, persists. Usha Rangnani, DCP (IGI Airport) said, The woman is old and doesnt know English or Hindi. The team diligently worked on old CCTV footage and CCTV trail. We must have looked at more than 500 CCTVs around the airport, railway stations, metro stations and markets to find clues. Our work finally paid off and we found her. Though she has not been cooperative, she is healthy and safe. We sent her for a medical examination and doctors said she is fine. Police said that initially the woman was happy when the police told her that her family was looking for her but when investigators asked her about the trip, she stopped cooperating. She may be mentally distressed. We have been trying to ask her questions, but she gets upset. We also brought in a translator, but she has now refused to talk to them too. For now, we are happy that the case has been solved. The embassy officials and her family are also relieved. Once legal proceedings are over, she will be sent back to Korea, added the first investigator. Kolkata, Commercial services of the country's first underwater metro train commenced in Kolkata on Friday with hundreds of passengers erupting into jubilation on their first ride. HT Image A train began its journey from the Howrah Maidan station on the East-West metro corridor of Kolkata at 7 am with loud cheers and claps from commuters, while another started from Esplanade station at the same time. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Hundreds of commuters thronged the stations in the early morning to be part of the "first-day first underwater metro" bandwagon. At Howrah Maidan station, passengers were seen standing in a long queue in the morning to get a ticket, while the authorities greeted them with rose stems at Esplanade station. There was excitement among the passengers while a section of commuters at the Howrah Maidan station started chanting 'Jai Sri Ram' slogan as they boarded the train. The commercial services began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on March 6 inaugurated the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro's East-West corridor, heralding India's first venture into underwater metro services. As the train entered the under-river stretch, passengers on board erupted in joy while a section of commuters started raising slogans - "this is Modi ki guarantee" and some enthusiastically rushed to the window to get a glimpse of the illumination of the tunnel wall under the Hooghly river. A special illumination of the inner wall of the tunnels under the river with blue light has been arranged to give the effects of water around the moving rake. The under-river section of the tunnel is 520 metres long, and a train took around 45 seconds to cross it. "So far, we get an overwhelming response, and people even came as early as 2.30 am to experience the first underwater metro services in the country," Metro Railway spokesperson Kaushik Mitra said. The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section, a groundbreaking addition to the metropolis' transportation network and touted to be the first transportation tunnel under any mighty river in India, has the deepest metro station in the country the Howrah Metro station. According to a statement issued by the Metro Railway, the 4.8-km stretch of East-West Metro from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade has been built at a cost of 4,965 crore. The Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah stretch of the corridor has already been commercially operational. The work for the East-West corridor began in 2009 and tunneling under the Hooghly river commenced in 2017. Of the total 16.6 km of the corridor, 10.8 km is underground, including the tunnel beneath the river. The project has suffered delays owing to an aquifer burst at Bowbazar in central Kolkata on August 31, 2019, leading to severe ground subsidence, the collapse of several buildings there and two more water leakage incidents at the same site in 2022 during tunnelling and construction work. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The doctor, whose statement triggered speculations that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was pushed from behind at her south Kolkata residence on Thursday evening that led to a head injury, today sought to clear the air and said that a sensation of being pushed from behind led to her fall. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee after her release from the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata on Thursday. (PTI Photo) Banerjee bled from her forehead and suffered a cut on the nose after falling at her Kalighat residence, her brother Kartick Banerjee told the media. She was rushed to the state-run SSKM Hospital around 7.30pm and was discharged around 9.30pm with three stitches on the forehead and one on the nose. A series of tests confirmed that her condition was stable. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Briefing the media late on Thursday night, Dr Manimoy Bandopadhyay, director of Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research at SSKM Hospital, said in the medical bulletin. Chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee reported to our hospital today around 7.30pm with a history of fall within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind. She had a cerebral concussion and a sharp cut over her forehead which was bleeding profusely... On Friday, Dr Bandopadhyay said, This is not an issue. May be our statement was misinterpreted. It was like a sensation of being pushed from behind that led to the fall. It happens when a person falls. Kajari Banerjee, a Trinamool Congress councillor and Karticks wife, told reporters something similar. We dont know what exactly happened, but we heard that someone pushed from behind, she said. The statements triggered speculations of a conspiracy to attack the chief minister ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, reminiscent of the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls when she suffered a fracture in a leg. The Kolkata Police has maintained complete silence on the matter although the chief minister is provided with Z-Plus category security. No member of the chief ministers family has lodged any complaint, a city police officer said on conditions of anonymity. Dr Bandopadhyay and his team visited the CMs house on Friday to check on her condition, and advised her complete rest. In March 2021, Banerjee suffered a leg injury in an accident in East Midnapore when she was campaigning in Nandigram. She did the rest of the campaign sitting in a wheelchair. Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Prasanna Acharya on Friday sustained severe injuries after his car collided with a gas tanker near Beldihi in Sambalpur district. Visuals from the site of the accident. Police officials said Acharya was on his way to Bargarh from Bhubaneswar when his car had a head-on collision with the gas tanker in Rairakhol area. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Acharya and his personal security officer (PSO) were critically injured in the mishap, while his driver sustained minor injuries. The leader and his PSO were rushed to a private hospital in Sambalpur after being administered first-aid treatment. Though Acharya is stated to be stable, officials said he would be flown to Bhubaneswar by air ambulance for better care. Police have detained the tanker driver for interrogation. Acharya is a frontrunner from the Rairakhol assembly constituency in Sambalpur for the upcoming state elections. The Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission (BPSSC) has declared the Main Written Examination result for the post of Police Sub-Inspector in the Home (Police) Dept., Govt. of Bihar. Candidates who have appeared for the examination can download the results from the official website at bpssc.bih.nic.in. BPSSC releases Bihar Police SI Main Written Exam Result The Main written examination for the post of SI was conducted in two shifts on Sunday, February 25. In the Main written exam, two papers were conducted. A total of 23957 candidates have appeared in the first paper and a total of 23948 candidates have appeared for the second paper. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. BPSSC SI Main Result 2024: How to check All those candidates who have appeared for the examination can check their results by following the steps below. Visit the official website of BPSSC at bpssc.bih.nic.in. On the homepage, click on Results: Mains (Written) Examination conducted for the post of Police Sub-Inspector in Home (Police) Dept., Govt. of Bihar. A new PDF file will open where candidates can check their roll numbers. Download the page and check the results. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Alia Bhatt had a cute surprise when she received a cake by the paparazzi on her 31st birthday. The actor saw that the chocolate cake had Rahas mom' written over it and said, How sweet! (Also read: Pooja Bhatt says Raha Kapoor is the brightest in their family: Like Apple phone, each model gets better) Alia Bhatt celebrated her birthday with the paparazzi. Alia cuts cake with the paparazzi In pictures and videos that were captured by the media on Friday evening, birthday girl Alia was seen in a casual look, where she paired a white top with black track pants. She took the chocolate cake and the moment she saw Rahas mom' written over it, she said, "Oh, how sweet!" and started laughing. That is so sweet! she said again. She then paused for a moment to make a wish and blew off the small candle. She cut the cake for a small piece and had it herself, while the paparazzi sang Happy Birthday for her. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Reacting to the adorable moment, a fan commented, She's so lovely! Another fan said, Alia is good but Raha's mom hits different (red heart emoticon). Many fans also wished her in the comments. More details On Thursday, Alia's actor-husband Ranbir Kapoor hosted an intimate dinner for Isha Ambani, Neetu Kapoor, Akash Ambani, Shloka Ambani, Soni Razdan and other close friends and family to ring in her birthday. The party was held at The Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai, where paparazzi clicked the actors' pictures. In some pictures and videos, fans spotted Ranbir's special look for Alia's birthday dinner a black jumper with Raha written in the front in white. Raha was born to actors Ranbir and Alia in 2022. After hiding her face from the paparazzi and social media for over a year, the couple finally revealed it officially at the Kapoor family's annual Christmas lunch last year. Alia will be next seen in Vasan Bala's Jigra. She will also subsequently reunite with Ranbir for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War. The film also has Vicky Kaushal in a pivotal role. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Amitabh Bachchan was recently hospitalised in Mumbai, according to a report by ABP News. The actor reportedly went to the hospital after complaining of shortness of breath, and was hospitalised; he reportedly had to undergo an operation. (Also Read: Jaya Bachchan said she stood silently during Amitabh Bachchan's low phase) Reports state that Amitabh Bachchan has been admitted to the hospital and has undergone an operation. (File Photo/ANI) Another report by The Indian Express said that doctors at Kokilaben Hospital confirmed that Amitabh Bachchan underwent an angioplasty at the hospital early Friday. The report added that an official statement in this regard will be issued by his PR team later in the day. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As per a report by The Times of India, Amitabh has been discharged from hospital, and on Friday morning, an angioplasty was performed on a clot in his leg, and not on his heart, as was being reported by some portals. Hindustan Times could not independently verify these reports. Amitabh Bachchan's tweet Amid such reports about his health, Amitabh tweeted on X on Friday, T 4950 - in gratitude ever... He also shared a video promoting his Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) team. Amitabh Bachchan or his family is yet to release a statement. Amitabh's denial On Friday, Amitabh attended the finale of the Indian Street Premier League in Mumbai, when a paparazzo asked him about his health. Amitabh getsured everything is fine and then said, Fake news with a laugh. He seems to have clarified that reports of him undergoing angioplasty is false. Amitabhs tryst with health Amitabh had undergone surgery for his wrist earlier this year. In January, he stared pictures with Akshay Kumar on his blog, sporting a sling on his wrist, writing, Akshay, one of the owners (of ISPL)..and an explanation to him about the surgery on my hand. In March last year, Amitabh was injured when he was shooting for Kalki 2898 AD in Hyderabad, with the harness straining his back, resulting in bed rest for the actor. He suffered from a torn muscle and strained rib cartilage then. Amitabh couldnt travel to the San Diego Comic Con to promote the film last year due to medical restrictions. Upcoming work Amitabh recently shared on his blog that he shot for Nag Ashwins Kalki 2898 AD recently. He wrote, Late nights again... but late from work last night... as the completion of KALKI approaches... and as has been informed it is May 9th for the release... So, the last efforts to get everything in shape and in order to bring to all an experience that promises the vision of the makers. This report has now been updated with Amitabh Bachchan's clarification. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. Bastar The Naxal Story movie review: Bastar ventures into the contentious landscape of Naxalism, weaving a narrative that attempts to dissect its roots and consequences, albeit through a largely black-and-white lens. Its stark depiction of Naxalite insurgency and the ensuing conflict with security forces serves as a timely reminder of the complex sociopolitical realities facing the nation. However, by sidestepping nuanced character exploration and succumbing to occasional oversimplification, the film falls short of its full potential, leaving audiences with lingering questions and a sense of untapped narrative depth. Also read | Yodha, Bastar The Naxal Story to Kung Fu Panda 4: Movies releasing in theatres this week Bastar The Naxal Story movie review: Adah Sharma-starrers narrative shortcomings and performative inconsistencies detract from its overall impact. The premise Directed by Sudipto Sen, the film navigates through the divergent paths taken by a mother and son, played by Indira Tiwari and Naman Jain, in the aftermath of a shared personal tragedy, a Supreme Court case illuminating only on the nexus between Naxalism and communism, and the resolute mission of a police officer,Neerja Madhavan embodied by Adah Sharma, to purge the heartland of India from the scourge of Naxal insurgency. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. At its core, Bastar lays bare the ideological battleground where Naxalism intersects with patriotism and the pursuit of a greater good. While her motivations are not explicitly explained, her unwavering patriotism is evident. In her quest, she doesn't hesitate to use force, even being accused of involvement in staged encounters. These accusations, however, are dismissed, as the director aims to portray her actions as serving the greater good, but that leaves the character uninspiring, unrelatable and eerily one-dimensional. Refusal to delve deeper into complexities In a parallel narrative, Bastar would have introduced a poignant subplot revolving around a mother and son, grappling with the aftermath of Naxal violence. They witnessed the husband and father (respectively) being brutally killed by Naxalites for displaying the National Flag and singing the National Anthem. The mother joins the police force, while the son joins the Naxalites out of a lack of interest in education. However, the dynamics between them and the reasons for their choices remain largely unexplored, leaving viewers pondering whether this storyline would have made the movie more relatable and empathetic than its current version. The film presents a stark contrast between the Naxalites, depicted as ruthless and inhumane, and the Indian security forces, particularly the police and CRPF, portrayed as tirelessly combating these anti-Indian elements. The Naxalites, represented in the movie by a militant faction based in Bastar, oppose the development of infrastructure and discourage local children from attending schools, all in opposition to the idea of India progressing as a nation. While this portrayal may reflect certain realities, the film's failure to delve into the underlying reasons, instead attributing everything to communism via Yashpal Sharma's character, a well-intentioned lawyer fluent in Hindi, offers a glimpse into the ideological underpinnings of Naxalism, and its refusal to delve deeper into these complexities risks oversimplifying the narrative may explain criticisms on social media accusing the movie of promoting propaganda or agendas. In the Bastar The Naxal Story, Adah Sharma, plays a police officer, who names JNU as a place where students allegedly celebrated the killing of CRPF officers. Mixed performances Adah Sharma's performance feels somewhat out of place in the film, not due to her character's weakness, but because she appears inadequately trained for the role. Her actions, including running and shooting, lack the finesse expected of a seasoned officer. On the other hand, Indira Tiwari and Naman Jain deliver compelling portrayals as the mother and son, representing the perennial victims. However, their appearances are fleeting, leaving viewers yearning for more substantial exploration of their characters. This oversight deprives the film of a more empathetic and relatable dimension, relegating these characters to mere conduits for thematic exploration rather than fully realised individuals. Final thoughts Ultimately, Bastar" serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the battle against Naxalism, yet falls short of fully exploring the nuances of its subject matter. While its patriotic fervor and commitment to highlighting the sacrifices of those caught in the crossfire are commendable, the film's reluctance to confront the shades of grey within its narrative leaves it feeling somewhat incomplete. The movie, in simple terms, deals with the notion that Naxalism stems from communism. For those familiar with this concept, it serves as a stark reminder of how the American government, during the early years of Cold War, once targeted individuals who aligned with this ideology, resulting in societal ostracism and much more. It serves as a stark reminder of the insidious nature of ideological conflict and its far-reaching consequences but, the films narrative shortcomings and performative inconsistencies detract from its overall impact. Movie: Bastar The Naxal Story Director: Sudipto Sen Cast: Adah Sharma, Indira Tiwari, Naman Jain, Raima Sen and Yashpal Sharma Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Alia Bhatt is among the most successful actors of Indian cinema. Apart from working in Hindi films, she has now also made a mark in regional and international movies. Alia made her Bollywood debut with the commercial rom-com Student of the Year directed by Karan Johar. But unlike most newcomers who refrain from experimental storytelling, the Jigra actor never shied away from accepting nonconformist characters. Her films paved way for many actors and filmmakers to work on groundbreaking themes and genres. A glimpse at some of the best works of Alia which brought a new cinematic wave in India. Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi. The film and her portrayal of a sex worker from Kamathipura won her a National Award. Highway Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Alia Bhatt proved her versatility in Imtiaz Ali's Highway.(Movie screengrab) Highway is one of the most unique and emotional stories from Imtiaz Ali, who masters the craft of slice-of-life emotional narratives. Co-written by Imtiaz and Irshad Kamil, Highway featured the most lovable on-screen pairing of Alia and Randeep Hooda. The unspoken, poised yet passionate and intense romance between Alia and Randeep was heartwarming. The relationship between a rebellious abducted privileged girl from Delhi and her kidnapper has been depicted with utmost realism and sincerity. However, the USP of the film is how Imtiaz has sensitively dealt with the issue of child abuse. The ability of Alia to convey the childhood trauma and pain proved her acting prowess. Highway is a must-watch for the students of cinema. Udta Punjab Alia Bhatt in a still from Udta Punjab. Alia once again took the biggest risk of her movie career with Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab. Apart from trouble from CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) for showcasing the drug menace in Punjab, the film also suffered criticism from political groups. However, the most surprising aspect of the social crime-drama is Alia essaying the role of a Bihari migrant labourer. The actor plays Bauria a.k.a. Mary Jane who gets into the trap of drug peddlers. Her portrayal of sexual abuse survivor who fights back against oppression is a pivotal element of the screenplay. From her accent to aggressive monologue with Shahid Kapoor, she hits the bull's eye with her artistry. Dear Zindagi Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan's Dear Zindagi also focused on mental health awareness. Gauri Shinde's light-hearted movie on relationships is one of the most relevant stories on millenials and Gen Z. Apart from relationships, societal judgments, ambition, Dear Zindagi also stresses on issues like insomnia and mental health awareness. Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan once again take on an important topic in the coming-of-age drama. More than the characters, it's the performances and storytelling that contributes to the engagement quotient. Alia gives a soulful portrayal as the emotionally confused Kaira who finally gets her closure in life. Raazi Alia Bhatt played Sehmat in Raazi. Co-written by Meghna Gulzar and Bhavani Iyer, Raazi is based on Harinder Sikka's novel Calling Sehmat. Alia essays the role of Sehmat Syed, a Delhi University students who ends up becoming a R&AW agent. Sehmat is trained by Indian intelligence officials for spying in Pakistan amid the ongoing tensions between the nations in 1971. The Meghna Gulzar directorial doesn't romanticise the life of spies, it rather shows the grey area of espionage jobs. Unlike Angelina Jolie's larger than life agents, Alia humanises female spies in her portrayal of Sehmat. The movie does have elements of patriotism and love for the motherland, but it also gives enough space to the human angle. Gangubai Kathiawadi Alia gave an emotionally moving performance as Gangubai Kathiawadi. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his minute detailing with grand sets and costume designs while filming period dramas. Gangubai Kathiawadi set in the era of 1950s-60s shows the plight of sex workers in the most aesthetically poignant way. Alia once again gives a stellar performance as the protagonist. Her soulful depiction relates to the audiences about a story of human plight and courage. Darlings Alia gave a soulful performance in Dalings. Alia gave it her best shot as she made her debut as a producer with a story based on domestic abuse. Her portrayal of a marital violence survivor in the dark comedy thriller is the USP of the movie. The actor attempted an uncomfortable theme which caught the pulse of the audiences. Yodha review: A few weeks ago, Fighter director Siddharth Anand suggested that his magnum opus about aerial combat was coming a cropper probably because a high volume of the Indian cinema-going audience had never been on a flight. After Yodha, one of whose meanings is also fighter, Im sure directors Sagar Ombre and Pushkar Ojha wouldnt complain about that. (Also Read: Sidharth Malhotra on working in patriotic films: Nothing better than a man in uniform) Yodha review: Sidharth Malhotra's film is predictable Its because theres enough turbulence tumbling and twisting and rolling and rumbling in the narrative aspirations of this unwieldy Sidharth Malhotra and Raashii Khanna-starrer where you can easily predict the plot (if you cared to). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sidharth Malhotra and Raashii Khanna in the song Zindagi Tere Naam from Yodha The premise Sidharth is Arun Katyal, a special forces commando serving as the de facto duke of an elite task force (duke because his dad, Surender, played by Ronit Roy, formed this unit). Yawn makers should please think beyond task forces now because theyre a hormonal pre-teens dream job. Raashii is his wife, Priyamvada, a senior bureaucrat in the ministry who later becomes secretary to a rather morose and wimpy-looking Indian Prime Minister. Arun, meanwhile, is a cavalier one-man army just launching himself into perilous extraction missions on whims and returning triumphantly with tricolour smoke grenades billowing behind. Priyamvada is his annoyed, accountability-seeking wife who you sense is always on the verge of sending him divorce papers. A context-setting opening sequence where Arun neutralises half a dozen Bangladeshi infiltrators somewhere in the Sundarbans is followed by a generic Vishal Mishra track about the couples all-conquering romance. Without wasting any time, the film tosses the protagonist into his unmaking: a plane hijack that he just fails to prevail over despite multiple combat sequences in all parts of the flight. An enquiry ensues, Arun is found guilty of insubordination and the task force is disbanded. Crucial points glossed over Not that this is its biggest flaw but Yodha is in such a hurry to get to its crash-landing finale crammed with some decent stunt-work, that it glosses over everything else. The script treats its most crucial nerve centres the protagonists fall from grace and the fracture in his relationship with his wife with such unfeeling imminence and frivolity that you feel sorry for the scripts smug reveal of Disha Patanis character towards the end. Despite his physical attributes and experience playing decorated war heroes, army men and spies, Sidharths one-note portrayal of this character, which could have been essayed as conflicted or beleaguered, is distracting. Him cracking whistle-worthy one-liners and poorly imitating SRKs open arms to wheedle his wife makes such characters sloppy and self-absorbed rather than slick. Attempting to win over both sides and avoiding the singularly jingoistic template is something the Tiger and Pathaan films have attempted before. But Yodhas corny and complacent co-opting of it and surface-level interpretation of the Kashmir issue and terrorism, render this film with nothing new to offer. A ray of hope appears when its very briefly suggested that the hero has gone rogue, but even that remote possibility is quickly shushed into a corner. Thereafter, the film plunges itself headlong into solving the broad-brushstrokes puzzle of its own making. I hope the aeronautical explanations and Sidharths ability to fight when most people would struggle to take off their oxygen masks in the belly of the plane, passes muster with the experts. But thats Bollywood for you. The performances Its disappointing that screenwriters still depend this heavily on dime-a-dozen unhinged antagonists to lend menace to their characterisation and give the hero the moral compulsion to completely eviscerate them. Agar dono mulkon ke beech shaanti samjhauta ho gaya toh hamaara karobar kaise chalega, the antagonist ultimately says it for the benefit of everybody in the audience whove been sleeping through the film until then. Sunny Hinduja (Sandeep Bhaiya, The Family Man) is so ineffective and unoriginal in this role that Sidharth blowing him to shreds in the end offers the viewer no release. Raashii doesnt really get the full breadth promised to her character in the script, for instance, the chance to be completely at loggerheads with her self-centred husband. In conclusion To conclude, a few questions: What purpose does Chittranjan Tripathys character serve and why does the actor play a random Punjabi? How did Blackberrys in 2006 play 1080p video? Where did Dishas character learn hand combat? (cuz boy, does she beat the shit out of Sidharth). Why do the baddies keep talking when they need to shoot? If you can get past these questions, board the flight. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Former Superman has reportedly warmed up to the ways of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Last month, a spicy stream of rumours teased Henry Cavill's Marvel debut. But he isn't the only one who has joined this titillating conversation. With every impossible cameo that came to life in Deadpool 2, the sky is the limit for the upcoming ambitious project that will likely shake up the entire MCU for better or worse. New rumours about Henry Cavill's MCU cameo as a Wolverine variant worry fans about the beloved actor's talent being wasted on a "one-off" show. From Taylor Swift possibly waltzing in as the Dazzler and the fan-favourite Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom dropping by, Deadpool & Wolverine's anticipated premiere has initiated a train of saucy rumours. As fans took it all in, renowned and reliable scoopers Giant Freekin Robot and CanWeGetSomeToast fanned the fire with a new update about Cavill's involvement. The buzz-worthy rumours claim that the ex-Man of Steel will apparently be taking on Wolverine's role in the new movie, or at least a variant of the character adeptly helmed by Hugh Jackman since the early 2000s. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Deadpool & Wolverine: Henry Cavill's MCU cameo and more According to Giant Freekin Robot, a source that previously predicted Linda Cardellini's contribution as Lylla the Otter in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, has supposedly breathed life into fan fantasies about Cavill's introduction to the MCU. The outlet confidently affirmed that he would appear as a variant of Wolverine, "wearing a long brown coat". Also read | X-Men 97 early reviews: Fresh and X-traordinary revival' hailed a must-watch Marvelites were initially conjecturing about Henry taking on the role of Captain Britain, but as per the source's information, that won't be happening in the upcoming Deadpool movie. The MCU is infamous for already casting the same actors across storylines. And with Deadpool 3 primarily built around the multiverse chaos, it opens up the room for Henry to venture into different roles later on. However, the recent updates assert that his Wolverine transition, for now, is a one-off thing. Although this doesn't shut off the British actor from settling into a more permanent role in the Marvel universe later on, not all fans are pleased with his throwaway cameo, stirring up a John Krasinski-Mr Fantastic-shapped deja vu. Fan reactions to Henry Cavill's Wolverine cameo ]Many are still holding on to the hope that he's the 616 version of Wolverine, referring to the primary Earth setting of Marvel Universe's action. He should be the main MCU Wolverine, read one comment under the CanWeGetSomeToast Instagram post. While another mourned the idea of Cavill not returning for something more monumental after Deadpool: This lowkey annoying bc thus mean that he won't be a big character in the mcu. Another one reiterated that Marvel Studios were pulling another John Krasinski trope. More MCU followers chimed in with comments like, What a waste of a role or That's a waste of an actor. Some others rejoiced at the doozy of a revelation, but the general take from longtime enthusiasts of the fictional world was marred with more doubts and questions than excitement. Surely Marvel wouldnt get Henry Cavill for a one-and-done appearance as a character in one film. Will he be *our* Wolverine? We may not have mutants as such now, but will he end up being the 616 Wolverine after the soft reboot of Secret Wars? replied an X (formerly Twitter) user. Sydney Sweeney just gave a major update about Euphoria. The actor was in conversation with MTV, where she spilled the beans about returning to the hit HBO show for a third season, implying that she has a busy plate for quite some time, following the releases of Anyone But You, Madame Web and Immaculate. (Also read: Sydney Sweeney doesnt care about the negative response to Madame Web: I was just hired as an actress') Sydney Sweeney is ready to head back to shoot for season 3 of Euphoria. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)(Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP) What Sydney Sweeney said During the interview, when Sydney was asked whether she is planning to take a break after her back-to-back releases in the last few months, the actor smiled and said, I go into Euphoria. She remained tight-lipped when asked about the script of the new season and whether she can give an update on that. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Further adding about the show, the actor however did say, I always feel like I go home. Its like home when I go back to it. I like it. Im excited, its like family. Euphoria, directed by Sam Levinson, stars Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow, Alexa Demie, and Jacob Elordi. The show first premiered in 2019 to wide acclaim, and then returned for the second season in 2022. The second season ended with a climactic school play that brought a showdown. More details about Euphoria Sydney, who played Cassie Howard in the show, received unanimous acclaim for her performance in season 2, resulting in an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a drama series category. A major tragedy occurred in-between, when Angus Cloud died of accidental drug overdose last year. The actor played Fez in the show. Sydney shared several memorable pictures with Angus on her Instagram and paid him a tribute. She wrote, Angus you were an open soul, with the kindest heart, and you filled every room with laughter. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to post, and I am struggling to find all the words. You will be missed more than you know, but I'm so blessed to have known you in this lifetime, and I'm sure everyone who has ever met you feels the same. This heartache is real and I wish we could've had one more hug and 711 run. All my love is with you." Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Prasanth Varmas HanuMan starring Teja Sajja, Amritha Aiyer, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Vinay Rai was released in theatres in January and received a great response. However, fans have been left confused by the delays in the film's digital release. The director took to X to clarify and give fans an update. (Also Read: HanuMan OTT release date: Here's where you can watch Tej Sajja's superhero tale) HanuMan's delayed OTT release has left fans confused given the film's success Delay not intentional HanuMan was expected to stream on Maha Shivaratri (March 8) but fans were disappointed when there was a delay in the OTT release. Now, it has been announced that the Hindi version of the film will stream on JioCinema from March 16, but there hasnt been any clarity on when the Telugu version of the film will be released on Zee5. Many had expected HanuMan to stream this weekend, but that has also been delayed. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Prasanth clarified that the delayed release isnt intentional, writing on X, HanuMan OTT streaming delay was not intentional! We have been working tirelessly round the clock to sort things and bring the film to you asap! Our intention is always to give you nothing but the best! Please try to understand and continue supporting us! Thank you! The official X handle of Zee5 also tweeted, The long wait comes to an end! HanuMan coming soon on ZEE5 in Telugu with english subtitles! Stay tuned for further updates. Amit Shah meets Team HanuMan Union home minister Amit Shah recently met team HanuMan and praised them on X. He shared pictures from the meeting and his views on the superhero film, which is the first in Prasanth Varmas cinematic universe. He wrote, The team has done a commendable job of showcasing Bharat's spiritual traditions and the superheroes that have emerged from them. Best wishes to the team for their future projects. About HanuMan HanuMan was released in theatres in January, clashing with Guntur Kaaram, Saindhav and Naa Saami Ranga, yet holding its own. The film tells the story of a young man called Hanumanthu (Teja) who gains superpowers after coming across a totem in his village. How he stands up for his people against a capitalistic villain (Vina) with the help of his sister (Varalaxmi) and lover (Amritha) forms the tale. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Chicken Nugget () is a 10-episode comedy mystery that premiered on Netflix on March 15, 2024. Starring Ryu Seung Ryong (Moving) and Ahn Jae Hong (Reply 1988), the South Korean drama is based on a Naver webtoon. Centred around a father's comical chase after his daughter mysteriously transforms into a chicken nugget, it has been written and directed by Lee Byeong Heon (Extreme Job, Be Melodramatic) and features several special appearances, including the most significant extended cameo of Kim Yoo Jung. Chicken Nugget early reviews.(Netflix) About Chicken Nugget Kdrama Choi Min Ah (Kim Yoo Jung) mistakenly enters a new mysterious machine and accidentally turns into a chicken nugget. Eventually, her father, Choi Seon Man (ryu Seong Ryong) and his intern Go Baek Joong (Ahn Jae Hong), who also has feelings for her, do everything in their capacity to reinstate the status quo. However, the journey ahead is ridden with unexpected turns and secrets. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Chicken Nugget Review After the first viewing of the drama series, viewers have registered some firmly positive and enthusiastic responses to the new Netflix project. With a shorter runtime and lesser episode count, the Ryu Seung Ryong starrer drama is an appropriate watchlist recommendation for all those who have qualms with longer-running seasons. Moreover, with all episodes dropping on the same day, it offers an even more accessible and quicker viewing experience. Also read | Han So Hee and Reply 1988 star Ryu Jun Yeol's dating rumours: Agencies respond One of the most common takeaways from the series is that viewers enjoyed their time through this new experience, which essentially made room for a short fun silly little unserious drama." Lee Byeong Heon has created his own little meta-universe, dropping several popular K-drama references throughout the show. Characters are seen tuning into his 2019 series Be Melodramatic. Some scenes are shaped into parodies of Western content, such as Game of Thrones and Interstellar. Whimsical references to BTS' music cheer up the mood, while a Cha Eun Woo name-drop amid all the comical chaos tickles the funny bone. Despite Kim Yoo Jung merely stepping out for an extended cameo role in the series, her relationship with Ryu Seong Ryong's character makes for a heart-tugging father-daughter dynamic. As always, the My Demon star stole the spotlight as a visual delight. However, what ultimately took the cake was Ryu Seung Ryong's onscreen partnership with Ahn Jae Hong. Their ludicrously amusing crossing of paths has already got fans rooting for them to clinch trophies during the award season. Ryu Seung Ryong's return to the fatherly domain after his similar role in the Disney+ action series Moving has reminded fans of his underrated brilliance. Even though the series was primarily billed as a comedy rollercoaster that instantly won over the audience, its emotional edges equally left an impression. Putting all technical and convoluted criticisms aside, the lighthearted and unserious watch undoubtedly makes for a stress-busting watch this weekend. The A-list cameos throughout the journey were majorly a callout to the director's previous works, which became just as much of an enthralling subject of online discussions. Also read | Squid Game actor Oh Young Soo convicted of sexual misconduct Chicken Nugget cameos Park Jin Young (Got7's Jinyoung) Jung Ho Yeon Jeon Yeo Been and Son Suk Ku (through Be Melodramatic scenes played on the TV) Ko Chang Seok Moon Sang Hoon Yoo Seung Mok Kim Tae Hoon Hwang Mi Young Kim Nam Hee Yang Hyun Min Heo Joon Suk Park Hyung Soo Lee Joo Bin K-drama Chicken Nugget reviewed by the internet: OKAY I JUST FINISHED WATCHING ALL THE EPISODES OF CHICKEN NUGGET it's not just comedy, it will make you cry too its so good Ryu seung ryong and his duality that's father give him any genre and he'll excel in it The two people who love minah intern baek joong and her sweet daddy struggling to get her back ryu seung ryong and ahn jae hong are natural comedians Their father and daughter moments made me emotional ngl This drama is so unserious lol there are so many references in #ChickenNugget and the director promoting '' be melodramatic '' as he should it's indeed a gem and a must watch Best dad competition and father #ryuseungryong is always the winner Netflix recently premiered a new K-drama starring Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won in the lead roles. The show quickly climbed the viewership ratings both domestically and in the global arena. The story appears fresh and diverges from the normal setting of girl-meets-boy rom-coms. Instead, it focuses on the fallout after marriage and a new journey of healing and connection. Some are debating whether the story is inspired by the infamous South Korean couple, Lee Boo Jin and Lim Woo Jae. K-drama draws parallels to Samsung Heiress love story with lead characters facing marriage fallout(Pic credit- tvN and Yonhap) Also read: Netflix One Piece Live-Action Season 2 gets exciting release date update; filming starts soon Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Is Queen of Tears inspired by a real-life story? Well, we cannot guarantee that, as the makers have never confirmed the same. However, there are a few striking resemblances in both stories that have viewers believing the K-drama rom-com is indeed inspired by the love story of the Samsung Heiress. In the show, Kim Ji Won plays a third-generation heiress of the Queen Group conglomerate. She is beautiful, bold, and charismatic. During her overseas studies, she falls in love with Baek Hyun Woo, a lawyer by profession, and they later get married. The story draws unparalleled connections to Samsung heiress Lee Boo Jin and her husband, Lim Woo Jae. The latter was a university graduate who worked as an employee of a security service affiliate of Samsung Group. The entire country was shocked when the two of them got married. Also read: Love is Blind season 7: Release date, cast, location, everything about Netflix dating show The Love Story of Samsung Heiress In 1995, similar to Kim Ji Wons character, the Samsung Heiress Lee Bo Jin was working undercover in her own company as an intern. That was the first time she met Lim Woo Jae at a Samsung Foundation charity event in 1995. As shown in the K-drama as well, in both cases, both men were unaware of the strong wealthy background of the women. In 1999, their fairy tale wedding became the talk of the country, but the wedding soon faced fallout after Lee filed for divorce in 2014 and took sole custody of their son. Lee was also ordered to pay to ex-husband $7.6 million, as part of their divorce settlement. In the real story as well, Lim was forced by Lees family to study overseas and acquire an MBA degree, which he later disclosed was quite tough for him, to the point he contemplated suicide. In the K-drama as well, Kim Soo Hyuns character talks about taking his own life. The plot of Queen of Tears In the K-drama, Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woos marriage takes a turn for the worse within three years, leading to Hyun Woo filing for divorce. However, the K-drama plot will indeed differ as it is potentially going to explore areas where burned-out marriages can be fixed from the effort by both sides. Since the show has only released two episodes as of now, it is yet to be seen how the story unfolds after Hae In talks about her medical condition moments before Hyun Woo hands her divorce papers. South Korean actor Oh Young Soo or O Yeong Su was found guilty of sexual misconduct in South Korea. He is famous for portraying Oh Il Nam in Squid Game and registering history as a Golden Globe winner when the K-drama series became a global sensation in 2021. However, he took a tumble soon after the series' success when a woman filed a complaint against the 79-year-old in December 2021. He was indicted on charges of indecent assault. Oh denied the charges, but as re-investigation commenced, all public advertisements in his name were taken down. On March 15, 2024, the case took another turn when Suwon District Court's Seongnam branch convicted him for the same reasons. Oh Young Soo, who played Player 001 or Oh Il Nam in Squid Game, has been convicted of sexual misconduct. A South Korean court indicted him on Friday, March 15. As per the old complaint, Oh was charged for inappropriately touching a woman in Daegu and kissing her on the cheek in 2017. The South Korean actor has been ordered to attend a 40-hour sexual violence treatment programme, sentenced to zero to eight months in prison and a probation of two years. Charged with two counts of sexual harassment in 2017, Oh has a week to appeal. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read | Netflix Queen of Tears inspired by real-life marriage of Samsungs heiress? Response to Squid Game actor Oh Young Soo's conviction South Korean media reports highlighted that he kept his head lowered throughout the hearing. Shortly after the trial, he quietly left the courthouse with plans to appeal. Since this case came to light, Oh was omitted from other casting recommendations. His controversial involvement in the case resulted in his part being edited out of an upcoming South Korean film. Womenlink, a women's rights group, praised the court's decision of holding him accountable for his misconduct. "The defendant resembles other offenders of sexual violence in theatre in the past who tried to cover up their sexual violence as 'favour' and 'friendship'," the activists wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post. Although O Yeong Su's affiliation with the survival thriller series remains severed, the show has recently been entangled in other controversies due to some of its staff members' misconduct. The Emmy-winning series' sequel is set to launch on Netflix sometime in 2024. Read more about the Squid Game controversies here. At a recent interactive session at a think tank, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, expressed scepticism about the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) due to Pakistan's continued support for terrorism, which he referred to as part of its "toolkit". He noted that the SAARC has been ineffective since 2016, with its biennial summits not taking place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014, particularly after the scheduled 2016 summit in Islamabad was cancelled following several countries' refusal to participate due to a terrorist attack in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. Saarc These remarks have revived an old discussion among scholars about whether SAARC is dysfunctional or not. He also commented on the progress made under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) despite challenges such as the situation in Myanmar. Such statements clearly suggest a shift in focus away from SAARC towards other regional cooperative frameworks. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. SAARC was established in 1985 with an objective of building a connected and integrated South Asia. Despite being in existence for 39 years, it has made slow progress. Last week, the 59th Session of the SAARC Programming Committee took place at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu, marking the first in-person session after a four-year hiatus. Nepal, holding the chair of the SAARC Programming Committee, played host, with foreign secretary Sewa Lamsal as the chief guest. While Lamsal emphasised the importance of regular meetings for SAARC charter bodies and Nepal's commitment to addressing the challenges facing SAARC for regional peace and prosperity. India continues to support various initiatives in the SAARC framework to achieve closer cooperation in diverse areas. Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi invited leaders of all SAARC countries to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014, and conveyed his intention of infusing new life into SAARC. India also extended the National Knowledge Network (NKN) to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan, launched the South Asian Satellite (SAS), established the South Asian University (SAU) and hosted the Interim Unit of the SAARC Disaster Management Centre. During the Covid-19 crises, PM Modi revived SAARC, by conducting a video conference and creating a Covid-19 Emergency Fund. However, the functionality of SAARC is challenged by two important factors the India-Pakistan animosity and lack of regional integration. India-Pakistan rifts have been due to Pakistans support to terrorist activities. This is the point minister Jaishankar emphasises. He blames Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism for creating an atmosphere of distrust that prevents cooperation, be it the Uri attacks or Balakot strikes. India and Pakistan face historical tensions and the ongoing border disputes further strain relations, making regional collaboration difficult. Further, SAARC faces challenges in economic cooperation. It has been stated that trade between member States remains low, with estimates suggesting only 5% of their potential is realised. This indicates a lack of infrastructure, trade agreements, and economic policies that would facilitate the movement of goods and services within the region. Further, political tensions make it difficult to establish economic ties. Distrust discourages member States from investing in regional infrastructure or trade agreements. Low economic integration, in turn, weakens the incentive for political cooperation and it becomes a vicious cycle. To revive SAARC, both political and economic aspects need to be addressed. Taking advantage of the situation, China has established a huge economic and political presence in the region. Through its Belt and Road Initiative and China-South Asia Cooperation Forum (CSACF), China is increasing its clout in the region with its mega infrastructure projects and has emerged as a leading trading partner. Even during Covid times, China launched the China-South Asia Emergency Supplies Reserve and Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre. Moving forward, China has influenced the domestic politics of countries like Nepal and Maldives. Finally, China is pushing forward its military diplomatic relations with some South Asian nations. Recently, China announced that military delegations visited Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives. China became an observer member of SAARC in 2005, and since then, it has been pushing to become a full member of the organisation. Realising the dysfunctionality of SAARC and rise in Chinas, India has been rebalancing its foreign policy by focusing other regional organisations. BIMSTEC is considered as an alternative to SAARC. More recently, India went ahead to form a stronger alliance with the United States (US)-led Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the US). However, can BIMSTEC replace SAARC? BIMSTECs focus is on the Bay of Bengal region, thus making it an inappropriate forum to engage all South Asian nations. There are also arguments that the BIMSTEC nations lack a common identity and history. India's engagement with SAARC and its initiative to promote regional cooperation through various means signify a willingness to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation. While BIMSTEC shows promise, it cannot entirely replace SAARC. They can complement each other to enhance cooperation between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Revitalising SAARC necessitates addressing both political and economic challenges. Enhancing trust among member States, particularly between India and Pakistan, and fostering economic integration are crucial. One way to infuse life in SAARC is to revive the process of South Asian economic integration. This could involve implementing existing trade agreements more effectively, investing in regional infrastructure, and creating an environment conducive to political cooperation. Although formidable, these challenges are not insurmountable if there is a collective will among SAARC members to move beyond historical grievances and leverage their shared history and cultural ties for regional prosperity. This article is authored by Cchavi Vasisht, research associate, Centre for Neighbourhood Studies, Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi. Mirzapur actor Shubhrajyoti Barat asserts that with the OTT boom, theatre actors like him have been getting good roles but feels the pattern is changing swiftly on lines of the film industry. Shubhrajyoti Barat at UP Sangeet Natak Academy on his visit to Lucknow (Deep Saxena/HT) The kind of work actors like us used to get, like for example Mirzapur has reduced a bit. Now, shows are being sold on big names and this is fast becoming a formula. This transition on OTT has started to affect theatre actors who were shining under the OTT wave, says the Saina (2021) actor on a visit to Lucknow. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Barat feels social media and saleable factors too come into play. Instagram pe followers ke basis pe bhi kaam milta hai and unfortunately this has been happening since quite some time now. Many have suggested me to strengthen my social media presence, but you cant teach an old dog new tricks. I can work on my craft but not on social media tactics. Hats off to whoever does that and I am not judging them, but I cant! Instead, Barat has started working on other factors, Adapting oneself with time is important and I too do that. Now filmmaking has become comparatively easier. So, one thing I have started ensuring is that apart from my role, production-direction team and good remuneration, I also introspect the prospects of projects releasing on time for us its work that fetches more work and if dikhengey hi nahi to kya fadya and kaam karne aur paise ka! This is the only thing we can do so yeh ensure karna bahut zaroori hai! The actor (50) has been doing theatre since 1999. It has been seven to eight years since I started working on screen medium. The difference I see in the pre-and-post pandemic era is that small-budget, content-driven films used to do well like those of actor Ayushmann Khurrana and filmmaker Anubhav Sinha. Today only big-budget films do well. In the present scenario, its very tough for small-budget films to succeed in theatre and survive the weekend opening formula. Thankfully, OTT is helping such films to survive. On the work front, Barat has completed a comic-thriller web series, a film with Radhika Madan, Navni Parihar and recently Godmother (1999) director Vinay Shuklas next film Yokohama-based Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto has won the prestigious 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize. Regarded as the pinnacle of architectural excellence, this accolade highlights Yamamotos substantial contribution to the project. Yamamoto will be formally honored at a ceremony in Chicago, Ill., in the summer of 2024. Public on May 16. Illinois Institute of Technologys S. Chicago Architecture Center. Yamamotos architectural philosophy is based on community integration and the harmonious coexistence of public and private spaces. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese and Greek architectural styles, designing designs that encourage social interaction while respecting individual freedom. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. His notable projects, such as the GAZEBO in Yokohama and the Tianjin Library in China, exemplify his commitment to developing public relations through innovative design Yamamoto will be formally honoured at a ceremony in Chicago, Ill., in the summer of 2024. Public on May 16. Illinois Institute of Technologys S. Chicago Architecture Center. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the electoral bonds data, saying that they received funds from firms that were raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He also challenged the saffron party to disclose details of the overall funds it received through the bonds. Delhi cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj (HT Photo) The BJP received over 6,000 crore in the form of electoral bonds, the biggest share than any other party. Why was the BJP not revealing how much funds they have received? These companies (donors) bought the electoral bonds after they were raided by the ED. This means the proceeds of crime have gone to the Centre via the electoral bonds, the AAP leader alleged during a press conference. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to Bharadwaj, the BJP should also be held responsible for accepting the money from companies that were being investigated for money laundering. Will the parties which accepted money from companies that were investigated for money laundering be also considered an accused and investigated in the matter? he questioned. The Election Commission on Thursday uploaded the State Bank of India (SBI)-provided data on the electoral bonds on its website, in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions. According to the data published in two parts, the parties that redeemed electoral bonds include the BJP, Congress, AIADMK, BRS, Shiv Sena, TDP, YSR Congress, DMK, JDS, NCP, Trinamool Congress, JDU, RJD, AAP, and the Samajwadi Party. The BJP received the highest contributions of 6,566 crore via the electoral bonds - followed by the Congress, which received 1,123 crore, and the TMC which got 1,092 crore, the data said. Meanwhile, the donors included - Grasim Industries, Megha Engineering, Piramal Enterprises, Torrent Power, Bharti Airtel, DLF Commercial Developers, Vedanta Ltd., Apollo Tyres, Lakshmi Mittal, Edelweiss, PVR, Keventer, Sula Wine, Welspun, and Sun Pharma, among others. (With inputs from agencies) In March, India carried out four important events linked to national security which also carried a message of Narendra Modi-led central government to the world. DRDO conducted the first successful flight test of an indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle ( MIRV) technology, on March 11.(ANI) With the successful test firing of the Agni-5 missile or the core loading of the fast breeder reactor at Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam, India has showcased its ability to demonstrate top-level technologies as well as make sure that its national security is not compromised in any way. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The core loading of the fast breeder reactor prototype of 50 megawatts is something which people may have dismissed considering as a routine exercise. However, it is important to note that the reactor ensures that India has an ample supply of plutonium, which can be used for energy and military purposes. Further, it has been fed into the system through the mixed oxide fuel and it ensures that it plugs the gap which has occurred because of lower availability of uranium in the country. This is part of a three-stage nuclear cycle and signifies that India does not need help from a third country to have plutonium for power generation and for military applications. Besides India, only France and Russia have fast-breeding reactors at present. The test firing of the Agni 5 fire missile which had three multiple independently re-entry vehicles, was done on March 11 with notam issued on March 7. The moment the notam was issued, the Chinese moved their surveillance ship to track the missile. The Agni 5 missile is capable of firing three warheads simultaneously with different velocities to evade the ballistic missile defense of the adversary. Interestingly, Pakistan tried the launch of MIRV missiles three years ago but failed miserably as the three warheads actually fell within a vicinity of 2 km. However, India has the capacity to launch three warheads simultaneously within vicinity of 150 to 200 km range. The Agni 5 missile is actually part of the nuclear triad and it is a step towards building a minimum credible deterrent for India. Today, the country has submarine launched ballistic missiles through its submarines, air launch capability and hence the basic foundations of a nuclear triad are more or less complete. The MIRV-equipped missiles are part of a natural progression of a nuclear weapon state, which India declared itself through the Shakti Pokhran test in 1999. More test firings, more operationalisation of Agni 5 and then its induction into the land forces will ensure that nobody has expansionist plans for India and nobody casts an evil eye on India. With these developments, India's nuclear neighbours, Pakistan and China, realised that it cannot be treated lightly any longer. China got the lesson way back in 2017 when India stopped China from occupying the Doklam plateau, while Pakistan learned this lesson during the 2019 Balakot airstrike. When Pakistan captured wing commander Abhinandan and tried to brutalise him, PM Modi sent a message through RAW chief to then DG ISI Asim Munir, currently the chief of Pak army staff, saying that we have not got the missile for Diwali. If anything happens to Abinandan, then there will be serious consequences, and at that very moment, Prithvi nuclear missiles were moved to Rajasthan. As a result, the next day, then Pak PM Imran Khan announced in the national assembly that they would release the wing commander. Another development which drew the attention was visiting Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, followed by visiting Pokhran's Bharat Shakti exercises. PM Modi, as a shanti doot and a shakti doot conveyed the message that India loves peace but also has the capability to fight a conflict indigenously. With these developments, China realised that it has to change its nuclear strategy towards India while Pakistan would now start leaning towards China all the more. India with these military exercises sent a global message that Japan can no longer sit on the fence and look towards both India and China; European nations have to sort out their own internal conflicts before they start to cast aspersion on India on various issues including human rights. It also delivered a message to the regional powers and the neighbours who particularly always played the China card against India including those who have recently decided that they want to go the China way that these developments are going to ensure that nobody can take India casually and India's voice must be heard on the global table. The Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn the land acquisition notification for more than 600 acres in at least 21 villages in Amaravati for the construction of the capital city, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government issued a series of gazette notifications days before the announcement of schedule for the assembly elections in the state as well as the Lok Sabha polls (ANI) The YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government issued a series of gazette notifications days before the announcement of schedule for the assembly elections in the state as well as the Lok Sabha polls. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The notifications withdrawing the land acquisition in a total of 625 acres were issued by Guntur district collector M Venugopal Reddy on February 28, but came to the fore earlier this week, the people said. The collector notified that the proceedings for land acquisition in these villages under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (RFCTLARR), 2013, for the construction of capital city are being withdrawn. The withdrawal notification was issued after hectic deliberations between the collector and officials of the AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) after obtaining legal opinion, a senior official of the APCRDA, privy to the development, said. Interestingly, the land acquisition of only 625 acres was withdrawn as against more than 1,317 acres of land proposed to be acquired through the notification by the APCRDA during the previous TDP government. For example out of 628.90 acres of land to be acquired in Penumaka village, the withdrawal notification was issued only with regard to 458.46 acres, belonging to 818 farmers. Similarly, in Velagapudi village, where the state secretariat complex and state assembly buildings are located, land acquisition notice was issued for 111.40 acres, but withdrawal of land acquisition is being done only in 48.83 acres. In Venkatapalem village, out of 66.12 acres of land proposed to be acquired, the Guntur collector ordered withdrawal of land acquisition only for 39.83 acres. The withdrawal of land acquisition in these villages would mean the farmers from whom the land was proposed to be acquired would get back their land parcels, while others surrounding these land parcels would be part of the capital city. This withdrawal of acquisition of land parcels in bits and pieces will result in the disturbance of entire Amaravati capital city masterplan. You cannot expect pieces of agricultural land in the heart of a capital city, said K Anil Kumar, a farmer belonging to Venkatapalem village. Why land acquisition? The previous TDP government led by N Chandrababu Naidu proposed to develop the capital city at Amaravati in about 53,000 acres of land, including the government land and forest land. In 2015, the APCRDA, created to take up the capital city construction, sought to acquire over 34,000 acres of land from 28,000-odd farmers from 29 villages through land pooling scheme (LPS). As per the agreement signed with APCRDA, the farmers, who had given away their fertile land to the government for the capital city, were allotted 250-400 square yards of commercial plot, depending on the location, besides 1,000 square yards of residential plots in the capital region, for every acre of land they surrendered to the APCRDA. While majority of the farmers had given away their lands to the APCRDA under LPS, a few farmers in each village refused to surrender their pieces of land. In bigger villages like Penumaka and Undavalli, majority of the farmers refused to part with their land, Kumar said. Since the APCRDA has prepared the master plan for the entire capital city of Amaravati, the government was forced to issue a land acquisition notification in 2015, as per the RFCTLARR, 2013, since it cannot leave parcels of agriculture land amidst the capital city. The farmers had gone to the high court and got the land acquisition stalled. Even as the case is pending, the farmers who surrendered their lands for the capital city were allotted commercial and residential plots through draw of lottery. Some of them got the plots allotted in the land parcels of those farmers who did not surrender their lands, as part of the master plan, Kumar said. In the last eight years, some of the farmers sold away the allotted plots for their financial needs. Meanwhile, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government formed in May 2019, dumped the Amaravati capital city project and proposed three capitals for the state, with Visakhapatnam as the executive capital. As a result, the Amaravati master plan was given a go-by. Last year, the government sought to cancel the plots allotted to farmers in the lands meant for land acquisition and relocate them to other places. The farmers moved the court challenging the decision and in February this year, the high court struck down the governments decision to cancel the original plot allocation and reallocate new plots to the farmers. Now, the government has chosen to withdraw the land acquisition process in case of some land parcels. This will affect the interests of farmers who were allotted plots in these land parcels. It clearly shows the government is hell bent on tampering with the master plan just ahead of the assembly elections, G Lakshmi of Thullur village said. APCRDA commissioner Vivek Yadav could not be reached for reaction. On the eve of the Parliament poll dates announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the "lotus is going to bloom" in the southern state, and the BJP-led NDA would secure power at the Centre by surpassing previous records in the upcoming polls. He urged Kerala voters to convert their "substantial support" into votes so that the BJP wins seats in the double digits in the state. PM Modi "We are going to witness a grand festival of democracy soon. I have a firm belief that this time Kerala's love for the BJP will translate into a huge support. I have a firm belief that this time all previous records will be broken. I have a firm belief that this time our Kerala will break the vicious cycle of LDF and UDF. I have a firm belief that this time Kerala will immensely support the BJP. Modi promises you that he will leave no stone unturned to develop Kerala," Modi said, referring to himself in the third person, while addressing a huge meeting of the BJP-led NDA in this south Kerala town. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. His statement came shortly after the Election Commission said it would announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. Reaching out to the Christian community in Kerala, crucial for the NDA's victory in Lok Sabha constituencies classified by the BJP as 'A' category segments, including Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister recounted his meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican and highlighted his government's successful efforts to rescue a priest from Kottayam who had been captured by ISIS militants in Yemen. "In 2021 when I met His Holiness Pope Francis in the Vatican, even then I specifically mentioned Kerala there. He was also impressed by the progress being made in India. In the past 10 years, we have worked as hard as possible for every community and region of the countryWe brought back, through Iraq, our sister nurses who were stranded in the middle of a war. We freed our Christian priests who were in trouble and brought them back safely," Modi said. He was referring to the rescue of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Catholic priest from Kerala who was abducted in war-torn Yemen in 2016 and rescued from ISIS captivity after 18 months during a deadly attack on a care home in the port city of Aden. In 2014, soon after the first Modi government came to power, the government had safely evacuated 46 Indian nurses, including a large number of Keralites, from the then strife-torn Iraq. Amid criticism from the Congress and the Left in Kerala over recent violence against Christians in Manipur, Modi, in his speech, subtly alluded to the case of a Catholic priest being struck by a vehicle in Poonjar, Kottayam district last month, lamenting, "It's regrettable that even church priests in Kerala are not immune to violence." In his address, Modi also projected the BJP's prominent Christian face in Kerala Anil K Antony -- son of Congress stalwart and former Union Minister A K Antony -- who is contesting the parliamentary seat of Pathanamthitta, as a symbol of youthfulness. "This is the kind of freshness that is required in Kerala politics," Modi said, referring to Anil Antony who had left the Congress and joined the BJP last year. The PM said that since Kerala had given the BJP a double-digit vote share in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he expects to reach a target of seats in the double digits from the state as well. "In the last elections, the people of Kerala made us the double-digit vote percentage party. And now, our destiny of double-digit seats here is not so far," he said. "Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala this time." Modi claimed that the people of the state have endured hardships under the LDF and UDF governments that are allegedly plagued by corruption and incompetence. He also took a dig at both fronts, raking up the issue of gold smuggling through diplomatic channels under LDF rule and the solar panel scam under the previous UDF rule. Modi claimed that the people would benefit only if the cycle of consecutive LDF, UDF governments is broken as they are allegedly only focused on vote-bank politics. The PM also contended that the thinking and ideology of both the LDF and the UDF are outdated and in sharp contrast to the progressiveness and forward-thinking of the people of Kerala. He also said that both the LDF and UDF governments have turned a blind eye to the struggles of rubber planters. He said that amid all the efforts by the central government for the development of Kerala, it is also important that the correct views and opinions of the people of the state reach the Centre. "If we have BJP MPs here, it would be easier for people to communicate their views to the Centre and for the implementation of central projects here. The schemes and projects that the people of Kerala need can be communicated even better to the Centre through the BJP MPs," Modi said. "It is 'Modiyude Guarantee'," he added. The Prime Minister began his speech by chanting "Swamiye Saranamayyappa" as the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala is located in Pathanamthitta district. The Prime Minister also extended advanced Easter wishes to all. "It reminds us of the principles of Jesus Christ. I wish you all a happy Easter," he said. "Nowruz, a prominent festival of our Parsi brothers, is also coming up. Ram Navami and Holi are also around the corner. The holy month of Ramzan is going on and the biggest festival of democracy is about to start," he said. In addition to the NDA's Lok Sabha candidates, Padmaja Venugopal, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the Congress, was also present on the stage. NEW DELHI: The Indian Army will base its six new AH64E Apache attack helicopters at Jodhpur in Rajasthan to further strengthen its posture against Pakistan, officials aware of the development said on Friday. The Apache can track up to 128 targets a minute and prioritise threats. (File Photo/@Boeing_In) The army ordered these helicopters from the US for more than 4,100 crore in 2020. Boeing is producing the helicopters at its Mesa facility in Arizona. The delivery of the Apaches, to be operated by the Army Aviation Corps, is expected to begin in May, the officials said, asking not to be named. The Army Aviation Corps is modernising its capabilities with attack helicopters, light combat helicopters (LCH), light utility helicopters (LUH) and unmanned aerial vehicles. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Armed with fire-and-forget Hellfire missiles, the Apache can track up to 128 targets a minute and prioritise threats. The missiles equip the gunships with heavy anti-armour capabilities. The Indian Air Force operates a fleet of 22 such helicopters. India placed orders worth $ 3.1 billion for 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers for IAF in 2015. IAF has inducted all the Boeing-made helicopters, and both platforms have operated extensively in Ladakh amid the ongoing military standoff with China along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC). The army plans to buy a mix of 200 utility and combat helicopters to meet its operational requirements, with the platforms set to be produced in the country. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the countrys largest helicopter manufacturing facility at Tumakuru in Karnataka, in what is being seen as a shot in the arm for Atmanirbharta or self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. The new HAL factory, spread across 615 acres, will initially produce the LUH followed by LCH and later the Indian multirole helicopters. The Indian Army will start phasing out its ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters in three to four years, with the entire fleet set to be replaced with new utility choppers over the next 10 years. The army currently has three aviation brigades and there are plans to raise more, as previously reported by HT. It will also induct in the next three to four years the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems to be imported from the US. The acquisition of these drones, in a government-to-government deal, will significantly boost the Indian militarys strength as the versatile platform has the capability to strike targets with its on-board weapons, it can carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and its other roles include electronic warfare, defensive counter air and airborne early warning. India is pursuing a deal to buy 31 such drones --- 15 for the navy, and eight each for the army and IAF. The police have arrested a man in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district for allegedly spying and sharing Indian Army's strategic information to female handlers of Pakistan's intelligence agencies. Police have arrested a man in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district for allegedly spying and sharing Indian Army's strategic information to female handlers of Pakistani intelligence agencies.(File photo) Anand Raj Singh (22) was arrested on Thursday for allegedly collecting information of strategic importance of the Army and sharing it with three female handlers of Pakistani intelligence agencies through social media, Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Sanjay Agarwal said, reported news agency PTI. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ALSO READ| IAF's Tejas aircraft crashes near Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, pilot ejects safely The ADGP shared that Singh used to run a uniform store outside the Suratgarh Army Cantonment in Sri Ganganagar. However, sometime ago, he closed his shop and was working in a factory in the Behror area. Even during this period, he was in touch with the female handlers of Pakistan's intelligence agencies, the officer added. Singh used to get confidential information of the Army from his sources and then share it with the Pakistani agents. The accused had also demanded money from these agents for sending such classified information, the ADGP said. ALSO READ| Mazagaon dockyard worker accused of spying for Pakistan, arrested The ADGP informed that espionage activities carried out by Pakistani intelligence agencies were being continuously monitored by the intelligence wing of the Rajasthan Police. Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday launched a vitriolic attack on the Pakistani and Bangladeshi refugees who have been protesting against the opposition leaders' comments on CAA. "The courage of these Pakistanis? First, they infiltrated our country illegally and broke the laws of our country. They should have been in jail. Have they got so much courage that they are protesting and creating ruckus in our country?" he said in a post on X. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (HT Photo)(HT_PRINT) Read here: How dare they?: Arvind Kejriwal rebukes Pakistanis after refugees protest CAA remarks Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The AAP leader further launched a scathing attack on BJP and said that in the selfish interest of making them their vote bank, the BJP is pushing the entire nation into trouble. "After CAA, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis will spread across the country and harass people. In the selfish interest of making them their vote bank, BJP is pushing the entire country into trouble," he added. Read here: CAA will never be taken back; rules now a formality: Amit Shah tears into Oppn Earlier on Thursday, Kejriwal also questioned the audacity of the refugees who were protesting over the former's comments on the CAA to seek an apology from a leader (referring to himself) who was elected by the people of Delhi with a massive mandate. Today, a few Pakistanis created a ruckus outside my house. They were given full respect and were looked after by Delhi Police. The BJP too fully supported them. How dare they come to our country and demand apology from a CM who was elected by the people of Delhi with a massive mandate? And the BJP is supporting them (the refugees)? he said. Scores of refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh breached barricades during their protest in Delhi against the INDIA bloc and Congress leaders over their statements on the implementation of CAA. Ever since the centre notified the implementation of the CAA rules, the opposition leaders have questioned the government on the timing of the move. The Delhi CM commented that with the CAA rules coming into force, more migration will take place than what happened after independence. He further said that the law and order will collapse, and subsequently will lead to a rise in thefts, robberies and rapes. Read here: Will women feel safe if refugees settled near their homes?: Kejriwal attacks Shah over CAA The CAA, introduced by the BJP-led union government and passed by Parliament in 2019, 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. (With inputs from agencies) NEW DELHI: India said on Friday it is prepared to evacuate up to 90 Indian nationals from Haiti following a dramatic deterioration of the security situation in the Caribbean nation, whose capital and other areas have been overrun by criminal gangs. National Police stand guard outside the empty National Penitentiary after a small fire inside in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 14. This is the same facility that armed gangs stormed late March 2 and hundreds of inmates escaped. (AP) With government structures and social order in Haiti on the brink of collapse, embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry has offered to step down amid efforts by the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) to establish a transitional governing council. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ALSO READ- US military airlifts embassy personnel after Haiti descends into chaos There are between 75 and 90 Indians in Haiti and about 60 of them have registered with Indian authorities to come back if need be, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing. We are ready to evacuate everybody, he said. The Indian side has reached out to 30-odd nuns from the Missionaries of Charity, the Kolkata-based organisation established by Mother Teresa, who are in Haiti though it is still unclear whether all of them will opt to return. India doesnt have an embassy in Haiti and the situation in the country is being monitored by the Indian mission at Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, and by the external affairs ministry in New Delhi. Control rooms and emergency helpline numbers have been established in both Santo Domingo and New Delhi. The Indian embassy in Santo Domingo, which also has accreditation for Haiti, is in touch with all Indians in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and other parts of the country. We are monitoring the situation...and, if required, we are ready to evacuate [the Indians], Jaiswal said. ALSO READ- Haiti crisis: Gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier threatens politicians The proposal to set up a transitional council has run into rough weather because of squabbling among Haitian politicians and parties over the bodys leadership. Leaders of CARICOM states revealed plans to form the council following a meeting in Jamaica on Monday that was attended by US secretary of state Antony Blinken. Haitis Prime Minister Henry has promised to step down as soon as the council is established. The transitional arrangement is expected to pave the way for a peaceful transition of power, an action plan for restoring security, and the holding of free and fair elections. On February 29, the criminal gangs carried out attacks on Haitis state institutions, police stations, the international airport and two largest prisons, freeing more than 4,000 prisoners. Scores of people died in the attacks and more than 15,000 were left homeless. According to the website of the Indian embassy in the Dominican Republic, the Indian community in Haiti comprises about 100 members. They include professionals such as doctors, engineers, technicians and many missionaries. Some of the Indians are engaged in private businesses, such as the scrap metal trade. The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls and assembly elections in some states on Saturday, the poll watchdog announced on Friday, setting the stage for the worlds largest democratic exercise that is likely to span several phases across a month. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar with election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar on Friday. (PTI) The term of the 17th Lok Sabha ends on June 16 and a new House has to be constituted before that. The term of the assemblies in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha is coming to an end in June. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Press conference by Election Commission to announce schedule for General Elections 2024 & some state assemblies will be held at 3 pm tomorrow ie Saturday, 16th March. It will livestreamed on social media platforms of the ECI, the poll body posted on X. The announcement came a day after the President appointed retired bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as election commissioners after a high-level selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the first time that election commissioners have been chosen under a controversial new law. On Friday, the Supreme Court refused to stay the appointments and said it will hear the case challenging this law. Read Here | BJP's Lok Sabha election candidates list: 21% sitting MPs dropped from respective constituencies The elections to the 18th Lok Sabha will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempt to become the first man since Indias first PM Jawaharlal Nehru to win three consecutive national mandates, squaring off against a coalition of opposition parties that will hope to cut into the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) formidable rainbow Hindu coalition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought suggestions from people for shaping the Union governments Viksit Bharat (developed India) agenda as he underlined his administrations record over the last decade. In a letter, issued on the eve of the announcement of the general elections, the PM said: I need and indeed, look forward to your ideas, suggestions and support as we work to fulfil the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said the party was well prepared for the elections. Our preparations are really good. Our campaign to raise relevant issues among the public started with Rahul jis Bharat Jodo Yatra, he said. Lok Sabha elections 2024: Can tech reshape the poll campaign? Last time, the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10, 2019 and held in seven phases beginning April 11. Votes were counted on May 23. This time, nearly 970 million people are eligible to cast a vote at over 1.2 million polling stations, making the polls the largest democratic exercise in the world. The number of eligible voters is almost four times the number of voters in the next largest democracy, the United States, and is also more than the entire population of Europe. In 2019, the BJP won 303 seats while the Congress got 52 seats. This time, Modi has set a target of 370 seats for the BJP and 400 for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The turnout stood at 67%, the highest ever in all Lok Sabha elections since the first one in 1951-52. Womens participation outstripped that of men 67.18% to 67.01% for the first time. This time, the BJP has aggressively moved to acquire allies ahead of the polls and will look to defend its fortress in northern India while making inroads in eastern and southern India. For the Oppositions Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), the challenge will be to counter Modis popularity and the partys potent mix of polarisation, welfare politics and development . The Opposition coalition will look to make the contests as local as possible. Read Here | All previous records will be broken: PM Modi ahead of Lok Sabha poll dates announcement The poll body announced last month that 26.3 million new electors were included in the electoral rolls, out of which around 14.1 million were women who surpassed the newly-enrolled male voters (12.2 million) by 15%, the poll authority said. The number of third gender voters increased from 39,680 in 2014 to a little over 48,000. At the same time, more than 20 million young electors, spanning the 18-19 and 20-29 year age groups, were added to the electoral rolls. At least 18.5 million voters were identified as above 80, the total number of centenarians (those who are 100 and above) stood at 238,000. As on February 8, Uttar Pradesh had the maximum number of voters at 153 million. Lakshadweep has 57,000 registered voters. Elections in independent India were first held in 1951 but the months-long effort spilled over into 1952 as ECI struggled to reach remote areas in a country where the vast majority of the electorate was illiterate at the time. The turnout stood at a measly 45%. To facilitate universal adult franchise as mandated in the Constitution, ECI devised the idea of prominently using election symbols for parties and used elephants to transport ballot boxes in rugged terrain. Since then, the independent poll panel has become a model for major democracies. Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) senior leader and West Bengal's leader of the opposition (LoP), Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday, stoked a controversy after he apparently mocked the injury of state chief minister Mamata Banerjee, a day after suffering a gash on her forehead. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari(X/ @AITCofficial) Read here: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee suffers head injury during fall at home; discharged after treatment Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. While addressing a rally in state's Khejuri, Adhikari without naming anyone said that the fall of Trinamool Congress (TMC) has begun from the top level and would percolate to the grassroots levels. "TMC's pressure has gone down and it is falling. The fall of the TMC has just begun from the top; it will percolate to the grassroots levels," Suvendu reportedly said. The remarks drew a sharp condemnation from the TMC, saying that it reflected the anti-women mindset of the BJP and sought an immediate apology from Adhikari. Read here: BJP questions how Mamata Banerjee fell in her house after doctor's clarification "@BJP4Bengal 's shameless and misogynistic leader @SuvenduWB crossed all limits of decency today by mocking the only FEMALE CM in India! His inhuman remark targeting Smt. @mamataoffical's unfortunate injury proves that @BJP4India is a breeding ground of insensitive people who are not fit to exist in civil society. Our message is loud and clear, these antics have no place in Bengal and Adhikari should apologise immediately!," the party said in a post on X. The TMC further called for a statewide protest rally on Saturday against the LoP over his remarks mocking the injured CM. Adhikari's remarks came a day after Banerjee suffered a gash on her forehead on Thursday evening and was admitted to the hospital for a few hours. After being administered stitches and undergoing medical tests at the hospital, the TMC supremo was deemed stable and discharged, subsequently returning home. The TMC claimed that Banerjee fell at her Kalighat residence after there was a push from behind It also shared photos of how grievously she was injured with blood coming out from the wound on her forehead. Meanwhile, SSKM hospital director Manimoy Bandyopadhyay on Friday clarified that what he said was misinterpreted and he meant that the chief minister felt a sensation of a push from behind and then fell. Read here: Mamata Banerjee head injury: Doctor clarifies his push from behind statement The saffron party however, raised questions over the accident and demanded a thorough probe into claims that Banerjee had a fall at her residence "due to some push from behind" leading to injuries. The BJP further said that the CM's security should be looked into and, if there is any breach, she must be shifted to the official residence. (With inputs from agencies) Bengaluru: BJP leader BS Yediyurappa has confirmed that the Karnataka police have filed a sexual assault complaint against him. Reacting to the POCSO case against him, the BJP stalwart said a woman whom he had helped started talking against me. He, however, ruled out a political conspiracy behind the grave allegation. BS Yediyurappa (ANI)(HT_PRINT) "I have come to know that a complaint has been filed against me by a woman. It must have been about a month, they used to visit but I didn't pay attention. But one day, when I told them that they were crying, I called them and asked what happened. They told me they had been wronged. I then called the police commissioner (B) Dayananda and asked him to hear them out and do the needful. But then she started talking against me then and there. I thought she was unwell and asked the police commissioner to investigate. Now this has been twisted and made into an FIR. We will do what is legally required. I didn't think helping someone would result in this. I had even given some money to them as well. But we will contest legally," he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "I don't think this is a political conspiracy. A woman has lodged a complaint, we will deal with it legally," he added. POCSO case The Bengaluru police have filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO), against the former Karnataka chief minister. The mother of a 17-year-old girl has lodged a complaint against the BJP leader alleging sexual assault during a meeting last month. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara has confirmed that a complaint has been filed. He, however, refused to divulge more details. G Parameshwara said the woman typed the complaint and gave it to the police. "Last night, a woman lodged a complaint against BS Yeddiyurappa. After examining the details, the police have registered a complaint. Until the investigation is done I can't comment on the details," he said. What the complaint said According to the woman, the 81-year-old BJP leader sexually assaulted her daughter on February 2. The police have booked BS Yediyurappa under section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act and Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). BS Yediyurappa is the most towering BJP leader in Karnataka. He is the only person to have served four times as the chief minister of the state and three times as the Leader of the Opposition. With inputs from Arun Dev Bengaluru: Disquiet has been bubbling up in Karnatakas Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the party released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, announcing 20 out of 28 candidates from Karnataka, said party leaders on Thursday. BJP announced 20 out of 28 candidates from Karnataka for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. (ANI) The ticket aspirants have alleged that they were overlooked. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa, who was seeking a ticket for his son KE Kantesh said, his supporters are asking him to contest the election as an Independent against the BJP. Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga on Thursday evening, Eshwarappa expressed his disappointment, saying that BS Yediyurappa has shown great concern for Shobha Kharandjale, even having the capacity to change her constituency from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru to Bengaluru North. However, he did not exhibit the same interest in ensuring that Kantesh received a ticket to contest from Haveri-Gadag. A Vokkaliga leader Karandlaje was moved to the Bengaluru North constituency where the second largest community in the state has a large population. Yediyurappa promised KE Kantesh will get the BJP ticket from Haveri. Taking him at his word, Kantesh was directing his efforts on Haveri, trying to win the trust of people. However, my son was eventually denied a ticket. Yediyurappa cheated us, he said. The party unit in Karnataka is in the hands of a family. There is a call within to protect the party from the family. Arent there any other Lingayat leaders in Karnataka? Yediyurappa ensured tickets for Shobha Karandlaje and Basavaraj Bommai. Why then was my son Kantesh ignored? This is a grave injustice, the senior BJP leader said. I have served the party faithfully for 40 years. CT Ravi, Sadananda Gowda, Nalin Kumar Kateel and Pratap Simha have also come out in my support, saying it was unfair, Eshwarappa claimed. He alleged that Yediyurappa deliberately gave Haveri ticket to Bommai. The constituency is currently represented by BJPs Shivkumar Udasi. Bommai said at the election committee meeting that he wasnt keeping well and wouldnt contest the Lok Sabha elections. Bommai said the Haveri ticket should go to Kantesh. Despite expressing his unwillingness to contest the polls, he was put on the ticket. Yediyurappa deliberately gave Bommai the ticket for Haveri. Yediyurappas decision is unfair for party loyalists, he said. Saying that his supporters were urging him to contest the elections from Shivamogga, Eshwarappa said, They (his supporters) are saying that if you contest (Shivamogga), you will win. Also, I want Modi to be PM again. On Eshwarappas disappointment over the denial of Haveri ticket to his son, Bommai earlier said, I had urged the parliamentary board to give a ticket to KE Kantesh to ensure social justice but the national leaders picked me, instead, to ensure the partys victory from the seat. Eshwarappa is a very senior and valued party colleague and he would be given the respect that he deserves. Yediyurappas son and sitting MP BY Raghavendra maintained that the party leaders would reach out to him. Eshwarappa is upset. Anyone in his place would be hurt. It is normal to feel pain in such cases. I dont know why they (Eshwarappa and his son) didnt get the tickets. However, I have no clue why he accused BS Yediyurappa. It seems he holds a wrong opinion about my father. I am sure that party seniors would reach out to him and sort out the matter, Raghavendra said. Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, who had hopes of securing a ticket from Haveri or Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency also expressed his disappointment as his name did not appear in the list. Shettar rejoined the BJP in January after leaving the Congress. His supporters claim that he was promised a Lok Sabha ticket for the 2024 elections. Union parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi was chosen to contest from Dharwad on Wednesday. Reacting to the situation, Union minister for coal and mines Pralhad Joshi said, Shettar has indicated his name is in contention for the Belagavi constituency. I am aware of this. He is a senior leader, and I would be pleased if he secures the ticket. The BJP has deferred the announcement of five candidates from Chitradurga, Belagavi, Uttara Kannada, Chikkaballapur, and Raichur parliamentary constituencies. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has given a sharp reaction to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissing claims of link between raids by central probe agencies on firms and their subsequent donations to electoral bonds. Jairam Ramesh (ANI) Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Ramesh asked Sitharaman to ensure the release of full data related to electoral bonds to reveal the donors and the beneficiary political parties. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "The Finance Minister says that the link between the ED/CBI/IT raids on firms and their subsequent donations to the BJP are based on assumptions. If these assumptions are untrue, then we invite her to release the full data of who donated how much to which political party. It will put an end to the discussion once and for all," wrote Ramesh. ALSO READ| Electoral bonds: SC issues notice to SBI, says bond numbers not disclosed The Congress leader went on to label the controversy surrounding electoral bonds as "scam" and also took a dig at the ED raids on organisations, political leaders etc. "It must be remembered that the Finance Minister is in charge of both the State Bank of India, which administers the #ElectoralBondScam, and the Enforcement Directorate, which enforces the Pradhan Mantri Hafta Vasuli Yojana," wrote Ramesh. ALSO READ| Electoral bonds: Who is Lottery King Santiago Martin, whose firm donated 1368 crore? What Nirmala Sitharaman had said In an interaction with India Today, Sitharaman dismissed speculations over link between raids by central probe agencies on firms and their subsequent donations to electoral bonds, calling it "assumptions". "I think you've based yourself on huge assumptions, that the money was given after the Enforcement Directorate raid happened," Sitharaman said. On Thursday, the Election Commission of India uploaded data on electoral bonds, provided by the State Bank of India(SBI). Supreme Court of India had asked the bank to disclose details of electoral bonds. As per the details shared, lottery company Future Gaming and Hotel Services is the top purchaser of electoral bonds. Amitava Kumar at Hazlitt: I was sitting on a train, travelling from my home in Poughkeepsie to New York City, when I saw a note on my phone asking me to write the piece below. I began thinking of a painting, a portrait of his father painted by the Indian artist Atul Dodiya, but the other memory that came to me was that I had long ago been sitting in the same Metro North train bound for New York City when the idea for my new novel, My Beloved Life, had been conjured in my mind. During that journeyIm talking now of something that happened nine or ten years agoI was reading Denis Johnsons marvellous novella Train Dreams. It tells the story of an American railroad worker at the start of the last century. Train Dreams is a slim book but it has the feel of an epic. Maybe that fact had also inspired me. I asked myself, what would the story be like if this ordinary man had been born not in Idaho but in India? My father was a small boy when India became independent from British rule. He had been born in a hut in a village in Indias poorest province. His life had gone through many changes, and it struck me that in telling the story of a single, seemingly unremarkable life, one could possibly be narrating the story of nation or an entire century. The idea formed in my mind even before I had left the train that I would one day write about my father. More here. NEW DELHI: India said on Friday it is continuing to press Russian authorities for the early discharge of Indian nationals serving as support staff with the Russian military even as the bodies of two citizens killed on the frontlines of the Ukraine conflict are expected to be brought home by the weekend. An emergency worker inspects the body of a killed person at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine March 15. (REUTERS) We are pressing very hard with the Russian authorities for early discharge of our people who are stuck there, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing. He reiterated that 20-odd Indians serving in the Russian military so far approached Indian authorities for help and that two Indians had been killed. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Jaiswal didnt respond to questions regarding the exact number of Indians currently working as support staff with the Russian military, and the number who had been discharged and had returned home. He said the figures are based only on the number of people who had contacted Indian authorities for help. Several of them have been discharged, some of them have also come back, he said. Referring to the two Indians who had been killed, Jaiswal said: The paperwork for their mortal remains has been done. The funeral agency which we have engaged has been handed over the bodies. He added, We are in touch with the families and the Russian authorities and hopefully we will have the mortal remains in India by the end of this week, Sunday or thereabouts, and then handed over to the families. Earlier this month, 30-year-old Hyderabad resident Mohammed Asfan succumbed to injuries sustained while serving with Russian troops on the frontlines with Ukraine. Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangukiya, a 23-year-old resident of Surat in Gujarat, died in a Ukrainian air strike last month while serving as a security helper at Donetsk. Several more Indians have been injured. Indians have also posted videos on social media seeking help to get out of their jobs with the Russian Army. In response to further questions on the subject, he said some of the Indians discharged from the military jobs wanted to remain in Russia. The Indians working as support staff are in far-off areas and there are difficulties in bringing them back, he said. All the efforts of the Indian side are focused on bringing them back speedily, he said. Though there have been reports of people of other nationalities, including Nepalese citizens, seeking help from the Indian side to get out of support jobs in the Russian military, none of them have formally approached Indian authorities, Jaiswal said. Jaiswal reiterated Indias consistent position that it will continue to encourage the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We remain open to engaging in all ways and means that could help achieve this objective, he said. Last week, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said it had busted a human trafficking network spread across several states that lured gullible young men through social media channels and agents with the promise of highly paid jobs in Russia. The trafficked Indians were trained in combat roles and deployed against their wishes at frontline bases in the Russia-Ukraine war zone, putting their lives in grave danger, the CBI said. A 51-year-old man, who had recently judged a dance competition as part of the youth festival at Kerala University and was accused of taking a bribe to tamper with the results, was found dead at his residence in Kannur city, police said on Thursday, suspecting it to be a case of suicide. The dance instructor had judged the Margam Kali competition at the KU youth festival in Thiruvananthapuram on March 9 (Getty Images) A purported note has been recovered from the bedroom of the deceased dance teacher in which he claimed innocence in the bribery allegation, a senior officer from Kannur city police station said, adding the man took the extreme step on Wednesday night. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He had consumed poison and it is being treated as a case of suicide. The post-mortem examination has been completed and a case under Section 174 (inquest report in suicide case) of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) has been registered, the officer said. Further investigation will be carried into possible reasons for him taking the extreme step. The officer added that his family has made some allegations through local media, which are being verified. The dance instructor, who had judged the Margam Kali competition at the KU youth festival in Thiruvananthapuram on March 9, was taken into custody, along with three others, by the Cantonment police the same day following a bribery complaint against them. They were later released on bail, the officer said. The incident sparked a political row, with the opposition Congress in Kerala accusing members of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), of assaulting the dance teacher during the fest. I have understood that he had resisted attempts of some SFI leaders to award ranks to specific persons of their choice in the competition. I spoke to his colleagues who said he was impartial and did not act with any bias. He was also physically assaulted, Congress state chief K Sudhakaran, who visited the family of the deceased, alleged. The CPI(M) and SFI did not respond to the allegations till late on Thursday. The disclosure of electoral bonds data by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the State Bank of India (SBI) has added new ammunition to the Oppositions arsenal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, people aware of the matter said on Friday, adding that INDIA bloc parties devised plans to use the data to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The INDIA bloc plans to attack the Centre on the possibilities of money laundering. (HT file) Under the plan, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) wants to use the data to show that companies facing Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe donated heavy sums through electoral bonds, said the people quoted above. The second line of attack would focus on the possibilities of money laundering through bonds, said the people. The Congress and other Opposition parties will also attempt to corner the BJP over the Supreme Courts order to scrap the scheme as unconstitutional. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The developments came a day after ECI uploaded the electoral bonds data a day before the deadline set by the Supreme Court in the high-profile case. The data showed that around 1,260 companies and individuals bought 22,217 bonds worth 12,155.51 crore between April 12, 2019 and February 15, 2024. Read Here: What does Electoral Bond data published by the ECI tell us? In this period, 20,421 bonds worth 12,769.09 crore were redeemed by 23 political parties, with the BJP leading the pack with a war chest of 6,061 crore (47.5% of total redeemed value), followed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) with 1,610 crore (12.6%) and Congress with 1,422 crore (11.1%). On Friday, a number of opposition parties criticised the BJP with former Congress president Rahul Gandhi dubbing the scheme as the worlds largest extortion racket led by Prime Minister Modi. At the heart of the concept (of EBs), is the ability of corporates to purchase electoral bonds anonymously. Look at this scale of corruption. You are using the entire infrastructure to indulge in corruption. the electoral bond was Modis brainchild and he had claimed to cleanse the system of political financing in the country, but actually he turned it into the biggest corruption scam in the world and a means of extorting money from the business and corporate houses, Gandhi said. Electoral bonds details: Bharti Airtel, Apollo, Lakshmi Mittal, Edelweiss, PVR, Sun Pharma among donors He denied any link between contracts given by Congress government in Karnataka and the bonds. Our government has come few months ago. We are not controlling ED, CBI, there is no correlation between contracts given by our governments and the bonds. The BJP made the entire system as extortion system where ED and CBI is extorting for BJP. While Gandhi indicated that the INDIA group can have a discussion on the EB data, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told HT there will be coordination among INDIA parties on how to raise the issues collectively even as the allies are fighting separately in many states. It (EB data) is going to be our major plank. The manner in which the BJP made corruption as a part of the system has now boomeranged, Yechury said. He added that the issue would be linked with the common peoples problems. The farmers are asking for minimum support price but the government is not making a law. You say no money, workers are asking for increments, youth asking for jobs and greater allocation but you are indulging in mega loot, he said. Electoral bonds: SC issues notice to SBI, says bond numbers not disclosed The TMC, which couldnt seal a seat-deal with the Congress in West Bengal and some other states, ruled out the possibility of coordination. But it too, raised similar questions. As TMC is one of major beneficiaries of the scheme, Bengal industry minister Shashi Panja said the party followed all rules and alleged that the BJP indulged in quid pro quo. A big gaming company purchased huge amounts of electoral bonds. But under what circumstances? First, he was harassed by ED. Under pressure, he gave donation through electoral bonds. This is extortion, she said. In Nashik, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of dubious donors. Who are these people? Which companies are these? Why have so many companies donated only after ED, IT and CBI raids? Who exerted the pressure on such companies? Banuchandar Nagarajan, a BJP-leaning analyst, said the BJP will stress that its intentions were honourable in bringing white money into political funding. No one has established any quid pro quo. All projects are selected through bidding and procurement happens through the GeM portal. New Delhi: The defence ministry on Friday signed a Rs.2,890 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the midlife upgrade (MLU) of the navys 25 Dornier aircraft and associated equipment. Dornier aircraft (Representative Photo) The upgrade will significantly enhance the operational capability of the Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy to perform primary roles of maritime surveillance, electronic intelligence and boosting maritime domain awareness, the defence ministry said in a statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: Army to base 6 Apache attack helicopters in Jodhpur The upgrade will involve fitting the Dorniers with modern avionics and sensors. The project will generate employment of 180,000 man-days over a span of six and a half years, said the ministry. On March 1, the defence ministry signed five contracts worth Rs.39,125 crore for BrahMos missiles, ship-borne Brahmos systems, close-in weapon systems, high-power radars, and aero-engines for MiG-29 fighter planes. One of these was with HAL for RD-33 aero engines for MiG-29 aircraft at a cost of Rs.5,249.72 crore. These aero engines will be produced by the Koraput division of HAL. The defence ministry in March last year signed a 667-crore contract with HAL for six Dornier-228 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to boost its operational capabilities, The sessions court of Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Friday refused to stay the summons issued to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on the basis of the complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him for skipping summons in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy case. The additional sessions Judge Rakesh Syal directed Kejriwal to approach the metropolitan magistrate for an exemption to appear in front of the probe agency in the matter, reported PTI. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Kejriwal had moved the sessions court against the order passed by additional chief metropolitan magistrate Divya Malhotra asking him to appear before her on March 16. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The ED has filed two complaints before the magisterial court seeking Kejriwal's prosecution for skipping multiple summons. According to ED, they want to record Kejriwal's statement in the case on issues about the formulation of the excise policy and the allegations of bribery. However, the Delhi CM, to date, has skipped eight summons issued by the probe agency on - March 4, February 26, February 19, February 2, January 18, January 3, and December 22 and November 2 last year. What is the excise policy case? The Kerjiwal-led Delhi government had come up with an excise policy in 2021-22 aiming to revitalise the city's flagging liquor business by replacing the sales-volume-based regime with a license fee for traders. It also promised swankier stores and a better buying experience. However, the policy was scrapped after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sought a CBI probe into the policy alleging irregularities. According to the ED, AAP received kickbacks to the tune of 100 crore to finalise the excise policy. The probe agency alleged that a large chunk of this money was used by the party in its Goa election campaign. The central agency in its charge sheet said that there was an involvement of a certain South Group in the alleged irregularities. So far, the ED has arrested two senior AAP leaders - the then Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia on February 26 last year, and Sanjay Singh on October 5. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: A Delhi Court on Friday refused to stay the summons issued to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal by the magistrate court on the complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly disobeying the summons issued by the agency in the Delhi liquor excise policy case. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (HT file photo.) The application seeking stay on summons has been dismissed . He can move an application seeking exemption before the trial court, said special Judge Rakesh Syal. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kejriwal had approached the sessions court challenging the orders passed by additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra summoning him to appear before the court in person on March 16. Senior advocate Ramesh Gupta and advocate Rajiv Mohan, appearing for Kejriwal, submitted before the court that the summons were not issued to him in the personal capacity, but in official capacity as chief minister as they were sent on his official email ID and to his official address. They further averred that he had responded to the summons issued to him, pointing out that he was not able to appear due to official exigency, therefore he had not skipped the summons wilfully. However, his reply to the summons were neither considered by the agency nor by the magistrate. Also Read: Number Theory: What is the AAPs core politics? It was also submitted by the lawyers that the court did not apply its judicial mind as it had not initiated any inquiry under section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) into the complaints and took the complaint as gospel truth. Section 202 of the CrPC grants power to the court that it may conduct an inquiry, if it thinks fit, to ensure that there are sufficient grounds to issue summons while taking cognisance of a complaint. The court is believing the version of the complainant despite the fact that you have the power under 202 CrPC to conduct an independent inquiry.You have not conducted the inquiry and took the averments of complainant as gospel truth, they added. Additional solicitor general (ASG) S. V. Raju, appearing for ED, argued that this is not the stage to test whether Kejriwal had disobeyed the summons intentionally or not, that is to be decided in the trial. He further submitted that a prima facie case of wilful disobedience is made out as Kejriwal has given excuses for not appearing before the agency and asked whether he was being called as a witness or an accused in the case trying to get information about the investigation. Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal moves Delhi court over summons in ED case He has been asking in what capacity is he being summoned.He wants to know the details of the investigation, we cannot divulge these information at this stage, Raju argued. Raju further submitted that Kejriwal not appearing before the agency is also causing delay in completing the probe in the money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi liquor excise policy scam. We want to complete the investigation in the case but you are not joining the probe because there is an oblique motive is that if we will not appear then Manish Sisodia will get bail, he said. The court after hearing the arguments of both the parties refused to stay the summons. The court has listed the application seeking to set aside the summons and stay the proceedings before the magistrate court for hearing on March 30. ED had filed two complaints on February 3 and March 6 against Kejriwal seeking initiation of prosecution under section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), for not appearing before the investigators despite repeated summons issued to him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Under section 174 of the IPC, the person not appearing on the summons issued by a public servant shall be punished with imprisonment up to one month and a fine of 500. The federal investigating agency has till date issued eight summons to Kejriwal, asking him to join the investigation being conducted in the alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor excise policy scam - on March 4, February 26, February 19, February 2, January 18, January 3, and December 22 and November 2 last year. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra took cognisance on both the complaints filed by the agency and issued summons to Kejriwal to appear before the court. The ED, in its complaint, submitted that he has no legal right to know whether he is being summoned as a witness or an accused in the Delhi liquor excise policy case and blamed him for intentionally omitting to obey EDs summons and for raising frivolous objections. The agency added that Kejriwal was summoned to join the probe in the alleged Delhi liquor excise policy case and to unearth the role of several people, including himself, involved and trace the proceeds of the alleged crime. The electoral bond scheme notified in 2018 and scrapped by the Supreme Court last month was meant to fund political parties through bearer bonds. Since these bonds were valid only for 15 days from the date of issue, it is natural to expect that most such donations would go to political parties relevant in a particular election cycle. However, data on electoral bonds released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 14 suggests that this is not always the case. The State Bank of India provided data pertaining to electoral bonds to the Election Commission of India on Tuesday. (Mint) An HT analysis of the electoral bonds redeemed by political parties between April 12, 2019 and January 24, 2024 this is the period of which ECI has released data for individual bonds shows that donations to political parties are not necessarily tied to election cycles where a party is relevant. To be sure, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is relevant in most elections, was the biggest recipient of funds in all election cycles analysed here except during the Bihar 2020 election cycle, when it was the fourth biggest recipient. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. How was an electoral bond tied to an election cycle? Officially, it was only marginally related to election cycles. According to the modalities of the scheme notified in 2018, special election windows for bond sales could only be opened for an additional 30 days in Lok Sabha election years, apart from their regular 10-day cycles in January, April, July, and October of every year. In November 2022, the Union government also allowed itself the power to notify bond sale windows for an additional 15 days in a year of assembly elections. Since the official classification put most bond sales as usual, HT classified sale windows based on a different criterion. All dates after the month of a state election result were classified as belonging to the next election cycle. For example, the July and October 2019 windows of bond sales were classified as part of the 2019 Haryana and Maharashtra election cycle, results for which were announced on October 24, 2019. The next cycle of bond purchase and redemption only started in January 2020, and was classified as part of the 2020 Delhi election cycle. This classification shows that bonds did not always flow to the main contestants of an upcoming election. One example of this were the donations made to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party was the second biggest recipient of funds through electoral bonds in five of the 11 election cycles during the period described above, and the third biggest recipient in another three election cycles. Among the five election cycles where the TMC was the second-biggest recipient were the 2019 elections in Haryana and Maharashtra and the 2020 elections in Delhi. The TMC did not contest any of these elections. To be sure, the TMC did contest the Jharkhand state elections, which took place in the months of November and December in 2019, but was not a serious contender in the state. In the 26 of 81 assembly constituencies (ACs) the TMC contested in Jharkhand, it polled a vote share of only 0.9% and won no seats. Read Here: What are electoral bonds? Did they give BJP an unfair advantage? In contrast to the TMC, the Congress was the second-biggest recipient in only three of the 11 election cycles: the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the two elections cycles last year the Karnataka elections held in May and the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh-Telangana-Mizoram elections held in November and December. It was not even the third biggest recipient in other cycles despite being the second-biggest national party with a much bigger footprint than the TMC. While the Congress and the TMC are notable because they are also the biggest recipients of funds overall after the BJP, most other parties also received electoral bond funds irrespective of their relevance in a particular election cycle. Odishas Biju Janata Dal (BJD), for example, was the third biggest recipient during the 2020 election cycles of Bihar and Delhi; and the second biggest during the election cycle for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal in 2021. These statistics, however, do not mean that electoral bonds had no relation to election cycles at all. For example, the Janata Dal (Secular) which is primarily a Karnataka party received electoral bond funds during last years Karnataka election cycle and in the 2019 Lok Sabha election cycle. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested K Kavitha, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with its investigation into money laundering charges linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case. K Kavitha has been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), ED said (HT Photo) She is the third high-profile politician to be arrested in the case after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, both currently lodged in Tihar jail. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The development comes at a time when the ED is also vehemently pushing for Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals questioning in the case. The AAP national convener has so far avoided EDs eight summons and is likely to appear before the court on Saturday, where the agency has filed two complaints against him for ignoring its summons. The dramatic arrest was made after an agency team led by assistant director Jogender searched her place and questioned her. K Kavitha has been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as there is substantial evidence of her involvement in the case. She is being brought to Delhi and will be produced before the court, said an ED officer who didnt want to be named. However, the officer said that Kavithas brother KT Rama Rao, was obstructing the ED team. We are taking Telangana polices help to resolve the situation, he said. Rama Rao was seen telling the ED officials that their warrant was illegal. You have given an undertaking in the Supreme Court, and now you are violating it. You are in serious trouble, Rama Rao told an ED officer. A member of the legislative council or MLC from Nizamabad, Kavitha was arrested at 5.20pm after a round of questioning. K Kavitha is found guilty of the offence of money laundering defined under section 3 of the PMLA and punishable under section 4 of PMLA, the memo stated. Although she has not been named as an accused in any of the six charge sheets filed by the financial crimes probe agency since November 2023, K Kavitha was referred to as a key person in the excise policy-related irregularities in the court documents. The primary allegation against Kavitha is that she was part of a cartel, the alleged South Group of businessmen and politicians, that paid 100 crore kickbacks to AAP leaders in lieu of getting nine retail zones under the Delhi excise policy. Other members in this group were YSR Congress MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Group) and Delhi businessman Sameer Mahendru. She has claimed in the past that she had done nothing wrong and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using the ED as it could not gain backdoor entry into Telangana. The BRS leader is under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) scanner as well, which is conducting a parallel corruption probe in the case and had issued a summons to her last month, but she cited an exemption granted by the Supreme Court. It has been alleged that Kavitha was in touch with AAPs then communication in-charge Vijay Nair, who was meeting liquor businessmen, and politicians at the time of formulation and implementation of the controversial now-scrapped excise policy in the national capital. Citing her former chartered accountant Butchibabu Gorantlas statement recorded before it in February last year, ED has claimed she was part of the conspiracy to pay kickbacks to AAP leaders to get retail liquor business in Delhi. There was a political understanding between K Kavitha and the chief minister of Delhi (Arvind Kejriwal) and (former) deputy CM (Manish Sisodia) of Delhi. In that process, K Kavitha has also met Vijay Nair (former AAP communications in-charge) on 19th-20th March 2021, ED said, citing Butchibabus statement. Vijay Nair was trying to impress K Kavitha with what he could do in the policy. Nair was acting on behalf of the CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, and Dy CM Manish Sisodia. The understanding was that in exchange for the favours that can be done in the policy and the Delhi liquor business for K Kavitha, some funds would be given to the AAP, it added. It further alleged that out of the deal between K Kavitha and top AAP leaders, she was given stakes in partnership with Sameer (Mahendru) and distribution of Pernod Ricard. According to the ED fifth charge sheet in the case filed on May 4, 2023, businessman Sarath Reddy, who last year turned approver in the case, was present in a meeting with Indo Spirits owner Sameer Mahendru, Arun Pillai, Abhishek Boinpally, and K Kavitha in early 2022 at latters residence in Hyderabad. In that meeting, Kavitha said to Sameer (Mahendru) that Arun (Pillai) is like family to her and doing business with Arun is doing business with Kavitha and that they will take this relationship to a larger scale in multiple states and expand majorly, the charge sheet states. Officials said Reddys statement is crucial for establishing charges against Kavitha. ED has also alleged that Arun Pillai, who looked after Kavithas interests in the South Group, also represented her benami assets. In its sixth charge sheet, filed on December 2 last year, ED has claimed that kickbacks worth 45 crore were used by AAP in the Goa assembly elections campaign in 2022, making it a direct beneficiary of the proceeds of crime. The Delhi governments 2021-22 excise policy aimed to revitalize the citys flagging liquor business. It aimed to replace a sales-volume-based regime with a license fee for traders and promised swankier stores, free of the infamous metal grilles, ultimately giving customers a better buying experience. The policy also introduced discounts and offers on the purchase of liquor, a first for Delhi. The plan, however, came to an abrupt end with Delhis lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena recommending a probe into alleged irregularities in the regime. This ultimately resulted in the policy being scrapped prematurely and being replaced by the 2020-21 regime, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging that Saxenas predecessor sabotaged the move with a few last-minute changes that resulted in lower-than-expected revenues. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislator K Kavitha in connection with alleged kickbacks paid to leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the formulation of Delhis controversial 2020-21 excise policy, and booked the senior leader on charges of money laundering. Hyderabad: BRS MLC K Kavitha after she was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from her residence in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case in Hyderabad on March 15.(PTI) Her family and senior BRS leaders, however, said the arrest was in contempt of court, arguing that the Supreme Court is due to hear an appeal in the case on March 19. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kavitha, who is former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Raos daughter, is the third high-profile leader to be arrested in the case, after the former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh both senior AAP leaders were arrested at different points last year. The arrest comes even as ED is pushing to question Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has so far skipped eight of the agencys summons. He is due to appear before a magistrates court in Delhi on March 16, following a complaint by ED against him for skipping their summons, after a sessions court on Friday refused to stay the judicial proceedings. There has been intense speculation over Kejriwals possible arrest, including from the AAP itself, which in December held a referendum asking residents of the Capital whether he should continue as chief minister if he is jailed. Kavitha was arrested under dramatic circumstances on Friday from her home in Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, hours after an ED team searched the premises and interrogated her. Read Here: Kavitha arrested amid huge drama, lawyer says illegal, BRS announces statewide protest | 10 points K Kavitha has been arrested under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as there is substantial evidence of her involvement in the case. She is being brought to Delhi and will be produced before the court, said an ED officer who asked not to be named. The officer also accused BRS leader and Kavithas brother KT Rama Rao of obstructing the ED team on Friday. A video filmed by one of Rama Raos associates that was circulated on social media showed the former Telangana minister telling ED officials that their warrant was illegal. You have given an undertaking in the Supreme Court and now you are violating it. You are in serious trouble, Rama Rao was seen telling an ED officer. You came prepared with an arrest warrant. How can you do that when her appeal is slated to come up before the Supreme Court on March 19. This is nothing but a blatant contempt of court, he added. The Supreme Court was due to hear Kavithas plea against the ED summons on Friday, but adjourned the matter to March 19. Read Here | KTR's attack on BJP amid Kavitha's arrest by ED: Inordinate rush to A member of legislative council (MLC) from Nizamabad constituency, Kavitha was arrested at 5.20pm. K Kavitha is found guilty of offence of money laundering defined under section 3 of the PMLA and punishable under section 4 of PMLA, said the agencys arrest memo. The Delhi governments 2021-22 excise policy aimed to revitalise the citys flagging liquor business by replacing a sales-volume based regime with a license fee one for traders, and promised swankier stores and a better customer experience. It, however, came to an abrupt end after Delhis lieutenant governor VK Saxena recommended a probe into alleged irregularities in the regime. This resulted in the policy being scrapped and being replaced by the previous policy. Kavitha has not been named as an accused in any of the six charge sheets the agency has filed in the case since November in 2022.However, in court documents, ED has referred to her as a key person in irregularities surrounding the excise policy. EDs primary allegation against Kavitha is that she was part of a cartel known allegedly as the South Group, which paid 100 crore in kickbacks to AAP leaders, in exchange for being assigned nine retail zones under the Delhi excise policy. Watch | Kavitha's brother KTR argues with ED officials: You are in serious trouble The other members of this group, according to ED, were YSR Congress MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Group), and Delhi businessman Sameer Mahendru. Kavitha has in the past maintained her innocence and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using ED to strong-arm the BRS. She is under the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) scanner as well. The agency is conducting a parallel corruption probe in the case and issued summons to her last month, which she skipped, citing an exemption granted by the Supreme Court. ED has alleged that Kavitha was in touch with the AAPs then communication in-charge Vijay Nair. Citing her former chartered accountant Butchibabu Gorantlas statement recorded before it in February last year, ED has claimed she was part of a conspiracy to pay kickbacks to AAP leaders to get retail liquor business in Delhi. Rama Rao, who is currently the BRSs working president, claimed ED had not produced any transit warrant from a court in Delhi to arrest Kavitha and take her to the national capital. He also sought to know whether the agency had informed Telangana legislative council chairperson Gutha Sukhender Reddy, which is mandatory before arresting a council member. However, later in the evening, a BRS spokesperson said Kavitha and her family would cooperate with the investigating officers. We will fight the case legally and politically in a peaceful and democratic manner, said the spokesperson. BRS MLA Vemula Prashant Reddy alleged that the federal agency had acted against the law in arresting Kavitha, under the directions of the central government. It is a clear case of intimidating our party just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, he said. BJP state president and Union minister G Kishan Reddy, however, said there was no political vendetta behind Kavithas arrest. The ED has questioned her a couple of times in the past and summoned her several times, but she continued to dodge. If she is really innocent, she can face the inquiry and come out clean, Reddy said. Hours after the Election Commission released electoral bonds data, Congress leader Amitabh Dubey on Thursday alleged a discrepancy in the number of entries in donor and recipient files. The Election Commission of India office in New Delhi.(Reuters ) He also asked why the data shared with the Election Commission pertains to a period from April 2019 even though the scheme was introduced in 2017. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "The donors' file has 18,871 entries, the recipients' file has 20,421 entries. Why the discrepancy @TheOfficialSBI?" Amitabh Dubey, in charge of research and monitoring in the Congress' communication department, wrote on X. Congress MP and AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Manickam Tagore also criticised the State of Bank of India over the alleged discrepancy. Also Read | Election Commission uploads data on electoral bonds; check full list of donors Sharing Dubey's post, Tagore wrote: Ah, yes, the electoral bond scheme, where transparency meets selective amnesia. Donors file: 18,871 entries. Recipients file: 20,421 entries. Coincidence? I think not. "@TheOfficialSBI, you've truly mastered the art of hiding in plain sight," he added. Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV also took a swipe at the government over the electoral bonds data. "The meaning of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan 'Na khaunga na khane dunga' meant that I will threaten companies, get ED raids done, collect donations, and keep filling BJP's coffers in the name of doing business, Srinivas wrote on X. Electoral bonds data The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday uploaded data of electoral bonds on its website, a day before the deadline set by the Supreme Court in the high-profile case playing out weeks before general elections. From a lottery company with operations in multiple states, to a company that built the Kaleshwaram dam, to large industrial conglomerates, the top five purchasers of electoral bonds spent more than 3,446 crore between April 2019 and February 2024, the data showed. Also Read | What does Electoral Bond data published by the ECI tell us? The highest donor, with bonds worth 1,368 crore, was Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited, a company run by Santiago Martin, commonly known by the moniker Lottery King. The company was the subject of an Enforcement Directorate investigation since 2019, with raids carried out in Coimbatore and Chennai in May 2023 for alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Helen Rouner in Commonweal: Last summer, as I sat waiting for a train in Penn Station, I noticed a figure approaching and trying to get my attention. Keenly aware that I was patronizing an ostensibly public space where the only seats were placed behind gates monitored by security guards, I was eager to part with a few dollars if asked. It took me a moment to register that the woman standing before me, wearing a blue habit and a crucifix around her neck, was asking to borrow my cell phone. She needed to call her elderly father, she said, to tell him that her train would be late, and that she would seek shelter for the night at a convent she had heard of in Boston before continuing her journey. Flooded with a sense of the auspicious, I asked her what her destination was. She said she was headingas I somehow had felt she would beto her fathers house on Cape Cod. She named the same town where my in-laws live, to which I, too, was traveling. My husband Jack was picking me up in Providence to drive there, I told her. Would she like a ride? At that moment, loudspeakers announced our trains belated arrival, and we shuffled into line together. I noticed a thick volume under her arm, with deeply lined eyes gazing out at me from the cover. The nunSr. Maria, she introduced herselfwas reading the collected poems of W. H. Auden. Auden was one of my favorite poets, I told her, an inheritor of the Romantic tradition that was my particular academic interest. Sr. Maria was a great reader of poetry, I learned, and had just completed a PhD in Catholicism and philosophyprecisely Jacks field of study. Minutes after he had retrieved us from the Amtrak station in Providence, the two of them were debating Hegel on ritual. At the end of an hours drive, just before we delivered her to her fathers house, Sr. Maria asked me to read aloud from the Auden volume. The Cave of Making was her latest favorite, she said. I obliged, and the three of us sat in the car, sharing the sound of the poem. More here. Electoral bonds LIVE highlights: The State Bank of India (SBI) provided the Election Commission with electoral bond details on Tuesday, following the Supreme Court's dismissal of the bank's request for an extended deadline to disclose such information. Electoral bonds LIVE updates: The Election Commission of India complied with the Supreme Court's directives on Thursday by uploading the electoral bonds data provided by the State Bank of India (SBI) onto its website. The data is divided into two parts: the first, spanning 337 pages, includes information about the entities purchasing the electoral bonds along with the purchase dates; the second, comprising 426 pages, details the political parties, dates, and amounts involved. However, the data does not specify which entity purchased bonds for which political party....Read More According to data, the top five buyers of electoral bonds, ranging from a lottery company operating in various states to a firm involved in constructing the Kaleshwaram dam, as well as prominent industrial conglomerates, collectively expended more than 3,446 crore from April 2019 to February 2024. What are electoral bonds? The electoral bond scheme, initiated in the fiscal year 2017-18, served as a means for Indian political parties to obtain funding or donations. However, in February, the Supreme Court invalidated the scheme. Since its inception in 2018, the State Bank of India has issued bonds totalling 16,518 crore across 30 tranches. Who are the top donors? Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited, led by Santiago Martin, nicknamed the "Lottery King" emerged as the top donor, contributing bonds valued at 1,368 crore. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), founded by 67-year-old Pamireddy Pitchi Reddy in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district and headquartered in Hyderabad, secured the second spot by purchasing electoral bonds worth 891 crore. Mumbai-based Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd holds the third position, contributing 410 crore via electoral bonds. Vedanta Private Limited, an industrial conglomerate founded by Anil Agarwal, diversified across various sectors such as mining, technology, and power, ranked fourth in donations, acquiring bonds totalling 400 crore over five years. Haldia Energy Limited, a subsidiary of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, stood as the fifth highest donor in the electoral bond scheme, investing 377 crore in bonds. Which parties are recipients? Political parties such as BJP, Congress, AIADMK, BRS, Shiv Sena, TDP, YSR Congress, DMK, JDS, NCP, Trinamool Congress, JDU, RJD, AAP, and SP have received funds through electoral bonds. The BJP is the top recipient, obtaining over 6,061 crore through electoral bonds, while the TMC received 1,610 crore. The Congress received 1,422 crore through this funding mechanism. Following closely is the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) with a total of 1,215 crore received via electoral bonds. The Biju Janta Dal (BJD) obtained funding of 776 crore through this channel. The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested BRS leader K Kavitha after an hours-long raid at her premises in Hyderabad and brought her to Delhi for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, agency sources said. BRS leader K Kavitha being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from her residence. (PTI) The BRS leader entered the agency's headquarters in central Delhi around midnight and would be lodged there for the night, sources said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kavitha, 46, a Telangana Legislative Council member, was arrested by the central probe agency at 5:20 pm from her residence at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, according to the arrest memo. Her husband D R Anil Kumar was informed about her arrest and her preliminary statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) during the search that began at 1:45 pm, ED officials said. She is the third high-profile arrest in the case after AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. Her arrest came a day before the scheduled announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule. Kavitha, the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was brought to Delhi in a commercial flight that landed at the IGI Airport late evening. She is expected to be produced before a designated PMLA court on Saturday where the agency will seek her remand for custodial interrogation. Kavitha's legal team said the arrest was illegal as her petition against the ED summons had been listed by the Supreme Court for hearing on March 19. ED officials recorded in their 'panchnama' that about 20 persons entered Kavitha's house and created a "ruckus" which led to a delay in their proceedings. Five mobile phones were seized by the ED during the search action, officials said. The ED questioned Kavitha thrice last year in this case and again summoned her this year but she did not depose citing a Supreme Court direction that allowed her protection from any coercive action. Talking to reporters in Hyderabad, BRS leader and former Telangana minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy alleged that the move was "pre-planned" and said they would protest against it. BRS working president K T Rama Rao, former minister Harish Rao and a large number of party workers gathered at Kavitha's residence and raised slogans. Meanwhile, a video was shared by the BRS showing Kavitha's brother and party working president K T Rama Rao arguing with the ED officials, saying the agency has violated an undertaking given to the Supreme Court. "You are in serious trouble," he was heard telling the officials in the video, which went viral. In the video he also alleged that the family members were not allowed to enter the house even after the searches were concluded. "Search is over and an arrest warrant is produced and now she (ED official) says you cannot come in. Family cannot come in and she also says they have no transit warrant and cannot produce before a magistrate, but she wants to make a case, he said. Rama Rao attacked the BJP-led Centre and alleged "abuse of power and institutional misuse to settle political scores is something that has become increasingly common" with the BJP government in the last 10 years. In a post on the social media platform X, he said, "ED needs to answer the Supreme Court on the inordinate rush to arrest when the matter is very much sub-judice and up for review in a couple of days, on the 19th March. What's even more appalling is the ED undermining its own undertaking given to the Honble Supreme Court. Justice shall prevail and we will continue to fight legally." Reacting to her arrest, senior BJP leader and Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy told reporters that ED raids are part of its inquiry into the case. "She was also avoiding questioning by the ED by showing some reasons. If she's not guilty and not involved in the liquor case, Kavitha needs to appear before the ED or CBI to prove her innocence," Reddy said. The Enforcement Directorate had claimed Kavitha was linked to a "South Group" lobby of liquor traders who were trying to play a larger role under the now scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. It alleged that one of the accused in the case, Vijay Nair, received kickbacks to the tune of at least 100 crore on behalf of AAP leaders from the "South Group", allegedly controlled by Sarath Reddy, Kavitha and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy. In the last round of questioning by the ED, officials said, Kavitha was confronted with Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandran Pillai, who was arrested in the case earlier and allegedly shared close ties with her. Kavitha has then asserted that she had done nothing wrong and alleged that the Centre was "using" the ED as the BJP could not gain a "backdoor entry" into Telangana. The "South Group", according to the ED, comprises Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Pharma), Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy (YSR Congress MP from Ongole Lok Sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh), his son Raghav Magunta, Kavitha and others. The ED also alleged in Pillai's remand papers that he "represented the benami investments" of Kavitha in the case. Kavitha was earlier questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the case at her residence in Hyderabad. The ED also recorded the statement of Butchibabu, an accountant allegedly linked to Kavitha. According to the ED, the accountant said that "there was political understanding between K Kavitha and (Delhi) chief minister (Arvind Kejriwal) and (then Delhi) deputy chief minister (Manish Sisodia). In that process, K Kavitha also met Vijay Nair on March 19-20, 2021". Nair was arrested in the case by both the ED and the CBI. The agency alleged the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. The policy was subsequently scrapped and the Delhi lieutenant governor recommended a CBI probe, following which the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Former Navy Chief Admiral (retd) L Ramdas passed away on Friday at a military hospital here. He was 90 and was suffering from health issues related to old age. Admiral Ramdas, whose full name is Laxminarayan Ramdas, settled at Alibag in Maharashtra after retirement(PTI) Ramdas, who was admitted to the hospital on March 11, breathed his last Friday morning, his daughter Sagari R Ramdas said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "He came to stay with me here in Hyderabad about nine months ago because he was not keeping good health," she told PTI. The funeral will be held in Hyderabad on March 16, she said. Admiral Ramdas is survived by his wife Lalita Ramdas and three daughters. On November 30, 1990, he had taken over as the 13th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and retired in 1993. Admiral Ramdas, whose full name is Laxminarayan Ramdas, settled at Alibag in Maharashtra after retirement. He was born on September 5, 1933 in Matunga, Mumbai and completed his early education in Delhi at Presentation Convent and Ramjas College. He joined the Joint Services Wing of the Armed Forces Academy in Clement Town, Dehradun in 1949, and was commissioned as an officer of the Indian Navy in September 1953. He was trained as a communications specialist. Some of his key achievements while in service include establishing the Naval Academy in Cochin, commanding INS Beas which played a pivotal role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, serving as the Indian Naval Attache in Bonn, West Germany (1973-76), serving as Fleet Commander of the Eastern Naval Command, and commanding both the Southern and Eastern Naval Commands, his daughter Sagari Ramdas said. It was during his tenure as Chief of Naval Staff that women were inducted into the armed forces, with the Navy taking the lead. After retirement, Admiral Ramdas settled in Bhaimala village in Alibag, Maharashtra, on a piece of land awarded to him by the Maharashtra government in recognition of his acts of gallantry in the 1971 war. He and his wife Lalita Ramdas practiced organic farming and involved themselves in a range of public service activities. These include being actively involved in the Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPPFD), Indo-Pakistan Soldiers Initiative for Peace (IPSI), and the anti-nuclear peace movement Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP). They were also part of movements for gender equality, fisherpeoples rights, the rights of farmers, the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, and many others, she said. Over the years, Ramdas became an outspoken voice on social causes, advocating actively for the defence of the Constitution, especially the values of liberty, equality, fraternity and secularism, she added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday urged a special investigation into the electoral bonds scheme and demanded that the BJP's bank accounts should also be frozen till the probe is completed. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge (PTI) Read here: Lottery firm top donor as EC uploads electoral bonds data Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Claiming that there were many dubious donors, he said people who have purchased such bonds were either involved in Enforcement Directorate (RD) or Income Tax (I-T) cases or raided by other probe agencies. While the BJP has collected crores of rupees in electoral bonds, the bank account of the Congress, which received donations, was frozen, Kharge said. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Kharge took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted that he always said "Yeh Modi ki sarkar, yeh Modi ki party," adding that PM Modi should be held "accountable" for making money out of the bonds. "The Prime Minister says 'Na khaunga, na khane dunga (Will not eat, will not let others eat)', but today it has been exposed by the Supreme Court how the BJP has made money out of electoral bonds. SBI data shows BJP got 50 per cent donations and Congress got only 11 per cent," he said. Read here: Electoral bonds: SC issues notice to SBI, says bond numbers not disclosed The grand old party chief further alleged that the centre pressurised the I-T department to freeze the party's bank accounts which held nearly 300 crore ahead of the elections so that it can't be used. Kharge said, "I-T (Income-Tax department) was instructed to do this and nearly 300 crore is frozen." "How can we go to the election? You are collecting crores of rupees through electoral bonds, while Congress got through donations from workers, MPs and other small donors. Our account is closed, their account is open. They got 6,000 crore, while others got very little," he said. "If the opposition party's account is frozen, how will they fight the election," Kharge further asked. "Where is the level playing ground?" "Therefore I demand an inquiry at the highest level and unless the truth comes out, their (BJP) account should also be frozen. A special investigation should be done to find out whether they got money in return for any favours or through harassment or asking for donations for their cases to be closed," he added. According to the data released by the Election Commission of India on its website on Thursday, the BJP encashed 6,060 crore over five years through the electoral bonds scheme. A total of 1,260 companies and people have bought 22217 bonds worth 12,155.51 between 2019 and 2024. 23 political parties have redeemed these bonds, while Future Gaming and Hotel Services and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd were among the top donors to political parties, the data revealed. Read here: Electoral bonds: BJP leads in donations, TMC leaves behind Congress Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday took exception to SBI not furnishing numbers on electoral bonds and said that the judgment of the Constitution bench clarified that all details of electoral bonds will be made available including the date of purchase, name of the purchaser, and the denomination. "SBI has not disclosed the electoral bonds (unique alphanumeric numbers). Court issues notice to the SBI and seek a response by March 18," the top court said. An electoral bond is an instrument in the nature of a promissory note or bearer bond which can be purchased by any individual, company, firm or association of persons provided the person or body is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. The bonds were issued specifically for the purpose of contribution of funds to political parties. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sukanta Majumdars Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking registration of a criminal case against West Bengal Police for revealing the identity of one of the women, who have accused a ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) functionary of rape in Sandeshkhali. The identity was revealed in an interview uploaded on social media. The Supreme Court. (ANI) A bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal asked how could there be a PIL on this issue. Your limited grievance is that the victims name was disclosed on social media. The high court is a better forum for this kind of a matter. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Senior advocates Madhavi Divan and Archana Pathak Dave, appearing for Majumdar, cited a Supreme Court judgment in 2019 that prohibited disclosure of the names or any information that could reasonably lead to a victims identification by courts or investigating agencies in such cases. Divan told the court that PIL was maintainable as the issue did not relate to just one incident but raised a larger issue. This kind of an incident can happen anywhere. The court needs to lay down guidelines on what happens to a rape victim from the time she files a complaint and is taken to the courtroom. Also Read: Sandeshkhali case: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with CBI probe order The petition said the West Bengal Police overstepped official duties and violated provisions of law by coercing the woman to give a statement that she was not abducted but was brought to the local magistrates office to give a statement. In her complaint, the woman alleged she was called on the pretext of attending a meeting at the local party office in Sandeshkhali, where she was allegedly gang raped by the accused Shibu Hazra, and others in October last year. Majumdar, in his plea, said the case demonstrates West Bengal Police officials deliberate actions in advancing a political agenda to the detriment of public welfare and security. The incident represents a significant setback for the women of Sandeshkhali, impeding their ability to report the injustices inflicted upon them. The petition said women in the Sandeshkhali region revolting against the atrocities subjected to them are being attacked and silenced. Shockingly, to respond to an allegation of a political opponent of the State government political party, WB police overstepped its official duties and violated several provisions of law by coercing the victim to give a statement that she was not abducted but instead brought to the local magistrates office... Such a statement being recorded not as part of court proceedings was not permissible, it added. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday questioned the date of the Lok Sabha elections schedule announcement as it is coinciding with the concluding event of the two-month Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which started from Manipur on January 14 and would conclude on Saturday in Mumbai. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh(PTI) Read here: Lok Sabha polls schedule to trigger Model Code of Conduct rules. What changes from tomorrow? Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Dubbing the development as a headline management event, Ramesh claimed that to sideline party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra conclusion's mega event at Chaityabhoomi Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak in Mumbai at around 5:30 pm tomorrow, it was decided that the schedule for the General Assembly elections would be done at 3pm on Saturday though it could have been done today or day after tomorrow. "Rahul Gandhi will be at Chaityabhoomi Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will conclude at 5:30 pm (on Saturday). In the meanwhile, (Lok Sabha) elections are going to be announced at 3 pm. This is just headlines management, since it (announcement of poll schedule) could have been done today or day after tomorrow," news agency PTI quoted Ramesh as saying. The Congress leader, however, said that he welcomed the announcement of the decision as the election works as the oxygen for democracy. He also raised questions over the election conduction process and alleged apprehensions regarding EVM. He also said that the agencies and organisations are working under the pressure of the central government. Read here: Election Commission to announce Lok Sabha election schedule tomorrow "We have questions regarding how elections will take place? For the last 10 months, we have been trying to meet the Election Commission, however, we are not getting any chance. The INDIA alliance parties want the usage of EVM but also of VVPATs, so people can understand that their ballot is correct; many have raised apprehensions regarding EVM...." Ramesh said. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India announced to release the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and three state assemblies on Saturday. The announcement for the Lok Sabha elections will be made during a press conference at 3 pm in New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 16 and a new House has to be constituted before that. Read here: Rahul Gandhi led Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra to culminate in Shivaji Park on March 17 Last time the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 10 and held in seven phases beginning April 11. Votes were counted on May 23. (With inputs from agencies) The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea alleging irregularities in the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying every method has its plus and minus points. SC dismisses two pleas related to use of EVMs. The top court also dismissed another petition which claimed 19 lakh EVMs "missing" from the custody of the Election Commission during 2016-19 may be used to manipulate the results of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih said the apex court has already examined several petitions and dealt with various issues related to the functioning of EVMs. ALSO READ- Election Commission to announce Lok Sabha election schedule tomorrow "How many petitions shall we entertain? Recently, we have dealt with a plea related to VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail). We cannot go by assumptions. Every method has its plus and minus points. Sorry, we cannot entertain this under Article 32," the bench told petitioner Nandini Sharma, who appeared in person. Article 32 gives Indian citizens the right to approach the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of their fundamental rights. ALSO READ- What does Electoral Bond data published by the ECI tell us? The bench recorded in the order that the issue raised in the petition has been examined by the apex court in various petitions. Justice Khanna said more than 10 cases have been examined on the issue by the court at different times. Sharma had arrayed the Election Commission of India and six political parties in her plea and sought direction for use of ballot papers instead of EVMs for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. ALSO READ- Lok Sabha election schedule to trigger Model Code of Conduct. What changes from tomorrow? She also sought setting aside Section 61A of The Representation of the People Act, 1951 which allows use of voting machines for the elections. Meanwhile, a bench headed by Justice BR Gavai dismissed another petition filed by Indian New Congress Party (INCP). The separate plea of INCP claimed that 19 lakh EVMs "missing" from the custody of the poll panel could be used to manipulate the results of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Besides Justice Gavai, the bench comprised Justice Sandeep Mehta. The court termed INCP's apprehension as "completely baseless" and dismissed the petition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought suggestions from a section of people for shaping the Union governments Viksit Bharat (developed India) agenda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha election, in Kanyakumari, on Friday (PTI) In a letter, issued on the eve of the announcement of the general elections, the PM said: I need and indeed, look forward to your ideas, suggestions and support as we work to fulfil the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The PM is seeking a third term in office and has set a target of winning over 400 seats for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. The governments development agenda and the promise of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is a key poll plank of the BJP. Read Here | 17th Lok Sabha has been a game-changer: PM Modi The Viksit Bharat agenda is a vision that the PM has drafted for ensuring social changes, technical innovations, and economic reforms, to raise Indias position at the global level. In his letter, which has been addressed to my dear family members, in line with the BJPs Modi Ka Parivaar (Modis family) narrative, the PM said: Our partnership is at the threshold of completing a decade. The trust and support of 140 crore Indians inspires and motivates me. He has credited the government schemes and programmes for transformation that has taken place in the lives of the people and called it the biggest achievement of our government over the last 10 years. Read Here: PM Narendra Modi meets ministers on 100-day plan after Lok Sabha polls These transformative outcomes are the result of the sincere efforts made by a determined government to improve the quality of life for the poor, farmers, youth and women. The success of efforts such as pucca houses through Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, access to electricity, water and LPG for all, free medical treatments through Ayushman Bharat, financial help to farmers, assistance to women through Matru Vandana Yojana and many more has been possible only due to the trust that you have placed in me, the letter said. The PM has also credited the trust and support that voters placed in him for the government being able to take historic and major decisions such as the implementation of GST, Abrogation of Article 370, a new law on Triple Talaq, Nari Shakti Vandan Act and strong steps against terrorism and Left-Wing Extremism. The beauty of democracy lies in Janbhagidari or public participation. It is your support that gives me the immense strength to take bold decisions for the nations welfare, draw up aspirational plans and implement them smoothly, the letter said, seeking suggestions to fulfil the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat. In a major capability boost, the Indian Army on Friday raised its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in the desert sector in Jodhpur near the Pakistan front. In a major capability boost, the Indian Army on Friday raised its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in the desert sector in Jodhpur near the Pakistan front.(File photo) The squadron was raised today in Jodhpur in the presence of Director General Indian Army Aviation Lt Gen Ajay Suri and officials from the original manufacturer Boeing along with other senior officials, Indian Army Officials told ANI. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Indian Army Apache helicopters would camouflage desert colours and the first batch of choppers would arrive and join the fleet by May this year, they said. ALSO READ| Army uniforms' salesman arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan There is a slight delay in view of the ongoing global security situation but they are now on track, the officials said. Earlier, the Indian Army has signed a contract to acquire six Apache helicopters from the US. Also known as the 'tanks in the air', these advanced attack helicopters will land at the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Hindon Air Force Station and then will be deployed in Jodhpur in May, near the India-Pakistan border, the officials added. The Army Aviation Corps, which currently operates utility helicopters such as the Dhruv and Chetak, earlier inducted the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand at Missamari, Assam last year. Notably, the IAF already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters which have been deployed on the eastern and western fronts. David Polansky in Aeon: Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote: Mankind likes to put questions of origins and beginnings out of its mind. With apologies to Nietzsche, the questions of origins and beginnings are in fact more controversial and hotly debated. The ongoing Israel-Gaza war has reopened old debates over the circumstances of Israels founding and the origins of the Palestinian refugee crisis. Meanwhile, in a speech he gave on the eve of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vladimir Putin insisted that since time immemorial Russia had always included Ukraine, a situation that was disrupted by the establishment of the Soviet Union. And in the US, The New York Times 1619 Project generated no small amount of controversy by insisting that the United States real origins lay not with its formal constitution but with the introduction of slavery into North America. In other words, many conspicuous political disputes today have a way of returning us to the beginnings of things, of producing and being waged in part through strong claims about origins. Yet doing so rarely helps resolve them. Because these debates have become ubiquitous, we may not realise how unusual our preoccupation with political origins really is. More here. The Indian Navy on Friday said that its offshore Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) vessel and a warship responded to a distress call from a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel hijacked off the Somali coast during its voyage from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this week. Bangladesh-flagged ship MV Abdullah that was seized by pirates off the Somalia coast.(X/ @indiannavy) In a statement released on Friday, the Indian Navy said that on receiving intimation on March 12, the LRMP P-81 was immediately deployed and on locating the merchant vessel, MV Abdullah, in the evening, it attempted to establish communication to ascertain the status of the ship's crew members, but, no response was received from the ship. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "#IndianNavy's Mission Deployed warship & an LRMP responded to a piracy attack on MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi-flagged vessel, whilst enroute from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. On receipt of intimation, the LRMP was immediately deployed & after locating the MV in evening of #12Mar 24, attempted to establish communication to ascertain status of ship's crew members. However, no response was received from the ship," the Indian Navy said in a post on X. The Navy further said that the safety of the crew held hostage by armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain its presence in the close vicinity of the vessel till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia. "The Mission Deployed warship on #MaritimeSecurityOperations, which had also been diverted, intercepted the hijacked MV on the morning of #14Mar 24. The safety of the MV's crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates was ascertained & the warship continued to maintain in close vicinity of the MV till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia, " it added. In the last two months, the Indian Navy has extended assistance to several merchant vessels in the Indian Ocean following the piracy attacks. The Indian Navy, earlier this month, foiled a piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel with a crew of 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals along the East coast of Somalia. In January, Indian warship INS Sumitra rescued 19 Pakistani crew members of a fishing vessel after their Iranian-flagged vessel was attacked by pirates in the east coast of Somalia. The Navy on January 5 thwarted an attempted hijacking of Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea and rescued all its crew members. There have been mounting global concerns over Houthi militants launching a series of attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea in the last few months amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. (With inputs from PTI) K Kavitha, a prominent leader in Telangana, and the daughter of former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, was on Friday arrested by the Enforcement Directorate from her Hyderabad residence in the presence of her husband and brother -- amid much drama, chaos and furore. While BRS supporters protested outside her Banjara Hills residence against the daylong search and raid by the ED and income tax officials, her brother and cousin fought the ED officials and asked them whether they had transit remand as they were preparing to take ED to New Delhi. K Kavitha was arrested by the ED in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.(PTI) Kavitha's brother KTR argues with ED officials: 'You are in serious trouble'. Watch Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. K Kavitha arrested in connection with Delhi liquor case. 10 points 1. 46-year-old Kavitha was taken to ED custody on Friday evening. ED is likely to produce her in a court in New Delhi. 2. Kavitha has been questioned several times in connection with her alleged link to Delhi liquor policy. The BRS leader maintained that she had done nothing wrong. She was not named an accused in any of the six charge sheets filed by the financial crimes probe agency since November 2023. 3. The arrest was dramatic as the ED and the income tax department arrived at her residence in the morning and conducted searches for hours. Then they questioned her and at 5.20pm she was put under house arrest. 4. ED officials claimed at around 6pm, a group of men barged into the residence and obstructed ED's work. They claimed to be Kavitha's brother, lawyers and other relatives but showed no identity cards. 5. Kavitha's brother KT Rama Rao was seen engaged in a fight with the ED officials. He asked them why they were not allowing the family members and whether they had transit remand to fly Kavitha from Hyderabad to New Delhi. 6. The arrest memo said a 14-page copy of the grounds of the arrest was served on Kavitha when she was arrested. 7. Kavitha's husband D R Anil Kumar was informed in person about Kavitha's arrest at 5.20pm, another ED document said. 8. Kavitha's lawyer P Mohith Rao said the arrest was illegal because a petition is there in the Supreme Court which was even heard on Friday. 9. The BRS will hold a protest across Telangana in protest of Kavitha's arrest just the day before the election dates are to be announced. 10. The party said it was pre-planned and that's why the officials came on a Friday. Bharat Rashtra Samithi MLA KT Rama Rao on Friday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party over the arrest of BRS MLC and former member of the parliament K Kavitha. KT Rama Rao said that the BJP government at the Centre has been resorting to institutional misuse in the past 10 years. He also lashed out at the Enforcement Directorate for its inordinate rush to arrest the BRS leader even while the matter was up for review in the court in the next couple of days. BRS leader KT Rama Rao(ANI) Abuse of power and institutional misuse to settle political scores is something that has become increasingly common with BJP govt in last 10 years BRS president KT Rama Rao said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ED needs to answer Supreme Court on the inordinate rush to arrest when the matter is very much sub-judice & up for review in a couple of days, on the 19th March. Whats even more appalling is the ED undermining its own undertaking given to the Honble Supreme Court, he added in his post on X. BRS party has also called for a statewide protest on Saturday over the arrest of the party's MLC K Kavitha. BRS MLC and sister of KT Rama Rao, K Kavitha was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor scam. The news of the BRS leader's arrest came after the central agency raided her Hyderabad residence earlier in the day. Kavitha's husband D Anil Kumar was also present at the residence when the search took place. Following reports of her arrest by the central agency Kavitha's brother KT Rama Rao reached her residence at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. A video of KTR arguing with the officials also surfaced afterwards. In the video KTR is heard saying, "You (ED officials) have given an undertaking in the Supreme Court, and now you are violating it. You are in serious trouble." KTR was arguing with the officials about why Kavitha was arrested in haste when the matter was already up for review in court in the next couple of days. Earlier Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were also arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor scam. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is also being probed in the same case. (With inputs from ANI) The Election Commission of India (ECI) said it would announce the dates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at 3 pm on Saturday. Following the announcement of the election date, the Model Code of Conduct will be enforced in the whole country until the announcement of results. This would significantly alter the normal functioning of the government. Here's what will change: Election Commission of India will announce Lok Sabha 2024 schedule on Saturday.(REUTERS) Follow- Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What is a Model Code of Conduct? Under its constitutional authority to ensure free and fair elections, the ECI has evolved the Model Code of Conduct, which establishes norms for political parties and candidates. The objective is to create a "level playing field". ALSO READ- When will Lok Sabha 2024 elections start? What changes with the enforcement of MCC? Top 10 Restrictions on government announcements: Ministers and other authorities are prohibited from announcing any financial grants or making promises thereof once the elections are announced, the election panel's guidelines say. After Lok Sabha election dates are announced, they are also restricted from laying foundation stones or initiating projects or schemes of any kind, except civil servants. Promises related to the construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities, etc., are not permitted during this period. Ad-hoc appointments in government or Public Undertakings that could influence voters in favour of the ruling party are prohibited. ALSO READ- 2-step process, amendments: A look at one nation, one election panel proposals Discretionary funds and official visits: With the announcement of the Lok Sabah election schedule, ministers and other authorities cannot sanction grants or payments from discretionary funds once the elections are announced. Use of government resources: After the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, official visits shall not be combined with electioneering work, and the use of official machinery or personnel for electioneering is strictly prohibited, the ECI guidelines say. Government transport, including official aircraft, vehicles, machinery, and personnel, cannot be used to further the interests of the ruling party during elections. Public places like maidens for holding election meetings and helipads for air flights must be accessible to all parties and candidates on the same terms and conditions. ALSO READ- Mallikarjun Kharge to not contest Lok Sabha polls? Congress president drops big hint Accommodation and campaigning: Rest houses, dak bungalows, or other government accommodations should not be monopolised by the ruling party or its candidates, the ECI says. But using them as campaign offices or for holding public meetings for election propaganda by any party is prohibited, the poll body adds. Avoidance of partisan coverage: The Election Commission of India prohibits the issue of advertisements at the cost of public exchequer in newspapers and other media during the election period. Misuse of official mass media for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements to favour the ruling party should be strictly avoided, MCC guidelines note. ALSO READ- BJP's Lok Sabha election candidates list: 21% sitting MPs dropped from respective constituencies What if a party or candidate violates MCC? The MCC does not have legal enforceability on its own. Nevertheless, specific provisions within it may find enforcement through corresponding clauses in other statutes, including the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1973, and the Representation of the People Act of 1951. Additionally, the ECI holds authority under paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968 to suspend or withdraw a party's recognition. New Delhi: India on Friday rejected criticism of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) from the US and other quarters, saying concerns expressed about the law are misplaced and unwarranted as it is not about taking away citizenship. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (Twitter Photo) Indias constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens and there are no grounds for concern about the treatment of the countrys minority communities, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said a day after the US state department expressed concern about the Indian governments move to implement the legislation enacted by Parliament in 2019. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Describing the CAA as an internal matter that is in keeping with Indias inclusive traditions and long-standing commitment to human rights, Jaiswal said the law grants safe haven to persecuted members of the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who entered India before December 31, 2014. Also Read: US concerned about CAA implementation in India, says closely monitoring The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights, he said. Brushing aside the US state departments statement on the implementation of the CAA, Jaiswal said the Indian side perceives the American position as misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted. He added: Vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress. Jaiswal further said: Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of Indias pluralistic traditions and the regions post-Partition history are best not attempted. Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken. Four years after the CAA was enacted, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lead central government notified the rules for implementing the law on March 11. The law seeks to fast-track the process for granting citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered the country before 2014. The governments move also drew criticism from the opposition, who contended that the rules for implementing the law are unconstitutional, discriminatory and violate the secular principle of citizenship enshrined in the constitution. Detractors of the CAA have argued that by excluding Muslims from its purview and linking citizenship to religious identity, the legislation undermines the secular principles of the constitution. When state department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked about the law at a media briefing on Thursday, he said the US is concerned about the notification of the CAA. We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles, he said. Also Read: SC agrees to hear pleas for staying CAA rules on March 19 The United Nations (UN) too has expressed concerns about the law, and a spokesperson for the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights described the CAA as discriminatory. The spokesperson told Reuters, As we said in 2019, we are concerned that CAA is fundamentally discriminatory in nature and breach of Indias international human rights obligations. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is studying whether the implementation of the CAA complies with international human rights law, the spokesperson said. Rights groups such as Amnesty International and Afghan-Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen have also criticised the CAA. Amnesty International said the law is a blow to the Indian constitutional values of equality and religious non-discrimination, while Shaheen said the law should apply to all, irrespective of whether they are Muslims, Hindus or Sikhs. When the CAA was passed by Parliament in 2019, it was criticised by the governments of several countries in the region, including Bangladesh and Afghanistan, which was then ruled by the civilian administration led by Ashraf Ghani. Chennai/Kochi/Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Congress and the Left parties in Kerala and Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) in Telangana of corruption, misgovernance and harbouring anti-national sentiment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the BJP will perform well in the three southern states (X/narendramodi) Modi expressed confidence that the BJP will perform well in the three southern states and said the the party will return to power with a record number of seats for the third time. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Modi was on a whirlwind tour of three southern states as part of Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Lok Sabha 2024 campaign, a day before the election commission is set to announce the schedule for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Unlike in his previous visits to these states, the PM did not inaugurate developmental projects and participated only in political rallies. In Tamil Nadu, Modi called the Dravidian party an enemy of the states future, accusing it of harbouring hatred towards the country, its culture and heritage. He lashed out at the opposition INDIA bloc and said all it could show were scams running to several crores and said the BJP-led NDA had public initiatives as achievements to boast of. Also Read: PM describes Kashi, Tamil Nadu as timeless centres of culture and civilisation The history of the DMK and Congress is loot. They want to come to power to loot the people. On one side is the BJPs welfare schemes, on the other (in the INDIA bloc) is the scams of crores of rupees. We gave optical fibre, 5G and other digital initiatives; INDIA alliance has 2G scam, he said. He termed DMK as the biggest beneficiary of the 2G scam, in which party leader and former telecom minister A Raja was implicated but later acquitted by a Delhi court. The list (of scams) is big. This is the reality of INDIA alliance, Modi said. He termed the DMK and Congress of being anti-women, recalling how DMK treated late chief minister J Jayalalithaa and added that such a culture continued even today and that crimes against women were on the rise in the state. Modi said the ruling DMK tried to ban the watching of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in January this year, apparently referring to some public screenings in Tamil Nadu and added the Supreme Court later pulled up the state government over the matter. Imagine the hatred they have for our country, its culture, heritage and great men, he said. Referring to the installation of the sacred Sengol (Sceptre) in the new Parliament building, Modi said it was done in lines with the Tamil heritage but the DMK boycotted that as they did not like that as well. He further slammed the Congress and the DMK for their silence when the bull taming sport jallikattu was banned earlier and claimed the NDA allowed the sport, which is part of Tamil Nadus identity. He added that the BJP will shatter the DMK-Congress alliance in the state. Also Read: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Indias 1st underwater metro connecting Kolkata-Howrah In Kerala, the PM, while addressing NDA workers in Pathanamthitta, said that the Left and the Congress governments in the state have given the state several scams such as the solar scam and gold smuggling one, and said the lotus (BJPs election symbol) will bloom in the state. In the last elections, the people of Kerala made us the double-digit vote percentage party. And now, our destiny of double-digit seats here is not so far, he said, reaching out to Christian community by recalling his meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. He also attacked the CPI(M)-led ruling LDF and the Congress-led UDF opposition in the state, alleging that the people of Kerala were suffering from consecutive corrupt and incompetent governments of these two fronts. He raked up the gold smuggling scam, allegedly carried out through diplomatic channels under LDF rule, and the solar panel scam under the previous UDF rule. The PM also contended that the thinking and ideology of both the LDF and the UDF were dated and in sharp contrast to the progressiveness and forward-thinking people of Kerala. He also said that both the LDF and UDF governments had turned a blind eye to the struggles of rubber planters. Additionally, the states law and order situation has significantly deteriorated, he claimed and alleged that colleges in Kerala have become the dens of communist goondas. Modi urged the people of Kerala to give him their blessing and guaranteed that there will not be any lapses from his end in fulfilling their desires. We are going to witness a grand festival of democracy soon. I have a firm belief that this time Keralas love for the BJP will translate into a huge support. I have a firm belief that this time all previous records will be broken. I have a firm belief that this time our Kerala will break the vicious cycle of LDF and UDF, the PM siad. At the public meeting, NDAs Lok Sabha candidates V Muraleedharan (Attingal), Anil K Antony (Pathanamthitta), Sobha Surendran (Alappuzha), and Baiju Kalasala (Mavelikkara), among other leaders, were present. In addition to them, Padmaja Venugopal, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the Congress, was also present on the stage. In Telangana, Modi held a roadshow in Malkajgiri Lok Sabha assembly with senior party leaders. Wearing a saffron coloured cap, Modi stood in an open-top vehicle and waved to the people who stood on both sides of the road, greeting him. Modi was flanked by union minister and state BJP president G Kishan Reddy and the partys candidate from Malkajgiri Eatala Rajender. He is scheduled to address rallies in Telangana on March 16 and March 18. Narendra Modi visit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited southern Kerala today, March 15, for an election campaign rally for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, schedule to take place in April-May 2024. He will also be visiting Tamil Nadu and Telangana over the weekend. PM Modi addressed a rally in Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari today. He is also set to visit southern Kerala today, where he will campaign for the NDA candidates for the upcoming general elections. The prime minister also addressed a public rally during his Kerala visit....Read More The prime minister was received by BJP state chief K Surendran, Kerala in-charge of the party Prakash Javadekar, state General Secretary George Kurian and Pathanamthitta district President V A Sooraj. The public meeting addressed by PM Modi on Friday afternoon, was attended by NDA's Lok Sabha candidates V Muraleedharan (Attingal), Anil K Antony (Pathanamthitta), Sobha Surendran (Alappuzha), and Baiju Kalasala (Mavelikkara). In addition to them, leaders including Padmaja Venugopal, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the Congress, and state and local party leaders also joined PM Modi during his visit to Kerala. After March 15, the prime minister will visit Kerala once again on March 19, Sunday, to rally support for Anil K Antony, the BJP candidate and son of Congress stalwart A K Antony. PM Modi will also conduct multiple large scale roadshows during his visit to Kerala. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to postpone the post-graduate dental entrance examination NEET-MDS scheduled for Monday (March 18), dismissing an application by dentists seeking parity with the conduct of the post-graduate medical examination NEET-PG scheduled for July 7. The Supreme Court of India. (ANI File Photo) A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud noted that nearly 28,000 candidates will be taking the examination and the petitioners had moved the application at the last minute in their petition, which originally sought extension of the 31 March 2024 deadline for the completion of internship in order to be eligible to sit for NEET-MDS. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The court noted that this concern was taken care of as the Centre extended the internship deadline to June 30. Following this decision, the portal to register for the examination was opened for three days from March 9-11, after which 568 candidates registered and became eligible to appear for the examination. Noting this development, the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said, We think it will be inappropriate for this court to intervene at this stage considering the parameters laid down for judicial review. We, hence, decline to intervene in the present matter. The top court had on February 21 passed an order on a separate set of petitions filed by 11 dentists who raised similar grievance on the extension of internship deadline. The court allowed them to move a representation to the Centre and said, Since the issue of fixing cut-off date essentially pertains to the policy domain, it would be more appropriate to submit a representation... We direct that the representation be dealt with expeditiously and preferably within a period of one week from the date of this order. Appearing for the National Dental Commission (NDC), advocate Gaurav Sharma pointed out that following the order, the commission had gathered data from all dental colleges on the completion of internship dates and forwarded it to the Centre. He stated that varied dates of internship deadlines across colleges occurred due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and since admissions were delayed that year, it impacted the internship dates as well. An effort is being made to put the academic calendar back on the rails and for this, a tough decision has to be taken in some year, Sharma said. He further pointed out that NEET-PG cannot be compared with NEET-MDS, which follows different schedules. He stated that a conscious decision has been taken by the authorities which, if disturbed, will affect counselling dates and disrupt the examination schedule, by which the March 31 academic calendar will again skip next year. The bench agreed with this view and said, An effort is being made by NDC to bring back on rails the commencement of dental courses. This cannot be regarded as arbitrary to seek intervention by this court. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves appearing for the petitioners informed the court that the issue before the court concerns nearly 6,000 students who will lose a year till they become eligible for the MDS examination next year. He said that the students should not suffer for the fault of NDC as it failed to carry out an online survey seeking responses from colleges before fixing dates. This was done by the National Medical Commission (NMC), due to which the examination has been fixed for July 7 and the internship cut-off eligibility extended till August 15. Assuming you are correct, 28,000 students have prepared for this examination. This often happens. In India with 1.4 billion, there will always be a problem with cut-off dates. Now they will appear next year, the court said. NEW DELHI: The number of people living with, or dying from, neurological conditions such as stroke, Alzheimers disease, other dementias, and meningitis globally has risen substantially over the past 30 years due to the growth and ageing of the global population as well as increased exposure to environmental, metabolic, and lifestyle risk factors, a new study published in The Lancet Neurology said. According to the study, the most prevalent neurological disorders in 2021 were tension-type headaches. (Representative file photo) In 2021, 3.4 billion people experienced a nervous system condition, according to the analysis from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The analysis suggests that worldwide, the overall amount of disability, illness, and premature deatha measurement known as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)caused by neurological conditions increased by 18% over the past 31 years, rising from around 375 million years of healthy life lost in 1990 to 443 million years in 2021. Also Read: Data Munching | A global study on being underweight and obese is a mixed bag for Indians The top 10 contributors to neurological health loss in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy (brain injury), migraine, Alzheimers disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications from preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancers. Neurological consequences of COVID-19 (cognitive impairment and Guillain-Barre syndrome) ranked 20th, accounting for 2.48 million years of healthy life lost in 2021. According to the study, the most prevalent neurological disorders in 2021 were tension-type headaches (around 2 billion cases) and migraines (about 1.1 billion cases). Diabetic neuropathy is the fastest growing of all neurological conditions, it said. The number of people with diabetic neuropathy has more than tripled globally since 1990, rising to 206 million in 2021, said co-senior author Dr Liane Ong, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, USA. This is in line with the increase in the global prevalence of diabetes, the study said. The new study builds on previous GBD analyses to provide the largest and most comprehensive analysis to compare the prevalence and burden (illness and death) of nervous system disorders between countries on a global scale between 1990 and 2021expanding the number of studied neurological conditions from 15 to 37 that span from birth to later life. To better reflect that neurological disorders can occur at any stage of life, for the first time, the GBD 2021 Nervous System Disorders Collaborators studied neurodevelopmental disorders and neurological conditions in children and found that they were responsible for almost a fifth (18%) of all DALYs in 2021, accounting for 80 million years of healthy life lost worldwide. Every country now has estimates of their neurological burden based on the best available evidence, said lead author Jaimie Steinmetz from IHME, in a statement. As the worlds leading cause of overall disease burden, and with case numbers rising 59% globally since 1990, nervous system conditions must be addressed through effective, culturally acceptable, and affordable prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care strategies, it said. The study, conducted to inform ongoing advocacy and awareness efforts, will support the WHOs Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 20222031 (IGAP) that aims to reduce the impact and burden of neurological disorders and improve the quality of life of people with neurological disorders as well as their caregivers and families. At least 80% of neurological deaths and health loss occur in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Overall, estimates reveal striking differences in nervous system burden between world regions and national income levels. In high-income Asia Pacific and Australasia regions with the best neurological health the rate of DALYs and deaths were under 3,000 and 65 per 100,000 people, respectively in 2021. In these regions, stroke, migraine, dementia, diabetic neuropathy, and autism spectrum disorders accounted for most health loss. In contrast, in the worst-off regions of western and central sub-Saharan Africa, the rate of DALYs and deaths were up to five times higher (over 7,000 and 198 per 100,000 people respectively) in 2021, with stroke, neonatal encephalopathy (brain injury), dementia, and meningitis the biggest contributors to years of healthy life lost. Nervous system health loss disproportionately impacts many of the poorest countries partly due to the higher prevalence of conditions affecting neonates and children under 5, especially birth-related complications and infections, said Tarun Dua, unit head, WHOs Brain Health unit and one of the co-senior authors of the study, in a statement. Improved infant survival has led to an increase in long-term disability, while limited access to treatment and rehabilitation services is contributing to the much higher proportion of deaths in these countries. The study quantified the proportion of nervous system burden that was potentially preventable by eliminating known risk factors for stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, encephalitis, meningitis, and intellectual disability. The analysis suggests that modifying 18 risk factors over a persons lifetimemost importantly high systolic blood pressure (57% of DALYs)could prevent 84% of global DALYs from stroke. Additionally, estimates suggest that controlling lead exposure could reduce the burden of intellectual disability by 63%, while reducing high fasting plasma glucose to normal levels could reduce the burden of dementia by around 15%. The worldwide neurological burden is growing very fast and will put even more pressure on health systems in the coming decades, said co-senior author Valery Feigin, director, Auckland Universitys National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience, New Zealand. Yet many current strategies for reducing neurological conditions have low effectiveness or are not sufficiently deployed, as is the case with some of the fastest-growing but largely preventable conditions like diabetic neuropathy and neonatal disorders. For many other conditions, there is no cure, underscoring the importance of greater investment and research into novel interventions and potentially modifiable risk factors, Feigin added. NEW DELHI: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Dovals visit to Israel this week was aimed at building on the Indian governments efforts to promote peace and stability in West Asia amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, the external affairs ministry said on Friday. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on March 11. (PTI File/IMAGE VIA @IsraeliPM) Doval met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the previously unannounced visit, which came against the backdrop of growing concern in New Delhi over the fallout of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As you are aware, the prime minister himself is invested and keen to promote peace and stability in the region. He has been in touch with several Arab leaders in this connection, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing. The NSAs visit to Israel, which took place at the onset of the holy month of Ramadan, carries forward these efforts, he said. Doval met Netanyahu, his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi and several other senior leaders and discussed the developments in Gaza. He emphasised on the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance and discussed steps being undertaken for the release of hostages, Jaiswal said. This was also Dovals first visit to Israel since the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas that triggered the conflict last year. A readout from the Israeli Prime Ministers Office had said Netanyahu updated Doval on recent developments in the Gaza Strip. The two sides also discussed the effort to release hostages and humanitarian assistance, the readout added. Dovals visit came at a time when key Arab states and the US are trying to broker a ceasefire in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. India has stakes in peace in West Asia as the region is home to close to nine million Indian nationals. Last week, India said it is focused on the safety of all its citizens in Israel following the death of an Indian and injuries to two more in a missile attack by Hezbollah in support of Hamas. More than 18,000 Indians are currently in Israel, including caregivers and professionals. India has repeatedly said it has a zero tolerance policy for terrorism but also insisted on the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and an end to civilian casualties in Gaza. It has also urged the world community to ensure the conflict in Gaza doesnt spread beyond the region and to seek a two-state solution where Palestinian people can live within secure borders. Hamas killed around 1,200 people in Israel during the terror attacks and kidnapped around 250, some of whom were released during a brief ceasefire last year. The death toll in Gaza due to Israeli bombardment has crossed 31,000. Hong Kong: New valuation list and rent roll ready The 2024-25 Valuation List & Government Rent Roll will be available for inspection from March 18 to May 31. They list and roll can be inspected at the Rating & Valuation Department, located at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 15/F, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon. They are also available online. Objections to the new rateable values should be made using the specified form (R20A) or an electronic form (e-R20A). Faxes are not accepted, and completed forms should reach the department by May 31. In the 2024-25 Budget Speech, the Financial Secretary announced a rates concession for the first quarter, subject to a ceiling of $1,000 for each rateable tenement. Rates and government rent demands to be issued in early April will show the rateable values for 2024-25 and the amount payable. Call 2152 0111 for enquiries. This story has been published on: 2024-03-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday hit out at the Opposition parties including the BJP on the money redeemed by them in the form of electoral bonds. He said almost every political party got money in the form of such bonds but AIMIM didnt raise a "single penny through such means but they all call Asaduddin Owaisi as BJPs B-team. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi.(PTI) Addressing a gathering, Owaisi said, Be it BJP, TMC, Congress, BRS, DMK, BJD, Samajwadi Party, YSRCP, Shiv Sena or others, almost every political party got money in the form of electoral bonds; BJP alone got more than 6,000 crore. Our party AIMIM didnt raise a single penny, but they all call Asaduddin Owaisi as BJPs B-team. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In the latest data published by the Election Commission on its website in connection with the electoral bonds scheme, it was revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party encashed bonds worth 6,060 crore from April 12, 2019, to January 24, 2024. This was followed by the Trinamool Congress which encashed bonds worth 1,609 crore. The Congress party stood at the third position with 1,422 crore followed by the BRS, BJD and DMK which encashed 1,214 crore, 775 crore and 639 crore respectively. Top donors Companies that made top donations include Future Gaming and Hotel Services ( 1,208 crore), Telangana-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd ( 1,186 crore including 220 crore worth of bonds bought by its subsidiary Wester Up Power Transmission), Qwik Supply Chain ( 410 crore); Vedanta ( 400.7 crore) and Haldia Energy ( 377 crore). Other major donors include steel magnate Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, industrialist BK Goenka, Jainendra Shah and one person going by only the first name of Monika. Introduced in 2018, electoral bonds (EBs) were purchasable at any SBI branch in multiples of 1,000, 10,000, 1 lakh, 10 lakh, and 1 crore, requiring a KYC-compliant account for acquisition. There was no restriction on the quantity of electoral bonds that individuals or corporations could procure. Contributions made via this program, including those from corporate and foreign entities through Indian subsidiaries, were eligible for complete tax exemption. But on February 15, a five-judge constitution bench struck down the scheme, declaring it to be unconstitutional and 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 EC. (With inputs from PTI) The Madras high court on Friday allowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Coimbatore scheduled on March 18 after the state government denied permission citing various reasons including security risk. The Tamil Nadu BJP unit moved the high court challenging the police order and the court granted permission to the roadshow with certain conditions. Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha election 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is touring the south Indian states in his major southward push. The 4-km roadshow in Coimbatore has been planned as a part of that as PM Modi will be holding similar road rallies in other Southern cities the first being in Hyderabad on Friday. PM Modi's roadshow in Coimbatore will be held as scheduled on March 18, Madras high court ruled. Why did Tamil Nadu police deny permission to roadshow? According to the petition filed by Coimbatore BJP district president J Ramesh Kumar, the roadshow application was rejected citing law and order and peace and disturbance to public tranquillity in Coimbatore. "The order was arbitrary and in contrary to the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. The reasons stated in the refusal were not at all reasonable and despite his willingness to abide by any conditions imposed to conduct the road show has been completely overlooked by the police for political reasons," the plea said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Why PM Modi's roadshow in Coimbatore? The roadshow will be held after the model code of conduct will get enforced following the announcement of the election dates. The party unit said the roadshow is to sensitise the people of Coimbatore about various welfare schemes launched by the PM and urge them to avail of them through Direct Benefit Transfer without any interference of touts and also promote the habit of saying no to drugs keeping in perspective the recent incidents of hazardous drug trafficking in Tamil Nadu. With the appointment of retired bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as election commissioners on Thursday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is now expected to announce the 2024 national poll schedule. A section of political leaders HT spoke to said they expect the announcement by Sunday. The Model Code of Conduct will come into effect as soon as the announcement is made. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury gave a dissent note on the selection of the election commissioners. (PTI) The election commissioners were appointed on the day ECI uploaded data on electoral bonds weeks before general elections. The Supreme Court had set Friday as the deadline for uploading the data, which showed a Tamil Nadu lottery firm and a Hyderabad infrastructure company were among the top donors to political parties between April 12, 2019, and February 15, 2024. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Congress objections to the appointment process Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is a member of the Prime Minister-led selection committee, gave a dissent note on the selection of the election commissioners. He questioned the procedure. He said he was handed a shortlist of six names 10 minutes before the meeting. He said he did not have information about the background, experience, and integrity of those selected. He said he was given a list of over 200 eligible candidates on Wednesday night. In a single night, is it humanly possible to examine 200 names to find out the most competent person? It was fait accompli, he said. The government notified the names of the two commissioners hours after the selection panel meeting to enable them to take charge on Friday morning. The notification meant the full ECI was now available to announce the election schedule. Also Read: https://x.com/roshanjnu/status/1768470070236270959?s=46&t=Tif5kZ-lC63_tjqdf3P3AA Mamata Banerjee injured West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, 69, suffered a head injury on Thursday evening, requiring four stitches at a hospital in Kolkata. Doctors said she lost a lot of blood. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those who wished Banerjee a quick recovery. Banerjee suffered a major head injury in 1990 when a Communist Party of India (Marxist) worker hit her with an iron rod in a near-fatal attack. She was hospitalized for months. Will the Congress-SP alliance work? The Congress, which won just one of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2019 polls, has got a generous seat-sharing deal from Samajwadi Party (SP) this time. The Congress will contest 17 seats. But will the alliance work? Congresss alliances with the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1996 and the Samajwadi Party in 2017 did not yield favourable results . Congress leaders hope a focus on effective coordination will lead to positive results. The Congress is trying to set up district-level coordination committees for all the 80 Lok Sabha seats. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has, meanwhile, convened meetings with his party units across the 17 Lok Sabha seats allocated to the Congress. In Mumbai, Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is set to conclude on Sunday. Party leaders indicated that only after the yatra is over, the top leadership will discuss the candidates for the Gandhi family stronghold of Raebareli and Amethi, which Gandhi lost in 2019 polls. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday addressed a press conference in Thane amid his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Slamming the electoral bonds scheme in his speech Rahul Gandhi termed it as 'the biggest extortion racket in the world.' Congress leader Rahul Gandhi(PTI) The funds gained through the scheme were used to split political parties and topple opposition governments, Gandhi alleged a day after data related to the scheme was made public following the directions of the Supreme Court. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Electoral bonds was biggest extortion racket in world Funds for splitting political parties and toppling opposition governments came from electoral bonds, Rahul Gandhi said. The Congress leader also clarified that there was no connection between the contracts given by Congress governments in states and electoral bonds. READ | Owaisi takes dig at BJP, other parties over electoral bonds: AIMIM didnt raise a single penny Launching an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party Rahul Gandhi said that agencies such as the ED, CBI and the election commission of the country are the weapons of the BJP. The institution of the country whether it is ED, Election Commission of India or CBI, now they are not the institution of the country but the weapons of BJP and RSS, he said. "If these institutions had done their work, this would have not happened. They (BJP) should think about this one day when the BJP government changes, then action will be taken and the action will be such that these things will not repeat again, I guarantee..." the Congress leader added. Earlier in the day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged a special investigation into the electoral bonds scheme and demanded that the BJP's bank accounts be frozen until the probe is completed. Kharge said that there were many dubious donors and added that those who have purchased these bonds were either involved in Enforcement Directorate (RD) or Income Tax (I-T) cases or raided by other probe agencies. READ | Lottery firm top donor as EC uploads electoral bonds data Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Modi Kharge added, The Prime Minister says 'Na khaunga, na khane dunga (Will not eat, will not let others eat)', but today it has been exposed by the Supreme Court how the BJP has made money out of electoral bonds. SBI data shows BJP got 50 per cent donations and Congress got only 11 per cent. The Election Commission of India's website revealed that the BJP garnered 6,060 crore over a span of five years via the electoral bonds scheme. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress encashed bonds worth 1,609 crore. The Congress party which stood at the third position encashed 1,422 crore which was followed by the BRS, BJD and DMK which encashed 1,214 crore, 775 crore and 639 crore respectively. Anil Masih, the Presiding Officer who allegedly defaced ballot papers in the Chandigarh mayor polls, has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that he has depression and anxiety disorder. The hearing in the matter will be held on Friday (March 15). (HT file photo) The development comes a day before the apex court will take up the matter to decide the next course of action against him for misleading the Court by stating patent falsehood. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Court had on February 20 reversed the decision taken on January 30 by Masih to declare the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mayor candidate Manoj Sonkar as the winner by declaring 8 votes cast in favour of Kuldeep Kumar - the joint candidate for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, as invalid. The bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud directed the 8 votes to be valid and ordered Kuldeep Kumar as the mayor and posted the matter for Friday. Also Read: Supreme Court overturns mandate theft in patently illegal Chandigarh mayor poll In his affidavit filed on Wednesday, Masih said that on February 19 when he appeared before the Court and made statement at the spur of the moment, he was reeling under depression and anxiety syndrome and was taking medication for it. He visited the psychiatry department of PGIMER Chandigarh in this regard on February 10 and has since made two follow up visits on February 22 and March 7. The affidavit filed on March 13 said, A purported video recording of the election process was leaked online on January 31. Thereafter, the respondent (Masih) was subjected to incessant criticism, name calling and ad hominems by members of political parties as well as social media. This put the respondent, including his family members, under immense mental trauma and stress. The bench comprising CJI Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will take up the affidavit on Friday per the February 20 direction, following which the Registry of the top court issued notice to Masih under Section 340 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) which prescribes the procedure to be undertaken for punishing a person who commits contempt of lawful authority of public servant. Masih stated in his reply to Section 340 notice that his privacy and mental health was intruded upon due to the media coverage and reportage during the period preceding his appearance in Court. He urged the Court, The above mentioned factors, particularly the safety and mental health of respondent may kindly be weighed and kept in mind while dealing with his matter. The bench in its order of February 20 had said, The ballots had not been defaced when the Presiding Officer put his mark at the bottom. The ballots left no manner of doubt about the candidate for whom the ballot was cast. But that apart, it is evident that the Presiding Officer is guilty of a serious misdemeanour in doing what he did in his role and capacity as Presiding Officer. Masih has to be present when the matter against him is taken up for hearing. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918 Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad) Contact numbers: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290 The Supreme Court on Friday strongly disapproved of State Bank of India (SBI)s decision to not disclose the unique serial number linked to each electoral bond (EB) when supplying the Election Commission of India (ECI) with information about bond beneficiaries and donors for public release. The SBI chairman had filed his affidavit of compliance in the Supreme Court, informing it that the entire details of EBs purchased since April 1, 2019, have been submitted to ECI. (Reuters/File) Under the 2018 EB scheme, which was quashed by the Supreme Court on February 15, each electoral bond is imprinted with a unique number that can assist in tracking the issuance and redemption of bonds, and in tracing the bond back to the purchaser. If this number is provided, it will be possible to match purchases with redemptions, establishing a one-to-one correspondence. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We can take exception to what they have not disclosed. Our direction was clear... We directed disclosure of entire details. They have not disclosed the bond number. They have to disclose the number too, said a Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, seeking the banks reply on March 18. At this point, solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta said that the court may seek a response from the bank on the issue. They may have something to say on this, Mehta submitted before the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Responding, the court remarked: If you see our judgment, it said all details have to be furnished... really speaking, we can take exception. Appearing for some of the petitioners, senior counsel Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan contended that the bank was in breach of the judgment, which made it clear that all details available with SBI regarding the bonds purchased and redeemed since April 2019 must be supplied to the ECI. Bhushan added that SBIs application for extension of time to share data with ECI had in fact recorded that they have the information on the alphanumeric serial numbers of EBs. Mehta replied that since he is appearing for the Union government, and SBI is not a formal party before the court in the present proceedings, the bank should be put to notice before issuing any fresh order. Accepting his plea, the court issued notice to SBI and fixed the matter for hearing next on March 19. ECI on Thursday evening published data of electoral bonds purchased and redeemed between April 12, 2019 and February 15, 2024. In this period, 20,421 bonds worth 12,769.09 crore were redeemed by 23 political parties, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading the pack with a war chest of 6,061 crore (47.5% of total redeemed value), followed by the Trinamool Congress with 1,610 crore (12.6%) and Congress with 1,422 crore (11.1%). The top three buyers include Tamil Nadu-based Future Gaming and Hotel Services PR ( 1,368 crore), Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited ( 966 crore) and Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited ( 410 crore). However, it is not possible to directly correlate the donor and recipient of a particular bond without the corresponding serial numbers. The courts disdain came as it allowed a plea by ECI, seeking retrieval of the EB documents it had presented to the court in November last year. The poll body moved the court on Thursday the same day it made public the data on EBs on its website. Claiming that it did not retain copies of the documents, ECI expressed its inability to comply with the court order on Monday that directed the poll body to forthwith publish the details of the information which was supplied to the court in November 2023. Electoral bonds: Congress claims mismatch in entries of donor, recipient data Allowing ECIs request, the bench on Friday directed the court registrar to ensure the documents submitted by ECI are scanned and digitised by 5pm on Saturday. Subsequently, the original documents as well as a copy of the digitised data will be supplied to ECIs counsel Amit Sharma for enabling the poll body to publish this date within two days. On November 2, the five-judge bench directed ECI to provide it with comprehensive information on donations received by political parties through EBs till September 30, 2023. Subsequently, ECI submitted details in two tranches, containing 309 and 214 sealed envelopes respectively. On Wednesday, the SBI chairman had filed his affidavit of compliance in the Supreme Court, informing it that the entire details of EBs purchased since April 1, 2019, have been submitted to ECI by the deadline set down by the court in its order on Monday. The affidavit of SBI chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara stated that the documents furnished to ECI include two sets of information -- one containing the names of political parties and the details regarding the bonds redeemed by them, while the other set contains the details of EB purchasers. These two sets of data were released by ECI on its website on Thursday evening. Electoral bonds details: Bharti Airtel, Apollo, Lakshmi Mittal, Edelweiss, PVR, Sun Pharma among donors The SBI chairmans affidavit added that 22,217 bonds were purchased between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2024, and the total number of bonds redeemed during this period was 22,030. The 187 bonds not redeemed within the validity period of 15 days were transferred to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund in accordance with a 2018 gazette notification. SBI earlier this month approached the Supreme Court with a plea for granting it time till June 30 to submit details of EBs purchased since April 12, 2019, arguing that decoding the data and matching donors to recipients would be a complex process. But, on Monday, the bench rejected SBIs plea, noting that the required information was readily available with the bank, and giving it time until the business hours of March 12 to do so. The court, 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. It had ordered full disclosure of EBs purchased and those redeemed by political parties. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday termed the scrapped electoral bonds scheme biggest extortion racket in the world. The funds amassed through the scheme were used to split political parties and topple opposition governments, he alleged at a press conference in Thane. There was no correlation between the electoral bonds and the contracts given by Congress or other opposition parties governments in states, he added. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) on Friday welcomed the Supreme Courts order, claiming the move means there have been efforts to undermine the top courts verdict. The Supreme Court will hear on March 19 a clutch of pleas demanding that the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, be stayed and that no coercive steps be taken against persons belonging to the Muslim community deprived of the benefit of this law. The Union government notified the CAA rules on March 11. The Supreme Court. (ANI) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud agreed to list the batch of over 200 petitions along with fresh applications after senior counsel Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter, pressing for an urgent hearing. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The petitions have been pending since 2019. Earlier, we did not press for a stay of the law because they [the government] argued that rules were yet to be framed. Just before the general elections, they announced the rules. Once citizenships are granted, it would be difficult to reverse the process, said Sibal, appearing for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). IUML is one of the petitioners in the court that have challenged the validity of the amendments and Section 6B in the Act which aim at granting fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, because of religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Apart from IUML, Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (a regional student outfit), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) have moved separate applications seeking a stay on the CAA rules. Representing the Union government, solicitor-general Tushar Mehta said he has no difficulty if the court hears the case on any suitable day. I would also like to say that none of the petitioners has the locus to say, dont grant citizenship. As far the argument on elections is concerned, I will keep the politics out of the court, Mehta said. To this, the CJI said that the bunch of all 237 petitions in the matter can be listed on March 19. All parties with diverse points...We can hear a few lawyers. IUML on Tuesday moved its plea contending that CAA rules create a highly truncated and fast-tracked process for the grant of citizenships to non-Muslim migrants from the specified countries, thereby making operational a manifestly arbitrary and discriminatory regime solely on the ground of religious identity. Since the CAA discriminates on the basis of religion, it strikes at the root of secularism, which is the basic structure of the Constitution...Indias constitutional framework, read with obligations under the international law, mandates a framework of refugee protection that is non-discriminatory, said the plea, filed through advocate Pallavi Pratap. It pointed out that waiting for the final judgment of the court would not hamper anyones interest as the Centre also took more than four years to notify the rules after the amendments received the presidential assent in December 2019. If this court finally decided that CAA is unconstitutional, people who would have received citizenship under this Act will have to be stripped of their citizenships. Therefore, it is in the best interest of everyone to defer the implementation of CAA and impugned rules till this honble court finally decides the matter, IUML pleaded. The Kerala-based political party urged the court to stay the implementation of CAA and the rules, adding that until the court decides, persons belonging to the Muslim community may not be subjected to any coercive action under the Citizenship Act, Passport Act, or Foreigners Act. IUML has also approached the registrar concerned to seek an urgent hearing of its plea. For over a year, the Supreme Court has not held an effective hearing in this matter. Four years after the controversial law was passed to fast-track citizenship to non-Muslims, who entered India from the three neighbouring countries on or before December 31, 2014, the Centre on Monday notified the rules, entailing the architecture granting citizenship through certificates of registration and naturalisation. 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 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 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. The petitions filed in the Supreme Court since 2019 have challenged CAA provisions on grounds of religious discrimination against Muslims and arbitrariness. Responding to these petitions, the Centres affidavit in October 2022 said that the legality of the CAA may not be within the scope of judicial review since matters of citizenship and foreign policy fall squarely within the domain of Parliament. The government asserted that issues concerning the sovereign plenary power of parliament, especially regarding citizenship, cannot be questioned by filing PILs. The Supreme Court will hear on March 19 a clutch of pleas demanding that the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, be stayed, and that no coercive steps be taken against persons belonging to Muslim community who have been deprived of the benefit of this law. The CAA rules were notified by the Union government on March 11. The Supreme Court of India (ANI) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud agreed to list the batch of over 200 petitions along with fresh applications on March 19 after senior counsel Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter, pressing for an urgent hearing. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The petitions have been pending since 2019. Earlier, we did not press for a stay of the law because they (Centre) argued that rules were yet to be framed. Just before the general elections, they announced the rules. Once citizenships are granted, it would be difficult to reverse the process, Sibal, appearing for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), submitted. Read Here | Misplaced and unwarranted concerns: India rejects US criticism of CAA IUML is one of the petitioners in the court that have challenged the validity of the amendments and Section 6B in the Act which aim at granting fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, because of religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Apart from IUML, Assam Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (a regional student outfit), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) have also moved separate applications seeking a stay on CAA rules. Representing the Centre, solicitor general Tushar Mehta said that he has no difficulty if the court hears the case on any suitable day. I would also like to say that none of the petitioners has the locus to say, dont grant citizenship. As far the argument on elections is concerned, I will keep the politics out of the court, Mehta added. To this, the CJI said that the bunch of all 237 petitions in the matter can be listed on March 19. All parties with diverse points... We can hear a few lawyers, added justice Chandrachud. IUML on Tuesday, moved its plea contending that CAA rules create a highly truncated and fast-tracked process for the grant of citizenships to non-Muslim migrants from the specified countries, thereby making operational a manifestly arbitrary and discriminatory regime solely on the ground of religious identity. Read Here | Will women feel safe if refugees settled near their homes?: Kejriwal attacks Shah over CAA Since CAA discriminates on the basis of religion, it strikes at the root of secularism, which is the basic structure of the Constitution... Indias constitutional framework, read with obligations under the international law, mandates a framework of refugee protection that is non-discriminatory, stated the plea, filed through advocate Pallavi Pratap. It pointed out that waiting for the final judgment of the top court would not hamper anyones interest as the Centre itself has taken more than four years to notify the rules after the amendments received presidential assent in December 2019. If this court finally decided that CAA is unconstitutional, people who would have received citizenship under this Act will have to be stripped of their citizenships. Therefore, it is in the best interest of everyone to defer the implementation of CAA and impugned rules till this honble court finally decides the matter, IUML pleaded. The Kerala-based political party urged the court to stay the implementation of CAA and the rules, adding that until the court decides, persons belonging to Muslim community may not be subjected to any coercive action under the Citizenship Act, Passport Act or Foreigners Act. IUML has also approached the registrar concerned to seek an urgent hearing of its plea. Opinion: The citizenship Act and its discontents For over a year now, the Supreme Court has not held an effective hearing in this matter. Four years after the controversial law was passed to fast-track citizenship to non-Muslims who entered India from the three neighbouring countries on or before December 31, 2014, the Centre on Monday notified the rules, entailing the architecture granting citizenship through certificates of registration and naturalisation. 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 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. Editorial: Why India must look beyond CAA A clutch of over two hundred connected petitions, filed in the top court since 2019, have challenged various CAA provisions on grounds of religious discrimination against Muslims and arbitrariness. The petitioners include Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, the Indian Union Muslim League, and its MPs, Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, RJD leader Manoj Jha, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, All Assam Students Union and Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Deb Barman. Responding to these petitions, the Centres affidavit in October 2022 stated that the legality of the CAA may not be within the scope of judicial review since matters of citizenship and foreign policy fall squarely within the domain of Parliament. The government asserted that issues concerning the sovereign plenary power of parliament, especially regarding citizenship, cannot be questioned by filing PILs. According to the affidavit filed through the Union ministry of home affairs, the power of exclusion of immigrants is an incident of sovereignty belonging to a duly constituted nation-state and immigration policy. The policy, it added, impacts the foreign policy of a State and by extension, affects its security apparatus and would fall squarely within parliaments domain. The 2022 affidavit also sought to allay the apprehensions that CAA would incentivise influx of illegal migrants, pointing out the migrants who are entitled to citizenship under the law are already living in various parts of India. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar to give an undertaking that his faction will not use the name or picture of his uncle and founder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Sharad Pawar, in the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the wake of the split in the party. The Election Commission (EC), by a decision earlier this year, allotted NCPs name and symbol to the faction led by Ajit. (HT Photo) The Election Commission (EC), by a decision earlier this year, allotted NCPs name and symbol to the faction led by Ajit, recognising it as the real NCP based on the numerical strength held by it in the legislature. Sharad Pawar was allotted a different name and symbol for political canvassing. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Why are you using his name or photo in your campaigns? If you are so sure of your popularity, go with your own photo and name. Dont use his Now that you are two separate identities, you go with your own identity to the voters... You cant encash his popularity to get votes for yourself, a bench of justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan told senior counsel Maninder Singh, who appeared for the Ajit Pawar faction. It also asked the Ajit Pawar faction to submit the undertaking in this regard by Saturday and fixed the matter for hearing next on March 19. The courts nudge came after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Sharad Pawar, complained that despite the split, the Ajit Pawar faction has been using senior Pawars name and photo in their posters and hoardings. Besides putting some of such pictures on record, Singhvi referred to a purported statement by state minister and another leader of the Ajit Pawar camp, Chhagan Bhujbal, that their group would use Sharad Pawars photo to garner rural votes. While Singh said that it would be difficult for his faction to stop workers or others from using Sharad Pawars photo or name, the bench was emphatic. You must discipline your workers? Who else will do it? You must give us an undertaking that you wont allow any of your workers to use his (Sharads) photograph. The court added: We want an unconditional and unqualified undertaking from you that you will not use his name or photo and that there will be no overlap of your faction with his name and party. As Singh said that he would need a couple of days to come back with an appropriate mechanism of allaying the courts concerns, the bench said that the Ajit Pawar faction would do well by also issuing a public notice in vernacular newspapers about its split with senior Pawar. At this point, Singhvi pressed that it would be in fitness of things if the court directed the Ajit Pawar faction to use a party symbol other than NCPs clock because this symbol is intertwined with Sharad Pawar and is likely to mislead and confuse voters, particularly the rural voters. EC has designated a man blowing turha (a traditional trumpet) as the official symbol for the NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar. Agreeing with Singhvi, the bench suggested that the Ajit Pawar faction should consider getting allotted a different symbol from EC. Its not that the Election Commission has attained finality. A challenge to it is still pending before us. Hypothetically, if we were to set aside the EC order while some polls are underway, it would be problematic for you too. Its a suggestion from us. Why dont you also go to the polls with a new symbol? Explore this idea. You go with a new symbol. It will be an uninterrupted hassle-free politics for you too, it told Singh, who said he would convey the courts suggestion. Sharad Pawar had approached the Supreme Court last month, contesting the ECs ruling to award the party name and symbol to the Ajit Pawar faction. The appeal has questioned the basis on which the poll panel arrived at its decision to rule in favour of Ajit Pawar, who joined hands with the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde and the Bharatiya Janata Party, and later became a part of the state government as deputy chief minister. In its hearing on February 19, the top court directed that the EC order allotting the name of Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar for the faction led by senior Pawar will continue till its further orders. In its decision on February 6, EC had gone by test of legislative majority to rule in favour of the Ajit Pawar faction. Of the 81 MPs, MLAs and MLCs belonging to NCP, 57 affidavits were filed in support of the Ajit Pawar camp and only 28 in favour of the party patriarch, Sharad Pawar. Among these, six affidavits (five MLAs and one MP) had supported both factions. Even if these affidavits were to be excluded, the Ajit Pawar faction had the support of 51 legislators, the Commission had noted. It is for the Union government to explain why it went ahead and appointed two new election commissioners (ECs) in accordance with a statute which is being legally contested, the Supreme Court observed on Friday as it agreed to hear the matter on March 21. The court said it would have to wait for the applications to be listed formally before considering the petitioners objections. (ANI) A bench, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, said the court would have to wait for the applications to be listed formally before considering the petitioners objections to the Centre appointing ECs under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As senior counsel Vikas Singh, representing one of the petitioners in the case, stressed that the two new ECs were appointed on Thursday despite the validity of the law under challenge before the top court, the bench responded: That is something for them to answer why they went ahead when the matter was pending before us. The bench also comprised justice Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih. Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre, said that he does not have copies of the applications moved by the petitioners, which included Congress leader Jaya Thakur and the non-profit Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). He added he would respond appropriately when the case is taken up on the next date. During the brief hearing, the court told the lawyers appearing for the petitioners, including senior counsel Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan, that it has on two previous occasions refrained from staying the legislation. Normally, we dont stay a law at an interim stage. There may be certain exceptional cases but normally we dont, it observed. The lawyers responded that they would argue on the next date that the present case warrants an extraordinary order. The President on Thursday appointed retired bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as election commissioners after a high-level selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in the morning. It was the first time that election commissioners were chosen under a controversial new law just weeks before Lok Sabha polls. Following the surprise resignation of Arun Goel and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey, Indias poll watchdog was left with merely Rajiv Kumar as chief election commissioner. The new officers were picked by the committee consisting of Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Chowdhury gave a dissent note on the selection, raising questions over the procedure. Singh and Kumar fill the two vacancies left by Pandeys retirement on February 15 and Goels resignation on March 9. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday said that it will announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections and some state assemblies on Saturday. ADR earlier this week moved a plea to restrain the Centre from appointing two new election commissioners under the 2023 law. It demanded that until the legality of the new law was decided, the government be ordered to fill the two positions through a consultative procedure that involves the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the selection panel. ADR requested the court to stay the operation of Section 7 of the 2023 Act, which envisages the composition of the panel to appoint CEC and ECs. It claimed that the composition of the committee amounts to excessive interference of the executive in the appointment of CEC and ECs and is detrimental to the independence of the ECI. The Selection Committee, which is ex facie dominated and controlled by the members from executive i.e. Prime Minister and Union cabinet minister (to be nominated by the Prime Minister) renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulation as it gives unfettered discretion to the ruling party to choose someone whose loyalty to it is ensured, added ADR. The plea highlighted how the new law marked a crucial departure from a judgment of a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in March last year, which directed for the inclusion of the CJI in the selection panel until Parliament came up with a new law. The judgment in the Anoop Baranwal Versus Union of India case said that the selection of CEC and ECs should be done by a panel headed by the Prime Minister and comprising two other members the leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and the CJI to ensure transparency in the selection mechanism. The new mechanism for appointment of CEC and ECs, ADR argued, has not removed the defect that the court had found in the previous regime but has sought to restore the previous position when appointments were being made solely by the executive. Citing the two vacant positions at that time, ADR said: Now, the Executive has the ability to appoint two election commissioners which can give an unfair advantage to the Executive. The role of the Election Commission is critical in ensuring free and fair elections and therefore, the appointments must also be seen to be fair and free from any bias or latches to the government of that time. ADR initially moved the Supreme Court by filing a writ petition last month, questioning the exclusion of the CJI from the selection committee. It urged the court to declare the 2023 law unconstitutional for allegedly failing to preserve free and fair elections a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. A similar plea was filed by Thakur earlier, and both petitions are scheduled to come up in April. In both these petitions, the court has refused to issue an interim order by either putting any provision of the 2023 Act in abeyance or restraining the Centre from holding a meeting to pick ECs. On February 13, ADRs plea to stall a meeting of the selection panel was turned down by a bench led by Justice Khanna, saying the operation of a law cannot be suspended through an interim order. Hong Kong: Bedbug prevention meeting held In response to media reports of bedbugs in overseas locations, the Environment & Ecology Bureau today held a meeting with stakeholders to review the latest situation and work with them in sustaining preventive measures. Representatives from the Airport Authority, the MTR Corporation, the hotel sector, the Tourism Commission and relevant government departments took part in the meeting. Under Secretary for Environment & Ecology Diane Wong was briefed on the measures taken to prevent the import of an infestation of bedbugs at the airport, the Airport Express, the cruise terminals and hotels. The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Centre for Health Protections Port Health Division shared technical advice on blocking inbound bedbugs. Miss Wong thanked the relevant sectors for maintaining preventive measures, safeguarding the citys first line of defence and maintaining a high standard of environmental hygiene. She said the Government and the assembled stakeholders will pay close attention to situation and maintain communication with frontline organisations and sectors. The FEHD, for instance, will liaise with the pest control sector to provide technical support, in addition to co-ordinating efforts overall. The bureau noted that publicity and education work will be strengthened, including distribution of information and leaflets. Citizens are reminded to inspect hotel rooms thoroughly when traveling abroad and to disinfect luggage and clothing after returning home. This story has been published on: 2024-03-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. New Delhi, The Delhi High Court asked the Tihar Jail authorities on Friday to allow Aaftab Amin Poonawala, the main accused in the sensational Shraddha Walker murder case, to come out in the open for eight hours a day before lodging him in a solitary cell at night. HT Image The order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait on a petition filed by Poonawala, contending that under the garb of security, he cannot be kept in solitary confinement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Poonawala's lawyer claimed that unlike other inmates who are taken out for eight hours a day, Poonawala is allowed to be out for an hour each in the morning and evening. "Since it is the request of the petitioner's counsel, we direct the jail authorities to unlock him for eight hours, as applicable to other prisoners, and during the night, he be lodged in a solitary cell," the bench, also comprising Justice Girish Kathpalia, ordered. The counsel for the jail authorities said the accused was not kept with other inmates due to a threat perception. He said earlier, a trial court had passed directions with respect to giving due security to Poonawala after he was attacked while being taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Rohini. Poonawala's lawyer said his client is allowed "zero" human interaction in jail and is being kept in solitary confinement even though he has not committed any "jail offence". Poonawala is accused of strangling his live-in partner Walkar and chopping her body into pieces in Delhi's Mehrauli on May 18, 2022. He allegedly stuffed Walkar's body parts into a refrigerator before scattering those at multiple places in the national capital over several days to avoid detection. The Delhi Police filed a 6,629-page chargesheet in the case on January 24, 2023. Subsequently, a trial court here framed the charges of murder and disappearance of evidence against Poonawala. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Amid the deteriorating security situation in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it has told all the Indians to evacuate and move away from there. Amid the deteriorating security situation in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it has told all the Indians to evacuate and move away from there.(File photo) "We had issued an advisory for the Rakhine State, where the situation there is very delicate, the security situation has deteriorated. We told all Indian nationals to evacuate themselves and move away from there and we also told our nationals who are there or otherwise from anywhere else not to travel to that part," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a media briefing on Friday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "The situation in Myanmar remains a cause of concern because of the deterioration in the security situation," he said. The MEA spokesperson said that there is a lot of fighting happening there, underscoring that the security situation is not conducive at all in Rakhine State. ALSO READ| India will have stable government for next 15 years: S Jaishankar Asserting that India wants peace and stability in Myanmar, Jaiswal asserted by saying, "There is a lot of fighting happening there, and the security situation is not conducive, but we call upon all sides." "We want peace and stability in the country, we want constructive dialogue in the country, and we want inclusive federal democracy to be established through dialogue and through constructive engagement..." he went on to say. In February, India issued an advisory for Indian citizens, advising them not to travel to the Rakhine state of Myanmar amid a deteriorating security situation. The Ministry of External Affairs cited the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities in Rakhine State. "In view of the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities, all Indian citizens are advised not to travel to the Rakhine State of Myanmar," the MEA advisory had stated. It also advised the Indian citizens who are in Rakhine State to leave the state immediately. Notably, a fresh uptick was noticed in incidents of violence in Myanmar recently. This came after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive last October, capturing some towns and military posts. The experts called it the 'biggest test' for junta since taking power in 2021. This also led to a huge influx of people from Myanmar into the state of Mizoram along the Indo-Myanmar border after the Myanmar army launched airstrikes in the bordering areas. Myanmar marked the third anniversary of the military coup on February 1, where the military seized power in a coup three years ago. The Supreme Court on Friday expressed disapproval of the State Bank of India (SBI) for not disclosing the unique serial number linked to each electoral bond (EB) when supplying the Election Commission of India (ECI) with information about bond beneficiaries and donors for public release. Each electoral bond is imprinted with a unique serial number that can assist in tracking the issuance and redemption of bonds.(File) We can take exception to what they have not disclosed. Our direction was clear... We directed disclosure of entire details. They have not disclosed the bond number. They have to disclose the number too, said a Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, seeking the banks reply on March 18. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: What does Electoral Bond data published by the ECI tell us? Under the 2018 EB scheme which was quashed by the Supreme Court on February 15, each electoral bond is imprinted with a unique serial number that can assist in tracking the issuance and redemption of bonds and may also come handy in tracing the bond back to the purchaser. At this point, solicitor general Tushar Mehta said that the court may seek a response from the bank on the issue. They may have something to say on this, Mehta submitted before the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Also Read | Electoral bonds: Congress claims mismatch in entries of donor, recipient data Responding, the court remarked: If you see our judgement, it said all details have to be furnished... really speaking, we can take exception. Appearing for some of the petitioners, senior counsel Kapil Sibal and advocate Prashant Bhushan contended that the bank was in breach of the judgment, which made it clear in its February 15 verdict that all details available with SBI regarding the bonds purchased and redeemed since April 2019 must be supplied to the ECI. Bhushan added that the SBIs application for extension of time to share data with ECI had in fact recorded that they have the information on the alphanumeric serial numbers of EBs. Mehta replied that since he is appearing for the Union government and SBI is not a formal party before the court in the present proceedings, the bank should be put to notice before issuing any fresh order. Accepting his plea, the court issued notice to SBI and fixed the matter for hearing next on March 19. The courts disdain came as it allowed a plea by ECI, seeking retrieval of the EB documents it had presented to the court in November last year. The poll body had moved the court on Thursday, the same day it made public the data on EBs provided by SBI on its website. Claiming that it did not retain copies of the documents, ECI expressed its inability to comply with the court order on Monday that directed the poll body to forthwith publish the details of the information which was supplied to the court in November 2023. Allowing ECIs request, the bench on Friday directed the court registrar to ensure the documents submitted by ECI are scanned and digitised by 5pm on Saturday. Subsequently, the original documents as well as a copy of the digitised data will be supplied to ECIs counsel Amit Sharma for enabling the poll body to publish this date within two days. On November 2, the five-judge bench had directed ECI to provide it with comprehensive information on donations received by political parties through EBs till September 30, 2023. Subsequently, ECI submitted details in two tranches, containing 309 and 214 sealed envelopes respectively. On Wednesday, the SBI chairman had filed his affidavit of compliance in the Supreme Court, informing it that the entire details of EBs purchased since April 1, 2019, have been submitted to the ECI by the deadline set down by the court in its order on Monday. The affidavit of SBI chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara stated that the documents furnished to ECI include two sets of information -- one containing the names of political parties and the details regarding the bonds redeemed by them, while the other set contains the details of EB purchasers. These two sets of data were released by the ECI on its website on Thursday evening. The SBI chairmans affidavit added that 22,217 bonds were purchased between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2024, and the total number of bonds redeemed during this period was 22,030. The 187 bonds not redeemed within the validity period of 15 days were transferred to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund in accordance with a 2018 gazette notification. SBI had earlier this month approached the Supreme Court with a plea for granting it time till June 30 to submit details of EBs purchased since April 12, 2019, arguing that decoding the data and matching donors to recipients would be a complex process. But, on Monday, the bench rejected the SBIs plea, noting that the required information was readily available with the bank, and giving it time until the business hours of March 12 to do so. The court 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. It had ordered full disclosure of EBs purchased and those redeemed by political parties. The Supreme Court of India decided not to stay the appointment of the new election commissioners under the 2023 law which barred the Chief Justice of India from the selection process. The court has further posted the matter for hearing on March 21. The Supreme Court. (ANI) The apex court bench headed by Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Dipankar Datta, and Augustine George Masih heard writ petitions filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, the Association for Democratic Reforms on Friday, and ruled not to stay the appointment of the two new election commissioners, selected by a panel on Thursday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Supreme Court bench told the petitioners, who pointed out that a meeting for the selection of ECs was preponed, to file a separate application pointing out the fact. Refusing to stay the appointments made in accordance with the 2023 law, the bench said, "Normally and generally, we do not stay a law by way of an interim order." It deferred the hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the appointment of two ECs under the 2023 law. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing in the court on behalf of petitioner Jaya Thakur, said when a judgment is passed, there cannot be any transgression. Read more: Election Commission to announce Lok Sabha election schedule tomorrow He contended that there was a clear-cut transgression in the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Sandhu were appointed as election commissioners on Thursday. They were selected by a panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two vacancies in the Election Commission had arisen after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey on February 14 and the sudden resignation of Arun Goel. (With inputs from PTI) Read more: Supreme Court to hear pleas seeking stay on CAA rules on March 19 A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) published the consolidated electoral bonds' data on its website, the Supreme Court on Friday said that the State Bank of India has not disclosed the complete number as ordered. Supreme Court has sought a response from SBI on Monday.(REUTERS) The Supreme Court has also sought a response from SBI on Monday, issuing a notice to the public sector bank. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Election Commission shared the data of the electoral bonds on its website, which showed that lottery company Future Gaming and Hotel Services is the top purchaser of electoral bonds. While hearing ECI's appeal today, the Supreme Court bench directed that once all the electoral bonds data is scanned and digitised, the original documents are to be returned to the Election Commission, which will upload the information on March 17. After the hearing, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan said: "The court raised the issue of the information submitted by the SBI to the ECI about the particulars of the bonds. They said that this information did not include the alphanumeric number of the bonds so therefore they have not given full information about the people who purchased the bond as well as the parties who redeemed the bonds...The court has issued notice to SBI and listed this matter on Monday." SC takes note of Sibal, Bhushan's submissions While hearing the plea submitted by the Election Commission, the top court bench took note of the submissions made by senior advocate Kapil Sibal and lawyer Prashant Bhushan that the alpha-numeric numbers of the electoral bonds have not been disclosed by the SBI. The matter was heard by a Supreme Court bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Rajya Sabha MP and advocate Kapil Sibal has submitted to the court that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be formed to probe the matter of electoral bonds, to make sure that the data submitted by SBI is in order. Sibal said: "Like the court in the 2G case, where an SIT was made, in this case also an SIT should be constituted to probe the matter. We have to see how the law will see it now...It should also be found out who donated to the PM-CARES. It's a matter of investigation which party got how many funds. The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear pleas seeking a stay of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 on March 19. The Supreme Court building in New Delhi.(File) Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the issue before Chief Justice DY Chandrachud who said that the matter will be listed next week. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A clutch of over two hundred connected petitions, filed in the top court since 2019, have challenged various CAA provisions. The law aims to fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim refugees, who came to India because of religious persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014. While the CAA was passed by the Parliament in December 2019, the Union government issued the rules for it on Monday. Also Read | Migrants upbeat over CAA, hope for faster Indian citizenship The notification of the Act triggered criticism from Opposition leaders, who claimed that the notified rules were unconstitutional, discriminatory and violative of the secular principle of citizenship enshrined in the Constitution. Critics of the CAA also argued that by excluding Muslims from its purview and linking citizenship to religious identity, the law undermines the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The Centre, however, has maintained that the CAA is about granting citizenship and that no citizen of the country will lose citizenship. In an interview with news agency ANI on Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that CAA will never be taken back and the BJP-led government will never compromise with it. This is our sovereign right to ensure Indian citizenship in our country, we will never compromise on it and CAA will never be taken back, the senior BJP leader said in an interview with ANI. "The opposition has no other work. They have a history of saying one thing and doing another. However, the history of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP is different. What BJP or PM Modi says is like carved in stone. Every guarantee made by Modi is fulfilled." Kanyakumari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday claimed that the workers of the ruling DMK had behaved with former Tamil Nadu chief minister (late) J Jayalalithaa. Addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari, he accused the MK Stalin-led party and the Congress of "cheating and insulting women". Kanyakumari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha election.(PTI) "The workers of the DMK and Congress only know how to cheat and insult women. The people of Tamil Nadu know how the workers of the DMK behaved with former state CM J Jayalalithaa. They do politics in the name of women. DMK leaders also questioned our move to bring the Women's Reservation Bill," he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. PM Modi called the DMK the enemy of the future and culture of Tamil Nadu. He accused the MK Stalin government of trying to stop the telecast of the Ayodhya event on January 22. "But the DMK government tried to stop the telecast of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony. On this Supreme Court had to reprimand the Tamil Nadu government...They also didn't like the installation of the Sengol in the new parliament...It is our government which cleared the way for the Jallikattu," he added. Also read: PM Modi-led panel's key meeting to pick 2 new election commissioners today, days after Arun Goel's resignation He said the people of Tamil Nadu will reject those trying to break the country. "People of Jammu and Kashmir rejected people who dreamt of breaking the country. Now, people of Tamil Nadu are going to do the same," he added. He said the BJP's performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will shatter the arrogance of the DMK and the INDIA bloc. PM Modi said Centre is fast-tracking many initiatives for the district. He accused the Congress-led INDIA bloc of scams. "On BJP's side are development initiatives, scams on INDIA bloc's side," he said. PM Modi said the DMK and the Congress want to loot people. "DMK and Congress want to come to power to loot people; DMK is the biggest beneficiary of the 2G scam," he added. J Jayalalithaa, the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK's iconic leader, passed away in 2016. With inputs from PTI, ANI New Delhi: India and US have further cemented defence cooperation with the Biden administration sending the final letter of acceptance (LOA) to the Defence Ministry for acquisition of 31 MQ9B Predator drones from General Atomics through the government to government route. The US sent the classified LOA for the nearly $4 bn acquisition to India this week. The letter of acceptance is a response to India sending a letter of intent to purchase 31 drones to the US government. According to officials based in Washington and Delhi, the final LOA, with the negotiated price of 31 armed drones by US with the manufacturer, was sent to the Defence Ministry on March 11, belying reports that the deal was held up by the Biden Administration after the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani radical G S Pannun. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The US State Department notified the drone deal on February 1, but the draft LOA was kept open for possible objections from US lawmakers for a mandatory 30 days. The final LOA was sent to India after there were no vetoes from the lawmakers to the US deal with India. Also read: Exclusive: US Congress green signals Predator drone sale to India Now that the LOA has been received the deal will be studied by the Indian Navy, the lead player in the acquisition, and then forwarded to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval via the Defence Minister if the price is found to be satisfactory. The Indian Navy will get 16 MQ 9B drones, and the Indian Army and Indian Air Force will get eight each as per the agreement between the armed forces. India has decided to purchase 31 drones with 171 Hell-fire AGM 114 R missiles, laser guided bombs, missile launchers, ground stations, anti-submarine sonobuoys and the full encryption as well as surveillance complement package for the state of the art platform. Also read: How Predator drones will neutralise the Chinese threat The letter of acceptance is a response to India sending a letter of intent to purchase 31 drones to the US government. Under the G-to-G route, it is the supplying government that negotiates with the manufacturer on price. The acquisition of the 31 Predator drones by India came at a time when the lease of two Sky Guardian drones (unarmed Predators) by the Indian Navy was on the verge of expiring in January . This was first extended till March, and then a contract for further extension for four years was signed this month at a cost of $ 220-230 million. Also read: Why Indian Predator drone will be a game-changer against adversaries Analysts say the India-US MQ9B deal will be a game changer in the Indo-Pacific, serving as an effective counter to the Chinese Wing Loong II armed drones, which have also been sold by Beijing to its client state Pakistan. Bengaluru: A 37-year-old woman from Uzbekistan was found dead in a city-based hotel near the BDA bridge on Thursday, said police. The woman had come to Bengaluru on a business visa. (HT) According to a statement from the hotel staff, Zareena Djeparova had arrived in Bengaluru on March 5 on a business visa, and had booked a room for 10 days on the second floor of Star Hotel. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The staff last saw the woman on Wednesday noon. On Thursday, an agent who had facilitated her check-in at the hotel tried contacting her on phone. When she did not respond, he contacted the hotel. The staff subsequently opened the door with the master key and found her lying on the floor with a bedsheet wrapped over her. They then immediately called the police. Zareen was found dead in a room at a hotel. She was probably smothered. As of now, we know she was alone at the time of the incident, said Shekhar, the deputy commissioner of police (Central). However, he added that external injuries indicate an attack with the suspect possibly knowing the victim. Police inspector Hemant Kumar of the Seshadripuram police said, the unidentified accused has been booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The police have also notified the ministry of external affairs to contact the victims family. We have got some clues about the accused and will arrest them soon. The incident has been reported to the ministry of external affairs for communication with family members of the deceased, stated police inspector Kumar. Police, along with forensic experts and canine units, conducted an on-site investigation, and the body was sent to Bowring Hospital for an autopsy on Thursday. Further details will emerge as the investigation progresses, added the inspector. Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, 81, was on Friday booked under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a woman lodged a complaint alleging the veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader sexually assaulted her 17-year-old daughter on February 2. Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa. (PTI) Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said the complaint was lodged on Thursday night. After examining the details, police have registered a case. Until the investigation is done, I cannot comment on the details... She [the woman] typed the complaint and gave it to the police. They will probe. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Yediyurappa vowed to deal with the matter legally. I have come to know that a complaint has been filed against me by a woman. It must have been about a month back that they used to visit but I did not pay attention. But one day, when I was told they were crying, I called them and asked what happened. Yediyurappa added he was told that they had been wronged. I then called the police commissioner [B] Dayananda and asked him to hear them out...But then she started talking against me then and there. I thought she was unwell and asked the police commissioner to investigate. Yediyurappa said this has now been twisted and a First Information Report has been filed. We will do what is legally required. I did not think helping someone would result in this. I had even given some money to them, he said. A police officer said the case has been registered under Section 8 of POCSO (sexual assault) and the Indian Penal Codes Section 354A (sexual harassment). Theres a rather endearing idea laid out in the sci-fi classic The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, and it is this: Maybe the universe is full of life, aliens zipping about, stopping at intergalactic cafes. And theyre all just waiting for Earth to stop being the remote tribe of the universe, and finally join in. Could there be some truth to that? There certainly is a lot more going on out there than most Earthlings realise. For instance, where one may think one knows exactly how many moons everyone in our solar system has one would most likely be way off the mark. Because, rotating out there, in sync with our various planetary neighbours, are still-mysterious bodies called quasi-moons that arent exactly satellites, but come so close to being satellites that they cant be said to not be satellites either. There is a quasi-moon called 2002 VE68 that has been orbiting Venus, for instance, for about 7,000 years. It was spotted by Brian Skiff, a researcher with the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, in 2002. It was identified as part of a large survey the Lowell Observatory was running from 1998 to 2010, to find new near-Earth objects. This was one of many such objects found during the survey, and it did not seem special at the time, Skiff says. It was taken, in fact, for an asteroid. Then, in 2004, an international team of astronomers led by the Finnish astronomer Seppo Mikkola discovered that 2002 VE68 wasnt simply an asteroid orbiting the Sun. It was in a bit of a dance with Venus, taking the same amount of time to travel around the sun as that planet, in a sort of distant orbit circling alongside, much farther than a moon would, but still influenced by the planet. And so, Venus, which was thought to be moon-less, turns out to not be so alone after all. Several quasi-moons have been identified since this first one in 2002. They are not considered real moons partly because of the weak gravitational link with their planet, partly because they tend to escape that link and hurtle out of orbit eventually. And also because they treat the Sun as their primary partner, not the planet. Earth currently has seven quasi-moons. Most are rather tiny. The 2023 FW13, discovered in 2023, for instance, is about the size of three large SUVs put together. Another, the 469219 Kamooalewa, is thought to be a Ferris wheel-sized chunk of the moon, according to a study published in Communications Earth & Environment in 2021. It has a silicate-based composition, with reddening beyond what is typically seen amongst asteroids in the inner solar system. The closest match to the objects physical characteristics was lunar-like silicates, the study stated. Could some quasi-moons be bits of a planets moon? The working theory is that they could, like asteroids, be fragments of any kind of ancient space rubble, Skiff says. Researchers are now studying how they move around. It is estimated, for instance, that 2002 VE68 was once a near-Earth object, before it was flung by Earth towards Venus. It is expected to remain in its current orbit for another 500 years. After that, it is unclear where it might head. We think that most quasi-moons originate from the inner part of the main belt of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter, and probably get thrown into planet-crossing orbits following collisions among those bodies, says Skiff. Its a veritable disco in the skies, is how LA-based writer and researcher Latif Nasser puts it, in an episode of his podcast Radiolab (and host of the Netflix show Connected). Click here to see how he sparked a viral discussion on quasi-moons online, and why he campaigned to have one of them renamed after a typo. A return to wind in their sails is out of the question. So how are we to reduce the emissions footprint of the global shipping industry which accounts for about 90% of the worlds goods movements, and about 3% of global greenhouse-gas emissions? A 30-year-old from Andhra Pradesh is at the forefront of efforts to answer that question. Last year, the United Nations International Maritime Organization announced that it will aim for net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions in this field by 2050. This will only be possible if ships shift away from fossil fuels; their most realistic alternative is hydrogen. Among the pioneers working to enable this transition is Padmini Mellacheruvu, a cryogenic rocket systems engineer who helped write the first class rules for hydrogen-powered ships in June. These rules, issued by the UK-based ship-classification society Lloyds Register, aim to help shipowners retrofit, design and operate hydrogen-powered ships safely. Lloyds, incidentally, is among a handful of ship-classification societies that set the standards for global ship-building, in a tradition that dates to 1760 (when Lloyds was founded, as the Register Society). No ship can be insured, for instance, unless it has been classed by such a body. When it came to drafting rules for hydrogen-powered ships, though, Lloyds hit a roadblock. Because the use of hydrogen to power commercial vehicles is so new, they couldnt find scientific experts within the maritime industry to define and design propulsion and safety systems. That expertise existed in an entirely different industry that has been using hydrogen to move very, very large objects across extensive distances: Aerospace. When it comes to hydrogen propulsion systems in space, Mellacheruvu stands out. When Lloyds approached her in 2022, she had been with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for seven years, working on both liquid hydrogen and compressed hydrogen gas cryogenics systems. She had helped launch rockets and the moon orbiter mission Chandrayaan-2. It was a tough decision to leave for a completely new industry, she says. What eventually tipped the scales was the opportunity to help pioneer a green transition in something as large and vital as global shipping. We take knowledge about hydrogen and cryogenics for granted in the aerospace world, but such systems are very rare in the marine and automotive industries, she says. So I wanted to share that knowledge and play my part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I think thats what future generations need from us. Growing up in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Mellacheruvu the daughter of an optometrist and a school headmistress fell in love with science-fiction as a child. She was in school when missile man APJ Abdul Kalam (who helped design the Prithvi and Agni missiles, among others) became President of India in 2002. He inspired me to explore engineering and aerospace, she says. After studying mechanical engineering at BITS Pilani, she worked at a Tata Technologies car crash analysis unit in Pune for a year. Then, in 2015, she got the offer to work at ISROs Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. I was ecstatic, says Mellacheruvu, who made the most of the opportunity to work on everything from the cryogenics systems on rockets to control systems, fire and personnel safety, and post-launch data analysis. Its a very systems-engineering approach there. You cannot be pigeonholed into one thing at ISRO. Everybody has to learn about everything that goes on. It was a great experience. Every day, I learned something new. Her first rocket launch was the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C29 flight in December 2015. She was 22. I was still very green, but the organisation and the senior scientists trusted me to actually work on the launch vehicle and learn on the job, she says. She worked on the 2017 launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark III, on the Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator, and perhaps most excitingly, on Chandrayaan-2. Mellacheruvu remembers tense moments in the control room before its first scheduled launch on July 13, 2019. Senior scientists analysed a technical glitch and debated whether to proceed with the launch or put it off, aware that the whole country was watching. Once the decision was made to delay the launch, they immediately got to work fixing the problem. Within a couple of days, we were able to identify the issue and take corrective action, Mellacheruvu says. We worked around the clock. Even outdoors and in the middle of a cyclone, everyone was completely focused on the job at hand. Chandrayaan-2 was finally launched, successfully, nine days later, on July 22. Lloyds Register is exciting in a different way. It allows her to work on a very different aspect of the future, Mellacheruvu says. She is bullish about hydrogens potential as a green fuel, and as an energy carrier that can be used to store, move and deliver energy produced via other sources. One of the interesting things about hydrogen is that you can blend it with most conventional fuels. Studies show, for instance, that with a 50-50 blend of hydrogen and marine gas oil, we could reduce emissions by 43% per tonne per km travelled. This means that even if one doesnt opt for full hydrogen transition which comes with costs in terms of comprehensive ship redesign one can opt for some amount of blending and reduce carbon emissions, she says. Small, short-distance hydrogen-powered tug boats are already running in European waters. Mellacheruvu says some medium-distance goods-shipping firms, luxury cruise-liners and passenger ferries have expressed an interest too. If the current spate of projects and experiments on medium-sized freight ships is successful, she believes the world really could begin to decarbonise shipping. Heres to wind in their sails. A childrens poster of planets, stars and moons and a typo sometimes, thats all it takes to shake up our understanding of the solar system. Thats what happened when LA-based writer and researcher Latif Nasser was putting his child to sleep one night. On a poster of the solar system that hangs near his then-two-year-olds crib, Nasser host of the podcast Radiolab and of the Netflix show Connected spotted a dot-sized moon, near Venus, labelled Zoozve. Venus didnt have a moon that he knew of. What was it? Befuddled, Nasser began some research. He called scientists friends. What was Zoozve? There were no answers, just heads shaking in befuddlement. Even a friend at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was stymied. Was it just an error, Nasser wondered? Well, it was and wasnt. Which was fitting, because Zoozve (real name 2002 VE68) is and isnt a satellite of Venus. It orbits the Sun and also appears to orbit Venus, and is therefore something called a quasi-moon. But it is much farther away than a traditional moon; will not remain in Venuss orbit for long (7,000 years so far and about 500 years more, is the general consensus). And its primary partner isnt Venus, but rather the Sun. Nasser finally discovered all this when he contacted the artist who created the poster, Alex Foster. Foster recalled pulling up a list of the solar systems moons online while illustrating the poster. He had the quasi-moon listed correctly in his notes; misread his notes while creating the poster, and Zoozve was born. Nasser simply couldnt believe it. Did everybody know about quasi-moons, he asked on his podcast and on his social-media feeds. What followed was a flurry. Quasi-what? Science can be so much more relatable if we let it be more human. (Not sure if we should say Nasser says since he didnt get back to us and he doesnt exactly say this on the podcast) There are errors, hidden facts, typos and nicknames. In honour of this, and in the hopes that it would get more people interested in the strange and wonderful phenomena unfolding in the skies, Nasser and his team at Radiolab wrote to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), asking if they would consider renaming 2002 VE68 Zoozve. IAU is the global body tasked with naming major planets and their moons, defining planetary features, naming dwarf planets, meteor showers, comets, stars, constellations, asteroids, objects outside the solar system. For asteroids, it tends to use a combination of letters and numbers that follow a specific sequence. In February, the IAU officially recognised 2002 VE68 as Zoozve, stating in its bulletin that, when artist Alex Foster drew this object on a solar system poster for children, he mistook the initial characters of the provisional designation as letters, thus coining an odd and memorable moniker. Conversations like this unite even those who are mildly curious about the world beyond our eyes, says Brian Skiff, a researcher with the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, who discovered this particular quasi-moon the first one ever described in 2002. Many more have been found since. Earth is found to currently have seven quasi-moons too. I think the renaming is a great way to spark interest in astronomy and all sciences. I was somewhat surprised that the name was accepted, perhaps testimony to Nassers enthusiasm in his work, he says. It goes to show that what we have thought to be simple phenomena in the past turns out to be more complex than we first imagine. Discovering COVID's origin will shape the next pandemic. Scientists think it was either nature's way or accidental leak. There's no consensus. Here's why. Throughout the pandemic, and since, researchers have focused on China as the origin of the virus, but we still don't know how it came about (Chinatopix/AP/picture alliance ) Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic provoked whole countries into lockdown, scientists are still trying to find conclusive evidence to pinpoint where the virus first infected humans. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. But does it really matter where SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused COVID, originated now that life's back to a kind of normal? What's the difference if the virus leaked from a lab or developed in nature? Well, researchers say it does matter: They say it's one of the most important questions for our understanding of how pandemics start and how we can prevent them in the future. The answer, they say, would have a lasting effect on health policy, scientific funding, public opinion on science, and diplomatic relations. Not to mention the fact we're still living with COVID: The World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Dashboard continues to report hundreds of thousands of cases every month worldwide. But from lab leak theory to zoonotic theory, and conspiracy theories in between, there's no consensus on COVID's origin. With new investigations and analyses emerging on this fourth anniversary, we take a look at the current thinking. Did SARS-CoV-2 leak from a lab? Arguments for the lab leak theory center around the Wuhan Institute of Virology , an institute where scientists were researching coronaviruses at the time of the initial outbreak in China. "The strongest evidence comes from the timeline of research [going back to] 2012. Published papers from the institute show scientists could construct modified coronaviruses," said Richard H. Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers University in the US. Research included genetically altering coronaviruses to make them stronger such as adding spike proteins and testing the viruses' ability to spread. Their stated aim was to help prevent coronavirus outbreaks. But we don't know how many coronaviruses the institute studied. "They refused to collaborate from the start," opined Ebright. Some experts say it's possible that the Wuhan lab had progenitor strains ancestors of SARS-CoV-2, but China's alleged withholding information on the origin of COVID makes this impossible to prove or disprove. Then there's the question of how the virus would have leaked. Some say it leaked by accident, due to weak security measures at the lab, and other suggest it was intentionally developed and released as a biological weapon. But there is no firm evidence for either theory. "Every form of the lab leak theory involves some sort of cover up, which to me means that it's a conspiracy theory," said Edward Holmes, a professor of virology at the University of Sydney in Australia. Did COVID-19 come from nature? Some scientists prefer the zoonotic theory: The theory that the virus evolved in nature from an existing coronavirus and spread from wild animals to humans at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, also in Wuhan, China. Researchers said they had analyzed statistical data to locate what they said were the first human cases and that those cases were among market vendors who sold live animals. "The evidence supports a zoonotic origin," said Angie Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. "It includes detailed studies of SARS-CoV-2 [...] and its evolutionary trajectory once [it was in] the human population." Scientists have studied samples from wild animals in Wuhan for signs of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. But they have failed to find it. And they have also failed to trace how the virus spread from the market to the outside environment. "The key step of tracing and testing the animals at the Huanan market was not done [at the time] and it's too late now. For this reason, we have been unable to identify the exact animal ancestry," said Holmes. But given that Huanan market is 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, some people continue to suggests that the lab and/or the market were COVID's epicenter. COVID's origin: tending towards nature? An expert survey in February 2024 found that most scientists believe COVID emerged from nature. The expert respondents gave the natural, zoonotic (or zoonosis) theory an average likelihood of 77% four out of five of the experts said it was more than 50% likely. But the experts said there was a 21% likelihood that COVID started due to "research-related accident" one out of five of the experts said there was a 50% or greater chance of that. "When you take other intelligence into account, the lab leak theory starts to seem more plausible," said Seth Baum of the Global Catastrophic Risk Institute, which co-published the survey with Nemesys Insights. When Baum refers to "other intelligence," he's talking about non-scientific factors, such as proximity of the market to the lab. Much of the evidence that might provide a conclusive answer, however, has been lost or remains unavailable for public scrutiny. "Whether we'll get an evidence-based conclusion depends on countries like China collaborating and being forthcoming with data," said Baum. The one thing experts do agree on is that we need to keep trying to solve the mystery of COVID's origin it may determine how we respond to next pandemic. Martin, who did you say? The lottery king of India is also the unexpected chartbuster raja of the Electoral Bonds power list. His company, Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited, has purchased 1,386 crore worth of bonds. Martin, whose website says his success is that of a man who ...built nothing into an empire has had multiple run-ins with investigative agencies. In 2019, he was raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on allegations of retaining unsold tickets and claiming crores in prizes. In 2022, the ED booked his company in a money laundering case and froze more than 400 crore in assets. And as recently as the beginning of March this year, his son-in-law was raided in connection with an illegal sand mining probe. Pause to consider that this gentleman is the biggest underwriter of our elections. He is not alone. I counted six companies in the top 15 Future Gaming, Megha Engineering, Vedanta Limited, Haldia Energy Ltd, Keventers, Yashoda Hospital who have been either directly or through parent/affiliated companies, probed, raided, or booked in the last five years by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Income Tax or ED. So, we can say that such investigations are now so routine and commonplace that they barely signify anything. But, if we are to take all the multiple allegations at face value and thus seriously, the real question to ask is: Why is dodgy money being allowed to fund Indias democracy? Of course, the ED, CBI and IT would argue that the fact that some of these cases are still actively open is proof that bonds or no bonds, the agencies carry on. Electoral bonds were meant to mark the end of the suitcase-era of political funding days when cash was stuffed into attache cases and handed over and under tables. But, if so many of the key purchasers of these bonds stand accused of one or the other kind of financial malfeasance, why is it kosher for our politics to be bankrolled by them? Of course, the question is age-old. Which is the cleanest, fairest way to fund elections? And because no one really wants to have this unsexy conversation, its much easier to indulge in competitive political outrage over electoral bonds and watch the headlines fade. And they will fade. Because, on the principle of it, all parties (minus the CPM) have received funds from bonds. Yes, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) encashed more than 6,000 crore, giving it a sizeable resource advantage in the elections. But its quite evident that big business in India simply backs the winning horse, irrespective of who it is, whether in the states or at the Centre. Political funding is ideology-agnostic and simply gravitates to power. The story of Mamata Banerjee and electoral bonds proves that. Banerjees Trinamool Congress has left the Indian National Congress behind to take the number two spot with 1,609 crore of bonds redeemed. Of course, this throws up the familiar chicken and egg argument: Do some parties do better electorally because they have more money or do winning candidates attract money irrespective? We will never find any meaningful answer to that question because of the complex web of corporate-political relationships that often play out in contradictory ways. For instance, the number two buyer of bonds, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd, built the Kaleshwaram Dam in Telangana. During the Telangana assembly elections, both the state BJP and Congress targeted the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for being hand in glove with the company. The controversy erupted after a CAG report said the company had been paid in excess of 5,000 crore for the project. The state BJP demanded a CBI probe. But now that its a Congress-led government and there remain persistent rumours of the BRS moving closer towards the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), what will happen to the political furore over the irrigation project and the company that bought more than 900 crore worth of electoral bonds? Will the BJP still want a CBI probe? Conversely, if it emerges that Megha Engineering has also purchased bonds in favour of the Congress (remember the data is still to be matched), will the Revanth Reddy government go soft on them? The transparency urged by the Supreme Court on electoral bonds is welcome as a constitutional ideal. And also to maintain a measure of accountability and transparency. But, in real terms, dont expect the striking down of electoral bonds to clean up poll financing. Whether it is cash, corporate donations or electoral bonds, business houses in India clearly feel compelled to give money to the politically powerful. This is not unique to India of course. But as long as big government (irrespective of the party) continues to have the final say on how corporations operate, I doubt anything can and will change when it comes to election funding. Conflict of interest is written into the script. Barkha Dutt is an award-winning journalist and author. The views expressed are personal Socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia often used to say that elections are the biggest festival of the country in which an excited public dresses up and participates. Much of the voters enthusiasm evaporates when the election results look like a forgone conclusion in a state which sends the declared ruler to the Central throne and often plays a decisive role in its strength of 80 members in a 543-member Lok Sabha, about one-sixth of the countrys total share a scene straight from the upcoming 2024 general elections. But as the Indian voter as well as politics can be unpredictable, even the front-runners, like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rarely leave any stone unturned to reach the finishing line. The politicians too are men of steel, which explains the tenacity with which the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav have entered the poll arena with full vigour despite the cards stacked against them, as of now. In public perception, the BJP under the double-engine rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath, has already won the battle of ballots and the guesstimate is on picks ranging from 70+, though some have given a slogan of 80/80. The Prime Minister tasking the current cabinet with a post-poll 100-day programme only strengthens public perception about the party returning to power. Thus, the upcoming elections will decide the quantum of seats UP will contribute to the BJPs ambitious tally of 400-plus than upset its apple cart, though SP's national president Akhilesh Yadav, enthused by the crowds at his public meetings, often claims, BJP came to power from UP and will also exit from power from UP. Rahul Gandhi's yatra also attracted crowds but the party is haunted by the same old question will the crowds convert into votes? The party polled about six percent votes in 2019. There are many odds that Akhilesh Yadav, the main challenger from the opposition camp, faces, but the biggest one is that his party is a regional force pitted against a robust national party, the BJP, whose leaders live, eat and dream politics like his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. Successive general elections have established the power of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats, as the party winning the maximum seats in UP has eventually formed the national government. The only exception being 1991 and 2004. For the BJP, the confidence of a comfortable third successive win with near 100% result from the state, which also sends Narendra Modi to the Lok Sabha from Varanasi, emanates from its micro-macro planning and stratagem. Its not the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya alone. What favours the BJP besides Modi, his popularity and guarantee is the religious renaissance in the state and the country since 2014. Its impact can be seen in the political domain opposition leaders no longer shying from displaying their religious beliefs and practices, temple hopping and morning greetings of Ram Ram in vogue in every city and class. The impact is more visible in UP where the three prime temples, Kashi Vishwanath, Krishna Janmabhoomi and Ram temple, are also huge sources of revenue now. The chief minister in a saffron robe has surprised many with his political acumen. Second, though the BJP may be comfortably ensconced in the state from where it is obviously expecting higher returns to offset losses elsewhere, the party is neither complacent nor overconfident in their internal meetings. The party, from prime minister, chief minister, BJP president and cadre to RSS functionaries, has launched an aggressive campaign, from state to block level, managing elections both at the micro and macro level. Much before the tickets were announced, the party machinery had been fully galvanised for the polls with a special focus on 17 seats that they had lost in the 2019 polls. Union home minister Amit Shah ignored barbs against party leadership, and stitched alliances with high-brow small-time caste leaders, if useful. This has helped the party to strengthen its hold on extreme backward castes in East UP and Jats in West UP. Kant Pandey, a Political Science professor at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Shashi says, They are not just riding the widespread Ram temple passion or Modi popularity. They are stitching caste alliances, for instance, Rajbhar, Chauhan and Kurmi in the East, with Jat in the West. Earlier, Jats used to divide between RLD and BJP. Now they will remain consolidated. Congress leader Jairam Naresh quickly dismissed the hype in his recent tweet, PM Modi and Amit Shah are experts at psychological warfare. If they will cross 370 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, then why are they running after BJD, Pawan Kalyan or TDP. But caste is an important ingredient in UPs poll recipe. The BJP is crafting division in their anti-votes via friends in the Bahujan Samaj Party and AIMIM, which gets active in UP only during elections but attracts young Muslims. Mayawatis decision to go solo in the polls will also work to BJPs advantage as by her one move, she has thrown a spanner in the state witnessing an exciting one-on-one direct contest between BJP and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Division of its anti-votes in a fierce triangular contest suits the BJP, especially in Muslim-dominated areas, where there is bound to be reverse consolidation of Hindus. Mayawati has already declared strong Muslim candidates in five Muslim-dominated constituencies INDIA was hoping to win. However, her decision to go solo may prove detrimental to her own partys electoral prospects, which she had improved in 2019 as compared to 2014 when she had failed to open an account. The SP-BSP alliance had given her 10 seats. Pandey predicts a poor showing of the BSP this time around. INDIA as an opposition bloc is the main challenger, which will attract a substantial percentage of BJPs anti-votes. In 2019, the voter turnout was 60.5 percent, and BJP polled 50 percent votes. Now it is up to the opposition to get the remainder including Yadavs and Muslims, in what many dub as an ideological battle. However, challenge number one before INDIA is a cohesive national character, popular face and a common agenda to convince the voters about their political credibility and stability. Some experts are of the view that the continuation of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that had ruled the country for 10 years under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would have led more to trust in its solidity than in INDIAs, which is seen as another Janata Party of 1977 or Janata Dal of 1989. Moreover, the hype created by the formation of INDIA on July 23 was punctured by unwarranted statements on seat sharing from several states besides mass desertions. Comparatively, the INDIA alliance in UP is in a better shape having sealed the seat-sharing pact and finalising plans for organised rallies of their leaders across UP besides meetings of their cadres. Although late, it can still activate their cadre and instil some confidence in their voters as in some constituencies they are going to make BJP run for its money. Their strength could be PDA (Pichara, Dalit, Alpasankhyak) and the emotional issue of caste census if it could be linked to jobs. However, the challenge before the poll partners, SP and Congress, is to ensure they transfer their core votes. While the Muslims will consolidate, will Yadavs vote for the Congress candidate? Generally, they have grown in non-Congress boots. Congress's rainbow coalition of castes was demolished in the early 1990s. But the grand old party has voters in its pockets but lacks the infrastructure to tap them. The biggest challenge is that INDIA neither has a national narrative nor a face to match Modi. Its members are engaged in local battles at the state level. As Professor Pandey says, the challenge will be to convert crowds into votes, but he foresees the beginning of Congress revival and decimation of BSP in 2024. Sunita Aron is a consulting editor with the HT based in Lucknow. You can find her on X as @overto. The weekly column, Keeping up with UP tackles everything from politics to social and cultural mores in the country's most populous state. The views expressed are personal. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on March 15 that the real estate sector is expected to contribute 15% to the GDP and will touch a market size of $1 trillion by 2030. He also said that a highly matured and developed real estate sector with an estimated market size of $1 trillion by 2030 is needed to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on March 15 that the real estate sector is expected to contribute 15% to the GDP and will touch a market size of $1 trillion by 2030. "It is estimated that the sector will contribute 15 per cent to the GDP and will reach a market size of $1 trillion by 2030," he said at the CREDAI YouthCon event held in the capital. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He said that an additional 25 million units of affordable housing will be required by 2030 to meet the growing urban needs of the country. He said that the establishment of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) has helped in attracting investments into the real estate sector. Also Read: Govt working on the scheme to help middle class purchase or build homes: Housing and urban affairs secretary On RERA, he said that "RERA was a transformational development. It is unbelievable that one of the largest sectors in the economy didn't have a regulator for nearly 70 years," Puri said. He said that 1,22,553 real estate projects and 86,262 real estate agents are registered under the RERA across the country. More than 1.2 lakh consumer complaints have been disposed of by regulatory authorities. Also Read: Four institutes get centre of excellence tag Boman Irani, president, CREDAI and chairman and managing director of Rustomjee Group, said that the real estate sectors target is to become a net zero carbon industry by 2047. He said that the construction and infrastructure industries add to pollution and the biggest challenge for the industry is to rise to the challenge of creating a sustainable future. Also Read: Pay no stamp duty if you book a flat at the CREDAI-MCHI property expo in Mumbai The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Supriya Sahu visited Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and fed some elephants under the care of mahouts and cavadys. She also fed the calves who were featured in the Oscar-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers. Sahu even shared a video of herself feeding the elephants and urged people to plan their next trip to this elephant camp located in Tamil Nadu. The image shows IAS Supriya Sahu feeding the calves featured in the Oscar-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers. (X/@supriyasahuias) Also Read: How community radio helped fishermen in Tamil Nadu rescue 10 Olive Ridley turtles "No trip is complete to Nilgiris without meeting Bommi and Raghu who are growing up fast at our Theppakadu Elephant Camp under the loving care of our committed Mahouts and Cavadys. Take your kids this summer to Mudumalai to meet these beautiful young elephants," wrote Supriya Sahu while sharing a video on X. The clip shows Sahu feeding sugarcane to the elephants at the camp. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Watch the video shared by the IAS officer here: The video was shared on March 15 on X. It has since collected over 25,000 views and the numbers are still increasing. A few even took to the comments section of the post to share their thoughts. Here's how people reacted to the video here: "They are divine beings," posted an individual. Another added, "Amazing." "Such a lovely video! Baby seems to be saying: 'Hmm looks like you wanna give me one more cane. Wait, let me handle it'," shared third. A fourth commented, "So heartwarming to watch this. Your motherly instincts seem to be flowing towards the two cuties. Raghu seems to know that his name is Raghu. Smart fellow." "Nilgiris is always in the mind and heart," wrote a fifth. A sixth joined, "Aww. So cute." "Meet Bommi and Raghu this summer at Theppakadu elephant camp in Mudumalai. The cutest elephants you'll ever see!" expressed a seventh. A woman and her friend visited Madras Coffee House in Connaught Place, New Delhi, on March 7 for lunch. They ordered a plain dosa, but were in for a shock when they discovered several black spots on the dosa, which turned out to be cockroaches, according to reports. The woman went out for lunch with her friend at a famous restaurant in New Delhi's CP. (Representative image/@Unsplash) The woman, Ishani, asked her friend to record a video of the cockroach-infested dosa. However, one of the staff members came and took away the plate before they could finish recording. Ishani then called the police and filed a complaint against the restaurant. The police assured her that they would investigate the matter. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Ishani submitted the video with The Quint, which was later posted on Instagram. It shows not just one or two but eight dead cockroaches in the dosa served to Ishani and her friend at Madras Coffee House. She told The Quint, This incident has left a bad taste in my mouth and raised lots of questions in my head about the license and operation of this cafe. I will always be apprehensive about ordering food at any restaurant now. I will always wonder if their level of hygiene is maintained. Do the authorities regularly visit the restaurants to check their hygiene level and licenses? Because if they do, then such incidents would not happen. Watch the video here: In response to the incident, Anubhav Nanda, who manages the operation of Madras Coffee House, told The Quint, It is unfortunate that this incident occurred at our restaurant. We apologise for the inconvenience and the lapses. Also Read| Shopkeeper booked after 20 people fall ill after eating samosas in Greater Noida The video was shared a few hours ago on Instagram. It has since been viewed by over three lakh times and still counting. Many even took to the comments section of the post to share their thoughts. Check out a few reactions to this video here: Just wondering how they made this dosa. If there are eight cockroaches... its definitely not unintentional, posted an individual. Another added, One can be a mistake but in that amount it looks like complete ignorance of restaurant owner, staff and the cook. Apologised?! Their licence needs to be taken away! wrote a third. A fourth shared, Sad to see. Shameful. What are your thoughts on this incident? As Kensington Palace is busy sweeping up the royal mess created in the past few months from groundless Katespiracies taking flight and now, Prince William's alleged affair resurfacing, the other estranged royal couple is settling on stable ground. Merely a few weeks ago, the controversial spotlight was on Prince Harry's rushed rendezvous to the UK and his uptight relations with his stepmother, Queen Camilla. However, as new conspiracy theories soared after Kate Middleton's recent photoshop debacle, the camera lens has taken it easy on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. With time on their side, at least for the moment, Meghan Markle took the first step towards a new beginning. Social media continues to honour and slander the royal in-laws on alternate turns. (Instagram) On Thursday, Markle made her grand return to Instagram to launch her new creation, American Riviera Orchard. The social media introduction barely shines enough light on the venture, which has already positively amassed over 400K followers. Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office suggest that she may be on her way to establishing an online retail store to sell diverse collections of cookbooks, tableware, cutlery, jams, oils, and so much more ranging from party paraphernalia, home decor items and whatnot. This isn't Markle's first lifestyle baby because her former blog, The Tig, occupied that spot before she dropped its shutters for good in 2017. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Ongoing royal scandal with Prince William-Kate Middleton at the centre: A fresh launching pad for Prince Harry-Meghan Markle? Only some time ago, tabloid headlines were concerned with the possibility of Harry and Meghan going separate ways. The heartstopping conjecture was laid to rest once the world realised they were merely taking two different paths in a forest of professional opportunities. Their joint Netflix deal under the Archewell banner was apparently not taking off the ground, with some projects like Markle's children's show Pearl being dropped altogether. Failure to set "productivity benchmarks" also cost them their Spotify partnership. In addition to her new lifestyle brand, the Suits star has her podcast deal with Lemonada Media in her pocket. Regardless of whatever funding gaps it may result in, the outsider royal couple is going toe-to-toe with the Wales princely lot. Also read | Why Beware the Ides of March? Historical significance and other unlucky dates The royal drama resumed its course on the home ground as the brothers reunited (barely) at the Diana Legacy Awards ceremony in London to pay tribute to their mother separately. While Prince William was physically present to hand out trophies, Harry Zoomed the event from his Montecito mansion. Their strained relationship is far from bridging any gap between them. In their case, distance isn't making the heart grow fonder. Instead, the chaos persists, especially with Meghan Markle picking the same day to launch her business, essentially viewed as Harry and Meghan stealing the spotlight from William. The American Riviera Orchard Instagram page and website went live before Prince William arrived at the Diana Awards. Yet again, overtaking the British scene, the California resident couple announced the NAACP-Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award, surprising Dr. Joy Buolamwini with a $100,000 grant for her research. This virtual announcement ran a parallel course with the Prince of Wales' award presentation at the Diana Awards. Harry only appeared at the London event via video chat hours after his brother departed. On the flip side, nearly a week before this went down, Kensington Palace released Kate Middleton's first official snap since her abdominal surgery in January. Though the family photo portrayed a celebratory reminder of Mother's Day in the UK on March 10, it was also sent out as a balmy agent to soothe the initial barrage of conspiracy theories around Kate Middleton's alleged disappearance. However, it all backfired on the royal reputation. Heavy backlash treated Catherine, Princess of Wales, with sour repercussions, which even her quick follow-up apology statement couldn't wash out. Also read | 'Kate Middleton unreachable', Royal Staff unaware of Surgery, cant contact her But, two days before that, Markle finally found the appropriate platform to address the hateful bullying she was subjected to years ago, resulting in her pulling the chords on her online engagement. Appearing at a 2024 SXSW panel in Austin, Texas, on March 8, she spoke about her social media break and the "bulk of bullying and abuse" she experienced online when she was pregnant with Prince Archie and Princess Lily. "And you just think about that, and you really wrap your head around why people would be so hateful. It's not catty. It's cruel What I find the most disturbing, frankly, especially as a supporter of women, is how much of the hate is women completely spewing that to other women. And I cannot make sense of that," continued Markle. The virtual and the real world have explicit biases against each party. Ironically, one side of social media pits them against each other, spotlighting one in a heroic light and vilifying the other; the vicious cycle perpetuates itself. The roles get reversed at regular intervals. However, when viewed objectively from a distance, these discussions torment each side with the same terminology and identical expletives, except for interchanging names now and then. We can continue to see them as instrumental launching pads for each other's rise or fall, but from a distance, only one picture emerges on top - that of a broken family. President Joe Biden on Friday condemned what he termed an ugly resurgence of Islamophobia since the Oct. 7 start of the Israel-Gaza war but a leading Muslim advocacy group dismissed his comment and urged a change in U.S. policy instead. US President Joe Biden (Reuters) Biden issued his statement on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, established in 2022 by the United Nations on March 15, the anniversary of the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand, mosque shootings in which 51 people were killed during Friday prayers. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT Human rights advocates have cited a rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian bias and antisemitism in the U.S. and elsewhere. U.S. incidents that raised alarm include the fatal October stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume in Illinois, the November shooting of three students of Palestinian descent in Vermont, and the February stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Texas. BY THE NUMBERS The Council on American-Islamic Relations advocacy group says it received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023, a 178% rise from complaints about anti-Muslim incidents in the same period from a year earlier. KEY QUOTES "We recognize the violence and hate that Muslims worldwide too often face because of their religious beliefs - and the ugly resurgence of Islamophobia in the wake of the devastating war in Gaza," Biden said in a statement. "Islamophobia has no place in our nation. Yet Muslims in the United States frequently endure baseless fearmongering, blatant discrimination, harassment, and violence in the course of their everyday lives," Biden said. REACTION The Council on American-Islamic Relations dismissed Biden's statement and accused the White House of contributing to the problem by neglecting calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and by giving unconditional support to Israel. "The White House cannot condemn violence against a Palestinian Muslim child here in America while simultaneously enabling the mass murder of Palestinian Muslim children in Gaza, nor can the White House call the destruction in Gaza 'devastating' while at the same time sending weapons to those causing the devastation," the advocacy group said. CONTEXT Rights groups have compared the resurgence of Islamophobia since Oct. 7 to the stigma faced by Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Palestinian Islamist Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, Israel says. The health ministry in Hamas-governed Gaza says more than 31,000 people have been killed in the subsequent Israeli offensive that has displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population in the coastal enclave and caused a starvation crisis. Hamas has proposed a new six-week truce in Gaza and an exchange of several dozen Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an official from the militant group told AFP on Friday. Residents of the Qatari-funded Hamad Town residential complex in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.(AFP) "The agreement is for a six-week ceasefire and a prisoner exchange," the official said after weeks of so far fruitless mediation efforts, adding that the group would want this to lead to "a complete (Israeli) withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a permanent ceasefire". Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. During the proposed truce, Gaza militants would release about 42 hostages seized during the October 7 attack that triggered the war in Gaza, the official said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. The official said that between 20 and 50 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be released per hostage -- down from a previous proposal of a roughly 100-to-one ratio, according to a Hamas source in late February. Under the new proposal, the initial exchange could include women, children, elderly and ill hostages, the official said. During the October 7 attack, militants seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes about 130 captives remain in Gaza including 32 presumed dead. The latest proposal appears to be a shift for Hamas, whose armed wing said earlier this month there would be "no compromise" on its demand that Israel withdraw from Gaza before any more hostages are freed. Now the militants are saying that, during a six-week truce, Israeli forces would need to withdraw from "all cities and populated areas in the Gaza Strip" and allow for the return of displaced Gazans "without restrictions", the official said. The Hamas proposal also calls to ramp up the flow of humanitarian aid, the official added. The terms of an eventual ceasefire would see Israel's "complete military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip" and a comprehensive hostage-for-prisoner exchange involving the release of all hostages for "an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners", according to the official. "Egypt and Qatar, along with the United States, are responsible for following up and ensuring the implementation of the agreement," the official said. Hamas's October 7 attack killed about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 31,490 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Israel has so far refused to withdraw from Gaza, saying such a move would amount to victory for Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said late Thursday that Hamas "is continuing to hold unrealistic demands" but that an update on truce talks would be submitted to Israel's war cabinet on Friday. With ally Hamas under attack in Gaza, the head of Iran's Quds Force visited Beirut in February to discuss the risk posed if Israel next aims at Lebanon's Hezbollah, an offensive that could severely hurt Tehran's main regional partner, seven sources said. Hezbollah militants (AFP) In Beirut, Quds chief Esmail Qaani met Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the sources said, for at least the third time since Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel and Israel's devastating retaliatory assault on Gaza. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The conversation turned to the possibility of a full Israeli offensive to its north, in Lebanon, the sources said. As well as damaging the Shi'ite Islamist group, such an escalation could pressure Iran to react more forcefully than it has so far since Oct. 7, three of the sources, Iranians within the inner circle of power, said. ALSO READ| Israeli strikes kill at least 29 Gazans awaiting aid, say Palestinian officials Over the past five months, Hezbollah, a sworn enemy of Israel, has shown support for Hamas in the form of limited volleys of rockets fired across Israel's northern border. At the previously unreported meeting, Nasrallah reassured Qaani he didn't want Iran to get sucked into a war with Israel or the United States and that Hezbollah would fight on its own, all the sources said. "This is our fight," Nasrallah told Qaani, said one Iranian source with knowledge of the discussions. Calibrated to avoid a major escalation, the skirmishes in Lebanon have nonetheless pushed tens of thousands of people from their homes either side of the border. Israeli strikes have killed more than 200 Hezbollah fighters and some 50 civilians in Lebanon, while attacks from Lebanon into Israel have killed a dozen Israeli soldiers and six civilians. ALSO READ| UN probe finds 'no exchange of fire' before Israel shelled media in Lebanon In recent days, Israel's counter-strikes have increased in intensity and reach, fuelling fears the violence could spin out of control. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant indicated on Sunday that Israel planned to increase attacks to decisively remove Hezbollah fighters from the border in the event of a Gaza ceasefire, although he left the door open for diplomacy. In 2006, Israel fought a short but intense air and ground war with Hezbollah that was devastating for Lebanon. Israeli security sources have said previously that Israel did not seek any spread of hostilities but added that the country was prepared to fight on new fronts if needed. An all-our war on its northern border would stretch Israels military resources. Iran and Hezbollah are mindful of the grave perils of a wider war in Lebanon, two of the sources aligned with the views of the government in Tehran said, including the danger it could spread and lead to strikes on Iran's nuclear installations. The U.S. lists Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and has sought for years to rein in Tehran's nuclear program. Israel has long considered Iran an existential threat. Iran denies it is seeking a nuclear weapon. For this story, Reuters spoke to four Iranian and two regional sources, along with a Lebanese source who confirmed the thrust of the meeting. Two U.S. sources and an Israeli source said Iran wanted to avoid blowback from a Israel-Hezbollah war. All requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The U.S. State Department, Israel's government, Tehran and Hezbollah did not respond to requests for comment. The Beirut meeting highlights strain on Iran's strategy of avoiding major escalation in the region while projecting strength and support for Gaza across the Middle East through allied armed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, analysts said. Qaani and Nasrallah "want to further insulate Iran from the consequences of supporting an array of proxy actors throughout the Middle East." said Jon Alterman of Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, responding to a question about the meeting. "Probably because they assess that the possibility of military action in Lebanon is increasing and not decreasing." Already, Tehran's carefully-nurtured influence in the region is being curtailed, including by Israel's offensive against Hamas along with potential U.S.-Saudi defence and Israel-Saudi normalisation agreements, as well as U.S. warnings that Iran should not get involved in the Hamas-Israel conflict. IN ISRAEL'S SIGHTS Qaani and Nasrallah between them hold sway over tens of thousands of fighters and a vast arsenal of rockets and missiles. They are main protagonists in Tehran's network of allies and proxy militias, with Qaani's elite Quds Force acting as the foreign legion of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. While Hezbollah has publicly indicated it would halt attacks on Israel when the Israeli offensive in Gaza stops, U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein said last week a Gaza truce would not automatically trigger calm in southern Lebanon. Arab and Western diplomats report that Israel has expressed strong determination to no longer allow the presence of Hezbollah's main fighters along the border, fearing an attack similar to Hamas' incursion that killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assault in Gaza has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and laid waste to the coastal enclave. "If there is a ceasefire in (Gaza), there are two schools of thought in Israel and my impression is that the one that would recommend continuing the war on the border with Hezbollah is the stronger one," said Sima Shine, a former Israeli intelligence official who is currently head of the Iran program at the Institute for National Security Studies: A senior Israeli official agreed that Iran was not seeking a full-blown war, noting Tehran's restrained response to Israel's offensive on Hamas. "It seems that they feel they face a credible military threat. But that threat may need to become more credible," the official said. Washington, via Hochstein, and France have been working on diplomatic proposals that would move Hezbollah fighters from the border area in line with U.N. resolution 1701 that helped end the 2006 war, but a deal remains elusive. "FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE" A war in Lebanon that seriously degrades Hezbollah would be a major blow for Iran, which relies on the group founded with its support in 1982 as a bulwark against Israel and to buttress its interests in the broader region, two regional sources said. "Hezbollah is in fact the first line of defense for Iran," said Abdulghani Al-Iryani, a senior researcher at the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies, a think tank in Yemen. If Israel were to launch major military action on Hezbollah, the Iranian sources within the inner circle of power said, Tehran may find itself compelled to intensify its proxy war. An Iranian security official acknowledged however that the costs of such an escalation could be prohibitively high for Iran's allied groups. Direct involvement by Iran, he added, could serve Israel's interests and provide justification for the continued presence of U.S. troops in the region. Given Tehran's extensive, decades-long ties with Hezbollah, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to put distance between them, one U.S. official said. Since the Hamas attack on Israel, Iran has given its blessing to actions in support of its ally in Gaza: including attacks by Iraqi groups on U.S. interests. It has also supplied intelligence and weapons for Houthi operations against shipping in the Red Sea. But it has stopped well short of an unfettered multi-front war on Israel that, three Palestinian sources said, Hamas had expected Iran to support after Oct. 7. Before the Beirut encounter with Nasrallah, Qaani chaired a two-day meeting in Iran in early February along with militia commanders of operations in Yemen, Iraq and Syria, three Hezbollah representatives and a Houthi delegation, one Iranian official said. Revolutionary Guard's Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami was also present, the official said. Hamas did not attend. "At the end, all the participants agreed that Israel wanted to expand the war and falling in that trap should be avoided as it will justify the presence of more U.S. troops in the region, the official said. Shortly after, Qaani engineered a pause in attacks by the Iraqi groups. So far, Hezbollah has kept its tit-for-tat responses within what observers have called unwritten rules of engagement with Israel. Despite decades of proxy conflict since Iran's 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic has never directly fought in a war with Israel, and all four Iranian sources said there was no appetite for that to change. According to the Iranian insider, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not inclined to see a war unfold on Iran, where domestic discontent with the ruling system last year spilled over into mass protests. "The Iranians are pragmatists and they are afraid of the expansion of the war," said Iryani. "If Israel were alone, they would fight, but they know that if the war expands, the United States will be drawn in." G7 nations are prepared to respond with severe new penalties that could include a ban on Iran Air flights to Europe if Iran proceeds with the transfer of close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. The United States has been increasingly aggressive at responding to what Washington considers belligerent behavior by Iran. (File) The official commented as the United States joined its six G7 allies in issuing a statement warning Iran against sending the missiles to Russia or else face the consequences. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran," the G7 statement said. The United States has been increasingly aggressive at responding to what Washington considers belligerent behavior by Iran, such as its support for Iran-backed militias in the region who are launching attacks on U.S. bases and Tehran's alleged hacking of U.S. infrastructure. The G7 move came in the aftermath of a Reuters report that said Tehran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles for use in its invasion of Ukraine. The senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one option under consideration by the G7 "would have the effect of ending flights from Iran Air, its flagship state-owned carrier, into Europe - point being, this is not business as usual." Iran Air flies passengers from Iran to multiple cities in Europe. The official said that while the United States had not been able to confirm that the transfer has already taken place as Reuters reported, there clearly was an effort by Tehran to advance negotiations with Moscow on the missiles. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Vienna on Friday: "On the question of Iranian missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine ... we sent very clear messages to Iran not to do it." He added: "This has been the subject of considerable conversation among a number of countries in Europe and the United States and I think that the concern about that eventuality, and the commitment to address it, if necessary, is very real, and very strong." U.S. officials held indirect talks with Iranian officials in the same building in Oman earlier this year in a conversation that was about Iran's support for Houthis launching attacks in the Red Sea, its support for Iran-backed proxies and other destabilizing behavior, a separate U.S. official said. The G7 statement said sending Iranian missiles to Russia would represent "a substantive material escalation in its support for Russias war in Ukraine an aggression which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter." U.N. Security Council restrictions on Iran's export of some missiles, drones and other technologies expired in October. However, the United States and European Union retained sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile program amid concerns over exports of weapons to its proxies in the Middle East and to Russia. Ballistic missiles would be a powerful new weapon for Russia to use in its war in Ukraine. The United States has said Iran has already provided Russia with drones, guided aerial bombs and artillery ammunition that Moscow has used to attack Ukrainian targets. Washington has been on high alert for a year about what it has described as an unprecedented Russian-Iranian defense partnership that will help Moscow prolong its war in Ukraine as well as pose a threat to Iran's neighbors. The G7 group of major Western democracies is currently chaired by Italy and also includes the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France and Canada. The statement came as the European Union is also considering measures against Iran for arming Russia, Reuters reported this week. Israel said on Friday it would send a delegation to Qatar for fresh talks on a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, keeping faint hopes for a truce alive despite rejecting a long-awaited counter-offer from Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(REUTERS) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also said he had approved a plan for an assault on Rafah, the city on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip where more than half of the territory's 2.3 million residents are sheltering, though it gave no timeframe for such an attack. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Negotiators failed this week to reach a ceasefire agreement for the Gaza war in time for the Ramadan Muslim holy month. But Washington and Arab mediators are still determined to reach a deal to head off an Israeli assault on Rafah and let in humanitarian aid to stave off mass starvation. The first ship bringing food aid by sea arrived off the Gaza coast on Friday morning, where an aid agency says it is building a temporary jetty to offload it. Meanwhile, Israel has emphasised that in the absence of a ceasefire deal it is pressing on with war plans. "Prime Minister Netanyahu has approved the plans for action in Rafah. The IDF (Israeli Defence Force) is preparing operationally and for the evacuation of the population," Netanyahu's office said in a brief statement. "Regarding the hostages - Hamas's demands are still unrealistic. An Israeli delegation will leave for Doha after the security cabinet discusses Israel's position." Even Israel's closest ally Washington has pleaded with it not to assault Rafah, arguing that this would cause a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel says it would evacuate residents first. Underlining growing disquiet in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Austria that the United States needed to see a clear and implementable plan for Rafah, including to get civilians out of harm's way. Hamas counter-offer More than two weeks after receiving an Israeli-approved proposal for a truce, Hamas gave mediators on Thursday its first formal counter-proposal in more than a month. Like previous proposals from both sides, the offer, reviewed by Reuters on Friday, foresees dozens of Israeli hostages being freed in return for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, during a weeks-long ceasefire that would let in aid. It also calls for talks in a later stage on ending the war, seen as anathema to Israel which says it will negotiate only over a temporary truce. Though Israel did not accept, its description of the terms as "still unrealistic" was notably milder than the language it used about the previous Hamas offer last month, which Netanyahu called "completely delusional" and "from another planet". Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, told Reuters Israel's rejection showed that Netanyahu was "determined to pursue the aggression against our people and undermine all efforts exerted to reach a ceasefire agreement". It was up to Washington to push its ally to accept a ceasefire, he said. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose country hosted the main negotiations in recent weeks, said he was still working hard to reach a deal. Aid by sea The first vessel bringing aid by sea, the Open Arms, carrying 200 tonnes of food, could be seen in the distance off the beach of Gaza, after being towed from Cyprus. The charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) aims to deliver the aid on a temporary jetty. If the new sea route is successful, it may help to ease the hunger crisis affecting Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people face malnourishment and hospitals in the worst-stricken northern areas have reported children dying of starvation. However, aid agencies have repeatedly said that plans to bring in aid by air and sea would be far from sufficient as long as most access by land is restricted. The war began with an attack by Hamas Islamist fighters from Gaza who killed 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages in Israel on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, an Israeli assault has killed more than 31,000 people and driven nearly the entire population of Gaza from their homes. The United Nations says all of Gaza's 2.3 million people are suffering from a food crisis and a quarter of them are on the precipice of famine, especially in the north. Israel, which has sealed off all land routes into Gaza apart from two crossings on the territory's southern edge, denies blame for hunger and says aid agencies should do a better job distributing food. The agencies say they need better access and security, both of which are the responsibility of Israeli forces who have blockaded the strip and stormed its cities. The distribution of the limited aid that arrives has been chaotic and frequently violent. In one of the worst reported incidents yet, Gaza health authorities said at least 21 people had been killed and 150 wounded at a queue for aid near Gaza City on Thursday night, blaming Israeli forces for shooting into the crowd. Israel denied its troops were to blame and said Hamas fighters had opened fire. Reuters was not able to independently confirm either account in that part of Gaza. Israel has also denied blame in past similar incidents at food distribution locations, including the deadliest so far, on Feb. 29, when more than 100 people were killed. There are increasing signs of friction between Washington and its close ally Israel over the conduct of the war, which officials in President Joe Biden's administration say is being waged with too little care for Palestinian civilians. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States and a leader of Biden's Democratic Party, called on Thursday for Israelis to replace Netanyahu, whose hardline policies he said were wrecking Israel's international standing. Biden said on Friday that Schumer had made "a good speech" and his concerns were shared by many Americans. Netanyahu's Likud Party said his policies had widespread public support. At least 29 Palestinians were killed while awaiting aid in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Gaza's health ministry said. Palestinians pass destroyed buildings following the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Hamad City, west of Khan Younis, Gaza, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.(Bloomberg) In the first incident, Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-ruled strip said eight people were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution centre in Al-Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Later, at least 21 people were killed and more than 150 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a crowd awaiting aid trucks at a northern Gaza roundabout, Gaza's health ministry said. In a statement, Israel's military denied attacking aid centres, describing the reports as "false." "As the IDF assesses the incident with the thoroughness that it deserves, we urge the media to do the same and only rely on credible information," the statement said. The Gaza conflict has displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million population. Chaotic scenes and deadly incidents have taken place during aid distributions as desperately hungry people scrambled for food. On Feb. 29, Palestinian health authorities said Israeli forces shot dead more than 100 Palestinians as they waited for an aid delivery near Gaza City. Israel blamed the deaths on crowds that surrounded aid trucks, saying victims had been trampled or run over. In Deir Al-Balah, also in central Gaza, an Israeli missile hit a house on Thursday, killing nine people, Palestinian medics said. Residents said Israeli aerial and ground bombardments persisted overnight across the enclave, including in Rafah in the south, where over a million displaced people are sheltering. The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7 that left 1,200 people killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's air, sea and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 31,000 people and wounded over 71,500, according to Gaza health authorities. Efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist militant Hamas have so far failed. While Israel said it sought a deal that would secure the release of hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinians held by Israel, Hamas insists an agreement should end the war. Late on Thursday, Hamas said it presented to mediators a comprehensive vision of a truce deal based on stopping what it calls Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing relief and aid, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the new Hamas position was based on "unrealistic demands." With the war now in its sixth month, the U.N. has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza one quarter of the population are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access. Israel denies obstructing aid deliveries into Gaza. It has blamed failures by aid agencies for delays and accuses Hamas of diverting aid. Hamas denies this and says Israel uses hunger as a weapon in its military offensive. A ship carrying aid was approaching Gaza where the U.S. military plans to set up a dock to enable distribution of up to two million meals a day. While welcoming aid ships, Palestinian and U.N. officials say maritime deliveries are not a substitute for sending aid through land crossings. Hamas on Thursday called for an escalation of protests and attacks against Israel in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem on Friday, the first day of Friday prayers in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In a restaurant at a southern Israel junction, a soldier was stabbed on Thursday, Israeli police said. It said the suspected attacker, a 22-year-old from the nearby Bedouin city of Rahat, was shot and "neutralised". (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Additional reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem; Editing by Ros Russell, Toby Chopra, Howard Goller and Michael Perry) Russian citizens residing in Kerala cast their votes for the Russian presidential elections at the booth specifically arranged at the Honorary Consulate of the Russian Federation, Russian House, in Thiruvananthapuram. Russia is all set to hold presidential elections from Friday to Sunday, March 17.(AP) Ratheesh Nair, Honorary Consul of Russia and Director of the Russian House in Thiruvananthapuram, said, that they arranged polling for the Russian presidential elections for the third time. He expressed gratitude to Russian citizens in Kerala for their cooperation in the polling process. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In an interview with ANI, Nair said, "This is the third time the Consulate of Russian Federation is hosting polling for the Russian presidential elections. This is actually for Russian nationalists staying here and also for the tourists. We are happy to associate with the Central Election Commission of Russian Federation. I am very grateful to the Russian citizens in Kerala for their cooperation and enthusiasm to cast votes in the process of electing their new president." Sergey Azurov, Senior Consul General in Chennai, said, "We are organising preliminary voting in the framework of presidential elections. We are here to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Russian federations living in India." Ulia, a Russian citizen, said fellow natives in Kerala are thankful to the Russian house and consulate general in India for providing them the opportunity to cast votes in the Presidential polls. Speaking to ANI, Ulia said, "Everyone who came today are Russian citizens either residing permanently in India or are visiting tourists. Everybody is thankful and happy to come here and participate in the election, which is very important for every citizen. This is our responsibility. So, we are thankful to the Russian house and the consulate general in India from Chennai for providing this chance." Russia is all set to hold presidential elections from March 15-17. Russian citizens will vote from Friday until Sunday across the 11 time zones of the country. Russia's Central Election Commission (CEC) approved only three candidates to oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin, CNN reported. The three candidates standing against Putin are Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party and Nikolay Kharitonov of the Communist Party. All three men are thought to be satisfactorily pro-Kremlin and none is against Russia's military action against Ukraine. As the majority of opposition candidates are either dead, jailed, exiled, barred from running or simply token figures, a victory for Putin is all but guaranteed, according to a CNN report. Putin's reelection would extend his rule until at least 2030. Following constitutional changes in 2020, he would then be able to run again and potentially stay in power until 2036. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday he had approved the military's plan for an operation in Rafah, where most of war-battered Gaza's population has sought refuge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters) Netanyahu "approved the plans for action in Rafah," his office said in a statement, without giving details or a timeline. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The statement said the military was "prepared for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population". Rafah is the last major population centre yet to be subjected to a ground assault during Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, which was triggered by the militants' unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7. The attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures. Hamas took about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages on October 7, and Israel believes about 130 of those remain in Gaza including 32 presumed dead. Israel's retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 31,490 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. US President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel during the war, has said an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a "red line" without credible civilian protection plans in place. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Vienna on Friday that Washington had not seen any plans for a Rafah operation, but reiterated that it wants a "clear and implementable plan" to ensure civilians are "out of harm's way". The office of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas "expressed deep concern over an imminent Israeli military offensive in Rafah, which could result in a new massacre and further displacement of the Palestinian people in Gaza," the official Wafa news agency reported. "The presidency underscored the urgency for swift intervention by both the US administration and the international community to avert this military attack, which could add to the already immense suffering of the Palestinian people," Wafa said. The German foreign ministry said "a large-scale offensive in Rafah cannot be justified". "Over a million people have sought refuge there and have nowhere to go," it said on X. We need a humanitarian ceasefire now, so that the dying ends and the hostages are finally released. For the first time after taking oath, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday visited the Army headquarter and discussed issues of security with the Army leadership. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (Reuters) The PM was accompanied by key members of the Cabinet during his trip to General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and was received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif and Cabinet members engaged in discussions with military leadership on matters of national security, regional stability and military preparedness. They were briefed on the current security environment, threat spectrum, response to the security threats and ongoing counter terrorism operations. PM and the cabinet members appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, and sacrifices of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism and commended its dedication in safeguarding the nation's territorial integrity and ensuring peace and stability, the statement said. The PM assured that the government would provide all the resources required for ensuring operational readiness of the Armed Forces. Pakistan is destined to rise and the role of the Armed Forces in ensuring the peaceful rise of Pakistan cannot be over-emphasized, he said. The COAS thanked the PM for the visit and reposing confidence in the Army and affirmed that the Pakistan Army would continue to measure up to the nations expectations and resolutely support the Government in addressing the security challenges facing Pakistan. The visit concluded with civilian and military leadership reiterating their commitment to upholding national interests and working together for a prosperous and secure Pakistan. Earlier, the PM on arrival was presented with a guard of honour and he laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to pay tribute to the martyrs, according to the statement. The Army establishment is considered extremely powerful in Pakistan and civilian governments are dependent on its support for survival. The visit by the PM is expected to build trust between the government and establishment and help to jointly tackle the challenges faced by the country. Russia is continuing to commit serious rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine, including "systematic" torture and rape, United Nations investigators said on Friday. Emergency services work at the scene of a building that was damaged by a Russian drone attack in Vinnytsia, Ukraine,(AP) Moscow has been waging war on Ukraine for more than two years and has recently made territorial gains on the battlefield. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The high-level Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the rights situation in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, said that it had found fresh evidence of widespread abuses. It also voiced concern about the continued use of explosive weapons in civilians areas, confirming "a pattern of disregard by Russian armed forces for possible harm to civilians". "The evidence shows that Russian authorities have committed violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law and corresponding war crimes," COI chief Erik Mose told reporters. "Further investigations are required to determine whether some of the situations identified may constitute crimes against humanity," he added. Confirming previous findings, the UN said that torture by Russian authorities has been "widespread and systematic" in both Ukraine and Russia. The investigators said they compiled their latest report after speaking to more than 800 people during 16 separate visits to Ukraine. The team found that Russia's treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war was "horrific". "The report documents incidents of rape and other sexual violence committed against women in circumstances which also amount to torture. "It also details incidents of torture with a sexualised dimension and threats of rape against male prisoners of war." Investigators also found "additional evidence" that Ukrainian children had been unlawfully transferred to areas under Russian control. For the first time, the investigators looked into Russia's looting of Ukrainian cultural objects and archive documents, in particular from the city of Kherson, which was first occupied by Russian forces in March 2022 before it was liberated around eight months later. During the last weeks of occupation in October and November 2022, "Russian authorities transferred cultural objects from the Kherson Regional Art Museum and archival documents from the State Archives of Kherson province to" occupied Crimea. "According to estimates of staff of both institutions, over 10,000 objects from the Museum and 70 per cent of the documents from the main building of the State Archive, were removed," the report said. The UN report described this cultural appropriation as a "war crime". The first day of voting in Russia's presidential election was marred by acts of vandalism at polling stations Friday, with at least nine arrests for pouring dye into ballot boxes and arson attacks. A man casts his ballot in Russia's presidential election in Saint Petersburg on March 15, 2024.(AFP) Vladimir Putin is set to secure another six years in the Kremlin after a three-day vote he has cast as a show of Russians' loyalty and support for his military assault on Ukraine, now in its third year. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Despite authorities warning that election-day protesters faced heavy punishment, at least nine were arrested for acts of vandalism at polling stations. In Moscow, video showed a woman setting a voting booth alight, filling a polling station with smoke, while another showed a woman pouring green dye into a ballot box. Four others in the Russian regions of Voronezh, Karachay-Cherkessia and Rostov were detained for similar offences, while in Saint Petersburg and the Siberian region of Khanty-Mansi, women were detained for throwing Molotov cocktails at polling stations. A man was detained for lighting fireworks inside a polling station in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk, while in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, an explosive device was detonated at a voting site. Close to the border with Ukraine, a wave of Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes killed two people in the Belgorod region. Not to stray Russia also launched one of its deadliest missile attacks of the conflict, killing at least 14 in a strike on the Black Sea port city of Odesa. The strikes cap one the heaviest weeks of aerial attacks since the start of conflict and come after a week of cross-border raids by pro-Kyiv guerilla fighters, bringing Putin's two-year conflict into Russian territory once again. In power as president or prime minister since the final day of 1999, victory in the three-day vote would allow Putin to stay in power until 2030 -- longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century. On the eve of the vote, Putin urged Russians to back him in the face of a "difficult period" for the country. "We have already shown that we can be together, defending the freedom, sovereignty and security of Russia ... Today it is critically important not to stray from this path," he said Thursday on state TV. The Kremlin leader's confidence is riding high. His troops have secured their first territorial gains in Ukraine in nearly a year and his most strident opponent of the last decade, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic prison colony last month. Above all, victory In Moscow, a few dozen residents queued in the morning sun to be among the first in the capital to cast their ballots. "It's important to vote, for Russia's future," said 70-year-old Lyudmila. She backed Putin and was hoping for "above all, victory" in Ukraine, she said. Another Putin voter, Natan, 72, said he wanted the government to "increase employment, work to ensure that there is no war, stability in the country". With all of Putin's major opponents dead, in prison or in exile, the outcome of the vote is not in any doubt. Election authorities barred the few genuine opposition candidates who tried to run against Putin and a state-run pollster predicted this week that Putin would secure more than 80 percent of the vote. Western governments and Kyiv have denounced the election as a "sham" and "farce". Landslide victory Voting was also being organised in occupied parts of eastern Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed. Armed soldiers in full combat gear accompanied election officials in the eastern Donetsk region as they set up mobile voting stations on small tables in the street and on the hoods of Soviet-era cars. Kyiv said holding the election in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, was "illegal." On Friday, European Council President Charles Michel sarcastically congratulated Putin on his "landslide victory". It was unclear whether the spate of polling station incidents was a coordinated protest against the ballot or isolated incidents. Russia's opposition has called for voters to form queues at polling stations on Sunday, the final day of voting, as a form of protest. Moscow prosecutors warned Friday that they would punish anybody involved in mass rallies. Aerial attacks Putin put his offensive on Ukraine front and centre of his campaign. But the fallout from Putin's military offensive risked overshadowing his election procession at home. Kyiv launched some of its largest air attacks on Russia this week -- some reaching hundreds of kilometres into Russian territory -- and pro-Kyiv guerilla fighters have staged a series of brazen cross-border raids. Ukrainian attacks on the Belgorod border region on Friday killed at least two people, the regional governor said. Three children were killed in the Russian-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk, its mayor said. In a statement Friday, Russia's defence ministry said it had "fully restored control" over one settlement in the Belgorod region, using artillery, air strikes and guided bombs to dislodge militia fighters after a week of cross-border raids. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday the saboteurs were "trying to destabilise the elections, one way or another". Russia's FSB security agency also announced a flurry of arrests of Russians it said were plotting attacks on crucial infrastructure to try to disrupt the elections and thwart Russia's military offensive. Voting for presidential elections will take place in Russia from March 15-17. Polling stations have already opened in Russia's Far Eastern regions, particularly the easternmost Kamchatka and Chukotka, TASS reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP) Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov became the first regional head to cast his vote. People across Russia ate voting to elect their President for the next six years. For the first time, the people of Donbass and Novorossia will vote for the Russian presidential elections. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. It is the first time that the latest technologies tested during earlier lower-level polls--a three-day voting period and a remote vote--will be used during the presidential elections. ALSO READ| Vladimir Putin warns the West: Russia is ready for nuclear war The candidates who are contesting for top state post in the 2024 election are Vladislav Davankov, Russia's incumbent President Vladimir Putin, Leonid Slutsky and Nikolay Kharitonov. New People's Party has nominated Vladislav Davankov, with Putin being a self-designated candidate. Leonid Slutsky of the LDPR party and Nikolay Kharitonov are also in fray from the Communist Party of Russia, according to TASS At the very start of the presidential race, as many as 33 people, including nine contenders from parties and 24 independent contenders, planned to contest for Russia's top state post. Among them, only 15 people submitted the documents needed to be registered as candidates. Only 11 candidates remained in the presidential race when the deadline for submitting documents expired on January 1. Eventually, only four candidates were registered. It is the first time that the presidential polls in Russia will be conducted over three days. According to Russian Central Election Commission Chair Ella Pamfilova, the people liked this format as it gives them more opportunity to cast votes in the presidential polls, TASS reported. ALSO READ| Key issues in Russia will face massive impact by upcoming elections, set to give Putin 6 more years Over 94,000 polling stations will be open in Russia from 8 am (local time) to 8 pm (local time). Except several regions abroad, the voting will formally end on March 17 at 9 pm (local time) when polling stations in Kaliningrad will close. As many as 295 polling stations will open in 144 foreign nations and on the territory of Baikonur space centre, which Russia has leased from Kazakhstan. The exact timeframe of the vote will differ from nation to nation. Thailand will be the first nation where polling stations will open at the Russian Consulate General in Phuket. Also, during the presidential elections, people will have the option to cast their vote electronically. Online voting is available in 29 regions, including Moscow. People were asked to submit applications to cast their ballots online from January 29 to March 11, TASS reported. More than 4.7 million people applied to vote online. People will get to know about the results of the online vote on March 17 from 10 pm (local time) to 11 pm (local time). So far, Putin has served four terms as Russian President. He was elected Russian President in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2012, and 2018, Al Jazeera reported. If he wins, Putin will serve another six years, due to constitutional amendments that have expanded the term. This would mark his fifth term. He can then be re-elected again in 2030 for a sixth term. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Russian efforts to conduct its presidential election in occupied areas of Ukraine, a U.N spokesperson said on Friday. A woman registers to vote in Russia's presidential election in Simferopol, Crimea, (AFP) Guterres recalls that the attempted illegal annexation of regions of Ukraine has no validity under international law, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "The United Nations remains steadfastly committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as per the relevant General Assembly resolutions," Dujarric said. The United States on Thursday said it is concerned about the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act's (CAA) rules in India. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US is closely monitoring the act's implementation. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.(Youtube) We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11, Miller said in a response to a question at a daily briefing. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles, he added. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government on Monday implemented CAA, the law that paves the way for citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014. The development came four years after Parliament passed the law in December 2019. Also Read | Migrants upbeat over CAA, hope for faster Indian citizenship The notification of the Act triggered criticism from Opposition leaders, who claimed that the notified rules were unconstitutional, discriminatory and violative of the secular principle of citizenship enshrined in the Constitution. Critics of the CAA also argued that by excluding Muslims from its purview and linking citizenship to religious identity, the law undermines the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The Centre, however, has maintained that the CAA is about granting citizenship and that no citizen of the country will lose citizenship. In an interview with news agency ANI on Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that CAA will never be taken back and the BJP-led government will never compromise with it. This is our sovereign right to ensure Indian citizenship in our country, we will never compromise on it and CAA will never be taken back, the senior BJP leader said in an interview with ANI. Shah added: "The opposition has no other work. They have a history of saying one thing and doing another. However, the history of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP is different. What BJP or PM Modi says is like carved in stone. Every guarantee made by Modi is fulfilled." Advil launched the Pain Equity Project in 2023 to address racial bias in healthcare. The multi-year initiative, which aims to help mitigate discrimination in the diagnosis and treatment of pain, debuted with the Believe My Pain campaign last year. Fast forward to 2024, clips from the campaign have resurfaced on social media, sparking a major debate on racism. Advil's Believe My Pain campaign for its 2023 Pain Equity Project resurfaces online, sparks 'racism' debate(X, formerly Twitter) Advil's Believe My Pain advertisement goes viral on social media The campaign, which involves contributions from advocate Elaine Welteroth and Dr. Uche Blackstock, has ignited a debate on racial discrimination and whether it truly exists in healthcare. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As part of its project, Advil conducted a survey alongside the Morehouse School of Medicine to help identify the issue. The study revealed that 3 in 4 Black people suffering from pain believe there is bias in how pain is diagnosed and treated. The study also highlighted that only 51% of Black people suffering from pain feel supported by their healthcare professional and 2 out of 3 Black people suffering from pain say that their pain became worse or stayed the same after a negative healthcare experience. As part of its initiative, Advil has promised to award grants to the Morehouse School of Medicine and BLKHLTH for the development of patient resources and a course on pain equity for medical students, per Fierce Healthcare. In the campaign video, which has now gone viral, Advil hosted a roundtable discussion about systemic pain bias in healthcare. The video begins with participants sharing their negative and biased healthcare experiences. Netizens slam Advil for saying pain is racist As the video resurfaced online, netizens flocked to social media and shared their views on the pain bias, as claimed by Advil. One X, formerly Twitter user said, Supposedly people say that doctors think black people that ask for help with pain management are looked at by the doctors as being potential drug addicts more they white people. I live in West Virginia. The pharmacist already thinks everyone is an addict. Another user slammed the medicine brand, saying, Pain isn't racist, Advil is jockeying for more sales to certain races. Netizens defend Advil campaign amid outcry, say Advil is not racist Amid the intense debate on social media, many users came forward in defence of Advil. They pointed out that the brand is not racist or claiming that pain is racist rather it is highlighting the bias Black people face in healthcare. A user wrote on the platform, OMG! You are completely missing the point! It is well documented that the medical community does not listen to POC when it comes to pain. This is one of the reasons more women of colour die in childbirth. Pain is the same but only some people are typically believed. A Georgia judge has ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can stay on Donald Trump's election. But there's a catch. Issuing the long-awaited verdict, Judge Scott McAfee denied the motion to remove Willis on the condition that Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade must withdraw from the case. McAfee said on Friday that either Willis let another district attorney take over the case, or her boyfriend step down. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks at a press conference next to prosecutor Nathan Wade after a Grand Jury brought back indictments against former president Donald Trump and his allies in their attempt to overturn the state's 2020 election results, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. August 14, 2023. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo(REUTERS) Either Fani Willis or Nathan Wade will stay on Trump election case The Fulton County Superior Court Judge said that Willis' relationship with Wade did not cause a conflict of interest. However, McAfee said that their romance created an appearance of impropriety that infected the prosecution team, per AP. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As the verdict was announced, the judge wrote, As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed. Wade and Willis admitted their romantic relationship at a hearing last month but denied that the district attorney improperly benefitted from it. The Georgia court judge explained that there was insufficient evidence that indicated that same. Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist, McAfee continued. McAfee further wrote that the findings are by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgement or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing. Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices -- even repeatedly -- and it is the trial courts duty to confine itself to the relevant issues and applicable law properly brought before it, the judge added, per the outlet. A powerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would participate in a planned transition council, as fires broke out amid a fresh surge of violence in the Caribbean nation's capital. Police officers take part in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire, as a powerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would take part in a still-unformed transition council for the country, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 14, 2024. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo(REUTERS) Nearby countries bolstered their border security and withdrew staff from embassies while plans to send a long-awaited international security force remain uncertain. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. After unpopular Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Monday he would step down once the council was in place, the capital, Port-au-Prince, was initially quieter, but violence appeared to be flaring up again as of late Wednesday, with a shootout in one neighborhood and an attack on the police academy early on Thursday. A fire broke out at the main penitentiary, emptied of prisoners by armed men earlier this month. Thick black smoke earlier billowed out from the facility, but the fire appeared to be out by Thursday afternoon, when local media showed heavily armed police entering the partially blackened site filled with mounds of trash. Reuters could not immediately establish if any people had remained in the jail or what sparked the blaze. A police union said the national police chief Frantz Elbe's house had also been set on fire on Thursday. It did not say whether anyone had been hurt or give details on Elbe's whereabouts. Haiti is struggling to resolve a long-running political and humanitarian crisis. Heavily armed gangs have taken over much of the capital, and rights groups have reported widespread killings, kidnappings and sexual violence. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. Henry, who was never elected, had been appointed prime minister by President Jovenel Moise in 2021, shortly before Moise was assassinated. Henry repeatedly postponed elections. The comments from gang alliance head Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier were recorded on Wednesday and distributed via a rambling seven-minute audio message widely shared on Thursday morning on messaging platform WhatsApp. "Don't you have any shame?" said Cherizier, directing his remarks at politicians who he said were looking to join the council. "You have taken the country where it is today. You have no idea what will happen," he added. "I'll know if your kids are in Haiti, if your wives are in Haiti ... if your husbands are in Haiti," he said in an apparent threat to their families. "If you're gonna run the country all your family ought to be there." In his remarks, Cherizier said the resignation of Henry was only "a first step in the battle" for the island nation of around 11 million. Haiti's government again extended a nightly curfew through Sunday, in an order signed by acting Prime Minister Michel Boisvert. Henry has been stranded abroad since trying to return from a trip to Kenya to secure support for a security mission. Regional bloc CARICOM has detailed the political parties and other social sectors set to make up the nine-member transition council that will take over from Henry. Negotiations over the council were brokered by Caribbean leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but formal appointments are yet to be made. On Wednesday, the leader of a party declined an offer of a voting member of the council, backing instead an alternate three-member transition council that would empower former coup leader Guy Philippe, who was recently imprisoned in the United States and is seeking an amnesty for gang leaders. EMBASSY REDUCTIONS With Haiti's political future in limbo and the timing of the long-delayed Kenyan-led security mission unclear, the already sparse international presence in Haiti has been further receding. Canada announced a reduction to its embassy staff that will leave only essential employees in the country, and said the embassy was temporarily closed to the public. That follows similar drawdowns by the United Nations and at the U.S. embassy. The country's main cargo port said that despite military reinforcements, it would not receive vessels until further notice, as it assesses damages to containers and infrastructure. Major passenger cruise line Royal Caribbean Group also suspended for a week its regular visits to Labadee, its private resort in northern Haiti. Fearing a spread of instability in the region, Britain said it was bolstering security in the Turks and Caicos Islands, an overseas territory, as did the governor of the U.S. state of Florida. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispanolia with Haiti, closed its shared border with Haiti last year and has regularly deported Haitians. The U.S. southeast coast guard said, "At this time, irregular migration flows through the Caribbean remain low." Dominican media reported that aviation authorities in a press conference rejected a U.N. statement claiming that an airbridge would be set up from the country to bring humanitarian aid to Haiti, maintaining the airspace would remain closed. Aid group Mercy Corps said Port-au-Prince residents were being reduced to "forced nomads," seeking refuge from shootings in temporary shelters with family or strangers and battling constant uncertainty, food shortages, trauma, illness and overcrowding. Marie Love Elucien, 25, who lost her home and shop due to gangs, told Mercy Corps that she was most afraid for her young daughter: "I'm worried she's going to have a fit and become paralyzed because every time she hears the shots she jumps and screams. "She cries incessantly and no one can touch her; she becomes hysterical and uncontrollable," she said. More than 360,000 people are internally displaced in Haiti, according to U.N. estimates. Gina Antoine, a 43-year-old pregnant mother of three, told Mercy Corps that she was exhausted from moving between neighborhoods and could not run anymore. "We face inhumane situations daily, walking among corpses. Gangs can attack at any moment," she said. I have nowhere else to go. I wish everything could return to normal. President Joe Biden came under fire recently after he appeared to ask a staffer permission before he could take a couple of questions. During a campaign stop in Michigan, Biden asked a female staffer: Can I take a couple of questions? US President Joe Biden (C) speaks with supporters at a campaign event outside a private home in the Cathedral District neighborhood of Saginaw, Michigan, on March 14, 2024. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)(AFP) The staffer responded: Yeah, were going to take a few questions. The incident took place on the front porch of a Saginaw city council. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. However, the staffers response appeared to be a sign to his staffers who asked reporters to move out. One staffer said: Thank you, press back in the vehicles. This is the second time when Biden appeared to be fumble while searching for staffers. On Monday, at the New Hampshire Democratic Quarters in Manchester, the commander in chief asked: Am I allowed to take any questions? Immediately a staffer interjected: Thank you, press. This led to several comments on social media with many wondering why Biden was being treated like this by his staff. One user interjected: The leader of the free world has to ask permission to speak to the press. Another user blamed the press saying: Why do the press allow themselves to be removed from situations like this? A third said: Just proves that Biden isn't in charge. No underling should be able to control the POTUS speech like his do. A user pointed out: Remember when the WH said they wanted to get Joe Biden out on the campaign trail more and let him interact with voters and media so they can see how great he is on his feet? Whoopsie, never mind. Another piped in: This is bad. Really bad. Theyve told his staff not to let him open his mouth. Trump wouldve walked out and spoken spontaneously for an hour. Earlier, Donald Trump had mocked Joe Biden with an ad that labelled the White House a senior living facility. Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, landed deep into trouble after her editing skills went terribly wrong. On Sunday, the young Royal dropped a social media post celebrating Mothers Day with her three kids, but the picture was soon slammed with a 'Kill' notice after several top agencies found traces of heavy editing in those pictures. The picture has now been flagged as altered by the meta-owned platform. On the other hand, Meghan Markle made a surprise comeback on social media with her new lifestyle brand. Prince Harry-Meghan Markle: Britain's Prince William, Kate, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, second left, leave after they paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.(AP) Also read: Kate Middleton's editing scandal exposes 'years of deceit, secrets and lies, claims Scoobie Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kate Middleton's controversial post flagged misleading on Instagram Kate Middletons recent Instagram post with her three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, was met with a lot of public side-eyes for its 'misleading' feature. Hours later, Kate herself admitted to editing the picture and apologised for the mishap. Now, the meta-owned platform has also flagged a warning on the post. Altered photo/video, Instagram writes in red below the post. It continues, The same altered photo was reviewed by independent fact-checkers in another post. Also read: Brad Pitt's latest win against ex Angelina Jolie, 'War of the Roses' heads to $64M courtroom drama Another warning notice reads, The same altered photo was reviewed in another post by fact-checkers. There may be small differences. Independent fact-checkers say the photo or image has been edited in a way that could mislead people, but not because it was shown out of context. Meghan Markle returns to Instagram While Kensington Palace copes with the fallout from the global news director of Agence France-Presse declaring it is no longer a "trusted source," on the other hand, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has returned to Instagram. On Thursday, Meghan, who stepped down from social media long ago with Prince Harry, made a comeback with her new project. It appears to be a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard. The first Instagram Story shows Meghan, 42, picking flowers and cooking in a kitchen, set to the song "I Wish You Love" by Nancy Wilson. American Riviera Orchard more likely appears to be a tribute to Santa Barbara, the California town where Meghan lives with her family. The place is known as the American Riviera "because of its temperate climate and lush landscapes, as well as its robust food and wine culture," according to Travel and Leisure. Kate Middletons photo editing scandal has sparked a storm of reaction from the public and media alike, with Kensington Palace branded an unreliable source and speculation surrounding Kates whereabouts flooding social media. The UK royals and their family have been under the spotlight for some time now, and Prince William appears to be in damage control mode. At the Diana Legacy Awards, the Prince of Wales paid tribute to his late mother Princess Diana, and made a brief reference to Kate. Britain's Prince William, and his wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge visit to the Taj Mahal was ever more symbolic as Williamss mother, Diana, had visited 22 years ago/ (Ajay Aggarwal/ HT Photo) Also read: Meghan Markle returns to Instagram amid Kate Middleton's photo receiving a warning Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Prince William honours his late mother Princess Diana At the event, the 41-year-old took the stage to discuss the shared goal of preserving Dianas legacy. "That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years," the Prince of Wales said. Later, he gave his wife Kate Middleton a warm mention while spending time with a group of children at the grand opening of the WEST Youth Zone in West London on Thursday. The Princess, who recently underwent surgery for an abdominal condition, has sparked curiosity with her mysterious post-surgery appearance, becoming the talk of the town. Prince William praises Kate Middleton's artistic abilities The next in line to the throne talked to teens during his visit to WEST (where everyone sticks together) about how to break away from a life of constant technology use and dependency. In one of the videos from the event, the Prince can be seen responding to a compliment he received from onlookers while decorating cookies. A visitor said they were impressed with his artwork, to which the 41-year-old replied, Its really not impressive work. My wife is the arty one, he added. "And my children. My children are more arty than I am," he said next. Also read: Meghan Markle returns to Instagram amid Kate Middleton's photo receiving a warning Kate, who hasn't been seen in public since her hospitalization in January, has only been photographed twice since then: once with her mum and once with Prince William driving in Windsor, England. Since her Mothers Day snap failed to quell conspiracy theories of her disappearance, shes been at the center of a storm. St. Patrick's Day is an annual Irish holiday which is celebrated on March 17. The festival is observed in honour of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. With the St. Paddy's Day only days away, here are five famous celebrities you didn't know were of Irish heritage: Emily Ratajkowski and Tom Cruise are of Irish origins Emily Ratajkowski Supermodel and actress Emily Ratajkowski has often been vocal about her strong links to Ireland. She has claimed Irish heritage through both of her grandmothers. The 32-year-old has spent summers in Ireland during her childhood days. I absolutely love Ireland. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I have strong ties here, Ratajkowski once told Irish Independent. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Tom Cruise Tom Cruise's Irish heritage dates back to the 12th Century. The Mission Impossible star, whose paternal side of the family is Irish, was astonished when he learnt about his roots. When he learnt about his origins, Cruise said, I'm very proud to be Irish. There's a pride in America of being Irish. I can't wait to come back, and I want to visit the land of my ancestors and the castle that they had. Robert De Niro Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro's little-known Irish heritage caught attention in 2019 when he portrayed the titular mobster in the Netflix film The Irishman. Both De Niro's Italian and Irish ancestry stems from his father's side of the family. The 80-year-old actor's father, Robert Sr.'s mother, was Irish from both sides of her family. Nicole Kidman Nicole Kidman's strong Australian accent often covers up her diverse ancestral history. The Expats star is of Irish, Hawaiian, Scottish, and Australian descent. Reflecting on her link to Ireland, Kidman once said, We definitely have, on my father's side, a strong Irish slant. We come from the line of the Callaghors and, obviously, how I look, you know, I have Irish skin. Meryl Streep The Devil Wears Prada icon Meryl Streep is surprisingly of Irish descent. While she is recognised for having one of the most authentic fake Irish accents in the industry, her links to Ireland are stronger than that. Streep's maternal great-great-grandparents, Manus McFadden and Grace Strain, belonged to the Horn Head district of Dunfanaghy in Donegal before emigrating to Pennsylvania around 1864. Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have a new, hypersonic missile in their arsenal, Russia's state media reported Thursday, potentially raising the stakes in their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways against the backdrop of Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Houthi supporters attend a rally in the Gaza Strip (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman, File)(AP) The report by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited an unidentified official but provided no evidence for the claim. It comes as Moscow maintains an aggressively counter-Western foreign policy amid its grinding war on Ukraine. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. However, the Houthis have for weeks hinted about surprises they plan for the battles at sea to counter the United States and its allies, which have so far been able to down any missile or bomb-carrying drone that comes near their warships in Mideast waters. On Thursday, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthis secretive supreme leader, said the rebels will start hitting ships heading toward the Cape of Good Hope in Africa's southern tip. Until now, the rebels have largely struck ships heading into the Red Sea toward the Suez Canal, and such an escalation would target the longer, alternative route used by some vessels. It remains unclear how they would carry any possible assault out. Meanwhile, Iran and the U.S. reportedly held indirect talks in Oman, the first in months amid their long-simmering tensions over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program and attacks by its proxies. Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, claims to have a hypersonic missile and has widely armed the rebels with the missiles they now use. Adding a hypersonic missile to their arsenal could pose a more formidable challenge to the air defense systems employed by America and its allies, including Israel. The groups missile forces have successfully tested a missile that is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and runs on solid fuel," a military official close to the Houthis said, according to the RIA report. The Houthis intend to begin manufacturing it for use during attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel. Mach 8 is eight times the speed of sound. Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds higher than Mach 5, could pose crucial challenges to missile defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability. Ballistic missiles fly on a trajectory in which anti-missile systems like the U.S.-made Patriot can anticipate their path and intercept them. The more irregular the missiles flight path, such as a hypersonic missile with the ability to change directions, the more difficult it becomes to intercept. China is believed to be pursuing the weapons, as is America. Russia claims it has already used them. In Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi boasted that his fighters continue to expand the effectiveness and scope of our operations to areas and locations the enemy never expects. He said they would prevent ships connected to the Israeli enemy even crossing the Indian Ocean ... heading toward the Cape of Good Hope. The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, have increasingly had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted. The Houthis don't have a navy, nor weapons reaching into the far distances of the Indian Ocean, making their Cape of Good Hope threat difficult. However, Iran is suspected of targeting Israeli-linked vessels previously in the Indian Ocean. The Houthis have claimed attacks assessed to have been carried out by Iran in the past, such as the 2019 attack on Saudi Arabia that temporarily halved its oil production. After seizing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Houthis ransacked government arsenals, which held Soviet-era Scud missiles and other arms. As the Saudi-led coalition entered Yemen's conflict on behalf of its exiled government in 2015, the Houthis' arsenal was increasingly targeted. Soon and despite Yemen having no indigenous missile manufacturing infrastructure newer missiles made their way into rebel hands. Iran long has denied arming the Houthis, likely because of a yearslong United Nations arms embargo on the rebels. However, the U.S. and its allies have seized multiple arms shipments bound for the rebels in Mideast waters. Weapons experts as well have tied Houthi arms seized on the battlefield back to Iran. Iran also now claims to have a hypersonic weapon. In June, Iran unveiled its Fattah, or Conqueror in Farsi, missile, which it described as being a hypersonic. It described another as being in development. Iran's mission to the U.N. did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. Asked about the hypersonic claim, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said: We have no indication that they even have that capability. Israel's military declined to comment. Also Thursday, The Financial Times reported that the U.S. and Iran held indirect talks in Oman in January that America hoped would curtail the Red Sea attacks. The last known round of such talks had come last May. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency indirectly acknowledged the talks but insisted they were merely limited to negotiations on lifting anti-Iran sanctions. The U.S. State Department did not deny the January talks took place in a statement to The Associated Press, saying: We have many channels for passing messages to Iran. Since Oct. 7, all of (the communications) have been focused on raising the full range of threats emanating from Iran and the need for Iran to cease its across-the-board escalation, it added. The assaults on shipping have raised the profile of the Houthis, whose Zaydi people ruled a 1,000-year kingdom in Yemen up until 1962. Adding a new weapon increases that cachet and puts more pressure on Israel after a cease-fire deal failed to take hold in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Earlier in March, a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel. It marked the first fatal attack by the Houthis on shipping. Other recent Houthi actions include an attack last month on a cargo ship carrying fertilizer, the Rubymar, which later sank after drifting for several days. A new suspected Houthi attack targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, but missed the vessel and caused no damage, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. A later attack similarly missed a vessel in the Red Sea off Yemen's port city of Hodeida, the center said early Friday. The UKMTO reported another suspected attack early Friday off Hodeida, though details remained scarce. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said he wouldnt be surprised if Iran transferred a new, hypersonic weapon to the Houthis. However, the question is how maneuverable such a weapon would be at hypersonic speeds and whether it could hit moving targets, like ships in the Red Sea. I wouldnt exclude the possibility that the Houthis have some system that has some maneuvering capability to some extent, Hinz said. It is also possible for the Iranians to transfer new stuff for the Houthis to test it. (Photo : Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) James Crumbley in the courtroom Thursday as his trial on four involuntary manslaughter charges gets underway A Michigan school shooter's father was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday, marking a second conviction for the teen's parents. They were accused of neglecting to secure a gun at home and failing to address the clear signs of their child's mental distress. James Crumbley has now been involved in the tragic deaths of four students at Oxford High School in 2021, despite not being the one to physically carry out the act. James Crumbley Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter "James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did," Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney Karen McDonald said during closing arguments, according to CNN. "James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and what he didn't do." As the first parents in the country to face charges in a tragic school shooting that their child carried out, they went through separate trials. Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in February. The verdicts for the four victims were announced at approximately 7:15 p.m. after a full day of deliberations. James Crumbley received updates on the trial's outcome through headphones due to a hearing issue. He shook his head in disbelief as the jury foreman delivered the verdict of "guilty." Both James and Jennifer Crumbley face up to 15 years in prison. During the trial, prosecutors emphasized two main points: the parents' response to a disturbing drawing found on Ethan Crumbley's math assignment shortly before the shooting, and the fact that the teenager had access to a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun that was bought by James Crumbley just four days prior. Attorney Ven Johnson, who is representing the victims' families, released the following statement: "Today, a 12-person jury unanimously found James Crumbley, the father of the Oxford High School shooter, guilty as charged for his gross negligence, which ultimately played a causal role in the deaths of four OHS students. This guilty verdict, along with those found against the shooter's mother, Jennifer Crumbley, won't bring back the lives of these four students, but it represents one more step towards holding everyone responsible accountable under the law, which is justice for the victims' families and the Oxford community. "We are eager for the decisions of both the Michigan Court of Appeals and the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in our civil lawsuits. We are resolute in our determination to hold Oxford Community Schools and various OCS employees accountable, as they could have prevented the shooting, as indicated in their own district's Guidepost Solutions investigative report. Until everyone responsible for this tragedy is fully and legally held accountable for their role, our clients and our firm remain steadfast in our fight for justice." This is a developing story. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images) Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog says Schumer's call for new elections in Israel is not helpful. Israel's ambassador to the United States is pushing back on Sen. Chuck Schumer's call for elections to replace Prime Minister Netanyahu. Calling Israel a sovereign democracy, Ambassador Michael Herzog said, "It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally." He added, "It is counterproductive to our common goals." Israel is a sovereign democracy. It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally. It is counterproductive to our common goals. Ambassador Michael Herzog (@AmbHerzog) March 14, 2024 The Senate Majority Leader said that Netanyahu "has lost his way" during a speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. Schumer billed the speech as a "major address" about the two-state solution for the future of Israel and Palestine. He said Netanyahu's recent rejection of a two-state solution is wrong. "This is a grave mistake for Israelis, Palestinians, the region and the world, Schumer said." "Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of Israel," Schumer said. Senate GOP Minority Leader Mitch McConnell slammed Schumer after his call for Netanyahu's ouster. "It is grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel," McConnell said in a statement. "This is unprecedented. We should not treat fellow democracies this way at all." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Paris Oda, 46, was found dead on Sunday, in his Honolulu home. Police say they found a knife at the scene and that Oda also killed his 48-year-old wife, Naoko, and their three children. The Hawaii chiropractor who allegedly murdered four family members before killing himself had significant tax debt and years of financial struggles, newly uncovered records show. Paris Oda, 46, was found dead on Sunday in his Honolulu home. Police say they found a knife at the scene and that Oda also killed his 48-year-old wife, Naoko, and their three children, according to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. As Oda's quiet suburban neighborhood tries to come to grips with the worst mass killing in Hawaii since 1999, tax records and court documents reveal that Oda had struggled with financial issues for years. Savio Asset Management sued Oda for $88,893.26 over years of unpaid rent in March 2021 - though the suit was settled for $53,000, in December of the same year. His small business Oda Ohana Chiropractic LLC also received a Paycheck Protection Program loan for $26,934 during the pandemic that was later forgiven, the Hawaii Tribune Herald reported. Oda reportedly also had significant tax debt but the amount of money owed has not been disclosed publicly. Last year, the Odas had a tax lien for $7,815 that was subsequently settled. Oda's employees have described him as a previously pleasant and devoted family man, whose demeanor and personality had changed in the last year. "He had depression because he just totally changed - no smiling, nothing. Sometimes he looked so grouchy," employee Cammy Divers told KITV. "I was kind of scared to talk to him because he seemed like a really unhappy person." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a formally penned letter, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan gave Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis a hard ultimatum on Thursday. The letter warns Willis that if she does not provide all the documents the House committee has requested within a two-week deadline, "the Committee will consider taking further action, such as the invocation of contempt of Congress proceeding." The Committee previously issued a subpoena on February 2, 2024, after several failed attempts for her cooperation in submitting the requested documents. The documents in question are of two specific categories-- the first of which are documents and communications referring or relating to the FCDAO's receipt and use of federal funds, and the second of which are documents and communications referring or relating to any allegations of the misuse of federal funds by the FCDAO. This time, the Ohio Republican informed Willis she has until March 28, 2024, at noon, to comply with the panel's subpoena. Jordan also accuses the district attorney of defamation of a former employee who spoke out about her misuse of federal grant funds. "We will not dignify your attacks on this brave whistleblower, or your continued attempts to distract from your conduct through misdirection and personal insults," Jordan wrote. "The allegations in the public realm about your misuse of federal grant funding are concerning, and the Committee has an obligation to examine them." Willis claims the panel's subpoena is "overboard and unduly burdensome," while Jordan responded with "on the contrary," his committee had been exercising its authority "with restraint." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A New Jersey man was arrested after he barged into his daughter's high school and confronted two students, demanding one "apologize" following a dispute at the school. Aaron Thomas was charged with simple assault, terrorist threats, trespassing and disorderly conduct after he was caught on video posted on Instagram entering Paulsboro High School on Monday. "You got a problem with my daughter? Apologize to my daughter," Thomas, 38, tells a student repeatedly in the video, which ABC 6 reported is being reviewed by the police as part of their investigation. "I didn't do nothing to her," the student replies. About a minute into the video, an adult approaches Thomas and tries to get him to leave the classroom. The arrest affidavit, obtained by ABC 6, says Thomas arrived at the school to pick up his daughter after the confrontation over photos being shared, but stormed into the classroom. The family of a 15-year-old student filed a police report on Wednesday and are thinking of moving him to another school, NJ Advance reported. The student's father said his son is "totally distraught" over the notion of switching schools. The boy's family lashed out at the school for not intervening to protect their son, saying the incident continued for a couple of minutes before an adult stepped in. "How is the teacher still at the school?" the boy's mother asked, adding the teacher "failed these students." Thomas was released from jail on Tuesday, the report said. The Paulsboro School District addressed the video in a letter to parents on Tuesday, saying it was cooperating in the police investigation, but noting it would not release more information about the incident. "Safety and security of our staff and students is paramount. Unfortunate situations such as these gives us an opportunity to reflect and analyze current practices to further strengthen the district's safety and security procedures to ensure that our schools are a safe place for all students and staff," acting Superintendent of Schools Dr. Phillip C. Neff wrote. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. President Biden is publicly mourning the death of Nex Benedict, an LGBTQ 16-year-old student from Oklahoma. "Jill and I are heartbroken by the recent loss of Nex Benedict. Every young person deserves to have the fundamental right and freedom to be who they are and feel safe and supported at school and in their communities," Biden said Thursday. "Nex Benedict, a kid who just wanted to be accepted, should still be here with us today," he added. His statement comes on the heels of the medical examiner's report, ruling Nex Benedict's death as a suicide. An autopsy allegedly shows the 16-year-old, who identified as a two-spirit transgender and within the gender-nonconforming umbrella, digested a fatal amount of antihistamines and antidepressants. Just days before their death, Benedict was attacked in the girls' bathroom at Owasso High School. The attack was initiated by three girls who made fun of Benedict's clothing. "As parents, we send our kids to school expecting that they will be safe and cared for. Nex was failed by so many and should still be here today," Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement on Wednesday following the alleged cause of death. "We have heard from so many parents and students that this culture of bullying and harassment is both pervasive at Owasso Public Schools and that many within the school had actual knowledge that it was occurring and took no steps to fix it," continued Robinson. Activists and LGBTQ groups have demanded Oklahoma's superintendent of public construction, Ryan Walters, resign immediately. The federal Department of Education has called for a civil rights investigation into the student's death, according to The Hill. Biden ended his statement by bringing attention to the National Crisis Hotline. "To LGBTQI+ young people across the country - you are loved exactly as you are. If you're feeling overwhelmed or alone, you can call or text 988, the National Crisis Hotline, and dial the number '3' to talk to a counselor who has been specifically trained to support LGBTQI+ youth," he said. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission has launched an investigation into the Nashville bar to determine whether it overserved a University of Missouri student who disappeared last week after leaving the saloon, according to a report. Riley Strain, 22, was visiting Nashville with friends from his fraternity when he got kicked out of Bryan's Luke's 32 Bridge Bar last Friday night. He told friends that he planned to go back to their hotel, but he never arrived. Aaron Rummage, the director of legislation, policy and communication at the state agency, told The Tennessean that the investigation will look into whether the bar violated any policies. Rummage declined to provide additional details or what prompted the probe. The restaurant group that owns and operates Bryan's Luke's 32 Bridge said they were cooperating with the Metro Nashville Police Department to turn over security camera footage, the outlet reported. Police believed that the 6-foot-5 Strain, who was spotted on surveillance video stumbling along the streets, may have fallen into the river or on the riverbank, The Tennessean reported. The city's office of emergency management used two boats with sonar equipment to search parts of the Cumberland River this week for Strain. But the search did not find anything. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Top Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier sent a warning to political leaders who plan to take part in a transitional council as the nation's future is still unknown. Following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's Monday announcement that he would step down from his post once a council is in place, Port-au-Prince has been unusually quiet, in contrast to the past weeks. However, by Wednesday, violence made its way back to the forefront, with a shootout in one neighborhood and another attack on the police academy early Thursday. Heavily-armed gangs rule much of the capital amid the Caribbean country's struggle to resolve a longtime political and humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and several rights groups have reported widespread killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence, according to Reuters. A seven-minute audio recording that captured Cherizier's comments was shared early Thursday morning via messaging platform WhatsApp. He's heard saying, "Don't you have any shame?", as he directed his remarks at politicians who he claims were looking to join the council. "You have taken the country where it is today. You have no idea what will happen," Cherizer added. "I'll know if your kids are in Haiti, if your wives are in Haiti ... if your husbands are in Haiti," he said in an apparent threat to their families. "If you're gonna run the country all your family ought to be there." Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation is only "a first step in the battle," Cherizier declared. Regional bloc CARICOM has disclosed political parties and other social sectors set to make up the nine-member transition council to replace Henry. Negotiations regarding the council are currently in facilitation with Caribbean leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Formal appointments are yet to be announced. Haiti's political future remains uncertain, and a previous promise made by Kenya to deploy soldiers to the nation as a security measure hangs in the balance. Canada has evacuated most of its embassy staff amid the tumultuous changes, only leaving essential employees in Haiti. "This will allow us to maintain our presence in Haiti to support Canadians during this volatile situation," Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement, adding that the embassy was temporarily closed to the public. Canada is one of several entities withdrawing staff, following suit with the United Nations and the US embassy. Cruise lines have been suspended in "an abundance of caution" while the UK is tightening its security in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Haiti's close neighbor, the Dominican Republic, whom they share the island of Hispaniola with, closed the shared border last year and has implemented strict deportation measures. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The parents of University of California Berkeley students have ponied up more than $40,000 in funding for private security - which they claim is necessary in the face of violent crime around the college. The private security force will patrol the Berkeley campus every night from 6:30 PM until 3:00 a.m., through March 23. "The fact is if they're not going to act, despite repeated pleas from parents and students to take more substantial action, then we're going to act," Sagar Jethani, the parent of two Berkeley students, told KPIX. Jethani is the president of SafeBears, the non-profit organization that hired the new guards. The SafeBears website boasts more than 1,300 members who are "working to improve safety for UC Berkeley students through strategic planning, advocacy, and outreach." The guards are expected to patrol the campus on foot and on bicycles throughout March, though SafeBears' goal is to pressure the university to eventually invest more in on-campus safety. "We want to, frankly, turn up the heat with the administration," Jethani told KPIX. "We want to show that we're not content to just wait forever to have these safety ambassadors deployed." While some students have expressed support for the security force - citing concerns about a spike in the crime rate, others have questioned whether such measures will be effective. "I guess I wonder what their approach is supposed to be," a student named Heidi told KPIX. "If suddenly someone appeared like out of the blue. What proactive measures are they ready to take?" Another student - Rebekah - told the outlet that she had been the victim of two armed robberies, one of which resulted in her losing her car. "I feel like, when I'm walking the streets, I'm always scared. I'm always looking around," she said. Rebekah added that while she hopes the security force will help students, real change will require a broader set of changes. "I think there are actions that can be taken at multiple levels. At the university level, city level and state level." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A man was shot in the head aboard a crowded Brooklyn subway train on Thursday, as reported by the police. This incident caused a wave of panic among rush-hour passengers, leading them to quickly exit the train. An arrest has been made and a weapon was recovered, police said, according to WABC-TV. The shooting created disruptions in service for riders of the A and C trains, WPIX-TV reported. It's unclear what led up to the deadly incident, which marked the fourth murder in the New York transit system, so far this year, according to The New York Times. The slaying comes more than a week after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a five-point plan to protect subway riders, which includes deploying 250 police officers and 750 National Guard members to patrol the area, and accelerating the installation of new cameras. The NYPD did not immediately respond to Headlines & Global News' request for comment. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An outrage has erupted online over a small studio apartment in New York City. This cramped living space, which lacks essentials such as a bathroom, kitchen, and running water, has sparked intense criticism. Smallest NYC Apartment The shockingly high monthly rent of $1,200 is charged for this apartment-like property. After listing agent Alexander Bruni posted a video of the 54 square-foot "tiny" rental on TikTok, the video went viral. The apartment is located in Midtown West. The small apartment measures nine-by-six and provides a snug space for a bed. Nevertheless, the absence of running water means that residents have to leave their studio and make use of the shared bathroom located down the hallway. Viewers have expressed outrage over the video from inside the space, with some arguing that such living conditions should be deemed unacceptable, especially considering the rent cost associated with it. Alexander gave viewers a virtual tour of the micro-apartment in a video posted on TikTok, which has now garnered over 2.8 million views. He said, "Today, I will be showing to you the smallest apartment that currently exist in New York City." Upon entering the small area, he exclaimed, "Yes, this is real, this exists." "This is very real. It's nine by six. You have a closet. It's real. But no space for anything besides a bed." The listing agent tried to defend the price of the micro-rental by pointing out that many college students pay higher fees to live in dorms outside of New York City. "Okay, but in reality all jokes aside to college. Whatever town you were going to college in, you were probably paying $1,200 at least for thew dorms there. You were not paying to live in New York City that's for sure." According to him, despite its small and unattractive appearance, the unit offers the opportunity to live in New York City at an affordable price. Alexander mentioned that each unit in the building was equally compact. He then proceeded to showcase the shared bathroom, which featured both a toilet and a shower. Many individuals voiced their frustration in the comments section, expressing strong disapproval of the apartment and questioning its presence in the market. According to a report, New York City rents reached a record high last year, with an average of $5,588 per month in July. This marked a 30% increase since 2019 and a 9% increase from the previous year, when the average rent was $5,113. Despite a decline in the city's population since the pandemic, the cost of renting an apartment in Manhattan remains exorbitant. According to US Census data, the borough's population has seen a significant decline of 400,000 between June 2020 and June 2022. Despite some signs of recovery, experts suggest that the population is still below its 2019 levels.The average monthly rent has increased by 9 percent compared to last year, reaching a new record for the city. According to a recent report from Miller Samuel and Douglas Elliman, there has been a significant increase in median rent, reaching $4,400 per month. Additionally, the median price per square foot has also reached a new record of $84.74. Last June, a different unit without a bathroom was listed for rent at $2,350 per month. A tiny 77-square-foot apartment in New York City, located in the sought-after Greenwich Village, recently caused quite a stir with potential renters. Despite its lack of a bathroom, the apartment managed to fetch a monthly rent of $2,350 after a fierce bidding war. The third-floor rental on West 11th Street gained significant attention on TikTok in December when real estate agent Omer Labock showcased the compact space, describing it as the smallest apartment he had encountered. Back then, the monthly listing price was $1,975. In July, the price of a studio apartment in Manhattan averaged at $3,278, while a three-bedroom apartment came in at $10,673. Related Article: US Housing Crash: Experts Warn of 'Brutal' Drop in Home Prices That Is Only Going To Get Worse @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A 29-year-old pregnant teacher sadly passed away after collapsing in her classroom, only a month from giving birth to her first baby. Last Friday, Courtney Fannon, an educator with special needs at Kendal Central School in upstate New York, was finishing up her day. Kendal Central School Teacher Courtney Fannon's Death The Kendal community has been shocked by the tragic loss of Courtney Fannon and her unborn daughter, Hadley Jaye Fannon. The news has left everyone heartbroken. The tragic incident came to light when Courtney's husband, Kurtis Fannon, received a disturbing text message from her. He quickly found her unconscious in a school building, according to a family friend, Matt Smith. Multiple attempts were made to save both Courtney and her unborn baby girl as they were rapidly transported to the hospital. However, despite all efforts to save their lives, they were declared dead by 6:30 p.m. on the tragic evening of March 8. The cause of their unexpected deaths is still unidentified, leaving loved ones and the community in a state of shock and sadness. Superintendent Nicholas Picardo of Kendal Central School, where Courtney had been a committed special education teacher since 2018, shared the heartbreaking news with students and faculty in a message. Courtney's impact on the school community was essential, according to Picardo, who saluted her as a dedicated teacher who approached her work with unwavering enthusiasm and happiness. Whether in the classroom or walking through the school, her kind smile and approachable outdoors made a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. The Kendal public school system has been affected by the loss, which is the reason all schools were closed on Monday. The next day, counselors were on hand to help staff members and students who were still processing what had happened. Read Also: US Envoy Slams China's 'Supremely Ironic' Opposition to American TikTok Ban GoFundMe for Courtney Fannon's Family Following this tragic loss, the Fannon family has received support from friends and the community. On their behalf, Matt Smith made a GoFundMe page, emphasizing Courtney's selfless and devoted personality that put her students first at all times. Smith offered an emotional respect to Hadley Jaye Fannon, lamenting the life that was never meant to be. His sincere feedback rings true, even though he never got the chance to meet her. He promised to honor her memory and make sure she was never forgotten. Plans are in place for a funeral mass honoring the lives of Courtney and Hadley as the community grieves the loss of two dear souls. It is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. at Churchville's St. Vincent DePaul Church and serves as a moving reminder of the immense impact they had on everyone around them. Related Article: 'Tuesdays With Morrie' Author Mitch Albom Among Americans Evacuated from Haiti Amid Escalating Gang Violence @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed his longtime economic adviser, Mohammed Mustafa, to be the next prime minister in the face of US pressure to restructure the Palestinian Authority as part of Washington's post-war strategy for Gaza. Mustafa, a US-educated economist and political independent, now faces the task of establishing a new cabinet for the PA, which has limited authority in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Mohammed Mustafa Named New Palestinian Prime Minister In a statement announcing the appointment on Thursday, Abbas asked Mustafa to organize strategies to fight corruption, spearhead reforms in the government, security services, and economy, and reunite administration in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Mustafa replaces former prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, who resigned in February along with his administration, citing the need for change in light of Israel's war on Gaza and the rising violence in the occupied West Bank. The internationally recognized PA, which the Fatah party dominates, exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, but Hamas took over Gaza in 2007. It seeks to re-unify the government of Palestinian territories after encountering significant challenges, including strong opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a devastating war that continues to rage without an end in sight. Hamas and Fatah are expected to have talks this week in Moscow. Mustafa previously served as economy minister and deputy prime minister and held senior positions at the World Bank. Mustafa was named chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) by Abbas in 2015. The PIF finances projects throughout the occupied Palestinian territories and has assets close to $1 billion. Read Also: Kamala Harris To Visit Minnesota Abortion Clinic, in Historic First for Any President or VP Mustafa Defends Palestinians During the seven-week conflict that claimed the lives of over 2,100 Palestinians, Mustafa oversaw a committee tasked with reconstructing Gaza while serving as deputy prime minister responsible for economic issues from 2013 to 2014. Mustafa said that the catastrophe and humanitarian impact of Israel's ongoing war on Gaza was far larger than ten years ago in a speech at Davos in January. Biden administration officials have asked Abbas to restructure the PA to include technocrats and economic experts to assist in governing post-war Gaza. However, since the president would remain in overall control, it is unclear if the US demands for reform could be met by appointing a new cabinet led by a close Abbas ally. Meanwhile, Israel has declared that it will never cooperate with a Palestinian government that does not oppose Hamas and its attack on southern Israel on October 7. Mustafa described the October 7 attack as "unfortunate for everybody" in his Davos speech. He said that it is also a symptom of a bigger problem that the Palestinian people have been suffering for 75 years non-stop. He added that until today, they still believe that statehood for Palestinians is the way forward. They hope that this time around, they will be able to achieve that so that all people in the region can live in security and peace. Related Article: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Could Be Ousted from Power as Coalition in Jeopardy, US Intelligence Report Claims @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pro-Ukrainian militants said they have crossed into Russian border regions and launched attacks this week. However, Russia insists it beat back the raids, staged three days before it holds a presidential election. Russian forces are seen in a video released by the Freedom of Russia Legion, mainly composed of anti-Putin Russian fighters, deserting Tetkino, a municipality in the Kursk region on the Russian side of the border. Pro-Ukraine Exiled Russian Fighters Launch Attacks Forces from other pro-Ukrainian groups, such as the Siberian Battalion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, also threatened to invade the Kursk and Belgorod regions. According to researchers from the Insitute for the Study of War, a Washington-based research group used tanks, armored vehicles, and drones to carry out these operations. Moscow initially denied that the attackers had entered any places within Russia. Later, it also claimed that the enemy fighters were forced out after making limited progress into Russia. The Russian ministry of defense thanked Russian soldiers and said that all attacks by Ukrainian terrorists have been repelled. The situation on the ground appears to be somewhat less clear than claimed by Russian authorities. Sim Tack, chief military analyst at Force Analysis, a conflict monitoring organization and state, said that at the moment, pro-Ukrainian forces and the battles surrounding Tetkino seem capable of controlling part of this locality. Russia's national guard reported on Thursday that it was fighting off attacks from pro-Ukrainian groups in the Kursk region as border confrontations continued. The Russian defense ministry said that its forces had killed 195 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed five tanks and four armored infantry vehicles two days after claiming to have killed 234 Ukrainian soldiers in another border assault. In a joint statement, three pro-Kyiv militant groups demanded that the Russian government evacuate residents from the Belgorod and Kursk districts, arguing that "civilians should not suffer from the war." Read Also: RNC Sues Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Over Voter Roll Maintenance Russian-Ukraine War Expert Compares Past, Current Incursions Huseyn Aliyev, a specialist on the Russia-Ukraine war at the University of Glasgow, said that the present incursions are very similar to what happened in the spring and summer of 2023. Aliyev claimed that Pro-Kyiv Russian forces had crossed the border in that invasion a little further south in the Belgorod area. Furthermore, he said they had briefly taken control of a settlement before fleeing due to Russian artillery fire. At the time unprecedented, last year's invasions highlighted Russia's inadequate national territory protection and put pressure on the country. At that point, the war's dynamics were to Ukraine's advantage because its army had successfully repelled Russian attacks. The 2023 raids created the impression that Ukraine could launch an attack anywhere since they started before Kyiv's counteroffensive. Today, the situation is quite different, and now that the counteroffensive has failed, Ukraine is further behind. Aliyev noted that Moscow has built a defensive line about twenty kilometers inside Russian territory, which this line of trenches extends from the north of the Kursk region to the south of the Belgorod region. According to Aliyev, Russia had no defensive positions before the previous year, so deeper intrusions into Russian territory may occur. Tetkino was targeted by pro-Ukrainian forces due to its vulnerable situation. "The village captured is not behind the defensive line. It's a buffer zone, what Russia calls a security zone," Aliyev said. "On the other side of the border, the region is mostly under the control of Ukrainians, so it's not difficult for pro-Ukraine forces to cross the border and occupy that village." Related Article: EU Countries Seal $5 Billion Deal for Ukraine Military Aid After Weeks of Debates @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ruled out holding a general election on May 2, when local elections are already taking place. The prime minister previously refused to provide definitive statements about the general election date, saying his working assumption was that it would occur in the second half of the year. UK General Election ITV News West Country asked the prime minister whether he planned to hold a quick election on the same day as the local elections, and he responded, "There won't be a general election on that day." In Westminster, there had been wild speculation that Sunak was getting ready to call for a general election on May 2 and dissolve the legislature before the end of March. Even while Sunak stated in January that his "working assumption" was that there would be an election in the second half of the year, he has repeatedly refused to rule out the possibility before this week. On Thursday, he said that in several weeks, they have elections for police and crime commissioners, local councils, and mayors across the country. He did not completely rule out holding an early spring election. The Labour Party has raised the possibility of holding a spring snap election. The shadow paymaster general, Jonathan Ashworth, made a $12 bet live on Sky News that the election would take place in May. According to some Labour and Conservative politicians, an early election would mostly avoid the repercussions from a potentially painful series of local elections and a challenging summer in which minor boat crossings across the Channel might further damage the Tories' record on immigration. Read Also: LATAM Boeing Flight Mishap: Movement of Pilot's Seat Focus of Probe Labour Leader Calls to Break Habit of Delaying Election Isaac Levido, who is running the Conservatives' election campaign, wants it to focus on the government's delivery record. Tory strategists hope the economy will improve, and Sunak will have more to show from his time in No10 by delaying until later in the year. Pat McFadden MP, Labour's national campaign coordinator, said that the British public could expect an election to be called by March 26 and held on May 2 after 14 years of Tory failure. "Until the day to call it has passed, we are prepared for the election to occur on the usual day in the election cycle. Rishi Sunak should stop squatting in Downing Street and give the country what it desperately needs - a chance for change with a Labour government." January 2025 is the latest that Sunak might hold the election. Insiders believe Labour is talking about the possibility of an early election so they can call Sunak a coward if he chooses not to have one. In response to the budget, the Labour leader claimed that it is time to break the habit of 14 years. The leader noted stopping the dithering, delay, and uncertainty and confirming May 2 as the next general election date as Britain deserves better and Labour is ready. Related Article: Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill Suffers Major Defeat in UK House of Lords Read more Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill Suffers Major Defeat in UK House of Lords @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple has reportedly acquired Canadian artificial intelligence (AI) startup DarwinAI, specializing in vision-based technology for improving manufacturing efficiency. According to the company's LinkedIn accounts, although Apple and DarwinAI still have not disclosed their partnership, several startup team members joined Apple's machine learning teams in January. Apple Buys DarwinAI DarwinAI has secured over $15 million in funding from investors in multiple rounds, including Inovia Capital, Honeywell Ventures, Obvious Ventures, and BDC Capital's Deep Tech Venture Fund. On its website, BDC Capital affirms that it has received an exit from DarwinAI, while Obvious Venture has updated its portfolio to reflect the startup's acquisition. At the time of writing, BDC Capital and Obvious Ventures had not responded to inquiries about the report, and Apple did not immediately respond to queries for comment. Bloomberg mentioned in its report that apart from improving manufacturing efficiency, DarwinAI employs methods to create smaller and quicker AI models. This may be helpful for the generative AI features that Apple plans to include in iOS 18 later this year. Compared to rivals like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, Apple has been slower in releasing capabilities driven by AI. Tim Cook stated in February that such features would be released "later this year." "We continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort, and we're excited to share the details of our ongoing work in that space later this year," Cook said during a quarterly earnings call with analysts. The chief executive of Apple approved funding for gen-AI initiatives last year. Apple has indicated in its job postings that it is investigating the integration of AI into several internal and external domains, including customer service, developer tools, and Siri. Read Also: Palestinian President Abbas Names Mohammed Mustafa as New Prime Minister Amid Reform Push Apple To Launch iPhone 16 in a Few Months Apple has just launched the iPhone 15, but rumors about the iPhone 16 are already swirling. The series is anticipated to significantly outperform its predecessors in terms of upgrades and enhancements. There are rumors that the device will have an entirely new design, a more powerful processor, improved camera capabilities, and a display. The design of the iPhone 16 is anticipated to be significantly altered, as leaked concept models suggest a change from earlier versions. According to reports, Apple plans to switch from a triangle to a vertical twin camera arrangement, potentially focused on spatial video recording for the Apple Vision Pro headset. Furthermore, the iPhone X's vertical camera island may have inspired the design. Renders also indicate improved camera functionality by changing design features like volume buttons and adding a new Capture button. Pale yellow, pink, and black are speculated to be the color choices for the base model iPhone 16, while there may be other color options as well. Related Article: iOS 18: Everything To Know About Apple's Upcoming New Update @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. US officials had secret talks with Iranian counterparts to address a range of concerns, such as the nuclear program of the rogue state and the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea by Tehran-backed Houthi rebels. Following the recent assault on Israel by Hamas, there has been increased international attention on Iran's role as a state sponsor of terror. Houthi Attacks Disrupt Vital Trade Routes Continued string of Houthi attacks in the essential waterway connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe has resulted with substantial delays to maritime traffic. As a result, many vessels have chosen to avoid this dangerous route. The recent increase in hostilities has not only created a significant risk for cargo and energy shipments, but has also raised worries around the safety and security of global trade routes. This was the first time the two nations had communicated directly since 2023. The talks were focused on addressing the Houthi-led attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Unnamed officials have provided reports suggesting that during the negotiations, the US delegation, led by White House Middle East advisor Brett McGurk and Iranian envoy Abram Paley, engaged in a confrontation with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani. Mediators from Oman participated an essential part in facilitating communication between the US and Iranian delegations, which emphasizes the delicate situation of the talks. The discussions, which were initially scheduled for February, were delayed as McGurk redirected his efforts towards facilitating a temporary truce and securing the release of hostages between Israel and Hamas, according to Times of Israel. Read Also: Ballarat Gold Mine Tragedy: 1 Miner Dies, 25 Safely Rescued in 500 Meters Rockfall Underground Houthi Strikes Threaten Global Trade The Houthi rebels suffer from their missile strikes on Israeli warships in the Red Sea as a show of support for Hamas and as a part of a larger "axis of resistance" against the US and Israel. But these attacks have not been limited to ships with close ties to Israel, which presents a serious risk to international trade and energy trade. The Houthi attacks' continuance in disregard for international attempts to halt them, including as interceptions and targeted strikes, is increasing tensions in the region. The US and the UK proved their decisiveness by attacking Houthi locations in Yemen and renaming the militia as a terrorist organization. An essential route for handling various risks and averting a bigger confrontation is the indirect discussion between the United States and Iran. Though Tehran says it has little power over the Houthi rebels, there are indications that Tehran is open to talks to ease tensions with the United States. Iran may be attempting to defuse tensions, as evidenced by recent events such as the departure of top Revolutionary Guards commanders from the area and a decline in strikes against US sites in Iraq and Syria. Also, signs of joint efforts in containing Shiite militias in Iraq point to a possible improvement in US-Iran ties. Diplomatic actions are still crucial in preventing further escalation and ensuring marine security along important trade routes since the situation in the region is still unpredictable. Related Article: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Could Be Ousted from Power as Coalition in Jeopardy, US Intelligence Report Claims @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Experts warned that even though officials are having difficulty determining the cause, an uncommon but severe bacterial illness is spreading at a record rate throughout Japan. As more highly dangerous and infectious strains of group A streptococcal disease were confirmed in Japan, there is growing worry that the most severe and possibly deadly form of the disease, Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), will continue to spread. In 2024, the number of cases is predicted to surpass the record numbers from the previous year. Japan Faces Alarming Streptococcal Surge Last year, the NIID released provisional data indicating that an amount of 941 STSS cases were reported. In an unexpected course of circumstances, an alarming 378 new cases have been reported in Japan within the first two months of 2024. These cases have been detected in almost all of Japan's 47 regions, with only two staying unharmed. According to recent statistics from NIID, there has been a shift in the demographics of those at higher risk. Previously, it was considered that older individuals were more susceptible, but now it appears that patients under 50 are experiencing more fatalities, particularly from the group A strain. Following reports from the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, a concerning number of individuals under 50 were diagnosed with STSS between July and December 2023. Tragically, a significant portion of these patients, specifically 21 out of 65, did not survive the illness. STSS, predominantly caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly known as strep A, typically manifests as sore throats, particularly among children. However, the highly contagious nature of the bacteria can result in severe health complications and even death, particularly among adults over 30, with approximately 30% of STSS cases proving fatal. The symptoms associated with STSS can escalate from mild cold-like symptoms to severe conditions such as strep throat, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and meningitis. In the most severe cases, the infection can progress to multiple organ failure and tissue necrosis, according to The Guardian. Read Also: Kamala Harris To Visit Minnesota Abortion Clinic, in Historic First for Any President or VP STSS Surge Linked to COVID-19 Easing There is speculation among experts that the recent rise in cases of STSS could be connected to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions that were put in place during the pandemic. In May 2023, the Japanese government made a significant decision around the status of COVID-19. They decided to downgrade its severity, treating it more like seasonal flu. As a result, certain containment measures were lifted. There was an apparent reduction in the population's vigilance following the change in policy, even though measures such as mask-wearing, hand sanitizing, and social distancing had proven effective in keeping COVID19 fatalities relatively low compared to other countries. Ken Kikuchi, a professor specializing in infectious diseases at Tokyo Women's Medical University, has voiced serious concerns about the substantial spike in severe streptococcal infections. He believes that this increase can be primarily attributed to the changed public perception towards COVID-19. Kikuchi emphasized the impact of changing attitudes towards the pandemic on the neglect of essential infection prevention practices, such as regular hand disinfection. In addition, the health ministry illustrates the significance of implementing crucial infection control measures, including good hand hygiene and following cough etiquette. This is because streptococcal infections can be transmitted through respiratory droplets and physical contact. In light of the ongoing concerns regarding the increase in infections, health authorities insist on the importance of maintaining reservations and following preventive measures to limit the spread of the disease. Related Article: New York Subway Rider Shoots 'Aggressive' Commuter in Head as Rush Hour Passengers Duck for Their Lives: Report @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Privy Council in London heard Vybz Kartel's appeal of his murder conviction for the 2014 killing of Clive "Lizard" Williams, overturning the ruling against the Jamaican dancehall artist. The 48-year-old was given a life sentence for the murder of Williams on the Caribbean island. The Privy Council argued that a juror in the case was accused of trying to bribe others and should have been thrown out of the trial. Vybz Kartel's Murder Conviction Overturned Jamaican authorities will now decide whether or not Kartel's case should be retired. The musician, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is considered to be one of the country's most popular artists and has collaborated with various performers, including Jay-Z and Rihanna. Kartel's 64-day trial was one of the longest in the history of Jamaica and ended with the artist being ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years in prison. Later on, his sentence was reduced to 32 and a half years. The trial heard that the victim, Williams, and another man, Lamar Chow, were given two unlicensed firearms that belonged to Kartel for safekeeping. However, when the two men failed to return them at an agreed time, prosecutors argued that they were summoned to the artist's house in August 2011, according to BBC. At the time, Chow said that he and Williams were attacked and that the last thing he saw was Williams lying motionless on the ground and he was never seen alive after that. A few days after that encounter, the house burned down and the body was never recovered. Kartel, alongside his co-accused Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Adre St. John, maintained their innocence since the original trial. The defendants' appeal hearing last month before the Privy Council was their last chance to reverse the guilty verdict against them. The Privy Council in London serves as the highest court of appeal in Jamaica and other Commonwealth countries. A panel of justices, in delivering the council's ruling, said that one of the jurors who was accused of attempting to bribe fellow jury members was not removed from the trial. Read Also: Unusual Cooperation: Taiwan Joins China's Rescue Mission After Boat Sinks Near Kinmen Juror's Attempt To Bribe Others The judge in the case let that particular juror on the case and even had them have a say in the final verdicts. The council said that allowing the juror to stay was "fatal to the safety of the convictions which followed" and was an "infringement of the [defendants'] fundamental right to a fair hearing," said the New York Times. The news of the overturning of Kartel's conviction quickly spread through his Waterford community in Portmore, St. Catherine. His supporters were jubilant and gathered around television sets and radios at around 11:00 a.m. to listen as the Law Lords presented their ruling. Supporters in the area of Waterford known as "Gaza" erupted into deafening cheers and applause after hearing the favorable decision for their idol. John Paul, who is popularly known as Gaza Legend, said they were very pleased that the council ruled in support of Kartel. He then said that after the revelations, he had less trust in the Jamaican justice system because of the handling of the case with a corrupt juror. Paul said that he was very happy with the UK system, noting that it should stay in place without any changes, according to the Jamaica Gleaner. Related Article: Relatives of Hamas Hostages Block Highway in Tel Aviv @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A 19-year-old woman was shot in the hip following an argument with a man on a bus in Queens on Thursday evening, according to authorities. Around around 6:20 p.m., the victim and another passenger on a Q110 bus in Hollis engaged in a verbal altercation, as reported by the authorities. Woman Shot During Verbal Dispute in Queens Bus Following a violent altercation that took place on board a Q110 bus, a woman was shot in Queens. After the bus arrived at the stop at the intersection of Francis Lewis Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue, the fight reportedly became more heated, ending in a gunshot that struck the victim in the hip, as said by authorities from the law enforcement agency. During a short period of time following the altercation, emergency medical services (EMS) arrived at the site and promptly transferred the injured woman to Jamaica Hospital, WABC reported. Fortunately, it was reported that she was in stable condition, which provided a glimmer of solace in the middle of the unnerving turn of circumstances. After receiving reports of the gunshot, policemen from the 105th Precinct came to the intersection of Francis Lewis Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue in Hollis as soon as they could. This information was provided by authorities within the police department. Law enforcement authorities moved quickly to address the victim's condition. Read Also: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Promotes Texas Dentistry Company, Prompts Lawsuit by Consumer Advocacy Group Suspects Flee A witness described how the victim and the person who is suspected of carrying out the shooting got into a heated disagreement on the bus shortly before the victim was to get off at the stop that had been identified before. Unfortunately, their disagreement escalated to the point where it culminated in shooting that could be heard throughout the whole area. As he made his way along Francis Lewis Boulevard in the direction of the southbound direction, the suspect, who was described as a guy in his 20s, made a fast getaway from the scene, eluding capture as he made his way. There have been no arrests made as of yet and the investigation into the occurrence is still in progress. The authorities have made an appeal for help to the general public, requesting anybody who may have information that is pertinent to the investigation to come forward and assist in the pursuit of justice. By calling the Crime Stoppers Hotline of the New York Police Department at 1-800-577-information (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) in Spanish, individuals have the ability to give information in full anonymity. Related Article: Georgia Woman Dead After Getting Caught in Conveyor While Trying to Retrieve Dropped AirPod @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Royal Caribbean has suspended cruise visits to Haiti's Labadee peninsula for the next seven days following months of escalated gang violence in the country and the resignation of Ariel Henry as prime minister. According to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, the company would continue the suspension as required with three days advance notice to guests sailing on impacted itineraries. "Due to the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we're temporarily suspending our visits to Labadee for our entire fleet," Assistant Vice President Aurora Yera-Rodriguez said in a statement. "We continue to monitor and assess the situation with our Global Security & Intelligence Team." Read Also: Haiti's Bid for New Leadership Amidst Gang Violence Fails as Political Parties Reject Plan Royal Caribbean also told travel agents in an email seen by Reuters that itineraries with stops in Labadee would be replaced with a stop in Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, or an extra day at sea. The Haitian resort peninsula-located 128 miles (206 kilometers) north of Port-au-Prince, where most of the unrest is happening-has been leased by the company and represented only a fraction of deployment to the region so the cancellations should not have any significant impact, Morningstar equity analyst Jaime Katz said. Meanwhile, rival cruise ship firm Carnival does not have any cruise stops in Haiti. Related Article: Haiti's Notorious Gang Leader 'Barbecue' Issues Ominous Threat After PM Resignation @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In an unusual case, we are now hearing from the doctor who stands accused of sharing disturbing images on his social media, showing a tragic incident involving a decapitated baby. This came after the parents of a newborn baby filed a lawsuit against the doctor. The lawsuit alleged that the doctor had posted images of their lifeless baby's body on Instagram. Dr. Jackson Gates and his business, Medical Diagnostic Choices, recently faced a default decision after failing to respond in kind to a civil complaint filed by Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr., according to records cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta Doctor Faces Lawsuit Over Infant's Death In the ongoing legal case related to the tragic passing of Treveon Isaiah Taylor Jr., an Atlanta doctor is caught up in a lawsuit filled with emotional turmoil and charges of privacy violation. In July, the couple faced a devastating situation when their child tragically suffered a broken neck during childbirth due to a rare birth complication called shoulder dystocia. The Taylors felt a devastating result due to a medical condition where the baby's shoulders became lodged in the mother's pelvis. Later on, Ross and Taylor sought the assistance of Dr. Gates to conduct an autopsy on their deceased infant. However, their distress intensified when they found out that Gates had violated their privacy by sharing distressing images of their deceased child on Instagram without their permission. In September 2023, the couple decided to take legal action against Gates and MDC in response to these actions. Even though the court ruled in their favor, the Taylors' attorney brought out that the result provides little relief in the heat of their enduring sorrow. Considering the couple's difficult experience, the attorney said, "They were taken advantage of, not only by the hospital, but also violated again by Dr. Gates, and it's been tough for them." Read Also: Man Arrested by Massachusetts Police for Allegedly Raping Teen Girl at Hotel Used as Migrant Shelter Doctor Silent Amid Infant Death Legal Proceedings During the legal proceedings, Dr. Gates chose not to provide any comments or statements regarding the matter. The individual's removal from public communication is reflected in the decision to make their Instagram account private, effectively protecting it from further investigation. The legal proceedings continue in the context of another lawsuit filed by Ross against Southern Regional Medical Center, the location of the childbirth. In her complaint, Ross claimed that the hospital staff's actions during delivery were reckless, which she believes led to the tragic decapitation of her baby. The Taylors' case against Dr. Gates centers around the claim that he allegedly neglected to obtain consent for recording the autopsy and later shared graphic videos of the procedure on his Instagram account. Despite being warned to stop, Gates reportedly continued to share disturbing content on social media, further adding to the pain of the parents who had died. As the legal proceedings take place, the Taylors are determined to find closure and guarantee that justice is served for the deeply distressing invasion of their privacy and dignity. However, the outcome of this case is still unknown, as a judge in Georgia has not yet determined the amount of damages that Dr. Gates will be responsible for. Related Article: Baby Decapitation in Georgia Hospital Ruled Homicide After Family Files Lawsuit Claiming Medical Negligence @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Australia announced that it was unfreezing funding aid to Palestine's main relief agency, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), following allegations that its staff were involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by the Hamas militant group. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Australia would provide an additional $6 million in aid for the Gaza Strip. This came after officials expressed horror at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the war-torn region. Australia To Resume UNRWA Funding Wond defended the decision to reinstate funding to the relief agency, saying that the allegations against UNRWA warranted an immediate and appropriate response. She said that the Australian government, in the face of such accusations, needs to ensure that it assures the people that it was able to ensure that assistance goes to the appropriate people. The foreign minister noted that the best advice from agencies and the Australian government lawyers was that UNRWA is not a terrorist organization. The development follows Israel's calls for the UN relief agency to be disbanded and replaced, according to the Daily Mail. This came after Jerusalem accused the UNRWA of being aligned with the Hamas militant group, which Australia recognizes as a terrorist organization. Following the announcement, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Australian Jewish Association slammed the decision. They argued that Australia's money risks going to fund the Hamas group's efforts. Read Also: Relatives of Hamas Hostages Block Highway in Tel Aviv Despite its accusations, Israel only provided some of the evidence that it relied upon to determine that UNRWA was affiliated with Hamas. The Oct. 7, 2023, attack in question resulted in the death of roughly 1,200 Israelis and more than 200 people becoming hostages. Wong said that Australia considered all of these factors, adding that the government also sought advice from security agencies and government lawyers. The foreign minister said that the primary consideration in restoring funding for UNRWA was that the money would be used appropriately. Israel's Allegations Against the Relief Agency Additionally, the Australian foreign minister said that her country would be supporting airdrops conducted by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza. It was revealed that a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster will deliver 140 aerial delivery parachutes, said The Hill. Izzat Abdulhadi, the head of the general delegation of Palestine to Australia, said that it was a "principled and timely step." He noted that this was particularly true given the increasingly dire and catastrophic humanitarian situation that Palestinians in Gaza are facing. On the other hand, Amir Maimon, the Israeli ambassador to Australia, said that the decision was "very disappointing." He noted that it comes before the UN's own review is finalized, which is expected to come later this month. Australia was among more than a dozen countries that suspended funding to the UNRWA following Israel's accusations. According to US News, the allegations prompted an investigation by the UN and led to the relief agency itself firing some staff members. Related Article: Chuck Schumer Says Netanyahu Has 'Lost His Way,' Calls For His Replacement @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A powerful storm is bringing severe weather conditions to the central US for the second day in a row, with heavy snow, tornadoes, and large hail. Severe thunderstorms started to form in areas of the Plains and Ohio Valley while heavy snowfall was causing major disruptions in parts of Colorado. Powerful Snow Storm in Colorado In the last two days, Colorado has seen quite a bit of snowfall in its mountainous areas, while the city has taken in more than half a foot of snow. The unusual weather conditions have caused major disruptions, such as the closure of a large section of Interstate 70 (I-70), numerous school closures, and power outages impacting over 100,000 customers, mainly in the Denver area. Due to the heavy snowfall, more than 800 flights were canceled at Denver International Airport by Thursday afternoon, causing further travel disruptions throughout the state. Although no injuries have been reported as a result of the weather, a few drivers noticed each other temporarily stranded until I-70 reopened. However, it is worth noting that the road is currently closed to trucks until noon on Friday and there is a possibility that it may also shut down for passenger vehicles. Matt Inzeo, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation, emphasized the ongoing attempts being made to ensure that roads remain obtainable regardless of adverse conditions. He strongly advised drivers to be well-prepared with essential supplies like food and blankets in case of any emergencies. In a situation of adversity presented by the storm, Colorado's ski industry has experienced a significant boost. In any case, the extreme weather conditions led to the closure of several ski resorts. Further, quite a few schools and government offices in the Denver area were closed on Thursday, and it is expected that more closures will occur on Friday, according to NPR. Read Also: Courtney Fannon Death: Pregnant NYC Teacher Dies After Collapsing in Classroom Just 1 Month Before Giving Birth to First Baby Impeding Outdoor Activities Amid Snowfall Power outages persisted across Colorado, affecting more than 53,000 customers, particularly in metropolitan Denver and along the Front Range, according to poweroutage.us. Supposedly the problems posed by the snowfall, Melanie Brooks and other residents were uneasy by the effect it had on their capacity to relish outdoor activities. Difficult driving conditions made it difficult for them to participate in these opportunities. The storm, beginning as rain and then transitioning into snow, has been described as a rare phenomenon, especially due to its considerable impact on the eastern portion of the state. However, the impact on the Colorado River's water supply, which is crucial for millions of people in the Western United States, is still uncertain. As Colorado residents are dealing with the repercussions of heavy snowfall, there are also worries about severe thunderstorms that are posing a threat to a larger area. Spanning over 1,000 miles across the United States, these storms bring the potential for destructive wind gusts, sizable hail, and tornadoes, especially in regions ranging from Texas to Ohio. Authorities have issued severe weather warnings, urging residents to remain alert and ready. During nighttime tornadoes, it is essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety. Emergency alerts, fully charged devices, and loud alarms are strongly recommended to protect yourself from the heightened dangers that at night threats pose, KCRA 3 reported. Related Article: Indiana-Kentucky Border Hit by Damaging Tornadoes, Destroy Structures, Electricity @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After the Minneapolis City Council decided Thursday, March 14, to force ride-hailing companies to pay their drivers a local minimum wage of at least $15.57 per hour after overriding the mayor's veto, Lyft and Uber announced that they would pull out of the city's market. Exiting the Market According to The Associated Press, Lyft criticized the council's policy as "deeply flawed," adding that the company backs a minimum wage for drivers but disagrees with the one they approved. "This ordinance makes our operations unsustainable, and as a result, we are shutting down operations in Minneapolis when the law takes effect on May 1." Uber also published a statement that day stating that it would likewise suspend operations. As anticipated, the ordinance will be implemented and put into force on May 1. See Also: Biden's New Labor Law May Allow Gig Workers to Claim Employee Status: Will App-Based Firms Be Affected? 'Workers Over Corporate Greed' On Thursday, the state House Republicans introduced a measure to bypass municipal laws of ride-hailing services. Both firms have pledged to advocate for statewide legislation to challenge the Minneapolis rule. Last week, the proposal was enacted by the City Council with a 9-4 vote, even though Mayor Jacob Frey had promised to reject it. The law requires a minimum wage of $1.40 per mile plus $0.51 per minute for each minute a driver spends carrying a passenger, or $5 per trip (whichever is greater), for ride-hailing services. That just covers the part of a multi-city journey that happens in Minneapolis. Those who oppose the measure argue that the impending price increases would affect everyone, particularly those with disabilities and low incomes who depend on ride-hailing services. Proponents of the services assert that drivers, who are disproportionately immigrants and people of color, have been exploited for their low wages. "Today's vote showed Uber, Lyft, and the Mayor that the Minneapolis City Council will not allow the East African community, or any community, to be exploited for cheap labor," said Jamal Osman, a council member who co-authored the policy. "The Council chooses workers over corporate greed." See Also: Tennessee Farm Worker Discovers Severed Pig's Head at Workstation After Discussing Wages With Management @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Dan Hemby/Facebook) Dan Hemby holds up an alligator snapping turtle in an image posted on his Facebook page. Hemby said his turtle, named Thanos, went missing when he was driving to a reptile expo in North Carolina on Sunday. Missing: 180-pound, 38-inch, 100-year-old alligator snapping turtle, known to frequent freshwater habitats and distinguished by powerful jaws that can bite through bone. Last seen Sunday on its way to a reptile expo in North Carolina. Foul play feared. Dan Hemby said he last saw the turtle, named Thanos and considered part of the family, as he was driving along Interstate 40 in Durham, N.C., from Jacksonville. "It's almost like losing a piece of myself, to be honest with you," Hemby told ABC 11. He was heading to the Durham Reptile Expo when he noticed something was wrong. "We weren't even maybe 30 minutes away from the convention center, and we get there ... first thing I see is all three straps were popped open and moved to the side and the grates were moved over," he told the station. Looking back on the trip, Hemby said he fears Thanos may have been stolen at a rest stop outside of Benson, N.C., where he last looked in on the turtle. "He couldn't bite his way out. I don't think he could strong-arm his way out, honestly, especially not with the three ratchet straps that were on there," Hemby said. "I think somebody messed with him, I honestly don't know what to think." He said he also checked for blood marks on the highway in case Thanos somehow escaped. "If he did fall, he probably got scraped up," Hemby said. "He probably survived as long as he was on this front. But if he got on his back, I don't know if he would be able to get back on after that much impact. His first thing he would do is probably go for water." Wildlife experts told ABC 11 that if Thanos fell onto the highway, it may have survived if a river was nearby because they fare better in water than on land. "If you see him, please let us know. Be careful. Do not handle him," Hemby said. "He couldn't go out as far as regular turtles, or regular common snappers. If somebody stole them, please just get him home or just make sure he's safe." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Open Armsthe aid ship carrying 200 tons of aid from Cyprusapproached the coast of Gaza on Friday, March 15, to bring assistance and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the strip five months into the Israel-Hamas War. The ship, manned by the Spanish aid group Proactiva Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday (Mar. 12) and has been towing a barge filled with food sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. The Associated Press reported that by Friday morning local time, the ship was visible off the coast of Gaza. Israel has been pressured to allow more aid to Gaza as the war continues in the Palestinian enclave. Of late, the United States has joined other countries in airdropping supplies in northern Gaza and has announced separate plans to construct a pier to get aid in. Read Also: Ramadan Dawns on Gaza's Desperate Struggle with Ceasefire, Hunger Crisis, Delayed Aid Relief More Aid on the Way However, aid groups said that airdrops and sea shipments were far less efficient in delivering the massive amounts of aid needed in Gaza. Instead, they suggested that Israel should guarantee safe corridors for truck convoys after land deliveries became nearly impossible because of military restrictions, protests by hostage families, ongoing hostilities, and the breakdown of order after the Hamas-run police force largely vanished from the streets. Earlier this week, Israel allowed six aid trucks to enter northern Gaza directly, which was a step aid groups were calling for. World Central Kitchen spokesperson Linda Roth said that since the war began, the organization has served 32 million meals in its 65 kitchens in Gaza. The aid included rice, flour, lentils, beans, tuna, and canned meat. The group planned to distribute the food in the north of the strip, which was hugely devastated in the early months of the war. Meanwhile, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said that a second vessel loaded with more aid would sail to Gaza once the supplies from the first ship had been offloaded and distributed. However, he did not specify the departure date, saying that it would depend, in part, on whether the Open Arms delivery went smoothly. Related Article: Hope on the Horizon: Open Arms Aid Ship Finally Sets Sail for Gaza @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Alex Slitz-Pool/Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump and eight of his co-defendants appealed a judge's order allowing District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the election interference case against them in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue to work on the Georgia 2020 election interference racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and others - if the special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship is removed, a judge ruled Friday. Attorneys for Trump and his co-defendants had argued that the relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade constituted a conflict of interest from which Willis and Wade personally benefited. Following intense testimony - including from Willis - Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee on Friday rejected the allegation that Willis had gained from the relationship, according to outlets including the Associated Press. McAfee also, ruled, however, that there remained the "appearance of impropriety." "As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed," the judge wrote. "Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist." McAfee ruled Friday that Willis can stay on the case, but only if Wade is removed. Willis did not immediately respond to the Associated Press' request for comment. An attorney for Trump co-defendant Michael Roman had sought a dismissal of the indictment, alleging that Willis paid Wade for his work, then directly benefited from the case when Wade in turn paid for vacations for the two of them. Willis testified that there was no conflict of interest, and that she had either paid for things herself or reimbursed Wade with cash. The relationship ended in the summer of 2023, both she and Wade testified. Trump and several co-defendants are accused of violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act in their bid to keep him in office after his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee in this fall's election, has denied wrongdoing. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. South Korean actor O Yeong-su, who was known for starring in the first season of the Netflix series "Squid Game," was convicted by a local court on Friday, March 15, on charges of sexual harassment. According to Reuters, the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court sentenced 79-year-old O to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, as well as 40 hours of attendance at a sexual violence treatment program. Local media previously reported that the actor was charged with two counts of sexual harassment in 2017 when he allegedly hugged a woman and kissed her on the cheek against her will. O has categorically denied the allegations. He was indicted for the case in 2022, with prosecutors initially seeking a one-year prison sentence for O. Read Also: Director Roman Polanski's Civil Trial on 1973 Rape Case Set for August 2025 O Plans to Appeal Ruling As he was leaving court on Friday, O told reporters that he planned to appeal against the decision within the seven-day allotted period. On the other hand, Womenlink, a South Korean women's rights group, welcomed the ruling and urged O to apologize to the victim. "The defendant resembles other offenders of sexual violence in theatre in the past who tried to cover up their sexual violence as 'favor' and 'friendship,'" the group said on X, formerly Twitter. O won Best Supporting Actor in Television at the 2022 Golden Globe Awards for his role as the elderly character Oh Il-Nam, one of the main antagonists of the first season of "Squid Game." The accolade made him the first South Korean to ever get a Golden Globe recognition. The accusations of sexual harassment saw him dropping out of an upcoming South Korean film. Other figures in the country's film industry, like the late filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun, have also faced sexual assault allegations, Mediacorp reported. Related Article: Alec Baldwin Asks Judge To Dismiss 'Rust' Manslaughter Indictment Following Armorer Hannah Gutierrez' Conviction @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tragedy in California as a 32-year-old California fights for her life after suffering a brutal beating during a robbery at the beauty shop she manages. Marlene Sandoval suffered severe injury as she tried to fight off four women who were robbing the M Beauty store. Surveillance video shows Sandoval on the ground outside being beaten and thrown to the ground by the group of assailants. The footage shows Sandoval collapsing to the ground as she tried to stand. The suspects fled in a white sedan and remain at large at press time. The victim suffered two heart attacks in as many days and is now in a medically induced coma. Her family told reporters that she now needs a heart transplant. The store owner, Daniel Min, told NBC 4, "We just want justice for Marlene and her family. We are just hoping and praying for the best and for her recovery, and for her to come back." "This isn't how California used to be. I think our state's judicial system definitely needs to change," Min told the media. "How the DA prosecutes these individuals should definitely be more aggressive and put these people where they're supposed to be, like in jail." "I can't sleep. I can't concentrate on the everyday things I have to do because I'm worried about my little daughter," her father Enrique said. "She is my sunshine. She is the sunshine of my life," he told NBC 7. "It's incredible they don't care about the life of the other person. It was a brutal attack on my daughter." "Those girls are having no respect for human beings," he told Fox 11. "My daughter she is very very responsible for where she works. So she blocked the exit at the store trying to stop those girls with the merchandise." "We are praying every day and every night," continued Enrique. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images) Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo) Doubts TikTok Ban will make it through the Senate. Sen. Josh Hawley is giving his fellow Republicans a reality check after the GOP-backed TikTok ban passed the House this week, saying in an interview he is skeptical the bill would make any headway on Chuck Schumer's Senate floor. Hawley was reportedly was among the first to applaud the bills passing yesterday, which would require TikTok owner ByteDance to divest from the social media app or risk being banned in America. However, According to Axios, Hawley does not have confidence that the measure will see the same outcome in the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has been noncommittal about bringing it to the Senate floor where some have objected to the bill's language. "I'd be fine taking [the House bill] up verbatim," said Hawley. "But if folks want to take it up and amend it, we can. ... My observation is that people say: 'I agree with the idea in principle but have concerns.' That basically means we should never do anything. What we're likely to see happen in the Senate is people will nickel-and-dime it, a death by a thousand cuts. Nothing that Big Tech doesn't want moves across the Senate floor." Senator Hawley went on to express concern that the true security concerns are about American user data and not an algorithm that is propagandized by Communist China. "The app collects way more information than it needs to feed its algorithm, and that information is available to the Chinese Communist Party upon request. ... I don't think we want Americans' text messages to be read, or their geolocations to be available to the CCP, so it can build a dossier on every American. ... Maybe that's to feed its own AI or for some other reason, but it is a hostile foreign government that's been behind hacks of other U.S. citizen information." "It's not really what's on the platform itself ... that's a red herring." There have also been concerns that China may not allow ByteDance to divest from TIkTok. "It's a good question. If it doesn't, that would show how important this app and its algorithm really are." When asked about the prospect that TikTok may be sold to an American tech company, Hawley was against such an outcome. "I'd certainly oppose one of the monopolistic tech companies, like Meta or Google, from buying it. I think we ought to be breaking those companies up." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : John Moore/Getty Images) Migrants pass through coils of razor wire at the Mexican border near El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot testified at a Senate hearing on Thursday that more than 1,000 drones are flying over the southern border each month. A high-ranking military official told senators Thursday that he was alarmed by the thousands of drones flying over the southern border and warned that the incursions represent a "growing" potential threat to the nation's defense. "The number of incursions was something that was alarming to me as I took command last month," Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot said in response to a question from Sen. Ted Budd at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Guillot, the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, said the exact number of drones is hard to pinpoint, but from discussions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Justice Department, he believes there are "probably" more than a thousand a month. "I don't know the actual number - I don't think anybody does - but it's in the thousands," he told Budd, a Republican from North Carolina. Asked whether he sees the unmanned aircraft as a security threat, Guillot said he hasn't "seen any of them manifest in a threat to the level of national defense." "But I see the potential only growing," Guillot added. Cartel members from Mexico use the drones to monitor the movement of agents on patrol near the Mexican border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement last year. In a January 2023 bust at a stash house that smugglers were using to transport migrants over the border illegally, Customs and Border officials discovered video footage showing federal agents being recorded by drones. "Human smugglers using drones to surveil the Border Patrol is a growing trend that we've observed along the border," San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke said in a statement. "This technology provides transnational criminal organizations with new capability that they are eager to exploit." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)) A thoracic surgeon holds a lung as he performs a transplantation operation in an unrelated organ procedure. The Kansas Supreme Court's rare split decision is allowing a Stormont Vail Health patient to continue her lawsuit against a Topeka hospital and doctor who removed the wrong organ from her body during a routine procedure. When Jeannine Williams-Davidson checked into Stormont Vail to remove an adrenal gland, she had no idea Physician Nason Lui would remove part of her pancreas instead. While Williams-Davidson's lawsuit is justifiable, courts are at odds regarding whether a medical expert's testimony is required to determine if Lui's actions, including the removal of the incorrect organ while overlooking the noncancerous tumor organ, constituted a breach of policy. Kansas law typically mandates plaintiffs to present expert testimony in medical malpractice lawsuits due to jurors' limited medical knowledge. However, there's an exception known as the common sense and knowledge clause. This exception comes into play when a patient's care is substandard and apparent to an average person. Douglas County District Court previously ruled against the patient because a medical expert was not presented to the court, ultimately dismissing her claims. In July, the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed the decision after a three-judge panel disagreed with the original ruling, revealed The Topeka Capital-Journal. "When the surgeon misidentifies and removes all or part of a healthy organ, leaving the organ the surgeon intended to operate on untouched, the common-knowledge exception alleviates the need for expert testimony to establish the standard of care or a breach of that standard," wrote judges Amy Fellows Cline and Jacy J. Hurst. Judge David E. Bruns voiced his dissent, emphasizing that the error was unintentional. "The average layperson would not have the knowledge necessary to determine whether this mistake rose to the level of a breach of the appropriate standard of care by a surgeon," Bruns wrote. "In other words, I do not believe it is patently obvious that the bad result occurred due to a breach of reasonable care." Cynthia J. Sheppeard, who represented both Lui and Stormont Vail, said that Lui and a second doctor who assisted with the laparoscopic surgery with him would "testify that what happened sometimes happens, even with the best of care." "They were so close together, and the adrenal and the pancreas looked so much alike, and there was blood in the field, he'd been removing the adhesions," Sheppeard continued. "Between the two of them, they thought they were removing the adrenal." Jason Belveal, an attorney representing Williams-Davidson and her husband, Jeffrey Davidson, told the court, "I do believe that if you say to a person, I went in for surgery and my doctor left behind the diseased organ, cut out a healthy organ - or a big part of a healthy organ - any person off the street is going to go, 'Yikes, something went wrong on that." "Is it justice for all, or is it justice for those folks who can afford an expert to come in and say, 'No, this is wrong,'" adding that "at some point, we should trust the jurors to be able to make certain decisions." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images) James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, pictured with wife Keely Shaye Brosnan and their son Paris Brosnan in 2020, had to fork over a fine for wandering into protected areas of Yellowstone National Park, James Bond star Pierce Brosnan pleaded guilty on Thursday to illegally entering protected thermal areas of Yellowstone National Park during a visit in November 2023. The "Goldeneye" actor, 70, was issued citations for walking thermal areas within Yellowstone Canyon and "violating closures and use limits" on Nov. 1. Unlike his famous character, British agent 007, he was less than stealthy, caught after he posted pictures of the trek online. He entered the Mammoth Terraces area in the northern part of the park, which features bubbling hot springs, TMX reports. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick dismissed the citation for violating closures and use limits, and, for the other offense, issued a fine of $500 and ordered the actor to make a donation of $1,000 to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization, by April 1. Prosecutors had sought a $5,000 fine and two years of probation, according to TMX. Perhaps stirred, but not shaken by the mishap, Brosnan took to Instagram on Thursday to issue an apology and to urge other Yellowstone visitors to "#StayOnThePath." "As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world. However, I made an impulsive mistake one that I do not take lightly when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph," Brosnan wrote. "I did not see a 'No Trespassing' sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area," he wrote. "I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. #StayOnThePath." Brosnan was in Wyoming filming the upcoming Western "Unholy Trinity," alongside Samuel L. Jackson, at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Paradise Valley. According to Yellowstone National Park's website, the park is home to a variety of hydro-thermal features, including geysers; hot springs; mud pots, which are acidic hot springs that dissolve the surrounding rock; fumaroles, or steam vents; and travertine terraces, which are hot springs that rise through limestone, depositing calcite into terraces. In its guidelines for safely exploring the hydro-thermal features, the park warns that "more than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone's hot springs." "Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations," the park warns. "Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs." with reporting by TMX @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (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 praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, amid his own increasingly public criticism of Israel's handling of the war against Hamas in Gaza. Biden backed his fellow Democrat one day after Schumer, the senior senator from New York, said that Netanyahu had "lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of Israel" and called for elections to replace him. "He made a good speech," Biden told reporters of Schumer during an Oval Office meeting with Ireland's prime minister. "I think he expressed serious concerns shared not only by him but by many Americans." Biden acknowledged that Schumer had given the White House advance notice of the remarks he intended to make, multiple outlets reported. Following months of largely unflinching public support for Israel, Biden last week turned a critical eye toward its prime minister. After his March 7 State of the Union address, Biden was caught on a hot mic saying that he and Netanyahu were due for a "come to Jesus meeting." Asked about the remark in an MSNBC interview two days later, Biden did not shy away from the sentiment, saying that Netanyahu was "hurting Israel more than helping" by not doing more to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza and up humanitarian aid. 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 240 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, more than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza. Civilians represent the majority of those killed in both cases. A U.S. intelligence report delivered earlier this week claimed that Netanyahu's "leadership viability" was "in jeopardy" amid the war. Israeli officials strongly dismissed the notion. Netanyahu, meanwhile, vowed Monday to forge ahead with the war, despite Biden's concerns. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a new Vivanta hotel in Madhya Pradesh's ancient pilgrim city of Ujjain. The hotel is a Greenfield project. The 130-keys hotel is strategically located at a comfortable driving distance from Indore airport and is close to the renowned 'Mahakal Corridor'. The hotel will feature an all-day diner, a swimming pool and a fitness centre. It will also offer a sophisticated banqueting space along with meeting rooms, perfect for both corporate gatherings and social events. Ujjain is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage centre, known for the centuries-old Mahakaleshwar Temple, as well as hosting the famous Kumbh Mela every twelve years, where millions of devotees come to visit. Hotel website Bobby Hotels, the independent hospitality brand known for its local-centric approach, proudly announced today the appointment of Tony Phillips as the General Manager of Bobby Nashville. With over 25 years of extensive experience in hotel management, Phillips brings an extraordinary approach and a progressive vision rooted in servant leadership to guide the 144-key downtown hotel into the future. Phillips joins Bobby Nashville following a significant tenure at Loews Hotels, where he quickly ascended to top leadership positions. His journey led him to Nashville in 2008, initially taking on the role of Director of Rooms at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. Subsequently, he earned promotions to Director of Operations in 2012 and General Manager in 2013. During his time in Nashville, Phillips was recognized by both the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association and the Tennessee Hospitality Association as Outstanding General Manager of the Year. In addition, Phillips has served in various leadership roles across the U.S., including Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Loews Santa Monica Hotel and more, ultimately returning to Nashville in 2021. Phillips' integration into the Bobby Nashville team is effective immediately. His leadership style emphasizes a passion for people and a belief in the importance of employees as the most crucial asset. His proven track record as a results-focused leader, coupled with a natural ability for talent selection and team building, positions him well to deliver exceptional guest experiences. As a husband and father, Phillips enjoys spending time with his family and pets, exploring the outdoors, cooking, volunteering and fly fishing. What is a hotel booking plugin? Direct booking plugins are apps that will further reduce your reliance on OTAs by bringing more features and greater functionality to your existing booking engine. These apps, similar to those offered on SiteMinders Hotel App Store, are designed to complement and enhance the way you attract, serve, and gain value from your guests. There are plugins to suit whatever goals you have, including to: Aid in the way you meet guest expectations (who are now losing trust in OTAs) Increase conversion rates and tracking Enable greater efficiency Allow additional tech integration easily Improve insights with price comparison Streamline communications with chatbots Create strong loyalty programs These plug-in apps can be visible apps or non-visible apps. Visible apps are those the guest will directly interact with, such as a chatbot or price comparison tool. On the other hand, non-visible apps wont be seen by guests and will focus more on your own performance, such as conversion tracking and marketing programs. Table of contents 1. What is a hotel booking plugin? 2. Why are booking plugins so powerful? 3. Features of hotel plugins 4. Top booking plugin apps and providers 5. Alternative booking plugins Why are booking plugins so powerful? Alongside channel managers, online booking engines are one of the best tools owners can adopt at their hotels. This feature will allow you to take commission-free bookings from guests via your website and social media accounts such as Facebook. Youll also be able to increase bookings by connecting your booking engine to Google Hotel Ads and other metasearch channels if you choose to. Booking plugins serve to increase the effectiveness and power of your booking engine. Most importantly, youll be able to offer travellers exclusive incentives, extras, upsells, and packages to win them over and take charge of their experience. Being able to control how the relationship with your guests progresses is crucial for delivering quality experiences, enjoying long term revenue and achieving business success. With an online booking plugin, you can stay in touch with your guests from start to finish, using personalised communications enabled via pre-stay emails, as well as post-stay emails and TripAdvisor review auto-triggers for completed stays. Hotel booking plugin: Top 10 Source: SiteMinder Features of hotel plugins There are dozens (if not hundreds) of hotel booking plugins available on the market today. This means they can serve many different purposes. Here are a few of the ways they can help your hotel. Streamlined user experience Theres nothing that can outperform an excellent guest experience during booking. Many hotel booking plugins help with: Easy mobile bookings . The travel world is mobile literally. More people than ever are booking their next stay through their mobile phones or tablets. Some booking plugins can help smooth out the guest experience on mobile. . The travel world is mobile literally. More people than ever are booking their next stay through their mobile phones or tablets. Some booking plugins can help smooth out the guest experience on mobile. Advanced booking calendars . Flexible booking calendars that enable guests to book as many rooms as they need in a single reservation can make all the difference in whether a guest finishes their booking or drops off in frustration. . Flexible booking calendars that enable guests to book as many rooms as they need in a single reservation can make all the difference in whether a guest finishes their booking or drops off in frustration. Automated guest notifications and communications. The best booking experiences are those where the guests know what they need to know when they need to know it, and feel catered to at all touch points whether thats before, during, or after their stay. Maximised revenue opportunities Opportunities for upsells and cross-sells dont stop at the book button or at least, they shouldnt. Booking plugins can help ensure that youre not leaving money on the table: Social media integration. Social media is a powerful tool in driving revenue from hotel room bookings. Whether its helping with communication or make the booking process simpler, direct bookings can be gained from social media via your booking engine and plugins. Social media is a powerful tool in driving revenue from hotel room bookings. Whether its helping with communication or make the booking process simpler, direct bookings can be gained from social media via your booking engine and plugins. Optional extras and special offers. Choosing where to stay is a big decision for guests, and entering the booking process doesnt mean theyre fully sold. The best booking engine plugins enable hotels to sweeten the deal with customised special offers and optional extras, generating more revenue as well as helping to secure that final booking. Choosing where to stay is a big decision for guests, and entering the booking process doesnt mean theyre fully sold. The best booking engine plugins enable hotels to sweeten the deal with customised special offers and optional extras, generating more revenue as well as helping to secure that final booking. Simple payment processing. Too often, a booking falls at the final hurdle: payment. Without safe, simple and secure payment processing at the end of booking, a guest may change their mind and stay elsewhere. Actionable market intelligence Data is gold in the modern digital age, and the best booking plugins ensure that you get it in spades. Its not just about having a tool that lets guests reserve a room, its about knowing how they came to reserve that room and the steps they went through during the booking process. One of the best insights that a booking plugin can provide is simply where people drop off in the process. If your booking engine doesnt tell you how long someone takes to book a room, what pages make them click away (or close the process altogether), and split this information per device, then you may be missing out on valuable, actionable insights. Top booking plugin apps and providers Not sure where to start your search for the plugin thats right for you? Here are the 10 best hotel booking plugins available right now. 1. SiteMinders hotel booking engine Thats us. SiteMinders booking engine maximises direct bookings with its seamless interface and comprehensive analytics, helping hotel owners enhance operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. It includes features like multi-currency and multi-language support, alongside extensive customisation options, making it a versatile choice for global hospitality businesses seeking to maintain brand consistency and maximise revenue through direct channels. On top of that, it can integrate with countless direct booking plugin apps that ensure you are making the most of your features. 2. Little Hotelier booking engine Specially designed for small accommodation providers, Little Hotelier offers an intuitive and straightforward booking engine that simplifies the reservation process, aiming to boost direct bookings while minimising administrative burdens. The platform also includes mobile optimisation, ensuring a smooth booking experience across all devices, and integrates with property management systems to streamline operations, although it may lack some of the advanced features found in more comprehensive systems. 3. Triptease booking plugin Triptease offers a direct booking plugin that integrates with hotels websites to enhance direct bookings through transparent price comparisons with OTAs, targeted messaging, and actionable data insights. A significant advantage of Triptease is its ability to improve direct booking rates by offering guests clear price comparisons, thereby instilling confidence in the value theyre receiving. However, the complexity of setting up and integrating Triptease with a hotels existing systems can be a drawback, as it requires significant technical effort and customisation. 4. HiJiffy booking plugin HiJiffy streamlines the hotel booking process with a focus on speed and simplicity, aiming to minimise the steps and time required for guests to make a reservation. This streamlined process can significantly reduce booking abandonment rates, making it a strong choice for hotels looking to capture more direct bookings efficiently. On the downside, Jiffys simplified approach may lack the depth of features or customisation options that larger hotels or those seeking more sophisticated functionality might require. 5. The Hotels Network booking plugin The Hotels Network Booking Plugin stands out for its ability to provide personalised experiences and predictive analytics, tailoring offers and content to individual users. This personalisation can lead to higher conversion rates by making potential guests feel understood and valued. However, the emphasis on personal data analysis and customisation could raise privacy concerns among users wary of how their information is being used. 6. Laasie booking plugin Laasie focuses on fostering guest loyalty by offering rewards and incentives for direct bookings, thereby encouraging repeat business and building a loyal customer base. This approach is particularly beneficial for hotels looking to increase customer lifetime value. The main challenge with Laasie is ensuring that the rewards system is managed effectively to maintain profitability while still providing meaningful value to guests. 7. Sojern booking plugin Sojern specialises in data-driven digital marketing and real-time bidding, helping hotels target potential guests more accurately and increase their online visibility. The advantage of using Sojern is its ability to reach potential guests at the right time with the right message, thereby increasing the chances of conversion. However, the dependency on digital advertising means that hotels will incur ongoing costs, which can accumulate and impact the overall budget. 8. Flip.to booking plugin Flip.to is an advocacy platform that converts guests into brand ambassadors, encouraging them to share their positive experiences on social media and with their networks. This organic marketing approach leverages word-of-mouth and social proof, potentially attracting a broader audience. The effectiveness of Flip.to, however, hinges on guests engagement and willingness to share their experiences, which can vary widely. 9. Ada Tray booking plugin Ada Tray enhances the guest experience by incorporating AI-powered chatbots into hotel websites, providing instant assistance with bookings, customer service, and enquiries. This 24/7 automated support can significantly improve customer satisfaction and engagement. The limitation of Ada Tray lies in its ability to handle complex customer service queries, which may still require human intervention for resolution. 10. 123Compare.me booking plugin 123Compare.me offers a price comparison and analytics tool that allows hotels to display live price comparisons directly on their websites, fostering transparency and trust. This approach can reassure potential guests that they are getting the best deal, potentially increasing direct bookings. However, a focus on price comparisons can inadvertently lead hotels into a competitive pricing war, which could erode profit margins over time. Alternative booking plugins There are also other popular plugins available on the market, which may be of interest to your hotel. They include: WooCommerce hotel booking plugin WooCommerce is a WordPress booking plugin for small to large operators. It allows customers to make reservations, book appointments, or hire equipment easily. You can also use it to enable price customisation. Amelia booking plugin Amelia is another booking plugin for WordPress that serves more than 60,000 sites. Its a versatile service that can be used by many different businesses, including private accommodations. Gravity Forms booking plugin While it isnt noted for serving accommodations, Gravity Forms is another popular WordPress plugin that has the versatility to manage many different bookings and appointments. MotoPress hotel booking MotoPress is a hospitality-specific plugin suitable for rental property websites. It makes it easy to accept direct reservations and also sync reservations to OTAs. Divi booking plugin Divi is more of a theme, than an actual plugin. It works on WordPress as a design theme and website builder. However it integrates seamlessly with many booking plugins to create a full booking experience for website visitors. Go beyond just a WordPress hotel booking plugin and increase revenue with SiteMinder Elevate your hotels online presence and unlock greater revenue potential with SiteMinder. This platform, designed for independent hotels as well as large groups and chains, offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to optimise your booking process, enhance guest experiences, and streamline your operations. Go beyond the OTA with more direct bookings : Leverage SiteMinders powerful booking engine and plugin connections to increase direct bookings, reducing dependency on OTAs and enhancing profitability. : Leverage SiteMinders powerful booking engine and plugin connections to increase direct bookings, reducing dependency on OTAs and enhancing profitability. Integrate with your existing systems : SiteMinder connects seamlessly with your existing hotel management systems, ensuring real-time updates and minimising overbookings. Prefer an all-in-one solution? SiteMinders software suite combined with third-party plugins can tackle practically every aspect of your operations on a single platform. : SiteMinder connects seamlessly with your existing hotel management systems, ensuring real-time updates and minimising overbookings. Prefer an all-in-one solution? SiteMinders software suite combined with third-party plugins can tackle practically every aspect of your operations on a single platform. Grow global and mobile: Dont miss out on revenue due to a clunky mobile experience. Use SiteMinders website builder and booking engine to capture this increasingly important mobile demographic, and expand your market reach with multi-language and multi-currency support, making your hotel accessible to a global audience. Discover how SiteMinder can transform your hotels online booking process and drive more revenue. Try for free | Learn more About SiteMinder SiteMinder Limited (ASX:SDR) is the name behind SiteMinder, the only software platform that unlocks the full revenue potential of hotels, and Little Hotelier, an all-in-one hotel management software that makes the lives of small accommodation providers easier. The global company is headquartered in Sydney with offices in Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London and Manila. Through its technology and the largest partner ecosystem in the global hotel industry, SiteMinder generates more than 115 million reservations worth over US$45 billion in revenue for its hotel customers each year. For more information, visit siteminder.com. View source FutureLog, the leading provider of innovative cloud-based procure-to-pay solutions for the hospitality industry, made a significant impact as both sponsor and panel moderator at the recent Asian Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE) South East Asia held in Singapore. Hosted by HM Magazine, this year's event took place from February 27-29 and gathered industry experts, hotel professionals, and technology leaders from around the world. The AHICE, one of the largest hospitality events in the region, provides a platform for industry professionals to network, exchange ideas, and explore the latest technologies shaping the hospitality industry. As a sponsor of its South East Asia debut, FutureLog showcased its innovative hospitality procure-to-pay (P2P) solutions to key decision-makers and industry leaders at the event. Attendees were impressed by the centralised platform for managing the entire procurement lifecycle, from supplier selection and negotiation to purchase order creation and invoice reconciliation. Leveraging advanced technologies, FutureLog automates time-consuming manual tasks, enabling staff to focus on more strategic activities. By seamlessly integrating purchasing, receiving, inventory management, invoicing processes and more, hotels can streamline their procurement workflows, reduce manual errors, and enhance overall efficiency, resulting in substantial cost savings. In addition to being a sponsor, FutureLog was also invited to moderate a panel. Benjamin Krieg, Area Vice President of Strategic Accounts Asia Pacific, led the conversation in the popular session Essential Food & Beverage Trends. The discussion drew a large audience and provided participants with valuable knowledge and industry expertise. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to sponsor and moderate a panel at the AHICE SEA, said Krieg. This event served as a platform for us to share our latest advancements and engage with industry professionals from around the world. The panel quality and attendance have been fantastic, and were looking forward to continuing our long-term support of all AHICE events globally. The FutureLog team actively engaged with attendees throughout the conference, answering questions, providing demonstrations, and networking with hoteliers and industry influencers. Their personalised approach and commitment to customer success resonated well with event participants. Attendees and media can schedule a meeting with FutureLog at one of these upcoming events: Hospitality Vietnam Conference, Ho Chi Minh City, Sheraton Saigon, 2-3 Apr 2024 Hotelier des Jahres Rust, Rust, Germany, 8-9 April, Die 101 Besten Hotels Zurich, Zurich, Germany, May 5th HTNG Asia Connect Asia Pacific, Singapore, May 8-10 For more information on how FutureLog is shaping the future of procure-to-pay solutions, please visit futurelog.com. About FutureLog FutureLog provides a fully integrated, cloud-based procure-to-pay platform for the hospitality industry. We facilitate an end-to-end procurement process from purchasing, through inventory management and up to invoice processing; all available in one platform to save you time and money. The FutureLog procure-to-pay platform is the foundation for seamless connectivity between Hotel Operations, Corporate Centres and Suppliers. Suzanne Ward Vice President Digital Marketing and Communication +41 41 759 1861 Travelodge OpCo Group, the UKs first budget hotel brand which operates nearly 600 hotels, today announces the completion of the property acquisition as anticipated in the announcement of the agreement on 8 January 2024. A newly formed property holding group (Travelodge PropCo Group) completed the acquisition of 66 Travelodge-branded hotels on a freehold and long leasehold basis from Travelodges largest landlord, LXi REIT plc, for a purchase price of 210 million. Travelodge PropCo Group is held separately, but alongside Travelodge OpCo Group, by a newly formed direct parent of Thame and London Limited (T&L Holdco Limited). About Travelodge In 1985, Travelodge became the UK's first budget hotel brand when it opened its first hotel at Barton-under-Needwood. Today, we operate nearly 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain and annually welcome over 21 million guests. With rooms for 35 or less, Travelodge is the ideal base for all business and leisure trips and we aim to offer customers the location, value and quality to suit all their travel needs. We are currently looking to expand our UK hotel network and we have identified a further 300 locations where we would like to open a Travelodge hotel. Travelodge employs over 12,000 employees and is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can learn more, earn more and belong. www.travelodge.co.uk The rise in e-commerce platforms on the digital marketplace has lead to many successful peer-to-peer businesses operating on an apparent trust basis between provider and user. However, as the platforms expand and become distanced from their initial incarnation, the process of maintaining transparency has in many cases been disrupted. In this article, we examine the crucial role of transparency and effective conflict management in sustaining the success of two-sided markets such as Airbnb. As these platforms continue to evolve, addressing these challenges becomes paramount for their continued growth and viability. In todays digital age, e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Uber and Airbnb have risen as influential two-sided markets, connecting buyers and sellers in innovative ways. These platforms have revolutionized the way we transact, offering convenience, accessibility and speed. By nature, they have been devised to cut out the intermediary and promote a direct channel between provider and customer - to great effect. However, with this convenience comes the challenge of maintaining transparency and resolving conflicts effectively. One of the primary difficulties arises from the sheer scale and diversity of users and transactions facilitated by these platforms. For Airbnb, with millions of users, hosts and properties listed across multiple countries and new markets featuring diverse offerings, it can be hard to manage the regulatory and operational differences - especially in recent times where individual hosts are being surpassed by professional agencies and host lobby groups. These factors have increasingly led to an asymmetry of information between platform operators and users, and hence, have exacerbated issues related to transparency and trust. Users may feel disempowered or wary of platform policies and decision-making processes, particularly if they perceive a lack of coherence and accountability in terms of information sharing. Reducing transaction costs Two-sided markets excel in minimizing transaction costs, offering users streamlined experiences and efficient interactions. Search costs decrease as consumers easily compare products and prices on a single platform, while clear processes govern interactions. For example, Airbnb users are spared having to scour multiple accommodation websites, instead they can easily compare available listings, prices and reviews in one place, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience. The user-friendly interface and standardized processes further minimize the effort required to complete transactions. Hosts can create listings quickly, while guests can easily book their accommodation with just a few clicks. These fast-to-follow steps not only reduce the time involved in making bookings but also contribute to a sense of reliability in the platform. By leveraging economies of scale and network effects, e-commerce platforms such as Airbnb create a conducive environment for both buyers and sellers to engage in transactions with minimal friction. Additionally, rating systems and customer feedback are featured to provide valuable insights into the reliability and quality of the offer. As a result, two-sided markets, in theory, play a pivotal role in promoting efficient market exchanges, driving economic growth and expanding opportunities for participants across various sectors. The strengths of network effects The real strength of two-sided markets lies in network effects, driven by the number of users. As the user base expands, the platform becomes increasingly valuable for both buyers and sellers. Sellers gain visibility and access to a vast client base, amplifying their reach and potential sales opportunities. This increased exposure also contributes to the overall vibrancy and diversity of offerings on the platform. Buyers enjoy a diverse array of options and services, ranging from unique products to specialized experiences, as the platform attracts more sellers and service providers. Moreover, as the number of users grows, so does the volume of interactions and transactions taking place on the platform. This heightened activity makes for a dynamic ecosystem where supply meets demand with greater efficiency, leading to more favorable outcomes for both parties involved. Furthermore, shared experiences among buyers create a sense of community and trust, enhancing the overall value proposition of the platform. Feedback and recommendations contribute to building a loyal user base and a semblance of reliability that further fuel the network effects. The paradoxical market structure Successful two-sided platforms often evolve into monopolies, creating highly competitive environments within. This paradoxical structure, featuring a monopoly at the level of external infrastructure but competitiveness internally, ensures efficiency by allowing users to find all the available options on the same marketplace, without the need to switch between platforms. A perfectly competitive market is characterized by small-atomistic-agents (consumers and producers), absence of market power (ability to influence the equilibrium price) and perfect information. However, while two-sided platforms strive to emulate the competitive conditions of a perfectly competitive market, one key departure from this ideal exist. Although two-sided platforms seem to provide users with a lot of information regarding available options and prices, not all that glitters is gold. Besides asymmetries and biases in algorithms or search rankings that slant visibility and favor certain sellers or products over others, information can become rather abstract, hard to verify, and hence, easy to manipulate. With growing Airbnb host groups and lobbies, it's a tough job to define who has the monopoly on transparency. This lack of clarity distorts market outcomes, inhibiting the free flow of information characteristic of perfect competition. Professionalization of sellers and transparency issues Even though platforms like Airbnb were born as marketplaces where sellers operate to increment their income alongside their main occupation, recent trends have seen so-called individual sellers transition into full-time professionals. Furthermore, the rise in short-term rental management companies tapping into holiday rentals has altered the Airbnb ecosystem even further. On one hand, this has allowed Airbnb to offer a wider range of accommodation, including luxury options, but the shift brings with it concerns about transparency, as professional sellers and property agents with multiple listings gain power on information dissemination that effects the guests decision-making processes. For example, property agents have been known to invent an individual hosts name to give the listing a more personal, homely touch, thereby disguising the fact that the guest-to-host experience has actually been disrupted. Since a platform like Airbnb had as its initial mission to provide a home from home service cutting out the middle person, it is in the interest of the professional seller to camouflage the fact that one cozy home rental has morphed into a fully-fledged agency run with property management software. The growing presence of professional agents and agencies also introduces complexities in conflict resolution processes, as their professional interests and motivations in many cases differ from those of individual hosts or guests. For example, requesting an extra duvet from an agency-run property is usually more complex than asking the individual host who usually lives nearby. Similarly, highlighting a problem or complaint becomes a more drawn out affair when dealing with an agency due to less personal availability, 9-5 opening hours and time-consuming procedures. Negative reviews Another example can be seen in the selective removal of negative reviews, particularly in service-oriented platforms like Airbnb, which raises questions about transparency and reliability of user feedback. The selective removal of negative reviews on Airbnb has recently emerged as a debatable practice, particularly among super hosts who rely heavily on having immaculate evaluations. Lobbying groups comprised of short-rental providers have started advocating for policies and practices that enable super hosts to protect their reputations from potentially harmful reviews. These groups argue that while constructive feedback is valuable for improvement, some negative reviews may be unjust or unfairly impact a host's reputation. As a result, they advocate for mechanisms that allow hosts to contest or remove reviews that they deem inaccurate, misleading or in violation of platform guidelines. While Airbnb has policies in place to prevent abuse of the review system, the lobbying efforts of these groups highlight the ongoing tension between maintaining transparency and accountability while also safeguarding the interests of hosts who provide valuable services to the platform. Some users have speculated that Airbnb selectively removes negative reviews to protect its top sellers. While the surprisingly ubiquitous online debate about the integrity of Airbnb's reviews often notes that hosts don't have the power to have bad reviews removed, that's not true. Airbnb has a process that allows hosts to appeal negative critiques. I also discovered a robust cottage industry that helps hosts contend with bad reviews. e.g., "Remove Airbnb Reviews - A Superhost's Secret Weapon" and "Bad Airbnb Reviews: How to Turn Them into Your Weapon. The Sydney Morning Herald, Traveller section Addressing these challenges requires a reevaluation of platform policies and practices to ensure equitable access to information and fair dispute resolution mechanisms for all participants, regardless of their professional status or level of involvement. Fairness in pricing In the realm of two-sided markets, pricing becomes a pivotal element influencing consumer decisions. The notion that higher prices signal higher quality is a common belief, creating a scenario where sellers, particularly those presenting themselves as professionals on platforms like Airbnb, may exploit the informational advantage over the users of the platform to inflate their prices. This raises an important question regarding the platform's role in ensuring fairness in pricing. While allowing the market to determine prices organically has its merits, the risk of potential abuses and the exploitation of consumers' lack of information regarding local rental prices cannot be ignored. Fairness in pricing is a critical aspect of Airbnbs current position, especially in the context of fluctuating demand. During events like the Olympic Games or major concerts, short-term rental prices can double, leaving consumers feeling exploited and confused about Airbnbs original mission (i.e., to be a cheaper alternative to hotels). From an economic point of view, it is reasonable to increase prices when demand is high; it is not reasonable to keep prices high because the platform is dominated by a few professionals that do not compete with each other. To strike a balance, Airbnb could consider implementing measures to prevent fictitious fluctuations, such as providing benchmark prices for specific areas. This proactive approach helps establish a fair and competitive pricing framework, fostering trust among users and ensuring that the market operates with transparency and integrity. Ultimately, finding the right equilibrium between market dynamics and user protection is essential for the sustained success of a two-sided platform. Conflict resolution In situations where conflicts arise, particularly in service-based transactions like short-term rentals, the lack of robust platform interventions can exacerbate tensions and undermine trust between users and the platform. Occasional users may feel disadvantaged or discouraged from pursuing resolution, especially if they perceive lack of support from the platform and its complicated, time-consuming processes. These dynamics ultimately erode confidence in the platform's ability to protect users' interests. Airbnbs handling of user/host problems has met with mixed reviews. This is in part due to the fact that at its essence, Airbnb is a peer-to-peer business model where both hosts and guests are core players during the complaint and resolution process since they are expected to first attempt to handle the other partys complaints on their own before reaching out to the platform for support. In such a distinctive business environment, there is a higher likelihood of complaints and resolutions taking place in a more complex manner compared to a conventional B2C model, explains a research study into complaints and resolutions in P2P businesses. When intervention from the platform is required, guests common concerns include lengthy wait times, lack of transparency, and most commonly, limited enforcement of policies. Users have raised concerns about Airbnb's weak adherence to its policies and standards, particularly regarding issues such as property misrepresentation, fake listings, safety concerns and customer service. Another study reported Two themes reflect the sources of distrust: Airbnb's poor customer service and the hosts' unpleasant behavior. The managerial implications are that Airbnb should invest additional resources into minimizing customers' negative experiences by focusing on trust-based relationships and maintaining quality in its core service elements. When customers report their complaints, their concerns should be addressed with prompt apologies, positive actions, and a willingness to compensate these customers to neutralize their distrust in the company. Recently, Airbnb has made efforts to improve its community standards and policies, including implementing new listing verification procedures, enhancing customer support services and its resolution center with step-by-step guidance. Towards a more equitable marketplace The dual nature of two-sided markets, characterized by their reliance on network effects and market structure, presents both opportunities and challenges in ensuring the integrity and sustainability of these platforms. While network effects drive growth and engagement, they also raise questions about market dominance, competition and fair access to information among participants. Moreover, the proliferation of professional sellers and agencies on platforms like Airbnb underlines the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining trust among users. The transition from individual hosts to professional operators introduces complexities in conflict resolution processes that rely more heavily on the platform than on the peer-to-peer relationship. In confronting these challenges, two-sided e-commerce platforms must prioritize transparency, fairness and effective communication channels to develop trust and ensure the longevity of their relationships with users. By implementing clearer proactive dispute resolution strategies and equitable policies, these popular platforms can survive in a more resilient and fairer digital marketplace. EHL Hospitality Business School Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Why every musician and music company NEEDS merchandising We dive into the importance of merchandising for musicians and music companies and how it uniquely creates new connections with fans and expands outreach as an artist and music business. by Mathilde Neu of Reprtoir Music businesses are always looking for unique ways of generating revenue. Currently, streams like streaming platforms and licensing are dominating the spotlight. However, amidst the focus on digital income, merchandisewhich often gets pushed to the backis one of the best methods of generating profit. In this article, well delve into the importance of merchandising for music companies and why it offers a unique way to connect with core fans and monetize a broader community: The Importance of Selling Merchandise The core fanbase will always be the best way for music companies to make revenue, and merchandising remains one of the top ways of doing so. Here are some of the reasons why its so crucial: 1. Broader Revenue Streams Merchandising provides music companies with a diversified revenue stream, and that reduces reliance on traditional income sources like streaming and licensing. This financial diversification enhances overall stability and resilience against industry fluctuations. After all, nobody expected the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which reduced income streams for many musicians. The broader the income streams, the better! 2. More Fan Engagement Merchandising goes beyond simple product transactions; it becomes a means of interactive fan engagement. A music company can use virtual pop-up shops, merchandise voting systems, and community challenges to create dynamic and participatory experiences that deepen the connection between the company and its community. 3. Wider Cultural Impact When fans proudly wear or display merchandise, they contribute to the cultural impact of the musician or band. Likewise, merchandising becomes a visible and influential force, shaping the broader narrative of music culture. The bigger the narrative and the cultural impact of the artist, the more financial success awaits. 4. Global Accessibility The digital era has transformed merchandising into a global and accessible endeavor. Online platforms serve as virtual merch tables that enable music companies to reach fans worldwide. Furthermore, this accessibility democratizes the merchandising experience, ensuring that fansregardless of geographical locationcan participate in supporting the company. Music companies should promote their merchandise on social media for the broadest global reach. How to Use Merchandising to Grow Revenue Its not as simple as creating cool merchandise and watching it fly off the shelf; music companies should have a clear strategy for selling it. Here are some examples: 1. Exclusive Offers Music companies can leverage merchandising to award devoted fan bases. For instance, exclusive items, limited editions, and personalized products create a sense of exclusivityhelping to build a deeper connection within the community and generating a sense of pride with fans. 2. Community-Centric Designs Collaborations in merchandising need not be limited to individual artists; music companies have the opportunity to collaborate with fan-favorite designers or involve the community in the design process. As such, this collaborative approach transforms merchandise into a collective expressionhelping to resonate with the diverse tastes within the broader music community. 3. Tiered Membership Merchandising Introducing tiered membership systems allows music companies to offer exclusive merchandise to fans at different levels. Whether its early access to limited editions, members-only designs, or special pricingthis approach not only rewards loyalty but also encourages fans to deepen their engagement with the community. 4. Fan Club Packages Creating specialized fan club packages that include exclusive merchandise improves the sense of exclusivity. These packages could include a mix of unique itemsfrom custom apparel to collectiblesproviding fans with a tangible representation of their love for the artist. 5. Personalized Merchandise Drops Tailoring merchandise drops to individual preferences enhances the personal connection fans feel with the music company. A music company should utilize data analytics to understand fan preferences to allow for the creation of personalized items; this will transform the act of purchasing into a personalized and meaningful experience. Merchandising is a crucial component of an artists revenue. By offering exclusive incentives, enabling community-centric design collaborations, and including interactive elementsmusic organizations can transform their merchandise offerings into a fantastic stream of income for their musicians. Reprtoir offers crucial tools to grow and nurture your music business. Contact us now to find out how our service can grow your music business! Share on: Members of UAW Local 2110 have been on strike for nine days after failing to reach a contract agreement with Mass MoCA. PreviousNext Mass MoCA Strikers See Possible Movement in Talks The union members have been on the picket line since March 6, mostly during the museum's hours of operation. They say management isn't offering a fair wage; the museum says its prioritized wage and equity growth. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The music was nearly drowned out by the honking of horns as motorists signaled their support to the picket line at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art on Thursday. Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers went out on strike nine days ago after negotiations over wages broke down with museum administration. The union is seeking to raise the hourly minimum rate to $18.25 back to October 2023 and a minimum 4.5 percent increase this year. Mass MoCA says it's last best best offer is a 3.5 percent across the board along with equity increases and a minimum wage of $17.25 retroactive to Jan. 1. "Right now we do have some tentative talk going on," said union member Michael Boucher, who's worked at the museum for six years. "So we're just waiting to hear a little bit more about it. But we don't want to disclose anything." Local 2110 represents 125 full- and part-time employees in a variety of positions. The workers joined the UAW in 2021 and held a one-day strike back in August 2022 for pay raises. They reached an agreement with the nonprofit museum to re-open the contract last October to negotiate further wage increases. Boucher said the community has been very supportive and members of other unions had come to walk the picket line. The strikers have been on Marshall Street largely during the museum's business hours. "We are getting a lot of support from all the restaurants in North Adams. Lickety-Split inside, they're doing a wonderful job. Christo's Pizza, they're just fantastic supporters," he said. "We'll see what happens. Hopefully, that we get some positive news and then we can let that out." Meghan Labbee, chair of the local delegates, had attended the City Council meeting on Tuesday to apprise the council on what was happening at the museum. At that time, she said the museum had made no further attempts at talks since the strike began. "We negotiated for about five months on our wage reopener on our year two contract," said Labbee. "So we've been negotiating since October now." The parking lot at MoCA has been sparser than usual but the strikers say they have not prevented anyone from going into the museum or onto the campus. Amy Chen, a graphic designer who's also been at the museum for six years, said the workers are feeling strong and united. "I think it's going really well right now. Yeah, the vibe has been really great and [we're] getting so many community support and artists' support and just seeing everyone here every day has been really, really nice. "I feel like I haven't never felt closer to my colleagues." Chen said she's one of the workers who is getting a higher wage but that the percentage MoCA proposed for all of them, "it's not enough." Looking over at the parking lot, where a security person was keeping watch, Chen said it was "bittersweet" to see fewer cars there. But she added, "they really need to start caring about their employees more." The union says the average annual wage for its members is $43,600 a year, nearly $4,000 below the cost of living calculated by the Economic Policy Institute for Berkshire County. More than half its members earn $16.25 an hour and that MoCA is proposing a $1 more, for a total $35,880 a year for the lowest wage earners. "It's just been so nice to see people supporting us and seeing on Instagram as well like people from other unions, museum unions as well," Chen said. "That people have like driven down here to go on the picket line with us was really great." She, too, said the community and especially the restaurants and brewery on the museum campus have been very supportive "even though their restaurants have been taking a hit. Shout out to them." A Lickety-Split employee acknowledged that customer traffic was down. "We're doing OK," she said. "But it could be better." Mariah Forstmann, co-owner of Casita with her husband, Justin, said it's been a little weird crossing a picket line every day. Especially as they have friends on the picket line and friends still working inside. "We hope that they get resolution soon because it's hurting Lickety-Split, it's hurting Big Daddy's, it's hurting us," she said. "We're encouraging people who are afraid to or don't want to cross the picket line, or don't feel comfortable with it or want to respect the union to come after 5 and visit us when museum's closed." Forstmann is hoping the new restaurant can navigate through the "sticky situation." "We come to work with a smile on our face, honk our horns and then pull into the parking," she said. The famous line from the 1994 hit movie Forrest Gump, Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get has been true so far for Isagani de Ocampo, owner and chocolatier of Kakaw Galleon. Chocolatier Isagani de Ocampo shares how eBizNovation has helped him expand his brand online. De Ocampo began his career as a seafarer in 2009 and was trained as a Pastry Chef aboard cruise ships. This was followed by a chance to train under the esteemed Jean-Philippe Maurys chocolate shop, honing Isaganis skills under the guidance of masters. But fate had different plans for the chocolatier. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Isagani belonged to the first batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers. It was also this time when he started creating his own chocolate formula, dreaming of launching his own chocolate line in the Philippines. It was hard at first because our taste for chocolate is quite different. Filipinos prefer the stateside chocolate. So, I thought of making a local version of chocolate that tastes like its imported, he shared. I wanted to bring the technology and the taste that I learned from abroad closer to chocolate lovers here, he added. But starting the business in a pandemic was not easy. For one, he had to rent a separate place for his chocolate factory which was not possible during the lockdown. De Ocampo had to put his business on hold for a year before he was able to launch his first product in November of 2021. It became a hit, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) heard about it. They approached me and offered me help. I held my first bazaar with them in January of the next year and I introduced my product as a local imported chocolate. And the rest is history, he recalled. Local chocolates on display from Kakaw Galleon at the bazaar in Smart HQ. To scale his business even further, Isagani saw the value of upskilling and learning how to employ digital tools to boost micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) like Kakaw Galleon. When the invitation to attend the eBizNovation program under the livelihood advocacy of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) came, he did not hesitate to join. Im a non-tech savvy person. Technology and I dont get along. But I saw the invite to the eBizNovation workshop of DTI and PLDT and Smart, so I attended the event. Then, when I returned home, I told my wife about it, and she volunteered to implement it, de Ocampo said. The eBizNovation program is a digital upskilling-to-ecommerce program that aims to provide local entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and MSMEs like Kakaw Galleon the right digital tools to help them grow their businesses online. Together with government partners such as the DTI, LGUs, local chambers of commerce, and ecommerce platforms like TikTok Shop, eBizNovation trains local business owners like Isagani how to maximize digital commerce to boost their livelihood. The skills and knowledge we gained from PLDT and Smarts eBizNovation training have helped us build our digital platforms and online payment system, and ultimately helped boost our online presence and sales. We are thankful for this opportunity, the chocolatier shared. PLDT and Smart are committed to uplifting the lives of Filipinos through livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities made possible by technology. These initiatives also support the UN SDGs #1 No Poverty and #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Johnny Depp has been accused by his former Blow co-star, Lola Glaudini, of accosting her on set of the 2001 crime thriller. The Pirates of the Caribbean star led director Ted Demmes George Jung biopic about the rise and fall of the infamous American drug trafficker who was a major figure in the US cocaine trade during the 1970s and early Eighties. Appearing on a recent episode of the Powerful Truth Angels podcast, Glaudini, who had a small role as Rada in the film, recalled getting reamed by Depp on her first day on set. The very first day, I havent even met Johnny Depp at this point. Im on a bear skin run in a bikini. Ted Demme comes over to me, and hes like, Ok Lola, when Johnny Depp says this certain word, I want you to burst out laughing like she just told you the funniest thing over here. Were in the background, the deep background, right? the Criminal Minds alum, 52, explained. [Depp] says his monologue and I go haha, Glaudini said, mimicking a laugh. And Johnny Depp walks over to me, sticks his finger in my face and Im in a bikini on the ground like this and he comes over and he goes, Who the f*** do you think you are? Who the f*** do you think you are? Shut the f*** up. Im out here, and Im trying to f***ing say my lines, and youre out f***ing pulling focus. You f***ing idiot. Oh, now, oh now its not so funny? Now you can shut up? Now you can f***ing shut the f*** up? The quiet that you are right now, thats how you f***ing stay. She continued: This was my first studio movie, Ive just done indie movies until then. And I have the star who I have idolised, who I am so excited to work with, reamed me in my face, she added. The only thing I have going through my head is, Dont cry, dont cry, dont cry. Glaudini said she later called her father, who told her: You have two choices right now: you can either say f*** this, f*** you, or you never let him see you sweat. And I was like alright, I want to stay in the movie, she said, adding that Depp later gave me a non-apology apology. [He said], You know Im doing this Boston accent, and its really f***ing with me. The Independent has contacted Depps representatives for comment. Last week, Depp, the controversial actor who won his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022, deleted a photoshopped image of him and Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr from his Instagram. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Depp had posted the photo to congratulate his longtime friend Downey Jr for winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Oppenheimer. However, Depps initial post showed a photoshopped image of the pair. In the actual photograph, which was taken at a Young Artists Unite event in Los Angeles in November 1988, Downey Jr was pictured alongside his then-girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker. The doctored image has circulated for several years on fan sites. The actor quickly replaced the image with a legitimate photograph of the pair deep in conversation together at the Golden Globes in 2011, writing as a caption: Lets try this again congrats to my dear friend. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pierce Brosnan has been ordered to pay $1,500 after pleading guilty to stepping off a trail in a thermal area in Yellowstone National Park last November. The actor, 70, is best known for playing British spy James Bond in four films. Brosnan called into a court hearing on Thursday (14 March), where he was fined $500 and ordered to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization that supports the park. According to court records, he has until 1 April to settle the matter. In a statement published on Instagram, Mr Brosnan said: As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world. People Brosnan attends the LA premiere of The Out-Laws in 2023 (2023 Invision) However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a No Trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. US Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick dismissed a second petty offence for violating closures and use limits. According to the citations Mr Brosnan walked in an off-limits area at Mammoth Terraces, in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana line, on 1 November last year. He was in the park on a personal visit and not for film work, the US Attorneys Office for Wyoming has said. Mammoth Terraces is a scenic spot of mineral-encrusted hot springs bubbling from a hillside. They are just some of the parks hundreds of thermal features, which range from spouting geysers to gurgling mud pots, with water at or near the boiling point. Going out-of-bounds in such areas can be dangerous: Some of the millions of people who visit Yellowstone each year get badly burned by ignoring warnings not to stray off the trail. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs, the National Park Service says on its website. Mr Brosnan was born in Drogheda, Ireland in 1953 and had his breakthrough as an actor with the British spy series Remington Steele in the 1980s, before being cast as James Bond beginning with 1995s Goldeneye. He played Bond from 1995 to 2002 before Daniel Craig took over the role. He also starred in the 1980s TV series Remington Steele and is also known for appearing in the films Mrs Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair and Mamma Mia!. In 2023, Mr Brosnan unveiled a deeply personal series of paintings in his first solo art exhibition. Last week, he offered his verdict on how his fellow countryman and recent Best Actor Oscar winner Cillian Murphy would fare as 007. Additional reporting by Associated Press Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA are headlining Glastonbury 2024, with country-pop legend Shania Twain taking the Legends slot. The line-up poster also reveals that LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz, Cyndi Lauper, and Janelle Monae are set to play the Pyramid Stage in the afternoon and evening slots, while other artists to take the main stage include Burna Boy, PJ Harvey, Michael Kiwanuka, and Paloma Faith. Meanwhile, rock band Idles and The National will join The Streets, Camila Cabello, Avril Lavigne, and Two Door Cinema Club on the Other Stage, while West Holts will see performances from Jessie Ware, Jungle, Black Pumas, and the Sugababes. General sale tickets for the annual event, which takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset between 26 and 30 June, sold out within an hour when they were released in November last year. If youre still keen to make it to the festival this year, however, there are other ways to secure your spot. For starters, theres the annual Glastonbury resale, which takes place in April. The number of tickets put up for resale depends on how many people did not pay the full amount, after putting down their deposits in November. Last year, resale tickets sold out in seven minutes, so you need to make sure youre organised in advance and that includes being registered. Dua Lipa is headlining Glastonbury Festival (Getty Images for Permanent Press) Glastonbury organisers urge fans to purhcase tickets only through official festival channels to avoid scams or unexpected charges. If you manage to bag yourself resale tickets, you must pay for them in full at the point of booking: 355 plus a 5 booking fee for standard tickets. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up A date for the 2024 Glastonbury resale next month has yet to be announced. Besides the general resale, Glastonbury has also opened a prize draw to raise money for charities supporting people affected by conflict. There are just 20 tickets available, and the draw is open until 12pm GMT on 28 March. Money raised from the prize draw will go towards the British Red Cross, Oxfam, and War Child. Another great option for fans hoping to make it into Glastonbury is by volunteering. Registration to volunteer for charities WaterAid and Oxfam have closed, but spaces do occasionally become available if people drop out. Registration is still open to volunteer with Greenpeace: anyone who is selected will be granted free entry to the festival and three meals a day. In return, you are expected to work a minimum of five eight-hour shifts during the festival between 25 June to 1 July. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Michael Imperioli addressed a protesting audience member while still in character at a recent performance of a Broadway play. The Sopranos and The White Lotus actor is currently featuring in the New York City revival of Ibsens An Enemy of the People, alongside Succession actor Jeremy Strong. Thursday evenings (14 March) performance was briefly disrupted when a group of climate protesters began to chant phrases such as No Broadway on a dead planet and No theatre on a dead planet. According to videos shared on social media, the protest took place while characters were in a town hall scene. As the play mimics a meeting setting, with house lights kept on throughout the show, the demonstrators outburst was fitting with the various objections from the characters. In response to the chanting, several of the casts actors, including Imperioli and David Patrick Kelly, shouted back and some began physically pushing the disrupters up the stairs toward an exit. Later, the New York branch of the demonstration group Extinction Rebellion claimed responsibility for the action, and posted a clip of the moment on X/Twitter. Michael Imperioli shouts at Broadway protester (Getty / X - XR_NYC) Rebels disrupted #AnEnemyOfThePeople on #Broadway, a caption to one of the posts reads. #Climate activists arent the enemy; its fossil fuel criminals like Exxon & Chevron. If we dont #EndFossilFuels now, therell be #NoTheatreOnADeadPlanet. One of the protesters is heard to say: I object to the silencing of scientists. I am very, very sorry to interrupt your night and this amazing performance. I am a theatre artist, I work in the theatre professionally and I am throwing my career However, his speech was cut when Imperioli interjected, while still in character as a 19th-century town mayor: You need to leave. Youre interrupting. The play, originally published in 1882, features questions of ecological and environmental concern. Strong plays the protagonist, Doctor Thomas Stockmann, who exposes the contamination of the towns public bathwater. On social media, the interruption has received a mixed response from onlookers. One take came from a person who claims to have been in the audience. It reads: I was literally [at] this show, and it was the most meta experience Ive ever had. I genuinely thought it was a part of the play tbh Meanwhile, another person praised Extinction Rebellions actions: I cannot praise this brand of activism highly enough! However, others have criticised the group for disrupting the show. One response simply reads: Dont do this. Theatre has often been a forum for political action, with demonstrators in the UK also using West End shows to draw attention to their causes. In October, Just Stop Oil activists stormed the stage during a performance of Les Miserables at Londons Sondheim Theatre. Protesters interrupted one of the musicals most memorable songs, One Day More, after which the performance was halted and refunds issued to audience members who wanted them. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} As Russians start to vote in presidential elections that Vladimir Putin is expected to win, thousands of miles away a pop-up election booth has been set up in a coastal city in India so that expats there can cast their ballots too. Dozens of Russians who are in Indias Kerala on tourist and other visas will cast their votes in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, at a booth specially arranged at the honorary consulate of the Russian Federation. Three days of voting began earlier on Friday in Russia, where president Vladimir Putin is expected to secure six more years in a sham election where all forms of political dissent have been stifled. Since Putins invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians with the means to do so have fled the country and settled abroad as the Kremlin announced conscription and declared punishments for deserters in 2022. The Russian foreign ministry in January said that expatriate Russians will be able to vote in the presidential election even if they live in unfriendly countries that have imposed sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. India does not rank in that category, however, and has actually taken advantage of the war to secure cheap Russian oil. Foreign affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova said there would be polling stations in all countries where Russia has diplomatic missions. Overseas voting is being conducted at 288 polling stations across 144 countries, according to the Central Election Commission of Russia as reported by Russian state media Tass. Similar international polling was conducted in 2018, but the number of stations will be fewer this year as many diplomatic missions in Europe have been closed due to the war and the resulting international fallout. During the 2018 elections, more than 401 polling stations were set up globally and more than 475,000 expatriates took part in the election process, according to the Election Commission. Russian citizens living in Kerala arrived in the capital from the towns of Ernakulam, Varkala and Kovalam to cast their votes. The exercise is being staged at an awkward moment for the normally amicable India and Russia, with the Indian foreign ministry urging Putins government to ensure the safe release of a number of Indian nationals who were lured into fighting in its invasion of Ukraine. Around 35 Indian men are trapped in Russia after they fell prey to a major human trafficking racket, Indias Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has said. Ratheesh C Nair, honorary consul for Russia in Kerala, said it would be the third time that Russian elections were conducted at the states Russian House. Prior to this, polling had been carried out twice for both the Russian presidential and parliamentary elections. Also this time, the number of voters surpasses expectations, he said. A Russian voter, identified in the media only by her first name, Olga, told the New Indian Express there are high chances for an increase in vote for the Communist Party as many of them are supporting and laying faith upon it. Unsurprisingly, she predicted that Putin would win the election. None of the other three candidates on the ballot have presented any credible challenge to Putin, or indeed criticised him or his policies in public, while two candidates who had hoped to contest the election on an anti-war message were banned from running. Nikolai Kharitonov, a 75-year-old member of Russias lower house of parliament, is the official candidate of the Communist Party. The second candidate is Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party, who has received a state award from Putin in the past. The third is Leonid Slutsky, 56, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), who has voiced support for the Ukraine war and the need to keep food prices down. The Russian nationals voting in Kerala will use traditional paper ballots despite the country switching to electronic voting machines in 1992. These ballot papers will then be sent to Moscow through diplomatic channels from Chennai. Sergey Azurov, senior consul general in Chennai, said: We are organising preliminary voting in the framework of presidential elections. We are here to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Russian federations living in India. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least three people are dead in Ohio after more than half a dozen tornadoes tore through Midwest states overnight Thursday into Friday. Logan County Sheriff Randall Dodds told a local reporter early Friday that authorities have identified at least three deaths after a reported tornado hit the area. Mr Dodds said police have identified several survivors with superficial injuries, such as broken bones. Authorities have yet to release the identities of the three people killed. Police said that a possible tornado also ripped through the rural Indiana community of Winchester, leaving homes damaged and some buildings flattened. There have been many significant injuries, but I dont know the number. I dont know where they are. I dont know what those injuries are, Indiana state police superintendent Douglas Carter told reporters on Thursday night. Theres a lot that we dont know yet. While initial reports indicated three people may have been killed at a trailer home park in Winchester, Mr Carter said that he was not yet aware of any deaths in the area. Theres a lot we dont know yet, he said. At least 38 people have been injured in Indiana, with another 20 injured in Ohio, CNN reports. A damaged home in Lakeview, Ohio. At least three people are dead in Ohio after tornadoes tore through Midwest states overnight (AP) The tornado, which is believed to be part of a storm system that spanned a vast area and included parts of Kentucky, hit Winchester at about 8pm local time on Thursday (midnight GMT). The twister tore through a Walmart store and a Taco Bell in Winchester while damaging several homes. Emergency management officials said that up to half the buildings in Selma, a community of about 750 people west of Winchester, may have been damaged. Temporary shelters have been set up for residents. As of Friday afternoon, the Wilmington, Ohio National Weather Service is conducting a damage survey. The sky was completely black, Lisa Gulley, who lives in Selma, told NBC affiliate WTHR. I saw the clouds were kind of spinning and I saw it form, basically over my neighbours house, just two doors down and then it just dropped, she continued. We barely had time to get in the house. Winchester mayor Bob McCoy and his wife, who were hunkered down in a closet during the storm, said that he was shaken. A home damaged by severe weather in Milton, Kentucky (AP) Its overwhelming, he said. I heard what sounded like a train and then I started hearing sirens. Ive never heard that sound before; I dont want to hear it again. Authorities were trying to confirm any deaths but superintendent Carter said there were no known fatalities at this time. Ascension St Vincent Hospital in Winchester said that it received 39 patients last night during the storms. Indiana Task Force One was called to help with search efforts in Winchester. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the severe weather, the team posted on X/Twitter. Around the same time as a possible tornado hit Winchester, another suspected twister touched down about 75 miles (120km) to the east in Ohio. The tornado landed near the southern end of Indian Lake, impacting the villages of Lakeview and Russells Point, said Sheri Timmers, a spokesperson for Logan County. Nearly 20,000 homes in Ohio and Indiana are without power as of Friday morning, according to poweroutage.us. In this image taken from video provided by WSYX, damage from a severe weather system is seen in Lakeview, Ohio (AP) As far as we know, we have lots of injuries. We dont know the extent of the injuries, Ms Timmers said. An RV park was impacted. Major tornadoes were also believed to have hit parts of western Ohios Auglaize and Logan counties, the National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center said, with debris lifted up to 15,000 feet. Bellefontaine mayor David Crissman said that a building had collapsed in Logan County. Theres people trapped, he said. Jefferson County Sheriff Ben Flint said the storm destroyed three or four single-family homes, and four or five other structures and demolished several uninhabited camper vans along the river. A tornado may have also struck part of Mercer County in west-central Ohio, according to the National Weather Service. The impacted area is mostly farmland but at least one home and one hog barn were damaged, Mike Robbins, the county emergency management director, told CNN. Additional reporting by agencies St Patricks Day celebrations looked quite different when chef Richard Corrigan was growing up in County Meath, just north of Dublin, in the Sixties and Seventies. When I was a kid, it was church in the morning, it was lunch, it was shamrock and cowslips, there was no parade-y kind of stuff, he tells me, having just arrived back in the UK after hosting a pop-up in Washington. Even with the biggest Irish holiday looming, hes a busy man. Jet lag will either be a curse or a blessing come the weekend. It wasnt even really an Irish thing, it was more of a religious holiday. For the immigrants and for other people, St Patricks Day has become so much bigger. True, over 150,000 people celebrate it in London alone. Roughly 13 million pints of Guinness will be consumed. You do the maths. Its become more for the non-Irish than the Irish! Its like a passport to a party, dyou know what I mean? Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new bill seeks to ban some of Americas most popular snacks from California public schools. Flamin Hot Cheetos, Doritos, and Takis could be banned throughout the state under the proposed bill, which seeks to remove foods from schools that contain artificial ingredients and food dyes. According to CBS News, Democratic California State Assembly member Jesse Gabriel proposed legislation AB 2316 on Tuesday 12 March. In a social media post announcing the bill, Mr Gabriel said the additives found in these snacks are linked to serious health concerns. If signed into legislation, the bill would prohibit schools from serving foods containing six synthetic food dyes red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1, blue 2, and green 3 as well as titanium dioxide, a colouring agent commonly used in cosmetics and paints. Cheetos products, including Flamin Hot Cheetos, and chips like Doritos contain the colourings red 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6 in its ingredients, while cereals like Froot Loops and Fruity Pebbles also contain yellow and red dyes. Flamin Hot Cheetos could be banned from California schools (Getty) The proposal comes nearly five months after California governor Gavin Newson signed into law the California Food Safety Act, which banned the sale of food and drinks that contained certain ingredients, including red dye 3, potassium bromate, and brominated vegetable oil. The law, which goes into effect in January 2027, will require food manufacturers using any of the chemicals to reformulate their products to continue selling foods in California. Supporters of AB 2316 shared their concerns that the consumption of synthetic food dyes may result in hyperactivity or other neurobehavioral problems in children. California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and that can interfere with their ability to learn, said Mr Gabriel in a press release. As a lawmaker, a parent, and someone who struggled with ADHD, I find it unacceptable that we allow schools to serve foods with additives that are linked to cancer, hyperactivity, and neurobehavioral harms. This bill will empower schools to better protect the health and wellbeing of our kids and encourage manufacturers to stop using these dangerous additives. Mr Gabriel pointed to a 2021 report from the California Environmental Protection Agency, which found that the consumption of food dyes can cause or worsen hyperactivity and other behavioural problems in children. A 2012 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that red 3 causes cancer in animals, while red 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6 have been found to be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens. A subsequent study from the NIH found a link between dyes and increased ADHD or hyperactivity in children. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of colour additives in foods. The FDA requires evidence that an ingredient is safe at its intended level before being added to foods, and that the colour additive is included on the product label. The agency also states that it will continue to monitor reports of problems that may be related to food dyes and will take action when necessary. The totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing colour additives, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them, reads the FDAs website. Under current California state law, schools are required to serve free lunch and breakfast to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. According to state guidelines, students must be given fruits, vegetables, proteins, or whole grains. The rules also set standards for calories, sugars, and fats in these foods. Gabriel said AB 2316 is headed to the Assembly Education Committee, where it will be heard within the next month. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Meghan Markle took many by surprise by launching a new lifestyle brand this month, complete with a social media page and a website. The Duchess of Sussexs newest venture, American Riviera Orchard, hit the internet on 14 March, and set tongues wagging with people trying to figure out what the brand will provide. A new lifestyle and wellness platform As of yet, the brands Instagram presence consists of nine grid posts that assemble the brands title, seemingly embroidered with gold-beige thread onto a cream cloth. On Instagram Stories, a short video featured Meghan arranging white flowers in a jug, before mixing ingredients in the kitchen, as the song I Wish You Love by Nancy Wilson plays in the background. The website is similarly elusive so far, the homepage only shows the same logo image with a prompt for interested fans to sign up to the waiting list for further updates. On social media, people have been speculating over what American Riviera Orchard will offer, and what this indicates for the next chapter of Meghans public persona. Fans have guessed that American Riviera Orchard will be a lifestyle and wellness platform similar to Goop, established by Gwyneth Paltrow in 2008. Having started as a newsletter, filled with the actors luxury recommendations, the brand is now worth a reported $250m (196m). American Riviera Orchard logo as it appears on the website homepage (American Riviera Orchard / screengrab) What will American Riviera Orchard offer? It is expected to offer everything from cosmetics and beauty products, to cookbooks, stationery, jams, nut butters, and pet-related items. A trademark application previously obtained by Page Six Style linked the American Riviera Orchard brand name as a planned distributor for a broad variety of homewares and goods. An alleged insider told the American publication: Shes been working on this for over a year and its all the things that are close to her heart all the things shes passionate about. New details have since emerged in a trademark application extension obtained by the Mail Online, which expands the previous list. The document shows that in addition to the exhaustive list of household goods, stationery, cookware, gardening implements, beverages, foods and condiments, American Riviera Orchard will also market: Fragrance sachets; lavender sachets; non-medicated skin care preparations; bath and shower gels and saltsnon-medicated hair preparations; bath soap; bar soap; non-medicated hand soaps; body creams; bath oil; body lotions; cosmetics [and] body oil. The new list also includes the sale of scented oils, air fragrance reed diffusers, fragrances, room fragrances, incense and non-medicated veterinary grooming preparations such as pet shampoo and conditioner. Downloadable cookbooks and recipe books as well as printed copies from the Duchess will also be available. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Getty Images) A return to social media amid Royal health issues When Meghan was a full-time actor, most known for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, she also had a blog, titled The Tig, on which she covered topics such as travel, fashion, beauty and self-love. Meghan has been absent from online platforms for several years, beginning with the closure of her personal Instagram page in 2018 ahead of her marriage to Prince Harry. As well as this, the couples joint Instagram page @SussexRoyal has not posted any new content since 31 March 2020, when they stepped away from their positions as senior royal family members. Some have found the timing of Meghans launch particularly interesting, as it comes during a period of heightened scrutiny of the Princess and Prince of Wales. Recently, Kate Middleton was diagnosed with cancer and has been subject to several internet theories over her absence from public life since the start of the year, and her editing of a photo with her children shared on Mothers Day. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Piers Morgan has weighed in on the Kate Middleton photo-editing conspiracy saying he has heard alarming things. The Princess of Wales has dominated the headlines following Kensington Palaces decision to publish an edited family photograph on Mothers Day. Kates absence from the public eye since she underwent surgery in January led to a social media storm of speculation and wild conspiracy theories. International news agencies pulled the photo due to fears the photo had been doctored and the Palace did not respond to requests for the original untouched shot, said Phil Chetwynd, the global news director of Agence-France presse. Princess Kate later made a public apology. The photo released by Kensington Palace on mothers day which was later found to have been edited (Prince of Wales ) The outspoken broadcaster, 58, broached the matter on his show Uncensored on 14 March, where he said Kate could be fine and doing well and said the Palaces attempts to quash the conspiracy theories got it wrong, he later claimed the Palace could be hiding something. Morgan said on Uncensored: Ive been told some stuff that, if even half of it is true, its pretty alarming what is happening. I dont know what to believe, nor do any of us were not there. The presenter clarified he could not confirm if what he had been informed was true. The drama risks turning the Royal family into a laughing stock after American talk show host, John Oliver, made the shocking joke Kate Middleton could have died 18 months ago, claimed Morgan. FILE - Britain's Prince William, left, and Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, attend a ceremonial welcome for the President and the First Lady of the Republic of Korea (AP) He also questioned why the Princess, who is in recovery from abdominal surgery, was spending time editing on Photoshop when they have staff to do that. Earlier this week in his New York Post column he addressed the scandal and expressed sympathy towards the family as King Charles undergoes treatment for cancer. However, he said the traditional way of handling palace media is outdated. In his column, he wrote: The mantra of Britains greatest monarch, the late, great Queen Elizabeth II, was very simple: Never complain, never explain, and rarely be heard speaking in public. But the conspiracy theories about Kate Middletons secret health crisis and disappearance from public life, made worse by the manipulated family photo she posted yesterday, when added to the unsettling confusion over what cancer King Charles is suffering from and how serious his condition is, have shown that the old palace way of handling the media has become increasingly obsolete and unworkable. He later explained his sympathy would lessen if it turned out the Palace were purposely misleading the public about her health. He wrote: I feel very sorry for Kate that shes had to go through whatever health issue shes had, which has kept her away from public gaze, and duty, for so long. But my sympathy will erode if it turns out that she and the palace have deliberately misled the media and public about when the photo was taken to convey a false impression about her condition. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Once upon a time, a twentysomethings wildest dream might comprise owning a five-bedroom house, a Ferrari in the garage, a wardrobe full of designer gear and a swimming pool. Nowadays, they might just settle on being able to have an orgasm at a reasonable volume, without five of their flatmates being able to hear. Last week, a report in Vice by the journalist Beth Ashley collected the experiences of young Londoners whove been policed into not having sex in their own homes by their landlords either implicitly through bans on overnight guests, or explicitly stated in tenancy agreements. Some properties have even been known to request no loud sex. Though so far not a widespread trend, its an understandably upsetting development for most young people already unfortunately branded as generation rent for whom home ownership is a pipe dream and being forever fleeced by a landlord class is the rumbling reality. Even one of lifes last free pleasures would appear to be vanishing. But the report also created a weary shrug among veteran renters like myself, because in many ways all shared property has a celibate effect on people. All rentals may as well come with a no-sex clause, because having sex in a shared property is basically agony. Given that according to a forecast from the Resolution Foundation 50 per cent of millennials will be renting into their forties, its clear that more and more of us will spend our supposed sexual peak (around late teens with men, thirties and early forties in women) living in the awkward sterility of a shared living environment. This is galling, as anyone whos lived in a cramped student accommodation or a thin-walled new build in a city knows. Regardless of your relationship with your flatmates from total randoms to best friends sex is always compromised somehow by the lurking awareness of someone being close by. Lets take the most obvious issue first: sound. For the vast majority of sexual humans, sound is a key facet of intimacy. Beyond words, moaning and grunting are forms of respiration that act as communication. Its all quite beautiful, except when you know someones headboard directly adjoins yours, and you can quite clearly hear an episode of Buffy streaming from across the divide. While theres a school of thought that says that you should on principle just go loud or go home, too many people are grimly adept at having very quiet sex, silent orgasms, and generally sacrificing their passions for fear of social embarrassment. The best you can hope for are flatmates who are able to talk about sex, in even the most broad, loose or even stupid way. The best random flatmate I ever had exclaimed having helped carry his belongings up to his room: Yep, going to be doing a lot of shagging in here which was so perfectly ridiculous that it instantly defused any potential awkwardness. He set out his stall by confidently predicting hed soon be having sex on it. You often default to the values of the houses most prudish tenant, for fear of offending them. Which is lovely and conscientious but also agonising if you value sex highly Not everyone gets the gift of such cocky candidness, or even any banter at all with their cohabitees. Some friends have reported living with people so uptight that they tacitly derail the sexual activities of others, by asking for a heads-up or prior notice before coitus takes place. In such groups, you often default to the values of the houses most prudish tenant, for fear of offending them. Which is lovely and conscientious but also agonising if you value sex highly. Life cycles also get in the way, too. If you all work similar hours and occupy the home at the same times, youre unlikely to ever get a moment to enjoy proper sexual freedom with a lover or without or to have fun anywhere apart from your bedroom. If the person youre dating has the same situation at their end, the problem persists. As the housing crisis gets worse, extreme situations occur all the time. I know people who still cohabit with their ex, for example, because theyre locked into a year-long tenancy and are unable to find any other financially viable solution. Both try and lead active sex lives, and are upfront about their position to new lovers, but its sad that this scenario isnt an Eighties sitcom but a modern reality. Attitudes towards sex in this country used to be forever defined by the title of a terrible (yet successful) stage farce called No Sex Please, Were British which despite being a critical flop, ran in the West End from 1971 to 1987. In reality, modern Britain is actually an above-averagely horny place. A global survey in 2022 ranked us as the most sex-obsessed country on Earth. We watch a lot of porn and buy a lot of sex toys, it turns out. But beyond those obvious metrics, theres a palpable sense of sexual adventure emerging in Britain that I think has its roots in the housing crisis. As the housing crisis gets worse, extreme situations occur all the time (iStock) For example, theres been an explosion in sex-positive clubs offering safe, monitored spaces for people of all sexualities to have sex in. Once mostly found in bathhouse culture among gay men, these spaces are increasingly skewing towards more straight-leaning people, in part as a way of having sex outside of the stifling confines of their own flatshares. At the more deluxe end of the spectrum, hotels and Airbnbs are increasingly marketing themselves as places where couples can have an overtly sexual weekend break. And at the other, places like famous cruising spot Hampstead Heath and other parks are visibly and anecdotally becoming places where increased sexual activity is taking place. Its as though, 26 years after its release, George Michaels Outside has become a way of life to a much broader audience than he ever intended. Getting governments to do anything about the vicious inequalities between landlord and renter, and the dire prospects for the young to ever own their own homes, is an interminable struggle. Yet, perhaps if no-sex tenancies and forever-renting starts forcing a generation of people to have sex in public, we can only hope it might shift them into action sooner. Close Police find Constance Martens baby in a rubbish-filled shopping bag For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man has been rushed to hospital after he was thought to have been shot by a crossbow in the neck in east London. The man in his twenties suffered a neck injury at Arnold Circus, in Shoreditch, at around 7.30pm on Thursday evening. Metropolitan Police said officers are investigating and they suspect he was shot by a crossbow dart, which would mark the second attack of its kind in the area within days. He was urgently taken to hospital where his condition was assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We treated a patient at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre. A Met Police spokesperson said: We were called at 7.27pm on Thursday, 14 March to reports of a man found injured in Arnold Circus, E2. Officers responded and were on the scene within two minutes. They found a man in his twenties with a neck injury. He was taken to hospital where his condition was assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. Initial enquiries suggest the man may have been struck by a crossbow dart. An investigation is underway and further enquiries are taking place. It comes after a woman in her 40s was also shot in the head in nearby Club Row, Shoreditch, at 7.44pm on 4 March. Police found the woman injured outside Clifton House. Her wounds were also not life-threatening or life-changing. Officers have not confirmed whether the two incidents were linked and no arrests have been made so far. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Armed forces minister James Heappey is to leave his role in government and quit as an MP at the next general election. Mr Heappey, Tory MP for Wells in Somerset, is stepping down to prioritise his family and pursue a different career. The minister, who served in the army in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland before joining parliament, said in a letter published online that he had made a painful decision to stand down as a candidate in the upcoming general election. Mr Heappey served in the army before becoming an MP (PA) He continued: I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family, and pursue a different career. He said that he would continue to support prime minster Rishi Sunak in his leadership of the Conservative party as a minister until such time as he wishes me to step down, and then from the backbenches - adding: I intend to make each of my remaining days in Westminster count. Responding to Mr Heappeys announcement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, his former boss Ben Wallace said: James, you are an outstanding minister and one of the best. Your work on defence and support to the agenda of reform was indispensable. There is a lot to be proud of. Thank you. Shadow armed forces minister Luke Pollard wished Mr Heappey well, saying: James and I come from different political traditions but, as his shadow, I have always respected him as a minister. In particular I want to thank him for his support to our friends in Ukraine in resisting Putins illegal and brutal invasion. LidDems defence spokesperson Richard Foord said the resignation was yet another blow to Rishi Sunaks authority. He added: Sunak needs to put the country out of its misery and call an election now instead of allowing this farce to drag on any longer. Mr Heappey was made a minister by Boris Johnson in 2022 after endorsing him to be leader of the Tory party. He had been a front-runner to replace Mr Wallace as defence secretary but the job was given to Grant Shapps instead. The Times, who first broke the story, reported that Mr Heappey would be standing down from his ministerial role at the end of the month. The newspaper quoted an anonymous Tory MP who said the veteran had been on resignation watch after telling colleagues privately that he was unhappy about the level of defence spending. However another source told the paper that while Mr Heappey had been pushing for increased spending this didnt have anything to do with his decision to stand down. Chancellor Jeremy Hunts recent budget contained no new money for defence despite multiple ministers publicly calling for an increase to spending. Mr Heappey adds his name to a growing list of Tory MPs to announce they are to leave Parliament, with former prime minister Theresa May and former party chairman Sir Brandon Lewis some of the most recent additions. He is the 62nd Tory MP to announce that they will not be standing at the next election. Mr Sunak on Thursday ruled out holding an election on May 2 to coincide with local elections, having previously indicated he will send the country to the polls in the latter half of 2024. Mr Heappeys constituency of Wells currently has a Tory majority of 9,991, with the LibDems being the second most popular party. The Ministry of Defence said it would not be commenting. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Parents have two weeks to avoid a mistake that could cost them nearly 2000 worth of free childcare, as the Department for Education rolls out new childcare entitlements next month. All working parents will be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare from 1 April under plans announced by the government. Currently, 30 hours of free childcare a week is offered only to working parents with children aged three to four and earning less than 100,000 a year. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promised the expansion of childcare support in his 2023 spring Budget, saying: they amount to the most significant improvements to childcare provision in a decade. However, the deadline to apply for free childcare beginning in April is 31 March. If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the next deadline of August 31 to apply. This would also mean you would not start receiving your entitlement until 1 September, potentially missing out on five months of free childcare worth an average of 1,980. How do I apply for free childcare? To apply for free childcare, you and your child must meet certain eligibility criteria. The number of hours of free childcare you can get will vary depending on the age of your child. If your child is two, you can get up to 15 hours of free childcare. You can apply from when your child is one year and 36 weeks. If they are aged three to four, you can get up to 30 hours, and you can apply from when your child is two years and 36 weeks. There are three deadlines to be aware of: Apply by 31 March for free childcare beginning from 1 April (summer term) Apply by 31 August for free childcare beginning from 1 September (autumn term) Apply by 31 December for free childcare beginning from 1 January (spring term) Unfortunately, if your child turns two or three after a deadline, even if just by one day, you will not be eligible to receive the relevant free childcare entitlement for them until the beginning of the following term. The DoE recommends applying early, at least by around four weeks before the deadline, to avoid any issues receiving your entitlement code. If you apply in time but do not receive your code until after the deadline, you will still be able to take up your entitlement and must speak to your childcare provider about this. If you meet the deadline but are unable to take up a free space due to a technical issue, you may be able to apply for compensation. From September 2024, the 15 hour free childcare expansion will continue to include children nine months and up. For full details of eligibility and how to apply, visit the governments website. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 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. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} GCHQ has released a challenging puzzle to tempt new recruits. The British intelligence, security and cyber agency created the brain teaser to celebrate its arrival on the networking platform LinkedIn. The agency, which has its roots in cryptography and encryption, said it had joined LinkedIn to enhance recruitment as it seeks to tackle the threats facing the UK, both real-world and online. The code is hidden within a colourful city landscape featuring different components such as buildings, cars, animals and people carrying out various tasks. Hidden within the puzzle are 13 clues of letters which can then be brought together to spell out a message. The intelligence agencys puzzle to honour its launch on LinkedIn. Can you solve it? (GCHQ ) Director of GCHQ Anne Keast-Butler, said: The world is getting more complex and were only ever going to stay ahead of those threats by bringing together the right mix of minds that lets us tackle the challenges ahead. For us, that means bringing in people with different backgrounds, different experience, different insights, different knowledge, and creating a team where all of us can play our part. For us, its clear that diversity is mission critical. So were on a journey to make sure that we reach out and connect to people whove never thought of working with us. And today were launching on LinkedIn as a way of starting to showcase a little bit more of the work that we do and some of the amazing people who work at GCHQ. Manchester-based artist Justin Eagleton co-created the puzzle alongside GCHQ to celebrate its presence in the city, alongside the hub in the capital and HQ in Cheltenham. The brain teaser honours the agencys code-breaking heritage and roots in cryptography and encryption, said the agency. The recruiters are looking for a wealth of talent from intelligence analysts and data scientists to business support and engineers, they added. It follows the agencys toughest ever Christmas 2023 quiz. GCHQ has since released the solution to the puzzle which perplexed LinkedIn users. Helen Turner, a production manager, commented on LinedIn: I went down a completely different path to most of the comments so am clearly wrong, but have had fun doing it! I took the sound of the letter from the end of the words. Kerry Thomas posted: Some how I got Public Service great fun though. Nicholas Clarke said: I think nearly everyone on here has failed! How can GCHQ entrust you with the secrets of the nation if you spout out everything you know at the first opportunity? Can you solve the puzzle? Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The RAF plane that suffered a jamming attack by Russia whilst Grant Shapps onboard was without key protections due to limitations on government spending. Russia is believed to have jammed the signal of an RAF plane carrying Grant Shapps in an electronic attack which was described as wildly irresponsible earlier this week. The GPS signal of the plane was said to have been interfered with for half an hour while it passed the Russian territory of Kaliningrad, which sits between Poland and Lithuania. The defence secretary was aboard an RAF Dassault 900LX Falcon jet, named Envoy, on the way back from Poland on Wednesday when the attack took place. The aircrafts flight path was visible to trackers. However, the plane was not fitted with protective systems due to a tight defence budget in place when the jet was put into action in 2022. The government chose not to give the new jets components such as anti-missile jammers, jam-proof communications or military-standard avionics at the time. The Defence Secretary The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP and his Team aboard an RAF Envoy IV CC Mk1 (Cpl Tim Hammond/UK MOD Crown copyright 2024) Two Dassault 900LX Falcon aircraft replaced the formerly used fleet of BAe146 in 2022. The predecessor was fitted with the relevant protection systems but these were not included on the new jets due to budget cuts. However, there have always been plans in place to upgrade the jets to include military protections from 1 April 2024. In December 2023, this plan appeared to have been set in motion when a tender notice worth up to an estimated 150m was issued. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: As announced in 2022, the Envoy aircraft are being upgraded to full military and operational capability. Its not unusual for aircraft to experience GPS jamming near Kaliningrad and at no time was the safety of the aircraft threatened. (PA Wire) According to The Times, the RAF wanted to have the planes upgraded this year but this has been pushed back to as late as 2026. The attack on Wednesday did not threaten the safety of the aircraft but left phones unable to connect to the planes WiFi. The plane was forced to use other navigation systems available to the pilots. With the increased use of drones from both Russia and Ukraine during Moscows invasion, electronic warfare such as jamming has taken on a greater importance. Ben Wallace, who was defence secretary at the time the decision on the protective measures on the planes was made, defended the decision. He told The Times on Friday: The RAF is already overspent. I didnt add the suite of extras because it would have meant taking millions away from military programmes to spend on a vanity project. The planes are never going to fly to hostile areas and if ministers need to then they switch to military lift. There are many more military platforms that need protection than a VIP jet. This is completely the wrong priority. However, Tim Ripley, editor of the news website Defence Eye, hit out at the decision and told the paper: These critical aircraft, which are used to fly members of the royal family, government ministers and service chiefs on high-profile missions, are effectively defenceless until protection systems are fitted. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A family photo released for Mothers Day is at the centre of a royal row sparked over concerns it had been manipulated. The picture of Kate Middleton and her three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, was released on Sunday but then pulled by news agencies after apparent errors in the image were spotted. Initially, the palace refused to comment, but on Monday the Princess of Wales apologised as she admitted to editing what was the first official picture of her since she underwent abdominal surgery in January. Said to have been taken by Prince William in Windsor this week, the photo shows the mother smiling surrounded by her children. A family photo released by the Princess of Wales to mark Mothers Day led to widespread speculation over editing failures before it was pulled by major news agencies citing fears of manipulation (EPA) However, within hours of it being posted on social media, royal fans pointed out several editing errors, including that the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan did not line up. In an Instagram post on Monday morning, the princess 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 Mothers Day. C. However, the princess has not confirmed what edits were made and Kensington Palace said it would not be reissuing the original unedited photograph despite her apology. Here, we take a look at the glitches that have been spotted in the photo. Areas of concern cited by picture agencies The Associated Press (AP), Agence France-Presse (AFP), EPA, Getty, Reuters and the UKs leading news agency PA are among those that have so far recalled the photo. Concerns have been raised over the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan, which does not appear to line up in the photo (EPA) News agencies AFP and AP both told The Independent that concerns raised over the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan which does not appear to line up in the photo contributed to the decision to withdraw the picture. Eric Baradat, photo director for AFP, said that it is clear to any experienced digital image professional that it has been doctored, adding: It has been done in a very amateurish way. Mr Baradat also highlighted Kates zip, which does not appear to line up in the photo, and claimed there had also been edits to the princesss face, sweater, hair, and skirt. He also pointed out apparent alterations to the sweaters worn by Prince Louis and George. Kates zip does not appear to line up in the photo (EPA) Mr Baradat said he spotted copy and pastes, as well as blurring, calling the edits very gross and visible. In its advisory issued to media on Sunday, AP said: At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image. No replacement photo will be sent. Editing failures suggested by royal fans Royal fans have pointed out that the princess wedding ring does not appear to be on her finger (EPA) There has been a huge amount of speculation online from royal fans suggesting other potential issues with the picture. It has been pointed out that the princesss wedding ring does not appear to be on her finger, while Louiss fingers appear to be in an unusual position. The trees in the background appear to be in full bloom when it is only March, others have pointed out. Others have queried the white skirting behind the family in the bottom left of the image, which seems to be wonky. Close King Charles waves as he arrives for Easter Sunday church service in Windsor Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} King Charles went on a surprise walkabout to speak to well-wishers outside Windsor Castle following the Easter Sunday service. The service was the Kings most notable public appearance since he was diagnosed with cancer in February. Afterwards, Charles surprised onlookers by greeting gathered members of the public, who later said he looked good and was in high spirits. A Buckingham Palace source told The Telegraph that doctors had changed medical guidance for the King after he had responded very encouragingly to cancer treatment. The walkabout will have meant a great deal to the King, said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. He added: Its the first time that hes been able to meet the public in such a way for several months, the first opportunity to do a walkabout this year, so its a very welcome milestone on the road to recovery. The Kings appearance will also be seen as an effort to reassure the public following the royal familys double cancer scare, with todays service marking just over a week since Kate revealed her own diagnosis. The Prince and Princess of Wales did not attend the service, but Charles was joined by the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The NHS is set to roll out a fleet of electric ambulances as part of its commitment to combating climate change. A pilot for the electric ambulances will be launched next month across the North West, East of England, Yorkshire, South West and London. It was not immediately clear how many ambulances would be rolled out in these areas. Paramedics have raised concerns that the lengthy amount of time needed to recharge batteries on the vehicles could impact already-long patient waiting times for the service. Electric ambulances have already been trialled in the West Midlands and an evaluation of the scheme showed that they travelled an average of 70 miles between charging and that the range was a significant limiting factor, according to a report. The report said: Range and re-charge time is a significant limiting factor, particularly with the DCA, our vehicle operates out of Erdington, the range of 100 miles is more than sufficient to cover a shift if we were to move this vehicle to most of our other hubs (outside the conurbation) it would not be, rural areas in particular are covering twice this mileage and more in a shift as an example. The NHS West Midlands Ambulance service launched its first electric ambulance in 2020 and has since added two electric response cars and four further support vehicles. Regular ambulances can cover 800 miles per day and the time needed to fill up is just a few minutes. The NHS has set up a Greener NHS team to look at ways to lower the health services carbon footprint, leaked documents seen by The Telegraph reveal. A whistleblower told the newspaper: Every part of the NHS is under-resourced and waiting lists remain historically high, but commitment to green zealotry remains unchanged. The amount of resources dedicated to the green agenda is astounding, and the fact that it is now impacting clinical decision-making is, I believe, grossly unethical. As part of the NHSs push to make things greener, it will also reportedly ask every supplier to draw up a carbon reduction plan. Other plans include an evergreen assessment for medicines, climate-friendly pain relief for mothers in labour and GPs visiting patients using e-bikes rather than cars. Richard Webber, a paramedic and spokesman for the College of Paramedics, told the newspaper that electric ambulances could be useful in urban areas, but voiced concerns about them being used in more rural parts of the country. He said: I think they really need to produce the evidence that this is safe before this is rolled out beyond urban areas. I would be very wary of that. If I have got a very sick patient, someone who has had a heart attack and I am trying to get them to hospital I dont want to be worrying about the battery. An NHS spokesperson said: NHS services must always put patients first when procuring products and it is also right we seek green alternatives, but only when they save the taxpayer money. The new electric ambulances are benefiting thousands of patients, hospitals report they are working efficiently, and they could help deliver annual operational savings of 59 million. The Independent has contacted NHS England for further comment. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to his mother at the Diana Legacy Award, while narrowly avoiding his younger brother. William attended the event at the Science Museum in London on Thursday night in person, where he gave a speech to mark the charitys 25th anniversary. He said his mother taught him that everyone has the potential to give something back, The Duke of Sussex addressed those in the audience after William left via a live video, fuelling further speculation of a rift between the two He spoke for about half an hour after the ceremony concluded, as he said: Thank you very much for inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mothers legacy, I really appreciate that. And Tessy (Ojo, chief executive of the Diana Award), again, well done on this fantastic group of individuals. The pair have continued to distance themselves from each other in recent months and did not meet when Harry spent time with King Charles at Clarence House following news of his cancer diagnosis last month. Prince of Wales speaks to Tom Walker, Ken Spellman and Dr Tessy Oho CBE (Getty Images) Prince William told the audience that he and his wife, the Princess of Wales, had sought to focus on Dianas legacy through their work. This evenings Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of The Diana Award, a charity set up to reflect my mothers belief that young people can change the world, he said. I know that she would have been honoured to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe. He said that his mother taught him that that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life. She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life, he said. The Prince of Wales handed out prizes marking 25 years of the Diana Legacy Award (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) William attended the event at the Science Museum in London on Thursday night (via REUTERS) That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years. I am so proud to see this belief of my mothers manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight. In an interview last month, Harry said I love my family and that he was grateful to be able to spend around 45 minutes with Charles when he flew back to the UK. In Harrys memoir Spare last year, he accused William of pushing him into a dog bowl in a row over the Duchess of Sussex. It was also claimed William teased Harry about his panic attacks. William and Harry have presented the awards together in previous years (PA Archive) Further tensions between the royal brothers can be traced back to the early period of Harrys relationship with Meghan, when his then-fiancee is reported to have had a falling out with the Princess of Wales in the run-up to their wedding. Shortly before William spoke to the crowds at the Diana Award ceremony, the Duchess of Sussex returned to Instagram to launch a new business venture. The social media teaser, posted to the new American Riviera Orchard Instagram account on Thursday, featured a vintage-style video of Meghan cooking and arranging white hydrangeas and roses. The Diana Award was set up to promote the princesss belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. Both William and Harry presented the inaugural legacy awards at St James Palace in 2017. Dr Tessy Ojo, chief executive of The Diana Award, told The Times: Its a privilege to have the support of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex particularly as we mark our 25th anniversary year. A spokesman for the award told The Telegraph that Harry would be a key part of the celebration. He is scheduled to speak with the award recipients, virtually, on the evening of the awards to celebrate their accomplishments, he said. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pressure continues to mount on the government to return a 10 million donation from business mogul Frank Hester following the resurfacing of racist and sexist remarks targeting Diane Abbott. Hester, chief executive of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), which has won more than 400m in government and NHS contracts, allegedly made derogatory comments about Abbott during a 2019 company meeting, suggesting she should be shot. The comments, brought to light by The Guardian newspaper, prompted Hester to admit to being rude about Diane Abbott, although he vehemently denied accusations of racism. Leading Tory figures have condemned the language used by the Conservative donor, who gave the party 10m in 2023. However, Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake asserted that retaining the donation was justifiable since Hester is not a racist and had issued an apology. In contrast, Andy Street, the Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, voiced his support for returning the donation. While the Tory party appear divided on what to do with the funds, Independent readers were largely united on the issue when we put the question to them this week. Heres what you had to say: Give all his donations to anti-racist charities By accepting it in the first place the Tories demonstrated their lack of judgement and morals. Hester has a reputation for making this type of comment about people he dislikes. They should tell this odious little man they wont accept his money and give all his donations to anti-racist charities. Stardust An inquiry needs to happen immediately The money should never have been accepted in the first place because the money comes from profits on taxpayer funded contracts. Surely the Tories knew this? An inquiry into party funding needs to happen immediately, but the tories wont call one because they need all the money they can get to campaign in an election theyll likely lose. As for Hesters comments, he needs to be held to account for inciting racial and gender violence. Lets see what the police do about it, nothing I suspect. Tabbers They need it to cling to power They will not give the money back as they need it in a desperate effort to cling to power. Hopefully, the electorate will see through them and oust them when the election eventually comes. Rob A moral obligation to donate Returning the money to Hester is out of the question but donating it to charity, particularly one that combats racism, is a moral obligation. Of course, the Tories will keep it because decency and integrity are not currency in their world. IanHall It should be illegal Given that his profits come from contracts awarded to him by the Tories, the money he gave to the Tories originated with the taxpayer. This is typical Johnson-era malfeasance. In other words corruption. It should be illegal. In fact, it probably is, but as usual in this country, Westminster will turn a blind eye to the malpractices of its own. TrussedUpTurkeys Their credentials are clear If the Tories dont either return the money OR donate it to some good causes including those in Hackney, then their credentials are clear. Be as racist and insulting as you like. We will forgive and forget if you give enough money to the Conservative Party. voxtrot Return the money Return the money and use it to support services in Abbotts constituency. And then an independent inquiry into lobbying. It makes a mockery of the democratic process. stonia Some of the comments have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article. The conversation isnt over - theres still time to have your say. If you want to share your opinion then add it in the comments of this story. All you have to do is sign up, submit your question and register your details - then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Diane Abbott was offered the Labour whip back but refused because she would have had to undergo antisemitism training, The Independent has been told. An investigation into the long-serving black MP has been ongoing since her suspension last April following an article she wrote about Jewish people, with pressure mounting on the party over why it has been taking so long. But sources from the left and right of the Labour Party have told The Independent that the investigation is dragging on in part because of Ms Abbotts own refusal to compromise. The revelation comes as senior Labour figures have rallied around Ms Abbott in the wake of a racism row involving the Conservative Partys biggest donor, who said the MP made him hate all black women and that she should be shot. Abbott had the whip suspended last April after writing a letter suggesting Jewish people are not subjected to the same racism as some other minorities (PA Wire) Shadow deputy leader Angela Rayner and mother of the House Harriet Harman are among those who have said they want her allowed back into the party. Ms Abbott had the whip suspended last April after writing a letter suggesting Jewish people are not subjected to the same racism as some other minorities. She immediately apologised and said the letter published in The Observer had been an initial draft sent by mistake. According to sources, Ms Abbott was offered the opportunity to have the whip restored if she offered a more fulsome apology and took an antisemitism awareness course. One said this led to her doing a reverse ferret after her initial apology, and said she would not apologise or undertake the requested training. And that is why this has been going on for 10 months and not 25 minutes, a shadow minister told The Independent. Another MP on the left of the party added: I dont know why she didnt just do it. Ms Abbott said key aspects of what The Independent was told were wrong, but did not offer any more detail: I cannot disclose details of this process because, under Labour rules, that would be another disciplinary offence. She also repeated a claim she has made previously that the Labour investigation is fraudulent. In her contested letter she stated that Jewish, Irish and traveller communities have experienced prejudice, but added: This is similar to racism and the two words are often used as if they are interchangeable. Ms Abbott had added: It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience this prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism. Angela Rayner said on Thursday she would like to see Abbott back in the Labour Party (Reuters) The investigation into Ms Abbott is ongoing, with Labour refusing to explain why it is taking so long or when it will be completed. Supporters of Ms Abbott, who was elected MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington in 1987, believe the probe is being used to force her out at the next election. If her suspension remains in place when the election is called, Labours national executive committee will have to decide whether she can stand or to impose a new candidate. Another shadow minister told The Independent Ms Abbott was being stubborn and that the party was desperate to do a deal with her. The figure said the Labour leadership wants to bring her back into the parliamentary party as long as she agrees to bow out gracefully at the next general election, a compromise they believe will allow her to stand as a Labour MP with her legacy intact. Ms Abbott has given no indication that she intends to stand down at the next election. Pressure has been growing on Sir Keir Starmer to restore the whip after the alleged comments by the Tories biggest donor Frank Hester. Mr Hester, who is believed to have given the party 15m in the past year, said looking at Ms Abbott makes you want to hate all black women and that she should be shot, a Guardian investigation found. Labour leader Keir Starmer has dampened hopes of an imminent return to the party for Abbott (PA Wire) Ms Rayner spoke out on Thursday in support of Ms Abbott, adding to calls from across the political spectrum: Personally I would like to see Diane back. But the Labour Party has to follow its procedures so it does not matter what I think. Ms Harman has called for the investigation into the suspension to be sped up, admitting that the processes can sometimes be slow, while former shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Tony Blairs former political secretary John McTernan called for Sir Keir to restore the whip. Ms Abbott told The Independent: "I cannot disclose details of this process because, under Labour rules, that would be another disciplinary offence. But your sources are wrong in key respects. Yet their claims also show that the investigation process is fraudulent. The Labour Party has used this sham in an effort to bully me." She also implied on X/Twitter that she doesnt think she will ever get the whip back, claiming Labours real agenda is to force her out. On Thursday, Sir Keir would not be drawn on whether or not Ms Abbott, who currently sits as an independent, could expect to become a Labour MP again, saying only that the 10-month investigation into her alleged antisemitic remarks was not resolved. The Labour leader said she was a trailblazer and described the language allegedly used by Mr Hester as abhorrent, but he told BBC Radio 2s Jeremy Vine that allowing the MP back into the party was an entirely different issue. That was about allegations of antisemitism in relation to a letter which is subject to an ongoing investigation, which is separate from me. Thats not something which I conduct. Labour did not respond to The Independents request for comment. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak is working towards an autumn general election on 10 October, The Independent has been told. The prime minister on Thursday ruled out a snap election on 2 May amid mounting speculation in Westminster that he wanted to coincide with the local elections. Mr Sunak did not indiciate when the election would be called, but Downing Street sources told The Independent that the date has been pencilled in for the second Thursday in October. It is understood that the PM is unlikely to wait until mid-November, since it would clash with US presidential election. The October date would also throw party conference season into disarray, which is a key opportunity for all the major parties to campaign and fundraise ahead of the upcoming election. No 10 dismissed the claim as speculation but did not deny the date. A government source said: The PM will announce the date. Until then everything else is speculation. Labour activists staged a protest outside Downing Street calling for the prime minister to name the date for a general election (AFP/Getty) The PM had previously said that it was his working assumption that the general election would be held in the second half of the year. But there was increasing speculation that it would be brought forward as the Conservative Party sought to reap an advantage at the ballot box from the national insurance cut announced at the Budget. Speaking on Thursday in an interview with ITV News West Country, Mr Sunak said: In several weeks time weve got elections for police and crime commissioners, for local councils, for mayors across the country theyre important elections. Asked whether there would be a general election on the same day, he said: There wont be an election on that day. He did not rule out a wider spring or summer vote. Party conference season will be thrown into disarray by an October election (Getty Images) Mr Sunak has come under fire for refusing to name the date that the country can expect to take to the polls. Labours national campaign coordinator Pat McFadden said the British people had the right to expect a general election on 2 May and called on the prime minister to name the date. Rishi Sunak should stop squatting in Downing Street and give the country what it desperately needs a chance for change with a Labour government. The prime minister needs to finally come clean with the public and name the date of the election now, he said. A Labour source told The Independent that the party was ready for any eventuality. They said: We remain ready for all scenarios. The public wants change and were ready to deliver it. Sunak needs to end the speculation and name the date. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former Neighbours star Holly Valance has said she will be voting for Reform UK at the next election - just one month after backing Jacob Rees Mogg to be next prime minister. The Australian actress, 40, known for her role as Felicity Flick Scully, said she voted Conservative in 2019 but will now change her allegiance to Richard Tices party. Speaking on the GB News Choppers Political Podcast, she said: Last time I voted [for the] Conservatives, next time Ill be voting Reform. She also revealed she wants former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, who is the honorary president of Reform UK, to lead the party. When asked about Conservative MP Lee Anderson defecting to the party last week, she said: Yeah.. I support anybody that sticks to what they believe in and isnt a turncoat, and doesnt do a million flip-flops and U-turns. So I have respect for that, even for like nutters on the other side, if you stick to what you believe and you keep reiterating that over years and years, I can always respect that. I might not agree with you, but I get that more than the changing of the minds and the flipping around and never having any conviction. I think people are sick of that. Ms Valance previously backed Rees-Mogg for next prime minister and slammed left-wing ideology (GB News) Mr Anderson, a former Conservative deputy chairman and MP for Ashfield, had been sitting as an independent after being suspended for suggesting London mayor Sadiq Khan was being controlled by Islamist extremists. Just last month, Ms Valance attended the launch of Liz Trusss Popular Conservatism movement in London. She also went to Boris and Carrie Johnsons wedding in the Cotswolds in July 2022 along with her property tycoon husband Nick Candy. At the PopCon event, Ms Valance praised Britains shortest-serving former prime minister and backed Mr Rees-Mogg as the next prime minister. She told the conference she was a lefty when she was younger, but her beliefs have since changed. I would say that everyone starts off as a leftie and then wakes up at some point after you start either making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home and then realise what crap ideas they all are. And then you go to the right, she added. Her comments came after her billionaire husband praised Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and said it was time for a change. Mr Candy, a Tory donor, praised Sir Keirs business ties and criticised Tory infighting. Mr Candy told Bloombergs In the City podcast: I think its probably time for a change. I think all this infighting in the Tories even now with talk of Kemi Badenoch replacing Rishi by mid-May with people that have nothing to do with Nick Candy with wife Holly Valance at Princess Eugenie wedding in 2018 (PA Archive) When asked about reports that Mr Candy will vote Labour at the next general election, Ms Valance said: It was just a miscommunication with the way he structured the sentence (on a podcast) in that he said: Labour is going to get in and its time for a change. It wasnt: Labour is getting in and Im voting for them. She added that she would assume he would vote for the Conservative Party. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak has faced yet another testing week of resignations, warning shots and poor polling results as he continues to avoid setting a date for a general election. The prime minister is increasingly losing his grip on the Conservative Party with a senior Tory minister announcing his decision to leave politics and a former deputy chair defecting to Nigel Farages right-wing challenger party Reform UK. Now, Mr Sunak faces fresh scrutiny following the publication of an explosive poll that has revealed how he is haemorrhaging popularity. Rishi Sunak faced a testing week, with a senior Tory defecting to a rival party and a defence minister quitting (PA) The survey conducted by JL Partners polling paints a damning portrait of the beleaguered Tory leader, as it revealed that voters see him as a weak, useless, rich idiot as the party trail Labour by 20 per cent. In a devastating blow for the prime minister, voters picked Boris Johnson, followed by Margaret Thatcher who died 11 years ago and Nigel Farage ahead of Mr Sunak. The bruising analysis comes as armed forces minister James Heappey announced plans to leave his role in government and quit as an MP at the next general election, joining 61 other Conservative MPs who have said they plan to leave politics before the next election. The future of Mr Sunaks premiership now hangs in the balance as the prime minister was forced to rule out a May general election amid mounting speculation that he would be forced to call a snap vote to avoid a disastrous set of local election results and stave off a Conservative rebellion. Labour has branded Rishi Sunak a chicken for ruling out a May election, with Keir Starmer repeatedly calling for an immediate contest (PA) The Independent now understands No 10 has pencilled in an election for Thursday 10 October, according to Downing Street sources. No 10 did not deny the claims. According to the new poll focusing on Mr Sunak, the top 10 words most commonly chosen by all voters to describe him, in order of popularity, are: Weak, useless, rich, untrustworthy, incompetent, bad, idiot, rubbish, liar, smarmy. Those who voted Tory in the 2019 election were nearly as insulting, struggling to find a single good thing to say about him. James Johnson, director of JL Partners polling, said the word cloud survey conducted last weekend explained the serious slide in Rishi Sunaks ratings among the electorate since he became prime minister nearly 18 months ago. Meanwhile, Mr Heappeys resignation has given credence to the view that even Mr Sunaks ministerial team are accepting defeat. James Heappey has told his constituents he will stand down as an MP at the next election (PA) The minister said that now is the time... to pursue a different career, adding that he would continue to support Mr Sunak in his leadership of the Conservatives until such time as he wishes me to step down, and then from the backbenches. The beginning of the week saw former deputy party chair and red-wall firebrand, Lee Anderson, join Reform UK after being kicked out of the Tories for his Islamophobic comments about mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Reform UK are taking chunks out of the Conservative vote share in recent polls with many speculating that the party could harm the Tories chances of re-election. Lee Andersons defection will add to the headache facing Rishi Sunak, with Reform UK eating into Conservative support (Getty Images) Mr Andersons decision to defect triggered further speculation that more Tories could jump ship, particularly among those not happy with the prime ministers direction. Colleagues from the right-wing New Conservative group fired a warning shot to Mr Sunak. Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger said in a joint statement: 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 added: 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. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunaks fading hopes of holding on to power have suffered a humiliating new setback after a new poll showed voters see him as a weak, useless, rich idiot. The verdict of Tory voters on the prime minister is almost as withering. Asked to state their ideal party leader, Conservative supporters picked Boris Johnson, followed by Margaret Thatcher, who died 11 years ago, and Nigel Farage ahead of Mr Sunak. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer fares slightly better among voters as a whole, seen as weak and boring, though also honest and competent. But unlike Mr Sunak, Sir Keir has solid support from his own supporters: the majority of Labour voters regard him as their ideal leader - with no appetite for long-gone predecessors like Tony Blair. Voters said they thought Rishi Sunak was a weak, useless, rich idiot (JL Partners) The damning portrait of Mr Sunak, whose Tory party languishes behind Labour by 20 per cent in recent polls, emerged in a survey by JL Partners polling company. A total of 2,105 people took part in the survey on 9 and 10 March. Asked to summarise each leader in a word, the top ten words most commonly chosen by voters as a whole to describe Mr Sunak, in order of popularity, are: Weak, useless, rich, untrustworthy, incompetent, bad, idiot, rubbish, liar, smarmy. Tory supporters would still prefer Boris Johnson (Getty Images) Political leaders could usually rely on their own supporters to be more sympathetic towards them, said JL Partners co-founder James Johnson, but not Mr Sunak. Those who voted Tory in the 2019 election were nearly as insulting, struggling to find a single good thing to say about him. Mr Johnson said the word cloud survey conducted last weekend explained the serious slide in Rishi Sunaks ratings among the electorate since he became prime minister nearly 18 months ago. Labour voters in 2019 were asked to describe Keir Starmer in a word (JL Partners) (JL Partners) They used to think he was rich but quite competent, they now think he is rich but also weak, said Mr Johnson. That is a really devastating place to be if you are a politician. Announcing the results of the poll, Mr Johnson told a gathering of leading political pundits at Carlton House Terrace, London, that Sir Keir was in a much better place than Mr Sunak with his own respective party faithful. Among all voters, the top ten words used to describe Sir Keir included weak, boring and bland. The most popular individuals for prime minister in 2019 (JL Partners) But crucially, he is also thought of as honest and competent. And Sir Keir does much better among those who voted Labour in 2019. They see him in a mainly favourable, albeit unexciting light, choosing words like reliable, fair and intelligent as well as dull. Nigel Farage was also viewed as a better choice (AFP via Getty Images) Mr Johnson said: People are not champing at the bit for Labour, there is a lot of reluctance about them - but Starmer is winning the battle of the word clouds. He said there had also been a major change in the personal quality voters in all parties seek in a prime minister. Ten years ago they desired someone who, above all else, was competent. Now they viewed being truthful as more important. Voters were asked what they value most in a prime minister (JL Partners) And former prime minister Mr Johnson, ousted from power after claims he had lied over the partygate scandal, may be to blame, hinted JL Partners Mr Johnson. When it comes to what voters actually want from a prime minister, the number one thing is honesty, he said. It means not lying - which may be the result of recent political events. It means I dont care if it is tough news, tell me like it is. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sadiq Khan has warned that new voter ID rules could prevent him from being re-elected as London mayor. In just six weeks, Londoners will head to the ballot box and vote for who they would like to see running the capital for the next four years. The latest YouGov/Mile End Institute Poll has Mr Khan and Labour on 49 per cent, with his closest rival, Conservative candidate Susan Hall, trailing far behind on 24 per cent. Despite his commanding lead, Mr Khan writes in The Independent that changes to the mayoral voting system could scupper his chances of re-election on 2 May. In previous mayoral elections voters could make a first and second choice for mayor, however this time they will only get one vote. Mr Khan writes: This means a vote for any party other than Labour only makes it more likely that Londoners end up with a Tory mayor. Londoners will head to the ballot box in just six weeks (Reuters) The mayor of London also warned that fresh rules on photographic ID could negatively impact his poll chances. He said: New rules making it compulsory to have an approved form of ID - a deliberate attempt to reduce turnout - also puts the election on a knife-edge. Analysis shows more than 900,000 Londoners - likely to include large numbers of young people and those from minority communities - might not have valid ID and will thus be barred from exercising their democratic right to vote. At the last London Mayoral election, in 2021, I was less than 5 per cent ahead after the first round of voting. These are the finer margins well now be dealing with. Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall (PA Wire) Mr Khan has urged supporters of rival progressive parties, such as the Green Party and Liberal Democrats, to back him to keep the Tories out of power in the capital. He added: I am asking for their help so that we dont wake up in six weeks time to find our citys cherished values at serious risk with a hardline Conservative in City Hall. Ive always stood up for Londons open, outward-looking, pro-European and anti-racist values as well as for climate science, womens rights, our diversity, our LGBT+ community, and liberal democracy. Mr Khan went on to attack his main rival Ms Hall, claiming that she supported a hard Brexit and voted against his initiatives to deal with air pollution and climate change. He added: We must protect the gains weve made and the modern, plural, inclusive outlook that makes London the greatest city in the world. But to do that, Im asking Lib Dems and Greens to lend me their votes, using their first and only choice at this election. This is the only way we can safeguard everything that makes London so special and continue building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Civil War, Alex Garlands election-year provocation, debuted Thursday at the SXSW Film and TV Festival, unveiling a violent vision of a near-future America at war with itself. Civil War, reportedly A24s biggest budget release yet, is a bold gamble to capitalize on some of the anxieties that have grown in highly partisan times and ahead of a potentially momentous November presidential election. The film, written and directed by the British filmmaker Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation), imagines a U.S. in all-out warfare, with California and Texas joining to form the Western Forces. That insurrection, along with the Florida Alliance, is seeking to topple a government led by a three-term president, played by Nick Offerman. In drawing battle lines across states blue and red, Civil War sidesteps much of the politics that might be expected in such a movie. And the story, too, largely omits surrounding context for the conflict, focusing on the day-to-day adventures of a group of journalists played by Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura and Stephen McKinley Henderson, who are attempting to document the fighting. The film is intended as a conversation. It is not asserting things I mean I guess its asserting some things, Garland told the crowd after the screening. But its a conversation, and that means its not a lecture. A lot of the times, he added, I was thinking about what can I avoid, what can I miss out and make it a sort of two-way exchange. The movie year has showed signs of turning combustible as the nation girds for an election where some believe democracy is at stake. At the Academy Awards on Sunday, host Jimmy Kimmel largely avoided talking politics before reading a critical social media post from former President Donald Trump. Isnt it past your jail time? prodded Kimmel. There are more films on the way with potential to add talking points. The Apprentice, in which Sebastian Stan plays Trump, was shot in the fall, though no release date has yet been announced. But nothing has had quite the anticipation of Civil War." Some even debated whether its timing was inappropriate. Yet Civil War, which will open in U.S. theaters on April 12, isnt as incendiary as some hoped, or feared. There are some chilling moments, including one where a gun-wielding militant played by Jesse Plemons asks the journalists, What kind of American are you? But much of the films visceral power comes through its scenes of the U.S. as a battleground populated by refugee camps and mass graves. The idea for the film came to Garland almost exactly four years ago, he said. I wrote it back then and sent it to A24 and they just said, Yup, well make it, which was surprising, said Garland, who shot the film in Georgia. This is a brave film to finance, it really is. I had never read a script like this," said Dunst, who plays a veteran combat photographer. In the film, Dunsts character, Lee, heads to Washington, D.C., to capture potentially the final, blood-letting moments of the war. The group is joined by a young, aspiring photographer, played by Spaeny. Though Civil War culminates with the White House under siege, its in many ways a film about journalism. This is a sort of love letter to journalism and how it important it is, said Garland, who said his father was a newspaper cartoonist. Newspaper people I wanted to make them heroes. Initial reaction out of SXSW for Civil War spanned both masterpiece and mess. Some were unsure of how to immediately respond, including Spaeny, who moments after seeing it for the first time said, I need a second. Garland, for his part, demurred from making any grand political statement. I just want to say: I always try to make sort of funny movies. I thought Ex Machina was funny, Garland said. If people laughed, I'm glad, partly because some of it is so (expletive) stupid. It should be funny. It's crazy. It's messed up. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Elon Musk and other right-wing influencers are being accused of spreading disinformation about Haiti, claiming that some of the countrys citizens are engaging in cannibalism as civil unrest persists. Earlier this week, Mr Musk posted an unverified video to his social media platform X, which showed unsubstantiated claims of cannibalism in Haiti. The social media company took down the video after it became clear that the claims could not be confirmed and likely stemmed from disinformation. The Independent reached out to X for comment. Despite the lack of verification, other prominent right-wing individuals were posting the allegations as well. Ian Miles Cheong took to X to write about how cannibal gangs in Hait allegedly abduct and eat people. After an NBC News article about the claims was published stating the allegations were unsubstantiated, Mr Cheong appeared to continue posting the claims. The Haitian Barbecue is the only potluck where all your enemies are very much invited to attend as part of the meal, he wrote in one post. Never ask the chef what Haitian barbecue sauce is made of, he said in another. Dom Lucre, another social media personality, tweeted a video of the alleged cannibalism that has now been deleted by the platform. The recent rumours likely gained traction after a report was published by the Daily Express, a British tabloid, quoting an unnamed source regarding the cannibalism claims as the country continues to plunge into a state of emergency. Even so, the unnamed source added, Cannibalism is not widespread, but definitely an indication of the worsening situation. It definitely happens on a few occasions. The reporter did not say they had witnessed cannibalism themselves. The US State Department told The Independent it has not received any credible reports about cannibalism. A spokesperson continued: People should seek fact-based verification of sensational claims from credible sources before sharing on social media. According to NBC News, Doctors Without Borders and Human Rights Watch also said they had no information regarding cannibalism in the country. The claims are circulating as Haiti continues to experience a serious crisis in which its government is on the brink of collapse. Earlier this month, gangs incited a series of attacks in Port-Au-Prince, the countrys capital, including at the main international airport and seaport, both of which are now closed. The armed groups have claimed responsibility for burning several police stations and freeing thousands of prisoners from the countrys national prison which was set on fire on Thursday. The countrys former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was unable to return to the country after the attacks started and has been in Puerto Rico for about a week. He announced his intentions to resign from his post on Tuesday and global leaders are planning a multinational security support mission thatll involve choosing his replacement. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 36-year-old man is in critical condition after an altercation turned violent on a Brooklyn subway car, as he became a victim of his own gun. The violence transpired after a 32-year-old man, who just entered a northbound A train in Brooklyn, was quickly approached by a 36-year-old man who was already on the train. Witnesses described the 36-year-old as aggressive and provocative towards the new passenger, the New York Police Departments chief of transit Michael Kemper said. Words quickly devolved into violence. Eventually, the older mans gun was taken by the younger man, resulting in the 32-year-old shooting at the 36-year-old multiple times, striking him including in the head, police said. Heres everything we know about the subway horror: The incident Around 4.45pm on Thursday 14 March, a 32-year-old man got on board a northbound A train. He was approached by a 36-year-old man who was already onboard, who was allegedly acting aggressive and provocative toward him. Somehow, a verbal altercation escalated into a physical one. Police said the 36-year-old displayed either a knife or a razor blade but then put it down. Amid a fiery exchange of words, the 36-year-old removed a firearm from his jacket, Mr Kemper said. He then walked towards the younger man in a menacing way while yelling at him and it became physical again between the two men, the chief of transit added. During this physical confrontation, that gun, we believe, was removed from the 36-year-old by the 32-year-old and he fired multiple shots at the older man, striking him, he said. The 36-year-old was shot twice in the right side of the face, once in the neck and once in the chest, ABC7 reported. Gunfire broke out when the train neared the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station, Mr Kemper said. Police stationed at the platform heard the gunshots and responded, he added. Police say that this is the small caliber firearm they recovered from the scene (New York Police Department) More details revealed At a second press conference, police revealed that video footage had captured a woman who was believed to be travelling with the 32-year-old man appearing to cut the 36-year-old man with a sharp object during the altercation. Video footage circulating online appears to show a woman hovering near the two men as they fought. She then allegedly pulled a sharp object from her purse and stabbed the aggressor, police said. At one point, the 36-year-old is heard asking Did you stab me? before appearing to pull a gun from his jacket and saying, You stabbed me? The investigation is still ongoing. Later on Friday, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said that police received a video that showed the 36-year-old did not pay his fare when he entered the Nostrand Avenue station in Brooklyn just 10 minutes before the incident transpired. Rattled train passengers Other passengers in the car went unharmed, Mr Kemper said. Footage posted online shows a packed car filled with terrified passengers ducking for their lives. As Im coming out, you hear pops like three or four shots. Pop, pop, pop. Then the doors open. Everybody come flying out, a passenger told ABC7. I dont think I was going to make it back home. I was next to everything like just like you are in front of me. Thats where I was, another commuter told the outlet. An ABC journalist, who was on the A train, took harrowing videos of the incident that captured a sea of passengers crouching down in the crowded car as officers on the platform flocked to the scene. Someone can be heard yelling: Close the door! Close the door! On Friday, Janno Lieber, the chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said it is absolutely outrageous that someone would bring a gun onto the subway and start a fight. The victim here, the police said, appears to be the aggressor. But the real victims are the people I saw in those videos who were having a harrowing time because theyre on a train with somebody with a gun, Mr Lieber said. New York Gov Kathy Hochul issued a statement following the incident, saying, Like all New Yorkers, Im horrified by yesterdays shooting on the A Train. No subway rider should commute in fear that theyll be the victim of a shooting or slashing and were taking coordinated action to keep straphangers safe. The governor added, The only way to solve the recent spike in subway crime is to collaborate across all levels of government. Working together with Mayor Adams, police, prosecutors and transit officials, well make sure every New Yorker is protected. A statement from New York City Mayor Eric Adams also said, As a former transit officer, I know that subway safety is public safety and bringing the entire criminal justice system to the table will only enhance our efforts to keep people safe. Crime is down across the city, but our subway system is the key for millions of New Yorkers to get to work, school, and see loved ones. We must do everything we can to make sure they feel safe, the statement continued. What we know about the parties involved Police have not yet publicly identified the two men or the woman allegedly involved. Mr Maddrey said that he could not confirm that the 36-year-old had any prior criminal history on Friday afternoon because the investigation is ongoing. Its unclear whether any of the parties knew one another before the incident, but police said they dont believe so. The 36-year-old was found with a gunshot wound to his head, authorities said, and was in critical condition as of Thursday evening. He was transported to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital where he underwent surgery. The 32-year-old was being held with detectives and the firearm was recovered from the scene. Its unclear what charges he faces, if any. Mr Kemper said it is yet to be determined whether charge will be brought against the 32-year-old or whether the situation will be characterised as him acting in self-defence. A spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office told The Independent in a 15 March statement: Yesterdays shooting inside a crowded subway car was shocking and deeply upsetting. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing but, at this stage, evidence of self-defense precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter. Its also not immediately clear whether any charges will be brought against the woman who allegedly stabbed the 36-year-old. A decrease in NYC shootings Just last week, the NYPD announced a 15.4 per cent crime drop on the subway in February compared to a year ago. NYPD attributed the decrease in transit crime to its decision to increase the number of law enforcement officers 1,000 police officers per day to the subway system. On top of this, Ms Hochul recently announced that 750 National Guard members within the transport network would be deployed to assist the police, saying it would deter crime on the subway system and that their presence would make passengers feel safer. Still, the last few months have seen headline-making subway shootings. In January, a man was fatally shot while trying to break up a fight among two other passengers on a Manhattan subway train. In February, another shooting erupted at Mount Eden Avenue subway station in the Bronx, killing one and injuring five others. The NYPD remarked that the shooter was now its most wanted. Also in February, a 45-year-old man was shot and killed while riding the southbound D train near 182-183 Street station in the Bronx. After the 14 March incident, police emphasised on Friday that this was just one incident among the millions and millions of people that rode the subway on that day. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kansas will pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit over a seven-year-old boy who was murdered and fed to pigs.Adrian Jones was living with his father, Michael Jones, and his stepmother, Heather Jones, in Kansas City when he was killed in November 2015. The lawsuit, filed by the childs mother and other relatives in 2017, said that the state child welfare agency should have removed him from the abusive home before he was starved, tortured and killed, and his body fed to pigs. Police found the childs remains in a pigsty on his father and stepmothers rental property after responding to a domestic violence call from Mrs Jones, who accused her husband of beating and choking her, according to affidavits and search warrants. Authorities also found surveillance footage that showed the child had been beaten and locked naked in a shower stall for months before his death. He had also been subject to other forms of torture including being strapped to an inversion table, and being handcuffed and shocked with a device called a Zap Enforcer. Court records added that the child also suffered from extreme starvation. Michael Jones was sentenced to life in prison for torturing and killing his son (AP) Heather Jones will spend 25 years to life in prison for the torture and murder of her stepson (AP) Michael and Heather Jones were sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison for the childs murder in 2016. Following the trial, the boys mother, maternal grandmother and adult sister filed a lawsuit in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The suit said that the state and social workers could have stepped in and rescued Adrian at any point during the childs lengthy, unimaginable ordeal but chose to act like disinterested bystanders. Records released in 2017 by the Kansas Department for Children and Families showed the agency received reports that Adrian was being abused several years before his death. However its last physical contact with him was almost four years before his remains were found. Records also showed that Adrian, his father and stepmother moved frequently between places in Kansas and Missouri. The Kansas agency argued that this made it difficult to keep tabs on the boy. The lawsuit was settled this week with Governor Laura Kelly and leaders of the Kansas Legislature approving the $1m settlement after meeting with state attorney general Kris Kobachs office. This has been a long journey for Adrians family, said Matt Birch, their attorney. The most important thing for the family was to hopefully make a change and make this less likely to happen in the future. Kansas Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, one of the lawmakers who approved the settlement, said on Wednesday that she believes the state faced a lot of liability legally for what happened. She added that the case was settled to enable legislators to focus on the mission at hand of improving the child welfare system. It really had to do with wanting to get that settled and not spend time litigating in courts for what could be definitely months, maybe even years, she said. The seven-year-olds death has already resulted in legislative change with the state attempting to improve doctors training to recognize abuse and provide wrap-around services for troubled families. In 2021, Adrians Law created a joint committee on child welfare oversight and required officers and caseworkers to visually observe children who are alleged victims of abuse or neglect. However, the head of that committee saw the settlement as less of a breakthrough. I am a little bit surprised that its not more than that, GOP Rep. Susan Concannon said. Mr Birch said that he and the family hoped that following the lawsuit and 2021 law there will be more eyes on these kids. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Idaho Supreme Court denied a request by Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students, for his grand jury indictment to be thrown out. Mr Kohbergers attorneys argued, based on their interpretation of Idaho law, that grand jurors were inaccurately told that the standard for an indictment is that there is probable cause of the defendants guilt, instead of the higher threshold of beyond a reasonable doubt. The request was first made on 8 February for the Idaho Supreme Court to appeal Latah County District Court Judge John Judges decision not to toss Mr Kohbergers grand jury indictment in the quadruple murder case. They sought to have the indictment dismissed due to what they referred to as a biased grand jury, inadmissible evidence, a lack of sufficient evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. Bryan Kohberger is charged with the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students (Getty) The attorneys also filed a separate motion seeking to seal Mr Kohbergers request with a motion to seal defendants motion for permission to appeal from interlocutory orders. The Idaho Supreme Court denied the first motion, but granted his request to hide the contents of his motion. Mr Kohberger, a Ph.D. student at the nearby Washington State University, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The students were found stabbed to death in an off-campus rental house in Moscow on 13 November 2022. The military-style knife, believed to be the weapon, has never been recovered, however a knife sheath was found near one of the victims. That sheath contained a piece of DNA which was then matched to Mr Kohberger, according to authorities. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed on 13 November 2022 (Instagram) The DNA was compared to trash found at the Kohberger family home in Pennsylvania, eventually leading to Mr Kohbergers arrest. A trial date has still not been set as Mr Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial. Meanwhile, Mr Kohbergers defence team is seeking to have the trial moved to a different county. A hearing is scheduled for 14 May where the judge will hear arguments regarding Mr Kohbergers request to move the trial out of Latah County. Mr Kohbergers attorneys have argued that a fair and impartial jury cannot be found in Latah County due to the cases extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity and the small size of the community. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Manuel Oliver says Jennifer Crumbleys conviction is something to celebrate. I do think and I hope that this will start a new wave of accountability that expands to anyone that is somehow responsible, he tells The Independent following her February conviction. To him, as the father of Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the Parkland mass school shooting, the conviction of the mother of a school shooter marks something of a turning point. It suggests that were looking at these [cases] in a new way, he says. No one is complaining about the verdict, he adds. So we all agree, all gun ownersand of course, people like me that Crumbley is responsible in some way. In a landmark case on 6 February, Crumbley was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter after her son, Ethan Crumbley, opened fire inside Oxford High School in November 2021, killing four of his classmates and injuring seven other victims. Just weeks later, her husband James Crumbley was also convicted of the same charges. Its an outcome that is pushing new bounds as to how gun owners can be held responsible for others fatal actions and set a new precedent for how mass shooters parents and other actors are held accountable. A landmark case Before Jennifer Crumbleys case, never before had a parent been tried for their alleged involvement in a mass school shooting. A judge for Michigans appellate court acknowledged its historic nature in his opinion ruling that the Crumbleys should stand trial: Our legal system does not, nor should it, criminally punish people for subpar, odd, or eccentric parentingHowever, before us is the unusual case. Ethan Crumbley was extraordinarily troubled, yet defendants nonetheless provided him with a handgun and, despite having discrete, disturbing evidence that [their son] contemplated harming others, did nothing when confronted with that evidence. The prosecution argued that Ms Crumbley could have taken tragically small steps that would have prevented the shooting, which the state described as foreseeable. Instead, the prosecutors argued, she ignored her sons mental health struggles and made the 9mm handgun purchased four days before the shooting accessible. The jury agreed. While the verdict in that case may be unprecedented, the events that led to this point are far from it. School shootings are all too common across America, with more than 340 school shootings in 2023 alone, according to the K-12 School Shooting database. Tragically, then, its not too surprising that firearms are the leading cause of death of children in the United States. With gun violence a devastating, yet common part of life, its perhaps unsurprising that attention is turning to holding accountable people beyond those who pulled the trigger. Parents held to account In recent years, several other parents have faced criminal charges after their child committed a shooting. Deja Taylor, the mother of a six-year-old boy who shot his first grade teacher in Virginia, was sentenced to 21 months in prison in November after she pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while being a drug user and lying on a background check about her marijuana use when she bought the gun which was later used by her son. That is my son, so I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him because he cant take responsibility for himself, she told a court in June. That same month, Robert Crimo Jr, the father of the 21-year-old Highland Park shooter accused of killing seven and injuring dozens of others in an attack on a July 4 parade, pleaded guilty to seven counts of misdemeanour reckless conduct as part of a plea bargain. Though similar, neither of these cases set the same precedent as the Crumbleys. Unlike these parents, the Crumbleys pleaded not guilty, went to trial and were convicted. But, more significantly, the Crumbleys were hit with manslaughter charges raising the bar for what parents can be criminally charged with in connection to their childs actions. Under Michigan law, an involuntary manslaughter conviction means that the Crumbleys were found to have either caused the victims deaths by acting in a grossly negligent manner or by failing to perform a legal duty. Throughout her trial, Jennifer Crumbleys defence attorney tried to argue that her client wasnt familiar with guns and even told the court that her 15-year-old son showed her how to use the firearm when she took him to a shooting range just before the massacre. Still, the jury foreperson told CNN that the conviction hinged on the fact that Crumbley was the the last adult with the gun. Through this case, Erin Davis, senior counsel at Brady United Against Gun Violence, tells The Independent that prosecutors have sent a really powerful message to parents, gun sellers, and schools signalling that they have a responsibility to be part of the solution and take action in situations that are avoidable, versus turning a blind eye. Making gun owners part of the solution In that same vein, the Crumbley case underscores the responsibility and criminal responsibility of gun owners to commit to proper gun safety practices, by bringing gun owners in as part of the solution to stopping these preventable tragedies, Ms Davis says after Jennifer Crumbleys conviction. As Mr Oliver says: What happened yesterday is a great way of convincing people that if your gun is not in a safe place, you can end up in jail even if you dont use the gun. People should be responsible. At a time when many gun owners are voicing fears that their Second Amendment right is under threat, emphasising gun safety through holding irresponsible gun owners accountable could be a way to find common ground in the gun control debate. Most gun owners are responsible gun owners and understand that its important to follow safe practices, like ensuring that their guns are stored securely and that children dont have access to them, Ms Davis adds. Beyond the parents Beyond parents, several ongoing and settled civil suits are also testing how others connected to mass shootings can be held accountable. Parents of an Oxford High School student who was injured in the mass shooting filed a civil suit against school officials and the gun store that sold the Crumbley family the would-be murder weapon for negligence. Meanwhile, survivors of the Uvalde mass shooting have filed a class-action lawsuit against the school district, the city of Uvalde, and law enforcement agencies seeking $27bn in damages. Families of victims in the 2012 Sandy Hook and Poway synagogue shootings sued gun manufacturers for violating consumer-protection laws; both cases resulted in massive settlements. A survivor of the Highland Park shooting is now seeking to do the same. As more tragedies occur, survivors and victims families are finding more ways to hold those surrounding the shootings accountable. But, while its been done before in some senses, the Crumbley case appears to be a watershed moment. There should be accountability for different actors that have contributed to shootings and mass shootings, Ms Davis says. However, bringing criminal cases against actors beyond the shooter is a newer move. For Mr Oliver, he is hopeful that the verdict is a sign of things to come. He says that, hopefully, the verdict will become a small step in our fight to end gun violence in the United States. This article was first published after Jennifer Crumbleys conviction in February 2024. It has been updated after James Crumbleys conviction in March 2024 The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Over the course of a week, body parts including two severed heads were discovered scattered across New Yorks Long Island. It all began when a girl found an arm while walking to school in Babylon near Southards Park in Suffolk County on 29 February. This led to a police search in the area that found several other dismembered body parts in the area. Fingertips were missing from the severed arms. Just days later, a group of high school students stumbled upon more body parts. On 5 March, additional remains were found in Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, about 10 miles from the first crime scene. Police in Suffolk County identified the female victim as 59-year-old Donna Conneely and family members identified the male victim as 53-year-old Malcolm Craig Brown, both of Westchester, New York. Two women and two men were arrested and charged with hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence and concealing a human corpse. Steven Brown, 44, Jeffrey Mackey, 38, and Amanda Wallace, 40, all of Amityville, New York, and Alexis Nieves, 33, who is homeless were arraigned and released due to the states lenient bail reform policies. They have not been charged with killing the victims. Brown and Wallace are set to appear in court on Monday while Mackey and Nieves will make their appearance on Tuesday. The grisly discoveries are the latest shocking example of human remains being dumped in parks, woods and other open spaces on Long Island. Over the years, theyve included bodies of MS-13 gang violence victims and the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings. Heres everything we know from the remains being found across parks in Babylon and Bethpage, to the victims, to the four suspects who were arrested and then released. Two severed heads, tattooed arm found by children at parks The body parts including two severed heads were found in multiple locations in Suffolk County between 29 February and 5 March. According to police, a girl walking to school on 29 February found an arm on the side of the road at Southards Pond Park in Babylon, about 25 miles east of New York City. Her father called 911 and police later discovered another arm and a leg. All of those remains appeared to belong to the 53-year-old man, police said. The body parts including two severed heads were found in multiple locations in Suffolk County between 29 February and 5 March (Fox5) According to police, as officers investigated the crime scene, a canine unit located a leg sticking out of a pile of leaves in a wooded area, not far from the original scene. The cadaver dog located the head, arm and parts of two legs. Those remains appeared to be from the 59-year-old woman, police said. A few days later, a group of Long Island high school students found a left arm on the side of a Babylon road on their way to school, police said. Additional remains found on 5 March in nearby West Babylon and in a state park were from the same two people. Police said they had executed a search warrant a day earlier at a home in Amityville, a few miles west of Babylon, and that no human remains were located during the search. Who are the victims? The dismembered body parts found scattered across Suffolk County were identified by their families and police on 11 March as a man and woman from Yonkers. Police in Suffolk County identified the female victim as 59-year-old Donna Conneely and family members identified the male victim as 53-year-old Malcolm Craig Brown. The two shared a last known address in Yonkers, north of New York City, more than 30 miles from where their remains were discovered. Coreen Bullock and Charles Williams told local news outlets that Malcolm Brown was their younger brother and one of the suspects, Steven Brown, is their cousin. The victims were identified as 53-year-old Malcolm Craig Brown and 59-year-old Donna Conneely (Malcolm Craig Brown/Facebook) We have parents, weve lost a brother, Steven Brown is our cousin and our parents and his mom, my aunt, theyre home, theyre suffering, theyre hurting and he has nothing to say, Mr Williams said. Coreen Bullock said in a statement that Brown, who was the youngest of three siblings, enjoyed cooking and illustration, as she praised him for his generosity. He wasnt rich, but he would give you the shirt off his back, Ms Bullock added. She also revealed to the New York Daily News that her brother spent two decades of his life behind bars, but had been doing well prior to his grisly murder. He was incarcerated for approximately 20 years, Ms Bullock said. [He] came out and got his life together. Brown was serving a 12-year sentence for attempted murder in 2002 at the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York, according to records. Andre Brown, whos married to a cousin of Malcolm Brown, told the outlet that he had been doing his longest stretch of freedom since he was first incarcerated before police recovered his dismembered remains. He rarely spent time out, Andre Brown said. I think this time period before he got killed was pretty much the longest time hes been out of jail. Four suspects arrested in grisly case Four people have been charged in connection to the case on charges of first-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence, and concealment of a human corpse. Steven Brown, 44, and Amanda Wallace, 40, appeared in court on Monday in Central Islip, where the judge ordered their GPS monitoring to remain in place. Jeffrey Mackey, 38, and Alexis Nieves, 33, made their appearance on Friday. The foursome pleaded not guilty but could not be held due to the states lenient bail reform policies. Steven Brown, 44, Jeffrey Mackey, 38, and Amanda Wallace, 40, and Alexis Nieves, 33, were arraigned and released due to the states lenient bail reform policies (ABC7 New York) The Investigation The four suspects were arrested after police executed a search warrant at the Amityville home that Ms Wallace, Mr Mackey and Mr Brown share. Assistant District Attorney Frank Schroeder said authorities have significant evidence against the four, including meat cleavers, butcher knives, blood and video surveillance, according to Newsday. Mr Browns attorney, Ira Weissman, said, Steven Brown didnt kill anybody. Weissman said he could not comment on the specific charges Mr Brown faces, as he has not seen the evidence, The Associated Press reported. A Family Connection Coreen Bullock and Charles Williams spoke out about losing their brother and their connection with one of the suspects. He was our baby brother, he was not perfect but nobody deserves murder like this and his cousin has something to do with it, Ms Bullock said, referring to their cousin Steven Brown. Family members speak out after suspects arrested in Long Island body parts case In court during the hearing, the victims other sibling Charles Williams shouted in court to his cousin to do the right thing. Its absurd that four people could murder two people and just get to walk out like that, Ms Bullock said. Political battle over bail reform Suffolk County legislators from both sides of the aisle are calling for change to New Yorks bail laws after four suspects arrested in connection to the discovery of body parts were released on supervised release without bail. At a press conference last week, the leaders condemned Governor Kathy Hochuls comments on the issue. Maybe the DA should have done a more thorough investigation and brought murder charges, or conspiracy to commit murder, or even assault charges because all of them are bail-eligible. Maybe they brought it a little early, Gov Hochul said. I encourage the DAs office to go back and build your case. Because if you bring all of those charges, which I think would be appropriate, thats absolutely bail-eligible. These people would not be out on the street. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney fired back, calling Gov Hochul. Governor Hochul is either completely clueless or being deceitful about how the criminal justice system works. Prosecutors have a duty to bring only charges that are supported by evidence. Anything else would be unethical. The Suffolk County Police Homicide Detectives are the best in the country, and they are working 24-7 on this case. For the Governor to criticize the efforts of these detectives without knowing any of the facts in defence of a broken bail system is both baffling and indefensible, Tierney said. When law enforcement had enough evidence to arrest these defendants for serious felonies, they did the right thing and made those arrests. Did the Governor want the police to leave them out despite having evidence that they cut up and disposed of two bodies? The Governors platform on public safety is laughably inadequate and she should know enough not to comment on ongoing investigations. It would be helpful if the Governor confined her comments to subjects that she knows something about. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man is critically injured after being shot with his own gun on a moving subway train in New York City, a horrific rush-hour attack that left fellow passengers cowering in fear. The shooting victim allegedly aggressively provoked a fight with another man as the train travelled between stops in downtown Brooklyn at around 4.45pm on Thursday, the NYPD said. The victim, 36, allegedly approached another man, 32, when he got on the northbound A train. The 36-year-old was acting aggressive and provocative, according to Michael Kemper, NYPDs chief of transit. Police said that the 36-year-old pulled out a knife or a razor blade during the verbal altercation but set it down. Then the 36-year-old man pulled a firearm from his jacket and walked towards the other man in a menacing way while yelling at him, police said. Police said a small-caliber firearm (pictured) was recovered from the scene of a shooting on the New York subway system (New York Police Department) During this physical confrontation, that gun, we believe, was removed from the 36-year-old by the 32-year-old, and the 32-year-old fired multiple shots, striking the 36-year-old, Mr Kemper said, at a press briefing on Thursday. At a second press conference on Friday, Mr Kemper said that new evidence and extended video footage had captured a woman believed to be travelling with the 32-year-old man allegedly cutting the 36-year-old man with a sharp object during the altercation. Video footage circulating online appeared to show a woman hovering near the two men as they fought. At one point, the 36-year-old is heard asking Did you stab me? before appearing to pull a gun from his jacket and saying: You stabbed me? Terrified passengers reported hearing multiple shots as they crouched on the floor of the subway car. The train pulled into Hoyt Schermerhorn station where officers heard the shots being fired and ran to the scene. Mr Kemper said that the officers were on scene within seconds, giving medical assistance, calling an ambulance and rounding up witnesses. Multiple shots fired in a subway train in Brooklyn, New York (Fox 5 New York) The 36-year-old man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. He underwent surgery on Thursday night. The 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene. A small caliber firearm was recovered. The identities of the two men have not been released but police do not believe that they knew each other. The transit police chief said officers were working to determine if charges would be filed in the case. A spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office told The Independent : Yesterdays shooting inside a crowded subway car was shocking and deeply upsetting. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing but, at this stage, evidence of self-defense precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter. In a Friday update, police said that the 36-year-old boarded the A train at the Nostrand Avenue station without paying his fare, roughly ten minutes prior to the shooting . He didnt jump over the turnstile, but walked through the gate, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said. Fellow passengers also shared footage of the terrifying ordeal online. In one video, a woman is heard screaming let me out in the packed subway car, before shots are heard. When the train doors open in the station, passengers sprint off the train, screaming. A journalist from ABC News was on the train when the shooting took place. She posted video on X/Twitter of passengers huddled together, crouched on the floor as the train remained in the station. Officers were patrolling up and down the platform, as terrified passengers ducked down. Other footage captured the two men in a scuffle on the train, with one man shouting aggressively at the other before appearing to pull a gun from his jacket. Police on the scene of the shooting (CBS New York) Janno Leiber, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, called it absolutely outrageous that someone would bring a gun onto the subway and start a fight. The victim here, the police said, appears to be the aggressor. But the real victims are the people I saw in those videos who were having a harrowing time because theyre on a train with somebody with a gun, Mr Lieber said. The incident comes one week after New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced controversial plans to deploy US National Guard members into the citys subways to carry out random bag searches of passengers. Ms Hochul said that she would deploy 750 National Guard members within the transport network to assist the police, saying it would deter crime on the subway system. Last month, the NYPD said it was on the hunt for New Yorks most wanted after a 34-year-old male was shot and killed during a brawl on the subway. Five other victims were wounded in the shooting. In January, another man was fatally shot on the subway in Brooklyn after he tried to break up a fight between two passengers. The NYPD said last week they had seen a 15.4 per cent crime drop on the subway in February compared to the same month last year. The NYPD has increased the number of police officers in the transport system by 1,000 per day. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The alleged shooter from a Brooklyn subway train confrontation that quickly escalated from verbal exchange to violent altercation will not be charged at this point given evidence of self-defense, according to Brooklyns District Attorney. At 4.45pm on Thursday, a 32-year-old man boarded a packed A train in Brooklyn where he was aggressively approached by a 36-year-old man, police said. The older man displayed a sharp object before allegedly reaching for a gun, which the younger man grabbed and shot him with four times. The New York Police Department said on Thursday that they werent sure whether charges would be brought against the 32-year-old, who was arrested at the scene, or whether it would be characterised as self-defence. On Friday, a spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office told The Independent in a statement: Yesterdays shooting inside a crowded subway car was shocking and deeply upsetting. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing but, at this stage, evidence of self-defense precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter. NYPD Chief of Police gives a press conference on 15 March over subway shooting (NYPD) Neither of the men have been publicly identified. The 36-year-old was taken to hospital in critical condition after being hit in the neck, chest and right side of the face, ABC7 reported. A small calibre firearm was recovered from the scene, police said. New videos that have emerged in the wake of the shooting suggested that a woman was also involved in the incident. The woman, who police believed to be travelling with the 32-year-old man, appeared to cut the alleged aggressor with a sharp object that she pulled from her purse, police said. On one video, the 36-year-old is heard asking: Did you stab me? before appearing to pull a gun from his jacket and again asking: You stabbed me? The woman has not been identified, and its unclear whether any charges could be brought against her. The gun recovered from the scene of the Brookly subway train shooting (New York Police Department) Police do not believe that the two men knew each other before the confrontation on the subway. Videos circulating on social media showed terrified passengers huddled together and ducked down on the floor at the opposite side of the subway car. The footage also captured officers at Hoyt Schermerhorn station running towards the scene as the train pulled into the station. Police said officers could hear the gunshots as the train approached. Janno Lieber, the chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said at the press conference that it was absolutely outrageous that someone would bring a gun onto the subway and start a fight. The victim here, the police said, appears to be the aggressor. But the real victims are the people I saw in those videos who were having a harrowing time because theyre on a train with somebody with a gun, Mr Lieber said. Close Riley Strains mother speaks out after his body is recovered The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A preliminary autopsy has been completed on student Riley Strains body after he was recovered from Nashville, Tennessees Cumberland River this week. The initial autopsy results suggest an accidental death, as there were no signs of foul play, police told WKRN. Authorities recovered his body Friday around eight miles from the downtown area where he was last seen. Now, his family is thanking the Nashville community. I want to reiterate how thankful we are for everyone and how much we appreciate everyones support, love and prayers, Strains mother, Michelle Whiteid, said. We are quite thankful for everything youve done the grace youve given us, Chris Whiteid, Strains stepfather, said. The 22-year-old University of Missouri student was partying with his fraternity in Nashville on 8 March when he was kicked out of a bar around 10pm. Strains bank card was found a week later near the river. The discovery came after Mr Whiteid and family friend Chris Dingman told NewsNation police had shown them footage of what was believed to be Strains last known movements. In the video, Strain was seen jogging close to the river, away from the direction of his hotel, they said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new plan to rebuild Baltimore's storied but deteriorating Pimlico Race Course and transfer the track to state control is making a late charge down the stretch of Maryland's legislative session. The measure, released Thursday with less than a month to go in the session, would use $400 million in state bonds to rebuild the home of the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. The plan calls for transferring Pimlico from the Stronach Group, which is the current owner of Pimlico and nearby Laurel Park, to a newly formed nonprofit that would operate under the state. Greg Cross, chairman of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, said in a statement Thursday that the authority supported the plan that will help secure the future of horse racing here in Maryland. Cross thanked Belinda Stronach and the Stronach Group for the professionalism and good faith they brought to this process with the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. We know the state is eager to see the long overdue improvements to Pimlico and investments in the Park Heights community come to fruition, and the governor looks forward to working with the General Assembly to finalize this deal and pass the authorizing legislation to make it a reality, Cross said in the statement. Craig Fravel, executive vice chairman of 1/ST Racing, the Stronach Group's racing and wagering business, said extensive negotiations have taken place since an announcement in early January outlined a framework for an agreement between the Stronach Group, the Maryland Jockey Club, and the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. That agreement aims to secure a sustainable future for the Maryland Thoroughbred racing industry and ensure the successful operation of Pimlico Race Course and the Preakness in Baltimore, Fravel said. "We thank Greg Cross and the MTROA board. We look forward to the legislative consideration process and collaborating with the MTROA and Maryland stakeholders to usher in a new era for racing in the state. Under the plan, the Preakness would relocate to Laurel Park in 2026 while the new facility is being built, before returning to Pimlico, likely in 2027. Maryland lawmakers approved a plan in 2020 to rebuild the track, but it never got off the ground. The new plan increases the amount of state bonds to be used from $375 million to $400 million. The plan also calls for a training facility, with details to be determined. The bill is being introduced late in the General Assembly's 90-day session, which is scheduled to adjourn April 8, but lawmakers had mentioned the possibility of a proposal coming before them. We knew it was coming, Democratic Sen. Guy Guzzone, chairman of the Senate's budget committee, told reporters Thursday, noting that there are a whole host of issues that we're going to have to review over the coming days. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The White House is calling for an end to the six-month-old impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and his family, citing Republican investigators failure to turn up any evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the president. In a scathing letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House Counsel Ed Siskel said it had become clear that the House Republican impeachment is over, citing reporting by ABC News, Punchbowl News and Fox News in which members of the Republican majority admitted to reporters that the inquiry is falling apart, has found nothing anywhere close to an impeachable offence and has failed to identify a particular crime that they can use to justify impeaching Mr Biden. The letter, which was obtained by The Independent, also cites the imminent departure of Colorado Republican Ken Buck, who said his decision to resign from the House effective next week stems in part from his colleagues decision to [take] impeachment and [make] it a social media issue as opposed to a constitutional concept. It also notes that Mr Bucks opinion is in line with conclusions from a veritable whos who of legal scholars from both right and left sides of the political spectrum who have opined that there is currently no constitutionally sound basis on which to commence impeachment proceedings against the president. Among these reputable names is former US District Judge Fern Smith, who called the current impeachment probe a misuse of power and described it as manifestly unjustified. The House Majority ought to work with the President on our economy, national security, and other important priorities on behalf of the American people, not continue to waste time on political stunts like this, writes Mr Siskel in the letter. Mr Siskels four-page missive to the House speaker is a vehement denunciation of what White House officials have decried as a meandering, aimless probe that ran its course long before it began surfacing evidence that proved the opposite of Republicans contention that Mr Biden had engaged in wrongdoing. President Joe Biden has been the subject of a flailing Republican impeachment inquiry (Getty) The White House counsel pointed out that the two Republican committee chairs overseeing the investigation House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan have admitted that the probes true purpose is to damage Mr Biden politically and to frame up this years presidential race to bolster the campaign of former president Donald Trump. For over a year, House Republicans have been investigating President Biden in an effort to find something anything to hurt the President politically ... instead, the investigation has continually turned up evidence that, in fact, the President did nothing wrong, he said. Mr Siskels letter comes less than a month after federal agents arrested former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov on charges that he fabricated allegations of bribery against Mr Biden and his son, attorney and former lobbyist Hunter Biden. In a transcribed interview with committee members and staff last month, Hunter Biden said his father had no involvement in any of his various business interests despite claims to the contrary from Republicans, who have spent years alleging that he and the president engaged in various influence-peddling schemes all the while producing no evidence to support the allegations. In addition, the presidents brother James Biden also told committee investigators that the president never had any involvement in his business activities. The presidents former financial manager also testified that he was not aware of any financial transactions or compensation that Vice President Biden received related to business conducted by any of his family members or their associates, nor any involvement by him in their businesses. A succession of Hunter Bidens business associates also said the same thing, telling the Republican-led committees that Mr Biden was never part of any business ventures undertaken by his son. Mr Siskel noted that more than 20 witnesses called before the committee have all but confirmed the presidents lack of involvement in Hunter Bidens work, calling the collective evidence given by the witnesses a mountain of testimony which, supported by a voluminous set of records produced to the investigation, has only laid bare that the President did nothing wrong. He also pointed out that multiple witnesses who Republican members had held up as having damaging information about the president had turned out to be criminals. Mr Smirnov has been charged with lying to the FBI about the bribery allegations and another former committee informant, Gal Luft, is currently a fugitive fleeing from charges that he sold arms to Iran and served as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government. Meanwhile, Republicans plan to call two convicted criminals as witnesses at a public hearing set for next week. Instead of admitting the truth that the President did nothing wrong, the Majority is wasting even more time on abusive steps like trying to re-interview witnesses who already testifiedperhaps hoping the facts will be different the second time around, the letter read, calling the GOPs gambit the latest abusive tactic in a probe that has targeted the Presidents children, grandchildren, siblings, and in-laws for no reason and intruded into private citizens personal records on everything from medical visits to birthday presents. Enough is enough. It is obviously time to move on, Mr. Speaker. This impeachment is over, he said. There is too much important work to be done for the American people to continue wasting time on this charade. The White Houses call for an end to the probe comes as the Houses investigative efforts appear to be sputtering out, even as Mr Comer, the Oversight Committee chair, continues plans for a public hearing featuring various associates of Hunter Biden. Raj Shah, a deputy chief of staff to Mr Johnson, said it was not surprising that the White House would prefer to close the ongoing House inquiry in a statement released in response to Mr Siskels letter which repeated claims about Mr Bidens family having pocketed $20 million from foreign sources. The White House does not get to decide how impeachment gets resolved, that is for Congress to decide, he added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden on Friday praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers bombshell remarks calling for new elections in Israel, just a day after the New York Democrat said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was an obstacle to peace in the region. Mr Biden was asked about the Senate leaders remarks during an Oval Office meeting alongside Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who is making the traditional St Patricks Day visit to Washington. In response, the president said Mr Schumer had reached out to a senior staffer at the White House ahead of his Thursday remarks from the Senate floor, but said he would not elaborate on what the majority leader had said. He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans, he said. A short time later, Mr Varadkar raised the humanitarian situation in Gaza, telling Mr Biden: My view is that we need a ceasefire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out. We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two state solution, he added. Mr Biden replied: I agree. Mr Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish-American to ever serve in any US elected office, took to the Senate floor on Thursday to say he was speaking for a silent majority of American Jews who hold nuanced views on the months-long war between Israel and Hamas. While conceding that Israel remains surrounded by vicious enemies and vowing to never underestimate either the grave threats Israel faces and has faced for the entirety of its existence or the oppression that the Jewish people have endured for millennia, the Senate leader said Israel must make significant course corrections to achieve lasting peace, and ensure prosperity and security for both the Jewish people and the Palestinian people in the Middle East., He reiterated the view that the only just solution is one that allows for a Palestinian state alongside Israel, and criticised both Israelis who fail to acknowledge the harm that building more and more settlements in the West Bank does to the two-state process, as well as Palestinians who insist on an unequivocal right of return. And he named four major obstacles to a two-state peace process extremist right-wing Israelis, Hamas militants and Palestinians who tolerate them, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Netanyahu. John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Adviser, told reporters on Thursday that the administration did get a heads up about Mr Schumers remarks, but stressed that the communications with the Senate leader were not about approval, or disapproval or editing in any way. We know Leader Schumer feels strongly about this ... were gonna stay focused on making sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself while doing everything that they can to avoid civilian casualties and, of course, were still focused, laser-focused, on trying to get a temporary ceasefire in place so that we can get the hostages out and get more aid in, he said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as Joe Biden and Leo Varadkar attend the Friends of Ireland St Patricks Day Luncheon at the US Capitol on Friday 15 March. The president will welcome the taoiseach to Washington DC to reaffirm the close partnership between the US and Ireland. Mr Biden and Mr Varadkar are expected to discuss the restoration of devolution as well as support for Ukraine and other global issues, including the Middle East. The St Patricks Day traditional trip to the US capital is split into two this year, meaning that the pair will meet on Friday at the White House and again on Sunday for the shamrock bowl ceremony. On Friday morning at a breakfast event with Kamala Harris, the Irish premiere commended the US vice president for calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. I believe you, Madam Vice President, showed great courage and leadership in recent weeks, when you spoke publicly in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza, he said. Close Trumps mental acuity questioned on Fox News Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The campaign of a Trump-backed Senate candidate in Ohio has said that an intern pranked him by making a profile for him on an adult website 16 years ago. Bernie Moreno may clinch the Ohio Republican Senate nomination in the primary set for Tuesday, shooting to the top after being endorsed by former president Donald Trump. He was a supporter of LGBT+ rights before switching stances and becoming an opponent. Mr Moreno is now facing questions regarding a profile from 2008 on the site Adult Friend Finder seeking sexual partners. The profile sought men for 1-on-1 sex. The profile doesnt have any photos but includes the caption: Hi, looking for young guys to have fun with while traveling. Thats according to a review of public records following a data breach of the site. Records reveal that the profile was used for the final time just six hours after it was created. The review showed that an individual with access to Mr Morenos email account created the profile. Questions about the profile have been going around for the past month. Mr Morenos attorney has said that a former intern, Dan Ricci, created the profile as a prank. In a statement shared with The Independent, Mr Ricci said: I am thoroughly embarrassed by an aborted prank I pulled on my friend, and former boss, Bernie Moreno, nearly two decades ago. I was one of the many people at the company with access to his public-facing email account - bernie@clevelandporsche.com - and created the adult friend finder account in question. It was part of a juvenile prank that I never ended up going through with that clearly was not intended to be malicious. Campaign finance records show that Mr Ricci donated $6,599 to Mr Morenos campaign last year. A former Vice President at Bernie Moreno Companies, Helder Rosa, said: I worked for Bernie Moreno Companies from May of 2005 through the sale of the dealership in March of 2019. During that period of time, the dealerships employed many interns, both paid and unpaid. Many of those interns were given duties that included checking emails, responding to simple inquiries, and other tasks to help senior management. In November of 2008, Dan Ricci was an intern. Charles Harder, an attorney for Mr Moreno, said: 16 years ago an intern at Moreno Auto created an account at AFF as a prank, which he quickly abandoned that same day ... The email address in question was not Bernies personal email address, but rather an email address that appeared on company websites and literature and was managed by staff. Multiple people had access to it, including this intern. Bernie Moreno had nothing to do with the AFF account. According to metadata, the AFF account was never even usedthere were no communications or contacts sent to or from any other AFF accounts, and no photos or content were uploaded to it. The AFF account existed for less than a half-day, 16 years ago, he added. A former swing state, Ohio is now seen as more of a red state after Mr Trump won it twice after former President Barack Obama did the same. Republicans now hope to win back one of the states senate seats from Democrat Sherrod Brown. Republicans are just one seat short of a majority in the Senate, meaning that winning the upper chamber could have massive effects if Mr Trump manages to win back the White House. Mr Trump chose to endorse Mr Moreno over other Republican candidates in the primary, such as Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Senator Matt Dolan. Mr Trump is set to rally supporters alongside Mr Moreno in Dayton, Ohio tomorrow. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said the press is obsessed with anyone who supports the America First movement. Party officials have sought a review of data to understand if Mr Moreno was involved in creating the profile, a review that connected the profile to the candidates work email address. The profile also includes Mr Morenos date of birth, with geolocation data showing that the account was established to be used in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the candidates parents owned a home at the time, according to property records. The username nardo19672 could be a reference to Mr Morenos first name Bernardo and the numbers to his birth month: February 1967. Mr Moreno was born in Colombia, immigrating to the US as a child and becoming a citizen at the age of 18. Coming from a wealthy family, he built a business that included multiple car dealerships in several states. Mr Moreno has made comments in support of gay rights in the past, and his dealership sponsored the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland and Akron featuring LGBT+ athletes. A successful Gay Games would go a long way toward boosting our images as cities that welcome all, he wrote in Crains Cleveland Business. They need help to put them on. Hosting a complex multi-venue event requires a network of financial supporters and volunteers. It must be a community effort, he wrote as he urged others to back the event. He has cited the TV comedy Modern Family for changing views on same-sex marriage and when fliers were put up on the campus of Cleveland State University in October 2017 telling gay and transgender students to take their lives, Mr Moreno, the chair of the schools board of trustees at the time, called it an abhorrent message and described it as an attack on our whole campus. His companies were included on a list of businesses that backed legislation against discrimination of LGBT+ people. But his pro-LGBT+ views appeared to change when he initially ran for the Senate in 2021, a race he left early. More recently, he has claimed that LGBT+ advocates are pushing a radical agenda, accusing them of indoctrination. He has said that Mr Dolan and Mr LaRose are supporting a radical trans agenda. A Moreno campaign ad criticises Mr LaRose for backing legislation that Mr Morenos companies previously supported. The Associated Press contributed to this report Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} As he gears up for the 2024 election, presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump met with an old ally: Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary who has triggered a democratic backslide in his country. Mr Orban met with Mr Trump last week, bypassing any meetings with President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris despite stopping in Washington, DC where he visited with The Heritage Foundation, a powerful conservative think tank staffed by many former Trump administration officials. Their meeting came just one week before National Hungary Day when Mr Orban gave a speech condemning the Western world. They start wars, destroy worlds, redraw countries borders and graze on everything like locusts, Mr Orban told a crowd in Budapest, per the Associated Press. We Hungarians live differently and want to live differently. The exact details of the discussion between Mr Trump and Mr Orban are unclear. Mr Trumps campaign released a statement describing their conversation as focused on 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. Regardless, the conversation clearly went well, with Mr Orban calling the former president his good friend on Monday. The same day, the Hungarian Prime Minister also praised Mr Trumps reported comment that he will not send any aid to Ukraine if elected. Meanwhile, Mr Trump has mentioned Mr Orban in several remarks, including a 2023 speech in which he wrongly referred to him as the President of Turkey. Orban Says Trump Told Him He Will Cut Off Ukraine Even beyond Mr Trump, the GOP has a fixation with Hungary and Mr Orbans government. In 2022, former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson focused on Hungary, releasing a documentary that appeared to portray the country as a model for conservatism. More recently Carlson has been singing the praises of Vladimir Putins Russia both Mr Trump and Mr Orban have a close relationship with the Russian dictator. So, why do Mr Trump and Mr Orban get along so well? Experts tell The Independent its because Mr Trump wants to learn from Mr Orban if re-elected in 2024. Why is Donald Trump obsessed with Viktor Orban? The former President and Mr Orban have similar goals for the future world order making them eager allies, Robert Benson, a senior policy analyst with the Center for American Progress, told The Independent. Its no coincidence that someone like Viktor Orban is attempting to build a relationship with Stephen Miller, with Donald Trump, with the Maga Republicans on this side of the Atlantic, Dr Benson said. Because they see themselves in a civilizational battle for the future of what they call Western Civilization. This is steeped in anti-immigrant xenophobia, in right-wing nationalism, and in tropes about the nation-state. Mr Trump, of course, has made his far-right, anti-immigration stance clear since day one of his 2016 presidential campaign. Similarly, Mr Orban has expressed radical views on immigration since 2015 and in 2022, he said he did not want Hungarians to become peoples of mixed race. I am the only politician in the EU who stands for an openly anti-immigration policy, Mr Orban said. This is not a race issue for us, this is a cultural issue. Donald Trump to Hungary's far-right leader Viktor Orban: 'You're respected all over Europe. Probably like me a little bit controversial, but that's okay' Meanwhile, Kim Scheppele, Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Princeton University, sees the Trump-Orban relationship in a different light rather than plotting a new future for civilization, she says the two leaders are just opportunistic, transactionalists looking to cut a deal whenever it happens. Both of them are just transactional politicians, Dr Scheppele told The Independent. One of the reasons why both of them love dictators and dont like organizations like Nato, the EU and so on is because dictators are also transactional. They dont expect you to be loyal forever; everything is just a deal in the moment. Both Mr Trump and Mr Orban have expressed disdain for Nato and its processes. The former president has threatened to violate Nato by allowing Russia to attack member states; meanwhile, Mr Orban delayed a vote on Swedens membership for 18 months. As a result, the country was not admitted until this year. Mr Trump would not have to entirely pull out of Nato to reject their principles during a potential second presidency. As journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum wrote in The Atlantic, Mr Trump could simply reject Article 5, which states an attack against one Nato nation shall be considered an attack against them all. Though, as former United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said, a second Trump presidency could certainly mean the end of US Nato membership. Though he did not outright reject it, Mr Trump did not specifically endorse Article 5 at the 2017 Nato summit. Sweden flag raised at Nato headquarters to cement place as 32nd alliance member Trump admires lots of dictators, but I think he admires them because they stay in power forever, because they look all powerful, but that mostly because their foreign policy doesnt tie them up in strings, Dr Scheppele said. Mr Trump has formerly expressed that he would be a dictator on day one of his potential second presidency. Orban becomes a model for this kind of foreign policy, Dr Scheppele continued. Now, Hungary is in a democratic backslide. Mr Orban has sought to undermine education, even targeting his former ally-turned-enemy George Soros, who founded Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. Mr Orban forced Mr Soros who has become a hate figure to the hard right across the world over his support for civil society projects to relocate the university to Vienna in 2018. In 2022, the EU Parliament declared that Hungary could no longer be called a full democracy, labelling it an electoral autocracy. Lawmakers raised several concerns about the Hungarian government, including the lack of media pluralism, religious freedom and independence of the judiciary. Academic freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of association, the right to equal treatment, including LGBTIQ rights, the rights of minorities, as well as those of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, are also problematic, Parliament said in a statement. Then, in 2023, Hungary passed Mr Orbans Defence of National Sovereignty Act, which authorized the creation of a new government authority that can gather information on any organizations or individuals that benefit from foreign funds or that can influence public debate. Dr Scheppele called the law an authoritarian monster. Meanwhile, the European Commission said last month the law violated European Union law. What could this alliance mean if Mr Trump is re-elected? Practically, Dr Benson said a second Trump administration could bring withdrawals from international institutions. So, in the event that Trump were to win the presidency in 2024, he would probably withdraw from international institutions, Dr Benson told The Independent. Hes mentioned his disdain for NATO. This plays neatly into a playbook for Vladimir Putin, who is banking exactly on our domestic politics to be able to succeed in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Dr Scheppele pointed to Project 2025, a conservative playbook for the next presidential administration that calls for a series of actions to bolster a potential conservative presidency come the 2024 election. Its purpose is to avoid the mistakes of 2017 when Mr Trump first took office and the GOP was woefully underprepared. Along with replacing supposedly impartial federal officials with fellow conservatives, Project 2025 also calls for several policy revisions, such as re-adding the citizenship question to the US Census and reversing the FDA approval of abortion pills. Trump says he will be a dictator and abuse power on day one if elected president again Wes Coopersmith, the Chief of Staff for the Heritage Foundation who oversees Project 2025, told The Independent that replacing employees with GOP allies if Mr Trump is elected would be democratic. We think the most democratic way to run the administration is with folks who agree with the President, who voted for the president, who agree with his policies and want to implement that, Mr Coopersmith said. Mr Orbans success leading an authoritarian government relied on decapitating the civil service and replacing it with his extremist allies, which mirrors the Project 2025 strategy, Dr Scheppele said. In 2010, [Orban] came in and decapitated the civil service, replacing with all his own loyalists, reinstated Civil Service protection for them and captured the state bureaucracy that was a big part of how he went about locking himself into power, Dr Scheppele told The Independent. You see this as the blueprint for Trump. There is an ideological battle at play between liberal democracy and those who espouse a kind of perverted autocracy, Dr Benson said. Its clear that this is very much part of the stakes going into 2024 here at home, he continued. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will be allowed to continue prosecuting Donald Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants for their alleged scheme to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election results. But only if the lead prosecutor and a former romantic partner she hired was willing to step down. The judge overseeing the case against Mr Trump and more than a dozen of his allies rejected their attempts to dismiss the case and refused to disquality Ms Willis following hours of testimony and arguments over allegations that she financially benefited from Nathan Wades hiring. A decision from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee on 15 March offered her a choice: she can remove herself from the case, along with her entire office, or Mr Wade can step aside. Hours later, Mr Wade submitted his letter of resignation to Ms Willis. His departure leaves the district attorney with broad discretion to either bring on another outside prosecutor, or rely on her deep bench of assistant district attorneys, and quickly move to get the case against Mr Trump and his allies back on track. Judge McAfees decision was the best bad decision that the DA could get, according to Amy Lee Copeland, a former appellate chief at the US Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Georgia. The judge clearly articulated Georgia law regarding conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety in such cases, and found that something had to change, Ms Copeland told reporters on 15 March during a virtual briefing from the Defend Democracy Project The court said either the DAs entire office can leave or the DA can say goodbye to Mr Wade and move forward, she said. Ms Willis is imminently expected to make a decision on her offices next steps, and attorneys for Mr Trump and his co-defendants are likely to challenge the judges latest ruling in a last-ditch effort to keep delaying the trial or have the case dismissed entirely. Following Mr Wades withdrawal, Ms Williss office can begin a search for another independent counsel to supervise the case, or she might just say, listen, the investigation is over lets just go forward with what we have, Ms Copeland said. Mr Wade led an eight-month special purpose grand jury investigation into an alleged scheme from Mr Trump and his allies to pressure state officials and election workers to falsely assert victory in a state he lost to Joe Biden in 2020. He was tasked with leading a prosecution with roughly a dozen lawyers from the district attorneys office. The team is there and shes capable of leading it, according to Norm Eisen, a former special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Mr Trumps first impeachment. The need is for speed, he said. If I was Fani Willis, I would embrace this ruling, respectively register my disagreement, and then on Monday [renew a request] for a trial date We have waited long enough for this case to move. Steve Sadow, Mr Trumps attorney in the Georgia case, said in a statement that his team will use all legal options available to fight to end the case against his client. But the judges decision on whether to disqualify Ms Willis is not immediately appealable. Parties would first need a certificate of immediate review for the judge to pursue it, according to Ms Copeland. Days before his decision, Judge McAfee narrowed the list of charges against Mr Trump and five of his co-defendants in the sweeping indictment against them, but he has refused to throw out the central racketeering case against the defendants, and evidence of the election subversion scheme laid out by prosecutors is still in play. Its time to leave that sideshow behind, according to Atlanta attorney Allegra Lawrence-Hardy with Lawrence & Bundy. Whats important here is the attempt to steal an election here in Georgia. The proceedings against Ms Willis only served to distract from the case against Mr Trump and his allies, relying on his time-tested delay tactics that are going to run out of steam at some point, according to Mr Eisen. In his resignation letter, Mr Wade wrote that the furtherance of the rule of law and democracy is and has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow the results of Georgias 2020 presidential election. He offered his resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible, he added. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case, he wrote. Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime. Ms Willis accepted his resignation, writing in response that Mr Wade and his family have endured threats and unjustified attacks in the media and in court on his reputation. I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election, she wrote. Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from their acceptance of your role, she added. You were the one who had the courage to accept the role, even though you did not seek it. In three days of hearings over two weeks, lawyers representing the district attorney argued that the case rested on the attempts from Mr Trump and his allies to publicly impugn and smear the prosecutor as political payback, and that the testimony and documents presented to the court showed no evidence that the district attorney has financially benefited at all. The allegations against Ms Willis relied on salacious rumours, gossip and innuendo designed to embarrass and harass her, all while indefinitely decaying the criminal case against Mr Trump and his allies, lawyers for Ms Willis argued. Outside the court, Mr Trump routinely railed against Ms Willis on his Truth Social, baselessly accusing Democratic officials of conspiring against him, while his allies in Congress have threatened to hold Ms Willis in contempt if she refuses to respond to their subpoenas. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis will be allowed to continue to criminally prosecute Donald Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants who are accused of mounting a criminal enterprise to unlawfully overturn Georgias election results in 2020. The judge overseeing that case has rejected efforts from Mr Trump and his allies to disqualify the district attorney following allegations of misconduct with a prosecutor she hired to lead the case. In his 23-page decision on Friday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee wrote the defendants failed to meet their burden in proving a conflict of interest that would require her removal, but he noted that any appearance of impropriety could necessitate Ms Willis or prosecutor Nathan Wade withdrawing for the case to move forward. Hours later, Mr Wade announced his resignation. The furtherance of the rule of law and democracy is and has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow the results of Georgia's 2020 presidential election, he wrote in a letter to Ms Willis on Friday. He offered his reisgnation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible, he added. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case, he wrote. Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime. Ms Willis accepted his resignation, writing in response that Mr Wade and his family have endured threats and unjustified attacks in the media and in court on his reputation after taking on the case against the former president. I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election, she wrote. Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from their acceptance of your role, she added. You were the one who had the courage to accept the role, even though you did not seek it. Attorneys for Mr Trump and his co-defendants accused Ms Willis of financially benefiting from the case against the former president by hiring a lead prosecutor with whom she was romantically involved. Mr Wade and Ms Willis have acknowledged their prior relationship, but they have repeatedly testified that they started dating after he was hired, split their expenses, and that the relationship ended last summer before an indictment. Judge Scott McAfee says the district attorney must step aside or remove the prosecutor (AP) But, the judge wrote, an odour of mendacity remains. While the court is not under an obligation to ferret out every instance of potential dishonesty from each witness or defendant ever presented in open court, there remain reasonable questions about the prosecutors relationship, according to Judge McAfee. Neither dismissing the case nor removing an elected official from her post would solve them, he wrote. Instead, he gave Ms Williss office two options: either step aside and refer the case to a prosecuting attorneys council for re-assignment, or Mr Wade can withdraw. Mr Wades departure would allow the case and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from the proceedings, according to Judge McAfees order. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist, he wrote. Steve Sadow, Mr Trumps lead attorney in the Fulton County case, said in a statement on Friday that the court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct alleged by the defendants. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place, Mr Sadow said. In three days of hearings over two weeks, Judge McAfee heard intimate details of Ms Williss personal life including testimony from the district attorney herself, as well as from Mr Wade and her father while star witnesses for the defence failed to wring out damning details about them. Youre confused, Ms Willis told defence attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who brought forward allegations against Ms Willis and Mr Wade on behalf of her client, Mike Roman, a Trump campaign aide in Georgia. You think Im on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020, she said. Im not on trial. No matter how hard you try to put me on trial. Lawyers representing the district attorney previously argued that the case rested on the attempts from Mr Trump and his allies to publicly impugn and smear the prosecutor as political payback, and that the testimony and documents presented to the court showed no evidence that the district attorney has financially benefited at all. The allegations against Ms Willis relied on salacious rumours, gossip and innuendo designed to embarrass and harass her, all while indefinitely delaying the criminal case against Mr Trump and his allies, lawyers for Ms Willis argued. Ms Merchant and other defence attorneys accused Ms Willis of lying on the stand, and defence witnesses at the hearings were propped up by attorneys to refute the prosecutors claims. Robin Bryant-Yeartie, a former friend and co-worker of Ms Willis, testified that there was no doubt that the now-former couple began dating in late 2019 after they met at a conference, and before Mr Wade was hired on the case. Ms Merchant also called Terrence Bradley, a former law partner of Mr Wade, and who reluctantly took the stand to face questions from Ms Merchant about text messages she shared with him about the allegations. But defence attorneys were unable to draw any conclusive evidence from their supposed star witnesses, and lawyers for Ms Willis questioned their motives and suggested they were more likely disgruntled former friends and colleagues. Theres absolutely no evidence that the defendants in this case, their due process rights have been harmed in absolutely any way, prosecutor Adam Abbate said during closing statements. Zero evidence. Judge McAfees order on Friday notes that his finding is no means an indication that the court condones this tremendous lapse in judgement or the unprofessional manner of the district attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing. Whether this case ends in convictions, acquittals, or something in between, the result should be one that instills confidence in the process, Judge McAfee wrote. A reasonable observer unburdened by partisan blinders should believe the law was impartially applied, that those accused of crimes had a fair opportunity to present their defences, and that any verdict was based on our criminal justice systems best efforts at ascertaining the truth. Any distractions that detract from these goals, if remedial under the law, should be proportionally addressed. Fani Willis and prosecutor Nathan Wade speak to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment against Donald Trump in August 2023. (Reuters) The judges decision comes after he dismissed several charges against Mr Trump and five of his co-defendants that stemmed from their alleged pressure campaign to solicit state officials to violate their oaths of office and subvert Georgias election results to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss. Judge McAfee, however, did not toss out the central racketeering charge facing all the defendants, nor did he dismiss the overt acts that support their alleged scheme to pressure Georgia lawmakers and secretary of state Brad Raffensperger. Ms Willis can re-open an indictment against them. She can also appeal the judges decision. The former president and more than a dozen co-defendants are accused of mounting a statewide effort to reverse his election loss, including a so-called fake elector scheme to falsely assert his victory in a state he lost to Joe Biden, seizing voting machines, intimidating election workers, and pushing the states top election official to find votes he would need to win. Four of Mr Trumps original co-defendants in the Fulton County case including attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell pleaded guilty last year after reaching plea deals with prosecutors. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former vice president Mike Pence announced that he would not endorse former president and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump in 2024, in an interview with Fox News on Friday. Mr Pences words come after Mr Trump secured enough delegates to become the Republican presidential nominee. Host Martha MacCallum asked Mr Pence whether he would be voting for his former boss. It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year, Mr Pence said after highlighting conservative accomplishments of the Trump administration. But that being said, during my presidential campaign, I made it clear that there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues, and not just our difference on my constitutional duties that I exercised on January 6. Mr Pence, who served as vice president from 2017 until 2021, notably broke with Mr Trump after he refused to overturn the 2020 election results ahead of the January 6 riot. During the insurrection at the US Capitol, Mr Trumps supporters could be heard yelling: Hang Mike Pence. He did not reveal whom he would vote for. Im going to keep my vote to myself. I would never vote for Joe Biden, he said. How I vote when that curtain closes, thatll be for me. Mr Pence, who frequently said Im a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order, added that he would not stage a third-party run for president. Im a Republican, Martha, he said. Mr Pence, who staged his own presidential run but suspended it before the primaries, also criticised Mr Trump for walking away from conservative values, specifically on spending and abortion. I mean, as I have watched his candidacy unfold, I've seen him walking away from our commitment to confronting the national debt, I've seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life, he said. Mr Pence specifically criticised how Mr Trump reversed his position on TikTok - from signing an executive order to ban the app because of its ownership by ByteDance, which is based in China, to opposing a ban. And this last week is his reversal on getting tough on China, and supporting our administration's effort to force a sale of ByteDance TikTok, he said. The House of Representative overwhelmingly voted 352-65 on a piece of legislation that would require ByteDance to sell TikTok or else have it banned in the United States. Only 15 Republicans voted against the legislation, despite the fact Mr Trump opposes it. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Seth Meyers has roasted Donald Trump saying that he believes the former president loves court because the courtroom is a place where everyone is forced to talk to him. Mr Trump turned up at court in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Thursday for a hearing on motions seeking to dismiss charges in his federal classified documents case. The former presidents attendance was not required. On Mr Meyers show on Thursday night, the Late Night show host weighed in on his appearance, declaring that the guy f***** loves court. Hes always there, even when hes not required to be there. Hes just scowling at the defence table, storming out of the courtroom, and holding impromptu press conferences while hes penned in by barricades like a balloon before the start of the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mr Meyers said. Why does he hold onto the bars like that he looks like a seven-year-old watching his older siblings about to ride a rollercoaster, he quipped, referencing a time Mr Trump was clenching some barricades as he addressed the press before entering the New York courtroom on 15 February. Donald Trump outside a New York courtroom on 15 February (AFP via Getty Images) Aside from giving him an opportunity to speak to the media where he reels off his usual false claims of election interference and witch hunts Mr Meyers also offered another theory as to why Mr Trump likes to show up at his court hearings. Because its the one place he can go where everyones forced to talk to him, the host said. Court is basically his Cheers, Mr Meyers continued. Hes going to have to rope in George Wendt and John Ratzenberger into a criminal conspiracy just so he can sit next to them. Hours after Judge Aileen Cannon heard arguments in the courtroom in Florida on Thursday, she dismissed one of his lawyers motions to dismiss the case. While she threw out the motion based on Mr Trumps legal teams arguments that prosecutors use of the Espionage Age was unconstitutionally vague, Judge Cannon did leave open the possibility that a jury could consider the vagueness of the argument at trial. Seth Meyers spoke out about Trumps trials (Late Night with Seth Meyers) The hearing came days after a former Mar-A-Lago employee, who was previously not named in the indictment, spoke to CNN about the case. Brian Butler claimed that he unknowingly helped load boxes of classified documents onto the former presidents plane. He also said he told investigators that Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt had repeated classified submarine secrets after he had a conversation with Mr Trump in the spring of 2021. Seriously, this should be a massive scandal; thats the literal definition of buying access, Mr Meyers reacted. A billionaire gave Trump money to be a member of his club, and in return, Trump gave that billionaire sensitive national security secrets; its insane. He added: Trump would sell anything for money - he already has: crappy shoes, digital trading cards, pieces of his mugshot suit... Im surprised he hasnt already started selling [to] the public yet in an infomercial. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new Supreme Court ruling will make it more difficult for criminal defendants with prior nonviolent drug offenses to seek shorter sentences under a law whose purpose was to reform federal prisons. In a 6-3 decision released on Friday, the court ruled that the word and means and, not or, in a complicated case that challenged justices to interpret grammar and the intention of the First Step Act a criminal justice reform bill passed under the Trump administration. Under the safety valve provision of the First Step Act, criminal defendants could be eligible for shorter sentencing (less than the mandatory 15-year minimum) so long as they did not have: more than four criminal history points, a prior serious offense, and a prior violent offense. But up for debate was whether defendants had to satisfy just one of those criteria points or all of them to be eligible for lower sentencing which drastically changes the prison time an individual faces In the majority opinion, Justice Elena Kagan wrote that a defendant must satisfy all of those points to be eligible saying, Lenity applies only when a statute is genuinely ambiguous. In the Governments view, and connects three criminal-history conditions, all of which must be satisfied to gain safety-valve relief, Justice Kagan wrote. Supreme Court ruled on the interpretation of the word and in a criminal reform bill (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The ruling means that individuals seeking reduced sentencing under the safety valve provision will have to meet all three criteria laid out in the document in order to qualify. Otherwise, they will automatically receive a mandatory minimum of 15 years even for nonviolent drug offenses. Last year, the Department of Justice found that less than 10 per cent of those who were serving five years or less in prison under the First Step Act re-offended. But that number increased by six percentage points for those serving 15 years or more. Justice Kagan argued that interpreting and to mean or would contradict the governments reading of the statute and other parts of the provision. She added that allowing each one of the criteria to be weighed on its own would unevenly punish individuals leaving room for error and further challenges. Justice Kagan was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Neil Gorsuch delivered the dissenting opinion joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Meanwhile, Justices Neil Gorsuch delivered the dissenting opinion joined by Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, saying that in this decision, If this difference seems a small one, it is anything but. He criticised the courts interpretation, saying it deviates from Congress intention in creating the safety valve provision to reduce sentencing by having a judge interpret the defendants circumstances. Today, the Court indulges each of these moves. All to what end? To deny some individuals a chancejust a chanceat relief from mandatory minimums and a sentence that fits them and their circumstances. It is a chance Congress promised in the First Step Act, and it is a promise this Court should have honored, Justice Gorsuch wrote. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The United States has drafted a resolution for the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, a new report reveals. A copy of the resolution, obtained by the Associated Press, was in its fifth version as of late Thursday evening and in a form that members can vote on. The US circulated the first draft last month, just one day before they vetoed a Security Council resolution that would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The US was the only country in the 15-member body that voted no on the widely supported resolution in February, while the United Kingdom abstained. The latest draft of the US resolution, as of Thursday, unequivocally supports international diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire as part of a deal that releases the hostages, and that allows the basis for a more durable peace to alleviate humanitarian suffering, the AP reports. The initial draft used the phrase temporary, which has now been removed, according to the AP. The draft, however, is still subject to change. The initial February draft also stated the Israeli offensive into the city of Rafah, where some 1.4 million Palestinians are taking refuge, should not proceed under current circumstances. Since 7 October, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Two-thirds of those killed were women and children, the ministry reports. Now, this weeks latest draft states that Israel Defense Forces invading Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement, potentially into neighboring countries, and would have serious implications for regional peace and security, according to the AP. US Ambassador the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield raises her hand at a February meeting, vetoing a ceasefire resolution (AFP via Getty Images) The resolution also condemns Hamas attacks on Israel 7 October, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 200 people were taken hostage, the AP reports. The draft also demands Hamas and other armed groups immediately grant humanitarian access to all Israeli hostages still in Gaza. Late on Wednesday, just hours before the US released its latest draft, news broke that the IDF had struck a United Nations facility in Rafah, killing an aid worker and injuring civilians. White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said the administration is deeply concerned in response. Earlier, President Joe Biden also said he would consider conditioning US aid to Israel should the IDF move forward with their invasion into Rafah. In his State of the Union address earlier this month, the President also said US forces were under orders to construct an emergency port for aid on the coast of Gaza. However, Pentagon officials said the project could take two months, while the United Nations warns of an imminent, widespread famine in Gaza. Meanwhile, only a handful of US lawmakers have called for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. But in a speech on Thursday morning, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in US history, called for a change in Israeli government, signalling that Democrats are splitting on the US response to the Israel-Hamas war. Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel in Senate floor speech Even before Mr Schumers speech, a handful of Democrats condemned the Biden administrations decision to send weapons to Israel. Two Democrats, one a current Senator and one a retired Senator, have even claimed that aid to Israel breaks US foreign aid laws, on account of the number of civilians who are being injured or killed by US paid armaments. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A teenager has been rushed to hospital after being injured in a shark attack in Australia. Emergency services were called to Bargara Beach in Queensland at 4pm local time on Friday. The 13-year-old girl, who has not been named, was treated for minor injuries to her back, legs and abdomen. The Queensland Ambulance Service said her injuries were non-life-threatening and she was taken to Bundaberg Hospital in a stable condition. QAS operations supervisor, Matthew Davenport told local reporters: [She] is very lucky with the injuries she could have sustained. The young lady had been brought up to the local surf lifesaving club and into the treatment room where they began providing first aid. Shed received a bite to the right side of her abdomen and across the buttocks on the right side. He added sharks are usually not spotted at the beach, 400km north of Brisbane in the Wide Bay region. The girl was said to be very calm during treatment, but she and her parents were shocked by the incident. A 64-year-old man was flown to hospital for treatment in January after being bitten by a shark off the coast of South Australia. He had been about 200 metres offshore at Blacks, Elliston, at the time, surfing website Swellnet reported. The man was able to swim back to the shore and went to hospital with a wound on his leg, Southern Australia Ambulance said. In December last year, Khai Cowley, 15, died following a shark bite he sustained while also surfing in South Australia. His death was the third fatal shark attack in the waters off South Australia state in recent months. Surfers died in shark attacks in remote parts of South Australia in May and October last year. Their bodies were never recovered. South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas said there have been 11 fatal shark attacks in the states waters since 2000. There were 17 shark attacks in Australia last year, including four fatal attacks, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russian citizens will spend this weekend casting their vote for their next president, even though the result has already been decided. Vladimir Putin, already the longest-serving ruler of Russia since Joseph Stalin, will win a fifth and unconstitutional term after polls close on Sunday. No amount of votes against him can prevent his victory, say the Russian dissident community, since the system is rigged and those that could challenge him have either been killed, imprisoned or exiled. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center, left a plan to disturb the elections that will be enacted after his death (AP) Its impossible to win against Putins regime through legitimate means, says Evgenia Chirikova, who once unsuccessfully ran to be a local mayor in a Moscow suburb, with the help of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. She is now in exile in Estonia, having had her life threatened by the authorities. But the Russian dissident community has nevertheless convened a plan to disturb this rubber-stamping exercise. Known as Noon Against Putin, Russian citizens frustrated with the leaders rule are being called to head to the voting booths all at the same time: Midday, 17 March, the final day of the election. We want this dark time to end. We want a clear, normal future, the campaigns website says. But we, citizens of our country, with our pain and our hope, are not noticeable either to the authorities or to each other. AT NOON on Sunday, March 17, the last day of voting, when we come to the polling stations, we will show others and see for ourselves that there are many of us . We can become a force that cannot be hidden behind drawn percentages. The plan, created by Russian opposition politician and former St. Petersburg lawmaker Maxim Reznik, has gathered traction since Navalnys death. Vladimir Putin is expected to extend his reign this weekend (AP) This can be a powerful demonstration of the mood of the country, a post on Navalnys Telegram channel said in early February. This will be a nationwide protest against Putin that takes place near your home. Its available to everyone, everywhere. Millions will be able to take part. And tens of millions will witness it. A fortnight after his death, his wife Yulia Navalnaya then endorsed the campaign as well. It has become what Russian independent media outlet Novaya Gazeta called Navalnys political testament. I want to do what [Alexei] thought was right, and I urge everyone to come to his memory," Ms Navalnaya said in a video at the start of this month. This will be your personal contribution to the common cause. There are probably many people close to you who are against Putin and against the war. It has since been backed by a host of prominent anti-Putin figures, including Mikhail Khodorkovsky, formerly Russias richest oligarch, and Gary Kasparov, the chess grandmaster turned opposition figure. Their Anti-War Committee, made up of dozens of exiled figureheads of the dissident community, have also backed the plan. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has pledged to continue his work (AFP via Getty Images) Nearly 20,000 Russians have been arrested for opposing Putins war in Ukraine since he ordered the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Hundreds were detained for merely laying flowers in memory of Mr Navalny last month. But the plan for Noon Against Putin is to stay well within the law - participants are being asked to vote, or not vote, however they please, so long as it is not for Putin - in the hope of circumventing the very real threat of arrest. Ultimately, the plan is one intended to show at least a shade of the true nature of Russian dissidence, in a country where the stakes for opposing the Kremlin are the highest theyve been since Stalins Gulags. The main thing we can do at noon is to show that there are many of us! the campaign website says. The queues that will line up all over the country will show how much discontent has accumulated in the country, how many people want a normal, stable future, they want a better life. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The mentally ill neighbour of a British woman who was living her dream life in a quaint French hamlet was sentenced to life in prison for strangling and beating her to death. Susan Higginbotham, 67, was found dead in September 2021 in her home in Esclottes, a village of just about 150 people, 35 miles east of Bordeaux. She was attacked by her neighbour Hicham Bahloul, 42, who had returned after spending almost half of his life in psychiatric hospital care, reported Connexion France. He suffered from several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, the court heard. On Wednesday, Bahloul was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he confessed to killing Higginbotham and asked his lawyers to request for a maximum sentence. The British pensioner moved to France in 2016 and was described as happy and funny, and a good friend who was living her dream life in the country, the court heard. She lived in Mansfield in Nottinghamshire and worked as a finance director in a company before moving to France. Bahloul told the Lot-et-Garonne Assize court that he attacked the woman after he was annoyed with her for repeatedly asking to borrow Sellotape, the report said. Susan Higginbotham, 67, was found dead in her home in 2021 (Supplied) He later said he murdered her because he wanted to get away from his family and spend his time in jail. The investigators revealed graphic details of the womans murder during which she was strangled with a piece of cord and punched and kicked more than a dozen times. I have a client who feels safe in prison and wants to stay there. He struggles with freedom, his lawyer said, adding that it is the first time in his 27 years of career he has seen such a case. Bahloul told the court that If you let me out, Ill do it again. The need to attack others has been part of his life for years. He attacked many people during his various hospitalisations, patients and nursing staff. He took pleasure in it, his lawyer said. One of Higginbothams friends from England who was present during the hearing told Ouest France: She often asked me: Am I making the right decision?, and I replied: Absolutely. The womans brother who lived in England remained in the country due to poor health. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} French president Emmanuel Macron has refused to back down on controversial comments made last month in which he said he could not rule out sending troops to fight in Ukraine. The French premier, speaking to broadcasters TF1 and France 2 last night, said to rule out the option of sending troops was tantamount to opting for defeat. Russia cannot win, he said. If Russia were to win, life for the French would change. We would no longer have security in Europe. Who can seriously believe that Putin, who has respected no limits, would stop there. When pressed on whether he was sticking by his comments from last month, he said ambiguity was vital; to publicly keep the option open to send troops into the fight against Vladimir Putins forces in Ukraine, pushing the idea that nothing is off the table, was the only way to signal the Wests unwavering support for Kyiv. Im right about not being specific, he said. If war was to spread to Europe, it would be Russias sole choice and sole responsibility. But for us to decide today to be weak, to decide today that we would not respond, is being defeated already. And I dont want that. One former senior French civil servant lauded the comments as nascent. It is an innovative idea that will gradually gain understanding and acceptance, he said. Emergency services work at the scene of a building that was damaged by a Russian drone attack in Vinnytsia, Ukraine (AP) Sergei Naryshkin, chief of Russias foreign intelligence service, meanwhile, described the new remarks as crazy and paranoid dreams. Last month, they warned that sending troops to Ukraine would escalate the conflict. The French leaders comments come ahead of a Friday meeting between him, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk in Berlin, during which the trio are expected to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Mr Scholz appeared to challenge Mr Macrons initial comments last month after the meeting in Paris. The day after that meeting, he said there would be no ground troops, no soldiers on Ukrainian soil sent there by European countries or Nato states. But ahead of the mini-summit in Berlin on Friday, he dismissed speculation that there was a growing rift between him and Mr Macron, saying he has a very good personal relationship with the French leader. He added that supporting Ukraine is a very concrete and very practical question of whether there is enough ammunition, enough artillery, enough air defence - many things that play a major role. And discussing and advancing this cooperation once again is what is needed right now. Mr Macrons initial comments sparked a spate of rebuttals from Ukraines western allies last month. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) told The Independent at the time that they had no plans for UK troops to fight alongside the Ukrainian armed forces. John Foreman, a former UK defence attache to Moscow until 2022, accused Mr Macron of issuing the comments to distract from an otherwise chequered past of supporting Ukraine. Mr Macron has a long history of pronouncing on things which dont come true while also posing as the saviour of Europe, he said. There is a big say/do gap so I didnt take this particularly seriously. He suggested the comments were intended to mask the fact that Mr Macron had previously blocked attempts by other European nations to buy much-needed artillery for Kyiv from countries outside of the bloc, a move that was criticised as costly to Ukraine at a time when Russian forces are advancing in the east. Though he has since reneged on his opposition to this plan, Mr Foreman insisted that the delay was nonetheless damaging. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Germany, France and Poland vowed Friday to procure more weapons for Kyiv and step up production of military equipment along with partners in Ukraine, promising that Ukraine can rely on the trio of European powers as it tries to overcome a shortage of military resources. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for a hastily arranged summit of the so-called Weimar Triangle of the three countries. The meeting came as Russia votes in an election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putins rule. Scholz said he discussed what support is needed now with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday. He knows that he can rely on us, and we are renewing this signal for support for Kyiv from here today, he said after the meeting. But a crystal-clear signal also goes to Moscow the Russian president should know that we won't let up in our support for Ukraine. The German leader said that starting immediately, we will procure even more weapons for Ukraine, on the overall world market. Secondly, the production of military equipment will be expanded, including though cooperation with partners in Ukraine, Scholz added. And he said that a new coalition for long-range rocket artillery" will be set up. Scholz gave no details, and the three leaders took no questions. Macron reaffirmed Frances support for a Czech-initiated plan to buy ammunition and shells outside the European Union, but also gave no details. We want to spend our money, we want to help in every possible way ... here and now, so that the situation of Ukraine in the coming weeks and months gets better, not worse," Tusk said. Kyivs forces are hoping for more military supplies from Ukraines Western partners, but in the meantime, they are struggling against a bigger and better-provisioned Russian army that is pressing hard at some front-line points in Ukraine. The European Unions plans to produce 1 million artillery rounds for Ukraine have fallen well short, while aid for Ukraine is being held up in the United States by political differences. This is a serious moment, Macron said. "A new era is dawning, and well be there. And the fact that the three of us are united on this day, determined with the same lucidity about the situation in Ukraine and determined never to let Russia win and to support the Ukrainian people to the end, is a strength for us, our peoples, our security and our Europe. Germany, France and Poland are among Ukraines key allies. Germany has become Ukraines second-biggest supplier of military aid after the United States and is stepping up support this year, although Scholz has faced criticism for refusing to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles. The leaders' remarks didn't address differences between Scholz and Macron after the French leader said at a conference last month that sending in Western ground troops should not be ruled out in the future. Scholz said then that participants had agreed there will be no ground troops on Ukrainian soil sent by European countries. On Thursday, Macron reiterated his position, though he said the current situation doesnt require sending ground troops. Scholz's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, made clear Friday that the chancellor hasn't changed his views. In Brussels, the EUs executive branch on Friday allocated 500 million euros ($545 million) to a project to reduce bottlenecks slowing the production of explosives and other materials used to manufacture artillery shells for the bloc and its allies. The European Commission estimates that the plan will allow industry to produce 1.7 million shells annually by the end of the year, and 2 million by late 2025. Scholz and Tusk have both visited Washington recently and pressed for the U.S. to release aid for Ukraine. ___ Associated Press journalists Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukrainians living in regions illegally annexed by Russia are being coerced to vote in the presidential election of their wartime occupier, Vladimir Putin an exercise denounced by Ukraine as an illegitimate effort by Moscow to tighten control over its neighbor. Polls are open in four annexed regions of Ukraine close to the front line, some of which are not fully in Putins control. The election is taking place under highly distorted and restrictive conditions. Many Ukrainians fled these regions or were deported by Russia after Putin's invasion two years ago, and there are reports of people being forced to vote at gunpoint. There are no international election observers in Ukraine. The Russian government is prodding Ukrainians with billboards and posters to vote for their president and to take part in the future of our country. It is promoting the election with a V symbol in the colors of the Russian flag a letter emblazoned on Russian tanks and a clear nod to Putins first name. The elections are an extension of military occupation and of the war itself ... rather than an exercise in the democratic franchise, said Sam Greene, a director at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington. While there are polling stations, Russia has also dispatched officials with ballot boxes to peoples homes, saying it is safer for them to vote on their doorsteps. Polls are already open in Russian-occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. In Crimea, which was annexed from Ukraine by Putin in 2014, polls will open Friday. In the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boychenko, said his city was a symbol of Russias military nightmare and of an electoral process in ruins. He said a woman accompanied by two Chechen military men with machine guns showed up at his neighbors apartment with a ballot box and made clear that voting was not optional. There have been multiple reports of Russian-installed authorities forcing people to vote, and threatening to withhold medical care or other social benefits from those who do not. More than two dozen Ukrainians who refused to vote have been arrested, according to human rights activists. Analysts say the Kremlin is eager for a high turnout in Russia and the occupied regions of Ukraine to signify control, silence dissent and present Putin as a legitimate leader. The Institute for the Study of War said it expects the Kremlin and Russia-installed officials in Ukraine to fabricate a high turnout. The Russia-installed governor of Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, said Thursday that turnout in early voting was better than expected and that lines were forming at polling stations. In the eastern region of Luhansk, which has been partially occupied since 2014, some residents told The Associated Press that they were going to vote for Putin, although several said they had no idea who else was on the ballot. I will vote for Putin, because I dont know anyone else, said Veronica, a 30-year-old nurse. Tatiana, a 20-year-old student, said of Putin: I trust him so much that other candidates are no longer suitable for me. The AP is not identifying them by their full names because of concerns for their safety. In a video address on Thursday, Putin urged people in Ukraine's occupied regions and in Russia to vote, telling them that each of your votes is valuable and significant. It is unclear how many people live in the newly annexed regions of eastern Ukraine, where the Kremlin has been accused of resettling Russians. Britain's Ministry of Defense estimated Wednesday that a third of the pre-war Ukrainian population remains, and analysts said the lack of transparency makes it easy to manipulate the vote. In February, the Russia-installed governor of Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region, Evgeny Balitsky, said in an interview that he personally ordered the deportation of pro-Ukrainian citizens, because these were people who we could not convince and we have to deal with them more harshly. Balitsky said a large number of families were dropped off near the front line because some of them had insulted Russia's flag, anthem and Putin. In Mariupol, which was flattened by the Russian military early in the war, the population has dropped from just over 400,000 people to around 200,000. Half of the current population, according to Boychenko, the mayor, are not Ukrainian and include construction workers and laborers from remote Russian regions. The Kremlin, he said, is trying to repopulate Mariupol to create a loyal majority out of poor settlers." At least 27 people have been arrested for refusing to vote in the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, according to Pavlo Lysianskyi of the Eastern Human Rights Group. The Kremlin is demonstratively increasing pressure on local residents," Lysianskyi said. There are also cases, he said, of authorities forcing people to write explanations of their refusal to vote, which could become the basis for initiating criminal cases against them. That practice was also used in local Russian elections held in occupied Ukrainian regions in September. Close Zelensky rejects Putins claims that Ukraine involved in Moscow attack For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Millions of Russian citizens have started to head to the polls in a sham election that will confirm Vladimir Putins presidency for at least another six years. The stage-managed vote will also take place in parts of Ukraine now controlled by Russian forces. But with the election and candidates tightly controlled by the Kremlin, is the Russian election rigged, how does it work and what does it mean for Mr Putin? The Independent has put together all you need to know below. The election is expected to confirm Russian president Vladimir Putin as president for at least another six years (AP) When is the election? The Russian presidential election will be held between 15 March and 17 March. Results will follow shortly afterwards and the winner will be inaugurated in May. Voting will also take place in what Russia calls its new territories - parts of Ukraine now controlled by Russian forces that have been placed under Russian law. A remote online voting system will be available for the first time in a Russian presidential election. There are 112.3 million people with the right to vote in the election. The Russian population is around 143.4 million. Around 70-80 million people usually cast ballots. Turnout in 2018 was 67.5 per cent. The Russian presidential election will be held between 15 March and 17 March. Pictured: Ballots to be used in 2024 (AFP via Getty Images) How does the election work? Russian politics professor Samuel Greene, of Kings College London, explained getting onto the ballot was a complicated process controlled by the Kremlin which sees genuine Putin critics barred. He told The Independent: Getting on to the ballot is a complicated process. Parties that have representation in parliament have guaranteed access to the ballot. Everybody else has to go through a system of petitions and collecting tens of thousands of signatures that have to be verified. The government authorities invariably find problems with the signatures that have been collected by genuine opposition candidates. Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with residents following a visit to a greenhouse complex near Moscow ahead of elections this weekend (AP) Is the election rigged? Prof Greene added that all parties are vetted by the Kremlin in an illegal process separate to the Central Election Commission, which checks regular conditions like nationality and criminal records. All parties that are able to function in Russia are coordinated by the presidential administration. Candidate lists are vetted by the Kremlin; fundraising is both limited and enabled by the Kremlin, he said. He explained Russian candidates are only allowed to campaign within red lines set by Putin and dont really expect to win the election - which means they wont say anything too controversial like criticising the war in Ukraine. The opposition candidates are being careful not to be any more aggressive than Putin is in his campaigning. They dont really expect to win, he said. All parties in Russia are vetted and approved by the Kremlin, experts say (AP) Who are the candidates? There are four candidates that have been vetted by the Kremlin and who are on the ballot for this years Russian presidential election. 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. Already the longest-serving ruler of Russia since Joseph Stalin, will win a fifth and unconstitutional term after polls close on Sunday. His standing in the election comes as a result of a referendum in 2020 amending Russias constitution to reset presidential term limits having previously opted in 2008 merely to swap places with prime minister Dmitry Medvedev to sidestep the two-term limit. While that move triggered the largest protests of his rule, the changes ushered in by the referendum in 2020 were largely unopposed, and Putin could theoretically still be in the Kremlin in 2036, notes Independent columnist Mary Dejevsky. Nikolai Kharitonov Nikolai Kharitonov (AP) A 75-year-old member of Russias lower house of parliament, the State Duma, Nikolai Kharitonov is the official candidate of the Communist Party, whose candidates have finished a distant second to Putin at every election since 2000. Mr Kharitonov, a Siberian, stood previously in 2004 and won 13.8 per cent of the vote to Putin's 71.91 per cent. A state pollster said in February that its research showed that around 4 per cent of Russians were ready to vote for him. The state Tass news agency has quoted Kharitonov as saying he would not find fault with Mr Putin, because he is responsible for his own cycle of work, why would I criticise him? Mr Kharitonov supports the war in Ukraine, but has previously opposed some of the ruling pro-Putin United Russia partys domestic policies. He enjoys the backing of Gennady Zyuganov, the 79-year-old veteran Communist Party leader. Leonid Slutsky Russia Cold War Treaty (The State Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament) A senior member of the State Duma, Leonid Slutsky, 56, is the leader of the ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), and has long chaired the parliaments international affairs committee voicing support for the Ukraine war and the need to keep food prices down. A regular anti-Western mouthpiece on Russian state TV, Mr Slutsky took over as the partys permanent leader after veteran firebrand Vladimir Zhirinovsky died in 2022. He is seeking to tap into his late predecessors popularity by campaigning on the slogan Zhirinovsky lives on. A state pollster said in February that its research also showed that around 4 per cent of Russians were ready to vote for him. In 2018, a group of female journalists accused Mr Slutsky of sexual harassment. A parliamentary commission exonerated him, which his accusers labelled a whitewash. Vladislav Davankov New People politician Vladislav Davankov is deputy chair of the State Duma, and has received a state award from Mr Putin in the past. Aged 40, heis the youngest registered candidate and has said he wont criticise his political opponents. His main campaign slogans are Yes to changes! and Time for new people! A state pollster said in February that its research showed that over 5 per cent of Russians were ready to vote for him. Mr Davankov has tried to position himself as someone opposed to excessive curbs on peoples 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. What does the election mean for Putin? Prof Greene explained the elections are designed to give an air of legitimacy to Vladimir Putin and Russias political system without alienating the majority of Russians. The Kremlin knows there are people in Russia who wont vote for Putin, Prof Greene said. But it would rather people vote for a candidate and party that is controlled by the Kremlin and can be relied on not to cause problems, instead of people becoming disaffected and protesting for broader change. They want people to feel like they have a voice in the system and have somebody they can vote for so they lost the election fair and square. What have critics said about the Russian ballots? Critics of the Kremlin have warned that the ballots are unlikely to bear any resemblance to true democracy. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said: We know already that opposition politicians are in jail, some are killed, and many are in exile, and actually also some who tried to register as candidates have been denied that right, he said. And an EU spokesperson said: We know, given the track record of how votes are being prepared and organised in Russia under the current Kremlin administration and regime, how this will look. Its very difficult to foresee that this would be a free, fair and democratic election where the Russian people would really have a choice. And as Nato warned Russias attempts to organise elections in four Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed would be competely illegal, as the Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boychenko alleged that at least two Chechen military men with machine guns had been seeking to enforce voting there. A fortnight after the death of Alexei Navalny, the Russian dissident community has convened a plan to disturb this rubber-stamping exercise, dubbed Noon Against Putin, in which Russian citizens frustrated with the leaders rule are being called to head to the voting booths all at the same time on the final day in a display of discontent. The campaign has been dubbed Navalnys political testament by independent media outlet Novaya Gazeta, and has been backed by the opposition leaders widowed wife Yulia Navalnaya, along with a host of prominent anti-Putin figures, including Mikhail Khodorkovsky, formerly Russias richest oligarch, and Gary Kasparov, the chess grandmaster turned opposition figure. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least 20 people have been killed and more than 70 wounded after Russia on Friday fired missiles at the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa. In what is known as a double-tap strike, local governor Oleh Kiper said a second Iksander-M ballistic missile hit a residential area only moments after it had initially been struck. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia would receive a fair response from Ukrainian forces for what he said was a vile strike on a city that has been attacked by Russian drones or missiles almost every day this month. The Russian missile attack killed a paramedic and a rescue worker who had arrived at the scene after the first explosion to provide assistance, said Mr Kiper. There are also heavily injured among the medics and rescuers. The explosion was very strong, especially the second one... This is a very powerful missile that flies from the occupied Crimea in a few minutes, Mr Kiper added. Russia has stepped up its strikes on the southern city in recent weeks. The port is a vital hub for Ukrainian grain exports, central to its economic output. On 2 March, a Russian drone struck a multistorey building in the area, killing 12 people, including five children. Emergency service workers tend to an injured colleague (Telegram ) But the latest attack is the deadliest in weeks in Ukraine. Russia continues to terrorise Odesa ... local residents, medical and emergency workers are among the victims and injured, Andriy Kostin, Ukraines prosecutor general, said. A three-storey recreational facility was destroyed and at least 10 private houses, a low-pressure gas pipeline and rescue vehicles were damaged in the attack, the southern military command said. Rescuers battled to put out fires on the pipeline and in a private house over a total area of about 120 square metres. Footage posted online showed both civilians and rescue workers being carried away from the site. Today, the Russians hit Odesa with ballistics. And when the rescuers arrived, the Russians struck again, said Oksana Kovalenko, a Ukrainian journalist. Mr Kiper announced a day of mourning to be held on Saturday, the second observance in less than two weeks. Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskys top adviser, described the attacks as a sign of weakness. The Russian terror of Odesa is a sign of the weakness of the enemy, which is fighting against Ukrainian civilians at a time when it cannot guarantee the safety of people on its own territory, he said. An injured rescuer after the missile attack in Odesa on Friday (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AFP) His comments came as Ukrainian officials said on Friday that two Russian border provinces, Belgorod and the neighbouring Kursk region, were under attack by anti-Kremlin Russian armed groups based in Ukraine. Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app that two people had been killed and very serious damage inflicted on the village of Kozinka. Elsewhere Ukrainian drone attacks also damaged a small oil refinery in Russias Kaluga region south of Moscow, a Ukrainian intelligence source claimed. It was the latest in a string of drone attacks on major Russian oil facilities in the last week, trying to target the lifeblood of the Russian economy more than two years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The attacks occurred against the backdrop of the first day of Russian presidential elections. Millions of Russians headed to polling booths to vote in a sham election that Vladimir Putin will inevitably win. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as people from West Bank cities arrived at an Israeli checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem to cross for Friday prayers in the Al-Aqsa compound on 15 March. It came as Ramadan began this week, with Palestinians fasting from Monday as the Muslim holy month arrived with ceasefire talks at a standstill and no end appearing in sight for the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Officials continue to warn that Israels offensive into the territory is pushing Palestinians into famine. According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least 20 people have died from malnutrition and dehydration at Kamal Adwan and Shifa hospital. Most of those who have died are children, as well as a 72-year-old man, officials in Gaza added. Israeli attacks have damaged 260 mosques across the strip, reducing them to rubble, but Palestinians continue to pray in the courtyards and among the ruins of the holy sites. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for an Israeli military assault on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering with nowhere else to turn. It comes as a ship towing a barge carrying 200 tonnes of food arrived off the coast of Gaza on Friday in a test run for a new sea aid route from Cyprus. The UN, EU and aid agencies have all warned of looming widespread famine in Gaza more than five months into Israels war against Hamas, which has included aerial bombardment, ground operations and a blockade. Prime minister Netanyahu has approved the plans for action in Rafah. The IDF [Israel Defence Force] is preparing operationally and for the evacuation of the population, a statement from his office said. The US, UK and a number of other nations have repeatedly warned Mr Netanyahu against a military operation in Rafah, where more than half of Gazas 2.3 million population currently resides. Most people fleeing Israels military operations have moved southwards, often on the advice of the IDF. The UN and aid agencies have warned of an even greater humanitarian disaster if Israeli forces head into Rafah, with residents having no option but to head back north if they want to flee. There are fears of significant civilian casualties if the city is attacked. Some food aid from the joint Spanish/US sea mission is docked in Gaza yesterday (Reuters) In the wake of the Israeli statement, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said that Washington needs to see a clear and implementable plan for a military operation in Rafah, including to get civilians out of harms way. Weve not yet seen such a plan, Mr Blinken said. Joe Biden has called an attack on Rafah a red line if undertaken without provisions to protect civilians. On Thursday the Israeli army said it planned to move displaced Palestinians in Gaza to what it called humanitarian islands in the middle of the strip, without offering any details on how they would operate. No timeframe has been put on the Rafah military operation. The Rafah decision came after an urgent meeting of Israels war cabinet called to discuss a new proposal from Hamas for a ceasefire. The Hamas ceasefire proposal is said to call for a three-stage process, starting with a partial Israeli pullback in Gaza and the release of dozens of Palestinian detainees, most held without charge, in exchange for the release of all the female hostages that the militants are still holding, according to a number of reports. It also calls for talks in a later stage on ending the war. Displaced Palestinians sheltering in Rafah (Reuters) Mr Netanyahu called the demands unrealistic but said that an Israeli delegation would join international mediators in Doha for another round of talks. Some analysts have suggested that the announcement about Rafah could be aimed at putting pressure on Hamas during talks. The Israeli invasion of Gaza came after an attack by Hamas on 7 October inside southern Israel during which around 1,100 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage. Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-run strip say that more than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels military operations. When it comes to aid, the US charity behind the ship mission from Cyprus, World Central Kitchen, said two crates had been delivered to shore from the barge by Friday afternoon. A number of nations have called on Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza, which is the most effective way of getting aid into the besieged territory. The aid ship could be spotted from the coast hours after the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155 others. The Israeli military said in a statement that Palestinian gunmen were the ones to open fire and that none of its forces, who were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks, fired towards the waiting crowd or the convoy. Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as Muslim worshippers gathered for prayers in Mecca on Friday, 15 March during Ramadan. The start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan began for many of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims on Sunday night when officials saw the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam. During the month, observers will abstain from food and water from dawn to sunset in a period of religious reflection. Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Fasting is observed as it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; other pillars are prayer five times a day, charity, profession of faith, and making the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a person's lifetime. This year's Ramadan is occurring during Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, where many Muslims are observing the holy month in war-damaged mosques. Israeli attacks have damaged 260 mosques across the strip, reducing them to rubble, but Palestinians continue to pray in the courtyards and among the ruins of the holy sites. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} McDonalds has suffered a reported IT system outage in some of its restaurants, which has left customers unable to order food. On Friday morning, customers in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Japan complained about issues trying to buy from the fast food giant on social media. Some customers said that restaurants were only taking cash, and that orders were being manually written down on paper. Others reported that they were able to order successfully through the McDonalds app, but that they could not actually place orders at restaurants. McDonalds said that it was aware of the issue and working to fix it. The problems are not related to a cyber attack, it has indicated. In Japan, the company apologised to customers on social media and said they may need to wait a while for problems to be resolved. It described the problems as a system failure. In the UK, a number of customers said on social media that their local restaurants were closed although they were able to make orders through the companys app. We are aware of a technology outage which impacted our restaurant, a spokesperson said. The issue has now been resolved in the UK and Ireland. We thank customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. The issue is not related to a cybersecurity event. The issue prompted mockery from rival Burger King. A McDonalds Australia spokesman said it was aware of a technology outage currently impacting stores, according to the Daily Mail. Additional reporting by agencies Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Netflixs Damsel has been a fantastical hit since its release on 8 March, and viewers have been left enchanted by the maximalist medieval kingdom. The sci-fi adventure stars Millie Bobby Brown as Elodie, a damsel set to marry the prince of the Kingdom of Aurea to save her own. Alas, the happily ever after goes awry when her charming prince (actor Nick Robinson) and his family attempt to sacrifice Elodie to a fire-breathing dragon. Filming for the fantasy land was split between on-site sets and sound stages, with Damsel director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, exploring a feminist twist on the damsel in distress trope thats studded with castles, caves, dragons and magic. Troubadour Meridian Water Studios brought the cave systems to life (John Wilson/Netflix) Much of the film was shot in the Troubadour Meridian Water Studios in Enfield. Several sound stages of fake rock in the 155,073 square foot film production plot, combined with visual effects, brought the cave sequences between Elodie and the dragon to life. Castle interiors in the style of Portuguese post-gothic Manueline architecture in the Kingdom of Aurea and the protagonists home kingdom were also filmed in the London studios. Bobby Brown said in a post-production interview: Everything felt real. We filmed in these warehouses in London. And when you walked in, you truly felt immersed. There was no faking it. Theres no green screen. From and English castle to Portuguese wine country, here are the real-life destinations you can actually visit for a slice of the subversive fairy tale world. England Raby Castle, County Durham Raby Castle, the exterior of the Brayford stronghold (Getty Images) The unnamed Faraway Land where Lord Brayfords castle lies was shot at the 14th-century Raby Castle in County Durham. Exteriors of medieval towers, terraces and embattled walls set the scene for Elodies father (played by Ray Winstone) and stepmothers (Angela Bassett) stronghold home. Portugal Primarily filmed in Portugal, production designer Patrick Tatopoulos said that the exterior shots were less dark than what were used to seeing. Its warmer and more flamboyant than the gloomy castles that are typically used for fantasy stories with dragons. And that was the trick: Aurea needed to be a very pleasant place to be on the outside. Its no wonder the patchwork of blue azulejos that scatter the southern European country set the scene for several of Damsels exterior shots. Portugal was the primary shooting destination for Elodies adventures (John Wilson/Netflix) Batalha IMDb lists Batalha in western Portugal as a shooting location for the sci-fi flick. The ornate real-world castle Capillas Imperfectas and Unesco-listed Batalha Monastery were likely used for a lot of Damsels external shots. Batalha, like Bobby Browns homeland, has a history of battles with mythology suggesting that the town was constructed for the Virgin Mary as a victory token in the battle against King Joao I. Tomar Tomar doubles as the onscreen Kingdom of Aurea (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Colourful Tomar is the maze of rivers, castles and convents that you see on screen as Elodie enters the Kingdom of Aurea. The Covent of Christ stronghold, the 12th-century headquarters of the Knights Templar, sets the scene for the castle grounds and wedding frames within the Unesco World Heritage Site. Serra da Estrela Serra da Estrelas snowy mountain ranges backdrop the harsh conditions outside of Elodies high-born yet impoverished home where we meet the Damsel princess-to-be. The National Park area on the Iberian Peninsula is home to the highest mountain in Portugal (Mount Pico) and the hotspot for hikers has dramatic landscapes suitable to host sci-fi scenery including the entrance to the dragons lair filmed in the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Boa Estrela in the mountain range. Douro Valley The Douro Valley has been a listed World Heritage Site since 2001 (Getty Images/iStockphoto) In northeastern Portugal, Pinhao in Douro Valley wine country and the Coa Valley, in the Vila Nova de Foz Coa region each lend their sloping vineyards to the action-packed scenes of the mythical world. The World Heritage area on the Douro River has gorges, ancient forests and wildlife habitats to boot. Sortelha The mountains surrounding the Renaissance hamlet of Sortelha, one of Portugals oldest towns, were reportedly featured prominently in Damsel. Elodie is ultimately led to the dragons lair through the peaks that represent the land around Aurea. Unesco-listed hotspots in Batalha and Tomar welcomed the cameras in (Courtesy of Netflix) Damsel is streaming on Netflix now. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} In the buzzing heart of Cordoba, its easy to see why the caliphs of Al-Andalus chose the city as the capital of their western European empire in AD 711. The labyrinthine streets where buildings stand almost like souks and the aroma of shisha smoke drifts from cosy bars are more reminiscent of the sun-baked medinas of the Middle East than the boulevards of Madrid or Valencia. These winding pathways whisper tales of Islamic influence that go back more than a millennium, despite many believing that Muslim integration in the West is a relatively recent concept. It is a confronting topic of discussion, one often driven by world events rather than by the real lives of Muslims in Western society. Islam in Europe isnt recent at all. In fact, its influence in Cordoba predates many modern European countries as we know them today. Islam observances like Ramadan the 30-day period of fasting that Muslims across the world observe each year deserve their place in Europes historical canon. For a month, European Muslims wake before sunrise for suhoor (the pre-dawn meal), fast during daylight hours, then break their fast at iftar (the sunset meal). They come together for spiritual reflection and community activities in mosques across Europe as they do elsewhere in the world. But only Cordoba can reasonably claim to be the birthplace of Ramadan in Europe, the city being the first place it was observed in an organised way. Just a century after the founding of Islam, an army of Arabs and Berbers left Damascus, traversed North Africa, and crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Their vision was to create a new caliphate that rivalled the centres of Islamic power across Egypt and the Levant. Read more on Spain travel: They chose Cordoba as their capital and over the next 780 years the Islamic nation of Al-Andalus slowly took shape. At its peak, Cordoba was a capital city of more than 300,000 inhabitants and the centre of a caliphate that spanned much of the Iberian Peninsula. The city is bordered to the north by Spains Sierra Morena mountain range, which bisects this part of Andalusia. Modern Cordobas buildings which, by law, must be less than seven stories tall to avoid diminishing its prominent cathedral spires now stretch along the banks of the Guadalquivir River. The Mezquitas minaret became a bell tower after the Reconquista of Spain (Queenie Shaikh) University students from around the world visit to examine religious history, my guide, Maria Font Merino said. A proud Cordobes, born and bred, Maria has used her intimate knowledge of the city on tours for nearly three decades. Cordoba is the place for Islamic history and theology students, she went on, as we picked our way through the ruins of the caliphs lost palace city of Madinat al-Zahra, also known as Medina Azahara. Its skeleton now sits on a hillside some 8km west of Cordobas centre, and is a focal point for Spains archaeology community, which is fiercely proud of this relatively recent addition to the Unesco World Heritage list. Cordobas Medina Azahara was built in the 10th century by Caliph Abd al-Rahman III (Queenie Shaikh) Islams expansion led to an explosion in Cordobas population and, when the citys rulers had outgrown it, the construction of Medina Azahara, the so-called shining city. Built in the 10th century by Caliph Abd al-Rahman III, it spills down a hillside in three tiers. The caliphs palace sits atop, and the ruins flow down to Al-Andaluss once bustling administrative and religious centres. A palpable sense of anticipation remains as more than 90 per cent of the site is yet to be excavated. Medina Azaharas splendour waned in AD 1010 when it fell to a Berber revolt. This led to its destruction and the dispersal of treasures which found their way to northern Europe, influencing art and culture there. The ruins I explored were a world away from Marbellas sands or Barcelonas gridded streets. But there was a telltale sign that we were in Spain: the thousands of olive trees. Cordoba and Andalusia more widely have the densest concentration of olive groves in the country. Olive cultivation gained renewed prominence during Moorish rule, with the modern Spanish word for oil aceite tracing its etymology from the Arabic word for olive oil, al-zeit. Later, I returned to my hotel, Parador de Cordoba, which is nestled in the hills 3km northwest of the city centre, in the Arruzafa district and built on the ruins of Abd al-Rahman ls summer palace. The area is home to what are believed to be Europe's oldest palm trees legend says they were planted by the caliph Abd al-Rahman I himself. Today the expansive property exudes a mid-century charm that is a welcome contrast to Cordobas historic city centre. The Parador de Cordoba offers a peaceful escape in the hills above Cordoba (Parador de Cordoba) Sunset was fast approaching, which meant finding somewhere to break my fast. I made my way to a vegetarian iftar at NH Collection Amistad Cordoba, a hotel located across two Moorish mansions within the citys old Jewish quarter. The area was home to Cordobas Jewish population from the 10th to 15th centuries. The meal, a tasting menu for Cordoban cuisine, reflected both its Moorish roots and contemporary Spanish influences. Dishes like salmorejo, an Andalusian cold tomato soup, echoed Arab cuisines tomato rice soup. Roasted vegetables, including honey-soaked aubergine, brought baba ganoush flavours to mind, while a vegetarian-friendly flamenquin resembled a lighter falafel. The following day, torrential rain prompted me to take a taxi to Cordobas remarkable Mezquita. This mosque-cathedral covers 24,000 sq m, dominating the cityscape. The building almost defies description and is as complicated inside as its storied history. The author outside Cordobas Mezquita, or mosque-cathedral (Queenie Shaikh) Construction commenced in AD 785, guided by Abd al-Rahman Is singular vision to create a mosque similar to those in Damascus and Baghdad. After the fall of Al-Andalus and the Spanish Reconquista in AD 1236, Christians repurposed the mosque, adding an altar beneath its skylight and a bell to its minaret. What is left today typifies the Cordoban experience: a physical melding of two cultures and religions that feels all-at-once comfortable and uncomfortable; two different buildings occupying the same space at the same time. An astonishing 856 pillars of marble and jasper some of which were repurposed from the Roman and early Christian ruins on the same site stretch in rows familiar to visitors of historic mosques. But the Mezquita is different: at the structures centre, almost like a transplanted organ, is the cathedral, with its intricate marble statues of saints and prominent Catholic figures. Completed over more than two centuries and built in at least four architectural styles, the cathedral sits just metres away from the mosques former mihrab, which historically signalled the direction of prayer for the citys Muslims. Today, the Mezquita is a complex flashpoint in Spanish society. As a working cathedral, Muslims are not allowed to pray inside the most mosque-like parts of the structure, a decision that has long garnered protests from them (and even spurred isolated clashes between the two faiths). As heavy rain continued to fall, I exited the Mezquita and hurried towards the mostly Moorish-reconstructed Roman bridge housing the Calahorra Tower. The building now has a small museum dedicated to life in Al-Andalus. A man selling shawarmas from a cart waved from across the street, gesturing towards the menu. Ven a comer shawarma! he shouted. I managed to convey, in my broken Spanish, the fact that I was fasting. He paused, then nodded an appreciative Alhamdulillah. In that moment, Cordoba beautifully captured for me the deep-rooted history of Islam and Ramadan in Europe, and proved itself a remarkable destination in which to explore the religion's influences beyond the Middle East. Travel essentials Maria Font Merino is a licensed tour guide with over 25 years of experience. She offers private tours in Cordoba on ToursByLocals. Getting there Flights to Malaga are available via multiple airlines from all major UK airports. Seville flights are operated by Ryanair, Vueling, British Airways, and EasyJet from London, Birmingham and Manchester. From either city, Cordoba is accessible via an hour-long high-speed train journey, departing every 3050 minutes. Where to stay Parador de Cordoba Offering stunning views, complete privacy and a rich history, the hotel is conveniently near a bus stop for a 15-minute drive to the city centre. Rooms available from{{#price}}{{price}}per night{{/price}} {{^price}}Check availability for dates and prices{{/price}} Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Read our full review of Parador de Cordoba here Hotel Amenities {{#amenities.foodDrink.length}} Food & Drink {{#amenities.foodDrink}} {{.}} {{/amenities.foodDrink}} {{/amenities.foodDrink.length}} {{#amenities.internet.length}} Internet Please check hotel for more information on amenities {{#amenities.internet}} {{.}} {{/amenities.internet}} {{/amenities.internet.length}} {{#amenities.services.length}} Services {{#amenities.services}} {{.}} {{/amenities.services}} {{/amenities.services.length}} {{#amenities.parking.length}} Parking Please check hotel for more information on amenities {{#amenities.parking}} {{.}} {{/amenities.parking}} {{/amenities.parking.length}} {{#amenities.health.length}} Health & Wellbeing {{#amenities.health}} {{.}} {{/amenities.health}} {{/amenities.health.length}} {{/amenities}} {{#amenities}}{{/amenities}} Puerta de la Luna A convenient hostel located one kilometre from the city centre. 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Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. What is the situation with airports and ports in Haiti? Flights are not arriving in the country as one of its international airports remains closed following the attacks and a decision made on Monday to form a transitional government after Mr Henrys resignation. It is unclear if cruise ships plan to continue stopping in the country and one international port has been closed. Typically, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways and American Airlines operate flights to the country but those operations have been suspended. All of the airlines have waived change fees for customers wanting to leave the country. Its not clear when commercial flights may resume. Two cruise line companies, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises stop in Labadee, a private resort about six hours away from Port-Au-Prince. Its not clear if the cruise liners plan to continue operating in the country under its current political situation. The Independent has reached out to the companies for comment. State of emergency now in place Haiti has declared a state of emergency through 3 April. A daily curfew is in place in the capital from 6pm to 5am. In a security alert released on Sunday, The US Department of State urged American citizens against travelling to the country. Activist reacts during a demonstration against CARICOM for the decision following the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry (Anadolu via Getty Images) The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous, the statement read. We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge US citizens to take advantage of them. US citizens currently in the country should prepare to shelter in place for an extended period of time and seek assistance from the US embassy in Port-Au-Prince. Citizens should note that the US is unable to facilitate travel out of the country. US military evacuates embassy staff Over the weekend, US military officials moved to evacuate non-essential personnel from the embassy. The German and EU embassies also took similar measures. Protesters demand the resignation of prime minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 7 March 2024 (EPA/Johnson Sabin) The UK, Irish and Canadian governments are advising their citizens against travelling to Haiti, but anyone in the country should contact their nearest diplomatic missions. The UK has an embassy in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republics capital. Meanwhile, Irish citizens should get in touch with the countrys embassy in Washington DC. The Canadian embassy in Port-Au-Prince is closed but citizens may call the office for emergency assistance. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} If youve flown the Atlantic to the USA, perhaps you know the feeling: youre exhausted after a long flight and you might then spend an hour or more lining up for American immigration. Edinburgh airport aims to solve that problem, by clearing transatlantic passengers through US border formalities while theyre still on Scottish soil. Preclearance is already in effect at nine Canadian airports, Dublin and Shannon in Ireland, the island nations of Aruba and Bermuda as well as Abu Dhabi in the UAE. To bring the facility to the UK requires a deal to be struck between American and British governments. Edinburgh airport CEO Gordon Dewar told The Independent: Were really confident we can have that up and running about two to three years after the signing of the agreement. So how does preclearance work and what are its benefits? These are the key questions and answers. What is preclearance? Very simply, you turn up at your departure airport for the US; check in as normal and go through security. But then theres another check waiting, fully staffed by US Customs and Border Protection. The officer at the desk will process you into the United States. You then step aboard your flight, and when you arrive in America instead of going through the usual formalities youre treated as a domestic arrival and can leave the airport, or transfer to another flight, immediately. The closest the UK gets to anything similar is for travellers from England to France: at the port of Dover, the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal and London St Pancras, the Eurostar station, travellers pass through French frontier controls and are treated as though theyre actually in France before they board a ferry or train. How is the Dublin experience? Theres an entire mini-terminal devoted to transatlantic travellers. From my experience it works extremely smoothly. Unlike on arrival at the US, when 300 people turn up at passport control all at once on a plane, theres a smooth flow of people and rarely any significant queues. Many people from outside Ireland like the idea, and theres a lot of connecting traffic much to the benefit of the Irish airline Aer Lingus and Dublin airport. Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh airport, says hes keen to emulate the success of the Irish capital: If you look at what Dublin have achieved, theyve got a similar size population to Scotland in Ireland and yet theyve probably got about four times as much connectivity to the States and a big part of that is about Preclearance. Is there a race among UK airports to attract preclearance? There certainly was prior to the pandemic. In particular, Heathrow was working towards the goal, because it has far more US flights than any other airport in Europe. Yet with airports making huge losses during Covid, the appetite appears to have subsided because there are large costs involved. Heathrows transatlantic flights are spread across terminals 2, 3 and 5, with duplicate facilities required at each. Manchester airport does not detect much of an appetite for preclearance among airlines. The other player is London Gatwick, which has the same owner as Edinburgh airport, and it could be that the Scottish and English capitals work together through the tangle of red tape that needs to be addressed. How soon could it happen? Years rather than months. First, the American and UK governments need to agree, and in an election year in both nations theres quite a lot of distractions. Once an intergovernmental agreement is signed, there needs to be more work with Customs and Border Protection and also the Transportation Security Administration. So if a deal can be struck this year, it might be the summer of 2027 when youre cleared to arrive in the US before youve even left Scotland. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} US border control could soon be moved to UK airports with Edinburgh setting the pace. Preclearance of American frontier formalities has been commonplace for decades for travellers from Canada and Ireland to the US. Dublin airport is a thriving hub for transatlantic flights, with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff processing passengers ahead of their flights allowing the traveller to leave the destination airport immediately on arrival, or board another plane. But no UK airport has set up such facilities, despite repeated rumours that they might. Now the chief executive of Edinburgh airport has told The Independent he is talking to the US and UK governments about the great opportunity to establish preclearance in Scotland. Gordon Dewar said: For a long time weve understood the value of preclearance. We see the benefits when we look at Dublin airport and others, and weve been constantly growing our direct American connectivity over the previous years. So we know its a great opportunity. When you arrive into the States, you walk out the door and get on with whatever it is youre hoping to do in the States with absolute reliability. Or if youre transferring, which a lot of our customers do through some of these main hubs, the connection times can be much, much shorter and the baggage goes through automatically. Preclearance requires a large financial investment to install facilities for CBP, and to create a secure airside area for pre-cleared passengers to wait for their flights. But the evidence from Dublin airport that travellers place a high value on avoiding the queues on arrival. Edinburgh has by far the widest transatlantic links of any Scottish airport, with jetBlue joining Delta on the route to New York JFK. Delta also serves Atlanta and Boston, while United flies to New York Newark, Washington DC and Chicago. But the Irish capital has far more US flights. If you look at what Dublin have achieved: theyve got a similar size population to Scotland in Ireland, and yet theyve probably got about four times as much connectivity to the States, Mr Dewar said. A big part of that is about the preclearance offer. Preclearance could also help establish new American routes, the Edinburgh airport CEO said. A lot of US airports are actually quite capacity constrained on the international side, but they tend to have more domestic capacity. If there is a shortage of international slots at a given American airport, its quite likely they can find a domestic one. Therefore an Edinburgh option with preclearance would be able to go ahead without running into capacity constraints. French frontier police currently check departing passengers at the port of Dover, Eurotunnels Folkestone terminal and London St Pancras International. But installing American officials at UK airport will require new legislation. Mr Dewar said: Were talking to many stakeholders, including the US and UK governments, and everyone appears to believe this is a good thing to do. But we need to get the legislation in place. Then we can start the process of actually designing and building and operating what we think will be a phenomenal new offer from Edinburgh to the rest of the United States. He estimates the likely timeframe as two to three years after an agreement is signed between the UK and US. The King of the Netherlands made a cheeky dig at the Kate Middleton photoshop scandal as he spoke to children during a royal engagement on Tuesday (12 March). King Willem-Alexander was speaking to members of the public in Zutphen when a girl told him about a photo of him with his whole family. The monarch replied "At least I didn't photoshop it," prompting laughter from the crowd. It came after the Princess of Wales apologised as she admitted to editing what was the first official picture of her since she underwent abdominal surgery in January. The Duke of Sussex gave advice to young people as he appeared virtually at the Diana Legacy Award on Thursday, 14 March. Prince Harry spoke via a live video as he thanked attendees for "inspiring so many others and at the same time protecting my mothers legacy." It came after the Prince of Wales paid tribute to his mother in person at the Science Museum in London, marking the charitys 25th anniversary. Watch the moment a woman sets fire to a voting booth at a polling station in Moscow's Maryino district, where late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny used to live. The footage has been verified by Reuters as floor tiles, roof and doors match file imagery of the building. Moscow's Investigative Committee also confirmed the incident, saying a criminal case has been opened. If charged the woman may face a maximum punishment of five years in jail. Voters began to cast their ballots across Russias 11 time zones on Friday 15 March, the start of a three-day presidential election. Two young children were among the rescued migrants who were pulled from the Rio Grande river near Eagle Pass, Texas. Body-worn camera footage shared by a US Border Patrol agent shows how the dramatic incident unfolded and highlights the dangerous struggle migrants face when trying to cross the river into the US. Crossing the border illegally is not worth the risk, Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley wrote, sharing the video on social media. Eagle Pass agents were on patrol when a group of undocumented migrants attempted to float across the Rio Grande river on a raft. The raft suddenly capsized, and our agents rescued all of the subjects, including 2 children. Airline says any industrial action threats will further damage its brand Aer Lingus has told its pilots that the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) union is making continued unreasonable and irresponsible pay demands that will exacerbate productivity and competitiveness issues at the airline. The airline and the union are set to clash at the Labour Court as it begins considering the pay dispute on April 22. Aer Lingus, whose chief executive is Lynne Embleton, is part of the IAG group that also owns British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. In a letter to pilots last night, seen by the Irish Independent, Aer Lingus chief operations officer Adrian Dunne warned that unless a realistic pay agreement is reached, IAG will interpret this as the pilot body wanting an alternative future. He has told pilots if they threaten or engage in industrial action, IAG will not be swayed and such a move will only serve to further damage the Aer Lingus brand and the case for investment. IALPA is seeking a 27pc pay rise over three years for the almost 800 pilots at Aer Lingus. The company offered an effective 8.5pc pay rise that was rejected by pilots in January. After the pair failed to reach an agreement last month at the Workplace Relations Commission, they asked the Labour Court to intervene. IALPA president Captain Mark Tighe previously said the Aer Lingus pay offer did not reflect the sacrifices made by pilots to sustain the company during the pandemic. An independent Pilot Pay Tribunal had last year recommended a 12.25pc increase in consolidated pay and a 1.5pc rise in unconsolidated pay. IALPAs pay proposal includes a 20pc pay rise and the additional 7pc covering the cost by pilots of a 2019 crewing agreement. The 12.25pc proposed by the carrier included 3.75pc to pay for that crewing agreement. The agreement, introduced by the airline in agreement with IALPA, introduced a number of favourable measures for pilots, such as those related to annual leave during the busy summer period, for instance. Under the agreement, the cost of those measures was to be borne by pilots. Aer Lingus has also told pilots that if they forego all elements of the crewing agreement, they will also receive the additional 3.75pc pay increase that had been set aside to cover the deal. Last month, IAG chief executive Luis Gallego warned that unless the Irish carrier could reach a pay agreement with pilots, investment in the carrier would be scaled back. That means that Aer Lingus might not end up being the launch customer for the Airbus A321XLR jet later this year, as had been expected. For clarity, noted Mr Dunne in his letter in reference to Mr Gallegos remarks, this will result in an inability to acquire aircraft through IAG (with new aircraft being allocated to other IAG carriers) and the cascading effects of this for current and future employment and career progression for all employee groups. In his letter, Mr Dunne said Aer Lingus has an ambition to grow its transatlantic fleet of Airbus A330 jets to about 20 from the current 13. It also wants to have about 20 of the new Airbus A320LR and A320XLR jets. Top official from Donald Trumps White House era wants to buy TikTok as US threatens to ban the Chinese app Steve Mnuchin, who led US treasury, has talked to potential investors about snapping up the video-sharing platform In 2020 Donald Trump told TikTok owner ByteDance to sell its US assets. Photo: Getty Brandon Sapienza Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 03:30 Former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is targeting a purchase of TikTok from its Chinese parent company. Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy on Baltimore, their new film about the former debutante who joined a rogue IRA unit, and what they think motivated her On April 24, 1974, an IRA unit forced their way into Russborough House in Co Wicklow, subdued Sir Alfred and Lady Beit and their staff and absconded with 19 paintings valued at upwards of IR8m. They sent a ransom note demanding IR500,000 and the release of two hunger-striking IRA prisoners for the safe return of the artworks. Gardai began a nationwide hunt for the gang. One of their members was Rose Dugdale, who had also tried to bomb an RUC station in a stolen helicopter. She was not your average IRA recruit in fact, she wasnt even Irish. An Oxford graduate and former debutante who grew up on a vast estate in Devon, she got involved in revolutionary politics in the late 1960s and joined the IRA after watching reports of Bloody Sunday. Dugdale became a tabloid sensation both here and in the UK, and her exploits at Russborough are the focus of a new film from Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy. The couple, born and bred in Dublin but based in the UK since the 1990s, operate as the Desperate Optimists, and have produced some memorable films over the years, from Helen and Mister John to Rose Plays Julie and The Future Tense. In the latter documentary, as they playfully considered a possible return to live in Ireland, the couple scouted locations for a proposed film about Dugdale. Here it is, and in Baltimore, Imogen Poots gives a wonderfully elliptical portrayal of the high-born firebrand as she lives through the most dramatic moments of her life. What drew them to Dugdales story? It was a very complex time in Irish and British history, Molloy says, and here was a character who is very much an anomaly; this English heiress who ended up in Ireland doing these things and fighting for the cause in a really committed way. Committed with a capital C always wanting to prove herself and underline the fact that she was a true believer. She is tricky, Lawlor says, speaking before Dugdales death this week aged 83. Shes very slippery as a character. From what weve heard and read she was incredibly charismatic like at Oxford university, her gang was the one you wanted to be in. And I imagine there were various iterations of her. Shes changing and pivoting, growing and adapting, so by the time we reach Russborough she grows into this performative person with a fake French accent. It wasnt the first time shed done that either, so shes quite theatrical. Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy. Photo: Simon Lazewski Baltimore moves fluidly back and forth in Dugdales life, interspersing glimpses of her activist days in London and a failed attempt to rob her parents home with the raid on Russborough and its febrile aftermath, as she and her associates went to ground in Co Cork. I dont think it comes across as a biopic, Lawlor says, and thats not what we wanted to do, but if youre doing a biopic and doing this in a chronological order, youre going to go through it at a particular tempo. But if you want to go from idea to idea, you will inevitably end up with a really abrasive film, and we kind of wanted something hard. Its a bit of a challenge, Molloy adds, because people often want to settle into a story, and into whats happening with how things are moving forward. And here, we do pull people in different directions: we know its kind of risky but we hope that it works. Dugdale is still alive were they tempted to contact her? No interest at all, Lawlor says, and it was curious because someone gave out to us at a festival screening, and they were saying How dare you you didnt even get her permission, and were going, No, but nobody asked the Queen for her permission before they made The Crown! Two books have come out at the same time as we were working on our script, Molloy adds, but before that, there wasnt a huge amount written that we could access, so we were searching for stuff. There were bits of video footage like the Beits being interviewed the morning after the raid, and then about 10 or 12 years ago a short film was made by TG4 called Mna an IRA, and there was an interview with her, and so we heard her speak. This was years later say it was 10 years ago, so shes in her 70s, and shes had plenty of time to reflect on what she did, and so it was very interesting to hear her talk about her memories of what she did, and then her real certainty that she doesnt have any regrets. And the other thing that she said was that the Strabane bombing attempt was one of the most exciting days of her life. She enjoyed the moment, so we thought, OK, this is a great key to her as a person. Thats all you need, Lawlor adds. And she had all these kind of regrets too, Molloy says, that she could never be the mother she needed to be she didnt feel very maternal and so we kind of felt wed heard her speak. You dont actually have to love the character or hate them, you just have to find them interesting up to a point, but what we really want you to do is to find the ideas that circulate around them fascinating Poots captures Dugdales quicksilver energy brilliantly, particularly during the Russborough scenes, when she is in the thick of an unfolding crisis and seems to be enjoying it hugely. We got really lucky with Imogen, Molloy says. I think Imogen, because this is set in the 1970s, she saw her very much as a kind of punk spirit, theres something refined about her, a bit like Imogen too, shes a bit posh, Lawlor says. But theres also something a little bit punk about Imogen, a little bit wild, shes a very funny person. I dont know if Rose Dugdale was particularly funny. I imagine she probably was. You dont actually have to love the character or hate them, he adds, you just have to find them interesting up to a point, but what we really want you to do is to find the ideas that circulate around them fascinating. Theres something about the 60s and the 70s that Rose came out of, that we can draw connections with today. The temper of the times was quite fragile, and it gave way to a certain level of militancy and activism. Rose Dugdale certainly wasnt alone in that. I guess a more clear connection might be somebody like [German terrorist] Ulrike Meinhof, quite middle class. Or Weather Underground in America, Molloy says. At that time there were lots of different political factions that were fueled by youthful idealism. And then she comes over here, Lawlor says, and it didnt start with that level of militancy and violence. But it accrues like everything, it gathers, it goes somewhere, but theres always something about that person which is questioning, unsettled. Why? Who knows? She empathised with certain struggles. But with her its never static, it keeps changing. Until she landed really, Molloy adds. And you know they say that Bloody Sunday kick-started a recruitment drive for the IRA well, Im sure that people werent expecting somebody like Rose Dugdale to turn up. And thats one thing we have read about her. She herself absolutely cites Bloody Sunday, watching the scenes from Bloody Sunday on the television, as the moment when she thought, This is what I need to do. She was definitely looking for something, a cause, she tried different things, and then she found it. Rose Dugdale. Photo: Bob Aylott/Daily Mail/Shutterstock And once Dugdale joined the IRA, her commitment to that cause was total. In January 1974, she and an IRA gang that included Eddie Gallagher hijacked a helicopter in Donegal and flew it to Strabane, where they dropped bombs in milk churns on RUC station. The devices did not explode. After Russborough an operation that had not been sanctioned by the IRAs army council the gang hid out in a rented house in Glandore. Dugdale was found near there, on May 4th, 1974, and all 19 paintings were recovered. In the film, she doesnt seem too unhappy when the gardai finally catch her. I think that was a win-win situation for her, Molloy says. Having made the film, did Joe and Christine reach a conclusion in terms of Rose, and how they felt about her? Theres something amateur, isnt there? Lawlor says. She certainly is very bright, theres no question about that. I dont know, Molloy says. I always warm to people who are fighting the fight, whatever theyre fighting for, and who are drawn to situations where there is injustice, and I think thats really what drove her. And then we get into the really tricky area of: by what means are you choosing to fight, whose life are you willing to take and how are you going to do that? There are things that happened, terrible atrocities on both sides, and thats hard to weigh up, so I think the whole thing is very complicated. But I still admire someone who looks at injustice and wants to do something about it. She was in a rogue unit, she concludes, so what they were doing hadnt even been sanctioned. They just went solo, they were impatient; they wanted things to happen. Baltimore opens in cinemas on March 22 US actress Lindsay Lohan said she became emotional when she found her son watching her in The Parent Trap. The 37-year-old admitted she does not enjoy watching her own films, with hits including Mean Girls, Freaky Friday, and Just My Luck, but will occasionally have one on in the background. I mean, if someone wants to watch it and Im there, I put it on and Im cooking in the kitchen or I have to run upstairs or Im busy doing something else, because its hearing my voice that Im like Eh, Lohan said on The Drew Barrymore Show. Lohan explained her reaction after catching her eight-month-old son Luai watching 1998s The Parent Trap, where she played twins Hallie Parker and Annie James as a child actor. I just wrapped a movie four days ago and I came home from work and my son was getting ready for dinner time, she said. And I opened the door and he was watching The Parent Trap. It was just on the TV. And I started crying because Im like, he doesnt even know thats mummy yet. I was like, do I turn it off or do I just he was kind of just staring. Because maybe, my voice is still similar to how it was then. So I was like, maybe he knows, like a little bit that its me because it sounds like me. But it was a really magical moment. I took tons of pictures of it. Jamie Lee Curtis (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Lohan starred alongside Dennis Quaid, the late Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix, Simon Kunz and Lisa Ann Walter in the Nancy Meyers-directed film. She welcomed her first child with financier Bader Shammas in July, after their wedding in April 2022. Her appearance on the chat show comes weeks after she confirmed a highly-anticipated Freaky Friday sequel is in the process. The 2003 film starred Lohan and Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis as the body-switching mother-daughter duo, based on the 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers. Lohans latest project is Netflix romantic comedy titled Irish Wish, while Curtis has recently starred in a trio of Halloween reboots. She won an Oscar last year for her supporting role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Also reviewed this week: Irish Wish and Drive-Away Dolls Nominated for the Palme dOr last year at Cannes, Hirokazu Kore-edas Monster was unlucky not to be in the mix for the Best International Feature Oscar: its a complex psychological drama that plays with your sympathies and prejudices throughout. Indeed, theres something of Kurosawas Rashomon about the film, which retells a string of schoolroom incidents from three very different points of view. In a small provincial Japanese city, Saori (Sakura Ando) is raising her pre-teen son Minato (Soya Kurokawa) alone. Her partner died recently, and Minato frets about living up to his late fathers image. One night, a building near their apartment block catches fire and burns to the ground. Monster - Trailer It housed a seedy hostess bar, and Minato hears a social media rumour that his teacher Mr Hori (Eita Nagayama) was seen coming out of it. This may predispose Saori to think poorly of the teacher, and she rushes to judgement when her son comes home from school with a bruise, and claims that Hori hit him. Minato, in any case, has begun behaving oddly: cutting his own hair without warning, and quietly chanting, Whos the monster? Something is clearly awry but when Saori rocks up to the school to protest, shes met with an opaque wall of politeness. The school principal (Yuko Tanaka) expresses her regrets, but refuses to let Saori confront Mr Hori. And when Saori finally does meet the teacher, Hori claims that Minato was bullying another student, a sensitive, dreamy boy called Eri (Hinata Hiiragi). Our point of view then shifts from the anguished mother to Mr Hori, who emerges as a much more benevolent and kindly figure than we had imagined. He is worried about Minatos apparently aggressive behaviour, but is entirely motivated by concern for Eri, who is already being bullied by others. Hirokazu Kore-edas 'Monster' Hori is concerned enough to visit Eris house, where he meets the boys father, Kiyotaka (Shido Nakamura), an abusive alcoholic and the possible source of the strange insults Minato and Eri have been chanting. Kiyotaka has become convinced that his son is gay, an aberration so far as he is concerned that must be stamped out. The ramifications of his actions will be far reaching, and in the last part of the film, told from Minatos point of view, we finally discover the truth about what happened at the school. Or do we? Monsters elegiac ending is either a wistful coda, or an olive branch of hope. In previous films, like Shoplifters and After the Storm, Hirokazu Kore-eda has offered glimpses into the hard lives of people on the edge of Japanese society. His characters are never one-dimensional, and rise and fall in our estimation as we watch. This is certainly true of Monster, which seems to be a treatise on the evils of rushing to judgement. To all the teachers she confronts, Saori seems like a harpy; yet shes a poor and busy single mother, fiercely fighting her sons corner. Minato will be accused of being a bully but is, in reality, a kind and loyal child confronting sexual and emotional issues he is ill-equipped to deal with. Mr Hori is ultimately guilty of nothing more than being a poor salesman. Even the shifty headmaster has troubles of her own, having been inadvertently responsible for the death of her grandson. Monster culminates in a violent rainstorm, on the other side of which lies heartbreak, or hope. Reviews of the film have tended to voice frustrations about the plots complexity, and Kore-edas refusal to commit to a final, unifying truth. But I love the way the story keeps you constantly thinking, and forces you to empathise with characters you might have been on the point of hating. And the chorus of bows and humble apologies that greet Saori when she comes to the school to protest is quintessential Japan, where loss of face is an existential disaster almost impossible to negotiate. In cinemas only Rating: Five stars Geraldine Viswanathan, Margaret Qualley and Beanie Feldstein in Ethan Coen's 'Drive Away Dolls'. Photo: Focus Features Drive-Away Dolls (16, 84mins) When you make a comic crime caper and the name Coen is above the title, unhelpful comparisons are inevitable. Drive-Away Dolls, which Ethan Coen directs, and co-wrote with his wife Tricia Cooke, is not as good as Raising Arizona, not a patch on Fargo but then again, was it ever going to be? Our story begins in 1990s Philadelphia, where young lesbians Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Jamie (Margaret Qualley) have very different approaches to their sexuality. While Jamie is gleefully promiscuous, Marian is shy and bookish. They dont get along too well, but are thrust together when they find a bag of money and a human head in the trunk of their rental car. To whom this head belongs need not detain us: suffice to say that Marian and Jamie find themselves pursued by two hapless goons in the employ of The Chief (a woefully underused Colman Domingo). Matt Damon shows up in an amusing cameo, Beanie Feldstein is very funny as a hot-headed lesbian cop, and Geraldine Viswanathan brings depth to a flimsy role. But ultimately, Drive-Away Dolls feels slight and derivative, a knock-off Coen brothers film. In cinemas only Rating: Three stars Lindsay Lohan as Maddie Kelly in 'Irish Wish'. Photo: Netflix Irish Wish (Netflix, 93mins) Somewhere in the mid-Atlantic lies a misty, giddy island that corresponds to Irish-American notions of Erin: our story happens there. Harried Manhattan book editor Maddie Kelly (Lindsay Lohan) has fallen in love with Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos), a dimwitted Irish author. Tragically, he has fallen for Maddies best friend Heather, and she must endure a trip to the auld sod for a lavish wedding. Pauls family live in a gaff so grand it makes Versailles look shabby, and Maddie is wandering the grounds when she wishes aloud that she was marrying Paul, not realising that an impish Saint Brigid (Dawn Bradfield) loiters nearby. When she wakes up, her dream comes true: she is about to marry Paul but meanwhile, has begun to have feelings for James Thomas (Ed Speleers), an itinerant English photographer. Thereve been loads of these films, from Leap Year to PS I Love You, and Irish Wish is not so epically dreadful as either of those. We do get diddly music, leppin locals, and Paul, who claims to be Irish, dresses like Rishi Sunak: his safety could not be guaranteed if he showed his face here. Its silly, but entirely inoffensive. On Netflix only Rating: Two stars A former footballer who took part in the false imprisonment of a man who was forced into a car, hooded and then beaten and stabbed in a caravan, has been jailed for six and a half years. The owners and operators of two Co Cork resorts have obtained temporary orders freezing the assets of two former directors alleged to have defrauded the businesses of over 1.8m. Man found guilty of groping schoolgirl (14) at Dublin bus stop Moldovan accused was later beaten by passers-by after simulating a sex act against a lamp-post Anatol Botnari (24) denied the charges. Andrew Phelan Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 16:56 A MAN has been found guilty of groping a 14-year-old girl at a Dublin bus stop, after a judge rejected his claim that he only bumped into the victim. Bank of Ireland hits out at social media giants over failure to crack down on fraudsters fake online news stories Fraudulent advertisements are increasingly appearing online and on social media channels and are designed to steal consumers money through fake financial products, investments or cryptocurrency schemes Stock image: Getty Images Cian O Broin Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 15:55 Bank of Ireland has issued a warning about an increasing number of false articles appearing on social media platforms designed to defraud customers. A group of doctors have suggested that the term long Covid should no longer be used because the long-term symptoms people can suffer with the condition are no different to those seen in the aftermath of other viruses such as flu. The research will be presented at this years European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona, Spain next month. The study by Queensland health researchers suggests that in the highly vaccinated population of Queensland exposed to the Omicron variant, long Covid's impact on the health system is likely to stem from the sheer number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 within a short period of time, rather than the severity of long Covid symptoms or functional impairment. The findings add to previous research by the same authors and published in BMJ Public Health which found no difference in ongoing symptoms and functional impairment when Covid-19 was compared to flu 12 weeks post-infection. Thousands of people in Ireland have reported long Covid symptoms and the real figure is unknown. Symptoms reported with the illness include fatigue, brain fog, cough, shortness of breath, change to smell and taste, dizziness, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. To understand more about the impact of long Covid on the Australian state of Queensland, researchers surveyed 5,112 symptomatic individuals aged 18 years and older. Laboratory reporting for Covid and flu is mandated upon PCR test request under Queenslands public health legislation, with the results recorded in the Queensland Department of Healths Notifiable Conditions System. A year after their PCR test, in May and June 2023, participants were asked about ongoing symptoms and the degree of functional impairment using a questionnaire delivered by SMS link. Overall, 16pc of all respondents reported ongoing symptoms a year later, and 3.6pc had moderate-to-severe functional impairment in their activities of daily life. After controlling for influential factors including age, sex, and First Nation status, the analysis found no evidence that Covid-19 positive adults were more likely to have moderate-to-severe functional limitations a year after their diagnosis than symptomatic adults who were negative. Moreover, results were similar when compared with the 995 symptomatic adults who had flu. In health systems with highly vaccinated populations, long Covid may have appeared to be a distinct and severe illness because of high volumes of Covid cases during the pandemic. However, we found that the rates of ongoing symptoms and functional impairment are indistinguishable from other post-viral illnesses, said Dr John Gerrard, Queenslands Chief Health Officer. "We believe it is time to stop using terms like long Covid." The authors caution that the findings are associations and do not represent prevalence. They point to several limitations, including that participants who were hospitalised or had pre-existing illness were not identifiable within the cohort. European Peoples Party plan is not compliant with international and European human rights laws, says Barry Andrews Fine Gaels European partners plan a harsh new anti-migrant policy for the EU if they prevail in elections to the Brussels parliament in June, a Fianna Fail MEP has said. The manifesto of the European Peoples Party (EPP), to which Fine Gael belongs, was adopted in Bucharest last week at a congress attended by Leo Varadkar. It calls for stepped-up deportations, the designation of a range of new safe countries to which people can be returned and deals with external countries that can take unwanted migrants for processing. Barry Andrews said the EPPs leader, Ursula von der Leyen, whom the Taoiseach helped to re-elect last week, has already agreed a deal with Tunisia on migrant returns despite evidence of widespread human rights abuses. He said: These abuses are being swept aside for political expediency. The same could be expected if there were new arrangements with countries who were prepared to trade people-processing for cash, he said. Leo Varadkar offered reassurances that these new deals would be fully compliant with the Geneva Conventions, the MEP for Dublin said. This is an odd comment, as the Geneva Conventions govern the conduct of hostilities. That aside, I struggle to see how these new deals would even be compliant with those international and European human rights laws that actually apply. Asked about the very strong new policies and reforms on migration in the EPP manifesto, Fine Gael leader Mr Varadkar said: What is contained in the EU asylum pact, which Ireland has signed up to, is the possibility that asylum-seekers could be processed in a third country. What were saying very strictly is that anything thats done and weve been part of making sure this language was included in the manifesto has to be in line with Geneva Conventions and also the European Convention on Human Rights. So its not the European version of what the UK is proposing in Rwanda, in my view. It would be something very different. But Italy, for example, has made an agreement recently with Albania that people seeking asylum could be processed there. And we have an EU arrangement with Tunisia, which Im not a huge fan of, but its more in that space. Fine Gael MEPs Sean Kelly, Deirdre Clune and Frances Fitzgerald supported the new manifesto, which they said had Fine Gael inputs. The Dublin Convention has been overtaken by events and is unfair to countries such as Greece, Malta and Italy, they claimed, since it mandates the return of illegal migrants to the EU country of first landfall. They also denied the migration pact would be a version of Britains Rwanda policy. Mrs Fitzgerald said deportations were going to increase and there would be a continuously updated list of safe countries, to which Georgia has been added. The big push in Europe and feeling is we ought to have clarity on migration policy, because countries have been a little bit all over the place, she said. That means emphasising the role of Frontex [the European border agency] and keeping up human rights standards, but saying that borders are borders. Gardai are renewing their appeal for help in finding Jack Byrne (14), who has been missing since Sunday, February 18. Jack is from Lucan, Dublin, and is known to frequent the Tallaght area. He was last seen wearing a grey and orange top, grey tracksuit bottoms, and grey runners. He is approximately 5 7 tall with a medium build and has dark brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on Jacks whereabouts is asked to contact Ronanstown Garda Station at 01 666 7700, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Colin Power says hes glad abuser is in prison A survivor of paedophile Bill Kenneally has criticised the former basketball coach for his lack of remorse, describing him as delusional and in denial. Colin Power, who was 13 when he was abused by Kenneally, has called for those who knew what he was doing and did nothing to be brought to task. Kenneally (72), of Laragh, Summerville Road, Waterford, is serving prison sentences totalling more than 18 years for abusing 15 boys on dates between 1979 and 1990. This week he has been giving evidence at the Commission of Investigation examining the response of gardai and others to allegations of sexual abuse made against him. Speaking to the Indo Daily podcast, Mr Power said Kenneallys reaction had been difficult for victims, after he refused to accept that he ruined their lives because they took 30 years to come forward. Theres no remorse there whatsoever, Mr Power said. Im glad he is where he is [in jail], to be honest, with his attitude towards the abuse he inflicted on loads and loads of kids. He tried to say it was consensual, yet he admitted to handcuffing boys, tying boys to trees, taking pictures of us I just dont know where that mindset is, but I think hes in the right place now. Convicted sex offender Bill Kenneally. Photo: Dylan Vaughan Family life takes a battering when going through something like this. This isnt just about me and the lads, its about our wives, partners, families, kids, the wider circle of friends. It affects an awful lot of people. Its not easy going through all this. "I couldnt tell you how many times weve been up and down to Dublin for the commission, but its something we took on and something we have to see through. Kenneally this week told the commission how he kept photographs of boys in a shoebox in a bedroom. He also admitted regularly giving the boys, who were aged 13 and 14, significant amounts of alcohol. The main motivation for all of this was to make sure that he couldnt do what he did to us again, to other kids Mr Power told the Indo Daily how sometimes Kenneally abused him and his friends as a group. We were abused individually and together. In November 2015, I suppose I was in a very dark place and I reached out to one of them. That was the first time I suppose I confided in anybody about how I was feeling, or the effects of the abuse on me, you know, he said. We were best friends growing up and most of us didnt see any of the lads for 30-odd years, and I think that was part of the embarrassment and the shame that it happened to us and we knew it happened to each other and, and we just cut all ties. Mr Power said the decision to waive his anonymity had been massive, because he knew it was going to have a significant impact on his family. We knew there was going to be a lot of collateral damage, but the main motivation for all of this was to make sure that he couldnt do what he did to us again, to other kids. Dancing With the Stars contestant Jason Smyth said he is looking forward to getting back to his wife and two daughters following this Sundays finale, having not been truly at home since New Years Day. The Irish Paralympian (36), who will perform in the RTE shows final on St Patricks Day with dance partner Karen Byrne, said he is looking forward to just switching off for a few days. I am looking forward to actually just being at home. I havent been home since the first of January. Just to be back home and sleep, Smyth said. However, he said he has a lot of lost time to make up with his wife Elise, so he wont be sleeping much. Smyth lives outside Belfast with Elise and their two daughters Evie (8) and Lottie (5), and originally met his American wife, who knew his uncle, when he was in the US in 2010. She and her friend had planned a trip to come to Ireland and when Smyth was visiting his uncle and father in the US, his uncle told Elise to show Smyth around, so she would have a tour guide also in Ireland. We went on a few dates and went from there. It was around the time I was living in the States for training and we did long distance for a few years before marrying in 2012, he said. Smyth said if he wins the glitterball trophy in the finale this weekend he would like to send the message of what is possible as well as what you can do and not what you cant do. Its not about a disability, it is about an ability. I think for me, through me and Karens journey, that I am beginning to show that and that others can see it, he said. Hopefully they can see it and say he can do it, then so can I. Whatever happens on Sunday, he said that because of his daughters love of dancing, it will always be a space that he will be involved with and connected to them through. He previously said his decision to take part on the show was a big hit with his children. The 21-time Paralympics medallist, once crowned the fastest Paralympian on the planet, said while there would be room made in his extensive trophy cabinet for the glitterball, it wont be making it in. Let me tell you, if we happen to win that glitterball, it will not be given to me. It will be back and forth between their two rooms and it will be as if it isnt even mine, he said. As for his daughters words for their dad ahead of Sunday, he said they absolutely love that he is in the final and want him and his dance partner to do the best that we can and enjoy it. The Dancing with the Stars final is on this Sunday at 7pm on RTE One and RTE Player. An Irish man who flew to London hoping to meet a six-year-old girl to abuse has been jailed for nearly seven years. Adrian OReilly, 49, was caught in a police sting operation after the person he was communicating with turned out to be an undercover detective. O'Reilly came to police attention in January 2023 when he exchanged vile messages with an undercover officer posing as a young girl, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. He expressed his desire to meet and abuse the young girl and flew to London from Dublin airport on March 29 last year. O'Reilly arranged to meet up with the youngster in Stratford - but to his horror he was met by a team of Met officers. He was found in possession of items including Viagra and condoms upon his arrest. OReilly, of Dublin, admitted arranging or facilitating the commission of a child offence. He was jailed for six years and nine months and handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Detective Constable Ed Hickford, who was part of the team who caught OReilly, said: Our pursuit of those who engage in illegal sexual activity with children is relentless and we will use a range of tactics to identify and arrest those responsible. In this case, OReilly thought he was communicating with a person who was offering access to a young girl. His messages were vile and he endorsed these by getting on a plane and flying to London with the intention to carry out this abuse. However, he was greeted by my team who arrested him and compiled a wealth of evidence which left him with no choice but to plead guilty, Det Hickford said. News in 90 - March 15 Members of the largest public service trade union, Forsa, have joined the largest teachers union to back the new public service pay deal in a ballot. The Forsa union announced today that 94pc of members voted in favour of the deal. There was a turnout of 67pc. Forsa represents just over 85,000 members, most of whom are employed in public services and state agencies. Forsas national executive committee issued the ballot in February with a recommendation to vote in favour of the deal. The largest teachers union earlier backed a proposed national pay deal for public servants that will mean wage hikes of 10.25pc over two and a half years. The Irish National Teachers Organisation vote paves the way for other unions to accept the wage agreement. A total of 82pc of INTO voters supported the deal and 18pc rejected it in a ballot with a turnout of 53pc. The INTOs central executive committee recommended the agreement to its members. The agreement if ratified by all public sector unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions runs up to June 2026. John Boyle, INTO general secretary who was one of the chief negotiators of the deal, said members of the union have been under financial strain in recent years due to extremely high living costs. They have recognised that the proposed agreement will significantly increase their purchasing power in the period ahead, thereby narrowing the earnings' gap that developed in the previous two years, he said. He said after two months of painstaking negotiations, the public service committee of Ictu secured an agreement that members have welcomed. The union leader said it will provide significant salary increases including a 2.25pc uplift or 1,125, whichever is greater, backdated to January 1 this year and pay certainty for the following 30 months. In keeping with the strategy adopted by union negotiators over the last four years, our newest recruits who began teaching last September will receive cumulative increases of 10.75pc while the majority of members will see their gross salaries increasing by 9.62pc during the lifetime of the agreement, he said. He said a local bargaining facility within the agreement will provide the union with a 100m fund, of which 33m will be available from 1 September 2025. We are determined to use this fund to make primary teaching as attractive a career as it was before successive governments unilaterally imposed draconian cuts to teachers' salaries and conditions of service during the austerity era, he said. We will consult with our members to ascertain which union claims they wish to see the INTO submitting next summer, so that these priorities are advanced by the start of the 2025/26 school year. The results of ballots by all unions across the public service will be announced following a meeting of the ICTU Public Services Committee on Monday March 25. The deal means: In 2024 A backdated pay rise for all public servants of 2.25pc or 1,125, whichever is greater, on January 1. A pay rise of 1pc on June 1. A pay rise of 1pc or 500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 1. In 2025 A pay rise for all public servants of 2pc or 1,000, whichever is greater, on March 1. A pay rise of 1pc on August 1. A local bargaining payment, equal to 1pc of basic pay, will be paid on September 1. In 2026 A pay rise 1pc or 500, whichever is greater, on February 1. A pay rise of 1pc on June 1. The agreement will cost 3.6bn over four years. Exclusive | They said I was going to be safe, it was going to be fun and Id probably win it Louis Walsh talks about his 1m stint on Big Brother Amnesty International Ireland activists demonstrate outside the US Embassy in Dublin urging President Joe Biden to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Picture date: Friday March 15, 2024. Mary Robinson has called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to urge the US to end its military and financial support for Israel during his high-profile visit to the White House. The chairwoman of the Elders group and former President, Ms Robinson said the focus should not be on the humanitarian situation in Gaza but on political responses to it. "Yes the humanitarian situation is utterly catastrophic and dire, reducing a people to famine, undermining all our values, but the message I want to deliver on behalf of the Elders is a direct message to our Taoiseach Leo Varadkar," Mrs Robinson said on RTE Radio. She said that Mr Varadkar should not spend "too much time" during his meeting with US President Joe Biden on the humanitarian situation and instead deliver a "direct" political message. "The United States can influence Israel by not continuing to provide arms, it has provided a lot of the arms, bombs that have been used on the Palestinian people and he's continuing to do that and he's also providing money. "This government of Prime Minister Netanyahu is on the wrong side of history, completely, and is making the United States complicit in reducing a people to famine - making the world complicit. "Leo Varadkar has access today to President Biden. He must use this completely politically at all levels with the speaker of the House with everyone, to make it clear that Israel depends on the United States for military aid and for money, that's what will change everything." This comes as protests have been held in Dublin and Belfast urging US President Joe Biden to demand a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. The Amnesty International demonstrations took place to coincide with Taoiseach Leo Varadkars meeting with Mr Biden at the White House as part of the traditional St Patricks Day visit. Activists from Amnesty gathered at US diplomatic offices in Dublin and Belfast on Friday morning holding banners that read: President Biden, listen to your Irish roots and demand a permanent ceasefire. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content A small number of Amnesty activists gathered at the gates of the offices of the US Consulate General in Belfast where they laid a bowl of shamrock at the front of the building and handed over a letter to a representative from the Consulate General. Senior politicians from Leinster House and Stormont have been in Washington DC this week to promote Irish business and culture. But pressure has been on politicians to also speak about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and to use the opportunity to call for an immediate ceasefire and to push for peace. Activists recalled Joe Bidens commitment to his Irish roots (Brian Lawless/PA) Israels military operation in the enclave was launched in response to Hamass deadly attack on October 7 that killed 1,200 people and saw militants seize more than 200 hostages. The subsequent Israeli invasion has killed more than 31,000, according to Gaza health officials, left much of the region in ruins and displaced some 80pc of Gazas 2.3 million people. Irelands Culture Minister Catherine Martin said at the SXSW festival in Austin Texas that she felt revulsion at the scale of deaths and injuries in Gaza and appealed to the US, a country with strong ties to Israel, to join us in the pursuit of peace. Amnesty International Irelands executive director Stephen Bowen said they were asking Mr Biden to hear Irish people around the world pleading for an end to the atrocities. Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in the central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Since the horrific attacks of October 7, more than 30,000 Palestinian people have been killed, the majority of them women and children. To allow this travesty to continue is unspeakable. Its time, Mr President. Call for a permanent ceasefire to end the mass humanitarian suffering in Gaza, aid the return of hostages, and calm the tensions multiplying in the region. Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: Here today Amnesty activists are gathered outside the US Consulate in Belfast, also today outside the US Embassy in Dublin and over the weekend outside the White House in Washington, as Irish leaders go to meet President Biden. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content We want them to bring a very clear message on behalf of people across Ireland north and south, to cry out for the Palestinian people, the people of Israel as well, in demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire. President Biden has loudly, proudly proclaimed his Irish roots so we are asking him to listen to people in Ireland, we are asking him to use his power to deliver a permanent and an immediate ceasefire for the benefit of all in the Middle East. He added: Some have chosen to go (to Washington) and bring the message of peace, some have stayed at home in protest, our focus is on the message itself and that is that President Biden need to listen to people in Ireland and across the world and use his power, and he has immense power diplomatically, to unequivocally call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. The Taoiseach said he did not ask US President Joe Biden to stop providing military support to Israel despite former President Mary Robinson suggesting he should. Leo Varadkar said President Biden made it very clear that the US will continue to provide military support to Israel. It was very clear that the US would continue to support Israel to defend itself so I don't think that's going to change but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used the way they are, he said. There is difference between self defence and what's happening now. That's why we need a ceasefire, he added After his meeting in the White House, Mr Varadkar said the President was in very good form and very engaged in their discussions about a range of topics. This included speaking about the restoration of the power sharing executive in Northern Ireland. They also discussed the new trading arrangements with Britain which have ensure a return to a hard border was unnecessary. They also spoke about Ukraine and the President told Mr Varadkar he is very keen for the US political institutions to follow in the footsteps of the EU and provide long term military aid for the war efforts against Russia. Speaking in the White Houses Oval Office, Mr Biden also supported Taoiseach Leo Varadkars calls for a two state solution for the on-going crisis in the Middle East. Mr Biden he twice said he agreed with Mr Varadkar when he called for a two state solution in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and when the Taoiseach said an immediate ceasefire was needed in the region. The President said Ireland and the US will continue to work together to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza. He described as a good speech Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers call for an election in Israel because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his way. The Taoiseach said he is keen to speak to Mr Biden about he the war in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire as soon as possible. We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two state solution, which I think is the only the only way well have lasting peace and security, Mr Varadkar said. Mr Biden responded saying he agreed. The President then set out the steps the US was taking to see a resolution for the war sparked by a amas terror attack on October. He said America is working with their Arab partners to bring about a humanitarian cease fire in Gaza. I know the White House the President is working very hard on that. I believe that if we can secure a humanitarian ceasefire even for a few weeks to allow hostages to be released and prisoners to be exchanged that could be possible to build something on that more permanent, the Taoiseach said. I think there really is an opportunity that something good could come out of all the horror that we've seen in the past few months and that is a possibility of a comprehensive peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours and a two state solution, he added. Mr Varadkar said he raised the case of six Irish citizens who are still trapped in war torn Gaza. Mr Varadkar also thanked Mr Biden for his leadership on the war in Ukraine. Very worried about the situation there and we dont think that if Putin is successful in Ukraine, hell stop there. We really need your continued leadership on Ukraine, he said. Mr Varadkar said he will also be speaking to Congressional leaders about the need for further US financial and military support for Ukraine. The Taoiseach said he will be meeting with EU leaders in Brussels next week to discuss the outcome of his meeting. You can tell the the President of the US is strongly committed to making sure we provide that aid (to Ukraine), Mr Biden said. It comes as Biden said he hopes the hinges of Ireland and Americas friendship never go rusty as he welcomed Mr Varadkar to the White House. Mr Biden said the Irish in America think they are more Irish than the Irish as he noted the two countries celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations this year. The US President, who is facing into a massive election fight against Donald Trump, said he always wants to come back to Ireland when asked by the Irish Independent if he would return after his near week long visit last year. A woman is in a critical condition after a car entered the water along the River Corrib on the outskirts of Galway city this morning. Two occupants of the car a woman aged in her 30s and a man in his 40s were rushed to University Hospital Galway. It is understood the incident happened close to Menlo Pier shortly after 7am. The woman is said to be in a critical condition, while the man's injuries are not thought to be life threatening. No other vehicles were involved in the incident. Initial inquiries suggest the car hit a wall and then entered the water. Gardai are still at the scene, which has been sealed off, pending an examination by forensic collision investigators. The Coolough Road is closed and local diversions are in place. Last year, three teenagers tragically died in an area close by to this morning's incident, when the car they were in entered the Corrib. News in 90 - March 15 The Jaws poster could fetch between 180 to 280 An original poster of A Clockwork Orange is estimated to sell for between 400 and 800 Banned films make for collectible posters. The more controversial the film, the better they sell. And you cant get more controversial than Stanley Kubricks A Clockwork Orange (1971). The film is a faithful adaptation of Anthony Burgess powerfully disturbing dystopian novel of the same name. It follows the story of Alex (Malcolm McDowell), a teenage gang leader hooked on Beethoven and ultra-violence. A Clockwork Orange was banned in Ireland until 1999. It was scheduled for release on St Patricks Day 2000, accompanied by a replica of the original poster. The censor passed the film with an 18 certificate, but rejected the poster because of the words rape and ultra-violence in the tag line. An original British poster (76cm x 100cm) of the film is going under the hammer at Victor Mees Battlefields and Silverscreens sale on Thursday, March 21, at 5.30pm. The poster (Lot 352) is estimated to sell for between 400 and 800. It comes from a collection of 36 original cinema posters. A Clockwork Orange has become a cult classic. Critical opinion was, and remains, divided between every teen should see this and this is pure nasty and possibly dangerous. The film was released in the UK in 1972, but withdrawn in 1973 at Kubricks request. A Clockwork Orange had been cited as an influence on horrific copycat crimes. Protesters gathered outside Kubricks home and both he and his wife received threats. A Clockwork Orange was difficult to see in the UK until its release in 2000, after Kubricks death. I saw it in at a special screening at a private cinema club in Notting Hill, says John Appleby, the film poster aficionado whose collection is going on sale. Some would say its a masterpiece and others would say its violence for violences sake. He purchased the poster at an estate sale in London around 1994. It cost a pretty penny back in the day. An original The Aristocats poster Because the film was withdrawn, only a limited number of posters were printed. Being hard to come by, the surviving originals are both coveted and valuable. Appleby, who lives in North County Dublin, is selling his collection because hes run out of wall space. For collectors of film posters, this is an occupational hazard. My wife had a word with me, he says. We dont have room to display all the posters and they really should be on someones wall giving enjoyment. "Everyone has wall space and its good to use it to display something rare that appreciates in value. As is the way with collectors, the posters he loves most arent necessarily the most valuable. The poster for The Aristocats (Lot 332: est 80 to 160) has strong sentimental value. The animated musical comedy was produced by Walt Disney Productions, with the voices of Phil Harris and Eva Gabor. Its one of the ones I like best, he says. Its partly because of the artwork, but also because it was one of the first films I ever saw in the cinema. All the posters are unrestored originals. Theyre all in their original condition, Appleby says. Some, like the poster for Chinatown (Lot 361: est 50 to 100) are linen-backed, which makes them more durable. Chinatown starred Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway The American neo-noir mystery, starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, was directed by Roman Polanski and released in 1974. A few of the posters have seen better days. All are delicate objects, shipped to cinemas along with the film canisters, and never intended to endure for longer than the films release. Most fell by the wayside and those that survive only do so because some foresighted cinema worker or passing film buff asked to keep a poster and treated it well. Its an eclectic selection. Some of the films, like Jaws (1975) starring Roy Scheider & Richard Dreyfuss (Lot 370: est 180 to 280) need no introduction. The Jaws poster could fetch between 180 to 280 Others, like a poster for Satchmo The Great, a 1957 documentary chronicling Louis Armstrongs 1955 international tour, are rare. The poster (Lot 357: est 140 to 240) was used at a cinema in The Hague and carries the central commissioners stamp. Like all those who downsize their collections, Appleby has a few posters that he cant bear to part with. They would include my first poster One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest with Jack Nicholson, he says. Thats not in the sale. Its my pride and joy. Ive always loved cinema and Ive always loved films, but that was the first poster I ever bought. Then one thing led to another and it takes over your life! See victormeeauctions.ie. Boy On A Swing (1890) could fetch between 5,000-8,000 at auction Military Manoeuvres, a painting of raggedy children pretending to be a military band, is a popular favourite at the National Gallery of Ireland. A smaller painting by the same artist Richard Thomas Moynan RHA (1856-1906) is going under the hammer at Adams sale of Important Irish Art on Wednesday, March 27, at 6pm. Boy On A Swing (1890) (Lot 105: 5,000 to 8,000) is emerging from 50 years in a private collection. It shows a sweet but unkempt barefoot child enjoying a rare treat. Predictably, the lot with the highest estimate is Paul Henrys The Bog, 1911 (Lot 16: est 60,000 to 80,000). See adams.ie. Eliza Doolittle In Dublin De Veres De Veres Irish Art Auction takes place on Tuesday, March 26, at 2pm following viewing at 35 Kildare Street. Highlights of the sale include Sean Keatings Eliza Doolittle In Dublin (Lot 27), which shows a daffodil seller in Dublin in 1965 and is inspired by George Bernard Shaws Pygmalion. John B Vallelys Ready For The Final Sprint (Lot 7) shows competitive cyclists in action and Wind Blown Tree, Killary (Lot 12) by Letitia Hamilton depicts a tree sculpted by the wind. See deveres.ie. Hibernian Antique Fairs The National Antiques Fair takes place at Limerick Racecourse (V94 K858) on March 16-17, from 11am to 6pm on each day. Adult admission costs 5 and covers both days. Expect to meet a new generation of younger dealers including Rory OHanlon from Cork, amid the familiar faces. So brilliant to see new blood coming on the scene, says fair organiser, Robin ODonnell. For more information, see Friends of Hibernian Antique Fairs on Facebook. Humans are at their happiest when green spaces are near, so you can bring it into your home with natural materials Biophilic design is not a trend. Its a fundamental human requirement. Our homes are our natural habitat and we are healthier, happier and more productive when they include elements of nature. Living plants, fresh air and sunlight are hugely important to our wellbeing, but natural materials (like wood or stone) also play their part. So do images of the living world. In an ideal scenario, all our windows would look out over woods and hills. Where thats not possible, a nice landscape painting addresses the need for leafy horizons. All of this comes under the heading of biophilic design, a multi-faceted design philosophy. If design doesnt focus on aspects of the natural world that contribute to human health and productivity in the age-old struggle to be fit and survive, its not biophilic, wrote Stephen R. Kellert, professor of social ecology and biophilia advocate. Biophilic design with paint from Colourtrend Thats the theory. The fun part is that creatives are forever coming up with interesting ways of bringing nature into the home. Chicken-feather lampshades, anyone? Coldharbour Lights is a London-based company run by Lottie Davies. It all began in 2016 when Davies was working in a studio next door to a milliner. She gave me a bunch of feathers to play with and I never looked back, she says. One of the things I love about working with feathers is Im not really on my own. Im working with Mother Nature. Shes my greatest collaborator. Theres a wildness in the design. Her feathery creations are a link with the barnyard and all that happens there. Theyre also stylish accent pieces for interiors and a clear reminder that biophilic design does not have to look earthy. It can also be full-on glam. The Bertie two-tiered feather chandelier from Coldharbour Lights Being handmade in London by a craftsperson using responsible sourced and sustainably dyed poultry feathers, the lampshades from Coldharbour Lights are not cheap. They range from the Juliette (443), a pendant shade of hen and goose feathers with a boucle trim and a hanging dome of brass ball chain (47cm diameter) to the fantabulous Coco (3,478). This is three-tier feather lampshade that descends from a top tier (115 cm diameter) through a 150 cm drop with a subtle scattering of slinky chains and sparkly crystal drops. The first Coco was designed for a couple who lived in a converted church, Davis says. Its not the sort of work that will fit into any home. The Juliette is much tamer and it sells a lot. All her designs are sold as shades, rather than complete light fittings. Its easy to put them up and take them down. Theres no installation process and this makes them suitable for someone who wants something extraordinary in a rented home. But we can also supply the fittings on request. Davies shades are designed in collaboration with her clients. Each takes its name from the person that helped her develop it. The Akynos shade (984) was designed for an American plus-size stripper, living and working in Berlin. Akynos is her stage name, Davies explains. Shes black, so she wanted black feathers as part of the design, and also hot pink and rose pink because she loves the smell of roses. She has her shade hanging above her bed. Like all the shades in the Rio range, its made with cockerel tail feathers. Biophilic design typically engages as many senses as possible. I encourage people to touch them. Its part of the appeal. If Im at a trade show and a bald man who seems friendly approaches, I encourage him to stand under a lamp and feel the coolness of the chain base and the softness of the feathers. Biophilic wall surface from Interie Back in Dublin, former cybercrime investigator Paola Di Legge has left office life behind. Now, she runs Ninfa Studio where she makes wall art and decorative objects from preserved moss. Im Italian, living in Dublin for 20 years, she says. For most of that time I was working at an office desk under artificial light and far away from a window. Eventually, she took a career break. Id discovered preserved flowers and moss. Theyre a natural product, they look vibrant and beautiful, but they last for a very long time. She began to research biophilic design. Having nature in the home helps your wellbeing its good for your mental and physical health and as I started to work with moss frames, I really felt the difference. Paola Di Legge of Ninfa Studio Not everyone can turn their career-break project into a successful career, but Di Legge has done precisely that. Her wall art (from 75 to 870) is made of natural moss arranged within a frame. I never thought I would become an artist, she says. I started making the frames because I enjoyed working with nature but my family and friends encouraged me to try selling them as artworks. And it works! The moss comes from Scandinavia and is preserved in France. Id rather leave the moss-gathering to the experts. Its not my area of expertise. Reindeer moss is actually a lichen and grows very slowly. Its also eaten by animals so its very important that its sustainably harvested. The preservation process is also subject to checks and balances. They replace the natural sap of the plant with natural preservatives, like glycerine, which keeps it vibrant and flexible. And the dyes are food-safe colourants. Moss art from Ninfa Studio Moss frames from Ninfa Studio last for several years and do not require maintenance. They need to be kept indoors, so they wouldnt work in a conservatory. They dont like direct sunlight and they prefer low humidity. Theyd be fine in a guest bathroom but not in a main bathroom where people are having showers every day. While most art is to be seen and not touched, the tactility of these pieces is part of their attraction. Its a sensory experience. The moss is delicate, but you can touch it gently, and I also make sensory frames which are made to be touched. The frames are a useful way of bringing nature into a home office or a space that may be low in natural light, but some clients commission larger pieces for open plan spaces in newly built homes. Theyre a great conversation starter! Biophilia is not a look. In a home of neon-bright plastics, living plants can lift the spirits and bring nature into the ensemble without compromising the aesthetic. Green plants go with absolutely any interior. Theres convincing research to say that artificial plants carry some of the same benefits, but everyone has their own level of tolerance. I draw the line at artificial greenery it leaves me feeling deceived but Ive heard it brings joy to many. coldharbourlights.com, ninfastudio.com Finn Lough: How a brother and sister turned frozen bank funds into fantasy bubble domes The Co Fermanagh bubble domes are one of Instagrams hottest tickets, but the idea took a lot of hard work (and convincing of banks) to realise... Finn Lough - the Irish bubble domes that took the internet by storm Chrissie Russell Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 03:30 As soon as Michael Beare sent his sister Gillian a picture of transparent inflatable domes hed spotted at a trade fair in Barcelona, she knew they were exactly what theyd been looking for. Last Friday, the Irish people voted decisively to reject proposals we made to amend the Constitution on the family and care. The next day, I said that the Government would accept and respect the outcome. So what does this mean? A Palestinian child begs for food in Rafah, Gaza, where the risk of famine has intensified following incessant Israeli attacks. Photo: Reuters In prolonged conflicts, the worst thing that can happen is we become numb to the plight of those suffering. In the face of a catastrophe in which at least 576,000 Palestinians are one step away from famine, according to the UN, this is no time for the international community to be indifferent or complacent. In a world of hyper-stimulation where competition for our attention has never been more intense, it is easy to be diverted or distracted from real-time catastrophes. Thus, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell may have been hoping to shock people back to their senses with a jarring reminder that the lack of aid entering Gaza was a man-made disaster. In a forceful speech, he also told the UN security council that hunger was being used as a war arm. This humanitarian crisis is not a natural disaster, is not a flood, is not an earthquake, it is man-made, Mr Borrell said in New York. He has repeatedly criticised Israel over its conduct in Gaza, where more than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children. He called on those who condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine to use the same words when discussing Israels aggression towards Gaza. In such a context, people may welcome the fact that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will do something about it. He has pledged to press US president Joe Biden to become involved in a Middle East peace push. Mr Biden would not be the first US president to take such action two of his predecessors, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, pushed for peace in the region. Mr Varadkar also said he would use his St Patricks weekend meeting to thank Mr Biden for US support in Ukraine. The Taoiseach said: We need to remember the lessons from the 1930s. You cant appease a dictator. Putin will come back for more. In Ukraine and in Israel, America has a decisive role to play. Washington continues to urge the Israeli government of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to protect civilians and find a path for a long-term peace, but with so much now in the balance, efforts must be increased. Last week, US vice-president Kamala Harris said the US could no longer accept excuses from Tel Aviv when it comes to blocking aid. A ceasefire is now absolutely vital to avert famine, but also to facilitate talks and the release of hostages. It is understood Mr Biden has not spoken to Mr Netanyahu for over a month. According to reports in the US, Mr Biden was recently caught on a hot mic telling a senator he needed to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with Mr Netanyahu. Clearly, support for Israel in the Biden administration is becoming more conditional. There can be no more ambiguity. The time for clear and direct messaging is overdue. Unmanaged, uncontrolled and inhumane is how a doctor summed up the living conditions of about 200 men sleeping in a ramshackle camp in the centre of our capital. Dr Angela Skuse told RTE: As a country, we need to provide a managed emergency shelter for them. Meanwhile, speaking in Boston, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told his audience Saint Patrick was a migrant to Ireland a single, male, undocumented one. He added: The story of Saint Patrick teaches us that migration is nothing new. It has always been part of our national story. Perhaps. But one might expect conditions would have improved compared with those of the fifth century, when our patron saint first landed on our shores. There is nothing to be gained by virtue signalling, or a pretence that we can throw open our doors to the world. Far more important is to recognise the duty of care we owe to those we are obliged to assist. There is, as Mr Varadkar noted, a context. There has been a quadrupling in the number of people entering Ireland irregularly since 2019. We cannot guarantee accommodation to people who turn up without going through the system. Yet our responsibility to provide for basic human needs, for those who are here now, stands. Labours justice spokesman Aodhan O Riordain, commenting on the particularly degrading conditions, has claimed there is a victim punishment approach from the Government. The intention is clearly to discourage people from coming, he charged. Those fleeing from war need to be prioritised. The five new accommodation centres for Ukrainian refugees should offer some reassurance in this regard. As the Taoiseach said, it is push factors that drive people to leave their homes. It is shameful that Europe still struggles to find a more structured approach. The bloc finally reached agreement at the end of last year on new rules to share the cost and work of hosting migrants more evenly. It also agreed to limit the number of people coming in. Accelerated vetting of irregular arrivals, creating border-detention centres and more rapid deportation for rejected asylum applicants were embraced. And a fairer mechanism for southern countries experiencing far higher numbers of applicants was to be adopted. Now, the European Peoples Party (EPP) of which Fine Gael is a member has released its manifesto for illegal migration for the European elections. Controversially, it would see asylum applicants sent to a safe third country to be processed, and possibly granted asylum there if approved. Finland, which borders Russia, has now appealed to the EU for a response to what it called weaponised immigration. We see an outside power, who is hostile toward us, making use of civilian people from third countries, its foreign minister Elina Valtonen said. A co-ordinated, humane approach has to be uniformly implemented. A race to the bottom, spurred by political expediency, as parties vie to be the toughest with the worlds most vulnerable, cannot be allowed. I refer to Mary McCarthys article about accommodating asylum-seekers in tents (Cead mile failte? Tell that to the people living in tents after fleeing horror of war, Irish Independent, March 14). The State is acting like a headless chicken in all of this. The cynical might even suggest that a state policy of letting the asylum ghettos continue to grow is deliberate. Perhaps they want awful pictures to circulate in a futile attempt to deter others arriving in Ireland. There are a host of reasons why asylum-seekers continue to arrive and each of the reasons needs to be analysed and addressed. Publishing photos of filthy, polluted Dublin streets is unlikely to be a basis for people avoiding coming to Ireland, especially when they are escaping far more appalling circumstances in their own countries. International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) is an effective failure. It claims to be doing its best. No housing, too many people coming, delays in available accommodation they are all on the Ipas explanation list. Meanwhile, asylum-seekers are given a pittance and effectively left to pitch a tent on the street. These explanations do not advance any solutions for what should be done about the new ghettos or tent cities. If you let the people into the country, you must provide for them. You cannot treat them like stray dogs. There are solutions. They may not be perfect, but they are infinitely better than what is happening now. If tents are the only option in the short term, then a proper tent city should be established. There are nearly 1,800 acres in the Phoenix Park. In emergency circumstances, surely a couple of acres could be used to house asylum-seekers in more suitable circumstances than the present ones. Suzanne Kelly, Mount Street, Dublin Trauma of Israeli attacks on Gaza will continue to be felt by future generations The Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI) is committed to upholding equal human rights for everyone. This compels us to voice our horror at what is happening in Gaza. We also acknowledge and condemn the devastation wrought on the Israeli people last October 7 by Hamas, and the continuing distress as loved ones await the release of the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza. However, nothing can justify what the world is currently witnessing in Gaza. As systemic therapists, we are acutely aware of how prejudicial narratives from those in power can lead to dehumanisation. In turn, this facilitates justification for the indiscriminate killing of people. This is the case currently in Gaza, which has led to South Africa bringing a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa argues that this is a genocide, and the ICJ has ruled that Israel has a case to answer. As mental health professionals, we must declare our deep concern for the unimaginable grief inflicted on Palestinian people due to the loss of entire families. The effects of this war on the mental health of these people is unquantifiable. We understand the wide-ranging impact of trauma on individuals, families, and societies. Research shows it continues for generations. As the death toll of innocent civilians increases, and as famine and starvation has become a reality, we are compelled to protest at the disproportionate effects of the military onslaught on the lives of many innocent people. We are particularly horrified at the multiple deaths of women and children. The FTAI adds its voice to the national and international calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We urge all sides to commit to talks geared towards sustained peace. Maureen Treanor, Naul, Co Dublin Mayor candidate isnt the first to change her politics think of the referendums Hugh OConnell has opened up a can of worms with his article revealing Fianna Fails candidate for Limerick mayor is a former member of Fine Gael (FF mayor candidate is former member of FG who said Micheal Martin is not a leader, Irish Independent, March 14). As the headline suggests, Dee Ryan has a history of attacks on the party she is now running for. But she is not the first candidate to change her politics. As recently as last week, a number of high-profile people changed sides when the results of last weeks referendums were announced. There were even a few who went off to a rugby game in England and did not vote at all . Dee Ryan has a chance of winning this contest. It could be the shot in the arm Fianna Fail needs. Limerick is the first city to have an election for a mayor. I hope they pick the best candidate Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo Eamon Ryan and the other 159 TDs should pay 23m wasted on pointless vote Eamon Ryan thinks the 23m spent on the referendums was money well spent. He will struggle to find many who agree. For 23m, you could have built more than 300 houses for homeless people. As I dont recall any objections by TDs to these unnecessary referendums, all 160 of them should have to cover the cost. That works out at 143,750 each. Unless there is a national emergency, referendums should only be held on the day of local or general elections. Hundreds of thousands of Irish voters had to leave their homes and families to get out and vote on something that was essentially pointless. This shows a complete disregard for the lives of our people by the Government. The sooner we have a general election, the better. John Fair, Castlebar, Co Mayo Relentless bias against US Republicans is not a look Ireland should be going for Ian ODoherty has tackled calls to boycott the St Patricks Day visit to the White House (Boycotting St Patricks Day visit to White House would drop a diplomatic clanger, Comment, March 13). He refers to the levels of American investment we enjoy. This leads me to query if Bord Failte has any qualms about the message going out from Ireland that only Democratic Party members are welcome here? Our media coverage is relentless in its bias against the Republican Party. American investors here are hardly happy with this position. In the interest of factual and balanced reporting, it would seem wise to address this issue. Mary Stewart, Donegal Town German supermarket retailer Lidl has lodged a planning application for the development of a new store in Carrigtwohill in Cork. The application has requested for the new state of the art supermarket to be accessed via Castlelake Avenue, just off Cork road. The full plans include a 112-space car park with electric vehicle (EV) charging points, store space of just under 2,500 square metres, 32 bicycle spaces, and a range of amenities, such as deposit return scheme facilities and staff facilities. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details The supermarket will provide 30 new jobs as well as aiding hundreds of positions during the development and construction phases. Welcoming the announcement, Tara OConnor, Lidl Ireland Regional Managing Director, said the company is thrilled to progress plans for the residents of Carrigtwohill. Carrigtwohill is undergoing real regeneration at the moment, with Cork County Councils Urban Regeneration and Development Fund initiative sparking inward investment and facilitating rapid population growth as the town becomes an increasingly attractive place to live, work and invest, she said. This growth is only set to continue, and the new Lidl Carrigtwohill store is a strategically important location for us, bringing a multi-million-euro investment and new jobs to the local area and providing residents with a new shopping facility, she added. There are Lidl supermarkets located in nearby Cobh, Midleton, and Glanmire, but this marks the first in Carrigtwohill. Lidl Ireland currently employs more than 6,000 employees in its 179 stores. The search to find the Cork Rose for 2024 has been officially launched with current Cork Rose Kate Shaughnessy making the announcement this years candidate will be chosen on Saturday, June 8 at the Rochestown Park Hotel. She was joined by Cork Rose Centre Coordinators Katie Connolly and Heather Mulcahy as well as Cork Rose Centre team members Shane Connolly, Lauren Faul and Nicola Mullen. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Kate spoke encouraged anyone considering taking part to apply. It will be bittersweet for me as I have loved every minute of it, but I am so excited to meet all the new Cork Rose entrants and for the amazing experience theyre about to start. The people of Cork and the Cork Rose Team have been such a support to me over the last year and I have no doubt theyre about to do it all over again for the next Cork Rose, she said. Prior to the selection, entrants will enjoy several days out, including a Rose tour around some of Corks finest establishments and landmarks in the run-up to the event. The lucky candidate chosen to represent Cork at the Rose of Tralee International Festival will undertake a busy fortnight in August, beginning with the Rose Tour alongside the other national and international Rose. The Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place this year from Friday, August 16 to Tuesday, August 20. Those interested in applying for the Cork Rose selection can apply by visiting here. Always busy, at peak times Main Steret in Charleville is choc-a-bloc with traffic travelling between Cork and Limerick. Members of Charleville Community Forum have requested a meeting with Cork County Council officials and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) regarding the proposed ring road in the North Cork town. The request was made on behalf of Charleville Community Forum by Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle under Any Other Business at a recent Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District meeting. Cllr Doyle provided members with an update on the pedestrian safety works that are currently underway in Charleville. We are all aware of the need for pedestrian safety measures to be put in place in Charleville. We have started the works in Charleville and that is to be welcomed. Thanks to the work of this committee, Dennis ORegan (Senior Executive Engineer) and our national roads office, works have commenced in Charleville for this pedestrian safety. There is a very comprehensive plan being put in place by our executive here for the work, he said. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details A number of fatalities have occurred on Charlevilles Main Street in recent months, which is on the N20 National Primary Route between Cork and Limerick cities. There are in excess of 14,000 vehicles per day passing through the street as they travel between Cork and Limerick cities and vice versa. Turning his attention to the ring road for Charleville, Cllr Doyle said: We are all aware of the need for a ring road to be put in Charleville. Thankfully the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have allocated 50,000 this year to kick start the possibility and the feasibility of a ring road. That is welcome. There have been many public meetings in Charleville which I have attended. This Charleville Community Forum asked me to put in a request that they would set up a meeting with Dennis (Senior Executive Engineer), the design office and TII to discuss the problem in Charleville, he added. Senior Executive Engineer with Cork County Council Dennis ORegan replied that he will relay the request to the other departments in the local authority and TII. I would recommend the protocol whereby members would represent the general public and also them in meetings with the executive. I can relay that request to other departments within Cork County Council and TII. I will provide members with an update. Staff and students at St Anthonys National School in Ballinlough in Cork skipped through the school gates this week beaming with pride that their past pupil was now an Oscar winning actor. Cillian Murphy, whose parents Mary and Brendan still live in Ballintemple in the suburbs of Cork city, attended the school from 1982 to 1988. The school has been in the national headlines as a result, with the young students pictured jumping for joy and screaming congratulations for the first Irish-born actor to win the Best Actor award. Principal Sean Lyons spoke about the pride and joy he felt knowing a past pupil has won such an achievement. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details It is absolutely amazing and as a school community we are delighted for Cillian, his family and his parents on this remarkable, historic achievement. To think a boy from Ballinlough in Cork could go all the way to Hollywood. Through his talent, hard work and dedication he was able to reach the pinnacle of his career and win an Oscar. In doing so he has been inspirational to many by working hard and overcoming many hurdles. He has shown that in any body of work, whether its creative arts, sport, literature, politics, you can doing anything if you aim for it, work hard and persevere. Dream high, reach those stars and you might just get there, he said. St Anthony's National School sign for Cillian Murphy. The principal said that throughout school, and beyond, Cillian has always remained humble, focussed, appreciative and thankful to those around him. Were absolutely delighted and over the moon for him and his family. Knowing Cillian, hes going to continue to work hard and be the great person that he is, Mr Lyons added. Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who also lives in Ballinlough, also paid tribute to Mr Murphy following his Oscar win for his role as theoretical physicist, J Robert Oppenheimer, in the film Oppenheimer. This is so well deserved. It was a truly outstanding performance by Cillian in Oppenheimer which is a truly outstanding film. It will stand the test of time. Leeside and Cork is absolutely delighted for him and his wonderful family, he said. St Anthonys gained national attention in the week leading up to the 96th Academy Awards when a picture of a poster wishing Cillian Murphy the best of luck outside the school went viral across social media and was shared by a number of Irish media outlets. A senior Garda has asked the public for help to make sure everyone is safe over the the course of the festivities The Cork city chief superintendent has asked the public to 'Please refrain from any on-street, public consumption of alcohol'. The Garda chief superintendent of Cork city has asked those attending St Patricks Day festivities over the weekend to not consume alcohol in public places, as it wont be tolerated. Speaking ahead of the Cork St Patricks Day Festival, which commences today, Friday, March 14, chief superintendent Thomas Myers said that the coming bank holiday weekend promises to be a family-friendly occasion for people of all ages to enjoy. "We have been working closely with Cork City Council and festival organisers to ensure that a full policing plan is in place to safely facilitate the parade and the range of planned events due to take place around the city, chief superintendent Myers said. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details "Gardai will be out working hard throughout the weekend to make sure that everyone is safe and we ask for the publics help in this. Please refrain from any on-street, public consumption of alcohol most especially during the day. It wont be tolerated. The senior Garda official also said that the Gardais Road Traffic Management Plan for the city is aimed at causing minimum disruption for people while this weekends parade is ongoing. We will as always be doing our very best in making sure that all those living in and visiting the city will have a nice Bank Holiday weekend, and our priority is that everyone safely enjoys themselves, the chief superintendent said, and added: "La fheile Padraig sona daoibh. A Garda statement has advised those attending the parade in Cork to arrive early and pick an area along the route to watch the parade. People are also advised to keep children under close supervision and follow the instructions of Gardai and stewards. Gardai have also advised those heading out to mind their personal belongings, and drink alcohol responsibly. The public has also been instructed to never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, and be mindful of the morning after a night out, and not let any family member or friend to walk home alone. Cork County Council is currently preparing a brief for the appointment of a consultant in consultation with Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) for the development of a strategy for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the southwest region. The news was relayed by a senior official with the local authority at a recent full council meeting after a motion from Fianna Fail councillor Gillian Coughlan who sought an update on the future provision of public EV chargers across County Cork. Fianna Fail councillor Gillian Coughlan highlighted the growing increase in sales of electric cars. The popularity of electric vehicles is rising. In 2022 there were 16,162 electric vehicles registered in Ireland. In 2023 22,493 were registered and in January this year there was a 11.5% increase in sales of electric vehicles, she said. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Cllr Coughlan said more needs to be done to facilitate people who are travelling in electric vehicles throughout Cork County. 80% of charging of these vehicles is done in the home according to the Society of Irish Motor Industry. I think as a local authority we do need to facilitate people who are travelling and particularly tourists. Of course there will be private operators in the market but if we are real about climate change we should be considering ducting for electric vehicle chargers in our main streets. We as a local authority own prime real estate. If we want our town centres to thrive and to be areas of commercial activity we have to facilitate electric vehicles. Im asking that we look ahead and ensure that any physical infrastructure that needs to be provided would be done in advance and consider our public car parks for electric vehicle charging. If you are on holidays or away from home you need some recourse to charging, she added. Her party colleague Cllr Sean ODonovan seconded the motion. I think there are 113 public chargers in County Cork which is a very small number. When we are putting in the infrastructure such as new lighting maybe they could be incorporated into the new polls that are being installed. We need to future proof our towns and villages for what is to come. Fianna Fail councillor Seamus McGrath also spoke in support of the motion. Electric vehicles are part of the solution into the future in terms of reducing our emissions from the transportation sector. We need to provide the facilities and the infrastructure to accommodate them. Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry said it needs to be rolled out sooner rather than later and especially in the tourism areas in Cork. Labour Party councillor Cathal Rasmussen said it is very important these resources are provided in areas around the county. We are inundated with people coming to Cobh in electric vehicles. We have one location for a charger but it is very slow. We need to put in fast chargers. We need to get on with this. It is very important to provide these resources for tourists when they come to our towns. It is a no-brainer, said the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn. I cant understand why this rollout hasnt happened much faster. There is a very big niche in the market. It is taking far too long. Niall Healy Director of Services, Roads and Transportation with Cork County Council provided an update in a written reply to the councillors. Cork County Council is currently preparing a brief for the appointment of a consultant in consultation with Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) for the development of a strategy for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the southwest region. Cork County Council is partnered with Kerry County Council in the development of the strategy (Cork County is the lead authority). This strategy, when developed, will set out the requirements for EV chargers across Cork County and Kerry, he added. Chief Executive of Cork County Council Valerie OSullivan said the local authority are always sourcing new avenues for installing EV chargers. We take every opportunity we can when we are doing any work in any town to find a way of installing EV chargers. We make it part of how we deal with all housing developments and planning applications. We are trying to take those opportunities as they arise and waiting on the strategy with Kerry. It is ongoing. First Dates Ireland shows how true courtship will always win the game It was a case of true courtship in Episode 11 of the latest series of First Dates Ireland, as badminton player Long (25), from Vietnam, was matched with personal trainer Amanda (25), from Shankill, south county Dublin. Long arrived looking immaculate in a white shirt and oozed confidence as he waited for the arrival of Amanda. Im tired of the singles game, said Long, that being Cupids game and not badminton, as he insists he wants more than friends with benefits. The dating culture is somewhat more conservative in Vietnam than in Ireland, Long explains, as he outlines the three magic laws of attraction, the first being, well, attraction. If thats not there from the get-go then its pretty much doomed. The second is trust, which takes time. Thirdly, both parties need to have the same goals and ambitions in life to be compatible. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Long who studied pharmacy at UCC came to Ireland seven years ago, so it could very well be that familiarity with those rules has become a tad rusty, as he says he is looking for a partner who is ideally skinny, fit and hot. Lo and behold, no sooner have those words come out of his mouth than viewers are treated to a rear view of personal trainer Amanda, arriving in gear that, well, may be more suited to the gym than fine dining. Long didnt mind though. His eyes twinkled with approval as they sat and got down to the brass tacks. Now the attraction box was ticked off, it was over to the trust part for Long. Amanda had said she takes it as it comes concerning sex on the first date. But as those words were uttered off camera, Long wasnt privy. With clips of her doing a very impressive handstand, Amanda also said that she would give myself a 10 in the judging stakes, and added that as she was now 25, she doesnt want to be waiting until 35 or 45 to have kids and get married. "I want to be able to find the one now, she said. Would Long share that goal then? Its a big ask, in fairness. Read more First Dates fate of Wicklow mum and French suitor leaves viewers confused Back to the table, and Amanda wants to know if Long has any tattoos. And he does. But just the one. Whereas Amanda has lots of them. You can sense a game of You show me yours and Ill show you mine coming on, but as Long has just the one, its a little imbalanced so he opts to give Amanda a flash. But on his phone. The tattoo is not really what you would expect, or maybe you would, given he has mentioned how important badminton was to his foundations as a person. He holds up his phone and there, right next to his navel, are two badminton rackets and a shuttle cock. Amanda doesnt look too impressed really, so Long does the explaining bit, which is always a gamble on a first date. The reason he got inked with two badminton rackets (and a shuttle cock) was because hed had a cardiac arrest on a badminton court, playing against the number 2 in the land, and if it wasnt for the intervention of a friend with a defibrillator, well, it would have been his last game on this Earth. Amanda? Impressed yet? O s***, she says with a titter. "I could have gone that day, Long said, adding that it put a lot of things in perspective in terms of his outlook on life. Amanda looks like she has just been told that tomorrow the forecast is for rain with some sunny spells. Good, Im glad, she says, and off she pops to the bathroom. We dont get to see what the couple have ordered for din-dins, which is always a telling sign does he eat meat and is she a plant-based consumer, and so on. But what we do get to see is Long, the sneak, copping a glance at Amandas Instagram account and he seems very titillated at a clip of her benching what would bring most men to tears. It puts his badminton racket tattoo (with the shuttle cock) to shame, even with the near-death story. Amanda returns. Long drops the phone like a hot potato. "Did you miss me? she says. Wait. Did we miss something? How long was she gone (no pun intended)? Did she slip off to the gym to bench 200 kilos between courses? Then she spots the phone and her face darkens. "Were you looking at my Instagram? Long fesses up. He tells her how impressed he was and the darkness lifts to reveal a glowing smile. Thats it. Theres the click. This has to be a winning couple, surely. The bill arrives always telling. Long? Long? Wheres that honour, now? Yes! He offers to pay the bill, insists even, no questions asked. Amanda loves it. But she wants to know the damage and he wont tell her. Its disappeared, he says, presumably talking about the bill, not that awful tattoo. Im a magician, he says. Cue the double entendre about teaching tricks and they both have a giggle. But Long is looking a bit nervous for the first time, whereas Amanda is cool as a cucumber. Its that moment of truth, he knows it could go any way, whereas Amanda knows already its in the bag. So, are they going to see each other again? Well, is badminton played with a shuttle cock? Of course they are. We got along really well, he is a really nice guy. We could be married in five years, Amanda says. The death of the oldest member of the Carey Clan has pushed the family to travel to Ireland to find out more about their Irish past and keep their Irish heritage alive A group of 15 extended family members spanning three generations from age 19 up to 77, will make the long trek from America to Ireland this St. Patricks Day in hopes to uncover insights into their Irish heritage. Individual members of the Carey Clan have visited Ireland before with the aim to uncover the secrets of their Irish past, but unfortunately ran into roadblocks in their research. These obstacles centred largely around the dearth of documentation caused by the 1922 fire at the Dublin Four Courts. Now the family have come together for a special visit to their ancestral homeland, which they hope might lead to interactions with Kilkenny locals who may be able to flesh out their family tree, with memories, anecdotes and family links not found in the official record books. Follow Independent Kilkenny on Facebook The Carey Clan members, who live in various locations across America such as Kentucky, Colorado, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania, can trace their roots back to one man; Martin Joseph Carey Snr. According to the original travel documents that the Carey family unearthed, Martin Joseph Carey Snr emigrated to America in 1865 from Galway Port and settled in Louisville, Kentucky. He remained their until his death in 1910 aged 64. There arent many records from that time so we dont even know if he had any siblings Unfortunately none of the records that the Carey clan have found about Martin have shone any light from where in Ireland their ancestor hailed from. All they know is that Martin Carey Snr left Galway Port in 1865 and that he had three children with his wife, Catherine Doyle while he lived in America. Catherine Doyle also emigrated from Ireland, but little is known about her background either. Jennifer Walker, Martin Joseph Carey Snr's great great granddaughter, is one of his 15 descendants that will be making the trip to Kilkenny this St. Patricks Day. "Our understanding is that my great great grandfather Martin Joseph Carey Snr left Ireland when he was about 20. There arent many records from that time so we dont even know if he had any siblings or who his parents were so we have limited information which is making our search difficult, explained Jennifer. "We do have his emigration documents and all they say is that his origin was Galway, Ireland but were not sure if that was where he was actually from or did they just write that on the document because he left Ireland from Galway Port. So were not sure if he travelled from wherever his home was in Ireland to Galway because its a port city and left from there. His travel documents do tell us that he stopped in London before arriving in New York, America in August of 1865 on a ship named American Union. The Carey clan have also managed to track down a woman called Catherine Burke, who also left Ireland for America. She would go on to marry Martin Joseph Carey Snr in 1870 making her Jennifers great great grandmother. "Martin Joseph Carey Snr went on to marry an Irish girl who had left Ireland for America in 1866, a year after Martin left. Her name was Catherine Burke and it seems she was only 17 years of age when she left Ireland so she was very young. But as with Martin Joseph Carey Snr, none of the documents we have found indicate where in Ireland she came from or who her family were that she left behind when she made that trip to America. Both Martin Snr and Catherine stayed in Louisville, Kentucky until their deaths. The Carey clan have found the couples gravestones, however they have left the family with more questions than answers. "The dates that are on Martin Snrs and Catherines gravestones dont match any of the dates we have. For instance on Catherines headstone it says from 1852 to 1923 but then we found her actual death certificate and it said she was born in 1849 so we are a bit confused as the dates dont add up. "Even the information on her death certificate is so limited. It just says from Ireland with no exact location in Ireland listed on the document. It also says Father was from: Unknown. There is absolutely no information. But what did Martin Joseph Carey Snr and Catherine Burke do during their new lives in America? Unfortunately the trail goes cold for a few years until they appear on official documents again when the pair got married. "The last documents related to Martin Snr arriving in America in 1865 and Catherine following a year after in 1866. Between then and 1870 we cant find record of them. But they appeared again on records when they got married in 1870. "They then start showing up on the census in Louisville. In America, they do a census every ten years so they show up on that every year until their deaths which tells us that they remained in Louisville, Kentucky for the rest of their lives. The census also tells us that Martin Snr was a labourer and he went to work in the railroad yards in Louisville, Kentucky. "Martin Snr and Catherine went on to have three children together; Martin Carey Jnr, William Patrick Carey and Anna Mae Carey. We know that Martin Carey Jnr went on to have six children and thats where we trace down from and all of those children stayed living in Louisville, Kentucky as well. Martin Carey Jnr on his wedding day The last of his children, Rita Jean Carey, only passed away in 2021 aged 98." The Carey Clan will be marching in the Kilkenny St. Patricks Day parade with hopes to reach out to onlookers who may be able to help them fill the gaps in their genealogy research. They also hope that the unique experience they will gain as a family marching in their first St. Patrick's Day parade together will be something they can pass onto their future generations, to preserve and strengthen their treasured Irish connection. We understand that Martin Snr and Catherine lived a long time ago and that we do have limited information, but we are hoping that maybe someone might recognise the names or their story might match a story that was told in someone elses family line that was passed down the generations about a family member with that name who left for America during that time and settled in Louisville. It would be great to find some extended family in Ireland, added Jennifer. "Most likely both Martin Snr and Catherine had siblings so maybe the siblings descendants might still be living in Ireland and might be able to fill in the blanks for us. There are two family names we are essentially searching for and thats Carey and Burke. The Carey clan recently discovered a whole new branch to the family tree as they managed to track down one of Martin Snrs brothers. This discovery has left them wondering how many other siblings Martin Snr had, and whether the descendants of those siblings might still be alive, living in Ireland or America. "We just recently found a whole other branch to the family tree as we managed to track down one of Martin Snrs brothers children. It turns out his descendants live in St. Louis and almost every fall they travel over to Kentucky to do some fishing and stuff and they have literally been fishing probably only five miles from their cousins that are descendants of Martin Snr and they never knew this. "We have kept in really good contact with our cousins from Martin Snrs brothers side. Every year now in the fall we get together in Kentucky. It was really nice to find this family connection as it gives you an idea of who you are and it has helped us expand our family tree even further. We hope by traveling to Ireland we might be able to find other extended family of other siblings of Martin Snr and also extended family from Catherine. Jack Carey, brother of Rita Jean Carey and Martin Carey Jnr's oldest son By travelling to Ireland and taking part in the St. Patricks parade in Kilkenny, Jennifer hopes that it will help keep the familys Irish connections alive for generations to come. "I think what pushed us to go on this trip in search of our history was when Rita Jean Carey, the last of Martin Jnrs children, passed away in 2021. For us it felt like a whole generation was gone when she died and the further you get away from those generations that have those stories and the memories, the less you know about where you came from and the less connected you feel to your past. "I thought it was important to bring the family together to ensure we pass on the fact we have Irish heritage to our future generations. We have some great family stories that we would like keep being shared within our family for generations to come. We want the younger generations of our family such as my two sons aware that even though they are living in America, they do trace back to Ireland. "I want them to be proud of their Irish heritage and to embrace it and pass it on to the generations that come after them. Members of the Carey Clan are travelling over to Ireland in search of their Irish heritage The Carey clan suspect the family hails from either Kilkenny, Clare, Kerry or Tipperary. If any of these names, dates or family stories sound familiar or add up to any stories that were passed through your family, you can get in touch by emailing aisling.boltondowling@mediahuis.ie The scene at Maine Street on March 14 close to where an alleged sexual assault and stabbing took place. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Gardai have said that the man arrested in Kerry yesterday in connection with an alleged sexual assault and stabbing remains in custody, today, March 15. A young woman believed to be in her 20s was hospitalised after she was allegedly stabbed and sexual assaulted in an apartment complex close to Maine Street in Tralee. The victim was seriously injured during the suspected random attack at her home in Tralee shortly after 9am on March 14 but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. The apartments blocks in that area are largely home to students many attending the MTU. Gardai have since arrested a suspect in relation to the incident and he remains in custody in the Kerry division. Gardai have said investigations are ongoing. At this stage gardai believe a man broke into the residential property in the town before subjecting the woman to an alleged serious sexual assault. The female was also stabbed with a sharp implement during the incident. The suspect subsequently fled the scene and emergency services were notified, leading to a significant policing response in the area. An ambulance rushed the woman to University Hospital Kerry where she is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. He can be questioned for up to 24 hours though this will include rest periods before he must either be charged or released form custody pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Its understood that the attacker also injured himself during the assault and suffered a stab injury. The suspect is an Irish national and at this stage there is no indication that he was known to the victim, leading detectives to believe it was a random attack. The woman is currently being treated for stab wounds and will also undergo an examination at a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. In a statement a garda spokesman said: Gardai are currently at scene of an ongoing incident that occurred at a residential property on Maine Street, Tralee this morning Thursday 14th March, 2024. At approximately 9.30am, emergency services alerted Gardai of an alleged assault of a woman. The woman, aged in her 20s has been taken to University Hospital Kerry to be treated for her injuries. The scene is currently preserved and investigations are ongoing. Gardai added that one male has since been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and at a Garda station in the Kerry Division. Judge orders that bail money of around 3,000 will pay for staff party Staff at two Harvey Norman stores are to have a night out at the expense of the man who stole thousands of euro worth of goods from the outlets. Judge Keenan Johnson at Sligo Circuit Court ordered that bail money of almost 3,000 belonging to defendant Mikhail Lomaia with an address in Riverstown, go towards a party for the staff of the Harvey Norman stores in Sligo and Castlebar. They are the real victims in this case, said the Judge. Lomaia, a Georgian national had pleaded guilty to the theft of electronic items worth 1,436 from Harvey Norman, Sligo Retail Park on March 25th 2023. He had also been charged with stealing 7,065 worth of goods from Harvey Norman in Castlebar two days previously. Mr Leo Mulrooney BL with State Solicitor, Ms Elisa McHugh (prosecuting) said the defendant had pleaded guilty to the first count on the basis the second one was to be taken into consideration. Outlining the case, Detective Garda Gary Conneely, led by Mr Mulrooney told the court that staff at Harvey Norman in Sligo had informed manager Paul Kelly at 11.15am that there was a man acting suspiciously in the store. He looked back over CCTV and he saw that two men had been working in concert to steal items. They had been communicating over Bluetooth ear pieces. One of the men was seen putting items into a bag and then leaving. Among the items taken were two security cameras worth 359 each and two projectors also valued at 359 each giving a total of 1,436. Gardai were contacted and Mr Kelly followed the two men out of the store. When Garda Kieran Staed arrived on the scene he followed the defendant into nearby Smyths toy store and introduced himself to him. The defendant admitted to stealing from Harvey Norman. On March 23rd at Harvey Norman in Castlebar, two men had also been observed working together. Twenty eight sets of headphones were stolen by the men who were again seen putting them into a bag and leaving. The value of the items was 7,065. The goods taken from the Sligo store were returned having been located in an A Class grey Mercedes. At interview, Lomaia made admissions and tried to exonerate the other man. The defendant said he had committed the thefts on his own. He also stated that he was on crack cocaine and methadone, travelling once or twice a week to Dublin to get the latter. The defendant stated that he had been living in Kiev and had come to Ireland after the war broke out but that he was from Georgia originally. The defendant had no previous convictions either in Ireland or Ukraine. Of the 28 sets of headphones stolen, 24 were recovered, leaving an outstandling balance of 1,008. In a Victim Impact Statement read to the court, Mr Kelly said the theft at the Sligo stores was a huge blow for the staff as a team. He said there had been a clear intention to remove items from the store without permission and passing all the pay points without paying. When we established that a theft was taking place we called the guards who were very quick to respond and apprehend the two men involved. Communications from the guards in relation to this matter has been amazing throughout for which I cannot thank them enough, he said. Mr Kelly went on to state that the theft had a huge negative impact on staff. He said the theft was done in such a professional manner it caused his team to question everyone visiting the store. As manager he was reluctant to take days off in case the store fell foul to another attempt to remove stock without any intention to pay. He added that the theft affected the atmosphere withint the store and it had staff on high alert for more possible shoplifting. It most definitely was a disraction that was not welcome in our store, he said. He said he had spent a lot of time reviewing CCTV, security in and outside the store, reviewing security on products, checking cabinet security and the shop floor in general. In reply to Mr Eoin McGovern BL, instructed by Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), Garda Conneely agreed that the defendant had fully co-operated . Another man had been charged but he was no longer in the jurisdiction and had evaded court for now. Witness also agreed that 4,000 had been taken off the defendant in bail money. There was no evidence to suggest otherwise that the theft was carried out to feed the defendants drug addiction. Mr McGovern pleaded that he was instructed to apologise on behalf of the defendant to the staff of Harvey Norman. His wife was in court and also their landlord who stated they were model tenants. The couple had two children, aged 5 and 6 who were attending school locally. The defendant did not speak English and was earning 120 a week in social welfare. Their accommodation was paid for. The defendant and his family had arrived in Ireland in April 2022. Mr McGovern pleaded that the defendant had serious addiction issues and was stealing to feed his drug habit. In reply to Judge Johnson, Mr McGovern said the bail money had been got together by the defendants friends and family. The Judge said the thefts were a huge attack on economic activity and it was quite clear they had caused distress to staff. It was clear a degree of planning had been involved in these two incidents of serious theft of high value goods. A three year term was indicated but the case was adjourned to July 9th for a probation report to see if the defendant was suitable for community service. Out of the 4,000 bail money the outstanding amount in respect of the Castlebar store must be taken. The balance was then to be used for a staff party for each of the stores. The defendant was remanded on bail. Business from Enniscorthy and Bunclody were among the winners at the 2024 Small Firms Association (SFA) National Small Business Awards which took place in Dublin last week. The awards celebrate the achievements of small businesses in Ireland and recognise the important and vital contributions of this sector to the Irish economy. Little Learning Steps, based in Enniscorthy, was one of five companies honoured with the best emerging business award, while Zeus Scooters, Bunclody, was named Innovator of the Year. Little Learning Steps was founded in 2021 by Terri Morris and the company provides a unique stock of books, learning mats and interactive material for pre-school-aged children. Zeus Scooters, with a HQ in Bunclody, deploys three-wheeled electric scooter for the urban mobility sharing market using state-of-the-art technology and reliability. Geraldine Magnier, SFA Chair said, I want to play tribute to our finalists for their hard work, tenacity and sacrifice to getting here tonight. Especially as small businesses endure the ongoing challenges of supply-chain uncertainty, increased input business costs and burdensome administration requirements. You are a credit to your communities and to Irelands economic success story.. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details SFA Director, David Broderick added, As we celebrate 20 Years of the SFA Awards we continue to grow a programme that positions the small business brand as the backbone of the Irish economy. Congratulations to all the finalists each of whom represent the very best in small business and all are winners. Small businesses are present in every village, town and city and contribute enormously to economic activity and community engagement. This years Rockin Food Festival will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend instead of its usual date in August to avoid a clash with the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. With over 600,000 people expected to descend upon Wexford town and its surrounds for the Fleadh the decision was taken to move the Rockin Food Festival to a new date. However, organisers have said that those attending the festival can expect all the attractions which have made it such a success since its launch in 2008. The Rock n Roll Weekender will run alongside the festival, bringing the best of Irish and international rock n roll bands to Enniscorthy. While the format remains the same, this is now a separate festival organised by Richie Cotter, Eamonn Doyle and the members of the Southeast Rock n Roll Club. In addition, there will be an artisan food and craft market, live chef demonstrations and food workshops, grow your own workshops, and kids activities. In 2023, the festival attracted an estimated 50,000 visitors to Enniscorthy with guests from across Ireland, the UK and France attending an event which has seen its reputation grow in recent years. This years food fair will feature some of the countrys finest chefs, food vendors, and food producers, with everything from gourmet street food to artisanal treats on offer. There will also be a range of handcrafted goods at the festival's artisan craft market, featuring a diverse array of local artisans and crafters. With interactive workshops, childrens play areas, face painting, and the funfair on The Promenade, organisers have made every effort to ensure this will be a family-friendly event. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details "We're thrilled to announce the return of the Rockin' Food Festival to Enniscorthy, now scheduled for the May Bank Holiday Weekend," said Eric Barron, festival chairman. "We look forward to our revised date and see it as an opportunity to bring more visitors to the town in a traditionally quieter time of year than August. The Rockin Food Festival 2024 opens with a fireworks display on Friday, May 3 and closes on Sunday, May 5. Legislation still failing sex abuse victims decades after Ferns report recommendations In Part Two of our series marking the 25th anniversary of the death of paedophile priest Sean Fortune, we speak with a child protection expert about lessons that still need to be learned Paedophile priest Brendan Smyth. Photo: Steve Humphreys David Looby New Ross Standard Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 09:00 A New Ross man who is an expert in child welfare and protection has said there remains a lack of legislation to ensure victims of historical sex abuse are able to report what happened to them, despite the recommendations of the Ferns Report. A garda investigation is under way after a total of seven migrants were discovered in a trailer which arrived into Rosslare Europort from the continent in the early hours of this (Friday) morning. The seven males are believed to be Eritrean nationals and were taken to Wexford Garda Station where they were to receive medical attention and answer some questions. The discovery was made shortly before 6 a.m. this morning. "A truck arrived at Rosslare Port this morning and seven male immigrants were discovered in the trailer, a garda spokesperson confirmed. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details They went on to state that the trailer had been detained for a full technical examination as they continue to investigate any possible immigration offences. A garda source confirmed that all seven males seemed to be fit and healthy. He suggested that they may have been discovered after officers at the port overheard noises coming from inside the trailer. He added that a full investigation is ongoing, focusing on how the group found themselves on board a trailer bound for Ireland, and that the fate of the seven migrants will depend on whether any application is made for international protection. If this is the case, they will likely be brought to Dublin for processing. This latest incident follows on from a high profile case in January which saw 14 migrants, two children and 12 adults, discovered in a refrigerated trailer that arrived into Rosslare Europort from Zeebrugge. The group of Kurdish people from Iran and Iraq, including two girls aged six and four, made a desperate call to the UK authorities from inside the trailer as they were running out of air. They subsequently cut a hole in the side of the container so that they could breathe. At least eight of the 14 migrants subsequently fled state services. It is understood that they did not know that the container in which they were travelling on board was destined for Ireland and while three applied for international protection from the state, the rest did not. Five Wicklow community groups have received a quick cash injection to invest in new technology via the RISE Community Fund, including one local councillors AI-driven organic farm project. Established by Granahan McCourt and NBI Chairman David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country for rural community organisations seeking to boost their digital ecosystems, with the fund further supported by corporate sponsors including KN Circet, KPMG, Test Triangle, DreamDev Technologies, and TLI Group. Among those receiving grants of 1,000 under the fund was Arklow Councillor Sylvester Bourke and his company Sylvester Bourke Farming Unlimited, which is harnessing AI technologies to analyse data captured through drone surveys across the farm. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Shuttle Knit CLG, which is expanding its online shopping capabilities to reach a broader community of customers, also received a grant, along with Wicklow Mens Shed, who have plans to provide computing equipment for its members. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland (Wicklow regional office) has received funding to increase its ability to move physiotherapy programmes online to maximise their accessibility, while Kilmacanogue NS have been supported in investing in coding and computational thinking activities for the schools children. Speaking after his funding award, Cllr Bourke commented: We operate a tillage and poultry farm and have a real focus on sustainable food production, which nowadays requires farms to embrace innovation and technologies. For us, this has meant using drones for aerial scouting and using AI and machine learning to boost organic farming methods. With support from the RISE Community Fund, were delighted to have the opportunity to increase our investment in technologies and scale the impact of our work. David McCourt, founder of RISE and Chairman of Granahan McCourt and NBI, commented: The RISE Community Fund looks for community groups, charities, small businesses and social enterprises in rural areas who are exploring how technology can scale the impact of their work. Im delighted to say that since opening applications in County Wicklow, the response has been incredible, and now were excited to be awarding grants to our successful applicants. Weve seen some incredible projects embracing exciting new technological innovations, including Artificial Intelligence. The RISE Community Fund, supported by NBI and Granahan McCourt calls on small businesses, charities, community groups and social enterprises to use technology in creative and entrepreneurial ways to deliver maximum impact. Peter Hendrick, CEO of NBI, added: At NBI, were on a mission to connect over 1.1 million people in rural Ireland who dont have access to high-speed broadband to a world-class, superfast network. Whilst connectivity is a vital utility and a critical first step, it alone cant solve all of the challenges for businesses, community groups and social enterprises trying to expand the positive impact theyre able to have both to the local community and to the wider economy. Thats why were incredibly excited to engage local communities with the RISE Community Fund and celebrate innovative uses of technology in Wicklow. NBI is reminding Wicklow residents to also visit their website at nbi.ie to check whether their home, farm or business is included in the National Broadband Plan and to sign up for Eircode-specific updates on the rollout. Seven hardy souls underwent a painful waxing ordeal throughout Wednesday at Coral Leisure in Wicklow town as part of a fundraising event for Focus Ireland. There were plenty of agonising screams ringing out throughout the building as members of staff Ben, Sam, Dylan, James and Alan all faced the challenge, along with Coral customers Warren and Darren, who also happen to be former members of staff.. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Centre Manager Audrey OConnor said: We had a great day and ended up raising over 800 so far for Focus Ireland, with further donations still to come. Our Front House Manager Alana Miley organised the waxing. People could also buy three wax strips so they could carry out the waxing and inflict some pain on the subjects. We had a few staff with sore nipples and legs on Thursday morning. Our aqua ladies train here on a Thursday and know the staff well, so a few of them pulled some of the strips as well, which they seemed to enjoy. We also have to pass on our thanks to Caroline Kelly who provided all the lovely cup cakes. Focus Ireland is Coral Leisures charity of choice for 2024, and other fundraising events are planned, starting with Focus Irelands Big Busk challenge taking place on Friday, April 12. Coral Leisure Wicklow will be hosting their own fundraising event on the day, including performances from as Mrs ONeills3rd class at St Patricks NS and local buskers and musicians, including the amazing Abiha, the Britains Got Talent contestant and TikTok sensation. Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was told she had come close to organ failure after she developed an infection following her first round of chemotherapy treatment. The professional dancer, 33, announced in May 2023 that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer after she found a lump in her breast in April, the day before going to the Maldives on honeymoon with her husband, fellow professional dancer Ben Jones. Speaking on the Crisis What Crisis? podcast with host Andy Coulson, Caerphilly-born Dowden said she developed sepsis after her first round of chemotherapy. Id had chemo on the Thursday and by the Saturday, Id collapsed, she said. And I was rushed into hospital, I didnt want to go into hospital. I was scared because I knew I had a bone marrow injection that morning and I just knew that going into A&E was going to be a massive risk. And lucky enough, the ambulance men, they kinda pushed me, they couldnt make me, but they encouraged me and they did end up convincing me to go in. I did take a turn in the ambulance. I got back to the hospital. They rushed me in and my mum was with me and everyone rushed around me and they come back like Shes got an infection but shes going to be OK. James Bye and Amy Dowden attending the National Television Awards 2022 held at the OVO Arena Wembley in London in 2022 (Ian West/PA) And about 2.30 in the morning my mum left me and she said I was OK and I was talking, she said You were very unwell but we could see you were making improvements. Then in the morning my husband had called to see how I was and the nurse said The doctor wants to speak to you. She said that her mother and father listened on the phone with Jones, as the doctor told them she had sepsis. Dowden also revealed that her aunty died from the life-threatening reaction to an infection. And then he (the doctor) said We also think shes got a blood clot on the lung and shes not responding at the moment to treatment. Shes gone unresponsive,' she said. Dowden added: My husband said that hed (the doctor) said my heart rate and my blood pressure was so low that I probably wouldnt function more than 16 hours, my organs would go into failure. They felt Id gone into septic shock. And they were very worried and the intensive care team were ready to get involved. Dowden rang a chemotherapy bell in November which signalled her last round of treatment for cancer. In February, she said on Instagram she was looking forward to all the celebrations she missed out on while being treated for cancer, as she revealed that no evidence of disease was found during her latest health check. The star said she will not receive the all clear for five years due to her type of cancer. Dowden was unable to have a celebrity partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 but made some surprise appearances on the BBC One show. Earlier in the month she told BBC Breakfast that her aim was to be back on that dancefloor later in the year. Pierce Brosnan has pleaded guilty to walking off a trail in a thermal area during a visit to Yellowstone National Park. The former James Bond star was fined 500 dollars and ordered to make a donation of 1,000 dollars (784) paid by April 1 to Yellowstone Forever, a non-profit organisation that supports the park, according to court documents. Brosnan, 70, pleaded guilty to foot travel in all thermal areas and within Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails, while the second charge of violating closures and use limits was dismissed by US Judge Stephanie Hambrick. As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world, Brosnan said in an Instagram post. However, I made an impulsive mistake one that I do not take lightly when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a no trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. Brosnan had previously pleaded not guilty to walking in an off-limits area near Mammoth Hot Springs on November 1, in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana border. Pierce Brosnan previously pleaded not guilty to the charges (Yui Mok/PA) Mammoth Hot Springs is a scenic tourist spot with hot springs alongside travertine terraces, while going out of bounds can prove dangerous with water at or near boiling point. Brosnan played Bond on the big screen four times from 1995 to 2002, before Daniel Craig took over the role. He also starred in the 1980s TV series Remington Steele and is known for starring roles in the films Mrs Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair and Mamma Mia!. A representative for Brosnan has been contacted for comment. Ukraines allies are not doing enough as Kyiv is running short of ammo, says Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg gives blunt warning, blaming the lack of political will Ukrainian soldiers in Kherson fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops. Photo: Reuters Andrew Gray Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 03:30 Ukraine is running out of ammunition in its war against Russias invasion and Nato members are not doing enough to help Kyiv, the alliances secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said. Europe Pope uses Easter address to call for Gaza ceasefire: How much suffering we see in the eyes of children 'Noon against Putin': Opposition urges Russians to fulfil Navalny's 'last wish' in presidential election Opposition urges peaceful Sunday election protestAnti-Putin voters urged to gather at middayAuthorities say such action would be illegal, extremist Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Pool via REUTERS. Andrew Osborn and Mark Trevelyan Fri 15 Mar 2024 at 07:34 With Alexei Navalny dead and buried in a Moscow graveyard and other anti-Kremlin politicians in exile or jailed, Russia's opposition is at a low ebb. But on Sunday, as Russians go to the polls, opponents of President Vladimir Putin will stage a symbolic protest they hope will resonate. Support Our Journalism We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news. Support objective journalism for a small contribution. American Center hosts two-day investor conclave. Photo Courtesy: PR Team A two-day Investor Conclave entitled Rising Women: A Women First Founder was hosted with women leaders and stakeholders at the American Center in Kolkata on March 14-15, 2024, to celebrate 'Women History Month'. The conclave attracted a diverse array of participants, including women leaders, stakeholders, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the United States. The aim was to share experiences of the participants from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and the U.S., on ways to strengthen women participation and leadership at workplace. The theme of the meet was aligned with the International Womens Day 2024: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. The meet highlighted commitment to addressing the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women's economic empowerment and promoting collaborative action to accelerate progress towards gender equality. About 100 women entrepreneurs participated in the networking event and displayed their posters. At the inauguration, US Consul General Melinda Pavek said, Todays conclave on 'Women Wielding the Workplace' (WWW) aligns with this years National Womens History Month theme of 'Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion'. The theme recognises women throughout the world who understand that a better future requires that we eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. Director of the implementing partner Contact Base Ananya Bhattacharya thanked U.S. Consulate for supporting and developing regional solution support networks, and reaching out to over 300 women entrepreneurs from Nagaland, Mizoram, West Bengal, Bangladesh and Nepal, more than 100 experts and mentors, above 20 stakeholders from the U.S., and 160 stakeholders of in-person capacity building workshops across east and northeast and 200+ entrepreneurs in online capacity building sessions. The theme on the first day was '#InvestInHerBusiness' where discussions centred around the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in accessing funding and financial services, exploring strategies to overcome barriers such as unconscious bias, risk aversion, and lack of awareness. Leaders, investors, networks and experts discussed when and how to raise capital for business, how innovation can lead to progress and utilise networks to grow business. Nine women entrepreneurs pitched their business in front of investors and learnt how to create compelling narratives in business. Students from Media Studies at Heritage Academy Kolkata were felicitated for their on-going social media campaign on womens leadership at work. The second day's theme was '#InvestInHerSkills', where the importance of education and skill development in enhancing women's leadership at work and expanding their participation in emerging sectors such as Industry 4.0 were delved into. Stakeholders discussed ways to strengthen women's leadership, promote awareness of opportunities in STEM fields, and facilitate capacity building in 21st-century skills. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Mamata Banerjee Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has suffered a "major injury" on her forehead due to a "push from behind" and received four stitches, stated state-run SSKM Hospital where he was admitted to last evening. Dr. Manimoy Bandyopadhyay, the director of SSKM Hospital, said, "Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, reported to our hospital today around 07:30 pm with a history of fall within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind. "She had a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut over her forehead and nose which was bleeding profusely." #WATCH | West Bengal: Dr Manimoy Bandopadhyay, director of SSKM Hospital, says, "Chief Minister of West Bengal reported to our hospital today around 07:30 pm with a history of fall within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind. She had a cerebral concussion and had pic.twitter.com/awzqGTBRf5 ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2024 The news broke last evening when the Chief Minister's party Trinamool Congress (TMC) released a few pictures on X handle where the 69-year-old politician was seen lying on hospital bed with blood stains on her forehead and nose. After receiving four stitches and some tests, Mamata, who goes through a packed schedule and particularly before the Lok Sabha elections, decided to return to her South Kolkata residence in Kalighat. The Chief Minister was flanked by her family members including her nephew and TMC national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee. After the news broke out, several top politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished for her speedy recovery. Prime Minister Modi posted on X, "I pray for a quick recovery and the best health for Mamata Didi. @MamataOfficial." I pray for a quick recovery and the best health for Mamata Didi. @MamataOfficial Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2024 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal posted on X, "Shocked to see this. Pray for ur speedy recovery Didi. God bless u." Shocked to see this. Pray for ur speedy recovery Didi. God bless u https://t.co/Cc9fn1cNMO Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 14, 2024 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Sukanta Majumdar wished speedy recovery of the Chief Minister. Majumdar wrote, "Wishing CM @MamataOfficial a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with her for a quick return to good health..." Wishing CM @MamataOfficial a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with her for a quick return to good health... pic.twitter.com/6ysCgl9I2t Dr. Sukanta Majumdar ( ) (@DrSukantaBJP) March 14, 2024 "Wishing a speedy recovery of the Chief Minister, West Bengal," Congress state chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury posted on X. Wishing a speedy recovery of the Chief Minister, West Bengal Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) March 14, 2024 This is the second time in a few months' time Mamata met with an injury. In January, she suffered a minor injury on her head while she was returning to Kolkata from Burdwan. She had suffered the injury after a car reportedly entered into her convoy prompting the driver of her vehicle to put a sudden brake. Photo courtesy: Facebook New Delhi/IBNS: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections at 3 pm on Saturday. The announcement will be live streamed on all social media platforms. The Model Code of Conduct, which prevents the government from announcing any new policies, will come into place immediately after the announcement of the poll dates by EC. Press Conference by Election Commission to announce schedule for #GeneralElections2024 & some State Assemblies will be held at 3 pm tomorrow ie Saturday, 16th March. It will livestreamed on social media platforms of the ECI pic.twitter.com/1vlWZsLRzt Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) March 15, 2024 The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will set the stage for an electoral fight between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and disparate opposition forces across the country. In the elections, Modi aims to return to power for the third consecutive term as the BJP is buoyant by the recent assembly poll results and an apparent crumbling down of the opposition bloc, INDIA. The 543 Lok Sabha seats from across the country will be up grabs from the political parties, which are finalising their candidates for the mega battle. Among all states, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal are the top three states with the most number of seats. Image Credit: twitter.com/BSYBJP Bengaluru/UNI: Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday denied allegations of sexual assault leveled against him and alleged that there may be a political motive behind the accusations. Yediyurappa claimed that he had initially assisted the woman in distress by contacting the police commissioner for help, but later she turned against him. He mentioned that he had informed the police commissioner about the matter. "A few days ago a woman came to my house. She was crying saying that there was some problem. I asked her what was the matter and I called the police commissioner about the matter and told him to help her. "Later, the woman started talking against me. I have brought this matter to the attention of the police commissioner," he told reporters. The former CM expressed uncertainty about the outcome of the situation and refrained from making definitive claims regarding any political motivations behind the accusations. "Yesterday the police filed a complaint against me. Let's see what happens next, I can't say that there is a political motive behind this," he said. Yediyurappa has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) on charges of sexual assault. The former Karnataka Chief Minister has been accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl on February 2. The incident reportedly occurred when the girl and her mother sought Yediyurappa's help regarding another sexual assault case. A case has been registered against Yediyurappa under the POCSO Act and Section 354 (A) of the Indian Penal Code based on the complaint filed by the victim's mother. Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara has assured that investigations are actively underway. He emphasized the sensitivity of the issue and pledged the police's commitment to ensuring the woman's protection. As of now, there has been no response from Yediyurappa or his family regarding the allegations. Parameshwara stated that there doesn't seem to be any political angle to the case, highlighting that they do not know the woman involved. He urged for patience until the truth is uncovered. "Last night around 10 pm, a lady registered a complaint against BS Yediyurappa. Police have registered the case. The investigation is on. Until we know the truth, we can't reveal anything. This is a sensitive thing as it involves a former CM," he told reporters. Replying to a question, Dr Parameshwara said, "I don't think there is any political angle to this. We all do not know the lady. We do not know anything about it. Let us see and wait what the outcome of the case." Yediyurappa has served as Karnataka Chief Minister on three occasions. His resignation in 2021 marked the end of his tenure amidst speculation. Following Yediyurappa's resignation, Basavaraj Bommai assumed office as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka, serving from July 2021 to May 2023. Bommai has been designated as the BJP's nominee for the Haveri constituency in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Photo courtesy: UNI Nagapattinam/UNI: The Sri Lankan Navy on Friday arrested 15 Indian fishermen and confiscated their mechanized fishing trawlers on the alleged charges of indulging in illegal fishing activities in the island nations territorial waters. Tamil Nadu fisheries department officials said here that the arrested fishermen hail from Nagapattinam district. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy claimed that it had conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters that led to the apprehension of 15 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse in Karainagar and the seizure of an Indian trawler. The apprehended fishermen and the poaching trawler were taken to Kankesanthurai Harbour and handed over to the fisheries officials at Mailadi for onward legal action. With todays apprehension, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 125 Indian fishermen and seized a total of 16 Indian poaching trawlers so far this year for unlawful poaching, which was subsequently handed over to the authorities for legal proceedings. Bhutan PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay meets President Droupadi Murmu. Photo Courtesy; President of India X page Indian President Droupadi Murmu said India and Bhutan share a close and unique relationship, based on mutual trust, goodwill and understanding at all levels. She made the comments while meeting visiting Bhutanese PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Welcoming the Bhutanese Prime Minister to India, the President appreciated the fact that he had chosen India as his first overseas visit after taking oath of office. She said that the shared spiritual heritage of Buddhism connects the two countries. Murmu highlighted that India deeply values its multifaceted partnership with Bhutan, spanning across sectors such as energy cooperation, development partnership, people-to-people relations, trade and investment linkages. The President said that Bhutan can count on India as a reliable friend and partner. She added that India is privileged to partner with Bhutan in development cooperation sector, towards enhancing the socio-economic well-being and prosperity of the people of Bhutan. She underscored that Indias development partnership will continue to be guided by Bhutans priorities and aspirations, especially of the youth. Photo Courtesy: PIB The First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir and CGS Sarathi, concluded visit to Port Louis, Mauritius, as part of their Long Range Training Deployment, officials said on Friday. The visit, coinciding with the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations, highlighted the deep maritime ties between India and Mauritius. A naval contingent and a helicopter participated in the Mauritius National Day city parade which was witnessed by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, who attended the event as the Chief Guest. The visit was enriching for the Indian Naval trainees who visited Maritime Air Squadron and Police Helicopter Squadron of Mauritius. As part of cross training visit, the National Coast Guard personnel of Mauritius were imparted training on small arms and firefighting onboard 1TS ships. The visit culminated in PASSEX and VBSS exercise further enhancing interoperability. Joint EEZ surveillance was also undertaken by 1TS along with Mauritius Coast Guard Dornier prior entering Port Louis. The extant visit underscores the shared commitment to regional security and highlights rich cultural and diplomatic ties between India and Mauritius. In image K Kavitha/ courtesy: Wikimedia commons Hyderabad/IBNS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials Friday took Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha into custody in Hyderabad in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. Kavitha, daughter of BRS president and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was taken into custody from her residence, amidst tight security arrangements. The ED carried out raids along with the IT team at her residence during the day as part of the probe in the case before taking Kavitha into custody. The agency is probing the alleged liquor scam committed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi. The liquor policy was scrapped and a CBI probe commenced, following which the ED booked a case against the same accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Kavithas involvement in the case came to light after the ED arrested Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandran Pillai on March 9 last year. The ED said Pillai had confessed to representing Kavithas interests in the excise policy case. Kavitha earlier appeared before the ED in Delhi and surrendered her phones to the authorities. The agency is likely to shift her to Delhi this evening for further questioning. [With UNI inputs] Photo Courtesy: Unsplash New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI), on Friday, started an investigation into Google's Users Choice Billing (UCB) system regarding its Play Store policies. CCI stated that on initial examination, Google appears to have breached the regulations outlined in the Competition Act. The CCI has directed the director general to conduct a thorough investigation and deliver a report within 60 days. In a note, CCI said, "In view of the foregoing, the Commission is of the prima facie view that Google has violated the provisions of Section 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b) and 4(2)(c) of the Act, as elaborated supra which warrants detailed investigation. Accordingly, the Commission directs the Director General ('DG') to cause an investigation to be made into the matter under the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Act. The Commission also directs the DG to complete the investigation and submit a consolidated investigation report within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of this order." A few days back, in March, Google removed apps from the Play Store developed by 10 companies, citing alleged non-compliance with its Users Choice Billing (UCB) system. The affected apps included Shaadi, Bharat Matrimony, Balaji Telefilms' Altt (formerly ALTBalaji), Kuku FM, Quack Quack, Naukri.com, and 99 Acres, all under the Info Edge group. Shortly afterwards, Google and Indian app developers reached an agreement to pause their disagreement over the significant billing policy for four months. Under Google's Play Store policies, a fee of 15-30 percent is imposed on in-app purchases and subscriptions for users utilizing Google's billing system. However, developers opting for third-party billing options pay a commission ranging from 11-26 percent, reflecting a reduction of 4 percent on the service fee. Photo Courtesy: UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi The UN Secretary-General on Thursday called for putting people first by ending the stigma and discrimination around those who use drugs and the expansion of prevention and treatment programmes. In his message to the opening of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the proliferation of powerful street drugs and pharmaceutical misuse needs to be addressed through balanced responses and collective action. He called for countering drug trafficking, investing in drug use prevention, and ensuring equal access to health care and treatment, while protecting everyones rights and dignity. We must always strive to put people first by ending stigma and discrimination and strengthening prevention; stressing rehabilitation; upholding the human rights of people who use drugs; and expanding prevention and treatment programmes and health services, he said. Together, let us unite around promoting the health and wellbeing of all people, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and leaving no one behind, he added. Commission on Narcotic Drugs The Commission on Narcotic Drugs is the UNs main policymaking body on drug control and drug policy. Established in 1946, it is responsible for monitoring the global drug situation, overseeing the implementation of international drug control treaties, and making recommendations on drug-related matters. It consists of 53 member States elected by the New York-based Economic and Social Council for terms of three years. The 67th session of the Commission convenes against the backdrop of an increasingly complex landscape including drug trafficking networks, a record-high supply of certain illicit drugs and limited options for treatment for drug users, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Evolving challenges Drug challenges are evolving swiftly, as synthetics change the market, trafficking networks evolve their business model, and illicit markets overlap with conflict and instability, said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly. The global response is at an important juncture, and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs must use this milestone session to unite around balanced responses that safeguard our communities, promote public health, and uphold human rights, she added. Waly also highlighted the urgent need for collective action in combating illicit drugs, calling for unity among nations to leverage international treaties and frameworks as well as greater political will and financial resources to confront the drug problem. From pledges to action At the session, which runs through 22 March, States will announce new pledges on addressing the drug scourge and turn policy commitments into action on the ground. They are also expected to adopt key resolutions on topics related to rehabilitation and recovery management programmes, improving access and availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, and preventing and responding to drug overdoses. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Most people in the world do not use TikTok for extremist purposes, but some content, originally published there, becomes viral, Robin Simcox, Commissioner for Countering Extremism at the United Kingdom Home Office, said on Thursday. Quite obviously, TikTok is not used by most people for extremism purposes, Simcox said during a conversation at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He pointed out that there are almost 200 million monthly active TikTok users in the US and about 17 million in the UK. Simcox warned that some extremist materials became viral after they were originally posted on TikTok. He stressed that this situation is not new, but social media platforms help distribute them. Clearly, however, social media put rocket boosters on their dissemination, he added. On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed legislation that requires TikTok to cut ties with its parent China-based company ByteDance within 180 days or face a ban in the US, amid concerns about user privacy and foreign influence ahead of the US presidential election in November. TikTok, which is owned by the China-based company ByteDance, has denied that its application poses a security threat to US users. The United States, European Union, and Canada recently banned their government employees from using TikTok on official electronic devices. (With UNI Inputs) After its successful theatrical release on January 11, 2024, the Malayalam thriller "Abraham Ozler," starring Mammootty and Jayaram, is all set to make its digital debut this March. Directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, the film delves into the gripping narrative of ACP Abraham Ozler (played by Jayaram), a dedicated police officer unraveling the mysteries behind a series of enigmatic hospital deaths, all while battling his inner demons. Poster Of Abraham Ozler/IMDb When To Watch Abraham Ozler? Fans eagerly awaiting this amalgamation of crime drama and medical thriller can mark their calendars, as "Abraham Ozler" is scheduled to stream on March 20, 2024. Where To Watch Abraham Ozler? Abraham Ozle will be exclusively available on Disney Plus Hotstar. The cast boasts an ensemble of talented actors, including Jayaram, Arjun Ashokan, Anaswara Rajan, Senthil Krishna, Saiju Kurup, Dileesh Pothan, Anoop Menon, and the legendary Mammootty, who makes a special cameo appearance, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. Produced by Irshad M. Hassan and Midhun Manuel Thomas under the banners of Nerambokku and Manual Movie Makers production companies, "Abraham Ozler" promises an enthralling blend of suspense, action, and emotional depth. Randheer Krishnan's gripping screenplay weaves a tale of crime and personal redemption as Jayaram's character navigates through the complexities of the investigation, uncovering unexpected connections that blur the lines between his professional and personal lives. Originally announced in May 2023, the film's release was initially slated for December 25, 2023, before being rescheduled to January 11, 2024. Despite the delay, "Abraham Ozler" has garnered significant attention, earning over Rs 40.53 crore worldwide. For fans of Mammootty and aficionados of gripping thrillers, "Abraham Ozler" promises to be a must-watch cinematic experience, offering a riveting narrative and stellar performances from its esteemed cast. Also Read: Marakkuma Nenjam OTT Release: When And Where To Watch VJ Rakshan's Tamil Film For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. 1. Elvish Yadav Issues Apology To Hindu Community Over Viral Hug With Munawar Faruqui Amid Threats? Elvish Yadav, who emerged as the champion of Bigg Boss OTT 2, found himself under intense scrutiny following a widely circulated hug with Munawar Faruqui during an ISPL match. This embrace sparked allegations of betrayal, with certain individuals branding him as a 'Gaddar' (traitor). In response to the outcry, Yadav publicly apologized to the Hindu community on Thursday, March 14, acknowledging the unintended harm his actions may have caused. Elvish Yadav Issues Apology To Hindu Community Over Viral Hug With Munawar Faruqui Amid Threats?/X 2. On Alia Bhatt's Birthday, Know What SS Rajamouli Advised Her About Choosing Her Films Today, on her birthday, Alia Bhatt's recent words from the summit resonate even more profoundly. Contemplating her journey in the spotlight, she emphasized the pivotal role of SS Rajamouli's guidance in molding her career and film selections. Scene From Alia Bhatt's RRR Movie/IMDb 3. Ed Sheeran Reveals India's 'RRR' Is His Favourite Film, Calling It 'Mental' And 'Incredible' In an exciting disclosure, global pop icon Ed Sheeran proclaimed RRR as his favorite Indian film, adding another dimension of enthusiasm to his current interactions with Bollywood luminaries during his visit to India. Ed Sheeran Reveals India's 'RRR' Is His Favourite Film, Calling It 'Mental' And 'Incredible'/IMDb 4. Queen Of Tears: Is This New Netflix K-Drama Inspired By Real-Life Marriage Of Samsungs Heiress? Netflix's newest K-drama, "Queen of Tears," has captivated audiences globally with its unconventional depiction of post-marriage life, sparking speculation about parallels to the turbulent love story of Samsung heiress Lee Boo Jin and her ex-husband, Lim Woo Jae. Queen Of Tear: Is This New Netflix K-Drama Inspired By Real-Life Marriage Of Samsungs Heiress?/IMDb 5. Sidharth Malhotra Taking Care Of His Father At Yodha Screening Is Winning People's Hearts Today marks the long-awaited release of the much-anticipated film "Yodha," starring Sidharth Malhotra. Directed by Pushkar Ojha and Sagar Ambre, the movie also features Disha Patani in a prominent role. A special screening of the film took place in Mumbai last night, attended by the actor's family, including his father who uses a wheelchair. Sidharth Malhotra Taking Care Of His Father At Yodha Screening Is Winning People's Hearts/X For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. India's First Underwater Metro Opens In Kolkata: Today marks a significant milestone as Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, celebrates the inauguration of India's debut underwater metro line. Commuters eagerly lined up for their first-ever journey on this remarkable engineering feat, the country's inaugural underwater metro train. The journey commenced promptly at 7 am from both Howrah Maidan and Esplanade stations, eliciting excitement among hundreds of early risers eager to be a part of history. Passengers queued patiently, greeted with roses by station authorities as they awaited their turn for tickets. Thrilling Experience Underwater Amidst chants of 'Jai Sri Ram' and patriotic slogans like 'Vande Bharat' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm. Residents like Arati Bose from Howrah expressed their excitement, emphasizing the significance of connecting Kolkata and Howrah beneath the Hooghly River. Overwhelming Response: The overwhelming response from passengers underscores the significance of the underwater metro in revolutionising Kolkata's transportation landscape, offering a comfortable and efficient mode of travel. For many the inauguration fulfilled a long-held dream, symbolising progress and achievement. People captured the moment with a group selfie, while others regretted missing the inaugural train due to overwhelming demand. The excitement transcended city limits, drawing commuters from suburban areas eager to experience this historic occasion firsthand. Rabin Dey, who traveled from Bongaon, expressed his thrill at being part of Kolkata's monumental day. India's progress in metro services: The commercial launch follows the recent inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section as a testament to India's progress in metro services. As the train ventured into the underwater tunnel, passengers marveled at the illuminated walls, cheering and snapping photos. The introduction of air-conditioned trains promises a comfortable and efficient commute, revolutionizing travel between Howrah-Maidan and Esplanade. In the Howrah Maidan to Esplanade section, there will be a total of 130 services available daily from Monday to Saturday. Trains will run every 12-15 minutes in both directions, according to a statement from the Metro Railway. The tunnel under the river is about 520 meters long, and a train takes around 45 seconds to go through it. "We've received a huge response so far. People even arrived as early as 2:30 am to try out the first underwater metro services in the country," said Kaushik Mitra, spokesperson for the Metro Railway. Nilanjan Sharma, who works for the central government, believes that the 8-10 minute ride in an air-conditioned train between Howrah-Maidan and Esplanade will change how people travel. "The days of crowded buses will be over because the underwater metro ride is enjoyable," he said. The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section is a significant addition to the city's transportation network. It's considered the first transportation tunnel under a major river in India and has the deepest metro station in the country, the Howrah Metro Station. Despite delays, the completion of the East-West corridor signifies a significant achievement in India's metro network. With sections already operational and more underway, Kolkata embraces a new era in urban transportation, setting a benchmark for future projects nationwide. On Friday, the officials also started running trains for passengers on the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay part of the New Garia-Airport line and the Taratala-Majerhat part of the Joka-Esplanade line of Kolkata Metro, which is the oldest metro system in India. The Metro Railway mentioned in a statement that the 4.8-kilometre section of the East-West Metro from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade cost about Rs 4,965 crore to build. The part from Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah is already in use for passengers. Construction work for the East-West corridor began in 2009, and digging under the Hooghly River began in 2017. Out of 16.6 kilometres of the corridor, 10.8 kilometres are below the ground, including the part under the river. The project faced delays because of a burst aquifer in Bowbazar, central Kolkata, on August 31, 2019, which led to the severe sinking of the ground, buildings collapsing, and two more incidents of water leaking in the same area during tunnelling and building work in 2022. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Ramadan 2024, Fifth 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: Fifth Roza City-wise Sheri and Iftar Timings Discover the city-wise Sehri and Iftar timings for the Fifth Roza in India. Mumbai Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:33 AM 6:49 PM Delhi Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:11 AM 6:32 PM Chennai Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:05 AM 6:20 PM Hyderabad Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:18 AM 6:37 PM Lucknow Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 4:57 AM 6:17 PM Kanpur Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:00 AM 6:20 PM Bengaluru Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:16 AM 6:34 PM Kolkata Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 4:30 AM 5:47 PM Jammu Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:17 AM 6:42 PM Patna Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 4:41 AM 6:00 PM Noida Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:10 AM 6:32 PM Ajmer Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:22 AM 6:44 PM Ahmedabad Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:33 AM 6:50 PM Thiruvananthapuram Fifth Roza Timings: Roza Date Sehri Iftar Fifth Saturday, March 16 5:19 AM 6:34 PM Ramadan 2024 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 Fifth 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. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. The Election Commission of India has released the names of individuals and entities that have purchased electoral bonds from the State Bank of India to make political donations. While the list had names of some of the biggest corporate companies in the country, one of them has stood out. FACEBOOK Future Gaming and Hotel Services Future Gaming and Hotel Services, a little-known lottery company was the entity that purchased the most electoral bonds. Future Gaming and Hotel Services is a company based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and has operations across south India and the North East. It is owned by Santiago Martin, popularly known as the Lottery King of India. MARTIN GROUP Who is Santiago Martin Not much is known about Martin other than the details mentioned on the website of his charity, the Martin Foundation. According to the website, Martin started his career as a labourer in Myanmar's Yangon. In 1988, he returned to India and started a lottery business in Tamil Nadu. He later expanded the business in Karnataka and Kerala before moving into the northeast. Apart from the lotteries, the Martin Group is also involved in real estate, construction, alternative energy, visual media, textiles, hospitality, health care, education, software, property development and more. MARTIN GROUP Political connections of Santiago Martin While he has maintained a low public profile, Martin is well-connected in the political circles, cutting across party lines. One of the first instances when Martin made headlines for his political connection was in the early 2000s when it emerged that he had made a donation of Rs 2 crore to CPIM's Kerala mouthpiece in the form of a bond. In 2010 Martin had hired a senior Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi to represent him in a 2007 case. But after Singhvi backed out due to political controversies, MK Damodaran, the legal advisor of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan represented him in a case in the High Court in 2016. BCCL He is also known to be close to the DMK in Tamil Nadu. His son-in-law Adhav Arjun was recently made the deputy general secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) an ally of the DMK. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Jalon Hall, the first black and deaf employee at Google has filed a lawsuit against her employer, accusing the company of discrimination. Hall, who joined Google as a content moderator in 2020 accused the company of using her to project itself as an inclusive workplace. FACEBOOK Who is Jalon Hall Google is using me to make them look inclusive for the Deaf community and the overall Disability community, Hall told Wired. In reality, they need to do better. Hall who has a master's degree in criminal justice joined Google after a recruiter reached out to her through LinkedIn offering her a job at the search engine giant. Despite her not having a background in content moderation, Hall soon started working with Wolverine, a new in-house team tasked with moderating YouTube videos. How Google failed Hall But things changed soon and according to Hall, Google failed to live up to the promises it had made while hiring her. Hall was promised a sign language interpreter, at the time of hiring, but she allegedly it was not fulfilled. AFP She accused Google of excluding her from roundtable discussions and refusing to promote her as a result of inaccurate evaluation after she worked at the company for three years. Hostile, racial workplace Hall further alleged that Googles management environment was hostile and racially charged. According to her, a manager at Googles machine-learning research program called her an aggressive black deaf woman and advised her to keep her mouth shut and take a sales role. LinkedIn Google celebrated Hall on social media All this while, she said that Google was celebrating her on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram for their diversity at workplace campaign. I felt a sense of humiliation, recognizing that my career wasnt progressing, she told Wired. While Google has not denied the allegations raised by Hall in her December lawsuit, last week, it filed to dismiss the suit, arguing that the claims were brought too late. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Amid heightened geopolitical attention, Russian citizens residing in Kerala made their voices heard by participating in the Russian presidential elections at the Honorary Consulate of the Russian Federation, Russian House, in Thiruvananthapuram. This event, held against the backdrop of global scrutiny of Russian affairs, signifies the enduring engagement of expatriate communities in democratic processes back home. Ratheesh Nair, the Honorary Consul of Russia and Director of the Russian House, underscored the significance of hosting the polling event for the third consecutive time. "The participation of Russian nationalists and tourists in Kerala reflects a broader commitment to democratic values, even beyond Russian borders," noted Nair. AFP This year's presidential elections in Russia have attracted international attention, given the geopolitical context and Russia's strategic role on the world stage. The candidates approved by the Central Election Commission include Leonid Slutsky, Vladislav Davankov, and Nikolay Kharitonov, with the elections spanning from March 15 to 17. The presence of Russian citizens in Kerala casting their votes underscores the interconnectedness of global politics and diaspora engagement. Sergey Azurov, Senior Consul General in Chennai, highlighted the consulate's role in facilitating voting for Russian citizens living abroad. "This exercise in democratic participation is crucial in maintaining ties between expatriates and their homeland, especially during times of geopolitical significance," Azurov remarked. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and international discourse surrounding Russia's internal affairs, the active involvement of Russian citizens in the electoral process signals a deeper engagement with their national identity and democratic rights. The polling event at the Russian House in Thiruvananthapuram serves as a microcosm of broader geopolitical dynamics, showcasing the enduring impact of diaspora communities on global politics. The tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912 is considered one of the defining incidents of the 20th century. Well over a century after it sank, the Titanic, which was the largest ship afloat at the time, continues to be in our collective memories in one form or the other. NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island Titanic II Clive Palmer, an Australian businessman is also obsessed with the Titanic and wants to bring it back. For more than a decade, the billionaire mining magnate has been pursuing the idea of building a second Titanic. Clive Palmer The 69-year-old first announced his plans to build a ship, Titanic II, which he claimed would be a modern-day replica of the liner RMS Titanic back in 1913. Titanic II was to sail in 2015 The Titanic II which would be 269 m long and weigh 55,800 56,700 tonnes and have a carrying capacity of 2,435 passengers and 900 crew was originally scheduled to set sail in 2015. Titanic II But the plans had run into multiple delays and it was widely reported in 2018 that the project was abandoned. Titanic II back on track Things changed earlier this week when Palmer held a press conference Wednesday at the Sydney Opera House to announce his vision for completing the vessel, promising to construct the ship of love and the ultimate in style and luxury. We are very pleased to announce that after unforeseen global delays, we have re-engaged with partners to bring the dream of Titanic ll to life. Let the journey begin, Palmer said in a press release. Titanic II Maiden voyage in 2027 Palmer said he was confident he could secure a shipyard in time for construction on the vessel to start early next year. He also went on to say that Titanic II will set sail in June 2027, from Southampton to New York, the same route Titanic was on in its first and only voyage in 1912. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.t Surprisingly, a woman from Bihar, India, has stirred curiosity among netizens by recounting her extraordinary experience of a bus ride in Afghanistan. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, took to social media to share her captivating tale, detailing her journey through Afghanistan's scenic landscapes and bustling streets. Amidst geopolitical tensions and security concerns plaguing the region, her account has garnered widespread attention, drawing both admiration and scepticism from online communities. As her story unfolds, it provides a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Afghan citizens and challenges prevailing perceptions about the country. With its blend of adventure and cultural insights, her narrative has sparked discussions about travel, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. As netizens eagerly await further revelations, this unexpected saga serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling to bridge geographical and cultural divides. What Did This Bihar Woman Do In Afghanistan? Bihar woman tells her story of a bus ride in Afghanistan | Instagram Amid a chorus of voices condemning the Taliban's treatment of women, a video has emerged online showcasing a Bihar woman's bus journey in Afghanistan, offering a seldom-seen perspective of the neighboring nation. This footage has piqued the interest of social media users. Identified as Kriti, self-styled as a Digital Nomad, she shared a video documenting her solo attempt to purchase a bus ticket in Afghanistan. In the recording, she highlights the challenges of securing a ticket without a husband or male companion. However, Kriti notes the courteous behaviour of officials at the bus station who ultimately helped her obtain the necessary ticket. Bihar woman tells her story of a bus ride in Afghanistan | Instagram In detail, she mentions the prevalence of buses and four-wheelers as the primary means of transportation in Afghanistan, with her journey lasting over 18 hours. Despite encountering multiple Taliban checkpoints along the route, Kriti amusingly remarks that she slept through the journey, suggesting sleep as a strategy to avoid complications. She prompts discussion by asking viewers how they would navigate such a bus journey. "Frankly, I haven't gotten over my trip to Afghanistan yet," she concluded her post. Where Can You Watch The Video? You can watch the viral video on Instagram posted by Kriti. How Did The Internet React? Bihar woman tells her story of a bus ride in Afghanistan | Instagram The video sparked various reactions from netizens. One commenter expressed curiosity, asking why she was in Afghanistan. They questioned if she had native connections, ancestral property, or legal matters in the country. They also speculated if her presence was solely for content creation, which they found unsettling. Conversely, another user commended the woman's bravery for travelling alone in what is widely regarded as one of the most difficult countries for women. Internet reacts to a Bihar woman tells her story of a bus ride in Afghanistan | Image: Instagram Internet reacts to a Bihar woman tells her story of a bus ride in Afghanistan | Image: Instagram What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Ratan Tata, an Indian businessman born in 1937, led the Tata Group, a big company in Mumbai, twice as chairman, from 1991 to 2012 and again from 2016 to 2017. He belongs to a famous Indian family known for business and charity work. After studying in New York, he returned to India to work for Tata Group. He made big moves, like buying Tetley Tea and Daewoo Motors' truck business. Tata's leadership also saw Tata Steel buying Corus Group and Tata Motors acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover. He introduced the affordable Tata Nano car and received many awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 2000. Now, he runs the Tata Group's charity trusts. People often ask for his help, and he's happy to advise new businesses. He sees helping startups as a way to keep learning and wants to keep doing it as long as he can. He supports startups not just with money, but because he believes in what they're trying to do. Check out the list of 10 companies in which Ratan Tata has invested. Paytm BCCL Ratan Tata started investing in Paytm in March 2015. Paytm is owned by One97 Communications, a company that runs a popular digital payments platform. Tata didn't just give money; he also became a business advisor for the company. Paytm wasn't always a big online store. It began as a place to recharge mobile phones. But over time, it grew into a big online marketplace with lots of different things to buy. It became even more famous when it got permission from the Reserve Bank of India to be India's first payment bank. CarDekho CarDekho CarDekho, a big website where you can search for cars, helps people buy cars online. In 2015, Ratan Tata invested an undisclosed amount into GirnarSoft, the company that owns CarDekho, BikeDekho, and PriceDekho websites. Mr. Amit Jain, CEO and Co-Founder, GirnarSoft said, We are extremely proud & excited to partner with a man of Mr. Tatas stature, especially considering his contribution to the growth & development of the Indian automobile industry. Following our humble beginning as a small venture in Jaipur, CarDekho has had a very exciting journey to reach this point of recognition and we now have very aggressive plans for developing our business and boosting revenues in the future. Post our recent funding and investment by Mr. Tata, we are another step closer to the groups vision of becoming a global company through our innovative products and services. With the faith and confidence shown by Mr. Tata in the company, it increases our responsibility towards contributing for the overall development of the online automobile sector. Ola/Ola Electric Ola Electric Ratan Tata first invested in Ola in July 2015, five years after it started in 2010. He put in Rs 95 lakhs rupees from his own pocket. His company, RNT Capital Advisors, also invested 400 crore rupees, showing strong support for Ola's vision. Then, in 2019, he made another investment in Ola Electric Mobility Pvt Ltd, although the exact amount isn't known. This was part of the startup's Series A funding. Ola Electric is a branch of the parent company Ola, which Tata had previously supported. Ola Electric hopes that Tata's experience and advice will help them achieve their big goals in electric mobility. Zivame Zivame, an online underwear company, was started in 2011 by Richa Kar and Kapil Karekar. They got support from Ratan Tata. In September 2015, Ratan Tata invested in Zivame, but the exact amount wasn't shared publicly. It was said that they would use this money to improve their technology and get more customers. Zivame became famous for its creative ads and quickly became a well-known and trusted underwear brand. Cure.fit Cure.fit Cure.fit is a cool health and fitness company that got a lot of money, $170 million, from important investors like Kalaari Capital, Accel Partners, Chiratae Ventures, and Ratan Tata. They're known for their different ways of helping people stay healthy. They have fitness centers called 'Cult.fit', a food delivery service called 'Eat.fit', clinics called 'Care.fit', and a new online mental wellness platform called 'Mind.fit.' Cure.fit takes care of all parts of staying healthy, like eating right, exercising, going to the doctor, and taking care of your mind. They're like the top leader when it comes to taking care of your health. Lenskart Lenskart Lenskart started in 2010 by Peyush Bansal and Amit Chaudhary in Faridabad. It's a famous online store that sells eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and eyewear accessories. In April 2016, Ratan Tata invested an undisclosed amount. What's cool is that Lenskart says Tata didn't just give them money; he also helps them with advice and support. UrbanLadder Urban Ladder is a company in Bengaluru that sells furniture online. They got an investment from Ratan Tata in November 2015. It was Ratan Tata's second investment in an E-commerce company after Snapdeal. But in November 2020, Reliance Industries bought 96 percent of Urban Ladder for more than Rs 182 crore. Urban Company Urban Company, previously known as UrbanClap, got investment from Ratan Tata in December 2015. Urban Company is a Gurugram (Gurgaon) based firm where people can find different services. Abra Ratan Tata invested in a Bitcoin company called Abra in Silicon Valley along with American Express. Abra's app lets people keep digital money and send it to any smartphone. Abra makes money when people use its app to buy or sell digital currency. Snapdeal Snapdeal Ratan Tata started investing in online shopping in 2014 by putting money into Snapdeal. Reports say he bought a small part of Snapdeal, spending less than Rs 5 crore at first. This happened when Flipkart bought Myntra. He bought 256 shares from Snapdeal's early investors. Snapdeal was begun in 2010 by Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal. It's a big online store in India, selling lots of different things from over 1,25,000 brands. Big companies like eBay and Alibaba have also put money into Snapdeal. Tata's investment helped Snapdeal stay strong and keep competing with other online stores. It stopped bigger companies from taking over everything. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here SBI Electoral Bonds List Revealed: A day after the list of the biggest donations to political parties was revealed, the Supreme Court of India has criticised the State Bank of India for not sharing the unique serial numbers of banned electoral bonds. The court had previously ordered the bank to disclose all details about these bonds, including their serial numbers. However, the SBI didn't fully comply with this order. A special group of judges from India's highest court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and including Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, stated that the State Bank of India (SBI) didn't completely follow their order from March 11. In that order, they had told the bank to share all information about Electoral Bonds. The judges noticed that the SBI didn't reveal the special codes on each electoral bond. They sent a message to the SBI, asking for a reply by March 18. The Supreme Court highlighted that their earlier ruling made it clear that all details of electoral bonds should be shared, including when they were bought, who bought them, and how much they were worth. Previously, on February 14, the Supreme Court criticised the electoral bonds scheme, calling it unconstitutional. They instructed the SBI to provide details about the bonds to the Election Commission of India (ECI), which would then make the information public. Originally, the SBI was supposed to give this data to the ECI by March 6, but they asked for more time until June 30, which the Court denied. SBI | Photo: Reuters During the hearing, senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the SBI, said they needed more time to gather and match the information since it was stored in different places. However, the Court clarified they just wanted the information disclosed, not matched. Eventually, the SBI published the data on March 12, and the EC made it public on March 14. The data revealed that a little-known lottery company, Future Gaming and Hotel Services, was the largest donor, followed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. Other notable donors included steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, Bharti Airtel, Vedanta, and several other big corporations. The list of buyers and redeemers included various political parties from across the country, such as the BJP, Congress, AIADMK, and many others. SBI Electoral Bonds: 10 Companies That Made The Biggest Donations 1. Future Gaming and Hotel Services-Rs 1368 crore 2. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd-Rs 966 crore 3. Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd-Rs 410 crore 4. Haldia Energy Ltd-Rs 377 crore 5. Vedanta Ltd-Rs 376 crore 6. Essel Mining and Industries Ltd-Rs 225 crore 7. Western UP Power Transmission Company Ltd-Rs 220 crore 8.-Bharti Airtel ltd-Rs 198 crore 9. Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd-Rs 195 crore 10.Madanlal Ltd-Rs 192 crore Electoral Bonds have made headlines again as the State Bank of India (SBI) shared details with the Election Commission of India (ECI) following a Supreme Court order. If you're not up to speed on this topic, the below details will fill you in. Once you're in the loop, we'll talk about what happens next. But first, let's start with the basics - what exactly are electoral bonds? What are electoral bonds? Electoral bonds are like special papers that let people and companies give money to political parties without revealing who they are. These bonds are handled by the State Bank of India (SBI), which is the bank authorised to do this. People can buy these bonds in amounts of Rs 1000 from SBI branches during specific times set by the government. Political parties can then turn these bonds into cash through their bank accounts within a certain time. These bonds came into play through the Finance Bill, 2017 during the Union Budget 2017-18. The idea was to make political funding more open. Before this, the maximum amount of cash someone could give to a political party was capped at Rs 2,000. Why Were Electoral Bonds Challenged? Supreme Court of India | Photo: BCCL You might be wondering why there's a fuss about electoral bonds. Well, two groups, ADR and Common Cause, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) questioned how these bonds work. According to the Money Bill 2017, all political parties have to say who gives them more than Rs 20,000 in cash. But if the money comes from electoral bonds, the donor's name doesn't have to be told, no matter how much they give. Since SBI issues these bonds, they keep the list of who gives and who gets them. Because the names of donors giving through electoral bonds aren't public, big organisations might use this to get favors from the government, like special permissions or contracts. These big donations can also have a big impact during election time. Supreme Court Decision Here's what the Supreme Court said in its ruling last month: SBI must stop selling electoral bonds. By March 15, the Election Commission must put this info on its website. SBI has to give details about which political parties got the bonds and all the info they got by March 6. This includes who bought the bonds, when, and for how much. SBI also has to tell about parties who got money through these bonds. They have to say what happened to each bond that was turned into cash. If political parties haven't turned bonds into cash, SBI has to give the money back to the people who bought them. Did SBI Share Electoral Bond Details? Supreme Court of India | Photo: BCCL Last week, SBI asked for more than three months to follow the Supreme Court order - till June 30, 2024. But the Supreme Court said no. Finally, on March 12, SBI shared details with the Election Commission. In the report, SBI said people bought 22,217 electoral bonds, and parties turned 22,030 of them into cash between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2024. Between April 1, 2019, and April 11 the same year, 3,346 bonds were bought, and 1,609 were turned into cash. From April 12, 2019, to February 15, 2024, people bought 18,871 bonds, and parties cashed 20,421 of them. What Comes Next? Next, the Election Commission will share the data from SBI on its website. This data will show when each bond was bought, who bought it, and how much it was worth. To sum up - while the info about redeemed electoral bonds is already public, the Supreme Court ruling makes donor data public too. Once this data is out, we'll know who gave money to which party on which date and how much. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here In 1981, Sudha Murty provided her husband Narayana Murthy with a loan of Rs 10,000 to start Infosys. During a speech at the India Today conclave, Sudha Murty admitted to uncertainty regarding the success of the Infosys founder. With this in mind, Murty allocated Rs 10,000 from the Rs 10,250 she possessed to her husband. She then set aside the remaining Rs 250. indiatimes Sudha Murty's Risk Paid Off! "I am not good with economics, I am an engineer. I took a little bit of risk. I assumed I will write off whether he succeeds or not," she said. Identifying himself as an "incorrigible idealist," Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy expressed his belief that he was pursuing a unique path by deliberately excluding his more qualified wife, Sudha Murty, from the company. Those days, the standard was family-run organisations. So, therefore, I said I want to do something different in India when I returned from France, Murthy said.One way of doing that was not to make it a husband-wife company, even though she (Sudha) was much more qualified than all the founders. Let there be no doubt about it. So, it was an act of idealism, he said on the decision. "I have no doubt in my mind that she was truly the better half," Murthy said. Sudha Murty expressed her disappointment, revealing that her husband's choice to exclude her from the founding team of Infosys was a source of hurt for her. twitter "I loved engineering, and a couple of years it hurt me. But when I look back on life now, it is good that I did not become part as I would've retired as a technical director of Infosys. But I touched many lives through Infosys Foundation and I value it much more than any other position," Sudha Murty said. "Being compassionate to others is more important that any position. Probably god closed one window for me, but he opened many doors," she added. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has named Yahaya Bello, former Kogi State Governor, in an amended charge filed against Alli Bello, Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Usman Ododo. Alli and one Daudu Suleiman are the two defendants in the 17-count amended charge. The anti-graft agency alleged that the suspects diverted about N100 billion belonging to the State government in September 2015, about four months before Bello assumed office as governor. Former Governor represented by his lawyer, A.M. Aliyu, objected to the reading of the charge on the grounds that the EFCC failed to comply with Section 218 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. The Senior Advocate submitted that a copy of the amended charges was not served on his client as required by the provisions of ACJA. But Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCCs lawyer, asked the court to reject the arguments of the defendant, adding that the court had on its own endorsed the amendment of the charge. Kolawole Omotoso, the Presiding Judge, however agreed that he had on the last adjournment granted accelerated hearing in the matter and had also ordered that all objections must be kept in abeyance till the final address stage. READ ALSO: Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Returns As Access Holdings Chair The Judge then directed the court registrar to read the amended charges. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts in the amended charge. In the first count, the defendants were said to have conspired with the former governor in September 2015 to convert N80,246,470,089 belonging to the state government for their personal use. In other charges, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleiman were alleged to have concealed several millions of naira with one Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator trading under Global Venture in Abuja. Bellos lawyer then applied that one of the EFCC witnesses, Edward Fanada, be recalled for fresh cross-examination in view of the contents of the amended charges. The request was granted by Justice Omotoso due to no opposition from the EFCC lawyer. Meanwhile, the judge admitted Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman to a bail condition earlier granted in the previous charges. He adjourned the case till March 20 and March 21 for trial. Funsho Adeolu, a seasoned Nigerian actor, has questioned how his female colleagues can finance their luxurious lifestyles on average earnings. He revealed that he typically charges a higher sum each movie than other Nollywood actresses, despite the fact that many of them can afford bigger automobiles. Adeolu, in an interview with Teju Babyface, voiced doubt that the actresses lavish lifestyles are wholly funded by their acting incomes. He further stated that girls utilise films as a platform to showcase themselves to men who can provide them with better possibilities. According to the Nollywood star, the mere presence of female actresses on set gives the impression that their profits come from the film industry. READ MORE: Get A Job- Daddy Freeze Tackles Bbnaijas Rachel Edwards For Urging Women Not To Date Lagos Men Earning N800k Per Month While speaking, he said, I charge more money per movie than most Nollywood actresses but they ride bigger cars than I do. They cant say they make all that money from acting movies to fund their lifestyle. These are people that if I collect N200,000 in a job, they cant collect N20,000, but they are riding bigger cars than I am riding. What they do is come on set, show themselves on TV and so they have the opportunities. They dont have anything in their accounts. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that some security agencies in the nations capital, lack tracking equipments to tackle insecurity challenge. It was gathered that Wike led this out during a chat with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja. The former Rivers State governor noted that his administration had earlier applied to the Bureau of Public Procurement for emergency procurement of equipment for the security agencies but was denied until President Bola Tinubu approved it in January following the abduction of some persons. He said: Its unfortunate to say this, that mostly the security agencies, in particular I will say, the police here, are not adequately equipped. In fact, you cannot believe it that the police command of the FCT do not even have ordinary tracking device. You cannot believe that. Not only them, even the FCT Command of the Department of State Services do not even have. And the only one they have is at the headquarters. So, if there are things to do, they have to go to the headquarters, which is not supposed to be. READ MORE: Most Kidnappings In FCT Are Stage-Managed FCT Minister, Wike Reveals Luckily, I told Mr President that look, we have to do something, and there must be emergency procurement of this equipment. In fact, that is one of the approvals Mr President gave to us. We are going to purchase our own drones to help in surveillance and in operation, particularly within these boundaries that the topography is so bad, so hilly, and where you have the forests. And we make sure that it is provided in the 2024 statutory budget. I briefed this to the National Assembly yesterday (Wednesday) and they were highly elated. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) abducted in Gamboru, Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State did not inform camp officials of their movement, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) have said. The victims, comprising women, girls, boys and children were abducted by terrorists when they went to fetch firewood on February 29. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, speaking on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, said the IDPs travelled beyond the authorised distance from their camp. He said the troops received report about the abduction from the coordinator of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on March 3. According to him, the army is collaborating with international partners for support, adding that rescuing the victims is a top priority of the military. READ ALSO: Borno: Nine Out Of 102 Kidnapped IDPs Escape It was later, at about 2030hrs at night, when the IDPs did not return to camp, that alarm was raised as to their possible abduction by terrorists. It was at that stage that troops were notified of the incident. The standard practice was for troops to be notified prior to any movement of IDPs beyond the permissible distance of 5-7km from their camp. The IDPs reportedly went beyond the permissible distance to get firewood as a result of deforestation around their camp and the terrorists abducted 112 IDPs in the process, he said. Buba furthered that the military is making efforts to ensure the IDPs and others abducted in Kaduna and Sokoto schools are rescued Because of the sensitivity of the matter, I cannot go into further details as to signs of life, location and the different options that we have in order to get these hostages back. I can further assure that getting these hostages back is very clearly on the top of our priorities. It is for this reason we have leveraged our international partners for support, he added. The 81 Division Nigerian Army has apprehended nine individuals, suspected to be fake soldiers, engaging in criminal activities in Lagos State. The Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. The suspects were said to be involved in various offenses, including performing illegal duties, providing unauthorised security services, and offering illegal escort services while wearing military uniforms. The statement partly read: The impostors who were paraded to the media on 13 March 2024 at Headquarters 81 Division NA, Victoria Island Lagos were identified as, Mr. Abua Jacob, Mr. Solomon Abraham, Mr. Mohammed Jemilu, Mr. Michael Omieh, Mr. Dauda Samuel, Mr. Bida Musa, Miss Esther Audu, and Miss Vivian Titus. READ MORE: 93 Unexploded Bombs Recovered In Lagos Army These suspects have been arrested for various offenses, including illegal duties, providing illegal security, and illegal escort services while donning military uniforms. Their actions have not only compromised the safety of civilians but also tarnished the esteemed image of the Nigerian Army. Mr. Abua Jacob, a dismissed soldier, was apprehended on February 7, 2024, at Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos, for impersonation. Mr. Solomon Abraham, Mr. Michael Omieh, Mr. Mohammed Jemilu, and Mr. Dauda Samuel, all dismissed soldiers, were also arrested in separate incidents for similar offences. Additionally, Miss Esther Audu and Miss Vivian Titus were arrested for impersonation during operations along various routes in Lagos. Olalekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan, has died. Media aide of the monarch, Oladele Ogunsola, said he died on Thursday evening, a few hours after admission at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State. Olubadan bowed out gracefully this evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after a brief illness, News Agency of Nigeria quoted Ogunsola as saying. Kola Balogun, younger brother of the Olubadan, said he was taken to the hospital over a slight malaria fever. Baba was hale and hearty on Monday when he personally received the few guests who paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day, Balogun was quoted as saying. Reacting, Governor Seyi Makinde, of Oyo State described the late monarch as a mighty Iroko. With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland. READ ALSO: Nine Soldiers Engaging In Criminal Activities Arrested In Lagos In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while. On behalf of the government and good people of the state, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the state Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch. The passing of Oba Dr. Balogun marks the end of an era for Ibadanland, leaving behind a profound void in its rich history and heritage, Makinde said in a statement signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, his chief press secretary. The late monarch spent two years on the throne. He was presented with the staff of office on March 11, 2022, after being endorsed by the Ibadan high chiefs. Balogun succeeded Oba Saliu Adetunji who died on January 2, 2022, at the age of 93. The late monarch will be buried on Friday evening at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, according to Islamic rites. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the National Assembly (NASS) to repeal and reenact the student loan law. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, read the Presidents letter during plenary on Thursday. Tinubu who sent a similar letter to the Senate titled TRANSMISSION OF STUDENT LOANS (ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION) (REPEAL AND RE-ENACTMENT) BILL, 2024, and dated March 14, 2024. 2024 , asked the lawmakers to accord his request expeditious consideration. Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, equally read the Senates version during plenary in the red chamber. Pursuant to Section 58 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I forward, herewith, the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2024 for the kind consideration of the House. The Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2024 seeks to enhance the implementation of the Higher Education Student Loan Scheme by addressing challenges related to the management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF), applicant eligibility requirements, loan purpose, funding sources, and disbursement and repayment procedures. Whilst hoping that this submission will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the House of Representatives, please accept, Rt. Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration, Tinubus letter read. READ ALSO: Subsequently, the lawmakers considered the bill and passed it for first and second reading. Speaking in support of the bill, Mariam Onuoha representing Imo, said the reenactment of the law is a relief for most mothers battling with insufficient funds to see their children through school. Onuoha said children would be removed from the streets because they would now have the opportunity to go to school. It will tackle the issue of banditry and kidnappings in the country, she said. Philip Agbese representing Benue said mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that no state is left out of the scheme. Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, lauded the President for seeking reenactment of the bill, adding that the legislature would ensure speedy implementation of the scheme in the interest of Nigerian students and youths. In June 2023, Tinubu signed the student loan bill into law to provide financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions. However, the law has yet to take effect because of some issues impeding its roll out. Falco, the open-source, cloud-native, runtime security tool, recently graduated from the Cloud Native Computing Foundations incubation program. That means its considered stable and ready for use in production environments, including Azure. It joins many of the key components of a cloud-native platform including Helm, Envoy, etcd, KEDA, and Cloud Events. I recently had a conversation with Loris Degioanni, the CTO and founder of cloud-native security company Sysdig and the creator of Falco, about the philosophy behind the project and how its being used across Kubernetes applications. Why Falco? Theres a need for security tools designed to work in Kubernetes and in containers. Microservice environments that scale up and down on demand are a long way from the monolithic applications of old, or from more recent architectures, like n-tier or service orientation. New instances need to be detected and monitored as soon as they spin up, ensuring that as our service meshes become larger and more complex, we have the visibility we need to keep them secure. You can think of cloud-native security as akin to the role of observability in devops. Were not looking for specific incidents, but for patterns in telemetry data that show exceptions to the norm. Traditional security tools might help protect code running in a container, but theyre not able to handle serverless patterns or dynamic infrastructure. Sponsored by cloud security company Sysdig, Falco is a runtime security tool thats designed to operate at a very low level in your containers and applications, with direct access to kernel-level networking functions. The result is the ability to detect intrusions and compromises in real time across your entire application infrastructure. Event data is collected and a rules engine is used to identify security issues. You can build your own rules, or work with community-developed rules. Falcos rules are best thought of as policies. As Degioanni says, [Falco has] a policy language that you can use to define a policy, like somebody starting an interactive shell in one of my Redis containers. When a policy is matched, an event is generated and delivered to a central monitoring service and used to deliver the appropriate response. One key tool for Falco is its use of eBPF probes. These are sandboxed scripts that run inside the Linux kernel, providing direct monitoring of syscalls at speed. This should help identify intrusions quickly, allowing you to automate responses using external applications, for example throwing a cloud event and triggering serverless actions that protect your data. Securing Kubernetes from the Linux kernel Falco is designed to work in any Kubernetes cluster including Azure Kubernetes Service and deliver events to your existing security tools. This approach lets you include Falco results in Azure Sentinel and work with AI agents to help identify issues that might not be covered by Falcos own rules. Because Falco works at a low level and tracks service scaling, it is more like an observability tool than a traditional security monitor. Degioanni thinks of Falco as a question, What does it mean to secure something that is so dynamic that changes so much? Working with Kubernetes as a microservice orchestrator adds complexity, too. Degioanni describes the challenge: Users have 500 containers in a single, maybe 96-core machine. If you have to put something inside all of these and they go up and down, you know, so its absolutely unfeasible. So, what we do is... the Falco probe goes in the kernel of the operating system. So no matter how many containers you have in this 96-core machine, you only have one instrumentation. And when a container goes up and down, you dont have to wait for your instrumentation to be active in that container because its already active in the underlying kernel. The easiest way to install software in Azure Kubernetes Service is to use Helm. The Falco community maintains a Helm chart that installs Falco as a DaemonSet from the Falco GitHub repository. This approach allows you to automate deployment, using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions. Theres really no point in thinking about manual deployments, as youre going to be using Falco as part of an idempotent infrastructure, where each new deployment replaces the previous one. Installing the Falco Helm chart is easy enough. Simply run the chart from its repository, creating a Falco namespace in your cluster, and setting up instances in your nodes. If youre running Falco as a DaemonSet there should be one Falco pod per node, using your current container runtime. Running Falco in Kubernetes hosts If, instead of using Azure Kubernetes Service, youre setting up your own Kubernetes environment on Azure, you can install Falco in the host system, isolating it from the Kubernetes instance its monitoring. Alerts are still managed inside Kubernetes, but a host-based install gives you a fallback in the event of a severe compromise. The Falco team provides installation instructions for different Linux versions, both Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu and Red Hat-based distros. Theres support for ARM as well as x64, so you can take advantage of Microsofts new ARM-based high-density Azure servers. This table and values.yaml file list Falcos configurable parameters. These are used to control how the service operates, for example managing the drivers used to host probes and the APIs used to deliver data to external services. Another feature of the Falco Helm chart is its set of default rules. These will get you started, but as your Kubernetes applications grow and as you get more experience running cloud-native security, you can add your own custom rules in their own file is referred to from the installation chart. Falco rules are written in YAML and can refer to additional rule sets. For example, youre able to ensure that your application only uses defined ports or that it can spawn only specific, known processes. Anything that happens outside the default and custom rules will trigger an alert. Feeding the security monitor If youre already using an Azure security tool like Sentinel, youll want to add Falcosidekick to your installation. This is an official extension that helps manage alerts, delivering them to Azure Event Hub and on to your SIEM (security information and event manager). Usefully the sidekick includes the ability to add custom fields to alerts, allowing you to add details of the Kubernetes cluster sending the alert. This is important when youre monitoring multiple clusters, either running different applications in each cluster or geo-replicating applications across Azure regions. Other tools let you plug into Azure Monitor managed service for Prometheus, which lets you use Grafana to build and run dashboards that deliver security information to your secops team. Why use Falco instead of other Kubernetes security tools? The answer is simple: Falco is able to identify new attack patterns that may not be visible to other tools. Whether an attacker operates as a slow persistent threat or attempts a quick in-and-out exfiltration, understanding that an intrusion has occurred lets you quickly respond, either locking down access or starting more complex forensic actions, while blocking those new unexpected behaviors. Stopping cloud-native zero days By using eBPF probes to identify unfamiliar activities at a kernel level, Falco keeps you on top of possible zero-day exploits in your code. Rules can be written to alert you to activities that arent part of your application baseline and that arent covered by existing rule sets. Thus Falco gives you a catch-all that covers previously unseen actionswhich might indicate bugs in your code or the operations of a threat actor. However, theres no point in deploying Falco on its own. Azure has its own security tools that work with Falco to provide a layered approach to securing your Kubernetes environment. Falco isnt designed to work with .NET applications or to monitor Redis or PostgreSQL, so you will need to work with all of the available tools to protect your services. Feeding a SIEM with all of the signals from across your application environment is key. You need to be able to work with Falco and all your other monitoring tools to understand whats an attack and whats a failure, and to tailor your responses appropriately. Now that Falco has graduated to become a full-fledged CNCF project, integrated in the Kubernetes platform stack, we can start to put those pieces together and build secure and reliable cloud-native applications, both on premises and in the cloud. Temple University Health System has picked Richard Newell, a Tower Health executive, to be the new CEO of Chestnut Hill Hospital, the nonprofit health system announced Friday. Newell, currently president and CEO of Towers Phoenixville and Pottstown Hospitals, starts at Chestnut Hill on April 8. Richs two decades of health-care operations leadership experience and passion for quality and service-oriented care make him an excellent fit with our goals to propel Chestnut Hill Hospital to greater levels of excellence through integration and expansion of services, Abhi Rastogi, president and CEO of Temple University Hospital, said in a news release. Newell will take over from John Cacciamani, who had been CEO at Chestnut Hill for 12 years. Temple announced on March 5 that it was replacing Cacciamani, as well as vice president of finance Rebecca Gubanich and chief quality officer Scott Friend. New leadership is required because you have to integrate, you have to move at a different pace, Rastogi said at the time. Temple executives had been taking a more active role at Chestnut Hill starting in December, he said. Temple acquired Chestnut Hill in a partnership with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Redeemer Health at the beginning of 2023. In January, the hospital had its first profitable month since the sale, Temple officials said this month. Temple owns 60% of Chestnut Hill, which is licensed for 148 beds. Its partners, PCOM and Redeemer, each own 20%. To replace Newell at Phoenixville and Pottstown, Tower promoted Rich McLaughlin, who had been chief medical officer at the two facilities. Virtua Health nurses represented by JNESO voted in favor of a new three-year contract on March 14, the second vote on the proposal within less than two weeks. Read more Nurses at Virtua Health approved a new contract Thursday, less than two weeks after the unions membership rejected the same offer in a vote marked by low turnout. The three-year contract will cover close to 1,700 nurses, most of whom work at Voorhees Hospital in Camden County and Marlton Hospital in Burlington County. The nurses are represented by JNESO, an AFL-CIO affiliate that represents roughly 5,000 nurses and health-care techs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The nurses had narrowly rejected the same proposal on March 4, when only about 300 nurses voted. Following calls from Virtua to hold another vote, and a series of union meetings, JNESO announced a second vote. The union informed the nurses about the result in a Thursday night email that did not include vote tallies, according to a copy obtained by The Inquirer. Advertisement The members have spoken! the email said. READ MORE: Virtua union with 1,700 nurses will take a second vote on rejected contract JNESO declined to share details about the turnout or margin for the second vote. We are extremely proud of our nurses and will continue to fight for what they need to provide the best possible care to their patients, said Douglas Placa, executive director of JNESO, in a statement. Virtua said it was pleased the nurses approved the contract. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated, compassionate, and talented nurses at our hospitals and across the health system, Rhonda Jordan, Virtuas chief human resources officer said in a statement. The new contract includes wage increases, but the union did not succeed in securing an increase to pension contributions, a draft obtained by The Inquirer showed. The nurses previous contract expired on Feb. 28. Tensions remain in a divided union Nurses remain divided over the contract, even after the successful vote. Several nurses told The Inquirer they felt the union capitulated to the hospitals demands. Tensions have been building in the last two weeks, after JNESO and Virtua reached a tentative agreement for a new three-year contract in late February. Following the failed first vote, Virtua sent two e-mails to nurses asking for a second vote. This prompted JNESO to file an unfair labor practices complaint against Virtua for attempting to dictate internal business to the union, a reference to the e-mails sent by the health system to nurses, according to an email obtained by The Inquirer. A complaint was filed on March 13, according to the National Labor Review Boards website. READ MORE: Virtua Health union of 1,700 nurses rejects contract offer During closed-door union membership meetings Tuesday, nurses complained about lack of transparency in the unions handling of the negotiations and contract vote, and Virtuas resistance to offer a better contract. Nurses on the unions private Facebook page also expressed outrage Thursday night over the process that led to the second vote, lack of information, and the outcome. If we cant trust our union, who the hell can we trust?, one nurse commented on the page, according to screenshots of messages obtained by The Inquirer. I say revote!!!! wrote another. Mae Krier, a riveter for Boeing during World War II, has lobbied for a congressional medal to honor all of the "Rosie the Riveters." Read more Mae Krier of Levittown fought Hitler by building bombers. Next month, Congress will give her a medal for it. Krier, who will turn 98 next week, is an original Rosie the Riveter, a catchall term for the women who flooded factories and shipyards during World War II to build the planes, ships, and bombs needed to vanquish the Nazis and Japan. As it happens, Krier was an actual riveter. Hitler once said American women were too interested in makeup to work, Krier said. We showed him what American women were made of. Rosies are best symbolized by an iconic 1943 poster by graphic artist J. Howard Miller. A woman in a blue work shirt displays her right bicep, on her head a red bandanna with white polka dots. The copy reads We Can Do It! With so many men at war, it fell to women to build up the nations arsenal. That opened a previously closed-off opportunity. Until 1941 [when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor], Krier said, It was a mans world. To gain recognition for her sisters in armaments, Krier has been speaking to veterans groups and active-duty service members across the nation as a Rosie ambassador. Her message has been a simple one: Advertisement If we dont get a medal soon, she said, all the Rosies will be gone. After decades of lobbying, shell be accepting the Congressional Gold Medal the oldest and highest civilian award for herself, as well as for the estimated 12 million to 18 million other Rosies, the vast majority of whom are no longer alive. Military people love her, from grunts to generals. Veterans invite her to fly in their planes or march in their parades. Shell go to the Pentagon and be hugged like a celebrity, said Deb Woolson, who was a community outreach administrator for now-retired State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D., Chester County). On April 10, when the medal will be conferred in the U.S. Capitols Emancipation Hall, Krier will be accompanied by about 30 other Rosies who range in age from their late 90s to 106. Krier credits Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) for pushing through the legislation thats made the medal a reality. Off to Boeing Born in Dawson, N.D., in 1926, Krier, whose maiden name was Burkett, was the great-granddaughter of Austrian immigrants who pioneered the Dakota Territory in covered wagons in the 1880s. They came for the amber waves of grain theyd heard about, she said. But no one told them you freeze your butts off up there. As a teenager, Krier left home for Seattle, where she got a job at the Boeing Aircraft Co. Thats where Krier first saw the B-17 bomber. Ive had a love affair with that plane, said Krier, her eyes sparkling behind silver-framed glasses. Maybe it was the muscular aircrafts lines, or just how important it was, especially for the D-Day invasion. But the four-engine Flying Fortress, bristling with machine guns and laden with bombs, captivated Krier. To help build B-17s, she drove endless numbers of rivets into the planes metal sheathing for 93 cents an hour half of what men got. She kept at it for two years, helping fill the skies with machines that saved the world. When the war ended, Krier said, Men came home to fancy parades but women in the factories got pink slips. Many of them were widows who were put out on the street. This angered me. Someone once asked her, Did you go back to the kitchen? She responded, Yeah, and to the bedroom, too. Thats where all the baby boomers came from. Krier and her husband, Norm, had two children, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Norm died at 93 in 2014 after nearly 70 years of marriage. Breaking barriers The work of Krier and other Rosies serves to introduce history to inspire the future, said Sarah Pritchard, executive director of the Rosie the Riveter Trust, nonprofit partner of the Rosie the Riveter / World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif. When people know that their grandmother was a Rosie, thats a piece of pride for them. Without Rosies, many say, we could never have won the war. While Krier said shes elated to see the medal awarded to Rosies, it doesnt mean that her public life is done. In June, shell go to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. She maintains, with partners, a Facebook page and a podcast about women breaking barriers. Krier travels to symposia when she can, and speaks to girls and young women about how we need more of them as astronauts, or in engineering. Underscoring all of that is a primary message she never fails to convey: Dont give up on your dreams. You wont know what you can do until you try. President Joe Biden meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office on Friday. Read more WASHINGTON President Joe Biden expressed support Friday for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator called for new elections in Israel, the latest sign that the U.S. relationship with its closest Middle East ally is careening toward fracture over the war in Gaza. Schumer, a Jewish Democrat from New York, sent tremors through both countries this week when he said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his way and warned that Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah as the Palestinian death toll continues to grow. He made a good speech, Biden said in the Oval Office during a meeting with Irelands prime minister. I think he expressed serious concerns shared not only by him but by many Americans. The Democratic president did not repeat Schumers appeal for Israel to hold elections, a step that would likely end Netanyahus tenure because of mounting discontent with his leadership. But Bidens comments reflect his own frustration with an Israeli prime minister who has hindered efforts to expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza and opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Advertisement The latest point of friction has been Israels goal of pursuing Hamas into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have fled to avoid fighting in the north. Netanyahus office said Friday that it approved a military operation that would involve evacuating civilians, but U.S. officials are concerned about the potential for a new wave of bloodshed. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Vienna, said, We have to see a clear and implementable plan to safeguard innocent people from an Israeli incursion. We have not seen such a plan, he said. However, Blinken said tough conversations between Israeli and American leaders do not mean the alliance is fraying. Thats actually the strength of the relationship, to be able to speak clearly, candidly and directly, he said. Its possible that an attack on Rafah could be avoided. Negotiations over a cease-fire and the release of hostages are underway in Qatar, where Netanyahu agreed to send a delegation to continue talks. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. would not have its own team at the negotiations but will remain engaged in the process. He also said its up to the Israeli people to decide whether there should be elections. Asked about why Biden praised Schumers speech, Kirby said the president appreciated the senators passion. Bidens rhetoric on the war has evolved since the conflict began on Oct. 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack. The president immediately embraced Netanyahu and Israel while also warning against being consumed by rage. Since then, Israel has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza. And while Biden continues to back Israels right to defend itself, hes increased his criticisms of Netanyahu. After his State of the Union speech earlier this month, Biden said that he needed to have a come to Jesus conversation with Netanyahu. He also accused Netanyahu of hurting Israel more than helping Israel with his leadership of the war. Biden is trying to navigate between a Republican Party with an Israel right or wrong mindset and a deeply divided Democratic Party, said Aaron David Miller, who has advised administrations from both parties on the Middle East. He described the U.S. approach to Israel as passive aggressive, with escalating rhetoric but no concrete steps like withholding military assistance. I havent seen it, Miller said. And were six months into the war. Americans have increasingly soured on Israels military operation in Gaza, according to surveys from The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In January, 50% of U.S. adults said the military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip had gone too far, up from 40% in November. Its a sentiment even more common among Democrats, with about 6 in 10 saying the same thing in both surveys. Reckoning with shifts in Israeli and American politics has been challenging for Biden. A self-described Zionist, Bidens political career began several decades ago when Israel was led by liberal leaders and the country enjoyed broad bipartisan support in its battle for survival against its Arab neighbors. Since then, the failure of peace talks with Palestinians and the growing power of conservative Israeli politicians has led to a growing tension. Bidens praise for Schumer could upset Netanyahu, who has already chafed at what he sees as American meddling in Israeli politics. One would expect Sen. Schumer to respect Israels elected government and not undermine it, said a statement from Likud, Netanyahus political party. This is always true, and even more so in wartime. Netanyahu has a long history of defying U.S. presidents, particularly Democratic ones. He fought President Barack Obamas push for a nuclear deal with Iran, and he accepted a Republican invitation to address Congress to demonstrate his opposition. Before that, he clashed with President Bill Clinton over efforts to create an independent state for Palestinians, who have lived for decades under Israeli military occupation. Democratic anger over Israels siege of Gaza has focused on Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving prime minister who leads a right-wing coalition that includes ultranationalist politicians. He also faces corruption charges in a long-delayed trial and declining popularity over his failure to prevent Hamas attack or secure the return of all Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. Public opinion surveys suggest that, if elections were held now, Netanyahu would likely lose to Benny Gantz, a former military leader who is a centrist member of Israels war cabinet. Netanyahu has an interest in buying time, said Gideon Rahat, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and professor of political science at Hebrew University. Thats always his interest, not to have elections, to stay in power. Rahat also said a different Israeli leader might approach the war differently, causing less strain with Washington. Another government would pursue not only a military but also a diplomatic and foreign affairs solution, one involving the PA, a reference to the Palestinian Authority that operates in the West Bank, Rahat said. Another government would give more aid to Gaza and would run the war with a better distinction between Hamas and the Palestinians. However, replacing Netanyahu would not necessarily end the war or stop the rightward shift that has been underway in Israel for years. Jewish Israelis believe by a slim majority that their leaders judgment should be prioritized over coordinating with the U.S., according to a January poll from the Israel Democracy Institute. In addition, the Israeli Defense Forces receive wide support for their performance in Gaza. Gantz also criticized Schumers remarks, although not as harshly as Likud did. He wrote on social media that the senator is a friend of Israel who erred in his remarks. Israel is a robust democracy, and only its citizens will decide its future and leadership, Gantz said. Any external interference on the matter is counter-productive and unacceptable. Russia began three days of voting Friday in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putins rule for six more years after he stifled dissent. At least half a dozen cases of vandalism at polling stations were reported, including a firebombing and several people pouring green liquid into ballot boxes an apparent nod to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who in 2017 was attacked by an assailant splashing green disinfectant in his face. Voting is taking place through Sunday at polling stations across the vast countrys 11 time zones, in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine and online. Putin cast his ballot online, according to the Kremlin. The election comes against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system. Advertisement It also comes as Moscows war in Ukraine enters its third year. Russia has the advantage on the battlefield, where it is making small, if slow, gains. A Russian missile strike on the port city of Odesa killed at least 14 people on Friday, local officials said. Ukraine, meanwhile, has made Moscow look vulnerable behind the front line with long-range drone attacks deep inside Russia and high-tech drone assaults that put its Black Sea fleet on the defensive. Russian regions bordering Ukraine reported a spike in shelling and repeated attacks this week by Ukrainian forces, which Putin described Friday as an attempt to frighten residents and derail the vote. Those enemy strikes havent been and wont be left unpunished, he vowed at a meeting of his Security Council. Im sure that our people, the people of Russia, will respond to that with even greater cohesion, Putin said. Whom did they decide to scare? The Russian people? It has never happened and it will never happen. By the time polls closed Friday night at Russias westernmost region of Kaliningrad, more than a third of the countrys eligible voters had cast ballots in person and online, according to the Central Election Commission. Online voting, which began Friday morning, is available around the clock in Moscow and 28 other regions until 8 p.m. local time Sunday. Officials said voting proceeded in an orderly fashion, but in St. Petersburg, a woman threw a Molotov cocktail on the roof of a school that houses a polling station, local news media reported. The deputy head of the Russian Central Election Commission said people poured green liquid into ballot boxes in five places, including Moscow. News sites also reported on the Telegram messaging channel that a woman in Moscow set fire to a voting booth. Such acts are incredibly risky since interfering with elections is punishable by up to five years in prison. The election holds little suspense since Putin, 71, is running for his fifth term virtually unchallenged. His political opponents are either in jail or in exile; Navalny, the fiercest of them, died in an Arctic penal colony last month. The three other candidates on the ballot are low-profile politicians from token opposition parties that support the Kremlins line. Observers have little to no expectation the election will be free and fair. European Council President Charles Michel mordantly commented Friday on the votes preordained nature. Would like to congratulate Vladimir Putin on his landslide victory in the elections starting today. No opposition. No freedom. No choice, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Beyond the few options for voters, the possibilities for independent monitoring are very limited. No significant international observers were present. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europes monitors were not invited, and only registered candidates or state-backed advisory bodies can assign observers to polling stations, decreasing the likelihood of independent watchdogs. With balloting over three days in nearly 100,000 polling stations, any true oversight is difficult anyway. The elections in Russia as a whole are a sham. The Kremlin controls whos on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign. To say nothing of being able to control every aspect of the voting and the vote-counting process, said Sam Greene, director for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington. Ukraine and the West have also condemned Russia for holding the vote in Ukrainian regions that Moscows forces have seized and occupied. In many ways, Ukraine is at the heart of this election, political analysts and opposition figures say. They say Putin wants to use his all-but-assured electoral victory as evidence that the war and his handling of it enjoys widespread support. The opposition, meanwhile, hopes to use the vote to demonstrate its discontent with both the war and the Kremlin. Two anti-war politicians were banned from the ballot after attracting genuine albeit not overwhelming support, depriving the voters of any choice on the main issue of Russias political agenda, said political analyst Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter. Russias scattered opposition has urged those unhappy with Putin or the war to show up at the polls at noon on Sunday, the final day of voting, in protest. The strategy was endorsed by Navalny not long before his death. We need to use election day to show that we exist and there are many of us, we are actual, living, real people and we are against Putin. ... What to do next is up to you. You can vote for any candidate except Putin. You could ruin your ballot, his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said. How well this strategy will work remains unclear. Golos, Russias renowned independent election observer group, said in a report this week that authorities were doing everything so that the people dont notice the very fact of the election happening. The watchdog described the campaign ahead of the vote as practically unnoticeable and the most vapid since 2000, when Golos was founded and started monitoring elections in Russia. Putins campaigning was cloaked in presidential activities, and other candidates were demonstrably passive, the report said. State media dedicated less airtime to the election than in 2018, when Putin was last elected, according to Golos. Instead of promoting the vote to ensure a desired turnout, authorities appear to be betting on pressuring voters they can control for instance, Russians who work in state-run companies or institutions to show up at the polls, the group said. The watchdog itself has been swept up in the crackdown: Its co-chair, Grigory Melkonyants, is in jail awaiting trial on charges widely seen as an attempt to pressure the group ahead of the election. The current elections will not be able to reflect the real mood of the people, Golos said in the report. The distance between citizens and decision-making about the fate of the country has become greater than ever. From her early days on the campaign trail to her first actions in office, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has made clear her commitment to public safety, reducing gun violence, and increasing the presence of police officers in Philadelphia neighborhoods. On Thursday, she revealed how she hopes to fund those initiatives, unveiling a $6.29 billion budget proposal that would increase the police departments budget for personnel by about $43 million. Parkers proposal calls for an $877 million allocation to the department the most of any city agency and about $220 million more than was allocated just eight years ago, at the start of former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration. The increased spending would go toward hiring additional emergency call dispatchers, office clerks, community outreach workers, and a new unit of victim advocates. The allocation would also upgrade the departments technology, police car fleet, and investigative equipment including a new system to track courtesy tows. Parker also proposed a $50 million investment in the departments forensics lab a space that officials have long said is understaffed and overcrowded, and desperately needs new equipment. Advertisement This is really exciting. The mayor has a vision for the city and we align with that, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Thursday at City Hall. Weve got needs, technology needs as she described, and other things, and this is just a great way for us to enhance our work. While Parkers budget proposal increases the departments spending for personnel, the forces overall budget is about $1 million less than what it is projected to spend this fiscal year, which ends in June. But Finance Director Rob Dubow said that is a little misleading the department moved $22.5 million to the citys capital fund to accelerate upgrades to the forensics lab. In addition, the force is expected to under-spend its staff budget this year and remains about 20% below its budgeted staffing levels. Dubow said that allows the department to use some of the unspent cash on new hiring and administrative staff. That means the proposed increase to the police department is more modest than in prior years. Kenney increased the departments budget by $55 million last year, and about $30 million the year before. But Dubow said the budget could increase if hiring accelerates, which is one of Parker and Bethels core priorities. Speaking before City Council on Thursday, Parker underscored her support for the police department, at one point summoning the crowd to applaud an officer who patrolled a business corridor in Northwest Philly and knew every store owner. You all know that I fully support our police department, she said. Ive been unapologetic about making it plain. Police staffing Parker ran on a promise to add 300 more officers to the force, but the department has for years been severely understaffed and unable to fill hundreds of open positions. During her budget address, she said her administration would add 400 new officers to the force per year, but not fund new officer positions because those positions had been funded in previous budgets but went lacking for candidates. Instead, those staff increases would be achieved by accelerating recruitment and improving retention rates to fill the roles that are already open. She also said that 100 of those officers would be tasked with community policing, an approach she described as officers walking the beat, riding the bike, getting to know the people that they are sworn to protect and serve. Still, she has proposed adding 50 new office clerks and 19 people who work in community outreach and a new victims services unit. She also wants to add 15 emergency dispatchers to take 911 calls in a unit that has been plagued by staffing issues, retention, and low pay and morale in the past. City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, a progressive Democrat who represents parts of West Philadelphia, said she was glad to see investments in hiring more 911 dispatchers a need that became especially clear after authorities botched a response to a 911 call that preceded a mass shooting in Kingsessing last summer. When people call 911, someone has to pick up the phone, she said, and the response has to be quick and accurate. Equipment and tools Upgrades in equipment and vehicles form the crux of Parkers proposed budget, including about $2.2 million in upgrades to cellphones, video, and human resources software. She also suggested $225,000 for new software to track the cars that police tow and relocate, a long-criticized practice known as courtesy towing that has resulted in people losing their cars. She proposed about $4.1 million for drones and investigative equipment, as well as about $5 million toward unmarked police cars and $10 million to fund 135 new radio patrol cars. Upgrading the forensics lab Parker has also proposed a $50 million investment in the forensics lab, a space that has long needed more personnel, space, and better equipment. The department is in the process of identifying a new location for a larger lab, but a timeline for when it would open remains unclear. Mike Garvey, director of forensic science for the department, has said that the lab is about a third of the size that it should be, and that staffing shortages and old equipment have created a significant evidence backlog. Rape kits often take about 100 days to be analyzed, he said, and other items can take up to a year. Expanding the citys forensics capabilities would help solve crimes more quickly which is also a part of Parkers five-year plan. According to the plan, the department hopes to see the homicide clearance rate reach 65% this year. Last year, the city saw about 59% of homicides get solved, a significant jump up from the 48% in 2022 and 42% the year before. An arrest was made in about 28% of non-fatal shootings last year, which was double the rate seen just two years ago, before the departments Shooting Investigations Group was created. And while the proposal is mainly focused on financial investments, Roosevelt Poplar, president of Philadelphia FOP Lodge #5, said the overall tenor of Parkers address Thursday also invests in police morale. Rank and file police officers across the city are honored and humbled to know that Mayor Parker has our backs, Poplar said in a statement. Her unwavering support and investments in our police department has improved officer morale. Staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article. Family, friends, and supporters march toward Pennsylvania State Police headquarters to protest for the shooting and killing of Anthony Allegrini Jr. in October of 2023. Read more The parents of Anthony Allegrini Jr., who was shot and killed by a Pennsylvania state trooper on I-95 last year, have filed a lawsuit alleging the trooper used excessive force and didnt apply lifesaving measures, leaving the 18-year-old bleeding to death on the highway. Allegrini was killed when authorities say he struck two troopers with his Audi S4 as they tried to disperse an illegal car meetup and one of them shot him. After Allegrini was struck in the chest, neither the state trooper who fired the bullet nor other officers tried to help him, the suit said. Two of the three passengers in Allegrinis car were taken into custody after the shooting and listened to him scream for help as they sat handcuffed on the side of the road, the suit said. Anthony Allegrini was murdered, said Joseph Oxman, one of the familys attorneys. Advertisement Myles Snyder, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police, declined to comment Friday, citing the ongoing investigation into the June 2023 shooting. Jennifer and Anthony Allegrini Sr. have said they were devastated by their sons death. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, seeks damages for the pain and suffering he endured and also compensation for his death. The three passengers who were in the car with Allegrini that night Giovanni Patete, Vincent Tribuiani, and William Soper joined in the suit, saying they feared for their lives that night and suffered significant emotional distress. Authorities have said the incident began when troopers responding to reports of illegal street racing saw Allegrini and three other people get into an Audi with an obscured license plate that was stopped on the shoulder of the road. As officers tried to box the car in, Allegrini failed to yield and tried to drive away and hit the two troopers, authorities said. One of the troopers then fired a shot into the car, through the windshield, fatally striking Allegrini, state police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Attorneys for the Allegrini family have disputed the state police account. In an interview Friday, Oxman called the state police description of the incident a total lie. Allegrinis car was not moving when the state trooper got on top of the hood of the car and shot him at point-blank range, Oxman said. Videos posted on social media in the aftermath of Allegrinis death raised questions about the incident, appearing to show him physically struggling while lying on the highway after being shot. The videos also show a nearby trooper apparently pointing his gun toward a motorist filming the scene instead of rendering medical aid. The lawsuit names as defendants the Pennsylvania State Police, the trooper who fired the fatal shot, and Philadelphia police officers who were at the scene that night. The Philadelphia Police Department declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. Friends and family have described Allegrini, a 2022 Interboro High School graduate, as a dedicated hockey player who was passionate about cars, weightlifting, and fishing. Last October, dozens of Allegrinis family and friends rallied outside the Pennsylvania State Police Troop K Barracks near West Fairmount Park, calling for a thorough investigation into his death and decrying the lack of body-worn cameras for state troopers, who were not outfitted with such devices at the time of the shooting. Despite state funding for bodycams for troopers, such cameras have not yet been rolled out in Philadelphia. A bottle of Bayer AG Roundup brand weedkiller concentrate is arranged for a photograph in a garden shed in Princeton, Ill., in 2019. Read more A Philadelphia jury has delivered a unanimous victory to agricultural giant Monsanto, deciding in favor of the company in a case in which a Lansdale man alleged that its popular weed killer Roundup caused his cancer. The companys win in the case is its first in a recent string of Roundup lawsuits filed in Philadelphia and its third consecutive trial victory overall in lawsuits that involve the weed killer. Prior to this verdict, on March 5, the company lost three Roundup cases in Philadelphia dating to October. Those cases ended in favor of the plaintiffs, with damages totaling $175 million, $3.5 million, and $2.25 billion. Bayer, the German pharmaceutical and biotechnology giant that is Monsantos parent company, has vowed to appeal those verdicts. Advertisement Plaintiffs who do not live in Philadelphia are able to file lawsuits in Philadelphia courts so long as the defendant conducts business in the city. The citys Court of Common Pleas is considered to be plaintiff-friendly, which critics say encourages venue shopping by attorneys looking to file in courts that are favorable to the person suing. In this case, plaintiff Carl Kline, 71, alleged that he developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma after being exposed to Roundup. Kline, a retired postal worker, claimed to have exposed himself to Roundup, which contains an herbicide known as glyphosate, more than 10 times over multiple years. Exposure to Roundup, Kline alleged in the lawsuit, substantially contributed to and caused his later cancer diagnosis and that Monsanto was negligent and failed to warn consumers of the dangers of the product. The lawsuit was filed in the Court of Common Pleas Court in 2022 and also named Nouryon, a Radnor-based chemical company that manufacturers another ingredient in Roundup known as a surfactant that helps the herbicide effectively kill weeds. The jury voted unanimously in Monsantos favor. The plaintiffs could not prove that Roundup was the cause of the injuries alleged in these cases, consistent with this science, Bayer said in a statement. While we have great sympathy for anyone who suffers a loss or injury, science proves that Roundup is not carcinogenic. Ahead of the trial, Judge Joshua Roberts, who oversees the courts mass tort program, determined that some evidence presented in previous Roundup trials could not be shown to the jury. One of Klines attorneys, Adam Peavy of the Houston-based firm Clark, Love & Hutson, said that not including that evidence contributed to the not-liable verdict. Peavy said they planned to appeal. We look forward to our next trial setting where we can discuss with the jury all the evidence. Among the pieces of evidence disallowed in court, Peavy, said, was a 2015 finding by the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans. Peavy added that Klines legal team was not able to present evidence discussing alleged flaws in an Environmental Protection Agency evaluation of glyphosate and took issue with Monsanto being able to enter into evidence findings by foreign regulatory agencies disguised as foreign scientists. Those factors collectively tilted the trial in Monsantos favor in a manner inconsistent with any other previous Roundup trial to date, Peavy added. Bayer, however, said the verdict is the first to follow significant rulings in the Philadelphia litigation clarifying which scientific and regulatory conclusions could be admitted a much-disputed issue in prior trials. Bayer has won 13 of the last 19 Roundup cases in which judgments were entered at trial, the company said in a statement. Bayer said its next Roundup litigation is scheduled to begin in April. Monsanto has been sued thousands of times in cases alleging that Roundup caused plaintiffs cancers. In 2020, Bayer agreed to pay up to $10.9 billion in settling nearly 100,000 lawsuits involving the weed killer. The company still faces about 50,000 Roundup-related claims, Reuters reports. We continue to stand behind the safety of Roundup and will confidently defend the safety of our products and our good faith actions in any future litigation, the company said. On March 2nd a fire was put out at Malcolm X Park that damaged the bathroom/storage building and its mural in Philadelphia, Pa., on Wednesday, March 14, 2024. . Read more Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter Its finally Friday. Look out for some rain, but expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 72. Got spring fever? Thousands of allergy sufferers out there might feel a little bit different with those bud-swollen trees getting the jump on pollen season. Pollen counts hit the extreme level Thursday, Tony Wood reports, but the good news is conditions should improve today. On March 2, a fire ripped through a building at a West Philly park, causing significant damage to the structure and a mural dedicated to a civil rights icon. Some are concerned a crime may have occurred. Well also give you the rundown on Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers first budget from her historic address to City Council. Advertisement Paola Perez (@pdesiperez, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Questions remain and speculations abound nearly two weeks after a blaze erupted in the central bathroom and storage facility at West Phillys Malcom X Park. The building and its electrical system were seriously damaged, along with its mural of Malcom X. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and the Philadelphia Fire Department is currently conducting an investigation. Some community members worry that arson may have been to blame. But Carmela Dow, a member of the Friends of Malcolm X Park group, stressed the importance of waiting for the investigation to be complete. We really have no idea, Dow said. This Saturday, Friends of Malcom X is hosting a park cleanup and the community is invited to help pick up litter and trash. Read on for details on how local leaders are getting involved with repairs. On Thursday morning, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker delivered a rousing 75-minute speech to City Council outlining her big and bold $6.29 billion budget proposal. The address which is basically Phillys version of the State of the Union represented a milestone for both Parker and Philadelphia, with Parker as the citys 100th mayor and the only woman to hold that office. Parker led with the issue that was central to her campaign: public safety. Notable quote: We will enforce the law right here in the city of Philadelphia, Parker said. Here are other notable topics, goals and initiatives the mayor covered: Cleaning up Filthadelphia under a $246 million plan that includes twice weekly trash pickup and crews to tackle illegal dumping Working with Sheriff Rochelle Bilal to resume auctions of tax-delinquent properties, which would end a stalemate that has cost the city an estimated $35 million in tax revenue A police budget that includes new staff, equipment, and $50 million for forensics Whats next: In the coming months, Parker will negotiate with Council members over the budget. It must be approved before the next fiscal year begins on July 1. Get a closer look at the budget and more from Parkers address, including moments when she went off script and one key education item that she called my baby. What you should know today Trivia time Jefferson Health has a new building on the corner of Chestnut and 11th Streets in Center City. How tall is it? A) 8 stories B) 19 stories C) 25 stories D) 30 stories Think you know? Check your answer. What we're... Deep cleaning: Our homes, with the help of these spring maintenance tips. Quizzing: Your knowledge on which Eagles played the most games in franchise history. Watching: Lionel Messi might miss next Fridays Argentina friendly at the Linc. Also, the July 31 Arsenal-Liverpool game is sold out. Unscramble the anagram Hint: The latest Philly music venue to go cashless HELM TREFOIL Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Sandy Horrocks who correctly solved Thursdays anagram: Rodin Museum. Photo of the day After you listen to World Wide Whack, be sure to give a read to Tierra Whacks interview with The Inquirers pop critic Dan DeLuca. Thats it for now. Have a great weekend, and Ill catch up with you again on Sunday. 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. Devon Claire Mizzell Madison, 34, of Point Breeze, a Philadelphia educator, died Tuesday, March 5, of brain cancer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Madison devoted her professional life to serving children both in the nonprofit sector, and as a teacher and administrator in Philadelphia charter and traditional public schools. Born in Takoma Park, Md., to Jane Clark and Christopher Madison, Ms. Madison attended public schools there before studying education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, a natural path for someone who decided very early in her life that she wanted to work in special education. Dev wanted to help people who needed help the most, said her husband, Ian MacKinnon. Advertisement After graduation in 2011, Ms. Madison moved to Philadelphia, where she became a member of the founding leadership team of Minds Matter Philadelphia, a nonprofit that provides mentoring and other support to high school students. Ms. Madison wrote curriculum and was the first director of programming for the organization, which remained close to her heart even after she moved into the classroom herself. Ms. Madison wasnt the assigned mentor of Asia White, a member of the first Minds Matter class, but Ms. Madison became Whites mentor anyway, and it was a defining relationship of Whites life. When White graduated as valedictorian of Parkway West in 2011, Ms. Madison was in the stands with a giant smile and an air horn, and she continued to play the booster role for as long as she lived as White powered through undergraduate and graduate degrees and launched a successful career in social work. She showed up in every sense of the word she offered me so many resources and supports, and I learned through Devon what an unconditional support system is, said White. She always held me accountable, but she was my biggest cheerleader, too. Ms. Madison worked as a special education teacher at Eugenia Maria de Hostos Charter School, in North Philadelphia, a teacher and administrator at schools in the Mastery Charter network, and special education coordinator at the Antonia Pantoja Charter School in North Philadelphia before becoming assistant principal of Andrew Hamilton Elementary, a Philadelphia School District school in West Philadelphia. She earned a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvanias Graduate School of Education, and served on the board of Northwood Academy Charter School. In 2021, Ms. Madison was diagnosed with brain cancer. Even after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, she worked as much as she could, because that was her style, her husband said. She focused on her husband and their son, Clark, but the children she served were important to her, too. She was back in action pretty quickly she needed to exercise her brain constantly, she wanted to stay engaged and felt a responsibility to go back, said MacKinnon. For a time, things were stable Ms. Madison was far enough past chemotherapy that her doctors said it was OK to try for another child, something she wanted very much. Ms. Madison worked into December, but swelling on the left side of her brain began giving her trouble typing and writing. She checked into the hospital Feb. 16, and the family celebrated Clarks fourth birthday in her hospital room. MacKinnon and Ms. Madison grew up in the same town, but didnt really meet until her freshman year during college, at a bar in Washington. Ms. Madison walked up and introduced herself to MacKinnon, despite their five-year age difference. She had moxie she approached me and said, Are you Ian MacKinnon? said MacKinnon. They pursued a long-distance relationship MacKinnon had already graduated from Drexel University. He was the introvert, and she the extrovert. When Ms. Madison studied abroad in Italy, MacKinnon joined her for a week, over Thanksgiving, and the pair tracked down a whole turkey, and muddled their way through roasting it, laughing at the mystifying Italian oven, and the bird that came with claws still attached. Were lucky we didnt get food poisoning, MacKinnon said. She opened me up to the world a little bit more. Besides work, her main passion was her family, MacKinnon said. She was such a good mom, he said. Ms. Madison loved to host people at their home in Point Breeze. She threw epic Friendsgivings, and loved to bake, especially with her son. She delighted in being an aunt, too, and after her mother died in an accident, Ms. Madison carried on one of her favorite childhood traditions by baking cookies for her nieces and nephews and sending them for their first day of school, even if they lived far away. She just cared for her people so hard, said Ms. Madisons friend Kelsey Harryman, a fellow educator. The two talked every day, and even after Ms. Madison became ill, she wanted to know the ins and outs of Harrymans day. She would always say to me, Life is way too short, we just have to do what we want to do in this world, said Harryman. We would always say, I love you, Im so thankful for you. Dev showed up for her people her students, the people that she mentored, her friends, her family. Besides her husband and her son, Ms. Madison is survived by her father, a brother, and a sister. A memorial service will be held in Maryland March 23. Donations in her name may be made to a fund to support her sons education: www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-devon-madison. Forty-six years ago, in Bounds v. Smith, the U.S. Supreme Court held that prisoners have a constitutional right to access courts and that prison authorities must assist inmates in preparing and filing legal papers. As a result, prisons established law libraries, clerked by prisoners making less than 50 cents an hour. When I entered State Correctional Institution Graterford at age 19 in 1997 to start my life-without-parole sentence, it was like stepping into a time warp. The computer age had not yet arrived. The prison law library was stocked with books and typewriters. Things have improved dramatically, but the commonwealth still has a long way to go when it comes to providing prisoners with the time and resources they need to pursue a successful appeal of their convictions. Pennsylvania has two rounds of appeals for criminal cases: one filed by counsel, limited to counsels objections, and another filed by prisoners raising counsels errors, under the Post-Conviction Relief Act, with a deadline one year after the first round of appeals ends. After prisoners use their appeal or miss the deadline, the Post-Conviction Relief Act ends their appellate rights forever. Advertisement The Post-Conviction Relief Act statute does not require courts or attorneys to notify prisoners of the deadline. In my experience, Pennsylvanias compliance with Bounds is a mirage. My direct appeal ended on March 5, 1999. I had one year from then to become my own lawyer and file my appeal, or lose my rights forever. Computerized law research was not available until 2002. I was a law library clerk at the prisons in Albion, Erie, and, most recently, Somerset, where Ive been incarcerated for the last 20 years. The first appeal I won corrected another prisoners sentence at Albion. In Somerset, I ran a law clinic from 2005 to 2008 with the late Victor Hassine, whose writing about prison life was honored with a PEN America literary award. Together, Hassine and I helped new prisoners use their appellate rights. For nearly 60 hours a week, we had access to a single desktop computer that we used to research and appeal dozens of cases at a time winning back years, and sometimes decades, in other prisoners excessive sentences. Years later, my biggest win cut 46 years off of Steward Steckleys sentence and led to his immediate release from prison. Using the Department of Corrections own figures, that saved taxpayers an estimated $3.5 million. In many states, including Pennsylvania, the annual incarceration costs for one prisoner rival the cost of a year of Ivy League tuition. The National Registry of Exonerations has identified 123 wrongful convictions in Pennsylvania (including five federal cases). According to a 2021 report by Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, more than 8,000 prisoners are serving life or virtual life sentences in Pennsylvania. Thats among the highest in the nation. The high cost of incarceration, plus long sentences, means that uncorrected errors can waste millions of taxpayer dollars per case. Beyond the financial toll, the harm of wrongful convictions is immeasurable. I met Vietnam veteran Richard Hollihan Jr. at Somerset in 2004. In his 1986 homicide trial, the prosecutor fired a shotgun in front of the jury. I gave him a Supreme Court opinion holding that such actions were grounds for a mistrial. He filed an appeal based on that case but was denied by the Post-Conviction Relief Acts time bar. I know of four other lifers who are wrongfully imprisoned by the time bar: Heriberto Pagan, David Rodriguez, Jose Gonzalez, and Michael Purvis. David Willoughby isnt a lifer, but is time-barred, too. Although I helped other prisoners, I couldnt learn how to help myself before the act ended my appellate rights. I killed my dad, and I am on my 11th appeal. Both of my parents physically and sexually abused me. I had eight hospitalizations for broken bones by age 12. My dad was kicked out of the Boy Scouts for assaulting a Cub Scout, kicked out of teaching Catholic Catechism classes for assaulting a student, and tried to rape my 10-year-old friend when I was in fourth grade. The sexual harassment continued into 12th grade, causing one of my teachers, Martin Muller, to report it to school administrators. Two years later, on Feb. 22, 1997, my dad threatened me, saying he was sending his police friends after me. Thats when I killed him. In 2019, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania found my right to counsel was violated, but the Post-Conviction Relief Act prevented a remedy. The rules in place at law libraries at state correctional facilities make it nearly impossible for prisoners to understand their rights and take steps to challenge legal issues with their cases before the Post-Conviction Relief Act ends their rights forever. There are three primary reasons for this: time, seating capacity, and restricted computer functions. Time People who never lived or worked in prison may falsely assume prisoners use law libraries at their leisure. In reality, access is limited by staffing and scheduling around meals. Each prisoner is permitted two weekly sessions, lasting between 45 minutes and two hours. Prisoners facing court deadlines within 30 days are permitted up to four weekly sessions. Seating capacity The ratio of law library computers to prisoners is inadequate. Pennsylvania prisons average 1,500 prisoners, across 24 facilities. But no prison has more than 24 law library research computers. According to the librarian at Somerset, it is the only state prison with that many. Here, access is first come, first served. This causes a foot race to the library at the start of each session. I try to be early, at the front of the line, because if Im late, I may not get a computer. Fire marshals limit the safe occupancy of any room in a prison, and law libraries have seating capacities marginally higher than the number of computers. Restricted computer functions Dubious security restrictions on law library computer functions make them less useful than typewriters. They dont have internet access, only on-site CD-ROM databases containing local and federal law, court rules, and case law. Prisoners cant save their documents in computer files or external memory but must print them out for 10 cents a page. Prison jobs pay 23 cents to 50 cents an hour. A solution To meaningfully access courts, prison law libraries should partner with local law schools to help close the skill gap between prisoners and prosecutors. This would show law students real prison conditions and the consequences of criminal justice policies. The state legislature must also end the Post-Conviction Relief Acts limit on prisoners right of appeal. Limiting appellate rights wastes lives and hundreds of millions of dollars by wrongfully imprisoning people. John Liebel is a 1995 Pennsbury High School graduate and a contributor to the Prison Journalism Project. He is currently writing a book, Homicide Law: From Ancient Prejudice To Current Practice. Spoiler alert: This is a good news column. When Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar visits President Joe Biden for the annual White House St. Patricks Day celebration, they will be paying tribute to more than Irelands patron saint. Biden, a proud Irish Catholic, will be in his element as they toast the anniversary of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which with major input from the United States ended 30 years of brutal Troubles between Northern Irelands Protestants and Catholics. The former want to remain part of Great Britain, while the latter have fought to drive out occupying British troops and reunite the six counties in Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland. The White House gathering will also be celebrating the revival of the shared Catholic-Protestant government in Belfast, whose establishment was a key part of the agreement. (The only discord at the celebration may be an expected earful from Varadkar to Biden about ending Palestinian casualties in Gaza.) Advertisement At a time when compromise is disdained inside U.S. politics, and peace prospects for foreign conflicts seem dim, the survival of the 1998 Good Friday accord is proof that political pragmatism can still triumph if leaders on warring sides want peace badly enough to compromise. And if mediators in this case the United States are available to keep things on track. I must admit that when I started out long ago as an international correspondent, I decided to avoid the Irish question because I thought it was hopeless. Instead, I focused my attention on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as more soluble. Guess I got that one wrong. As I sat down recently with Irelands ambassador to Washington, Geraldine Byrne Nason, to discuss how the Irish have sustained the Good Friday accord and how they plan to keep it going, pragmatism was the word I heard repeatedly. Internationally, the Good Friday Agreement is one of the longest, most sustainable peace agreements, Byrne Nason said. As Irelands former U.N. ambassador, she has seen peace agreements that sometimes last for two weeks. Seeing something last 25 years is spectacular and is an American foreign policy success, due to the critical roles played by Sen. George Mitchell and President Bill Clinton. Yet, that success, which has surmounted many bumps, was nearly undone by Londons decision to exit the European Union. While Great Britain and Ireland were both part of the EU, trade and travel barriers between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic disappeared. It became hard to tell when you were crossing from one to the other. This eased the urgency of Irish nationalists demands for unification. READ MORE: Gaza needs humanitarian aid now with or without a cease-fire | Trudy Rubin During the Brexit divorce talks, a provision was made to keep the Irish internal border open. But a new Irish Sea customs border was established for trade between non-EU Britain and Northern Ireland. This outraged Protestant unionists who felt the border separated them from their British motherland. Their leading party, the Democratic Unionists Party (DUP), boycotted the shared government in 2022, freezing the parliament. Violent incidents by Protestant youths began breaking out. Yet, somehow, compromise prevailed and prevented disaster. Pressed by their publics, who were fed up with a tanking economy, Protestants and Catholics finally worked out a formula with London that all sides could swallow. Moreover, the DUP miraculously accepted that Belfasts first minister, Michelle ONeill, would come from the Catholic nationalist party, Sinn Fein, which, for the first time, had received the most votes in Northern Ireland elections. The DUPs deputy first minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, actually has equal powers with her Sinn Fein coleader, but the importance of political symbolism cannot be ignored. Both ministers now pose together in photos and will be arriving at the White House this weekend for the celebration. All the signs are that these are two pragmatic women who have been given an unrivaled opportunity to make this work, and they are grabbing that with both hands, said Byrne Nason. To help them succeed, the Irish government is investing more than one billion euros in the Shared Island project to build north-south links in education, research, health care, tourism, and infrastructure that support joint development. We are trying to do what makes good economic sense for both communities, said the ambassador. Being pragmatic is a signature for the Irish government right now because there is a lot of rhetoric and symbolism that gets in the way of the economy and bringing the communities together. The Irish government has invested heavily in a new highway to facilitate traffic between north and south and in frequent train service between Belfast and Dublin. It is also trying to promote the value of an integrated Irish economy to foreign investors, especially since Northern Ireland now has a foot in the EU and another in Great Britain. READ MORE: 4 ways the U.S. should help Ukraine right now | Trudy Rubin Many young people from the republic study at Queens University in Belfast, while Northern Irish students study at Irelands universities, further erasing boundaries. Now we need to work with this new generation who see their identity and future perhaps in less polarized ways than all those who came to the table in 1998, noted Byrne Nason. We live on a small island in the Atlantic, and in total, we are just under seven million people, so we are determined to show that our collective space is a shared concern, she added. In further illustration of political realism, there seems to be little rush in the north or south for a referendum on unifying the island. (Varadkar has said he believes he will see a united Ireland in his lifetime, but he is only 45.) If you look at the polls, the majority in the republic is in favor of unification, said the ambassador, while between 30%-39% in Northern Ireland want a united Ireland. But the issue is how do you get there. I dont think we are there yet. The younger generation is very aware that this would not be an overnight pasting together of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the way that Germany came together. This is much more complex. Indeed, when I spoke with Irish university students in 2022, I heard young Catholics in Belfast hesitate about unification because they feared they would lose their free British health care. And Catholic students in Dublin worried that unification would raise their future taxes because the republic would have to subsidize the lagging economy in the north, as West Germany did for East Germany. None of this is to say that Protestants in the north, who identify as British, are not nervous about their future, or that nationalist emotions have evaporated in the name of pragmatism. But 30 years of (more or less) peace in Northern Ireland, despite religiously segregated neighborhoods and schools, have led to a new generation with shifting ideas about Irish identity. In sum, Byrne Nason concluded: The more we can do, the better, to focus minds on the value of relationships across the island, on opportunities to be young citizens who can work in Dublin, or access jobs in Paris or Frankfurt because of [Northern Irelands] relationship with the EU. This is the sweet spot for a generation who have never known violence on the island. So, they are given this unrivaled opportunity, and thats where the pragmatism of the two leaders [of Northern Ireland] now pivots. Plenty of challenges, but plenty to celebrate when the White House goes green this St. Paddys Day. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker laughs and hugs city councilmembers Brian ONeill and Cindy Bass after she delivered her first budget address in City Council chambers in Philadelphia, Pa. on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Read more The mayors budget address to City Council is one of the biggest days on the Philly politics calendar, and Clout has seen some unique iterations of the high-profile speech over the years. There was the time in 2013 when city workers shouted down Mayor Michael A. Nutter amid a yearslong contract impasse. Then there was 2021, when Mayor Jim Kenney delivered the address in a prerecorded video message because Council was still meeting virtually. On Thursday, we saw another novelty: Phillys first mayoral budget address delivered by a woman, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. Parker is well-known for her oratorical skills, and she didnt disappoint on that front Thursday, with a lengthy and vigorous speech laying out her $6.29 billion budget proposal. Advertisement Heres what Clout observed on the history-making occasion: Biggest applause line: Parker drew big applause when she talked about ending the citys Filthadelphia nickname by cleaning up trash-strewn streets. But one aspect of that plan sent a very particular subset of the audience the 10 Council members who represent geographic districts into a frenzy. Parker said her administration would dedicate a trash team, with equipment, trucks, and a point person, to each of their districts. Upon hearing the news, Councilmember Mike Driscoll, whose 6th District includes parts of the River Wards and the Lower Northeast, enthusiastically banged on his desk with two open palms. Others clapped in approval. The idea is that members will only have to communicate with one person to help constituents with trash-related issues. Parker used to be a district Council member herself, so its no surprise she knows what they want. Clout has a feeling this line item will make it into the final budget deal. Special guests: The room was chock-full of politicians, sure, but Parker also gave shout-outs to a few guests with a little less name ID: cops. The first, Officer Jerald Moody, was one of two police officers Parker got to know when she was a state lawmaker representing part of Northwest Philly. She said they knew everyone on Wadsworth Avenue so much so that she was a little jealous. They got invited to more block parties, baby showers, and graduations, Parker said. I was a state rep I needed the votes! They didnt need the votes! To show her commitment to recruiting more officers amid the Police Departments staffing crisis, Parker also called out two officers-to-be. Maria Do and Tyreek Cooper, cadets in the Police Academy, got an enthusiastic standing O, including from their future boss: Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. Nary a hater: Parker is undoubtedly in her honeymoon period, and no Council members aired significant concerns about the budget on Thursday. That wont last forever. Its likely some centrist members of Council will push for cuts to the wage and business taxes. Progressives, meanwhile, are likely to put a microscope on Parkers tough-on-crime plans. Hot take: Kensington is going to be the story of the year. The new mayor has put a lot on the line by pledging to end the neighborhoods open-air drug market, and the way she emphasized that commitment in her first budget address may make it a legacy issue for her. Whether Parker can get that done and how her administration goes about it may end up defining her first year in office. Pa. lawmaker wants to limit how campaigns use AI Robocalls of President Joe Bidens voice telling voters in New Hampshire not to vote? AI-generated images of former President Donald Trump with fake Black supporters? Biden and Trump doing a salsa? Artificial intelligence is already wreaking havoc on the 2024 election. Before AI takes Clouts job (and maybe your job, too), state lawmakers want to block political campaigns from using AI-generated voices. State Rep. Doyle Heffley (R., Carbon) said he plans to introduce legislation to ban the practice, saying technology can create fake voices that are incredibly close to that of the original subject. And its very easy to do. Use any online AI generator, and you can get a believable rendition of a U.S. president saying anything youd like. (Weve come a long way from presidential lip dubs.) At least one major AI-image generator is considering banning the software from making political images of Biden and Trump to avoid misinformation about the election. AI has already made its way into Pennsylvania politics. An AI robot named Ashley is being used to make calls for Democrat Shamaine Daniels congressional campaign. Daniels, who is vying to challenge U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R., Pa.), was among the first candidate in the world to use the technology. Murphy knocks Kim on TikTok Like teenagers and parents across America, New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy and U.S. Rep. Andy Kim are at odds over whether TikTok should be banned. Murphy and Kim are competing in the New Jersey Democratic primary to replace the legally-troubled Sen. Bob Menendez. Murphy went after Kim for missing Wednesdays vote to pass a bill that requires TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese company or be banned nationally, a policy Murphy supports. Instead of joining every other Democrat in New Jerseys Congressional delegation and taking action, Andy Kim couldnt be bothered to show up and vote, she said. But Kims action wouldnt have helped the bill. He said he would have voted no if he was able to attend because he believes Congress should take a more comprehensive approach to protecting data and privacy online. If we are concerned about what TikTok can do with accessing and controlling Americans data, Im concerned about what any corporation or entity can do with it, he said in a statement. Its unclear why Kim couldnt attend the vote, but it is clear that its easy to lose track of time scrolling through TikTok. Maybe its a coincidence. Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics. Allen King III, who planned to challenge State Sen. Nikil Saval in the Democratic primary, was removed from the ballot, essentially guaranteeing Saval will win a second term representing his Philadelphia district. King, a consultant and first-time candidate, faced a challenge that refuted the validity of his campaign documents and residency. King admitted in a court document that the objection had merit and agreed to be removed from the ballot rather than face a court hearing Wednesday. In response, Commonwealth Court Judge Lori Dumas ordered King to be removed from the ballot for the 1st Senatorial District, which spans from Fishtown through Center City and South Philly to the east of Broad Street, and from the Delaware River to the airport in deep South Philly. Saval, 41, now faces no primary challengers. The progressive secured his first four-year term in 2020 after defeating longtime incumbent State Sen. Larry Farnese. There is no Republican running in the district, where Democrats hold a sizable advantage in voter registration. Advertisement READ MORE: John Fetterman endorses progressive State Sen. Nikil Saval despite difference of views Seven Democratic voters in the state Senate district filed the challenge against Kings candidacy Feb. 20, using research from Savals campaign. King signed a letter Tuesday that said the objection was meritorious and that the court should order the removal of his name from the ballot. King had listed Hagert Lofts, an East Kensington building, as his residence on his voter registration and candidate affidavit. But Odin Properties, which owns the building, confirmed last week to Adam Bonin, who represented the voters filing the challenge, that there was no record of him being a tenant. Residents of the First Senatorial District deserve candidates who can at least clear the bare minimum of residency requirements and authentic nomination petitions, said Anthony Campisi, a spokesperson for Savals campaign. With this distraction behind us, were excited at the momentum our campaign is generating and will now redouble our fight for working families in Harrisburg. Candidates are required to have lived in the district theyre running in for a year before the election. King changed his voter registration Jan. 29, nearly a week after the petition period had already begun. According to Savals campaign, King was registered to vote in Montgomery County as recently as Jan. 10, and before that, he was registered in Delaware County. Kings campaign focused on addressing gun violence, pointing to the murder of his sister Rachel King, a popular charter schoolteacher and Elkins Park resident who was shot in front of her 11-year-old son last year in a Montgomery County drive-thru. In a statement Wednesday, King said he had suspended his campaign. He did not address any of the allegations or mention the ballot challenge, and instead said his commitment to the people of the first district compels me to step back when I cannot dedicate the full measure of my focus and energy and criticized Savals progressive views. This chapter may be closing, but my journey in politics and public service is just beginning, King said. The fight to make our community a safer, more prosperous place continues, and I am more committed than ever to being a part of that change. His campaign previously declined to comment on the allegations in the challenge. READ MORE: Two Pa. Democratic campaigns face allegations of forgeries on petitions ahead of primary Overlap with a District Attorney investigation Candidates for state Senate are required to gather 500 signatures from district residents to get a spot on the ballot. The challenge also argued that 1,227 of Kings 1,351 signatures were invalid. If true, King would have been left with just 124 signatures, or just under a quarter of whats required. Kings campaign had listed at least three Temple University students as circulators who were also listed as collecting signatures for Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, who is running against State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta for auditor general. Savals campaign alleged that the signatures on two of those circulators petitions look egregiously forged. The stipulation King signed to withdraw from the ballot didnt specifically address any of the allegations from the challenge. At least three elected officials confirmed with The Inquirer that their names were forged on Pinsleys petitions. The Chester County District Attorneys Office opened an investigation last month, which is ongoing. ATLANTA A special prosecutor who had a romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis formally withdrew Friday from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump after a judge ruled he had to leave or Willis couldnt continue to pursue the charges. Attorney Nathan Wades resignation allows Willis to remain on the most sprawling of four criminal cases against the presumptive Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election. But the long-term damage to the public perception of the prosecution remains unclear, particularly in light of Trumps relentless barrage of attacks on the pair who pledged to hold Trump accountable but found their own actions under a public microscope. READ MORE: Judge dismisses some charges against Donald Trump in the Georgia 2020 election interference case Advertisement Wade offered his resignation in a letter to Willis, saying he was doing so in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. I am sure that the case, and the team, will be in good hands moving forward and justice will be served, Wade wrote. Willis complimented Wades professionalism and dignity in a letter accepting his resignation, effective immediately. She said he had endured threats against himself and his family, as well as unjustified attacks in the media and in court on his reputation as a lawyer. I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 Presidential Election, Willis wrote. Trumps team felt differently. In a social media post, Trump said the Fani Willis lover had resigned in disgrace, and Trump repeated his assertion that the case is an effort to hurt his campaign to reclaim the White House in November. Trump has denied doing anything wrong and pleaded not guilty. An attorney for the former president said they respected the courts decision but believe the judge did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place, Trump attorney Steve Sadow said. Defense attorneys could try to appeal the ruling, but they would need the judges permission to do so. In a separate criminal case against Trump in New York, a judge agreed Friday to delay the trial related to hush-money payments during Trumps 2016 campaign until at least mid-April. The trial was supposed to begin later this month, but Trumps lawyers said they needed more time to sift through evidence they only recently obtained from a previous federal investigation into the matter. In Georgia, Wades resignation came hours after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said he had to be removed or Willis must step aside from the case. McAfee did not find that Willis relationship with Wade amounted to a conflict of interest but said the allegations created an appearance of impropriety that infected the prosecution team. READ MORE: No boost for Biden against Trump in Pa. polls after State of the Union address As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed, the judge wrote. Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist. Fridays extraordinary developments underscored the extent to which the case that began with allegations that a former president tried to undermine the will of the people who voted him out of the White House had become consumed by talk of the love lives of its top prosecutors. In accepting Wades resignation, Willis made clear her determination to turn the page from weeks of embarrassing headlines about romantic getaways, sex and stashes of cash that have dominated coverage of the case. Willis hired Wade in 2021 to lead the team to investigate and ultimately prosecute Trump and 18 others on charges that they illegally tried to overturn his narrow loss to Democrat Joe Biden in Georgia in 2020. The case uses a statute normally associated with mobsters to accuse the former president, lawyers and other aides of a criminal enterprise to keep him in power. Willis and Wade testified at a hearing last month that they had engaged in a romantic relationship, but they rejected the idea that Willis improperly benefited from it, as lawyers for Trump and some of his co-defendants alleged. Willis and Wade insisted they didnt begin dating until after he became special prosecutor, though a former friend and employee of Willis testified that she saw the pair hugging and kissing before he was hired. Willis and Wade said the relationship ended in the summer of 2023. They both said that Willis either paid for things herself or used cash to reimburse Wade for travel expenses. McAfee wrote that there was insufficient evidence that Willis had a personal stake in the prosecution. And he said he was unable to conclusively establish by a preponderance of the evidence whether Willis and Wade began dating before or after he was hired as special prosecutor. However, an odor of mendacity remains, the judge wrote. He said reasonable questions about whether Willis and Wade testified truthfully about the timing of their relationship further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it. Even so, he said, dismissal of the case was not the appropriate remedy to adequately dissipate the financial cloud of impropriety and potential untruthfulness found here. An attorney for co-defendant Michael Roman was the first to ask McAfee to dismiss the indictment and prevent Willis and Wade and their offices from continuing to prosecute the case. The attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, alleged that Willis paid Wade large sums for his work and then improperly benefited from the prosecution of the case when Wade used his earnings to pay for vacations for the two of them. Merchant said in a statement Friday that while Romans team maintains that the judge should have disqualified Willis office entirely, the judge clearly agreed with the defense that there is a risk to the future of this case if Willis doesnt quickly work to cure her conflict. Liberty must also persist in its quality assurance endeavours to ensure the Remediation Plans effectiveness and maintain compliance and performance in claims management. This includes the submission of monthly quality assurance reports to SIRA that detail the advancements in claims performance, also due within 10 business days following the months end. Brendan is a great fit for the dynamic culture of Lockton Re and our continued focus on clients and colleagues. Its been an exciting journey since we launched LRCM; we have added colleagues, built infrastructure, and are now providing solutions across a broad spectrum of capital providers and product categories. I look forward to working with Brendan, as do the wider team, Bisset said. *In the event of a covered total loss, Guaranteed Value coverage ensures your client receives every cent of their cars insured value, less any deductibles and/or salvage value if retained (BC, MB & SK: and after settlement with government policy). AB & QC: Agreed value applies under the Guaranteed Value Plus Endorsement. Policies are underwritten by Elite Insurance Company. Some coverage not available in all provinces. This is a general description of coverage. All coverage subject to policy provisions, exclusions, and endorsements. Hagerty determines final risk acceptance. Hagerty, Guaranteed Value & Hagerty Valuation Tools are registered or common law trademarks of The Hagerty Group LLC, 2024 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc. Beyond her professional career, Bush has contributed to the industry through her role as the former chair of the National Council on Compensation Insurance and has served on the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Science Center and as a Board Advisor to Vault Insurance. Let me tell you the most expensive thing about insurance: its giving it to an insurance company, firm president Roberts Lee said, as reported by the Advocate. Theres nothing more expensive than that, and it doesnt get any less expensive and the only way that were going to fix this is start our own. Oxendine is the second Georgia insurance commissioner to face federal charges since the turn of the decade. In 2021, former insurance commissioner Jim Beck was convicted of embezzling more than $2 million from his former employer, the Georgia Underwriting Association, by creating a network of shell companies, through which his family and friends would invoice the association for work not actually performed. There were some markets trying to pull away from their obligations and were effectively saying that they werent going to issue any coverage, he said. You cant really do that because these are annual policies so all you can do really is charge additional premium for going into those war zones. The debate has also caught the attention of lawmakers - Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey has already asked the Federal Trade Commission to take a close look at the practice. With new advances in vehicle technology and services, automakers have been vacuuming up huge amounts of data on drivers, passengers, and even individuals outside the vehicle, he wrote. Based on public reporting and responses to my own inquiries into these practices, automakers face few, if any, limitations on the collection, use, and disclosure of this data. Consumers are often left in the dark. I therefore urge the FTC to investigate the automakers data practices and take all necessary actions to protect the privacy of all road users. More than three dozen people allege in two lawsuits filed Tuesday that they were sexually abused as children at a Maryland residential program for youths that closed in 2017 following similar allegations. In the separate lawsuits, attorneys detailed decades of alleged abuse of children by staff members of the Good Shepherd Services behavioral health treatment center, which had billed itself as a therapeutic, supportive environment for Marylands most vulnerable youth. The program was founded in 1864 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, a Catholic religious order focused on helping women and girls. It began at a facility in Baltimore before moving to its most recent campus just outside the city. Tuesdays lawsuits add to a growing pile of litigation since Maryland lawmakers eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases last year. Many of the plaintiffs almost all of them women reported being injected with sedatives that made it more difficult for them to resist the abuse. Others said their abusers, including nuns and priests employed by the center, bribed them with food and gifts or threatened them with violence and loss of privileges. The claims were filed against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and Department of Human Services, agencies that contracted with Good Shepherd and referred children there for treatment. The lawsuits also named the state Department of Health, which was tasked with overseeing residential facilities. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd religious order wasnt a named defendant in either suit. In a joint statement Tuesday afternoon, the three state agencies said they had not yet been served with the court papers. However, the Departments of Health, Human Services and Juvenile Services work to ensure the safety and well-being of all children and youth placed in state care. We take allegations of sexual abuse of children in our care seriously, the statement said. Many of the children referred to Good Shepherd were in foster care or involved in the states juvenile justice system. The state of Maryland sent the most vulnerable children in its care to this facility and then failed to protect them, said Jerome Block, an attorney representing 13 plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits filed Tuesday. Good Shepherd was closed in 2017 after state agencies decided to withdraw children from the program, which had been cited the previous year for not providing proper supervision after one patient reported being sexually assaulted and others showed signs of overdose after taking medicine stolen from a medical cart, according to The Baltimore Sun. The sexual assault of vulnerable teenagers by state employees is horrific, but the fact clergy were also complicit is one of the many truly sickening aspects of what transpired at Good Shepherd Services, said Adam Slater, an attorney representing 26 plaintiffs in the second lawsuit. One of the plaintiffs said in that suit that she told a priest during confession about being abused by two women employees at the center, telling him she was afraid God would be disgusted with her. She said that instead of doing anything to help her, the priest sexually assaulted her and kept abusing her every two weeks for the rest of her stay, according to the suit. Since the state law change that went into effect in October, a flurry of lawsuits have alleged abuse of incarcerated youth. Lawmakers approved the change with the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in mind after a scathing investigative report revealed the scope of the problem within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. But in recent months, an unexpected spotlight has settled on the states juvenile justice system. While attorneys said they plan to file more complaints under the new law, their cases could be delayed by a widely anticipated constitutional challenge thats currently winding its way through the courts. A Prince Georges County Circuit judge ruled last week that the law was constitutional in response to a challenge filed by the Archdiocese of Washington, which also spans parts of Maryland, but the decision is expected to be appealed. The underlying case accuses the archdiocese of failing to protect three plaintiffs from clergy sexual abuse as children. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Maryland A Hopkinton, Massachusetts couple has been arrested and charged in connection with separate schemes to defraud their workers compensation insurance carriers, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and their mortgage lender. According to the U.S. Attorney, Ronaldo Solano and Adriana Solano were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on mail, wire and bank fraud charges. According to the indictment, between 2012 and 2020, the Solanos who operate a roofing and construction company based in Framingham under the names H&R Roofing & Construction Inc. and H&R Roofing & Siding Corp. avoided more than $627,000 in workers compensation insurance premiums by underreporting their payroll and paying workers through a shell company called Target Roofing. The indictment alleges that at various points they told their insurers they had no employees or that all employees did administrative work only. They allegedly provided incomplete bank and tax records and accepted premium refund checks from two unnamed insurers, one in Burlington, the other in Boston, according to the court documents. Prosecutors did not stop at investigating the couples payroll and workers compensation. Separately, prosecutors have alleged that, between 2021 and 2022, the couple also submitted a loan application on behalf of H&R Roofing & Siding Corp. to the SBA under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, which provided for pandemic relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In the application, they allegedly requested $2 million in relief funds for working capital and other eligible business expenses. After receiving the pandemic relief funds, prosecutors charge that they transferred $1 million of the funds to a personal bank account they shared, from which they allegedly used more than $825,000 for a down payment towards a home in Hopkinton. The indictment further claims they borrowed another $770,500 from a mortgage lender to fund the purchase of the Hopkinton home but did not disclose to their lender that they were using EIDL funds for the down payment. The details in the indictment are allegations. The Solanos are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topics Fraud Workers' Compensation Talent Massachusetts A small private jet was short on its approach to a rural Virginia airports runway when it struck trees and crashed into a hillside and burned, killing all five people aboard, state police said Monday. The twin-engine IAI Astra 1125 left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was scheduled to land at Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia, but crashed Sunday afternoon, Virginia State Police said in a statement. A state police spokesman told The Associated Press that the plane caught fire on impact and local reports showed what appeared to be plumes of white smoke rising from the site. 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. The pilot and co-pilot were both men and the passengers included a man, woman and a boy, police said. Their remains were sent to the Virginia Office of the Medical Examiner for positive identification. A National Transportation Safety Board investigator arrived at the crash site Monday and the wreckage will be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation, the agency said in a statement. The NTSB said it doesnt determine or speculate about the cause of the accident during the on-scene phase of the investigation. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash and caught fire under unknown circumstances during its approach, according to a Federal Aviation Administration preliminary report posted online. According to the FAA registry, the plane was registered to an Oklahoma aircraft trust company, which declined to comment when reached by telephone on Monday. The NTSB is expected to issue a preliminary report within 30 days on the initial phase of its investigation though a final report with a probable cause and contributing factors is expected to take one to two years. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Virginia A Massachusetts beach community is scrambling after a weekend storm washed away $600,000 in sand that was trucked in to protect homes, roads and other infrastructure. The project, which brought 14,000 tons (12,701 metric tons) of sand into Salisbury over several weeks, was completed just three days before Sundays storm clobbered southern New England with strong winds, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding. The Salisbury Beach Citizens for Change group, which facilitated the project and helped raise funds, posted on social media about the projects completion last week and then again after the storm. They argued that the project still was worthwhile, noting that the sacrificial dunes did their job and protected some properties from being eaten up by the storm. Tom Saab, president of the group and a real estate broker/developer, said the money was contributed by 150 property owners who said the state has refused to help them protect the beachfront and build up the dunes. The state will not contribute any money to the rebuilding of dunes. That is the bottom line, Saab said. Everybody is angry and upset. We cant survive without sand rebuilding the dunes and cant survive paying out of our pocket after every storm. Last weekends tempest was the latest of several recent severe storms in the community and across Massachusetts, which also suffered flooding, erosion and infrastructure damage in January. Sand replenishment has been the governments go-to method of shore protection for decades. Congress has long appropriated money for such work, arguing it effectively protects lives and property and sustains the tourism industry. But critics say its inherently wasteful to keep pumping sand ashore that will inevitably wash away. Climate change is forecast to bring more bad weather, including hurricanes, to the Northeast as waters warm, some scientists say. Worldwide, sea levels have risen faster since 1900, putting hundreds of millions of people at risk, the United Nations has said. And erosion from the changing conditions jeopardizes beaches the world over, according to European Union researchers. Salisbury is also not the first town to see its efforts literally wash away. Earlier this year, after a storm destroyed its dunes, one New Jersey town sought emergency permission to build a steel barrier something it had done in two other spots along the most heavily eroded section of its beachfront after spending millions of dollars trucking sand to the site for over a decade. The state denied the request and instead fined North Wildwood for unauthorized beach repairs. The Department of Environmental Protection has often opposed bulkheads, noting that the structures often encourage sand scouring that can accelerate and worsen erosion. Republican state Sen. Bruce Tarr, who is working to secure $1.5 million in state funding to shore up the Salisbury dunes, says the efforts will protect a major roadway, water and sewer infrastructure as well as hundreds of homes, which make up more than 40% of Salisburys tax base. Were managing a natural resource that protects a lot of interests, Tarr said, adding that replenishing the dunes is one of the few options available to the town since hard structures such as sea walls or boulders arent allowed on Massachusetts beaches. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation said to ensure the safety of the public, DCR has closed access points 9 and 10 at Salisbury Beach after they sustained damage from the recent rainstorms. The Healey-Driscoll Administration remains in regular communication with representatives from the Town, the legislative delegation and the community and will continue to work with them to address the impacts of erosion at the Beach, DCR spokeswoman Ilyse Wolberg said in a statement. Saab said it makes financial sense to continue rebuilding the dunes, rather than allowing nature to take its course and consume the beach. What, and destroy $2 billion worth of property? he asked. Salisbury is home to thousands of people that use this beach in the summer. It would be much cheaper to continue to rebuild dunes after a series of noreasters like weve had over the past year than letting the beach be destroyed by the ocean. Still, others questioned the logic of dumping more sand on the beach. Resident Peter Lodi responded to the Salisbury beach groups Facebook post, saying he wasnt sure why anyone was shocked. Throw all the sand down you want. Mother nature decides how long it will protect your homes, he wrote. Its only going to get worse. Not sure what the solution is but sand is merely a bandaid on a wound that needs multiple stitches. The group responded that the state has a responsibility to protect the beach and that the residents are doing the community a favor by funding the project. Our feeling is if you regulate something, you have to be accountable and maintain it, the group said. The residents that repaired the dune in front of their property actually helped both the city and the state. Now its their turn to step up to the plate. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Massachusetts BNP Paribas SA is considering a potential acquisition of Fosun International Ltd.s stake in Belgian insurer Ageas, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The French lender has been holding discussions on a possible purchase of Fosuns holding in Ageas, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Fosun has about a 10% interest in Ageas valued at roughly 750 million ($816 million) based on Thursdays closing price, according to a regulatory filing. The figure includes its stock ownership as well as derivative holdings. The deliberations are ongoing and theres no certainty they will lead to a transaction, the people said. Representatives for BNP and Ageas declined to comment. Fosun didnt respond to requests for comment. Bloomberg News reported last month that Fosun has been working with advisers to explore a sale of its Ageas stake. The Chinese conglomerate, which is backed by billionaire Guo Guangchang, has been accelerating a divestment push as it seeks to cut its debt load following a global acquisition spree. BNP Paribass interest comes days after it pledged to return 20 billion to investors over three years as Chief Executive Officer Jean-Laurent Bonnafe steps up cost savings. BNP last month lowered some performance targets for 2025, citing factors including the European Central Banks end to payments on reserves, and booked a slump in fourth-quarter profit driven partly by legal provisions. The French lenders potential move comes as Ageas pushes ahead with a contentious pursuit of a takeover of London-listed Direct Line Insurance Group Plc. The UK insurer said this week it had rejected a second takeover offer from Ageas valuing it at about 3.2 billion ($4.1 billion). That prompted Direct Lines share to fall, with Jefferies analyst James Pearse saying the prospects of an offer topping 3.5 billion now receding. Shares of Ageas are little changed in Brussels trading this year, giving the company a market value of about 7.4 billion. Photograph of BNP Paribas sign taken by ason Alden/Bloomberg Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Chinas financial sector regulator is looking into the exposure of the Hong Kong units of domestic banks and insurers to the countrys local government debt, three sources with knowledge of the matter said, as part of its efforts to contain credit risks. The National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) asked the Hong Kong-based units of Chinese banks and insurers this week to report their holdings of dollar debt issued by so-called local government financing vehicles (LGFV), said the sources. The regulator mainly asked them to reveal their exposure to offshore bonds issued by the LGFVs, set up by Chinese local governments to fund infrastructure investments, with a 364-day duration, said two of the sources. The second half of last year saw a rush by many LGFVs to raise 364-day offshore bonds, seemingly in a bid to circumvent regulation that requires them to seek approval for borrowing outside China with maturities longer than a year. Roughly $9 trillion worth of local government debt poses a major risk to the worlds second-largest economy and the countrys financial stability, economists say, amid a deepening property crisis and years of over-investment in infrastructure. Beijing has rolled out several measures to reduce local government debt risks, including instructing some of the heavily indebted municipalities to delay or halt some state-funded infrastructure projects, Reuters reported in January. All the sources declined to be named on the regulatory probe as they were not authorized to speak to the media. The NFRA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Bloomberg first reported the regulatory move on Thursday. It was not immediately clear what action, if any, the financial sector regulator will take after completion of the scrutiny into the exposure of the Hong Kong units of Chinese banks and insurers. Chinese LGFVs have found onshore financing challenging and turned to offshore funding channels in recent years. The funding vehicles, however, have to seek approval from regulators such as the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) for offshore debt issuance, unless the tenor of the bond is less than a year. The NDRC in January 2023 said offshore debt financing with maturities of less than one year did not need approval, which led to 27 offshore LGFV bonds with a duration of 364 days being issued in 2023, data from TianFeng Securities showed. The regulators closed the regulatory loophole by asking the LGFVs to stop issuing offshore bonds with a 364-day duration, after the surge in issuance, Reuters reported in January, citing sources familiar with the matter. (Reporting by Selena Li and Summer Zhen in Hong Kong, additional reporting by Ziyi Tang in Beijing; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Raju Gopalakrishnan) Topics Carriers China Since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, nearly 50 merchant ships have been languishing in its waters, stuck in ports too dangerous to sail from. But while these ships have not moved, some of their owners have changed, highlighting the risks some market players are prepared to take in the hunt for bargains. A Reuters analysis of port and ship tracking data detailing the line-up of ships has found at least nine vessels stranded in Ukrainian ports have been sold since February 2023 in a series of discrete deals. The sold ships are stuck in Mykolaiv, Kherson and Mariupol ports all of which remain inaccessible. At least five others were sold while in Ukrainian ports but have since been able to sail from the country, according to three industry sources. For their original owners, the length of time the ships were unable to sail meant they could claim the majority if not all the value of the vessel on insurance, according to underwriters and shipping sources familiar with the deals. That allowed the ships to be sold on at a discount to investors willing to take a bet that at some point the vessels can sail again. Who wants to buy a ship in a war zone? Some people do, said Richard Neylon, partner at law firm HFW, who has worked on several of these deals. Category one is people who think they can get the ship out, and a few have got out. Category two are people who recognize they are in it for the long haul, and ideally they factor in that risk. Neylon said most ships were going for around 25% of their original value, though the three industry sources said some had sold at as much as 80% of their value. The price depends on the ships condition, they said, with some likely to be only fit to be sold for scrap. Trade Ructions The war in Ukraine created an unprecedented ruction for the shipping industry, turning ports that were crucial to the global trade in grain and metals into mined, no-go areas overnight. The gross tonnage of ships calling at Ukrainian ports during the first quarter of 2023 was down more than 70% compared with the average in the year before the invasion, according to analysis by the OECD published in November 2023. Currently, ships can only leave Ukraine from three ports Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi along a temporary route set up for civilian vessels that has no formal safety guarantees, though Russia says it does not target non-military ships. London-listed shipping company Taylor Maritime Investments had a ship stranded in Ukraine at an undisclosed port and claimed insurance in late February 2023, after which the group said the ship left its ownership. The company declined to give further details. We put the safety of our crew first in all circumstances when theres real risk, CEO Edward Buttery told Reuters. I dont want to be responsible for people getting injured or worse when I have the ability not to have to make that decision. Others, though, are willing to take chances. The three sources said Hamburg-based shipping company Blumenthal JMK bought at least four ships in Ukraine, including the Liberian-flagged Primus which sailed out of Odesa last August and is listed as being managed by Blumenthals unit in Asia, with the owners details care of Blumenthal in Asia. The company did not respond to requests for comment. Other buyers appear to be companies registered in Liberia or unknown parties, according to shipping records. But even at low prices, the stakes are getting higher for buyers. Insurance is far more expensive than for owners who bought the ships before the war, and is now renewed on a weekly basis. The cost of maintaining vessels includes paying for insurance a percentage of the ships value which is currently running at around 1.5% weekly for additional war risk insurance alone. The stuck ships value varies from $20 million to $200 million, the three sources said. Owners also need to pay for keeping the vessel maintained and other expenses including a basic crew, usually local Ukrainians, the sources added. Even when stationary, ships in Ukrainian ports are vulnerable. On Feb. 27, the Turkey-flagged general cargo ship Kuruoglu-3 was hit by two Russian missiles while docked in Kherson, causing the vessel to list on its side, with concerns that it may eventually sink as it is not fully crewed, a representative of the vessels owner Kuruoglu Maritime told Reuters. But some ship buyers are familiar with such risks. Its surprising the markets that you had no idea existed, said Adrian Cox, CEO of insurer Beazley. Just like theres a market for distressed debt, theres a market for stuck ships. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul and Carolyn Cohn in London. Additional reporting by Michael Hogan in Hamburg. Editing by Rachel Armstrong and Mark Potter) Photograph: A general view of the grain storage terminal at the Odesa Sea Port, in Odesa, Ukraine, on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. Photo credit: AP Photo/Kostiantyn Liberov Topics Ukraine European Union governments backed a proposed law requiring large companies in the bloc to check if their supply chains use forced labor or cause environmental damage after Italy switched sides. A qualified majority of 15 EU countries making up 65% of the EU population had been required for the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD) to proceed to a final vote in the European Parliament, where lawmakers are expected to support it. On Friday, 17 ambassadors from the 27 EU countries backed the law, with no votes against. Belgium, which holds the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, had twice tried unsuccessfully to secure EU support for the law as Germany and other EU members, including Italy, abstained. Rome referred to complex negotiations involving also a new law on packaging waste, about which Italy has expressed some reservations, saying the right balance had now been struck. That law too was cleared on Friday. With its economy focused on smaller companies, it was also among countries pushing for them to be largely excluded from supply chain audits. Campaign group Anti-Slavery International praised the EUs commitment to tackling forced labor, which it said affected over 20 million people around the world. Lara Wolters, the EU lawmaker overseeing the law, said Fridays endorsement was a step towards justice for people and the planet. Hubertus Heil, Germanys center-left labor minister, said he was also pleased. Germanys pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) had led opposition, arguing it would burden business with excessive bureaucracy. Given it is part of the three-party governing coalition, it meant the government could not back the law. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) said the law would be a major burden and was impractical. Lobby group BusinessEurope said European companies would be exposed to litigation and put at a disadvantage to their global competitors, potentially forced to pull out of markets. Under the CSDDD, due to enter force in 2028, large companies in the European Union will have to identify and take remedial action if they find their supply chains employ forced or child labor or damage the environment, such as through deforestation. Fines for breaching the rules could be as much as 5% of a companys global turnover. Key to pushing the law through was a compromise on the definition of a large company. The rules will apply to companies that have more than 1,000 employees and a net worldwide turnover above 450 million euros ($489.9 million). The previously proposed thresholds had been 500 employees and 150 million euros. The rules will be phased in over a year, initially applying to firms with more than 5,000 employees and 1.5 billion euro turnover. ($1 = 0.9184 euros) (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; additional reporting by Giselda Vagnoni in Rome, Holger Hansen in Berlin, Simon Jessop in London; editing by GV De Clercq, Kirsten Donovan and Christina Fincher) Topics Europe Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has reiterated his concerns about railroad safety and scolded the industry for not doing more to improve since last years fiery Ohio derailment. In a new letter to the freight railroads main trade group, Buttigieg acknowledged that railroads say they are committed to safety. He also gave them credit for agreeing to provide paid sick time to nearly 90% of their workers over the past year, and for investing in an extensive network of detectors and other technology to help prevent derailments. But he said too often regulators encounter resistance when trying to get the industry to do more to improve safety. And he said the Federal Railroad Administrations statistics dont show safety improving significantly over the past decade. I want to enlist you in the project of rejecting, not defending, todays status quo with its stagnant or worsening accident rates. The rate should be going down and fast, Buttigieg wrote in the letter to the Association of American Railroads that was made public late Monday. He urged the trade group to join with Congress and regulators to improve safety not lobby against the reforms that were proposed after the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment in February 2023. The latest statistics do show the total number of all accidents and the number of derailments declining in the U.S. at the major freight railroads over the past decade, but the amount of rail traffic is also down significantly over that time. When the distance freight travels is factored in, the rate of accidents and derailments has worsened. Railroads do have a remarkably safe track record much better than trucks and the statistics show there are only 2.1 derailments per every million miles freight travels on rail across the country. But that still added up to 938 derailments nationwide last year. And as the Ohio derailment demonstrates, just one train crash involving hazardous materials can be disastrous. The industry also notes that more than three-quarters of all derailments happen at slow speeds and dont cause significant damage. But Buttigieg said that with two workers killed last year in rail yard accidents hes still concerned about those incidents. Plus, he pointed out that an explosion at a Union Pacific rail yard last fall prompted evacuations in Nebraska. The head of the AAR trade group, Ian Jefferies, said in his own letter to Buttigieg last month that railroads are wholeheartedly dedicated to advancing safety through our own initiatives and collaborative efforts with DOT. Jefferies noted the major freight railroads which include Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX, Canadian National and CPKC invest billions every year in maintenance, technology and training to prevent derailments. But Buttigieg said that the railroads have earned a reputation in recent years of being so obsessed with short-term profits that they neglect other vital priorities like safety, long-term network development, customer service, worker wellbeing, and community engagement. When your industry objects to safety provisions, this perception deepens. The six biggest railroads reported more than $25 billion in profits last year, even as Norfolk Southern said the East Palestine derailment response had cost it more than $1.1 billion. Buttigieg said that shows the industry is already extremely some would say ridiculously profitable. To achieve those profits, the railroads have cut their workforce deeply, prompting unions to raise concerns about needed maintenance being overlooked and crucial inspections being rushed. But the railroads counter that their safety record hasnt gotten significantly worse as a result of the changes they have made to streamline their operations and make the best use of their workers and locomotives. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Ohio A 19-year-old Michigan man who lost his right eye after being shot with a firearm made from a ghost gun kit filed a lawsuit against his former best friend who accidentally shot him and the Pennsylvania company that sold his friend the kit. The lawsuit, which was filed in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, alleges that JSD Supply sold two ghost gun kits in April 2021 to Guy Boyds then-17-year-old friend without verifying the friends age or whether he could legally possess a pistol. Boyd, who also was 17, was shot in the face less than two months later. He also suffers from ongoing chronic and debilitating seizures that have nearly killed him and will continue to impact almost every aspect of his daily life, according to the lawsuit. This case is about the known and obvious dangers of arming a teenager with a gun, a company that cavalierly ignored these dangers, and a young man whose life was shattered because of it, Boyds attorneys wrote in the lawsuit. It was not immediately clear what criminal charges, if any, were filed against Boyds former friend, who was a minor at the time of the shooting, said David Santacroce, one of Boyds lawyers. The Associated Press left a message with the county prosecutor about the shooting case. The lawsuit accuses JSD Supply and Boyds former friend of negligence. The Associated Press was unable to reach the former friend, now 19, for comment, and is not naming him. JSD Supply in Prospect, Pennsylvania, didnt immediately respond to a voicemail and an email seeking comment. The lawsuit alleges that JSD Supply proudly, publicly, yet falsely advertised that the guns assembled from its kits required no licensing, could be owned completely off-the-books, and required absolutely no paperwork.' New Jerseys attorney general sued JSD Supply and another company in December alleging that they tried to sell ghost guns which are illegal in that state. Ghost guns are privately made firearms without serial numbers. Generally, guns manufactured by licensed companies are required to have serial numbers usually displayed on the weapons frame that allow authorities to trace them back to the manufacturer, firearms dealer and original buyer. Ghost guns, however, are made of parts that are assembled into weapons at home. The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver. Some are sold in do-it-yourself kits and the receivers are typically made from metal or polymer. On April 9, 2021, the teen named in the Michigan lawsuit allegedly purchased ghost gun build and completion kits online for $464.97 and had them shipped to his home in Ypsilanti, about 36 miles (58 kilometers) southwest of Detroit. His mother found the first assembled pistol and took it away because he was underage, the lawsuit says. Eighteen days later, he purchased two more of the companion kits for $474.97 and also had them shipped to his home. Boyd and the teen had been best friends for more than 10 years and were drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana with two other friends in late May 2021 when the gun was pointed at Boyd and the trigger was pulled. The last thing plaintiff Boyd remembers from that night is (his friend) saying, after he had shot him, I love you, bro,' according to the lawsuit. Doctors were unable to remove all of the bullet fragments, and some remain in Boyds brain, the lawsuit says. Mr. Boyd brings this action seeking relief for his injuries and trying to prevent such an avoidable tragedy from ever happening again, according to the lawsuit which says the amount in damages exceeds $25,000. A jury would decide on the amount of damages if the lawsuit succeeds, Santacroce said. Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Michigan Manufacturing Gun Liability Terrorist threats toward the US have reached a whole other level from the already heightened situation before the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and its response, FBI Director Christopher Wray said Tuesday. Youve seen a veritable rogues gallery of foreign terrorist organizations calling for terrorist attacks against us in a way that we havent seen in a long, long time, the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigations told the House Intelligence Committee in an annual presentation on the biggest worldwide threats facing the US. Wray, speaking alongside other top US intelligence officials, said the FBI is also concerned about the risk of violent attacks by lone actors inspired by calls for violence from the Middle East. This is a time not for panic, but for heightened vigilance given the risk, Wray said. The Oct. 7 Hamas attacks were the deadliest in Israels history, sparking a war between Israel and the group, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union. Israels response in Gaza has resulted in more than 30,000 deaths, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. President Joe Biden has backed Israel, although warning increasingly that its response has been over the top. The intelligence communitys written report said armed resistance to Israel by Hamas is likely to continue for years, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus vow to destroy the group during its current drive in Gaza. It is likely that the Gaza conflict will have a generational impact on terrorism, the report predicted. The report said US spy agencies assess that Iranian leaders did not orchestrate nor had foreknowledge of the Hamas attack against Israel on Oct. 7. Photo: Christopher Wray. Photographer: Al Drago/Getty Images Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters USA Do motorist-assistance systems like GMs OnStar feed data to auto insurers, resulting in higher premiums for some drivers? A south Florida man says indeed, they do, and has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against General Motors and LexisNexis Risk Solutions, claiming his premiums shot up after erroneous information was illegally supplied to insurance carriers. Romeo Chicco, of Palm Beach County, claims he never signed up for the OnStar system, which monitors driving and can alerts authorities in case of an accident. Nor did he agree to let LexisNexis share his driving data. Plaintiff is informed and believes that General Motors and OnStar sold and/or shared Plaintiffs driving data without his knowledge or consent, reads the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for Southern Florida. This uncontextualized, misleading, and personal driving information on Plaintiffs consumer disclosure harms Plaintiffs ability to purchase car insurance. Moreover, notwithstanding the extreme frustration and dissatisfaction with the entire ordeal, these disclosures harm Plaintiffs solitude and peace of mind. The suit follows reports in the New York Times and the New York Post this week that some makes of vehicles are secretly spying on drivers and affecting their insurance rates. LexisNexis officials could not be reached for comment by Insurance Journal Friday morning, and the defendants have not yet filed an answer to the March 13 complaint. A spokeswoman for GM told the Times that the manufacturer was reviewing the complaint, and noted that the OnStar privacy statement mentions that data may be shared. Driver tracking systems have been offered by auto insurers for years, through smart phone apps or through devices placed in vehicles. But these ostensibly require consumer consent to be activated. Chiccos attorneys argue that he purposefully avoided consenting to OnStar data sharing, yet was enrolled anyway through deceptive practices. After several telephone calls to GM, OnStar and LexisNexis, Chicco said an OnStar representative told him that the firm has an internal arrangement with insurance companies. Insurers were not named in the suit. The suit maintains that Chicco became aware of the alleged data sharing two years after he purchased a Cadillac from a Delray Beach dealer in 2021. In 2023, his longtime insurance carrier notified him that it was no longer writing in Florida. He said he then contacted several other carriers, but all of them rejected his business. Finally, he called Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., and a representative there told him that he had been denied coverage due to information in his LexisNexis report. A local agent later helped Chicco obtain coverage, but his premium was nearly double his previous amount. Plaintiff would not have even bought the Cadillac vehicle to begin with had he known of this grave invasion of privacy, the lawsuit notes. The suit claims that GM and LexisNexis violated state and federal statutes, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Floridas Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and privacy laws. Florida Secretary of State records show that a Romeo Chicco is a well-known businessman in Boynton Beach and head of a payroll services company. The complaint can be seen here. Topics Lawsuits Florida Carriers Personal Auto Data Driven March 15, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a global news source and expert investing resource, announces today's roundup of stocks to watch in the mining sector. The newest mining companies are all Canadian listed and explore for gold, lithium and nickel-copper. New Stocks Added to the Mining Directories: North Peak Resources Ltd. (TSXV:NPR) is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NPR". The Company is focused on acquiring historic sites, with low cost producing gold and other metals properties, with near term production potential and 8+ year mine life in the northern hemisphere. The Company recently acquired an initial 80% interest in the Prospect Mountain Mine complex in Eureka, Nevada. Badlands Resources Inc. (TSXV:BLDS.V) through its wholly owned subsidiary, is a gold focused exploration company in the Black Hills, South Dakota. The Company has strategically consolidated 7,858 acres, 20 km along trend from the Homestake Mine that produced 42 million ounces of gold. The Bella Project has over 90% of exposed Banded Iron Formation not covered by sampling and is determined to explore the near surface potential. Galloper Gold Corp. (CSE: BOOM) is an exploration and development resource company currently engaged in the identification, acquisition and exploration of high-grade precious metal and base metal projects in North America. The Company is focused on its Glover Island and Mint Pond projects, both located in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Aurion Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AU) is a well-funded, Canadian exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V: AU) and the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX: AIRRF). Aurion's strategy is to generate or acquire early-stage precious metals exploration opportunities and advance them through direct exploration by our experienced team or by business partnerships and joint venture arrangements. Aurion's current focus is exploring on its Risti project, as well as advancing its joint venture properties with B2Gold and Kinross in Finland. Blue Moon Metals Inc. (OTCQB: BMOOF; TSXV: MOON) is advancing its Blue Moon polymetallic deposit which contains zinc, gold, silver and copper. The property is well located with existing local infrastructure including paved highways three miles from site; a hydroelectric power generation facility a few miles from the site, a three-hour drive to the Oakland port and a four-hour drive to the service centre of Reno. Zinc is currently on the USGS list of metals critical to the US economy and national security. The Company also holds the Yava polymetallic project in Nunavut that is in the same volcanic lithologies and south of Glencore's Hackett River deposit. Xplore Resources Corp. (TSX:XPLR.V) is a North American lithium exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under symbol XPLR. The company has a prospective land package in the emerging Root Bay lithium district located in northwest Ontario. Xplore's flagship property is the Surge lithium project, on trend and near two lithium deposits and just 25 m from a new lithium discovery. The Company is led by a highly experienced management team with a strong track record of growing shareholder value. Perpetua Resources (TSX:PPTA) through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project. The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Further advancing Perpetua Resources' ESG and sustainable mining goals, the Project will be powered by the lowest carbon emissions grid in the nation and a portion of the antimony produced from the Project will be supplied to Ambri, a U.S.-based company commercializing a low-cost liquid metal battery essential for the low-carbon energy transition. Perpetua Resources has been awarded a TIA of up to $59.4 million in DPA Title III funding to advance construction readiness and permitting of the Project. Antimony trisulfide from Stibnite is the only known domestic source of antimony that can meet U.S. defense needs for many small arms, munitions, and missile types. Denarius Metals (TSXV:DSLV.V) is a Canadian junior company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and eventual operation of polymetallic mining projects in high-grade districts, with its principal focus on the Lomero Project, a polymetallic deposit located on the Spanish side of the prolific copper rich Iberian Pyrite Belt, one of the largest districts of pyrite-rich massive sulfide deposits in the world. The Company recently acquired a 50% interest in Rio Narcea Recursos, S.L. which has the rights to exploit the historic producing Aguablanca nickel-copper mine, including a 5,000 tpd processing plant, located in Monesterio, Extremadura, Spain, approximately 88 km from the Company's Lomero Project. The Company is also carrying out an exploration campaign on the Toral Zn-Pb-Ag Project located in the Leon Province, Northern Spain pursuant to a definitive agreement signed in 2022 for an option and joint-venture arrangement with Europa (AIM: EUZ) pursuant to which Europa has granted Denarius Metals two options to acquire up to an 80% ownership interest in Europa Metals Iberia S.L. ("EMI"), a wholly-owned Spanish subsidiary of Europa which holds the Toral Project. The Company is carrying out construction activities at its 100%-owned Zancudo Project in Colombia, which includes the historic producing Independencia mine, providing an opportunity to develop near-term production and cash flow commencing this year through local contract mining and long-term growth through continued exploration of the Zancudo deposit which remains open in all directions. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Learn more about our news, PR and social media, podcast and ticker tag services at Investorideas.com https://www.investorideas.com/Investors/Services.asp Learn more about advertising and guest posts https://www.investorideas.com/Advertise/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/Investorideas Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Investorideas Follow us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Investorideas Contact Investorideas.com to be added to our stock directories or learn more about us Dawn Van Zant and Cali Van Zant 800 665 0411 Employers and employees can both welcome the new Code of Practice for Employers and Employees around the right to request flexible and remote working, says one leading HR expert. Mary Connaughton, director of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in Ireland, says that workers are glad of the clarity the new code has brought, with processes that set clear parameters to any agreed changes in work practice. Employers are glad that you have to set a start date and a finishing date in the application, Mary said. For an employer, setting the number of years that youre agreeing to means that you can trial the arrangement to see if it works for the company. A new employee is only entitled to take up these agreed rights from six months after they start their new role. The new codes cover areas such as probation periods, sick leave and sick pay. In reality, some employers wont be strict in applying these elements, but theyll welcome the clarity and the processes. For any employee denied a request for flexible work (FW) or remote work (RW), the code of practice gives them an objective yardstick to gauge if their employer is showing favouritism towards a colleague whose application was accepted. The code teases out a wide range of factors that govern the employers decisions to accept or refuse an employees FW or RW application. All employees can apply for remote working, but the employer might decide that certain skill sets, for instance the operation of certain machinery, might require some employees to spend more time in the workplace than others. The employer might agree to an employee working remotely, but insist that their written agreement includes the employers right to insist that the employee attends the workplace for certain meetings or functions. An employer needs to know that they can run the business properly. Mary Connaughton believes that the reasonable balance struck between employer and employee needs helps explain why the initial reaction has been generally positive. That balance was no doubt helped by the fact that employer group Ibec and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) both contributed to the wording of the code. Both also welcomed its publication. Of course, many companies couldnt wait for these codes to be formalised and instead drove ahead with informal RW and FW arrangements with staff. Most also engaged with their staff on these issues ahead of last years Work-Life Balance Act. The issuing of these new codes, however, coincides with current efforts by an increasing number of companies to bring their staff back into the workplace. The codes will help all parties as they seek to formalise RW and FW practices, putting structures around three-days-in, two-days-out etc. On the right to request remote working, the code provides a useful framework for employees to consider in requesting remote working, including factors like long daily commutes (with reference to both time wasted and carbon footprint), quality of life, neurodiverse or medical needs. The broad nature of this framework sets a humane and considerate tone, Mary said. An employer can agree to a request for work flexibility for a parent of a child up to age 12, or up to age 16 for a child with a special need or disability. Similar flexibility codes apply to carers looking after someone in the home. The code helps you to put a formal agreement in place around the employees specific hybrid work request. A lot of people need that clarity so that they can organise their lives. Employees can request flexible working in order to provide care to a range of people including children, parents, other family members and cohabitants. Flexible working can include part-time and term-time working, job-sharing and remote working. The employee submits a request at least eight weeks in advance of a proposed start date and set out the reasons for it, identifying the person or people requiring their care and providing detail of any medical conditions involved. Meanwhile, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court will have the power to order employers to reappraise any employee applications they choose to refuse. Employees will be entitled to up to 20 weeks pay in compensation for any applications deemed to be unfairly refused. Employers also risk fines if they dont keep proper records. They must keep specific records of RW and FW arrangements taken by employees for up to three years or risk a fine of up to 2,500. Like any other grievance, an employee whose RW or FW request is refused must first exhaust the companys internal grievance processes before going to the WRC or the Labour Court, Mary said. The employer must comply with all the processes. The WRC isnt necessarily going to reject the employers decision. It will look at all the elements of the process and then make a judgement. Read More Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland In reality, most employers have been slow to force people to come back to work five days a week in the office unless there is a compelling business need. Where employer and employee views differ around FW and RW arrangements, the code brings a welcome formality and framework to their discussions. The code helps employees and employers to structure their thoughts around their flexible and remote working requests, said Mary. They now have a framework to help them with their conversation, and it should help them in coming up with a solution that works for all parties involved. www.cipd.org When Andy Morling heard about a revolutionary new weight-loss cure last spring, he figured it might spark a shadier market for fakes. His hunch was right. Almost a year later, the UK law-enforcement veteran is leading the charge against criminals looking to profit from the very human desire to slim down. Both organized crime and unscrupulous lone entrepreneurs are looking to capitalize on the weight-loss frenzy with concoctions that range from useless to potentially deadly. Their packaging mimics Novo Nordisk A/Ss Ozempic and Wegovy, the sister drugs that made the company the most valuable in Europe last year. This is a brand new criminal threat for us, Morling said, speaking from an office outside London that sits adjacent to a secure warehouse filled with thousands of seized medicines, including large sacks of fake Ozempic. It was born essentially last spring. Thats when the Novo medicines became a social media phenomenon, fueled by Hollywood celebrity endorsements, even as supply shortages kept them out of reach for many, especially outside the US. Wegovy, the weight-loss successor to the diabetes drug Ozempic, was first introduced in the UK last September, but its maker restricts how much can be shipped. When there arent enough legitimate products to meet demand, Morling said criminals are very quick to find a way into it. Morling doesnt work for the police. He heads the criminal enforcement team at the UKs Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, or MHRA a government agency better known for reviewing medicines than catching criminals. Andy Morling: This is a brand new criminal threat for us. Photo: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg Yet his team tracks down illegal websites and monitors social media to stamp out sales of fake skinny jabs. They even carry out raids. Their hands-on approach stands out in Europe, where some other agencies dont actively seek out bogus treatments. The UK medicines agency has seized 869 fake Ozempic pens so far more than its counterparts in Denmark, Ireland, Switzerland, Iceland and the Netherlands combined. The pens found in Britain include crude fakes as well as ones distributed in bulk by more sophisticated criminals. Some contained insulin a potentially lethal filling rather than semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy. While vital to people with diabetes, insulin can cause seizures and even death for the average person. Patients have been hospitalized after taking suspected falsified Ozempic beyond the UK, with reports from Austria, Lebanon and the US. The US Food and Drug Administration says its aware of five adverse events linked to the counterfeit drugs. It only takes one or two rogue pharmacies to have a negative impact, said Bernard Naughton, assistant professor of pharmacy at Trinity College Dublin. Wegovy and Ozempic have ignited something of a gold rush in the pharma industry, with drugmakers vying to capture a piece of the $100bn market opportunity. While Novo was first, Eli Lilly & Co. has since introduced a similar injection and others are snapping at the drugmakers heels. Morlings team initially started to hear from colleagues at the UK border about Ozempic pens being seized, he said. The products were fake crudely disguised insulin pens with the label peeled off and replaced with an Ozempic sticker. But the trade grew in sophistication, culminating in the seizure of 500 counterfeit pens at two UK wholesalers. To the uninitiated, some of them could be confused for the real deal, according to Morling. The fakes at the regulators warehouse include bar-codes and packaging that appear similar in color, size and shape to legitimate pens. To date, the UK border force has seized 369 fake Ozempic pens on the medicines agencys behalf. The bigger tranche of counterfeits 500 in total were found knocking on the door of the regulated supply chain, Morling said. The products showing up in legal channels concerns me greatly because of the health risk, said Morling, who spent 37 years leading intelligence at government agencies, including the Serious Fraud Office and the National Crime Agency. Falsified drugs are big business for criminals globally, with pharmaceutical crime spiking by 50% between 2018 and 2022 and impacting the majority of countries, according to data from the Pharmaceutical Security Institute. The World Health Organization has estimated that one in 10 medical products in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified. With the advent of online pharmacies, its becoming harder for customers to distinguish between real medicines and imitations. Bloomberg A rebound in the pharmaceutical sector has seen the value of Irish exports increase by 3.4bn in January compared to the same period last year, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows. The decline in demand for covid-related products such as vaccines was a major contributor to the contraction in the sector seen over the course of 2023. As a result, gross domestic product was estimated to have fallen by 3.4% in the year to the end of December, largely as a result of a decline in multinational-dominated sectors such as the pharmaceuticals. According to the CSO, the total value of exports stood at 18.1bn in January an increase of 2.5bn in December and of 3.4bn compared to January 2023. Imports in January stood at 9.4bn, leaving a trade surplus of 8.8bn. Earlier this week, the Central Bank forecasted the pharmaceutical sector, along with exports, would see a normalisation in 2024. Statistician with the CSO Ciaran Counihan said the increase in the trade surplus was due to a combination of increased exports and reduced imports. The largest increase in exports was due to pharmaceuticals, and the largest reduction in imports was seen in fuels, he said. Imports from Britain fell by 50% to 1.3bn during the month compared to the same time last year, with the largest decrease seen in the import of mineral fuels and lubricants. However, Irish exports to Britain were up by 200m year-on-year. Exports to other EU countries were flat but imports increased by 4% over the year. Exports to the US grew by 22% to 3.37bn, while imports from the US declined 25% to 1.37bn. Irelands cyber security sector continues to grow, with the possibility of becoming one of the major job generators of the future. Having already established itself as a billion euro business employing over 7,300 people, the sector has created a secure commercial foundation of over 170 cyber security companies and an additional 500 cyber-related enterprises already generating more than 2.1bn. The sector is worth 1.1bn in gross value-added goods and services to the Irish economy, with the median cyber security salary currently at 75,000. The recent 7m Enterprise Ireland investment in Munster Technological Universitys Cyber Innovate initiative is geared to further boost cyber innovation and entrepreneurship over the next six years. Designed to spur new company formations and increased job creation in the sector, it will foster a stream of cyber security innovation graduates to strengthen and enhance the countrys reputation as a global player in cyber security innovation. Each year, the Cyber Innovate programme will provide up to 15 participants with the necessary skills to evaluate, select and validate ideas for new products and services which will contribute to the creation of new cyber security start-ups and university spin-outs nationally. Industry needs Grounded toward industry needs and backed by academic rigour from MTU, the initiative will run over six years with each intake working over 10 months to identify problems and develop real-world cyber security solutions. The Cyber Innovate initiative represents more than an investment in MTU as a globally competitive university, according to Dr Donna OShea, chair of cybersecurity at MTU. We are thrilled with the remarkable level of interest in Cyber Innovate so far, it is far beyond what we actually expected. We are looking for high-calibre individuals from a range of disciplines, and the type of applicants applying ranges from graduates to mid-level professionals to individuals at advanced career stages. Ultimately, cyber security is an interdisciplinary science trying to solve complex problems and we need to form teams that are also interdisciplinary in nature. The realisation of the Cyber Innovate initiative will see graduates delivering innovative commercial solutions that will address security needs for key sectors such as smart manufacturing, while boosting Ireland's cyber security industry revenue. Participants will work with researchers in MTU and other universities to develop their solutions with support from Enterprise Ireland commercialisation funds, aimed at fostering the graduation of an annual group with cyber security innovation expertise, many of whom will create their own start-ups. Tax-free stipend Individuals will be supported with a tax-free 38,000 stipend and will graduate with a postgraduate diploma in cyber security innovation. The investment is part of the 28m Innovators Initiative co-funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. A recent report by Cyber Ireland revealed an opportunity to position Ireland as a global leader in cyber security and to grow the workforce to more than 17,000 by 2030. The sector is expanding rapidly, with indigenous Irish cyber security start-ups having seen investments of more than 129m over the past five years. In 2023 alone, more than 7.3bn has been invested globally in cyber security companies. "Cyber security has really come to the forefront of peoples minds over recent years, particularly after the HSE attack. The consciousness of cyber security has been raised across all society as these attacks become more evident." Cyber security as a career option has traditionally been strong in Cork, as evidenced through the strong cluster of companies based in the area. Cork has nearly all of the top 10 global cyber security companies, because we have always had a long-standing tradition of servicing the needs of the industry here as seen by the organic cluster of those firms in the region. The demand for cyber security skills has continually increased over the past four years, with a trebling of job roles advertised between 2019 and 2022, up from 2,000 jobs advertised to 6,700 open roles. 10,000 additional jobs On a growth trajectory of 10%, the sector anticipates the creation of well over 10,000 additional jobs by 2030. In addition, the Cyber Skills project, where MTU works with key industry partners, including Technological University Dublin, University College Dublin and University of Limerick, will address their specific skills needs through flexible modes of online delivery. Cyber Ireland, uniting over 160 member organisations, including start-ups, SMEs, multinational corporations, and educational institutions, recently launched a comprehensive strategy aimed at driving the growth of Ireland's cyber security sector by 2030. Primed to capitalise on established strengths and competitive advantages to develop as a leading cyber security sector in Europe, the new strategy has four focus areas across building the community, driving business growth, developing the workforce, and advocacy and promotion. At the moment, we have approximately 7,500 people working in the cyber security industry in Ireland, and that figure is really just the companies that develop cyber security products and services, says Dr OShea. 'Very valuable industry' It does not include cyber security individuals that are employed within financial services or smart manufacturing. Our cyber security industry actually contributes 1% of our GDP to our national economy, and is clearly a very valuable industry for Ireland and one that we need to support and grow into the future. The particular importance of MTUs Cyber Innovate initiative is because of the need to develop cyber security innovation at the intersection between IT, operational technology and internet Of things. The reason we are looking at these technologies is because they are used for making advances in digitalisation across key sectors of our economy, such as smart manufacturing, financial services and utilities. "What Cyber Innovate will do is develop new cyber security products, services and solutions that will support and protect those key economy sectors. While cyber security is an industry all by itself, its application and essential remit in supporting other industries demonstrates its much wider importance and potential across the entire national economy. As the rate of Irelands digitalisation continues to increase, so too do the risks. With the cost of cybercrime for Irish businesses having increased from 3.5bn in 2019 to 10bn in 2022, it tallies well with the World Economic Forums definition of cybercrime as one of its "highest likelihood risks over the next 10 years". Dr OShea concludes: The challenge and opportunity for the future is to ensure that Ireland has the capacity and capability to develop research, development and innovation solutions that deal with the increasingly complex and expanding threat landscape that is a consequence of digitalisation. The cost of cooking a full Irish breakfast has risen once again with figures released on Friday from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showing further hikes across staple items in a traditional fry-up. Publishing its annual costs of a family-sized full Irish ahead of St Patrick's Day, The CSO said the price of cooking a traditional fry had risen by 3.1% in the 12 months to January 2024. Combining the costs of staple items such as eggs, pudding, rashers, sausages and more, the CSO found the total price rose from 27.20 in January 2023 to 28.03 in 2024. CSO Full Irish January Cost However, the CSO noted that "no traditional family fry-up would be complete without bread and butter, all washed down with a cup of tea or glass of milk." Adding further staple items including bread, butter, tea and milk, the costs of a traditional Irish breakfast rose even further, increasing to 38.79 in January 2024, which was up by 2.3% over the 12 months to January 2024. The cost of 80 tea bags and two litres of full-fat milk had risen from 5.17 to 5.30 in the 12 months to January 2024, up 2.4%. The CSO added that the costs of a large white sliced pan and 1lb of butter had gone down from 5.50 in January 2023 to 5.40 in January 2024, reflecting a 1.8% decrease. "In fact, the only items to fall in price over the 12 months to January 2024 were bread, butter, and milk," the CSO said. It is a decade since the barbaric killing of US journalist James Foley reverberated around the globe. Foley had been kidnapped in 2012 by Islamic State terrorists while covering the civil war in Syria; in a manner that seemed incomprehensible at the time, his beheading was filmed by the perpetrators and posted online for the world to see. Foleys mother Diane had spent the two years that her son was being held frantically trying to draw attention to his plight, in the face of political indifference and bureaucratic obstacles. In the aftermath of his death, she continued to campaign for hostages and their families, eventually helping to achieve reform of US policy. It was a story that held particular resonance for the Irish author Colum McCann, whose connection to the story began with the circulation of a photo which showed Foley reading his book, Let the Great World Spin, in a military bunker while on assignment. It was a thread that eventually led to him collaborating with Diane Foley on his latest book American Mother, which tells the remarkable story of her search for answers and how she reached out to the man sentenced to life in prison for the murder and torture of her son. McCann, who has been based in New York for many years, says it was a story he felt compelled to write. Foleys mother Diane had spent the two years that her son was being held frantically trying to draw attention to his plight, in the face of political indifference and bureaucratic obstacles. File picture: Jonathan Vogel I dont always believe in fate but in this particular instance, I think its entirely true," McCann says. This is such a compelling and beautiful story. We are living in broken times and this woman comes along and says OK, hold on a second, lets challenge the way the world asks us to be. I think shes extraordinary. It was such a privilege that I was the one who got a chance to tell her story. American Mother begins with Dianes first meeting with Alexanda Kotey, the former UK national who was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her son and three other US hostages. For McCann, who accompanied Diane to the meeting in a Virginia court-house, it was a powerful and profoundly significant moment, but also one that was underscored by more practical concerns. I was told beforehand that I wasnt allowed to take notes, he says. I still have Gregg shorthand and I was doodling on a page pretending that I wasnt taking notes, trying desperately in my head to remember everything that he was saying. It was so powerful to be there and watch this woman sit four feet from a man who had been involved in killing her son, and for her to try to understand him. It was one of the great human moments, almost mythical, in a sense. McCanns novels have garnered acclaim but as indicated by his shorthand skills, he began his writing life as a journalist, studying at Rathmines School of Journalism in Dublin, then the main training ground for the profession, in the early 80s. He still considers himself a journalist, something which helped him identify even more with James Foley when he was working on American Mother. I dont think there is any difference between a poet and a journalist, or an author and a playwright, it all comes down to saying it well, the words that you use, he says. This book is my first work of extended non-fiction. Going back to my roots in journalism was really nice. And this is a book about journalism and journalists and combat journalism people who have gone to the very edge. Jim loved stories, storytelling, hearing about other people. A lot of things about him made me feel like he was a cousin or a brother in spirit. Colum McCann says 'American Mother' is a book about journalism and journalists and combat journalism people who have gone to the very edge. File picture: Moya Nolan There was widespread revulsion and condemnation when James Foley was murdered in such appalling circumstances. Journalists continue to be killed in war zones and areas of conflict around the world on a daily basis, but to decreasing comment or reaction. McCann says journalists have an important role to fulfil and the risks they face in doing their jobs must continue to be highlighted. It is the job of the storytellers, the journalists and the writers, to keep this at the forefront of peoples imaginations. We cant afford to become immune to it because that comfortable numbness will take us down. How many journalists have been killed in Gaza, a hundred? It is an incredibly important profession which has been given stick over the years but at its core, the job is still to tell the truth. That was one of the big things about Jim, he was there to tell the truth. McCanns last book, Apeirogon, which was long-listed for the 2020 Booker Prize, was an account of a friendship between two men, Bassam, a Palestinian and Rami, an Israeli, both of whom suffered the violent loss of their daughters Bassams daughter Abir was shot dead aged 10 by an Israeli soldier, while Ramis daughter Smadar was killed aged 13 by a Palestinian suicide bomber. Described by McCann as a hybrid novel, Apeirogon has much in common with American Mother, featuring protagonists who take their unimaginable loss and forge it into something hopeful. the video by Islamic State militants that purports to show the killing of Foley by the militant group which was was released on August 19, 2014. File picture: AP The optimism of Bassam and Rami that Palestinians and Israelis can live peacefully together has been tested more than ever in recent times. McCann is in touch with them regularly and wants them to travel to the US to share their story about advocating for peace, but they are having difficulties securing visas. Basically every day they send me an update. They are peacemakers, they want to change things and they are not allowed tell their story, he says. Rami and Bassam are truly extraordinary and they will not be silenced. After everything that they, and Diane Foley, have been through, where does their continued hope in humanity come from, I wonder. They have gone through the absolute worst. They refuse to kowtow to despair because they know that if they did, they wouldnt be able to get up out of bed in the morning, they wouldnt be able to continue telling the stories of their daughters. In a way, they are keeping their daughters alive by continuing to tell their stories but also they are keeping the prospect of whatever form of peace might be there alive. As Bassam says, who would possibly have believed in 1965, 20 years after the Holocaust, that there would be an Israeli embassy in Berlin and a German embassy in Tel Aviv? It takes people of faith and conviction to say that things have to change. Right now, it looks pretty grim. Rami would say peace is inevitable, it is how we get there that is important. Grief, loss and healing seem to permeate much of McCanns work. What does he think it is that draws him to such themes? Its probably an empathetic thing, that I want to understand some of the dark stories but also to bring some of the light out of the darker stories at the same time, he says. Without being twee or sentimental about it, I truly believe in the force of optimism in the face of all human evidence. Because the world is pretty dark right now, but we still have an obligation to find something good happening. Everyone in Ireland knows at least a few people from Eastern Europe, possibly several, but we are only starting to become aware of their wine and food culture. But please keep your mind open and your eyes peeled, as Eastern European wines are now making noticeable inroads into Ireland. Brilliant initiatives like the Polish Wine Festival (on April 6th this year) have helped, and the embassies are doing their best, but us wine lovers need to do our part too and actually buy the wines. Over the coming months I plan to mention wines from Georgia, Moldova, Romania and Poland, but this week it is Slovenia and Czechia. There are not many Czech wines here yet, but Moravia in Southern Czechia has a long and storied tradition of winemaking and on a visit last year I found delicious fruity Blaufrankisch and Zweigelts (as good as many from Austria) and solid Rieslings, Furmints and Laski whites. I recommend a good Czech Pinot Noir below to ease you in gently. Slovenia has a similarly long wine tradition and a larger presence in Irish wine shops and restaurants, helped in part by the adventure Liam and Sinead Cabot began in 2007 when they bought two hectares there and planted a vineyard. Their plot is in Eastern Slovenia and near the village of Kog in the Stajerska region and they have Furmint, Laski and Blaufrankisch their wines sell out every year. I recommend two of their Roka wines below and if you are curious what it is like to become a winemaker, Liam and Sinead will be taking part in a Wine Weekend in the gorgeous No. 1 Pery Square in Limerick City from Friday 22nd-Sunday 24th March next. Their story is a fascinating one and the wines are excellent. Roka Laski Kog, Stajerska, Slovenia, 32 One Pery Square Limerick; Grapevine Dalkey; Market 57 Westport; Darog Galway; 64Wine.ie Laski (once called Laski Rizling) is much maligned but in the right hands can be excellent offering creamy fruits, pinot-gris-like textures and spice, and good balance. A long slow ferment gives this ripe pear aromas with ginger, lemon and herbal touches, a soft texture and balanced finish. Roka Blaufrankisch, Stajerska, Slovenia, 32 Roka Blaufrankisch, Stajerska, Slovenia, 32 One Pery Square Limerick; Grapevine Dalkey; Market 57 Westport; Darog Galway; 64Wine.ie Creamy dark cherry aromas, juicy and ripe with an abundance of soft dark fruits - blackberry compote, cooked blueberries and crunchy tannins on the mid-palate and a balanced finish. I had this with game in Knockranny in February and it matched brilliantly, but it will also work with duck or lamb. Krasna Hora Barrel Select Pinot Noir 2021, Moravia, Czechia, 36.95 Krasna Hora Barrel Select Pinot Noir 2021, Moravia, Czechia, 36.95 Independents; The Corkscrew; McHughs; Martins; Mitchellandson.com An excellent Organic/Biodynamic family owned producer, I tasted their range and liked everything especially the elegant clean fizz, supple Ruby blend and this fine Pinot. This is bright, weighty and juicy with violet and red berry scents and a pleasing fleshy quality on the palate. Well worth its price. Spirit of the Week Roe & Co Solera Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 46% ABV, 70cl. 85 Roe & Co Solera Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 46% ABV, 70cl. 85 Stockists: Selected Carry Outs & Carryout.ie; The Loop; Roeandcowhiskey.com; Independents. This is brand new from Roe & Co and will soon be widely available. Solera refers to the whiskey being aged in a Solera system similar to Sherry. There are four criadera (layers) - first fill and refill Bourbon, four types of sherry cask, chestnut and Alligator Char US Oak. Praline, brown sugar and toasted oak aromas with a touch of tropical fruits caramel on the palate with bright fruity notes followed by spice and pepper, lingering nuts and toffee touches. Irish Wish (PG) stars Lindsay Lohan as Maddy, a Manhattan-based book editor secretly in love with her bestselling Irish author, Paul (Alexander Vlahos). Invited to Mayo as a bridesmaid for Pauls nuptials with her best friend, Emma (Elizabeth Tan), Maddy finds herself wishing it was she marrying Paul, unaware the ostensibly friendly Irish colleen giving her advice is the mischievous St Brigid (Dawn Bradfield), whose wish-granting, according to the film, delivers not what you want, but what you actually need. Written by Kirsten Hansen and directed by Janeen Damian, Irish Wish comes on like a live-action Disney princess fairytale, as charmingly whimsical as it is utterly implausible (and, for that matter, wholly predictable). Those who take a dim view of Oirish stereotypes would do well to steer clear dashing English photographer James (Ed Speelers) has arrived in Mayo to document the annual Sheep Shearing Contest even if the stereotypes are more misguided than offensive (a James Joyce reference is especially ill-judged). But. the country looks absolutely ravishing, and if the geography is a little muddled (at one point Maddy and James depart Mayo and arrive at the Cliffs of Moher via a quick spin down the avenue at Powerscourt Estate), then thats a small price to pay an investment, really in return for the hordes of Irish-American tourists who will inevitably descend on the West next summer. CLAIRE* vividly recalls the moment she first drank alcohol. She was 16 and tried vodka with some friends. It was as if something inside me just clicked, she says. I felt a sense of relief as the alcohol soothed parts of me that Id never been able to soothe before. In the two decades since then, Claire has turned to alcohol again and again, drinking to the point of needing to have her stomach pumped, being cautioned by police for her behaviour, and spending stints in psychiatric wards. The one aspect of her life she has been able to keep going is her career. Im very ambitious and Ive had several high-powered jobs that involved managing teams of people and travelling around the world, she says. Theres a misconception that addicts underperform at work. Some, like me, are extremely successful because they become workaholics alongside their addiction. This is not to say her work hasnt been affected by her substance use. Ive been hungover, and Ive had post-alcohol anxiety at work, which has made me a horrible person to be around, says Claire. Ive got black-out drunk at work events. But for the most part, Ive done my work to a very high standard. The latest Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index surveyed 1,000 employees across the country and found that some 14% of them were struggling with substance use issues. Thats up from 7% in 2022. Damien McCarthy, a HR consultant with www.hrbuddy.ie, sees how it affects workplaces. More and more, issues such as grievances, performance and absenteeism are being linked to workers substance use, particularly cocaine use, he says. Its also creating worrying employment relations scenarios where people are irritable, snapping at colleagues, or communicating erratically. Jo-Hanna Ivers, associate professor in addiction at Trinity College Dublin Jo-Hanna Ivers, an associate professor in addiction at Trinity College Dublin, explains why we can become dependent on substances like alcohol or drugs. People use these substances to either start or stop feeling something, she says. They might want to start feeling relaxed, stimulated, or connected to those around them. Or they might want to stop feeling something that causes them pain or has a negative effect on their wellbeing. Some 90% of people will be able to stop using these substances whenever they want. For the other 10%, it wont be that easy. They can become physically dependent or addicted, which means theyre unable to stop despite knowing how dangerous or harmful it is for them to continue using these substances, says Ivers. She outlines many possible reasons, ranging from adverse events in early childhood to trauma or having a propensity due to an underlying mental health condition. Overcoming feelings of anxiety Layas finding that 38% of employees report feeling anxious frequently or all the time could have a role to play. Lots of people have a drink to stop feeling anxious, says Ivers. This ties in with using substances to self-soothe. Whatever their reason for using substances, doing so can affect how an employee performs at work. It can lead to accidents and put other peoples lives at risk if they operate machinery or drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It can also lead to a change in an individuals behaviour, a deterioration in their performance or higher rates of absenteeism, says McCarthy. Some people can build up debt, which opens up a higher risk of theft if they have access to cash or financials as part of their job. As substance use progresses, the impact tends to become more obvious. When it reaches a problematic level, youll often see it in the persons physical appearance, for example, a reduced interest in self-care, says Ivers. It can take longer to affect the quality of their work but its like running on a broken leg: it will eventually buckle, and the person will come crashing down. When this happens, the employer has an onus to respond. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 states its the employers duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all employees, says McCarthy. This includes managing and conducting work activities to prevent improper conduct or behaviour that is likely to put employees at risk. Yet, in McCarthys experience, many employers dont know how to react when they suspect employees of using alcohol or drugs. Addiction is a disease and a disability, and this may be why employers are slow to tackle such issues because they are fearful of possible repercussions, he says.But they have a legal duty to do so. He recommends employers start by setting out a clear substance use policy. The next step is to communicate that policy so everyone knows how to promote and implement it correctly. This process will help ensure everyone knows who to report to if ever theres a suspicion someone is intoxicated at work or suffering the aftereffects of substance use. Active workplace supports Ivers would like to see these policies used to kickstart conversations about substance use in the workplace. There are so many people who dont speak out about their problems at work because they believe they wouldnt be supported if they did, she says. What if we turned this on its head and created workplaces where people no longer have to hide their suffering but can actively seek support? She points to the success of Recovery Cities, an initiative that organises public events to celebrate recovery in cities like Birmingham, Britain. Recovery is contagious, says Ivers. When people see someone else recovering, they can emulate what that looks like. Or they can approach that person for help. Having safe spaces and role models allows them to do that. Just as important as open conversations is offering practical supports to help employees in their recovery. This could mean transferring them to a new department when they return to work so they can have a fresh start, says Ivers. Or allowing them to take a longer lunch break or finish early so they can attend a meeting. Facilitating their needs where possible can make such a difference. Claire would like to see more employers supporting staff during difficult times. It could be as simple as making sure an employee doesnt have to deliver a presentation if that heightens their anxiety. Little things like encouraging breaks and time outdoors and having healthy snacks available can make a difference too. From her late teenage years, Claire sought help from public and private health providers on many occasions but failed to receive adequate treatment. She was recently diagnosed with bipolar type ll disorder. I advocated for myself and tried to seek help so many times but its so hard to get treatment when theres a dual diagnosis of mental health and addiction like mine at play, she says. I was told that Id basically been self-medicating with alcohol for the past 15 years. Following her diagnosis, she took 10 months off work to dedicate to her treatment and is now a self-employed consultant. I feel as if I deserve success and I know that sobriety will play a vital part in that. Ivers says its in everyones interests to help people overcome their issues with substance use. Its good for the person themselves and for the people in the immediate proximity of that person, she says. Its also good for the wider community, which includes the workforce. With the right support, these people have so much to give back. Post-natal depression is an indiscriminate thief committing crimes against mothers when they are at their most vulnerable. When it robbed me of those first few weeks and months of what should have been a happy time with my newborn baby in early 2017, it didnt care that it nearly drove me over the edge. No, this ugly feeling kept going, until I hit the bottom. With time, I rose again and went on to have a second baby with no perinatal health issues. However, seven years later, I sometimes catch myself looking back on those tired, anxious, lonely, long days with a sense of sadness for what was stolen. One in five women in Ireland will suffer some mental health issues during their pregnancy. Its a very normal experience and it does not call into question your ability to parent at all in any way, says Dr Richard Duffy, perinatal psychiatrist at the Rotunda Hospital. Duffy is part of a team of medical and healthcare professionals working to bring perinatal mental health into the spotlight so it gets the resources it needs. Normalising it, talking about it and giving it visibility are key to that endeavour. When I gave birth in late 2016, the moment my newborn baby was thrust up onto my chest, I knew what I was feeling was not right. I couldnt put a name on it though. The words post-natal depression had not been mentioned during my pregnancy. No one checked in on my mental health at any of my appointments or mentioned it in my antenatal classes. The focus was on the perfunctory matter of giving birth and not much else. What I know now is that I was suffering from perinatal depression or anxiety. Its a relatively new term that has come to reflect the much more nuanced way we now understand and approach maternal mental health. My anxiety began while I was pregnant and Im not alone. A 2019 study (Chaitra Jairaj and Fionnuala McAuliffe et al) found that depression can start in the second or third trimester and not just occur postnatally. Medics are now recognising this, and women are being given the space to verbalise their concerns. Perinatal depression or anxiety are treated very similarly and theres a lot of overlap, Duffy explains. When I got home after giving birth, I tried to push these strange feelings of anxiety aside. Armed with little more than a bagful of leaflets, one of which patronisingly mentioned baby blues, I was adrift. I felt unable to bond with my baby. Niamh O'Reilly: "I didnt ask for help because I felt defective in some way. The guilt and shame were endless" Photograph Moya Nolan Instead of embracing the exhausted hilarity of those hazy early days when you and your partner Google Is green baby poo normal? and wonder if you might break the world record for lack of sleep, I was anxious all the time. I couldnt relax. I couldnt enjoy anything, and I couldnt seem to get things right, either. My baby never seemed to settle in my clearly incapable arms. Why couldnt I soothe him? I reasoned I must be a bad mother. Why didnt I feel this mighty wave of all-consuming love I kept hearing so much about? Where was my Hollywood ending where I got to go home, rock my baby in my arms, and just be a good mother? Instead of going away, the feelings kept growing. My husband returned to work after two weeks of paternity leave, and I was alone with my baby. I was afraid all the time. It would take me hours to leave the house on those cold, dark January days and by the time I had everything ready, it had gotten too late, or it was time for another feed, and I lost the courage to venture out solo. (When I recently read Claire Kilroys visceral book Soldier, Sailor, it was so painfully accurate in its raw description of early motherhood that I had to put it down several times to process the emotions it brought up.) I didnt ask for help because I felt defective in some way. The guilt and shame were endless, so I hid my feelings and pushed them down. If only Id known my feelings were incredibly common and very treatable. There are lots of options, plenty without medication; talking therapies, and support groups are important, says Duffy. Dr Richard Duffy, perinatal psychiatrist at the Rotunda Hospital. Crucially, medical staff spend a lot of time in the Rotunda trying to identify women who are at risk and offer support early on. Screening is now becoming part of the normal routine of antenatal appointments and women are asked about their mental health as par for the course. These are all significant strides. Yet, Ireland still lags with regard to a lack of a dedicated mother and baby unit to support women experiencing mental health difficulties. Duffy is hopeful, however. If you deliver in one of the six hub sites the three Dublin maternity hospitals (NMH, Rotunda, Coombe) or in Cork, Limerick, and Galway there is a pretty comprehensive service for you. If you deliver in one of the 13 other maternity centres, its not as ideal, he says. This shortfall is something hes actively hoping to change as he and his colleagues sit down soon to write the model of care 2.0. It feels like theres still a long way to go. Sharing stories helps. In the last number of years, weve seen high-profile women like Una Healy, Rosie Connolly, and Paloma Faith share their own experiences of post-natal depression. Its a far cry from when Tom Cruise infamously criticised Brooke Shields for talking publically about her post-natal depression and taking anti-depressants in the early 2000s. I was not an official statistic in 2017. Like many women, I struggled in silence. Time was a healer, but sharing my story has been one of the most cathartic things Ive done, and Id urge other women to talk about how they are feeling, safe in the knowledge that their depression is not their fault. For support, see: Post Natal Depression Ireland pnd.ie Nurture Health nurturehealth.ie Parent line parentline.ie Aware aware.ie The ruins of a monastery dominate the island of Illauntannig which is one of the Seven Hogs (na Seacht gCeanna) in the glorious Maharees on the Dingle Peninsula. That island has already appeared on these pages but it has a companion island which in all likelihood was connected to the monastery in the seventh century. Less than 100 metres separates the two islands and it is possible to walk between them at low tide. They, and the other Hogs, are part of the tombolo system which is an accretion of sand and soil forming an isthmus. The archaeological record describes the remains of an oval hut located at the centre and highest point of the island. Where there was a dominant monastery on one island there was sometimes an associated island where monks went to pray or even live a solitary life for a period. Illauntannigs monastery was founded by the industrious St Senan in the seventh century. He founded another monastery on Scattery Island, County Clare, and built churches in the Lee Valley, County Cork. There is some evidence that the smaller of the two Skellig islands was so used. Lough Key in County Roscommon has Church Island plus the minute Hermit Island. And Innisfallen with its monastery on the Lakes of Killarney has Friars Island nearby. So it is entirely possible, if not probable, that Reenafardarrig was an outlier of the main monastery with a rudimentary oratory. The ruins of the current structure are undated but they may have been built on a a previous building. The low-lying, seven-acre island has a pretty little beach and is decorated with wild flowers. As a retreat from human contact it is a little piece of heaven, though when storms roll in from the Atlantic it would have been a different picture. The notion of isolation occurs in many of our placenames: dysert or diseart refers to a hermitage and usually occurs near a church. The hut is about 3 metres by 5 metres and faces into the west as if in an act of defiance. There are some field walls which suggest the growing of crops. The archaeology group, The County Kerry Field Club, visited Reenafardarrig in 1942 and observed a cross and other markings on a sandstone boulder again reinforcing the connection to the monastic site on Illauntannig. A recent archaeological excursion did not find any trace of this cross, however. As for placename clues, Reenafardarrig itself is highly suggestive. One interpretation is the Point of the Red Man. Like many islands, the naming of this one had its origins in stories associated with a place and for some particular reason was so named. But what reason? A note on logainm.ie records that the old people used to use it. Another view is that it derives from Ri na Fir Dearg or King of the Red Men. So who were the red men? Well, we dont have too far to look. They are members of the same tribe of sprites, puca or leprechauns in which our literature abounds. An entry in a dictionary describes the fear dearg as a fairy whose name means red man and who is described wearing red clothes and a red hat. Some say that he is a giant, others that he is human-sized and others that he stands two feet tall. The entry notes that the fear dearg has an unusual voice which can sound like waves, birds or angelic music. A more expansive description places them in a European context: The European peasants encountered ethereal creatures who spoke for trees, groves, fields and streams. All over Europe, shellygoat, fear dearg, fachan and a whole legion of similar creatures lived, snugly attached to specific locales, sometimes demanding obeisance from neighbouring humans, sometimes enjoying the obscurity of wilderness, writes John R Stilgoe. They appear in other island names too. Recently, we had a look at Fairy Island in County Sligo and Sheelane Island, (Siodh-Oilean or Fairy-mound Island) County Cork. Reenafardarrig is in good company. How to get there: Inquire locally or kayak from Fahamore Point on the Maharees, north of the village of Castlegregory. Other: archaeology.ie; logainm.ie; Hobgoblin in Suburbia: Origins of Contemporary Place Consciousness by John R Stilgoe, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Vol 73, No. 6; A New Dictionary of Fairies: A 21st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies, (John Hunt) by Morgan Daimler. The Oireachtas Justice Committee has written to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to raise concerns over plans to reform key data protection laws. Proposals to reform the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came in mid-2023, with the European Commission seeking to deal with issues related to cross-border investigations into data protection breaches. The GDPR outlines how personal data can be used and stored. The Commission says that the reform proposals will work towards harmonising rules around the rights of complainants, the rights of parties under investigation and to streamline dispute resolution. Currently, depending on where a complainant submits their complaint, it can be treated differently by individual data protection authorities. The Commission says that, as a result, conclusions in cross-border data protection investigations are delayed. The Justice Committee says that while it supports the fundamental ideas behind the GDPR reform, it says that it has significant concerns about the plan. The overall effect of this proposal will be to weaken the enforcement of the GDPR and as such, undermine the protection of the fundamental rights of EU citizens, the committee wrote. In particular, the letter states that the changes to the regulations would limit the role of the complainant, while shifting the balance in favour of defendants in data breach cases. The Committee is concerned that the proposal would have a negative impact on the procedural rights of complainants and notes that Ireland currently adopts strong provisions to safeguard the procedural rights of complainants in such cases, the committee writes. The letter, which has also been delivered to Justice Minister Helen McEntee, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola and EU Council president Charles Michel, is also critical of proposals around confidentiality. In particular, the committee says that the proposals are akin to gagging complainants, as they will have to submit a confidentiality declaration before they receive the preliminary findings of an investigation. The Committee observes that any confidentiality measures included under the Regulation must be necessary and proportionate. Confidentiality should be used as sparingly as possible to ensure transparency and fair procedures, the committee wrote. Protests have been held in Dublin and Belfast urging US President Joe Biden to demand a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. The Amnesty International demonstrations took place to coincide with Taoiseach Leo Varadkars meeting with Mr Biden at the White House as part of the traditional St Patricks Day visit. Activists from Amnesty gathered at US diplomatic offices in Dublin and Belfast on Friday morning holding banners that read: President Biden, listen to your Irish roots and demand a permanent ceasefire. A small number of Amnesty activists gathered at the gates of the offices of the US Consulate General in Belfast where they laid a bowl of shamrock at the front of the building and handed over a letter to a representative from the Consulate General. Senior politicians from Leinster House and Stormont have been in Washington DC this week to promote Irish business and culture. But pressure has been on politicians to also speak about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and to use the opportunity to call for an immediate ceasefire and to push for peace. Activists recalled Joe Bidens commitment to his Irish roots (Brian Lawless/PA) Israels military operation in the enclave was launched in response to Hamass deadly attack on October 7 that killed 1,200 people and saw militants seize more than 200 hostages. The subsequent Israeli invasion has killed more than 31,000, according to Gaza health officials, left much of the region in ruins and displaced some 80% of Gazas 2.3 million people. Irelands Culture Minister Catherine Martin said at the SXSW festival in Austin Texas that she felt revulsion at the scale of deaths and injuries in Gaza and appealed to the US, a country with strong ties to Israel, to join us in the pursuit of peace. Amnesty International Irelands executive director Stephen Bowen said they were asking Mr Biden to hear Irish people around the world pleading for an end to the atrocities. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict since Hamas October 7 assault (AP) Since the horrific attacks of October 7, more than 30,000 Palestinian people have been killed, the majority of them women and children. To allow this travesty to continue is unspeakable. Its time, Mr President. Call for a permanent ceasefire to end the mass humanitarian suffering in Gaza, aid the return of hostages, and calm the tensions multiplying in the region. Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: Here today Amnesty activists are gathered outside the US Consulate in Belfast, also today outside the US Embassy in Dublin and over the weekend outside the White House in Washington, as Irish leaders go to meet President Biden. We want them to bring a very clear message on behalf of people across Ireland north and south, to cry out for the Palestinian people, the people of Israel as well, in demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire. President Biden has loudly, proudly proclaimed his Irish roots so we are asking him to listen to people in Ireland, we are asking him to use his power to deliver a permanent and an immediate ceasefire for the benefit of all in the Middle East. He added: Some have chosen to go (to Washington) and bring the message of peace, some have stayed at home in protest, our focus is on the message itself and that is that President Biden need to listen to people in Ireland and across the world and use his power, and he has immense power diplomatically, to unequivocally call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. More than 2,500 hospital patients were unable to get a bed this week and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) have warned of further risks this bank holiday weekend. The union linked the crisis to the ongoing recruitment freeze across HSE sites, saying gaps in rosters are adding to the problems. On Friday, alone some 444 patients, including 31 children, were without a bed by morning, bringing the weekly total to 2,528. There were 82 waiting for a bed at University Hospital Limerick, 32 in Cork University Hospital and 17 at the Mercy University Hospital. Separate HSE data shows 42 of those people had been waiting longer than 24 hours by Friday morning, with eight of the 42 aged over 75 years old. INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said these numbers were unacceptable. Our members will be working short in many hospitals this weekend as so many patient-facing roles remain vacant, she said. Nurses and midwives are now dealing with very real risks to patient and staff safety when roles continue to remain unfilled because of the moratorium. She pointed out St Patricks weekend was always a very busy weekend in hospitals. The INMO has made clear to HSE and Government the very real impacts the recruitment moratorium is having on our members and the patients they are trying their best to provide safe care to, she said. They must now reverse their continued position that is leading to staff and patient safety being compromised. Mr Gloster defended the HSEs plans for this weekend and said it is inaccurate to link the recruitment pause to the trolley crisis. On Friday afternoon, he said derogation provision for recruitment to Emergency Departments and other essential services is in place meaning hiring can continue. We have never failed to recognise the challenges in a recruitment pause however it is being repeatedly reported out of context as to cause and effect in situations such as trolley pressures and this is not an accurate representation, he said. In January the equivalent of an additional 376 full-time nurses were hired, including 341 final year students or midwife interns, he added. It is a recognised standard that two pre-registration nurses is equivalent to one qualified WTE (whole-time equivalent) and even by that measure nursing has gone up substantially. Turnover in 2023 compared to 2022 is also improving, he said. Hospital and Community teams will continue working together over the weekend, the HSE said to keep patients moving through the system. They will focus also on timely discharge for patients finished their care, with national and local management working in support of this. We acknowledge that patients presenting with non-urgent injuries may face longer waiting times, depending on the number of patients attending and the severity of patient illnesses, a spokeswoman said. Our staff work hard to do all they can to reduce the length of time patients wait in EDs and we apologise when patients experience long delays. The HSE urged patients in crisis to attend hospital EDs. Options for patients with non-life-threatening conditions include Injury Units, GP Out of Hours, GPs, and community pharmacies, she said. The HSE data also shows 399 patients across most hospitals have finished their care but cannot be discharged due to a variety of reasons. This could include people waiting on a homecare package, or a nursing home bed, for example. Mr Gloster has said if this number could be regularly reduced it would help address the trolley crisis as more beds would be available. The Dervish bookshop and holistic centre in Cork was the scene of a burglary carried out by a 32-year-old woman with numerous theft convictions. Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a 10-month jail term on Deirdre OSullivan, of 21 Bride Valley View, Fairhill, Cork, for that burglary and other concurrent sentences for more than a dozen counts of shoplifting in Cork city. Judge Dorgan said these kind of offences had a detrimental effect on shop owners trying to operate their businesses in Cork City. Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the burglary of the Cornmarket Street premises was carried out on January 17. She went upstairs in to the staff area, climbing over a book case to get into a locked area where she stole a wallet with a bank card and drivers licence belonging to a member of staff, Sgt Murphy said. Shane Collins-Daly, defence solicitor, said the accused had a longstanding drug addiction and had gone to Spain to detox from methadone. He said she had made great efforts but unfortunately had a slip around this time in January and fell back into addiction, by taking tablets. Mr Collins-Daly reminded Judge Dorgan of how distressed the young woman was when she was arrested and brought before the court in January when gardai objected to bail. However, he said she had done well in the period since then in prison and now presented as being much healthier. She is very calm and has a lot of insight. She has a very supportive partner, Mr Collins-Daly said. Judge Dorgan said: She really needs to put this offending behaviour behind her. It is very difficult for people trying to trade to have this going on. It is really great she is making good use of her time in prison. Shorter concurrent sentences of three and four months were imposed on Ms OSullivan for multiple shoplifting offences, most of them carried out in sports clothing shops such as Lifestyle, JD Sports and Cummins in Cork city. The judge took a more serious view on the defendants theft of a handbag from a woman accommodated at Cork Simon Community. The bag contained 40 in cash and a pouch of tobacco. A five-month sentence was imposed on Deirdre OSullivan for that offence. Her 197 previous convictions include 60 for theft and 11 for burglary. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called on the US to push for peace for Israelis and Palestinians. At a breakfast meeting with US vice president Kamala Harris at the Naval Observatory in Washington DC, Mr Varadkar told Ms Harris and those gathered that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza will haunt us all for years to come. In Ireland, we know how quickly atrocities can lead to calls for vengeance, to creating new cycles of hatred and bitterness. But we also know that the cycle can be broken and that new hope can replace old hatreds, he said. Evoking the role the US played in brokering the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar added: The United States helped us to find peace, now let us work together to build just and lasting peace in the Middle East for Israel, Palestine and its Arab neighbours. We know from our own story that finding peace can be a long and painful process, and it takes time to build trust and build relationships. "American politicians on both sides of the aisle helped to encourage and nurture these relationships in Northern Ireland over many decades, and we thank you all so much for that. US Vice President Kamala Harris addresses those gathered at a breakfast meeting she hosted fahead of St Patrick's Day this weekend. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire In her remarks at the gathering, Ms Harris called the Taoiseach a global leader and praised the number of Ukrainian refugees Ireland has taken in. She went on to praise Mr Varadkar for leading by example and housing a Ukrainian refugee in his own home. Under your leadership, Ireland has hosted one of the highest per capita populations of Ukrainian refugees, a testament to the generosity and the compassion of the Irish people, she said. Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar was courageous in the fight for womens reproductive freedom and praised him for being the first Taoiseach to attend the Munich Security Conference, which Ms Harris also attended. She said he had also worked in the early part of his career to strengthen the ties with the Irish diaspora. America has, of course, served as a place of hope for millions of Irish immigrants and their descendants, including those who have held the highest offices in our land, and currently, of course, our President Joe Biden, she said. Ms Harriss husband Doug Emhoff and Mr Varadkars partner Matt Barrett were also present at the breakfast event. Mr Varadkar also told Ms Harris that he understood the difficulties of being the deputy leader of a country while at a St Patricks Day breakfast with US vice president Kamala Harris. US Vice President Kamala listens as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks during a breakfast meeting hosted by the VP at her official residence this morning. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire Speaking at the VPs residence, Mr Varadkar said he went from Taoiseach, to Tanaiste, to return to the role of Taoiseach at the end of 2022. And Im not going to lie, I know which one I prefer, he said. I do even find it a little bit easier, even when its hard. He said that the best vice presidents are the trailblazers who spoke from the heart. I believe you, Madam Vice President, showed great courage and leadership in recent weeks, when you spoke publicly in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza. Im sure it cant have been easy, but it was the right thing to do and your words echoed all over the world. After the St Patrick's Day breakfast, the travelled to West Wing of the White House for a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden. "The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government. These are the words of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Many governments around the world have forgotten these critical words, including our own. A friend who enjoys a flutter on Cheltenham every year was chatting to me last weekend in the aftermath of the referendum results. He compared the current Government to a horse that loses its jockey halfway through a race, and then careers around the race track, out of control without anyone to pilot it. When all is considered in recent times, its a good analogy. This Government has made many mistakes. Perhaps its biggest mistake has been its failure to remain connected to those who voted for them. The electorate will remember that next time. As the saying goes: Make a mistake once, and it's learning; make it twice, and its a mistake; make it three times and its no longer acceptable. For many years, politics and the Catholic Church were inextricably linked, and you would be forgiven for believing Eamon de Valera and John Charles McQuaid had a secret pact to rule the Republic with the same iron fist. Of course, they had, and it was a shocking and unforgivable pact that destroyed the lives of tens of thousands in the name of politics and church. Thankfully those dark days are long behind us. If we were ever in any doubt of that, last week's referendum results are surely plain proof that politics is no longer a game-changer, irrelevant to many, at the heart of this modern nation. Its people, or at least those who turned out to vote, have spoken. For many years, politics and the Catholic Church were inextricably linked, and you would be forgiven for believing Eamon de Valera and John Charles McQuaid had a secret pact to rule the Republic with the same iron fist. Picture: Keystone/Getty Images Urging the electorate on the weekend of Mothers Day to remove the term mother from the Constitution was never going to reap the result our Taoiseach believed it would. It was nothing short of ludicrous, and he needs to be told this. The word mother is the beating heart at the centre of the family, synonymous with the meaning of life. Its inextricably linked to the very roots of human nature for a child to need the care and attention of its mother. There is no substitute for the Mammy. None. And still, senior politicians trotted out their sad excuses as to why the results were what they were. No amount of platitudes is acceptable. If one message came through, its that most of the people who came out to vote are appalled by this out-of-touch Government, while those eligible to vote who didnt are fed up with politics, exhausted by a bunch of politicians who speak down to them as though they are a throwback to the Haughey era. I sometimes wonder what our Government would be like if it was made up strictly of women, or mothers of young children to be more precise. It might be difficult for the misogynists to imagine such a vision. I'd quite like to give it a shot, over a 10-year, two-government period. For a start, there would be no childcare issues. Creches wouldnt be closing, nor would they have two-year waiting lists. Schools wouldnt be short of teachers. The new childrens hospital would have been up and running this time last year. Children with learning disabilities, or mental health issues, would have all the professional care and support they need. And that would be just for starters. Good sound mothers have their fingers on the pulse in a way very few male politicians will ever understand. Doctors will tell you it's easy to become institutionalised if you spend a long period as a hospital inpatient it's no different for many of those who spend years in Dail Eireann. Spend enough time, and many become instilled with a sense of privilege. It becomes a drug for many who, prior to their election, would have held down ordinary jobs. You have to wonder why so many politicians wont be running at the next election. Id hazard a guess and say the levels of blatant dishonesty within modern politics are driving them out. We have some very good honest, hardworking politicians on the ground, but unfortunately, they rarely feature in the news. Theyre the ones were losing. If this current Government has a shred of realism left, its elected members should regard the referendum results as an omen of what it's facing. The next general election is certain to bring sweeping changes for many of the current frontbench the future is far from bright. And they only have themselves to blame. All senior politicians are abroad this weekend, boasting about what Ireland has to offer. They're far from the madding crowd, staying with their entourages in top hotels from Sydney to San Francisco, from Brussels to Brazil. Politics used to be about trying to improve the lives of those who elected you in as many social ways as possible. Those days are gone. Ironically, St Patrick's Day couldn't have fallen on a more appropriate weekend this year, days after the results of a vanity referendum caused a level of anger I haven't seen since the 1982 Fine Gael/Labour coalition tried to tax children's shoes. It was mothers of young children who brought that government down. All senior politicians are abroad this weekend, boasting about what Ireland has to offer. They're far from the madding crowd, staying with their entourages in top hotels from Sydney to San Francisco, from Brussels to Brazil. They'll dine well, eating expensive cuisine and drinking fine wine, their lavish trips paid for by the people who elected them, people who are wearily tiresome of the tragic sideshows our country has become. 1956 was the first year an Irish taoiseach met a US president in the White House on St Patricks Day. It was a way of reminding Irish emigrants they hadnt been forgotten at home. Now, it appears that many who are Irish and still live here at home are the forgotten ones. During his post-referendum interview on RTE last weekend, the Taoiseach said we need time to reflect. Its unlikely our politicians hosting embassy parties this weekend and pressing the flesh with the diaspora are doing much reflecting. Let them eat cake, theyre more likely saying. Sure isnt it easy to forget about reality when youre Irish on St Patricks Day? Plans to build 88 new homes in Mallow, Co Cork, have been blocked. An Bord Pleanala has rejected an application from Oakfield Resources Limited to build the homes in Annabella, Mallow. Cork County Council had earlier turned down the application, too, prompting an appeal from the developer. In rejecting the scheme initially, the council noted issues with dealing with wastewater from the new homes. In upholding this decision, An Bord Pleanala also noted that part of the development would be located on lands which are not zoned for residential use. Elsewhere, plans for some 330 residential units at Knockgriffin in Midleton may be set to proceed. An appeal had been lodged in relation to the scheme, which includes 199 three- and four-bed houses, as well as 131 two-bed apartments. The apartments would be developed in 11 two-storey buildings, four three-storey buildings, and one four-storey neighbourhood centre building, which includes a creche, retail unit, medical centre, pharmacy, and cafe. A series of additional works were also proposed as part of the plan, including footpaths, pedestrian, and cycle lanes, car and bicycle parking, bin storage and other associated amenities. Developer Havenfalls Limited had appealed the nature of the conditions imposed on it by Cork County Council. Its appeal had included a request for the omission of a condition which would see the developer pay a special contribution towards the development of a railway bridge which, it says, is already covered under a different contribution scheme. It also claims a different development contribution "has been overcharged" and has asked for a "more flexible approach to the delivery of the creche/childcare facility" proposed. However, just a few weeks after submitting the appeal, the developer has now withdrawn it, potentially signalling that the project will proceed with initial conditions intact. Today marks the anniversary of the outbreak of conflict in Syria. GOAL, with support from the EU and other donors, is reaching hundreds of thousands in need in the countrys northwest, but much remains to be done for vulnerable families to survive the crisis. With conflict persisting for 13 years in Syria, the situation continues to deteriorate. In Northwest Syria, ninety per cent of the regions four-and-a-half million population needs humanitarian assistance. The already dire conditions were worsened by the earthquakes that hit the country's north in February 2023. With support from the EU and other donors, GOAL currently provides more than 51 thousand families with monthly cash-based assistance to help them access food and other basic needs. Hamouds children are playing in the displacement camp where the family has lived for over a year. Idleb, Syria. February 2024. I know it can be difficult to believe this, but I feel like we have known only pain and suffering in this life, as my memory is burdened with the many years we have lived in displacement, uprooted and homeless, says Um Abdal*, a 40-year-old mother of six who resides in a camp in Kelly village in Idleb, near Syrias border with Turkiye. We often wonder how we managed to stay alive. Its our unfortunate fate that this miserable life must go on despite all the deaths we have seen, adds Hamoud, her husband. Long years in displacement Um Abdal and Hamouds family are among the two million internally displaced people who are living in camps in Idleb and Northern Aleppo in Northwest Syria, having fled their homes to survive the protracted conflict. The crisis in Syria has uprooted over 11 million people, with almost six million displaced inside the country and more than five million seeking safety beyond borders. At least 300 thousand people have been killed in the conflict. For Um Abdal and Hamoud, life before the conflict is now a distant memory. We used to live comfortably in a house that could accommodate us. During the holidays, we went out for picnics. We had no worries; even if I had to meet unexpected needs, I could borrow from friends. All of our neighbours were close, and we were like a family, Hamoud remembers. The younger members of Hamouds family are trying to keep warm by burning plastic, often the only heating fuel available to them. Idleb, Syria. February 2024. Before the outbreak of fighting, Hamoud was working as a taxi driver in central Aleppo, an ancient Syrian city that, today, lies in ruins. We had a good life in Aleppo. Work was stable, and our home was filled with laughter. But then, the war shattered everything. We had to leave behind our home, our memories, everything. It's been a journey of pain and loss, one that we had never imagined we would have to endure back then, shares Um Abdal. Protracted crisis compounded by February 2023 Earthquakes Adding to their already challenging circumstances is the responsibility of caring for their three young grandchildren. They were left orphaned after Hamoud and Um Abdal's eldest son was killed in 2019 during an attack on the village where they had sought refuge following their initial displacement. The family arrived at the Kelly camp after the warehouse in Northern Aleppos Jandires town, where they had sought shelter, was destroyed in the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkiyes south and Syrias north in February 2023. The earthquakes impacted more than 15 million people. Now, my wife, all these children, and I live in this small block (house) made of bricks. Imagine, with ten people, we have five mattresses to share and ten flimsy blankets to keep us warm, explains Hamoud. The displacement camp where Hamouds family has sought refuge after the earthquakes of February 2023, one of many that dot Syrias border with Turkiye. Idleb, Syria. February 2024. There aren't enough shoes for the children. They share shoes as needed when going out. There's no school for them to attend. Each year, we buy one set of clothes for the oldest child from a secondhand store. I try my best to make it last because it will be passed down to all the other kids, Um Abdal adds. A profound lack of basic services After settling in the camp, Hamoud searched for informal work to provide for his family. However, no income opportunities were available. In a desperate attempt to make ends meet, I set out on a motorbike packed with bags of biscuits and chips, hoping to sell them in neighbouring camps. However, the harsh truth soon became evident as I traversed the dusty pathways between the tents and makeshift shelter blocks. Not a single item found a buyer, he says. This area, the outskirts of Kelly Mountain, is dotted with camps now, hosting tens of thousands displaced by the conflict and disasters. But the entire region suffers from a profound lack of basic services. There are no schools, hospitals, or pharmacies in sight. If you need anything, you must trek at least five kilometers to reach the nearest town, continues Hamoud. Were left to fend for ourselves amid uncertainty, he adds. GOAL and the EUs Humanitarian Support Thanks to the support provided by the EU and other generous donors, GOAL is currently reaching over 51 thousand families in Northwest Syria with monthly cash-based assistance they can use to purchase food and meet other essential needs. Families like Hamouds. Recently, we have received cash aid from GOAL. This felt like a feast to us. We bought sugar, lentils, bulgur wheat and oil certainly vegetable oil, not olive oil; we haven't tasted olive oil in over five years. We also bought some foodstuffs we hadn't seen in a while, like eggs. My wife even made a big meal for the children, says Hamoud. Like many other parents in Northwest Syria, Hamoud has become accustomed to skipping meals, yet he knows how important it is for children to access nutritious food. In the morning, as soon as the children open their eyes, they ask for food. Children do not know about money, income, or things like that. They just know of need, he shares. Ten-year-old Leila, the oldest of Hamouds grandchildren, shares her grandfathers worries, having grown up in displacement. When I was young, my grandmother took me to school. I learned how to write my name, and I remember that the school was something beautiful. Now, I can only memorise the pathways of the camp, but I'm not upset as long as I'm able to look after my siblings. I don't want anything from the world except being able to make sure they can have food, she says. About EU Humanitarian Aid: The European Union and its Member States are among the world's leading donors of humanitarian aid. Through the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. Learn more at civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu. * The names of the individuals featured in this story were changed to protect their identity. GOAL teams have been working on the ground in Syria for over ten years, supporting vulnerable communities since the conflict began in 2012. Visit goal.ie/syria to learn more. The Biden administration imposed sanctions on two Israeli outposts and three settlers it accused of undermining stability in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, and appealed to Israel to do more to prevent settler violence that Washington says is an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace. The State Department said the outposts known as Moshe's Farm and Zvi's Farm had been bases for violence against Palestinians. The administration in February imposed sanctions on four Israeli men it accused of being involved in settler violence in the West Bank, signalling growing US displeasure with the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While voicing growing frustration with the Palestinian civilian toll from Israel's war against Hamas, Washington has repeatedly asked Israel to hold violent settlers accountable and complained that its actions allowing settlement expansion diminish hopes for a two-state solution. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the United States would go on taking action against those engaging in what he called extremist violence and threatening peace and security in the West Bank. "It is critical that Israel take additional action to stop settler violence and hold accountable those responsible for it, not just for the sake of the victims of this violence, but for Israel's own security and standing in the world," Miller said in a press briefing. The sanctions typically freeze any US assets of those targeted and generally bar Americans from dealing with them, but it was not immediately clear how they would affect the outposts. Israeli banks said in February they were heeding the sanctions, despite Israeli government opposition, and the targeted settlers reported their bank accounts had been frozen. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in a West Bank settlement, said on Thursday the sanctions were part of a "campaign designed to tarnish the entire State of Israel and lead to the dismantling of the settlement enterprise and the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state." Washington has also said it will issue visa bans against settlers it deems extremist. The administration said last month that Israeli settlements in the West Bank were inconsistent with international law, signalling a return to a longstanding US policy that had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump. Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, which Palestinians want as the core of a future independent state. Israel has built Jewish settlements, many of which began as unauthorized outposts. Israel disputes this and cites historical and biblical ties to the land. Thursday's sanctions targeted Moshe Sharvit, who has "harassed, threatened, and attacked" Palestinian civilians near the Moshe's Farm outpost, of which he is the founder and owner, the State Department said. Also targeted were Zvi Bar Yosef, founder of Zvi's Farm, and Neriya Ben Pazi, who has expelled Palestinian shepherds from hundreds of acres of land, it said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sought to mobilise support for his brand of right-wing populism in a speech urging people to help him occupy Brussels in European Union elections this summer. Mr Orbans address, coinciding with a national holiday commemorating Hungarys failed 1848 revolution against Habsburg rule, criticised the EU and similarly to other speeches is recent years compared it to imperial occupiers that have dominated Hungary throughout history. The nationalist leader, speaking from the steps of the National Museum in central Budapest, drew a sharp contrast between his country and the western world, accusing the latter of being a source of rootlessness and destruction. They start wars, destroy worlds, redraw countries borders and graze on everything like locusts, he told the crowd. We Hungarians live differently and want to live differently. Crowds gathered to hear Viktor Orban deliver his speech (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP) He was speaking less than three months before EU elections that are expected to show a surge for far-right parties across the continent that share many of Mr Orbans key positions. Opposition to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as a commitment to national pride and sovereignty, featured heavily in his comments on the national holiday, which often bore the tone of a campaign speech. Brussels is not the first empire that has set its eyes on Hungary, Mr Orban said, referring to the EUs de-facto capital. The peoples of Europe today are afraid that Brussels will take away their freedom If we want to preserve Hungarys freedom and sovereignty, we have no choice: We have to occupy Brussels. There is heightened political tension in Hungary following the resignation in February of the president, Orban ally Katalin Novak, amid outrage over her issuing of a pardon to a convicted accomplice in a case of child sexual abuse in a state-run orphanage. The scandal also led to the resignation of a former justice minister and put unprecedented political pressure on Mr Orbans long-serving government, which has led Hungary since 2010. Hungarys position among its partners and allies has also faced strain in recent months. Viktor Orban visited the United States last week where he met Donald Trump (Denes Erdos/AP) On Thursday, in a speech reflecting on the 25th anniversary of Hungarys Nato membership, US ambassador David Pressman highlighted concerns over Hungarys reliability as an ally in the military alliance, stating that Mr Orbans government appears to have little interest in constructive dialogue to solve disagreements with its partners. In the speech in Budapest, Mr Pressman criticised Hungarys recent obstructionism toward Swedens Nato accession, and accused Mr Orban of pursuing dangerous relationships with Russia and China. Mr Orbans government, Mr Pressman said, labels and treats the United States as an adversary while making policy choices that increasingly isolate it from friends and allies. Hungarys government also faces a challenge from an unexpected source at home Peter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orban ally Judit Varga. Once an insider within Mr Orbans Fidesz party, Mr Magyar in recent weeks has publicly called for fundamental change and gathered a significant following through internet posts and widely watched interviews. On Friday, Mr Magyar addressed a crowd of around 10,000 people in Budapest where he announced his plans to form a new political party to challenge Fideszs 14-year grip on power and act as an alternative to Hungarys fragmented opposition. If Hungarian voters finally see a real political force that cannot be bribed or blackmailed, that is honest, straight, open and free of extremes, then more and more people will believe that there is hope for change after decades in a political swamp, Mr Magyar said in a speech, where he also accused Mr Orbans government of corruption and economic mismanagement. As Mr Orban hopes for success this summer for conservative forces in Europe, he has also achieved close ties with parts of the American right, including former president Donald Trump. The Hungarian leader last week visited the United States where he met Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and openly called for a Trump victory over President Joe Biden in November elections. In his speech on Friday, Mr Orban said that support for Mr Trump showed that American voters were rebelling, and predicted a political shift that will favour conservatives in Europe and the United States in 2024. This year will be a turning point, he said. At the beginning of the year we were still alone, and by the end of the year we will be the majority. The United States and allies warned Iran on Friday that major Western economies will pile new sanctions on Tehran if it moves forward with an advancing plan to provide ballistic missiles to Russia for its war with Ukraine. The Biden administration has raised alarms for months that Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran as Moscow struggles to replenish its dwindling supplies. The US has yet to confirm that missiles have moved from Iran to Russia but US officials are alarmed by comments by Iranian officials that suggest that a deal is imminent. In September, according to the White House, Iran hosted Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to show off a range of ballistic missile systems a moment that sparked US concern that a deal could come together. An Iranian-built missile is displayed during a rally in Tehran in February (Vahid Salemi/AP) The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to make the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on Iran and North Korea for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine and has disclosed intelligence findings that it says show as much. Russia has acquired and used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, however, say that North Korean missiles when deployed by Russian forces have frequently missed targets. Russia has received hundreds of one-way attack drones, as well as drone production-related equipment, from Iran, according to the White House. The Biden administration also has accused Tehran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow. One action that the G7 (Group of Seven) countries are mulling is to prohibit Iran Air, the countrys national air carrier, from flying to Europe, according to a senior Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorised to comment and insisted on anonymity, declined to preview other sanctions that the US are considering beyond describing the potential action as significant measures. The US and Europe already impose extensive sanctions against Iran targeting individuals as well as limiting the countrys access to trade, financial services, energy, technology and other sectors. The sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the US maintains on any country, with thousands of individuals and entities targeted. Florida state government has opened an online portal to allow Floridians in Haiti to register for assistance amid the violent unrest in that country. Floridians in Haiti or their family members can fill out the questionnaire on the portal to let the state know of immediate needs. You can visit the portal at FloridaDisaster.Org/Haiti, the Division of Emergency Management said Thursday in a press release. We will do everything possible to help Floridians and Americans who are in need of help in Haiti, division Director Kevin Guthrie said. I encourage those with needs to visit the portal today. On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered members of the Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, Florida Highway Patrol, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to South Florida to interdict any Haitians fleeing their country by sea. The DeSantis administration has intervened in overseas crises before following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the governor declared a state of emergency in Florida to facilitate an airlift of Floridians from the Middle East. Also on Thursday, the Miami Herald reported that the Royal Caribbean cruise line had suspended port calls in Labadee, a resort it owns in Haiti. We have not had any security concerns; this was done out of abundance of caution, spokesman Jonathon Fishman, told the newspaper. The chaos in Haiti has been building since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Prime Minister Ariel Henry took over running the country, which hasnt seen an election since 2016. A criminal gang confederation has been attacking government, financial, and other targets amid reports of murder, sexual violence and kidnapping, according to a USA Today report. This story appeared on the website of the Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to coverage of state government and politics from Tallahassee. Friday, Mar 15th, 2024 (10:39 am) - Score 600 Network builder and UK ISP Connect Fibre, which aims to cover 100,000 premises across the East of England with their gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP) broadband network, has today announced that around 5,000 premises in the two Essex locations of Rayleigh and Thundersley can now put in pre-orders ahead of the new service going live. The operator, which is backed by investment from the Foresight Group (here), is currently rolling out their new open access (wholesale) full fibre network using ADTRANs XGS-PON technology across various locations in Essex, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Cambridgeshire. NOTE: Connect Fibre recently won the 33m (state aid) Project Gigabit contract to cover 17,000+ premises in hard to reach rural areas of Derbyshire (LOT 3) Connect Fibre recently won the 33m (state aid) Project Gigabit contract to cover 17,000+ premises in hard to reach rural areas of Derbyshire (LOT 3) here In terms of their Essex build, the providers network already includes Hockley, where residential installations are already underway, and both Hadleigh and South Woodham Ferrers, where residents are due to be connected during Spring 2024. The latest two locations to join this club today are Rayleigh and Thundersley, although its unclear when they will go live. Customers who place a pre-order will receive an early-bird discount of up to 20% and the number of premises that can place an order is also expected to rise above 5,000 as the year progresses. Stefan Stanislawski, Connect Fibres CEO, said: We are thrilled to welcome Rayleigh and Thundersley as the latest locations in Essex to join our rapidly expanding network. With our hyperfast speeds, advanced technology, early bird discounts and outstanding customer service, were looking forward to bringing faster, fairer, flawless full fibre broadband to homes and businesses in the local area. The modern-day family household needs reliable broadband for everything including working, education and unwinding. Today, great broadband is a necessity, not a privilege. Were delighted to be connecting Rayleigh and Thundersley with the connectivity that they both need and deserve. Residential broadband packages now start from 25 per month on an 18-month term for a symmetric speed of 150Mbps (inc. free setup and a WiFi 6 router), which rises to 50 for their top 1000Mbps tier and a promise of no mid-contract price increases. Plus theres a 50Mbps social tariff for those on state benefits at 20 per month or 25 for 150Mbps (due to the new discount, this is currently the same price as their regular 150Mbps plan). Friday, Mar 15th, 2024 (12:01 am) - Score 5,800 The UK Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, has published a new letter to telecoms firms (Virgin Media, Openreach and KCOM etc.) that calls for them to limit installation of telegraph poles when deploying new fibre broadband networks because they risk upsetting communities by inappropriately or unnecessarily throwing up new infrastructure. Network operators like poles because theyre quick and cost-effective to build, can be deployed in areas where there may be no space or access to safely put new underground cables, are less disruptive (avoiding the noise, access restrictions and damage to pavements of street works) and can be built under Permitted Development (PD) rights with only minimal prior notice. Suffice to say that poles, which are already a common sight across much of the UK, form a key part of how network operators are choosing to deploy new full fibre (FTTP) networks. The government, driven by its targets for expanding gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure, has also facilitated this by cutting red tape to help make such work as easy as possible. However, over the past couple of years weve reported on a notable rise in complaints about new poles, particularly from places like East Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. Such gripes typically highlight their negative visual appearance, as well as concerns about exposure to damage from major storms, the lack of effective prior consultation, the duplication of existing infrastructure or engineers that fail to follow safety rules while building etc. The key change today is that the government, which is perhaps being mindful of a looming General Election, has adopted a more proactive approach to localised concerns by writing a new letter that calls on telecoms companies to curb the installation of new poles. In fact, we covered a lot of this yesterday in a much more extensive article (here), which helps to give the wider context to todays development (I dont want to repeat all that). Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said: Telegraph poles are a key piece of infrastructure bringing faster connectivity to communities and businesses across the country. Most telecoms companies are doing a fantastic job in delivering that connectivity with the support of those communities, by sharing existing infrastructure and taking into account surroundings when putting up new poles. But we know that there are some firms that are losing that vital community support by inappropriately or unnecessarily throwing up new infrastructure. I have today written to operators asking them to do whatever it takes to share existing infrastructure. We have already made a number of changes to the law to make it easier for them to do so including allowing operators to fly lines from poles owned by other providers and sharing underground ducts. We reserve the right to take further action if things do not improve and will be discussing next steps with Ofcom. The full letter has been pasted at the bottom of this article and weve highlighted some of the key points below. Key Points of the Letter 1. The minister asks that companies do everything possible to share existing telegraph poles before deciding to build new ones. 2. The minister warns that any companies failing to comply with the regulations can lead Ofcom to investigate and take enforcement action on the operator. 3. The minister has advised new infrastructure should only be built above ground when sharing existing infrastructure or installing lines underground is not viable. 4. The minister warns operators that new telegraph poles should only be installed after ensuring appropriate community engagement has taken place and that the siting of new infrastructure will not cause obstructions to traffic or unduly impact the visual amenity of the local area. 5. The minister has requested the regulator to provide guidance to local planning authorities on how to raise complaints, as well as asking for Ofcoms support in tackling the challenge. On point 1 and 3, most network operators would probably say they already do everything possible to share existing poles and ducts, since thats a lot more cost-efficient than building new stuff. But local restrictions, as well as any limitations imposed by existing operators on such infrastructure, mean that its not always possible, and sometimes no alternatives exist. Meanwhile, point 2 sounds strong, but doesnt say anything new. Ofcom has yet to take any enforcement action related to poles or even investigate a specific complaint. This is in no small part because a lot of the complaints people have raised dont strictly breach the existing guidelines, which are fairly flexible. But it will be interesting to see if the regulator now takes a more proactive interest. Point 4 is likely to be one of the most contentious, since at present network operators only need to give very minimal prior notice before a pole is deployed, such as by sticking a notice on a nearby street light (common) or sending out a mailshot ahead of time. In terms of appropriate community engagement, the operators would no doubt say they already do this, although the existing code isnt particularly strict and how you define whether a pole will unduly impact the visual amenity of the local area can be quite a challenge often coloured by personal perception (subjective). For example, some people might say that deploying poles in streets that havent had them before would unduly impact the visual amenity of the local area, but often you might not be able to create an economically viable model for the area without them and that risks reversing efforts to tackle the digital divide. The ambiguity in this area quickly becomes tedious for everybody. Extract Code of Practice and Protocols for New Poles Where new poles are to be installed the Code Operator should place a site notice (coinciding with notification to the relevant authorities) in as close proximity as possible to the proposed apparatus indicating to nearby residents the intention to install a pole, and the proposed location. The location of such notices should be discussed with the relevant authorities at the initial engagement meeting. If an appropriate place to site a notice is not available, another means of informing residents may be discussed and agreed upon. This could take the form of a temporary notice at the proposed site, placed on a post similar to those used by estate agents. Alternatively, another means of informing residents may be agreed upon such as a mailshot. Notices should state the name and contact details of the Code Operator. In National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural beauty, the Code Operator should discuss new pole locations with the relevant National Park Authority or AONB Partnership at an early stage to identify opportunities to minimise any adverse landscape impact. Next, we come to point 5, where the government seems to be trying to help local authorities in understanding how to make related complaints to Ofcom and for the regulator to perhaps become a bit more proactive in investigating such concerns. But at the end of the day, this all seems to be mostly reiterating and underlining what the existing rules already say. ISPA Chair, Steve Leighton, said: Upgrading the broadband network to full fibre gigabit broadband is a national priority, one that will deliver significant economic and social benefits across the UK. We understand the Ministers concerns and wherever possible our members are using underground ducts or existing infrastructure to build their networks. However, this is not viable everywhere and that is why our members may need to use poles, in line with current planning rules which allow their use through permitted development. The sector will continue to engage proactively with government on this issue. Industry data shows that infrastructure sharing is widely used by a range of different providers, and the industry is exploring ways of unlocking further options. We must continue to ensure that we strike the right balance so that our members can build broadband networks that will enable and serve our society for decades to come. An Openreach spokesperson said: We agree with the Minister about sharing access to ducts and poles. We do this already and, since 2011, more than 1.9 million of our poles and 260,000 kilometres of our underground duct have been used by other 169 builders to extend their own networks, connecting more than 700,000 customers. Its been a great success for the industry and something we think should be replicated by other providers on comparable commercial terms. The governments letter also specifically touches on the issue of infrastructure sharing in the Hull area via KCOMs network, where they encourage the incumbent to play fair. But at present, network operators expecting the same level of access, flexibility and affordability as they get from Openreach have run into problems with KCOMs sadly confidential commercial terms, although some progress was made yesterday (here). Finally, the letter makes clear that the government intend to revise the existing Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice, which will update the guidance seemingly within the existing legislation to make sure that communities feel engaged in the deployment of new broadband infrastructure, whilst still allowing operators to continue deploying their networks. We expect more meetings and better notifications to be the result, which may add some extra costs and time to network builds. Today Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 51F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Tomorrow Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High 73F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. 03/15/2024 Recently elected SGA President De'Onta Bush, center, chilling with friends at the Rec Center pool in 2022. The indoor pool will be open throughout spring break for those who want to make a splash. by Buffy Lockette Jacksonville State University will be closed for spring break the week of March 18, 2024. Classes will not meet and offices will be closed. The following holiday hours will be observed for campus services. DINING All dining locations will close on Friday, March 15, at 2 p.m., and reopen regular business hours on Monday, March 25. REC CENTER The Recreation and Fitness Center will be open over break as follows: Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday: 12-8 p.m. Indoor Pool: Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-7 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: 12-7 p.m. Climbing Wall: Monday-Friday: 3-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 12-3 p.m. Adventure Rec: Enjoy an outdoor adventure over spring break by checking out camping and outdoor equipment from UREC's Adventure Rec Center. Students and other members can rent camping, climbing, biking and boating equipment. The Adventure Rec desk will be open spring break Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on Saturday-Sunday. LIBRARY and BOOKSTORE Houston Cole Library will be closed Saturday, March 16, to Saturday, March 23. Regular hours will resume on Sunday, March 24. Access to the Librarys electronic resources will be available by visiting the Librarys website. The Campus Bookstore will be closed for Spring Break for inventory. Customers are invited to visit the store online. HEALTH and SAFETY Health Center: The RMC/JSU Health Center will be open regular hours during Spring Break: Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information or appointments, call 256-782-5310. Campus Police: The University Police Department will continue to serve campus throughout the break. Officers are available 24/7. Call 256-782-5050 for assistance. Counseling: Students experiencing a mental health emergency after-hours should contact campus police at 256-782-5050 to be connected with an on-call counselor from the JSU Counseling Center or call 911 or 988 for assistance. MAIL CENTER, ID OFFICE and PRINT SHOP The JSU Mail Center, ID Office and Print Shop will be closed for spring break. Have a safe and fun spring break, JSU Family! Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) South Africas Townpress reports that Naledi Pandor, the countrys foreign minister, pledged this week to arrest any South African/ Israeli dual citizen who fought in Gaza. She said at a pro-Palestinian gathering in Pretoria attended by a number of officials from the ruling African National Congress, I have already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and are fighting alongside or in the Israeli Defense Forces: We are ready. When you come home, we are going to arrest you. Minister Pandor also called on people to create posters saying Stop Genocide and to demonstrate in front of the embassies of the five primary supporters of the Israeli campaign against Gaza. She did not name them but they certainly include the US and Britain. There are about 70,000 Jews in South Africa, a country of about 60 million. It wasnt reported how many of them are dual nationals or are serving in the Israeli army. The South African government took Israel to the International Court of Justice with a charge that Tel Aviv is committing genocide in Gaza. On January 26, the ICJ issued the equivalent of a preliminary injunction against Israel on this charge, admitting its plausibility. Hindustan Times Video: South Africa Vows To Punish Own Citizens Serving As Soldiers In Israel Army; Will Strip Your' Minister Pandor maintains that she has been the victim of an intimidation campaign, receiving online hate mail with threats of violence against her and her family that required here to request security from the government. She blames, in part, Israeli intelligence for this campaign. Her ministry, charmingly called International Relations and Cooperation, just last week made a further appeal to the International Court of Justice to intervene to halt the starvation of the people of Gaza. It requested the Court to issue instructions to the effect that: All Parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide must, forthwith, refrain from any action, and in particular any armed action or support thereof, which might prejudice the right of the Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide and related prohibited acts, or any other rights in respect of whatever judgment the Court may render in the case, or which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve. The State of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address famine and starvation and the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza, by: (a) immediately suspending its military operations in Gaza (b) lifting its blockade of Gaza (c) rescinding all other existing measures and practices that directly or indirectly have the effect of obstructing the access of Palestinians in Gaza to humanitarian assistance and basic services; and (d) ensuring the provision of adequate and sufficient food, water, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, alongside medical assistance, including medical supplies and support. The United Nations has warned that a fourth of the people in Gaza are at imminent risk of starvation. South Africas attempt to rally the signatories of the Convention against Genocide of 1948 against Israeli actions, and its raising of the possibility of jail time for soldiers fighting the total war against Gaza, distinguishes it from most other international actors, who have done no more than express regret the for the over 31,000 Palestinian deaths in the war so far, if they have done that much. Pandors comments raise the question of whether dual nationals serving in the Israeli army could be found guilty of being complicit in genocide if they return to their home countries from Israel after the war. While this outcome is difficult to imagine in the case of US returnees, the question remains open in Europe, which has strong human rights laws and European courts bound by international humanitarian law. The latest film adaptation of the Sixties novel helps us understand the contemporary Middle East and its ecology. Based on Herberts 1965 science fiction classic, Dune is a tale of a rising duke, intergalactic power struggles, a precious spice, and lethal spaceworms. The story, which deals with religion, politics, myth, destiny, heritage, environmental decay and colonialism resonates as much with audiences today as it did when the novel was first published. ( TRT World ) The latest Hollywood blockbuster Dune is a space opera based on Frank Herberts 1965 novel of the same name. While written in the Sixties, its current release is salient as the film reengages audiences with several core themes of the novel. The novel is replete with Arabic and Islamic references, which raises the question of whether the novel is orientalist, in addition to the film, given the resurgence of cinematic orientalist tropes post-9/11. Also, while the novel Dune won a slew of science fiction (sci-fi) awards, it could also be considered one of the first cli-fi novels, or climate fiction novels. Herberts work was prescient given its examination of the ecology of a desert planet that essentially stands in for the Middle East. Finally, the novel is relevant due to its trope of resistance and empire. Dune is essentially a political thought experiment, examining how charismatic leadership can lead to the defeat of stronger states and empires, salient to US foreign policy, whether it is the Vietnamese under Ho Chi Minh or the Afghan Taliban. Techno-Orientalism In a previous article for this publication, I used Edward Said to examine Slavery, the robot, and Orientalism in science fiction. I categorise Orientalism as a system of communication that essentialises the East with a series of Es. The West sees the East as Exotic, Erotic, and the Enemy. For example, in the Star Wars franchise, there are Middle East-inspired elements with the Sufi orders reflected in Obi Wan and the Jedi. Orientalist flourishes include the Enemy, the barbaric Sand People and the Erotic, the indolent Jabba the Hut, who smokes a nargile and maintains a harem, which includes princes Leia. Dune, like Star Wars, is about a band of rebels who bring down an empire. The protagonists of Lucas space opera consist of a rebel alliance brought together from far ranging planets and galactic groups, like Admiral Ackbar, the squid-like commander from the Mon Calamari, to the Ewoks. In Herberts work, the rebels are the Fremen, who practice a futuristic form of Islam, seeking to free their desert planet Arrakis and bring down a down an intergalactic empire led by the Padishah Shaddam. Dune, Digital, Dall-E 3, 2024. The references to the Middle East are not flourishes to exoticise the narrative. The Arrakis depicted in the novel and latest film are not exotic, but enigmatic. There is little that is erotic in Dune. The Fremen are not the enemy; you root for them as the protagonists. The Fremen are led by a messianic figure, Paul Atreides, who engages in a jihad against the empire, but Herbert used this term in the sixties well before the notion become associated with terrorism post-9/11. It is unusual to have the Muslims as good guys. The only other science fiction franchise that does the same is the Pitch Black franchise beginning in the mid-Nineties, also examining a futuristic, intergalactic Islam. The protagonist Riddick, played by Vin Diesel, seeks to save another character, simply referred to as al-Imam on his way to complete the hajj in New Mecca on the planet Tangiers-3. I would argue that the prevalence of a futuristic Islam in both sci-fi stories makes neither orientalist. In both cases Islam is not exotic but banal, interwoven in interplanetary daily life. Finally, all orientalist films essentialise the Middle East as a desert landscape replete with camels and minarets. The desert in Dune does not serve as a mere exotic background but makes an ecological argument. The dunes symbolise the vulnerability and precariousness of human life. The heat and sand, Mother Nature if you will, overwhelms this future civilisation and its technology. The theme of insecurity and the quest for water pervade the narrative. In the face of this powerlessness, the Fremen represent a fight for agency by learning to adapt to the desert, not exploit it. Science fiction and empire The revolt in Arrakis seeks to bring down an intergalactic empire, led by the Padishah Shaddam. While Shaddam does sound like Saddam, the future Iraqi president was relatively obscure when Herbert wrote the novel. However, the title Padishah refers to the highest rank in the Ottoman or Persian empires. Sci-fi has had a long history of dealing with empire and resistance. One of the first sci-fi pioneers, HG Wells published War of the Worlds in 1898 as a commentary on the British extermination of the local population of Tasmania, Australia. Arrakis could very well be a reference to Iraq. The Spacing Guild in Dune, a cartel that controls the production of the Spice that is necessary for space travel is certainly influenced by petroleum and OPEC, which was founded in Baghdad in 1960 (albeit the brainchild of a Venezuelan oil minister). In this case Dune would fit other sci-fi and cli-fi narratives where Iraq emerges as an imaginative space challenging the 2003 invasion. The film Avatar critiqued the rise of mercenary companies, where the planet Pandora stands in for Iraq and Unobtainium, like the Spice, is a reference to oil. The 2004 reboot of Battlestar Galactica portrayed the villains, the robotic Cylons as Americans, and the humans resisting them as the insurgents, forcing TV audiences, particularly in the US, to see the conflict from an Iraqi perspective. While sci-fi as a genre is escapist in nature, it simultaneously brings our current reality into greater focus. It reveals our current technophobias and anxieties over the convergence between scientific advance and what it means to be human. Close to 50 years separate the novel Dune and the film. The themes of ecological precariousness, rapacious resource extraction, and resistance to occupation are as relevant now as they were when the novel was first published. In this case Dune, a work of science fiction, is also a political fact. ( Tomdispatch.com ) Recently my partner and I had brunch with some old comrades, folks I first met in the 1996 fight to stop the state of California from outlawing affirmative action. Sadly, we lost that one and, almost three decades later, we continue to lose affirmative action programs thanks to a Supreme Court rearranged or, more accurately, deranged by one Donald J. Trump. It was pure joy to hang out with them and remember that political struggle during which, as my partner and I like to say, we taught a generation of young people to ask, Can you kick in a dollar to help with the campaign? For a couple of old white lesbians who, in the words of a beloved Catherine Koetter poster, forgot to have children, those still-committed organizers and activists are the closest thing to offspring weve got. And their kids, including one now in college, who were willing to hang out with their parents old buddies, are the closest well ever have to grandchildren. As people whose lives have long been tangled up in politics will do, we soon started talking about the state of the world: the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, the pain on this countrys border with Mexico, and of course the looming 2024 election campaign. It was then that the college student told us he wouldnt be voting for Joe Biden and that none of his friends would either. The presidents initial support of, and later far too-tepid objections to, the genocidal horror transpiring in Gaza were simply too much for him. That Biden has managed to use his executive powers to cancel $138 billion in student debt didnt outweigh the repugnance he and his friends feel for the presidents largely unquestioning support of Israels destruction of that 25-mile strip of land on the Mediterranean Sea. To vote for Biden would be like taking a knife to his conscience. And I do understand. Vote Your Conscience? This year, I wonder whether only people who live in California and other dependably blue states can afford that kind of conscience. Im not objecting to voting uncommitted in a Democratic Party primary as so many citizens of Michigan and Minnesota have done. If I lived in one of those states, Id have done the same. In fact, I didnt vote for Biden in Super Tuesdays California primary either and, in truth, I wouldnt even have to vote for him in November, because in this state my vote isnt needed to ensure his victory, which is essentially guaranteed. But God save the world if voters in Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, or other swing states follow that example. Im less sure, however, what Id do if, like thousands of Arab-American voters in Michigan, I had friends and family in Gaza, the West Bank, or indeed among the millions of Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon or Jordan. Would I be able to mark my ballot for Joe? And if I wouldnt, then how could I ask anyone else to do so? In the end I would have to vote for him because, however terrible for that part of the world another four years of the Biden administration might be, a second Trump presidency would be even worse. (Trumps recent comment about Gaza aimed at Israeli forces couldnt have been blunter: Youve got to finish the problem.) At least, unlike Trump, Biden isnt beholden to the Christian Zionists of the evangelical right, who long to gather all the worlds Jews into the state of Israel, as a precondition for the return to Earth of Jesus Christ. (The fate of those Jews afterward is, of course, of little concern to those Christians.) What Weve Seen Already At an educators conference I attended last month, a panelist discussing what Trumps re-election would mean for those of us in the teaching profession inadvertently referred to his first term. Another panelist gently reminded her that the period from 2017 to 2021 had, in fact, been Trumps only term and that we need to keep it that way. In preparation for this article, I looked back at some of my writings during that first (and God willing, only) term of his, to remind myself just how bad it was. I was surprised to find that Id produced almost 30 pieces then about living in Trumpland. Theres so much to remember about the first Trump term, and so much Id forgotten. And thats hardly surprising, given the speed with which, then as now, one unspeakable and previously unimaginable Trumpian horror follows the next. Theres simply no way to keep up. Heres what I wrote, for instance, about living in Trumpworld in 2018: Theres speed and then theres Trump speed: the dizzying, careening way that the president drives the Formula One car of state. Just when weve started to adjust to one outrage say, the ripping of migrant children from their mothers arms (a procedure that continues to this day, despite court prohibition) here comes another down the track. This time its the construction in Texas of a tent city to house immigrant children. No, wait. That was the last lap. Now, its the mustering of almost 6,000 troops on the border, authorized to use lethal force if they have to against people desperately fleeing lethal conditions in their own countries. And hes still at it. Not satisfied with labeling migrants as rapists the moment he came down that infamous escalator to enter the presidential campaign in 2015, hes now comparing them to Hannibal Lecter, the fictional murderer and cannibal in Silence of the Lambs, that horror film about a serial killer who skins his female victims. Certain of Trumps greatest hits do still linger in the collective American consciousness. Who could forget his pronouncement that some fine people on both sides attended the 2017 Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, Virginia, where counter-protester Heather Heyer was murdered when a white supremacist drove his car into her? (Were less likely to remember that other moment a couple of years later when the president doubled down, while hailing Confederate leader Robert E. Lee as a great general, by explaining that he still stood by his very fine people statement.) Then there was the suggestion made in one of his daily press briefings during the Covid pandemic that, in addition to taking the anti-malarial drug chloroquine with no proven usefulness for Covid, sufferers might want to consider injecting bleach into their bodies since it did such a good job of killing the virus on hard surfaces. Youve probably forgotten, as I had, that back in the days when he was still a first-time candidate, he was already advocating the commission of genuine war crimes. As I wrote in 2016: He declared himself ready to truly hit the Islamic State where it hurts. The other thing with the terrorists, he told Fox News, is you have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families. They care about their lives, dont kid yourself. When they say they dont care about their lives, you have to take out their families. Because its a well-known fact in Trumpland at least that nothing makes people less likely to behave violently than murdering their parents and children. And it certainly doesnt matter, when Trump advocates it, that murder is a crime. For me, however, some of Trumps worst crimes were epistemological ones crimes, that is, against knowledge. By subjecting us all to a firehose of falsehoods, he undermined peoples belief that we can ever know if anything is true. You dont like things the way you find them? Well, in the immortal words of Kellyanne Conway, Trumps former campaign manager and senior counselor as president, just turn to alternative facts. The intentional distortion of reality is a classic authoritarian trick, designed to convince masses of people that, as Hannah Arendt wrote back in 1951, nothing is true and everything is possible. Worse than Deja Vu Deja vu is French for already seen and it describes that sense of experiencing something all over again. We indeed already saw and heard too much that was unnerving, not to say frightening, during the four years of Trumps presidency. The only thing that kept him from doing even more harm was his chaotic and lazy way of working. His attention span was notoriously short, and he could be easily distracted by any shiny object. Much of his daily schedule was given over to executive time, an apparent euphemism for watching cable TV and responding on Twitter to whatever he saw there. A second Trump term would be very different if the forces gathering around him have anything to say about it. Carlos Lozada of the New York Times has done us an immense favor by reading and digesting all 887 pages of the plan the Heritage Foundation has produced for the next Republican presidency, Mandate for Leadership. That document details the step-by-step process necessary to transform the presidency into something resembling a monarchy, where vestigial versions of the legislative and judicial branches would serve the agenda of a unitary executive, led by an autocratic president and backed by the U.S. military. Given that someone else has done all the work to make him a king, Trump is very likely to adopt some version of that foundations plan. As Lozada explains: There is plenty here that one would expect from a contemporary conservative agenda: calls for lower corporate taxes and against abortion rights; criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and the climate fanaticism of the Biden administration; and plans to militarize the southern border and target the administrative state, which is depicted here as a powerful and unmanageable federal bureaucracy bent on left-wing social engineering. The Mandate calls for infusing all aspects of government, including its scientific functions, with biblical values and, from the military to the Environmental Protection Agency, excluding any taint of diversity, equity, or inclusion. More disturbing yet is its commitment to consolidating power in the hands of a single executive, or ruler, if you like. Those planners arent small-government conservatives like anti-tax activist Grover Norquist who used to explain, I dont want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub. Yes, the Heritage program includes inevitable tax cuts for the wealthy and the like, but, as Lozada observes, The main conservative promise here is to wield the state as a tool for concentrating power and entrenching ideology. If Mandate for Leadership is the theory, then the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 is the practice. As the New York Times reports, its a $22 million presidential transition operation that is preparing policies, personnel lists and transition plans to recommend to any Republican who may win the 2024 election. Its success depends in large part on replacing tens of thousands of federal civil servants with political appointees loyal to the president. Donald Trump tried this late in his presidency, when he used an executive order to institute a new schedule or list of appointees to the civil service, exempting all career positions in the Federal service of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character from competitive hiring. Immediately rescinded by President Biden, this Schedule F would be reinstated under Project 2025, allowing Trump to replace up to 50,000 career civil servants with his own faithful minions committed to his or rather Heritages program. (Trump himself doesnt actually care about entrenching ideology, although hes definitely a fan of concentrating power in his own hands.) But, But Biden? The news from Gaza seems to grow more dire by the day. Even so, Ive concluded that we cant afford to use a vote for Trump, or a refusal to vote for anyone, as a way to punish Joe Biden. His toleration of genocide is unforgiveable; his atavistic American instinct to offer a military response to any challenge is more of the arrogant Cold-War-era stance that was so much a part of his earlier political life. Witness, for example, how his use of missiles to send a message to the Houthis in Yemen is only driving them to attack more ships in the Red Sea. (Meanwhile, enemies that cant be bombed into submission like climate change and drought have reduced daily traffic by nearly 40% in an even more important international waterway, the Panama Canal.) Nor has the United States under Biden stepped back from its general role as the indispensable arbiter of events in the Americas, or indeed in any of the 80 or more countries where it continues to have a military presence. I hold no brief for an imperial United States under Biden or anyone else. Nevertheless, I do believe that the world cant afford another presidency by the man who suggests that he will establish a day-one dictatorship in order to drill, drill, drill. Remember, this is the guy who, the last time around, pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accords. Now, the world has just lived through the hottest February on record (something thats been true of every month since May 2023!), one in which wildfires raged not only in the southern hemisphere, where it is, after all, summer, but in Texas, burning well more than a million acres there. This is the man who cheered on the government of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, as it presided over murderous attacks on the Amazon. This is the man who is still cheering as his Republican Party abandons its support for Ukraine in favor of Vladimir Putins Russia. This is the man who called for the assassination of his opponent in 2016, and exacerbated relations with Iran (with reverberations felt to this day) by ordering the drone assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. This is the man who, while he fails to understand how NATO actually works, has suggested that the United States will not come to the defense of delinquent member nations, but instead would encourage [the Russians] to do whatever the hell they want to such countries. Oh, and lest we forget, this is the man who tried once before to end American democracy. It would be true madness to give him a second chance. Copyright 2024 Rebecca Gordon Via Tomdispatch.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - Showcase Minerals Inc. (CSE: SHOW) (FSE: ZJ0) ("Showcase") is pleased to announce that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has approved the bond rider for its planned 12-hole drill program anticipated to cover 11,985 feet (3,653 m) in length on its Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project located in Elko County, Nevada. The bond approval will enable drill site construction and drilling to begin. Showcase intends to complete an initial two-hole program of approximately 1500 feet (457 m). The target for both holes is gold mineralization at the contact of Webb Formation shales with the underlying Devils Gate limestone and a modeled northeasterly fault. The holes will be angled to adequately test the contact in the projected vicinity of this fault. Drilling is anticipated to begin in April. The remaining ten sites will be completed pending these initial results. The drill targets have been identified using analysis of 53 historic drillholes, localized geologic mapping, surface sampling Controlled Source Audio Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) surveys, seismic, and gravity surveys. A clear trend of mineralization near to historic drilling has been identified, which aligns with the regional trend of mineralization of the Rain Mine to the northwest and the Dark Star Deposit approximately 1.5 miles south of the southwest end of the Dixie Flats-North Star claim block. This drill program is designed to expand the known ore body near previous high-grade intercepts and then extend the ore body along strike of identified structures. About the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project: The Dixie Flats-North Star Property (the "Property" or "Dixie Flats") is located on the east side of the Pinon Mountains, 21 air-miles south of the City of Elko in northeast Nevada. It is a combination of two claim blocks, the Dixie Flats group of claims and the North Star group of claims. The Property is comprised of a total of 236 total unpatented mineral claims on Federal land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"). The Property lies on the southern margin of the Carlin Trend, a northwest-trending belt of sediment-hosted gold deposits that makes up the greatest geographic concentration of gold deposits in North America, with reported production of more than 92.5 million ounces of gold since 1961 (Muntean, 2019). The Dixie Flats-North Star Property is underlain by rocks known to host gold mineralization on the Carlin Trend, and surface sampling has shown anomalous gold, silver, arsenic, antimony, and mercury levels in rock, soil, and biogeochemical samples from the Property, which is a characteristic geochemical signature of Carlin-Type gold deposits. The Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project is approximately three miles south of Newmont Mining Company's Emigrant Springs Mine, which finished production in 2018, and approximately 4.5 miles southeast of the past producing Rain Mine. Both deposits are hosted in dissolution breccia zones at the contact between the Webb mudstone, the basal unit of the overlying assemblage, and the underlying Devils Gate limestone. Prior exploration on the Dixie Flats-North Star Property has been focused on delineating this contact at depth and discovering possible extensions to the regional structures controlling mineralization at the Rain and Emigrant Mines and their demonstrated extension to the Dixie Flats-North Star Property. The information on the adjacent projects is taken from publicly available sources and is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Dixie Flats-North Star Property. Additional information on the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project can be found in the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Exploration Property", Elko, Nevada, dated September 21, 2022, which has been filed on SEDAR at www.Sedar.com. Qualified Person: Mr. Steve McMillin, M.Sc., C.P.G. is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. About Showcase Minerals Inc. Showcase is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project and the Woodruff Gold-Vanadium Project (subject to various net smelter returns royalties ranging from 2.25% to 4.25%), which collectively consist of unpatented 254 lode mining claims covering approximately 1,818 hectares located in Elko County, Nevada. For further information, please contact: Kirk Reed, President Showcase Minerals Inc. Telephone: 1-800-982-0670 Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. TORONTO / Mar 14, 2024 / Business Wire / Trigon Metals Inc. (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF) (Trigon or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Base Metal Investments and Services (Base Metal), a private Mauritius domiciled company, that holds an option (the Copperbelt Option) to acquire up to a 70% stake in the Kalahari Copperbelt Project (the Transaction). The Copperbelt Option provides Trigon the right to attain up to 70% interest in Copperbelt Exploration (Pty) Ltd. (Copperbelt) which wholly owns the Kalahari Copperbelt Project (the Project). Please see the Companys November 29, 2023 press release for further details. Concurrently with the closing of the Transaction, Copperbelt has acquired a 25% equity interest in Copperbelt (the Initial Acquisition). As consideration for the Transaction, Trigon has issued to Commodity Makers International (Commodity Makers), the sole shareholder of Base Metal, 13.6 million Trigon common shares and will issue 1.6 million Trigon common shares to Commodity Makers on each of the six, 12, 18 and 24 month anniversaries of todays date, for an aggregate total number of 20 million Trigon common shares. As consideration for the Initial Acquisition, Trigon, on behalf of Base Metal, has paid USD$60,000 to Ongwe Minerals (PTY) Ltd., the vendor of Copperbelt, and has committed to funding USD$1M in exploration expenditures on the Project over the next 24 months. Each of the Transaction and Initial Acquisition is an arm's length transaction under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange). Mr. Rennie Morkel is a director and officer of Commodity Makers and Mr. Andreas Rompel and Mr. Grant Sboros have provided consulting services to Commodity Makers. Messrs Morkel and Rompel are now officers of Trigon and Mr. Sboros has joined Trigons board of directors. Trigon Metals Inc. Trigon is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently, the company has operations in Namibia and Morocco. In Namibia, the Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licences in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia widely recognized for its high-grade copper deposits, where the Company is focused on exploration and re-development of the previously producing Kombat Mine. In Morocco, the Company is the holder of the Silver Hill project, a highly prospective copper and silver exploration project. Cautionary Notes 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 may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the appointments of new executives, the acquisition of the Project, the Transaction and the Initial Acquisition, the mineralization and prospectivity of the Project, the Companys exploration plans, the Companys ability to complete the Copperbelt Option and the Companys future plans and objectives. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. Contained nickel for the Eureka Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), effective February 12th, 2024, equals: Indicated Resources: 3.9 billion pounds of nickel Inferred Resources: 4.2 billion pounds of nickel VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (AEMC or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has filed an Updated National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report (the Updated Technical Report or the Report) on SEDAR+ for its 100% owned Eureka Property, Nikolai Nickel Project in Alaska, USA. Highlights of the Updated Eureka Technical Report and MRE include: The Eureka West and Eureka East deposits reported in the maiden 2023 MRE are now connected as one deposit measuring 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) in length. A significant portion of the Eureka MRE has been upgraded from Inferred to Indicated Resource. The Indicated Resource contains: 813 million tonnes grading 0.29% NiEq containing: 3,877 million pounds (1.758 million tonnes) of nickel 1,276 million pounds (578,783 tonnes) of copper 303 million pounds (137,438 tonnes) of cobalt 4.0 million ounces of platinum, plus palladium and gold The Inferred Resource increased from 319.6 million tonnes to 896 million tonnes, a 180% increase. The Inferred Resource contains: 896 million tonnes grading 0.27% NiEq containing: 4,225 million pounds (1.916 million tonnes) of nickel 1,040 million pounds (471,736 tonnes) of copper 327 million pounds (148,324 tonnes) of cobalt 3.4 million ounces of platinum, plus palladium and gold A higher-grade core, present over the southeastern half of the deposit, has been clearly confirmed and identified. The higher-grade core is open to the southeast, and the Company has plans to drill test this zone in 2024. As a consequence of joining the two deposits together, the strip ratio has been reduced from 3.7:1 to 1.5:1. Three parallel zones of mineralization are identified (EZ1, EZ2, and EZ3). Chrome and iron have been identified as potentially significant co-products of mineralization at the Eureka deposit. AEMC will continue to evaluate the potential to produce a ferrochrome (FeCr) product through ongoing metallurgical testing currently in progress. The Report titled Nikolai Mineral Resource Estimate Technical Report is dated March 13th, 2024 and supports the disclosure made by the company in its February 12, 2024 press release titled Alaska Energy Metals Significantly Increases NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate For The Eureka Deposit, Nikolai Nickel Project, Alaska, USA. The Independent MRE and Updated Technical Report were prepared by Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 regulations. The Report can be found under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Alaska Energy Metals website (www.alaskaenergymetals.com). Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: It was fortunate that the spacing of the eight holes we drilled in 2023 allowed us to include 35 other holes that were drilled historically. This, in turn, allowed our consultant, Stantec, to produce a larger-than-expected Mineral Resource Estimate update. We now have a very substantial nickel deposit with a higher-grade core that could be mined early with a 0:1 strip ratio. This feature will be important for project economics. The deposit is open in all directions and the higher-grade zone, which projects to the southeast, will be drill tested during our planned 2024 drill program. So far, our discovery-exploration cost amounts to about one-tenth of a cent per pound of nickel discovered. This is a very good result for the funds entrusted to us by our shareholders. QUALIFIED PERSON Mr. Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. is the independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has prepared, or supervised the preparation of, or has reviewed and approved, the scientific and technical data pertaining to the MRE and technical report. Mr. Loveday declares he has read this press release and that the scientific and technical information relating to the resource estimate are correct. Gabriel Graf, the Companys Chief Geoscientist, is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101 having reviewed and approved all other scientific and technical information contained in this news release. For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/ ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALS Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for national security and a bright energy future, while generating superior returns for shareholders. AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic energy-related metals for North America. AEMC also holds a secondary project, Angliers-Belleterre, in western Quebec. Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, carbon mitigation and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that ESG performance is measured by action and led from the top. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Gregory Beischer Gregory Beischer, President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164 Sarah Mawji, Public Relations This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Venture Strategies Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, that the Company execute further drilling in 2024. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday called for broad public dialogue on the prospect of applying for EU membership, as the ex-Soviet country's ties with Russia fray. Moscow's war in Ukraine has reinvigorated the EU's drive to enlarge, with Brussels putting EU-aspirants Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia on a formal membership path after years of reluctance. Armenia has grown angry with Moscow over what it considered inaction during Azerbaijan's sweeping offensive to retake the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region last year. Pashinyan said the possibility of joining the European Union "must become a widely discussed topic in society". His comments came after the European Parliament this week passed a resolution "on closer ties between the EU and Armenia". Pashinyan said his cabinet "has the political will to continue working towards a maximum deepening of Armenia's ties with the EU." Armenian officials have increasingly publicly spoken about joining the EU while Yerevan distances itself from Moscow. Last week, Armenia said it no longer needed Russian border guards at Yerevan airport -- where they have been deployed since 1992. Armenia has repeatedly floated intentions of leaving the Russian-led CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation) security bloc. Moscow on Wednesday warned against the move, saying it would wreck ties between the two countries and undermine Armenia's security arrangements. "Continuing Yerevan's current course could ultimately cause irreparable damage to our allied relations," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. She said it would "completely destroy effective mechanisms for ensuring" Armenian security. Armenia boycotted a CSTO summit at the end of 2023 over what Pashinyan said was the bloc's failure to fulfil its security obligations. In a sign of its ambition for new security guarantees, Yerevan has been forging partnerships with Western countries -- mainly France and the United States. Moscow had for decades been the main moderator of the conflict over Karabakh but has been bogged down by its two-year Ukraine offensive. In February, Armenia formally joined the International Criminal Court (ICC), despite Moscow warning the small Caucasus country against the move. It is now obliged to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he sets foot on Armenian territory under an ICC arrest warrant issued for the Russian leader in March 2023. In the two rows of chairs reserved for the public at the back of courtroom 34 in Stockholm, only one Swedish journalist (along with a few jurists) is following the day-to-day progress of this trial, which for the first time sees two executives of Swedish oil company Lundin Oil (now Orron Energy) accused of complicity in war crimes between 1997 and 2003 in what is now South Sudan. Martin Schibbye's diligence is not only because of the website he founded in 2015, www.blankspot.se, which has set itself the mission of covering forgotten areas of the news. In July 2011, he set out with photographer Johan Persson to investigate Lundin Oil's activities in Ethiopias Ogaden conflict zone. But the two men were arrested by Ethiopian security forces and sentenced on terrorism charges to 11 years in jail, before being pardoned and released in September 2012, after 438 days in detention. "438 days" is also the title of the book they wrote and the film that was made following their misadventure. "Business leaders are being prosecuted for complicity in serious war crimes. And it's frustrating to see that the trial is not being followed, except by a few law students and researchers," he says. Of the 70 or so days of the trial since September 5, 2023, Schibbye admits to having missed six. For the rest, he regularly publishes his lengthy accounts of the hearings, and feeds a WhatsApp group. In the first few weeks, the prosecution had the floor. "Thanks to Lundin Oil security reports found in searches of its Geneva headquarters, the prosecutors made clear that what Lundin told journalists [at the time, about the incriminating facts] was one thing, but what they wrote internally was another," says Schibbye. In short, that the situation in "Block 5A", the concession granted to the oil company in Sudan, was much more serious than Lundin claimed. NGOs and journalists on trial At the beginning of March 2024, the floor was given to lawyers of former Lundin Oil CEO Alexandre Schneiter, a Swiss geophysicist who joined the company in 1997 as exploration manager for Block 5A. According to Schibbye, the lawyers aim is to discredit the reports of NGOs behind the trial, as well as certain journalists like Julie Flint, who helped to write a report for NGO Christian Aid while also writing articles for The Guardian and Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter. To this end, Schibbye points out, they cite elements of a Swedish public TV report by Bengt Nilsson, a Swedish freelance journalist "invited, paid for and accompanied" by Lundin Oil in Block 5A. "The defence skilfully shifted the focus from the oil company's case to that of the NGOs and journalists," says Schibbye. He regrets "the lack of understanding on the part of the prosecution and defence of how journalism is practiced in a conflict zone. If you didn't go there with the SPLA [the South Sudanese rebel movement], you had to go there with the oil company. There was no other way, he says. Schibbye speaks from experience, since he entered Ethiopia illegally with the help of Ogaden National Liberation Front rebels. He cites interviews filmed in the presence of the oil firms guards along the road built by Lundin, in which Nilsson asked civilians whether the company was "good" or "bad". "It's not really independent journalism. Nor is it good to depend on the SPLA. Bengt Nilsson would have gained credibility by interviewing more refugees, for example from other regions. And of course, Julie Flint should also have interviewed the oil company or the Sudanese government. Both journalists will be called to the witness stand in spring 2025. Schibbye himself has not been called as a witness, having not worked on Lundin's business in Sudan. Swedish reporters Martin Schibbye (L) and Johan Persson on arrival at Stockholm airport, September 14, 2012. The two men had just spent 438 days in detention in Ethiopia, having entered the country illegally in connection with their investigation into the Lundin oil company activities. Photo : Anders Wiklund / Scanpix Sweden / AFP Clever defence strategy? Since this autumn, Schibbye continues, the defence has created an atmosphere where the question is: was Ian Lundin's intention in Sudan to kill civilians? No, it says, the intention was to extract oil". He thinks this strategy has been pursued in a clever way. "Instead of answering the specific allegations of Lundin Oil's cooperation with the [Sudanese] army, the defence asks the court: 'do you really believe that there was an intention to kill or to participate in these war crimes?" Schibbye believes the strategy has its limits. "If journalists have to choose sides to enter a conflict zone, so do oil companies. It's clear that Lundin Oil depended 100% on the Sudanese army. The defence tries to argue that the company was an outside observer, but this is untenable. Without the Sudanese army, Lundin Oil would not have been able to stay on site for an hour. For his part, Schibbye was never able to complete his report on Lundin Oil in Ethiopia. "The oilfield guards shot at us, arrested us, and we couldn't go on. So I never accused Lundin of any abuses in Ethiopia. But I warned that if they continued there, they ran a great risk of becoming complicit in this type of crime, because the conflict was of the same intensity". Schibbye has to wait until November 2025 to see an old acquaintance in the witness box -- Carl Bildt, who was Swedens foreign minister from 2006 to 2014 and who negotiated his release from jail in Ethiopia. But above all, between 2000 and 2006, Bildt was a director and shareholder of Lundin, which earned him much criticism. "One might ask why, after his term as Prime Minister (1991-1994), he chose to sit on the board of a company like Lundin," says Schibbye. He thinks this trial should not be seen through the strict lens of international law. "If the trial had taken place in The Hague, then the prosecutor would have had to prove direct intent, such as 'we, Lundin, wanted the army to clear the areas for our oil exploitation'. But Swedish law allows for the lowest level of intent, namely simple indifference to events. The prosecutor doesn't have to prove that you wanted it to happen. This will be one of the major legal issues to be dealt with. That's why the prosecutor has tried to explain what the situation was like in Sudan in 1997, and come back to it all the time to show that there were war crimes and that Lundin should have understood it would also be implicated by going in there." Sweden believed in Lundin The case goes beyond Lundin Oil, according to Schibbye. "It also tells something about Sweden. Lundin was cherished by small Swedish investors. Many people became very rich thanks to Lundin shares. All our big pension funds invested heavily in it, even when these accusations were known. In spite of everything, official Sweden maintained its investments, believed in these business leaders." Bildt's involvement on the board of directors is a case in point. Schibbye points to the disinterest of the Swedish press at the time. "Far too few editorial offices sent reporters to Sudan during those years. Lundin's lawyers denounce a witch-hunt in the media. But the fact is that, at the time, its activities in Sudan were not covered by the media." Today, as the only journalist present at the trial most of the time, Schibbye thinks it's deserted because "it's as if the trial came from another era. This debate on corporate responsibility dates back 20 years, and we were talking about the fact that companies had the same responsibility as states and could also be judged. Perhaps that's why it hasn't drawn more attention. He also notes that civil society and NGOs took a risk by filing a complaint with elements that were not designed to stand the test in a court of law, but rather to mobilize public opinion, where the requirement for proof is not the same. The risk is that if the two directors are acquitted, the credibility of the NGOs will be undermined. "There are moments when you think there's no doubt that Lundin and Schneiter will be acquitted, and then another day, you discover internal documents showing funds allocated by Lundin for hundreds of Sudanese soldiers around their facilities," he says. He never tires of these twists and turns, which are the lifeblood of the trial. But he regrets that the prosecution has not based its case on the testimonies or stories of refugees. "This type of personal voice is absent from the prosecution's case." However, he adds mischievously, "it is interesting to note that Lundin Oil did not call a single South Sudanese to testify on its behalf. You'd think that after all those years on the ground, there'd be someone who could come and say how great it was." Oh Young Soo, who is best known for his role in Netflix's "Squid Game," will be facing months in prison following the sexual harassment case against him. Following the South Korean prosecutors' request for a one-year jail term, the court has released the final verdict regarding the case. Oh Young Soo Found Guilty of Sexual Harassment In a report, the Seongnam Branch of Suwon District Court finds Oh Young Soo guilty of forcible molestation. Due to this, the "Squid Game" star is sentenced to 8 months in prison and 2 years of probation. In addition to this, the veteran actor will also undergo a sexual violence treatment program. To recall, in 2022, the 79-year-old actor made headlines for inappropriate physical contact with a woman in 2017. The complaint was filed in 2021, but at the time, the authorities decided not to forward the case. However, the woman objected, and the complaint was raised with the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. The woman claimed that the veteran actor groped and kissed her on the cheek without her permission during a theater tour, which they were both part of. READ MORE: 'Squid Game' Star Oh Young Soo's Lawsuit 'Questionable'? Here's Why As for the actor, he denied the accusation and said that he only "held her hands to show her the way around the lake" and apologized to the woman. Following the continued investigation, the prosecutor sought a 1-year prison sentence for Oh Young Soo. At the time, the actor delivered a heartbreaking final remark, saying, "Standing trial for things like this at this age, I am in such pain and agony... I feel like my whole life is falling apart." Oh Young Soo Drops Out of the Movie 'Big Family' With the ongoing investigation, the scandal-ridden actor withdrew from the cast lineup of the upcoming movie. Oh Young Soo is selected as one of the cast members in the film "Big Family," directed by Yang Woo Seok, of "Steel Rain" and "The Attorney." This was supposed to be his next project after Netflix's "Squid Game" and bagging the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film for his role as Player 001 Oh Il Nam. It depicts the story of an old grandfather who owns a dumpling restaurant. The movie focuses on the heartwarming tale and connection between him and his grandchildren. The "Big Family" cast includes Kim Yun Seok, Lee Seung Gi, and Kang Han Na. However, following the issue surrounding the Golden Globe winner, Oh Young Soo is replaced by fellow veteran star Lee Soon Jae, who also appeared in several K-dramas and movies such as "Again My Life," "Money Flower," and more. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Oh Young Soo Net Worth: How Wealthy Is the 'Squid Game' Star After the Golden Globe Win? For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Ontario is so far on the hook for more than $6 billion in payments to broader public sector workers as a result of the provincial government's wage restraint legislation being found unconstitutional. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario's Minister of Finance, right, walks with Premier Doug Ford at Queen's Park in Toronto, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Thursday, March 14, 2024 Actor Pierce Brosnan has taken a plea deal in his illegal hiking case out in Idaho, just after entering a not-guilty plea two months ago. Court documents obtained by TMZ showed he pled guilty to one of two illegal hiking charges brought against him after he allegedly wandered into a delicate hot spring at Yellowstone National Park in November 2023. In exchange, the other charge was dismissed. Brosnan's guilty plea lands him with about $1,540 in fines and other court costs. He got dragged to court after sharing photos from an off-limits area in the park; areas that are closed to tourists for both the safety of the springs and the safety of hikers. The photos got picked up by TouronsOfYellowstone, an Instagram page that reposts tourists/morons who break hiking rules in the gorgeous national park. The actor was facing a fine of up to $5,000 or even six months jail time if he was found guilty. Friday, March 15, 2024 - Kenyans who are qualified and want to work abroad now have the opportunity to secure employment in Germany. Those who qualify will be hired as bus drivers and caregivers. The European country is actively looking for engineers, IT specialists, mechanics, and caregivers. According to a few officials who spoke to Spiegel, a German publication, major players in the transport industry are insisting on Kenyans due to the country's superior education system. Additionally, Kenya's high school graduates are considered relatively well-educated and motivated. This qualifies them to work as caregivers once they get the necessary training. Another reason Germany wants to offer opportunities to Kenyans is due to Kenyas weak economy which makes the migration a win-win situation. Local transportation companies in Germany are looking for drivers in Western Kenya, especially in Homa Bay County where eligible candidates are being trained on safety and speaking German. One of the officials from a local transport company, Torsten Albig, told the publication that Germany had identified more than 100 candidates to boost public transportation. However, the officials noted that one of the challenges faced is the recognition of qualifications since the Kenyan driving licence is not recognised in Germany. Kenyan drivers need to apply for another license and complete a Chamber of Commerce exam which takes six months. Despite the hurdles, the officials are committed to ensuring Kenyans get the opportunities as bus drivers in the European country to fill the shortage. Besides the training in driving, those who want to join the German healthcare sector also learn basic medical skills before flying out. To facilitate the migration, President William Ruto and the German government are about to finalise an agreement that would see more Kenyans secure jobs abroad. Ruto announced that Germany had opened about 250,000 jobs for Kenyans. He spoke while hosting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who was in the country for a state visit. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 - Former Citizen TV anchor, Jacque Maribe, reportedly landed a lucrative government job, weeks after being acquitted of a murder charge. Although the Public Service Commission (PSC) released a statement denying that she has been appointed the Head of Communication at the Public Service Ministry, it is emerging that she has been allocated a posh office on the 4th floor of Harambee House. She has also been assigned a government driver. Maribe was filmed entering a car that she had been assigned by the government when she accompanied Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria for an official duty in Nakuru. A concerned Kenyan on the X platform shared the video and accused the government of wasting taxpayers money So why Jacque Maribe is allocated a posh office on the 4th floor of Harambee House. "She has a government driver, too, isn't wasting taxpayers' money? he wrote. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, March 15, 2024 - Former President Uhuru Kenyattas Jubilee Party has threatened to sue the government of President William Ruto in the next week over the closure of bars in the country. According to the partys Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Uhurus Jubilee will initiate a class action against the government if anyone else fails to do so by next week. I believe in the coming days there has to be somebody going to court, and if we dont see one going to court, we will spearhead one in the form of a class suit, explained Kioni. Speaking in Muranga yesterday, Kioni termed the closure of bars as a blanket ruling and sabotage of the economy as the bars sold licensed products. When you have paid for a licence and the money has been received and the license issued when the bars are closed that amounts to a breach of contract, explained Kioni. He further noted that the government should have been cracking down on the manufacturers and not on the bars. Kioni reported that more than 200 bars had been closed in the Muranga region only amidst other closures in other towns. At the same time, Kioni noted that property was destroyed in the process and no one was working to cushion the business owners from the losses. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 The mother of former Bayern Munich and Manchester City defender, Jerome Boateng has accused her son of 'abusing women for years' in a shocking email sent to a German media outlet. The German defender was previously found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Sherin Senler three years ago by a court in Munich. However, the conviction was overturned due to procedural errors after the superior regional court in Munich decided in favour of Boateng's appeal. The 35-year was fined 1.5 million at the time but avoided a potential five-year jail term, however, in October of last year a German court ordered a new trial be held. Boateng's mother is now said to have sent a document to a Berlin lawyer on March 25, 2021, where she made the alarming allegation against her son. Commenting on his alleged behaviour in the wake of another of Boateng's former partners, Kasia Lenhardt, taking her own life in 2021, his mother has criticised the former Germany international for 'abusing women psychologically and physically' in an excerpt published by BILD via Der Spiegel. She writes: 'For years, my son has been abusing women psychologically and physically, now Kasia Lenhardt has taken her own life and he still does not want to bear the consequences for his behaviour.' The German media outlet continues to reveal a voice message obtained from Lenhardt, stating: 'Unfortunately, he almost broke my left thumb.' According to the published report, a Berlin lawyer also explains Lenhardt wanted to sue Boateng for assault prior to her tragic death. Boateng has continued to deny the allegations labelled against him by Spiegel and the player's lawyer responded in March, explaining: 'Due to ongoing proceedings, it is currently not possible for our client to answer your questions in detail. 'Therefore, basically: they are simply misinformed to a large extent; beyond that, it seems that you are only being provided with selective information.' Former fashion model Lenhardt was previously found unresponsive in an apartment in Berlin on February 9, 2021, at the age of just 25 on the day of her son's sixth birthday. Polish-born Kasia - real name Katarzyna, had been dating Boateng for 15 months before their relationship fell apart on February 2 2021, sparking a vicious fight that saw the couple exchange blows via social media and the press. A friend of the Lenhardt's previously told MailOnline in 2021: 'She died a week after Jerome gave an interview in which he said their relationship was over. He said some really nasty things about Kasia. She was very upset by it.' Friday, March 15, 2024 - A close lieutenant of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has warned former murder suspect, Jackie Maribe, against associating herself with some friends like Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management CS Moses Kuria. Since she was set free in connection with the murder of business lady Monica Kimani last month, Jackie Maribe has been hanging out with friends like Kuria, who has even given her a job in his Ministry. But commenting on social media on Friday, Kileleshwa ward MCA, Robert Alai stated that Maribe will be drowned by those she calls friends like Moses Kuria. Alai, who was elected on Raila Odingas Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in the last election further said Moses Kuria erred in appointing Maribe to such a senior role knowing very well in a mature Judiciary like the United States Maribe would be sentenced to 10 years for being an accessory to murder. Jacque Maribe's support system will drown her. "Her biggest enemies are those she calls her friends. "Even if my friend Waziri @HonMoses_Kuriawanted to hire her, he should have given her back office roles and not a role that exposed her immediately after she survived one of the scariest experiences. "But she rubs it on our faces. In the court arguments, alifanya kosa kubwa. "Everyone believes she should have spent 10 years in prison, Alai wrote on X The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 It is good news for Kenyans after Matatus reduced fares significantly following the reduction in the cost of fuel as announced by EPRA yesterday. Speaking yesterday after EPRA made the announcement, Brendan Marshall, senior Matatu Owners Association (MOA) member, pointed out that they would reduce fares by an average of Ksh20 depending on the route. For instance, he noted that if a Sacco charged passengers Ksh70 during off-peak hours, it would slightly drop to around Ksh50. However, he reaffirmed that the fare during peak hours would remain the same. "The government had gradually increased the fuel prices by around Ksh50 or higher by last year. In the recent past, it has cumulatively dropped by around Ksh10. "It won't make a great impact at the pump. For it to be quite effective, it needs to reduce by a wider margin," he stated. "We thank the government of President William Ruto and appreciate the effort but basically in terms of fare, we will have minimal adjustments hence people should not expect drastic changes." "For off-peak hours, we will slightly change to accommodate more passengers. During peak hours, it will remain the same, hence if it was Ksh100, it will be at a constant rate," he added. Marshall expressed confidence that the passengers would be the beneficiaries if the fuel prices continue to drop in the coming months. EPRA lowered the prices of petrol, diesel, and Kerosene by Ksh7.21, Ksh5.09, and Ksh4.49 respectively. This translated to a drop below the Ksh200 mark for petrol as it will retail at Ksh199.15 while Diesel and Kerosene will go for Ksh190.38 and Ksh188.74. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has enlisted the help of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to steer the Nairobi ship to greater heights. This was revealed by Gachagua, who noted that Sakaja ran to him asking for help with Nairobi MCAs who didnt want to hear anything from the governor, and he agreed to help broker the truce. According to the DP, he had been approached by the Governor, asking him to intervene to avert an escalation of misunderstanding between him and the elected leaders in the city. He noted he was ready to hold conversations with the leaders to solve disagreements for the betterment of the lives of Nairobi residents. I had a conversation with the Governor and he agreed that there was a need to bring together all the leaders in Nairobi," the DP stated. "I am going to convene the meeting with the MCAs, MPs and the Governor. I will chair the meeting, he added. Gachagua made these remarks as he offered condolences to Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and his family for the loss of his brother David Gakuya. Gachagua emphasised the move would allow for faster implementation of development projects across the city. At the same time, Gachagua commended Governor Sakaja for accepting the responsibility of caring for Nairobi County and called for talks to resolve any stalemate with the leaders. In January this year, a section of the Nairobi MCAs called out the governor on allegations of multi-million fraud at the County Government. While responding to the claims, Sakaja told off the MCAs, stating the investigations into the multimillion fraud within the county government were a political witch hunt. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 President William Ruto may have secretly deployed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to fight Russia in Ukraine. This is after Russian President Vladmir Putin, through the Ministry of Defence, announced that there were five Kenyans who were fighting against Russia in Ukraine. Remarking that 13,387 foreign soldiers had moved to Ukraine since February 2024, Russia noted that some came from 13 African Countries. It should be noted that these soldiers travel to the conflict zone in a private capacity and do not represent the Armed Forces of their respective countries. Russia also did not provide a way where the information could be independently verified by international observers. Kenya was the only East African Community (EAC) member state to have soldiers in the European country. Ethiopia, which is not a member of EAC, was also identified as having 1 soldier in Ukraine. Nigeria is the leading country in Africa to send soldiers to Ukraine with 97. Russia alleged that 47 of them had been eliminated so far. Algeria has seen 60 soldiers fighting in Ukraine with 28 reportedly already eliminated while 4 out of 10 soldiers from Guinea have been eliminated. South Africa had recorded 35 soldiers with 14 eliminated while neighboring Liberia had 2 of its 5 soldiers eliminated. Senegal, a North African country was stated to have 15 soldiers in Ukraine but 4 of them have since been eliminated. Other countries that have soldiers eliminated in the warzone are Zimbabwe (1 out of 5 soldiers) and Equatorial Guinea (1 out of 2 soldiers). Other African countries recorded to have soldiers in Ukraine are Tunisia (8) and Libya (1). None of the reported Kenyan soldiers were reported to have been eliminated. Leading countries as stated by the Russian Ministry of Defence were; Polan (2,960), United States (1,113), Georgia (1,042), and Canada (1,005). The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel's conviction for the murder of an associate more than a decade ago has been quashed. Kartel, entertainer Shawn Shawn Storm Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John were convicted in 2014 for killing Clive Lizard Williams in 2011. They were later sentenced to life imprisonment. On Thursday, March 14, the Judicial Committee of the UK Privy Council quashed the murder convictions of the dancehall entertainer and three other men, ruling that the case be sent back to Jamaicas Court of Appeal for a ruling on whether they should be retried. The judge's decision also infringed Kartel's, and his three co-accused's "fundamental right to a fair hearing under the Jamaican Constitution". The issue of jury misconduct was the sole basis of the Privy Council's decision to quash the appellants' convictions in the ruling handed down on Thursday. Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, was convicted on March 13, 2014 along with fellow appellants Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John of the murder of Clive Lizard Williams. The Jamaican Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal against the convictions, and their cases were in the hands of the Privy Council, which ultimately decided to set aside the men's convictions and sentence. The case was remitted to the Jamaican Court of Appeal to decide if a retrial will be ordered. Friday, March 15, 2024 A landlord in Bulawayos North End suburb of Zimbabwe has been arrested for allegedly exposing his manhood to a tenant as she was dressing up in her room. It was gathered that while the 25-year-old woman got dressed, her landlord identified as 24-year-old Shayne Mafoche reportedly peered through her window. Startled, the woman caught sight of Mafoche staring at her and subsequently confronted him about his actions. In response, Mafoche insulted her and hastily made his way towards the door. Mafoche then proceeded to expose himself to the victim. He unzipped his pants and approached her while holding his private parts, making her flee the room. The victim reported the incident at Kumalo Police Station, leading to Mafoches arrest. Inspector Abednico Ncube, the spokesperson for the Bulawayo Police, confirmed the incident and emphasized that Tom's behaviour is considered a criminal offence. He said; "Peeping is a criminal offence. The suspects actions were unlawful. Thursday, March 14, 2024 A Zimbabwean man has been arrested for killing a three-year-old child in a suspected ritual murder. The suspect identified as Steady Munda killed the young child in a bushy area before throwing his lifeless body into a river. Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko who confirmed the gruesome incident which took place on Monday night in Chemowa area, Zhombe, said; I can confirm the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of the toddler whose body was dumped in the river. Investigations are in progress. Eyewitnesses told H-Metro that Steady was in the company of another individual named Caston Mucheuki when they boarded a commuter omnibus headed to Chemowa Primary School to repair some windows. Their journey took an ominous turn when the vehicle became stuck in the sand near a river. The driver requested that passengers disembark while he resolved the issue. It was during this time that Steady mysteriously vanished, prompting Caston to initiate a search for his missing colleague. Caston, accompanied by other male passengers, scoured the area for Steady. They encountered a group of distressed children who informed them that a strange man had fled with a toddler. The children led the search party to the other side of the river, where Steady was apprehended just after disposing of the childs lifeless body in the water. Steady is currently under police custody at ZRP Gokwe. Upon being apprehended, Steady implicated a local businessman named Tambu in the heinous crime. He accused him of orchestrating the murder. Friday, March 15, 2024 - Media stakeholders have warned of mass job cuts and the closure of media houses following President William Rutos government's move to exclusively award its advertisements to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). In a statement released by various associations, including the Kenya Editor's Guild and the Kenya Association of Journalists, the latest move would curtail revenue streams for other media houses. The associations added that the media houses would be forced to take administrative action and lay off their staff. "Diverting these resources exclusively to KBC will starve young independent media of crucial financial oxygen, potentially forcing closures, job losses, and a drastic reduction in the media landscape. "This not only undermines the public's right to access diverse information but also stifles economic activity and innovation within the media sector," read the statement in part. Further, it was noted that the decision impedes media freedom enshrined in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. According to the stakeholders, the government seeks to reinforce the national broadcaster as a powerful tool for shaping public opinion. As a result, the stakeholders call on the government to reconsider its decision and adhere to the principles of equity as prescribed by the Constitution. International organisations were also called upon to take an interest in the matter and take a stand against the interference of media freedoms. The government's directive to advertise only on KBC was issued by ICT Principal Secretary, Edward Kisiangani on Friday with PSs and state corporations asked to adhere to the new guidelines. Kisiang'ani explained that the decision was informed by the government's plan to align its advertising and revamp KBC. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 14, 2024 Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex has launched what appears to be a new lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard with a new website and Instagram page On Thursday, March 14, a new website and Instagram page for what appears to be a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard went live. The bio for the Instagram page simply reads, "By Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Established 2024." The first Instagram Story shows Meghan, 42, picking flowers and cooking in a kitchen set to the song "I Wish You Love" by Nancy Wilson. American Riviera Orchard's name most likely came from Santa Barbara, the California town where Meghan lives with Prince Harry and their two children, 4-year-old son Prince Archie and 2-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet. According to Travel & Leisure, Santa Barbara has been known as the "American Riviera" for more than 100 years "because of its temperate climate and lush landscapes, as well as its robust food and wine culture." According to Travel & Leisure, Santa Barbara has been known as the "American Riviera" for more than 100 years "because of its temperate climate and lush landscapes, as well as its robust food and wine culture." The logo also includes Montecito, the name of the neighborhood where they reside. A trademark application, currently awaiting examination, for American Riviera Orchard reveals the brand plans to sell tableware, drinkware including decanters, kitchen linens and edible treats such as jellies, jams, marmalade and spreads. The trademark application is also seeking approval for cookbooks. In addition, the waitlist signup advertises a way to stay in the know about "products, availability and updates," promising something similar to The Tig, the lifestyle blog Meghan created in 2014 before shutting it down in 2017. Meghan used her blog as a place to share her favorite food and travel discoveries, along with personal reflections. This marks Meghan or Prince Harry's first time publicly being on social media since 2020 when the couple made their last update to their @SussexRoyal Instagram page after stepping back as working members of the royal family. Meghan shut down her personal social media profiles (including her Instagram page with 3 million followers) and The Tig blog after getting engaged to Prince Harry. After Meghan and Prince Harry got married in May 2018, news about their royal work appeared on the @KensingtonRoyal accounts alongside updates about Prince William and Kate Middleton. The following year, the couple launched a separate Instagram page, @SussexRoyal, as part of the plan to establish a separate office from William and Kate. Friday, March 15, 2024 A new mom who went out for the first time to celebrate since the birth of her baby daughter was struck and killed after allegedly being kicked out of an Uber on a busy highway in the US. Vanessa Schwartz, 35, was on her way home from an evening with her husband Michael, a systems engineer, when she was hit while walking along Interstate-495 in Fairfax County, Virginia at 4am on Sunday, March 10. Unverified Uber receipts showed that she had been dropped off by her Uber at 1am. Her devastated family have laid the blame on the Uber driver, who has been suspended amid an investigation by Uber but has not been charged, as her brother-in-law said it was a 'preventable situation.' However, Virginia state police told NBC4 that there is 'no evidence' she was abandoned on the highway, and 'it appears she made her way to the interstate from a secondary roadway.' Investigation into the young mother's death are still ongoing, with witnesses reportedly telling police she had 'stumbled' into traffic, reports WUSA-9. The outlet also claimed that a preliminary investigation found the 2005 Honda Accord that struck Schwartz was unable to avoid hitting her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. It remains unclear why Schwartz was on the highway, as NBC4 obtained unverified Uber receipts from her family that showed her ride came to an end either on the highway, or very close to it. Although she was fatally struck at 4am, receipts also showed that the Uber lift ended at 1am. The three-hour time gap is not explained. Although cops say she may not have been left on the highway, Schwartz' grief-stricken family have accused the Uber driver of causing the tragedy. The driver, who has not been criminally charged, was said to have kicked the couple out of his car and onto the highway, despite it being 'dark and raining.' Chad Schwartz, the victim's brother-in-law, said: 'This was a preventable situation... that's why this is so devastating. It didn't have to happen.' 'We're not exactly sure what happened, but they were kicked out of the Uber in the middle of the highway, when it was raining and dark,' he added. Uber told DailyMail in a statement: 'Our hearts break for Vanessas family and loved ones during this difficult time. We take the safety of riders seriously and are continuing to look into this incident. We have reached out to law enforcement to offer our support with their investigation.' The company reportedly suspended the driver and removed his access to their app while the investigation continues. Cops said in an update on Wednesday, three days after the death, that 'at this time, there is no evidence to indicate she was dropped off or left along I-495. 'Instead, it appears she made her way to the interstate from a secondary roadway.' Thursday, March 14, 2024 North Koreans have been banned from keeping dogs as pets except they are kept for meat and fur. The ban was announced through the Socialist Women's Union of Korea, according to a source in South Pyongan Province, which lies north of the capital. Speaking to Daily NK, a newspaper in neighboring South Korea, the source listed the offences that could leave dog owners in violation of the government's socialist ethos. 'Treating a dog as a family member, who eats and sleeps with the family, is incompatible with the socialist lifestyle and should be strictly avoided,' they said. Dressing dogs in clothes, as exemplified by Western celebrities like Paris Hilton, was also singled out for condemnation. The source continued: 'The practice of dressing up dogs as if they were humans, putting pretty ribbons in their hair, wrapping them in a blanket, and burying them when they die is a bourgeois activity. 'It's one of the ways wealthy people waste money in a capitalist society.' Describing the regime's attitude, the source said: 'Dogs are basically meat that's raised outside in accordance with their nature and then eaten when they die. 'Therefore, such behaviour is totally unsocialist and must be strictly eliminated.' The regime also emphasised that 'the purpose of raising dogs is to collect more furs', the source said. Rising levels of dog ownership a practice described by the authorities as carrying 'the stench of the bourgeoisie' reportedly motivated the new edict. And while citizens were being given the chance to deal with the matter 'quietly', non-compliance could trigger a 'mass movement' to 'eliminate' the practice, the source said. The custom of keeping pet pooches must ultimately die out, union members were warned. One dog owner described by Daily NK was reduced to tears by the announcement. 'What should I do with the dog I love so much? I can't just kill it, and I can't just abandon it,' she reportedly said. Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK), which documents the atrocities of the Kim regime, said it was a 'ludicrous' decree. He said: 'The Kim regime criminalises normal behaviour, including visiting a relative in a neighbouring village without a travel permit, crossing the border without regime approval, or possessing a religious book. 'The ongoing crackdown on pet dog ownership as non-socialist behaviour this attempt to break the multi-millennial human-canine bond by ideological decree is the epitome of ludicrous interdiction.' According to the source in South Pyongan, the practice of keeping dogs as pets started small in North Korea in the early 2000s, when they were usually guard dogs. They said: 'There have always been families who had cats to catch mice, but there weren't many families with dogs. 'But that number has gradually increased, and recently there's been a noticeable rise in foreign breeds of dogs such as Pomeranians and Shih Tzus, which used to be a rare sight in North Korea.' Friday, March 15, 2024 Prince Harry was in a playful mood while chatting with the recipients of the Diana Legacy Award Thursday night, March 14, after his estranged brother William left the building. Earlier in the evening, Prince William gave a speech and presented awards to each recipient before leaving. The Duke of Sussex then made a brief appearance at the ceremony via video call where he spoke to the young winners of the accolade. Im sorry I am not there, Harry, 39, said from his Montecito, California home. I wish I could be there with you guys. Harry thanked the young winners for inspiring so many others and protecting my mothers legacy with their humanitarian work, referring to his beloved late mother, Princess Diana. Harry then switched gears and joked with the group, giving them some sound advice before they headed out to celebrate their respective wins with a night on the town. Enjoy the rest of your evening if thats what you plan to do, he said. Dont get into too much trouble if youre continuing to go on. Harry opted not to attend the awards in person just weeks after losing his bid for taxpayer-funded UK security protection for his family. Prince William, who attended, said during his speech: This evenings Legacy Award is particularly special as it marks the 25th anniversary year of the Diana Award a charity set up to reflect my mothers belief that young people can change the world. I know that she would have been honored to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe. William, 41, continued: She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life. That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years. William presented a total of 20 awards to recipients at the event. The feuding brothers have often appeared alongside one another at previous award ceremonies. However, since the Sussexes stepped down as senior working members of the royal family in 2020 and subsequently moved to the US, his involvement in the charity has been separate from his brother. Friday, March 15, 2024 - Ministers of Foreign Affairs from various countries who are members of the African Union have convened in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in a make-or-break meeting that will determine Raila Odinga's fate in vying for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship post. According to a statement issued by the African Union, the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretaries are set to discuss the modalities for the election which is slated for 2025. The ministers are also expected to brief the union on the preparations for the election. However, the one major issue on the table is a proposal to have the top leadership of the commission be on a rotational basis. Raila and Kenya at large are banking on the rotational formula to campaign for Baba to become the next AUC chairperson. Speaking in Addis at the end of the 44th session of the AU Executive Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers, Chief Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Eastern Africa was next in line for the AU leadership under the AUs election rules adopted as part of the AU institutional reforms. The term of the current chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, a former Chadian Prime Minister, ends this year and elections for his successor are due early next year. Already, Raila has secured several endorsements from East African leaders, including from President Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda. The senior leadership of the African Union is elected to serve for a term of 4 years, with the option for re-election for another four-year term. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, March 15, 2024 - Neno Evangelism Church Pastor James Maina Ng'ang'a had it rough yesterday explaining how he acquired the contentious piece of land in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) that has been in the purview of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Appearing before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Lands, Ng'ang'a detailed that he paid over Ksh42 million to acquire the land put up for sale by the government in 2004. Neno Evangelism Centre is located at the intersection of Haile Selassie Avenue and Uhuru Highway. EACC recently filed a case to reclaim the land, believing it originally belonged to the Kenya Railways Corporation. During the committee proceedings, pastor Ng'ang'a claimed he had the supporting documents to prove the transactions but failed to provide evidence to the MPs. In a rejoinder, the Committee directed the pastor to provide all the documents proving ownership of the disputed land within 14 days. While defending his argument, the pastor claimed that he purchased the land from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) after acquiring a loan from a local bank. The pastor noted that Kenya Railways drafted a letter seeking to reclaim the land in 2020. He responded by informing the panel that he had legally purchased the land from CBK. He also accused nameless individuals inside the Kenya Kwanza government of interfering with his ministry, citing malice in the investigations by EACC. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 - President William Ruto has warned that his administration will not allow traders who deal in illicit brew to operate in the country. Speaking in Kericho County on Thursday, the president said his administration agreed to deal decisively with the issue of illicit alcohol. The head of state argued that imported alcohol and spirits have destroyed the lives of many young people in the country and that it must be stopped immediately. Ruto directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to stop licensing people to import alcohol into the country. "We have agreed on the issue of alcohol that in Kenya, we will finish it. "KRA people should be on the front line. Don't give licenses to anyone or people who import alcohol or bring spirits, which destroy our children in Kenya. "We have said that this must stop. We need a sober nation so that we can take our development to the next level," Ruto said. The president said he would not sit and watch as the entire generation was wiped out by illicit brew. Ruto insisted that the nationwide crackdown against illicit brew would continue until the war was won. "No one will die for not taking alcohol, and if there is a person who will be sick for lack of alcohol, we shall take him to hospital for free," he added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, March 15, 2024 The father of Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after supplying the gun used in the shooting to his son. A jury convicted James Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deadly shooting in 2021 after deliberating for ten hours. Crumbley, 47, joins his wife Jennifer Crumbley who was also found guilty on February 6 of involuntary manslaughter. The two are the first parents in the US to be held responsible for a child carrying out a mass school attack. Their son Ethan, then aged 15, opened fire at the school in Oxford, Michigan, and murdered Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, and Justin Shilling. He pleaded guilty in 2022 to four counts of first-degree murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December. Crumbley faced four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the victims at Oxford High School in the 2021 shootings. Jurors began deliberating on Wednesday. 'This is a very egregious and rare, rare set of facts,' Oakland County, Michigan, prosecutor Karen McDonald told the jury during closing arguments on Wednesday. McDonald said Crumbley ignored signs that his son was deeply disturbed, did not get him the help he needed, and did not safely store the firearm in the family home. McDonald also presented the jury with texts that Ethan Crumbley had sent to a friend and journal entries he had written in the months leading up to the shooting. In those, he talked about wanting medical attention and hearing voices, but he was worried his parent would be 'pissed.' On one occasion, according to a text message to a friend, Ethan asked Crumbley to take him to the doctor, but his dad 'gave me some pills and told me to suck it up.' Defense attorney Mariell Lehman argued that James Crumbley could not have possibly foreseen that his son would carry out a mass shooting. 'James had no idea that his son was having a hard time,' Lehman told jurors during her closing argument, saying no evidence had been presented that James knew the contents of his son's text messages or journal. He had kept the guns in a drawer under the island of his kitchen, keeping both a Derringer and a KelTech in the box secured with just a '000' code. ATF Special Agent Brett Brandon testified that when he inspected Ethan's 9mm, he 'found no evidence that a cable lock was ever installed on that firearm.' The cable lock was found in the gun box still in its original packaging, despite Brandon noting it would have taken around 10 seconds to secure. In a dramatic step, the prosecutor demonstrated how to use a cable to lock the gun that was used in the shooting. Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty on February 6 of involuntary manslaughter, making her the first parent in the US to be held responsible for a child carrying out a mass school attack. Prosecutors said that Jennifer Crumbley was more interested in pursuing an extramarital affair with a local fireman that caring for her son. Following the killings, she texted her lover Brian Meloche that the shooting 'could have been prevented' and that the school should not have allowed him to return to class. Crumbley's secret lover claimed she wanted to meet up the morning of the shooting, and said they had been meeting regularly in a parking lot across from her work. Crumbley told her lover that she had 'failed miserably' as a parent after her son was arrested for the murders. Her son Ethan addressed a packed court room after he was sentenced to life in prison. He said: 'What I did. My actions were because of what I chose to do. I could not stop myself, I do not diminish any ability to anyone that could have stopped me. 'They did not know and I did not tell them what I planned to do so they are not at fault for what I done. 'I am a really bad person. I've done terrible things no one should ever do, I have lied. I've hurt many people, that's what I have done. 'Whatever sentence it is I do plan to be better. I will change, it may not show it now but I am trying. 'All I want is for the people I hurt to just have a final sense of culpability that justice has been served in any capacity. 'Any sentence they ask for I ask that you do impose it on me, I want them to be happy, to feel secure. I do not want them to worry another day. I am really sorry. I cannot give it a back.' Thursday, March 14, 2024 Actress, Regina King has addressed her son Ian Alexander Jr.s death for the first time in two years. In a clip for an upcoming interview with Good Morning America, the If Beale Street Could Talk star, 53, reflected on how her grief has been hard for her. Ian died by suicide in January 2022 at the age of 26. He passed away on Jan. 21, just two days after his birthday. What have these last two years been like for you? host Robin Roberts asked. Oh wow. Im a different person now than I was Jan. 19, the Oscar winner replied. I am. She added that her new Netflix film Shirley out March 22 is dedicated to her late son. Grief is a journey, she continued. I understand that. Grief is love that has no place to go, she continued. And that we all handle it differently. I know that its important to me to honour Ian in the totality of who he is, speak about him in the present, because he is always with me and the joy and happiness that he gave all of us. When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way they expect it to look heavy, King said. To have to experience this and not be able to have the time to just sit with Ians choice, which I respect and understand He didnt want to be here anymore, and thats a hard thing for other people to receive because they did not live our experience, did not live Ians journey. She added that she was so angry with God for the tragedy at one point. Why would that weight be given to Ian? Of all of the things that we had gone through therapy, psychiatrists, programs and Ian was like, Im tired of talking, Mom, she said about his mental health. Sometimes, a lot of guilt comes over me. When a parent loses a child, you still wonder, What could I have done so that wouldnt have happened? I know that I share this grief with everyone, but no one else is Ians mom, you know? Only me. So its mine. And the sadness will never go away. It will always be with me, King reflected. She shared Ian with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr. They divorced in 2007 after a decade of marriage. In June 2022, King made her first public appearance since the tragedy in Sicily. America expends much time, effort, and resources when people become seriously ill, bringing many face-to-face with their own mortality. For patients and their families, it is an emotional and difficult time under the best of circumstances. As a cardiologist, I participate in the decision-making that comes at this time, and it has provided me with the honor of delivering care that has allowed patients to rebound from acute illness and to live better with chronic heart disease. But it has also provided me with the privilege of helping people nearing the end of life. Because I practice medicine within an excellent hospital system, I know that our health care system has the capacity to provide life-saving care in dire circumstances. But I also know that not everyone has equal access to this care. For people with disabilities, people of color, older Americans, and others who lack access, they too often face inequitable barriers to care. While our health care system is geared toward healing, we all will die. However, creating new public policy that would allow medical professionals to help their patients take their own lives with a prescription for lethal drugs is fraught with danger and has significant consequences for the health system and for our society. The medical profession crossing a red line from neither hastening nor prolonging death into the realm of intentionally causing it for some people, based on subjective criteria, has had terrible consequences throughout history. Based on my experience, research, and observation, I have come to oppose legalization of assisted suicide, which is also known by several confusing euphemisms. Regardless of the term used, it creates great societal risk. While downplaying the role of palliative and hospice care programs, advocates of assisted suicide continue to promote dangerous and misguided public policy that would transform suicide into a medical treatment. These policy proposals and legislation violate many basic principles of patient safety, erase critical civil and legal protections for vulnerable patients, and do nothing to address the real needs of patients with advanced illnesses and disabilities. Assisted suicide is not medical care. It has no basis in medical science, practice, or tradition. In states that have passed assisted suicide laws, few physicians are willing to participate. In Oregon in 2021-2022, the median duration of the patient relationship with the physician prescribing assisted suicide was only five weeks, indicating that patients are getting the prescriptions from a small number of willing providers who do not know them well and not their regular physicians. The American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association, the two largest medical societies in the country, have consistently discouraged physician participation and not supported the legalization of assisted suicide. Furthermore, the lethal drugs used in assisted suicide have never been scientifically tested for efficacy in causing death, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has never approved any drugs for this purpose. Rather, the drug recipes for assisted suicide have been invented by euthanasia practitioners, using methods known only to themselves. Moreover, the movement away from the use of barbiturates towards various combinations of other sedative-hypnotic and cardiac drugs indicates that assisted suicide physicians are experimenting with these poison cocktails without any conventional safeguards or oversight, in violation of the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Continued experimentation also suggests that the drug cocktails may not be working as well as proponents claim. Proponents of assisted suicide assert that the enabling laws have strong safeguards; however, a close look at the facts shows that these safeguards are an illusion. The law in practice can be routinely violated because it relies entirely on self-reporting, with broad criminal, civil, and professional immunity given to physicians, protection of records from discovery and subpoena, no witnesses to consumption of drugs, falsification of death certificates (the cause of death is not reported as suicide but as the underlying illness), and no routine audits, investigations, or supervision by an independent safety monitoring board. In addition: These facts are clear evidence that assisted suicide laws are not providing adequate protection for vulnerable patients and are ripe for abuse. What patients with advanced illnesses and disabilities need instead is more support and greater access to excellent palliative care, hospice care, and pain management programs. America has some of the best health care in the world. We should use it and not undermine our health care system with assisted suicide laws. It is the wrong prescription. Joseph E. Marine is a cardiologist. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The Riverdance troupe, which has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon, has announced it will tour 30 UK venues next year to celebrate a milestone anniversary. The group, which has its roots in Irish dancing, rose to become a headline act after being featured during the interval of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. This developed into a full-length show, changing the face of Irish dance and music and bringing the group global success. For the 30th anniversary, Riverdance also welcomes a new generation of performers who were not born when the show began. John McColgan, director of Riverdance, said: It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of Riverdance and the unique journey it has taken us on. In those 30 years the show has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots. On this upcoming tour we look forward to welcoming the new generation of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made Riverdance a worldwide celebration of music and dance. Kicking off at Swansea Arena on August 12 2025, the troupe will perform three nights at the venue before heading to Sheffield City Hall from August 16 to August 18. There will also be stops at Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The tour will end at Londons Hammersmith Apollo from December 9 to 14. Being part of Riverdances journey is an absolute honour, its truly a dream come true to get to perform the principal role in this phenomenon, said Fergus Fitzpatrick, the principal dancer and dance captain. As we approach our 30th anniversary, the excitement for the incredible work our team and creative talents are about to unveil is palpable. I cant wait to see what they will produce and feel the excited pulse of the audiences response. This milestone is not just a celebration of Riverdances past but a light that inspires the new generation of performers all around the world. Padraic Moyles, chief executive and producer, and a former lead dancer, said the anniversary is a testament to the dedication, care and passion of everyone who has contributed to the Riverdance journey. The music for the new shows is composed by Bill Whelan, and they will be produced by Moya Doherty. Whelan won a Grammy for his Riverdance album in 1997. Amy Mae Dolan, principal dancer and dance captain, said being part of Riverdance has been one of the greatest honours of my life. She added: I am fascinated to see how Riverdance continues to grow and evolve over the next decade. I have no doubt that it will continue to surpass our expectations, move audiences and inspire new generations for dancers to come. Other venues being visited are the Brighton Centre, Portsmouth Guildhall, Bristol Hippodrome, Plymouth Pavilions, Utilita Arena Cardiff, De Montfort Hall in Leicester and York Barbican. American dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler were among the original performers who captured the Eurovision audience when they delivered an eight-minute dance on April 30 1994 at The Point theatre. Tickets for the tour go on sale on March 22 at 10am. Eight students from Kilkenny were amongst a total of 626 first-year students from Ireland and overseas who received prestigious Entrance Exhibition Awards for the 2023/4 academic year from Trinity College Dublin. The awards go to students accepted into the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent). Three students (Beatrice O'Shea, Alison Fennell and Sean Cahill) from Kilkenny College were awarded as well as Reuben Colman (Castlecomer Community School), Kevin Molloy (St Kieran's College), Emma Tobin (Loreto), Noelle Dowling (Presentation) and Ibrahim Mustafa Banni (CBS Kilkenny). Many former awardees have gone on to make a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond. The students come from 445 different schools and from all 32 counties on the island of Ireland as well as 28 countries overseas. The awards were delivered at three ceremonies at Trinity, to which the students and their school principals were invited. Provost of Trinity Dr Linda Doyle said that the Entrance Exhibition Awards are 'our way of recognising these fantastic students and acknowledging the huge effort they put into their Leaving Certificate exams'. "I am really honoured that they have chosen Trinity College Dublin for this next step of their education," she said. "This years award recipients are now in the First Year of their studies and I hope they are finding their studies enjoyable and rewarding, and enjoying the huge variety of clubs and societies in Trinity. "Our Entrance Exhibition Awards programme includes a special event for school principals, and I want to really acknowledge the amazing work of principals, teachers and school staff who are so dedicated in making sure that students achieve their full potential." Students who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school with at least 500 points in the Leaving Certificate (or its equivalent EU/EEA second-level final examinations) are eligible for an Entrance Exhibition Award. This includes bonus points for Mathematics. When more than one student from a school gets the same high points, all receive an award. The Entrance Exhibition Awards were awarded to 408 students from Leinster (257 from Dublin), 84 from Munster, 53 from Connacht and 44 from Ulster. Awards also went to students from the following countries: Austria (2), Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany (4), Greece , Hungary, India, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal (2), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (2), Ukraine (3) and UK (excluding NI) (5). Professor Horst Hippler died at the age of 77. (Photo: Thomas Klink) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is mourning the loss of its founding president Professor Horst Hippler, who died on March 6, 2024 at the age of 77. In 2002, Hippler was elected Rector of the then University of Karlsruhe. With his idea to establish KIT, he led the university to its first success in the Excellence Initiative competition in 2006. From 2009 to 2012, he headed KIT together with Professor Eberhard Umbach. After that, he was President of the German Rectors Conference until 2018. For photos of Professor Horst Hippler, click this album This is a sad day for us. Horst Hippler was one of the great masterminds and pioneers of KIT. For three years, he was KITs founding president and headed it with great courage and prudence. He tirelessly engaged for the needs of researchers and students and always remained closely connected to KIT, says Professor Oliver Kraft, Acting President of KIT. We are deeply saddened by his death. Our thoughts are with his family. For his extraordinary commitment to KIT and the former Universitat Karlsruhe, we are greatly indebted to Horst Hippler and will always honor his memory. Without Professor Horst Hippler, todays KIT would not exist. I was greatly impressed by his visionary power, his vigor, and his high determination as well as by his openness and humor in discussions, says the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KIT, Professor Michael Kaschke. We are grieving with his family. With his colleagues in the rectorate of the then Universitat Karlsruhe and with the Executive Board of the former Karlsruhe Research Center, Hippler initiated the merger of a state university with a national research center as the first of its kind in Germany. With the idea to establish Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and to disrupt the pillar structure of the German science system, the then University of Karlsruhe was successful in the Excellence Initiative competition launched by the Federal and State Governments in 2006. Karlsruhe University was selected one of only three universities of excellence. On October 1, 2009, Hippler was elected founding president of KIT together with Eberhard Umbach. He significantly shaped the first years of KIT and pushed the merger process in a most determined way. Hippler extended KITs collaborations in research, teaching, and innovation and, in this way, largely contributed to the international visibility of KIT. He supported the German-French cooperation within EUCOR, the European Confederation of Upper Rhine Universities (todays EUCOR The European Campus), and within the German-French University (DFH). In May 2012, Hippler moved from Karlsruhe to Bonn and chaired the German Rectors Conference until 2018. Before taking over its presidency, he had been President of the State Rectors Conference and strongly advocated solid funding of universities. In addition, he actively supported the needs of technical universities. Among others, he was founding president of TU9, the alliance of the nine leading technical universities in Germany, and President of the CLUSTER consortium of technical universities of Europe. In 1993, Horst Hippler took up work as a professor for chemistry at the then University of Karlsruhe. In October 2022, he was elected its rector after having been the vice-rector for research for two years. Hippler studied physical chemistry at the University of Gottingen and started his scientific career at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. Then, he conducted research at the IBM Research Laboratory in San Jose, USA. His post-doctoral lecture qualification (habilitation) followed at the University of Gottingen. Since 2009, Hippler has been member of the National Academy of Science and Engineering acatech. He was awarded numerous honors, including the Polanyi Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2006), the Honor of Commandeur dans lOrdre des Palmes Academiques (2007), and the Honorary Doctorates of Ecole Nationale Superieure dArts et Metiers (ENSAM, 2011) and Strasbourg University (2016). In 2015, Hippler received the Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Wurttemberg. Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence. The Herald reports: labour's finance spokeswoman barbara edmonds has remained highly critical of the Government's new tax relief policy which she said would make landlords tax cut millionaires. Under the existing law, introduced by the former Labour Government when the property market was overheating, no interest can be deducted for property bought from March 27, 2021. this is nit a tax break or tax relief in the normal sense of the word. Every business in New Zealand is allowed to deduct the costs of the business from the income of the business to work out taxable income. Labour changed the law so that people who rent property would not be allowed to deduct interest expense, unlike every other business. It was totally unprincipled. All National had done is put all businesses back on the same rule which is we tax on net income, not gross income. This is not like say the film subsidy which is a tax break specifically for films. That is a form of corporate welfare. Calling this a tax break for landlords is like saying that allowing doctors to deduct the cost of their work computers from their income is a tax break. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 46F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 46F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. James Crumbley is escorted out of court during a break in Pontiac, Michigan. Pacifica Partners Inc. raised its position in Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB Free Report) (TSE:ENB) by 3.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 61,009 shares of the pipeline companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Pacifica Partners Inc.s holdings in Enbridge were worth $2,142,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SVB Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Enbridge by 3.1% in the first quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 9,781 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the period. Independence Bank of Kentucky lifted its stake in shares of Enbridge by 25.3% in the third quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 1,681 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the period. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its stake in shares of Enbridge by 5.1% in the third quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 7,057 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $234,000 after purchasing an additional 341 shares during the period. Marino Stram & Associates LLC increased its holdings in Enbridge by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Marino Stram & Associates LLC now owns 21,685 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $720,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Enbridge by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC now owns 15,537 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $518,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 48.29% of the companys stock. Get Enbridge alerts: Enbridge Trading Down 1.3 % Shares of ENB traded down $0.46 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $35.68. The company had a trading volume of 3,951,423 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,860,715. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $35.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $34.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. Enbridge Inc. has a 1-year low of $31.03 and a 1-year high of $40.30. The stock has a market cap of $75.84 billion, a PE ratio of 17.21, a P/E/G ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.83. Analyst Ratings Changes Enbridge ( NYSE:ENB Get Free Report ) (TSE:ENB) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The pipeline company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.50 by ($0.03). Enbridge had a return on equity of 10.23% and a net margin of 13.97%. The company had revenue of $8.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.62 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Enbridge Inc. will post 2.11 earnings per share for the current year. Several equities analysts have weighed in on ENB shares. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Enbridge in a report on Thursday, January 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Enbridge in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. They set a buy rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $55.20. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ENB Enbridge Company Profile (Free Report) Enbridge Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company. The company operates through five segments: Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. The Liquids Pipelines segment operates pipelines and related terminals to transport various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB Free Report) (TSE:ENB). Receive News & Ratings for Enbridge Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enbridge and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martin Capital Partners LLC cut its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report) by 2.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,488 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 60 shares during the quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries were worth $646,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HII. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 133.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,285,139 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $296,456,000 after buying an additional 735,356 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 445.5% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 459,847 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $95,198,000 after purchasing an additional 375,553 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG increased its position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 124.0% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 228,968 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $47,401,000 after purchasing an additional 126,740 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 266.4% in the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 171,496 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $35,085,000 after purchasing an additional 124,685 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 924.3% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 117,800 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $23,494,000 after purchasing an additional 106,300 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.18% of the companys stock. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes HII has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $257.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Huntington Ingalls Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Huntington Ingalls Industries Trading Down 1.0 % HII traded down $2.97 on Thursday, hitting $286.93. 243,513 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 275,071. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.95. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $273.08 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $244.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.36 billion, a PE ratio of 16.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.60. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a 12 month low of $188.51 and a 12 month high of $299.50. Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The aerospace company reported $6.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.27 by $2.63. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a net margin of 5.95% and a return on equity of 18.12%. The firm had revenue of $3.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.07 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 16.36 earnings per share for the current year. Huntington Ingalls Industries Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.81%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. Huntington Ingalls Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.41%. Insider Transactions at Huntington Ingalls Industries In related news, CAO Nicolas G. Schuck sold 1,293 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $291.28, for a total transaction of $376,625.04. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $655,380. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, CAO Nicolas G. Schuck sold 1,293 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.28, for a total transaction of $376,625.04. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $655,380. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Edgar A. Green III sold 3,603 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.75, for a total transaction of $1,047,572.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 7,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,169,285.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,472 shares of company stock worth $2,398,345. Company insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock. About Huntington Ingalls Industries (Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ceconomy AG (OTCMKTS:MTTRY Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 29th, there was short interest totalling 11,500 shares, a drop of 25.3% from the February 14th total of 15,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.1 days. Ceconomy Trading Down 12.3 % Ceconomy stock traded down $0.05 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $0.36. 530 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,185. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.33. Ceconomy has a 12 month low of $0.32 and a 12 month high of $0.65. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $0.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $873.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.00 and a beta of 1.69. Get Ceconomy alerts: Ceconomy (OTCMKTS:MTTRY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The company reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $7.61 billion during the quarter. Ceconomy had a negative net margin of 0.17% and a negative return on equity of 2.17%. About Ceconomy Ceconomy AG, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the consumer electronics retail business. It operates stores under the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands. The company offers professional assistance for the installation, connection, and troubleshooting of electronic devices at home under the Deutsche Technikberatung brand. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ceconomy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ceconomy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Premium Brands Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:PRBZF Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 29th, there was short interest totalling 372,300 shares, a drop of 25.2% from the February 14th total of 497,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1,241.0 days. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Premium Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Get Premium Brands alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on PRBZF Premium Brands Stock Performance Premium Brands Company Profile Shares of PRBZF stock remained flat at $66.20 on Thursday. 211 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 928. Premium Brands has a fifty-two week low of $64.35 and a fifty-two week high of $83.35. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.47. (Get Free Report) Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides processed meat, deli products, meat snacks, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, salads and kettle products, muffins, breads, pastas, and baking and sushi products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Premium Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Premium Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. Thunder possible. Low 41F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Thunder possible. Low 41F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Stray Kids' Hyunjin has seized the spotlight by claiming the coveted 1st place in the boy group individual trend index ranking, leaving behind the illustrious members of BTS. With an impressive trend index score of 6,782 points, Hyunjin's meteoric rise reflects a growing wave of popularity and influence that has captivated audiences across the K-pop landscape. Stray Kids Hyunjin surpasses all BTS members - https://t.co/rhyKtdy4UE pic.twitter.com/keMXxrzy9S Netizens Buzz (@NetizensBuzzz) March 15, 2024 Diverse Demographics and Disputed Metrics: Unpacking the Data Behind Hyunjin's Triumph Delving into the numbers reveals a nuanced picture of Hyunjin's appeal, transcending gender and age barriers. The analysis indicates a substantial following among both men and women, with a notable preference from female fans. However, amidst the celebrations, questions linger regarding the reliability and significance of the trend index, sparking debates over its true reflection of popularity versus mere search volume. READ MORE: [PHOTO] Stray Kids Hyunjin & aespa Ningning Sizzle on Milan's Hottest Runway From Elation to Indignation: Fan Reactions Reflect a Tumultuous Landscape of K-pop Fandoms The news of Hyunjin's triumph has ignited a firestorm of emotions across social media platforms, with fans expressing a spectrum of reactions ranging from jubilation to skepticism. While some celebrate Hyunjin's achievement as a testament to his talent and charisma, others voice concerns over the divisive nature of comparisons between artists and the potential harm caused by unwarranted scrutiny. Amidst the clamor, one thing remains clear: the complex interplay between fame, fandom dynamics, and the enduring allure of K-pop stardom. Hyunjin's Compassionate Intervention Amidst Chaos in Milan Stray Kids' Hyunjin faced chaos in Milan akin to airport frenzies, amid crowds for a VERSACE fashion show. In an elevator, he intervened when his bodyguard confronted a woman, ensuring her safety. Looks like the tourist wanted to get into the lift as Hyunjin but the security accompanying him stopped them due to valid suspicions but Hyunjin intervened and urged the security to let them enter as lift. Hes a thoughtful person who considers everyones needs pic.twitter.com/SjLKg9jJuB rooh (@00203HHJ) February 22, 2024 Praised online, Hyunjin's act showcased his kindness amidst chaos, resonating with fans. HERE ARE SOME OF THE NETIZENS' REACTION: Even though it was crazy outside, he will always be kind to others. I will forever love that about him HYUNJIN IS THE KINDEST PERSON EVER hyunjin doesn't like conflict even after getting mobbed by "fans" he's so kind Hyunjin walking green flag A detailed account later revealed he aided a passerby, reinforcing his reputation for empathy. This incident highlights Hyunjin's consistent display of compassion, endearing him further to fans. READ HERE: STRAY KIDS Hyunjin's Heroic Rescue Amidst Bodyguard's 'Aggressive' Move Earns STAYs Applause KpopStarz Owns This Writen by Cassidy Jones. HyunA, the renowned K-pop star, and her "controversial" beau, Yong Jun Hyung, were recently spotted together, warmly greeting fans at the airport. This public display of affection included the couple holding hands, a gesture that has sparked a flurry of reactions among their followers. A Relationship Unveiled Their relationship came to light earlier this year when the two celebrities announced their romantic involvement via an Instagram post. Since then, their union has been a topic of intense debate among netizens, with opinions ranging from fervent support to skepticism. Caught on Camera A recent video circulating on TikTok captured HyunA and Jun Hyung's interaction with fans during their airport encounter in Thailand. In the footage, the pair can be seen strolling hand in hand, exuding a sense of camaraderie amidst the bustling airport environment. As they made their way through the terminal, a fan addressed HyunA, to which both stars graciously responded. Their brief stop for snacks was followed by a courteous bow from Jun Hyung, demonstrating their appreciation for their fans' support. READ ALSO: HyunA Accused of Having Plastic Surgery Following Recent Photos: 'What did she do to her...' A Divisive Reaction The video's release reignited discussions online, with contrasting opinions surfacing once again. While some admirers struggled to reconcile Jun Hyung's appearance with their perceptions, others remained skeptical about the authenticity of their relationship, particularly given their public visibility. A number of individuals online shared their thoughts through comments such as: "So they really were together" "Ehhhhhh junhyung beast????" "Honestly, i was sad she and dawn initially broke up but i'm all for hyuna's happiness" "Just bring back the memories of Beast and 4Minute" "why...hyuna....looks i dunno how to say.." "They're made for each other since 4Minute and Beast era beforeeeee " "my fav duo from cube" HyunA and Jun Hyung's airport rendezvous continues to captivate the public imagination, showcasing the complexities of celebrity romance in the digital age. YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: HyunA Earns Hateful Comments for Recent Visuals: 'She looks like Annabelle...' For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Cassidy Jones. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. SHREVEPORT, La. - The city of Shreveport's final SWAP sign up event designed to help those with low incomes pay their water and sewer bills is The E2024 team documented their five-day trip to the nation's capital in July of 2023, during which they interviewed current and former politicians, meeting the people who embody our nations capital. Along the way, they embarked on adventures, and chronicled them on a nightly podcast with behind-the-scenes moments and adventures through Washington, D.C. VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 15 (ANI): House of Hiranandani, a premium real estate developer, has been Great Place To Work Certified in India from December 2023 to December 2024. Also Read | Powai Gang Rape: Two Indian Coast Guard Men Rape Colleague's 15-Year-Old Daughter in Mumbai, Threaten To Kill Victim and Her Father; Arrested. The certification is a testament to the company's unique work culture, which is founded on principles of excellence, innovation, and collaboration. It reflects the positive experiences of employees within the organization, highlighting their satisfaction and fulfillment. This is the second time the company has earned this coveted recognition after 2019. Over the last four years, House of Hiranandani has demonstrated substantial progress in fostering employee trust, as evidenced by the notable increase in our Great Place To Work (GPTW) Trust Index score from 83 points in 2019 to 87 points in 2023. This improvement spans across all dimensions, including credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie, reflecting the collective dedication of our workforce. Also Read | Paytm Payments Bank Deadline: RBI's Deadline on PPBL Ends Today, Here Are Key Changes Coming Into Effect From Tomorrow. With an impressive 84% participation rate in the survey, encompassing employees from various locations and roles, we have gained valuable insights into our organizational culture and employee sentiments. Notably, an overwhelming 95% of respondents affirmed that House of Hiranandani is indeed a remarkable workplace, indicative of our commitment to nurturing a positive and supportive environment for our team members. At House of Hiranandani, we foster innovation through 'Ideas2Action' and honor excellence with 'Employee of The Year' awards. With 71% of our workforce serving over five years and 55% over a decade, we value loyalty, recognizing it through 'Long Service Awards'. Our holistic approach to employee well-being extends to comprehensive health initiatives tailored for diverse needs, whether in offices or on construction sites. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. Mr. Surendra Hiranandani, Chairman and Managing Director, House of Hiranandani said, "We are overjoyed to receive this badge for the second time, underscoring our unwavering commitment to employee well-being and fostering a positive workplace ethos. This certification not only honors our past achievements but also serves as a catalyst for our future aspirations. As we grow, our steadfast commitment to prioritize employee satisfaction solidifies House of Hiranandani as a top talent destination." Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. Their mission is to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their recognition is the most coveted and respected in the world for elevating employer brands to attract the right people. Their proprietary methodology and platform enable organizations to truly capture, analyze, and understand the experience of all employees. Our groundbreaking research empowers organizations to build cultures that retain talent and unlock the potential of every employee. Since 1992, their Certification, Best Workplaces Lists, and global benchmarks have become the industry standard, built on data from more than 100 million employees in 150 countries around the world. Learn more at https://www.greatplacetowork.in/ and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. About House of Hiranandani Since inception into the urbane terrains of India, House of Hiranandani has altered the way living spaces are designed, thereby transforming the ethos and aesthetics of real estate in India. Pillared by a unique approach to designing and planning, the company invests heavily in research and development ensuring that each of its developments surpass industry benchmarks and redefine value engineering and design. The buildings and supporting infrastructure are designed to ensure low maintenance, yet add value to the lives of our residents. The selection of materials is robust to ensure longevity and is passed only after stringent quality checks. Symbolic to our construction, our developments encompass the ether of the residents' lives entirely, owing to retail outlets, hospitality centers, healthcare and educational institutions built within the realms of House of Hiranandani community. Our aim is to integrate every family into a bigger, more inclusive community. House of Hiranandani has a national presence with projects in Mumbai (Thane, Kandivali), Bengaluru (Hebbal, Devanahalli & Bannerghatta), Chennai (OMR & Thaiyur) and Hyderabad (Shankarpally). (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Etawah (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 15 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday recovered the body of a 20-year old student of Saifai Medical College near Sonai Bridge, sparking concerns of a possible heinous crime. The 20-year old victim identified as Priya Mishra, a first year paramedical student and a resident of Auraiya was found dead with serious injury remarks on her body, said police. Also Read | I am in Heaven and Enjoying It: Murder Accused Shares Purported Video From Bareilly Central Jail, Police Order Probe After Clip Goes Viral. SSP Sanjay Kumar Verma revealed that the body of the deceased might have been dumped at the site, as no traces of blood have been found so far. "Body of a 20-year-old student named Priya Mishra has been found. She is a resident of Auraiya. Upon investigation, it has been found that the girl handed over her mobile phone to her friend in the afternoon, before going missing. It was also discovered that she had been involved in a recent altercation with someone," SSP Sanjay Kumar said. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 15-Year-Old Orphan Girl Gangraped by Men Claiming To Be Her Relatives, Rescued in Lucknow; Police Detain Accused. The Saifai police say that the investigation is on and every angle will be probed. "It is a matter of serious investigation. Our surveillance and forensic team, SHO, CO, have reached the spot and we will soon reveal the details," the SSP said. Meanwhile, Samajwadi party Chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the state government and demanded a judicial inquiry into the case. In a video posted by the Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, students in large numbers were seen protesting outside the trauma centre to protest against the death of paramedical student Priya Mishra. [{040c94a9-9c12-4e8e-abee-f2622a1e1023:intradmin/ANI-20240315035834.jfif}] "The death of a student under suspicious circumstances in Saifai University is a very serious matter. This is another very sad example of the declared policy of zero tolerance becoming zero during the time of BJP in Uttar Pradesh," SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav stated in a post on X. "There should be a judicial inquiry into this alleged murder, so that the truth about the people involved in incidents like BHU and Saifai University can be revealed and the government cannot save them even if it wants to. The BJP government is neither able to save the honor of women nor their lives," he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, Mar 15 (PTI) The three masterminds behind the Uttar Pradesh police recruitment examination question paper leak have been arrested, Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said on Friday. They are former employees of a company that transported question papers and had connived with some of the firm's present employees, also accused in the case, to leak the paper of the Uttar Pradesh recruitment test in the first week of February, he told a press conference at the police headquarters here. Also Read | K Kavitha Arrested by ED: Enforcement Directorate Arrests KCR's Daughter and BRS MLC in Excise Policy Case, To Be Brought to Delhi. During investigation, it was found that the question paper was leaked when it was being transported to a strong room from a printing press, Kumar said and added that it was stored at a warehouse in Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Kumar said that the three arrested were part of an inter-state gang involved leaking question papers of government recruitment exams. Also Read | Navi Mumbai: Two Men Booked for Molesting Nurse Onboard Local Train at Govandi Station, Accused Allege False Complaint. The number of people arrested in the case is now 54, according to police. The examination to recruit constables, held on February 17 and 18, had to be cancelled as the question paper had been leaked. More than 48 lakh candidates had appeared for the test across Uttar Pradesh on the two dates. Following the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered an investigation and re-test, and had later removed Renuka Mishra as the chairperson of the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board. She was on the "wait list" after her removal from the post and Director Vigilance Rajiv Krishna given the additional responsibility of the board The DGP said that following intensive investigation by several police teams and the Special Task Force, "we determined that the exam paper was leaked by these three persons". Abhishek Kumar Shukla of Prayagraj, Shivam Giri of Mirzapur and Rohit Kumar Pandey of Bhadohi were arrested by a team of the STF in Ghaziabad on Thursday, Kumar said. The names of the accused will be added to the FIR in the case, he said. It has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections 419 (punishment for cheating by personation), 420 (cheating by inducement), 467 (forgery of valuable documents), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 386 (extortion by putting any person in fear of death or of grievous hurt) at Gautam Buddh Nagar, said the officer. Some other accused in the case will be arrested very soon, he asserted. The Uttar Pradesh Police has lodged 12 FIRs in connection with the exam paper leaks in various districts of UP. (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 15 (ANI): In the spirit of 'Virasat Se Vikas' and 'Virasat Se Samvardhan', the Ministry of Minority Affairs, inspired by 'Panch Pran' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the infrastructure support for Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS), according to a government release. The Union Ministry, under its schemes--'Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram' and 'Buddhist Development Plan'--approved a project for Infrastructural Development at the CIHCS at an estimated cost of Rs 40 Cr. for strengthening infrastructural development pertaining to Buddhist development, academic collaboration, promoting research, preservation of language, translation of transcripts etc., of Buddhist population. Also Read | Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, March 15, 2024. This is by keeping in view the increasing demand and need for reviving the Buddhist Studies language not only as a subject for higher education but also to preserve the heritage and culture of the minority community and recognizing the significance of promoting education and research in the field of Buddhist Studies, a government release said on Thursday. The objective is to develop CIHCS into a knowledge partner concerning matters relating to the Buddhist Development Plan in the Himalayan and North-Eastern Bharat. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Supreme Court To Hear PIL Seeking Directions To Conduct General Polls Through Ballot Papers. The proposed Centre aspires to be the avenue of connecting scholars of international repute, who will share their research in social, historical, linguistic, religious and other cultural matters to enable the youth to understand the values of research and free thinking in the positive development of a global citizen. The Centre will organize various kinds of workshops, training sessions, and participative activities to promote Buddhist culture in the region. The Union Ministry has also approved the proposal from the University of Delhi for the establishment of the 'Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies' at the University at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 35 crores under its scheme viz. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and "Buddhist Development Plan" (BDP). This is in view of the increasing demand and need for reviving the Buddhist Studies language not only as a subject for higher education but also to preserve the heritage and culture of the minority communities and recognise the significance of promoting education and research in the field of Buddhist Studies. The objective of this Centre would be to facilitate collaboration between the University and the Ministry to enhance educational opportunities for minority communities in India, particularly in the field of Buddhist Studies, through the establishment and strengthening of the required infrastructure for undertaking Undergraduate, Postgraduate, PhD and research programs. Further, the University will collaborate with the subject matter expertise and develop curriculum guidelines and course materials for all required courses including certificate courses, diploma courses, and PhD programs in Buddhist Studies, tailored to meet the needs and interests of minority students, the release said. The University will organize training programs and workshops for faculty members involved in teaching Buddhist Studies courses to enhance their pedagogical skills and subject knowledge. The University will collaborate with subject matter experts on research projects related to Buddhist Studies, encouraging faculty members and students to undertake interdisciplinary research that contributes to the understanding and preservation of Buddhist culture and language, it added. The Empowered Committee of PMJVK would examine the detailed cost estimates from the University before funds are released for the establishment of the said centre. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati, Mar 15 (PTI) The issue of ED and CBI raids against opposition leaders as raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cannot be a factor for the election campaign, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday. ED and CBI are associated with criminals or probable criminals and the common people are not concerned about it, Sarma said at a press conference here. Also Read | Bihar Cabinet Expansion: 21 Legislators Sworn-In As Ministers in Nitish Kumar Led Government Today at Raj Bhavan. 'Gandhi is addressing an ecosystem for criminals with which the ED and CBI deal, but this cannot be an election campaign,' he said. People of the country are concerned with basic issues of getting electricity, houses, water, education and health and not with what is happening to a few criminals, the Chief Minister said. Also Read | PM Modi Telangana Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Holds Roadshow in Malkajgiri (Watch Video). Referring to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said that he was a 'dishonest politician' who has played with the media for long and duped people in the name of 'mohalla clinics' and schools. (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 15 (PTI) The Congress on Friday alleged that the electoral bonds data has exposed "corrupt tactics" of the BJP such as quid pro quo, seeking donations for the company's protection, kickbacks and money laundering through shell companies. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also said the party continues to demand unique bond ID numbers, so that it can precisely match donors to recipients. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Woman Paramedical Student of Saifai Medical University Found Dead With Injury Marks. In a post on X, Ramesh put out a "quick first analysis" of the Electoral Bonds (EB)data disclosure that the SBI put out after weeks of "attempting to postpone it until after the election". "Over 1,300 companies and individuals have donated electoral bonds, including over 6,000 crore to the BJP since 2019," he said. Also Read | Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu To Take Charge As Election Commissioners Today. So far, the electoral bonds data exposes at least four corrupt tactics of the BJP, Ramesh claimed. "Quid Pro Quo: There are many cases of companies that have donated electoral bonds, and immediately afterwards gotten huge benefits from the government: Megha Engineering & Infra has given over Rs. 800 crores in EBs. In April 2023, they donated Rs. 140 crore, and just one month later, they were awarded the Rs. 14,400 crore Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project," he alleged. Jindal Steel and Power gave Rs. 25 crore in EBs on 7 October 2022, and just three days later, they won the Gare Palma IV/6 coal mine, on 10th October 2022, Ramesh claimed. "Hafta Vasooli: The BJP's Hafta Vasooli strategy is simple raid a target through the ED/CBI/IT, and then seek hafta ("donations") for the company's protection. At least 14 of the top 30 donors have been raided," he alleged. Earlier this year an investigation found that after ED/CBI/IT raids, companies were forced to donate to the BJP via electoral trusts, Ramesh said. Many of the same companies have donated through EBs, like Hetero Pharma and Yashoda Hospital, he pointed out. "The IT department raided Shirdi Sai Electricals in December 2023, and in January 2024, they donated Rs. 40 crore through Electoral Bonds," the Congress leader claimed. "Future Gaming & Hotels, has donated over Rs 1200 crore, making it the largest donor in the data so far. Here is the chronology: April 2 2022: ED raids Future, and 5 days later (7th April) they donate Rs. 100 crores in EBs," Ramesh claimed. IT department raids Future in October 2023 and the same month they donate Rs. 65 crores in EBs, he said. Ramesh also alleged that the data also points to kickbacks as a pattern emerges where immediately after receiving some handouts from the Central government, companies have repaid the favour through electoral bonds. "Vedanta got the Radhikapur West private coal mine on 3rd March 2021, and then in April 2021, they donated Rs. 25 crore in Electoral Bonds," he alleged. "Megha Engineering & Infra got the Rs. 4,500 crore Zojila tunnel project in August 2020, then donated Rs. 20 crore in Electoral Bonds in October 2020," Ramesh said. He also claimed that Megha got the BKC bullet train station contract in December 2022, and donated Rs. 56 crore the same month. Ramesh alleged that data also shows there has been money laundering through shell companies. "One huge issue with the electoral bonds scheme is that it removed the restriction that only a small percentage of a company's profits could be donated, paving the way for shell companies to donate black money. There are many such suspicious cases, such as the Rs. 410 crore that has been donated by Qwik Supply Chain Limited, a company whose entire share capital is just Rs. 130 crores according to MoCA filings," he said. The Congress leader said another major issue is missing data. The data provided by SBI only begins in April 2019, but SBI sold the first tranche of bonds in March 2018. "A total of Rs. 2,500 crores in bonds are missing from this data. Where is the data of these missing bonds, from March 2018 to April 2019? For instance, in the very first tranche of bonds, the BJP bagged 95% of the funds. Who is the BJP trying to protect?" he said. "As the analysis of the electoral bonds data continues, many more such cases of the BJP's corruption will become clear. We also continue to demand unique bond ID numbers, so that we can precisely match donors to recipients," Ramesh said. Ramesh also alleged that the data points to kickbacks as a pattern emerges where immediately after receiving some handouts from the Central government, companies have repaid the favour through electoral bonds. From steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal to billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal's Airtel, Anil Agarwal's Vedanta, ITC, Mahindra and Mahindra, and a lesser-known Future Gaming and Hotel Services were among the prominent buyers of the now-scrapped electoral bonds for making political donations. Following a Supreme Court directive, the State Bank of India (SBI), which was the authorised seller of electoral bonds, shared the data with the poll panel on March 12. The top court had given the Election Commission time till 5 pm on March 15 to upload the data on its website. The SBI said a total of 22,217 electoral bonds of varying denominations were purchased by donors between April 1, 2019, and February 15 this year, out of which 22,030 were redeemed by political parties. (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 15 (PTI) An Indian naval warship and a long-range maritime patrol aircraft extended assistance to a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel after it was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, in the latest in a series of such support missions by the Indian Navy in the region. The Navy said on Friday that the safety of the crew held hostage by armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain its presence in the close vicinity of the vessel till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia. Also Read | Electoral Bonds: Freeze BJP's Bank Accounts, Conduct Special Investigation, Says Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge (Watch Video). After receiving information about the hijacking of the ship, the Navy on March 12 deployed long-range maritime patrol aircraft (LRMP) P-8I. The Navy said that on receipt of intimation, the LRMP was immediately deployed, and on locating the merchant vessel in the evening of March 12, it attempted to establish communication to ascertain the status of the ship's crew members. "However, no response was received from the ship," it said. Also Read | Gurgaon Shocker: Man Allegedly Bludgeons Wife to Death With Stone in Palam Vihar After Fight at Home, Absconds; Police Launch Probe. "The mission deployed warship on maritime security operations, which had also been diverted, intercepted the hijacked vessel on the morning of March 14," the Navy said in a statement. "The safety of the merchant vessel's crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain in close vicinity of the vessel till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia," it said. In the last few weeks, the Indian Navy has extended assistance to a number of merchant vessels in the Western Indian Ocean following attacks on them. The Indian Navy, earlier this month, foiled a piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel with a crew of 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals along the East coast of Somalia. In January, Indian warship INS Sumitra rescued 19 Pakistani crew members of a fishing vessel after their Iranian-flagged vessel was attacked by pirates in the east coast of Somalia. The Navy on January 5 thwarted an attempted hijacking of Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea and rescued all its crew members. Liberian-flagged vessel MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was the target of a drone attack off India's west coast on December 23. The Navy has already enhanced deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft for maritime security operations in view of the maritime environment in critical sea lanes, including in the North and Central Arabian Sea. There have been mounting global concerns over Houthi militants launching a series of attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea in the last few months. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Mar 15 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices declined in early trade on Friday amid weak global market trends and foreign fund outflows. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 314.56 points to 72,782.72 after a weak beginning. The NSE Nifty dropped 101.65 points to 22,045. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Woman Paramedical Student of Saifai Medical University Found Dead With Injury Marks. From the Sensex basket, Mahindra & Mahindra, Infosys, Axis Bank, HCL Technologies, NTPC and Asian Paints were the major laggards. Bharti Airtel, Power Grid, State Bank of India and IndusInd Bank were among the gainers. Also Read | Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu To Take Charge As Election Commissioners Today. "The rebound in the market yesterday after the Wednesday crash is unlikely to be sustained. Brent crude rising to $85 and the 10-year US bond yield spiking to 4.29% are headwinds for the market. "Results of the stress tests conducted by the mid and smallcap schemes of mutual funds expected today will be keenly watched by the market," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. In Asian markets, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong were trading lower. The US markets ended in the negative territory on Thursday. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,356.29 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data. In the broader market, the BSE midcap gauge traded 0.79 per cent lower while the smallcap index quoted 0.28 per cent down. Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.18 per cent to USD 85.27 a barrel. The BSE benchmark climbed 335.39 points or 0.46 per cent to settle at 73,097.28 on Thursday. The NSE Nifty gained 148.95 points or 0.68 per cent to 22,146.65. (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 15 (PTI) The Ministry of Home Affairs has consistently ranked amongst the top 10 ministries in 2023-24 in the grievance redressal assessment index (GRAI), performing well in all 15 specified indicators, officials said on Friday. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, the MHA is committed to ensuring timely redressal of public grievances on the centralised public grievance redressal and monitoring system (CPGRAMS), an official statement said. Also Read | PM Modi Telangana Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Holds Roadshow in Malkajgiri (Watch Video). The MHA has consistently ranked amongst the top 10 ministries during 2023-24 in GRAI, performing well in all 15 of its indicators, it said. During 2023-24, the MHA has performed exceptionally well by redressing 48,837 public grievances with the average redressal time of eight days against the standard 30 days, it said. Also Read | Cyber Scam in Pune: Techie Duped of Over Rs 1 Crore on Pretext of Online Part-time Job, Probe Underway. Only 10 per cent of grievances resulted in appeals which is one of the lowest among ministries. Citizen satisfaction also stands at 40 per cent, it said. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has observed that the performance of the home ministry would serve as a benchmark for other ministries and departments, the statement 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 15 (PTI) The defence ministry on Friday inked a contract worth over Rs 2,890 crore with state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for mid-life upgrade of 25 Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy. Under the project, the HAL will incorporate state-of-the-art avionics systems and sensors onboard the aircraft. Also Read | Cyber Scam in Pune: Techie Duped of Over Rs 1 Crore on Pretext of Online Part-time Job, Probe Underway. The defence ministry said the project will be implemented within six and half years. "The ministry of defence signed a contract with the HAL on March 15 for mid-life upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 2,890 crore," an official readout said. Also Read | Electoral Bonds Was World's Biggest Extortion Racket, Says Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi (Watch Video). "The MLU for Dornier aircraft includes an upgrade to incorporate state-of-the-art avionics systems and primary role sensors," the ministry said. It said the upgrade would significantly enhance the operational capability of the Dornier aircraft. "The upgrade would significantly enhance the operational capability of the Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy to perform primary roles of maritime surveillance, coastal surveillance, electronic intelligence and development of maritime domain awareness," the defence ministry said in the readout. "In addition, this upgrade will also enable Indian Navy Dorniers to carry out secondary roles of search and rescue, medical/casualty evacuation and communication link," it said. It said the MLU of 25 Dornier aircraft is likely to generate an employment of 1.8 lakh mandays during its execution span of 6.5 years. "The indigenous upgrade entails supply of major systems and equipments from indigenous sources thus significantly contributing towards "Atmanirbharta" in defence, in consonance with Make-in-India initiative of government of India," the ministry said.PTI MPB (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 15 (PTI) Fintech firm One97 Communications, owner of the Paytm brand, has got five handles in partnership with four banks to continue UPI transactions, as per an update on the NPCI website. The company's existing handle @paytm is among the five handles that users can continue using without the need to make any changes at their end. Also Read | I am in Heaven and Enjoying It: Murder Accused Shares Purported Video From Bareilly Central Jail, Police Order Probe After Clip Goes Viral. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has approved @paytm and a closed user group UPI handle @ptyes for Paytm in partnership with Yes Bank. NPCI has also approved @pthdfc with HDFC bank and @ptsbi with State Bank of India as a partner. However, these two handles are not active immediately. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 15-Year-Old Orphan Girl Gangraped by Men Claiming To Be Her Relatives, Rescued in Lucknow; Police Detain Accused. Paytm spokesperson said users can continue to use @paytm handle seamlessly without the need to make any changes at their end. On March 14, NPCI approved a third party application (TPAP) provider permit for Paytm in collaboration with SBI, Axis Bank, Yes Bank and HDFC bank for continuity of UPI transactions for the company's users. Paytm's UPI transactions were earlier being carried out through Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) that has been barred by the Reserve Bank of India from accepting deposits, credit transactions, or top-ups in any customer accounts after March 15. One97 Communications Limited (OCL) holds a 49 per cent stake in PPBL, while company's Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma holds 51 per cent stake in the beleaguered bank. (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 15 (ANI): Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the party's national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday wished a speedy recovery to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who sustained a 'major injury' after a fall at her residence in Kolkata's Kalighat on Thursday. Taking to his official X handle, Rahul Gandhi posted, "Wishing Mamata-ji strength and a very swift recovery." Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Supreme Court To Hear PIL Seeking Directions To Conduct General Polls Through Ballot Papers. Kharge, too, posted from his X handle, "I wish the best of health and complete recovery to West Bengal Chief Minister and Founder Chairperson, AITMC, Mamata Banerjee." Earlier in the day, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) informed that Banerjee sustained a 'major injury' to her forehead after a fall at her home and was admitted to the state-run SSKM Hospital. Also Read | President Droupadi Murmu To Confer Bharat Ratna on Ex-Prime Ministers Charan Singh, Narasimha Rao and Three Others on March 30. The AITC also shared Mamata's pictures from the hospital bed, with a deep cut on her forehead and blood dripping down her face. "Our chairperson Mamata Banerjee sustained a major injury. Please keep her in your prayers," read the statement by the ruling Trinamool Congress on X. After receiving word of the TMC chief's fall and injury, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished her a speedy recovery. "I pray for a quick recovery and the best health for Mamata Didi," PM Modi posted on X. Meanwhile, Banerjee was shifted from Woodburn Block at Kolkata's SSKM Hospital to the Trauma Care Centre, according to party sources. Briefing media persons on CM Mamata's health, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said she was receiving the 'best medical treatment'. "I came here for personal verification of the doctors. They assured me that everything is under control. The CM is getting the best medical treatment. The situation is under control," Governor Bose said. Several leaders across the party lines also wished the TMC chief a swift recovery and good health. The BJP's state chief Sukanta Majumdar posted on X. "Wishing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with her for a quick return to good health." Several other leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also prayed for Banerjee's speedy recovery. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) 12:08 | Miami (U.S.), Mar. 15. At the ceremony, the government official highlighted that the sailing training ship, tagged as the largest training ship in Latin America, has made stops in Tahiti, Guam, Tokyo, Busan, Singapore, Shanghai, Bombay and Mumbai. Travelling through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, it continued its voyage to Taranto, Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Piraeus, Toulon, Malaga, and Baltimore. "Now, it is here with us. On its trip to the emblematic Port of Callao, BAP Union will stop in Kingston, Curacao, cross the Panama Canal with a stop in Balboa and, after having sailed for more than 300 days, it will return home having dazzled more than 70,000 visitors with its 34 beautiful sails," Gonzalez-Olaechea highlighted. Likewise, the State minister affirmed that each port has provided a privileged opportunity to make the world more aware of Peru's benefits and opportunities, as well as an opportunity to strengthen naval, cultural, diplomatic and commercial ties in the visited nations. "Thus, the training voyage of our training ship is much more than a sea crossing, it is a testimony of our commitment to promoting peace, cooperation, and mutual understanding," he emphasized. In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also referred to its historical process of construction, noting that "the expectation and spirit generated by the armor of this ship is a vital testimony of what Jorge Basadre called the Promise of Peruvian Life," because its four masts evoke the spirit of Peru's greatest naval hero: Miguel Grau. Finally, the Cabinet member expressed gratitude to the Chief of Staff of the Peruvian Navy, Vice Admiral Ernesto Colunge; the BAP Union commander, Captain Jose Arce Corso; and every crewmember. Furthermore, he underscored that two diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru are sailing aboard the ship (END) NDP/CVC/RMB Within the framework of his working visit to the United States, Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea participated in the official activity for the arrival of Peruvian Navy's BAP Union sailing training ship to the Port of Miami, noting that this ship "constitutes an example of national unity."Publicado: 15/3/2024 Bengaluru, Mar 15 (PTI) A 37-year-old woman from Uzbekistan was found dead in a hotel under suspicious circumstances in the city, police said on Friday. Zareena had arrived in India on a tourist visa and checked in a hotel at Seshadripuram four days ago, they said. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Woman Paramedical Student of Saifai Medical University Found Dead With Injury Marks. Police suspect that the Uzbek national was strangled to death in the hotel suite. The matter came to light on Thursday after a caller complained to the reception desk of the hotel that she was not responding to the calls, police said. Also Read | Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu To Take Charge As Election Commissioners Today. When the hotel staff checked, they found her dead. Accordingly, a complaint was lodged with the police. The body has been shifted to the Bowring Hospital for autopsy. Investigations are on into the matter. (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 15 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Thursday, stating that he values the latter's leadership in taking the ties between the two nations forward. Taking to his official handle on X, Jaishankar posted, "Delighted to call on PM @tsheringtobgay of Bhutan during his India visit. Value his leadership in taking the unique India-Bhutan relationship forward." Also Read | Americans Are Having Sex To Save on Heating Bills! Heres How a Surge in Utility Bills Has Taken an XXX-Tra Sexy Turn. Earlier, Bhutanese PM Tobgay, who is on a five-day official visit to India, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence on Thursday. The two leaders held productive discussions regarding the 'unique and special' partnership between New Delhi and Thimphu. PM Modi thanked Tobgay and the Bhutan King for inviting him to visit Bhutan next week. Also Read | Nude Cruise: From Having Sex Onboard to the Golden Rule, Everything You Need To Know About the Viral Clothing-Optional Voyage. "Glad to meet my friend and PM of Bhutan @tsheringtobgay on his first overseas visit in this term. Had productive discussions encompassing various aspects of our unique and special partnership. I convey heartfelt thanks to His Majesty the King of Bhutan and @PMBhutan for inviting me to visit Bhutan next week," PM Modi posted on X. This is the Bhutanese PM's first overseas visit after assuming office. Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ashwini Choubey, received him at the airport on Thursday. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who welcomed Tobgay, said that his visit is a testament to the ties of friendship between the two countries. "Warm welcome to India! PM @tsheringtobgay of Bhutan arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assuming office in Jan 2024. Received by MoS @AshwiniKChoubey at the airport. The visit of @PMBhutan is in keeping with the exemplary ties of friendship between India and Bhutan," Jaiswal posted from his X handle. The Bhutan PM was accompanied by the Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister, and senior officials from the country. During his India visit, Tobgay is also scheduled to travel to Mumbai. India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels. The visit by the Bhutanese PM will provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the progress in their unique partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between both nations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a release earlier. The tradition of regular political and official exchanges is an important hallmark of the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, it added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jerusalem, March 15: The first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan passed without violence at the revered Al-Aqsa mosque under tight Israeli restrictions, amid fears the ongoing war Israel-Hamas war would spark clashes in Jerusalem's Old City. Hamas militants have called on Palestinians to rise up and challenge tight Israeli restrictions on entry to the site. The militant group hopes a fresh outburst of violence would put more pressure on Israel and improve its leverage in ongoing cease-fire talks. But no flare-up occurred after the important noon prayers on Friday. An estimated 80, 000 worshippers attended the prayers, the highest turnout since Ramadan began on Monday, according to the Waqf, the Jordanian-based Muslim religious body that administers the site. Israel-Hamas War: At Least 20 Killed, 155 Others Injured in Shelling While Awaiting Food Aid in Gaza, Says Report. Thousands of Muslims Arriving in Jerusalem for Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque Thousands of Muslims arriving in Jerusalem for prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque. #RamadanKareem pic.twitter.com/N0y4olK5Tw Ruth Marks Eglash (@reglash) March 15, 2024 Nearly all the worshipers moved peacefully through the Old City's winding streets and crossed the compound's gates guarded by armed Israeli police. During past years, clashes at the compound during Ramadan have triggered major escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Israeli raids of the mosque and Hamas rocket fire, which set off a brief Israel-Hamas war in 2021. Friday also marked the first time Palestinians from the occupied West Bank were able to travel to Jerusalem since Hamas launched its assault on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1, 200 people and taking around 250 others hostage. Israel's invasion of Gaza in response has killed more than 31,000 people, according to Gaza's health ministry. Israel-Gaza Conflict: Hamas Planning To Escalate Issues in Palestine During Ramadan Period, Says Israeli Spy Agency Mossad. But West Bank Palestinians' access to the city was limited to men over 55, women over 50 and children under 10, with all visitors required to return to the territory the same day. Israel also demanded all visitors obtain a special permit through a mobile application. In previous years, there were no age restrictions on women and elderly worshippers did not need to apply for an online permit. At Qalandiya Checkpoint, which sits between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah, The Associated Press spoke to at least three elderly men who said they were turned back for not having a permit. Imad Jalalmah from the city of Jenin, said he was completely unaware that this new restriction affected him. "How could this happen?" he lamented from outside the checkpoint I traveled approximately 150 kilometers (95 miles) from Jenin to here, and when I finally arrived, I was denied passage. At the checkpoint separating Jerusalem from Bethlehem, worshippers said there were similar problems. Many old people over the age of sixty or seventy don't have modern telephones, said 57-year-old Khaled Thweib. (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 15 (ANI): After violence and looting loomed in the Caribbean nation, India on Friday established a control room and emergency helpline number for the Indian nationals to evacuate them from Haiti. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said that India is ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if the need arises as the Caribbean nation's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has tendered his resignation to step down from his post following an emergency meeting of regional nations, where gangs have been attacking government structures and social order is on the brink of collapse. Also Read | CAA: India Rejects US Statement on Citizenship Amendment Act, Calls It Misplaced, Misinformed, Unwarranted (Watch Video). "As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that," Jaiswal stated. During a weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said "We have established a control room here in the Ministry of External Affairs. We have emergency helpline numbers." Also Read | NASSCOM and Business NSW Sign MoU To Allow Faster Access to India and Australia Markets. Addressing concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Haiti, Jaiswal assured that the Indian Embassy in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, which holds accreditation for Haiti, has also sprung into action. "Our embassy in Santo Domingo is monitoring the situation and the ministry also is fully monitoring the situation," said Jaiswal. With an estimated 50 to 80 Indian community members currently in Haiti, the Indian Embassy remains in constant communication with them, "The embassy is in touch with all of them. We are monitoring the situation," assured Jaiswal. Given the ongoing developments in Haiti, the Ministry of External Affairs provided the contact details of the Control Room in a press release on Friday, that has been set up to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance. The contact details of the Control Room are: 1800118797 (Toll-free), +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +91-9968291988 (Whatsapp), situationroom@mea.gov.in "The Embassy of India in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Haiti, has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline," the MEA release added. The contact details are: +1 (849) 398-9889, +1 (809) 870-3923, +1 (849) 507-7612, Landline: +1, 8298934233, Extn: 203, Landline: +1 8298934233, Extn: 213, amb.sdomingo@mea.gov.in, hoc.sdomingo@mea.gov.in, com.sdomingo@mea.gov.in, cons.sdomingo@mea.gov.in Meanwhile, Haiti has been under a state of emergency since some groups attacked the country's largest prison in Port-au-Prince earlier this month, killing and injuring police and prison staff and allowing some 3,500 inmates to escape, CNN reported. One gang leader, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, took credit for the attack and said the jailbreak was an attempt to overthrow Henry's government. Gangs now control 80 per cent of Haiti's capital, according to United Nations estimates, and continue to fight for the rest. While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to the country's main airport to prevent his safe return. Looters and protesters also breached the key Caribbean Port Services terminal in Port-au-Prince, though it has since come back under the control of Haitian security forces, according to the National Port Authority CEO, Jocelin Villier. The chaos has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, adding to the more than 300,000 already displaced by gang violence. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Moscow, Mar 15 (AP) Ukraine fired at least eight missiles at Russia's Belgorod border region, killing two people and wounding 12, local officials said on Thursday, as Kyiv's forces apparently kept up efforts to rattle the Kremlin on the eve of Russia's presidential election that is taking place amid a ruthless crackdown on dissent. Also, Ukrainian forces attempted cross-border raids that were repelled in Belgorod and the Kursk region, according to local authorities. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed its troops killed 195 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed five tanks and four armoured infantry vehicles, two days after saying it killed 234 Ukrainian troops in another border assault. Also Read | Americans Are Having Sex To Save on Heating Bills! Heres How a Surge in Utility Bills Has Taken an XXX-Tra Sexy Turn. It is not possible to independently verify the Russian claims. Cross-border attacks in the area have occurred sporadically since the war began and have been the subject of claims and counterclaims, as well as disinformation and propaganda. The Ukrainian assaults on Russian territory in recent days, including long-range drone attacks and alleged incursions by Ukraine-based Russian proxies, have come as Russian President Vladimir Putin heads for near-certain reelection. Also Read | Nude Cruise: From Having Sex Onboard to the Golden Rule, Everything You Need To Know About the Viral Clothing-Optional Voyage. Putin has sought to persuade Russians to keep him in power against a backdrop of what he says are foreign threats to the country and as the Ukraine war stretches into its third year. In a video released Thursday, Putin called on Russians to go to the polls, calling participation in the election a manifestation of patriotic feeling. Claiming that the only source of power in our country is the people, Putin told Russians, you must not only cast your vote, but firmly declare your will and aspirations, your personal involvement in the further development of Russia." "Elections are a step into the future, Putin said. Since coming to power almost 25 years ago, Putin has eliminated nearly all independent media and opposition voices in Russia, particularly after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine that initially went badly wrong. Analysts say the Kremlin is worried about low turnout during the three days of voting and needs Russians to participate to give legitimacy to Putin, who is almost certain to win another six-year term. Sam Greene, with the Centre for European Policy Analysis in Washington, called Russia's election a sham. The Kremlin controls who's on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign, Greene told The Associated Press. To say nothing of being able to control every aspect of the voting and the vote counting process. Russia's exiled opposition are calling on Russians to protest against the election by gathering at polling stations at noon on Sunday in a signal that they don't support Putin. The event has been dubbed Noon against Putin and is being supported by Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader who died in a remote Arctic penal colony last month. Despite Russia's early difficulties in the war, when its assault on Kyiv failed and Western countries came to Ukraine's aid by sending weapons and training troops, the Kremlin's forces now have battlefield initiative, military analysts say. That is largely because Western aid has petered out due to European shortages and is now being held up in the United States by political differences. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said Russian forces have the theatre-wide initiative and will be able to determine the time, location, and scale of offensive operations on the battlefield for the moment. The International Institute for Strategic Studies said Russia's assault is gaining momentum and the coming months are critical to the direction of conflict. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday warned that delays in deliveries to Ukraine are costing lives. The Ukrainians are not running out of courage, they are running out of ammunition, Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels. While Ukraine wrestles with increasingly meagre battlefield resources, Russia has significantly expanded its own weapons production and is getting ammunition from Iran and North Korea. That bodes badly for Ukraine once Putin has likely cemented his grip on power, the think tank said in a report on Wednesday. Over the spring and summer, Russia is likely to mount a series of major attacks designed to inflict Ukrainian casualties, push defenders westward and expand its control of occupied territories, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said. For now, it said, the land war looks bloody and favours Moscow. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jerusalem, Mar 15 (AP) The Palestinian Health Ministry accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wrecked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155. The Israeli military said Friday that Palestinian gunmen opened fire in that attack and that none of its forces fired toward the waiting crowd or the aid convoy. Some of those in the crowd near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, the aid distribution point, were run over by the trucks, the military said. The Israeli forces were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks when the violence erupted late Thursday, it added. Also Read | CAA: India Rejects US Statement on Citizenship Amendment Act, Calls It Misplaced, Misinformed, Unwarranted (Watch Video). Meanwhile, an aid ship loaded with some 200 tons of food was seen approaching Gaza's shores on Friday morning in a mission to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, five months into the war. The ship, operated by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday towing a barge laden with food sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. Also Read | NASSCOM and Business NSW Sign MoU To Allow Faster Access to India and Australia Markets. The international community has been pushing for more aid to enter Gaza, frustrated with the growing humanitarian crisis and with Israel's restrictions that have prevented more aid getting in by land. Australia announced early Friday it would resume funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians and pledged additional money to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza. A quarter of Gaza's population is starving, the United Nations has warned, and the territory's Health Ministry said Friday that at least 31,490 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in southern Israel during the Hamas-led incursion on October 7 that sparked the war. Around 250 people were abducted, and Hamas is believed to still be holding about 100 hostages. Currently: A proposed US resolution would back global efforts for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Gaza. Palestinian leader Abbas appoints his longtime adviser as prime minister in the face of calls for reform. A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels strikes a ship in the Red Sea. Top Democrat Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace. Here's the latest: GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR IS HEADING TO JORDAN AND ISRAEL, EXPECTED TO PRESS FOR MORE GAZA AID BERLIN German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is making his second trip to the Middle East since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. He plans meetings with the leaders of Jordan and Israel. Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz will depart Saturday for Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah II. He plans to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in Israel on Sunday. 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. Berlin plans to have its air force participate in Jordanian-initiated airdrops of aid to Gaza. But Hebestreit stressed on Friday that deliveries by sea or air are at best a second-best solution and aid should be sent to Gaza overland, as well as renewing calls for Hamas to free Israeli hostages. SHIP CARRYING 200 TONS OF AID APPROACHES GAZA'S SHORES WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip A ship carrying 200 tons of aid that set off from Cyprus was approaching the shores of Gaza on Friday. The shipment was intended to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to bring more assistance into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian crisis brought by Israel's offensive in the enclave. On Friday morning, the boat could be seen far in the distance from the beaches of Wadi Gaza in the middle of the Gaza Strip. Israel has been under increasing pressure to allow more aid into Gaza after five months of war between Israel and Hamas. HAMAS PUTS FORWARD A NEW CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL BEIRUT A Hamas official said Friday the militant group has put forward a new proposal for a cease-fire deal. International mediators had hoped to broker a six-week cease-fire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began earlier this week. But talks stalled with no agreement in sight. The mediators had proposed a deal that called for Hamas to free dozens of hostages being held in Gaza; Israel to release Palestinian prisoners it is holding; and a major influx of aid into Gaza. Hamas has said it wants a permanent cease-fire, the return of displaced people and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said Friday that the group put forward a new plan along similar lines as its previous demands. He declined to give details of the plan or explain how it differed from their earlier plans. THE UNITED STATES' PROPOSED RESOLUTION WOULD BACK GLOBAL EFFORTS FOR A SUSTAINED CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA UNITED NATIONS The United States circulated the final draft of a United Nations Security Council resolution late Thursday that would support international efforts to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war as part of a deal to release hostages taken captive during Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. No time has been set for a vote, and the draft, obtained by The Associated Press, could still be changed. The US circulated the initial draft on Feb. 19, a day before it vetoed a widely supported Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the war in the embattled Gaza Strip, saying it would interfere with negotiations on a deal to free the hostages. The US draft would demand that all parties comply with international law requiring protection of civilians and civilian objects, which include hospitals, schools and homes. The draft would also express the council's deep concern about the threat of conflict-inducted famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza, as well as the number of undernourished people, and the catastrophic levels of hunger. If the resolution is approved, it would for the first time condemn the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, as well as its taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, and sexual violence including rape, as well as its use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and to hold hostages. It would also demand that Hamas and other armed groups immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining hostages. ISRAEL DENIES GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY'S CLAIM THAT ISRAELI FORCES KILLED 20 NEAR AN AID DISTRIBUTION CENTER DEIR-AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wrecked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155 others. The Israeli military said in a statement that Palestinian gunmen were the ones to open fire and that none of its forces, who were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks, fired toward the waiting crowd or the convoy. Some of those in the crowd were run over by the trucks, it said. The violence occurred late Thursday near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, which has been a point for the distribution of aid in north Gaza over the past weeks. The health ministry said a group waiting there for aid was hit by Israeli shelling. The Health Ministry said Friday that 149 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing to at least 31,490 the number of Palestinians killed in the war. The United Nations says one-quarter of Gaza's 2.3 million people face starvation, many of them in the isolated north, the largely devastated target of Israel's initial offensive in Gaza. Bloodshed surrounding an aid convoy on Feb. 29 killed 118 Palestinians in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said some of its forces fired at people in the crowd who were advancing toward them. Witnesses and hospital officials said many of the casualties were from bullet wounds. The Israeli military said many of the casualties were caused by a stampede over the food and people being run over by the aid trucks. Following the violence, the United States announced plans to build a temporary pier in Gaza to bring in food by sea and joined with other countries to airdrop food into the isolated north. AUSTRALIA RESUMES FUNDING FOR UNRWA AND PROMISES MORE AID TO GAZA Australia will restore funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, weeks after the agency lost hundreds of millions of dollars in support following Israeli allegations that some of its Gaza-based staff participated in the Oct. 7 attack. The Australian government also pledged Friday to increase aid for the besieged enclave, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressing horror at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Australia's move follows Sweden, the European Commission and Canada in reinstating funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which had seen its international funding frozen while the allegations were investigated. Speaking to reporters Friday in Adelaide, Wong also pledged an additional 4 million Australian dollars (USD 2.6 million) to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza, and a C17 Globemaster plane will also deliver defence force parachutes to help with the US-led airdropping of humanitarian supplies into the enclave, which the United Nations says is on the brink of famine. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Baghdad, Mar 15 (AP) Turkiye's top diplomat was in Baghdad for high-level meetings on Thursday, ahead of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's expected visit next month and a potential Turkish offensive against a Kurdish militant group that maintains bases in Iraq. The talks between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein would focus on counter-terrorism, security and military cooperation, according to a statement carried by the state-run Iraqi News Agency. Also Read | Americans Are Having Sex To Save on Heating Bills! Heres How a Surge in Utility Bills Has Taken an XXX-Tra Sexy Turn. Fidan was accompanied by Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Ibrahim Kalin, the director of Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization. Turkiye has been seeking greater cooperation from Baghdad in its fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that has waged an insurgency against Turkiye since the 1980s and is banned there. Also Read | Nude Cruise: From Having Sex Onboard to the Golden Rule, Everything You Need To Know About the Viral Clothing-Optional Voyage. The PKK is not designated a terrorist organisation in Iraq, but is banned from launching operations against Turkiye from Iraqi territory. Nevertheless, it has a foothold in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, where the central Iraqi government does not have much influence. A joint statement issued by the two countries after Thursday's meetings said both sides had stressed that the PKK organization represents a security threat to both Turkiye and Iraq and that its presence in Iraq represents a violation of the Iraqi constitution. It said the they had consulted on the measures that must be taken against the organisation. Erdogan is expected to visit Iraq in April, after Turkish local elections on March 31 and after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The joint statement said officials hope the visit will represent a "qualitative shift in the relations between the two friendly neighbouring countries. The Turkish president has said that his country is determined to end PKK's presence in Iraq this summer. Turkiye often launches strikes against targets in Syria and Iraq that it believes to be affiliated with the PKK, which Baghdad has complained is a breach of its sovereignty. Those strikes have escalated in recent months, after PKK attacks on Turkish military bases in northern Iraq in December and January left 21 soldiers dead. Local Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria have said that many of the Turkish strikes targeted civilian infrastructure, cutting off electricity and water supplies in wide areas held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. Qassim al-Araji, the adviser for national security affairs to Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said in a televised interview this week that Iraqi authorities would like to take a similar approach to the PKK as they did to Iranian Kurdish dissident groups based in northern Iraq. The presence of the Iranian dissidents had become a point of tension with Tehran and last summer, Iran and Iraq reached an agreement to disarm the dissident groups and relocate their members from military bases to displacement camps. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Geneva [Switzerland], March 15 (ANI): The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) staged a protest outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) headquarters in Geneva during the 55th session. The demonstration aimed to spotlight Pakistan's alleged atrocities against the people of Sindh. Also Read | Pornhub Website Disabled in Texas: Adult Entertainment Platform Shuts Down Its Services in US State to Protest Age Verification Law, Say Reports. Jamil Maqsood, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for UKPNP, addressed the gathered crowd, shedding light on the challenges faced by the Sindhi community in Pakistan. According to Maqsood, "The people in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) have endured military oppression since the inception of the country. The Pakistani administration has systematically targeted intellectuals, leaders, student activists, journalists, and civil society members advocating for basic human rights and freedoms. The extrajudicial killing of Hidayat Lohar is a tragic testament to their brutality. His daughters' courage in the face of such violence underscores the urgent need for accountability." Also Read | Russias Space Mission: Vladimir Putin Says Setting Up Nuclear Power Unit in Space Top Priority. Speaking on the appropriation of land and resources by Pakistan's administration, Maqsood declared, "We will not stand idly by as the Pakistani military encroaches upon our villages, lands, and forests. They have already seized control of our rivers, forests, minerals, natural resources, and our very livelihoods." He emphasised the necessity for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the atrocities perpetrated by the Pakistani army and its clandestine agencies over the years. Maqsood highlighted the systemic marginalization of people in Sindhudesh, Balochistan, Pashtunistan, and other regions across social, political, economic, and democratic spheres. Maqsood also accused Pakistan of engineering man-made disasters in Sindh and Balochistan for political gain. He dismissed the recent flood in Gwadar as not a result of climate change but rather a consequence of flawed developmental projects orchestrated by the Pakistani military. Maqsood asserted, "The Pakistani Army exploits these disasters to extort funds from the international community, weaponizing climate change as a propaganda tool." The protest served as a poignant call for international scrutiny of Pakistan's human rights violations and the urgent need for justice for its oppressed minorities. (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 15: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on March 19 the pleas seeking a direction to the Centre to stay the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024 till the apex court has decided the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), that once Indian citizenship has been granted to migrant Hindus, it cannot be taken back, and so an early hearing was warranted. CAA: Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Pleas Seeking Stay on Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024 on March 19. "The CAA was passed in 2019. There were no rules at that time and hence, no stay was granted... Now the government has notified the rules ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. If citizenship is granted, then it will be impossible to reverse. So the interim application may be heard," Sibal said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, questioned the locus standi of the petitioners. "No petitioner has any locus to question the grant of citizenship," the law officer said, adding there were 237 pending petitions against the CAA and in those four interim applications have been filed seeking a stay on the implementation of the rules. CAA: List of Documents Required To Apply for Citizenship in India Under Citizenship Amendment Act. "We will hear this on Tuesday. There are 190 plus cases. All of them will be heard. We will place a full batch with the IAs (Interim applications)," the CJI said. IUML, a Kerala based political party, and three other petitioners have filed the interim pleas after the Centre implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 by notifying the rules four years after the contentious law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. The application filed by the IUML has sought the court's direction to ensure no coercive action is taken against people belonging to the Muslim community pending adjudication of the writ petitions. Muslims cannot apply for Indian citizenship under the CAA. It has urged the apex court to direct the Centre to provisionally permit people belonging to the Muslim community also to apply for citizenship and submit a report on their entitlement. The Democratic Youth Federation of India has also moved the apex court seeking a stay on the rules. The IUML has urged the court to stay the "continued operation of the impugned provisions of Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019; and Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024, which would result in valuable rights being created and citizenship being granted to persons belonging to only certain religions, thereby resulting in a fait accompli situation, during the pendency of the present writ petition". Seeking a stay on the rules, the application said about 250 petitions challenging the provisions of the CAA were pending before the top court. "If in case this court finally decided the CAA as unconstitutional, then these people who would have got citizenship under the impugned Act and rules would have to be deprived of their citizenship or stripped of their citizenship, which would create an anomalous situation," it said. "Therefore, it is in the best interest of every person to defer the implementation of CAA and impugned rules till this court finally decides the matter," the application said. It said the Act was passed in 2019 and the government waited for over four years to notify the rules. "The government did not consider it as urgent to implement it for the past 4.5 years. Therefore, to wait till the final decision of this court would not affect anybody's rights or interest," the application said. It said the IUML had in its petition itself stated that it was not against giving citizenship to migrants. "However, its position is that this is a legislation which is based on the exclusion of a religion. Since the CAA discriminates on the basis of religion, it strikes at the root of the concept of secularism, which is the basic structure of the Constitution," it said. With the unveiling of the rules on March 11, days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government kicked off the process of granting Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The rules came into force with immediate effect, according to a gazette notification. The contentious CAA had sparked protests in various parts of the country in late 2019 and early 2020 over alleged discriminatory provisions. While refusing to stay the operation of the law, the top court had on December 18, 2019 issued notices to the Centre on the pleas. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, March 14: The Hyderabad-based All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) plans to contest at least six of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, a top party leader said here on Friday. AIMIM state President Syed Imtiaz Jaleel, MP, said that the party will put up candidates from Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Dhule plus two in Muslim-dominated constituencies in Vidarbha, the eastern part of Maharashtra. 'Whom Will You Vote for in Lok Sabha Election 2024?' Automated Call on Candidate Choice Baffles Netizens. Their names are likely to be announced shortly by the party which hopes to contest all six Parliament seats solo, unlike 2019, when it was in alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi of Prakash Ambedkar both in Parliamentary and Assembly elections. After the Assembly elections held that year (2019), the partnership broke and both went their separate ways, though AIMIM won two seats and VBA scored nothing. In the run-up to the 2024 elections, the AIMIM had made open appeals to be admitted to the state Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and also the national I.N.D.I.A. bloc. BJP Second Candidate List for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Out: Nitin Gadkari, Manohar Lal Khattar and Piyush Goyal Among 72 Candidates, Check Full List. However, it was given a royal snub by the wary MVA-I.N.D.I.A. as most parties suspect AIMIMs intentions and credentials, after the purported damage it allegedly caused to the non-saffron parties in the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. Interestingly, in 2014 and 2019 Assembly elections, the AIMIM had bagged two seats each and in the last Lok Sabha (2019) polls, the party nominee Jaleel won the Aurangabad seat, dealing a shock defeat to the then undivided Shiv Sena veteran Chandrakant Khaire, a two-time MLA and 4-time MP. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 15, 2024 12:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Canciller @J_GonzalezOFr, acompanado del embajador @alfredoferrerod, sostuvo una fructifera reunion con el @SecBlinken en Washington D.C. en la que acordaron profundizar la asociacion estrategica del ???? y ???? fortaleciendo el dialogo, la coordinacion y la cooperacion bilateral. pic.twitter.com/BvvGKxKpCB Guwahati, March 15: Congress MP Abdul Khaleque, who has been denied a ticket in Assam for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, resigned from the party on Friday. The Barpeta MP sent a letter, resigning from the primary membership of the party, to its national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Khaleque, a two-time MLA and one-time MP, was not given the Congress ticket this time, with the party naming its state Seva Dal chief Deep Bayan from the Barpeta constituency. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Election Commission To Announce General Polls Schedule on March 16. In the resignation letter, the MP claimed that the party has taken a "strange route" in the state, where "people-centric issues have taken a back seat". "...I feel that the attitude and approach taken by the party's state president and AICC general secretary in-charge has ruined the prospect of the party in Assam," he maintained. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BRS Allots Hyderabad and Nagarkurnool Seats To Bahujan Samaj Party After Alliance in Telangana. The Congress has three MPs in the outgoing Lok Sabha, out of a total of 14 seats from the state. The two other incumbents, Gaurav Gogoi and Pradyut Bordoloi, have again been given party tickets. New Delhi, March 15: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a Congress PIL seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls through ballot paper. A Bench presided over by Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a plea filed by the General Secretary of the Congress' Mathura District Committee, raising concerns about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Supreme Court Refuses to Stay Appointments of New Election Commissioners Under 2023 Law, to Hear Batch of Pleas on March 21. How many petitions shall we entertain? We cannot go by assumptions. Every method has its plus and minus points. We cannot entertain this, observed the Bench, also comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih. In her plea, the petitioner-in-person Nandini Sharma said that "concerns of the Opposition parties about the EVMs must be first addressed by holding elections via ballot paper, in place of acting at the pleasure of ruling BJP." Nandini Sharma prayed to set aside Section 61A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 empowering the ECI to conduct elections through EVMs. CAA: Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Pleas Seeking Stay on Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024 on March 19. "Whether plea of booth capture, ballot box stalling, invalid votes, waste of paper, etc against ballot paper is unjustified and irrational while one EVM machine stores 2,000 to 3,840 votes. This means that by manipulation in data of only 50 EVM machines per constituency, an electoral fraud of 1 lakh to 1.92 lakh is possible in the 'First Past the Post system'," the PIL said. "The extra love and support of the ruling party towards EVMs creates doubts about the functioning of the EVM machines because the election results are supposed to remain the same, irrespective of EVMs or ballot paper", it added. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 15, 2024 03:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The Madras High Court Justice N Anand Venkatesh directed the Tamil Nadu Police to permit a 4-km road show during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Coimbatore on March 18 with certain conditions. The state police had denied permission for the road show of the Prime Minister scheduled to be held on Monday, March 18, 2024. Tamil Nadu Police Denies Permission for PM Narendra Modis Roadshow in Coimbatore Citing Security Reasons. Madras HC Directs Tamil Nadu Police to Permit Narendra Modis Roadshow Tamil Nadu | Madras High Court Justice N Anand Venkatesh directs Coimbatore Police to permit a 4-km road show during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city on 18th March with certain conditions. ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) The Coimbatore Police have declined to grant permission for a roadshow by Prime Minister Narendra Modi citing security concerns, according to reports. The Prime Minister had intended to conduct a nearly 4-km roadshow in Coimbatore during his visit on March 18, and the BJPs Coimbatore district headquarters had sought permission for the event. The Police Commissioner cited public inconvenience as the primary reason for the denial. He also said that the roadshows may cause inconvenience to students who are to appear for exams on March 18th and 19th. He also noted that the route selected by the BJP for the roadshow is considered communally sensitive. Tamil Nadu: Heavy Security in Kanniyakumari for PM Narendra Modis Visit on March 15. Permission Denied For PM Modis Roadshow #BREAKING Sources: Permission denied for PM Modi's road show in Coimbatore! BJP had proposed a 3.6km roadshow but permission denied citing security concerns like inconvenience faced by students as exams scheduled on 18th & 19th..also citing communal history of coimbatore pic.twitter.com/v1IXsFKZDB Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) March 15, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) On 14 March Brazils national media reported that the supreme court (STF) will oversee the federal police (PF) investigation into the March 2018 high-profile murder of Rio de Janeiro city councillor End of preview - This article contains approximately 390 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 14 March the governor of Mexicos Guerrero state,, announced the resignation of two high-level state officials and the dismissal of the state attorney general (AG). End of preview - This article contains approximately 395 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 14 March the Spanish police announced the arrest of a leading member of the transnational Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who they said was a distinguished member of the organisation and the brother of its global leader. End of preview - This article contains approximately 389 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Donald Trump, threw out the former president's bid to dismiss the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case in Florida, ruling that the Trump legal team's arguments for dismissal did not have merit. Judge Cannon appeared to be skeptical of the Trump team's arguments of a separate effort to scuttle the prosecution before the trial. She wrote in her order that while the Trump lawyers raised "various arguments warranting serious consideration," it did not merit the dismissal of charges. The dismissal attempt being thrown out came just days after a Mar-a-Lago employee, considered an important witness in the case, flipped and sat down for an interview with CNN, revealing he and other Mar-a-Lago employees were ordered to move boxes of documents, which they did not know at that time were classified. According to the Associated Press, Cannon made it clear during the three-and-a-half hours of arguments that she was reluctant to dismiss one of the four criminal cases that the man who appointed her was facing. She added that dismissing the indictment is "difficult to see" and that it would be "quite an extraordinary" step to strike down an Espionage Act statute that the case is centered on. She also wrote in her order that the arguments that the Trump legal team were giving are "unconstitutionally vague." "It's difficult to see how this gets you to the dismissal of an indictment," she told one of Donald Trump's attorneys after hearing their arguments. Despite this, questions on when the case might proceed to trial will happen, as Trump's "Delay Delay Delay" tactics are pushing the case to after the elections. Should Trump win the presidency, he could order his Justice Department to throw out the cases against him, even if they have merit, no matter how strong the case is. READ MORE: Donald Trump Wanted Elon Musk To Buy Truth Social Vladimir Putin Says Donald Trump Was Upset in 2020 Because He Thought Russian Leader Liked Joe Biden Meanwhile, as Donald Trump contends with his various legal cases, Vladimir Putin just told Russian state media that the former US president was upset with him in 2020 over his supposed preference for rival Joe Biden during that year's election, according to Business Insider. "Here's what's curious. Even in his last year as president, Trump, who is a presidential candidate today, reproached me for the fact that I like Biden," he said in the interview with the state-controlled outlet. "This was more than four years ago. He told me in one of our conversations." He added, "'You want him to win.' Excuse me, I'll say it like he did, it's just direct speech, 'You want Sleepy Joe to win.' He told me this when he was still president." Donald Trump Floats Cutting Back Retirement Spending Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recently sat down with CNBC's "Squawk Box," and there, he revealed that he plans to cut back on some very important spending. He was asked about how he plans to resolve the long-term solvency problems of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. "So first of all, there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting," he responded. "And in terms of, also, the theft and the bad management of entitlements - tremendous bad management of entitlements - there's tremendous amounts of things and numbers of things you can do." The Biden campaign jumped on this, with the president tweeting out, "Not on my watch." "If anyone tries to cut Social Security or Medicare, or raise the retirement age again, I will stop them," Joe Biden told a crowd during a New Hampshire campaign rally. "This morning, Donald Trump said cuts to Social Security and Medicare are on the table again." READ MORE: Donald Trump Faces More Legal Trouble With Possible 3rd E. Jean Carroll Lawsuit and Classified Documents This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: BREAKING UPDATE on Trump efforts to DISMISS Florida criminal charges - Brian Tyler Cohen A pivotal step toward establishing a transitional presidential council in Haiti gains momentum, according to Caribbean officials on Thursday. This move follows the submission of names by most Haitian parties and coalitions tasked with ushering in Haiti's new leader. Caribbean authorities revealed that the provided names have been forwarded to CARICOM, a regional trade bloc aiding in the transition process, AP News reports. Albert Ramdin, Foreign Minister of Suriname, emphasized the Haitians' pivotal role in determining their fate, stating, "It is all up now to the Haitians as they are the ones who want a Haitian-led solution." Tensions escalated when a prominent Haiti gang leader, Barbecue, issued a menacing warning directed at political figures involved in the proposed transition council. Concurrently, outbreaks of violence intensified in the capital city, marked by fires and armed confrontations. The initiative to form the council to choose Haiti's new leader gained traction after discussions among Caribbean leaders, including a closed-door meeting in Jamaica with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged his resignation upon the council's establishment, signaling a crucial step in addressing Haiti's political impasse. The council's primary responsibilities include selecting an interim prime minister and a council of ministers, along with facilitating long-overdue general elections. READ NEXT: Political Parties Reject Haiti Transition Proposal Border Insecurity and Escalating Violence As plans for an international security force remain uncertain, neighboring countries have bolstered border security measures and withdrawn embassy staff, according to Reuters. The capital, Port-au-Prince, initially experienced a semblance of calm following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's announcement of resignation plans. However, recent events indicate a resurgence of violence, with incidents including a shootout and an attack on the police academy. Moreover, a blaze erupted at the main penitentiary, previously emptied of inmates by armed groups. Although the fire was extinguished by Thursday afternoon, its origins remain under investigation. In a separate incident, the residence of national police chief Frantz Elbe was reportedly set ablaze. Haiti grapples with a protracted political and humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rampant gang activities, widespread violence, and internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of citizens. Haitian Migrants Face Uncertain Future Amidst the turmoil, Haitian migrants expelled from the Dominican Republic confront dire circumstances upon their return. Escalating violence and a humanitarian crisis reminiscent of the 2010 earthquake plague Haiti as gangs intensify attacks to force political change. Dominican authorities continue repatriating undocumented Haitians, disregarding the deteriorating situation in their homeland, per BBC. The absence of refuge options exacerbates migrants' plight, leaving them vulnerable to insecurity and uncertainty. The UN Population Fund underscores the humanitarian catastrophe in Port-au-Prince, highlighting the dire predicament faced by its inhabitants, particularly women and girls. Hospitals struggle to operate amidst fuel shortages and disrupted supply chains, further exacerbating the healthcare crisis. While Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation offers a glimmer of hope, concerns persist over potential power struggles and demands for amnesty by influential Barbecue and other Haiti gang leaders. Notably, gangs increasingly employ rape and sexual violence as weapons of terror, targeting women to instill fear and assert dominance. Despite underreporting due to fear of reprisals, instances of sexual violence continue to plague Haitian communities, compounding the challenges faced by returning migrants. In conclusion, Haiti's trajectory remains fraught with uncertainty as political, social, and humanitarian challenges converge, underscoring the urgent need for concerted international intervention and sustainable solutions to alleviate the nation's plight. READ MORE: Haiti Prime Minister Resigns This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Local Haitian Americans react to crisis in Haiti - From Eyewitness News ABC7NY Honduras' saga with disgraced former President Juan Orlando Hernandez is not yet over, as his wife, former First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandez is running for president herself. She recently sat down with the Associated Press for an interview and discussed why she wants her husband's old job. First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandez invited the AP into her home in Tegucigalpa, the same home where her husband was arrested back in February 2022 after the US requested that he be extradited over drug trafficking charges. She has since maintained that her husband was innocent and that the United States "had stained not only her family but all Hondurans." "For me, it was painful to see that from another country they judged our nation because they tried an ex-president who was the head of Honduras," she told the outlet. "They accused him of being a drug trafficker and Honduras of being a narco-state when it is the complete opposite." "With the affront they have made to Honduras, I want to raise my voice," she said, noting that Hondurans should feel indignant," she added. "This (presidential run) is a platform from which I am going to do that." In that interview, the former first lady admitted that authorities might also pursue her and acknowledged that her husband's critics have suggested that she is running in an attempt to protect herself from prosecution. She stated, "There could be investigations, I imagine there will be, but here I am, I am not fleeing." She also noted that her name never came up in the US case at all and maintained that she did nothing wrong, adding that should there be a case levied against her, it would have no basis. READ MORE: Honduras: Trial of Ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez Considered Must-See TV for Citizens Former Honduras First Lady Says She Did Not Take Decision To Run Lightly During that same interview, Garcia de Hernandez claimed that many in her husband's National party have expressed their support for her bid. She also claimed that she has received many messages of support from Honduran citizens all over the country. She added that her decision to announce her candidacy was not because she wanted to protect herself from prosecution but did say that she did not reach the decision to run for president lightly, telling the outlet that she did so after much consideration. The former first lady also noted that she has already talked with her husband since a Manhattan court convicted him last Friday. He reportedly told her, "This is another test and we are going to continue exhausting appeals; the world saw the injustice that was committed and we have to remain standing." Former Honduras First Lady and Daughter Begged Public for Donations To Fund Ex-President's Legal Fees As Juan Orlando Hernandez was still battling US prosecutors in January, his wife, Ana Garcia de Hernandez, and his daughter, Isabela Hernandez, were trying to help fund his legal fees by asking people for money on Instagram. According to The Daily Mail, the family even set up a GoFundMe for the former president and took to social media to promote it. Ultimately, the former president was found guilty of drug trafficking and could be facing life imprisonment in the US. He reportedly accepted bribes from drug lords, including the Sinaloa Cartel's El Chapo. He then used that drug money to pay off election officials to let him win the presidential elections twice. He also protected drug traffickers despite being funded by the US to fight them. READ MORE: Honduras Ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez Convicted on Drug Trafficking Charges in New York Trial This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: US court found Honduras ex-president guilty of cocaine trafficking FRANCE 24 English El canciller @J_GonzalezOFr, en presencia del secretario Blinken, recibio del FBI y el Departamento de Justicia un valioso manuscrito fechado el 28 de junio de 1599, que crea la primera compania de teatro, con sede en Lima, siendo esta la primera de su tipo en toda America. pic.twitter.com/mEC7BI16kN South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem finds herself embroiled in controversy following a promotional video she shared on social media praising dental work she received in Texas. The video, featuring Noem endorsing Smile Texas, a cosmetic dental office, sparked a lawsuit by Travelers United, a consumer advocacy group, alleging misleading advertising. In the video, posted on Noem's personal social media accounts, she commends Smile Texas for addressing dental issues stemming from a biking accident. "But the team here was remarkable and finally gave me a smile that I can be proud of and confident in and that really is a gift that I think is going to be incredibly special to have. You know, I think that I chose the team here at Smile Texas because they're the best," Governor Kristi Noem said. However, the lawsuit claims that Noem failed to disclose any financial relationship with the Texas dentists, violating FTC guidelines requiring disclosure of sponsored content, according to CBS News. Noem's office and Smile Texas have yet to respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit underscores concern about transparency in advertising and potential legal implications for undisclosed endorsements. READ NEXT: South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Endorses Donald Trump Scrutiny and Allegations The lawsuit, filed in Washington, DC, accuses South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem of deceptive advertising practices and raises questions about her relationship with Smile Texas. Travelers United contends that Noem's promotion of dental practice without disclosure suggests a hidden financial arrangement. State Senator Reynold Nesiba expressed concerns about potential violations of consumer protection laws and ethical standards, ABC News reports. Nesiba stated, "I just thought it was a very strange video about how much she enjoyed having her teeth done at that particular place." He questioned whether Noem received compensation for the endorsement or used state resources for personal gain. Noem's alleged failure to disclose any financial ties to Smile Texas adds fuel to the controversy, amplifying calls for transparency and accountability in influencer marketing. Unanswered Questions The lawsuit highlights ambiguities surrounding Noem's endorsement of Smile Texas. Despite mounting scrutiny, neither Noem's office nor Smile Texas dentist has provided clarification on the nature of their relationship or addressed allegations of misleading advertising, The Hill noted. The lack of transparency in Noem's promotional activities raises concerns about the integrity of public officials and underscores the need for greater transparency and oversight in influencer marketing. Governor Kristi Noem's involvement in a lawsuit over her dental endorsement video underscores the complexities of advertising regulations in the age of social media. The lawsuit raises important questions about transparency, disclosure, and the responsibilities of public figures in endorsing products or services. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Smile Texas dentist will respond to the allegations of misleading advertising. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and liability in influencer marketing, particularly when public officials are involved. READ MORE: Judge Trashes 6 Counts of Chargers from Donald Trumps from Georgia Election Interference Case This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Gov. Kristi Noem Shoots BIZARRE Infomercial - From The Young Turks The girlfriend of Shannon Gooden, the man involved in a tragic Minnesota shooting incident that claimed the lives of three Burnsville first responders, has been indicted for straw purchasing firearms, including the weapons used in the fatal incident. Ashley Anne Dyrdahl, aged 35, stands accused of buying multiple firearms for Minnesota shooting suspect Shannon Gooden's girlfriend, who was legally prohibited from owning guns due to a prior felony conviction, according to Fox9. The tragic events unfolded in Burnsville, Minnesota, on February 18, when Gooden barricaded himself in their home and opened fire on responding officers, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a firefighter. Minnesota shooting suspect Shannon Gooden subsequently died in the incident. Dyrdahl's relationship with Gooden began in 2016, and she was aware of his felony status due to a prior conviction for second-degree assault. Despite this knowledge, Dyrdahl allegedly purchased firearms for Gooden between September 2023 and January 2024, knowingly violating federal laws regarding firearm purchases. Prosecutors allege that Dyrdahl purchased firearms at Gooden's direction, completing required paperwork falsely stating that she was the intended owner of the guns and that they were not intended for a felon. Text messages between Dyrdahl and Gooden cited in the indictment suggest coordination in the purchases, with Dyrdahl advising caution to avoid detection. The indictment lists charges against Dyrdahl, including conspiracy, straw purchasing, and making false statements during firearm purchases. She appeared in court Thursday, and it remains unclear if she has legal representation. READ NEXT: Straw Purchased Gun Allegedly Used by Minnesota Shooter to Kill 3 First Responders Details of Purchases and Communications The indictment provides detailed accounts of Dyrdahl's straw-purchasing firearms and communications with Minnesota shooting suspect Shannon Gooden. It alleges that Dyrdahl bought three semiautomatic AR-15-style firearm lower-receivers, including one with a binary trigger, which enhances the rate of fire. Additionally, she purchased .300-caliber ammunition, described as having increased lethality, for firearms. Text exchanges between Dyrdahl and Shannon Gooden suggest their involvement in planning the purchases and discussions about firearm specifications and ammunition, CNN reports. Despite warnings about the potentially illegal nature of their actions, the indictment suggests a deliberate effort to circumvent regulations. Response and Investigation Authorities expressed dismay over the tragic events and emphasized the need for accountability in firearm transactions. US Attorney Andrew Luger highlighted the cooperation of firearm dealers in the investigation, indicating their commitment to preventing illegal firearm transfers, StarTribune noted. The indictment sheds light on the circumstances leading to the tragic incident and underscores the importance of enforcing laws governing firearm purchases. As legal proceedings unfold, questions regarding accountability and responsibility in firearm transactions will continue to be addressed. The tragic loss of life in the Minnesota shooting serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of illegal firearm transactions and the need for stricter enforcement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. READ MORE: Minnesota Firefighter, 2 Police Officers Killed in Domestic Abuse Call Turned Shooting This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Shooter's girlfriend charged with buying guns in Burnsville shooting - From KARE 11 Another close associate of former President Donald Trump will be finding himself in jail as the DC Circuit Court of Appeals ordered former adviser Peter Navarro to report to prison after throwing out his bid to avoid going behind bars. DC Circuit Judges Patricia Millett, Cornelia Pillard, and Robert Wilkins ruled that the Trump loyalist did not demonstrate sufficiently why he should remain free while he tried to appeal his conviction. The decision of the three-judge panel was unanimous. According to CNN, the former White House official argued that a decision by the federal judge who oversaw his case to not let him raise an executive privilege defense at trial "was wrong." He also claimed that "the possibility that the appeals court might reverse that decision should keep him out of prison as the court weighs his case." However, the judges shut his arguments down. Navarro "has not shown that his appeal presents substantial questions of law or fact likely to result in reversal, a new trial, a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment or a reduced sentence of imprisonment," wrote the judges in their decision. The three-judge panel rejected all of Peter Navarro's arguments and noted that the court may ultimately rule against him. They wrote that Navarro "makes no claim of absolute testimonial immunity, nor could he. A properly asserted claim of executive privilege would not have relieved him of the obligation to produce unprivileged documents and appear for his deposition to testify on unprivileged matters." Navarro was sentenced to four months in prison for two counts of contempt of Congress. he, along with Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, did not comply with a subpoena from the House Select Committee on January 6, also known as the J6 Committee. READ MORE: Donald Trump Efforts To Dismiss Mar-a-Lago Classified Documents Case Thrown Out by Judge He Appointed Why Did Donald Trump Adviser Peter Navarro Ignore a Congressional Subpoena? While initially part of the Trump administration as the then-president's trade adviser, Peter Navarro joined in on Donald Trump's attempts to spread election misinformation and his conspiracy to overturn the election. This then led to the January 6 Committee issuing a subpoena to have him hand over documents and testify. However, Navarro defied this order, arguing that he was under "executive privilege," an excuse that Donald Trump has often given but was often thrown out in the court of law. The argument was considered a baseless one and US District Judge Amit Mehta barred him from making that argument at trial after Navarro failed to prove Trump invoked it, according to the Associated Press. When Will Former Donald Trump Adviser Peter Navarro Report to Prison With the DC Circuit Court of Appeals throwing out his efforts to stay out of jail, Peter Navarro must now report to prison by next week. To be specific, he must report by Tuesday, March 19, 2024, per The Hill. Ex-White House adviser Steve Bannon is expected to join him in prison soon. He was also convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress last year and was also sentenced to four months in prison. However, a different judge said he could remain free as he awaits his appeal, according to The Hill. READ MORE: Donald Trump Wanted Elon Musk To Buy Truth Social This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Judge ORDERS Trump Coup Plotter to REPORT to Prison - MeidasTouch While firmly ruling most elegantly, eloquently and effectively on the inalienable right to dissent in a lawful manner, the Supreme Court in a most learned, laudable, landmark and latest judgment titled Javed Ahmad Hajam vs State of Maharashtra and Another in Criminal Appeal No.886 of 2024 (Arising out of Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No.11122 of 2023) and cited in Neutral Citation No.: 2024 INSC 187 that was pronounced as recently as on March 7, 2024 has minced just no words absolutely to hold that every citizen has the fundamental right to free speech under Article 19 of the Constitution to extend good wishes to citizens of the other countries on their respective independence days, and the same cannot attract any penal offence. It must be noted that a Division Bench comprising of Hon'ble Mr Justice Abhay S Oka and Hon'ble Mr Justice Ujjal Bhuyan unequivocally held that, "If a citizen of India extends good wishes to the citizens of Pakistan on 14th August, which is their Independence Day, there is nothing wrong with it. It's a gesture of goodwill. Motives cannot be attributed to the appellant only because he belongs to a particular religion." Moreover, how can we ever forget that before 14 August, 1947 there was "no Pakistan" as it was an inalienable part of India till then and it were the Britishers who ensured the most ghastly partition of India and how can those whose blood relationship were living in earlier undivided India ever break their family and friendship relations merely because the "outsiders" that is the Britishers masterminded most cleverly, most dastardly and most cruelly the partition of India into "Pakistan and India" granting Pakistan independence a day earlier on 14 August and India a day later on 15 August and allowing Mohammad Ali Jinnah to become the first Governor General of Pakistan and also appointing Lord Mountbatten of England also known as United Kingdom and also known as Great Britain to be the first Governor General of India most pompously which India as we all know accepted most graciously and most humbly which my very best friend Sageer Khan in Sagar in Madhya Pradesh in 1993 lashed out at terming it as an "act of slavery" and imposition of monogamy as a "punishment only on Hindus" and imposition of Article 370 as "anti-Hindu acts" and "anti-national acts" respectively? It was made absolutely clear by the Apex Court that the right to dissent in a lawful manner must be treated as a part of the right to lead a dignified life under the Constitution. It was also noted by the top court that every citizen has a right to be critical of the abrogation of Article 370 and the change of Jammu and Kashmir's status. We thus see quite distinctly that the Supreme Court quashed a criminal case that had been lodged against Javed Ahmad Hajam who is a Kashmiri Muslim Professor working in a Kolhapur college in Maharashtra who was booked under Section 153A of IPC for putting out a Whatsapp status in a group terming 'August 5-Black Day for Jammu & Kashmir" and celebrating Independence day of Pakistan on August 14. The Apex Court held that describing August 5 as a "Black Day" is an expression of protest. At the very outset, this brief, brilliant, bold and balanced judgment authored by Hon'ble Mr Justice Abhay S Oka for a Division Bench of Apex Court comprising of himself and Hon'ble Mr Justice Ujjal Bhuyan sets the ball in motion by first and foremost putting forth in para 1 that, "A First Information Report (for short, 'the impugned FIR') was registered against the appellant for the offence punishable under Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short, 'the IPC'). The appellant filed a writ petition before the High Court of Judicature at Bombay for quashing the FIR. By the impugned judgment dated 10th April 2023, the High Court has dismissed the writ petition." To put things in perspective, the Bench envisages in para 2 that, "The appellant was a Professor at Sanjay Ghodawat College in District Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He came 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 commission of offence is based on what was seen on his WhatsApp status. The State Government has set out the precise text appearing on the WhatsApp status of the appellant in its counter affidavit. Clauses (c) and (d) of paragraph 3 of the counter affidavit read thus: "3. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. b... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. c. During the incident, the Petitioner was employed as a Professor at Sanjay Ghodavat College. The Petitioner was a member of a WhatsApp group that consisted of parents and teachers. Between August 13, 2022, and August 15, 2022, while being part of this WhatsApp group, the Petitioner posted two messages as their status: 1. "August 5 Black Day Jammu & Kashmir." 2. "14th August Happy Independence Day Pakistan." d. Furthermore, after aforementioned status, the Petitioner 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 Indian Penal Code, 1860, by the Hatkanangale Police Station in Kolhapur. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .."" As it turned out, the Bench enunciates in para 3 that, "By the impugned judgment, the Division Bench of the High Court held that what was stated by the appellant regarding celebrating Independence Day of Pakistan will not come within the purview of Section 153-A of the IPC. However, the other objectionable part can attract the offence punishable under Section 153-A of the IPC." Do note, the Bench notes in para 8 that, "Now, coming back to Section 153-A, clause (a) of subsection (1) of Section 153-A of the IPC 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, place of birth, residence, language, caste, community or any other analogous grounds. Clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 153-A 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." Quite significantly, the Bench observes in para 9 that, "Now, coming to the words used by the appellant on his WhatsApp status, we may note here that the first statement is that August 5 is a Black Day for Jammu and Kashmir. 5th August 2019 is the day on which Article 370 of the Constitution of India was abrogated, and two separate Union territories of Jammu and 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. The aforesaid 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 the right to offer criticism of the action of abrogation of Article 370 or, for that matter, every decision of the State. He has the right to say he is unhappy with any decision of the State." Most significantly and so also most remarkably, the Bench then minces absolutely just no words to propound succinctly in para 10 what constitutes the cornerstone of this notable judgment mandating that, "In the case of Manzar Sayeed Khan vs State of Maharashtra & Anr (2007) 5 SCC 1, this 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 religious, 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 of India. It does not reflect any intention to do something which is prohibited under Section 153-A. At best, it is a protest, which is a part of his freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a). Every citizen of India has a right to be critical of the action of abrogation of Article 370 and the change of status of Jammu and Kashmir. Describing the day the abrogation happened as a "Black Day" is an expression of protest and anguish. If every criticism or protest of the actions of the State is to be held as an offence under Section 153-A, democracy, which is an essential feature of the Constitution of India, will not survive. The right to dissent in a legitimate and lawful manner is an integral part of the rights guaranteed under 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. It is subject to reasonable restrictions imposed in accordance with clause (2) of Article 19. In the present case, the appellant has not at all crossed the line." Broadly speaking, the Bench most forthrightly points out in para 11 that, "The High Court has held that the possibility of stirring up the emotions of a group of people cannot be ruled out. The appellant's college teachers, students, and parents were allegedly members of the WhatsApp group. As held by Vivian Bose, J, the effect of the words used by the appellant on his WhatsApp status will have to be judged from the standards of reasonable women and men. We cannot apply the standards of people with weak and vacillating minds. Our country has been a democratic republic for more than 75 years. The people of our country know the importance of democratic values. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude that the words will promote disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious groups. The test to be applied is not the effect of the words on some individuals with weak minds or who see a danger in every hostile point of view. The test is of the general impact of the utterances on reasonable people who are significant in numbers. Merely because a few individuals may develop hatred or ill will, it will not be sufficient to attract clause (a) of sub-section (1) of Section 153-A of the IPC." It is worth noting that the Bench notes in para 12 that, "As regards the picture containing "Chand" and below that the words "14th AugustHappy Independence Day Pakistan", we are of the view that it will not attract clause (a) of subsection (1) of Section 153-A of the IPC. Every citizen has the right to extend good wishes to the citizens of the other countries on their respective independence days. If a citizen of India extends good wishes to the citizens of Pakistan on 14th August, which is their Independence Day, there is nothing wrong with it. It's a gesture of goodwill. In such a case, it cannot be said that such acts will tend to create disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious groups. Motives cannot be attributed to the appellant only because he belongs to a particular religion." Be it noted, the Bench notes in para 13 that, "Now, the time has come 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 and the extent of reasonable restraint on their free speech and expression. They must be sensitised about the democratic values enshrined in our Constitution." Most sagaciously, the Bench postulates in para 14 that, "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 will be a gross abuse of the process of law." As a corollary, the Bench directs in para 15 that, "Accordingly, we set aside the impugned judgment dated 10th April 2023 of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay and quash the impugned FIR bearing no. 295 of 2022 registered at PS Hatkanangle, District Kolhapur, Maharashtra and the proceedings based on the impugned FIR." Finally, the Bench then concludes by holding in para 16 that, "The Appeal is, accordingly, allowed." In sum, the key takeaway of this notable judgment is that every citizen has right to be critical of decisions taken by Centre like the one on Article 370 of Constitution. As for instance, the lawyers of West UP denounce Centre's most discriminatory, despicable, dastardly and divisive decision to create only one single High Court Bench in the most populated State of India that is Uttar Pradesh and that too so near to Allahabad where High Court itself is located at Lucknow and attaching the litigants of West UP not with Lucknow which falls 230 km earlier but right uptill Allahabad which means whole night and half day is wasted on just travelling alone most atrociously and this despite the irrefutable fact that it is West UP which owes for more than half of the total number of pending cases of UP and still no Bench inspite of Justice Jaswant Singh Commission headed by former Supreme Court Judge recommending three High Court Benches including one for West UP in mid 1970s yet not one created till date most atrociously! Now this does not mean that Centre or lawmakers punish the lawyers of West UP for dissenting with Centre on it and going on strike for 6 months as in 2001 and in 2014-15, strike for Wednesday also many times and strike for few months many times in different years and strike every Saturday since May 1981 till March 2024! Neighbors of a mobile home park say the owner of the park has been pumping liquid off the site for months. The board of supervisors for Washington Township, Northampton County, on Wednesday approved sending a sewage code violation notice to the owner of Meadowbrook Mobile Home Park on Richmond Road. The property belongs to Moyer Construction LLC. Owner Eric Moyer said he purchased the park last year and he has been working on improvements for the long neglected mobile home park. One of the improvements is repairing a failing septic system. Moyer said he had pumped ground water from digging performed while repairing the septic system. No sewage had ever been pumped out of the system, he said. Several people who live in and near the park told a different story at Wednesdays supervisors meeting. Joey Tietz, who lives on a property that abuts the park, describes white foamy liquid that smells nasty coming out of hoses from the park. The liquid finds its way onto his property, then to a nearby tributary of Martins Creek, which leads to the Delaware River, Tietz said. There have been problems with the parks septic system for the last four years, according to Tietz. Tietz said he has contacted police and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection about the matter. The DEP directed him to contact the township sewage enforcement officer. Township Supervisor Justin Huratiak said the townships engineering firm Ott Consulting investigated the matter and wrote a March 7 letter alleging violations. The matter will now go a magistrate to issue any fines, Huratiak said. Moyer said he plans to continue to fix issues that began long before he bought the property. I take great pride in turning blighted properties like this one around and making them into a great place to not only live but also improve the entire community around, Moyer said. Tietz said he will continue to file complaints to the township if he sees other issues. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. High Street Dispensary could begin operating a drive-thru window in Hackettstown as early as next week, said Store Manager Bill Mercario. We hope to be up and running by the end of next week, Mercario said. Were looking forward to serving the community in a different way. High Street Dispensary opened inside the former Wells Fargo bank at 811 High St., just across the street from the U.S. headquarters/factory for Mars Wrigley, the makers of M&Ms and other candies, in December 2023. The township okayed the shops request to use the existing drive-thru window during its regular meeting on March 14. Upon hearing the vote pass unanimously, residents applauded and one resident in the back of the councils chambers cheered, Weed dispensary? F*** yeah! The dispensary will run a single lane drive-thru, said Mercario. The drive-thru will open roughly half-an-hour before normal business hours and close a half-an-hour after normal business hours. The window will only be used to dispense preorders, Mercario said. Preorders can be placed via the stores online website. Customers should place their order at least two hours in advance of their desired pick-up time. Craig Cohen and Daniel Weinstein co-own the business, Mercario said. They are both based in northeastern New Jersey. Several other dispensaries across the state have also implemented drive-thru options at their shops. Once complete, High Street Dispensary will be Warren Countys first and only drive-thru dispensary. There are four marijuana dispensaries in Warren County, as of March 15, 2024. Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe to lehighvalleylive.com today. Thus, Peru joins this global initiative in order to address the main challenges facing sustainable development, including those related to the elimination of poverty, global health, food security, climate, and education. Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems may enable huge progress to meet the Furthermore, thesemay enable huge progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goals if the risks posed by AI systems are mitigated and the benefits are shared inclusively. This initiative seeks to establish a shared vision that AI systems should be human-centric, reliable, explainable, ethical, and inclusive. Likewise, this project must preserve privacy and be responsible, with a sustainable development orientation, and in full respect, promotion and protection of human rights and international law. (END) NDP/CVC/RMB The Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations, Ambassador Victor Garcia Toma , participated with 40 other permanent representatives at a press conference on the draft resolution that urges UN member states to promote safe and reliable artificial intelligence systems.Published: 3/15/2024 A protest at a site where emergency accommodation facilities for hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are being built has ended, the High Court has heard. Total Experience Limited, trading as Pastures New Accommodation, which is constructing facilities at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare for families fleeing the war, had previously secured a temporary order restraining protesters from blocking the entrances to the site. Pastures new runs a 950-capacity temporary Ukrainian accommodation centre in Stradbally recently named as a 90 day Designated Accommodation Centres for refugees from the war waged by Russia. The order was obtained against named individuals, and persons allegedly taking part in the blockade who could not be identified by the company. The company claimed its work had been hampered by those opposed to the State's provision of accommodation to displaced persons. The company returned to court after the injunction had been granted and claimed that protesters had trespassed after establishing a campsite on the properly. At the High Court on Thursday, March 14, Barry Mansfield Bl, appearing with Gary McCarthy SC for the plaintiff said that following on from a last week's de-escalation of matters, the protest had ended on Thursday morning. Vehicles and staff were now able to exit and enter the site, counsel said, adding that it is hoped that persons seeking protection will be able to take up residence in the coming weeks. Counsel said that his side did not want to inflame matters any further by seeking their costs against the defendants, however his side was asking that the proceedings be adjourned with permission to re-enter should the need arise. When the court registrar asked of there was any appearance by the defendants including the persons unknown, a Mr Chris McCormack, asked to address the court as "a concerned citizen" about a matter "of public interest." He said that people living near the development, many of whom are elderly, had concerns about "a village of 1000 people," being built close to them. He also said people had been told that the development was being allocated to Ukrainians. He added that this was nothing new, and that an another location in Co Kildare, people had been told that a facility was being assigned to house Ukrainians. Instead, he said it was used for "100 people from the third world," who had no documents nor papers. He said that discussions about the development have been held with local politicians and representatives. In relation to the protest has asked what else could people do about their concerns. In reply Mr Justice Sanfey said while he accepted that Mr McCormack's comments were "sincere and genuine", the concerns raised by him were not matters the court can deal with. The serious issues raised by Mr McCormack were matters for some other forum, the judge added. The court he said had been asked to grant a temporary injunction in relation to the alleged unlawful blocking of entrances to the site. The judge said the court, based on the evidence that had been put before it, was satisfied to grant such an order. The judge said the injunction had now lapsed, agreed to adjourn the matter generally, and granted the plaintiff company permission to return to court should the need arise. In its action, the company had claimed that commencing in late February up to 50 protesters had maintained a 24-hour protest preventing persons and vehicles from entering or leaving the site. The plaintiff claimed that the activities amounted to a nuisance and an unreasonable interference with the company's work, and had delayed the facility's opening. The court granted the company a temporary injunction, on an ex-parte basis, restraining the protesters from deliberately preventing or obstructing entrances from the site. The firm has been contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins as well as a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities at the site for Ukrainian families fleeing the two-year-old war. The company said it is not attempting to interfere with anyone's lawful right to peacefully protest. However, the blocking of the entrances was not lawful, and had created a safety risk, it claimed. It had also raised it concerns about social media posts about the facility, particularly ones which made references to fires, and that contained fire emoijis. A crucial meeting by the Midlands Energy Agency (MEA), a group established to reduce energy consumption among local authorities, including Laois County Council was held in Portlaoise this week. The Agency, which supports five Midland local authorities including Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon, and Longford in managing and reducing their energy consumption in alignment with national targets, has reached a significant milestone in the SEAI Pathfinder Project. A meeting of the MEA Steering and Working Groups took place at the Council Chamber, Laois County Council, to facilitate an introductory session with Diarmuid Waters, Senior Project and Programme Manager at Rogerson Reddan, the appointed contractors for the MEA Pathfinder project. Attended by Padraig Brehony and Gerard Donnellan from the SEAI Pathfinder Team, this meeting signifies a pivotal moment in the journey towards achieving energy efficiency targets for local authorities in the Midlands. Specifically, 26 buildings will receive detailed Energy Reports aimed at maximizing the energy rating of structures with the highest energy consumption. The Pathfinder Programme aims to accelerate the delivery of large-scale deep energy renovation projects in the non-domestic sector. The program focuses on supporting projects that will act as exemplars, demonstrating best practice in energy efficiency and renewable energy integration. "Our mission at the Midlands Energy Agency is to empower each Midlands local authority to achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030," stated Suzanne Dempsey, Energy Officer at Midland Energy Agency. "This meeting with Rogerson Reddan and the SEAI Pathfinder Team not only represents a significant step forward in the SEAI Pathfinder Programme but also reaffirms our unwavering commitment to driving sustainable energy practices across the Midlands." The Mountmellick Christmas Tree Committee (MCTC) is keen to engage with residents, business owners, community and voluntary groups, young and elderly to share ideas on the future of Mountmellicks Christmas tree, and how to power it sustainably within the context of climate action. An idea-sharing workshop will take place at Mountmellick Library on Saturday, March 23, 11am-1pm as part of a programme of public engagement events in 2024, with all community members welcome to attend and participate. MCTCs The Valley Star Project a reimagining of Mountmellick Christmas tree through the lens of climate action is a one year project which prioritises public engagement and culminates in an outdoor presentation of Christmas tree prototypes informed by local people at OConnell Square in December 2024. The objective is to engage as many people as possible, documenting their imaginative as well as logistical design ideas for Christmas tree prototypes that are powered using green energy. The committees ambition is that local people are involved in the generation of ideas, the design process and contribute to the making of the prototypes. Paddy Buggy is the chair of Mountmellick Christmas Tree Committee. He spoke about the recent public engagement workshop at Mountmellick Library on Saturday, March 9. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Pictured are members of the Mountmellick Christmas Tree committee at the launch of the new project. Attending the recent Idea-Sharing workshop was an incredibly enriching experience, marked by a clear enthusiasm of all who took part. It was obvious from the discussions that the Christmas tree holds a special place in the hearts of our community, underscoring its importance in our shared traditions and memories," he said. Paddy encouraged everyone to participate in the next session. "Come along to share your thoughts and insights. Remember, attending these sessions is your chance to contribute to the future; and if youre not in, you cant win, as the saying goes, he said. Paul Lalor also took part in the idea-sharing workshop on March 9. As an amateur photographer, I have taken many photos of Mountmellick Christmas tree over the years. I have seen it change and adapt over the decades. Having also worked on the tree for a number of Christmases, I can honestly say that the opportunity to voice my opinion and contribute to The Valley Star Project was great. Its incredible to see how each of our ideas, no matter how big or small, can come together to help along the way. This project is all about- community. I encourage every to join us at the next brainstorming session; your ideas and energy are what will make this project shine even brighter, he said. All are welcome to the next Idea-Sharing workshop at Mountmellick Library on Saturday, March 23. No booking required, drop in between 11am-1pm to share your aspirations, thoughts and ideas with artist Martina Coyle, and science communicator Catherine McGuinness. The Valley Star Project is funded by the Creative Ireland Programme - Creative Climate Action Fund II (Spark). Reimagining Mountmellick Christmas tree has the potential to become a national flagship example of how cultural heritage is both affected by and can be a powerful tool in combatting climate change, and how communities, heritage and climate action can work hand in hand for a sustainable future. To find out more about the project, contact hello@thevalleystar.ie and follow the project on the Mountmellick Christmas Tree social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, with updates on all upcoming engagement sessions, creative workshops, surveys, and community events. A judge has criticised the prison authorities because solicitors or barristers are unable to make phone contact with clients who are in custody. He was referring to cases where a defendant appears via videolink and their barrister or solicitor had been unable to get through to take instructions. Videolink was brought in to make it easier (to progress cases) but it seems to have the opposite effect, Judge Desmond Zaidan said at Naas District Court. Before the court was Anthony McBride, 31, whose address was given as 64 Adamstown Avenue, Lucan, who was being prosecuted for driving with excess alcohol on the N7 at Kill West on October 20, 2019. Read more Kildare news Defending Donncha Craddock said he had not been able to make contact with him. It's not the first time, its becoming nearly impossible to get through, said the judge, adding that the barrister needs to get proper instructions for the client in advance of the case being heard. Speaking on videolink from Mountjoy Prison, the defendant said he would like to have the case dealt with. He is serving a four and half year term for a separate offence and is not due for release until August 2026. The judge imposed a two year driving disqualification. Joe Biden has agreed with Leo Varadkars calls for a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, and that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace. The US president said we both know theres a lot more that has to be done in relation to the Middle East conflict, as he met the Irish premier at the White House on Friday. Mr Varadkar also called on the US to push for peace in the Middle East, as had been done in Northern Ireland, in a separate meeting with the US vice-president Kamala Harris. There has been political pressure on senior politicians to use the high-profile US visit for St Patricks Day to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and to end the spiralling numbers of deaths and injuries. Mr Varadkar has been urged to use the White House meeting on Friday, and the shamrock bowl ceremony with Mr Biden on Sunday, to push for an end to Israels military operation in Gaza including from a former Irish president. In brief comments to the media moments before the bilateral in the White House, the Taoiseach said he was keen to talk about the situation in Gaza. Addressing Mr Biden in the Oval Office, he said: Youll know my view that we need to have a ceasefire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, get the hostages out. We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two-state solution, which I think is the only way well have lasting peace and security. Mr Biden said I agree in response to Mr Varadkars comments on a ceasefire, and again to the two-state solution. After the meeting, Mr Varadkar was asked whether military support the US is offering Israel would continue. The president was very clear that the US would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself, he said. So I dont think thats going to change, but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used the way they are, the way they are being used at the moment is not self-defence. The return of the powersharing institutions in Northern Ireland and economic ties between the US and Ireland were also items up for discussion between the two leaders. The US president thanked Ireland for its unwavering assistance for Ukraine in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putins onslaught and the savagery with which hes attacking Ukrainians. Mr Biden was also asked whether he would return to Ireland, and said: I always want to come back to Ireland. On Friday morning at a breakfast event with Ms Harris, Mr Varadkar commended her for showing great courage and leadership by indicating support for a ceasefire in Gaza. Im sure it cant have been easy, but it was the right thing to do and your words echoed all over the world, he said. Evoking the role the US played in brokering the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar added that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza will haunt us all for years to come. He added: In Ireland, we know how quickly atrocities can lead to calls for vengeance, to creating new cycles of hatred and bitterness. But we also know that the cycle can be broken and that new hope can replace old hatreds. The United States helped us to find peace, now let us work together to build just and lasting peace in the Middle East for Israel, Palestine and its Arab neighbours. We know from our own story that finding peace can be a long and painful process, and it takes time to build trust and build relationships. American politicians on both sides of the aisle helped to encourage and nurture these relationships in Northern Ireland over many decades, and we thank-you all so much for that. Earlier in the day, former Irish president Mary Robinson had called on Mr Varadkar to use the meetings with Mr Biden to push for an end to US military and financial support for Israel. She said he must make it clear to all levels of US politics that Israel depends on the United States for military aid and for money, thats what will change everything. Since Mr Varadkar began his US trip on Monday, he has spoken several times about how he will use the special platform of the St Patricks Day visit to press Mr Biden to back a ceasefire in Gaza, while also thanking the US for its leadership in support for Ukraine. Mr Varadkar said the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala in Boston. Speaking in the Oval Office on Friday, Mr Biden said he was glad to see the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly back up and running. Thats, from my perspective, a very positive step forward, he said. Andy Glancy from County Longford, a collector of rare tractors, has a unique tractor in his collection, the Massey Ferguson 133 Westland. He has it 18 years himself and on the 25th March 2024, it will be celebrating its 50 anniversary. It was bought originally in Booth's Garage, Mohill, County Leitrim, by a Mr. Turbett, where Centra is now. It was first registered in Carrick-on-Shannon on the 25th March 1974, with Leitrim County Council. This MF 133 Westland Tractor came from the Massey Ferguson (Export) Limited, Factory in Banner Lane Coventry, Britain, which is now no more. They made five thousand as a special order, which was never listed having come from Banner Coventry, as it was just a small order, Andy has confirmation of it with documents. There is a continental 133 version, but they are different to those that were specifically made for the west of Ireland customers, the continental had 35x engines and an 8 speed gear box, the Westland only 6. The Westland has an engine identical to the 135 which is a 47 Horsepower and unique to the Westland out of Coventry is the straight bar axle. The original cost was 1,210. It was made for a budget price. It was 280 punts cheaper than the 135, same engine, same dash, but without stabilisers and a quality cab and live drive clutch; the cab which was not with this when Andy bought it, they were made with cheap materials. Many Westlands were bought, but over time many people changed them to a 135 Massey Ferguson, changing the dead drive to a live drive clutch, which was detrimental to the original character of the 133. Its main job was drawing milk to creameries in Leitrim and or turf as well, short journeys mainly and nothing too taxing. The mudguards and roll bar are the only things not original on Andy's 133 MF Westland. By Michael Croghan and Andy Clancy Thursday, March 7th, marked a momentous occasion: the 20th edition of the SFA National Small Business Awards held in the RDS. Celebrating two decades of excellence, innovation, and commitment, this year's Gala, hosted by Sonya Lennon, was nothing short of spectacular, shining a light on the remarkable achievements of Ireland's small businesses. From the 50 fantastic companies that made part of the SFA Awards 2024 Programme, only one winner in each category was chosen by the judges and awarded at the gala event. Team Drumhierny celebrating their award Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, Leitrim Village were finalists in the Sustainability category and came away with a 'Highly Commended' award on the night. This category recognises a company that demonstrates leadership in building sustainable practices into its own business. Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway's vision is to enhance the wellbeing of its customers, employees, locality and community, in the most environmentally sustainable way possible, through the development of an inspirational woodland hideaway which collaborates with local partners. The following description of the company was given at the awards ceremony. Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway is a unique destination in County Leitrim, where luxury harmonizes with sustainability and intertwines with a rich historical legacy. Nestled within the heart of our 100-acre estate, our collection of 16 luxurious, eco-friendly lodges and wellbeing sanctuary beckon those in search of a peaceful sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Drumhierny Management Team, from left, Michelle Holmes, James Evers, Eilis Fitzgerald At Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, we are dedicated to preserving our precious environment and estate through our unwavering commitment to sustainability. With every direct booking, a tree is planted, ensuring that each stay contributes to the preservation of our natural surroundings. Our brand is tailored to those who appreciate the magnificence of nature and understand the importance of sustainable living. Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway now stands as a tranquil haven for visitors from across Ireland and beyond while serving as a hub of local employment. A warning has been issued about false articles and fake adverts online which are designed to steal money, an Irish bank has warned. An increasing number of false articles appearing online designed to defraud consumers through fake financial products, investments or cryptocurrency schemes has led to the warning from Bank of Ireland. People have been warned not to click on these adverts as they are "designed to steal people's money", Bank of Ireland warned. The articles appear like news articles from genuine media outlets, but are false advertisements that fraudsters are paying for online, the bank warns. The advertisements feature fabricated news stories with claims about specific cryptocurrency trading platforms or designed to entice readers to websites where they can then be defrauded. The false articles/advertisements generally feature a well-known personality or celebrity, combined with a controversial headline to grab attention. Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland said: Fraudulent advertisements are increasingly appearing online and on social media channels and are designed to steal consumers money through fake financial products, investments or cryptocurrency schemes. We see more and more fraud attacks starting from social media and tech platforms these fake ads should be caught before they are published online, but many are not. Unfortunately, supervision of this is very inconsistent, at times its like a game of whack-a-mole trying to report the different scams to the social media companies and get them taken down. Its unacceptable to see fraudsters operating so openly on social media. No company should be generating advertising revenue from criminals - social platforms really need to step up and crack down. Our advice to consumers is: Dont click on these adverts, ignore them completely, and if an investment sounds too good to be true, its probably fraud, Ms Sadlier said. YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Israel Defense Forces say that Palestinian gunmen opened fire at Gazan civilians waiting for aid at Kuwait Square in Gaza City, leading to casualties. According to a statement from IDF, its troops did not open fire at any stage during the incident. This past Thursday, the IDF facilitated the passage of 31 humanitarian aid trucks for civilians in northern Gaza. Approximately one hour before the arrival of the convoy to the humanitarian corridor, armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy. As aid trucks were entering, the Palestinian gunmen continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks. Additionally, a number of Gazan civilians were run over by the trucks, the statement reads. Gaza's health authorities said at least 29 Palestinians were killed while awaiting aid in two separate Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on March 14, Reuters reported earlier. In the first incident, Palestinian health officials in the Hamas-ruled strip said eight people were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution center in Al-Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. Later, at least 21 people were killed and more than 150 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a crowd awaiting aid trucks at a northern Gaza roundabout, Gaza's health ministry said. A man has been jailed for seven and a half years for the rape of his wifes friend in a Dublin park almost five years ago. Paula Doyle, who waived her right to anonymity, spoke outside court after the sentencing hearing of her attacker Aidan Kestell (55) and urged other victims to come forward. I know it may seem that you are alone, but you are most definitely not. I know that today may seem like your darkest day and it feels everlasting, and this deplorable journey will never end but I constantly thought that too, I couldn't see myself standing here today but I am. The silence will stop, your voice will be heard, and you will have your day. If you haven't already gotten there, if you haven't already told someone, it's never ever too late, just tell one person and take it from there. Kestell was convicted of rape after a four-day trial at the Central Criminal Court last month. The offence took place on September 6, 2019, at Hartstown Park, Hartstown, Dublin 15. He raped Ms Doyle in a park after walking her home from a party at his house. Kestell of Briarwood Lawn, Dublin 15, has no previous convictions. Ms Doyle, speaking outside court, said she had struggled with physical, mental, and emotional pain since the assault and it has had a lasting impact on her daily life. The actions of the predator that is Aidan Kestell have caused me immense suffering. During the investigation, it was found that the vile texts, photos, videos and stalking I had been subjected to for three and a half years prior to the rape were from him too. I believe in innocent until proven guilty, but l also believe there's not enough being done to protect the victim who has already had their world destroyed Mr Justice Tony Hunt set a headline sentence of nine years for the rape this Friday, March 15. He said this was a single incident but one with appalling and enduring consequences. He described it as a crime of violence and revenge. Mr Justice Hunt said his actions were intentional and knowing, and there was nothing reckless about it. He said the best that could be said for Kestell was that he had reached his 50s without previous offending and was of good character with a good work history to the point where he got into this difficulty. He noted there would be serious consequences for him that would last the rest of his life. Mr Justice Hunt reduced the sentence to eight years and suspended the final six months. He ordered that Kestell be of good behaviour for three years post-release and have no contact with the woman or her family. Ms Doyle suggested Kestell thought she wouldn't come around, continuing, Bet you thought youd got away with it. She described him as manipulative, vile and a compulsive liar. Speaking outside court Ms Doyle said: I am ready to rebuild my life, I can now look towards my future and live again. Today I am no longer a victim but a real survivor. Stormont reform that removes the need for cross-community consensus on key decisions is a non-starter, the DUP leader has said. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said changing the mindsets of people was more important than changing the rules of powersharing when it came to securing political stability in Northern Ireland. His comments came after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar urged consideration of reform ahead of the next Assembly election. Deputy Irish premier, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, has also articulated the case for changing the rules to ensure no one party can collapse the devolved institutions in Belfast. The powersharing structures incorporate a system based on mutual veto powers, enabling blocs of unionist and nationalist MLAs to stop moves that otherwise command majority support and, in extreme circumstances, pull down the institutions and prevent them operating. The DUP exercised its veto to blockade Stormont for two years in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements. The ending of that boycott enabled devolution to return last month. In 2017, Sinn Fein collapsed the ministerial executive amid a furore about a botched green energy scheme. It was down for three years. Sinn Fein has said it is up for finding agreement with other parties to reform the structures. It has said that should be done through the existing Assembly and Executive Review Committee at Stormont. Sir Jeffrey was asked about the issue as he spoke to reporters at a business event in Washington DC on Thursday. He highlighted that Mr Varadkar had acknowledged the matter did not involve the Irish government and related to the internal governance of Northern Ireland. We will of course talk with other parties in due course, Sir Jeffrey said. But our focus right now in terms of reform is on our health service, delivering for people on waiting lists, its on reform of our education system, (Education Minister) Paul Givan leading the way in ensuring that we have the best education system for our young people. Its about growing our economy. Its about making Northern Ireland work. Thats what were focused on. The time will come when we can discuss how we can make the institutions more effective. But let me be absolutely clear, and this is the bottom line for us, cross-community consensus is the only way that Stormont can work effectively. I said that throughout the last two years, I repeat that now. And the notion that were going to interfere with or remove the need for cross-community consensus is simply a non-starter. The DUP leader added: It is about making Northern Ireland work and that includes our political institutions. You know, changing the rules wont deliver that, what will deliver it is changing the mindsets, the way that people think, thats what Im in the business of doing, is about winning converts for the Union, about Northern Ireland being the best place for every one of our citizens to live, work, raise their families. Thats my focus. Metallic Minerals Appoints Dr. M. Stephen Enders to its Board of Directors March 14, 2024 - Vancouver, BC - Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX.V: MMG; OTCQB: MMNGF) ("Metallic Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Dr. M. Stephen Enders has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors. Steve brings over 47 years of experience in mineral exploration and mining, working on some of the world's most significant copper and gold deposits. Steve is a major addition to the Metallic team and the Company looks forward to his invaluable contributions to the advancement of the La Plata copper-silver-gold-PGE and Keno Silver projects. Steve's distinguished career includes former positions as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Exploration for Newmont Mining Corporation, the world's largest gold company, and President of Phelps Dodge Exploration Corporation (now Freeport McMoRan), one of the world's largest copper companies. In addition, he was also a director of Copper Mountain Mining Corp. (recently acquired by HudBay Mining) and former Executive Chairman, Director, and COO of EMX Royalty Corporation. As a co-founder of Cupric Canyon Capital LLC, Steve has been part of the team that has advanced the Khoemacau copper-silver mine in Botswana from exploration into production backed by private equity investors. In addition to his achievements in industry, Dr. Enders has served as Department Head for Geology and Geological Engineering and for Mining Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines until 2023 and is on the Board of Governors for the CSM Foundation. Dr. Enders is an Honorary Lecturer and past President of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) as well as former President of the SEG Foundation Board of Trustees. He received the Distinguished Achievement Medal from the Colorado School of Mines in 2009, the Ben F. Dickerson Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration in 2014, and the Ralph W. Marsden Award from the Society of Economic Geologists in 2016. Dr. Enders holds a BSc degree in geological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and MSc and PhD degrees from the University of Arizona. Metallic Minerals Chairman and CEO, Greg Johnson, stated, "We are very pleased to welcome Steve to the Metallic Minerals Board of Directors. Steve's depth of technical experience in exploration and development of major copper and gold deposits and mines worldwide with companies such as Newmont and Phelps Dodge, along with his hands on entrepreneurial experience in high-growth opportunities is a terrific addition to our board's current expertise in deposit discovery and advancement, process engineering, mine building and project financing." Steve Enders stated, "I am excited by the opportunity to help Metallic Minerals advance the La Plata discovery. It is rare indeed today to find an outcropping porphyry copper deposit that has not yet been mined. The presence of high-grade copper mineralization with precious metal credits is promising for a potential underground mine that could be developed in the future with a net positive impact for all stakeholders." Grant of Long-Term Performance Incentives Metallic Minerals further announces that, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it has granted 1,875,000 stock options (each, an "Option") to certain directors, officers and employees of the Company in accordance with the Company's Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan. Each Option is exercisable into one common share in the capital of the Company ("Share") at a price of $0.30 per share, being the closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on March 13, 2024, for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Options are subject to certain vesting requirements in accordance with the shareholder approved plan. About Metallic Minerals Metallic Minerals Corp. is a Canadian exploration and development stage company, focused on copper, silver, gold, and platinum group elements in the La Plata mining district in Colorado, and silver and gold in the high-grade Keno Hill and Klondike districts of the Yukon. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources, and advancing projects toward development. At the Company's La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, the expanded 2023 NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate highlights a significant porphyry copper-silver resource containing 1.2 Blbs copper and 17.6 Moz of silver with numerous additional targets showing potential for a district scale porphyry corridor. Drill results announced in early 2023 included the longest and highest-grade interval ever encountered at La Plata and one of the top intersections for any North American copper project in the past several years. In May 2023, the Company announced a 9.5% strategic investment by Newcrest Mining Limited (acquired by Newmont Corporation in November 2023) to accelerate the advancement of the La Plata project. A 4,500-meter drill program focused on expanding the current mineral resource and testing extensions of strong porphyry-style mineralization was completed in December 2023 with results pending. In the 2023 Fraser Institute's Annual Survey of Mining Companies, Colorado ranked 5th globally for investment attractiveness and 2nd in the USA. In Canada's Yukon Territory, Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic high-grade Keno Hill silver district, directly adjacent to Hecla Mining Company's operations, with more than 300 Moz of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources1,2. The new 2024 Resource Estimate at the Company's Keno Silver Project adds 18.16 Moz silver equivalent ounces3 to the district3. Hecla, the largest primary silver producer in the USA and third largest in the world, is anticipating full production at its Keno Hill operations in 20242. The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators, including Parker Schnabel of Little Flake Mining from the Discovery Channel show Gold Rush. All of the districts in which Metallic Minerals operates have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in the region, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team has been recognized for its environmental stewardship practices and is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Website: www.mmgsilver.com Phone: 604-629-7800 Email: [email protected] Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420 Footnotes: Cathro, R. J., Great Mining Camps of Canada 1. The History and Geology of the Keno Hill Silver Camp, Yukon Territory. Geoscience Canada, Sept. 2006. ISSN 1911-4850. See Hecla Mining general presentation from September 2023, Slide 17, at www.hecla.com. Hecla IR Update September 2023 See Metallic Minerals news release dated, February 26, 2024. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals 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. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, unsuccessful operations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Metallic Minerals Corp. 14 march 2024 at 11:20 View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by: B2Gold Files Form 40-F and Supporting Documentation VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") has today filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") its SEC Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2023. This includes the Company's Annual Information Form, audited Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023. B2Gold shareholders may receive a hard copy of the Company's complete audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, free of charge, upon request. For further information, please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com/investors/financials/. In addition, B2Gold announces the filing of an updated Technical Report (the "Technical Report") for the Fekola Complex located in Mali. The Technical Report, entitled "Fekola Complex, Mali, NI 43-101 Technical Report" was prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has an effective date of December 31, 2023. The Technical Report is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and under the Company's profile on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov/EDGAR. About B2Gold B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines, a mine under construction in northern Canada and numerous development and exploration projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia and Finland. ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP. "Clive T. Johnson" President and Chief Executive Officer 14 march 2024 at 22:05 News published onand distributed by: Collective Metals Provides Review of Fourteen Mile Target Area on its Princeton Property, B.C. Highlights Results from the 2023 Phase II B-horizon soil-sampling program confirm multi-element pathfinder element geochemical anomalies at Fourteen and Fifteen Mile targets; Results confirm an approximately 5-km-long trend of scattered exposures of porphyry-style alteration, geophysical signatures, and geochemistry overlying Nicola Group volcanics; The results are spatially associated with both a very well-developed iron carbonate-silica alteration anomaly (1.33 km 2 in size) and a small diorite intrusion at the north end (the Fourteen Mile target); and Company has applied for a Mines Act permit to conduct ground-based Induced Polarization "IP" surveys in 2024 to generate drill targets on Fourteen Mile target and three other secondary targets. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the "Company" or "Collective") is pleased to provide a review of results from the Fourteen and Fifteen Mile target areas in its flagship Princeton Project in south-central B.C. (the "Project"). The Property hosts several alkalic Cu-Au porphyry targets associated with Triassic diorite intrusions analogous to those associated with the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine, which lies approximately 10 km to the east (Figure 1). Results from a soil geochemical survey completed in 2023 are interpreted to confirm the mineral potential of the Fourteen and Fifteen Mile target areas as one of five (5) promising prospects with favourable geology, geophysical signatures, and/or historic geochemistry (please see News Release dated January 8, 2024). The Trojan-Condor Corridor, which hosts significant chargeability anomalies identified in a previous Induced Polarization ("IP") survey,1 is considered a drill-ready target. The Company plans to conduct IP surveys over the other four target areas, including the Fourteen Mile target, in 2024. The Fourteen Mile and Fifteen Mile areas have been previously established as porphyry targets based on favourable geology, magnetic anomalies, mapped alteration, weak mineralization, and anomalous pathfinder geochemistry in rocks and silt samples.1, 2 The Company's 2023 soil sampling program included three grids in the area (i.e., Fourteen-, Fifteen-, and Sixteen-Mile Creek grids) each of which yielded multi-element, pathfinder element geochemical anomalies in B-Horizon soils (please see Figure 1). Rocks collected in the area (n=21) are variably enriched in pathfinder elements (e.g. arsenic, bismuth, cobalt), yielding up to 0.16 ppm Ag and 155.5 ppm Cu, with both highly elevated Ca (?15.3%) and Fe (?7.01%), consistent with interpreted iron carbonate ? silica alteration characteristic of the area.2 Chris Huggins, Chief Executive Officer of Collective, commented, "Integration of 2023 geochemical results and reprocessed geophysical data with historic geochemical and geology work on the Property has helped us identify and prioritize our current exploration targets. The well documented mineral endowment and large size of the Property provides significant opportunity for discovery. We look forward to advancing exploration on several secondary targets including the Fourteen Mile area using 3D IP in 2024, in tandem with drilling our primary Trojan-Condor target area." The Fourteen Mile area is underlain by volcanic tuffs and sediments of the Upper Triassic Nicola Group near the western margin of overlying Eocene Princeton Group volcanics.2 North of the target area, a small (<1 km2), medium- to fine-grained hornblende diorite plug is associated with very well-developed iron carbonate-silica alteration and chalcopyrite-limonite-malachite mineralization in adjacent sandstone.2 While Massey (2009) assigned the Fourteen Mile diorite intrusion to the Triassic Tulameen Ultramafic Complex, subsequent workers have suggested it is similar to the Triassic Whipsaw Stocks, interpreted to be correlated to the Copper Mountain Intrusions.1 The area is cut by a network of NE- and NW-trending faults, interpreted to influence mineralization and alteration (please see Figure 1). Figure 1 - Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen Mile Target Areas with Aeromagnetic anomalies, alteration, intrusions, 2011 high-quality sieved sediment samples and 2023 soil pathfinder anomaly geochemistry. Regionally, the southern portion of the Project area is underlain by a large, high intensity magnetic anomaly very similar to that spatially associated with, and underlying, the Copper Mountain Camp and currently producing Copper Mountain Mine (please see News Release dated May 10, 2023). The Project is interpreted to have been down dropped progressively to the west across both the Boundary and Whipsaw faults (please see News Release dated August 1, 2023). The high intensity magnetic anomaly, together with porphyry-style alteration and mineralization documented within the Trojan-Condor Corridor to the southeast (please see News Release dated January 8, 2024), in the Lamont Ridge area to the north (please see News Release dated February 13, 2024) and the Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen Mile Creek grids are interpreted to support potential for discovery of additional occurrences of porphyry-style Cu-Au mineralization. Three areas of very well-developed iron carbonate-silica alteration are mapped in the area (C-1, C-2, C-3),2 characterized by limonite with associated carbonate, saussurite and potassic alteration and localized sparse chalcopyrite-malachite mineralization.1, 2, 3 Rock samples from the C-1 anomaly (1.33 km2 in size) at the Fourteen Mile target yield very strongly anomalous molybdenum, arsenic, cadmium, uranium, mercury; strongly anomalous tin, iron, selenium; moderately anomalous silver, lead, antimony, tungsten, and weakly anomalous copper and bismuth.3 High-quality sieved sediment samples collected by the previous operator in 2011 (n=123) yielded highly anomalous copper (up to 504.5 ppm).3 B-horizon soils from 2023 did not yield highly elevated copper but did return elevated pathfinder elements from the soil grids at both Fourteen Mile and Fifteen Mile targets. These results are also spatially associated with a small diorite intrusion. Previous rock samples from the Fifteen Mile target yielded very strongly anomalous gold, arsenic; strongly anomalous copper and iron; moderately anomalous molybdenum, silver, zinc, bismuth, cadmium, cobalt, sulphur, uranium and tungsten; and weakly anomalous lead, mercury, antimony, selenium, and tellurium.3 A north-trending magnetic high corresponds generally with mapped Princeton Group cover with minor anomalies at the margins (please see Figure 1). Several small radiometric anomalies (low Th:K), inferred to represent potassic alteration, are aligned in E-W trends along the Fourteen Mile and Fifteen Mile creeks (please see Figure 1) and are spatially associated with the mapped iron carbonate-silica alteration and a weak magnetic low in Nicola Group Rocks.1 The Company has applied to conduct up to 20 km of IP surveys in the Fourteen Mile Creek target area in 2024. The most advanced target on the Property, the Trojan-Condor Corridor, is defined by a large (approximately 1.5 x 3.3 km), strong (>20 mV/V) chargeability anomaly along the corridor (please see News Release dated August 10, 2023). Kodiak Copper has used 3D IP to generate successful drill targets at their MPD Property 20 km to the northeast of the Princeton Property4. Marketing Agreement The Company also announces that it entered into an agreement on March 14, 2024 (the "Agreement") with RMK Marketing Inc. ("RMK") (address: 41 Lana Terrace, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5A 3B2; email: [email protected]) to provide marketing services for a term of 6 months, commencing March 22, 2024 (the "Term"). RMK is an independent company which will, as appropriate, provide project management and consulting for an online marketing campaign, coordinate marketing actions, maintain and optimize AdWords campaigns, adapt AdWords bidding strategies, optimize AdWords ads and create and optimize landing pages (the "Services"). The promotional activity will occur by email, Facebook, and Google. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will compensate RMK CAD $100,000, with an option to increase the advertising budget up to CAD $250,000 during the Term. The Company will not issue any securities to RMK as compensation for the Services. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, RMK (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arm's length relationship with the Company. Qualified Person This news release has been reviewed and approved by Rick Walker, P. Geo., who is acting as the Company's Qualified Person for the Project, in accordance with regulations under National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The information disclosed is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Project. References 1 ? Saleken, L.W., 2013. Compilation Assessment Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 33626a. 2 ? Massey, N.W.D., Vineham, J.M.S. and Oliver, S.L., 2009. Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Whipsaw Creek ? Eastgate ? Wolfe Creek Area, British Columbia (92H/01W; 02E; 07E; 08W), B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Open File 2009-086, 1:30,000 scale. 3 ? Zastavnikovich, S., 2012. Geochemical Rock, Sediment, and Soil Sampling Report on the Tulameen Project Mineral Property, Similkameen Mining Division, BC Geological Survey Assessment Report 33626b. 4 ? Copper Mountain Mine Life of Mine Plan and 65Kt/D Expansion Study Update NI 43-101 Report, Richard Klue, VP Technical Services, CMMC; Patrick Redmond, VP Exploration and Geoscience, CMMC; Luis Alberto Chang, VP Mining, CMMC; Berge Simonian, Director of Metallurgy, CMMC; Amaru Humala, Director of Mechanical Engineering, CMMC Scott Weston, VP Business Development and Strategy, Ausenco; August 1, 2022. About Collective Metals: Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Company's flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well-documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3. The Company's Landings Lake Lithium Project is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project, with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares. Social Media ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC. Christopher Huggins Chief Executive Officer T: 604-968-4844 E: [email protected] Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Project and its mineralization potential; statements with respect to the provision of the Services by RMK; the Company's objectives, goals or future plans with respect to the Project; the commencement of drilling or exploration programs in the future. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27792842-6b58-4f13-9894-d2fefa0ed63d 15 march 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Bilt Rewards Announces Strategic Partnership with Alaska Airlines Bilt Rewards, the nation's leading loyalty program that rewards consumers on rent and neighborhood spend, is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with Alaska Airlines. This collaboration marks an expansion of Bilt's rewards ecosystem, allowing members to earn points on rent payments and neighborhood spend, including restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores, and then transfer these points on a 1:1 basis into Alaska miles, redeemable for flights on Alaska Airlines and its extensive network of oneworld partners. The two companies announced they will also be launching an unprecedented offer later this year exclusively for Alaska Airlines cardholders. When using an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card to pay rent through Bilt, cardholders will earn triple Alaska miles?3 miles for every dollar spent on rent, up to $50,000 annually. This innovative offering is the first of its kind in the airline loyalty world, designed specifically to reward Alaska's loyal cardholders on their largest monthly expenditure. Bilt Rewards CEO, Ankur Jain, commented on the partnership, stating, "From the Northwestern tip of Alaska to the most southeastern point of Florida, at Bilt we want to continuously reward our members no matter where they live in the United States. "As one of the most loved brands in aviation, this first-of-its-kind partnership with Alaska Airlines not only broadens Bilts members' ability to travel everywhere Alaska and its partners fly but also exemplifies our commitment to providing Americans with more valuable ways to earn and redeem rewards on their largest monthly expense, rent, and within their local neighborhood." "This innovative new partnership with Bilt will enable our guests who rent to get even more value from their Alaska Visa Signature card and builds upon our industry-leading loyalty offering," said Brett Catlin, vice president, loyalty, alliances and sales. "Our guests can use their miles for travel on Alaska and our oneworld and additional Global Partners to 1,000+ destinations across the world." This partnership represents a significant step forward in loyalty rewards, offering unparalleled value and opportunities for members of both Bilt Rewards and Alaska Airlines. For further information regarding the unique benefits and features of this collaboration visit https://www.biltrewards.com/p/alaska For more information on Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan, visit AlaskaAir.com. About Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Bahamas and Guatemala. We strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program. As a member of the oneworld alliance, and with our additional global partners, our guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 30 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group. About Bilt Rewards Bilt Rewards is the first program for consumers to earn rewards on rent and daily neighborhood spend while creating a path to homeownership. Through a partnership with the country's largest owners including Greystar, Asset Living, AvalonBay, Equity Residential, Related Companies, GID, Starwood, Cushman & Wakefield, Bozzuto, Camden, Brookfield, Berkshire Residential, ZRS, Highmark, Beztak, Trammell Crow, PGIM and more. Bilt Rewards enables renters in more than three million units across the country to earn Bilt Points just by paying rent, while these owners benefit from resident loyalty, cost savings and a share of revenue. Bilt Rewards boasts one of the highest value rewards programs on the market today, including one-to-one point transfers to 12 loyalty programs allowing members to travel across over 100 major airlines and hotel partners. Members can also book travel through the Bilt Travel Portal powered by Expedia; book fitness classes at the country's top boutique studios including SoulCycle, Solidcore, Rumble and Y7; shop limited-edition and exclusive collections of art and home decor through the Bilt Collection; shop on Amazon.com; or redeem Bilt Points for credits towards rent or even towards a down payment on a future home. For more information on Bilt Rewards, visit BiltRewards.com. The Alaska Airlines credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. 15 march 2024 at 10:10 News published onand distributed by: Keeping Canadians safe and tracking severe weather: Government of Canada completes 33 state-of-the-art radar modernization projects across Canada KING CITY, ON, March 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Weather services, such as weather and environmental prediction, are more important than ever in preparing for, and responding to, increasingly severe weather as a result of climate change. A robust and modern weather service is critical to protecting the health, safety, and property of Canadians. That is why, since 2016, Canada has invested $180.4 million to install 32 state-of-the-art weather radars, and one training radar, across Canada. Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada hosted a media tour of the new weather radar in King City, Ontario, to mark the completion of this eight-year project. This state-of-the-art and sustainable network is improving the department's ability to track severe weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, at an extended range, and to issue earlier severe weather warnings. Weather radars are the primary tool used by our meteorologists to issue more precise and timely severe weather warnings. The coverage area of the new radars increased from just over one million square kilometres to over four million square kilometres, ensuring that 99 percent of Canadians live within 330 kilometres of a Canadian radar. The installation of these radars represents a significant advancement in weather forecasting technology. For example, the station in King, Ontario will give forecasters a greater ability to predict severe weather in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada's most populated urban centre. These radars provide an increase in frequency of data, with updates available every six minutes, instead of the previous 10-minute cycle. Weather information from these new radars will be used in almost every sector of the economy, including construction, health sciences, environmental management, agriculture, and transportation. The completion of the radar modernization project aligns with Canada's National Adaptation Strategy?a shared vision aimed at transforming the way governments and Canadians work together to reduce risks by taking action before disaster strikes. Early action to prepare for, and adapt to, the changing climate can build communities and economies that are able to thrive for generations to come. Quotes "With the changing climate, it is essential to provide our meteorologists with the technology needed to issue the fastest and most accurate weather forecasts. This reliable, modern network of weather radars will give Canadians more lead time to take appropriate actions to protect themselves, their family, and their property from the effects of severe weather." ? The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change "A modern and reliable weather-forecasting system is essential to support our country's growing population. Projects such as this one not only strengthen our weather-prediction infrastructure and allow Canadians to be better prepared for weather events, but also create good jobs across the country. The Government of Canada saw this project through by working in an open, fair, and transparent manner that speaks to the benefits of our procurement process, and that also represents the best value for all Canadians." ? The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement "In the face of increasingly frequent severe weather and climate extremes, Canadians are experiencing the impacts of climate change firsthand. Timely and accurate weather services are more important than ever in our preparedness and adaptation efforts. Investing in radars that are resilient and contemporary is not just a necessity, it's a cornerstone in keeping Canadians safe." ? Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change "We have all experienced the wild, unpredictable, and extreme weather that is hitting our communities with increasing frequency and ferocity in this time of climate change. Having a state-of-the-art weather station right here in King City will give greater reassurance to weather watchers all across the Greater Toronto Area, just as these new stations will help keep Canadians safer from coast to coast to coast." ? Leah Taylor Roy, Member of Parliament for Aurora?Oak Ridges?Richmond Hill "Climate Proof Canada applauds the federal government for investing in this tangible action toward the National Adaptation Strategy. With another record-breaking year of climate-related disasters looming, a better warning system for when and where these events will occur is critical to building climate-resilient communities. In 2023, an unprecedented number of individuals, households, and communities were displaced and faced barriers to recovery, including returning home, and lasting financial and mental health impacts. With advanced detection of severe weather, residents will be more able to prepare for severe weather, protect their homes, evacuate quickly if needed, and prioritize their safety." ? Jason Clark, Chair, Climate Proof Canada "As natural disasters occur more frequently and severely, Canada is becoming a riskier place to live, work, and insure. Severe weather events in 2023 caused $3.1 billion in insured damage in communities across the country, recording one of the highest annual totals in the previous four decades. The Insurance Bureau of Canada is pleased to see this investment in upgrading our weather forecasting technology across the country. The increase in climate-related disasters should concern us all, even if we have yet to be directly affected. Governments, the insurance industry, and all Canadians have a responsibility to adapt." ? Craig Stewart, Vice-President, Climate Change and Federal Issues, Insurance Bureau of Canada Quick facts In addition to replacing 31 aging radars, a new radar in the Lower Athabasca region of Alberta was added to the network. This has expanded the network to 32 weather radars across the country. was added to the network. This has expanded the network to 32 weather radars across the country. A training radar was also added near Egbert, Ontario . The training radar is used to train radar technologists and engineers. It is also used by Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists to test new hardware and software prior to their deployment to the other radars. . The training radar is used to train radar technologists and engineers. It is also used by Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists to test new hardware and software prior to their deployment to the other radars. The conventional radar range of the new radars has been extended from 250 kilometres to 330 kilometres. Weather radars are a key element in forecasting short-term severe weather, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, heavy rain, and ice storms. The first radar was installed in Radisson, Saskatchewan , in the fall of 2017. The final radar was installed on Halfmoon Peak, British Columbia , in the summer of 2023. , in the fall of 2017. The final radar was installed on Halfmoon Peak, , in the summer of 2023. Environment and Climate Change Canada continually works to optimize its weather and climate monitoring networks to ensure Canadians are provided with accurate and timely information to enable informed decision making. The Government of Canada released its first National Adaptation Strategy on June 27, 2023 , in Vancouver, British Columbia . Related products Associated links Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada 15 march 2024 at 11:09 News published onand distributed by: Cross-Laminated Timber Industry to Gain New Manufacturing Facility in Oregon's Mid-Willamette Valley Mass timber construction growth sparks supply chain expansion: Timberlab and Swinerton respond by adding manufacturing capabilities to its portfolio. PORTLAND, Ore., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Timberlab Inc. (Timberlab), a subsidiary of Swinerton Incorporated (Swinerton) and leading national provider of holistic mass timber systems, unveils its plans to construct and operate a state-of-the-art cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing facility in Oregon's mid-Willamette region. This strategic initiative represents a significant milestone in the firm's mission to accelerate the mainstream adoption of mass timber construction across the United States, providing a low-carbon and renewable material for the construction industry. "Timberlab's objective has been to remove pinch points in the mass timber industry so that timber structures are affordable and widely usable in the U.S. construction market," states Timberlab President Chris Evans. "Over the last four years, we have added two CNC facilities in Portland, OR, and Greenville, SC, focused on expanding the supply chain for mass timber. The increase in mass timber demand, coupled with our successes over the last seven years, is driving us to continue to expand the supply chain by adding our new CLT manufacturing facility in Oregon." Supported by an investment from Swinerton, plans for the 250,000-square-foot CLT manufacturing facility is poised to support the growing demand for sustainable construction alternatives nationwide. With an anticipated annual output of 100,000 cubic meters of finished CLT products, the facility will integrate automated processes and is expected to create 100 manufacturing jobs at full capacity ? becoming one of the largest facilities in the U.S. This endeavor and its employment opportunities will contribute to the region's economic development while fostering a skilled workforce dedicated to advancing sustainable construction practices. The mid-Willamette Valley is the heart of the Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2023. Timberlab has ongoing collaboration with leading academic research programs at Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, and the Tall Wood Design Institute. Building this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near these resources will drive innovation and position Timberlab, Swinerton, and the State of Oregon as catalysts in mass timber construction. Swinerton, initially through another subsidiary, Swinerton Builders, has been a pioneer in mass timber construction since 2014 and has continuously pushed industry boundaries through advancements in structural design, engineering, and material procurement. In 2020, the firm's dedication to sustainability and innovation led to the opening of its first mass timber fabrication facility in Portland, OR, and the formal launch of Timberlab in 2021. As mass timber construction continued to grow across the U.S. in 2023, Timberlab expanded its operations by opening an East Coast mass timber fabrication facility in Greenville, SC. The progression into manufacturing aligns seamlessly with both firms' strategic visions and missions. "As early adopters of mass timber construction, we swiftly recognized the importance of managing the entire supply chain to ensure timely delivery, exceptional quality, and competitive pricing for our clients. Our new CLT manufacturing facility and two existing fabrication facilities bring us significantly closer to our vision," says Swinerton Chief Executive Officer David Callis. "These facilities and our turnkey in-house design, procurement, and detailing services have positioned Timberlab, Swinerton, and the industry to make significant strides toward a sustainable built environment. I am thrilled about what this move means for sustainable construction in the U.S." About Timberlab In 2021, Swinerton launched Timberlab, a holistic provider of mass timber systems with in-house timber engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation services for construction projects across the United States. Its mission is to accelerate the mainstream adoption of mass timber in the U.S. commercial construction market to benefit the planet and its people. Timberlab is headquartered in Portland, OR, with a Greenville, SC facility serving East Coast markets. For more information, visit Timberlab.com. About Swinerton Swinerton is a 100% employee-owned company recognized nationally since 1888, comprised of Swinerton Builders, Timberlab, Inc., SAK Builders, Inc., MD Builders, Inc., Swinerton Energy, Inc., and Lindgren Development Inc. Swinerton Builders provides commercial construction, construction management, design-build, and self-perform services throughout the United States. Timberlab is a holistic provider of mass timber systems with in-house timber engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation services for construction projects. SAK Builders offers Division 3 concrete services in the Pacific Northwest. MD Builders provides full-service preconstruction, general contracting, and trade subcontracting in Northern California. Swinerton Energy is a leader in premier Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services, specializing in projects from clean energy generation to industrial process facilities. Lindgren Development is the real estate and project development and financing arm of Swinerton. For more information, visit: https://swinerton.com/ SOURCE Timberlab 15 march 2024 at 11:30 News published onand distributed by: Nunatsiavut Government and Government of Canada take major step forward toward establishing Inuit Protected Area along the northern coast of Labrador Once established, the new protected area will conserve more than 16,700 square kilometres of the Labrador Shelf Marine Region GATINEAU, QC, March 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that recognizes and honours the historic and contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples, their histories, and cultures, as well as the special relationships Indigenous peoples have with ancestral lands, waters, and ice. Today, Johannes Lampe, President of Nunatsiavut, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the successful completion of a feasibility assessment that deemed the establishment of a new Inuit Protected Area in northern Labrador as both feasible and desired. The proposed 16,791 square kilometre Inuit Protected Area is located in the Labrador Sea, in the coastal waters adjacent to Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador. The area is home to polar bears, whales and dolphins, seals, breeding and migrating seabirds, waterfowl, and a variety of fish species. If established, it will conserve a portion of the Labrador Shelf Marine Region and protect the fjords that extend into Torngat Mountains National Park. Building on this major step forward and supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada as the federal authority on fisheries, the Nunatsiavut Government, Makivvik Corporation, stakeholders, and Parks Canada will continue to work toward finalizing and signing a Memorandum of Understanding to begin working on the negotiation phase on the establishment of a new Inuit Protected Area. Focus during this stage will be placed on key items, including a final boundary, a co-management structure, and ongoing consultations with rights holders, partners, stakeholders, industry, and communities. In addition to conserving biodiversity, protecting these marine ecosystems in northern Labrador will contribute to the vitality of Inuit culture and traditions and the well-being of Labrador and Nunavik Inuit who have been stewards of this region since time immemorial. Inuit have extensive knowledge of the land, water and sea ice in this area and are sustained, to this day, by its wildlife. Inuit knowledge, coupled with western science, has been used as the foundation during the feasibility assessment and will continue to play a key role in the establishment of the Inuit Protected Area. Today's announcement underlines the Government of Canada's commitment to advancing reconciliation and the implementation of rights and treaty obligations through a renewed nation-to-nation and government-to-government relationship with Indigenous peoples. It also highlights the shared interest of the Nunatsiavut Government, Makivvik Corporation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada to protect the ecological and cultural integrity of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of northern Labrador. Once established, the new Inuit Protected Area could contribute 0.29 per cent, an area approximately three times the size of Prince Edward Island, to the Government of Canada's commitment to protecting biodiversity and conserving 30 per cent of marine and coastal areas by 2030. Quotes "This announcement today is an important one, not only in the protection of our homeland, but for the preservation of our culture, traditions, and Inuit identity. We have worked hard to reach this milestone and will continue to do so as we finalize the Memorandum of Understanding that will see the establishment of this Inuit Protected Area. We are glad to see this achievement become a reality today, and proud to take steps forward in ensuring our true Labrador Inuit way of life is maintained for future generations." Johannes Lampe President of Nunatsiavut "Today marks an important achievement and a great step forward in the protection and stewardship of Nunatsiavut waters and the Labrador Shelf Marine Region. The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada, will continue to work in close collaboration with the Nunatsiavut Government, Makivvik Corporation, stakeholders, and Nunatsiavut Inuit toward establishing an Inuit Protected Area in these rich and unique waters that will help protect the many species that use them, while ensuring that Inuit culture and traditions persist for many generations." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada "We recognize the importance and significance of this area in northern Labrador. Establishing a future national marine conservation area here will safeguard many species and help to perpetuate Inuit culture and way of life for generations to come. The successful completion of this feasibility assessment is an important milestone and example of the progress we continue to make in our shared goal of protecting the oceans in Canada." The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard "Today's announcement is great news. Working to protect the vast ecosystems of the Labrador Shelf Marine Region while promoting Inuit leadership and culture is a win for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canadians, and the environment. I look forward to the ongoing collaboration of our two governments as we strive together to negotiate the establishment of an Inuit Protected Area in Nunatsiavut waters off the coast of northern Labrador." Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and to the Minister of National Defence (Northern Defence), and Member of Parliament for Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador Quick Facts The feasibility assessment and associated process contribute directly to the Nunatsiavut Government's Imappivut (Our Oceans) Marine Planning Initiative and work toward achieving the goals outlined in the Statement of Intent for Imappivut. Feedback gathered through engagement sessions and consultations with Inuit and local communities and key stakeholders, along with careful consideration of the social, environmental, and economic benefits and impacts of establishing an Inuit Protected Area recognized under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Ac t played an integral role in the feasibility assessment. t played an integral role in the feasibility assessment. Pursuant to the recommendation to move forward with an Inuit Protected Area, negotiations will begin on an Impact and Benefit Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Labrador Inuit Land Claim agreement. Northern Labrador is home to the cold offshore Labrador Current, which is famous for carrying a steady stream of icebergs to lower latitudes and mixing with the Gulf Current off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland . is home to the cold offshore Labrador Current, which is famous for carrying a steady stream of icebergs to lower latitudes and mixing with the Gulf Current off the Grand Banks of . Since time immemorial, Nunatsiavut and Nunavik Inuit have occupied and used the lands, waters, and sea ice of this vast Inuit homeland and travel route. The area includes a transition between Arctic and Atlantic habitats ranging from highly scenic fjords to long beaches and mudflats. The area supports a diversity of wildlife, including marine mammal and fish species and important concentrations of breeding and migrating seabirds and waterfowl. Coastal and marine areas are the source of Inuit cultural, social, spiritual, ecological, and economic well-being. Related Documents Related Links SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ) 15 march 2024 at 13:00 News published onand distributed by: Devotees of TikTok monitor voting at the Capitol in Washington, as the House passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app if its China-based owner doesn't sell, on March 13, 2024. J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP The seamless and addictive experience of scrolling through endless videos has been the cornerstone of TikTok's success, making it the world's most downloaded app between 2020 and 2022. Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, shared this vision with his employees as early as 2015 during a corporate seminar. After the Lunar New Year break, he invited several dozen employees to the island of Okinawa, Japan. That is when, in a traditional restaurant in Naha, the tech entrepreneur (a reserved man with a geeky demeanor) elaborated on his vision. The Chinese were already widely equipped with smartphones and moving away from their PCs, and mobile internet speeds were starting to meet the demand. Zhang wanted to revolutionize the way information was accessed with a paradigm under which it was no longer necessary to click and search because the new applications could automatically suggest content tailored to the customers' tastes. Read more Subscribers only Will TikTok be banned in the US? The Senate will decide ByteDance developers would have to work on an application that constantly presented users with new videos. While not the only company moving in this direction, ByteDance had the advantage of having enjoyed success with Jinri Toutiao, an information aggregator already equipped with a powerful algorithm capable of learning from customer choices to improve recommendations. "The app model based on an artificial intelligence algorithm [AI] based 100% on user interests really emerged in China," said Guo Yu, who at the time was one of the chief engineers at the ByteDance start-up. The app, launched at the end of 2016 and named Douyin ("move to music" in Chinese), and particularly its version outside China launched in 2017, TikTok, have found themselves at the center of political attention in the United States. On Wednesday, March 13, in Washington, members of the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of a law that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity or be banned in the US. The bill still needs to go through the Senate, which is currently less convinced, but it represents a warning for Chinese companies at a time when America and Europe are questioning the risks of their exposure to China. Three of the four most downloaded free applications on Android phones in the US are currently Chinese: Temu, TikTok and Shein, just behind WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta. Tough working environment Their success demonstrates that the liberal atmosphere of California is not the only one from which innovation can emerge. Employees of the new Chinese tech champions describe a tough but determined work environment, yielding impressive results. Guo Yu, who stayed at ByteDance from 2014 to 2020, recalled living at an even more demanding pace than the "9-9-6" often mentioned in the Chinese tech industry start at 9 am, finish at 9 pm, six days a week. "We actually started around 10 am, but we always ended late into the night, around 1 or 2 am, even on Saturdays," he said. "It's very different from Silicon Valley, but it proved crucial for designing TikTok." You have 53.75% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. Multi-millionaire entrepreneur Dick Smith is urging young Aussies to pick up a trade instead of going to university, as a tradie reveals shes earned more than her tertiary-educated friends since leaving school. Smith, who is worth an estimated $60 million, argued people should be learning something practical rather than spending years learning theory at university, only for their degree to often be wasted. Melbourne woman Ashley Belteky decided to do an apprenticeship after finishing Grade 12 and told Yahoo Finance some of her friends thought she had wasted her 95 ATAR result and potential. Tradie Ashley Belteky says doing an apprenticeship has left her better off financially, as Dick Smith encourages young Aussies to pick up a trade. (Source: Supplied/AAP) Do you regret your university degree? Or are you a tradie with a story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com While her parents were supportive of her decision, she said other people in her life expressed that university was the better choice and could offer better pay, job security and opportunities. ADVERTISEMENT Theres very much this idea that university is the better option than a VET pathway, the qualified diesel mechanic said. RELATED I think thats because that was the solution given to our parents, even just a few generations ago, to set yourself up to be secure and successful. Smith agreed. I think there's a greater chance for a person who's trade qualified to open their own business and employ their own people, than someone with an arts degree, the businessman told Daily Mail Australia. Tradies better off financially Belteky initially earned $12 an hour as an apprentice but said the low wages ultimately paid off for her. Youre much better off financially for doing four years in an apprenticeship than four years at a university, Belteky said. Ive been earning more than all of my peers who went to university pretty much since I left school. Even now, where theyve got degrees and Im qualified, Ive had a greater earning potential. Story continues Get the latest Yahoo Finance news - follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. While her parents were supportive, Belteky said other people and friends didn't understand her decision to do an apprenticeship. (Source: Supplied) According to SEEK, the average annual salary for trade jobs in Australia ranges from $75,000 to $95,000. However, there are more opportunities to earn money through overtime as well as getting into FIFO work. Belteky, for example, was earning $140,000 in mining freshly after she qualified. Plus, unlike university degrees where graduates are left with an average HECS debt of $24,770, many trades offer fee-free apprenticeships, while also providing an income. A survey by Australian Industry Group found tradies earned 16 per cent more money at 25 years old than their tertiary-educated counterparts. However, it also found tradies were working an extra seven hours a week, on average, than their peers. Short-term pain for long-term gain Superior People Recruitment founder and director Graham Wynn believes the value of a university degree has diminished and trades are now the way to go. Unless you are an engineer or a doctor or something where you must have a particular qualification to do that job, the rest of them really have no benefit whatsoever, Wynn told Yahoo Finance. Wynn noted Australia was facing a shortage of tradespeople and that it was going to get worse, with Infrastructure Australia forecasting a deficit of 131,000 full-time workers this year. Graham Wynn believes trades are "the way to go", particularly given shortages. (Source: Superior People Recruitment) Yes, its low [pay] to start with but most people who do a trade, within a few years, are paid very, very well or they go and start their own businesses and are paid even better, Wynn said. Its short-term pain for long-term gain whereas other people doing these qualifications, like business or marketing degrees, have no value because companies want experience these days in those sorts of jobs. Belteky encouraged young people to consider trades as an option and to be curious about different pathways if it suited them. Regardless of whether young people are going to university or follow VET pathways, the real factor in their success is whether they are pursuing something that they actually care about, she said. Migrants are pictured on a metal boat as Tunisian coast guards try to stop them at sea during their attempt to cross to Italy, off Sfax, Tunisia April 27, 2023. JIHED ABIDELLAOUI / REUTERS Tunisian authorities rescued 34 migrants and found two dead bodies off the North African country's southeastern coast on Friday, March 15, said the National Guard in a statement. Another 34 people are believed to be missing after survivors told them that there were 70 on board before their vessel capsized. "The floating units of the National Guard in Zarzis (southeastern Tunisia) were able to intercept a crossing attempt of the maritime border, rescuing 34 passengers of different nationalities and recovering two bodies," read the statement. Survivors told authorities they had set sail from "a neighboring country" before their boat capsized. Tunisia and Libya are the main North African departure points for thousands of irregular migrants, who risk their lives every year in the hopes of having better lives in Europe. The Italian coastguard said on Thursday that it had rescued about 750 refugees in two operations off southern Italy, hours after at least five people died and 33 went missing in an attempted sea crossing from Tunisia. Houssem Jebabli, a Tunisian National Guard official, said the coastguard had stopped 56 boats heading for Italy in two days and detained more than 3,000 refugees, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa. The International Organization for Migration said 2,498 people died or went missing while trying to cross the central Mediterranean last year a 75 percent increase from 2022. At least 12,000 refugees who have reached Italy this year set sail from Tunisia, compared with 1,300 in the same period of 2022. Previously, Libya was the main launch pad for refugees from the region. Read more Subscribers only The story of 7-year-old Rola Al Mayali, who drowned while her family was trying to cross to England Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attends the "This is Europe" debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on March 13, 2024. FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP Finland's government on Friday, March 15, said that it wanted to adopt a temporary law to curb "instrumentalized migration," following a spike in migrant crossings that Helsinki labeled a Russian hybrid attack. A draft of the legislation, which would enable the government "to restrict the reception of applications for international protection in a limited area on Finland's national border and in its immediate vicinity," was sent out for comments on Friday, the government said in a statement. "We have identified that our authorities need tools to control the land border," Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters. The deadline to submit comments on the legislation was set for March 25 and the government said it wanted the proposed bill "to enter into force as soon as possible." "The act could only be applied in situations where it is essential to combat efforts to exert influence on Finland in a way that seriously endangers our sovereignty or national security. The decision could be made proactively and for a maximum of one month at a time," the government said. Read more Subscribers only Finland elects pro-NATO Alexander Stubb as president Finland's relations with its eastern neighbor soured after Russia invaded Ukraine. Moscow warned of "countermeasures" after Finland joined the Western defense alliance NATO in April, reversing its decades-long policy of military non-alignment. In November, Finland initially closed four of its eight border crossings with Russia, before shutting the rest by the end of the month. Although Helsinki then partially eased the closure, on December 14 it once again decided to close the entire border. Some 1,300 asylum seekers arrived in Finland via the eastern border in November, December and January, according to official statistics. Helsinki says the surge in asylum seekers was orchestrated by Russia, with which it shares a 1,340-kilometer border. "We have to be prepared that the situation may worsen as spring arrives," Orpo told reporters. According to the Finnish government, the new legislation would be temporary and would "only apply to serious incidents of instrumentalized migration," while allowing Finland to keep its border open to other traffic. Read more Subscribers only Finnish protesters rally against attacks on the social model and the right to strike German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk give a press statement in Berlin, Germany March 15, 2024. ANNEGRET HILSE / REUTERS Germany, France and Poland vowed Friday, March 15, to procure more weapons for Kyiv and step up production of military equipment along with partners in Ukraine, promising that the country can rely on the trio of European powers as it tries to overcome a shortage of military resources. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for a hastily arranged summit of the so-called "Weimar Triangle" of the three countries. The meeting came as Russia votes in an election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin's rule. Scholz said he discussed what support is needed now with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. "He knows that he can rely on us, and we are renewing this signal for support for Kyiv from here today," he said after the meeting. "But a crystal-clear signal also goes to Moscow the Russian president should know that we won't let up in our support for Ukraine." The German leader said that "starting immediately, we will procure even more weapons for Ukraine, on the overall world market." Read more Subscribers only Macron repeats 'nothing excluded' on Ukraine, rebuts accusations of electoral opportunism "Secondly, the production of military equipment will be expanded, including through cooperation with partners in Ukraine," Scholz added. And he said that a new "coalition for long-range rocket artillery" will be set up, underlining a pledge made at a conference in Paris last month. No details Scholz gave no details, and the three leaders took no questions. Macron reaffirmed France's support for a Czech-initiated plan to buy ammunition and shells outside the European Union, but also gave no details. "We want to spend our money, we want to help in every possible way (...) here and now, so that the situation of Ukraine in the coming weeks and months gets better, not worse," Tusk said. "This is a serious moment," Macron said. "A new era is dawning, and we'll be there. And the fact that the three of us are united on this day, determined with the same lucidity about the situation in Ukraine and determined never to let Russia win and to support the Ukrainian people to the end, is a strength for us, our peoples, our security and our Europe." Kyiv's forces are hoping for more military supplies from Ukraine's Western partners, but in the meantime, they are struggling against a bigger and better-provisioned Russian army that is pressing hard at some front-line points in Ukraine. The European Union's plans to produce 1 million artillery rounds for Ukraine have fallen well short, while aid for Ukraine is being held up in the United States by political differences. Differences between Scholz and Macron Germany, France and Poland are among Ukraine's key allies. Germany has become Ukraine's second-biggest supplier of military aid after the United States and is stepping up support this year, although Scholz has faced criticism for refusing to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles. Read more Subscribers only War in Ukraine: Germany's ruling coalition splits over sending Taurus missiles to Kyiv The leaders' remarks didn't address differences between Scholz and Macron after the French leader said at last month's conference that sending in Western ground troops should not be ruled out in the future. Scholz said then that participants had agreed there will be "no ground troops" on Ukrainian soil sent by European countries. On Thursday, Macron reiterated his position though he said the current situation doesn't require sending ground troops. Scholz's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, made clear Friday that the chancellor hasn't changed his views. Read more Subscribers only On Ukraine, France and Germany can't agree to speak with one voice In Brussels, the EU's executive branch on Friday allocated 500 million ($545 million) to a project to reduce bottlenecks slowing the production of explosives and other materials used to manufacture artillery shells for the bloc and its allies. The European Commission estimates that the plan will allow industry to produce 1.7 million shells annually by the end of the year, and 2 million by late 2025. DAILY protests have taken place in Adare over plans to build a wind farm near Coolcappa. It comes as the company behind the plans vows to press ahead with the project, with a spokesperson saying a planning application is due in the coming months. A six-turbine wind farm with an overall height of 158 metres is what is proposed close to Coolcappa. But in response to the plans, a local community action group has been formed, and they are holding demonstrations in protest near the offices of developer Ballynisky Green Energy in Adare. The community action groups co-secretary Brenda Dowling has said the aim is to build public awareness and support. Theyve argued the turbines will be located within 800 metres of 15 homes and one kilometre of 50 houses in total. The group has identified a number of issues with what is proposed, including the effect on public health locally, noise and vibrations and shadow flicker. This occurs when the sun is low enough in the sky - in the evenings or mornings - that wind turbines pass over it causing a brief shadow over landscapes and buildings every few seconds. For its part, Ballynisky Green Energy has said the turbines are designed with technology that prevents shadow flicker. Ms Dowling says the development is being proposed based on wind energy guidelines published 20 years ago, and not updated by government in the time since. The government has been sitting on the revision of these guidelines for so long. Wind energy developers throughout the country are using outdated guidelines to push through developments which are unsuitable, she says. READ MORE: UL project looks to improve care for intellectually disabled The group have raised concerns over the devaluation of their properties, and the impact on parts of Coolcappa, including the national school and local GAA club. Ballynisky Green Energy say they remain open to talks with the Coolcappa Community Action Group. The project will fully comply with national regulations on noise and once operational, a comprehensive noise monitoring regime will be undertaken to ensure the proposed development complies with regulations, they added. The firm also said it will create a 150,000-per-year community benefit fund. THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK has been awarded 1.7m in funding for more than 1,900 subsidised places on micro-credential courses. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD announced funding of 9.7m to subsidise fees for 13,879 learners across 654 micro-credential courses. UL has been awarded funding worth 1.7m to subsidise up to 80% of selected course fees for micro-credential courses and one-year professional diplomas. These are aimed at expanding educational opportunities for part-time learners and bridging much-needed national skills deficits. UL has been awarded 1,965 places which is approximately 14% of the total places on offer nationally. Micro-credential courses, designed to meet the evolving needs of learners, enterprises, and society, offer small, accredited programs awarding between one and 30 ECTS and provide awards at Levels 6-9 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The inherent flexibility of micro-credentials allows learners to access education in small, manageable units, accommodating their life and work commitments. Welcoming the announcement, UL president professor Kerstin Mey said: This significant investment underscores ULs dedication to fostering accessibility and flexibility in third-level education while catering to the evolving needs of professional learners. The University has delivered consistently on its strategic targets to offer flexible learning routes for Irelands workforce, and we welcome this very considerable investment by the government and the Minister of funding to subsidise courses for learners, Ms May added. According to Ms May, these bite-sized, accredited, enterprise-powered qualifications allow learners to gather skills and competencies in a flexible, fast and affordable way and are an important part of the offering we have at UL. The cultivation of micro-credentials aids life-long learning journeys and allows the further acquisition of knowledge, skills and experiences and addresses skills in key areas, she added. Minister Simon Harris said that as part of the Year of Skills, they have been encouraging everyone to learn a new skill so they can evolve in line with how the world of work is changing. While traditional degree programs are essential, they may not always be the right option to equip individuals with the targeted, up-to-date skills required in the modern workplace. Micro-credentials bridge this gap, offering a flexible and accessible solution to empower individuals in excelling in their chosen fields, Minister Harris said. These subsidies are a fantastic opportunity for individuals to access micro-credential courses at reduced rates, providing flexible learning and upskilling opportunities for learners and enterprises alike, he added. According to the Minister, some courses also will offer stackability, encouraging learners to return and build upon their skills for further qualifications. Its also important to note that that these courses cover critical areas such as new and emerging technologies, construction and Climate/Sustainability and Energy, and align with the priorities outlined as part of Housing for All and the Governments Climate Action Plan, he added. Professional Education Manager Ger Carroll said: UL has a strong reputation for delivering skills focused learning that can be applied directly in enterprise. This funding announcement provides more access for learners and enterprise to engage in flexible postgraduate education. You can work, and study at the same time. And now you will be financially supported to do so. The places on offer at UL will be available across a diverse array of 112 short, part-time courses including ICT, Data, AI, Sustainability Supply Chain and Tax, Health and Nursing. UL is one of seven universities working to deliver short, stackable learning as part of the national MicroCreds Project, and similarly, the UL@Work project has delivered over 20, one-year, part-time Professional Diplomas, which can be combined or stacked to achieve a new flexible Masters called the Master of Professional Practice. These initiatives have been accelerated through ULs engagement with the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) to date. The 50% 80% learner fee subsidy is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of micro-credential learning and encourage participation in the courses, while offering courses at a reduced fee rate. The goal is to directly increase Irelands lifelong learning participation rates. FULL capacity protocol (FCP) was enacted at University Hospital Limerick every day of 2023, according to the chief operations officer for UL Hospitals Group. In 2019, FCP was enacted for 249 days, in 2020, it was enacted 219 days, in 2021 it was 260 days, and in 2022 it was enacted for 227 days. According to chief operations officer of UL Hospitals Group, Noreen Spillane, such policies are adopted to better manage risk associated with variation in demand and/or available resources, to ensure safe care can continue to be delivered. The internal escalation framework for the Emergency Department at UHL flows from and is compatible with the overall escalation framework for the UL Hospitals Group to better ensure an appropriate hospital-wide and group-wide response to periods of high demand, Ms Spillane said following a question from Tipperary councillor Seamus Morris. READ MORE: PICTURES: Limerick group attends national family conference The latest data, according to Ms Spillane, shows that up to February 4, presentations to the ED at UHL increased by 23% on last year and emergency admissions by 14%. This trend is more pronounced still among the over 75s with ED presentations having increased by 32% in the first three weeks of the year and emergency admissions by 28%. We continue to follow our escalation framework to maximise patient flow and create additional capacity to manage the consistently high levels of activity in the hospital. "Ongoing measures include opening surge capacity across all sites; transferring patients on trolleys to our inpatient wards; additional ward rounds by medical teams to expedite discharges or identify patients suitable for transfer to Ennis, Nenagh and St Johns Hospitals, Ms Spillane said. Nissan Motor is reportedly contemplating a potential business collaboration with Honda Motor to optimize production costs by jointly working on essential components for electric vehicles (EVs), according to three individuals familiar with the matter at Nissan, reported Reuters. As per the report, this prospective partnership with Honda holds the promise of enhancing Nissan's scalability, a critical factor for Japanese automakers amidst stiff competition from the likes of China's BYD, Tesla, and other EV manufacturers. Sources, preferring anonymity due to the confidential nature of the matter, revealed that formal discussions between Nissan and Honda have yet to commence, and the specific areas of collaboration remain undecided. Moreover, the report mentions that the concept of cooperation arose during discussions between the chief executives of both companies. In addition to key EV components, Nissan is contemplating collaboration with Honda on "kei car" productiona segment primarily catering to the domestic market, featuring compact, boxy vehicles with lower power specifications compared to standard cars. While the partnership may extend to international ventures, it could potentially impact Honda's existing collaboration with General Motors, as suggested by two sources privy to the matter. Initial reports on Nissan's pursuit of a partnership were disclosed by TV Tokyo. However, a spokesperson for Nissan declined to provide any comment, while a spokesperson for Honda stated that the company had no information to share at the moment. The report added that Honda has revealed that while a potential partnership with Nissan is among several options under consideration, there are numerous agenda items to be addressed before any new collaboration can proceed. Honda has set ambitious targets, aiming to transition to 100 percent electric and fuel cell vehicle sales by 2040. Nissan is already engaged in a collaboration with Renault focusing on EVs, primarily within the European market. Notably, the upcoming Nissan electric Micra is anticipated to share a common architecture with the new Renault Five and will be manufactured at the same facility in northern France. (With inputs from Reuters) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Appointment of Directors to the Board: Mr. Mr. Bijou Kurien, Additional (Independent) Director Mr. Kurien is a well-respected consumer leader with over 40 years of experience in building brands, businesses and creating organizations. He has been associated with marquee brands in the fast-moving consumer products, consumer durables and retail industry in India. He has also created India's largest exclusive brand retail chains. He joined Reliance Industries as the President & CEO of their ambitious Retail venture Reliance Retail. Currently, he is a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Premji Invest. He is also serving as an Independent Director on the Board of several listed and unlisted companies. Mr. Kurien has been associated with the India Retail Forum & Retailers Association of India and has significantly contributed to its development. In addition, he is the Mentor of the FICCI National Retail Committee, member of the Advisory Council of the RAI and Governing boards of various academic institutions. Mr. Nihar Niranjan Jambusaria, Additional (Independent) Director Mr. Nihar Niranjan Jambusaria is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). His illustrious career includes serving as the President and Vice President of the ICAI for the year 2021-22 and 2020-21, respectively. Mr. Jambusaria has been a senior partner at N. N. Jambusaria & Co., Chartered Accountants, since 1984. His consultancy services extend to the renowned Reliance group and various other organizations in the private and public sectors. He specializes in Direct Tax, International Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, FEMA, and Business Restructuring. Previously, Mr. Jambusaria held the position of Senior Vice President at Reliance Industries Ltd. from 2011 to 2020. Mr. Jambusaria has served as a Member of the Government Accounting Standards Advisory Board (GASAB) and the Audit Advisory Board of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Strengthening the Senior Management team: Mr. Shivalingam A. Pillai, Chief Compliance Officer A veteran in Financial Management, Regulatory Compliance, and Corporate Governance. Mr. Pillai will be the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of the Company and will lead the Compliance function of the Company including Regulatory Compliance. Mr. Pillai has over 25 years of distinguished experience with esteemed organizations such as SelFin India Financial Services Pvt. Ltd., HDFC Sales Pvt. LTD, and M&M Financial Services. Mr. Abhiram Bhattacharjee, Chief Operating Officer With extensive experience in Banking and Financial services, Mr. Bhattacharjee will oversee various functions which form an important part of the Operational Strategy for the company. Mr. Bhattacharjee, currently the Chief of Staff (COS), will now be designated as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). He has over 29 years of experience in Investment Banking, Financial Advisory, and Commercial Banking. He has worked with distinguished companies like Kotak group, Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young, and ICICI Securities. Commenting on the addition to the Board of Directors and enhancement to the senior management team, Founder of IIFL Group and Managing Director of IIFL Finance, Mr. Nirmal Jain said, "The addition of illustrious names to the Board and strategic enhancements to the senior management team underscores IIFL Finances ongoing focus to strengthen the Companys Compliance, Operations, and Business practices. By investing in top talent, IIFL Finance not only reinforces its commitment to its customers and stakeholders but also solidifies its foundation for future innovation and growth." About IIFL Finance IIFL Finance Limited (Erstwhile IIFL Holdings Limited") (Bloomberg Code: IIFL IN, NSE: IIFL, BSE: IIFL) IIFL Finance Ltd is one of the leading retail focused diversified NBFC in India, engaged in the business of loans and mortgages along with its subsidiaries - IIFL Home Finance Limited and IIFL Samasta Finance Limited. IIFL Finance, through its subsidiaries, offers a wide spectrum of products such as Home loan, Gold loan, Business loan, Microfinance, Capital Market finance and Developer & Construction finance to a vast customer base of over 8 million+ customers. IIFL Finance has widened its pan-India reach through extensive network of branches spread across the country and various digital channels. For further details, reach out to ir@iifl.com Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! SINGAPOREThe Chinese government is signaling that it wont allow a forced sale of TikTok, limiting options for the apps owners as buyers begin lining up to bid for its U.S. operations. Chinese officials have criticized the U.S. for its moves targeting the short-video-sharing app. They have also sent signals to TikToks owner, Beijing-based ByteDance, that company executives have interpreted as meaning the government would rather the app be banned in the U.S. than be sold, according to people familiar with the matter. That leaves ByteDance in a bind as TikTok faces the most serious threat yet to its existence in America, its biggest market where it has 170 million users. In Washington, the House voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill on Wednesday that requires ByteDance to sell off TikTok or face a ban, contending that collection of American user data by its owners poses a national security risk. TikTok has said it wont share the data with the Chinese government even if Beijing demands it. The bill faces a showdown in the Senate, where lawmakers have signaled a more cautious approach. President Biden has said he would sign a bill if it reached his desk. During a routine news conference on Thursday, a spokesman for Chinas Ministry of Commerce said the U.S. should stop unreasonably suppressing" TikTok, adding: The relevant party should strictly abide by Chinese laws and regulations." The comment was seen by some ByteDance executives as reinforcing Beijings message to the company that it would face regulatory hurdles if it sought to divest TikTok, the people said. Last year, China warned that a sale or divestiture of TikTok would involve exporting technology and would have to be approved by the government. Internally, ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming, who holds a significant stake in the company, hasnt indicated that he is engaging in any conversations with external buyers about divesting himself of his TikTok shares, people familiar with the matter said. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that he is putting together a consortium to try to buy TikTok. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Bobby Kotick, the former chief executive of videogame publisher Activision, has approached Zhang. Any price tag is estimated to be more than $100 billion. TikToks revenue was around $20 billion last year, but it hasnt made a profit, people familiar with the matter said. TikTok is back in the crosshairs of geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, having survived several regulatory challenges in the past. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump tried to ban the app via an executive order, but it was blocked by the courts. Since then, TikTok is struggling to implement an operation code-named Project Texas to fence in American user data. Company executives were once confident that it could reach a deal with U.S. regulators to operate in the country. But scrutiny has grown, leading its CEO to appear before Congress twice in the past year. Montana also passed a law to ban the app, a move that is being disputed by TikTok in the courts. Last year, ByteDances spending on lobbying efforts in the U.S. rose 77% to $8.74 million, according to OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan platform tracking political spending. It has turned the lobbying focus to the Senate since the legislation is expected to face a steeper path there than in the House. TikToks global success is seen in China as a rare triumph for a country that has for decades been the worlds factory floor but struggled to build its own tech brands. Policymakers in Beijing view the bill as an attempted robbery of this prized asset, and they wont stand for it," said Tom Nunlist, a Shanghai-based tech policy analyst at Trivium China, a consulting firm. TikToks aggressive push to rally U.S. users to call their House representatives to complain about the bill sparked a backlash in the U.S. but has won praise from Chinese state media and on Chinas internet. The hashtag #TikTokUsersBombardUSCongressOfficesWithCalls went viral on Chinas X-like social platform Weibo over the weekend. Some Weibo users said the U.S. attempt to force a sale amounted to theft and they wanted ByteDance to fight back harder. Just like Huawei, TikTok didnt do anything wrong," one user posted. Telecoms giant Huawei Technologies has faced years of restrictions from the U.S. over allegations it can share sensitive information with the Chinese government, which the firm denies. Other Weibo users, however, likened TikTok facing a ban in the U.S. with Western apps including Facebook and X being unavailable in China. TikTok also isnt available inside China, where ByteDance operates Douyin, a sibling app that uses a similar algorithm structure to recommend content but is subject to Communist Party censorship. If TikTok is banned in the U.S., it will pave the way for more such actions against Chinese companies on national-security grounds, Triviums Nunlist said. President Biden last month ordered the Commerce Department to open an investigation into foreign-made software in cars, citing Chinese technology as a potential national-security risk. As long as ByteDance remains firm, willing to shut down TikTok rather than give up ownership, it will create pressure on lawmakers and the Biden administration over the political risks of removing the app, Hu Xijin, the former editor in chief of the Communist Party-backed Global Times, wrote in a Sunday column published by the nationalist tabloid. China has a say in any TikTok sale because it added content-recommendation algorithms, a secret sauce of TikToks success, to an export-control list in 2020 when the Trump administration was pushing for a sale of its U.S. operations. Chinas top leaders will likely prioritize national dignity ahead of ByteDances financial interests," Gabriel Wildau, managing director of advisory firm Teneo, wrote in a note to clients Thursday. TikTok might have a stronger hand in the U.S. now that it has beefed up efforts to engage users and businesses there, which company executives and analysts say could make a ban more difficult to enact. President Bidens election campaign joined the app on Super Bowl Sunday. TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew has posted more frequently on his personal TikTok account, which has 3.8 million followers. In September, TikTok rolled out its e-commerce business, TikTok Shop, in the U.S. and has around 200,000 vendors. It also faces stronger rivals, with Instagrams Reels and YouTube Shorts providing popular alternative platforms for short videos. Rachel Liang and Grace Zhu contributed to this article. Write to Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is back in the spotlight after an incident on a LATAM Airlines flight involving one of its planes. This incident emerges amid an ongoing investigation into a door plug issue on an Alaska Airlines flight, signalling a challenging year ahead for the US aerospace giant. Mint delves deeper into the development. The LATAM Airlines flight LA800 A LATAM Airlines flight LA800, carrying 263 passengers and nine crew members, experienced a "strong movement" on 11 March while en route from Sydney to Auckland, affecting approximately 50 people on board. Upon landing in Auckland, at least 10 passengers and three cabin crew members required medical attention due to the severity of the incident. The probe into the cause of the "strong movement" is ongoing, with social media reports highlighting the severe impact on passengers, some of whom described the sensation as akin to a sudden plunge. The aircraft involved, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered as CC-BGG, is over eight years old and was delivered to the Chile-based airline in 2015. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission of New Zealand reported that the incident, occurring about 250 nautical miles from Auckland over the Tasman Sea, was due to a "technical problem" leading to the unexpected movement. Given that it involves a Chilean airline and occurred in international airspace, Chile is leading the investigation. New Zealand authorities are assisting by collecting evidence, which includes the cockpit voice and flight data recorders We are thinking of the passengers and crew from flight LA800, and we commend everyone involved in the response effort. We are in contact with our customer, and Boeing stands ready to support investigation-related activities as requested," the manufacturer has said in a statement. Ongoing scrutiny over safety concerns Moreover, this recent LATAM incident has come even as Boeing faces scrutiny regarding the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 accident involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. On 5 January, shortly after taking off from Portland for Ontario, the Alaska Airlines flight experienced an uncontrolled decompression due to a door plug malfunction, necessitating an emergency return to Portland. Several passengers required medical attention upon landing, leading to the temporary grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for additional inspections. Not only that, India's aviation regulator also directed all Indian airlines with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to conduct additional maintenance checks of all wing emergency exits. Boeing's challenges have been compounded by difficulties in providing details about the team responsible for the aircraft door's opening, closing, and removalconcerning the Alaska Airlines incidentto National Transportation Safety Board investigators With respect to documentation, if the door plug removal was undocumented there would be no documentation to share," Boeing commercial planes chief executive Stan Deal said on 6 March. Boeing's setbacks Boeing has faced several setbacks in recent years, including the two-year global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft due to two fatal accidents and multiple pauses in B787 Dreamliner deliveries for additional FAA-mandated inspections. These incidents have reignited concerns over production quality at Boeing. Red flags Further compounding these challenges, a recent communication with employees has brought to light the significant internal hurdles Boeing must overcome. On 12 March, Boeing's chief executive, Deal, shared insights into the formidable challenges confronting the aerospace giant, which delivers over 600 commercial aircraft in a year. FAA inspectors went deep into our Renton factories in January and February to audit our production and quality control. They examined (Boeing) 737 work instructions, monitored mechanics, inspected for defects, and more. The vast majority of our audit non-compliances involved not following our approved processes and procedures," Deal said. A panel of industry experts also found that Boeing's safety management system reflects global standards, but procedures are too complicated, with constant changes, he added. As Boeing embarks on implementing measures to enhance the quality of inspections both within its own operations and across its suppliers' factories, the path to regaining trust appears long and fraught with challenges, according to industry experts. When the pandemic gripped the world in early 2020, Mertz was part of the leadership team at the short-term stay and vacation property rental company. She recalls the switch to survival mode, focusing on raising capital, cutting nearly all discretionary spending and ultimately laying off 25% of staff. Mertzs record as a vice president of finance during the pandemic and her stewardship of Airbnbs December 2020 initial public offering, one of the most successful IPOs in history, set the tone for her tenure and contributed to her promotion to CFO. Mertz took the helm this month during another pivotal moment for consumer travel, as it eases off its postpandemic revenge travel" highs. Domestic leisure travel began to decelerate in 2023, according to the U.S. Travel Association, an industry group, as consumers confronted higher borrowing costs and tighter credit conditions, along with the restart of student loan repayments.Airbnb is looking to Mertz and former CFO Dave Stephensonwho was promoted to a newly created role of chief business officerto foster growth through a mix of geographic expansion, new products and investments in its people. Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky noted that both executives have faced different challenges in their roles and evolving partnership. While Stephenson led the finance team with Mertz through the pandemic and the lead up to its IPO, Mertz takes over with the company on more solid footing, but perhaps a harder challenge, said Chesky, which is to make us, to help us, reinvent the company, to become really a multi-product or multi-offering company." Geographic growth Geographic expansion, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, will be key to the companys evolution and growth, said Kevin Kopelman, a managing director and research analyst covering hotels and online travel at TD Cowen. Airbnb has good exposure, but they definitely havent been as successful in APAC as they have been in North America and Europe," Kopelman said. Theres just a big potential growth area, and they need to make sure they have the best product thats localized."Airbnbs core markets are mostly English-speaking, such as Canada and Australia, but also include parts of Europe, with strong penetration in France, for example. Theres a huge amount of opportunity if we could even bring those other markets up to the levels of usage and penetration weve seen in those core markets," said Mertz, speaking of Germany, Brazil and South Korea as examples of geographic growth areas. Were trying to take a measured approachand also learn as we go," she said of identifying new markets. On the international side, we dont need big standing armies [of employees] in country. But it is extremely helpful to have core teams in these markets who can drive a lot of the local activations and, frankly, have knowledge of what localization is required." Kopelman noted increasing competition from aggregator platforms such as Google and traditional rivals such as Booking Holdings, Expedia and its vacation rental platform Vrbo, particularly in Europe and Asia. Investment in AI Airbnb, which acquired the startup GamePlanner.AI in November, also is thinking about artificial intelligence to increase efficiencies in product development and for customer service. The AI startupco-founded by Adam Cheyer, one of the founders of Apples voice assistant Siriwill contribute to Airbnbs existing technologies that include large-language model chatbots and machine learning, she said. Its particularly relevant right now as we seek to expand what were doing in a much more scaled way than we have historically," she said, referring to AI use cases to increase efficiencies in product development. The company also is deploying LLM technology and conversational AI tools to improve customer service; using computer vision models to help understand millions of listing photos and automatically identifying things like room type, view and amenities; and using machine learning to help guests find the best listings from an inventory of more than 7.7 million homes globally. Beyond expanding geographically, Airbnb is expected to offer more services and products, such as cleaning services for hosts or localized experiences like Napa Valley wine tastings in California or tours of the Louvre museum in Paris, according to analysts. It could be anything related to the process of the customer checking in or services that can be provided during their stay," TD Cowens Kopelman said. That is something that Airbnb can certainly do very well. When it comes to new verticals, that is where its less proven, and that is going to be a bigger challenge." Write to Walden Siew at walden.siew@wsj.com A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) published the details of electoral bonds data on its website, the details revealed that the list of entities that donated funds to political parties between April 2019 and January 2024 includes a company linked to Reliance. Electoral Bonds Data LIVE updates Reporters' Collective revealed in a report that Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited, a company linked to Reliance, contributed 410 crore to political parties via electoral bonds, which has now been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Electoral bonds data released: 10 biggest revelations Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd's connection with Reliance Qwik Supply Chain has three directors Tapas Mitra, Vipun Pranlal Mehta, and Sridhar Titti and one reported key management personnel, Anushree Bhargava, according to TOFLER, a business intelligence platform for private companies in India. SBI electoral bonds data: These political parties received lion's share of funds The longest-serving director is Tapas Mitra who was appointed on November 17, 2014. Mitra has been on the company board for more than nine years. Meanwhile, he has directorships in 25 other companies, including Reliance Eros Productions LLP, Reliance Tankages Private Limited, Reliance Group Support Service Private Limited, Reliance Fire Brigade Service Private Limited, Jamnagar Kandla Pipeline Company and several others. Electoral Bonds Data: Future Gaming's 1,368 Crore donation dominates rankings TOFLER further states on its website that the current statuses of Reliance First Pvt Ltd, Reliance Oil & Petroleum Pvt Ltd, Reliance Polyester Pvt Ltd, Jamnagar Kandla Pipeline Company and Reliance Photo Films are 'amalgamated'. SBI electoral bonds data: Check list of top 10 donors as EC releases details Further, Reliance Group Support Services, incorporated on April 26, 1995, has an authorised share capital of 9.75 crore only. It offers portfolio management, mutual fund advisory, and other related services. On Linkedin, Mitra has listed himself with nearly two decades of experience, dedicated to advancing the financial operations of Reliance. Since December 2010, the profile says, Mitra has served as the Head of Accounts, overseeing various facets of financial management for the company. Based in Navi Mumbai, Mitra's responsibilities extend to leading the Accounts and Commercial functions across multiple Group companies, including subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures. Prior to this role, Mitra has held the position of Senior Manager/General Manager in the Accounts department from July 2004 to December 2010. However, a Reliance Industries spokesperson told PTI news agency, "Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd is not a subsidiary of any Reliance entity". Electoral bonds: 7 Sensex cos in the list, Coimbatore-based firm is top donor About Qwik Supply Chain donation through electoral bonds Qwik Supply Chain has contributed a sum of 410 crore to political funding according to the details published by the Election Commission. In the financial year 2021-22 alone, the company donated 360 crore to political parties. Reporters' Collective disclosed that in FY2022, Qwik Supply Chain garnered a net profit of 21.72 crore. Moving to FY2024, the company made a political donation of 50 crore, according to the EC data. As of March 31, 2023, Qwik Supply Chain's revenue exceeded 500 crore. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Election Commission of India on Thursday released the data on electoral bonds that the State Bank of India (SBI) shared with the electoral panel body on March 12. The Election Commission of India (ECI) disclosed the data on its official website, abiding with the Supreme Court's order. The data highlighted the list of entities that purchased electoral bonds to make donations to political parties. Electoral Bonds Data Live Updates Among the top two donors on the list were a lottery company called Future Gaming and Hotel Services and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL). Notably, the official website of MEIL website is not working, except the homepage. All the details about the project and the company's details remained out of reach for the public on its website. Electoral Bonds: All about Santiago Martin of Future Gaming and Hotel Services MEIL political donation MEIL, popularly known as Megha, made its first donation in April 2019 and its last one in October 2023. The company purchased bonds worth 966 crore between 2019 and 2023. Electoral bonds data released: 10 biggest revelations According to the SBI electoral bond data, three companies associated with MEIL also made significant donations to political parties. Western UP Power Transmission Company Ltd donated 220 crore via electoral bonds, SPEC Power donated 40 crore, and Evey Trans Private Ltd donated 6 crore. Cumulatively, MEIL and associated firms purchased a total of 1,200 electoral bonds. All you need to know about the second-highest buyer, MEIL: It's a Telangana-based industrial conglomerate, established in 1989 as Megha Engineering Enterprises by Pamireddy Pitchi Reddy. In 1991, Reddy's nephew P V Krishna Reddy joined the company and now runs it. Reddy changed the company's name to Megha Engineering & Infrastructures in 2006. Electoral Bonds data: Future Gaming, Megha Engineering among top donors According to Forbes, Megha built one of the largest irrigation projects worth $14 billion in drought-prone Telangana. The project became operational in 2019. In 2023, P P Reddy ranked 54 in the Richest Indians list as per Forbes. Megha Engineering's other prominent project was the Zojila Tunnel near the Himalayas. Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited completed the 5-km-long tunnelling work as part of the 18-km-long all-weather Zojila Tunnel in January 2022. Zojila project, Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel, ensures connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. Its subsidiary Olectra Greentech, which got its technology from China's BYD, has an order book of more than 3,000 buses. Electoral bonds: 7 Sensex cos in the list, Coimbatore-based firm is top donor In its report, The Quint said Reddy's house in Hyderabad is known as a 'diamond house' because it is shaped and designed like a diamond. Last year, MEIL received a 5000 crore order from the defence ministry. In April 2023, MEIL won two separate packages to build the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project in Mumbai, defeating infrastructure giant Larsen & Toubro. Megha Engineering was accused of fraud in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) this year. In January, Deccan Chronicle reported that Megha Engineering pocketed thousands of crores of the public in KLIS. Citing the audit report of the Comptroller and Audit General (CAG), MEIL was paid an excess of 5,188.43 crore in four packages. The amount could be more than this as there were 17 more such packages, the report mentioned. Congress and the BJP accused K Chandrasekhar Rao's BRS party of showing patronage to MEIL. OLECTRA GREENTECH More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! MUMBAI : A US bankruptcy court has ordered a freeze on $533 million in loan proceeds belonging to Think & Learn Pvt, the parent company of Byjus. While the term-loan lenders of the troubled edtech startup called it an important step in recovering their dues, Byjus said the order maintains the status quo and did not require them to submit the money to the court. On Thursday, a Delaware bankruptcy court issued a preliminary injunction against the defendants in this caseRiju Ravindran, Inspilearn LLC, Camshaft Capital Fund, LP, and its affiliatesprohibiting these entities from moving or using the $533 million in question. The court also found Byjus founder Byju Raveendran and his wife Divya Gokulnath to be collaborating with the defendants. Additionally, the court has issued an arrest warrant for William Morton, the founder of Camshaft Capital, who left the country before the hearing, according to a statement from the steering committee of the ad hoc group of lenders of the $1.2 billion term loan. The fact that the parent company is attempting to hide where the assets are is huge. It shows that they are engaged in what appears to be a potential fraud," the US court observed. Mr. Ravindraneither was being untruthful or hes the most incompetent officer or director of a company in Delaware history." The significance of the courts ruling for all aggrieved parties owed money by Byjus cannot be overstatedThe court-ordered freezing of assets is an important step towards recovering the missing $533 million, and we will take all necessary legal actions to recover what we are rightfully owed," the lenders said in the statement. A Byjus statement said, This Order merely maintains the status quo, because we have always maintained that the said funds are safely parked in one of our subsidiaries and, as per the order, it will rightfully remain there. In fact, the court denied the primary relief requestedthat a mandatory injunction be granted depositing the monies into court." At the heart of the dispute is the $533 million missing from the $1.2 billion owed to lenders by Think & Learn. In November 2021, Byjus, once celebrated as Indias most valued startup, raised $1.2 billion through a Term Loan B from US lenders. A special purpose vehicle, Byjus Alpha, was incorporated in Delaware for managing the funds. The company has, however, struggled to repay the loan, resulting in a legal battle with its bondholders. Byjus also committed a series of technical defaults" on the loan because it failed to file its financial statements on time and did not satisfy other covenants that had required it to put up guarantors. In 2022, under the management of founders brother Riju Ravindran, Byjus Alpha transferred $533 million of the loan proceeds to Camshaft Capital Fund, LP. In March 2023, these funds were moved to Inspilearn, another US subsidiary of Byjus, and then to an undisclosed entity in February 2024. Despite a court order, the defendants, along with Raveendran and Gokulnath, have not disclosed the whereabouts or status of these funds to the lenders or the new director of Byjus Alpha, according to a joint statement from the lenders. Last year, the lenders declared a default and seized Byjus Alpha. They have since attempted to compel Think & Learn to repay the $1.2 billion and locate the $533 million for debt repayment. Im still very upset about the fact that [the defendants] are obfuscating where this money is. And they are trying every trick in the book to be able to say, we dont know, this guy doesnt know, that guy doesnt know, we dont know where it is, we cant tell you, and Im tired of it," Judge John T. Dorsey said while passing the order. The arrest order for Morton comes after his persistent refusal to provide information regarding the location of $533 million. Morton is also fined $10,000 per day until he complies with the courts demands. There should be no doubt that Byju is not the victim he purports to be, but rather the architect of a scheme that has vaporized tens of billions of dollars in value in what was once a great Indian company. We call on Byju to accept the will of Think & Learns shareholders and immediately step down as CEO and director to prevent further harm to the companys employees, students and their families, and Indias credibility among the global investment community," the statement from the lenders added. We had also maintained consistently that the lenders last year were aware of the situation of the $500m in BYJUS Alpha. We are satisfied that this matter has been laid to rest," the statement from Byjus added. It is now clear that this so-called adhoc group is working in cohort with certain large investors of BYJUS to exploit the situation and make windfall gains. This cartel has selectively released some remarks made by the presiding judge to build fake narratives in the media. There should be no doubt that we will continue to fight this falsehood for the sake of all our stakeholders, including the millions of students who we proudly serve. This case represents a concerning attempt by a group of opportunistic foreign lenders to exploit an Indian startup by levelling baseless allegations with the sole intent of extracting punitive monetary concessions." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS), Indias largest IT services provider by market cap, announced a multi-million-dollar cloud transformation deal win from Denmark-based communications services provider Nuuday A/S. The length and size of the deal in terms of years and total contract value (TCV) were not officially disclosed, but estimates peg the contract at least $100 million or above. Mukesh Ranjan, vice-president of Dallas-based IT research firm Everest Group, told Mint that the TCS-Nuuday deal will likely be of at least $100 million or larger in TCV, and could span over five to seven years. Nuuday also flagged the contract as the largest IT transformation program" in the Nordic region. TCS, according to the companys official release, will host and manage Nuudays end-user services, and handle the Danish service providers IT infrastructure on the companys managed hybrid cloud platform. The latter is a strategically key source of revenue for most top IT service providers globally. Demand for managed cloud services has been a sustained source of revenue in a year when demand for digital transformation-based discretionary tech deals has been weak. The Nordics are technologically advanced markets and this deal will help TCS showcase better capabilities in this region and further expand in Europe," Ranjan added. Deals worth $100 million and above form a key part of large and significant deals won by IT services firms. Typically, the ability to win large and mega deals (of $1 billion in TCV and above) signifies the general health of a service provider as well as the overall IT services industry. This is TCS second deal in the Nordic region in less than two months. On 8 February, the IT major had signed a multi-year deal with Enento Group, Finnish business and consumer information services provider, to transform its IT applications, cloud, digital workplace, and IT security. The deal opens up opportunities for TCS to bid for and expand its public sector/government business in this region by combining Nuuday's local experience with its own global government domain capabilities," added Ranjan. TCS has more than 20,000 employees working in the Nordics region. Nuudays move to TCS hybrid cloud infrastructure, as per the release, will reduce time to market for new products and services". We need a modernized and autonomous infrastructure estate that can support the increasing demand for the latest digital products and services," said Monika Gullin, chief technology officer of Nuuday in a statement. Gullin added that the firm chose TCS based on the companys proven industry experience, and successful completion of complex cloud transformation projects in the digital communications sector". The TCS deal may help Nuuday optimize its cloud transformation. In June 2022, Nuuday signed a deal with Netcracker Technology Corp, a fully-owned subsidiary of Japanese multinational company, Nippon Electric Company Ltd, to eliminate legacy solutions by adapting to Netcrackers cloud-native portfolio and professional services. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Ab ki baar, 400 paar, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is expected to win 411 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, with the BJP securing around 300 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections . Other NDA constituents, including JD(U) and TDP, will clinch 61 seats, according to News18s Mega Opinion Poll. The poll predicted that the opposition bloc INDIA will fail to dent PM Modis bid for a third term as the INDIA bloc will win only 105 seats in the lower house, including Congress 49 seats. With this, Congress will face its second-worst debacle in Lok Sabha elections if the predictions hold true. Previously, the grand old partys historic low was 44 seats in 2014 polls. The News18s opinion poll predicted major gains for the BJP in states including Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Take a look at the state-wise opinion poll results below. 1) Maharashtra: The survey forecasted another sweep for the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP combination in Maharashtra, with the NDA winning 41 seats in the 48 assembly state. On the other hand, Maharashtras INDIA bloc, which constitutes Congress, Sharad Pawars NCP faction, and Uddhav Thackerarys Shiv Sena (UBT), will only bag seven seats. 2) West Bengal: A significant decline for Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is expected in West Bengal, while a big jump can be witnessed in BJPs seat tally as it is predicted to win 25 out of the 42 seats. However, TMC is expected to secure only 17 seats in her state, and the Congress will likely win none. 3) Karnataka: The NDA is expected to repeat its 2019 performance in Karnataka, winning 25 out of the 28 seats here, while the Congress will only bag three seats. This time, the BJP is contesting elections in alliance with JD(S). 4) Gujarat: As per the opinion poll, the BJP is expected to again sweep in Gujarat by winning all 26 seats. In 2014 and 2019, the BJP won all 26 seats, reducing Congress seat number to zero in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. 5) Telangana: The opinion poll, which predicted that the BJP would win 8 out of 17 seats in Telangana, showed impressive gains for the party. According to the poll, the ruling Congress in the state is anticipated to win six seats, while BRS will only have two. 6) Odisha: The opinion poll predicts that the ruling BJD will win eight seats in Odisha, while the BJP will win 13 seats. 7) Uttar Pradesh: Out of 550 members in the Parliament, 80 are from Uttar Pradesh itself. According to the survey, NDA is set to bag a total of 77 seats, predicting a landslide victory, while the Opposition INDIA bloc will bag two seats, leaving one for Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The video splashing across Russian television screens in the run-up to this weekends presidential election didnt leave much room for surprises. Who will ensure development?" it asked. Who guarantees stability? Who unites? And, in whom do you have confidence?" Only in him!" the narrator declared, as a highlight reel showed Vladimir Putin at work in his office, being exalted by adoring crowds and walking across red carpets to meetings with Asian and Arab leaders. As voting begins Friday, Putin has left little to chance in his bid to secure another six-year term as Russias president, and with it the chance to become its longest-reigning leader since Joseph Stalin. Potential challengers have been barred from the ballot, critics have been jailed or have fled. His most potent opponent, Alexei Navalny, is dead, after falling ill, Russian authorities said, in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a sentence totaling 30 years. Handouts for families who lost relatives fighting in Ukraine have won support for the Russian leader, as have a relatively buoyant economy and new proposals to spend billions of dollars to eradicate poverty and rebuild Russias aging infrastructure. The messaging ahead of the vote, which runs until Sunday, was careful to project Putin as the only figure who can keep the country united and save Russia from its foes in the West. Hes been very careful to make sure theres nobody else on the ballot projecting a vision for the future," said Samuel Greene, director for democratic resilience at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for European Policy Analysis. The message from Putin essentially is that whatever future this country has runs through him." The Russian leader, who nominated himself to run, is all but guaranteed to win, binding the country to his deepening confrontation with the West over the war in Ukraine and what Putin sees as Russias rightful place in the world. But that isnt to say the vote doesnt matter. Analysts say the Kremlin is eager to present a semblance of democracy and use a high turnout to legitimize, and strengthen, Putins authority. The Kremlin is interested, first of all, in the absolute number of votes," said Nikolai Petrov, a consulting fellow at British think tank Chatham House in an email. Both turnout and voting for Putin should exceed 2018 indicating that citizens support their leader at a time of war." Turnout in the last presidential vote was 67.5%. Governors as well are interested in reporting high figures to demonstrate their loyalty and efficiency," he said. To make the vote resemble an actual election, there are opposition candidates on the ballot, though they were carefully vetted. All three are members of sanctioned parliamentary opposition parties that seldom go against the Kremlins wishes. No wild cards have been permittedtwo local politicians who opposed the war in Ukraine, Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova, were blocked after the electoral commission said it found errors in their paperwork. In the past, they would let somebody on the ballot who might be able to at least plausibly make a go of it to show that they have the strength to see them off," said Greene, who is also a professor of Russian politics at Kings College London. Theyre not playing that game this time around." That polling stations, digital voting and the election commission are all controlled by the regime means that the outcome of the vote is essentially a done deal, government opponents said. The election commission will cook up figures in accordance with instructions that have already been issued by the Kremlin," exiled Russian businessman and opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky told a media briefing on Wednesday. Khodorkovsky, a former political prisoner, said the countrys political opposition, including Navalnys widow, Yulia Navalnaya, have joined forces in calling for voters to flood polling stations at noon on March 17 and, for those brave enough, to wear blue and whitecolors that have been used to symbolize opposition to Russias invasion of Ukraine. The idea is to show that Putins opponents are not marginalized, that there are lots of us," Khodorkovsky said. On Thursday, the Moscow Prosecutors Office said simultaneous arrival at polling stations is considered to be a punishable criminal offense, because it can prevent citizens from freely exercising their voting rights." Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov last week dismissed criticism from overseas, saying, Our democracy is the best." The Kremlin didnt respond to a request for comment on the allegations that the election results have already been fixed. Meanwhile, in a televised address on Thursday, Putin appealed to Russians to exercise their civic duty and cast their votes for the candidate of their choice. I am convinced that you understand what a difficult period our country is going through now, what difficult challenges we face in almost all areas," Putin said. We continue to need to be united and self-confident." The election wont only be held across Russia but also in the territories of eastern Ukraine that Moscow seized in 2022, though none are fully under Russian control. A polling precinct has even been established in the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, which Russia captured in February following months of grinding combat. Putin has skipped any formal campaigning, such as TV debates, instead pushing his message through his regular presidential schedule, including meetings with youth groups and working out development programs with government officials. He possibly doesnt need to. The Levada Center, a polling group that bills itself as independent, found last month that some 86% of Russians approve of Putins activities as president, though analysts say many people are afraid to voice anything other than a glowing endorsement of the Russian leader. The exception appears to be when Putin presents himself as challenging the U.S. While support for Ukraine has become a partisan issue in Washington, Putin doesnt face any serious domestic opposition to the war aside from sporadic protests from wives and mothers hoping to bring their men home from the front. This has emboldened him and allowed him to mock and provoke the West, Kremlin watchers said. In January, he made his first-ever presidential visit to the remote Far East region of Chukotka, which shares a maritime border with Alaska, across the Bering Strait. He also made a surprise trip to Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, both former parts of the Russian Empire, but today members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In February, he took a flight on a modernized Tu-160M nuclear-capable strategic bomber, which military aviation experts said is the largest supersonic aircraft in the history of military aviation. A few days later, he used the opening remarks to the countrys Federal Assembly to boast about Russias nuclear capability and warn of a nuclear conflict if Ukraines allies begin to play a larger part in the war. On Wednesday, Putin again broached the possibility of nuclear war, unlikely though it may be. We are ready to use weapons, including any weapons," he said in an interview on state television. If we are talking about the existence of the Russian state, about damaging our sovereignty and independence." This now appears to be Putins long-term approachtaking on the West and upholding what he says are Russias traditional Orthodox values. Large-scale geopolitical confrontation with the West is now what Russian power is all about," Greene said. What he needs from the West, oddly enough, is to play along," he said. He needs the West to be threatening. He needs the West to be skeptical of everything Russian. He needs the West to not only reject him but to look like its rejecting ordinary Russians." Write to Ann M. Simmons at ann.simmons@wsj.com When promoters buy shares in their own company , investors consider it positive. Promoter buying usually indicates that the company may be undervalued or that promoters know something big is going to happen, so they lap up shares beforehand. It means that the promoters, who built the company from the ground up, are once again putting their money on the line. Its a huge vote of confidence! Indian regulations allow promoters to buy up to 5% of their company's shares annually through the open market. In 2023, promoters across 100 companies went on a buying spree, investing a whopping $450 billion (bn). Heres the truly exciting part! In at least 20 companies, promoters increased their share by over 1%. This is a significant chunk, showing a deep commitment to the company's growth potential. Promoters are leaving no stone unturned. The current fall in the Indian stock market is one such example. Seeing the opportunity in the beaten-down share prices, BSE data shows that these promoters bought shares from the open market. View Full Image ... With most of the companies having reported their December 2023 shareholding pattern, lets look at the top 5 stocks which saw the maximum promoter buying. In fact, these companies have now seen their promoter holding go up for the past 4 consecutive quarters. Lakshmi Automation Loom Works Founded in 1973, the company manufactures spares and accessories for weaving and knitting machines. As the need for sophisticated and high-end weaving machines grew, the company expanded its portfolio to high-speed automatic C-type weaving machines, air-jet weaving machines, circular knitting machines, and more. Apart from that, the company also provides warehousing rental and engineering services. The companys net profit for the December 2023 quarter surged by 21.7% as healthy demand aided sales. The promoters of the company have been increasing their holding steadily since March 2021, and it currently stands at 35.58% as of December 2023, up from 32.7% in 2021. View Full Image ... The company is actively expanding its warehousing space, signalling its commitment to growth. It is also strategically increasing its supply of weaving and textile machine spares and accessories, catering to domestic and overseas customers. This broadens its market reach and potential for revenue growth. While there is always a risk of rising input costs impacting profit margins, the company has a strong management at helm and its focus on expansion looks promising. To know more, check out Lakshmi Automations latest shareholding pattern. Zydus Wellness Zydus Wellness, previously known as Carnation Nutra-Analogue Foods, is a subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences, founded in 1994. Some of the company's well-known brands are Glucon-D, Sugar-Free, EverYuth, Complan, Nycil, Sugarlite, Nutralite, and Sugar-Free D'Lite. While the company has posted weak quarterly earnings in recent quarters, it aims to double sales within the next few years. Fuelling this growth is their focus on innovation. New product categories across their popular brands like Complan, Sugar-Free, Everyuth, and Nutralite are planned for launch in the coming quarters. The companys promoters are constantly increasing their stake. Their holdings have steadily grown from 64.8% in March 2022 to 69.15% as of December 2023. View Full Image / The company aims to expand its reach from 2.9 million retail outlets to 3.5 million, particularly focusing on smaller towns with lower population densities. This 25-30% increase in reach will unlock significant sales potential. Complan, a household name in India, is receiving renewed attention of late. Zydus is putting resources into enhancing this established brand alongside exciting new launches planned for the upcoming year. In 2019, Zydus acquired the well-respected Heinz India business, further strengthening its brand portfolio. Zydus is also exploring successful product lines like Sugar-Free chocolates, cookies, and spreads from international markets, with the potential to launch them in India. R&D is a top priority for Zydus, ensuring a steady pipeline of innovative products. They have the production capacity in place to meet the demands of their ambitious growth plans for the next 3-4 years. Incap Incap is a subsidiary of Incap Corporation. Three development companies were merged to form Incap India. It grew to become a contract manufacturer of electronics and furniture. The companys Tumkur factory is popular for its power electronics manufacturing capability. Incap reported a revenue degrowth of 46% YoY in the December 2023 quarter. Consequently, the net profit also declined. Increased inventory levels were a common problem for the whole market, which resulted in pricing pressure. Incap faced the full brunt of this impact during 2023s final months. The companys largest customer reduced inventory levels. The lower utilisation ratio of the Indian plant also affected its profitability. However, the company made a lot of new investments in 2023, which could turn to fruition soon. In India, it started production in the third factory. While the increase in promoter holdings is small, promoters have consistently added stake for the past six quarters. View Full Image ... Since establishing its full-fledged production facility in Tumkur, the company is tapping into the growing market with cost efficiency and competitive pricing. With a total floor space of 26,500 sq m across its three factories, Incap demonstrates its ability to scale production while adhering to lean manufacturing principles for optimal efficiency. Laffans Petrochemicals Next on this list is Laffans Petrochemicals. Laffans Petrochemicals trades in chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and commodities arbitrage. It was established in Gujarat in 1992. The company specialises in ethylene oxide derivatives. The chemical products derived from petroleum are used for several consumer products like plastics, rubber, paints, fertilisers, etc. After facing a loss of 17 million (m) in 2022, Laffans Petrochemicals managed to swing into profitability in 2023 with a profit of 79.4 m. The company is actively leveraging its industry experience to explore new opportunities for indenting and trading chemicals. It has also begun strategically importing chemicals from Dubai in the last financial year, diversifying its sourcing strategy. Promoters of the company have been steadily increasing their stake, with holdings rising from 59.87% to 60.35% in the December 2023 quarter. View Full Image ... While import challenges like pricing fluctuations and transit times exist, the company is capitalising on the rising demand for speciality chemicals and favourable government policies. NRB Bearings Founded in 1965 in Mumbai, NRB Bearings is the first company in India to manufacture needle roller bearings. The company now offers a wide range of bearings, including a new generation of lightweight drawn cup bearings. They also provide a complete friction solutions package and customised bearings catering to industrial users. NRB Bearings delivered impressive results in the December 2023 quarter. Its consolidated net sales grew by 2.9% YoY, reaching 2.6 bn. But the real story lies in its net profit, which skyrocketed a staggering 622.8% YoY to 1.7 bn! NRB Bearings' promoters are demonstrating confidence in the companys future by steadily increasing their stake. Their holdings have grown from 50.63% to 50.67% in the December 2023 quarter. View Full Image ... The company is taking steps to de-risk its business by reducing dependence on domestic sales. They're actively restructuring their international business for future growth. The recent sale of a 6.4-acre land parcel in Thane to Oberoi Realty for 2 bn demonstrates their ability to monetise non-core assets. A fire at their Waluj plant did impact their topline by 5%, but with new machinery arriving, they expect supplies to normalise in the next quarter. The company also successfully navigated challenges like material input shortages and rising prices. NRB Bearings is experiencing growth in both the commercial and passenger vehicle segments, indicating a strong market fit for their products. Snapshot of Companies with Rising Promoter Holding Heres a snapshot showing the above companies and more, with their important parameters. View Full Image ... Please note that these parameters can be changed according to your needs. Check out our powerful screener for more such screens. In Conclusion The trend of promoter buying is typically associated with a positive outlook, driven by various factors such as strong financial results, anticipated growth, new product launches, or favourable industry trends. Despite these tempting signals, it is crucial for investors to approach such situations with careful consideration and conduct comprehensive research. Promoter buying is just one aspect of the overall investment landscape, and a thorough analysis of market conditions, company fundamentals, and industry trends remains essential for making informed decisions. Happy Investing! Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com What is advance tax? Advance tax refers to the income tax amount that is required to be paid in installments according to specified due dates, rather than in a single lump sum. Both individuals and businesses are obligated to pay income tax in advance through periodic installments, rather than in one consolidated payment. Here are the deadlines for advance tax payments: June 15: Pay 15% of the advance tax. September 15: Pay 45% of the advance tax, subtracting any already paid. December 15: Pay 75% of the advance tax, subtracting any already paid. March 15: Pay the remaining balance of the advance tax, subtracting any already paid. Who has to pay advance tax? "Any taxpayer whose tax liability, after reducing TDS and TCS, exceeds 10,000, is required to pay advance tax in four installments. If there's a shortfall in any installment, it must be compensated in the subsequent one. Therefore, if you haven't paid any installment for the current year, you can settle the entire advance tax liability by March 15th," explained Balwant Jain, a tax and investment expert based in Mumbai. What happens if taxpayers fail to pay advance tax? Not paying advance tax on time will lead to interest charges as per sections 234B and 234C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It's crucial to make prompt payments to avoid penalties. The due date for paying advance tax for the financial year is typically spread across several installments, with the last installment typically falling on March 15th. Failure to pay advance tax on time can lead to interest charges as per sections 234B and 234C of the Income Tax Act, 1961," said Abhishek Soni, CEO and Co-founder of Tax2win. "If you delay or fall short in paying advance tax, you'll incur interest at a rate of 1% per month. Since the next installment is due after three months, any delay, even just one day beyond the due date, incurs interest for the entire three months. For instance, if your advance tax liability is Rs. 1 lakh and you fail to pay the Rs. 15,000 due on June 15th, you'll have to pay an interest of Rs. 450 for that default, even if paid on June 16th," Jain explained. Here's how to pay advance tax online: Visit the income tax website. Select 'e-pay tax.' Enter your PAN and password. Click on "Advance Tax" and choose your preferred payment method. Complete the payment by clicking the "Pay Now" button. Once the payment is processed, you'll receive a receipt as confirmation of your payment. On Monday, the income tax department found errors in securities market data from a reporting entity's financial transactions statement. These issues were noticed thanks to feedback from taxpayers during the advance tax e-campaign. "Based on feedback from taxpayers on the e-campaign for Advance Tax, the Department has identified certain inconsistencies in the data of the securities market (SFT-17) provided by one of the Reporting Entities. The reporting entity has been asked to submit a revised statement based on updated information. Hence, the data on AIS will be updated. Taxpayers are advised to wait for further updates on AIS based on the revised statement, the income tax department posted on X. Some diligent taxpayers have been issued advance tax notices regarding Statement of Financial Transactions (SFT). However, these taxpayers have addressed that there are some discrepancies identified in the notice issued. In some cases, the portal has grossly erred in calculating the mismatch between the information available and the transactions carried out by the assessee. The department has issued a declaration on the same stating that reporting entities have issued statements of data of SFT with some discrepancies. The IT department has asked taxpayers to wait for further updates on the data and they have asked reporting authorities like banks to share updated statements of data," said Abhishek Soni, CEO and Co-founder of Tax2win. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! James Stack - BBC The BBC has paid tribute to Sir Lenny Henry as he hosted his final ever Comic Relief annual Red Nose Day fundraiser. Tonight's (March 15) three-hour telethon saw Henry's co-presenters Romesh Ranganathan, Maya Jama, David Tennant, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Rosie Ramsey and Paddy McGuinness praise the "extraordinary legacy" of Henry throughout the show. Following a performance of 'It's All About You' by McFly, it was revealed that the actor and comedian had raised over 1.5 billion since his debut show in 1988. "Tonight really is about Lenny," McCall said as Tennant called Henry's tenure leading Comic Relief an "amazing tour of duty." James Stack - BBC Related: The Traitors movie trailer airs during Comic Relief "It's been an honour and a joy," Henry replied. "It's not all about me, it's about comedy and compassion." Comic Relief was founded back in 1985 by Henry and Love Actually's Richard Curtis in response to the famine in Ethiopia with the goal of making the public laugh while raising money. Later on in the programme, McCall and Tennant invited several individuals that Henry had helped over the years back into the studio to thank the actor for all of his work raising money for charity in a surprise segment. "Please can you stand up or raise your hand if you're here because you have been part of one of our wonderful projects. If Lenny and Comic Relief have helped you change your life," McCall said as several members of the audience stood up in applause. James Stack - BBC Related: BBC Radio 1 star Mollie King breaks down in tears live on-air over charity challenge "We could've filled a thousand studios with people you and Comic Relief have helped," McCall continued, before playing a video message from Aberash, a woman from Ethiopia who Henry had helped. "I'm speechless, it's so lovely to see everybody," a tearful Henry replied, overcome with emotion after seeing the video. "What an extraordinary evening this is... Thank you so much." Story continues The show also revealed that a grand total of 37,019,832 had been raised for Henry's final show, an increase on 2023's total of 31,952,141. Comic Relief airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You Might Also Like Amidst the rise in online fraud, understanding the Pig Butchering Scam is essential. The name comes from the idea of fattening a pig before slaughter. A pig butchering scam is a deceitful scheme where people are convinced to invest more money, often in cryptocurrency , into what seems like a genuine opportunity. These scams are widespread and lead to big financial losses for victims worldwide, as the scammers disappear after collecting large sums of money. The pig butchering exploits the crypto spaces value ambiguity, favouring investors anticipating very high returns. Scammers often play on the feelings of people, getting them involved in transactions to receive financial returns, such as investing in fake platforms. Promising hefty returns, it lures investors with elaborate schemes. Behind the facade lies a Ponzi scheme, enriching early investors with funds from new ones. Investors must scrutinise projects and research teams and demand transparency. Regulatory bodies must strengthen oversight to protect investors. The Pig Butchering Scam serves as a stark reminder: in crypto, scepticism is key to avoiding financial ruin," said Vinshu Gupta, Partner, NonceBlox. Given the gravity of the situation, as we approach 2024, the governments steps in regulating cryptocurrencies and taxing them create a grand chance to integrate a rigorous crackdown on mischievous pig-cashing and other frauds involving cryptocurrencies. Comprehensive KYC standards, advanced due diligence procedures, and joint efforts of regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders are the cornerstones of prevention of any temporary anomalies in this digital assets system," said Ashish Aggarwal, Director of Acube Ventures. How Pig Butchering Scam carried out? -It all begins with the host" contacting people online through social media, dating apps, or deceptive messages. -Once theyve found a target, known as the pig," the host establishes a false sense of friendship and encourages them to explore cryptocurrency trading. -Using a fraudulent trading app, the host deceives the victim into believing theyre making profits from fabricated trades. -Gradually, as the victims trust grows, the host persuades them to invest more money, a tactic referred to as fattening the pig" before the scam is revealed. -When victims attempt to withdraw their funds, the fake platform either makes excuses or imposes substantial fees, ultimately exposing the scam. Retrieving lost funds is exceedingly difficult due to the nature of blockchain transactions. Nithin Kamath on Pig Butchering Scam Nithin Kamath, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of online brokerage firm Zerodha had flagged a new wave of fraudulent phishing websites that mimic Indian brokerages to dupe investors. After the Chinese loan apps scam, the latest scam from actors in China and other Asian countries is phishing websites. Fraudsters are creating hundreds of websites and trading apps that look similar to the websites of Indian brokers. Unwitting users who click on the app download links, etc., will be prompted to download the fake app. The goal is to get people to transfer money by taking advantage of their familiarity with these apps. This is just another one of the hundreds of international scams that have exploded in the last few years. In this case, a few tips I shared earlier to protect yourself from scams also apply," Kamath posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on February 17. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! In the realm of investment and trading, understanding legal frameworks is paramount to making sound financial decisions. One legal instrument that frequently garners attention is the Power of Attorney (PoA) in demat accounts. This article seeks to demystify the intricacies of Power of Attorney (PoA), exploring its various types, precautions to take, and more. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a newcomer to the stock market, this guide aims to provide you with the insights needed to make informed decisions. First let's understand, what is a Power of Attorney in the context of a Demat account. In the context of a Demat account, a Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to manage and make decisions regarding the securities held in the Demat account on behalf of the account holder. The individual granted power of attorney, often referred to as the attorney-in-fact or agent, can conduct various transactions in the Demat account, including buying, selling, pledging, or transferring securities, without requiring the direct involvement or approval of the account holder. Unlock your financial freedom Open Demat Account It's important to note that granting a Power of Attorney for a Demat account can offer convenience, especially for individuals who may not be able to actively manage their investments. However, it also entails certain risks, as the appointed agent has significant control over the account and its assets. Therefore, individuals should carefully consider whom they appoint as their attorney-in-fact and ensure they trust the individual to act in their best interests. Additionally, it's essential to understand the terms and limitations of the Power of Attorney agreement before granting such authority. Types of PoAs In the realm of Demat accounts, two primary types of Power of Attorney (PoA) exist: Start your investing journey today Open Demat Account Specific PoA: Also known as Limited PoA, this type grants your broker restricted authority for specific purposes. Tailored for particular tasks, it comes with an expiration date. For example, it might empower the broker to transfer securities to a stock exchange following a share sale. General PoA: Conversely, a General PoA bestows broader decision-making power upon your broker. While it offers more authority than a Specific PoA, it's less common in stock market investments due to its comprehensive nature. Precautions Before signing a Power of Attorney (PoA), it's crucial to exercise caution by verifying the following: - Ensure the online broker is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to operate legally in the market. - Confirm that the PoA explicitly mentions the broker's name, leaving no room for ambiguity. - Check for any additional charges associated with drafting the PoA, ensuring transparency in the process and avoiding unexpected fees. FAQs Q: What is a Power of Attorney (PoA) in the context of a Demat account? A: A Power of Attorney (PoA) in the context of a Demat account is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to manage and make decisions regarding the securities held in the Demat account on behalf of the account holder. Q: What are the types of Power of Attorney (PoA) for a Demat account? A: There are generally two types of PoA for a Demat account: Limited PoA and Full PoA. A Limited PoA grants specific permissions for certain actions, while a Full PoA provides broader authority to manage the entire Demat account. Q: Why is a Power of Attorney (PoA) important for a Demat account? A: A PoA is important for a Demat account as it allows someone else, typically a trusted individual or entity, to conduct transactions and manage securities on behalf of the account holder. It facilitates smooth operation of the account, especially in cases where the account holder is unavailable or unable to manage it personally. Q: What are the potential risks associated with granting a Power of Attorney (PoA) for a Demat account? A: Granting a PoA for a Demat account entails certain risks, including the possibility of misuse or unauthorized transactions by the appointed agent. Additionally, the agent may make decisions that are not in the best interests of the account holder, leading to financial losses or other adverse outcomes. Q: How does a Power of Attorney (PoA) affect trading activities in a Demat account? A: A PoA can significantly impact trading activities in a Demat account, as it empowers the appointed agent to execute transactions, including buying, selling, pledging, or transferring securities, on behalf of the account holder without requiring their direct involvement or approval. It streamlines the trading process but also requires careful consideration of the agent's actions and decisions. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! (Bloomberg) -- Boeing Co. is warning operators of the 787 jetliner that a motor moving cockpit seats can jam, an apparent response to an in-flight incident a few days ago in which one of the long-distance planes abruptly lost altitude, injuring multiple people on board. Investigators looking into the incident suspect a seat on a Latam Airlines Group SA 787 moved forward as it was cruising at high altitude on March 11, prompting a pilot to hit the jets control column and diving the plane, said a person familiar with preliminary findings who couldnt be identified speaking about an ongoing probe. A switch located on the rear of cockpit seats, which activates an electric motor that slides the seat up and back, can potentially jam" if its mechanism is loose or damaged, Boeing said in a notice sent late Thursday to operators of 787s. The notice was reviewed by Bloomberg. Boeing recommended inspecting the switches by April 26. The US Federal Aviation Administration created a special technical review board to determine whether Boeings actions are adequate, the agency said in a statement. The Latam plane was on its way to Auckland from Sydney when it bucked down and then back up. The Wall Street Journal reported that a flight attendant serving a meal on the Latam flight activated the switch. Boeing said it took the precautionary measure" of reminding customers flying the 787 plane of a so-called service bulletin that it had issued in 2017 that included instructions for inspecting and maintaining switches on flight deck seats." We are recommending operators perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity," Boeing said in a statement. Eyewitness accounts have described how the incident sent passengers, including at least one baby, flying into the ceiling of the cabin. While no one was seriously injured, seven passengers and three crew members were taken to the hospital after the flight landed in Auckland. Unintended Movement Chilean authorities have started an investigation into the plunge, and flight recorders capturing flight data and sounds in the cockpit are being scrutinized for clues. According to the airline, Flight LA800 experienced a technical event" during the flight which caused a strong movement. The pilot seats on the 787 can be electronically moved forward or backward in two ways: by a switch on the side typically used by the pilot or a switch at the rear, according to Boeing documentation. The switch at the rear is covered to prevent it from inadvertently being activated. Closing the spring-loaded seat back switch guard onto a loose/detached rocker switch cap can potentially jam the rocker switch, resulting in unintended seat movement," Boeing said in the bulletin to carriers. Pilot seats on jetliners move at a moderate speed and are designed not to hit a planes control column themselves, said former cockpit crew members. It would have to be a body part such as an elbow, hand or leg that was forced into the control yoke, they said. The seat moves at a reasonably slow rate," said John Cox, a former airline pilot who runs a safety consulting company. And it would have to run for a while before it could force a person into the control yoke." However, it wouldnt take a large amount of force on the controls to trigger an aggressive dive, said Ben Berman, who flew at an airline and also was an investigator at the US National Transportation Safety Board. A continuous movement of the control column would have a pretty strong effect" and would override the planes autopilot, Berman said. The Boeing Bulletin also advised carriers that pilots could halt movement with a jammed switch by activating the second switch or by cutting power to the seat. The 787 Dreamliner is an advanced twin-engine model made in large parts of lightweight composite materials. Its a bigger model than the Boeing 737 Max plane thats dominated headlines following a Jan. 5 accident when a door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight. --With assistance from Julie Johnsson. (Updates with Boeing notice details from first paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Several political leaders and social media users resorted to crunching numbers, finding links and making assumptions about the quid pro quo between companies and political parties. This was soon after the Election Commission of India made public the details of electoral bond donors and buyers on Thursday, March 14. The Election Commission released two sets of data on Thursday. One has the names of purchasers of electoral bonds and the other has details of donations/amounts received by political parties in the form of electoral bonds. Follow Electoral Bonds Data Live updates here However, there's no way to find out which donor/company donated how much to which political parties. This was despite the Supreme Court raising concerns in its February 15 judgement that the now-scrapped Electoral Bond Scheme can lead to quid pro quo. In later rulings, the Supreme Court said the State Bank of India (SBI) does not need to match the names of electoral bond buyers with specific political parties. On Friday, the court, however, asked the SBI to share the unique alphanumeric code printed on each electoral bond, which helps match donors with political parties. While the details of the unique alphanumeric code are awaited, many on social media, including political leaders, started making conjectures about which companies might have donated crores to political parties, especially the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). What are the claims being made? Congress leader Jairam Ramesh launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the party of using "electoral bonds for quid pro quo". He retweeted a social media post which shared a thread on top companies that made huge political donations and were given contacts in BJP-ruled states. The links were established between raids by central probe agencies on firms and their subsequent donations in the form of electoral bonds. In another tweet, Ramesh alleged that "there are many cases of companies that have donated electoral bonds, and immediately afterwards gotten huge benefits from the government". One of the examples he gave was of Jindal Steel & Power, which he said gave Rs. 25 crores in EBs on 7 October 2022, and just 3 days later, they won the Gare Palma IV/6 coal mine, on 10th October 2022." Lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan also tweeted, On 11 April 23, Megha Engineering gives 100s Crs in Electoral Bonds to whom? But within a month it gets a 14,400 cr contract from BJPs Mah govt!..." Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also shared a video and said, Heres Megha Engineering and its subsidiaries Acche Din after becoming the big donor for BJP. Theres more to unravel in this entire Quid Pro Quo via electoral bonds saga. The role of ED aka Extortion Department has also been stellar." At the same time, RJD leader Manoj Jha alleged that a Pakistani agency bought electoral bonds. "The data shows that shortly after the Pulwama terror attack, a Pakistani agency purchased electoral bonds. So much for the nationalistic pretensions of the BJP, which stands exposed as the most corrupt party in the history of Independent India," he told PTI. ALSO READ: Electoral bonds: 10 biggest revelations as SBI, Election Commission release detailed data Manoj Jha also said "a private company was raided by the Enforcement Directorate and, a few days later, it ended up purchasing electoral bonds. Anybody can join the dots and make out what the so-called largest political party of the world has been up to". Nirmala Sitharaman calls claims assumptions Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday that huge "assumptions" have been made after the release of data on the Electoral Bond Scheme. Sitharaman dismissed as "assumptions" the links between raids by probe agencies on companies and their subsequent donations to election bonds. They probably gave it to regional parties.what makes you make so many assumptions and build a narrative," she told opposition leaders. "I think you've based yourself on huge assumptions, that the money was given after the Enforcement Directorate raid happened," Sitharaman was quoted by PTI as saying at the India Today Conclave. ALSO READ: Electoral bonds data: Congress takes na khaunga, na khane dunga jibe at PM Modi, demands freezing of BJP accounts | Mint She, however, admitted that while the electoral bond system might not be perfect, it was "one bit better" than the previous system of political funding that was "completely imperfect". She batted for a system in which transparency would be better than earlier systems. Watch video here "The electoral bond system may not be perfect. We must take lessons from the Supreme Court judgement on electoral bonds. There may or may not be a new law around this, I'm not commenting on it. Will make efforts to make sure there is transparency," Sitharaman said. The Congress' Jairam Ramesh hit back at Sitharaman over her statement, If these assumptions are untrue, then we invite her to release the full data of who donated how much to which political party. It will put an end to the discussion once and for all," he said. The Election Commission made public names of companies and individuals, as received from the SBI on March 12, who had donated crores of rupees to political parties under the electoral bond system that had kept their identities secret. The top buyers of scrapped electoral bonds were Future Gaming and Hotel Services, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd, Vedanta Ltd, Haldia Energy Ltd and Bharati Group. Meanwhile, the BJP, Trinamool Congress, and the Congress are among the top three political parties that benefitted from the electoral bonds, according to data uploaded by the Election Commission on its website on Thursday. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the DMK-Congress' INDIA bloc can never make Tamil Nadu a developed state as it has a history of scams and corruption". His remarks came while addressing a public rally in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu as a part of the Lok Sabha election campaign. DMK is an enemy of Tamil Nadu's future, its culture; 'banned' broadcast of Ayodhya temple event. Centre fast-tracking many initiatives for the district," said PM Modi at Kanniyakumari public rally. PM Modi in Kanniyakumari: Top 10 quotes from PM's rally 1) DMK is the enemy of the future and the culture of Tamil Nadu. Before the Ayodhya Ram temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, I came to Tamil Nadu and visited the prominent temples in the state. But the DMK govt tried to stop the telecast of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony." 2) On this Supreme Court had to reprimand the Tamil Nadu govt...They also didn't like the installation of the Sengol in the new parliament...It is our govt which cleared the way for the Jallikattu." 3) Congress and DMK only know how to misbehave with women... Everyone remembers what the DMK leaders did to Jayalalithaa ji. Their attitude towards women has still remained the same." 4) "Crimes against women have increased in Tamil Nadu. When we brought the reservation bill for women in Parliament, neither Congress nor DMK supported it. DMK and Congress are both anti-women." 5) The people of INDI Alliance are responsible for meddling with the lives of the people of Tamil Nadu. Our fishermen were given capital punishment in Sri Lanka... I left no stone unturned to bring our fishermen back." 6) DMK is the enemy of Tamil Nadu's past and future. They harbour resentment against the culture, legacy, heritage, and tradition of India. DMK boycotted our decision to install the sacred Sengol in the New Parliament. They want to destroy the Tamil culture." 7) To improve the connectivity of Tamil Nadu, we are preparing a network of railways and highways. Over the past 10 years, highway projects worth around Rs. 50,000 crore have been completed in Tamil Nadu. And, projects worth Rs. 70,000 crore are still underway." 8) We are working to develop Tamil Nadu's port infrastructure. I have recently inaugurated Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi. Our government is working for the welfare of fishermen as well. From providing them financial support for modern fishing boats to bringing them under the purview of the Kisan Credit Card scheme, we have taken care of their needs." 9) Today, the wave that has emerged from India's southern shore, in Kanyakumari, will reach far-off places. In 1991, I began 'Ekta Yatra' from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. 10) "This time, I traveled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected the people who want to divide India. I am certain that the people of Tamil Nadu will also do the same." (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa has been booked under POCSO. He has now released his first statement on the case. I have come to know that a complaint has been filed against me by a woman. It must have been about a month, they used to visit but I didn't pay attention. But one day, when I was told that they were crying, I called them and asked what happened. They told me they had been wronged," he said. I then called the police commissioner (B) Dayananda and asked him to hear them out and do the needful. But, then she started talking against me then and there. I thought she was unwell and asked the police commissioner to investigate," he added. "Now this has been twisted and made into an FIR. We will do what is legally required. I didn't think helping someone would result in this. I had even given some money to them as well. But we will contest legally," he said. The mother of a 17-year-old girl earlier lodged a formal complaint against the former chief minister. In the complaint, the 81-year-old veteran BJP leader has been accused of sexual assault. It allegedly took place on February 2 during a meeting about official matters. The case has been filed under section 8 of POCSO (sexual assault) and section 354 A (sexual harassment). As per the FIR, the victim was allegedly sexually harassed when she went to seek help after she had been raped by others, ANI reported. Home Minister's statement Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has called it a sensitive matter". Last night around 10 pm, a lady registered a complaint against BS Yediyurappa. Police have registered the case. Until we know the truth, we can't reveal anything," Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara told the press. I don't think there is any political angle to this. If the distressed woman needs protection, then it will be given," he added. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Supreme Court of India on Friday, March 15, agreed to hear multiple pleas seeking a stay on the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules . After senior advocate Kapil Sibal raised the issue, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud scheduled the hearing for next week on March 19. Notably, around 200 connected petitions have been filed with the apex court on the matter since the CAA provisions were passed in 2019. The Indian Union of Muslim League (IUML) had on March 12 sought an urgent hearing in Supreme Court seeking a stay of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 and its rules notified by the government on March 11, 2024. Also Read | CAA Protests: Why are people opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act? CAA Notified for Implementation Four Years After Being Passed The Home Ministry on March 11 notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act's (CAA) rules. The law paves the way for Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian and Parsi refugees, who came to India before December 31 2014, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan to acquire Indian citizenship without having a valid passport of these countries or an Indian visa. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed in Parliament in December 2019. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on December 9 while the Rajya Sabha passed it on December 11. The amendments on citizenship for illegal migrants will not apply to certain areas. These include the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, as included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The exceptions also include the states regulated by the Inner Line" permit under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations 1873. These Sixth Schedule tribal areas include Karbi Anglong (in Assam), Garo Hills (in Meghalaya), Chakma District (in Mizoram), and Tripura Tribal Areas District. Further, the Inner Line Permit regulates the visit of all persons, including Indian citizens, to Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Also Read | CAA rules notified: Here is what the 2019 Bill on Citizenship Amendment Act proposed Why Are Protestors Opposed to CAA? Critics argue that the law, coupled with a proposed national register of citizens, could lead to discrimination against India's 200 million Muslims, the world's third-largest Muslim population. Rights groups and Muslim organizations in particular expressed concerns given that India is home to the world's third-largest Muslim population. They fear that the proposed National Register of Citizens (NCR) coupled with the CAA could lead to the removal of citizenship for Muslims without proper documentation in border states. Also Read | CAA row: Centre making rules after 4 years, we will file in Supreme Court, says AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi The NRC, which identified and eliminated illegal immigrants from Assam on Supreme Court orders, had been a longstanding demand of Assam. But ever since its implementation, there has been a growing demand for its nationwide implementation and this has increased fears that the CAA-NRC dual moves would target Muslims. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! India has implemented a citizenship law that excludes Muslims, a minority community whose concerns have heightened under Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government. The rules for the law were announced Monday. It establishes a religious test for migrants from every major South Asian faith other than Islam. Critics argue that the law is further evidence that Modis government is trying to reshape the country into a Hindu state and marginalize Muslims. WHAT IS THE CITIZENSHIP LAW? The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a fast track to naturalization for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to Hindu-majority India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before Dec. 31, 2014. The law excludes Muslims, who are a majority in all three nations. It also amends the old law, which prevents illegal migrants from becoming Indian citizens, and marks the first time that India an officially secular state with a religiously diverse population has set religious criteria for citizenship. The Indian government has said those eligible can apply for Indian citizenship through an online portal. The implementation of the law has been one of the key campaign promises of Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party before a general election scheduled to be held by May. Modi's government has dismissed arguments that the law is discriminatory. It defends the law as a humanitarian gesture to extend citizenship to religious minorities fleeing persecution and says it would not be used against Indian citizens. WHAT MAKES THE LAW SO CONTROVERSIAL? The law was approved by Parliament in 2019, but Modis government held off its implementation after deadly protests in which scores were killed. The nationwide protests drew people of all faiths who said the law undermines Indias foundation as a secular nation. Muslims were particularly worried that the government could use the law, combined with a proposed citizenship registry, to marginalize them. The National Register of Citizens is part of the Modi governments effort to identify and weed out people it claims came to India illegally. The register has only been implemented in the northeastern state of Assam, but Modi's party has promised to roll out a citizenship verification program nationwide. Critics and Muslim groups say the citizenship law will protect non-Muslims who are excluded from the register, while Muslims could face deportation or internment. On Monday, human rights watchdog Amnesty India said the law legitimizes discrimination based on religion." The United States also expressed its concern and said it will closely monitor how India implements the law. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a daily briefing Thursday. WHY ARE INDIAS MUSLIMS WORRIED? Opponents of the law including Muslims, opposition parties and rights groups say it is exclusionary and violates the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution. They say faith cannot be made a condition of citizenship. Some also argue that if the law is aimed at protecting persecuted minorities, then it should have included Muslim religious minorities who have faced persecution in their own countries, including Ahmadis in Pakistan and Rohingyas in Myanmar. To critics, Modi is pushing a Hindu nationalist agenda that threatens to erode the countrys secular foundation, shrink space for religious minorities, particularly Muslims, and move the country closer to a Hindu nation. India has a large minority group of 200 million Muslims in its population of more than 1.4 billion. They live in almost every part of India and have been targeted in numerous attacks since Modi assumed power in 2014. Scores of Muslims have been lynched by Hindu mobs over allegations of eating beef or smuggling cows, an animal considered holy to Hindus. Muslim businesses have been boycotted, their localities have been bulldozed and places of worship set on fire. Some open calls have been made for their genocide. Critics say Modis conspicuous silence over anti-Muslim violence has emboldened some of his most extreme supporters and enabled more hate speech against Muslims. Modi has also increasingly mixed religion with politics in a formula that has resonated deeply with Indias majority Hindu population. In January, he opened a Hindu temple at the site of a demolished mosque in northern Ayodhya city, fulfilling his partys long-held Hindu nationalist pledge. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted raids at BRS leader Kalvakuntla Kavitha' s Hyderabad premises in the Delhi liquor policy case. The searches were carried out by a team of 10 officers from Delhi. A large number of police officials were deployed near Kavitha's residence during the raid, reported HT. In addition to the ED raid time, Income Tax (IT) officials were also present on the spot. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi is like a guest, eats biryani, paanthat's it: BRS leader K Kavitha takes a dig at Congress MP | Watch Before the recent ED raid, she had skipped several summons issued by the agency. The BRS leader's name came forward in the Delhi excise policy scam after ED found her links to a 'south group' named lobby of liquor traders who were trying to play a larger role under the now-scrapped policy for 2021-22. The BRS leader was approached by the Enforcement Directorate for the first time in 2023 for her alleged connection with Vijay Nair, the communication head of AAP. She is said to be in constant touch with Nair, who was engaged with businessmen from the liquor industry and politicians during the formulation and execution of policies. Earlier, she was presented with the written statement of Butchibabu Gorantla, her former chartered accountant, and Arun Ramchandra Pillai, who used to accompany her in various meetings with Nair and others. The Central Board of Investigation had arrested Butchibabu in February, whereas Pillai was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March last year. In one of his statements, Butchibabu had admitted that K Kavitha had a political understanding with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy CM Manish Sisodia. There was a political understanding between K Kavitha and the chief minister of Delhi (Arvind Kejriwal) and (former) deputy CM (Manish Sisodia) of Delhi. In that process, K Kavitha has also met Vijay Nair on 19th-20th March 2021" Butchibabu said in his statement recorded before the ED officials in February 2023. In his statement, he also claimed that Vijay Nair was trying to impress Kavitha with what he could do with the policy. ARVIND More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Election Commission of India (ECI), on March 14, released detailed data showing all the companies, from famous big businesses to lesser-known ones, that bought electoral bonds to donate to political parties. The State Bank of India (SBI), as per the Supreme Courts directive, earlier submitted the data to the ECI. Lets take a look at 10 key takeaways. 1. Future Gaming and Hotel Services, not widely recognised in the public eye, emerged as the top purchaser of electoral bonds, with an investment of 1,368 crore. This figure surpasses contributions from many notable corporate entities. Future Gaming was under scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March 2022. 2. Among the top donors were industry giants such as steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, telecommunications behemoth Bharti Airtel led by Sunil Bharti Mittal and mining conglomerate Vedanta headed by Anil Agarwal. Other renowned firms include ITC, Mahindra and Mahindra, DLF, PVR, Birla, Bajaj, Jindal, Spicejet, IndiGo and the Goenkas. 3. Other donors include Grasim Industries, Megha Engineering, Piramal Enterprises, Torrent Power, DLF Commercial Developers, Vedanta Ltd., Apollo Tyres, Edelweiss, Keventer, Sula Wines, Welspun, Sun Pharma, Vardhman Textiles, Jindal Group, Phillips Carbon Black Limited, CEAT tyres, Dr Reddys Laboratories, Kaypee Enterprises, Cipla and Ultratech Cement. 4. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) benefited the most, securing 6,566 crore (54.77% of the total donations) in donations through the electoral bonds. It was way ahead of its closest competitor, the Congress party, which received 1,123 crore (9.37%). Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress, which operates primarily in West Bengal, received 1,092 crore (9.11%). 5. Other parties that redeemed electoral bonds include AIADMK, BRS, Shiv Sena, TDP, YSR Congress, DMK, JD-S, NCP, JDU, RJD, AAP, the Samajwadi Party, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, BJD, Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, JMM, Sikkim Democratic Front and the Jana Sena Party. 6. Individual donors included Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Varun Gupta, B K Goenka, Jainendra Shah and one person known only by the first name of Monika. 7. Mumbai-based Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd bought bonds worth 410 crore and Haldia Energy 377 crore. Ghaziabad-based Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital bought 162 bonds, mostly of 1 crore each. Bajaj Auto bought bonds worth 18 crore, Bajaj Finance 20 crore, three IndiGo firms 36 crore, Rahul Bhatia of IndiGo bought bonds worth 20 crore and Spicejet 65 lakh. 8. The bonds were purchased between April 1, 2019 and February 15 this year. Out of 22,217 electoral bonds, 22,030 were redeemed by political parties. The bonds that had not been encashed by political parties within 15 days were transferred to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund, the SBI said. 9. Reliance Industries, helmed by Mukesh Ambani, and Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, did not make the list of donors. These are two of Indias biggest conglomerates. 10. Following the release of the electoral bonds data, Congress flagged discrepancies. The donors file has 18,871 entries, while the recipients file has 20,421 entries, it said. The Supreme Court, on March 15, issued notice to the SBI for not furnishing electoral bond data with unique' alpha-numeric numbers. The bank has to respond on March 18. (With agency inputs) PIRAMAL ENTERPRISES More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Unprepared tourists hoping to get onto one of Australias most popular beaches accessible only by 4WD have caused a summer of chaos with repeated boggings in the sand. One fed-up couple decided to take matters into their own hands by bringing their tractor down to the beach. Belle Baker and her partner Patrick have watched in frustration as countless vehicles attempting to access Goolwa Beach in SA have become bogged while attempting to manoeuvre the council-controlled sandy track down to the beach. With only one access point for entry and exit, its caused major traffic jams as Aussies attempt to enjoy their favourite pastime in the sunshine. Belle Baker (right) brought her tractor down to the beach to help stranded tourists. Source: Supplied This week, locals Belle and Patrick were fed up enough to take extreme action by bringing their farm tractor down to the beach to help stranded beachgoers. It's so frustrating that cars that are not four-wheel drives go on to the beach and get bogged, Belle told Yahoo News Australia. There's only one entry and exit off this beach. So when people get bogged, they block the whole way and it's hard to get away. Sometimes you can get past but generally, it just blocks everything up. On Monday, Belle was on her way to the beach when she noticed a car bogged up ahead. She rang her partner and said: Today is the day, get the tractor down here. This is nuts, she told Yahoo. Four cars were rescued from Goolwa Beach by Belle and Patrick. Source: Supplied Tourists ignore signage to beach with tough conditions Despite signage warning motorists that the beach is only accessible by 4WD, ill-equipped drivers continue to attempt the drive anyway. There is a perfectly big sign there, Belle, who runs Tractoring for Women, aimed at empowering women with practical tractor operation skills said, believing its either misunderstood or ignored. The couple said they rescued one bogged family who were driving a brand new Land Cruiser and simply forgot to engage the 4WD function. After engaging the function, it took Patrick 20 seconds to get the car going again. Story continues I wouldn't attempt it if I didnt know how to do it, Belle said. Its actually quite inconsiderate of all the other people. While they werent doing it for cash, two of the four rescues they did paid as an expression of gratitude. Whats more, locals were chuffed with their efforts. Belle said that the responses to their efforts spanned from some thinking it was hilarious to others calling the tractor overkill. We had so much positive response, anyone who drove past stopped to say good on ya. We had people sharing our social media post which was great. They, they also, were very grateful that somebody was making an effort on a long weekend whenever people want. More needs to be done by authorities Belle is calling for more to be done to stop the beach chaos - something echoed by Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes who previously told Yahoo News Australia Council needs to look at alternative solutions to manage vehicle access during these peak times, but we would need to talk to all stakeholders including SA Police and the Government of South Australia which controls our beaches. It's not just an inconvenience, but a major threat to the environment, with irresponsible four-wheel driving manoeuvres leaving the sand dunes damaged. Mayor Keith Parks previously it would take "years" for the popular beach to recover. To curb bad behaviour, the South Australian government set new speed limits to protect beachgoers and the delicate ecosystem. But that hasn't addressed the problem of accessing the beach. Belle suggested infrastructure such as matting under the sand, reinforcements along the side of the track or even a person to control the traffic and warn motorists of the conditions. But can you imagine if somebody stood there? The difference in the narrative and the conversation we'd all be having around this would be huge, she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Former Navy Chief Admiral (retd) L Ramdas passed away on Friday at the age of 90 after a long struggle with age-related health complications. The retired officer took his last breath at a military hospital in Hyderabad, where he was admitted on March 11. Ramdas, who was admitted to the hospital on March 11, breathed his last Friday morning," his daughter Sagari R Ramdas was quoted by PTI as saying. She said the funeral will be held in Hyderabad on Saturday, March 16. Admiral L Ramdas is survived by his wife Lalita Ramdas and three daughters. ALSO READ: Indian Navy commissions 'INS Jatayu' His early life and education Admiral Ramdas, or Laxminarayan Ramdas, was born on September 5, 1933 in Matunga, Mumbai. After retirement, he settled in Bhaimala village in Alibag, Maharashtra, on a piece of land awarded to him by the Maharashtra government in recognition of his acts of gallantry in the 1971 war, PTI reported. He completed his early education in Delhi at Presentation Convent and Ramjas College. ALSO READ: Navy monitors hijacked ship near Somalia, 15 Indians on board Career Admiral L Ramdas had taken over as the 13th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) On November 30, 1990. He retired in 1993. He joined the Joint Services Wing of the Armed Forces Academy in Clement Town, Dehradun in 1949. He was commissioned as an officer of the Indian Navy in September 1953. Besides, he was trained as a communications specialist. ALSO READ: Indian Navy foils bid to hijack cargo ship off Somalia coast Key achievements While in service, he established the Naval Academy in Cochin. He commanded INS Beas, which had played a pivotal role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. He served as the Indian Naval Attache in Bonn, West Germany (1973-76) and as Fleet Commander of the Eastern Naval Command. He commanded both the Southern and Eastern Naval Commands, his daughter Sagari Ramdas was quoted by PTI as saying. ALSO READ: Qatar releases 8 Indian Navy veterans on death row, Congress says join nation in its relief, happiness Moreover, it was during his tenure as Chief of Naval Staff that women were inducted into the armed forces, with the Navy taking the lead. Over the years, the former Navy chief Admiral became an outspoken voice on "social causes, advocating actively for the defence of the Constitution, especially the values of liberty, equality, fraternity and secularism," the daughter added. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The newly-appointed Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu took charge of the office today, Friday. They were appointed election commissioners by the selection panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The two vacancies were created in the Election Commission after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and the surprise resignation of Arun Goel recently, days ahead of Lok Sabha polls 2024. CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar welcomed the two newly-appointed Election Commissioners, Shri Gyanesh Kumar & Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu who joined the Commission today," Spokesperson ECI wrote on X (formerly Twitter). CEC emphasized the significance of their joining at the historic point when ECI is all set to conduct #General Election2024 in the world's largest democracy. Team ECI is set for action-packed weeks ahead !" it added. The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the April- May Lok Sabha polls in one of these days. The new commissioners will join their offices to help the poll body conduct these polls. The two appointments come a day before the Supreme Court is slated to hear petitions challenging the selection process. A search committee led by the Union Law Minister prepares a shortlist, as per the current procedure. Thereafter, a selection panel led by the Prime Minister and comprising the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Union Minister picks the final appointees. In March last year, the top court ruled that the PM-led panel must also have the Chief Justice of India as a member. But later, the Union government brought a law to replace the Chief Justice with a Union Minister. Who are the new Election Commissioners? Gyanesh Kumar is a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. Kumar, 60, has worked with Union Home Minister Amit Shah before. He retired as secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation, which comes under Amit Shah, on January 31, 2024. Before that, he also served as the secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu is also 1998 batch IAS officer but from Uttarakhand cadre. Sandhu has served as the chief secretary of Uttarakhand when Pushkar Singh Dhami became the Chief Minister in 2021. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, March 15, arrested K Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana's former chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. K Kavitha, 46, a Telangana Legislative Council member, was arrested by the central probe agency at 5.20 pm from her residence at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. K Kavitha arrested: What happens next? Former Telangana minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy said Kavitha was being taken to Delhi on a flight at 8.45 pm. According to News18, K Kavitha is being brought to Delhi to complete the chain of evidence in the Delhi liquor policy scam case. Further K Kavitha is likely to be faced with senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, who are in judicial custody in this case, including Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia. Amit Arora, a key witness who confessed' to the ED on the alleged bribes that were designed and secured in the Delhi liquor policy scam case, also could be brought face to face with K Kavitha. The News18 report also says that this is the reason why K Kavitha is being brought to Delhi from Hyderabad. It is also likely that Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who has been evading ED summons, will be brought face to face with K Kavitha. K Kavitha will undergo a medical check-up and be remanded in ED custody. While getting bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is not easy, the Supreme Court has adjourned her case hearing till March 19. K Kavitha's reaction to her arrest K Kavitha asserted that she had done nothing wrong. She alleged that the Centre was "using" the ED as the BJP could not gain a "backdoor entry" into Telangana. According to videos posted by media channels, K Kavitha was seen involved in a heated exchange with ED officials. K Kavitha left her residence flanked by her family members and her son, in what the BRS lawmaker stated was a show of strength". K Kavitha's brother and BRS leader KT Rama Rao was also seen in the video claiming that the ED officials were functioning completely arbitrarily. BRS working president KT Rama Rao, former minister Harish Rao and a large number of party workers gathered at Kavitha's residence and raised slogans. ED allegations against K Kavitha The Enforcement Directorate had claimed that Kavitha was linked to a "South Group" lobby of liquor traders who were trying to play a larger role under the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. It alleged that one of the accused in the case, Vijay Nair, received kickbacks to the tune of at least 100 crore on behalf of AAP leaders from the "South Group", allegedly controlled by Sarath Reddy, Kavitha and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy. The "South Group", according to the ED, comprises Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Pharma), Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy (YSR Congress MP from Ongole Lok Sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh), his son Raghav Magunta, Kavitha and others. ARVIND More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on Friday made a big claim in front of the media about One Nation, One Election . The BJP leader on Friday said that there will be One nation, one election in the country in 2029. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vouched for simultaneous elections at a public meeting in Ranchi in Jharkhand. While addressing the BJP workers meeting, Rajnath Singh advised the Congress to not protest against One Nation One Election only for the sake of it. He also sought suggestions from the grand old party on the same. Former President Ramnath Kovind has submitted a report related to the One Nation One Election. And Congress has started making noise over it. They should not protest for the sake of protesting. If they have to give any suggestions, then they should come forward. Holding elections simultaneously will save time," ANI quoted the defence minister. His statement came a day after a high-level committee on simultaneous elections submitted its report on Thursday. The committee was constituted under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind, met President Murmu and submitted its report. The report, comprising 18,626 pages, is the outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts, and research work over 191 days, since the constitution of the High-Level Committee on September 2, 2023. The committee was briefed that intermittent elections impact economic growth, quality of public expenditure, and educational and other outcomes, in an adverse manner. In September last year, the central government constituted a high-level Committee to examine the issue of One Nation, One Election and sought recommendations from the committee for holding elections in the country. While rejecting the concept, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that there is no place for the idea of simultaneous elections in a parliamentary system of government. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Political parties have received more than 4,000 crore in donations from companies under the legal scanner over the past four years. Data shared by the Election Commission indicate that at least 14 leading Indian organisations purchased electoral bonds as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) knocked on their doors. The newly released information has also sparked quid pro quo allegations from the Opposition ranks with some pointing out that companies had secured major tenders soon after their contribution. Future Gaming and Hotel Services leads the electoral bond donors list with a contribution of 1,368 crore between 2019 and 2024. This is followed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), which made a cumulative donation of 966 crore, followed by Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd ( 410 crore). The BJP received funding of over 6,060 crore via electoral bonds, while the TMC got 1,609 crore and the Congress secured 1,421 crore. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, insisted that huge "assumptions" had been made after the release of data. I think you've based yourself on huge assumptions, that the money was given after the Enforcement Directorate raid happened," she asserted. Which companies donated funds while facing an investigation? According to the data released by the Election Commission, at least 14 out of 30 top donors are facing probes by the ED, CBI and the Income Tax department. Future Gaming and Hotel Services - 1,368 crore The ED launched a money laundering probe against the company in early 2019. The probe agency attached assets worth nearly 410 crore of the lottery company at the beginning of April 2022. It alleged that Future Gaming and its sub-distributors had illegally retained unsold lottery tickets and claimed top prizes in the pre-GST years. The company made its first electoral bond donation in October 2020. Donations continued through much of the next three years with records indicating a purchase on April 7, 2022 five days after the attachment of assets. According to reports, Santiago Martin dubbed the Lottery King and his company have been subject to several investigations on suspicion of unpaid income tax, money laundering and fraud since 2011. ALSO READ: Electoral bonds data: All about top donor Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd with 1,368 crore contribution Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd - 966 crore The company led by Telugu businessman Krishna Reddy faced extensive raids from the Income Tax department in October 2019 and also faces an ED probe. It made its first donation in April 2019 and had expended 966 crore by October 2023. SBI data also shows significant donations from three companies associated with Megha Engineering totalling 1,200 crore. Western UP Power Transmission Company Limited donated 220 crore while SEPC Power donated 40 crore and EveyTrans Private Limited purchased bonds worth 6 crore. Telangana-based MEIL has also come under scrutiny for securing the ambitious Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project in Mumbai for a total bid of 14,400 crore in April 2023. ALSO READ: Electoral bonds data: Who is behind Megha Engineering? Telangana firm that donated over 960 cr to political parties Vedanta Ltd - 400 crore The Anil Agarwal-led metals and mining conglomerate has been linked to a bribe-for-visa case since 2018. Vedanta subsidiary Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd was raided by the ED in connection with the money laundering probe in August 2022. A CBI FIR was registered against Congress MP Karti Chidambaram in May 2022 amid assertions that he accepted a bribe of 50 lakh from the Vedanta Group to ensure visas for around 300 Chinese nationals. The probe agency had reportedly claimed to have evidence of the company's involvement in the case. A chargesheet was filed against Chidambaram at the end of February this year. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The world is set to witness a series of important diplomatic, political, judicial, and financial events today, Friday, March 15. From Russian presidential elections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha poll campaigns, Mint lists important events to watch. - PM Modi will arrive in the southern Kerala town of Pathanamthitta on Friday to campaign for candidates of the BJP-led NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 polls. Modi, who will arrive here at 10.30 am, will address a public meeting. Party sources said one lakh people will be present at the venue. - Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address a rally at Bhiwandi in Maharashtra's Thane district on March 15 as part of his ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. - According to an official statement released on Wednesday, NHAI has advised Paytm FASTag users to obtain a new FASTag from another bank before March 15 to guarantee a seamless travel experience and prevent inconvenience at toll plazas. - The Kolkata Metro Railway is all set for a significant expansion, with three new lines opening their doors to the public on March 15, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated metro operations at Kavi Subhash, Majerhat, and Esplanade stations on March 6. - Voting for presidential elections will take place in Russia from March 15-17. Polling stations have already opened in Russia's Far Eastern regions, particularly the easternmost Kamchatka and Chukotka. - The income tax department launched an e-campaign for the advance tax for FY 2023-24. Through the e-campaign, persons/entities carrying out significant financial transactions will be informed through email/SMS to urge them to compute and deposit their due advance tax on or before March 15, 2024. - The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has mandated that prior approval be obtained before drilling a borewell within its boundaries. The new rule will be enforced from March 15. After this, the residents and business establishments need to apply for and get permission to dig a borewell. - Doctors, politicians, and student associations have been demanding the postponement of NEET MDS 2024. The Supreme Court has decided to hear the case on March 15, 2024. SOBHA More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Updating about Delhi's negotiations with Moscow for the return of Indians who were duped into fighting Russia's war against Ukraine , the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is pressing very hard with the Russian authorities for their early discharge." He also said that efforts are going on to bring back the mortal remains of two Indians who passed away in Russia. He said that the paperwork has been done and there are chances that the mortal remains of the two Indians will be handed over to the family in India by 16th or 17th March. We also have two people who passed away. The paperwork of their mortal remains has been done. The funeral agency, which we have engaged, has handed over the bodies. We are in touch with the family. We are also in touch with the Russian authorities. And hopefully, we will have the mortal remains in India by the end of this week, that is on Sunday or thereabout. So hopefully, on the 16th or 17th, they'll be here and then handed over to the family. So that is the update on Russia," he said. Randhir Jaiswal's update on India's effort to bring back Indians who are being forced to fight the Russia's war against Ukraine bears resemblance to what he said in March beginning. During his previous media addresses, the MEA spokesperson had maintained that India is trying hard for an "early discharge" of around 20 Indian nationals who are working as support staff to the Russian army. However, no firm update has come on the matter. According to media reports, many Indians who have been recruited as security helpers in the Russian military have been forced to fight with Russian soldiers MEA reacts to US comments on CAA During the weekly press briefing, the MEA spokesperson gave a stern response to the US after it expressed concerns over the recently implemented Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Calling the CAA laws implementation India's internal matter Jaiswal said, Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India's pluralistic traditions and the region's post-partition history are best not attempted. Partners and wellwishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken." "The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship, so this must be underlined. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights. As regards the US State Department's statement on the implementation of CAA, and there have been comments made by several others, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted," Jaiswal added. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! (Bloomberg) -- Upstart private credit firm Corinthia Global Management approached Barings and parent MassMutual about buying certain Barings assets and overseeing some of its portfolios, after poaching more than 20 people from the firm, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Corinthia proposed acquiring assets from Barings including the firms shares in Barings BDC, its publicly-traded business development company, at market value, one of the people said, asking not to be named discussing a private matter. That stake is valued at more than $100 million, according to Barings most recent regulatory filings. The new private credit manager also offered to provide portfolio management services to Barings Global Private Finance, which includes Barings direct lending operations, and assume management of its funds over time, subject to investor and regulatory approvals, the person said. The company also proposed sharing some revenues, the person added. Discussions havent advanced and the two firms are not currently engaged in talks regarding the proposal, the people said. We are not in discussion with Corinthia," Barings spokesperson Melanie Gounardes said in an emailed statement. We have successfully transitioned to new leadership in our Global Private Finance platform," adding we are focused on serving our clients globally and are committed to investing and managing their assets with our deep bench of senior leaders." Since the recent departures, Barings has appointed Bryan High as its new head of global private finance and Eric Lloyd as chairman of global private finance, Gounardes added. Representatives for Corinthia and MassMutual declined to comment. Read more: Nomura-Backed Corinthia Hires Private Debt Team From Barings Corinthia is a new private credit manager backed by Nomura Holdings Inc. that officially launched on Thursday. The company made waves by poaching more than 20 people from Barings in one of the largest so-called team lifts at an alternative asset manager in recent years, including multiple employees based in London and the US. The new venture will be led by Paul Weightman, an Australian investment veteran who was previously the executive chairman of Cromwell Property Group. Ian Fowler and Adam Wheeler, who served as the co-heads of Barings global private finance group, will be joining Corinthia management. Private credit has grown to $1.7 trillion globally, prompting numerous firms to seek exposure to the asset class. Read more: Corinthia Launches Private Credit Firm After Barings Hires More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Google Doodle on Friday celebrated Hungary National Day, also known as Revolution Day. As per the description, on this date in 1848, Sandor Petofi, a poet, participated in a gathering of nationalists at the Hungarian National Museum where he delivered the 12 Points of the Pest Revolution. Also Read: Google Doodle celebrates flat white coffee beverage with animated illustration This list considered among Hungary's most significant documents, outlined democratic demands such as religious freedom, fair legal representation, freedom of the press, and equitable taxation. Moreover, the peoples passion for the ideals of the 12 Points led to the Hungarian Revolution for independence and the appointment of the nations first prime minister. This milestone revolution demonstrated the power of a united people, and Hungarians today remain inspired by these nationalists who fought for a brighter future," the description noted. On National Day, the Hungarian National Museum continues to be the focal point of commemoration. Activities include recitations of the Nemzeti dal (National Song), speeches by local officials, and the laying of wreaths at memorials dedicated to revolutionaries. Also Read: Google Doodle celebrates Hungarian-American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's 89th Birthday A tradition involves wearing kokarda, ribbons in the colors of red, white, and green, which symbolize the national flag. These colours are displayed throughout the country and are also featured in today's Google Doodle. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! PIA, Pakistan's national airline, has implemented a policy forbidding its pilots and flight attendants from fasting during their on-flight duty days throughout the holy month of Ramadan . This decision is based on medical advice, which highlights the risks of dehydration, fatigue, and reduced alertness associated with fasting while performing operational duties. Pilots and cabin crew members have been instructed not to observe fasting while on duty for both international and domestic flights. Both the Corporate Safety Management and Air Crew Medical Centre have recommended Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) that pilots and cabin crew members should refrain from fasting during flights. The PIAs top management, based on these recommendations, has issued compliance orders to the pilots and cabin crew personnel with immediate effect," an official of the airline said as quoted by news agency PTI. The recommendations have specifically stated that when a person is fasting, he faces dehydration and issues of laziness and sleep," the official said. Also Read: CAA to grant citizenship to 6 religious minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh: 5 facts explained Last month, the investigation report on the Pakistan International Airlines plane crash near Jinnah International Airport in May 2020, which claimed the lives of 101 people, including 99 passengers, concluded that human error" by the two pilots was the cause of the incident. The report had also held the PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority responsible for not having clear procedures on whether pilots should fast during the month of Ramadan while on duty. The board held the failure of proper judgement by the two pilots while landing as the main reason for the fatal crash. Last week, Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expedited the privatisation process of the country's ailing PIA, according to media reports. PIA and losses As per a report by the Express Tribune newspaper, in 2022, PIA stood as the country's third-highest public sector loss-making entity, necessitating a monthly expenditure of Pakistani 11.5 billion solely for debt servicing. According to the PIAs financial report, the airline suffered a loss of 60.71 billion in the first six months of 2023 because of the depreciation of the rupee against the USD, as reported by PTI. (With inputs from PTI) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! David Wilcox Executive editor Follow David Wilcox Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today As it approaches its 10th anniversary at the end of the year, Prison City Brewing in Auburn is expanding and making some changes to the downtown brewpub where it all began. This spring, the brewery will open a taproom in Lake Placid, Prison City co-owner Dawn Schulz told The Citizen on Thursday. Located in a 710-square-foot former T-shirt shop at 2577 Main St. in the Adirondack village, Prison City ADK will serve beer from the brewery's North Street facility, as well as wine, cider and light snacks. Prison City merchandise and packaged beer will also be available. Schulz and her husband and co-owner, Marc Schulz, have wanted to expand to Lake Placid for years, she said. The village is where they met, had their first child and still have many friends. They were waiting for the right space until about a year ago, when they began searching more aggressively. They found that space a month ago, and she hopes to open the taproom there by the end of May. The expansion will happen as the brewery undergoes a change in beer production that will be most noticeable to customers of Prison City Pub & Brewery at 28 State St. Earlier this winter, the 5-gallon brewing system that produced the first batches of Mass Riot IPA, Wham Whams imperial stout and other beloved Prison City beers was removed from the brewpub. The fermentation tanks were moved to the brewery's North Street facility, Schulz said, but the 10-year-old Psycho Brew system was out of date and will be replaced by a new one at North Street. The new system will be overseen by brewer Eric Pham, who joined Prison City in 2022 as original head brewer Ben Maeso left. He'll oversee production of experimental, brewpub-exclusive and other small-batch beers on the system. The timing was perfect, Schulz said, as Pham is currently taking a six-month master brewer course on a scholarship from the Michael James Jackson Foundation. "All the stars kind of aligned," she said. "In order to increase our efficiency, culture and quality, it made sense to move all our brewing operations to North Street." Pham will also work with the lead brewer at the North Street facility, Tony Cordova, and Director of Brewing Operations Sam Sadovnic on an expanded wild and sour beer program there, Schulz said. The newly empty space on the first floor and basement of the brewpub, meanwhile, gives Prison City an opportunity to expand the service there. The kitchen has already annexed the space on the first floor, which Schulz said will lead to a bigger food menu. The basement space will become additional dining room seating, event space and another bar around the end of April, she continued. As Prison City makes those moves, the brewery will keep looking to expand to more locations, Schulz said. Now producing more than 5,000 barrels of beer a year and distributing it as far as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont, the brewery has come a long, highly decorated way since its first batch was kegged in a former armory almost a decade ago. Gallery: Fire & Ice Festival draws about 900 to Prison City in Auburn (Bloomberg) -- This is from the Green Daily newsletter. Sign up to receive it in your inbox. At some point during my mid-to-late twenties, I told my mom I wouldnt have children because I was worried about the state of the planet. That was over a decade ago, and the number of people with that level of climate anxiety has grown. In 2017, a study published in Environmental Research Letters found that having one fewer child was the single biggest thing anyone could do to curb their emissions. The study was reported widely in the media and leapt upon by columnists frustrated by what they perceived as a bias toward parents in society. It was also used as a key argument by the Birthstrike movement, which formed in England in 2018, encouraging people to forgo having children to protect the world from worsening social, economic and environmental conditions. The issue seemed to reach fever pitch in 2019 when US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pointed to the dire scientific consensus that future generations will have tougher lives: It does lead young people to have a legitimate question: is it OK still to have children?" But the problem with the 2017 study is that it doesnt take government policies into account, says Johannes Ackva, climate research lead for the Founders Pledge charity. Having a kid is much less consequential than it looks," he says. The main flaw he sees in the 2017 study is that many countries and states where people are concerned about their climate impact, such as the UK, California and the European Union, actually have strong policies to drastically cut emissions.That means todays emissions are a poor proxy of a child born today, says Ackva. If a country has a credible net-zero target, then the impact of additional children should also be near zero as those targets dont depend on the number of people in the country.Even if countries achieved their net-zero targets five years later, that would still mean emissions in 2050 would be significantly less than they are today. Its highly unlikely that todays toddlers will one day be driving petrol cars, given the existing trends towards electric. In the UK, where I live, new buildings from 2025 will be banned from using gas boilers, so are more likely to favor district heating systems or heat pumps. There are more important things to focus on. When I told my mom about my plans, she countered that if everyone who was worried about the state of the planet decided not to have children, and only climate skeptics procreated, that would do no good at all for action on global warming. It reminded me of Mike Judges disturbingly prophetic 2006 film Idiocracy, in which Luke Wilson plays an average American who is frozen for 500 years, only to wake up and find hes the smartest person on the planet. The earth, as the movie title suggests, had become overrun by idiots, as smarter folk perpetually delayed having kids for fear the environment, economy and everything else was getting worse. One of the biggest threats to strong climate policies is not babies, but political resistance. Individuals from high-income countries have an outsized ability to shape long-term emissions outcomes, argues Ackva. If Malena Ernman and Svante Thunberg had decided not to have children in 2003, there wouldnt be a Greta Thunberg to start the schools strike movement and all the events that followed, including increased pressure on governments to do more on cutting emissions. In the end, I decided I did want a child and it would have been a huge personal sacrifice to forgo that. More than a decade of writing about the climate had also taught me that big business and government has a far larger role to play in cutting emissions. So nineteen months ago I gave birth to a baby boy, and I will encourage him to stand up for what he believes in and vote whenever he can. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! On its third attempt, SpaceX nearly completed an hour-long test flight of its massive rocket, but the spacecraft was lost during its descent back to Earth on Thursday. As reported by AP, the company reported that contact was lost with the Starship as it approached its intended destination, a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the first-stage booster broke apart earlier in the flight over the Gulf of Mexico, following its launch from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border. The ship has been lost. So no splashdown today," said SpaceXs Dan Huot. But again, its incredible to see how much further we got this time around." Two test flights last year both ended in explosions minutes after liftoff. By surviving for close to 50 minutes this time, Thursday's effort was considered a win by not only SpaceX's Elon Musk, but NASA as well as Starship soared higher and farther than ever before. The space agency is counting on Starship to land its astronauts on the moon in another few years, AP reported. Also Read: SpaceX Dragon with Crew-8 members docks to space station The nearly 400-foot (121-meter) Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, headed out over the Gulf of Mexico after liftoff Thursday morning, flying east. Spectators crowded the nearby beaches in South Padre Island and Mexico. A few minutes later, the booster separated seamlessly from the spaceship, but broke apart 1,500 feet (462 meters) above the gulf, instead of plummeting into the water intact. By then, the spacecraft was well to the east and continuing upward, with no people or satellites on board. Starship reached an altitude of about 145 miles (233 kilometres) as it coasted across the Atlantic and South Africa, before approaching the Indian Ocean. But 49 minutes into the flight with just 15 minutes remaining all contact was lost and the spacecraft presumably broke apart. At that point, it was 40 miles (65 kilometres) high and travelling around 16,000 mph (25,700 kph). Also Read: Watch | SpaceX Falcon 9 completes its 300th mission, Elon Musk is elated SpaceX's Elon Musk had just congratulated his team a little earlier. SpaceX has come a long way," he said via X, The rocket company was founded exactly 22 years ago Thursday. NASA watched with keen interest: The space agency needs Starship to succeed in order to land astronauts on the moon in the next two or so years. This new crop of moonwalkers the first since last centurys Apollo program will descend to the lunar surface in a Starship after transferring from NASA's Orion capsule in lunar orbit. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson quickly congratulated SpaceX on what he called a successful test flight as part of the space agency's Artemis moon-landing program. The stainless steel, bullet-shaped spacecraft was launched atop a first-stage booster called the Super Heavy. Both the booster and the spacecraft are designed for reusability, although on Thursday's test flight, they were not intended to be recovered. During Starship's first launch in April last year, several of the booster's 33 methane-fueled engines malfunctioned, leading to a failure in separating from the spacecraft. This resulted in the entire vehicle exploding and crashing into the Gulf of Mexico approximately four minutes after liftoff. In November's trial run, SpaceX successfully extended the duration of the flight. Despite all 33 engines firing and the booster separating as intended, the flight concluded with two explosions: first the booster, followed by the spacecraft. Also Read: Billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX explores insider share sale, valued at over $175 billion The Federal Aviation Administration reviewed all the corrections made to Starship, before signing off on Thursdays launch. The FAA said after the flight that it would again investigate what happened. As during the second flight, all 33 booster engines performed well during ascent, according to SpaceX. Initially, SpaceX intends to utilize the mammoth rockets for launching the company's Starlink internet satellites, along with other spacecraft. Subsequently, test pilots are expected to orbit before the company offers lunar tourism to affluent clients. Elon Musk views the moon as a crucial step towards his ultimate goal of reaching Mars. Meanwhile, NASA requires a successful unmanned landing of an empty Starship on the moon before permitting future manned missions. The space agency aims to achieve the first crewed moon landing under the Artemis program, named after the mythological twin sister of Apollo, by the end of 2026. (With inputs from AP) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! (Bloomberg) -- Germany and France said they would start producing weapons inside Ukraine as the leaders of the European Unions two largest economies tried to move past concerns that their differences would hinder the bloc from mobilizing sufficient support for Kyiv. The announcement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, however, will do little to address Ukraines most pressing need: getting Kyiv enough ammunition in the short term to ward off the advances of Russian troops, whose average daily shell use can be anywhere from three to five times what Ukrainian forces can fire. Nor will it assuage concerns that Europes leaders as a collective are still struggling to grasp the magnitude of the threat they face. Macrons rhetoric has turned more dire in recent days, but hes so far failed to persuade Scholz to endorse such a bleak analysis. Scholz and Macron met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the so-called Weimar Triangle format to discuss aid and to try to present a united European front, following weeks of bickering among the blocs countries over what kind of equipment to provide and whether to consider sending troops into Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are running desperately short of ammunition as they battle to hold off Russian advances, fueling fears that a defensive collapse could see President Vladimir Putins forces closing in on Kyiv once again. Macron struck a much stronger stance this week, warning during a television interview on Thursday that the European Union would face a threat of a Russian invasion unless Putins forces are defeated in Ukraine. Who can think for a second that President Putin, who hasnt respected any of his limits or commitments, would stop there?" Macron asked during a joint interview with TF1 and France 2 television channels on Thursday. The security of Europe and French people are at stake." Neither Scholz nor Macron gave details on the production plants, but German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG announced last month that it will open a new plant in Ukraine to produce artillery ammunition with a local joint venture partner. The partners have agreed to build and jointly operate the plant, which will produce a six-digit number of bullets per year. Today in Berlin we discussed how we can very concretely support Ukraine even more strongly," Scholz told reporters after the meeting. The production of military equipment will be expanded, also with partners in Ukraine." Earlier this month, the French defense minister Sebastien Lecornu cited the Franco-German battle tank manufacturer KNDS among French companies that will set up partnerships to produce equipment in Ukraine. Id like to thank the chancellor, who takes particular responsibility for industrial co-production choices on Ukrainian soil," Macron said. Tusk told reporters that they all agreed that help for Ukraine needs to be immediate and as intense as possible." Macron has sought to take a lead in Europe on support for Ukraine, organizing a leaders summit in Paris at which countries agreed on a plan to source much-need ammunition for the Ukrainian military outside the European Union, and signing bilateral defense pacts with Ukraine and Moldova. Last week he sent his top diplomat to Lithuania to drum up support from the Baltic states, which praised his sense of urgency. But the French leader sparked tensions with allies two weeks ago by saying nothing should be ruled out when asked about putting boots on the ground in Ukraine. He argued strategic ambiguity was needed to deter Moscow. Scholz and the White House swiftly rebuffed the option, while Putin warned NATO risks a nuclear conflict if it sends troops to aid Ukraine. Scholz, however, has faced criticism for refusing to agree to Kyivs request to provide it with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. The chancellor has instead highlighted that Germany is one of Ukraines most generous backers, pledging military assistance worth around $30 billion. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski praised Germanys bilateral aid to Ukraine in an interview ahead of the meeting with Gazeta Wyborcza and Ouest France, while also urging Berlin to do more. I hope that Fridays meeting of the Weimar Triangle will encourage Chancellor Scholz to take more decisive action." While the meeting in Berlin wont be a game changer, it is the last chance for Scholz and Macron to mend fences ahead of decisive months for Ukraine, Junes European Parliament elections and the appointment of a new NATO leader, consulting firm Eurasia Group said in a note. Scholzs chief spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, pushed back earlier Friday against suggestions that the chancellor and Macron dislike each other, which some critics have said is hindering progress in areas including support for Ukraine and joint European defense. The two leaders have a very good relationship," even if they disagree on some issues such as sending troops to fight in the war with Russia, which Macron has declined to rule out, Hebestreit said at the regular government news conference. --With assistance from Samy Adghirni. (Recasts from the first paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! (Bloomberg) -- Health insurers and US government officials are expected to meet next week to hash out differences over how to assist cash-strapped medical practices, as a cyberattack last month continues to hold up billions of dollars in payments. The Biden administration has been dialing up pressure on insurance companies broadly to advance payments to doctors and clinics who say the Feb. 21 hack of UnitedHealth Group Inc. subsidiary Change Healthcare has roiled their finances. Insurers are concerned that the push for payments doesnt fully take into account steps the companies have taken to get business back to normal, according to three people familiar with the situation who asked for anonymity to discuss private talks. The companies worry that sending out money before claims have been received and evaluated could lead to problems when the advance payments need to be reconciled with billing. It could also introduce new headaches to manually process paperwork like tax reporting for a huge number of transactions, two people said. Representatives from insurance companies are expected to meet with US health officials on Monday, according to people familiar with the matter. The gathering follows another meeting this week that was attended by UnitedHealth Chief Executive Officer Andrew Witty, other health-industry leaders and top US health officials. In advance of the meeting, Department of Health and Human Services officials pressed insurers to get payments flowing and asked for detailed information about where bottlenecks still exist and progress in clearing them, according to a document reviewed by Bloomberg News. The officials also asked insurers to describe other remediation efforts. UnitedHealth has announced assistance programs for providers and Medicare is offering advance payments. But the broader health-insurance industry has been largely silent on whether they will advance funds to providers during the Change outage. Read More: Cancer Clinics Reel From US Health-Care Hack Following the attack on Change, insurers adopted workarounds, switching to competing computer networks and reverting to paper. Yet some physician groups have said that processing of claims and payments slowed to a crawl and has yet to be fully restored. To help relieve the logjam, US officials have asked insurers to suspend rules that force doctors to seek authorization before delivering some care, but insurers fear that could lead to fraud or abusive billing. The administration earlier asked UnitedHealth and its peers to advance funding to providers. At the meeting this week, the administration told the insurers they should do more. UnitedHealth has announced two advance-funding programs and has said it would act as a funder of last resort." It has also urged its rivals to also advance payments to providers, and a spokesman said in an email on Friday that the company is ready and available to provide funding to those in need. HHS said providers are seeking more assistance and called on the entire industry to expand relief. This was a systemic cyberattack and it requires a system-wide response, which includes UnitedHealth Group and other payers," the agency said in an email statement Friday. Case-by-case review is not enough." The agency said it expected insurers to make advance payments, offer other flexibility, and speed up claims processing. Continuing Effects The disruption from the cyberattack has been uneven, with some providers unaffected and others hit severely, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said in a letter to HHS on Friday. Blue-branded insurance companies are using targeted, tailored solutions," including technical support to help providers switch to other networks and offering advance payments on a case-by-case basis, the letter said. Some insurers have said their claims volumes have started to rebound. Elevance Health Inc. initially saw inbound submissions from providers drop by 15% to 20%, according to Chief Financial Officer Mark Kaye, but by late last week daily claims were trending back toward normal levels," he said at a conference on Thursday. Since the breach, cumulative claims received by Elevance are down by 10%, Kaye said. Elevance has extended deadlines and is working with some providers individually," including on loan options, he said. Elevance uses a Change competitor, Availity, as its primary channel to receive claims. Elevance didnt respond to requests for further comment. Provider Pain Meanwhile, some smaller medical providers said they remain in the lurch. Oregon Oncology Specialists, a 20-physician cancer practice, sought out bank loans when payments from insurers dropped precipitously after the hack, according to Mel Davies, its chief financial and information officer. This week, payments were at 50% of normal levels. Davies said that the practice tried to apply for UnitedHealths financial assistance, but it took two weeks to get logged into the system, and ultimately they were offered just $7,600 less than 10% of a days payroll, Davies said. She applied for more, but as of Thursday hadnt heard back. UnitedHealth said that they are looking into the practices situation. Larger, publicly traded enterprises are also facing continuing cash-flow interruptions. Option Care Health Inc., a home-infusion company that had $4.3 billion in revenue last year, said in a regulatory filing Thursday that more than half its claims since the hack remain unable to be processed." Its shares fell as much as 2.9% in trading Friday. Political Pressure Hospitals, meanwhile, are incurring costs for trying to get new systems running while payments are still held up, and feeling the strain on their finances. Its incredibly frustrating for them to be faced with all of these additional workaround costs, and this high cost of borrowing money to kind of make up for the losses, meanwhile the payers are sitting on all of the premiums they collected and making money on that," said Molly Smith, group vice president for public policy at the American Hospital Association, in an interview this week. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday that insurers holding money from Medicare and Medicaid plans need to get it to doctors and other providers. Were saying to them, you need to start making payments," he said. (Updates with UnitedHealth spokesman comment in 11th paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Mohammad Mustafa, appointed prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Thursday, is one of the leading Palestinian business figures who has overseen Gaza reconstruction under Hamas Islamist rule. A rare ally of PA head Mahmoud Abbas, U.S.-educated economist Mustafa once ran the Palestinian telecoms company Paltel and more recently the PA's public Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), with nearly $1 billion in assets funding projects across the Palestinian territories. He was tapped a decade ago to help lead reconstruction efforts in Gaza after an earlier war between Israel and Islamist militant group Hamas. Palestinian leaders hope he could now emerge as a unifying figure as he prepares to rebuild the enclave after five months of Israeli bombardment since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The internationally recognised PA, which exercises limited self rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank but lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, aims to reunify governance of Palestinian lands after the Gaza war. Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, a member of Abbas's Fatah faction, stepped down in February to pave the way for a unity cabinet, and Fatah and Hamas are expected to meet in Moscow this week to discuss the future. Though close to Abbas, Mustafa is not a Fatah member, potentially making him less contentious. Mustafa faces a huge task of management and diplomacy. Swathes of Gaza are now rubble and most of its 2.3 million people have been displaced and need aid. The West Bank, too, has seen the worst violence in decades. In addition to overseeing billions in expected international aid, Mustafa will need both political buy-in from Hamas and its supporters and cooperation from Israel, which wants to eradicate Hamas. Washington, which wants the PA to play a leading role in post-war governance of Gaza, has called for deep reforms in how it is run. "Everyone is in crisis. Fatah is in crisis in the West Bank and Hamas is clearly in crisis in Gaza," Palestinian economist Mohammad Abu Jayyab said, speaking before Mustafa's appointment. Mustafa, 69, could represent the "way out" for both, he said. October 7 'A symptom of a bigger problem' Abbas appointed Mustafa as PIF chairman in 2015. He served as a deputy prime minister responsible for economic affairs from 2013 to 2014, when he led a committee tasked with rebuilding Gaza after the seven-week war in which more than 2,100 Palestinians were killed. Speaking at Davos on January 17, Mustafa said the "catastrophe and the humanitarian impact" of the war now was much greater than a decade ago. Gaza health authorities say more than 31,000 people are confirmed killed, with thousands of others believed buried under rubble. Israel says it will never cooperate with any Palestinian government that refuses to repudiate Hamas and its Oct. 7 attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted, according to Israeli tallies. Mustafa, in his Davos remarks, described the October 7 attack as "unfortunate for everybody". "But it's also a symptom of a bigger problem ... that the Palestinian people have been suffering for 75 years non-stop," he said. "Until today, we still believe that statehood for Palestinians is the way forward, so we hope that this time around we will be able to achieve that, so that all people in the region can live in security and peace," he said. He is a member of the executive committee of the Abbas-led Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which recognised Israel at the start of the peace process in 1993, hoping to establish a Palestinian state in territories captured by Israel in a 1967 war - the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Biden administration officials have previously said they have urged Abbas to bring new blood, including technocrats and economic specialists, into a revamped PA to help govern post-war Gaza. But they have said they do not want to be seen pressuring for the approval or rejection of specific individuals. 'The way forward' Mustafa has said the PA could do better "in terms of building better institutions, providing better governance so that ... we can reunite Gaza and the West Bank". But "if we cannot remove occupation, no reformed government, no reformed institutions can actually build a good successful governing system, or develop a proper economy", he said. Mustafa has a PhD in Business Administration and Economics from George Washington University, and has worked at the World Bank in Washington. He was born in the West Bank city of Tulkarm. He said in his January 17 remarks that $15 billion would be needed just to rebuild homes. He said he would continue to focus on humanitarian efforts in the short and medium term, expressing hope that Gaza borders would be opened and a reconstruction conference convened. Asked what future role he saw for Hamas, Mustafa also said the "best way forward is to be as inclusive as possible", adding that he would like Palestinians to unite around the PLO agenda. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Russia is holding its presidential election from Friday as President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to secure victory, barring any unforeseen developments. The election results are anticipated to be announced shortly thereafter, with the winner set to be inaugurated in May. If successful, Putin will begin another six-year term, extending his tenure as the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin. Meanwhile, voting is set to occur in parts of Ukraine currently under Russian control and subject to Russian law. Ukraine has expressed its determination to remove all Russian soldiers from these annexed regions, Reuters reported. Additionally, for the first time in a Russian presidential election, a remote online voting system will be implemented. ANI reported that Russian citizens residing in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram cast their votes for the Russian presidential elections at the booth arranged at the Honorary Consulate of the Russian Federation, Russian House. Russia is poised to conduct presidential elections spanning from March 15 to 17, during which Russian citizens will cast their votes from Friday through Sunday across the country's 11 time zones. The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Russia has approved only three candidates to challenge incumbent President Vladimir Putin. What do EU and NATO say? Earlier, on Thursday, both the EU and NATO jointly stated that the upcoming election in Russia, anticipated to result in the re-election of Vladimir Putin as president, would not be considered free or fair. They emphasized that the Kremlin's suppression of all opposition voices has undermined the integrity of the electoral process. We know, given the track record of how votes are being prepared and organised in Russia under the current Kremlin administration and regime, how this will look like," said European Union spokesman Peter Stano, as reported by AFP. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said the ballot in Russia will not be free and fair". Also Read: Vladimir Putin addresses nation ahead of elections, says determined to go forward together We know already that opposition politicians are in jail, some are killed, and many are in exile, and actually also some who tried to register as candidates have been denied that right," he said. Moreover, Putin's reelection would extend his rule until at least 2030. Following constitutional changes in 2020, he would then be able to run again and potentially stay in power until 2036. What about opposition? No legitimate opposition candidate has been permitted to appear on the ballot. Putin is officially pitted against three candidates endorsed by the Kremlin, representing political parties aligned with his policies and loyal to his leadership. Also Read: Opposition, who? Vladimir Putin all set to secure another term with no rivals in Russia's managed democracy The contenders standing against Putin include Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party, and Nikolay Kharitonov of the Communist Party. All three individuals are perceived to be sufficiently aligned with the Kremlin, and none have expressed opposition to Russia's military actions in Ukraine. However, Boris Nadezhdin, an anti-war candidate, was disqualified from running, as was Yekaterina Duntsova. Putin Putin, aged 71 and a former KGB lieutenant colonel assumed the role of acting president after being appointed by Boris Yeltsin on the final day of 1999. He secured victory in the 2000 presidential election with 53.0% of the vote, followed by a landslide win in 2004 with 71.3% of the vote. In 2008, Dmitry Medvedev ran for president while Putin served as prime minister. Putin then reclaimed the presidency in 2012, winning with 63.6% of the vote, and again in 2018 with an overwhelming 76.7% of the vote. How long can a Russian president rule? Putin's presidency has surpassed the tenures of all Russian leaders since Josef Stalin, surpassing even Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev's 18-year reign. The 1993 Russian constitution, loosely based on France's 1958 constitution, was initially perceived in the West as a step toward democracy in post-Soviet Russia. Initially, it stipulated that a president could only serve two consecutive four-year terms. Also Read: 2024 is the year of election extravaganza: Top 6 national polls that could shape global order However, amendments made in 2008 extended the presidential term to six years, while those in 2020 effectively reset Putin's presidential term count to zero from 2024, potentially allowing him to stay in power until 2036. These changes also included provisions banning the cession of any territory. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! SEATTLE: More passengers who were aboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 jet when part of its fuselage blew out in January are suing including one who says his life was saved by a seat belt. The latest lawsuit, representing seven passengers, was filed in Washingtons King County Superior Court Thursday against Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Spirit AeroSystems and 10 people listed as John Does. Cuong Tran, of Upland, California, was sitting in the row behind where the side of the aircraft tore away and left a door-sized hole on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Jan. 5, according to a news release from attorney Timothy A. Loranger. Loranger, who filed the lawsuit, said air rushed out of the hole, pulling on Tran and others nearby. The suction tore Tran's shoes and socks from his feet and he felt his body lift off his seat, the news release said, adding that Tran's foot was hurt when it was jerked into the seat structure in front of him. Our clients and likely every passenger on that flight suffered unnecessary trauma due to the failure of Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Alaska Airlines to ensure that the aircraft was in a safe and airworthy condition," Loranger said. The lawsuit seeks punitive, compensatory, and general damages for alleged negligence, product construction/manufacturing defect liability, and failing in its duty to protect passengers from harm. Boeing responded to an email Thursday seeking comment saying, We have nothing to add." Alaska Airlines and Spirit AeroSystems didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment. The first six minutes of the flight from Portland, Oregon, to Southern Californias Ontario International Airport, had been routine, the Boeing 737 Max 9 about halfway to its cruising altitude and traveling at more than 400 mph (640 kph). Then the piece of fuselage covering an inoperative emergency exit behind the left wing blew out. The pilots made an emergency landing back where they started in Portland. No one was seriously hurt. Another lawsuit against Boeing and Alaska Airlines was filed last month on behalf of 22 other passengers on the flight, also accusing the companies of negligence. In a preliminary report last month, the National Transportation Safety Board 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. Boeing, under increased scrutiny since the incident, has acknowledged in a letter to Congress that it cannot find records for work done on the door panel of the Alaska Airlines plane. The Department of Justice has also launched a criminal investigation. The probe would assist the departments review of whether Boeing complied with a settlement that resolved a federal investigation into the safety of its 737 Max aircraft after two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. (Bloomberg) -- A Republican congressman is asking the Treasury Department to explain its handling of a US insurance company that covered dozens of tanker ships suspected of carrying sanctioned Iranian oil. Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, sent a letter Thursday inquiring about New York City-based American Club. An American company reaping a profit from its involvement in insuring tankers that are transporting illicit Iranian oil to finance terrorism demands answers from this Administration," he wrote. Nunn cited a February report by Bloomberg News showing that American Club covered 21 vessels suspected of carrying illicit Iranian oil, more than any of its 11 larger peers. The insurer had recently dropped 19 other vessels after inquiries from Nunn and Bloomberg, the report stated. The Bloomberg story was based on research by the nonprofit group United Against Nuclear Iran, which maintains a list of ships suspected of carrying the countrys crude. US sanctions prohibit Western businesses from knowingly participating in sanctioned activities. But the Treasury Department, which oversees sanctions, asks insurers like American Club to go further and monitor whether ships they cover are secretly trading in sanctioned products. Nunn asked Treasury to explain what its doing to investigate American Club and its involvement in the sale of illicit Iranian oil," as well as what the department is doing more broadly to police American businesses for sanctions compliance. American Club has said that its compliance program is top-notch and that it would never knowingly insure a ship that violates sanctions. Our due diligence policies and procedures are known to the relevant authorities, including OFAC, and as far as we know, are accepted by those institutions," said Daniel Tadros, the companys chief operating officer, referring to Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control. We will continue to do the best job possible when it comes to due diligence investigations and to take action when necessary." A Treasury spokesperson didnt respond to a message seeking comment. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! (Bloomberg) -- A likely delay in Donald Trumps hush money trial is the latest complication of prosecutors efforts to try his other criminal cases before Nov. 5, raising the prospect that he could be elected president and perhaps take office before being tried on the most serious charges against him. The March 25 New York state trial over whether Trump falsified business records for a hush money payment to a porn star before the 2016 election may be delayed by as few as 30 days. But it would still be part of a trend in favor of the Republican frontrunner for the November contest. If Trump takes office with federal prosecutions still outstanding, he could direct his Justice Department to drop those cases. Delays in any of his criminal cases only increase the possibility of such an outcome. Prosecutors scored one win on Friday morning when an obstacle to the Georgia election interference case against Trump was removed. A judge in Atlanta ruled that District Attorney Fani Willis can stay on the case as long as the prosecutor with whom she had a romance steps down which he did, hours later. Still, the case hasnt yet been set for trial, and procedural steps remain before it gets back on track. Read More: Trump Georgia Prosecutor Willis Can Stay On If Wade Goes Meanwhile, a federal trial over Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 election that was supposed to start earlier this month was put on hold to give the US Supreme Court time to weigh his claim to that former presidents are immune to criminal charges. A trial over his handling of classified documents is unlikely to start in May as planned, due to other delays, a judge said at a recent hearing without rescheduling it. Squeezing the Calendar In the hush money case, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the first prosecutor to charge Trump with a crime, said in a court filing Thursday that he would be open to a 30-day delay because his office had just received some 31,000 pages of records from the US Attorneys Office tied to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who is expected to be the governments star witness at trial. Those records relate to a parallel federal case against Cohen, whose dealings with Trump are at the center of the hush money prosecution. Trump asked for a 90-day delay, citing 73,000 pages of new records from the Cohen case produced by federal prosecutors since March 4, a late production of evidence that the defense claims was intentional. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche also asked the judge to dismiss the indictment altogether, citing alleged violations in turning over the evidence. Any such delay could hem in the broader trial schedule, said former federal prosecutor Jennifer Rodgers. She said a 30-day pause probably wouldnt greatly hinder the federal prosecutions, given earlier delays, but it would leave less room for other holdups and narrow the calendar. I think Team Trumps view is that any delay is a good delay, and this was completely unexpected to all observers," Rodgers said. All of this is squeezing the trials into a smaller and smaller period." We Want Delays New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan hasnt yet ruled on the requests. He is separately weighing Trumps request to put the trial on hold until after the Supreme Court decides on his immunity argument. That ruling could come at any time. Bragg on Friday urged Merchan to disregard the immunity claim, saying it doesnt apply because Trumps actions in paying off the porn star didnt constitute official acts." Bragg cited a Manhattan federal judges recent ruling that presidential immunity didnt protect Trump from being held liable for personal attacks he made on Twitter about writer E. Jean Carroll. Blanche has asked Merchan to hold a hearing next week over whether federal prosecutors improperly declined" or withheld evidence from their investigation of Cohen. He said Braggs office should have turned over material sooner and argued it tried to obstruct Trumps access to information to hinder his defense. There are disputed issues of fact regarding the Peoples obligation to obtain and produce these materials much earlier," said Blanche, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan. Read More: Trump Hush-Money Trial Faces Delay Over Evidence Dispute Blanche also said a 30-day delay would result in a start date conflicting with Passover, and that observant Jews could be left out of the jury pool, arguing for a longer delay. He added that the dispute over new evidence shouldnt distract the judge from simply tossing the whole case out. Merchan had scheduled the trial for March 25 at a hearing last month, where Trump argued for a much later start date. Lawyers for the former president cited their need to juggle his defenses in the other cases, but Merchan rejected those arguments and said the case must proceed. We want delays, obviously, Im running for election," Trump said to reporters before the hearing. How can you run for election and be sitting in a courthouse in Manhattan all day long?" --With assistance from Patricia Hurtado. (Adds Manhattan DAs argument on Trump immunity claim in 11th paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The United States expressed concern" regarding the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in India and stated that it is closely monitoring its implementation. We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily briefing. We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles," Miller said in response to a question. However, the Indian government has maintained that the CAA is about granting citizenship and that no citizen of the country will lose citizenship. The Central government enacted the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 on Monday, just days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule. CAA will facilitate the provision of citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Also Read: What is CAA, the law which led to massive protests in 2019? Additionally, the government issued a press statement reassuring Indian Muslims that the CAA would not affect their citizenship status and emphasized that it is unrelated to the community, which enjoys equal rights alongside their Hindu counterparts. Under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, individuals who have migrated to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh before December 31, 2014, citing "religious persecution," and belong to six specific religious minorities - Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian - are eligible for citizenship. Enacted by the Narendra Modi government and ratified by Parliament in 2019, the CAA rules seek to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who belong to non-Muslim communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, and who entered India before December 31, 2014. The CAA sparked huge protests across the nation on allegations that the act deliberately leaves out one community from its rules, which is against the fundamental right to equality and India's Constitution. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! AUBURN After five days of testimony and 31 witnesses, a Cayuga County Court jury has begun deliberating whether to convict Gage Ashley of murder. Closing arguments were made Thursday morning in the trial of Ashley, 26, who is charged with shooting Joshua Poole at 8 Delevan St. in Auburn on Nov. 15, 2019. Shaun Chase, Ashley's attorney, argued to the 12 jurors and three alternates that no forensic or video evidence presented during the trial conclusively proved his client entered the house at that address. The prosecution's entire case, Chase continued, hinged on the testimony of Markese Burke, who said in court last week that he was in Ashley's red 1999 Oldsmobile at the house the night of the shooting. Burke said he was told by police that he wouldn't be charged if he testified about the shooting. Arguing Burke was a possible accomplice, Chase said the witness "had a motive to lie then and he does now." The attorney also argued that Burke was less trustworthy and credible than Ashley, who testified in his own defense Wednesday. Chase then brought up Christian Rivera, who has been convicted of first-degree attempted robbery for planning what resulted in the shooting. Ashley said in his testimony that he fell asleep before the shooting because he was intoxicated, and that Rivera wore Ashley's clothes to 8 Delevan St. When the prosecution asked Ashley if he was saying Rivera framed him, the defendant had said "yes." On Thursday, Chase said the defense wasn't necessarily arguing that Rivera tried to frame Ashley. Instead, the attorney said Rivera took Ashley's place in a robbery gone bad and didn't intend to commit murder. "He was trying to get himself out of the crosshairs," Chase said of Rivera. Chase also addressed a black sweatshirt of Ashley's that prosecutors said he wore during the shooting, mentioning that a New York State Police forensic scientist testified there was DNA on the sweatshirt consistent with at least three contributors. The scientist said Ashley was the major contributor, but the attorney contended that the others created reasonable doubt his client committed the crime. "When you look at all of the facts, there are some questions," Chase continued. "There are questions about the credibility of Markese Burke and there are questions about who wore that sweatshirt." Giving the prosecution's closing argument, Cayuga County District Attorney's Office Special Counsel Mark Moody noted that a witness on Monday described helping Ashley to submerge his Oldsmobile in the Seneca River near Cross Lake days after the shooting. Moody also noted that a witness filmed himself burning the car, and said he tried to destroy its vehicle identification number. Noting no other defendant in Poole's death had documentation tying them to the car, Moody said the car's license plates, title and registration had all been removed and were found in another location. "The only person who benefits from the car being destroyed and the title and VIN number being removed is (Ashley)," Moody said. Markese was forthcoming on the stand, the prosecutor continued, and the witness's recollection of the night of the shooting matched video footage from 8 Delevan. "I didn't ask you to let him date your daughter or date your sister or invite him to dinner. I asked you to listen to him and weigh what he said against the evidence," Moody said. Moody also argued against the idea that Rivera framed Ashley, noting he allowed Rivera to tow his car, hid a bag of his clothes at Rivera's request and hung out with Rivera after being threatened by him. "The single most eager participant in the frame-up is him," Moody said of Ashley, his voice raised. After closing arguments were finished, the jury was given instructions by Judge Thomas Leone, and deliberations began that afternoon. Cayuga County Chief Assistant District Attorney Chris Valdina told The Citizen that the jury did not reach a decision that afternoon, and would resume deliberations Friday morning. The history of the Poole murder case Ashley originally pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in September 2021. He was sentenced that December to 21 years to life in prison, but his conviction was overturned in May 2023 after a state appeals court determined the grand jury that indicted him was illegally constituted because a member had a criminal conviction. He was indicted again on the same charges in June 2023. Lucciano Spagnola, Tyree Anglin and Christian Rivera have also been convicted for their roles in Poole's murder. It was an interview of Nvidia founder Jensen Huang (bit.ly/3PcQSHB) that brought home to me the most profound effect that artificial intelligence (AI) will have: It will teach us how to be human in the age of AI. Omar Al-Olama, AI minister of the UAE, asked Huang what people should learn themselves and educate their kids in this age of AI. Huang gave a counterintuitive answer. He said that most people think we should all learn computer science and AI programming, but we should be doing exactly the opposite. With AI, he said, it is the job of tech companies to create computing technology such that no one has to programme. Everyone in the world will become a programmer. I agree with Huang that the greatest revolution brought about by AI and Generative AI is that the long-standing human-machine gap will close. The languages that we will use to work with computers will be human languages like English, Bengali or Spanish, and not esoteric ones like C++, Python or PHP, languages that belong to machines. Bill Gates and Satya Nadella of Microsoft have echoed this. Gates is excited that AI is the new UI"the user interface for machines, which moved from graphical to browsers and then apps, and will now move to human languages. Nadella has backed this up, So far we had to learn the language of the computer, now the computer has to learn our language." So far, the ability to make machines perform magic was restricted to a tiny fraction of our population: software engineers and programmers. The elite among themmostly young, Caucasian and male, largely living on the US west coastbuilt the world around us, harnessing powerful computing machines to create new products and services that the rest of us use. With the sweeping democratization of computing that AI brings, potentially all eight billion of us become creators and builders, as instructing machines becomes a matter of speaking as we socially do. As this happens, we will need to reinforce and regain the human skills we have somehow lost or ceded to machines. As Aneesh Raman and Mari Flynn write in the New York Times (bit.ly/3TbH1mF): There have been just a handful of moments over the centuries when we have experienced a huge shift in the skills our economy values most. We are entering one such moment now. Technical and data skills that have been highly sought after for decades appear to be among the most exposed to advances in artificial intelligence. But other skills, particularly the people skills that we have long undervalued as soft, will very likely remain the most durable. Work (will be) anchored more, not less, around human ability. A LinkedIn research estimates that 96% of a software engineers current skills, which is mainly how to write code in programming languages, will be taken over by AI; 70% of executives said soft skillsinterpersonal relationships, negotiating, motivating teams, etcwere more important than technical AI skills." Thus, it is the skills that made us human that will come to the fore. The use of language is onehow we employ and manipulate the English language to write the best prompts to tease out the most optimal answer, appealing art or useful code from a machine. This will be followed by other key human skills, like how we show the answers and data elicited from machines to people, how we work with them and persuade them to our point of view, and how we leverage the relationships we have built to bring them to our point of view. The knowledge economy will give way to the relationship economy. As Minouche Shafik of Columbia University says: In the past, jobs were about muscles. Now theyre about brains, but in the future, theyll be about the heart." This will have profound implications for our educational system, which has been obsessively STEM-focused of late. The original subjects taught in our ancient monasteries and schools will come back: language and grammar, logic, mathematics and philosophy. Humanities, finally, will have a dominant say in technology, as empathy, creativity and felicity with language are valued more. Raman and Flynn go on to write: AI will probably give us fantastic tools that will help us outsource a lot of our current mental work. At the same time, AI will force us humans to double down on those talents and skills that only humans possess. The most important thing about AI may be that it shows us what it cant do, and so reveals who we are and what we have to offer." We will learn to be more human in the coming age of AI. Theres another International Day on its way: 20 March. Its marked on the calendar as the Day of Happiness. In an increasingly polarized world that looks set to become more so as political divisions deepen, where two major wars are raging, one in its third year and the other with no end in sight, and where not a single day goes by without countless acts of violence, celebrating an International Day of Happiness sounds absurdly Panglossian. True happiness, after all, is a pipe-dream. But can it become an ideal that all of us can aspire to, no matter how out of reach it may seem for most of humankind today? Perhaps. This was what led the United Nations General Assembly to pass a resolution 12 years ago marking 20 March out for annual commemoration. The UN website describes happiness as a fundamental human goal. And in recognition of the right to be happy, it calls for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples." Ah, so there you have it: Happiness is not entirely surreal. It is closely linked with economic well-being. But if you think being well-off alone ensures happiness, perish the thought. Studies have repeatedly shown that while the rich are generally happier than others, wealth and prosperity are no guarantee of happiness. Else, the worlds richest large country, the US, would also be its happiest. Instead, the UNs 2023 World Happiness Report, published on 20 March last year, ranks the US a relatively low 15th. In contrast, the Nordic countriesFinland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norwayrank consistently among the top 10, with Finland leading from the front for the sixth successive year. So, is there some magic potion these countries have that others dont? Far from it. The effectiveness of the government has a major influence on human happiness," says the report, stating the obvious. Despite the triumph of free-market capitalism in the late 20th century, the reality is governments have an unduly large influence over our lives. The report identifies five government traits that have a close relationship with peoples well-being: its ability to raise money, ability to deliver services, the rule of law, avoidance of civil war and avoidance of repression. And it is immediately clear why Nordic countries do so well. Their willingness and capacity to keep the welfare of citizens foremost is legion. As is the trust of citizens in their government. Of course, any attempt to construct an index of happinesswhich is, after all, a state of mindis bound to suffer from the usual drawbacks of subjectivity and inherent biases. Israel, for instance, ranks among the top 10, though it is often at war. Even so, it is disconcerting to find India ranked among the worlds lowest. Our rank, 126th out of 136 countries, below the likes of China (No. 64), hardly a bastion of civic freedoms, and Palestine (No. 98), an embattled if not still-born state, does us no justice. Sure, it will be a while before state capacity and civil society in India match their Nordic counterparts. But the economic underpinning of happiness means our steady ascent of the global league tables for GDP (we rank fifth) and market capitalization (were fourth) should see us perform better on the happiness index as well. To get there, though, we must remember that economic well-being is a necessary but not sufficient condition for happiness. Foreign spies are lurking everywhere! So says the Chinese government. Officials were ruffled by the CIAs claim, made last year, that it was rebuilding its spy networks in China a decade after most of its sources disappeared. But Chinas reaction seems defined more by paranoia than vigilance. The national intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), wants the entire population to be on the lookout for spies. To improve public awareness, the ministry has launched an online comic strip called Shenyin Special Investigation Squad". It will feature heart-pounding action, say Chinas spooks. The first instalment, released on January 7th, shows the capture and interrogation of a blond-haired man, seemingly foreign, who is suspected of breaking the countrys counter-espionage law. It also introduces the members of the Shenyin team. Among them are a tech geek named A Zhe (he wears glasses and enjoys bubble tea) and a martial-arts whizz named Dan Dan (she is a long-haired police officer). An agent named Lao Tan has 20 years of experience in the field of security and an unspecified set of skills (one imagines they are very particular, a nightmare for certain people). The first instalment ends with the team investigating suspicious activity in the Xishan mining area. According to the MSS, the story is inspired by actual counter-espionage cases. The intelligence agency is working hard to help the seeds of national security to take root and sprout" in the minds of young people. Last year it joined WeChat, a popular messaging app, where it shares stories of devious foreign spies at work. Now it is creating comics. But such propaganda efforts, with their predictable themes and lack of subtlety, are usually met with indifferenceor even derisionfrom the intended audience. Still, the comic strip serves a purpose, reinforcing the impression that any interaction between Chinese people and foreigners will be viewed with suspicion by the government. Last year it expanded the counter-espionage law, banning the transfer of information related to security and national interests, which it did not define. The European Chamber of Commerce in China cited uncertainty over the scope of the law as one reason why its members were losing confidence in Chinas business environment. Other moves by the government have added to the febrile atmosphere. In 2015 officials set up a hotline that ordinary citizens could use to report their suspicions. Some local governments offer big rewards for tips on espionage cases. China established an annual National Security Education Day years ago. Though, according to the MSS, publication of the comic was timed to coincide with Police Day on January 10th. To some Chinese, the comic is a worthwhile piece of propaganda. One of the countrys best-known nationalist commentators, Hu Xijin, wrote on social media that the security services should speak more about the threat of espionage and highlight the cases theyve cracked. But he also warned that they shouldnt go too far, lest China cut itself off from the world. That, he said, would be like not eating for fear of choking". JERUSALEMHamas has called for Palestinians to confront Israel at the Al Aqsa Mosque on Friday, when the arrival of large numbers of worshipers presents a test for Israeli authorities aiming to sustain a fragile peace over Ramadan as war rages in Gaza. In recent years, the Islamic holy month has been an occasion for violent confrontations between Palestinians, Israeli authorities and Jewish worshipers at the compound in East Jerusalem, considered the holiest site in Judaism, and one of Islams holiest. Jerusalem is holding its breath. The situation is dire in Jerusalem and this Ramadan we are not feeling any of its spirit, neither in celebrations nor in worship because the occupation has turned the city into a military zone," said Maha Yaish, a tourism operator who lives in East Jerusalem, referring to the Israeli security presence. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh last month called for Palestinians to march on Al Aqsa at the start of Ramadan, which began Sunday. The march didnt materialize. On Thursday, Hamas issued another demand for action. We call upon our people in Jerusalem, the West Bank, the interior, and the occupied lands to mobilize and confront the occupations schemes against the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque," Hamas said in a statement. Protecting Jerusalem is among the utmost duties, especially as we are in the month of Jihad and victories." Al Aqsa has been largely calm this week, following brief scuffles between Israeli police and Palestinians on Sunday. Palestinian leaders said Israeli police in recent days have managed to facilitate entry by Palestinians, after restricting access since the beginning of the war in Gaza. Last night there were no restrictions for East Jerusalemites and Palestinian citizens of Israel," Mustafa Abu Sway, an Islamic scholar at Al Aqsa Mosque, said on Thursday. In the past, as many as 250,000 worshipers have converged on the site on Fridays during Ramadan, he said. As for the risk of violence, Abu Sway said: The worshipers are not interested in anything like that. So far so good." Israeli police said Palestinians were entering the complex after enhanced security checks. Israel says it often faces attacks by Palestinians during Ramadan, including the pelting of Jewish worshipers with stones or shooting fireworks. The religious importance of the compound, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, means even small disputes over access have the potential to erupt into conflict. Add to that, the backdrop of carnage in Gaza. That creates a very, very volatile mix. If theres any single event alone, that could possibly trigger a regional war," said Daniel Seidemann, a Jerusalem-based Israeli civil rights lawyer and onetime adviser to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. A visit to the site in 2000 by former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, then a right-wing opposition leader, was one of the triggers of the second Palestinian intifada, which resulted in years of fighting with Israeli forces. In 2021, Hamas fired rockets into Israel following confrontations at the site between Palestinian worshipers and police, sparking an 11-day war in Gaza. Some Palestinians described Ramadan this year as a time for resistance to Israeli occupation. Israel has expanded its security operations across the West Bank, following the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that resulted in the Israeli offensive in Gaza. What does the world expect from people who are having to live with such brutality?" said Adham Manasra, a 39-year-old accountant and father of three in Ramallah. Of course the natural reaction is to revolt, but not because anyone is calling them to, its a reaction to the daily humiliation." Since Israel seized East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan in 1967, Israeli authorities have allowed a delicate status quo to remain in place in which a Muslim religious authority under the Jordanian government administers the Al Aqsa site, but Israeli police control its entrances. Jews are forbidden to pray on the site, although in recent years more have done so without repercussions. This year, Israeli military authorities imposed restrictions on Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem for prayers, allowing only men over 55, women over 50 and children under 10 to enter. The restrictions are similar to those imposed in the past. Ramadan is sacred to Muslims; its sanctity will be upheld this year, as it is every year," the Israeli Prime Ministers Office said on March 5. Palestinians streamed to Al Aqsa this week to enjoy moments of prayer and quiet conversation. At night, the sound of tarawih, Ramadan prayers in which worshipers read long sections of the Quran, could be heard drifting over the walls of the old city. Were standing watch over Al Aqsa," said Samira Eghbariya, 59, who traveled to Jerusalem from Umm al-Fahm, a town in northern Israel with a mostly Palestinian population. She said Israeli police questioned her on her way into the compound. They want to know if you came by car or bus," she said, complaining that officers wouldnt allow her to bring in a bag of sweets. Nearby, Umm Mahmoud, 51, stood in the shadow of the Dome of the Rock, collecting donations for her family in Gaza. On her phone, she swiped through photos of killed and injured relatives, a flipbook of bloody and bandaged faces. As she stood there, her daughter called from Gaza. We just want to sleep in peace," the daughter said. Write to Jared Malsin at jared.malsin@wsj.com Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned why the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 50 per cent of the donations in electoral bonds, while Congress received only 11 per cent. The statement comes a day after the Election Commission published the electoral bonds data on its website charging up the political atmosphere in the country ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Prime Minister says na khaoonga, na khane dunga (will not eat, will not let others eat). But Supreme Court has exposed how the BJP has made money out of electoral bonds," the Congress President said. The Congress president demanded a special investigation into the donations made through electoral bonds and said that the account of BJP must remain frozen till the probe is completed. "Even our voter pattern (percentage) if you see we are nearly one-third and the rest of the people are two-third including BJP, but in donations, they got more than 50 percent. How can they get this much money? How can the capitalists or other companies give such donations? There are many dubious donors. Who are they? People who have donated, are either involved in ED cases, Income Tax or have been raised by these agencies," Mallikarjun Kharge alleged. The Congress president said: "Ultimately the Government of India, particularly (Narendra) Modi and his party pressured these people to give more donations to their party. Otherwise, this much of difference cannot be there. IT (Income-Tax department) was instructed to do this and nearly 300 crore is frozen. How can we go to the election? You are collecting crores of rupees through electoral bonds, while Congress got donations from workers, MPs, and other small donors. Our account is closed, their account is open. They got 6,000 crore, while others got very little," the Congress President added. Congress doesn't have funds: Mallikarjun Kharge While asserting that Congress doesn't have adequate funds ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the ruling BJP for freezing its money through the Income Tax Department. He said that Congress accumulated those funds during crowdfunding campaigns. "It was our party money that the people gave as donations. The accounts have been frozen and we don't have money to spend," the Congress President said. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh on Friday alleged that the electoral bonds data revealed a day before has exposed "corrupt tactics" of the BJP such as quid pro quo, seeking donations for the company's protection, kickbacks and money laundering through shell companies. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh also said the party continues to demand unique bond ID numbers, so that it can precisely match donors to recipients. "The BJP's Hafta Vasooli strategy is simple raid a target through the ED/CBI/IT, and then seek hafta ("donations") for the company's protection. At least 14 of the top 30 donors have been raided," Ramesh alleged. The Election Commission of India (ECI), on March 14, uploaded the data of the now-scrapped electoral bonds for making political donations on its website as per the orders of the Supreme Court (SC). In compliance with the SC order, the SBI handed over the electoral bonds data to the election body earlier this week Also Read : Electoral Bond Case: Here's what the SC told SBI about unique number From steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal to billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal's Airtel, Anil Agarwal's Vedanta, ITC, Mahindra and Mahindra, and a lesser-known Future Gaming and Hotel Services were among the prominent buyers of the now-scrapped electoral bonds for making political donations. Following a Supreme Court directive, the State Bank of India (SBI), which was the authorised seller of electoral bonds, shared the data with the poll panel on March 12. The top court had given the Election Commission time till 5 pm on March 15 to upload the data on its website. The SBI said a total of 22,217 electoral bonds of varying denominations were purchased by donors between April 1, 2019, and February 15 this year, out of which 22,030 were redeemed by political parties. The Congress leader said another major issue is missing data. The data provided by SBI only begins in April 2019, but SBI sold the first tranche of bonds in March 2018. "A total of Rs. 2,500 crores in bonds are missing from this data. Where is the data of these missing bonds, from March 2018 to April 2019? For instance, in the very first tranche of bonds, the BJP bagged 95% of the funds. Who is the BJP trying to protect?" he said. VEDANTA More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls 2024, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday withdrew its candidate from the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat and further demanded that Congress pull out their candidates from Sonitpur and Dibrugarh seats in Assam. It is to be noted that earlier on March 12, the Congress released a list of 12 candidates for Assam for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The party is contesting 13 out of 14 seats, reserving one for its ally, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). This list encompasses the three seats for which AAP had previously declared their candidates a month prior: Guwahati, Sonitpur, and Dibrugarh. Party MP Gaurav Gogoi will contest from Jorhat while MP Pradyot Bordoloi will contest from his seat of Nagaon. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, President, of Assam Jatiya Parishad will contest in alliance with the Congress from Dibrugarh. Also Read: 'Tired of talking with INDIA bloc': AAP declares candidates for 3 Lok Sabha seats in Assam In an official release, AAP expressed displeasure towards the Congress party over seat-sharing and alleged, "We (AAP) were told that a solution would be found, but, when the Congress announced its candidates for all the seats in Assam on March 12. We are totally in shock by this approach of Congress, will it not be helping the BJP by dividing the votes? Will it not help BJP?" AAP added that the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of AAP has decided not to contest the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat, by stating that the Aam Aadmi Party won the second-highest number of votes in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation elections after the BJP. To avoid splitting the votes of the opposition, we have decided not to contest the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat." View Full Image Official release of AAP. The party further challenged the Congress, and said, We also challenge the Congress party and United Opposition Forum to reciprocate our gesture by withdrawing its candidate from Sonitpur and Dibrugarh Loksabha seat. Else it will be clear that the Congress party has done a setting with BJP and is fighting only to make sure BJP wins. People of Assam will not accept this." Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Which BJP candidate is fighting against which Congress leader? Here's your guide AAP further slammed PM Modi-led government and said, On the one hand, there is the BJP which wants to destroy democracy in the country. These people do not believe in the Constitution, they do not believe in independent institutions like the Supreme Court and the Election Commission and their only objective is to eliminate the opposition." Also Read: AAP announces 5 Lok Sabha poll candidates for Delhi, Haryana; Jal Board vice chairman Somnath Bharti on list Meanwhile, the Congress in Assam is likely to face potential turmoil as PTI reported citing sources that Abdul Khaleque, the current Member of Parliament representing the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency, may step down due to discontent with the party. Notably, Khaleque was not granted the Lok Sabha ticket by the Congress; instead, the party allocated his seat to Deep Bayan, the President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Sevadal. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to conduct a roadshow in Telangana's Hyderabad and address a public gathering in southern Kerala on Friday as he prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with the slogan Abki Baar 400 paar,. Additionally, Modi is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu as part of his campaign efforts on Friday. Meanwhile, as per the Mega Opinion Poll conducted by news18, the NDA government is anticipated to make significant gains in the southern states of India, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Here is what the opinion poll suggests: Telangana According to the opinion poll, the BJP is anticipated to make significant strides in Telangana, projected to secure 8 out of 17 seats. Conversely, the ruling Congress party is expected to win 6 seats, with BRS's seat share diminishing to just 2, as per the poll's predictions. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TRS led by K Chandrashekar Rao emerged victorious in 9 out of the 17 seats in Telangana, while the BJP secured 4 seats. The Congress and AIMIM clinched 3 and 1 seats, respectively. Tamil Nadu According to the opinion poll, the DMK-Congress alliance is anticipated to secure victory in 30 out of the 39 seats in the southern state, marking a slight decline from its performance in 2019. Interestingly, the BJP, which has yet to form an alliance in the state, is projected to win 5 seats, as per the opinion poll. Also Read: Lok sabha elections 2024: Mega Modi wave in UP, Bihar, Haryana; NDA to crush AAP, Congress in Delhi, says opinion poll If these predictions hold true, it would be a significant boost for the BJP, which is striving to expand its presence in the southern region, where it has historically faced challenges. The DMK-Congress alliance is forecasted to capture 51% of the votes, as indicated by the opinion poll. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the DMK-Congress alliance swept the polls in Tamil Nadu, securing victory in 38 out of the 39 seats, while the AIADMK managed to win just 1 seat. Kerala According to the opinion poll, the Congress-led UDF is expected to win 14 out of the 20 seats in Kerala while the ruling LDF is expected to get 4. In 2019, UDF had registered a landslide victory in Kerala, winning 18 seats while the CM Pinaryi Vijayan-led alliance won just 2. Also Read: Electoral bonds: 10 biggest revelations as SBI, Election Commission release detailed data The opinion poll projected that INDIA bloc will get 47% of the vote share while LDF would win just over 32% of the votes. Karnataka According to the opinion poll, the NDA is poised to replicate its performance from 2019 in the crucial southern state, securing victory in 25 out of the 28 seats. Meanwhile, the Congress is anticipated to secure only 3 seats. In Karnataka, the BJP is contesting the elections in alliance with JD(S). In the previous Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won 25 out of the 28 seats in Karnataka, the only southern state where the party holds significant influence. The Congress and JD(S), who formed an alliance, managed to secure just one seat each. Also Read: PM Modi schedule today: PM to address Lok Sabha campaign in Kerala's Pathanamthitta today The outcome of the previous elections was a significant boost for the BJP, particularly since the party had lost control of the state to the Congress-JD(S) alliance in the 2018 assembly polls. However, following the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) government, the BJP came to power in Karnataka but faced defeat in the May 2023 elections. Andhra Pradesh The opinion poll has revealed intriguing projections for Andhra Pradesh, indicating a substantial boost for the recently formed BJP-TDP-Jana Sena alliance. According to the projections, the BJP-led NDA alliance is expected to secure 18 out of the 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh. Conversely, the YSR Congress, led by Jagan Reddy, which achieved a remarkable victory in 2019, is projected to win only 7 seats in 2024. Also Read: 'I need new haters...': Mallikarjun Kharge's ab 400 Paar remark in Rajya Sabha makes PM Modi laugh, video goes viral The BJP, TDP, and Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena recently forged an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. As part of the seat-sharing arrangement, TDP will contest 17 seats, BJP 6, and Jana Sena 2. In the 2019 elections, the YSR Congress dominated Andhra Pradesh, winning 22 out of the state's 25 seats. Reddy's party also emerged victorious in the assembly elections held concurrently with the Lok Sabha polls. The Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP secured just 3 seats, marking a decline of 12 compared to its performance in 2014. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! High-school history teacher Tambi Lewis rarely goes more than a few minutes during classes without stopping to say to a student, Put your phone away." Clark County School District in Las Vegas, where she works, prohibits phone use during class, but she said students know enforcement beyond a call home is rare. So all day she catches students scrolling social media, texting each other and watching YouTube videos when they should be completing assignments in their U.S. and world history classes, which are required for graduation. Lewiss school will soon participate in a pilot program requiring that cellphones be stowed during class in nonlocking pouches that block cell signals. Clark County, the countrys fifth-largest district, will require all students in sixth through 12th grades to keep phones in the pouches starting next fall. We have to do something," Lewis said. Theres no learning going on because of the phones." The decision to disable or lock up phones, while still far from the norm, is taking hold in thousands of schools across the U.S.a sign of growing concern among policymakers and educators. Many states have proposed or enacted new school cellphone restrictions, and a bill in Congress would study the effects of phones in schools. Many teachers say phones have become an in-class distraction, but phone bans might face pushback from parents accustomed to regular contact with their children. A 2023 study by nonprofit Common Sense Media found that students receive a median of 237 phone notifications a day, a quarter of them during school. The U.S. Surgeon General warned last year that social media can have detrimental effects on youth mental health. Indiana passed a law this month that will prohibit cellphone use during classroom instruction. Florida did the same last year. Massachusetts created $800,000 in grants this school year to help districts adopt phone restrictions. Connecticut legislation would create a model policy on phone limits in schools. We hear from teachers all the time that theyre distracting," said Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who is encouraging schools to ban phones through eighth grade, by using pouches or other measures. Most schools already have some rules in place that limit phone use in class, according to survey data from the U.S. Department of Education. But teachers say these policies are difficult to enforce. It is unclear whether any of the proposed laws would be more effective. Administrators and students say social-media use on phones can become toxic, as when fights or embarrassing moments are shared instantly or when social drama plays out online. Cheryl Fountain, a principal in Montgomery, Ala., said a particularly damaging situation involved nude photos of a ninth-grader that circulated throughout the school, which ultimately prompted the child to seek counseling. Montgomery Public Schools began using magnetically locked pouches to store phones this year and says fighting and misbehavior have fallen almost 24%. But banning phones from the first bell of the school day to the last remains unpopular with a segment of parents who say they want access to their children in case of emergency. Some educators and parents also argue teenagers need to learn to use phones responsibly. A recent national poll found that only one-third of public-school parents supported a ban on cellphones during the school day. Having open lines of communication with our kids is something that we are really comfortable with, accustomed to, and were not willing to give that up," said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, the nonprofit that commissioned the poll. Vendors are cropping up to help schools curtail phone use by locking them up. California-founded company Yondr, which makes pouches that cost $30 a student and need a magnetic key to open, said it worked with 3,000 schools and districts last year. Were in this all-or-nothing situation," said Sabine Polak, a Pennsylvania mother who co-founded an advocacy group called the Phone-Free Schools Movement. As soon as you allow a little bit of it, it becomes a nightmare for schools to manage." At Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in New York City, students seal phones in a pouch each day when they enter the building and only unlock them as they leave. Principal Jeffrey Palladino said it has become so habitual that there is little pushback from students or parents. If anything, he feels a bit jealous of the chance for a device detox. I wish my phone was in a Yondr pouch a lot," Palladino said. High-school junior Kylie McClusky said that since her district, Floridas Orange County Public Schools, banned phone use during the entire school day, she has felt a newfound sense of camaraderie and social interaction on the 2,500-student campus and more focus in classes. Before, if I was having a bad day and didnt feel like talking to anyone, I would go on my phone and zone out," she said. As the year has gone on, however, she has seen teachers grow lenient. Fewer are requiring backpacks to stay piled in a designated corner of the classroom, with phones stowed out of reach. She is back to checking texts at lunch, less concerned about her phone being confiscated. Glenn Robbins, the superintendent of a small elementary- and middle-school district outside Atlantic City, N.J., said he has no plans to restrict phones because they can be a helpful research tool and students should be taught about cybersecurity and cyberbullying. If were not teaching them, then who?" he said. Its not going to go away." In Pennsylvania, 16-year-old Grace Polak said signs are plastered on doors at her high school saying phones must stay in bags or lockers. But she said teachers have largely given up on telling students to put them away. The high-school junior, whose mom co-founded the parent advocacy group to ban phones, said she saw her grades and mental health erode as a freshman and sophomore because of her dependence on social media. She said when she finds herself with down time in class, she opens her phone and turns to Netflix, TikTok or Snapchat. The schools ban is designed to limit access to phones, but it doesnt work out that way, she said. If teachers did enforce it, everybody, including myself, could just do a lot better," Grace said. Write to Sara Randazzo at sara.randazzo@wsj.com and Matt Barnum at matt.barnum@wsj.com Choosing the ideal semi-automatic washing machine can significantly simplify your laundry routine, blending efficiency with convenience. Samsung, a leader in home appliances, offers a range of semi-automatic washing machines designed to cater to diverse needs and preferences. The Samsung semi-automatic washing machines combine traditional reliability with modern technology, making them a favourite among households looking for effective, yet straightforward laundry solutions. Semi-automatic models are particularly appealing for their balance of performance and control, allowing users to manage their washing with flexibility not found in fully automatic systems. Our selection showcases Samsung's commitment to quality, with each machine with features that cater to efficiency, fabric care, and user convenience. From models offering quick-dry capabilities to those with advanced water-saving technology, Samsung ensures there's a fit for every household's size, budget, and lifestyle. Our top 6 picks for the best Samsung semi-automatic washing machines are the result of thorough research, aimed at providing you with options that not only meet but exceed expectations. Whether you prioritize energy efficiency, washing capacity, or the longevity of your clothes, these selections promise to enhance your laundry experience, offering a smart blend of technology and practicality. 1. Samsung 7 kg Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (LIGHT GRAY) Samsung 7kg semi automatic washing machine with top load is economical with low water and energy consumption. It has a capacity of 7 kg which is suitable for 3 to 4 members. It has a manufacturer warranty of 2 years comprehensive on the product and 5 years on the motor. The motor has higher spin speeds of 1300 RPM which helps in a faster wash and drying. It includes 2 wash programmes for heavy, gentle, and normal. It reduces drying times by removing more water using the Air Turbo Drying System. It is equipped with 4 wheels the machine can be moved around by sliding it with ease. The key performance feature is its magic filter. Other special features include rat protection. The caster wheel means 4 wheels located on each corner of the base. The auto restart feature resumes the washing process when the power is back. The washing machines high energy efficiency is certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) with its highest 5-star" rating. The Double Storm system creates a constantly variable and powerful water wave that moves garments around and rubs them together for better washing results. It also has a scrub board with a series of ridges, which is gentle on fabrics. The magic filters gather the lint, fluff and particles that come out of your laundry, so clothes always appear spotlessly clean. Its easy to empty, so it works efficiently and prevents blockages. Reduce drying times by removing more water using the Air Turbo Drying System. During the spin cycle, it rotates the drum at high speed to extract more water, while dual air intakes draw in and circulate more external air. Protect your washing machine from rodent damage. The holes in the plastic base are now smaller in size to prevent rats from getting in and causing damage. With a caster wheel, it has 4 wheels, located on each corner of the base, so it moves more smoothly and with less effort in any direction. As soon as your electricity supply is restored after a power cut, the Auto Restart feature immediately resumes the washing process. It has a non-corrosive and rust-proof plastic body that is extremely durable. The Washing Machine features a buzzer that sounds at the end of the wash cycle. Specifications of Samsung 7 kg Semi-Automatic Washing Machine Brand:Samsung Capacity:7 Kilograms Access Location:Top Load Maximum Rotational Speed:1300 RPM Material:Plastic Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Compact design to fit small gallery Build quality is not that good Large washing tub as well as spin tub Also read:10 best washing machines in India: Buying guide 2. Samsung 8.5 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT85C4200GG/TL) The Samsung 8.5 kg semi-automatic washing machine combines efficiency with practicality, making it an ideal choice for large households. Its 5 Star energy rating ensures low water and energy consumption, aligning with sustainability goals. The Air Turbo Drying System significantly reduces drying time, enhancing convenience for users. Additionally, the Magic Mixer ensures even detergent mixing, leading to an effective wash. This model caters to those looking for a blend of high capacity, energy savings, and innovative features to streamline their laundry process. Specifications of Samsung 8.5 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT85C4200GG/TL): 1. Capacity: 8.5 Kilograms 2. Energy Star Rating: 5 Star 3. Key Features: Air Turbo Drying System, Magic Mixer 4. Special Features: Economical on water and energy Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid High energy efficiency with 5 Star rating May require manual intervention Air Turbo Drying System for quicker drying Not as fully automated as other models 3. Samsung 7 kg Semi-Automatic Top Load Washing Machine (LIGHT GRAY) Samsung 7kg semi automatic washing machine with top load is economical with low water and energy consumption. It has a capacity of 7 kg which is suitable for 3 to 4 members. It includes a manufacturer warranty of 2 years comprehensive on the product and 5 years on the motor. The motor has higher spin speeds of 1300 RPM which helps in a faster wash and drying. With its high speed and efficiency, it's perfect for busy households or those who want to get laundry done quickly and effectively. It has 2 wash programs for heavy, gentle, and normal. It reduces drying times by removing more water using the Air Turbo Drying System. Its key performance feature is the magic filter. The washing machines high energy efficiency is certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) with its highest 5-star" rating. A Magic Filter effectively gathers the lint, fluff and particles that come out of your clothes, so your laundry stays cleaner while protecting your drainage from getting clogged up. And it's easy to clean. During the spin cycle, the Air Turbo Drying System rotates the drum rapidly, while dual air intakes draw in more air. By extracting more water from your clothes, the Indus2 helps them dry faster. With a caster wheel, it is equipped with 4 wheels, the machine can be moved around by sliding it with ease. The casters are discretely located behind the legs of the stand, so they are practically invisible. The Washing Machine features a buzzer that sounds at the end of the wash cycle. It has a non-corrosive and rust-proof plastic body that is extremely durable. Specifications of Samsung 7 kg Semi-Automatic Top Load Washing Machine Capacity:7 Kilograms Colour:Light Gray Body - Blue Lid Cycle Options:Tub Clean Controls Type:Fully Automatic Maximum Rotational Speed:1300 RPM Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Good for 4-5 members of family Less durable and a bit noisy operation Very easy to use 4. Samsung 9.5 Kg, 5 Star, Top Load Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT95A4260GD/TL) Samsung's 9.5 Kg semi-automatic washing machine stands out with its top-notch energy efficiency and capacity, perfect for larger families. The machine's Air Turbo Drying technology effectively minimizes drying times, making laundry less of a chore. With a robust 1300 RPM motor, it promises quicker wash cycles and thorough drying. Its mobility is enhanced by 4 wheels, allowing easy repositioning. The inclusion of rat protection and a rust-proof body ensures longevity, while multiple wash programs offer versatility for different laundry needs, establishing this model as a top performer in its category. Specifications of Samsung 9.5 Kg, 5 Star, Top Load Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT95A4260GD/TL): 1. Capacity: 9.5 Kilograms 2. Energy Star Rating: 5 Star 3. Motor Speed: 1300 RPM 4. Key Features: Air Turbo Drying, Easy Mobility 5. Special Features: Rat Protection, Rust-proof Body Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Superior energy efficiency and large capacity Might be bulky for smaller spaces Quick wash and drying with 1300 RPM motor Manual intervention needed compared to fully automatic models 5. Samsung 6 kg Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (LIGHT GRAY) Samsung 6 kg semi-automatic top load washing machine is economical with low water and energy consumption. It has a capacity of 6 kg, which is suitable for small families. It comes with a manufacturer warranty of 2 years comprehensive on the product and 5 years on the motor. The motor has a higher spin speed of 700 RPM which helps in a faster wash and drying. With its high speed and efficiency, it's perfect for busy households or those who want to get laundry done quickly and effectively. It features 3 wash programmes for heavy, normal, and soak. It reduces drying times by removing more water using the Air Turbo Drying System. With its water and shockproof panel, the machine can be placed anywhere without worrying about water damage. The special features include rat protection, a rust-proof body, and a caster wheel. The washing machines high energy efficiency is certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) with its highest 5-star" rating. The double storm pulsator gets clothes thoroughly cleaned with increased washing power. During the spin cycle, the Air Turbo Drying System rotates the drum rapidly, while dual air intakes draw in more air. By extracting more water from your clothes, the Indus2 helps them dry faster. With a caster wheel, it is equipped with 4 wheels so the machine can be moved around by sliding it with ease. The wheels are discretely located behind the legs of the stand, so they are practically invisible. The Washing Machine features a buzzer that sounds at the end of the wash cycle. It has a non-corrosive and rust-proof plastic body that is extremely durable. The rat protection protects your washing machine from rodent damage. Specifications of Samsung 6 kg Semi-Automatic Washing Machine Brand: Samsung Material: Plastic Colour: Light Grey Style: 6.0 Kg with 5 star Pattern: Solid Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Good appearance and is lightweight Build quality could be better Performance is good Also read:7 kg Haier washing machine: Top 8 options just for you 6. Samsung 6.5 kg Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (LIGHT GRAY) The Samsung 6.5 kg semi-automatic top load washing machine is economical with low water and energy consumption. It has a capacity of 6.5 kg which is suitable for 3 to 4 members. It comes with a manufacturer warranty of 2 years comprehensive on the product and 5 years on the motor. The motor has a higher spin speed of 1300 RPM which helps in faster wash and drying. With its high speed and efficiency it's perfect for busy households or those who want to get laundry done quickly and effectively. It features 3 wash programmes for heavy, normal, and soak. Due to the water and shockproof panel, the machine can be placed anywhere without worrying about water damage. The special features include rat protection, a rust-proof body, and a caster wheel. The washing machines high energy efficiency is certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) with its highest 5-star" rating. The machine reduces drying times by removing more water using the Air Turbo Drying System. During the spin cycle, it rotates the drum at high speed to extract more water, while dual air intakes draw in and circulate more external air. Protect your washing machine from rodent damage. The holes in the plastic base are now smaller in size to prevent rats from getting in and causing damage. With castor wheel, it has 4 wheels, located on each corner of the base, so it moves more smoothly and with less effort in any direction. It has a non-corrosive and rust-proof plastic body that is extremely durable. The Washing Machine features a buzzer that sounds at the end of the wash cycle. Specifications of Samsung 6.5 kg, 5 star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine Brand: Samsung Capacity:6.5 Kilograms Access Location:Top Load Maximum Rotational Speed:1300 RPM Colour:Blue Reasons to Buy Reasons to Avoid Easy to use Reduced plastic quality lightweight Top 3 features for you Product Name Capacity Energy Efficiency Special Feature Samsung 7 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT70M3000UU/TL) 7 kg 5 Star Air Turbo Drying Samsung 8.5 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT85C4200GG/TL) 8.5 kg 5 Star Magic Mixer Samsung 7 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Top Load Washing Machine (WT70M3200HB/TL) 7 kg 5 Star Air Turbo Drying Samsung 9.5 Kg, 5 Star, Top Load Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT95A4260GD/TL) 9.5 kg 5 Star Easy Mobility with Wheels Samsung 6 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT60R2000LL/TL) 6 kg 5 Star Air Turbo Drying Samsung 6.5 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT65R2200LL/TL) 6.5 kg 5 Star Air Turbo Drying Best value for money The Samsung 7 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT70M3000UU/TL) stands out as the best value for money. It offers a perfect blend of capacity suitable for small to medium-sized families, top energy efficiency with a 5 Star rating, and essential features like Air Turbo Drying, all at a competitive price point. Its combination of efficiency, functionality, and affordability makes it an ideal choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable washing solution. Best overall product The Samsung 7 kg, 5 Star, Semi-Automatic Washing Machine (WT70M3000UU/TL) is the best overall product in this lineup. It perfectly balances the needs of efficiency, capacity, and special features. Its 5 Star energy rating ensures low water and energy consumption, while the Air Turbo Drying feature significantly reduces drying times. This model is designed to meet the demands of modern households, offering a comprehensive laundry solution that is both economical and effective. How to find the best Samsung semi automatic washing machine? Choosing the right Samsung 7kg semi-automatic washing machine can be tricky, as there are several factors to consider. Consider wash cycles as different models offer various wash cycles for different types of clothes (delicates, woollens, jeans, etc.). Choose a machine with cycles you'll use regularly. Consider spin speed as higher spin speeds remove more water from clothes, reducing drying time. Consider a spin speed of at least 700 RPM for efficient drying. Look for additional features like auto-fill (automatically fills the wash tub to the desired level), pulsator type (gentle or powerful), and lint filter (prevents lint buildup). Samsung manual washers range in price from around 8,000 to 15,000. Set a budget before you start shopping to narrow down your options. Samsung is a reputable brand known for its quality appliances. Look for a model with a good warranty (at least 1 year) for peace of mind. Read online Samsung semi auto reviews from other buyers to get their feedback on specific models. This can help you identify potential problems or quirks with certain machines. Compare prices and features from different retailers before you make a purchase. You may be able to find a good deal online or at a local appliance store. Ultimately, the best Samsung efficient machine for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. FAQs Question : Q. What is the difference between a semi-automatic and a fully automatic washing machine? Ans : A. A semi-automatic washing machine requires manual intervention for filling, draining, and transferring clothes between wash and spin tubs. While a fully automatic washing machine handles all cycles automatically, just add detergent and clothes. Question : What is the difference between different pulsator types? Ans : A. A double storm pulsator creates strong water currents for thorough cleaning. While a gentle pulsator softly agitates clothes to prevent damage. Question : Is a lint filter important? Ans : A. Yes, a lint filter in a washing machine is important. It traps lint and prevents it from redepositing on clothes. Question : How much water does a Samsung semi-automatic washing machine use per wash? Ans : A. The water usage of a Samsung semi-automatic washing machine varies by model and wash cycle. It is typically around 20-30 litres. Question : What is the average spin speed for these models? Ans : A. Typically, the average spin speed for these models ranges from 700 to 800 RPM. Higher speeds remove more water, reducing drying time. At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Before work begins to rehabilitate the Lake Avenue bridge, the city of Auburn must address the project's $4 million funding gap. When the city was awarded a state BRIDGE NY grant in 2021, the total cost was $4.9 million. The $4.6 million grant would've paid for most of the project, with the city covering the remaining costs. However, a closer inspection found more deterioration to the bridge, which contributed to the rising cost of the project. Jeff Reina, who represented the engineering firm C&S Companies at the Auburn City Council meeting Thursday, said the estimated cost of the project has increased to $8.9 million. The city will receive $4.9 million through BRIDGE NY, up from the original $4.6 million award. Reina pitched ideas for covering the remaining balance, from using state touring route funds to applying for a federal grant through the Northern Border Regional Commission. But Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino opposes using touring route funds for the project. "That local share is going to be a tough pill to swallow," Giannettino said. "That is a lot of money." One challenge identified in preparation for this project is BRIDGE NY caps grants at $5 million. Because the city has already received close to the maximum amount, any additional funding wouldn't do much to close the funding gap. With construction costs increasing for infrastructure projects, Giannettino wants the state to raise the BRIDGE NY cap. The council will send a letter to state leaders urging them to increase the maximum amount awarded for bridge projects. City officials are also planning to discuss the issue with federal representatives. Giannettino said they have already had a conversation with Josh Pearlman, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's central New York regional director, about federal funding for the bridge. Giannettino insists that the Lake Avenue bridge rehabilitation is a federal and state project. It is classified as a locally administered federal-aid project, a designation that means it is supported by the Federal Highway Administration through the state Department of Transportation. Local municipalities, such as the city of Auburn, oversee the projects. Auburn has other needs, Giannettino noted, including a new home for its ambulance service and police department. He thinks the federal and state governments should cover the remaining costs of the Lake Avenue bridge project. "They need to pay for this, not the people of Auburn," Giannettino said. The Lake Avenue bridge was built in 1954 and its last deck replacement was in 1985, according to Reina. The last major rehabilitation of the bridge was in 2002. Although the funding question must be addressed, there is a timeline for the project. The final design documents were submitted Monday to the state DOT, Reina said, and the design could be approved by early April. The project will open for bids by the end of this year and a contract will be awarded in January. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2025. The heartening story this week was the House vote to force TikTok, the video sharing platform, to stop acting as what U.S. officials have long warned it is, a true and grave security threat to the United States. In this, the House showed what it rarely shows, self-respect. Its members said: You cant harm America without our at least trying to resist. They signaled to China that it cant bank forever on Americas stupidity and carelessness. Maybe they signaled to Big Tech outfits here that Congress will eventually move against their abuses, too. The vote was bipartisan and overwhelming, 352-65. Nancy Pelosi backed it, as did Elise Stefanik. Against it were many on the fringes of each party, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Matt Gaetz. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, which is connected to the Chinese Communist Party. If the bill becomes law, ByteDance will be required to sell TikTok to non-Chinese owners or face a ban in the U.S. At least one prospective buyer has expressed an interest. Here is part of the case against TikTok: It uses its algorithms to suck up information about Americas 170 million users, giving it the potential to create dossiers. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray has warned that China, through ByteDance, has the ability to control software on millions of devices in the U.S. TikTok demonstrably suppresses content that China doesnt like and promotes posts injurious to America. It can flood the U.S. in an election year with information that can be used to toy with us and further drive us apart. Here it should be said that if youve been watching things for a while you have a strong sense that the Chinese, and our other competitors, arent pulling for Donald Trump or Joe Biden; they think both are jokes. They want to hurt America. They want to bring it down as a power. Its not about favoring one party or the other, its about hurting us. You could see Chinas commitment to its efforts in the language it used before the House voted. A proposed ban would come back to bite the United States," its Foreign Ministry warned. TikTok fought back hard and lost, which seems to me the first such loss for a tech company. It pulled out all the stops, alerting its U.S. users, who jammed phone lines on Capitol Hill. TikTok paid expenses for creators" to go to Washington. The New York Times quoted a creator called Giovanna Gonzalez, who posted in a video: So old white people boomers we call congresspeople are trying to ban TikTok, but Im not having it." You are having it. I dont know if what TikTok did backfired, exactly, but it didnt work. It overplayed its hand. U.S. security agencies have been warning the American people since 2020 that TikTok is an espionage tool. Since the warnings began, use of the social-media app has exploded. It seemed to me a seminal event when agencies of Republican and Democratic administrations in turn told the people that a platform was threatening their own safety and securityand Americans not only dont turn it off; they clamored for it. At some point we have to admit that something is wrong not only with Congress but also with us. People make their living on TikTok, it is true, but they can make their living in a lot of places, not only one that can do damage to their fellow citizens and, old-fashioned concept coming, their country. Independence and entrepreneurship are beautiful but can tip into sheer dumbness and lack of care for others. The bill now goes to the Senate. Senators would be impressed by the size of the House win and its ideological mix, but I wonder if Big Tech money is flowing in or being withheld. Will they slow things down until people forget? Victory will take vigilance. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley on Thursday told Axios he doesnt expect the Senate to vote for it. Nothing that Big Tech doesnt want moves across the Senate floor," he said. My observation is that people say, I agree with the idea in principle but have concerns. That basically means we should never do anything." The second most important story this week was the clincher nobody noticed. Donald Trump and Joe Biden sewed up their respective parties presidential nominations in primaries on Tuesday, each receiving the threshold number of delegates needed to win in coming conventions. By the latest count, Mr. Biden has received a combined total of 8.5 million votes. Another 1.3 million voters cast Democratic ballots for other candidates or no candidate. In all Republican contests combined, Donald Trump received 10.3 million votes, and Nikki Haley drew 3.3 million, and 500,000 other ballots were cast. Does the disparity in turnout9.8 million Democrats showed up and 13.7 million Republicanssuggest which party has the energy and hunger? I suspect so. But overall this is an absurd moment. Everythings settled but nothing feels stable. A nation now knows who its two major party candidates will be, after relatively easy contests, and that nation doesnt want those candidates! The polls show it. The general feeling: Were stuck with these crazy old coots. Neither candidate can, as they say in politics, do optimism. Neither can make you see a better tomorrow. Mr. Trump is American carnage; everythings terrible and only he can repair it; the worse things are, the better his chances. Thats why he didnt want the recent bipartisan immigration bill. On a problem thats, say, a foot long, it offered 2 inches of progress. Cant have that! Mr. Biden cant do optimism because when he speaks of the sunny side he sounds out of touch. Hes not believable and does not have a plan beyond keep on keepin on. He sounds like a politician whos just word-saying. But you can also connect a little of the general unhappiness and dissatisfaction to the TikTok story itself. President Trump was the first to call it a security risk, and he did it with vivid, concrete language. His 2020 executive order banning it warned that TikTok could funnel American users personal data to the Communist Party, potentially allowing China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage." The order was enjoined in court, and Mr. Biden later rescinded it. The bill passed this week was aimed at redressing those grievances. But Mr. Trump has now reversed his stand, saying this week that banning TikTok would make Facebook happy. Cant have that! Also a major ByteDance investor is a major Republican donor. His former adviser Steve Bannon said on the social-media site Gettr that it is the coin." As for Mr. Biden, his administration continued the warning of TikToks threat and backed a ban. Then, his approval ratings sinking, he decided to open an account on TikTok to sway its young hep-cat users. (He says hell sign a final bill.) What a crew. How mutually swampy. It is a cliche that its not whats done in secret in Washington thats a scandal but whats done in public, right under your nose. Its a cliche because its true. One of Auburn's state representatives is scheduled to attend the City Council meeting this week to discuss a proposed tax on hotel stays and short-term rentals. Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason said Assemblyman John Lemondes will appear at the council's regular meeting Thursday. According to Mason, Lemondes has asked the council to allow questions from the public during that portion of the meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., but the hotel tax discussion is set for 7 p.m. The council voted in December to send a letter to Lemondes and state Sen. Rachel May, who also represents Auburn, requesting legislation that would allow the city to impose a 5% hotel and short-term rental tax. May introduced the bill in January, but Assembly records show Lemondes has not yet sponsored a similar measure. The bill must be approved by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul before Auburn could implement the hotel tax. An estimate provided by Mason shows a 5% tax on hotel stays and short-term rentals would generate $500,000 in revenue for the city. The additional revenue could support emergency services and infrastructure projects, Auburn City Councilor Terry Cuddy said at a meeting in December. Auburn's pursuit of a hotel tax follows legislation that was signed by Hochul last year allowing three central New York municipalities the village of Weedsport in Cayuga County and the town and village of Skaneateles in Onondaga County to impose hotel taxes. Lemondes and May sponsored the bills authorizing the local governments to charge the taxes. Other cities in central New York and the Finger Lakes region have hotel taxes, including Canandaigua, Geneva and Ithaca. Several counties, including Cayuga, impose occupancy taxes. There has been pushback from the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, a statewide group representing the hotel industry, against new hotel taxes. The organization unsuccessfully urged Hochul to veto the hotel tax bills in 2023. 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. Catrina Pace was questioned thoroughly about her personal investigation and efforts to find her daughter after she went missing. Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! A man has appeared in court charged with the alleged false imprisonment of a 31-year-old woman in a van this week. Karl OReilly, 40, with an address in Granard, Co Longford, was charged with two counts of false imprisonment, two threats to kill or cause serious harm, one count of assault and one over the possession of a knife. One charge of false imprisonment and one charge of threatening to harm relate to February 28 this year at a location in Co Longford. The other charges of false imprisonment, threatening to harm and possession of a knife relate to March 12 in Arklow, Co Wicklow. The charge of assault relates to the period from February 28 to this Tuesday March 12. OReilly appeared before Bray District Court on Thursday dressed in a green hoodie, black jeans and runners, and carrying a black and white cap. The court heard that when charged and cautioned, he replied no thanks. An application for bail was made and opposed by An Garda Siochana; the judge refused bail due to the seriousness of the allegations. Detective Sergeant Donal OSullivan of Arklow Garda Station said that the woman in question, whose identity is not being disclosed in line with a judges request, had flown back to England on Thursday. The court heard that OReilly contested the allegations when interviewed by gardai. Gardai requested that OReilly be remanded in custody given the seriousness of the alleged offences. Judge Nicola Andrews said it was appropriate to refuse bail, stating that allegations are extremely serious. OReilly is next due to appear before Bray District Court via video link on March 21 at 10.30am. OReilly, a father of three who is originally from Clondalkin in Dublin, returned to Ireland around two years ago after living in the UK for 17 years. Central New York's members of Congress, U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney and Brandon Williams, voted for a bill this week that would ban the video-sharing app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell the popular social media platform. The House overwhelmingly passed the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act by a 352-65 vote. The bill is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. Gallagher, a Republican, released a joint statement with the select committee's ranking member, Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, celebrating passage of the bill and the bipartisan coalition that voted to "address the grave national security risk posed by TikTok." "We speak with one voice and carry the same message as the directors of the (Defense Intelligence Agency), FBI, CIA, (National Security Agency) and the head of U.S. Cyber Command TikTok cannot continue to operate in the United States under its current ownership structure," Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi said. The legislation targets ByteDance, the Beijing-based company that developed TikTok. Critics of the popular social media platform say ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party. That connection has raised concerns about the data security of U.S. users. If ByteDance doesn't sell TikTok, the app would be banned in the U.S. Tenney, R-Cleveland, explained in a statement that the bill would not apply to U.S.-owned companies and is limited to apps owned by companies in China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. "Congress has heard consistently from the intelligence community about the serious threats posed by TikTok to our national security," Tenney said. "With over 170 million users, TikTok is the Chinese Community Party's propaganda megaphone, using the app to manipulate and exploit users' data for its own surveillance and monetary gain." President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill if it's approved by Congress. But the U.S. Senate has not yet acted on the measure. Other votes in the House this week: A resolution denouncing the Biden administration's immigration policies passed 226-193. Fourteen Democrats joined with 212 Republicans to support its passage. Tenney and Williams, R-Sennett, voted for the resolution. The USE IT Act passed 217-203, with Tenney and Williams supporting the legislation. The bill would require the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration to develop standards for assessing federal building use. If the legislation is signed into law, the agencies would be mandated to ensure that federal building utilization averages at least 60% over a one-year period, according to the legislative summary. The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act passed 326-73. Tenney and Williams voted for the bill, which allows the Marine Debris Foundation to move its office outside of Washington, D.C., and requires the organization to develop a plan for communicating with Indian tribes. The E-BRIDGE Act passed 375-20. Tenney and Williams supported the legislation, which allows the Department of Commerce to provide economic development grants for public-private partnerships overseeing broadband projects. The petfood division of ABP Food Group, C&D Foods, has launched a recruitment campaign for 100 new jobs for its flagship facility at Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, covering both counties Longford and Westmeath. This follows the December 2023 announcement of a 48 million investment in the plant, increasing the sites production capacity by 25%. The new roles will be in engineering, operations, supply chain and quality assurance. The investment, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland, will result in an extension of the building along with the creation of additional state of the art automated multi-packing and pouch filling lines using the most sustainable innovations available. Commenting on the announcement, Declan Kennedy, General Manager, C&D Foods Edgeworthstown, said: We are pleased to follow up on the commitment we made in December for the creation of one hundred new roles and look forward to welcoming new colleagues to the business in the near term. The new recruits will help the company to maintain its position at the forefront of the pet food market and the recruitment will support positive economic development in the community. C&D Foods is the pet foods division of ABP Food Group and is one of the largest own label pet food manufacturers in Europe with production facilities in eleven locations across the continent. It employs 500 staff in Ireland and a further 1,400 across Europe. Also read: Massive end of year boost for Longford as C&D Foods to create 100 new jobs In 2021 C&D announced a 60 million contract with Donegal based packaging company ProAmpac in Gweedore, Co. Donegal, which is now a strategic supplier of pet food pouches for C&D operations across Europe. Both parties are currently working on the development of more sustainable pet food pouch packaging including recyclable options. The new recruitment announced by C&D Foods is in addition to the current employment of approximately one hundred during the construction phase, which is underway. Also read: Longford planners give green light for new pouch plant extension at C&D Foods in Edgeworthstown A Roscommon town can't take any more international protection applicants due to a lack of resources, Senator Eugene Murphy has told a public meeting. He was at a meeting of approximately 150 people in Spells pub in Ballaghadereen which was organised in light of proposals to build 47 modular homes off the Circular Road. "It is absolutely 100 per cent right in everybody's mind to say, no we cannot take anymore," he said. "There must be back-up for the doctors and the schools," the Fianna Fail Senator said. "The money has to be pumped in. You cannot take any more people," he said. "I'm not going to allow this to happen. It shouldn't happen and I will stand with you on it," Senator Murphy told the public meeting. Ballaghadereen had taken more than its share, Senator Murphy said. "You're not being one bit wrong. You're not being one bit racist saying we have had enough," he said. He gave the example of a recent car crash in the area, which took gardai an hour to attend to. He said there should be no more people brought to the town until there is a garda station operating on a 24 hour basis in the town. "If you are going to increase the population of a town significantly, surely you need a full-time garda station," he said. Music, Movies & Entertainment, School & Education, Arts & Culture, Seasonal & Current Events By Kelly Tenny Published: March 02 2015 Most everyone has heard of the phrase, The Ides of March, but do you know why we use that phrase? Lets find out! Although the phrase itself is referring to an incident that occurred back in 44 B.C., the use of the phrase, Beware the Ides of March and simply, The Ides of March in general, is still widely known, and used, today. The Ides of March, which is March 15th, is the day that Julius Caesar, the ruler of Rome, was assassinated by his political peers in the Senate House who feared he was becoming too powerful and dictatorial. The Ides of March also has to do with the earliest Roman calendar. The calendar, believed to have been created by King Romulus around 753 B.C., used to only consist of 10 months, and Martius, or March, was the first month. The calendar was set up in relation to the lunar phases of the moon and March 15th initially marked the first full moon of a new year. Since the death of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. however, a whole lot more has happened during the Ides of March through the years. Check out these other bad-news type events throughout history that have occurred on March 15th! Pretty soon even youll be saying, Beware the Ides of March! March 15th 1889 - A Samoan cyclone sinks 6 warships, half U.S. and half German, in the harbor at Apia, Samoa. March 15th 1917 - Tsar Nicholas II abdicates the throne ending a 304 year ruling dynasty. March 15th 1939 - Nazi troops seize Czechoslovakia and afterwards Czechoslovakia ceased to exist. March 15th 1971 - The Ed Sullivan Show is cancelled after 23 years on CBS. March 15th 1988 - NASA announces the Northern Hemisphere ozone layer is depleting three times faster than originally thought. [Source: Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic] Hicksville Man Sentenced to Up to 12 Years in Prison for Fatal June 2022 DWI Crash Crime By Chris Boyle Published: March 15 2024 Oscar Argueta T-boned another vehicle while drunk and driving 93 miles an hour in Hempstead. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hicksville man was sentenced today to five to 12 years in prison for a June 2022 high-speed crash in Hempstead that killed a 48-year-old man and seriously injured his wife. Oscar Argueta, 37, pleaded guilty on November 30, 2023, before Judge Robert McDonald to charges of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony); Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a C felony); Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony) and Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor.) The defendant was sentenced today to five to 12 years in prison. The NCDA recommended a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison. Oscar Arguetas reckless actions on the morning of June 26, 2022, forever changed a family, ripping away a devoted husband and father to two young children and leaving a hole in the hearts of countless family members and friends who loved him, said DA Donnelly. David Popoolas wife was also seriously injured when Argueta drunk and speeding crashed into the couples vehicle and she continues to recover from those debilitating injuries. Drunk driving is at epidemic levels across our country, and it is killing our loved ones. We will continue to prosecute these cases thoroughly and hold drunk drivers accountable for their selfish choices. DA Donnelly said that on June 26, 2022, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the defendant was traveling northwest on Greenwich Street in Hempstead in a Dodge Durango while intoxicated and driving at 93 miles an hour when he T-boned a Mercedes Benz G300 crossing the intersection on Curtis Avenue. The victims vehicle struck a curb causing the car to flip into a utility pole. Forty-eight-year-old David Popoola, who was the passenger, and his wife, were trapped inside of the vehicle after the collision. Popoola was pronounced deceased at the scene. His wife was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital with serious physical injuries and underwent emergency surgery. The defendant remained at the scene and was arrested by members of the Hempstead Police Department. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: March 15 2024 The Defendant Will Be Supervised for an Additional 20 Years After His Release from Prison. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that a 45-year-old Brentwood man was sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to rape and other related charges, for sexually abusing his five-year-old daughter. The District Attorneys Office is not naming the defendant in order to protect the identity of the child victim. This defendant subjected his five-year-old daughter to unthinkable sexual abuse, said District Attorney Tierney. I hope this prison sentence allows the victim time to heal and grow up in a world where she feels safe knowing her abuser cannot harm her again. According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on July 26, 2021, the defendant was spending time with his five-year-old daughter at his apartment. The victims mother, who was estranged from the defendant at the time, asked a family member to check on the child after she spoke with the defendant on the phone and believed that he had been drinking. The family member went into the defendants home and saw the defendant actively sexually abusing the child. The family member immediately called 911, resulting in the defendants immediate arrest. A sexual assault forensic examination was conducted on the child which confirmed DNA evidence of abuse. On January 10, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis, to all of the charges contained in the indictment, which include: Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony; Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor. On March 14, 2024, Justice Wilutis sentenced the defendant to 16 years in prison followed by 20 years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Scott Zerner, Esq. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Zachary Kelly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Domestic Violence Unit, and the investigation was conducted by now retired Detective Charles Ross of the Suffolk County Police Departments Special Victims Section, and Suffolk County District Attorney Investigator Robert Fitchett. Local governments in New York, including the city of Auburn and towns and villages in Cayuga County, could receive their first state aid increase in 16 years. One-house budgets approved by the state Assembly and Senate included increased funding for the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program, the main source of unrestricted state aid for cities, towns and villages. The state Senate's budget would increase AIM funding by $210 million, from nearly $715 million to $925 million. The Assembly's spending plan would raise state aid by $100 million. With both houses of the state Legislature proposing increased AIM funding, it's an encouraging sign for local governments that have been subject to aid cuts and a freeze since the Great Recession. The city of Auburn last received an aid increase in 2008-09, when AIM funding rose to more than $5.2 million. But subsequent state budgets chipped away at that total. In the 2011-12 budget, the city's aid level was lowered to $4.9 million where it has remained for more than a decade. Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino, who has made increasing AIM funding a top priority, said the cuts and the state's decision to keep aid flat since 2011-12 has cost the city $4 million. When Gov. Kathy Hochul released her budget proposal, she kept AIM funding at the same level. This led to a push from leaders, including Giannettino, and organizations representing local governments, such as the New York Conference of Mayors. A letter signed by hundreds of New York mayors was sent to Hochul and state legislative leaders urging them to include more AIM funding in the 2024-25 budget. The New York Conference of Mayors called the lack of a state aid increase "neglect from state government." Hochul and legislative leaders Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins will negotiate a final state budget agreement. The goal is to have a 2024-25 spending plan in place by April 1, the start of the new fiscal year. The Brasserie Nationales soft drink distributor Munhowen is in a partnership with Boissons Heintz - something that could be an issue for the competition authority. The Brasserie Nationales soft drink distributor Munhowen is in a partnership with Boissons Heintz - something that could be an issue for the competition authority. The Brasserie Nationales soft drink distributor Munhowen is in a partnership with Boissons Heintz - something that could be an issue for the competition authority. The partnership between Luxembourg drink distributors Boissons Heintz and Brasserie Nationale in being investigated by the European Commission as it could pose a threat to other businesses in the sector. The merger of the two businesses, signed in February, does not meet the turnover threshold set by the European Merger Regulation to be flagged to Brussels authorities and so flew below the EU executive arms radar. However, the Grand Duchys national competition authority submitted a referral request when the contract was concluded, under rules that allows EU countries to seek commission expertise on deals that could affect trade between or within EU countries. Also read: Drinks distributors Munhowen and Heintz plan merger The transaction affects trade between member states, given the importance of imports of beverages into Luxembourg, and threatens to significantly affect competition in the requesting country, since it combines the two main wholesale distributors of beverages in Luxembourg, the European Commission said about the case. The merger of Boissons Heintz and Munhowen - a part of the Brasserie Nationale - could increase the deals and sales agreement with foreign firms thanks to bigger volumes of orders, leading to lower prices for consumers. Boissons Heintz has an annual turnover of 39 million and employs 70 people, while Munhowen generates 89 million annually thanks to its 253 members of staff. Munhowen described the European Commissions decision as a first but said it would co-operate fully with the investigation. The commissions announcement follows a complaint lodged by AB-InBev, the owner of the Diekirch Brewery, with Luxembourgs national competition authority, Munhowen said in a press release on Friday. To the best of its knowledge, this is the first time that the European Commission has opened an investigation into an acquisition operation involving two regional players whose combined total turnover does not exceed 130 million, Munhowen said. For the customers of Munhowen and Heintz, this investigation changes nothing [] the investigation will have no impact on the Horeca sector in Luxembourg, Belgium and France and relations with suppliers will remain unchanged, the company added. The European Commission has not yet pronounced its verdict on the case yet. (Updated on 15 March 2024 at 16:40 to include comments from Munhowen) The Grand Duchy will follow the European Unions medium-term target to reduce its carbon emission by 90% by 2040 and adapting its climate laws. The Chamber of Deputies and Environment Minister Serge Wilmes met on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss Luxembourgs climate impact and vote on changing the countrys 2020 climate law. The legal text incorporates two EU directives and two EU regulations into the Grand Duchys climate mitigation policies, ranging from carbon footprint compensation for the aviation and maritime sectors, as well as new trading systems for the construction, road transport and other sectors. A comfortable majority of 54 deputies voted in favour of the changes to the law, while two abstained and four opposed it. Our industry makes efforts to be innovative, Wilmes said addressing the deputies. The sector, though still one of the countrys main sources of emissions, is also trying to go over to climate-friendly technologies, he continued. The housing and constructions sectors need to adapt more quickly, however, Wilmes said. Stricter checks are needed to improve the installation of green alternative technologies - like heat pumps, for example - to avoid frustration among citizens, he said. There are some technical challenges we need to address but we also need to continue our incentive politics, the minister said, explaining that landlords should be encouraged to invest in green energies. But subsidies should be adapted to peoples incomes, he added, floating plans for a social climate fund to allow lower-income households to be included in the transition. Intermediate goals The European Commission announced recommended intermediate climate goals at the start of February, aiming for a 90% reduction of emissions compared to 1990 levels by 2040 before becoming climate neutral by 2050. In a discussion requested by the Green deputies in parliament on Wednesday, Wilmes confirmed that Luxembourg is aligned with the blocs aim. Also read: Government must aim higher on climate efforts, green groups warn However, the minister stressed that this intermediate stage would still have to be negotiated at European level after the European elections in June 2024, as the Chamber of Deputies said in a statement on its website following the discussion. Luxembourg, which called for the EU to maintain a high target, updated its national climate and energy strategy last summer. The country in 2020 enshrined the goal to reduce its emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels into law. As part of an action plan on how to get there, it last year increased the target share that renewables should have in energy consumption from 25% to at least 35%, as well as pledging to become more energy efficient. Transport challenges As one of the biggest contributors to Luxembourgs carbon footprint, transport presents another challenge, Wilmes said. However, new registrations for electric cars recently exceeded those for diesel vehicles. Also read: Luxembourg in EUs top 10 for drop in emissions in third quarter In January, Luxembourgs carbon tax rose to 35 under a plan approved by parliament before Christmas, and will continue to increase each year to reach 45 by 2026. The carbon tax was a central element of the 2020 legislation, aimed at steering consumers away from fossil fuel. Luxembourg in 2021 witnessed a 12.7% drop in CO2 emissions compared to 2019, a decrease that was 1.3% below the carbon budget allocated for the year. But despite saving more CO2 than forecast overall, a closer look shows that the industrial sector failed its objectives, exceeding its carbon budget by 30%. Also read: Ambition and pragmatism needed for setting 2040 climate goals The current iPad range is one of the most populated weve seen. It includes two iterations of the standard iPad, the iPad mini, the iPad Air, and the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, so theres plenty to choose from. It seems Apple isnt stopping there, though; rumors suggest it could be adding an even larger iPad Pro to the line-up. Heres everything we know about the next-generation iPad Pro. Update March 28: The latest intel says the iPad Pro will ship in May. Following no iPad updates at all in 2023, it looks like there will be a new iPad Pro in 2024. With the last update to the range being in October 2022, and iPad Pro launches tending to happen every 18 months, a spring 2024 update is nearly a certainty. For some clues as to when Apple could launch the new iPad Pro, we normally look at past launches, but the iPad Pro has a very inconsistent release history: iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch (6th gen): Oct 2022 iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch (5th gen): Apr 2021 iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch (4th gen): Mar 2020 iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch (3rd gen): Oct 2018 iPad Pro 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch (2nd gen): June 2017 iPad Pro 9.7-inch (1st gen): Mar 2016 iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st gen): Nov 2015 We were hoping Apple would hold a spring event to launch the new iPads, but after the M3 MacBook Air arrived in early March, its clear there wont be holding one this year. Instead, look for the new iPad Pro in early April via a press release on Apple.com. Bloombergs Mark Gurman said in March that the new iPad Pro would launch within weeks, which now looks to be in April. He previously reported that Apple has gone into deep production with the next generation of iPads and the MacBook Air, the latter of which arrived in early March. The latest report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the iPad Pro will ship in May. Read about the other new products Apple is launching in 2024. Apple Apple Apple 2024 iPad Pro display: Apples first OLED tablet is coming The current LED (on the 11-inch model) and mini-LED (on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro) are set to be replaced by OLED, according to Ming-Chi Kuo in November 2023. The iPad Pro will be the first iPad to transition to OLED displays, with the rest of the iPad lineup to follow. Back in December 2022, Display analyst Ross Young suggested that Apple is planning to move the entire iPad line to OLED by 2024. This matches what Gurman wrote when he predicted that an updated design and OLED screens would be coming to the iPad in the spring of 2024. There is yet more evidence that OLEDs are coming: market research company Omdia has also stated that the iPad Pro could see OLED upgrades by 2024. In addition, leaker Yeux1122 has claimed that Apple is in negotiations with LG, Samsung, and Chinese companies for active matrix OLEDs (AMOLEDs). More here: Apple may upgrade nearly every iPad with an OLED display. 2024 iPad Pro design: A thinner lighter model is on the way A 9to5Mac report in February 2024 indicated that the new iPad Pro will be thinner. This is apparently a result of Apples switch to OLED for the screen, which will shave some millimeters off the thickness of the device. The new dimensions are said to be as follows: 11-inch iPad Pro (2024): 249.7 mm x 177.5 mm x 5.1 mm 11-inch iPad Pro (2022): 247.6 mm x 178.5 mm x 5.9 mm 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2024): 281.5 mm x 215.5 mm x 5.0 mm 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2022): 280.6 mm x 214.9 mm x 6.4 mm If Apple does reduce the thickness of the iPad Pro it isnt clear what this will mean for the next-gen iPad Air, which is reported to be getting a new larger model, making it even more like the iPad Pro. Also regarding the design of the iPad Pro, a code snippet in the iOS 17.4 beta suggests that Apple might move the camera from portrait to landscape orientation like it has with the standard iPad. The code indicates that the FaceID setup could happen with the iPad in landscape orientation. Additionally, a rumor in March 2024 claims that Apple was indeed moving the placement of the camera to the longer landscape edge. iOS 17.4 Beta 1 (21E5184i) changes: 1) Text hints at new iPads with horizontal Face ID Layout Even though it says 'iPad' this is most likely for the new iPad Pro due this March. "During Face ID setup, iPad needs to be in landscape with the camera at the top of the screen." 2) pic.twitter.com/NcmsH4J2NE Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) January 25, 2024 2024 iPad Pro size: Is there going to be a 14-inch model? Currently, there are two sizes of iPad Pro: a 12.9-inch model and an 11-inch iPad Pro. Reports have suggested for years that Apple is working on a 14-inch model as a higher-end flagship model. The rumor of a larger-screened iPad started with Bloombergs Mark Gurman back in June 2021. He wrote that Apple was considering making iPads with larger displays, but not to expect anything for a few years. In December 2023 Gurman suggested the new iPad Pro could be 13-inches. Another leaker named Majin Bu has also posted that a new 14.1-inch iPad Pro is in development. Display analyst Ross Young also claimed in 2022 that a 14.1-inch iPad Pro model was in development, and that early 2023 was a likely release schedule. It appears that the tweet is no longer on Twitter/X, but initially, he tweeted in June 2022 that the 14.1-inch iPad Pro was confirmed to be in development. However, it appears the release is either delayed or canceled and the larger model wont arrive this year. However, Apple is set to launch a new 12.9-inch iPad Air in 2024, so a 14-inch iPad Pro may make an appearance at some point, especially now that Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro are available. 2024 iPad Pro price: How much will the 2024 iPad Pro cost? At the moment, these are the starting prices for each model in the current iPad Pro range. iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi (2022): $799/899 iPad Pro 11-inch Cellular (2022): $999/1,079 iPad Pro 12.9-inch Wi-Fi (2022): $1,099/1,249 iPad Pro 12.9-inch Cellular (2022): $1,299/1,429 If Apple moves to OLED screens and introduces a larger iPad Pro we may see a price hike. If Apple wants to maintain the price gap between the iPad Air and iPad Pro to preserve its existing product segmentation strategy, Kuo explained in a late-2023 report, it means that the new OLED iPad Pros may see a price increase. Some reports have claimed the new iPad Pros will be massively more expensive, with prices starting at $1,499 for the 11-inch model and $1,800 for the 12.9-inch model. However, other reports say the price increase wont be quite so large. 2024 iPad Pro: What specs and features will the 2024 iPad Pro have? The current iPad Pros are powered by the M2 chip, so it makes sense for an M3 chip to appear in any new 2024 models. We dont think Apple would go so far as to offer an M3 Pro option, as the Pro versions of Apples chips have so far only appeared on higher-end Macs and the M2 in the iPad Pros already provides more power than it needs. Storage is expected to remain the same. Apple currently sells 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB iPad Pro configurations, which is more than any other iPad and quite a lot of configurations when you consider all the color combinations and screen sizes. Its possible that the company could change to starting with 256GB or 512GB at the entry level. 2024 iPad Pro accessories: A new Magic Keyboard is expected Bloombergs Mark Gurman indicated in a September 2023 newsletter that Apple is planning a new aluminum Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad, that will be released alongside the M3 iPad Pro. The aluminum finish is said to make the iPad Pro feel more like a lMacBook when docked. Well update this article as more details are revealed, so check back regularly to see what we dig up. In the meantime, weve rounded up the best deals on iPad Pros so you can always get one now rather than waiting. The lesion on John's forehead had been examined by the staff of Auburn Rehabilitation & Nursing Center more than 15 times before maggots were found living inside of it. The discovery was made at Auburn Community Hospital in October 2016. John, whose full name is being withheld by The Citizen out of sensitivity to his family, developed the lesion in March of that year after squamous cell carcinoma was removed from his forehead. Staff of the Auburn nursing home observed "chunks" falling out of the lesion in June, and necrosis of the nearby skin in August. As ordered by a doctor, the staff was changing the dressing on John's forehead every day and examining the lesion about once a week. But it was only becoming more painful. On Oct. 18 he once again saw the doctor, who prescribed a fentanyl patch. Staff was instructed the next day to crush and sprinkle the antibiotic Flagyl on the lesion. On Oct. 20, John was transferred to the hospital. There, staff "inexplicably" discovered the maggots, according to a lawsuit filed against the nursing home by John's family the following year. Along with eggs there were living adults, indicating they had been in the lesion for "a considerable amount of time." He was treated at the hospital for six days, then admitted to Huntington Living Center in Geneva. John passed away a month later, on Nov. 28. The lawsuit by John's family is one of 13 filed in Cayuga County Supreme Court over the last decade that allege wrongful death or injury in the county's four nursing homes. The Citizen is reviewing the lawsuits, prompted by the most recent filing in February, in order to raise awareness of the problems that may have caused them and what long-term care advocates believe are their solutions. 'Deprivation of human dignity' Three of the 13 lawsuits have been filed against Auburn Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, located at 85 Thornton Ave. in the city. John's family settled theirs for $130,227.82 in September 2019. The other two, filed in February 2021 and December 2023, remain open. The former is set to go to trial April 1. Neither lawsuit, nor any of the others reviewed by The Citizen, contains allegations as specific as those made by John's family. The two others against the Auburn nursing home accuse it of breach of contract, violating New York State Public Health Law, and causing injury to residents through negligent hiring, training, care and management. The December 2023 lawsuit alleges wrongful death as well. The 92-bed facility's administrator, Judson MacCaull, did not respond to requests for comment by The Citizen. Eight of the 13 lawsuits reviewed by The Citizen were filed against The Commons on St. Anthony at 3 St. Anthony St. in Auburn. The first, filed in September 2018, alleges the nursing home's negligence caused pain, suffering, emotional distress and eventually death to a resident. It was settled for $225,000 in April 2021. Another wrongful death lawsuit filed in December 2018 accuses The Commons of failing to recognize or treat a patient's pneumonia before they were admitted to the emergency room of Auburn Community Hospital with a severe case of the respiratory infection on Dec. 24, 2016, and dying a day later. However, the lawsuit was dismissed in July 2022 because the plaintiff failed to retain counsel. Two of the lawsuits were filed by former residents who experienced falls. One, who sued in September 2019, alleges staff treated their leg injuries in a "careless and reckless manner." It was settled for an undisclosed amount. The other fell and fractured their left patella during physical therapy, prompting their lawsuit in November 2020. It was discontinued a year later, without mention of a settlement. Three more lawsuits, which remain open, were filed in January 2022, June 2023 and February 2024. All accuse the nursing home of breach of contract, violating Public Health Law and negligence. The latter two allege wrongful death. The most recent claims the resident was denied requested fluids, fall prevention measures and more, causing "deprivation of human dignity" and a fractured arm and hip. The Commons, whose 300 beds make it the largest nursing home in Cayuga County, is also the subject of what appears to be the only local wrongful death lawsuit involving COVID-19. Filed in December 2022, the lawsuit accuses the Auburn facility of negligence and malpractice during an outbreak of the virus that killed 60 residents in the winter of 2020-2021. The failure of staff to contain and properly treat infections, the plaintiff says, caused their 83-year-old father "excruciating pain and agony" followed by his death that December. The lawsuit remains open. Asked by The Citizen for comment on the lawsuits, The Commons operator Loretto provided a statement: "While we cannot comment on individual cases, we can assure the community that we take every residents care and the voices of their family members very seriously and we comply with all health and safety requirements," said Julie Sheedy, Loretto's chief marketing and engagement officer. "Loretto has operated The Commons since 2014, and has cared for approximately 9,000 residents in that time. Loretto continues to actively invest in residents, employees, advanced training, and new technologies at The Commons to ensure the highest level of care in the Auburn community." The last two lawsuits reviewed by The Citizen were filed against Northwoods Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, a 40-bed facility at 7 Keeler Ave. in the village of Moravia. One was filed in June 2023 and the other in October 2023, and both remain open. They accuse Northwoods of breach of contract, violating public health law and negligence, with the former alleging wrongful death as well. The nursing home's owner and administrator, Boruch Sheps, sent the following statement on the lawsuits to The Citizen: "As health care providers, we adhere strictly to patient privacy laws, which prohibit us from discussing individual cases publicly. However, we want to assure the community that our facility continually upholds the highest standards of care, implementing rigorous protocols and procedures to ensure the safety and comfort of every resident. Our dedicated staff members work tirelessly to provide compassionate and professional care to those in need. We appreciate the opportunity to address concerns and reaffirm our dedication to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our residents." No recent Supreme Court lawsuits against the county's fourth nursing home, Auburn Community Hospital's 80-bed Finger Lakes Center for Living at 20 Park Ave., could be found by The Citizen. 'Not a lot of accountability' There doesn't appear to be any data that shows how common wrongful death and injury lawsuits against nursing homes are. But they're rare, said Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, which works to improve care in nursing homes and other residential settings in New York state. That's not because of a lack of what Mollot called "substandard" care. Such lawsuits are rare, he said, because residents and their family sometimes don't realize Public Health Law gives them the right to sue nursing homes, or they sign that right away. Sometimes they contact a lawyer, but are told their case isn't legally viable. And sometimes they decide the emotional cost isn't worth the money. "A lot of people are just convinced that's the way things should have been," he told The Citizen. "Sometimes the care is really egregious, but they don't want to sue because they don't want to wallow in the unnecessary suffering their loved one had. ... They want to move on." Mollot identified staffing levels and training as two major causes of the substandard care that leads to lawsuits. Public Health Law requires staffing of 3.5 hours of care per resident per day. But as noted in February 2023 testimony by the New York State Health Facilities Association and Center for Assisted Living, 75% of the state's nursing homes do not have enough staff to meet that requirement. The same testimony blames that on nearly $2 billion in state Medicaid funding cuts over the last 15 years. In Cayuga County, two nursing homes do not meet that staffing requirement, according to data from ProPublica's Nursing Home Inspect project. Auburn Rehabilitation & Nursing Center offers 3.4 hours of care per resident per day, and The Commons on St. Anthony offers 3.3. Meanwhile, Northwoods Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers 3.61, and the Finger Lakes Center for Living offers 4.25. ProPublica also tracks annual staff turnover in nursing homes, which is 61% at Auburn, 53.1% at The Commons and 24.7% at Finger Lakes. Northwoods' was not available. The state average is 44.4%. "Having a sufficient number of competently trained staff you would think it's a no-brainer requirement, but most nursing homes don't based upon data they report," Mollot said. Staff training, meanwhile, should emphasize more "person-centered" care, said Claudette Royal, the New York State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, in an email to The Citizen. The ombudsman program advocates for nursing home residents and addresses concerns raised by them and their loved ones. Staffing is among the biggest concerns, Royal said, along with being treated with dignity and respect, being responded to when requesting assistance, and nutrition. A person-centered approach to care would better address most, if not all of those concerns, the program believes. "This means adjusting to residents' preferences, desires, and making facilities feel more like one's home," Royal said, agreeing that such care is difficult without "recruiting and retaining quality staff." Regulatory weaknesses contribute to substandard nursing home care as well, Mollot said. The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 requires, among other things, periodic assessments of residents beginning with their admission. The assessments include clinical needs, goals and more in order to determine if the nursing home has the ability to meet them. While the law is "quite good," Mollot said, nursing homes still accept and retain residents that assessments show they shouldn't. One reason for that, he continued, is underenforcement. He estimates 95% of nursing home citations are logged as not causing harm to a resident, which results in no financial penalty. "The message to the industry is, you can provide substandard care and we're going to continue to pay you and not fine you," he said. ProPublica data on inspections by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows no serious deficiencies by any of Cayuga County's four nursing homes since 2018. Total deficiencies, however, are 26 at Auburn Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 15 at The Commons on St. Anthony, 12 at Northwoods Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and zero at the Finger Lakes Center for Living. The Commons is the only Cayuga County nursing home to be fined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently. It received five fines totaling $6,500, all in the year 2021. The New York State Department of Health reports similar inspection data, and more financial penalties. Total citations since February 2020 are 38 at Auburn, 20 at The Commons, 14 at Northwoods and 12 at Finger Lakes. As Mollot indicated, none of the citations were "related to actual harm or immediate jeopardy." The state average is 23 total citations, with 2% being related to resident harm. Total fines by the department since February 2014 are two for $19,000 at Auburn, one for $10,000 at The Commons, two for $12,000 at Northwoods and none at Finger Lakes. The Department of Health also records complaints against nursing homes since February 2020. Against a state average of 51.8 per 100 occupied beds, Auburn has 101.6, The Commons has 69, Northwoods has 76 and Finger Lakes has 19.7. (Complaints can be filed by calling 1-888-201-4563 or using the form located at https://apps.health.ny.gov/surveyd8/nursing-home-complaint-form.) There are many more obstacles to improving nursing homes in New York state, Mollot said, including workforce burnout after the COVID-19 pandemic and an "extremely wealthy" industry lobby. But systemic change needs to happen in order to stop more stories like those of John and the other 12 Cayuga County nursing home residents behind the recent lawsuits reviewed by The Citizen. "It's an ongoing challenge. There's not a lot of accountability," Mollot said. "We've been conditioned to accept substandard nursing home care in this country, and particularly in New York state." The King of the Netherlands seemingly made a pointed remark regarding the Princess of Wales, who is presently recuperating from abdominal surgery undergone in January. Video footage has surfaced showing the Dutch monarch conversing with a young girl who mentioned having "a photo with your whole family." "Really?... At least I didn't photoshop it," the Dutch King replied in jest. Secrets unveiled: Kate Middleton's uncle reveals intriguing details about her recovery and comeback The 56-year-old, who has reigned for over a decade, alluded to the recent 'photoshop controversy' involving Kate. The Princess of Wales, absent from public view since last December, issued a statement through Twitter earlier this week, apologizing for any confusion arising from a recent photograph shared last weekend by Kensington Palace. The image portrayed Princess Kate with her three children to commemorate Mother's Day on March 10. Photo incident has caused quite a stir The photo's release sparked accusations of editing, with observers noting various discrepancies, such as Princess Charlotte's cardigan sleeve and Kate's missing wedding ring. In her statement, the mother-of-three acknowledged occasional editing experimentation, expressing regret for any confusion caused. Amid laughter from those around him, the Dutch monarch's remarks sparked speculation, with some interpreting them as, "Really? That wasn't photoshopped, it seems!" The Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery two months ago and has been convalescing at her Windsor home since leaving the hospital on January 29. An official statement released on January 17 mentioned Kate's surgery, indicating her absence from duties until "after Easter." King Willem-Alexander's comments may come as a surprise to many, given the generally positive relations between the two families. He had previously been photographed with the then-Duchess of Cambridge in 2016 and attended King Charles's coronation last year alongside Queen Maxima. A former MBTA officer has been found guilty of three counts of rape in connection with an incident in 2012 where he drove two women in his cruiser and raped them while he was on duty, officials said. Shawn McCarthy, 50, formerly of Wilmington who now lives in Maine, was ordered held after the verdict and will be sentenced on Wednesday, March 20, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office said Friday. On July 6, 2012, McCarthy met two women outside the Aquarium T station in Downtown Boston. The women, both in their early 20s, had been drinking in the city, officials said. McCarthy offered to give the women a joyride in his police cruiser and drove them around with the blue lights flashing, the district attorneys office said. After stopping in an empty lot for the women to relieve themselves, McCarthy said he would not take them back downtown until he got something out of it. This resulted in McCarthy raping both women in an area near the Museum of Science. McCarthy then drove the women back Aquarium, and told them not to tell anyone. One of the women did tell a family member about the assault soon after, according to the district attorneys office. However, it was not until August 2019 that investigators labeled McCarthy as the suspect. He later admitted that he had two women in the cruiser on the night of the incident but denied doing anything wrong. He was placed on administrative leave in December 2019 and resigned soon after, the district attorneys office said. McCarthy was formally charged on rape charges in 2020. This officer abused his position, violated his department protocols, and, worst of all by far, subjected two young women to sexual assaults that went un-acted upon for many years, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. Thanks to the victims ultimately coming forward, and the diligent work of investigators, justice in this case was sought and, with todays verdict, delivered. A Braintree man walked out of a Sephora in Boston with more than $2,000 worth of merchandise without paying, the Boston Police Department said. Rafael Ramos, 42, was arrested on shoplifting charges on Thursday, March 14, Boston police said on Facebook Friday. Officers in the area of 800 Bolyston St. heard about a shoplifter who drove away after stealing from the Sephora inside the Prudential Center. Police found and arrested Ramos near 88 Exeter St. at around 6:37 p.m. on Thursday. It was then that officers found multiple stolen items with Sephora tags on them, later determined to be valued at about $2,013. Ramos was charged with shoplifting over $1,200. He is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court, police said. A preliminary audit of Brockton Public Schools finances has found the districts 2023 fiscal year budget deficit to be about $4 million more than was previously reported at the beginning of this school year. The report, by Boston-based data analysis firm Open Architects, was released this week and is separate from the budget audit being conducted by a law firm at the behest of the Brockton School Committee, as well as the investigation into the deficit thats led by the citys attorney. But despite the brevity of the four-page audit, the report contained notable findings, such as budget mismanagement in multiple areas and a projected deficit as high as $25 million for the current fiscal year. The findings were very eye opening to say the least, Ward 3 City Councilor Philip Griffin said Thursday. In a Friday statement, Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan who also chairs the school committee called the audit a major step toward understanding the root causes of the school department budget deficit. The school department is working with local and state officials to address the issues raised in the report, he said. Projected fiscal year deficits One of the biggest revelations in the audit was that Brockton Public Schools closed out Fiscal Year 2023 with an estimated deficit of $18.3 million. The large financial shortfall was discovered last year in August, but was reported to be around $14 million at that time. In the currently fiscal year, the audit predicts that the school district is facing a $19 to $25 million budget deficit. Open Architects has worked with Brockton Public Schools to identify over $15 million in one-time funding sources to mitigate the shortfall, but the chances of achieving a balanced budget this fiscal year still remain unlikely, the firm said. Read more: Brockton superintendent placed on leave during fiery school meeting The audit attributed the projected deficit uncertainty to three currently unknown factors. One is the approximately 150 open positions at Brockton Public Schools, which could still be filled. Another is that costs are still being applied to expired grants and need to be funded by appropriate sources. The third is simply that the district did not encumber purchase orders or contracts this year. Unknown costs to the BPS business office continue to be discovered during the fiscal year when invoices arrive without a funding source, the audit reads. In regards to the 2025 fiscal year, Open Architects anticipates a $7 to $19 million deficit for Brockton Public Schools even after accounting for a projected $19 million, or 8%, increase in funding based on the Gov. Maura Healeys proposed budget. How the deficit got so large As for what caused such a deficit, the audit found that budget mismanagement and a lack of oversight played major roles. The report contents spell out what was completely contrary to sound school finance practices, Brockton City Councilor-at-Large Win Farwell said in a statement Thursday. Brockton Public Schools financial records system was not properly used to record approved budgets, track school and department budgets, and oversee significant expenditures, according to the audit. For instance, the system did not reflect monetary appropriations voted on by the school committee or city council and did not take into account important cost drivers, such as the creation of new bus routes, Open Architects wrote. Additionally, grants and use of grant money were not tracked properly. Amidst this financial ambiguity, BPS would make significant programmatic decisions without understanding the financial impact, the audit reads. What is driving up costs The audit also identified five areas of Brockton Public Schools budget that are outsized. The biggest area was transportation spending, which is projected to be double what was originally allocated by the end of the fiscal year, according to the audit. In fact, 95% of the money the district had planned to use on transportation had been used up by Jan. 31. Much of this can be attributed to Brockton Public Schools failure to create a proper budget to account for the full cost of services related to its decision to buy its own fleet of buses of school buses in 2021, the audit found. The move was supposed to save the district money by allowing them to avoid contracting with a separate transportation company, according to The Enterprise. Another area was special education services spending, according to Open Architects. Much of this was attributed to out-of-district placement tuition costs, but about $1 million in deficit came solely from liability money the district owed for not meeting the needs of students with disabilities. The third area was unemployment costs, which are costing the Brockton Public Schools about $882,000 in deficit due to a large layoff last spring, according to the audit. The fourth area was related to paid time off that school staff can buy back at the end of the year if its unused. Finally, the audit found that 130 employees have costly individualized contracts. For example, some salaried employees are allowed to collect overtime pay. Many are similar to what a chief of police or superintendent contract, Councilor Griffin said Thursday. What happens next At a school committee meeting on March 5, Brockton Chief Financial Officer Troy Clarkson proposed a few measures to address the deficit, including selling the new fleet of buses and contracting with a transportation company again. He also recommended letting the individualized employee contracts run out later this year. Since the deficit was discovered last summer, Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Mike Thomas has insisted that the money was spent entirely on students. He went on medical leave shortly after the financial shortfall revelation and was going to retire in March, but asked the school committee to reinstate him last month. Thomass request came after four school committee member decided student disciplinary issues at Brockton High School were so out-of-hand that they asked Healey to deploy the National Guard at the school. Both Thomas and the school committee members requests were ultimately turned down, and Thomas was placed on paid leave. The school committee will not consider reinstating Thomas until the full audit of Brockton Public Schools budget and the investigation into the deficit are complete, a lawyer for the committee said previously. Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan has said he will make the findings from both public once they have finished. A Lexington family is shaken up after an unknown man tried to kidnap their daughter right in their backyard. I dont want to go to work. I dont want my kids to go to school. I dont feel safe letting her walk to her bus, the girls mom told NBC10 Boston. For me to know theres a man behind my house hiding, thats just like, it makes me feel very unsafe, just being home in general because I am a single mother of three. The young girl was playing in her backyard when a man grabbed her from behind and put his hand over the childs mouth, Lexington police said in a Facebook post Thursday. This happened at around 2 p.m. on March 14, according to police. The girl was able to break free, and the man ran away. Police could only describe the man as dressed in all black and wearing a ski mask. The incident is now under investigation. Lexington police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact them right away. The department urged residents to review doorbell or security camera footage between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Thursday for anything that may seem out of the ordinary. One of the suspects in connection with the fatal double shooting in Worcester that killed a mother and daughter is due to appear in court but on the West Coast. Dejan Belnavis, 27, will appear before a Superior Court of California, County of San Diego judge on Friday, according to court records. Belnavis was arrested by San Diego police on Monday and is expected to have his charges upgraded to murder, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. at a press conference following the arrest. Police sought Belnavis and Karel Mangual, 28, in connection with the deaths of Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella on March 5. They were parked inside an SUV in the area of Englewood Avenue and 1 Lisbon St. The mother and daughter were taken to the hospital but were pronounced dead. A motive behind the shooting has still not been determined. Although Belnavis is in police custody, it could take time before he is back on Massachusetts soil. He will have to go before a judge in California and will be given the option to waive extradition. If he chooses not to waive it, Gov. Maura Healey will need to issue a governors warrant that will allow a Worcester police detective to go to California and bring Belnavis back to stand trial. The process to issue a governors warrant could take up to 30 days, Earlys spokesperson emphasized to MassLive on Tuesday. She added its not clear if Belnavis will stand before a California judge on Tuesday. Before his arrest, a reward issued by U.S. Marshals doubled from $5,000 to $10,000. This is a great example of when local law enforcement, federal partners and state police come together and were able to bring this to a successful conclusion, Worcester Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier said. Saucier thanked the Worcester Police Department; U.S. Marshals; Massachusetts State Police; the Hartford, Connecticut, Police Department; and the San Diego Police Department, among many other law enforcement agencies. Toward the end of the press conference, Early and Saucier said Belnavis was found near the San Diego Zoo. Early credited boots and leather on the ground, good old-fashioned police work when it came to finding him. But why Belnavis was in San Diego was not clear. Mangual, someone Worcester police have known since he was a young child according to court documents, was arrested on March 6 and arraigned the following day. He appeared again on March 12 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder. Judge David Despotopoulos ordered Mangual to be held without bail. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- ZEEKR, the premium electric vehicle brand under Geely Auto, announced on March 14 an ambitious step into the Middle East market with the sales its ZEEKR 001 and ZEEKR X models beginning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. This strategic move marks the company's continued efforts towards global expansion, with the opening of two pop-up stores and the planned opening of its first flagship stores in both countries set for April this year. The pricing for these two models (exclusive of VAT) is as follows: The ZEEKR 001 starts at 226,900 UAE Dirhams (approximately 445,000 yuan) in the UAE and 230,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately 440,000 yuan) in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the ZEEKR X is priced from 170,900 UAE Dirhams (approximately 335,000 yuan) and 174,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately 332,000 yuan). Photo credit: ZEEKR ZEEKR is setting its sights on further expanding its footprint in the Middle East, targeting markets such as Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and Oman. This expansion is part of a larger initiative that also includes the commencement of official sales in countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Kazakhstan, and Israel, along with efforts to tap into right-hand drive markets. By 2024, ZEEKR plans to significantly bolster its presence on the global stage. On September 29 of the previous year, ZEEKR cemented its commitment to the Middle East through national general distributor agreements signed in Shanghai with prominent dealership groups across the region, including the AW ROSTAMANI Group in the UAE, the WALLAN Group in Saudi Arabia, BLUE LAKE MOTORS in Qatar, and the Y.K. ALMOAYYED & SONS Group in Bahrain. These partnerships are aimed at building a robust ZEEKR sales and service network across four key Middle Eastern nations. At a press conference held on February 27 this year, ZEEKR shared sales data that further underscores its market impact. Since its market debut in October 2021, the ZEEKR 001 has achieved total sales of 160,996 units, with 69,134 of those sales occurring in 2023 alone. The man who was found guilty of killing a Weymouth police officer and a bystander in 2018 will go to prison, but his sentencing was delayed to June, Channel 7 News reported. On Feb. 16, a Norfolk Superior Court jury found Emanuel Lopes guilty of first-degree and second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Weymouth police Sgt. Michael Chesna and bystander Vera Adams in 2018, NBC 10 Boston reported. Deliberations took a week, happening months after a hung jury in a trial in June 2023 ended in a mistrial. But a judge on Friday granted a defense motion to delay Lopes sentencing until June, Channel 7 reported. The second trial started on Feb. 8, 2024, and only paused on Tuesday, Feb. 13, due to weather conditions. Norfolk County District Attorney Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor previously said police responded to a call for an erratic driver in the area of the South Shore Hospital at 7:32 a.m. on July 15, 2018. Lopes ex-girlfriend Mary Cronin testified during the first trial that he was angry and struggled with being homeless. The morning of the shooting, the couple chose to go to her home out of fear the other man would show up at the home of another friend, who they originally planned to see that day. Lopes was agitated, Cronin said, pacing the room before falling asleep at 5 a.m. Two hours later, he was gone and called Cronin saying they werent safe and needed to leave. Lopes took Cronins white BMW and crashed into another car outside South Shore Hospital before he fled to Burton Terrace, Cronin said. He was seen vandalizing a home on Burton Terrace. Chesna, one of the officers searching for the suspect, saw Lopes. Chesna got out of his cruiser, drew his firearm and demanded Lopes to stop, Connor said. Lopes then attacked Officer Chesna, it is believed with a large stone, striking him in the head, the prosecutor said. Officer Chesna fell to the ground. Lopes then retrieved Officer Chesnas firearm and discharged it several times in his head and chest. Officers returned fire. Lopes was struck in the leg. He ran through the neighborhoods around Burton Terrace. He still had the officers gun and fired three more times, authorities said. Adams was inside her home and was fatally struck by a bullet Lopes fired. Lopes was then caught by police. The FBIs Boston division recovered nearly two dozen historic artifacts believed to have been looted from Japan during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, some of which date as far back as the 18th century, the bureau announced Friday. In all, 22 artifacts, which had been missing nearly 80 years, were recovered and taken back to Japan with the assistance of the National Museum of Asian Art at the Smithsonian Institute. The artifacts represent a significant piece of Okinawan history and include six portraits, a hand-drawn map of Okinawa dating back to the 19th century, and various pieces of pottery and ceramics, the statement said. A 54-year-old man who worked as a manufacturing supervisor for a luxury jewelry company was arrested Thursday and accused of stealing precious metals from the company over a period of more than three years and selling the valuable materials to various businesses in Massachusetts, prosecutors announced. Benjamin Preacher of North Attleboro is facing a single charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions and was released on conditions during an arraignment in federal court in Boston Friday, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. Beginning in 2018, Preacher worked as a supervisor at a Rhode Island manufacturing facility operated by the jewelry company, which makes and sells items made of gold, silver and platinum, the statement said. Prosecutors say Preacher used his position to steal metals from the Rhode Island facility, which he returned to Massachusetts to sell. Over the course of three years, beginning in March 2020 and spanning until March 2023, Preacher is accused of selling precious metals to a Canton-based metals dealer once or twice a month, accruing over $1 million in sales to that dealer, Levys office said. The sales Preacher is accused of making include $50,521 in 18-carat gold in March 2020; $21,821 in 18-carat gold, Platinum scrap and Sterling in April 2021; and $30,939 in platinum in January 2022. Prosecutors also accused Preacher of selling more than $177,000 in stolen materials to another metals dealer in West Bridgewater between May and November 2023. Those sales are said to have included gold sheets used by the company in a particular machine, which Preacher is accused of stealing and selling along with other gold scrap, for nearly $21,000, according to the statement. And, on March 1, 2024, prosecutors say, Preacher was caught on camera stealing a piece of white gold flat stock, valued at roughly $2,200, the statement said. Scraps of precious metals were found during a search of Preachers home on Thursday, according to prosecutors. If he is convicted, Preacher would face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or double the amount of money he is accused of laundering, the statement sid. A man arrested outside a Weymouth school Thursday morning had to be subdued using a taser after he became combative, police said. Police confirmed the arrest in a brief statement posted to Facebook around 11 a.m. Thursday. There was police activity this morning that ended with a male subject under arrest in the school parking lot. The male became assaultive and was tased. Staff at the school took immediate action with the students to ensure their safety, the post read. One of the suspects in a double fatal shooting of a Worcester mother and daughter will be going back to Massachusetts after he was caught by police in San Diego, California, on Monday, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office announced. Dejan Belnavis, 27, appeared before a Superior Court of California, County of San Diego judge on Friday, according to court records. Belnavis was arrested by San Diego police on Monday and is expected to have his charges upgraded to murder, according to Early at a press conference following the arrest. Belnavis signed a waiver of extradition, which means he can be brought back to Massachusetts to face charges, Earlys office said Friday. His court appearance in Worcester has not yet been scheduled. Had he not waived extradition, Gov. Maura Healey would have need to issue a governors warrant that would allow a Worcester police detective to go to California and bring Belnavis back to stand trial. The process to issue a governors warrant could take up to 30 days, Earlys spokesperson emphasized to MassLive on Tuesday. Police sought Belnavis and Karel Mangual, 28, in connection with the deaths of Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella on March 5. They were parked inside an SUV in the area of Englewood Avenue and 1 Lisbon St. The mother and daughter were taken to the hospital but were pronounced dead. A motive behind the shooting has still not been determined. Before his arrest, a reward issued by U.S. Marshals doubled from $5,000 to $10,000. This is a great example of when local law enforcement, federal partners and state police come together and were able to bring this to a successful conclusion, Worcester Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier said. Saucier thanked the Worcester Police Department; U.S. Marshals; Massachusetts State Police; the Hartford, Connecticut, Police Department; and the San Diego Police Department, among many other law enforcement agencies. Toward the end of the press conference, Early and Saucier said Belnavis was found near the San Diego Zoo. Early credited boots and leather on the ground, good old-fashioned police work when it came to finding him. But why Belnavis was in San Diego was not clear. Mangual, someone Worcester police have known since he was a young child according to court documents, was arrested on March 6 and arraigned the following day. He appeared again on March 12 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder. Judge David Despotopoulos ordered Mangual to be held without bail. If you have plans to celebrate St. Patricks Day outside this weekend, then you might want to bring an umbrella. First starters, the scattered showers you woke up to Friday are supposed to trickle off by later this morning, the National Weather Service said. Friday will be another mild day along along and south of the Mass. Pike, and cooler across Northern Massachusetts. Temperatures will range from 45 to 50 in Northern Massachusetts and 60 to 65 degrees in Connecticut. However, forecasters are predicting scattered rain showers across southern New England on Sunday, March 17. The wet weather is mostly going to come in the morning, with some breaks of sun late in the day, the weather service said in a statement. The greatest chance for rain will be between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. around Worcester and Boston, and between 7-10 a.m. in Springfield. Chance of precipitation is between 30%-40% statewide. In addition, temperatures will cool down next week with highs in the 40s, the weather service said on X. You will have another chance to soak up the sun before your St. Paddys Day festivities, however. Partly sunny skies and another March day above normal temperatures on Saturday, forecasters said. Highs should be in the upper 50s to lower 60s before dropping back into the high 40s next week. The rain is expected to develop overnight Saturday. More isolated showers could come Monday and Tuesday as well. SPRINGFIELD DevelopSpringfield sold its Lower Maple Business Park, home to historic buildings including the Springfield Female Seminary, built in 1832, and the 1841 home of monkey wrench inventor Solymon Merrick. The price was $285,000, according to information filed last month with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds. Once again, hope and history rhymed on the island of Ireland when Michelle ONeill, the 47-year-old vice president of Sinn Fein from County Tyrone, was elected First Minister in the north of Irelands power-sharing government. An Irish nationalist has not held this important and highly symbolic position since Ireland was partitioned in 1921. In another example of the changing political dynamics in Belfast, ONeill is now one of the most popular elected officials in Ireland, north and south, according to a recent Sunday Independent poll. The Academy Award nominated film Killers of the Flower Moon opens with an Indigenous American raising a decorated pipe. Those children who are outside listening, says Chief Arthur Bonnicastle, played by actor Yancey Red Corn. They will be taught by white people. What most dont know is that the chiefs name originated in the Pioneer Valley more than 150 years ago. WEST SPRINGFIELD The U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, visited West Springfield Thursday to highlight federal efforts to safeguard student paths to college, careers and apprenticeships. Cardona said the COVID-19 pandemic brought the most disruption the Department of Education has seen in over 100 years and the education system has not been the same since. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 14, NIO and CATL signed a framework agreement in Beijing, heralding a significant collaboration between the two parties. The partnership aims to push the boundaries of battery technology, focusing on the development of long-life batteries tailored to NIO's electric vehicle (EV) battery swap needs. Photo credit: NIO The current standard warranty period for new energy vehicle (NEV) batteries is approximately 8 years. However, between 2025 and 2032, nearly 20 million NEVs will see their battery warranties expire. This looming deadline presents challenges for consumers, including the high costs associated with battery replacement and the discrepancy between the lifespan of the vehicle and its battery. Addressing the issue of battery longevity has thus become an urgent priority. NIO has distinguished itself within the industry by developing the first comprehensive battery health management system covering the entire lifecycle of the battery. This system monitors temperature, usage intensity, and frequencythe three key factors affecting battery lifespan. Leveraging big data analytics on battery performance, NIO said it has been able to extend the lifespan of its batteries, ensuring that after 12 years of use, they still retain 80% of their original capacity. Furthermore, NIO has made significant advancements in battery technology, including the development of electrode materials and electrolytes, which have greatly improved both the calendar life and cycle life of its batteries. Currently, NIO boasts a full stack of R&D capabilities, from material synthesis to system assembly and validation testing, holding 1,435 technological patents, 104 of which are directly related to battery lifespan. CATL, a leader in the power battery sector, has developed core long-life battery technologies, including slow-degradation processes, artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) films, and lithium replenishment. This collaboration with NIO will focus on joint research and development in the field of long-life batteries, aiming to accelerate technological innovation and the application of these technologies in new vehicle models. Through this new partnership, CATL will design and develop battery systems with extended lifespans for NIO, enhancing the service life of future EVs. This technical partnership is expected to foster a long-term, stable, and mutually beneficial relationship between the two companies, reducing the financial burden of battery replacement for consumers and contributing to sustainable social development. NIO stands as a prominent smart electric vehicle manufacturer in China and operates the world's largest network of EV battery swap stations, with over 2,300 stations worldwide offering more than 40 million battery swaps to date. Companies such as Changan Auto, Geely, JAC Motors, and Chery have joined forces with NIO to expand the battery swap network and develop unified standards for the industry. CATL is a global leader in new energy innovation technology, committed to providing top-tier solutions and services for the global new energy market. As of December 31, 2023, CATL has served over 11.67 million vehicles worldwide. SPRINGFIELD Criminal charges will be filed against six middle schoolers attending Southwick Regional School that were involved in a mock slave auction that occurred in early February, after an investigation by the Hampden Country district attorneys office. As a result of that now concluded investigation, earlier this morning, I authorized members of my offices State Police detective unit and the chief assistant chief district attorney of the my offices juvenile court unit to pursue criminal charge against six juveniles for their alleged roles in facilitating and participating in a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction, Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said at a Thursday press conference at his Springfield office. Le ministre du Tourisme etait de voyage en Allemagne pour assister au Salon International de Tourisme de Berlin puis Steven Obeegadoo sest dirige Vers Londres pour rencontrer les acteurs dans le tourisme en Angeterre. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent participation of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism in the Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB) Fair in Berlin, Germany and meetings in the United Kingdom. Representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and the Rodrigues Tourism Office, as well as around 100 Mauritian operators of the travel and tourism sector, including representatives of hoteliers, destination management companies and tourism associations participated in the Fair. The Deputy Prime Minister conducted a number of meetings with main partners from Germany and surrounding countries, including commercial airlines and tour operators. The Deputy Prime Minister had several meetings in London to reconnect with the main partners in the UK market and to discuss the strategy to further boost arrivals from the UK. He also had the opportunity to meet representatives of the UK travel trade media and shared the performance of the Mauritian market after COVID-19, leading to full recovery in many markets and growth in some markets, including the UK. A Mayo community is mourning the loss of a 'great GAA man', and tributes are pouring in as friends and family come together to honor the memory of Eddie Hosty. Eddie, formerly of Shanballyboct, Irishtown, Co Mayo and Leeds, UK, peacefully departed after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. Eddie is survived by his loving wife Mary, children Amanda, Alan, and Ramona, grandchildren Samantha, Sheridan, Sasha, Erin, Leny, and Lucas, as well as his siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents Pat and Norah, and brothers Pete and Tom. Described as a "true gentleman" and a "lifelong outstanding servant to the GAA," Eddie's kindness and positivity touched the lives of many, and tributes from friends and loved ones are pouring in. One tribute from a loving friend stated: "Deepest sympathy to Mary the Hosty family and all the extended families on the passing of Eddie. A great GAA man when he lived in Leeds and a gentleman. May he rest in peace." Another heartfelt message offers condolences to his wife, Mary, and the family, acknowledging his contributions to the GAA in the UK. "May he rest in peace. Eddie gave wonderful service to the GAA in Yorkshire and all over England and was a great Mayo man. Our Lady of Knock pray for him." Helena Hayes of Glenreigh, Holycross, reminisces about Eddie's friendship with her father. "Eddie was a good friend of my dad's in Holycross, and they shared many car journeys to matches," she fondly recalls, stressing the bond between Eddie and the entire community. Eddie is recognised for his immense contributions to the Holycross/Ballycahill GAA club and gentle demeanor. Noted as "such a loyal and steadfast supporter of our club teams down the years," Eddie's legacy continues to be "thought so highly of," reads another condolence. On top of his sporting interests, the Irishtown man's involvement in the Cutloose Country Music Festival, saw his skills, advice, and commitment play a central role in its success. This sentiment is echoed by those who worked alongside him. Reposing in the John Doyle Center, Holycross Ballycahill GAA Club (E41 NH26) on Friday, March 15, from 4pm to 6:30pm. Arriving at Holycross Abbey (E41 PHO1) at 7:15pm. Requiem Mass on Saturday, March 16, at 9am. Burial in Irishtown cemetery, Co Mayo at 2pm. The Mass can be viewed using this link. The family have asked for family flowers only, but suggest that donations can be made, if desired, to Waterford University Hospital Palliative Care. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. NIO hits 40-millionth battery swap milestone On March 13, 2024, at 23:32:40, NIO accomplished its 40 millionth battery swap, the Chinese electric vehicle announced via its WeChat account. NIO's battery swap station; photo credit: NIO NETA Auto initiates component shipment from Nanning factory to Thailand Recently, a large batch of KD (Knock Down) components from NETA Auto's Nanning export base was loaded and prepared for direct shipment to Thailand, the company announced on March 14 via its WeChat account. IICT, YKC form strategic collaboration Recently, IICT, an AI high-tech enterprise specializing in the R&D and application of computer vision, intelligent sensing, and automation control technologies, and YKC, a leading provider of charging Internet of Things (IoT) and energy management services in China's new energy vehicle charging industry, officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The partnership focuses on jointly developing and expanding the market for integrated AI smart services in parking and charging. Targeting county-level towns and cities nationwide, the collaboration will concentrate on smart parking, new energy charging, and photovoltaic storage charging projects as its direction and business domain. By leveraging each other's resources and channels for mutual support, both parties aim to actively participate in integrated parking and charging construction projects. NIO's second brand named 'ONVO', set for launch in May 2024 NIO, a prominent electric vehicle maker in China, has named its second brand "" ("Le Dao") in Chinese and "ONVO" in English, confirmed by NIO's chairman Li Bin and co-founder Qin Lihong on March 14. "The brand name was leaked, not officially released," Qin Lihong told local media outlets. The new brand is set to officially be launched in May. NIO revamps Battery-as-a-Service with lower prices, new incentives On March 14, NIO unveiled significant updates to its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) offering, marking a new chapter in its innovative approach to electric vehicle (EV) ownership. The adjustments include a reduction in the monthly subscription fee for the standard-range battery pack from 980 yuan to 728 yuan, and for the long-range battery pack from 1,680 yuan to 1,128 yuan. In an appealing move for both existing and new customers, the rent paid can now partially offset the cost of eventually purchasing the battery outright. Moreover, for every payment cycle, customers are rewarded with a 100-yuan voucher, which can be used as a discount when buying a new vehicle. ZEEKR begins sales of ZEEKR 001, ZEEKR X in UAE, Saudi Arabia ZEEKR, the premium electric vehicle brand under Geely Auto, announced on March 14 an ambitious step into the Middle East market with the sales its ZEEKR 001 and ZEEKR X models beginning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. NIO, CATL forge partnership to innovate in long-life batteries for EVs On March 14, NIO and CATL signed a framework agreement in Beijing, heralding a significant collaboration between the two parties. The partnership aims to push the boundaries of battery technology, focusing on the development of long-life batteries tailored to NIO's electric vehicle (EV) battery swap needs. Multiple GWM vehicle models complete adaptation for Huawei HiCAR 4.0 system Great Wall Motor (GWM) on March 15 announced that the HUAWEI HiCar 4.0 advanced connectivity system will be integrated into a range of GWM vehicle models first. Leapmotor, Huawei to develop HarmonyOS NEXT-based Leapmotor app On March 15, Chinese new energy vehicle maker Leapmotor and Huawei held a signing ceremony for their collaboration, announcing the development of the Leapmotor native app based on the HarmonyOS NEXT. Dongfeng Motor's e007 new energy sedan model hits market On March 14, the Dongfeng e007 officially hit the market, offering four variants. The 200Pro extended-range version starts at 159,600 yuan, while the all-electric models are available with a limited-time discount of 30,000 yuan, bringing their actual prices to 136,600 yuan to 169,600 yuan. Volkswagen Group aims to have at least 30 all-electric models in China by 2030 Volkswagen Group, on March 13, revealed its definitive product roadmap, setting forth its plans to venture into new sub-segments within China's vibrant electric vehicle market. by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, March 15, 2024 In the weeks following Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre of Israeli civilians, Robin Lemberg was busy trying to process the attack, how Israel was responding to it, and how people were responding to that. Specifically, she was trying to understand the outpouring of anti-Israeli vs. pro-Palestinian sentiment manifesting in news coverage, social media, and even on American college campuses. Lemberg, a long-time branding expert who has helped shaped the sentiment of some of the world's largest brands, is also an American Jew and her daughter attends what would be considered a progressive U.S. university, where student protest groups were not just demonstrating in support of Palestine, but against Israel -- and in the most extreme cases, against other students simply for being Jewish. Lemberg was beginning to form a thesis about how Israel was losing the "good guy" narrative and becoming the villain when she came upon a document that startled her in its sophistication. advertisement advertisement The document, titled "Day Of Resistance Toolkit," was being crowdsourced to grassroots groups organizing protests in support of Palestine, and against Israel, including those on college campuses, and to Lemberg's expert eye, it was a complete marketing plan that she describes as being akin to a major new product launch. "It looked like a new pharmaceutical brand launch," she recalls, noting: "They were marketing the disease state." Lemberg is a veteran of big brands like PepsiCo, brand strategy firm Interbrand, and agencies including BBDO and TBWA. She immediately shared it with another brand marketing expert -- long-time friend Jon Bond, also a collaborator. Bond concurred, and also discovered that the document wasn't just a static tome, but was being updated in real-time based on rapidly changing events in Gaza, and reactions to it worldwide, on social media, and American campuses. Recognizing that the target audience was GenZ, Lemberg and Bond began conducting a series of research studies of the general U.S. population, as well as GenZ in particular, and began refining their thesis of the campaign's effect, and how to combat it. "Oct. 7 was their Super Bowl launch," says Bond, adding that while the Hamas attack generated immediate massive awareness, the campaign is part of a longer narrative he describes as a "movement." The movement's roots, he says, go back decades -- and its backers are akin to the kind of "dark money" that underwrites political and issues-oriented campaigns in the U.S., except that the sources were powerful, oil-rich Arab states focused on undermining Israel. "If brand marketers want to understand how to start a movement, they should study this one," Bond says, comparing the pro-Palestine campaign as a feelings-based marketing effort more akin to "Harley Davidson than Coca-Cola." In response to the Oct. 7 attacks, as well as mounting anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiment, Bond says a number of Jewish groups have mounted big-budget ad campaigns appealing to the public based on facts and logic -- but they have largely been losing the war to the kind of emotional and feelings-based grassroots efforts of the pro-Palestine movement. It hasn't helped that Israel's strong military response and the casualties and humanitarian crisis the Palestinian civilian population is enduring have not exactly helped the pro-Israel narrative. This is why Lemberg and Bond have taken a different route of utilizing primarily feelings-based research and analysis to understand what has driven support for Palestine and criticism of Israel among America's GenZ population, including those who are American Jews. "We call it the unique feeling proposition," says Bond, utilizing an obvious play of legendary adman Rosser Reeves' "unique selling proposition" that has guided brand marketers for more than a century. "In this case, the unique feeling proposition is 'Free Palestine,' That's the Big Idea. It's about freedom for the oppressed. And that's very hard to counter," explains Bond, noting, "We don't have one of those for the other side." Not yet, at least. But Bond and Lemberg have at least identified how to get it. "We need to flip the script," says Bond, noting that the pro-Palestinian movement has repositioned Israel from a "David" to "Goliath." The solution, he says, is recasting Israel as a David against an even bigger Goliath: "the bigger Islamic insurgency backed by evil oil money." Easier said than done, and while Bond and Lemberg have begun working with various Jewish groups on how to begin recasting those archetypes, it likely will be a long campaign process. In the meantime, something positive has come from Bond's and Lemberg's collaboration, and new feelings-based research brand consultancy called The Heart Monitors. "Were going to expand it to address brands and non-profits both," says Bond. "Its not our intention to just help the Jewish world, says Lemberg, adding, Were focusing on GenZ, because thats the problem audience. SAN FRANCISCOFalcon Studios has announced the release of Count Me In, the new feature from award-winning director Tony Dimarco. Starring Tyler Rush (in his studio debut), Jordan Starr, Jack Waters, Sumner Blayne, Dan Evans, Ty Santana, Cristiano and industry veteran Finn Harding, Count Me In is available now on DVD and digital download in the Falcon|NakedSword store. Fans can also catch the movies first scene, starring Jordan Starr and Rush, on FalconStudios.com, with future episodes debuting on the site every Friday. Describes a company synopsis: "Census taker Tyler Rush sure didnt think that hed spend his afternoon getting rammed by Jordan Starrs fat cock, but he just cant say no when presented with the opportunity to take the stranger for a raw ride. Next, delivery twink Jack Waters gets more than just a 'tip' from customer Sumner Blayne when he comes across the ripped jock jerking off in bed. As for horned-up hunk Dan Evans, he cant even wait until Ty Santanas underwear is fully off before hes pouncing on his stiff rod. Then, Finn Harding is ready to release multiple loads as he masturbates and cums all over the wet floor of his showeronly to then immediately invite young twink Tyler Rush in to be fucked hard by his more-than-impressive uncut piece. Last, Cristiano drops to his knees as he prepares to pull down Sumner Blaynes white briefs and fill himself up with the muscle studs lengthy pole." The premiere and all future episodes of Count Me In are available for promotion through the Buddy Profits affiliate program. For more information, contact the affiliate manager at [email protected]. For DVD retail and wholesale purchasing, contact John Gunderson at [email protected]. Contact Cameron Greer at [email protected] for any additional inquiries. by Fern Siegel , March 15, 2024 A new creative marketing agency just opened in New York. Headed by former Droga5 and Accenture Song executive Alex Woods, Unrestricted Free Agency (UFA) works with companies with $100 million to $500 million in annual revenue. The agencys first campaign will break in early March for a national clothing brand. Agency head Woods told Agency Daily: We're committed to working across the entire marketing stack. You can make great work with a small team and a small budget, but you cant make great work unless you're paying attention to execution all the way through. Our structure is flat, ensuring our clients are investing in experienced talent, without the bloat that's become the hallmark of the creative agency industry. We're not for every brand but we're a progressive option for ones that want to make high impact work and drive their business forward. UFA develops strategies it says will improve efficiency and focus while strengthening brand equities and product positioning over time. UFA is an end-to-end partner that can supplement gaps in current strategies, including conceptual creativity, if challenger brands have limited resources. advertisement advertisement Woods marketing experience also includes leadership roles at McGarryBowen (now Dentsu MB), Mullen and BBDO. He has worked with top brands, including JP Morgan Chase, Under Armour and Campbells Soup. One of his former teams created The New York Times, Life Needs Truth. The 2022 campaign Less Talk, More Bitcoin for Coinbase was awarded the Super Clio as the best spot of the Super Bowl. The name UFA is a reminder that, with experience comes permission to do something new, not simply revert to whats most familiar, added Woods. Our goal is always to position brands for long-term growth through sustainable, integrated strategies. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 14, 2024 A majority of the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to redefine broadband as speeds of at least 100 megabits per second for downloads -- a fourfold increase from the current standard of 25 Mbps, which was set nine years ago. The new benchmark for upload speeds is 20 Mbps -- nearly seven times faster than the current 3 Mbps standard. The FCC also set a long-term goal of 1 Gbps for downloads and 500 Mbps for uploads. The agency said the new definition of broadband (technically, "advanced telecommunications technology") was based on factors including speeds currently available in the market, consumer usage patterns, and standards set by other government officials. The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in 2021, provides funding for broadband at speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. advertisement advertisement FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel supported the new standards, as did the agency's two other Democratic commissioners -- Geoffrey Starks and Anna Gomez. This fix is overdue, Rosenworcel stated Thursday, adding that the new standard will help the agency "better identify the extent to which low-income neighborhoods and rural communities are underserved." Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr, who dissented, argued that the evidence didn't warrant the new benchmark -- partly because as of December 2022 only between 2% and 38% of consumers subscribed to services that offer both 100 Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads, according to data compiled by the agency. Is it really fair to say consumers dont have 'advanced telecommunications capability' at a speed lower than 100/20 Mbps? he asked in his written dissent. The take rate for 100/20 Mbps was quite low as of December 2022. Do these consumers know something we dont? Commissioner Nathan Simington said in a separate dissent that a long-term goal of 1 Gbps uploads and 500 Mbps downloads was unnecessary. Certainly, for the same price, I would take gigabit service over 100/20 Mbps service, but I wouldnt get much added utility out of it, he stated. A 100/20 Mbps connection is enough to watch multiple 4K video streams, make multiple video calls, and play multiple online games, all at the same time. The FCC's move comes nearly two years after the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office said the then-current benchmark is likely not fast enough to meet the needs of many small businesses, particularly with regard to upload speeds. Some lawmakers also argued the 25/3 standard was too slow, as did the trade group Incompas -- which counts online video providers like Amazon, Google and Netflix among its members; that organization endorsed an even faster benchmark of at least 1 gigabit. by Ray Schultz , March 14, 2024 The New York Times has promoted Laura Reston to the title of deputy op-ed editor. Reston joined Opinion in 2021 as a senior editor. In addition to serving as co-leader on politics, she edited Michelle Goldbergs column. In her new role, Reston will continue with those tasks, while also working with Eliza Barclay, Peter Catapano, Adam Sternbergh and James Ryerson on guest essays focusing on climate, ideas and culture. Lauras news instincts and creative approach have been on display in collaborations with Graphics to annotate passages from Barack Obamas lost book manuscript and produce scorecards for the Republican debates and the recent State of the Union speech, op-ed editor Vanessa Mobley wrote in announcing the appointment. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 15, 2024 A seller of advanced gaming computers discovered Amazon had charged him thousands of dollars to advertise merchandise in California -- although he had stopped selling his products there due to state regulations. Consumers could no longer order the products, but Amazon's automated ad system kept promoting the products and charged him to run the ads. That's what Rob Robinson, owner of Computer Upgrade King, told Bloomberg. He said that because he was charged for the ads that didn't generate sales, he made zero profit from November through January. Robinson also said Amazon initially denied there was a problem, despite flagging the issue for several weeks. When Bloomberg took the issue to Amazon, the company acknowledged that Robinson and other "sellers paid for misdirected advertisements and that it was working to fix the problem." advertisement advertisement Amazon apologized to Robinson and gave him a $15,000 refund, but reportedly that was a fraction of the $300,000 he asked for. Approximately $10,000 of the sellers advertising spend was associated with ad clicks in California during the past 12 months. Those were linked to products that could not be shipped to addresses in the state for compliance reasons. Approximately $5,000 of the sellers advertising spend was associated with ad clicks that were linked to inactive listings in the last 12 months. More than 85% of Computer Upgrade Kings products are eligible to ship in California. To determine the amount of the refund, Amazon mapped the viewable impressions and outcomes based on the past 12 months. That number was less than what Robinson wanted. The glitch affected a very small amount of sellers -- less than 0.00215% of ads in California that were linked to the products that could not ship to addresses in the state based on the California Energy Commission's requirements. This was an isolated technical glitch. The company moved quickly to resolve and resolve it, and reimbursed affected sellers. We will similarly contact and refund any affected sellers, and are updating our processes to ensure any such ads are not charged going forward, an Amazon spokesperson said. Google and Microsoft have touted automated ad systems for years, suggesting that artificial intelligence (AI) and calculated data could not do a better job than marketers monitoring campaigns, but would augment any decisions they make to speed the process and free up time for them to do other things. Computer Upgrade King, which employs about 80 people, sells computers and accessories to gamers, mostly in Amazons online marketplace. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, March 15, 2024 Former President Donald Trump has blocked critics on social media, as have members of Congress, city managers, school board officials and other office holders throughout the country. Dozens of social media users who found themselves blocked responded by suing, claiming their First Amendment rights were violated. Judges in different parts of the country have reached different conclusions in these cases. In what was probably the most famous case, federal appellate judges in New York ruled 7-2 that Trump ran afoul of the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter (now X) because he used his account in an official capacity. For instance, the judges said, he used the @realDonaldTrump account to announce new policies and cabinet changes. But other judges have sided with politicians. In Colorado, for instance, a district court judge said Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert didn't violate the First Amendment by blocking a critic on Twitter because the @laurenboebert account was held out and operated as a personal and campaign account. On Friday, the Supreme Court weighed in, issuing opinions in two separate battles over public officials' use of social media. But the rulings didn't actually resolve either case. Instead, the court unanimously held that a public official can violate critics' rights by blocking them on social media, or by deleting their comments, but only under certain circumstances. Specifically, the official must have actual authority to speak on behalf of the state on a particular matter, and also must purport to exercise that authority in the relevant posts. Figuring out whether those circumstances are met can require a fact-specific undertaking in which the posts content and function are the most important considerations, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the court. In some circumstances, the posts content and function might make the plaintiff s argument a slam dunk, Barrett wrote. For instance, she said, if a city mayor announced exclusively on his Facebook page that he was suspending a parking rule, that post would amount to governmental action. On the other hand, if the same mayor merely repeats or shares otherwise available information, such as by linking to a parking announcement on the city's website, he is likely engaging in private speech, she wrote. The upshot is that trial judges must now analyze specific posts by politicians before determining whether they violated the First Amendment by blocking people who responded, or by deleting critical comments. It's not at all clear how judges will apply Friday's decision. Katie Fallow, senior counsel of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University -- which sued Trump over his social media blocks -- stated Friday that the group hopes courts will be mindful of the importance of protecting speech and dissent in these digital public forums. Santa Clara University professor Eric Goldman, who has followed these battles for years, adds that it's too soon to know what kinds of facts will sway judges' decisions. I don't think we're going to know for years, he says. Overview and Facts about Fungal Infections Fungi are a highly adaptable group of organisms. Fungi are classified into a separate kingdom of their own (neither plants nor animals). They can live freely in the environment, or be a part of the normal flora in animals and humans. They can cause superficial infections of the skin with red itchy lesions , as well as deep and invasive systemic infections , especially in persons with reduced immunity. of the skin with , as well as , especially in persons with reduced immunity. Usually, fungal infections are mild and become serious or threatening only in those with a weakened immune system. Typically, fungal infections progress slowly and do not pass from one person to another, except in the case of certain superficial skin infections. Fungal infections are becoming a source of major health concern nowadays due to the use of potent immunosuppression for certain diseases and in transplant recipients, with the use of invasive devices in the hospital to monitor critically ill patients and with the increase in the incidence of diseases such as AIDS that cause immunosuppression. due to the use of potent immunosuppression for certain diseases and in transplant recipients, with the use of invasive devices in the hospital to monitor critically ill patients and with the increase in the incidence of diseases such as AIDS that cause immunosuppression. Fungal spores (structures formed during fungal reproduction and adapted for survival in unfavorable environmental conditions) exist in the air and in the soil and can cause infection in susceptible individuals. (structures formed during fungal reproduction and adapted for survival in unfavorable environmental conditions) and can cause infection in susceptible individuals. Fungal spores can thus be inhaled or come in contact with human skin. As a result, fungal infections usually begin in the skin or the lungs . . Fungi can exist in two morphological forms namely, single rounded cells, also known as yeast forms, and the mold forms where many cells join together to form long threadlike structures called hyphae. and the mold forms where many cells join together to form long threadlike structures called Superficial skin and mucous membrane fungal infections are treated with topical application of powders or gels. Serious infections are treated with anti-fungal drugs given by mouth or by injections. Antibiotics are not effective in fungal infections and should not be used. Advertisement Fungal infections may be described as primary or opportunistic. They can be localized i.e. limited to one region e.g. localized in a part of the skin,mouth or vagina, or be invasive i.e spread to multiple sites. Skin and nail bed infections are also described as superficial while invasive and systemic infections are referred to as deep infections. Primary infections affect persons with a normal immune system. Opportunistic infections, as the name suggests, occur in persons with a weakened immune system (the fungi availing the opportunity) and persons with normal immunity are rarely affected. Fungal infection remains localized in persons with good immunity but can become invasive and threatening in persons with a poor and ineffective immune system. Localized infections include involvement of sinuses. This typically occurs with Aspergillus spp which can form a fungal ball within the sinuses causing features of chronic sinus infection such as fever with cough and headache. 1. Superficial Fungal Infections Fungi that cause skin infections are referred to as dermatophytes. They live on dead body tissues such as hair and nails. They cause disease on skin that is weakened or injured or constantly moist. Candida or yeast is another fungus that can also cause superficial infections. Advertisement Dermatophyte infection Infection caused by dermatophytes is referred to as tinea or ringworm infection. Ringworm infection can spread by contact with skin or clothing of infected persons. Depending on the location, the various types include: Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) Barber's itch occurring in the beard (tinea barbae) Jock itch (tinea cruris) occurring in the groin Scalp infection (tinea capitis) Hand infection (tinea manuum) Infection in other parts of the body (tinea corporis) Nail bed infection (tinea unguium) Cutaneous yeast or Candida infection Cutaneous yeast infection or cutaneous candidiasis can involve any part of the skin but occurs most commonly in warm, moist and creased areas such as armpits, groin and underneath body folds. It often occurs in obese persons, persons suffering from diabetes and those on longterm antibiotics. Other yeast infections include oral thrush occurring in the mouth, vaginal yeast infections (also referred to as moniliasis) in women and fungal diaper or nappy rash in babies. 2. Deep or Systemic Fungal Infections Systemic fungal infections include the following - Invasive aspergillosis Systemic candidiasis Mucormycosis Cryptococcosis Histoplasmosis Blastomycosis Coccidioidomycosis Paracoccidioidomycosis Fungal infections, as mentioned earlier, are acquired by inhalation of spores or contact of spores on the skin. Superficial skin infections are spread from one part of the body to another by scratching the lesions and touching other parts of the body, or through contact with the skin or clothing of infected persons. Deep seated or systemic infections enter the body via inhalation of spores. In invasive disease, the organisms are carried to different parts of the body through the bloodstream. Advertisement A persons immunity may be suppressed due to drugs that are administered for the treatment of other conditions or a disease occurring in the person that naturally suppresses his or her immunity. Thus, the risk factors of developing a fungal infection include the following: Drugs that suppress immunity Corticosteroids Drugs used to prevent transplant rejection e.g. methotrexate, cyclosporine, azathioprine Drugs used to treat cancer Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions e.g. tumor necrosis factor inhibitors Diseases that suppress immunity Cancers like leukemia, Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphomas Diabetes Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Others: Preterm infants Persons undergoing intensive care treatment Longterm broad spectrum antibiotic therapy Elderly and weak individuals Insertion of indwelling catheters or other devices Inherited causes of immune deficiency Here are some of the Clinical features of various types of fungal infections. Clinical features of tinea or ringworm infections include the following: Itchy, red and scaly ring-shaped patches Loss of hair in affected area Peeling and cracking of skin Cracking or breaking and thickening of nails with discoloration Symptoms and signs of yeast infection affecting the skin and mucus membranes include the following: Skin rash that is itchy, especially in skin folds Tiny bumps on the skin Skin lesions that ooze clear fluid Discolored nails that break from the nail bed (nail bed infection) White patches on the tongue or inner aspect of cheek (oral thrush) White or yellow thick vaginal discharge (vaginal candidiasis) Redness and itching on the skin of the external genitalia Systemic fungal infections may be primary or opportunistic Primary systemic fungal infections These infections occur in persons with normal immunity and include Histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis infections that are acquired by inhalation of spores in the air. The main symptoms are related to the respiratory tract and may include: Fever with cough Difficulty in breathing Flu-like illness Chest pain In some persons when large amounts of spores are inhaled or in individuals with weakened immunity, the infection may spread to other parts of the body resulting in a serious infection like: Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis, characterized by enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes, brain involvement and ulcers in mouth and intestines characterized by enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes, brain involvement and ulcers in mouth and intestines Progressive blastomycosis , which may cause multiple skin lesions and may involve the prostate, bone and even the brain , which may cause multiple skin lesions and may involve the prostate, bone and even the brain Progressive coccidioidomycosis, characterized by skin lesions, bone and joint involvement, and even brain disease Opportunistic systemic infections These typically occur in immunosuppressed persons. Opportunistic fungi generally do not cause infection in normal individuals. They include Mucor, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and Candida. Some of the systemic infections caused by these fungi include the following: Invasive bronchopulmonary aspergillosis The infection starts in the lungs and can spread via the bloodstream to involve organs like the brain, liver, heart and kidneys. The infection starts in the lungs and can spread via the bloodstream to involve organs like the brain, liver, heart and kidneys. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis The infection occurs in persons with poorly controlled diabetes. It can affect the eye causing swelling of eye and protrusion of the eye from the socket (proptosis). There may be loss of vision. Facial and nasal bones can be destroyed by invasive disease and appear black. The brain may be involved with development of paralysis, seizures and coma. The infection occurs in persons with poorly controlled diabetes. It can affect the eye causing swelling of eye and protrusion of the eye from the socket (proptosis). There may be loss of vision. Facial and nasal bones can be destroyed by invasive disease and appear black. The brain may be involved with development of paralysis, seizures and coma. Systemic candidiasis: Systemic Candida infection can involve multiple organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes and spleen. It is commonly seen in hospitalized and ill patients with indwelling catheters or other devices. It can be fatal unless promptly treated. Systemic Candida infection can involve multiple organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes and spleen. It is commonly seen in hospitalized and ill patients with indwelling catheters or other devices. It can be fatal unless promptly treated. Cryptococcal meningitis Infection is acquired via inhalation of spores and rapidly spreads from the lung to the brain. It is often seen in AIDS patients. Superficial Infections Clinical examination: Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails are often diagnosed by the characteristic symptoms and appearance of the lesions. KOH preparation A KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation is a simple laboratory test to confirm the diagnosis. A sample from the lesion is treated with KOH and examined under the microscope to detect fungal elements. The use of stains such as Gram stain Giemsa and India ink increase the chances of detection. Woods lamp examination Direct examination of the skin lesion with a Wood's ultraviolet lamp is another simple and convenient method to detect the presence of a fungus. Culture and sensitivity Culture of the organism from the lesion on special fungal media can be used for a more definitive diagnosis. Systemic Fungal Infections Blood tests Serological tests to detect fungal antigens in the tissue/lesion samples or antibodies in the serum may be done. Culture The organism can be cultured from samples of sputum, urine, blood or other infective lesions for a more definite diagnosis. Molecular methods Tests based on amplification of DNA e.g. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be useful when the diagnosis is difficult. Tissue biopsy Histological examination of the tissue sample by employing routine and special stains gives a definitive diagnosis. Superficial Infections Mild superficial fungal infections usually respond to topical anti-fungal creams or sprays such as tolnaftate, clotrimazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, miconazole nitrate, econazole, ketoconazole, ciclopirox, naftifine, terbinafine or Whitfield's tincture containing salicylic acid and benzoic acid. Infections that do not respond to local applications may also need the addition of an oral anti-fungal drug such as itraconazole, ketoconazole or griseofulvin. Systemic Infections Systemic infections may be treated with one of the azoles e.g. fluconazole or itraconazole which are the least toxic. Other agents include flucytosine used alone or with another agent. For life-threatening infections, amphotericin B may be used, although it is a highly toxic drug and can cause kidney damage. Some extensive fungal infections may need surgery to remove dead and damaged tissue. The following measures may help reduce or prevent superficial fungal infections: Maintain good personal hygiene Keep the skin clean and dry Avoid scratching lesions and immediately touching other parts of the body Avoid sharing or borrowing of bed linen and other clothes Clothes and contact surfaces of infected person should be washed in hot water and disinfected Avoid wearing heavy clothes in warm weather Systemic infections can be controlled by the following: What is Truncus Arteriosus? Truncus arteriosus is a developmental defect of the heart where there is only a single artery in the heart that carries blood both to the lungs and the rest of the body instead of two separate vessels, one to the lung (pulmonary artery) and the other (aorta) to the rest of the body. The incidence of truncus arteriosus is about 1 in 10,000 births. The heart is a four-chambered organ consisting of two atria and two ventricles that work constantly to keep the blood circulation going. The blood circulation is described briefly below in the following steps though it is in fact a continuous process. The impure or venous blood from all over the body returns to the right atrium (RA). This venous blood then flows into the right ventricle (RV) via the tricuspid valve. From the RV, the deoxygenated blood is carried into the lungs via the pulmonary artery (PA) to be purified and oxygenated. to be purified and oxygenated. The pure oxygenated blood is emptied into the left atrium (LA) and reaches the left ventricle (LV) via the bicuspid valve. The LV contracts to empty this blood into the major blood vessel, the aorta to be distributed to all the organs and tissues of the body. Thus, there are two arteries in the heart, the pulmonary artery that conveys venous blood to the lungs and the aorta that distributes oxygenated blood to the entire body. In truncus arteriosus, the only single large vessel that is present divides itself into the pulmonary and the aortic arteries. In addition, this defect is associated with a hole in the wall between the right and the left ventricles (the 2 lower chambers), referred to as ventricular septal defect (VSD). As a result, impure blood from the right side mixes with oxygenated blood on the left side of the heart, which is then carried to the lungs and also the rest of the body via the truncus. Advertisement Depending on the branching pattern of the pulmonary artery, truncus arteriosus is classified into the following types described by Collett /Edwards 1949. Type 1 - Pulmonary artery branching takes place just above the valve. Type 2 - Pulmonary arteries branching to the lungs is separate but close together directly off the truncus. Type 3 - Pulmonary arteries branch separately and are far apart. The exact etiology is not known. However there have been several risk factors associated with the development of this condition, which occurs in the womb during fetal development. The risk factors include the following: Family history of congenital heart disease German measles (rubella), a viral illness during pregnancy Poorly controlled diabetes in the pregnant woman Smoking and alcohol during pregnancy Chromosomal disorders Babies with Di Georges syndrome, velocardiofacial syndrome appear to be at increased risk of developing truncus arteriosus Certain medications taken during pregnancy are associated with defective heart development, for example antiseizure drugs and Ibuprofen In truncus arteriosus there is too much blood going into the lungs than would in a normal newborn. In addition, when there is associated VSD as is often the case, there is mixing of pure and impure blood. Signs and symptoms are evident within a few days after birth and include the following: Shortness of breath (dyspnea) Rapid shallow breaths (tachypnea) Bluish discoloration of skin (cyanosis) Poor feeding Advertisement Weak cry Failure to gain weight or thrive Irregular heart beat History and Physical Examination: When the anxious parents and family members consult the pediatrician or child specialist, he will obtain a detailed history and perform a thorough physical examination, which will reveal the above signs and symptoms and raises suspicions of a heart defect. In addition a chest examination may show the presence of abnormal heart sounds or murmurs and may also point to presence of fluid in the lungs. He may order some blood tests and imaging to determine the cause. Blood tests: Testing of the babys blood (pulse oximetry, a simple bedside test) may show low levels of oxygen saturation responsible for the breathlessness and bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes. Imaging tests: Chest x-ray A chest x-ray may show evidence of fluid accumulation in the lungs and outline the size of the heart. A chest x-ray may show evidence of fluid accumulation in the lungs and outline the size of the heart. Echocardiogram An echocardiogram is essentially an ultrasound scan of the heart and reveals the activity of the heart as an image. An echocardiogram is essentially an ultrasound scan of the heart and reveals the activity of the heart as an image. The presence of a single large vessel leading from the heart, the defect in the wall between the left and right ventricles, and other abnormalities in the valve between the large vessel and the ventricles are seen. The amount of blood flowing into the lungs and the risk for developing high blood pressure in the pulmonary vessels (pulmonary hypertension) can also be determined. CT and MRI Heart These investigations give more detailed information and a clearer picture of the heart compared to a plain chest x-ray. These investigations give more detailed information and a clearer picture of the heart compared to a plain chest x-ray. Cardiac catheterization This is procedure that involves the introduction of a thin flexible tube into the heart through a blood vessel in the groin and injecting a contrast agent. Detailed imaging of the heart vasculature is obtained. Advertisement Surgery is the definitive treatment, usually performed in the neonatal period (1-2 weeks after birth). Medications: Before the surgery is performed, the child may receive medications such as diuretics and digoxin to improve heart and lung function. Digoxin improves the strength of heart muscle contractions, and enables it to pump more efficiently. Diuretics help remove extra fluid from the lungs and body, which often occurs in cases of heart failure. Surgery: During the surgery, the ventricular septal defect (hole in the wall between the right and left ventricles) is closed with a patch. The upper part of the pulmonary artery is separated from the single common artery (truncus arteriosus) and connected with the right ventricle using a tube or a conduit. The single large vessel is then reconstructed to create a new aorta. The surgeon might also repair the truncal valve, if necessary. Complications associated with truncus arteriosus include the following: Pulmonary hypertension This occurs due to increased blood flow in the lungs, which causes the pulmonary vessels to reflexly constrict causing raised pressure in the pulmonary circulation. Heart enlargement (cardiomegaly) The presence of pulmonary hypertension, and increased blood flow through the heart makes the heart pump harder causing enlargement and thickening of its walls. (cardiomegaly) The presence of pulmonary hypertension, and increased blood flow through the heart makes the heart pump harder causing enlargement and thickening of its walls. Heart failure This can result due to reduced oxygen supply to the heart and due to increased workload on the heart. This can result due to reduced oxygen supply to the heart and due to increased workload on the heart. Leaky heart valves (regurgitation). (regurgitation). Arrhythmias (irregular heart beat). As mentioned previously, certain risk factors are associated with the development of congenital heart defects. These can be addressed to reduce or prevent the development of heart defects. What is Evidence Based Medicine? EBM is nothing more than a process of life-long, self-directed learning in which caring for patients creates the need for clinically important information about diagnosis, prognosis, therapy, and other clinical and health care issues. -- The EBM Working Group Evidence based medicine is an integration of individual clinical expertise, patients values and relevant clinical research to make the best decision for patient care. It is a systemic approach to optimize healthcare decision-making based on well-conducted clinical or research studies. These studies have properly randomised controls to show difference in the treatment outcomes. The practice of evidence-based medicine is a process of self-directed problem-based learning in which clinically relevant information about diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy is considered according to the best data available through research. The term Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) was coined in the year 1991 by Dr. Gordon Guyatt, a coordinator at McMasters University Internal Medicine residency. But, David Lawrence Sackett a clinical epidemiologist, and founding Chair of the Cochrane Collaboration is widely regarded as a pioneer and the father of evidence-based medicine. Sackett and his colleagues focused on the need to not only teach methods to understand the scientific literature but also to teach the application of new information to the physicians. It has been described as one of the most important medical advancements in the past 150 years, alongside the discovery of vaccines and antibiotics. The Cochrane Collaboration is a non-profit organization based in the UK. It comprises over 10,000 persons worldwide most of whom do not receive any payment for their work in supporting the organizations activities. The main mission of this organization is to go through and prepare systematic reviews of new research that is being published every day in various specialties based on the strongest evidence available, in order to help make informed decisions on healthcare interventions for the best possible patient outcome. These reviews are then published electronically within The Cochrane Library and are freely accessible to healthcare professionals as well as consumers in abridged versions. The Cochrane Library consists of several databases containing high-quality, independent evidence to help in making informed decisions about clinical interventions. Cochrane Reviews can be considered the topmost level of evidence based on which important treatment decisions might be made. Advertisement In order to make the best decisions for day to day patient care, valid information about prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment is required. Implementing the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) competencies in the healthcare setting improves healthcare quality and patient outcomes. Unnecessary treatment is avoided reducing costs. The need and demand for evidence based practice in healthcare is growing rapidly because of the following factors: Information overload i.e too much of information available Rising patient expectations New and advanced technologies Aging populations EBM in healthcare is an approach to optimize decision making where a clinician uses the best evidence research in consultation with the patient to decide which option provides the patient the maximum benefit. The management of health care system makes policies in order to allocate funds, purchase or manage resources. EBM covers a broad range of topics including clinical epidemiology, biomedical informatics and guidelines to perform it. Therefore,the levels of clinical evidence are an important aspect of EBM. It helps the reader to prioritize the available information. The levels of evidence were originally classified by the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination in 1979. Subsequently, the levels were further elaborated by Sackettin an article about the levels of evidence for antithrombotic agents in 1989. Interestingly, both systems placed randomized controlled trials (RCT) at the top most level and expert opinions (case reports) at the bottom. Levels of Evidence from Sackett I Large Randomised Control Trials with clear cut results II Small Randomised Control Trials with unclear results III Cohort and case-control studies IV Historical cohort or case-control studies V Case series, studies with no controls *Adapted from Sackett DL. Rules of evidence and clinical recommendations on the use of antithrombotic agents. Chest 1989;95:2S4S Advertisement The grading system is an important part of evidence-based medicine and helps in clinical decision making based on the quality of available evidence. For example, a strong recommendation is given when there is level I evidence and consistent evidence is available from Level II, III and IV studies. Thus the grading system does not ignore or neglect lower level evidence when decisions on recommendations are being made, provided the results are consistent. Level 1 studies are well constructed studies and are free from any bias that might otherwise be introduced by the people involved. These are considered to be the gold standard studies for clinical practice. Various authors and organizations have used different classification systems to grade the levels of evidence and strength of recommendations. Differences and flaws in the various grading systems have resulted in confusion and miscommunication. To be useful and practical, grading systems need to be simple, clear and systematic where the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations are concerned. The GRADE system defines the 'quality of evidence' that the clinician is using to make a judgment. Here is the overview of grading system given to the clinical evidences. GRADE System of Quality of Evidence and Explanation of the Categories Quality Rank Evidence Source High Randomized trials without serious limitations along with well performed observational studies with very large effects Moderate Randomized trials with serious limitations but with well performed observational studies with large effects Low Randomized trials with very serious limitations and Observational studies without special strengths or serious limitations Very low Randomized trials with very serious limitations and inconsistent results. Observational studies with serious limitations. Unsystematic clinical observations eg case series or case reports Advertisement What are the Factors Affecting Grade or Quality of Evidence? In spite of the fact that RCTs (see table below) are often given the highest level of evidence quality, not all RCTs are performed as per the norms, and the results should therefore be carefully inspected. Sackett emphasized the importance of assessing the nature and types of errors and the strength of studies when interpreting results of RCTs. GRADE Quality Assessment Criteria Type of Study Quality of Evidence (Grade) Randomized trial High Observational Study Moderate to Very Low Other Type of Evidence Very low However, the grade may be lowered, for example, from high to moderate or high to low or conversely increased from moderate to high due to certain factors. Factors such as limitations in the study, inconsistencies in results and indirectness of evidence lower the quality of evidence. On the other hand occurrence of a large magnitude of effect or presence of a dose response gradient may enhance the quality of evidence and up the grade. Lower Grade If Increase Grade If Study quality Serious limitations (-1) Very serious limitations (-2) Has important inconsistency (-1) Strong association +1, no plausible confounders, consistent and direct evidence +2 very strong, no major threats to validity and direct evidence +1 evidence of a dose response gradient +1 all plausible confounders would have reduced the effect Directness Some uncertainty (-1) Major uncertainty (-2) Sparse data (-1) High probability of reporting bias (-1) Grading evidence and recommendations. Health Res Policy Syst. 2006;4:21 (with permission). EBM is a systematic approach and an on-going process. Sackett et al originally described the basic principles and the 5 steps of evidence based practice (EBP). These principles followed are very similar to those followed in the continuous quality improvement (CQI) cycle. Typically the CQI cycle starts with a specifically felt need and a desire for improving the existing quality. The next steps consist of searching for the most appropriate information to arrive at the possible solution, a careful assessment to make sure that the information/solution is correct, application of the most apt or suitable information/solution to the situation, followed by monitoring the effects of implementation practices to ensure the desired improvement or outcome has been achieved, and then lastly incorporating this solution into regular practice. Consciously applying the above principle steps in clinical practice would help to improve patient care and outcome for the patient. The five steps of EBM are as follows: 1. Asking an answerable question The first step explains the need to improve the method of collecting information from a patient. A more detailed question should be formulated so that a clear answer is found in terms of prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. 2. Acquiring best evidence High quality sources (Cochrane database etc.,) should be used for finding out the best possible answer to the question. 3. Appraising the evidence This step involves critical appraisal and thoughtful evaluation of the evidence by the doctors. It helps to identify the validity and closeness of the information to the patient and/or clinical setting. 4. Applying the evidence The fourth step is the application of the best clinically relevant information to the patient and/or clinical setting. The selected information is implemented and then observed for its effects. 5. Assessing the performance The fifth step evaluates the outcomes of the information used for a particular case. It checks the effectiveness and efficiency of the information applied and possible improvements in the clinical practice. EBP is important because it aims to provide the most effective care that is available, with the aim of improving patient outcomes . Before EBP came into force, the health professionals relied on the advice of experienced colleagues, and often used their findings or intuition for taking decisions. However, this practice was not accurate as the information provided by older colleagues can be biased, incorrect, and not appropriate for a particular patient today . So, rather than relying on previous clinical experience alone for decision making, health professionals need to use clinical experience together with clinically relevant evidence-based information. . Before EBP came into force, the health professionals relied on the advice of experienced colleagues, and often used their findings or intuition for taking decisions. However, this practice was not accurate as the . So, rather than relying on previous clinical experience alone for decision making, health professionals need to use clinical experience together with clinically relevant evidence-based information. EBP can be considered a preferred option over traditional medical training. EBP promotes an attitude of inquiry in healthcare professionals i.e. asking is there any valid evidence that can be used in support to do this in a more effective way ? ? EBP also plays an important role in ensuring that health resources are used wisely and that only the best relevant evidence is considered when decisions are made about funding health policies. It is of utmost importance for physicians while handling critical and emergency situations. What is Meta-analysis and Why is it Important for Level 1 Evidence? Meta-analysis is the statistical procedure that combines available results and data from multiple studies. A common treatment effect (or effect size) that is consistent across many independent studies, can be identified by meta-analysis. All important medical questions or problems are usually carefully assessed or studied more than once, by different research teams at different places in the hope of finding a solution. In many instances the results of these studies may be contradictory to each other, making clinical decision confusing and difficult. Therefore, meta-analysis which tries to integrate the results of many independent studies plays a key role in evidence based medicine. In fact, in evidence based clinical practice, systematic review and meta-analysis of high quality well designed, randomized clinical trials free from bias is considered Level I evidence and placed right on top of the pyramid. The Evidence Based Practice to get level 1 evidence requires large well-constructed randomized clinical trials and these are expensive to conduct and undertake. The RCTs only represent a segment of population and what is true in one population group or segment ( depending on the race, and geographical location) may not apply in another group and may not be reproducible and representative. There can be a big lag time period between the RCTs and its application in the general population. There could be bias to the publication of RCTs by a journal. The industry could also have played a role in creating such bias. The list below is by no means exhaustive but highlights how evidence from well conducted studies can offer the best possible outcome and avoids unnecessary interventions for patients. Credit: The Ringer Union Following nearly three months of negotiations, the Ringer Union has a deal. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the union announced that it has ratified its new collective bargaining agreement with the Bill Simmons-founded company, which includes new protections for the use of AI. Were thrilled to share that The Ringer Union has ratified our new contract with 100% yes votes, the Ringer Union wrote. On Artificial Intelligence: The company cant use AI to recreate employees voice or likeness without their permission. Pods translated into other languages using AI will receive disclaimers upon request. Employees can decline bylines on content with substantial AI contributions. Were thrilled to share that The Ringer Union has ratified our new contract with 100% yes votes. Here are some highlights from the new deal: Ringer Union (@RingerUnion) March 14, 2024 On Artificial Intelligence: The company cant use AI to recreate employees voice or likeness without their permission. Pods translated into other languages using AI will receive disclaimers upon request. Employees can decline bylines on content with substantial AI contributions. pic.twitter.com/2NX9qz7KrI Ringer Union (@RingerUnion) March 14, 2024 While the Ringer Union secured other benefits, including increases in raises and severance, the AI protections are notable as it appeared to be one of the final hurdles in coming to an agreement. On March 2 days after the previous CBA expired the Ringer Union wrote on X: We still do not have an agreement because Spotify will not commit to key safeguards against the creep of AI into our work. Our members have fought hard for a fair contract, yet were being forced to wait longer on an issue that Spotify dragged their feet on for month. The union also noted that The Ringers parent company, Spotify, wanted to use AI to translate podcasts into other languages. For example, Spotify wants to translate podcasts into other languages (in hosts voices). We believe the consent of the host must be obtained, and a disclaimer outlining the use of AI must be present. Spotify isnt committing. Our members should control their own voices, period. Ringer Union (@RingerUnion) March 2, 2024 Ultimately, the Ringer Union announced on March 7 that it had reached an agreement a full week after the previous CBA had expired and nearly three months after negotiations first began. All things considered, the union seems happy with its new deal, although its worth noting that at this point, we have only heard from one side of the negotiations. [Ringer Union on X] MEXICO CITY In one moment, a column of soldiers and military pickups creeps along a dirt road in western Mexico. In the next, a massive explosion sends debris and a body flying. The ground where a soldier stood seconds earlier is a gaping hole, the aftermath of an improvised land mine planted by one of the regions warring drug cartels. That soldier was killed and four others were injured in the January explosion, which was captured in a grainy video that circulated on social media. Then last month, four more soldiers died and nine others were wounded when another explosive device detonated in the same region. So far in March, three laborers have been killed and two others injured by yet another mine, leaving a truck split in half and human remains scattered across a dusty road. The series of blasts in the Tierra Caliente an area along the border of Jalisco and Michoacan states that has long been a hot zone for cartel warfare mark an alarming escalation of violence in Mexico as criminal groups arm themselves with ever-more sophisticated and deadly weaponry. The drug war in Mexico has come to resemble actual warfare. For years the cartels have been engaged in an arms race, building powerful arsenals that now include grenade launchers, drones rigged with explosives and tank-like vehicles known as monsters that are equipped with machine gun turrets and steel armor. But the widespread use of improvised land mines is new. Experts blame their rise in part on an influx into Mexico of mercenary fighters from Colombia, where explosives played a central role in a long-running war between leftist guerrilla groups and far-right paramilitaries. The scourge of conflicts around the globe, abhorred for killing and maiming unsuspecting civilians and lingering hidden for decades, mines provide cartels with a tactical edge on the battlefield and widen the potential for collateral damage. You can kill more enemies from greater distance and limit direct confrontation, said Tim Sloan, who headed the Mexico City office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives until 2022. Less members can inflict more bodily harm while in enemy territory. Some of the devices have tripwires sensitive enough to be set off by pedestrians not just the heavy armored trucks used by the military or cartels. If a person, cow, vehicle, steps onto the switch it will explode, Sloan said. Last year, four police officers and two civilians were killed after an anonymous caller sent a tip about a clandestine burial site outside Guadalajara. Hidden along the road were improvised explosive devices, seven of which were set off as a convoy of police vehicles passed. Amid growing concern about the problem, the U.S. government has increased its support to Mexican law enforcement and the military, donating bomb suits and detection equipment and training Mexican officials how to investigate crime scenes where explosives have detonated. Mexicos armed forces deactivated 2,241 improvised explosive devices in 17 states between August 2021 and July 2023, according to public records. Most were in Michoacan. In the Tierra Caliente, where a patchwork of criminal groups is fighting soldiers, the powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel and one another, the new technology has brought fresh terror. You live in fear every day of land mines, of drones, of assassins, said a rancher from the outskirts of El Aguaje, a contested town on the front lines of a war between the Jalisco cartel known by its Spanish initials, CJNG and an alliance of criminal groups called the United Cartels. You never know where you can safely step. The rancher, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is afraid of cartel retribution, said the CJNG controlled the area until about four years ago, when a United Cartels faction from the neighboring municipality of Tepalcatepec began vying for power. His pueblo, once a prosperous hub of lime farms, became a ghost town of abandoned homes pockmarked with bullet holes. Many residents fled to other parts of Mexico or the United States. The rancher left too, but two years later, after the federal government claimed it had regained control of the region, he returned. The following day, one of his neighbors, a 79-year-old farmer named Cristobal, died after driving over an improvised land mine. The farmers son was badly injured. Criminal groups have turned the region into a literal minefield, with a profound impact on daily life. The rancher, for example, said he has avoided a dirt road that winds from El Aguaje to Tepalcatepec ever since an armed man guarding it told him: Go back. You cant pass here and you know why. The man was from Colombia, the rancher said, part of a growing number of mercenaries who experts say have brought bomb-making technology to rural Mexico. Theres always been a conflict with shootouts and displacements, but lately you see other kinds of people who arent from here, who have a different accent, said the rancher. Hes heard rumors that the foreigners fabricate improvised land mines and other explosives for the Tepalcatepec cartel leader known as El Abuelo the Grandfather. That account squares with Mexican military intelligence records reviewed by The Times that document foreign mercenaries, drone warfare and improvised land mines in the Tierra Caliente. U.S. officials and experts who study Mexicos criminal landscape have tracked similar developments. John P. Sullivan, an organized crime expert at USCs Safe Communities Institute, said cartels have used improvised explosive devices sporadically since the 1990s, but they have become a mainstay of the conflict unfolding in the Tierra Caliente. Sullivan said a small number of the mines appear to be military grade, and were probably smuggled into Mexico from the United States or nearby countries that have experienced armed conflict. In 2018, suspected members of the Gulf cartel were arrested in the northern Mexican border city of Reynosa with two Claymore M18A1 antipersonnel mines a weapon developed for the U.S. military. But most of the explosives are improvised, Sullivan said, and probably made with the help of former soldiers and guerrilla fighters from Colombia, where a 2016 peace deal between the government and the nations biggest rebel group, the FARC, left many combatants unemployed. Using connections established through the cocaine trade, Mexican cartels began recruiting fighters for their own cause. Theyre out of work. So what do they do? Sullivan said. Well, some of them have gone to work for other criminal organizations. Sloan said: Homemade mortars, land mines, bomblets dropped by drones all that technology was brought up by former FARC members working mainly with CJNG. Mexican military intelligence reports leaked by the hacktivist group Guacamaya in 2022 contain multiple references to Colombian mercenaries operating in the Aguililla region of Michoacan. One report, from September 2021, described the head of an armed cell working under El Abuelo as having 26 Colombian guerrilleros at his service in the fight against CJNG. Another United Cartels boss had hired an additional 10 Colombians for the cause, paying them a weekly salary of around $600, according to the reports, which detail communications by cartel members as well as their battle plans. The latest violence comes during an election year for Mexico, with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador set to leave office after a six-year term that has been tarnished by record levels of bloodshed. After sweeping into office on a campaign slogan of hugs not bullets and a pledge to end the drug war, he has been unable to lower the murder rate or take back vast swaths of the country that are firmly under cartel control. Aguililla and neighboring municipalities in the Tierra Caliente have long vexed Mexicos leaders. Frustrated by the inability of government forces to stamp out organized crime, townspeople in some communities have taken up arms in civilian-led militias. In early 2022, the Mexican military swept into Aguililla, temporarily pushing out the CJNG. Mexican army minesweepers reportedly deactivated more than 250 antipersonnel mines during that campaign. The mayor held a public ceremony to celebrate the government forces bringing peace. Three weeks later, he was assassinated. According to the leaked intelligence reports, Mexican soldiers heard one CJNG commander order his men to mine the roads around one stronghold and to place the explosives in such a way so they wont sink into the ground from vehicles or people without exploding. What we want is to see them blown to bits over there, said the commander, identified in the reports as Miguel Angel Fernandez Valencia, also known as M2. Fernandez Valencia, who was killed in a January 2022 shootout with Mexican soldiers, maintained a stockpile of explosives and bomb-making materials, according to the reports, including 10 sticks of dynamite referred to as sausages two sacks of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and electric switches and wiring for detonators. In Michoacan, mines are increasingly used in tandem with weaponized drones, which Sullivan said give cartels a decisive advantage in tactical engagements. It makes them more lethal and gives them more flexibility in their attacks, he said. It makes it harder for the military or police or any tactical unit to maneuver, because now its not just two-dimensional warfare on the ground, its three-dimensional warfare from the air. The crisis recently prompted security officials in Michoacan to form a specialized unit tasked with disposing of bombs. The units leader, Carlos Roberto Gomez Ruiz, said his team has deactivated 332 devices in just 2 months. Most of them, he said, were discovered inside a single bomb-making workshop. Gomez said the explosives are cobbled together from gas tanks, pipes, screws, nails and other readily available materials each one a unique puzzle that can take his unit anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to crack. Each mission is different, he said. Gilberto Vergara Garcia, a Catholic priest who serves at the parish in Aguililla, said the new tactics of the cartels amount to terrorism. They have no right, no justification to create a situation of such imminent danger, he said. Even if the conflict one day is resolved, all the residue and remnants of war will remain, he said. The losers are always the locals, because they are the ones who in the end must deal with the terror of a land mine that these groups might forget. ____ Hamilton reported from San Francisco and Linthicum from Mexico City. ___ 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The program that allows Afghan allies to immigrate to the U.S. is in danger of running out of visas this summer as approving more of the visas becomes a sticking point in Congress' negotiations over an upcoming government funding bill. Supporters of the State Department-run Special Immigrant Visa, or SIV, program are pushing to include 20,000 visas in the bill being negotiated now to fund about half of the federal government, including State, for the remainder of fiscal 2024, which started nearly six months ago. But, those supporters say, House Republicans are standing in the way. Sources briefed on the negotiations told Military.com that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has over the last week softened his stance, going from opposing any new visas to being amenable to at least a few thousand more. But with the high stakes of potentially abandoning allies who helped the U.S. military during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, backers of the SIV program are still working to keep up the pressure on negotiators to ensure the program doesn't lapse. Read Next: Two Commanders in Marine Corps' West Coast Infantry School Fired on Same Day "Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover, the need to expeditiously process SIV applications and ensure that all eligible applicants have a visa has never been more urgent," a bipartisan group of 15 senators, led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., wrote in a letter Thursday to Senate leadership. "There have been credible reports of hundreds of Afghans killed while waiting for the SIV application to be processed," the 10 Democratic and five Republican senators added. "Congress must ensure that the visas are available to bring every eligible SIV applicant -- including the surviving spouse in cases where our Afghan ally has already been killed -- to the United States." The Afghan SIV program was created in 2009 to give Afghans who served as interpreters for the U.S. military, as well as their family members, a path to escape Taliban threats to their lives and resettle in the U.S. Since its inception, the program has been beset by slow processing, exacerbated by low staffing at the State Department and shoddy record-keeping by the military or contractors, making it difficult for some Afghans to prove their work with U.S. troops. The issues came to a head in 2021 as the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years, with tens of thousands of SIV applicants still waiting for their visas. Since then, the State Department has been working to speed up the process. Those efforts have paid off, with the department saying it now issues about 1,000 visas per month. But the faster processing also means running out of visas more quickly. With about 7,000 visas remaining, lawmakers who support the program say the State Department expects to run out as soon as August. The SIV program has come close to running out of visas before, only for Congress to reach a resolution at the last minute. But a Senate aide said this year feels more precarious than the previous close calls. There is still very strong bipartisan support, bicameral support, the aide told Military.com. I think that the issue right now is that we need the political will to be there to get this done, and there are a lot of things that require political will right now from leadership. Johnson's office did not respond to a request for comment Thursday on his position on approving more visas in the funding bill. As of September, more than 67,000 completed SIV applications were awaiting what's known as chief of mission approval, according to the State Department's most recent quarterly report on the program. Another nearly 11,000 had received that approval and were awaiting their visa interviews. The Biden administration asked for the 20,000 visas now at the center of negotiations in its fiscal 2024 budget request and reiterated that request in the fiscal 2025 budget request released at the beginning of this week. "We are clearly going to hit this cap, and we need statutory approval to raise the cap," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing last week. "We have urged Congress to raise the cap and allow us to meet our obligation to those Afghans who put their lives on the line for the United States, make sure that they are not forgotten." While there are still several months before the State Department expects to run out of visas, the government funding bill being negotiated now is expected to be the last must-pass bill Congress approves before then, adding urgency to the talks. With funding for the agencies covered in the bill running out a week from Friday, lawmakers are aiming to finalize an agreement by this weekend to avoid a partial government shutdown next weekend. If lawmakers don't include the visas in the spending bill, it would be the second time in as many months that Congress has failed to act to help Afghan allies. A separate proposal to allow Afghans who were evacuated to the U.S. in 2021 to apply for green cards was dropped from a bill the Senate approved last month after it became entangled in U.S. border politics. "I understand there's an election coming up. I understand that Republicans have some gymnastics to do around immigration. But this isn't really an immigration issue," said Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and president of the #AfghanEvac coalition, an umbrella organization for hundreds of nongovernmental groups that help evacuate Afghans. "This is a national security issue. And it's an issue for our veterans. For everybody who ever served and who will ever serve, how our Congress keeps its word with regard to the folks that are going to serve alongside us matters." Related: Support for Afghan Allies Sidelined Yet Again Despite Push from Veterans Nearly 14 years after an Air Force Osprey crashed near Qalat, Afghanistan, due to a mechanical issue, two airmen who died in the accident will be honored by the service. Maj. Randell Voas and Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey will posthumously be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Operations Command announced last week. Investigators said an unknown mechanical malfunction occurred causing an emergency landing. Voas and Lackey's actions on April 9, 2010, saved the lives of two other crew members and 14 other passengers on the Osprey, the service said. In addition to Voas and Lackey, an Army Ranger and a civilian contractor also died as a result of the crash. The news of the awards comes as the service currently grapples with a deadly CV-22 crash that killed eight airmen off the coast of Japan late last year, and as the services struggle to find mechanical fixes for the Osprey. Read Next: Air Force Missile Base Personnel Have Elevated Breast, Prostate Cancer Rates, Initial Study Results Indicate Maddeline Voas, who was 16 when her father died and is now 30, said her family is grateful for the honor even though it invokes painful memories. She recalled being woken up when she heard her mother cry as news of her father's death was delivered by military personnel. "I think it's going to feel really wonderful and just really fulfilling for our family for my dad to receive that," Maddeline Voas said in a phone interview. "In the years since, I've heard so many stories from people that he flew with and about how much of an amazing pilot he was." Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall gave retroactive authority to the AFSOC commander, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, to approve the award nominations, the service said in a press release last week. "Randy and JB's actions in the face of chaos is what all Air Commandos train for," Bauernfeind said in a statement, referencing Voas and Lackey's nicknames. "I am grateful that we are able to recognize their final acts." The announcement of the posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross awards for the two airmen comes two days before the Air Force announced plans to start putting its CV-22 fleet back in the air, following a three-month stand-down of the aircraft shortly following a deadly crash in November. Rebecca Heyse, an AFSOC spokeswoman, told Military.com that the awards for Voas and Lackey were in the work prior to the November crash and that Bauernfeind received the authorization from Kendall in January to review the new award packages. Voas and Lackey's aircraft took off as the lead aircraft of a three-ship formation from a forward operating base on a 14-minute route to a landing zone near Qalat, according to an accident investigation report. After hitting unexpected tailwinds, the crew changed its flight plan and ended up crashing roughly a quarter of a mile from the intended landing area. The Osprey rolled on its landing gear across the sand, leaving "marks indicative of a nearly perfect roll-on landing," the accident report detailed. The CV-22s nose gear collapsed and the nose section hit a ditch, causing the aircraft to flip tail over nose. Additionally, the left wing broke off and caught fire. The right wing and taiI section also separated from the fuselage, investigators detailed. The Accident Investigation Board president could not determine the cause of the crash, citing a lack of "clear and convincing evidence" because the flight incident recorder, the Vibration Structural Life and Engine Diagnostics control unit, and the right engine were destroyed and couldn't be examined, an Air Force news release detailed in 2010. At the time, the Taliban claimed its forces had shot the Osprey down, but the Air Force ruled out "loss due to enemy action, environmental brownout conditions and vortex ring state," the service said. Heyse said new information came to light, prompting the awards. "We received additional information last year that allowed us to pursue these decorations," Heyse told Military.com. "It doesn't change the conclusions of the [Accident Investigation Board] at all but shed light on the actions of Maj. Voas and SMSgt. Lackey during the mishap." The most recent crash off the coast of Japan on Nov. 29 killed all eight crew members aboard and triggered a grounding of all Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy V-22 Ospreys. Military officials announced last week that the Ospreys would be returning to flight, even though the investigation into November's crash has not concluded. That investigation has revealed a new mechanical failure that is not fully understood -- showcasing the second known, persistent mechanical issue that is plaguing the V-22. The aircraft also has a yearslong problem with its complex system of clutch assemblies that have caused at least 15 mishaps -- some of which could have become fatal -- since the Osprey entered operations. That problem was revealed when the Air Force briefly grounded its fleet of Ospreys in the summer of 2022. The Air Force special operations Osprey that went down Nov. 29, call sign Gundam 22, was on a training mission off Japan's Yakushima Island. The recent news of the November Osprey crash that left eight airmen dead was tough for Maddeline Voas. She remembers what it was like losing her dad, and she doesn't want anyone else to experience that pain. "Even though it's been so long, it still feels like yesterday," she told Military.com. "Anytime I see anything with, honestly, aircraft in general, the Osprey included, it is triggering. And I know what the families are going through, and I wish they didn't have to feel the way that my family felt." Related: Ospreys Cleared to Fly Again After Deadly Crash Despite Mechanical Failure with Unknown Cause For more than two decades, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, has served as a key piece for U.S. deterrence, including in Europe. The launchers, built on the back of trucks and designed to send missiles or rockets over 150 miles to hit targets the size of a trash can using GPS, have also recently seen ample action in Ukraine as forces have worked to repel the Russian invasion. But the Marine Corps plans to retire its HIMARS over the next several years, instead prioritizing other platforms to pick up the capability a mobile rocket or missile launcher would offer, and heading full-tilt toward its coastal mission. At the moment, however, they're still a key part of the U.S. arsenal as put on display during the Nordic Response '24 NATO exercise that included Marines earlier this month in Alta, Norway. Read Next: Air Force Missile Base Personnel Have Elevated Breast, Prostate Cancer Rates, Initial Study Results Indicate "If Putin decides to get ballsy and go off and do worse things than he's doing right now," one sergeant, a HIMARS maintainer, told Military.com during the exercise, "I'm going to be back out here fixing these things for us and for other countries, helping them out." The system has been a boon on the battlefield for Ukraine. The U.S. sent 39 of the rocket/missile launchers to the country, and according to media reports, Russia hasn't destroyed a single one as of earlier this year -- a testament to the mobility of the system. "They're all the hotness in the news right now," 1st Lt. Morgan Long, the platoon commander for the HIMARS detachment in Norway, told Military.com. "What's great about them is their mobility, and then their distance that they can shoot. You've got a system that can shoot further than the enemy can run away. And then it's a system that can run away faster than the enemy can shoot 'em." Long said he was learning from these global events and applying those lessons learned from other militaries, adding that "we can create a product ... that's been battle-tested, maybe by us, maybe by someone else." Yet, in accordance with the service's modernization plan, which -- in part -- wraps missile capabilities around its littoral units, the Corps is now looking at the Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS. With a similarly advertised range to HIMARS, depending on the munition, the MLRS is tracked instead of wheeled, heavier and has been battle-tested since the 1980s. The Corps has had HIMARS since the early 2000s. The service will also use the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, which it procured last year. That system is mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, is designed specifically for killing ships from land and has a shorter range of about 60 less miles than the HIMARS. The Marines in Norway told Military.com that HIMARS can also hit ships from land, but the NMESIS employs the Naval Strike Missile, which is specifically designed for over-the-horizon ship-destroying and fits nicely into the service's littoral aspirations. "The priority is the anti-ship missile, and the HIMARS in the active component must be divested," Maj. Eric Flanagan, a spokesperson for the Corps modernization efforts, told Military.com on Monday. He said there is not a specific date associated with retiring the system, and that it is dependent on fielding other units, acquisition of systems and any supply chain issues that may pop up. Marine Corps Times first reported that 5th Battalion, 11th Marines -- a rocket and missile unit -- will deactivate this month. The modernization effort has also changed Marine artillery overall, with the deactivation of 1st Battalion, 12th Marines last year, an artillery unit that tested the NMESIS system early in the Corps' adoption of it. Now, the active-duty component of the Marine Corps will have two battalions with HIMARS. The reserves will have one battalion, according to Flanagan. While the retirement of the system is bittersweet to the Marines on the ground, its importance was still recognized. "The location of the HIMARS system itself is not the important part; it's the ability to maneuver and position at a time and place of our choosing," Flanagan said. Related: Above the Arctic Circle, Infantry Marines Are Improvising to Battle Harsh Conditions as Part of NATO Force A Pentagon watchdog review of the military's COVID-19 vaccine exemption process found that each of the branches largely complied with policies and, in some cases, even went beyond what was required to consider service members' requests for religious accommodation. While rejecting a number of accusations that the services hadn't properly reviewed waiver requests, the Pentagon's inspector general did fault the Army and Air Force for taking too long to process the requests and wrote in a report released Thursday that discharges were inconsistent, leaving some service members with full benefits while others were left with partial benefits. The exemption process became the subject of political and legal scrutiny amid the height of the pandemic after some service members filed legal challenges that ultimately made their way to the U.S. Supreme Court. READ NEXT: Navy Fires Commander of USS Ohio -- 3rd Submarine Skipper Relieved in 7 Months The investigation was kicked off in February 2022 after the inspector general "received complaints through the DoD Hotline between August 2021 and June 2022 alleging that the Military Services were improperly processing COVID-19 vaccination exemption requests," the report said. "We continued to receive complaints and, on June 2, 2022, the Acting DoD Inspector General issued a memorandum ... to the Secretary of Defense." That memo told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that the watchdog "found a trend of generalized assessments" and "denial memorandums we reviewed generally did not reflect an individualized analysis." It was an allegation that was key to the arguments of several court cases filed by service members that were largely successful in halting discharges over a refusal to comply with the policy. However, the inspector general ultimately found no evidence that the services were "rubber stamping" denials, declaring that investigators "found no evidence of a lack of individual review by the decision authorities." Investigators said that the officials that they interviewed discussed the cases "in detail," but they created approval and denial letter templates to both streamline the process and make sure all the required information was being conveyed to service members. The allegations of "rubber stamping" even made it to at least one of the offices and prompted discussions among staffers about whether the wording should be altered. Ultimately, the unnamed office kept the templates out of a desire to provide consistency for the denials and out of a fear that more customized letters would suggest service members weren't all being reviewed under the same standard. The report also noted at one point that some requests were considered by the services, even though they didn't need to be. The report cited four requests by Army soldiers whose chaplains "determined that four Service members did not have sincerely held religious beliefs to support a religious accommodation, as required by DoD policy." "In each case, the Army decision authority stated that they considered the Service member's request regardless of the chaplain's assessment," the report said. The Army and Air Force's delays in meeting their 90- and 30-day processing deadlines, respectively, were chalked up to the large volume of requests -- more than 16,000, as of January 2023. Out of the requests reviewed by the inspector general, the Army's cases averaged 192 days to receive a decision while the Air Force's requests averaged 168 days. Staffers in the offices that typically handle exemption requests told investigators that they normally handled just a few requests per year and on simpler topics such as grooming or clothing -- not something as complex as vaccinations. Investigators also faulted the services for discharging service members under varying discharge types or reentry codes. While the report explained that "this occurred because the DoD did not have department-level guidance requiring uniformity," they nevertheless pointed out that "service members experienced different impacts to their educational benefits and eligibility to reenlist in military service after discharge." The report recommended that the Pentagon review its exemption process to try to increase its efficiency "during periods of high-volume requests" and create a better policy to standardize reentry codes. It also noted that both recommendations were accepted by the Defense Department, which has already begun making changes. Related: Military Services Will Amend COVID Vaccine Refuser Records So They Aren't Passed Over for Promotions Illustration: Xia Qing/GT (Global Times) The UK government is considering limiting the number of Chinese nationals who can enter the UK on official business, fearing that this is "abused to bring spies into Britain," according to Bloomberg on Wednesday. The UK's approach to the so-called national security threat posed by China and its paranoid and spurious interpretation of national security once again refreshes people's impression of its bottomlessness. This is not only a corny political speculation based on subjective assumptions, but also a typically selective, discriminatory move. The British side made the absurd accusation against Chinese nationals out of nothing but "fear," without showing any evidence. Some British politicians have fallen into severe anti-China paranoia, and their unfounded slander against China is intended to cover up their own incompetence and failure in solving political, economic and social problems in the UK. A purpose of such hype is to make their people believe that Sunak's government is tough on China, as the British prime minister is under pressure due to the upcoming election. At this time, he can't afford to be the slightest bit weak on his China policy, or he may lose more votes, Li Guanjie, a research fellow with the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies under the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times. In August last year, some British media reported that a "Chinese spy" was alleged to have contacted British officials through LinkedIn, the well-known professional networking site, which is another typical case of the UK hyping up the so-called "China threat" theory. Later, the Chinese Embassy in the UK called the accusation "pure speculation" and "malicious slander" that was perpetuated without any evidence. Why does the UK repeatedly stir up the topic of "Chinese spy?" The reason behind is worth pondering. On the one hand, it essentially reflects the consistent bottomless anti-China stance of some British politicians. It is easy to understand: they are relying on such political manipulations, and the "China threat" is a perfect tool. Only by continuously fabricating and maximizing the "China threat" theory can these politicians highlight their value in their careers and gain greater political benefits. The Braves announced theyve released veteran outfielder Jordan Luplow to pursue other opportunities. Hed been in camp as a non-roster player after signing a minor league pact in January. Luplow is a right-handed hitting outfielder whod been competing for a bench job in camp. Atlanta signed Adam Duvall to a $3MM pact this afternoon to play that role instead. Carrying both Duvall and Luplow would have been a bit redundant, so the Braves decided to let the latter get an early jump on his next opportunity. The Duvall signing wasnt a reflection of Luplow underperforming in camp. To the contrary, the well-traveled outfielder has posted impressive numbers this spring. He was off to a .280/.379/.560 start through 29 plate appearances. Luplow had collected two homers and a double among his seven hits. He walked four times against only five strikeouts. Yet the organization has a long history with Duvall, who lingered in free agency deep into the offseason despite hitting 21 homers with a .247/.303/.531 slash for the Red Sox a year ago. Adding him to the bench at such a modest price tag was something the front office didnt want to pass up. Luplow shouldnt have any issue finding another minor league opportunity elsewhere. He has tallied more than 1000 trips to the plate over the past seven seasons between six teams. Luplow got into 39 MLB contests a year ago, hitting .208/.322/.325 between the Blue Jays and Twins. While he has posted below-average numbers over the past two seasons, Luplow has a decent track record in favorable platoon situations. He has popped 33 home runs in 565 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Luplow has reached base at a .338 clip with a very strong .495 slugging mark versus southpaws. He hasnt had anywhere near the same level of success against righty pitching, posting a .197/.287/.343 slash when matched with same-handed hurlers. The Mariners announced that right-hander Mauricio Llovera has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma. He has also been reassigned to minor league camp. It had not been previously reported that the righty was removed from the roster, so this will drop Seattles 40-man count to 39. Llovera, 28 next month, has never appeared in a regular season game for the Mariners, having just been claimed off waivers from the Red Sox in January. He has 59 innings of major league experience under this belt with the Phillies, Giants and Red Sox over the past four years. He has a 5.80 ERA in that time, with a 20.6% strikeout rate, 10.1% walk rate and 44.6% ground ball rate. He has been more impressive in Triple-A, posting a 2.82 ERA at that level in 92 2/3 innings over the past three years. He punched out 25.9% of opponents in that time and walked just 8.8%. Much of that sample was in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, when Llovera was in the Giants system. The Ms took a flier on him but things havent gone especially well since then. Hes allowed five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings this spring. His velocity was down a few ticks, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, which may have contributed to his uninspiring performance of late. Llovera is now out of options and needed to either have a spot on the active roster or else be removed from the 40-man entirely. The Ms are dealing with some injuries to relievers like Gregory Santos, Matt Brash and Jackson Kowar, which could have opened a role for Llovera. But it appears his recent struggles led them to put him on waivers instead, with the 29 other clubs passing on a chance to grab him. Llovera has a previous career outright, which means that he has the ability to reject this assignment and elect free agency. Its not yet clear if he has chosen to do so. MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - A big Main Street hotel linked to one of the most interesting characters in Mackinac Islands history has new owners - a Grosse Pointe couple who in the last year have added a string of Northern Michigan hotels, restaurants and a pub to their real estate portfolio. Harbour View Inn, a multi-building property that sits at the edge of downtown next to Ste. Annes Catholic Church, has been purchased by Jon and Lauren Cotton. Since 2020, the Cottons have also owned the islands Hotel Iroquois. As longtime residents of Michigan, my family and I have visited the island many times and understand the importance of these historic hotels to the future of Mackinac Island, said Jon Cotton, a former health insurance company executive. I am excited to honor the history and tradition of the Harbour View Inn. The sale comes just four months after the Cottons announced a sweeping deal to purchase six Northern Michigan properties from Staffords Hospitality. These included the Bay View Inn and the Perry Hotel in Petoskey, and The Weathervane Restaurant in Charlevoix. As with their other recent acquisitions, the Cottons said they will look into what renovations and landscaping upgrades the 83-room Harbour View Inn might need and start planning for future improvements. Carrying that out will be Troy-based Hotel Investment Services (HIS), which will continue as Harbour Views management firm. There is tremendous opportunity to build upon the excellent reputation this hotel has established over the years and to continue to honor its historic importance, said Ron Wilson, CEO of HIS. Harbour View Inn on Mackinac Island has been sold by the Pulte family to Jon and Lauren Cotton of Grosse Pointe. Photo provided by Harbour View.Harbour View Inn With their purchase of Harbour View Inn, the Cottons are now among the small group of island owners who have their name on multiple properties in this high-traffic vacation spot in the Straits of Mackinac. And not surprisingly, the landmark spot was sold to the Cottons by another family in that circle. Harbour View was sold by Karen Pulte, her daughter Katie Pulte Moskalik. Karen Pulte is the wife of the late Bill Pulte, a Detroit native who founded Pulte Homes and grew his namesake homebuilding company into a familiar brand over several decades. When Bill Pulte died in 2018, he was also a silent partner in a group that owned The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island. In 2021, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation was gifted ownership of Stonecliffe, which is set to reopen this summer after two years of a multi-million renovation. Family members retained ownership of other island properties, like Harbour View Inn. My wife Katie, and Karen Pulte are honored to have been stewards of this iconic Mackinac Island property, Timothy Moskalik said this week in announcing the Harbour View sale. It has been a privilege to carry on the tradition of Bill Pulte, who loved the island so much. We are thrilled to pass along this heritage to Jon and Lauren Cotton. We are equally excited for the opportunities that this sale presents to our associates and guests and the island itself. Jon and Lauren Cotton, of Grosse Pointe, now own Harbour View Inn on Mackinac Island. Photo provided by the Cottons.Jon and Lauren Cotton A Fascinating History By adding Harbour View Inn to their growing collection, the Cottons are taking on a property built for one of the most interesting people in the islands history. The stately mansion was built in the 1820s for Magdelaine Laframboise, a woman of Odawa and French-Canadian descent who was once known as the first lady of Mackinac Island. Her far-flung fur trading business pitted her for a time against tycoon John Jacob Astor. It was in her home overlooking the water where she entertained visiting VIPs, politicians and business leaders, and wielded her own brand of influence for the first half of the 19th century. And it was from her home that the multi-lingual Laframboise planned her many philanthropic gifts, including starting a school on the island and donating the land next door to the Catholic church. To this day, an island group holds a reception each summer bearing her name. The Mackinac State Historic Parks, which oversees 80% of the island, has gathered a lot of information about Laframboises legacy. Heres a snippet from a recent article that mentions her: After her husband Joseph was murdered in 1806 while on business in the Grand River region near present-day Lowell, Michigan, Magdelaine took control of the fur trading company and continued its success. For the next 12 years, she wintered in the Grand River Valley, collecting furs from trappers. Each spring, she supervised the transportation of the furs to Mackinac Island. Magdelaine Laframboise successfully influenced the ways of the newly arriving American businessmen, government agents, military and missionaries to the Straits region. In 1822 Magdelaine, then 41 years old, decided to retire on the stunning shoreline of Mackinac Island, where she built a very fine home. There she entertained dignitaries, military officers as well as many of her native American friends and family members. On his famed visit to the United States, French aristocrat and diplomat Alexis de Tocqueville visited with Magdelaine upon his arrival to Mackinac Island. Magdelaine started the first formal school on Mackinac Island, in her home, and encouraged William Ferry to start his mission school. She also assisted Father Mazzuchelli in starting a Catholic school. Her daughter Josephine married a captain at Fort Mackinac, Benjamin Pierce, brother to Franklin Pierce who would become the 14th President of the United States. She died in 1846. At her request, Laframboises remains were initially buried beneath the altar at Ste. Annes church, then later entombed on the church grounds. In the decades after her death, her beautiful home was used as a summer cottage. In 1995, the property became the Harbour View Inn. For Harbour View, the partnership between the Cottons and the HIS management firm mirrors the arrangement the couple made in 2020 when they purchased Hotel Iroquois, one of Mackinac Islands well-known resort hotels. Its located on the west end of Main Street, on the opposite edge of town from Harbour View. The Cottons bought Hotel Iroquois from the McIntire family, who had owned and managed the waterfront hotel since 1954. Many guests and those in the islands hotel management crowd have given the recent improvements at that property high marks in the last few years. ALLEN PARK -- Former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Benito Jones is headed back to Miami, according to The Athletic. Jones began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Dolphins, but never panned out and was released heading into the 2022 season. He was claimed off waivers by Detroit, wound up playing in all 17 games that year and then moved into the starting lineup this past season. He made 26 tackles and one sack, and combined with Alim McNeill to help anchor the No. 2 run defense in the league. But the Lions did not tender Jones in restricted free agency, then replaced him by landing D.J. Reader on Thursday afternoon. Reader is considered one of the best nose tackles in the league, and his addition left Jones without a place in Detroit. A few minutes later, he was officially back in Miami. For the record: Benito Jones still has the best game-day fit in the league. STERLING HEIGHTS, MI Two Michigan police officers are on administrative leave after a violent arrest that the mans attorney is calling a gang-style beating, The Associated Press reports. The arrest of Garry Young, 36, of Sterling Heights, is under investigation. Suspected of domestic violence, Young allegedly fled from police and resisted arrest, and was met with Tasers, punches and a police dog. Young is also accused of attempting to run over an officer, and leading police on a 13-mile chase that reached speeds of 90 mph, running six red lights and nearly crashing head-on with another vehicle in the process. His blood alcohol content was later found to be twice the legal limit, police said. A voluntary statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, and officials are encouraging residents to participate and be prepared. The drill comes in the middle of Michigans Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 17 to 23. Michigan State Polices Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is organizing the drill. On average, the state has 15 tornadoes each year; during August 2023, seven touched down in one day. PONTIAC, MI -- In a first-of-its-kind case, the parents of a school shooter were convicted of manslaughter. Some are hailing the historic verdicts as a victory against gun violence in America. This verdict does not bring back their children, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said Thursday, March 14, surrounded by relatives of Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16 and Justin Shilling, 17, the students killed in a mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021. But it does mark a moment of accountability and will hopefully be another step to address, end and prevent gun violence. Legal experts say its more broadly a warning to parents in Michigan and beyond: If your child commits a school shooting or other violence with your gun, you could go to prison. Thats what is expected to happen when Jennifer Crumbley, 45, and James Crumbley, 47, the parents of 2021 Oxford High shooter Ethan Crumbley, are sentenced on April 9. It made worldwide news for reason, said University of Michigan law professor Ekow Yankah. Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald hugs Steve St. Juliana, father of Oxford High School shooting victim Hana St. Juliana, following the guilty verdict of James Crumbley, in Oakland County Court in Pontiac, Mich., Thursday, March 14, 2024. Crumbley, the father of the Michigan school shooter, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, a second conviction against the teens parents who were accused of failing to secure a gun at home and doing nothing to address acute signs of his mental turmoil. (Robin Buckson/Detroit News via AP, Pool) APAP Two juries unanimously convicted the parents on four counts each of involuntary manslaughter, a crime punishable by up to 15 years of prison, for the murders of four students committed by their son. Prosecutors havent gone after other parents because this is such a novel use of the law holding parents accountable for how they parent when their child engages in violent conduct, said defense attorney Mary Chartier. Most parents try to do their best, but there are no perfect parents. These verdicts open the door to using hindsight to assess the actions of parents, which has broad and quite frankly frightening implications for parents in our state. A jury convicted Jennifer Crumbley on Feb. 6 and UM professor Yankah said the subsequent conviction of her husband solidified the prosecutions theory. James Crumbley unwittingly purchased his son the murder weapon four days before the shooting. The parents failed to act when their son exhibited signs of mental illness or depression, they didnt remove him from school after being called to an emergency meeting hours before the shooting and they didnt notify administrators their son had been given a gun days prior as an early Christmas gift. Further the prosecution and witnesses claimed the gun was not locked or in a locked case when the shooter took it from his parents bedroom and slipped it into his backpack. These parents could have stopped this tragedy that was foreseeable with just the smallest of efforts, Prosecutor McDonald said. But this isnt just about school shootings, according to legal experts. The verdicts certainly have broader implications for parents and anyone who has care of a child at some point child care professionals, counselors, and even teachers, Chartier said. This decision likely emboldens a prosecutor to charge anyone whom a prosecutor wants to hold accountable for the actions of a minor. Yankah called the rulings an extension of criminal law. Prosecutors will use it, he said. The next parent whose kid is involved in gang violence or runs in the wrong crowd or does drugs and alcohol while driving, et cetera., theyll be in front of a prosecutors office ... And I think thats what parents are going to be worried about. Jennifer Crumbley enters the courtroom of Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews on Thursday Jan. 25, 2024 to begin her trial on Thursday Jan. 25, 2024 to begin the trial of Jennifer Crumbley in Ponitiac, Mich. Crumbley, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Nov. 30, 2021, attack. The case against her and her husband, who will stand trial in March, marks the first time that a parent has been charged in a mass shooting at a U.S. school. Prosecutors say the Crumbleys were grossly negligent and that their son's actions were foreseeable. (Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press via AP, Pool)AP The Oakland County prosecutor called gun violence a public health crisis that is going to require much more than these verdicts to correct. Its crazy, the way our society is currently reacting to this, said Steve St. Juliana, the father of slain 14-year-old Oxford High student Hana St. Juliana. Our children are dying on a daily basis in mass murders and we do very little about it. We complain about Second Amendment rights or we say theres not enough money for mental health issues ... Stop buying the excuses, stop buying the rhetoric. The other student killed by Ethan Crumbley, who is 17 and serving a mandatory life prison sentence, are Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16 and Justin Shilling, 17. Baldwins mother, Nicole Beausoleil, said the victims are now shifting their focus toward school administrators, who sent the shooter back to class on the day of the shooting, after finding a violent drawing he made on a homework assignment, without checking his backpack, where the eventual murder weapon was stowed. The teen would emerge from a bathroom nearly two hours later, when he fired 32 bullets that killed four students and injured seven other people. Ethan Crumbley sits in court listening to victim impact statements, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Pontiac, Mich. Parents of students killed at Michigan's Oxford High School described the anguish of losing their children Friday as a judge considered whether a teenager will serve a life sentence for a mass shooting in 2021. Crumbley, 17, could be locked up with no chance for parole for killing four fellow students and wounding others. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, Pool)AP We need to start focusing on the school and its failures, the things they dont want to admit to, Beausoleil said. Thats going to be our next plan for change. Several civil lawsuits are filed against the school district and its employees. Theyve been held up by the criminal prosecutions and appeals. Attorney Ven Johnson, who sued on behalf of victims and their families, is challenging in the state Court of Appeals a lower court ruling that granted governmental immunity to the school and involved staff. Until everyone responsible for this tragedy is fully and legally held accountable for their role, our clients and our firm remain steadfast in our fight for justice, he said. Related: You cant sue the king Attorneys believe the Crumbleys will receive a prison sentence, but it will not be a maximum punishment. Theyve already been jailed for two years and three months, since their Dec. 3, 2021 arrests, and will receive credit for time served. So theyll get a prison sentence, Chartier said, but it wont be anywhere close to 15 years. LANSING, MI - Michigan is allocating $16 million in grant funds for a handful of freight railway projects around the state. On Thursday, March 14, the states Department of Transportation announced 10 grant recipients. Each project chosen for the 2024 Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program seeks to boost economic development and preserve existing rail systems. Rail systems are key components for Michigans economy, helping to move agricultural products, automobiles, consumer goods, and building materials, explained Bradley Wieferich, the states transportation director. These grants will assist railroads in making crucial infrastructure investments that will help provide for safe and efficient transportation, Wieferich said. Available grants could reimburse up to 70% of project costs. The state funds helped leverage $11 million in private investment in the rail system. Related: Amtrak expansion proposals bring funding to Michigan Last year, the program awarded $19 million to 12 projects, including to some of the same recipients. Chris Bagwell, president of the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad, said the grant funding will lead to increased freight business capacity that could make it more enticing for potential outside entities to locate in Michigan. The (grant program) funding allows for continued enhancement of our track infrastructure, as well as driving economic value for Michigan businesses who ship bulk commodities on our lines, Bagwell said in a prepared statement. Below are the 10 selected rail projects, including the name of the applicant, what work is needed, where it will occur, and how much grant funding was secured. Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Co. Located in Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee counties, this $7.08 million project includes rail, tie and ballast replacement, plus track surfacing and yard improvements. The project will receive nearly $3.9 million in grant funding. Coopersville and Marne Railway The West Michigan railway is getting $101,750 to help fund repairs at the Indian Mill Creek bridge in Walker, a suburb of Grand Rapids. The total project cost is estimated to be $185,000. Coopersville and Marne are in Ottawa County. Great Lakes Central Railroad Inc. The rail company is getting $1.34 million to replace ties and ballasts at its San Yard in Owosso. Total project costs are about $2.06 million. Lake State Railway Co. Saginaw-based Lake State Railway was selected to receive four grants for various projects, totaling $5 million. In Flint, the Flint Coldwater Yard is getting nearly $600,000 for improvements. Total project costs are estimated at $922,557. In Bay and Arenac counties, about $1.15 million in funding will help cover track surfacing and rail, tie, and ballast replacement. The total project will cost about $1.78 million. In Wixom, a grant worth $761,925 will help fund the establishment of a new transload facility, which will cost an estimated $1.09 million in total. Lastly, in Iosco County, nearly $2.49 million in funding will help with rail, tie and ballast replacement, as well as track surfacing. In total its a $4.66 million project. Mid-Michigan Railroad Co. (Michigan Shore Railroad) Rehabilitation of the Grand River Swing Span in Ottawa Countys Ferrysburg will be assisted by $800,000 in grant funding. The total project is estimated to cost $1.47 million. Delray Connecting Railroad The Zug Island Shortcut Bridge in River Rouge is in need of rehabilitation. Half of the $4.62 million project will be funded via the grant, or $2.31 million. Grand Elk Railroad Inc. Located in the Upper Peninsulas Luce County, the railroad company is getting $2.23 million in grant funding for tie and ballast replacement and bridge repairs. In total, the project will cost an estimated $3.19 million. MOUNT CLEMENS, MI -- A 22-year-old Fraser man was sentenced Wednesday to up to 30 years in prison after he was convicted last month of killing 6-year-old Terrance Adams. However, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido plans on appealing the sentence as he does not feel it is severe enough. When a sentencing fails to reflect the gravity of the offense, we must appeal it on behalf of the victim, victims family, and the community, Lucido said in a statement. Hunter Locke-Hughes was convicted by a jury on charges of first-degree child abuse and involuntary manslaughter after he drowned Adams -- who was partially blind and had a heart defect -- in December 2021 while giving the boy a bath. Locke-Hughes was dating the boys mother at the time of the drowning. Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Viviano sentenced Locke-Hughes to 90 months to 30 years for child abuse conviction and 43 months to 15 years for the manslaughter charge. Lucido says the sentencing for child abuse is 45 months below the sentencing guidelines and also said the other sentence is on the lower end of the guidelines. The child abuse conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. A 63-year-old Ontonagon man is recovering after he fell through the ice on Lake Gogebic Wednesday afternoon. Officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources were contacted around 4:30 CDT by someone who saw a man fall through the ice in Bergland Township and could hear him calling for help. DNR officers Jennifer Hanson and Zach Painter responded to the scene with Hanson arriving first. Hanson quickly spotted Paul Boehm in the water, about 100 yards from shore. Hanson said a neighbor -- identified as Sue Barrette -- saw Boehm fall into the water is the one who contacted officers. Magician David Casas entertained students and staff at Tri County on Friday morning with an interactive magic show. Elementary Principal Jesse Gronemeyer said they try to bring in some kind of talent every spring at the school. We try to bring in some type of talented person every February or March to Tri County, he said. We just want to expose them to some of the talents that are out there. A lot of these kids have never had the opportunity to see some of these talents or careers. The kids get so excited. The Parent Teacher Organization funds the event. Elementary and high school students attended. Casas said he became interested in magic when he was in high school. I was walking through the mall in Davenport, Iowa when I was in high school, he said. There was a couple gentleman doing magic and there was a flier advertising lessons. After about a year the owner of the shop said he taught me everything he knew, but I practiced and rehearsed for seven or eight hours a day. I love to practice. Manipulation and slide-of-hand magic is what I specialize in today. He lived in Las Vegas for about a year and continued to learn. Casas currently lives in Davenport, Iowa and performs for family events, corporate retreats and schools. After the show, students asked Casas a variety of questions. He said his favorite tricks were the ropes and his finale trick with cards. ANN ARBOR, MI One of Ann Arbors longtime top officials is leaving the city for a new job out of state. Brian Steglitz, the citys public services administrator and former water plant manager, has accepted a new role as executive director of the Upper Occoquan Service Authority, a wastewater utility in northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C., the city announced Friday, March 15. MID-MICHIGAN Its that time of year again when many wear green, and the spirit of camaraderie fills the air. St. Patricks Day is upon us once more, beckoning with its promise of lively celebrations, hearty laughter, and the vibrant feel of Irish tradition pulsing through every corner. The holiday is observed every March 17. This year, its a Sunday. From the classic Bay City parade to bars in Flint hosting live music, check out these five great places to celebrate in mid-Michigan: 1. Baynes Apple Valley in Freeland Baynes Apple Valley, located at 5395 Midland Road in Freeland, will have an Irish band Friday night. The Saginaw County business will have Water Street Ceili Session, a traditional Irish jam band, performing from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to start the weekend. On Saturday, Baynes will welcome back Waylon Hanel for a night full of country music, as he has been rising up on the country charts over the past few weeks. For more information, find Baynes Apple Valley on Facebook. 2. St. Patricks Pub Crawl Fentons annual St. Patricks Pub Crawl is back. The pub crawl is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday at 715 Torrey Road. Local businesses The Barn, Corner Bar & Grill, The Fenton Pub, The Fireplace and The Ponemah Lakeside Lodge are teaming up for a big party. Make sure to check out each stop for live music, games, dancing, drink specials and giveaways. Crawlers may begin checking in at 2 p.m. Check-in locations include The Barn, 715 Torrey Road, The Fenton Pub, 108 S. Leroy St., and The Ponemah Lakeside Lodge, 3482 W. Silver Lake Road. Individuals must pick up their wristbands before heading to their first bar. Participants must check in to receive their wristband for access to buses and drink specials. Tickets are $30 and include the use of shuttle buses, exclusive drink specials and giveaway entries. 3. Market Tap in Flint Market Tap, located at 300 E. First St. on the second floor of the Flint Farmers Market in downtown Flint, will host a St. Patio Day Party Sunday, complete with Irish food, live music and drinks. Market Tap will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the holiday. Flint Social Club is serving food upstairs starting at 11 a.m., and members of the Scottish Pipe Band will play bagpipes from noon to 4 p.m. A Special drink menu will include Kuhnhenn Cereal Beers, Lucky Charms Golden Lager, Captain Crunch Peanut Butter Brown Ale, Blueberry Pancake Amber Ale, Creme Brulee Java Stout, Irish coffee, Jameson, Guinness, shots and more. Indoor and patio seating will be available. 4. Barley & Vine in Flint Looking for an authentic full Irish breakfast, lunch and dinner? Look no further than Barley & Vines fourth annual St. Patricks Day celebration. Barley & Vine, located at 1072 Elms Road in Flint, will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., serving up some of the most authentic Irish cuisine around, as well as amazing festive drinks and beer. Also, live music is lined up throughout the day. 5. Bay City Parade The 2024 Bay City St. Patricks Day Parade happens Sunday, which means thousands of people will line Center Avenue downtown to take part in this decades-old community tradition. The parade starts at 2 p.m. on the holiday, but youll want to get there early to allow time to park and walk to your viewing spot. Read a complete guide to the parade here. ATLANTA, GA A red panda born at Grand Rapids John Ball Zoo has died. Ruby, born in June 2020, died at Zoo Atlanta on March 8. Ruby was 3 years old. Ruby was one of three triplet sisters born to parents Wyatt and Wasabi at John Ball Zoo on June 25, 2020. The triplets, Ruby, Rose and Willow, were named following a public voting competition. The triplets were the first litter born to Wyatt and Wasabi, who had a second litter of a boy and a girl last August. Ruby died at Zoo Atlanta, which also has her sister, Rose. RELATED: Triplet baby red pandas born at John Ball Zoo We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Ruby, a female red panda, Zoo Atlanta said in a statement on social media earlier this week. Ruby was found deceased by her care team on March 8, 2024. Zoo Atlanta said the definitive cause of Rubys death is not yet known, but the preliminary findings of a necropsy indicated a mesenteric torsion. This is often a fatal condition that occurs when the intestines twist, the zoo stated. The zoo will be working with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine zoo and exotic animal pathology service to further investigate Rubys cause of death. This is a devastating loss for Zoo Atlanta, said Sam Rivera, the Georgia zoos vice president of animal health. Our thoughts are with Rubys care team who, like all of the Animal Care Teams at Zoo Atlanta, are deeply committed to the animals and devote each day to their superior care and well-being. While it is too early for us to presume on any specific cause, we are hopeful that pathology report results will tell us more about Rubys condition. RELATED: Its a boy and a girl! John Ball Zoo red panda cubs healthy and growing Ruby and Rose left John Ball Zoo for a zoo in Tennessee in August 2021 as part of a species survival plan, and arrived at Zoo Atlanta in February 2023. Red pandas, native to the Eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC). There are less than 2,500 adult red pandas left in the wild, according to the IUCN. The species is threatened by habitat loss, deforestation and poaching. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More from MLive: How residents answered every MLive poll question about far-right takeover of Ottawa County State police seek hit-and-run driver who struck buggy, injuring 3 girls Free temporary housing being set up for homeless in Grand Rapids OTTAWA COUNTY, MI Likely Ottawa County voters are giving us a first indication on how theyre feeling less than five months before a pivotal primary election. Based on a large survey of residents, some are critical of the countys leaders and others arent paying close enough attention to have strong opinions. The criticism ranges from objections to specific controversial changes the county commissioners have made to complaints on how theyre going about making those drastic shifts. MLive has published several stories this week based on information gathered from a public opinion poll, commissioned by MLive. They cover a range of topics, including those focused on the job approval ratings of the boards far-right majority group called Ottawa Impact, fired Ottawa County administrator John Gibbs, board Chair Joe Moss and health officer Adeline Hambley. Plus, the countys dismantling of its diversity and inclusion office and a switch in the countys motto also were highlighted in stories. A description and link to all of the stories can be found later in this story. Patrick McCarty, a Park Township resident who took the poll, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that his trust in Ottawa Impact is zero and that its total chaos. All I know, people in this township are like mushrooms, McCarty said. I feel like theyre kept in the dark and fed B.S. Its time for all the B.S. at the county level to quit. Ron Wilson, a strong Republican who may vote for an Ottawa Impact candidate this year, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that he thinks some of the groups ideas are laudable, but he strongly disagrees with how theyve approached governance. The problem comes in that the idiots, the morons, that got elected immediately abandoned their premise of working with others and just started arbitrarily enacting rules, firing people, just making different statements, different actions that were not in keeping with the best interests of the countys residents, he said. It remains to be seen if the results from the MLive-commissioned poll conducted March 3-6 will foreshadow the outcomes of the Aug. 6 primary election, when the ultraconservative faction that took control of county government will be seeking a second term. MLive/The Grand Rapids Press commissioned a poll of 600 likely voters in Ottawa County, conducted March 3-6. The poll was conducted by the Lansing-based Glengariff Group, Inc., which has also done polls for the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Detroit News. The MLive poll has a margin of error of 4% and a confidence level of 95%, which are the industry standard for media polling. The questions were primarily centered around Ottawa Impact, the far-right group of county commissioners who took office in January 2023 and hold a majority of seats on the county board. In the 2022 election, several Ottawa Impact-affiliated candidates defeated more moderate Republican incumbents in the primary. Since taking power, the group has made a number of changes to county government, from wading into culture war issues and attempting to fire the countys health department director to dismantling the countys diversity and inclusion office and more. MLives package of stories on the public opinion poll include: 1. Job performance of Ottawa Impact: The two main takeaways about Ottawa Impacts job performance from the MLive-commissioned survey are: For those likely voters tracking the actions of their county government, they disapprove of the county board majoritys governance by nearly a 2-1 margin; A significant chunk of likely voters polled, 42%, either didnt want to give an opinion or never heard of Ottawa Impact. Full MLive story: A far-right faction took over Ottawa County. Its approve is poor, MLive polling reveals 2. What do residents think?: MLive/The Grand Rapids Press decided that the best way to get a feel of voter sentiment would be to ask a large number of Ottawa County residents what they think of all these changes. MLive commissioned a public opinion poll, conducted by Glengariff Group, to survey 600 likely voters about their county government. Full MLive story: What do Ottawa County residents really think? We decided to ask them 3. Is Ottawa County on the right track?: It turns out Ottawa County residents are deeply divided on whether the county is on the right track. In a recent poll commissioned by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press, 47.7% of likely Ottawa County voters said the county itself is on the right track, compared to 34.3% of residents who believe the county is on the wrong track. An additional 18% of residents had no opinion. Full MLive story: Is Ottawa Countys government on the right track? Residents are divided, new poll finds 4. Opinions on Ottawa County board Chair Joe Moss: The three main takeaways from the MLive-commissioned survey responses pertaining to Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss are: Of the 48.8% of respondents who knew of Moss, 27.3% disapproved of the job he is doing, while 22.4% approved; Moss is most well known among Democrats and independents, who sharply disapproved of the job he is doing; Less than half of Republican respondents knew of Moss, and those who did held a favorable opinion of the job he is doing by a 2-to-1 margin. Full MLive story: Whos Joe Moss? Polling shows voters disapprove of far-right leader (if theyve heard of him) 5. Opinions on health officer Adeline Hambley: According to polling commissioned by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press, 61.4% of likely Ottawa County voters have never heard of Adeline Hambley, who leads the countys health department. Polling also revealed that of those likely voters who know of Hambley, more view her favorably than unfavorably. Full MLive story: Far-right Ottawa County leaders tried to fire health officer. Turns out they like her 6. Opinions on fired county administrator John Gibbs: The three main takeaways from the MLive-commissioned survey responses pertaining to Gibbs are: Of the 77.2% of respondents who knew of Gibbs, 34.6% had an unfavorable opinion of him while 15.1% had a favorable opinion; Of all respondents, 36.6% disapproved of the jobs Gibbs was doing, while 22.8% approved, 11.6% were neutral and 29% could not offer an opinion. Only strong Republican voters narrowly approved of Gibbs performance as county administrator, and a notable number of all Republicans could not offer an opinion on his performance. Full MLive story: John Gibbs deeply unpopular in Ottawa County, MLive poll finds 7. Ottawa Impacts money management questioned: The MLive-commissioned poll of 600 Ottawa County residents showed that 53% of those questioned said they did not trust county commissioners associated with Ottawa Impact to protect their tax dollars or provide good management of county finances. The poll showed 29.6% of likely voters do trust them, while 17.4% did not know. Full MLive story: MLive polling shows majority of voters distrust Ottawa County leaders money management 8. Majority like old county motto better: Among the changes made in 2023 by the Ottawa Impact majority was to replace the countys motto, Where you belong, with a new one: Where freedom rings. Data from an MLive-commissioned poll of likely Ottawa County voters released this week shows residents prefer the Where you belong motto to the new one by a double-digit margin. Full MLive story: Far-right group called it Marxist ideology, but voters prefer Where you belong motto 9. Young voters critical of DEI office being closed: A 2023 decision to shutter Ottawa Countys diversity and inclusion office was not popular with voters, especially younger and college-educated voters, an MLive poll shows. Of 600 likely voters polled in a phone survey, 43.4% said Ottawa County commissioners made the wrong move in closing the program, with 35% supporting the decision. Full MLive story: Shuttering of DEI office unpopular with young Ottawa County voters, new poll shows 10. Will a candidates affiliation to Ottawa Impact matter?: A majority of Republicans and independent voters in Ottawa County say a candidates affiliation with the ultraconservative group leading the county wont effect who they support at the polls, according to a new MLive survey. However, a majority of Democrats in the county said they are less likely to vote for a candidate affiliated with the group called Ottawa Impact, the polling showed. Full MLive story: In deep red Ottawa County, Republicans dont care if candidates align with far-right group, poll finds 11. What do college-educated poll respondents think?: Nearly half of college-educated Ottawa County voters believe the county is worse run and less welcoming since a group of ultraconservative politicians took over the government a year ago, according to a new MLive survey. The consistent trend throughout the polling of college-educated voters showed dissatisfaction with the group, Ottawa Impact, and its decisions. Its a trend some experts say could affect the countys talent attraction and retention capabilities. Full MLive story: This isnt the place for you is Ottawa Countys message to college-educated people, pollster says 12. See the full results from the survey: MLive made public the overall responses to the questions posed in the survey, with related graphics. Many of the questions were also segmented and organized by demographics and political affiliations Full MLive story: How residents answered every MLive poll question about far-right takeover of Ottawa County OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Besieged with lawsuits and FOIA requests, Ottawa Countys legal costs jumped to $730,000 last year in what the top county leader called extremely reasonable for the countys population. With a county of our size, with a budget of $264 million, the legal costs are actually extremely reasonable, Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss said at a Tuesday, March 12 meeting. Having the best constitutional corporate counsel is a priority for the board to protect the county and citizens, Moss said. Ottawa Countys population is slightly more than 300,000, making it the seventh most-populous county in the state. Moss made the public statement about Ottawa Countys legal costs after MLive posted a story about the countys legal fees and compared it to the countys 2022 legal costs. Moss complained because the MLive/The Grand Rapids Press story didnt include 2022 legal billings to the Ottawa County Insurance Authority. RELATED: Conservative law firm earned $730K as Ottawa Countys new attorney, invoices show The boards 2023 actions -- and in one case inaction -- led to four high-profile lawsuits that claimed wrongful termination, age discrimination, religious discrimination and an Open Meetings Act violation. Moss blamed the lawsuits, in part, for helping to boost Ottawa Countys legal expenses. All of the cases have been defended by Kallman Legal Group, a firm hired at a Jan. 3, 2023, organizational meeting and known for championing conservative causes. Figures obtained by MLive through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request show that Kallman Legal Group received a combined $731,000 for billings to both the countys insurance authority and the county directly in 2023. Kallman billed $503,000 directly to the county and $228,000 to the authority for expenses explicitly tied to handling lawsuits. Moss, in his March 12 statement, said the countys previous legal counsel, Silver & Van Essen, earned a combined $328,000 in 2022, $417,000 in 2021 and $460,000 in 2020. Legal costs in 2020 and 2021 may have been higher because of pandemic-related costs. MLive has filed a FOIA to receive a detailed account of fees billed by Silver & Van Essen in 2022. Moss praised the Kallman Legal Groups work. He said their attorneys provided significant work last year to resolve deficiencies and put new processes and standardized contracts into place. Moss leads the ultra-conservative majority faction on the Ottawa County Board known as Ottawa Impact. The group came under high scrutiny for several controversial decisions in 2023. Of the lawsuits against the county, Moss made particular note of a lawsuit claiming commissioners made important decisions before they took office on Jan. 3, 2023, and that it was litigated by former Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. RELATED: Ottawa County exceeds budget, allocates $110K more to cover costs of conservative law firm But the Brewer-litigated lawsuit, alleging an Open Meetings Act violation, was hardly the most expensive to defend. The MLive FOIA showed that Kallman Legal billed $33,130 to the insurance authority in 2023 for litigation expenses directly tied to that lawsuit. In contrast, Kallman billed $172,371 in 2023 to defend against a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by county Health Officer Adeline Hambley, the FOIA records showed. Commissioners unsuccessfully tried to fire Hambley in January 2023 and the case was settled a year later with Hambley keeping her job. Commissioner Roger Bergman, who is not affiliated with Ottawa Impact, agreed that lawsuits helped to significantly boost the countys legal fees last year. But he blamed the board majority for causing the surge in litigation. I would say were over only because we have some commissioners that are in control and causing all the legal fees. It has to do with the Board of Commissioners trying to micromanage and getting in trouble, he said. David Kallman, head of Kallman Legal Group, offered several reasons for the increase in legal fees in an email to MLive. He noted a huge increase in FOIA requests. Counsel handled about 30 in 2022 compared to more than 350 in 2023. These can often take a large amount of time to provide estimates, gather the information, review the information, and redact required information, he said. Kallman also said the firms attorneys have performed new and heightened reviews of county contracts to make sure they remain in the countys best interest. Additionally, he said one or more attorneys was at the Ottawa County building in West Olive for at least 24 hours each week and often for more than 40 hours due to required legal work and discussions with county leaders. He said Kallman Legal has never charged for mileage from the firms Lansing office or the drive time. While the countys fiscal services department initially estimated that 2023 corporation counsel work would cost $280,000 -- far less than the $503,000 billed by Kallman for services not directly related to litigation -- Kallman offered an explanation for the added costs. When we were hired, we had no way of knowing the exact amount of work that would be required and no way of knowing that issues like FOIA would increase by such a huge amount, he wrote in the email. The lawsuits being defended by the Kallman Legal Group in 2023 included: The Hambley lawsuit. The lawsuit related to the Open Meetings Act. The lawsuit filed by a 49-year-old who was passed over for an executive aide position when then-Administrator John Gibbs hired a 23-year-old. The lawsuit filed by a Grand Haven pastor claiming Moss did not choose him to give prayer at early 2023 board meetings because he supported LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer) rights. Kallman Legal Groups adequacy as corporate counsel has come under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks after the firing in late February of Gibbs, who the commissioners affiliated with Ottawa Impact installed as part of the same house cleaning that saw Kallman Legal Group hired. RELATED: 3 hours after hes fired, John Gibbs claims its a contract breach and free speech violation Gibbs claims Ottawa Impact board leadership soured on him after he began criticizing the ability of Kallman Legal Group to perform its duties. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A restaurant worker pleaded guilty to felonious assault after he shot at a customers car outside of J Burger N Wings. Li Hao Wang, 54, entered the plea this week before Kent County Circuit Judge Christina Elmore. JACKSON COUNTY, MI -- Supporters and detractors will have another chance to speak about a controversial proposal to rezone several parcels of land for a potential solar farm in Grass Lake Township. The rezoning request comes from Grass Lake Solar, which is operated by NextEra Energy Resources. The Florida-based company is seeking to have 583.5 acres on six parcels rezoned from single-family residential to agricultural land for the potential establishment of the large-scale solar farm. JACKSON, MI -- A semitruck driver was injured when he rear-ended another truck on I-94 west of Jackson on Friday afternoon. Officers responded to the crash on the highway near Airport Road around 12:18 p.m. March 15, according to the Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety. A semitruck heading west slowed down due to traffic on the highway with its hazard lights on when second semitruck driver, a 50-year-old Detroit man, ran into the rear of the first truck without braking, police said. The Detroit man was pinned in the cab of his truck and had to be cut from the vehicle, which took about 50 minutes, police said, adding he was taken to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital in serious condition, but without life-threatening injuries. The other driver, a 52 year old man, and his passenger, a 44-year-old woman, were not injured in the crash, police said. The freeway was closed for several hours due to the large amount of debris. It reopened at 2:55 p.m. Jimmies Wrecker service and the Michigan Department of Transportation assisted in removing the debris. Jackson Community Ambulance was also on scene. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. SAGINAW, MI On the way to his November re-election bid, President Joe Biden this week swung through Saginaw County. During a nearly 5-hour visit Thursday, March 14, some residents saw the president up close. Others watched from afar as his Secret Service motorcade powered through their neighborhoods. The Billings Fire Department raised more than $12,000 for the Leukemia Foundation recently by competing in the Columbia Towers Stair Climb in Seattle. BFD sent 11 firefighters to compete against 310 other fire department teams and more than 1,800 competitors in this annual event that raises funds and awareness for cancer research. Billings placed 19th out of the 310 teams and their lone female member, Halley Evenson, placed 8th in the womens category and 349th overall (male and female). This event drew participants from all over the United States and a few competitors from Europe to climb 1,356 steps, 69 floors and 788 vertical feet in 45 pounds of their normal gear to reach the top. Toby's Tavern came into Noxon on a flatbed railcar from Thompson Falls in 1922. It went down in flames in 2024. The bar in the heart of the small lower Clark Fork town burned early in the morning on Feb. 27 alongside the adjacent Angry Beaver General Store and Noxon Mercantile & Cafe. The fire gutted the core of the former railroad and logging town, leaving its 250-or-so residents suddenly without their only tavern, grocery store and cafe. All that's left is a hardware store, an unstaffed laundromat and a post office. Now the nearest local bar is in Trout Creek, about a 20-minute drive away on high-speed, two-lane, wildlife-filled Highway 200. But Toby's was far more than just the local bar. In interviews with more than a dozen current and former Noxon residents and others in the lower Clark Fork region, every person used the same word to describe the small green bar facing the river at the corner of Railroad Road and Broadway: "museum." Maybe it was the more than 10,000 Susan B. Anthony dollar coins embedded in the bar top and walls, most of them bearing names of the people who put them there that conjured stories of past visitors. Maybe it was the bills, many of then $100 notes, pinned all over the ceiling and walls also bearing names of those who put them there. That's not to mention the taxidermy mounts lining the walls, making Toby's the de facto Noxon fish and game club, or the troves of historical photos, artifacts and military memorabilia. That's all charred rubble now, with only a few half-identifiable items a DVD player, some barstools, melted beer pitchers littering a jumbled mass of charred timbers. Yellow fire line tape flaps in the wind where a hand-painted sign at the front of the building used to read, "Life is but a dream." "Toby's represented a lot of history," said Kevin Johnson, owner of Johnson Hardware one block away. "A lot of people would say, 'Hey, I'm going to Noxon,' and they'd say, 'Where's Noxon?' They'd say, 'I'm going to Toby's.' 'Oh, Noxon!' They would know. Toby's was really a historical place and a museum. It was just a really neat place." Framed photos covered nearly every square-inch of the walls. Cheeky stickers and signs plastered the shelves behind the bar in between liquor bottles. Two stuffed mountain lions occupied the limelight above the jukebox next to a life-sized cardboard cutout of former President Donald Trump donning a "Make America Great Again" hat. "Tobys has been there for years," said Heron resident Kelly Randall, 60, who previously lived in Noxon and other small lower Clark Fork towns. "Thats a landmark." Gail Therrian, daughter of the Toby of Toby's Tavern, owned and operated the business after her father died at 75 in 2006. Toby bought the bar in 1969, named it Toby's Tavern and began filling it with memorabilia from his Air Force days, including a parachute lining a swath of the ceiling. Area residents contributed their own items. "For Gail I have to imagine it wasnt a matter of going to work," Johnson said, "it was just a matter of getting up and that was part of her life, she would go there and just keep on going. That was Tobys daughter and she ran that thing." Efforts to reach Therrian during multiple visits to Noxon were unsuccessful. Friends told the Missoulian during a March 2 community meeting about the fire that she was not ready to talk about the loss of the tavern. But everyone interviewed heaped praise on Therrian while mourning the loss of her bar. "Gail, shes just a really sweet lady and you feel bad for em," said longtime Noxon, Heron and Trout Creek resident Sharon Tessier, 74. Tessier said she wasn't much for bars herself and hadn't been into Toby's, but "Im sorry now that I didnt go in and see it, just for whats in there." But for many other Noxon residents Toby's was the core of their community a gathering place to celebrate, mourn, mark the passing of years and people, and keep in touch with neighbors new and old. "That was our town," said Tim Wanamaker, fighting back tears. "Tobys was our hub where we came together in the community. Sometimes, two or three times a week, you might see somebody there you havent seen in a couple weeks or a month. That was our social center." Wanamaker grew up in Noxon, moved away for a bit but returned 22 years ago. His father owns the laundromat and he helps maintain it. Wanamaker turned 57 two days after Toby's burned. His birthday party was supposed to be there Saturday, March 2. "Tobys was the place where we had memorials, we had birthdays, we had wedding receptions, retirement parties," Sherry Sutherland, 67, said. "We celebrate everybodys birthdays, theres about 16 of us that we always celebrate birthdays at Tobys." Instead, Wanamaker had his birthday party at a friend's garage. No Susan B. Anthonys. No bills to pin on the ceiling. No Gail, pouring beers behind the bar. Wanamaker, Sutherland said with a laugh, was "an expert at getting those on the ceiling." "The ceiling was about 12 feet and Gail had a way of folding a bill," Wanamaker explained. "She had a way of folding the bill with a 50-cent piece and a tack in it, and if you could throw it just right it would stick to the ceiling. I got many a free beer for doing that for someone." And he, too, lamented the loss of a place that had recorded decades of local history. "It was literally a start in a point in history in March of 69 when Toby bought it, until two, three days ago," Wanamaker said, choking up again. "Anything and everything on the walls, 10,200 Susan B's. My name was in the bar. All the bills on the ceiling." Almost everyone in the area had a memory of Toby's. Donna King, a deli worker at the Trout Creek Local Store, remembered having her first legal drink there with her father. Judy Hutchins, a 50-year resident of Heron who built the building that houses Heron's new general store, said, "Tobys was unique, it can never be replaced." Even newer residents knew Toby's status and significance for Noxon. Shawn Atkinson, who opened the store in Hutchins' building about 18 months ago, noted that "Toby's was a landmark, it was their museum, really." His wife and store co-owner, Melissa, added, "It was amazing, it was such a historical place. It was like a museum, a cool museum." Jenny Richter moved to Noxon from Minnesota about 18 months ago with her husband, a longtime on-and-off Noxon resident. During her shift at the Noxon Quik Stop gas station, she recalled how Toby's was the social center of the town, valued for a lot more than just a cold beer or bite to eat. "We used to go there about once a week, and thats where you could gather to visit people you dont normally get together with," she said. "I miss that, I miss that the most." Get over it, my husband says. Its just the Oscars. Move on, friends advise. Yes, Lily Gladstones performance required more, on and off camera, than any other role under consideration. Yes, the screen-time alibi adds insult to injury. But if you write about it, Mary particularly if you belly-ache about it itll be seen as sour grapes. Pfft. I keep remembering my closing words in last weeks column: Were behind you, Lily. Were beside you. That declaration comes with an obligation the obligation not to vanish when the outcome disappoints. And so Dear Lily, Like so many others, I was crushed not to see you center-stage last Sunday, cradling that coveted statue, introducing yourself once again in a language all but stolen from you. You played an iconic role in a story that, as a crotchety history teacher in another Oscar-nominated film said, isnt just a story of the past, but a way to understand the present. Im sure youre disappointed too. But know this: You wowed us. Not just for the performance you gave in Killers of the Flower Moon, but for the responsibility you assumed in giving it, a responsibility requiring a respect for a woman long gone, a sensitivity to the tribe that survives her, and a commitment to reveal a slice of history that, however painful, we must all reckon with. You continued to shoulder that responsibility on the grueling road to the Oscars. In interview after interview, you told a story that is at once not yours and very much yours to tell, a story that is many stories the murders-in-plain-sight of the Osage people, yes, but also boarding school stories, the code-talker story, rez kid stories. You represented Montana so well on that road. You showed a wisdom undergirded by the down-to-earth wryness of those of us who live with all the foibles and unpredictabilities of Montanas weather, landscapes, and people. That wisdom is also reflective of the much-maligned liberal arts education you pursued here. One interviewer, I remember, was coaxing you to trace your own journey through Maslows hierarchy, culminating in your self-actualization as an actress. You schooled him! Actually, you pointed out, Maslow amended that view later, after living among the Canadian Blackfeet. That experience led him to believe that self-actualization is not the final step. The final step is a value system that transcends actualizing the self to actualizing community. I never knew that. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you, too, for uplifting Montanas first people by making them truly visible. In the past few weeks, Ive watched a seasoned Native stateswoman get choked up describing how she felt when you introduced yourself in Blackfeet at the Golden Globes. Ive seen classrooms of Indigenous children singing, dancing, and chanting their proud support as the Oscars approached. Ive seen a little Blackfeet girl standing in awe before her television set, gawking at you in the front row of the Dolby Theater. Scenes like that live long beyond the moment. And, remember, Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese watched Rocky beat Taxi Driver for best picture in 1977. Four years later DeNiro was named Best Actor for Raging Bull, but Scorsese went home empty-handed. In the years since, DeNiros been nominated for 7 Oscars; Scorsese, for 11. Both won only once and, like you, it wasnt last Sunday night. Scorsese told a story that had to be told, but youre the one who made it matter. A golden statuette pales beside an achievement like that. So win some, lose some, Lily. But suit up all the same. With deep regard, Mary State regulators earlier this month ultimately sided with Summit's arguments, citing changes to state law from 2019 in which the word "may" was removed from the language regarding the PSC's authority relative to localities in pipeline siting decisions. The change also allowed companies to apply for a designated corridor and a route permit in one application, which Summit did. The permitted route goes within the designated corridor. The Burleigh County Commission last month voted to petition the PSC to reconsider its finding. State's Attorney Julie Lawyer asserted her view that the siting application remains a two-step process even though companies can technically consolidate the corridor and route permit. She argued that PSC decisions do not automatically override local rules for a designated corridor. Telstra is Australias leading telecommunications and technology company, with customers ranging from individual consumers to government organizations and large multinational enterprises. In this video, Telstra Asia Pacific CISO, Narelle Devine, and Threat Research and Intelligence Lead, Chris Mohan, discuss how they work together with partners like CrowdStrike to help Australia stay secure. Watch the full video to learn more. Martin Capital Partners LLC cut its stake in shares of Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA Free Report) by 2.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,810 shares of the companys stock after selling 41 shares during the quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Snap-on were worth $523,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. raised its holdings in Snap-on by 12.7% during the 3rd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 22,537 shares of the companys stock worth $5,751,000 after purchasing an additional 2,542 shares during the last quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Snap-on by 105.3% during the 2nd quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC now owns 4,742 shares of the companys stock worth $1,291,000 after acquiring an additional 2,432 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Snap-on by 20.7% in the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 33,821 shares of the companys stock worth $8,626,000 after acquiring an additional 5,793 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC lifted its stake in shares of Snap-on by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 1,304 shares of the companys stock valued at $376,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Rafferty Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Snap-on by 10.4% during the 3rd quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 4,208 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,073,000 after purchasing an additional 397 shares in the last quarter. 83.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Snap-on alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, SVP Thomas J. Ward sold 1,435 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.91, for a total transaction of $416,020.85. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,684 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,113,978.44. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Snap-on news, SVP Thomas J. Ward sold 1,435 shares of Snap-on stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.91, for a total value of $416,020.85. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 48,684 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,113,978.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Thomas J. Ward sold 5,921 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.52, for a total transaction of $1,714,247.92. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,684 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,094,991.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 30,506 shares of company stock valued at $8,560,008 in the last 90 days. 4.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Snap-on Stock Down 1.3 % Shares of Snap-on stock traded down $3.91 on Thursday, hitting $290.85. The company had a trading volume of 390,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 276,758. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 2.81 and a current ratio of 3.88. Snap-on Incorporated has a 1 year low of $226.68 and a 1 year high of $297.61. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $281.70 and a 200-day moving average of $272.99. Snap-on (NYSE:SNA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $4.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.20 billion. Snap-on had a return on equity of 20.89% and a net margin of 21.38%. The businesss revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.42 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Snap-on Incorporated will post 19.21 earnings per share for the current year. Snap-on Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 26th were paid a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.56%. Snap-ons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.68%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have issued reports on SNA shares. Barrington Research reissued an outperform rating and issued a $325.00 price target on shares of Snap-on in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Tigress Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $336.00 price target on shares of Snap-on in a report on Friday, February 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $306.00. Read Our Latest Report on SNA Snap-on Profile (Free Report) Snap-on Incorporated manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. It operates through Commercial & Industrial Group, Snap-on Tools Group, Repair Systems & Information Group, and Financial Services segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Snap-on Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snap-on and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of BayWa Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:BYW6 Get Free Report) rose 0.2% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as 28.75 ($31.59) and last traded at 28.60 ($31.43). Approximately 21,055 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 21% from the average daily volume of 26,697 shares. The stock had previously closed at 28.55 ($31.37). BayWa Aktiengesellschaft Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 359.41, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The firms 50 day moving average price is 29.15 and its 200-day moving average price is 30.80. The firm has a market cap of $989.56 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -75.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 0.55. About BayWa Aktiengesellschaft (Get Free Report) BayWa Aktiengesellschaft provides wholesale, retail, logistics, and support and consultancy services in Germany and internationally. The company's Renewable Energies segment is involved in the planning, managing, and construction of wind farms and solar parks; production of power; and sale of photovoltaic systems and components. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BayWa Aktiengesellschaft Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BayWa Aktiengesellschaft and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET Get Free Report) CEO Matthew Prince sold 52,384 shares of Cloudflare stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.66, for a total value of $5,063,437.44. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 12,183 shares in the company, valued at $1,177,608.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Matthew Prince also recently made the following trade(s): Get Cloudflare alerts: On Thursday, March 14th, Matthew Prince sold 52,384 shares of Cloudflare stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total value of $4,937,192.00. On Friday, February 23rd, Matthew Prince sold 52,384 shares of Cloudflare stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.75, for a total value of $5,172,920.00. On Wednesday, February 21st, Matthew Prince sold 52,384 shares of Cloudflare stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.59, for a total value of $4,955,002.56. On Monday, January 8th, Matthew Prince sold 52,384 shares of Cloudflare stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.78, for a total value of $4,126,811.52. On Friday, January 5th, Matthew Prince sold 52,384 shares of Cloudflare stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.80, for a total value of $4,023,091.20. Cloudflare Trading Down 1.8 % Shares of NYSE NET traded down $1.68 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $94.22. 3,089,251 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,427,053. Cloudflare, Inc. has a 1 year low of $39.90 and a 1 year high of $116.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -171.31 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a quick ratio of 3.50, a current ratio of 3.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. The business has a 50 day moving average of $90.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $76.02. Analyst Ratings Changes Cloudflare ( NYSE:NET Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.07) by $0.01. The business had revenue of $362.47 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $352.70 million. Cloudflare had a negative return on equity of 15.92% and a negative net margin of 14.19%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Cloudflare, Inc. will post -0.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of equities analysts recently commented on NET shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Cloudflare from $95.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Cloudflare from $95.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Oppenheimer upgraded Cloudflare from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a neutral rating and issued a $100.00 target price (up from $70.00) on shares of Cloudflare in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their target price on Cloudflare from $75.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Cloudflare has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $87.50. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NET Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Cloudflare during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. JTC Employer Solutions Trustee Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Cloudflare during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cloudflare during the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cloudflare during the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Providence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Cloudflare by 6,065.0% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,466 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 2,426 shares during the last quarter. 73.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Cloudflare Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cloudflare, Inc operates as a cloud services provider that delivers a range of services to businesses worldwide. The company provides an integrated cloud-based security solution to secure a range of combination of platforms, including public cloud, private cloud, on-premise, software-as-a-service applications, and IoT devices; and website and application security products comprising web application firewall, bot management, distributed denial of service, API gateways, SSL/TLS encryption, script management, security center, and rate limiting products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cloudflare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cloudflare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc. lifted its holdings in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report) by 9.3% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,360 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $203,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of CVX. V Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Chevron by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. V Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,007 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,102,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Addison Capital Co increased its position in Chevron by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Addison Capital Co now owns 3,339 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $525,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. NCM Capital Management LLC increased its position in Chevron by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. NCM Capital Management LLC now owns 5,570 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $909,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Sweet Financial Partners LLC increased its position in Chevron by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sweet Financial Partners LLC now owns 8,761 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,477,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strategic Investment Advisors MI increased its position in Chevron by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Strategic Investment Advisors MI now owns 1,758 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $296,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. 68.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently issued reports on CVX. DZ Bank downgraded shares of Chevron from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $160.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Chevron from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $184.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, January 8th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of Chevron from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $170.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Chevron from $194.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. 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 currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $180.56. Chevron Stock Performance Chevron stock traded up $1.81 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $155.70. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,030,312 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,809,963. The firm has a market cap of $289.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.55, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $149.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $153.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Chevron Co. has a twelve month low of $139.62 and a twelve month high of $172.88. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.19 by $0.26. The firm 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 firms revenue was down 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.09 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Chevron Co. will post 12.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Chevron Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This is an increase from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.19%. Chevrons payout ratio is 57.39%. Chevron Company 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of River and Mercantile UK Micro Cap (LON:RMMC Get Free Report) were down 0.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 158.66 ($2.03) and last traded at GBX 164 ($2.10). Approximately 27,601 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 12% from the average daily volume of 31,385 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 164.50 ($2.11). River and Mercantile UK Micro Cap Price Performance The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 159.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 149.87. The firm has a market cap of 55.60 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -224.66. River and Mercantile UK Micro Cap Company Profile (Get Free Report) River and Mercantile UK Micro Cap Investment Company Limited is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Carne Global AIFM Solutions. The fund is managed by River and Mercantile Asset Management LLP. It invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for River and Mercantile UK Micro Cap Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for River and Mercantile UK Micro Cap and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NEC Co. (OTCMKTS:NIPNF Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in February. As of February 29th, there was short interest totalling 133,700 shares, a drop of 25.6% from the February 14th total of 179,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1,337.0 days. NEC Stock Performance OTCMKTS NIPNF remained flat at $70.91 on Thursday. 10 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 191. NEC has a fifty-two week low of $36.06 and a fifty-two week high of $70.95. The business has a 50-day moving average of $63.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $56.89. Get NEC alerts: NEC Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More NEC Corporation provides information and communication technology solutions in Japan and internationally. It operates through five segments: Public Solutions Business, Public Infrastructure Business, Enterprise Business, Network Services Business, and Global Business. It provides systems integration services, including systems implementation and consulting; maintenance and support services; outsourcing and cloud services; and system equipment. Receive News & Ratings for NEC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NEC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tompkins Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) by 4.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 96,592 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after acquiring an additional 4,353 shares during the quarter. TJX Companies makes up 1.1% of Tompkins Financial Corps investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Tompkins Financial Corps holdings in TJX Companies were worth $9,061,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the first quarter valued at about $68,000. United Bank boosted its holdings in TJX Companies by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 15,197 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $921,000 after purchasing an additional 1,284 shares during the period. AMI Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the first quarter worth $2,780,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 69.0% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 38,304 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $2,320,000 after buying an additional 15,644 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in TJX Companies by 10.0% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,396 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $266,000 after buying an additional 398 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.28% of the companys stock. Get TJX Companies alerts: Insider Activity In other TJX Companies news, EVP Louise Greenlees sold 2,694 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.83, for a total transaction of $266,248.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 50,273 shares in the company, valued at $4,968,480.59. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TJX has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on TJX Companies from $95.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $105.00 price objective on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Redburn Atlantic cut TJX Companies from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $100.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Monday, February 5th. 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 note on Thursday, November 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on TJX Companies from $95.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $102.19. View Our Latest Analysis on TJX TJX Companies Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of TJX traded up $0.57 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $98.63. 5,297,805 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,950,959. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.55, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.86. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $96.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.49. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $73.24 and a 1 year high of $102.84. 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 for the quarter, beating 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 analysts expectations of $16.20 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.89 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.06 EPS for the current fiscal year. TJX Companies announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, February 28th that permits the company to buyback $2.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the apparel and home fashions retailer to reacquire up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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 You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com Dinesh Unnikrishnan is Editor-Banking & Finance at Moneycontrol. Dinesh heads the Banking and Finance Bureau at Moneycontrol. He also writes a weekly column, Banking Central, every Monday. Kayezad E Adajania heads the personal finance bureau at Moneycontrol. He has been covering mutual funds and personal finance for the past two decades, having worked in Mint and Outlook Money magazine. Kayezad was the founding member of Mints personal finance team when it was set up in 2009. Mehul R Thakkar is Special Correspondent, Moneycontrol, Indias leading financial news platform, based in Mumbai where he is focussed on covering the real estate sector. Souptik Datta Reports real estate, infra and city in Bengaluru. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat. in today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Bond demand remains strong, can SME IPOs continue its performance run, poll-bound... The selloff spree left the BSE PSU index down 7 percent from its 52-week high reached in on March 6. But the index performance camouflages the price damage seen in some of the counters see as frothy and speculative. The stocks that saw biggest losses from the Mutual funds thronged the markets in February to pull out more than Rs 3,500 crore from stocks of state-run companies as concerns over inflated valuations and lack of earnings support to sustain a rally in certain counters. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A fired Erie County deputy clerk who was trusted with handling hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer transactions was charged Friday morning with felony grand larceny after investigators accused him of embezzling $216,412 from the Clerks Office since 2021. Alexander J. McDougall, of Buffalo, turned himself into the Sheriffs Office, said District Attorney John Flynn. He was booked at the Holding Center, arraigned in Buffalo City Court and has been released on his own recognizance. He is slated to return to court for his felony hearing on April 15. He was the main suspect, and our only suspect, from the beginning, said Sheriff John Garcia. Flynn said justice needed to be served but that he had empathy for McDougall. Mr. McDougall, from our investigation, is not a gambler, is not going to Disney World, is not living a lavish lifestyle, Flynn said at Friday mornings news conference. From what we have ascertained, Mr. McDougall has a special-needs child and a disabled wife. And he used the money, allegedly, for just daily living expenses for his special-needs child and his disabled wife. In addition to facing a second-degree grand larceny charge, which applies to theft of between $50,000 and $1 million, McDougall may face additional charges once his case goes before a grand jury. The Erie County Comptrollers Office cited numerous examples of document tampering in its audit of the Clerks Office last year. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who joined Flynn, Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick and Garcia in speaking about the case Friday, said the investigation is ongoing and will continue to look into the possibility of additional stolen funds involving McDougall stretching back to 2019, when he was first promoted to deputy clerk for finance. County comptroller's audit cites missing money, mismanagement in Clerk's Office A four-month audit of the Erie County Clerk's Office has uncovered missing money, altered deposit records, bad fiscal oversight, bank-flagged discrepancies and numerous gun permit overcharges. Flynn said the District Attorneys Office has six months to develop any other charges before putting the matter to a grand jury. DiNapoli said hes confident his office should be able to complete its analysis within the six-month timeframe to determine if there were any funds stolen before the DAs Office takes the case to a grand jury. McDougalls arrest marks a major milestone in a lengthy criminal investigation sparked by an audit of the Clerks Office that began in January of last year. When the Comptrollers Office first undertook an audit, McDougall was asked to assist as the primary fiscal officer for the Clerks Office. But he was slow to provide information, and some of the information he did provide didnt add up, according to the comptrollers chief of staff. What no one realized then was that McDougall would become the primary suspect in the yearlong investigation. He was fired last year by County Clerk Michael Mickey Kearns several months after the audit was released. McDougall declined to comment for this story on Thursday, saying that he was advised by his attorney not to speak with anyone. The lawyer who has been representing him, Cortney Peterkin, said she no longer represents him and declined to comment. Garcia said, When you work for the public, the public wants to know that youre always doing the right thing. So as a public official, this hurts me very much, but the public needs to know that we have checks and balances that work. Hardwick, who teaches at Canisius University, has known McDougall since he and his wife were students there. I go way back with Alex. I didnt want to believe it was him, he said. Eventually, it became impossible for it to be anyone else. 'Smoking gun' evidence cited as Erie County comptroller says $114K missing from Clerk's Office More than $114,000 in cash has gone missing from the Erie County Clerk's Office since January of last year, and County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick said he's concerned a thief is still working in county government despite mounting evidence of fraud. He, Flynn and Kearns all expressed their concern for McDougall and his circumstances but said his circumstances cannot excuse the breach of public trust and the need for accountability and justice. Obviously, its not good to steal money from the government, Flynn said. Obviously, this is embarrassing to the county, and to Mickey, and to all everyone. Its embarrassing, but things happen to people in life. And I do have compassion. Flynn caught himself as he tried to claim he was going to prosecute and indict McDougall, given that he will soon be stepping down as DA. He said his successor will follow through on an indictment and prosecution and that he wouldnt speak for him. But obviously, I wanted to make it clear that we dont have some kind of hardened criminal here who was using the money for a lavish lifestyle, he said. Kearns said he said a prayer for McDougall and his family Friday morning, but hes relieved the arrest has been made and that its clear that no one else in the Clerks Office was involved in any theft of public money. I have a brother who has a disability, but it doesnt mean that you can breach the public trust, Kearns said. You can have compassion, but you have to follow the rules. Hardwick has previously referred to smoking gun evidence painting a picture of someone regularly stealing large sums of cash, altering daily cashiers reports and swapping out bank deposit tickets. His nine-page report included exhibits highlighting monetary discrepancies and signs of report tampering, including attempts to paste over original receipt totals with new numbers in a similar, but not identical, font. Original deposit tickets submitted by tellers who received large amounts of cash also appeared to have been removed and replaced with new bank deposit tickets denoting that no cash was received. As of last August, the Comptrollers Office determined that more than $114,000 in cash had been stolen since January of 2022. Hardwick then asked State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to further pursue a forensic audit. That investigation went back further to help determine that $216,412 had gone missing between January 2021 and June 2023. Because of the lax money handling and accountability standards in the Clerks Office which have since been tightened up and the responsibility held by the deputy clerk for finance, it was possible for a single individual to have control over thousands of dollars, with little oversight, according to the County Comptrollers Office. Prior to last year, Hardwick had to appeal to the County Legislature so that his office could gain read-only access to the clerks bank accounts. McDougall quickly became a focal point for investigators, since he has served as an assistant deputy clerk since 2016 and deputy clerk of finance since 2019. McDougall, 55, graduated from Canisius College with a masters degree in business administration. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked as a health care supervisor and manager for health care imaging services before joining Erie County government as a director of fiscal administration for the Erie County Health Department. He served in that role for less than three years, overseeing the distribution of $55 million in federal, state and county funds. However, he was fired by the Health Department in January 2014, according to payroll records. He subsequently worked as a private sector financial analyst and consultant before being hired in March 2016 by former Clerk Chris Jacobs as assistant deputy clerk. He was promoted in January 2019 and served as a deputy clerk for finance. In that role, he was responsible for developing and monitoring the budget for the Clerks Office, which included the county auto bureaus. He also played a direct role in handling all financial deposits, according to the Comptrollers Office. McDougall was suspended in September and fired on Oct. 5 by Kearns for for performance reasons related to the audit work done last year. Hardwick pointed out that prior audits had been done of the Clerks Office and that it would not have been possible for someone to steal so much public money if prior audit recommendations had been followed. That, for me, is perhaps the saddest part about today, he said, that this was avoidable had the appropriate internal controls been in place. Lara Williams is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day MC Feed This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here do not represent the views of Moneycontrol.com. Moneycontrol.com disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein. State Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy has picked up a high-profile endorsement in his quest to succeed former Rep. Brian Higgins in Congress. New York State Attorney General Letitia James on Friday endorsed Kennedy for the 26th Congressional District seat vacant since Higgins left office Feb. 2 before his term expired. Tim Kennedy has been a champion for Western New Yorks hardworking families, James said in a prepared statement. Time after time hes been an outspoken voice for common-sense solutions. Tim has a long, proven track record of getting results because hes a bridge builder and a tireless fighter for his constituents. We need Tim Kennedy in Congress and Im proud to support him. Kennedy faces Republican Gary Dickson in an April 30 special election for the heavily Democratic district. Both Kennedy and James are Democrats. Fellow Democrat Nate McMurray plans to challenge Kennedy in a Democratic primary later this year, but it is unclear if he will garner enough signatures to get on the ballot. - Charlie Specht State Attorney General Letitia James was in Buffalo Friday to deliver an unusual settlement payment in her price-gouging case against Walgreens 4,668 cans of baby formula to be distributed to families in Western New York. James sued Walgreens for unlawfully raising the price of baby formula at its stores during the 2022 shortage at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic after Abbott Laboratories stopped making formula for several months due to harmful bacteria found in its products. Here in Erie County, a can of formula that usually sells for $44.99 was being sold for $59.99, James said. This was blatant price gouging and price gouging is illegal. More than 40% of baby formula sold in the U.S. is made by Abbott, so its temporary shutdown and recall created a shortage from February 2022 until it resumed production in October 2022. While the federal and state governments invoked emergency provisions to ensure an adequate supply of baby formula, Walgreens marked up its baby formulas throughout the market disruption, according to James lawsuit. In May 2022, James issued warnings to more than 30 retailers across the state to stop overcharging for baby formula after consumers reported unreasonably high prices. Consumer complaints triggered an investigation by the AGs office that found Walgreens engaged in price gouging on at least 20 infant formula products. For some products, Walgreens price increase was over 20%, and in one case, it was over 70%, James said. The investigation found Walgreens made over 2,400 individual formula sales at the inflated prices, selling over 3,400 cans or bottles of formula and bringing in over $150,000 in revenue. By September 2022, one-third of U.S. households with an infant younger than 1 year old said they had trouble finding formula, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. This was true for 40% of adults with household incomes less than $75,000, the lawsuit said. As a result of the shortage, families were forced to spend time and energy locating available formula, faced the prospect of running out of formula entirely, and were often forced to pay much higher prices for the formula they could find, the lawsuit said. This week, Walgreens agreed to a settlement that includes paying New York State $50,000 in penalties and court costs and donating 9,564 canisters of Walgreens brand infant formula and baby formula to the state. A little under half of the donated formula, 4,668 23-ounce canisters with a wholesale value of $100,000, were delivered to Buffalo and will be split between FeedMore of WNY and the Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network. FeedMore WNY has helped distribute more than 17 million pounds of food to nearly 300 pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other hunger-relief agencies throughout Western New York since 2019. The Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network connects families with primary care physicians, pediatric immunizations, prenatal and parenting classes and assistance to struggling families. Across our four-county service area of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, the need is growing, FeedMore spokesperson Catherin Schick said. In 2023 alone, 2,900 infants received nutritional assistance from a FeedMore partner agency. Mother of two Rebecca Castaneda described her struggle to find infant formula for her son, Benny, who was born in August 2022. I was on a wild goose chase to find formula to supplement my nursing Benny, sometimes visiting eight stores over two or three hours only to find empty shelves, Castaneda said. I didnt know then that corporations were artificially raising prices to make a quick buck, she said, holding 19-month-old Benny in her arms. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown credited James with finding a creative way to hold Walgreens accountable for their actions and devise a solution for families affected by the formula shortage. Price gouging should never be tolerated, especially when goods, like baby formula, are vital to our childrens health and nutrition. The settlement marks the latest chapter in James efforts to protect New Yorkers from price gouging. In April 2021, James delivered 1.2 million eggs to food pantries throughout the state as part of an agreement with the nations largest egg producers for price gouging in the early months of the pandemic. In May 2023, James secured a $100,000 settlement with Quality King Distributors. for price increases for Lysol products during the pandemic. James said Friday her office is still investigating other reports of price-gauging during the pandemic. We are not finished yet, she said. James said New Yorkers should report any potential concerns about price gouging by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755. The list of donors who donated money to political parties contains some unusual names like Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd, the top buyer of electoral bonds. The lottery company bought electoral bonds (EBs) of Rs1,208 crore. Two other entities linked with Future Gaming also bought additional bonds worth Rs160 crore. As expected, the prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received maximum donations worth Rs6,060.51 crore through electoral bonds, almost half of the total contributions made through EBs which is missing from the data submitted to the election commission of India (ECI). On Thursday, ECI uploaded the data on electoral bonds to its website. The data was published as it was received from the State Bank of India (SBI) on 12th March following an order by the Supreme Court. The first part of the details contains 337 pages sharing the names of the corporate entities that bought electoral bonds and the date of purchase. The data provided by SBI to ECI is April 2019 onwards. However, SBI sold the first tranche of bonds in March 2018, and bonds worth Rs2,500 crore were sold in the first phase. Among the other top-10 donors are: Hyderbad-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (Rs966 crore), Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd (Rs410 crore), Vedanta Ltd (Rs400 crore), Haldia Energy Ltd (Rs377 crore), Bharti Group (Rs247 crore), Essel Mining & Industries Ltd (Rs224 crore), Western UP Power Transmission Company Ltd (Rs220 crore), Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd (Rs195 crore) and Madanlal Ltd, which bought electoral bonds worth Rs185 crore. Many of the corporate donors who bought electoral bonds are allegedly being probed by government authorities or have received substantial awards or contracts after making the donations. There are many cases of companies that have donated electoral bonds, and immediately afterwards received huge benefits from the government. For example, Megha Engineering donated over Rs800 crore in electoral bonds. In April 2023, the company donated Rs140 crore and, just one month later, it was awarded the Rs14,400 crore Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project. On 7 October 2022, Jindal Steel & Power gave a Rs25 crore donation through electoral bonds and, three days later, it won the Gare Palma IV/6 coal mine on 10 October 2022. Future Gaming and Hotel Services, the top buyer of electoral bonds, is owned by Santiago Martin, known as the lottery king. It is under the scanner by the directorate of enforcement (ED) for alleged money laundering activities. According to a report from India Today , ED attached assets worth Rs409.92 crore in a money laundering case against the lottery company and its various sub-distributors. Mr Martin allegedly has links with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The Reddy family-controlled Megha Engineering & Infrastructures (MEIL) holds a majority stake in TV9. In May 2023, citing top officials, Moneycontrol reported that MEIL managed to pip engineering major Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) and won two separate packages to build the ambitious Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project in Mumbai for a total bid of Rs14,400 crore. Citing a draft performance audit report on Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) by the comptroller and auditor general of India (CAG), a report from Deccan Chronicle says , MEIL was paid an excess of Rs5,188.43 crore in just four packages, involving the supply and commissioning of pumps, motors and auxiliary equipment. Qwik Supply Chain is the third top buyer of electoral bonds worth Rs410 crore. However, according to data from the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA), the companys entire share capital is just Rs130 crore. Its shareholding pattern, as shared by chartered accountant (CA) Himank Singla on X shows over 16.60% stake owned by Reliance Group Support Services Pvt Ltd. CA Singla did a thread on some corporate entities that bought electoral bonds Billionaire Anil Agarwal's Vedanta is a highly debt-ridden and loss-making company. During the December 2023 quarter, it reported a 7% decline in net profit at Rs2,868 crore compared with Rs3,092 crore, in the same period a year ago. Last year, Taiwanese manufacturing heavyweight Foxconn pulled out from its US$19.5bn (billion) joint venture (JV) with Vedanta to manufacture electronic chips. In July 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed a penalty of Rs30 lakh on the Mr Agarwal-led company for not providing correct disclosures to the media, including misrepresentation on the company's website related to the Foxconn deal of its ultimate holding company. Read: Vedanta Asked To Pay Rs30 Lakh Penalty for Spreading Misleading Information on VIL's Deal with Foxconn ) "...all along, Vedanta has been treating the listed company website as the billboard for the promoter company. Admittedly, Vedanta has been issuing the events of its promoters on its website on the listed company (Vedanta's) letterhead. Thus, it appears that Vedanta, being a listed company, is a repeat offender with total disregard for the investors' interest. In fact, Vedanta was providing misleading information to its investors, where the company is not concerned," the SEBI order says. ( Other corporate donors to various political parties through electoral bonds include Grasim Industries, Bajaj Auto, Torrent Power, DLF Commercial Developers, Cipla, several entities from the Bajaj group, Apollo Tyres, Lakshmi Mittal (Rs35 crore), Edelweiss Housing Finance Ltd, PVR, Keventer, Sula Wine, Welspun, Sun Pharma, Vardhman Textiles, Utkal Alumina, Cavalier Transporters, Piramal Enterprises Ltd, Muthoot Finance Ltd, Pegasus Properties Pvt Ltd, Finolex Cables Ltd, Jindal Poly Films Ltd, Navayuga Engineering, Orient Fashion, Prime Sales Corporation, ITC Ltd, Shauryavir Carriers Pvt Ltd, Supreme Industries, Ace Commercial Company and many more. Besides Mr Mittal, other individuals who donated through electoral bonds are Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Varun Gupta, BK Goenka, Jainendra Shah and one Monika. The second part, containing 426 pages, provides the details of the political parties, dates and the amount. Political parties received more than Rs12,769 crore as donations from corporates and individuals through electoral bonds since 2019. According to the data, political parties encashed 20,421 electoral bonds in the past five years. Of these, 12,207 bonds were of Rs1 crore each, 5,366 bonds (Rs10 lakh each), 2,526 (Rs1 lakh each), 219 bonds (Rs10,000 each) and 103 bonds were of Rs1,000 each. The BJP received a maximum Rs6,060.51 crore as donations through electoral bonds which is almost half of the total amount. The party encashed 5,854 bonds of Rs1 crore each and 1,994 bonds of Rs10 lakh each. Apart from bonds of Rs1 lakh and Rs10,000, it also encashed 31 bonds worth Rs1,000 each. The All India Trinamool Congress secured the second spot and redeemed 3,275 electoral bonds worth Rs1,609.50 crore, of which 1,467 were of Rs1 crore each and 1,384 bonds were of Rs 10 lakh each. As per the data available on ECI's website, the Indian National Congress encashed 3,141 electoral bonds worth Rs1,421.86 crore, which included 1,318 bonds of Rs1 crore each and 958 bonds of Rs10 lakh each. The recipients of funds through electoral bonds include: the BJP, Congress, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Shiv Sena, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), YSR Congress Party, DMK, Janata Dal Secular (JD-S), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Aam Admi Party (AAP), Jan Sena Party and Samajwadi Party (SP). An hour after Himanshu Singh dropped off his son for a joint entrance exam (JEE) mock test, he received a call from a 'police inspector' saying his son had been caught with a gang of rapists and demanded Rs30,000 through Paytm to clear his name. Mr Singh also heard his son's voice seeking help and requesting him to pay the money. He went ahead and paid Rs10,000. He also reached the exam centre and, with help from the local police, found that his son was inside the exam hall and had not been caught by any policeman, as claimed by the caller. This was reported by Indian Express recently. On 11th March, Kaveri (@iKaveri) posted a long thread on X on having received a call about how her daughter and three others were caught for having recorded someone in a compromising position. The caller wanted money to arrange a compromise settlement. When she asked to speak to her daughter, she heard someone who sounded exactly like her daughter asking to be saved. Kaveri, however, realised it was a fraud since her daughter would not speak like that. Interestingly, she posted the number of the fraudster (+916309476877), and Truecaller India responded by saying that the number she had shared had been reported by many phone users and marked in red to help warn others. What made the X narration scary is the series of comments and other numbers from which fraud calls with a similar modus operandi have emanated, revealing how voice cloning and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) are the latest despicable frauds to cheat people. New-age criminals use technology with a sophistication that is often beyond our imagination. In all these cases reported on social media and elsewhere, fraudsters had cloned the voices of children using free tools based on AI, machine learning (ML) and large language models (LLMs). These tools allow cyber criminals to incorporate hyper-realistic digital falsification to create synthetic media like voice messages or audio video clips. Apart from voice cloning, I also want to tell you how fraudsters are using similar-looking domains to dupe people in the name of donating money through the corporate social responsibility (CSR) route. Voice Cloning Scam "You get a call from someone threatening to implicate your child in a criminal case if you do not meet their demands. You grow wary, wondering if someone is trying to con you. The next minute, however, you hear your sobbing child over the phone, and you fear it may be true after all. And so you pay up only to realise later that it was, indeed, a scam. Your child was never on the phone, but their voice was cloned using sophisticated software," says a media report. The fraudsters essentially create realistic voice clones or video clips that require some basic inputs to work. The question is, how and from where do they obtain these inputs? The answer is social media! Although the media report does not go into detail, the problem starts with people sharing details of their lives on social media, especially in the form of family videos on birthdays, holidays, and special celebrations. These provide handy samples for fraudsters to clone the voices of family members, especially children. Many experts have repeatedly warned that social media is not the safe and friendly neighbourhood that you imagine it to be. Your inputs and social interactions are tracked by creditors, potential employers and even fraudsters, psychopaths and crooks. Since social media accounts require minimal identity verification, they provide anonymity or pseudonymity for fraudsters to operate under false identities, making it harder to track them and bring them to book. What makes their dirty work easier is that many social media users are not even aware of the various risks and threats present on these platforms. The tendency to trust social media information and interactions without exercising caution or scepticism makes them vulnerable to exploitation by fraudsters. So the next time, before uploading your photos or video or updating your status on social media, consider the risks and dangers associated with it, like voice cloning fraud, identity theft, financial fraud, or phishing attacks. CSR scams In a post on X, Mr Raman shared an incident in which a principal of a school that he is associated with was promised two school vans at book value from TechMahindra Foundation. The caller claimed to be an old student of the school. Sharing the details of two vehicles, he asked for Rs1.27 lakh per van to be transferred to Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd account in Indian Bank. As luck would have it, the principal shared the details with Mr Raman before sending the money. He found there was an additional letter 's' in the domain name in the sender's email ID. Instead of techmahindrafoundation.org, the email was sent from the techmahindrafoundations.org domain. "I checked the bank IFSC code he had given. It was a place called Akividu in West Godavari district. Figured out it was a scam. Called the guy back and asked for his year of passing out and, more details, and an invoice from company. He hung up," Mr Raman says. Had the principal transferred the money, it would have been credited to the Indian Bank account number in the same branch, but the name of the account-holder could have been something else. That is because Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines for electronic fund transfer dictate that only the account number and IFSC code are considered for the transfer and not the name of the beneficiary. How To Report Cyber Fraud? Do report cybercrimes to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal http://cybercrime.gov.in or call the toll-free National Helpline number, 1930. To follow on social media: Twitter (@Cyberdost), Facebook (CyberDostI4C), Instagram (cyberdostl4C), Telegram (cyberdosti4c). Are you a victim of Online Financial Fraud? Immediately call helpline Number 1930 and register your complaint at https://t.co/cr6WZMOi4c pic.twitter.com/HZqUMKSDNF Cyber Dost (@Cyberdost) October 12, 2022 If the fraud is related to your bank account, you need to immediately send an email to the official email ID of your branch (you can find it on the bank's website or your passbook) with a copy to the bank's customer care. Even if you have called the official number for customer care, you must still send an email describing your conversation with the bank executive, along with the time, date, and duration of the call. This will be helpful if you face a liability issue with the bank. India possesses the greatest solar energy potential among all commercially available renewable energy sources. According to assessments from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and reports from the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), the top-4 states with the highest solar photovoltaic (PV) potential are: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. MNRE has identified 3% of wasteland within a state for potential use in ground-mounted solar PV projects. Additionally, it has considered utilising 2%-25% of rooftop space (ranging from 1kWp to 100kWp) across various buildings such as offices, shops, hospitals and government buildings for the implementation of rooftop solar PV projects. Moreover, there is substantial untapped potential for solar energy across various states in India. Source: Sterling & Wilson qualified institutional placement (QIP) document All this is of great benefit to a company like Waaree Renewable Technologies Limited (WRTL) which is in the business of solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and also service, operation and maintenance (O&M) of solar power projects. It also works as a solar developer - generation of power. It is the part of Waaree group and it is the subsidiary company of Waaree Energies. It has installed over 1GW (gigawatt) of solar projects and executed more than 10,000 solar projects. It offers ground-mounted solar, rooftop solar and floating solar EPC services. It has executed over 600MW (megawatt) of ground-mounted solar projects globally. It has installed over 100,000 rooftop solar projects across India. It has installed two floating solar projects of 1.2MW for National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and NLC India Limited. WRTLs revenue-mix for FY22-23 was: solar EPC business - 90% and O&M 10%. Its geography-wise revenue-mix was: India 31%, USA and Latin America 26%, Australia 40%, the Middle East and North Africa 3% and others 1%. Industry Overview The energy sector comprises conventional power, renewable energy (RE), petroleum and natural gas. The estimated total capital expenditure (capex) in infrastructure sectors in India over FY19-20 to FY24-25 is around Rs111 lakh crore, of which 24% (or around Rs26.9 lakh crore) is expected to be the estimated capex in energy sectors. Under the national infrastructure pipeline (NIP), an estimated capex of Rs9.29 lakh crore is allocated to the RE sector with a target to create installed capacity of 266.73GW by December 2025. Around 56% of the installed capacity 149.70GW is expected to be created from solar with a capex of Rs4.72 lakh crore. Source: Sterling & Wilson QIP document As of March 2023, RE capacity has reached 173GW (which also includes large hydro power plants). The majority of growth in the RE sector is led by solar power which rose from 0.9GW in 2012 to 67GW in 2023. The remarkable expansion of solar and wind energy has been propelled by fiscal and regulatory incentives, viability gap funding (VGF) and assistance in terms of land and evacuation infrastructure. The enhanced accessibility of affordable financing through diverse instruments and sources is expected to further facilitate the addition of RE capacity. Specifically in solar power, ongoing reductions in capital costs and, consequently, tariffs, have been instrumental in driving increased capacity additions. The government wants to further reduce its dependence on coal, with an estimated installed capacity of 200GW solar power by FY27-28. Source: Sterling & Wilson QIP document Despite such strong capacity addition, there is huge untapped potential for RE installations in India. As India's economy is developing, urbanisation expands, and access to electricity improves, energy consumption is rising. Industrial consumers represent the largest electricity consumers, in absolute terms. Their consumption is growing in line with strong economic growth. There are multiple policy measures to support the demand and growth of RE: 24x7 power availability for all, implementing the Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) to connect electricity to every household, establishing a green energy corridor for efficient RE power transmission, launching a green city scheme to encourage sustainable urban development. The effect of government investments in infrastructure through the NIP, the implementation of dedicated freight corridors, are crucial macroeconomic factors contributing to the demand for power. Policy initiatives like the production linked incentive (PLI) schemes and reduced corporate tax rates have supported large-scale manufacturing in India, further bolstering the country's power demand. In fact, various sectors such as automobiles, mobile handsets and tablets, solar, lithium-ion batteries, foods & beverages, and defence are expected to attract new investments, including foreign direct investments (FDI) from global major players. Solar Power Demand A sharp decline in solar module prices will act as a growth driver for the solar sector in India. Over the 2015-2020 period, solar module prices had declined around 70% due to innovation. In 2021, module prices rose sharply due to the disruption in the global supply chain and forced shutdown of manufacturing facilities. Module prices also increased because of rising input cost due to shortage of labour and raw materials price increase such as on silver, copper, aluminium and steel which had abnormally high price level during the COVID-19 period. Source: Sterling & Wilson QIP document As the effects of COVID subsided, module prices have started declining due to stabilisation of raw materials prices and logistics costs, leaving a high inventory of upstream components such as wafers and cells. More capacities coming up in China have made it worse. Source: Competitor - Sterling & Wilson QIP document Solar power plants usually require large land tractsusually 10x the land parcel of a thermal power plant. This becomes particularly difficult as India has low average landholding per person in India (1.16 hectare). Even after land acquisition, the conversion from farm land to commercial land and other regulatory approval takes time in the entire implementation schedule of the solar power project. One of the crucial initiatives undertaken by the government of India (GoI), to deal with this, involves the establishment of solar parks across the country. In solar parks, the land is already acquired by the government for solar developers with all the necessary regulatory approvals. Solar parks provide solar power project developers with a plug & play model due to ready land availability, shared infrastructurehigh voltage/extra high voltage substation connecting to state grid substationand other essential ancillary infrastructure and utilities, including roads, water and drainage. The solar park policy, introduced in September 2014, aimed to create land banks for 20,000MW of solar projects spanning 25 states. In March 2017, the scheme's capacity was doubled to 40,000MW, with the goal of establishing at least 50 solar parks by fiscal 2022. Currently, 25 states, such as Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and several north-eastern states, have initiated the creation of land banks for solar parks, either independently or through joint ventures with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). As of February 2023, GoI has approved 57 solar parks with an aggregate capacity of 39.28GW. Among these, nine are fully completed, and eight are partially complete, contributing to a cumulative commissioned capacity of 10,117MW. As of December 2023, WRTL has executed eight projects under the ground-mounted solar projects of more than 270MW under independent power producers (IPP) and solar scheme. In January 2024, prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi announced PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, an initiative to generate electricity through solar energy with the target of installing rooftop solar on 10mn (million) houses. With a total estimated cost of about Rs75,000 crore, the programme intends to supply up to 300 units of free power to 10mn houses. Under this scheme, private contractors will submit their proposals for implementation of project and MNRE will approve the projects. It will further help governments goal of achieving 40GW of rooftop solar capacity by March 2026. Subsidy Structure Source: PM surya ghar national portal WRLT has executed more than 400 solar rooftop-mounted projects with a capacity of more than 50MW. In Q3FY23-24, the management said its focus always has been securing orders in MW range. Since the rooftop projects under the new scheme are low kilowatt (KW) orders, the company has not formed a plan for executing such orders and it believes that there could be other areas within the supply chain where the company could derive benefits. The management believes there's a need for the company to deliberate and strategise on how to approach these lower KW opportunities and explore avenues within the supply chain that offer promising returns. Business Outlook WRLT operates its solar EPC business in the capex mode and RESCO (renewable energy service company) operational expenditure (opex) mode. Source: Google, Bluebird Solar website In the capex model, the customer holds ownership of the asset and spends the upfront investment - capital expenditure for installing the solar power plant on the space or land owned by its customers. Source: Companys website In the RESCO opex model, the company develops, installs, finances, operates and owns the rooftop solar power project and supplies power generated from the project to the consumer on whose premises the project is set up or to the grid through virtual net-metering. Source: Google, Bluebird Solar website RESCO works as a zero investment model as it does not require capital investment to install a solar plant. In this solar financing model, a third-party service-providerRESCOowns, installs, operates and maintains the solar system on behalf of the customer. The RESCO model is often structured as a long-term agreement, typically ranging from 10 to 25 years. The RESCO or BOOT (build, own, operate, transfer) solar model operates on a pay as you consume principle, where consumers pay for the electricity they use. Customers availing the service do not possess ownership of the solar power plant. Instead, they enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the actual investor at a tariff and tenure mutually agreed upon. Under this arrangement, the customer is charged based on the electricity consumed, with a per unit price for the power used. WRTL as a RESCO developer takes responsibility for the annual O&M of the solar power plant. Any surplus power generated by the solar power plant is sold to the DISCOM, benefiting the RESCO developer in terms of revenue from the excess energy sales. Source: Companys Website Under the RESCO model, developers receive up to 70% subsidy for installation solar on government buildings in some special category states. The government through its new programme PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has increased rooftop solar subsidy for residential up to 60%. India has a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and decarbonisation of grid operations will lead to 2TW (2,000GW) of grid scale RE (wind + solar) and another 1TW of RE for green hydrogen production requirement which translates into capacity addition of 50GW/year of RE in future from a historical average of 15GW-20GW annually. Such capacity additions in the future provide a good outlook for renewable energy EPC companies in India. Source: News articles, Graphic Moneylife Indian solar industry was estimated at US$38bn (billion) in 2021 and is anticipated to reach around US$238bn by 2030, increasing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40% between 2022 and 2030. The India power EPC market size was valued at US$13bn in 2022 and is likely to reach US$84bn by 2031, witnessing CAGR of 22.7% between 2023 and 2031. According to the management, India solar capacity is expected to reach around 206GW up from 70GE currently, by 2027. EPC companies play a crucial role in ensuring the accessibility of solar energy. Solar EPC industry in India has experienced remarkable growth, driven by technological advancements, decreasing costs and government support. Solar EPC is a highly competitive market, where numerous players vie for projects, leading to intense bidding wars. Aggressive bidding can often result in narrow profit margins, leaving EPC companies with little room to cover unexpected costs or invest in research & development (R&D). Moreover, the pressure to offer competitive prices can lead to compromises on quality. Some EPC companies might cut corners to reduce costs, jeopardising the long-term performance and reliability of solar power plants. Ensuring high-quality components and installations, thus, becomes a critical balancing act in the pursuit of affordability and efficiency. WRTL, currently, has the market share of around 1.4% in the EPC market. Sterling and Wilson (SW) solar has the highest market share of solar EPC business in India with a portfolio size of more than 17GW. Other power players, including Adani Energy, L&T, Tata Power, have built massive capacity and are now bidding aggressively for upcoming solar projects. In Q3FY23-24, the management said it has a solar EPC pipeline of 9GW and the conversion of bid applied vs received is around 30%-40%. Source: Sterling and Wilson Solar (Competitor) With easing of supply-chain pressures, India solar EPC bid pipeline for the company is expected to increase further, with public sector undertakings (PSUs) contributing around 67.5% to the domestic order pipeline. Orders flows from private independent power producers (IPPs) is also strong with a 13GW EPC pipeline. IPPs are private non-utility generators (NUGs) that are typically not owned by the national electricity company or public utility. According to management of WRTL, most of its business comes from the private sector, especially the utility IPP projects and commercial and industrial segment (C&I) segment. But the management noted that there is a shift and the order pipeline is tilting more towards PSU segment. In IPP and C&I segment, the payment terms are favourable for WRTL as it provides bank guarantees for projects, allowing them to operate with minimal capital investment. They mobilise only 10% of the project funds, using this to activate the supply chain and the payments for supply of materials are received within 15 to 20 days, sometimes with the help of credit periods provided by letters of credit (LC). In government or public sector contracts, there might be a slightly higher capital requirement due to longer payment cycles; but this doesn't usually result in a loss of funds. Payment eventually arrives, although there might be a working capital cycle involved. Since WRTL mostly deals with private utility and IPP projects, working capital needs are minimal. WRTL has announced collaboration with 5B Industries based in Australia to accelerate the deployment of utility-grade solar power locally in India as well as in international markets with a US-compliant supply chain. The collaboration will open avenues for the commercialisation of the innovative 5B Maverick solar product, allowing for localisation, scalable production and competitive deployment in India, with the aim of supplying to local as well as international developers and EPC companies. Source: Website of 5B Industries The primary objective of WRTL and 5B, in terms of developing the supply chain, is to reduce the build cost of Maverick blocks , aiming for an economically competitive price point in India. The 5B Maverick technology, which is currently under trial, is aimed at revolutionising the solar landscape, making installations 10 times faster, more cost-effective and easier to maintain. In Q3FY23-24, the management said that 5B Industries has to set up their manufacturing in India so that WRTL can showcase the technology to its customers and it may take around six months to receive client approval. Solar projects usually have a long gestation period and signing projects itself takes nine months in lead time. According to the management, investment in solar is in the range of Rs3.5 crore - Rs3.75 crore per MW. WRTL has also had entered into power generation business under its RESCO model and it already has 44MW of solar power assets and has generated a revenue of Rs10.89 crore in 9MFY23-24. These solar projects usually have a debt of 75% and equity of 25% of project cost. For 1GW or 1000MW if the project cost about Rs3,750 crore, it will need equity of around Rs900 crore (25% of the project cost). The company has also ventured into green hydrogen and is currently setting up 1MW green hydrogen project in Maharashtra as a pilot project from Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Technology on a BOT basis. The management wants to participate in the energy transition and expects to work on more green hydrogen EPC projects in future. It has a strong parentage with Waaree Energies which was founded in 1989. It is engaged in the manufacturing of solar modules and has India's largest aggregate installed capacity of 12GW as of 30 June 2023 at its plants in Chikhli, Surat, Tumb and Nandigram in Gujarat and is a top player in the solar module export for FY22-23. It has supplied more than 6GW of solar modules and commissioned more than 1.1GW solar EPC projects. Source: Corporate brochure of Waaree Energies Financials In the past five years, its revenue increased at an impressive CAGR of 119%. Its operating profit witnessed CAGR of 92% and, although its operating profit has grown 26x, its operating profit margin has halved. It has turned profitable and has grown its net profit more than six times over FY21-22. In Q3FY23-24, sales increased by 339% year-on-year (y-o-y) to Rs324 crore. Operating profit was Rs88 crore, increasing 145% y-o-y. WRTL declared its highest-ever quarterly sales, operating profit and net profit in this quarter. In February 2024, it bagged an order worth Rs 990.60 crore for a 980MWp solar EPC project on turnkey basis. In March 2024, it received order a letter of intent (LOI) for the execution of EPC work with land development of ISTS connected ground-mounted solar PV project of 300MW AC capacity on turnkey basis along with three years of O&M service. It is scheduled to be completed in FY25-26, in various tranches as per the terms of the order. With the above-mentioned orders, WRTL currently has an unexecuted order-book of more than 2GW peak (MWp) (MWp measures the maximum power output of a solar PV system under ideal conditions, While MW is used to describe the actual power output of a system, rather than a theoretical maximum) and it executed 473MWp in 9MFY23-24. Its O&M revenues were around Rs10.89 crore in 9MFY23-24. According to the management, the sustainable operating profit margin of the company will be around 15%-20%. As the EPC contracts are long duration contracts, especially those beyond 100MW as they dont get over in one quarter, they usually spill over to the next three to six quarters and, in general, the margins hover around 15%-20%. It also depends on land availability. If the customer provides the land, execution can be done in one year and, if WRTL has to provide land, it can take around two years. PSU orders normally come with the land. WRTL has higher operating profit margin, at 15%-20%, compared to that of its peers, while its competitors struggle to achieve margins of 9%-10%. According to the management, it is completely dependent on its positioning in the market. While government tenders often involve fierce competition and shrinking margins, WRTLs negligible presence in this segment allows it to focus on more lucrative opportunities in the private sector. Here, clients prioritise its expertise and track record over competitive pricing, claims WRTL, allowing it the leeway to maintain higher margins to deliver customised facilities. However, WRTLs increased bidding for PSU orders to increase volumes, will impact margins, although economies of scale could partially offset this effect. Its fixed asset turnover ratio, RoCE and RoE has improved sharply over the past five years. It has also reduced its debt which peaked from Rs117 crore in FY20-21 to Rs39 crore in FY22-23. Cash-flows Comparing cumulative PAT (profit after tax) against adjusted cash-flow from operations (ACFO) gives us as an idea of whether the company is able to convert its accounting profit into actual cash. The cumulative ACFO amounts to Rs72 crore and cumulative PAT amounts to Rs56.77 crore. Management Pujan Pankaj Doshi is the managing director of RWTL. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Instrumentation from Mumbai University. He has a decade of experience in this industry. In FY22-23, the salary of key management personnel was Rs31.5 lakh which was 0.57% of its net profit. Risks Changes in government policies, regulations, or subsidies related to solar energy can significantly impact the business environment. Uncertainties in policies regarding tariffs, land acquisition, taxes and import duties can affect project viability and profitability. Intense competition within the solar EPC sector can lead to pricing pressures, reducing profit margins. Competing with established players and new entrants may require continuous innovation and cost-effective solutions to win contracts. Dependency on imported components, such as solar panels, inverters and batteries, exposes EPC companies to supply-chain risks. Disruptions in the supply chain, due to geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, or natural disasters can lead to delays in project execution and cost overruns. Rapid advancements in solar technology require it to stay updated with the latest innovations and invest in R&D. Failure to adopt cost-effective and efficient technologies may lead to reduced competitiveness and project delays. Delays or disruptions during the construction phase, such as labour shortages, regulatory approvals, land acquisition issues, or adverse weather conditions, can impact project timelines and increase costs. Once projects are commissioned, operational risks such as equipment malfunction, performance degradation, maintenance requirements, and grid connectivity issues can affect energy generation and revenue streams. Proactive maintenance and monitoring strategies are essential to mitigate these risks. Valuation The stock has moved a lot recently after the announcement of initial public offer (IPO) of its parent company Waaree Energies Limited. WRTL has announced a 1:5 stock split and the record date for the split is 16 March 2024. The stock currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 132x. It, currently, has an order-book of around unexecuted order-book of 2GW or 2,000MW. If it is able to execute around 1.2GW of orders in FY24-25, assuming Rs1.27 crore/MW, its revenue would touch around Rs1,440 crore. Assuming a net profit margin around 14%, and at a P/E of 60, the market-capitalisation could be around Rs12,100 crore, implying no upside from the current market-capitalisation. Indeed, the stock has become so richly valued that any small negative news could lead to a massive selling. Disclaimer: Moneylife s various services may have recommended, or invested, and its staff may have invested, or planning to invest, in companies discussed in the stocks section. The staff members are subjected to SEBI-mandated internal disclosure guidelines. The analysis here is for information purpose only and not investment recommendation. A day after the Rajasthan government scrapped the concept of 'different cities, different prices for petrol and diesel and termed it as a discrepancy, the Petroleum Pump Dealers Association in the state welcomed the move and expressed the hope that petrol would come under GST purview soon. President of the Petroleum Pump Dealers Association in Rajasthan, Rajendra Singh Bhati on Friday told IANS, This One price, one state concept is a welcome move. Rajasthan has become the first state in India where there is one price of petrol and diesel in each district. Now, we hope that petrol will soon come under GST purview. Rajasthan Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal Sharma, had on Thursday said that his government had removed the discrepancy under which the rates of petrol and diesel were different in different cities of the state. In the districts where the rates of petrol and diesel were high, the prices for the two fuels were reduced with a larger margin, whereas in the districts where the rates were lower, the prices were reduced with a lesser margin. The state government also reduced VAT by 2 per cent while the Centre, too, made petrol and diesel cheaper by Rs 2 per litre. Petrol and diesel in Rajasthan became available at cheaper rates from Friday morning as the new prices came into effect across the state. CM Sharma said that the reduced prices of petrol and diesel would put a burden of Rs 1,500 crore on the state government. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Fashion and health will become partners on March 26 when the American Red Cross of Western New York and Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA team up for a combination blood drive and complementary hands-only CPR sessions. The blood drive is scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m., and the two half-hour CPR sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the mall, 1900 Military Road, Town of Niagara. March is Red Cross Month, during which the organization honors the commitment of its volunteers and blood and platelet donors. Were encouraging donors of all blood types to make a positive impact in March by scheduling and keeping their donation appointments as the blood drives play a vital role in helping area hospitals combat the ongoing blood supply shortage, including those within the Buffalo and Niagara Falls region, said Red Cross representative MaryBeth Hall. To register, visit fashionoutletsniagara.com/Events/BloodDriveMarch2024 or fashionoutletsniagara.com/Events/CPRMarch2024. The CPR sessions will be open to the first 20 people who register on a first-come/first-served basis. Registered participants are requested to bring with them a valid form of identification in order to participate. - Harold McNeil SUNY Niagara is nearing the end of its search for its eighth president, the college announced Friday. The search committee has invited four finalists to visit its Sanborn campus and the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute next week. The finalists are Andrew W. Bowne, former president at Johnson Community College in Overland Park, Kan.; Lloyd A. Holmes, president of De Anza College in Cupertino, Calif.; Rai Kathuria, provost and senior vice president of academic and student affairs for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system; and Jason Adsit, special consultant to the board of trustees at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. Bowne has served for more than 20 years in senior leadership positions at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana and Johnson County Community College in Kansas. At Johnson County Community College, he served as president and CEO leading the college to a sharpened focus on student success, serving employers and the community, and growing enrollment. At Ivy Tech, he started as a regional chancellor and was promoted to guide the leadership teams of the 18 campuses as senior vice president and chief operating officer. Bowne has over 12 years of adjunct faculty teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He currently serves on the Ferris State University Advisory Board for the Doctorate in Community College Leadership program. Holmes became the fourth president of De Anza College on July 1, 2020. Before joining De Anza, Holmes was vice president of student services at Monroe Community College in Rochester. Holmes was previously an administrator at North Shore Community College in Massachusetts, Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina and the University of Mississippi. Kathuria joined the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system in June 2022. He oversees the academic and student affairs portfolio for four Connecticut State universities, one community college with 12 locations, and a 100% online state college. Before CSCU, Kathuria was assistant vice president in the Office of the Executive Vice President for University Academic Affairs at Indiana University. He was also the director of the Office of Collaborative Academic Programs, IU Online, and a tenured associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Indiana University East, one of the seven campuses in the IU system. Adsit previously served as Mount Saint Mary Colleges president, where he oversaw the development of the colleges latest strategic plan, its comprehensive fundraising campaign, and its overall operating plan during the Covid-19 pandemic. Adsit secured more than $5 million in external funds to build pathway programs in nursing for first-generation students, launched a summer bridge program for incoming first-year students, and established the colleges Center for Community Engagement and Wellness to offer academic, enrichment and health-related programs to the residents of Newburgh. Prior to his work at the Mount, Adsit served as the dean of the School of Arts, Sciences and Education at DYouville University; the associate provost for academic administration at the University of Rochester; the director of the Teaching and Learning Center at SUNY Buffalo State University; and as the assistant dean for institutional research and assessment in the School of Education and the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University. The search committee has arranged a series of in-person sessions for each finalist to meet with various constituents from March 18 to 22. Finalists will spend time with the institutions board of trustees, its leadership group, union leaders, the colleges Academic Council, faculty and staff. SUNY Niagara also has scheduled open forums for students and members of the community to meet each finalist. Bownes will take place from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. March 18 in the Dining Commons of the main cafeteria on the second floor of G Building. Holmes will take place from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. March 20 in the Community Room on the second floor of G Building. Kathurias will take place from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. March 21 in the Dining Commons of the main cafeteria on the second floor of G Building. Adsits will take place from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. March 22 in the Dining Commons of the main cafeteria on the second floor of G Building. The colleges 19-member Presidential Search Committee identified the finalists through a national search with the assistance of RH Perry, a search firm specializing in higher education. We are delighted with the progress of our presidential search and excited to welcome these finalists to SUNY Niagara, said SUNY Niagara board of trustees Chairman Kevin Clark, who also leads the Presidential Search Committee. The college hopes to have its next president in place by July 1. Dr. William Murabito, who became the institutions seventh president in 2019 after having served in an interim role for two years, will retire on June 30. Three dead after 'likely' tornado rips through Indiana town, NBC says New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapolis office is weighing in on the state of the states colleges and universities with a report on the challenges facing New Yorks 150 private colleges and universities and 64 SUNY campuses. The report looks at how New York higher education system stacks up against other states, with a focus on developing human capital and contributing to research and development. Here are some key takeaways: The enrollment cliff New York is facing the same challenges as all of higher ed, mainly the looming enrollment cliff when the national population of 18- to 24-year-olds plunges starting next year, against the growing cost of attending college and rising student debt. As enrollment in higher education has increased nationally, New Yorks market share of college students has decreased from 1 in 11 in 1970 to about 1 in 20 today. In fall 2022, New Yorks institutions attracted 896,000 students, the lowest number in 15 years, the report says. Schools that suffered the biggest enrollment drops before and during the Covid-19 pandemic are fighting financial threats today, including SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Buffalo State University, which all saw enrollment drop more than 40% in the past decade and are tightening their belts to address large deficits. At the same time, international student enrollment is growing and reached 1 million last academic year, over 5% of total U.S. enrollment, the report says. New York is second only to California in attracting international students, with 24,500 enrolled at New York University, 19,000 at Columbia University and 7,700 at the University at Buffalo, the report says. Graduation rates Collectively, New York schools also exceeded the national average in getting enrolled students to complete their degrees 69% compared to 62%. But the performance of individual institutes varies, with some suffering steeper enrollment declines and lower completion rates than others, the report says. The worst completion rates are among community colleges. Less than half of students in public two-year colleges who began in 2016 completed their coursework by June 2022, the report says. Research and development New York has consistently ranked second nationally for research and development expenditures since 2010, and its share of all R&D spending by higher education increased from 8%, or $4.9 billion, in 2010 to 8.5%, or $7.5 billion in 2021. However, private-sector institutions have been responsible for 75% of New Yorks higher ed R&D spending. This contrasts with most peer states, where public institutions undertake most R&D expenditures, the report notes. In 2021, New York ranked No. 1 in R&D spending by private sector institutions and No. 12 for public universities. Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration is working to boost federal research funding at SUNY schools, especially SUNY flagships the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University, that will give public research universities a greater in share of R&D. Student debt burdens The cost of an undergraduate education at New Yorks private and public institutions is higher than the national average. Costs for in-state students at public community colleges were 59% higher than the national average (in 2020-21) and have grown more rapidly at public four-year institutions than the national average, the report says. As those costs have grown, student debt has increased, leading some to question the returns from a college degree, the report says. The report acknowledges that SUNY and many private schools are already taking action to make college more accessible to low-income and underrepresented students with more financial aid to attend and more academic and social supports once they get there. Recommendations DiNapoli endorsed the recommendations in the recent SUNY Report on Enrollment and Financial Sustainability, including outreach to traditionally overlooked and low-income groups like formerly incarcerated people, student parents and working adults to increase upward mobility. The comptroller also emphasized the need for higher education institutions to tailor their programs to reflect the industry workforce opportunities in their areas, including offering more short-term certifications with pathways to employment. DiNapoli noted that Micron Technologys plan to build a $100 billion semiconductor manufacturing plant near Syracuse includes investing in a new Northeast University Semiconductor Network that includes SUNY, CUNY, Clarkson University, Syracuse University, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Columbia University and Cornell. The partnership will be tasked with updating academic programs and supporting workforce training in artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, clean energy and other industry needs for the future. The report also recommended that New York consider setting a goal of educational attainment in its population by a certain age and consider forming a statewide entity to help coordinate and manage R&D activity that includes higher education. Read more at BuffaloNext.com. THE LATEST A potential buyer for the McKinley Mall isn't interested anymore. Five Star Bank wants a receiver appointed in fraud case. The UB medical school added a top expert in health inequality. A Buffalo affordable housing project could be changing hands. Villa Maria College is getting a big donation for a library project. Explore & More is adding a Broadway Market exhibit. ECMC is getting new emergency generators, thanks to a federal grant. Buffalo is among 25 cities in line for grants to help deal with climate change. Bills, Legends hope Stadium Experience Center provides 'complete story' of new stadium. Five Star Bank accused a Rochester-area restaurant owner of an $18.9M fraud. The Buffalo Niagara unemployment rate jumped to 4.7% in January. Inclusion goals for construction of the new Buffalo Bills stadium are closer to being reached, but still short. Buffalo is among 25 cities to get Bloomberg Philanthropies funding for climate change. Highmark will cut 15 jobs in Western New York as part of a larger companywide reduction. A proposed South Buffalo scrapyard cleared a critical environmental hurdle. How does University at Buffalo aim to build on the AI boom? With financing tight, Buffalo Niagara developers are struggling to raise the funding they need for some projects. Why some Buffalo Sabres season ticket holders are being barred from renewing. How the child care crunch is holding back hiring across Buffalo Niagara. A Depew nonprofit has launched a new dashboard that could help address health inequities. 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. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Why the Buffalo Black Billion has struggled to gain traction. 2. Why shoppers prefer power centers over the mall. 3. The office market still is changing, four years after Covid-19. 4. What could the future hold for the site of Erie Community College's South Campus? 5. 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. 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. Loud explosion is heard as Somali militant group says its fighters have attacked a hotel in capital Loud explosion is heard as Somali militant group says its fighters have attacked a hotel in capital View Photo MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) The Somali extremist group al-Shabab said its fighters have attacked a hotel in the capital Mogadishu, where a loud explosion and gunfire were heard Thursday night. Al-Shabab said on its Telegram channel that its fighters managed to penetrate the SYL Hotel, which is located not far from the presidential palace in a normally secure part of Mogadishu. The hotel is patronized by government officials. There was no immediate word on casualties. Attacks in the seaside capital had reduced in recent weeks amid a beefing up of security there. Al-Shabab, which opposes Somalias federal government, is responsible for many lethal attacks on hotels and other places over the years. The last major attack in Mogadishu happened in October 2022, when at least 120 civilians were killed in twin car bombings at a busy junction. Somalias government has been engaged in a high-profile new offensive against the extremist group that the United States has described as one of al-Qaidas deadliest organizations. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared total war against the extremists, who control large parts of central and southern Somalia and have been the target of scores of U.S. airstrikes in recent years. By OMAR FARUK Associated Press Congo reinstates the death penalty after more than 20 years as it struggles to deal with militants Congo reinstates the death penalty after more than 20 years as it struggles to deal with militants View Photo DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Congo has lifted a more than two-decade-old moratorium on the death penalty as authorities struggle to curb violence and militant attacks in the country, according to a justice ministry statement released on Friday. The statement, dated earlier this week, said the ban from 2003 allowed offenders accused of treason and espionage to get away without proper punishment. Eastern Congo has been riddled by conflict for decades, linked to more than 120 armed groups fighting for land and power and in some cases, protecting their communities. The government said the violence in the east has plagued the country with recurrent conflict and resulted in a surge of attacks that have spread terror among the communities. In recent years, the M23 rebel group the most dominant in the region with alleged links to neighboring Rwanda has continued to attack villages, forcing many to flee to Goma, the regions largest city. M23 has laid siege to several communities with about half of North Kivu province under its control. The violence in the province has worsened in recent weeks as security forces battle the rebels. Residents have said the groups fighter mostly launch attacks with bombs out of hills overlooking remote towns. In its statement, the justice ministry said capital punishment will be reserved for offenders involved in criminal conspiracies, armed gangs, insurrection and also those who commit treason and war crimes. It will also be applied to the military, including those who rebel or desert and join enemy ranks. Rights groups have condemned the decision, calling it a step back for the country. This initiative is against the constitution, said Jean-Claude Katende, president of the African Association for Human Rights. We dont think that capital punishment and the execution of this sentence are appropriate measures to restore order. A plan to find new leadership for Haiti is moving forward, Caribbean officials say A plan to find new leadership for Haiti is moving forward, Caribbean officials say View Photo PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) A plan to create a transitional presidential council is moving forward after a majority of Haitian parties and coalitions submitted the names of those charged with finding new leaders for the country, Caribbean officials said Thursday. The names were provided to a regional trade bloc known as Caricom that is helping lead the transition. It is all up now to the Haitians as they are the ones who want a Haitian-led solution, Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told The Associated Press. It is for them to pick up the ball and run with it, being responsible for their own destiny. He spoke a day after Haitian politicians and influential figures bickered publicly about the plan and what names to submit, seemingly putting creation of the council at risk. Caribbean leaders had announced plans to create the council after meeting in Jamaica Monday behind closed doors with officials including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Shortly after the meeting, Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged to resign once the council is created. The council will be responsible for choosing an interim prime minister and a council of ministers, as well as help organize general elections, which havent been held in nearly a decade. We hope this is a breakthrough for Haiti, Ramdin said. He said Caricom officials met Wednesday night for an update on the situation. The names havent been made public, although a senior Caribbean official not authorized to speak to the media told the AP that the Dec. 21 Agreement group, which backs the current prime minister, has not submitted a name. In addition, Jean-Charles Moise, who leads the Petit Desalin party and has allied with former rebel leader and convicted money launderer Guy Philippe, announced Wednesday that his party would not join the council despite the offer of a voting position. The others awarded a spot on the council are EDE/RED, a party led by former Prime Minister Claude Joseph; the Montana Accord, a group of civil society leaders, political parties and others; Fanmi Lavalas, the party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide; the Jan. 30 Collective, which represents parties including that of former President Michel Martelly; and the private sector. Of the remaining two nonvoting positions, one would go to a representative of Haitis civil society and the other to its religious sector. It wasnt immediately clear what would happen to the position rejected by Moise and his party. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday that the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, remains in contact with many key political and civil society representatives and is encouraging them to act in the best interest of the people of Haiti to resolve this crisis as quickly as possible. The push to create a council comes as Haitis capital and other areas become increasingly overrun by powerful gangs that control around 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. On Feb. 29, gunmen launched a series of attacks on key state institutions, including police stations, the main international airport and Haitis two biggest prisons, where more than 4,000 inmates were freed. Scores of people have died in the attacks, and more than 15,000 people have been left homeless. The violence has somewhat subsided, although a fire was reported Thursday at the National Penitentiary in downtown Port-au-Prince, one of two prisons attacked more than a week ago. It wasnt immediately clear if anyone was injured or killed in the blaze or how it started. Dujarric said some of the U.N.s 267 international staff whose presence in Haiti is not essential are being moved to the neighboring Dominican Republic to work remotely, given the volatile security situation. He added that other U.N. staff needed to deal with the ongoing humanitarian crisis will be going to Haiti. The U.N. political mission announced that an air bridge was being established between Haiti and the Dominican Republic including to bring in some supplies and staff, but Dujarric said it isnt operational yet. When the attacks began, Prime Minister Henry was in Kenya to try and secure a U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country. The deployment, however, has been put on hold. Meanwhile, Henry remains in Puerto Rico, unable to return home. Schools, gas stations and airports remain closed in Port-au-Prince and beyond, although public transportation has resumed, and a growing number of Haitians have been seen on previously empty streets. ___ Wilkinson reported from Georgetown, Guyana. Associated Press reporter Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. By BERT WILKINSON and PIERRE-RICHARD LUXAMA Associated Press Honduras ex-first lady says presidential bid not meant to protect herself after husbands conviction View Photo TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Former Honduras first lady Ana Garcia de Hernandez said Thursday that her decision to seek the presidency next year is about showing the world the injustice that was done to her recently convicted husband and defending Honduras reputation, not an attempt to protect herself from prosecution as some allege. In an interview with The Associated Press in the same Tegucigalpa home where police arrested her husband Juan Orlando Hernandez in February 2022, on a United States extradition request, she maintained her husbands innocence and said the U.S. government had stained not only her family, but all Hondurans. For me it was painful to see that from another country they judged our nation because they tried an ex-president who was the head of Honduras, she said. They accused him of being a drug trafficker and Honduras of being a narco-state, when it is the complete opposite. With the affront they have made to Honduras, I want to raise my voice, she said, noting that Hondurans should feel indignant. This (presidential run) is a platform from which I am going to do that. Garcia de Hernandez said that in conversations with Hernandez since his conviction in a Manhattan courtroom last Friday, he told her this is another test and we are going to continue exhausting appeals; the world saw the injustice that was committed and we have to remain standing. Hernandezs arrest came just three weeks after he left office and was followed by his extradition in April 2022. His two-week trial ended last week when he was convicted of charges that he conspired with drug traffickers and used Honduras military and police to help move tons of cocaine north to the United States. Garcia de Hernandez announced Tuesday in a news conference that she would seek the nomination of the National party, her husbands party and one of the main opposition parties. Honduras national elections are scheduled for Nov. 30, 2025. She said many within the National party have expressed their support for her bid and that she has received many messages of support from Hondurans across the country. The decision was not taken in haste, she said, but after much consideration. Some politicians immediately suggested her bid for the presidency was an attempt to protect herself from prosecution. Garcia de Hernandez has not been charged with any crimes. Garcia de Hernandez did not rule out that prosecutors could pursue her, but she noted that her name never came up in the U.S. case and she has done nothing wrong, so there would be no basis for a case. There could be investigations, I imagine there will be, but here I am, she said. Im not fleeing. Hernandezs brother, Juan Antonio Tony Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison in the United States on drug and weapons charges in March 2021. U.S. prosecutors called Hernandezs presidency state-sponsored drug trafficking, despite parts of the U.S. government praising Hernandez over the years for his cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking. Garcia de Hernandez, herself a lawyer, spoke at length about a lack of hard evidence presented by U.S. prosecutors, who relied on testimony from drug traffickers she said were seeking revenge against her husband. She noted meetings her husband had with Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden when he was vice president, as well as meetings he had inside CIA headquarters and with the U.S. Southern Command. Were they going to reveal these operations to a drug trafficker? she asked, adding that her husbands conviction sends a chilling message to other Latin American leaders. Who is going to want to fight against criminality if in the end theyre going to receive a life sentence? she said. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america By MARLON GONZALEZ Associated Press Louisiana truck driver charged after deadly 2023 pileup amid super fog conditions View Photo RESERVE, La. (AP) A Louisiana truck driver has been charged with negligent homicide for his role in a fiery highway pileup that left eight dead last year after a super fog of marsh fire smoke and dense fog snared more than 160 vehicles, authorities said. On Oct. 23, Ronald Britt was operating a truck at unsafe speeds on Interstate 55 west of New Orleans when he slammed into the back of a car that had stopped in the left lane behind several other vehicles involved in minor crashes, Louisiana State Police said in a statement Tuesday. That collision killed 60-year-old James Fleming and seriously injured his wife. Britt, a 61-year-old commercial truck driver from Lafayette, was arrested on multiple charges, including negligent homicide, negligent injuring, reckless operation and other traffic-related offenses, state police said. Britt voluntarily surrendered to authorities Monday. It was unknown if he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Eight people died in the multi-collision pileup and 63 were injured. It took a month for the interstate to fully reopen after repairs were made to the road and bridge, both damaged by the crashes and vehicle fires. White House encourages House Republicans to move on from their Biden impeachment effort View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Bidens top White House lawyer is encouraging House Speaker Mike Johnson to end his chambers efforts to impeach the president over unproven claims that he benefited from the business dealings of his son and brother. White House counsel Ed Siskel wrote in a Friday letter to Johnson, R-La., that testimony and records turned over to the House Oversight and Judiciary committees have failed to establish any wrongdoing and that even Republican witnesses have poured cold water on the impeachment effort. It comes a month after federal prosecutors charged an ex-FBI informant who was the source of some of the most explosive allegations with lying about the Bidens and undisclosed Russian intelligence contacts. It is obviously time to move on, Mr. Speaker, Siskel wrote. This impeachment is over. There is too much important work to be done for the American people to continue wasting time on this charade. The rare communique from the White House counsels office comes as Republicans, their House majority shrinking ever further with early departures, have hit a near-standstill in their Biden impeachment inquiry. Johnson has acknowledged that its unclear if the Biden probe will disclose impeachable offenses and that people have gotten frustrated that it has dragged on this long. But he insisted as he opened a House Republican retreat late Wednesday in West Virginia that the slow and deliberate process is by design as investigators do the work. Does it reach the treason, high crimes and misdemeanor standard? Johnson said, referring to the Constitutions high bar for impeachment. Everyone will have to make that evaluation when we pull all the evidence together. Without the support from their narrow ranks to impeach the Democratic president, the Republican leaders are increasingly eyeing criminal referrals to the Justice Department of those they say may have committed potential crimes for prosecution. It is unclear to whom they are referring. The speakers spokesman said its unsurprising the White House wants to close the House inquiry into the Biden family and its finances. The White House does not get to decide how impeachment gets resolved, that is for Congress to decide, Raj Shah said in a statement. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer is marching ahead with a planned hearing next week despite Hunter Bidens decision not to appear. Instead, the panel will hear public testimony from several former business partners of the presidents son. Comer has also been looking at legislation that would toughen the ethics laws around elected officials. Without delving into specifics, Johnson said the probe has unearthed a lot of things that we believe that violated the law. While sending criminal referrals would likely be a mostly symbolic act, it could open the door to prosecutions of the Bidens in a future administration, particularly as former President Donald Trump has vowed to take revenge on his political detractors. By LISA MASCARO and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press At a gathering in San Francisco, Larry Jobe, a passionate advocate for preserving the Flying Tigers' legacy, opened the flight jacket he was wearing, revealing a "blood chit", a lifesaving promise from Chinese civilians to help downed US airmen. The memento served as a reminder at the event, co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco and the government of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Tuesday, of the deep bond forged between the United States and China against their common enemy during World War II. Imagine after being shot down, "if you were picked up by either Chinese military or civilians, your chances of getting back to your base alive would be 95 percent almost a guarantee", Jobe, president of the California-based Flying Tiger Historical Organization, told the audience, including Chinese and US officials and community leaders, at the Chinese consulate. This remarkable statistic was not a coincidence. It was a testament to the extraordinary courage of Chinese villagers who risked their lives to protect downed US airmen, and the "blood chit" represented a symbol of that sacrifice. The event was not just about remembering the past, but also about bridging it to the present. A photo exhibition at the event showcased the Flying Tigers' activities and their profound connection with the Chinese people in Guangxi, the region that housed the Flying Tigers' command post. Guangxi Vice-Chairman Liao Pinhu emphasized the Flying Tigers' pivotal role in shaping the China-US relationship. Their bravery in transporting supplies over the treacherous "Hump" route and carrying out bombing missions against Japanese targets earned them the lasting respect of the Chinese people, Liao said. The Guilin Flying Tigers Heritage Park and Museum in Guilin, Guangxi, stands as a permanent tribute to their wartime contributions, where artifacts and historical documents are meticulously preserved. In October, the Flying Tiger Historical Organization donated relics belonging to General Claire Lee Chennault, a pivotal figure in the Flying Tigers' history, to the Chinese museum. Jobe said the "crowning achievement" of its 18-year partnership with the Guilin museum was the 2016 delivery of a C-47 aircraft to the museum. The restored military transport plane and its journey to Guilin mirrored the perilous "Hump "route navigated by pilots during the war. The Hump was what Allied pilots called the eastern end of the Himalayas, as they flew military transport aircraft from India to China to supply the Chinese war effort and units of the US Army Air Force based in China. Unwavering support Engine failures necessitated repairs, and without the unwavering support and friendship of the Chinese people, particularly those in Guangxi, success wouldn't have been possible, said Jobe. Jobe himself flew the restored C-47 with another pilot, a daring 96-day journey from Australia, where the plane was purchased, to Guilin. Now, the plane is on permanent display at the Guilin museum. "We can best honor the past by ensuring its accurate portrayal," Jobe said. The Guilin museum chronicles the sacrifices made by both Allied troops and the Chinese people, and it offers a window into the past, allowing future generations to learn from the horrors of war and the power of cooperation, he added. Becca Prowda, director of protocol for California Governor Gavin Newsom, highlighted people-to-people exchange as the cornerstone of California's relationship with China. The governor's recent trip to China further emphasized the commitment to fostering cultural and personal connections. "Since the governor's trip to China in October, we have also been uplifting our efforts to support cultural exchange, and people-to-people exchange," she said. liazhu@chinadailyusa.com Significant shrinkage Town of Tonawanda residents are seeing less of Joe Emminger these days, and its not because hes neglecting his duties as town supervisor. The 6-foot, 5-inch Emminger has lost 55 pounds over the last 13 months, going from 290 to 235 pounds today freshman year of college weight, as he put it. The 64-year-old said his endocrinologist last February recommended he start taking Mounjaro, a medication used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes that also leads to weight loss. Emminger has been diabetic for about 20 years and on insulin for a dozen years. He was able to gradually reduce his insulin injections from four times a day until, by about October, he no longer needed them at all. Emminger said he has more energy now, hes sleeping better and he even thinks his vision has improved. With all of the weight loss, hes had to get some new clothes and have his suits taken in. He quipped theres just one thing the Mounjaro couldnt help with: It did not put hair on my head. Stephen T. Watson In other business ... The quips were flying more than usual at the Buffalo Planning Board this week. After seeing how she benefited from dancing while growing up, Salena Leonard decided she wants to open up a dance studio on Abbott Road in South Buffalo, not only to offer different experiences for people, but also to keep them occupied. Ive been dancing for 14 years, she told board members. For me, growing up, it kept me out of trouble and fit, so I want to bring this to the community, for all ages. Board Member Martha Lamparelli would have hit a big buzzer if she could. I commend you. I think what youre doing is fantastic, she said, adding, I feel like Im on American Idol or something. Then theres Christina Currie-Bishop, who plans to open a new restaurant on Hertel Avenue, with her culinary-trained sister as the chef. It will be called Loud House Buffalo, she said, but assured them that its not going to be loud. Board Member Art Hall informed her of a key requirement. A menu and samples are supposed to come with this, he joked. Not to be outdone, Michael Schweikowsky wants to open a cannabis retail store, pending a state license, at 1936 South Park Ave. Hes still got a ways to go before approval, as the state is wading through more than 2,000 applications, but hes got a building and a plan. And he reassured board members that it will be sales only, no consumption. The staff will not be getting high, he said firmly. Nobodys going to be smoking in front of my building, absolutely not. Jonathan D. Epstein Spring has sprung Last week, on a couple of gentle March days, a cascade of awestruck visitors in spring jackets made their way to one of the most beautiful spots not only in Western New York, but on the planet: The Terrapin Point overlook for the Horseshoe Falls on Goat Island, where you can stand a few feet away from the blue-green water as it flows over the brink. What those onlookers didnt realize, as they marveled, is that the chance to be there at all at this time of year is extraordinary. WAYYY early, is how Angela Berti, state parks spokesperson for the Niagara Region, put it in an email. Typically, the trails leading down to Terrapin Point are closed off into early spring, due to treacherous ice accumulations where the mist freezes quickly. But the historically warm winter basically wiped out that concern, and Berti reports that the fencing at the point was taken down March 9. It is so nice to be able to have visitors enjoy being that close to the Horseshoe Falls again, Berti wrote in her email, noting thanks to Mother Nature its the earliest that Terrapin Point has been fully open in at least 15 years. Sean Kirst African Development Bank chief criticizes opaque loans tied to Africas natural resources View Photo LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) The head of the African Development Bank is calling for an end to loans given in exchange for the continents rich supplies of oil or critical minerals used in smartphones and electric car batteries. They are just bad, first and foremost, because you cant price the assets properly, Akinwumi Adesina said in an interview with The Associated Press in Lagos, Nigeria, last week. If you have minerals or oil under the ground, how do you come up with a price for a long-term contract? Its a challenge. Linking future revenue from natural resource exports to loan paydowns is often touted as a way for recipients to get financing for infrastructure projects and for lenders to reduce the risk of not getting their money back. Such deals that have helped China gain control over mineral mining in places like Congo and have left some African countries in financial crisis. The shift to renewable energy and electric vehicles has caused a spike in the demand for critical minerals, driving these kind of loans. That includes a China-Congo deal that strengthens Beijings position in the global supply chain for EVs and other products as it taps into the worlds largest reserves of cobalt, a mineral used to make lithium-ion batteries, in the impoverished central African country. Adesina, whose Abidjan, Ivory Coast-based institution helps finance development in African countries, said these arrangements come with a litany of problems. He highlighted the uneven nature of the negotiations, with lenders typically holding the upper hand and dictating terms to cash-strapped African nations. This power imbalance, coupled with a lack of transparency and the potential for corruption, creates fertile ground for exploitation, Adesina said. These are the reasons I say Africa should put an end to natural resource-backed loans, Adesina said. He pointed to a bank initiative that helps countries renegotiate those loans that are asymmetric, not transparent and wrongly priced. Adesina said loans secured with natural resources pose a challenge for development banks like his and the International Monetary Fund, which promote sustainable debt management. Countries may struggle to get or repay loans from these institutions because they have to use the income from their natural resources typically crucial to their economies to pay off resource-tied debts, he said. Adesina specifically mentioned Chads crippling financial crisis after an oil-backed loan from commodity trader Glencore left the central African nation using most of its oil proceeds to pay off its debt. A Glencore spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. After Chad, Angola and the Republic of Congo approached the IMF for support, the multilateral lender insisted on the renegotiation of their natural resource-backed loans. At least 11 African countries have taken dozens of loans worth billions of dollars secured with their natural resources since the 2000s, and China is by far the top source of funding through policy banks and state-linked companies. Western commodity traders and banks, such as Glencore, Trafigura and Standard Chartered, also have funded oil-for-cash deals, notably with the Republic of Congo, Chad and Angola. Standard Chartered didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment, while Trafigura pointed to its 2020 report called Prepayments Demystified, which says that trading firms are enabling production that would otherwise not be possible thus underpinning economic growth, job creation and the generation of fiscal revenues in the countries concerned. Adesina said there was no fixation on one country as being behind these types of loans when asked about criticisms over Chinas lending backed by oil; critical minerals such as cobalt and copper used in electric vehicles and other products; and bauxite, the main mineral in aluminum manufacturing, which has been used in Chinas recent resource-backed loan contracts with Guinea and Ghana. It is not about one country or the other; any country can exploit when you dont know what you are doing, he said, adding, The capacity to negotiate at the country level, the capacity to plan, the capacity for debt management is very important. Mao Ning, spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters last year that Beijing operates with the principle of transparency and openness in relations with Africa. Congo has been looking to review the infrastructure-for-minerals agreement it signed with China in 2008 over concerns it gets too few benefits from the arrangement. That grants Chinese firms Sinohydro and China Railway Group a 68% stake in a joint venture for copper and cobalt with Congos state mining company, Gecamines. Last year, Congos state auditor demanded Chinas infrastructure investment commitment be increased to $20 billion from the original $3 billion to match the value of the resources sold by the state under the deal. China rejected the auditors report. Adesina, a former Nigerian minister for agriculture, said the African Development Banks new Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa aims to mobilize $10 billion to help countries finance bankable sustainable infrastructure, including in the energy and transport sectors, which could limit the allure of problematic financing. ___ This story was first published on March 13, 2024. It was updated on March 15, 2024 to make clear that while Akinwumi Adesina, the head of the African Development Bank, is calling for an end to loans given in exchange for the continents rich supplies of oil or critical minerals, he did not single out any particular country that funds such loans. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. By TAIWO ADEBAYO Associated Press Top Democrat Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace Top Democrat Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday called on Israel to hold new elections, saying he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his way and is an obstacle to peace in the region amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Schumer, the first Jewish majority leader in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., strongly criticized Netanyahu in a 40-minute speech Thursday morning on the Senate floor. Schumer said the prime minister has put himself in a coalition of far-right extremists and as a result, he has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah, Schumer said. The high-level warning comes as an increasing number of Democrats have pushed back against Israel and as President Joe Biden has stepped up public pressure on Netanyahus government, arguing that he needs to pay more attention to the civilian death toll in Gaza amid the Israeli bombardment. The U.S. this month began airdrops of badly needed humanitarian aid and announced it will establish a temporary pier to get more assistance into Gaza via sea. Schumer has so far positioned himself as a strong ally of the Israeli government, visiting the country just days after the brutal Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and giving a lengthy speech on the Senate floor in December decrying brazen and widespread antisemitism the likes of which we havent seen in generations in this country, if ever. But he said on the Senate floor Thursday that the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past. Schumer says Netanyahu, who has long opposed Palestinian statehood, is one of several obstacles in the way of the two-state solution pushed by the United States. Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel, Schumer said. The majority leader is also blaming right-wing Israelis, Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Until they are all removed from the equation, Schumer said, there will never be peace in Israel and Gaza and the West Bank. The United States cannot dictate the outcome of an election in Israel, Schumer said, but a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government. At the White House, national security spokesman John Kirby declined to weigh in on Schumers remarks, saying the White House is most focused on getting a temporary cease-fire in place. We know Leader Schumer feels strongly about this and well certainly let him speak to it and to his comments, Kirby said. Were going to stay focused on making sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself while doing everything that they can to avoid civilian casualties. Israeli ambassador Michael Herzog called the speech counterproductive to our common goals. Israel is a sovereign democracy, Herzog posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally. The speech also drew a swift reprisal from Republicans. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor immediately after Schumers speech that Israel deserves an ally that acts like one and that foreign observers ought to refrain from weighing in. The Democratic Party has an anti-Israel problem, McConnell said. Either we respect their decisions or we disrespect their democracy, he said. And at a House GOP retreat in West Virginia, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called Schumers speech inappropriate. Its just plain wrong for an American leader to play such a divisive role in Israeli politics while our closest ally in the region is in an existential battle for its very survival, the Republican speaker said. Netanyahu has long had a cozy relationship with Republicans in the United States, most notably speaking at a joint session of Congress in 2015 at the invitation of GOP lawmakers to try to torpedo former President Barack Obamas nuclear negotiations with Iran. The move infuriated Obama administration officials, who saw it as an end run around Obamas presidential authority and unacceptably deep interference in U.S. politics and foreign policy. Just this week, Netanyahu was invited to speak to Republican senators at a party retreat. But Herzog took his place due to last minute scheduling issues, according to a person familiar with the closed-door meeting. It is unclear how Schumers unusually direct call will be received in Israel, where the next parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2026. Many Israelis hold Netanyahu responsible for failing to stop the Oct. 7 cross-border raid by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and his popularity appears to have taken a hit as a result. Protesters in Israel calling for early elections have charged that Netanyahu is making decisions based on keeping his right-wing coalition intact rather than Israels interests at a time of war. And they say he is endangering Israels strategic alliance with the United States by rejecting U.S. proposals for a post-war vision for Gaza in order to appease the far-right members of his government. U.S. priorities in the region have increasingly been hampered by those far-right members of his Cabinet, who share Netanyahus opposition to Palestinian statehood and other aims that successive U.S. administrations have seen as essential to resolving Palestinian-Israeli conflicts long-term. In a hot-mic moment while speaking to lawmakers after his State of the Union address, Biden promised a come to Jesus moment with Netanyahu. And Vice President Kamala Harris, Schumer and other lawmakers met last week in Washington with Benny Gantz, a member of Israels War Cabinet and a far more popular rival of Netanyahu a visit that drew a rebuke from the Israeli prime minister. Gantz joined Netanyahus government in the War Cabinet soon after the Hamas attacks. But he is expected to leave the government once the heaviest fighting subsides, signaling the period of national unity has ended. A return to mass demonstrations could ramp up pressure on Netanyahus deeply unpopular coalition to hold early elections. Schumer said that as the highest ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, he feels an obligation to speak out. He said his last name derives from the Hebrew word Shomer, or guardian. I also feel very keenly my responsibility as Shomer Yisroel a guardian of the People of Israel, he said. Schumer said that if Israel tightens its control over Gaza and the West Bank and creates a de facto single state, then there should be no reasonable expectation that Hamas and their allies will lay down arms. It could mean constant war, he said. As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may, Schumer said. But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. ___ Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani, Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Lisa Mascaro in Washington, Stephen Groves in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report. By MARY CLARE JALONICK and ELLEN KNICKMEYER Associated Press Germany, France and Poland vow to procure more weapons for Ukraine in a show of unity Germany, France and Poland vow to procure more weapons for Ukraine in a show of unity View Photo BERLIN (AP) Germany, France and Poland vowed Friday to procure more weapons for Kyiv and step up production of military equipment along with partners in Ukraine, promising that Ukraine can rely on the trio of European powers as it tries to overcome a shortage of military resources. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for a hastily arranged summit of the so-called Weimar Triangle of the three countries. The meeting came as Russia votes in an election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putins rule. Scholz said he discussed what support is needed now with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. He knows that he can rely on us, and we are renewing this signal for support for Kyiv from here today, he said after the meeting. But a crystal-clear signal also goes to Moscow the Russian president should know that we wont let up in our support for Ukraine. Kyivs forces are hoping for more military supplies from Ukraines Western partners, but in the meantime, they are struggling against a bigger and better-provisioned Russian army that is pressing hard at some front-line points in Ukraine. The European Unions plans to produce 1 million artillery rounds for Ukraine have fallen well short, while aid for Ukraine is being held up in the United States by political differences. The German leader said that starting immediately, we will procure even more weapons for Ukraine, on the overall world market. Secondly, the production of military equipment will be expanded, including though cooperation with partners in Ukraine, Scholz added. And he said that a new coalition for long-range rocket artillery will be set up, underlining a pledge made at a conference in Paris last month. Scholz gave no details, and the three leaders took no questions. Macron reaffirmed Frances support for a Czech-initiated plan to buy ammunition and shells outside the European Union, but also gave no details. We want to spend our money, we want to help in every possible way here and now, so that the situation of Ukraine in the coming weeks and months gets better, not worse, Tusk said. Kyivs forces are hoping for more military supplies from Ukraines Western partners, but in the meantime, they are struggling against a bigger and better-provisioned Russian army that is pressing hard at some front-line points in Ukraine. The European Unions plans to produce 1 million artillery rounds for Ukraine have fallen well short, while aid for Ukraine is being held up in the United States by political differences. This is a serious moment, Macron said. A new era is dawning, and well be there. And the fact that the three of us are united on this day, determined with the same lucidity about the situation in Ukraine and determined never to let Russia win and to support the Ukrainian people to the end, is a strength for us, our peoples, our security and our Europe. Germany, France and Poland are among Ukraines key allies. Germany has become Ukraines second-biggest supplier of military aid after the United States and is stepping up support this year, although Scholz has faced criticism for refusing to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles. The leaders remarks didnt address differences between Scholz and Macron after the French leader said at last months conference that sending in Western ground troops should not be ruled out in the future. Scholz said then that participants had agreed there will be no ground troops on Ukrainian soil sent by European countries. On Thursday, Macron reiterated his position, though he said the current situation doesnt require sending ground troops. Scholzs spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, made clear Friday that the chancellor hasnt changed his views. In Brussels, the EUs executive branch on Friday allocated 500 million euros ($545 million) to a project to reduce bottlenecks slowing the production of explosives and other materials used to manufacture artillery shells for the bloc and its allies. The European Commission estimates that the plan will allow industry to produce 1.7 million shells annually by the end of the year, and 2 million by late 2025. Scholz and Tusk have both visited Washington recently and pressed for the U.S. to release aid for Ukraine. ___ Associated Press journalists Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report. By GEIR MOULSON and VANESSA GERA Associated Press A MAN killed a three-year-old child in a bushy area before throwing the body into a river in what is suspected to have been a brutal ritual murder. The incident occurred in Chemowa area in Zhombe on Monday night. Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident. I can confirm the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of the toddler whose body was dumped in the river. Investigations are in progress, he said. Sources have told H-Metro that Steady Munda, the man accused of killing the child, is implicating a local businessman. Steady was in the company of Caston (Mucheuki) and they boarded a commuter omnibus heading to a school (Chemowa Primary School) where they intended to repair some windows. The kombi which the two boarded got stuck in the sand near a river. The driver instructed the passengers to disembark so that he could fix the problem. It is that time that Steady disappeared and Caston, upon realising that his colleague was missing, started conducting a search. Added the sources: Caston was in the company of other male passengers when they started searching for him. They came across a group of crying children who informed them that a strange man (Steady) had run off with a toddler. He was then found on the other side of the river just after disposing of the body in water. Another source said; The public caught Steady and started questioning him. He then implicated someone named, Tambu, whom he accused of having sent him (to murder the child). Steady is currently in police custody at ZRP Gokwe. In a video circulating, Steady is seen lying on the ground with his hands tied at the back. The kids were playing under a tree, he then killed the child and threw the body into the water. He seems to have strangled the child. The suspect was beaten thoroughly that he is not even talking after the beating. HMetro. Breaking News via Email A woman, who was aboard a commuter omnibus from Epworth to the Harare CBD, lost her eye after she was assaulted by the conductor who was claiming she didnt pay the 50 cents bus fare. Anesu Mapondera boarded the commuter omnibus on Monday at around 6pm and occupied the front seat. She paid her 50 cents fare. As she was about to disembark, the conductor, Tafadzwa Zivavo, started demanding that she pays the bus fare. Mapondera tried to tell him that she had already paid but a misunderstanding arose between the two. Zivavo turned violent, grabbed Maponderas head and twisted it so that she would face him. He headbutted her once on the left eye and pushed her away. Mapondera sustained a serious eye injury and filed a police report. Zivavo appeared in court before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi. Meanwhile, Last Takundwa appeared before the same court charged with murder after he allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriends new lover. The court heard that on March 4, at around 4am, Takundwa and his suspected accomplices Robson Takundwa and Justin Magedhi were drinking beer inside Big Dhara Nite Club at Glen View 4 Shopping Centre. The trio had a misunderstanding with the now deceased, Geodricks Mushonga, over his girlfriend whom Last had previously dated. They allegedly blocked the clubs entrance and dragged Mushonga to a bus terminus and assaulted him. One of them withdrew a knife and stabbed Mushonga three times on the head, back and buttocks. The trio fled and went into hiding. Takundwa was remanded in custody. Rufaro Chonzi appeared for the State. HMetro. Breaking News via Email Jealousy-Fuelled Arson: Man sets hut ablaze amid accusations of affair A disturbing incident unfolded when a 34-year-old man, Winter Nyathi, allegedly set fire to another mans hut while he slept, driven by suspicions of an affair with his own wife. Nyathi appeared before the Inyathi Magistrates Court, facing charges of malicious damage to property, as stated by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe. According to reports, on February 7, around 11:30 PM, Nyathi intentionally ignited a kitchen hut belonging to Mbuso Sibanda while he was sound asleep in his bedroom. The fire ravaged the structure, causing property damage estimated at US$1,019. The following morning, Nyathi confided in Sibandas neighbour, confessing to the act of revenge against Sibanda, whom he accused of engaging in an illicit relationship with his wife. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) shed light on the incident, stating, The fire destroyed property worth USD1 019. The matter came to light the following morning when the accused person confided in the complainants neighbour about the incident. The accused person confessed that he burnt down the complainants but as a way of exacting revenge against the complainant whom he accused of having an affair with his wife. Nyathi faced legal consequences for his actions, receiving a 36-month prison sentence, with 12 months suspended. He will serve an effective term of 24 months behind bars. This disturbing case underscores the destructive power of jealousy and serves as a reminder of the importance of resolving conflicts through peaceful means rather than resorting to violence and property damage. Breaking News via Email A Bulawayo man (38) was sentenced to 12 months in prison for attempting to kill his employer over US$8 in unpaid wages. In a statement on X, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said, Patrick Ndlovu (38) was employed as a security guard by the complainant. On 16 January 2024, the two had a misunderstanding over US$8 which the accused believed was owed to him as unpaid wages by the complainant. Ndlovu hit the complainant with a plank several times on the head and the face. He was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which 2 months was suspended. The remaining 10 months was wholly suspended on condition that the accused person performs 350 hours of community service, said the NPAZ Breaking News via Email Posted on by While international support has been crucial for Ukraine, Kyiv will be expected to pay much of this back. Approximately half the global population now live in countries where debt payments exceed spending on education and healthcare. While wealthier countries can manage debt sustainably, poorer countries face challenges in avoiding the detrimental effects of excessive debt, leading to stunted development. Ukraine remains in desperate need of foreign financial assistance, humanitarian aid, infrastructure development, military support, and technical capacity building. However, quiet caution has emerged among various international supporters. Ukraines capacity to implement Western-backed political, economic, and corruption reforms, expel Russian forces, and repay loans is being questioned. The hesitation underscores the challenges of coordinating a diverse array of donors over time. The EU has been the primary source of financial assistance for Ukraine, and the recent approval of its latest aid package followed months of debates between member states. The IMF also provided a $15.6 billion loan in 2023, marking the first IMF loan awarded to a country at war. Foreign investors have meanwhile increasingly sought guarantees and insurance for investing in Ukraine, with the Ukrainian government working with the World Bank to implement such policies. However, this line of thinking has ignited pushback from across the political spectrum. Republican politicians have become increasingly critical of providing Ukraine with a blank check, while accusations of potential money laundering have been raised. The lack of a long-term, bipartisan strategy toward Ukraine from Washington has left defense contractors hesitant to increase arms production, already under scrutiny for price-gouging during increased demand. Adding to this reluctance is concern in the U.S. over establishing long-term outlets for defense contractors. For instance, since 1979, the U.S. has given Egypt roughly $50 billion in military aid, including fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, armored personnel carriers, surveillance aircraft, counterterrorism training, and border security assistance. After Congress canceled half of the annual payment of $1.2 billion to Egypt in 2013 following a military-led coup (as well as $250 million in annual economic aid), U.S. officials noted that the U.S. government would have to pay for the missed shipment and the costs of winding down the programs. Aid to Egypt was later fully reinstated in 2015, Despite the resumption of military aid to Egypt, persistent questions surround the allocation of these funds. It has helped prevent Egypt from becoming adversarial, but Cairo has nevertheless grown closer to China and Russiasince 2013. U.S. weapons manufacturers maintain lucrative export opportunities, but this assistance has also helped enrich and strengthen Egypts military and has empowered it to absorb other forms of foreign aid. The IMFs conditions on giving Egypt a $3 billion loan in 2023 hinged on the military governments commitment to political and economic reform, but this remains unlikely. Egypt, with a debt of $11 billion, stands as the IMFs second-largest debtor country, following Argentina ($32 billion) and ahead of Ukraine ($9 billion). The World Bank counts India ($39 billion), Indonesia ($19 billion), and Pakistan ($18 billion) as its top debtors. The combined global debt owed to the IMF and World Bank tops $300 billion, with their global reach having expanded significantly from their original focus on rebuilding Europe after World War II. These organizations began large-scale crisis intervention in developing countries in the early 1980s to address their foreign debt challenges. As the U.S. raised interest rates to combat inflation, dollar-denominated loans caused significant defaults and debt restructuring, particularly across Latin America. The IMF and the World Bank advocated for privatization of industries and export-driven industrialization, eliminating trade barriers and granting foreign corporations easier access to raw materials. Beginning in the 1980s, conditions associated with Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) saw economic growth return, but aid recipients became more market-dependent and reliant on the IMF and World Bank, while wages remained low through devalued currencies. The end of the Cold War and the establishment of the modern global financial system saw credit-hungry governments shifting their reliance on countries and multilateral organizations to embrace private lenders, including private equity and venture capital. The impact of broad lending strategies became evident in Pakistans loans in the Private Power Policy in 1994. The World Bank took a dominant role in the project, which provided guarantees, alongside the Asian Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of Japan. The Benazir Bhutto government in Pakistan offered sovereign guarantees, attracting considerable foreign investment with assured, repatriable dollar-pegged returns. However, changes in Pakistani governments altered the long-term political direction of the project, while local independent power producers (IPPs) engaged in price-gouging and an oversupply, plunging the country into debt. The World Bank was criticized, alongside Pakistani governments and IPPs, for a lack of oversight and the misappropriation of funds. Today, Pakistan faces acute energy shortages and its debt level has surged. Pakistan can also rely on other sources of funding. Saudi lending to Pakistan goes back to the 1970s while China entered Pakistans debt market in the 2000s. Over the next few years, Pakistan will need to issue major repayments to Saudi Arabia, China, and private investors, which has led to standoffs over the issuing of additional loans and deciding whose, along with Western loans, get repaid first. This has raised concerns about the sustainability and strategic wisdom of Pakistans growing reliance on external debt. Chinas assistance to countries often serves as a solution for its surplus labor, savings, and the industrial capabilities of its state-owned enterprises. Chinese steel, cement, coal, and other sectors accumulated enormous capacity, and Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) enables China to export these resources. However, this often results in contracts for projects being awarded to Chinese companies, marginalizing local industry and intensifying dependency, while minerals and natural resources are extracted and exported to China. Despite debates over the outcome of some projects, they have proven effective in enhancing Chinese influence and garnering favor from foreign governments and populations. Diverse sources of lending have also converged in the 21st century in what were labeled frontier markets. In the 2010s, investor interest surged in frontier bonds, where developing countries issued debt in their own currency, diverging from the commonly used Eurobonds, often denominated in U.S. dollars. Frontier bonds shielded developing countries from volatile currency swings, allowing them to adjust payment terms beyond the jurisdiction of London and New York courts, and provided the option to manage debt through currency printing. With enticing low debt-to-GDP ratios and the allure of high-yield securities, Wall Street encouraged these countries to borrow. The debt of African countries surged as their governments issued sovereign bonds in prominent global financial hubs like London and New York, coupled with a rise in lending from Chinese state-owned banks. Despite their self-assumed roles as global financial watchdogs, the IMF and World Bank also encouraged these loans and failed to sound the alarm over this growing source of debt, focusing more on foreign currency-issued debt. By 2015, African governments received $32 billion in loans but were paying $18 billion in interestper year, with debt continuing to rise. Mozambiques 2016 default unfolded as substantial amounts of previously undisclosed debt were exposed, highlighting the foreign links of the countrys declining financial situation and a lack of oversight in dealings with private investors. In a prominent case from 2013 and 2014, a senior Credit Suisse banker signed an $850 million loan agreement with French Lebanese businessman Iskandar Safa. The loan was designated for the construction of a coastal patrol force and tuna fishing fleet in Mozambique. A total of $17 million in fees were granted to banks, and the remaining $836 million was funneled to Abu Dhabi Mar, a company linked to the Safa family and based in the United Arab Emirates. The Credit Suisse banker left the bank shortly after the deals, and found employment under Safa. This controversy left Mozambique burdened with incomplete economic projects and outstanding loans. Following the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS, the institution has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and debt forgiveness. Two hedge funds, VR Capital Group and Farallon Capital Partners, also initiated lawsuits against both Credit Suisse and the Mozambican government for their roles in the scheme. Furthermore, the Russian investment bank TVB Capital paid over $6 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission for its involvement, while Mozambiquecontinues to seek $3 billion in compensation from Safa. The effects of COVID-19 on supply chains and spending had already weakened Africas financial stability, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further exacerbated the situation. The U.S. quickly raised interest rates, prompting international investors to begin divesting from local-currency debt in favor of dollar-denominated bonds. This led to the depreciation of local currencies and escalated debt repayment costs as inflation soared. These effects have been felt across Africa. A 2023 meeting in New York between Nigerias top financial officials and Western lenders highlighted Nigerias financial challenges. In 2022, the countrys debt repayments surpassed its revenue by almost $1 billion, necessitating further borrowing to meet existing payment obligations for Africas largest economy. Yet another blow to the Western New York Catholic community fell on recently when it was announced not only would St. Andrew's Day School close, so would the entire parish. The accountant in chief, Bishop Fisher, made it clear that the diocese was in no financial condition to help St Andrew's with any of its hundreds of thousands in liabilities, hence forcing the closures. Apparently the diocese is in the financial condition to have paid $13.8 million to date in legal expenses to protect itself from making any restitution to the victims of the pedophile priests scandals that continues to plague this diocese. How hypocritical and out of touch can this bishop possibly be? Perhaps the real reason is that he is uninterested in the actual needs of the Catholic community he is supposed to shepherd. His disingenuous pablum about the "road to renewal" is more likely the road to saving the dioceses assets at the expense of the people of the diocese. He, like his predecessor, should be shown the door now before nothing is left of the diocese of Buffalo but its stained legacy and hefty bank statements minus legal fees. From 17 to 19 March 2024, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will visit Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. On Sunday, 17 March, the NATO Secretary General will be in Baku, where he will meet with the President of Azerbaijan, Mr Ilham Aliyev. On Monday, 18 March, Mr Stoltenberg will have discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Mr Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov. On the same day, the NATO Secretary General will travel to Tbilisi. There, he will meet the President of Georgia, Ms Salome Zourabichvili, and the Prime Minister, Mr Irakli Kobakhidze. On Tuesday, 19 March, Mr Stoltenberg will be in Yerevan, where he will meet with the President of Armenia, Mr Vahagn Khachaturyan, and the Prime Minister, Mr Nikol Pashinyan. Media advisory 17 March 2024, 17:00 (CET) Joint press statements by the Secretary General with the President of Azerbaijan 18 March 2024, 12:25 (CET) Joint press statements by the Secretary General with the Prime Minister of Georgia 19 March 2024, 9:35 (CET) Joint press statements by the Secretary General with the Prime Minister of Armenia Media coverage The Secretary Generals press conferences and statements will be streamed live on the NATO website. Transcripts of the Secretary Generals engagements, as well as photographs, will be available on the NATO website after the events. For more information: Contact the NATO Press Office Follow us on X: @NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress Feds colluded with big banks to spy on Americans financial transactions The federal government conducted broad surveillance of the private financial transactions of millions of Americans without legal process in the wake of events that took place on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol, according to a report issued Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government (Article by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D. republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org) The report details how government officials asked major banks to search financial transactions for key terms, like Trump and MAGA. It also suggested they identify transactions related to firearms or sporting goods stores, such as Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop and Dicks Sporting Goods. Americans doing nothing other than shopping or exercising their Second Amendment rights were being tracked by financial institutions and federal law enforcement, 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, the report said. Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D., author of Google Archipelago: The Digital Gulag and the Simulation of Freedom, said the searches violated fundamental constitutional rights. Rectenwald told The Defender: The willing cooperation of these financial institutions, without due legal process, demonstrates that these otherwise non-state actors are acting as what I have called governmentalities, or apparatuses of the state. They are not merely private companies, per se. They are state assets colluding with the government in a system that can best be described as fascism. 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. According to the report, the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the FBI held backchannel discussions with some of the largest financial institutions in the U.S. They asked them to voluntarily share peoples private financial information, without a subpoena. The institutions included Barclays, U.S. Bank, Charles Schwab, HSBC, Bank of America, PayPal, Wells Fargo, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase and others. The report also detailed how law enforcement and approximately 650 high-grossing companies and financial institutions shared non-public intelligence documents through a web portal run by a public-private partnership called the Domestic Security Alliance Council. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ran the portal, which was accessible only to members of the private-public partnership. Through this portal, the government shared reports with financial institutions about people who allegedly fit the profile of domestic violent extremists and who may be emboldened in the wake of Jan. 6 focusing on people holding certain viewpoints. One report shared in the portal noted that those Americans who expressed opposition to firearm regulations, open borders, COVID-19 lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and the deep state may be potential domestic terrorists. BREAKING: The federal government has been illegally surveilling and building profiles for Americans in secret portal called DSAC for those who oppose firearm restrictions, lockdowns & vaccine mandates, and or support border security and are labeling them as domestic extremists. pic.twitter.com/4QAEov4jay Patrick Webb (@RealPatrickWebb) March 7, 2024 These illegal searches suggest that the criminal justice agencies have been turned into weapons for the persecution of political opposition, Rectenwald said. Labeling dissenters as domestic violent extremists is the most egregious example of government overreach highlighted in the report, said Tim Hinchliffe, editor of The Sociable. It basically means that if you question anything the government says or does, you may be marked as a potential domestic terrorist, which opens the door for the government to pry even deeper into your life and violate your freedoms, he added. Hinchliffe told The Defender: Today, theyre going after Americans who oppose open borders, lockdowns, vaccine mandates, etc., but who will they go after tomorrow? Will they go after people who express opposition to U.S. funding in Ukraine? What about opposition to sending troops on the ground? Who will become the next domestic terrorist based on which side they support in the Middle East? W. Scott McCollough, former Texas assistant attorney general, told The Defender it was important to realize this is not a partisan issue. The story is that we the people are in an abusive relationship with our government because the government thinks that everybody is a threat or can be a threat at some point. Everybody, he said. A particular subset of people who are thought to be right-wing, conservative or whatever have been deemed to be the enemy today, he said. But that could change tomorrow, and the same thing could happen to people who thought they were immune. Year-long investigation continues with hearing today In February 2023, retired FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst George Hill testified that following the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Bank of America voluntarily shared a list of the names of all people who used Bank of America credit or debit cards in the Washington, D.C., area between Jan. 5 and Jan. 7, 2021, with the FBI. The list also included anyone who had ever used one of Bank of Americas cards to purchase a firearm. Two other FBI agents, former Special Agent-in-Charge of the Boston Field Office Joseph Bonavolonta and Steven Jensen, the then-section chief of the FBIs Domestic Terrorism Operations Section, corroborated Hills testimony, according to the report. The committee requested documents from other national financial institutions about similar practices. In the process, they discovered that FinCEN and the FBI had discussions with multiple financial institutions, not only Bank of America. As part of the investigation, Ohio congressman and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan in January sent a letter to Noah Bishoff, the former FinCEN director. The letter made public the congressional findings that FinCEN had distributed materials obtained by the committee to financial institutions outlining the typologies of various persons of interest and providing financial institutions with suggested search terms and Merchant Category Codes for identifying transactions on behalf of federal law enforcement. In addition to the document that recommended using search terms like Trump and MAGA to search Zelle payment messages, Jordan wrote, the FinCEN also warned institutions of extremism indicators, such as transportation charges for travel to areas with no apparent purchase or subscriptions to other media containing extremist views. The interim staff report issued Wednesday described the findings of the ongoing investigation. According to the report, the emergence of digital banking has resulted in an unprecedented amount of private data entrusted to financial institutions, potentially revealing all sorts of sensitive information about a customer. That data is an important resource for law enforcement, the report stated, However, the availability of such information must be weighed against the privacy interests of Americans. In this case, the report said, the investigation predicated on the events of Jan. 6, 2021, devolved into a fishing expedition for Americans financial data. McCollough said the legal questions about government access to financial data had to be placed into historical context. Following a 1976 Supreme Court decision, United States v. Miller, which held that customers of financial institutions have no reasonable expectation of privacy, Congress enacted the Right to Financial Privacy Act in 1978, which provided strong privacy protection. That protection included a requirement to notify people whose bank records were being sought and allow them to contest the search. However, McCollough said, the Patriot Act undid a lot of those protections. What it has left is an expansive, backdoor information-sharing regime led by the nations most powerful law enforcement agencies and their partners in the financial sector, the report said. Todays hearing examined how the federal government and major financial institutions conduct surveillance of Americans private financial data. Evidence that even if behaviors arent illegal, they can still be punished Journalist and lead investigator of the Twitter Files Matt Taibbi wrote on his Substack in February, when news of Jordans letter broke, If banks and the Treasury are playing the same domestic spy game that Twitter and Facebook have been playing with the FBI, tales like the frozen finances of protesting Canadian truckers wont be novelties for long. Taibbi added: As is the case with speech, where huge populations have learned to internalize censorship rules almost overnight, we may soon have to learn the hard way that even though some behaviors arent illegal, they can still be punished with great effectiveness, in a Terminator-like world where computers wont miss anything that moves. McCollough said the broader problem is the gathering and retention and availability of this information. People need to understand that all of their data has already been seized. We are now just talking about on what terms does it get searched. Solari Report founder Catherine Austin Fitts told The Defender this surveillance fits into a broader strategy being rolled out to control how people spend their money. The central bankers have explained that they are converting our money to digital currency that will give them complete control of our money where we can spend it and how we can spend it. Like the Chinese social credit system, if we do not do what we are told, they will take or shut off our money. Federal enforcement working with the large banks to institute the systems necessary to do this is a form of control that will ultimately be used to tax without representation. Fitts said people have the power to resist these forms of control by using cash and working with local financial institutions rather than the big banks. This is why it is essential that we use cash and work with our community bankers and credit union leadership as well as our state legislatures to prevent central control of our money and a land grab on Main Street supported from Washington and Wall Street, she said. Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Five civilians were killed by falling aid parcels in northern Gaza as parachute failed to deploy Tragedy struck in the Gaza airdrop as five civilians lost their lives when a parachute carrying aid parcels failed to deploy. The incident occurred at the Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza. Reports from CBS, citing unnamed officials from the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, revealed that among the victims were two young boys. The unfortunate event transpired when one parachute failed to properly deploy, resulting in aid parcels falling on the unsuspecting civilians. A journalist present at the scene confirmed the deaths to CNN, though they were unable to determine which nation was responsible for the airdrop. Muhammad Al-Sheikh, Head of Emergency Care Department at Al Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, corroborated the tragic news by confirming the five civilian deaths. Additionally, 10 other individuals, ranging in age from 30 to 50, sustained injuries in the incident, with some in serious condition and requiring hospitalization, as reported by CNN. (Related: War on Gaza: Israeli massacre kills over 100 Palestinians seeking food in Gaza City.) The State Department, seeking to clarify the situation, informed DailyMail.com that the aid drop in question did not originate from the United States. The U.S. was part of a group of six nations that initiated sending aid parcels to the war-torn region. Jordan, Egypt, France, the Netherlands and Belgium were also contributors to this humanitarian effort. Aid parcels plummet like a rocket, hit a residential building A video circulating on social media captured the airdrop, showing a cluster of parcels suspended from parachutes. However, one parachute malfunctioned, causing the aid parcels to descend much faster than the others, ultimately striking a residential building. Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. The airdrop involved three planes from Air Forces Central dropping 66 bundles containing approximately 38,000 meals into Gaza. The bundles were dispersed in southwest Gaza along the territory's Mediterranean coast. The airdrop operation was coordinated with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, which reported conducting two food airdrops the following day in northern Gaza. A witness described the aftermath, stating that they had followed one of the parachuted packages in the hope of obtaining a bag of flour. Unfortunately, the parachute failed to open, causing the package to plummet "like a rocket" onto the roof of a house. The witness added that shortly thereafter, they saw people transferring three deceased individuals and others who were injured and seeking refuge on the roof where the aid packages had fallen. Three Biden administration officials said the planes dropped military Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), which are shelf-stable meals containing a day's worth of calories in each sealed package. These airdrops aimed to provide civilians with safe access to aid during the ongoing conflict. The U.S., closely monitoring the sites, witnessed civilians approaching and distributing food among themselves after the airdrop. The U.S. views these airdrops as a crucial step in addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, although it acknowledges that they are not a substitute for ground transport, which can deliver more aid more effectively. The airdrop follows Biden's announcement that the U.S. military would build a temporary pier on Gaza's Mediterranean coast to receive shipments of humanitarian aid. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that the airdrops were planned to deliver emergency humanitarian assistance safely to people on the ground, with expectations that they would be the first of many. Despite these efforts, the United Nations has warned of a looming famine among Gaza's 2.3 million residents as the conflict with Israel persists. Israel's restrictions on the entry of food, water, medicine and other supplies since the beginning of the war on October 7 have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with only a limited amount of aid entering through the Rafah crossing from Egypt and Israels Kerem Shalom crossing. Watch this report about the humanitarian crisis in Northern Gaza. This video is from the Contrarian channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The people of Gaza are being deliberately starved. So theyre experimenting with military robots in Gaza now. New York Times report: Israel needs YEARS to dismantle Gaza tunnels. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com Researcher Sandi Adams: The so-called food transition is just a war on farmers to control the global food supply The so-called "food transition" is nothing more than a globalist-led plot to control the global food supply and to wage a war on farmers. This is according to researcher and expert Sandi Adams, who spoke with Colchester Council Watch about this United Nations-led program to control global food production under the guise of a "food transition." Officially, "food transition" is a loosely defined term used to describe a transition toward more sustainable ways of producing and consuming food. The very loose definition of this term has allowed nefarious actors to abuse it in ways that lead to harm, especially for farmers around the world. This has led to farmer-led protests globally, from the Netherlands to India where protests continue. These farmers are increasingly finding it difficult to make a living, whether because of neoliberal trade policies that lead to the import of produce that undermines domestic production and undercuts prices, the withdrawal of state support or the implementation of climate policies that set unrealistic targets. Adams described the plans for agriculture in England specifically, in the rural southwest English county of Somerset. She noted how the UN's food transition agenda is being handed down to the region's farmers by an extremely wealthy, unaccountable and unelected group of elites. "We really have to get farmers to understand where this is going and that farming will die if we dont do something now," said Adams. (Related: Farmer protests erupt across Europe over GREEN POLICIES that demand the obliteration of food production.) 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. "In England, farmers are under pressure, but the worst pressure they are under is that a man from the ministry has visited all the farms, and has said that over the next three years, your subsidies are going to be cut incrementally unless you diversify, and you stop farming meat, dairy, sheep. The farmers were told these will have to be cut and they will have to diversify and set up businesses on their farms," Adams continued. "It is a way of corporatizing farms. This is a global agenda coming from a United Nations' directive. It has been going on for such a long time. They want to corporatize farming and make it state-owned. Agri-farming has become really big agri-tech farming. Farmers are being paid not to farm so they could set up these huge corporate farms. It will be GMO and it will be focused on robotics." Food transition agenda making farming impossible The common thread is that, in one way or another, farming is deliberately being made impossible or financially non-viable. The aim is to drive most farmers off the land and ram through an agenda that by its very nature seems likely to produce shortages and undermine food security. Integral to this "food transition" is the "climate emergency" narrative, a commentary that has been carefully constructed and promoted and net-zero ideology tied to carbon farming and carbon trading. Big agribusiness and "philanthropic" foundations position themselves as the saviors of humanity due to their much-promoted plans to "feed the world" with high-tech "precision farming," "data-driven" agriculture and "green" (net-zero) production with "sustainability" being the mantra. Watch this video discussing how farmers protests are taking place all over the European Union. This video is from the Marjory Wildcraft channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Frances new prime minister announces new measures in effort to calm farmer protests. USDA starts the new year RAIDING an organic dairy farmer in the D.C. area. Protesting farmers in Germany force government to renegotiate planned cuts to their benefits. Spanish authorities send RIOT POLICE to quell farmer protests. Thousands of European farmers are still protesting the EUs anti-farmer regulations. Sources include: BlacklistedNews.com Expose-News.com Brighteon.com Liz Cheney secretly orchestrated WaPo op-ed by former defense secretaries blasting Trump for politicizing the military An op-ed published by thejust three days before the January 6 insurrection that blasted former President Donald Trump for politicizing the military was secretly masterminded by none other than Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), a never-Trumper who lured all 10 living former defense secretaries into writing it. The op-ed letter warned that Trump was a threat to America because he wanted the United States military to determine the outcome of the 2020 election -- Trump's argument, of course, being that the election was stolen from him by the Democrats who installed Joe Biden instead. Cheney also wrote her own op-ed, also published by the Post, warning that America was at a turning point in which it needed to oppose Trump's agenda in order to save democracy and the Constitution. According to Cheney, the time is long past to question the 2020 election results. To continue probing the matter, as her 10 former defense secretaries wrote on her behalf for the Post, veers towards "unlawful and unconstitutional territory." "She was the one who generated it because she was so worried about what Trump might do," said Eric Edelman, a friend of Cheney's and a career diplomat who served as national security advisor to then-Vice President Dick Cheney, about Liz Cheney's involvement in getting the op-ed written and published. "It speaks to the degree that she was concerned about the threat to our democracy that Trump represented. It's all got to do with fealty to Trump and the Big Lie and the fact that Liz is a living reproach to all these cowards." Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. (Related: Did you know that Liz Cheney's husband has financial ties to the Chinese Communist Party [CCP]?) Liz Cheney to be ousted Upset over these revelations among Republicans could cost Cheney her political seat to Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), a Trump loyalist. Trump says Cheney is a "warmonger," just like her father before her, and he continues to name her as one of the 10 House Republicans who backed his impeachment. In Cheney's most recent op-ed, she warns that the Republican Party is now "at a turning point" where Republicans at large "must decide whether we are going to choose truth and fidelity to the Constitution," which she believes does not include Trump. "In the immediate wake of the violence of Jan. 6, almost all of us knew the gravity and the cause of what had just happened we had witnessed it firsthand," Cheney added in the piece. On January 12, eight members of the joint chiefs of staff, including chairman Gen. Mark Milley, wrote yet another op-ed letter claiming that the January 6 "insurrection" was a direct assault on the U.S. Congress and the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. "As Service Members, we must embody the values and ideals of the Nation," the letter reads. "We support and defend the Constitution. Any act to disrupt the Constitutional process is not only against our traditions, values and oath; it is against the law." "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," wrote a commenter about Liz Cheney. "In this case, it appears to be a big, fat, rotten apple, just like her father." "All 10 of them have had their hand at starting multiple wars," wrote another about the 10 former defense secretaries who wrote the op-ed orchestrated by Cheney. "Trump started no wars, yet he's the bad guy." "She's a deep state stooge just like her dad, intent on taking this country from citizens and making it an elite cash cow, funded from the work of our brow going into their pockets," wrote another. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NaturalNews.com Major U.S. corporations are relying on illegal migrants for cheap labor Many Americans are under the impression that people who enter the country illegally do not have the right to work here, but a federal government loophole facilitated by the Biden administration means that all illegal immigrants are permitted to work in the U.S. while awaiting their asylum or deportation proceedings a process that can take as long as five years. This helps explain why and how all of the new jobs created in this country since 2018 have gone to foreign-born workers and has effectively flooded the American labor market with millions of legally eligible workers who have no bargaining power when it comes to their wages because they are illegal immigrants. Their employment pursuits have been facilitated by a non-governmental organization known as the Tent Partnership for Refugees, according to a report by Zero Hedge. Founded by Hamdi Ulukaya, the Turkish billionaire who serves as the CEO of Chobani yogurt, this NGO is made up of 400 major multinational corporations, many of which will be very familiar to Americans and all of which have committed to hiring "refugees." Some of the companies that are taking part in the Tent Partnership for Refugees include Delta Airlines, Etsy, Bloomberg, Door Dash, Shopify and Red Roof Inn. Tyson hired tens of thousands of migrants and is seeking more Another company that is working with the group is Tyson Foods, who is looking to hire tens of thousands of migrants through the Tent Partnership. The meat packing company, which already counts 42,000 migrants as part of its 120,000-employee workforce, has made no secret of the fact that it's looking to hire even more migrants to support its business. Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. Bloomberg reports that the company once hired 17 asylum seekers in a single day for roles at its plant in Tennessee and hired another 70 a short time later. The workers came from countries such as Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. According to Tyson, many Americans are unwilling to do the type of roles they are filling in their factories, such as washing meats, placing cuts of meats into trays to be packaged, and carrying out final inspections of meat for bones before it is sold. They report that around 40% of the people occupying these roles leave their position every year. The employees who fill these positions make a starting wage of $16.50 per hour plus benefits, and the workers are offered transportation, on-site childcare and English classes. The company has been offering new migrant employees from New York temporary housing, paid time off and relocation stipends. Tysons Garrett Dolan said: "We would like to employ another 42,000 if we could find them." He added: "We're recognizing there's not a lot of people that are going to be working labor-manufacturing jobs that are American" and said that a significant percentage of their new hires "are going to come from refugees and immigrants, so we're now in the business of strategically thinking that through." However, the NGO also has a relationship with the Biden administration. In late 2022, Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a memorandum of understanding with the NGO to expand economic opportunity for refugees within the private sector. Last year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that her state identified more than 18,000 open job positions with 379 employers who would be willing to hire migrants and asylum seekers in the state. Many of the roles were in food services, social assistance, administrative support and manufacturing. More recently, she has pushed a plan that will prioritize hiring illegal aliens for certain state jobs by scrapping requirements such as a high school diploma and the civil service exam. These illegals will affect congressional reapportionment, support Democrats and vote for them in elections once they are allowed (and possibly even before then, if past elections are any indication), and that is certainly a huge factor in the Biden administration's willingness to look the other way as the migrant invasion takes over the U.S., but it can also be argued that acquiring cheap labor and inflating employment statistics is another big motivation. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Bloomberg.com Governor.NY.gov NATO says fighter jets can carry nuclear weapons as tensions with Russia reach breaking point As tensions between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia reach a boiling point, the military-industrial complex is now allowing the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter to carry nuclear weapons According to a spokesperson for the F-35 Joint Program Office, the stealth fighter is the first of its class to get the green light to carry nuclear weapons, including the B61-12 thermonuclear bomb. "The F-35A is the first 5th generation nuclear-capable aircraft ever, and the first new platform (fighter or bomber) to achieve this status since the early 1990s," the source confirmed. "This F-35 Nuclear Certification effort culminates 10-plus years of intense effort across the nuclear enterprise, which consists of 16 different government and industry stakeholders." It turns out the nuclear certification for the F-35A arrived sooner than expected, which means the United States and NATO now have a "critical capability that supports U.S. extended deterrence commitments earlier than expected," the spokesperson added. (Related: NATO running out of weapons for Ukraine: "bottom of the barrel" now visible, so now it's nuke time.) Nuclear strikes on three NATO countries The nuclear certification is sure to push the world even closer toward World War III, as is Sweden's sudden joining of NATO, which comes after decades of the Scandinavian country remaining neutral. According to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, "unity and solidarity" are behind the move, and these will act as "guiding lights" for Sweden moving forward. 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. President Joe Biden praised Sweden's decision, announcing that NATO now "stands more united, determined and dynamic" because of it. "Together without our newest ally Sweden, NATO will continue to stand for freedom and democracy for generations to come," Biden added. Biden just delivered his State of the Union address to America, as did Russian President Vladimir Putin to his country. In Putin's address, he warned the West against sending any troops to Ukraine, otherwise there will be a price to pay. Russian media is also reporting that three NATO countries could be hit by nuclear strikes in the coming days, these being France, Germany and the U.S., according to Russia 1 TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov. On X, formerly Twitter, Russia expert Julia Davis shared a clip of Solovyov's show, depicting guests pontificating which Western cities should be the first nuclear targets. "Some of their top choices: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Hamburg, Munich or Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the United States in general," Davis said. Russia continues to prevail over Ukraine and the West, in large part due to national unity and patriotism, says Putin, who called these two things Russia's most powerful weapon in a recent interview. "Our most important weapon is the consolidation of Russian society and the attitude towards the Motherland as demonstrated by you and those with whom you serve," Putin said at recent Kremlin meeting to celebrate the winners of the "Leaders of Russia" contest. "It's our most important, most powerful weapon. Those people who expected to suppress us with the help of economic sanctions, they did not take this into account; to understand this, you must be a citizen of the Russian Federation, to be part of our culture." The West might have nuclear weapons, but Russia has the nuclear family, which in the end will win every single time over whatever it is the West is heralding as important these days. "The nuclear family is something that the West can't comprehend," one commenter wrote. "National unity and patriotism are both utterly demonized in the West," wrote another. "Coming from western Europe, I had the privilege to visit Russia some times during the recent years," said another. "Experiencing the culture and attitude I have never felt so welcome in another country before. Russia, keep being what you are. See you soon again." Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. Sources for this article include: Express.co.uk NaturalNews.com RT.com National Park Service sued by woman over its refusal to accept CASH A woman has filed a complaint against the National Park Service (NPS), which is part of the Department of the Interior (DOI), for its refusal to accept cash payments Elizabeth Dasburg and her two co-plaintiffs alleged in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that the NPS is violating American law by refusing to accept U.S. currency. They cited Title 31 of the U.S. Code which stipulates that "all U.S. coins and currency (including Federal Reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal Reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes and dues" as a basis for the complaint. The lawsuit stemmed from Dasburg attempting to enter the Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia. While she wanted to pay the entry fee in cash, she was informed that the NPS could only accept cards for entry. Thus, she and the two other plaintiffs were denied entry into the park unless they utilized cashless payment. Children's Health Defense (CHD), the organization established by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is funding the lawsuit. CHD General Counsel Kim Mack Rosenberg stated that the group is backing the plaintiffs and their attorney Ray Flores in their bid "to push back against the move toward a cashless society and central bank digital currency (CBDC)." "By forcing people to use credit cards or digital wallets under the guise of convenience, the NPS becomes a player in the surveillance state, undermining park visitors' privacy right," she said. Meanwhile, Flores found it "appalling" that "these pristine lands are the nation's testing ground for a cashless society." He added that the NPS has been implementing and expanding a cashless entry payment system over the past few years. "Cashless is a key component if not the linchpin of the surveillance state," Flores remarked. (Related: Financial preparedness: What are the dangers of a "cashless" economy?) 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. Going cashless only bolsters the SURVEILLANCE STATE Dasburg and her co-plaintiffs are asking the court via the lawsuit to declare the practice unlawful, which would force the NPS to let visitors pay with cash. They are also seeking relief for the cost of the suit, including legal fees incurred. The suit named the NPS, its parent the DOI and NPS Director Charles F. Sams III as defendants. The NPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by the Defender about Dasburg and her lawsuit. However, the service's FAQ page for cashless fee collection stated that the move to go cashless aimed to make the NPS "a better steward of visitors' dollars." Among the reasons cited by the NPS for going cashless include reducing its administrative burden, slashing transaction times and allowing its rangers to spend more time with visitors. NPS Associate Director for Business Services defended the move to go cashless in 2023. He told USA Today at the time: "We are trying to watch where our visitor demand is, but we're also trying to make smart operational decisions that allow us to keep as many dollars in our parks." The plaintiffs found an ally in the person of former Federal Housing Commissioner Catherine Austin Fitts. She told the Defender: "This lawsuit goes at the very heart of the war to preserve our cash, and with it our human and health freedoms." "Removing cash from circulation is an essential step to implementing a complete surveillance state that can shut off our money at will as we saw happen to the Canadian truckers or take our assets and grab our land." Watch this video about President Joe Biden signing Executive Order 14067 that lays the groundwork for a cashless society. This video is from the Preacher channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CASHLESS DOWN UNDER: Australia gears up for CBDC rollout, with major banks banning OTC cash withdrawals. American businesses, big-box stores increasingly rejecting CASH as forced shift to cashless society accelerates. UK on track to become a FULLY CASHLESS NATION by 2035 as use of cash declines rapidly. Australia is rapidly becoming "cashless society" shunning all physical currency. LA City Council backs ban on cashless retail businesses. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com ChildrensHealthDefense.org Law.Cornell.edu Brighteon.com Putin warns the west that Russia is ready for nuclear war Russian President Vladimir Putin warned in a recent interview that his country is prepared for nuclear war, adding that it could abandon its moratorium on nuclear testing should the U.S. resume testing of its own. This unsettling disclosure was made during an interview on Russia 1 TV with journalist Dmitry Kiselyov, who asked the leader a question about tactical nuclear arms ahead of the countrys elections on Friday. Putin replied: Weapons exist to be used. We have our own principles and they imply that we are ready to use any weapons, including the ones you mentioned, if we are talking about the existence of the Russian state, in case of a threat to our sovereignty and independence. Everything is written in our strategy; we havent changed it. In 2020, he signed a nuclear deterrence policy decree that listed scenarios in which nuclear weapons could be used. One of the cases that was identified was aggression against Russia with conventional weapons when the country's existence is under threat. Late last year, they downgraded their participation in the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty after ratifying it in 2000. This prohibits all nuclear explosions, whether for military or peaceful purpose. It was signed by 187 countries, although only 178 countries went on to ratify it. Russia said that it would be downgrading its participation because the U.S. never ratified the ban; others who failed to ratify it included nuclear powers such as Pakistan, India and China. Putin said Russia is ready for a nuclear war with the West Putin also said that his country is ready for a nuclear war with the West. He said: "From a military-technical point of view, of course, we are ready. We have them with us all the time, constantly in a state of combat readiness." We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. He added that the U.S. is also working on nuclear forces, noting: They are now setting tasks to increase this modernity, innovation, they have a corresponding plan. We know about it too. They are developing all their components. So are we. He also cautioned that they would consider the presence of American troops in any Russian or Ukrainian territory an escalation and respond accordingly, although he said that he did not think such a situation was likely. Apart from (U.S. President Joe) Biden, there are enough other experts in the sphere of Russian-American relations and strategic restraint. So I dont think that everything is going to go head-on here, but we are ready for it. The U.S., Germany and several other European countries have said that they will not send troops to Ukraine, but Putin believes that the situation could change. However, the Biden administration continues to push for the stalled security aid bill to be passed to provide Ukrainian troops with additional weapons. U.S. has been preparing for a potential Russian nuclear weapon strike against Ukraine According to U.S. officials, the U.S. started preparing rigorously for a potential Russian nuclear weapon strike against Ukraine, with tactical and battlefield nuclear weapons said to be particular concerns. Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian President who now serves as the deputy chairman of the countrys Security Council, has said they could use strategic nuclear weapons to defend territories that have been incorporated from Ukraine into Russia. The Financial Times reported that it saw leaked classified files that show the Russian military trained to use tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield at a surprisingly low threshold during the conflict with Ukraines early days, including the use of such weapons against major world powers. Sources for this article include: RT.com CNN.com FT.com Politico.eu South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem signs executive order affirming her obedience to Zionism: State offices prohibited from doing business with companies that boycott Israel over Gaza genocide In obedience to her Zionist masters, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed an executive order prohibiting her state's government offices from doing business with any companies that boycott Israel. Long before the October 7 Hamas attack, American states, including South Dakota, were quietly enacting measures to discriminate against companies that oppose Israel for political reasons. Noem took the plunge on Jan. 14, 2020, just weeks before the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" would be announced. At the time, Noem's signature on the EO made South Dakota the 28th state to enact a measure combatting Israeli boycotts, some of the others being Alabama, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. While surrounded by her apparent handlers as she swiped her pen in a signature gesture, Noem issued a statement about the EO indicating that she is fighting discrimination with more discrimination. "Israel is one of our nation's closest allies, and their success is critical to American national security," Noem declared. "Today, we reaffirm that South Dakota stands with Israel and will only contract with businesses who agree to fairly compete. Our state will not stand for any discrimination based on race or religion." (Related: Kristi Noem is a useless governor when it comes to protecting her state's farmers from green tyranny.) Support Israel, or else According to the EO, South Dakota public agencies, authorities, commissions, departments and institutions are prohibited from engaging with any companies that participate in boycotts of Israel. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Reports indicate that the order applies to companies or contractors with more than five employees that enter into a contract with South Dakota worth $100,000 or more. The South Dakota House of Representatives, with the Senate concurrent, passed House Concurrent Resolution 1005 during the 2019 legislative session declaring opposition to and condemnation of the Palestinian BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement. "For over a decade, the BDS movement has attempted to erode the confidence in Israels legitimacy by inflicting economic harm and limiting commercial relations through boycotts, divesting and imposing sanctions against Israel," complained Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz, director of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota. "I am grateful that Governor Noem is standing up to this ugly resurgence of anti-Semitism and unjust practice of discrimination against Jews, and for her continued support of Israel." Stephen Rosenthal, chairman of South Dakotans for Israel, issued a statement of his own indicating that while South Dakota "has one of the smallest Jewish populations in the nation," the state's support for the nation of Israel "is unparalleled." Numerous other pro-Israel religious groups and organizations issued statements of praise for Noem, lauding her for taking a stand "against anti-Israel bias and discrimination" by imposing and EO of bias and discrimination against companies that oppose economically supporting Israel. "South Dakota's anti-BDS executive order will protect the financial interests of the states citizens by ensuring that state funds are shielded from the economic damage and discrimination caused by companies that engage in boycotts against Israel," celebrated Israeli-American Coalition (IAC) for Action executive director Joseph Sabag. "This executive order carefully regulates commercial activity, and not the conduct of private speech. It is similar to many other anti-discrimination laws that protect, among other categories of people, women, racial minorities and LGBTQ individuals." Just this past week, Noem signed legislation called HB 1076 that the media is referring to as an "historic anti-semitism bill." "I am very proud to sign this historic bill to keep our Jewish people secure," Noem said in a statement. "I hope more states will follow our leadership." Our mission is to empower, uplift and defend the lives of every human being across our planet, and we're doing it by building the infrastructure of human freedom. Find out about how we're doing this using cutting-edge AI technology at this link. Support our ongoing efforts by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, and thank you for your support! Sources for this article include: JNS.org NaturalNews.com BDSMovement.net CapJournal.com News / National by Stephen Jakes Outspoken Ex Zipra cadre Max Mkandla has warned the United States of America that itrs imposition of targeted sanctions on the Zimbabwean leaders is useless as those leaders lose nothing and feel no pain about it.The USA recently removed sanctions on some of the Zanu PF government leaders and extended them on President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ten others."The sanctions as mentioned by Americans have no effect on the targeted leaders as the same people enjoy their rights to associate with anyone they want and feels no effect from the sanctions," he said.He said imposing sanctions on these leaders is a waste of time as they lose nothing and feel nothing about it."America has no right to intervene into the internal affairs of Zimbabwe. We were colonised by Britain, why America is concerned about Zimbabwe. American must shut up and must not be complainant. It must only tip the United Nations on the the happenings," he said."We must not allow this because if we allow that they will seek to have military camp here like they are having in Botswana and other African countries. We know the capabilities of America and chances we know them, those people are dangerous."Mkandla said America must not make a lot of noise more than us the owners of the country. Ivermectin helped people RECOVER FASTER from COVID-19 infections, study finds A study has once again attested to the ability of anti-parasitic drug ivermectin against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), with the said paper finding that it helped people recover faster from infection The study published Feb. 29 in the Journal of Infection (JoI) involved 8,811 participants who tested positive for COVID-19 in the so-called PRINCIPLE Trial. Of this number, 2,157 were given ivermectin as treatment. The other 3,398 participants received other treatments, while the remaining 3,256 received the usual standard of care for COVID-19 infection. The study was conducted from June 23, 2021 to July 1, 2022. It ultimately found that the ivermectin recipients had a shorter recovery period a median of two days compared to the other two groups. Those who received ivermectin were also less likely to be hospitalized or die, with 1.6 percent of participants in this group suffering from these outcomes. In contrast, four percent of the usual care group died of COVID-19, if not hospitalized. Moreover, ivermectin recipients also enjoyed a reduction of severe symptoms and sustained recovery. Despite this promising discovery, the study authors absurdly discouraged the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19. (Related: Ivermectin is trending again New scientific paper released exposing "miracle drug.") "Ivermectin for COVID-19 is unlikely to provide clinically meaningful improvement for recovery, hospital admissions or longer-term outcomes. Further trials of ivermectin for SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated community populations appear unwarranted," they wrote in the study's interpretation section. 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. They ultimately concluded: "The results from our trial support the position that ivermectin should not be used to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community in high-income countries with a largely vaccinated population. We consider that additional studies of ivermectin in this population should not be a priority for research." According to the Epoch Times, the study authors involved in the PRINCIPLE Trial divulged conflicts of interest in their paper. One co-author received grants from pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, while other disclosed receiving grants from the University of Oxford. Incidentally, the university was instrumental in developing AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine that uses an adenovirus vector. Study wrongly downplayed how ivermectin improved recovery from COVID-19 Dr. Christopher Butler, the study's corresponding author, said: "Ivermectin is readily available globally [and] has been in wide use for many other infectious conditions. It's a well-known medicine with a good safety profile and because of the early promising results in some studies, it is already being widely used to treat COVID-19 in several countries. However, the decision of Butler and his co-authors to smear ivermectin in their study despite acknowledging its effects against SARS-CoV-2 has left many scratching their heads. This led to American physician Dr. Pierre Kory to accuse the authors of "setting a new record for ivermectin research fraud." According to him, Butler and his colleagues wrongly downplayed how ivermectin improved recovery from COVID-19. "PRINCIPLE was a profoundly positive study that was instead analyzed and written up as a negative one," Kory wrote in a March 5 piece on his Substack. The co-founder and president of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) has long promoted ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment over the deadly COVID-19 injections. "The millions of patients and doctors around the world who know how effective and safe of an antiviral [ivermectin] is will continue to use it for COVID-19, flu, Disease X and beyond." Watch Dr. Pierre Kory testify to the effectiveness of ivermectin against COVID-19, citing a study that involved more than 500,000 participants to back up his testimony. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ivermectin available over the counter in Tennessee. Ivermectin works, even if the establishment falsely claims otherwise. Ivermectin smuggled in chocolate bar saves British Covid patients life. Family of woman who DIED after being refused IVERMECTIN speaks out. FDA now admits doctors can prescribe IVERMECTIN to treat COVID-19 Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com JournalOfInfection.com PierreKoryMedicalMusings.com Brighteon.com University of Virginia spends $20 million on 235 DEI employees, with some making $587,340 per year The University of Virginia (UVA) has at least 235 employees under its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) banner including 82 students whose total cost of employment is estimated at $20 million. Thats $15 million in cash compensation plus an additional 30-percent for the annual cost of their benefits. (Article by Adam Andrzejewski republished from OpenTheBooks.Substack.com) In contrast, last Friday, the University of Florida dismissed its DEI bureaucracy, saving students and taxpayers $5 million per year. The university terminated 13 full-time DEI positions and 15 administrative faculty appointments. Those funds have been re-programmed into a faculty recruitment fund to attract better people who actually teach students. No such luck for learning at Virginias flagship university founded by Thomas Jefferson no less. UVA has a much deeper DEI infrastructure. Reform or abolition must await this summers anticipated changes in the schools Board of Visitors. At least until then, the very highly compensated, generally non-teaching, DEI staffers are safely embedded throughout the entire university while costing students and taxpayers a fortune. Our team of auditors at OpenTheBooks.com reviewed the university payroll file for 2023 to sort out the DEI position head counts, compensation, and then estimated the cost of benefits. Meet The Top Paid DEI Executives Martin N. Davidson, senior associate dean of the Darden School of Business & global chief diversity officer, earns the most in a DEI role, at $452,000, or $587,340 including benefits. For comparison, Glenn Youngkin, the governor of Virginia earned $175,000. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. The second most highly compensated DEI executive is Kevin G. McDonald, the vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and community partnerships, who takes home $401,465, or an estimated $520,000 with benefits. Those in DEI leadership roles such as vice presidents, associate/assistant deans, directors, assistant directors and managers earned up to $312,000 last year, or $400,000 with benefits. When McDonald began in his position in August 2019, he was making $340,000, eligible for a 10-percent bonus every year. His first year, he was given a $25,000 recruitment bonus and up to $30,000 for relocation costs, according to UVA records provided through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Some of the DEI chiefs have been transparent about their philosophies during their public comments. For example, Rachel Spraker, an assistant vice president for equity & inclusive excellence where she earned $186,800 last year or $242,840 with benefits described the opioid epidemic in Appalachia as an example of white toxicity. DEI staff arent the only well-paid employees in controversial roles at UVA. Lanice Avery, an assistant professor of psychology in the departments of Psychology and Women, Gender and Sexuality, makes $102,200 ($132,860 with estimated benefits). She runs the Research on Intersectionality, Sexuality, and Empowerment (RISE) Lab at UVA and writes and speaks about black, female sexuality, and describes herself as a board-certified sexologist and speaks online about her orgasms. UVAs DEI Infrastructure What does the DEI bureaucracy do? There are 187 UVA employees and students dedicated to assist and monitor all units of the University in their efforts to recruit and retain faculty, staff, and student from historically underrepresented groups and to provide affirmative and supportive environments for work and life Here are some of the university agencies committed to the DEI mission. If you think you are seeing double in this list, you are right: Equity Center (110 employees total: 37 employees +73 students), (110 employees total: 37 employees +73 students), Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (17 employees +1 student), (17 employees +1 student), Multicultural Student Services (6 employees +10 students), (6 employees +10 students), Office of Diversity & Engagement (3 employees + 4 students) (3 employees + 4 students) Center for Diversity (4 students) Included in the DEI employment roster are another 31 people working in DEI roles sprinkled throughout other departments, including the Urology Department, in Occupational Programs, for the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and other areas. Then, there are another 48 employees and students working in roles related to DEI and advancing equality for women, minorities, etc. Maxine Platzer Lynn Womens Center (21 employees, including 4 undergrad students/interns) (21 employees, including 4 undergrad students/interns) Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (16 employees working on Title IX compliance, sexual misconduct investigations and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, among other things) (16 employees working on Title IX compliance, sexual misconduct investigations and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, among other things) Office of African American Affairs (4 employees) (4 employees) Center for Global Health Equity (4 employees and 3 student employees working on providing health services to mostly Third World countries) Not included in the DEI numbers for this investigation were the Women, Gender and Sexuality Department with 10 professors making a collective $857,103 last year ($1.1 million with benefits) and the Psychology Department with 87 employees making $8.4 million ($11 million with benefits). Adding to the confusion, the university has consistently undercounted DEI staffers in presentations to the public. In April 2023, Kevin McDonald told the New York Times that UVA had only 40 DEI employees. In May 2023, a presentation to the Board of Visitors claimed UVA had only 55 DEI positions. Even our list of 235 employees is not complete. Here is a great example of an executive with a hidden DEI mission: Kimberley Barker, Librarian for Digital Life ($80,000, or $104,000 with benefits). Barker isnt in our database, however, she is the DEI leader for the Health System Library the IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity Accessibility) lead. Her university bio page lists her as the Librarian for Belonging and Community Engagement. Summary UVA was founded by Thomas Jefferson, the author of our Declaration of Independence. Jeffersons work presented the moral case for a common freedom among all men. The university has an historic opportunity to promote the time-tested principles: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness But, instead of working towards the ideal of the Shining City on the Hill under Jeffersonian principles, his university embraced the divisive quotas of the neo-Marxist DEI crowd. Tens of millions of dollars in student tuition and taxpayer monies are flowing into promoting anti-American notions and radical philosophies that judge the color of ones skin instead of the content and competence of their character. Students, taxpayers and all who care about learning can look to Florida as the beacon of a new day. Perhaps Virginia, a birthplace of our Constitutional republic, home to birth places of individual rights and freedoms in America, will emulate the model. Read more at: OpenTheBooks.Substack.com Globalist World Economic Forum calls for governments to impose AUTHORITARIAN MEASURES against critics The globalist World Economic Forum (WEF) has issued a call for governments worldwide, alongside technology giants, to impose authoritarian measures against its critics According to the unelected WEF, its call for Big Tech and Big Government to collaborate against skeptics only strives to address what it calls "disinformation." In reality, however, the globalist group ultimately seeks to eradicate dissenting opinions. In a statement, the group founded by German globalist Klaus Schwab warned that disinformation poses a threat to the world's ecosystem. It urged "experts" to elucidate to world leaders and bureaucrats how to restrain opposition to the globalist agenda. The WEF ultimately asserted that global governments, media outlets, tech giants, and civil society must intensify their endeavors in the so-called "anti-disinformation" crusade. (Related: Zuckerberg's Meta releases new censorship unit for upcoming elections.) According to the WEF, the purported "disinfo" surge can be attributed to digital technology and a "fragmented media ecosystem." This "disinformation," it added, is solely responsible for the public's declining trust in corporate media, governments, Big Tech and globalist institutions. Fearmongering about artificial intelligence (AI) features prominently in the WEF's narrative on its website to advance its agenda. To combat this perceived issue and restore trust in corporate media, the WEF is advocating for a society-wide "war on misinformation." The WEF calls for powerful forces in society to unite and establish "a multi-layered defense against the spread of disinformation." Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. The organization and its globalist allies appear resolutely focused on eradicating both "disinformation" and "misinformation," without acknowledging information that is demonstrably true or false. Curiously, while sounding the alarm about the supposed "threat" of "disinformation," the WEF does not address instances of verifiably false information. Globalist WEF lauds EU's DRACONIAN censorship law The WEF applauded the European Union (EU) and its stringent EUs Digital Services Act (DSA) in a post on its website. Notably, some facets of the DSA, conceived by unelected Eurocrats, have earned it the moniker of the "censorship law." "Efforts to combat disinformation are underway. The EU, for instance, recently adopted the DSA which takes aim at harmful content online. [It also] includes comprehensive AI regulations covering areas like transparency, the use of AI in public spaces and high-risk systems," the post stated. It also mentioned a separate endeavor by the WEF dubbed the Global Coalition for Digital Safety (GCDS), which is "actively confronting the challenge of disinformation." The GCDS reportedly accomplishes this mission by exploring the role of media literacy and fostering a whole-of-society approach to countering [disinfo] proliferation." Despite this, the WEF is now pressing for responses from other nations that have yet to enact analogous authoritarian measures. During a panel at the WEF's recent Davos meeting titled "Defending the Truth," European Union bureaucrats and mainstream media bigwigs were presented as "truth experts." But the panel made no defense of the truth, instead turning into a mouthpiece where corporate media echoed globalist talking points. "Trust is our most valuable asset and the minute we let go of that, our business models will fall apart," remarked panelist and Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker. "That also means we have to correct our mistakes. We have to be honest when we make mistakes. "We need to help the public be more media literate as to the value and importance of [highly-censored and maligned] independent journalism," fellow panelist and New York Times President and CEO Meredith Kopit Levien ironically said. "People find it very hard for many reasons to distinguish what it is and is not." Watch the report about censorship at a global level. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Google launches censorship measures to rig EU Parliamentary elections. State Department threatens to OBSTRUCT House committees censorship investigation. CNN host: We should yield to government censorship demands. Globalist WEF claims MISINFO and DISINFO are the greatest threats to humanity. Sources include: SlayNews.com WEForum.org Brighteon.com China planning to ANNEX SPACE, control the moon The race is on to construct the first-ever moon base, and communist China, with the help of Russia, is planning to win If successful, China's moon base could render Earth's "nightlight" off limits to all other nations, including the United States. In essence, the moon would be owned by China. China not only wants the moon under its control: It also wants to annex parts of the solar system. This is a possibility as well if China becomes the first nation to establish a base on the moon. According to Richard Fisher from the International Assessment and Strategy Center, Chinese control of the moon would also give China control of Cis-Lunar space, meaning the portion of open space between Earth and the moon. "Control of Cis-Lunar space would give a country the ability to shoot down or otherwise disable deep-space satellites, which are essential for, among other things, the early warning of ballistic missile attacks," warns the Gatestone Institute. (Related: There are circulating rumors that China is also planning to annex the United States.) Russia and China building shared moon base Recognizing all of this to be true, Russia has been working closely with China to develop a joint moon base that both countries would have access to and control. Talks of this ramped up in 2021 while the world was distracted by the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic." At the height of the "pandemic," Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, partnered up with the China National Space Administration to build a shared moon base to be called the International Lunar Research Station. Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. "Today, we are seriously considering a project to deliver to the moon and mount a power reactor there jointly with our Chinese partners somewhere between 2033 and 2035," announced Yury Borisov, CEO of Roscosmos, on March 5. Because solar panels would not generate enough power for the planned installation, Russia and China are considering using nuclear power instead. Borisov said the planned reactor can be built "without the presence of humans" and that it is "almost ready." The area of the moon where the shared Russia-China moon base installation would go is on the coveted south pole, which is in constant shade. China first landed on the moon's surface in 2013 when its Chang'e-3 put both a lander and a rover there. Chang'e-4, a second lander that arrived on the moon in January of 2019, has reportedly been gathering information over the past several years about the best spot for establishing a permanent base. In 2025 and 2026, China is planning to launch large, reusable rockets built by state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. to the moon. By 2030, China hopes to land a human on the moon. All of this is bad news for the West, which could find itself locked out of space for good if Russia and China succeed at this endeavor. In 2017, Ye Peijian, the then-head of China's lunar program, warned his country that if it is not the first to succeed at annexing the moon, the West would win and lock them out of space. "The universe is an ocean, the moon is the Diaoyu Islands, Mars is Huangyan Island," Ye said. "If we don't go there now even though we're capable of doing so, then we will be blamed by our descendants. If others go there, then they will take over, and you won't be able to go even if you want to." Reading between the lines, Ye was basically saying that he considers the moon to simply be an island of the world, and that China has the ability to claim it first as its own sovereign territory. Sources for this article include: GatestoneInstitute.org NaturalNews.com Gender equality? Denmark to introduce mandatory military service FOR WOMEN Denmark may become the newest Scandinavian country to begin conscripting women into its military , broadening the country's recruitment program to strengthen national security amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Danish government's plan to recruit women for military service makes it one of just a few nations in the world that require women to serve in the armed forces. (Related: Denmark calls for mandatory military conscription for women.) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen revealed the initiative on Wednesday, March 13, in Copenhagen, telling media that requiring women to join the military will assist in achieving "full equality between the sexes." "We do not rearm because we want war. We are rearming because we want to avoid it," Frederiksen said. "More robust conscription, including full gender equality, must contribute to solving defense challenges, national mobilization and manning our armed forces," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Troels Lund Poulsen. Lund Poulsen added that the region's security outlook has become "more and more serious, and we have to take that into account when we look at future defense" while adding that "a broader basis for recruiting that includes all genders is needed." Including women in conscription part of Danish defense overhaul The Danish armed forces, known as Danish Defense, currently has about 13,700 troops, including 9,000 professional soldiers and 4,700 conscripts in training. The Danish Law of Conscription requires all able-bodied men over the age of 18 to serve in Danish Defense for a minimum of four months. Danish law currently requires all able-bodied men to be drafted for about four months of military service. Not all eligible men serve because the high number of volunteers reduces the need for compulsory enlistment. 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. Women are capable of volunteering for military service. At present, female volunteers account for about 25 percent of Danish Defense's 4,700 short-term troops. Frederiksen's government aims to increase the number of draftees to 5,000 with the inclusion of female conscripts. Current plans for the overhaul of Danish military policy call for the introduction of a new compulsory military service law that includes women by 2025 and for this new law to go into effect by 2026. These new male and female draftees will undergo five months of training and an operational service length of six months. Along with the introduction of female conscripts, Frederiksen's overhaul is also calling for the minimum service period to be increased from four months to 11 and for new investments into land-based air defense systems. Frederiksen also wants the creation of a new infantry brigade made up of up to 6,000 soldiers by 2028. "We are not rearming in Denmark because we want war, destruction, or suffering. We are rearming right now to avoid war, and in a world where the international order is being challenged," Frederiksen said. Frederiksen has called for regional neighbors to introduce similar overhauls, asking them to also "scale up" their defenses to deter potential Russian aggression. "Freedom comes with a price," she said. "It is our own responsibility to be able to protect ourselves." Denmark is also planning to boost defense spending. Currently, it is spending around 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, but is expected to increase spending by 5.4 billion euros ($5.91 billion) over the next five years. Watch this video from Holly Seeliger discussing Denmark's plan to require mandatory military service from both men and women. This video is from the Economy Lady channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Denmark plans to implement mandatory conscription for women to meet NATOs membership requirement. Netherlands, Denmark confirm U.S. approval of F-16s for Ukraine but will it matter? U.S. military facing recruitment shortages, with most potential service members DISQUALIFIED. Russian warnings of nuclear escalation deter NATO members from sending troops to Ukraine. NATO to hold biggest military exercise since the Cold War amid rising tensions with Russia. Sources include: RT.com POLITICO.eu Brighteon.com PERSECUTION: Former Belgian MP sentenced to year in prison for hateful memes shared in private group (and he didnt even post them himself) For the "crime" of sharing a humorous meme that some people found offensive, Belgian national activist and former member of parliament (MP) Dries Van Langenhove has been sentenced to one year in prison The meme was shared in a private group where people are said to routinely share "racist" and "antisemitic" memes. Not only will Van Langenhove have to sit in a prison cell for 365 days because of his participation in this, but he will also reportedly have to shell out a 16,000 euro fine, as well as face 10 years of "deprived civil rights," meaning he will not be able to participate in any kind of politics for the next decade. "His crime?" wrote Keith Woods on Twitter about Van Langenhove's punishment. "He was in a private groupchat where offensive memes were posted. This is an absolute disgrace. Western regimes are reaching new levels of tyranny to suppress nationalism." X owner Elon Musk drew attention to the case as well, retweeting tweets from Van Langenhove himself showing the "shocking memes" that were shared in the private group chat that landed him in prison. "Someone else sent this meme in a group chat and you were given a prison sentence?" Musk asked Van Langenhove. "Yes," Van Langenhove responded. "Even though the judge (and the media) admitted that I never sent any of these memes, he argued that I should have done more to keep others from sending them and he labeled the memes 'hatespeech,' which is a punishable offense in Belgium." (Related: Earlier this year, Israel bombed a Belgian relief agency in Gaza as punishment for the entity funding United Nations [UN] relief efforts for Palestinian refugees.) 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. Using meme "offenses" to quash nationalist political opponents For the record, Van Langenhove founded Belgium's largest and most influential political youth movement back in 2017. At some point later before Musk bought the platform and took it private, Twitter, as it was called back then, banned the movement. According to Van Langenhove, there was also a Facebook group at one point with around 900 activists, as well as a Discord chat with many hundreds of users. In one of the groups, someone said "post your edgiest meme," to which several of the offensive memes were then posted. Van Langenhove shared publicly what the memes were: one involved black people and the police; another depicted Adolph Hitler saying "you can't be racist if there's only one race!" and the last one was some kind of joke about Ferrero Rocher candy, again depicting black people. "The edgy memes ... were posted to this thread," Van Langenhove said. "A thread in which I didn't participate." "Now, 7 years later, I am the leading nationalist activist in Belgium and the Netherlands and I am linked to the party that will win the coming elections in Belgium. The regime wants to shut us down so they are using memes that were posted by others 7 years ago to put me in prison." Van Langenhove is insistent that he committed no crimes by simply being a member of these private groups. The Justice Department's witch hunt against him is simply that: a witch hunt. "A years-long investigation, on which the Justice Department wasted millions of euros of taxpayers' money, shows that the ... activists cannot be charged with anything other than some memes. Humor. Memes that I didn't even post myself," he maintains. Van Langenhove's lawyer is planning to appeal the ruling, which automatically suspends Van Langenhove's imprisonment until further notice. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com NaturalNews.com FOUR MONTHS of Israels military campaign in Gaza has killed more children than FOUR YEARS of global conflicts Official data released by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reveals that more children in Gaza were killed during the first four months of Israel's campaign than the total child fatalities recorded in four years of conflict worldwide. On Oct. 7, Israel declared war against Hamas after the Palestinian militants launched a surprise attack on the Jewish state. The attack claimed over 1,100 Israeli lives and led to the abduction of around 250 people in Israel. In that same month, Israel launched a relentless air campaign followed by ground operations in Gaza. A few weeks after the Israeli invasion, civilian casualties in Gaza had surpassed the civilian death toll of over two years of conflict in Ukraine. (Related: GENOCIDE CALL: Oldest Israeli army reservist wants to eradicate Palestinian families, children.) UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini recently shared data showing that, from October 2023 to February 2024, over 12,300 children had been killed in Gaza. This figure accounts for almost half of the total death toll, which has now surpassed 31,000. Comparatively, 12,193 children were reported killed in all armed conflicts globally between January 2019 and December 2022. "This war is a war on children. It is a war on their childhood and their future," said Lazzarini. Palestinian health officials also confirmed that the war has killed thousands of children, but argued that the total number of children killed is greater than the UNRWA record. 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. On March 10, the Palestinian Health Ministry headquartered in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank said the number of children killed had reached 13,450. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry headquartered in Gaza reported on that same day that around 72 percent of the 31,272 recorded deaths were women and children. "The toll of the Israeli aggression has risen to 31,112 martyrs and 72,760 injuries since the 7th of October last year. Seventy-two percent of the victims of the aggression are children and women," the Health Ministry said. Severe dehydration and famine are killing children in Gaza According to Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra, the recent deaths of over a dozen children in Gaza were due to extreme hunger and thirst at Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. "Fifteen children died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration in Kamal Adwan Hospital. We fear for the lives of six children suffering from malnutrition and dehydration in intensive care at Kamal Adwan Hospital as a result of the cessation of the electric generator and oxygen machines," said al-Qudra. Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip also witnessed the heart-wrenching deaths of two infants due to severe malnutrition and dehydration on March 11. Additionally, 11 other patients, predominantly children, are currently grappling with malnutrition and dehydration within the hospital's confines. The toll of this crisis extends beyond Kamal Adwan Hospital, with two additional children reported dead at Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza last week. Israeli forces previously stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital, detaining Palestinian men and hospital staff in December. Conditions in the region have continued to worsen over the subsequent months, pushing Gaza to the brink of severe famine. All this attack against the medical facilities in Gaza is part of a broader genocidal campaign to turn Gaza uninhabitable for Palestinians. "Israel has put 31 hospitals in Gaza out of service through bombing, destruction, and deprivation of medical supplies and fuel, and has partially targeted 152 health facilities," said al-Qudra. Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the reasoning behind Israel's willingness to openly commit atrocities in Gaza. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: War on Gaza: The Palestinian family executed in their home by Israeli forces. Gazas dwindling Palestinian Christian community could be COMPLETELY WIPED OUT by Israeli attacks. Palestinian human rights organizations sue Biden for complicity in Israels genocide in Gaza. Calls increase to BOYCOTT major corporations for supporting Israeli genocide against Palestinian civilians. War on Gaza: Some of the prominent Palestinian academics and scientists killed by Israel. Sources include: RT.com Edition.CNN.com TheCradle.co 1 TheCradle.co 2 Brighteon.com Trans Pentagon official caught on video saying the government should repeal the Second Amendment and take peoples guns away A Department of Defense employee whose job is telling Pentagon officials what to say in congressional hearings was caught on video saying that the Second Amendment should be repealed and that only the U.S. government should be allowed to have guns. The man in question is Jason Beck, who is an Associate Director for Total Force Requirements & Sourcing Policy at the office of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. He spoke freely with James OKeefe, undercover journalist from the O'Keefe Media Group (OMG), thinking that they were simply two men on a date having casual discussions. OKeefe disguised himself and posed as a gay man seeking a romantic relationship with Beck on a dating app, where both men used fake names. OKeefe shared edited video footage of their dates on X in which they discussed a range of topics, with Beck taking a predictably liberal and woke stance on all of them. Beck, who possesses a classified security clearance and said he couldnt discuss certain topics as a result, said that he writes answers for high-level officials, such as the Secretary and Undersecretary of Defense, that they use in congressional posture hearings. Some of his most concerning opinions came up when OKeefe brought up the topic of guns and the Second Amendment, both of which he apparently fails to see the point of. Beck told him: I think we should repeal it [the Second Amendment] and take them [guns] all away! He also said that he would like to work on the states monopoly on violence, which he described as We [the government] are the only ones with guns. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. When OKeefe asked him how we could deal with people who are unwilling to give up their guns, he said: You have to take them. He suggested that mobilizing the national guard may be needed, and he also said that we need to pack the court and abolish the Senate to make it happen. Beck said that no terrorists are crossing the border They also talked about the border, with Beck making finger quotes while saying border security and calling it nonsense. OKeefe played along, saying, Border security what does that even mean? Beck replied: It doesnt mean anything. Its just like throwing money and people at a problem that doesnt really exist. When OKeefe asked him if he thinks that anyone who wants to come in to the country should be allowed in, Beck said Why not just have an open border? Theres no Taliban coming in through Mexico. Like they just make that stuff out of whole cloth, you know? When has a terrorist ever come in? Its pretty unsettling to think that people who work for the Department of Defense actually think like this. Beck also told OKeefe about his bottom surgery, which he said was painful but something he had wanted to do for a while. Regardless of how you might feel about OKeefe clearly setting this individual up, his report is very eye-opening. America needs to know that Pentagon officials who provide answers for their superiors think this way. When you hear him talk about confiscating all guns, opening the border and abolishing the Senate and the electoral college, it certainly explains all the questionable things we hear coming from the Pentagon. Saying we need to open the border and let in everyone who wants to enter and claiming terrorists arent trying to cross the border despite all the evidence to the contrary shows just how uninformed and incompetent the current government is. After all, those who are running the country put this man in his position. Sources for this article include: ThePostMillennial.com AmericanThinker.com Switzerland approves motion transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine The upper house of Switzerland's parliament has approved a measure transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine At the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, around 7.7 billion euros ($8.42 billion) worth of Russian Central Bank assets in Swiss banks were frozen. Now, the Swiss Council of States, by a modest majority, has allowed all of these assets to be given to Ukraine as war reparations. The issue has sparked heated debate in the shadow of the country's banking system, a key sector for upholding the centuries-long policy of Swiss neutrality. The proposal to transfer Russian assets was already voted upon by the lower house, the National Council, late last year. The measure that was passed allows the Swiss federal government to find an international legal basis for a reparation mechanism at the global level, which would allow Switzerland to transfer the resources of the central bank and state-owned companies of offending countries held in Swiss financial institutions to the attacked countries. (Related: Russia vows to respond in kind if West seizes its frozen assets.) "The facts are clear, Russia has seriously violated international law and must pay for the damage it has caused," said Federal Councillor a member of Switzerland's seven-member executive and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis. Since the beginning of the conflict, Switzerland has provided around $3.4 billion in aid to Ukraine. The Swiss federal government plans to spend another half of this amount from 2025 to 2028 and to host a peace conference later this year. Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. "We do not need to blush when we talk about Ukraine in the international arena, be it in the financial, diplomatic or humanitarian sphere." Russia condemns Swiss plan, summons ambassador Russia's foreign ministry in Moscow summoned Switzerland's ambassador on Tuesday, March 12, over the parliament's motion to seize and transfer Russian assets to fund reparations for Ukraine. The foreign ministry also put out a statement condemning the theft as a gross violation of international law. "Russia strongly condemns this step by the Swiss authorities that grossly violates the fundamental principles and norms of international law regarding state immunity," the foreign ministry said in a statement warning of retaliation and consequences for Switzerland if it was implemented. "Any encroachment on Russian state property under the guise of any far-fetched 'reparative mechanism' would be nothing more than theft at the state level." Russian Ambassador to Switzerland Sergey Garmonin further warned that any confiscation of frozen Russian assets would damage the country's "reputation as a state based on the rule of law and a reliable financial center." He added that Russian diplomats are studying the Swiss parliament's decision. The concern for Russia is that, if Switzerland successfully figures out a mechanism to seize Russian assets and transfer them to Ukrainian ownership, the more than 200 billion euros ($219 billion) worth of frozen assets held by the European Union could be next. The EU is already supporting an initiative to use interest gained on frozen Russian assets to finance aid to Ukraine. Preliminary estimates suggest the amount could be between 15 to 17 billion euros ($16.41 to $18.6 billion) per year. British Foreign Secretary and former Prime Minister David Cameron has already stated that London was ready to provide Kyiv with all 25 billion British pounds ($32.03 billion) worth of frozen Russian assets. Watch this video of journalist Rachel Blevins interviewing expert Alex Christoforou regarding President Joe Biden's plan to steal $300 billion worth of Russian assets for Ukraine. This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Spains idea to help Ukraine using SEIZED profits from frozen Russian assets deemed unviable. CONTORTIONIST ACT: G7 experts claim that seizing frozen Russian assets is legal given Russias unlawful conduct toward Ukraine. U.S., Europe explore possibility of seizing frozen Russian assets and giving them to Ukraine as American funding dries up. Yellen wants frozen Russian assets to be given to Ukraine a move that could drive away nations from Western banks. IMF says SEIZURE of frozen Russian assets must have sufficient legal support. Sources include: RMX.news ForumFreeRussia.org Reuters.com KyivIndependent.com Brighteon.com Trump brags about his role in Operation Warp Speed in Truth Social post but thats not something to be proud of Former President Donald Trump turned into a vaccine shill with his recent Truth Social post, bragging about his role in Operation Warp Speed that resulted in the creation of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. "The pandemic no longer controls our lives. The vaccines that saved us from COVID-19 are now being used to help beat cancer turning setback into comeback," he wrote in a March 8 post. "You're welcome, Joe. Nine-month approval time versus 12 years that it would have taken you." The former president ostensibly attacked his successor, incumbent President Joe Biden, in the Truth Social post. A day earlier in March 7, the Democratic chief executive delivered his State of the Union (SotU) address. Biden claimed that the vaccines "saved the country" from COVID-19, leading Trump to accuse him of "taking credit for ending the pandemic." (Related: Trump TRIPLES down on the deadly vax; claims to have saved millions of lives with Operation Warp Speed.) But Thailand-based independent journalist Ben Bartee begged to differ. He eviscerated the former president's claims in a March 12 piece on his Substack. "The 'pandemic' never 'controlled our lives.' The social, economic and psychological costs were imposed by legal fiat and corporate state media terror campaigns," he wrote. "Vaccines require 10 to 15 years of development because they kill people en masse when they're rushed through in nine months in the back of said corporate state media terror campaigns and a society held hostage by the government. Where did the exploding cancer rates that now allegedly require COVID-19 shots to fix come from, Trump?" We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Bartee also lamented in his Substack piece how people sometimes bristle at his refusal "to full-throatedly embrace Trump without reservation." He defended this stance in the same piece. "This kind of ignorant, prideful tripe is why Trump is not anyone's savior. I'm not in the business of blindly propping up politicians in the hopes that they'll serve as the second coming of Jesus." Former president says Biden afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome Aside from the vaccine claims, Trump also lambasted Biden's "terrible" SotU address. He called the March 7 speech the "angriest, least compassionate and worst SotU speech ever made," deeming it "an embarrassment to [the] country." The real estate mogul did not mince words with his assessment of the incumbent's speech. Trump criticized Biden as "angry" and "mentally disturbed," arguing that his successor is afflicted with a "terminal case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS)" during an interview with Fox News. TDS is often used to describe an obsessive focus on criticizing Trump, with Democrats like Biden frequently being slapped with the term. Throughout the hour-long SotU speech, Biden referenced Trump almost a dozen times without mentioning his name, using the term "my predecessor." In response, Trump suggested that the repeated references were a reaction to his 14-point lead over Biden in the polls. The former president also hinted that Biden's apparent anger is a symptom of a larger issue, suggesting senility. He ultimately commented that the 81-year-old Biden shouldn't hold office at his current age. Biden is currently running for a second term after being elected in the 2020 election marred with vote fraud. Watch House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) tell Jesse Watters of Fox News that Biden "is not on his A-game" below. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Biden CANT BEAT Donald Trump in November, says Andrew Yang. Elon Musk joins Trump in secret meeting to discuss defeating Biden. Biden administration DIRECTLY LINKED to Colorado banning Trump from the ballot. Obliteration awaits US if Biden wins reelection, Trump warns. Sources include: ArmageddonProse.Substack.com TruthSocial.com FoxNews.com Brighteon.com People stand in front of a temporary closed McDonald's in Shimbashi district of Tokyo on March 15, 2024. Credit - Philip FongAFP/Getty Images Operations at the global fast-food chain McDonalds have slowed Friday, as widespread IT system outages hit stores in multiple countries across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, leaving staff unable to process electronic orders and hungry customers frustrated. McDonalds Japan posted on X on Friday afternoon local time that they were experiencing a system failure and in another post said that many stores nationwide are temporarily closed. Screens of self-ordering kiosks as well as order terminals used by employees were either black or displaying out of service messages, according to photos taken in restaurants in Singapore and Australia, while customers have complained that they have also been unable to order on the McDonalds app. ADVERTISEMENT Australian media reported that some stores have shut down entirely while others are only taking cash orders. In Singapore and Japan, McDonalds employees have been spotted accepting cash from customers and calculating orders on paper. We are aware of a technology outage currently impacting our restaurants nationwide and are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible, a spokesperson for McDonalds Australia told media outlets. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank customers for their patience. The issue is now being resolved, McDonalds Corporation, headquartered in the U.S., said in a statement to TIME. Notably, the issue is not related to a cybersecurity event, it noted, as rumors have swirled on social media of the company being targeted by hackers. McDonalds did not clarify at the time the known extent of the outage nor details of how or when it would be fully fixed. Hours after this story was published, McDonalds publicly shared a statement that was sent to global employees, franchisees, and development licensees and attributed to Global Chief Information Officer Brian Rice, explaining that the global technology system outage was caused by a third-party provider during a configuration change and was quickly identified and corrected. Story continues Many markets are back online, the statement continued, and the rest are in the process of coming back online. We are closely working with those markets that are still experiencing issues. Stores in New Zealand had also been affected, with a spokesperson telling local media that theyre experiencing an IT issue thats impacting their ability to process orders. McDonalds Hong Kong posted on Facebook that mobile orders and self-ordering kiosks are not working due to computer system failure, urging customers to order directly with staff at the restaurant. The McDonalds Taiwan website said that its delivery service has been suspended for system maintenance. The outage also apparently affected the fast-food chains stores in China. On Weibo, the phrase McDonalds crashed is among the top trending topics, with a total of over 48 million views and counting on posts related to the issue. On social media and Downdetector, a platform where users can report and view outages in real time, people flagged similar technical problems with orders in Austria, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Since its establishment in 1940 in California, McDonalds has grown to become one of the worlds largest fast-food chains, with around 40,000 stores globally, including more than 12,000 across Asia and more than 1,000 in Australia. Reliability and stability of our technology are a priority, and I know how frustrating it can be when there are outages the statement from Rice, McDonalds chief information officer, said. What happened today has been an exception to the norm, and we are working with absolute urgency to resolve it. Contact us at letters@time.com. The Wests vampire ball is over, Putin warns exploitation of world by Western elites coming to an END The era of Western control over world affairs is coming to an end , according to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an exclusive interview published by Rossiya 1 and RIA Novosti, Putin put Western "elites" on notice that they will no longer be allowed to exploit other nations and their peoples for power and resources. The "golden billion," as Putin calls the Western elites, have grown accustomed to being able to "fill their bellies with human flesh and their pockets with money" but no longer will they be "parasitizing" the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America in particular with their evils. "They must understand that the vampire ball is ending," Putin said about these demonic Western elites. It turns out that the people groups of the world that have been getting raped and pillaged by Western elites for hundreds of years are now sharing in Russia's struggle for sovereignty, which is at the heart of the war in Ukraine. These exploited peoples, Putin explained, share "their own aspirations for sovereignty and independent development" with Russia, while the West, which is losing the war in Ukraine, and thus world domination, falls into the abyss. (Related: In a desperate bid to help Ukraine not lose against Russia, Biden wants to redirect U.S. Army funding to Zelensky.) The West won't win this time As the Western elites of whom Putin speaks slowly come to the realization that their reign of terror is ending, many are now desperately trying to "freeze the current situation" and preserve the "unjust state of affairs in international affairs." We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Putin recognizes this tactic and says it will not work. In his keynote address to Russia's Federal Assembly last month, Putin blasted the West's "colonial habits" of "igniting national conflicts all over the world" in order to amass more power. These efforts will no longer work, he said. "In place of Russia, they want a dependent, withering, dying space where they can do whatever they want," Putin said of the Western elites who are doing everything in their power right now to stall Russia's development and turn it into a dying state just like Ukraine. In his recent interview, Putin expanding upon this by stating that many Western elites are so "blinded by their Russophobia" that they were "thrilled" to push Russia into launching its latest military offensive in Ukraine in order to end the war the West previously unleashed there in 2014. "They were even happy, I think, because they believed that now they would finish us off using a barrage of sanctions, having practically declared a sanctions war against us, and with the help of Western weapons in the hands of Ukrainian nationalists," Putin explained. The Russian people are so unified in their fight for sovereignty that the disunified and quite frankly dying West stands no chance at defeating Russia, no matter how the Western media and government apparatus tries to spin things. "Those who are smarter," Putin said, have come to the realization that the West will not win against Russia, which is fighting for its economy, its people, and its survival in the face of ever-weakening Western aggression. "Mr. Putin's talks carry a lot of valuable information," one commenter wrote about the history lesson Putin is giving the world that the West refuses to give. "It helps us understand Russia's past and present, and the changing world that we live in. Thank you, Mr. President." "The self-serving western Zionist ghouls are experiencing the final death rattles of their crumbling empire," wrote another. "As someone from the West, let me thank Mr. Putin for being the lone voice of sanity among a pit of vampires and vultures," said another. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com Fox costumes were worn by the staff of a wildlife rescue center in Virginia to feed a baby fox. The Richmond Wildlife Center staff are caring for the orphaned red fox kit dressed up as a "mother fox" to prevent the cub from getting used to humans, according to local reports earlier this week. The newborn fox was only a few hours old with an umbilical stump still attached when it was sent to the facility on February 29, the rescue facility's official says. Foxes are known for being afraid of people and will typically flee when these wild animals detect our presence, according to The Humane Society of the United States. However, the case is different for rescued baby foxes, which can associate humans in a positive light amid the absence of their fox mothers and other kin. It is for this reason that dressing up as a wild animal, similar to the species of the rescued creature, is important at rescue centers. Fox Costume as Disguise In a Facebook post in recent days, the Richmond Wildlife Center shows a video that one of its staff wearing a fox costume as a disguise while feeding the red fox kit accompanied by a stuffed toy that also resembles a fox. While the staff only wore a fox mask, it is believed by the wildlife experts enough to act as a substitute mother to the fox cub. The move is essential since the youngling can be reintroduced to the wild again. According to the wildlife center's founder and executive director, Melissa Stanley, the red fox kit was a lone survivor and it was first discovered by a man walking his dog in an alley in Richmond. At first, the man initially thought the fox was a kitten and took it to a local humane society, whose staff realized that the mammal was a fox and not a kitten. Afterward, they sent her to the Richmond Wildlife Center for rehabilitation, as cited in a local report. Also Read: Fox that Preys on Penguin, Caught After a Two Month Hunt Are Foxes Afraid of Humans? Stanley adds that the practice of concealing humans is common at wildlife facilities. Furthermore, although not all wildlife rescue centers use masks to obscure their staff when interacting with animals, some of them may only wear larger clothing or hoods. Since rescued wild animals can be released into their natural habitat, it will not be helpful if individuals are attached to their human caretakers, according to experts. The Human Society organization explains that although foxes are afraid of people they can still visit one's backyard or neighborhood. After all, foxes are omnivores that hunt very small animals but are known to scavenge in cities and towns in search of food and garbage. The non-profit organization advises the public to take no action after seeing a fox outdoors. Related Article: Fox Steals Phone of RSPCA Animal Rescuer, Takes Selfie Video at Woodland Area in UK Village Southeastern US and Texas can expect a challenging weather outlook due to potentially severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall this week, bringing possible hazardous travel and power outages. People traveling in Texas should stay updated with the weather to avoid possible dangers associated with the poor weather conditions. Motorists will likely encounter slippery commutes due to rounds of rain. In addition, the NWS Tornado warns of potential isolated tornadoes. According to advisories, a tornado watch is present in Ohio. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) reports that a stormy outlook can unload from southwestern Ohio to northern Kentucky this week. Residents are advised to watch out for large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. NWN's recent forecasts cover the recent severe thunderstorms in the South-Central US, as severe weather can become more common in the spring. NWS Weather Forecast in Texas and Southeast With tornadoes possible in the Southeast, the advisory reminds residents to prepare for nighttime tornadoes, which are more life-threatening. A severe thunderstorm watch is also present in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. NWS monitors the development of relatively fast-moving storms in the region, bringing challenging weather outlooks in portions of western/central Ohio, western/central Ohio, central/southern Indiana, northern Kentucky, and central/southern Illinois. In addition, the forecast reveals that widespread showers and storms can impact Friday, particularly in areas in eastern Texas, the Lower Mississippi Valley, and the Tennessee Valley. Residents can anticipate wet conditions and scattered flash flooding. Meanwhile, the stormy outlook can unload in northwestern Georgia, northeastern Mississippi into northern Alabama, and west-central Louisiana. In Texas, the central portion can experience additional severe thunderstorms, with a slight risk of tornado and large hail. The threat of thunderstorms can spread in the Mid-Atlantic and New England on Thursday or late week, with possible heavy rains. Residents in low-lying areas are at risk of moderate to severe flooding risks. On the weekend, portions of the Southeast can still suffer from shower and storm chances. Also Read: California NWS Weather Forecast: Unsettled Weather Pattern, High Elevation Snow Likely to Hit This Week Severe Storms Preparedness in Texas: How Can Residents Stay Safe This Late Week? According to recent forecasts, severe thunderstorms can continue in the Southeast this weekend, particularly in Texas. People with travel plans should be extra careful with the weather due to possible thunderstorms and hail. Limiting any unimportant plans is advisable to avoid being stranded on main roads. In addition, homeowners should stay alert for isolated tornadoes, especially at night. Turning on mobile alerts or keeping updated with tornado advisories will be helpful to stay aware. Damaging thunderstorms and hail are also deadly, with possible inaccessible roads and power outages. When hail or lightning strikes, it is best to evacuate to secure areas. Related Article: Severe Thunderstorm Forecasts: Hail, Potential Isolated Tornadoes Threaten Mississippi Valley, Central Plains For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. A recent report, studying the tropical birds in Panama, reveals that that they show signs of tolerance to temperature fluctuations amidst the growing concerns of climate change and rising temperatures. Climate change has been impacting forests and wildlife, including birds. The rapid rise of global temperatures can become devastating for many species that are sensitive to changing temperatures. In addition, a recent NWN report highlights that climate change can unleash prolonged extreme weather events, including drought, flooding rainfall, heat waves, wildfires, and storms. Understanding the animals' adaptation to temperature fluctuation is important as birds suffer from other threats, such as deforestation, wildfires, habitat loss, and invasive species. Tropical Birds and Temperature Fluctuations As a result, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studied tropical birds and their thermal adaptations. However, the report warns that wild swings in temperatures can make it challenging for tropical birds to survive. The research findings were published in Ecology. Climate variability and thermal tolerance can offer new insights into tropical birds' adaptation and vulnerability to climate change. The researcher looked at 89 species of birds in Panama and studied their metabolic rates. After documenting, the report found that the said birds managed to find ways to cool themselves and return to their habitats. "We tested the climate variability hypothesis, which predicts that organisms can't handle variation because they haven't seen it over evolutionary time," Professor Emeritus Jeff Brawn, the study's co-author, said, as quoted in a report. With climate change intensifying hotter temperatures, trees play a crucial role in providing protection and canopy for birds and other animals. Researchers warn that the potential decline of tropical birds will be devastating to ecosystems and forests, causing the spread of insects and invasive species. "Also, birds are important for the overall integrity of tropical forest systems, holding down insect populations that could damage trees," Brawn said, who is also from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES), and the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at Illinois. Despite the bird's tolerance to changing temperatures, the researchers raised concerns that tropical birds could handle a certain level of tolerance, and the rapid rise of annual temperatures can threaten their ecological importance. Also Read: US Pacific Northwest Forests Suffer from Climate Change Effects, Growth Decline, New Report Warns Protection of Trees From Deforestation In addition, the study emphasizes the need to protect trees and forests, which are crucial for birds and other species. The researchers warn that fragmented deforestation can expose the birds to threats, potentially causing the decline of their populations. Trees also provide livelihood and protection to communities against storms and challenging weather conditions. Protecting trees and forests is important to mitigate the effects of climate change and greenhouse emissions. Related Article: November Reaches Record-Breaking Heat Six Month Straight, Report Warns For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Changing climate conditions and extreme weather events can threaten the population of fish, particularly the threatened species of spring-run Chinook salmon, according to a recent report. It can offer them opportunities to survive and feed amidst climate change threats. Unpredictable climate change can significantly impact marine animals due to hotter temperatures, prolonged droughts, and frequent flooding and rainfall. In a recent report, researchers from UC Davis raised concerns about the threats to the spring-run Chinook salmon in Central Valley due to climate change. In addition, the report warns that the said species population can suffer from extinction without urgent protection, especially their significant habitats. Because the species is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, the salmon's survival will depend on the release of cold waters into reservoirs. Diverse Fish Habitats Can Help Threatened Species of Spring-Run Chinook Salmon Experts from NOAA emphasize the importance of restoring salmon habitats to protect them from population decline. The diverse habitats of fish can offer ways for spring-run Chinook salmon to survive changing climate conditions. The research findings were published in the Ecosphere. Researchers said that human activities and habitat loss contributed to the decline of many species, including salmon. As a result, the findings reveal that restoring the mosaic of aquatic habitats can help the species adapt to increasing environmental variability and a warming climate. "Fish with one life history that favors certain habitats are not going to save the population in the long term. We need diverse habitats to support diverse life histories that help provide resilience," researcher Flora Cordoleani said, who is also from NOAA Fisheries and the University of California, Santa Cruz, as quoted in a report. The report highlights that diverse habitats can benefit fish, offering more opportunities to survive. Cold water refugia, floodplains, and aquatic habitats can maintain the stability or abundance of salmon numbers, preventing the collapse or disappearance of said species. With the recent findings, the researchers aim that it will help other studies and developers consider a mosaic of different habitats that can be beneficial to different fish populations, particularly in watersheds. According to the study, the researchers also analyzed areas in Butte Creek, Mill, and Deer Creeks. The streams and said areas provide more opportunities for salmon to become more resilient amidst the problem of ocean warming and climate change. Also Read: Increasing Global Temperatures Can Worsen Plastic Waste Problem [Study] Overfishing and By-Catch Threats to Deepwater Sharks and Rays In an NWN report, deepwater sharks and Rays can potentially suffer from threats of extinction. The findings highlight that one in seven species can experience dangers to population decline or the brink of extinction. The report was published in the Ecological Indicators journal. Overfishing poses a significant threat to deep-sea species, and the said shark species have become targets due to their liver oil. The researchers raised concerns and the need for monitoring efforts despite the deep sea has complex ecosystems. Related Article: Harbor Porpoises Threatened By Fishing Nets Causing Species Population Decline For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Researchers raised concerns about the health impacts of a deadly parasite or flatworm in the Colorado River and Southern California, which is deadly to dogs. Dogs likely suffer from intestine and liver issues, urging pet owners to be careful, especially when traveling to the Colorado River with their pets. The research findings were published in Pathogens. According to the study, infectious diseases can be harmful to animals, like dogs. With the exacerbating effects of climate change, researchers warned that it would help spread the pathogens, including parasites or the Heterobilharzia americana that was detected in the Colorado River. As a result, monitoring efforts and surveillance are important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases that harm both animals and humans. Potentially Parasite Deadly to Dogs The parasite is mostly found in the Gulf Coast States, and other areas, including North Carolina, Kansas, and Indiana. The discovery of deadly diseases that can affect dogs' health can lead to canine schistosomiasis, urging pet owners to avoid bringing their pets while swimming in the Colorado River. Immediately, researchers collected samples of 2,000 snails near the banks where potential infections occurred. The team was surprised after finding the snails associated with H. Americana, and the parasite is found in the area. "It gets into the veins of the intestinal lining, and that's where it develops into an adult and mates. The presence of the adults in the veins isn't the problem," Adler Dillman, a UCR nematology professor, said, as quoted in the report. The report warned that exposure to said parasites can be life-threatening to dogs. Limiting outdoor plans with your pets can minimize or avoid the risk of infection. It is also possible to be immersed in freshwater lakes where infection has been reported. "It's the eggs that get into the lungs, spleen, liver, and heart. The immune system tries to deal with it, and hard clusters of immune cells called granulomas form. Eventually, the organ tissues stop functioning," Dillman said. Infection Symptoms According to the report, the symptoms can likely show within several months. When they are infected, the animal can show signs of infection, including the following: Loss of appetite Vomiting Diarrhea Liver disease Weight loss The researcher emphasizes that pet owners should consult a veterinarian for their pets, and undergo a fecal test. Early detection will help save a dog from death. "Treatment typically involves the use of multiple medications and close monitoring of the dog by a veterinarian," Emily Beeler, a veterinarian from the Department of Public Health in Los Angeles County, explained, as quoted in the same report. The parasite does not pose a threat to human health. People who swim in an infected area can likely experience a red rash and a swimmer's ear. Related Article: Harbor Porpoises Threatened By Fishing Nets Causing Species Population Decline For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News. In the heart of the Arctic, a region known for its harsh climate and perpetual daylight during the summer months, a remarkable phenomenon occurs. The little auk seabirds, also known as dovekies, have adapted to an extraordinary nocturnal lifestyle, thriving in an environment where the sun never sets. This article delves into the vibrant nightlife of these birds, revealing a bustling colony alive with sounds throughout the polar night. The Midnight Chorus: Little Auks Defying the Arctic Silence Contrary to the expected silence of the night, the little auk colonies burst into a symphony of calls and flaps under the midnight sun. This unexpected surge in activity challenges our understanding of avian behavior in continuous daylight environments. The study, led by Associate Professor Evgeny A. Podolskiy, utilized passive acoustic and imaging technologies to capture the essence of the little auks' routines. The findings suggest that the 'nocturnal' vocalizations align with the birds' behavioral cycles, such as feeding and attendance patterns. This acoustic pattern offers valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of the species, serving as a sentinel for monitoring Arctic environmental shifts. Also Read: Seabird Poop Could Keep the Arctic Cool, Scientists Say Conservation in the Face of Climate Change: The Role of Acoustic Monitoring As the Arctic undergoes rapid environmental transformations, understanding the behavior of key species like the little auk is paramount for effective conservation and ecosystem management. The study emphasizes the importance of passive acoustic monitoring as a non-invasive method to study wildlife behavior in remote and difficult-to-access regions. This innovative approach provides a promising alternative to traditional field observations, which can be impractical due to the laborious nature and remoteness of seabird breeding colonies. The research advocates for the continued use of acoustic monitoring to safeguard the future of Arctic wildlife. The Arctic, a region that has long captivated the imagination of explorers and scientists alike, is undergoing significant changes due to global warming. The little auk, a small seabird that calls this frigid environment home, has become the subject of intense study due to its unique adaptations to the Arctic's extreme conditions. During the summer months, when the Arctic experiences continuous daylight, the little auk engages in what can be described as a 'midnight chorus.' This term, coined by researchers, refers to the heightened level of vocal activity exhibited by the birds during the night hours. It's a stark contrast to the expected quiet of the Arctic night and provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these resilient creatures. The study conducted by Hokkaido University and Aarhus University sheds light on the daily rhythmic behavior of the little auks under the endless daylight of the Arctic summer. Employing passive acoustic and imaging technologies, the research team uncovered the hidden rhythms of little auk colonies in Northwest Greenland. The findings revealed a nocturnal surge in vocalization activity, which was previously unknown to science. Associate Professor Evgeny A. Podolskiy, who led the study, remarked on the significance of these findings, noting that bird counts and behaviors are highly dependent on the time of day. The perpetual daylight of the Arctic summer presents a unique challenge for avian species, and the little auk's acoustic pattern mirrors their behavioral cycles, such as attendance, feeding, and fledging. Dr. Anders Mosbech, a co-author from Aarhus University, highlighted the little auk's role as a sentinel species in monitoring Arctic environmental shifts. Understanding their behavioral dynamics is crucial for effective conservation and ecosystem management, especially as the Arctic faces rapid environmental transformations. The study's significance extends beyond mere curiosity. It emphasizes the crucial role of passive acoustic monitoring in studying wildlife behavior in remote and difficult-to-access regions. Traditional methods of field observation are often impractical due to the laborious nature and remoteness of seabird breeding colonies. Acoustic monitoring offers a non-invasive and efficient method for studying bird colonies in the Arctic, providing a valuable tool for conservation efforts. As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, the Arctic serves as a barometer for the health of our planet. The little auk's adaptation to the Arctic's unique conditions and their nocturnal activities provide critical insights into the ecological dynamics of the region. The continued use of acoustic monitoring is essential for safeguarding the future of Arctic wildlife and understanding the broader implications of environmental changes on global ecosystems. In conclusion, the little auk's midnight chorus is more than just a curious natural occurrence. It is a reminder of the resilience of life in the face of adversity and a call to action for the conservation of one of the world's most vulnerable regions. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of the Arctic, the little auk will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in our understanding of this rapidly changing landscape. Related article: Arctic Birds More Vulnerable to Climate Change as Their Habitat Continues to Warm Dog parasites in the form of flatworms have been discovered along the banks of the Colorado River that runs through California. The discovery is based on a new study led by researchers from the University of California, Riverside, and the Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand. These deadly flatworms called Heterobilharzia americana, can cause the fatal parasitic disease known as canine schistosomiasis in dogs. The recent research paper highlights the unprecedented spread of pathogens and the emergence of infectious diseases, affecting global health, the economy, and security risks. The authors of the study also emphasized the impact of climate change which can accelerate the dissemination of these superbugs, vectors, or hosts into new areas. In this context, the current climate crisis is contributing to the rise of pathogenic diseases. Heterobilharzia Americana The findings about the discovery of Heterobilharzia americana were published in the journal Pathogens Wednesday, March 13. In the paper, the US and Thailand research team confirmed the existence of the dog parasite on the West Coast, where it lives in two natural intermediate hosts found in the California part of the Colorado River. The dog-killing flatworms were found in southern California. In the past, most specimens of H. americana have been found mostly in Texas and other Gulf Coast states. In light of the March 2024 study, the team confirms that their discovery of the deadly parasite in the Colorado River, California, is the first time on record. Specifically, the flatworms were found in their two hosts Gaiba cubensis, a species of air-breathing freshwater snail, and Galba humilis, a species of gastropods. Although the parasites were found in their gastropod hosts, the danger lies in their potential to infect other living organisms, especially dogs. Once the flatworms infect our furry canine pets, it can bring the parasitic disease canine schistosomiasis mentioned earlier. In the US, the flatworm-borne disease is responsible for the deaths of infected dogs in the Southeast region, as well as in Texas and Louisiana, according to previous reports. Also Read: Experts Warn Pet Owners to be Vigilant of Hookworms, a Parasite Immune to All Treatments What is Canine Schistosomiasis? Based on a news release by the UC Riverside on Thursday, March 14, experts warned dog owners about the risks of allowing their pets to swim along the Colorado River, due to the confirmed presence of Heterobilharzia americana. The researchers also emphasized canine schistosomiasis since it can impact the liver and intestines of dogs. According to UC Riverside nematology professor, Adler Dillman, the dogs can die from the infection. In an August 2023 report, the LA County Department of Public Health stated there was a total of 11 cases of the dog parasite disease among pet dogs from three counties in southern California: Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County. These cases occurred between 2018 and 2023, a period when the infected dogs were believed to have been swimming in the Colorado River before being diagnosed. Related Article: Parasite Tapeworms Infect Humans for the First Time After Killing Moose with Dogs The employee who made allegations of controlling and inappropriate behaviour against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is reportedly set to appeal the decision to dismiss her case. The Formula One world champions appointed an external lawyer to investigate the allegations made against Horner, 50, which he has always vehemently denied. He has since continued his work on the F1 teams pit wall during the first two races of the 2024 season, in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. In the meantime, the unnamed woman who made the claims has been suspended by Red Bull, reportedly on full pay and as a result of the inquiry into Horner. Since the initial verdict on Horners conduct, she has held the right of appeal and according to the BBC is now set to take up that option. If the appeal fails, it is said she could then take legal action. Precious little detail of the allegations or investigation have emerged throughout the episode, amid calls for greater transparency. Despite Red Bulls attempts to draw a line under the incident, it has continued to bubble away with a cache of WhatsApp messages purportedly sent between Horner and the woman sent around to journalists and key F1 figures during the Bahrain weekend. Further reports on the continent have suggested that Red Bull GmbH, the parent company behind the F1 team, are ready to sack him before the Australian Grand Prix next weekend. Red Bull have denied those claims but a power play is thought to be ongoing at the top of the multinational corporation which could affect the future of the highly-successful team principal. Horner told reporters at an official FIA press conference in Saudi Arabia: Obviously theres been an awful lot of coverage surrounding this. But one has to go back to the basis that a grievance was raised, it was investigated, and it was dismissed. Obviously its been of great interest to different elements of the media, for different reasons. I think it is time now to draw a line under it. He continued: Its been a very trying period. Im married and have three children, and when that intrusion involves your children, and your marriage. I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. Im the only one who has been named in this. So of course, its very trying. When theres children involved, family, parents its not pretty. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Amid a growing crisis in Haiti that could push Haitians to take to the sea to come to Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republicans in the state are increasingly characterizing the possibility of that situation and the presence of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. as a threat to Floridians. At a press conference on Friday, DeSantis signed legislation that aims to crack down on illegal immigration by banning local community IDs that have historically benefited some migrants in places like Miami-Dade County, and by enhancing criminal penalties for migrants who drive without a license or who have previously been deported. The Republican governor also amplified how his administration preparing for what it calls a possible invasion is helping patrol the South Florida shores in an effort to stop migrants at sea. DeSantis acknowledged that a surge of migrants has not materialized amid the situation in Haiti, but he said the state needs to be proactive and prepared to respond to a potential mass migration event. Its the same thing we do when we have hurricanes, DeSantis said, while noting his focus is on protecting Floridians. The tone of the press conference one of urgency and alarm underscores how the politics of immigration is once again taking center stage in the minds of Florida Republicans, who are blaming President Joe Bidens administration for the border security issue and endangering Americans. There is no doubt our country is less safe, Attorney General Ashley Moody said. Not a day goes by that you dont see someone that has been harmed by someone here illegally that should not be here, was not vetted when they came across or they just escaped all detection. Another guest at the press conference, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, said that undocumented immigrants are coming here not just to find a better way of life like many of our forefathers did, but they are coming here to kill our people while they make enormous profits, in reference to the fentanyl crisis. Story continues Research has shown that immigrants are convicted of crimes at lesser rates than U.S.-born Americans. A 2023 study from Stanford University analyzing over a century of Census data found that immigrants are 30% less likely to be in prison compared to white Americans, and 60% less likely than people born in the U.S. overall, including Black Americans. In recent days, Republicans have amplified fears about the possibility of a surge of Haitian migrants. Republican U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott sent a letter to Biden on Friday saying that while they have compassion for the Haitians, they are concerned about how the Biden administration will respond to the risks of a potential migratory crisis. We must consider this danger due to the numerous reports of gangs committing jailbreaks in Haiti and releasing thousands of dangerous criminals, they wrote in the letter, which also asked Biden to provide more information about how his administration plans to respond to the matter. In right-wing circles, there has also been chatter about cannibalism among criminal gangs in Haiti that stems from years-old videos posted by gang members intending to frighten their rivals. The isolated videos were never verified, and the State Department has said it has seen no credible evidence to substantiate the allegations. The claims are so baseless that X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, removed a video circulating widely online even after its CEO, Elon Musk, had shared it himself. Those illegal aliens were turned over The DeSantis press conference came days after he announced he will be sending hundreds of state officers and soldiers to South Florida, along with helicopters, drones and boats, to help the U.S. Coast Guard stop migrants at sea. It builds on an executive action from last January when the governor deployed Florida law enforcement agencies after hundreds of Cubans and Haitians started landing on the shores of the Florida Keys. On Friday, DeSantis said the state has already had successes in stopping migrants at sea this year. He referenced a Feb. 29 event in which Florida Fish and Wildlife officers intercepted a 42-foot boat carrying 25 undocumented migrants from Haiti near Sebastian Inlet in Central Florida. There were five unaccompanied children among those passengers. Those illegal aliens were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation, DeSantis said. The state agency waited to announce the seizure until the governors press conference was ongoing. The agency said officers found guns, drugs and night vision gear on the boat. The boats captain and one other passenger were American citizens. Since that event, there have been other interdictions of Haitian migrants, including one by the U.S. Coast Guard near the Bahamas and another in Turks and Caicos by the islands police force. However, the Department of Homeland Security said earlier this week that irregular immigration in the Caribbean remains low for now. Republican sheriff amplifies immigrant arrests On Friday, Judd brought out a poster that said federal policy drives illegal immigrant crime and victimization. He also waved a small beige colored-banner with the words BS flag as he scoffed at the media reporting that immigrants who are in the country illegally dont commit crimes at greater rates than Americans. Well, listen, if they werent here they couldnt commit any crime, right? And theyre committing hundreds of thousands of crimes. And thats just the ones were arresting them for. So I throw the BS flag on that, Judd said. He mentioned a seizure of ten kilos of fentanyl that authorities traced back to Mexico. Three men from the neighboring country were arrested during the operation. The drugs had originally passed through a house in Compton, but Judd alleged that law enforcement there did not assist them with entering the residence. The criminals are winning in California. The criminals are winning in New York. Governor DeSantis said that the criminals are not going to win in Florida, he said. In a separate recent human trafficking bust coordinated by Judds office, authorities arrested 228 people. Nine percent of the arrested were undocumented immigrants, said Judd, adding that some of the victims were from Venezuela. In relation to Judds fentanyl comments, government data shows that between October 2021 and September 2022, 88% of fentanyl trafficking offenders were U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. sentencing commission. It was around the same percentage of Americans the previous year. McClatchys Chief Washington Correspondent Michael Wilner contributed to this report. A World Central Kitchen barge loaded with food is the first maritime shipment of aid to arrive in Gaza The first maritime humanitarian aid shipment to Gaza has been unloaded on to the shore. The US charity behind the mission World Central Kitchen (WCK) is carrying out the mission in co-operation with the United Arab Emirates. The shipment contained 200 tonnes of food desperately needed for Gaza, which the UN says is on the brink of famine. Aid agencies have accused Israel of impeding aid deliveries, a charge vehemently denied by Israeli officials. They say Israel is allowing aid through two crossings in the south and has blamed aid agencies of logistical failures. Much of the Gaza Strip has been devastated during the Israeli military operations that began after Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages. More than 31,400 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the Hamas-run health ministry says. Saturday's shipment arrived on board Spanish charity ship Open Arms. Its cargo includes beans, carrots, canned tuna, chickpeas, canned corn, parboiled rice, flour, oil, salt and pallets of dates, which hold spiritual significance during Ramadan. It had been checked by Israeli officials in port in Cyprus. It marks the start of a trial to see if the sea route would be more effective than air and land deliveries. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that no method of relief is as effective as delivery by land, but they say Israeli restrictions mean a fraction of what is needed is getting in. In a statement, WCK said: "All cargo was offloaded and is being readied for distribution in Gaza." Teams worked through the night to get the aid on to dry land. Gaza has no functioning port, so a makeshift jetty stemming from the shoreline was built by WCK's team using rubble from destroyed buildings. However, there are few details on how the aid distribution will work, with UN relief agencies having described huge obstacles to getting relief supplies to those in need. Story continues Earlier, WCK's founder, celebrity chef Jose Andres, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that all the food aid from the barge had been loaded into 12 lorries. "We did it!" he wrote, adding that this was a test to see if they could bring even more aid in the next shipment - up to "thousands of tons a week". In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had been deployed to secure the shoreline. This delivery has been highly anticipated since the ship set off from the port of Larnaca on Tuesday. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told journalists: "The first ship has started its return to Cyprus, and we are ready to dispatch the second ship." The second cargo vessel is at Larnaca's port awaiting a signal to sail with 240 tons of aid including bulk products. WCK said in addition it would carry two forklifts and a crane to help with future maritime deliveries to Gaza. If this sea mission is deemed a success, other aid ships will likely follow as part of an international effort to get more aid into Gaza. The ships would use a newly opened sea route to travel directly to the region. Separately, the US is planning to build its own floating dock off the coast to boost sea deliveries. The White House says it could see two million meals a day enter Gaza, but while a military ship is en route with equipment on board to build the dock, questions remain about the logistics of the plan. The World Food Programme had to temporarily pause its land deliveries after convoys came under gunfire and looting. And an air drop turned deadly last week when five people were reportedly killed when a parachute failed and they were hit by the aid package. The UN has warned that famine is "almost inevitable" in Gaza without urgent action, and the EU's foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell has accused Israel of creating a "manmade" disaster and using starvation as a weapon of war. The Israeli army has continued its attacks across the Gaza Strip with reports of at least 36 people killed after a house near the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza was struck. It comes as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for an assault on the southern city of Rafah, which is sheltering more than a million displaced people. Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza are ongoing. On Friday, Israel dismissed the Hamas's latest proposal. Hamas said it gave mediators a "comprehensive vision" of a truce, but Mr Netanyahu called this "unrealistic", but he has however agreed to send Israeli negotiators to Qatar. The Reuters news agency has quoted a source close to the talks as saying that Israel's spy chief, David Barnea, is expected to meet Qatar's prime minister and Egyptian officials in Doha on Sunday to iron out "the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas". Priyanka Chopra is all smiles as she arrives in India with her daughter Malti Marie Mumbai, March 14 G lobal star Priyanka Chopra is adored by her fans and her visit to India often excites them. Recently, she was spotted at the Mumbai airport along with her cute daughter Malti Marie. Priyanka Chopra and her daughter Malti Marie arrived in India. The paparazzi were excitedly awaiting Priyanka's arrival, and she smiled and waved politely. Her beautiful black outfit was accented with a contemporary cowboy hat, making her seem effortlessly chic. Meanwhile, her daughter Malti looked adorable in a gorgeous green dress. The 'Dostana' actress, as always, looked stunning as she posed for the camera with her little munchkin. Earlier, she took to her Instagram stories to share an adorable selfie with her daughter. She wrote in the caption, "Mumbai meri jaan. Here we go!" Talking about her work front, after turning executive producer for 'To Kill A Tiger', Priyanka Chopra Jonas is all set to star in 'The Bluff', which will be directed by Frank E Flowers. Priyanka took to Instagram and announced her new project. She wrote, "Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates. -Mark Twain." Hollywood actor Karl Urban is in talks to join 'The Bluff' team.As per Deadline, set in the 19th century Caribbean, The Bluff follows a former female pirate (Priyanka) who must protect her family when the mysterious sins of her past catch up to her. The movie, produced by AGBO Studios and Amazon MGM Studios, is directed and co-written by Frank E. Flowers. This will be Priyanka's second project with The Russo Brothers after she starred in their Amazon Original series 'Citadel'.A few days ago, Priyanka became an executive producer for the Oscar-nominated documentary 'To Kill A Tiger'. She expressed her excitement about joining the team as an executive producer alongside Dev Patel, Mindy Kaling, and others. Taking to her Instagram handle, she wrote in a post, "I'm so proud to join the incredible team of the Academy Award nominated documentary @tokillatigerdoc , and to announce that @netflix has acquired the global distribution rights to this powerful feature directed by @nishappics . When I first watched this film in 2022, I was immediately captivated by its poignant narrative, depicting a father's valiant struggle within the judicial system to secure justice for his daughter. This project serves as a testament to the boundless love and unyielding determination of a devoted father for his cherished daughter."She continued talking about the project, saying, "This hard hitting piece of art also really hits home on so many levels, but personally, I was born in the state of Jharkhand (where the survivor and her father are from), and as the daughter of a father that was my forever champion...I was moved to pieces. I cannot wait for audiences around the world to discover this moving story. 'To Kill a Tiger', directed by Nisha Pahuja, has won two dozen prizes throughout the world, including Best Documentary at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Amplify Voices Award at TIFF, and Best Feature Documentary at the Canadian Screen prizes. The Directors Guild of Canada recognised Pahuja with the 2023 Excellence in Documentary Award. Despite not having any distribution in the United States, it made the Oscar documentary shortlist and was nominated; the Netflix arrangement will ultimately alter that. According to Deadline, Pahuja spent eight years working on the film, which centers on Ranjit, a poor farmer whose 13-year-old daughter Kiran became the victim of a brutal sexual assault. Pressured by his village to drop charges against the three young men accused of the attack, Ranjit and his wife Jiganti refused. The film takes place in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand (where Priyanka Chopra Jonas was born). To Kill a Tiger, a release comments, "serves as a testament to the boundless love and unyielding determination of a devoted father for his cherished daughter." Along with Chopra, Patel, and Kaling, fellow executive producers are Dr. Atul Gawande, the surgeon and bestselling author, Canadian poet Rupi Kaur, writer-producer Andy Cohen (Beijing Spring), Anita Lee, Andrew Dragoumis, Shivani Rawat, Mona Sinha (Equality Now), Mala Gaonkar (Surgo Foundation), Regina Scully, Anita Bhatia, Niraj Bhatia, Deepa Mehta and others. Apart from this, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in 'Heads of State', alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. She will also be seen in Farhan Akhtar's next directorial 'Jee Le Zaraa' alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt. Priyanka Chopra is all smiles as she arrives in India with her daughter Malti Marie Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Jodhpur, March 15 T he forest officials in Jodhpur have traced the movement of a leopard near the Sursagar area. "We received information around 3:00 am from the police control room. Soon after the information was received, a team reached the spot to catch the leopard. We have checked CCTV footage and footprints of leopard were found," an official told ANI. "Efforts are ongoing to tranquilize the large cat with utmost caution. If needed, cages will be installed. We will capture the big cat soon," an official further said. India's leopard population has reached 13,874, with 1.08 per cent per year growth between 2018 and 2022, as per a report released by the Environment Ministry Bhupender Yadav last month. Madhya Pradesh houses the largest population of leopards in the country: 3907 (2018: 3421), followed by Maharashtra (1985), Karnataka (1,879) and Tamil Nadu (1,070), according to the report. This estimate represents a population of 70 per cent of leopard habitat, the Himalayas and semi-arid parts of the country, which are not tiger habitats, were not sampled. The largest growth rate was in Central India and the Eastern Ghats at 1.5 per cent, as per the report. However, there is a 3.4 per cent decline per year in the population growth of leopards in the Shivalik Hills and the Gangetic Plains. Leopards are powerful big cats closely related to lions, tigers, and jaguars. They are facing escalating threats across their range in India. Amidst habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) spearheaded the fifth cycle of leopard population estimation, shedding light on the status and trends of these elusive big cats. This cycle conducted a foot survey spanning 6,41,449 km to estimate carnivore signs and prey abundance. Camera traps were strategically placed at 32,803 locations, resulting in a total of 4,70,81,881 photographs, resulting in 85,488 photo-captures of leopards. Reflecting on the report, the union environment minister said that Project Tiger's conservation legacy extends beyond tigers, as evident in the leopard status report, showcasing broader species protection efforts. Leopard spotted in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, forest officials launch search ops Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, March 15 I n a gesture of reverence and respect, visiting Bhutan Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, paid homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat in New Delhi on Friday. Marking his tribute, the Prime Minister laid floral wreaths at the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was laid to rest. "Honouring the legacy of Bapu & his universal ideals! PM @tsheringtobgay of Bhutan paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat," official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said in a post on X. The Bhutan PM is in India on an official visit, which is his first overseas visit after assuming office in February 2024. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in the national capital. "On behalf of the King of Bhutan, PM Tshering Tobgay extended invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bhutan next week. Prime Minister accepted the invitation," MEA said in a press release. During their meeting, "both leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people to people exchanges and development cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship," the release also said. "The Prime Minister of Bhutan conveyed his deep appreciation for India's role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutan's developmental priorities," it added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday called on Bhutan's Prime Minister Tobgay and stated that he values the latter's leadership in taking the ties between the two nations forward. The Bhutan PM was accompanied by the Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister, and senior officials from the country. During his India visit, Tobgay is also scheduled to travel to Mumbai. India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels. The visit by the Bhutanese PM will provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the progress in their unique partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between both nations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a release earlier. The tradition of regular political and official exchanges is an important hallmark of the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, it added. Bhutan PM pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Randeep Hooda visits Tilak memorial in Pune: 'Still feel the energy of revolution' Mumbai, March 15 A ctor Randeep Hooda, who is gearing up for his upcoming directorial debut 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar', has recently visited the memorial of freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, along with his co-star Ankita Lokhande. The actor, who stars in the film in the titular role, took to the social media, and dropped a series of photographs, wherein he can be seen wearing a black T-shirt, matching pants and a brown jacket. Ankita wore a green saree, and paired it with a blue blouse. Randeep penned a note, which stated: "Visited the house and memorial of one of the tallest leaders of our freedom struggle Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak ji, one can still feel the energy of revolution, where young Veer Savarkar and many got influenced and galvanised to take part in the Swarajya Movement and the struggle for Independence. Saw the original FIRST FLAG OF #BHARAT hoisted by Madam Bhikaji Came in 1906, which was designed by #MadamCama, Shyamji Krishna Verma and #VinayakDamodarSavarkar." "Its commendable that the #Tilak Family has preserved the artefacts and legacy with utmost care and the enthusiasm they showed in sharing stories and memorabilia of #Lokmanya Sahib and their hospitality was heartwarming. Jai Hind," he added. The actor gave the tune of The Savarkar Rage on the post, and the geo-tag is of Pune, Maharashrtra. The film also stars Amit Sial. Produced by Zee Studios, Anand Pandit, Sandeep Singh, Randeep Hooda and Yogesh Rahar, and co-produced by Roopa Pandit, Sam Khan, Anwar Ali and Panchali Chakraborty, the film is set to release in Hindi and Marathi on March 22. Randeep Hooda visits Tilak memorial in Pune: 'Still feel the energy of revolution' Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Priyanka Chopra raises glam quotient in white outfit at an event in Mumbai Mumbai, March 15 A ctor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who is back in India, raised the glam quotient with her stunning look at the event in Mumbai today. In the videos captured by Mumbai-based paparazzi, Priyanka stepped out for an event by brand Bulgari wearing a white two-piece set. She wore a white crop top with a plunging neckline and lace detailing over it with matching pants. Priyanka completed her look with a bling diamond choker and kept her hair tied in a ponytail. Priyanka on Thursday arrived in India with her cute daughter Malti Marie. The paparazzi were excitedly awaiting Priyanka's arrival, and she smiled and waved politely. Her beautiful black outfit was accented with a contemporary cowboy hat, making her seem effortlessly chic. Meanwhile, her daughter Malti looked adorable in a gorgeous green dress. The 'Dostana' actress, as always, looked stunning as she posed for the camera with her little munchkin. Earlier, she took to her Instagram stories to share an adorable selfie with her daughter. She wrote in the caption, "Mumbai meri jaan. Here we go!" Talking about her work front, after turning executive producer for 'To Kill A Tiger', Priyanka Chopra Jonas is all set to star in 'The Bluff', which will be directed by Frank E Flowers. Priyanka took to Instagram and announced her new project. She wrote, "Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates. -Mark Twain." Hollywood actor Karl Urban is in talks to join 'The Bluff' team. As per Deadline, set in the 19th century Caribbean, The Bluff follows a former female pirate (Priyanka) who must protect her family when the mysterious sins of her past catch up to her. The movie, produced by AGBO Studios and Amazon MGM Studios, is directed and co-written by Frank E. Flowers. This will be Priyanka's second project with The Russo Brothers after she starred in their Amazon Original series 'Citadel'. Apart from this, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in 'Heads of State', alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. She will also be seen in Farhan Akhtar's next directorial 'Jee Le Zaraa' alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt. Priyanka Chopra raises glam quotient in white outfit at an event in Mumbai Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Russians are voting in an election that holds little suspense after Putin crushed dissent Russia has begun three days of voting in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putins rule for six more years after he stifled dissent The Princess of Wales apologized earlier this week for "any confusion" caused by the Mother's Day photo Samir Hussein-Pool/Getty Images Kate Middleton, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands pictured in 2016 King Willem-Alexander has seemingly poked fun at the controversy surrounding Kate Middleton's Mother's Day photo. On Tuesday, the King of the Netherlands, 56, was speaking to members of the public during a royal engagement in Zutphen when he was heard making a joke about Photoshop in a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter). A child mentioned a photo of the King with his family, to which he replied, "At least I didn't Photoshop it," according to The Independent and The Telegraph. Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Kate Middleton pictured in 2019 Related: Kate Middleton Seen Leaving Windsor with Prince William for Private Appointment After Issuing Photo Apology Controversy has been surrounding the royal family and the Princess of Wales, 42, ever since a photo showing her posing with three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, was released to celebrate Mother's Day in the U.K. on Sunday. Speculation surfaced about whether the picture had been edited due to several inconsistencies, including the alignment of Princess Charlottes left hand, Prince Louis sweater pattern, and blurring around Kates hair. Princess Kate, who has been recovering since having abdominal surgery on Jan. 16, then personally apologized in a statement shared online on Monday. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton Related: Kate Middleton's Mother's Day Photo Isn't the Only Recent Family Snap Accused of Photoshop "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," Kate's message read. "I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day, she added, signing the note with a C, for Catherine. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Story continues 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 A palace insider has since downplayed the PR crisis, exclusively telling PEOPLE that the situation is a "bump in the road, it's not an earthquake." "[Kate] has apologized and graciously so," the insider said. "She has done something that 99% of us do and we dont have the scrutiny that they do." "Think of the level of scrutiny of pictures of her, as people pore over them," they added. "Youre always on display and always got to be perfect." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several vaccines were produced and rolled out at an unprecedented ratehowever, access and cost issues limited vaccine delivery in many parts of the developing world. A new study in the journal Nature reports on the success of Sierra Leones immunization program against COVID-19, which is based on a simple, cost-effective, and scalable intervention that enhances access to vaccines. Study: Last-mile delivery increases vaccine uptake in Sierra Leone. Image Credit: Media Lens King / Shutterstock.com COVID-19 vaccine inequity COVID-19 vaccines were first rolled out in December 2020. However, by March 2022, only 15% of the population in low-income countries (LIC) had received at least one dose compared to 80% in high-income countries (HICs). The hazards associated with low vaccine coverage include the possibility of new surges and subsequent lockdowns, unemployment, loss of income, food insecurity, and the emergence of dangerous new variants and subvariants. By March 2022, only one-third of Africas population received a single COVID-19 vaccine dose. In Sierra Leone, previous research showed that, on average, a person had to travel seven hours to access one dose of the vaccine and that the cost of access to the vaccine was equivalent to a weeks wages. The intervention In partnership with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) and international non-governmental organization (NGO) Concern Worldwide, the authors of the current study designed and executed an intervention aimed at distributing vaccines to remote villages. The permission of the local community was first sought, followed by efforts to mobilize the community in the vaccination initiative. The current intervention was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in rural Sierra Leone that included 150 villages. All of these were outside the five-kilometer radius of primary health units (PHUs) offering COVID-19 vaccines in the area. Of these, 100 villages were involved in the intervention, with 50 serving as controls. The villages were small, with about 200 individuals for each village, with a total of just over 20,000 individuals participating in the trial. The mean age of these individuals was 22 years, with approximately 75% of households headed by men. Farming was the primary occupation of the head of the household in 86% of cases. The first day of the intervention involved community mobilization with all village elders and political, youth, and religious leaders, with the help of MoHS volunteers. That night, a community meeting was held to educate the people about the vaccine, its safety, effectiveness, and importance, as well as answer questions. The next day was devoted to setting up the temporary vaccination site with vaccine delivery workers, MoHS staff for data collection, and vaccine doses. Vaccines were available for the next two to three days, from sunrise to sunset, and community mobilization continued. Individual, door-to-door, small group or randomly selected houses were some of the tested outreach strategies. The results Daily vaccination uptake increased from nine to 55 people in two to three days, with the vaccination rate rising by 26 percentage points. The initiative attracted large numbers of people from neighboring areas and transients. Overall, about 5,000 people were vaccinated. At baseline, the average vaccination rate was 6% and 9% in control and treatment villages, respectively. After the intervention, treatment villages reported a 30% vaccination rate, which rose to over 70% by December 2022, with nearly eight million doses delivered by March 2023. About 65% of those who attended the meetings took the vaccine, compared to 40% among non-attendees. Conversely, about 53% of attendees who were initially unwilling to take the vaccine did so after attending the meetings, compared to only 14% of non-attendees. The cost for each administered vaccine dose was about $33. If repeated with the same vetted and trained volunteers, this cost would reduce to about $23 for each person, thereby facilitating large-scale or nationwide efforts. Compared to over 200 similar interventions offered during 144 RCTs, including financial and other incentives, social motivation, and community engagement, the intervention discussed in the current study produced a more significant effect size than 95% of the others at a lower cost. These results suggest that low vaccination rates are related to deficiencies in access and that a cost-effective intervention is capable of overcoming that deficiency. What this means for the future The approach employed in the current study could have significant impacts on public health around the world by encouraging delivery programs to immunize remote communities if these individuals cannot reach vaccine delivery centers. In Bangladesh, similar efforts have increased the infant vaccination rate from 1% during the early 1980s to over 70% by the 1990s. Bundling interventions to improve maternal and child health could also reduce healthcare delivery costs, as transport to remote locations accounted for a significant portion of associated costs. Thus, providing access to remote locations in LICs is fundamental in promoting vaccination of the first 50% of the population. Prominent behavioral scientists have recently acknowledged our excessive focus on individual behavioural peculiarities (i-frame) at the expense of systemic solutions (s-frame). The current study demonstrates the striking efficiency and cost-effectiveness of a community-based vaccine intervention that benefited the local community and neighboring and migrant populations. Future applications of the approach employed in this study have the potential to improve vaccine uptake rates and ensure near-universal coverage to ultimately increase vaccine equity. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have developed an algorithm to identify high-risk precancerous lesions on the fallopian tubes. Known as serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs), these lesions are thought to be the main precursors of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most common form of ovarian cancer in women. The algorithm, called "REAL-FAST" (RealSeqS-based algorithm for fallopian tube aneuploidy pattern in STIC), identified five distinct groups of precancerous lesions in fallopian tubes, two of which were identified as potentially aggressive and frequently associated with recurrent HGSC. The results provide the first molecular evidence that STICs have unique identifiable genetic features. The pilot study, published Feb. 1 in Clinical Cancer Research, was led by Yeh Wang, M.D., Ph.D., a pathology resident under the direction of Ie-Ming Shih, M.D., Ph.D., Richard W. TeLinde Distinguished Professor and professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Although women at an increased or average risk of developing ovarian cancer often undergo salpingectomy, a procedure to surgically remove both fallopian tubes to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancers, current clinical practice does not include a detailed examination of potential precancerous lesions, meaning many women face an uncertain future, Shih says. This is a high-risk setting -; these patients need more immediate diagnostic approaches. This test is about identifying precursor lesions before they progress to cancer." Christopher Douville, Ph.D., assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and one of the lead study authors However, not all STICs are molecularly equal, Douville says, and identifying aggressive STICs early is challenging. Due to the small size of the lesions, current evaluation methods equate to trying to find a needle in a haystack. Shih, Douville and their team set out to develop a tool that could detect and stratify STICs according to key genetic alterations and mutations. The researchers used a technique called Repetitive Element AneupLoidy Sequencing System, or RealSeqS, to sequence 150 DNA samples and analyze the level of aneuploidy, the presence of missing or extra DNA chromosomes, in STIC versus HGSC and normal-appearing samples. Initial results showed that while normal-appearing samples had low levels of aneuploidy, STICs had significantly more non-random genetic alterations, even when they appeared structurally normal, including whole and partial deletions of chromosome 17 in the signatures of the tumor suppressor p53 proteins. The authors suggest that the loss of chromosome 17 offers a potential explanation for the concurrent inactivation of both the TP53 and BRCA1 genes, which are both located on chromosome 17 and represent the most important tumor suppressors known to be involved in the development of HGSC. This could explain why germline mutations involving the BRCA1 gene, and not BRCA2 (found in chromosome 13), are associated with a high risk of HGSC. Based on these findings, the researchers then built the REAL-FAST algorithm to classify samples into distinct molecular groups, independent of their structural characteristics. REAL-FAST identified five groups, including a STIC subgroup with unique chromosome alterations that are associated with increased proliferation and abnormal growth. Further validation of REAL-FAST for detecting STICs and HGSCs demonstrated that the test accurately detected the presence of cancer 95.8% of the time and correctly ruled out cancer where it did not occur 97.1% of the time. Together, the findings suggest that only some STICs progress to HGSC and that this progression is associated with a non-random increase in chromosomal abnormalities. "The analysis of the RealSeqS data provides a basis for answering fundamental questions pertinent to the earliest events of HGSC development," says Douville. "Although it can easily take a decade to translate research to clinical practice, Dr. Shih feels this research could make a rapid impact on patient care by providing clinicians with diagnostic alternatives with quantitative answers." Though REAL-FAST requires further validation of its utility in a clinical setting to correlate the molecular data and patients' outcomes, the authors believe that a clearer understanding of how HGSC develops will soon lead to better diagnostics and improved outcomes for the thousands of women diagnosed with cancer every year. Study co-authors included Yeh Wang, Yen-Wei Chien, Russell Vang, Nickolas Papadopoulos and Tian-Li Wang of Johns Hopkins. Other authors were from the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center; Legacy Health System in Portland, Oregon; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Basser Center for BRCA at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York; Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C.; Taipei Medical University in Taiwan; Georgetown University Medical Center, in Washington, D.C.; as well as Inova Fairfax Hospital and the School of Medicine Inova Campus in Virginia. The work was supported by the Richard W. TeLinde Endowment from The Johns Hopkins University, the Breakthrough Cancer Foundation (BTC-IOC), a Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Grant Award (DoD-CDMRP Grant Award W81XWH-22-1-0852), and the Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation. Douville reports personal fees from Exact Sciences and Belay Diagnostics during the conduct of the study, as well as personal fees from Belay Diagnostics and Exact Sciences outside the submitted work; Douville also reports a patent for RealSeqS pending, licensed and with royalties paid from Exact Sciences. These relationships are managed by The Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies. Bariatric surgery may result in significant cardiometabolic improvements, particularly among younger, female, or white people and those without comorbidities, according to new research published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. The United States has the highest obesity rates globally. In 2017-2018, about 40% of U.S. adults had obesity and 9% had severe obesity. The prevalence is particularly high among Black adults. Bariatric surgery is one method to help people with severe obesity lose a lot of weight and improve their health. Our study highlights how bariatric surgery not only leads to significant weight loss but also substantially improves heart health. These health benefits include lower blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar, and an estimated 35% reduction in 10-year cardiovascular disease risk one year after surgery." Lei Wang, M.Phil., study author of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. "Additionally, 30% to 50% of people in our study experienced remissions of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia," added co-author Danxia Yu, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Individuals who were younger, female, self-identified as white and had no history of cardiometabolic diseases tended to see greater post-surgery cardiometabolic improvements." The researchers analyzed over 7,800 people between the ages of 20 to 79 who underwent bariatric surgery during 1999-2022 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Most study participants were women and white, but the study also includes a significant number of male patients and Black patients, who have been underrepresented in bariatric surgery research. The researchers evaluated various cardiometabolic improvements, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and HbA1c. They also measured remission rates of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and the estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. Older, male or Black patients showed less reduction in 10-year heart disease risk and lower odds of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia remission than younger, female or white patients. Patients with a history of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia or cardiovascular disease showed less cardiometabolic improvements than those without. "Our findings can help people with severe obesity experience better health outcomes and help us recognize which patients may require extra health management after surgery," Wang said. Other study authors include Xiao-Ou Shu, You Chen, Brandon Williams, Matthew Spann, Charles Flynn and Wayne English of Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Michael O'Brien and Xinmeng Zhang of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.; and Vance Albaugh of Metamor Institute, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in Baton Rouge, La. The study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Viral infections trigger more cases of intussusception, the common cause of bowel blockages in young children, than previously thought, according to a new study. The research, led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, found during the COVID-19 lockdowns hospital admissions for intussusception, a medical emergency involving obstruction of the intestine, among young children significantly decreased. For the study, 12 years of data was analysed across Victoria, NSW and Queensland. A total of 5,589 intussusception cases were recorded between January, 2010 and April, 2022. Of those, 3,179 were children under the age of two. During the lockdown periods, Victoria and NSW experienced a decline in hospital admissions for intussusception among children under two by 62.7 per cent and 40.1 per cent, respectively. The rate of intussusception cases has now returned to normal levels. MCRI and Monash University researcher Dr Ben Townley said the magnitude of the decline supported that common respiratory diseases such as colds, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), were behind a significant proportion of intussusception cases. Reductions in intussusception hospital admissions were seen in all age groups, however most occurred in children less than two years of age. Intussusception is the leading cause of acute bowel obstruction in infants and young children and without prompt diagnosis and management, can be fatal. Countries with prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns and suppression strategies saw reductions in common respiratory viruses, which influenced the drop in intussusception admissions." Dr Ben Townley, Researcher, MCRI and Monash University Victoria experienced the greatest lockdown duration, with Melbourne having six lockdown periods, for a total of 263 days. Greater Sydney had 159 days and Brisbane had 18 days in lockdown. MCRI Professor Jim Buttery said the decrease in intussusception cases was greater than expected given previous research into the causes of the condition. "Our analysis found commons viruses play a larger role than previously recognised in triggering intussusception," he said. Infectious triggers were thought to comprise only a minority, about 30 per cent, of cases." Professor Buttery said the findings raised the possibility that emerging vaccines like the new RSV vaccines may help prevent intussusception. "When a new vaccine against common childhood respiratory viruses is introduced, we may find there are some unexpected benefits, like protecting more children from intussusception," he said. We last saw this in 2007, when introducing the rotavirus vaccine against gastroenteritis, also reduced febrile convulsions in young children." Researchers from Sydney Children's Hospital Network, University of Melbourne and Queensland Health also contributed to the findings. In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers examined the risk of early death beyond 12 years of age related to teenage pregnancies and gestational age. Study: Teen Pregnancy and Risk of Premature Mortality. Image Credit: Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com Background Teen pregnancy is a leading cause of mortality among young girls in the United States, with direct fatalities primarily due to bleeding, hypertension, or sepsis. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like maltreatment, family divorce, or financial loss are associated with later teen pregnancy, drug use, and suicide. However, research on teen pregnancies is scarce due to small sample numbers, self-documented outcomes, insufficient data on induced abortions, and limited information regarding the death cause. Population-based statistics from a universal healthcare system in Canada may capture all teenage pregnancies with low selection bias. About the study In the present population-based study, researchers examined the risk of premature death at the age of 12 years related to adolescent pregnancies. The researchers conducted the study between 1 April 1991 and 31 March 2022 in Ontario, including females aged 12 years with Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) eligibility. The primary exposure was the count of adolescent pregnancies from 12 to 19 years, with teen pregnancy dates categorized as live births, stillbirths, induced abortions, or miscarriages. Secondary study exposures included teen pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage or delivery vs. induced abortions) and participant age during the first adolescent pregnancy. The primary outcome was any-cause death starting at the age of 12, whereas the secondary study outcome was any-cause death beginning at the age of 20. The datasets, which included hospitalizations, emergency department visits, census data, births and deaths, and induced abortions, were evaluated at ICES using unique encoded identifiers and deterministically linked. The team used Cox proportional hazards regressions to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs), including covariates such as birth year, comorbid conditions between the ages of 9 and 11 years, rurality, region-wise educational attainment, and income. For fatal injuries of the intentional type among individuals with or without a teenage pregnancy, they provided a breakdown for assault- and self-harm-related ones using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and 10 codes. Results Among 2,242,929 adolescents, 7.3% (n=163,124) had a teenage pregnancy at 18 years of age (median), with 121,276 (74%) having one pregnancy and 41,848 (26%) having two or more. Those with adolescent pregnancies showed an increased likelihood of living in the lowermost statistical quintile for income and areas with lower high school graduation rates. Females with adolescent pregnancies had a higher percentage of self-injury histories in the 12-to-19-year period than adolescents without [5.0% (n=8,123) versus 1.5% (n=30,669)], but not comorbid conditions, including those related to mental or physical health. Of those who had adolescent pregnancies, 60,037 (37%) gave birth [including 99% (n=59,485) live births], 65% (n=106,135) had induced abortions, and 11% (n=17,945) had miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies. The median participant age after the follow-up period was 25 years for females without adolescent pregnancies and 31 years for participants with teenage pregnancies. There were 6,030 mortalities (1.90 for every 10,000 individual-years) among adolescents with no pregnancy history, 701 mortalities (4.10 in 10,000 individuals-years) among females who conceived once in their teenage, and 345 mortalities (6.10 in 10,000 individual-years) among females with multiple teenage pregnancies; AHR values were 1.5 and 2.1 for adolescents with single and multiple pregnancies, respectively. The AHR values were virtually unaltered in an additional examination of all-cause mortality beginning at 20. After correcting for time-varied psychiatric health characteristics from the 12-to-19-year period, the AHR values showed slight attenuation but statistical significance after one adolescent pregnancy (AHR, 1.3) or two or more teenage pregnancies (AHR, 1.8). In comparison to no adolescent pregnancy, the adjusted HR value for premature mortality was 1.4 in the case of the first teenage pregnancy resulting in termination and 2.1 for cases resulting in delivery or miscarriage. When comparing individuals with and without adolescent pregnancy history, the adjusted HR values for premature mortality from non-injury, unintentional harm, and intentional injuries were 1.3, 2.1, and 2.0, respectively. Noninjury-related premature mortality was more prevalent among persons with teen pregnancies (2.0 in 10,000 individual years) than unintentional (1.0 in 10,000 individual years) or purposeful (0.4 in 10,000 individual years) fatalities from injury. Those who had an adolescent pregnancy before the age of 16 had the highest rate of early mortality, with an AHR of 2.0. Noninjury-related premature mortality was more prevalent among persons with teen pregnancies (2.0 in 10,000 individual years) than unintentional (1.0 in 10,000 individual years) or purposeful (0.4 for every 10,000 individual years) fatalities from injury. Those who had an adolescent pregnancy before the age of 16 had the highest rate of early mortality, with an AHR of 2.0. Autoantibodies (AAbs) produced by the humoral immune system represent a promising avenue for early detection, monitoring and drug development as they can be produced in response to tumor antigens several years before clinical diagnosis.1,2 AAbs target proteins that are altered during disease pathogenesis, such as abnormal expression in terms of location and level, aberrant folding, and post-translational modifications.3 Profiling AAbs aids in the identification of tumor-relevant proteins that are modified during cancer, offering important insights into the mechanisms of disease. Type 1 MAGE proteins, for example, only display normal expression during embryonic development in the male mammalian germline. These cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), however, are expressed abnormally in non-germ cells for both men and women with cancer, triggering the generation of AAbs.4-6 AAbs as biomarkers AAbs produced during the early stages of tumorigenesis provide a valuable opportunity for faster diagnosis. This allows for intervention prior to symptoms, a wider range of treatment options (including less aggressive treatments), and better survival rates. For public health systems, early diagnosis could decrease the long-term burden of cancer treatment in terms of patient quality of life and treatment costs. In addition, early-stage treatments are commonly less resource-intensive, allowing for the improved distribution of therapeutic resources and access to care. AAbs can be utilized as biomarkers to forecast patient outcomes and aid in the identification of new therapeutic targets. For example, it has been demonstrated that a signature of 13 AAbs is predictive of poor survival rates in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer.5 This signature was validated in an independent cohort with a sensitivity of 84 % and a specificity of 74 %. Another study identified a signature of 10 novel AAb biomarkers of melanoma with a sensitivity and specificity of 79 % and 84 %, respectively.7 The AAbs targeted transcription factors, regulatory proteins and kinases that are expressed in a variety of cells and tissues, the latter being significant as they are heavily targeted for therapeutics. Recently, another type of post-translational modification called histone citrullination has been associated with various cancers.8,9 Further underscoring their utility, AAbs obtained from blood samples represent the full repertoire of antibodies from various tissues, as they circulate system-wide. This is especially vital as chronic diseases, such as cancer, frequently affect multiple organs and tissues. Proteins in blood, however, only represent proteins secreted or released into the bloodstream. AAbs are suitable for retrospective and longitudinal studies due to their greater resilience against degradation compared to RNA and protein. Since AAbs stay stable for one month at room temperature and for 200 days when stored at -20 C on dried blood spot collection cards, population screening in rural and low-income areas is achievable.10 Use of protein arrays By employing functional protein microarrays, antibodies may be screened against hundreds to thousands of proteins simultaneously. With 90 % of humoral antibodies binding conformational epitopes, AAb screening tools should utilize correctly folded proteins that preserve those critical epitopes for accurate and meaningful results.11 Sengenics arrays leverage patented KREX technology to guarantee proper folding of full-length proteins for highly specific antibody binding, as shown in Figure 1.12 The array surface is also modified to offer an aqueous environment for the proteins to float naturally. Significantly, denatured, linear and improperly folded proteins on other arrays may expose sticky hydrophobic sequences, leading to nonspecific antibody binding and inaccurate data. Figure 1. Schematic of a Sengenics high-density protein array for antibody profiling. With KREX technology, every protein is tagged with a biotin carboxy carrier protein (BCCP) that binds to biotin only when correctly folded. The proteins are then anchored to the array surface through a stable biotin-streptavidin bond. Misfolded proteins result in a BCCP that cannot bind to biotin, and are consequently washed away and removed from further analysis. Image Credit: Sengenics Corporation LLC Conclusions Despite being a genetic disease, genetic testing of cancer does not reflect the dynamic biological changes that occur in real-time. AAb profiling addresses this issue by providing a direct view into the immune response to cancer and identifying proteins with cancer-induced modifications. Furthermore, AAb data can be used alone or in conjunction with other omics datasets to translate complex disease profiles into actionable clinical insights, advancing precision medicine and improving patient outcomes. References Sexauer, D., E. Gray, and P. Zaenker (2022). Tumour- associated autoantibodies as prognostic cancer biomarkers- a review. Autoimmun Rev, 21(4), pp.103041. Anderson, K.S. and J. Labaer. (2005) The Sentinel Within: Exploiting the Immune System for Cancer Biomarkers. Journal of Proteome Research, 4(4), pp.1123-1133. de Jonge, H., et al. (2021) Anti-Cancer Auto-Antibodies: Roles, Applications and Open Issues. Cancers (Basel), 13(4). Weon, J.L. and P.R. Potts. (2015) The MAGE protein family and cancer. Curr Opin Cell Biol, 37, pp.1-8. Patel, A.J., et al. (2022) A highly predictive autoantibody-based biomarker panel for prognosis in early-stage NSCLC with potential therapeutic implications. Br J Cancer, 126(2), pp.238-246. Zaenker, P., et al. (2018) A diagnostic autoantibody signature for primary cutaneous melanoma. Oncotarget, 9(55), pp.30539-30551. Wang, M., et al. (2024). Biomarkers of peripheral blood neutrophil extracellular traps in the diagnosis and progression of malignant tumors. Cancer Medicine, 13(3), pp.e6935. Song, S. and Y. Yu. (2019) Progression on Citrullination of Proteins in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Front Oncol, 9, pp.15. Tong, L., et al. (2023). Development of an autoantibody panel for early detection of lung cancer in the Chinese population. Front Med (Lausanne), 10. pp.1209747. Amini, F., et al. (2021) Reliability of dried blood spot (DBS) cards in antibody measurement: A systematic review. PLoS One, 16(3), pp.e0248218. Van Regenmortel, M.H.V. (1996) Mapping Epitope Structure and Activity: From One-Dimensional Prediction to Four-Dimensional Description of Antigenic Specificity. Methods, 9(3), pp.465-72. Beeton-Kempen, N., et al. (2014) Development of a novel, quantitative protein microarray platform for the multiplexed serological analysis of autoantibodies to cancer-testis antigens. Int J Cancer, 135(8), pp.1842-51. About Sengenics Corporation LLC Sengenics is a leading proteomics company providing high-density protein arrays for the discovery and validation of autoantibody biomarkers. Their innovative approach leverages their patented KREX technology to preserve crucial three-dimensional epitopes that antibodies recognize, ensuring accurate and meaningful results. Autoantibody biomarkers enable early disease detection, drug response prediction, patient stratification, and the development of companion diagnostics. Headquartered in the USA and supported by a global network of offices, distributors, and service providers, Sengenics remains committed to advancing personalized medicine worldwide. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. The NEET MDS 2024 admit cards are scheduled to be released by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) today, March 15. The official website, nbe.edu.in, will allow eligible candidates to download their hall tickets by entering key information like their name, registration ID, and other details. The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test- Master of. Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) 2024 is slated to take place on March 18. The NEET MDS 2024 is going to be administered via a computer-based exam at a number of examination venues across India. The NEET MDS is divided into two parts: Part A contains 100 questions and Part B contains 140 questions. Students applying to different dental or MDS programmes must take the exam, which is an eligibility and ranking-based admission exam. The NEET MDS 2024 results will be published by April 18. NEET MDS 2024 admit card: How To Download Step 1: Go to natboard.edu.in, the official website. Step 2: Select the link to the NEET MDS 2024 admit card. Step 3: Complete the login fields and press the submit button. Step 4: Review and download your admit card. Step 5 Save a copy of the NEET MDS 2023 admit card. for reference in the future. NEET MDS is an exam required for admission to numerous MDS courses under the Dentists Act of 1948. On March 11, NBEMS wrapped up the registration process for the NEET MDS 2024. Approximately 6,200 seats of NEET MDS fall under the 50 per cent All India Quota (AIQ) and 50 per cent state quota categories. Candidates possessing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from any institution that was provisionally or permanently registered with the State Dental Council were eligible to apply for the exam. Additionally, a one-year rotational internship at a dentistry college that has been approved and recognised is required. Compared to last year, the NEET MDS exam fees decreased for every category this year. The examination fee for general and OBC aspirants was Rs 3500 and on the other hand, candidates from the PwD, SC, and ST categories were required to pay Rs. 2500. Here's what to bring if your vacation will involve changing weather conditions. Svetlana-Cherruty / Getty Images Traveling to places with variable weather can make packing an even bigger challenge. Whether you're traveling in between seasons or visiting multiple climates in one vacation, packing for these trips requires a bit more planning. It's impossible to bring something for every season, but there are tricks to efficiently craft an adaptive wardrobe that will prepare you for a range of weather conditions. Start by checking the weather forecast and packing a travel-sized umbrella. Then, try these five expert tips for packing a versatile travel wardrobe that will help you enjoy your tripno matter the weather. Related: How to Pack Light and Still Be Fashionable, According to Style Expert Tan France Bring layers Packing for transitional weather is all about versatility, says Priyanka Swamy, the founder of Perfect Locks LLC. Packing layer-able clothing offers versatility for long day trips if the temperature changes. Swamy says these are pieces that can be added or removed easily. "Lightweight sweaters, cardigans, and scarves can be worn with warm and cool outfits," she adds. Plus, layer-able clothing also means maximizing the number of outfits you can wear during the trip without sacrificing comfort. This is especially true if you have limited weight or space in your luggage. Whether its a weekend getaway, a day out in nature or a tripI keep layering in mind, along with comfort, says Maye Srouji, CEO of Milles Collines, a clothing company based in Cape Town, South Africa. According to Cape Town Tourism, Locals often joke that its possible to experience all four seasons in one day, so it only makes sense that Srouji likes to have options not just for the weather changes but the change of plans that might come with it. (For example, your outdoor hiking day may turn into a day of indoor museum exploring.) She recommends packing a light summer dress and skirt, a few basic tops, a cozy button-down sweater, a few pairs of your favorite jeans or pants, and a loose linen or cotton shirt that layers well. Story continues Include rain gear Srouji adds that Cape Town living has taught her to never leave the house without a jacket. Many seaside cities experience similarly unpredictable weather. Theres always a chance of raineven if the forecast predicts clear skies and sunshine. So, if you're traveling to a destination like this, be sure to bring a waterproof jacket or a foldable trench, just in case. Remember to pack a small umbrella or raincoat in case of an unexpected downpour, says Swamy. Travel-sized umbrellas can be tucked into a carry-on, but some are no match for the combo of wind and water. Whether in Prague or Peru, the ultimate hack is to carry a disposable rain poncho that can easily fit in your purse or fanny pack. Pack versatile footwear Instead of bringing one pair of shoes for each possible weather condition, bring adaptable shoes that work for different ground conditions and across multiple outfits. Pack versatile footwear such as ankle boots or sneakers that can handle rain and shine, says Swamy. If done right, you only need to pack three types of shoes that can handle different weather and occasions. Srouji recommends packing a pair of sneakers that can be paired with dresses and pants, a pair of simple sandals, and evening shoes in case of a special, formal occasion. Dont forget about comfort when picking out shoes, especially if youre planning on walking or hiking. Research how hilly or grassy your destination is, and whether the sidewalks are made of cobblestone or cement. Knowing these little details can help you choose between wedges and stilettos, platforms and pumps. Its safe to say that rubber soles are always a good idea. Aim for walkable, comfortable, and stylish shoes, no matter the destination. Related: Foolproof Hacks for Packing Your Suitcase Efficiently Every Time Always have a scarf If theres one unique accessory Srouji recommends travelers pack, its a scarf. Scarves are too versatile to leave behind. They can protect your hair from sudden rain, your neck from a draft, and your arms and shoulders from an unexpected chill. If travelling with children, scarves can also become multi-functional tools to help with feeding, changing, and sleeping. Use scarves to enhance different outfits, adding a chic touch on top of function. Because they are lightweight and easy to pack, you can bring a few different styles in different materials. A silky square can be tied to your purse, used to cover your hair, or wrapped around your neck in a pinch. A waterproof fleece or wool scarf, on the other hand, is a bit bulkier, but can still be easily folded into the front pocket of any carry-on or large purse. Pay attention to fabric Fabrics can make or break any outfit, but this is especially true when on an excursion with flip-floppy weather. Choose breathable and insulating fabrics, like cotton and merino wool, says Swamy. Linen and bamboo are also excellent materials for extreme heat. Mix and match combinations to maximize preparedness for unpredictable weather. If there's even the slightest chance of rain, be careful with wearing leather, suede, velvet, and silk. Heavy denim can also be a drag in rain and peak heat. Synthetic fabrics tend to make you sweat more, so beware of polyester, a popular water-resistant fabric. Remember to choose colors wisely, too. Dark colored fabrics attract and trap heat. Also be sure to avoid any fabrics or colors that will become see-through when wetwhether from rain showers, snow, or perspiration. For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Real Simple. The Supreme Court on Friday, March 15, refused to postpone the National Eligibility Entrance Test-Master of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) 2024 exam. The ruling came after the apex court heard a miscellaneous case submitted by students requesting that the exam be postponed, which is planned for Monday, March 18. During the hearings, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud stated that the National Dental Commissions (NDC) efforts to reinstate the start of dental courses should not be viewed as arbitrary and warrant court involvement. Based on the parameters of judicial review, the court determined that it was inappropriate to intervene at this stage and consequently declined to do so. An effort has been made by the National Dental Commission (NDC) to bring back on rails the commencement of dental courses to the pre-COVID schedule. This cannot be regarded as arbitrary to seek intervention of court. On the parameters of judicial review, we think it is inappropriate to interfere at this stage. We decline to intervene in the present matter, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud (CJI) said, according to Livelaw. The NDC informed the court that approximately 28,000 candidates are anticipated to appear for the NEET MDS 2024 exam on March 18. It emphasised that postponing the exam would harm these students. Furthermore, the NDC stated that the union government had extended the internship deadline, which resulted in 568 students applying for the test. The petitioners countered that postponing the exam is necessary since 8,000 students could be left out and many students are midway through their clinical courses. They asked for equal testing opportunities for the NEET MDS 2024 and NEET PG 2024. The request for a postponement stems from concerns made by NEET MDS 2024 applicants who sought the apex court following the extension of the internship deadline to June 30, 2024. Despite guarantees, the centre took no action about the exam date, triggering more legal action. In February, the Supreme Court declined to rule on extending the NEET MDS 2024 internship deadline, implying that the union government should resolve the matter. CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra heard the petition for exam delay and stated that the union is better prepared to decide on the matter. Several student and doctor organisations have advocated for the postponement of the NEET MDS 2024 to July, citing concerns over qualifying criteria and scheduling issues with NEET PG counselling. They also stated that the confusion surrounding the test would make it difficult for students to perform. Between January 3 and January 11, the last window for the sale of electoral bonds before it got banned by the Supreme Court, bonds worth Rs 571 crore were purchased and almost half of this amount came from just seven companies. Among the top was Future Gaming and Hotel Services PR that purchased 63 bonds worth Rs 63 crore, followed by Bharti Airtel at Rs 50 crore with 50 bonds, as per the data from the Election Commission of India made public late on Thursday. The numbers analysed by News18 also show that Rungta Sons Pvt Ltd also purchased 50 bonds worth Rs 50 crore. Shirdi Sai Electricals Ltd purchased 40 bonds worth Rs 40 crore. Haldia Energy Limited was fifth on the list with 35 bonds worth Rs 35 crore. Western UP Power Transmission Company Ltd purchased 30 bonds worth Rs 30 crore, while Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd also bought 30 bonds worth Rs 25.50 crore. In total, around 900 bonds worth Rs 571 crore were purchased between January 3 and January 11 by 84 entities, including individuals. More than 11% of this came from Future Gaming and Hotel Services PR while nearly 9% was from Bharti Airtel and Rungta Sons Pvt Ltd each. Under the scheme, individuals and companies from India could donate to political parties of their choice in bonds issued in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, and Rs 1 crore, and no limit existed on the number of electoral bonds that could be purchased. There were just two contributions below Rs 1 lakh. One Kunal Gupta was in the list at the bottom with a contribution of just Rs 1,000 through one electoral bond, preceded by Biswajit Ghosh who bought two bonds worth Rs 2,000. As many as 29 firms purchased over 170 bonds of collective value of Rs 18 crore with individual value of less than Rs 1 crore. On the other hand, the remaining 745 bonds purchased by 53 firms had a collective value of Rs 553 crore. Each of these firms contributed more than Rs 1 crore. Out of these, 16 firms purchased bonds worth Rs 429 crore and each of these had contributed over Rs 10 crore. The sale that went on between January 3 and 11 was the 30th tranche of electoral bonds. These bonds were valid for 15 calendar days from the date of issue. Last month, the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bond scheme saying anonymous electoral bonds violated citizens right to information. The court had asked the State Bank of India to share the data with the ECI and directed the poll body to publish these details on its website by March 15. On March 14, the poll body shared two sets of data the bonds purchased by the individuals and the list of political parties that redeemed these bonds in their accounts. A soft-spoken man with a thick Bhojpuri accent and a liking for crisp kurtas that is how most who know Manoj Tiwari would describe him. While his opponents mock him by calling him Rinkia ke Papa borrowing a phrase from one of Tiwaris famous songs even they acknowledge off-camera that Tiwari has been true to his political outfit without mostly crossing the line of decency in public life. While this may be true, it cant be a qualifier for retaining a BJP ticket when the party went for an 85 per cent change in the national capital. All of Tiwaris colleagues were either dropped or quit politics, sensing they would be dropped. So what has Manoj Tiwari done differently than his colleagues? Its not just what he has done right, but who he is as well. INFLUENCE ON 40% DELHI VOTES Making up nearly 40 per cent of Delhis electorate, Purvanchali voters are the most lucrative target of any political outfit. Purvanchal is a geographical and cultural region that constitutes the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and is part of the larger Bhojpuri region that speaks the language. Tiwari is one of the biggest if not the biggest Bhojpuri stars who has sung and acted alike and is nothing short of a sensation among the crowd that speaks Bhojpuri. With the community having the power to sway electoral fortunes in 30-35 assembly seats, including Kirari, Burari, Karawal Nagar, Ghonda, Sangam Vihar, Nangloi Jat, Badli, and in parliamentary seats like West Delhi, East Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, and South Delhi, dropping Tiwari wasnt an option even if the BJP considered it. If the BJP had fielded another Bhojpuri star in Tiwaris place, the message that would be communicated wouldnt be beneficial for the party for sure all the more with the prospect of the popular leader playing victim. ALIGNED WITH TOP LEADERSHIP ON HATE SPEECH While many across India lost their tickets in what is seen as a sharp rebuke by the party leadership for their consistent hate speeches, Tiwari has publicly voiced his opposition to his colleagues hate speech. After the dismal performance in the 2020 Delhi assembly election, Tiwari minced no words. Whatever the context, it was hate speech and our party had to face losses due to that. We condemned that speech then as well as today, he told a daily after the loss, well aware of the fact that Prakash Javadekar then a powerful Union minister backed them. Tiwaris stand has been consistent with the stand of the partys top leadership. In the Sangh, as well as BJP, towing the set line is a must and those who do so are often acknowledged. One of those who made inflammatory comments ahead of Delhi elections, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, has been dropped this time, despite having a caste command and being the son of a former chief minister. A similar fate has been meted to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur who, apart from being a person of interest for the NIA in the Malegaon Blast, made hate speeches and backed Nathuram Godse. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to Thakurs statements, saying Will never forgive her for insulting Gandhi. THE YES MAN Sources say one quality of Tiwaris, which probably has been an add-on to all the factors, is his being a consistent Yes Man. When he was appointed the Delhi BJP president in 2016, seasoned leaders in the Capital like Vijay Goel and Ramesh Bidhuri were opposed to him and perceived him as an outsider. But rather than taking any knee-jerk decision, he followed instructions from the top leadership stay cool and take it easy. When Tiwari was removed from the Delhi units top job in 2020 for the dismal performance in the assembly election, with Aadesh Gupta being appointed in his place, Tiwari took it in his stride and followed the leadership, who asked him to help the Purvanchal seats gel with Guptas administration. Tiwari even apologised to the people of Delhi for any mistake. In BJP, not being rebellious and being the Yes Man is acknowledged and rewarded in the long run. Former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan to former Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel were replaced but maintained a dignified silence and worked for the party. This year, both are fighting the Lok Sabha elections along with many other former CMs like Manohar Lal Khattar, Trivendra Rawat, Basavaraj Bommai among others. Tiwari seems to have just followed what many senior BJP leaders with decades of experience did. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha Polls as well as assembly elections for some states on March 16. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Date LIVE According to reports, the Lok Sabha Elections are likely to be held in seven phases. The poll body will also announce dates for assembly elections in Odisha, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, TMC MPs Arjun Singh and Dibyendu Adhikari joined the BJP on Friday in Delhi. Dibyendu Adhikari is the brother of West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari. Today is a special day for me because I am joining the family of BJP. I am inspired by the leadership of PM Modi. I thank Nadd ji and Amit Shah ji, Dibyendu Adhikari, who joined the BJP earlier in the day, said. On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a road show in Telanganas Malkajgiri. He was joined by state BJP chief and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy. Hyderabad is one high-profile seat that will evoke much interest ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The Telangana capital will witness a poll battle between AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi, who has held onto the seat since 2004, and the relatively unknown Kompella Madhavi Latha fielded by the BJP. Madhavi has gained followers through fiery speeches with an emphasis on bringing about a change in the Old City. She is also a crusader of womens rights and has attacked Owaisi for opposing the triple talaq bill and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Owaisi, who has won this seat four times, is unlikely to be defeated in his bastion by a newbie, said Hyderabad residents. Need for change vs people connect Take this scenario the road I took to go to school in 1980 is still the same, whereas the number of vehicles has increased! I am talking about Malakpet and Chaderghat bridge to Koti. This is the development in the Old City in the last 40 years. The scenario is the same in other parts of this area. There is no infrastructure, sewage management, traffic, hygiene or job opportunities. There is zero law enforcement and government officials have to beg people to pay electricity dues. The leader and the party who represented us for the last 40 years never ever spoke about development, said a PR professional Satya Pamula. A techie, Padmavathi, who calls herself a proud Hyderabadi said: I was born and brought up in Saidabad, which is in the Old City. I am working as an IT professional in Hitech City and there is a hell and heaven difference. There is hardly any development in the Old City, and its a nightmare if you have a car. You cant drive in lanes, which are unable to even accommodate auto-rickshaws. Education, health and womens issues are hardly discussed here. I wish and hope things will change with Madhavi Latha, who has at least been discussing these issues in this male bastion for decades. But, software professional Vamshi Krishna feels that it is difficult to defeat Owaisi because of his popularity and his connection to the masses. Owaisi is going to win for sure. He is accessible to his people in person and over the phone. The BJP clearly knew that its a lost cause and chose an affluent woman as a curtain raiser for the 2029 election, where you will see her fielded as an MLA or at a nominated post. This woman is media savvy and wants to gain attention as a befitting opponent to Owaisi. The BJP has no ideology and, not just in Telangana, their desperation is evident in other states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, where they have stitched up alliances with their naysayers and played opportunist politics, divide and rule policy, he said. But, Satya said since Madhavi is from the Old City herself, she will not find it difficult to mingle with all sections of people. After the late Tiger Narendra, who was a thorn in the AIMIMs flesh, is the only BJP leader who has come close to winning the Hyderabad seat, Satya added. Ananth, who works in the food and beverages industry, said people should not go by religion but by development. People are looking for progressive measures in education, health and transportation. While the rest of the city is growing with good roads, greenery and flyovers, the Old City remains the same. We need to build world-class infrastructure here for the next generation, Ananth said. For Syed Mohammed from Karwan in the Old City, Owaisi is like Rajinikanth. He is a big leader and with a large following and oodles of charisma. I dont think Madhavi Latha has the charisma of Owaisi. He is a national leader, who has a massive following in Hyderabad and other constituencies in Telangana. He is the Rajinikanth of Hyderabad and Telangana. For Muslims, he is a true leader representing them. That is why, every elected government forms an alliance with the AIMIM. We have seen how hard he has worked in the last assembly elections, Syed said. Hyderabad is one out of the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana. At least 65 per cent of the 18.22 lakh voters are Muslims. On the eve of the Parliament poll dates announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the lotus is going to bloom in the southern state, and the BJP-led NDA would secure power at the Centre by surpassing previous records in the upcoming polls. He urged Kerala voters to convert their substantial support into votes so that the BJP wins seats in the double digits in the state. We are going to witness a grand festival of democracy soon. I have a firm belief that this time Keralas love for the BJP will translate into a huge support. I have a firm belief that this time all previous records will be broken. I have a firm belief that this time our Kerala will break the vicious cycle of LDF and UDF. I have a firm belief that this time Kerala will immensely support the BJP. Modi promises you that he will leave no stone unturned to develop Kerala, Modi said, referring to himself in the third person, while addressing a huge meeting of the BJP-led NDA in this south Kerala town. His statement came shortly after the Election Commission said it would announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. Reaching out to the Christian community in Kerala, crucial for the NDAs victory in Lok Sabha constituencies classified by the BJP as A category segments, including Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister recounted his meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican and highlighted his governments successful efforts to rescue a priest from Kottayam who had been captured by ISIS militants in Yemen. In 2021 when I met His Holiness Pope Francis in the Vatican, even then I specifically mentioned Kerala there. He was also impressed by the progress being made in India. In the past 10 years, we have worked as hard as possible for every community and region of the country. We brought back, through Iraq, our sister nurses who were stranded in the middle of a war. We freed our Christian priests who were in trouble and brought them back safely, Modi said. He was referring to the rescue of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Catholic priest from Kerala who was abducted in war-torn Yemen in 2016 and rescued from ISIS captivity after 18 months during a deadly attack on a care home in the port city of Aden. In 2014, soon after the first Modi government came to power, the government had safely evacuated 46 Indian nurses, including a large number of Keralites, from the then strife-torn Iraq. Amid criticism from the Congress and the Left in Kerala over recent violence against Christians in Manipur, Modi, in his speech, subtly alluded to the case of a Catholic priest being struck by a vehicle in Poonjar, Kottayam district last month, lamenting, Its regrettable that even church priests in Kerala are not immune to violence. In his address, Modi also projected the BJPs prominent Christian face in Kerala Anil K Antony son of Congress stalwart and former Union Minister A K Antony who is contesting the parliamentary seat of Pathanamthitta, as a symbol of youthfulness. This is the kind of freshness that is required in Kerala politics, Modi said, referring to Anil Antony who had left the Congress and joined the BJP last year. The PM said that since Kerala had given the BJP a double-digit vote share in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he expects to reach a target of seats in the double digits from the state as well. In the last elections, the people of Kerala made us the double-digit vote percentage party. And now, our destiny of double-digit seats here is not so far, he said. Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala this time. Modi claimed that the people of the state have endured hardships under the LDF and UDF governments that are allegedly plagued by corruption and incompetence. He also took a dig at both fronts, raking up the issue of gold smuggling through diplomatic channels under LDF rule and the solar panel scam under the previous UDF rule. Modi claimed that the people would benefit only if the cycle of consecutive LDF, UDF governments is broken as they are allegedly only focused on vote-bank politics. The PM also contended that the thinking and ideology of both the LDF and the UDF are outdated and in sharp contrast to the progressiveness and forward-thinking of the people of Kerala. He also said that both the LDF and UDF governments have turned a blind eye to the struggles of rubber planters. He said that amid all the efforts by the central government for the development of Kerala, it is also important that the correct views and opinions of the people of the state reach the Centre. If we have BJP MPs here, it would be easier for people to communicate their views to the Centre and for the implementation of central projects here. The schemes and projects that the people of Kerala need can be communicated even better to the Centre through the BJP MPs, Modi said. It is Modiyude Guarantee, he added. The Prime Minister began his speech by chanting Swamiye Saranamayyappa as the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala is located in Pathanamthitta district. The Prime Minister also extended advanced Easter wishes to all. It reminds us of the principles of Jesus Christ. I wish you all a happy Easter, he said. Nowruz, a prominent festival of our Parsi brothers, is also coming up. Ram Navami and Holi are also around the corner. The holy month of Ramzan is going on and the biggest festival of democracy is about to start, he said. In addition to the NDAs Lok Sabha candidates, Padmaja Venugopal, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the Congress, was also present on the stage. It is Abki Baar 400 Paar for the NDA in the 2024 general elections, as per the mega Opinion Poll of News18 whose entire results were put out on Thursday on the network. The big opinion poll predicted that the NDA could win a whopping 411 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections while the INDIA bloc may only notch up 105 seats. The big gains are coming from states like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, as well as the South. The poll covered 21 states, 518 constituencies and over one lakh respondents. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call for the BJP to cross 370 seats in the upcoming elections, and the NDA to cross 400 seats. The aim of the prime minister looks achievable if the projections by the Mega Opinion Poll of News18 are to go by. At 411 seats, it would also translate to a massive 3/4th majority in the Lok Sabha for the NDA for the next five years. Big Gains The big gains for the NDA are projected to come from the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha. The poll has predicted that NDA could win a whopping 77 of the 80 seats in UP, up by 13 from the 2019 elections. Given the prime ministers popularity, who is himself contesting from Varanasi, the governance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the completion of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the NDA is set for its biggest and historic performance in UP. The poll also projects that in West Bengal, the BJP will notch up its best performance with 25 seats, up by seven seats from 2019 and that the TMC may win only 17 seats and fall behind the BJP. In Odisha too, the NDA is expected to cross the BJD for the first time and notch up 13 seats while the BJD is projected to only get eight Lok Sabha seats. An alliance is still in the works between the BJP and BJD for the elections. South blockbuster The News18 Mega Opinion poll projects that the NDA could win as many as 58 seats in the five southern states, doubling its tally from 29 seats in these states in the 2019 elections. After the BJP-TDP-Pawan Kalyan alliance in Andhra Pradesh, the NDA is projected to win 18 of the 25 seats in the state. Last time, the BJP could not open its account here. The big surprise is projected to come from Tamil Nadu and Kerala where the NDA could open its account with five and two seats respectively, as per the opinion poll. In Telangana, the NDA could win eight seats, double of last time. This will be the first time that the NDA would emerge as the biggest party in Telangana in a Lok Sabha election, trumping the INDIA bloc that is projected to win six seats and BRS just two. The NDA coalition is also likely to win 25 of 28 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka and retain its stronghold state despite losing the assembly elections there. Last time in 2019 too, BJP won 25 out of 28 seats in Karnataka. This time, it is in an alliance with the JDS. Strongholds Retained The opinion poll projects that the NDA will retain its strongholds from 2019. Of 48 seats in Maharashtra, the NDA comprising the BJP and Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawan factions could win 41 seats. Last time in 2019 too, BJP along with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena had won 41 seats. BJP is also projected to do a clean sweep in Rajasthan (25 seats), Gujarat (26 seats), Himachal Pradesh (4 seats) and Uttarakhand (5 seats). In Bihar, the NDA has been projected to win 38 out of the 40 seats after Nitish Kumar returned to the BJP fold. BJP is projected to win 28 out of the 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh like in 2019, and 10 out of the 11 seats in Chhattisgarh. BJP is also projected to win all 10 seats in Haryana and seven seats in Delhi. This is despite the party changing its chief minister in Haryana and changing six of seven sitting MPs in Delhi. Good Gains The NDA is projected to make good gains in Assam where it could win 12 out of the 14 seats, up three seats from last time, and win 12 of the 14 seats in Jharkhand. In Punjab, the BJP is also expected to do better than last time and win three seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The projections are bleak for the INDIA camp which is expected to do well only in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab. Even though the NDA is yet to announce the seat-sharing formula in Bihar, Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party president Pashupati Kumar Paras on Friday announced that five RLJP MPs will seek re-election from their respective seats in the state which sends 40 members to Parliament. Paras also said he would again contest from Hajipur, a seat where his estranged nephew Chirag Paswan has been staking a claim since it was once the bastion of LJP founder and his father Ram Vilas Paswan. The big partners in the NDA camp in Bihar BJP and Janata Dal (U) are yet to announce their candidates as the seat-sharing issue has not been finalised. I will contest (Lok Sabha election) from Hajipur. All of our sitting MPs will contest from their respective constituencies. This is our partys decision, Paras said. #WATCH | Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party president Pashupati Kumar Paras says, No, we have not spoken with anyone. But I will contest (Lok Sabha election) from Hajipur. All of our sitting MPs will contest from their respective constituencies. This is our partys pic.twitter.com/Qn2DsjIwU8 ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 Parass announcement comes days after LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday said his party has finalised a seat-sharing formula with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls and that all his concerns were addressed. Division of Lok Sabha seats in Bihar among all NDA parties decided. It will soon be formally announced. All my concerns have been addressed by the BJP. I am satisfied, Paswan had said. However, Paras, the uncle of Chirag Paswan and leads the other faction of LJP, said justice was not done to our party. There are 5 MPs in our party. NDA alliance should have followed the sitting-getting goal. But justice was not done to our party. Until the list of NDA Alliance in Bihar is published, we will wait. I also urge their central leadership to reconsider Three MPs of the Paswan community have been denied ticketsThis is sending a wrong message he said. When asked if he has had a discussion (for seat sharing) with RJD-Congress, Paras said, We have not had any discussion with anyone if you are speaking about INDIA Alliance. No, never. We have not spoken with anyone. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 39 out of 40 seats in Bihar. The Union Ministry of Home affairs issued a no objection certificate on Tuesday to the Uttar Pradesh Governments proposal for renaming eight railway stations in Amethi district after local temples, saints, idols and freedom fighters. As per a Times of India report, the decision was initiated by BJP Amethi MP Smriti Irani, who said that the names of eight railway stations in her constituency has been changed in order to preserve the cultural identity and heritage of the place. Taking to X, Irani wrote, Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi I am happy to inform you that it has been decided to change the names of eight railway stations in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. This decision will prove useful in preserving the cultural identity and heritage of Amethi. A proposal was forwarded to MHA by the government on February 12 seeking to rename the Kasimpur halt as Jais City, and renaming of several other intermediate stations like Jais as Guru Gorakhnath Dham, Bani as Swami Paramhans, Misrauli as Maa Kalikan Dham, Nihalgarh as Maharaja Bijli Pasi, Akbarganj as Maa Ahorwa Bhawani Dham, Warisganj as Amar Shahid Bhale Sultan and Fursatganj as Tapeshwarnath Dham. In a conversation with TOI, district president of BJPs Amethi unit, Ram Prasad Mishra, said, There was a long pending demand for rechristening of railway stations in Amethi after local temples, saints, idols and freedom fighters. He further said that the Kasimpur halt railway station was named after Kasimpur village which is far away from the station. Since the area is dominated by Muslim population, it was suggested that it should be renamed as Jais City. The current Jais railway station has many ashrams near it, the most prominent being Guru Gorakhnath Dham ashram. It was proposed that the station be renamed after ashram, he added. Mishra also said, There are many temples of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali near Bani, Misrauli, Akbarganj and Fursatganj railway stations, therefore, the proposal to rename them as Swami Paramhans, Maa Kalikan Dham, Maa Ahorwa Bhawani Dham and Tapeshwarnath Dham railway stations, respectively, was submitted. The BJP district president also said that the government is planning to promote religious tourism in Amethi and that the budget will soon be allocated. Name change is just the first step, he said. In the case of Nihalgarh railway station, the area is dominated by Pasi community who are mostly farmers engaged in jujube farming. So, it was decided to rename the station as Maharaja Bijli Pasi. In the case of Warisganj railway station, the area is known for the bravery of Bhale Sultan, the Thakur man who fought against the British raj in 1857. So it was decided to rename the station as Amar Shahid Bhale Sultan railway station, Mishra said. In connection to the renaming of the stations, Senior divisional commercial manager, NR (Lucknow division), Rekha Sharma, said, CRIS will soon update the new names of stations. State PWD department is expected to give NOC for renaming of stations soon. The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected former AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodias curative petition challenging the top courts decision to reject his bail plea in liquor policy scam case. According to a report by LiveLaw, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and SVN Bhatti dismissed the curative petitions observing that no case is made out. We have gone through the Curative Petitions and the connected documents. In our opinion, no case is made out within the parameters indicated in the decision of this Court in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs Ashok Hurra, the bench observed. The curative pleas sought bail for the AAP leader in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam, where he is facing charges registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Directorate of Enforcement (ED). Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Tuesday extended Sisodias judicial custody till March 22 after he was produced before the court on the expiry of his remand. In December 2023, the Supreme Court had dismissed Sisodias pleas seeking a review of its October 30 verdict dismissing his bail petitions in the money laundering cases related to the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy. Manish Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in February 2023 for his alleged role in the Delhi excise policy scam. Later, he was arrested by ED in connection with a money-laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023, after being questioned by the probe agency in Tihar Jail. Manish Sisodia resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023. Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was booked under a section of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor at his residence in Bengaluru. The case was filed by Sadashivanagar police in Bengaluru based on a complaint by the mother of a 17-year-old girl. According to sources, the victims mother in the complaint alleged that the incident of sexual assault occurred in February when she and her daughter (minor) had gone to seek the former Chief Ministers help in connection with a cheating case at his residence. A case has been registered under section 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 354 A of the Indian Penal Code. Yediyurappa Reacts Yediyurappa while responding to the allegations said, I have learnt that one female has filed a case against me. The mother and daughter duo came several times. On one of the occasions she was crying and I took both of them inside and I consoled them. She spoke about the injustice made to them. I spoke to the cops and asked them to help her out. After that, she spoke something against me, there itself. I kind of realised that she is mentally unstable. I anyway send them to the police commissioner, he added. They have twisted this and claimed that this is a sexual assault. We will do what we can. Im told that FIR has been registered. This is unfortunate such a thing has happened, I did not expect this at all, the former CM said. No Political Angle: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara Reacting to the allegations against former CM BS Yediyurappa for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said, Last night around 10 pm, a lady registered a complaint against BS Yediyurappa. Police have registered the case. Until we know the truth, we cant reveal anything. This is a sensitive thing as it involves a former CM. I dont think there is any political angle to this. If the distressed woman needs protection, then it will be given, he added. India on Friday said its first team of military personnel that was operating an advanced light helicopter in the Maldives has returned from the island nation.The military team has been replaced by civilian technical experts. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had set March 10 as the deadline for withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his country. The turnaround of the first team of personnel who were operating the ALH helicopter has been completed. The first batch of people that had to be replaced has been completed. The turnaround has happened, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. Following the second meeting of the high-level core group that was set up to address the issue of withdrawal of Indian military personnel, the Maldivian foreign ministry had said India will replace all its military personnel in two phases by May 10. The second meeting of the core group took place in Delhi on February 2. The two sides decided to set up the core group following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Muizzu on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai in December. The ties between India and the Maldives came under some strain since Muizzu came to power in November. Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, maintained after assuming charge as the president that he will keep his election promise of evicting Indian military personnel from his country. Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year. The Maldives is one of Indias key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 is an internal matter of India that aligns with the nations inclusive tradition, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday as it rebuffed US concerns as misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted. The Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with Indias inclusive traditions and a long-standing commitment to human rights. The act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before 31st December 2014, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing. The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship, so this must be underlined. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights, he said. Over US concerns about CCA expressed by the US State Department, the MEA spokesperson said, As regards the US State Departments statement on the implementation of CAA, and there have been comments made by several others, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted. On Thursday, the US said it is concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in India and is closely monitoring its implementation. We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily briefing. We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles, Miller said in response to a question. During the presser, Jaiswal also underlined Indias constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens, saying that there are no grounds for any concern or treatment of minorities. Vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress. Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of Indias pluralistic traditions and the regions post-partition history are best not attempted, he added. The Indian government implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 on Monday, paving the way for the grant of citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. The government also came out with a press statement to say that Indian Muslims need not worry as the CAA will not impact their citizenship and has nothing to do with the community which enjoys equal rights as their Hindu counterparts. The Indian government has maintained that the CAA is about granting citizenship and that no citizen of the country will lose citizenship. KERALA LOTTERY NIRMAL NR-371 RESULT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 15, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Nirmal NR- 371 lucky draw for Friday, March 15. Check the full list of winning numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Fifty Fifty FF-89 WINNERS for March 20, 2024; First Prize Rs 1 Crore! FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR NIRMAL NR- 371 WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE NN 928702 NO 928702 NP 928702 NR 928702 NS 928702 NT 928702 NU 928702 NW 928702 NX 928702 NY 928702 NZ 928702 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 70 LAKH IS NV 928702 ((IDUKKI) Agent Name: SANIL S Agency No.: Y 4701 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 10 LAKH IS NV 698320 (PUNALUR) Agent Name: MANOJ N Agency No.: Q 7655 WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 1 LAKH ARE NN 315179 (VAIKKOM) NO 866300 (ATTINGAL) NP 176828 (KOLLAM) NR 519748 (GURUVAYOOR) NS 527992 (CHITTUR) NT 189818 (PALAKKAD) NU 238239 (ALAPPUZHA) NV 202059 (THRISSUR) NW 907669 (PUNALUR) NX 234135 (THIRUVANANTHAPURAM) NY 174887 (KOLLAM) NZ 162413 (PATHANAMTHITTA) WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE 0289 0518 0669 1460 1952 2129 3289 4113 4994 5616 6982 7457 7832 7870 8110 8307 9032 9730 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE 0341 0645 0858 1389 1751 2283 2419 2868 2954 3333 3718 4118 4310 5094 5271 5682 6025 6124 6130 6211 6514 6644 6687 7754 8028 8139 8320 8342 8524 8786 8920 8951 9356 9409 9441 9787 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE 0297 0373 0503 1091 1157 1342 1363 1432 1626 1886 2020 2032 2043 2206 2234 2860 2887 2939 2942 2958 2965 3042 3094 3515 3524 3535 3556 3621 3684 3786 3815 3862 3933 4143 4185 4339 4469 4500 4943 4964 5138 5361 5476 5535 5891 5954 5987 6060 6266 6329 6337 6344 6438 6567 6625 6717 6812 6913 7098 7117 7320 7417 7743 7862 8176 8298 8344 8863 8882 8908 9039 9211 9282 9336 9597 9715 9726 9814 9921 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE 0078 0127 0131 0160 0256 0262 0281 0354 0355 0431 0436 0462 0489 0492 0734 0747 0793 0887 1131 1482 1568 1632 1909 2038 2106 2139 2184 2374 2491 2603 2612 2732 3001 3079 3100 3136 3258 3294 3351 3651 3731 3836 3848 3905 3942 4117 4224 4273 4322 4331 4373 4397 4466 4567 4659 4706 4779 4937 5063 5102 5481 5674 5724 5782 5877 6023 6223 6232 6237 6312 6379 6418 6422 6441 6693 6715 6859 7029 7071 7232 7282 7443 7505 7508 7561 7580 7687 7831 7845 7895 7979 8019 8122 8194 8204 8382 8408 8411 8444 8478 8487 8558 8603 8844 9046 9049 9073 9085 9187 9347 9376 9397 9401 9566 9612 9619 9700 9722 9768 9769 9843 9889 ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result: Summer Bumper BR-96 Results on March 27, 2024; First Prize Rs 10 Crore! NIRMAL NR-371 LOTTERY: PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 Lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 HOW TO CHECK THE NIRMAL NR- 371 LOTTERY? To check the Kerala NIRMAL NR- 371 lottery results, go to the Kerala Lottery Departments official website at https://www.keralalottery.info. You can also check your ticket numbers in person by visiting the Kerala Government Gazette office. To obtain more information, contact the Kerala Lottery Departments official sources. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE MONEY? To find out if you are the winner or not of the Nirmal NR-371 lottery, check the number of your lottery ticket number with the number that is published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If the numbers match, then you have won. Winners have 30 days to claim their prize from the Kerala Lottery headquarters in Gorky Bhavan. Carry your valid identification proof and winning ticket for the verification process. Kerala Lottery 2024: Summer Bumper BR-96 Results on March 27 The Kerala State Lottery Department will reveal the results of the Summer Bumper BR-96 lucky draw on March 27 at 2 pm. The first prize winner will receive Rs 10 crore. The second prize holder will get Rs 50 lakh, and the third prize winner will be rewarded with Rs 5 lakh. The bumper lottery ticket was released by Kerala State Minister K.N. Balagopal. MLA Antony Raju presided over the event. By purchasing a ticket worth Rs 250, you have a chance to win up to Rs 10 crore. The tickets are available in six series: SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, and SG. KERALA SUMMER BUMPER LOTTERY PRIZE STRUCTURE Hello readers, News18 evening digest brings you the latest updates: Indias Citizenship Amendment Act Is Internal Matter, US Concerns Misplaced and Unwarranted, Says MEA; Supreme Court Takes Exception to SBI Not Disclosing Unique Number among others. Indias Citizenship Amendment Act Is Internal Matter, US Concerns Misplaced and Unwarranted: MEA The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 is an internal matter of India that aligns with the nations inclusive tradition, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday as it rebuffed US concerns as misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted. READ MORE Electoral Bonds: Supreme Court Takes Exception to SBI Not Disclosing Unique Number Judgment of the Constitution Bench required SBI to furnish to the ECI all details of the electoral bonds and redeemed, including the date of purchase, name of purchaser, and the date of purchase/redemption. It is submitted that SBI has not disclosed the unique alpha numeric number of the electoral bonds. SG submits that notice may be issued to the SBI, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said while dictating the order. READ MORE Amitabh Bachchan Admitted To Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai Actor Amitabh Bachchan was admitted at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai on Friday morning. The 81-year-old Bollywood megastar was in the hospital for a routine check-up and left soon after that, a hospital source informed News18.com. READ MORE Greece Flight Takes Off With Only Two Passengers, Captain Asks Them To Consider It A Private Jet Generally, taking a flight and jetting off to some place is far more convenient than boarding a train. For this one couple, their flight turned into quite an amazing experience, which a common man can only dream of. This couple had booked two tickets for themselves on the flight, but after boarding, they were in for a surprise of their lifetime! READ MORE Mohamed Salah Creates Liverpool History With Goal Against Sparta Praha in Europa League With his goal in the Europa League, Salah has now become the first and only Liverpool player to score 20+ goals across all competitions for the club for seven seasons straight. READ MORE India on Friday said National Security Adviser Ajit Dovals visit to Israel was part of New Delhis overall approach to push for peace and stability in West Asia against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict. As you are aware, the prime minister himself is invested and keen to promote peace and stability in the region. He has been in touch with several Arab leaders in this connection, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. He was responding to a question on Dovals visit to Israel this week. The NSA met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the visit. The NSAs visit to Israel, which took place at the onset of the holy month of Ramadan, carries forward these efforts, Jaiswal said. In Tel Aviv, Doval also held talks with his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi and several other senior officials. He emphasised on the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance and discussed steps being undertaken for the release of hostages, Jaiswal said. A statement by the Israeli Prime Ministers Office said that Netanyahu updated Doval on recent developments in the Gaza Strip. India has been calling for de-escalation of the situation and creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations towards a two-state solution to the Palestine issue Israel has been continuing its military offensive in Gaza as part of its retaliation to the unprecedented attack on Israeli cities by Hamas on October 7. Hamas killed around 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 220 others some of whom were released during a brief ceasefire. Over 29,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the Israeli offensive, according to the Hamas-run authorities in Gaza. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held productive talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay focusing on various aspects of a unique and special partnership between India and Bhutan. After his talks with Tobgay, Modi said he conveyed heartfelt thanks to the Bhutanese King and the prime minister for inviting him to visit Bhutan next week. The talks took place hours after Tobgay arrived here on a five-day visit to India, his first foreign trip after assuming charge of the top office in January. Glad to meet my friend and PM of Bhutan @tsheringtobgay on his first overseas visit in this term. Had productive discussions encompassing various aspects of our unique and special partnership. I convey heartfelt thanks to His Majesty the King of Bhutan and @PMBhutan for inviting me to visit Bhutan next week, Modi posted on X. Officials said Modi and Tobgay carried out a comprehensive review of the overall ties between the two countries. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said Tobgays visit will provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the progress in the unique partnership and to discuss ways to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan. Tobgays visit to India came against the backdrop of China and Bhutan looking at an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row that could have implications for Indias security interests. It is not immediately known whether the boundary issue figured in the talks on Thursday. Around five months ago, Bhutans then-foreign minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing. A Chinese readout on the talks said Bhutan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China for an early settlement of the boundary issue and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic relations. New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their boundary row as it could have implications for New Delhis security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction. Last August, China and Bhutan agreed to expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement a three-step roadmap to resolve their festering boundary dispute. In October 2021, Bhutan and China signed an agreement on the three-step roadmap to expedite negotiations to resolve their boundary dispute. The signing of the pact came four years after the Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a 73-day stand-off at the Doklam tri-junction after China tried to extend a road in the area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it. The India-China stand-off in the Doklam plateau in 2017 even triggered fears of larger conflict between the two neighbours. Bhutan had said the area belonged to it and India supported the Bhutanese claim. As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues its jubilant mood ahead of the general elections, having fulfilled its promise to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu takes a different turn as the DMK government plans an international conference on Lord Murugan, revered as the Tamil God. P. K. Sekar Babu, State Minister for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, told The Times of India that the Stalin-led DMK government will host the international conference in June or July across the world. There will be exhibitions, conclaves and research papers submitted on Lord Murugan at the conference, Sekar Babu added. In the past, political parties in Tamil Nadu have associated themselves with Lord Murugan. For instance, in 2020, the BJP organised Vel Yatras when L. Murugan was the state unit president, covering six major shrines of the deity across the state. Additionally, Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman linked his party with Lord Murugan, claiming that Tamils are descendants of the deity. However, DMKs shift towards a religious approach marks a new political strategy. This move also drew criticism from the BJP, with the partys state secretary R. Srinivasan accusing DMK of mimicking their ideology. First they (DMK) copied schemes of Centre and pasted stickers on them. Now they are copying our ideology and doing politics, Srinivasan stated. The BJP leader further remarked that the deity cannot be restricted to just Tamil Nadu as he is worshipped across the country, adding, People of Tamil Nadu will not fall for such ploys. Sekar Babu emphasised that there was no politics involved in conducting the international conference and highlighted that the state government has been spending on Lord Murugan since it came to power. Like the Muruga, Muruga slogans, we have slogans such as Shiva, Shiva when we worship Lord Shiva and worship Lord Perumal too We have included Tiruchendur Murugan temple in master plan of state govt and allotted Rs 300 crore to renovate the temple, the Tamil Nadu Minister asserted. Muslims in every corner of the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramzan by fasting from sunrise to sunset. It is crucial for Muslims to focus on prayer, purification and charitable activities during this auspicious month. It is believed that during the month of Ramzan, the first verses of the holy book of the Quran were revealed to the prophet Muhammad. ALSO READ: Ramadan Mubarak 2024: Happy Ramzan Wishes, Photos, Messages and WhatsApp Status to Share Sehri and Iftar are two highly important times for Muslims during this blessed month. Sehri is the meal eaten early in the morning before sunrise, marking the start of the fasting hours. Iftar is the meal which is relished at sunset to break the fast. There are particular times for eating both meals. If you are also fasting during this holy month and live in India, its important to keep track of accurate Sehri and Iftar timings. We have pulled together the timings for Sehri and Iftar in major Indian cities on the fifth day of Ramzan. Ramadan 2024 Day 5: City-wise Ramzan Sehri and Iftar Timings in India Delhi: Sehri: 05:11 AM; Iftar: 06:32 PM Bengaluru: Sehri: 5:16 AM; Iftar: 6:34 PM Mumbai: Sehri: 05:33 AM; Iftar: 06:49 PM Lucknow: Sehri: 04:57 AM; Iftar: 6:17 PM Chennai: Sehri: 5:05 AM; Iftar: 6:20 PM Ahmedabad: Sehri: 5:33 AM; Iftar: 6:50 PM Hyderabad: Sehri: 5:18 AM; Iftar: 6:37 PM Kolkata: Sehri: 4:30 AM; Iftar: 5:47 PM Kanpur: Sehri: 5:00 AM; Iftar: 6:20 PM Pune: Sehri: 5:29 AM; Iftar: 6:48 PM Surat: Sehri: 5:32 AM; Iftar: 6:49 PM Ramadan 2024 Wishes and Quotes The World Consumer Rights Day is observed annually on March 15 across the globe. As the name suggests, this day serves as a reminder of adequate information regarding the quantity, quality, purity, potency, price, and standard of the commodity including the importance of protecting consumer rights. World Consumer Rights Day empowers consumers by raising awareness about their rights and responsibilities in the marketplace. It also highlights the need for fair and ethical business practices, holding businesses accountable for upholding consumer rights. World Consumer Rights Day 2024 Theme This year, the theme selected by Consumers International for World Consumer Rights Day 2024 is Fair and responsible AI for consumers. This theme highlights the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at breakneck speed and the need to move quickly to ensure a fair and responsible AI future when it comes to consumer rights. Therefore, World Consumer Rights Day aims to highlight concerns like privacy violations, misinformation, and discriminatory practices, as well as how AI-driven platforms can spread false information and prolong biases. World Consumer Rights Day 2024: History The seeds of World Consumer Rights Day had been planted by former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, on March 15, 1962, while addressing consumer rights before the US Congress. This was the first time a world leader spoke about consumer rights. This day was first observed on March 15, 1983, and since then, the United Nations has recognised and endorsed World Consumer Rights Day on a global scale. To raise awareness about consumer rights, various events have been organized on national and international levels. World Consumer Rights Day 2024: Significance This day is celebrated to raise awareness about the existing rights of consumers, which can safeguard them from falling prey to unfair practices, discrimination, and exploitation. World Consumer Rights Day also encourages people to know more about protecting their rights and ensuring that they can take measures for grievance redressal. World Consumer Rights Day 2024: Basic Consumer Rights Consumers have certain legal rights for grievance redressal in case they are not pleased by their purchase or have been cheated with a counterfeit item. These rights help compensate aggrieved consumers and prevent unfair trade practices. Check 6 basic consumer rights here. Popular Marathi and Bollywood actor Siddharth Jadhav has impressed audiences with his diverse roles in several films. Besides acting, Siddharth is active on social media, where he often shares personal updates and news about his upcoming projects. Recently, Siddharth expressed his frustration on social media after finding his luggage damaged from an IndiGo Airlines flight from Mumbai to Goa. The incident caused widespread discussion about airline service negligence and passenger rights. The actor travelled from Mumbai to Goa to promote his latest movie. During his journey, he brought along a suitcase. When he arrived in Goa and picked up his luggage from the assigned area on the Indigo flight, he was shocked to see that the front of his suitcase was broken. Sharing the video, he expressed his anger on the IndiGo flight. In the video, Siddharth Jadhav sarcastically commented on the incident, stating, I have travelled from Mumbai to Goa with IndiGo Airlines. Look at how carefully the airline has handled my luggage with care. Only the handle of the bag seems to be in good condition. I truly appreciate the attention to detail the airline has shown in handling my luggage. I have nothing further to add. Thank you for taking such great care of my belongings. The caption of the post reads, Thanks. Several social media users have commented on the video. One user wrote, They dont have control over the porter who handles bags. Another user commented, This is so bad. The third user added, Pure negligence of the management. Need to officially complain. I went to Chennai for the first time on 5th April 2022 on an IndiGo flight. Even then the belt of my bag was broken, commented another. Soon after the actor released the video, IndiGo Airlines issued an apology for the incident. They wrote, Mr Jadhav, we regret to learn about your damaged luggage. We would like to address this matter promptly. Could you kindly DM us your contact number and a convenient time for us to speak with you?. On the work front, Siddharth Jadhav is best known for films including Simmba, Dhurala, Radhe and Sooryavanshi. He last appeared in the film Lagna Kallol. The actor has a few projects lined up including Kairee, Sussat, Raw Lemon, Jaago Mohan Pyare and Navra Maza Navsacha 2 to name a few. Bastar- The Naxal Story Review: Dark, gory, gritty and violent, the premise of Sudipto Sens Bastar: The Naxal Story aims to bring out the visceral chapters of NaxaliteMaoist insurgency in the district of Bastar in Chhattisgarh. While the makers are ought to be applauded for meticulously depicting the agonizing past of Bastar, they ambiguously try to pin the blame elsewhere. And that dilutes the grim and mournful plight of those who have witnessed the bloodshed firsthand. Having said that, Bastar: The Naxal Story excels in its production quality, with all the alleged conspiracies sneakily placed between scenes and dialogues, the movie might leave you shell-shocked in several places. The film takes off with an intense courtroom scene between two lawyers Neelam Nagpal and Utpal Trivedi, played by Shilpa Shukla and Yashpal Sharma respectively. From the get-go, its conveyed that Shilpa Shuklas character is accusing IPS Neerja Bhargava (played by Adah Sharma) of carrying out extra-judicial encounters on innocent tribal and dragging a reputed author Vanya Roy (played by Raima Sen) under suspicion of being an outside conspirator in Naxalite violence. Meanwhile, Yashpal Sharma expostulates on behalf of Neerja but finds himself overpowered by Shilpa Shuklas assertion. The scene shifts to a quaint village, somewhere in Bastar, where a group of tribal people are hoisting the Tricolour. They get ambushed by some Naxalites, who whisk away a person named Milind Kashyap (played by Subrata Dutta) along with his wife Ratna (played by Indira Tiwari), a son and a daughter. They are escorted to a guerrilla camp, governed by a notorious and presumably silver-tongued leader by the name Comrade Reddy (played by Vijay Krishna), who is accompanied by another female leader who is as ruthless as him. The camp itself is depicted as the hotbed of rebellion, training, sophisticated ammunition and other important resources. In what seems to be an unconstitutional tribunal, the Naxals declare Milind a traitor for hoisting the Tricolour and being an informer for IPS Neerja Bhargava. And what follows is a gruesome and grotesque execution of Milind, where Reddy hacks one of his hands with an axe and proceeds to brutally mutilate him in front of his ululating wife and his traumatized daughter. To add to their sorrows, they snatch away his son, who seems to be motivated by one of Reddys speeches. Fuelled with revenge, Milinds wife Ratna, with some motivation from Neerja Bhargava, picks herself up and vows to annihilate the cold-blooded murderers of her husband. And that initiates the grisly tussle, not only between the Naxals and the military, but also certain proxies, that have been portrayed being in cahoots with the extremist group. Bastar: The Naxal Story tries to tow the line between fiction and real life but ends up being a hodgepodge of conspiracies. In a scene, an individual by the name of Narayan Bagchi, who is later revealed to be a distinguished professor of a university can be seen urging Raima Sens character to infiltrate the ranks of academics, and Bollywood with the ideology of left extremism. Another segment shows a very crass depiction of a university, quite similar to one in New Delhi. Through a parody-like music video, the makers allege that this particular university and its students are celebrating the sickening massacre of 76 Jawans in the naxal-infested Dantewada. To add an extra layer of depravity in their depiction, one of the students is shown referring to the slain Jawans as dogs, and other students clapping in unison, while holding their placards. The flagrant targeting doesnt stop there as Adah Sharmas character, towards the end of the movie breaks into a seething monologue, where she expresses to shoot down the left-liberals, without any fear of capital punishment. Others might argue that it is just a dialogue of an impassioned cop, but it sets a very dangerous precedent for the audience. There is also an uncomfortable amount of unnecessary, exaggerated gore that the makers have added in several scenes. While the motive behind it is incoherent to me, the morbid obsession with the gnarly portrayal gives off a voyeuristic streak to the narrative. There is a scene where an insurgent picks up a toddler and throws her onto a burning rooftop, and we could hear her screams fade into the crackling din of fire. The film is packed with several disturbing scenes like this one and there is no limit to it. However, one of the major takeaways from Bastar: The Naxal Story are the performances by actors like Adah Sharma, Yashpal Sharma, Shilpa Shukla, Raima Sen, Purnendu Bhattacharya and others. Each of them have played their part well especially Adah Sharma and Vijay Krishna. The production quality of the film excels in every department, right from the action sequences to cinematography and VFX as well as locations. There is also a lot of emotional depth between Ratna and her son. The makers also succeed in capturing the apathy of tribal who often finds themselves stuck between police officers and insurgents, with pressure mounting from both sides. But overall, this Sudipto Sens directorial falls flat, mostly due to the films lack of ingenuity and structure towards the Naxalite insurgency in Bastar and a meandering narrative that has a little to offer except shock and gore. Hollywood celebs and couple Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are among the most loved celebrity pairs and the duo always find a way to shower love on each on social media. The duo met during the filming of their film The Place Beyond The Pines, which was released in 2012, and share two daughters Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 7, together. Recently, the actress and Businesswoman attended the Milan Fashion Week. On Thursday, Eva took to her Instagram account and shared a glimpse of her time at the gala event and thanked her husband Ryan Gosling for holding down the fort at home. Mendes posted a video on Instagram and expressed gratitude to her team and husband for making the trip possible. She wrote, La Dolce Evita made possible by, she wrote tagging Dolce & Gabbana and members of her glam squad. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eva Mendes (@evamendes) While praising her hubby, Mendes wrote in the caption, And by my man for holding down the fort at home so I could live the Dolce Evita for a couple days. In the video, Mendes seemed to be walking inside her hotel room. The actor looked stunning as she donned a sheer black polka dot dress that she paired with white heels. Mendes kept her makeup heavy and accessorized her look with a black fascinator and short veil. For the hair, she opted for a half-up-half-down hairstyle. As per The Hollywood Reporter, The Milan Fashion Week trip in February marked Mendes first Fashion Week since welcoming her two daughters with Gosling. Soon after she dropped the video, her friends and fans swamped down the comment section and dropped red heart and fire emoticons. A user wrote, We want more Eva you look amazing. Another user wrote, Gorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous. A fan wrote, Youre so beautiful queen. However, some of her fans didnt like her outfit and expressed disappointment. Recently, the actor showered praises on her husband post his performance on the track Im Just Ken at the Oscars 2024. She posted a picture on Instagram in which she could be seen donning a pink blazer along with a black cowboy hat. She captioned the picture, You took Ken all the way to the Oscars, RG. Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed. James Gunn has offered a few breathtaking glimpses of the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard where he is currently directing his upcoming film Superman. The film starring David Corenswet in the titular role is set to premiere on the big screens on July 11, 2025. Reportedly, James Gunn wanted to shoot the first scene in Svalbard. However, he did not reveal how many scenes he plans on filming at the destination. Recently, the director took his Instagram followers on a virtual tour in Svalbard. He dropped a string of videos on the platform from a helicopter treating the masses to the snowy landscapes. Svalbard on my iPhone by helicopter, captioned James Gunn. The videos captured the snow-capped mountains and snow-sheathed terrains of Svalbard. The contrasting crimson and yellow colours of the sky painted a beautiful picture. Winding through the narrow gaps of the mountains, Gunn showed a closer look at the Norwegian land. Everywhere the eyes went, there was only snow and nothing else. One of the frames captured a silent stream with icebergs floating inside as the helicopter steered close to the water body. View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn) As soon as the post surfaced on the internet, social media users were amazed to witness the stunning visuals and reacted to the post. No CGI. This is CINEMA, pointed out one individual. This movie going to be the BEST Superman movie. I can see it, expressed another confidently. This is an amazing and beautiful landscape. Cant wait to see Superman flying through the skies, commented a third DC lover. Not long ago, James Gunn shared another picture from Svalbard, featuring producer Peter Safran. The duo were dressed in black puffer jackets and posed against the background of a snowy field. View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn) Earlier, in an interaction with a Norwegian outlet, James Gunn spilled the beans on why he chose Svalbard to shoot for Superman. We have filmed the first scenes (in Svalbard), which show Superman fleeing to the Fortress of Solitude. We wanted a place that was beautiful and felt like being in the middle of the Arctic First, there is the natural beauty. But theres also the fact that youll find a varied landscape here that you wont find anywhere else. Nature gives a special feeling, he said, as reported by Deadline. Besides David Corenswet, Superman also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Maria Gabriela, Isabel Merced, and Skyler Gisondo. Nicolas Cages portrayal of Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse left fans thrilled and made him a standout performer in Sonys animated hit. Although the character remained absent from the sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, rumours earlier suggested that Cage might be reprising the role in a live-action series. Now, recent reports confirm that the actor is indeed in talks with Sony and the news was confirmed by Cage himself. Set in 1930s New York City, the series promises to follow the Noir variants adventures as he fights the underworld in his unique style. Interestingly, the show will not focus on Peter Parker but will follow Spider-Man Noirs story in its universe. During an interview with Collider at SXSW 2024, where he was promoting his latest project, Arcadian, Cage opened up about the possibility of reprising his role in Sonys series and what attracted him to take the role. The Ghost Rider star shared, Well, I can say that we have been talking. Its no secret that I love the character. I think the character provides another mash up of sorts. I can combine my favorite golden age performances, i.e. Robinson, Cagney, Bogart, with a character that is, I guess, widely considered [to be] Stan Lees masterpiece. I see it as a kind of foray into a pop art mash up of, sort of, a [Jungian] Lichtenstein, mash up by way of Bogart and Cagney, but nothings definitive yet. Its just conversation, Cage added. Earlier, when news of the live-action Spider-Man Noir surfaced online, reports also suggested the development of Silk: Spider Society. However, according to The Ankler, the production house opted to halt work on Silk and prioritize the Nicholas Cage-led Noir series. Silk was among the initial live-action projects greenlit by Sony and Amazon. According to a source close to the studio, the series would have focused on Korean-American heroine Cindy Moon, who gets bitten by the same spider that granted Peter Parker his special powers and she goes on a journey to find her missing family. As of now, theres no official announcement regarding the release date for the Spider-Man Noir series featuring Nicholas Cage. However, fans are hoping for the return of the animated character in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is scheduled to release in 2025. Sonu Sood is gearing up for his upcoming film, Fateh, also featuring Jacqueline Fernandez in the lead role. On March 15, the actor shared the first look poster, which shows the actor holding a pen with blood dripping from the wounds. The project marks the Happy New Year star directorial debut and reports suggest that the actor will be seen in a unique role. Sood has not only directed the movie but he also wrote and produced the film, which explores the complexities of cybercrime. As per reports, the movie will feature top notch action sequences, which has been choreographed by Hollywood stunt expert, Lee Whittaker. The movie has been shot across various locations including India, USA, Russia and Poland. Alongside the poster reveal, Sood also teased the launch of the teaser on Saturday, March 16. As per ANI reports, Sood claimed that hes excited for the film and called it a crucial subject. Sood feels that it is important to raise awareness about the concept and hes confident with the subject, as he feels that such a story deserves the audiences attention. He said, The story piqued my interest. As soon as I read the script, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I am extremely excited to bring this thought-provoking story to the audience. Meanwhile, sharing the poster on his Instagram handle, the Kung Fu Yoga star wrote, Never Underestimate A Nobody. Get ready for the power-packed action with Fateh. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood) In the past few months, cases related to deep fakes and various other cybercrimes have come forward, Sonu Sood believes that its the right time to tackle such issues through films like Fateh. Speaking to Tellychakkar, the actor feels confident that audiences will connect with the film, as it addresses the ongoing challenges. Further in the interview, Sood described his directorial debut as a special journey, which enabled him to tell the story authentically and personally. Sood, who himself is a victim of deep fake video, shared, Lots of people get cheated every day and fall in the trap. A lot of celebs are becoming victims. Its a big concern, which needs to be addressed. A lot of people who need to reach out to us fall into the trap. Close to 200 FIRs were registered across the country. The movie is set to hit theatres later this year. South Korean actor Oh Young-soo has been adjudged guilty of sexual misconduct. The Globe Globe winner is best known for his role as Oh Il Nam in the Netflix survival-thriller series Squid Game. At the heels of his success in 2021, the 79-year-old actor was accused of groping and kissing a woman in 2017. Reportedly, the victim lodged a complaint against Oh Young-soo in December 2021, charging him with sexual harassment. Almost a year later on November 22, he was convicted for indecent assault. In his latest court hearing on March 15 this year, the South Korean court found Oh Young-soo guilty. According to a report by The New York Times, a district court judge in Seongnan, Seoul gave their final verdict on Oh Young-soos long-running case. The judge passed their decision against the actor stating that he hugged, kissed, and held the womans hand without her consent. As per the latest reports, Oh Young-soo has been asked to attend a sexual violence treatment programme that will be conducted for 40 hours, reports The New York Times. He has been sentenced to prison for eight months along with a 2-year probation period. The prosecutors involved in the matter announced last month that if Oh Young-soo was not found innocent, he would be seeking a year-long sentence along with being banned from employment forever, reported The New York Times. Further details related to the case have not been made public yet. Keeping in lieu of the sex crime rule in South Korea, the victims name has not been unveiled. During his long-drawn trial, Oh Young-soo denied the allegations put against him by the accuser. Justifying his stance, the actor in a statement with Korean broadcaster JTBC shared that he simply held the womans hand to guide the way around the lake. Even before the final verdict, Oh Young-soo suffered a major blow in his career. He was dropped from the second season of Squid Game, slated to release sometime this year. The actor has also been replaced by Lee Soon-jae in the upcoming family drama Big Family, directed by Yang Woo-seok. All the scenes featuring him were deleted. The Narendra Modi government on March 11 notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act. The act, since it was passed in December 2019, has seen widespread protests in different parts of the country. Political parties from the Opposition bloc have come out in the open against the act, calling it unconstitutional and discriminatory. At least three Opposition-ruled statesWest Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Keralahave refused to implement the CAA even as the debate around the act heats up. In this article, I aim to deal with two separate questions- Is it constitutionally permissible for states to refuse to implement CAA? Does the act violate Article 14 of the Constitution, as claimed by its detractors? The CAA has been implemented under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution which delineates the division of power between the Centre and the state on various subjects. Citizenship, under the Seventh Schedule, is exclusively the part of Union List, giving the parliament authority on the matter of citizenship, while leaving state governments with little power on the specific subject. Besides, Article 11 of the Indian Constitution confers upon parliament the power concerning the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all other matters relating to citizenship. The framers of the Constitution were clear that the Parliament should be the sole authority to decide who is to be included within the ambit of the citizenship laws. During the Constituent Assembly debate on August 10, 1949, regarding Articles 5 and 6, Dr B R Ambedkar, the chairman of the Constitution drafting committee, stated, This Article refers to, citizenship not in any general sense but to citizenship on the date of commencement of this Constitution. It is not the object of this particular Article to lay down a permanent law of citizenship for the country. The business of laying down a permanent law of citizenship has been left to Parliament, and as members will see from the wording of Article 6 (now Article 11) as I have moved, the entire matter regarding citizenship has been left to Parliament to determine by any law it may deem fit. He categorically said, If there is any category of people who are left out by the provisions contained in this (citizenship) amendment, we have given power to Parliament subsequently to make provision for them. Therefore, the parliament has the constitutional mandate to make amendments to the citizenship law as it deems necessary, and state governments are constitutionally obligated to implement the CAA. The second question pertains to the constitutionality of the act, which many claim is violative of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. Article 14 states that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. It essentially means that any action taken by the state that discriminates between individuals is considered void, as it violates the fundamental right guaranteed under the article. It is important to note that Article 14 has two dimensions equality before the law and equal protection before the law. As Justice Subba Rao (in the case of State of UP v. Deoman Upadhyaya 1960) observed, Article 14 comprises both positive content as well as negative content. Whereas, equality before the law is a negative content, equal protection of the laws exhibits a positive content of Article 14. The fundamental question arises as two equal persons cant be treated unequally, can two unequal persons be treated equally? Will that not amount to a violation of the principle of equality? It is this question that is at the root of the ongoing debate. There are several Supreme Court judgements that talk about the classification or differentiation of individuals (an exception to Article 14) if it is not arbitrary, artificial or evasive and based on the reasonable ground of differentiation, known as the doctrine of reasonable classification. In State of West Bengal v. Anwar Ali Sarkar, 1952, the Supreme Court laid down the twin test for reasonable classification. The court ruled that for the classification to be valid, it must meet two conditions- Classification must be founded on an intelligible differentia which distinguishes those that are grouped together from others. The differentia must have a rational relation to the object sought to be achieved by the Act. In Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Justice Tendolkar, 1958, the court held, It is now well established that while Article 14 forbids class legislation, it does not forbid reasonable classification for the purposes of legislation. There are about 250 petitions challenging the provisions of the CAA that are pending before the Supreme Court. The pivot of these petitions is the acts presumed violation of Article 14. The act will have to pass the twin test of intelligible differentia and reasonable nexus to withstand the scrutiny under Article 14. Those protesting against the implementation of the act argue that by excluding Muslims from the list of beneficiaries under the CAA, the government has violated the right to equality and secularism, fundamental ideals enshrined in the Constitution. However, the entire rhetoric is marred with factual inaccuracies as the act meets the twin test criteria laid down in Article 14. Intelligible Differentia The act seeks to make a distinction between two groups: one comprising Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities, and the other comprising Muslims from three neighbouring countries Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The act includes only three countries where Islam is the official state religion and the mentioned communities form minority groups facing religious persecution, making the differentiation reasonable on humanitarian grounds. Its a no-brainer that Muslims living in these countries cannot be equated with the minority communities who have faced severe persecution for their religious beliefs. Reasonable Nexus The statement of object and reasons of the act states that It is a historical fact that trans-border migration of population has been happening continuously between the territories of India and the areas presently comprised in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Millions of citizens of undivided India belonging to various faiths were staying in the said areas of Pakistan and Bangladesh when India was partitioned in 1947. The constitutions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh provide for a specific state religion. As a result, many persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities have faced persecution on grounds of religion in those countries. Some of them also have fears about such persecution in their day-to-day life where the right to practice, profess and propagate their religion has been obstructed and restricted. Many such persons have fled to India to seek shelter and continued to stay in India even if their travel documents have expired or they have incomplete or no documents. The act aims to safeguard such individuals who may not have complete or any documents and are therefore ineligible to apply for Indian citizenship under Sections 5 or 6 of the Citizenship Act. The act simply grants immunity to the individuals belonging to specified communities, while expediting the process of acquiring citizenship for them. It is important to note that the act does not impose any form of restriction on individuals belonging to the Muslim community from applying for Indian citizenship. Contrary to what is being propagated, under the new act, the status of foreign Muslims remains unchanged as it does not entail any provision classifying them as illegal migrants. As stated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, there is no prohibition on Muslims from any country seeking Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, which deals with citizenship by naturalisation. Questions are also being raised about the governments decision to include minorities from only three countries where Hindus are a minority. Another argument that has become central to the anti-CAA narrative is the governments alleged disregard for the atrocities committed against certain groups within the Muslim community, such as Shias, Hazaras and Ahmediyas, in these three countries. These arguments lack seriousness and seem to be driven by unrealistic liberal ideas without any basis in pragmatism. In response to such preposterous questions, Harish Salve wrote, If the law was broader and allowed members of all religious communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to migrate into India, we could as well do away with our borders. Lets remember that CAA is a long-awaited state intervention to redress historical injustices. Our national commitment to this cause must not be overshadowed by a misguided notion of secularism. Abhijeet Sriwastava is the Head of Policy Research of Bihar BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Indias foreign policy, as of other countries, is determined by certain permanent factors, for instance, its size, resources, geographical location and its neighbourhood. Other factors are its understanding of national interest, its historical experience, the composition of its population, its capacity to defend itself, the quality of its leadership, its self-image, and the existence of internal lobbies. National interest in a broad sense can be defined: peace, security, economic development, prosperity for the people, and a friendly neighbourhood. But this is not dependent only on national will. The interests of other countries can conflict with the interests of another; the world is becoming interdependent and so instability elsewhere can have a wider impact. A conflict can be inflicted on a country despite its interest in maintaining peace. Its security can be threatened by a powerful neighbour. The definition of national interest is thus subject to variables. India is one of the biggest countries in the world, an old civilisation, it has a self-image of a country that cannot subordinate itself to others and should have an independent role in international affairs. Having emerged from colonial subjugation, it could not align itself with the West and give it control of its foreign policy. It chose to be non-aligned during the Cold War. This basic foundation of Indias foreign policy is reflected today in its attachment to strategic autonomy, friendship with all to the extent possible, and balancing its external relations to increase its freedom of choice. The international situation is not static and therefore changes that occur require adjustments in foreign policy. Take for instance the collapse of the Soviet Union with which we had very strong ties. It was our biggest trade and defence partner. It played a vital role on our behalf on the Kashmir issue in the UNSC and in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. During the period of US unilateralism when we were subject to huge pressure by the US on Kashmir, human rights, our nuclear and missile programmes, we became part of the RIC dialogue which later evolved into BRICS as a balancing act, even as we also began to improve our ties with the US in the context of the new geopolitical realities. We have persevered in maintaining close ties with Russia, with regular annual summits from 2000 onwards till 2021. Russia has never imposed sanctions on us. We have resisted Western sanctions on Russia. We bought the S 400 air defence system despite the threat of secondary US sanctions. We have desisted from condemning Russias military intervention in Ukraine. Russia has become our biggest oil supplier. All this while our ties with the US have become stronger, with defence trade with Russia declining and that with the US, France and Israel increasing. An increase in a countrys economic growth helps in the pursuit of a more active foreign policy. Chinas case is instructive. As it has grown economically, it has acquired the economic and financial muscle to pursue a more assertive foreign policy, besides strengthening its military muscle. India too is rising economically, and as it becomes a $5 trillion economy and beyond, its ability to pursue its interests on the global stage will increase. Already, India is acting more confidently on the international stage, having become the 5th largest economy and set to become the 3rd largest before 2030. India is today being engaged by foreign powers as never before. The US president says that the relationship with India is a defining one in the 21st century. President Putin pays lavish compliments to Modi and India, stating that India under Modi pursues its national interest and resists pressure to the point that it has even surprised Putin. Indias foreign policy has been deeply affected by its partition and the creation of Pakistan which has tried to undermine India internally and externally since its creation, with war, terrorism, religious mobilisation of the Islamic world against us, and constantly internationalising the Kashmir issue. India has been on the defensive for decades on the Kashmir issue, accepting, in particular, US and UK interference on Pakistans behalf. This defensiveness explains why despite continuous provocations from Pakistan, India has engaged Pakistan in a dialogue, even after the attack on our Parliament and the horrific Mumbai attacks, with a willingness to accept the inclusion of Kashmir as an agenda item in our composite dialogue. Former Prime Minister Vajpayee went to Lahore, Prime Minister Modi invited Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014, and later made an impromptu visit to Lahore in 2015. With PM Modi this defensiveness has finally been discarded. After Uri India conducted surgical strikes and after Pulwama struck at Balakot. With the revision of Article 370, the J&K issue has been taken out as an item of dialogue with Pakistan in the future. India is focusing on the terrorism issue in bilateral and multilateral forums with some result. The power gap that has developed between India and Pakistan, and the disarray in Pakistan that has weakened international support, including in the Islamic world, on its differences with India has enabled India to reduce the salience of Pakistan in its regional strategies. In this regard, Indias relations with the Arab world have evolved. India had close relations with the progressive, secular, anti-fundamentalist Arab regimes such as Egypt and Iraq during the heyday of the nonaligned movement, but difficult ties with the conservative Gulf monarchies. Today India has remarkably close ties with the UAE as well as strong ties with Saudi Arabia, with both countries wanting to modernise their societies and de-radicalise them. Their economic interest in India has grown. The improvement of ties began under the NDA government but has been raised to an entirely new level by the Modi government. The inauguration of a Hindu temple in the UAE by PM Modi reflects this great change, apart from the FTA with the UAE. India has always been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, but with the Madrid peace accord between Israel and the PLO, it got the opening to establish diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992 under PM Narasimha Rao. India strengthened its ties with Israel under the Vajpayee government and much more vigorously under the Modi government, without disturbing its ties with the Arab countries. All along it has also supported a two-state solution in Palestine. It is remarkable that under the Abraham Accords India, Israel, the UAE and the US formed the I2U2 forum of cooperation. At the G20 meeting, it was agreed to set up the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, with Israel as a partner, although this project has been disturbed by the current situation in Gaza. Chinas occupation of Tibet and its occupation and claims on Indian territory, and becoming for the first time in history contiguous to India has been the other major development that has durably affected Indias foreign policy. India has been accommodating China for decades. It accepted Tibet as part of China in 1954. India lost the border conflict in 1962. China occupied a large part of Indian territory. In 1988 India made peace overtures to China. Under Narasimha Rao, the 1993 and 1996 Peace and Tranquility Agreements were signed. In 2003, the SR mechanism was agreed to for resolving the issue politically. In 2005, the Guiding Principles and Parameters of resolving the border issue were signed under Manmohan Singh. Under Modi, overtures were made to China. Xi visited India; Modi visited China. Two informal summits were held. Meanwhile, China took several provocative measures, making aggressive claims on Arunachal Pradesh, issuing stapled visas to residents of that state, calling in South Tibet, giving Chinese names to locations in Arunachal Pradesh, hollowing out the SR mechanism, and disregarding the 2005 agreement on Guiding Principles and Parameters to resolve the boundary issue. Finally, with Galwan in 2020, China violated several border agreements between the two countries and the relations have taken a nosedive consequently. India stood up to China at Doklam, as also in the Sikkim and Tawang areas. Today, Indian and Chinese troops are facing each other at the border. India is not foreseeing an early de-escalation on the border but is maintaining open the doors of negotiation. We have made it clear that relations with China cannot be normal unless the situation on the border becomes normal. Under PM Modi our diplomatic discourse on China is no longer defensive. India is leveraging its ties with the US and allied countries to increase deterrence against China. Quad, the Malabar exercises and the Indo-Pacific concept are a part of this approach. India and the US recognise the shared threat from Chinas expansionism and illegal sovereignty claims. We are cooperating with France in particular in the western Indian Ocean to monitor Chinas activities. India has set up in December 2018 an Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean region for maritime domain awareness. In general, India is focusing as never before on international naval cooperation in the Indian Ocean. This is very different from the time that we were averse to the presence of foreign navies in the Indian Ocean. India has had very difficult ties with the US. India has been a victim of US sanctions since 1974. That India was a democracy and shared values with the US was disregarded and Indias strategic rise was thwarted. Indira Gandhi tried to mend ties when Reagan was in power in 1982. PV Narasimha Rao visited the US in 1994 when Clinton was in power. Vajpayee visited the US in 2000 and said India and the US were natural allies, and again in 2002 when Bush was in power. There was a continuity of policy there. India and the US began a strategic dialogue in 2002 under Vajpayee. In 2006 the nuclear agreement was signed between India and the US under Manmohan Singh which removed a major strategic impediment in building bilateral ties and created the foundation for expanding them. Under PM Modi, India-US ties have risen to a different level with several bilateral visits, including a highly successful state visit in June 2023 when he addressed the US Congress, the only Indian leader to do so twice. Defence ties have expanded, foundational agreements in the defence area have been signed, major defence platforms have been acquired, and the US has become Indias biggest trade partner. The basis for cooperation in critical and emerging technologies has been established with the creation of the ICET mechanism. Yet, India is a member of BRICS and the SCO, as part of its policy of international balancing, evolving from non-alignment to multi-alignment, and preserving its strategic autonomy. All previous governments have announced Neighbourhood First policies, with IK Gujral basing it even on non-reciprocity. The Modi government has carried this policy much further, with several visits to Nepal and Sri Lanka, and a transformation of our ties with Bangladesh. With Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Modi government, unlike the previous ones, is also playing the card of religious affinities. Relations with the Maldives were strengthened under the Solih government but have received a setback under the Muizzu government. China has made major inroads into our neighbourhood but India is countering the challenge. India has to accept the reality that our neighbours will play the China card against us and keep testing our red lines. India has believed in Afro-Asian solidarity. It supported African liberation movements and took a principled position on apartheid from the days of the Congress government after our independence. India has had a strongly Africa-oriented policy. This has endured, with its assistance programmes for Africa, the India-Africa summits both under the UPA and BJP governments and the latest initiative taken by India under PM Modi to include the African Union as a G20 member. Indias foreign policy is today much more confident and self-assured. We are conveying our foreign policy thinking to the international audience much more than ever before, and with much less inhibition. It is no longer an India looking for assistance, India is itself providing a lot of assistance to developing countries in the neighbourhood and Africa in particular. India is cultivating a wide range of countries, with Modi visiting countries which had not been visited by an Indian PM for years. Indias stature has grown to the extent that under PM Modi it holds joint meetings with, for example, the leaders of Nordic countries, the Central Asian countries, the Pacific Island states, the CARICOM, besides the fact that leaders of all the ASEAN countries were chief guests at Indias R-Day celebrations in 2018. In climate change negotiations, India has both stood its ground on key issues of national interest and become a positive interlocutor as well, changing perceptions about India from a naysayer to a credible stakeholder. India, under Modi, has taken the initiative to set up the International Solar Alliance, it has launched the Coalition for a Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, it is meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement, and has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, etc. India is positioning itself as a leader of the Global South, which is both a continuation of its long-standing policy and a marked change from the past. The G20 presidency gave India the opportunity to take this leadership role to a new level by organising the Voice of the Global South summit in January 2023. India was successful in putting the views and priorities of the Global South on the G20 agenda, be it food, fertiliser and energy issues, reform of multilateralism, the working of Multilateral Development Banks, debt relief, accelerating the achievements of SDGs, financial and technological transfers to developing countries to address Climate Change issues, etc. The G20 agenda is no longer G7-oriented. India is projecting itself as a civilisational power. It has introduced its own ideas in international discourse. This is apart from the UN declaring International Yoga Day on June 21. These include Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, One Future Alliance, and Global Initiative for Public Health building on its Vaccine Maitri diplomacy that won it great goodwill in developing countries. Other ideas are Global Food Supply Chain, LiFE, a human-centric approach to technology, Global Digital Public Infrastructure, etc. A major change is the intensity with which the Modi government is dealing with the Indian diaspora. Modi has electrified the Indian diaspora with his stirring addresses and given them a sense of pride in the country whose many achievements he highlights eloquently. Finally, the personality of the leader matters. Modi has a knack for developing a personal rapport with foreign leaders, which is a bonus in promoting our foreign policy interests. Kanwal Sibal is a former Indian Foreign Secretary. He was Indias Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Japanese philosopher Watsuji Tetsuro, in his book Climate and Culture, divided the world into three cultural ecologies: Desert, monsoon and meadow climatic areas. For him, the Judaism-Christianity-Islam combine manifests the desert climate, while Hinduism hails from the monsoon culture. Desert is a vast stretch of sand, symbolising monotony, uniformity, rigidity and even obstinacy. The sandy region, thus, has birthed a set of religions that has been Commandment/scripture-based, with one God and no scope for diversity and diversion. Uniformity is its obsession, and diversity and differences are both feared and abhorred. Hinduism, on the other hand, came into existence along riverbanks, thus symbolising movement, evolution, diversity, and accommodation. Hindu society, thus, is innately liberal, accommodating different and diverse opinions, faiths, value systems and even Gods. It wont be hyperbole to say that India is a well-oiled democracy today, with strong liberal and secular credentials, because this landmass has been so for millennia. Maybe thats why External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in his latest book Why Bharat Matters, writes quite poignantly, With each passing day it is becoming clearer that India matters because it is Bharat. Such stark differences between the desert and monsoon religions notwithstanding, there has been an all-pervasive myth about all religions being one and the same. This misconception about religions is primarily prevalent in Bharat, which, thanks to its Sanatana traditions, strongly believes in the phenomenon of ekam sad vipra bahudha vadanti (God is one but wise people/sages speak of it variously). There is no notion of the other in the Indic scheme of things. And since there was no other, there was no need to identify itself with a particular name or identity. No wonder the name given to the people of this landmass, Hindus, has foreign origins; so has been the case with the religion, Hinduism. Despite having no notion of the other, civilisational Bharat didnt take long to comprehend the intrinsic value system of the desert religions. When King Harsha of Kashmir destroyed Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries, Kalhana in Rajatarangini criticised him for behaving like Turks, calling it a Turushka-like act. The Bharatiya understanding became fudged only under the influence of British coloniality that created a class of people Indian in blood and colour, but English in tastes, in opinions, in morals and in intellect, as Lord Macaulay had envisioned at the launch of the English education system in 1835 AD. Things worsened further when the Gandhian idea of Ishwar-Allah gained ground in the early 20th century. While the followers of the desert religions had no such identity misperception mandatory prayers five times a day invariably remind them about the other it became fashionable, especially after Independence, among Hindus to be mesmerised by the idea of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb even when there existed none except in the elitist, literary circles. Over the next seven decades, it not just became fashionable to see all religions as the same but also it helped foster the Hindu pretension to look modern and liberal. In this backdrop, Sanjay Dixits latest book, All Religions Are Not The Same, is a much-welcome addition. It seamlessly explains the many notable differences between religions in a rational, systematic manner. Avoiding the temptation of appearing generous, liberal and non-confrontationist, which often is the reason why the academic-political classes, especially, use such all-religions-are-the-same platitudes, Dixit, a well-known intellectual voice today, ensures his arguments in the book dont fall into emotional/politically correct trappings. Instead, his approach is rational, factual and logical. The author begins the book by explaining the different frameworks in which both the Sanatana and Abrahamic systems operate. He then traverses the vast dharmic literature from the Vedas onwards to explain the difference. The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig Veda, quoted in the third chapter of the book, for instance, shows the depth of open inquiry in a dharmic world. It begins with the following lines: Then even nothingness was not, nor existence. There was no air then, nor the heaven beyond it Then there was neither death nor immortality Nor was there then the torch of night and day. The One breathed windlessly and self-sustaining. There was that One then, and there was no other. The Sukta ends with the following lines: Whence all creation had its origin, The creator, whether he fashioned it or whether he did not, The creator, who surveys it all from highest heaven, He knows or maybe even he does not know. One would be amazed to find these lines so close to the latest of scientific discoveries about the universe. Or should we say multiverses, about which our Puranas referred to when they talked about multitudes of Brahmas, each heading a particular universe? The Puranic cosmic chronology would also baffle modern observers for being so accurate with numbers that only modern minds with latest technologies could come up with. A dharmic mind is thus a seeker of truth. An explorer who wont be dictated by a book or a Commandment. It was at this mind that British-Indian scientist JBS Haldane was referring to in his 1959 article, An Indian Perspective of Darwin (The Centennial Review; Vol 3, No. 4), when he wrote: To Europeans and Americans, it inevitably seems that Darwins greatest achievement has been to convince educated men and women that biological evolution is a fact, that living plant and animal species are all descended from ancestral species very unlike themselves, and, in particular, that men are descended from animals But in India and China, this distinction has not been made; and according to Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina ethics, animals have rights and duties. My wife has stated categorically that Darwin converted Europe to Hinduism. This is, I think, an exaggeration, but is nearer to the truth than it sounds. Europe needed a Darwin to become modern, scientific. The Arabic world is still in need of its own Darwin. The Sanatana Dharma was inherently Darwinian and more. Even the avatara of Bhagwan Vishnu evolved from a fish and a tortoise to finally come in the form of Sri Ram and Sri Krishna. Dixit, to his credit, doesnt just stop at exploring the intellectual, scientific, philosophical and spiritual depth of the Sanantana Dharma. He also, in the book, analyses the worldview of the three desert religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam and then compares them with Hinduism to bring out the fundamental differences, as David Frawley writes in the blurb of the book, between them on the inner and the outer, the individual and the collective, at the human and cosmic levels, much like a scientific discourse. The one thing that could have been improved is the cover of the book. It could have been far more imaginative. One may wonder whats there in the covers. All that matters, and should matter, is the content. But then as Tim Kreider once wrote in The New Yorker in support of the book covers, Even if you love your wife for who she is as a person, its still nice when she breaks out a sexy new outfit. Covers, if done aesthetically, further adds to the books allure. That said, All Religions Are Not The Same is a must-read and must-debated/deliberated book, especially among Hindus, many of whom are still under the thrall of coloniality, Western as well as West Asian. Just short of 200 pages, its definitely worth your time and attention. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About $300,000 will be awarded as longevity bonuses to Chippewa County employees who have worked for the county for more than five years. The bonuses will be included in April 5 paychecks for long-term county employees, following a unanimous vote by the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night. Tuesdays resolution designates American Rescue Plan Act interest funds for the bonuses. The county received about $12.6 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Chippewa County administrator Randy Scholz, the federal dollars have generated $583,000 in interest. Scholz recommended the board use $300,000 of that interest for the countys longevity bonus program. Scholz said the county has worked hard to engage employees during the last several years. The goal is to make Chippewa County the best place to work in the Chippewa Valley. Some organizations try to do this by throwing money at it. We are not able to do that, first, because it does not work without other changes in an organization and second, we do not have the resources to even try that approach, Scholz said. "With everything going on in the community, I feel it is vital to show our current employees with tenure and the employees we are looking to attract that our commitment to them is stronger than ever." The county created the Longevity Bonus program in 2022. The purpose of the policy is to recognize and express appreciation for long serving employees, program materials state. In October 2022, the board authorized the use of ARPA funds to pay general municipal employees $200 for each five-year anniversary. So if you were here for five years as of May 1, 2022, then you got $200, finance director for the Department of Administration Lori Zwiefelhofer said Tuesday. In December 2022, the board expanded the program to include Wisconsin Professional Police Association employees. The resolutions allowed the county to address a discrepancy created by the timing of the passage of the Longevity Bonus policy. Scholz said the program was developed based on employee feedback and concerns. "We were focusing our efforts mostly on recruitment and not as much on retention. The county will also utilize American Rescue Plan Act interest revenue to pay $800 for each five-year milestone anniversary beyond the first five-year anniversary. Scholz said the bonuses will increase for years worked in the county. For instance, an employee who has worked for the county for 11 years will receive $1,100. An employee who has worked for the county for 21 years will receive $2,700, according to documents shared Tuesday. Board member Rob Teuteberg abstained from the unanimous vote, as his wife is a county employee. Elected officials and the county administrator are not eligible for the longevity bonus. Microsoft has become a household name in the world of AI thanks to its partnership with OpenAI. But the company feels other companies have a better chance to lead the market. Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft says, he cant believe Google is not leading the AI race, especially with all the tools and resources at its disposal. In fact, Nadella was quoted saying in a podcast that Google should have been the default winner. Now, why would he say that, especially when his company is way ahead of the California-based giant? Nadella pointed out that Google is the most vertically placed company to take advantage of the AI boom. After all, it has the tech, the man power and even the data to train the AI models. It is interesting to see Nadella talk about Google in this manner, but he isnt completely wrong with his estimation. Google has been talked about highly with its focus on AI, but it has been slow to enter the segment with the Gemini AI model. Google has repeatedly stated that it is in no hurry to push AI without being completely sure about behaviour. And the companys own concerns came forth recently, when the AI image generator was found to be inaccurate with historical figures and even racist to some extent. Google was forced to pause the feature and this incident even made Sundar Pichai to internally address the employees and called the whole situation, completely unacceptable. The company has big AI plans in 2024, and some of the changes could entail staff churning which has been done in recent months. Talking about Microsoft, the company is basking in its proactive approach towards AI, tapping into the vast pool resources available with OpenAI, and offering its hardware to make the final product tick. Nadella would be secretly happy with the progress of the companys AI focus, which is slowly trickling down to Windows PCs. But he will also be aware of Googles possible moves that could make it a feisty contest in the near future. Xiaomi surprised everyone (even us) by launching the Xiaomi 14 Ultra model in India earlier this month along with the Xiaomi 14 model. The company did not share any teaser for the product, but closer to the launch, the brand was sharing its release notes with Xiaomi 14 series, which got people excited for something big. And thats exactly what happened, as India got its first-ever Xiaomi Ultra model which takes on the Google Pixels, Samsung Galaxy S models and the iPhone Pros at a sub Rs 1 lakh bracket. Xiaomi has seen its market share erode in the popular mid-range segment, as the competition has caught up and even bettered in many aspects. The company has recently talked about realising its mistakes in the past few years, and promised to revise its strategy, which includes a refreshed approach towards the premium segment. Xiaomi 14 Ultra is priced at Rs 99,999 which is Rs 30,000 more than what you pay for the vanilla Xiaomi 14 model in India. The brand has decided against bringing the Pro moniker, as the base variant has enough in the bank to become a viable option for buyers. When it comes to the 14 Ultra, Xiaomi has a big learning curve to tackle, something it has seen with the Xiaomi 13 Pro last year and any other Xiaomi phone that costs above Rs 40,000 in the market. We have brands like Vivo, OnePlus and even Realme going above the Rs 50,000 range in the country, and everybody accepts that these products are not going to the volume churners. Even a new brand like Nothing has been quick to realise the need for a mid-range model, which it has done in the form of the Phone 2a in India and few other markets this year. So, even though Xiaomi 14 Ultra has launched, the battle has just started. Most people would say that why would anyone pay Rs 1 lakh for a Xiaomi phone, and those concerns stem from the fact that the brand has predominantly been a value-for-money option. Going against the big boys needs a lot more conviction, greater marketing focus and build an experiential setup that allows people to see what a Rs 1 lakh phone from Xiaomi offers and how it competes with the other premium brands. More importantly, the Ultras need a refined software approach with regular OS updates and reliable support with a hands-on strategy to keep the buyers happy. Either way, we are just excited that Xiaomi 14 Ultra has launched in India, and from here on, the brand can build a portfolio that caters to the segment. Generally, taking a flight and jetting off to some place is far more convenient than boarding a train. For this one couple, their flight turned into quite an amazing experience, which a common man can only dream of. This couple had booked two tickets for themselves on the flight, but after boarding, they were in for a surprise of their lifetime! In 2021, Kevin and Samantha McCullian were flying off to Greece. In an interview with the media, they revealed that Kevin got a ticket for a Jet 17 flight to Manchester. After reaching the airport, the couple realised that there were no other passengers to board this flight except for them. They were given a king treatment and the plane took off with just these two. As per reports, when Samantha and Kevin noticed no other passengers at the airport. The couple assumed that they (couple) must have arrived late and the other passengers might already be inside. However, when they boarded the flight, it was a different scenario altogether. Samantha revealed that while checking in, they felt strange as there was no one around, not even at the passport control centre. She shared that they felt something was wrong, maybe their flight got cancelled, or they arrived quite late. Upon checking the time, they saw that they were absolutely on time, but the airport sounded extremely peaceful. They even asked the employees who informed them that everything was fine. Reportedly, the couple boarded the shuttle bus and then climbed the stairs of the plane, only to be warmly welcomed by the Captain and two flight attendants. It was then they were informed that they would be the only passengers on the flight. It further turned interesting when the Captain said that instead of making announcements, he would give all the information to the couple about where they were flying off to, and the weather outside to mention a few. He asked the couple to think of it as a private jet and can do whatever they want. The couple shared that it was quite surprising for them. The crew members were quite sweet to them and offered them champagne to drink and sweets to eat. Interestingly, they were not charged for anything. They completed their 4-hour long flight by laughing and joking with the crew members and felt like winning the lottery. Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi treats its patients with the utmost care by providing them with panchakarma therapy, a meditation room, yoga training, deluxe room facilities and in-house doctors. The hospital is making the headlines due to its in-house restaurant, Soma-The Ayurvedic Kitchen. Here, the food is given according to the health of the visitor. From Dumplings to Pav Bhaji, several dishes are served here without onion and garlic. Hospital patients often visit this cafe during their tenure apart from the outside visitors. Several food enthusiasts have reached this restaurant to try their food and none have left without praising their experience of eating healthy food at this eatery. Soma: The Ayurvedic Kitchen is also being hailed as the first Ayurvedic Kitchen in India. While talking to Local18, Himanshu, who is a doctor at Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital, claimed that almost all the dishes they offer are homemade and fresh. He added that they founded Soma restaurant to promote the fusion of Ayurveda and food. Even though it is an Ayurvedic Kitchen, netizens often wonder about the reason for fast food like Vada Pao and Dumplings on the menu of this restaurant. Responding to this, Himanshu, said that their Vada Pao is different from the ordinary stall-made or restaurant. He claimed that their Pao is made of Ragi which is known for having a cooling effect in Ayurveda. Whereas for Vada, the chefs of Soma Kitchen have coated these potato balls with the nutritious Moong Daal. Vada Pao at our restaurant is recommended for the people who are suffering from Kapha Dosha, added Himanshu. According to Ayurveda, Kapha Dosha is for those personality who tend to remain lazy and relaxed throughout the day. Here, dumplings are offered with a blend of wheat, beetroot and a medley of ricotta, cottage cheese and spinach. In Ayurveda, Beetroot is known for its detoxifying ability whereas spinach carries an iron-rich profile and digestive support. Several people have visited this restaurant and have shared their experiences. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prabhjot Kumar (@kumarprabhjot) Soma Ayurvedic Kitchen is located at Shalimar Bagh in Delhi. The cafe is open and running seven days a week. Laxman Srivastava, director of Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital claims that their Ayurvedic Kitchen, Soma has received great responses from the visitors. We are getting repeated customers he added. Rats in a dilapidated police station in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, erupted chaos by throwing a wild party after discovering seized marijuana. The cunning rodents made merry amidst mould and cockroach infestations, right under the noses of the police force. ABC News reported the incident, shedding light on the rundown conditions of the station and its stockpile of prohibited items. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick informed members of the New Orleans City Council: The rats consuming our marijuana, theyre all intoxicated. She elaborated on the issue of vermin infestation and decay within the offices, which have been operational since 1968, mentioning that officers have even discovered rat droppings on their desks. Pest control expert Ron Harrison mentioned that while he hasnt encountered reports of rats consuming drug stashes, his company does have pest control contracts for certain greenhouses where marijuana is grown. He noted that the situation in the state capital wasnt entirely unexpected, as rats are omnivores. Depending on the form of marijuana, they might experience similar effects to humans. Harrison explained, From understanding the biology of the rat and its similarities to humans, I would expect that, based on the amount or concentration they ingest, their experience would be somewhat similar to humans. Authorities remained reluctant to disclose how the eager rats discovered the marijuana stash and whether their actions affected any ongoing investigations. New Orleans officials are now aiming to relocate the department to a new facility, with Superintendent Kirkpatrick saying that relocation is her top priority. Superintendent Kirkpatrick mentioned that her 910 officers had to endure broken air conditioning and elevators at work, clarifying that the situation was not the fault of the janitorial staff. She expressed, The level of uncleanliness is unprecedented. They deserve recognition for attempting to clean what seems impossible. In 2021, cannabis possession was decriminalised statewide in Louisiana, meaning individuals caught with small amounts (under 14 grams) no longer face jail time. However, possessing larger quantities or illegally distributing the drug still carries severe penalties, including prison sentences ranging from six months to 30 years. The scientists at SETI Institute have spotted a giant volcano that had been hidden in plain sight for years near Mars equator. The volcano, provisionally named Noctis volcano, is 29,600 feet in elevation and stretches 450 kilometres in width. The findings of this discovery were recently announced at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held in Texas, USA. The researchers believe that they are likely to find a buried glacier under this volcanic province. The examination of the volcano shows that it has seen eruptions in recent times but it is unclear if it is still active or will erupt again. This discovery is being deemed extremely enlightening to study Mars geology and its evolution over the years. In a press statement, Dr. Pascal Lee, a planetary scientist at the SETI Institute said, We were examining the geology of an area where we had found the remains of a glacier last year when we realized we were inside a huge and deeply eroded volcano. For a long time, scientists have suspected to find volcanos just south of the planets equator. Sourabh Shubham, a student at the University of Marylands Department of Geology who was involved in the newly discovered volcanos study said that this area of the red planet is known to have a wide variety of hydrated minerals and volcanic setting for these minerals had long been suspected. He added that the discovery of the volcano is like a long-sought smoking gun. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SETI Institute (@setiinstitute) Talking about what makes the Noctis volcano site exceptionally exciting, Dr Lee said, Its an ancient and long-lived volcano so deeply eroded that you could hike, drive, or fly through it to examine, sample, and date different parts of its interior to study Mars evolution through time. He explained that since the volcano has a long history of mingling and with water and ice it is a prime location to research astrobiology or search for signs of life. He added, Finally, with glacier ice likely still preserved near the surface in a relatively warm equatorial region on Mars, the place is looking very attractive for robotic and human exploration. It is interesting to note that back in 2022, a breakthrough research by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology hinted that there could be magma flowing deep below Mars surface. According to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the study showed that the magma under the red planet could be from a volcanic activity that occurred in the last 50,000 years. Now two years later, scientists have spotted a new volcano on Mars. For most people crocheting is just a hobby but for Jonah Larson, a young boy from Wisconsin, USA, it is a way of supporting an orphanage from where he was adopted. Jonah was adopted when he was five months old from an orphanage in Ethiopia. At the age of five Jonah got attracted to crocheting when he first saw a crochet hook and asked his mother what it was. His adoptive mother, Jennifer Larson, explained crocheting to him and bought him crocheting supplies. As per NBC Today, Jonah then began watching YouTube tutorials and within an hour had made a dishcloth. His diligence and quick learning surprised his mother. Soon Jonah and his family started posting his crocheting works on social media and Jonah began selling his crochet pieces. Today his Instagram account has over four lakh followers. The profits generated from these sales were donated to Roots Ethiopia, a non-profit that works with underprivileged children in the area where Jonah was born. Roots Ethiopia also supports the orphanage where Jonah was raised before he was adopted. The funds donated via Jonahs crocheting work have helped improve the facilities at his former orphanage. Recently, a popular Instagram page Good News Movement shared about Jonahs impressive initiative. Commenting on this post, an Instagram user wrote, Its so beautiful seeing someone use their talents and gifts to bless the lives of others. Way to go Jonah! Youre an inspiration to all! Another mentioned, Those children are so sweet and deserve all the blessings they receive. If I was a young woman Id adopt for sure!!! Jennifer Larson told NBC Today that before learning crocheting Jonah would often act out in class and stay distracted. However, now his concentration has improved. His teacher suggested that Jonah should bring his crochet to class. Jennifer Larson said that crocheting calmed his mind and worked as medicinal in some ways. While talking to NBC Today, Jonah said, I see crochet as a positive way to bring the world together and its just a craft that everybody comes together and enjoys. Sharing about what he wants to be after he grows up, the crochet prodigy said, I would like to be able to be a surgeon and be able to go back to Ethiopia and give out some free surgeries. When it comes to booking accommodation for holidays, many of us think of checking out rental properties like Airbnb. The vacation rental company offers a range of apartments, homestays and other properties across the world. Recently YouTuber Ryan Trahan made a video about staying in the four most unique Airbnbs around the world. Back in 2023, Airbnb introduced a new category of properties named OMG. In this category, it listed some of the most distinctive and quirky accommodations around the world. Ryan picked up four places from this list and documented his stay. In the video, Ryan went to the Netherlands, UK, Slovenia and Norway to check out the much-hyped properties. The first stop in Ryans OMG" Airbnb list was the Bossche Kraan", which is a former harbour crane that was converted into a room. This was located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. What made this property truly special is that one could rotate the crane room up to 230 degrees and get a panorama view of the place. As per Airbnb, this place is listed for over Rs 16,000 per night. The next stop in the itinerary was a property in Wales that was shaped like a UFO. This place, named The UFO" is located in Pembrokeshire in south-west of Wales. It is priced at roughly Rs 21,000. After Wales, Ryan went to Slovenia and spent a day at a luxurious chalet that comes with an inbuilt sauna. This cozy place, surrounded by snowy mountains is located in Stahovica. To stay in this chalet one has to shell Rs 19,514 per night. The final destination on Ryans list was the Birdbox Treehouse" in Gaular, Norway. This futuristic-looking property is located near a ski resort. Ryan was escorted to the treehouse in the middle of the night by his host, Seiv. The treehouse is priced at Rs 23,642 per day. Ryans video, simply titled I Stayed in OMG!" Airbnbs has gathered over 12 million views since it was posted on March 2. In the comments many people shared their views on which property they liked best. Commenting on the video, a YouTube user wrote, I live in Tenby, which is the town you visited in the UFO segment. I genuinely never thought you would come to our country, let alone my town, thank you for showing the beauty of Wales!" Another person wrote, The chalet in Slovenia is definitely cozy worth staying in, has a lot of food that you can cook ( I know not that all free) but it was good to see in an airbnb because some dont do that, either you do grocery or order food on a regular airbnb, and definitely the last one the bird box is has absolutely beautiful view." The bonding between a teacher and students is precious. While the teacher strives to impart knowledge and wisdom, the students in turn look up to them for inspiration. Recently, a heartfelt gesture by a group of students has left online users in tears. Their teacher had lost her son a year ago, and the students made sure to be beside her and lift her mood in this grim phase. All of the students banded together to spell out her sons name with glow sticks. They also sang for her as well. The video was shared on Instagram, and the caption mentioned, Shes not just a teacher, to them; shes a member of the family. The clip shows the teacher walking along a hallway. As she enters a room, she discovers that her sons name, Winston, has been spelled out using glow sticks on the classroom floor. The students in the classroom were seen singing for her. As the video progresses, a few students present her posters with messages of love for Winston. When she sees this, she becomes visibly overwhelmed and begins crying. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@majicallynews) The video has made netizens quite emotional, and many are in awe of the student teacher bond. A user expressed, Oh my heart!!! Bawling like a baby!! She is certainly a special teacher for her students to come together like this. Beautiful! while another expressed condolences and stated, Sad sad situation but these kids are unbelievably amazing. Hearts of glory, Thank god. Many who could not stop being overwhelmed by the gestures said, I am not crying, you are. This is when you are an amazing teacher and the impacts you have on your kids god bless her and the students. Some simply stated that they have goosebumps watching the clip. Netizens also praised the young minds for being so compassionate, This new generationbeautiful. How can I stop my tears now? I love these kids, a user mentioned. Among the outpouring of passionate comments many people simply responded with heart emoticons. Some time back, another incident put emphasis on this precious bond between a teacher and students. Pupils from Gandaki Boarding School in Nepal staged a surprise prank for their favourite teacher, which has grabbed the hearts of millions on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 12DRams (@class12drams) The video posted on Instagram shows a teacher rushing into the classroom after hearing of a fight, only to discover that the students had manufactured the brawl as a prank. The video closes with the teacher smiling as a chorus of Happy Birthday plays around the room. He is also seen receiving a bouquet and many embraces from the students. The Iranian ambassador to Pakistan has said a Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan is likely to be finalised during the planned visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad, according to a media report on Friday. Iranian Ambassador Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam, while addressing a business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Thursday, said the FTA would increase mutual trade and several bilateral economic and trade agreements would also be signed during the visit, the Dawn newspaper reported. However, the Iranian envoy did not provide any details such as the timing of the upcoming visit of his countrys president. He also said that the two countries need to have strong air, maritime and sea links, which will strengthen the economic relations and Pakistan will also be connected to regional and global trade. The envoy emphasised the closeness of maritime links, especially Karachi and Gwadar and Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports and said that Gwadar and Chabahar should be declared as sister ports. He said the current bilateral trade volume was just USD 2.5 billion, which increased by 11 per cent in the last 11 months. After the FTA and bilateral agreements for the promotion of mutual trade, there is a strong possibility that the mutual trade between Pakistan and Iran would reach USD 5 billion in the next few years, he added. He said Pakistan and Iran can fulfil 70 per cent of each others needs by engaging in mutual trade, just as Iran imports halal meat, Pakistan can do a lot of work in Iran in this sector. The envoy added that the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline was a significant project, which would benefit both the domestic and industrial sectors of Pakistan. Iran is serious about resolving Pakistans energy problems and that is why Tehran completed the gas pipeline project for USD 1 billion in 2009 so that Pakistan could meet its energy needs, he said, adding that it was essential that the project be completed at the earliest. He added that Iran was already trading in the gas and the energy sector with Turkiye, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, therefore Pakistan can also follow the procedure adopted by these countries. He acknowledged that the banking channel between Pakistan and Iran was a serious issue, but Iran has banking links with Turkiye, Bahrain and Iraq, reported the paper. The water slide at the Chippewa Falls public pool will be back in action this summer. After being closed since 2021, the water slide is about to be renovated. The Chippewa Falls City Council approved last week a motion for American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used to restore the slide. According to Chippewa Falls parks, recreation and forestry director John Jimenez, the slide will cost $80,000 to repair. The Bernard F. Willi pool, located at 1 Bridgwater Ave. in Chippewa Falls, sits inside Marshall Park near the south entrance to Irvine Park. The city has owned and operated its public swimming pool since 1969. The pool is only open in the summer. In recent years, the city has struggled to keep up with necessary repairs and the pool has experienced staffing shortages. Ongoing issues In June 2023, the opening of the pool was delayed because of a broken pipe that had to be replaced. It meant that the first session of swim lessons was canceled and only two of three swim lesson sessions took place last summer. The pools water slide was closed in 2021 because of structural damage. To assess the pools condition and provide recommendations for improvements, renovations and replacements, Parkitecture + Planning conducted an analysis of the facility in 2021. The report concluded the water slide should remain closed until it could be removed or replaced because of significant cracking in several of the slide hull sections. The steel tower of the water slide has significant wear and is likely in need of major refurbishment or replacement, the report states. Other issues the report mentions are a pool deck that, despite being in good condition, lacks many of the modern facility amenities, such as dedicated shaded seating and concessions. The report concluded both locker rooms are deficient in toilets, and to meet requirements, a major renovation or expansion would be needed. In addition, none of the existing stalls or fixtures meet ADA codes. The shower banks for both men and women meet quantity code requirements but may not be entirely functional, the report says. Some issues identified in the report have been addressed. The updates allowed the pool to remain open the last two years despite the fact that the current pool is showing its age. Jimenez said in April 2023 that the pool had new filters and a new heater. Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman said in February the city invested in equipment last year to give the city a five-year buffer to determine next steps for the pool and that recent upgrades made to the facility have kept the pool safe and functioning. For the last few years, the pool committee has investigated ways to upgrade the pool and recently began considering options to build a new pool off site. Temporary remedies Some Chippewa Falls residents questioned the investment in repairs to the slide. I thought that they had just announced that they werent able to repair the pool anymore because its in a floodplain and they cant build a new pool on the same site, Chippewa Falls resident Jim Krusinki said Wednesday. Im happy to hear that the slide will be open, but if they have to close the pool in a few years, why spend the money on it? City officials in January said the pools location in a floodplain could prevent the city from rebuilding a new pool on the current site. In February, city leaders said they may not be able to renovate or extensively remodel the pool like they previously wanted to. But the pool is in good enough condition to remain open for at least a few years, possibly up to a decade, pool committee, parks department representatives and the mayor have said. Jimenez said Wednesday, Considering there is not a timeline for a new facility, council agreed that it is important to provide this amenity for the community as long as our current pool is operational. The new slide will be completed before the pools opening June 8 opening date, according to Jimenez. G7 countries warned Iran on Friday that they will impose significant new sanctions if Tehran transfers ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. We reiterate our call on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russias illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine or face severe costs, the group, which includes the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada, said in a statement. Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran, the countries said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced his concerns during a visit in Vienna on Friday. Weve sent very clear messages to Iran not to do it And I think that the concern about that eventuality and the commitment to address it if necessary is very real and very strong, he told reporters. A senior US administration official told journalists that if Iran decides to sell ballistic missiles to Russia, the costs will far outweigh the benefits, saying the transfer hasnt happened, but theres a real danger that it could. Among the steps that have been discussed is ending national airline Iran Airs flights to Europe, the official added, declining to provide details on other response options. The G7 previously denounced support from China and Iran for Russias war in Ukraine in a statement issued on the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion of the country by Moscows forces. They called on Iran to stop helping Russias military and expressed concern on the transfer by Chinese businesses of weapons components and military equipment to Moscow. Ukrainian forces have been hit by ammunition shortages as additional funding for military aid to Kyiv remains stalled in the US Congress. Moscow has turned to Tehran as well as Pyongyang to obtain arms for use in Ukraine, while Russia has also massively ramped up its domestic arms production. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made two announcements on Thursday night that clashed with Prince Williams speech at the Diana Legacy Awards where he spoke about how his mother, Princess Diana, believed young people have the power to change the world. The timing of the announcements raised eyebrows with some royal experts even saying that the timings were no accident and also pointed out that it was a rare occasion where the estranged brothers appeared together, although they were 5,000 miles apart and spoke at different times in the evening. The brothers had together attended the previous editions of the ceremony held in honour of Princess Diana where an accolade is given to a young person aged 9-25 for their social action work from a charity that was set up based on the Princess of Wales belief that young people have the power to change the world. Prince William attended the event for the Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London and Prince Harry made an appearance virtually from his Californian home. Royal experts speaking to the Daily Mail pointed out that the reluctance to acknowledge each others presence at the event shows the depth of their feud. Moments before Prince William arrived at the event, his sister-in-law the Duchess of Sussex announced her new lifestyle brand with an online video. Meghan Markle launched lifestyle and cooking brand American Riviera Orchard via Instagram. During the speech, Prince William said his mothers legacy was something both he and his wife Kate had sought to focus on through their work. I know that she would have been honoured to see a charity in her name doing such inspirational work to uplift young people from all corners of the globe. She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back, that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life, William said, as he handed awards to three awardees from Britain, the US, Pakistan, the UAE, and Jamaica. Harry gave a talk via video-link from Montecito, long after his brother left the event, where he told the young winners: Im sorry I am not there. I wish I could be there with you guys. He thanked the group for inspiring so many others and protecting my mothers legacy, I really appreciate that. While he was addressing the winners, Harry and Meghan announced the winner of their $100,000 NAACP Archewell Foundation Digital Civil Rights Award. The award gives accolades to people and organisations at the forefront of the civil rights movement online. The Sussexes in my opinion do nothing by accident and timing is often absolutely pivotal. Weve now just been reminded that there may be more shots in their locker than some of us thought. And its no accident, Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam was quoted as saying by MailOnline. Ingrid Seward, the royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine said Princess Diana would have wanted the brothers to set their feud aside for the event. I think she would have insisted that they came together however briefly by speaking over the video link in order to celebrate the winners of the prize organised in her name, Seward was quoted as saying by TheMirror. There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded, Late Princess Dianas infamous words during her interview with Martin Bashir in 1995 had opened a whole pandoras box of revelations concerning Charles and his then-mistress (now wife and Queen Consort) Camilla Parker Bowles. History has a way of repeating itself which is reflected in Prince Williams affair rumours with one Lady Sarah Rose Hanbury amidst the absence of his wife Kate Middleton close to three decades later. Prince Williams Affair Rumors With Lady Rose Hanbury Grow Amid Kate Middletons Absence Although the Kate-gate drama had begun on a different note with internet sleuths digging around Kate Middletons absence following the announcement of a planned abdominal surgery in mid-January, the barrage of conspiracy theories shifted on an entirely different tangent with the sudden appearance of Lady Sarah Rose Hanbury in the already spicy tale. On top of it, a digitally altered photograph of the Princess of Wales with her kids released at Kensington Palace did no help as internet sleuths tore it apart prompting a clarification statement supposedly made by Kate herself apologising for any confusion caused by the edits made to the image. Let us look at the timeline of Kate-gate drama- December 25, 2023: Kate Kate Middletons Last Public Appearance Princess of Wales Kate Middleton attended the royal familys annual church service at Sandringham on Christmas Day, which was her last known royal engagement and public appearance. January 17, 2024: Kate Middletons Abdominal Surgery Announced Kensington Palace announced in a statement that the Princess of Wales was admitted to the hospital for an abdominal surgery on January 16 and requested privacy. Due to medical advice, she would not return to public duties until Easter, the statement added. January 29, 2024: Kate Middleton Returns Home From Hospital Reports surfaced that the Princess of Wales returned home to Windsor from the London clinic. However, no pictures of her leaving the hospital came out anywhere. February 5, 2024: King Charles Announces His Cancer Diagnosis Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles is seeking treatment for cancer. He remains wholly positive about the treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible, a statement by Buckingham Palace said. ALSO READ: UKs King Charles Secretly Initiates Succession Planning Amid Health Concerns: Report March 4, 2024: Picture of Princess of Wales Driving Around Windsor Captured by Paparazzi Surfaces TMZ published grainy photos of Kate and her mother driving in an Audi around Windsor Castle captured by paparazzi. March 10, 2024: Kates Mothers Day Photo Shared Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a photograph of Princess of Wales, along with her three children, on their social media accounts to mark Mothers Day in the United Kingdom. The Palace said it was taken by William last week in Windsor. While social media was quick to point out inconsistencies in the image, all suspicions solidified after the Associated Press issued a kill order, a term used for retracting an image. At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image, the news outlet said in its advisory. March 10, 2024: Kate Issues Apology on Social Media 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, a statement on the microblogging site released by the Princess of Wales. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said that the embassy is in touch with the Indian community in the Caribbean region as the crisis unfolds in Haiti. The law and order situation in Haiti has almost collapsed as criminal street gangs have taken control of the country. The capital of the Caribbean nation, Port-au-Prince is now 80% under the jurisdiction of these criminal gangs. The Embassy is in touch with the Indian community. They are monitoring the situation. As you know there is a crisis in Haiti, and if required, we will evacuate We are ready to evacuate, Jaiswal said. The country has been convulsed for two weeks by a gang uprising, with the well-armed groups saying they wanted to topple Prime Minister Ariel Henry, an unpopular and unelected leader. Amid the conflict, which has come with warnings of famine and civil war, bodies have littered the streets in recent days as social order melted away. The external affairs ministry shared phone numbers with email addresses of the control room set up to provide information and assistance. In view of the ongoing developments in Haiti, a 24-hours Control room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance. In addition, the Embassy of India in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Haiti, has set up a 24-hours emergency helpline, the MEA said in a press release. Ministry of External Affairs Control Room Details 1800118797 (Toll free) +91-11-23012113 +91-11-23014104 +91-11-23017905 +91-9968291988 (Whatsapp) situationroom@mea.gov.in Ministry of External Affairs Control Room Details Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic +1 (849) 398-9889 +1 (809) 870-3923 +1 (849) 507-7612 Landline: +1 8298934233, Extn: 203 Landline: +1 8298934233, Extn: 213 amb.sdomingo@mea.gov.in hoc.sdomingo@mea.gov.in com.sdomingo@mea.gov.in cons.sdomingo@mea.gov.in Embattled Prime Minister Henry had agreed to step aside after an emergency meeting Monday that brought together parties including the US, UN and Caribbean representatives. They decided on a blueprint for Haitians to form a governing Transitional Presidential Council until elections can be held. However, powerful gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier this week vowed to keep fighting even though Henry agreed to step down as the armed groups had demanded. We are going to continue the fight for Haitis liberation, the former policeman, currently under UN sanctions, told Spanish-language network W Radio. Three people were killed in an hours-long siege by Al-Shabaab jihadists at a popular hotel near the presidential palace in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police said Friday. Armed fighters had stormed the SYL hotel in a hail of bullets late on Thursday before security forces announced Friday they had brought the situation under control after more than 13 hours. Three people died in the attack and 27 others including 18 civilians and nine soldiers were wounded, Somali police spokesman Colonel Qasim Ahmed Roble told a press conference, adding that the injury toll included three lawmakers. Security forces also killed five assailants in a gunbattle, he added. The situation at the hotel is back to normal now, Roble said. The attack on the SYL hotel which has been targeted several times in the past occurred at the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. It broke a relative lull in violence by the Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group, demonstrating its continued ability to strike despite a major military offensive against the militants. Several gunmen forced their way into the building after destroying the perimeter wall with a heavy explosion, security officer Ahmed Dahir told AFP. Witnesses described hearing the assailants shoot indiscriminately. I dont know about the casualties but there were many people inside when the attack started, said Hassan Nur, who escaped by scaling a wall. Other witnesses said police arrived at the hotel within minutes of the attack, triggering a fierce gun battle. Abdullahi Hassan, who was at a nearby house, said the officers arrived in multiple vehicles and that ambulances carried away wounded people. Active and resilient The same hotel has been hit by Al-Shabaab several times, most recently in 2019 when five people were killed. The SYL is close to the Villa Somalia government complex, a high-security area that includes the presidential palace, the prime ministers office and ministry buildings. It is a highly significant attack that shatters a sense of calm in Mogadishu that has developed in recent months following some security reforms, said Omar Mahmood, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG), noting that in the past Al-Shabaab assaults had increased during Ramadan. It also serves as a signal from Al-Shabaab that despite much heralded efforts by this government to weaken them, the group remains active and resilient, and even able to hit the government close to home. The jihadists have been waging war against the federal government for more than 16 years and have often targeted hotels, which tend to host high-ranking Somali and foreign officials. Although Al-Shabaab was driven out of the capital by an African Union force, it retains a strong presence in rural Somalia and has carried out numerous attacks against political, security and civilian targets. The beleaguered central government launched a major offensive against the Islamists in August 2022, joining forces with local clan militias. The army and militias known as macawisley have retaken swathes of territory in central Somalia in an operation backed by the AU mission known as ATMIS and US air strikes. But the offensive has suffered setbacks, with Al-Shabaab earlier this week claiming that it had taken control of multiple locations in the centre of the country. Unwavering resolve President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met defence officials on Thursday at a strategic meeting to establish a plan to reclaim the lost territory, Somali national news agency SONNA reported. The president commended the valiant efforts of Somali forces and emphasised the governments unwavering resolve to eradicate terrorism, it said. In January, Al-Shabaab took a number of people hostage after a UN helicopter carrying nine passengers made an emergency landing in its territory. In June last year, six civilians were killed in a six-hour siege at a beachside hotel in Mogadishu. And in August 2022, 21 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a 30-hour siege on Mogadishus Hayat Hotel. In October 2022, 100 people lost their lives in twin car bombings in Mogadishu, the deadliest strike since Mohamud took office in May of that year. Thursdays attack comes days after the US slapped sanctions on 16 individuals and entities across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East that it accused of laundering money for Al-Shabaab. Sanjay Bhandari, a consultant in the defence sector wanted in India on alleged tax evasion and money laundering charges, on Thursday won permission to appeal against his extradition order by the High Court in London. Then UK Secretary of State, Suella Braverman, had ordered Bhandaris extradition to face criminal proceedings in India last year following a Westminster Magistrates Court ruling in November 2022. However, the 62-year-old businessman, who offered consultancy services to defence manufacturers bidding for Indian government contracts through his firm Offset India Solutions, had sought permission to appeal against the verdict of District Judge Michael Snow in the High Court. The case will now proceed to a four-day substantive hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London later this year. I am satisfied that the grounds are reasonably arguable, ruled Justice Pushpinder Saini at the conclusion of a half-day renewal appeal hearing on Thursday. Bhandari, represented by Janes Solicitors, had sought to appeal against the lower court verdict on eight grounds, three of which were granted in a court order by Justice Robert Jay last October and four others were approved during this weeks hearing. Grounds 3, 4 and 5 raise serious arguments which are worthy of consideration by the full Court. The further evidence will be considered at the substantive hearing de bene esse, without prejudice to the Respondents (government of India) case that it is not decisive, reads Justice Jays order from last year. Besides these grounds, which cover issues of human rights under Article 3 of the European Convention, reversed burden of truth and delays in system, Justice Saini further granted permission to appeal under grounds 1, 2 and 6 which he said is relevant to ground 5 as it deals with the prospect of lengthy pre-trial detention in an Indian prison ahead of an extradition hearing. The basis for the appeal was that the District Judge had erred in his conclusions that the offences were extradition offences and a prima facie case had been established against Bhandari. He [Snow] erred in both his conclusions that the conduct would constitute offences in this jurisdiction, and that there is admissible evidence to establish a prima facie case for each offence, note Bhandaris barristers Edward Fitzgerald and James Stansfeld. The government of India, represented by barrister Alex du Sautoy for the UKs Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), had argued there was no merit in any of the renewed grounds of appeal and permission ought to be refused. The case concerns two extradition requests from the Indian authorities, the first concerning an allegation of money laundering, contrary to Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 in India. The second request concerns an allegation of wilfully attempting to evade a tax, penalty or interest chargeable or imposable under the Black Money Act 2015 contrary to Section 51 of that act in India. Bhandari, who was resident in India for tax purposes at the time in 2015, is accused of concealing overseas assets, using backdated documents, benefiting from the assets not declared to the Indian tax authorities and then falsely informing the authorities that he did not possess any overseas assets. He denies the allegations against him and has been fighting his extradition since the first request was certified by the UK Home Office in June 2020. The CPS, on behalf of the Indian authorities, has argued that Bhandaris conduct amounts to fraud by false representation in the British jurisdiction which will now be subject to a High Court challenge. President Vladimir Putin said Friday that his military would respond to a string of Ukrainian attacks on Russia that he described as an attempt by Kyiv to derail presidential elections. Russian border regions this week have been targeted by fatal Ukrainian bombardments and faced repeated incursions by pro-Kyiv militias comprised of anti-Kremlin Russians. These strikes by the enemy do not and will not go unpunished, Putin said in televised comments at a meeting with his security council. I am sure our people, the people of Russia, will respond to this with even greater unity, he said. He claimed that Ukrainian assault groups had attempted to gain control of Russian territory at least three times in the Belgorod border region and also in the neighbouring territory of Kursk. This is an attempt to interfere with the presidential election, Putin said. He also claimed that Russian troops had ousted Ukrainian forces from both the Kursk and Belgorod regions and that Russian air defence systems had downed most projectiles fired by Kyivs forces. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed Russia Friday for holding presidential elections in parts of Ukraine held by Moscows invading forces. Guterres condemns the efforts of the Russian Federation to hold its presidential elections in areas of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, adding that the attempted illegal annexation of those regions has no validity under international law. Employees at a US wildlife center in Virginia have devised a new method to prevent an abandoned newborn red fox from bonding with humans. By donning fox masks, they aim to deter the cub from imprinting on people. The Richmond Wildlife Center grabbed headlines after sharing a video on its official Facebook page, showcasing an employee feeding milk to the tiny kit while wearing an oversized red fox head mask. In a video posted to the centers Facebook page Tuesday, Executive Director Melissa Stanley is shown wearing a red fox mask and rubber gloves while feeding the tiny kit from a syringe. The kit sits on top of a large stuffed animal fox that is supposed to look like her mother, Stanley said. Employees of the Richmond Wildlife Center in Virginia are doing their best to act like mother foxes as they feed and care for an orphaned kit that found her way into their care. pic.twitter.com/ODGSszMlCa The Associated Press (@AP) March 13, 2024 The same Facebook post explained why staff are wearing the mask to feed her, minimizing human sounds, creating visual barriers and taking other precautions. Its important to make sure that the orphans that are raised in captivity do not become imprinted upon or habituated to humans, the post said. All those measures make it more likely the kit could be reintroduced into the wild someday. Stanley said in an interview Tuesday that the kit was admitted to the center on Feb. 29 after a man walking his dog found her in an alley in Richmond. Thinking she was a kitten, he turned her over to the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She was less than 24 hours old and her umbilical stump was still attached. Wildlife center staff initially tried to locate the kits mother and her den site so they could reunite them. They found the den site, but were told by the grounds superintendent that the foxes had been trapped and removed. Stanley said she suspects the fox kit either fell out of a trap or off the back of the trappers truck. Staff at the wildlife center have been taking turns feeding the kit every two to four hours, all while wearing the fox mask. In addition to the large stuffed animal meant to mimic the kits mother, staff also put a smaller stuffed red fox in her enclosure. She cuddles up to the smaller stuffed animal at the end of the video. The goal is to release animals back into the wild, not only to give them a greater chance of survival, but to recognize their own species and to reproduce to carry on their wildlife population, Stanley said. To that end, the center immediately began looking for other red fox kits of the same age and weight within the rehabilitation community. Staff located three other kits in a rehabilitation setting in northern Virginia. The fox kit will be transferred to the Animal Education and Rescue Organization, which plans to eventually release the kits back into the wild together. (With AP inputs) Polling stations opened across Russias 11 time zones on Friday, coinciding with President Vladimir Putins call for voter support amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. This presidential poll, which started today, is taking place against the backdrop of Putins strong approval rating, which stands at 86%. There was a notable increase from 71% recorded shortly before the start of the Ukraine conflict, according to the Levada Centre, a respected Russian polling agency. Sputnik India !Tune in for live coverage of the Russian presidential election at Sputnik India! 15 17 , 2024 pic.twitter.com/EshFVpcB6B Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) March 14, 2024 Russian Polls in India? Amid this electoral buzz in Russia, some 60 Russians exercised their voting rights at a specially arranged booth in the capital city of Kerala, a day ahead of the eighth presidential election in the country. On Thursday, the Indian government set up polling stations at the Russian House and other diplomatic missions across the country. In Thiruvananthapuram, traditional paper ballots were used, with completed ballots routed back to Moscow via diplomatic channels from Chennai. Ratheesh Nair, Honorary Consul of Russia and Director of the Russian House in Thiruvananthapuram expressed gratitude to Russian citizens in Kerala for their cooperation in the polling process. Who is Voting? In an interview with ANI, Ratheesh Nair said this is the third time the Consulate of the Russian Federation is hosting polling for the Russian presidential elections. Ratheesh said that this is for Russian nationalists and other tourists staying in India. We are happy to associate with the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. I am very grateful to the Russian citizens in Kerala for their cooperation and enthusiasm to cast votes in the process of electing their new president, he added. Sergey Azurov, Senior Consul General in Chennai, said that they are holding preliminary voting in the framework of presidential polls to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Russian federations living in India. Ulia, a Russian citizen, told ANI that, Everyone who came today are Russian citizens either residing permanently in India or are visiting tourists. Everybody is thankful and happy to come here and participate in the election, which is very important for every citizen. This is our responsibility. So, we are thankful to the Russian house and the consulate general in India from Chennai for providing this chance. (With agency inputs) Additional community projects aimed at improving wastewater and stormwater infrastructure will now be eligible for state funding under a bill Gov. Tony Evers signed into law Thursday. The Democratic governor signed 15 bills in total, including a measure to allow the use of airguns for big game hunting in Wisconsin and another providing more flexibility for anglers looking to transport their catch. Wisconsins Clean Water Fund Program provides funding to municipalities for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects that protect and improve public health and water quality. The fund is supplemented by state tax dollars and federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. Senate Bill 99, now Act 106, expands what types of projects can receive funding to now include connecting laterals and sewer lines. Such lines, which transport wastewater from structures to municipal or private wastewater systems, were previously ineligible for funds through the program. Evers said in a statement the expansion will help ensure communities across the state have the resources they need to bolster their infrastructure and replace and modernize aging systems. The governor, along with the state Department of Natural Resources, announced late last year the allocation of more than $400 million in funding to 84 municipalities through the Clean Water Fund Program. Other bills signed Senate Bill 586, now Act 115, allows the use of airguns in any hunting season now open to firearms. Under the law, an airgun is defined as a weapon originally manufactured to expel one or more metal projectiles by the expansion of compressed air. Airguns were previously allowed for hunting small game, like rabbits and gray squirrels. The law allows them to be used on larger game like deer and black bear. More than 20 states allow for airgun hunting of big game. Senate Bill 411, now Act 112, allows anglers to transport a dressed or filleted game fish as long as they provide a physical or digital photo that proves the time and date of the photograph, and evidence of the fishs length before the head and tail were removed. The transportation of a fish with the head or tail removed was previously restricted if the fish was subject to a minimum size limit and taken by hook and line from inland or outlying waters. A dressed or filleted fish could only be transported if it continued to meet the minimum size limit with the head or tail removed. Proof that the fish had originally met the minimum size limit could include a photo of it next to a ruler. Today in history: March 14 1794: Eli Whitney 1879: Albert Einstein 1951: Korean War 1962: Edward M. Kennedy 1964: Jack Ruby 1967: President John F. Kennedy 1990: Mikhail S. Gorbachev 2011: Neil Diamond 2012: British Prime Minister David Cameron 2015: Robert Durst 2017: Mitch Seavey 2017: Robert Neller 2018: Stephen Hawking 2021: Brian Sicknick 2021: Drew Brees Exemptions that allow religious organizations to avoid paying Wisconsins unemployment tax dont apply to a Catholic charitable organization because its on-the-ground operations arent primarily religious, a divided state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The outcome of the case, which drew attention and concern from religious groups around the country, raises the bar for all religions to show that their charity arms deserve such exemptions in the state. The Catholic organizations attorneys immediately promised to appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. If that court agrees to hear the case, any ruling could have broad national implications. The Wisconsin court ruled 4-3 that although the Superior-based Catholic Charities Bureau and its sub-entities motivation to help older, disabled and low-income people stems from Catholic teachings, its actual work is secular. In other words, they offer services that would be the same regardless of the motivation of the provider, a strong indication that the sub-entities do not operate primarily for religious purposes, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote for the majority. Religious groups around the country are watching the case, including Catholic Conferences in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota, the American Islamic Congress, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the Sikh Coalition, and the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty. The Wisconsin Supreme Court got this case dead wrong, said Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a law firm that is representing Catholic Charities and its sub-entities. CCB is religious, whether Wisconsin recognizes that fact or not. The firm will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Sarah Buckley, a Becket spokesperson. U.S. religious institutions enjoy tax exemptions, most notably from property taxes. Debate has raged for decades over whether the exemptions are fair. Supporters say that the exemptions rightfully extend from the constitutional separation of church and state and that religious institutions would struggle without them. Opponents counter they amount to government support for religion and unfairly shift tax burdens to others. They also maintain that churches have grown increasingly political in violation of their tax-exempt status. The dispute over Wisconsin unemployment tax exemptions is the first of its kind, said Patrick Elliott, an attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. But challenges to religious property tax exemptions have been fairly common, with most judges finding that the organizations must use the land for religious purposes, not just own it, to qualify for exemptions. Wisconsin law requires employers to pay an unemployment tax that is used to fund benefits for workers who lose their jobs. The law exempts religious organizations from the tax. Every Catholic diocese in Wisconsin has a Catholic Charities entity that serves as that dioceses social ministry arm. The Catholic Charities Bureau is the Superior dioceses entity. The bureau manages nonprofit organizations that run more than 60 programs designed to help older or disabled people, children with special needs, low-income families, and people suffering from disasters, regardless of their religion, according to court documents. Catholic teachings The bureau and four of its sub-entities have been arguing in court for five years that the religious exemption from the unemployment tax should apply to them because theyre motivated by Catholic teachings that call for helping others. A state appeals court in February 2023 decided the sub-entities failed to show their activities are motivated by religion. Judge Lisa Stark wrote that the sub-entities mission statements call for serving everyone, regardless of their religions. As for the bureau itself, it has a clear religious motivation but isnt directly involved in any religiously oriented activities, she wrote. The outcome might have been different, Stark added, if the church actually ran the bureau and its sub-entities. Their workers would then be considered church employees, she said. The bureau and the sub-entities asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review that decision. But the courts four-justice liberal majority upheld the appellate ruling on almost the same rationale. The record demonstrates that CCB and the sub-entities, which are organized as separate corporations apart from the church itself, neither attempt to imbue program participants with the Catholic faith nor supply any religious materials to program participants or employees, Ann Walsh Bradley wrote. She rejected the bureaus arguments that evaluating a religious organizations motivations and whether its activities are sufficiently religious amounts to an excessive state entanglement with religion that violates the constitutional separation of church and state. That separation doesnt prohibit all government inquiries into a religious organization, and tax-exemption decisions require investigation, she wrote. Bible quoted Justice Rebecca Bradley, one of the courts three conservative justices, began her dissent by quoting a Bible verse that calls for rendering unto God the things that are Gods. She accused the majority of rewriting the exemption statutes to deprive Catholic Charities of the exemption, rendering unto the state that which the law says belongs to the church. The majoritys misinterpretation also excessively entangles the government in spiritual affairs, requiring courts to determine what religious practices are sufficiently religious under the majoritys unconstitutional test, Rebecca Bradley wrote. The majority says secular entities provide charitable services, so such activities arent religious at all, even when performed by Catholic Charities. Elliott, the Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney, called the ruling a win. If the charity groups had prevailed, the next step would be arguments to exempt religious hospitals and colleges, such as Marquette University, from paying the unemployment tax, he said. Its really a win for employees who work for religious organizations, Elliott said. They get coverage under the Wisconsin unemployment system. Buckley, the spokesperson for the law firm representing the bureau, said the constitutional issue will be the basis for the U.S. Supreme Court appeal. Typically, litigants appeal rulings from states highest courts invoking federal questions directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. UPDATE Mar 26, 2024 8:06 AM CDT "THE JAGR BOBBLEHEADS ARE HOME!" With that tweet by the Pittsburgh Penguins, "one of the more bizarre tales in NHL history" comes to a close, reports CNN. In a release Monday, the NHL team announced that a "special cargo recovery team" had "negotiated the return" of a truck full of bobbleheads honoring legend Jaromir Jagr, meant to be handed out to fans at a game earlier this month but swiped before they could be distributed. The bobbleheads are now en route from California to Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena, where they should arrive within the next week or so. Fans who hold a voucher from the March 14 game against the San Jose Sharks will be able to swap them for a Jagr bobblehead starting on April 6 (more details on how to do so here). The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says an investigation is ongoing, with "no further information to relay at this time," per CNN. Mar 14, 2024 5:35 PM CDT Everything is in place for Jaromir Jagr Bobblehead Night except the bobbleheads. The Pittsburgh Penguins planned the fan giveaway in honor of their retired star, and Jagr plans to be at Thursday night's home game against the San Jose Sharks. But the Penguins announced earlier in the day that the shipment of bobbleheads was stolen in California, the AP reports. The team's new plan is to give fans a voucher for a bobblehead that they can pick up later. Kevin Acklin, Penguins president of business operations, said in a statement that the club has contacted state and federal authorities to look into the theft. Six teenagers in Massachusetts are facing charges after allegedly participating in "a hateful, racist online chat" that included a mock slave auction of two other students. In the early hours of Feb. 9, the eighth-graders in the Springfield suburb of Southwick joined a group on Snapchat, where they allegedly used racial slurs, shared derogatory images and videos, and described wanting to commit violent acts against people of color, per the AP . Investigators said there was also a mock slave auction directed at two students known to the group. The mother of one of those students told WCVB she was concerned by "this level of hate" in people as young as 13 and 14. The group chat was reported to authorities at Southwick Regional School on Feb. 9, a Friday, the same day police were notified, per ABC News. All students now facing charges were "immediately suspended as emergency removal per state law," reports NBC Boston. By the following Monday, the school had issued formal suspensions, including one lasting 45 days. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said he learned of the case on Feb. 15 and launched an investigation into the use of "hate speech and race-based bullying." He described the group's contents as "vile, cruel, and contemptible." "Facing the reality that these thoughts, that this ugliness can exist within middle school students here in this community in 2024 is discouraging, unsettling, and deeply frustrating," Gulluni said at a Thursday press conference, per ABC. "Hatred and racism have no place in this community, and where this behavior becomes criminal, I will ensure that we act." All six teens are charged with threat to commit a crime. One is additionally charged with interference with civil rights and witness interference, and one with interference with civil rights. They will be tried in juvenile court. (More racism stories.) A college student who has been missing in Nashville since last Friday night may have been overserved at country star Luke Bryan's bar, authorities say. Riley Strain, a 22-year-old University of Missouri senior, was kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge around 9:45pm on Friday and his friends say they haven't seen him since. "We are investigating whether Mr. Strain was served alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated," Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission communications director Aaron Rummage tells NBC News. "There are no specific rules or statutes that governs escorting out intoxicated patrons from their businesses or providing assistance in getting someone home," the TABC said in a statement. "However, state law prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated. A violation is a class A misdemeanor. The TABC has opened an investigation into this matter to see if any violations have occurred." Bernie Sanders on Wednesday introduced a bill that would eventually move the United States to a four-day work week without reducing pay or benefits. The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act would, over a period of four years, move the threshold at which overtime must be paid from 40 hours to 32 hours, the Hill reports. For workdays longer than eight hours, a rate of 1.5 times a worker's normal pay would be required; for workdays longer than 12 hours, that rate would go to double a worker's normal pay. The move would apply to non-exempt workers, who are typically hourly employees, NBC News reports. What Sanders is saying: This "s not a radical idea," he says in a press release. "Today, American workers are over 400% more productive than they were in the 1940s. And yet, millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages than they were decades ago. That has got to change." This "s not a radical idea," he says in a press release. "Today, American workers are over 400% more productive than they were in the 1940s. And yet, millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages than they were decades ago. That has got to change." What critics are saying: Republicans are "panning" the idea, per the Hill, and arguing it would impact small businesses more than large corporations. Sample quote from Sen. Bill Cassidy: "If this policy is implemented, it would threaten millions of small businesses operating on a razor-thin margin because they're unable to find enough workers. Now they've got the same workers, but only for three-quarters of the time, and they have to hire more." (Cassidy also accused Sanders of failing to implement a 32-hour work week with his own staff.) System failures at McDonald's were reported worldwide Friday, shuttering some restaurants for hours and leading to social media complaints from customers, in what the fast-food chain called a "technology outage" that was being fixed. Chicago-based McDonald's Corp. said the problems weren't related to a cybersecurity issue, per the AP . "We are aware of a technology outage, which impacted our restaurants; the issue is now being resolved," the burger giant said in a statement. "We thank customers for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused." Earlier, McDonald's in Japan posted on X that "operations are temporarily out at many of our stores nationwide," calling it "a system failure." The website Downdetector also reported a spike in problems with the McDonald's app over the last few hours. Some McDonald's restaurants were working normally again after the outage, with people ordering and getting their food at locations in Bangkok, Milan, and London. A restaurant in Bangkok still had plywood over a door with a sign saying, "Technicians are updating the system" and apologizing for the inconvenience, even as customers were able to order again and pay digitally. A spokesperson for McDonald's in Denmark said the "technology failure" was resolved there and its restaurants were open. A worker at a Milan restaurant noted that the system was offline for a couple of hours, until a technician walked them through getting it back up and running. Media outlets reported that customers from Australia to the UK had complained of issues with ordering, including a customer in Australia who posted a photo to X saying a kiosk was unavailable. "All McDonald's restaurants are connected to a global network and that is what's messed up," Patrik Hjelte, owner of several McDonald's restaurants in central Sweden told local newspaper Nya Wermlands-Tidning. (More McDonald's stories.) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for an offensive in Rafah after a meeting of his war cabinet, his office said Friday. "The IDF is preparing for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population," his office said, per CNN. More than a million people, most of them displaced from elsewhere in Gaza, are in Rafah and Israel says they will be moved to "humanitarian islands." A look: Dire conditions. The New York Times looks at the dire conditions in Rafah, which was home to fewer than 300,000 people before the war but is now packed with 1.4 million people, more than half of Gaza's prewar population, according to a United Nations estimate. Most people in Rafah spend their days struggling to meet basic needs: "finding clean water for drinking and bathing, getting enough food, and calming their children when Israeli strikes hit nearby," the Times reports. They now fear that even that precarious existence is threatened by the Israeli offensive. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can remain on the case she brought against Donald Trump in Georgiabut only if her former romantic partner leaves as lead prosecutor. The other option is that she recuse herself and let Nathan Wade continue without her, per Axios . Judge Scott McAfee of Fulton Superior Court in Atlanta issued his much-awaited ruling on Friday, reports the New York Times . The "prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the State selects one of two options," the judge wrote. When that happens, the sweeping election-interference case can move on as normal. The judge ruled that Willis' critics "failed to meet their burden" in showing that her relationship to Wade was a disqualifying "conflict of interest," per the Washington Post. On the other hand, he didn't like the "appearance of impropriety" at play and feared it could affect the case. The defendants had argued that Willis appointed Wade to the case, then benefited financially because, among other things, he paid for trips the two of them took. Both took the stand and rejected the idea that she improperly benefited. story continues below Still, as "the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed," the judge wrote, per the AP. "Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist." There was no immediate word on Willis' next steps. (More Fani Willis stories.) "Bush savvy" though they are, fears for a family of seven lost in the Australian outback had mounted Wednesday with what was initially no sign of the group for a fourth day. Three elderly people and four children ages 7 to 17 had set out in two vehicles around midday Sunday from Kalgoorlie Boulder in Western Australia, intending to reach Tjuntjuntjara, an Aboriginal community of about 150 some 400 miles away. The drive should've taken about 10 hours, according to Google Maps. But the group hadn't arrived by the following day as the state was hit with major flooding. The area received what the BBC describes as "more than six months' worth of rain in 24 hours." An operation was launched to search what police said was a "vast" area but road closures limited ground searches and weather conditions meant the aerial search had to be halted after an hour on Tuesday, per the Guardian. Though floodwaters remained, conditions began to improve Wednesday as fears for the family mounted. Relief came late in the day as police announced they'd located the group "safe and well within the search area." The seven family members were first spotted by air. Police provided a photo of the group standing around a beige Toyota LandCruiser with its hood open, which had been stranded by floodwaters roughly 170 miles west of Tjuntjuntjara, per ABC Australia. Officers were able to land and check on the group, offering food, water, blankets, and other supplies that allowed the family "to wait out the night," police said. The group was to return to Kalgoorlie before a flight home to Tjuntjuntjara, per ABC. Two members have since been identified as Lennard Walker, a celebrated artist, and "Mr Rictor," whose family is the last known group of Australian Aboriginals to live a traditional nomadic life, per the Australian. A member of the Tjuntjuntjara community described the group as "really bush savvy," per the BBC. Still, "we were really worried," the woman said, noting it wasn't known what supplies the group carried. Police said all were "OK." (More Australia stories.) St. Rose of Lima Church in Genoa will be hosting its 95th Annual Parish Roast Beef and Sausage Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Meals will be $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 4-11, and free for children 3 and under. Dinner, split-the-pot and quilt raffle tickets will be sold at the door. Carryout and local delivery will be available. Call 402-948-0029. Up for a good hike? Slip on those Tevas and head for the border. That's what two participants in the "Carson City to Canada Quest" will be doing next year, and organizers say they'll even pay those ambitious trekkers $5,000 each when they complete the arduous journey. Details: Per the Los Angeles Times, the 1,600-mile route from Nevada's capital runs north along the Pacific Crest Trail all the way to the Canadian border. The dedicated website for the event notes it's "meant for experienced hikers who are looking to push their limits." Per the Los Angeles Times, the 1,600-mile route from Nevada's capital runs north along the Pacific Crest Trail all the way to the Canadian border. The dedicated website for the event notes it's "meant for experienced hikers who are looking to push their limits." The $5K: That's reserved for the two chosen individuals who complete the trip while documenting their travels on video. "It's a specific type of human being we are looking for," Lydia Beck of Visit Carson City tells KCRA. A judge on Friday delayed Donald Trump's hush-money criminal trial until at least mid-April after his lawyers said they need more time to sift through a profusion of evidence they only recently obtained from a previous federal investigation into the matter. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to a 30-day postponement and scheduled a hearing for March 25 to address questions about the evidence dump. The trial had been slated to start on March 25. It is among four criminal indictments against Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee. Trump's lawyers wanted a 90-day delay, which would have pushed the start of the trial into the early summer. Prosecutors said they were OK with a 30-day adjournment. Trump's lawyers said they have received tens of thousands of pages of evidence in the past two weeks from the US attorney's office in Manhattan, which investigated the matter while Trump was president. The evidence includes records about former Trump lawyer-turned-prosecution witness Michael Cohen that are "exculpatory and favorable to the defense," Trump's lawyers said. Prosecutors said most of the newly turned over material is "largely irrelevant to the subject matter of this case," though some records are pertinent. The case centers on allegations that Trump falsified his company's records to hide the true nature of payments to Cohen, who paid porn actor Stormy Daniels $130,000 during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump years earlier. Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels. His lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up, per the AP. Short trial delays because of issues with evidence aren't unusual, but any delay in a case involving Trump is significant, with trial dates in his other criminal cases up in the air and Election Day less than eight months away. (More Donald Trump stories.) A video accompanying the launch included Sunday's lead presenter Miriama Kamo, who said: "It's not just about job losses for us, it's about losing the ability to tell your stories." Fair Go's Garth Bray, Breakfast presenter Anna Burns-Francis and Jack Tame also appeared in the reel, advocating for the company's ability to hold the Government to account. E tu Negotiation Specialist Michael Wood claimed "many people have reached out to our union to show their support for TVNZ workers and ask how they can help". In a statement provided to Newshub, a TVNZ spokesperson said financial necessity was driving the cuts. "TVNZ invests over $40 million annually in news. We tell New Zealand's stories every day and we'll keep doing that in the future. "The revenues we're currently generating don't support us continuing on exactly as we are though, and that's why we've proposed these changes. Ultimately, we're a commercially funded business and like many businesses around Aotearoa right now we need to make tough calls to live within our means. "We'll consider all the feedback our people provide to us before making any decisions." The company has yet to clarify how much the proposed changes would save the business. The statement reiterated TVNZ Chief Executive Jodi O'Donnell's comments when the proposed cuts were announced. "TVNZ's executive team has focused on reducing operating costs over the last 12 months," she said. Unfortunately, we're now at the point where we need to reduce the size of our team to bring our costs more in line with our revenue. "Changes like the ones we're proposing are incredibly hard, but we need to ensure we're in a stronger position to transform the business to meet the needs of our viewers in a digital world. "There are no easy answers, and media organisations locally and globally are grappling with the same issues." The state broadcaster said if confirmed, the job cuts would happen by "early April". TVNZ's proposed cuts came just over a week after Warner Bros. Discovery presented a proposal to cut around 300 jobs across its New Zealand operation, including Newshub being entirely shut down. The Ministry of Social Development, which also funds two staff at BBM's gym, provided $90,000 in 2023. This year, BBM received "zero from the system". Letele said the process of cutting families from its list had been "a nightmare". However, he admitted "we could see it coming". He was not surprised that the new Government had not provided funding for 2024 and added that community groups are often taken for granted by all governments. Asked about the process of cutting 500 families from BBM Foodshare's food parcel service, Letele admitted, "I can't do it, the team does it". They looked at various factors to make the decisions about who would be cut, but Letele said it "weighs on you massively". He said BBM FoodShare could reliably support 200 families at the moment with funding from donations and corporate support from Meat the Need, Foodstuffs, Sanitarium and NZ Food Network. However, he said maintaining this funding would be a lot more difficult if they didn't have a prominent social profile and similar food bank services were really struggling, with some he knew of going under. As New Zealand's charity sector battles to provide the necessary support, Variety CEO Susan Glasgow said disadvantaged Kiwis are facing a "cost-of-surviving crisis". Data from Tatauranga/Stats NZ published last month shows about 202,000 kids are living below the poverty line, after deducting housing costs, in the year to June 2023. That's an increase of about 22 percent on the year prior. Variety supports children living in poverty and much of the funding comes from their Kiwi Kid sponsorship programme, whereby donations of $50 a month go towards providing a child with the "essentials they need to thrive, including school uniforms, sturdy shoes and warm bedding". Glasgow said she is "consistently astounded by the generosity of those willing to help and support these children". However, because economic conditions are so tight for so many, "the need of the community is growing as well". Variety has recently launched a national Crisis Appeal with hopes of attracting 2500 people to sponsor a child on the waitlist, some of whom have been on for over a year. Variety currently receives funding from Government agency Sport New Zealand but this is due to end in April 2025. The funding goes toward ensuring disadvantaged children can stay active and engaged in play, active recreation, and sport but without the funding, Glasgow it will take a big push for Variety to keep up their work in the space. Letele has spoken out strongly against suggestions from Act's leader, David Seymour, that cuts could be made to free school meal provision. He said BBM saw a huge spike in demand over the school holidays when families struggled to feed children without the programme. Glasgow agreed saying without free school lunches, caregivers of those in the programme would be battling to find alternative ways to feed their children. Glasgow said that these caregivers are already "making decisions that no parent or caregiver should have to make in terms of whether they eat before they go to work or whether their child gets a meal at the end of the day". Letele hopes his latest initiative, BBM recruitment, alongside other initiatives like BBM's online fitness programme, will eventually fully sustain the food parcel programme. "I never really wanted to be reliant on Government funding at all, the Government have never been huge supporters of ours" he said. Glasgow agreed, "no one government and no one agency is going to solve this problem". BBM recruitment, began on Sunday and has gotten off to a great start, Letele said. "BBM Recruitment is the next step in the BBM movement. We have hundreds of motivated people looking to take their skills into new employment, and we're here to help connect them up with the right employers," the BBM website advertises. "We've had a huge response from people looking for work," Letele said. He emphasises BBM recruitment is not just helping people into work but providing wrap-around support to keep them in work as well. "You don't just get a job and all of a sudden you're on your feet," he said. He recalled the first worker he had helped through BBM before the recruitment initiative formerly began. Two years ago, a woman approached Letele via Instagram. Her partner didn't believe her baby was his and kicked her out of their home. The woman was from Zimbabwe and had no family or support networks in Aotearoa. He got her somewhere to live and connected her to the BBM foodbank and since then she has completed a welding course and gone from $600 a week to $1200. Letele said politicians on the right often "don't understand how hard it can be to get back on your feet if you don't have a network". "If you don't have support, you're f**ked," Letele said. He wants BBM to provide that support and help people help themselves. Donations to the BBM programme can be made here: https://www.thebbmprogram.com/donate/ Children can be sponsored through Variety here: https://www.variety.org.nz/donate The WSJ reported Boeing, who made the 787 Dreamliner, has issued a memo to airlines to check the switch on the seat is covered properly along with instructions to turn off the power to the seat's motor. "Closing the spring-loaded seat back switch guard onto a loose/detached rocker switch cap can potentially jam the rocker switch, resulting in unintended seat movement," the memo, which was viewed by The Wall Street Journal, said. Around 50 passengers were injured on the flight when it suddenly dropped in the air on Monday on the way to Auckland Airport from Sydney. The LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 departed Sydney 11.44am local time, but two hours in it experienced what the airline is calling a "technical event" and "sudden movement". It corrected and carried onto Auckland carrying dozens of injured passengers. St John was called to the airport at 3:58pm on Monday after medical support was requested. A St John spokesperson told Newshub at the time staff treated 24 patients at the scene, however, in a later update they confirmed approximately 50 patients had been treated. One patient was in a serious condition and the remainder were in a moderate to minor condition. Twelve patients were transported to hospital. The flight's carrier the Chilean airline LATAM told Newshub the people taken to the hospital were a mixture of passengers and cabin crew members. Passenger Lucas Ellwood told Newshub the drop happened just after lunch was served. "People were still finishing their drinks and when the jolt happened, the wine, the unseat-belted people and lots of bags and cell phones all hit the roof," Ellwood said. "There was one younger boy, in front of me, who was quite traumatised upon seeing his father levitate." Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Variably cloudy with snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low 22F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%. The Polk County Health Department will hold an immunization clinic from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, at the Polk County Health Department in Stromsburg. Flu shots are available. An appointment is required. Infant, kindergarten, seventh grade and college entry vaccines are available for Vaccine For Children eligible children from birth through 18 years of age. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and a record of all previous immunizations is required. Donations are appreciated, however, services will not be denied to those who have a true inability to pay. Call the Polk County Health Department at 402-747-2211 for further details or to schedule an appointment. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Reported by Mahir Haneef Backed by strong growth in the financial services and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors, Bahrain yesterday announced that the island kingdom secured foreign direct investments (FDI) worth over 1.7 billion US dollars in 2023 and topped several global indices on attracting and retaining businesses. This means the kingdom is poised to top the FDI charts in the Middle East when the FDI net inflows are considered as a percentage of GDP. This influx of FDI will create over 5,700 jobs in the next three years in various fields, including financial services, logistics technology, manufacturing, and tourism, the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) revealed yesterday. While highlighting the record level of FDI investment, EDB attributed the success to the support provided by Team Bahrain, an initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Team Bahrain works behind the scenes to ensure that government sectors work closely together with the private sector to help investors and entrepreneurs looking to base their activities in the Kingdom. FDI by sectors The five sectors that contributed the most to FDI growth were financial services, ICT, manufacturing, logistics, and tourism, EDB officials said. A big percentage of the FDI went to the financial services sector this year, which is something that weve seen year on year, obviously because of the strength of the financial services sector here in Bahrain. ICT had a good share as well of the 1.73 billion US dollars, revealed Mohammed Al Alawi, Chief of Marketing & Communications at EDB, during a media roundtable yesterday. The financial sectors contribution to real GDP overtook oil, which was the largest contributor, and was 18.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2023, EDB disclosed. Such a strong position in the financial sector secured Bahrain the first position globally in Islamic Finance Regulations (ICD-LSEG Islamic Finance Development Report 2023), EDB further said. This was due to the financial services sector continuing to achieve key milestones and high rankings on the strength of pioneering legislation in the field, officials stated. By attracting leading local and international companies to set up or expand their operations in Bahrain, the kingdom earned its position within the top 20 best FDI performers globally on the Greenfield FDI Performance Index 2023 prepared by FDI Intelligence, EDB said. Greenfield FDI refers to a type of FDI in which a company creates a subsidiary in a different country, building its operations from the ground up. Bahrains capital, Manama, earned the first spot globally in Financial Attractiveness (Global 150 Cities Index 2023, AIRINC), the EDB revealed. This was based on the kingdoms business-friendly ecosystem, highly skilled talent pool, and best-value operating and living costs, officials said. Macron decorates world's richest man Arnault as Beyonce, Musk look on Macron decorates world's richest man Arnault as Beyonce, Musk look on AFP | Paris The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com France's President Emmanuel Macron decorated the world's richest man Bernard Arnault at a star-studded ceremony that included pop queen Beyonce and tech billionaire Elon Musk, the presidency and a news report said Thursday. Macron awarded Arnault the country's highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion d'Honneur, at the event on Wednesday evening, the presidency said, confirming a report on news website Politico. Among the A-listers present were Beyonce, her husband hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, Queen Rania of Jordan and the world's third richest man Musk, several attendees told Politico. Beyonce was wearing a "magnificent" if "awkward" large hat, two of them said. French citizen Arnault founded luxury goods giant LVMH, which has signed up as a "premium partner" for the July 26-August 11 Paris Olympics, including to design medals for the athletes. LVMH is the world's biggest luxury goods giant, with brands across fashion, jewellery, perfume, alcohol and luggage. Bernard Arnault and his family's fortune is estimated at around $240 billion (219 billion euros) by Forbes, making him the wealthiest man in the world ahead of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Musk. His wealth and LVMH's huge profits frequently draw criticism in a country strongly attached to wealth redistribution. A person close to the president told Politico Macron gave a "very Proustian" speech on the theme of time, explaining how Arnault has been able to "see and build far ahead" to "sell a form of eternal Frenchness". Macron last year came under fire from the French left for awarding Bezos the country's highest order of merit. Musk, the chief executive of electric car firm Tesla, cosmic exploration outfit SpaceX and social media company X, last year said he was he was considering "significant investments in France" after meeting Macron. - Putin, Assad, Weinstein - France grants the Legion d'Honneur to around 3,000 people a year, including 400 foreigners recognised for their "services rendered to France" or for defending human rights, press freedom or other causes. The honour is often a source of controversy. Macron said last year that he might strip Russian President Vladimir Putin of the distinction after his invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but was waiting for the "right moment" to do so. The Russian leader received it in 2006 at a time when Moscow enjoyed better relations with Paris and the West. Macron in 2017 withdrew the Legion d'Honneur from Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein after a series of accusations of sexual harassment and rape. In 2018, he said he was looking into stripping President Bashar al-Assad of his Legion d'Honneur over alleged crimes committed during the Syrian civil war. Syria, whose president had received the honour in 2001, returned it, saying Assad would not wear the award of a "slave" to the United States. But in 2020, Macron gave the same award to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whom right activists have accused of leading a relentless crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners in his country. AFP | Seoul The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com North Korea leader Kim Jong Un drove a "new-type main battle tank" while overseeing military training exercises, state media said Thursday, as Seoul and Washington wrap joint drills to improve deterrence. Wearing a black leather jacket, Kim saluted ranks of camouflage-uniformed troops, and watched live-fire "training march" exercises from a field command post, flanked by top generals, images published by state media showed. After he reviewed the tank crews, Kim "mounted a new-type main battle tank, seized the control lever and drove the tank himself", the official Korean Central News Agency reported. The KCNA report comes as Seoul and Washington hold the final day of their annual Freedom Shield exercises -- involving missile interception drills and air assault, among others. The nuclear-armed North has long condemned joint US-South Korea military drills, calling them rehearsals for an invasion. It has carried out weapons tests in the past as a response to previous joint exercises of this nature. Kim "expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the new-type main battle tank successfully demonstrated its very excellent striking power", the KCNA report said. The North Korean leader also stressed the "importance of the role and duty of tankmen in modern warfare", as well as the "need to organize intensive exercises simulating an actual war". Pyongyang last week warned that the South and the United States would pay a "dear price" over the Freedom Shield drills, and later announced that Kim had guided a large-scale artillery drill involving a unit that it said was capable of striking the South Korean capital. On Wednesday, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik visited the headquarters of the army's Special Warfare Command during the ongoing Washington-Seoul drills, which involved "mastering advanced combat skills". This included "clearing operations" inside North Korea's "key facilities" in case of an attack by Pyongyang. "If Kim Jong Un wages war, you should become the world's strongest special warfare unit that quickly removes the enemy's leadership," Shin said during the visit. So far this year, the North has declared South Korea its "principal enemy", jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over "even 0.001 mm" of territorial infringement. Connection Christian Church, or rather the concept of it, started as a literal dream, lead Pastor Mike Moser said. Little did he know that a decade or so later, that dream would be holding a grand opening for its first permanent building. That grand opening -- 10 a.m. Sunday, March 17 at Connection Christian Church, 4300 23rd St. -- will mark the beginning of a new era for that dream and the church that came from it. "I think for most of our people that have been coming for a while, they're just excited to have our own space, something that we don't have to move into and out of every week, that we're not dependent on another organization's schedule or availability," Moser said. The church may have begun with a dream, but things weren't exactly pointing in that direction at first, Moser said. He and his wife were working at a church in Minnesota at the time. "I don't usually remember my dreams, but it was reoccurring and I just decided that I needed to look into it," Moser said. "God didn't open any opportunities at that point in time and so we just kind of kept doing what we were doing." A couple years later, Moser said, he was speaking to a friend who also worked in ministry, who was part of a team trying to start a church in Columbus. Moser was on the shortlist of potential pastors and the friend brought up the idea, having no idea of Moser's dream. "My wife and I talked and, really, within about five minutes we went from, 'we're going to be at our church in Minnesota,' to 'I think we're moving to Columbus, Nebraska, this feels like just the perfect opportunity,'" Moser said. "So we moved here in January 2014." After arriving in Columbus they basically began building the church structure from the ground up, starting off as a "church without walls" or portable church, Moser said. They held services at Lost Creek Elementary School for a couple of years. This philosophy meant the church could be more involved in the community, Moser said. When that arrangement came to an end, the burgeoning church moved to the North Town Mall on the east side of 33rd Avenue for three years. After that, they moved to the Eagles Club every weekend for four years, storing the church's materials in a 24-foot trailer the whole time. The church established "Vision 2025," a plan that had a set list of goals for impact and physical growth. The oversight committee began looking at options as early as 2021, around the time Sears closed, and kept that building on their radar, Moser said. "At the same time we'd been working behind the scenes to develop a vision campaign about what the future would look like for the church and what do we do as far as facilities and structure and programs and things like that," Moser said. "As we'd been praying and moving in faith, we believe God opened the door for this facility." Starting in 2023, the space required a lot of work, from paint to installing some new walls, building bathrooms, finding doors and furniture and every level of complexity in-between. A lot of church members came to help with the renovations, some contributing their art or trade skills to make the vision happen, Moser said. The art hanging on the east wall depicting the church's values of connect, grow, love and serve, for instance, was made by a member of the church, along with a name sign near the entrance to the children's area. Moser said of the projects, the children's area in particular was a big deal to get right. From the first plans for the space to the first few services within, that was a vital part of the space. "Kids ministry is a huge part of what we do, and being able to minister to young families," Moser said. "So having a secure kids area was was a very big deal for us." Tim Criss, a member of the oversight team and part of the church since its beginning, said despite having literal walls now, the church will keep up that mission of being a church that goes where its people go. For the purposes of holding events or meetings or even regular Sunday services, however, it's a home. "It's been a long time coming, but God was gonna move, no matter where we were at," Criss said. "It's nice to have an actual home, but we've always been a church without walls, so now that we actually have permanent walls, I'm hoping it will stay a church without walls." The building, Moser and Criss agreed, offers a way for the church to reach out in the community while having a place to consistently convene and hold events. It also allows the church's Spanish branch, Iglesia Cristiana Conexion, a more convenient situation as their congregation also grows. "We are large enough that we can have a small group meeting in one room, a ministry meeting or a women's meeting in another room, and an actual small service in one room and a kid's room," Criss said. "We can do multiple things on multiple days in multiple rooms now at one location." "The facility is just a toolbox that helps us to facilitate that journey for people and that's the best part, having a bigger toolbox that has more tools and allows us to do more things so that we can see more people coming in," Moser said. Aside from being a toolbox or a meeting place, it's also a place for the church to feel like it has some roots, Moser said. While there are some things Moser would like to see finished still, he said he likes to see a place where the church can help people grow in faith and feel like they are welcome in doing so. "One of my favorite things is seeing people come early and stay late and enjoy hanging out and get to know each other," Moser said. "It's not just the facilities, more so the people. It's a place where anybody can come and, regardless of your baggage or your background and your sin issues, we're gonna love you and we're going to tell you the truth from scripture." Unraveling the Mystery: Qatars Role in the $3.3 Billion Bitcoin Investment Rumors Rumors are spreading like wildfire across the crypto grapevine that the state of Qatar could be making a huge, possibly multibillion-dollar huge, Bitcoin (BTC) bet soon. At least one article claims the Middle Eastern nation may have already made the leap and purchased 50,000 BTC in a series of daily installments of 100 BTC each. As yet, there is no substantial evidence tying the Emir of Qatar or the states Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), to a giant Bitcoin investment, although rumors have tended that way since December. Still, there are only a few explanations for the mysterious case of the Mr 100, and in any case, one thing is clear: there is some hefty whale movement around Bitcoin between the successful launch of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs back in January and the upcoming halving on April 19, a quadrennial event that halves miners Bitcoin revenue and thereby the new supply. Lets get into why some people think Qatars Sovereign Wealth Fund is diversifying with Bitcoin. Qatars Emir Warms To Bitcoin The rumor mill began churning back in December last year when Bitcoin maxi influencer Max Keiser tweeted, the rumors are getting very loud on this while suggesting the QIA was possibly looking to buy half a trillion in Bitcoin. I have 1 word for you $100,000 #Bitcoin God Candle fans . . . QATAR The rumors are getting very loud on this. Their SWF rumored to looking to buy 1/2 trillion #BTC pic.twitter.com/hm86KwtAj7 Max Keiser (@maxkeiser) December 4, 2023 A series of reports add weight to Kaisers claim that Qatar is becoming Bitcoin curious. Firstly, people noted the warming relations between Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and El Salvador President and notorious Bitcoin bull Nayib Bukele. Bukele made Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador back in 2021 and the country is speculated to have 5,689.68 BTC. A picture also made the rounds on social media of Qatars Executive Gulfstream G650ER jet at an airport in Madeira, Portugal, a day after MicroStrategy executive chairman, co-founder and Bitcoin bull Michael Saylors talk at Bitcoin Atlantis. MicroStrategy is the largest institutional Bitcoin whale with an eye-watering 193,000 BTC on its balance sheet, about $13 billion today. 1. The Emir of Qatar visit El Salvador in September 2. Qatar Private Jet in Madeira during #Bitcoin conference. 3. Next day #Bitcoin breaks $65,000 Probably nothing pic.twitter.com/980xniJICG Bitcoin Archive (@BTC_Archive) March 4, 2024 Still, institutions are banned from using Bitcoin in Qatar and have been since 2018, when the countrys Central Bank issued a circular to that effect to all the banks in the territory. KING CITY, ON, March 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Weather services, such as weather and environmental prediction, are more important than ever in preparing for, and responding to, increasingly severe weather as a result of climate change. A robust and modern weather service is critical to protecting the health, safety, and property of Canadians. That is why, since 2016, Canada has invested $180.4 million to install 32 state-of-the-art weather radars, and one training radar, across Canada. Aerial view of Halfmoon Peak weather radar on British Columbias Sunshine Coast. (CNW Group/Environment and Climate Change Canada) Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada hosted a media tour of the new weather radar in King City, Ontario, to mark the completion of this eight-year project. This state-of-the-art and sustainable network is improving the department's ability to track severe weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, at an extended range, and to issue earlier severe weather warnings. Weather radars are the primary tool used by our meteorologists to issue more precise and timely severe weather warnings. The coverage area of the new radars increased from just over one million square kilometres to over four million square kilometres, ensuring that 99 percent of Canadians live within 330 kilometres of a Canadian radar. The installation of these radars represents a significant advancement in weather forecasting technology. For example, the station in King, Ontario will give forecasters a greater ability to predict severe weather in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada's most populated urban centre. These radars provide an increase in frequency of data, with updates available every six minutes, instead of the previous 10-minute cycle. Weather information from these new radars will be used in almost every sector of the economy, including construction, health sciences, environmental management, agriculture, and transportation. The completion of the radar modernization project aligns with Canada's National Adaptation Strategya shared vision aimed at transforming the way governments and Canadians work together to reduce risks by taking action before disaster strikes. Early action to prepare for, and adapt to, the changing climate can build communities and economies that are able to thrive for generations to come. Quotes "With the changing climate, it is essential to provide our meteorologists with the technology needed to issue the fastest and most accurate weather forecasts. This reliable, modern network of weather radars will give Canadians more lead time to take appropriate actions to protect themselves, their family, and their property from the effects of severe weather." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change "A modern and reliable weather-forecasting system is essential to support our country's growing population. Projects such as this one not only strengthen our weather-prediction infrastructure and allow Canadians to be better prepared for weather events, but also create good jobs across the country. The Government of Canada saw this project through by working in an open, fair, and transparent manner that speaks to the benefits of our procurement process, and that also represents the best value for all Canadians." The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement "In the face of increasingly frequent severe weather and climate extremes, Canadians are experiencing the impacts of climate change firsthand. Timely and accurate weather services are more important than ever in our preparedness and adaptation efforts. Investing in radars that are resilient and contemporary is not just a necessity, it's a cornerstone in keeping Canadians safe." Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change "We have all experienced the wild, unpredictable, and extreme weather that is hitting our communities with increasing frequency and ferocity in this time of climate change. Having a state-of-the-art weather station right here in King City will give greater reassurance to weather watchers all across the Greater Toronto Area, just as these new stations will help keep Canadians safer from coast to coast to coast." Leah Taylor Roy, Member of Parliament for AuroraOak RidgesRichmond Hill "Climate Proof Canada applauds the federal government for investing in this tangible action toward the National Adaptation Strategy. With another record-breaking year of climate-related disasters looming, a better warning system for when and where these events will occur is critical to building climate-resilient communities. In 2023, an unprecedented number of individuals, households, and communities were displaced and faced barriers to recovery, including returning home, and lasting financial and mental health impacts. With advanced detection of severe weather, residents will be more able to prepare for severe weather, protect their homes, evacuate quickly if needed, and prioritize their safety." Jason Clark, Chair, Climate Proof Canada "As natural disasters occur more frequently and severely, Canada is becoming a riskier place to live, work, and insure. Severe weather events in 2023 caused $3.1 billion in insured damage in communities across the country, recording one of the highest annual totals in the previous four decades. The Insurance Bureau of Canada is pleased to see this investment in upgrading our weather forecasting technology across the country. The increase in climate-related disasters should concern us all, even if we have yet to be directly affected. Governments, the insurance industry, and all Canadians have a responsibility to adapt." Craig Stewart, Vice-President, Climate Change and Federal Issues, Insurance Bureau of Canada Quick facts In addition to replacing 31 aging radars, a new radar in the Lower Athabasca region of Alberta was added to the network. This has expanded the network to 32 weather radars across the country. was added to the network. This has expanded the network to 32 weather radars across the country. A training radar was also added near Egbert, Ontario . The training radar is used to train radar technologists and engineers. It is also used by Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists to test new hardware and software prior to their deployment to the other radars. . The training radar is used to train radar technologists and engineers. It is also used by Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists to test new hardware and software prior to their deployment to the other radars. The conventional radar range of the new radars has been extended from 250 kilometres to 330 kilometres. Weather radars are a key element in forecasting short-term severe weather, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, heavy rain, and ice storms. The first radar was installed in Radisson, Saskatchewan , in the fall of 2017. The final radar was installed on Halfmoon Peak, British Columbia , in the summer of 2023. , in the fall of 2017. The final radar was installed on Halfmoon Peak, , in the summer of 2023. Environment and Climate Change Canada continually works to optimize its weather and climate monitoring networks to ensure Canadians are provided with accurate and timely information to enable informed decision making. The Government of Canada released its first National Adaptation Strategy on June 27, 2023 , in Vancouver, British Columbia . Related products Associated links Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada For further information: Contacts: Kaitlin Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-230-1557, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected] The Manitoba government commemorates Ducks Unlimited Canada with an official day of recognition WINNIPEG, MB, March 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is honoured to be acknowledged under Bill 244 which "gives Manitobans an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the role of Ducks Unlimited Canada in conserving, restoring and managing wetlands and grasslands for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife and its connection with Manitoba." March 17 is now Ducks Unlimited Canada Day in Manitoba, an annual day of recognition starting in 2024. The date coincides with St. Patrick's Day, giving Manitobans another reason to wear green, the colour of DUC's iconic "duckhead" logo. The first Ducks Unlimited Canada Day in Manitoba was celebrated at a special event in Winnipeg's historic Fort Garry Hotel on March 14. The hotel was the site of DUC's first board meeting in 1938. Left to right: Ducks Unlimited Canada CEO Michael Nadler, historian Gordon Goldsborough, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Hon. Tracy Schmidt, Ducks Unlimited Canada President Roger d'Eschambault. (CNW Group/Ducks Unlimited Canada) "On behalf of the Manitoba government, I would like to congratulate everyone at Ducks Unlimited Canada on reaching this incredible milestone," said Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt. "Manitoba is proud to be the home of the first Ducks Unlimited wetland restoration project at Big Grass Marsh. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to conserve and enhance natural habitats." "Ducks Unlimited Canada thanks the Manitoba government and all Manitobans for their support of our organization and wetland conservation," said Michael Nadler, CEO of Ducks Unlimited Canada. "It is particularly special to be recognized in the place where our conservation journey began 85 years ago." DUC's first wetland conservation project was Big Grass Marsh in 1938. Since then, DUC has conserved, influenced, or enhanced over 2.3 million acres in the province. Currently there are 1,572 habitat projects in Manitoba under DUC management, totaling 765,062 acres conserved. "Our impacts are not just measured in acres," said Nadler, "we also partner with organizations on nature-based solutions and climate resilience, our research is advancing sustainable practices across industries, and our education programs are helping to introduce the next generation to nature and wetland conservation. In fact, our impacts also include water quality improvement, biodiversity outcomes, and recreational value to communities." DUC's footprint in Manitoba also includes its national office and the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre, located at the Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area. The Centre and its walking trails host over one hundred thousand visitors per year. Thanks to the generosity of the Manitoba Government, Federal Government, and the people of Manitoba, the Centre is currently undergoing renovations and green infrastructure upgrades and will be welcoming guests again this fall. "We owe a debt of gratitude to our partners including the Manitoba government, Indigenous Peoples, landowners and conservation-minded organizations, and to our supporters, volunteers, and employees," said Nadler. "March 17 is a day to celebrate our conservation achievements together and to remember the importance of this ongoing work." To learn more, visit www.ducks.ca/places/manitoba Photos Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit ducks.ca SOURCE Ducks Unlimited Canada For further information: For further information or interviews, please contact: Coldwater Communications: [email protected] TORONTO, March 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Guinness invites Canadians to celebrate the upcoming St. Patrick's Day with its most diverse portfolio yet. Guinness is proud to offer an inclusive array of options that capture the essence of Irish craftsmanship, including the iconic Guinness Draught, Guinness Nitro Cold Brew, Guinness Extra Stout, and its latest innovation, Guinness 0 Non-Alcoholic Draught, which is now available in grocery stores nationally. This St. Patrick's Day, Guinness Invites Canadians to Celebrate with a Guinness, for everyone (CNW Group/Guinness Canada) Guinness is committed to innovation and pushing boundaries while staying true to its unique flavour. At its core, Guinness is brewed using four natural ingredients - water, barley (malted & roasted), hops, and yeast, solidifying its status as the world's most popular stout. Brewed for more than two centuries and sold in more than 120 countries, Guinness has become synonymous with St. Patrick's Day celebrations thanks to its deep Irish roots. This year, Guinness invites consumers 19+ to raise a glass to St. Patrick's Day with our versatile lineup of brews: Guinness Draught Stout: The classic Guinness is smoothly balanced with bitter, sweet and roasted notes. It's famous for its dark colour with a creamy head. The classic Guinness is smoothly balanced with bitter, sweet and roasted notes. It's famous for its dark colour with a creamy head. Guinness 0 Non-Alcoholic Draught: Offers a non-alcoholic option for those seeking a taste similar to that of Guinness without the alcohol, which is gently removed through an innovative cold filtration method. Offers a non-alcoholic option for those seeking a taste similar to that of Guinness without the alcohol, which is gently removed through an innovative cold filtration method. Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Beer: Made for the beer and coffee lover. Flavourful notes of coffee, chocolate and caramel make for a delicious yet refreshingly sweet taste. Made for the beer and coffee lover. Flavourful notes of coffee, chocolate and caramel make for a delicious yet refreshingly sweet taste. Guinness Extra Stout: Based on a beer first brewed in 1821 with extra hops for preservation during lengthy sea voyages, our recipe resulted in a full flavoured, bold beer. As we toast to the occasion, here are some fun facts about Guinness: Held at a 45-degree angle, it takes precisely 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint of Guinness. The iconic dark colour of Guinness is actually a rich shade of ruby red, derived from roasted barley. The distinctive "widgets" found in Guinness cans, filled with nitrogen, replicate the same pour as a draught pint, ensuring a consistent drinking experience. In a 2004 UK poll of the best inventions of the past 40 years, the widget came in as #1, with the Internet at #2. A traditional culinary combination often enjoyed by guests at the St. James's Gate Brewery in Ireland is the pairing of Guinness with beef and oysters. Guinness is available where beer and non-alcoholic beer options are sold nation-wide. Please enjoy responsibly. Slainte! About Guinness The Guinness brand was established in 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin. Brewed using four main ingredients, water, barley (malted & roasted), hops and yeast, Guinness is the world's most popular stout. The iconic beer is brewed in over 49 countries worldwide and sold in over 150 with almost 9-million glasses of Guinness enjoyed every day around the world. The most Guinness is sold in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Nigeria and Cameroon. More information can be found at www.guinness.com. About Diageo North America Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. SOURCE Guinness Canada For further information: Media Contact: [email protected], 647-409-8466 John Barnett, 62, from Louisiana was found dead in his vehicle outside a Charleston hotel on Saturday morning. Barnett, who worked for Boeing for 32 years, filed a whistleblower complaint alleging safety concerns. The United States Department of Labor was working through the discovery phase of its investigation and is set to begin hearings on that complaint this June. Barnett had just completed two days of deposition on March 7 and March 8. According to his lawyers Rob Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, he was tired but committed to giving his third and final day of testimony. When he did not arrive in court on March 9 and did not answer their phone calls, Barnetts lawyers called the hotel where he was staying to check on him. A local ABC news channel reports, a close family friend of John Barnett said he predicted he might wind up dead and that a story could surface that he killed himself. But at the time, he told her not to believe it. I know that he did not commit suicide, said Jennifer, a friend of Barnetts. Theres no way. The attorneys of a former Boeing employee who raised concerns about Boeings production standards have released a statement as an investigation into his death this weekend continues. Barnetts attorneys, Robert Turkewitz of the Law Office of Robert M. Turkewitz, LLC and Brian Knowles of Knowles Law Firm, PC, released the following statement Tuesday afternoon: John was a brave, honest man of the highest integrity. He cared dearly about his family, his friends, the Boeing company, his Boeing co-workers, and the pilots and people who flew on Boeing aircraft. We have rarely met someone with a more sincere and forthright character. Officers found the truck in the hotels back parking lot, an incident report states. An orange truck was located Tuesday at an impound lot in North Charleston. The woman working the counter said the truck had Louisiana plates and was the subject of a police hold. Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo ONeal said Barnett died Saturday from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police said Barnett had a silver handgun in his right hand with his finger still on the trigger and had suffered an apparent gunshot wound to his right temple. An employee told police they heard a pop sound near the car a less than an hour before police arrived, but the employee said they didnt think anything of it. Police also noted there was a white piece of paper resembling a note on the passenger seat of that car. He reportedly alerted managers about the company using sub-standard parts and oxygen systems with serious problems on several occasions. Those managers allegedly took no action to fix the issues and Boeing denied Barnetts claims. John was deeply concerned about the safety of the aircraft and flying public, and had identified some serious defects that he felt were not adequately addressed, Barnetts brother, Rodney, said in a family statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday. He said that Boeing had a culture of concealment and was putting profits over safety. Rodney Barnett said working at Boeing created stress for John. He was suffering from PTSD and anxiety attacks as a result of being subjected to the hostile work environment at Boeing, which we believe led to his death, the brother said. The Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce opted not to participate in or sponsor the presentation of the 2023 Molly Pitcher Citizen of the Year Award last week after community members expressed concern about social media posts by one of the award recipients. Nicole Deary, president and CEO of the chamber, said the chamber was contacted about these concerns hours before the start of the March 8 ceremony, where the award would be presented to South Middleton Township siblings Ray Buz Wolfe and Sondra Wolfe Elias. While we still respect the contributions the award nominee has made to our business community, we must honor our commitment to our own values of respect, inclusion and belonging, she said. The views expressed by the nominee were not in alignment with ours, and because of this, we chose to withdraw our participation and sponsorship of the event. Deary said the Exchange Club of Carlisle, which has been a longtime organizer of the event and selected the recipients, continued with the ceremony and presented the award. Moving forward, the Carlisle Chamber Board of Directors will be collaborating with community partners to design a more inclusive nomination process for any award given out by the chamber and is committed to developing programs that promote and value diversity, equity and belonging for our members, she said. No decision has been made regarding whether the chamber will continue to be involved with the presentation of the Molly Pitcher Award. Though Deary did not specify the content of the social media posts, Wolfes account on X, formerly Twitter, has multiple posts about transgender woman and former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine being a man and other posts critical of gays and business support of the LGBT community. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, has stated that the National Assembly did not violate any laws with the new insertions in the 2024 budget. During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Bagudu stated that since 1999, it has been customary for the National Assembly to include new line items in the appropriation bill to fund specific projects in their constituencies. He added that this practice often results in an increase in the approved budget from what was initially presented by the president. Recall that the Senate has been enmeshed in a padding scandal following allegations by now-suspended Bauchi Central lawmaker Abdul Ningi that the sum of N3.7 trillion in the budget was not tied to any project. Ningi was reported to have made the claim during a BBC Hausa Service interview last weekend. Following the allegations levelled against the red chamber, the Senate has suspended Ningi, asking him not to participate in all the activities of the 10th Senate. He said, There has been a long debate, and a former president went up to the Supreme Court to define the appropriation power of the executive and the National Assembly. Later, there was an out-of-court settlement. Until now, this issue has not been resolved. So, what is the power of the National Assembly as regards the budget? There is no Supreme Court judgement, and the choice of our democracy is that the National Assembly has the last word. Even when they pass an appropriation, that assent is refused, and after 30 days, it becomes law. Do they have the right to increase a budget line? I will say yes. He also mentioned that there is a misunderstanding regarding why budgets for agencies classified as statutory transfers do not have their budget line items disclosed. His words: These are transfers for agencies that are created by the constitution or legislation. So, they have the right to draw up their own budget. They can be supervised by a committee, but it is not the federal government that appropriates for them; the most popular ones are the NJC, FCT, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, NEDC, NDDC, and others, he said. A former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has insisted he is still a member of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. This is despite the threats to expel him from the main opposition party. Wike fell out with the PDP hierarchy in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election. He had insisted the party maintain its internal power-sharing formula by zoning the presidential ticket to southern Nigeria. He then worked for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, who later appointed him as a minister. I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said during a media parley with selected journalists in Abuja. Have you ever seen me change anything? Wike has been absent from major meetings of the PDP and has not been seen campaigning for them in the recent off-cycle elections, he does not regret his action. The one I supported before, what happened? I have decided to take a break. As you see me now, everybody should carry their cross, Wike maintained. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has re-emphasized her call for stiffer punishment against terrorists and bandits who kidnap Nigerians and demand ransoms from their families. Oluremi made the call on Thursday while receiving the three Senators representing the senatorial districts of Lagos State, Adetokunbo Abiru, Oluranti Adebule and Sikiru Osinowo. She said We should look into the laws we would bring up. On the issue of kidnapping, it is like we are in a war, a war against kidnapping and kidnappers. She spoke about the Presidents effort to leave the country better than he met it, saying it demands sacrifice and courage. The administration of President Tinubu is resolute to leave a legacy for generations yet unborn. This takes a lot of sacrifice and courage, she said. Oluremi advised lawmakers to synergize and enact laws that will discourage the recurrent cases of kidnapping in the country. Recall that Senator Oluremi Tinubu called for capital punishment against kidnappers during International Womens Day 2024, following the abduction of schoolchildren in Kaduna. She made this known through her media aide Busola Kukoyi, during a meeting with the national women leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the State House, Abuja. President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences over the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, saying his service to humanity was exceptional. Recall that the late Oba Balogun died on Thursday at the age of 81, having reigned for two years. The late Olubadan was presented the Staff of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on March 11, 2022. President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngalale, on Friday, described the late Olubadan as an exceptional king in the service of humanity. The statement partly reads, President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, with a deep sense of grief. The President condoles with the family of the Olubadan, the government of Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State over this gaping loss. President Tinubu celebrated his remarkable life of service to his people, the state, and the nation. He said, His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity. He was compassionate, courageous, and an unrelenting advocate of the pristine ideals of peace, honesty, and unity. His wise counsel will be sorely missed at this time in the life of our country, the statement added. The President, however, urged all who are mourning to find solace in the legacies of the late king, saying The Olubadan lives eternally in his good deeds and the memories of everyone touched by the majesty of his essence. A former spokesman of the defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, on Friday said President Bola Tinubu can secure the freedom of abducted school pupils in 15 days. Bwala said Tinubu should direct the service chiefs to ensure the rescue of the girls within 15 days or they are sacked. He spoke while featuring on Arise TV programme, Morning Show. According to Bwala: Mr President can get these children back within 15 days, he should instruct the service chiefs to ensure they are rescued in 15 days or he relieves them of their duties. Last Thursday, terrorists had kidnapped 280 students and staff of a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, during school hours. Their abductors have demanded N1 billion naira as ransom. In a similar vein, terrorists had kidnapped 16 students of a Quranic school in Sokoto State, demanding N20 million as ransom. The Kogi government says funds belonging to the state did not go missing under Yahaya Bello, its immediate past governor. On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) named Bello in an amended charge filed against Alli Bello. Alli, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, current governor of the state, and one Daudu Suleiman, are the two defendants in the 17-count amended charge. The EFCC alleged that the suspects diverted about N100 billion belonging to the state in September 2015 about four months before Bello assumed office as governor. Reacting in a statement on Friday, Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi commissioner for information and communications, said the former governor is squeaky clean. He also called on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the former governors name in its ongoing persecution, adding that some political actors are bent on destroying Bello. As a subnational in the Nigerian nationhood, we wish to express our utmost respect for agencies set up to perform specific functions towards the greatness of Nigeria, the statement reads. The desperation of the EFCC to hastily and for glaring political reasons, hound the immediate past Governor on their corruption list is unfortunate and speaks volume on how we reward altruistic leadership in our nation. For the records, we wish to make it clear that Kogis funds are not missing and that the EFCC is trying so hard to find what is not missing. We therefore call on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the name of Kogi State in its ongoing persecution, orchestrated by some political actors in and around the Presidency bent on destroying the image of Alh. Yahaya Bello and Kogi State. The amended charges in which the name of the former Governor was mentioned are false, frivolous, fictitious and far from the truth. They are cooked-up charges that signpost their desperation to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The intention was to sensationalize the whole scenario and promote a media war against the former Governor and other officials of Government. TINUBU SHOULD WADE IN The Kogi government also called on President Bola Tinubu to order a special probe into the matter. It added that it will continue to support the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government The Kogi State Government wishes to call on Mr President to order a special probe into what is happening in Kogi State before the EFCC is pushed into being used as a hired gun by political hawks who are acting a selfish and overambitious script, the statement added. As a Government, we will continue to support the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, howbeit, such crusade should be based on the rule of law, purity of conscience and devoid of political scheming. We cannot afford to politicize our fight against corruption. We will continue to have faith in the judiciary to protect our name and integrity. Those who have personal grievances can vent their grievances without dragging the name of Kogi State in the mud. Our Government believes in transparency, accountability and probity in line with the trend from 2016. We also wish to assure the good people of our State that nothing will be spared to protect the integrity of our Government. Our administration will continue to act in a way that Kogites will be respected wherever they go and for us to retain the respect of our international development partners who have persistently commended our anti-corruption credentials. President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dennis Otuaro as administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said in a statement that Otuaro holds a PhD in Comparative Politics & Development Studies; an MSc in Public Administration, and a BSc in Education. He had previously served as a top-level executive of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with a surfeit of experience across multiple sectors, including infrastructure development, security, environmental remediation, as well as oil and gas, the statement adds. The President anticipates that the new administrator will bring his requisite experience and know-how to this role to revamp the Amnesty Programme and advance the realization of its founding purpose and vision. In 2009, Umaru YarAdua, a former president, established the Niger Delta amnesty programme to tackle youth restiveness, destruction of crude oil pipelines, oil theft, and insecurity in the region. The programme also seeks to rehabilitate and assimilate ex-militants into the society after they have undergone skills and vocational training. President Bola Tinubu has asked state governors to put politics aside and support the federal governments efforts to build the nation. Tinubu spoke on Thursday evening at the State House when he hosted the governors during the breaking of the Ramadan fast. In a statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, the president was quoted as emphasising the importance of transitioning from politics to governance. He also noted the need for unity and cooperation among stakeholders. Since we recognise the need to build our nation together, the time for politics is over. It is now time for governance, he said. We are of the same family and parents; living in the same house, but sleeping in different rooms. We must cooperate and spread love among each other. Tinubu acknowledged the difficulties facing the nation, but expressed optimism about the future. He said the challenges are beginning to respond to the solutions being implemented by his administration. I am glad that the headwinds are almost over. The tunnel is not as dark as when we started. It is going to be brighter and brighter. We must communicate with each other, stick together, and share joy, the president said. He urged Nigerians to use this solemn occasion for reflection, prayers, and charity towards others. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and governor of Kwara, commended the federal government for distributing 42,000 tons of grains to cushion the impact of the economic hardship in the country. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the federal and state governments in addressing collective challenges. AbdulRazaq also assured the president that the states would do the right thing concerning the payment of wage awards to workers. Wet season farming is almost here, and I want to implore all governors to engage in the farming business, so that we can all appreciate the challenges of ordinary farmers and ensure that we have a bumper harvest at the end of the farming season, he said. King Family to Host Celebration of Life Memorial Honoring the Legacy of Naomi King ---- Free For Your Media Platforms --- NEWS PROVIDED BY Alveda King Ministries March 15, 2024 ATLANTA, March 15, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Members of the King family announce a service to celebrate the life of matriarch Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King, mother of Dr. Alveda King, who passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 92. The Celebration of Life service will take place on Saturday, March 16th at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and will honor her memory. Mrs. King was a civil rights activist and wife of Rev. Alfred Daniel (A.D.) Williams King, a Baptist minister and the younger brother of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She will be remembered as a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a beacon of light to those in the churches and communities she served. She was a woman of quiet dignity, overcoming strength, and steadfast support to her husband, family, and circles of influence within and beyond Atlanta. Media are invited to attend, and there will be a media availability with members of the King family following the service. Given space constraints, please RSVP by emailing: king@pinkston.co What: Celebration of Life Service for Naomi King When: Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 4:00 PM Where: Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church 450 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30312 Details: Program will include reflections from family members and friends, special musical tributes, and clips from the documentary about Mrs. King, The Butterfly Queen: From Tragedy to Peace. Butterflies will be released in front of the King Center following the service. The Celebration of Life Service will give friends, family and the wider community a chance to commemorate the life and legacy of this inspiring, influential woman, and thank God for the blessing of our beloved Naomi King. In addition to the public-facing Celebration of Life, the family will host a memorial service on Friday night. Both gatherings will be live-streamed and can be accessed on the funeral home webpage: www.williewatkins.com In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to The A.D. King Foundation. About The A.D. King Foundation: The A.D. King Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting Rev. A.D. Williams King's enormous contributions to the civil rights movement. The Foundation's mission is to equip youth as leaders in their communities, advance non-violent social change strategies, and educate the public about the history of the civil rights movement. The objectives are to "expose, enlighten, and empower" individuals with the goal of building a beloved community with justice and entrepreneurship as the center core. SOURCE Alveda King Ministries CONTACT: Deanna Bass Williams, 703-888-9421, dbasswilliams@basspublicaffairs.com A Cumberland County man and citizen of Somalia was sentenced to three years in prison for threatening to assassinate both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, according to the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the middle district on Friday announced that Mohamed Farah, 34, was sentenced Thursday by District Court Judge Jennifer Wilson to three years imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. The court did not specify where in Cumberland County Farah lives. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Farah previously admitted in January 2022 that he threatened to assassinate Biden and then Trump if he ran for reelection. Because Farah is a citizen of Somalia, he may face deportation after serving his prison sentence. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, FBI and Lower Allen Township Police Department. A federal bankruptcy judge approved a plan Thursday that clears the way for the Catholic Diocese of Camden to finalize agreements to pay child sexual abuse survivors. The deal comes nearly two years after the diocese agreed to pay $87.5 million in settlements to people who were abused by clergy members as children. Judge Jerrold Poslusny signed off on the plan despite objections from several of the dioceses insurance companies, attorneys for the survivors said in a news release. In recent history, the Eagles have not made big splashes at the linebacker spot, choosing to not spend enormous sums of money at the position and focusing on other areas. On Thursday evening, they agreed to terms with a player with a lot of upside, paying him a good chunk of money to play next to Nakobe Dean. BUY EAGLES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER We have just been happier since Olivia Rodrigo started her GUTS world tour. Since opening night of her world tour, fans of Rodrigo have been obsessed with coming up with GUTS themed friendship bracelets and outfits inspired by her hit songs. Since videos of the high energy tour have been circulating TikTok, those who didnt get tickets previously have been doing anything they can to get their hands on them. This just means that all the remaining tickets are expected to fly off the secondary market websites. So, if you are dying to Rodrigo in concert, make sure you snatch up tickets on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek while you still can. If you are struggling to find affordable tickets for some of Rodrigos upcoming shows, then we are here to help. Here are the cheapest tickets we could find for her concerts from March 15-27. Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Saint Paul, Minn. Tuesday, March 15, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $265 on StubHub | $228 on Vivid Seats | $253 on TicketCity Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Milwaukee, Wis. Tuesday, March 16, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $295 on StubHub | $183 on Vivid Seats | $201 on TicketCity Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Chicago, Ill. Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $287 on StubHub | $269 on Vivid Seats | $300 on TicketCity Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Chicago, Ill. Tuesday, March 20, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $288 on StubHub | $265 on Vivid Seats | $292 on TicketCity Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Columbus, Ohio Tuesday, March 22, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $333 on StubHub | $288 on Vivid Seats | $327 on TicketCity Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Detroit, Mich. Tuesday, March 23, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $319 on StubHub | $307 on Vivid Seats | $360 on TicketCity Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Montreal, Canada Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $104 on StubHub | $101 on Vivid Seats | $145 on TicketCity Olivia Rodrigos GUTS tour in Montreal, Canada Tuesday, March 27, 2024 Cheapest Tickets: $104 on StubHub | $98 on Vivid Seats | $145 on TicketCity Upcoming 2024 tours Olivia Rodrigo heading out on a massive tour. Here are other artists you do not want to miss seeing live: Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Nicki Minaj and Stevie Nicks. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Maybe you think St. Patricks Day already happened. That would be understandable, given that St. Patricks Day parades in New Jersey have been underway for two weeks (yes, that really was Frasier Crane, aka actor Kelsey Grammer, leading the parade in Atlantic City last weekend). But the big day honoring the primary patron saint of Ireland finally arrives Sunday. At least six parades are on the schedule this weekend three on Saturday and another three on Sunday. Thats in addition to the states oldest parade, the Newark St. Patricks Day celebration, happening Friday afternoon in New Jerseys largest city. The festivities will continue through next weekend, concluding with three parades on Saturday, March 23. More than 30 parades, spread over four weekends in March, were on New Jerseys packed parade schedule this year. Heres a list of New Jersey parades scheduled for this weekend and beyond: Saturday, March 16 Newton The Sussex County St. Patricks Day parade is Saturday, March 16, at 11 a.m. The parade route is along Spring Street. North Wildwood The North Wildwood St. Patricks Day parade is Saturday, March 16, following a 12 p.m. ceremony at City Hall. The parade route begins at City Hall and heads north on Atlantic Avenue to Olde New Jersey Avenue. Sea Isle City The 32nd Sea Isle City St. Patricks Day parade is Saturday, March 16, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17 Bayonne The Bayonne St. Patricks Day parade is Sunday, March 17, at 1 p.m. The parade route begins at Broadway and Fifth Street, heads north to 39th Street and west to Avenue C before ending at the entrance of Stephen R. Gregg/Bayonne County Park. Sheila OBoyle Hudacko, a longtime parade volunteer, is the grand marshal. Freehold The Freehold St. Patricks Day parade is Sunday, March 17, at 12:30 p.m. The parade route runs down Main Street and ends at Freehold Elks Lodge 1454. This years grand marshal is Teri OConnor, the administrator of Monmouth County. South Amboy The South Amboy St. Patricks Day parade is Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m. South Amboy Council President Michael Mickey Gross is the grand marshal. Saturday, March 23 Highlands The 20th Highlands St. Patricks Day parade is Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. Tim Hill, who retired in 2016 as Highlands business administrator, is the grand marshal. Keyport The Keyport St. Patricks Day parade is Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m. Ringwood The 33rd Ringwood St. Patricks Day parade is Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m. The grand marshal is Jack Fehrenback, a 38-year Ringwood resident and longtime volunteer. Are we missing any St. Patricks Day parades happening this weekend? Please let us know. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Daylight Saving Time when our clocks spring forward an hour to provide additional light in the evening began Sunday and will continue until well into the fall. Daylight Saving Time wont end for more than seven-and-a-half months at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 when the clock will fall back one hour and in theory we get one extra hour of sleep and return to Standard Time. In the meantime, the amount of daylight will continue to incrementally increase each day until the summer solstice on June 20. Then the amount of daylight starts to slowly decreases each day until winter starts on Dec. 21 and the cycle begins again. The sun is now setting each day a little after 7 p.m. in New Jersey, with sunrise a few minutes after 7 a.m. The next time that sun wont set later than 7 p.m. is Sept. 19, three days before the start of autumn. Days have gotten longer since winter began on Dec. 21, 2023. Spring starts on March 19. Clocks officially fall back at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November to 1 a.m. That falls on Nov. 3 this year. Daylight Saving Time started on Sunday, March 10, 2024 and will end on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 a run of 238 days. It has lasted from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November since 2007. We next turn the clocks ahead on March 9, 2025 126 days after turning them back. Daylight Saving Time in 2025 will end on Nov. 2, 2025. Daylight Saving Time began on Sunday, March 10, 2024 and ends on Nov. 3, 2024.Canva for NJ.com Benjamin Franklin is credited with coming up with the notion of making better use of the days light. While visiting Paris in 1784, Franklin came to believe that sunlight was being wasted during the day. In a joking letter to the editors of a Paris newspaper, Franklin proposed a tax on all Parisians whose windows were closed after sunrise. He believed that this would encourage the economy of using sunshine instead of candles, according to Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time. During World War I, the German Empire implemented an idea that most resembles the Daylight Saving Time that we observe today. Believing that it would conserve fuel during the war, the German Empire in 1916 became the first to switch its clocks to save daylight. In 1918, the U.S. enacted the first Daylight Saving Time law as a way to conserve fuel. It was reintroduced during World War II. The U.S. put nationwide, year-round daylight saving into effect during World War II starting on Feb. 9, 1942, thinking it would help conserve energy, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Nicknamed War Time, it remained in effect until September 1945 when Japan surrendered. In 1973, President Nixon signed into law the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act, which made DST permanent in the U.S. This helped reduce confusion throughout the country with some regions of the U.S. participating in the practice and some regions opting out. The law was redacted less than a year later, though. A common misconception is that Daylight Saving Time was implemented as a way to improve farming practices. However, this is a myth. During the early adoption of the practice in the U.S., farmers were among the biggest opponents of Daylight Saving Time, believing that it would disrupt their farming practices. Not really, even though that was cited in the 2005 Energy Policy Act that extended Daylight Saving Time by a month. A study three years later by the U.S. Department of Energy determined that the extended daylight throughout the year of 2005 saved a mere .5% in electricity use per day and only about .3% over the entire year. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Embrace St. Paddys Day St. Patricks Day, celebrated annually on March 17, remains significant for various reasons. For openers, March 17 is a religious feast day honoring Saint Patrick, the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Eventually, this religious festival evolved into a celebration of Irish culture and heritage. Today, people of Irish descent and others participate in festivities to honor this legacy. When you really think about it, St. Patricks Day provides an opportunity for people to connect with and to their Irish roots, even if they are not of direct Irish descent. It fosters a sense of belonging and pride in Irish traditions, music, dance and folklore. I watched as my neighbor and friend, Tehreem Hashmi, was putting Ramadan decorations for her kids on the front windows of her home and fought the urge to shout Happy Ramadan! to her from my porch. Last year, I wouldnt have hesitated, not even for a second. But now, considering the ongoing pain of Palestinian Muslims, I wasnt so sure if an excited holiday greeting from me was appropriate or would come off to her as tone deaf. I chose instead to walk over to her and do what I do best: ask. Was it OK to wish her a Happy Ramadan and how was she feeling about everything? We quickly got to talking and she told me it was fine, she knows I have the best intentions. Then, she explained her feelings to me this way: Its like were somehow stuck living in an alternate universe and its frustrating. On Oct. 7 Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel that killed hundreds of civilians. Israel retaliated to the attacks by declaring a war to destroy Hamas, striking the Gaza Strip in the deadliest air assault the areas ever faced. For months, Palestinians, who have been suffering in the Israel-Hamas war, perform their afternoon prayers publicly, on torn rugs surrounded by rubble. Ramadan the holiest month of the year in their faith started Sunday and not even a barrage of airstrikes or their empty, rumbling stomachs, deter them from kneeling together in the ruins of a mosque to pray to Allah for strength, for protection, for mercy, for a ceasefire. In New Jersey, Muslims of all backgrounds some Palestinian and some not also kneel to pray for the same things but do so with their families, in the warmth and comfort of their beautiful, furnished homes. The delicious smell of traditional holiday foods still hot on the stove permeates their living rooms, signaling that its almost time for Iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal Muslims enjoy in Ramadan at the time of the adhan, the call to prayer. And that right there, Tehreem tells me over dinner, is what fills us with so much grief and guilt. How can we in good conscience sit together at the table to break our fast, to enjoy these wonderful meals, knowing that in Palestine, our Muslim brothers and sisters have nothing, she says. Yes, theyre fasting but its not by choice, its not part of religious observance, its just plain and cruel starvation. These are the types of conversations countless Muslims in New Jersey are having this Ramadan with each other, behind closed doors, around the dinner table. These conversations, they tell me, are ones theyd also like to have with their non-Muslim neighbors, friends and even colleagues. Columnist Daysi Calavia-Robertson's son Ford David Robertson, 8, left, and his friend and neighbor Rayyan Naveed, 6, right, look at the meal prepared for Ramadan at the Naveed home in Jersey City on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. While celebrating the holy month is difficult for Muslims, saddened by the suffering of their relatives in Palestine, many N.J. families make the effort "to find the joy" for the kids.John J. LaRosa | For NJ Advance Its a heavy, dark subject, you know?, says Hussein Khdour, a Palestinian neuroscientist who lives in Newark. Its something thats so hard for people to talk about that they either shy away from it or avoid it completely, he says. But for us, as Muslims, its really impossible to push aside. Were thinking about our families, about our friends ...were going on about our every day lives here but whats happening there is still constantly on our minds, and its very difficult because those intense feelings of sadness and despair are mostly bottled up inside. How can I help? I ask him. How can I, and others who are not Muslim, help alleviate some of what youre going through? He pauses for a few minutes before saying, talk to us about whats happening, ask how were doing, how we feel, about our families ...its about caring, about listening, thats already showing support, thats being human. Hussein has many relatives in the West Bank and says hes always worrying about their wellbeing. Every day when he breaks his fast, he wonders if they have. Were thinking about all the people there, did they have food, did they have water? Husseins wife Nozanin Donayorova, tells me. Its like every bite we take is full of guilt ...but what can we do? Only what were already doing, continue to gather, to be in community, to pray for them. Dina Sayedahmed, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations - New Jersey, a Muslim civil rights advocacy group, says what she and other members of the organization find most helpful is a sense that others, especially people from different communities, share in our grief and pain. What that looks like for us is reaching out, its conversations, joining actions, attending protests, signing letters and calling on elected officials right here in New Jersey ...to support a permanent ceasefire, she says. The efforts, she tells me, are a heavy weight [Muslims] have been lifting for months and says its a big help when others lift that weight with us. Kamil Warraich, president of the Muslim American Law Enforcement Association, a national nonprofit based in Spotswood, says despite the overwhelming sadness cast over Ramadan this year, he still smiles when someone acknowledges the holy month and wishes him a happy holiday. For the longest time, we didnt even get that, he says. So, in that sense, its nice to hear but of course, on a personal level, yeah, its not too much of a happy Ramadan. As a community, he tells me, Muslims appreciate the kind sentiments but wish people would go just a little bit beyond that. The best gift someone can give me this Ramadan is to educate themselves on the history of this conflict, on whats happened and is happening to the Palestinian people, he says. Then you can decide, whats the best way for you to show up for us and how you can show you care or try to help. Still, Tehreem tells me as we sit in her living room watching our kids play, if for now, showing up for you simply means walking over to your neighbor and asking about their day or their loved ones, I hope you know thats always more than welcome, too. Tehreem Hashmi, left, holds her daughter Aiyla Naveed, 1, at their home in Jersey City on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Thinking of Palestinian Muslims suffering in Gaza, Hashmi says, has made it hard to "find the joy" this Ramadan. But she tells me conversations with friends and neighbors in N.J. "helps lessen the load." John J. LaRosa | For NJ Advance Daysi Calavia-Robertson may be reached at dcalavia-robertson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram at @presspassdaysi or Twitter @presspassdaysi. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A popular critic of former President Donald Trump appeared accurate when he predicted Congresswoman Lauren Boebert would be raging over her colleagues decision to resign which put her in a hell of a bind. Ron Filipkowski explained how Congressman Ken Bucks surprise resignation could have upended Boeberts plans to remain in Congress. Buck had planned not to seek reelection and Boebert is one of several Republicans running in the primary to replace him. She moved across the state to run for his seat in a more Republican-friendly area of the state amid controversies shes been involved in that jeopardized reelection in her current district. But Bucks March 22 departure from Congress, which set in motion a special election, messed with Boeberts plans since the states Democratic governor sets the date of the election. Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday afternoon that he would set it for June 25 the same day as the Republican primary to replace Buck in November. For her to run in the special election, she would have to resign right now. This is why it puts her in a bind. She would have to leave her seat and resign from Congress, basically today, to be able to run in that special election. She doesnt want to do that, Filipkowski recently said. You have this crazy scenario playing out right now and Boebert is just raging about it. Filipkowski assumed shed be furious. Apparently, he was dead on. We know a rigged election when we see one. Thats what theyre trying to do in Colorado, Boebert said in a video after she announced her plans not to resign her seat. They are disenfranchising voters. They are confusing voters. Do you realize what this is going to do to Colorados voters in the 4th District? There will be two ballots that they will vote on on the same day, two different elections, a special election and a primary election. This is going to cause a lot of chaos and a lot of confusion. Lauren Boebert said Ken Bucks retirement triggering a special election in her new district is disenfranchising voters and is no different than the attempt to remove Trump from the ballot. pic.twitter.com/EypuJ1tFR6 PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) March 14, 2024 Some of what Boebert is actually accurate. Filipkowski explains: She has to not run in the special election to keep her current seat, so that means that somebody else is guaranteed to win the special election and be in that seat until the end of the year. So she may win the Republican nomination in theory, but somebody else will be in that seat until the end of the year. Thats number one. Number two, by them putting the election on the same day, youre gonna have the special election ballot, which is gonna be first, then youre gonna have the Republican primary, which is gonna be next, so basically whats gonna happen is shes not on the first ballot. So somebody is gonna have to vote for somebody besides Lauren Boebert in the first section, and then theyre gonna go down, most likely, theyre gonna vote for the same person on the second ballot that they did on the first. So, she fully understands whats going on here. She thinks Ken Buck did this to screw her, which he probably did. On todays Uncovered, I talked about why Lauren Boebert was raging today at Ken Buck for leaving Congress early, which presents some problems for her scheme to move into his district and take his seat. Link to full show here: https://t.co/1Qubgxy7MG pic.twitter.com/ASJGvegTD5 Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 14, 2024 And while the governors decision to hold both elections on the same could have put the thumb on the scale against Boeberts favor since she refused to resign and participate in the primary, it definitely didnt do anything to flip the seat to a Democrat. Shes currently in like a more where its R +7, shes going to like an R +20 and she knows if she wins that seat, shes gonna be like green where shes gonna be set for life. Shell never be moved out of that seat if she wins it, Filipkowski said. So why did Buck do this? Buck is a staunch conservative who had become increasingly critical of his partys handling of Trump and when he announced his retirement he bemoaned how this was the worst of his nine years in Congress. A lot of this is personal. Thats the problem, Buck said. Instead of having decorum instead of acting in a professional manner this place has really devolved into this bickering and nonsense, he said at the time. Filipkowski thinks it also had to do with Boebert. I think Bucks plan was to leave at the end of the year, but then Buck did not anticipate that Boebert was gonna try and move into his district. So I think that he doesnt like Boebert. I think he understood that this was going to be a problem. He did not want Boebert to win his seat, he said. Among other controversies, Boebert was caught on tape vaping and groping with a date during a musical production of Beetlejuice. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. 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. Clarification: This piece has been updated to reflect that GNO Inc.s signed a letter of intent as part of a Innovation Embassy agreement between the Port of New Orleans and the Port of Ashdod. Demonstrators with New Orleans Stop Helping Israels Ports (NOSHIP) disrupted a New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) event a total of 17 times on Wednesday as part of an action meant to raise awareness about NOEW and participating corporations ties to Israels occupation of Gaza, which has led to the death of more than 31,000 Palestinians since Oct 7. Lacy [McManus] NOSHIP demonstrator Fionn Hunter-Green yelled, addressing one of the panelists who holds a prominent role with a sponsor of NOEW, If you want to make the world a better place, cut ties with Israel. Genocide is not good business. McManus is the executive director of future energy for Greater New Orleans Inc. (GNO). In February 2023, representatives of GNO Inc. signed a letter of intent as part of an Innovation Embassy agreement between the Port of New Orleans and the Port of Ashdod in Israel. This includes the so-called start-up accelerator Idea Village, which produces NOEW. Tensions rose as more and more NOSHIP demonstrators stood up, with some attendees hurling expletives and even putting their hands on those protesting. Noted biographer Walter Isaacson, whose subjects include Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, was one such attendee who tried to physically remove a demonstrator. NOSHIPs most recent action is part of a continued effort by the group composed of community leaders and supported by Palestinian New Orleanians, Jewish activists and other allies to challenge what they say is a misuse of Louisiana residents public resources by the Port of New Orleans, an Independent political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. NOSHIP has become a fixture of the Port of New Orleans Board meetings, providing public comment demanding the Port of New Orleans no longer support Israel. NOSHIP members say that the Port of New Orleans board has shown no willingness to listen to or form a dialogue with NOSHIP members. During a board meeting on Jan 18 after 21 public comments were made opposed to the Port entering into a consulting contract with WSP USA, Inc. due to its parent companys ties to the construction of Jerusalem Light Rail extensions vice chairmen Walter J. Leger stated When I put my hand on my chest to pledge allegiance to the United States before this meeting, I cant tell you how proud it made me that our country, this board and the law in Louisiana provide for people to make comment on issues they know very little about. The board would unanimously approve the contract despite public outcry. Though the Port of New Orleans does not receive any tax money from the state of Louisiana, they do receive grants from federal government agencies, including the Department of Transportations recent INFRA and MEGA Grant program. NOSHIP has continued to call attention to the lack of mechanisms meant to hold the Port of New Orleans accountable to the public, as its board is appointed by the governor. When it comes to NOEW, NOSHIP is hoping to similarly hold the entities involved accountable, highlighting the many ways that involvement in Israel and Israeli corporations is inherently connected to the gruesome actions the country has taken against Palestinians. A NOSHIP demonstrator being grappled and physically removed from the Main Stage panel on Energy Innovation at Scale by prominent media figure Walter Isaacson who is a co-chair of the NOEW-partnered New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane (Photo: Jay Marcano)Jay Marcano According to a statement released by NOEW after the disruption, the events organizers had instructed event volunteers and staff not to physically engage with the demonstrators, though that directive appears not to have applied to those in attendance. NOEW has yet to address how attendees responded to the disruption, though the events director of communications and strategic initiatives Liz Maxwell did have something to say to NOSHIP members as the action unfolded. There are plenty of lounges where we welcome public debate. Anyone is welcomed to have a peaceful dialogue in those spaces, Maxwell said. NOEW stated that there will be additional security and non-law enforcement de-escalation resources added for the remainder of the events lineup. This hasnt deterred NOSHIP from continuing its actions, however. Another NOSHIP demonstrator being physically removed by a NOEW attendee for their statements during the Energy Innovation at Scale'' panel which also included Johanna Schmidtke of Rev Innovations, Ted Dillon of Clean Energy Ventures, Sahil Jain of Newlab and Andy Maas of LSU. (Photo: Jay Marcano)Jay Marcano In addition to actions and demonstrations, NOSHIP has released a list of demands, including a call for the city of New Orleans, state of Louisiana and corporations that do business in the state to cut ties with Israel. At the end of the day, companies respond when their image is falling, so our role is to organize actions and create opportunities for their bad image to be highlighted in the media, online, etc. NOSHIP founding member Shreyas Vasudevan said. In this moment when an increasing number of people watch the genocide in Gaza unfold with horror and newly attained understanding of Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism, our role from the United States is to organize these actions at every opportunity. Jay Marcano is a freelance reporter and photographer based in New Orleans covering environmental justice issues and community action groups in the city. They incorporate a multimedia approach to their reporting and creative projects. A second person charged in the murder of a Franklin Township resident was arrested in Philadelphia on Tuesday, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office announced Friday. Daniel Matthews, 44, of Brooklyn, New York was charged in February with first-degree murder and related offenses in the death of Artis Young, 46, who was reported missing by his family on Dec. 30, 2023. Matthews was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department without incident earlier this week, authorities said. Matthews and Andrew Mumby, 47, of New Brunswick are accused of killing Young in Franklin Township and transporting his body to Brooklyn, where he was later found by authorities, officials said. Youngs family filed a missing persons report on Dec. 30, saying he hadnt been seen since the day before, prosecutors said. Investigators alleged Young had plans to meet Matthews in Franklin Township on Dec. 29 the day authorities say Young was killed. Officials did not disclose how the two men were acquainted. On Dec. 30, a body was found in Brooklyn, but not identified as Young until later, officials said. Franklin Township detectives were notified of Youngs identity on Jan. 3, according to authorities. An autopsy by the New York City Medical Examiners Office ruled Youngs death a homicide. Authorities did not release many details in the case, like the manner of death or the alleged motive. The office said it identified Mumby and Matthews as suspects, but little else about what allegedly tied them to the crime and victim. Matthews is being held in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Mumby was arrested Feb. 7 in New Brunswick and was being held at the Somerset County Jail pending court appearances. Attorneys for Matthews and Mumby were not immediately reachable Friday afternoon. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X The Mechanicsburg Area School Board on Tuesday authorized, albeit reluctantly, not to renew Superintendent Mark Leidys contract, which is due to expire in June. Leidy sent a note to district employees in late February about his intent to step down from the position following the end of his contract. If we reject this, does this mean we can renew his contract? board vice president Brian Sanker joked. Board president John Rupp said school directors are legally required to accept the motion because Leidy already conferred with district counsel about the matter. I am grateful for what you have taught me about leadership over the years that Ive known you, school director Joshua Rhodes told Leidy on Tuesday. While the school board prepares to hire another superintendent, it also handled an array of other items Tuesday, including the finalization of a new district policy addressing the Military Interstate Childrens Commission Compacts rule for military children and Pennsylvania School Codes advancement requirements for these students. Greg Longwell, the districts director of business operations/CFO, said last month said that the new policy is intended to document the process used by the district to assist military families during their students enrollment process. With respect to the process itself, this policy doesnt change anything, rather it helps to explain our process in further detail, Longwell said previously. Mechanicsburgs policy pertains to district students who live in a household of an active-duty uniformed service member, a veteran who was severely injured and medically discharged or a retired veteran for a period of one year. Students remain in the list for a year if their family member dies in active duty or dies from injuries suffered during active duty. The policy does not pertain to K-12 students in a household of inactive members of the National Guard and military reserves, uniformed service members now retired except as otherwise stated in policy, and other U.S. Department of Defense personnel and other federal agency civilian and contract employees not defined as active-duty members of the military Other provisions in the policy include the facilitation of timely enrollment, student placement, on-time graduation and more for military family students. School directors also finalized the districts 2024-25 academic calendar despite a parents concerns that the schedule only has one built-in snow day. Schools are scheduled to open on Aug. 26, with a staggered start planned Aug. 26-27 for grades K-3. The final student day is to be June 6, 2025. Christina Fleisher, of Upper Allen Township, expressed concerns Tuesday that if the district uses its one designated snow day next year, it then would go immediately to remote learning if any further snow days are required. Fleischer said that the last time the district schools operated as a remote day due to weather conditions, theres no instruction for the elementary grades. Instead, those grades are sent work packets, which Fleischer said take less than a full school day to complete. COVID gave us some things that arent always the best practice, Fleisher said. Leidy said the district was entering new territories regarding snow days. Its new, we have to continue looking at it to see what we can improve, Leidy said. This was the first year that we used a remote (snow) day. Historically, weve used as many as eight snow days a year in the past. ... If we had that many days again, we would have to go until the middle of June. I think we get more out of having a remote day than student days in mid-June. Leidy said K-5 students get work packets on remote days so far because our younger grades are limited in the technology available to them, while grade 6-12 students have more technology to utilize. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. The father of Kevin Moore has been dead for nearly a year, but he has loomed over his sons murder trial, particularly on Wednesday, the fifth day of testimony, when a witness revealed that Glenn Spradlin had pushed him out of the Spradlin familys Albemarle County hunt club despite a leadership role and more than 20 years as a member. Fluvanna County hunter Brian Jordan told the court about a 2018 confrontation with Spradlin, then the clubs president. I was told I had testified and I was no longer a member, said Jordan Jordan said he didnt volunteer to testify to the multijurisdictional grand jury investigating the disappearance of 47-year-old Jesse Hicks but had been compelled by a subpoena. Jordan was the vice president of the Woodridge Sportsmens Association in southern Albemarle County at the time his membership was terminated. But the Spradlins, who founded and ran the club, typically had their way, he said so much so that members often referred to it as Spradlins Hunt Club. It was pretty much their establishment, said Jordan. Near Scottsville was one of the clubs key properties, the so-called Black Gate tract, which has played a key role in the murder trial. Located behind a locked chain drawn across its dirt access path off Glendower Road, the 300-acre parcel was the site where the skeletal remains of Hicks, who went missing in 2004, were found nearly 10 years later. One thing the jury was not allowed to hear Wednesday was the recipient of Hicks final phone call. It was a call, according to prosecutor Richard Farley, to Spradlin. Farley said that a retired FBI special agent was prepared to testify that it was that final phone call that led him to conduct a polygraph examination of Spradlin. However, Judge Cheryl Higgins ruled that there could be no mention of such a phone call because it would be hearsay. Nor could be there be any mention of a polygraph, because mention of that undependable technology would be prejudicial, she ruled. Prior testimony from Hicks family members his wife, his sister and his nephew indicated that just before Hicks disappearance tensions were rising over a debt that Spradlin owed the man. The prosecution claims that Spradlin and his now 39-year-old son Moore, the defendant, conspired to kill Hicks to avoid paying. The two were both indicted and arrested in 2018, charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder. Spradlin died in April after the trial had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and by a defense motion. The prosecutions final two witnesses were the former Nelson County sheriffs deputy, Scott Folsom, who found Hicks pickup truck at a commuter parking lot near the community of Faber and the FBI agent, Ken Mikionis, whose testimony was limited to informing the jury of the fact that he interviewed Spradlin. After a failed bid by co-counsel for the defense Brooke Howard to strike the evidence, Moores team began trying to illustrate something that Howard said in a sidebar about Hicks, who has been largely portrayed as a self-employed truck driver and gravel hauler. Hicks was a drug dealer, and thats what he did every day, said Howard, and everything else was just window dressing. To make that point, the first witness the defense called was Benjamin Allen Black, a self-described native of the Woodridge community. He identified himself as a great-grandson of the founder of the hunt club and as a former cocaine dealer whose product was so pure that he was stealing market share from Hicks. People were not coming to see him, Black said, but see me. On cross-examination, the prosecution attempted to depict the sudden appearance after Hicks disappearance of two gleaming John Deere tractors near the Spradlin-operated Woodridge Market as the fruits of cash stolen from the dead body of Hicks. I never really connected the two, replied Black. Earlier in the trial, Hicks widow testified to having the missing-person signs she posted at the Woodridge Market removed at the direction of Spradlins mother. And on Tuesday, retired Albemarle police detective Philip Giles said that market personnel had told police they couldnt park there. Its not what we consider a police-friendly location, said Giles. Even Woodridge native Black noticed the way people formerly united by blood and marriage splintered in the wake of Hicks disappearance. The community as a whole kind of split up, said Black. Its just devastating. Another defense witness the jury heard Wednesday was the current president of the Woodridge Sportsmens Association, Eddie Spencer Jr., who described himself as a close friend to both Spradlin and Hicks. Spencer said that he was such a good friend that, on the the many overnight horseback trips the two would take, Hicks would confess various aspects of his cocaine dealing. The second sawdust pile was his go-to place to meet his contact, said Spencer. The second sawdust pile was the place that an earlier witness had described as the place where Hicks body was found. Spencer also asserted that, contrary to the allegations by Hicks relatives, there was no animosity between Spradlin and Hicks. However, on cross-examination, Spencer was unable to name Hicks sister, brother or either of his two daughters, who were 12 and 18 at the time of their fathers disappearance. As he has throughout the dayslong judicial proceeding accusing him of shotgunning and burying a close family friend to please his dad, Moore showed no evidence of emotion from his chair at the defense table Wednesday. The trial resumed Thursday with additional defense witnesses. One reason we go out for drinks is the hospitality that comes along with them at the right bars and restaurants. Now, a French Quarter tavern The Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival usually offers attendees a taste of both the playwrights best and least-known works, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof this year. And the literary festival also brings contemporary writers and all sorts of events and guests. The festival starts with the Stella Shouting Contest on March 17, and the literary conference is March 20-24, mostly at venues in the French Quarter. There are panel discussions featuring contemporary writers, as well as walking tours, tribute readings, live music and more. Several productions of Williams work also run concurrent with and beyond the conference dates. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is one of Williams landmark works and was a major success on Broadway and on film, memorably starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor. Theres some star-power in the festival presentation of Act 2 of the work from the recent off-Broadway revival featuring Christian Jules Le Blanc, star of the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. Its a homecoming for Le Blanc who attended Jesuit High School and Tulane University. Hell play Big Daddy, and Matt de Rogatis will reprise his role as Brick. Theres a talkback after the performance led by David Kaplan, director of Provincetowns Williams festival (7 p.m. Saturday, Hotel Monteleone). The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans has mounted a new production of Williams early work, Kingdom of Earth, at Loyola University New Orleans Marquette Theatre. The drama delves into the rivalry of half-brothers who each want to take possession of the familys Mississippi estate. Visit twtheatrenola.com for tickets. The new women-led theater company The Fire Weeds is presenting two Williams one acts. The Pretty Trap was created while he was working on The Glass Menagerie and has similar themes, and Interior: Panic is similar to Streetcar, and seems to explore an alternate ending. The Fire Weeds present the program at Big Couch in Bywater Thursday, March 21, through Saturday, March 30. See @thefireweeds on Instagram for information. The festival welcomes many visiting writers, including Michael Cunningham, Justin Torres and Irish writer Colm Toibin. Maureen Corrigan, who appears on NPRs Fresh Air and writes about books for the Washington Post, will interview all of them at the fest. Cunningham won the Pulitzer Prize for The Hours, modeled on a Virginia Woolf novel. Last year, he released Day. Justin Torres won a National Book Award for Blackouts, a novel exploring gay identity. Corrigan will interview them together at 4 p.m. Friday, March 22, at the Hotel Monteleone. Toibin is known for novels including The Master, imagining the mind of Henry James, The Blackwater Lightship and more, as well as works of nonfiction. Corrigan interviews him at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Hotel Monteleone. The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival, once a portion of the Williams fest, runs concurrently. For a list of its visiting writers, workshops and events, visit sasfest.org. The festivals Last Bohemia Fringe Festival features several shows, including The Sinking Opulence Show cabaret. The Mudlark Puppeteers reprise their puppet version of Williams This is the Peaceable Kingdom, Or Good Luck God. The Last Bohemia Soiree features a performance by Vinsantos, and is at the home of Hedwig and the Angry Inch creator John Cameron Mitchell, who will host a talkback on Saturday. The festival also holds a tribute reading and discussion about Truman Capote on the centennial of his birth. Another session examines the short fiction of Eudora Welty. The Music & Smoke series features live music by John Boutte, Amanda Shaw and others at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe. For a full schedule and information, visit tennesseewilliams.net. While new census estimates show widespread and steep population losses across Louisiana, one area of the state stands out on a national level. The New Orleans-Metairie Metropolitan Area, which encompasses seven parishes near the city, saw the steepest declines of any large metro nationwide from 2020 to 2023. The metro region lost 45,000 residents during those three years, a 4.3% drop primarily due to residents leaving Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Each of those parishes lost more than 20,000 residents due to out-migration to other parts of the state or the country. That dropped the region's population from over 1 million residents to about 962,165. Months of public pushback could not stop the inevitable Thursday afternoon, when the board that oversees the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail successfully pushed through a plan to renovate the facility. While the project price is pegged at $49 million, that is expected to balloon to $73 million once the interest on the bonds needed to fund the construction are added. The final vote was 10-1, even after a bevy of residents raised significant concerns during public comment. It is a victory for jail Superintendent Martin Kumer and his staff, as well as Moseley Architects, the Richmond firm enlisted to help execute the renovation that will include demolishing the east wing of the 1975-vintage facility and building a two-story, 33,100-square-foot structure in its place. But its a stinging defeat for opponents who are convinced that the jails bleak conditions could be meaningfully improved at a much lower price and that the board did not seriously consider cheaper alternatives. Whats more, the plans opponents feel they were not only cut out of the decision-making process, but that their own words were used against them to justify a $49 million renovation they do not support. I want to go home and cry, Susan Perry, a local criminal justice reform activist, told The Daily Progress after the vote. She was one of many who left disappointed. It was the culmination of months, if not years, of frustration for those who have been watching the project closely. As the 11-member board heard during public comment, several of the renovations critics had been previously told that there would be more time before any commitments were made, that decision makers would accommodate community feedback in the final proposal. But the project approved on Thursday is the same project that board leadership first proposed in 2021. The majority of board members think that the $49 million project is in the best interest of the community. For a community as wealthy and compassionate as ours, its unconscionable not to make the sort of renovation that we need to make, Charlottesville City Council member Brian Pinkston, who sits on the jail board, said before casting his vote. Critics have argued that it would be more compassionate to put money into social programs that are shown to reduce crime and help prevent people from entering the criminal justice system at all. That was part of the argument Lisa Draine, the lone board member to vote against the project, made as she tried in vain to sway her colleagues. A crisis of prioritization exists when we continue to pour millions of taxpayer dollars into structures like this jail which, Im sorry, are designed to detain, humiliate and harm mostly poor people in our community, Draine said. A citizen representative, Draine was alone on the board when she advocated for a far cheaper $25 million renovation that would see savings fund social programs in the communities the jail serves. It was a position shared by the 15 or so members of the public who attended the meeting who would rather see the money spent on education, mental health programs and affordable housing. Im asking you to use your platforms to advocate for a deep investment of our shared resources for community programs and services that service individuals reentering society and that address long-term solutions to issues that may lead to someone ending up here in the first place, she said. In Pinkstons prepared comments, he argued the boards primary responsibility was to make sure the jail was as ethical and as effective as possible. It is not the role of the ACRJ or others to be making larger, regional decisions about mental health or other ways to spend taxpayers money. Thats the job of the elected officials who lead their respective jurisdictions, Pinkston said. The role of this body is to take care of the jail. Ultimately, Pinkston and Albemarle County Supervisor Diantha McKeel, who is the boards chairwoman, are betting that more community members want to see the $49 million renovation than dont. They believe the critics are a small but vocal minority. I have to also represent the people that are not in this room. The people that dont have time to come to these meetings or that have a different viewpoint, but they cant get here for whatever reasons, McKeel told The Daily Progress. My job is to represent everybody, not just the loudest voices. Those who spoke during public comment said that they are not alone. Their neighbors and friends, they said, share their concerns. Kate Fraleigh said she has been following the process since 2019. Shes been regularly advocating for the board to spend less money on a renovation, replacing piping and HVAC instead of creating a brand-new wing that will increase the jails square footage. She told The Daily Progress she was not surprised by the outcome of Thursdays vote. And while both opponents and proponents believe the majority of the public is on their side, no one can say for sure how many residents in the jails service area which includes the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle and Nelson actually support the project. I think most people arent paying attention, Fraleigh said. The governing bodies of Charlottesville, Albemarle and Nelson must now vote to approve the project before it is set in stone. Each body appears to have the votes necessary to advance the plan. Charlottesville, Albemarle and Nelson plan to split the cost of any renovation: Albemarle will be responsible for 45.39% with the city covering 39.87% and Nelson covering 14.74%. The project is eligible for 25% reimbursement from the commonwealth. Family members gather with Minister Tracy Jefferson of True Vine Baptist Church after three children were killed in a two-alarm fire in the 4900 block of America Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Joseph Washington, 29, is accused of setting fire to his ex-wife's home with their three young children inside, killing them. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune) Plastics manufacturing facilities that have received billions of dollars in taxpayer support since 2012, including at least 14 in Louisiana, are polluting nearby communities of color, often in violation of the rules governing that financial support, a report released Thursday by the Environmental Integrity Project watchdog group says. The report, based on federal and state data, found that the 14 Louisiana chemical companies received $5.6 billion since 2013 under the states Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which grants up to an 80% property tax abatement for up to 10 years for new projects. If the facilities were built without the tax exemptions, that money would have gone to local governments and school boards to pay for public services, the report said. Government and industry officials who support such tax breaks argue the projects and jobs that come with them are unlikely to happen at all without the incentives. A record $1.71 billion annual spending plan for coastal restoration and hurricane protection was unanimously approved for fiscal year 2025 this week by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority board of directors. The plan includes more than $480 million for the controversial Mid-Barataria and Mid-Breton sediment diversions. A series of public hearings had already been held on the plan, and there were no comments from members of the authority or public before the vote on Thursday to forward it to the Legislature for an up or down vote. Elkieria Rangeq rings up customer Orese Alford, right, who was initially looking to but a vape at Deja Vu Smoke Shop. Rangeq told Alford they could no longer sell the product he was looking for. 'A concerning time' Allison Plyer, chief demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans, said the latest data help establish that the population declines experienced by the state and its parishes are a clear trend. And she noted that the widespread nature of the population loss, and the fact that it seems to be occurring without a single major catalyst, makes this decline different than those the state has seen in the past. It is a concerning time," said Plyer. "We can see with more certainty the state is losing population that isnt driven by an economic shock like the oil bust of the 1980s or the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Our recent policies are not supporting population gain, she said. To be sure, there have been serious problems that likely contributed to the state losing residents in recent years. For instance, the devastating hurricanes that struck the coast since 2020 and the property insurance crisis that followed undoubtedly led some people to leave the state and others to avoid moving here. Though the choices have narrowed significantly, it's Louisiana's chance to weigh in on who should be the Democratic and Republican presidentia Through December last year, the city of Philomath conducted an online survey to find out from residents what it's really like to live in Philomath, and the results are in. Overall, residents indicated that safety, quality of housing and schools were the top reasons they chose to live in Philomath. The road conditions? Not so much. The survey received 342 responses, 72% of which came from residents living within the city limits. Nearly half of all respondents (47%) say they've lived in Philomath for more than 20 years. A Place to Sleep, episode 9: Sleep The latest episode is here, and this time we put a lot less emphasis on the word "place" and a lot more on "sleep." The city has conducted surveys in the past for various purposes, but this was the city's first comprehensive and communitywide survey, Assistant City Manager Chelsea Starner said. "It was in the strategic plan," Starner said about the survey's timing, referring to the 2022-23 strategic plan, which called for a satisfaction survey. And the results of the pulse-check, including a desire for more police presence, code enforcement and traffic safety, are factoring into the city's strategic plan and priorities for the next fiscal year. City services Regarding city services, residents said they were most pleased with the city's parks and trails as well as their interaction with Public Works staff. On the other hand, the condition of streets, excluding county roads and state highways, caused the most dissatisfaction. Residents also noted the most displeasure with the citys enforcement of codes and ordinances, as well as enforcement of traffic control and public safety laws. Residents urged the city government to focus on traffic control, law enforcement and public safety within the next two years. Other areas where respondents believed the city needed to emphasize its efforts were the city parks and streets. After municipal court service, most residents who responded to the survey indicated that their interactions with city employees were the most satisfactory aspect of city services. Public safety While an overwhelming number of respondents said they were either satisfied or neutral about police response time during emergencies, the most dissatisfaction when it comes to public safety is in the enforcement of traffic laws. Key points of discontent appear to be speeding along Main Street and Applegate Street in the Philomath downtown area. Both roads are under state jurisdiction and are part of a street improvement project which began in November 2022 and is funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation. According to ODOT's project site, the overhaul will cost approximately $18 million and is estimated to be completed this summer. The state transportation department is working to reconstruct the stretch between 14th and Seventh streets, include curb bulbs on some side streets, upgrade curb ramps to be accessible, add a buffer between vehicle and bike lanes, and install traffic beacons to improve pedestrian crossing on Applegate Street at 14th Street and on Main Street at Seventh, among other improvements. The next three areas where residents expressed the most dissatisfaction include: police visibility within the community, response to issues with individuals who are houseless, and drug control. Over the next two years, residents said they wanted to see the city focus more on enforcement of local traffic laws (63%) and ensure more visible police presence across the city (61%). At the Feb. 26 work session, City Manager Chris Workman said there were ongoing efforts, if approved by council, to make budgetary allocations for an additional police officer. Grocery shopping The lack of traditional grocery stores or sparse dining options in Philomath appeared to be of significant concern to residents from the survey results. "A real grocery store is something this town needs since we have all this emphasis on growth. Perhaps the city could work to promote bringing one in," one respondent wrote in the survey. At the Feb. 26 work session, Councilor Teresa Nielson told the council that she'd reached out to several grocery outlets in Oregon in exploratory efforts to bring any option to town. Conversations picked up with WinCo, whose representatives said that they would indeed consider situating an outlet or what they call a Waremart, a smaller-scale WinCo outlet in Philomath if there was enough community interest. Workman said he had also reached out to smaller Oregon chains like Chester's Markets with a similar request. In a flier shared by Mayor Chas Jones on social media, residents are being urged to "request a new store" by completing a customer service form on WinCos website. Grocery outlets like WinCo often consider a number of factors when deciding where to launch new outlets, including population size, household income levels, foot traffic and local competition, among others. "We can all want really hard, but we're not changing the demographics of our city. And the fact is there's a Safeway 4 miles away, and there's only 5,000 people that live here," Councilor Matt Lehman said at the work session. "There's been grocery stores here before. They're not here anymore. There's a reason for that," Lehman said. Lehman addressed the need to create conditions that can organically attract and keep businesses, including grocery stores, in town. He cited the creation of local improvement districts or enterprise zones as examples that spur business development. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. The council agreed to include efforts to attract a grocery store into its strategic plan for the next fiscal year. Overall, respondents say Philomath is an ideal place to live and raise children. The jury is still out on the city as a place to shop, enjoy the arts or dine and wine. Related stories: Philomath home allegedly attacked with pickax Once inside the home, the suspect allegedly destroyed two bedroom doors as well as a new bathroom vanity and sink with the pickax. MERRILLVILLE A new study on the feasibility of a convention center in Lake County ranks a Hobart site on Mississippi Street at the top of 14 sites the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and the firm Johnson Consulting evaluated as part of a state-mandated update to a 2018 study. The 163-page study was presented at a Thursday meeting of the RDAs board of directors and has been delivered to the Lake County Commissioners, who will decide whether to move forward with development of a convention center under a state law that would provide as much as $100 million in state matching funds over a 20-year period. The study concludes a convention center would bring $60 million in annual economic activity to the area. The Hobart site, formerly known as Silverstone and now Patriot Park, was followed in Johnson Consultings rankings by the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, the former Century Mall site, the former Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza site in Merrillville and the Kennedy Avenue/Interstate 94 interchange area in Hammond. The offer of substantial state aid and the studys projected economic impact gave RDA officials and their consultants a positive attitude toward construction of an event center. Sherri Ziller, the president and CEO of the RDA, linked the potential project to other economic development efforts in recent years. Lake County and Northwest Indiana as a whole has a huge amount of momentum right now, Ziller said in a statement issued with the report. There are the Double Track and West Lake commuter rail projects, which the RDA has been instrumental in funding. Those are already creating hundreds of millions of dollars in residential and commercial development. Then you have a billion-dollar industrial investment coming from the federal government in the Midwest Hydrogen Hub. A new, state-of-the-art convention center adding millions of dollars to the local economy every year would keep that momentum rolling and help cement the Region as the place to be. Randy Palmateer, Lake Countys representative on the board and its vice chairman, called a convention center low-hanging fruit as a vehicle for economic development. Not only would it provide an immediate boost to the local economy during construction, and a long-term boost through its operation, but the State of Indiana is offering up to $100 million in matching funds to build it, Palmateer said in the RDAs statement. Any way you look at it, its a winning opportunity for Lake County. Recommendations The feasibility study suggests construction of a 145,000-square-foot convention center with 73,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, including a 40,000-square-foot exhibit hall, an 18,000-square-foot ballroom and 15,000-square-feet of meeting space. It predicts the convention center would create over 1,300 full-time, part-time and temporary construction jobs and boost local and state tax revenues by more than $3.5 million a year. The study also includes financial projections and recommendations, including that the center would become profitable in year four of its operation but, if it put money into a recommended reserve fund for capital improvements, it would not be profitable for the foreseeable future. The updated feasibility study included 14 sites five more than its predecessor. The sites ranking sixth through 14th include a site near Indiana University Northwest in Gary; Merrillville Commerce Center at East 93rd Avenue and Georgia Street; the I-65 and 109th Avenue interchange area in Crown Point; Ameriplex Southlake on 61st Avenue in Hobart; the Interstate 90 and U.S. 12 interchange in Hammond; the former Majestic Star Casino and Hotel site at Buffington Harbor in Gary; the I-94 and U.S. 41 interchange in Hammond; 7600 Clay St. in Hobart; and the former Beckman Jr. High School site on West 23rd Avenue in Gary. The rankings used 24 criteria, including proximity to hotels, retail, restaurants and other amenities, ease of access to the site itself, the suitability of a site to the type of facility recommended and the cost of development and other issues. While the study evaluated 14 prominent sites that may or may not be available for development, any other sites may be proposed by entities in position to make a formal proposal to the county. These are by no means the only sites that can be submitted to the county commissioners, Johnson Consulting senior project analyst John Fleming reiterated at Thursdays meeting. Next steps The decision on whether to proceed with a public-private partnership to build a center rests with the Board of County Commissioners. In a statement from the county executive body, Commission President Mike Repay thanked the RDA for updating the feasibility study. This document will be used by those entities interested in submitting a proposal for a convention facility along with all other requirements for building projects in Lake County, Repay said. The commissioners statement said they will engage a professional team as well as relevant county departments to analyze proposals, with focus on their ability to provide financial stability and sustainability in operating a convention center. Commissioner Jerry Tippy called the offer of state funds an unprecedented opportunity. We intend to use those funds along with allowable county funds to leverage the private sector for a project that is sustainable, he said. The state funding structure was created in 2023; a deadline to take advantage of it was extended this year to Dec. 31. Our team will be preparing a request for proposals for the development, construction and operations in the coming weeks, Commissioner Kyle Allen said. CROWN POINT A Portage man who pulled his gun out and shot a man during a gun sale testified at his own trial Thursday that he acted out of fear and did not intend to hurt the victim until he himself felt threatened. A jury found him guilty. On the final day of his murder trial, defense attorney Scott King and Deputy Prosecutor Lindsey Lanham questioned defendant Elijah Davis, 19, about the sequence of events that led to the killing of Marcos Martinez, 19, on Aug. 24, 2022, in the 5700 block of Pennsylvania Street in Merrillville. The trial began Monday in Lake Criminal Court Judge Natalie Bokota's courtroom. The jury began deliberations late Thursday afternoon. Davis told the jury that he was contacted by a friend named Samir Griffin, of Merrillville, the day before the incident. Griffin said he knew someone who wanted to purchase a firearm and Griffin was aware that Davis had a firearm he was selling. Griffin gave similar testimony to the court Wednesday. Davis said he purchased a kit online earlier that month that contained parts of a firearm and put the gun together himself. When asked by King why he wanted to sell the gun, he said he had just spent a significant amount of money back-to-school shopping and wanted to "have some money in my pocket." Davis was 17 at the time. While he prepared to leave his house on the day of the incident, Davis said, he placed the sale gun underneath his car seat, his own firearm between his seat and the center console and drove from his house to Griffin's home after school because they had planned to conduct the transaction there. When he arrived, Griffin hopped in the passenger seat of Davis' white Chevrolet Malibu and said they'd be driving to up the street to Martinez's home to conduct the sale, he said. Davis said this made him nervous. He hadn't heard of or met Martinez before until the day prior when contacted by Griffin, he said, yet he agreed and drove to Martinez's house. Martinez entered the backseat of the car, exchanged pleasantries and the conversation then turned to the gun, he said. Martinez indicated he needed to go inside to get money for the gun, Davis said. When he came back out less than five minutes later, Davis said, he noticed an outline of an item in the front of Martinez's sweatshirt pocket. Griffin testified that he noticed this item too and both men said it looked like a gun. "I was on edge when I noticed the firearm," Davis said. "I found it kind of weird. He didn't have a firearm when I first saw him." Martinez entered the car again, grabbed the gun and said he was taking it, Davis said. Griffin said he asked him what he meant and Davis said he asked, "What do you mean, you got the cash?" Martinez, he said, repeated himself. Davis said this made him think Martinez intended to take the gun without paying for it. There was a moment of silence, Davis said, and he instinctively reacted and pointed his gun at Martinez, firing a shot. Griffin said he fled back to his home and Davis said he backed out of the driveway, put his car in park, opened the back door and saw Martinez, who appeared to be reaching into his hoodie pocket. Frightened, Davis said, he fired again, striking Martinez. He then grabbed Martinez out of the car, put his body on the street and fled, he said. "As you stand here today, you understand you killed someone," King said to Davis. "Is that right?" "Yes, sir," Davis replied. "Why?" King asked. "Because I was in fear for my life," Davis said. Upon cross examination from Lanham, Davis said he never actually saw a gun on Martinez's person, just an outline of what appeared to be one. He said Martinez never actually pulled a gun on him. "I suspected the print in his pouch was a firearm," Davis said. "But the question is, you didn't know," Lanham said. Davis shook his head. "No ma'am." CROWN POINT A 26-year-old man on trial for the murder of another man inside a gas station in 2020 told jurors Wednesday morning that he pulled the weapon and fired because he felt threatened. The jury found him guilty. Defense attorney John Cantrell questioned his client, Aaron Sawyer, about the sequence of events that led to the shooting of 22-year-old Dorell Townsend on May 31, 2020, at a gas station in the 2700 block of Fifth Avenue in Gary. Sawyer said there was a verbal dispute between Townsend and his stepbrother, Terry Horton, 26, and Sawyer feared it would escalate. Sawyer said he saw a large gun in Townsend's pants and that Townsend threatened to shoot them, which is when he grabbed his gun and fired. "I was scared," Sawyer said. "He did have a gun on him and I took those words seriously." Cantrell said his client plans file an appeal. He referenced a pretrial motion filed by prosecutors requesting the the exclusion of evidence at trial that prohibited either party from introducing evidence that Sawyer knew Townsend by his social media alias: "Dooda da Shoota." "The prosecutor's office was successful in their quest to keep Dorell Townsend's street name out of the trial," Cantrell said in a text message. "My client knew him by that name. This street name was one of the reasons my client acted in self defense. We respect the court's decision on this issue, but my client plans on appealing this issue to the Indiana Court of Appeals." Sawyer testified he woke up that morning at his girlfriend's house and they made food and watched movies because he was off work that day. From there, he said, he went to a nearby convenience store to buy a cigar, but once he opened it, it was "stale." He said he called Horton to ask if he had a cigar he could smoke, but Horton said no, so together they met up and traveled to Clark's gas station to buy one. They walked into the gas station's convenience store around 5 p.m. that day and saw Townsend and his girlfriend, Hannah Brown, at the counter, he said. Sawyer said Brown turned around after making her purchase and said, "Excuse me," to Horton, who replied with, "Excuse you." She exited the store, he said, and Townsend turned around at some point after Brown exited and said "What's up?" Sawyer said Townsend appeared to be "looking at us, sizing me up." "It wasn't a friendly 'what's up,' it was a questioning, 'what's up,'" Sawyer said. Horton said, "What you mean, 'What's up'?" and Townsend asked Horton why he was looking at his girlfriend, Sawyer said. Sawyer said Horton said he was not looking at Brown. Townsend then said Horton and Sawyer were "tweaking," which is slang for saying something stupid, he said. As the altercation progressed, Sawyer said, he noticed Townsend's gun. He admitted he shot Townsend. "I hate that I did," Sawyer said. "But I felt like I had to do what I had to do." On cross examination by Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe, Sawyer said he remembered shooting five times. Dafoe said investigators found 11 shell casings at the scene. She asked him why he never turned himself in after the shooting, even though Horton was arrested in December 2020. Sawyer was arrested two years later. Horton pleaded guilty in December 2020 to assisting a criminal in connection with the crime and is awaiting sentencing. Sawyer said he never called police or reached out to investigators because he was scared for himself and his family. During testimony from Brown and Horton, they told similar stories to Sawyer's. Brown told jurors Tuesday morning about her exchange between with Horton. From there, she heard gunshots and ran. Horton told jurors he said, "You are excused," to Brown and that there was an altercation with Townsend, but made no mention of Townsend's threat. He did say, however, that Townsend said something he could not hear immediately before he heard gunshots. The jury heard closing arguments from the prosecution and defense Wednesday after Sawyer's testimony. Prosecutors played video surveillance from the gas station multiple times for the jury that corroborates the stories of Sawyer, Brown and Horton. Sawyer can be seen swiftly pulling out his gun and pointing it at Townsend, firing multiple times. Townsend did not appear to get violent. "It wasn't (Sawyer's) fight," Dafoe said. "That battle we watched was between Horton and Townsend. But Aaron chose to take things into his own hands." Cantrell said Sawyer's fears were justified. He said he sensed a threat and was looking out for his stepbrother. "A 22-year-old kid made a split second decision," Cantrell said. "This is no a murder. This is self-defense." CROWN POINT Court documents revealed additional details in a shooting Monday in East Chicago in which a man shot his child's mother in the presence of their 3 year old, court records allege. Jamille Walker, 30, was charged Tuesday with aggravated battery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and domestic battery, according to documents filed in Lake Criminal Court. He was arrested and his bail was set at $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety, records show. Police were dispatched Monday to a residence on the 3400 block of Elm Street after they received a report of an assault with a firearm. A 911 caller told a dispatcher they heard shots fired, a woman scream and saw a white vehicle leave the scene and later return. Arriving officers found bloodstains in the passenger seat of a white Chevrolet Trailblazer, according to a probable-cause affidavit. The car was still running. When officers knocked on a door to the home, they initially heard no answer. Walker eventually opened the door and said he had no idea what happened and invited officers in, the document said. He supposedly had blood on his hand and in his nail beds. He denied shooting the victim and eventually said he took her to the hospital. Upon entering, police saw the 3-year-old dressed in "heavy clothing and no shoes." The child had very heavy eyes and could not stay awake. The child supposedly said, "Mommy and daddy were fighting," according to the affidavit. A firearm was on the counter and had a spent cartridge inside, the affidavit said. Detectives spoke to the victim at the hospital. She sustained a gunshot wound to her chest and her elbow. Walker denied knowing how the woman was shot. HAMMOND A hearing has been continued until next month to decide whether a former East Chicago police officer will be released from custody while his federal cocaine dealing case proceeds. The detention hearing for Louis Arcuri was to be held Friday morning, but has been continued until April 3 at the request of defense attorney John Cantrell. Cantrell did not offer an explanation for the delay in his written request and was not immediately available Friday for comment. But his request does say that federal prosecutors agree with the delay. Arcuri has remained in custody since being picked up Feb. 29 at his Michigan home, records show. Cantrell said he has yet to receive details of the allegations against his client and few were included in the indictment other than a June 11, 2021 date for the alleged offense. "We're looking forward to receiving the evidence and preparing our defense," Cantrell said. A detention is designed to determine whether the accused is a flight risk and/or a danger to the community, Cantrell said. Arcuri retired from the East Chicago police force last year, according to Cantrell. He was in the news nearly 20 years ago when he and members of the East Chicago Police Department's Narcotics Unit conducted a raid at a local home and seized an estimated 250 pounds of marijuana valued at the time at $250,000. "These are the fruits of a good, hard-working narcotics investigation," then-Police Chief Frank Maldonado said. Arcuri said at the time that the seizure was not the largest in the department's history, but ranked pretty high. LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASONS Lightning is suspected as the cause of a house fire early Thursday that brought out several area departments to the 1700 block Broadacre Road, according to Lakes of the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force Chief Kevin Heerema. The fire was reported around 5:22 a.m. for the address that falls within Porter County, he said. The home belongs to a member of the local fire department, who helped battle the blaze. Coroner's office identifies 73-year-old man who died in Highland house fire Lee Liberman, 73, of Highland, was found dead on Tuesday following a fire that engulfed his home on Tuesday morning, officials said. It is suspected that lightning produced during the morning thunderstorms may have triggered the blaze, which mostly burned through the attic area of the house, Heerema said. LOFS firefighters were joined by departments from Hebron, Crown Point, Boone Grove, Kouts and Union, he said. Firefighters were on scene for a couple of hours. No injuries were reported and the fire remains under investigation. The LOFS department is accepting applications at its website lofsfire.com. A Hanover Central High School student is moving on in a statewide entrepreneurship competition. Ashton Verbish and nine other student groups will be competing in the Innovate WithIN Northwest Indiana Region Finals next month. Teams from other Region high schools, including Valparaiso, Crown Point, Munster, Hammond Central, Lake Central, Hobert and Lowell, will also be competing. The competition, put together by the STARTedUP Foundation, is one of the largest high school business pitch contests, with participants eligible for scholarships and finalists eligible to receive thousands of dollars in seed money to continue building their business idea. Verbish's idea, a product called SafetyGlow, is a retractable LED light strip system for semi-trucks when they're pulled over on the side of the road. According to Verbish, he came up with the idea while traveling one night and noticing how difficult it was to see trucks stopped on the highway's shoulder. "I thought, 'Why can't I invent something to make the trucks more noticeable to ensure their safety,'" he said. The Hanover Central junior learned about the Innovate WithIN competition as part of the New Venture Development class, a second-year course for entrepreneurship students. He is one of six students currently in the class. Kristina Fleming, who teaches entrepreneurship at the school, described Verbish as innovative, self-driven, outspoken and having an entrepreneurial mindset. "His mind is incredible and thinks outside the box," Fleming said. As part of the competition, students take online companion courses relating to entrepreneurship before putting together a three-minute video pitch for the first round of the contest. So far, Verbish said one of the most valuable things he has learned throughout the process is how important networking skills are in order to be a successful entrepreneur. And no matter the outcome next month, Verbish says he's happy to be part of the experience. "I've learned so much already and I just want to continue to learn," he said. Fleming said she hopes that what the students take away from her class is to never give up. "I want them to know that they're strong individuals and no matter what is thrown at them, they're going to have the proper mindset to handle it," Fleming said. According to a press release from the STARTedUP Foundation, nearly 3,000 students competed in the first round. Sixty one teams will compete in six regional contests. From there, 10 teams will move on to the state finals in June. The Northwest Indiana Region competition will take place on April 19 at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond. New Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent Jason Taylor grew up about three and half hours away from Northwest Indiana in a small town between Flint and Port Huron in eastern Michigan. His career took him on adventures in the Arctic, Alaska, Cape Cod, Colorado and Montana. Taylor has ridden a kicksled in northern Norway, raced reindeer around a short course and sat in a teepee made with caribou hides in the Arctic. Now he's returning home to the Midwest. Taylor, most recently the director of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, has worked for more than 20 years for federal government agencies like the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management. He'll lead the Indiana Dunes National Park, one of the most visited and biodiverse National Parks in the United States with 15 miles of Lake Michigan coastline, more than 60 miles of trails and diverse habitats that includes beaches, bogs, forests, prairie, sand dunes, marshes and globally rare oak and savannah. Taylor's love of the outdoors led to a career in the National Park Service. "We lived on the far edge of what would be called urban sprawl today, on the edge of a development by a wooded lot," he said. "I grew up exploring the woods and fields, and fishing the creeks. It was pretty fantastic. We would explore the woods for hours every day looking for frogs and turtles, roaming around every day with a fishing pole. It was a lot of woods, about five acres. It was endlessly fantastic from an experiential standpoint. We were just being kids." His grandparents also often took him hunting and fishing outdoors. "Sitting in a deer blind in Northern Michigan installed the notion of loving and caring for nature," he said. He went to the University of Michigan to study to become a field biologist but ended up working in GIS or computer-based mapping known as Geographic Information Systems right out of college. He went on to earn a master's degree and PhD in Natural Resources and the Environment from the University of Michigan. "I was learning about how to learn from a map's perspective and recognize what was missing was the nature piece," he said. "I was drawn back to nature and understanding how the natural work was changing." His PhD dissertation looked at the value of urban woodlots to neotropical migrant birds at a time when the changing world impacted where they winter in the south. "My intentions with research were always to give back to policy makers, planners and townships, to present the results to inform policies about the natural world," he said. After earning his PhD he wasn't sure whether he would end up taking an academic path or applied path and explored both options. But an opportunity came up in Western Colorado to study how human activities will affecting wildlife. "Two things have guided me: living somewhere interesting and making a contribution," he said. He ended up working as a natural resources supervisor and landscape ecologist for the Bureau of Land Management's National Operations Center in Denver, Colorado. In 2013, he was named the National Park Service's Chief of Natural Resource Management and Science for the Cape Cod National Seashore, which is what the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore a collection of more than two dozen park sites along and near the lakeshore was originally modeled after when it was created in 1966. "It's interesting because looking at pictures of the physical compositions of towns and parks Cape Cod has a very similar look and feel as the Indiana Dunes," he said. "It faces similar issues like coastal erosion where parts of the cape are growing and parts of the cape are narrowing. It's interesting to watch nature at work." He went on to Alaska, which wasn't as different from the beaches along the coast of Massachusetts on the Atlantic Ocean as it may first seem on the surface. "It was cold and dark in the winter there and it was cold and dark in Alaska. It was cold and dark in the Midwest were I grew up so I was prepared," he said. In Alaska, he served as the U.S. Lead for the Arctic Council's Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna and co-lead of its Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program. "It was one of the most meaningful experiences in my life professionally and personally," he said. "We worked with Arctic nations like the Kingdom of Denmark, got to meet with the native people of those countries and sit around a table and discuss issues of importance. I really started to understand working well with people from different perspectives. People from other countries and native people all generally want to do good things and are generally aligned but there's always some nuance. They're different, foreign and exotic but we have so much in common at the same time." The experience also taught him the value of science and how it could be used to steward their culture, lifestyles and the natural world. He came to see firsthand how delivering scientific information could empower decision makers and benefit people. "The through line with the work I've done with the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management was protecting nature," he said. "That takes different forms depending on the agency. The Bureau of Land Management is generally a use-oriented organization. But there was so much work to do for the good of the world. We have opportunities to use these spaces while still protecting them. I really appreciated that part of the job." Taylor went on the work as Regional Chief of Natural Resources for the National Park Service's Alaska Regional Office and then was named superintendent of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska. "When I was in Colorado, I was by the Rocky Mountains. When in Cape Cod, I was by the ocean. When I was in Alaska I was by the all these fabulous mountains touching the ocean," he said. "It was majestic." As superintendent of the Klondike National Historic Park, he worked with the Canadian government that ran the neighboring Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site just across the border and a private train operator that ran tours of both. "Alaska was a magical place where my kids were born," he said. "Skagway was a mining town and a hub for people traveling north to mine for gold in the Yukon. It had some pure and raw nature like a tide pool where you could dip for smelt and lake fish." He served as superintendent there for about a year and a half before the opportunity came up to serve as the director of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute in Missoula, Montana. The inter-agency institution on the University of Montana campus does research on how to best steward wild lands, including the 112 million acres of land in 806 wilderness areas in the U.S. National Wilderness Preservation System. The institute tackles 40 to 45 research projects at a time on issues the behavioral response of wildlife to noise on the trail, forest management in an era of climate change and fire management. Researchers for instance study how to best conduct controlled burns or how animals respond to human noise. That information is shared with resource planners, who might use it when deciding where to place a trail. Taylor said he's coming to the Indiana Dunes with the main initial goal of listening and learning. "I have a sense of what I think is important but I want to hear from people and use that information and their experiences," he said. "They may need different things than we think we need to bring them." Overarching principles include ecological conversation, stewardship and accessibility. "I plan to tell this story to the park staff but one of my favorite places in Montana to take my kids is Lake Como. At the right time of the year large boulders jut out of the lake. You can sit on the boulders and swim around. I was sitting with kids on the boulders telling them to pause, listen and feel the moment. We're looking across the lake with nothing but mountains and I tell them how special it is to be in this kind of place. On the way home, my daughter said to me, 'Papa, we should build sidewalks into the wilderness so more people can come visit.' That deeply impacted me." He sees opportunities for increasing access to the Indiana Dunes, such as with the South Shore Line commuter rail. "There's so much opportunity to come experience nature," he said. "Millions of people come to the Indiana Dunes to connect with nature deeply and meaningfully." Taylor is looking forward to the new assignment, in part because it's just a three-and-half-hour drive from home. His kids will be able to have a closer relationship with their grandparents. "Three-and-a-half hours might sounds like a lot but it's not when you've lived out west," he said. Taylor said he doesn't have a vision for the park going in but that may change after about a year when he's had the chance to listen, learn and talk to partners like Save the Dunes and Friends of the Indiana Dunes. "I want to more deeply understand the ecological and cultural resources," he said. "I'm looking for opportunities to maintain nature in perpetuity while at the same time provide recreational opportunities connecting people with natural places. I won't learn my future goals until I get there. But the park belongs to everyone and should be accessible to everyone." Taylor visited the Indiana Dunes National Park this week to meet with staff and search for houses for his family. He said it has tremendous assets. "It has proximity to millions of people and direct access to Lake Michigan," he said. "It has ecological and cultural resources, raw power and beauty in a serene environment, as well as resources like the Dunes Learning Center and the Indigenous Trail. I plan to work closely with the Indiana Dunes State Park, Friends of the Dunes and other organizations. It's special in so many ways. It's fantastic how biodiverse the park is. It has a deep history and culture and a high volume of recreational activities, not to mention maple syrup." The park also faces challenges like coastal erosion he plans to further study. "Ask me again in six months," he said. "I plans to spend a lot of time talking to a lot of people, including in the leadership team. I'm going to ask them to show me the park through their eyes and introduce me to a day in the park from their perspective. I'm going to listen to their input and thoughts and listen about how I can be most helpful." President Joe Biden has spoken out against Nippon Steel's proposed $14.9 billon acquisition of U.S. Steel, saying he would prefer the iconic American steel company to remain American-owned. It is important that we maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steelworkers," Biden said in a statement. I told our steelworkers I have their backs, and I meant it. U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated. His chief rival for the White House, Republic presidential candidate Donald Trump, also has spoken out against the acquisition. Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel, which was founded in 1901 by some of the most famous names in the annals of American business and became the world's first billion-dollar company, put itself up for sale after an unsolicited takeover offer from rival Cleveland-Cliffs. The company rebuffed Cleveland-Cliffs and accepted a proposal from Nippon Steel that would allow it to continue to operate as Nippon Steel's U.S. subsidiary, maintaining its headquarters in Pittsburgh and all its employees. The United Steelworkers union has opposed an acquisition, favoring the bid from Cleveland-Cliffs, a company the union said it has had an easier time negotiating with in the past. The union has raised concerns about foreign ownership of U.S. Steel, including that it could result in fewer trade cases and tariffs protecting domestic steelmaking from steel dumping by foreign competitors. The USW welcomes President Bidens statement on the proposed USS-Nippon deal and shares his concerns over the sales long-term implications for our economic and national security," USW International President David McCall said. Allowing one of our nations largest steel manufacturers to be purchased by a foreign-owned corporation leaves us vulnerable when it comes to meeting both our defense and critical infrastructure needs." The deal is expected to face both antitrust and national security scrutiny. U.S. Steel in part rejected Cleveland-Cliffs' offer because of doubts antitrust regulators would allow the last two integrated steelmakers to merge into one company. The presidents statements should end the debate: U.S. Steel must remain domestically owned and operated,'" McCall said. President Biden told USW members he has our backs, and theres no question that he meant it. Were grateful for his unfailing support and his ongoing commitment to advancing the interests of working families and their communities. Both U.S. Steel and Nippon have touted benefits of the deal, such as that no jobs would be lost and Nippon Steel would honor all of U.S. Steel's labor agreements while giving it more capital and technology to be competitive on a global stage. "Our transaction delivers clear benefits to U. S. Steel, union workers, the broader American steel industry, and American national security," Nippon Managing Director Jack Coster said. "Through increased financial investment and the contribution of our advanced technologies to U. S. Steel, Nippon Steel will advance American priorities by driving greater quality and competitiveness for customers in the critical industries that rely on American steel while strengthening American supply chains and economic defenses against China. No other U.S. steel company on its own can meet this challenge while also meeting antitrust requirements. Our aim is to bolster and grow U. S. Steel in the U.S. market in a way that prioritizes its talented employees, and we have provided significant commitments to the USW in our continued efforts to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. These include job security, pension security, capital investment, technology sharing, financial reporting, and the ability to enforce contractual obligations post-closing." Nippon Steel, already the world's fourth largest steelmaker, would come close to the rarefied level of producing more than 100 million tons of steel a year. That would make it the world's second largest steelmaker after only China Baowu Steel Group, according to the World Steel Association. "Nippon Steel is the right partner to ensure that U. S. Steel is successful for generations to come as an iconic American company," Coster said. "We are progressing through the regulatory review, including CFIUS, while trusting the rule-of-law, objectivity, and due process we expect from the U.S. Government. We are determined to see this through and complete the transaction." The proposed deal has faced bipartisan headwinds in Congress, which members of both parties voicing concerns. "I welcome the President joining myself, members of the Congressional Steel Caucus, and the United Steelworkers, who have been adamantly opposed to the foreign acquisition of U.S. Steel since the beginning," said U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland. "I supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with the strongest Buy America requirements in our nations history, to support the domestic manufacturing base, not set it up for sale. I urge the administration to follow up this rhetoric with action to prevent this acquisition and defend the strength of the American worker, domestic steel industry, and our national security." A trio of litigants challenging the state-mandated process for selecting Lake Superior Court judges is asking the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to recognize the appointment and retention system violates the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA). U.S. District Judge Philip Simon all but reached that conclusion in January. However, Simon said he was prevented from striking down the merit selection process because federal appellate court precedent applicable in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin currently ignores questions of racial bias when it comes to appointed positions, as opposed to elected offices. In a court filing Monday, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.; state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago; and former East Chicago City Judge Eduardo Fontanez ask the 7th Circuit to reconsider that precedent, recognize the VRA violation, and order Indiana to fix it. "When one looks to Indiana's entire system for voting on state superior court judges, it is clear that it is not equally open, there is not equal opportunity to elect judges of one's choice, this was done on account of race, and this violates the VRA," they said. "The most straightforward fix for Indiana to remedy the violation of the VRA would be for the Legislature to make all superior court judges elected, as was previously the case in Indiana, but there could potentially be other solutions, such as providing for retention votes statewide. Regardless, Indiana should be afforded the opportunity to remedy the violations." Much of their argument centers on Simon's unequivocal finding that when it comes to choosing judges, "there's a huge disparity between how Indiana's white and black citizens are treated." "How is it that 66% of blacks in Indiana are prevented from voting for superior court judge when more than 80% of whites can?" Simon asked. According to court records, the disparity is due to Indiana laws requiring the governor to appoint superior court judges in Lake, Marion and St. Joseph counties where two-thirds of Indiana's black population resides while voters elect superior court judges in the remaining, overwhelmingly white, 89 Indiana counties. An affidavit submitted to the court by Jerold A. Bonnet, general counsel to Republican Secretary of State Diego Morales, attempts to justify the use of separate systems by claiming, "A merit selection process is essential in a highly populated and highly diverse jurisdiction like Lake County to provide safeguards for limiting political influence in Lake County superior courts." But Simon was not persuaded "Let's not beat around the bush: the reference to 'diversity' is a not so subtle reference to race. The state thus appears to acknowledge that the 'diversity' of Lake County, meaning the significant presence of racial minorities among its electorate, is a reason that superior court judges are not chosen by election but by a merit selection process instead." "In the language of Section 2 (of the Voting Rights Act), the state of Indiana has imposed a procedure on Lake County that denies its citizens the right to vote for superior court judges on account of race or color." The state is scheduled to respond to the appellate lawsuit by April 10. A ruling could come before the end of the year. Gallery: Indiana historical markers in the Region First Physician Great Sauk (Sac) Trail St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston Dutch in the Calumet Region St. John Township School, District #2 The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section Froebel School - side 1 Froebel School Stewart Settlement House Stewart Settlement House Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Bailly Homestead Iron Brigade Willow Creek Confrontation Ogden ski jump.jpg Teale 1.jpg Teale 2.jpg Steel 1.jpg Steel 2.jpg Civil War camps.jpg Old lighthouse.jpg Railroad.jpg Camp Anderson.jpg Boundary line 1.jpg Boundary line 2.jpg LaPorte courthouse 1.jpg LaPorte courthouse 2.jpg Carnegie 1.jpg Carnegie 2.jpg Rumely Co 1.jpg Rumely Co 2.jpg Lincoln train 1.jpg Lincoln train 2.jpg LaPorte university 1.jpg Laporte university 2.jpg Gary Roosevelt 1 Gary Roosevelt 2 We are two moms whose only sons, Miguel Carrasquillo and Andrew Flack, lived in Illinois and died young from cancer. Our boys, both in their 30s, made emotional videos pleading to die peacefully from aggressive cancers. As similar as our two stories are, our sons experienced very different deaths. One suffered horribly before his death from brain cancer because Illinois did not have the option of medical aid in dying to end his intolerable suffering. The other died gently in California, surrounded by loved ones, because he was able to choose medical aid in dying in that state an end-of-life care option unavailable in Illinois. Despite the painful memories, we are carrying on our sons legacies by urging Illinois lawmakers to pass the recently introduced Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. The bill would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults in Illinois with six months or less to live the option to obtain prescription medication they can decide to take for a peaceful death. In 2012, at age 31, Miguelito was realizing his dream as a chef at Petterinos restaurant in Chicago when doctors diagnosed that he had an aggressive brain tumor. Despite Miguel bravely enduring excruciatingly painful treatments, the cancer spread throughout his body. Miguel moved from Chicago back to his familys home in Puerto Rico. During his last weeks of life, Miguel recorded videos in English and Spanish to urge fellow Latinos to support medical aid-in-dying legislation nationwide. As a special education teacher in San Diego, Andrew, known as Drew, spent his last months of life advocating for medical aid in dying in his home state of Illinois through his blog and podcast. In August 2017, Drew underwent tests because he was not feeling well. His mother dropped to the floor devastated when Drew called to say it was cancer. For two years, Drew underwent radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, but the painful treatments failed to cure the cancer. In December 2020, doctors told Drew his cancer was terminal, and he decided to stay in California because he wanted to access the states End of Life Option Act that allows medical aid in dying. 1 died peacefully, the other in pain On Nov. 16, 2022, Drew was in his bedroom with its stunning view of the setting sun, with Jaxson, his roommates dog. Everyone commented on the beauty of the skyline, sharing funny stories from Drews childhood, and Drew got everyone laughing in turn. Two hospice nurses mixed the medication with juice, and they gave Drew a spoonful of raspberry sorbet to take it with. Within two hours, he fell asleep and passed away peacefully. Miguels morphine patch did nothing to alleviate the severe headaches, back pain and electric shocks throughout his body. He died experiencing extreme suffering. His mother felt as if she failed my sacred duty to protect her only son. As grieving Catholic mothers, we firmly believe this option at the end of life does not take Gods will away. God is kind and compassionate, and he does not want his children to suffer. We are proud to continue our late sons work. We are grateful that 10 states and the District of Columbia allow terminally ill adults to choose medical aid in dying. More than 70% of Illinois voters support the option, according to a February 2023 survey conducted by Impact Research. We invite you to honor our sons memory and to tell your elected representatives that it is time for them to allow this gentle dying option. Will you join us? Jump to: Tricky Clues FRIDAY PUZZLE Beware the Ides of March, a soothsayer warned Emperor Julius Caesar in Shakespeares play. Sure enough spoiler alert Caesar was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C. Thankfully, there is nothing remotely like that at stake for us this Ides, but Daniel Grinbergs crossword is still a Friday toughie for those who are not used to the less straightforward nature of late-week puzzles. So beware the Ides, but by all means have fun. Mr. Grinberg incorporated a basket weave of six grid spanners into his 15x15 design, making the solve a bit more challenging but a lot more fun for me. Look at all those great, long entries! Their placement forms a kind of frame or skeleton of the grid. The fill is mostly lively, with a nice mix of high-value Scrabble letters, such as J, Z and X. Those letters do not appear frequently in English words, so they are fun to find in a puzzle. When Romeo Chicco tried to get auto insurance in December, seven different companies rejected him. When he eventually obtained insurance, it was nearly double the rate he was previously paying. According to a federal complaint filed this week seeking class-action status, it was because his 2021 Cadillac XT6 had been spying on him. Modern cars have been called smartphones with wheels, because they are connected to the internet and packed with sensors and cameras. According to the complaint, an agent at Liberty Mutual told Mr. Chicco that he had been rejected because of information in his LexisNexis report. LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a data broker, has traditionally kept tabs for insurers on drivers moving violations, prior insurance coverage and accidents. When Mr. Chicco requested his LexisNexis file, it contained details about 258 trips he had taken in his Cadillac over the past six months. His file included the distance he had driven, when the trips started and ended, and an accounting of any speeding and hard braking or accelerating. The data had been provided by General Motors the manufacturer of his Cadillac. In a complaint against General Motors and LexisNexis Risk Solutions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Mr. Chicco accused the companies of violation of privacy and consumer protection laws. The lawsuit follows a report by The New York Times that, unknown to consumers, automakers have been sharing information on their driving behavior with the insurance industry, resulting in increased insurance rates for some drivers. LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and another data broker called Verisk, claim to have real-world driving behavior from millions of cars. A jury on Thursday found James Crumbley partially responsible for the deadliest school shooting in Michigans history. Mr. Crumbleys son, Ethan, killed four people and injured seven more at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit on Nov. 30, 2021. Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, later pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder, and was sentenced last year to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mr. Crumbleys wife, Jennifer, was convicted of identical charges of involuntary manslaughter last month. They were the first parents in the country to be directly charged for the deaths caused by a child in a mass shooting at a school. Here is a look at their case and others in which parents have been found criminally liable after a shooting by their child. A truck driver faces charges including negligent homicide related to his role in a highway crash during a dense super fog in Louisiana in October that caused a huge traffic pileup and left seven people dead and dozens injured, the authorities said this week. The man, Ronald Britt of Lafayette, was driving an 80,000-pound vehicle at around 60 m.p.h. on Oct. 23 when, having not slowed down despite the severe weather, he crashed into the car ahead of him on Interstate 55 northwest of New Orleans, the Louisiana State Police said on Tuesday in a news release. The impact killed a 60-year-old man, James Fleming of Missouri, and severely injured his wife, Barbara Fleming, 69, the police said. It was determined that Britt was operating at a negligent speed, given the driving conditions at the time, the police said, which led to the death of the man and the injuries sustained by his wife. Poor weather conditions and limited visibility meant vehicles could not safely exit the highway, the police said, causing congestion and multiple crashes. Mr. Fleming had managed to stop his vehicle safely, they said, but was unable to move his vehicle to a safer location off the road. Michael Whatley, an ally of Donald J. Trump who took over the Republican National Committee last week, celebrated a series of major changes at the committee in a memo on Thursday and declared that the party would be a united operation, and a united front with Mr. Trumps presidential campaign. Mr. Whatley was unanimously elected on Friday as the committees chair, along with Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, as his co-chair. A whirlwind of changes soon followed, remaking much of the party apparatus from top to bottom. On Monday, the new leadership team gutted the committee, severing ties with more than 60 officials, including senior staff members. On Tuesday, Christina Bobb, a self-described 2020 election denier and conspiracy theorist on Mr. Trumps legal team, said she was joining as senior counsel for election integrity. I am very pleased to say that my first week as the chairman of the Republican National Committee has been a great week, Mr. Whatley began the memo, which was sent out to the membership of the R.N.C., and obtained by The New York Times. At least three people were killed and dozens were injured after a parade of severe weather marched through Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio overnight, spinning off at least six devastating tornadoes, officials said. The three deaths occurred near Indian Lake, a reservoir in Ohio that becomes a bustling resort area in the summer. Two women, 81 and 70, were found dead in a mobile home park Thursday night, and the body of a 59-year-old man was found in a mobile home in Orchard Island early Friday morning, Dr. John OConnor, the Logan County coroner, said. All three people died from blunt force trauma, the coroner said. Around two dozen others from the area, about 70 miles northwest of Columbus, were treated for broken bones and other wounds, said Laura Miller, a spokeswoman for Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio. About half of those were still in the emergency room on Friday morning, she said. We have never experienced anything like this, anything this severe in the 75 years that Ive lived around here, said John Coleman, the president of the Indian Lake Area Historical Society, who was driving the streets of Russells Point, Ohio, on Friday morning, looking at homes that were missing second stories. A South Korean court on Friday convicted Oh Young-soo, an actor who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a contestant in the Netflix survival drama Squid Game, of indecent assault. A district court judge in Seongnam, a city southeast of Seoul, found Mr. Oh guilty of inappropriately hugging an actress, holding her hand and kissing her cheek in 2017. Mr. Oh, 79, was given an eight-month suspended sentence and ordered to attend 40 hours of classes on sexual violence. Mr. Oh, who had publicly denied the charge, told reporters after the verdict that he planned to appeal. Prosecutors charged Mr. Oh in 2022 after an actress, who was not identified, filed a complaint accusing him of inappropriately touching her. They argued that, across multiple occasions in August and September 2017, Mr. Oh had hugged the woman, held her hand, kissed her cheek and laid in her rented room, where he made potentially inappropriate sexual comments, Judge Jeong Yeon-ju said. Anthony Boyle was out of luck. He had been expelled from his Catholic boys school for behavioral problems. He had also been fired from his job at a nightclub after getting caught drinking while working. And so Boyle, then 16, figured it was as good a time as any to chase the dream that had begun to take shape in his head. He typed a string of words into Google search: Belfast male acting auditions. He eventually landed some unorthodox roles, including a part in a production of Romeo and Juliet that was staged on a massive chessboard and a stint in a ghost tour, in which he wore a black bag over his head and scared people by pretending to be the wrathful spirit of an 18th-century Irish revolutionary. Though Boyle would later return to school, he didnt stop acting. I never felt like there was another option, he said in a recent video interview. I never felt like there was like a backup plan that I could go and study medicine or go and do something else. It was always just acting. Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now. Another Day in Court Former President Donald Trump appeared in a Florida courtroom on Thursday, where a federal judge rejected his motion to dismiss charges of mishandling classified documents against him. The fun thing about these hearings is you dont know if Trump is going to show up, Jimmy Kimmel said. He doesnt have to come, but he sometimes its like when you go on a boat, sometimes you see a whale, sometimes you dont. A group of prominent authors announced that they have withdrawn from this years PEN World Voices Festival over what they described as PEN Americas inadequate response to the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In an open letter dated Wednesday that has drawn more than a dozen signatures, writers called on PEN America, the free speech organization hosting the event, to do more to address civilian casualties and the deaths of journalists and writers in Gaza. We have concluded that attending this years festival would only serve to contribute to the illusion that PEN America is truly devoted to the defense of free speech at the center of humanitys struggle against repression, as it has claimed, the letter says. In the context of Israels ongoing war on Gaza, we believe that PEN America has betrayed the organizations professed commitment to peace and equality for all, and to freedom and security for writers everywhere. The letter, signed by a group that includes novelists, poets and nonfiction writers, among them Lorrie Moore, Naomi Klein, Michelle Alexander, Hisham Matar, Isabella Hammad, Maaza Mengiste and Zaina Arafat, is the latest example of growing divisions in the literary world over the war in Gaza, as literary journals, book fairs and festivals have wrestled with how to navigate tensions around the conflict. Boeing has told airlines to check the cockpit seats of its 787 Dreamliner plane, the company said on Friday, after a Latam Airlines plane suddenly plunged on a flight to Auckland, New Zealand, on Monday, injuring passengers. The drop in altitude appears to have been caused when a flight attendant hit a switch on a seat that sent a pilot into the planes controls, The Wall Street Journal reported this week, citing unnamed U.S. industry officials. Aviation regulators are investigating the incident and have not released any findings. In a statement, Boeing said it had reminded airlines of a safety memo from 2017 that instructed them on how to inspect and maintain switches on flight deck seats. The investigation of Flight LA800 is ongoing and we defer to the investigation authorities on any potential findings, the company said. We are recommending operators perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity, it added. Whats next for ByteDances U.S. investors? As Beijing makes it increasingly clear that it opposes efforts by Congress to force TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular video app government officials in China said American lawmakers were acting like a bandit the tech giants U.S. backers are increasingly finding themselves in a quandary. DealBook has spoken with people in the know about what these investors, including financial giants like the Susquehanna International Group, can do, with billions of dollars on the line. A potential takeover bid by Steven Mnuchin is adding a wrinkle to matters. Mnuchin, a former Treasury secretary, told Andrew on CNBC on Thursday that he was in talks with a combination of U.S. investors about a TikTok deal. He added that he had spoken with some of the investors in ByteDance, TikToks Chinese parent, about possibly rolling over their stake. He didnt name names, but implied that one of them was General Atlantics Bill Ford. Meanwhile, Bobby Kotick, the former C.E.O. of the video game giant Activision Blizzard, also reportedly has been looking for potential partners for a bid. Since going public nearly two years ago, the members club chain Soho House has endured a sharp decline in its stock price, economic turmoil and a short sellers declaring that its shares are worthless. But the companys chief executive, Andrew Carnie, insists it is on the right track even as its main shareholders consider taking the business private again. Theres no looking back, Mr. Carnie said in an interview. Weve been pretty consistent over the past 12 months in delivering results. The company released its latest quarterly financial results on Friday, reporting that it lost $118 million last year, down from a loss of $220.6 million in 2022. Using the pro forma earnings measure known as adjusted EBITDA, which excludes some expenses, it doubled its profit to $128 million. Tesla and a former employee have agreed to settle a closely watched lawsuit that cast a harsh light on the carmakers treatment of Black workers. Lawyers for Tesla and for Owen Diaz, who worked at the companys factory in Fremont, Calif., did not disclose the terms of the settlement in a legal filing on Friday. The parties have reached an amicable resolution of their disputes, Lawrence A. Organ, a lawyer for Mr. Diaz, said in an email, adding that he could not comment further. Last year, a jury in federal court in San Francisco awarded Mr. Diaz $3.2 million after he presented evidence that he had been subject to repeated harassment by supervisors at Teslas factory, including being addressed with a racial slur more than 30 times. A supervisor drew a racist caricature near his work station, according to testimony in the case. Tesla did little to discipline the supervisors or address pervasive racism at the factory, the jury found. A New York judge on Friday delayed Donald J. Trumps criminal trial in Manhattan until at least mid-April, postponing the only one of Mr. Trumps four criminal cases that appeared set to begin. The delay lasting 30 days from the judges Friday decision stems from the recent disclosure of more than 100,000 pages of records that may have some bearing on the case. Citing the records, Mr. Trumps lawyers sought a 90-day delay of the trial or an outright dismissal while the Manhattan prosecutors who brought the case proposed a postponement of up to 30 days. The prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorneys office, who accused the former president of covering up a sex scandal during and after his 2016 campaign, had said the extra time would allow Mr. Trumps lawyers to review the records that recently emerged. Mr. Trump, who recently clinched the Republican presidential nomination for the third time, was initially set to go on trial on March 25. Now, the judge in the case, Juan M. Merchan, will hold a hearing that day to consider the motion by the former president to dismiss the case based on the new documents, and to determine whether the trial should be delayed further. This is a story about you and your favorite credit card, the one that earns you points. You use your card for everything. You pay off your balance every month. And you watch with glee as your rewards grow and grow and grow. And when its time to cash in, you announce that youre going to get a family gift. And each member will get one vote. And then your daughter argues that the family needs another iPad. And your son has fallen in love with the ugliest garden gnome that youve ever seen. And so to break up the skirmish, you decide that youll be getting the frying pan. Because what brings the family together more than food? Marty is the answer. But lets keep him out of this. And when they complain and say, But thats not what I wanted, you look them in the eye and say, This was never about you. Its about us, all of us. And then two weeks later your frying pan arrives. And you cant help but smile because you kind of did get this for yourself, though youll never admit it. And youre looking at the frying pan. And its staring at you and you at it and it at you and you at it. And you just have this split second where you think to yourself: Who actually paid for this? Who pays for all of this? Well, if you love your rewards card, then youre probably not going to like the answer. Because you try to be a good person, you shop locally. And each week you buy, lets say, $100 in groceries from MJ. When you swipe your card, that $100 doesnt go straight to MJ. Instead, store owners are charged a series of fees, the largest of which is called the swipe fee. Its set by the card network, usually Visa or Mastercard. And your bank uses it to pay for your rewards. The swipe fee is usually between 1.5 percent and 3.5 percent of your total. The more premium your credit card, the more that MJ is charged. Now, that might not sound like much. But it can add up. For small businesses like MJs, swipe fees can be one of their biggest expenses. And small stores like hers get charged higher rates than big-box competitors. In order to cope, store owners like MJ raised their prices. That means that all of us are paying more. But only those who have special cards are getting rewards. And heres the catch: The wealthiest Americans tend to have the best cards that give them the most rewards, while poorer Americans are more likely to pay in cash or debit with no rewards or benefits. So what we really have is a system that forces everyone to pay higher prices in order to subsidize rewards that primarily go to the wealthy. So this rewards card, its really a screw-over-poor- people card. Every time you use it, youre contributing to inequality, helping to drive up prices and further squeeze the most cash-strapped Americans, all so that you can get that free frying pan. Youre probably not benefiting from rewards as much as you thought. In 2020, the Federal Reserve found that the average American at every income level loses more to swipe fee price hikes than they earn in rewards. And of course, the poorest Americans are still getting handed the worst deal. On average, they pay five times more in price mark-ups than theyll ever receive in rewards. Why are we stuck in this system? Why are swipe fees in the U.S. nine times higher than they are in Europe? Why do we have to pay so much just to pay? Well, its largely thanks to two companies, Visa and Mastercard. This system is their core business. Its what they do for a living. And, sure, theyre providing a service and deserve to earn a profit. But these two companies control over 80 percent of the credit card market. With scant competition, Visa and Mastercard have faced little pressure to rein in swipe fees. The truth is for the vast majority of Americans, the best deal might not come in the form of a new piece of plastic but instead a new piece of legislation. Thats because Congress has the power to regulate swipe fees. In fact, in 2010, they did just that for debit cards. Remember the swipe fee on that $100 grocery purchase? If you paid with a debit card, it would have only cost MJ 26 cents. Dick Durbin, the senator who helped crack down on swipe fees for debit cards, has authored a bipartisan bill that would use competition to drive down credit card swipe fees. But the banks and credit card companies are, of course, pushing back. Right now, there are two things that you can do. First, call your senator and encourage them to support this bill. You can go to this website to find their number. Second, if youre shopping at a small business that you want to support, remember that how you pay can make a difference. Using your debit card can save small businesses a lot in swipe fees. But the best solution might be elsewhere in your wallet. Increasingly, small businesses are offering discounts for cash payers. Avoiding this predatory system can be a win for both of you. And if those rewards are just too good to say goodbye to, well, then at least dont go around telling people that youve never taken a handout, because you have. And the working class is paying for it. [MUSIC PLAYING] Like many progressive organizations, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, a union that represents public defenders in the New York City area, has been convulsed by battles over Israels war in Gaza. A recent article in the right-leaning Free Press revealed the strident and sometimes ugly language that union members used during a fight over a resolution, passed in December, condemning Israels actions and supporting a boycott of the country. In messages from a group chat, defenders of Israel were called fascists and, in one case, mentally disturbed. Its easy enough to see why some union members found the environment toxic, and why many resented the way a fight about foreign policy distracted from their mission as legal aid lawyers to serve their clients. Nevertheless, its disturbing that Congress is now investigating the union over the resolution, an alarming degree of government intrusion into the free speech rights of a private organization. Unions are granted an effective monopoly under federal law, enabling them to act as the exclusive bargaining representative for the employees they represent, Representative Virginia Foxx, Republican chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Work Force, wrote in a letter to the unions president. When union bosses act in a way that is purposefully divisive and combative toward their membership, they challenge the validity of their monopoly. The idea that the resolution pit union bosses against the rank and file is a strange one, since the resolution passed by a vote of 1,067 to 570, but the framing reflects Foxxs broader hostility toward organized labor. On Monday, she subpoenaed the unions internal communications around the resolutions passage. To the Editor: Re Schumer Voices Harsh Criticism of Israel Leader (front page, March 15): My heartfelt gratitude to Senator Chuck Schumer for his bold, pointed call for removal of extremists blocking the path to peace in Israel and Palestine, and for calling out Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his governments actions as antithetical to both democracy and Judaism. As a Jewish American I am deeply moved by Senator Schumers use of his platform as our highest-ranking Jewish elected official to call for peace, prosperity and security for Israel and Palestine. And for centering his words in Jewish values. The great scholar Hillel taught: What is hateful to you do not do to your fellow. This is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. During this holy time of year, when Ramadan, Easter and Passover implore us toward reflection, compassion and commitment to freedom, I hope that Senator Schumer will follow with an insistence on a permanent rather than a temporary cease-fire. Only a permanent cease-fire will bring the hostages home, and allow massive humanitarian aid and time to reflect and work on a shared vision for freedom, self-determination, dignity, security and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians. Oleksii Polukhins 64 days in detention began when Russian soldiers stopped him at a checkpoint. They found that hed been gathering information about Russian military positions to share with Ukrainian forces; they also discovered he was gay. Mr. Polukhin gave a detailed account of his detention to Projector, an Odesa-based human rights organization. He also confirmed the details to me in a series of interviews. It was May 2022, just 10 weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Polukhin lived in Kherson, a southern city of around 250,000 people that the Russians conquered with blinding speed in the wars early days. Mr. Polukhin, rail thin and then 22 years old, was on his way to take pictures of a May 9 Victory Day parade organized by the occupying forces, which he planned to send to a network that shared information from occupied territory. He had been keeping close track of the locations of Russian checkpoints, he said, but this new one caught him by surprise. He was forced to unlock his phone for the soldiers, where they discovered L.G.B.T.Q. Telegram channels, including one that he ran. Mr. Polukhin recalled one of the guards calling him an anti-gay slur and forcing him to strip naked on the street. (This is a common practice by Russian forces, nominally to search for nationalist tattoos.) After he was dressed again, Mr. Polukhin said, the soldiers took the opportunity to humiliate him further, calling over a random passerby to ask what should be done with gays in his city. I think that all of them should be killed, Mr. Polukhin said the man responded. Once theyd had their fun on the street, Mr. Polukhin said the soldiers forced him into a vehicle and beat him, called him homophobic names and demanded he give up the names of other queer Khersonians. They drove him blindfolded on a roundabout route before dumping him at a detention center, which Mr. Polukhin guessed had been a Ukrainian police station. He said he was left to stew for a time in a holding cell with four other prisoners, who told him the guards had said he was gay. This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions. kevin roose I had a big moment over the weekend. casey newton What was that? kevin roose I wore my Apple Vision Pro on an airplane for the first time. casey newton Oh my God. Well, you dont appear to have any visible injuries on you. It doesnt look like you were assaulted. kevin roose [LAUGHS]: casey newton So how did that go? kevin roose Well, it went great. So I pull it out. I put it on. I connect to the Wi-Fi just like Joanna Stern told us last week it was possible to do. And I watch Suits in like IMAX full-size. Like the window that I am that Im watching Suits in is as big as the freaking plane. casey newton Meghan Markle has never been larger. kevin roose Exactly. But I ran into a dilemma, which was you know how you can turn the dial for immersion? casey newton Yes. kevin roose So you can either turn it so that you can see everything around you, and you just have this floating window with Suits playing. Or you can turn the dial all the way to the other side, in which case you dont see anything around you, and just can pick your background. I was on the surface of Mars. So casey newton But whats the case for wanting to see whats around you? kevin roose So here we go. So I immersed myself. Im on the surface of Mars. Im watching Suits. It works great except I missed the drink cart. casey newton Oh, no. kevin roose I dont see the drink cart coming by, and I miss my drink. casey newton Thats so great. Because the flight attendant could have just tapped you on the shoulder and said, do you want a drink? But instead, they made the right choice and said, screw this guy. He wants to look like that, he can get his own damn drink. kevin roose So this is the dilemma of flying in the Vision Pro, I have learned. casey newton No, this is not actually a dilemma. If you want a drink, you need to engage with reality, my friend. The choice is yours. [THEME MUSIC] kevin roose Im Kevin Roose, a tech columnist at The New York Times. casey newton Im Casey Newton from Platformer. kevin roose And this is Hard Fork. casey newton This week, a bill that could ban TikTok passes the House of Representatives. Whats next? Then weve got to ask, does Kate Middleton actually know how to Photoshop? And finally, The New York Times Kashmir Hill joins us with an investigation into how your car may be spying on you. kevin roose Rev it up. casey newton Personally, Id pull over. [THEME MUSIC] kevin roose All right, Casey, this week, we have to talk about what is happening with TikTok, because it has been a very big week for that app, and I would say for social media in general. casey newton Yeah, there have been a lot of moves over the years to maybe ban TikTok, but what we have seen this week is the most serious of those moves that weve seen so far. kevin roose So on Wednesday of this week, the US House of Representatives voted to pass something called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, or PAFACA! So this bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday with a vote of 352 to 65, so pretty overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill. Its a bill that would essentially require ByteDance, the Chinese conglomerate that owns TikTok, to sell it. So, Casey, lets talk about what this bill means, and how we got here, and what the implications are. But first, lets just say whats in the bill. casey newton So two things one, if it gets signed into law, it requires ByteDance to sell TikTok within 180 days. And two, if ByteDance chooses not to do that, the bill creates a process that would ultimately let the president decide whether the app should be banned on national security grounds. kevin roose Right. So basically, if you have TikTok on your phone and this bill passes, 180 days from when it passes, your app will not be able to get updates anymore, and it wont be available in the app stores. casey newton Mhm. kevin roose So lets just remind each other how we got here, because this is not a new topic. As you remember, Donald Trump, when he was the president, tried to ban TikTok or force a sale of TikTok. That came close to happening, but then fell apart in the late stages of that process. There have been other attempts to ban TikTok. Montana actually passed a law banning TikTok within the state. That was overturned by a court. So this has been a long process, and a lot of different organizations and lobbying groups have been pushing for a TikTok ban for years. But why do you think this is coming to a head now? casey newton Well, in a way, there have been a series of events that brought us to this moment. Over the past year, TikTok was banned on federal devices. A number of states moved to say that, hey, if you are a state employee, were going to take this thing off of your phone. Behind the scenes, ByteDance was having a bunch of conversations. They tried to implement this program called Project Texas, which would try to silo Americans data and create a bunch of assurances, essentially, that TikTok could not be used for evil here in the United States. And all of those things just fell on deaf ears, and I think as we have begun to approach our election here in the United States, Kevin, lawmakers are increasingly concerned about whats happening. And one thing we learned is that the Biden administration, which really wants to ban TikTok, gave a classified briefing to members of Congress recently in which they made the case we dont know exactly what was said at this briefing, but whatever it is seemed to really motivate a lot of members of Congress to get this thing out of the App Store. kevin roose Yeah, I think thats a good point. The Project Texas thing that weve talked about on the show before was not successful in terms of convincing Americans and American lawmakers that TikTok was no longer a potential threat to national security. I also remember you went down to a TikTok transparency center, which they were giving tours of to various reporters and lawmakers and skeptics to try to say, look, we are being transparent. We are letting people see our algorithms so they can see theres no nefarious Chinese plot to seed propaganda in there. That ultimately did not appear to be convincing to that many people either. casey newton Yeah, I mean it put TikTok in this position of having to continuously prove a negative, which is that it had never been used to do anything bad and never would. And its just really hard to do that. kevin roose Yeah, and I think for a lot of people, including me, the assumption was that there would be this tension over TikTok but that ultimately nothing would happen. But now it appears there is this real bipartisan effort that may actually succeed. And the question of why is this happening now is really interesting, and I think it has a lot to do, frankly, with something that we havent talked about much on this show, which is the conflict in Israel and Gaza, which has brought new attention to TikTok in part because theres a coalition of people in Washington who believe that TikTok is being used to turn American public opinion against Israel. And there has been some viral analysis that showed that pro-Palestinian videos on TikTok were dramatically outperforming pro-Israel videos, and The Wall Street Journal reports that this was a big issue that caught the attention of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who said this app is a problem. It is basically helping to brainwash American youth into not supporting Israel, which I think is dubious for all kinds of reasons, but that does appear to have been a factor here. casey newton Yeah. Around this time, there was a tool that advertisers could use to track the performance of various hashtags, and some researchers used it to see that videos with pro-Palestine hashtags appeared at times to be getting more than 60 times more views than videos with pro-Israel hashtags. We dont know why, and theres not really any evidence that TikTok was putting its thumb on the scale. But that research really seems like it scandalized Congress and once again drew attention to the fact that if someone at TikTok or ByteDance or the Chinese Communist Party did want to put their thumb on the scale, there was absolutely nothing to stop them. And this has been the core problem that TikTok has had from the start, which is that even if it does nothing wrong, there is always the potential that the Chinese Communist Party could force them to. kevin roose Right. So lets talk about the process from here. So the first thing that is needed to turn this bill, PAFACA, into law is that it needs to pass the House. That has happened. Now the next step is it needs to be introduced to and passed by the Senate. Do you think thats likely to happen too? casey newton Well, actually, maybe not. Theres been some reporting in The Washington Post this week that Senator Rand Paul has come out and said that he does not intend to support this bill. He thinks that Americans should be free to use whatever social media apps they want to, and he just does not see the need for this app to be banned. I would also say that Chuck Schumer, who is the Senate Majority leader and a Democrat, seems pretty wobbly on this one as well. He has not committed to bringing this thing to a floor vote, and I believe talk to lobbyists on Capitol Hill, and theyll tell you that Chuck Schumer is a big reason that a lot of tech bills dont get passed, because he just doesnt believe that they need to be regulated much at all. So because of those two reasons, and the fact that there is still no companion bill in the Senate, yeah, Kevin, I think this one does have long odds ahead of it. But what do you think? kevin roose I think it could pass the Senate. I think Ive been surprised at the bipartisan support. Weve seen a few lawmakers come out vocally in defense of TikTok or at least in opposition to forcing it to be sold. But the majority of Congress people have signaled that they would support this. If it is passed by the Senate, it would then move to President Biden who would need to sign it. The White House has indicated that he would. And from there, then the bill would need to survive legal challenges, which ByteDance has signaled it will mount. If this bill is passed, they will try to stop this in court. So the bill would need to overcome that challenge. But if it does say all of that happens, and this bill is passed and holds up in court, it would give ByteDance about six months to undertake a sale of a massive tech product that it really doesnt want to sell. casey newton Yeah, and when you talk to the folks at ByteDance, they will say, make no mistake, this is not about a sale. This is a de facto ban of TikTok in the United States. And I believe the reason that they are saying that is that the Chinese government has given indications that it will not allow ByteDance to divest TikTok. And so ByteDance will effectively have no choice but to stop offering the app in the United States. kevin roose Yeah, so TikTok has obviously not taken this news of this bill lying down. They have mounted an aggressive lobbying campaign in Washington. They have a huge lobbying team there that is presumably fanning out over Capitol Hill, trying to convince lawmakers to drop their support for this bill. They also have started mobilizing users. So this week, TikTok sent a push notification to many, many of its United States users that urged them to call their representatives and called this law a quote, total ban on TikTok, which is not totally true. It doesnt ban TikTok, it just forces ByteDance to sell it. But the company wrote in this notification that this bill would, quote, damage millions of businesses, destroy the livelihoods of creators across the country, and deny artists an audience. Did you get this notification? casey newton I did not because I do not enable TikTok to send push notifications. Because, like every other app, it sends too many. kevin roose Right. So this was shown to users who opened their apps, and it did apparently result in a flood of calls to congressional representatives and their offices. One Congressman, Floridas Neal Dunn, told the BBC that his office had received more than 900 calls from TikTokers, many of which were vulnerable school-aged children, and some of whose extreme rhetoric had to be flagged for security reasons. Which I dont understand. Were they threatening the congressperson if TikTok were banned? casey newton Im going to assume that, yes, they were absolutely threatening the congressperson. kevin roose So a flood of kids contacting their representatives to complain about this bill. What do you think about this strategy? casey newton Well, we have seen it used effectively before. Uber would do this in cities that were threatening to ban Uber. They would show information in the app saying, hey, why dont you call your representative here? Weve seen Facebook and Google put banners in the app, talking about issues of concern to them, net neutrality and other things. And this has always been pretty non-controversial, actually. And it has demonstrated that these apps do have really dedicated user bases. They want to keep using these apps. And so I was laughing this week, Kevin, when Congress was just so outraged at the fact that some of their constituents called them to express an opinion about a bill that was before them. You know? kevin roose Right. I do think it was an interesting strategy, in part because one of the charges that TikTok and ByteDance are trying to dodge is this idea that they could be used as secret tools of political influence. And one of the ways that they are responding to this is by becoming a non-secret tool of political influence, literally trying to influence the political process in the United States with these push notifications. But that aside, I do think this is a playbook we have seen before from other companies that are being challenged by new regulation. casey newton But I just want to say, again, is the message from Congress that they dont want to hear from their constituents about this? Is it like, only call us if youre a registered lobbyist? Like, is that what theyre telling us? Because that kind of sucks! kevin roose Yeah, it kind of sucks, but it also is the case that these congressional offices are not set up to handle the volume of incoming calls that they got. casey newton Who cares? kevin roose I dont know. You try getting 900 calls from angry teens. See how you like it. casey newton Why else do the phones exist in the offices of Congress if not to solicit constituent feedback? Is like, oh, what, like your DoorDash order is at the front door? Is that the message that wasnt getting through? I dont understand this. kevin roose I dont know. I think you should be able to text your congressperson. Because they text us so often when theyre fundraising or theyre trying to get elected. I think it would be turnabout is fair play. casey newton I agree with that. kevin roose So another wrinkle in this TikTok story is what has been happening with Donald Trump. Because Donald Trump, obviously no fan of TikTok. Under his administration tried to force the app to be sold, much like the Biden administration has done this time around. But hes flip-flopped. He did a TikTok flip-flop, and he now says that he does not support banning TikTok in the US. He told CNBC on Monday that, quote, theres a lot of good and a lot of bad with TikTok. And he also said that if TikTok were banned, it would make Facebook bigger and that he considers Facebook to be an enemy of the people. So, Casey, why is Donald Trump now changing his tune on TikTok? casey newton Well, look, youre always on shaky ground when you try to project yourself into the mind of Donald Trump. But we a couple of things. One is that there is this billionaire with the incredible name of Jeff Yass. Yass, Queen! Jeff Yass is a very rich person and big donor who recently befriended Trump. And Yasss company owns a 15 percent stake in ByteDance. And he, we believe, has been lobbying Trump behind the scenes, and the thought there, the suspicion there is that there is some sort of quid pro quo. Its like, hey, you leave TikTok alone. Im going to be a big backer to your campaign at a time when you desperately need money. kevin roose Yeah, so Donald Trump has officially gotten yass-ified. casey newton This is a really this is a story about the yassification of Donald Trump. kevin roose So another factor here is that a lot of people in Donald Trumps camp, including Kellyanne Conway, his former advisor, have been lobbying him in TikToks defense. The Washington Post also reported recently that part of Donald Trumps antipathy toward Facebook in particular has been fueled by watching a documentary about how Mark Zuckerbergs donations to election integrity causes in 2020 helped fuel his defeat. According to The Washington Post, Donald Trump watched this documentary about Mark Zuckerbergs political donations, got very mad about it, and has ever since been opposed to Facebook on any grounds. Obviously, banning TikTok in the US, one of the main beneficiaries of that would be Facebook and Meta because they have competing short form video apps like Instagram Reels. casey newton Yeah, and we should say, the money Zuckerberg donated was to support basic election infrastructure so that people could vote. These were not partisan donations. This was donations to local elected offices to make sure that the election could just run smoothly. And because the Republicans lost it, its infuriated them ever since. So this is a huge talking point on the right is that Mark Zuckerberg is an enemy of the people because he supported people being able to vote. So just wanted to say that real quick. Now, what I will also say, though, Kevin, is that Trump is right that one of the two primary beneficiaries of such a ban is Meta, and weve spent a long time now in this country worrying that Meta is too big and too powerful, and this would absolutely make Meta bigger and more powerful. kevin roose And the other one presumably is YouTube, right? casey newton Is Google and YouTube. YouTube already the most used app among young people in the United States. And if you take away TikTok, you better believe that the average time they spend on YouTube is about to go up. kevin roose So one question that I have for you that I dont the answer to is, do we know if Meta and Google, which owns YouTube, are doing any kind of lobbying around this bill? I remember several years ago, there were stories about how Meta had hired a GOP lobbying firm called Targeted Victory basically to try to convince lawmakers that TikTok was a unique danger to American teens. What are TikToks rivals doing this time around? casey newton So I dont have any specific knowledge of what theyre doing in this case, but for the exact reason that you just mentioned, I do assume that their lobbyists are in the ears of lawmakers saying, hey, this is the time to get rid of this thing. This thing is dangerous. Meta is always scheming to eliminate its rivals whenever they can. This is a really juicy opportunity. Why else would you pay the lobbyists that they pay if you werent telling them to go hard after this? kevin roose Right. So lets talk about the core argument here, that TikTok needs to be banned or sold because it is a threat to national security. And maybe a good way to do this would be for us just to outline what is the best possible case for banning TikTok, and then well talk about the case against it. But lets really try to steelman the worries that people have here. What is the best possible argument you can imagine for banning TikTok? casey newton I would say a few things. One is essentially a fairness argument. China does not allow US social networks to operate there, even though we allow their social networks to operate here. And I think that there is a question of essentially fair play. China gets this playground where if they wanted, they could push pro-China narratives using these big apps that they have built in the United States. The United States does not have the same opportunity inside China. So thats one thing I would say. The second thing is that I think that the data privacy argument is real. We have had Emily Baker White on this show. ByteDance used data about her TikTok account to surveil her and other journalists because they were worried about what she was reporting on about their company. So this question of could ByteDance use Americans data against them, its not abstract. Its already happened. The companys hands are not clean. How many Americans do you want that to happen to until you take action? So those are two things that I would say. What do you think? What are reasons why you might want to ban ByteDance? kevin roose Well, one argument is just that we already have laws in this country that restrict the foreign ownership of important media properties. Like a Chinese company would not automatically be allowed to buy CNN or Fox News tomorrow if they wanted to. They would have to basically go through an approval process with the FCC because our laws limit the foreign ownership of those kinds of broadcast networks. Rupert Murdock, in fact, basically had to become an American citizen before he could buy Fox News, because that was the law on the books then and the law on the books now. So in some cases, it is strange that we would allow a Chinese company, a company owned by an adversary of the United States, to own a very important broadcast medium in the United States. We dont allow it on TV. Why would we allow it on smartphones? So thats one argument there. Another argument for banning TikTok is essentially that the existence of an app that is so popular with Americans that is controlled by an adversary of the US is not that it already has engaged in kind of sneaky attempts to sway American public opinion but just that it could. Weve now seen just this week that when TikTok wants to, it can try to get a bunch of American young people to call their Congress people. That is a political influence campaign, and its one that TikTok itself was behind. And you have to think, what could TikTok do in the upcoming election? What would it do in the case of a war between China and the US? If it can mobilize American citizens to oppose a TikTok ban, consider what it could do if, for example, China invaded Taiwan, what it could do if there was a war between a Chinese-backed state and the United States or its allies. There are so many ways that an app this powerful in the hands of an adversary could be a danger to US interests. And so while I do think that some of the more extreme arguments for banning TikTok on national security grounds dont really register with me, for me, its more of like, well, what could happen in the future? How could this thing be used in a way that resists American interests? casey newton Well, at the same time, Kevin, there are reasons why I think it would be bad to ban TikTok, and we should talk about those. kevin roose Yeah, so what are the most convincing reasons not to ban TikTok or to oppose this bill? casey newton So one big reason is that youre not addressing the root of the problem here. We dont have data privacy laws in this country. If youre worried that your data might be misused by TikTok, I guarantee you there are a lot of other companies that are actively misusing your data and profiting from it. In fact, were going to talk about that later in this very show. So this issue goes far beyond TikTok, and Im continually surprised that Americans arent more upset about all the ways that their data is being misused today. And my worry is that when we ban TikTok, Congress will essentially wash their hands of the issue, even though Americans are going to continue to be harmed actively by things that, at least when it comes to TikTok, are still mostly theoretical. kevin roose Yeah, the other argument against this bill that Ive found compelling is one that organizations like the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have been making. Both of those groups oppose this bill in part because they say that whats happening on TikTok is First Amendment-protected speech, and that essentially by banning this app because you dont like whats being shown to people on it, you are not just punishing a foreign government, you are also punishing millions of Americans who are engaging in constitutionally-protected speech on this app. And moreover, these organizations say this just gives a blooper print and a playbook and a vote of support to any authoritarian government around the world who wants to censor their own citizens speech on social media. If you are a dictator in some country and you dont like what people are sharing on an app, you can now point to this bill and say, look, the US is banning social media apps because it deems them a threat to national security. We are going to ban an app that we dont like as well. casey newton Yeah, and I think that concern is particularly pointed given that it really does seem like a big factor motivating Congress here is that the content on TikTok is too pro-Palestinian for them. That really does seem to be one of the big reasons why this bill gained so much momentum so quickly is something about specific political speech. So I do think the courts will weigh in there. I think theres one other thing that is worth saying about why I think banning TikTok could be bad, which is that it takes the other biggest platforms in this country, and it makes them bigger and richer and more powerful. So Meta and Google and YouTube are the other platforms where all sorts of video is being uploaded every day. That is where more video is being consumed. Instagram had more downloads than TikTok last year. YouTube is the most used app among young people in the United States. And when you get rid of TikTok, an app that has 170 million users a month, they are all just going to go spend more time on YouTube, more time on Instagram and other Meta properties. So its going to be hugely beneficial to those companies. And before the TikTok controversy came along, Kevin, people like you and me spent most of our time worrying that Meta and Google were too rich and too powerful. So this is just something that worsens that problem even more. kevin roose Totally. And we know that this is not hypothetical as a result, because TikTok has actually been banned before in India. It was banned in India in 2020, and we saw that what happened after the TikTok ban went into effect, there were some little home homegrown Indian apps that popped up to capture some of the audience, but the vast, vast majority of users just started using Instagram Reels and YouTube instead. Those companies got bigger in India because TikTok was banned, and I think its fair to assume that the same thing would happen here. And for all kinds of reasons, you might not want that to happen if youre a regulator. casey newton Yeah. So look, well see what happens here. I do think that this bill still has a long road ahead of it. Again, we have never passed a tech regulation in this country since the big tech-lash began in 2017. So if this happens, it would truly be unprecedented in the modern era. But at the same time, that House bill moved faster than basically anything weve seen during that time when it came to regulating big tech, and so this is something we should keep our eyes on. kevin roose Right. So, Casey, weighing all of these arguments for and against banning TikTok, where do you come out of this? What is your preferred outcome here? casey newton I have to say, and it makes me uncomfortable to say, but I do lean on the side of them banning it. kevin roose Really? casey newton Yeah. Again, that fairness thing bothers me. The fact that we cant have US social networks in China but they can have social networks here, theres just an imbalance there. We have rules in this country around media ownership by foreign entities which you just described for us. I dont understand why you would have those rules for broadcast networks and newspapers that arguably dont even matter anymore and not have them for the internet, where maybe the majority of political discourse takes place now. So this just feels like a moment where we need to update our threat models, update our understanding of how the media works and say, hey, it doesnt actually make sense for there to be something like this in the United States. And I say that knowing that if Congress follows through, we are going to get rid of a lot of protected political speech. We are going to make Meta and YouTube bigger and more powerful in ways that make me totally uncomfortable. So I hate the options that I have here, but if you were to make me pick one, thats probably the one I would pick. But how about you? kevin roose Yeah, I think my preferred outcome here would be that ByteDance sells TikTok to an American company, to Microsoft. Or remember when Oracle and Walmart were going to team up to bid on TikTok back during the Trump days? Something like that I think would actually assuage a lot of my fears about TikTok as a covert propaganda app for the Chinese government, while at the same time allowing it to continue to exist. If that doesnt happen, I think Im with you. I think I am more and more persuaded that banning TikTok would be a good idea, in part because of the reaction that weve seen from ByteDance and TikTok just over the past few weeks as this bill has made its way through Congress. We have not seen them engaging in good faith. We have seen them exaggerating, calling this a total ban. Weve also seen pushback from ByteDance and presumably from the Chinese government too, which indicates to me that they do view TikTok as a strategic asset in the United States and that they do not want to give that up. So for all those reasons, I was skeptical of a TikTok ban, and now I think I could get behind it. casey newton Well, it sounds like in the meantime then, if there are any TikToks you love, might want to go ahead and save those to your camera roll. kevin roose Yeah. [MUSIC PLAYING] casey newton When we come back, palace intrigue finds its way to Hard Fork from a literal palace. kevin roose So today we have to talk about the biggest story on the internet this week, which is what is happening with Kate Middleton, also known as the Princess of Wales. casey newton Specifically, what is happening with her photograph that she posted and the many questions it has raised about the fate of our shared reality? kevin roose Yes, so lets just give a if youve not been keeping up with this story, lets just give a basic timeline of whats been happening. casey newton And truly everyone has been keeping up with this story, so make it snappy, Roose. kevin roose OK. So basically about two months ago, on January 17, Kensington Palace released a statement notifying the public for the first time that Princess Catherine had gone into the hospital for a planned abdominal surgery. casey newton And Princess Catherine is Kate Middleton, because once youre a princess, you get a bunch of new names. kevin roose Right. Technically, its Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was admitted to the hospital yesterday for a planned abdominal surgery. This statement comes as a surprise to people who watch the royal family. No one had said anything about her having abdominal surgery. casey newton She had great abs. kevin roose Yes, and the royal familys pretty withholding about personal details, so people roll with it. Then, a couple of days later, we get the start of the conspiratorial talk. A Spanish journalist named Concha Calleja, who has written a lot about the royal family over the years, is also something of a conspiracy theorist herself. casey newton She wrote a book suggesting that Michael Jackson had been murdered, to give you a sense of where this person falls on the truth versus fiction spectrum. kevin roose Exactly. So not exactly Walter Cronkite, but this report is widely talked about. She reports that Kate Middleton was actually admitted to the hospital several weeks before Kensington Palace. Said she was, and that she wasnt doing very well. About a week later, the same Spanish journalist suggests that actually the Princess of Wales is in a medically-induced coma. Following this report, a spokesperson for Kensington Palace responds, basically saying this is all total nonsense. From what I understand, this is quite rare that a royal family spokesperson will comment on what are essentially internet rumors. casey newton So the fact that even they denied it then maybe raised some suspicions. kevin roose Right. So then following this denial from Kensington Palace, there are a bunch of seemingly small things that just tip people more into the land of conspiracy theories. Prince William pulls out of a planned memorial service that he was going to go to at the last minute, claiming that it was a personal matter. Then a few weeks later on March 4, paparazzi takes some grainy photos of the Princess of Wales with her mom, driving in a car. And people immediately start to think this isnt Kate Middleton. This is a body double. People come up with all kinds of theories about why this is not actually the Princess of Wales. This is someone pretending to be the Princess of Wales. What has happened to the Princess of Wales? casey newton So the suggestion is that this was essentially staged for the benefit of the paparazzi. kevin roose Exactly. And then just a couple of days ago, we got the biggest turn of events in this saga so far, which was that on Sunday, which is Mothers Day in the UK, which side note, I didnt know that they had a different Mothers Day than we have here. casey newton Well, its because they have a different word. They call them mums. kevin roose Thats true. So on Mums Day Kensington, Palace released a photo of Princess Catherine with her kids. And it was signed with a C, which is what Princess Catherine does with all of her social media posts. And this photo was presumably intended to dispel these rumors and say, look, here she is looking happy with all of her kids surrounding her. Instead, this totally backfires because people start pointing out that this photo has been pretty obviously manipulated. casey newton I mean, the forensic analysis that was immediately applied to this photo, I truly do not remember anything like it. And on one hand, yes, its obvious that people are going to be poring over this photo for any signs of strange things, but, man, did people do this in a hurry. kevin roose Yeah, it got the full Redditor treatment, this photo did. People noticed that the kids hands were oddly positioned. There was clearly some editing done on one of the daughters sleeves. Princess Catherine was not wearing any of her wedding rings, and there was one window pane that looked blurred. There was a zipper that was misaligned. And following this uproar about this photo, the major photo wires that distribute photos to the news media from Kensington Palace issued what is known as a kill order. casey newton They killed it! kevin roose They killed it! casey newton This is like the equivalent of in the old newspaper days, when you realized you were about to make a mistake, and so youd run down to the printing presses, and you would say, stop the presses, right? This just does not happen all that often, Kevin, that we see one of these kill orders. kevin roose Yes, so basically a kill order is something that Getty or the AP or another news agency can issue to people who might use their photos, saying, do not use this photo anymore. In this case, these agencies said, it appears that this photo has been manipulated, and so we do not think you should use it anymore. And this rarely happens. Mia Sato, whos a reporter for The Verge, looked into of this and reported that someone at a wire service told her they could count on one hand the number of kill orders they issue in an entire year. So this is a big deal. casey newton It is. kevin roose So shortly after this kill order came out, Kensington Palace released another statement, this one supposedly from Kate as well, also signed with a C. Quote, 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. So they also didnt release any other photos or give the unedited version of the manipulated photo. And so this statement, it did not do a good job of placating the critics who believe that something more is going on. casey newton No, this is a real raise-more-questions-than-it-answers moment. Because if she wanted to, she might have said at least one or two things about how she edited the photo. Or if there was any particular thing, oh, my daughters sweater didnt look quite right, and so I wanted to see if I could fix that. Obviously, wont make that mistake again. That was not what happened here. kevin roose Right. This was not a simple case of taking out some red eye or maybe using the blur tool to cover up a zit on your face or something like that. casey newton Right, or trying to smooth out your skin or make you look younger, like you would edit one of your photos. kevin roose [LAUGHS]:: So we should say, to close the loop on the saga of the Princess of Wales, there are a lot of theories going around out there on social media about what has happened to the Princess of Wales. casey newton And whats the most irresponsible one? kevin roose [LAUGHS]:: Well, the one that Ive seen going around that I think is the funniest was someone actually compared the timeline of her disappearance with the production schedule for The Masked Singer and speculated that shes been hiding because shes on The Masked Singer. I dont think that is probably casey newton Gosh, I wish that were true. kevin roose the real answer here. casey newton I wish that were true. kevin roose But its none of our business where the Princess of Wales is. casey newton Well, it is a taxpayer-funded position over there, right? So arguably, there is some public interest in how is the Princess of Wales doing. kevin roose Sure, but I just say its none of our business as the hosts of a technology podcasts. casey newton Because were American citizens. kevin roose Exactly. casey newton Yeah. What do we care? kevin roose And we fought a war to not have to care about the whereabouts of the royal family. casey newton I would say we fought a war to only care about them when it was interesting. kevin roose OK. casey newton You know what I mean? kevin roose So you may be wondering, why are we talking about this? This is just some spurious gossip about the royal family. Is this really a tech story? And, Casey, what is our answer to that? casey newton Well, look, youre right, Kevin, that, generally speaking, when is the last time that a member of the royal family was seen in public is not typically something that were interested in. But there were so many weird things about this photo that it actually did wind up squarely in our zone, because what do we often talk about here? We talk about media being manipulated. We talk about our shared sense of reality, how do we separate truth from fiction. And all of a sudden, a very frivolous story had raised, what I would say, are actually some pretty important questions. kevin roose Yeah. So the first thing that people surmised from this was that this may have been AI manipulation in some way, because it is 2024 and a lot of AI image manipulation is going on. casey newton And its admittedly very funny to think that the palace was like, gosh, we need to put out a photo of Kate, and so just went into ChatGPT and was like, show us the Princess of Wales and her family smiling for a Mothers Day photo. kevin roose Right. So it does not actually appear that this was due to AI. Obviously, AI image generators have well-documented problems. Sometimes they put extra fingers on your hand. Sometimes they make your eyes look weird. casey newton Sometimes they put your hands on your fingers. kevin roose [LAUGHS]: Yes. But it seems pretty clear at this point, that this was not AI. In fact, people have been examining the metadata of this image and have concluded that it was shot in a Canon 5D Mark IV camera and that it was edited on Photoshop for Mac. So this is not a generative AI scandal, it appears. casey newton But this actually is a really important piece of metadata, Kevin, because something that has happened over the past several years is that the question what is a photograph has gotten very complicated. Our friends over at The Vergecast talk about this a lot. Because when you take a photo with your smartphone, its taking many, many images at once. And then it is creating a composite out of them. And so any image that youre seeing in your phones camera roll these days, there are good chances that its not actually what the camera saw. It is a bit of a generative AI experience that youre getting now with every single photo. So if the metadata had come back about the Kate Middleton photo, saying this was shot on an iPhone 15, in some ways this would be a more complicated question. kevin roose Yes. Its not just that people can now easily edit photos on their smartphones. Its that the actual cameras that are built into the smartphones often these days have AI manipulation built into them. So one example is the new Google Pixel phone has a feature called Best Take, where basically it takes a bunch of photos. Say youre posing for a photo with your family, and in one millisecond when one photo is taken, someone is blinking. And the next millisecond, someone else is blinking or someones not smiling. You can essentially have it take a bunch of photos and pick out the best versions of each persons face and smush that all into one composite image. And that all happens without the user having to do anything proactive. Thats just the basic camera on the phone does that. We also know that theres this whole field of whats called computational photography, which is basically building algorithms and AI into the way that cameras actually capture images. So for example, on the iPhone, if you use portrait mode, that portrait mode is using AI to do things like segmentation, to say this is part of the background, this should be blurry, this is part of the subject of the photo, that should be crisp and clear. And that is essentially a form of AI manipulation that is taking place inside the iPhone camera itself. casey newton Yeah, all of this is just to say that there actually is a lot of AI manipulation going on these days in every photo that youre taking with your iPhone. And of course, we think of this as generally benign because this is not inventing children that you dont have. Its not usually putting a smile on your face if there wasnt one there, although if your eyes were closed, it will open your eyes for you. So I just think thats good to keep in mind as we move into this new era is that the images that were seeing, these are not the Polaroids that we were taking in elementary school, my friend. kevin roose Yeah. So I would say the biggest angle that got me interested in this story is just what it means for what people are calling the post-truth landscape. Weve had lots of people writing their takes on this week, talking about how this is the canary in the coal mine for this new era of post-truth reality-making that we have entered into. Charlie Warzel had a good piece in The Atlantic this week where he writes, quote, for years, researchers and journalists have warned that deepfakes and generative AI tools may destroy any remaining shreds of shared reality. The royal portrait debacle illustrates that this era isnt forthcoming were living in it. So, Casey, do you think this portends anything different about our social media landscape or the way that we make or determine whats true in this new era? casey newton I think its definitely a step down that road, but at the same time, I think that if the worst comes to pass, well actually look back, and we will be nostalgic for this moment, Kevin. Because this was a case where we could just look at the photo with our own eyes and know with total certainty that the image had been doctored to the point that the palace had to come out relatively soon afterwards and say, yeah, you caught us. Our expectation, I think, is that within a couple of years, the palace might be able to come up with a totally convincing image of the princess with her children. And people who study AI maybe will be able to determine, OK, yeah, this was created with generative AI tools. But maybe theyll say we actually cant say one way or another. That is the truly scary moment. But is this a step on the road to get there? Absolutely. kevin roose Yeah. I mean, for me, the one thing that surprised me is just how quickly people jumped to skepticism when this photo was released. It feels like in the span of like 10 years, weve gone from pics or it didnt happen to pics and Im going to study the pics to tell you why it didnt happen. Its like the mere existence of photographic evidence is not enough to assuage peoples concerns about something being real or fake or not. In fact, in this case, putting this photo out just fueled the speculation more. casey newton Absolutely. Now, one I think funny subplot here, Kevin, and I wonder if you have an opinion on this, and it is does, the Princess of Wales use Photoshop. Some people saw the statement and said, thats absolutely ridiculous. If youre the Princess of Wales, theres no way youre going to sit down and learn how to use Photoshop. I can see it from the reverse, though. Youre cooped up in that palace all day. You have your ladies-in-waiting taking care of most of the household affairs. Maybe you shoot a few cute pictures of the kids, and you say, oh, I dont like the way that my daughters sweater looks. Im going to see if I can clean that up. So in a way, I find it totally plausible that the princess would learn how to use Photoshop for fun. What do you think? kevin roose Yeah, I think if you had told me that the king, whos elderly casey newton King Charles. kevin roose Yes, King Charles was using Photoshop, I would have said, Im going to need to see some more proof of that. But you know, Kate Middleton, shes in her 40s. Shes a mom. Moms like to edit photos of their kids. Have I edited a photo of my kid ever to remove some crud from his shirt? Yeah, Im guilty. casey newton All right. So this is a coin flip we think, whether Kate Middleton knows how to use Photoshop. kevin roose Yeah, I can see it. I can also see reasons for skepticism. Another argument that I thought was interesting that I wanted to talk to you about today is something that Ryan Broderick wrote about in his newsletter Garbage Day in a post that was titled Misinformation is Fun, where hes basically saying, look, we now know this happens all the time. Something comes out. People get upset or nervous about it. They accuse it of being fake. We get all these expert researchers and reporters coming out to fact check it and say, actually, this is fake or this isnt true. But is basic thing is like, look, people are missing that this stuff is fun. Its fun to speculate. Its fun to spread rumors. Its fun to try to connect the dots on some complicated conspiracy theory. This is a piece that people miss when they write about conspiracy theories, as both you and I have done over the years. casey newton Yeah, and its important because all of these platforms that seek out, often for good reasons I think, to want to eliminate misinformation are fighting an uphill battle. And the uphill battle is, their users love this stuff. Their users want to spend time on their platforms arguing incessantly about the fate of Kate Middleton. kevin roose Right. And do you think that the platforms have a responsibility here? I mean, in this case, this was not a platform story. This photo was disseminated. I guess it was disseminated. It was put on Instagram and maybe other social media networks, but it was really the photo wires and the photo agencies stepping in and issuing this kill order that really turned the volume up on this story considerably. So what do you think this says about who is responsible for gatekeeping here and telling whether an image is fake or not? casey newton Well, the photo wires here are a great example of an institution that does still have some authority and does still have some trust. And those are becoming fewer and further between in this current world. So Im very grateful that we have folks like that who can come in and say, oh, yeah, this is obviously doctored. Get it the heck out of there. There will probably be examples, like in our election for example, where that just is not the case, and there is no authority that can come in and say definitively one way or another this was doctored or not. kevin roose Yeah. And I just think this whole discussion about doctored imagery is going to get so much harder as more and more cameras just come by default with AI tools installed in them. So five years from now, is it even going to be possible to take a, quote, unquote, real photo or is every camera and smartphone on the market going to have some kind of AI image processing or improvement built into it? casey newton Ive actually hired an oil painter just to create my likeness. Because its the only way that I can trust that Im seeing my own face, Kevin. kevin roose I like that. casey newton Yeah. kevin roose So, Casey, I remember a few years ago, when I was doing a lot of reporting on crypto and blockchain projects, one of the things that people would pitch to me periodically in this space is heres a way to use the blockchain to keep a kind of uneditable version of the metadata to tell the provenance of an image so that you can have a record on the blockchain that says, this image is real. It was not doctored or manipulated in any way, and heres how anyone can go prove it. So does this scandal and the associated drama make you think that something like that is actually necessary? casey newton So, look, I dont like solutions that are on the blockchain. Im not going to say that no one could ever come up with a way to do that would be fast and efficient and worthwhile. I dont think its possible to do that today. But there are initiatives to try to verify the authenticity of images on the internet. So theres something called the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity. This is a consortium of a bunch of tech companies, including Adobe, Google, Intel, Microsoft, and they are trying to come up with some kind of standard so that you can embed in your photo the idea that this image was taken with a camera, and it was not just spat out by an AI generator. Now, even in a world where that exists, people are still going to share these photos on social media. Theyre still going to have endless debates. But it does empower gatekeepers. If there are some image that for whatever reason is playing a role in an election and on Meta or YouTube or maybe even a TikTok, if that still exists, if they can look at the metadata and say, oh, yeah, this was just obviously created with generative AI, maybe then theyre able to attach a warning label to it. Maybe then theyre able to fact check it. And thats really useful, right? Newspapers, other journalistic outlets will be able to do the same thing. So its still a little bit tricky. Can you actually come up with a metadata standard that isnt easily removed from the image? Theres stuff to be figured out. But if you want to know how do I think we will solve this problem, its going to look something like that. kevin roose Yeah. So a lot of people are saying this incident has told them or informed them that we are headed into this post-truth dystopia. I actually took a different lesson from it. This whole thing has made me more optimistic because it has showed that people actually do care whats true. People actually do want the stuff that they are relying on thats in their social media feeds. They do actually care whether or not its realistic or that it represents reality. And they are willing to go to extravagant lengths, including picking apart pixel by pixel photographs of the royal family to determine whether what they are looking at is real or not. casey newton I think thats a really smart point, because I do think that there is a defeatism that creeps into these discussions. Oh, were going to have an info apocalypse, and well never know whats real anymore. But I think what you said is exactly right, that we have a profound need to know what is true and false, and people are clearly ready to volunteer a significant part of every day to figuring out what is true or false if the story is important enough. kevin roose Yeah, I think we should have a coalition of amateur sleuths. Instead of picking apart these photos, maybe thats a good use of their time for one week, but these people clearly have time on their hands. They clearly have expertise in digital sleuthing. Lets put them to work doing something more socially beneficial. casey newton Absolutely. kevin roose Have them solve some cold cases. casey newton Yeah, take a lesson from Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, basically everything I read when I was nine. Those kids were on to something. [MUSIC PLAYING] When we come back, why your car is snitching on you. kevin roose Its driving me crazy. casey newton [LAUGHS AND SNORTS]: Ill allow it! [MUSIC PLAYING] Kevin, this podcast needs an infusion of cold hard cash, Kashmir Hill. kevin roose Yes, today were talking with my colleague, Kashmir Hill, who writes about technology and privacy for The New York Times. Shes got a new story out, and its a banger. casey newton This is one that really caught peoples attention, and for good reason. Because the more of this story that you read, the higher your blood pressure goes. kevin roose Its true. This is a story about cars and all of the data that cars collect about their users and drivers and how cars have become a privacy nightmare. Its a really good story. Its about some of these new programs that car companies have installed in their cars that allow them to remotely collect data, and then not just keep that data for themselves but actually sell that to places like insurance companies, which can use it to say, well, Casey is a very bad driver. He braked 72 times yesterday for some reason, so were going to raise his premiums. casey newton Oh, yeah, that famous sign of being a bad driver braking. kevin roose [LAUGHS]: The broader point is that cars are now basically smartphones on wheels. casey newton Theyre snitches on wheels is what they are. kevin roose And they are being used to keep tabs on the people who drive them increasingly and with all kinds of consequences for consumers. casey newton Yeah, you truly may have been roped into one of these schemes without even knowing it. And so if you have your car connected to the internet in any way and you havent yet read Kashs story, I promise you, this is one youre going to want to listen to. kevin roose And when Kash started looking into this, she learned about this whole hidden world of shady data brokers and companies that are selling your data from your car to insurance companies. And today, we wanted to talk to Kash about what she found out in her reporting and what she thinks is going to happen next, if theres any hope for us in this new world of connected cars or if were all just destined to be surveilled and snooped on by these things that we drive around. So today, were turning Hard Fork into Carred Fork. casey newton That doesnt work at all. kevin roose [LAUGHS]: casey newton Even a little bit. God. [MUSIC PLAYING] kevin roose Kash Hill, welcome back to Hard Fork. kashmir hill Thank you. Its wonderful to be on this award-winning podcast. casey newton Thank you. kevin roose Thank you. We did win an award. kashmir hill Didnt you guys win the Oscar for Best Technology Podcast earlier this week? casey newton Is the iHeart podcast award the Oscar of podcast awards? kevin roose Many, many people are saying it. casey newton Is in that case kevin roose Yeah, it was us versus Oppenheimer. kashmir hill Congratulations. kevin roose So, Kash, lets talk about this story. When did you decide to write about data collection in cars and why? kashmir hill So I was spending a lot of time lurking on online car forums, forums for people who drive Corvettes and Camaros and Chevy Bolts, which I drive. And I started to see people saying that their insurance had gone up. And when they asked why, they were told to pull their LexisNexis consumer disclosure file. LexisNexis is this big data broker, and they have a division called risk solutions that profiles peoples risk. And when they did that, they would get these files from LexisNexis that had hundreds of pages, including every trip that these people had taken in their cars over the previous six months, including how many miles they drove, when the trip started, when it ended, how many times they hit the brakes too hard, accelerated rapidly and sped. And when they looked at how LexisNexis had gotten the data, it said the provider was General Motors, the company that manufactured their cars. kevin roose Right, so your story starts with this anecdote about this man named Ken Doll, which, by the way, great name. And he is a 65-year-old Chevy Bolt driver, and like you, he owns a Chevy Bolt, or I guess he drives a leased Chevy Bolt. And his car insurance went up by 21 percent in 2022, and he was like, what the heck? Why are my premiums going up? Ive never been responsible for a car accident. He goes looking, and he asks for his LexisNexis report and gets back a 258-page document detailing basically his entire driving history. So does he then make the conclusion that this is why his premiums have gone up, because hes a bad driver? kashmir hill Well, he says hes a very safe driver. He says his wife is a little bit more aggressive than him. kevin roose Sure, blame the spouse. casey newton Like the story. Blame Barbie. kashmir hill And she also drives his car. And yeah, he said that the trips that she took, during the weekdays , he said, when he doesnt usually use the car, had a few more hard accelerations, hard brakes. And yeah, it looked to him like this is why his insurance went up. casey newton And we should say, just because you accelerate hard in a car doesnt necessarily mean that you did anything wrong. And if you had to brake really hard, that also might not have been your fault. And so I think one of the things thats infuriating, Kash, reading your story, is that this data, which lacks a lot of really important context, is being hoovered up, often without the knowledge of the people involved, and then being used to gouge them on price. But I really was just struck by the way that these insurance companies were so eager to use data that might not actually be incriminating. kashmir hill Right. And LexisNexis said they dont actually give the trip data to insurance companies. They give a score that LexisNexis gives the driver, a driver score based on that data, and that thats what theyre sharing. But interestingly, they didnt give Ken Doll his score, so he doesnt actually know what his score is. casey newton But thats such a corporate thing to say is like, oh, dont worry. Were not giving the individual data. Weve created a mysterious impenetrable black box and handed that to the insurance companies. But just trust us. Its actually really well done. kashmir hill Well, the other company, Verisk, did say we just give all the trip data and a score. kevin roose So lets talk about how widespread is this? Which cars are sending data about their drivers to insurance companies? Which companies are involved in this? Is this an industry-wide practice or is this just GM and LexisNexis? Is it pretty contained? kashmir hill So if your car has connected services, like if you have a GM car and you have an OnStar or a Subaru and you have on Starlink, your car is sending data about how you use it back to the auto manufacturers. At this point, the only ones that I know of who are providing it to insurance companies are GM, Kia, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi. These are companies that Subaru being an exception. Subaru says they only give odometer data to LexisNexis. But the other companies all have in their apps now this driver-scoring driver feedback. With GM, its called Smart Driver. And if you turn it on, they give you feedback about your driving. Like, drive slower, be gentle with the accelerator, buckle your seat belt. casey newton Drive faster. Take more risks! kevin roose Change the music! casey newton Get out get out of the carpool lane. Im trying to pass you. kashmir hill Stop looking at your phone, which is giving you all this feedback. casey newton Yeah. kashmir hill But for people that turn this on, they may not have realized it, but they were saying, yes. A lot of these programs are actually kind of run by Verisk or by LexisNexis. Theyre the ones giving you the feedback, not the automaker. And so youre just sharing it with them. This was not well disclosed. In the case of GM, it was not evident at all from any of the language. And a lot of people said that Smart Driver was turned on for their cars, and they didnt turn it on. They didnt even know what it was. And it does GM gives bonuses to salespeople at dealerships who get people to turn on OnStar, including Smart Driver. So they may have been enrolled by the salesmen when they bought their car. But for other people, if you turn this on, youre sharing your data. And when you go out shopping for car insurance and youre trying to get quotes, a lot of the insurance companies will say, can we have permission to get third party reports on you, like your credit file? And when you say yes to that, releases all of that data to go over to the insurance company, and this is just people did not realize this was happening. casey newton And that detail about salespeople being incentivized to enroll people, often without even fully informing people of what theyre enrolling in, I think, is really important. Because at the end of the day, this product exists because it is essentially free money for GM and these other car manufacturers. Like I think in your story, you say theyre making millions of dollars a year by selling this data. And is this really anything more than a cash grab? kashmir hill I mean, the car companies say that this is about safety, that theyre trying to help people be safer drivers with this driving coach. But for some of these people that had Smart Driver turned on, they didnt even know it was on. Theyre not getting the feedback. And as you say, General Motors, my understanding is they make in the low millions of dollars per year with this program, which they described to Senator Edward Markey. He asked them, are you selling data? And they said, the data that we sell, that we commercially benefit from is de minimis to our 2022 revenue. So for them, its nothing. This kevin roose Its a drop in the bucket. kashmir hill Its a drop in the bucket. kevin roose This is not moving their overall finances. casey newton But its not de minimis for the people who have to pay 20 percent more on their car insurance all of a sudden for reasons that they dont even understand. kashmir hill Right. So this is I think what were seeing is the surveillance capitalism model. The Google, the Facebook, you get something for free, youre paying with your data, its really spreading to all of these other companies. And the automakers are like, well, were getting all this data. We can monetize this too. Right now theyre not actually making that much money. Low millions is small. And some of the automakers told me, we dont get paid for sharing the data. We only get paid when an insurance company buys it. So they dont even have a good business deal on this. They should be getting money for all the data. casey newton There is something really damning about saying to the senator. Its like, hey, we dont even make all that much money off this. OK, well, then why are you violating the privacy of your entire user base if you cant even get a good price for it? kevin roose Yeah. One question I have for you, Kash, is how many other uses are car companies finding for this data? Are they just selling it to insurance companies to raise peoples premiums? I mean, I can imagine a situation where a company might like to know which drivers are driving past their store every day so they can show them targeted ads on social media. How many buyers are there for this kind of car data? kashmir hill I mean, look, theres a lot of information thats flowing out of your car and a lot of potential buyers. At this point, what I mainly have been focusing on is this insurance thing. And when it comes to the insurance data, the one thing that all the automakers pointed out is that theyre not providing location details. That its just when you started the trip, when it ended, how far you drove, and it doesnt actually include the location data. But thats not to say the companies dont have it. Theyre just, in this case, not selling that well. kevin roose So this is, in some ways, not a new phenomenon. I mean. Insurance premiums are they vary based on things like where you live and how new your car is and are you a young man who is statistically more likely than someone whos older to be in an accident. Those kinds of things are used to change the prices of insurance premiums all the time. And I guess from the insurance companys perspective, this is just one more piece of data that they can use to make decisions about how much of a risk someone is out on the road. Did you hear any principled defenses of this while you were reporting this story from the insurance companies or the companies that sell data to them? kashmir hill What the automakers really focus on is that they set up these programs to help people get discounts. casey newton God! kashmir hill So some of the programs, like Hondas for example, if you turn on driver feedback and then you have a good score, the actual app will offer to connect you with some company whos going to give you a 20 percent discount. So theyre really focusing on, were trying to help our customers and get them discounts. What theyre not talking about is when that data is flowing out. And its hurting their customers. I talked to this one Cadillac driver, who lives in Palm Beach, Florida. And in December, it was time for him to get new insurance, and he got rejected by seven different companies. And he was like, what is going on? casey newton They just wouldnt sell him insurance for any price. kashmir hill They would not cover him, and his auto insurance was about to expire. And he said, what is going on? He orders his LexisNexis report, and he has six months of driving data in there, and he says he says, look, I dont consider myself an aggressive driver. Im safe, but hes like, yeah, I like to have fun in my car, and I brake a lot, and I accelerate. My passengers head isnt hitting the dashboard or anything like that. But, yeah, I speed. casey newton Can it tell whether youre doing donuts in the parking lot? Because I actually would like to know that. kashmir hill But he says, look, Ive never been in an accident, and I couldnt get insurance. He had to go to a private broker and ended up paying double what he was paying before for insurance. So it really, in that case, hurt him a lot. casey newton So heres where, I guess, I can maybe feign some sort of sympathy for the idea of doing this, which is like I do want worse drivers to have higher insurance premiums. I think that is how we want the insurance market to work. I think if youre a good driver, your insurance should be lower. And the best way to know who is a good driver and who is a bad driver is to monitor them obsessively. But what you have revealed here, Kash, is that once we implemented this sort of surveillance system, it seemed to do what all surveillance systems do, which is needlessly penalize innocent people. So we have all of the downsides of a surveillance system with really none of the upsides. kashmir hill Yeah, I too want safer roads, Casey. I get annoyed at aggressive drivers. And I talked to this one law professor from the University of Chicago. And he said usage-based insurance thats what you call this, when you tell an insurance company they can watch you, they can see your driving. He said it works. He said the impact on safety is enormous and that people drive better when they know that theyre being monitored and that theyre going to pay more if they drive aggressively or unsafely. But thats not what was happening here. People were being secretly monitored, and then theyre paying more and they dont know why. And that is not going to make the roads any safer. kevin roose Yeah, that does feel like the stickiest part of this to me is the disclosure piece. If you know Ive had experiences in the past couple of years where Ill go rent a car if Im on a work trip or something. And part of what I know when Im renting the car is that the rental car company is tracking that car. And I know this because they tell you when you sign up, and its very clearly disclosed we will track this car. If it gets stolen or something, we can help you track it down, that kind of thing. So I know that Im being monitored while Im driving a rental car, and so I do tend to drive a little bit more conservatively in a rental car. I can imagine that expanding to lots of other cars, but the people have to know that theyre being monitored in order to be able to drive safer as a result of being monitored. kashmir hill Absolutely. kevin roose So, Kash, talk about your reporting a little bit on this. So you started looking through these car forums. You started seeing evidence that people were having their premiums raised as a result of this surveillance by their cars. When you approached the car companies, the data brokers, the insurance companies, did they try to deny what was going on? Were they pretty open about it? How did they react? kashmir hill I thought that I was expecting denials. I was expecting that, yeah, they would say this wasnt happening because it just seemed so shocking to me that they would be doing this. But they ended up confirming it, but there was some evasive language about how it worked. One of the big things I was asking different companies is, where do you disclose this is happening? And with GM, the spokeswoman said its in the OnStar privacy policy, in the section called kevin roose Which everyone reads before they click Accept, in its entirety. kashmir hill In this section about sharing data with third parties. And so I go and read that section, and the section doesnt say anything about LexisNexis or Verisk or telematics, which is what you call this driving data. It says if they have a business deal with somebody like SiriusXM, which is the company they name there, SiriusXM is going to get some data from your car. And I just was very shocked that there was nothing more explicit anywhere. And I actually I told you I have a Chevy Bolt. So I went to the My Chevrolet app. I connected my car to the My Chevrolet app and went through the Smart Driver enrollment. And all it says is, get digital badges. You can get Brake Genius and Limit Hero. casey newton Brake Genius! One of my favorite bands from the last year. kevin roose Im putting that on my LinkedIn profile, certified Brake Genius kashmir hill Get driving tips. And theres just absolutely nothing that would make you realize that as soon as you turn Smart Driver on, that General Motors is going to start sharing everything about how I drive my Bolt with LexisNexis and Verisk and whoever else I didnt find out about in my reporting. casey newton It should just show you the splash screen of a panopticon, and it should say, is this the future you want? Just tap Yes to continue. kashmir hill Well, I really do think every company wants this model now. Theyre just thinking about how can I get an extra revenue stream through monetizing the data of my customers. And this is not just automakers. This is just anything were buying now thats internet connected. kevin roose I mean, what it made me think of when I read your story was TVs. Because a very similar scenario has been happening with smart TVs, which collect all kinds of data about what people watch on them, and then they can sell that data to advertisers. So it is actually, in some cases and I bought a new TV a few years ago, and I went through this process of realizing that it is actually cheaper to buy a smart TV than a non-smart TV in many cases, because part of how the smart TV makers are making money is not through selling you the hardware. Its actually through capturing the data and selling the data. So we do sort of have this phenomenon where, as hardware, any hardware, whether its a car or a TV or a refrigerator or a smart toaster or something, as it becomes more connected and more like a device in its own right, the data actually in some cases becomes more valuable than the actual piece of hardware. casey newton I mean, Kash, dont we just see this all the time, that privacy is just increasingly a luxury good for rich people to pay for? kashmir hill [SIGHS]: Yeah. I mean, I guess so, but even rich people, I mean theyre buying expensive cars, and their cars are still sending data back about them. I mean, thats one objection I saw from drivers, like people at General Motors. They said, hey, I paid a ton of money for this car. If youre going to sell my data, I want a cut of it. kevin roose Yeah. casey newton Heres how I would solve this problem. I think that each manufacturer should be allowed to make one car that sends all your data to everywhere, and theres nothing you can do about it. You can just choose. So if you buy a GM Snitch, you know that thats whats going to happen. And it should cost $100. kevin roose It should be the cheapest car on the market. casey newton It should cost $100, my little GM Snitch. It has a direct line to the police whenever I cross over the center divider. And other than that, knock it off. kevin roose Yeah. Kash, what has the response been to your story? Are lawmakers outraged? casey newton Im outraged. kevin roose Are drivers sending you stories about being spied on? What has the reaction been? kashmir hill So Im definitely hearing from lots of other drivers who are discovering that they had some of these features turned on. They didnt know it, and theyre turning it off. I did a news you can use box at the bottom of the story. And I said, heres how to figure out if this is what your car is doing. And one of those was, theres this website called the Vehicle Privacy Report that you can go to, and itll tell you. You put in your VIN number, and it tells you what your car is capable of collecting. So the person who runs that site said, Ive had tens of thousands of people come and do it off of your story. I included the link to LexisNexis to go request your consumer disclosure file. And not just for auto data. That file is crazy. It had me associated I mean, it had tons of pages for me. Had me associated with my sisters email address from middle school in the 1990s. I was like, why? Why? So I think everyone should request that, request their Verisk file. And I talked to Senator Edward Markey for the story, and hes been very interested in what data is being collected by cars and what automakers are doing with it. And he said, when I described to him what GM had done, he said this sounds like a violation of the law that protects us from unfair and deceptive business practices. So Im sure theres going to be more to come from this story. kevin roose Yeah, and what can drivers do? If they are worried that their car is snooping on them and sending data to a data broker or to their insurance company to raise their premiums, what should they actually do to prevent that? Or are there certain car makers who are not collecting this kind of data? What can the average driver do? kashmir hill I mean, there are I can tell you from my time in the car forums, I mean, there are some people that dont want their data going out from their cars, so they hack it. Basically, they turn off the connected services. They make sure that data cant leave their car. I mean, if you sign up for connected services, you are connecting your car back to the auto manufacturers cloud servers or whatever. Its sending data. So just turning that on means that data is getting sent back, and thats why a lot of these companies, when you buy their car, theyre like, oh, you get this for 30 days for free. And so most people turn it on. And then even if you dont pay, youre still connected after that. So. kevin roose Wow. casey newton Wait. So even so they get you to connect it, and then your free trial runs out, but they still keep collecting the data about you that they can sell? kashmir hill Thats my understanding. And thats what you agreed to when you read the 50,000 word privacy policy. casey newton Good Lord. kevin roose Wow. See, I would at least like my cars surveillance data to be helpful to me in some way. I would like it to pop up a little notification and say, this is the third time youve driven through McDonalds in the past week. Are you OK? Is something going on in your life? Do you need therapy? Last question, Kash. Do you think this will create a bull market for used cars that dont have any of this stuff in it? Are we going to see people running out to the car lots to buy the 1985 Ford Bronco that doesnt have any technology in it? casey newton I mean, this was the basic premise of the Battlestar Galactica reboot, by the way, is that the only spaceship that survived was the one that was not connected to the space internet. And so when the AI Cylons attacked, only Battlestar Galactica was safe. kevin roose Wow. kashmir hill Thats true. And I have seen a lot of people commenting in that way. Theyre like, oh, Im so glad I still have a car from 2009. If youve got a CD player in your car, it is privacy protected. kevin roose Yeah, I am going to go back to the Flintstones car that you have to pedal with your feet. I dont think that was collecting much data on its drivers. All right. Kash Hill, thanks so much for joining us. casey newton Thanks, Kash. kashmir hill My pleasure. casey newton Im all worked up now. kashmir hill Wait. do you have a car, Casey? casey newton No, I dont even have a car. I just kevin roose Strong feelings for unapparent reasons. [MUSIC PLAYING] casey newton Hard Fork is produced by Davis Land and Rachel Cohn. Were edited by Jen Poyant. Todays show was engineered by Alyssa Moxley. Original music by Elisheba Ittoop, Marion Lozano, and Dan Powell. Our audience editor is Nell Gallogly. Video production by Ryan Manning and Dylan Bergersen. Go check out what were doing on YouTube. You can find us at youtube.com/hardfork. Thanks to Paula Szuchman, Pui-Wing Tam, Kate LoPresti, and Jeffrey Miranda. You can email us at hardfork@nytimes.com. Especially if you know where that princess is. kevin roose If anyone could make a baby pink suit look intimidating, it was Barbara Walters. The TV news anchor coolly lobbed questions at the Libyan dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in a 1989 interview while sheathed shoulder to knee in pastel Chanel and pearls. Back then Ms. Walters, who died in 2022 at the age of 93, reigned among the most celebrated, highly paid and formidable journalists in broadcast news. A trailblazer, she made history as the first female co-host of the Today show and then made history again when she became the first female anchor of the ABC evening news. Later in her decades-long career she migrated to the newsmagazine show 20/20 and to The View, the daytime talk show she cocreated. Benjamin Ryan Cohen can easily recall how he met Lexi Brooke Tobin because it was on his 31st birthday, June 18, 2021. Ms. Tobin was in Montauk, N.Y., for the bachelorette party of her older sister, Perri Tobin Schwartz. Mr. Cohen, then living in Delray Beach, Fla., was sharing a house with friends in nearby East Hampton for the month. One of his housemates, who was also Ms. Tobins childhood friend, thought it would be fun to celebrate Mr. Cohens birthday by crashing the party. As it turned out, my sister had known Ben for years, through the housemate, Ms. Tobin said. She introduced us during her bachelorette party. He made a quick impression on me he offered his sweatshirt when I was cold, and I felt an instant connection. Mr. Cohen, now 33, has a bachelors degree in finance from the University of Florida and a law degree from N.Y.U. He worked as a real estate lawyer after college, then started Outdoor Adventure Retreats, which provides campgrounds, recreational vehicle resorts and marinas. Ms. Tobin, 26, is a proposal planner and wedding influencer based in New York City. She has a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Russia is ratcheting up its internet censorship ahead of elections this weekend that are all but assured to give President Vladimir V. Putin another six years in power, further shrinking one of the last remaining spaces for political activism, independent information and free speech. The Russian authorities have intensified a crackdown against digital tools used to get around internet blocks, throttled access to WhatsApp and other communications apps in specific areas during protests, and expanded a program to cut off websites and online services, according to civil society groups, researchers and companies that have been affected. Russia, they said, is turning to techniques that go beyond its established practices of hacking and digital surveillance, taking a more systemic approach to change the way its domestic internet functions. In doing so, the country is using methods pioneered by China and Iran, forming an authoritarian model for regulating the internet that contrasts with the more open approach of the United States. Russia has reached a new level of blocking in the last six months, said Mikhail Klimarev, a Russian telecommunications expert and executive director of the Internet Protection Society, a civil society group. The allegations of a romance between Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, and Nathan J. Wade first emerged in a January filing by Ashleigh Merchant, a lawyer for Michael Roman, one of former President Donald J. Trumps co-defendants in Georgia. In her filing, Ms. Merchant said that Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade, whom she hired to manage the Trump case, had been profiting personally from this prosecution at taxpayers expense. Ms. Merchant also said that Mr. Wade was underqualified, and argued that the entire indictment should be dismissed. A torrent of court filings followed, as did a number of dramatic, televised public hearings that had little to do with the indictment charging Mr. Trump and some of his allies with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss. Defense lawyers argued that Ms. Willis had engaged in self-dealing by hiring Mr. Wade to manage the Trump prosecution, and then going on vacations with him that he paid for, at least in part. Defense lawyers also accused Mr. Wade and Ms. Willis of lying to the court about some details of their relationship, including when it began. Jan. 8, 2024 Ashleigh B. Merchant, a lawyer for one of the defendants in the Georgia election interference case, charges in a court filing that Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, engaged in a clandestine relationship with Nathan J. Wade, a lawyer she hired to help manage the prosecution. Jan. 14 At a church service in Atlanta dedicated to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ms. Willis says racism is a factor in the scrutiny of her hiring of Mr. Wade. She describes Mr. Wades credentials as impeccable and says they are being questioned only because he is Black. Feb. 2 Ms. Willis acknowledges in a court filing a personal relationship with Mr. Wade, but denounces the allegations of a conflict of interest as fantastical theories and rank speculation and argues there is no reason to disqualify her or her office from prosecuting the Trump case. She adds that neither of them gained any financial benefit from the relationship. An affidavit from Mr. Wade asserts that the romantic relationship started only after he was hired. Feb. 15 The first day of witness testimony begins in a series of hearings examining the relationship. A former friend of Ms. Willis, Robin Bryant-Yeartie, says she has no doubt the two started a romantic relationship earlier than they have said. But Mr. Wade, testifying for several hours, firmly denies Ms. Bryant-Yearties claim. Lawyers for Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants in Georgia could appeal a judges decision allowing Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, to remain on the election interference case. But it will be up to the judge whether their appeal could go forward right away, or if it would have to wait until after a trial. Ms. Willis could also choose to appeal the decision, though that is less likely since the judge is giving her the option of keeping control of the Trump case. For an immediate appeal, the defense lawyers would ask the presiding trial judge, Scott McAfee of Fulton County Superior Court, to grant them a certificate of immediate review. This is essentially a permission slip that would allow them to take the case directly to the Georgia Court of Appeals. If Judge McAfee gives his approval for an appeal, it would then be up to the appeals court to decide whether a panel of three appellate judges should take up the case. If the court grants this request, the prosecution of Mr. Trump and his allies could be suspended until the appeals process plays out, which could take months. Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald J. Trump, confirmed on Friday that he was closing in on major real estate deals in Albania and Serbia, the latest example of the former presidents family doing business abroad even as Mr. Trump seeks to return to the White House. Mr. Kushners plans in the Balkans appear to have come about in part through relationships built while Mr. Trump was in office. Mr. Kushner, who was a senior White House official, said he had been working on the deals with Richard Grenell, who served briefly as acting director of national intelligence under Mr. Trump and also as ambassador to Germany and special envoy to the Balkans. One of the proposed projects would be the development of an island off the coast of Albania into a luxury tourist destination. A second with a planned luxury hotel and 1,500 residential units and a museum is in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, at the site of the long-vacant former headquarters of the Yugoslav Army destroyed in 1999 by the NATO bombings, according to a member of Parliament in Serbia and Mr. Kushners company. The Supreme Court sided with the government on Friday, narrowly interpreting a provision of a landmark criminal justice law in a decision likely to limit the number of federal prisoners who are eligible for reduced sentences for nonviolent drug crimes. The decision, by a vote of 6 to 3, did not split along ideological lines. The majority opinion, written by Justice Elena Kagan, concluded that a criminal defendant must meet a series of criminal history conditions to qualify for relief. A failure to meet any of the criteria, she wrote, would render a prisoner ineligible. The case focused on who is eligible for shorter prison sentences under the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation passed in 2018 to address the human and financial costs of the countrys booming prison population. Under a provision known as the safety valve, judges can disregard federal mandatory minimum sentences for people with limited criminal history convicted of certain nonviolent drug offenses. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request from an L.G.B.T.Q. student group at a public university in Texas to let it put on a drag show on campus over the objections of the universitys president, who had refused to allow it. In an emergency application, the students said the presidents action violated the First Amendment. As is the courts custom when ruling on emergency matters, the justices brief order gave no reasons. There were no noted dissents. Drag shows are increasingly a target of the right, with some Republican-led states, including Florida and Tennessee, seeking to restrict the performances. The student group, Spectrum WT, first sought to sponsor the drag show, a charity event to raise money for suicide prevention, in March 2023. Walter Wendler, the president of West Texas A&M University, canceled it, citing the Bible and other religious texts. Two opposition party politicians were released from jail in Senegal on Thursday night, just 10 days before a nationwide election in which one of them is running for president. Hundreds of supporters celebrated in the streets of Dakar after Ousmane Sonko, Senegals foremost opposition leader, was freed along with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, his partys candidate in the election on March 24. You never gave up even when we were absent. You kept on fighting. Mr. Faye told supporters in Dakar on Thursday evening. Today we are ready to join you in the same fight. The release is the latest in a series of unexpected moves by the incumbent president, Macky Sall, who cited allegations of corruption when he announced last month that he was canceling the election. Facing a backlash, he reversed course and set the election for Sunday, March 24 just nine days before his term ends. Five assailants with the terrorist group Al Shabab stormed a hotel in a highly fortified area close to Somalias presidential palace on Thursday night, engaging security forces for about 12 hours in sustained fighting that left three people dead and injured 27 including members of parliament before the militants were finally killed, according to Somali officials. The attack underscored Al Shababs enduring capacity to stage attacks on a high-profile target in the capital, despite an aggressive counteroffensive by the Somali government, backed by the U.S. military. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud promised to eliminate the group by fighting it militarily, ideologically and financially, when he came to power in mid-2022. The militants with Al Shabab, a Qaeda-linked group, stormed the SYL Hotel in central Mogadishu after 9:30 p.m. local time, a police spokesman, Kasim Ahmed Roble, said Friday. Video footage broadcast on local television showed mangled cars and widespread destruction near the hotels entrance, while debris and blood covered the hotels floors inside. The first signs of an intruder at the metal-plating factory were footprints, ocher-tinged and varying in number of toes. A review of security footage confirmed the security breach, and the authorities quickly issued a public alert. Be on the lookout, the citizens of Fukuyama, Japan, were warned, for a cat with abnormalities. For the past week, the city has been on watch for the potentially hazardous cat that appears to have fallen into a tank of toxic chemicals at the factory, Nomura Plating Corporation, and then escaped, darting across a darkened factory yard and into the city at large. Officials have reached out to the City Council, the school board and nurseries to warn them about the possible risk. Motonari Ibaraki, a representative for Nomura Plating, said that the prints were spotted near the tank by an employee arriving for work Monday morning and that the security video showed the cat fleeing the factory around 9:30 the night before. On a visit to the former battlefield of Khe Sanh, scene of one of the bloodiest standoffs of the Vietnam War, the only people Chuck Searcy encountered on the broad, barren field were two young boys who led him to an unexploded rocket lying by a ditch. One of the youngsters reached out to give the bomb a kick until Mr. Searcy cried out, No, Stop! It was my first encounter with unexploded ordnance, Mr. Searcy said of that moment in 1992. I had no idea that I would be dedicating my life to removing them. It was not Mr. Searcys first encounter with Vietnam. He served there as a soldier in 1968, the same year as the battle of Khe Sanh, and came away disillusioned. As a U.S. Army intelligence analyst, he had had access to a full range of raw information, from the enemys body counts to exaggerated claims of American progress. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, met with Louis L. Bono, the Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations at the United States State Department.According to information from the Foreign Ministry, during the meeting, the parties discussed the current agenda of the strategic partnership between Georgia and the USA, as well as future prospects for cooperation."The strong support of the USA for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, was emphasized. The parties welcomed the historic decision to grant Georgia the status of an EU candidate country.At the same time, attention was focused on the security challenges in the region and the world. The conversation touched on the difficult security and humanitarian situation created in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia.The American side expressed its support for Georgia's peace policy regarding conflict settlement. In this context, the progress of international negotiations in Geneva was discussed," the statement reads.The newly appointed Minister of Health, Mikheil Sarjveladze, met with the medical staff of the Republican Hospital.The minister discussed the hospital's situation and received information about the challenges facing the clinic. The health minister emphasized that the first task is to protect the interests of patients and the rights of medical personnel."At the meeting, they agreed on the format of future cooperation. Communication with the doctors about the problems related to the clinic and ways to solve them will continue. In the decision-making process regarding the mentioned issue, the interests of both the public and the medical personnel will be taken into account in the most balanced manner." the statement reads.For several months, doctors at the Central Republican Hospital have opposed the reorganization and demolition of the hospital, holding protests and marches. Viettel Group announced it has officially won the Ministry of Information and Communications auction for the 2500-2600 MHz band for 5G usage in Vietnam. Under the new spectrum licence, Viettel will have rights to the 2500-2600 MHz band for the next 15 years, and can use the band for both 4G and 5G services. No financial details were disclosed, although earlier media reports have said the starting price for the 2500-2600 MHz band was VND3.9 trillion (US$158 million). The MIC kicked off an auction for the 3700-3800 MHz band on Thursday, and is expected to hold a third auction for the 3800-3900 MHz on March 19. The starting price for both of those bands is VND1.89 trillion. According to VNEconomy, each bidder is only allowed to win one band. Viettel said the 2500-2600 MHz band would give it an advantage over the other two bands, as it offers slightly wider coverage. Viettel also said that 5G devices it has researched and produced support the 2500-2600 MHz band. According to Viettel, only 17% to 20% of devices in Vietnam currently support 5G connectivity. Viettel said it plans to launch the national 5G network in the shortest possible time. Earlier, Nguyen Van Son, director of Viettel Telecom's Mobile Centre, told the state Vietnam News Agency that 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 winner 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. The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email. This weeks issue is written by Julia Bergin, a reporter based in the Northern Territory. No amount of gentle coaxing, regimented training, rehabilitation or punishment could ever prompt cats to ignore their killer instincts. Like their feral counterparts, even the most domesticated felines threaten any potential prey they find. In Australia, where feral cat populations are managed with substantial amounts of federal money, time and resources, the management of domestic animals specifically, pet cats falls to state and local governments. But there is growing pressure from local councils and animal management groups to unify efforts to monitor both populations, because house cats breed just as fast, eat just as much and can wreak as much havoc on native wildlife as feral cats. If the nation is serious about cracking down on feral cats, said Nell Thompson, the secretary of the Australian Institute of Animal Management, the Australian government should stop separating their handling from that of domestic cats. Both are national issues, she said. Two years after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, United Nations investigators say they have uncovered new evidence of systematic and widespread torture of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russian security forces. A United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Friday detailed a range of what it described as Russian war crimes, including summary executions, sexual violence and forced transfer of Ukrainian children into Russia. The commission paid special attention to horrific treatment of Ukrainian prisoners by Russian security services at detention centers in Russia and occupied Ukraine. The commission will deliver a report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva next week, detailing accounts of torture from four locations in Russia and seven in occupied Ukraine, strengthening previous findings that the use of torture had become widespread and systematic. We are concerned at the scale, continuation and gravity of violations and crimes that the commission has investigated and the impact on victims, Erik Mose, chairman of the three-person panel, said in a statement. A Russian missile attack on Odesa killed at least 20 people and injured 73 others, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday, the latest in a series of deadly air assaults on the southern Ukrainian port city. Ukraines state emergency services said a first missile hit several houses late in the morning, prompting rescuers to rush to the scene. A second missile then landed on the same site, causing many fatalities, including at least one paramedic and a rescue worker. The reports could not be independently verified. Oleh Kiper, the governor of the Odesa region, posted photos on social media showing rescue workers evacuating one of their colleagues on a stretcher and trying to put out a fire near a destroyed building. A photo released by the Odesa City Council showed what appeared to be a rescuer lying on the grass, his lifeless body covered by a foil blanket. Ukrainian authorities said the attacks destroyed a three-story building, damaged 10 houses and a gas pipeline, and started a fire that spread to an area of about 1,300 square feet. President Biden on Friday praised Senator Chuck Schumers address lashing out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, calling it a good speech without explicitly endorsing any of the specific criticisms in it or its call for new elections to replace the Israeli leader. Mr. Biden said that Mr. Schumer, a Democrat from New York and the Senate majority leader, had informed his White House staff in advance of the speech in which the senator excoriated Mr. Netanyahus leadership of the war against Hamas and concluded that the prime minister risked making Israel a global pariah. Im not going to elaborate on the speech, Mr. Biden said in response to a reporters question as he hosted the visiting Irish prime minister at the White House. He made a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans. The president has staunchly backed Israels right to defend itself and respond to the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people and has rebuffed calls from inside his own party to cut off the flow of arms or impose conditions on their use. But he has grown increasingly critical of Mr. Netanyahus government for its conduct of the war, which has killed more than 30,000 civilians and members of Hamas and resulted in a humanitarian crisis for most of Gazas two million residents. Speaking on the Senate floor on Thursday, Mr. Schumer went further than any senior American official has gone in castigating Mr. Netanyahu. The prime minister has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel and has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows, Mr. Schumer said. He went on to say that he believed a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel. The senators speech touched off a furor in Israel, especially coming from Mr. Schumer, a longstanding Jewish supporter of the Jewish state and ally of Mr. Biden. The fact that the White House knew about it ahead of time raised speculation about whether Mr. Schumer was in a way speaking for the president as well. Palestinian children gathered to collect food donated by a charity group before breakfast, on the fourth day of Ramadan in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Thursday. Children in the Gaza Strip are facing severe and rapidly worsening food deprivation, and an alarming number are suffering from the most life-threatening form of malnutrition, United Nations experts reported on Friday, in their most dire assessment yet of the unfolding crisis. About one in every 20 children in shelters and health centers in northern Gaza is experiencing severe wasting, the most critical sign of malnutrition, defined as being dangerously thin for their height, according to UNICEF, the U.N. agency for children. The findings were based on screenings conducted by the agency and released on Friday. Among children under 2 years old, acute malnutrition, meaning the body is deprived of essential nutrients, has become fairly common across Gaza, the screenings found, with the most severe prevalence in northern Gaza. In some areas, it found that rates of acute malnutrition had doubled since they were last recorded in January. Even in Rafah, the densely populated area in southern Gaza with the greatest access to food, 10 percent of children under 2 are acutely malnourished, and 4 percent are severely wasting. Before the war, UNICEF said, the rate of acute malnutrition among young children was less than 1 percent, and severe wasting was extremely rare. Lucia Elmi, UNICEFs special representative in the Palestinian territories, who returned from Gaza last week, said she was particularly alarmed by not only the number of children suffering from malnutrition, but how quickly their health was deteriorating. Young children cannot be adequately nourished from just water, flour and bread, she said. They need protein, they need vitamins, they need fresh products and they need micronutrients, and all of this has been completely missing, Ms. Elmi said in an interview last week. Thats why the deterioration has been so fast, so rapid and at this scale. Children are bearing extreme costs of the war in Gaza, both physically and mentally, childrens rights groups and experts have repeated. More than 12,000 children have been killed in the conflict, and at least 23 children in northern Gaza have died from malnutrition or dehydration, according to the Gazan Health Ministry. Palestinian parents say that, in addition to the threat of bombardment, their daily struggle is to find enough food for their children. Many have said they choose to feed what little they have to their children rather than themselves. Dominic Allen, the United Nations Population Fund representative for Palestine, who just returned from a trip to Gaza, said on Friday that conditions there were worse than he could describe or than pictures can show or than you can imagine. He said at a press briefing in Jerusalem that everyone he saw or spoke to was gaunt, emaciated, hungry. The situation is beyond catastrophic, he said. Israel has said that it does not limit the amount of aid allowed into Gaza through border crossings, and recently signaled its support for new initiatives to get aid into Gaza by land, air and sea. Humanitarian groups have criticized Israel, saying that its insistence on checking every truckload of aid and rejecting some is a major cause of the food shortage. The chief executive of Save the Children, an aid group, in the United States, Janti Soeripto, said that the crisis was currently, by far, the worst in the world for children. Every time I speak about Gaza, I sort of think to myself that it couldnt get any worse, she said in an interview. And then every week, Im proven wrong. Without a cease-fire, it has been difficult for teams to safely and comprehensively assist Palestinians. Speaking from Rafah, Rachael Cummings, Save the Childrens director of humanitarian public health in the United Kingdom, said that the lack of sanitation including dirty or salty water and sewage on the streets was worsening the hunger crisis there. If a child isnt eating adequate food or the right composition of food they have poor water, poor sanitation they will get very sick, very quickly, she said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday rejected the latest cease-fire deal proposed by Hamas, calling its demands ludicrous, and said Israel would move forward with plans for a ground offensive in Rafah, the southern Gazan city where more than half the enclaves population is sheltering. Still, Mr. Netanyahu signaled he was open to more talks. He announced he was dispatching an Israeli delegation back to Qatar, where mediation efforts have been taking place. The prime ministers response came a day after Hamas presented a counteroffer to Israel aimed at securing a cease-fire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. In a statement, Hamas said it had presented to mediators in Qatar what it called a comprehensive vision for a truce in the five-month war, which has devastated the Gaza Strip and has cost at least 30,000 lives there. Hamass new proposal would allow the release of additional hostages in exchange for a phased pullback of Israeli troops from parts of the Gaza Strip as well as additional prisoner releases, according to people familiar with the negotiations. In a significant departure from its previous demands, Hamas is no longer calling for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in return for beginning a hostage and prisoner exchange, a U.S. official said on Friday. The official said that while there were still gaps to close, the new proposal could possibly restart negotiations. Within hours of receiving the proposal, though, Mr. Netanyahus office said that Hamas is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands. Then on Friday, Mr. Netanyahu released a second statement saying, Regarding the hostages Hamass demands are still ludicrous, without elaborating. A heavy Israeli police contingent checked worshipers on Friday entering the Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, where the threat of unrest loomed over the end of the first week of Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims and one that has taken on added significance during the war in Gaza. Hamas, the militant group that launched the deadly Oct. 7 attack that prompted Israel to go to war in the enclave, issued a statement on Thursday urging Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and Israel to go to Al Aqsa Mosque on Friday and prevent all attempts of the occupation to desecrate it and impose its aggressive plans. Let the first Friday of Ramadan be an escalation in all fields in support of Gaza, Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, the group said, echoing earlier calls to action. But there was no apparent unrest by Friday afternoon, and smaller crowds than on the same day in previous years, after Israel tightened restrictions on movement for Palestinians from the West Bank. Al Aqsa is one of the holiest sites for Muslims and part of a compound that is sacred to Jews, who call it the Temple Mount. Muslim access to the mosque has long been a point of contention, and in recent years Israel has exerted tighter control over the compound, one of many restrictions endured by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Israels agency overseeing policy for the Palestinian territories said on Monday that only men over age 55, women over 50 and children under 10 would be allowed to enter Israel from the West Bank to pray at Al Aqsa on Fridays during Ramadan. On Monday, the first day of the Muslim holy month, Israeli police officers outside the compound chased away worshipers and struck some with batons, videos showed, as many attempted to enter the complex to pray but were denied entry under a different set of age restrictions. The Israeli police said that they were maintaining a balance between the freedom of worship and the imperative of ensuring security. In its statement on Thursday, Hamas called on young Palestinians in the West Bank to rise up and go out in roaring crowds and confront Israeli security officers. It called on supporters of the Palestinian cause to continue their effective mass movement and angry solidarity marches, and to escalate all forms of mobilization and support, putting pressure on their governments to stop the war in Gaza. The group has issued similar statements during its war with Israel. They have not drawn much response from people in the West Bank, where fear and despair have been growing as Israeli raids have killed more than 425 people there since Oct. 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah. Ayman Abu Ramouz and Rami Nazzal contributed reporting. The New York Times News Quiz, March 15, 2024 Did you follow the news this week? Take our quiz to see how well you stack up with other Times readers. Whats the Cloud Forecast for Eclipse Day? See if the Weather Is on Your Side. April 8 will be your last opportunity to see a total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States or Canada until 2044. Mexico will have to wait longer. But if clouds fill the sky, your shot at seeing the spectacle could be lost. If you have an eclipse viewing destination in mind, enter it in the box below to see the latest cloud cover forecast. We expect the forecast to become more accurate closer to the day of the eclipse, and The Times will update this map as fresh forecasts become available. See how much of the sky could be cloudy during the eclipse - % cloud coverage Percentage of sky covered by clouds 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Source: National Blend of Models Note: Forecast for 2 p.m. Eastern on April 8, 2024. The above map shows predictions of cloud cover which refers to the amount of the sky covered by clouds. So far, forecast models show a high probability of clouds obscuring the view of the eclipse, especially in parts of Texas. Surprisingly, some parts of western New York have a better outlook than some points to the south and west. But you may not want to bank on these models this far out. There are still a lot of uncertainties when you are 10 days away from the eclipse, said Jay Anderson, a Canadian meteorologist. He advises eclipse viewers not to form an opinion until one or two days before the event. As April 8 gets closer, forecasters will look to see if the same area shows clouds each time new data becomes available. Consistency in the results gives them more confidence in a forecast. Mr. Anderson runs a website, Eclipsophile, that provides detailed analysis of weather conditions to aid eclipse chasers. He has been able to see eclipses with forecasts of 50 to 60 percent cloud cover. But around 90 percent, which means its almost completely overcast, you would have to be really lucky to see the moon obscure the sun. On a typical eclipse day, Mr. Anderson says, he would check satellite pictures or simply look up at the sky for sunny patches. For some eclipses, you need a bit of luck no matter the forecast. In 2009, Mr. Anderson directed a tour group in China to travel about 125 miles outside Shanghai to avoid bad weather. It was pouring when they reached their destination. But as the period of totality approached, the rain suddenly stopped and the clouds parted. They were able to see the total eclipse for almost five minutes. Sometimes the weather gods are smiling at you, Mr. Anderson said. Jay Anderson at his first total solar eclipse, in 1979, outside Winnipeg, Canada. He has traveled to see every total solar eclipse since then. Photo from Jay Anderson Over the years, he has worked with tour companies to guide eclipse viewers to the best locations. He likens eclipse viewing to storm chasing. On his trips, he has told cruise captains to turn their boats around and bus drivers to search for hours to find a break in the clouds. The unlucky ones who find themselves under an overcast sky during the eclipse will still notice a sudden plunge into darkness as the moon passes in front of the sun, Mr. Anderson says. But they wont be able to see all the details of the eclipse the shadow bands, the diamond ring, the suns corona. Its muted compared to being in the sunlight itself, he said. Even if you travel in pursuit of good weather, try to stay within the path of totality to experience the full effect of the suns being completely obscured by the moon clouds or no clouds. Historical Data Before reliable cloud forecasts were available, The Times analyzed historical cloud cover derived from satellite measurements. Operators have reported connectivity disruption across Africa after multiple subsea cables had been reported to be damaged off the coast in West Africa. Subsea cables carry the bulk of connectivity traffic with a small part carried by satellites. Reports of internet connectivity being disrupted came in yesterday (March 14). Internet security company Cloudflare reported Liberia saw disruptions lasting more than 12 hours, while in Gambia and Guinea outages only lasted 30 minutes. In a statement to Developing Telecoms, Orange said the ACE, MainOne Sat 3, and WACS cables had been damaged along the West Coast of Africa. Major impacts on international connectivity (voice and data) have been observed in several countries, particularly for Orange subsidiaries in the Ivory Coast, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea, said an Orange spokesperson. The operator said the cause of the outages is unknown at this time, and it is looking to reroute traffic and connect isolated countries through alternative routes. Several terrestrial links have already been reinforced to improve the situation, said Orange. Vodacom posted on X (formerly Twitter) that there had been undersea cable failures between South Africa and Europe which had affected South African MNOs. The operator implemented alternative solutions and normal service has been restored to customers. Angola Cables detailed in a statement there had indeed been cable breaks off the coast of West Africa, specifically in the Ivory Coast. Traffic has been redirected to the SACS cable which connects Angola directly to Brazil, the US and Europe. Angola Cables has network backup and restoration solutions available through cables that have not been affected by the faults off the Ivory Coast, the cable company said. A 25-year-old South Korean woman has been getting a lot of attention because of her commitment to saving money on a regular salary by spending as little as possible. We first featured Ji-Hyeon Kwak a couple of years ago when she first made news headlines in her home country of South Korea after making an appearance on the popular SBS Master of Living television program. At the time, she had become the youngest person in South Korea to win an apartment subscription, quite a feat considering that the odds are usually stacked against young people, because of how the system works. People are encouraged to save money in a subscription savings account in order to boost their chances, and most 24-year-olds dont have significant savings. But Ji-Hyeon Kwak isnt your average youth. She had managed to save a whopping 100 million won ($75,000) in four years, on an average salary of 2.2 million per month, but she was only getting started. Ji-Hyeon Kwak once again went viral a couple of weeks ago, after announcing that she had saved another 100 million won in the last two years and posting a screengrab of her savings account showing over 200 million won. After taking her money-saving techniques to the extreme, she was able to save the same amount of money she did in four years in just half the time. The young South Korean woman told her social media followers that knowing how hard she had to work to save the first 100 million won in 4 years, she was worried about the effort it would take to double her savings, but revealed that it was surprisingly easier than she thought. After reaching 100 million won, I felt that the speed of raising money was getting faster, Ji-Hyeon Kwak said, adding that she wants to earn more and spend less and quickly deliver the news of reaching 300 million won. Ji-Hyeon Kwak now has a quickly growing online community following her money-saving journey and using her techniques. She has 20,000 fans on YouTube alone, but whatever money she earns through social media doesnt go towards her savings. She only counts the money she saves from her salary. Although her savings might not seem overly impressive to someone with a high-paying job or extra sources of income, to the average person earning a low salary, its life-changing money. As for how she manages to save up to 90% of her monthly salary, Kwak says that she often spends as little as 8,400 won ($6.7) on food per month, relying on discount coupons and killer deals, boiling tap water instead of buying drinking water, and cutting her own hair. The 25-year-old thrift queen has a Naver blog where she shares savings tips and techniques with like-minded people. She shares her monthly expenditures as proof that she practices what she preaches. For example, in January, she spent just 500,000 won ($375), which included food and transportation costs as well as insurance. Kishida Fumio FGS Global has signed on to provide strategic communications to the office of Japans prime minister in advance of Kishida Fumios visit to the US next month. Kishidas official visit to the US will include a summit with president Joe Biden and a state dinner slated for April 10. He will address a joint session of Congress on April 11. Abe Shinzo was the last Japanese prime minister to address a joint session of Congress. That happened in 2015. Kishidas visit comes as opposition grows to Nippon Steels $14B plan to acquire US Steel. Biden on March 14 voiced his opposition to the takeover, saying its vital that an iconic American steel company remain domestically owned and operated. Nippon Steel on March 15 countered that the deal would bolster American supply chains and economic defenses against China. FGS represents the Japanese politico via an understanding with Japans Dentsu advertising giant. A written contract is in the works. FGS partners Richard Mintz and Joshua Gross handle the effort. Prior to joining FGS, Mintz led the Harbour Group PA shop, headed Burson-Marstellers DC office, and served as PA director of the Dept. of Transportation during the Clinton Administration. Gross did a nearly 12-year stint at Finsbury Glover Hering, a FGS predecessor firm, and served as director of media relations at the embassy of Afghanistan from 2006 to 2008. FGS is part of WPP. 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. A man charged with intentionally or recklessly setting off in a chase with another car that created a substantial risk or death of serious injury will return before court in June for the conclusion of the case against him. Judge Bernadette Owens asked for an outline of the charges against Ronan Noone (33), of Ballycloughan, Carrickboy, Longford, prior to deciding jurisdiction. Mr Noone is charged with reckless driving, dangerous driving and drink driving following an incident at Toneen, Moydow, Longford on November 26 last year. Sgt Mark Mahon said the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to summary disposal, meaning the case could be heard in the District Court, on a guilty plea only. Solicitor Frank Gearty indicated that his client was pleading guilty to all the charges. Sgt Mahon said at 11:45pm on the day of the incident motorist Shane Nevin encountered a vehicle stopped in the middle of a road. The driver had difficulty passing and when he did the other car turned and started following him. Mr Nevin, and his passenger, were in fear of the vehicle following them and sped up. Sgt Mahon said at one point the two vehicles were going at over 160kph on a narrow country road. The driver of the pursuing vehicle, Mr Noone, lost control and the speed of the collision was so forceful that the engine was ripped from the car. Sgt Mahon said in the course of the Garda investigation they acquired CCTV from a public house showing Mr Noone in an intoxicated condition getting into a car 25 minutes before the accident. Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction over the case. Mr Gearty said his client had sustained life changing injuries as a result of the crash. He told the court Mr Noone had suffered complete memory loss about the incident, but acknowledged how awful it was. The solicitor said he felt a Probation Report would indicate his client would never reoffend again. Judge Owens said before she concluded the matter she would like to see a victim impact report from the driver and passenger in the other vehicle and directed that Mr Noone be the subject of a Probation Report. The matter was then adjourned to June 11. Serious concerns have been raised about the future of a historic building in Offaly Many people in Birr are concerned about the future of the town's former Workhouse. One of the most important heritage buildings in Offaly, it was gutted by fire in 2017 and has remained in dilapidation since then, gradually deteriorating year on year. There had been great hopes that the premises would be turned into a care centre for dementia sufferers, but sadly this has come to nothing. Now there's a real danger that nothing will ever be done with the building and it will be allowed to fall into complete rack and ruin. Since the inception of Birr 20:20 in 2015, the restoration of the Workhouse has always been in the group's sights. In September 2018 a Birr 20:20 meeting was told that the building had been purchased by Castle Rook, a Canadian/Chinese company with its Irish base in Louth, and restoration was about to get underway, focusing initially on the roof, which is riddled with holes. The building was also badly damaged by fire in 2017 initiated by a group of young vandals. Detailed plans were shown during the September 2018 meeting to great enthusiasm. Access, the meeting was told, had been secured to the left of the building, leading past a proposed museum. Castle Rook said it was proposing to transform the Workhouse into a centre providing care for those with dementia. The proposed centre would provide a roofed pavilion for seating; a landscaped sculpture park; a glass walled dining area to retain connection with the public cafe, community day care centre, creche and playground. Mylo robots would also be in use. The Mylo robot connects to the resident's wristband and can monitor heartbeat and bloodpressure, as well as being programmable as a reminder not only for medication times, but also for me time at the treatment centre. The September 2018 meeting was also told that capital was in place for the purchase and initial works. An extensive discussion took place on the popular Facebook page Well Mush Birr Memories Old and New last weekend with many people commenting about the state of the building. It's obvious that it's a very live issue in the town. Can the owners of this building not be brought in for a chat to maybe come up with a future plan? asked one of the commentators on the Facebook page. I attended a meeting hosted by Birr Historical Society five and a half years ago, said another, when two people from Castlerook said they were going to turn the Workhouse into a centre for Dementia care. We haven't heard a word since. We have the librarian, the late Violet Doolin, to thank for the memorial there. She was an amazing, inspiring woman who really loved her area. Like Kilmainham Jail, commented one person, this building makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I am currently in the middle of finishing a number of video adverts and info videos for Portumna Workhouse, said Dickie Donnelly, who oversees the Well Mush page. I highly recommend everyone to go and see the Museum that has developed over there via a hardworking team of volunteers and committee members. Irish history restored at its best. While I was filming it I couldn't help but think of the state our own workhouse is in. My first job was in Birr Shoes in the Workhouse, commented one man. I worked in the old Chapel Room. Sad to see it decaying and falling down. Huaweis pre-show industry forum at MWC2024 in Barcelona, under the banner of the 5G Beyond Growth Summit, provided a platform for key executives from the ICT industry to share their experiences of 5G business growth and to explore prospects for 5.5G (5G-A). The final session of the day brought together senior executives from leading operators in a panel discussion to share their 5G experiences so far and to discuss how to drive business growth in the 5.5G era. Asked what had impressed them so far about 5G, the panellists pointed to a variety of aspects. Chika Ekeji (pictured first, from right), Chief Strategy Transformation Officer for MTN Group said that 5Gs potential particularly with regard to use cases was the feature that had most impressed him. Karim Benkirane (pictured second, from right), Chief Commerical Officer at du, UAE noted the speed at which 5G had been able to gain market share. Yelamate Mallikarjuna Rao (pictured third, from left), Chief Technology & Information Officer at Telefonica, Deutschland cited 5Gs ecosystem, but urged greater investment in people and skills. This was essential if the industry was to progress away from non-standalone 5G, Rao had observed in an earlier presentation. Quality is key to the future of networks and the future of operations because of the significant complexity involved in the way networks are operated, he noted. Fan Ji'an (pictured second, from left), Big Data Chief Scientist at China Unicom Group pointed to 5Gs support for private networks and how these were able to positively transform the traditional working environment. Noting that the company had already deployed 500 private networks for the mining sector, he said that thanks to 5G workers who formerly worked underground could now operate vehicles from the surface. Asked about network efficiency as a key focus for Chinas 5G operators, Huang Lilian (pictured fourth, from left), General Manager of 5G co-construction and sharing work team at China Telecom noted that while there were many 5G models, the shared access network approach between China Telecom and China Unicom was probably unique. RAN sharing has built the worlds largest (standalone) 5G shared network, now with more than 1.2 million base stations covering towns and villages, said Huang Lilian. Many operators face the challenge of high investment. We saved 270 billion RNB and reduced carbon emission by 10 billion tons. This is the practice I want to share for building a large network efficiently. On the subject of service innovation and network experience, Fan Ji'an said that over the past 5 years China Unicom has employed 5G for different industries and public services such as healthcare and education. As an example of innovation in an industrial context a multi-campus 5G network built by Unicom for the Schneider Electric energy equipment manufacturer uses cameras to detect the components and track stock levels on their production lines. For this you need enhanced MBB to support video, but also low latency, explained Fan Ji'an. That means the relationship between the network experience and service innovation is key. MTN Groups Chika Ekeji acknowledged that operators in Africa may not yet have some of the advanced use cases that will become important to the continent, but he said there was a need to discover how to get creative around leveraging 5G technology. In an earlier presentation, Ekeji outlined how these aims are enshrined in MTNs CHASE framework which is designed to address the barriers to 5G in Africa through a series of measures including timely access to new spectrum bands for cost-effective 5G coverage, financing schemes to make handsets more affordable, regulatory support for more efficient spectrum use, collaboration with content providers to offer 5G service bundling and promote the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as AR/VR, and better articulation of 5G capabilities and use cases, especially to businesses on the continent. As we look forward we have to find a way to unlock value for Africas young population, said Ekeji. Coverage and handsets are critical factorsas is engaging with the leadership of the regulatory bodies around these issues. Responding to a question about how du would market 5.5G to its customers, Karim Benkirane said that since launching fixed wireless access (FWA) in the UAE 3 years ago, du had doubled market share in terms of subscribers. In a presentation earlier in the day Benkirane explained that du had already achieved 98.5% population coverage with 5G, and that the share of data volume accounted for by 5G had also risen to beyond 60 per cent. 5G FWA already represents a huge opportunity, and FWA with 5G Advanced can really deliver performance equivalent to fibre. Also the (optimum) latency will be achieved to make a great user experience, he said. The panel concluded with an acknowledgment by all particiants of the need to work jointly to develop a blueprint for the sustainable growth of 5G, and to embrace new challenges and opportunities in the era of 5.5G. 1.30pm - Triumph Hurdle - This is a real puzzle to work out now with Sir Gino a non-runner for Nicky Henderson. You could throw a blanket over the Willie Mullins runners but he seems to favour the JP McManus runner, MAJBOROUGH (4/1). I was with Storm Heart all week but I've been swayed by comments made by Willie ahead of this race. Majborough has been impressing him at home, he was third on his debut for the yard behind Kargese at Leopardstown last month. He will no doubt come on for that run and I'll take a chance he'll improve more than the others in the same field that day who re-oppose in this. 2.10pm - County Hurdle - I'd probably keep it simple here and back the Dan Skelton trained horses. He has been the big winner of the handicap races this week and could have two live chances again. FAVOIR (12/1) and L'EAU DU SUD (4/1) are both worth a bet. The latter is surely ahead of the handicapper and Favoir won the race last year and comes in on a mark of 136, just two pound above his mark last year. The jockey can claim three pound off so he's effectively in here a pound lower than last year. I'll have a bet on both of these and hope one wins and the other places. Magical Zoe and King of Kingsfield look the best of the Irish to me. 2.50pm - Albert Bartlett - I'm all over READIN TOMMY WRONG (9/4) in this for the in-form Willie Mullins yard. He's unbeaten and has winning form against the likes of Ile Atlantique (third in the Gallagher's behind Ballyburn this week) and Firefox (third in the supreme this week). I think Gidleigh Park is a danger for the home team today but Readin Tommy Wrong will improve again for the step up in trip and will handle the ground. He's getting short in the market and some of his stablemates (Dancing City and High Class Hero) are very interesting but I can't pick faults in him for the sake of it. I think he'll win. 3.30pm - Gold Cup - I've been a big Galopin Des Champs (10/11) fan for a while and backed him when he won the Martin Pipe back in 2021. I backed him when he fell against Bob Olinger the year after and again last year when he won the Gold Cup. I can't be against him here as the ground will be no problem to him. He has a great cruising speed and will find plenty up the hill. His win in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December, beating Gerri Colombe by 23 lengths, was one of the finest performances seen at that track and I can't see him beaten if he stays on his feet. I also can't tip a horse that's odds-on so I've been looking for eachway value. I think JUNGLE BOOGIE (28/1) is a live eachway chance for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He'll enjoy the very soft ground and is lightly raced at this trip. The trainer has won this race twice in the last three years so this lad has to be worth a punt. GENTLEMANSGAME (28/1) is another at a big price who will stay all day and his win over Bravemansgame at Wetherby last November would put him bang there with a chance for place money. 4.10pm - The Foxhunter's Chase - This is a very simple one for me. ITSONTHELINE (11/8) looks very strong for connections that have won multiple times this week in similar contests. Derek O'Connor is one of the best amateur jockeys around and proved that on Thursday with a patient ride to win on Inothewayurthinkin. Similar tactics here will see this stout stayer power home and win. It looks a good thing barring disaster. It's worth watching how Samcro gets on in a race like this. Once thought of as an absolute star, he's certainly class enough but I doubt he'll stay as well as some of these. 4.50pm - Mare's Chase - I'd been with Dinoblue for this race for a long time given her form with El Fabiolo but the ground and the trip are now starting to concern me. This will be a testing 2m 4F trip and on drier ground, I'd be nailed to Dinoblue's colours. However, I think for the purposes of a bet here you have to side with ALLEGORIE DE VASSY (5/1) who was an expensive loser of this race last year but was only denied by a horse in Impervious who remains unbeaten over fences. She'll definitely stay and will act in the ground. She also warmed up for this with an impressive victory over Riviere D'Etel at Naas last month. Dinoblue could absolutely be the class in this but with the question marks and given she's now 6/4, she's not a comfortable bet for me. 5.30pm - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle - Always a puzzle to work out but the lucky last has thrown up some good winners in the past, including Galopin Des Champs in 2021. I think WHAT'S UP DARLING (8/1) has a good chance in this. Her second behind Lantry Lady recently looks decent after that one finished 11 lengths third to Lossiemouth on Tuesday. She also has form behind Answer To Kayf who's in today's field and I reckon she's well handicapped given she'll improve further for the extra distance. I'd be happy on her eachway. Jay Jay Reilly (25/1) and Yeats Star (16/1) are others I'd have a small bit eachway on. As approximately 270 people set up tents in a makeshift migrant camp near the International Protection Office on Mount Street, Co Dublin, the issue of deteriorating health conditions and the lack of basic amenities plaguing the area is being highlighted. In a report which aired on The Tonight Show on Virgin Media, journalist Ciara Doherty shed light on the dire situation facing these asylum seekers in Dublin. The report described scenes of desperation as individuals queue outside the office, presumably awaiting appointments to process their asylum applications. While some fortunate souls may leave with suitcases in tow, presumably bound for accommodations, many others are left no alternative, resorting to erecting tents around the office premises, hoping for some semblance of shelter. Ciara, who visited the camp, relayed a grim scene of squalor and neglect. The makeshift camp lacked basic sanitation facilities, forcing inhabitants to urinate in the streets and leaving heaps of rubbish to accumulate. On the show, Roisin McAleer, of Social Rights Ireland said: "There are about 120 tents of homeless asylum seekers actually wrapped around the whole building right in behind, and around the side there are a few Irish homeless people as well." "The reason why they're here is because this is the first port of call, the first point of contact you'd come to for protection and you're supposed to get protection on arrival, there are reception laws or rules, but people were being put out without a tent or a sleeping bag." It was added that the tents may house up to three people each, and predominantly young males. "There is one man who has been here for 82 days," Roisin said. In terms of facilities, Roisin stated: "There's no dignity, there is no bathroom, there's no toilet, there's a makeshift bucket over there in the corner and then when people walk by, they're picking it up on the soles of their shoes and then getting into [their] tent. People are [getting] sick." "I don't understand why toilets couldn't have been brought here," she added. Roisin added that a volunteer doctor comes voluntarily once a week, and has found scabies and respiratory illnesses in the built up camp, now dubbed 'Tent City'. A resident at the camp, detailed the appalling conditions faced by the inhabitants, he himself not owning a tent to sleep in. "I don't even know where I'm going to get [a tent] from," he stated to Ciara. Continuing, the man remains uncertain about his future. "Truth is, I never expected this. I only saw these things on TV. I never thought maybe one day this would be happening to me. I never expected it. "As it is, I'm still trying to come to terms with if I'm going to survive here or not, but going back is not an option. "I only found out today that there is a problem with accommodation. I don't know what tomorrow brings for us, only God knows." As part of the panel discussion after the report, Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain stated: "There's 1,200 in the country who don't have accommodation. It's a direct result of government policy. We don't need a portaloo down there. We need them not to be there, not to be living in tents. "They are coming from places of absolute trauma, including Palestine, and this is what we provide for them. "You'll have the Taoiseach in Washington trying to tell the American administration how [they] should have a bit more of a sympathetic view of the undocumented Irish in America. It's hypocritical and it's wrong." Emma Lane-Spollen of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum described the issue as a "humanitarian crisis". Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said he is worried about homophobia and transphobia. Mr Varadkar made the remarks during a meeting with the Capital Pride Alliance in Washington DC. The group, which will host World Pride in the city next year, said he had played a strong leadership role in LGBT rights internationally. Mr Varadkar, who announced he was gay in 2015, the first time a serving minister did so in Ireland, discussed Irelands passing of a constitutional amendment through a referendum which extended marriage equality to same-sex couples. He also said there was legislation allowing transexual people to assign their own gender by choice. However, he added: But a bit like the rest of the world, theres been a bit of a backlash to that in the last couple of years. I think theres been an increase in violence towards the community and, sort of, starting to become acceptable again to be homophobic or transphobic, in particular. And I worry about that. During the meeting, Mr Varadkar and Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason also discussed Irelands work with South Africa on LGBT rights at the UN. The Taoiseach also noted anti-LGBT messaging of Vladimir Putins regime in Russia. Shua Goodwin, board member of Capital Pride Alliance, said that there has been progress on LGBT rights, there are also people who want to hold onto the past with transphobia and homophobia. Speaking to the PA news agency after the meeting with Mr Varadkar, Mr Goodwin said: Theres a way to counteract that, to say thats not normal just because it seems to be happening more and more. He said homophobia and transphobia could also be countered by letting LGBT people know they will continue to be supported. Thats just safe for everyone because we know when the most marginalised groups are insecure and unsafe, thats going to go across all lines of folks no matter what their religious belief, race, sexual orientation. I think him really focusing on that has thats why him raising that was fantastic. Mr Goodwin said the group invited Mr Varadkar because he, and the country of Ireland, had done such a fantastic job on human rights internationally. US President Joe Biden has hailed the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland as a very positive step forward. The president and Irish premier Leo Varadkar discussed political progress in the region during a bilateral meeting at the White House ahead of St Patricks Day celebrations in Washington DC this weekend. A number of political and business figures from Northern Ireland, including First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, are in the US capital, where they have been taking part in events. The Stormont powersharing institutions returned last month following a two-year suspension. Mr Biden had said he wanted to see the return of the political institutions during a visit to the island of Ireland last year. Speaking during his bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Biden said: As I said in Belfast, we remain committed to protecting the peace and progress in Northern Ireland since the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. Like you, Im glad to see the Northern Ireland executive and Assembly back up and running. From my perspective, thats a very positive step forward. Mr Varadkar later said he had updated the president on Northern Ireland during their meeting. He said: One of the issues we talked about is the situation in Northern Ireland, the president is always very keen to know what is happening. So, encouraged that we have the Good Friday institutions up and running again and that we have settled trading arrangements with the UK so that we are able to avoid a hard border between north and south and focus on the Good Friday Agreement working again. He is a huge supporter, as you know, of Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. Mr Varadkar had earlier said the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala. The Stormont leaders had told US investors that Northern Ireland is open for business during the event. President Joe Biden has urged a gathering of representatives from the US, Ireland and Northern Ireland to march forward together. Politicians from across Ireland are visiting the US this week ahead of St Patricks Day, including the Stormont First and deputy First Ministers in office attending together for the first time in eight years. It comes following the resurrection of powersharing government in Northern Ireland in January. During the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, Mr Biden invited Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly to stand up for applause throughout the room. Mr Biden commented: Who would have thunk it thankfully youre here. Thanks to both of you for reminding us what possibilities there are as we work across the aisle and rise above longstanding disagreements, he said. I think we stand at an inflection point, not only in American history but in world history where the decisions we make now are going to determine what the next three, four, five, six decades are going to look like, and I believe history is watching. Today let us resolve to march forward with each other and all those who seek a better future. Like our ancestors remember, no barrier is too thick or too strong for Ireland and the United States to get through, there is nothing our nations cant do together when we work together. My prayer today is that we continue and increase our working together. In his speech to the event, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also praised the return of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Its hugely significant that were joined here today by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly, two women from different political traditions who are showing what can be achieved working together, holding jointly a co-equal office as heads of government of Northern Ireland, he said. He added: Its so good that both of you are here today, to applause. Mr Varadkar went on: Throughout the entirety of the peace process the Friends of Ireland Caucus have been our resolute friends and on behalf of the Irish people, thank you for your commitment to Ireland. He also extended an invitation to Mr Johnson to visit Ireland. Mr Johnson described the annual lunch as a special event, a time to come together and look past our political differences for this moment in time and remember the importance of peacemaking. The guests included Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, MPs, TDs from the Irish Parliament and both Democrat and Republican members of the US Congress. During the event, Ms ONeill said she took the opportunity to press Mr Biden to play a constructive role in securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid. The United States has been a critical partner for peace in Ireland, she said. We deeply value this support. Our peace process and your role in this are a fine example of successful US diplomacy and foreign policy success. As the world watches on in horror at the genocide of the Palestinian people, I urge you to apply this same constructive role to securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; full humanitarian aid; an end to illegal settlements in the West Bank, and a sovereign Palestinian state. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, joined her colleagues in passing Fiscal Year 2024 funding for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; and Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. The bill directly appropriates more than $786 million for critical Alabama priorities, of which, more than $232 million was secured by Britt for strategic, targeted investments across the state. As I have emphasized since taking office, my priority has been and continues to be restoring regular order to the appropriations process and passing accountable, prudent bills that live up to our promise to the American people. Instead of going to New York or California, more of Alabamians hard-earned taxpayer dollars will be coming home because of the strategic wins we were able to secure in this legislation, said Sen. Britt. I am proud to support these major victories for Alabamas military installations, veterans, family farmers, incredible law enforcement, infrastructure, economic development, and local communities. Ultimately, through the most robust, transparent committee and floor amendment processes that weve seen in years, this legislative package will make key investments in Alabama and grow 21st century opportunities across our state. The American people deserve better than a broken federal spending process, and I will continue fighting to return fiscal sanity and common sense to our nations capital. A detailed breakdown of Alabama projects secured by Sen. Britt funded by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill can be found below. Fort Novosel ($68.2 million): Barracks Complex$41.2 million Funding will finish construction of a barracks complex for soldiers at Fort Novosel. Army Radar Approach Control$7 million Construct an Army Radar Approach Control Facility (ARAC) to support Army Aviation training mission. Hazardous Materials Storage Facility$3.85 million Construct a new Hazardous Materials Warehouse (HMW) and Hazardous Waste Warehouse. MEDEVAC Ready Building$6.1 million Construct a Ready Building to support 24-hour operations for an on-call Air Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) crew at Cairns Army Airfield. Aircraft Parts Storage Facility $4.95 million Funding will finish construction on a facility to house aircraft parts. Vehicle Maintenance Storage Facility$5.1 million Funding will finish construction on a facility to store vehicles. Maxwell Air Force Base ($13.9 million): Construct Air Command and Staff College$5.1 million Construction of one-story addition and two-story addition to Air Universitys Air Command & Staff College (ACSC). Replace (construct) Gunter Fitness Center$8.8 million Construct a facility to ensure the fitness and readiness of service members. Redstone Arsenal ($25.3 million): Airport Runway Extension (overruns)$5.5 million Construct an overrun on the north and south end of runway to support Redstone Arsenal Airfields multiple DOD and DOJ missions. Airfield Fire and Rescue Station$5.6 million To provide a three company Airfield Fire and Rescue Station. Access Control Building$4 million To build a new access control building to support Redstone Arsenal. Natural Gas Expansion and Meter Station$4.8 million Build and update the gas meter stations on Redstone. Test Area 7 Relocation$ 5.4 million . Funds to relocate Test Area 7 on Redstone. The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Act includes in total more than $369 million in construction projects at military installations across Alabama supported by Britt. These include $65 million for the military housing privatization initiative at Maxwell Air Force Bases Air Education and Training Command, $50 million for a substation power project at Redstone Arsenal, $57 million for Army Reserve Center in Birmingham, and $147.975 million for ground test facility infrastructure on Redstone Arsenal. In addition, Britt secured language that would require the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a report within 90 days of the bills enactment detailing all funds that have been spent or obligated towards the construction, renovation, and improvement of facilities for Space Command Headquarters. The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Act includes over $42 million in directed spending secured by Britt to modernize and upgrade transportation infrastructure in local communities across Alabama. These investments in key Alabama priorities include improvements to roads in rural communities, regional airports, and inland port infrastructure, that would improve safety while also empowering economic development and creating jobs in local communities. Britt also supported funding in the bill that would set aside $7.5 million for the National Scenic Byways program and $100 million for the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which includes the Birmingham Northern Beltline. Alabama has the most uncompleted miles remaining of any state in the system and would receive a significant portion of the total ADHS appropriation. Additionally, Britt secured $28 million in directed spending for specific surface transportation infrastructure in communities across the state. This Act includes the amendment authored by Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), which would ensure that the U.S. Department of Transportation cannot implement or enforce any type of mask mandate on airplanes, railroads, buses, and public transit. Britt voted in favor of this amendment on the Senate floor and is a co-sponsor of Sen. Vances Freedom to Breathe Act, which would implement a similar ban. The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Act includes over $10 million in directed spending secured by Sen. Britt to address violent crime by investing in state and local law enforcement, counter the fentanyl crisis, and invest in economic development programs. Crucially, this bill prohibits funding from being used by the Department of Justice to target parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings and prohibits funding from being used to investigate religious institutions on the basis of their religious beliefs two of the most egregious actions taken by the Biden Administration. Britt also supported funding in the bill to ensure that the Artemis program remains on track and that the United States not China will be the first to return people to the surface of the moon. Additionally, Britt secured $4.2 million for the City of Birminghams Real Time Crime Center to support local and state law enforcement officers and their ability to respond quickly, or even immediately, to crimes in progress or to those that recently occurred. The Energy and Water Development Act includes almost $73 million in directed spending secured by Britt for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This includes over $20 million to revitalize and repair the George W. Andrews Lock and Dam and over $18 million to support maintenance dredging, disposal area maintenance, and recreation facilities on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. These funds are also used for the operation and maintenance of locks and dams along the Waterway including the Demopolis Lock, which is currently being repaired following its damage earlier this year. The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act invests in numerous Alabama agriculture priorities supported by Britt, including robust funding to both combat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and continue the National Feral Swine Damage Management program. This Act includes an amendment authored by Britt to appropriate $1 million in funding for research into how peanut farmers in Alabama and around the country can best combat the drought conditions currently impacting their crops. Britt also worked across party lines with Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) to include an amendment in this Act that would provide funding to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a streamlined and uniform process for the tracking and disclosure of all foreign investment in American farmland. Additionally, the Act would provide substantial federal resources for rural utilities and rural development programs under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which support infrastructure improvements and economic development in rural communities throughout Alabama. Finally, the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Act includes almost $18 million in directed spending for water infrastructure projects, secured by Sen. Britt. Additionally, this bill cuts the regulatory budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 10 percent. The words Hells Angels conjures images of black leather-clad males with beards, sunglasses, and helmets roaring through town on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Hollywood and the media have contributed to the image of a rough bunch of outlaws, known for their violence and drug use. However, motorcycle clubs run the gamut, with violent outlaw groups at one end of the spectrum and respectable professionals with a passion for motorcycles at the other. Lester Grout, a former member of the gang, spoke to the Enterprise Lions Club recently about his experience in the outlaw motorcycle club and his conversion to Christianity where he now ministers to the very gangs he used to ride with. The origins of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club vary according to the source of the information. One source states that it was formed in 1948; another says the club was founded in 1951. Most sources agree that the name was derived from aviation groups in both World War 1 and World War 2, where aviators named their squadrons fierce, death-defying titles. Ironically, when the club was formed, the apostrophe that should have appeared on Hells was left off, and club members have been known to say, You miss it, but we dont. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. With a membership of over 6,000, and 467 chapters in 59 countries, the HAMC is the largest outlaw motorcycle club in the world, according to Wikipedia. The Department of Justice website states that Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs) are organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises. OMGs are highly structured criminal organizations whose members engage in criminal activities such as violent crime, weapons trafficking, and drug trafficking. The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is only one of several outlaw gangs that are active in the United States. Grout reported that his parents divorced when he was a small child, and his grandparents raised him. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marines and was trained as a sniper. When he left the military because of a medical condition, he said he fell into a depression and started drinking and hanging out with a motorcycle gang. He eventually found himself in San Diego, California, where he joined the Hells Angels and became an enforcer for the gang. When asked what this job entailed, he replied that he was sent out to hurt people. The gang would be hired to target an individual, to send a message to that person, and Lester stated that this typically meant a beating of some kind. With his military training, he was well equipped for this job, unfortunately. Grout admitted that he worked as an enforcer from 2006 until 2011, when he returned home to Fort Walton Beach to attend his grandfathers funeral. While at the service, the youth pastor who remembered Lester from his teenaged years in the church approached him and asked him to come back to the church. Grout noted that he looked like the motorcycle gang thug that he was, but the pastor still reached out to him. He said he waited six weeks before he decided to return to church, and that was when his life began to turn around. Eventually, Grout turned his life over to Christ and left the Hells Angels. He said they were not happy with his departure, and that for many years he was worried about his personal safety. For many years he did not go anywhere without carrying a weapon. For the last 12 years, he has ridden with groups of bikers who visit the outlaw camps and minister to them about God and Christ. They have traveled all over the country visiting these camps, which are usually located in secluded areas for obvious reasons. Grout reported that each group he rides with usually has about 12 bikers and that it takes a long time to plan a visit to one of the outlaw camps. Most camps are set up with guards at the entrances, and several of the riders in Grouts group will approach the guards and talk to them about their mission. Other riders stay back at the hotel in case the visit to the camp does not go well and they have to go in and rescue their comrades. As a result of these unannounced visits, some outlaw gang members are convinced to turn their backs on the violent gangs they ride with and enter an outlaw rehab center. Grout said that he has also visited prisons and ministered to the inmates about a second chance at life when they get out. Many of the members of outlaw camps are former military, and the suicide rate among veterans is very high, so Grout has addressed this problem in some of the camps he has visited. The violent motorcycle gangs are often referred to as 1%-ers this moniker comes from the statement once made about these gangs: 99% of motorcycle clubs are non-violent and composed of members who ride for the pleasure of it. The 1%-ers are those who choose to go the violent, criminal path. Lester noted that you can be sure the members of these 1% gangs are well-armed and willing to use those weapons. The Department of Justice believes these gangs to be a threat to national security due to their involvement in drug and weapons trafficking and cross-border drug smuggling, not to mention their willingness to hurt people for money. Lester agreed that members of these gangs have no value for human life. When asked if there are motorcycle clubs or gangs in Alabama and more specifically in the local area, Lester replied that yes, there are clubs and gangs in Alabama, and that some residents of the Wiregrass area belong to some of those groups. However, not all motorcycle clubs are outlaw clubs. Many are composed of veterans and other citizens who simply enjoy riding with others. Grouts final comments addressed the need for more groups willing to reach out to those who are lost and searching for a place to belong. He noted that this was one reason he joined a motorcycle clubin the Marines he had a group of people he belonged to, that looked out for each other. Once out of the Marines, he no longer had that support group. The motorcycle club he joined first offered him that security and comradeship. He believes the Wiregrass area would benefit from a group like the one he rides with now, offering safety, stability, and a camaraderie based on Christ rather than on violence and weapons. The Enterprise Lions Club meets weekly on Wednesdays at the Enterprise Civic Center. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m., followed by a brief business meeting and a guest speaker. Visitors are welcome. Angela Underwood, executive director of the House of Ruth, is the keynote speaker at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Associations public awareness luncheon at 11 a.m. March 28 and the public is invited. The cost of the luncheon is $12 and those attending are asked to RSVP to Frank Zerbinos at (334) 447-8092. Community Awareness Luncheons are presented by the Wiregrass Chapter of the NARFE and are open to the public. The event will be held at the Enterprise Country Club on Ozark Highway in Enterprise. The House of Ruth serves nine counties in south AlabamaBarbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike countieswith a staff that includes victim advocatesone for each outlying judicial circuit; legal advocates (licensed attorneys to represent agency clients); team coordinators, a secretary, a director, and other professionals to assist the clients in getting the legal and financial help they need to move on with their lives The House of Ruth operates a 28-bed facility, has a 24-hour crisis line, and depends solely on donations, United Way funds, and grants for financial support. Founded in October 1982, the House of Ruth first opened in a rented house in Dothan, to provide safe temporary shelter for battered women and their children and later purchased a larger home. Victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault usually arrive at the home with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Within the first 24 hours, the staff conducts an assessment to determine what the recent arrivals need what kind of financial and legal assistance will be required. The House of Ruth has victim advocates on stand-by to drive to any of the nine counties to pick up victims of abuse. They may be called to local police stations, sheriffs departments, or hospitals to pick up victims who have asked for help. The location of the safe house is not made public to protect the residents there. However, with the technology available in todays cell phones, abusive partners can often track their victims to the location. Underwood is a native of Gordon and a 1981 graduate of Ashford High School who earned a Master of Science degree in criminal justice after attending Tuskegee University and Troy University. She began her career as a juvenile probation officer in Houston County in April 1987 and served until her retirement as Chief Juvenile Probation Officer in 2016. She began working with the House of Ruth as a Court Advocate in 2016 and accepted the position as Executive Director in September 2020. Underwood is actively involved throughout her community in various organizations and boards. She served on the committee to select the current Chief of Police for the City of Dothan and currently serves as a board member of The Dothan Chamber of Commerce. She is an active member of Greater Beulah Baptist Church in Dothan where she has served in almost every department. The House of Ruth maintains a 24-hour crisis hotline at (334) 793-2232. The services provided by the House of Ruth are provided at no cost to the clients. Dothan has been abuzz with talks of rezoning happening again in the Dothan City Schools System. On Feb. 20 at the Dothan City Board of Education meeting, board members approved district rezoning. Now Dothan City Schools has released a new interactive zoning map. The new zoning displayed on the map will go into effect in the 2024-2025 school year start this fall. In the coming weeks students in grades Pre-K through 4 will receive a letter notifying them of their zoned school. If you are unsure about how the zoning effects your household, you can access the map and verify the correct zoning information based on your current address, by visiting dothan.k12.al.us/schoolzones. The map is listed under the school zones dropdown under School Zones (effective 2024-2025). In case of a change of address or if your address needs to be updated, you can contact your childs current school. Before approving this agenda item, the board took public comment from the president and vice-president of the Hidden Lake Elementary PTO, who voiced many of the concerns they had received from parents since the announcement. Dothan District 2 Commissioner Aristotle Kirkland also spoke as a concerned parent of a Hidden Lake student. The Board of Education approved the short-term capital plan with a 4-2 vote with District 1 board member Brenda Guilford absent) on June 13, 2023. The rezoning was approved with a 4-2 vote. At the end of February European Union member countries agreed on a 13th round of sanctions against Russia though they face mounting criticism that the restrictions already in force are failing to halt the war in Ukraine. The package added around 200 names to the list of sanctioned individuals banned from traveling to the EU, while both the individuals and companies face freezes on their assets. Separately, a number of entities were newly listed in a law that prohibits them from importing certain goods from Europe. According to the EU officials, the sanctions aim to disrupt the supply chain for the development and production of military goods. As part of the new restrictions, dozens of foreign companies from third countries fell under them. Thus, the European Union imposed sanctions against ten foreign companies, including four from China and one each from Kazakhstan, India, Serbia, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Turkey. All of them, according to Brussels, help the Russian Federation bypass EU measures. However, the West directly admits that EU sanctions could not break the Russian economy in two years. The hastily prepared measures taken on the eve of February 24 are symbolic in nature and will not cause serious harm to the Russian Federation. According to data from the European Commission, the fact that despite Western economic sanctions the Russian economy continues to grow. A member of the Bundestag from the Alternative for Germany faction, the famous musician Matthias Moosdorf expressed the opinion that Western sanctions against Russia hit mainly the economies of the European Union countries. The German parliamentarian said that "in Russia itself, they strengthen the mentality of a "besieged fortress... The actual costs of sanctions for the EU have already exceeded 500 million." Thus, protests of farmers are taking place in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Belgium and the Czech Republic demonstrate the economic crisis in Europe directly related to sanctions policy and financing of the conflict in Ukraine. Matthias Moosdorf convincingly emphasized that "you cannot win in a direct confrontation with a nuclear power". "This is just ridiculous and was doomed from the start," Moosdorf added. The next package of EU sanctions will not lead to losses to the Russian economy, but may negatively affect Europe's economy and political relations with third countries, such as China, many experts believe. So, the European Union, in its sanctions policy, is only increasing restrictions against third countries. Analysts are sure that new measures were agreed relatively quickly by the EU, and they are symbolic in nature. Today, such agreements are no more than a demonstration of the EU weak position. Moreover, the situation may become more complicated. China could react quite sensitively to things of this kind. Of course, the Europeans and Chinese are not ready to sacrifice their ties now. But, as often happens in modern international relations, politics is ahead of economic rationality. Therefore, if Chinese companies are included in the new packages of sanctions, we will see increased bewilderment on the part of China leadership, and another wedge will be driven into relations between the EU and China. Meanwhile, China has already managed to protest in connection with the new restrictions of the EU and the U.S. China's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said that Beijing opposes the abuse of the Ukrainian factor in order to justify sanctions against China. He added that China will continue to take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate interests of its companies and citizens. European politicians need to carefully weigh their decisions regarding new restrictions, which are a one-way ticket for their economies. Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) March 15, 2024: My favorite scholar is the American Jesuit Renaissance specialist and cultural historian and pioneering media ecology theorist Walter J. Ong (1912-2003; Ph.D. in English, Harvard University, 1955). I took my first upper-division English course with Father Ong at Saint Louis University in the fall semester of 1964, Practical Criticism: Poetry - along with about 74 other students. In it, Ong assigned us to read three of his own essays about poetry that he had gathered together in his 1962 book The Barbarian Within: And Other Fugitive Essays and Studies (Macmillan): (1) "The Jinnee in the Well Wrought Urn" (1954; pp. 15-25); (2) "A Dialectic of Aural and Objective Correlatives" (1958; pp. 26-40); and (3) "Voice as Summons for Belief: Literature, Faith, and the Divided Self" (1958; pp. 49-67). (1) Ong's 1954 essay "The Jinnee in the Well Wrought Urn" is also reprinted in An Ong Reader: Challenges for Further Inquiry, edited by Thomas J. Farrell and Paul A. Soukup (Hampton Press, 2002, pp. 199-208). (2) Ong's 1958 essay "A Dialectic of Aural and Objective Correlatives" (1958) is also reprinted in volume three of Ong's Faith and Contexts, edited by Thomas J. Farrell and Paul A. Soukup (Scholars Press, 1995, pp. 28-42). Ong first explored the aural at length in his massively researched 1958 book Ramus, Method, and the Decay of Dialogue: From the Art of Discourse to the Art of Reason (Harvard University Press; for specific page references, see the "Index" entry on aural-to-visual shift [p. 396]; yes, the objective correlative is visual). Incidentally, the French Renaissance logician and educational reformer and Protestant martyr Peter Ramus (1515-1572) was widely known in his time. I have discussed Ong's account of aural and visual cognitive processing in his massively researched 1958 book RMDD in my somewhat lengthy OEN article "Walter J. Ong's Philosophical Thought" (dated September 20, 2020): Click Here (3) Ong's 1958 essay "Voice as Summons for Belief: Literature, Faith, and the Divided Self" is also reprinted is volume two of Ong's Faith and Contexts, edited by Thomas J. Farrell and Paul A. Soukup (Scholars Press, 1992b, pp. 68-84) and in An Ong Reader: Challenges for Further Inquiry, edited by Thomas J. Farrell and Paul A. Soukup (Hampton Press, 2002, pp. 259-275). Now, I took my second upper-division English course with Father Ong at Saint Louis University in the spring semester of 1966, Practical Criticism: Prose - along with about 70 other students. No, in that course Ong did not assign us to read any of his own publications. However, he did assign us to read the Canadian Renaissance specialist and cultural historian and pioneering media ecology theorist Marshall McLuhan's 1962 book The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man (University of Toronto Press) - which he advised us to take with a grain of salt. In McLuhan's 1962 book, he frequently refers to Ong's publications about Ramus (for specific page references to Ong's publications about Ramus, see the "Bibliographic Index" [pp. 286-287]). Now, the young Catholic convert Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980; Ph.D. in English, Cambridge University, 1943), fresh from his studies with F. R. Leavis and I. A. Richards at Cambridge University, had taught English at Saint Louis University (1937-1944), where he continued to work of his 1943 doctoral dissertation centering on the English Renaissance writer Thomas Nashe (1567-1601) - one of Shakespeare's contemporaries. McLuhan's 1943 Cambridge University doctoral dissertation was published posthumously, unrevised but with an editorial apparatus, as the 2006 book The Classical Trivium: The Place of Thomas Nashe in the Learning of His Time, edited by W. Terrence Gordon (Gingko Press). In any event, young McLuhan had called young Ong's attention to Harvard's Perry Miller's massively researched 1939 book The New England Mind: The Seventeenth Century (Harvard University Press; for specific page references to Ramus, see the "Index" [p. 528]). After Ong was ordained a Jesuit priest, he proceeded to undertake doctoral studies in English at Harvard University - where Perry Miller served as the director of his massively researched doctoral dissertation center on Ramus. Now, arguably Ong's most relevant publications about prose are (1) "Media Transformation: The Talked Book" (1972) and (2) "The Writer's Audience is Always a Fiction" (1975) - both of which Ing reprinted in his 1977 book Interfaces of the Word: Studies in the Evolution of Consciousness and Culture, each slightly revised (Cornell University Press, pp. 82-91 and 53-81, respectively). Ong's 1975 essay is also reprinted in An Ong Reader: Challenges for Further Inquiry, edited by Thomas J. Farrell and Paul A. Soukup (Hampton Press, pp. 405-427). Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Phuket, Thailand, March 15, 2024 - Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, which is nestled just steps from the sea on Phuket's sunset coast, is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with a prestigious title at the International Hotel Awards 2023-24. In a glittering ceremony staged at The Savoy, the iconic London hotel, on February 22nd, 2024, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort was "Highly A 35-year-old man who was suspected of stealing a pickup truck when he steered it into a Portland police officer fracturing the officers leg and sidelining him from duty for more than 1 years was sentenced to more than eight years in prison Thursday. Jacob Mathew Anderson pleaded guilty in January to the second-degree assault of Officer Fred Wiechmann and to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in a separate case. He was not prosecuted for stealing the truck that he drove into the officer because the owner of the truck didnt testify before a grand jury. The assault case unfolded at about 9:30 a.m. on July 24, 2022, when Wiechmann responding to a report that the stolen truck had been found approached the pickup. Prosecutors say Anderson suddenly backed into the front yard of a Southeast Portland home he was parked next to and then accelerated forward into Wiechmann. Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Chris Shull, who prosecuted the case, said surveillance video appears to show the truck not just striking Wiechmann, but running over his body. Anderson drove off from the home in the 15300 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard and soon after struck a car driven by a woman who was transporting her mother to the hospital because of heart problems. Anderson fled the state and was arrested nine days later in Idaho. Andersons defense attorney, Thomas Boone, declined to comment Thursday. Anderson, who was homeless at the time of his arrest, told officials at the time that he used methamphetamine daily and fentanyl occasionally. As part of his plea agreement, charges from a separate incident in which he pointed a gun at the chest of a Southeast Portland man who told him to stop honking his horn were dismissed. So were unrelated charges that he drove through stoplights and crashed into an SUV while eluding police in a stolen car. Wiechmann had been run over once before while on duty -- in 2005 by an intoxicated driver in Northeast Portland. That driver crushed the same leg that Anderson ran over in 2022. This second trauma aggravated Wiechmanns previous injuries and complicated his recovery, said police spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Allen. Wiechmann, a 29-year veteran of the force, has been on administrative leave as he continues to recover 19 months later. He recently underwent surgery to his ankle and has to stay off his feet for about another six weeks, Allen said. Despite all of these challenges, Fred is in good spirits, and he is optimistic that hell be able to come back, Allen said in an email. He added that Wiechmann hopes to put his uniform back on and at least briefly return to the job before retiring later this year. He said, I want to finish out the way I came in: on the street, Allen said. Aimee Green covers breaking news and the justice system. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or @o_aimee. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A 51-year-old Portland man was arrested Thursday after allegedly punching his neighbor in the face and calling him a racist slur on two occasions, police said. Officers first responded to reports of an assault at an apartment in the 12000 block of Southeast Ash Street on Feb. 5. Police found a man with a bloody nose who said his neighbor, identified as Fabian Bigeagle, assaulted him and used racist language, court records show. Bigeagle was arrested and booked into Multnomah County Jail on allegations of fourth-degree assault. He was released that day. A state nonprofit group that advocates for utility customers is asking Oregon regulators to dismiss Portland General Electrics newest rate increase proposal. In a motion filed Thursday, the Oregon Citizens Utility Board asked the Public Utility Commission to throw out PGEs 7.4% increase request. If approved by the commission, the increase would take effect in January 2025. A Dothan fire station is now home of the first Safe Haven Baby Box in the Wiregrass area, and the fourth in the state of Alabama. The box offers a safe place for newborns abandoned by their families with no questions asked. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, in 2021, 31 babies were placed in dumpsters, found in backpacks, or discarded in other dangerous locations. All but nine of these infants were dead when discovered. Dothans Safe Haven box is located at Dothan Fire Station #1 located at 510 Columbia Highway. Dothans Baby Box marks the 209th location across the nation. An hand at a ceremony to bless the box last week were Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey, Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams, and Fire Chaplain Allen Singley. This changes the community by saving babies, said Deputy Chief Chris Etheridge. Our commission and fire chief have committed to installing one at the two new stations. Etheridge said the box provides a truly anonymous option for young mothers to safely surrender their babies without any shame or judgment. Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Kelsey in 2016 when she learned that she was abandoned as an infant. Today, the organization relentlessly strives to protect women in crisis and their infants in a mission to end infant abandonment. Anonymity is a major component of this mission is the Safe Haven Haven Baby Box which allows for the legal safe surrender of a baby. Currently Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, West Virginia, Mississippi and Alabama have a Baby Box presence within their state. In addition this organization aids women in crisis with their National Hotline, 1-866-99 BABY1. The hotline provides free, confidential counseling with an expertise in each states Safe Haven Law. Education is a high priority of Safe Haven Baby Boxes mission. The project was finalized with the efforts of Alabama Legislature, City of Dothan Commission and many individuals in various departments within the city. This investment was financially covered by the Kids to Love Foundation. When surrendering an infant, a woman must choose to place her infant in the Baby Box, then the door locks when the mother closes the box. Alarms alert the location that a baby has been surrendered and within five minutes staff will retrieve the infant. Immediately the infant will be taken to the hospital for medical evaluation and the baby will hopefully be with their adoptive family soon. To adopt a Safe Haven baby, families can reach out to their local Department of Family Services to register for foster care with intention to adopt. In 2023, 17 babies were surrendered by a Baby Box. Trust is increasing among women that the organization will protect them and their infants in a time of need. The first Baby Box surrender was in 2017, and now 43 infants have been placed in a Baby Box. The hotline has also helped over 140 surrenders at Safe Haven locations. For any questions Monica Kelsey is available for contact at monicakelsey@safehavenbabyboxes.com. For more information about the baby boxes you can visit Safe Haven Baby Boxes website. Zora Forsberg was crowned Thursday as Cleveland High Schools representative on the 2024 Portland Rose Festival Court. The Cleveland junior plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology and become a therapist. At Cleveland, she has participated in the schools Black Student Union and is a member of the National Honor Society. Rose Festival Court announcements began March 5. The additional members of the court so far are: In all, 15 students from Portland-area high schools will serve on the court. Each will receive a $3,500 scholarship courtesy of The Randall Group and one-on-one mentorship arranged by Unitus Community Credit Union. Announcements continue Friday at Parkrose High School, and conclude March 22, when the Benson High School court member will be announced. The 2024 Queen of Rosaria will be crowned June 7. The Rose Festival kicks off with fireworks and City Fairs opening May 24 and culminating with the Grand Floral Parade on June 8. Read more about Princess Zora Forsberg, as told to the Portland Rose Festival. Career plans: I would like to get a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and become a therapist. High school activities and honors: Co-chair of Clevelands Black Student Union, Mentoring IB French SL 7-8, National Honors Society, Medal of Functional Fluency in French. Hobbies and special interests: I like to do a lot of crafts, usually knitting or crocheting, and a lot of reading (mostly magical realism/sci-fi). I also like to go on walks and explore the wooded areas of Portland. And, as of recently, I have painted murals. All of them are very meditative for me, and I really enjoy the sense of accomplishment and connection with life that they bring. What are you most proud of during your high school career? I am most proud of the Black History Month assembly we put on last year. It was the first one back from quarantine, and the pressure was on, but we made a really wonderful assembly on the importance of jazz in Black culture with guests like Mel Brown, and we got to highlight local Black-owned businesses like Third Eye Books. It was really incredible to be able to go on a stage and tell everyone about my culture, to put on a program that people really liked, and to have supported the community in the process. What is your favorite Rose Festival event and why? My favorite Rose Festival Event is the Milk Carton Boat Race. Its very nostalgic for me and I love to see everyones boats and how creative they get with them. I love the sense of community it brings, and how joyful and happy everyone is. Grant Butler 503-221-8566; gbutler@oregonian.com; @grantbutler Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe This is a call to action for the implementation of transgender initiatives in Oregon. A critical step towards addressing health care disparities faced by transgender individuals here is the adoption of transgender health advisory councils. Establishing such councils is necessary to ensure fair and timely health care services for transgender individuals. As highlighted in articles in The Oregonian/OregonLive and other media, there is a severe shortage of gender-affirming care providers in Oregon, leading to significant health care inequities. Establishing these councils will help address that shortage by providing strategic advice to policymakers and the Oregon Health Authority. Jersey Shore: Family Vacation is back with Season 7 Episode 6 premiering tonight, Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. on MTV with a live broadcast, or streaming on demand shortly after. In this weeks episode, the group goes to MetLife stadium for a New York Jets game while Pauly helps Lauren with some big and exciting news. Snooki also does whatever she can to stop some fighting within the community. WATCH Jersey Shore: Family Vacation tonight for FREE with Philo (free trial), or catch up on all episodes of the show streaming for free on demand right now. Who is on the new season of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation? A look at the cast: This season of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation takes place starting in Las Vegas and then back at the Jersey Shore again. Everybody is back. Nicole Snooki Polizzi, Vinny Guadagnino, Jenni JWoww Farley, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul DJ Pauly D Delvecchio, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Samantha Sammi Sweetheart Giancola and Mike The Situation Sorrentino. For the first time in 11 years, the entire original cast will be reunited. The cast member names and bios all appear under the Cast section of the Jersey Shore page on MTVs website. HOW TO WATCH What: Jersey Shore: Family Vacation When: Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. TV Channel: MTV Watch the show live streaming online: If you dont have cable, you can watch the episode on demand for free with Philo (free trial). If you have run out of free trials with this service, keep in mind that Philo is the cheapest TV streaming service on the market and costs just $25/month for the service and you can cancel anytime. You can find out more about which channel MTV is on by using the channel finders here: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, and Dish. LIFT 2024, a program to help women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and entrepreneurship, was officially launched today at the University of Wollongong. The program is funded by a $1 million grant from the Australian Government and aims to support women through mentorship, collaboration, and resources. Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia M. Davidson said UOW is committed to providing opportunities for women entrepreneurs and supporting their vision. At UOW, we are dedicated to creating an environment where women in STEM can thrive as entrepreneurs, Professor Davidson said. With support from the Government, programs like LIFT play an instrumental role in realising this vision, offering essential support and resources to empower women in their entrepreneurial journeys. iAccelerate Director and LIFT co-lead Dr Tamantha Stutchbury of said she was looking forward to building on the LIFT programs successes last year. We are thrilled to launch LIFT 2024 and continue our mission of empowering women in STEM and entrepreneurship, Dr Stutchbury said. iAccelerate is leading the industry in terms of women engaging with us as co-founders of resident companies, but we know globally that women arent supported with access to networks and funding in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Thats why its so important to us to offer scholarships, mentoring and networking to in our Female Founders program. LIFT co-lead Professor Danielle Skropeta from the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health said the program would provide a platform for researchers to succeed in their careers. Its crucial that early career researchers receive effective mentoring and training to succeed in their careers, Professor Skropeta said. By taking up these opportunities to grow and giving back as mentors to young girls, we hope to see our interns gain new skills, build their professional network in the Illawarra and continue their innovative research. The launch event also celebrated the achievements of participants who have been awarded scholarships and internships as part of the program. LIFT scholarship recipient Nuwangi Cooray, a PhD student at UOWs Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, is working to develop a new generation of sunscreens that can help prevent skin cancer. It is crucial for me to gain industry experience through the LIFT project, she said. As a PhD student committed to making a significant social and economic impact through innovation, my aim is not only to acquire the necessary skills to enter the workforce upon graduation but also to develop strategies for effectively connecting my research with the industry. In my field of research, I have noticed plenty of innovations and concepts getting published but never going beyond the laboratory. I believe that the industrial experience through the LIFT project provides me with the perfect platform to look at my research through a commercial lens to identify how I can best bridge the gap between laboratory and industry. Laura Smith from the School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences in the Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health was awarded an industry internship, and she will be interning with the Graduate Institute of Innovation. Her PhD research is on improving treatment options for metabolic diseases such as insulin resistant diabetes. I would never have gotten this industry internship if not for the LIFT Project, she said. Only 16 per cent of PhDs go into academia, so having some training in business and delivering a product will be extremely beneficial for my career path in the future. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. WP Strategic Holdings Acquires Crane Stationery Crane Stationery has been a part of Mohawk Fine Papers since April 2018. Crane Stationery has been a part of Mohawk Fine Papers since April 2018. March 15, 2024 - It has been reported by numerous media outlets that Crane Stationery has been acquired by WP Strategic Holdings, a private consulting and investment firm in Albany, New York. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Crane has been a part of Mohawk Fine Papers since April 2018, when Mohawk acquired Crane Stationery Corporation (North Adams, Massachusetts) for an undisclosed amount. The deal included all three premium Crane brands Crane & Co., William Arthur and Vera Wang. However, the future of Crane was put on hold this year in mid-February when Mohawk was acquired by Italy's Fedrigoni Group, a manufacturer of specialty papers. But Fedrigoni only bought "certain assets" of Mohawk, namely Mohawk's two paper mills in New York one in Cohoes and the other in Waterford. The deal also involved a distribution warehouse in Albany, NY. Commenting on the acquisition of Mohawk, Marco Nespolo, CEO of Fedrigoni Group stated, "The majority of existing jobs in the acquired production assets in Waterford and Cohoes paper mills and the Albany Warehouse (around 230 people out of 287 or 80%) will join the Fedrigoni Group." Todd Kletter, managing partner at WP Strategic Holdings, commented on the acquisition of Crane. "We are thrilled to welcome Crane Stationery into the WP Strategic Holdings family. Crane Stationery's unparalleled reputation for quality and craftsmanship aligns perfectly with our vision of supporting companies with a strong heritage and a dedication to excellence. Together, we are poised to unlock new opportunities for growth and maintaining its place in our nation's history. "We are excited about the possibilities that this acquisition brings. This acquisition will enable Crane to maintain its growth initiatives, expand its reach, and continue the legacy of delivering premium stationery products to our discerning customers," Kletter concluded. SOURCE: Industry news reports Photo: (Photo : J Pat Carter/Getty Images ) The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office announced on Wednesday that the death of a nonbinary student, which happened the day after a fight in a high school restroom, has been determined to be a suicide. Police Investigation on Nex Benedict's Death Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old student at Owasso High School, passed away in February, sparking concern from LGBTQ+ rights groups, as well as garnering attention from Oklahoma's governor and the White House. According to Owasso Police Department Lt. Nick Boatman, indications pointed towards suicide from the outset of the investigation. However, confirmation was awaited from the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office. The summary autopsy report, released over a month after Benedict's death, discloses toxic levels of two drugs in their system, leading to an overdose. A thorough autopsy report will be released in compliance with state law in ten days, as announced by the medical examiner's office. Although Boatman didn't confirm the presence of a note from Benedict at the scene, Jacob Biby, a lawyer representing Benedict's family, declined to provide further comments, stating that he was working on a statement from the family. Benedict was conscious and communicative after the Feb. 7 altercation, where they informed the police about the attack by three girls that followed after Benedict squirted them with water. Video footage from the hospital on the day of the incident shows Benedict explaining to an officer that they and their friends were being bullied by the girls due to their attire. Paramedics performed CPR at Benedict's family home before rushing them to the hospital, where they later passed away. Brandon Dilawari, a case manager at Rainbow Youth Project USA, highlighted the significant impact of bullying and harassment on students, emphasizing that many feel suicide is their only recourse for peace. The group noted a surge in calls to its national crisis hotline from Oklahoma following news of Benedict's death. Read Also: Oklahoma's 16-Year-Old's Death After School Fight Leaves Community Seeking Answers Cause of Death of Nex Benedict According to friends and family, Nex had faced bullying at school due to his gender identity. Body-camera footage released by police shows Nex lying in a hospital bed hours after the school fight, explaining to an officer how three students attacked him after he threw water on them in response to their bullying. Initial data from an autopsy report implied Nex's death was not due to trauma. However, the medical examiner lists the plausible cause of passing as "combined toxicity" from two drugs, one available over the counter and the other by prescription. The Owasso Police Department, in an announcement on Facebook, noted that implications of suicide were noticed early in the investigation but awaited verification from the medical examiner's office. Margaret Coates, the superintendent for Owasso Public Schools, recognized Nex's cause of death and encouraged learners to look for counseling. Students at Owasso High School arranged a walkout to oppose bullying, which they described as extensive and often unpunished. LGBTQ advocates have highlighted the excessive rates of suicidal ideation among queer youths, particularly trans and nonbinary individuals. Following Nex's death, the Department of Education opened an investigation into whether the high school failed to respond accordingly to sex-based harassment. The Human Rights Campaign has called for additional investigation into Nex's death. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org. LGBTQ young people in crisis can call the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or the Rainbow Youth Project at 1-317-643-4888. Related Article: Oklahoma High School Faces Federal Investigation After Teen's Death Over Alleged Transgender Bullying Sparks Outcry Photo: (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ) According to court documents, a 19-year-old student pilot is being charged federally for allegedly trying to enter the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight on numerous occasions. The crew announced a disturbance during the flight from San Diego International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport on March 3, as declared by the Federal Aviation Administration. Student Pilot Disrupts Flight After Attempts To Enter Cockpit The passenger, identified as Nathan Jones, reportedly left his seat numerous times and made three different pursuits to reach the front of the aircraft to open the cockpit door, according to an affidavit from a federal air marshal supporting the criminal complaint. During a search of Jones' belongings after landing, federal agents found a student pilot's license and notebooks containing instructions on aircraft operation, including take-off, in-flight, and landing techniques. He was afterward seized and charged with interference with a flight crew. Jones is presently in custody in Alexandria County, awaiting a detention hearing on March 18, according to court records. His attorney, Robert Jenkins, has requested a competency evaluation for Jones, citing a letter from a therapist describing symptoms of a serious mental illness and suicide protocols. Jenkins emphasized that Jones has no history of criminal behavior or violence and stated that the charges are inconsistent with his character. The attorney expressed concern for Jones' mental health and asserted confidence that it will become evident he never intended to harm or threaten anyone. Read Also: Mother of 2 Mysteriously Dies During Her Return Flight from Dominican Republic Criminal Complaint Against Student Pilot According to Federal Air Marshal Thomas Pattinson, a student pilot named Nathan Jones has been charged after reportedly attempting to access the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight multiple times during a journey to Dulles International Airport in Virginia earlier this month. The incident occurred on Alaska Airlines Flight 322, which departed from San Diego, California, on March 3. Pattinson detailed in a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Virginia that Jones, seated in 6E, left his seat on multiple occasions during the flight and made three separate attempts to reach the cockpit door. Flight attendants eventually called upon off-duty law enforcement officers to restrain Jones using flex cuffs, who then remained by his side for the duration of the flight. When questioned about his actions, Jones purportedly stated that he was "testing" the flight attendants. The flight deck was secured for the remainder of the journey, with flight attendants rearranging their duties to accommodate the situation. A beverage cart was also utilized as a barrier to prevent access to the cockpit. Law enforcement at Dulles contacted the FBI regarding Jones' behavior upon the aircraft's arrival. Upon consenting to a search of his carry-on and checked luggage, agents found multiple notebooks containing instructions on aircraft operation, as well as Jones' student pilot's license in his wallet. Robert Jenkins, identified as Jones' lawyer, emphasized to CBS News that the allegations are inconsistent with Jones' character, highlighting his lack of criminal history or violent behavior. Jenkins expressed concern for Jones' mental health and stated confidence that Jones had no intention of causing harm or threats. Related Article: Airports Compete to Support Employees' Families Amid Hiring Race Photo: (Photo : AFP Contributor / Getty Images) The Missouri teen, a 15-year-old named Kaylee, who was gravely injured when another teenage girl forcefully slammed her head onto the ground during a widely documented altercation, has been identified as the victim. Describing Kaylee's ordeal, the fundraiser's description underscores her valiant struggle for survival and recovery, emphasizing the daunting challenges ahead. Missouri Teen Bullied in High School Brawl Following the assault, a close friend disclosed that Kaylee is currently grappling with severe brain bleeding and swelling, painting a grim picture of her condition. The full extent of the damage remains uncertain until she regains consciousness, but the road to recovery is expected to be fraught with challenges for her family, both emotionally and financially. As donations pour in, the fundraiser on GoFundMe has reached almost $24,000 of its $40,000 goal as of Wednesday morning. The incident unfolded during a chaotic altercation near Hazelwood High School in St. Louis County. In disturbing footage capturing the altercation, Kaylee and another unidentified girl can be seen engaging in a physical altercation, ultimately leading to Kaylee being violently shoved to the ground and repeatedly struck. The assailant resorted to hurling derogatory insults at Kaylee before viciously slamming her head onto the ground, rendering her motionless. Upon the swift arrival of law enforcement, an unnamed 15-year-old girl was promptly taken into custody, with investigations currently ongoing into the matter. In response to the distressing incident, legislators have been vocal in calling for severe consequences for the perpetrator. Expressing profound gratitude for the overwhelming support, Kaylee's family shared their heartfelt anguish, recounting the traumatic aftermath following the assault. They shed light on the agonizing moments when Kaylee lay unattended until the arrival of emergency medical services. With Kaylee's critical condition at the forefront, they highlighted the immense emotional and financial strain accompanying her journey towards recovery. Despite the daunting challenges ahead, the family remains resolute in their unwavering support for Kaylee, clinging to hope for her eventual rehabilitation. Read Also: Measles Outbreak Escalates in Chicago: Three New Cases Spark Urgent Response Amidst Global Surge Demand for Accountability and Push for Enhanced School Safety Protocols In response to the violent incident, Attorney General Andrew Bailey has urged that the 15-year-old girl responsible for the assault be treated as an adult in the legal proceedings. Bailey emphasized the gravity of the situation, denouncing the act as a blatant disregard for human life and expressing sympathy for the victim. He stressed the need for accountability, asserting that should the victim succumb to their injuries, the charges should escalate to homicide. Following the altercation, Hazelwood East High School students were compelled to leave early on Monday as authorities probed multiple threats linked to the viral video depicting the altercation. The altercation unfolded around 2:30 pm on Friday in close proximity to Hazelwood High School, with footage circulating on social media capturing the assailant repeatedly striking the victim's head against the concrete. The victim exhibited signs of distress, with bystanders observing what appeared to be a seizure amidst the chaotic brawl. Law enforcement discovered the victim suffering from severe head injuries near the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, a short distance from the high school campus. The victim was promptly transported to the hospital and remains in critical condition. A 15-year-old girl was apprehended on Saturday and charged with assault, subsequently appearing in the St. Louis County Family Court. The St. Louis County Police Department is actively investigating the incident. In light of the distressing event, the Hazelwood School District issued a statement condemning violence within the community. The district expressed condolences to all affected parties and pledged to provide additional emotional support through their crisis team. Urging community members to show empathy and collaborate towards community improvement, the statement emphasized the need to address issues of bullying and violence for the well-being of all children. The district faced criticism recently for disenrolling over three dozen middle school students in late February and early March. According to the district's public relations director, Jordyn Elston, the decision was attributed to outdated residency information. However, the majority of affected students were promptly re-enrolled after updating their information within a week, the district clarified. Related Article:Texas College Student Caleb Harris Vanishes: Search Intensifies Photo: (Photo : MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images ) Eight people residing in a migrant shelter in Chicago have been diagnosed with measles in the previous week.This concern has led to the deployment of a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help city and state authorities respond to the epidemic, including by regulating vaccination initiatives. Rising Measles Cases in Chicago Migrant Shelter Since Thursday, a total of ten measles cases have been recorded in the city, recognizing the first instance of local measles transmission since 2019, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Two of these cases comprise of persons who are not residents of the shelter, which includes one adult and one child. Measles remains an infectious virus that is common in many countries outside the United States. According to the CDC, cases in the US commonly begin from international travelers, particularly unvaccinated Americans. The initial case at the shelter, which accommodates approximately 1,900 people, was publicly reported by the city on Friday. Subsequent cases among shelter residents quickly followed, with three confirmed on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Among those infected, there are five children and four adults. Nearly 900 residents have received vaccines since Thursday night. It's crucial to note that the measles vaccine is not advisable for pregnant women or infants under one year old. Read Also: 5-Year-Old Venezuelan Boy's Death at Chicago Shelter Raises Concerns About Migrant Safety Local Authorities Take Measures to Protect the Health of Migrants Dr. Olusimbo Ige, Chicago's public health Commissioner, stressed that the measles cases were obtained within the city rather than being brought in by new arrivals. Efforts to protect the health of migrants have been taken vigorously by local authorities. The situation at the city-run shelter highlights Chicago's intricate answer to the influx of nearly 37,000 migrants since 2022, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began directing buses to the so-called sanctuary cities. Initially, police stations and airports were utilized as temporary shelters, but efforts were made to locate additional accommodations. As of Tuesday, over 11,000 individuals remain in city-run shelters, where the medical care, along with vaccinations and treatment for health circumstances resulting from difficult journeys, is given. Many migrants arriving in Chicago come from Venezuela, where a mixture of social, political, and economic crises has led to extensive poverty and a breakdown in routine healthcare services. Cook County officials established a clinic in 2022 to offer urgent care, vaccinations, and access to other public health services. Criticism has been directed at the circumstances within the city's refuge, particularly following the death of a 5-year-old boy in December, who fell sick while staying at the same shelter where the measles cases began. Volunteer organizations argue that the current situation reflects a long-standing failure of city, county, state, and federal governments to adequately address the health needs of new arrivals. They advocate for comprehensive screening and vaccination protocols, akin to those historically implemented at Ellis Island over a century ago. Related Article: Measles Outbreak Escalates in Chicago: Three New Cases Spark Urgent Response Amidst Global Surge Photo: (Photo : Tim Vizer/Getty Images) Six middle schoolers from Massachusetts are now grappling with legal consequences after their involvement in a disturbing exchange on Snapchat. The Hampden County District Attorney's Office has taken action against these individuals, highlighting the pressing issue of online racism among youth. Online Racism From Middle Schoolers Unveiled on a Snapchat Exchange Authorities have brought forth charges concerning "hateful and racist comments" exchanged within a group chat, allegedly involving threats and a simulated slave auction, officials reported. The conversation transpired on Snapchat between February 8 and 9, unraveling disturbing sentiments of prejudice and animosity among numerous juveniles in Southwick, a suburb of Springfield. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, during a press briefing on Thursday, disclosed that several students within this chat expressed "hateful and racist comments," encompassing notions of violence towards individuals of color, racial epithets, derogatory imagery, and videos, alongside a simulated slave auction directed at two known juveniles. Gulluni revealed that the incident was reported to Southwick school authorities on February 9, with the Southwick police promptly notified. Following this, Gulluni initiated an investigation on February 15, focusing on the employment of "hate speech and race-based bullying." As a consequence of the investigation, Gulluni outlined that six juveniles, all eighth graders aged 13 or 14 at Southwick Regional School, now face charges. The district attorney's office detailed that all six have been charged with the intention of committing a crime. Additionally, one individual faces supplementary charges of interference with civil rights and witness interference, while another is charged with interference with civil rights. Notably, the identities of these juveniles remain undisclosed due to their age. Several students, including those implicated in the charges, underwent immediate suspension from Southwick Regional School on February 12 due to their involvement in the chat, according to the district attorney's office. Further disciplinary action ensued, with several students formally suspended days later, including two for 25 days and one for 45 days, as confirmed by the office. Read Also: Royal Photography Controversy: Kate Middleton's Manipulated Mother's Day Photo Sparks Global Outrage Community Calls for Change Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Willard issued a statement, informing the school community via email on February 12, regarding a highly inappropriate and racist conversation on Snapchat involving students at Southwick Regional School. In her statement, Willard affirmed the district's commitment to applying consequences in line with the school code of conduct in such instances. She reiterated the district's firm stance that racism and discrimination are unwelcome in the school community. A Springfield resident disclosed that her 13-year-old daughter was among the targets of the purported mock slave auction. Expressing concern, she emphasized the disquieting implications of such hateful sentiments surfacing at the tender ages of 13 and 14. She stressed the gravity of the situation, indicating that it cannot be overlooked. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni condemned the alleged behavior of the six juveniles involved, describing it as "vile, cruel, and contemptible." He expressed dismay at the existence of such ugliness among middle school students in the community in 2024. In response to the incident, the district attorney's office embarked on proactive measures aimed at preventing future harm, fostering empathy, and cultivating stronger communities devoid of hate. Initiatives include implementing a curriculum addressing hate and bullying within the Southwick school community and collaborating with the attorney general's office to devise a program targeting the harmful influences of bigotry, racism, and bullying in educational settings. Related Article: Indiana Mother's Tragic Death on Plane: Cause Revealed, Mystery Dispelled Photo: (Photo : Alex Wong / Getty Images) A tragic incident unfolded in Connecticut as a one-year-old toddler, Lennox, lost his life in a devastating encounter with a family dog on the eve of his first birthday. The heart-wrenching event has left the community in shock and mourning. Connecticut Child Death Caused By Family Dog Attack In a heartbreaking turn of events in Connecticut, a one-year-old child tragically lost his life after being bitten by a family dog, as confirmed by local authorities. Responding to an urgent call just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, East Hartford police rushed to the scene where they found the child, identified as Lennox, suffering from severe injuries caused by the family pet. Despite the swift actions of emergency responders and medical professionals, Lennox succumbed to his injuries, plunging his family and the community into mourning. The incident unfolded during what was meant to be a joyous celebration of Lennox's first birthday at Chuck E Cheese, casting a dark shadow over the day's festivities. According to Officer Marc Caruso, the heartbreaking attack occurred while Lennox and his mother were enjoying time together on a trampoline in their backyard. Suddenly, one of the family dogs turned aggressive, leaving Lennox with fatal injuries and his mother with wounds from attempting to intervene. Neighbor Catiria Delgado expressed profound regret at narrowly missing the chance to help, recounting how she had left her home just minutes before the tragic incident unfolded. The shock and devastation reverberated not only within the family but throughout the entire neighborhood. Authorities revealed that the family owned two dogs, both described as large breeds, possibly including a pitbull/dalmatian mix. Following the incident, both dogs were placed under quarantine at an animal shelter in South Windsor as investigations into the circumstances continued. Officer Caruso emphasized that, while two dogs resided in the household, one emerged as the primary aggressor. Law enforcement officers returned to the residence on Thursday to delve deeper into the tragic events that led to Lennox's untimely death. The devastating loss of young Lennox serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with interactions between young children and household pets. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, authorities stress the importance of vigilance and safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Read Also: Florida Mother Found Alive in Shipping Container After Mysterious Disappearance Efforts to Support the Family A GoFundMe was set up for the family to help them with their financial responsibilities. With a heavy heart, a relative named Crystal appeals to friends, family, and the public to assist in laying her nephew to rest. Lennox, her sister's only son and Crystal's sole nephew, tragically lost his life in an unforeseen incident. On what should have been a day of celebration for Lennox's first birthday at Chuck E. Cheese, a sudden and unexpected tragedy unfolded. Crystal recounts the harrowing events, where she was speaking to her sister, Keyshla, on the phone around 3 p.m. when their family dog leaped onto the trampoline, attacking both Lennox and his mother. Lennox suffered fatal injuries in the attack by the Dalmatian dog, which, shockingly, was a beloved member of the family. Crystal fervently implores for donations to support Lennox's funeral services during this trying time, emphasizing that every contribution, regardless of size, is invaluable. Meanwhile, the authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lennox's untimely demise, as Officer Caruso confirms the removal of two dogs from the home. Expressing condolences, Caruso extends thoughts and prayers to the grieving family and their loved ones, hoping they find solace and resilience amidst this profound loss. Related Article: Texas College Student Caleb Harris Vanishes: Search Intensifies Photo: (Photo : Guang Niu/Getty Images ) A Kentucky college student was found passive in her dorm room, showing deep lacerations and bruising, and remained without breathing for 23 minutes. Her parents are now demanding for answers concerning the continuous investigation into the occurrence. Kentucky College Student Mysteriously Assaulted in Dorm Room Isabella Willingham, 21, a student at Asbury University, was earnestly hospitalized on November 27 and admitted to intensive care due to the seriousness of her injuries, as reported by Lex18. Willingham's parents, who had not heard from her for several hours after she returned to campus following Thanksgiving, gets an startling call from her dorm resident director. "At 11 that night, we get a call from the resident director of her dorm, and she tells us that Bella is in an ambulance on her way to the emergency room, that she had been found unresponsive on the floor of her room by her roommate," recounted her father, Andy Willingham. Paramedics informed her parents that their daughter had stopped breathhing for 23 minutes. However, the nature of her injuries also raised serious dealings. Willingham suffered from deep lacerations and swollen legs, as revealed in photos obtained by the outlet. Upon awakening in the hospital, the young university student also discovered her acrylic nails had been torn off. She spent a fortnight recuperating at the University of Kentucky Hospital. The Jessamine County Sheriff's Office confirmed and documented Willingham's numerous injuries and initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the student's ordeal. Read Also: Oklahoma's 16-Year-Old's Death After School Fight Leaves Community Seeking Answers Victim's Parent Calls for Investigation Nevertheless, her father took issue with the local law enforcement and the university. He informed Lex18 that the police purportedly suggested his daughter's injuries were likely the result of falling from her bunk bed, a claim he disputed. "There's no way this could've been caused by anything other than someone doing something to her," he asserted to the station. Andy Willingham also criticized the university for not treating his daughter's situation seriously and delaying over a week before alerting other students to a potential threat on campus. "As a parent, I want to know if there's a possibility of someone coming into the school or campus being potentially dangerous," the concerned father expressed to the outlet. According to Andy Willingham, Asbury University acknowledged the incident involving Willingham but assured other students that they did not perceive any threat on campus. The father noted that the university did not request anyone to step forward with information regarding his daughter's situation and claimed that an email soliciting tips was dispatched solely to girls in his daughter's dormitory, not the entire student body. Now, months after the distressing ordeal, the Willingham family is still seeking answers. "I contacted them and said this is not okay, you have to give a detail so if someone knows something, they'll come forward, and the school's response to me was that we felt like they had done everything they could do," he conveyed to the outlet. Subsequently, the university urged that all "additional inquiries" be directed to the Jessamine County Sheriff's Office. Asbury University is a small institution with generally 1,900 students, and approximately 90% of its undergraduates reside on campus, according to the institution's website. Situated about 15 miles from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, the university is popular for its close-knit community and campus lifestyle. Related Article: Colorado University Student Arrested for Dorm Room Murders, Campus Mourns Loss Photo: (Photo : Mark Makela/Getty Images ) Thousands of residents in Colorado experienced power outages as authorities took the decision to close highways and schools amidst a winter storm that battered the Denver area. The storm posed the threat of dropping another half a foot of snow overnight into Friday. Snowstorm Led to the Closure of Highways This storm coincided with severe weather in other parts of the country. Kansas and Missouri witnessed enormous hailstones on Wednesday night, along with probable tornadoes in Kansas. Meanwhile, earlier in the month, a blizzard blanketed a northern California ski resort with over 10 feet of snow. The winter storm in Colorado led to the closuring of a part of Interstate 70, the state's main east-west highway in the mountains, leaving some drivers stranded for hours due to stuck trucks blocking the road. Authorities decided to restrict truck traffic on this highway section until noon on Friday to maintain its accessibility. Various routes experienced blockages or delays due to accidents, stuck vehicles, and other complications. The storm, commencing on Wednesday night, brought typical March snowfall, wet and slushy, particularly impacting the Front Range region where most of Colorado's population resides. The foothills west of Denver witnessed the heaviest accumulations, with up to 3 feet of snow by Thursday and another foot expected by Friday morning. Denver itself received around 9 inches of snow by Thursday, with an additional 3 to 7 inches anticipated by Friday morning. Difficulties Encountered During the Snowstorm Despite benefiting Colorado's ski industry, the severe conditions forced several ski resorts to shut down. Many schools and government offices closed on Thursday, with Denver area schools preemptively closing for Friday. Late Thursday, more than 18,800 customers were without power, primarily in metro Denver and along the Front Range. Read Also: CDC Team Joins Efforts to Address 8 Cases of Measles in Chicago MIgrant Shelter While some residents like Melanie Brooks lamented missing out on a powder day in the mountains due to difficult driving circumstances, others like Jarmila Schultz embraced the snow in spite of the inconvenience. Denver International Airport remained operational but encountered important flight cancellations and delays on Thursday, with 830 flights canceled and nearly 440 delayed, according to Flightaware.com. Day 1 of Colorado Snowstorm A significant winter storm is currently affecting Colorado, particularly the cities of Denver and Boulder, potentially being the most impactful in three years. While it is not projected to reach the severity of the 2021 storm, Denver could still receive up to twelve inches of snow, with Boulder possibly experiencing even greater amounts. The Rocky Mountains are anticipated to accumulate multiple feet of snow, leading to disruptions in travel along major highways. The storm has prompted warnings of challenging travel conditions and closures of schools. Concerns arise over potential tree damage and power outages due to heavy, wet snow. Snowfall began in Utah before spreading into Colorado, and the storm is expected to persist until Friday. Winter storm warnings are in place across six states, with snowfall forecasts varying depending on elevation. Related Article: Unseasonable Winter Blast Grips the US: From Record Snowfalls to Freeze Warning This Halloween This service is a courtesy for our print subscribers to give them access to our online edition at no additional cost. If you haven't registered on the new site, you must do it now before you do anything else. AFP: Former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he will build an investor group to acquire TikTok. What is your response? Wang Wenbin: Yesterday we made clear Chinas position on the US handling of TikTok. The spokesperson of Chinas Ministry of Commerce has also stated Chinas solemn position. CCTV: The United Nations Development Programme released the Human Development Report 2023/2024 yesterday. The report shows that Chinas human development index for 2022 rose to 0.788, ranking 75th in the world, up from 79th in 2021. What is your comment? Wang Wenbin: We noted the report. Chinas human development index (HDI) has increased from 0.499 in 1990 to 0.788 in 2022. China is the only country in the world that has leapt from the group of low human development to the group of high human development since the index was first measured in 1990. The increase of Chinas HDI is a result of the Communist Party of China practicing the people-centered development philosophy and putting the people at the core of the modernization endeavor. Since the beginning of reform and opening up, the population lifted out of poverty in China has accounted for over 70 percent of the worlds total. China has made the historic achievement of eliminating absolute poverty and realized the poverty reduction target of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. Chinese peoples average life expectancy has increased to 78.2 years, per capita annual disposal income has reached close to RMB 40,000, and the country has the worlds largest and most promising middle-income group totaling over 400 million people. China has also set up the worlds largest education system, social security system and medical care system. The Chinese people now have an increasingly greater sense of gains, happiness and security. Chinese modernization, with its continued progress, will turn the Chinese peoples aspiration for a better life into reality, and improve the Chinese peoples living standard and quality. We noted that the report by the UN Development Programme pointed out that the recovery in HDI values is unequal, the divergence between the very high and the low HDI groups of countries, after decades of convergence, is going up, and only about half of the least developed countries are projected to have reached or surpassed their pre-2019 HDI values. This highlights the urgency of making development the priority of the international agenda. The Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping provides strong impetus for global development cooperation and the realization of sustainable development targets. We stand ready to continue working with all parties to deepen cooperation under the Global Development Initiative, accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and make new contribution to enabling the people of all countries to live a happy life and realize well-rounded development. Financial Times: If the US passes this bill which forces ByteDance to sell TikTok to US investors, what is Chinas position? Wang Wenbin: The Foreign Ministry and the Commerce Ministry made responses to relevant questions, which you may refer to. Associated Press of Pakistan: In a letter to President Xi Jinping, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari thanked him for extending warm congratulations on his reelection. President Zardari expressed his commitment to working closely with President Xi to deepen practical cooperation, strengthen the all-weather partnership, and foster a shared community for the benefit of the two countries. Do you have any comment on that? Wang Wenbin: We appreciate the positive remarks of President Zardari. After the reelection of President Zardari, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to him, in which he noted that China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers. The ironclad friendship between the two countries is the choice of history and invaluable treasure of the two peoples. The reply letter of President Zardari once again highlights the strength of China-Pakistan relations. China looks forward to working with Pakistan to carry forward the traditional friendship, promote practical cooperation in various areas, strive for greater development of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Rudaw Media Network: Iraq Central Bank has shown readiness to trade with China in yuan. What is Chinas reply? Wang Wenbin: China and Iraq are strategic partners. We conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. China stands ready to work with Iraq to augment financial cooperation and the facilitation of trade and investment. On your specific question, Id refer you to competent authorities. Financial Times: Steel workers in the US are calling for the United States Trade Representative to initiate an anti-dumping investigation into Chinas shipbuilding industry. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: Chinas global leadership in sectors including shipbuilding and maritime transport is achieved through high-quality products and a good reputation forged in fierce market competition not through the so-called discriminatory trade practices. The US should uphold the principles of market economy and fair competition, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for companies of all countries. Bloomberg: Just now you were talking about how the UN human development index has shown that China is now a high development nation or a nation of high development. My question is when will China become a developed nation as classified at the WTO and other international organizations? China claims as a developing nation at those organizations at the moment. Im just asking when it will be changed into a developed nation? Wang Wenbin: China is the only country in the world that has leapt from the group of low human development to the group of high human development since the index was first measured in 1990. It speaks volumes about Chinas achievements in socioeconomic development and the great benefits brought to the Chinese people. That said, it needs to be stressed that from a comprehensive perspective, China is still a developing country, which has solid ground in Chinas national realities and international law. Chinas rights as a developing country cannot be taken away by any country. As Chinas strength grows, we will make greater contribution to human progress and global development. China Daily: Its reported that the Philippine Trade Secretary recently held talks with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The Philippine side stated that the US held up imports of garments from the Philippines on suspicion that the raw material cotton was produced by forced labor in Xinjiang. The Philippines has expressed concerns to the US side. Whats Chinas comment? Wang Wenbin: The so-called forced labor in Xinjiang is nothing but an egregious lie propagated by anti-China forces aiming to create forced unemployment and forced return to poverty in Xinjiang. Its a typical example of infringing on human rights under the banner of upholding human rights. Here are some examples: among the over 2,200 staff employed by a private garment company in Xinjiang at the end of 2018, over 95 percent were from ethnic minority groups. Due to sanctions imposed by the US and other Western countries, major business partners of the company canceled all of their orders for 2019, resulting in a loss of over RMB 10 million and the layoff of more than 500 employees. As we speak, the factory and equipment of the company is mostly left unused and the company is barely staying afloat with domestic orders. A hair accessories company in Xinjiang, before the sanctions, has an annual production capacity of 50 million hair bands and an annual export of USD 30 million, making significant contribution to local employment. After the US imposed sanctions on it, the company could not conduct normal collection of payment and foreign exchange, its production and operation kept deteriorating, and the number of orders decreased by 40 percent. A villager from Jiashi county, Kashgar region, Xinjiang landed a job in a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in Hunan province in September 2019. The company is specialized in export trade and offered a monthly salary of RMB 5,000. In 2020, influenced by US sanctions, the company terminated the labor contract with the villager, who was forced to leave and make a living back home with a significantly lower income. Besides, the influence of the US also crept into poverty alleviation projects in Xinjiang, damaging the livelihood of local people from different ethnic groups who worked so hard to get rid of poverty. Some US companies, for the so-called compliance reasons, unilaterally stopped supplying medical products to Chinese medical institutions purchased by Xinjiang. Such a decision had a severe impact on the rights to life and health of people in Xinjiang. Facts have shown that the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is in nature a tool for US politicians to destabilize Xinjiang and contain Chinas development. It not only severely infringes on the human rights of people in Xinjiang but also destabilizes global industrial and supply chains and sabotages international trade rules. Thus, the act is one of the most notorious and egregious laws in the 21st century. The international community needs to firmly oppose the USs wrong practice of smearing other countries, interfering in others internal affairs, going after foreign companies and containing other countries development under the excuse of human rights. China will continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. Bloomberg: Yesterday, at the Vietnamese press conference, the Vietnamese foreign ministry answered questions about a statement from the Chinese government on March 1, which issued a new demarcation line for a Chinese claim at the Gulf of Tonkin. The Vietnamese government suggested that China abide by previous agreements between China and Viet Nam. Do you have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: Its Chinas legitimate and lawful rights to determine territorial sea baseline in Beibu Gulf. AFP: Earlier today US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said that considering Chinas censorship on overseas online platforms, the remarks of the Chinese side on the possible ban of TikTok in the US are supremely ironic. What is your response to these comments? Wang Wenbin: Chinas policies of treating foreign social media are a far cry from the USs treatment of TikTok. All platforms, products and services are welcomed to the Chinese market as long as they observe Chinese laws and regulations. This non-discriminatory approach is equally applied to all foreign companies. TikTok is registered in accordance with the USs laws and subject to the USs regulation. It conducts lawful operations, but the US harnesses state power to ban and even force TikTok to divest with every means in an attempt to suppress its development. A country that touts freedom of speech and a free market is actually abusing state power to go after a certain company. This is supremely ironic. China News Service: Its reported by Reuters that former US President Donald Trump signed a secret executive order in 2019 to authorize the Central Intelligence Agency to launch a clandestine campaign aimed at smearing China by creating a special team of operatives who acted covertly such as buying off media outlets and using bogus internet identities in China, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and Africa. Whats your comment? Wang Wenbin: I recall that CIA Director William Burns said publicly not long ago that the CIA has committed substantially more resources toward China-related intelligence collection. The report that you mentioned echoes Director Burnss remarks. It has also once again shown that the US has spread China-related disinformation in an organized and well-planned way for a long time and its Americas important approach to wage a battle of perception against China. US Republican Senator Rand Paul once said honestly that the US government is the biggest propagator of disinformation. The US who often accuses other countries of spreading disinformation is in fact the true breeding ground of disinformation. Concocting and spreading rumors will only get one lose credibility faster. Spreading disinformation cannot inhibit Chinas progress but will only discredit the US. Accenture partners with Snowflake in launching Snowflake Women in Data Initiative across Australia and New Zealand. Snowflake has unveiled its Snowflake Women in Data initiative for Australia and New Zealand in partnership with Accenture. This collaborative effort aims to foster a vibrant community of data professionals, encouraging women to actively participate in shaping a data-driven future. Catering to data professionals at various career stages, Snowflake and Accenture will organize regular meetups and events open to both men and women. These gatherings will focus on upskilling, networking, and knowledge sharing in an inclusive environment designed to educate and inspire. Snowflake has established local chapters in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland, providing sponsorship for the Snowflake Women in Data events. These events will spotlight three key areas: Competence/Skills, Confidence/Personal Branding, and Leadership. The initiative is a vital platform for supporting women in the data field, acknowledging the obstacles they encounter. Accentures research indicates a decrease in the proportion of women in tech from 35% in 1984 to 32% currently. By connecting, attracting, and nurturing women in the industry, the Snowflake Women in Data initiative represents a significant stride towards cultivating a more diverse workforce prepared for the challenges of a data-centric future. Cathy Conroy, Director, ANZ Channel and Alliances at Snowflake: Unlocking the full potential of the tech industry demands not just progress but a shift. Snowflake recognizes that women in data need more than opportunities; they need a robust network and support system. Success hinges on collective commitment and a conscious effort to champion diversity. Snowflakes partnership with Accenture signifies more than collaboration; its a commitment to crafting a future where every voice, especially from women in data, not only thrives but shapes the very essence of a data-driven world. Together with Accenture, were not just advocating for careers; were championing the role of women in fuelling innovation in our data-driven world. Dalibor Ivkovic, Managing Director, Data & Artificial Intelligence Lead, Accenture Australia and NZ: We believe that the Snowflake Women in Data initiative is a tremendous opportunity for participants to enhance their skills, foster collaboration, and build valuable networks within the data industry. This initiative provides a platform for both seasoned professionals and aspiring data scientists to advance their careers. The overwhelming feedback from women in the industry reinforces the importance of initiatives like these, and we are thrilled to continue making a positive impact by launching the Snowflake Women in Data initiative this year. It is fantastic to have these events where I can collaborate and share ideas with other women in the data field. Plus seeing these friendly faces at other data events makes me excited to get more people involved so we can grow our voice in the future of data. Pip Sidaway, Data Product Manager Emerging Technology & Data Platforms | Information Technology, NIB: Last Decembers Snowflake Women in Data event was a blast! It was fantastic to connect with fellow women in similar roles, sharing challenges and experiences. The speaker Erika Cramers energy as a speaker was infectiousIm already hyped for the next one! Cant wait to see where these events take us. Sally Wilson MYOB senior Business Analyst. For those interested in attending the Snowflake Women in Data initiatives, please register ANZWID@snowflake.com Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. A new article has just been posted on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Premortal Life and Mortal Life: A Fearful Symmetry, written by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw Abstract: Bodily weakness, along with the varied circumstances into which we were born, provide the essential initial and ongoing conditions that shape the challenges and opportunities of our mortal probation. In life, we are not expected merely to preserve our innocence in defiance of worldly tendencies, nor are we compelled to cede to cynicism in the face of disheartening earthly experience. Rather, we are meant to follow the Savior in uniting the state of innocence with that of experience, thus joyfully fulfilling the unique mission that has been generously given to each of us. [Editors Note: This essay was adapted and expanded from Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, Appreciation for Terryl Givenss When Souls Had Wings: The Fearful Symmetry of Premortal and Postmortal Life, From the Desk of Kurt Manwaring (blog), 4 January 2024, https://www.fromthedesk.org/terryl-givens-when-souls-had-wings-book-review/.] And dont overlook these recently posted items: Hugh Nibley Observed: Graduate School through BYU, written by his son, Alex Nibley So for those of you who are fans and admirers of Hugh Nibley as a scholar, I have to state up front that I am not an expert on Hugh Nibley as a scholar. Its not an aspect of his personality and his career of which I know much; probably many people here know more about him as a scholar than I do. There are others who have the intellect and the inclination and the interest to cover that topic much better than I, and I would certainly recommend you to my brother-in-law Boyd Petersens biography of Dad, as he has very well researched that and writes about it very well. Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in Hugh Nibley Observed, edited by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, Shirley S. Ricks, and Stephen T. Whitlock. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/hugh-nibley-observed/. Interpreter Radio Show March 3, 2024 For the 3 March 2024 episode of the Interpreter Radio Show, Hales Swift and Brent Schmidt and Martin Tanner discussed Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 13. These audio tracks are also included in our podcast feed (https://interpreterfoundation.org/feeds/podcast). The Book of Mormon in Context portion of this show, for the Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 13, will also be posted separately on Tuesday, 19 March 2024. The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. Original air date: March 3, 2024. These recordings have been edited to remove commercial breaks. Conference Talks: Strong Like Unto Moses: The Case for Ancient Roots in the Book of Moses Based on Book of Mormon Usage of Content Apparently from the Brass Plates (2020 Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference), presented by Noel Reynolds and Jeff Lindsay Noel Reynolds and Jeff Lindsay spoke at the Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference on Saturday, September 19, 2020 about Strong Like Unto Moses: The Case for Ancient Roots in the Book of Moses Based on Book of Mormon Usage of Content Apparently from the Brass Plates. Their paper discusses research in recent decades that shows the Book of Moses to be more than Joseph Smiths alleged reworking of Genesis based on his personal views, his nineteenth-century environment, or some prophetic imagination. All of the conference presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. Videos, audio recordings and transcripts are available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2020-book-of-moses-conference/papers/. The videos are also available on the Interpreter Foundation YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/theinterpreterfoundation. A YouTube playlist is also available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRMn4gyXMWLv7A618LA-cCvxMqWRk8kxI. It would be difficult to imagine a clearer illustration than this of what free-market economists have been saying, for decades, about minimum wage laws: Lyft and Uber to cease operations in Minneapolis after new minimum wage law. Raising the minimum wage may allow politicians to feel virtuous but, if it prices lower-end or marginal workers out of the job market, it really doesnt help the poor or the overall economy. Wealth is created by labor and capital investment. It isnt created by government fiat and it isnt bestowed ex nihilo by politicians. There is a point, as every decent Economics 101 class teaches, where supply meets demand and sets a natural price. Setting a price (whether for a product or for labor) above or below that natural point leads to foreseeable distortions in the economy. Sometimes I wish that completing a class in basic economics were required in order to run for public office. Or, at least, a reading of Henry Hazlitts classic Economics in One Lesson. The Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File continues to yield theistic horrors that send ardent secularists scurrying for their smelling salts and their safe spaces. Here, I share merely a quartet of such recent abominations. There are, alas, many, many more: The Church of Jesus Christ Collaborates with Cambodian Government to Open Techo Sen Koh Thom Hospital: One of the Churchs Largest Humanitarian Projects in Asia Set to Serve Over 400,000 People Cambodias Kampong Thom Province Celebrates Major Renovation of Three Hospitals: Major upgrades by The Church of Jesus Christ improve health care quality for over 700,000 people in rural Cambodia From Scarcity to Abundance: Community Empowerment and Water Security in Central America: The Church of Jesus Christ and Water for People bring water access and better bathrooms to Honduras, Guatemala More Than 40,000 Vulnerable People Will Receive Adequate and Nutritious Food: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributes to the Diakonia Food Bank in Ecuador When will this reign of religious terror end? Today, in response to Texass age-verification law being upheld, the ultra-popular PornHub and numerous other adult sites operated by parent company Aylo went dark in the state. Replacing the NSFW videos youd normally expect to see, a message decrying government overreach and proposed compromises has been posted. Its a similar chain of events to what happened last year when Utah enacted a law requiring websites to verify the ages of users. Pornhubs official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. No further comment about how I obtained this screenshot. Pornhubs official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. No further comment about how I obtained this screenshot. Sam Singleton Pornhubs official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. No further comment about how I obtained this screenshot. Sam Singleton Sam Singleton And as with Utah, Texass actions prompted an increased interest in virtual private networks, or VPNs. Google searches for VPN immediately skyrocketed in Texas as folks looked to circumvent the ban. I checked Google Trends myself and, yep, Texas now shows 100 percent interest for VPN. A screenshot of Google Trends on March 14, 2024 showing VPN search interest in Texas at 100. A screenshot of Google Trends on March 14, 2024 showing VPN search interest in Texas at 100. Sam Singleton A screenshot of Google Trends on March 14, 2024 showing VPN search interest in Texas at 100. Sam Singleton Sam Singleton We might not be experts on law, but we sure know VPNs here at PCWorld! While we would never encourage circumventing any laws, if youre a resident of Texas who just so happens to be looking for a VPN for totally legal reasons, here are some especially choice picks, culled from our roundup of the best VPN services. Happy surfing, yall! (But not too happy). ExpressVPN ExpressVPN Read our review ExpressVPN is our best overall pick for VPNs and for good reason. Youll get a ton of features for your money including wide-device support, ad- and tracker-blocking, and plenty of servers located both domestically and internationally to choose from. Its also one of the fastest VPNs weve ever tested, meaning you wont have to downgrade your video quality to something that makes it look like the important bits were blurred on purposewere talking about those fine special effect details in the latest Avatar: The Last Airbender series, of course. NordVPN NordVPN Read our review If youre looking for a VPN that doesnt log the sites you visit and provides fairly anonymous payment methods, NordVPN is a fine choice. Its loaded with features and offers fast servers perfect for streaming videos. The one downside? While it only costs $4.19 per month if you commit to a two-year plan, it costs $12.99 monthly if you dont want to sign up for a long term contract. Mullvad Mullvad Read our review Best Prices Today: This might be a better option, however. Mullvad isnt just in our top five VPNs for overall speeds, it more importantly earns top marks for privacy, taking seemingly every effort to know as little as possible about its users. From our roundup: Weve never seen another VPN that actively resists knowing who you are the way Mullvad does. Mullvad doesnt ask for your email address, name, or anything else. Instead it assigns a random account number that acts as your identifier and login. Mullvad accepts payments using standard methods such as credit cards and PayPal, but you can also mail your payment in cash to remain as private as possible. Mullvad has a no-logging policy and doesnt collect any identifying metadata from your usage. Better yet, it costs just $5 per month regardless of the plan you choose. Windscribe Pro Windscribe Pro Read our review Windscribe VPN has a totally free-to-use version with 11 worldwide locations to choose from including a U.S. server conveniently located outside of Texas. It also offers up to 10GB of bandwidth per month, which should be enough to do your business, whatever that business may be. The service is also extremely easy to use with a simple setup and solid performance for a free VPN. Plus, if you find that you like the services free version you can always upgrade to premium with more features to expand your, um, horizons outside of just the local content. A modern browser does more than just serve up webpages. Good ones protect you from malicious sites, too. Chrome calls its take on this feature Safe Browsing and the default version of it just got a boost. Before Thursdays upgrade, which was announced in a Google blog post, Chrome automatically checked links against a list of known bad sites, which was kept on your device and updated every 30 to 60 minutes. This standard mode in Chrome Safe Browsing, similar to rival browsers like Firefox, allowed user traffic to remain anonymous but left room for visiting shady web pages, since the lists werent refreshed constantly. For real-time defense, Chrome users had to opt into Safe Browsings Enhanced protections. These also enabled access to AI-powered identification of malicious links and pages. The trade-off was allowing Google to directly associate you with your browsing habits, including any downloads. This diagram created by Google shows how Chrome Safe Browsings standard protection mode previously worked. This diagram created by Google shows how Chrome Safe Browsings standard protection mode previously worked. Google This diagram created by Google shows how Chrome Safe Browsings standard protection mode previously worked. Google Google Now, with the newly launched update to Chrome Safe Browsing, standard protections will also check real-time lists without the privacy compromise, as it still encrypts the URLs during verification. When you attempt to visit a web page, the browser will first check its locally stored database of safe websites. If the URL isnt found, then a real-time check is performed. To do this while preserving user privacy, the web address first gets encrypted, and then only select parts of the resulting hash get passed to an intermediary server. Google calls this a privacy server. This privacy server, which is run by a third-party company called Fastly, strips away details like your IP address and other potential identifiers before sending the partial hash to a Safe Browsing server. These data requests are pooled together across multiple Chrome users to further anonymize them. The Safe Browsing server decrypts the data, looks to see what full URL hashes could match that request, then sends its findings back through the privacy server to Chrome. Chrome then checks the full hash of your URL against that information, and alerts you if it discovers any matches. This diagram created by Google outlines how Chrome Safe Browsings standard protection mode now works. This diagram created by Google outlines how Chrome Safe Browsings standard protection mode now works. Google This diagram created by Google outlines how Chrome Safe Browsings standard protection mode now works. Google Google You can think of this as similar to picking a vacation destination. You decide you want to try a place called Ghost Town Falls, and hand that to a driver. The driver checks that location against a list of safe areas, and if theres no match, they call up dispatch to ask if the list of dangerous sites contain any locales with the letters gh. Dispatch then sends over any matches found, and if Ghost Town Falls is part of that info, your driver tells you that maybe you should go somewhere else. Hashes and hash prefixes are more complex than the analogy here, so the Safe Browsing servers shouldnt be able to guess what URLs the partial hashes represent. For a fuller rundown of the technical details, you can check out the Google Security Blogs explanation of how the new standard Safe Browsing protections work. In that same post, Google explains that the increased pace of malicious attacks necessitates real-time checks it says most dangerous websites are online for less than 10 minutes at a time. When lists of risky sites are only updated every 30 to 60 minutes, would-be hackers have ample time to do damage. As for Chrome users signed up for the Enhanced version of Safe Browsing, theyll still benefit from additional protections. Standard Safe Browsing will only block websites known to be unsafe. Enhanced Safe Browsing will also block pages suspected to be untrustworthy, based on analysis performed by AI (in this case, machine learning). It also scans files and Chrome extensions. As before, Enhanced protections are opt-in within Chromes settings (Privacy and Security > Security). OUR TOP PICK FOR ANTIVIRUS Norton 360 Deluxe Read our review With this upgrade, Chrome has raised the bar for its competitionbut using an improved web browser will be just one portion of your online security. These days, setting up layers of protection is the smart way to go. Antivirus software also screens for malicious and phishing websites, and should anything slip through, a good suite will catch it fast. (That includes Windows built-in protections, too, though youll need turn on features like ransomware protection.) Two-factor authentication keeps an account locked even if your password is stolen or guessed. A password manager lets you use random and unique passwords to prevent people from cracking your passwords (or succeeding at login if they figure out one and start trying it across the web). And of course, having backups of your PC and its files lets you quickly restore your system if you have to start over. Its more work than in the early years of the internet, but its now unfortunately necessary. Security experts say the speed of attacks and malicious behavior will continue to increase, and so you should be prepared. Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has heralded the Ghana Card Number at birth as one of the systems that will transform the countrys identity system. The initiative, which aims to integrate birth registration with national identity systems, promises to transform the way citizens are recognized and valued from the moment of birth. Speaking at the launch event in Accra on Thursday, March 14, 2024, Dr. Bawumia underscored the significance of this milestone in Ghana's digital transformation journey. "The Ghana Card Number at birth is not just an ID; it's a promise to our children of a future where their identity and rights are recognized from their very first breath," remarked Dr. Bawumia. "This initiative lays the groundwork for a digital ecosystem that empowers every citizen, from birth, and represents a significant step towards leveraging technology for national progress," he added. He highlighted its role in streamlining birth registration and ensuring every Ghanaian, from the moment of birth, is recognized and valued within the national identity framework. Dr. Bawumia reiterated the government's commitment to modernizing Ghana's identity management systems, ensuring efficient service delivery, and safeguarding the rights of citizens, particularly mothers and children. He expressed gratitude to all partners involved in making the Ghana Card Number at Birth project a reality and emphasized the collective effort required to build an effective, efficient, and responsive public sector. The event was attended by notable dignitaries including Health Minister-designate Benard Okoe-Boye, Minister for Works and Housing-designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Information-designate Fatimatu Abubakar, Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, and Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA) Prof. Ken Attafuah among other well-known signatures. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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 Twenty-one thousand (21,000) youth are being trained by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and CSIR-BRRI in specialized skills under the Youth In Brick Production and Construction module of the agency. The trainees will be taken through a meticulously designed training module to impart knowledge and skills that they need to succeed in the field of burnt bricks making and construction. Addressing the selected trainees in Kumasi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Kofi Baah Agyepong said the YEA has been planning the program since last year August when lots of people have questioned YEAs scale of ambition. He said, YEAs scale of ambitions is embedded in their skills training and job creation drive. According to him, some people thought YEA system cannot carry too many big plans but currently, the YEA is training 10,000 youth in ten field areas including masonry, carpentry, tiling, POP, glazing works, general electricals, plumbing, beauty care, hair dressing and auto works. The Youth In Brick Production and Construction, he said, which is a collaborative program between the YEA and CSIR-BRRI will train and equip the youth to acquire specialized skills that will help change the construction industry of the country. By the end of the year, a total of 21,000 youth would have been trained and equipped not only to provide bread and butter for their families, but also contribute to national development, he said. He described the unemployment situation in Ghana as a national security threat and averred that government through the YEA has done a lot and will continue to do more in creating job opportunities. The agency, he revealed, currently has over 200,000 young men and women on their database looking for various jobs. The YEA boss lauded the efforts by government in supporting the YEA achieve its aims and objectives and indicated that, the agency is backed by a government that sees youth unemployment as a major concern to national development, hence providing the YEA with necessary support. He said; We see the future not as something out of our control but of something we can shape through a concerted and collective efforts. Kofi Baah Agyepong urged the trainees to be proud of the opportunities that government, through the YEA, is giving them and see it as a major milestone in their growth and development. He added that studies have shown that the building industry is unable to employ majority of the Ghanaian youth because they lack modern artisanal skills, hence the influx of artisans from neighboring countries like Togo whose skills are needed by contractors and estate developers. He charged the trainees to be professionals and do away with the attitude of abandoning work for funerals and other social events; stressing that YEA initiates the Youth In Brick Production and Construction program to bridge the skills gap and improve professionalism in the building industry. He also revealed that the trainees will be giving monthly stipends of GH500 during the training. CSIR-BRRI The Forestry Research Institute Director, Prof Daniel Ofori said the mandate of CSIR-BRRI is to generate and apply innovating technology for socio-economic development in areas of agriculture, environment, public health, industry, social science and as far as the program is concerned, they are to undertake research in all aspects of building and road design as well as construction with the view of ensuring efficiency. They are to also produce construction materials from local sources for increased utilization in construction. He noted that the institute will offer the trainees the requisite knowledge in the development of materials from local sources such as in brick construction among others. Prof Daniel Ofori described the program as a transformative training that will equip the youth to thrive in the building and construction industry. He also touched on the growing climate change and the importance of using local materials in construction in mitigating climate change effects. He said by harnessing the "our natural resources, we reduce dependence on imported materials and create opportunities for local industry to grow amid the use of eco-friendly materials, and innovative building practices". Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting the use of local materials to productive change, he advised. Training The Training Coordinator, Dr Joe Danquah said over the next eight (8) weeks, the trainees together with their facilitators will embark on a journey of learning, growth and various opportunities. He noted that the training module was meticulously designed with the aim of equipping participants with knowledge, skills and resources that they need to succeed in the field of burnt bricks making and construction. Dr Joe Danquah said the Youth In Brick Production and Construction is novel in delivery a complete master cash man in burnt brick production and laying indicating the trainees will be taken through factory mode production and construction, engage in comprehensive curriculum with facilitators guiding them through hands on practical sessions for them to gain invaluable insights in their discipline. He charged the beneficiaries to unlock their potentials and pursue their career with passion and determination. Source: YEA 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 Heres a recap of recent funding developments from Australia, India, the US and beyond. Nozomi Networks Secures $100M Series E Funding Nozomi Networks Inc., a global leader in OT and IoT security, has announced a successful $100 million Series E funding round. The investment aims to enhance innovative cybersecurity measures and broaden global market reach, with contributions from Mitsubishi Electric and Schneider Electric. AI Startups Garner $5.7 Billion in Funding This Year AI startups are once again in the spotlight as they raise a staggering $5.7 billion in funding year-to-date. With significant attention from venture capital investors, AI companies are outpacing Q1 2023 figures, showcasing the sectors resilience and growth potential. Despite a decline in the number of funding rounds, AI startups are attracting more fresh capital, reflecting the industrys robust growth trajectory. With the market expected to reach $305 billion in revenue this year, investors continue to pour funds into AI ventures, driving innovation and expansion. The cumulative funding for AI startups climbs to a staggering $173.5 billion, underscoring the sectors enduring appeal to investors. With machine learning startups leading the pack in funding, followed by AI software and analytics ventures, the AI market continues to attract significant investment globally. Bae Juice Raises $1 Million for U.S. Expansion Melbourne-based startup Bae Juice secures $1 million in funding for its hangover prevention beverage as it eyes expansion into the lucrative U.S. market. Backed by Perth gaming billionaire Laurence Escalantes family fund, the investment underscores growing interest in innovative health products. Unstructured Raises $40M in Series B Funding Unstructured, a provider of tools to ingest and preprocess large language models (LLMs), raised $40m in Series B funding. The company intends to use the funds to grow its team and accelerate its development of data preprocessing tooling for LLMs. Its open source library has been downloaded more than 6 million times and is used by more than 12,000 code bases. Perfios Raises US$80M in Funding Perfios, a Bengaluru, India-based B2B SaaS fintech company, raised US$80M in funding. Teachers Venture Growth, the growth investment arm of Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, made the investment. The company intends to use the funds to continue its international expansion and strengthen its global footprint. Big Sur AI Raises $6.9M in Seed Funding Big Sur AI raised $6.9M in seed funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and development efforts. Its flagship AI Sales Agent product increases online conversion rates and order sizes for merchants by offering an assisted shopping experience to their consumers. Fermat Raises $17M in Series A Funding Fermat, a San Francisco-based startup, raised $17M in Series A funding. The round, which brought the total amount to $30M, was led by Bain Capital Ventures. The company intends to use the funds for growth for its customers including True Classic, Jack Archer, mindbodygreen, U Beauty, and Nood. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reiterated his directives to security agencies and the ministry of defense that no ransom should be paid by the government to kidnappers, bandits, or any criminal elements for the release of abducted persons. The Minister of Information and National Orientation disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by the President at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. This is coming on the heels of the reported cases of kidnapped children in Kaduna State who are still held in captivity by their abductors and are demanding billions of money for their release. He said, In council today, Mr. President reiterated his directive to the security agencies and the ministry of defence to ensure that those of our kids that have been abducted by these criminal gangs are brought back to their homes safely. And Mr President has also reiterated his zero tolerance for payment of ransom. That was also mentioned by Mr. President at the council today. So the security agencies are working around the clock. So these children and people that have been abducted by criminal elements will be brought back to safety pretty soon. The security agencies are working hard in that direction. And Mr. President has also directed that no ransom will be paid by government to any of these criminal elements. It is important that it be put out there. While fielding questions on the increasing wave of kidnapping in the country, the Minister said, Youre also asking about the apparent surge in this kidnapping across the country. Now it is true that some of these are happening, we have seen what has happened in Kaduna, in Borno, and then in Sokoto. Of course, the government is watching that very closely and not just watching but also ensuring that security agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly. Now, like I said, Mr. President has said that it is an unacceptable situation, and the government will not condone abductions or kidnappings, or any kind of criminality in that direction. Were seeing this happening, and the government is taking very proactive steps, first to mitigate that, and also to stop the spread of this apparently. We are seeing that the more the security agencies are also hitting these targets or criminals, the more they are pushed to also get some soft targets. But the government is not taking any excuses. The President has directed that security agencies must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that these children and all those who have been kidnapped are brought back in safety and also in the process to ensure that not a dime is paid for ransom. So its important to underscore that the government is not paying anybody any dime, and the government is optimistic that these children and other people that have been abducted will be brought back to their families in safety. Source: vanguard Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Taskforce of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has warned the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, commonly known as Ridge Hospital to pay a GH 42m power consumption debt accrued over a year or face disconnection from the national grid in three days. This was contained in a demand notice issued to the hospital when ECG officials visited the facility as part of its nationwide revenue mobilisation exercise to recover all unpaid bills from its customers across the country including State-owned Enterprises (SOE). You are required to make full payment of the above amount from the date of this notice, preferably between the hours of 8.00 a. m and 4:00 pm at any ECG office, the noticed said. Failure on your part to honour this request after three-working days of delivery will result in disconnection of electricity supply to your premises without further notice and legal action would be initiated against you, it added. The hospitals management held a meeting with the power distributor during which they clarified that payment of bills of such nature fell under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health; not the hospital. Earlier this week, the ECG disclosed that 91 health facilities across the country had a collective debt of GH 261 million electricity debt. This includes the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital, Komfo Anokye and Manhyia Government Hospitals in the Ashanti region, Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta region, and Kibi Government Hospital in the Eastern region, are among those facing potential disconnection. Source: Graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh Minister of Energy, has highlighted Ghanas commitment to have a clean energy-focused transition plan despite the challenges being faced. Dr. Matthew Opoku emphasized governments dedication to solving the energy challenges that will not have an adverse effect on the environment. Dr. Opoku Prempeh underscored the importance of having a holistic approach to lasting solutions to the energy challenges. Addressing attendees at the Africa Energy Technology Conference held at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Tuesday, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, also the Manyhia South lawmaker, encouraged other African nations to adopt similar strategies. He, therefore, cautioned that failure to do so could undermine the significant efforts that have been put in the transition, ultimately leading to counterproductive outcomes. Dr. Opoku Prempehs remarks highlight Ghanas proactive stance in addressing both energy needs and environmental concerns. By prioritizing clean energy initiatives, the government aims to achieve sustainable development while minimizing ecological damage. He said, However, the journey towards this future must be inclusive and equitable. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. As we embrace new technologies and policies, we must ensure that they benefit all segments of society, particularly the most vulnerable." We must prioritize access to clean and affordable energy for remote communities, empowering women and youth in the energy sector, and fostering partnerships that promote capacity building and knowledge transfer." A just energy transition demands a holistic approach that integrates energy policy with broader development objectives, including poverty alleviation, job creation, and environmental sustainability. We must break down silos and foster collaboration across sectors and borders to maximize the impact of our efforts. His call for a holistic approach underscores the interconnected nature of energy and environmental policies. The Ministers advocacy for clean energy aligns with broader global efforts to combat climate change and promote renewable resources. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Kwaku Kwarteng, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, and Member of parliament for Obuasi West in the Ashanti region, has disagreed with government communicators that Ghanas economic challenges are largely to blame on global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. The Obuasi West MP lawmaker attributed Ghanas economic quagmire to the reckless public spending and economic mismanagement of previous and present governments. The Civil engineer, economist and politician dismissed the excuse that without these global crises, Ghana would have been spared the financial downturn it is currently experiencing. He said, I am not with the school of thought that we were not going to experience a financial crisis but for COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War. The country was always going to have some financial crisis. It might have been delayed a little bit if COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war had not happened but the fact remains that with the path we were walking, we were definitely going to get here. Mr. Kwarteng, therefore, highlighted the urgent need for a shift in mindset towards fiscal responsibility to avoid Ghana from descending into further economic catastrophe. He added that the ineffectiveness of existing laws and institutions in addressing economic mismanagement, emphasizing that without a collective commitment to change, these measures alone are insufficient to make an impact toward recovery. We have the laws and weve set up institutions that should help us deal with these, but no amount of legislation, no amount of institutional arrangements can stop a people determined to destroy themselves. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend with whom I sometimes travel is extremely careful about the foods she eats: no meat, wheat, sugar, fried food, very little dairy, etc. She is judgmental toward people who dont comply with this restrictive regimen, which she views as the only healthy way to eat. My own eating patterns are similar to hers when Im at home, but when traveling or on vacation, I like to try foods that may not be on the American Heart Associations list of heart-healthy foods. At lunch one day on a recent trip, we ordered sandwiches that came with french fries. My friend told the server not to bring her any fries, but I wanted some, so I went ahead and ordered them. When my plate arrived, my friend made a face as though it was smeared with something nasty. This incident pushed my buttons because throughout my childhood and young adulthood, everything I ate was monitored relentlessly. The list of foods I was discouraged from eating was long, and included many foods I really liked. Decades later, I still resent the food police. I had already told my friend on an earlier occasion that I am an adult making my own food choices and that I dont appreciate being criticized for them. Is there a polite way to respond to someone expressing disgust over what I choose to eat? GENTLE READER: Oh, dear, is there something crawling on it? Because it looks delicious to me. Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Two people have been charged in what police initially described as the execution-style killings of two people in Philadelphia several weeks ago. Lamar Young, 52, and Dale Johnson, 56, have been charged with murder, criminal conspiracy and related crimes for the deaths of Thurston Cooper, 49, and Krystina Chambers,38, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Young was arrested March 5 on unrelated gun charges, police said. Johnson had initially been questioned last week but police released her due to insufficient evidence. Surveillance footage, however, showed her and Young in a bar with Cooper and Chambers on the night they were killed. Johnson turned herself in to the police on Wednesday. Cooper and Chamber were found at 11 p.m. Feb. 29 in a gully by the side of the road along the 1500 block of Chew Avenue, less than a block away from the historic Mount Pleasant Mansion, built in the 1760s. At the time, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small described the killings as execution-style, as they were both lying next to each other and both had been shot in the head. Police said the surveillance footage shows the two couples getting into an argument at Tellups Tavern. Young had gotten upset because Cooper had spoken to Johnson, Youngs girlfriend, Police Chief Inspector Chris Werner said during a news conference on Thursday. All four of them were known to regularly frequent that bar, the Inquirer said. Video shows the argument appeared to have been settled and all four were seen leaving the bar in Johnsons Kia Sportage at about 9:40 p.m. The car was then seen via surveillance footage about 20 minutes later near where the killings occurred. The parents of a teenager killed in a crash involving a Harrisburg police officer last year are suing the city, its police department and both drivers, according to court documents filed on Friday. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of 18-year-old Marion T. Holmes parents, alleges Harrisburg police Officer Brendan J. Kovach put public safety at risk under the false belief he was headed to an emergency call just before an Oct. 3, 2023, crash at 19th and Holly streets. Kovach was driving the wrong way down one-way Holly Street at 50 mph in a 25 mph zone when he crashed into the passenger side of a white 2000 Mercury Sable carrying four people at 12:34 a.m. Holmes, the Sables front-seat passenger, was extricated and taken to a hospital, where he died. Harrisburg spokesman Matt Maisel declined to comment on the lawsuit. The day after the crash, Pennsylvania State Police the agency that investigated the crash said Kovach was responding to an emergency incident. But a PennLive investigation last year showed the incident, a traffic stop, had already been resolved at the time of the crash. Court documents and dispatch logs said this is what happened during the traffic stop: Officer Evan McKenna pulled over Ryan Gayle, 33, on suspicion of speeding and failing to use a turn signal while turning from Hillside Road onto Holly Street. McKenna then Tased Gayle for refusing to put his arms behind his back, pulling his arms away, tensing his body, and eventually fleeing on foot, McKenna wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. McKenna told his colleagues over the police radio that he had Tased Gayle. He then announced over the radio he had finished searching Gayles vehicle after 12:33 a.m. He asked for an ambulance to check out Gayle at that time. Kovach crashed into the teenagers car at Holly and 19th streets at nearly 12:35 a.m., one minute and 39 seconds later, according to dispatch records. The man who called 911 after witnessing the fatal crash told PennLive that the Harrisburg police officer was flying through the 19th and Holly intersection right before impact. Marion Holmes, 18, was killed in an Oct. 3, 2023, crash involving a Harrisburg police officer at 19th and Holly streets. (Photo courtesy of the Holmes family)Holmes family Harrisburg police policy detailed in the Holmes familys lawsuit says officers are required to take considerable precautions while driving to maintain public safety. The Bureau requires responding personnel to drive at a safe and reasonable speed based on existing conditions and the available information regarding the emergency to which they are responding, the department policy says, according to copies of the policy obtained by the Holmes familys attorneys. The lawsuit argued that Kovach disregarded Harrisburg Bureau of Police policy just before the fatal crash. It is the policy of the Bureau that all police personnel operating Bureau vehicles shall exercise due regard for the safety of all persons, the departments policy said. No assignment, complaint or any other type of incident justifies the disregard of the publics safety. The policy also says officers should carefully observe their surroundings before and while driving a city cruiser. Officers are required to obey all traffic laws, as police cars are conspicuous symbols of authority that are watched carefully in the community. City police officers must take into consideration unpredictable factors like weather, road conditions, vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the departments policy said, according to the lawsuit. District Attorney Fran Chardo later used unpredictability as a factor in clearing Kovach of criminal wrongdoing in the crash. In a letter to state police summarizing his findings, Chardo argued that Kovach could not have expected the Sables driver Detrail T. Porter, 20, to roll through the 19th and Holly intersection without stopping at the stop sign in the middle of the night. Holmes girlfriend, who was sitting in the back of the Sable during the crash, said the Sable was moving fast approaching the intersection, according to the district attorneys office. Chardo said she told investigators she saw the flashing blue and red lights from the police car right before the crash. Emergency vehicles have special privileges in Pennsylvania, but there are still certain safety precautions that must be met under the law. Pennsylvania law states: The privileges granted in this section to an emergency vehicle shall apply only when the vehicle is making use of an audible signal and visual signals meeting the requirements and standards set forth in regulations adopted by the department. Witnesses told PennLive they did not hear sirens before impact, but Chardo said multiple forms of evidence including nearby surveillance cameras and the police cruisers black box data showed Kovach had his cars lights and sirens activated at the time of the crash. State police reviewed the dash camera footage from Kovachs cruiser and found that he had his lights and sirens activated throughout his response for backup at Gayles traffic stop, Chardo said. Under Pennsylvania law, emergency drivers may proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation. Chardo said Kovach slowed down as he approached the intersection, and that the crash would not have happened if the Sable had stopped at the posted stop sign. The law does not specify how much emergency vehicles must slow down when approaching intersections. Kovach was still traveling at double the speed limit when the crash happened. While clearing Kovach of criminal wrongdoing, Chardo recommended charges against Porter. He was later charged with accidents involving death or injury while not licensed, a second-degree misdemeanor, as well as four summary driving offenses. Porter is listed as a defendant in the Holmes familys lawsuit because of his alleged role in causing the crash. Holmes family said learned about Chardos findings from news reports. They said the district attorneys office and state police have stonewalled their attempts to obtain investigative materials, even after the criminal investigation concluded. The family also questioned whether Kovach was actually using lights and sirens since they have been unable to review the evidence the district attorneys office used in the criminal investigation. A grieving family lost a beloved son, the Holmes family said in a statement to PennLive. They have the right to know what happened. Clearly, the interest of clearing the police officer is more important than answering the questions of the victims family. On behalf of the family, we ask that all information be released to us immediately. Chardo said he notified the Holmes familys legal counsel about his findings before they were released to the media. He said he is in the process of gathering the evidence to send to the familys attorneys. Kovach returned to work on Feb. 5 and is reporting each day on an undisclosed light-duty temporary assignment. Harrisburg Bureau of Police leadership has not cleared him to return to the field, Maisel said. Kovach was injured in the crash and was paid nearly $21,000 in the months he was on medical leave, according to city payroll records that PennLive obtained through a Right-to-Know request. The payments account for more than 600 hours of medical leave, the records showed. An internal review at the Harrisburg Bureau of Police was launched after Chardo announced his findings on Feb. 2, Maisel said. The review will examine whether Kovach was following department policy when he sped the wrong way down Holly Street to try to provide backup at a traffic stop. There is no timetable for when the review will be completed. In court documents, the Holmes family said they are filing the lawsuit to cover the 18-year-olds medical and funeral expenses and account for any earnings he would have collected if hed survived the crash. The suit also accounts for his prospective services, including loss of advice, guidance, companionship, counsel and management. Holmes worked at UPS and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan at the time of his death, his obituary said. Marion was innocent in this tragedy, the Holmes family told PennLive. Since requests to the police and the DA have not resulted in any answers, we look to the community and the media to raise these issues and force the authorities to allow us to have the evidence. We cannot rest until we know what happened. A 20-year-old York County man was arrested and charged last week with criminal homicide and endangering the welfare of a child in connection to the February 2023 death of an infant, York County District Attorney Dave Sunday announced Thursday afternoon. The York City Police Department, York County District Attorneys Office, and a York County investigating grand jury accuse Sean Michael Deibert Jr., of York, of killing an 8-month-old by injuring the childs brain, skull, scalp, face, brain stem, neck, cervical cord, spinal cord, and back through forceful shaking and impacts. He caused the injuries on Feb. 2, 2023, and the child died five days later. The district attorneys office did not provide any further details regarding the death of the child. Willie Nelson is proving that he can keep up with the best of them despite having recently turned 91 years old. On Thursday, the country music star took to Instagram to announce the release of his 75th studio album, The Border, on May 31. Ahead of the albums release, Nelson also shared the first single and title track from the album, a cover of Rodney Crowells 2019 song, Texas. The song is about a guard on the Texas border. We were writing the song to be sympathetic to the actual border guards, and Im still sympathetic to them. Theyre trying to do a job down there. Its not their policy, Crowell told Rolling Stone four years ago. I think if we were writing that song today it would be more about the atrocities. [But] Im glad we wrote it when we did. To me, it has a more epic quality now. Nelson will stay true to his country roots on The Border, which will total 10 tracks. Four of those were co-written by Nelson and longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon. The remaining tracks were written by songwriters Shawn Camp, Mike Reid, and Bobby Tomberlin. The new album follows Nelsons recent EP, Bluegrass, which dropped in September 2023. The Border is available for preorder now. The album announcement happened the same day Nelson is scheduled to host his Luck Reunion at his Texas ranch, with a performance lineup that includes Tyler Childers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Madi Diaz and John Oates. Nelson will also be coming to Hershey as part of the Outlaw Music Festival on July 7. Tickets are on sale now. The Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz hosted a presentation of honors for a a hometown musician whose star is rapidly rising. Connor Rohrer of Mechanicsburg received a commendation from both the Cumberland County Commissioners Office and the Pennsylvania General Assembly on March 14 at an event at the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland. At 7 p.m. every day, Tran Lam sets up lighting equipment, adjusts the camera, and presses the record button to start his livestream introducing, reviewing and selling cosmetics. Lam is using his clout as in influential consumer to cash-in on being what social media communities and the online e-commerce industry now call "KOC," or Key Opinion Customer. In 2020, the 25-year-old Ho Chi Minh City resident decided to quit his office job to pursue a career in reviewing cosmetics because his monthly salary of VND7 million ($283.91) was "not enough to live in the city." Tran Lam, wearing a black shirt, conducts a live sales session on an e-commerce platform. Photo courtesy of Lam As a beauty guru, he spends about VND2-3 million every month on cosmetic products to test on camera. But his beginnings were humble and rocky. "I filmed every day, so I used so many types of cosmetics that I got skin irritation, acne, and ulcers, but I still only received a few likes from my friends," Lam said. After half a year, his savings were exhausted, so Lam asked brands to sponsor trial products, in exchange for free advertising. And they agreed. In one short video he recently launched successfully, Lam tests a brand of sunscreen over a 15-20 period, with shots of him trying out the product while walking in the sunny streets, informing his viewers about how well it works. The video is only one minute long, and it has attracted 100,000 followers. "After 100,000, I started receiving ads," Lam said. Starting in 2022, Lam began to do livestreams for brands. At first, he was not used to talking continuously for several hours. Hes even on occasion streamed for 24 hours straight, which caused him to nearly collapse a few times. "I had to learn how to tell jokes, encourage the audience to finalize their orders, and always be cheerful even when scolded," Lam said. He now earns tens of millions of dong (VND10 million = $405.6 ) per hour livestreaming. "My livestreams highest-revenue session was VND200 million in two hours, with some sessions lasting 24 hours up to several billion dong," Lam said. The high income, flexible working hours, and the fact that no requirements, qualifications or expertise is needed have made KOC jobs like Tran Lam's attractive to young people. Vu Dieu Thuy, founder of Kolin Academy, a facility specializing in training KOC and KOL (Key Opinion Leaders, another form of influencers), said that her business has been receiving a few hundred new students every month this year, double the amount from last year. More than 80% of students are in the 18-29 year-old group, mainly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Each course lasts 4-10 sessions, and tuition fees can range from several million to hundreds of millions of dong. Thuy said the most difficult thing when training beginners with no experience is helping them discover their strengths and advantages to turn into talents, so they can produce suitable content online. "Students who are already famous will often take livestream courses to convert personal brands into money and learn how to sell products," she said. Currently, on social networks, there are hundreds of KOL, KOC, and "influencer recruitment" groups with tens of thousands to several hundred thousand participating members. Bich Ngoc, a 28-year-old Hanoi resident with more than 6 years of experience in the field, said that in the past year livestream sales on digital platforms became a trend. Thus, the need from brands to recruit KOLs and KOCs for product promotion has doubled or tripled, she added. "A few dozen to a few hundred people are often needed to promote a single event or product," Ngoc said. As the person who connects KOLs and KOCs with brands, Le Du, the 25-year-old creative director of a media company in Hanoi, said that KOCs who are not yet famous are often more likely to accept posting videos without paid support just in order to experience the services and products for free. KOCs, KOLs, and influencers who have a large number of followers, from hundreds of thousands to millions, can receive salaries ranging from tens of millions to several hundred million for a single video posted on social media. Bich Ha, 23, produces culinary content for a TikTok account boasting over 300,000 followers. Photo courtesy of Ha Dr. Le Hoanh Su from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Law is a member of the Vietnam E-commerce Association. He said that in the digital age, users need quick, and concise access to trending information. He said consumers now prefer online shopping, a phenomenon that has opened up opportunities for the KOL and KOC professions to develop. According to Su, in the past, to be famous and have a high income, it took a long process of building a systematic image. But now , he said, young people can easily stand out thanks to their appearance, knowing how to grasp trends and approach their audience. Even farmers, or families with special inspirational stories, can become famous and capable of influencing people, thus earning income from digital platforms. However, Su also warned that those who chase after fame and money can cause public outrage if theyre not careful about the type of brand that theyre advertising for. Bad reputations can tank their accounts and channels and destroy their careers. "If you want to develop and survive in such a profession for a long time, you must know how to create sustainable content value that has a positive impact on the community," Su said. Hoang Anh, 25, from Hanoi, generates tens of millions of dong monthly by producing content focused on photography tutorials and tech product reviews, as of February 2024. Photo by Thanh Nga According to psychologist Tran Huong Thao (HCMC), the downside of this profession is that it gives many young people the illusion that making money online is easy. Also, some Gen Z youngsters today feel self-conscious because of peer pressure, and suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out syndrome), leading to anxiety and depression after witnessing some KOCs and KOLs with high income. Thao said that FOMO syndrome also happens to KOLs and KOCs themselves. They are engrossed in chasing sales revenue, likes, and followers, then feel like failures when they are resting while others are still selling and working day and night. "Young people should know how to balance life, spend time for themselves, and create valuable content with depth to it," Thao advised. Being an office worker and KOC at the same time, with more than 200,000 followers 25-year-old Hanoian Hoang Anh earned nearly VND100 million reviewing phones, camera equipment, advertising photo apps, and suggesting trendy places around him. However, he has no time to rest and is often exhausted from overwork. "Maybe I will quit my job to focus on creating more valuable content for the community," Hoang Anh said. Goldeneye actor Pierce Brosnan pleaded guilty on Thursday to hiking in a restricted area at Yellowstone National Park last year. Brosnan, 70, was fined $500 for going off the trail and must make a $1,000 donation to the parks nonprofit partner, Yellowstone Forever, according to reports from The New York Times and USA Today. Brosnan called into the court hearing by phone to reverse a not-guilty plea he had made in January. Under the plea deal, another charge of violating closures and use limits was dismissed. Brosnan apologized for his actions on his Instagram account. As an environmentalist, I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world. However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph, he said in the post. I did not see a No Trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy, he concluded. The park is known for its hot springs, and the park requires visitors to stay on boardwalks or trails in those areas. Water from Yellowstones hot springs can cause serious burns, the New York Times said, noting that over 20 people have died from burns after entering or falling into the springs. By Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press WASHINGTON A Florida man charged with interfering with police during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege at the U.S. Capitol is connected to a network of supporters who have helped other Capitol riot defendants avoid capture by the FBI, prosecutors said in a court filing this week. A federal judge on Thursday ordered Thomas Paul Osborne to be released from a Florida jail while he awaits trial on charges that he grabbed a police officers baton during a mobs attack on the Capitol. Before the judge ruled, a Justice Department prosecutor argued that Osborne poses a risk of fleeing after his Feb. 22 arrest. Osborne harbored a Jan. 6 defendant, Christopher Worrell, who disappeared last year after he was convicted of assaulting police with pepper spray during the Capitol riot, prosecutors said. They believe Worrell, a member of the Proud Boys extremist group, lived at Osbornes home in Lakeland, Florida, for roughly six weeks while on the run. Prosecutors also cited Osbornes ties to the family of Jonathan Pollock and Olivia Pollock a brother and sister from Lakeland who were declared fugitives after getting charged with Capitol riot-related crimes. Osborne traveled to Washington, D.C., with the Pollocks and their parents to attend then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally near the White House on Jan. 6. In January 2024, FBI agents arrested the Pollocks and a third fugitive, Joseph Hutchinson, at a ranch in Groveland, Florida. Jonathan Pollock had remained at large for over two years. Olivia Pollock and Hutchinson were on the run for approximately 10 months after tampering with their court-ordered GPS monitoring devices. Osborne worked at a gun shop operated by a brother of the Pollock siblings and attended the same church and prayer meetings as members of the Pollock family, according to prosecutors. Federal authorities believe that relatives of the Pollocks helped the siblings avoid capture. Supporters gave them money and supplies and helped them by coordinating a network of individuals who were willing and able to harbor them, prosecutors said in a court filing. Authorities havent accused Osborne of sheltering the Pollocks but cited his ties to the family as a reason to fear that he could abscond. While Osborne may not have a passport or foreign ties, prosecutors wrote, the concerns presented by his access to the Pollocks network are the same: he has the means to flee and avoid detection by law enforcement. Osbornes lawyers accused prosecutors of engaging in guilt by association to argue that he, like the Pollocks and Hutchinson, is a flight risk. Defense attorney Sylvia Irvin said Osborne initially tried to turn himself in to face possible Capitol riot charges in July 2021, a day after Olivia Pollock and Hutchinson initially were arrested. He didnt hide. He didnt run, Irvin told the judge. Osborne is charged with four counts, including a felony charge of civil disorder and three misdemeanors. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday. FBI agents found several guns, packed go-bags and some of Worrells belongings when they searched Osbornes home in December 2023. After his conviction but before his sentencing, Worrell cut his GPS monitor and vanished in August 2023. The FBI arrested him the following month at his girlfriends home in Florida, a roughly two-hour drive from where Osborne lived. Worrell ultimately was sentenced to 10 years in prison. A federal magistrate judge in Tampa, Florida, initially ordered Osborn to remain jailed in pretrial detention. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., overruled the magistrate and ordered Osborne to remain confined to a sisters home in Susquehanna Pennsylvania, after his release from jail. The judge warned Osborne of the consequences if he flees. There is no point in running because youre eventually going to get caught, Mehta said during Thursdays remote hearing. Running only makes matters worse. By Philip Jankowski, The Dallas Morning News (TNS) AUSTIN, Texas Pornhub, one of the largest adult-content websites, shut down access to Texas users Thursday after the state attorney general sued its parent company to enforce a new state law requiring stricter age verification. Texas internet addresses that access Pornhub and several affiliated sites were directed to a message stating that a recently enacted law requiring users to verify their age using a government-issued ID violates the First Amendment. Until the real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Texas, the Pornhub message states. In doing so, we are complying with the law, as we always do, but hope that governments around the world will implement laws that actually protect the safety and security of users. Last week, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the age-verification law known as House Bill 1181, passed last year, does not violate the First Amendment and that the law fell within Texas legitimate interest in preventing minors access to pornography. Paxton sued Pornhubs parent company, Aylo USA Inc., for $1.6 million in February, saying it was not complying with the law. On Thursday, Texans seeking access to Pornhub and other Aylo-owned websites were greeted with a black screen and a message in white letters. While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, providing identification every time you want to visit an adult platform is not an effective solution for protecting users online, and in fact will put minors and your privacy at risk, the messages said. The law requires adult-content websites to verify that users are at least 18 years old by entering a government ID or a suitable alternative identification. The bill, which created a $10,000-a-day fine for violators, faced little opposition at the Capitol and passed in May with wide bipartisan support. Before the law could take effect on Sept. 1, the porn trade group Free Speech Coalition sued, arguing that HB 1181 violates free speech protections. A federal judge in Austin agreed, ruling that the law ran afoul of the First Amendment by deterring adult access to sexually explicit, but legal, material. U.S. District Judge David Ezra also said the required use of a government ID raised privacy concerns, adding: People will be particularly concerned about accessing controversial speech when the state government can log and track that access. Paxton appealed to the 5th Circuit Court, which paused Ezras ruling in November, allowing Texas to begin enforcing the law. Free Speech Coalition said it will continue to fight the law, calling efforts to limit access to adult content the canary in the coal mine of free speech. State Rep. Matt Shaheen, the author of HB 1811, cheered Pornhubs shutdown in Texas, calling the law a common sense solution to protect children. Royal Caribbean cruises will no longer set sail for Haiti, at least for the time being. And its for safety reasons. Royal Caribbean announced Thursday that its cruise liners wont be stopping at its private beach in Labadee, Haiti, out of an abundance of caution as the country struggles with rampant gang violence and political turmoil. Due to the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, were temporarily suspending our visits to Labadee for our entire fleet, Assistant Vice President Aurora Yera-Rodriguez said in a statement. We continue to monitor and assess the situation with our Global Security & Intelligence Team. The visit suspension will last for at least the next week, according to Michael Bayley, the companys CEO. We have suspended calls into Labadee, Haiti, for the next 7 days and will continue suspension on a rolling basis with 3 days advance notification to our guests sailing on itineraries impacted and changed as we monitor and evaluate the situation in Haiti, Bayley wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. Royal Caribbean describes Labadee as a private destination on Haitis northern coast with pristine sands, coral reefs and jungle-covered hilltops nestling lagoon-like bays. The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said Thursday in a statement to FOX Business. Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we are temporarily making adjustments to sailings visiting Labadee. We will continue to monitor and reassess calls as needed, and will communicate updates with guests directly, the spokesperson added. Royal Caribbean cited warnings from the U.S. government in its decision, which urged all American citizens in Haiti to leave the country last week. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince was also evacuated of nonessential personnel. A group of Marines were also deployed to protect the facility, The Hill reported. The U.S. has urged people not to travel there as gangs have overrun the crime-riddled country since late last month after Prime Minister Ariel Henry left for Kenya to secure a United Nations-backed multinational security force and organized gangs broke out thousands of prisoners. As a result, roaming gangs control about 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, according to the United Nations. A 34-year-old Cumberland County man was sentenced to three years behind bars after threatening to kill current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in January 2022. Mohamed Farah, of the Mechanicsburg area, admitted he threatened to assassinate Biden and kill him literally dead, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. His sentencing was on Thursday. The office also said Farah mentioned he was going to target Trump if he ran for reelection, adding Im going to be at his campaign and dedicate my life to assassinating Trump. It was unclear in the indictment how Farah conveyed the threats. Farah a citizen of Somalia, may face deportation after serving his prison sentence, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. While incarcerated in 2022, police charged Farah with aggravated assault after they say he bit a corrections officer and spit in the face of two officers who came to help. That case remains pending. He pleaded guilty last year to aggravated assault in two different incidents, including one where his plea was guilty-mentally ill, according to online dockets. WILLIAMSPORT The dispute between the Lycoming County commissioners and its elected controller continues despite a Commonwealth Court ruling. The commissioners claim Controller Krista B. Rogers is not entitled to the $119,400 she has requested in legal fees in her successful battle to regain control of certain county fiscal functions. Commonwealth Court in February ruled the general ledger, payroll and accounts payable functions belonged to the controller. The commissioners accepted the ruling and immediately began transferring those responsibilities from its Office of Budget and Finance. Rogers contends she is entitled to legal fees because specially assigned Potter County Senior Judge John B. Leete in a Dec. 1, 2022, ruling awarded her the cost of her litigation. The commissioners on Tuesday filed a motion seeking the dismissal of her legal fees request. Columbia County Senior Judge Thomas A. James Jr., who is now assigned the case, Thursday ordered briefs and scheduled a May 9 hearing. The commissioners claim Rogers is not entitled to the fees because: There is no statutory authority to award them in this kind of case. The legal expenses were not incurred in the discharge of Rogers official duties. She had the statutory right to hire a solicitor but chose to retain special counsel. They are unreasonable ($250 an hour) considering the solicitor is a publicly elected servant. Many hours were spent on matters not relevant to the focus issue including an experts testimony and report Leete stated in an opinion he did not need to make his decision. The first issue James says will be addressed will be if there is authority to award fees. If he finds there is, the amount to which Rogers is entitled will be debated, he said. Leete three times assigned general ledger, payroll and accounts payable functions to the controller and each time the county appealed and lost. The dispute between the two offices began in 2019 when commissioners then in office approved transferring at Rogers request those fiscal functions and four employees to her. The commissioners who followed, claiming dissatisfaction with the way the work was being done, transferred the functions and employees back to their Office of Budget and Finance. The legal battle began in 2021 when the commissioners obtained a restraining order after Rogers threatened to withdraw authorization to use her electronic signature on payroll and vendor checks. Rogers sued the commissioners that December to force the return of the functions and employees. Following Leetes final ruling favoring Rogers, the commissioners last year by a 2-1 margin voted to appeal to the Commonwealth Court. That court, in denying the appeal, stated the commissioners relied on an erroneous interpretation of the County Code to claim it had authorization to remove the fiscal functions from the controller. Specific powers conferred upon the controller cannot be impaired or contravened by the general supervisory authority given the commissioners, its opinion stated. A former local police officer in Pennsylvania who pleaded guilty to illegally bringing a Venezuelan teen he met in a brothel to the United States will spend three years on probation, federal prosecutors said. Blake Babin, 60, a former Bethel Park police lieutenant in suburban Pittsburgh, must also pay a $2,000 fine and perform 50 hours of community service, said the office of U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan in a statement. Authorities have been searching for missing college student Riley Strain, 22, since vanished after getting kicked out of country superstar and American Idol judge Luke Bryans Nashville bar on March 8. Now, an investigation by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission has been launched into whether Bryans bar overserved alcohol to Strain illegally on the night of his disappearance, according to WSMV. The TABC told the news outlet Wednesday that theyre looking into whether the bar had any legal obligations to protect patrons who were overly intoxicated. Strain is a senior at the University of Missouri, according to Fox 17. According to what his friends told WSMV, he was last seen on March 8 just before 10 p.m., after being escorted out of Lukes 32 Bridge bar, which serves as a bar, restaurant and music venue. After he was kicked out, Strain was captured on surveillance video wandering around downtown Nashville that Friday night. He was seen crossing First Avenue North to Gay Street, near the Cumberland River, at 9:47 p.m. on Friday. A friend told the news outlet the group lost sight of Strain after he was asked to leave and began looking for him. A 911 call to report Strains disappearance was placed at 1:40 p.m. Saturday after his friends tried to report him missing at a police precinct and the Davidson County Sheriffs Office. Strains stepfather, Christopher Whiteid, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Strain contacted his friends after being asked to leave the premises, saying he was heading back to their hotel. He hasnt been seen since. There are no specific rules or statutes that governs escorting out intoxicated patrons from their businesses or providing assistance in getting someone home, TABC Communications Director Aaron Rummage wrote in a statement to WSMV. However, state law prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated. A violation is a class A misdemeanor. The TABC has opened an investigation into this matter to see if any violations have occurred. The college student had traveled to Nashville with his fraternity brothers for a convention. As previously reported, Bryan broke his silence and took to social media Tuesday. He posted a statement to his Instagram Stories on the matter. YALL THIS IS SCARY. PRAYING FOR HIS SAFE RETURN, he wrote. Meanwhile, the bar said in a separate statement that its continuing to work closely with the Metro Nashville Police Department to provide security camera footage and any other potentially helpful information to aid in the search for Riley Strain. The country music star also shared a screenshot from the Metro Nashville Police Departments social media post in the search for Strain. TC Restaurant Group, the owner and operator of Bryans bar, is continuing to provide footage and helpful information to the authorities in the search for Strain. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return, the group said to WSMV. A nonpartisan government watchdog group is recruiting volunteers to be trained for a 2024 Election Protection poll monitoring program. Common Cause Pennsylvania said in a statement that it will send hundreds of volunteers to dozens of counties to help voters and ensure that the April 23 primary and Nov. 5 general election go smoothly. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick has continually criticized his Democratic opponent, Sen. Bob Casey, claiming hes weak on his support for Israel, particularly after the October surprise attack by Hamas. Casey on Thursday responded to McCormicks latest jab by describing himself as a very strong supporter of Israel and ticking off legislation that he has voted for to help the perpetually threatened Jewish state. A police officer checks the alcohol level in the breath of a motorcyclist in Hanoi, November 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong The National Defense and Security Council under the legislative National Assembly said it is necessary to continue to absolutely ban all alcohol levels when driving. Its chairman Le Tan Toi said Friday the council had finalized a report commenting on new contents of the draft Law on Road Traffic Safety that would be submitted to the NA later. Toi said most members of the council agreed with the draft law that bans a driver from operating vehicles if there is any alcohol concentration in their blood or breath, as this has been tested in practice and yielded positive results. This regulation has also gained widespread public support, gradually forming a culture of "no drinking and driving." Regarding endogenous alcohol concentration detected through breath, it was noted that there was no clear basis to date, and a re-examination through blood tests may be conducted to avoid distorting the results. Vietnam's absolute ban on blood alcohol concentration has affected some cultural activities and traditional festivals, led to a decrease in consumption and impacted the production, import, and distribution of alcohol and beer in Vietnam. Some opinions suggest reconsidering the current regulations, arguing that there needs to be a clear scientific basis to establish the lowest possible alcohol concentration limits. This direction would allow people to drive with certain amount of alcohol. Currently, Vietnam prohibits people from having any amount of alcohol when driving. DUI penalties can include a fine of up to VND40 million (US$1,640) and a two-year license suspension, while those who cause accidents while intoxicated can face criminal charges. In a document contributing to the discussion on new contents of the draft Law on Road Traffic Safety last month, the Ministry of Public Security also stated its stance on supporting the total ban. The ministry noted some drivers in Vietnam do not obey traffic law and some even violated the rules on purpose or challenged law enforcement. Such behaviors can "take the lives of many," hence the need for strict laws. The draft Law on Road Traffic Safety is expected to be considered for approval by the National Assembly in the mid-2024 session. Hes the same man from Connecticut that ran for Senate in 2022. He ran the largest hedge fund on Wall Street and did lots of business with China. The commercial where he introduced himself ended with the MAGA phrase Lets Go! (Code for f***Joe Biden.) McCormick hired Stephen Miller to work on his 2022 campaign. Miller is the author of Donald Trumps Muslim ban and is currently drafting plans for Trump to use National Guardsmen from Republican states and deploy them into Democratic states to deport immigrants, legal or illegal. Mr. Miller is an obvious racist and you dont pay someone to work on your campaign that doesnt share your views. McCormick doesnt believe in a womans right to choose, however, he would allow us to have an abortion if we are raped. WINCHESTER, Ind. (AP) Police in Ohio confirmed two deaths from a fierce storm system that unleashed suspected twisters and damaged homes and businesses in parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana on Thursday. Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriffs Office in Bellefontaine, Ohio, confirmed the fatalities in an email to The Associated Press early Friday. He said there likely would be more fatalities discovered, noting there was heavy damage in Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island and Russells Point. The Indiana State Police said there are many significant injuries after a tornado tore through the community of Winchester. There have been many, many significant injuries, but I dont know the number. I dont know where they are. I dont know what those injuries are, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter told reporters just before midnight Thursday. Theres a lot that we dont know yet. State officials called on Indiana Task Force One to help with search efforts in Winchester, a town of 4,700 people nearly 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, according to a post by the rescue team on X. The team is one of 28 Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency-sponsored Urban Search and Rescue teams in the United States. Im shaken; its overwhelming, Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy said. I heard what sounded like a train and then I started hearing sirens. He and his wife were hunkered in a closet during the twister, which hit about 8 p.m. Ive never heard that sound before; I dont want to hear it again, McCoy said. The suspected tornado damaged a Walmart store and a Taco Bell in Winchester, Randolph County Sheriff Art Moystner told FOX59/CBS4. Travel throughout the county is restricted to emergency management workers, he said. To the west of Winchester, in Delaware County, emergency management officials said initial assessments suggested up to half of the structures in the small town of Selma were damaged by a possible tornado. At about the same time as the tornado hit Winchester, another suspected twister touched down about 75 miles to the east in Logan County, Ohio. The tornado hit near the southern end of Indian Lake, impacting the villages of Lakeview and Russells Point, county spokesperson Sheri Timmers said. In this image taken from video provided by WSYX, damage from a severe weather system is seen in Lakeview, Ohio, late Thursday, March 14, 2024. (WSYX via AP)AP In this image taken from video provided by WSYX, damage from a severe weather system is seen in Lakeview, Ohio, late Thursday, March 14, 2024. (WSYX via AP)AP As far as we know, we have lots of injuries. We dont know the extent of the injuries, Timmers said. An RV park was impacted. Amber Fagan, president and chief executive of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, said Lakeview was completely demolished, with homes, campgrounds and a laundromat hard-hit by the tornado. Theres places burning, she said. Theres power lines through peoples windows. In Ohios Huron County, emergency management officials posted on Facebook that there was a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado near Plymouth. In this frame grab taken from video from WHAS, first responders stage outside a home in Milton, Ky., Thursday, March 14, 2024, after a severe weather system came through the area. (WHAS via AP)AP In Kentucky, Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark said the storms damaged at least 50 structures, including homes. We have a whole bunch of damage, Stark told the Courier Journal of Louisville. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement saying a tornado touched down along the Indiana state border in Gallatin and Trimble counties, and there were reports of a couple of minor injuries. The TikTok logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen which displays the TikTok home screen, March 18, 2023, in Boston. The federal industry minister says Canadians shouldnt worry about using TikTok despite an ongoing national security review. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Michael Dwyer A person walks past the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. A B.C. judge has warned of what he calls a likely "tsunami" of Indigenous identity fraud in the courts, driven by the "desire" of non-Indigenous peoples to access what they deem to be benefits of identifying as Indigenous. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Leading Alaska legislators said last week that theres little appetite for spending from savings to pay a super-sized Permanent Fund dividend this year, likely killing a proposal from Gov. Mike Dunleavy. In December, the governor proposed spending almost $2.3 billion on a dividend of roughly $3,500 per recipient under a formula in state law. That would result in a $1 billion deficit and require spending from the states Constitutional Budget Reserve, but as a draft budget takes shape in the House, top members of both the House and Senate said theyre unlikely to spend from the reserve... The operator of Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway reported nearly 100 traffic accidents since its opening 10 months ago, but the police insisted that the number was not that high. The Vietnam Expressway Services Engineering JSC, the management unit of the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway, recently released a report on traffic conditions on the expressway, which runs 99 km through the southern Dong Nai Province and the south central Binh Thuan Province. According to the report, there have been nearly 100 accidents on the expressway, which entered service last April. Those accidents resulted in seven deaths and damaged 400 vehicles, the operator said, adding that the data was collected over the 10-month operational period of the route from May 2023 to March 2024. The Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway links up with the HCMC Long Thanh Dau Giay Expressway between HCMC and Dong Nai and currently the vital route connecting HCMC, Dong Nai and Binh Thuan. It enables vehicles to cover the 177-km distance between HCMC and Binh Thuan's Phan Thiet, known for its beaches and sand dunes, in a little more than two hours as against five hours earlier. The management unit's report was sent to the Traffic Safety Boards of Dong Nai and Binh Thuan provinces to promote drivers' awareness. However, the patrol and control team for traffic safety on the expressway (team No.6) argued that the accident statistics seems "incorrect and unclear." Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Xuan An, leader of the team, said the nearly 100 accidents reported in 10 months on the expressway means incidents such as vehicle breakdowns and flat tires were also counted. He said such incidents should not be classified as accidents. "Maybe there has been a misunderstanding of the calculation method. It's impossible that the expressway could record such a high number of accidents in that period of time," said An. He noted that the operation of the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway had facilitated travel for the public and reduced travel time, and that reporting too many accidents could create a wrong impression that driving on the expressway was dangerous. He added that the unit would work with the expressway operator to make sure they are on the same page regarding calculating traffic accidents. Nguyen Thi Hoai Phong, the operators deputy director, explained that the company and the traffic police shared the same definition of accidents. However, the two sides' statistics do not match because "not every accident on the expressway involves police intervention." She said there were cases of car collisions where drivers could settle the matter among themselves and as a result, the police were not called upon. Phuong said the expressway currently had no camera and accident statistics were only "approximate." Many cases involve vehicles colliding and then leaving the scene before her staff or police arrived to record the incident. Therefore, if fully recorded, the number of accidents could exceed 100, she said. Currently, her unit is responsible for operating, toll collection, and managing the expressway, while team No.6, which works under the Traffic Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, is tasked with patrolling, controlling, and handling traffic violations on the route. Traffic jam on Dau Giay - Phan Thiet Expressway, Feb. 14, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan The Ministry of Public Security regulates that a traffic accident is an incident occurring due to a driver violating traffic safety regulations or encountering an unexpected problem causing damage to health, life, or property. Traffic accidents are divided into five categories: traffic collisions, minor traffic accidents, serious accidents, very serious accidents, and especially serious accidents. Among them, traffic collisions are caused by drivers violating regulations or encountering unexpected problems that result in minor health or property damage. According to Associate Professor Nguyen Phu Khanh, Vice Principal of Phenikaa University, the number of universities implementing transnational education in Vietnam has seen consistent annual increase. Spoken at the seminar "Transnational Education: Leverage to Improve the Quality of Education in Vietnam" organized by the UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus Program and VnExpress on March 10, Assoc. Prof. Khanh was amazed when comparing Vietnam to other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. He saw that Vietnam's transnational education market (TNE) is very developed, with figures increasing sharply each year. Experts at the seminar "Transnational Education (TNE): Leverage to Improve the Quality of Education in Vietnam", March 10, 2024. Photo courtesy of UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus According to England's Higher Education Statistics Agency, in 2021, Vietnam was one of the third largest transnational education markets in Southeast Asia for the U.K., with more than 7,000 students enrolling. The number of TNE students has increased steadily by 2440% each year since 2017. "In the grand picture, Vietnam is an open market. The increasing trend of TNE is promising as it incentivizes Vietnams education sector with new opportunities for further development," said Assoc. Prof. Khanh. The importance of international cooperation Le Thu Hien, Education Program Manager of the British Council in Vietnam, said that transnational education is an educational program of a foreign institution implemented in Vietnam. Students studying this program have the opportunity to receive a foreign degree. "International cooperation in education is very important because, through integration, it will help improve the quality of human resources as well as the quality of Vietnamese education," Hien said. Dr. Dong Xuan Dam, Dean of the School of International Education at Phenikaa University and Director of the UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus International Bachelor Program, said that in the past, when talking about studying abroad, one had to go overseas with high tuition fees and financial proof... With TNE, the travel and financial concerns will be resolved. TNE takes on various forms, such as full franchising programs, partial franchising programs in Vietnam, or programs with assessment and recognition partly in both Vietnam and overseas. Among these, the most popular are full franchising and transfer programs. The full franchising program has high requirements for cooperation, such as management ability, program implementation, teaching staff, and facilities. Students enrolled in this program must comply 100% with the schedule, documents, grading criteria, and credit accumulation activities of the partner school while studying in Vietnam. A transfer program, on the other hand, typically involves students studying a portion of a college program in Vietnam (for 2 years), followed by one year of studying the partnered programs curriculum, with the degree being awarded by the partner institution. According to Dr. Dam, this is most suitable for individuals who work while studying, those with adequate work experience seeking to improve knowledge and skills; hence, the training programs approach is primarily based on the learners skills and experience. While the full franchising program has high requirements for independent research and learning methods, it requires students to focus on developing research thinking and overall logic. Exercises during the assessment process also vary. Another advantage of enrolling in the full franchising program, according to Mrs. Hien, is that when graduating, students will be awarded a degree from the partnered foreign institution. After graduating, students can work in Vietnam or abroad because the degree is recognized internationally. A typical example of a full franchising university model in Vietnam is the UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus International Bachelor Program. This is a higher education cooperation project between the University of the West of England, Bristol, U.K. (UWE Bristol) and Phenikaa University. Sharing the reason for cooperating with UWE Bristol, Assoc. Prof. Khanh said that Phenikaa University sought a reputable partner, and UWE Bristol fully met the criteria, ranking 24th out of 121 ranked training institutions in the U.K., according to The Guardian rankings in 2023. The school is also on the list of the world's top 500 universities, according to the Times Higher Education rankings 2023, and has more than 10 years of experience in the Vietnam education market. Besides, according to Dr. Dam, from the beginning, the two institutions also shared the same desire to fill the gaps when implementing the full franchising British program in Vietnam, thereby developing this model with new additions to meet a diverse range of candidates. For example, if coming to the United Kingdom, candidates must immediately meet the minimum foreign language requirements. With the program in Vietnam, the school offers a roadmap suitable to candidates' English ability to both ensure full franchise programs quality standards and still individualize each students abilities. In particular, when studying the full franchising UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus Program, students have the opportunity to participate in internships right from the first and third years, instead of waiting until the final year like most programs. "We hope this approach will help students get ready for the real labor market promptly and, at the same time, solve the problem of many graduates who have not found a job for years or are working in the wrong field," Dr. Dam said. Students enrolled in the UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus program. Photo courtesy of UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus is offering 7 bachelor programs. Experts at the seminar also shared a lot of new information about 2024 enrollment of the UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus Program. The admission program follows two routes, based on the students English ability, which are the Global COOP route (for candidates who have met English qualifications equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or UWE Test 6.0) and the Foundation route (for candidates who have not met the English proficiency requirements equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or UWE Test 6.0). The program is conducted over a four-year study period. After studying for three years in Vietnam, students have two options: majoring according to the curriculum of UWE Bristol in Vietnam or majoring according to the curriculum of UWE Bristol in the U.K. (UWE Bristol - Frenchay Campus). Currently, the program provides seven majors for students: Business and Management, Business Management and Marketing, Business and Events Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science - Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science - Smart Devices, Information Technology. There are three main intakes in March, June, and September. To attract excellent candidates, the program offers many scholarship opportunities for students with prolific academic achievements and outstanding community activities. The 6 types of admission scholarships are suitable for all applicants, with criteria based on each student's achievements, abilities, skills, scholarship application, and interview results. Parents and students can rewatch the seminar on the social media sites of the UWE Bristol@Phenikaa Campus Program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and partner organizations are proposing to treat spongy moth infestations this summer in seven counties across eastern Minnesota. Of the 42 sites, nearly half are in Carlton County. Residents are invited to get more information on the spraying at a meeting 4-6 p.m April 2 at the Cloquet Public Library. Formerly known as gypsy moths, spongy moths are ranked among Americas most destructive tree pests. The insect has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests as it has spread from New England westward in recent decades. Spongy moth caterpillars c... The White House sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson telling him that his impeachment investigation is over. Axios reported: The White House sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) early Friday with a clear message: Your impeachment inquiry of President Biden is over. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. It is obviously time to move on, Mr. Speaker. This impeachment is over, Siskel wrote. There is too much important work to be done for the American people to continue wasting time on this charade. The reason why there has been minimal complaining from Republicans about documents being turned over is because the White House has been turning over information that was requested. However, the letter signals that the White House is done, and it is time to move on to other things. The letter is also a move by the White House to force Johnson and the House Republicans to make a move. Right now, Comer and Jordan are living in an impeachment netherworld. Sure, there technically is an impeachment investigation, and they are supposed to hold a public hearing soon, but the hearing wont feature any new witnesses or information. It is going to be a rehash of all of the failed witnesses that Oversight Committee Chair Comer has already collected. The White House wants Johnson to put impeachment on the House floor because they know that it will fail. President Biden isnt playing this game anymore, and it is time for Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to either make their move or pack up and end this investigation. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. Aziaha James made a career-high seven 3-poiners and scored 27 points, and third-seeded North Carolina State earned its first trip to the Final Four of the womens NCAA Tournament since 1998, beating top-seeded Texas 76-66. The played with 3-point lines at different distances on opposite ends of the court. River Baldwin added 16 points for N.C. State, which will face unbeaten South Carolina in the national semifinals in Cleveland on Saturday. Freshman Madison Booker finished with 17 points to lead the Longhorns, who were vying for their first Final Four since 2003. Both coaches were informed about the problem with the 3-point lines before the game but decided to play on. Read moreAziaha James scores 27, leads NC State to 76-66 win over Texas, first women's Final Four since 1998 South Aiken High School's football practice field had several hundred visitors March 13, with "animal hats" and antique weaponry on hand in place of football helmets and shoulder pads. Dozens of Living History Day volunteers offered exhibits and focused on the Revolutionary War era, offering students a chance to touch and see items that were relatively commonplace in the days of King George III, Gov. John Rutledge and Brig. Gen. Francis Marion. Longtime Sons of the American Revolution leader Ted Walker estimated attendance at 2,000 and described the event as "absolutely fabulous," with participants coming from a variety of communities and backgrounds. "A lot of students learned some stuff out here today," said retired Marine Claude Davis, leading an effort by the high school's Naval Junior ROTC unit, which served in a variety of support roles. Military recruiters were a part of the mix as well, offering students the chance to hear about military career options, and one of the most prominent family names represented was that of Kyleigh Dillon, a Marine corporal currently based in North Carolina and focusing on avionics "the science and technology of electronics and the development of electronic devices as applied to aeronautics and astronautics." "She is our fourth generation of Marines in our family," said her paternal grandmother, Lucy Dillon, who also took part in the Wednesday event. Among other adults on hand was Kelly Reynolds, a chaperone with Mead Hall. The school had its third- and fourth-grade students on hand, hearing from representatives of such groups as Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution. Tourists pose for photographs at Merlion Park in Singapore, Jan. 27, 2023. Photo by Reuters China surpassed Indonesia to become the biggest source of tourists for Singapore for the first time ever in February. Some 327,000 Chinese visitors arrived in the city-state, accounting for 30% of all foreign arrivals, according to the latest statistics from the Singapore Tourism Board. The surge in numbers was due to the mutual visa waiver that took effect on Feb. 9, the tourism board said. Indonesia, which had been the largest source of tourists previously, was in second position, sending 190,000 visitors, followed by Malaysia, Australia and the U.K. Chinese tourists stayed for an average of 4.22 days as against the overall 3.46 days by foreign tourists, a decline of 8.7% year-on-year, the board added. Last year Singapore received 13.6 million foreign visitors. It eyes 15-16 million this year. COLUMBIA South Carolina's top doctor came before a small group of state senators on Thursday to tell them he thinks a bill overhauling how public health emergencies are handled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has some bad ideas, concerns echoed by Gov. Henry McMaster. As drafted, the bill would prevent mandating vaccines unless they have been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for 10 years. That means that health care providers would be blocked from requiring flu vaccines or other shots that get yearly updates for ever-changing viruses, said Dr. Edward Simmer, director of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. In addition to loosening restrictions on who can visit people in isolation, the measure would also require symptom-free patients to be released from quarantine well before some infectious diseases begin to show outward signs, Simmer said at a Thursday hearing. "There are a number of issues that we believe where this bill would cause harm to the people of South Carolina and would in fact cause unnecessary death amongst people of South Carolina during a public health crisis because it would prevent us from taking actions that could save lives," Simmer said. The bill passed the Senate subcommittee on a 4-3 vote, but with eight weeks to go in the General Assembly's session, it still has to get through the body's Medical Affairs Committee and a vote on the Senate floor before it can even be sent to the House. In a further sign of the hurdles the bill faces, McMaster sent the subcommittee a letter saying "placing overbroad restrictions on the authority of public health officials, law enforcement officers, first responders, and emergency management professionals responding to emerging threats and disasterswhether public health or otherwise is a bad idea." A similar subcommittee met in September, where many speakers sewed doubt about vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as distrust in the scientific establishment. 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. The chief executive officer of Boeing will leave this year amid a broader shakeup of the embattled company's top leadership, capping a tumultuous five plus years that has shaken faith in one of America's most storied manufacturers. Read moreBoeing CEO will leave under broader management shakeup GREENVILLE More than 300 households in Greenville which include children, veterans and people who work jobs that keep the local economy running cant find a landlord willing to accept government money to house them. Its a problem leaders of the Greenville Housing Authority said is largely a result of the stigma surrounding federal housing vouchers for low-income people. The housing voucher program, currently budgeted at $25 million in Greenville, already provides a place to live for about 3,000 people each month, interim housing authority CEO Terril Bates said. But voucher-holders face barriers to rent on the open market, despite incentives for landlords offered by a special federal program. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Almost everywhere you go, every day, someone youre talking to cannot afford to pay rent in the community that we live in, said Bates, who started working for the housing authority in January. In addition to stigma, landlords face the challenge of having to follow certain guidelines to participate, and voucher-holders face competition with renters on the open market and might be rejected for having a lower credit score or weaker rental history all factors that come into play amid historically high rents and tenant competition. The housing agency also has to overcome a reputation of being difficult to work with. For the 308 people who are considered unhoused right now or are shopping for a place to live, Id imagine its just a tumultuous time, housing authority board chair Racquel Collier said. That is due to the reputation of the housing authority in the past. But Collier said they hope the incentives and some institutional changes eliminate some landlords worries and allow more people to be housed. Bates called the program an economic engine since it pays out more than $25 million each year, and this year theres an additional $2.7 million available. The average income for program participants is $12,700 per year, and about 20 percent are elderly or have a disability, Bates said. There are thousands of children in the households covered. When a family has housing stability, it relies less on other social service agencies and government programs. GREENVILLE The family of a man killed by a Greenville County sheriff's deputy in January disputes how the agency has portrayed the fatal shooting, saying important details have been omitted in what was a matter of a man protecting his home. Robert Campbell died after a deputy shot him Jan. 26, thinking he was the suspect in an alleged assault at a tow yard and had shot a rifle at deputies, according to a video released by the Greenville County Sheriff's Office. The body camera clip and portions of two 911 calls were made public on YouTube on March 12 as part of the Sheriff Office's community briefing policy, which publishes curated and narrated descriptions of major deputy-involved incidents 45 days after they occur. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Greenville attorney Chris Fedalei, who represents Campbell's family, disagrees that Campbell shot at deputies and denounced how the Sheriff's Office responded. "This was a completely avoidable situation," Fedalei said in a March 14 interview with The Post and Courier. "The briefing says Campbell shot at police. Campbell never shot at police." Fedalei, speaking on the family's behalf as they continue to process Campbell's death, said Campbell had always made a point of respecting law enforcement's authority so much so that Fedalei said he was known to say "if you don't want to die, you must comply." Sheriff's office spokesman Lt. Ryan Flood declined to comment beyond the briefing video, citing an ongoing State Law Enforcement Division investigation. Sheriff Hobart Lewis didn't respond to The Post and Courier's request for comment. Fedalei said before they choose to file suit, the family and his office have been doing their own on-the-ground investigation, speaking with neighbors, family members and even the man deputies had thought Campbell was, Larry Simmons. When she was 7 years old in Beirut, Nour Hijazi got a book about American cities, and one in particular captured her heart. "Ever since then, my dream has been to live in New York City," she said. On Match Day at the Medical University of South Carolina, her dream came true, along with the dreams of many of her medical school classmates. Match Day is an annual ritual when tens of thousands of senior medical students across the country, and the world, simultaneously find out where they will spend the next several years in a medical residency training program learning a specialty and honing their craft. Nearly 45,000 students submitted a ranked choice list for 41,503 positions at 6,395 programs this year, according to the National Resident Matching Program. A computer then compares that to the program's ranked list of students and a "match" with the student's highest choice is selected. The residency for each student is then sent to the schools, who often place them into envelopes for students to open at noon on Match Day. The positions are critical because not only is that where the newly minted doctor will spend the next several years, but often it becomes where they will choose to practice. While many at MUSC will get their top choice, some won't, and College of Medicine Dean Terry Steyer left them with this thought before they opened their envelopes and students then came up before a packed audience at Charleston Music Hall to share where they are going. "Remember, that program wants you," Steyer said. "They see something in you that they want to take and train and mold." For Hijazi, it was all about the vascular surgery residency at Mount Sinai in New York City. Taking the stage to Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind," Hijazi had pre-selected the song as a way of "manifesting I would end up in New York City. And I did," she said to loud cheers from the audience. 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? U.S. Postal Service officials told Charleston mail workers in a meeting this week a looming USPS review of their North Charleston mail-processing facility wont mean layoffs or service cuts, particularly not in a contentious election year when every mail-in ballot appears crucial. Charleston postal workers angrily disagreed. A USPS memo available to attendees said the review was part of a $40 billion assessment that aims to improve processing and distribution centers across America. The memo said that the review may result in some work or mail being shifted from the North Charleston processing and distribution center to Columbia. The review would also result in improvements to employee break rooms and restrooms, repairs for the parking lot and new electric vehicles to swap in for old delivery trucks. Jeanie Arnold, wearing a cherry-red AFL-CIO shirt, said dozens of Charleston postal workers were getting letters telling them said they may need to reapply for their jobs or be trained to take different jobs, perhaps in different locations. Union leaders pointed out that it takes about six months to train workers shifted into new jobs. USPS workers worry that turmoil from job shifting and retraining will have an impact on a gamut of Charleston residents, voters, small farmers, veterans who get their medication by mail and even pet lovers. Charleston USPS employee Ashley Halbrooks oversees animals that are picked up, processed and delivered by USPS, including prize roosters, queen honeybees, ducklings, baby emus, worms, frogs, goldfish, tropical fish, baby alligators less than 20 inches long, chameleons, tadpoles and baby chicks that are less than 24 hours old. With Charlestons scorching, humid summers just ahead, she worried that all the job shifting and equipment removal would result in delays that may endanger the cargo of furry, feathered, scaly and wriggly creatures. Baby chicks cant survive if theyre left too long unattended in a warm, stuffy place, Halbrooks explained. The goal of the Uncovered series has always been to examine the system itself, not just the individual cases of corruption and misuse of power. There are often systemic problems that allow corruption to happen unchecked. The most common issues are regulations that have no bite or clawback, and understaffed agencies that let oversight fall through the cracks. South Carolina applies minimal oversight to local governments. The Post and Courier launched Uncovered in early 2021 to focus on these stories across the state. In November, Investigative Reporter Thad Moore published one such story originating in Hampton County, but resonating through every county that has levied a penny sales tax. Because of Uncovered, The Post and Courier regularly receives tips from community members who believe something is amiss in their local government. This is Sunshine Week. Its a newspaper tradition for decades now to spend one week in March looking at the landscape of public records and public meetings in our coverage areas. This annual audit ensures that the right to know isnt eroding under our watch. Its also a chance to celebrate the way reporters at The Post and Courier use public records to find stories that no one else is covering. Last year, a concerned citizens group called The Post and Courier saying millions of dollars were missing from Hampton County coffers in the years after voters approved a penny sales tax for a new recreation facility. The facility never materialized, but the money was gone. The citizens group had been pushing on this issue for years. This group was trying to get anyone to pay attention to them, Moore said. They wanted a forensic audit of the county to find out where the missing funds went. The county itself couldnt afford the audit. The S.C. Office of the State Auditor told the group it doesnt have jurisdiction over counties. The State Law Enforcement Division and the S.C. Attorney Generals Office told them they did not have jurisdiction unless there was criminal activity. The group called lawmakers and heard a similar message: No one has authority over local governments. 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 The United States remains committed to bringing all American hostages and wrongful detainees home. At the recent inaugural U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken recounted how he carries a list with the name of every American who is held hostage or unjustly detained. Over the past three years, he noted, Ive been able to cross 46 names off that list. And yet, dozens of our fellow citizens are held without cause by foreign governments, terrorist groups, and other non-state actors without their rights and apart from their families, said Secretary Blinken: Families who, month by month, minute by minute, endure the agony of not knowing where their loved one is being held whether they are suffering or when they will see them again. To those families ... know this: We will keep fighting for your family members as if they were our own. We will not give up ever. The U.S. will keep expanding and strengthening the tools it has to get hostages back, including the Hostage Recovery Group, which brings together the State Department, the White House, the intelligence community, and other parts of the government to coordinate efforts to free unjustly detained Americans and provide support for their families. And like the 2020 Robert Levinson Act, it empowers the U.S. to impose additional financial penalties and travel restrictions on the hostage takers. Weve teamed up with Canada to lead a group of more than 70 countries who have endorsed a declaration against arbitrary detention by states, and who strive to stand together against any government that uses foreign nationals as bargaining chips, explained Secretary Blinken: The more countries who join us in applying pressure, the more we raise the cost on perpetrators, and the more we force them to think twice before detaining additional innocent people. And thats crucial to ensuring no one else has to live through this nightmare. Every day that we fight for the release of unjustly detained Americans whether that we is our government, a community, a family, or an individual we show who we are, said Secretary Blinken, and what we value most. Our freedom. Our humanity. And our readiness to bring to bear the strength of an entire nation to defend the rights of a single citizen. 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 COLUMBIA In the end, it took a dark backroom to craft legislation that supporters hope will make the state judicial selection process less cloudy. After days of fruitless and fraught debate last week over a bill that would reform the way South Carolina picks judges, a bipartisan group of 11 Statehouse senators met for hours this week, initially in a windowless room in the Senate wing, trying to hash out a compromise. On March 12 and 13, the full Senate met only briefly to keep the afternoons clear for the working group. After a final meeting the morning of March 14, the working group emerged with a draft compromise. The bill would give the governor a say in screening judges, increase transparency, as its advocates say, and tweak the legislative election process. The bill strikes a balance to improve transparency where we can, to add seats to the table, but dont throw the baby out with the bathwater, state Sen. Luke Rankin said in a speech from the Senate floor. The Myrtle Beach Republican had previously been skeptical of altering the current system but ended up as the lead sponsor of the legislation. The Senate unanimously approved the bill March 14. It still needs to clear one more procedural vote before going to the House. South Carolina is one of two states in which the Legislature alone elects judges (Virginia is the other). A 10-member panel, which includes six legislators who are lawyers, vets the judicial candidates and sends three of them to the full Legislature for a vote of the combined House and Senate. Critics of the system say that allowing legislators who are also lawyers to screen judges before whom they may argue cases presents a conflict of interest and has created a crisis of confidence in the judiciary. Other lawmakers argue there isnt evidence of anything untoward and that sufficient checks exist in the system. The serious push to change the system, led by several of the states solicitors and a bipartisan group of legislators, has been brewing for over a year. It came to a head in the Charleston area last fall when the screening commission voted to oust sitting Circuit Judge Bentley Price but also declined to nominate Brent Halversen, his challenger, which will leave the seat vacant. GREENVILLE Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said he's not sure if he would vote for legislation that would lead to a nationwide ban of popular video-sharing app TikTok if its Chinese parent company does not sell its stake. The bill recently passed the House with large bipartisan support but faces an uncertain future in the Senate. In a press briefing March 15 in his downtown Greenville office, Graham said TikTok is not his only focus and that all large social media sites need to face more accountability. I am hell-bent and determined to give the American consumer a better deal when it comes to social media, not just disconnect TikTok from Communist China, Graham said. He said consumers face limited options to hold social media sites accountable because they can't sue the companies. The TikTok-China problem is real but the problem" with social media at large is real, he said. Five of South Carolina's seven U.S. representatives voted for the TikTok ban bill. Reps. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, and Nancy Mace, R-Isle of Palms, voted against it. Graham's position is a change from four years ago and keeps him in line with former President Donald Trump's reversal on banning TikTok after a 2020 executive action against the app, which Graham supported at the time. Trump has since reversed his position saying that although TikTok poses a national security risk, banning it would strengthen Facebook. Graham thinks the former president is concerned that if TikTok is shut down then Facebooks parent company, Meta, which also owns Instagram, will control the entire social media space. Graham said he wants to make sure the bill does not violate a rule in the U.S. Constitution that he said prohibits the government from taking action against a single person or company. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 00:58:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 787 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2024 /Ascoindex , which offers Bitcoin, USDT Tether, Ethereum, and GainX in bulk, is now operating across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Founded by Turkish billionaire Ugur Akkus, the CEO ofA&S Investment Holding , the platform provides a seamless, user-friendly way to purchase cryptocurrencies in large quantities.In 2019, A&S Investment Holding recognized that the digital currency market was growing rapidly and attracting a considerable number of investors. The company foresaw the need for reliable platforms that could facilitate wholesale trading of digital currencies. A&S Investment Holding stepped in to create the Ascoindex digital currency wholesale trading platform, which meets the cryptocurrency needs of both exchanges and investors. By committing to staying ahead in technology, the company is providing a vital link in the digital currency market, ultimately meeting the bulk trading needs of investors.Akkus explains that Ascoindex was strategic when choosing the cryptocurrencies to offer. "Bitcoin is widely accepted and has become an immensely popular form of digital payment. USDT Tether is pegged to the US dollar, attracting risk-averse investors," he says. "Ethereum's smart contract capabilities open up a world of possibilities for decentralized applications. Finally, with its unique features, GainX is an intriguing possibility for any portfolio." By offering major digital currencies in bulk to global investors, Ascoindex is working to redefine the cryptocurrency market. The company and Akkus envision a digital currency ecosystem that will provide reliability and efficiency for wholesale traders. In 2024, they will continue to prioritize customer satisfaction and security as well as a buying process that is smooth and hassle-free for everyone.About AscoindexAscoindex andbitmoneycoin.comare companies owned by A&S Investment Holding Company, which holds 100% of the investments in the cryptocurrency market. Ascoindex is a unique wholesale crypto sales platform that specifically caters to crypto investors, offering bulk sales of four major digital currencies, including Bitcoin, USDT Tether, Ethereum, and GainX. Currently, Ascoindex operates in eight countries, serving numerous cryptocurrency exchanges and investors. The company strives to meet the diverse investment needs of its clients while prioritizing their satisfaction and security.For more information about Ascoindex, please visit http://www.ascoindex.comor contact:Ugur Akkus, CEO of A&S Investment HoldingTrump Towers Istanbul NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2024 /Ascoindex , which offers Bitcoin, USDT Tether, Ethereum, and GainX in bulk, is now operating across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Founded by Turkish billionaire Ugur Akkus, the CEO ofA&S Investment Holding , the platform provides a seamless, user-friendly way to purchase cryptocurrencies in large quantities.In 2019, A&S Investment Holding recognized that the digital currency market was growing rapidly and attracting a considerable number of investors. The company foresaw the need for reliable platforms that could facilitate wholesale trading of digital currencies. A&S Investment Holding stepped in to create the Ascoindex digital currency wholesale trading platform, which meets the cryptocurrency needs of both exchanges and investors. By committing to staying ahead in technology, the company is providing a vital link in the digital currency market, ultimately meeting the bulk trading needs of investors.Akkus explains that Ascoindex was strategic when choosing the cryptocurrencies to offer. "Bitcoin is widely accepted and has become an immensely popular form of digital payment. USDT Tether is pegged to the US dollar, attracting risk-averse investors," he says. "Ethereum's smart contract capabilities open up a world of possibilities for decentralized applications. Finally, with its unique features, GainX is an intriguing possibility for any portfolio." By offering major digital currencies in bulk to global investors, Ascoindex is working to redefine the cryptocurrency market. The company and Akkus envision a digital currency ecosystem that will provide reliability and efficiency for wholesale traders. In 2024, they will continue to prioritize customer satisfaction and security as well as a buying process that is smooth and hassle-free for everyone.About AscoindexAscoindex andbitmoneycoin.comare companies owned by A&S Investment Holding Company, which holds 100% of the investments in the cryptocurrency market. Ascoindex is a unique wholesale crypto sales platform that specifically caters to crypto investors, offering bulk sales of four major digital currencies, including Bitcoin, USDT Tether, Ethereum, and GainX. Currently, Ascoindex operates in eight countries, serving numerous cryptocurrency exchanges and investors. The company strives to meet the diverse investment needs of its clients while prioritizing their satisfaction and security.For more information about Ascoindex, please visit http://www.ascoindex.comor contact:Ugur Akkus, CEO of A&S Investment HoldingTrump Towers IstanbulNo:12 Daire:3701 Sisli / Istanbul TurkiyeTelephone: 0212 801 48 64info@ asinvestmentholding.com SOURCE: Ascoindex No:12 Daire:3701 Sisli / Istanbul TurkiyeTelephone: 0212 801 48 64info@ asinvestmentholding.com SOURCE: Ascoindex Despite many global challenges, the United States remains squarely focused on the Indo-Pacific region, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, after a recent trip to Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei. Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink said his trip demonstrated U.S. commitment to advancing our overall Indo-Pacific strategy: supporting a region thats free and open, connected prosperous secure and resilient. The top priority, he said, remains in investing in the collective capacity of our allies, partners, and friends. In Singapore, Secretary Kritenbrink cohosted the sixth U.S.-Singapore Strategic partnership: We reaffirmed our nations wide-ranging partnership on defense and security, economic cooperation, critical and emerging technology, and climate and energy. In Phnom Penh, the United States and Cambodia discussed ways to deepen their relationship and also addressed issues of concern. On the positive side, that includes our cooperation on DPRK UN sanctions enforcement, condemning Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine, and other cooperative areas, including related to law enforcement, said Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink. We also addressed candidly other areas, including areas of difference related to issues such as human rights, trafficking in persons, and creating space for free and independent media. In Thailand, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink said he reaffirmed the United States commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, including economic growth, climate change, global health, security cooperation, and people- to-people ties, and he also discussed shared concerns over the situation in Burma. In Hanoi, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink participated in the Asia-Pacific Dialogue: During the dialogue with my counterpart Vice Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, we further deepened our relationship and found new ways to facilitate our shared vision for, again, a prosperous, open, resilient, and peaceful region. We also discussed the need to maintain peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in the face of rising challenges there. In his first visit to Brunei, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink said he had the opportunity to reaffirm the enduring ties between our two countries. The Indo-Pacific is the region where much of the history of the 21st century will be written, said Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink. I was incredibly gratified by the close strategic alignment between the United States and our partners in the region in tackling our shared priorities together. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 14:00:59 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 701 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The Epic Of Humanity Special Edition by Billy Carson and Matthew LaCroixWESTON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Published under the banner of 4BiddenKnowledge, "The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition," crafted by the renowned authors Billy Carson and Matthew LaCroix, has clinched the #1 spot on Amazon's Encyclopedias Bestseller List. This marks an incredible milestone for the book, celebrated for its meticulous exploration into mankind's history and the evolution of human consciousness, reflecting 4BiddenKnowledge's commitment to unveiling deep truths and wisdom.The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition Combining Carson's expertise in ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial phenomena with LaCroix's deep understanding of spirituality and consciousness, "The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition" presents readers with a captivating journey through the ages."Securing the top position in the Encyclopedias category on Amazon with 'The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition' is a dream come true. This accomplishment highlights our shared, unending quest for knowledge and understanding. It stands as proof that exploring our history reveals the foundations of our future," expressed Billy Carson. "I am profoundly thankful and moved by the global readership's support and excitement. My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who has accompanied me on this extraordinary voyage of exploration." Matthew LaCroix added, "'The Epic of Humanity' has just hit a #1 Bestseller in Encyclopedias! The world is clearly hungry for truth and a new understanding of our timeline and ancient past." "The Epic of Humanity: Special Edition" is a unique opportunity for readers to delve into the rich tapestry of human history and consciousness. The book explores the mysteries of the human origin story, the timeline of lost civilizations, and ancient catastrophes.Billy Carson - is the founder and CEO of 4BiddenKnowledge Inc., the bestselling author of "The Compendium Of The Emerald Tablets," "Woke Doesn't Mean Broke," and "The Epic of Humanity." He is also the winner of the 2022 Stellar Citizens Award.Mr. Carson is also the founder and CEO of 4BiddenKnowledge TV, a conscious streaming TV network, the host of the 4BiddenKnowledge podcast, and the Co-Host of the Bio-Hack Your Best Life podcast. He is also a writer and contributor to Rolling Stone and Entrepreneur magazines.Mr. Carson appreciates the dedication and hard work it takes to accomplish great things. Recently, Mr. Carson earned a Certificate of Science (with an emphasis on Neuroscience) at M.I.T. and has a certificate in Ancient Civilization from Harvard University. Among his most notable achievements, Billy is the CEO of First Class Space Agency based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Specifically, his space agency is involved in the research and development of alternative propulsion systems and zero-point energy devices.Matthew LaCroix - is a passionate writer and ancient history researcher who grew up exploring the mountains of northern New England. After college, his focus became studying archeology, ancient civilizations, physics, and history - and at age 32, he published his first major book entitled: "The Illusion of Us." In 2019, Matthew released his second book: "The Stage of Time," which seeks to unravel the mysteries of the lost civilizations of antiquity, the ancient catastrophes that destroyed them, and a library of the greatest knowledge they left behind.In 2023, he released his third book, co-written with Billy Carson, entitled: "The Epic of Humanity," and went on to make a major archeological discovery near Lake Van in Turkey, where he found evidence of a previously unknown lost civilization - known as the Ararat Civilization, which would become the focus of his career in the future.This led Matthew to start his own company called Ayanis Legacy, which focuses on uncovering and documenting the secrets of the Ararat Civilization through archaeological discoveries, film creation, and books.Matthew has appeared on shows such as Ancient Civilizations and Beyond Belief on Gaia, The UnXplained on the History Channel, and hosted his own show called Mystery School of Truth on 4BiddenKnowledge TV.Best Seller Source: https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/11732/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_books Contact InformationElisabeth HoekstraCreative Directorbusiness@4 biddenknowledge.com 954.256.1515Nikki SheppardExecutive Assistantnikki@4 biddenknowledge.com 954-931-1567SOURCE: 4BiddenKnowledge Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 13:46:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 968 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / CMiC, a leading Next Generation Construction ERP provider, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary in the construction software space. Attributing their success to their unwavering commitment to customer success, a laser focus on product innovation and an award-winning leadership team, they have continued to make strides on many fronts throughout the years. As summarized best by Gord Rawlins, President & CEO - CMiC, "CMiC is a future-focused organization led by a team committed to strengthening partnerships, perfecting our product and service offering, maintaining a strong foothold within the construction software space and spearheading global expansion." What makes CMiC stand out amongst its competitors is that it is not only a technology firm - it's also a firm with a strong service, support, and customer success component to it as well. But, at the very core, it is their employees and extended CMiC family that are collectively propelling this organization forward. This includes:A CEO deeply committed to developing solutions that are built with leading modern technology designed to elevate the performance of constructions firms. A leadership team dedicated to establishing and maintaining a strong market position within the construction software space. Product leaders and experts who are laser focused on innovating and enhancing product development. Customer-facing teams who are intent on helping CMiC's customers exceed their business goals. A customer and partner ecosystem that is dedicated to sharing actionable insights and success stories, all with the end goal of moving the needle forward - together.In the words of Jeff Weiss, Chief Revenue Officer - CMiC, "CMiC is a customer-focused firm driven by the continuous quest to enhance customer satisfaction and engagement. This focus is the cornerstone of CMiC's success and will continue to lay the foundation for our long-term strategy." 1974 to 2024: Industry, Product and Corporate Achievements and MilestonesThe last 50 years have been replete with accomplishments, spanning from industry to product to corporate milestones. Here are the key achievements CMiC has made by category:Market Position:In the last several years, they have solidified their position as a leader in the construction software industry, with 30% of ENR's Top 400 General Contractors making CMiC their construction ERP of choice. Product Innovation:In 2014, they introduced their SaaS software deployment offering, which has grown steadily, year over year. CMiC launched their mobile functionality in 2015, which continues to help their customers create connected workforces. In 2017, they introduced their Business Intelligence functionality, which provides a strong foundation for their Analytics offering. 2020 saw the launch of their open API offering, which is offered across a variety of functional categories. In 2022, CMiC launched CONSTRUCT, a robust project management suite designed to drive integrated project delivery and an enhanced user experience.According to Steve Cangiano, VP - Product Strategy, "As a product leader in the construction software space, my team and I are committed to driving product innovation. The CONSTRUCT suite is a testament to our focus and effort on next generation solutions to provide our customers the best user experience and help them elevate performance in both the short and long term." Global Expansion:CMiC announced their first customers within the EMEA region, adding UAE-based firms ALEC Engineering and Contracting L.LC. (2019) and AMANA Group Limited (2020) to their growing roster of customers. They tapped into the Asia Pacific market, by adding GVK Group (Australia) to the list in 2021. Industry Awards and Recognition:Deloitte Best Managed Award: 2023 marked their 6th consecutive year as a Best Managed winner and their second consecutive year in the Gold Standard category. Other recent awards include: TrustRadius' Tech Cares, Construction Executive's Top Tech and Hot Products, and Merit Technology Software and Apps Platform CONNECT: CMiC's Annual Customer ConferenceCMiC's annual customer conference, CONNECT, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023. True to form, they delivered an annual innovation-focused, content-rich, and celebration-filled customer conference, with an unprecedented turnout of over 750 attendees. Philanthropy and Community:Through their Allen-Berg initiatives (philanthropic projects in honor of their founder's legacy), they have pledged $10 million to various charities. Since 2018, CMiC has donated $2.5 million and provided financial assistance to 134 students through their partnership with the ACE Mentor Program, which is designed to provide opportunities to high school students to pursue careers in Architecture, Construction and Engineering. Their Social Purpose Committee, Ready Set Build, has raised over $125,000 to date, with 44% of their employees participating in volunteer efforts in 2023.According to Pat Shah, Chief Operating Officer - CMiC, "We have a strong resolve to expand and further strengthen our CSR efforts as it closely aligns with the values of our organization, which is espoused by the next generation of our employees." Looking Ahead: Setting the Stage for Future GrowthWhile predicting the 50 years may appear to be challenging, what is evident is that customer expectations will change, technology will advance at unprecedented levels, and the economic landscape will continue to evolve, thereby changing the competitive landscape.Despite this, we are confident that our CMiC family will continue to grow and strengthen, while our product offerings continue to make their mark in the industry landscape. Weiss sums it up best: "With our strong intellectual and technological foundation, we are poised to deliver high-impact results for the next 50 years and beyond." About CMiCAs an industry pioneer, CMiC delivers complete and unified ERP and Field solutions for construction and capital projects firms. CMiC's powerful software transforms how firms optimize productivity, minimize risk and drive growth by planning and managing all financials, projects, resources, and content assets-from a Single Database Platform. With customers throughout North America, CMiC serves one-quarter of ENR's Top 200 Contractors and hundreds of small and mid-sized construction firms, from general and specialty contractors to heavy/highway and project owners. For more information, please visit www.cmicglobal.com Media Inquiries:Karnav PancholiPR liaison - CMiC karnav.pancholi@cmic.ca SOURCE: CMiC PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 21:25:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 608 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / In celebration of the strength of its U.S. and Canadian dealer network, CNH brands, CASE Construction Equipment and New Holland, recently announced the winners of their respective CASE Dealer Awards program and New Holland UK & ROI Dealer of the Year Awards."Our dedicated and customer-first dealer network differentiates CASE in the market. Across the U.S. and Canada, we have the strength of 66 dealers, 325 locations and more than 7,000 faces of CASE providing customer-first sales, service, parts and financing support," says Terry Dolan, vice president - North America, CASE Construction Equipment. "The CASE Dealer Awards program recognizes the best of the best." Power Abe Award - Progressive Tractor & ImplementAlso known as the CASE Dealer of the Year Award, the Power Abe Award is given to the dealer who is committed to building the CASE brand and delivers top performance in sales, parts, service and offering Capital financing products to their customers.J.I. Case Award - Lee Tractor Co.In recognition of CASE's founder, who was resilient, customer-first and rooted in practical innovation, this year's award is presented to the dealer with the greatest focus on technology (precision and connected services).Building Community Award - GT Mid AtlanticThe heart of the CASE brand is building (and rebuilding) community. This award recognizes the dealer who goes above and beyond in exhibiting our brand purpose. GT Mid Atlantic won for its work with Construction Angels and will receive a $10,000 donation for this deserving nonprofit.Power Tan AwardsThese awards are earned for high sales performance by product category.Backhoe Loader / Tractor Loader / Forklift: Bingham Equipment Company Skid Steer Loader / Compact Track Loader:Torgerson's Dozer: Hills Machinery Company Motor Grader: Scott Equipment Compaction: Border Equipment Mini Excavator:Progressive Tractor & Implement Full Size and Midi Excavator:Progressive Tractor & Implement Wheel Loader:Hitrac Compact Wheel Loader: ASCO Equipment In addition, CNH brand New Holland has also announced the winners of its 2023 UK and ROI Dealer of The Year Awards, which celebrate excellence in performance and service quality across its extensive UK and Ireland dealer network.Main category winners:Overall, UK Dealer of the Year: Russells LtdIreland Dealer of the Year: M & S MachineryMedium UK Dealer of the Year: Francis Bugler LtdSmall UK Dealer of the Year: T Alun Jones & SonProduct Line Category Winners:Combine Dealer of the Year: Robert D Webster LtdTractor Dealer of the Year: Lloyd LtdHay & Forage Dealer of the Year: Lloyd LtdPLM Dealer of the Year: Agricar LtdImplements Dealer of the Year: Agricar LtdConstruction Equipment Dealer of the Year: M & S MachineryTelehandler Dealer of the Year: Ernest Doe & Sons LtdParts Dealer of the Year: T H White LtdNPS Dealer of the Year: Ernest Doe & Sons LtdDavid Rapkins, New Holland Business Director UK & ROI, said: "I would like to express my congratulations to all the 2023 New Holland Dealer of the Year winners. These awards acknowledge and reward the performance and effort that our dealers put into the service they provide to our customers. A big thank you to all our UK and ROI dealers who have contributed to make 2023 a great year. We truly appreciate your hard work and excellent teamwork across the dealer network".Recognizing its dealers and rewarding customer-centric and community focused success is a demonstration of CNH's commitment to supporting its people and the communities and customers they serve.The CASE dealer awards View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: CNH IndustrialWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrialEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: CNH Industrial PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 18:01:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 547 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Hagens Berman urges GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Feb. 8, 2019 - Aug. 3, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 25, 2024Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/EAF Contact An Attorney Now: EAF@ hbsslaw.com844-916-0895 GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF) Securities Fraud Class Action:GrafTech continues to feel the residual impact of the temporary suspension of operations in its Monterrey, Mexico facility that began near the end of the third quarter 2022. On Feb. 14, 2024, GrafTech released its financial results for 2023, reporting a net loss of $255 million. Timothy Flanagan, GrafTech's interim CEO, cited the temporary suspension of operations in Mexico as one of the reasons why 2023 results fell short of expectations.The disclosure comes on the heels of a securities class action complaint alleging GrafTech misrepresented and concealed that its Monterrey facility was not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Instead, the lawsuit alleges the Monterrey facility had for decades chronically contaminated neighboring communities with harmful carcinogenic gasses and particulate matter.The complaint also alleges that Defendants omitted to disclose that GrafTech had signed agreements with local authorities committing to improving the environmental performance of the Monterrey facility, but repeatedly failed to honor its commitments.The truth emerged over a series of partial disclosures, beginning first on Sept. 16, 2022, when GrafTech unexpectedly revealed that government regulators shut down the Monterrey facility. Mexican news outlets reported that the shutdown order was made in response to GrafTech's excessive pollution of carcinogenic gasses and particulate into neighboring communities.Then, on Feb. 3, 2023, GrafTech announced disappointing Q4 and FY 2022 financial results and slashed its year-over-year sales outlook for the first half of 2023 by 50% (blaming the Monterrey facility closure) and revealed a significant depletion in its on-hand pin stock inventory.Further, on Apr. 28, 2023, GrafTech announced another disappointing quarter, the company again blamed the closure.Finally, on Aug. 4, 2023, GrafTech reported that it suffered an $8 million net loss during Q2 2023 versus $115 million in net income in Q2 2022. The company again blamed its disastrous results on the closure.If you invested in GrafTech and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the GrafTech case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding GrafTech should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email EAF@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 17:25:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 292 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Fair Isaac Corporation ("Fair Isaac Corporation") (NYSE:FICO) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.On March 12, 2024, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley sent a letter to the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, urging it to investigate FICO's "potentially anticompetitive practices." In the letter, Senator Hawley asserted that FICO "appears to be using its monopolistic power of the credit scoring market to increase costs for mortgage lenders-an increase that will be passed onto consumers." Senator Hawley accused FICO of "astronomically hik[ing] its prices" "[i]n an apparent abuse of this market power." Following this news, on March 13, 2024, FICO's stock price fell over 5%. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 16:31:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 631 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / The event will showcase MFB's Proactive Wildfire Defense Equipment and CitroTech fire chemistry that MFB sold and delivered to the San Diego Fire Department (SDFD), before a large audience of government and private sector officials. This groundbreaking technology is expected to revolutionize the way fuels are proactively treated to mitigate the effects of wildfires, particularly as they impact the San Diego River Conservancy and its watershed.The San Diego River Conservancy provided grant funding to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, which then arranged for the purchase of this unique equipment and the only green EPA Safer Choice approved fire chemistry. The Conservancy conducted significant research with Steve Conboy, Mighty Fire Breaker's Chief Technologist, as part of its due diligence and to address and mitigate any concerns they had with the project. Wendy Robinson, Executive Director of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, was also an ardent supporter of this environmentally friendly process.Retired SDFD Chief Jeff Bowman, a member of the MFB Advisory Board team, praised Fire Chief Colin Stowell and Fire Marshal Tony Tosca for their courage and vision in adopting this game-changing chemistry. "They are truly trailblazers, and they will be remembered for their leadership in demonstrating to others that positive change via the use of new technologies will be rewarded," Bowman stated.This public-private collaboration spotlights the benefits of innovative approaches to address fuel management in the wildland/urban interface. The adoption of MFB's "gold standard" technology by the SDFD is expected to inspire other fire agencies to follow suit and invest in proactive wildfire prevention and suppression strategies.For more information, please visit www.mightyfirebreaker.com For technical product information: Info@ mightyfirebreaker.com Contact Information:Twitter@GEVIOfficialWebsite: https://generalenterpriseventures.com/ Forward Looking Statements:This document contains "forward-looking statements", which includes statements regarding expected financial performance and growth information relating to future events. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond the control of the Company and its officers and directors, and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can typically identify these forward-looking statements through use of words such as "may," "will," "can" "anticipate," "assume," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "seek," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "point to," "project," "predict," "could," "intend," "target," "potential," and other similar words and expressions of the future. The Company expresses its expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, there is no assurance that these expectations, beliefs and projections will prove to have been correct.SOURCE: General Enterprise Ventures, Inc. ("GEVI") PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 15:45:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 976 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Joint settlement provides industry changing framework for NAR, MLS, and other real estate entities.WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / A nationwide class of home sellers has reached a landmark $418 million joint settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that will resolve claims in four antitrust class actions against NAR. Those class actions allege that NAR and several of the nation's largest residential real estate brokerage companies adopted illegal rules requiring home sellers to pay buyer broker fees - at an inflated rate - in addition to their own brokers' commissions. The settlement with NAR is in addition to $208.5 million in settlements reached with additional defendants Anywhere Real Estate, RE/MAX, and Keller Williams.Under the terms of the settlement, NAR will be responsible for paying $418 million in four annual installments along with interest, for the benefit of home sellers across the United States, as well as $3 million toward settlement notices. In addition, the settlement creates a framework for other real estate industry participants to resolve actual or potential claims against them. It also provides for far-reaching changes to NAR's rules governing real estate broker compensation."For years, anticompetitive rules in the real estate industry have financially harmed millions of Americans. This settlement will bring sweeping reforms that will help countless American families," said Benjamin D. Brown, managing partner of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll and co-chair of its Antitrust practice. "We are proud to play a leading role in addressing this industry's long-running practices." The settlement terms include extensive industry reforms that will increase transparency and fairness regarding buyer broker commissions, while eliminating requirements that sellers must offer on multiple listing services to pay the commissions of brokers representing the buyers they are negotiating against."For far too long, home sellers have faced a system recognized by many as blatantly unfair. Individual sellers often feel powerless to negotiate a better deal for themselves given the risk that offering lower commissions will cause brokers to steer buyers to other properties. This class action and settlement provide justice for our clients and will require important changes that help future home sellers." said Robert A. Braun, a partner in Cohen Milstein's Antitrust practice.In the settlement, NAR has agreed to various practice changes, which are to begin 120 days after the plaintiffs seek preliminary approval of the settlement:Eliminate and prohibit any requirement by NAR and NAR multiple listing service (MLS) that listing brokers or sellers must make offers of compensation to cooperating brokers or other buyer representatives, and prohibit and eliminate any requirement that such offers, if made, must be blanket, unconditional or unilateral; Prohibit NAR MLS participants, subscribers, other real estate brokers, other real estate agents, and sellers from (i) making offers of compensation on the multiple listing service to cooperating brokers or other buyer representatives (either directly or through buyers) or (ii) disclosing on the multiple listing service listing broker compensation or total brokerage compensation; Eliminate and prohibit any requirements conditioning participation or membership in a NAR MLS on offering or accepting offers of cooperative compensation; Agree not to create, facilitate, or support any non-multiple listing service mechanism for listing brokers or sellers to make offers of compensation to cooperating brokers or other buyer representatives; Require NAR MLS participants acting for sellers to conspicuously disclose to sellers and obtain seller approval for any payment or offer of payment that the listing broker or seller will make to another broker, agent, or other representative acting for buyers; and Require MLS participants to disclose to prospective sellers and buyers in conspicuous language that broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable.The settlement also requires NAR to provide valuable cooperation in ongoing litigation against other defendants. The joint settlement will resolve several cases against NAR, including Burnett, et al. v. National Association of Realtors, et al. (W.D. Mo.), where a jury returned a $1.8 billion damages verdict that will be automatically tripled under the antitrust laws.Moehrl, et al. v. National Association of Realtor was the first-filed case in 2019, and centers on NAR's adoption of a mandatory rule, which required a blanket, largely non-negotiable offer of compensation to buyer broker when listing a property on a multiple listing service or " MLS." Across the United States, there are hundreds of MLSs-which are platforms that real estate brokers and agents use to share listings. The vast majority of MLSs are affiliated with the National Association of Realtors and are required to follow rules NAR sets.Moehrl alleges that those rules incentivize buyer brokers to avoid showing their clients homes where the seller offers a lower commission. This results in sellers offering high and mostly uniform commissions.Despite the shrinking role of buyer brokers over the years - caused by advances in technology, including the internet and public access to listings - buyer brokers' commissions have remained artificially inflated. On average, home sellers overpay such commissions by thousands of dollars on any given transaction.The plaintiffs are represented by Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, Susman Godfrey, and Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro inMoehrl, et al. v. National Association of Realtor, et al.(N.D . Ill.) and Umpa v. National Association of Realtors, et al. (W.D. Mo.); and Boulware Law LLC, Ketchmark & McCreight PC, and Williams Dirks Dameron LLC in Burnett, et al. v. National Association of Realtors, et al. (W.D. Mo.) and Gibson, et al. v. National Association of Realtors, et al.###About Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLCCohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, a premier U.S. plaintiffs' law firm, with over 100 attorneys across eight offices, champions the causes of real people - workers, consumers, small business owners, investors, and whistleblowers - working to deliver corporate reforms and fair markets for the common good. For more information visit https://www.cohenmilstein.com Contact:cohenmilstein@ berlinrosen.com SOURCE: Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 17:00:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 402 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Strengthening Strategic Capabilities in Finance and Servicing with Key Leadership AppointmentBATON ROUGE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / In a strategic move to bolster its litigation finance and loan servicing capabilities, Counsel Financial welcomes Nicholas (Nick) D'Aquilla, Esq. as its new Managing Director. With over a decade of experience in the mass tort industry and as a former civil defense litigator for the Louisiana Department of Justice, D'Aquilla brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to the Counsel Financial leadership team.Nick D'Aquilla Headshot Nick D'Aquilla Headshot | Counsel FinancialD'Aquilla has distinguished himself as a leading figure in administering complex settlements, contributing to the administration of more than $20 billion in mass tort settlements across many high-profile cases. His expertise in solution design and oversight services has contributed to the resolution of more than 40 mass tort and class action litigations, spanning environmental, pharmaceutical, medical device, and sexual assault matters.D'Aquilla will focus on enhancing Counsel Financial's mass tort underwriting processes and loan servicing offerings by developing advanced valuation models using historical settlement data. He will also leverage his experience as a consultant for multiple legal technology companies to help drive continued refinement of the company's servicing platform."Adding Nick to our team marks a significant enhancement of our litigation finance and loan servicing offerings," said Paul Cody, President & CEO of Counsel Financial. "Coupling our team's 200+ years of legal, financial and litigation experience with Nick's knowledge and insight into the mass tort sector provides unparalleled resources that can be leveraged by both our law firm clients and institutional investors utilizing our servicing platform." Before joining Counsel Financial, D'Aquilla played a pivotal role in a complex settlement fund advisory team for a national bank, where he developed innovative underwriting methodologies that enabled credit extensions to mass tort plaintiffs' firms. There, he also analyzed and valued over $1.5 billion in loan collateral derived from mass tort dockets.About Counsel FinancialCounsel Financial is an industry leader in originating, underwriting and servicing loans and other financing solutions for contingent fee law firms. For over two decades, Counsel Financial has provided more than $2 billion in capital investments across 300+ law firms. These investments have financed the growth of firms in every area of plaintiffs' litigation, including personal injury, mass torts, class action and labor and employment.Contact Information:Kim ZimmermannVP, Marketingkim@ counselfinancial.com 7165680070SOURCE: Counsel FinancialView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 19:17:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 610 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Florida is attracting world-class financial firms at a record rate, with Miami, in particular, now an international finance hub. A recent Bloomberg forum saw speakers call the coastal metropolis the Wall Street of the South, and Alpha West Capital Partners founder and CEO Joshua Westerman wholeheartedly agrees.Westerman founded the global multi-strategy asset management firm in 2023 after achieving extraordinary success at Morgan Stanley. Alpha West Capital Partners' mission is to generate superior risk-adjusted returns for its clients using a disciplined, multi-strategy investment approach. The company has offices in New York and Miami.Founder and CEO Westerman relocated to Miami after recognizing its place as a burgeoning financial hub. That's as the purported Wall Street of the South continues to grow into an increasingly vibrant and booming center for commerce. It's now an ideal base for high-profile investors, wealth managers, and other business leaders.As a result, scores of leading financial firms are now relocating from New York and elsewhere to the so-called Magic City in South Florida. They do so in search of the lower taxes, warmer weather, and favorable overall economy offered by the city of Miami. In turn, the city continues to grow and expand into a center point of the U.S. finance sector.The city is buoyed further by its reputation as a thriving creative hub and leader in sustainability. Furthermore, Miami's officials are working hard and investing heavily to further capitalize on the city's various impressive and largely industry-centered and creativity-led credentials.The city's mayor, Francis Suarez, has likened Miami's transformation into a premier financial hub to an ongoing metamorphosis. He told Bloomberg's recent The New Miami forum that when cities work, America works. The flourishing South Florida coastal metropolis at the heart of the forum is no exception.The New Miami from Bloomberg brought together government officials, regulators, and business leaders to discuss the city's place as a financial, commercial, arts, cultural, and international trade hub. Culture and the arts, in particular, continue to play a crucial role in Miami's growth, second only, perhaps, to finance.Recently, the post-pandemic reality highlighted not only Miami's position as a burgeoning financial center but also the embodiment of the new normal for the financial industry workforce, with many savvy banks and investment firms in such hubs forgoing the one-site, in-office work model for a new hybrid approach.In fact, the new hybrid approach is gaining popularity, with arecent Axios surveyfinding that over 50% of people working in finance and other fields were now planning to adopt or had already incorporated a hybrid model to work. That same survey also found that most hybrid workers, nearly 90%, in fact, believed hybrid work to now be an essential part of their work arrangement and not something they would give up in the future.Financial professionals like Alpha West Capital's Joshua Westerman have embraced the new hybrid format, taking advantage of its increased flexibility and the powerful new opportunity it provides to work seamlessly between Miami and New York City.Alpha West Capital Partners CEO Joshua Westerman believes that the public and private sectors must work together to secure Miami's long-term place as an international financial hub. With continued growth and expansion planned, Westerman says the city is in an ideal position to attract boundless investment, talent, and more in the coming years.The result, it's hoped, is that Miami will further cement its place as the Wall Street of the South and as a global hub for finance, culture, and international trade in 2024 and beyond.Q1 2024 Investor Letter & Market Commentary by Joshua WestermanMedia Contact:Dale WangAlpha West Capital646-334-8855Dale@ alphawestcapital.com SOURCE: Joshua Westerman PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 00:32:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 747 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2024 / Cooke Aquaculture Pacific, LLC ("Cooke") has filed a motion with the Superior Court of the State of Washington to dismiss its appeal against the Washington State Department of Natural Resources ("DNR") seeking reinstatement of Cooke's leases at the Rich Passage and Hope Island steelhead trout fish farms in Puget Sound.This action was initially commenced by Cooke in response to DNR's refusal to allow enough time to safely harvest its fish and remove farming equipment from the water following DNR's arbitrary and punitive lease renewal denials in 2022. Cooke is grateful that in January 2023 Judge Indu Thomas of the Superior Court of the State of Washington swiftly enjoined DNR from enforcing unrealistic deadlines without endangering its employees.As a result of DNR Commissioner Hilary Franz's arbitrary decision, over 100 Washington fish farming professionals including farm managers, veterinarians, hatchery technicians, truck drivers, processing plant workers and vessel crew have since been forced out of their jobs by Franz following the baseless closure of locally established fish farms.The Rich Passage and Hope Island fish farms were present at the same locations for more than 40 years, with scientific studies and monitoring data consistently showing that the farms did not have an adverse impact on the environment. In 2019, The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife approved Cooke's five-year trout farming permit after conducting an extensive review under the Environmental Policy Act.Since the injunction was issued against DNR in January 2023, Cooke has endeavored to obtain public records from DNR that it believes are needed to allow for a fair appeal hearing before the Court on the issue of whether DNR properly denied Cooke's lease applications.Despite the request being pending for almost a year, DNR refused to work with Cooke on the timeline to provide records and has never provided any substantive responses that would allow Cooke to explain to the Court the arbitrary basis for the lease denials. Based on the number of records that DNR claims are responsive to Cooke's request, at the rate DNR has produced records to date, it would take another six to seven years for all responsive records to be produced by DNR which is an untenable and inconceivable situation.A further hearing on this matter is futile without Cooke having an opportunity to review DNR's internal records and ensure the record before the Court is complete. Such a hearing would be a waste of judicial resources and everyone's time, therefore, Cooke has filed a motion to dismiss its appeal.Marine aquaculture farming is one of the healthiest and most efficient ways to feed the population with minimal environmental impact, the lowest freshwater use and the lowest carbon footprint of any animal protein.Aquaculture farming and the associated supply chain are a vital part of job creation and domestic food production needed to curb a massive seafood deficit where 90% of seafood consumed in the United States is imported. Wild fish catches cannot meet the projected demand for seafood, and aquaculture is essential to preserving wild fisheries. As such, Cooke continues to work with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and pursuing projects that allow the Tribe to provide for its people and that foster sustainable seafood production on the Olympic Peninsula.Cooke's core purpose is to "cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities." About Cooke Inc.The Cooke Inc. family of companies includes global aquaculture divisions including its wholly-owned subsidiary Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd, as well as seafood and wild fishery divisions under Cooke Seafood USA, Inc., Icicle Seafoods, Inc., Wanchese Fish Company, Inc. and Omega Protein. Cooke Aquaculture Inc. is a vertically-integrated family company based in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada, with salmon farming operations in Atlantic Canada, the United States, Chile and Scotland as well as seabass and seabream farming operations in Spain. Cooke ships fresh, sustainable True North Seafood branded products to over 67 countries.For the second year in a row, Cooke Inc. earned the #1 spot on the SeafoodSource list of Top 10 North American Seafood Suppliers and Cooke Aquaculture Inc. was once again recognized as a Platinum Member of one of Canada's Best Managed Companies. Cooke Aquaculture Inc. was recently recognized as the top private growth company in Canada by Grant Thornton and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.Press Contact:Joel RichardsonVice President Public RelationsCooke Aquaculture Inc. / for Cooke Aquaculture Pacific LLC+1-506-694-4939 Joel.Richardson@cookeaqua.com SOURCE: Cooke Inc. TO ACCESS THIS CONTENT YOU MUST OPEN A SESSION OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT MEMBER LOGIN CREATE YOUR USER ACCOUNT Federal and state leaders gathered on Long Island, New York today (March 14) to commemorate the completion of South Fork Wind, the first offshore wind. . . PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 16:01:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 968 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Schneider ElectricBy Conrad van RooyenSchneider ElectricConrad van Rooyen is the co-founder and general manager of Hexeis, an Australian-based electrical engineering consultancy. Hexeis provides industry-leading energy analysis, monitoring and management solutions and is a certified Schneider Electric Master Power Management EcoXpert Partner.Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of data. This is especially true in commercial buildings, which have been identified as noble examples of embracing sustainability and decarbonization. The challenge asset and facility managers face now is what to do with these mountains of energy-related information. Raw energy data - data without context - can be confusing. With no perspective, it provides few clues about areas of energy waste or overconsumption. Nor does it provide any evaluation of ways to bring energy bills under control.Our company, Hexeis, is a Schneider Electric EcoXpert Master Partner in Power Management. In our experience, there are three important elements of data - accuracy, availability, and timeliness. Each impacts the sustainability and carbon footprint of your operations.Pillar 1: Accuracy of energy data is the starting pointConnected, digitized power meters installed on a building's key circuits provide large amounts of energy-related data, and their accuracy is vitally important. Any miscalculations during installation can result in potential miscalculations that can persist unnoticed over extended periods.For example, in providing our customers with digitalization and electrification solutions, we've noticed a 20% error rate in meter installations. Within those, we identified 31 potential mistakes. These can range from basic errors like incorrectly programming current transformer (CT) ratios to more elaborate missteps like installing a CT backward. Besides the obvious safety risks, these incorrect meter installations can lead to data issues that cause measurement errors, incorrect billing, operational inefficiencies. It can even jeopardize your sustainability progress.The importance of accurate energy data even ventures into legal territory, particularly in the context of NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System). This Australian rating system measures the environmental performance of buildings. NABERS helps building owners and managers identify areas to improve their environmental performance and reduce operating costs. Inaccurate meter data can lead to incorrect ratings and potential legal penalties.Data precision is so important! That's why, at Hexeis, we use specialized equipment like a portable primary injection tester to verify the installation, performance, and accuracy of our customer's electrical assets - including current transformers, instrument transformers, and power meters. These tools are critical in all our installations' maintenance, testing, and commissioning.Pillar 2: Seamless availability through digital transformationAs more of our customers' power networks become digitized and connected, data availability and accessibility are becoming increasingly important. They often need to make quick decisions to remain competitive - and the most basic requirement for boosting competitiveness is guaranteeing access to accurate energy data at any moment. Accessing data from smartphones or computers is not just a convenience; it's mandatory in today's business environments.Because of this, we use EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert as a development platform to present meaningful data and automate reporting and notifications. This approach allows us to tailor dashboards to our client's needs and streamline the information by organizing trends that make it engaging and actionable. Most importantly, it prevents the diminishing returns associated with an overload of visual data. A platform should never make its users feel overwhelmed or disoriented. This is what we call JAD (just another dashboard), and it marks a failure to engage users effectively.The platform aids in creating a unified, streamlined interface and allows the automation of tasks our clients would traditionally handle themselves. It also gives insight into electrical system health and energy efficiency. This allows customers to make informed decisions about their energy usage. We've found that when our customers know their dashboard was explicitly designed for them, they embrace it more quickly to achieve their business success.Pillar 3: Timeliness for just-in-time, proactive decision-makingSo, we have our accurate energy data, and it's readily accessible. It's now a matter of getting the right data to the right people at the right time.Immediate notifications of issues allow for fast, proactive actions. This prevents unnecessary costs and fosters a culture of informed, evidence-based decision-making.Leveraging a development platform like EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert allows us to streamline task creation and automation. What our clients would otherwise manage individually, they can now handle efficiently, saving resources and simplifying their energy management. They also get real-time performance monitoring and reporting on energy consumption, with immediate alerts that go to the right people when any issues are detected.As a prime example, one of our university clients faced a regulation J8 challenge and had to install thousands of meters across their campus buildings to measure light and power by tenancy area. Manual readings were impractical, with multiple areas in each building, each with two meters. So, we embraced the obvious choice - digitization and connectivity - and enhanced the EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert's graphical user interface with additional modules, enabling timely notifications for the management team when lights were left on. Beyond mere compliance, our approach turned a regulatory hurdle into an opportunity for energy efficiency.This kind of timely data goes beyond surface-level solutions; it's about understanding the unique dynamics of each space, each meter, and each stakeholder. In this case, we helped our client meet regulatory demands and elevated their power monitoring capabilities.Partner with an expert advisorAs an EcoXpert Master Partner in Power Management, Hexeis makes full use of Schneider Electric's global strengths. We incorporate their deep expertise in energy and automation and look to their digital solutions for efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. This includes complete solutions for power management systems and metering devices and gateways.We can help you see the bigger picture and understand the impact that energy data accuracy, accessibility, and timeliness have on your fa PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 21:20:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1006 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX Venture Exchange: TSD) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company")(TSX-V:TSD)(OTCQB:TSDRF)(FSE:TZO) is pleased to announce that it has negotiated a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 621,660 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price per Unit of CDN $0.20, which will provide gross proceeds to the Company in the amount of CDN $124,332. Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for the advancement of the Xaudum Iron Formation project in Botswana and for general corporate purposes and working capital.Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company ("Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant") of the Company, each such Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Common Share of the Company for a period of 24 months from the date of closing at an exercise price of USD $0.20.The Common Shares and the Warrants comprising the Units and the Common Shares underlying the Warrants will be subject to a four month plus a day hold period from the date of closing per applicable regulatory requirements.Closing of the Private Placement is subject to, among other things, receipt by the Company of TSX Venture Exchange approval.About Tsodilo Resources LimitedTsodilo Resources Limited is an international diamond and metals exploration company engaged in the search for economic diamond and metal deposits at its Bosoto (Pty) Limited ("Bosoto") and Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Limited ("Gcwihaba") projects in Botswana. The Company has a 100% stake in Bosoto which holds the BK16 kimberlite project in the Orapa Kimberlite Field (OKF) in Botswana and a 100% stake in its Gcwihaba project area consisting of five metal (base, precious, platinum group, and rare earth) prospecting licenses all located in the North-West district of Botswana. Tsodilo manages the exploration of the Gcwihaba and Bosoto projects.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:James M. Bruchs Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerJbruchs@ TsodiloResources.comHead Office Telephone +1 416 800-4214 Facsimile +1 416 987-4369 Website www.TsodiloResources.com This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements pertaining to the use of proceeds, the impact of strategic partnerships and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, changes in equity markets, changes in general economic conditions, market volatility, political developments in Botswana and surrounding countries, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, exploration and development risks, the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration results and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effectson, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; estimates of grade and quality of diamonds, variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.SOURCE: PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 20:30:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 526 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 /Inc. magazine today revealed that AtkCo is No. 3 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Midwest list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Midwest private companies, based in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. On top of that, AtkCo is ranked No. 1 on the list for the state of Illinois. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the Midwest economy's most dynamic segment- its independent small businesses.AtkCo is more than a process improvement firm; it's a partner in growth.The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Midwest region. Between 2020 and 2022, these 172 private companies had an average growth rate of 134.06 percent; by 2023, they'd also added 14,830 jobs and $24.5 billion to the region's economy.Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: Midwest, including company profiles can be found at inc.com/Midwest starting February 27, 2024. You'll also find an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria."The honorees in our Inc. 5000 network are the Who's Who of private companies. They're energizing regional economies as they engineer the future of their industries. Learn who they are and what they do - they'll be impacting things for a while," said Eric Hagerman, Special Projects Editor at Inc. Media.AtkCo is a process improvement firm that transforms ways of working in order to take our clients from problem solving to acceleration. We serve future-thinking organizations from startups, to public sector, to fortune 500 companies. What makes AtkCo different is it implements process improvements with automation and integration of digital technology solutions in industries that are complex, highly compliant, and risk-averse.Contact: Shayna Atkins, info@ atkcoinc.com More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 RegionalsMethodologyThe 2024 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2020 and 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent-not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies-as of December 31, 2022. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.About Inc. MediaThe world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent.For more information, visit https://www.inc.com/regionals/midwest Country: United StatesMedia Contact: Sacramento SantillanCompany: AtkCoEmail:info@ atkcoinc.comPhone number: 312-910-1102Website: www.atk.co SOURCE: AtkCo PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-15 19:16:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 460 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ELKHART, IN / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC) is announcing that work will resume in the area of Exit 10 in Gary, Indiana, as part of the Northwest Indiana Bridge Rehabilitation Project. The final item in this area to be completed is the upgrade to the lighting infrastructure. To complete the upgrade, single-lane closures and shoulder closures on the mainline are needed, in addition to short-term closures of the Exit 10 ramps. These closures will be taking place periodically over the next several months. There will also be toll plaza aesthetic and safety enhancement projects taking place during the same time.For specific details about the ramp closures including planned detours, please follow ITRCC on social media at @IndianaTollRoad on Facebook or X (Twitter). There will also be information available under the travel advisories section of the ITRCC website: www.indianatollroad.org/travel-advisory "We are excited to finalize the lighting upgrades and safety enhancements on this project," says Rick Fedder, Chief Operating Officer of ITRCC. "We appreciate the traveling public's continued patience as we complete the final pieces to this important project prior to the summer travel season." Work also continues on the Northwest Indiana Bridge Rehabilitation Project in the areas of the 108th Street ramp and mile marker 0 in Hammond, Indiana, with single lane closures.In addition to the Northwest Indiana Bridge Rehabilitation Project, ITRCC is improving pavement conditions along the toll road in the areas of 129th Avenue in Hammond, Indiana, and Lake Street in Gary, Indiana. Beginning on Monday, March 18th, the Exit 3 westbound on-ramp in Hammond, Indiana, will be closed until mid-April to allow for the improvements to be made. The planned detour route is as follows: Take IN 912/Cline Avenue West to IN 41/Calumet Avenue. Go south on IN 41/Calumet Avenue to 141st Street. Then go east on 141st Street to the Toll Road Entrance.Single-lane closures will take place intermittently in the area of Lake Street throughout March and April.About the Indiana Toll RoadEstablished in 2006, ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC) responsibilities are detailed in the Concession and Lease Agreement with the Indiana Finance Authority, such as the construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of the 157-mile Indiana Toll Road. Headquartered in Elkhart, the Toll Road spans northern Indiana, linking Chicago with the Eastern Seaboard. Designated as part of Interstate 80/90, the Toll Road serves as a vital transportation link in the Midwest.For current traffic and construction updates, visit www.indianatollroad.org or follow us at @IndianaTollRoad on Facebook or X (Twitter).# # #Contact Information:Indiana Toll Road Communications TeamMarie JaffePhone: 724-322-1879Email: ITRupdates@ hwlochner.com Contact InformationMarie JaffeCommunications Teamitrupdates@ hwlochner.com 724-322-1879SOURCE: ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC)View the original press release on newswire.com The Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah, has said that since assuming office, the administrations investment drive has begun lifting poor citizens out of poverty. This was as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) praised the governor for his vision of sustaining IFAD programmes in the state, noting that the critical success of the projects was sustainability. Mr Mbah asserted on Thursday while receiving the IFADs Associate Vice President (AVP), Donal Brown, and members of his team who were on a working visit to the state. The governor, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, a lawyer, expressed appreciation to the United Nations specialised agency for the assistance and intervention the state had received in agriculture. In a statement by Uju Nnaji of the deputy governors office, he noted that his administration sees and exploits agriculture as a low-hanging fruit and one of the accessible routes for residents to escape poverty. He explained that the IFAD programme was immensely beneficial to the people because of its objectives, which target rural and smallholder farmers, who are the primary producers of the daily food consumed in the country. Just as I have noted earlier, on the desk where we are, we may forget the link and the role the smallholder and rural farmers play in the economy. But you will always miss the link if you do all the high-level policy formulations and the rural farmers are not accommodated. It is the aggregation of rural farmer holdings that come up to your GDP, and when you measure them back in the lives of our people, you will see that it is huge, the governor said. He stressed that through the proper support and intervention, rural farmers and smallholder farmers are now able to meet their financial needs, such as paying school fees for their children, access to maternal healthcare, and savings. We look forward to a more robust relationship with you because experiences have also shown that we must work towards improving what you have done. And I know that your resources are not elastic, that at some point you will stop the programme, and we must sustain it to ensure seamless continuity and even improve on what youre leaving behind. As such, we want to develop a homegrown relationship with you that enables the investment you have made to become self-sustaining so that whenever youre in Africa or Nigeria, you can stop by or look back at your legacy, he added. While lamenting the perennial post-harvest losses farmers have been facing in the state, Mr Mbah appealed to IFAD for more support to enable the creation of aggregation centres around farm clusters for production preservation that would minimise post-harvest challenges. Again, we are looking at whatever support we can get to encourage commercial farmers because we know we have commercial farmers who do the big ticket transaction. It is much easier for them to sustain the smallholder farmers than whatever programme the government can do. When they support the smallholder farmers and provide them with inputs, they teach them skills and can even advance credit to them because they will be encouraged, knowing there is a ready market. So, we are looking for help from you to build some medium to high-level processing centres, he further added. Speaking earlier, Mr Brown said he was in Enugu to deepen their conversation with the state government on the way both bodies could strengthen their interests and to inspect some of the projects funded by IFAD in the last couple of years. We have come to Enugu state to look at some of the work weve funded through the government of Nigeria. And we selected Enugu because we have excellent news about the work happening here, he stressed. The IFAD boss further commended the governor for his drive to sustain the projects and programme, as it is the key to ensuring the aims of IFAD in the country are actualised. While noting that IFAD had about one billion dollars in investment in Nigeria, which included different sectors and subsectors such as agriculture, processing and production, Mr Brown said they were looking for ways to support the government to improve food production and food security, particularly now that Nigeria is facing a food crisis. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Long before skitmakers became the first choice for comedy and laughter, late Nollywood comic actor John Okafor amassed a legion of loyal fans spread across Africa, Europe and the Caribbean after starring in the Andy-Chukwu-directed movie Mr Ibu in 2004. So successful was the film that it birthed the Ibu series, namely Ibu in London (2004), Mr Ibu in Liberia (2017) and Mr Ibu in Sierra Leone (2013). Among his repertoire of films, Mr Ibu is a timeless classic that catapulted him into the pantheon of Nigerias most cherished comedic actors. The movie bestowed the actor with his iconic nickname and showcased him as a beacon of laughter, etching memories in countless Nigerian households with his on-screen presence. The comical satire drama saw the late actor in the eponymous role, with Osita Iheme, Jennifer Maduka, and Stephen Bonam as part of the supporting cast. Two decades later, the films storyline remains evergreen. In this article, PREMIUM TIMES Newspaper relieves the storyline of the one movie that earned the late actor an unerasable spot in the limelight and earned him the famous moniker, Mr Ibu. Plot The movie opens with a scene where Mr Ibu and his son, Muo, return home with a single bicycle. At first, the father let his son ride the bicycle while he walked. But passers-by stopped them to ask why the son did not show respect to his aged father by letting him ride. So they switched places. Then another passer-by said the father was wicked for allowing his young son to walk while he was taking it easy. So they both decided to walk. But then people called them senseless for walking while they had a bicycle, and then they decided to abandon it. While Mr Ibu started as a watchman in an office, whose primary job is to keep the watch at night, he ended up sleeping. When he noticed that the watchman job was not in his favour, Mr Ibu transitioned several jobs, including mechanic, begging arms, electrician, and bus driver, but in all his diverse handiwork, trouble always finds its way to his doorstep. Mr Ibu and his son, Muo, are famous for everything mischievous throughout the movie. While Mr Ibu sometimes attempts to correct his son, the father is just as guilty as the son. One of the hilarious scenes is when Mr Ibu meets a pretty lady in the swimming pool; she invites him to join her, and without a second thought, Mr Ibu jumps into the swimming pool. It was already late for him, as he realised that he could not swim and he was drowning, and he managed to escape. Muo, his son, wanted to prepare a meal for his father, and after adding all the condiments he needed, he said four cubes of sugar to make the food sweet. When his father tasted the meal, he forced Muo to finish the meal. That scene was so hilarious. As revenge, Muo deceives his father into wearing soaked trousers because they are labelled Wash and Wear. Muo tells his father that wearing wet trousers would make him more fashionable. Every scene was injected with comedy, and from start to finish, either Mr Ibu was at it again or his son Muo or both of them. The film was so successful that there have been four sequels, and Okafor has been known as Mr Ibu ever since. John Okafor as Mr Ibu The film held a list of excellent and hilarious casts who knew how to raise an audience and let them crash to the floor with laughter. To date, Mr Ibu is a comedy film that stands the test of time as one of Nigerias best comedy classic films. The movie, Mr Ibu, tells the story of the eponymous single father and son as they journey through life, getting into tricky and hilarious predicaments. His facial expressions and his body were his most significant selling points. The movies focus was the central characters, Mr Ibu (played by John Okafor) and his son, Muo (Osita Iheme). The chemistry between father and son contributes to the movies success. Their on-screen partnership was effortless, and their camaraderie translates into a genuine and heartwarming connection. But our focus shall be on Okafor. Unlike his peers, Okafor was no ordinary comedian, and despite being featured in other movies, Mr Ibu became the movie that stamped his career path. His portrayal of slapstick humour, characterised by a delightful blend of wit and foolishness, endeared him to audiences far and wide. In Mr Ibus world, a script was merely a formality. With an innate comedic instinct and impeccable timing, he could effortlessly carry an entire movie on his shoulders, captivating viewers with his hilarious antics and infectious energy. Each scene became a canvas for his boundless creativity, leaving audiences in stitches with every slapstick mishap and comedic misadventure. Beyond the laughter, Mr Ibu was different as he didnt even have to talk to elicit laughter, as his face, just like Mr Bean [Rowan Atkinson], would do the trick. The much-loved actor, however, died on 2 March after suffering a cardiac arrest in Lagos. Mr Ibu And Pawpaw The Real Mr Ibu Comedy Movie (By Popular Demand) A Nigerian Movie (youtube.com) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said Nigerian troops killed at least 213 terrorists and arrested 283 others in different theatres of operation across the country in the last week. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, disclosed this while giving an update on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Buba, a major general, said the troops within the period also apprehended 67 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 26 kidnapped hostages. He said they also recovered 189 assorted weapons and 4,003 assorted ammunition comprising 111 AK47 rifles, G3 rifles, 31 locally fabricated guns, five pump action guns, automatic pump action guns, and 26 Dane guns among others. He said that other weapons recovered included 2,766 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 982 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 240 live cartridges, 2 shotgun cartridges, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, and 36 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo. Other items according to him, are 38 magazines, three G3 magazines, eight vehicles, 44 motorcycles, 19 mobile phones, four bicycles, rifle butt, rifle stock and the sum of N628,000 amongst other items. In the North-east, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, eliminated 70 terrorists and arrested 23 BH/ISWAP terrorists as well as recovered one G3 rifle, 50 AK47 rifles, 1,012 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 243 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 motorcycles, 10 bicycles amongst others. He said that a total of 472 ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters and their families comprising 26 adult males, 146 adult females and 300 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations. According to him, the air component neutralised several ISWAP/JAS terrorists and destroyed their logistics within the Southern Tumbuns. In the North-central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke killed nine insurgents and arrested 18 violent extremists within the week. He said the troops also recovered several arms, ammunition and other items. In the North-west, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 26 terrorists and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages during the week. He said the air component had on 5 March knocked out terrorists commanders and their foot soldiers hibernating in Southern Tsaskiya, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State. According to him, the Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were killed and their structures destroyed. Similarly, on March 6, following credible intelligence and confirmatory ISR the air component in multiple passes conducted air interdiction at terrorists commander Alhaji Nashamas and Jammo Smallys enclaves in Birnin Magaji and Maradun Local Government Areas of Zamfara. The locations were thoroughly scanned and observed to be active with terrorists activities and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures destroyed, he said. Mr Buba added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch killed 17 insurgents, arrested 42 violent extremists/terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped hostages. He said the air component also conducted air interdiction at terrorists commander Alhaji Labis enclave in Gaude Forest, Kaduna State following confirmation of resurgence of terrorists at the location. He said soldiers attacked the location killing several terrorists and destroying their logistics. In the South-south, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 45 illegal refining sites with 150 dugout pits, 30 boats, 73 storage tanks, 209 drums and 15 vehicles. According to him, other items recovered include 105 cooking ovens, three pumping machines, two outboard engines, one tricycle and four motorcycles. He added that the troops recovered 1.2 million litres of stolen crude oil, 313,780 litres of illegally refined AGO and 13,000 litres of PMS during the week. In the South-east, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA killed 26 terrorists and recovered three G3 rifles, 12 AK47 rifles, one fabricated gun, two pump action guns, automatic pump action guns, RPG bombs and 269 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo. Other items recovered are 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, eight IEDs (OGBUNIGWE), four AK47 magazines, three G3 magazines and three motorcycles amongst other items. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Court of Appeal on Friday dismissed an appeal seeking the disclosure of the details of assets declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari and their deputies while they were in office. A three-member panel of the court led by Hamman Barka unanimously ruled that the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011 cannot be invoked to compel the CCB to release the assets declaration forms submitted by the public officers. It ruled that the CCB, the custodian of the assets declaration forms, cannot release the details of such assets declarations to any member of the public unless on the terms and conditions prescribed by the National Assembly. This is a duty imposed on the National Assembly by the constitution, which is yet to be carried out by it. Until that is done, the appellant cannot urge the trial court to compel the respondent (CCB) to disclose the information sought, a member of the panel, Okon Abang, ruled in his lead judgement on Friday. Paragraph 3(c) of Part I of the Third Schedule of the Nigerian constitution provides that the assets declaration forms submitted to the CCB by public officers can only be released to the public on the terms and conditions to be prescribed by the National Assembly. But it has taken forever, since the constitution came into force in 1999, for the National Assembly to make a legislation prescribing the terms and conditions for members of the public to access the assets declaration forms submitted to the CCB by public officers. In a bid to surmount the barrier created by the refusal of the National Assembly to issue the terms and conditions for access, two civil society organisations wrote the CCB in 2017 on the strength of the FoI Act 2011, requesting the assets declaration forms of former President Jonathan, his then Vice President, Namadi Sambo, as well as those of then President Buhari and his then Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. Messrs Buhari and Osinbajo succeeded Messrs Jonathan and Sambo as president and vice president, respectively in 2015. The two CSOs who sought to activate the FoI Act to have access to their assets declaration forms are the Public and Private Development Centre and the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL). Suit, appeal When the CCB refused to honour their request, the CSOs approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking it to compel the agency to invoke the FoI Act to compel the agency to release the assets declaration forms of then serving and former public officers. But the Federal High Court judge, Abdu Kafarati (now deceased), who sat on the case, dismissed the suit in November 2017, holding that without the National Assembly prescribing the terms and conditions for access, the CCB cannot release the details of the assets declarations of the former presidents and vice presidents to the public. One of the plaintiffs, AFRICMIL, had appealed against the Federal High Courts decision. But the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the Federal High Courts judgement on Friday. Only in lawyers imagination Mr Abang, in the lead judgement of the Court of Appeal, ruled that that the FoI Act cannot impose an obligation on the CCB to circumvent the clear provision of the Constitution predicating public access to assets declaration forms on the conditions and terms to be prescribed by the National Assembly. Without the terms and conditions prescribed by the National Assembly, Mr Abang said, it is futile to come under the FoI Act to seek to compel the CCB to release the details of assets declarations submitted to CCB by public officers. He said: With greatest respect to the learned counsel for the appellant, I think it is in his imagination of learned counsel that the Freedom of Information Act has made elaborate provisions to cover or serve the purpose intended by the provision of Paragraph 3(c), Part I of the Third Schedule of the Constitution. Learned counsel has not pointed out the terms and conditions provided in the Freedom of Information Act for an applicant to comply with when an application is made to inspect or request information for the assets declaration forms submitted by public officers serving or retired. It is my view that whatever provision is made in the Freedom of Information Act intended to serve or cover the purpose intended in Paragraph 3(c) of Part I of the Third Schedule of the Constitution, except the terms and provisions are prescribed by the National Assembly, the respondent (CCB) cannot release for inspection assets declaration forms submitted by public officers or disclose any information stated in those forms to any member of the public. Suit premature Mr Abang ruled that the appellant ought not to have filed the suit at the Federal High Court to seek to compel the CCB to release the assets declaration forms. As of the time the suit was filed at the trial court, the National Assembly had not made any written instrument, prescribing the terms and conditions for disclosure of assets declaration forms submitted by public officers, the Court of Appeal ruled. The appellant suit was premature, it ought not to be filed without compliance with the mandatory provision of paragraph 3(c), Part I of the Third Schedule of the constitution, Mr Abang ruled, adding, The constitution is the supreme law. The provision of the constitution cannot be circumvented here. The appellant cannot jump the gun. The provisions of the Constitution must be strictly followed. He said the legal action the appellant ought to have taken was to sue the National Assembly to seek an order of court compelling it to issue the terms and conditions for the release of the assets declaration forms submitted by public officers as provided in the constitution. The appellant ought to have gone to court first to compel the National Assembly to prescribe the terms and conditions to comply with for access to assets declaration of public officers, the judge said. He closed the judgement saying, In the final analysis, the appellants issue one is resolved in favour of the respondent against the appellant. The appeal lacks merit and it is accordingly dismissed. He imposed a N200,000 fine on the appellants in favour of the CCB. The presiding justice, Mr Barka, who presided over the panel, and the other member Abba Mohammed, agreed with the lead judgement. Appellant rejects judgement Meanwhile, the Executive Director, AFRICMIL (the appellant), Chido Onuma, rejected the judgement. He vowed that his organisation would appeal against the judgement at the Supreme Court. Reacting to the judgement in a phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, Mr Onuma blamed the Nigerian judiciary for the lack of openness in governance. Todays judgement is a dampener on the quest for accountability and openness in governance in Nigeria, he said. He referenced a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, a law professor, who publicly declared his assets upon assumption of office. This judgement is in bad taste, but we are not limited by it in our quest for accountability in public service, he said. He doubted the willingness of the National Assembly to spell out the terms and conditions for the release of information on assets declaration by public office holders. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the President Bola Tinubu administration will continue to harness the experience of Nigerias intellectuals and policy experts in actualising the governments Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated this on Thursday in Abuja when he received the board and management of Bruit Costaud, a government affairs outfit, strategic policy communications and advisory firm, at the Presidential Villa. Mr Shettima, who applauded the foresight of the managing partner of the firm, Lai Mohammed, noted that the assemblage of renowned experts across diverse fields at the firm was commendable. He said, The calibre of people covering a wide spectrum of areas, including security, energy, international diplomacy, communications and others, is a testimony of the seriousness of the group. I am also glad to know that our intellectuals and policy experts are still relevant in the scheme of things, contributing to the progress of our country. That is how it should be. The world is knowledge-driven; everything that we are doing today is guided by knowledge. That is why we have to engage groups like yours. In his remark, Mr Mohammed, a former Minister of Information, introduced members of the team on the courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, and thanked the vice president for the opportunity to share insights on the firms activities and its proposal for the present administration. He applauded the efforts of President Tinubu in addressing contemporary challenges, pledging the firms commitment to supporting the administration in succeeding in its task of transforming Nigeria. We reaffirm our commitment to the advancement of our beloved country, Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) and the well-being of its people. Together, we can overcome any challenge and realise the immense potential that Nigeria holds. Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its history, facing both challenges and opportunities that require astute policy guidance and strategic advocacy. We are confident that through the bold initiatives of Mr President, we will surmount these challenges. Speaking further, Mr Mohammed assured that the firm will deploy resources within its areas of expertise to support the government in addressing challenges in the economy and related areas. He said, Your Excellency, our firm is dedicated to leveraging our expertise, experience, and extensive network to support government policies that promote economic prosperity, social equity, and sustainable development. As insiders with the knowledge and hands-on experience, we believe we can bring our experiences to bear to support the administration. We commend your leadership and vision in supporting the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to steer Nigeria towards the path of progress and prosperity. Your commitment to fostering innovation, empowering communities, and championing inclusive growth has not gone unnoticed. Also present at the meeting were senior advisers at the firm, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; a retired diplomat, Tunde Ajisomo, and Abdur Rasheed Omidiya, among others. Stanley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President) 14th March, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Federal Ministry of Environment to align regulations and tax frameworks to facilitate investment expansion in telecommunications and broadband infrastructure nationwide. The president issued the directive at a meeting with a delegation from American Tower Corporation (ATC) Nigeria at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, expressing dissatisfaction with the bureaucratic pace in permit issuance processing for companies operating in the digital infrastructure sector. The Chief Executive Officer of ATC Africa, Marek Busfy, had expressed ATC Nigerias commitment to expanding its investments in the country, which have already surpassed $2.19 billion since its commencement of Nigerian operations in 2015. Mr Busfy also emphasised ATCs commitment to delivering value to subscribers while reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations. Responding, President Tinubu commended ATC Nigeria for its significant contributions and investments in the countrys ICT sector, highlighting the importance of innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide. The president lauded the ongoing efforts of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to promote digital connectivity across the nation, particularly the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme that functions to upskill three million Nigerian youth in digital literacy and innovation through innovation incubators nationwide. President Tinubu outlined ongoing initiatives to establish broadband connectivity in all 774 local government secretariats within six months, leveraging existing infrastructure, such as NIGCOMSAT and Galaxy Backbones fibre optic network. In the area of ease of doing business, no nation can make progress without paying attention to the opportunities that are right in front of them. We have a vibrant youth population that has successfully innovated without much government support. What now happens in this era when we are providing massive support to their digital economic activities? They will do very well. You are investing in the right place at the right time. Considering our population and land mass, we need your investments to ensure that we are ready for a higher level of digital penetration in the telecommunications sector and the specific type of digital education that is needed in the competitive, knowledge-based global economy of the 21st century, the President said. Addressing concerns raised by the delegation regarding the ease of doing business in Nigeria, President Tinubu assured them of his administrations commitment to implementing reforms that will eliminate bureaucratic constraints. In response to a request from the delegation for a reduction in withholding tax for telecommunications companies to stimulate investments in telecommunications and broadband infrastructure, the president said the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) would review the matter and provide a solution that is in the best interest of both the investors and the Nigerian people. Every citizen, whether at the corporate or individual level, fights tax. Let us work with the FIRS and see how we can slice the cake. If the country has a good path of growth, it is a greater opportunity for you to invest, the president stated. In his remarks, the CEO of ATC Africa reiterated the companys readiness to invest further in Nigerias ICT infrastructure to meet the markets growing demand for data, while lauding the clarity of strategy demonstrated by the administration, particularly praising the roadmap and efforts of the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. Mr. President, what has struck me in Nigeria is the clarity of strategy by your administration, particularly in the ICT sector, and the administrations 3MTT programme. In the last year, we have invested over $200 million in growing our infrastructure in Nigeria, and we are ready to do significantly more. We have employed several hundred people in Nigeria and 25,000 more indirectly. We have paid about $400 million in taxes, both direct and indirect. As an American company, we are often asked about our experience in Africa and in Nigeria, and we want to stress that we are very ethical in our approach to business, Mr Busfy said. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10:00PM by Claudio Alves The last time an Emma Stone movie won the Best Costume Design Oscar, I ranked her character's many looks. So, it seems appropriate to do the same this year. Once, there was Cruella, but now, one has Poor Things' Bella Baxter to consider. Breaking the trend of repeat winners and legendary designers finally getting their due, Holly Waddington is a relative newcomer to the costume design big leagues, even though she has worked with names like Sandy Powell and Jacqueline Durran during her tenure in Angels Costume House. Training her craft in that famed establishment, the designer specialized in period costuming, though she's hardly a stickler for historical accuracy. Bored by exact recreation, the artist prefers to play with anachronism, making her a perfect fit for Yorgos Lanthimos' cinema. Indeed, she met the director through Tony McNamara after she costumes The Great's pilot, another take on period regality with a wacky twist In interviews, Waddington has spoken about the collaborative nature of Poor Things, but she also highlighted how much of the pre-production process was done during lockdown, Zoom meetings across countries, and whatnot. With her director, research was a first step in finding the look, working from 19th-century photography and painting. For example, Egon Schiele was a reference for the color story and general conception of Bella's look, especially the hair. Otto Dix and George Grosz's work also influenced the palette. Those references came from Lanthimos, who wanted a style that wasn't too "period" nor too "sci-fi," a middle ground of sorts. That lack of fidelity to fact led him to stray from Alasdair Gray's period specificity. Set in 1880s Glasgow, the literary original was pushed to the 1890s when transferred to the screen. People unfamiliar with fashion history may suppose that's not a significant difference, but style changed at an alarming pace in the Victorian Era, with dramatic silhouette changes occurring over the span of just a couple of years. This choice was prompted by Lanthimos, who gravitated to 1890s photography of women in huge leg-o'-mutton sleeves. On Bella, they are like a pair of lungs, taking up space and making her into a commanding figure. The historical oddities become more empowering than cumbersome through the Greek auteur's lens and Stone's performance. Then again, coherence, consistency, and internal logic weren't Lanthimos' priorities, as Waddington explained. Style unbound by reason was closer to the point. For practical matters, only one concern emerged. You see, the director was especially interested in how clothes came off, how they'd functionally behave during sex scenes. Remember that as we peruse Bella Baxter's best costumes in this sartorial top ten. On a last note, I didn't include Stone's blue dress for the film's first shot for one simple reason that's not Bella Baxter. At no point is that piece of materialized suicide blues worn by the heroine, with Victoria Blessington as its model. Still, it deserves an honorable mention both for its chromatic storytelling strength and the sleeves' armor-like construction. Facing the abyss, Bella's mother and bodily self appear constricted by her husband's influence. But more on that later. At number ten in the ranking, one finds 10) A LOBSTER TAIL In the film's first act, there's a vague idea that Bella's frills and childlike costumes are Mrs. Prim's doing. Godwin's assistant-turned-nanny imposes Victorian morality on the baby-brained woman. They're not kids' clothes but depict a doll-like look unto Bella. Even the scale of the fabrics plays into this, going for such thick taffeta that Stone appears trapped in the costume, a figurine atop a cake with too much frosting on top. Well, that would be the effect if she ever wore the outfits properly. Like a kid who stops dressing halfway through, she's all done up from the waist up. Go down, and you'll find underwear and the rare 1880s detail in the form of a lobster tail bustle. That bestiary name is very appropriate for the film's wardrobe. Let your eye travel through the frame, and you'll find a litany of organic textures, like the watermarks of moire, the porosity of synthetic blends, and bumpy weaves. Waddington has described some of those textures like those of sea anemones. Scientific illustrations further inspired the arrangement of sleeves, be it botanic or zoological, related to exotic flowers and shells. These tactile choices helped save the costumes for this first act. You see, Waddington was only informed that those God's House scenes would be in black-and-white two weeks before the shoot started. There was no time to adapt. 09) LISBON SOJOURN Though she initially drifted to bodily shades of pink, maybe the red of spilled viscera, a note from Lanthimos made Waddington look at rotten apples as a reference to her palette all those yellows married to bruise. In Waddington's words, "yellow and black are nature's warning colors." By dressing Bella in this combination, she ensured we'd never miss her in the frame and that she'd never fade or assimilate into the environment. Bella is always conspicuous, and you're made to pay attention as viewers. This is especially apparent during her lonely walks through Lisbon on her Grand Tour's first stop. But more than a warning, the sunny yellow and sky-blue combination is reminiscent of a fairytale princess, optimism made fashion. In Waddington's conception, there's this notion that Mrs. Prim also packed Bella's suitcase. However, when out on her own, it's up to the heroine to pick and choose what to wear, creating chaotic ensembles that reflect an anarchic infantility. Nothing matches, underwear becomes outerwear and so forth. Gradually, a sense of purpose emerges, a personal style of sorts. For the Lisbon adventure, the main inspiration was Jodie Foster's teen prostitute ensembles from Taxi Driver. That's partly where those 30s/70s-esque tap/hot pants came from. 08) FIT FOR A DANCE Many of Bella's bodices are incomplete pieces that would be added to other pieces to fill and conceal a woman's cleavage. They work like the dickeys you might see on modern tuxedos. Only Bella wears them independently, another childlike provocation that defamiliarizes period details. And because of the shades of pink in rows of concentric pleats, Waddington nicknamed the pieces "vagina blouses." She wears one of those for the first time she ever dances, pulling Duncan into a discombobulated choreography that's more spasmodic than graceful. But that's not the only detail worth pointing out in this Lisbon ensemble. Her skirt is a petticoat meant to be worn beneath outer layers, made sheer to reveal the underwear beneath. If possible, this game of peekaboo continues to the tips of Stone's toes. Notice the ankle boots full of weird cutouts, circular holes around the ankles and at the tip. They reveal skin and toes and beget a disruptive awkwardness that keeps Bella from being an object of sartorial admiration. She's fascinating but never traditionally beautiful. In this case, the footwear also perpetuates the character and film's anachronistic nature. It's an Andre Courreges reference from 1960s fashion rather than some existent Victorian piece. 07) WHITE STRIPES At God's House, Bella dresses like a hyperactive toddler some caretaker tried to swaddle in frills. When she's walking around Portugal's capital city, she's a slightly older child who still doesn't quite know how to dress herself. By the time her scoundrel lover has smuggled her into a ship bound for Alexandria, her sartorial evolution has entered its teens. In other words, she starts to make full outfits, experimenting with proper fashion, and even wears this brilliant white ensemble, one of her most historically accurate pieces and whiff of colonial Britishness for good measure. The contrast of its paleness against the orange air of Alexandria and her bedroom's golden hues makes for an arresting image. With her tear-streaked face, reddened cheeks, and black hair, Emma Stone is a painting come to life. 06) FINALE FINERY At the end of her journey, Bella hasn't become assimilated into the Victorian status quo, but she has reached a level of maturity heretofore out of reach. Her last outfit reflects a new comfort and determination, the attire of a medical student with a feminist streak. And for the first time, her clothes are just that clothes rather than a surrealist fantasy. Indeed, the biking jumper she wears is copying a famous knitwear piece from the 1890s that can be found in the Met archive. Even if unintentional, that piece's connection to the history of Dress Reformers underlines the heroine's standing in the world, connecting her to proto-Feminist causes at the genesis of movements like the Suffragettes. As we leave her, Bella is a woman confidently walking into her future, the unknown a promise, a challenge rather than a nightmare. 05) A GENERAL'S WIFE When returning to her husband/father's house, Bella Baxter is subsumed in the rules of 1890s propriety. For the first time, she is not a force unbound, her clothes incapable of restraining her. This dress is directly inspired by a piece housed at the Met. The original is a walking suit intended for outdoor activities, but the General won't let his property go beyond the property gates, a prison that renders sturdy wool into satin. The stripes and piping suggest military garb. They also convey an almost insect-like nature, as if Bella was a bug crushed between panes of glass for the man's pleasure. Narratives can be done through text, but they are also expressed in the images of this visual medium we call cinema. Costume design is an intrinsic part of that. 04) FRANKENSTEIN EVENINGWEAR As much as there's a gesture toward history in Waddington's design, there are as many moves away from it. For example, Stone wears no corsetry despite its importance for achieving a period look and supporting the inner structures of period garments. Moreover, the materials themselves are a mismatch of past, present, and even future. Latex and plastic can appear in bizarre places, like when they serve as a lace substitute for the trimmings of this dinner dress she wears while in Lisbon. It's such a bizarre creation, a mix of techniques old and new, aesthetics that should contradict one another, all sutured together and given life by the camera's gaze. Godwin may be the mad scientist, but Holly Waddington is Poor Things' sartorial Frankenstein. 03) THE CONDOM COAT Bella's latex cape, similar to Godwin Baxter's lab coats, is inspired by condoms. Even its color, a pale yellow, comes from Victorian-era prophylactics, mostly made of skin and animal insides, cured and processed for medicinal purposes. The material also connects her to her brothel colleagues. The French sex workers are closer to fantasy than anything else, bizarre in ways completely divorced from period fashion. They are more frames for nakedness than concealment. And yet, the effect isn't erotic so much as it is destabilizing, teetering on the edge of grotesque. Mixing such designs with heavy fabrics denies their tantalizing nature as if you can feel the scratch against the skin. Bella, however, remains slippery in her latex, which later includes a pair of skin-colored tights. 02) A BRIDAL CAGE The wedding gown is a contradiction materialized. On the one hand, Waddington creates the illusion of a cage through the silk tubing and piping. On the other hand, whatever idea of constriction is denied by the fabric's translucence and how you can almost glimpse the actress' naked body beneath. This was Emma Stone's favorite costume of the lot, and the veil in lace, with a geometric motif was her idea, too. While the designer didn't know how to resolve the headwear, the actress wrapped her head with the material, knotting it in the back like an improvised take on the wedding regalia. In various interviews and featurettes, the designer and actress have said this was Stone's favorite of her costumes. I can see why. 01) BELLA'S STUDENT SUIT Another of Stone's ideas came with Bella's student suit to infiltrate the Parisian Medical College. In the snowbound French capital, she wears only the two-piece suit jacket, exposing her legs to the cold. She covers up in London, where bright sunshine paints God's house in golden hues. These dynamics are so odd they almost take you out, reminding the viewer of Bella's essential oddity, how alien she is to Humanity even as she learns to embrace it. Moreover, the menswear inspiration shows her taking strides into a world dominated by men, affirming she belongs there with something as simple as a black suit. It may seem idiotic, but sometimes the most uncomplicated design can be the most powerful, especially when surrounded by the kaleidoscopic insanities of Poor Things. What about you, dear reader? What's your favorite Bella Baxter fit? ELKO A volunteer group is encouraging the community stop by the Sugar Bush Gift Shop inside Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital to donate necessities to the NNRH Auxiliary Fundraiser, which will benefit children in the foster care system. The event is on March 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is hosted by the Elko Pink Ladies, a hospital auxiliary volunteer group. It is going to be a fundraiser that were holding for the Northern Nevada Moses Project, which helps foster children and children in care with their families, said Julie Santti of Elko Pink Ladies. Sometimes the kids come into care and they dont have anything with them as far as clothing or diapers or any kind of shampoo, toiletries, toothpaste and toothbrushes. So we do a drive that supplies those needs, she said. If a child happens to go into a relatives care or a foster familys care but the guardian does not have enough financial resources to buy the child necessities, the Northern Nevada Moses Project can meet their needs. They will be supplying those items, whatever is necessary for the child whos just coming into care, Santti said. They need disposable diapers in all sizes, baby wipes, underwear in any size, in any gender, as well as any kind of socks. Packaged underwear and socks would be best to donate, she said. Donations are aimed at a wide range of ages, from infants to around eighth grade. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that the ongoing power upgrade and investment in the power sector would improve electricity supply within the next three to six months. Mr Adelabu gave the assurance during a working visit to some ongoing projects in Maryland and Alausa substations on Thursday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Adelabu visited Ikeja Electric and other ongoing projects in the Lagos metropolis. He disclosed that upgrading some substations in Lagos by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had commenced on 30MVA transformers to 100 MVA and 205 MVA in Maryland and Alausa, respectively. The minister maintained that the federal governments position on the implementation of a cost-reflective tariff for the power sector was inevitable. He said that investment across distribution companies (DisCos) was low due to the unavailability of funds to carry out infrastructure upgrades, appealing to the companies to ensure good service delivery to justify tariff review. He said the ministry would do all it could to ensure that DisCos up their games through massive investment, noting, if that fails, it will resort to legal backing. Mr Adelabu bemoaned the rising cases of vandalism of power assets across the country, recommending capital punishment for vandals. He labelled vandals of power assets as killers of people and saboteurs of business growth. We need scapegoats. We are ready to give them the right punishment in terms of prosecution. Punishment for vandals should go beyond six months jail term. Capital punishment should be meted out to power vandals. They kill people, and they kill businesses, he said. Mr Adelabu added that all hands must be on deck among operators within the power sector value chain. He said it remained worrisome that the country with an installed capacity of 13,000MW was generating a paltry 5,000MW. Mr Adelabu pledged to change his master plan from a top-to-bottom approach to a bottom-to-top. Going forward, efforts will now be concentrated on development and infrastructure upgrade from DisCos to GenCos and then transmission. If we get it right at the DisCo level, then we are most certain that we are almost getting there. The meeting is planned, not accidental. You have made landmark achievements in the last 10 years. You have done well in relation to other DisCos. We can just shake your hands and leave, but they said the biggest room is the room for improvement. You are a model DisCo, the biggest in terms of revenue collection. I dont know the one that is bigger between you and Ibadan DisCo, in terms of industrial clusters, because I am aware there are a lot of industries within your catchment areas, he said. Mr Adelabu urged Nigerians to continue contributing positively to the growth of the country despite the current economic challenges. It is a bad time for the country. I mean, if you look at the hardship in terms of commodities and prices, these have affected the purchasing power of a lot of people. I believe that this is the time for all of us to wake up and do things well for the country. Though I am bothered about what is happening, but I am not discouraged. This is the time that you (DisCos) should work hard with us to get desired improvements in power supply to people and businesses, he added. He urged DisCos to work closely with the government to expedite national development through a sustainable power sector for a reliable and cost-effective sustainable power supply. Earlier in her address, the Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Folake Soetan, while reeling out some of the giant strides recorded by the company, said that the company had achieved a lot in terms of infrastructure upgrades and capital expenditure. Ms Soetan said that the companys total CAPEX in 2015 was N5 billion but grew to N50.58 billion in 2023. She added that the average revenue collection in 2015 was N3.75 billion and grew to N18.22 billion as of 2023. On metering, she said 30,000 meters were deployed to consumers as of 2015, while the figure hit 800,000 as of 2023. Ms Soetan lamented that revenue collection in the industry was largely hampered by the huge metering gap and non-payment of bills. She worried that meter bypass and energy theft contributed immensely to the losses recorded by DisCos. The Ikeja Electric boss said power generating capacity was still significantly lower than the electricity demand. This she noted had resulted in frequent power outages and load shedding. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has berated calls for the resignation of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, over unfounded allegations of N3.7trillon budget padding. Mr Adaramodu, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said calls for the resignation of Mr Akpabio were unthinkable. He said Mr Akpabio would not resign and had no intention to resign at any time because he had not committed any wrongdoing. The spokesman said it was shocking that PDP leadership could not comprehend what transpired at Tuesdays plenary, during which the allegations were debated. Mr Adaramodu said a senator, Abdul Ningi, was allowed to defend himself and prove the budget padding allegations during the debate but failed to substantiate his claims, hence his suspension. Contrary to the contention by the PDP that N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects, and what transpired on the floor of the chamber. It is open knowledge that no such absurdity is found in the budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu, which is being implemented judiciously by the federal government, he said. Mr Adaramodu said the Senate did not, in any way, violate the constitution or its standing Rules and Orders, in not referring the matter to a relevant committee. He said the decision to take the issue in the Committee of the Whole was for transparency and fairness, and to allow the public to follow the proceedings and have a value judgement as to who was lying to the nation. The spokesman said it was the constitutional responsibility of the Senate to vary and determine its internal rules, as deemed fit. According to him, Mr Ningi was never intimidated or harassed, gagged or denied the privilege to exercise his right of reply as the senator was given ample opportunity to defend himself. He said the PDP expected the Senate to sweep the unfounded allegations under the carpet but that the 10th Senate under the leadership of Mr Akpabio had zero tolerance for corruption, The spokesman further said the investigation of the false N3.7trn budget padding allegations could not have been conducted by the Senate in secret. He said the 10th Senate, under Akpabio, would not be distracted from delivering good legislation and effective oversight for which Nigerians elected them. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A magistrate court in Enugu State, south-east Nigeria, on Thursday, sentenced an 18-year-old man to three years imprisonment for stealing a mobile phone in the state, an official has said. The convict, Promise Happy, was earlier arrested by police operatives in the state at about 7 p.m. on 8 March at Christ Chemist Roundabout in Enugu. The police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this on Thursday night. Arrest He was arrested after snatching an Android phone from a passenger in a moving mini bus, Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, said. The police spokesperson said investigation revealed that the convict had been on the police criminal watch list for similar offences. Mr Ndukwe said the convict hails from Ozonogogo in Agbor Local Government Area of Delta State, south-south Nigeria, but resides in New Garriki Market, Awkunanaw, a community in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State. READ ALSO: The spokesperson said during interrogations shortly after his arrest, Mr Happy confessed to the crime of phone theft, stating that he and his fleeing gang members had been into phone stealing since 2022. He said a blue-coloured Redmi Android mobile phone, which the convict snatched, was later recovered from him. Sentence Upon conclusion of investigation, the suspect was today (yesterday) 14 March 2024 arraigned in Enugu North Chief Magistrate Court of Enugu State, and sentenced to three years imprisonment, Mr Ndukwe said. He did not give details of the charges and trial of the convict. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the series of engagements with the FCT Area Councils were essential in combating insecurity in the FCT. The minister said the engagements as well as the recent deployment of Benneth Igweh, to the territory as police commissioner, led to the arrest of notorious kidnappers who were terrorising the nations capital. He stated this during a media parley in Abuja on Thursday. Then again, we have a very proactive police commissioner in the person of Benneth Igweh, who also knows the terrain of Abuja. He has been the DC of police in charge of operations and he is now the CP and the area is not new to him. Within a week, we were able to apprehend the major culprits, those who are behind the series of kidnappings in the FCT, he said. Presidential Directive Mr Wike revealed that President Bola Tinubu directed the series of security town hall meetings with the area councils to enable the territorys administration to get the cooperation of residents in the fight against insecurity. He stated that the administration held the meeting to get their buy-in for what the government intended to do. He reiterated that security is one of the key priorities of Mr Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. He disclosed that approvals had been granted by the president for the emergency procurement of security gadgets for the security agencies in the FCT, which eliminated unnecessary delays in the procurement process. He lamented the inadequate equipment of security agencies in the FCT and emphasised that combating insecurity requires more than just government intervention. I told Mr President that we have to do something and there must be emergency procurement of this equipment because if we go through the normal process of procurement, it takes months, he said. Mr Wike stressed that residents must also provide timely intelligence that will help to nip insecurity in the bud in the FCT. Road construction Mr Wike also revealed that the requests made by the area councils for road construction and provision of police divisions to tackle insecurity were being addressed. He stated that a provision has also been made in the FCT 2024 budget for constructing more rural roads in the area councils to improve security. On revenue generation, he commended the president for the exit of the FCTA from the TSA and for providing the needed support for actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT. Mr Wike added that the funding of infrastructure projects in the FCT has been attached to revenue generation, which has increased the confidence of contractors and contract variations. He urged FCT residents to pay their ground rents to support infrastructure development and social amenities provision. The minister also discussed other aspects of city management, including transportation and housing. Mr Wike said private investors were interested in introducing CNG buses and taxis in the FCT. He also stated that the FCTA has made provision for the construction of bus terminals for the various routes in the FCT. He stated that only registered buses and taxis would be allowed to ply designated routes in the FCT as part of the citys transportation policy. On the provision of housing, the minister said the FCTA would only grant allocation to genuine investors with proof of funds and capacity to provide mass housing. Establishment of Civil Service Commission Mr Wike explained that the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission was done to encourage career progression in the FCT. He said the commission would also help strengthen the bureaucratic structure of the service, improve dedication and performance, and encourage overall human capital development. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commiserated with the family and people of Ibadan over the passing of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun. He said the late Oba Baloguns service to the people of Ibadanland, Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole will remain his enduring legacy. On his part, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the deceased monarch as a silent achiever who made Ibadan experience growth and stability during the short period he spent on the throne. In a condolence message by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, on Friday, Mr Sanwo-Olu described Oba Baloguns death as a great loss to the people of Ibadan and the traditional institution in Oyo State. Mr Sanwo-Olu also expressed his condolences to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the demise of Oba Balogun. He urged the family, friends and associates of the deceased as well as the entire people of Ibadan, whose interests the late monarch represented and worked tirelessly for during his lifetime, to work towards immortalising him. The passing of Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun is an end to a glorious era and remarkable reign of an outstanding traditional ruler in Oyo state and Yorubaland. His death is a great loss to the people of Ibadan and he will be greatly missed, he said. In a statement by Mr Aiyedatiwas Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Ondo State governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the revered first-class monarch. The Governor said the passing of Oba Balogun after two years on the throne is a monumental loss that can only be imagined, describing him as a silent achiever and lover of peace. Mr Aiyedatiwa prayed to God to give the Oyo State government the wisdom to fill the vacuum the late monarch left behind. Also, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Friday, said the passage of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Balogun, was a colossal loss to Ibadan indigenes, people of Oyo State and the entire Oduduwa race worldwide. Oba Ogunwusi, who described his exit as a glorious one, which is not unexpected for a great leader who had lived his life enviably well for his people, contended that the traditional institution in the South-west and other stakeholders will take solace in the deceaseds enduring legacies of service. In a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni said Oba Balogun was not just a monarch, but was a beacon of wisdom, unity, and progress who worked meritoriously all his life to achieve great feats for himself as businessman, politician, public servant and finally as traditional ruler of the biggest city in West Africa. ALSO READ: Oba Olakulehin next in line to become Olubadan Olubadans passing is not only a loss for his family and the people of Ibadan, but also to the people of Oyo State and the entire Oduduwa family members globally. His contributions to the socio-economic and cultural development of the region are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, the statement read. Ooni Ogunwusi, who doubles as co-chair, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), prayed for the soul of the late Ibadan monarch and commiserated with his subjects and family, urging for the sustenance of his legacy of peacemaking, unity and compassion. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Akwa Ibom State rescued four kidnapped victims in the last one month, among them is a woman who faked her own kidnap. Fifty-two other suspects were arrested for various crimes in the south-south state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Waheed Ayilara, told reporters in Uyo on Friday that some of the suspects were arrested for alleged murder, armed robbery, child trafficking, cultism and fraud. He said one of the kidnapped victims, a female from Nung Oku Village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, arranged her own kidnap. She had demanded for N4 million ransom, before she was arrested by the police. A report was received on Monday from one Enobong Sampson that her sister had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding for N4 million as ransom. As a result, operatives of Anti-kidnapping squad of the Command embarked on an intense and intelligence-driven operation to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victim. On Tuesday, however, the purported victim and her boyfriend were arrested at a hideout at Mbierebe Obio, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. She confessed to have conspired with her boyfriend and three others to proclaim her kidnap to raise money from her aunty based outside the country, the police commissioner, Mr Ayilara, said. The police commissioner said the police, on Wednesday, arrested a man at Uruting village in Okobo Local Government Area of the state for allegedly hacking his 75-year-old father to death with a machete. The suspect claimed he was angry that his deceased father sold all the parcels of land he had, including the one that he gave to him to build his house, the police commissioner said. Mr Ayilara said also the police, on March 8, arrested a man at Ayam village in Etinan Local Government Area of the state for being involved in the production of adulterated fruits drinks and other fake products. Also on March 8, police rescued and arrested a man who used Point of Sale (POS) machines to defraud innocent citizens and was about to be set ablaze but for the arrival of police operatives. Mr Ayilara said most of the mans victims had identified him, and that N350,000 cash was recovered from him at the time of arrest. The police commissioner assured that all the suspects would be arraigned as soon as investigations were concluded. READ ALSO: Many kidnapped in fresh mass abduction in Kaduna He promised to work with the public to set up strategies to address security challenges in the state. Let me assure Akwa Ibom people that the police will collaborate with stakeholders in harnessing available resources to ensure that the state continues to remain the most peaceful, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Northern Governors Forum said it has agreed with service chiefs to adopt new methods to address the recent spate of kidnappings in the region. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, made this known to journalists after the closed-door meeting on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Yahaya said that the meeting, attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and service chiefs, reviewed the security situation and agreed to adopt alternative options to tackle it. The governor said the alternative options would be different from what they had been doing before. He said the governors were disposed to supporting both military and non-military options to address the security challenges. Already the military and all other security agencies have been doing their best. What we need to do is to change style, especially adding the non-kinetic approach, so that at the end of it when we join the two, well have a better security situation in the country, he added. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that the closed-door meeting was in response to the recent resurgence of mass abductions of students and residents in the region by terrorists. The terrorists had on 7 March, abducted 287 primary and secondary school students in Kuriga, Kaduna State. Also, a total of 112 Internally Displaced Persons were abducted in Gamboru Ngala, Borno, and 15 Quranic school students in Sokoto State. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A report by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided details of the theft of public funds at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), confirming a PREMIUM TIMES exclusive report and indicting the former management team of the agency headed by erstwhile Managing Director, Salihijo Ahmad. The management team was suspended and replaced by President Bola Tinubu last week over alleged N1.2 billion fraud. A team of investigators assigned by the EFCC to probe the alleged fraud indicted Mr Ahmad and other senior officials of stealing or misappropriating about N12.7 billion, according to the interim report of the team seen by PREMIUM TIMES. President BolaTinubu suspended the management team of the agency on 7 March over the alleged N1.2 billion theft previously reported extensively by PREMIUM TIMES in October last year. Mr Ahmad was suspended indefinitely alongside Olaniyi Netufo, the executive director, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, executive director, Technical Services, and Saadatu Balgore, executive director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF) and a new acting management team was appointed for the agency, headed by Abba Aliyu as the Managing Director/CEO. Mr Ahmad had earlier denied any wrongdoing and told PREMIUM TIMES he encouraged an independent probe of the allegations. The other officials, however, refused to comment when this newspaper was investigating the matter. EFCC probe EFCC sent investigators to the REA after receiving a complaint alleging cases of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds, procurement fraud and money laundering at the agency under the leadership of Mr Ahmad. The four allegations were that Mr Ahmad has 37 bank accounts linked to his biometric verification number (BVN), although he claims on his asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau that he has only two accounts; that in June 2023, senior officials of the agency siphoned N300 million under the guise of a training programme; that N1.2 billion was also siphoned between March and June 2023 through eight staff in the agencys account department; and that a director, Alaba Netufo, was running a private business to which some contractors of the agency had on several occasions paid money. However, according to the investigators, in the course of their probe, they received fresh information regarding other categories of large-scale misappropriation of public funds within the agency. These include gross misappropriation of N12.4 billion COVID-19 funds disbursed by the federal government to the agency in two tranches of (N6.2 billion) each in 2020 and 2021. Investigators were also told that the agency was coercing contractors executing zonal intervention and capital projects to pay five per cent of the contract sum as monitoring and evaluation charges, which are usually paid in cash to senior/management staff of the agency and are, more often than not, embezzled. They also heard that payments totalling N728.9 million (N728,915,229.04) made by the agency to 15 contractors in 2023 for consultancy jobs were channels for stealing and diversion of public funds majorly because by virtue of the job roles of certain staff of the agency being zonal coordinators, project department as well as monitoring and evaluation department, it was unnecessary, ridiculous and alarming that external consultants were still engaged to execute the same responsibilities. The investigators then presented their findings on the various categories of allegations in an interim report. Mr Ahmads 37 Bank Accounts That Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad has (37) bank accounts linked to his biometric verification number. That the Bank Verification Number (BVN) printout depicts irregularities as there are different dates of birth associated with the suspect. That the (37) bank accounts in (ii) comprises (14) corporate accounts, (21) personal accounts, and (2) other accounts in the names of Bilkisu Salihijo. That on the 1st of September, 2020, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad declared his assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau. That the suspect declared only two bank accounts with the Code of Conduct Bureau. That the suspect did not declare that he owns any factory or enterprise in the forms he filled at the Code of Conduct Bureau. That the suspect made false declarations at the Code of Conduct Bureau as he operates (27) active accounts against the (2) accounts declared by him. That the suspect made false declaration at the Code of Conduct Bureau as he stated that he does not have any factory or enterprise while in reality, he is a director in (5) companies and shareholder(owner) in (4) companies. B. N300M allegedly stolen through Training Programme The investigators found that the two companies awarded the contracts to conduct the training programme for the staff of the agency, Cees Assist Resources Limited and Braintask Value Resources Limited, have the same owner, one Umaefulem Chibueze, who was used to siphon funds through the programme. That on the 6th March, 2023 and 10th of April, 2023 respectively, Mr Umaefulem Donatus Chibueze dispatched an application/training proposal to the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, seeking the training of the Agencys staff. That Cees Assist Resources Limited application in (ii) emphasized that the training cost per week for each participant is (N450,000.00) which translates to (N128,571.43) for two days being the duration eventually adopted by the agency. That Braintask Value Resources Limited application emphasised that the training cost per week for each participant is also (N450,000.00) which translates to (N128,571.43) for two days as well. That based on the computation, the payments due to Cees Assist Resources Limited and Braintask Value Resources Limited for two days training of (203) staff of the agency as approved, was supposed to be (N52,200,000.58). That between the 16th June 2023 and 23rd June 2023, the Rural Electrification Agency made payments totalling (N279,330,197.76) to Cees 7 Assist Resources Limited and Braintask Value Resources Limited in the sums of (N139,562,569.76) and (N139,767,628.00) respectively. That the payments were made into the companies Access Bank account numbers 0094494027 and 0107644861. That the consultant was overpaid in the sum of (N227,130,197.18). That upon receipt of the (N279,330,197.76) by the consultant, the Director of Administration and Human Resources of the Rural Electrification Agency namely Mr Suleiman Garba Bulkwang gave him instructions to remit the total sum of (N144,523,969.00) to other individuals, some of whom are staff of the agency, as well as some contractors of the agency all of whom were conduits for laundering the (N144,523,969.00). That the consultant heeded the instruction of the Director of Administration and Human Resources and disbursed the (N144,523,969.00) as instructed. That the consents of the recipients of the funds in (x) were not sought before they were paid the monies. That upon receipt of funds in (xiii), the Director of Administration and Human Resources Suleiman Bulkwang once again contacted the recipients and gave directives for the disbursement of the funds to various other persons thereby, creating a complex trail of transactions in a bid to launder the funds. That having disbursed the (N144,523,969.00) as instructed in (x), and having being qualified to get the (N52,200,000.58) for the training exercise which was eventually executed, the consultant still had in custody, the balance of (N82,606,228.18) representing his share of the proceeds of crime. That from the proceeds of crime, the consultant made payments totalling (N54,000,000.00) to two real estate companies namely Jaykim Properties and Logistics Enterprises and Urban Shelter for purchase of properties from the loot. That the consultant also made payment of (N3,855,000.00) for Bureau de Change transaction. That the said consultancy/training contract was not appropriated for in the 2023 Appropriation Act and should never have been considered and paid for. That the agency did not carry out any procurement exercise, neither did it obtain requisite Certificate of no Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) prior to its engagement of the Consultant in clear violation of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. That the total payments of (N139,562,569.76) and (N139,767,628.00) made to Cees Assist Resources Limited and Braintask Value Resources Limited exceeded the approval threshold of the managing director of the agency, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad because his payment approval limit for consultancy services in year 2023 was (N99,000,000.00) and below. That for payments exceeding over (N99, 000,000.00), the Ministerial Tenders Board approval should have been gotten by the Agency. That in order to bring the payments within the threshold of the Managing Director of the agency, monies paid to the consultant were split into (12) tranches in ranges between (N18, 000,000.00) and (N27,000,000.00). That the Managing Director of the Agency approved the payments for the said training as proposed and processed by the Director of Administration and Human Resources Suleiman Garba Bulkwang, Executive Director Corporate Services Mr Alaba Netufo, Director of Finance and Account (Funds) Abdullahi Sambo. That the Director of Finance and Account (Funds) Abdullahi Sambo, authorised the payments made to the consultant without sighting necessary documents showing that the consultant was engaged upon execution of requisite procurement process in accordance with the Financial Regulation 2009. That ultimately, the sum of (N227,130,197.18) was criminally diverted and laundered out of the (N279,330,197.76) received by the consultant. N1.2 Billion Taken From Agencys Account The report threw light on the N1.2 billion fraud earlier reported by PREMIUM TIMES that put the management of the agency in trouble. That in August 2022, Abdullahi Sambo, a staff of the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, was posted to the Rural Electrification Agency where he was first posted to the Audit Department after which he was posted to the head of the Finance and Accounts Department. That upon resumption in the Finance and Accounts Department in March 2023, he informed the staff of the department that monies were going to be paid into their bank accounts, which they have to remit for the purpose of project monitoring. That consequently, between March and June 2023, payments totalling (N1,481,389,518.11) were fraudulently made by the Director of Finance and Accounts into the bank accounts of (8) staff of the department as well as himself as highlighted hereunder: That the payments were made using ridiculous narrations such as implementation of performance management system and compliance monitoring, programme for monitoring investment and development of power sector, International / Local Investment and Development of Power Sector etc. That the said payments were made by the Director of Finance and Accounts to the said accounts without necessary approvals, procurement process documents and other substantiating documents as required. That upon receipt of the said funds in (iii), the said Director of Finance and Accounts gave instructions for disbursement to the staff. That Usman Kwakwa, being one of the staff in (iii), was at that time, the Personal Assistant to the Director of Finance and Accounts. That the Director of Finance and Accounts instructed (7) staff listed in (iii) (1) (7), to transfer bulk of the funds to Usman Kwakwa as well as other persons being his allies and some other staff of the agency. That the Director of Finance and Accounts further instructed Usman Kwakwa to disburse the collected funds to his friends and allies. That upon receipt of the loot, the Director of Finance and Accounts instructed his allies in (ix) to purchase various choice properties and assets being plots of land, houses and a car in his favour. That the Director of Finance and Accounts also directed Usman Kwakwa to convert the total sum of (N159,608,464.38) to United States Dollars; this he did using two Bureau De Change Operators namely Laba Ibrahim and Ahmed Musa. That Usman Kwakwa also transferred various sums of monies totalling (N115,749,000.00) to some senior staff and management of the agency. That the Director of Finance and Accounts benefitted over (N414,346,343.51) from the loot. That the remaining balance of the loot remained with the staff who had already disbursed the bulk of the payments as instructed. That investigation into the (N1.2) billion naira loot had earlier been carried out by the SIT, ONSA as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Commission (ICPC). That some of the balance remaining with the recipients were recovered by the two agencies (ICPC and ONSA). That all the staff of the Finance and Accounts department involved in the loot have been suspended and dismissed by the agency while the Director of Finance and Account and his Personal Assistant have been returned to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation as they are pool officers. Misappropriation of N12.4 Billion COVID-19 Funds In 2020 and 2021, two tranches of N6.2 billion naira each were disbursed by the federal government to REA, meant for the governments economic sustainability plan of Energy for All aimed at mass rural solar power lighting. With the fund, the agency decided to procure solar mini-grid and solar lights in selected healthcare facilities and surrounding communities across the country The investigators found: That for all the contracts proposed to be awarded by the agency, Selective Tendering procurement method was adopted and it was imperative to therefore seek certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). That the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) issued Certificate of No Objection while emphasising that the agency should invite and request financial quotations from various companies for each lot, before awarding the contracts. That for most of the lots, the agency did not heed the directive of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) but rather went ahead to award most of the contracts to their choice contractors without inviting other approved contractors for each lot. That this approach did not give fair value to the government as financial quotation was not sought and received for consideration from other contractors as approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). That the Rural Electrification Agency therefore awarded a total number of (77) contracts and (7) consultancy jobs to various contractors. That the narration of the contract award as furnished by the agency indicates contract splitting as contracts with same project narration which should have been awarded as a single project, were split in numerous bits. That the splitting of the contracts into numerous bits below (N250,000,000.00) allowed for the approval of the Managing Director of the Agency. That the approval limit for the Managing Director for works in 2020 and 2021 was (N250,000,000.00) & below as any contract cost higher than that would have warranted Ministerial Tenders Board approval outside the control of the Managing Director of the Agency. That payments totalling (N313,111,070.40) were made by the agency to various companies not captured or approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). That overpayments totalling about (N310,000,000.00) were made to three contractors, which exceeded the contract award amount. That five contracts totalling (N583,671,221.67) were furnished as Covid-19 contracts by the agency but Remita platform being the central source of all payments, did not reveal any form of payments to those companies; hence these contracts were used to pad the agencys submission to the Commission in a bid to camouflage its misappropriation of the said sum. That suspicious payments totalling over (N80,000,000.00) were made to various staff of the agency under the guise of fictitious narrations such as survey and data collection and economic sustainability programme. That for some of the contracts, payment vouchers were not raised while for others, relevant supporting documents were not attached in contravention of the Financial Regulation. That six consultants were engaged to serve as Project Owners Engineers entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating the extent of execution of Covid-19 projects across the country. That the reports of the consultants in (xvii) have so far revealed that numerous contracts were under-executed, while some of them were no longer functional at the time of evaluation being just about six months after the supposed execution of the projects thereby indicating the use of inferior or substandard materials for the project execution. That sadly, some of the projects were also reported as zero per cent executed i.e they were never executed. That so far, projects totalling about N2,000,000,000.00 (two billion) have been reported as not executed across the country. That the agency however made full payments to the contractors for projects. Recoveries and recommendations For the training programme, full recovery of proceeds of crime is ongoing as the total sum of (N30,000,000.00) has been recovered while four suspects have undertaken to refund the total sum of (N201,000,000.00) representing their share of the looted funds. Additionally, effort is being intensified to bring all accomplices of the crime to justice. On the looted (N1.2) billion, there is an ongoing reconciliation of monies and properties recovered by the SIT, ONSA and ICPC in order to recover what is left. So far, the SIT, ONSA has recovered the total sum of (N207,013,848.00), a duplex building in Karsana Abuja, and an uncompleted filling station along Kaduna road, Abuja, while the ICPC has so far recovered the total sum of (N38,900,000.00), three landed properties in Kaduna State, another three plots of land in Lafia and one plot of land in Mararaba, Nasarawa State. This Section has also recovered a landed property worth (N46,500,000.00) from one of the 16 suspects. Concerning the (N12.4) billion Covid-19 Funds; having carried out extensive investigation of the contract award process vis a vis execution and having engaged with the consultants who evaluated the projects, it has been established there was a questionable award of contracts, and a significant portion of those contracts were either poorly executed or not executed at all, thereby leading to criminal diversion and stealing of public funds. Although computation is ongoing to ascertain the exact amount that was criminally diverted based on poor execution and non-execution of contracts, the Section has so far established that contracts totalling about Two Billion naira (N2,000,000,000.00) were never executed. Additionally, overpayments totalling about (N310,000,000.00) were made to three contractors, which exceeded the contract award amount. The section, therefore, has reasonable grounds to believe that sums totalling about (N6,000,000,000.00) could have been diverted owing to non-execution, under-execution, and poor execution of the contracts. Strategic recovery of all stolen/ criminally diverted will be carried out upon conclusion of ongoing analysis. Systemic Vulnerabilities It is imperative to state that in fulfilment of the preventive mandate of the Commission, the investigation has unravelled key vulnerabilities, loopholes and weaknesses in some government systems and operations which creates opportunities for perpetration of fraud. They are as highlighted below: Firstly, most government agencies do not fully implement the directives and recommendations of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) as stated in its Certificate of No Objection which is always secured when Selective Tendering procurement method is to be adopted by the agency. This manifests in the award of contracts by senior and management staff of such agencies to their choice contractors and allies without inviting other competitors as directed by the (BPP) thereby getting better and fairer value for government contracts. Strangely, it was also observed that on the GIFMIS platform, there is no provision for upload of documents to substantiate payments made to companies/contractors or individuals and this could create an avenue for commission of fraud by persons entrusted with the responsibility of managing the platform. The above vulnerabilities enable, ease and aid Criminal Diversion and Stealing of public funds; hence the need to implement decisive and relevant actions so as to reduce incidences of fraud significantly. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have rescued five women and two babies in Zamfara after spending two months in captivity. This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Thursday by the Information Officer to the Operation, Suleiman Omale, Troops in a daring operation, successfully stormed Kuyambana forest in Zamfara State and succeeded in rescuing five women and two babies. They were kidnapped in January 2024 from Marange village in Kagara Local Government Area of Niger State. The victims, who endured months of captivity, were liberated following the relentless offensive operations carried out by the vigilant troops in the Kuyambana area. The successful rescue operation came as a result of the unwavering pressure exerted on the bandits by the troops, leading to the victims escape from the terrorists enclaves, Mr Omale said He added that the victims underwent debriefing sessions and were promptly handed over to the relevant authorities for the necessary procedures to reunite them with their respective families. The General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army Sokoto, Maj. Gen. Godwin Matkut lauded the professionalism exhibited by the troops during the rescue operation. Matkut urged them to maintain the momentum until all nefarious elements are eradicated, ensuring the restoration of peace and normalcy in the region, Mr Omale said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A yet-to-be-identified man has been set ablaze by gunmen who attacked the office of Anambra State Vigilante Group in Amichi, a community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigerias south-east. The incident happened at about 7 a.m. on Thursday, PREMIUM TIMES gathered. Residents told this newspaper that the attackers, in their numbers, entered the community headed to the security office and engaged vigilante operatives in a shootout. The hoodlums operated in two vehicles white Sienna and one SUV according to residents. One of the residents who identified himself simply as Uche Okoye said the vigilante operatives abandoned their Sienna vehicle and fled the scene, prompting the gunmen to set the vehicle ablaze during the attack Mr Okoye said he and several other residents discovered that a man at the back of the vehicle was burnt beyond recognition during the attack which lasted for about an hour. He said the victim, suspected to be a vigilante operative, was shot while he was hiding from flying bullets. From the look of things, we believe that he was hiding from gunshots. But unfortunately he was shot and the gunmen set him ablaze alongside the vehicle. They (the gunmen) stayed for some minutes to ensure that the fire had burnt well, before they zoomed off, he said. A video clip apparently shot shortly after the attack has been circulating on Facebook. In the 19-minute clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the security vehicle was in flames while several residents were heard lamenting the attack. Some residents were seen attempting to put off the fire to identify the man who was set ablaze. Others called for the assistance of fire fighters. Apart from the vehicle, the clip showed that a section of the security office was also razed by the hoodlums. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that some security operatives, mainly the Nigerian soldiers, later arrived at the scene of the attack. When contacted, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack. Increased attacks Like other states in Nigerias south-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. READ ALSO: Fresh crisis looms in Sultan Bello Mosque over deputy for Sheikh Gumi The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. IPOB is leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of the south-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ELKO Elko Federal Credit Union is providing a total of $10,000 in scholarship money to 2024 high school graduates within EFCUs area of financial coverage. Todd Sorenson, president and CEO of the credit union, said the scholarship program has existed for about six years. Historically, weve done six per year, he said. Weve expanded that to 10. A scholarship committee reviews the applicants submissions to figure out which ones best represent EFCU. Sarah Goicoechea, EFCUs senior marketing and community relations coordinator, said she handles the scholarship process by taking applications and making sure everythings ready for our scholarship committee to be able to review and select the scholarships. She also said she manages her workload by making sure we have our information and our deadlines met and that were moving through the process efficiently. Its open to our entire field of membership, and thats really anybody along the northern counties of Interstate 80. But our focus has, in the past, primarily been Elko and Spring Creek, Sorenson said. The scholarship ensures Elko high school seniors and graduates feel supported in the goals they want to accomplish in the next step of their lives, Sorenson said. Thus, it funds education choices of all sorts and is not only aimed at students with university aspirations. One of the things that was important to us is that it is open to anything post-high school graduation. So whether that be trades, community college, universities, its really a wide gamut, he said. You want to go to a journeyman electrician program or a welding program? Submit your application, Sorenson said. I think itll be interesting to watch where they take their post-high school education, he noted. We want to support you in the cost of what you want to do. But we also want to share your successes as a member of our community. EFCU supports Elkos youth and their education in several ways, Sorenson said. You may see some of our snippets on financial Fridays on the radio or on our website. We give tips. March happens to be all about building credit or enhancing your credit to get better deals on loans. April is actually Financial Literacy Month, and we have a couple of fun activities planned with both high schools in Elko and Spring Creek on some financial literacy programs with the students there, he said. We really look forward to participating in things like that, to give these students a view of money and what the reality of some of these costs and expenses are, Sorenson said. The online application is available at elkofcu.org/scholarships. Documents can be emailed to scholarships@elkofcu.org. The deadline is April 12. The Champions League draw conducted on Friday has served up some mouthwatering fixtures for the quarter-finals Top on the cards is the looming titanic clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid Manchester City, the reigning champions, will need to overcome Real Madrid once again to defend their title. Last season, City triumphed over the 14-time winners in a thrilling semi-final en route to their historic treble. This promises to be another epic encounter between the two European giants. Meanwhile, Arsenal face a stern test against Bayern Munich. The Gunners will host the Bavarians in the first leg, with a familiar face lining up against them: former Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Kane boasts a remarkable record against Arsenal, having netted 14 goals in just 17 North London derbies during his Tottenham years. Considering Kanes current red-hot form in which he has an impressive 36 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions this season, the Gunners will be wary of the Three Lions skipper. The remaining quarter-final ties see Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain, and Borussia Dortmund take on Atletico Madrid. Should both Arsenal and Manchester City progress through their respective challenges, they will do battle in the semi-final. Interestingly, this years Champions League final is scheduled for the magnificent Wembley stadium. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Friday described the increase in the price of sachet water in the country as unacceptable and unfair. The FCCPC acting Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Adamu Abdullahi, disclosed this while speaking at an event to commemorate the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day in Abuja on Friday. The price of sachet water has gone up across the country in recent times. Currently, a bag of sachet water sold between N200 and N250 now sells as high as N500 in Abuja and other parts of the country. Some residents of the Enugu metropolis had earlier in February expressed discontent over the scarcity and rising cost of drinking water in the state capital despite the state governments promises. Speaking on Friday, Mr Abdullahi explained that there was no reason for the increase in the price of sachet water in the country while noting that the astronomical increase in the price of sachet water by various associations is unacceptable and unfair to consumers. Yes, power (electricity), fuel, and price of nylon have increased, but that cannot explain the cause of the astronomical rise in price, Mr Abdullahi said. What we have discovered is that most products now have associations, even the sachet water producers. When you have your eggs that you brought from your farm to sell at Wuse Market, the association of egg sellers will tell you that you have to sell to them at cheaper rates while they resell to consumers at higher prices, he added. He noted that this has now resulted in the emergence of cartels. And cartels, anywhere in the world, are not acceptable. Our act is against price fixing, and it is not acceptable to us. We will find out these cartels and do something about their activities. Consumers international joined the efforts that gave us an inkling of how prices have rolled in Nigeria in the last three months, and it is so surprising and unacceptable. It is simply the issue of cartels, and we have to break in, find out what is going on, and dissolve such cartels. But the consumers are the ones who will lodge the complaint with us before we go and find out. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, permit me to state that FCCPC is also concerned with other prevailing issues bedevilling consumers in Nigeria, particularly the rapidly rising price of food, as in most other nations of the world, he added. Notwithstanding, Mr Abdullahi said the commission is not a price control agency. We are deeply committed to addressing the rapid rise in food prices affecting Nigerian consumers, he said. He further explained that the surge in food prices can be attributed to various factors, including market cartels, price fixing, hoarding, and gouging or a lack of transparency in pricing. A few weeks ago, we intensified our surveillance operations. This led to an enforcement action against unlawful and unfair pricing practices thus sending a clear message that such behaviours will not be tolerated. The FCCPC is actively engaged in combating these challenges to ensure fair pricing and protect consumers interests. I assure you that despite the challenges we face in the marketplace, the FCCPC remains resolute in its determination to protect Nigerian consumers and create the enabling environment for businesses to compete, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Combating this problem requires comprehensive policy frameworks that align with international cybersecurity standards. Frameworks that will serve as guiding principles for both public and private entities, fostering a unified approach to cybersecurity should be enhanced. Nigerias technological landscape has always been advancing but its vulnerability to cyber attacks is becoming alarming and thus limiting the corresponding optimum productivity. For example, in March 2023, the Federal Government made a shocking revelation that not less than 12,988,978 cyberattacks were recorded during the presidential and National Assembly elections that were held in February of the same year. Therefore, in the expansive realm of Nigerias digital landscape, the presence of cyber threats poses a significant challenge to the nations technological progress, as new innovations continue to emerge on a daily basis. It is gratifying that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has been playing a pivotal role in addressing this particular problem through awareness campaigns, strategic collaborations, and cybersecurity personnel development. As part of the organisations strategy to curb cyberattacks, NITDA disclosed the need to improve cybersecurity in Nigerias digital environment as a matter of utmost importance. The Director General of the NITDA, Malam Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa, at a programme on Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0, revealed that, in this digital age, cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity but a critical foundation for trust and confidence in digital services. As the digital landscape evolves, the threats to data security and system integrity grow more sophisticated. Recognising this, our strategic emphasis on cybersecurity aims to build a resilient digital environment where citizens and businesses can operate with confidence, Kashifu added. Recent statistics paint a dirty mark of the escalating frequency and sophistication of cyber threats within the country. From ransomware assaults to phishing attacks, the tactics employed by cybercriminals demand a thoughtful response. It has become even more pressing in light of high-profile incidents that have left a lasting impact on businesses, individuals, and the overall digital infrastructure of the country. Given that it is widely recognised that cyberattacks exploit the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of their targets, a closer look reveals vulnerabilities deeply embedded in outdated systems, insufficient awareness, and the lack of coordinated efforts. The digital threats we face exploit these weak points, emphasising the pressing need for a comprehensive evaluation of the nations cybersecurity infrastructure. According to a report by Kaspersky in June 2023, Nigeria faces the second-highest number of cyberattacks in Africa and the 50th globally. The country then was increasingly becoming a focal point for cyber threats. Similarly, a renowned fintech company and digital marketplace in Nigeria, Patricia, was reported to have suffered a cyberattack that led to its loss of about $2 million in 2022. Over the past two years, the servers of The National Population Commission (NPC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and prominent universities in Nigeria have experienced cyber-attacks. These instances underscore the severity of cyberattacks, emphasising that addressing them is not a trivial matter. Providing effective and accurate solutions to curb these threats are absolutely essential. Given that it is widely recognised that cyberattacks exploit the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of their targets, a closer look reveals vulnerabilities deeply embedded in outdated systems, insufficient awareness, and the lack of coordinated efforts. The digital threats we face exploit these weak points, emphasising the pressing need for a comprehensive evaluation of the nations cybersecurity infrastructure. One glaring vulnerability in the realm of cybersecurity lies in the continued reliance on outdated systems. Many organisations, including government institutions and educational bodies in Nigeria, still operate on legacy technologies that have become prime targets for cyber adversaries. These outdated systems, often characterised by obsolete software and inadequate security measures, create an open invitation for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities. Also, inadequate awareness further compounds the issue. A significant portion of the population remains unaware of the potential risks and best practices in the digital realm. Cyber threats often capitalise on this lack of understanding, making it crucial to bridge the knowledge gap through comprehensive awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. In the 21st century, it is quite astonishing to consider that there are still individuals using their surnames or dates of birth as their banking app passwords. For some, setting up Two-Factor Authentication is perceived as a cumbersome process. No doubt, the proactive strategies employed by NITDA underscore the agencys commitment to creating a resilient and secure digital environment for Nigeria. As the nation stands at the intersection of technological progress and cybersecurity challenges, the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, coupled with forward-thinking strategies, are essential for navigating the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of digital threats. Moreover, the fragmented nature of efforts to combat cyber threats contributes to our vulnerability. A synchronised, collaborative approach is essential to creating a united front against digital adversaries. Institutions, governmental bodies, and cybersecurity experts must work in harmony to fortify our defences and respond effectively to emerging threats. So, these adversaries need to be thoroughly addressed to reduce the rate at which cyberattacks are happening around the country. Also, NITDA needs to put more effort into their ongoing cybersecurity strategies and can also consider: Combating this problem requires comprehensive policy frameworks that align with international cybersecurity standards. Frameworks that will serve as guiding principles for both public and private entities, fostering a unified approach to cybersecurity should be enhanced. NITDA should also focus on enhancing incident response capabilities by deploying advanced technologies that can detect, mitigate, and respond to cyber incidents in real-time. This includes leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive analysis. On the other hand, regular assessments of the effectiveness of implemented cybersecurity measures ensure adaptability and responsiveness. Employment of metrics and key performance indicators to evaluate the impact of strategies and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement is imperative. No doubt, the proactive strategies employed by NITDA underscore the agencys commitment to creating a resilient and secure digital environment for Nigeria. As the nation stands at the intersection of technological progress and cybersecurity challenges, the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, coupled with forward-thinking strategies, are essential for navigating the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of digital threats. The journey towards a cyber-secured Nigeria requires a collective commitment, and NITDA stands as a key player in shaping the nations digital future. Shuaib S. Agaka, an NYSC member, writes from Kano. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The market leaders also appealed to the NCS to formalise the import and export process and enforce the Nigeria Export Proceed (NXP) number to increase export proceeds. They also appealed to the Federal and state governments to embark on massive agricultural production by mobilising able-bodied Nigerians en masse and providing fertilisers and machineries. I was in Kano for a Media Workshop on Fact-checking when I was told that the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was expected in the city the following day on an official assignment. After making all necessary enquires, I attended his media interaction at the state Command of the Service, where Adeniyi highlighted efforts to tackle food security. He said that food distribution exercise to vulnerable Nigerians would continue through a more organised, streamlined and transparent process. He added that the process would be devoid of political affiliations or other primordial sentiments. The NCS had recently commenced the direct distribution of food items forfeited to the Federal Government. The distribution of food items, mostly bags of rice, to Nigerians was abruptly suspended following a stampede that claimed seven lives in Lagos. The suspension according to the Service was to ensure the safety of Nigerians and to enable it properly articulate its next line of action, in order not to defeat the purpose of the initiative. The food distribution initiative was in response to the current challenges of food security in Nigeria and the increasingly high cost of essential food items. It also targeted an improvement in the lives of indigents. The Service said that the exercise would be managed to ensure that the benefits reach the most vulnerable people. Adeniyi said the process of selling the food items at affordable rates are in line with Customs regulations. For instance, the bag of rice is discounted for poor people and the proceeds from it are transferred to the federation account. He said the Customs Service, as the key agency tasked with enforcement of government fiscal policies, will do everything within its operational guidelines to safeguard and sustain the nations economy, while also tackling food insecurity. While noting that a very essential element of national power is food security, the CGC said any country unable to feed itself cannot be said to be secure. He also disclosed that the National Assembly had approved six large-scale projects for border communities in 2024. According to him, the projects, which entail provision of schools and health facilities, will boost border communities, foster a sense of belonging and encourage cooperation. While the NCS is poised to combat food insecurity and boost the nations economy, this significant move promises to reshape the landscape of food security and economic growth in Nigeria. From the media briefing, I joined the CGs convoy on a seemingly surprise visit to Dawanau International Grains Market, one of the largest of such hubs in West Africa. I was amazed by the huge sacks of grains, especially maize, beans, sorghum and rice there being loaded on hundreds of trucks on a queue in the market. Adeniyis motorcade was received with pomp and pageantry by a sea of traders, market dealers and leaders. His visit was meant to bolster the nations food security and economic development by strengthening ties between the Service and grain merchants who are crucial players in the countrys import and export chains. The move also came amidst rising food prices sweeping across the nation, caused by a confluence of factors including smuggling, hoarding and forex crisis. Touted as the nucleus of West African grain market business, Dawanau, which deals with both cash and food crops, has been serving the grain needs of the nation and neighbouring countries for ages. In their respective welcoming remarks, the Chairman Dawanau Market Development Association, Alhaji Muttaka Isah, and the Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) Alhaji Abdullahi Mai Doya, pointed out that the market had been a source of pride to grain merchants and farmers in the subregion and across the continent, providing an opportunity for trade with maximum security and investments. They said that the Dawanau Market had the potential to improve the nations export volume but economic sabotage and activities of non-Nigerians hampered the fulfillment of such potential. He called for the creation of a domestic export warehouse in Dawanau to improve foreign exchange earnings. They pointed out that they dont hoard food items but store grains for operational conveniences and protection from foreign bodies that can destroy them. The market leaders also appealed to the NCS to formalise the import and export process and enforce the Nigeria Export Proceed (NXP) number to increase export proceeds. They also appealed to the Federal and state governments to embark on massive agricultural production by mobilising able-bodied Nigerians en masse and providing fertilisers and machineries. While commending the market for adding value to the economy, through employment generation and participation in import and export, Adeniyi highlighted efforts of the Federal Government to ensure food security through market engagement, intelligence gathering, and a joint task force led by the NCS, established by the National Security Advisers office. Our mandate involves more than collecting revenue, but also safeguarding industries and sectors critical to our economic wellbeing, notably, managing borders to ensure that prohibited items do not find their ways in or out of the country. This mandate also includes protection of the agricultural sector from entry or exit of food items with the ultimate aim of avoiding unfair competition and ensuring national food sufficiency for Nigeria, he said. However, he declared that the Federal Government will henceforth enforce compliance with the Nigerian Export Prohibition Act. Passed in 1989, the Act, according to him, prohibits the export of certain goods from the country towards ensuring food security in Nigeria by preventing essential food items such as beans, cassava tubers, maize, rice, and yam tubers, from being exported, especially during times of scarcity. While asking for support and understanding of the merchants during the enforcement, he emphasised that regulations for import is to encourage local capacity of what the nation can produce, but there are some items that are on the prohibition list that cannot be exported because the nation must sustain its population first. In such a critical period of food insecurity, we have to restrict the movement of our grains. The Service is set to eliminate any act of sabotage that will impede economic growth and trigger hunger and starvation in the country by fully enforcing the Nigerian Export Prohibition Act, he said. According to him, President Bola Tinubu directed total compliance with the Act, given the current food crisis in the country. He therefore called on Dawanau grains dealers to support the government by adhering to the directive prohibiting the export of food items, ensuring sufficient food supply for Nigerians. It is unwise for a reasonable and sincere country to embark on exportation of food items when her own citizens are in need of them, he said The Nigerian Customs Service is responsible for enforcing the Act. Violating the Act is a serious offence, punishable by life imprisonment and forfeiture of assets. There have been calls for stricter enforcement in recent years due to food security concerns. Meanwhile, the NCS boss is taking the core mandate of the Service very seriously and he is using his office to help the administration cushion the effect of economic hardship. Dahiru Lawal, author of 101 Fake News on EndSARS, writes from Wuye District, Abuja. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Indeed, nothing has ever knocked on the gates of heaven like supplication (Dua). Because through it, is validating the connection with the Creator may He be glorified and placing ones affairs before Him, and calling upon Him with whatever the soul carries of its worries, distresses, fears, dreads, hopes and desires. Supplication is the acknowledgment of servitude to Allah alone, and that Allah Almighty takes and gives, heals and afflicts, overlooks missteps and pardons sins. In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and securityand his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour. Dear brothers and sisters! A mankinds certainty of their inability, and constantly manifesting their utmost need of Allah, is the most perfect state for their Lord to see them. And one draws nearer to their Lord by realising the purpose for which Allah created the creation. And the more that one feels that state and magnifies their manifestation of it, their servitude to Allah increases, and their status with their Creator is elevated. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Whoever Allah wants good for, He will open for him the door of humility and neediness of Allah Almighty, of continually seeking refuge in Allah Almighty, of feeling ones utmost need for Allah, of seeing his own faults, weakness, ignorance, and transgression, and witnessing the favour of his Lord, His benevolence, mercy, generosity, kindness, self-sufficiency, and perfection. And indeed, supplication (Dua) is the greatest act of worship in which this state is manifested, so it is the most honourable matter to Allah. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: Nothing is more honourable to Allah than supplication (Dua). [Tirmidhi] It is the characteristic of servitude to Allah, and the sense of submission to Allah, which carries within it the meaning of praising, glorifying, exalting and asking Allah. Allah Almighty said: And your Lord says, Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible. [Quran, 40:60] This Quranic verse includes the supplication of worship and the supplication of asking. As for the supplication of worship, it is every act of worship that Allah has commanded, whether obligatory or recommended. So if a Muslim performs it, it is as if they are beseeching Allah the Almighty to reward them for it, honour them with His bliss, protect them from his torment, and through it, to rectify their religious and worldly affairs. And as for the supplication of asking, it is directly requesting Allah to fulfil ones needs of this world and the hereafter. Both types of supplication, the supplication of worship and the supplication of asking, are solely the right of Allah alone, and if directed to other than Him, becomes associating partners with Allah the Exalted. Allah Almighty said: And who is more astray than he who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they, of their invocation, are unaware. [Quran, 46:5] And Allah Almighty said: And whoever invokes besides Allah another deity for which he has no proof then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed. [Quran, 23:117] Indeed, nothing has ever knocked on the gates of heaven like supplication (Dua). Because through it, is validating the connection with the Creator may He be glorified and placing ones affairs before Him, and calling upon Him with whatever the soul carries of its worries, distresses, fears, dreads, hopes and desires. Supplication is the acknowledgment of servitude to Allah alone, and that Allah Almighty takes and gives, heals and afflicts, overlooks missteps and pardons sins. In the agreed-upon Hadith, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) narrated from his Lord: A servant committed a sin and said: O Allah, forgive me my sin. Allah blessed and exalted said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and takes them to account. Then he sinned again and said: O my Lord, forgive me my sin. Allah blessed and exalted said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and takes them to account. Then he sinned again and said: O my Lord, forgive me my sin. Allah blessed and exalted said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and takes them to account. So, I have forgiven you, so let him do what he wills. [Bukhari and Muslim] And Allah saying, So let him do what he wills is meant to convey grace and favour; because whenever such a person commits a sin, they repent from it. It is not intended to encourage the sin or to permit it. And when Allah Glorified be He wants good for a person, He inspires them to supplicate and seek His help, and makes their supplication and seeking help a reason for the good that He decrees for them. As Umar Bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I am not concerned about the response to my supplication, but rather my concern is about the supplication itself. When I am inspired to supplicate, then the response accompanies it. So, one should not deem anything too significant to ask Allah for in supplication, for whatever is considered much by people is little in the dominion of Allah, and whatever is seen as difficult by people is easy for Allah. And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: Allahs hand is full, not diminished by the continuous spending, day and night. [Bukhari and Muslim] So, recognise your desperate need for Allah. For Allah Exalted and Majestic descends every night to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, in a manner befitting His majesty, and says: Who is calling upon Me, that I may respond to him? Who is asking Me, that I may give to him? Who is asking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him? [Bukhari and Muslim] Matrif Bin Abdullah said: I thought about the essence of goodness, but goodness is plentiful, fasting and prayer. And it is in the hands of Allah the Exalted and you cannot get what is in Allahs hands except by asking Him, so that He gives you. Therefore, the essence of goodness is supplication (Dua). And Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: I contemplated the most beneficial of supplications, and it is asking Allah for help to do what pleases Him. Then I saw it in Surah Al-Fatiha: It is You we worship and You we ask for help. [Quran, 1:5] And he also noted: There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers. It contains an acknowledgment of ones true state, and that no one can absolve themselves from this description, especially while calling upon Allah Almighty. For indeed, the sincere hearts and righteous supplications are the troops that cannot be defeated. Allah Almighty said: Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors. And do not cause corruption in the earth after its reformation and call upon Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good. [Quran, 7:55-56] Respected brothers and sisters! Indeed, persistence in supplication (Dua) is a manifestation of contentment with Allah as Lord, and it does not contradict being content with His decree. For He, Glorified be He, loves to be asked persistently just as He loves contentment with His decree. Among what aids in reaching the lofty level of persistence in asking Allah is the supplicants realisation of the great realities of servitude encompassed by the honour of persistence in asking Allah. For in persistence is displaying ones utter need of Allah, singling out Allah alone for answering, submitting to Allahs command, having good expectations of Allah, and awaiting Allahs bestowal and relief. And from the greatest matters that motivate a supplicant to persistently ask Allah is consciousness of the ultimate aim and purpose of supplication, which some scholars have described by saying: A person hastens (in expecting their supplication to be answered) only when their purpose from supplicating is to obtain what they asked for, and if they do not attain what they desire, supplication becomes burdensome for them. A persons purpose for supplicating should be the act of supplicating to Allah, asking Allah, and always showing ones need for Him, and one should not depart from the characteristic of servitude, obedience to Allahs command and prohibitions, and submission to his Lord the Exalted in humility and submissiveness. Indeed, Allah the Exalted loves insistence and persistence in supplication. And, Let not the delay in receiving a response, while being persistent in supplicating, lead you to despair, for He guarantees to answer you in what He chooses for you, not what you choose for yourself, and at the time He wills, not the time that you will. For calling upon Allah, showing ones neediness and humility to Allah are in themselves sufficient. For sometimes a person is not answered due to their elevated status with Allah. And establishing a daily regimen for supplication is among what achieves insistence and persistence in asking Allah, as was practiced by the righteous predecessors. Urwah Bin Zubair, may Allah have mercy on him, used to persist on his daily portion of supplication just as he persisted on his daily portion of the Quran. And if a person is honoured with the sincerity of insistence and persistence in asking Allah, then they taste the sweetness of supplication, enjoy calling upon their Lord, and waiting for bestowal and relief, whose sweetness surpasses all sweetness. Dear brothers and sisters! Ramadan is a month of profound spirituality and self-improvement. As we entered Ramadan, picture yourself not just refraining from food and drink, but elevating your soul. Imagine the person you want to become by the end of this noble month more patient, more generous, and closer to Allah. Envision competing with your past self for Allahs forgiveness and mercy, as promised in the Quran. Begin with your obligations (Fard). Visualise yourself fasting with complete patience and mindfulness, praying on time, embodying the virtues that Allah cherishes most. Consider the actions that make you beloved to Allahthe preferred Sunan. Pace yourself so that your worship and dedication grow stronger, especially in the last ten nights, in anticipation of Lailatul Qadr. Visualise waking up for Suhur, feeling the days first act of worship. See yourself gently waking your family, sharing in this spiritual meal. Picture the moment of Iftar, your heart full of gratitude as you break your fast and make Dua (supplication). Plan to give charity every day, remembering that charity isnt just monetary its every act of kindness. Imagine yourself sitting peacefully after Fajr and Asr, engaging in Azkar, feeling tranquility wash over you. Visualise making Dua after each Azan, reaffirming your connection to Allah. Recite Ayatul-Kursi after each prayer, feeling its protective power. Resolve to abstain from backbiting, harbouring grudges, or stressing over lifes trials. The Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) faced lifes challenges with grace and faith, and so can you. Allah Almighty assures us that striving in His path is for our own benefit and leads to divine guidance. Envision yourself striving for excellence, becoming a Muhsin a doer of good. Each morning during Ramadan, take time to visualise your goals. Write them down and remind yourself of them. See yourself achieving these goals with ease and sincerity, and feel the pleasure of Allah as you strive in His path. When Eid arrives, celebrate not just the end of fasting, but the personal growth and achievements youve made. Let this joyous day be a reflection of your hard work and dedication. Visualise yourself after Ramadan, carrying forward the good habits youve developed. Reflect on how these new habits will continue to shape your life in this world. Finally, picture the ultimate reward in the Hereafter for the believers as described in the Quran a promise of eternal paradise and divine pleasure, the greatest achievement of all. Let this Ramadan be a transformative journey. By visualising and setting goals for each act of worship, we can fully prepare for the sacred month. Strive not only in fasting but in embodying patience, generosity, and faith. This Ramadan, lets transform our hearts and actions, inching closer to the ideal version of ourselves we envision. I ask Allah to bless you with BARAKAH this Ramadan and beyond Ameen! I ask Allah Almighty to make us among those who realise the servitude to Him alone and taste the sweetness of supplicating Him. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering. I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon our beloved Prophet as our Lord commanded: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace. [Quran, 33:56] Ya Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted. Ya Allah, we ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. Ya Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. Ya Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. Ya Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good. Dear servants of Allah! Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. Remember Allah, the Great He will remember you. Thank Him for His favours He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer. And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers. Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761. This Friday sermon (Jumuah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, 05 Ramadan, 1445 AH (March 15, 2024). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print to tackle the current state of insecurity that is characterised by terrorism and banditry, in order to save lives and cure the kidnapping epidemic in Nigeria in the short term, the Federal Government may consider redrawing the national security architecture to accommodate a civil populace led counterinsurgency strategy, through a guided liberalisation of the possession of light arms and small weapons by members of the communities worse hit by banditry and terrorism. Nigerias heightening problem of insecurity, which recently made a devastating land fall in Abuja, the countrys Federal Capital Territory, is pushing Africas most populous country down the rough slope to state failure. For more than a decade since 2010, Nigeria has rapidly degenerated into a country at war with itself, and by itself, as the deadly Boko Haram insurgency is ravaging its North-East, marauding killer herdsmen are causing chaos in its North-West and North-Central axes; and militant Biafra separatist groups continue to lay siege to its South- Eastern corner. Characterised by mass killings, displacements, abductions for ransom and the wanton destruction of lives and properties, thousands of Nigerians have lost their lives, with millions displaced into camps across the country and beyond. According to data obtained from the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations Africa programme, deaths from Nigerias internal wars, of mainly ethnic, religious, political and economic motivation, between May 2011 and May 2023, are conservatively estimated to be over 98,000. Of this number, the period between May 2015 and May 2023 recorded the highest deaths at over 63,000, just as over 5000 deaths have been recorded in the seven months since May 2023, which is a clear indication that insecurity in heightening in Nigeria as the years go by. In addition to deaths and destruction of properties, Nigeria has become a thoroughfare of kidnappings and mass abductions for ransom. In a network of criminal enterprise, which has killer herdsmen as the biggest players, over 17,000 kidnappings took place between 2015 and 2022, with bandits receiving over $18 million in ransom just as the victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train abduction coughed out about N6 billion to regain their freedom. The rising spate of kidnappings and abductions of Nigerians by criminal groups operating across the country has reached an epidemic proportion. Unfortunately, the government of Nigeria appears lost at sea and clueless about the way out of a national security challenge that is increasingly becoming intractable. In implementing Nigerias version of Americas Second Amendment, the Federal Government may limit arms possession to state government established and funded civilian vigilante groups across the country as a counterinsurgency strategy. For the effective management and control of these vigilante groups by the Federal Government, a volunteer unit should be created in the Civil Defence Corps to incorporate such groups as Amotekun in the South-West, the Civilian JTF in the North-East At the roots of Nigerias national security challenge in the Fourth Republic is acute leadership failure of the political class in Nigeria. In the last 24 years since the transition from military to civil democratic rule, Nigerias political process has steadily degenerated into a criminal enterprise of power grab by every means available for the purpose of self-service. The degeneration of Nigerias democratic political leadership recruitment process into desperate electoral banditry has consequently installed administrative bandits across the tiers and arms of government, whose acute failure of leadership has ensured the presence of bandits in Nigerias forests and highways. The far-reaching consequences of the failure of Nigerias political leadership are made manifest in their inability to fulfil the primary responsibility of providing security and welfare for the Nigerian people. From economic mismanagement, which has created an angry army of millions of unemployed young men and women, whose hopeless helplessness is palpable to the poorly funded, understaffed and ill equipped state security agencies that have become overwhelmed by the surge in terrorism, insurgency and criminality of armed non state actors, Nigerians are left vulnerable to the violence of terrorists, insurgents and criminals. While the long term solution to Nigerias security challenge will be the institutionalisation of good democratic governance that is birthed by a credible electoral process devoid of all forms of electoral banditry, the mid-term remedy will be for a comprehensive reform of the security agencies to reposition them for effective law enforcement and crime prevention. But to tackle the current state of insecurity that is characterised by terrorism and banditry, in order to save lives and cure the kidnapping epidemic in Nigeria in the short term, the Federal Government may consider redrawing the national security architecture to accommodate a civil populace led counterinsurgency strategy, through a guided liberalisation of the possession of light arms and small weapons by members of the communities worse hit by banditry and terrorism. because banditry is primarily motivated by the economics of kidnapping for ransom, with the perpetrators not wanting to lose their lives in the process, the presence of properly armed civilian-led counterinsurgency groups will discourage this criminal enterprise and render it too dangerous and no longer profitable for bandits. Given the grim reality of the inability of conventional security forces to contain Nigerias heightening security challenges in a time of war such as this, the Nigerian state cannot continue to tighten control over arms and maintaining a prohibition on the legal possession of light arms and small weapons by law abiding citizens for the purpose of self-defence. That government is unable to prevent the proliferation of light arms and small weapons in the hands of outlaws, to continue to prevent law abiding citizens the right to legally possess arms for the purpose of self-defence is akin to double jeopardy for the Nigerian people whom the state cannot protect and prevents from protecting themselves. In implementing Nigerias version of Americas Second Amendment, the Federal Government may limit arms possession to state government established and funded civilian vigilante groups across the country as a counterinsurgency strategy. For the effective management and control of these vigilante groups by the Federal Government, a volunteer unit should be created in the Civil Defence Corps to incorporate such groups as Amotekun in the South-West, the Civilian JTF in the North-East, and the various groups in the North-West as well as North Central Nigeria, for proper training, monitoring and adequate armament in the task of serving as first responders in times of attacks by bandits. This volunteer unit in the Civil Defence Corps, which will be fully funded by participating state governments, should compromise Nigerians of all ethnic and religious groups, as well as cultural occupational groups (farmers, cattle breeders etc.) resident in the various communities, in order to form a strong wall of the joint defence of their homes against abductors, highways against kidnappers, farmlands against marauders, and cattle against rustlers. With experienced ex-service men and women from these communities forming the core of the operational command of these counterinsurgency groups, communities will have the capabilities of holding up attackers with equal fire power until the arrival of conventional security agencies, in difficult-to-reach terrains. And because banditry is primarily motivated by the economics of kidnapping for ransom, with the perpetrators not wanting to lose their lives in the process, the presence of properly armed civilian-led counterinsurgency groups will discourage this criminal enterprise and render it too dangerous and no longer profitable for bandits. Majeed Dahiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja and can be reached through dahirumajeed@gmail.com. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Investing in women is not just the right thing to do, its a strategic imperative for fostering inclusion and building more resilient, equitable societies. By empowering women economically, socially, and politically, governments, businesses, and communities can unlock untapped potential and create opportunities for all. As we work towards a more inclusive future, let us recognise the transformative power of investing in women and commit to making it a priority in our policies and practices. Some days ago, the International Womens Day 2024, with the theme Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress, was celebrated globally. Although the United Nations mainstreamed this event in 1977, its origin is actually traced to the period of the Russian Revolution, when on 8 March, 1917, a national holiday was declared to honour women. Subsequently, it became an annual event by the socialist movement and most communist countries. The campaign for this year is centred around the notion of inspiring inclusion. This is something worth focusing on because the goal of the National Gender Policy is to build a just society devoid of discrimination. The bottom-line being that the needs and concerns of women, men, girls, boys, and other vulnerable groups need to be mainstreamed equitably into all sectors of national development Women in Nigeria and Africa have been faced with different human rights challenges that have been putting their lives and well-being in danger, ranging from early marriages, sexual harassment, widowhood practices, female genital mutilation, decrease in political participation and decision making. Others are the deprivation of sexual and reproductive health rights, insecurity, maternal mortality, poverty and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. There is little to no investment in sectors that affect women as a whole. Women often face intersecting forms of discrimination based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Addressing these systemic inequalities requires deliberate efforts to amplify the voices of marginalised women and now is the time to ensure womens rights across different aspects of life are secure. The advocacy for gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Research has shown that in the agricultural sector, women carry out about 80 per cent of agricultural productions, and 60 per cent of agricultural processing activities, yet have less than 20 per cent of agricultural assets. It is women who contribute the bulk of the food the nation feeds on, yet they are faced with the challenges of access to land, finances, and farm inputs, which we can attribute to the major reason why there is food scarcity, resulting in hunger and low GDP. We also need to invest in womens participation in politics and leadership. Women are often underrepresented in positions of power and decision-making, leaving their perspectives and priorities unheard, which has led to under-representation in decision making. It cannot be over emphasised that womens voices need to be heard and promoted in other to have different perspectives and priorities on the table, which will result in better governance and policies that address the needs of all citizens. Women make up a significant portion of the global workforce, yet they often face barriers to full participation, including unequal pay, limited access to credit and resources, and discriminatory laws and practices. By addressing these barriers and creating opportunities for women to thrive in the economy, governments and businesses can unlock new sources of growth and innovation. In education, out of the over 20 million out-of-school children, two thirds are girls; there are low comparative levels of literacy, education and livelihood skills among women and girls and many girls who never get a second opportunity in education. The foregoing distorts the goal of equity and equality. As a nation, we need to invest in womens education to increase our productivity and innovation, and promote social inclusion, by ensuring that girls have equal access to quality education, societies can break down barriers and empower future generations of women, break the circle of poverty and enable them make informed decision about their lives. There are a lot of women who have skills that are wasting at home because their family and society chose to give them a place in the kitchen and bedroom, rather than in more productive arenas like industries and schools. We also need to invest in womens health by ensuring they are registered under health insurance schemes to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure, child and mother mortality rates, and increase access to health care services, including reproductive health services, which will lead to a healthier family and community at large We also need to invest in womens participation in politics and leadership. Women are often underrepresented in positions of power and decision-making, leaving their perspectives and priorities unheard, which has led to under-representation in decision making. It cannot be over emphasised that womens voices need to be heard and promoted in other to have different perspectives and priorities on the table, which will result in better governance and policies that address the needs of all citizens. Quotas and affirmative action policies can help increase womens representation in political processes, but true empowerment requires more than just token gestures. It involves creating an enabling environment where women can participate freely and meaningfully in politics, free from violence, harassment, and discrimination. There is need to reform our electoral systems, while efforts should be made to challenge cultural norms and stereotypes that limit womens political agency, and also the passage of the five gender bills that were rejected by the National Assembly Investing in women is not just the right thing to do, its a strategic imperative for fostering inclusion and building more resilient, equitable societies. By empowering women economically, socially, and politically, governments, businesses, and communities can unlock untapped potential and create opportunities for all. As we work towards a more inclusive future, let us recognise the transformative power of investing in women and commit to making it a priority in our policies and practices. Weng Dung writes from Centre for Social Justice. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian delegation returned to the country, leaving no ambassador to drive the follow-up process. This was because back on 2 September, 2023, that was six months before, Nigeria had recalled all its ambassadors in the world, except for those in the United Nations Missions in New York and Geneva. It means Nigeria cannot reap fully from the dozen foreign trips of President Tinubu in the nine months he has been in power. President Bola Tinubu, on 13 March, directed the reopening of Nigerias land and air borders with the Republic of Niger. He also ordered the lifting of all sanctions on the country, including commercial, financial and service transactions, like electricity. He equally approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea. These steps should open better opportunities for Nigeria, which accounts for 70 per cent of the trade in the West African region. But, unfortunately, Nigeria has no ambassador in either country that can drive the process. In fact, we have no single ambassador in the entire Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a body over which President Tinubu presides. President Tinubu engaged in a somewhat controversial state visit to Qatar from 2-3 March. That was partly because the Qatari had initially turned down the holding of a business and investment forum on the margins of his visit, and also for the number and composition of his 38-member delegation. The visit was later pulled-off and there were cooperation agreements in the fields of education, employment regulation, establishment of a joint business council, and in the field of youths and sports. The Nigerian delegation returned to the country, leaving no ambassador to drive the follow-up process. This was because back on 2 September, 2023, that was six months before, Nigeria had recalled all its ambassadors in the world, except for those in the United Nations Missions in New York and Geneva. It means Nigeria cannot reap fully from the dozen foreign trips of President Tinubu in the nine months he has been in power. Yes, there are charge daffaires. But which country takes a stand-in ambassador serious enough for business transactions, realising he is standing in gap? A charge daffaires is like a regent waiting for the appointment and coronation of the actual king. In my experience outside Nigeria, charge daffairs, at state functions, are arranged after ambassadors. They are outranked by ambassadors. So, a country without ambassadors cannot engage in serious diplomacy. My worry is that things are not about to change quickly because the process of having ambassadors in place can be quite slow. There are those who may argue that in the internet age, countries do not really need physical ambassadors to sit in their embassies. This they call E-Diplomacy, Cyber Diplomacy or Twitter Diplomacy Diplomacy in 40 Characters. The sack of all our ambassadors by each new administration without immediate replacement, as was done by the Buhari and Tinubu administrations, is unwise In our present case, the process of picking ambassadors is still on. After this, the nominees are to be screened by the Senate, which presumably would have had the security report on each nominee. It is after clearance the nominees will undergo some induction course. This is, essentially, the use of technology and digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter (X) to run diplomacy, shape or influence foreign relations, and engage global audiences. The most famous or infamous user of Twitter Diplomacy is former President Donald Trump. In its Social media use by Donald Trump report, Wikipedia said: Over nearly twelve years, Trump tweeted around 57,000 times, including about 8,000 times during the 2016 election campaign and over 25,000 times during his presidency. The White House said the tweets should be considered official statements. When Twitter banned Trump from the platform in January 2021 during the final days of his tenure, his handle @realDonaldTrump had over 88.9 million followers. Despite such power and, claims of some Presidents, to be their own foreign ministers and diplomats, the presence of ambassadors on ground is essential, as it is a reflection of how you value a country. So, no matter how the power of E-Diplomacy is stretched, a country without ambassadors is like a void on the diplomatic stage. The sack of all our ambassadors by each new administration without immediate replacement, as was done by the Buhari and Tinubu administrations, is unwise. In our present case, the process of picking ambassadors is still on. After this, the nominees are to be screened by the Senate, which presumably would have had the security report on each nominee. It is after clearance the nominees will undergo some induction course. Then, the receiving country would decide whether to receive the new ambassador. This is usually a formality, but in some cases, countries reject ambassadors posted to them. For instance, in April 1984, the United States rejected the nomination of Nicaraguan lawyer and Deputy Foreign Minister, Nora Astorga, as ambassador. She had played a prominent role in the revolution which toppled pro-American President Anastasio Somoza. However, Nicaragua ensured Ms Astorga was a prominent face in the US by appointing her Nicaraguan Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. Thirty eight years later, Nicaragua had some form of pay-back. In 2022, Ambassador Hugo Rodriguez, who was confirmed by the US Senate as Ambassador to Nicaragua, was refused entry. This, according to Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo, was due to his interfering attitude. In my 18 December 2023 column titled: Tinubu, appoint diplomats, not politicians to run our Missions, I had appealed to the President to reverse this unhealthy culture. I had argued that it is better for the country to appoint career ambassadors because they are people who spend their entire career in the Foreign Ministry and therefore understand the basics of diplomacy. This is in contrast to political nominees who, in the world of diplomacy, are essentially birds of passage. To be accepted by the receiving country does not mean the ambassador starts work immediately, because he still has to present his Letter of Credence to the President of the host country. During the Buhari administration, it was not unusual for ambassadors to wait for months before being invited to present their letters. So, as it is, Nigeria may not have ambassadors in any part of the world in the next six months. This would mean that under the Tinubu administration, we may not have ambassadors for at least one quarter of its four-year tenure. Beyond this is the challenge of politicians who see ambassadorial postings as post-election war booty to be shared. Under Buhari, they took 60 per cent of the ambassadorial positions, leaving 40 per cent to be filled by career ambassadors. In my 18 December 2023 column titled: Tinubu, appoint diplomats, not politicians to run our Missions, I had appealed to the President to reverse this unhealthy culture. I had argued that it is better for the country to appoint career ambassadors because they are people who spend their entire career in the Foreign Ministry and therefore understand the basics of diplomacy. This is in contrast to political nominees who, in the world of diplomacy, are essentially birds of passage. I had received encouraging nods and thought that this culture would be reversed. But now, the feelers I am getting of a push for 65 per cent of the ambassadorial positions going to non-career diplomats, is not encouraging. I hope for the sake of our country, this will be reversed. One more suggestion. We need to return to the General Murtala Mohammed era when the populace took part in foreign affairs through mass bodies like those of students and genuine civil society organisations. It was that momentum that defined our principled recognition of the MPLA in Angola, FRELIMO in Mozambique, the African National Congress (ANC), and the Pan African Congress (PAC) in South Africa. It was that mass participation that led to workers contributing part of their monthly salaries into an anti-Apartheid fund for the total liberation of the African continent. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, has passed away. The 42nd Olubadan died days after marking his second year coronation anniversary.. News of the death of the 81-year-old Ibadan traditional ruler was confirmed by his media aide, Dele Ogunsola, late Thursday evening. Oba Balogun died at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan few hours after admission at the facility. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first-class traditional ruler ascended the throne on 11 March 2022 after the demise of his predecessor, Oba Saliu Adetunji. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo on Thursday, confirmed the passing away of the monarch. The governor made this announcement in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday night. Governor Makinde described the Olubadan as an epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever, who made great marks on Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign. He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch. He said: With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland. A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors. In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while. On behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch. Earlier on Monday, the Olubadan had expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for clocking two years on the throne. He thanked members of his advisory council for their unflinching support so far. The monarch, in a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media, Oladele Ogunsola, had said the second anniversary, which coincided with the commencement of this years Ramadan, was an opportunity for him to ask for prayers for the country. The monarch said his clocking two years on the throne was a special grace from his creator, which he could not take for granted. Late Olubadan to be buried Friday Family Meanwhile, the late Olubadan will be buried on Friday evening in Ibadan, a family member has announced. The late Oba who will be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4 p.m. according to Islamic rites. His younger brother, Kola Balogun, disclosed in a statement by the late Olubadans media aide, Oladele Ogunsola, that Olubadan bowed out gracefully this evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after a brief illness. He added that the late Ibadan traditional ruler was taken to the hospital after having stayed indoors throughout Tuesday on account of a slight malaria fever. Baba was hale and hearty on Monday, when he personally received the few guests who paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day, Dr Kola Balogun said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Olubadan was a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree holder, and a former university lecturer. He was also a former management staff member of Shell British Petroleum, a former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), former Senator and a successful businessman. His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Councils meeting which he presided over on Saturday. The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print 125 Years Ago March 11, 1899: Miss Carrie Keith departed on Sunday nights train for Gold Creek to take charge of the school at that place. She went by the way of Halleck, taking the Gold Creek stage from that point. G.S. Garcia has just received three dozen fine Angora goat skins, black and gold in color. A splendid lot. The order made heretofore by the County Commissioners employing Doctors Hood, McDowell, and Gardner as County Physicians, at a monthly compensation of $125 is hereby revoked. Whereupon a motion was made and unanimously carried that said physicians be, and they are hereby employed to attend all patients at the County Hospital and County Jail for the further compensation of $100. At the request of the physicians and the hospital steward, the Commissioners visited the hospital and found the same in very bad condition. Upon motion it was ordered that James Clark be, and he is hereby authorized to cause the necessary work to be done and repairs made to put it in better condition. 100 Years Ago March 12, 1924: The new Flint Six Sedan which was unloaded by the Parker Truck and Motor Sales company this week, has occasioned more comment, probably, than any other new model of car that has been put on display in this city in recent years. Many who have viewed this new model declare it to be the most beautiful car ever seen in Elko, and the showroom of the local automobile establishment is filled throughout the day with admirers of this beautiful creation. Mr. Parker extends a cordial invitation to the people of the community to drop in and view his new models. An aged, white haired hobo, with a home made walking stick and usual pack, narrowly escaped being crushed under the wheels of Western Pacific train No. 2, yesterday morning when, while crossing the tressle just west of Deeth the engine and four cars passed over him. The 60 year old man escaped with nothing more serious than a bruise on the side of his head. His escape from being cut to ribbons is regarded as being nothing short of miraculous. It is believed that the man lost his hat as he was crossing the tressle and laid down on the ties in an endeavor to learn where it had gone to. He was hard of hearing, and in addition so engrossed in his quest, he failed to note the approach of the train. With a deep sigh of relief the engineer and other members of the crew placed the aged hobo on the train and carried him on to Wells, where he was let off the train with a substantial bank roll, presented to him by the generous passengers on the train who took up a collection to assist the old man on his way. March 14, 1924: For the second time within a week, the Amalgamated Wholesale and Retail Bootleggers Protective Association of Elko was hurriedly called into meeting last night by the Chief Bootlegger to consider plans for undoing the damage done last week during the visit of a federal prohibition officer to this city, it was learned this morning. It seems that two men came in from Salt Lake City in an attempt to secure evidence of the local establishments. The visit was tipped off and most of the illicit booze dispensers steered clear of incriminating themselves by disposing of any part of their stocks to these two. Although Elko has been an oasis in the state for liquor, it being possible to buy liquid goods right over the bar in the soft drink places, a dragnet is being formed and this will cease. 75 Years Ago March 9, 1949: Members of the city council were told last night that the large swimming pool at the city natatorium is dangerous and should not be used this summer. Councilmen agreed that a new pool is needed and that it should be located in the city park. Then they ran up against the same stumbling block no money. City and state officials were reluctant to close the facility completely as that would run the kids into the river. Mayor David Dotta commented, Well have to get along with what we have for a while. March 10, 1949: WELLS The Union Pacific sent a train over its short line from Twin Falls, Idaho to Wells, Friday, for the first time since Feb. 3. The line, usually carrying a mixed train daily into Wells, has been completely buttoned up with heavy snow during the month. Fridays train followed a snow plastered rotary and two bulldozers that had been eight days clearing the 118 miles of track. March 15, 1949: The California Zephyr, Americas newest and most modern streamlined train, which goes into service March 20, will be displayed by the Western Pacific Railroad at Elko, between 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 17. Visitors will be invited to inspect the latest innovations and travel comforts featured in this gleaming silver train, including the Vista-Domes which have met with such an enthusiastic reception from the traveling public. 50 Years Ago March 12, 1974: Starting March 15, the Stageline Restaurant at Spring Creeks Old West Village will be open three days a week. The Stageline will again feature its cowboy and cowgirl steaks as well as pork chops and lamb chops cooked over mesquite. March 13, 1974: WINNEMUCCA This community, like many others in Nevada, has plenty of gasoline. But problems have developed here in trying to sell what fuel is available, and businessmen have launched a far flung advertising campaign to get tourists to fill up tanks. Advertisements proclaiming You can buy gas in Winnemucca seven days a week, day or night are being placed in San Francisco, Calif., Boise, Ida., Salt Lake City, Utah, and elsewhere in efforts to sell fuel. The campaign has enjoyed some success so far, businessmen said Tuesday. March 16, 1974: Seven men have been indicted in connection with the theft and transportation of more than $500,000 worth of gold from the Carlin Gold Mine. Agents said about 100 ounces of gold were taken each week from the mine. The men were arrested last month after agents seized gold precipitate delivered in plastic garbage bags and cardboard boxes, at the Reno International Airport. The gold was part of an undercover purchase by a Reno policeman. 25 Years Ago March 10, 1999: Jolene Supp was appointed Wells city manager by a 4-0 vote of the city council last night. Supp, co-owner of Supp Ford, was chosen over seven other candidates. A native of Michigan, Supp received a marketing degree from Michigan State University and worked as an industrial engineer for General Motors at an Oldsmobile plant in Lansing, Mich. before she married Mitch Supp and moved to Wells in 1989. Supp will be paid a $40,000 annual salary and begin work Monday. March 13, 1999: Projecting zero growth in the citys sales tax revenue for fiscal year 1999-2000, City Manager Linda Ritter told the city council Tuesday, We need to start saving again. Saving is in order, Ritter said, because the city has been spending more from the general fund than it took in. In 1997-98, general fund expenditures exceeded revenues by $475,287. City department heads have been directed to cut their spending requests, Ritter said, resulting in what the city manager calls mandated/critical needs. The critical needs are $50,000 worth of police cars and animal shelter equipment to cost $2,175. March 15, 1999: A panel of five judges chose a Great Basin College sophomore and a Spring Creek High School senior to represent northern Nevada at the Miss Nevada competition in June. The pageant contestants were judged in four categories: a private interview, swimsuit, talent and evening wear. Amy Spoon, an exercise physiology major at Great Basin College and a 1998 Elko High School graduate won the Miss Northeast Nevada 1999 title. Spring Creek senior Destiny Lake is the new Miss Elko County 1999. For the talent portion of the contest Spoon performed a lyrical ballad and Lake danced to a jazz piece. Each winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship and the chance to win more scholarship money at the Miss Nevada competition to be held in Reno. Those talking on Friday to Rex Phillips of Elko about his bull riding season would have found him in a funk, even though hes fifth in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) standings. He said hes been getting thrown a lot lately, such as last week when he rode in the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, but missed getting into the finals by six points. Nevertheless, hes philosophical about what likely is a temporary slump. Thats rodeo. Its up and down, he said. He noted if riding was easy, a lot more people would compete. Phillips has $14,168 in earnings. In saddle bronc, Ira Slagowski of Carlin was listed in fifth place as of March 9 with $17,508 in earnings. The late Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Olalekan Balogun, has been laid to rest. The late monarch, who was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land, was laid to rest according to Islamic rite at his family residence, in Ibadan amidst a large crowd of mourners. The Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Sheikh Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere, led Islamic leaders to conduct burial arrangements and prayers on the remains of Oba Balogun. Earlier at the lying-in-state held at the ancient Mapo hall, Ibadan, tributes were showered on the late Olubadan who many described as a peace-loving person. The Olubadan-in-council, family and prominent persons in Ibadan paid homage as a sign of last respect to the late monarch. Speaking with journalists, the deputy governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, described the late Olubadan as a cerebral monarch who took issues intellectually. Mr Lawal also said the late Olubadan was a friendly and jovial monarch. He prayed that he would meet his creator in peace. The deputy governor assured that the state government will get involved in further programmes to give the monarch a befitting funeral. Let me assure you, on behalf of the governor of Oyo State, who is, this evening, unavoidably absent, that whatever it takes to give a befitting funeral would be done whenever the governor comes back to the state. For now, his Islamic rite has been done; we have given him that rite and we believe sincerely that moving forward, whatever programmes that will follow will get the involvement of the state government, Mr Lawal said. Also speaking, the late Olubadans younger brother, Kola Balogun, said the death of Olubadan was shocking. He described the late Olubadan as a godly man, an intellectual and a humanitarian par excellence. The late monarchs younger brother said he was still with him three days ago, adding that the late monarch did not show any sign he was leaving soon. ALSO READ: Oba Olakulehin next in line to become Olubadan He lived a fulfilled life. As a technocrat, he rose to the peak of his career in the academic world. He was a gubernatorial candidate in 1999 and performed wonderfully where he contested with the likes of Bola Ige, Olunloyo and he was the first Olubadan to be a senator, the first to crown other kings. He has so many firsts to his credit, and you could see from peoples testimony, his time was peaceful and there was a touch of his intellect in all that happened. The neighbourhood crime rate went down during his time due to his administration, and the issue of land grabbing has reduced. There was peace, tranquility and love among Ibadan people, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print DUBLIN, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Advanced Wound Care Market: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, Till 2035 - Distribution by Type of Advanced Wound Care Dressing, Type of Acute Wound Treated, Type of End User, Leading Advanced Wound Care Manufacturers, and Key Geographical Regions" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global advanced wound care market size is estimated to grow from USD 11.06 billion in 2023 to USD 20.21 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 5.15% during the forecast period 2023-2035. One of the key objectives of the market report was to estimate the current opportunity and future growth potential for the advanced wound care market over the forecast period. the analyst has provided informed estimates on the likely evolution of the market for the forecast period, 2023-2035. Over the past decade, wound care management has emerged as a significant contributor in medicare spending, resulting in a substantial financial burden on the healthcare sector. According to the recent medicare data, over 8 million people suffer from various chronic and non-healing complex wounds (such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, infections arising from surgical procedures and thermal wounds) in the US alone; this accounts for 2% of the entire population of the US. The US medicare beneficiaries spend over $ 50 billion, annually, for the treatment of chronic wounds. The significant medicare cost can be attributed to the growing burden of chronic diseases, rise in the global geriatric population who are prone to chronic diseases and wounds, and the rising number of surgeries (by ~20%) post the pandemic. These factors have, subsequently, prompted the innovators to develop innovative and technologically advanced wound care products for effective wound care management. Advanced wound care products / advanced wound care management solutions refer to a group of products that can be utilized by the healthcare professionals to expedite the healing process of a wound. It is worth noting that over 180 players in this domain offer products in the form of advanced wound care dressings, bioengineered skins and dermal substitutes, and wound healing medical devices. In order to increase the adoption of advanced wound care products, stakeholders are focused on integrating these products with AI technology and machine learning, leading to the development of smart bandages and wound care products that can be operated through mobile app. It is also worth highlighting that close to 30% of the companies working in the advanced wound care market were established before-1990. Examples of such companies (established before 1990, very large companies, in alphabetical order) include 3M, B. Braun, Becton Dickinson, Cardinal Health, Coloplast, Cook Medical, and Ethicon. Recently, in April 2023, Convatec acquired the assets of 30 Technology in order to expand its product portfolio of wound care. In the foreseen future, more such collaborations are anticipated to take place to expand the existing expertise of the stakeholders. Presently, more than 40% of the advanced wound care market is captured by companies based in North America. The market size for advanced wound care in North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.59%, during the forecast period (2023-2035). Several factors contribute to the region's dominance in this domain, including the presence of big pharma companies with well-established research and development divisions that foster innovation and drive the demand for advanced wound care products and the rising prevalence of chronic disease conditions within this geographical region. Moreover, the experts believe that integration of wound care with AI technology has significant revenue generation potential in the near future. Such developments are further supported by the growing partnership activity in this domain. Notably, over the past three years, close to 100 partnerships have been established by stakeholders in advanced wound care market. With the rising popularity of such solutions in the healthcare industry and the ongoing efforts of stakeholders to further improve / expand their respective offerings, the advanced wound care market is likely to witness a steady growth during the forecast period. Advanced Wound Care Market Share Insights The market research report presents an in-depth analysis of the various companies that are engaged in the global market of advanced wound care, across different segments, as defined below: Historical Trend: 2019-2021 Base Year: 2022 Forecast Period: 2023-2035 Market Size 2023: USD 11.06 billion CAGR: 5.15% Customization Scope: 15% Free Customization PowerPoint Presentation (Complimentary) Type of Advanced Wound Care Product Advanced Wound Care Dressings Bioengineered Skins and Dermal Substitutes Wound Healing Medical Devices Type of Advanced Wound Care Dressing Foam Dressings Antimicrobial Dressings Hydrogel Dressings Hydrocolloid Dressings Alginate Dressings Composite Dressings Other Type of Wound Care Dressings Type of Bioengineered Skin and Dermal Substitute Allografts Autografts Extracellular Matrices Growth Factors Other Dermal Substitutes Type of Wound Healing Medical Device Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Topical Oxygen Therapy Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Hydrotherapy Electric Stimulation Therapy Skin Closure Systems / Adhesives Other Wound Healing Medical Devices Type of Wound Treated Acute Wounds Chronic Wounds Type of Acute Wound Treated Surgical Wounds Burns Other Types of Acute Wounds Type of Chronic Wound Treated Venous Ulcers Diabetic Ulcers Pressure Ulcers Other Types of Chronic Wounds Type of End User Hospital Care Home Care / Door to Door Services Other Types of End Users Key Geographical Regions North America Europe Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World Key Companies Profiled 3M Arthrex Advanced Medical Solutions Cardinal Health Coloplast Convatec DeRoyal Ethicon Essity Fidia Farmaceutici Integra Life Sciences Medline Industries Molnlycke Healthcare Organogenesis RTI Surgical Smith+Nephew Zimmer Biomet Excel Data Packs (Complimentary) Advanced Wound Care Market Landscape Company Competitiveness Analysis Partnerships and Collaborations Analysis Clinical Trial Analysis Market Forecast and Opportunity Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1184je 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 DENIO JUNCTION The Bureau of Land Managements Humboldt River Field Office plans to begin a wild burro gather around the McGee Mountain Herd Management Area about 24 miles southwest of Denio Junction, in Humboldt County. The agency plans to begin the gather on Monday. The agency said it will use temporary bait and water traps consisting of a series of corral panels stocked with water and forage. No helicopters will be used, the BLM said. The herd management area encompasses some 41,160 acres of public and private lands and has an appropriate management level, or AML, of 25 to 41 burros. Based on the recent aerial survey conducted this month, the current estimated population is 47 wild burros. The staff plans to gather and remove approximately 22 excess wild burros. The most recent gather in the McGee Mountain management area was in 2015, when 115 excess wild burros were removed. The purpose of the gather is to bring the number of wild burros in the area down to acceptable levels to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild burros and to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands. We conduct gathers like this to maintain balance in the high elevation desert ecosystem, Humboldt River Field Office Manager John Mitchell said. By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the BLM aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer, the agency said in a news release. Removing excess wild burros supports significant progress toward achieving the standards for rangeland health identified by the Sierra Front Northern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council. The agency said its priority is to conduct safe, efficient, and successful wild burro gather operation while ensuring humane care and treatment of all animals gathered. The BLM and its contractors are committed to using the best available science and handling practices for wild burros while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, it said. All animals identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Off-Range Corrals in Reno. Once there, all animals will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLMs wild horse and burro adoption and sales program. Due to the nature of the bait and water trap method, wild burros are reluctant to approach the trap site when there is too much activity; therefore, only essential gather operations personnel will be allowed at the trap site during gather operations. For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb. MUMBAI, India, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teaming up with Uttar Pradesh Metro Railways Corporation Limited ((UPMRCL), ACES India Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ACES - Saudi Arabia is poised to redefine the digital landscape by delivering cutting-edge solutions for Agra and Kanpur Corridors which prioritize neutrality and sustainability. This contract award solidifies ACES' role as a disruptor, challenging conventional norms and driving the industry towards a more connected and resilient future. UPMRC representative issuing LoA to Mohammed N Mazher (on the right side), Managing Director, ACES India UPMRC and ACES teams at UPMRC office, Kanpur ACES as a Neutral Host Service provider will equip India's one of the fastest urban transit systems with State of Art shared mobile infrastructure and IBS solution with all latest cellular technologies for a period of 9 years. Which will include all Underground Stations, concourses, tunnels for Agra Metro Corridor 1 and Kanpur Metro Corridor 1 & 2 and will be serving more than 550 million passengers annually and with an ultimate capacity to serve more than one billion passengers annually by 2041. Furthermore, Agra Metro will pass through the heart of the city and will connect prominent tourist places including India's most iconic monument Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra etc. providing passengers with seamless coverage, ultra-high internet speeds and enhanced user experience. The LoA was received at UPMRC office, Kanpur in the presence of esteemed management dignitaries of UPMRC on 13th March 2024 by Mr. Mohammed N. Mazher - Managing Director (ACES India) along with other management team members from ACES. "This contract signifies a new chapter for ACES and our commitment to delivering unparalleled digital infrastructure solutions. We are excited about the opportunities it presents to push the boundaries of technology and contribute to the success of our clients," said Dr.Akram Aburas, CEO of ACES. Mr. Mohammed N. Mazher (MD-Aces India) expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This is more than just a contract; it's the beginning of a digital odyssey. ACES India Private Limited is committed to shaping the future of digital connectivity of India with its Neutral Host Model, and this partnership is a testament to our bold approach and unwavering vision,". About ACES: ACES India Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of ACES Saudi Arabia, stands as a leading International Neutral Digital Infrastructure Company across the Middle East, South East Asia, and Europe. Renowned for its role as a Neutral Host Operator and Managed Service provider for cutting-edge communications and mobile coverage services, ACES delivers innovative solutions driving progress and connectivity. The company aims to revolutionize neutral-host mobile communications and IT solutions, positively impacting societies worldwide. Notable projects in India include like Bangalore Airport, Surat Diamond Bourse, Taj Hotel-Bangalore, Mumbai Metro Line-3, Nodia Airport and international projects like the expansion of the Holy Mosque in Makkah, Riyadh Metro, Jeddah Airport, Riyadh Airport, Red-Sea Airport, Neom, Turtle Bay Resort and many others. www.aces-co.com Media Contact: Anwaar Ahmed Syed, Business Development Associate, [email protected], +966 55 158 3598 / +917718886494 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2363559/Issuing_LoA.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2363560/UPMRC_and_ACES_teams.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2331930/ACES_Logo.jpg SOURCE ACES India Private Limited NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today (March 14), Swedish designer Anna-Karin Karlsson was honored at an exclusive event commemorating a decade of partnership with the world-renowned department store Bergdorf Goodman. The milestone marked ten years since the designer's avant-garde creations first graced the store's retail floors, introducing an unparalleled level of eyewear artistry to the discerning clientele of this iconic New York landmark. VIP guests from across the fashion, music, and eyewear industries, along with the luxury retailer's select customers and private clients, enjoyed an intimate champagne toast and meet and greet with the designer. The 2024 collection was also unveiled at the event, with Anna-Karin Karlsson sharing insights into her favorite designs. Anna-Karin Karlsson extended her gratitude for the celebration, stating: "Bergdorf Goodman is the epitome of luxury, and as the first US department store to showcase my eyewear couture pieces back in the day, this anniversary is truly special to me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with their extraordinary team and customers, whose creativity and appreciation for the less conventional aspects of life, allow me to flourish. I look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come." International Press Contact Jenny Harler +46 73-904 85 85 [email protected] US Press Contact Heidi Wuttke +1 917 815 0268 [email protected] About ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON, founded in Sweden, represents the quintessence of haute couture eyewear and is steered by its visionary owner and creator Anna-Karin Karlsson. Renowned globally for its avant-garde designs, the brand seamlessly blends bold innovation with opulent materials and flawless craftsmanship, ensuring each frame is a true work of art. To learn more, visit www.annakarinkarlsson.com. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/anna-karin-karlsson/r/anna-karin-karlsson-celebrates-10-years-at-bergdorf-goodman,c3946056 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/23056/3946056/2671136.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/anna-karin-karlsson/i/anna-karin-karlsson-at-bergdorf-goodman,c3278520 Anna-Karin Karlsson at Bergdorf Goodman SOURCE ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON ASPCA, Union County Sheriff's Office partnering to remove mistreated dogs primarily Great Danes after they were observed living in extremely unsanitary conditions UNION COUNTY, Fla., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the request of the Union County Sheriff's Office, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is assisting with the rescue of approximately 120 dogs and puppies primarily Great Danes from a property in Providence (Union County), Fla. The dogs, which also include French and English bulldogs and Chinese Cresteds, were seized from the property of a breeder after they were observed living in extremely unsanitary conditions. Many of the dogs appear to be underweight and some have untreated medical conditions. "All dogs deserve proper care and a good quality of life, including those who are bred for sale, which unfortunately was not the case in this situation," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President & CEO. "Upon our arrival, we discovered some animals who appeared underweight with untreated medical conditions and living in extremely unsanitary conditions. The ASPCA's priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of animals nationwide, and we're proud to work alongside the Union County Sheriff's Office to protect these vulnerable dogs and provide them with the care they deserve." "We would like to thank the ASPCA for working closely with our agency on this complex investigation into animal cruelty. We have a proven track record of always taking animal cruelty seriously and it will not be tolerated in our county," said Union County Sheriff Brad Whitehead. "We continue to work closely with the ASPCA and thank them for their expertise and support so we can proceed with criminal charges and prosecution, and to ensure the wellbeing of these animals. We would also like to thank the Union County Animal Control for all their assistance and involvement in this case." The ASPCA is relocating the dogs to an emergency shelter where they will receive forensic exams to support the criminal investigation, as well as much-needed medical care and behavioral treatment and enrichment. The ASPCA is also assisting with operational planning, evidence collection, crime scene processing, and investigative and legal assistance. The ASPCA is working in partnership with the Florida State Animal Response Coalition, Greenville Humane Society, Saint Frances Animal Center, Humane Society Naples, Washington State Animal Response Team, Chautauqua County Humane Society, and Good Shepherd Humane Society. In addition, FedEx assisted by providing complimentary transportation of critical resources to our emergency shelter operation. Animal cruelty charges are pending based on evidence collected by the Union County Sheriff's Office with the assistance of ASPCA experts in support of the investigation. Criminal charges that result from this case will be handled by the Eighth Judicial Circuit States Attorney's Office. The ASPCA is also providing support to ensure the best legal outcome for these animals. The ASPCA deploys nationally to assist local authorities in animal cruelty cases including animal fighting, hoarding, and puppy mills. It also provides local communities with resources including grant funding, training, and subject matter expertise to effectively assist animals during cruelty and disaster situations. About the ASPCA Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation's leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. ASPCA Footage (Credit/ASPCA) Video: https://aspca.box.com/s/tqieiddglycshal7kvdzmrxcmngemue1 Photos: https://aspca.widencollective.com/dam/externalorderpickup/6b55163b-d3cf-4e1a-9ccb-8491434bb862 SOURCE ASPCA AUBURN, Ala., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid national delays surrounding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, Auburn University is extending its deposit, enrollment and Scholarship Awarded Response deadlines by two weeks for undergraduate students recently accepted for the fall semester. "We are dedicated to creating access and opportunities for students who wish to attend Auburn," President Christopher B. Roberts said. "Providing families with extra time to consider one of the most significant decisions their student will make is one way we can demonstrate our commitment to our students." Auburn's new deposit deadline is May 15 a two-week extension from the previous deadline of May 1. The enrollment deadline and Scholarship Awarded Response deadlines have also been moved to May 15. The adjusted timeline comes as delays have been experienced nationwide amid changes in the FAFSA application process following a Congress-mandated overhaul. In January, the U.S. Department of Education announced a delay in sending FAFSA data to colleges and universities from late January to mid-March. "We want our incoming students to know we care for them and understand how challenging this has been for those trying to make important financial decisions for their future," said Joffery Gaymon, Auburn's vice president for enrollment. "This extension gives students and families the extra time they deserve to make needed decisions in a situation that is out of their control." Auburn anticipates providing families with financial aid information by mid-to-late April. Students who have not submitted a FAFSA are encouraged to visit the Auburn University's Financial Aid and Scholarships website. Auburn hosts a variety of events and engagement opportunities for admitted students to visit in the spring, and Auburn offers additional FAFSA updates online. Historically, the deposit deadline for all accepted freshman students for fall has been May 1, with a $250 enrollment deposit confirming their decision to attend Auburn. The extension of that deadline this year to May 15 follows yet another record number of applications received by Auburn for the fall more than 55,000, a 14% increase from fall 2023, when the university experienced a previous record of 48,000 first-year student applications. Among the applications received for fall, the applicant pool included more than 12,500 Alabama residents, with representation from every county in the state and all states in the nation, showcasing the growing demand for an Auburn education. All totaled, 46% of applicants received admission, with 30% hailing from Alabama. Additionally, 25% of the admitted students were from an underrepresented background, further emphasizing the university's dedication to access. SOURCE Auburn University SYDNEY, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MCoBeauty, Australia's premier beauty brand renowned for its luxurious yet affordable products, is excited to announce its highly anticipated debut in the United States on March 15th, 2024, launching into over 1,800 Kroger doors this month. MCoBeauty is now available at Kroger. MCoBeauty, founded by Shelley Sullivan in 2016, has quickly risen to prominence as Australia's fastest-growing beauty brand, capturing the hearts of consumers with its vegan & cruelty-free, trend-focused makeup and skincare offerings. With a commitment to delivering high-quality products at accessible price points ($30 or less), MCoBeauty embodies the ethos of believable, achievable beauty. The US launch will see MCoBeauty introduce its extensive range of products at Kroger's Family of Stores, including Kroger, Fred Myer, Ralphs, and Smith's, as well as online at MCoBeauty.com. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the brand as it continues its mission to provide customers with innovative beauty solutions that cater to their everyday needs. Among the standout products set to make waves in the US market are: XtendLash Tubular Mascara ($18.39) : Australia's fastest-selling mascara, with one sold every 25 seconds. : fastest-selling mascara, with one sold every 25 seconds. Super Glow Bronzing Drops ($20.29) : Achieve an endless summer glow with this cult-favorite product, selling at a rate of one bottle every 42 seconds. : Achieve an endless summer glow with this cult-favorite product, selling at a rate of one bottle every 42 seconds. Brow Laminate ($16.59) : Create the coveted laminated brow look without the need for a salon appointment. : Create the coveted laminated brow look without the need for a salon appointment. LipLights Shine Gloss ($13.79) : A must-have lip gloss featuring a built-in light and mirror for on-the-go touch-ups. In addition to makeup essentials, MCoBeauty offers premium-quality, Korean-made skincare, on-trend hair accessories, and seasonal trend launches, ensuring there's something for everyone in its diverse product lineup. "We are thrilled to bring MCoBeauty to the US market, offering American consumers access to our innovative and affordable beauty solutions," said Shelley Sullivan, Founder of MCoBeauty. "Our mission has always been to make high-quality beauty products accessible to all, and we're excited to introduce our range to a new audience." The US launch of MCoBeauty will take place on March 15th, 2024, with products available exclusively at Kroger's Family of Stores and MCoBeauty.com. To learn more about MCoBeauty and stay updated on new launches, events, and partnerships, visit MCoBeauty.com or follow @mcobeauty on social media. For all editorial, influencer, & VIP relations, please contact: [email protected] About MCoBeauty: MCoBeauty is Australia's fastest-growing beauty brand, offering a range of premium-quality, vegan & cruelty-free products at a luxe-for-less price. MCoBeauty offers a collection of modern beauty solutions, with the core range always having innovation at its heart, with iconic game changers like XtendLash Tubular Mascara (the fastest selling mascara in Australia!) & Lip Lights Shine Gloss, to our premium-quality Korean-made skincare range, to our sell-out seasonal offerings which offer a little bit of luxury - every day. Available at Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Dillons, Smiths, and Kroger's Family of Stores and online at mcobeauty.com & kroger.com. Contact Information: Infinity Creative Agency [email protected] SOURCE MCoBeauty DUBLIN, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Big Data in Healthcare Market, Trends and Forecasts, Till 2035: Distribution by Component, Type of Hardware, Type of Software, Type of Service, Deployment Option, Application Area, Healthcare Vertical, End User, Economic Status, Geography, and Leading Players" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global big data in healthcare market size is estimated to grow from USD 67 billion in 2023 to USD 540 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 19.06% during the forecast period 2023-2035 The research study consists of current big data in healthcare market trends, detailed competitor's analysis, key market insights, market impact analysis, and market forecast and opportunity analysis. The growth in the big data analytics in healthcare market size over the next decade is likely to be the result of anticipated increase in adoption of AI-enabled solutions and rise in the demand for personalized medicine. One of the key objectives of this market report was to estimate the current market size, opportunity and the future growth potential of the big data in healthcare market, over the forecast period. Based on multiple parameters, likely adoption trends and through primary validations, the analyst has provided an informed estimate on the market evolution during the forecast period 2023-2035. Big data in healthcare refers to the large amount of unstructured data obtained from various sources, such as medical research / journals, biometric data, electronic medical records, Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), social media, payer records, omics research and data banks. Integrating this diverse and complex unstructured data into traditional databases poses a significant challenge in terms of data structuring and standardization, which is essential to ensure compatibility and enable effective analysis. However, recent advancements in big data analytics tools, artificial intelligence, and machine learning have revolutionized the conversion of big data in healthcare into valuable and actionable information. These technological breakthroughs have revolutionized various aspects of healthcare, enabling data-driven decision-making, improving diagnostics, facilitating personalized treatment approaches and empowering patients with self-service options (including online portals, mobile applications, and wearable devices). Presently, close to 60% of the market opportunity is created by the demand for big data analytics solutions in North America. This can be attributed to strong government support for big data analytics, particularly in the US, which has accelerated the adoption rates across various sectors, including healthcare. Additionally, the All of Us Research program, a biobank initiative focused on precision medicine research is further driving the demand for big data analytics solutions in North America. These big data in healthcare market trends reinforce the expectation that North America will maintain its position as the leading market for big data analytics services during the forecast period, growing at a CAGR of 18.52%. Further, big data analytics tools play a crucial role in pharmaceutical R&D by expediting drug discovery and development processes. Driven by the growing demand for business intelligence solutions, surge in unstructured data, and the increasing focus on the development of personalized medicine, the global market for big data in healthcare is poised to experience sustained market growth during the forecast period. Market Share Insights The big data in healthcare market research report presents an in-depth analysis of the various companies that are engaged in the global big data in healthcare industry, across different segments, as defined below: Historical Trend: 2018-2022 Base Year: 2022 Forecast Period: 2023-2035 Market Size 2023: $67 Billion CAGR: 19.06% PowerPoint Presentation (Complimentary) Customization Scope: 15% Free Customization Component Hardware (Storage Devices, Servers, and Networking Infrastructure) Software (Electronic Health Record, Practice Management Software, Revenue Cycle Management Software, and Workforce Management Software) Services (Descriptive Analytics, Diagnostic Analytics, Predictive Analytics, and Prescriptive Analytics) Deployment Option Cloud-based On-premises Application Area Clinical Data Management Financial Management Operational Management Population Health Management Healthcare Vertical Healthcare Services Medical Devices Pharmaceuticals Other Verticals Economic Status High Income Countries Upper-Middle Income Countries Lower-Middle Income Countries End User Clinics Health Insurance Agencies Hospitals Other End Users Geography North America Europe Asia Latin America Middle East and North Africa Rest of the World Excel Data Packs (Complimentary) Overall Market Landscape Key Insights Company Competitiveness Analysis Market Forecast and Opportunity Analysis Leading Companies in the Big Data in Healthcare Market: Full list of 405+ companies and organizations is available in the report Accenture Akka Technologies Altamira.ai Amazon Web Services. Athena Global Technologies atom Consultancy Services (ACS) Avenga Happiest Minds InData Labs Itransition Kellton Keyrus Lutech Microsoft Nagarro Nous Infosystems NTT data Oracle Orange Mantra Oxagile Scalefocus Softweb Solutions Solix Technologies Spindox Tata Elxsi Teradata Trianz (formerly CBIG Consulting) Trigyn Technologies XenonStack The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with the following industry stakeholders: Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Mid-sized Company, India Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Mid-sized Company, India Chief People Officer and Co-Founder, Small company, US Vice President, Large Company, US Business Head, Mid-sized Company, India Senior IT Inside Sales Lead, Small Company, India Senior Manager, Mid-sized Company, US Delivery Manager, Mid-sized Company, US Strategy, Research and Analyst Relations Manager, Large Company, India Business Development Manager, Mid-sized Company, US Business Development Associate, Mid-sized Company, US Business Development Specialist Advisor, Large Company, US Business Development Executive, Small Company, Armenia Business Consultant, Mid-sized Company, India For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hzty32 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 HOUSTON, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Callon Petroleum Company (NYSE: CPE) ("Callon" or the "Company") today announced the early tender results of its previously announced cash tender offers (the "Offers") for any and all of its 8.000% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes") and any and all of its 7.500% Senior Notes due 2030 (the "2030 Notes" and, together with the 2028 Notes, the "Notes"). The terms and conditions of the Offers and the Consent Solicitations (as defined below) are set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated as of March 1, 2024 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Statement"). According to information provided by D.F. King & Co, Inc., the Information Agent and Tender Agent for the Offers, $641,128,000 aggregate principal amount of 2028 Notes, or approximately 98.6% of the total outstanding 2028 Notes, and $584,213,000 aggregate principal amount of 2030 Notes, or approximately 97.4% of the total outstanding 2030 Notes, were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 14, 2024 (the "Consent Fee Deadline"), pursuant to the Offers. Because the withdrawal deadline relating to the Offers expired immediately after the Consent Fee Deadline, these Notes, as well as any subsequently tendered Notes, may not be withdrawn. As previously announced, the Offers are contingent upon, among other things, the closing of the merger (the "Merger") contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 3, 2024 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Callon, APA Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("APA"), and Astro Comet Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned, direct subsidiary of APA. Callon will not be required to accept for purchase any tendered Notes or delivered Consents (as defined below) or pay the Total Consideration or the Tender Offer Consideration (as each is defined below), as applicable, if the Merger is not consummated on or prior to the Settlement Date (as defined below) (the "Merger Condition"). Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Offer, including satisfaction of the Merger Condition, the Company expects to accept for purchase on April 1, 2024 (the "Settlement Date") all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on March 28, 2024 (as such time may be extended, the "Expiration Time"). Holders of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Consent Fee Deadline, and accepted for purchase, will receive total consideration per $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase equal to the fixed spread plus a yield based on the bid-side price of the U.S. Treasury Reference Security, each as specified on the front cover of the Statement (the "Total Consideration"), which includes a consent fee of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (the "Consent Fee"), plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including the last interest payment date up to, but excluding, the Settlement Date. Holders who validly tender their Notes after the Consent Fee Deadline but at or prior to the Expiration Time, and whose Notes are accepted for purchase, will be entitled to receive the Total Consideration less the Consent Fee (the "Tender Offer Consideration"). Holders who tender their Notes after the Consent Fee Deadline will not receive the Consent Fee. In connection with the Offers, the Company is soliciting (the "Consent Solicitations") consents ("Consents") from the holders of the Notes for certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") that would, among other things, eliminate substantially all restrictive covenants and certain of the default provisions contained in each of the indentures governing the Notes. Holders of Notes who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw their Notes at or prior to the Consent Fee Deadline are deemed to have consented to the Proposed Amendments. Because Consents of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of each series of the Notes were received as of the Consent Fee Deadline, the Company expects that it and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee under the indentures governing the Notes, will execute and deliver supplemental indentures to the indentures governing each series of the Notes implementing the Proposed Amendments operative upon the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Offers, including the satisfaction of the Merger Condition. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, as applicable, it is expected that the Proposed Amendments will become operative on the Settlement Date. Upon becoming operative, the Proposed Amendments will apply to all holders of each series of the Notes. The Offer and Consent Solicitation for each of the 2028 Notes and 2030 Notes is being made independently of the Offer and Consent Solicitation for the other series of Notes, and the Company reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to terminate, withdraw, amend or extend the Offer and Consent Solicitation for any series of Notes without also terminating, withdrawing, amending or extending the Offer and Consent Solicitation for any other series of Notes. The 2028 Notes are callable on or after August 1, 2024 at a redemption price of 104.00% and the 2030 notes are callable on or after June 15, 2025 at a redemption price of 103.75%. The Total Consideration or the Tender Offer Consideration, as applicable, will be based on a yield to those respective call dates at those specified redemption prices, as described in the Statement. Available Documents and Other Details MUFG Securities Americas Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC are acting as Dealer Managers for the Offers and Solicitation Agents for the Consent Solicitations. Capital One Securities, Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC and Regions Securities LLC are acting as Co-Dealer Managers for the Offers and Solicitation Agents for the Consent Solicitations. Questions regarding the Offers or the Consent Solicitations may be directed to MUFG Securities Americas Inc. at (212) 405-7481, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. at (212) 525-5552 or Mizuho Securities USA LLC at (212) 205-7736. D.F. King & Co., Inc. is acting as Information Agent and Tender Agent for the Consent Solicitations. Requests for copies of the Statement may be directed to D.F. King by telephone at (800) 791-3320 or by email at [email protected]. None of Company, the Dealer Managers and Solicitation Agents, the Co-Dealer Managers and Solicitation Agents, the Tender Agent and Information Agent, the trustee under the indentures governing the Notes or any of their respective affiliates is making any recommendation as to whether holders of the Notes should tender any Notes in response to the Offers and the Consent Solicitations. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to participate in the Offers and the Consent Solicitations and, if so, the principal amount of Notes as to which action is to be taken. About Callon Petroleum Callon Petroleum Company is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration and sustainable development of high-quality assets in the Permian Basin in West Texas. No Offer or Solicitation in Connection with Merger Communications in this press release are for informational purposes only and are not intended to and do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, in any jurisdiction, in each case with respect to the Merger and shareholder meeting related thereto or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance, exchange or transfer of the securities referred to in this document in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the Merger, APA has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") that includes a joint proxy statement of Callon and APA and a prospectus of APA (the "Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus"). The Registration Statement was declared effective on February 15, 2024, and APA filed a prospectus on February 16, 2024 and Callon filed a definitive proxy statement on February 16, 2024. Callon and APA commenced mailing of the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to their respective stockholders on or about February 16, 2024. The Merger will be submitted to Callon's stockholders and APA's stockholders for their consideration. Callon and APA may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the Merger. This press release is not a substitute for the Registration Statement and definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus that has been filed with the SEC or any other document that Callon or APA has filed or may file with the SEC and send to Callon's stockholders and/or APA's stockholders in connection with the Merger. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF CALLON AND APA ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS EACH MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CALLON, APA, THE MERGER, THE RISKS RELATED THERETO AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and all other relevant documents that are filed or will be filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Callon will be made available free of charge on Callon's website at http://www.callon.com under the "Investors" tab or by contacting Callon's Investor Relations Department at (281) 589-5200 or [email protected]. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by APA will be available free of charge on APA's website at https://www.apacorp.com. Participants in the Proxy Solicitation Callon, APA and their respective directors and certain of their executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Callon's stockholders and APA's stockholders in connection with the Merger. Information regarding the executive officers and directors of Callon is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2023 annual meeting filed with the SEC on March 13, 2023 and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. You can obtain a free copy of this document at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or by accessing Callon's website at http://www.callon.com. To the extent holdings of Callon's securities by such executive officers and directors have changed since the amounts printed in the definitive proxy statement for Callon's 2023 annual meeting, such changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Information regarding the executive officers and directors of APA is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2023 annual meeting filed with the SEC on April 11, 2023 and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. You can obtain a free copy of this document at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or by accessing APA's website at http://www.apacorp.com. To the extent holdings of APA's securities by such executive officers and directors have changed since the amounts printed in the definitive proxy statement for APA's 2023 annual meeting, such changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the participants in the solicitations in connection with the Merger and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, by reading the Registration Statement, the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC regarding the Merger. Stockholders of Callon and APA, potential investors and other readers should read the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this press release concerning the Merger, including any statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the Merger, the results, effects, benefits and synergies of the Merger, future opportunities for the combined company, future financial performance and condition, guidance and any other statements regarding Callon's or APA's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts. The words "anticipate," "believe," "ensure," "expect," "if," "intend," "estimate," "probable," "project," "forecasts," "predict," "outlook," "aim," "will," "could," "should," "would," "potential," "may," "might," "anticipate," "likely," "plan," "positioned," "strategy," and similar expressions or other words of similar meaning, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, failure to obtain the required votes of Callon's stockholders or APA's stockholders to approve the Merger and related matters; the risk that a condition to closing of the Merger may not be satisfied, that either party may terminate the Merger Agreement or that the closing of the Merger might be delayed or not occur at all; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Merger; the diversion of management time on Merger-related issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of Callon and APA; the effects of the business combination of Callon and APA, including the combined company's future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; the ability of the combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the timeframe expected or at all; changes in capital markets and the ability of the combined company to finance operations in the manner expected; the effects of commodity price changes; and the risks of oil and gas activities. Expectations regarding business outlook, including changes in revenue, pricing, capital expenditures, cash flow generation, strategies for our operations, oil and natural gas market conditions, legal, economic and regulatory conditions, and environmental matters are only forecasts regarding these matters. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in Callon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is on file with the SEC and available on Callon's website at http://www.callon.com under the "Investors" tab, and in other documents Callon files with the SEC, in APA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is on file with the SEC and available on APA's website at http://www.apacorp.com under the "Investors" tab, and in other documents APA files with the SEC, and in the Registration Statement. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Neither Callon nor APA assumes any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements. CONTACT: Investor: (281) 589-5200; [email protected] Website: www.callon.com SOURCE Callon Petroleum Company GUANGZHOU, China, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the 135th China Import and Export Fair ("Canton Fair"), Chu Shijia, the event's Vice President and Secretary General, also the Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, has embarked on a promotional journey to Greece, UK and Ireland. Chu's discussions with local business leaders in these nations highlighted the ongoing high-quality growth of China's economy and its move towards Chinese modernization, which he believes will open up new global opportunities. He stressed that the Canton Fair serves as a vital platform not just for China but for the entire world. In Athens, during an exchange with the Greek business community, Chu reviewed the history and stated, "China and Greece, both ancient civilizations, have witnessed a long-standing friendship through the ancient Silk Road. Under the strategic guidance of our leaders, China-Greece economic cooperation has achieved significant results. The Canton Fair opens a window to the world, and we look forward to active participation from the Greek business community to promote China-Greece economic and trade development, contribute to the global economic recovery, and build an open world economy." The promotional event in London was of significant scale, where Chu and his team held discussions with the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council. Chu introduced that the 135th Canton Fair will feature an optimized exhibition structure, a concentration of high-quality enterprises, and a wealth of innovative products. Jack Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, expressed his intention to lead a delegation to the 135th Canton Fair and explore establishing a strategic partnership with the event. During the promotion conference in Dublin, Chu mentioned, "China's recent announcement of unilateral visa exemption for Ireland will further promote cooperation between businesses of both countries." In light of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland, he invited the Irish business community to actively partake in the fair, access the Chinese market, take advantage of Chinese opportunities, and amplify bilateral economic and trade collaboration. The business communities of Greece, the UK, and Ireland have responded positively to the promotional activities of the Canton Fair. Local enterprises and institutions have expressed eagerness to attend the event, expand cooperation with Chinese companies, promote trade development, and continue the beautiful friendship. The delegation signed partnership agreements with Hellenic Chinese Business Chamber and Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland (ICAOI) in this tour, adding Canton Fair's global partners to 195 covering 103 countries and regions. For more information about the upcoming 135th Canton Fair, please visit: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US SOURCE Canton Fair AUBURN HILLS, Mich. , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler Pacifica, the most awarded minivan over the last seven years, has been named Best Minivan for Families according to U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report evaluated 90 vehicles and named winners across nine categories Chrysler Pacifica recognized for family-friendly features, including a spacious interior, many safety features and unique attributes such as class-exclusive Stow 'n Go seating More information on U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Cars for Families awards available at Cars.usnews.com Chrysler Pacifica is adding a significant recognition to the Chrysler brands list of achievements. U.S. News & World Report unveiled the 2024 Best Cars for Families awards, recognizing the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica as the Best Minivan for Families. Chrysler Pacifica, the most awarded minivan over the last seven years with more than 175 honors and industry accolades, is adding a significant recognition to the Chrysler brand's list of achievements. U.S. News & World Report today unveiled the 2024 Best Cars for Families awards, recognizing the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica as the Best Minivan for Families. "The 2024 Best Cars for Families winners offer a number of safety features and a comfortable ride for all passengers, making them ideal for daily commutes or family adventures," said Liz Opsitnik, executive editor, U.S. News. Chrysler Pacifica earned the vehicle's first award from U.S News in the Best Minivan for Families category on the strength of family-friendly features, including the most standard safety features in its segment, available all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability paired with Pacifica's class-exclusive Stow 'n Go seating and an available FamCAM interior camera, which offers a bird's-eye view of rear-facing child-seat occupants. Pacifica was also first with available Amazon Fire TV integrated into the Uconnect Theater System. The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, the first hybrid minivan, delivers 82 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), an all-electric range of 32 miles and a total range of 520 miles. The Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid can also help charge the battery when braking or stopping using the built-in regenerative braking technology. A Max Regeneration mode allows for even greater regenerative braking force to maximize efficiency and is noted via a cluster messaging icon to keep drivers aware of the increased system regeneration. Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid continues to represent the evolution of the Chrysler portfolio as the brand transitions to an all-new electrified future, as part of the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan to lead the way the world moves by delivering innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility solutions. The 2024 Best Cars for Families award criteria looks at each vehicle's overall rating from the U.S. News Best Car Rankings to determine quality, incorporating elements like safety data, predicted reliability ratings, passenger and cargo space and the consensus opinion of the automotive press. The award methodology also considers the availability of tech features such as in-car wireless internet, teen driver controls, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and hands-free cargo doors. The winners were selected based on the highest composite score in each of the nine vehicle categories. For more information on the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Cars for Families awards, visit Cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-families. Chrysler Brand The Chrysler brand has delighted customers with distinctive designs, craftsmanship, and advanced innovation and technology since the company was founded in 1925. Chrysler continues to build on that nearly 100-year legacy of creating ingenious products and technologies for mainstream customers, moving forward on an electrified transformation that will launch the brand's first battery-electric vehicle in 2025 and an all-electric portfolio in 2028. The Chrysler Pacifica continues to reinvent the minivan, a segment Chrysler created 40 years ago. The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid symbolizes the brand's electrification evolution, representing the first electrified minivan in the segment and achieving 82 MPGe, an all-electric range of 32 miles and a total range of 520 miles. Chrysler Pacifica delivers the most standard safety features and most advanced available all-wheel-drive system in its class and is also the most awarded minivan over the last seven years with more than 175 honors and industry accolades since its introduction as a minivan. Chrysler is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com. Follow Chrysler and company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Chrysler brand: www.chrysler.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/chrysler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrysler Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler or @StellantisNA YouTube: www.youtube.com/chrysler or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA For more information, please visit the Stellantis media site for North America at https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com. SOURCE Stellantis Mass timber construction growth sparks supply chain expansion: Timberlab and Swinerton respond by adding manufacturing capabilities to its portfolio. PORTLAND, Ore., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Timberlab Inc. (Timberlab), a subsidiary of Swinerton Incorporated (Swinerton) and leading national provider of holistic mass timber systems, unveils its plans to construct and operate a state-of-the-art cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing facility in Oregon's mid-Willamette region. This strategic initiative represents a significant milestone in the firm's mission to accelerate the mainstream adoption of mass timber construction across the United States, providing a low-carbon and renewable material for the construction industry. Holgate Library Mass Timber Structure, Portland, OR Photo by: FLOR Projects Hidden Creek Community Center, Hillsboro, OR. Photo by: Jeremy Bittermann "Timberlab's objective has been to remove pinch points in the mass timber industry so that timber structures are affordable and widely usable in the U.S. construction market," states Timberlab President Chris Evans. "Over the last four years, we have added two CNC facilities in Portland, OR, and Greenville, SC, focused on expanding the supply chain for mass timber. The increase in mass timber demand, coupled with our successes over the last seven years, is driving us to continue to expand the supply chain by adding our new CLT manufacturing facility in Oregon." Supported by an investment from Swinerton, plans for the 250,000-square-foot CLT manufacturing facility is poised to support the growing demand for sustainable construction alternatives nationwide. With an anticipated annual output of 100,000 cubic meters of finished CLT products, the facility will integrate automated processes and is expected to create 100 manufacturing jobs at full capacity becoming one of the largest facilities in the U.S. This endeavor and its employment opportunities will contribute to the region's economic development while fostering a skilled workforce dedicated to advancing sustainable construction practices. The mid-Willamette Valley is the heart of the Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2023. Timberlab has ongoing collaboration with leading academic research programs at Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, and the Tall Wood Design Institute. Building this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near these resources will drive innovation and position Timberlab, Swinerton, and the State of Oregon as catalysts in mass timber construction. Swinerton, initially through another subsidiary, Swinerton Builders, has been a pioneer in mass timber construction since 2014 and has continuously pushed industry boundaries through advancements in structural design, engineering, and material procurement. In 2020, the firm's dedication to sustainability and innovation led to the opening of its first mass timber fabrication facility in Portland, OR, and the formal launch of Timberlab in 2021. As mass timber construction continued to grow across the U.S. in 2023, Timberlab expanded its operations by opening an East Coast mass timber fabrication facility in Greenville, SC. The progression into manufacturing aligns seamlessly with both firms' strategic visions and missions. "As early adopters of mass timber construction, we swiftly recognized the importance of managing the entire supply chain to ensure timely delivery, exceptional quality, and competitive pricing for our clients. Our new CLT manufacturing facility and two existing fabrication facilities bring us significantly closer to our vision," says Swinerton Chief Executive Officer David Callis. "These facilities and our turnkey in-house design, procurement, and detailing services have positioned Timberlab, Swinerton, and the industry to make significant strides toward a sustainable built environment. I am thrilled about what this move means for sustainable construction in the U.S." About Timberlab In 2021, Swinerton launched Timberlab, a holistic provider of mass timber systems with in-house timber engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation services for construction projects across the United States. Its mission is to accelerate the mainstream adoption of mass timber in the U.S. commercial construction market to benefit the planet and its people. Timberlab is headquartered in Portland, OR, with a Greenville, SC facility serving East Coast markets. For more information, visit Timberlab.com. About Swinerton Swinerton is a 100% employee-owned company recognized nationally since 1888, comprised of Swinerton Builders, Timberlab, Inc., SAK Builders, Inc., MD Builders, Inc., Swinerton Energy, Inc., and Lindgren Development Inc. Swinerton Builders provides commercial construction, construction management, design-build, and self-perform services throughout the United States. Timberlab is a holistic provider of mass timber systems with in-house timber engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation services for construction projects. SAK Builders offers Division 3 concrete services in the Pacific Northwest. MD Builders provides full-service preconstruction, general contracting, and trade subcontracting in Northern California. Swinerton Energy is a leader in premier Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services, specializing in projects from clean energy generation to industrial process facilities. Lindgren Development is the real estate and project development and financing arm of Swinerton. For more information, visit: https://swinerton.com/ SOURCE Timberlab With Super Tuesday results all completed, along with a few others, the two major parties now will nominate the two candidates most voters say they dont like President Biden and former President Trump. A recent Fox News poll found Trumps unfavorable ratings are only exceeded by Bidens 57% to 59%. Its the great American presidential unpopularity contest. Trump dominates the GOP. On Super Tuesday, he won 14 state primary contests, with Nikki Haley, his last challenger, carrying only Vermont and receiving between 23% and 42% in seven other states. After Trumps contemptuous dismissal of her, Haley exited the race congratulating Trump but declined to immediately endorse him. In her campaign, Haley made an electability argument that she would beat Biden while Trump would lose. Two March polls showed her winning by far more than Trump did in a head-to-head match with Biden. She led Biden 45%-35% compared with Trumps 48%-43% in a New York Times poll, and 50%-42% to Trumps 49%-47% lead in the latest Fox News poll. The polls suggest Haley would have given the GOP the potential of a 2024 landslide, but GOP voters decided to gamble on a third Trump candidacy. Four March polls (New York Times, Fox News, Associated Press and Wall Street Journal) each showed Biden trailing Trump in match-ups by 2 percentage points to 5 points. Bidens in terrible political shape eight months before the election. Those polling results deflated Haleys contention that only she could beat Biden. Biden hopes his blustery, highly partisan State of the Union speech will provide a political reset. TV ads will be reminding voters of Trumps disgraceful behavior on Jan 6. There are also Trumps court cases. A third of GOP voters in exit polls say they find a felony conviction disqualifying. Trump has challenged Biden to debates. Republicans held five debates, but Trump ducked them all. By refusing to debate, hes given Biden an easy out. Haley made clear in the GOP debates that helping Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression is in the U.S. national interest. Trump has expressed a more ambiguous position on the war. A debate with Haley would have revealed what Trump meant when he said he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. Does that mean Russian President Vladimir Putin should be allowed to annex eastern Ukraine? Trump declined to condemn Putin for the death in prison of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Hes said he wouldnt defend NATO countries that dont meet their financial commitments to the alliance but would instead encourage Russia to do whatever they want. Whats happening to the Republican Party is staggering. Ronald Reagan would be spinning in his grave. Republican priorities under Trump include positions that were once considered selling out. The Congressional Budget Office now projects that Social Security will become insolvent by 2032, earlier than expected. The CBO also projects the Medicare trust fund will be exhausted by 2033. By doing nothing, an automatic 23% Social Security benefit cut will occur in eight years. Haley was the only candidate arguing Social Security and Medicare face a crisis. Formerly the party of fiscal responsibility, Trump joined Democrats in promising not to reform entitlements. Over the course of Trumps four years in office, the national debt increased by $7.8 trillion. Its now an unsustainable $34.5 trillion and growing. Formerly the party of free trade agreements, Trump says he will impose a blanket 10% tariff on all U.S. imports. That means a 10% tax paid for by consumers. Haley criticized the proposal as raising every households expenses by $2,600 a year, citing data from the conservative National Taxpayers Union. The Republican Party in 2020 adopted no party platform. Rather, the party pledged allegiance to Trump for four years. The insult RINO (Republican in Name Only) was formerly directed at those insufficiently conservative. Whos the RINO now? HOUSTON and AMSTERDAM, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DISA Global Solutions, a forefront leader in employee screening and compliance services, proudly announces the acquisition of Validata Group, a premier European background screening company. The deal was completed on February 1, 2024. This acquisition represents DISA's second international acquisition within nine months, marking a significant step in the company's strategic expansion into the international background screening market. With the inclusion of Validata Group, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Amsterdam, DISA underscores its commitment to providing unparalleled global screening solutions. Validata's innovative technology platform and comprehensive approach to international screening, compliance, and risk management greatly enhance DISA's offerings. Each year, Validata serves thousands of international and multinational clients and performs more than a quarter million screenings worldwide. This acquisition strengthens DISA's global capabilities and positions the company as a leading provider of international background screening. DISA Global Solutions announces the acquisition of Validata Group, a premier European background screening company. Post this John Peterson, President & CEO of DISA Global Solutions, expressed excitement about the merger, stating, "The acquisition of Validata Group is a milestone in our journey towards global leadership in the background screening sector. Validata's advanced technological platform, combined with its team's extensive knowledge of European and global compliance, will enable us to offer an even broader range of services. This partnership expands our geographic reach and enriches the quality of our offerings to clients worldwide." Acknowledging the importance of adhering to stringent data protection standards, DISA and Validata Group are committed to upholding the rigorous European data protection regulations. This mutual dedication ensures the highest level of data security and privacy for clients and their candidates across all operations. Suzie Rurode, DISA's International President, enthusiastically said, "We are delighted to welcome Validata Group into the DISA family. Validata's cutting-edge technology and exceptional management team complement our vision of global experience in screening solutions." Suzie continued, "Validata's reputation for excellence and innovation in background screening perfectly aligns with our commitment to customer service and compliance. Their unparalleled expertise in navigating complex data privacy laws makes this partnership a key advantage in our international expansion efforts. This acquisition is more than just an expansion; it's a fusion of strengths that will redefine our approach to international background screening and unlock an array of value-creation opportunities for our distinguished clients." As DISA Global Solutions continues expanding its international footprint, acquiring Validata Group is a testament to its dedication to excellence, innovation, and customer service in the global background screening industry. This strategic partnership enhances DISA's capabilities and sets new standards in providing comprehensive, compliant, and efficient international background screening services. Harm Voogt, managing director of Validata, said about the deal, "We are proud of the fact that DISA is committed to leveraging the Validata team and our state-of-the-art screening software in their quest to expand their global capabilities. This partnership also enables us to better serve our international clients via expanded services and capabilities, and that was something we were looking for in a partner." DISA Global Solutions and Validata Group look forward to a future of shared success, driven by a shared vision of excellence and a commitment to the industry's highest standards of service and compliance. About DISA Global Solutions Founded in 1986, DISA is an industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. We assist employers in making informed staffing decisions while saving them time and resources. Our consolidated screening solutions service more than 30% of Fortune 500 companies and clients across the globe. For more information on DISA Global Solutions and our complete suite of products, visit www.disa.com. SOURCE DISA Global Solutions HARLINGEN, Texas, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Ameer Hassan, a distinguished figure in the realm of neurology and neuroendovascular medicine, proudly announces the establishment of the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students. This prestigious scholarship, available nationwide, aims to recognize and support outstanding medical students who demonstrate a fervent commitment to neurology, innovation, and patient care. With a one-time award of $5,000, the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students is designed to empower the next generation of medical professionals as they embark on their journey towards excellence in the field of medicine. The deadline to apply for this esteemed scholarship is November 15, 2024, with the winner set to be announced on December 15, 2024. Applicants for the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship must meet stringent criteria reflecting Dr. Hassan's unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation in healthcare. In the dynamic landscape of neurology and neuroendovascular medicine, Dr. Ameer Hassan stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence. Dr. Hassan, renowned for his triple board certification in neurology, vascular neurology, and neuroendovascular surgery, has dedicated his illustrious career to advancing stroke treatment and patient care. As head of the Neuroscience Department and director of Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology and Clinical Neuroscience Research at Valley Baptist Medical Center, Dr. Ameer Hassan's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of neuroendovascular medicine. Beyond his clinical and academic pursuits, Dr. Ameer Hassan's philanthropic endeavors, including the Hassan Family Health Foundation and the Stroke Research and Education Foundation, underscore his dedication to serving communities in need. The Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students invites applicants to paint a vivid portrait of their medical journey in a 500-700-word essay. By delving into the moments that ignited their passion for neurology and healthcare, applicants are encouraged to envision the future of medicine through their eyes, infused with compassion and innovation. For more information about the Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship for Medical Students and to submit an application, please visit https://drameerhassanscholarship.com/. Applications must be submitted to [email protected] by the application deadline. Dr. Ameer Hassan looks forward to reading about the unique perspectives and aspirations of aspiring medical professionals as they embark on their journey towards shaping the future of healthcare. SOURCE Dr. Ameer Hassan Scholarship CARLSBAD, Calif., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ezoic, a leading technology-driven platform for digital creators, today announced the launch of its new program tailored for enterprise-scale digital publishers and video creators. The Enterprise program builds upon the success of Ezoic's VIP offering, marking a significant expansion of its services. This new tier introduces a comprehensive suite of exclusive services and features aimed at supporting creators in SEO and audience building, content creation, monetization, and video. The Enterprise program grants creators access to the world's most advanced publishing technology, coupled with personalized support from the industry's foremost experts in yield optimization, search engine optimization, site speed, content creation, and video strategies. Uniquely, the program offers publishers direct access to Ezoic's engineering resources to assist with their technology developmentsa first in the industry. The introduction of the Enterprise program extends Ezoic's leadership in providing advanced solutions for larger creators, facilitating their evolution from authoritative voices to global brands. "Ezoic is thrilled to collaborate with leading brands that trust our data-driven approach to navigate the digital content landscape amid significant industry disruptions," said Dwayne Lafleur, CEO of Ezoic. "With the advent of generative AI, creators face both opportunities and challenges. They seek not only cutting-edge tools but also insights from pioneers who understand these technologies. With 14 years of experience and as an innovator in AI for digital content publishers, Ezoic, reaching over 1 billion individuals monthly, is uniquely positioned to offer the modern direction and support these creators require." The Enterprise program offers around-the-clock support and a suite of potent new tools designed to cater to creators' needs over the next five years. "We believe enterprise creators are poised for unprecedented growth and success as the web evolves, and we are committed to helping them achieve that," Lafleur added. This exclusive program is available to content creators generating over $1,000,000 per year from their content. Concurrently with the launch of the Enterprise program, Ezoic is revising the requirements for its other service levels. The VIP service is now exclusively available to those earning between $200,000 and $1,000,000 per year, and Level 4 is tailored for creators earning $50,000 to $200,000. For further details on the services offered and the new eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.ezoic.com/levels. About Ezoic Ezoic is an award-winning end-to-end platform for digital publishers and creators. Using AI technology, Ezoic helps publishers with best-in-class monetization, content creation tools and video solutions. With this suite of tools and a dedicated team of experts, Ezoic is a partner to publishers of all sizes, focusing on their growth and long-term success in today's challenging digital environment. SOURCE Ezoic BALTIMORE, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- When children are not able to live with their parents, they do best with relatives or close family friends. Known as kinship care, these arrangements provide stability and connections that are vital to the development of children and youth, particularly for those who are involved with the child welfare system. Yet state policies governing kinship care vary wildly and leave many kinship caregivers ineligible for financial assistance and support services they need, finds a comprehensive nationwide survey of child welfare administrators described in a report released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. "Family Ties: Analysis From a State-By-State Survey of Kinship Care Policies" identifies efforts by states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to promote kinship care and support kinship caregivers. It highlights progress made at reducing barriers to foster care licensing, long-standing inequities in financial assistance for kinship caregivers and new opportunities to address their needs. The survey's data, collected in 2022 for the Casey Foundation by Child Trends , and analysis will be shared in a series of six briefs addressing aspects of kinship care policy. The topics will include foster care licensing, support available for unlicensed caregivers, kinship diversion and states' increasing investment in kinship navigator programs. The data released today shed light on foster care licensing for kinship caregivers and show: A steady rise in kinship care. From 2007 to 2021, relative placements for youth and young people up to age 18 rose by 10% as a share of all foster care placements. The level of services and support available to kinship caregivers and the children they care for depends greatly on where they live. The availability of aid and services does not appear to be based on need, but on whether they can become licensed foster parents. There are tremendous inequities in state policies regarding the support given to licensed kinship foster parents, unlicensed kinship foster parents and kinship caregivers of children who are not in the child welfare system. A new federal rule allows states to make it easier for kin to become licensed unlocking their access to resources. The rule calls on states to ensure licensed kinship caregivers receive the same financial support as non-relative foster parents. States that implement the change can seize this opportunity to reduce barriers to licensing and enable more kinship caregivers to qualify for assistance. allows states to make it easier for kin to become licensed unlocking their access to resources. The rule calls on states to ensure licensed kinship caregivers receive the same financial support as non-relative foster parents. States that implement the change can seize this opportunity to reduce barriers to licensing and enable more kinship caregivers to qualify for assistance. Many states do not provide foster care maintenance payments to caregivers to cover a child's basic needs when the child is first placed with them; often, the funds do not arrive until the caregiver meets requirements to be licensed. "Family binds us together. Kinship caregivers step up when children need them most, transforming young lives through consistency, stability and love," said Todd Lloyd, senior policy associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. "It is crucial that we address these inequities and give them the support they need, so that they can help the children they care for thrive." The "Family Ties" series is intended to help policymakers, advocates and child welfare administrators understand the existing resources for kinship caregivers, identify gaps and inform efforts to improve kinship care policies at the federal and state levels. Its recommendations include: increasing federal investments in kinship care; using available tools and guidance from kinship experts to implement the new federal rule, which would simplify the kinship licensing process for families; gathering more data on kinship care to better understand what is happening and identify areas of need and possible solutions; and engaging youth, their parents and kinship caregivers in policy and practice decisions that strengthen support and improve resources for the growing population of relatives and kin who step forward to care for children. RELEASE INFORMATION "Family Ties: Analysis From a State-By-State Survey of Kinship Care Policies," will be available at www.aecf.org on March 14, 2024. ABOUT THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION The Annie E. Casey Foundation is a private philanthropy that creates a brighter future for the nation's children, youth and young adults by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. For more information, visit the Foundation's website at www.aecf.org . SOURCE The Annie E. Casey Foundation TORONTO, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Franco-Nevada Corporation ("Franco-Nevada") announced that its Annual Information Form, Consolidated Annual Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Franco-Nevada has also filed its Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these documents may be obtained via www.sedarplus.com or www.sec.gov (for the Form 40-F). Shareholders may also receive a copy of these documents without charge upon request to Franco-Nevada's Investor Relations Department, 199 Bay Street, Suite 2000, P.O. Box 285, Commerce Court Postal Station, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5L 1G9 or to [email protected]. Details for Virtual Investor Day Franco-Nevada's management team will host a Virtual Investor Day webcast, April 10, 2024 from 3:00 pm ET to 5:00 pm ET to review its assets and to announce the release of the 2024 Asset Handbook and 2024 Environment, Social and Governance Report (ESG Report). Interested investors and analysts are invited to participate as follows: Virtual Investor Day: April 10th at 3:00 pm ET to 5:00 pm ET Webcast: app.webinar.net/oVPJZWRbalQ Webcast replay: www.franco-nevada.com Corporate Summary Franco-Nevada Corporation is the leading gold-focused royalty and streaming company with the largest and most diversified portfolio of cash-flow producing assets. Its business model provides investors with gold price and exploration optionality while limiting exposure to cost inflation. Franco-Nevada is debt-free and uses its free cash flow to expand its portfolio and pay dividends. It trades under the symbol FNV on both the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. SOURCE Franco-Nevada Corporation DUBLIN, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global and China Automotive Functional Safety and Safety Of The Intended Functionality (SOTIF) Research Report, 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. As intelligent connected vehicles boom, the change in automotive EEA has been accelerated, and the risks caused by electronic and electrical failures have become ever higher. As a result, functional safety and SOTIF (safety of the intended functionality) have caught more attention, especially in the field of autonomous vehicles. In 2023, standards and policies have speeded up the development of automotive functional safety and SOTIF in China. In addition to the latest functional safety standard GB_T 34590 2022 officially taking into effect on July 1, 2023, related Chinese departments also issued multiple policies concerning functional safety and SOTIF. For example, in July 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) issued the 'Guidelines for the Construction of National Internet of Vehicles Industry Standard System (Intelligent Connected Vehicles) (2023)', which clearly plans and guides the construction of standards for functional safety and SOTIF. In August 2023, the MIIT and other three departments jointly issued the Notice on the New Industry Standardization Pilot Project Implementation Plan (2023-2035), of which the Intelligent Connection Technologies in the New Energy Vehicle Industry stipulates the terms and definition of intelligent connected vehicles, functional safety and SOTIF processes, audits and evaluations, automotive cyber security, data security, software upgrades and other product and technology application standards. On November 17, 2023, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Transport jointly issued the Notice on the Pilot Program for Access and On-road Passage of Intelligent Connected Vehicles, which officially suggests access specifications for L3/L4 autonomous driving and clarifies the responsibilities in high-level intelligent driving accidents for the first time, and simultaneously started the selection of the first batch of enterprises. The Notice specifies the requirements for the access of automotive enterprises and vehicles, especially for their safety guarantee capabilities. Enterprises are required to have the ability to guarantee functional safety, SOTIF, cybersecurity, data security, software upgrade management, and risk and emergency management. The requirements for process guarantee of intelligent connected vehicle products include the functional safety process guarantee of vehicles (especially autonomous driving systems), the SOTIF process guarantee of autonomous driving systems, and the process guarantee of vehicle cybersecurity and data security. Therefore functional safety and SOTIF have become the access requirements for L3 autonomous vehicles in China, and the introduction of functional safety and SOTIF standard processes into L3 and higher-level autonomous systems has become the layout focus of OEMs and suppliers. OEMs and suppliers greatly increase automotive functional safety processes and product certifications, and embark on the layout of SOTIF process certification. Although ISO 26262 is not a global mandatory standard, it has been widely accepted in the automotive industry and has become the threshold for automotive supply chain players. OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers will have to reject products or vendors that are not ISO 26262-certified. As intelligent vehicles develop, both autonomous driving companies and OEMs attach ever more importance to functional safety and SOTIF. In recent years, both international mainstream OEMs and Chinese automakers have paid more attention to and invested more heavily in functional safety and SOTIF. In particular, Chinese independent automakers such as Great Wall Motor, SAIC, Geely, GAC, Changan and BYD have all raised the requirements for functional safety development of important systems. Besides setting up functional safety teams, they actively participate in functional safety training, cooperate with third-party institutions, strictly control self-developed products and vehicle functional safety products and processes, and take suppliers' functional safety development capabilities and product functional safety capabilities as the criteria to enter their supply chains. OEMs or suppliers put ever more emphasis on functional safety certification. According to public statistics, from January to November 2023, Chinese companies passed 114 functional safety certifications, including 41 product certifications and 73 process certifications, far more than in 2022 (about 40). In addition to functional safety certification, the official implementation of SOTIF standards has spurred many OEMs and suppliers such as Great Wall Motor, FAW Hongqi, Changan Automobile, GAC, Horizon Robotics, Jingwei Hirain, Huawei, Desay SV and SenseAuto to deploy SOTIF processes. They have passed SOTIF process certifications in advance, laying a safety foundation for the further layout of autonomous driving systems. Functional safety, SOTIF, cybersecurity, etc. tends to be developed in from an independent way to an integrated way. In addition to functional safety, the development of vehicles will have to face other safety challenges in the future, such as SOTIF and cybersecurity. Functional safety and SOTIF focus on system design and verification to ensure that the system can work safely in all situations. Cybersecurity centers on external threats and attacks. In practical application, functional safety, SOTIF and cybersecurity often cross over. In the future, intelligent connected vehicles should solve all the risks related to vehicle safety before they can be delivered in large quantities. The integrated development of the three safety systems has become a major development trend of vehicle safety in the future. Multiple companies like KOSTAL, Neta, Baolong Technology and Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center are exploring integrated development of safety. As vehicles carry more complex embedded electronic systems, the risks incurred by software system damage and random hardware damage are increasing. Integrating the ISO 26262 functional safety standard into the Automotive Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination (ASPICE) to guide automotive software development will greatly improve automotive system software development quality, development efficiency and product safety. Key Topics Covered: 1 Status Quo and Trends of Automotive Functional Safety 1.1 Status Quo of Automotive Functional Safety 1.2 Development and Evolution of Automotive Functional Safety 2 Status Quo and Trends of SOTIF 2.1 Overview of SOTIF 2.2 Development of SOTIF 2.3 Research on SOTIF of Typical ADAS 2.4 SOTIF of Autonomous Driving System 3 Standard and Policies for Automotive Functional Safety and SOTIF 3.1 Major National Automotive Functional Safety Standards and Policies 3.2 Functional Safety Standards 3.3 Introduction to ISO 26262 3.4 Introduction to ISO 21448 4 Development of Automotive Functional Safety and SOTIF Certification 4.1 Introduction to Automotive Functional Safety Certification 4.2 SOTIF Certification 4.3 Introduction to ASPICE 4.4 Major Automotive Functional Safety Certification Agencies 4.4.1 SGS 4.4.2 TuV SuD 4.4.3 TuV Rheinland 4.4.5 UL Solutions 4.4.6 China Certification Centre for Automotive Products Co., Ltd. (CCAP) 4.4.7 China Quality Certification Center: Functional Safety Certification Services 5 Layout of OEMs in Automotive Functional Safety and SOTIF 5.1 Layout of OEMs in Automotive Functional Safety 5.2 Layout of Major OEMs in Functional Safety 5.2.1 BMW 5.2.2 Mercedes-Benz 5.2.3 Ford's Safety Strategy 5.2.4 Volvo's World Tree Intelligent Safety System 5.2.5 Changan Automobile 5.2.6 GAC 5.2.7 Great Wall Motor 5.2.8 Geely 5.2.9 Automotive Functional Safety of ENOVATE: Functional Safety Project Implementation (Torque) 5.2.10 Functional Safety Design of NIO SkyOS 6 Functional Safety Requirements and Solutions for Main Auto Parts 6.1 Functional Safety Requirements and Solutions for Main Auto Parts 6.2 Layout of Main Parts Suppliers and Related Products in Automotive Functional Safety 6.3 Functional Safety Cases of Main Auto Parts 7 Automotive Functional Safety Solutions of Main Enterprises 7.1 Synopsys 7.2 Jingwei Hirain 7.3 Vector 7.4 Bosch 7.5 Continental 7.6 NXP 7.7 Renesas 7.8 Texas Instruments 7.9 Infineon 7.10 eSOL 7.11 CICV 7.12 SaimoAI For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ye9cc9 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 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "L3/L4 Autonomous Driving and Startups Research Report, 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The favorable policies for the autonomous driving industry will speed up the commercialization of L3/L4. In the second half of 2023, China introduced a range of policies concerning autonomous driving, allowing L3/L4 autonomous vehicles to take to the roads legally in China. These important policies also invigorate China's autonomous driving industry, further spur the development of technologies and business models for L3/L4 autonomous vehicles, and accelerate their large-scale commercialization. As China releases autonomous driving policies, the competition in intelligent driving is about to enter a new phase. So far, nine auto brands, including Deepal, Avatr, Seres, IM, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Arcfox, BYD, and GAC, officially announced that they had acquired L3 autonomous driving road test licenses. L2++ reversely feeds L3/L4, and parallel strategy enables data and technology iteration. Thanks to breakthroughs in core technologies such as chips and algorithms in the past few years, L2++ high-level driving assistance (highway NOA and urban NOA) has begun to enter a phase of large-scale promotion. This type of vehicles is very large in scale and can record a variety of complex scenarios and accumulate massive training data. Suppliers working on L3/L4 autonomous driving, such as Baidu Apollo, Pony.ai and DeepRoute.ai, have started partnering with automakers to commercialize L2++ high-level driving assistance. On the one hand, they aim to increase business profits; on the other hand, they hope to collect road test data trained for L3/L4 use, and then enable a closed loop through autonomous driving iteration. In addition, quite a few emerging carmakers also use the L2 and L3/L4 parallel strategy to deploy high-level autonomous driving. As L4 Robotaxi faces setbacks overseas, how to continue to forge ahead with commercialization in China? The commercialization of Robotaxi has been hampered at abroad. In August 2023, Waymo and Cruise were allowed to launch paid 24/7 Robotaxi services in San Francisco, California. Yet since the launch of the paid Robotaxi services, safety issues and accidents involving the operating vehicles have appeared one after another. Currently Cruise has lost its self-driving licenses in California, and has suspended all its self-driving services in the United States. Then how to forge ahead with commercialization of Robotaxi in China? The operation of Robotaxi needs to consider how to cooperate with governments, OEMs, mobility platforms, technology companies and other parties to build an effective ecosystem. At present, in China Robotaxi players include: 1. L4 autonomous driving technology solution providers such as Baidu, Pony.ai, WeRide, and Auto X; 2. Conventional automakers like BMW and Audi, and emerging carmakers such as Tesla and Xpeng. Robotaxi Business Model 1: 'Iron Triangle'. The combination of RoboTaxi company + mobility platform + automaker is the mainstream cooperation mode in current stage. This 'iron triangle' model gives full play to the respective strength of the three parties, and allows each party to be responsible for what it is best at, so that Robotaxi can be promoted faster and more efficiently, and a closed loop for the commercial implementation of autonomous driving in scenarios can be built. As technology solution providers, Robotaxi companies enable asset-light operation. The use of OEMs' autonomous driving platforms, vehicle design and manufacturing capabilities makes them superior in terms of mass production speed and manufacturing cost; Mobility service operators already boast a stable user base, good mobility service experience and massive data. They have great advantages in traffic entrance, user mobility data and operation management experience. Without the traffic support of mobility platforms, Robotaxi companies will be very slow in subsequent data accumulation, which will in turn affect the quality and speed of software algorithm iterations; OEMs with strong manufacturing capabilities can provide infrastructures and physical bases for the large-scale deployment of Robotaxi. In addition to its own mobility platform PonyPilot+, Pony.ai also cooperates with automakers like Geely, GAC, FAW and SAIC, and is connected to OEM-backed mobility platforms such as Caocao, ONTIME, T3 Mobility, and Hongqi Smart Mobility. Pony.ai has put its Robotaxi into commercial operation. At present, Pony.ai has deployed autonomous fleets in the four cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. As of December 2023, Pony.ai has boasted a total mileage of more than 28 million kilometers of autonomous driving road tests on complex urban public roads. In January 2024, the GAC Toyota Sienna Robotaxi model packing Pony.ai's 6th-generation autonomous driving software and hardware system obtained the commercial demonstration operation license from Nansha District, Guangzhou. It launches paid services via Pony.ai's own platform PonyPilot+ and ONTIME. The Robotaxi covers all of Nansha District with 803 square kilometers, and runs at 8:00-22:30 including morning and evening peak periods. This Robotaxi model was jointly developed by Pony.ai and Toyota, and GAC Toyota was responsible for producing it. 15 units of this vehicle have been connected to ONTIME. It is also the second model that Pony.ai has joined ONTIME for mixed operation. The two parties will facilitate the large-scale commercialization of Robotaxi services by complementing each other with the 'technology + platform' model. Robotaxi Business Model 2: emerging carmakers make a foray into the field. Utilizing their own resource system, emerging carmakers have more abilities to build their own ecosystem in Robotaxi. Their full-stack self-developed autonomous driving capabilities, large chip and sensor procurement, vehicle mass production capabilities, and massive user data will give them a bigger initiative in the competition in the Robotaxi market. Xpeng Robotaxi, built on the model G9, is a completely OEM model with no hardware additions, and functional iterations only via software. Compared with other aftermarket Robotaxi models on market which often cost hundreds of thousands to one million yuan, Xpeng Robotaxi offers higher cost performance, making it feasible to truly and fully implement this business model in the future. In addition, Robotaxi cannot be commercialized without the support of favorable policies. In current stage, governments across China are doubling down on the Robotaxi market, and there have been more than over 30 cities introducing policies concerning intelligent connection. In January 2024, 17 departments including the National Data Administration jointly issued the Three-Year Action Plan for 'Data Elements ' (2024-2026), suggesting promoting the innovative development of intelligent connected vehicles, supporting the commercial trial operation of autonomous vehicles in specific areas and specific periods, and breaking down the data barriers between automakers, third-party platforms, transportation companies and other entities. A new mobility ecosystem cannot be built in a short period of time. It not only requires incentive policies, but also cooperation of the entire industry to jointly advance the maturity and implementation of technologies and standards and continue exploration of mature models for commercial implementation. In the short term, Robotaxi's commercial closed loop may mainly rely on the coordinated development of mobility service operators and autonomous driving technology companies. Key Topics Covered: 1 L3/L4 Autonomous Driving Policies, Regulations and Standards 1.1 Driving Automation Taxonomy and Standardization 1.2 China's Autonomous Driving Policies and Regulations 1.3 Global Autonomous Driving Policies and Regulations 2 Status Quo of L4 Autonomous Driving Market 2.1 L4 Autonomous Driving Market Size 2.2 L4 Autonomous Driving Competitive Pattern 3 Application Sub-scenarios of L4 Autonomous Driving 3.1 Business Model 3.2 L4 Application Scenario - Robotaxi 3.3 L4 Application Scenario - Autonomous Shuttle 3.4 L4 Application Scenario - Autonomous Delivery 3.5 L4 Application Scenario - Autonomous Truck 4 Key Technologies for Mass Production of L4 Autonomous Driving 4.1 Key Technologies for L4 Autonomous Driving: Algorithms 4.2 Key Technologies for L4 Autonomous Driving: Data Closed Loop 4.3 Key Technologies for L4 Autonomous Driving: Redundancy 4.4 Key Technologies for L4 Autonomous Driving: Vehicle-Road-Cloud Cooperation 4.5 Key Technologies for L4 Autonomous Driving: HD Maps and Positioning 5 L3/L4 Autonomous Driving Solutions of OEMs 5.1 L3/L4 Autonomous Driving Layout of OEMs 5.2 Xpeng 5.3 Li Auto 5.4 Chery 5.5 GAC 5.6 Great Wall Motor 5.7 Tesla 5.8 Toyota 5.9 Volvo 5.10 Mercedes-Benz 5.11 Volkswagen 5.12 SAIC 5.13 Other Automakers 5.13.1 BMW's L3 Autonomous Driving Solution 5.13.2 Hongqi's L4 Autonomous Driving Technology Solution 5.13.3 Yutong's L4 Autonomous Driving Technology Solution 6 L4 Autonomous Driving Solutions of Tier1s and Startups 6.1 Waymo 6.2 Cruise 6.3 Aurora 6.4 Valeo 6.5 Baidu Apollo 6.6 Pony.ai 6.7 WeRide 6.8 AutoX 6.9 Momenta 6.10 DeepRoute.ai 6.11 Huawei 6.12 Haomo.ai 6.13 Allride.ai 6.14 UISEE Technology 6.15 Idriverplus 6.16 QCraft 6.17 TuSimple 6.18 Plus.ai 6.19 Inceptio Technology 6.20 CiDi 6.21 Deepway For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1i7nun 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 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Passenger Car CTP (Cell to Pack), CTC (Cell To Chassis) and CTB (Cell to Body) Integrated Battery Industry Report, 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Passenger Car CTP, CTC and CTB Integrated Battery Industry Report, 2024 summarizes and studies the status quo of CTP (Cell to Pack), CTC (Cell To Chassis) and CTB (Cell to Body) for passenger cars and the layout of OEMs and suppliers in related products, and predicts the future development trends of passenger car integrated batteries. In 2023, CTP (Cell to Pack) technology was seen in nearly 50% of new energy vehicles sold. In 2021, there were only 13 vehicle models equipped with CTP in China. As of October 2023, the number had increased to 57. Vehicles equipped with CTP shared 29.6% of the total sales of new energy vehicles (EVs, PHEVs and EREVs) in 2021, and made up 48.6% from January to October 2023, a figure projected to be higher than 50% in the whole year of 2023. From the perspective of both suppliers and OEMs, CTP technology has entered a mature application stage. Among suppliers, CATL is a role model. In 2019, CATL released its CTP 1.0. By 2023, the technology has iterated to 3.0, and has been installed by brands such as ZEEKR, Li Auto and AITO. OEMs are represented by BYD. In 2020, BYD released its blade battery based on CTP technology, which was first mounted on Han EV in June of the same year. In 2023, with higher blade battery capacity, BYD began to supply batteries to other automakers after meeting its own demand. Both Tesla and Hongqi have some models equipped with the blade battery. According to the statistics of the publisher, there are more than 17 models using blade batteries. By the end of 2023, BYD had deployed 17 blade battery production bases with the planned capacity of over 460GWh. CTC/CTB technology is easier to implement under the leadership of OEMs Currently only four automakers Tesla, BYD, Leapmotor and Xpeng have released CTC/CTB technology and applied it in production models. Tesla In 2020, Tesla introduced the concept of CTC (Cell To Chassis) for the first time on its Battery Day, which cancels the floor of the vehicle body, integrates the battery frame with the underbody (rocker rail, transverse beam, longitudinal beam, floor, etc.), and then connects the castings at the front and rear ends of the body. From the point of performance improvement, Tesla's CTC technology offers the benefits: a 10% reduction in vehicle weight, a 14% increase in cursing range, a reduction of 370 parts, 7% lower unit cost, 8% lower unit investment, and far higher automobile manufacturing efficiency. CTC technology has been applied to Model Y produced at Gigafactory Texas. Leapmotor: In April 2022 Leapmotor released CTC technology, and first applied it to the production model Leapmotor C01. Leapmotor's CTC solution cancels the battery pack housing and upper cover, and retains the integrated battery module and lower battery tray. Leapmotor's CTC technology can increase the vertical space of the vehicle by 10mm, the battery layout space by 14.5%, the cursing range by 10% and the torsional stiffness of the body by 25% to 33897Nm/, and reduce the number of parts by 20% and the weight by 15kg. CTC 2.0 unveiled by Leapmotor in 2023 enables 10% fewer parts and 5% less weight than CTC 1.0. Leapmotor's CTC Technology Patent BYD: In May 2022, BYD released CTB (Cell to Body), a technology using the upper shell of the battery pack to replace the body floor. It cancels the modules and the upper shell of the battery pack, and sticks the blade battery to the tray and upper cover to form a sandwich structure of 'battery upper cover-cell-tray'. The volume utilization rate of BYD's CTB can be raised to 66%; the torsional stiffness of the vehicle body exceeds 40,000 N m/; the intrusion of the vehicle side column collision is reduced by 45%. The wind resistance of Seal, the first model equipped with CTB, is as low as 0.219, and the 0-100 km/h acceleration of the four-wheel drive edition only takes 3.8 seconds, with energy consumption per 100 kilometers as low as 12.7kWh. Xpeng: In April 2023, Xpeng launched its 'Fuyao' architecture, which adopts CIB technology that uses the upper cover of the battery pack as the body floor, thereby saving 5% vertical interior space. As with Tesla, Xpeng integrates the reserved mounting bracket on the battery pack upper cover, and installs seats directly on the battery pack. As per the technical features of CTC/CTB, OEMs cannot tolerate less say. In the conventional new energy industry chain, power batteries account for 30%~40% of the vehicle cost. In the promotion process of CTC technology, the use of CTC makes it easier for battery vendors to dabble in chassis and vehicle development. For automakers, this may lead to less say, which is unacceptable to them. CTC technology however requires battery cells with high intrinsic safety, and this needs to enhance thermal stability of battery cell materials. As concerns process, it is necessary to ensure the reliability of battery cells in terms of design and manufacturing. These are the advantages of battery vendors. Amid a combination of multiple factors, the model that OEMs play a leading role and suppliers cooperate with them may be the main way to advance CTC technology in the future. In the case above OEMs that have the ability to develop and produce battery cells by themselves, such as BYD and Tesla, can effectively avoid the technical restrictions from battery vendors and have greater advantages in technology application. CTC technology layout of other OEMs In addition to Tesla, BYD, Leapmotor and Xpeng, Xiaomi, Volkswagen, Volvo, JAC and SAIC all make layout of CTC technology. On December 28, 2023, Xiaomi unveiled SU7, a car that packs its self-developed CTB technology. The innovative designs such as floor-cover two-in-one, battery cell inversion, multifunctional elastic interlayer and minimalist wiring harness enable the volume efficiency up to 77.8% and release an additional height of 17 mm. Key Topics Covered: 1 Overview of Passenger Car CTP, CTC and CTB Industry 1.1 Development Background and History of Integrated Batteries for Passenger Cars 1.2 Integrated Batteries: CTP Technology 1.3 Integrated Batteries: CTC Technology 1.4 Integrated Batteries: CTB Technology 1.5 Impact of Battery Pack Integration on the Number of Parts and Group Efficiency 1.6 Comparison among CTP, CTC and CTB Technologies 1.7 China's Battery Integration Policies 1.8 Advantages of Chinese Battery Vendors in Developing Battery Integration Technology 1.9 Product Layout of Integrated Battery Suppliers 1.10 Product Layout of Integrated Battery OEMs 2 Tier1 Suppliers of Passenger Car Battery Integration 2.1 CATL 2.2 CNP 2.3 Tianjin EV Energies (JEVE) 2.4 SVOLT Energy 2.5 CALB 2.6 AESC 2.7 LG Energy Solution 2.8 SK On 2.9 Farasis Energy 2.10 EVE 2.11 SEVB 2.12 REPT 2.13 FinDreams Battery 2.14 BAK Battery and Capacity Planning 2.15 CTP and CTC Technical Planning of Lishen Battery 2.16 Phoenix Battery of Greater Bay Technology 3 Integrated Battery Layout of Passenger Car OEMs 3.1 Leapmotor 3.2 BYD 3.3 Tesla 3.4 BAIC BJEV 3.5 SAIC 3.6 Neta Automobile 3.7 Volvo 3.8 Volkswagen 3.9 CTC Technical Solutions of JAC 3.10 CTP Technology of HYCAN 3.11 CTP Technology of Ford 3.12 Battery Technology and Capacity Layout of Changan Automobile 3.13 CTC Technology of Great Wall Motor 3.14 CTP Technology of FAW 3.15 CTP Super Fast Charging Battery System of GAC 3.16 CTP Technology of NIO 3.17 Xpeng's CIB Technology and Models Supported 3.18 Chery's Integrated Battery Technology and Capacity Layout 3.19 ZEEKR's CTP Technology 3.20 CTB Technology of Xiaomi Automobile 4 Development Trends of Passenger Car Integrated Battery Industry For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s0vsrh 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 BEIJING, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's two sessions - China's annual legislative and political consultative sessions - officially concluded on Monday, after national lawmakers and political advisers spent a week or so, on mapping the country's social and economic development blueprint for 2024 and beyond. Often described as one of the most important political events, the two sessions, during which a slew of development goals are determined, offer a critical window for the world to view the latest economic trends and policy priorities in the world's second-largest economy. More importantly, Chinese President Xi Jinping's agenda and major speeches during the two sessions provide the most crucial insights into the development path of the Chinese economy. During this year's two sessions, Xi participated in three deliberations or group discussions with national lawmakers and political advisers, during which he also delivered important speeches. And a key theme emerged from these meetings and speeches: The Chinese top leader has put new quality productive forces front and center in China's economic agenda in 2024 and for many years to come. As a relatively new concept that was first put forward by Xi during an inspection tour of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province in September 2023, new quality productive forces has become a key phrase in China's political lexicon in recent months. Xi's emphasis on the phrase further highlighted its significance in China's economic policymaking and China's future development paths, as officials across the country have and will continue to roll out measures to boost innovation and generate new productive forces. China's pursuit of new quality productive forces, which place the main focus on innovation and technological self-reliance, comes as China's economy faces a profound transformation from old growth drivers to sustainable ones, and as the global geo-economic situation has grown increasingly complex. Therefore, developing new quality productive forces is critical for China's sustainable, high-quality development, Chinese lawmakers, political advisers, and economists said. Top leader's focus at two sessions During each year's two sessions, Xi often visits and holds meetings with national lawmakers and political advisors, and delivers major speeches on key national issues. This year, the Chinese president made three such visits, in line with the number made during the two sessions in 2023. On the afternoon of March 5, Xi participated in a deliberation with fellow lawmakers from East China's Jiangsu Province during the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature. Xi called for focusing on high-quality development as a top priority, urging efforts to step up innovation, foster emerging industries, adopt forward-thinking plans to develop future-oriented industries, and improve the modernized industrial system. He stressed the development of new quality productive forces according to local conditions, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The top leader also made remarks about developing new quality productive forces or related issues such as technological innovation at the other two such deliberations he participated in. On March 6, Xi participated in a joint group meeting during the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body. Xi called on political advisors and all people in the science and technology sector to strengthen basic research and apply basic research, strive to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and create new drivers to develop new quality productive forces. Then on March 7, Xi attended a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force at the second session of the NPC. He stressed deepening reform to comprehensively enhance strategic capabilities in emerging areas. He also said that China's drive to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces has provided rare opportunities for the development of strategic capabilities in emerging areas. The successive remarks about the new quality productive forces on three different occasions accentuated the top leader's focus on the issue and its importance in China's economic development, not just this year but in the years to come, national lawmakers, political advisers, and experts said. "The concept offers guidance for our country to take advantage of the historical opportunity of a new round of technological upgrade and aims to develop strategic emerging industries and future industries," Guo said. Developing new quality productive forces is a decisive step in the economy's high-quality development course, Guo Guoping, an NPC deputy and a vice director of the Key Laboratory of Quantum Information of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times. New quality productive forces refers to innovation-led, advanced productivity that is freed from traditional economic growth mode and productivity development paths, is high-tech, high efficiency and high quality, and is in line with the new development philosophy, Xi said during a group study session of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in February, stressing that developing new quality productive forces is an endogenous requirement and a pivot of high-quality development. From concept to action Thanks to the top leader's focus, while the concept of new quality productive forces has only been around for a few months, it has been rising rapidly in China's political and social lexicon and has become a buzzword across the country. More importantly, it has already been put into action in China's economic policymaking. The Central Economic Work Conference in December 2023, which set top economic policy priorities for 2024, also heightened the development of new quality productive forces. New quality productive forces also became the subject of the first group study session held by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee this year, according to Xinhua. This year's Government Work Report also highlighted efforts to develop new quality productive forces. According to the report, China will strive to modernize its industrial system and develop new quality productive forces at a faster pace. It also said that China will step up research on disruptive and frontier technologies, and will launch an AI Plus initiative. The top leader's emphasis on new quality productive forces was echoed throughout the two sessions, where lawmakers and political advisers enthusiastically talked about the concept and vowed to make great efforts in developing new quality development. Shan Zenghai, an NPC deputy and chief engineer of Chinese construction equipment giant Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG), who participated in the deliberation of the Jiangsu delegation on March 5, said he was inspired by the top leader's remarks on new quality productive forces. "The encouragement from top leadership greatly boosted our confidence in sticking to innovation-driven growth, bolstering the real economy and promoting high-quality development," Shan told the Global Times. Zhou Bin, another NPC deputy from Yancheng, Jiangsu, who also attended the deliberation, told the Global Times that Xi's important remarks on new quality productive forces have offered scientific guidance for opening up new development tracks and shaping new development momentum. Many officials vowed to take concrete actions to develop new quality development forces. Wu Qingwen, an NPC deputy and mayor of Suzhou, Jiangsu, said the city has the foundation, the condition, and the responsibility to take a lead in developing new quality productive forces, vowing to step up scientific and technological (sci-tech) innovation and bolster the city's high-end equipment, biomedicine, new energy industries among others, and create "new engines" such as artificial intelligence (AI). Solid progress, great potential When it comes to sci-tech innovation and the development of new growth drivers, China has already made great strides, thanks to the focus and support from the top leadership, national lawmakers, political advisers, and experts said. China has already become an innovation power. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Thursday, China remained the leader in international patent applications, followed by the US, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. At the end of 2023, the number of high-value invention patents held on the Chinese mainland had exceeded 1.66 million, an increase of 25.7 percent year-on-year, and the number of effective high-value invention patents acquired in strategic emerging industries had reached 1.17 million, accounting for 70 percent of the total, according to Xinhua. Also highlighting the steady progress in and importance of forming new growth drivers is the fact that the shift in China's three most popular exports. In the past, the three most popular items China exported were clothes, furniture, and home alliances, which were relatively low-value and labor-intensive; however, new-energy vehicles, solar batteries, and lithium-ion batteries have become China's tech-intensive and green "new three," with a combined export value of 1.06 trillion yuan ($150 billion) in 2023, jumping 29.9 percent year-on-year. Moving forward, the development of new quality productive forces has great potential in China, as its huge marketplace ensures full testing, application, and evolution of new technologies and new business models, Xu Jiuping, a professor at Sichuan University and a member of the National Committee of the 14th CPPCC, told the Global Times, pointing to the support of national innovation policies. Underscoring such policy support, the central government has pledged to allocate 370.8 billion yuan ($51.51 billion) for science and technology in 2024, an increase of 10 percent, with a focus on basic research, applied basic research, and national strategic tasks in science and technology, according to the budget adopted at the two sessions. SOURCE Global Times Thentia announces the addition of veteran health and social care regulator Ginny Hanrahan to its regulatory SME team. With her extensive experience, including as CEO of CORU, Ginny will help Thentia's customers enhance their regulatory excellence and support the company's growth across Europe. DUBLIN, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As part of its ongoing commitment to regulatory excellence, Thentia is pleased to welcome Ginny Hanrahan to its global team of regulatory experts. With a career in health and social care spanning four decades, including 15 spent as the inaugural CEO and Registrar at CORU, Ireland's multi-profession health and social care regulator, Ms. Hanrahan joins Thentia as an independent consultant and will use her considerable regulatory expertise to support the company's growing European business. With her extensive experience, including as CEO of CORU, Ginny will help Thentia's customers enhance their regulatory excellence and support the company's growth across Europe. (CNW Group/Thentia Corporation) Ms. Hanrahan will use her knowledge and experience to deepen Thentia's understanding of regulators' needs both internationally and in Europe specifically, where regulatory requirements vary from country to country and also align with European Union laws, regulations and directives. Her expertise in regional issues such as the freedom of movement among European licensed professionals looking to work across borders, for example, will also be critical in supporting the business. Thentia recently launched a recognition of qualifications feature in its platform. "The work that Thentia is doing to bring greater speed, efficiency, and accuracy to regulatory processes is critical to helping regulators fulfill their obligation of protecting the public," says Ms. Hanrahan. "I'm delighted to be joining an organization that doesn't just say that it is committed to regulatory excellence, but actually backs it up with one of the best teams of industry experts in the world. I look forward to working with Thentia and to helping make regulation more interesting and accessible to other people." Before joining Thentia, Ms. Hanrahan established CORU and served as the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar. A user of Thentia Cloud, CORU is a leading regulator in Ireland that oversees 13 professions across the country. Throughout her career, Ms. Hanrahan has also served as a Board Member and President of the Council for Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) as well as being on the Board of Directors/Vice Chair of the Association of Chief Executives of State Agencies. Prior to her work at CORU, she was the Head of Clinical Services at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and, prior to this, spent 17 years working as an occupational therapist in Ireland, Australia, and the UK. "We are delighted to welcome Ginny to our regulatory team," says Julian Cardarelli, Chief Executive Officer, Thentia. "Thentia stands as a leader in our industry through our deliberate effort to build an in-house team of regulatory experts dedicated to supporting our customers at every stage of their journey with us. Ginny's profound expertise in the regulatory sector will be an invaluable addition to our regulatory team, and she will undoubtedly be instrumental in guiding Thentia's continuous evolution to meet the diverse needs of our customers globally." Cardarelli adds, "This strategic approach ensures that we are not only meeting but exceeding the expectations of our clients, who consistently attest to the immense value this brings to our company." Ms. Hanrahan earned her diploma in occupational therapy from St. Joseph's College of Occupational Therapy before earning a M.SC in Community Health from Trinity College Dublin and a M.Scin Executive Leadership from Ulster University. Join Thentia for a live webinar featuring Ms. Hanrahan on March 20, as she delves into the crucial role of regulators in facilitating global workforce mobility and its influence on international employment trends. Register to attend this virtual event to gain insights into overcoming regulatory hurdles and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by regulated professions within the global labor market. About Thentia Thoughtfully built for regulators, by regulators, Thentia is driving regulatory transformation for hundreds of regulators and regulatory agencies worldwide with a platform that handles all key department functions including licensing, investigations, enforcement, fitness to practise, quality assurance, scope of practise, continuing education, board management, data analysis, and more. Thentia Cloud empowers regulators to transcend the constraints of legacy processes, custom-built solutions, and a web of disparate applications with a single unified 360-degree platform, setting new standards in efficiency and effectiveness. Thentia Cloud is available on all major cloud providers, including Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. For more information, visit thentia.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Kerri-Lynn Kilbey Communications Manager T: (437) 703-9412 E: [email protected] SOURCE Thentia Corporation Viking Cruises is planning to introduce multiple inbound cruise routes for foreign visitors this fall, providing them options for sightseeing in China, and contribute to the high-quality growth of inbound tourism in the country, the Norwegian cruise line operator said. China will adopt a visa-free policy for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg on a trial basis, starting March 14. In late November, China announced a 15-day visa-free policy for short-term stays of citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia, and the number of inbound foreign visitors has grown steadily since. Fueled by a strong recovery in China's tourism market, Viking plans to launch four inbound routes of 10 to 20 days. The voyages will be operated by China Merchants-Yidun, the first Chinese-flagged luxury ocean cruise ship. These routes will stop at cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as smaller cities such as Fuzhou, Fujian province and Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. Some ports in China will receive international tourists for the first time, the company said. "We will become the first cruise liner to provide inbound routes within China for international travelers. As one of the countries with the richest cultural heritages, China's splendid culture has attracted tourists from all over the world," said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. During the Spring Festival holiday this year, the main source countries for inbound visitors included the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and Russia, said the China Tourism Academy. Viking said the four new inbound routes will only target international visitors whose native language is English. Those routes will showcase China's folk arts, history and culture to foreign visitors and combine them with local delicacies and English tour guides. For the 20-day tour, the trip will start and conclude in Beijing, and stop by inland cities such as Chengdu, Sichuan province; Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region; and Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The inland itineraries will be operated by flights, it said. Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said China's magnificent mountains and rivers, splendid culture, and high-quality economic and social development are increasingly strong attractions for people across the world. "Following the comprehensive recovery of inbound tourism, China also needs to prepare for a series of services for foreign visitors, including tour guides in different languages, catering, accommodation, and retail," Dai said. Meanwhile, after China optimized its COVID-19 response measures, the demand for cruise trips from Chinese travelers has been growing steadily. International and domestic cruise operators are bullish about the long-term prospects of the cruise tourism market in China. China's first domestically developed large cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, carrying more than 3,000 tourists, embarked on its inaugural commercial voyage from Shanghai to Kagoshima, Japan, and Jeju, South Korea, on Jan 1. During this year's Spring Festival holiday, cruise tourism in Shanghai continued to be popular. The Shanghai border inspection authorities inspected a total of four inbound and outbound cruise ships, handling over 21,200 inbound and outbound passenger trips. Besides, US cruise line operator Royal Caribbean International plans to launch cruise trips from Shanghai to multiple Japanese destinations on four to seven-night trips in late April. The ship, custom-designed for Chinese travelers, is the sole mega-size international luxury cruise liner operating in Asia. "Luxury cruise ships serve as captivating landmarks in coastal international metropolises, promoting cultural exchanges between China and other countries, and bolstering Shanghai's position as the Asia-Pacific international cruise hub," said Liu Zinan, senior vice-president and chairman of Asia at Royal Caribbean Group. "It will also help with stimulating demand within related industries, generating employment opportunities and income, and carrying significant socioeconomic importance," Liu said. This year, the global cruise tourism market is expected to witness 35.7 million passenger trips, exceeding the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019, the Cruise Lines International Association projected. NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis market size is estimated to grow by USD 6.61 billion, at a CAGR of 5.97% between 2023 and 2028. Information Services Market Insights: Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Market 2024-2028 Vendors : 15+, Including 3M Co., Allmed Medical Care Holdings Ltd., AngioDynamics Inc., ANGIPLAST Pvt. Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corp., Atlantic Biomedical Pvt. Ltd., B.Braun SE, Baxter International Inc., Becton Dickinson and Co., Boston Scientific Corp., Dialife SA, Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, JMS Co. Ltd., Medical Components Inc., Medtronic Plc, Mitra Industries Pvt. Ltd., Nikkiso Co. Ltd., Nipro Medical Corp., Outset Medical Inc., Rockwell Medical Inc., Toray Industries Inc., V J Industries, AWAK Technologies, among others : 15+, Including Co., Allmed Medical Care Holdings Ltd., AngioDynamics Inc., ANGIPLAST Pvt. Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corp., Atlantic Biomedical Pvt. Ltd., B.Braun SE, Baxter International Inc., and Co., Boston Scientific Corp., Dialife SA, Fresenius SE and Co. KGaA, JMS Co. Ltd., Medical Components Inc., Medtronic Plc, Mitra Industries Pvt. Ltd., Nikkiso Co. Ltd., Nipro Medical Corp., Outset Medical Inc., Rockwell Medical Inc., Toray Industries Inc., V J Industries, AWAK Technologies, among others Coverage: Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Segments: Product (Devices and Consumables), End-user (Dialysis centres, Hospitals, and Home dialysis), and Geography ( North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World (ROW)) . To understand more about the information services market Request a sample report Report Coverage Details Page number 173 Base year 2023 Historic period 2018-2022 Market forecasting period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.97% Market Growth 2024-2028 USD 6.61 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2023-2024(%) 5.53 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key countries US, Canada, Denmark, China, and India Key Companies The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Technavio report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors including - 3M Co. - The company offers products such as 3M MEMBRANA PUREMA, 3M MEMBRANA DIAPES and 3M MEMBRANA SYNPHAN. The growing geriatric population is notably driving the market growth: The elderly population faces a high prevalence of chronic diseases like CKD due to age-related declines in immune and organ function. Healthcare spending rises with the growing aging population, projected to triple by 2050. This trend drives demand for devices and consumables, boosting market growth during the forecast period. Growing demand for home-based dialysis treatments is an emerging trend shaping the market growth. A shortage of skilled professionals is a significant challenge hindering the market growth. Insights on market dynamics that can impact businesses, further details on trends, challenges & drivers Download sample report The hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis market report provides critical information and factual data, with a qualitative and quantitative study of the market based on market drivers and limitations as well as future prospects. Grow your profit margin with Technavio Buy the Report Analyst Review: The Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of kidney disease and renal failure worldwide. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are vital renal replacement therapies for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease. These treatments utilize specialized dialysis machines and equipment to purify blood and remove waste products from the body, replicating renal function. Hemodialysis involves the use of a dialysis machine and hemodialysis catheter to filter blood externally, while peritoneal dialysis utilizes a dialysis solution and peritoneal dialysis catheter to filter blood internally through the peritoneum. Both modalities play a crucial role in managing renal failure and improving patient outcomes. The dialysis market encompasses a wide range of products, including dialyzers, dialysis solutions, and dialysis devices, supported by a network of dialysis clinics and centers. Continuous innovation and advancements in dialysis technology are driving the market forward, enhancing treatment efficacy and patient comfort. Dialysis research and development initiatives are focused on addressing dialysis complications, improving dialysis management, and expanding access to renal care globally. Market Overview: The Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Market encompasses treatments for kidney disease, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis, a common procedure, involves using a dialysis machine to filter blood outside the body. Peritoneal dialysis, an alternative method, utilizes the peritoneum's membrane for filtration. Both are vital for managing renal failure and chronic kidney disease, providing renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease patients. The market includes dialysis equipment, such as machines and catheters, as well as dialysis clinics and centers offering these treatments. With advancements in dialysis technology and innovation, coupled with increasing cases of kidney disease, the demand for dialysis products and services continues to grow, driving the market forward. Related Reports: The Urology Devices Market size is estimated to grow by USD 14.10 billion at a CAGR of 6.3% between 2022 and 2027. The Renal dialysis market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.77% between 2022 and 2027. The renal dialysis market size is forecast to increase by USD 65.79 billion. About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio STOCKHOLM, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Husqvarna Group has for the third consecutive year been recognized as a 'Global Supplier Engagement Leader' by CDP, a non-profit organization that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Husqvarna Group receives Rating A, confirming the company's commitment to sustainability and reducing CO2 emissions across the value chain. More than 23,000 companies have disclosed their data to CDP and been given a Supplier Engagement Rating (SER). The SER provides a rating for how effectively companies are engaging their suppliers on climate change based on governance, targets, scope 3 emissions, and supplier engagement practices. The scores in the CDP rating system are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero-carbon, sustainable and resilient economy. "Together with our suppliers and partners we can find solutions and drive change towards a low-carbon economy. We are thankful for the mutual engagement and view CDP's recognition as inspiration to continue reducing our environmental footprint," says Calle Medin, Vice President Sustainability at Husqvarna Group. Husqvarna Group aims to cut the absolute CO emissions across the value chain by -35 % by 2025 while profitably growing the business. By the end of 2023, the Group's total emissions were down by -44% with 2015 as base year, mainly due to the shift from petrol to battery-driven products. For further information, please contact: Henrik Sjostrom, Head of External Communication +46 727 15 77 85 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/husqvarna-group/r/husqvarna-group-gets-prestigious--a--rating-for-its-engagement-with-suppliers-on-climate-change,c3946144 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/996/3946144/2670865.pdf Husqvarna Group gets prestigious aAa Rating for its engagement with suppliers on climate change https://news.cision.com/husqvarna-group/i/cdp-2023-logo,c3278627 CDP 2023 logo SOURCE Husqvarna Group FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai in collaboration with Culture Brands, its African American marketing agency, launched their new multicultural campaign featuring the highly anticipated 2024 Santa Fe SUV. The latest addition to the popular "OKAY Hyundai" series, the new campaign, titled "The Drop", seamlessly integrates the allure of sneaker culture with the dynamic, adventure-driven lifestyle of the all-new fifth-generation Santa Fe. Video: Hyundai The Drop African American TV Ad Hyundais The Drop' Multicultural Marketing Campaign | Screengrab of Hyundais TV Ad with Culture Brands for the Santa Fe, Jan. 24-25, 2024. "The Drop" immerses viewers in the electric atmosphere of a sneaker release, spotlighting Black-owned brands like Brandblack and Black talent both in front of and behind the camera. Produced by FELA, a Black-owned production company, and directed by Julien Christian Lutz (Director X), known for iconic music videos, the campaign captures the essence of sneaker culture. Collaborating with Culture Brands, CEO Eunique Jones Gibson and Executive Producer Jessica Toscano spearheaded the vision with intention. The spot also features the soundtrack "Big Fish" by Vince Staples. Through each cultural nod, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe reveals itself as the true coveted "drop". Hyundai "The Drop" African American TV Ad "It's imperative to break new ground. With 'The Drop' we're driving the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe into the limelight through an intentional and fresh cultural perspective, aligning our creative ingenuity with the dynamic experiences of Hyundai's ever-evolving consumer base," said Angela Zepeda, CMO of Hyundai Motor America. "This campaign isn't just about showcasing a vehicle; it's about setting the pace for a vibrant fusion of automotive innovation and culture." The spot powerfully highlights the redesigned Santa Fe's bold and distinctive design, accentuating its enhanced spaciousness with the addition of a third row and captain's seats, while also spotlighting its advanced technological features, including dual wireless charging and dual 12.3-inch displays. Positioned competitively in the Compact SUV segment, the Santa Fe is a frontrunner among African American consumers who purchased Hyundai vehicles in 2023, consistently marking its position as a Top 3 choice for the demographic. Offering various trim levels and engine options, including a Hybrid variant, the all-new Santa Fe aligns with Hyundai's broader sustainability initiatives. Launching the SUV required unique storytelling to effectively communicate its revitalized energy. "The Drop" spot showcases the vehicle's state-of-the-art technology while capturing a cultural vibe that instills a feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out). "With the all-new Santa Fe, we're injecting a surge of excitement into every ride, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with urban flair," said Erik Thomas, director of experiential marketing, Hyundai Motor America. "From city streets to off-road adventures, the new Santa Fe's sleek innovation meets the pulse of culture and redefines the journey, exceeding expectations every step of the way." "This campaign represents an ongoing exploration of the rich tapestry of culture. By pairing relatable creative and talent with cultural icons like Director X and BrandBlack, we continue to authentically capture the vibrant essence of our community through the "OKAY Hyundai" campaign and showcase how the new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe integrates within it," expressed Eunique Jones Gibson, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Culture Brands. "The Drop" will be showcased through various channels, including, digital, and influencer engagements, branded content development with culturally relevant media partners and other digital touchpoints to further influence awareness and opinion through the storytelling of impactful and relevant narratives. There are 30-, and 60- second versions of the spot available for broadcast and digital channels. Culture Brands Culture Brands is an independent, minority and female-owned agency that exists to authentically celebrate, reflect and represent African Americans in media. Founded in 2017, by 15-year advertising veteran Eunique Jones Gibson, we create culturally relevant and affirming campaigns and content that engage African American audiences by ensuring they are seen, heard and valued. At Culture Brands, we are constantly engaged in a two-way conversation with the African American community through our owned and operated media platforms and consumer brands such as the award-winning Because of Them We Can and #CultureTags. The agency is headquartered right outside of the nation's capital in Lanham, MD. www.culturebrands.co Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok Campaign credits Client: Hyundai Motor America CEO: Randy Parker CMO: Angela Zepeda Director, Experiential & Multicultural Marketing: Erik Thomas Manager, Multicultural Marketing: Daniel Maynez Agency: Culture Brands (@culturebrands) CEO/Chief Creative Officer: Eunique Jones Gibson (@euniquejg) Executive Producer: Jessica Toscano (@jessmam) Managing Director: Luis Gonzalez Creative Director: Christopher McLaughlin) (@cam709) Agency Producer: Sarah Hawkins (@_sarah_hawkins) Account Director: Britt Wright (@brittwright_) Account Manager: Breyanna Tripp (@bree.tripp) General Manager: Ed Boyd Art Director: Natalie McGarvey Media Director: Kimberly Smith (@mskimrene) Director of Research & Insights: Mickey Hill PR: DISRPT PR (@disrpt_agency) Director: Director X (@directorx) Production: Fela (@ fela.tv ) EP: Fuliane Petikyan (@fulianepetikyan) EP: Taj Critchlow (@tajtheblacklion) Production Manager: Laura Odette (@logold) 1st AD: Chris Blanch (@avalancheblanch DP: Diego Rosenblatt (@diegoros) Production Designer: David Courtemarche @dc5designs SOURCE Hyundai Motor America NEW YORK, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Immunoassay Market is projected to reach a value of USD 8.64 billion with a CAGR of 4.42% between 2023 and 2028. North America is estimated to contribute 41% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. For Comprehensive details on the market size of historic period(2017 to 2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Immunoassay Market 2024-2028 View Sample report Report Coverage Details Page number 166 Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.42% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 8.64 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2023-2024(%) 3.49 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key countries US, Canada, UK, Germany, and China Key Developments: Rapid advances in technology, intense competition, and changing dynamics in the market are the key factors for the intense competition among vendors. With the rising competition, the market will see consolidation. However, manufacturing complexities and high production costs pose significant risk factors for vendors in the market. The rising geriatric population is the key factor driving market growth: The market is driven by factors such as the predictive and preventive medicine for early diagnosis and treatment, growing demand for blood banks and their potential to increase sales, and the rising geriatric population. The global geriatric population is growing due to improved living standards and healthcare, leading to longer life expectancies. This demographic shift sees increased prevalence of chronic diseases and age-related illnesses. Immunoassays aid in identifying genetic risk factors for diseases, driving demand. This trend is a key driver for the global immunoassay market's growth. The application of immunoassays in the food and beverage industry is the primary trend shaping market growth. Antibiotics are mainly used to prevent and treat diseases in livestock. Thus, remaining antibiotic residues in foods of animal origin are harmful to humans and their health. Food contamination due to antibiotic residues has become a major problem globally due to the massive and uncontrolled use of antibiotics. Limited medical reimbursements pose a challenge for market growth, particularly for expensive immunoassay products. In the US, CMS reimburses certain diagnostic test kits, but global reimbursement structures lack support for costly diagnostic practices. Fair reimbursement systems are crucial for accurate diagnosis and market growth. Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. View Sample Report Vendor Landscape The immunoassay market is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get greater market share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products. The report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now Company Profiles The immunoassay market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Abbott Laboratories, Abnova Corp., Agilent Technologies Inc., Becton Dickinson and Co., Bio Techne Corp., bioMerieux SA, Danaher Corp., DiaSorin SpA, F. Hoffmann La Roche Ltd., Mindray Bio medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Omega Diagnostics Group Plc, OraSure Technologies Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., QIAGEN NV, Quidelortho Corp., Seramun Diagnostica GmbH, Siemens AG, Sysmex Corp., Tecan Trading AG, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.. Abbott Laboratories: The company offers immunoassay such as Alinity. Get lifetime access to our Technavio Insights! Subscribe to our Basic Plan billed annually at USD 5000 Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, among others. Market Segmentation The product segment includes reagents, kits, and analyzers. The technology segment includes ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA), ELISpot and others. The reagents and kits segment is expected to experience significant market share growth, valued at USD 21.89 billion in 2018. Reagents play a vital role in immunoassays by facilitating reactions, optimizing assay performance, and ensuring accuracy by stabilizing antigens or antibodies and blocking interferences. Compatibility with analyzer materials is essential, while assay kits offer convenience but require consideration for sensitivity and reproducibility. The geography segment includes key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW). North America is projected to contribute 41% to global market growth. The region experiences rapid growth in the elderly population and a high incidence of chronic and infectious diseases, driving demand for immunoassays. Major companies focus on the US market to boost market share, driven by increasing prevalence of diseases like cancer. Analyst Review: The immunoassay market, integral to diagnostic tests in medical diagnostics, relies on the interaction between antibodies and antigens to detect biomarkers indicative of various health conditions. As a cornerstone of immunology, immunoassays play a vital role in clinical laboratories and point-of-care settings, facilitating rapid and accurate diagnosis across a spectrum of diseases. From ELISA to chemiluminescent, radioimmunoassay, and fluorescence immunoassays, diverse analytical techniques are employed for precise detection in vitro. In the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, immunoassay platforms and instruments are essential for assay development and quality control in therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical chemistry. With an emphasis on precision and personalized medicine, immunoassays contribute significantly to diagnostics in infectious diseases, oncology, cardiology, autoimmune diseases, and more. Moreover, immunoassay optimization and validation ensure diagnostic accuracy, enhancing patient care outcomes. Market trends indicate a continuous evolution driven by technological advancements, research, and development. Emerging markets offer significant growth opportunities, spurred by increasing healthcare policies and investments. Comprehensive regulatory landscapes guide market players in navigating stringent quality standards and compliance requirements. As the immunoassay market continues to expand, competitive analysis and strategic market strategies become imperative for market players to capitalize on emerging opportunities and address evolving healthcare needs effectively. Market Overview: The Immunoassay Market is a vital component of medical diagnostics, focusing on the detection of biomarkers, antibodies, and antigens to assess immune responses and diagnose various conditions. Key technologies include ELISA, chemiluminescent immunoassay, and radioimmunoassay, commonly employed in clinical laboratories and point-of-care settings. This market serves the diagnostic needs of diverse medical fields, including oncology, infectious diseases, cardiology, and autoimmune disorders. Immunoassays play a crucial role in personalized medicine, therapeutic drug monitoring, and precision medicine approaches. Advancements in assay development, quality control, and laboratory automation enhance diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity. The market is propelled by ongoing technological advancements, rising demand for in vitro diagnostics, and increased emphasis on healthcare policies promoting patient care and disease management. About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio SHENZHEN, China, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmVira has recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for oncolytic virus product MVR-T3011 IT (intratumoral injection) for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer with disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy and at least one prior line of anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy. Fast track designation is intended to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs targeting serious conditions with unmet medical needs. The Fast Track designation was sought based on the promising potential of MVR-T3011 IT to meet the unmet medical needs associated with HNSCC. Supporting evidence for this request was derived from Phase I/II trials conducted in both the United States and China, focusing on evaluating the efficacy, safety, and durability of response in patients with HNSCC. HNSCC has become a growing public health concern, with increases in incidence rates as of 2023 statistics. Approximately 32% of patients face recurrence after curative therapy, and 3-10% present with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, emphasizing the aggressive nature and severity of this cancer. While immune checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1/PD-L1 blockers have transformed HNSCC treatment, their benefits are confined to a modest 15-20% of patients. This treatment gap underscores the critical need for innovative therapies. Clinical data indicates that MVR-T3011 IT demonstrated the potential to overcome immunosuppression, and delivered favorable outcomes in terms of tumor shrinkage and control in patients who failed ICI treatments. "Attaining Fast Track designation from the FDA marks a pivotal milestone and underscores MVR-T3011 IT's capacity to address the substantial unmet needs of HNSCC patients," said Grace Guoying Zhou, Chairwoman and CEO of ImmVira. "We are encouraged by the FDA's decision as it reflects the need for FDA approved and widely available treatments for these patients. This designation will allow us to work closely with the FDA to quickly advance MVR-T3011 IT, to make a meaningful difference for patients who require new treatment options." About MVR-T3011 MVR-T3011, ImmVira's proprietary 3-in-1 oHSV, is a novel genetic engineered oHSV which aims to achieve the most favorable profile of attenuated HSV-1 with replication potency in tumor cells and highly restricted replication in normal cells. Its incorporation of two latest and well-validated exogenous genes, PD-1 antibody and IL-12, further enhances immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. About ImmVira ImmVira is a biotechnology company focused on developing and synthesizing biological vector delivery platform. The company has constructed a fully integrated OVPENS (Open Vector+ Potent, Enabling, Novel & Safe) platform with solid science, technology and CMC know-how, and three derivative subplatforms including Oncolytic Virus, Cancer Vaccine and Biosynthetic Exosome, to support ongoing R&D, clinical studies and commercialization of best-in-class mono and combo therapies driven by clinical benefits in oncology and non-oncology fields. SOURCE ImmVira NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indium Tin Oxide Market size is projected to grow by USD 213.87 million, accelerating at a CAGR of 5.24% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the indium tin oxide market including Amalgamated Metal Corp. PLC, American Elements, Diamond Coatings Inc., ENAM OPTOELECTRONIC MATERIAL CO. LTD., ENEOS Holdings Inc, Guangxi Crystal Union Photoelectric Materials Co. Ltd., Indium Corp., Knight Optical Ltd., Kurt J Lesker Co., Merck KGaA, Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd., NANOGRAFI Co. Inc., Nanoshel LLC, Nitto Denko Corp., NYACOL Nano Technologies Inc., OPCO Laboratory Inc., Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd., Tosoh Corp., Ulvac Inc., and Umicore SA. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Indium Tin Oxide Market 2023-2027 Buy the report now for detailed company information Report Coverage Details Page number 175 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.24% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 213.87 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 5.02 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 52% Key countries US, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea Ulvac Inc.: The company offers indium tin oxide products such as NE 5700 and SIV series systems. Segmentation Overview The market is segmented by Technology (Sputtering, Vacuum evaporation, Chemical vapor deposition, Spray pyrolysis, and Others), Application (Electrochromic displays and LCDs, Touch panels, Photovoltaics, Transparent electrodes, and Others), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The sputtering segment is expected to experience substantial growth during the forecast period. Sputtering is a highly versatile method for depositing ITO thin films on substrates, known for its ability to create high-quality, uniform, and pure films. The quality of films produced through this technique is influenced by various sputtering parameters, including substrate temperature, gas composition, chamber pressure, and sputtering rate. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View Free PDF Sample Report Analyst Review In advanced technology, the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) market stands as a cornerstone, powering a multitude of applications ranging from transparent conducting oxide films to gas sensors and LCD displays. This versatile compound, characterized by its thin indium tin oxide layer, plays a pivotal role in shaping various industries, including electronics, construction, and energy. ITO's significance transcends its use in conventional LCD displays; it extends to emerging technologies like field emission displays, electroluminescent display photovoltaic systems, and plasma displays. Its unique properties make it indispensable for energy-efficient windows, flexible and transparent electronics, and heat reflective coatings, thus catering to the evolving demands of modern consumers and industries alike. The market for ITO continues to thrive due to ongoing research and development activities aimed at enhancing production efficiency, reducing production costs, and exploring alternatives to traditional ITO materials. Low-temperature vacuum deposition, sputtering techniques, and electron beam evaporation are some of the prominent methods employed for ITO deposition, ensuring high-quality transparent electrodes and touch panels. Leading companies such as Touch International, Samsung Corning Precision Material, Indium Corporation, and Nitto Denko Corp drive the market forward through strategic business expansions and product line improvements. Their focus on technological innovation, coupled with global network expansions, enables them to cater to diverse end-use industries while maintaining competitive production capacities and revenues. As disposable incomes rise and living standards improve, the demand for ITO-based products is expected to surge, particularly in developing countries. The construction industry, in particular, will witness a substantial uptake of energy-efficient windows and heat reflective coatings, further bolstering the growth of the ITO market during the forecast period. In conclusion, the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) market continues to evolve and expand, driven by relentless technological advancements, growing end-use industries, and increasing consumer demand for innovative electronic products. With a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and performance, ITO remains a vital component in shaping the future of various sectors, promising continued growth and innovation in the years to come. View Free PDF Sample Report Market Overview The Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) market continues to thrive due to its diverse applications across various industries. ITO, a transparent conducting oxide, is pivotal in modern technologies like LCD displays, field emission displays, and electroluminescent display photovoltaics. Its thin layer enhances energy-efficient windows and enables gas sensors to function effectively. Moreover, ITO plays a crucial role in heat reflective coatings, plasma displays, and flexible, transparent electronics like tablets and mobile phones. With its unique properties, including transparency and conductivity, the demand for ITO remains robust. As industries strive for innovation, the market for ITO is expected to witness sustained growth, catering to the ever-evolving needs of consumers and businesses alike. View Free PDF Sample Report Related Reports: Indium Phosphide (InP) Wafers Market: The indium phosphide (InP) wafers market is projected to grow by USD 106.9 million with a CAGR of 13.57% during the forecast period 2021 to 2026. Aluminum Flat-rolled Products (FRP) Market: The aluminum flat-rolled products (FRP) market is estimated to decline at a CAGR of 5.14% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 17.84 billion. Table of Contents: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Technology Market Segmentation by Application Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Minnesota-based frozen pop company - which already has the #1 Natural Water Pop on the market- pushes the boundaries of innovation by launching four NEW Organic flavors at Expo West 2024. ELK RIVER, Minn., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JonnyPops, a frozen pop company dedicated to spreading kindness, has announced the launch of four new Organic flavors for 2024! "We're always looking for new ways to bring joy and happiness to our consumers," said Erik Brust, CEO of JonnyPops. "These new flavors are a testament to our mission of making the world a better place, one pop at a time, and we are confident our fans will love them." JonnyPops Creator of the #1 Natural Water Pop Launches Four NEW Flavors Already Topping the Charts! Post this These new flavors are Organic, Vegan, made in a peanut-free facility, and free from the Big 9 US Allergens. Plus, all JonnyPops are free from artificial dyes and artificial flavors, making these pops something you can feel good about eating and sharing! JonnyPops 4 new flavors: Organic Cotton Candy, Organic Tropical Paradise Punch, Organic Blue Wave, and Organic Berry Burst. These new flavors come on the heels of, JonnyPops Organic Rainbow Fruit Stacks which became a viral sensation and took retailers nationwide by storm. All four new JonnyPops feature the same attention to simple ingredients, nostalgic flavors, and revolutionary layering technology that JonnyPops has become known for. These new flavors are Organic, Vegan, made in a peanut-free facility, and free from the Big 9 US Allergens. Plus, all JonnyPops are free from artificial dyes and artificial flavors, making these pops something you can feel good about eating and sharing! Organic Cotton Candy Cloud captures the whimsical essence of your favorite nostalgic treat in four delightful Cotton Candy layers. Organic Blue Wave features 5 layers blending Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch and Lime flavors. This pop leans into the rising natural blue-foods trend, pushing the boundaries of next-gen natural products creating deep blue colors with no artificial dyes. Organic Tropical Paradise Punch provides an exotic and vibrant taste experience, bringing in new flavor profiles to the JonnyPops family! Every layer is a different flavor: Strawberry Passionfruit & Orange, Pineapple, Prickly Pear, Peach Mango, and Tropical Lime. Organic Berry Burst offers a refreshing burst of flavor combining fan-favorites Raspberry, Strawberry, Grape, Raspberry, and Cherry into an all new pop. JonnyPops was founded in a St. Olaf college dorm room and gained momentum at Twin Cities farmers' markets and cafes in 2012. The company's mission is focused on creating "A Better Pop for A Better World" in honor of company namesake, Jonathan, with their hallmark being a kind deed printed on every JonnyPops stick. "We print a little good deed on every stick to encourage everyone to pay it forward in support of the communities we live and work and sell product to," said CFO, Connor Wray. JonnyPops has distributed millions of kind deeds to fans across the country collecting the sticks, doing the kind deeds, and returning them back to the company as part of JonnyPops' Kindness is Golden program. JonnyPops debuted the new products this week for national distribution at Expo West in Anaheim, CA, and a number of retailers already have these pops on shelves. Find JonnyPops near you here: https://www.jonnypops.com/product-locator. About JonnyPops "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops mission has always been to make high-quality frozen treats and to make the world a kinder place. All JonnyPops are free from artificial dyes and flavors, made in a peanut-free facility, and have a kind deed printed on every pop stick. JonnyPops was founded in a St. Olaf College dorm room and sold its first pops at Twin Cities farmers' markets and local cafes in 2012. Today, JonnyPops employs 150+ people, and pops are sold in major retailers across all 50 states. Get the latest on JonnyPops, including product news, new flavors, and retail locations by visiting jonnypops.com or following them on Instagram @jonnypops! A Better Pop for a Better World For media inquiries including interview opportunities and photos, please contact Jess Horst at: 612-991-3610 or [email protected]. SOURCE JonnyPops - KT&G and PMI entered into a supply and distribution agreements in 2020 for the overseas distribution of KT&G's Next Generation Product lil, resulting in expansion into more than 30 markets to date SEOUL, South Korea, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KT&G Corporation's ("KT&G") (KRX:033780) CEO Bok-in Baek and CEO nominee Kyung-man Bang convened a meeting with Philip Morris International Inc.'s ("PMI") CEO Jacek Olczak on March 12, 2024 at the KT&G headquarters in Seoul, South Korea to discuss the two companies' global partnership. The meeting was attended not only by the CEOs of both companies but also by Kyung-man Bang, who was newly appointed as the KT&G CEO nominee on February 22, 2024. Mr. Bang's participation resulted in sharing of the long-term roadmap and vision of the partnership. The picture shows KT&G CEO Bok-in Baek(right), KT&G CEO nominee Kyung-man Bang(left), and PMI CEO Jacek Olczak(center) taking a celebratory photo after the meeting KT&G and PMI particularly focused on reviewing the achievements of their partnership over the past four years. The two companies first joined hands in 2020 and introduced lil in three markets including Japan in the first year of the agreement. Later, they expanded the coverage of overseas markets to more than 30 markets worldwide, including European countries such as Italy and Greece as well as the Central American region. Building on these achievements, KT&G and PMI entered into a new long-term agreement of 15 years on January 30, 2023 and solidified their commitment to collaboration. KT&G CEO nominee Kyung-man Bang stated, "Over the past four years of partnership with PMI, we have successfully elevated the competitiveness of our NGP products and brands, and established a solid foundation for the robust growth of our global NGP business. Going forward, we will strive to secure our future growth momentum and propel the company into global top-tier position by building on the collaboration with PMI." PMI CEO Jacek Olczak stated, "PMI and KT&G share a common vision of providing better alternatives to more than one billion smokers around the world and the two companies have been continuing strategic collaboration with this vision in mind. We hope the smoke-free products of the two companies will play a complementary role to each other, providing a more innovative product portfolio to more consumers." SOURCE KT&G Corporation SEOUL, South Korea, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KT&G Corporation ("KT&G" or the "Company") (KRX:033780) responded to Institutional Shareholder Services' ("ISS") unilateral recommendation to vote against KT&G Board of Directors' ("BOD" or the "Board") proposals, by issuing a letter to both ISS and its shareholders on March 15, 2024 and published the letter on its website. The following provides the company's clarification concerning ISS' recommendation. Firstly, KT&G has observed that ISS' analysis incorporates data and assertions provided by a dissident shareholder, Flashlight Capital Partners ("FCP"). The company is concerned with the proxy advisory firm's reliance on the data provided by FCP, particularly regarding the company's overseas business performance, which the company believes may not entirely align with its reported financial results. Secondly, KT&G believes that ISS' recommendation to vote against the appointment of CEO nominee Kyung-man Bang appears to contradict its own proxy voting guideline. These guidelines generally do not recommend against the election of a CEO. KT&G has operated its Senior Management Training Program for over four years, and selected the CEO nominee through an impartial and transparent process, which encompasses open recruitment of CEO candidates and incorporation of objective opinions from the advisory panel composed of external experts. KT&G is concerned that ISS' recommendation might not fully reflect the rigorousness of this selection process, potentially impacting shareholder value, including the risk of creating a leadership vacuum. Thirdly, KT&G finds ISS' recommendation against Sang-wook Kwak, the Board-endorsed Outside Candidate director candidate who will also serve as an Audit Committee member, lacking a clear reasoning. KT&G believes this recommendation may indicate a misunderstanding of the cumulative voting system and possibly suggest an unduly critical perspective towards the company. Fourthly, according to ISS' proxy voting guideline, if a dissident shareholder who owns more than five percent of the company's stock nominates a director, the candidate may not be considered independent. Therefore, KT&G believes that ISS' recommendation to vote for Dong-hwan Son as Outside Director contradicts its own proxy voting guideline, given that Mr. Son was nominated by Industrial Bank of Korea ("IBK"), which holds 7.1% stake in KT&G. Lastly, the company expresses its concern over the interactions between ISS and FCP, particularly regarding discussions about the company's export business profitability. After a meeting with ISS on March 11, 2024, where FCP-provided data was cited, KT&G sought clarification and requested the data for review. However, KT&G did not receive a response. Subsequently, KT&G reviewed data publicized by FCP during its webinar and considered that some discrepancies and inaccuracies are there. For instance, FCP has claimed that KT&G's export cigarette business and export Next Generation Product ("NGP") business recorded deficits of KRW 68 billion and KRW 57 billion from 2020 to 2022, respectively. In fact, the company achieved a combined operating profit of KRW 550 billion in export cigarette business and export NGP business during the same period. KT&G notified ISS on March 14, 2024 that there were sufficient material errors and misinformation in the materials FCP provided to ISS, but ISS proceeded to publish its Proxy Research Report on the same day FCP's webinar ended. In conclusion, KT&G seeks to address these concerns constructively and is committed to engaging in transparent discussions with all stakeholders. The company hopes for a careful reconsideration of the recommendations and a dialogue that serves the best interests of all shareholders. SOURCE KT&G Corporation Lake Norman Plumber on Call's Membership in the PHCC Demonstrates the Company's Commitment to Professionalism and Excellence in Their Work MOORESVILLE, N.C. , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Owner of Lake Norman Plumber on Call in Mooresville, North Carolina, Matthew McCafferty strives to do everything he can to ensure that his company is providing top-quality service to his valued customers, all while upholding industry standards. One of the many ways McCafferty and his team are meeting these important goals is by being a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC). "We joined PHCC at least five years ago, and are proud to be part of an organization that shares our values," McCafferty said, adding that the PHCC is a national association that represents the interests of plumbing, heating, and cooling contractors. To learn more about how being a member of the PHCC is beneficial to Lake Norman Plumber on Call and their customers, please visit https://lakenormanplumberoncall.com/lake-norman-plumber-on-call-is-a-long-standing-member-of-the-plumbing-heating-cooling-contractors-association/ . As McCafferty noted, by joining the PHCC, Lake Norman Plumber On Call has gained access to a wide range of resources and tools that can help improve and grow the business. This includes access to industry training and certification programs, as well as networking opportunities with other professionals in the field. "For our valued customers, this means that we are dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices. This ensures that our technicians are knowledgeable and skilled in providing high-quality plumbing services to homeowners and businesses in the Lake Norman area," he said. Some of the more common plumbing services calls that Lake Norman Plumber on Call performs in an average day include: Find and repair plumbing leaks Install garbage disposal Repair showers Install and repair toilets Install water heater Repair faucet Repair garbage disposal Repair outdoor plumbing systems Repair pipes and drains Repair sewer Repair shower Repair toilet Repair water heater Unclog drain General plumbing Membership in the PHCC also demonstrates Lake Norman Plumber On Call's commitment to professionalism and excellence in their work. By aligning themselves with a reputable industry association, McCafferty and his team are showing their customers that they take their business seriously and strive to deliver the best possible service. "Our many years with the PHCC has definitely been a positive development for both our company and our customers. It signifies our dedication to continuous improvement and our desire to provide top-notch plumbing services to the Lake Norman community," McCafferty said. "Customers can rest assured that they are in good hands with a company that is part of a respected industry association like the PHCC." About Lake Norman Plumber on Call: Lake Norman Plumber on Call is a licensed plumber in the Mooresville, NC area, with decades of experience as a plumbing contractor. They specialize in plumbing repairs, including 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Services, as well as installation of new plumbing fixtures and appliances. From hot water heaters to leaky pipes, they can handle all of their customers' plumbing needs. For more information, please visit https://lakenormanplumberoncall.com/ . Lake Norman Plumber on Call 1249 River Hwy Unit A Mooresville, NC 28117 704-657-7711 SOURCE Lake Norman Plumber On Call Inc. ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. (Source: Internet) Today we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Viet Nam and ADB, Mr. Asakawa said at a special ceremony in Ha Noi. Our partnership has improved the quality of life of millions of Vietnamese peopleespecially members of poor and vulnerable groups, and women and girls. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Prime Minister and jointly hosted by the State Bank of Viet Nam and ADB. More than 200 officials and representatives from government, development partners and the private sector attended. During his visit, Mr. Asakawa met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Deputy Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai, and other senior government officials including Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam and ADB Governor Nguyen Thi Hong, and Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. He will also meet with Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc. In the last 30 years, ADBs cumulative assistance to Viet Nam has amounted to about $18 billion, improving regional connectivity; strengthening environmental management and green investment; promoting the transition to climate-resilient development; enhancing access to education, health, and social services; and supporting development of ethnic minority communities. In his meetings, Mr. Asakawa reaffirmed ADBs commitment to provide $3 billion in assistance to Viet Nam during 2024-2026 and emphasized the need to enhance project preparation efficiency to accelerate delivery. In addition, ADB has pledged to mobilize $2.1 billion under the governments Resource Mobilization Plan to support the Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnership. Viet Nam is among six Association of Southeast Asian Nations members that have committed to net zero emissions by 2050. ADB is stepping up its engagement with governments and development partners in Asia and the Pacific to expand climate finance with an ambition to mobilize $100 billion between 2019 and 2030 from its own resources to support climate mitigation and adaptation. In addition, Mr. Asakawa visited Selex Smart Electric Vehicles Joint Stock Company, the first company in Viet Nam to receive an equity investment from ADB Ventures, which supports and invests in impactful startups, demonstrating ADBs support for innovative private sector business models that can play a powerful role in addressing Viet Nams climate-related development challenges. Mr. Asakawa will also visit Ha Noi College of Electro Mechanics Main Campus under the Skills and Knowledge for Inclusive Economic Growth Project, which aims to upgrade the teaching and learning environments of national high-quality technical and vocational education and training institutes with up-to-date technology./. Masterbatch Market is Segmented by Type (White Masterbatch, Black Masterbatch , Colour Masterbatch, Additive Masterbatch , Plastic Filler Masterbatch ), by Application (Packaging Industry, Agriculture, Industry, Consumer Products). BANGALORE, India, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Masterbatch Market was valued at USD 15610 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 24870 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-11159/Global_Masterbatch Major Factors Driving the Growth of Masterbatch Market The growing need for plastics in a variety of industries, including packaging, automotive, consumer products, and construction, is one of the main drivers of the masterbatch industry. Masterbatches are essential for attaining desired qualities like color, flame retardancy, and UV resistance since they are additives that improve the properties of plastics. Furthermore, in response to customer demand for ecologically friendly products, bio-based and eco-friendly masterbatches have been developed in response to the increased emphasis on sustainable practices. The need for masterbatches is also growing internationally as a result of technical developments in production processes and the growing trend of product customisation. All of these elements work together to support the Masterbatch market's strong development and expansion. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-11159/global-masterbatch TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF MASTERBATCH MARKET The increasing demand from several end-use sectors, including packaging, automotive, construction, and consumer products, is propelling the masterbatch market's expansion. In these industries, masterbatches are frequently used as colorants, additives, and modifiers in the production of plastic goods. The need for masterbatch products is being driven by the growing demand for packaged goods, autos, infrastructure, and consumer goods resulting from urbanization and population growth. One major factor driving the masterbatch industry is consumers' desire for polymer-based products over conventional materials like metal and glass. Polymer materials are favored in a variety of sectors, including electronics and packaging, due to their benefits such as lightweight, durability, and design flexibility. Masterbatches increase the functionality and aesthetics of polymer goods, which encourages more people to use them in a variety of applications. The market is expanding due to the trend towards functional masterbatches and high-performance additives, especially in sectors where specific qualities like conductivity, antimicrobial protection, and barrier qualities are needed. Plastic items may now be used in demanding applications like electronic gadgets, healthcare products, and automotive components thanks to functional masterbatches, which improve the performance and functionality of plastic products. One major factor propelling the masterbatch market is the growth of the consumer goods and packaging sectors. In order to improve the appearance, usability, and shelf appeal of products, masterbatch additives and colorants are becoming increasingly necessary due to the rising demand for packaged food, drinks, personal care items, and home goods. The expansion of online shopping and e-commerce also quickens the need for packaging solutions, which propels market expansion. Own It Today Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-11159&lic=single-user MASTERBATCH MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS The top five producers of masterbatch worldwide are Cabot Corporation, A. Schulman, Inc., Ampacet Corporation, Clariant, and Americhem, Inc. And around 8% of that was used for Clariant manufacture. The packaging, automotive, and electronics sectors exhibit strong demand in North America's masterbatch market. The area is a leader in masterbatch formulation innovation thanks to its sophisticated industrial infrastructure and technological know-how. Tight regulations pertaining to environmental sustainability and product safety also impact market dynamics, resulting in the creation of high-performing and environmentally responsible masterbatch solutions. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-11159/global-masterbatch/3 Key Players: Americhem Cabot Corporation PolyOne GCR Group Tosaf Plastika Kritis.S.A RTP Company Polyplast Mueller GmbH Plastiblends Astra Polymers Alok Masterbatches Hubron Hengcai Gabriel Chemie Group Prayag Polytech Wave Semuliao Group Heima Clariant A. Schulman, Inc. Clariant AG Ampacet Corporation Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-11159/global-masterbatch/1 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Antimicrobial Silicone Masterbatch Market - Antimony Trioxide Masterbatch (ATO Masterbatch) market was valued at USD 854.2 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1103.2 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - PET Type Antiblock Masterbatch market was valued at USD 75 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 115.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Antimony Trioxide Masterbatch (ATO Masterbatch) market was valued at USD 854.2 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1103.2 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Plastic Defoaming Masterbatch Market - Food Grade Silicone Masterbatch Market - Plastic Filler Masterbatch market was valued at USD 373.1 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 444.4 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 2.5% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Environment Friendly Masterbatch market size is expected to reach USD 336.6 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2023 to 2029. - Antiviral Masterbatch Market - Silicone Masterbatch Additive Market - Cable Grade Masterbatch Market - EVA Masterbatch market size is expected to reach USD 1791.3 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2023 to 2029. - Ready-to-use Flame Retardant Masterbatches market is projected to reach USD Million in 2029, increasing from USD Million in 2022, with the CAGR of % during the period of 2023 to 2029. - Oxygen Scavenger Masterbatch Market revenue was USD 71 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 105.1 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period (2023-2029). - Anti-Blue Masterbatch market is projected to reach USD 448.3 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 323 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 5.4% during the period of 2023 to 2029. - Wire And Cable Masterbatch market - BOPP Film Masterbatch Market - PA Masterbatch market was valued at USD 1457.1 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1953.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Anti-aging Masterbatch Market - Smooth Masterbatch Market - Anti-slip Masterbatch Market - Flavor Masterbatch Market - Silicone Masterbatch Market revenue was USD 84 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 125.2 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period (2023-2029). - Toughened Masterbatch Market - Oxygen Scavenger Masterbatch market was valued at USD 71 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 105.1 Million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period 2023-2029. - Calcium Carbonate Masterbatch Market - Color Masterbatches market is projected to grow from USD 4903.5 Million in 2023 to USD 6437.2 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during the forecast period. - Thermal Insulation Masterbatch Market - ABS Masterbatch market size is expected to reach USD 2562.3 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2029. - Anti Rodent Masterbatches Market - Conductive Masterbatch Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS: REACH OUT TO US! Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports GOTHENBURG, Sweden, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto, leading ocean energy developer, strengthens the market activities in Australia and New Zealand by signing collaboration agreement with a new business partner, Hydrokite Project Development. The new partner is established fit-for-purpose to exclusively bring Minesto's technology to these new markets. Minesto expands the market activities in Australia and New Zealand by signing local business partner Hydrokite Project Development to spearhead market entry activities in the region. Adding to the potential project portfolio, the Australian island state of Tasmania is the initial focus, with further potential development sites in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and New Zealand also under consideration. "This is a logic follow-through of our strategy to establish markets through partnerships and acknowledging the need for local connections and know-how. It also aligns well with our strategy to be a tech provider with services, while engaging in site development through partnerships, to limit financial exposure and benefit from existing local relationships," said Dr Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto. Manuel Sessink is the founder and CEO of Hydrokite Project Development and brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the offshore energy industry. Over the past decades, Manuel has held senior executive leadership positions with major players in the energy industry, including BHP, Santos, and INPEX. "I look forward to our partnership and to bring Minesto's unique tidal power generating technology to Australia and New Zealand", says Manuel Sessink. For additional information, please contact Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer +46 735 23 71 58 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/minesto-strengthens-market-activities-in-australia-and-new-zealand-by-partnering-with-local-project-,c3946515 White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin Sits Down with the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States to Discuss the Ties Between Ireland and America WASHINGTON, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association released a new episode of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast today featuring a conversation on the history between Ireland and the United States, and the relationship between the two countries beyond the month of March and St. Patrick's Day. In this episode, Stewart McLaurin, president of the Association, sits down with Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, to discuss the depth of America's Irish roots, and the diplomacy and investment driving a longstanding friendship built on a spirit of independence. Millions of Americans claim their Irish heritage, including half of all U.S. presidents. The White House continues to hold several traditions for St. Patrick's Day in March, from the gifting of shamrocks between a representative of Ireland's leadership to the president, to dyeing the water green in the White House fountains. "I began my career as President Reagan came to Ireland and now as I arrived here in the United States, President Biden visiting [Ireland] was also a moment of extraordinary importance," said Ambassador Byrne Nason. "We're a very lucky people that not just the imagination, but the commitment and the spirit of Ireland has survived the Atlantic journey and has been passed through generationally and in a bipartisan way here in the United States." The relationship between Ireland and the United States extends beyond St. Patrick's Day celebrations, with diplomacy and connectivity driving a technicolor relationship built on Irish spirit and independence. In the words of President Joe Biden, "the fabric of modern America is woven through with the green of the Emerald Isle." The full video of this podcast episode is also available on the White House Historical Association's YouTube channel here. The White House 1600 Sessions podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The White House 1600 Sessions The White House Historical Association's President Stewart McLaurin is the host of The White House 1600 Sessions, the Association's official audio and video podcast devoted to exploring the history, cultural impact, untold stories, and personal accounts of America's most iconic residence and highest office. About the White House Historical Association The White House Historical Association was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to support her vision to restore and preserve the Executive Mansion and its legacy for generations to come. Mrs. Kennedy sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has contributed more than $115 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit WhiteHouseHistory.org. SOURCE The White House Historical Association Sourcing Reports from Gray's Program Evaluation Software, Higher Education Faculty and Administrators Now Have Comprehensive Data to Improve Outcomes and Foster Growth. PITTSBURGH, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuventive, a leader in data-informed improvement software, announced a strategic partnership with Gray Decision Intelligence (Gray DI), a leading academic program evaluation software provider. The partnership enables higher education institutions to use critical data on student demand, enrollment, employment, and program margins to better manage academic programs and strategic planning. By placing Gray DI's extensive reports next to an institution's plans in the Nuventive Improvement Platform , users instantly access the information they need in the context of the decisions they need to make. The combined solution delivers guided analytics to support evidence-based decisions, better allocate academic resources, and address programmatic issues. Users instantly access the [program review] information they need in the context of the decisions they need to make. Post this "This partnership enables institutions to make the best use of program review data to make strategic decisions while capturing progress and sharing effective practices," said Dr. David Raney, CEO of Nuventive. "Gray DI's powerful data paired with Nuventive's unique planning and improvement solution helps leaders ensure their program offerings align with institutional goals, resources, and student needs." Nuventive helps institutions make better use of their information by providing it, sorted by purpose, in context of specific improvement processes. Having a single place to access data from business intelligence (BI), artificial intelligence (AI), public sources, and other tools enables users to access all the information they need at the moment they need to make decisions. This saves faculty and staff valuable time and helps institutions realize greater value from their existing technology investments. Gray DI analytics empower institutions to track and analyze national and local volume and trends by academic program. The data includes U.S. and international student demand, non-degree demand, job postings, skills, enrollment, and competition. Gray DI's clients can identify program growth and efficiency opportunities with this data and better align student demand, employer needs, and institutional resources. "Embedding Gray DI data in Nuventive effectively aligns program performance data with specific program management decisions," said Bob Atkins, CEO of Gray DI. "The combined systems will enable more frequent, accurate decisions to improve program resourcing, efficiency, and student outcomes." To learn more and request a demo, visit www.nuventive.com. About Nuventive Nuventive, a leader in data-informed improvement software, enables higher education institutions to turn their priorities into progress through the better use of information. Its cloud-based platform combines business processes and information to support any improvement initiative, including overall strategy, accreditation, student success, diversity, learning outcomes, general education, administrative outcomes, program review, and sustainability. Nuventive is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit nuventive.com or follow Nuventive on LinkedIn. About Gray Decision Intelligence Gray Decision Intelligence provides the best available data and software to enable colleges and universities to make better-informed decisions. Gray DI's software integrates data on program economics, student demand, employer needs, and competitive intensity for the precise market served by each institution. Faculty and administrative leaders use the software to collaboratively score, rank, and evaluate programs, building consensus on programs to start, sunset, sustain, or grow. With Gray's tools and processes, institutions can identify opportunities to increase enrollment, revenue, and efficiency while investing in their mission and strengthening relationships among faculty and administrators. Follow Gray on LinkedIn. Media contact: [email protected] Nuventive, the Nuventive logo, and the marks relating to other Nuventive products and services referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuventive LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Nuventive Floridians who speak English as a second language focused on reducing AI-related job uncertainty MIAMI, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's leading learning company, today announced the results of a study looking at what motivates professionals across Florida to study a language, finding that concerns include someday losing their job to AI and automation, as well as seeing English fluency as the biggest hindrance to personal and professional success. Titled "How English Empowers Your Tomorrow: The Life Changing Impact of Learning English on your Career and Beyond," the Pearson findings for Florida include: The concern about AI's impact on careers crosses the generations. 52% of Baby Boomers learning English as a second language are motivated to learn English as a strategic move, preparing for potential job shifts due to AI advancements. Even Gen Z (38%), though less concerned, acknowledges the need for language skills to prepare to be potentially moved out of their current career. 52% of Baby Boomers learning English as a second language are motivated to learn English as a strategic move, preparing for potential job shifts due to AI advancements. Even Gen Z (38%), though less concerned, acknowledges the need for language skills to prepare to be potentially moved out of their current career. There's a disconnect between what employees want and what employers provide. While 90% of respondents say on-the-job training of language skills are important, just 31% say their jobs offer anything like that today. While 90% of respondents say on-the-job training of language skills are important, just 31% say their jobs offer anything like that today. Lack of fluency is keeping many immigrants to Florida in jobs below the ones they left at home. 37% of people of Florida immigrants are working in jobs they consider to be lower status than their previous roles, citing lack of language proficiency as the reason for the career step backwards. The report also found second language English speakers report higher job satisfaction with advanced English proficiency, and that fluency helps in social circles too, unlocking opportunities to feel more comfortable and make friends. Additionally, 36% cited proficiency as key to accessing critical services in fields like healthcare and education. "Our study underscores the transformative power of language proficiency," said Paula Sacchini, the Miami-based head of marketing for North America for Pearson. "As AI continues to shape the workforce, English fluency becomes a critical asset for career resilience and for unlocking your full personal and professional potential." Pearson chose Florida as a key market to study due to its international diversity, rapid growth and the number of businesses considering Florida for a base of operations in the near future. With reports estimating as many as 1,200 people move to Florida in the average day, the continued prosperity of these new Floridians will continue to require assessment on how to measure and develop the necessary skills to ensure the state's workforce is ready for tomorrow's changing career landscape. Pearson interviewed more than 5,000 speakers of English as a second or additional language from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Italy, and Florida. Across all regions, the vast majority (80%) believe English skills are directly linked to higher earning potential, while two fifths (40%) think strong English language skills can lead to as much as a 50-80% salary increase. Those with the highest English proficiency are more satisfied with their existing income and jobs. According to the research, three quarters (75%) of advanced English speakers are satisfied with their income, compared with less than half (47%) of beginner English speakers. Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) advanced speakers are satisfied with their job, but this number goes down to fewer than two thirds (64%) among beginners. "This new research shows the importance of English in helping people lead more fulfilling lives both in and outside of the workplace," said Gio Giovannelli, president of Pearson, English Language Learning. "And yet, many people still struggle with a lack of confidence in their English proficiency, which is having an impact on their ability to perform daily tasks at work, to interact with others, and even to simply engage with the world around them, or on social media. With an AI-dominated future causing job uncertainty, the importance of English as a differentiating skill will only grow, which is why we're encouraging people who want to learn English to act now and boost their skills fast with learning that's personalised to their level." Pearson commissioned the research in line with its Global Scale of English (GSE) framework. The GSE offers fast language learning by understanding exactly where each individual is on their journey and giving them confidence in their own skills. With the research, Pearson wanted to understand people's reasons for learning English, as well as their current confidence levels when using the language. Globally, the results showed English skills are critical beyond just job and income prospects: 79% of respondents said it's an important skill in their personal lives 81% think it will be increasingly necessary in the future. Nearly half said that making progress in English has made them confident across all areas of their life. Motivators for wanting to learn English outside of work included: a desire to travel more (55%), to be able to watch TV, film and online content in English (50%) and to be able to read the English around them (48%). For more information on Pearson and to improve your English skills with the GSE, please visit: The Impact of English - Learners, English Language | Pearson Languages. About the research Pearson's study of more than 5,000 speakers of English as a second or additional language was conducted by PSB Insights at the end of 2023 across Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Italy and Florida. Respondents were aged 18-64, who were not fluent in English, didn't speak it as a first language, and were either: actively learning English, regularly using English at work, professionally motivated to learn English or believed English would make their job easier or improve their job prospects. About Pearson At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. For more information, please visit www.pearsonplc.com. About the Pearson Global Scale of English Pearson's Global Scale of English is an essential tool for accelerating English Language Learning. Designed to develop real-world speaking, writing, listening and reading skills, it enables you to accurately assess your current level, set personalised learning goals and track progress on a regular basis. Built on extensive global research, it goes beyond other language learning frameworks to provide detailed insights into proficiency and build confidence. It is a must-have for all serious English language learners. SOURCE Pearson Education PARIS, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China's leading social media and lifestyle platform XIAOHONGSHU x VOGUE Business host the China Digital Excellence Summit and Gala Dinner during Paris Fashion Week 2024, on March 4th and 5th. The event, a nexus for aesthetic appreciation, cultural exchange, and creative inspiration, convened in Paris, uniting industry frontrunners from luxury, fashion, beauty, and cosmetics, etc. with digital marketing and advertising experts. Together, they delved into the nuances of digital engagement strategies for luxury brands targeting the Chinese market. The discussions centered on formulating effective digital strategies for luxury brands in the Chinese market, drawing on XIAOHONGSHU's unique platform that combines a content-rich community ecosystem with a democratized access to fashion. The event aimed to equip international luxury brands with fresh insights for engaging the Chinese market. XIAOHONGSHU x VOGUE Business: China Digital Excellence Summit XIAOHONGSHU x VOGUE Business: China Digital Excellence Summit XIAOHONGSHU Online Fashion Week Luxury products resonate with timeless aesthetic narratives, with their splendor transcending the gaps of time to craft classics even as trends change over time. China has consistently served as an essential growth engine and strategic market for the luxury sector. According to data from Bain & Company, mainland Chinese luxury consumers are forecasted to account for 35-40% of the world's total by 2030, with the mainland's market share expanding to 24-26%. In today's dynamic market landscape, the profiles and purchasing behaviors of Chinese luxury consumers are evolving. The youth demographic is emerging as a significant force in the luxury market, utilizing high-end products as mediums for self-expression and individuality. At the same time, trends within the wider consumer base are evolving alongside shifts in their socio-economic profiles, prompting a push towards increased specialization and diversification. The emergence of these new trends heralds an increasing number of possibilities as well as challenges. To harness the vast opportunities presented by the expanding Chinese market, global luxury brands are pivoting towards digital transformation and prioritizing their online marketing strategies. XIAOHONGSHU boasts capabilities in forecasting fashion trends, providing insights into consumer preferences, fostering emotional connections with consumers, developing localization strategies, and driving digital innovation. These advantages have positioned XIAOHONGSHU as the platform of choice for brands aiming to engage with the Chinese market and unlock new opportunities for growth. The summit was attended by an array of sector trailblazers from XIAOHONGSHU, including Xuanshuang, General Manager of the Luxury, Fashion & Beauty Division; Qingchen, Head of Luxury; and Menghan, Head of Fashion Content. Joining them were Lauren Indvik, Editor-in-Chief and Head of the International Section at VOGUE Business; Adrian Corsin, Managing Director of couture house Mugler; Kenneth Kralick, VP of E-Business at Moet Hennessy; Alison Bringe, Chief Marketing Officer at Launchmetrics; Emilie Beneteau, Global Influence Marketing, Social Media & PR Director at ba&sh; and Rahul Titus, Global Head of Influence at Ogilvy Group. Senior executives from leading international groups among them, Kering, Richemont, LVMH, Lanvin, and Puigas well as from prestigious independent brands including CHANEL, AMI Paris, and Christian Louboutin, were in attendance. In addition, over 100 global brand executives and industry marketing experts gathered to discuss China's digital creative marketing trends, and share perspectives, sparking new fashion inspirations. The summit commenced with a keynote interview featuring VOGUE Business' Paris correspondent Laure Guilbault and Mugler's managing director Adrian Corsin. During the interview, Adrian shared insights into the company's strategy for the Chinese market and highlighted the critical role of social media platforms and the novel approach he deployed in acquainting Chinese consumers with the brand's iconic designs. The event brought together fashion luminaries, Anusha Couttigane, Head of Consulting at VOGUE Business, Kenneth Kralick from Moet Hennessy and Emilie Beneteau from ba&sh, who discussed strategies for conveying brand narratives and establishing brand values through partnerships with Chinese artists. They also explored ways to leverage Chinese social media platforms to attract and appeal to a younger consumer base. Yiling Pan, Associate Editorial Director at VOGUE Business in China, joined Menghan, Alison Bringe, and Rahul Titus in a discussion on the evolution of China's social media landscape and the impact of the influencer economy on luxury marketing. Their conversation unpacked the significant role of content creators and key opinion leaders (KOLs), with a particular emphasis on the social media and influencer marketing ecosystem in China. Menghan spotlighted the wealth of user-generated content (UGC) on XIAOHONGSHU, which has turned the platform into a bastion of diverse, high-caliber, and authentic narratives, positioning it as an international fashion platform with a unique Chinese perspective. She further explained that in this context, both content creators and celebrities have the potential to emerge as influential purchasers who engage with users through their content on the platform. And she further highlighted how both influencers and celebrities are becoming pivotal in engaging with audiences and driving brand conversions through compelling content and targeted live streams. XIAOHONGSHU's head of luxury Qingchen captivated attendees with her presentation, "Embracing the Future of Luxury Marketing with XIAOHONGSHU." Qingchen outlined effective marketing strategies for luxury brands, emphasizing XIAOHONGSHU's pivotal role in connecting with China's affluent consumer base. She underscored the platform's dedication to meeting the emotional demands of Chinese shoppers and swaying their purchasing choices. By showcasing diverse fashion scenarios, facilitating genuine content engagement, and provoking fashion forward thinking that's deeply influenced by lifestyle trends, XIAOHONGSHU champions the concept that anything can entice consumer interest. With a consumer-centric approach at its core, and incorporating partnerships with influencers, digital event marketing, and omnichannel strategies, XIAOHONGSHU has crafted an all-encompassing approach to elevate luxury brands into the digital age of marketing. Navigating Current Trends and Captivating Audiences In today's fast-paced digital landscape, the flux of novel offerings renders consumer attention a coveted yet elusive asset, challenging brands to not only capture but retain consumer interest. The quest to make a memorable impact on Chinese consumers and forge meaningful connections presents a formidable hurdle for luxury labels. XIAOHONGSHU, a pioneering force in fashion and lifestyle trends, boasts an impressive network of over 80 million content creators, with UGC accounting for 90% of its offerings. This authentic, wide-ranging, and exceptional content, coupled with XIAOHONGSHU's distinctive "content seeding" approach, allows the platform to probe into consumer psyches and initiate movements that define trends. Serving as a critical touchpoint for engagement, XIAOHONGSHU empowers luxury brands to tap into emerging trends and buzzworthy topics, facilitating a deeper understanding of target demographics. This, in turn, equips brands with a wealth of insights for nuanced content-driven marketing strategies. In a groundbreaking collaboration with VOGUE Business, XIAOHONGSHU unveiled the 2024 Luxury Product Trends White Paper & Crowd Inspiration Illustration, spotlighting groundbreaking luxury marketing case studies and crystallizing two dominant trends shaping China's luxury sector: fully holistic localization efforts and "contrary to consensus" cross-border marketing programs. The strategy of holistic localization encapsulates luxury brands' strategies to immerse themselves within the Chinese cultural narrative, fostering profound connections and cultural resonance with local audiences through genuine engagement and inventive marketing strategies. The "contrary to consensus" approach redefines cross-border marketing by forging unconventional partnerships, ensuring standout first impressions, and captivating the younger demographic amidst intensifying global competition. Leveraging a vast pool of UGC across the multitude of scenarios available on the XIAOHONGSHU platform while tapping into the latest fashion and style directions from luxury brands, the collaboration delivers an insightful forecast into 2024's luxury fashion trends. Highlighting "practicality," "functionality," and "multi-scenario" as the upcoming year's trend cornerstones, the white paper offers a forward-looking perspective on the evolving landscape of apparel, handbags, footwear, timepieces, and jewelry, guiding industry stakeholders through the next wave of luxury fashion creations. Creating Major Brand Events, Transmitting Brand Values XIAOHONGSHU's vibrant community of 300 million monthly active users, half of whom are the coveted post-95s generation from China's metropolitan centers, has become a cornerstone for luxury brand strategies aiming to connect with affluent, style-conscious consumers yearning for elevated lifestyles. This demographic alignment has positioned XIAOHONGSHU as a critical platform for luxury communication and target audience engagement, leveraging its "product seeding" approach and a robust ecosystem of content creators to drive strategic brand initiatives. The platform's capacity to host significant brand events has increasingly made it a focal point for luxury labels looking to amplify their market presence. Notably, XIAOHONGSHU facilitated GUCCI's pivot to a digital format for its 2024 early spring collection, offering an exclusive cloud-based front row experience that bridged pre-show anticipation with immersive live viewing and post-event engagement, significantly boosting GUCCI's visibility. Similarly, Chaumet harnessed the platform to launch "TIARA DREAM", an immersive experience centered around its iconic tiaras, featuring innovative try-on tech and influencer collaborations that magnified the event's reach and user engagement through organic content sharing. For luxury brands, XIAOHONGSHU has transcended its role as a marketing platform to become a key player in product launches and brand storytelling. Seasonal gifting moments, particularly, offer a strategic opportunity for brands to deepen consumer relationships through culturally resonant campaigns and optimally position their latest products. Notably, during the Spring Festival, illustrious names like Loewe unveiled their 2024 Year of the Dragon limited collections, with the 2024 Jade series paying homage to the revered art of Chinese jade carving, complete with collaborations with master jade carvers to design and produce a limited-edition assortment of handcrafted jade pendants. This move sparked fervent conversations on XIAOHONGSHU, with users eagerly dissecting the Loewe Jade series. Such discussions delve deeper into the ethos of luxury brands, aiding in the broader dissemination of their foundational values within the Chinese market and enhancing the perceived value of luxury brands. Omni-Channel Strategies: Transforming Luxury Brand Engagement In today's market, the trajectory for luxury brands aiming to solidify their footprint in China heavily relies on their expertise in digital marketing. Navigating between the reverence for traditional retail and the dynamism of new media, these brands are mastering omni-channel strategies to sync with the digital-first lifestyle of contemporary luxury shoppers. XIAOHONGSHU is playing a crucial role in enabling luxury brands to expand their reach, offering a platform where personalized content and services meet consumers at every touchpoint, around the clock. The platform excels in narrating brand heritage, spotlighting design sophistication, and amplifying the allure of luxury labels. Furthermore, XIAOHONGSHU provides a bridge for brands keen on translating their ethos and experiential offerings into real-world interactions. Through strategic online engagement, brands invite their audiences to immerse in the tangible world of luxury, facilitating a fluid journey from digital discovery to physical brand experiences. This approach not only redefines brand stewardship but also propels business innovation in the luxury sector. XIAOHONGSHU has developed an innovative Key Opinion Sales (KOS) ecosystem, positioning itself as a vital platform for luxury brands to expand their consumer outreach. With an extensive network of over 100,000 corporate guide accounts and a rich library with nearly 2 million pieces of content, XIAOHONGSHU effectively merges the intrinsic appeal of luxury goods with the expansive reach of digital marketing through the KOS ecosystem. The approach enables direct engagement between brands' physical stores and their online presence, offering tailored communication and services that enrich the consumer experience and address the geographical limitations of traditional luxury retail outlets. The KOS system significantly enhances customer acquisition, accelerates the purchasing process, and deepens the connection between brands and their clientele, ultimately fostering greater brand loyalty and recognition. Additionally, XIAOHONGSHU's mini-programs, a concept recently rolled out on the platform, have become a versatile tool for luxury brands, functioning as a dynamic interface between high-end labels and discerning consumers. Prestigious houses like Dior and Vacheron Constantin have already harnessed the potential of these mini-programs, leveraging their capabilities for brand storytelling, conversion, and engagement. The mini-programs facilitate an immersive exploration of brand values, fostering a deeper connection with consumers through targeted content and interactive experiences. At the same time, their integrated e-commerce features expedite the journey from discovery to purchase, ensuring a seamless transactional experience for the luxury shopper. XIAOHONGSHU is increasingly recognized by luxury brands as a crucial gateway to understanding the complex emotional landscape of Chinese consumers. The platform offers an unparalleled blend of user diversity, authentic storytelling, effective communication, and powerful engagement strategies. As a trend-setter in fashion, XIAOHONGSHU provides luxury marketers with deep insights into consumer behavior, enabling them to tailor their strategies to meet the nuanced needs of their target audience, convey the essence of their brand, and expand their reach. Through XIAOHONGSHU, luxury brands are well-positioned to revolutionize their marketing strategies. By harnessing the unique features of the platform, they can bolster their major marketing campaigns, reinforcing and amplifying their brand influence. As we move further into 2024, the luxury industry continues to embody the dreams of a refined existence. XIAOHONGSHU is poised to remain a key player in the industry's growth, bridging the gap between luxury brands and consumers, navigating future challenges, and advancing toward new frontiers of luxury engagement. Follow XIAOHONGSHU for Business on our global social media platforms to stay updated and inspire lives of luxury and creativity, please kindly visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556803742549 X: https://twitter.com/xiaohongshubiz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xiaohongshu-for-business/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@XiaohongshuforBusiness SOURCE XIAOHONGSHU NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of JBS S.A. (OTC: JBSAY) resulting from allegations that JBS may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased JBS securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 28, 2024, Reuters published an article entitled "New York sues meatpacking giant JBS over climate claims." The article stated, in pertinent part, that "JBS, the world's largest beef producer, was sued on Wednesday by New York state's attorney general, which accused it 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' American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") fell $0.22 per ADR, or 2.4%, to close at $9.02 per ADR on February 28, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. AMSTERDAM, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study conducted by Sevendots, a global leader in CPG strategies, sheds light on the untapped potential of investment in innovation as a driving and underutilized force for growth within the CPG industry. This pivotal research, part of the Sevendots Growth Series, draws from the extensive input of more than 100 brand owners worldwide, a thorough review of existing literature, and a deep dive into numerous case studies to provide a robust framework for enhancing ROI from innovation efforts. The study uncovers a critical insight: Innovation remains an underutilized activity by many players in the CPG industry, showing a worrying trend of diminishing momentum. This is evidenced by a significant decrease in the number of genuine innovation launches. Over half of brand owners identify lack of strategic thinking as the key barrier to fully leveraging innovation The underlying reasons are multifaceted, including limited budgets due to a lack of confidence in ROI compared to other activities, the absence of a visionary and systematic approach, and inadequate measurement practices. Consequently, a staggering 78% of brand owners believe that the current management of innovation within the CPG sector is only somewhat effective or not very effective at all. Furthermore, the research highlights that 54% of brand owners identify the absence of strategic thinking and a clear framework as the primary barriers to achieving disruptive innovation. Yet, there could be a silver lining: several studies suggest that brands perceived to be highly innovative grow much faster than others while companies that prioritize innovation also report superior short-term EBIT growth and long-term total shareholder return. CPGs require a clear framework for innovation success The study calls for a paradigm shift in how CPG companies approach innovation. It advocates for a strategy that transcends traditional product innovation and category definitions, urging firms to develop and implement a clear, effective path for innovation that balances short-term wins with long-term goals. "In a rapidly evolving marketplace, returning innovation to the core of strategic agendas is not just an option but a necessity," said Andrea Bielli, Managing Partner, at Sevendots. "Our findings underscore the immense growth potential for CPG companies willing to rethink their approach to innovation, leveraging it as a powerful engine for growth, differentiation, and long-term success." About the Sevendots Growth Series The Sevendots Growth Series is a comprehensive initiative that reflects the collective insights of over 500 CPG brand owners globally, aimed at driving transformation and fostering growth within the industry. About Sevendots Sevendots is a leading consultancy specializing in industry strategy development and transformational initiatives for the CPG sector. With a rich history of empowering brands to achieve sustainable growth, Sevendots remains at the forefront of industry innovation and thought leadership. For more information about the study, please visit www.sevendots.com. Media Contact: Christina Care Content and Marketing Manager Sevendots B.V. [email protected] +39 348 78 088 02 www.sevendots.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2363629/Sevendots_Logo.jpg SOURCE Sevendots B.V. Written by: Robert S. Slattery JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent years, the healthcare industry has embraced the concepts of the triple and quadruple Aim, focusing on improving patient outcomes, enhancing patient experience, reducing costs, and promoting physician satisfaction. However, a vital component has been missing - the quintessential element that embodies the spirit of collaboration, empowerment, and inclusivity: the workforce. In this white paper, we introduce the Quintus Aim, a paradigm shift to a 5-part model that places employees at the forefront of healthcare transformation. Moreover, we propose the integration of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to enhance employee engagement via equity ownership. By involving employees as active participants in the pursuit of better outcomes and offering them a stake in the organization, the Quintus Aim with an ESOP aspires to revolutionize healthcare delivery, fostering a culture of engagement, innovation, and excellence. Introduction Healthcare is a dynamic ecosystem where the interaction between patients, providers, and payers shapes the quality and efficiency of care delivery. Over the years, various models have been proposed to address the challenges inherent in this complex system. The Triple Aim, introduced by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), focused on enhancing patient experience, improving population health, and reducing costs. Building upon this foundation, the Quadruple Aim added a crucial dimension by emphasizing the importance of physician satisfaction in achieving sustainable healthcare improvements. However, amidst these frameworks, one key stakeholder has often been overlooked the employees who form the backbone of healthcare organizations. Nurses, technicians, administrative staff, and other frontline workers play a pivotal role in delivering care and shaping patient experiences. Recognizing this, we propose the Quintus Aim, which extends the traditional aims of healthcare to include the workforce as an essential component of the equation. Furthermore, the introduction of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) serves to deepen employee engagement and empowerment, amplifying their role in organizational success. The Quintus Aim Framework The Quintus Aim expands upon the principles of the Triple and Quadruple Aim by introducing a fifth dimension - Employee Engagement and Empowerment. This framework recognizes that engaged and empowered employees are not just contributors but catalysts for achieving the overarching goals of healthcare transformation. The Quintus Aim framework comprises the following elements: Patient-Centered Care: Aligning with the core principle of the Triple Aim, the Quintus Aim places the patient at the center of healthcare delivery. It recognizes that engaged and motivated employees increase patient satisfaction and outcomes, resulting in higher patient retention and improved share performance. Population Health Management: Improving population health requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including employees. The Quintus Aim advocates for initiatives that promote employee well-being and resilience, recognizing that a healthy workforce is better equipped to address the needs of diverse patient populations. Cost Containment: Employees that benefit from ownership are mindful of reducing waste, driving lower patient cost of care and improved share performance. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, recognition, and growth opportunities, organizations can optimize resource utilization and improve overall efficiency. Physician Satisfaction: Physician satisfaction remains a crucial aspect of healthcare quality and sustainability. However, the Quintus Aim extends this concept to all employees, acknowledging their role in shaping organizational culture and effectiveness. By addressing factors such as workload, work-life balance, and professional fulfillment, organizations can enhance employee satisfaction and retention. Employee Engagement and Empowerment: At the heart of the Quintus Aim lies the empowerment of employees to drive meaningful change. This involves creating a supportive work environment where employees are encouraged to voice their ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and take ownership of measurable improvement initiatives. By harnessing the collective wisdom and expertise of the workforce, organizations can innovate and adapt to evolving healthcare needs. Introducing an ESOP amplifies this empowerment by providing employees with a tangible stake in the organization's success, aligning their interests with organizational goals. Implementation Strategies Implementing the Quintus Aim with an ESOP requires a multifaceted approach that involves physician and administrative leadership commitment, cultural transformation, and targeted interventions. Key strategies for integrating the Quintus Aim into organizational practices with an ESOP include: Leadership Support: Senior leaders must champion the Quintus Aim and ESOP integration, demonstrating a commitment to employee engagement, empowerment, and equity ownership. This involves setting clear expectations, allocating resources, and fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and shared ownership. Senior leaders must champion the Quintus Aim and ESOP integration, demonstrating a commitment to employee engagement, empowerment, and equity ownership. This involves setting clear expectations, allocating resources, and fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and shared ownership. Employee Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing channels for soliciting and acting upon employee feedback is essential for fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ownership. Organizations can use surveys, focus groups, and town hall meetings to gather insights and address issues proactively, ensuring that employee voices are heard and valued. Establishing channels for soliciting and acting upon employee feedback is essential for fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ownership. Organizations can use surveys, focus groups, and town hall meetings to gather insights and address issues proactively, ensuring that employee voices are heard and valued. Professional Development Programs: Investing in employee training and development enhances competence, confidence, and job satisfaction. Organizations can offer skill-building workshops, mentorship programs, online learning, and career advancement opportunities to support employee competency, growth, and long-term engagement. Investing in employee training and development enhances competence, confidence, and job satisfaction. Organizations can offer skill-building workshops, mentorship programs, online learning, and career advancement opportunities to support employee competency, growth, and long-term engagement. Recognition and Rewards: Recognizing and rewarding employee contributions reinforces a culture of appreciation, motivation, and ownership. This can take the form of performance-based incentives, peer recognition programs, and public acknowledgments of exemplary behavior, alongside the tangible reward of equity ownership through the ESOP. Recognizing and rewarding employee contributions reinforces a culture of appreciation, motivation, and ownership. This can take the form of performance-based incentives, peer recognition programs, and public acknowledgments of exemplary behavior, alongside the tangible reward of equity ownership through the ESOP. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration across different departments and disciplines promotes innovation, creativity, and ownership. Organizations can facilitate interdisciplinary teams and project-based initiatives to tackle complex challenges, drive organizational change, and create stakeholder value add (SVA), fueled by the collective ownership mindset fostered by the ESOP. Conclusion The Quintus Aim represents a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, recognizing the critical role of employees in achieving sustainable improvements in patient outcomes, population health, and cost containment. By empowering employees and fostering a culture of engagement, innovation, and excellence, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce and drive meaningful change. Additionally, the integration of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) amplifies this empowerment, providing employees with a tangible stake in organizational success and aligning their interests with those of patients, providers, and payers. Embracing the Quintus Aim with an ESOP is not just a strategic imperative but a moral imperativean acknowledgment of the intrinsic value and dignity of every individual within the system of care. As State of Franklin Healthcare Associates (SOFHA) embarks on this journey towards a more inclusive and equitable system of healthcare, let us remember that our greatest asset lies not in technology or infrastructure but in the hearts and minds of the people who dedicate their lives to healing others. Together, we can redefine the future of healthcare and create a world where every voice matters, and every individual thrives. Robert S. Slattery is Chief Executive Officer of State of Franklin Healthcare Associates (SOFHA), a leading healthcare provider dedicated to delivering exceptional medical services and fostering community health. With over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Rob has established himself as a visionary leader, adept at steering organizations towards excellence in patient care and operational efficiency. Prior to joining State of Franklin Healthcare Associates, Rob held several senior leadership roles where he was instrumental in implementing innovative healthcare solutions, enhancing patient satisfaction, and driving organizational growth. His expertise spans across strategic planning, team development, and the integration of technology in healthcare practices. Rob holds a master's degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and has been recognized for his contributions to the healthcare sector through numerous innovations, awards and accolades. As an advocate for accessible and quality healthcare, he is committed to leveraging his knowledge and leadership to improve health outcomes and patient experiences. In his role as CEO, Rob Slattery is focused on advancing State of Franklin Healthcare Associates' mission to provide compassionate, comprehensive healthcare services, while also embracing the challenges and opportunities of the evolving healthcare landscape. References Bodenheimer, T., Sinsky, C., From Triple to Quadruple Aim: Care of the Patient Requires Care of the Provider. Annals of Family Medicine. 2014; 12(6):573-576. Institute for Healthcare Improvement. IHI Triple Aim Initiative. Available online: http://www.ihi.org/Engage/Initiatives/TripleAim/Pages/default.aspx (accessed on 6 March 2024). Shanafelt, T. D., Noseworthy, J. H. Executive Leadership and Physician Well-being: Nine Organizational Strategies to Promote Engagement and Reduce Burnout. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2017; 92(1): 129-146. SOURCE State of Franklin Healthcare Associates O'Brien, Zuckerman to Join 420 Brewery Workers Fighting for Fair Contract FORT WORTH, Texas, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman will join rank-and-file Molson Coors Teamsters in Fort Worth, Texas, for a rally on Sunday, March 17, to demand a fair contract and an end to the nearly month-long strike. On Feb. 17, the 420 brewery workers were forced onto the picket line after the beer giant made an insulting 99-cent pay package proposal. Molson Coors has remained unwilling to reach a strong, respectful agreement with the men and women who brew, package, and warehouse the beer. As the Teamsters keep the pressure on this multibillion-dollar corporation to do right by its American workforce, union families in Texas are asking the public not to drink Molson Coors products until workers are given the wages and benefits they've earned. WHO: Molson Coors Teamsters Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman Teamsters Southern Region International Vice President Brent Taylor Elected leaders and rank-and-file members of Teamsters Local 997 U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX, 30th) Texas State Rep. Cassandra Hernandez (TX-HD 115) Fort Worth City Councilman Jared Williams Tarrant County Commissioner Candidate Roderick Miles WHAT: Rally for Molson Coors Teamsters WHEN: Sunday, March 17, 2024, 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET WHERE: 7301 South Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76134 (rally site in Bimbo Bakery parking lot adjacent to Molson Coors brewery) VISUALS: Molson Coors Teamsters in union gear, chanting while holding signs that read, "Don't Mess with Texas Teamsters" and "Don't Drink Molson Coors!" Contact: Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and Head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai (R) and new Ambassador of Laos to Vietnam, Khamphao Ernthavanh. (Photo: VNA) The Lao diplomat congratulated Vietnam on its significant, important, and comprehensive achievements across various fields, expressing her belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the Vietnamese people will continue to gain greater accomplishments in the renewal process and in the national construction and defence cause. Showing her joy at the fruitful development of the Laos - Vietnam special solidarity, she thanked Vietnam for its effective and timely support for her country, and affirmed that she will do her utmost to further strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam. For her part, Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and Head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai valued the important role of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, expressing her hope that the embassy will continue to serve as a bridge connecting and enhancing cooperation between ministries, sectors, organisations, and localities of the two countries. The Vietnamese Party official expressed her belief that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao people will effectively implement the 11th Party Congresss resolution; successfully organise Party congresses at all levels towards the 12th National Party Congress; and fulfill the role as the Chair of ASEAN and AIPA in 2024, thus enhancing the countrys position in the region and the world. Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and Head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai affirmed that Vietnam will forever cherish and continuously nurture and further deepen the special solidarity and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries./. CHICAGO, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global testing, inspection, and certification market was valued at USD 233.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 280.7 billion by 2029; it is expected to register a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The rise in demand for testing, inspection, and certification services is attributed to stringent government regulations aimed at ensuring product safety and environmental protection, the demand for interoperability testing due to IoT adoption, and the surge in trade involving counterfeit and defective pharmaceutical products. Additionally, the growing emphasis on digitalization to enhance customer experience and the heightened importance placed on food safety and hygiene are expected to drive further expansion of the TIC market in the foreseeable future. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=5352498 Browse in-depth TOC on "Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market" 360 Tables 70 Figures 605 Pages Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 233.2 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 280.7 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% Market Size Available for 20202029 Forecast Period 20242029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Service Type, Sourcing Type, Application and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Slower adoption of advanced technologies by small and medium-sized TIC companies Key Market Opportunities Use of blockchain technology in TIC services Key Market Drivers Increasing need for interoperability testing owing to growing adoption of IoT Testing services segment to account for the largest market share in the forecasted year. Testing, inspection, and certification services are crucial across various industries to ensure compliance with standards and regulations. In sectors like automotive, these services verify components such as materials and automotive systems against established standards. The adoption of digital technology is a prominent trend among industry leaders like SGS, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas, expected to drive market growth. TIC firms prioritize verifying the security, effectiveness, and safety of products before and after launch, either through lab tests, on-site inspections, or other methods. With expanding global trade and regulatory requirements, coupled with manufacturers' focus on digitalization, outsourcing of testing, inspection, and certification services is on the rise. Consumer goods & retail application accounted for the largest market share of in the forecasted year. The dominance of consumer goods & retail application in the TIC market is primarily attributed to several factors. These include stringent regulatory requirements ensuring product safety and quality, increasing consumer awareness and demand for certified products, and the need for compliance with industry standards and regulations. Additionally, the globalization of supply chains has led to a greater emphasis on quality control and assurance throughout the manufacturing and distribution process, further driving the demand for testing, inspection, and certification services in the consumer goods and retail sector. Moreover, the rise of e-commerce platforms has intensified competition among retailers, leading to a greater focus on product quality and compliance to gain consumer trust and loyalty. Overall, these factors contribute to the significant share of consumer goods & retail application in the TIC market. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=5352498 North America is expected to hold the second-largest share of the testing, inspection, and certification market during the forecast period. The testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) industry in North America is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The US stands out as a primary consumer goods and retail market, propelling the demand for TIC services in the region. Furthermore, it serves as the headquarters for many global corporations spanning various sectors. The presence of a thriving startup ecosystem also adds to the region's vibrancy. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), involving the US, Canada, and Mexico, significantly influences regional trade dynamics. By facilitating the exchange of goods and services, NAFTA has contributed to economic growth, particularly benefiting Mexico and Canada. Despite challenges, such as renegotiations and trade disputes, NAFTA has played a pivotal role in fostering trade relations among the three nations. Key Players- The key companies that offer testing, inspection, and certification companies include SGS SA (Switzerland), Bureau Veritas (France), Intertek Group plc (UK), Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg), DEKRA (Germany), TUV SUD (Germany), DNV GL (Norway), TUV RHEINLAND (Germany), Applus+ (Spain), ALS (Australia), TUV NORD Group (Germany), Lloyd's Register Group Services Limited (UK), MISTRAS Group (USA), ASTM (US), Element Materials Technology (UK), and UL LLC (US). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=5352498 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: Test and Measurement Equipment Market Size, Share, Statistics and Industry Growth Analysis Report by Product Type (General-purpose Test Equipment and Mechanical Test Equipment), Service Type (Calibration Services and Repair/After-sales Services), Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 Textile Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) Market by Application (Textile Testing, Textile Inspection, Textile Certification, & Toys), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2020 Medical Device Testing Market by Service (Testing, Inspection, Certification), Sourcing (In-house, Outsourced), Technology (Active Implant, Active, Non-active, IVD, Ophthalmic, Orthopedic & Dental, Vascular), Class (I, II, III) Global Forecast to 2028 Fire Testing Market by Service Type (Testing, Inspection, and Certification), Sourcing Type (In-house and Outsourced), Application (Consumer Goods & Retail, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Mining) Region - Global Forecast till 2024 Machine Condition Monitoring Market Size, Share, Statistics and Industry Growth Analysis Report by Technique (Vibration Monitoring, Thermography, Oil Analysis, Ultrasound Emission), Offering (Vibration Sensors, Infrared Sensors, Spectrometers, Corrosion Probes, Spectrum Analyzers), Region - Global Forecast to 2029 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/testing-inspection-certification-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/testing-inspection-certification.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets ATHENS, Ga., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TimberMart-South (TMS) is excited to announce the launch of its redesigned website: timbermart-south.com. The site's client login portal is forthcoming. TMS is a trusted source of timber market information and forestry industry news, publishing quarterly and annual market reports used by a range of forestry industry professionals in the US South. "Investing in our web presence is a reminder to strive for the best for our clients and staff," said Jonathan Smith, TimberMart-South's Executive Director. The new website offers an easy to navigate menu of TMS's products and services. It includes sample reports with content descriptions so visitors can choose reports that best fit their business needs. In the near future, TMS will launch its client login portal, allowing users to retrieve reports and submit data with ease. Subscribers will have on-demand access to a range of custom and published reports, while reporters will be able to upload timber sale and price data. Timbermart-south.com illustrates TMS's commitment to engaging with the US South's forestry community and improving access to information for both current and potential clients. Visit timbermart-south.com to explore the new website. About TimberMart-South Organized under the Frank W. Norris Foundation, TimberMart-South has provided current and long-term market data for stumpage and delivered timber prices, and other fundamental forestry business information for over 45 years. Its coverage area spans 11 states in the US South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. TMS's subscribers include public and private companies, consultants, landowners, and other industry professionals who use TMS's data to make informed business decisions about the management and valuation of their forests and timber resources. SOURCE TimberMart-South SOMERVILLE, Mass., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumvirate Environmental is proud to announce that it is now a My Green Lab Accelerator Partner, the exclusive US-based provider of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) services. This partnership strengthens Triumvirate Environmental's and My Green Lab's commitment to advancing green practices within the scientific community and underscores their dedication to environmental leadership. Triumvirate Environmental, a leading provider of environmental services across North America, is excited about this sponsorship of My Green Lab, a non-profit organization focused on promoting sustainability in laboratory environments. Both organizations are dedicated to enabling environmental success with their clients, creating a greener and healthier world for all. This innovative partnership will enable clients of Triumvirate Environmental and My Green Lab to access the best minds in the businesssupported by EHS services that can be tailored to each client for long-term sustainability success as well as compliance, safety, and operational efficiency. Triumvirate Environmental will collaborate closely with clients to develop and implement innovative solutions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize the environmental footprint of laboratory operations. By leveraging its expertise in waste management, EHS consulting and staffing, and onsite support, Triumvirate Environmental aims to empower laboratories to adopt more sustainable practices without compromising scientific integrity or operational efficiency. "At Triumvirate Environmental, we recognize the critical role that laboratories play in scientific research and discovery, and we are committed to helping them operate in the most sustainable manner possible," says Doug Youngen, President of Triumvirate Environmental. "Our partnership with My Green Lab combines forces and drives meaningful change within the scientific community, ultimately advancing our shared goal of creating a more environmentally conscious future." Dedicated to permanently improving the sustainability of scientific research globally, My Green Lab is renowned for its rigorous certification program and Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) label, enabling laboratories to assess their practices, make educated environmental choices, and improve their overall sustainability. They also run an extensive ambassador and accredited professional (AP) education program that empowers scientists and consultants to make the best possible decisions for their organization, community, and the environment as a whole. My Green Lab partners with like minded companies to enhance environmental health and resource utilization across the globe. "We are thrilled to welcome Triumvirate Environmental as our exclusive EHS My Green Lab Accelerator Partner in the US," says James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. "Their expertise in environmental management and waste reduction will be invaluable as we work together to drive sustainability initiatives across the scientific community. Together, we can make significant strides toward reducing the environmental impact of laboratory operations." For more information about this partnership, contact Melanie Obeid ([email protected]) at Triumvirate Environmental or Namrata Jain ([email protected]) at My Green Lab. About Triumvirate Environmental Passionate about the environment and dedicated to safety, Triumvirate Environmental has provided EHS services to world-renowned companies for more than 30 years. Their highly experienced specialists develop innovative EHS programs and sustainability solutions targeted to the unique needs and challenges of lab spaces in North America. Triumvirate Environmental's employees pride themselves on exceeding customers' expectations. By taking the worry out of EHS and waste management, they enable companies to reach their sustainability goals while focusing on their core business objectives. Learn more about Triumvirate Environmental at www.triumvirate.com. About My Green Lab My Green Lab is a non-profit environmental organization with a mission to build a global culture of sustainability in science. By introducing both a new perspective and proven best practices within a carefully curated framework, My Green Lab has inspired tens of thousands of scientists to make a positive change in their labs by reducing the environmental impact of their work. Learn more about My Green Lab at www.mygreenlab.org . SOURCE Triumvirate Environmental EXETER, N.H., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vapotherm, Inc., (OTCQX: VAPO), ("Vapotherm" or the "Company") today announced the debut of its Access365 Home Ventilation Solution at the upcoming MEDTRADE conference. Dr. Jessica Whittle, Chief Medical Officer of Vapotherm, emphasized the company's commitment to improving the lives of hypercapnic patients in the home. "Our mission is to improve quality of life and reduce hospital readmissions for patients who struggle with respiratory disease. Access365 will provide optimal treatment at home, especially for COPD patients, by combining the known benefits of nocturnal NIV with the comfort of high velocity therapy for daytime use."(1) The highly anticipated Access365 home ventilator will be unveiled at MEDTRADE Dallas on March 27th. The device is designed to reduce hospital readmissions, improve patient quality of life, and reduce HME costs for late-stage hypercapnic COPD patients. In addition to VAPS and volume control/assist ventilation modes and Vapotherm's proven high velocity therapy, the ventilator incorporates a built-in medical grade humidifier and integrated Bluetooth pulse oximetry and spirometry. The Access365 Home Ventilation Solution also includes cloud connectivity to enable remote data retrieval and system upgrades and a patient engagement platform which breaks the cycle of symptom exacerbation and readmission through early identification of worsening symptoms allowing more rapid clinical intervention. This proprietary algorithm resulted in up to a 41% reduction in late-stage COPD hospital readmissions.(2) Vapotherm anticipates receiving FDA clearance for Access365 in early 2025. Joe Army, President and CEO of Vapotherm, underscored the significance of the solution, stating, "Vapotherm is committed to supporting patients both in and out of the hospital. The recently announced discontinuation of Philips Respironics home ventilators in the U.S. highlights a potential concern for patients and HMEs alike but also a unique opportunity for Vapotherm. We are excited to be able to provide newer and more comprehensive options for these patients and the HMEs that support them."(3) Visit the Vapotherm booth # 605 at MEDTRADE Dallas from March 27-28, and contact Mike Antonicello, Business Development Director of Home Ventilation at mantonicello @vtherm.com to schedule a demo of the device. References: Macrea M et al Long-Term Noninvasive Ventilation in Chronic Stable Hypercapnic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 202 (2020), pp. e74-287. Health Partner Plans. Health Partners Member Report. 2018 (Data on file) Philips Respironics, ( February 2024 ). Sleep & Respiratory Product Portfolio Changes. Retrieved on 2/8/24 from https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/e/sleep-and-respiratory-care/src-portfolio-update. About Vapotherm Vapotherm, Inc. (OTCQX: VAPO) is a publicly traded developer and manufacturer of advanced respiratory technology based in Exeter, New Hampshire, USA. The Company develops innovative, comfortable, non-invasive technologies for respiratory support of patients with chronic or acute breathing disorders. Over 4.2 million patients have been treated with the use of Vapotherm high velocity therapy systems. For more information, visit www.vapotherm.com. Vapotherm high velocity therapy is mask-free non-invasive respiratory support and is a front-line tool for relieving respiratory distressincluding hypercapnia, hypoxemia, and dyspnea. It allows for the fast, safe treatment of undifferentiated respiratory distress with one tool. The HVT 2.0 and Precision Flow systems' mask-free interface delivers optimally conditioned breathing gases, making it comfortable for patients and reducing the risks and care complexities associated with mask therapies. While being treated, patients can talk, eat, drink and take oral medication. Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "expect," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "intend," "will," or "typically," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words, and the use of future dates. Each forward-looking statement is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include the failure to receive FDA clearance for Access 365 in early 2025 or at all, failure of the Company's products to achieve market acceptance or significant market growth, and the other risks and uncertainties included under the heading "Risk Factors" in Vapotherm's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024, and in its subsequent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Vapotherm's views as of the date hereof, and Vapotherm does not assume and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Investor Relations Contact: John Landry, SVP and CFO, [email protected] +1 (603) 658-0011 http://investors.vapotherm.com/ SOURCE Vapotherm, Inc. NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wall Beds Market size is projected to increase by USD 1.05 billion, accelerating at a CAGR of 6.5%, during the forecast period. The wall beds market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer wall beds market are 9too5 Murphybed, BESTAR Inc., BredaBeds, Clei Srl, Flybed Home, Furl, HS Enterprises, Mahavir Steel and Wooden Furniture, Murphy Beds of San Diego, Murphy Wall Beds Hardware Inc., Ribbonic wallbed, SICO Inc., Spaceman Innovations Pte Ltd., The Bedder Way Co., The London Wallbed Co., Twin Cities Closet Co., Wall Beds Manufacturing Inc., Wallbeds Co., Wilding Wallbeds, and BOFF. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Wall Beds Market 2023-2027 The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download Free Sample report before buying Report Coverage Details Page number 152 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.5% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1,048.7 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 6.05 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 35% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany Wilding Wallbeds: The company offers wall beds such as Metro, Bristol, Dale, Euro, Fern, Nantucket, Portola, Ryland, and Tahoe. For details on companies and their offerings Buy report Segmentation and regional analysis The wall beds market report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (offline and online), type (single bed and double bed), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). North America is expected to contribute significantly, accounting for 35% of the global market's growth during the forecast period. This is primarily driven by strong consumer demand for wall beds in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Factors such as rapid urbanization, the adoption of communal living trends in the US, and growth in the real estate market are positively impacting the North American wall bed market. Download free sample report to get more insights on the market share of various regions and contribution of the segments. Market dynamics Impactful driver- The primary driver of market growth is the rising demand for space-saving home furniture. This demand is particularly notable among urban dwellers, especially in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities globally. As housing units and apartments continue to decrease in size worldwide, there is a growing need for compact, multi-functional furnishings like wall-mounted beds. Wall beds, in particular, are well-suited for small rooms with limited space. The primary driver of market growth is the rising demand for space-saving home furniture. This demand is particularly notable among urban dwellers, especially in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities globally. As housing units and apartments continue to decrease in size worldwide, there is a growing need for compact, multi-functional furnishings like wall-mounted beds. Wall beds, in particular, are well-suited for small rooms with limited space. Key Trend - A notable trend in the market is the surging demand for environmentally friendly wall beds. Numerous sellers in the market now provide eco-friendly wall bed options. Factors such as increased awareness regarding the environmental consequences of widespread deforestation and its impact on climate change have prompted many home furniture manufacturers to embrace eco-friendly practices. - A notable trend in the market is the surging demand for environmentally friendly wall beds. Numerous sellers in the market now provide eco-friendly wall bed options. Factors such as increased awareness regarding the environmental consequences of widespread deforestation and its impact on climate change have prompted many home furniture manufacturers to embrace eco-friendly practices. Major Challenges - A significant challenge impacting market growth is the fluctuation in raw material prices. The increasing costs of premium materials like wood and steel, essential for wall bed production, have led to elevated production expenses. Consequently, market players often sell wall beds at higher prices to compensate for these production costs. Additionally, the volatility in raw material prices can incentivize sellers to opt for cheaper, lower-quality materials when manufacturing wall beds. Analyst Review The global wall bed market is experiencing significant growth, driven by several key factors and trends. As modular living becomes increasingly popular, consumers are seeking innovative solutions to optimize space in their homes. This trend is underscored by the rising number of people, coupled with population growth and the prevalence of nuclear households. In response, the market has seen a surge in the construction of motels, lodges, and hotels, all of which require space-saving furniture solutions like wall beds. Wall beds, also known as Murphy beds, are at the forefront of this market expansion. They offer a versatile sleeping solution that can transform seamlessly into sofas, cupboards, seats, and tables, maximizing extra space and enhancing home decor. This adaptability quotient and portability make wall beds a convenient choice for consumers seeking different sleeping furniture options. With increasing demand, the wall bed market presents numerous growth opportunities for industry players. Manufacturers are focusing on product innovations, such as instant bedrooms and twin cities closet systems, to cater to evolving consumer preferences. Companies like Bedder Way Murphy Beds, Wilding Wallbeds, and Spaceman are leading the way with their diverse product offerings and geographic expansions. Trade regulations and import-export analysis play a crucial role in shaping the competitive landscape of the wall bed market. Understanding production dynamics and optimizing the value chain are essential for market players to capitalize on emerging revenue pockets. Moreover, strategic market growth analysis and compliance with changing market regulations are paramount for sustainable expansion. In terms of industry trends, the emphasis is on product approvals, launches, and technological innovations to stay ahead of the competition. Insights into market share and size provide valuable intelligence for companies looking to gain a competitive edge. Overall, the global wall bed market is poised for robust growth, driven by the increasing demand for space-saving furniture solutions in both residential and commercial sectors. With a focus on adaptability, convenience, and innovation, industry players are well-positioned to capitalize on the expanding market opportunities and meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide. Download free sample report Market Overview The global wall bed market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for modular way of living solutions. With rising urbanization, space optimization has become crucial, leading to a surge in the adoption of multifunctional furniture like wall beds. These innovative pieces offer berths for sleeping, seamlessly transforming into sofas during the day, accompanied by integrated cupboards for storage, convenient seats, and even fold-out tables. This trend reflects the growing pressure on living spaces, prompting consumers to seek versatile furnishing options. Consequently, manufacturers are witnessing the need for expansion to meet escalating demands and capitalize on the evolving market dynamics. Download free sample report Related Reports: Portable Beds Market: The portable beds market share is expected to increase by USD 2.17 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 7.77%. Smart Bed Market: The smart bed market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.91% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 1,260.69 million. Table Of Contents: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Size Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel Market Segmentation by Type Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, and Trends Vendor Landscape Vendor Analysis Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact US: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dehua county in southeast China's Fujian Province kicked off a five-day event on Thursday to showcase masterpieces of white porcelain in Midtown, New York City. A total of 105 masterpieces of Dehua porcelain will be exhibited during the event. People attend the "BLANC de CHINE - Porcelain from Dehua" international exhibition in New York Dehua white porcelain is famous for its creamy whiteness, subtle jade-like radiance, paper-thin delicacy, and clear, chime stone-like sound, said Fang Junqin, county chief of Dehua. Dehua boasts a ceramic production history exceeding 3,700 years and the county is recognized for compiling the world's earliest craftmanship work on ceramics and for mapping the Meiling Layout, the world's first ceramic factory planning and design map, said Fang at the opening ceremony of the show. The Dehua kiln site is inscribed in the World Heritage List, and Dehua porcelain firing techniques are among the first to be included in China's national list of intangible cultural heritage, added Fang. Huang Ping, the Chinese Consul General in New York, said it's hoped that the porcelain show would become a new bond which deepens people-to-people friendship between the United States and China. Huang added that porcelain carries Chinese time-honored history and culture and serves as an important window to understand Chinese civilization. "This exhibition offers us a unique opportunity to experience the elegance and sophistication of Dehua white porcelain firsthand, bringing to life the shared history and friendship between our two great nations," said Li Suosheng, vice chair of China General Chamber of Commerce - USA and general manager of China Construction Bank New York. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Li said the promotion of Dehua porcelain not only enriches the cultural landscape of the United States but also serves as a vital bridge in fostering deeper connections and cooperation between Chinese and American enterprises. The porcelain industry in Dehua now has a total annual output value of 57.7 billion yuan or 8 billion U.S. dollars, and harbors specialized clusters such as traditional porcelain carving, export craft porcelain, and daily-use porcelain, Fang said. Statistics show that porcelain products from Dehua are shipped to over 190 countries and regions in the world with the United States taking nearly 39 percent share of total export revenues in 2023. Dehua's ceramic enterprises are adept at researching, designing, and manufacturing a wide array of ceramic products tailored to the diverse cultural needs of different countries and regions worldwide, said Fang. It's hoped that the show would demonstrate rich cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship and allow visitors to have a close contact with white porcelain, said Fang. The exhibits drew interests and admiration from visitors on Thursday and some collectors lost no opportunity to enlarge their collections. The simplicity, delicacy, transparency and attention to details make the porcelain exhibits special, according to Isabel Barnard Biderman, an art dealer. "There are so many options taking place around the city... this is the best Asian art I've seen today," said Biderman. "I feel very lucky to be able to see these beautiful art pieces myself, and I'm very much impressed and happy I was able to make it," said Daria Shevchenko, who works in the fashion industry in New York for a long time. Shevchenko told Xinhua that she would share some most important moments of the event on social media and would definitely encourage her followers to come and see themselves with their own eyes. "I will encourage some of my friends to purchase some of the pieces in their collection," said Shevchenko. New York is the first stop for this year's "BLANC de CHINE - Porcelain from Dehua" international itinerant exhibition following similar events in six other countries in 2023, according to Fang. Dehua white porcelain was regarded as the prominent export product during the Song Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, Dehua white porcelain used to be dubbed "Blanc de CHINE" by the French and gained worldwide fame. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/339226.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Takebe Tsutomu. (Photo: VNA) PM Pham Minh Chinh hailed the festival as the first major event during the inaugural year of the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, which attracted nearly 400,000 visitors on March 9-10. He thanked Takebe for his wholehearted, inspirational and constructive contributions to fostering the Vietnam-Japan friendly cooperation, especially regarding the construction of the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU). The PM wished that Takebe would continue to help with concretising the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership through specific projects and programmes across various sectors; stepping up educational cooperation, including upgrading the Japanese Culture and Language Centre at Ha Long University into a centre for Japanese studies, improving the VJU's training quality and opening a semiconductor engineering faculty; and strengthening collaboration with the National Innovation Centre, potentially through the annual organisation of the Japan-Vietnam education festival in October. He suggested that the special advisor promote local cooperation in investment, trade and tourism alongside cultural and people-to-people exchanges, including the Vietnam Festival in Hokkaido and the Hokkaido Festival in Ha Long this year, which are important components of the new bilateral relationship framework. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing workforce training cooperation and improving working and living conditions for Vietnamese apprentices and workers in Japan. PM Pham Minh Chinh proposed that Japan consider allocating new-generation Official Development Assistance (ODA) capital to a project on building a rail route from downtown Hanoi to the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park as soon as possible. He explained that such a railway project holds significant importance, including facilitating the development of the VJU, advancing projects within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework and addressing issues related to the Nghi Son oil refinery project. Takebe, for his part, agreed with the hosts proposals and pledged his continued support for cooperation with Vietnam, especially in areas with promising opportunities as mentioned by the PM. He also suggested specific measures to bolster bilateral ties, including building an "ecosystem" to support human resources training cooperation, and promoting educational tourism, internship training and labour cooperation. At present, there are about 520,000 Vietnamese people living, working and studying in Japan, forming the second largest foreign community there and significantly contributing to socio-economic development of both countries./. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Jerusalem, March 15 : Israel has reportedly received Hamas' response to a new ceasefire deal proposal from Qatari mediators. David Barnea, chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, on Thursday received the written response from Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Xinhua news agency reported, citing an Israeli official. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement, saying Hamas "continues to fortify itself with unfounded demands". The Prime Minister's office added that the wartime Cabinet is expected to convene on Friday to discuss the proposal. Hamas confirmed in a statement that it has presented a "comprehensive vision" of a truce that includes a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza since the group launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7 last year. Seoul : An F-35A fighter of the South Korean Air Force takes off from an air base in Cheongju, central South Korea, as South Korea and the United States kicked off joint air drills, in this undated photo released by the South Korean Air Force on Nov.. Image Source: IANS News Seoul, March 15 : South Korean and US warplanes staged a combined live-fire exercise against North Korean cruise missile and long-range artillery threats in waters off the west coast this week, officials said on Friday. The five-day drills began on Monday, mobilizing some 40 aircraft, including South Korean F-35A, F-15K and F-4E jets, as well as A-10 and F-16 aircraft from the US 7th Air Force stationed in the country, Yonhap news agency reported. Pilots trained on staging precision strikes against simulated enemy cruise missiles flying at low altitudes with air-to-air missiles and against long-range artillery, using air-to-surface missiles and guided bombs, South Korean Air Force said. The drills came amid renewed concerns over North Korean cruise missile threats after the country staged five rounds of cruise missile launches this year. North Korea claimed to have test-fired a new surface-to-sea missile off its east coast on February 14. North Korea also held live-fire artillery drills, involving units capable of striking Seoul, on March 7, its state media reported, in an apparent response to the annual South Korea-US Freedom Shield exercise that ended Thursday. North Korea has one of the world's largest artillery forces, many of them positioned within range of the greater Seoul area, home to about half of South Korea's 51 million people. Vietnamese citizens repatriated from Myanmar arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi in the early morning of December 5, 2023. (Photo: VNA) In a report submitted to National Assembly (NA) deputies ahead of the NA Standing Committees 31st session, he said that since 2022, international travel and Vietnamese citizens movement to other countries have fully recovered. Peoples working, studying, and travel demand has been growing fast. Statistics show that Vietnamese citizens made more than 3.82 million departures for other countries in 2022, and the figure approximated 10.1 million in 2023. The increase in the number of Vietnamese citizens going abroad for different purposes reflects the countrys high level of integration, Son said, noting that it has created numerous opportunities but also led to complicated issues, posing many challenges to consular affairs and citizen protection abroad. Meanwhile, the world situation remains complicated, especially the Russia - Ukraine, Israel - Hamas, and Myanmar conflicts, requiring authorities keep a close watch on the situation and stay ready to conduct citizen protection. Following the Party and States guidelines, policies, and regulations, the protection of Vietnamese citizens, legal entities, and fishermen abroad has been carried out effectively and obtained many important results. In particular, authorities have properly settled serious and large-scaled cases and those posing risk to the safety of Vietnamese citizens lives and assets abroad, thus receiving high evaluation from the public and the international community and also showing the Party and States sense of responsibility and humane policy towards Vietnamese citizens, according to the minister. As soon as the conflict in Ukraine broke out, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has taken comprehensive and strong political - diplomatic measures regarding relevant countries; ordered Vietnams representative bodies in Ukraine, Russia, and neighbouring countries to carry out measures to protect citizens and ensure security and safety for them; and also coordinated with associations and representative agencies of Vietnam to evacuate the citizens away from conflict zones and to neighbouring countries. So far, he said, more than 6,000 Vietnamese people affected by the conflict have been evacuated, including about 1,700 repatriated by air. Notably, authorities have assisted not only Vietnamese nationals but also Vietnamese-origin people and their family members and relatives of foreign nationalities. This demonstrates the Party and States humane and consistent policy towards the overseas Vietnamese community. Fishing vessels of Vietnam in the waters around Tho Chau archipelago of Phu Quoc city, Kien Giang province (Photo: VNA) As for the armed clashes in the northern Myanmar state of Shan since late October 2023, the MoFA has coordinated with relevant ministries, sectors and localities, and work with foreign partners to repatriate the Vietnamese stranded there. As many as 1,398 Vietnamese citizens were brought home in two phases. Vietnam also helped evacuate six foreign citizens at the request of other countries. Authorities have basically completed dealing with the evacuation of Vietnamese citizens in the Laukkai area, north of Shan state. There havent been any Vietnamese casualties recorded in the conflict in Myanmar, Son went on. In 2022, Vietnams representative agencies in Cambodia worked with local authorities to rescue Vietnamese citizens from illegal detention sites, and coordinated with domestic agencies to receive nearly 1,400 citizens. The agencies said this figure reflects just part of the number of forced Vietnamese labourers, the minister noted. The problem expanded to other regional countries in 2023, the official reported, adding that the MoFA worked with authorities of Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar to rescue, protect, and repatriate about 1,500 citizens. The issue of Vietnamese citizens deceived into forced labour abroad emerged in 2020, and this is an extremely complex problem due to many reasons. The MoFA has proposed many counter-measures to the Prime Minister, who has also demanded ministries, sectors, and localities implement various solutions. Regarding fishermen working in the vicinity of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Hoang Sa (Spratly) of Vietnam, the MoFA has repeatedly contacted and sent diplomatic notes objecting to the countries that illegally intervened, detained, or seized property of the Vietnamese fishing vessels operating legally in Vietnams waters. It has also affirmed Vietnams sovereignty over these archipelagoes, which was established in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), according to Minister Son./. Nude body of suspected rape and murder victim triggers tension in Malda. Image Source: IANS News Kanpur, March 15 : The body of a woman paramedical student of Saifai Medical University was found with serious injury marks near the Sonai Canal bridge on Saifai-Etawah road in Uttar Pradesh. The body was found late on Thursday evening, and the victim was identified as Priya Mishra, 21, a first-year paramedical student and resident of Auraiya. Etawah Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Varma said it appears either a pointed weapon was used on the neck or she was shot from a close range. The police are investigating the case and a panel of doctors will conduct the post-mortem examination. Initial investigations revealed that she left at noon with a fellow student and was not carrying her mobile phone at the time. Priya did not reach the hostel, nor attended the classes, after which the warden informed her parents. The site where the body was found is about 10 kilometres from the university. Meanwhile, protests erupted on the Saifai Medical University campus with hundreds of students demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. New Delhi, March 15 : Newly appointed Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu will take charge of the office on Friday. Earlier, a notification for the appointment of the two Election Commissioners was issued by the Central government on Thursday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led three-member committee on Thursday picked bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as the election commissioners. The decision comes days after the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel. The selection panel, which zeroed in on Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar, includes the Prime Minister, the leader of Opposition, and a designated Union Cabinet minister. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was in the three-member panel in capacity as the opposition member. Besides the Prime Minister and the Congress leader, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the meeting. All Sharks unite for Dharaksha Ecosolutions deal at Rs 1,250 with 100 bonus hrs. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 15 : The new episode of 'Shark Tank India 3' witnessed an all sharks deal with Dharaksha Ecosolutions at Rs 1,250 for one per cent equity, and an added 100 hours. The 31-year-old Anand Bodh and Arpit Dhupar are the founders of Dharaksha Ecosolutions, which is a biotech-driven R&D company specialising in the production of alternative sustainable materials. During the pitch, Arpit said: "Thermocol is a petroleum-driven product which takes 2,000 years to degrade." Anand continued, saying, "Thermocol is a bigger problem than plastic because its ability to be recycled is less than 2 per cent." Arpit shared their vision, which is to create a sustainable future where everyone gets clean air and water. They asked for Rs 1,250 for one per cent equity. "We want your 100 hours to help our business grow. We want your 100 hours against one per cent equity," said Arpit. He further said: "I had a realisation and a clear vision to recreate clean blue skies. All of you are well-travelled. When you go to Europe or the US, the world appears to be in HD. The colours appear bright. It's not the same in Delhi or any other big city. I felt that access to clean air should be democratised. It's not fair that the West has clean air but we don't." Anupam Mittal (Founder and CEO of Shaadi.com) said: "It's a nice thinking". The founders then gave the Sharks a tour of their products, saying, "Crop stubble is transported to Dharaksha, where they add their engineered mushroom strain. The mould is baked in an oven to kill the mycelium and the product is then ready." The unique selling propositions are -- box size can be reduced by up to 15 per cent-20 per cent, and it is hydrophobic. Founders will be taking a debt of Rs 2 crore for machine automation, and their target industries are -- cosmetics, and consumer electronics. The guidance required will be for -- Moat strategy, technology and automation, market access and networking. Their future plans are to develop a harder version of the product within 3-4 years, match the price of thermocol packaging in 3-4 years, and match the price of paper packaging. The Sharks were left impressed by their vision. Ritesh Agarwal (Founder and CEO of OYO Rooms) said: "What a bright guy!" Vineeta Singh (Co-Founder and CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics) said: "Amazing. You are awesome!" Aman Gupta (Co-Founder and CMO of boAt) added: "Please take it. How will I write hours on it?" However, the Sharks Aman, Anupam, Peyush, Ritesh and Vineeta's kept two conditions infront of the founders -- Claims of Debt and LOls have to be verified, and secondly the Sharks will receive a 20 per cent discount on the valuation of the next investment round. Finally, it was an all Sharks deal at Rs 1,250 for one per cent equity, plus 100 hours. 'Shark Tank India 3' streams on SonyLIV. Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during the launch of master plan for Sabarmati Ashram project. Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad, March 15 : As part of the BJP's southern push for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana on Friday. Hyderabad, March 15 (IANS) As part of the BJPas southern push for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana on Friday. He will campaign for candidates of BJP and its allies during his day-long visit to the three states by addressing public rallies and participating in roadshows. This visit is part of the BJPas strategy to focus on south India, where the party has scope for further growth, to achieve its target of 400 Lok Sabha seats for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). PM Modi has been visiting different parts of south India for the last few days to launch developmental projects and address public meetings. As per the schedule announced by the BJP, PM Modi will first visit Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu to address a public meeting at 11.15 a.m. He will then leave for southern Kerala's Pathanamthitta city, where he will address a public meeting and hold roadshow to campaign for NDA candidates V.Muraleedharan (Attingal), Anil K. Antony (Pathanamthitta), Sobha Surendran (Alappuzha), and Baiju Kalasala (Mavelikkara). Padmaja Venugopal, who recently quit Congress to join BJP, will also be present at the public meeting. The Prime Minister will later reach Hyderabad to conduct a roadshow in Malkajgiri in the evening. He will campaign for BJP candidates for Malkajgiri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Chevella. After the roadshow, he will have a night halt at Raj Bhavan and the next day proceed to Nagarkurnool to address a public meeting. This will be his second visit to Telangana in less than 10 days, which indicates the partyas increased focus on the state. He had earlier visited Adilabad and Sangareddy and addressed two public meetings besides launching several development projects. The BJP, which is going alone in Telangana, has already announced candidates for 15 out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited Hyderabad two days ago, asked the BJP cadres to ensure that the party win more than 12 seats. After Karnataka, Telangana is the second most important state for BJP. In 2019, the party had bagged four Lok Sabha seats. It was the saffron partyas best-ever performance in the state. In the recently held elections, the BJP won eight Assembly seats in the 119-member Assembly. The party doubled its vote share since 2018, when it had bagged a single seat. Mumbai, March 15 : As she completed a 15 years journey in the fashion industry, designer Urvashi Kaur expressed her happiness through her latest collection christened 'Voices of Urvashi Kaur' at the runway. Kaur, a strong believer of sustainable fashion, showcased her collection on the second day of the fashion show, which began on March 13. The designer said: "We are thrilled to have commemorated this significant milestone with a showcase that celebrated innovation, incisive disruption, and the power of collective impact." The garments were a testament to the brand's effortless subversion of societal-constructs and commitment to inclusivity, and creative disruption. Not one, but Kaur had several muses including names such as Ratna Pathak Shah, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Duggal, Shweta Tripathi and Mallika Dua to name a few. Kaur's designs were crafted from recycled packaging materials, like tetra packs, symbolising the label's promise to conscious design. The show also saw some restorative music by Martin Dubois' African harp and handpan. The show also gave a sneak-peek into Kaur's latest collection called "Prana". The collection revived these one-of-a-kind textiles, intuitive in placement, organic in movement and elemental in colour. "This experience was a reflection of the past 15 years and a testament to our commitment to create safe spaces for individuals to express themselves authentically. Thus, our designs are ungendered, inclusive and timeless. We stand out from the noise of virality because we feel different." Kaur added that with a more thoughtful, serious approach, "our quiet voice speaks volumes in its own conceptually non-conformist, aspirational way." She added: "We seek to evoke and emote through our disarming approach, celebrating our traditional, cultural and ethnic legacies." New Delhi, March 15 : Under operation 'Panther-Claw', the Delhi Police has arrested three sharpshooters of incarcerated gangster Kala Jatheri who were planning to commit a crime in Rithala village, an official said on Friday. The accused were identified as Mandeep a.k.a Monu (32), a resident of Rohtak, Haryana, Hardeep (22), a resident of Muktsar district in Punjab, and Sunil a.k.a Raj (45), a resident of Shakurpur in Delhi. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) GS Sidhu said that on Wednesday, information was received regarding the movement of Kala Jatheri Gang members in the Rithala village area with the intention of committing a crime. "Immediately, a joint team comprising the Anti Organised Crime Cell and Budh Vihar police station was formed to apprehend the suspects, and the operation was named 'Panther-Claw'," said the DCP. Acting on the provided information, the police team conducted a raid on a building in Rithala village. "As the team approached the building, one suspicious person attempted to flee, but the vigilant staff promptly chased and apprehended him," said the DCP. Upon questioning, he revealed the presence of two more accomplices in the same building, who were subsequently apprehended. "During their search, two sophisticated weapons (a pistol and a revolver) along with 7 live cartridges were recovered from their possession," said the DCP. On interrogation, they confessed to working for the Kala Jatheri gang and committing crimes under the direction of their handler. "Further investigation is underway, including efforts to trace the source of the weapons and their past criminal activities," the DCP added. New Delhi, March 15 : As the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) deadline to ban Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) ends on Friday, here are key changes for millions of Paytm users and merchants that will come into force. First of all, those having a savings bank or current account with Paytm Payments Bank will be not able to deposit money into their account. No credits or deposits other than interest, cash-backs, sweep-in from partner banks or refunds are allowed to be credited, according to the Central bank. However, one can continue to use, withdraw or transfer funds from their account up to the available balance in your account. Also, refunds, cashbacks, sweep-in from partner banks or interest are permitted and credits into the account even after March 15, 2024. "The existing Deposits of Paytm Payments Bank customers maintained with partner banks can be brought back (sweep-in) to the accounts with Paytm Payments Bank, subject to the ceiling on balance prescribed for a Payments Bank (Rs 2 lakh per individual customer at the end of day)," according to RBI. However, no fresh deposits with partner banks through Paytm Payments Bank will be allowed after March 15. If one's salary is credited into the account with Paytm Payments Bank, they will not be able to receive any such credits into your account post the deadline. Withdrawal/debit mandates--such as National Automated Clearing House (NACH) mandates--will continue to get executed till there is balance available in your account. "However, after March 15, 2024, credit or deposit in your accounts will not be allowed. Therefore, to avoid inconvenience, it is suggested that you make alternative arrangements through another bank, before March 15, 2024," RBI had said in its guidelines. For merchants using Paytm Payments Bank to receive payments, if their receipt and transfer of funds is linked to any bank account other than Paytm Payments Bank, they can continue to use this arrangement even after March 15. However, after March 15, "you will not be able to receive any credit into your bank account or wallet with Paytm Payments Bank other than refunds, cashbacks, sweep-in from partner banks or interest." It is suggested that a user obtain a fresh QR code linked to an account with another bank or wallet to receive payments. One may also change their bank account details (in which they receive payments) through their service provider. On Friday, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) granted approval to One97 Communications Limited (OCL), the parent company of Paytm, to participate in unified payments interface (UPI) as a third-party application provider (TPAP) under multi-bank model. Four banks (Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, YES Bank) will act as PSP (payment system provider) banks to OCL. "YES Bank shall also be acting as merchant acquiring bank for existing and new UPI merchants for OCL," the NPCI said. Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has advised Paytm FASTag users to procure a new FASTag issued by another bank before March 15. They can use their existing balance to pay the toll beyond the stipulated date. Kolkata, March 15 : A special investigation team (SIT) of Kolkata Police will probe the "push" theory behind the forehead injury that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered as she fell down at her residence while walking. Kolkata, March 15 (IANS) A special investigation team (SIT) of Kolkata Police will probe the "push" theory behind the forehead injury that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered as she fell down at her residence while walking. The "push" theory surfaced after the Director of S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital, Manimoy Bandopadhyay said, on Thursday night, that the Chief Minister might have been "pushed" from behind at her residence. While speaking to the mediapersons, the S.S.K.M. director said that the injury might have been caused "within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind". Sources from the city police said that officers from different departments will be included in the SIT which will probe the matter. The investigation process by the SIT will be directly overseen and supervised by the city police, Vineet Kumar Goyal. It is learnt that the members of the SIT will be examining the CCTV footage both in the inner and outer peripheries of the official residence of the Chief Minister at Kalighat in South Kolkata. The SIT members will also question the security personnel deployed at the residence of the Chief Minister. Insiders in city police said that the matter is being viewed with extreme seriousness by the city police considering that it involves the security aspects of a V.V.I.P. like the Chief Minister. Besides investigating the "push" theory behind the mishap, the existing security arrangements at the Chief Minister's residence will also be reviewed. On Thursday evening, the Chief Minister received a forehead injury after she tripped while walking within her residence premises. She was immediately taken to the nearby S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital. Later in the night she was released from the hospital after the doctor had put four stitches on her forehead. Almost an hour after her release from the hospital the S.S.K.M. director had an interaction with the mediapersons and during the course of interaction the "push" theory surfaced. Opposition bloc in Assam in more trouble as TMC contends for four seats. Image Source: IANS News Guwahati, March 15 : The opposition bloc in Assam faced another setback after Trinamool Congress (TMC) announced candidates for four Lok Sabha seats in the state. Sushmita Dev, TMC leader, told IANS: "The seat sharing talks failed in Assam due to the Congress party. We have been demanding four seats to contest the Lok Sabha polls here, but Congress was not finalising the seat sharing despite repeated discussion with Assam Trinamool Congress president Ripun Bora." Dev said: "We selected seats with proper analysis, however, Congress kept everything in limbo." The Trinamool Congress leader also criticised the Congress party: "There is no guarantee that if a candidate wins the election on a Congress ticket, he or she will not join any other party. In Assam, Trinamool Congress is the only party which does not have any backdoor understanding with BJP." TMC has given candidates in four seats in AssamKokrajhar, Barpeta, Lakhimpur and Silchar. Barring the Lakhimpur seat, Congress earlier announced candidates in other three seats. In Barpeta, another constituent of the opposition bloc, CPI-M, will also fight the polls. According to people aware of the matter, Congress will face a major challenge following the announcement of candidates by TMC and CPI-M. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "I expected that BJP will win 11 seats in the state. But now looking at the opposition parties, we are hopeful to win at least 13 out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state." Seoul, March 15 : South Korean Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Friday appealed to the medical professors not to resign, amid the ongoing rift between the trainee doctors and the government over enrollment at medical schools. Kyoo-hong said that the resignation of medical professors in support of the prolonged walkout by junior doctors may significantly affect services at major hospitals in the country, Yonhap reported. More than 90 per cent of the country's 13,000 trainee doctors have walked off the job for nearly four weeks in the form of mass resignations to protest the government's decision to increase enrollment at medical schools by 2,000 spots, the report said. "The public will find it difficult to understand medical professors participating in collective action by abandoning patients when they should focus on persuading trainee doctors and students to return to hospitals and schools," Kyoo-hong told a government response meeting. "If professors are concerned about junior doctors and students, please persuade them to return to the place of education," the minister said. Kyoo-hong said health authorities will have top-tier medical emergency centres to prioritise patients in critical condition. "We will ensure timely treatment for patients in critical condition at large-scale medical facilities," he said, addressing concerns over cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency treatment at local hospitals amid the prolonged walkout. Last week, Yonhap reported that the South Korean government is expected to send notice to suspend the medical licenses of about 13,000 trainee doctors. The notice of suspension will be the first disciplinary action against striking doctors. Deputy Health Minister Jun Byung-wang said defiant junior doctors can not seek another job as the government's return-to-work order for them remains in effect. He noted that some trainee doctors who left their worksites and found another job would face punishment. While the government has been pushing to sharply raise the number of medical students, doctors noted that the quota hikes will undermine the quality of medical education and result in higher medical costs for patients, the report said. Fatime Letifova Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is on a visit to Baku, Azernews reports. The Turkish diplomat arrived in Baku at 23:55 (GMT+4). Minister Fidan will participate in the tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Turkiye-Azerbaijan-Georgia and the 11th Global Baku Forum. It is worth noting that the Global Baku Forum, themed Fixing the Fractured World, started at the Gulustan Palace in Baku, organised by the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The forum welcomed 350 guests from more than 70 countries. President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the forum. ZHENGZHOU, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing called for efforts to foster new quality productive forces during an investigation and research tour in central China's Henan Province on Wednesday and Thursday. Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, demanded accelerated steps to build up enterprises that use specialized and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, so as to develop new quality productive forces. He also urged concrete action to improve emergency management capabilities at the grassroots level. Editor: GSY Kanpur, March 15 : A jilted lover has been arrested on the charges of killing a paramedical student, whose body was found with serious injury marks near the Sonai Canal bridge on Saifai-Etawah road, here, police said on Friday. Despite being a married man, the accused, Mahendra Batham, had been pressurising the minor for an affair. He has confessed to the crime and the police are now interrogating him for further details. The victim, identified as Priya Mishra, 21, a first-year para-medical student and resident of Aurraiya, was allegedly stabbed to death with a sharp-edged weapon on the neck on Thursday, Etawah Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Varma said. Initial investigations revealed that she left at noon with a fellow student and was not carrying her mobile phone at the time. When Priya neither reached hostel, nor attended the classes, warden informed her parents. The body was found 10 kilometres away from the university. New Delhi: Media persons at the Supreme Court complex on the day of the court's verdict. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 15 : The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the State Bank of India (SBI) for non-disclosure of alphanumeric code of Electoral Bonds. "They have not disclosed the bond number because that has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India (SBI). If you see our judgement, all details have to be furnished by the SBI," said a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud. Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, urged the 5-judge Bench to issue notice to SBI before passing any directions. "They (SBI) filed an application (seeking extension of time) which was disposed of. They are not parties to the proceedings," submitted Solicitor General Mehta, clarifying that he is not representing the SBI. At this, the Constitution Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, J.B. Padriwala and Manoj Misra, said: "We can take exception to what they have disclosed because they were duty bound." "We direct the registry to issue notice to SBI returnable on Monday," it said, adding that a copy of its order may be forwarded to the standing counsel of SBI. During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the February 15 judgement was an "inclusive order" directing SBI to share details of Electoral Bonds encashed by political parties, "including" the date of encashment and the denomination of the Electoral Bond. The Constitution Bench was considering the application filed by the Election Commission seeking the release of sealed cover data on Electoral Bonds, which the poll panel had supplied to the top court during the pendency of the proceedings. In its application, the ECI said that it forwarded the documents in sealed covers/boxes without retaining any copies of the information so submitted. Directing release of the sealed cover envelopes, the top court directed that ECI will upload digitized copy on its official website by Sunday, March 17. Mumbai, March 15 : Actors Geetanjali Mishra and Yogesh Tripathi recently visited the famous Chhapan Dukan in Indore, to enjoy some delicious food, including the viral fire paan. Geetanjali is known for her portrayal of Dabbang Dulhania Rajesh, Yogesh plays her on-screen husband Daroga Happu Singh in the show 'Happu Ki Ultan Paltan'. The duo had visited Indore recently, and Yogesh tried the viral fire paan for the first time. Talking about the same, Geetanjali said: "In a city renowned for its culinary prowess, one cannot resist venturing out to indulge in its diverse array of cuisines. We enjoyed a variety of dishes, including traditional favourites, like poha and jalebi, as well as unique offerings like kulhad pizza and aloo tikki, fully immersing ourselves in the diverse culinary landscape." "However, our culinary expedition would have felt incomplete without the iconic fire paan. While I had previously tasted the fire paan, Yogesh Ji's excitement was palpable. Despite his initial doubts, I convinced him to join me in the experience. To my surprise, he not only tried one but consumed three fire paans in succession, much to my astonishment," shared the actress. Yogesh shared that the most remarkable features of his character is his oil-slicked hair that perfectly twirls on his forehead and his goofy paan-stained grin that highlights his atypical moustache. Speaking about his experience, he said: "I do like chewing paan occasionally after meals, and I make it a point to try different variants whenever I am travelling to different cities. While Banarsi paan has held a special place in my heart thus far, trying the fire paan in Indore was an equally delightful experience." The actor admits how he was initially apprehensive about placing the flaming paan in his mouth. "The first taste was nerve-wracking, yet the exhilarating sensation of consuming that fiery paan encouraged me to indulge in two more within an hour. It was a memorable and enjoyable experience," he added. 'Happu Ki Ultan Paltan' airs on &TV. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : , March 14 (IANS) The Hyderabad-based All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) plans to contest at least six of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, a top party leader said here on Friday. AIMIM state President Syed Imtiaz Jaleel, MP, said that the party will put up candidates from Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Dhule plus two in Muslim-dominated constituencies in Vidarbha, the eastern part of Maharashtra. Their names are likely to be announced shortly by the party which hopes to contest all six Parliament seats solo, unlike 2019, when it was in alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi of Prakash Ambedkar both in Parliamentary and Assembly elections. After the Assembly elections held that year (2019), the partnership broke and both went their separate ways, though AIMIM won two seats and VBA scored nothing. In the run-up to the 2024 elections, the AIMIM had made open appeals to be admitted to the state Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and also the national I.N.D.I.A. bloc. However, it was given a royal snub by the wary MVA-I.N.D.I.A. as most parties suspect AIMIMas intentions and credentials, after the purported damage it allegedly caused to the non-saffron parties in the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. Interestingly, in 2014 and 2019 Assembly elections, the AIMIM had bagged two seats each and in the last Lok Sabha (2019) polls, the party nominee Jaleel won the Aurangabad seat, dealing a shock defeat to the then undivided Shiv Sena veteran Chandrakant Khaire, a two-time MLA and 4-time MP. New Delhi, March 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation extended by his Bhutan counterpart Dasho Tshering Tobgay, on behalf of the king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to visit the Himalayan kingdom next week. The two prime ministers met in the national capital on Thursday, sharing warm hugs and handshakes, and discussed a range of issues to strengthen relations between the two neighbouring nations. "On behalf of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, PM Tshering Tobgay extended invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bhutan next week. Prime Minister accepted the invitation," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release on Friday. Both leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and development cooperation, the MEA statement said. Further, they reaffirmed their commitment to further bolster the "special and unique" friendship between the two countries. PM Tobgay conveyed his deep appreciation for India's role as a reliable, trusted, and valued partner in his nation's developmental priorities. After meeting PM Modi, PM Tobgay wrote in a post on X handle: "Wonderful to meet my friend, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi. I thanked him for his steadfast support to Bhutan, and we discussed a range of issues to strengthen relations between Bhutan and India. Prime Minister Modi Ji also agreed to visit Bhutan soon ... next week, in fact!" PM Modi said he was "glad to meet" his "friend" on his first overseas visit after assuming office in February 2024, and they had "productive discussions encompassing various aspects of our unique and special partnership". PM Modi also conveyed his "heartfelt thanks" to the King of Bhutan and Premier Tobgay for inviting him. The two nations share warm and cordial ties, based on trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels. Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, gave its approval for the signing of three MoUs between India and Bhutan, covering the supply of petroleum products, energy efficiency, and cooperation in food safety measures. New Delhi, March 15 : Scores of migrants from Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday breached barricades during a protest against the INDIA bloc and Congress leaders in the national Capital, over their statements on the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules. The demonstrators, brandishing placards reflecting their dissatisfaction with the leaders of the INDIA bloc, chanted slogans as they marched towards the Congress headquarters. The protest, held near the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters on Ashoka Road, witnessed a tense stand-off between the demonstrators and the police. There was a heavy police and Rapid Action Force presence in the vicinity to ensure order. Police had erected numerous tiers of barricades to stop the refugees' march towards the Congress headquarters. "We escaped from Pakistan to protect our daughters and mothers. We have suffered atrocities, and these leaders oppose us. Now, several political figures such as Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, and Rahul Gandhi are speaking out against the government granting us citizenship," said Brij Lal. Earlier, senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, Jairam Ramesh, raised concerns regarding the timing of the introduction of the CAA rules. The Congress asserted that this legislation stirred controversy due to its departure from the constitutional principle that citizenship should not be determined by religion. On Thursday, several Hindu migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan protested in front of Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal's residence over his statements on the recently-notified CAA. Thousands of Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan reside in the national Capital. Carrying placards and raising slogans against CM Kejriwal, the protestors demanded an apology. They said that his statement was wrong and against the Hindu community. Following a protest by Hindu migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan in front of his residence on Thursday, CM Kejriwal accused the BJP of supporting the agitators. "Today, some Pakistanis protested and caused chaos outside my house. Delhi Police provided them full respect and protection. The BJP fully supported them," said CM Kejriwal in a tweet. New Delhi, March 15 : The Delhi High Court on Friday directed Ashneer Grover, Co-founder and former managing director of fintech firm BharatPe, to take down his tweets against the company and its officials within 48 hours. The court also told Ashneer to delete his tweet in which he called Rajnish Kumar, Chairman of the BharatPe Board and former State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman, as "petty people". Ashneer had posted on X that, "The SBI Chairman seems to be 'petty people'. And something very wrong at their core. I learnt it the hard way. So did SC." The court directed that tweets and posts made by Ashneer and his wife Madhuri Jain Grover "should be taken down within 48 hours". The court observed that Ashneer continued to post defamatory posts about BharatPe and its officials and directors, "despite several court orders restraining Ashneer as well as his own previous undertaking." Ashneer's social media posts were violative of the letter and spirit of the previous orders of the court and the said undertaking, the court noted. Ashneer has earlier written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), asking the Central Bank to initiate an investigation into the shareholding of BharatPe. Earlier this week, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) dismissed Ashneer's challenge to its jurisdiction on its power to decide on the claw back of his shares in the fintech unicorn BharatPe he co-founded. New Delhi, March 15 : A sessions court on Friday reserved its order on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea in the liquor policy case and is likely to pronounce it later in the day. CM Kejriwal has challenged the two summons issued to him by a magisterial court on Enforcement Directorate's complaint in the case. The ED had filed a complaint that CM Kejriwal had not complied with its summons in connection with a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped policy. On Thursday, Special Judge Rakesh Syal of Rouse Avenue Court heard the arguments at length by both parties in one of the revision petitions. CM Kejriwal has filed two revision petitions against Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra's orders issuing summons to him on the ED's complaint. On March 7, she had issued second summons and had put up the matter for hearing on March 16, when she is set to hear the ED's first complaint on the same matter. On Friday, Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta and Advocate Rajiv Mohan appeared for CM Kejriwal and Additional Solicitor General (ASG), S.V. Raju for the federal agency. Since CM Kejriwal has to appear before the magisterial court on Saturday, Senior Advocate Gupta had urged the court for "exemption of petitioner (CM Kejriwal) through a lawyer or a stay or court may be asked to adjourn the matter to the date which the sessions court fixes". He had added, "Order of summoning is a revisable order. Maybe this court only exempts me from appearance. It is a summoning trial case. Maximum punishment is one month or fine or both." On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General Raju had said: "The modus operandi was to move the court at the last minute, put pressure on the court and say tomorrow I've to appear, grant me stay otherwise the heavens are going to fall. Heavens didn't fall for so many days." The ACMM on February 17 granted a day's exemption from physical appearance to the CM in connection with the first complaint filed by the ED over the same issue. The second complaint pertains to "CM Kejriwal not abiding by the summons number 4 to 8", a source said. The AAP Convenor had earlier requested the financial probe agency for a date after March 12 for questioning on the excise policy matter. His response had come after the ED issued summons to him for the eighth time on February 27 and asked him to appear before it on March 4. ACMM Malhotra had taken cognisance of the first complaint on February 7. The judge had then said, ".. summons are being issued to him to appear on February 17." The ED, on January 31, issued summons to CM Kejriwal for the fifth time, and he was told to appear before it on February 2. The financial probe agency's complaint alleged that the CM intentionally did not want to obey the summons and kept on giving "lame excuses". "If a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would set a wrong example for the common man," the agency had said. The ED had issued summons for the fourth time to CM Kejriwal on January 13, asking him to appear before it on January 18. On February 2, the AAP said that CM Kejriwal would not appear before the ED for questioning, and also targeted the Central government. ECI to announce schedule for LS polls 2024 on March 16 (Lead). Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 15 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday said that the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls 2024 will be announced on March 16. With the announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will also be implemented. Along with the Lok Sabha election, the ECI will also announce the schedule of elections for some state assemblies including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The ECI said that the schedule will be announced at 3 pm on March 16 (Saturday). The ECI said that their team is set for action-packed weeks ahead. On Friday, the newly appointed election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu also took charge at ECI headquarters in New Delhi. On Thursday, the Central government issued the notification for the appointment of the two election commissioners. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led three-member committee picked bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as the election commissioners. The decision comes days after the resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The selection panel, which zeroed in on Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar, includes the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a designated Union Cabinet minister. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was in the three-member panel in capacity as the opposition member. Besides, the Prime Minister and the Congress leader, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the meeting. San Francisco, March 15 : Abu Dhabi's state-backed AI investment company MGX is in early-stage discussions to invest in OpenAI's ambitious chip venture, a media report said on Friday. According to the Financial Times, citing sources, the companies are looking at creating a structure that will put Abu Dhabi at the centre of this AI strategy with global partners worldwide. MGX, an AI investment company with Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and AI firm G42 as founding partners, was launched earlier this week. According to the report, OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, is aiming to launch a semiconductor business to reduce its dependence on cutting-edge chips made by chip maker Nvidia. In addition, the report mentioned that the UAE's AI Minister, Omar Sultan Al Olama, stated that Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, who has founded xAI, a company that builds AI models in an effort to compete with OpenAI, was also interested in collaborating with the Gulf state. "I do see him (Musk) doing something (AI-related) here. I donat think itas far out for him to do something here. The economics are going to dictate what he and others do here," minister Olama was quoted as saying. Earlier this year, Altman visited South Korea to discuss ways to set up a global network for AI chip manufacturing with key chipmakers here, industry sources said. by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A recent report by British consultancy Brand Finance highlighted China's ascent to the third position in the Global Soft Power Index for 2024. This leap underscores China's growing charm and burgeoning influence on the global stage. Brand Finance defines soft power as a country's ability to influence and attract international actors rather than coerce them. While interpretations of soft power differ, it generally represents a country's appeal, influence and charisma, as opposed to the awe and dread associated with hard power. China's surge in soft power can be attributed to various factors. To begin with, the ascent has much to do with the appeal and innovation of traditional Chinese culture. As Joseph Nye, an American political scientist who coined the term soft power, put it, one of the sources of China's soft power is traditional Chinese culture, which remains attractive. Recent events like Year of the Dragon celebrations at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York have once again showcased the charm of Chinese culture and captivated audiences worldwide. Such elements as language, traditional medicine, Tai Chi and calligraphy have also gained popularity overseas. Meanwhile, modern Chinese culture is also trending. Productions like "The Three-Body Problem" and "The Wandering Earth" have garnered international traction, and Chinese games like "Genshin Impact" have successfully entered overseas markets. Another driver is the robust new momentum of China's development, whose spillover effect has created more opportunities for the world. The success of online retail platforms like Temu and Shein and the international recognition of Chinese electric vehicles serve as good examples. China's emphasis on innovation-driven development has positioned it at the forefront of crucial fields like digital technology and renewable energy. That not only boosts China's economy but also offers quality products and services that meet the needs of global consumers, fostering a shared sense of progress and prosperity. Also propelling China's soft power is the increasing global recognition of the principles it upholds and practices as a responsible major country. Through China's engagement in promoting multilateral cooperation and its consistent efforts to address pressing international challenges, resolve regional conflicts and push for a fairer global governance system, the world sees a country committed to the common good of humanity. China's development model also serves as a viable alternative for many developing nations in their quest for modernization, offering valuable insights into balancing political stability, economic growth and social governance. The tangible results yielded from the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and other Chinese proposals have continuously strengthened the world's appreciation of China's positive national image and contributed to the ongoing enhancement of China's soft power. For example, the China International Import Expo and other Chinese exhibitions "reflect the desire of China to cooperate with other countries to achieve common interests in a way that reflects joint development for China and the world," said Diaa Helmy, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Egyptian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, adding that "those initiatives and expos are an indication that China opens its arms to all to achieve win-win cooperation." Consistency between words and deeds defines China's soft power. This is precisely why China is poised to synergize its growing soft and hard power and make more contributions to world peace and development. Editor: WXL Jaipur, March 15 : Six Pakistani Hindu migrants, living in Rajasthan for years, were granted Indian citizenship on Friday. Additional District Collector (South) Shafali Kushwaha handed over the citizenship certificates to the migrants -- Premlata, Sanjay Ram, Bejal, Jajraj, Keku Mai and Gomand Ram -- here. Premlata, 41, who came to India in 2010 after being displaced from Karachi, Pakistan, expressed her gratitude to the district administration. She said, "After coming to India, we have got the real feeling of freedom." Sanjay Ram said, "I was trying to get Indian citizenship for the past 10 years, today the long wait of many years has ended and now we can say with pride that we are Indians." On this occasion, the Additional District Collector congratulated the migrants who are now Indian citizens. He said that the district administration processes the citizenship applications on priority as per the rules, and issues certificates so that the applicants do not face any problem. The Indian Citizenship Certificate has been issued to a total of 319 eligible applicants, she said. Mumbai, March 15 : Actress-filmmaker Divya Khossla looked every inch like royalty as she flaunted a creation by ace designer Rajdeep Ranawat for the LFW x FDCI on Day 3. Divya looked drop-dead-gorgeous as she flaunted her "royal" side in a lehenga paired with a halter blouse and cape styled jacket with scallop details at the edge. Talking about the collection, Ranawat told reporters: "Was inspired by the jewels of Nizams, after seeing the jewels personally in a museum almost 20 years ago that was always etched in my mind. I combined it with 18 century tapestry and motifs from my travels to Europe." The garment worn by Divya, who was the showstopper, was black and drizzled with gold in floral prints, given a classy spin by Ranawat. His range called the Nizam was dominated by colours such as black, white, moss green, red with a splash of bling. The silhouettes he showcased were more about free flowing fashion which included dresses, pants, gowns, cover ups with monokinis, capes, halters, dhoti pants, blouses with over the top sleeves and lehengas. Talking about Divya's upcoming work, she is all set to make her Telugu debut with 'Hero Heeroine', directed by Suresh Krissna. New Delhi, March 11 : India on Friday rejected the US State Department's "concerns" regarding the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and termed it as "misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted" Asserting that the CAA is about giving citizenship and not about taking it away, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India's pluralistic traditions and the region's post-partition history are best not attempted". "As regards the US State Department statement on the implementation of CAA and comments made by several others, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted," Randhir Jaiswal said, addressing a weekly media briefing. "Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken," Randhir Jaiswal said in response to questions on the Act. He added that the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India, and is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and its long-standing commitment to human rights. The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist chant Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Randhir Jaiswal further said that there are no grounds for any concerns or treatment of minorities, adding that "vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress". India's tough response came after US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US is "concerned about the notification of the CAA's rules in India". Miller said that the US is closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. The Central government on Monday implemented CAA, paving way for citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from neighbouring nations who entered India before December 31, 2014. Critics have argued that the law undermines secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution by excluding Muslims from its purview. March 15 : Bastar - The Naxal Story: A Controversial and Conspiratorial Diatribe Director - Sudipto Sen Cast - Adah Sharma, Indira Tiwari, Vijay Krishna, Shilpa Shukla, Yashpal Sharma, Subrat Dutta, Raima Sen, Anangsha Biswas, Anupam Joardar, Kishore Kadam Duration 124 Minutes Rating 2 Filmmaker Sudipto Sen's latest offering, "Bastar - The Naxal Story," is a film steeped in controversy and conspiracy theories. Following his previous work, "The Kerala Story," Sen's latest film delves deeper into the complexities of the Naxalite movement, presenting a narrative that is as unsettling as it is thought-provoking From the outset, "Bastar - The Naxal Story" warns viewers of its "unsettling images," setting the tone for a film that is unafraid to confront the brutal realities of the Naxal insurgency. The movie opens with a chilling scene in which a villager who defies the Maoist insurgents is brutally murdered, highlighting the ruthlessness of the Naxalites. Central to the film's narrative is the Supreme Court's ban on the Salwa Judum militia, a controversial group supported by the Chhattisgarh government to combat Naxalism. The film portrays the Salwa Judum as a necessary evil, fighting against the Naxalites who are compared to terrorist groups like the Islamic State and Boko Haram. The screenplay, written by Sen, Amarnath Jha, and Vipul Shah, explores the intricacies of the conflict in Bastar, painting a picture of a region torn apart by violence and political intrigue. The film's portrayal of the Maoists as part of a global conspiracy involving terrorist organizations adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, challenging viewers to rethink their perceptions of the conflict. Despite its controversial subject matter, "Bastar - The Naxal Story" is not without its flaws. The film's screenplay is at times overstuffed with characters and subplots, leading to a lack of focus in the narrative. However, these shortcomings are overshadowed by the film's strong performances, particularly by Adah Sharma as Neerja, the IPS officer determined to crush the Naxal insurgency. In conclusion, "Bastar - The Naxal Story" is a film that is sure to spark debate and controversy. While its portrayal of the Naxalite movement may be divisive, the film's unflinching look at the realities of the conflict makes it a compelling watch. Whether you agree with its perspective or not, "Bastar - The Naxal Story" is a film that will leave a lasting impression. Jaipur, March 15 : : Since the last few days the Rajasthan police has been investigating a case where three family members in Churu district's Hamirwas have died mysterious deaths within a month after vomiting. Adding to the worries of the police are the cases of frequent fires in their house which has spread panic among the villagers. Jaipur, March 15 (IANS): Since the last few days the Rajasthan police has been investigating a case where three family members in Churu districtas Hamirwas have died mysterious deaths within a month after vomiting. Adding to the worries of the police are the cases of frequent fires in their house which has spread panic among the villagers. aThere have been fire incidents happening in this family frequently after these deaths," said police officials. On Thursday, the police exhumed the body of a four-year-old boy to find out the reason for his death. The body was taken out after obtaining the district magistrate's permission. A postmortem was conducted and viscera samples were sent to the FSL lab in Jodhpur to find out the reason for his death, said SHO Madanlal Vishnoi. Three mysterious deaths were reported in the family within a month. Those who passed away were Bhoop Singhas mother (82) and his two young sons. The three of them died after vomiting, which is a case of investigation, Vishnoi added, aNext, there have been cases of sudden fires in the house since the last 14 days, which our team is investigating. We have deployed our team outside the house for the last two days, however since then, there has been no case of fire," he said. Vishmoi informed that on February 1, the 82-year-old mother died. She vomited around 6 in the morning. By the time her family members took her to the hospital, she had died. On February 13, her grandson 4-year-old Garvit vomited and was rushed to the hospital, By this time, he also died. On February 28, Garvit's brother, 7-year-old Anurag, died,, the reason again being vomiting. The series of house fires started on February 29, following the three deaths. Sometimes the clothes hanging on the wall, sometimes the bed and sometimes the fodder for the animals would catch fire. Now the police are trying to find out who is starting the fires, how and why. The woman and the elder son were cremated but the younger one was buried,. We are trying to find clues from the boy's body and so we have exhumed it, said officials. Due to the sudden fires, not only the family members but the entire village is on edge. All the belongings in the house have been taken out. Along with the family members, the villagers are also keeping guard day and night. Water tankers have been installed outside the house so that water can be sprinkled immediately in case of a fire. Police officials said that they have requested for a quick report from the FSL so that the reason for the boy's death can be found and further investigation undertaken. Guwahati, March 15 : A day before the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule, the Congress suffered another jolt in Assam after its MP from Barpeta, Abdul Khaleque, resigned from the primary membership of the party on Friday. Khaleque, who blamed the state Congress leadership for his decision to quit, was denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Barpeta this time with the party fielding Deep Bayan in his place. In a two-page letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Khaleque wrote, "I have served the party organisation in different capacities as and when desired by the leadership. The leaders trusted me with responsibilities in Assam as well as in other states. I performed the duties assigned to me with all responsibly and seriousness." Khaleque, who also served two terms as a Congress legislator, wrote, "I had the opportunity to serve the people twice as the Member of the Legislative Assembly and once as the Member of Lok Sabha. It has been an honour for me to serve the Congress, whose values are like the lifelines of our beautiful nation. I owe infinite gratitude and love to the people of my constituencies, the party, and the party workers who stood by me." The Barpeta MP also blamed the state Congress leadership for "ruining" the prospect of the party in Assam. "The party in Assam has taken a strange route where people-centric issues have taken a backseat. To safeguard democracy, the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and oneness. But unfortunately, I feel the attitude and approach of the state unit chief (Bhupen Borah), and AICC General Secretary in-charge for Assam (Jitendra Singh) have ruined the prospects of the party in Assam", Khaleque said. New Delhi, March 15 : President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday that Bhutan can count on India as a reliable friend and partner as she welcomed Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In his first overseas visit after assuming office in January, PM Tobgay arrived in India on Thursday to expand the "exemplary ties of friendship" between the two nations. In an official statement released on Friday, President Murmu said the two nations enjoy a close and unique relationship, based on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding at all levels. She noted that India is privileged to partner with the Himalayan nation in the development cooperation sector, to enhance the socio-economic well-being and prosperity of the people of Bhutan. Emphasising that Bhutan can count on New Delhi as a reliable friend and partner, President Murmu underscored that Indiaas development partnership will continue to be guided by the Himalayan nationas priorities and aspirations, especially of the youth. The India-Bhutan multifaceted partnership spans across sectors such as energy cooperation, development partnership, people-to-people relations, trade and investment linkages. This, she said, is deeply valued by India. Speaking of the shared spiritual heritage of Buddhism that connects the two countries, President Murmu appreciated that PM Tobgay chose India for his first overseas visit after taking the oath of office. Earlier in the day, PM Tobgay visited Raj Ghat and paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. "Honouring the legacy of Bapu & his universal ideals!" the Ministry of External Affairs said on X, sharing pictures of PM Tobgay paying his respects to the Father of the Nation. PM Tobgay, who will be in India till March 18, also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and extended an invitation to him to visit Bhutan next week. PM Modi accepted the invitation as both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further cement the "special and unique" friendship between India and Bhutan. Lucknow: BSP National President Mayawati addresses party leaders of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Image Source: IANS News Lucknow, March 15 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) launched its poll campaign on Friday by taking a pledge to bring the party back to power in 2024. The party paid homage to its founder Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary on Friday. The party said that it is planning to mobilise its supporters with a series of programmes and workers' conferences across the state on the occasion. A BSP leader said, "The birth anniversary of the party founder will be used to generate enthusiasm among the party cadre. With the Dalit-Muslim-OBC formula, the party is working to increase its tally in the Lok Sabha election." It is learnt that Mayawati is giving the final touches to the candidates sent by party coordinators and has already named some candidates, the majority of them being Muslims. The BSP has already announced that it will go alone in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In 1971, Kanshi Ram quit a government job to launch the All India SC, ST, OBC and Minority Employees Association (BAMCEF). The aim was to spread the ideals of Bhim Rao Ambedkar among the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minority communities. In 1981, he launched the Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DS4) for social awakening among the Dalits. In 1984, he floated the BSP for their political empowerment. Kanshi Ram also played an important role in the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in the 1993 assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. Later, he broke the alliance and formed the BSP government with the support of the BJP in 1995 when Mayawati became the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for the first time. After 1995, the BSP again formed the government in 1997, 2002 and 2007 in the state. In 2007, Mayawati led a majority government on her own after the demise of Kanshi Ram. After being voted out of power in 2012, the BSP's downhill journey began and the party has been rapidly losing ground with a section of non-Jatav Dalits opting for the BJP. The party, at present, has only one member in the UP assembly and a number of its sitting MPs are reaching out to other parties. Patna, March 15 : A farmer was shot dead when he was sleeping outside his house in Bihar's Samastipur district, police said. The deceased was identified as Harishchandra Rai (50). Deceased's brother Dinesh Rai said that after having dinner on Thursday, Harishchandra went to sleep just outside his house. When a family member went there to serve him tea on Friday morning, Harishchandra Rai was found lying in a pool of blood. "As soon as we received the information of murder, we reached there with the FSL team. The victim sustained two gunshot injuries on his head. It seems that he was killed in the sleeping stage. We have recovered two dead cartridges from the crime scene. Further investigation is on," said Pinki Prasad, SHO of Mufassil police station. The Police said that Harishchandra Rai was considered as a big farmer in the area having many acres of agricultural land in the district. Elections our right, won't beg anybody to hold them: Omar Abdullah. Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, March 15 : National Conference Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the idea of "One Nation, One Election" should be put into practice from J&K. Asked by media persons in an interaction here if he had any "expectations" from the Election Commission which is slated to announce the poll dates on Saturday, he said that he had none. "J&K has been without an election for nearly 10 years now. Let the Election Commission play its role and announce simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections here," he said. He also said that former President Ram Nath Kovind, who headed the commission on 'One Nation, One Election', had given recommendations in its favour, and "if this idea cannot be put to practice in J&K, then the very idea will prove to be a sham". Asked about the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), he said that he does not belong to the PAGD, but to the National Conference only. "If you expect that announcement from (NC chief) Dr Farooq (Abdullah) Sahib, then better put this question to him," he retorted. He refused to give any date when the NC would announce its candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. "We will do it when we want to," he curtly replied. Omar Abdullah also hoped for peace and prosperity and wished God forgives the sins of humans during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan. Exporting companies should use alternative routes until the end of negotiations between Ukraine and Poland on crossing the Ukrainian-Polish border on March 28, after which the situation is likely to improve, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Yuriy Vaskov has said. "The market players registrars, exporters, importers are forced to use alternative routes [for exporting good]. Our position [of the Restoration Ministry] is that until the problem is solved, we need to look for alternative routes," he said at a roundtable discussion on the foreign trade challenges faced by Ukraine, organized by the Center for Economic Strategy on Thursday. Vaskov emphasized that the ministry's current priority is to develop infrastructure on all alternative routes, even if they are not in demand now, since the current experience of constant changes during wartime teaches Ukraine to be prudent. "Ukraine must be ready for anything. The market will not wait for improvements for several weeks. Unfortunately, we need to look for and use [alternative export routes," the official said. He also noted that the border is open for Polish railway transport as before. At the same time, problems persist at motor transport checkpoints. Vaskov recalled that a Ukrainian-Polish meeting is scheduled for March 28 to resolve the problems on the Ukrainian-Polish border. The Ukrainian side intends to propose an algorithm for solving existing problems and expects positive results from these negotiations, even though they will not be easy. The Reconstruction Ministry hopes there will be an improvement. Chennai, March 15 : Tamil Nadu Police on Friday denied permission for the road show of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be held in Coimbatore on March 18. The police in a statement said that permission was denied due to security reasons. The four-kilometre-long roadshow was to culminate in the ground where the Coimbatore bomb blast of 1998 took place in which 58 people died and more than 200 were injured. However, the Madras High Court is hearing a prayer by the BJP unit of Tamil Nadu to revoke the ban. PM Modi is on a tour of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana. With the party having a strong support base in Karnataka, the party is trying to increase its presence in other southern states as well. New Delhi, March 15 : It is heartening that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Kalpakkam to witness the start of fuel loading in the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). Commencement of fuel loading is a major milestone for PFBR, indicating that all major sodium and water loops are functional, and that all static and dynamic equipment are in healthy state. PFBR, built by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), is currently in the final stage of commissioning. PFBR marks the commencement of the second of the three-stage commercial nuclear power production, planned by Homi Jahagir Bhabha way back in 1950. This is an occasion for the entire Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) fraternity -- and for that matter for every Indian -- to be proud of the combined achievement of the BHAVINI and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) teams. In October 2004, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had marked the occasion by starting concreting of PFBR Raft. This highly complex reactor is now nearing completion. Visits of Prime Ministers, President (Abdul Kalam), several Union Ministers, Director Generals of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (Mohamed ElBaradei and Yukiya Amano), Deputy Director Generals of IAEA, several other international dignitaries and ambassadors, Parliamentary committees, many Padma Awardee Scientists and others to PFBR in the past, is a testimony the importance of PFBR in the global scenario. The fast breeder reactor technology has the potential to generate more nuclear fuel (plutonium) than it consumes. This is achieved by using fast neutrons to convert fertile material (depleted uranium) into fissile material. The PFBR contributes to India's efforts to achieve energy security by efficiently utilising its indigenous uranium and abundant resources of thorium. PFBR is a stepping stone to move from U235 fuel to U233 fuel. PFBR is designed and constructed entirely in India, showcasing the country's capability in advanced nuclear sciences and engineering, and close fuel cycle. The PFBR is a significant achievement in India's indigenous nuclear reactor technology capabilities. For concerted efforts to make fast reactors commercially viable, eminent scientist Anil Kakodkar initiated to launch the fast breeder reactors through a new company, BHAVINI. Late Baldeo Raj, then Director of IGCAR, and his team played a leading role in plant and equipment design, testing and qualification of equipment. IGCAR, in close proximity to PFBR construction site, has provided multi disciplinary support to PFBR and trained PFBR operation personnel in Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). The PFBR project has brought several laurels for India, contributing to the country's nuclear energy programme and technological prowess. Achievements and accolades associated with the PFBR encompass Indigenous technology development and demonstrate the country's capability to design, construct, and operate advanced nuclear reactors without relying on foreign assistance. PFBR involves cutting-edge research and innovation in nuclear reactor technology. It fosters advancements in reactor design, materials science, safety analysis, and operational efficiency. The PFBR project has facilitated collaboration with international partners, including knowledge exchange, and research cooperation. The PFBR project has stimulated economic growth through investments in infrastructure, development of novel manufacturing technologies and creation of highly skilled workforce. A robust nuclear energy ecosystem in India, created by PFBR, harmonised contributions from R&D organisations, researchers, material scientists, intricate equipment manufacturers and highly skilled installation and commissioning teams. Handling, storage and transfer of 1,950 metric tonne sodium without spilling a single drop, speaks volumes about competence of fast reactor teams at Kalpakkam. India's achievements in fast breeder technology showcases the country's potential to become global leader in thorium technology landscape. Fast breeder reactors operate under extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, and radiation, requiring advanced materials that can withstand these conditions. Developing and qualifying materials for reactor components, including structural materials, cladding, and fuel elements, have been a technological challenge. The Indian industry has played a significant role in producing materials to stringent specifications and manufacturing and fabrication of equipment for the PFBR project. Almost all the materials for the fabrication of PFBR have been manufactured by Indian companies. Indian engineering firms have provided design, engineering, and consultancy services for this project. This includes the development of detailed engineering designs, safety analyses, and quality control measures. Young PFBR team took up challenging construction, commissioning and quality assurance responsibilities. Indian thermal neutron reactors built by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited had increased the quality production capabilities of Indian industries over the decades. PFBR required enhanced competence from industries for its equipment which are much larger in dimension and required far more stringent specification and tolerance control. Large thin walled Safety vessel, Main vessel and Inner vessel required stringent safety design and fabrication capabilities, have been fabricated by Larsen and Toubro and BHEL at PFBR construction site, since these were too large to be transported by road. Never in the past were such large thin walled vessels fabricated in India. Thin walled Inner vessel made by BHEL, required critical control of dimensional tolerances in complex geometry. It is worthwhile to mention that the experience of Safety and Main Vessel fabrication for PFBR provided an opportunity to Larsen and Toubro to fabricate yet another large size thin walled vessel at ITER (Fusion reactor project at France, a project to create fusion in a large tokamak and create temperatures ten times the temperature of the Sun). The cryostat, a stainless steel vacuum pressure vessel weighing 3,850 tonnes and of 30 metres in diameter is the largest vessel ever made in the world. It has glorified India's manufacturing capabilities before the world. Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL) came forward to take on the highly challenging task of design and manufacture of primary and secondary sodium pumps. They have to circulate liquid sodium at temperatures over 500 degrees. Primary sodium pump has an 11 metre long shaft. The secondary sodium pump has hydrodynamic bearings. Since the pumps operate in a sodium environment, they have to be almost maintenance free. It took knowledge, skills and courage by KBL team to accept the order for these pumps. KBL has demonstrated that Indian industries can take up any challenge. MTAR Technologies undertook the manufacture of inclined fuel transfer machine and reactor top control plug. WalchandNagar Industries manufactured large sodium-to-sodium and sodium-to-air heat exchangers. Sodium-to-water heat exchanger/steam generators were made by Larsen and Toubro. All these entities created specialised clean room facilities to undertake manufacture of critical PFBR equipment. Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) supported PFBR in design details and Gammon India undertook civil and structural works requiring great precision. Power Island equipment were manufactured by BHEL. Various units of Department of Atomic Energy including Nuclear Fuel Complex, Electronics Corporation of India Ltd, Heavy Water Board etc took up challenging responsibilities. IGCAR manufactured many critical equipment in its workshop and dedicated many of its labs and test loops for testing and qualification for PFBR equipment. PFBR had to pass through some rough patches during its construction and commissioning. The Tsunami on December 26, 2004, had destroyed the project completely. Restart of the construction required a fresh safety review involving expertise of various centres of knowledge in geology, seismology, oceanography, meteorology etc. Design changes and raising the garage level of the PFBR had an impact on cost and time of the project. The Fukushima accident in Japan on March 11, 2011 required every nuclear facility in the world -- under construction or in operation -- to have a fresh review of safety in the background of new knowledge that came forth by the Fukushima accident. This, too, required back fitting of a few new features in PFBR, and thus impacted the cost and time. It has been noted that wherever ambitious mega projects to create new technologies are launched, despite the best risk management features in place, challenges beyond expectation are faced during construction and commissioning. These, beyond planning events, have resulted in delays and cost escalation. Despite best planning, best brains involved, extensive testing and qualification programmes, and most meticulous construction and commissioning practices adopted, many first of this type of projects in the world have experienced issues beyond original risk evaluation. ITER, France is one such example. In PFBR the design, equipment fabrication and construction have been undertaken simultaneously. To put an end to design refinements, DAE had taken one of the most appropriate decisions to launch PFBR in October 2003, and asked designers, equipment manufacturers, construction personnel to work together to manage the complex technology and establish safety protocols. It may also be appropriate to mention that for the fast breeder reactors, the regulatory framework and safety principles were not fully developed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board when the PFBR was launched. Many of the safety rules were prepared parallelly during construction of PFBR. This, too, had little impact on pace of construction. Fast reactors are extremely complex. Presence of a huge amount of sodium adds to the complexities in design, construction, commissioning and maintenance. Fast breeder power reactor programmes were launched only by four countries. These are France, Japan , Russia and India. France and Japan have shut down their reactors due to sodium leak and associated fire. Both France and Japan and are currently going slow with their plans till generation four features are implemented. Russia is the only country operating the fast breeder reactor. India has introduced many generation four features in PFBR after the Fukushima accident, and is pursuing the fast breeder reactor programme with robust design and technological backbone existing now in the country. In 2003, when the PFBR project was launched by BHAVINI, only a few experienced personnel were available on deputation from IGCAR, who had knowledge of fast breeder reactor design and operation of FBTR. BHAVINI had to appoint fresh engineering graduates and initiate a major training and qualification programme for the freshers to manage the complex and first of its type fast reactor technology for PFBR. This was an initial hiccup which was later fixed. IGCAR and other units of DAE have been involved in skill development, training and qualification programmes for personnel working in the PFBR project. The training in FBTR includes providing specialised skills and preparing the operation teams to get PFBR operation licence from AERB. As time passed, BHAVINI engineers got recognised as one of the most competent, committed and hard working professionals. (Dr Prabhat Kumar is former CMD of BHAVINI.) --IANS Prabhat Kumar/kvd Thiruvananthapuram, March 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Pathanamthitta in Kerala on Friday on his first visit to the state after the list of BJP candidates to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls was announced. Thiruvananthapuram, March 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Pathanamthitta in Kerala on Friday on his first visit to the state after the list of BJP candidates to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls was announced. The Congress received a big jolt when the children of two former Congress Chief Ministers -- K. Karunakaran and A.K. Antony -- were seated to the left and right of PM Modi. Despite the sweltering heat more than 50,000 people waited for hours to hear the Prime Minister at the Pathanamthitta stadium. A sizeable number of people who could not get a seat inside the stadium were seen gathered outside the stadium. The highlight of PM Modias visit, a day before the dates of the Lok Sabha polls will be announced on Saturday, was to put the election campaign in Pathanamthitta in particular and the state in general in top gear for the BJP-led NDA. At Pathanamthitta, the BJP has fielded Anil Antony, son of the countryas longest serving Defence Minister A.K. Antony. PM Modi was seen speaking to Anil for a while and he also greeted Padmaja Venugopal -- daughter of late former Chief Minister Karunakaran -- with folded hands when her name was called to present him a souvenir. In his brief speech PM Modi slammed both the traditional political rivals there, the Congress and the Left, who according to him have cheated the people. It is time for a change as there is a need for the BJP Parliament members from Kerala to be sent to Delhi to learn about how the BJP government is functioning. This is PM Modias fourth visit to the state since the New Year and he will be coming again on Sunday for his partyas election campaign at Palakkad. He arrived in Pathanamthitta from Tamil Nadu on a helicopter and after his speech, he left for Kochi from where he will fly to Telangana. New Delhi, March 15 : Asserting that it is ready to evacuate its nationals from violence-torn Haiti, if required, India said on Friday that it has set up a 24-hour control room in the Ministry of External Affairs and an emergency helpline in the Dominican Republic, to provide information and assistance. Haiti has been in the grip of increased armed attacks by criminal gangs that have left Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region paralysed and reportedly displaced more than 15,000 in the past few weeks. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that there are some 50 to 80 Indian community members in Haiti and the Indian Embassy is in touch with all of them. "We are monitoring the situation... if required, we are ready to evacuate... Our embassy in Santo Domingo is monitoring the situation. The ministry also is fully monitoring the situation," Randhir Jaiswal said addressing a weekly media briefing. He added that some of the Indians there are working with the Missionaries of Charity. The Ministry of External Affairs, in view of the ongoing developments in Haiti, shared the helping numbers in a release issued on Friday. The contact details of the Control Room are as under: 1800118797 (Toll free), +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +91-9968291988. The release said that the Embassy of India in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Haiti, has also set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed as per the following contact details: +1 (849) 398-9889, +1 (809) 870-3923, +1 (849) 507-7612, Landline: +1 8298934233, Extn: 203, Landline: +1 8298934233, Extn: 213. Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern over the "rapidly deteriorating" security situation in Haiti in the wake of a weekend jailbreak, which saw nearly 4,000 criminals return to the streets. According to the UN, Haiti has been living under a 72-hour state of emergency and curfew, and around 80 per cent of the capital is now controlled by armed gangs. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently said that the violence has increased the price of food items by almost 25 per cent. Guwahati, March 15 : The AAP on Friday withdrew its candidate from the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat to stop the division of Opposition votes. However, the party also threw a "challenge" to the Congress to withdraw candidates from two other seats where the AAP has already announced its candidates. In a letter to Assam Congress President, Bhupen Borah, the state chief of AAP Bhaben Choudhury wrote, "The Aam Aadmi Party has decided to make the highest sacrifice to avoid division of votes, for Opposition unity. The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of AAP has decided not to contest the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat. "As you know, the AAP won the second-highest number of votes in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation elections after the BJP. However, to avoid splitting the votes of the Opposition, we have decided not to contest the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat." However, Bhaben Choudhury accused the Congress of playing spoilsport in the Opposition alliance. He mentioned in the letter, "Discussions on seat sharing have been going on in Assam for several months. When the Opposition across the country is united, it has been our highest effort to maintain Opposition unity in Assam as well. After all our efforts, when there were no results until February, we announced three candidates. "Despite our announcement, talks between the Congress and the AAP continued - both in Assam and Delhi. We were told that a solution would definitely be found. But when the Congress announced its candidates for all the seats in Assam on March 12 we were totally shocked by this approach. Will it not be helping the BJP by dividing the votes? Will it not help the BJP?" The AAP has also challenged the Congress and the United Opposition Forum of several parties in Assam to withdraw their candidates from two Lok Sabha seats. The letter stated, "We also challenge the Congress party and United Opposition Forum to reciprocate our gesture by withdrawing candidates from Sonitpur and Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat. Else it will be clear that the Congress party has done a setting with the BJP and is fighting only to make sure BJP wins. People of Assam will not accept this." Istanbul, March 15 : At least 21 illegal migrants were killed on Friday when their boat sank off Turkey's Aegean coast, country's national public broadcaster said. The incident occurred off the coast of Eceabat District in the northwestern province of Canakkale when the migrant boat capsized and sank, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported. Citing Canakkale Governor Ilhami Aktas, the TRT said a search and rescue operation is ongoing at the scene, backed by two helicopters and ten Coast Guard rescue boats. According to Ilhami Aktas, four individuals had been rescued, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, ambulances have been dispatched to the Kabatepe port near the incident location. The exact number of people aboard the boat, their intended destination, and the number of missing due to the incident remained unclear, said Ilhami Aktas. Gandhinagar, March 15 : The Indian manufacturing sector is embracing smart solutions, with a shift towards automation and cyber-physical systems powered by advanced technologies, experts said on Friday. Nasscom Centre of Excellence (CoE), a Digital India initiative established with support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Gujarat, held a concluding event for their six-week Smart Manufacturing Accelerator Programme (SMAP), in partnership with Capgemini. At the event, the experts also mentioned that while some large organisations have successfully digitalised, many are still grappling with where and how to begin. Thus, there's a growing demand to prepare manufacturing leaders to effectively navigate and lead this transformation, they added. "We firmly advocate for manufacturers to swiftly embrace change amidst evolving market dynamics and technological advancements, all while upholding efficiency and sustainability," said Sanjeev Gupta, Vice President and Head of Digital Manufacturing CoE, Capgemini. This programme provided step-by-step guidance on accelerating the adoption of digital technologies at plants to improve operational efficiency and productivity for manufacturing leaders and SMEs. "SMAP represents a significant step forward in digitalising India's manufacturing sector. We are committed to advancing the country's journey towards Industry 4.0 and extending support to numerous organisations in their digitalisation endeavours," said Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, Nasscom CoE. Driving a cohort of more than 120 leaders and SMEs from the industry, SMAP has played an instrumental role in providing strategic views on how advanced technologies can be applied in distinct manufacturing functions. Chennai, March 15 : The Madras High Court on Friday directed Tamil Nadu Police to grant permission to the roadshow of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in Coimbatore on March 18. The Tamil Nadu Police had on Friday sent a communique to the BJPas Coimbatore District unit that permission could not be granted to the 4km roadshow of the PM. The BJP moved the Madras High Court against this and prayed to the court that permission be granted for the publicity campaign. Madras High Court Judge, Justice N Anand Venkatesh, on Friday heard the prayer and granted permission for the publicity campaign. The court, however, directed the police to grant permission on a conditional basis. It may be noted that the PM is travelling to southern states on a mission to increase the seat tally in the 2024 general elections from the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Agartala, March 15 : The INDIA bloc is yet to agree on fighting the Lok Sabha polls in unison in Tripura while the ruling BJP has already announced its candidates for the state's two seats. Though the Congress nominated its state party chief President Ashish Kumar Saha for the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat, bloc partner CPI-M has yet to declare its candidate for the Tripura East Lok Sabha (reserved for STs) nor has it disclosed its stand about the Congress candidature. Saha on Friday said that the central leaders of CPI-M and the Congress have already decided that the Congress would contest the Tripura West seat and the CPI-M the Tripura East seat. Congress leaders urged the Left to announce its candidate at the earliest to take on the ruling BJP. A senior CPI-M leader told IANS that the partyas state Committee would meet on March 17 and the candidate-related and other election issues would be discussed in the meeting, where party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury or Politburo member Prakash Karat likely to be present. "Some party leaders are not willing to give the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat to the Congress and are keen to put up candidates in both the seats. However, several other party leaders are eager to contest the parliamentary polls in Tripura in the 1:1 ratio," the leader, who did not want to be named, said. The CPI-M won both the seats many times since 1952 while the Congress has also won a few times. The BJP won both seats for the first time in 2019, with Union Minister of State for Social Justice Pratima Bhoumik (Tripura West) and teacher-turned-politician Rebati Tripura (Tripura East) emerging triumphant. However, both have been dropped this time and Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb were named for the Tripura East Lok Sabha and Tripura West seats, respectively. A resident of Chhattisgarh, Debbarma, of the erstwhile princely ruling family and a social activist, is the elder sister of Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo and royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman. Her candidature came after hectic parleys for over a year and days after the TMP, which had been demanding a 'Greater Tipra Land' or a separate state for the tribals under the Constitution's Articles 2 and 3, signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government and joined the BJP-led coalition government in the state. According to the agreement, a joint working group/committee would be formed to work out and implement the mutually agreed issues in a time-bound manner to ensure an 'honourable' solution to the tribals' demands. The CPI-M and the Congress have criticised the BJP for choosing Debbarma as its candidate as she is a family member of the leader of the TMP, with which it has yet to form any official alliance. Urging people to "boycott" the TMP and the BJP and to vote for Congress, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman said that the TMP chief "played with sentiments of tribals" with lofty slogans of tribalsa development before joining the BJP government and putting up his sister as a BJP candidate. "If anyone tries to sell tribals of Tripura to manage their own interests, they donat want the well-being of tribals," said Roy Barman, who along with state party chief Saha, met Deb Barman last month to discuss fighting the Lok Sabha polls jointly. Mumbai, March 15 : Actor Aly Goni, who is on a holy visit to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, has shared divine glimpses of his Umrah. The 'Bigg Boss 14' fame, who turned 33-years-old last month took to Instagram, and shared a series of photographs, posing against the beautiful backdrop of Kaaba. Aly is wearing an Ihram, consisting of two white plain clothes. The post is captioned as: "Alhamdulillah... The Prophet said, 'The performance of Umrah during Ramadan is equal to the performance of Hajj with me'... Allah hum sab ko yeh mauka de ameen #umrah2024". Meanwhile, Aly celebrated his birthday with his ladylove Jasmine Bhasin in Phuket, Thailand. The duo met in 2018 during 'Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9'. However, they began a romantic relationship in 2021 after participating in 'Bigg Boss 14'. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine terminated the agreement between the governments of Ukraine and Belarus on the activities of rail transport. As Taras Melnychuk, a representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada, reported on his Telegram channel, the decision was made at a government meeting on Friday. In particular, the agreement between the government of Ukraine and the government of the Republic of Belarus on the activities of rail transport, which was signed on December 17, 1992 in Kyiv, was terminated. New Delhi, March 15 : There has been a substantial rise in theft of active telecommunications equipment in the country, which is being sold on various websites like eBay and Alibaba, thus hampering services for consumers, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said on Friday. In a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the COAI said from October 2023 onwards, such incidents have increased manifold. Radio Remote Units (RRUs) and Baseband Units (BBUs) are the main hardware being stolen. The COAI asked the department to intervene in the matter urgently and issue orders for blocking websites selling active equipment. Such incidents are disproportionally high in a few specific geographies of Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana, with just 31 districts contributing to 50 per cent of the theft incidents reported pan India. The COAI further stated that its members were taking various measures to prevent similar incidents from happening. However, no solution is completely foolproof, and each approach has its own set of challenges. Additionally, multiple instances of theft have occurred even after implementing preventive measures. Due to technical as well as legal challenges, its members are neither able to recover the stolen equipment in most cases, nor are they able to fully recover the losses incurred due to such incidents, it added. Considering the major scale at which these incidents are occurring now, the COAI mentioned that its member Telecom Service Providers, are incurring huge losses as well as additional expenditure in replacing the equipment. Chitradurga March 15 : Stating that the BJP has given tickets to the loyalists, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday that the candidates for the eight remaining seats in the state will be announced in a day or two. Talking to reporters after meeting the Maadara Chennaiah seer here on Friday, Bommai said he came for the darshan of the pontiff before the Lok Sabha polls and the latter advised him to do good for the people. "I have been doing the same thing for the last so many years". He said there had been a discussion about the ticket for the Chitradurga Lok Sabha constituency in the the party's central parliamentary board but he had not heard about the name of the candidate for the Chitradurga seat. The rumour of the sitting MP being denied a ticket was not true. On former minister K.S.Eshwarappa holding a meeting of his followers in Shivamogga, Bommai said he had already spoken with the Delhi leaders about it and everything would be sorted out. The sitting Haveri MP Shivakumar Udasi would also join him in the campaign. "I have been in state politics for more than three decades and have a big number of supporters. Since I have been elected to the Legislative Council twice from local bodies and worked with them, I have got a lot of supporters." Asked about registering a POCSO case against former Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa, he said the Home Minister had already given a statement that the probe must be held with the utmost responsibility. The complainant in the past has filed cases against several people in high posts and her mental condition would also be probed. Some people are trying to tarnish Yediyurappa's image. There seems to be a malafide intention behind this complaint and the truth will come out during the probe. Such things happen during the election but truth always wins. New Delhi, March 15 : India's merchandise exports surged to an 11-month high in February to touch the $41.4 billion mark despite the disruption in ship movement due to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region, data released by the Commerce Ministry on Friday showed. The main drivers of the 11.86 per cent year-on-year jump in exports in February this year include engineering goods, electronic goods, organic & inorganic chemicals, drugs & pharmaceuticals and petroleum products. Engineering Goods recorded a robust increase of 15.9 per cent at $9.94 billion over $8.58 billion in February 2023. Electronic goods exports registered an increase of 54.81 per cent at $3 billion in February 2024 over $1.94 billion in February 2023. Exports of organic and inorganic chemicals increased by 33.04 per cent from $2.22 billion in February 2023 to $2.95 billion in February 2024. Similarly, exports of drugs and pharmaceutical products during the month shot up to $2.51 billion which is an increase of 22.24 per cent over $2.06 billion in February 2023 while the export of petroleum products registered a growth of 5.08 per cent at $8.24 billion. Exports of agricultural products including tobacco also did well to record a 58.24 per cent growth. The overall trade deficit has improved by 37.80 per cent from $116.13 billion in April-February 2022-23 to $72.24 billion in April-February 2023-24. The merchandise trade deficit fell by 8.43 per cent from $245.94 billion in April-February 2022-23 to $225.20 billion in April-February 2023-24. The lower trade deficit reflects stronger macroeconomic fundamentals and will strengthen the rupee. The increase in exports has come despite the geopolitical crisis in the Red Sea region due to which ships now have to be sent along the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa which has led to an increase in transport costs. This has also slowed the overall movement of goods. Around 80 per cent of India's goods trade with Europe, estimated at nearly $14 billion a month, normally passes via the Red Sea, according to the government data. These goods now have to traverse an around 5,000 additional nautical miles on the longer route via Africa which takes another 15 days or so. Govt rolls out new measures to empower consumers. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, March 15 : Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Piyush Goyal on Friday launched a number of initiatives, including an official website for seamless redressal of violations of consumers' rights and an Integrated Price Monitoring Dashboard aimed at empowering consumers. The initiatives taken by the Centre's Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) were rolled out at an event organised here to mark the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day. The various initiatives launched on the occasion are: Launch of CCPA website for seamless redressal of violations of consumers rights as a class. The website will enable swift and hassle-free filing of complaints by consumers on a class action basis, while also allowing them to choose the nature of the case, description of the complaint, upload relevant documents/ videos and track the progress of their complaint online, in the comfort of their own homes. Further, the website serves as a unified platform to access several advisories, guidelines and orders passed by CCPA. Integrated Price Monitoring Dashboard to provide data visualisation and analytics along with monitoring the daily retail and wholesale prices of 22 essential food commodities through 550 price monitoring centers set up in 34 states/ Union Territory. The dashboard is built as multiple pages with each page serving a specific purpose. Video Conferencing Facility in the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to enhance Consumer Protection Act 2019's e-filing provisions. The e-jagriti portal facilitates easy e-filing of consumer complaints for speedy and hassle-free resolution. Video conferencing (Hybrid mode) is currently operational in Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi. Dissemination of Indian Standard Time through NTP to enable all mobile service providers to synchronise with Indian Standard Time (IST). This will also aid in synchronising real-time applications in strategic sectors for national security. A state-of-the-art Integrated Power Transmission Line Equipment Testing Facility. Grant of the first certificate by India as an OIML certification agency. Speaking on the occasion, Piyush Goyal said these initiatives will not only empower consumers but will also secure their interests and safeguard their rights. He said that this year's theme for World Consumer Rights Day, which is 'Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers' is very apt and opined that if Artificial Intelligence is used in the right spirit, then it may bring about good changes in various works and lives of people. However, AI is a sword that cuts both ways, he added. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always held consumers' interest as paramount in policy-making. Consumers' satisfaction should be the prime motive of every business, industry or trade. New Delhi, March 15 : The University of Delhi (DU), facing scarcity of women hostels for years, will soon have a series of hostels and residential accommodations, catering to girl students and working women pursuing higher education in the campus. The credit for this goes to Viksit Bharat event in DU campus on March 7, when the girl students raised demand for women's hostel inside the campus and the Union Minister Smriti Irani quickly gave her consent for the same. Just seven days after promising a girls hostel, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) has sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 272 crore for building 1000-bedded women-specific residential accommodations. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the minister said, "The WCD ministry has allotted Rs 272 crore for building residential accommodation for girls and working women under the Nirbhaya fund." "Aligned with PM Modi's vision for Viksit Bharat, this initiative will empower working women and girls pursuing higher education in getting accommodation with enhanced security and CCTV surveillance," she further wrote. In a video shared by Viskit Bharat Ambassador X handle on Friday, Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh lauded the quick allocation of funds by WCD ministry and termed it the power of government's Viksit Bharat 2047 pledge. Many on the social media are calling it another testimony of Modi ki guarantee and said, "a new India is taking shape, a new India is rising'. It was on March 7 that the Union Minister Smriti Irani made a promise to students to clear the proposal for girls' hostel, while addressing the huge gathering of over 5,000 female students at the Viksit Bharat Ambassadors 'Nari Shakti' Conclave held at DU's indoor stadium. Jaipur, March 15 : Hectic activities are being undertaken in Rajasthan to increase the voting percentage during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, officials said on Friday. Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta said, "During the assembly elections in 2023, the voting percentage of urban voters was less as compared to rural areas." He directed officials to make concerted and special efforts and formulate an action plan to remove this urban apathy. Praveen Gupta was sharing detailed guidelines through video conferencing with officials regarding the effective conduct of SVEEP activities to increase the voting percentage and motivate the voters. He said, "Voter awareness should be spread through different mediums. Information should also be given to the employees and workers about the statutory provision of paid leave on the voting day," he added. He directed officials to run a special campaign at all the polling stations on Sunday as part of the process of finding one's name in the voter list. The campaign will be organized from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide information about names, serial numbers and polling stations etc. in the voter list at all the 51756 polling stations in the state, he said. Gupta shared details about the special "Aao Booth Chale" campaign which was organized at all the polling stations of the state on March 10. He said that a total of 6,84,199 voters searched their names in the voter list. Of these, 2,12,742 voters checked their names in the voter list through the Voter HelpLine app. He informed that hands on training will also be provided to the voters on how to check their name in the voter list through the Voter Helpline App (VHA) in the campaign on Sunday. Gupta said that if the name of any person aged 18 years or above has been left out of the voter list, he can still get his name added to the list through the VHA or the BLO present at the polling station. Youths who reached 18 years of age on April 1, 2024 can also submit advance applications for voter registration. If a voter gets his name added to the voter list even 10 days before the last date of withdrawal of the nomination of the candidate, he will be able to exercise his franchise. He said that to increase the voting percentage, recorded messages of state icons should be broadcast through social media and other mediums. Also, information related to elections and the facilities available to the voters at the polling station should be widely publicized. Mumbai, March 15 : From 'Fragile Five' to a 'Bright Spot', India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the fastest-growing major economy in the last 10 years, Union Minister Smriti Irani said here on Friday. The country's factory activity expanded at its fastest pace in four months in January on robust demand, while the rupee remains the best performer against other global market currencies, said Smriti Irani, the Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, at the Viksit Bharat Ambassadors programme in Mumbai on Friday. To recall, India and Indonesia were once famously clubbed together as part of Morgan Stanleyas 'Fragile Five'. aaIs the one decade enough? We are ambitious, innovative, humble, and yet aspirational. We were the only country that did not choke our supply chains for geopolitical leverage. When the world was hit by the Covid pandemic, we put humanity first without putting our economy at risk,aa she said. In an appeal to the youth in particular, she said, "The year 2047 deserves men and women like you to be the champions of change. That is why I am here today. This is not about a single election. This is about a country that is waiting to take the pole position in the world.aa aaI have witnessed change and development,aa the minister said, as she asked the participants whether they would remain just witnesses or become the ambassadors that India deserves. aaBecome Viksit Bharat Ambassadors, India needs you,aa she urged the gathering. The minister also took the audience through a series of decisions taken by the Narendra Modi government about the different sectors, including finance, infrastructure, health, education, women and child welfare, space, sports, and cultural development, saying that "2014-24 is Indiaas decade, this is Indiaas time". "India is now 'Sashakt Bharat' with reductions in violence associated with Left Wing Extremism by 76 per cent, 70 per cent decline in terrorism-related incidents since the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, 81 per cent reduction in civilian deaths, and 48 per cent decline in casualties among security forces," she said, adding that 6,800 km roads were built in the border areas during 2014-22, with the defence expenditure doubling from Rs 3.17 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 6.23 lakh crore in 2023-24. "We look at the pursuit of excellence in the fields of sports, space, science, and startups, which laid the foundation for an ambition called 'Viksit Bharat'. In 2003-04, the Economic Survey depicted numbers that were celebrated under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with the economy growing at 8.5 per cent, the services sector growing by 7 per cent, and agriculture growing at a rate of 9 per cent. "In 2004 came an amalgamation of political interests which put personal ambitions ahead of national interests, and that is why India was part of a Fragile Five, and not many were shocked," the minister said. "A white paper recognises that during the Vajpayee era, the gross advances by PSU banks were Rs 6.6 lakh crore, but in the UPA regime, the advances stood at Rs 39 lakh crore,aa she said. aaIn a decade that was lost due to lack of development, Rs 3.8 lakh crore worth loans were not recognised as problem assets. Across 14 major social sectors, government funds of over Rs 94,000 crore remained unspent. If you look at the health of the economy and the out-of-pocket expenditure vis-a-vis health and the individual citizen, they took a hit close to 64.2 per cent," she added. Hyderabad/New Delhi, March 15 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K. Kavitha, the daughter of party President and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, was arrested on Friday in a money-laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy case after searches at her residence in Hyderabad, the Enforcement Directorate said. "Whereas, I, Jogender, Assistant Director, have reasons to believe that Kalvakuntla Kavitha, wife of D.R. Anil Kumar, residing at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, has been guilty of an offence punishable under the provision of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (15 of 2003). Now, therefore, in exercise of the power conferred upon me under sub-section (1) of section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (915 of 2003), I hereby arrest the said Kalvakuntla Kavitha at 05.20 p.m. on March 15 and she has been informed of grounds for arrest. A copy of the grounds of arrest (containing 14 pages) have been served upon her," the ED arrest order said. An ED official said that her husband, Anil Kumar, was also informed in person and in writing about the arrest. Amid tight security and protest by BRS leaders and workers outside her residence, the ED team escorted Kavitha to Hyderabad Airport in Shamshabad on the city outskirts, from where she will be taken to Delhi by a flight. She was seen hugging her family members including brother K.T. Rama Rao before coming out of the house after 7 p.m. along with ED officials to sit in a car. She waved at her supporters and displayed a 'V' sign. Police had a tough time removing Kavitha's supporters to make way for the vehicle carrying the BRS leader. Earlier in the day, the ED team held searches at her upscale Banjara Hills residence, and nobody was allowed inside. Tension prevailed outside her residence in the evening as BRS leaders and workers gathered there on learning about her arrest and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ED. BRS Working President Rama Rao and senior party leader and cousin T. Harish Rao reached Kavitha's house but were stopped outside. The ED officials later allowed them in. Rama Rao questioned the ED officials for arresting Kavitha without any transit warrant. He had an argument with the ED officials for taking Kavitha into custody after giving an assurance to the Supreme Court. He warned the ED officials that they would face problems in the court for arresting Kavitha despite giving their word to the apex court. He also alleged that the ED officials intentionally came to arrest Kavitha on a Friday. He slammed the ED officials for not even allowing family members into the house even after the searches were completed. The BRS leader questioned how the ED could arrest her when there was no possibility of producing her before a magistrate. Talking to reporters, BRS leader and former minister V. Prashanth Reddy termed the arrest "illegal" and alleged that the Modi government resorted to the action to create fear among BRS leaders ahead of Lok Sabha elections. He claimed that the ED team came to her residence with a plan to arrest her. The BRS leader said Kavitha was arrested even as her petition in the Supreme Court seeking orders to restrain ED from arresting her in a money-laundering case and the same was to come up for hearing on March 19. Prashanth Reddy said the BRS would fight this act of political vendetta by the BJP in the people's court. The ED had questioned Kavitha, a former MP, earlier. However, she has not appeared before the agency since October last year despite summons. Kavitha had also approached the Supreme Court, challenging the summoning of a woman by the ED to its office. New Delhi, March 15 : Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier Aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 2,890 crore on Friday. The MLU for Dornier Aircraft includes an upgrade to incorporate state-of-the art Avionics Systems and Primary Role sensors. Ministry of Defence said that the upgrade would significantly enhance the operational capability of the Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy to perform Primary roles of maritime surveillance, coastal surveillance, electronic intelligence and development of maritime domain awareness. In addition, this upgrade will also enable Indian Navy Dorniers to carry out Secondary Roles of Search and Rescue, Medical/Casualty Evacuation and Communication Link. "Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier Aircraft is likely to generate an employment of 1.8 lakh man-days during its execution span of 6.5 years," the official added. The indigenous upgrade entails the supply of major systems and equipment from indigenous sources thus significantly contributing towards Atmanirbharta in Defence, in consonance with Make-in-India initiative of the government. Google Play Store's new option lets you delete apps from other Android devices. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 15 : The Competition Commission of India on Friday ordered an investigation into Alphabet's Google, accusing the tech giant of exploiting its dominant position in the country's online market. The CCI, in the order, stated that Google allegedly imposed unfair terms and discriminatory practices in its app store, violating several provisions of the country's antitrust law, reports TechCrunch. This decision came after multiple Indian app developers and industry groups filed a complaint against Google and raised concerns about the unfair practices of Google in the past. The CCI's investigative arm has been given 60 days to complete the probe. Last month, Google removed over 100 apps from 10 Indian developers for not complying with its billing policies. The apps were later restored, but the developers must now adhere to Play Store billing policies. The commission has accused Google of implementing its policies in a discriminatory way. It alleged that Google is making arbitrary distinctions between apps that offer digital goods and services versus those that offer physical goods and services, even though they provide similar facilities on the Play Store. Earlier this month, startup founders said that they will continue to oppose the tech giant imposing a fee of 11 to 26 per cent on in-app payments. "Google charging up to 26 per cent of the app's revenue, represents a significant financial burden for app developers," TrulyMadly Co-Founder & CEO, Snehil Khanor, said. During the ADIF (Alliance of Digital India Foundation) conference, the founders told reporters that their business dropped by around 40 per cent on the second day after their apps were delisted. On Friday night, the Ukrainian air defense eliminated 15 enemy shaheds which attacked Kyiv, Kyiv City Military Administration reported. "By the forces and means of air defense, all the enemy's Shahed UAVs heading for Kyiv - about a dozen and a half - were hit even on the outskirts of the city!" the message says. The administration noted that on Friday night, the enemy carried out another air attack on the capital of Ukraine. This time, the weapon of attack was the shahed attack UAVs launched by the enemy from Kursk region, Russia. According to the administration, enemy drones entered Kyiv from the northern direction. The air raid siren in the capital lasted for about an hour. According to preliminary data, there are no casualties and destruction in the capital. Mumbai, March 15 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Friday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has offered four Lok Sabha seats to the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), which is for the latter "to consider". Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Friday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has offered four Lok Sabha seats to the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), which is for the latter "to consider". Sanjay Raut seemed to point a finger at Prakash Ambedkar for the current deadlock in the MVA seat-sharing talks in Maharashtra, saying "now, it's up to the VBA to consider the proposal" (of four Parliamentary seats). However, Ambedkar has again accused Raut of 'lying' before the media, and said that there are a total of 15 seats out of the 48 in the state on which a serious stalemate continues among the MVA allies -- the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (SP), and the Shiv Sena (UBT). "There are at least 10 seats which both the Congress and SS (UBT) are claiming, and another five constituencies which all the three partners are rooting for, and none of them are willing to concede even one seat," claimed Ambedkar while speaking with mediapersons in Amravati. He said that unless the MVA allies hammer out their internal issues, it would be difficult for the VBA to discuss the matter and complete the seat-sharing process. Countering Ambedkar for "making misleading statements", Raut reiterated that the VBA's list of 27 'winnable' seats was given to the MVA leaders who discussed it, and from those 27, they have decided to allot four seats to Ambedkar, who has to take a final call. Later on Friday evening, the MVA leaders are expected to meet for the final round of discussions, though Ambedkar has contended that the VBA has not been invited for the crucial negotiations. With the Election Commission of India set to announce the Lok Sabha poll schedule on Saturday, the MVA leaders are confident that they will be ready to declare the seat-sharing formula in the next couple of days, or early next week. They also assured that the allotment of seats would be amicable, taking all the big and small allies along, as all would unite to unseat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Mumbai, March 15 : Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday handed over cheques for 50% pending wages to the workers' representatives of the National Textile Corporation Limited (NTC). Goyal has been declared as the BJP nominee from Mumbai North. The representatives from recognized workers unions from the Western and Southern Region were present on the occasion. Around 7000 NTC workers employed in 20 mills will benefit from it. These pending wages of the NTC employees were halted since the imposition of the lockdown during COVID 19, and subsequent financial constraints faced by NTC. Speaking on the occasion, Goyal said, it is unfortunate that COVID affected the company so badly and created difficult conditions including cash flow losses. The employees became victims of the pandemic, said Goyal expressing regret. He stated that a significant amount of the TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) could be sold despite a lot of difficulties, due to which it has been possible to clear the salary dues. He said that the NTC employees' pending salary dues upto December 2021 will be cleared today. "Within the next 30 40 days, we are confident that we will be able to clear another 8 months' dues, that is upto August 2022", he said and added that the entire salary dues will be cleared at the earliest. Goyal added that expert opinion from all stakeholders, including those in the Central and Maharashtra governments was taken for the matter. He said that CMD, NTC studied the problem with a lot of empathy and, practically to understand how they can get the best value, considering what can be best received vis-a-vis the market situation. It was also studied how to bring in the highest amount of transparency in the entire system, through online auctions and ensuring every stakeholders' participation, he said. LFW x FDCI: Kriti reveals why she just had the most 'stress-free' ramp walk. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, March 15 : Kriti Sanon, who started her career as a model, said on Friday that she had the most "stress-free" walk at the LFW x FDCI because she got to walk in sneakers. Sanon was the showstopper at a sportwear brand's fashion event on Day 3 and made head turn as she strutted flawlessly. "First, it feels amazing to walk the ramp in sneakers and not heels," she said. "This is the most stress-free walk I have had on a ramp but other than that I feel amazing. It is such a wonderful collection and I love it." The collection comprised of joggers, bomber jackets and crop tops that blended retro fashion in vibrant colours. Sanon expressed her love for athleisure. She said: "I am personally a lover of athletisure and when it comes with a twist, then it becomes street wear and cool. It is very much my vibe." She added: "It was amazing to walk in this dress because it fits me like a glove and I felt like if I should suck my stomach in." Before her debut in 2014 with the TIger Shroff-starrer 'Heropanti', Kriti was a model, so returning on the runway was like a homecoming for her. "I have been a model here. It's always nostalgic to be here. It feels nostalgic to meet my friends whom I worked with when I was a model. It is nostalgic, and fun," she said. On the work front, Sanon will be seen on 'The Crew', which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu. New Delhi, March 15 : The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday ordered a probe into the Google Play Store, accusing the tech giant of exploiting its dominant position in the country's online market. The CCI said that Google allegedly imposed unfair terms and discriminatory practices in its Play Store, violating several provisions of the country's anti-trust law. The CCI's investigative arm has been given 60 days to complete the probe. The company said that it was examining the CCI's order initiating the investigation. "The CCI has previously examined our service fee in detail between 2020 and 2022 and found no illegality. However, we take our commitment to comply with local laws and regulations in India seriously and will cooperate with the process in every way," a Google spokesperson told IANS. The CCI decision came after multiple Indian app developers and industry groups filed a complaint against Google and raised concerns about the unfair practices of the company after several of their apps were removed. The apps were later restored. The CCI probe is initiated over a new complaint by People Interactive and some other developers specifically about the service fee levied on Google Play. Prateek Jain, Associate Director, of The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), said in a statement that they applaud the commitment of regulatory authorities such as the CCI to promote a level playing field for businesses. "We believe that fair implementation and monitoring of billing systems will result in competitive pricing of services in the market, boost innovation, safeguard consumer choice, and benefit the interests of all stakeholders in the digital ecosystem," Jain added. Kolkata, March 15 : Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, the Trinamool Congress candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Malda South in West Bengal, fears sabotage by a section of leaders and workers from his own party. Speaking to mediapersons on Friday, Raihan, who is a fresher in politics, said that there are examples of party councillors providing clandestine support to the rival forces before the elections. He also claimed that even the partyas top leadership is aware of this trend in his constituency, adding that he will shortly send a detailed report to the Trinamool high command in this matter. Raihan alleged that while a section of the councillors work dedicatedly at the time of civic body polls which they contest, for the Lok Sabha elections, the same set of people operate in a lackadaisical manner, which indirectly helps the opponents. He also called for a thorough internal enquiry into such cases, which create inconvenience for the party candidates. He said that along with the party councillors, the role of an MLA from the district is also being questioned. Since the Trinamool announced its list of party candidates for the Lok Sabha polls on March 10, severe infighting has surfaced within the party. First, the partyas state General Secretary and actress-turned-politician Sayantika Banerjee turned rebel and submitted her resignation. Soon after that, sitting MP from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, turned rebel after being denied renomination before joining the BJP in Delhi on Friday. Sitting Trinamool MP from Tamluk, Dibyendu Adhikari, who is the younger brother of the leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, also joined the BJP along with Singh. On Thursday, sitting Trinamool MP from the Bardhaman-East constituency, Sunil Kumar Mondal, too turned rebel after being denied renomination. However, Raihan is the first Trinamool candidate to express apprehensions about sabotage by his party colleagues. Hyderabad, March 15 : Condemning the "illegal" arrest of its leader K. Kavitha by the Enforcement Directorate on Friday, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) vowed to fight it politically and legally. BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao told reporters that they will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the arrest. The party has also given a call for protests against the arrest at all constituency headquarters in Telangana on Saturday. Harish Rao termed Kavithaas arrest a political conspiracy to damage the prospects of the BRS in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "The arrest in a pre-planned manner a day before the announcement of the schedule for Lok Sabha elections shows that it is aimed at demoralising BRS cadres," he said. Stating that the BRS fought many such illegal arrests and false cases in its 14-year-long battle for Telangana, he said the party will counter it politically and legally. "We have full faith in the judiciary. We will consult lawyers and file a petition in the Supreme Court," he said. Harish Rao said the ED arrested Kavitha despite giving a word to the Supreme Court during the hearing of the case today that it would not take any coercive steps. The court had posted the hearing to March 19. "What was the urgency for the ED," he asked. He mentioned that the Supreme Court was examining the larger issue of whether ED can arrest women. "Arresting a woman after 6.30 p.m. and that too on a Friday is a clear political conspiracy ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Itas an act of political vendetta," he said He recalled that Kavitha was earlier given a notice as a witness in the case, but now she has been arrested as an accused and asked what ED was doing for one-and-a-half years. Imphal, March 15 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday discussed issues relating to the security situation on the state's border with Myanmar and other matters with a top Assam Rifles official. After the meeting, Biren Singh said on X: "Maj Gen Ravroop, IGAR (South) called on me at my secretariat office today. Had a productive discussion on the security measures being undertaken at border areas and vulnerable spots, while focusing on combating illicit trafficking of contraband items, anti-national elements, and the enforcement of law and order in the region." A Manipur Home Department official said that the Chief Minister asked Major General Ravroop Singh to ensure the total prevention of cross-border movements by inimical elements and smuggling of drugs and other contraband. The Manipur government has recently deployed a large contingent of state commando forces and asked the Assam Rifles, deployed on the border, and other central armed police forces to tighten security. Chief Minister Biren Singh has often claimed that inimical elements, including insurgents and illegal immigrants, used the India-Myanmar border in Manipur, creating serious problems for the state and India. The Home Department official said that of the 398-km-long India-Myanmar border in Manipur, spanning five districts, a 10 km stretch along Moreh has already been fenced, and work covering approximately 20 km has also been sanctioned by the Union Home Ministry. Patna, March 15 : RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's elder son and former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav was admitted to a private hospital here on Friday after he complained of chest pains but is now stable. He was taken to a private hospital in the Kankarbagh area where doctors found he had low blood pressure. He underwent an ECG and a chest X-ray and is now stable and under observation. As news spread about his illness, a large number of RJD supporters assembled at the hospital. New Delhi/Mumbai, March 15 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) will not ally again with Shiv Sena's (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray, nor is it in any discussions with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Raj Thackeray for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The senior BJP leader made the categorical remarks in an exclusive conversation with Sanjay Pugalia, the Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, thereby ending all speculation on the BJP's likely stance vis-a-vis SS (UBT) and MNS, which are helmed by the warring Thackeray cousins. "We are not in any talks with him (Raj Thackeray) There's no scope of including Uddhav Thackeray in our alliance," Fadnavis said. He also said that "the people of the country will reject those who are against Prime Minister Narendra Modi". "The poor sections of the society strongly believe that if anyone can do any good for the society and the country, it is only PM Narendra Modi," asserted Fadnavis during the exclusive conversation. He also pointed out how political pundits commit the mistake of viewing every election from a mathematical approach, and make their own calculations which may be erroneous. "This is not a choice of arithmetics, but an election of political chemistry. And PM Modi enjoys a good chemistry with the common man," Fadnavis said. Rubbishing the Opposition's allegations that the government is misusing the central agencies such as the ED, CBI, and I-T Department, Fadnavis said, "We do not rely on the central agencies, but we do our politics based on solid performance." The Deputy CM added: "Has the ED been created today? It was the UPA that established it. If the agency is indulging in any wrongdoings, the courts will look into it. We don't need the ED or do our politics based on the central agencies. We depend on our work, and PM Modi Ji's performance will work for us to get votes." Fadnavis touched upon a host of other issues concerning state and national politics, critical developmental issues, and the upcoming mega projects in Maharashtra, among others. Bengaluru, March 15 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Friday said that many leaders and workers from the BJP and the JD-S are eager to join the ranks of the Congress. Addressing reporters here, he said: "We have given instructions to party workers to facilitate the joinings at the local level as many BJP and JD-S party workers and leaders are keen to join the Congress." Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, said: "There is a direct fight between the Congress and the JD-S in about 5-6 constituencies but there is no JD-S now. The party workers will obviously look at their political future in this scenario. The workers are worried for their future as more and more members of (party supremo H.D.) Deve Gowda family are joining politics," he said. Asked about JD-S state chief and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy's statement that he would teach a lesson to D.K. Suresh - Shivakumar's brother and sitting Bengaluru Rural MP, Shivakumar said: "Let him first speak about the state of affairs of his party, then he could talk about teaching others a lesson." On whether the CAA would be implemented in Karnataka, he said a decision would be taken only after a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister and other party leaders. Asked if inputs from party leaders were taken before finalising the candidates' list, he said: "Our responsibility is to collect opinions and feedback from the grassroots level and send it to the party leadership and we have done that." On the postponement of the Congress Election Committee meeting to Monday, he said that party President Mallikarjun Kharge was in Bengaluru for a medical appointment.\ The Ukrainian air defense eliminated 27 enemy shaheds, by which the occupiers attacked on Friday night, the Air Force reported. "As a result of combat work, 27 shaheds were shot down within Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, Kyiv and regions," the report says. It is also reported that on the night of March 15, the Russian occupiers struck by seven S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles in Kharkiv region and Donetsk region, and one X-59 guided aviation missile in Poltava region. The launch areas of shakheds are PrimorskoAkhtarsk, Kursk region of the Russian Federation. Anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and Ground Forces, mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, and electronic warfare units were involved in repelling the air attack, the air command added. Kolkata, March 15 : The central agencies investigating the multi-crore ration distribution case in West Bengal have secured crucial clues that will link the two aspects of the alleged scam, namely the investment of the scam proceeds in the fish export business owned by now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, and the subsequent diversion of the funds abroad using the hawala route. During the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) raids in Sandeshkhali on Thursday, which is the hub of Shahjahanas first export business, the agency seized several incriminating documents. Sources said following scrutiny of the documents, the ED has joined the dots as to how crores of unaccounted proceeds of the ration distribution case were first invested in the fish export business of Shahjahan, and then shifted abroad through the hawala route, mainly in Dubai and Bangladesh. Sources said the fish export business was the second channel where the hawala route was adopted to divert crime proceeds abroad. The same hawala channel was adopted when crores of scam proceeds were first converted into foreign currencies through multiple entities dealing in forex and then diverted abroad through the hawala route. In the first case, the operator was Shahjahan, while in the second case, the handler was another arrested Trinamool Congress leader Shankar Adhya. With both Shahjahan and Adhya being close confidants of former Food & Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mallick, who is also in judicial custody in connection with the ration distribution case, the ED is pretty sure that it was Mallick who assigned them different routes for funds diversion. Bengaluru, March 15 : Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, K.S. Eshwarappa, announced on Friday that he will contest as an Independent candidate from Shivamogga in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Eshwarappa announced this after a meeting with his supporters in Shivamogga on Friday. B.Y. Raghavendra, the son of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, is the BJP candidate from Shivamogga, while the Congress has fielded Geetha Shivarajkumar as its candidate from the seat. Geetha Shivarajkumar is the daughter of late former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa, and the sister of state Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa. She is married to Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar. Meanwhile, Eshwarappa said on Friday that he will contest the polls as an Independent nominee to highlight how the state BJP is under the clutches of Yediyurappa's family. "The Hindutva activists are pained over family politics in the state," he said. Reacting to the development, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he never 'cheated' Eshwarappa, adding that he had even told the party high command to give ticket to Eshwarappa's son K.E. Kantesh based on social justice. Talking to reporters in Haveri, from where he is contesting, Bommai said he was not aware of the meeting convened by Eshwarappa. "I had requested to consider Kantesh for Gadag-Haveri based on social justice. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J.P. Nadda asked me to contest from the seat. That is why I am contesting from Haveri," Bommai said. The senior BJP leader also said that Eshwarappa has built the party in the state of which he is a loyal soldier. Bommai also said that he along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will speak to Eshwarappa. Kohima, March 16 : The BJP, which is a part of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party-led United Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland, on Friday urged the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) to hold dialogue with the government to resolve their demand for a separate state. The ENPO, since March 8, has been agitating in support of its demand that a separate 'Frontier Naga Territory' state be carved out of the most backward six eastern districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak, and Shamator, where seven backward tribes -- Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung -- are spread. The BJP, in a statement, said that while the party is aware of the Centre's acknowledgement of the grievances and demands put forth by the ENPO, it urges all stakeholders to prioritise constructive means of resolution within the framework of democratic dialogue. It said that it is "most regrettable" that effigies of Central leaders were burnt in Tuensang on March 13, adding such actions are unfortunate, unnecessary and serve no productive purpose, "particularly at a time when sincere efforts are being made by the Central leaders to address the concerns of eastern Nagaland". While protests are a fundamental right in a democratic society, they should not detract from constructive dialogues that are necessary for resolution, the BJP statement said, adding that it is incumbent upon all stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions, respecting procedural and technical considerations, to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. "The BJP Nagaland state unit is fully optimistic that the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is unwavering in its dedication to address the concerns of eastern Nagaland and achieve positive outcomes that are mutually agreeable and pragmatic," the statement said. Since March 8, normal life has been affected in six districts of eastern Nagaland as the ENPO organises various agitations, including shutdowns and enforcement of a "public emergency" in the region, to press for its demand. The ENPO, the apex Naga body in the six districts, and its associated organisations, in support of its separate state demand, gave a call to boycott last year's Assembly polls (February 27) but later withdrew it following an assurance from Union Home Minister Shah. The Union Home Ministry, responding to the ENPO's demand, last year formed a three-member committee, headed by Adviser, Northeast, A.K. Mishra to study their demand, and the panel visited Nagaland several times and talked with all sides. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio recently said that the state government has already recommended, to the Centre, that an autonomous region be set up for the people belonging to the eastern region. Bengaluru, March 16 : The Karnataka government on Friday handed over the Pocso case against former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa to the special wing of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). According to sources, the victim of sexual harassment was sent for a medical test and her statement will be recorded shortly. The mother of a minor girl had filed a case of sexual harassment against Yediyurappa in Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said that he learned that the complainant is mentally unstable, adding "the case will be handled sensitively". Yediyurappa has said he is ready to face the law. The senior BJP leader also said he wouldn't say that the development is politically motivated "at this stage". Meanwhile, former Karnataka law minister and BJP leader, J.C. Madhuswamy said: "When a Pocso case is lodged, it is left to the discretion of the police to make the arrest or not make the arrest of the accused. It is not compulsory to arrest. There will be a possibility of taking the accused into custody fearing destruction of evidence." Louvre Hotels Group and the Courbet Group are continuing their collaboration with the signing on March 14, 2024 of a new Kyriad hotel in Cannes under a franchise agreement. The two groups had already announced a few days ago their partnership for the opening of a Hosho brand vocational hotel. The res... [] It was a busy week for the American Library Association, with the release of its annual book banning data showing another alarming spike in book challenges. As we reported in Publishers Weekly, the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom found that the number of unique titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022, once again hitting record levels. In a release, ALA officials said that 4,240 unique book titles were reported challenged in schools and libraries in 2023, a sharp increase over 2022, when 2,571 unique titles were targeted for removal. The reports from librarians and educators in the field make it clear that the organized campaigns to ban books arent over, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom. What does appear to be over, however, is the ALA's LibLearnX conference. As PW also reported, just weeks after the conclusion of its 2024 conference in Baltimore, the ALA executive board announced that it will cease its conference in 2026. The 2025 conference set for Phoenix will go ahead as planned, but that will be it. A conference that had been years in the making, LibLearnX was designed to take the place of ALAs long-running Midwinter Meeting, but the effort was clearly impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. The inaugural LibLearnX, which had been set for San Antonio, Tex., in January 2022, was forced to go virtual, hardly an ideal start. Despite modest attendance, however, many librarians told PW the first in-person LibLearnX events in many ways delivered exactly what ALA membership had asked for when the association began reimagining the future of the ALA Midwinter Meeting years ago: fewer meetings, more educational offerings, an engaging speaker program for attendees, and more time to connect with peers. Meanwhile, from the Baltimore Sun (apologies if this is paywalled) some potentially good news for libraries and freedom to read advocates from the state of Maryland: the states bill to guard against book bans is progressing. The Freedom to Read Act, which Democrats in the Maryland General Assembly are gunning to pass in the legislative sessions final weeks, would set a statewide standard for some content in libraries for the first time, the report notes. In New Jersey, Patch.com reports on a similar bill that is also moving. Also dubbed the Freedom to Read Act, "the bill would require school and public library boards to create policies regarding which books should be in school libraries and how books may be removed, as well as prohibit dissenters from suing librarians over the reading options made available in accordance with those policies." The Idaho Capital Sun reports that Idaho lawmakers are advancing a bill that would expose librarians and educators to criminal charges for sharing material deemed to be harmful to minors. "House Bill 710 follows years of attempts by the Idaho legislature to regulate materials in Idaho libraries," the report states. "The Idaho House approved House Bill 712 on a 47-23 vote, with 12 House Republicans joining all 11 House Democrats in opposition." What has taken place during the past several days at the Autauga-Prattville Public Library is a travesty that should frighten every Alabama resident. AL.com reports on a shocking escalation in Alabama, where the Autauga-Prattville Library Board has fired the librarys director, Andrew Foster, as well as several staff members who walked out in protest. "His termination occurred three days after Alabama Political Reporter published a story that included documents showing Foster pushing back against the boards list of books to be banned for children," the site reports. EveryLibrary this week issued a statement on Foster's firing and launched an advocacy campaign with Read Freely Alabama and Prattville First Amendment Defense Group. "The Autauga-Prattville Alabama Library board fired the library director for refusing to deny the public access to 113 books. This decision was made following his objections to a new board policy that prohibited the purchase of books for children under the age of 17 that included themes related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance. That policy is a direct attack on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to use their library fully," the statement reads. "EveryLibrary, along with Read Freely Alabama and the Prattville First Amendment Defense Group, urgently call on the Prattville City Council, Mayor, and the Autauga County Commission to immediately rescind the firing of Library Director Andrew Foster and the four staff members." Alabama Library Association president Matthew Layne has also released a statement on the situation. "What has taken place during the past several days at the Autauga-Prattville Public Library is a travesty that should frighten every Alabama resident," Layne said. "The termination of Library Director Andrew Foster and members of his professional staff is an unjust, politically motivated attack on the livelihood of individuals who did nothing wrong, and undermines this librarys capacity for properly, effectively serving the public. Further, its a frightening example of what could happen at public libraries across our state. As a lifelong Alabama resident, I know this is unequivocally not what our states residents want." In Florida, Popular Information's Judd Legum offers his take on the news this week that the state of Florida has agreed to settle a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Parental Rights in Education Act, better known as the "Don't Say Gay" law. "The settlement was a resounding victory for the parents and LGBTQ advocacy groups who filed the lawsuit," Legum writes. "The only aspect of the law that remains is a prohibition on classroom instruction about 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity.' Per the terms of the settlement, an example of this would be 'teaching an overview of modern gender theory.' This is not something that happens very often, if at all, in K-12 education. Critically, the Florida Department of Education is required to distribute this new guidance to every school district in Florida to ensure they understand the limits of the law. Equality Florida, which was part of the lawsuit, called the settlement 'a landmark achievement in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Florida.'" And finally this week, Book Riot's Kelly Jensen leads off her weekly censorship news column with a very handy guide to all the state legislation intended to protect libraries. It's a bit of bright spot, even where the bills are not moving, as it shows that freedom to read advocates are at least in the legislative ball game. "A key theme you'll see is that most of these bills were not shot down due to political reasons," she writes. "They simply did not make it through the session itself. That sets many of them up as priorities for the next legislative session." A New Mexico State Police officer with area ties was shot and killed west of Tucumcari on Interstate 40 on Friday morning, and the attacker remains at large. A statement from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham hours later expressing condolences confirmed th... A Tucumcari woman remains in the county jail after being accused of fatally shooting a local man in the back of the head at Five Mile Park. Ashley Danielle Hall, 22, is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The murder charge i... President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited one of the country's defense enterprises on Thursday, announcing the production of more shells, Ukrainian drones and electronic warfare systems for the Defense Forces. We will have more weapons, shells, drones, and EW systems. Today, I met workers from one of our defense facilities. We do not talk about it officially. During wartime, we cannot openly demonstrate our capabilities, the President said in a video address. As he noted, "these are people who have found a way to strengthen our state. Significantly. And every day we accumulate more and more of this power. Such a necessary force - such a long-range force of ours." The Head of State thanked the employees of the national defense complex for the production of weapons that help soldiers fight and save the lives of Ukraine and Ukrainians. Abigail Shriers new book Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Arent Growing Up opens with an epigraph quoting Lana Del Reys song Born to Die. Lanas lyrics (sometimes love is not enough / and the road gets tough / I dont know why) are perhaps apt as an anthem for people around my age. Despite being born in a world where unlimited information is available at our fingertips, many of us Zoomers cant figure our lives out. We grew up in a world where smartphones are ubiquitous and we are expected to curate social-media personas, where a few taps of an accounts Instagram Story may show, in sudden succession, a slide about ones stress-relief routine, a smudged mirror selfie, and a solemn infographic about the culture-war cause du jour. And were also the most anxious and depressed generation to ever exist, although the next generation might snatch our participation trophies from us when our helicopter parents take their eyes off just a second. What happened? How did a generation that grew up in far better circumstances compared to any other time in history end up in this miasma of mental health issues? Shrier, a lawyer by training, files suit against the rise of therapeutic culture. She goes around the country and interviews experts to document and analyze the rise of this sudden new phenomenon, similar to her last book on the rise of rapid-onset gender dysphoria. It turns out that somewhere around the turn of the century, middle-class parents increasingly began to cede their intuition to an army of therapists, psychologists, and counselors. Psychiatric jargon jumped off prescription pads and became parental parlance. Therapy-speak saturates our social interactions. Everything now needs a fancy label, as if the complexities of human behavior could be reduced to a simple Wikipedia-able term. Kids dont have messy handwriting, they have dyspraxia. Kids arent just shy, they have generalized anxiety disorder. Acting a bit weird? Autism. A rambunctious kid? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Picky eating? Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Each diagnosis funnels more money into the coffers of the therapeutic regime, which in turn allows it to create ever-more boutique diagnoses, creating a feedback machine of ever-expanding therapy-speak bloat. Its not just parentsits also the schools. Students walk into classes where social-emotional learning has become the new prized pedagogy, where kids begin their days with emotion check-ins that force them to declare how they feel in front of the whole class. In one particularly egregious example, Shrier discusses sitting through a presentation titled Embedding SEL in Math where participants were asked to divulge their feelings about math (Anxiety! was a common response) before asking them to look at an assortment of shapes and asking, Which one doesnt belong?to which the answer was They all belong. No wrong answers. Everyone wins! Why learn about geometric shapes when one can shape young minds instead? Social-emotional learning is just one way schools are orienting their administrative duties towards expanding the therapeutic regime. Kids are asked to fill out surveys with questions like During the past 12 months, did you ever seriously consider attempting suicide?questions that may actually normalize and increase the risk of suicide and self-harm. With each yes answer, the therapeutic regime justifies itself in trying to fix the problems its created. The elephant in the waiting room, though, is trauma. Shrier links the current totemic obsession with trauma to the work of psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk, whose runaway-bestseller book The Body Keeps the Score has become a pop-culture phenomenon. (I cant walk into a bookstore these days without being menaced by the Matisse painting on its cover.) Shrier thoroughly debunks van der Kolks claims that trauma is essentially behind everything while skewering his white whale: Cant concentrate? Trauma! Trouble forming relationships? Trauma! Tightness in your chest? Trauma! Cancer, substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, stroke, irritable bowel syndrome? Trauma, trauma, trauma, trauma! Shrier then turns her attention to a therapy guru with over eight million Instagram followers, who posted about an alleged invisible trauma called parentification, where a child has to play a parental role in some cases. One instance in which parentification allegedly happens is through being an immigrant: Parents who sacrifice and bring their child to another country for a better life are forced to rely on their children for help with language, paying bills, or understanding cultural norms. Children play adult roles out of necessity. I remember doing all these things for my immigrant parents. Yet this was the first time Id seen someone frame this phenomenon as trauma. If I had been trained to view helping my parents with cultural and linguistic matters as traumatic, perhaps I wouldve internalized that and have become depressed thinking about how traumatic mundane elements of my life were. Indeed, by spreading the net of trauma wider, therapeutic culture is iatrogenic: its a supposed cure that only makes the patient worse off. This example is just one of many Shrier gives in this book contrasting the people pushing therapeutic culture with those from other countries cultures. The examples she gives of therapeutic culture are often pulled from well-to-do politically-left-of-center spaces, such as the Tony Spence School in Manhattan (tuition: $60,880/year) and the Slate parenting Facebook group. There are times when she assumes that readers fit a similar mold, like where she claims Here are some decisions we once (but no longer) extended to teens in America: Whether to go to college. (Nope, everyone goes.) The second parenthetical aside implies that she expects the reader to be someone from a community where practically every student goes to college. In a way, this is a good sign: it shows that therapeutic culture is still limited in its spread. In contrast to the therapeutic culture promoters (one can almost hear the NPR and taste the oat milk latte through the page), Shrier writes that Many of those who are willing to provide straight talk turned out to be immigrants. She praises the cultural norms of the Hispanic immigrants near where she lives in Los Angeles, noting that Latino immigrants that assimilate to American norms actually are worse off mentally than ones that dont. I grew up in a working-class neighborhood of mostly Hispanic and Asian immigrantsnot exactly the types to shell out $200 an hour for therapy sessions for their kids, thats for sure. Shrier also goes beyond America to praise Japanese and Israeli ways of raising children. One undercurrent rippling throughout the book was the emphasis on community over individual self-expression. Shrier observes that Hispanic immigrants often have strong family bonds while Our kids dont have that. They dont have a stable web of connections who care about them or really know them. Our constant emphasis on our kids uniqueness reinforces this sense that they need be preoccupied only with themselves. It was then where I thought back to Robert Putnams famous work Bowling Alone that showed the stark decline of civic engagement throughout American society. Putnam and Shriers books combined can be seen as a cause-and-effect: as people became ever-more atomized and isolated from one another, the ground was fertile for therapeutic culture to move in as a (failed) solution. And as smartphones and social media further detach us from physical reality, weve only been getting more depressed as a result. Shrier (perhaps channeling David Foster Wallace) observes that Weve all been swimming in therapeutic concepts so long we no longer note the presence of the water. Indeed, my generation is so used to the language of therapy that we dont even notice the tides rising. We simply need to remain resilient until the rain lets up. This review will end the way she began her book: with the wisdom of Lana Del Rey. Like a barge at sea / in the storm I stay clear. Sheluyang Peng is a writer living in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The reality of a Trump-Biden rematch has provoked a torrent of weeping and gnashing of teeth in the mainstream media. One article after another had declared the 2020 redux as the matchup Americans dont want and are least excited about, with one pollster describing it as a cruel joke. All of this consternation highlights one of the unhealthiest aspects of American politics: the sheer importance we place on our chief executives, so much so that every presidential election in recent memory has been labeled the most important in our lifetimes. This, however, is not how our system of government was designed. The president was never supposed to be the center of national life for good reason. To be sure, when the Framers drafted the Constitution, they created an energetic president with considerable powers to sign laws, appoint government officials, and command the military. They did not, however, envision the president as the primary mover in American politics, especially in domestic policymaking. That job belonged to the people and their representatives. As George Washington noted in 1789, The election of the different branches of Congress is the pivot on which turns the first wheel of the government which communicates motion to all the rest. In other words, after the people express their views through elections, the legislative and executive branches then carry out the voters will. Once the first wheel (the people) moves, the second wheel (Congress) moves in synchronized fashion. The president is the third wheel as the chief executive, he is tasked with executing the peoples will, namely by enforcing laws Congress passed. The Framers did give the president the power to sign or veto legislation, but our earliest chief executives saw this power largely as a constitutional check on the legislature. They often approved bills they personally disagreed with out of respect for Congress, and used the veto when they felt the law violated the letter of the Constitution. As President Washington explained, From motives of respect to the Legislature (and I might add from my interpretation of the Constitution) I give my Signature to many Bills with which my judgment is at varience. Washingtons refreshing deference ensured that laws directly affecting the American people were made in a deliberative process that included as many of their representatives as possible, balancing the interests of the whole country, rather than forcing through policies favored by a single individual. This system had the added benefit of killing most proposed laws understood to be restrictions on peoples freedom through congressional gridlock. Of course, there were exceptions, but in early American history, the general rule was a limited chief executive as the servant of the people. The Progressive Movement (1890s-1910s) destroyed this system. Americas 28th chief executive, Woodrow Wilson, declared, The President is at liberty to be as big a man as he can. His capacity will set the limit In Wilsons view, presidents were free to do everything possible to attain their ends, regardless of constitutional restrictions. Thus arose what became the Imperial Presidency, or, as I like to call it, the Messiah Presidency soon, presidents were taking upon themselves the hopes of the entire nation in exchange for political support. President Franklin Roosevelt called for guaranteeing every American a job, food, and clothing. He even promised freedom from fear itself! The government would be responsible, among other things, for your physical and emotional well-being. Utopianists and self-help gurus who fetishized the art of leadership were thrilled. Its no surprise that Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, admired FDR. What Wilson started culminated in the election of the ultimate Messiah President, Barack Obama in 2008, who declared his desire to change the nature of our politics not to merely execute the laws, but to fundamentally change how political business happens in America. Along the way, the presidency became a Trojan horse for the utopianist agenda, with its occupant as the chief legislator of the country. After all, presidential candidates ran on platforms promising the moon ensuring everyones physical health, ending poverty, preventing natural disasters and, if elected, used the weight of their office to cram through legislation, often unconstitutionally through executive orders. Those opposing them became villains standing in the way of heaven on earth. With so much at stake, the nation became hopelessly divided. Thousands of laws and trillions of dollars later, utopianist presidents have largely failed to achieve their goals. The end of a presidency is more often marked more by disappointment rather than satisfaction. Americans overwhelmingly feel their country is on the wrong track. The nature of our politics has only grown more toxic. Perhaps its time to admit that politicians make for poor messiahs, and to reexamine the more modest presidency of our Founders. Richard Lim is the co-founder and host of the This American President podcast. 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Nearby Indiana Jennifer Lopez has canceled the last seven stops of her first North American tour in five years. ADVERTISEMENT While Lopez still has 30 shows scheduled for her This is Me ... Now tour, shows in Houston, Cleveland, Nashville, Raleigh, Atlanta, Tampa and New Orleans from Aug. 20-31 were canceled, local media reported Wednesday. The tour is set to kick off on June 26 in Orlando, Fla., with planned stops in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Detroit, New York City and several other major cities, according to Lopez's X account. Lopez did not give an explanation for the cancellations, but Variety noted most of the tour stops are struggling to fill seats, based on Ticketmaster's seating charts. According to the last post on her tour's official Instagram account, Lopez two weeks announced back-to-back performances in Miami, Toronto and New York City "due to popular demand." The Miami Herald noted some seats at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami are selling for as low as $30 as of Thursday. The This is Me ... Now tour is part of a $20 million, self-financed multimedia project which tells Lopez's love story with Ben Affleck, whom she married in 2022, nearly two decades after they split up in 2003. The tour is tied to Lopez's first album in 10 years -- also titled This Is Me ... Now -- which had a lukewarm reception, as well. The album only reached No. 38 on the Billboard 200 last month. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! The project also includes the musical film, This Is Me...Now: A Love Story, and the documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told. Lopez at a press conference in February had said the movie gives a "personal, magical" look at how she views love. The firearms community has always been home to a broad cast of characters, but they broke the mold after they made Mike Pappas. Its not the way he looks, either; Pappas could be used as the archetype for an American dad. Hes not a business magnate, but hes been a founder of two separate successful silencer companies. Pappas isnt a professionally trained engineer, but hes designed and patented some of the best suppressors in the world. His sense of humor is so dry that it can make the unaccustomed uncomfortable, and occasionally something equally true and bombastic bursts from his mouth. If youre familiar with Dead Air or SilencerCo at all, then youre at least familiar with his work. And if for some reason youre here from the heavy military equipment community, you know Pappas for his OT-90 (basically a Czechoslovakian BMP-1 featured in RECOIL Issue 26). While firearms are now so common and ubiquitous even the Wall Street types are involved and silencers are getting there Pappas was here back when suppressors were considered only for spies and murderers. He didnt just jump on this train; Pappas is a conductor. Today, we'll learn a little more about him. Well talk about silencers, of course. But also guns, demolition derby, and a bit about life. EARLY YEARS & HEAVY EQUIPMENT In some ways, Pappas represents an older, more traditional way of doing things. He hates to travel, to be away from his family. In a world where the major lesson of popular culture is that you have to move far from home in order to make it, Pappas has never lived more than 30 miles from where he was born. Just a small town on the other side of the mountains, he says. The original plan, at least after learning how to use a stick shift, was to be a mechanic. When I started to drive probably back in 1982, I started to do a lot of work on cars. I did that until I graduated from high school. I was a total gearhead. Was just totally into cars. How Pappas worked on cars, at least when he had a problem he didnt know how to solve, seems to have informed his work on everything else that came later. My cousin used to do a bunch of demolition derbies and whatnot, so wed work on a lot of vehicles. Once, we had a problem with a transmission. I didnt know what the part was, so I took the transmission out and took it apart until I found the broken part. I didnt know how or why it worked, but I went to the wrecking yard until I found the part and put it all back together, and it worked. I like the challenge and the satisfaction of doing it. And after I legitimately read a bunch of repair manuals. I built hundreds of 350s and 400s. Went through dozens of these 727s. When I look back on it now, I can see that I didnt know enough to know better. I wish we had the internet. This experience led Pappas to pursue being an A&P (airframe and powerplant) mechanic. And while he never transitioned into aviation as a career, hes always had a hankering for large vehicles that continues to this day. For a moment, consider being into large miliary vehicles, pre-internet. You had to do some real research and not just memorize Wikipedia. And if you think about a young Pappas chewing through old manuals, his personality begins to make sense. Learning about heavy equipment and owning it are two different things, too. And Pappas owns it. Bought the BMP when I still had the M35. Now I have a 1083A1. But not everyone can do that because you have a couple problems there. You cant park a truck with three axles in a city where there are residences. You cant take it to a local shop because they dont know, and they dont care. You have to be able to be a driver, owner, crew chief everything. Although thats not totally true because Ive fixed a number of military vehicles for other people. Now Im into military and surplus generators because I have the room for it and know-how. Pappas says that he always wanted to be the mechanic whom other mechanics call when they have a problem he can check off that boyhood dream as complete. GUNS Not unusual for a boy growing up in Utah, firearms were simply a part of Pappas life. But just because theyre around doesnt mean one will catch the gun bug and the gun bug Pappas certainly has. As a young man I was always interested in firearms. They had always been around, and I had them. As I got a little bit older, about the time I turned 18 or so, it shifted. I got into the so-called paramilitary stuff. Were not sure whats considered paramilitary in 2024, but what we can say for sure is that what was considered paramilitary back in the early Clinton years is simply normal now much of what you see here in this magazine falls into that category. The Wolverine, seen here above topping off an RPK, is Pappas' favorite silencer. But below you'll see the first two designs from SilencerCo: the Sparrow on a .22LR rifle and the asymmetric Osprey on a pistol. There are gun folks who romanticize this period, the late 1980s, who think it as a mil-surp heyday and that Ronnie Reagan was pro-gun. But if they could travel back a few decades and remove those rose-tinted lenses, theyd see it pales in comparison to what we have access to now. There has never been a time with more or better options for someone with a grand or two burning in their pocket. It was considered weird, being into guns and the kind of gun stuff I like, Pappas says. You know, machine guns, silencers, and the like. Back then there were limited options. It was Gemtech and AWC. Its only natural that it was around then that Pappas got his first taste of NFA items. Way back in the very early 1990s I got my first registered machine gun. That Form 4 was for a MAC-11/9. I also bought my first silencer for it, a matching Sionics SWD. Next up was a Colt SP1 with a registered sear. Then an AWC suppressor for that. And on. The collection would only be added to over the following decades. A few years back during a visit to Utah, we played a game with Pappas: wed name a mil-surp gun, and then after a couple minutes Pappas would appear with one, usually complete with a silencer. You can think of Pappas as an early adopter, or someone who was into the stuff that a lot of people are into now, but back when it was fringe. A pre-hipster gun hipster, but with silencers. Back then Pappas was making his living as a mechanic, performing repairs at a full-service gas station. While he would always have at least one foot in the automotive world, one fateful day he heard a gun store ad playing on the radio. It was for Get Some, a little tiny store where maybe four people could be inside, but if there were five or six people then no one could move. It was very small. I happened to be there one day when they were trying to put a buttstock on an AR-15 or a free float tube or something of that nature. They couldnt do it, so I got my range bag and fixed that rifle for them. What might have been a one-time event turned into a regular gig. I used to stop by every Friday, and there would be a stack of rifles for me to switch up and fix. Id do these repairs and trade for ammo, and then one day they wanted me to work every other Saturday. It wasnt too long before the-little-gun-store-that-could wanted Pappas to work full-time. They couldnt pay him as much as he was making as a mechanic, and its really hard to pay your bills solely with ammo, so a deal was struck for a percentage of the profits. They didnt carry any NFA items at the time (once again, this is very common now but was an aberration then). Perhaps it was Pappas enthusiasm that pushed them over the edge, but soon they got an SOT and were doing brisk business. The first few months we were doing $40,000. And it took a while, but soon we were doing $150,000 a month, every month. And thats when Pappas met Jonathon Shults. SILENCERCO [Shults] approached me about starting a silencer company named SilencerCo. This was somewhere around 2007. And to be sure, Pappas interest was piqued. The proprietor of the store caught wind, and not wanting to lose him, the owner of the gun store offered me a raise, told me to buy a car, and hed pay for the car insurance, the fuel, the whole thing. I told my wife that. It was very tempting. But continuing at the shop just wasnt meant to be. One day I was driving home, and I wouldnt suggest this to everyone, but Ive always found something passionate I liked and then made a career out of it. The decision was made to take the leap. In order to start a successful company, you need funding, and you need a product. For the former, Shults and Pappas had their own money but needed more initial investors. Pappas tells us, I brought five of the original seven investors in. I also took a substantial amount of money and put it in. We officially started SilencerCo in 2008. Pappas has always been a fan of NFA weapons While basically anyone can put up a shingle and copy an old Phil Dater design (see RECOIL Issue 42), Pappas knew theyd need something that stood out and sold well. A silencer you can pay the bills with is how he described it. For SilencerCo, it would be a rimfire. Pappas explains, The Sparrow. That was the first product that we made. It was kind of the box that was drawn in order to make a commercially viable rimfire can to start the company. We bought a mill, and wed already decided to make a rimfire can with a monocore. But whats going to make it stand out? What I wanted to do was to make it come apart to be cleaned. Rimfire silencers are notoriously dirty, and in the days before the Sparrow, most of them werent user-serviceable. People would either have to deal with an increasingly heavy and increasingly loud silencer, or theyd have to figure out a way to break it open in a way the manufacturer never intended. There was a small cottage industry dedicated to cracking Gemtech Outback silencers, but with the Sparrow, you could shoot it all you want, take it apart, clean it out, and shoot it all you want again. I came up with the clamshell half pipe idea. Pappas says. At first, he was like meh. I was still at the gun store at the time. So, then I left the gun store and drove over there. This was on a Wednesday, and it was taco Tuesday the day before. I took this napkin from the taco shop and a BIC pen, and I drew out what I was thinking of in my mind. Maybe it was easier to see than to explain, when I drew that out with the pen, it was thats genius, thats what well do, and we started to build a company on it. The Osprey was next. Shults showed me what hed gotten to at that point, the basic design. We had a layover for a flight, and we took it to the first Advanced Armament shoot in Georgia. During that, I came up with the cam throw lever and locking mechanism. And then we had two products. For all the budding engineers and industry tycoons out there, in a lamenting refrain weve heard from similar people, Pappas suggests keeping your napkins and some of your prototypes. The original [Sparrow] was all aluminum. We switched it to stainless, and I kick myself for not keeping one of the original aluminums. But you never know what something is going to turn into. This tracked and armored amphibious vehicle is the OT-90, a Czechoslovakian variant of the Russian BMP-1. Pappas wears many hats as the owner, driver, crew chief, and mechanic all-in-one. But staying at SilencerCo was not to be. Pappas details the end of his tenure at SilencerCo without malice, something that were not sure wouldve been possible a few years ago. Time may not heal all wounds, but maturity and perspective definitely help. I came home and told my wife I got fired. She asked how I could get fired from the company I started. I said I wasnt exactly sure, but that it definitely happened. With some reflection, Pappas says, I dont begrudge them for kicking me out there. I wanted to be way more conservative and not be in debt. Pappas resigned as a manager, sold his shares, and then wasnt sure what he was going to do. Or maybe he did. Maybe theres something in the water in Utah. There seem to be suppressors in the mountains or something, because Dead Air was about to shake some things up. DEAD AIR In 2014, Pappas, along with another SilencerCo alum, Todd Magee, founded Dead Air Silencers. When they showed up at SHOT Show in January 2015, the whispers were that we had to go see them specifically because of their mounting system. And indeed, the KeyMo mounting system, in particular, quickly surged through the world of suppressors. Dead Air has gone through a great many changes in production over the years and has both enjoyed and bemoaned the sine wave of internet popularity. Describing their operation now, Pappas says: Weve recently changed the way that we do business. Ill tell you that were moving to a kind of Toyota-esque manufacturing in general. Its a more common way of manufacturing now. We used to be a skunkworks; now we have several different people that we variance, and multiple different vendors. All of those parts streams and cans come into the warehouse and get fulfilled from the warehouse. Everything comes into one place for QC, for assembly, for distribution, where we can get eyes-on. We get to pore over everything and then we package and fulfill the e-store and distribution. SILENCERS We always like to ask people from silencer companies what their favorite suppressor is, with the caveat that it cant be one that they make. While we couldnt get Pappas to say too much bad about a rifle-mounted Gemtech GM-22, he waxed poetic enough about one of his own that we may actually believe him. I hesitate, I want to very clear, I hesitate to answer the question. If it werent the truth, Id tell you because Id rather be honest. Its the Wolverine, Pappas admits. The Wolverine is a silencer thats emblematic of what Dead Air does. It looks like an old Soviet PBS-1, but it performs like a modern can on an AK. The Russians were never really known for precision, and Dead Air hid all of the excellent engineering and modularity inside a Lenin-looking shell. We covered it back in RECOIL Issue 26, and the Wolverine we used in that article is still riding an AK that sees regular use today. Maybe Pappas knew wed accept this answer due to our own proclivity for it, but he continued. The many faces of Mike. The reason I say this is that in my life, for me, when I look at the firearms I possess, the Wolverine fits almost all of them. And its easy for me to work with. We make a Wolverine HUB adapter. I love the Wolverine plus a Xeno [muzzle device]. Im not going to weld something on a barrel, and I dont have to. I dont care about the weight and all that. I just want it to work for me. Its the easiest, smoothest, way for me to do what I want to do. Heck, we went to the Thunder Beast Arms metering event. Took a Wolverine with a KeyMo on it. I know it sounds good, but I dont know how it was going to do ended up right in the middle of the pack of dedicated 5.56 cans. Not bad for something made for an AK. We never thought the Wolverine would be the product that pays the bills. We made that because we wanted it. I know companies like to say they make things just for themselves, but its true in this case. This is not like the Sparrow where you make the company from it sometimes you get some oddball stuff out there. LIFE When asked about how he made it or what advice hed have for people looking to do the same, Pappas paused and considered for a moment. I think life is based rightly on risk and reward. I think a few things need to line up for you. Happenstance is how your life is set up. Ive met some very smart, successful people. People who will stop and tell you how smart and successful they are, who say their success is all their own making. But they leave out chance, timing, and luck. Any success I have, I always credit at least half of it to friggin luck. But really, its the people you meet and who you come into contact with. Whenever I stop and talk to a person, theyre the only person on the planet. I engage. I think people appreciate that. My odd sense of humor also makes me say funny things. These are the things that they remember, these interactions. I cant count the number of times human interactions have come back to help me in so many ways. That, I think, helps a person. Some kind of uniqueness and some way to stand out. Words to live by: Give attention. Dont be a dick. Be kinda weird. Macron: Well be ready to make necessary decisions so that Russia never wins French President Emmanuel Macron has said that if the situation worsens in Ukraine, "we must be ready, and we will be ready to make the necessary decisions so that Russia never wins." "... if the Russian Federation continues to escalate, if the situation worsens, we must be ready. And we will be ready. We will be ready to make the necessary decisions so that Russia never wins," he said in an interview with TF1 and France 2 TV channels. Speaking about relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Macron noted that he is "probably the leader who talked to him [Putin] the most." "Yes, but now there is a slight coldness between you. But it's not personal. These are not personal things, and I don't want to personalize them here," he added. In addition, the French President stated: "I want our compatriots to understand that there is only one person responsible for the situation we are in - the Kremlin regime." At the same time, Macron admitted that "we do not have a defense industry adapted to a war of high territorial intensity." He also called for maintaining European unity to support Ukraine, "in the name of peace." "The responsibility for this war, the responsibility for the strikes that are being inflicted on the Ukrainian front, is borne only by Russia. Our responsibility is to be strong for the sake of peace. Our responsibility is precisely to preserve this European unity," Macron said. Answering a question about a possible appeal to loans to finance support for Kyiv, Macron replied that he did not rule it out. "This is a proposal made by the Prime Minister of Estonia. This is not a French proposal. But I support it," the French President said. Porterville, CA (93257) Today Chance of a shower or two during the evening, followed by partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Chance of a shower or two during the evening, followed by partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead released the transcript of his 2024 State of the University Address after postponing it due to the death of two students within 24 hours, which were unrelated. Morehead originally intended to present the 2024 State of the University Address on Feb. 22. Tata Motors will soon submit a detailed report on the upcoming manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadus Ranipet district and a decision, on whether the facility will churn out passenger or commercial vehicles, will be taken by the company on the basis of market trends, states industries minister TRB Rajaa said on Thursday. Photograph: Hemanshi Kamani/Reuters They are keeping the options open, and market trends will determine it (the type of vehicles the plant will make). "They will quickly come up with a detailed report on that, Rajaa said. Tata Motors, meanwhile, have refused to comment on the issue. Tata Motors and the Tamil Nadu government signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to set up a manufacturing unit in Ranipet near Vellore with an investment of ~9,000 crore. The unit is expected to generate over 5,000 jobs in the state, over a period of five years. Tata Motors board has recently approved the proposal to demerge TML into two separate listed companies housing the CV business and its related investments in one entity, and the PV businesses including domestic PV, electric vehicle (EV), and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and its related investments in another entity. In February, Tata Motors surpassed Hyundai to claim the number two spot in the domestic passenger vehicle (PV) market, selling 51,267 units, a growth of 20 percent YoY. However, commercial vehicle (CV) sales have declined by 4 per cent last month. Tatas EV sales were seen at 6,923 units in February this year as against 5,318 units in the same period last year, posting a 30 per cent increase. Analysts believe that CVs are expected to enter a downcycle in FY25. ICRA analysis showed that while the CV industry is expected to end the 2023-24 fiscal with a 2-5 percent growth in volumes; in FY25 this would moderate to a negative 4-7 per cent, or a decline. Typically, the demand pattern in the CV industry is cyclical -- a period of three upcycles is followed by two years of downcycle. Analysts thus felt that Tata Motors would take a cautious call. Usually companies create capacities during a downcycle, in order to be prepared for the demand uptick before an upcycle begins, said an industry analyst. As such Tata Motors CV capacity utilisation around November-December was around 60 percent or so. The state authorities, meanwhile, said that the government has lined up a host of incentives for the automobile majors to bring in investment to the state. We are giving the best incentives. "Companies like Tata Motors dont just come to a state only because of incentives. "They also look at the kind eco-system that is available. "Tamil Nadu is a very rich state in terms of automobile ecosystem. "That is a bigger incentive for anybody than financial incentive, Rajaa added. The state has witnessed two mega investments within a span of two months. The first one came in the form of Vietnam-based EV player VinFast, a rival of Tesla in the global market, starting work on its ~16,000 crore EV manufacturing facility at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. According to DMK, the voters are already consolidated on ideological lines, hence the impact of anti-incumbency, whether against the BJP Centre or the DMK state may not be too much, notes N Sathiya Moorthy. IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin moves a resolution against the 'One Nation One Election' policy in the state assembly, in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo In the normal course, the NCB arresting a ruling DMK functionary for being the alleged kingpin of a massive international drug-racket should be threatening the party-led INDIA combine's chances in the Lok Sabha polls in southern Tamil Nadu. It may still happen, depending on the 'big fish' that are not unlikely to fall into the net of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NC), going especially by the excitement in the state leadership of the BJP ruling the Centre, but otherwise, ideology seems to have overtaken 'anti-incumbency, as the key poll factor in Tamil Nadu at the very least. The combined drive by the NCB and Delhi police is said to have exposed an international network that goes all the way to Australia and New Zealand, originating in some African countries. Or, so goes the official version. Though the DMK lost no time in sacking the alleged kingpin Jaffer Sadiq as a lower-level functionary of the party's foreign affairs wing in Chennai city, it happened only after the NCB had named him in end-February. It is an embarrassment that the party has to live with, no two questions about it. Even more is the fact that Sadiq has been pictured with Chief Minister M K Stalin, his minister-son Udhayanidhi Stalin and many senior officials, including police top-brass. Social media has also carried a picture of Udhayanidhi's film-maker wife Kruthika participating in the launch of a film produced by Sadiq, but DMK sources have pooh-poohed suggestions that he had also funded some movies for which she had wielded the megaphone. When the NCB revelations started making the headlines, the DMK began by hitting back at the BJP-ruled Gujarat, which the party said topped the list of NCB recoveries over the last several years. It also cited past NCB certification of TN being on the lower end of the list during the period. However, when the social media tide began hitting hard, the party also pointed out how Sadiq was involved in a narcotics case in 2013 and was acquitted by a court in 2019 -- and how the DMK was not in power during this window. That this piece of information has not found adequate media coverage is beside the point as the party has threatened legal action against those linking the DMK to the 'drug racket'. State law minister S Reghupathy has gone a step further to claim that the BJP has pressed the NCB to 'defame' the DMK. He may have a point as the otherwise low-profile NCB lost no time in addressing a news conference in New Delhi soon after Sadiq's arrest a fortnight after his name got out into the media. In the party's perception, the NCB has now joined the long list of central agencies like the NIA, CBI, ED and the IT department. There is however no clarification from either side how the NCB would or could do it to a political party in the country when it claimed international ramifications in Sadiq's operations. That should include an inexplicable DMK party function in distant Kenya, in which an incumbent DMK parliamentarian also reportedly participated. Though a long shot, critics of the party are waiting to see if the DMK would re-nominate M M Abdullah when he completes his current Rajya Sabha term next year. Needless to say, in the NCB's footsteps, the ED has since pounced on Sadiq, as he is known to have made donations much less than a million rupees to the chief minister's relief fund and the ruling DMK. It remains to be seen if the ED's customary search for 'money-laundering links' leads further, and if so, to whom all. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people during a public meeting, in Chennai, March 4, 2024. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan,Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President K Annamalai and other dignitaries are also present. Photograph: ANI Photo The DMK may have been shaken, whether less or more, is immaterial, but acts as if nothing has happened. Rather, the leadership and also the party-led alliance are seemingly unworried about the impact of the 'drug case' and raids, past and future, on their chances in the LS polls that is due in the coming weeks. According to them, the voters are already consolidated on ideological lines, hence the impact of anti-incumbency, whether against the BJP Centre or the DMK state may not be too much. They too concede unforeseen factors could upset the apple-cart but do not expect the NCB raids or even the 'Sanatana Dharma' row, again involving minister Udhyanidhi Stalin, to do more harm than already. Rather, there is a perception that none of the issues flagged by the BJP against the DMK in particular and the larger 'Dravidian polity' in general is likely to bring in more votes than already. To them, even Prime Minister Narendra Modi's multiple visits to the state during the past weeks and in the days running up to polling will make much difference -- unless there are additional issues that have not been factored in at present. The truth is that the BJP, first under the Vajpayee-Advani duo in 1998 / 1999 and more recently under the Modi-Amit Shah leadership (2014) has polled more votes than usual -- up from the traditional 2-3 per cent to 7-8 per cent. They reflected in the BJP-led alliance's vote-share in all three elections -- AIADMK alliance (1998), DMK combine (1999) and the BJP-NDA sans the two Dravidian majors (2014). The general impression that the BJP combine would muster around 20 per cent votes in Dravidian Tamil Nadu this time flows from the 2014 scenario, when the NDA polled 18.5 per cent and won two seats. What is not mentioned is that there were two equally major allies, in the PMK with a fixed five per cent vote-share and the DMDK, then with around another five per cent, the latter down to around three per cent or less, since. The question is if the BJP-NDA will be able to rope in both the PMK and DMDK, with whom negotiations are still on. However, there is the added attraction of the rebel AIADMK under three-time chief minister O Panneerselvam and breakaway AMMK of former AIADMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran. The BJP is also set to be considering the value-addition that the late Jayalalithaa's live-in confidante Sasikala Natarajan can bring to the table. Indications are that the BJP has not been able to patch up with the mainline AIADMK under former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, and also has to concede the demands of OPS and Dhinakaran for their candidates to contest on their own separate symbols, and not under the BJP's 'Lotus', as sought until now. Another regional party, the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) founded by the late G K Moopanar and now headed by his son G K Vasan, cabinet minister in the UPA-II government at the Centre, has signed up with the BJP-NDA, but is not keen to contest on the BJP's symbol. For now however, the BJP has been able to convince actor-politician Sarath Kumar SMK to merge with the national party -- and for good. The DMDK is said to be in the final stages of negotiations with the AIADMK but like the BJP, the party is not too keen to spare a Rajya Sabha seat for party leader Premalatha, wife of DMDK founder, late actor, Vijayakanth. In the PMK camp, the father-son duo, namely, party founder S Ramadoss and current president Anbumani Ramadoss, both medical doctors, are said to be holding different views on the choice of a non-DMK ally. With an eye on the assembly elections, due in 2026, Ramadoss is keen on the AIADMK while Anbumani seems wanting to return to the Union government, which door, the BJP interlocutors are said to have shut on him. Incidentally, Ramadoss Sr has a point when he reportedly says that the voter-base of the BJP and the PMK are so distributed that they cannot complement each other. Even without it, he is said to have argued, the PMK cannot win an LS seat without the AIADMK. This may be the clincher, as and when the chips are down. Yet, the AIADMK may be in for a shock if the EC were to freeze the party's 'Two Leaves' symbol against a pending petition, supposedly moved under OPS' initiative. However, party cadres say that if the symbol is frozen they know whom to blame -- meaning the BJP at the Centre -- hence their determination would only strengthen further, without any loss of 'traditional votes' handed down by party founder MGR and his political heir, Jayalalithaa. Or, that is said to be the leadership's perception. All told, the BJP seems wanting to take the lead in the state if it could or at least become the first runner-up after the victor. Originally, it had hoped to replace the DMK in the company of the AIADMK, but when the latter walked away after two disastrous joint outings in 2019 and 2021, the national party hopes to push the other to the third slot even if it meant both of them losing out in the bargain. That is to say, the BJP's fall-back strategy is one of denial -- that is, denying the AIADMK the second place by trying to rope in parties like the PMK and DMDK, whose mutual value-addition is more for the latter than the former. Both the BJP and the AIADMK, even more so, are also targeting the 2026 assembly polls, where especially EPS has already set his sights on. In this game of one-upmanship, the ruling DMK combine seems to sit more comfortable than it should have, given especially the palpable anti-incumbency that could be touched and felt, otherwise. Incidentally, the DMK has beaten the rival AIADMK and BJP in seat-sharing talks with allies, which was not the case when Jaya was around. Yet, grassroots-level coordination is going to be more difficult within the DMK combine than for the other two, led respectively by the AIADMK and the BJP. On the positive side, the DMK leadership has been able to talk actor-politician Kamal Hassan's MNM not to press for a Lok Sabha seat and settle for a Rajya Sabha seat when a vacancy arises next week, in return for his state-wide campaign. However, the question remains if the MNM's four per cent vote-share from 2021 would pass on to the DMK allies, wholly or even partially. The DMK combine may also be burdened additionally in three of the total 40 seats, including the loner in Puducherry, by the VCK (2) and the MDMK (one) insisting on contesting on their own symbols. There is a belief that the two could score in 2019 mainly because the lone MDMK candidate and also one of the two VCK nominees had contested on the DMK's more popular 'Rising Sun' symbol with instant recall value. Yet, it is going to be a four-corner contest, what with the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) of actor-politician Seeman entering the fray with a respectable four per cent vote-share in elections 2019, going up to 6.58 per cent in the assembly polls two years later. It is a life-and-death battle for the NMK as for smaller parties in the state, staying-power has been problematic for long, and Seeman has been defying the pattern thus far. IMAGE: Makkal Needhi Maiam chief and actor Kamal Haasan speaks to the media in the presence of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam youth wing secretary Udayanidhi Stalin as MNM joins the DMK-led alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, in Chennai, March 09, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In this background, the DMK seems to be hoping that the BJP's hard-line Hindutva agenda and PM Modi's assertions like 'destroying' the DMK all may have only reflected the party's ideological vehemence without adding any new voters to the committed rank that may have 'temporarily' expanded. The notification and consequent enforcement of the controversial CAA is only the last straw, the INDIA allies say, adding that all these may have whipped up the traditional 'pan-Tamil sentiments' as evidenced in the 2017 'Jallikattu protests', whose 'spirits have not waned but have only doubled'. This is an argument that has to be proved. So is the expectation that Udayanidhi's 'Sanatana' row would not impact on the INDIA combine's poll chances in the state. However, the AIADMK camp expects that the traditionally anti-BJP, anti-Hindutva, anti-Modi voters that are otherwise religious, as in Tamil Nadu, may turn to them, now that they have snapped ties with the former. They also expect the anti-incumbency against both the DMK and the BJP to favour them. To this all, the DMK seems to feel that PM Modi has lost his credibility with the voters, especially on issues like cutting down LPG cylinder prices by Rs 100 for 'International Women's Day', saying no woman voter expects him not to revise it back to the original figure, post-poll and even hike it further. Against this, they say, Stalin's pro-women and pro-family schemes like free-bus travel, monthly stipend of Rs 1000, and also free breakfast for all children in government and aided schools would do the trick. Citing former Union minister and Congress veteran P Chidambaram, DMK allies also claim that PM Modi's promise of Rs 5-plus crore projects, including Rs 17,000-plus crore for the state, are meant to be non-starters in the absence of budgetary provisions. To this the BJP leaders say that the next fiscal's full budget presented after the polls, and not the vote-on-account, passed in February, would make the provisions. They too concede that the figures cited may be too big for absorption in a single year's budget. N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'The people of Gujarat understood this a long time ago and has since been rejecting the party and its programmes.' IMAGE: Former Gujarat Congress chief and ex-MLA Arjun Modhwadia joins the BJP. Photograph: @BJP4Gujarat/X In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political corridors of Gujarat, Arjun Modhwadia, the former Gujarat Congress chief, has announced his decision to part ways with the Congress party and join its arch-rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modhwadia's sudden defection has left the state Congress unit in disarray as he is a seasoned politician known for his grassroots connections and sharp political acumen. While some see his decision as a strategic manoeuvre to secure his political future in the face of diminishing prospects for the Congress party in the state, others view it as a betrayal of his long-standing allegiance to the Congress. Since the BJP's resounding electoral victory in the 2022 assembly elections -- when the BJP won a record 156 seats and Congress could secure just 17 -- in Gujarat, Modhwadia is the third Congress MLA to resign from the party after Chirag Patel and C J Chavda, bringing the effective strength of the party to 14 in the 182-member Gujarat legislative assembly. Modhwadia spoke to Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com about the reasons why he quit India's Grand Old Party after being a part of it for 40 years. "After 2022 Congress is almost decimated," says the ex-Gujarat Congress chief about the prospects of his parent party in the state that has been in the iron grip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he became the chief minister first in 2001. You have finally quit the Congress after 40 years and joined the BJP. The reason that you gave was that he Congress is anti-Hindu. Not only anti-Hindu but they are not understanding the sentiment of the people. It (that the Congress is anti-Hindu) is one of the reasons. Not the only reason. They are far away from the sentiments of the people. Are you referring to the religious sentiments of the people? Every sentiment; they are not communicating and they are disconnected with the people. Central leadership is disconnected with the people. By central leadership you would mean Rahul Gandhi or the central leadership which is now being led by president Mallikarjun Kharge? I don't want to give any name. But they are far away from the state unit. They are far away from the workers. They are far away from people at large. That is why we have even in our state and at the central level lost the status of the LoP (leader of Opposition). The status of the opposition party. What took you so long to realise this? I waited so much. I tried my best. I tried my best to communicate and to address the situation but I failed. On the other side, the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are well connected with the people. They are doing the development of the country at great speed. India will soon become a (USD) 5-trillion economy and boast of world class infrastructure. I do want these kinds of achievements for my state, for my country and for my district. Former Congress Rajya Sabha MP Naran Rathwa, who joined Gujarat BJP recently told Rediff.com that he could not match the money power that Narendra Modi has. That the BJP under Modi has huge amount of money. So people like him dont have the capacity to spend from their own pockets. Do you agree? I don't agree with this but the problem is the party is disconnected with the people. You were defeated by BJP's Babuhai Bhokiriya in 2017 from Porbandar and then you defeated him from the same seat in 2022. But the BJP has named Mansukh Mandviya from Porbandar? I don't have any (national) aspirations. Whatever my party (the BJP) decides I would perform my duty as a worker and contribute for the development of the state and my district in my own way. Would you be playing any role in national politics? Whatever role my party assigns to me now, I would act accordingly. Could you give us some hard, believable reasons why you joined the BJP after 40 years in the Congress? The party (Congress in Gujarat) has lost the confidence to connect with the people, to face them, to talk about their issues, to talk their language. The Congress is not comfortable raising peoples voices, their demands. The people of Gujarat understood this a long time ago and has since been rejecting the party and its programmes. They have no faith that the Congress leadership could deliver development for Gujarat or for the country. There is no coordination between the state and central unit of the party when it comes to designing a new campaign or messaging for the people of Gujarat. I have been conveying this to the state as well as central leadership but I didnt see any efforts by the party to mends its ways. There is only that so much I could do. After all my sincere efforts when I realised I cannot make the party sync in with peoples sentiments I decided to quit Congress. Everybody seems to be deserting the Congress in Gujarat today After 2022 the Congress is almost decimated. 'The BJP has started a war-like situation against farmers and the Jat community.' IMAGE: Haryana police fire tear gas shells to disperse farmers during their Delhi Chalo march, at the Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana), Patiala, February 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo What is the message the Bharatiya Janata Party is sending out from its change of guard in Haryana, where Manohal Lal Khattar has been replaced as chief minister by Nayab Singh Saini and the breakup with Dushyan Chautala's Jannayak Janata Party? Part 1: 'PM Modi wants BJP leaders with no spine' Pushpendra Singh, president, Kisan Shakti Singh, believes that the BJP has realised that the Jats, the dominant community of Haryana, won't vote for them in 2024. In the second and final part of his interview, Singh tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, In Haryana it was given that a Jat chief minister would take oath but this is no longer the case. If the Jat community is so unhappy why did they vote for the BJP in the 2022 assembly election in such huge numbers? They won 86 seats out of 125 in Jat land of Western Uttar Pradesh. The Jats of Uttar Pradesh were not beaten by the police like in Haryana. In Haryana, the Jats were beaten by the police so the anger is more. In Uttar Pradesh the police only barricaded the roads so the farmers could not go and protest in Delhi against the farm laws. They did not face atrocities. But let me remind you that in 2017, Jayant Chaudhary's party Rashtriya Lok Dal had won only one seat and that MLA too went to the BJP. In 2022 they got nine MLAs from Western Uttar Pradesh after contesting against the BJP. In 2017, the BJP won 300 seats in the UP assembly which was reduced to 255. They lost 45 seats. PM Modi is saying this time the BJP will win 370 Lok Sabha seats and mentions Modi ki guarantee. Do you believe they can reach this figure? Nobody believes in Modi ki guarantee. The only guarantee people believe in Modi is that his guarantee is a lie. He spoke of doubling farmers' income by 2022, this never happened. He had spoken of giving legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price, this too did not happen. Today, there is a lot of distress in rural India. The election wave is against the BJP in states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is only the alliance of opposition that matters, on how they strike it. If they do the right kind of alliance, then it won't be easy for the BJP. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Yadav community is very much against the BJP, just like Jats have turned against them in Haryana. The only difference is that in UP and Bihar the Yadav community is being slyly discriminated and not openly as the Jats in Haryana. They accommodated Jayant Chaudhary in their fold, though this has not led to a movement of Jats going with the BJP. Will replacing Khattar as chief minister make a difference to the BJP's prospects in the general elections? Will they be able to win 10 out of 10 seats in Haryana? This is a last minute pitch they are making to counter Rahul Gandhi's social justice plank. To counter him they are saying see, we made an OBC chief minister in Madhya Pradesh or Nayab Singh Saini in Haryana. They are making such moves without realising that the real issue in our country is unemployment. The rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer. Electoral bond details will expose them more and in the coming days we all will come to know which company paid them money and which company benefited. Will Ram Mandir not help the BJP? It worked only for 10 days after January 22. Now people are looking for jobs. The youth who were 20 years old in 2014 are jobless in 2024. They are 30 years old now without a job and unmarried because nobody wants to marry them. Go to villages and you will find that young Indians are doing running practice in the hope they will get into the Army. Now that prospect also has no future because schemes like Agniveer does not give them employment for more than four years. The BJP has started a war-like situation against farmers and the Jat community. They are using it like a punch. Punch? Yes, against the farming community; five punches or in Hindi you call it paanch. Be it Yadavs, Gujjars, Kurmis, Jats, Marathas or Patels of Gujarat. The first punch of the BJP is that it has a strategy to weaken the agriculture sector. They want to ensure the communities that are dependent on agriculture must not be able to resist against them. The Jat community lives closer to Delhi and they give the most resistance to the government and they ensured the government withdrew the three farm laws. The second punch against Jats is where we were strong and that was in the field of sports. They put a man like Brijbhushan Singh in such a place who was openly exploiting girl athletes. Third punch they gave us when the BJP turned back on its promise on Jat reservation. PM Modi had said that maine Jaaton ka namak khaya hai (I have eaten food at Jat homes), I will give you reservation (external link). Fourth punch to Jats is that there is no future in army jobs because of Agniveer. Fifth punch is the BJP wants to finish off the Jats politically. In Haryana it was given that a Jat chief minister would take oath but this is no longer the case. In central government there used to be 3-4 cabinet ministers once upon a time which is now reduced to only one, and that too an insignificant leader. Are you implying the BJP is trying to marginalise the dominant castes in different states and bring other backward castes to higher positions? They are doing that to Marathas in Maharashtra, Jats in Haryana and Patels in Gujarat. They do not want to bring other backward caste community to higher positions but they are ensuring these dominant castes should remain subdued. The BJP is doing this because they do not want anyone to fight against them. It is only the dominant caste of different states that takes on a fight against the wrong policies of the BJP. The other castes members do not take such a step. Tomorrow, if PM Modi imposes emergency in India, Indian Muslims will not do anything as they are already scared. The Muslim community has surrendered now (post-CAA protest which was futile). Other smaller communities do not take on the BJP's policies which are wrong. It is only the Jat community located around Delhi who takes on the Modi government's wrong policies. Be it Sikh Jats, Hindu Jats or even Muslim Jats, they take on the government. In Gujarat it is the Patel community that is capable of taking on the BJP. In Maharashtra it is the Maratha community that has the potential to take on the BJP. In UP and Bihar it is the Yadav community that has the capacity to take on the BJP. All these communities have the power and will to fight against the BJP's wrong policies on behalf of the rest of the people. These communities are ready to fight to save the Constitution and the farming community. And the BJP is targeting the farming communities who have become their voters because of (Hindu) religion. They are distributing free rations of 5 kg and keeping them weak. This will ensure that the farming community will not be able to resist them or their wrong policies. French President Emmanuel Macron warns that "if we stop helping Ukraine, Ukraine will have no chance of winning." "Ukraine needs help today and even more so tomorrow. To finally convince you, I want to say, perhaps much more definitely: if we stop helping Ukraine, Ukraine will have no chance of winning. Ukraine has no chance to stop Russia, because 90% of the weapons and ammunition used by Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict came from Europeans, Americans, British and others," Macron said in a video posted on the social network X after an interview with French TV channels earlier in the evening. Macron noted that helping Ukraine "means, first of all, helping a country which borders are under attack, a European country which sovereignty is being questioned and which security is under threat." He also stressed that helping Ukraine means taking care of our own security. Macron pointed out that Russia had become a country that wants to expand, and he is sure that it will not stop there. "And therefore, if we leave Ukraine, if we allow Ukraine to lose this war, then Russia will undoubtedly threaten Moldova, Romania and Poland, and there can be no European security. And helping Ukraine is our duty, because it also means helping the security of all our neighbors today and in the near future," the French leader said. In addition, in his opinion, assistance to Ukraine also meets the interests of France, because "Ukraine has many resources, many elements that we need for our economy. "For all these reasons, the assistance we provide to Ukraine is justified," he explained. The Assam unit of Aam Aadmi Party on Friday withdrew its candidate from the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency "for the sake of opposition unity" to defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party nominee. IMAGE: Congress MP and the partys candidate from the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat Gaurav Gogoi (second from right) along with party candidates for Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency Mira Borthakur (third from left) and Diphu Lok Sabha seat Joyram Engleng (right) during a felicitation function, in Guwahati, Assam, March 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo It challenged the Congress to return the gesture and withdraw its candidates from Dibrugarh and Sonitpur seats, for which the AAP has declared its nominees. Both the Congress and AAP are part of the 16-party United Opposition Forum, Assam, formed to contest the general elections together, but a rift had emerged with members of the forum announcing candidates against each other in various constituencies of the state. The AAP, in a statement, expressed its grievance towards the Congress for naming its candidates for the three seats in which the former had also announced its nominees. The grand old party declared its candidate list for 12 seats on Tuesday, leaving Dibrugarh for UOFA partner Assam Jatiya Parishad and still remaining undecided on the candidate for another seat, Lakhimpur. AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi's name was announced as the candidate for Dibrugarh earlier on Friday. The AAP had named its state president Bhaben Chaudhary for Guwahati, Manoj Dhanowar for Dibrugarh and Rishi Raj Kaundiniya for Sonitpur in February. The AAP pointed out that for the sake of defeating the BJP-led NDA, it has made "adjustments and sacrifices" in different states, but alleged that the Congress did not reciprocate the spirit in Assam. The party maintained that it announced its candidates for the three seats a month ago as there was a delay in reaching a consensus on candidates and constituencies of the UOFA. "But strangely, the Congress announced its candidates in the three constituencies for which we had already named our candidates, leading to a crisis in the united opposition politics," the statement said. In adherence to the spirit of united opposition, the AAP has decided to withdraw its candidate from Guwahati, but will contest from Dibrugarh and Sonitpur, it said. Challenging the Congress to withdraw its nominees from the other two seats, the AAP added, "If the Congress does not withdraw its candidates, it will become clear that the Congress is contesting Dibrugarh and Sonitpur to ensure victory for the BJP." Among other UOFA partners that have also declared their candidates are Trinamool Congress for four seats and Communist Party of India-Marxist for one seat. The CPI has also said that it is considering fielding candidates from a few seats. From the ruling NDA, the BJP named 11 candidates, Asom Gana Parishad nominated two and United People's Party Liberal declared one candidate. The BJP has nine MPs in the current Lok Sabha from the state, while its allies AGP and UPPL have no representation. The Congress holds three seats and the AIUDF one, while another is an Independent candidate. Noting that he fully respects the Supreme Court order on electoral bonds, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the scheme was introduced to end black money in politics and added that it should have been improved rather than scrapped. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah being garlanded by BJP supporters during a public meeting for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, March 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Ph oto Shah also said that the one nation, one election is the concept of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and when it will be implemented, it will ensure faster development and end recurring expenditure. "Electoral bonds were introduced to end the influence of black money in Indian politics. Everyone has to accept the decision given by the Supreme Court. I fully respect the Supreme Court decision. But I feel that instead of completely scrapping the electoral bonds, it should have been improved," he said at an interaction at the India Today Conclave. Referring to the Congress, the home minister said the leaders of the opposition party used to take political donation in cash because out of a donation of Rs 1,100, they used to deposit Rs 100 in the name of the party and keep Rs 1,000 in their own pockets. "The Congress party has run this system for years," he said. Shah said it has been said that the electoral bonds have benefitted the BJP and Rahul Gandhi has made a statement that it is the biggest extortion activity. "I want to make my stance clear about it. Out of the total Rs 20,000 crore electoral bonds, the BJP has got approximately Rs 6,000 crore. Where did the rest of the bonds go? TMC has got Rs 1,600 crore, Congress got Rs 1,400 crore, BRS got Rs 1,200 crore, BJD got Rs 750 crore and DMK got Rs 639 crore. "We have got Rs 6,000 crore despite having 303 MPs and the rest got Rs 14,000 crore against 242 MPs. What is the hue and cry about? I can say that once the accounts are settled they will not be able to face you all," he said. Referring to the one nation, one election proposal, Shah said that due to elections taking place many times across the country, a large amount of money is spent on conducting polls. Most importantly, he said, due to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, decision making of the government has been adversely affected and hence development work is stalled. "The idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP behind one nation, one election is that elections are held again and again in this country and the people are busy in elections and this leads to repeated expenditure. "Due to the model code of conduct, many development works come to a halt. One nation, one election is a solution for this," he said. Asked about the seat-sharing talks in Bihar, the home minister said everything will be settled in the next one week. "Everyone is united in NDA in Bihar and this time NDA will win all the seats in Bihar under the leadership of Bharatiya Janata Party," he said. Commenting on Delhi, where the Congress and the AAP joined hands to flight the polls, he said the BJP got more than 50 per cent votes in all seats of Delhi in the last two Lok Sabha polls and it is going to increase its vote share this time. "We are least bothered what they do in the remaining 49 percent," he said. Shah reiterated Prime Minister Modi's statement that the BJP will get more than 370 seats and the NDA over 400 seats. "We have a track record of 10 years and an agenda for the next 25 years. It is an agenda to create a great India and that is why the public is putting faith in us," he said. The Congress on Friday alleged that the electoral bonds data has exposed 'corrupt tactics' of the Bharatiya Janata Party such as quid pro quo, seeking donations for the company's protection, kickbacks and money laundering through shell companies. IMAGE: Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh. Photograph: ANI Photo Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also hit back at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her reported remarks that the link between the ED/CBI/IT raids on firms and donations through electoral bonds are based on 'assumptions', saying 'we invite her to release the full data of who donated how much to which political party'. "The finance minister says that the link between the ED/CBI/IT raids on firms and their subsequent donations to the BJP are based on 'assumptions'. If these 'assumptions' are untrue, then we invite her to release the full data of who donated how much to which political party. It will put an end to the discussion once and for all," Ramesh said. 'It must be remembered that the Finance Minister is in charge of both the State Bank of India, which administers the Electoral Bond scam, and the Enforcement Directorate, which enforces the 'Pradhan Mantri Hafta Vasuli Yojana',' Ramesh said in a post on X. The Congress general secretary said the party continues to demand unique bond ID numbers, so that it can precisely match donors to recipients. His remarks came a day after the Election Commission (EC) put up the data on electoral bonds on its website. Ramesh also put out on X a 'quick first analysis' of the Electoral Bonds (EB) data disclosure that the State Bank of India put out after weeks of 'attempting to postpone it until after the election'. "Over 1,300 companies and individuals have donated electoral bonds, including over 6,000 crore to the BJP since 2019," he said. So far, the electoral bonds data exposes at least four corrupt tactics of the BJP, Ramesh claimed. "Quid Pro Quo: There are many cases of companies that have donated electoral bonds, and immediately afterwards gotten huge benefits from the government: Megha Engineering & Infra has given over Rs. 800 crores in EBs. In April 2023, they donated Rs. 140 crore, and just one month later, they were awarded the Rs. 14,400 crore Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project," he alleged. Jindal Steel and Power gave Rs. 25 crore in EBs on 7 October 2022, and just three days later, they won the Gare Palma IV/6 coal mine, on 10th October 2022, Ramesh claimed. "Hafta Vasooli: The BJP's Hafta Vasooli strategy is simple raid a target through the ED/CBI/IT, and then seek hafta ("donations") for the company's protection. At least 14 of the top 30 donors have been raided," he alleged. Earlier this year an investigation found that after ED/CBI/IT raids, companies were forced to donate to the BJP via electoral trusts, Ramesh said. Many of the same companies have donated through EBs, like Hetero Pharma and Yashoda Hospital, he pointed out. "The IT department raided Shirdi Sai Electricals in December 2023, and in January 2024, they donated Rs 40 crore through Electoral Bonds," the Congress leader claimed. "Future Gaming & Hotels, has donated over Rs 1200 crore, making it the largest donor in the data so far. Here is the chronology: April 2 2022: ED raids Future, and 5 days later (7th April) they donate Rs 100 crores in EBs," Ramesh claimed. IT department raids Future in October 2023 and the same month they donate Rs. 65 crores in EBs, he said. Ramesh also alleged that the data also points to kickbacks as a pattern emerges where immediately after receiving some handouts from the Central government, companies have repaid the favour through electoral bonds. "Vedanta got the Radhikapur West private coal mine on 3rd March 2021, and then in April 2021, they donated Rs. 25 crore in Electoral Bonds," he alleged. "Megha Engineering & Infra got the Rs. 4,500 crore Zojila tunnel project in August 2020, then donated Rs. 20 crore in Electoral Bonds in October 2020," Ramesh said. He also claimed that Megha got the BKC bullet train station contract in December 2022, and donated Rs 56 crore the same month. Ramesh alleged that data also shows there has been money laundering through shell companies. "One huge issue with the electoral bonds scheme is that it removed the restriction that only a small percentage of a company's profits could be donated, paving the way for shell companies to donate black money. There are many such suspicious cases, such as the Rs. 410 crore that has been donated by Qwik Supply Chain Limited, a company whose entire share capital is just Rs. 130 crores according to MoCA filings," he said. The Congress leader said another major issue is missing data. The data provided by the SBI only begins in April 2019, but SBI sold the first tranche of bonds in March 2018. "A total of Rs. 2,500 crores in bonds are missing from this data. Where is the data of these missing bonds, from March 2018 to April 2019? For instance, in the very first tranche of bonds, the BJP bagged 95% of the funds. Who is the BJP trying to protect?" he said. Ramesh also alleged that the data points to kickbacks as a pattern emerges where immediately after receiving some handouts from the Central government, companies have repaid the favour through electoral bonds. Responding to a social media post thread on the electoral bonds disclosure, Ramesh said many cases of 'direct corruption' are coming out. 'Soon this Suit-Boot-Loot-Jhooth Sarkar will have nowhere to hide!' he said. Santiago Martin has funded Rs 1,368 crore to political parties between October 2020 to January 2024 through electoral bonds. IMAGE: Santiago Martin. Photograph: Courtesy, www.martinfoundation.com Santiago is the capital of Chile in South America but the citys name is resonating for totally different reasons in India. Ever since the Election Commission put out the details of electoral bonds on Thursday night, people have been wondering as to who is this Santiago. To recap, Santiago Martin is the only one who has donated more than Rs 1000 crore to political parties via the electoral bonds. Known as the Lottery King of India, Santiago Martin has funded Rs 1,368 crore to political parties between October 2020 to January 2024 through electoral bonds. Around 1300 companies donated around Rs 12,000 crore via electoral bonds, but it is Santiago who beats them all when it comes to funding. Not Ambani, not Adani, and not Birlas or Dalmias. His closest rival, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, donated Rs 966 crore to rank as the second largest electoral donor. Santiago had a brush with law in 2011 when the Central Bureau of Investigation filed case against him after he allegedly cheated the Sikkim government of its lottery money. He was accused of allegedly siphoning off the lottery money that he had to pay to Sikkim government. Santiago was known to be a close associate of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. He produced a Tamil film, Ilaignan, whose script was written by the former CM. When Jayalalitha came to power Santiago was arrested in a land grabbing case in August 2011. In May 2023, the Enforcement Directorate raided his home and the offices of Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt Ltd under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (PMLA) and froze his property and investments worth Rs 457 crore. Interestingly, on his company website Santiago Martin claims to be one of the highest income tax payers in the country. https://www.futuregaming.in/management.html Santiago also holds the post of president of All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries, the apex organisation of the lottery trade and allied industries in India. Check the table below to see Santiagos donations over four years to political parties via electoral bonds. Army chief Gen Manoj Pande on Friday said he would describe the situation along the Line of Actual Control as "stable but sensitive" while asserting that deployment of Indian troops and other elements along the LAC is "extremely robust" and "balanced". IMAGE: Army Chief General Manoj Pande interacts with the troops during his visit to the BEG Center, in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, March 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo During a panel discussion at a conclave in New Delhi, he also said, "We need to keep a close watch and monitor what other developments are taking place along the border in terms of infrastructure and movement of troops." At the discussion on 'India & Indo-Pacific: Threats and Opportunities', held as part of the India Today Conclave 2024, the Army chief was asked a range of questions in the context of China's growing influence in the region and the future preparedness of the army "if the situation along the LAC escalates". The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area. Ties between the two countries nose-dived significantly following the clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Asked what was the current situation at the LAC, Gen Pande said, "Very briefly if I were to sum up as to what the situation is, I would describe it to be stable but sensitive. And, this is where we need to keep a close watch, monitor very closely the activities across the LAC, both in the immediate, shall we say depth, and further behind." "I would say upfront, our deployment in terms of the troops and other elements that we have along the LAC, is extremely robust and, it is balanced. We also have or we do maintain adequate reserves, in terms of our infantry formation and other artilleries and the other elements, to be able to deal with any situation that may arise across the entire length of the LAC. So, this is as far as our preparedness is concerned," he added. India and China recently held a fresh round of high-level military talks to resolve the border row that witnessed both sides agreeing to maintain "peace and tranquillity" on the ground but there was no indication of any breakthrough. The Army chief was also asked what lessons have been learnt from tussles at the border, to which he said, not only what is happening along the border, "I would say there are very profound lessons that we need to learn from conflicts happening around the world." These lessons are at the "strategic level, operational level and tactical level". "At the strategic level, national security is gaining salience in the international system and what it has shown is that when national interests are involved, nations would not hesitate to go to war. Second, in situation where you have contested borders, such as ours, the land will continue to remain a decisive domain of warfare," Gen Pande said. Third is self-reliance, it has shown that not only in this conflict, but also during the pandemic time, "the importance for us to become self-reliant, to have near zero dependency on ex/import requirements". "At the operational level, the importance of non-contact warfare, as we call it non-kinetic warfare... cyber, information space, battle of narratives, influence operations, these are some of the areas. All the lessons we need to see in our context," he said. Asked about a recent international report that claims the situation along the LAC may escalate, the Army chief said, "We do plan for different contingencies, and for each contingency, the responses would be different". "So, I would not want to get into the specifics as to what the response would be, but leave it by saying that our current deployment... is robust, and we do have response mechanism, for different contingencies that may arise, which also will be equally robust, equally effective," he asserted. And, while what is happening at the border is also important, there is also a need to "keep a close watch and monitor what other developments are taking place in terms of infrastructure, movement of troops, concentration of troops etc, so, this is a constant process, so not only the military in consonance with other intelligence agencies at the strategy level, we have all the wherewithal", Gen Pande said. "So, it is for us to put it all together to make sure that we are neither strategically surprised nor tactically surprised," the Army chief added. Asked if the situation escalates, will Indian military's response will be different than what it was in the 1962 war, he said, "Certainly. Response will be effective and it will be what situation that comes about." Gen Pandey also said there is a need to identify as to how future conflicts will play out, and how one can leverage the technology, one will have to "look beyond the conventional, shall we say instruments of war, the conventional domains". "We have to see as to how artificial intelligence, 5G, Internet of Things, drones, surveillance systems, cyber, these are the areas we are currently focussing on. We want to leverage the immense innovative as well the start-up potential that we have in the country," he added. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's health condition is 'stable', a senior official of the state administration said on Friday. IMAGE: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee leaves the SSKM hospital in Kolkata on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo The 69-year-old Banerjee, who suffered a major injury on her forehead and nose during a fall inside her Kalighat residence in South Kolkata on Thursday evening, also 'slept well', he said. "The CM's health condition is stable. She had a good sleep in the night as senior doctors kept a close watch on her throughout the period. This morning there will be another assessment of her condition," the official told PTI on Friday morning. The Bengal CM underwent three stitches on her forehead and one on her nose and was discharged following necessary medical tests at the hospital. "She had a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut on her forehead and nose which was bleeding profusely. Initially, she was assessed by senior doctors of the neurosurgery, medicine, and cardiology departments of our institute and her vitals were stabilised. Three stitches were applied on her forehead, and one on her nose and the required dressing was done. Investigations like ECG, echocardiogram, CT-Scan, and Doppler were done," SSKM hospital director Manimoy Bandyopadhyay said. Meanwhile, police are yet to lodge a complaint in connection with the fall of the chief minister though they have upped the security arrangements in and around Banerjee's residence in the Kalighat area, an officer said. Referring to SSKM Hospital's bulletin that the CM had a fall 'due to some push', the police officer, however, declined to comment on whether they were planning to record the CM's statement or lodge any suo moto complaint in this regard. "As of now, there has been no complaint lodged in connection with the fall of the CM. We have increased the security around the CM's residence," he told PTI, adding that they were looking whether there was any security lapse or not. Banerjee gets a 'Z+ category' cover and has a special team of officers looking after her security and even at her residence. The TMC on Thursday evening posted pictures of Banerjee bleeding from her forehead. Party national general secretary and Banerjee's nephew Abhishek took her to the hospital in his vehicle and got her admitted to the hospital. India on Friday strongly trashed the criticism against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), including by the United States, and said 'vote-bank politics' should not determine views about a 'laudable initiative' to help those in distress. IMAGE: Refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan stage a protest against Congress over their remarks on the implementation of the CAA, outside the AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Friday, March 15, 2024. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India's pluralistic traditions and the region's post-partition history are best not attempted, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. His strong comments at a media briefing came when asked about the criticism against the CAA from Washington, DC and various other parts of the globe. "The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights," Jaiswal said, asserting that the law is an internal matter of India. "As regards the US State Department's statement on the implementation of the CAA, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted," the MEA spokesperson said at his weekly media briefing. The CAA, 2019 is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and long-standing commitment to human rights, he added. "The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014," Jaiswal said. "Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken," he added. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader KS Eshwarappa on Friday announced that he will contest as an independent candidate from the Shimoga seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, blaming party veteran and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa for his son KE Kantesh being denied a ticket for the Haveri constituency. IMAGE: Former deputy CM of Karnataka and BJP leader KS Eshwarappa meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi, January 11, 2024 . Photograph: ANI Photo However, he claimed that this was a fight to save the party and its ideology and to make Narendra Modi Prime Minister once again. "I will contest as your independent candidate from the Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency," Eshwarappa said, announcing his banner of revolt against BJP, at a meeting convened by his supporters. "The party may issue notice to me or expel me. In case I win within two months, I'm confident that my supporters will join me at the feet of my mother -- the BJP," he added. Yediyurappa's son and sitting MP BY Raghavendra is the party candidate from Shimoga, where Congress has fielded former Chief Minister S Bangarappa's daughter Geetha Shivarajkumar, wife of Kannada film star Shivarajkumar and daughter-in-law of thespian late Dr Rajkumar. The 75-year-old former deputy CM reiterated his allegation that Yediyurappa, a member of the BJP Parliamentary Board and Central Election Committee, had assured a ticket for his son and promised to campaign for his victory, but had now "cheated" him. Eshwarappa said that Yediyurappa had ensured a ticket for Bommai and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje, but "not for his son". BJP has fielded former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai from the Haveri seat. Eshwarappa claimed that Kantesh had prepared himself to contest from Haveri after taking Yediyurappa's consent. "If Kantesh had contested Haveri he would have surely won," he said. He alleged that BJP's state unit is in the clutches of the Yediyurappa family, with one son as MP and the other son B Y Vijayendra as MLA and state president. He questioned if the Congress' culture of dynastic politics had crept into the Karnataka BJP. Eshwarappa, who is a former state BJP president, also accused Yediyurappa of sidelining those who espoused the cause of Hindutva like Nalin Kumar Kateel, Pratap Simha, CT Ravi and DV Sadananda Gowda. Incidentally, Kateel, Simha and Gowda--all sitting MPs-- have been denied tickets for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Eshwarappa, Yediyurappa and the late HN Ananth Kumar are widely credited for building the BJP in Karnataka from the grassroots. Pointing out that he has served the party for over 40 years, Eshwarappa said that he would never quit the party in his life, but was taking a decision to save the ideology and principles of the party. However, Eshwarappa repeatedly stressed that he is not opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Even if my life goes, I will not go against Narendra Modi. If my heart is opened there will be Lord Rama on one side, and Modi on the other." He called on his supporters to unite and work together to ensure his victory so that the issues in the party are noticed by the national leadership which would help "save the BJP from one family" and ensure that "justice is done to lakhs of workers and Hindutva activists". Eshwarappa also said that he was taking this position not just because his son had been denied the ticket. "I want the organisation to survive, the party should not go into the clutches of one family," he said. He also claimed that Yediyurappa's recent assurance of making Kantesh an MLC was a lie. Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, in response to these developments, Yediyurappa said, "We will convince Eshwarappa. He should be with us, he is our senior leader. I'm confident that everything will be fine." Ahead of the Assembly polls last year, Eshwarappa opted out of the contest and requested the party's central leadership to not field him from any constituency as he wished to retire from electoral politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had then dialled Eshwarappa and spoken to him over a video call to express appreciation for his move to retire from politics as per the instructions of the party. The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on March 19 the pleas seeking a direction to the Centre to stay the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024 till the apex court has decided the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. IMAGE: Sindhi refugees celebrate after the government notified rules for implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, Bhopal, March 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), that once Indian citizenship has been granted to migrant Hindus, it cannot be taken back, and so an early hearing was warranted. "The CAA was passed in 2019. There were no rules at that time and hence, no stay was granted... Now the government has notified the rules ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. If citizenship is granted, then it will be impossible to reverse. So the interim application may be heard," Sibal said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, questioned the locus standi of the petitioners. "No petitioner has any locus to question the grant of citizenship," the law officer said, adding there were 237 pending petitions against the CAA and in those four interim applications have been filed seeking a stay on the implementation of the rules. "We will hear this on Tuesday. There are 190 plus cases. All of them will be heard. We will place a full batch with the IAs (Interim applications)," the CJI said. IUML, a Kerala based political party, and three other petitioners have filed the interim pleas after the Centre implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 by notifying the rules four years after the contentious law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. The application filed by the IUML has sought the court's direction to ensure no coercive action is taken against people belonging to the Muslim community pending adjudication of the writ petitions. Muslims cannot apply for Indian citizenship under the CAA. It has urged the apex court to direct the Centre to provisionally permit people belonging to the Muslim community also to apply for citizenship and submit a report on their entitlement. The Democratic Youth Federation of India has also moved the apex court seeking a stay on the rules. The IUML has urged the court to stay the 'continued operation of the impugned provisions of Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019; and Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024, which would result in valuable rights being created and citizenship being granted to persons belonging to only certain religions, thereby resulting in a fait accompli situation, during the pendency of the present writ petition'. Seeking a stay on the rules, the application said about 250 petitions challenging the provisions of the CAA were pending before the top court. 'If in case this court finally decided the CAA as unconstitutional, then these people who would have got citizenship under the impugned Act and rules would have to be deprived of their citizenship or stripped of their citizenship, which would create an anomalous situation,' it said. 'Therefore, it is in the best interest of every person to defer the implementation of CAA and impugned rules till this court finally decides the matter,' the application said. It said the Act was passed in 2019 and the government waited for over four years to notify the rules. 'The government did not consider it as urgent to implement it for the past 4.5 years. Therefore, to wait till the final decision of this court would not affect anybody's rights or interest,' the application said. It said the IUML had in its petition itself stated that it was not against giving citizenship to migrants. 'However, its position is that this is a legislation which is based on the exclusion of a religion. Since the CAA discriminates on the basis of religion, it strikes at the root of the concept of secularism, which is the basic structure of the Constitution,' it said. With the unveiling of the rules on March 11, days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government kicked off the process of granting Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The rules came into force with immediate effect, according to a gazette notification. The contentious CAA had sparked protests in various parts of the country in late 2019 and early 2020 over alleged discriminatory provisions. While refusing to stay the operation of the law, the top court had on December 18, 2019 issued notices to the Centre on the pleas. 'A large number of people from Sindh province will now opt to migrate to India as they would be granted citizenship through an easy process.' IMAGE: BJP supporter displays a placard during the public meeting in support of CAA. Photograph: ANI Photo Ramchand Bheel along with Majna Bheel and Rewat Ram had enjoyed a few drinks after hearing about the announcement by the Union home ministry on the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA). The migrant group ordered for a few thailis (pouches) of country liquor to celebrate the announcement. There was jubilation in Chokha Gangna in Jodhpur where the Hindu migrants from Sindh province of Pakistan were living in temporary structures. The Pakistani migrants celebrated the announcement by lighting earthen lamps and also by smearing each other's faces with gulal used during the Holi celebration. The CAA came as a godsent announcement not only for those migrants living in Aanganwa Refugees Settlement (ARS), Chokha Gangna, Soorsagar, Kali Beri and Dali Ka Mandir areas of Jodhpur, but also in various districts of western Rajasthan. The CAA announcement would mean that some 35,000 Hindu migrants from Sindh province would now be able to get Indian nationality. It was a season of celebration for the Hindu migrants when the Union government notified the Citizen's Amendment Act (CAA) that would pave the way for granting citizenship to the migrants who have been living in various parts of the state. IMAGE: Pakistani refugees celebrate Holi as the Government of India notifies the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), in New Delhi, March 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo After the partition of India in 1947, many Sindhi Hindus were among those who fled from Pakistan to the dominion of India, in what was a wholesale exchange of Hindu and Muslim populations in some areas. The Hindu population of Sindh living in the coastal areas left their homes and took boats to Bombay and Gujarat. Others came by train to Jodhpur and from there the Sindhis spread to various parts of the erstwhile Rajputana and Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. According to the 2017 census, 4.18 million Sindhi Hindus are residing within the Sindh province of Pakistan with major population centres being Mirpur Khas and Hyderabad division that account for more than 2 million of them. Meanwhile, the 2011 census listed 2.77 million speakers of Sindhi in India, including speakers of Kutchi, a number that does not include Sindhi Hindus who no longer speak the Sindhi language. "The migrations from Pakistan of the Hindus started after the 1965 war when the borders in Barmer, Jaisalmer and Khajuwala in Bikaner were also Porus. A very large number of migrants crossed over to India in three phases in 1965, 1971 and after that. The two wars of 1965 and 1971 saw a large number of Hindus crossing over to India as they found that living in Sindh province was not safe for them," said Hindu Singh Sodha, a leading activist who headed the Seemant Lok Sangathan, the frontal organisation of the migrants who fought for Indian citizenship. IMAGE: BJP President Virendra Sachdeva with non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan celebrates the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), in New Delhi, March 12, 2024. Photograph: Mohammed Zakir/ANI Photo Sodha is himself a migrant who crossed over to India after the 1971 war and later studied at Jai Narayan Vyas Jodhpur University and took over the task of getting the migrants justice by way of grant of Indian citizenship. "The migrants from Pakistan were granted Indian citizenship in three phases and such migrants have made India as their new homes and are living in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Udaipur, Pali, Jalore etc and they are all mostly Dalits. "Some eight lakh Sindhis migrants crossed over to India in 1971 after the Indo-Pakistan war. It is estimated that after the 1971 war some 90,000 Hindus migrated to India and settled down here and some five thousand of them died in the past half a century. "The number of such migrants has grown with the newborn. But over 35,000 such migrants are awaiting citizenship and leading very hard and tedious lives with no citizenship. They are treated as second-class citizens and they cannot be enrolled under the Aadhar card and are not eligible for various benefits provided to the BPL families." Said Sodha. Sodha has been fighting for the cause of the migrant Hindus and feels that the migrants from Pakistan deserved a better and humanitarian deal, however, the CAA would give them all that they deserved over the years. Sodha informed that the migrants from Sindh who shared cultural similarities with Marwar fitted themselves in their new home easily and mingled with the local culture and society. Sodha also informed that the largest number of such migrants are located in Barmer district where their number is about three and a half lakh. In Jodhpur district the number could be 70,000 to 80,000. IMAGE: Pakistani Hindu Refugees perform a haavan at Majnu ka Tilla in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo In the Bikaner district their numbers could be one and a half lakh and in Bikaner districts they are settled in Kolayat, Poogal and Khajuwala. In Sriganganagar, Jalore, Anupgarh, Jalore and Pokhran some 70,000 migrants had come after the 1971 war. On Tuesday, a day after the Citizenship (Amendment) Act Rules 2024 were notified easing the process for acquiring Indian citizenship belonging to the six minority faiths who immigrated to India before 2014, a large number of migrants browsed the dedicated portal to enable them file their documents. "The CAA is a welcome gift to the people who faced persecution at the hands of the majority in Pakistan. But the condition of December 31, 2014, put up in the CAA would mean that out of the 35,000 migrants awaiting citizenship, some 60 percent of the 35,000 who migrated to India with valid travel documents will not be granted citizenship. Our organization would now fight for equal opportunities for those who migrated after 2014 so that the could also become citizens" said Hemji Koli, a migrant, who is a qualified male nurse from Pakistan. Koli said there are over 250 Koli families living in ARS in Jodhpur, who would be deprived of citizenship even after a long wait because of the year 2014 condition. IMAGE: Presidency college students stage a protest against the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, in Chennai, March 11, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo "Having been living in India for eight years after leaving our belongings in Pakistan we thought that the CAA would end our ordeal. But the 2014 condition would mean the journey will have to continue. The Union government should review the CAA and straightaway give us citizenship on humanitarian grounds," said Koli. "The persecution of the Hindus were even opposed by several human rights organization in Pakistan and in several cases the judiciary, on a plea made by various organization ordered the release of the bonded labourers from the clutches of the rich. "Some women organisations in Pakistan took up the forced conversion of Hindu women and it was because of their (Pakistani women) the Hindu women are enlightened now and oppose forced conversions and persecution. But given the first opportunity, they would like to cross over to India" said Naryan Bareth, a senior journalist, formerly of the BBC, who also served as the Rajasthan government's Information Commissioner. IMAGE: Non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan celebrate the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), in New Delhi, March 11, 2024. Photograph: Mohammed Zakir/ANI Photo But the Sodha Rajputs who own large land parcels and are big-time agriculturists did not migrate to India. They enjoy the status of big landlords and are moneyed people, who employ the poor Dalits in Pakistan. The Sodha Rajputs however find it difficult to find a match for their daughters and often look to India to find a suitable groom. Apart from the Sodha Rajputs, a large number of Maheshwaris and Brahmins also stayed back in Pakistan. Doctor couple Ashok and Nirmala Maheshwari, who migrated from Pakistan live happily in Jaipur now. They got their Indian citizenship and now cast their votes in India. The last vote that they cast in Pakistan was in the year 2013. The Maheshwaris left Hyderabad (Sindh) in Pakistan over alleged religious persecution and came to India with their three children in 2014 on a visitor's visa to never return. The doctor couple welcomed the CAA and said that with the CAA in force more Maheshwaris and also Brahmins would now come to settle down in India. "Now, I foresee a large number of people from Sindh province opting to migrate to India as they would be granted citizenship with an easy process. The CAA announcement was greeted in Pakistan by the Hindus as much as we welcomed it," said Bal Chand Bheel, a labourer in Jodhpur. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Borrell: War outcome in Ukraine to be decided in spring-summer of 2024 Securing new support for Ukraine cannot wait, given the likelihood of a new offensive by the Russian Federation, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said after meetings in Washington on March 14. The Reuters edition quoted Borrell to journalists, who said that he had conveyed a simple message to American politicians: "Whatever has to be done, it has to be done quickly." "It's true for us. We have to speed up. We have to increase our support, to do more and quicker. That's why we are increasing our industrial defense capacities. And it is also true for the US," Borrell said. He added that "the next months will be decisive" for a full-scale Russian invasion against Ukraine. "Many analysts expect a major Russian offensive this summer, and Ukraine cannot wait until the result of the next U.S. elections," the diplomat said. They are impossible to ignore! They come in the early morning, late evening, and all times in between. Scam phone calls have moved beyond bein Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A few passing clouds. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A few clouds. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. David M. Clark is a Bellows Falls Union High School board member. He lives in Westminster. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. The next 10th trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Georgian foreign ministers will be held in Turkiye, Georgia's Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said during the press conference following the ninth trilateral meeting with his Azerbaijani and Turkish counterparts, Azernews reports. "We agreed to hold our next trilateral meeting in Turkiye," noted Darchiashvili. The minister also mentioned the issues discussed at the ninth meeting. "We attach great importance to joint regional projects, and all of them must be implemented in full. Our cooperation in the field of energy transportation from Asia to Europe and ensuring Europe's energy security is particularly important," he emphasized. At the same time, according to him, the meeting paid attention to the implementation of projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, and the Southern Gas Corridor. "It's important for our countries to deepen cooperation so that the Middle Corridor operates at full capacity, and we attach great importance to this. We must maintain close ties to increase the transit potential of our countries," added Darchiashvili. To note, the ninth trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Georgian foreign ministers took place today in Baku. At the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of trilateral cooperation of mutual interest, the location of the next meeting was determined, and the Baku Declaration was adopted. Paramedic, employee of Emergency Service killed in Odesa, number of victims of missile attack being clarified Two people were killed as a result of a missile attack by Russian occupiers on Odesa on Friday, said Oleh Kiper, head of Odesa Regional Military Administration. "Unfortunately, as a result of the Russian missile attack, a paramedic and a member of the State Emergency Service were killed, who came to the scene to provide assistance after the first explosion. There are also seriously injured people among the medics and rescuers," Kiper wrote on Telegram. According to preliminary information, 20 people were injured, five of whom were employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine as a result of a missile strike by Russian occupiers on Odesa on Friday. "All the victims are receiving the necessary assistance," the State Emergency Service's Telegram channel reported on Friday. Information has been also confirmed that one of the dead is an employee of the State Emergency Service. "Today, as a result of a Russian missile strike on the city, civilian infrastructure was damaged. A fire broke out at the site of the hit. Rescuers of the State Emergency Service immediately arrived at the site of the strike and began extinguishing the fire, dismantling the rubble and searching for victims. During the work, the enemy repeatedly launched a missile strike, as a result of which the rescuer was killed," the message says. The hit damaged 10 private houses, a service station, a low-pressure gas pipeline and two fire and rescue vehicles. Currently, work is underway to eliminate the fire of a gas pipeline and a private house on a total area of about 120 square meters. Fifty rescuers and eight units of emergency services equipment are working on site. As reported, several explosions were heard in Odesa on Friday, and later it became known about missile strikes on the city. A paramedic and an employee of the State Emergency Service, who arrived at the scene after the first explosion, were killed. There are also seriously injured people among the medics and rescuers. Voeun Veasna says he only left the opposition so he would be freed from prison. Cambodian activist Voeun Veasna holds the order for his release from prison in this undated photo. A Cambodian opposition activist released from prison last year after apologizing to then-Prime Minister Hun Sen and joining his ruling party has repudiated his defection after arriving in a safe third country. Voeun Veasna, a forestry activist and former broadcaster for the online television station of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, was released in May 2023 after joining the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party and apologizing to Hun Sen for a derisive poem he wrote about him. The activist then fled to neighboring Thailand where he was initially arrested in November 2021 following a request from Hun Sen and filed a claim with the U.N. refugee agency as an asylum seeker. He told Radio Free Asia in an interview that he could repudiate the decision to defect to the ruling CPP now that he was in a safe third country, which he declined to disclose for security reasons. I cant live with communist leaders, and I cant betray my conscience. I must resign, Voeun Veasna said, referring to the CPPs origins as the sole party of Cambodias 1980s revolutionary communist regime. Voeun Veasna added that he had only exercised his freedom of speech and should not have been jailed in the first place. I was talking about how Cambodians' living standards are not getting better like neighboring countries, he said. I was imprisoned unjustly. CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said he didnt care about Voeun Veasnas decision to repudiate his defection after fleeing from Cambodia. The CPP doesnt need convicts to join the ruling party in order to evade prison terms, the ruling party spokesman said. Voeun Veasnas announcement follows the arrest last month of prominent opposition activist Kong Raiya, who also publicly defected to the ruling party to avoid political persecution but then reneged. Unlike Voeun Veasna, Kong Raiya revealed his decision to leave the CPP while in Thailand, and was arrested there last month before a visit by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father last year. Another arrest Separately, the Nation Power Party, a new opposition party founded in the wake of the barring of the Candlelight Party itself a successor to the banned CNRP from last years national election released a statement slamming the arrest of one of its electoral candidates, Meu Seanghor. Meu Seanghor, also known as Kea Visal, had planned to be a candidate for the upcoming elections for Cambodias provincial and district administrative councils, according to the party, but was arrested on Friday in Kampong Cham province on charges of incitement. The opposition party said his arrest was an act of intimidation and would provoke a gloomy environment for the May 26 council elections, in which only those already directly elected by the public to Cambodias 1,652 commune councils are allowed to vote. Meu Seanghors wife said he was pushed into a car and taken away by police, and said she believed the arrest was politically motivated. RFA reached out to Chhun Srun, the chief of Kampong Chams Baray commune, where he was arrested, but he could not be reached. Translated by Yun Samean for RFA Khmer. Edited by Alex Willemyns and Malcolm Foster. Social media users draw parallels to censorship and are amazed at the impact of the Chinese-owned app A U.S. bill that if approved would force the sale of the video sharing platform TikTok has sparked mixed reactions from Chinese commentators, with some drawing parallels with Chinese internet censorship and others marveling at the heated debate around the app. TikTok, whose parent company is Chinas ByteDance, has 170 million monthly American users. It has sparked security concerns in Washington that Beijing would use the app for propaganda or to sway American public opinion, particularly leading up to Novembers presidential election. The legislation passed Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives would ban the app in America if ByteDance doesnt divest its controlling stake in the social media app. U.S. President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill if it is approved by the upper house Senate. Some Chinese social media users criticized the move, saying it was similar to censorship. "It's the same over there [as in China], mutual bans on everything, just that the process is more cumbersome over there," commented @LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLsm from Guangdong, in a reference to the blocking of Twitter and Facebook for users inside the Great Firewall of internet censorship. "There's going to be a rush of white people trying to get over the Great Firewall [into China] now," quipped Hantang_Lengyue_1130 from Beijing. "From a Chinese perspective, I hope TikTok can continue to exist in the United States, another user, 1_lowkey_1 from Gansu, commented. From another perspective, this gives me a feeling of confusion. Can this thing really get Americans so addicted? That's powerful." Forced to give Beijing user data? Lawmakers supporting the bill say that TikTok is required under Chinese law to expose American user data to Beijing upon request, and say it could be forced to alter its algorithms to promote Chinese propaganda. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, left, and Mike Gallager talk with reporters after the House of Representatives voted on legislation they co-sponsored that could ban TikTok, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 13, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) TikTok has denied any interference from Beijing, and China's foreign ministry has said there is "no evidence" of any threat to U.S. national security. "I would prefer them to remove it than sell it -- that way the American people will take up arms and fight the U.S. government to the end," @Golden_Annunciation_Bird_999 wrote. User @Xiao_Xianyu added from Beijing: "Rednecks are the angriest, because their main platform is about to be blocked." Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday accused the Washington of using "sheer robbers logic to try every means to snatch from others all the good things that they have." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further hit back on Friday with a commentary titled, "The Truth About the So-Called Freedom of Speech in the United States." The TikTok bill "violates the rights granted to the American people by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, suppresses and damages the freedom of more than 150 million American TikTok users, and sets a worrying precedent," the op-ed piece said. Protecting free speech A U.S.-based Chinese student majoring in information technology who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals said he doesn't use the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, citing privacy concerns. But he said he supported others who wanted to use the app's equivalent in the United States, and appeared not to support a legal move against the TikTok: "The rights guaranteed by the First Amendment are very important," the student said. "If there are individual cases of data disclosure, they can just fine them, like they do Facebook," he said. A woman makes a video to post on TikTok as she stands in Times Square in New York City, March 13, 2024. (Mike Segar/Reuters) In Zhejiang, @The_romantic_and_talented_Mi_Duoduo thought the potential forced sale wasn't a good idea, either. "Prohibition will only make it impossible for the people at the bottom, and there will be more and more social unrest," they commented. "[TikTok] has overturned American imperialism at its root, along with its hegemony over public opinion," commented @na_jia from Guizhou, Meanwhile, @not_a_thief added from Hubei: "The United States was founded on a platform of freedom of speech." A Washington-based software engineer who hails from China, and who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, told RFA Mandarin that the best approach was to build a U.S.-company that could compete adequately with TikTok. Thats not going to happen here James A. Lewis, senior vice president and director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, recommended using a U.S. initial public offering, or IPO, to allow TikTok's current owners ByteDance to cash out of the company and make a profit in doing so. "An IPO on Wall Street would provide a vehicle for the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to intervene and impose conditions on the IPO to mitigate risk," Lewis wrote in a March 13 commentary on the Center's website. Rep. Maxwell Frost, fellow House members and TikTok creators voice their opposition to the TikTok legislation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 12, 2024. (Craig Hudson/Reuters) But he warned that there is "a larger and more complicated problem of Chinese software use in U.S. apps and networks," calling on the Department of Commerce to investigate the scope of that problem. "The United States should manage the risk created by deep technological connections to a hostile and untrustworthy nation that is undertaking the largest espionage campaign in history," Lewis said. While not all Chinese technology creates risk, genuine risks can be mitigated, including those attributed to TikTok, he said. Xia Ming, professor of political science at New York's City University noted that LinkedIn was forced to shut down in China last year, and that the TikTok bill could be seen as a retaliatory measure. "If you kick me, I have to kick you back," Xia said. But he said freedom of speech is unlikely to be affected by the move. "The fundamental difference is that, if you listen to the Voice of America or Radio Free Asia in China, the state security police will come for you," Xia said. "That's not going to happen in the United States." Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Built to show Kim Jong Un cares about the veterans, the facilities are now catering to wealthy elite. Amid the many hardships and privations of life in North Korea, there are a few places that offer fairly lavish accommodations, with swimming pools, hot springs and advanced medical facilities: nursing homes for veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War. But the soldiers who fought in the Great Fatherland Liberation War who are still alive today are now mostly nonagenarians, the nursing homes are becoming vacation resorts used by the wealthy elite, including young people, residents told Radio Free Asia. And thats generating bitterness among the public because most people cant afford to stay in the nursing homes, meaning that only the tiny upper crust of well-connected people who hold all of the countrys wealth and power can stay there. A few days ago, I heard from an acquaintance of mine who is an official at a major company in Chongjin City that his college student son had visited a war veterans nursing home, a resident of the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons. I was shocked to hear that his son had booked the veterans nursing home and spent a few days eating and playing well with his friends there, she said. Pet project The nursing homes were a pet project of supreme leader Kim Jong Un, who ordered each province to start building them in 2015. State media at the time cast Kim as a leader concerned about the elderly veterans, whose numbers have dwindled. The North Hamgyong resident said that staying in the nursing home costs 40,000 won (US$4.40) per night for the room only, or 100,000 ($11) if the visitor uses the various amenities a vast sum for most North Koreans who are scraping by on meager salaries and selling goods in markets. According to her acquaintance, there were no war veterans in the nursing home at all, she said. There were only workers and young people in their prime working age, she said. They are opening the nursing home to the public so that they can earn money. Many of the nursing homes made the shift to temporary lodging out of necessity, she said. The government was supposed to provide food and fuel for the residents and maintain the buildings. When that did not happen, the government left it to the nursing homes to become self-sufficient. Opening to the public became the only way to keep them afloat. Generating resentment Another resident, from the northwestern province of North Pyongan, told RFA that the war veterans nursing home there can be used by anyone with money. Those nursing homes for war veterans are the most-up-to-date style of buildings in each province, which is what the authorities paid attention to, she said. The buildings were built in a folk style with traditional roof tiles, and inside there are health facilities such as a hot spring and music room, she said. But news that the wealthy can pay to use the nursing homes and enjoy amenities like hot springs is generating resentment among ordinary people, she said. Newspapers and TV only praise veteran soldiers as heroes on certain anniversaries, she said. But the reality is that there is no real support for them. Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Democracy Movement Strike Committee Dawei (DDMSC) holds a march protesting the sale of aviation fuel to the Myanmar junta, in Launglon township, Tanintharyi region, March 11, 2024. Myanmar civil society organization Blood Money has launched a campaign to stop the global sale of aviation fuel to the countrys junta, citing the deadly impact of military airstrikes on the civilian population. In recent months, the military has increasingly turned to air power after suffering a number of losses on the ground in its fight against rebel groups around the country, often with devastating effect to communities caught in the crossfire. Since the February 2021 coup detat until the end of December 2023, the military carried out more than 1,650 airstrikes, killing nearly 1,000 people and injuring more than 900, according to data from the Nyan Lin Thay research group. Around 30 hospitals and 75 schools were damaged in the attacks, the group said. Blood Money kicked off its Global Campaign on March 10, urging individuals and organizations at home and abroad to join its fight to end aviation fuel sales to the junta. A leading organizer of the campaign said he expects it will have a major effect on the juntas ability to wage war. But he acknowledged that it would "have a gradual impact instead of immediate effect, speaking to RFA on condition that he only be identified as Mike due to security concerns. In addition to lobbying efforts to stem the flow of fuel to the junta, Mike said Blood Money will also work with local communities to prevent casualties from airstrikes. The group joins efforts to ban fuel sales to the junta by the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, whose spokesman Kyaw Zaw told RFA it hopes to spearhead a binding resolution at the United Nations Security Council. "In addition to [targeting] the companies importing jet fuel to Myanmar, we are trying to put pressure on companies that sell insurance for jet fuel cargo vessels shipping to Myanmar, he said. Data compiled by RFA found that between the coup and the end of January this year, airstrikes and artillery attacks killed 1,429 people and injured 2,641 others. The figures include 149 civilians killed and 267 injured in January alone. Attempts by RFA to contact junta spokesman Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the campaign went unanswered Thursday. The junta has said it does not intentionally target civilians. Air force crucial for junta On Aug. 23, 2023, the United States and Britain announced sanctions against companies that import jet fuel to the junta, but the military has continued to carry out airstrikes on a near-daily basis. London-based rights group Amnesty International announced on Jan. 30 that its researchers had documented new ways that the junta is skirting sanctions. The group said that aviation fuel was shipped directly from Vietnam to Myanmar at least seven times last year. People protest the sale of aviation fuel to the Myanmar junta, in Monywa township, Sagaing region, on March 11, 2024. Blurring in photo is from source. (Blood Money) Khin Ohnmar, the founder of Progress Voice, which is participating in Blood Moneys campaign, said that a shift in policy by governments and international bodies, such as the U.N. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,or ASEAN, is vital for the movement to have effect. We need to make clear their responsibilities in terms of political will and international law, she said. Other observers said that targeting fuel shipments will both help end the juntas harming of civilians and loosen its grip on power. The air force is really crucial for the military regime, so [this] is a good targeted campaign," said Thomas Kean, the International Crisis Group's Brussels-based senior consultant on Myanmar. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that ending fuel sales entirely will be difficult, due to nations such as Russia, China, Thailand, and India, which are unwilling to impose sanctions on the junta. In February 2022, former U.S. Rep. Tom Andrews, who serves as U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said in a report to the U.N. Security Council that countries should stop selling arms to the junta, citing a brutal crackdown on civilians since the coup. The report called out permanent Security Council members China and Russia, as well as India, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, Serbia, Pakistan and South Korea, for selling the weapons, which Andrews said are almost certainly being used by the military to kill innocent people. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. The center is burning and filled with bodies after a 10-day fight for control, residents said. Kani in Sagaing region burning on March 13, 2024, a day after junta troops regained control of the city. A 10-day battle in central Myanmar has left one city in ashes, residents told Radio Free Asia on Friday. Fighting between resistance groups, or Peoples Defense Forces, and junta soldiers began in Sagaing regions Kani city on March 2, locals said. Sagaing, an agricultural region in the heart of Myanmars dry zone, has faced the brunt of junta attacks since Myanmars 2021 coup began. Civilians region-wide have been subject to indiscriminate arson, arrests, shelling from heavy weapons and raids as rebel groups have proliferated in Sagaings central plains and neighboring Chin state. Peoples Defence Forces have been trying to capture Kani since March 2, focusing attacks on the citys police station, school and administrative office where junta troops are stationed. Kani city is the capital of Kani township. The result has been a city in ruin and full of bodies. The amount of casualties is still unknown since much of the city remains inaccessible, according to one local who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. Much of inner Kani city has already been destroyed. There are corpses of civilians and junta soldiers. Civilians houses were burned down there, he said. We found that the houses of revolutionaries were torched initially. Thats all we can say at the moment. A Peoples Defense Force soldier fighting in urban Kani told RFA the junta air force dropped 500-pound bombs during the battle. After the rebel group captured a hill near Kani on March 7, the juntas army retaliated with helicopters and fighter jets. The air force repeatedly targeted urban areas and rural villages around the city, according to defense force officials. Junta troops regained control of the city and nearby Nyaung Pin Wun village on March 12, but both sustained severe fire damage in the following days, residents said. Sagaings junta spokesperson told RFA that the arson was likely a defense tactic used by rebel armies. It is also possible that the burning was started by the People's Defense Forces to disrupt the army. It could cause the army to not be able to chase [resistance fighters] while they were fleeing, Nyunt Win Aung explained. He declined to comment on villagers' accusations that bombs had been dropped by his administrations army. Now the army can control the city completely. The Peoples Defense Forces are no longer there. They fled again. If the people live in the city, they can come back. Kani has been deserted since fighting broke out, and nearly 10,000 residents from nearby villages have also fled to safety, according to the residents. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. Draft-eligible youths are avoiding census takers and parents are terrified for their children. In the clearest sign yet that a military draft will soon go into effect in Myanmar, junta authorities are summoning draft-eligible youths and taking information door-to-door throughout the largest city of Yangon, residents said Friday. The move comes after the junta announced last month that it would implement a law passed in 2010 that requires selected young men and women to serve in the military, which is trying to replenish its ranks after suffering a series of battlefield defeats against rebel groups fighting them since the military seized power in a 2021 coup. In reaction, many young people have fled Myanmars cities, saying they would rather leave the country or join anti-junta forces in remote border areas than serve in the military. We reject their authority under martial law, said a 28-year-old resident of Yangons Mayangone township who said he would never serve in the military. After initially being required to provide personal information at his ward administration office, he is now avoiding authorities. Like others interviewed for this report, he spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. The junta has claimed that conscription wont go into effect until April, but RFA Burmese has received several reports indicating that forced recruitment is already under way across the country. The junta has announced plans to recruit 5,000 people monthly under the conscription law. Those who fail to comply with the military service call-up face up to five years in prison. Summoning has commenced All townships in Yangon have initiated enforcement of the countrys conscription law, according to official records. Based on data from the ministry, township-level militia recruitment teams are screening young residents and requiring them to fill out eligibility forms by ward. Those within the specified age range are then being summoned to ward offices to be tallied, residents told RFA. Police patrol on a street in Yangon on July 19, 2023, on the 76th Martyrs' Day, which marks the anniversary of the assassination of independence leaders including general Aung San, father of the currently deposed and imprisoned leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (Photo by AFP) Authorities are selecting three to five people from smaller wards and five to 10 people from larger wards, said one resident of Yangon, who also declined to be named. The township general administration, in collaboration with the immigration office, examined their census records, focusing on people aged 24 to 30, he said. The summoning process has already commenced across the entire Yangon region." Those selected are being assured that they will be assigned to serve solely within their respective townships, and will not be sent to the front lines after completing their training, he added. Operational procedures vary among townships, residents said, with youths being summoned to ward offices in some and door-to-door inspection by authorities in others. In areas with limited numbers of draft-eligible residents, authorities have proposed a lottery system to choose from among the middle-aged, they said. A 27-year-old mother of a newborn in Dagon Seikkan township said that her husband was included in the census. "I am a breastfeeding mother, so I would have to be left with my baby if her husband is drafted. she said. If he is selected, it would feel like our world is collapsing. Attempts by RFA to contact Htay Aung, the juntas attorney general and spokesperson for Yangon region, went unanswered Friday. However, on Tuesday, Soe Thein, the juntas chief minister of Yangon region disclosed during a meeting in the city that militia recruitment teams and census teams had been established down to the ward and village level, calling on authorities to emphasize precision in their work. State of utter chaos Parents of draft-age young people are also terrified. One woman in Yangon said her neighborhood is in turmoil. The actions of the junta are deeply troubling and are taking a toll on the mental well-being of our children, she said. Parents are grappling with how to navigate this situation and uphold their values. People gather by a jetty to cross the Yangon river on boats in Yangon on January 28, 2023. (Photo by SAI AUNG MAIN / AFP) RFA received reports that similar summonses are being issued in the capital of Naypyidaw, where draft-eligible residents are being required to register at township general administration offices for military service. Than Soe Naing, a political commentator, said the implementation of the draft law reflects the dire state of the nation. Some young people are seeking to leave the country, while others are heading to liberated areas [under rebel control], he said. It is a state of utter chaos. Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Analysts say Chinas newly announced baseline is not in line with U.N. Law of the Sea. Vietnam has requested that China respect international law and bilateral agreements with Hanoi after Beijing drew a new baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin. The baseline is deemed as excessive by analysts, with one suggesting the U.S. should conduct a freedom of navigation operation to challenge it. Radio Free Asia was the first Western media to report the announcement earlier this month of a new baseline that defines Chinas territory in the northern part of the area known in China as the Beibu Gulf. This baseline, which Beijing said was set in accordance with Chinese law, did not exist before. Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang on Thursday said that all coastal countries need to abide by the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) when drawing the territorial baseline, used to calculate the width of the territorial waters and other maritime zones. She highlighted the necessity for these baselines to not affect the lawful rights and interests of other countries, including the freedom of navigation and the freedom of transit passage through straits used for international maritime activities. The spokeswoman stopped short of rejecting the new Chinese baseline and instead called on Beijing to respect and abide by the agreement on the delimitation of the territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves of the two countries in the Gulf of Tonkin signed in 2000, as well as the 1982 UNCLOS. Chinas new baseline (in red) in northern Gulf of Tonkin. (Google Maps/RFA) Beijing has yet to respond to Hanois statement but the Chinese foreign ministrys Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs said on its official WeChat account earlier that the announcement of the baseline was a necessary act to exercise national sovereignty and jurisdiction. Encroachment on shared waters The Gulf of Tonkin, or Vinh Bac Bo in Vietnamese, is highly important to both Vietnam and China not only in terms of economic development but also defense and security. After nine years of negotiation, in 2000 Hanoi and Beijing signed a Maritime Boundary Delimitation Agreement to clearly demarcate each others territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in the Gulf of Tonkin. Some analysts say the new baseline wont affect Vietnams economic interests much as long as the signed agreement is observed but some are concerned that Beijing would use it as a pretext to push Hanoi to renegotiate the boundary agreement. China's announcement of its baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin is a step up the ladder of escalation in its strategy of ratcheting up assertiveness in the South China Sea, said Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii. The new baseline puts Vietnams before a fait accompli, he said, It gives reasons for China to question the agreement that Beijing and Hanoi signed off in 2000 and push the boundary closer to the Vietnamese coast. UNCLOS stipulates that the drawing of straight baselines must not depart to any appreciable extent from the general direction of the coast, and the sea areas lying within the lines must be sufficiently closely linked to the land domain to be subject to the regime of internal waters. The new Chinese baseline at some points encroaches about 50 nautical miles (93 kilometers) on international waters and on average, it represents an encroachment of 20 to 30 nautical miles upon international waters, according to Vuving. China's baseline in the Tonkin Gulf is not in line with UNCLOS and can be rejected by an international court, the security expert said. Challenging Chinas excessive claims Chinas unilateral creeping excessive claims in other countries maritime and territorial domains even while a border resolution instrument is in existence, are becoming a regular event, said Pooja Bhatt, an independent maritime security analyst. Vietnam, as well as other countries in the same situation, should protest against this move, raise the issue at bilateral level and also bring international attention to it, she said. Keeping silence to save immediate Chinese backlash will harm countries future territorial integrity and national interests. The new expansive baseline would affect freedom of navigation activities in the area as no foreign vessels or aircraft are allowed to make so-called innocent passage through a countrys internal waters inside the baseline. China also requires permission or notification before a foreign warship can sail through its territorial sea, measured 12 nautical miles outward from the baseline. Beijing has repeatedly protested against U.S. warships sailing in waters near the Paracel and Spratly archipelagos, which Washington insists is conducted in accordance with international law. Vuving from the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security suggested that several other countries may dispute China's new baseline and the U.S. may conduct a freedom of navigation operation to physically challenge China's excessive claims. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. 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. Eight people were killed and more than 20 were injured as a result of an enemy missile strike on Odesa on Friday, the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine (PGO) has reported. "At about 11:00 on March 15, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a missile attack on Odesa. Currently, eight people are known to have died, including employees of the State Emergency Service and a paramedic. More than 20 people were injured," the PGO said on the Telegram channel on Friday. This we can say with high confidence: Vladimir Putin will be declared the victor of the now ongoing three-day election, ushering in another six years as Russia's president. There's less confidence in what comes next, but there are strong clues: more men for the Ukraine war, new taxes to fund the war, new personnel shuffling within the Kremlin, new threats for NATO, and new repression of dissent. The strongest clues came in Putin's state-of-the-nation speech last month. Above all, says Tatyana Stanovaya, a veteran expert of Russian politics, was how confident Putin and the Kremlin are about Russia's geopolitical position. "This is not empty propaganda, but a reflection of plans for ideological expansion, the export of 'Putinism' to Western countries, and active work with potential 'friends,'" she wrote in an analysis for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "In other words, the geopolitical battlefield for values is once again moving to Western territory, and Putin feels more confident than ever." "The horizons of this 'holy war' have now expanded," she said. War Is (Not) Over More than two years into the mass invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces currently have the momentum, building on last month's symbolic victory of capturing the industrial city of Avdiyivka and advancing further against Ukrainian forces. The cost, in terms of Russian soldiers and equipment, is on a scale not seen since World War II, with upward of 320,000 soldiers killed or wounded and thousands of weapons, tanks, vehicles, and weapons systems destroyed, according to Western estimates. The country's industrial base has kicked into higher gear, churning out an increasing number of weapons and equipment. Sourcing personnel has been more problematic. Putin ordered a mobilization of around 300,000 men seven months after the start of the full-scale invasion, an acknowledgment that the war was not going to be a cakewalk. The order reverberated through Russian society, prompting an exodus of people fleeing abroad. Military planners induced thousands of "kontraktniki" into volunteer service, using above-average wages and other lucrative compensation, such as death payments for widows and survivors. Signing bonuses for new contracts are up to 700,000 rubles ($7,600), according to research by the Bank of Finland's Institute for Emerging Economies -- a sum greater than the annual average salary as of 2022. In Russia's poorer regions, where average wages are even lower, the financial incentives for volunteering to fight are even greater. Planners have tapped the vast prison population, offering inmates pardon or amnesty for crimes committed in exchange for military service. By some estimates, up to 100,000 prisoners may have ended up fighting in a force whose casualty rates are also believed to be well above that of regular units. Military commanders also have tweaked and fudged contractual obligations. Some inmate soldiers have reportedly been refused promised discharge after short-term service and instead told they'll be released only when the war ends. Commanders have cut back furloughs and rest-and-relaxation holidays for some units, angering relatives and fueling a grassroots movement called The Way Home, which challenged officials, advocating for troop rotations. Another round of mobilization does not appear imminent, experts say. Despite enormous losses -- Russia has lost more troops since February 2022 than the Soviet Union did in an entire decade fighting in Afghanistan -- commanders appear intent to continue the patchwork system of recruitment. "In 2024, the Kremlin will need to decide: If the number of losses remains high as it is today, as it was during the last several months...the Kremlin will need to find more soldiers," said Pavel Luzin, an expert on Russia's military-industrial sector and researcher at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. The Kremlin will either have to do another mobilization "by force, by coercion," Luzin said during a March 14 forum organized by the Center for European Policy Analysis, or it will have to send a greater number of conscripts to fight in Ukraine. Both options would be highly unpopular. Currently, all Russian men between 18 and 30 are required by law to serve 12 months in the armed forces, but those conscripts aren't allowed to be sent abroad or into combat. More Guns, Less Butter Russia's economy has been transformed and put onto war footing. The country's vast industrial base has been tooled to churn out the weaponry needed to keep pace with Ukraine's destruction of it. In the first two years, the Kremlin earmarked more than 30 trillion rubles ($325 billion) for the war effort, and experts estimate the share of gross domestic product taken up by military and security spending will exceed 8 percent this year. That government spending has helped the economy defy Western sanctions, with predictions of 2.6 percent or more growth this year. Money for the war effort has come in large part from government coffers filled with petroleum dollars. The Finance Ministry said in January that it expects to bring in 11.5 trillion rubles in revenues from oil and gas sales this year, with China and India being the main buyers. But the government has also burned through its rainy-day savings, and government data show nearly half of the national wealth fund had been depleted as of the end of 2023. During last month's speech, Putin signaled the Kremlin was looking to tweak the Tax Code to raise more revenues and shift the tax burden onto higher earners. The government is considering raising the personal income tax from 15 percent for those earning more than 5 million rubles to 20 percent and hiking corporate tax rates from 20 percent to 25 percent, according to the Russian news site Important Stories and Bloomberg. That would help plug a 1.6 trillion-ruble ($17 billion) hole that the Finance Ministry has forecast for 2024. Changing Of The Guard During his speech, Putin also mentioned the creation of a new national elite, emphasizing that those who fought in the war or otherwise gave full-throated support for the war effort should be afforded privileged positions, either in society or in the government itself. Among the current "elite" are Putin's advisers -- his inner-circle confidants, the powerful Presidential Administration, the wider government headed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin -- a group that has been relatively stable in recent years. Some of his confidants are aging. General Valery Gerasimov, the 68-year-old chief of the Russian General Staff and overall commander of the Ukraine war, for example, is beyond the mandatory military retirement age. The head of the powerful Federal Security Service, Aleksandr Bortnikov, is 72, a year older than Putin, and rumored to be ailing. "What is inevitable is that the Russian military will get more prominent in Russian politics," Andrei Soldatov, an author and expert on Russia's security services, said during the March 14 forum. "And every war in Russia -- it doesn't matter how disastrous it was -- nevertheless produced very popular generals who played a really significant part of Russian politics." Some of the proposals Putin laid out in his speech included the establishment of five new "national projects" focusing on major social policies will require substantial new funding and likely the creation of a new deputy prime minister. "For many years now, Putin has avoided a major reshuffle among Russia's top officials in order to head off any speculation about power transitions or successors. Now, however, he has little choice but to empower a major new political player," political commentator Andrei Pertsev wrote. If major shuffling does take place, one name to watch is Sergei Kiriyenko, who is an influential behind-the-scenes player in the Presidential Administration, an entity responsible for engineering all aspects of the presidential election. He's also been the Kremlin's point man on the occupied Ukrainian territories of which Moscow has illegally claimed ownership. Kiriyenko was the "viceroy of the Donbas" who could "keep moving up through the ranks," one former government official told the Russian news site Meduza. "It's not a question of legitimacy. It's a question of demonstrating control of the system and sufficient loyalty among the elites to produce a result that the Kremlin wants," said Thomas Graham, who served as senior director for Russia on the White House National Security Council from 2004 to 2007. "Beyond that -- and I don't think the Kremlin thinks in terms of democratic legitimacy the way we might mean in the West -- that is not something that's top of mind." 'Destruction of Civilization' Putin's domestic popularity has been undergirded by the prosperity that a growing middle class enjoyed beginning in the 2000s, as well as his image as an even-keeled leader following a turbulent decade under his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin. His popularity is also propelled by a strongman persona, committed to bringing back the global might that many Russians recall from the Soviet period. That includes standing up to the West, NATO, and in particular the United States, which the Kremlin perceives to be an existential threat. Putin's bellicose rhetoric, which stretches at least as far back as 2007 when he began likening the United States to the Nazi Third Reich, has worsened since his last election in 2018 -- and further in the run-up to the Ukraine invasion in February 2022. During his speech before parliament, Putin bragged about Russia's nuclear arsenal and threatened to use it against Western nations if they intervened more directly in the Ukraine war. That would result in "a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and therefore the destruction of civilization," Putin said. "They must ultimately understand that we also have weapons...that can hit targets on their territory," he said. Putin's legacy is consumed by the outcome of the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin analysts say: if not outright victory then some other outcome that would allow Putin to claim victory. That, plus the efforts by the West to prevent the subjugation of Ukraine, means the belligerent rhetoric will continue. Additionally, other experts warn, the Kremlin and military commanders may be emboldened to challenge NATO and the United States in other places or in other ways, depending on the course of the war and how much Western nations waver in their support for Ukraine. Some European leaders have suggested the Kremlin might be confident enough to test NATO directly, to see how and if the alliance would actually respond to Russian hostility. Dissent Will Not Be Tolerated Since at least 2012, when Putin returned to the presidency after a four-year interim as prime minister, the government has squeezed civil society, NGOs, rights groups, independent media, and others. Scores of people and organizations have been blacklisted, threatened with prosecution, bankrupted, or driven out of the country. The war in Ukraine further accelerated the move toward police-state policies, with lawmakers criminalizing anyone who questions the war or voices opposition. A former lawmaker named Boris Nadezhdin who espoused an anti-war stance was embraced by many Russians opposed to Putin and the conflict. But he was blocked from running in the presidential election by the authorities on a technicality. Last month, the beleaguered opposition suffered another blow when Aleksei Navalny, the anti-corruption crusader who was increasingly hailed as a figurehead leader, died in an Arctic prison. Some who turned out to pay their respects during Navalny's funeral last month are now reportedly being targeted by police. By all estimates, the repression of dissenting voices will only increase in the wake of Putin's reelection. The hope is that society will be cowed into acquiescence, or apathy. "It's true that the Kremlin does not like widespread public unrest. They are concerned about what that means for the stability of the regime," Graham said. "To a certain extent they're paranoid about that, because I think they exaggerate the destabilizing aspects of public protests. But they are concerned about that and have been concerned about that for decades." "They are concerned about anything that demonstrates initiative, or spontaneity on the part of the population, and much prefer political apathy and people who don't engage in politics," Graham said. "The stability of the system is actually based on apathy." Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Abubakar Siddique, senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue The Taliban has said it will invest around $35 million in Iran's strategic Chabahar Port, located in the countrys southeast. The move announced in late February is seen as an attempt to lessen landlocked Afghanistan's dependence on Pakistani ports to access international markets. Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan, longtime allies, have plummeted in recent years. Islamabad has accused the Taliban of harboring anti-Pakistani militants. As bilateral ties have deteriorated, Islamabad has sporadically closed the border with Afghanistan, blocked the transit of Afghan imports, and increased taxes on Afghan exports to Pakistan. The moves have hit traders and the fragile Afghan economy hard. Depending on a country that has been heavily involved in Afghanistans affairs in such a critical area was not the right thing for Afghanistan, a senior Taliban official told told Arab News. Particularly that the economy of the other country is closely tied with politics." Why It's Important: The Talibans decision to turn to Iran to access international markets is a strategic move with regional implications. Access to the Chabahar Port reduces Afghanistans reliance on Pakistan and gives it access to India, Islamabads archenemy and Kabuls traditional ally. Islamabad has historically been Kabuls biggest trading partner, but Iran has taken its place in recent years. In Pakistan, foreign policy experts have expressed concern at Kabuls expanding trade ties with its other neighbors. Pakistan-Afghanistan trade has dwindled from a high of $4 billion to less than a billion now, former lawmaker Mushahid Hussain Syed wrote on X, previously Twitter. According to the World Bank, Afghanistans trade with India increased by 43 percent to $570 million last year. Since 2002, India has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in developing Chabahar and linking Afghanistan to the Iranian port. As a competitor of Pakistan, India cooperates with any government in Kabul if its relations with Islamabad are tense, Nasrullah Stanikzai, an Afghan political expert, told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. What's Next: The Taliban is following in the footsteps of the former Western-backed Afghan government, which saw the countrys economic future linked with Chabahar. The cash-strapped Taliban, which remains unrecognized and sanctioned by the international community, is likely to increasingly turn to Iran to increase trade and develop the Afghan economy. What To Keep An Eye On The World Bank has said work has resumed on the Afghan section of a $1.2 billion project to build a power line from Central Asia to South Asia. Work on CASA-1000 was suspended after the Taliban forcibly seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. The World Bank announced last month that it would move forward with financing pylons and other infrastructure in the Afghan section. The Taliban confirmed the move last week. The project will allow Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to sell excess energy to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the summer months. Why It's Important: The project, if completed, would be a major boon for the Afghan economy because Kabul will receive cheap hydropower and substantial transit fees. CASA-1000 has long been seen by Afghanistan as part of its goal to be a regional hub of connectivity and trade. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org. Until next time, Abubakar Siddique If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org Despite having no large naval vessels on active duty, Ukraine has taken out around one-third of the Kremlin's Black Sea Fleet, mostly with missile and marine drone strikes amid Russia's ongoing invasion. Now Kyiv is rebuilding its own naval strength after their maritime forces were decimated during the Russian invasion. But the ships are being made outside Ukraines borders, and it is unclear whether they will have any role in the current war with Russia. In Turkey, a vessel built for the Ukrainian Navy was completed and launched in Istanbul in October 2022. The ship's crew has been enlisted and the ship, named the Hetman Ivan Mazepa, is undergoing sea tests. Hetman was a title for Ukrainian Cossack military commanders, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries. On a visit to an Istanbul shipyard on March 8, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy was given a tour of a second warship being built in Turkey under contract from Kyiv. During the visit, Zelenskiy named the incomplete vessel the Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky after a 17th-century commander who fought to keep Ukraine out of Moscow's orbit. The corvettes belong to the Turkish-designed Ada-class, which feature stealth technology making them relatively difficult to detect. The ships can be fitted with anti-ship and anti-submarine weaponry. The two-ship deal between the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and Turkish engineering firm STM was inked in 2020 and cost Kyiv a reported $256 million. "This type of corvette is anti-submarine; this is their main specialization," Volodymyr Zablotskiy, a naval expert at the Defense Express, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "They have helicopters, hydroacoustics, and electronic detection systems that can classify underwater noises. It's a ship that knows where a submarine is and how to attack it," the expert added. The ships are around 100 meters long and nearly 15 meters wide. Both vessels will be equipped with the American Harpoon anti-ship system as well as anti-aircraft missiles, mounted artillery, large-caliber machine guns and torpedo tubes. But many wonder whether the highly armed ships will serve any role in the current conflict with Russia or even be able to reach the war zone. It is not clear whether the two corvettes would be free to pass through the Bosphorus. Turkey is bound to close the strategic waterway to ships of warring parties during conflict in accordance with the Montreux Convention of 1936, an agreement that regulates the passage of ships through the strategic strait. It is possible Ukraine could argue to have the ships released, since departing from Istanbul is not explicitly a journey of transit through the Bosphorus. But even if the ships would be permitted to depart to Ukrainian waters with the war ongoing, analysts say they are likely to be immediately targeted by Russia. "I hope the war will be over before these corvettes are commissioned," said Oleg Chubuk, a former spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy. "The Russians will be waiting for them, and they would hunt them from the moment they set off on the crossing [to Ukrainian waters]." Zablotskiy agrees, pointing out they would be a high-value target for Russia within Ukrainian waters. "It's better to let them stand there for the time being, in Turkey," he said. In December 2023, the United Kingdom and Norway announced they would lead a new coalition of naval forces that would provide long-term support to Ukraine, including training, equipment, and infrastructure to strengthen Ukraines defenses in the Black Sea. Britain also pledged two minesweeping ships to Ukraine, but the vessels have not yet arrived due to the prohibition of passage through the Bosphorus for warships of warring parties. Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Death toll in Odesa from Russian missile strike increased to 14 people, 46 more injured - regional administration The death toll in Odesa as a result of a missile strike has increased to 14 people, 46 more were injured, said head of the Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper. "As a result of the Russian missile attack, 14 people were killed, including local residents, a medic and a rescuer. Another 46 people, including seven employees of the State Emergency Service, were injured," he wrote on the Telegram channel. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has launched an investigation following the discovery of a dead white-tailed eagle near Cranberry Lough in South Roscommon and is appealing to the public for information. The two-year old female eagle was part of the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme and was released in 2022 on the shores of Lough Derg. Investigating officers have established that the bird was shot, and are awaiting further results of forensic analysis that may provide additional information. The NPWS said it deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously. It has appealed for any information the public may have in relation to the incident. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said: Im devastated by todays news of the death of one of our beloved white-tailed eagles. These majestic birds have been part of a reintroduction project to restore their populations in Ireland and to think that one would be shot is unconscionable. I am appealing to anyone who has information about this appalling wildlife crime to please report it to the NPWS or to the Gardai. As part of the reintroduction programme, white-tailed eagle chicks are fitted with satellite tags to monitor their movement. Information from the satellite tag for the dead eagle indicates that she died sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, March 11th and 12th. Satellite information shows that she was present in the area over the past couple of weeks, having travelled around the west and north of the country since her release. The eagle left Lough Derg just over a year ago, moving south-west to the Shannon estuary and back north through the Burren and on to Lough Allen before reaching Donegal in mid-April 2023. She also spent time on the Leitrim Cavan border. In 2024, she spent most of her time along the borders between Galway, Offaly and Roscommon, following the Shannon River and Suck River and visiting the associated callows. Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Niall O Donnchu, said: I deplore this wanton act of violence against this beautiful and endangered bird. Were asking for the publics help in bringing the perpetrator of this heinous act of destruction to justice. Members of the public can contact the NPWS by calling 01 539 3418 or emailing wildlifeenforcement@npws.gov.ie Roscommon Garda Station can also be contacted on 090 663 8300. All reports will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Three people are due to appear in court this morning after Gardai uncovered two cannabis grow houses and seized cannabis worth in excess of 300,000 in County Galway earlier this week. The three individuals two adult males aged in their 40s and 20s, and one adult female in her 50s have been charged in relation to the seizure and are due to appear before Castlerea District Court this morning (Friday, March 15th). As part of Operation Tara, Gardai conducted searches at two residential properties in the New Inn and Creggs areas of County Galway on Wednesday (March 13th). Cannabis grow houses were discovered at both locations, resulting in the seizure of cannabis plants worth 228,000, along with cannabis herb worth 75,000. Gardai say investigations are ongoing. New Zealand will on Friday see February results for the Performance of Manufacturing Index from BusinessNZ, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In January, the index score was 47.3. Singapore will release Q1 numbers for unemployment, with forecasts pinning the jobless rate at 2.0 percent - steady from the three month prior. Indonesia will provide February figures for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to climb 8.30 percent on year after adding 0.36 percent in January. Exports are called lower by an annual 7.00 percent after slipping 8.06 percent in the previous month. The trade surplus is pegged at $2.48 billion, up from $2.01 billion a month earlier. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Microsoft (MSFT) announced that the newly updated version of its artificial intelligence assistant Copilot with GPT-4 Turbo is now available for free one-month trial. OpenAI model GPT-4 Turbo, trained on data up to April 2023, could be accessed by users by setting Copilot in either creative or precise mode. "For free users of Copilot in Creative mode, GPT-4 Turbo is now powering that experience," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed. "Copilot pro users remain able to toggle GPT-4 Turbo on or off in Creative mode". Copilot launched last year, is available on Windows 11, Bing, Microsoft 365, and the Edge browser. Its Pro tier costing $20 per month can be utilized to enhance the Office apps with artificial intelligence. "We'll extend this benefit to our free mobile apps as well, including the Microsoft 365 app and Outlook for iOS and Android, in the coming months," said Divya Kumar, general manager of search and AI marketing at Microsoft. Additionally, the tech giant is also expanding Copilot to Microsoft 365. "Customers that have Microsoft 365 F3 and F1, Office 365 E1, Business Basic, and more will be eligible to purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 in the coming weeks," said Kumar. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Government of Sweden has decided to hand Coast Guard jet skis, which are used for maritime surveillance, to Ukraine, the Swedish Ministry of Defense has said. "The government has decided to instruct the Coast Guard to donate jet skis to Ukraine. Jet skis are something that is in demand in Ukraine, and according to the Coast Guard, jet skis can be immediately donated to Ukraine," it said in a statement on the government's website Friday. The donation consists of nine jet skis that can be handed over immediately after they have been de-identified and authority-specific equipment has been dismantled, the ministry said. Deutsche Wohnen reported a preliminary Group funds from operations from continuing operations of 521.8 million euros or 1.31 euros per share in the financial year 2023. The Adjusted NAV amounted to 16.98 billion euros or 42.77 euros per share. The publication of the final numbers for the financial year 2023 is scheduled for March 20, 2024. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News German real estate services company Vonovia SE (VONOY) reported that its fiscal 2023 Group funds from operations or FFO from continuing operations dropped 9.1 percent to 1.80 billion euros from last year's 1.98 billion euros. Group FFO per share from continued operations dropped 11.1 percent to 2.23 euros from 2.51 euros a year ago. Group FFO, including contributions from the development-to-hold and the non-strategic Care segment, was 1.85 billion euros, down 9.3 percent from 2.04 billion euros last year. Group FFO per share was 2.27 euros. The company recorded a loss of 6.76 billion euros, compared to prior year's loss of 669.4 million euros. EBT was negative 9.19 billion euros, wider than prior year's loss of 604.6 million euros. Adjusted EBT fell to 1.87 billion euros from 2 billion euros a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA Total from continuing operations dropped to 2.58 billion euros from 2.61 billion euros a year ago. The Adjusted EBITDA total was 2.65 billion euros, including the development-to-hold business and the non-strategic Care segment, down 4 percent from last year. Total segment revenue for the year dropped 7.5 percent to 5.15 billion euros from 5.57 billion euros last year. Vonovia's core business, the Rental segment, continued to develop positively. It was supported by synergies from the company's merger with Deutsche Wohnen. Further, Vonovia said its Supervisory Board plans to propose a dividend of 0.90 euro per share to its shareholders on May 8, 6 percent higher than previous year. Looking ahead, the company said it is confident of 2024 financial year wih positive developments in Vonovia's core business and disposals well above target. For the current financial year, Vonovia is expecting to see an Adj. EBITDA range of 2.55 billion euros to 2.65 billion euros, the Adj. EBT will be in a range of 1.70 billion euros to 1.80 billion euros. In 2024, Vonovia is aiming to realise 3 billion euros in disposals. In Germany, Vonovia shares settled on Thursday at 26.82 euros, down 1.43 percent. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News German IT enterprise Bechtle AG Friday said it expects significant increase in fiscal 2024 volume, revenue and earnings, while EBT margin will remain at prior year level. The company said it is optimistic and again expects the company to deliver above-market business performance in 2024 despite the challenging framework conditions. Thomas Olemotz, CEO, said, "However, we are confident that the macroeconomic situation will gradually improve in the course of the year, especially in the second half of the year. This is also likely to result in increased willingness on the part of our medium-sized customers to invest. More than once, we have furnished evidence of our ability to achieve profitable growth even in challenging times." Further, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose to the Annual General Meeting to increase the dividend to 0.70 euro per share, a year-on-year increase of 7.7 percent. In fiscal 2023, earnings after taxes grew 5.7 percent to 265.51 million euros from last year's 251.12 million euros last year. Basic earnings per share were 2.11 euros, compared to 1.99 euros a year ago. EBIT grew 7.6 percent to 382.30 million euros, and EBIT margin grew to 6 percent from 5.9 percent last year. Revenue went up 6.5 percent to 6.42 billion euros from 6.03 billion euros last year. Business volume grew 7 percent to 7.79 billion euros from 7.29 billion euros a year ago. In Germany, Bechtle shares were trading at 49.16 euros, up 0.80 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Toyota was led by the Hycross and HyRyder, together commanding a 47 percent share in total company sales In February 2024, Toyota was the 5th best-selling automaker in India after Maruti, Tata, Hyundai and Mahindra. It continued to see strong sales thanks to a versatile lineup of mass market products and high-end luxury cars. Toyota Kirloskar Motors reported sales at 23,300 units in February 2024, a 52.60 percent YoY growth over 15,269 units sold in February 2023. This was a volume growth of 8,031 units. MoM sales however grew just marginally by 0.44 percent from 23,197 units sold in January 2024. Toyota Sales Breakup February 2024 Posting YoY sales at 23,300 units, it was the HyRyder that brought in most sales at 5,601 units, up 69.37 percent from 3,307 units sold in February 2023. Toyota Hyryder, priced from Rs. 11.14 lakh and offered in four variants currently commands a waiting period of 39 weeks brought down from an earlier 56 week waiting period. Following close behind was the Toyota Hycross with 5,410 units sold last month, up 29.77 percent over 4,169 units sold in February 2023. The HyRyder along with the Hycross control a 47 percent share in the company portfolio. In February 2024, the Innova Hycross surpassed the 50,000 unit sales milestone. This was achieved in 14 months, since it was launched in November 2022. The Hycross is priced from Rs. 19.77 lakh to Rs. 30.68 lakh and commands a 52 weeks waiting period. Toyota Glanza hatchback also posted a YoY growth in sales to 4,581 units in February 2024 up 8.48 percent from 4,223 units sold in February 2024. The Glanza was the 5th best-selling hatchback in India last month after the WagonR, Baleno, Tiago and Hyundai i20. Toyota Fortuner sales dipped 0.90 percent to 3,395 units, down from 3,426 units sold in February 2023 while added impetus was shown by buyers towards the Toyota Innova Crysta, sales of which escalated to 3,071 units in February 2024 from just 2 units sold in the same month last year. The relatively new Maruti Ertiga based Toyota Rumion MPV added 730 units to sales in the past month while Camry sales went up by 213.43 percent to 210 units from 67 units sold in February 2023. Hilux demand also increased substantially to 245 units last month, a 1,533 percent YoY growth from 15 units sold in February 2023. The sale list was trailed by Vellfire, sales of which dipped 5 percent to 57 units. Toyota MoM Growth Remains Flat in February 2024 The Hycross had seen higher sales as compared to the HyRyder in January 2024 but posted a 20.42 percent MoM decline to 5,410 units in the past month. Its market share too had been higher at 29.31 percent which dipped to 23.22 percent MoM. HyRyder sales improved by 1.05 percent to 5,601 units from 5,543 units sold in January 2024 while it was the Glanza that accounted for a 22.49 percent improvement in its MoM sales from 3,740 units sold in January 2024. Toyota Fortuner also posted 5.66 percent MoM growth while Crysta sales grew by 10.02 percent and Rumion sales were up 18.02 percent on a MoM basis. Performance was not as encouraging for the Toyota Camry which has seen a 32.69 percent MoM decline to 210 units last month from 312 units sold in January 2024. Hilux and Vellfire sales dipped by 15.22 percent and 6.56 percent on a MoM basis. In January 2024, Toyota had stopped dispatches temporarily of the Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux due to certification issues. This has affected sales which grew just marginally by 0.44 percent. Toyota looks forward to bringing in new models through the current year. Sixteen people were killed, including an employee of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, 73 people were injured, and there are losses among the personnel of the National Police of Ukraine as a result of an enemy missile attack on Odesa on Friday, Interior Minister of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said. "At the moment, we know about 16 dead, including an employee of the State Emergency Service. The rescuers have arrived to help those injured when Russia inflicted another strike. Some 73 people suffered injuries of varying severity," he said on the Telegram channel. "Unfortunately, there are losses among the National Police personnel," the minister said. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings with the leadership of the State Defense Forces on Friday. "Today there were important military meetings. Firstly, I heard a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky. In the morning he returned from Avdiivka direction and spoke about the situation there, on the spot, and in other key sectors of the front. We agreed on further actions," the president said in Telegram channel. As the head of state said, together with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, Chief of the General Staff Anatoliy Barhilevych, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, Head of the SBU Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, responsible for the direction of unmanned systems, Vadym Sukharivsky, the most enemy vulnerabilities where the Ukrainian Defense Forces can inflict the greatest losses. "And we will inflict it. The more the Russian state loses and the greater the price of its aggression, the closer the just end of this war will be," Zelenskyy said. In addition, the president held a meeting with representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, the military-industrial complex and other departments on the production of high-tech drones. According to him, "Ukraine has such weapons, but they must become longer-range, more widespread and more powerful." "We have identified the appropriate tasks and deadlines. Not a single Russian terrorist attack should go unanswered," Zelenskyy said. Scholz announces creation of coalition of allies for long-range artillery for Ukraine German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the creation of a coalition of Ukrainian allies on long-range weapons. "We are creating a new coalition of long-range artillery forces," Chancellor Scholz said at a press conference along with French Head of State Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Berlin, Le Monde reported. Scholz said the three countries agreed to more intensive cooperation in military support for Ukraine. "Among other things, we will now purchase even more weapons for Ukraine on the entire world market," Scholz said after the meeting of the so-called Weimar Triangle. Scholz also said interest from frozen Russian assets would finance weapons purchases. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on Friday with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on issues of joint defense production with partner states. "I held a meeting regarding our international work: the results of communication with partners in the first half of March and negotiations planned for the coming weeks. We are working to fulfil every agreement. In particular, on joint defense production," he said in a video address. "Ukraine will become even stronger," the president said. Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov held a meeting with Vice President of the U.S. Institute of Peace William Taylor, during which the parties discussed the immediate and long-term military needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Held a meeting with the vice president of the US Institute of Peace, William Taylor. Briefed him about the current situation on the battlefield with the russian aggressors. We discussed in detail our urgent and long-term military needs," Umerov said on Facebook on Friday. He thanked his partners for their support and also called on U.S. companies to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry and create joint ventures. Fatime Letifova Azerbaijan and Iran discussed the restoration of the historic Khudafarin bridge, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov. The sides also discussed the implementation of Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydro junctions and HPPs, Ordubad HPP projects, and the establishment of an energy bridge between Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia. "In Tehran, we had a fruitful limited and expanded meetings with my colleague Ali Akbar Mehrabian on the energy cooperation development between the two countries," he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed representatives of Odesa regional authorities to provide support to those affected by the Russian missile strike on Friday. "Right now in Odesa, rescue work and assistance are still ongoing after the Russian missile attack a very vile attack by these scumbags: two missiles, and the second, when rescuers and doctors arrived at the scene of the hit. Among the dead and injured are emergency paramedics and rescuers from the State Emergency Service. My condolences to all the family and friends," the president said in a video address. The head of state thanked everyone who is now supporting people and saving lives, and also said that he had instructed the regional authorities to fully support all the victims. "Our Defense Forces will definitely do everything to ensure that the Russian killers feel our just reaction," he said. As reported, several explosions were heard in Odesa on Friday, and later it became known about missile attacks on the city. Currently, 19 killed and 73 injured are known, including doctors and rescuers. Saturday, March 16, has been declared a day of mourning in Odesa. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The publication of a book on one of the prominent figures of Azerbaijan is planned this year, the executive director of the Turkic History and Culture Foundation (TURKTAV), Assel Lakhayeva, told Trend. According to her, TURKTAV now collaborates and works on joint projects with the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences, and the organization intends to produce a book about one of the country's well-known citizens who is an expert in folkloristics, literature, or archeology. "We released a book last year on the well-known Kazakh archaeologist Zeynoll Samashev. In general, we want to produce a number of books about Turkic archaeologists. We also intend to release a book this year about Ahmadali Asqarov, the archaeologist from Uzbekistan, and Kubatbek Tabaldiev, the archaeologist from Kyrgyzstan," Lakhaeva said. She also emphasized that the organization intends to host exhibitions in the future that will feature the creations of artists from the Turkic world in the Turkish cities of Ankara and Istanbul. "Our foundation deals with the cultural heritage of the Turkic world, and we cooperate with many international organizations such as the International Turkic Culture Organization (TURKSOY), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation," the executive director added. To note, the Turkic History and Culture Foundation (TURKTAV) was established in Ankara, the capital of Turkiye, to develop various projects in the field of the history and culture of Turkic peoples. The foundation aims to present and protect the cultural memory and heritage of the Turkic peoples accumulated over the centuries through both national and international projects, as well as through research aimed at transmitting this heritage to future generations. Meanwhile, the Foundation aims to provide and support cultural communication and cooperation between different societies and countries with diverse cultural traditions. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A large delegation of senior leaders from The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon), the global financial services company, visited Bank Respublika. From Bank Respublika side the meeting was led by Shakir Rahimov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bank Respublika. Parties discussed issues of mutual interests and future development prospects of cooperation. The discussions centred on the role of BNY Mellon in enhancing the country's access to the global markets infrastructure and broadening coperation/relationships with Bank Respublika. It should be noted that Bank Respublika is one of the first banks among the country's banks that successfully passed all required international procedures and opened a correspondent account in US Dollars at BNY Mellon. The establishment of this relationship with BNY Mellon is another indicator of confidence of foreign counterparties at Bank Respublika in the international settlement market. The agreements reached by Bank Respublika with one of the world's leading banks contribute to the expansion of activities in the field of international settlements and the strengthening of the bank's status in the global financial arena. The expansion of cooperation with foreign partners, one of the main priorities of Bank Respublika's activities, creates more favorable conditions for doing business for the bank's clients - representatives of the corporate sector, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, to conduct business. You can get more detailed information on the official website of the bank, as well as on facebook, instagram, linkedin, telegram pages or by calling the Bank's Call Center at 144. UK competition regulators on Friday said they were taking an initial look into Barratt' s 2.52bn takeover of homebuilding rival Redrow . The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was seeking initial views on how the deal could impact competition in the UK. Its invitation to comment closes on April 2 after which it will decide to launch a full investigation. The two companies last month reached agreed to an all-share offer from Barratt, which would consolidate its position as Britain's largest housebuilder. Barratt will control the merged group - to be renamed Barratt Redrow - with a 67.2% stake, while Redrow shareholders keep the remaining 32.8%. Redrow investors will receive 1.44 new Barratt shares for their own stock. The terms also imply a premium of 27.2% to the closing price per Redrow Share of 600p on February 6. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Unilever could face a potential row with shareholders after it emerged that the new boss of the consumer goods company can earn up to 17.4m (14.9m) this year if he hits maximum targets. Hein Schumacher, who joined the owner of Marmite, Domestos and Dove in June last year, took home 3.9m for his first six months as chief executive. He earned a 1.86m annual bonus on top of his 1.4m in basic pay and benefits, which included 292,492 to help cover his relocation to the UK, according to Unilevers annual report published on Thursday. Guardian Thousands of people in the UK are being deemed incapable of any work every month due to mental health problems, figures have shown. According to official data published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), at least 20,000 incapacity benefit claims are for mental health problems making up more than two-thirds of the total. Guardian Ministers are planning to crack down on telegraph poles following a community backlash over unsightly broadband infrastructure. Data minister Julia Lopez has written to network operators including BTs Openreach and Virgin Media O2 urging them to curb the installation of new telegraph poles as they expand full-fibre services. Telegraph Civil servants at Britains official statistics body have threatened to go on strike after being asked to work in the office for two days a week. More than 1,000 employees at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are being balloted over strike action after bosses told them to stop working from home full time. Telegraph Surging demand for Wegovy has helped the Danish economy to dodge recession, with the countrys growth last year almost entirely driven by Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceuticals group behind the weight-loss jab. Official figures from Denmarks statistics agency show that the countrys drugs industry, which is dominated by Novo Nordisk, powered the economys 1.8 per cent growth in 2023, helping Denmark to avoid the stagnation that has affected most European economies. The Times For 100 years, Simon & Schuster has led the way as one of the premier book publishers in the United States and around the world. To celebrate, please join more than thirty renowned authors at New York City's iconic Town Hall auditorium on April 8th for an evening of stories, conversation, memories, laughterand even song. From beloved children's book authors and illustrators to celebrated biographers, from dazzling debuts to legendary names, Simon & Schuster's literary superstars will showcase the talent, creativity, and joy that they bring to works beloved by millions of readers. Author! Author!: A Simon & Schuster Centennial Celebration will be held Monday, April 8, 2024, at 7 p.m. Eastern, live and in person at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, New York, New York. Tickets are available for purchase, both for attending in-person and for streaming. Click here for ticket information! The many authors in attendance include the following luminaries: Judy Blume (photo: Elena Seibert) Judy Blume, one of America's most popular authors, is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of beloved books for young people, including Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and novels for adult readers. She has won the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and she owns a bookstore in Key West, Florida. Her work has been translated into thirty-two languages. Charlamagne Tha God (photo: the Tyler Twins) Charlamagne Tha God is a multimedia mogul best known as cohost of iHeartRadio's The Breakfast Club. He is also CEO of the Black Effect Podcast Network; has his own production company, CThaGod World LLC; and cohosts the podcast The Brilliant Idiots. He has set a standard for being able to interview politicians, cultural e-icons, and celebrities from his unusual point of view and helps drive the national conversation about issues related to hip-hop, race, society, and politics. He is the author of the bestsellers Black Privilege and Shook One. His next book, Get Honest or Die Lying, will be published in May. Laura Dave (photo: Katherine Eskovitz) Laura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, Eight Hundred Grapes, and other novels. Her books have been chosen by Reese Witherspoon's Book Club, Book of the Month Club, and the Richard and Judy Book Club. The Last Thing He Told Me is now a limited series on Apple TV+. Her next novel, The Night We Lost Him, will be published in October. Anthony Doerr (photo: Ulf Andersen) Anthony Doerr is the author of the New York Times bestselling Cloud Cuckoo Land, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, and All the Light We Cannot See, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Carnegie Medal, the Alex Award, and a #1 New York Times bestseller. He is also the author of the story collections Memory Wall and The Shell Collector, the novel About Grace, and the memoir Four Seasons in Rome. He has won five O. Henry Prizes, the Rome Prize, the New York Public Library's Young Lions Award, the National Magazine Award for fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Story Prize. Sanjay Gupta (photo: CNN/John Nowak) Dr. Sanjay Gupta is CNN's Emmy Awardwinning chief medical correspondent and the host of the acclaimed podcast Chasing Life (formerly Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction). Dr. Gupta is America's go-to resource for expert advice on how to stay healthy and safe. The #1 New York Times bestselling author of World War C, Cheating Death, and many other works, Dr. Gupta lives in Atlanta, where he works as an associate professor of neurosurgery at the Emory University School of Medicine. John Irving (photo: Derek O'Donnell) John Irving, whose first novel, Setting Free the Bears, was published in 1968, has published a series of award-winning novels that have been landmarks in American and world literature. His novel The World According to Garp won a National Book Award. He won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules. His all-time bestselling novel, in every language, is A Prayer for Owen Meany. Besides writing, wrestling is a passion for John Irving: he competed as a wrestler for twenty years and coached until he was forty-seven. Susan Orlean (photo: Corey Hendrickson) Susan Orlean has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992 and is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including The Library Book, Rin Tin Tin, and Saturday Night. Her 1998 book, The Orchid Thief, was made into the Academy Awardwinning film Adaptation. She lives with her family and her animals in Los Angeles. Jason Reynolds (photo: Adedayo "Dayo" Kosoko) Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and has been honored by a striking range of groups and organizations. He was also the 20202022 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. His many books include All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely); When I Was the Greatest; The Boy in the Black Suit; Stamped; As Brave as You; For Every One; the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu); Look Both Ways; Stuntboy, in the Meantime; Ain't Burned All the Bright (recipient of the Caldecott Honor) and My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. (both cowritten with Jason Griffin); and Long Way Down. His debut picture book, There Was a Party for Langston, published last year, won a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. Jeannette Walls (photo: John Taylor) Jeannette Walls, a journalist for many years, published her memoir, The Glass Castle, in 2005. It's been a New York Times bestseller for more than eight years, won the Christopher Award, the American Library Association's Alex Award, and the Books for Better Living Award. Walls also has written three novels: the New York Times bestsellers The Silver Star, Half Broke Horses, and Hang the Moon. Half Broke Horses was named one of the ten best books of 2009 by the editors of The New York Times Book Review. Jesmyn Ward (photo: Beowulf Sheehan) Jesmyn Ward is the historic winnerthe first woman and first Black Americanof two National Book Awards for Fiction, for Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017) and Salvage the Bones (2011). She has also received the MacArthur Genius Grant, a Stegner Fellowship, a John and Renee Grisham Writers Residency, the Strauss Living Prize, and the 2022 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. She is also the author of the novels Let Us Descend and Where the Line Bleeds as well as the memoir Men We Reaped. Bob Woodward (photo: Lisa Berg) Bob Woodward is an associate editor at The Washington Post, where he has worked for more than fifty years. He has shared in two Pulitzer Prizes, one for his Watergate coverage and the other for coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has authored twenty-one bestselling books, fifteen of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijan's international prestige is growing day by day. The fact that the Azerbaijani state's words and actions complement each other is due in large part to the faith placed in Baku, the capital of the foremost country in the South Caucasus, which has recently hosted major international events. Azerbaijan already has extensive experience staging international events. Global-level events held in one country are correctly referenced as an example for other countries. One such event is the Global Baku Forum, which has already established a tradition. The XI Global Baku Forum on "Fixing of the Fractured World," which is now in progress, has drawn numerous political figures from around the world to Azerbaijan's capital to exchange perspectives on key problems. This element demonstrates that Baku has already established itself as one of the world's leading think tanks. The XI Global Baku Forum is capturing the world's attention. It is attended by hundreds of representatives from over 50 nations, including previous heads of state and government, as well as young leaders, demonstrating the forum's importance and appeal on a global scale. On the other hand, faith in this international platform, which is organized by Azerbaijan, is required for the active debate of the most pressing issues confronting the globe today as well as the search for solutions. The ongoing XI Global Baku Forum is distinguished from other similar international gatherings by various features: - It is not inferior in its significance and scale to such authoritative events as the Davos Economic Forum and the Munich Security Conference. At the same time, it differs from them. The Davos forum deals with economic issues, while Munich deals with security issues. Unlike them, the Global Baku Forum is universal and covers political, economic, humanitarian, and other issues on the international agenda; - Azerbaijan, the leading state in the region in terms of economic development, has also become a country creating new realities after its historic victory in the 44-day II Karabakh War. Nowadays, Azerbaijan is at the forefront of all steps aimed at further developing the region. Looking at the processes in the context of these details, we can say with confidence that by holding such important events, Azerbaijan declares that it is a strong state, and, on the other hand, through these events, brings the realities of the post-conflict period to the world community. President Ilham Aliyev's words at the opening ceremony of the Forum once again confirm this: "Now we're closer to peace with Armenia than ever before". The head of state noted: Never in the history of the independence of the Southern Caucasus has peace been as close as it is today, and this is a result of the Second Karabakh War. Thus, President Ilham Aliyev once again told the world community that Azerbaijan wants peace and stability. With this statement, the Head of State also sent a message that "We restored historical justice and international law. And now it's time to put an end to hostility in the region." The XI Baku Global Forum was the first forum held in Baku after Azerbaijan restored full sovereignty over Karabakh and eliminated separatism. The fact that in such an important period, Azerbaijan once again communicates geopolitical realities through this forum, which is attended by many heads of state and government, including politicians, is a very important tool for the country against pressure and provocations against it. The Global Baku Forum will have a cold shower effect on the pro-Armenian circles of the West, especially France, as well as official Yerevan, which today are trying to accuse Azerbaijan of allegedly "preparing for war" but have no evidence at hand. Through this forum, there is a very good opportunity to bring the realities to the attention of the world community. This means another exposure to Armenia and its patrons. Participants in the XI Global Baku Forum praise Azerbaijan's role in the area and emphasize the relevance of regional projects for Europe. Through this Global Forum, the official Baku provides a robust response to the pro-Armenian Western circles. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel As succinctly expressed by George Couros, "Great teachers cannot be replaced by technology, but technology wielded by great teachers can lead to transformation". Embracing this principle, Futurense Technologies has partnered with the IIT Jodhpur School of Management and Entrepreneurship to revolutionize the MBA education landscape in India. In an era where technology is swiftly revolutionizing industries and economies, with 91% of organizations prioritizing digitalization, the demand for innovative and forward-looking leaders is more urgent than ever. Acknowledging this necessity, Futurense and IIT Jodhpur have unveiled India's inaugural Tech MBA program, designed to equip upcoming leaders with the skills to navigate the intricacies of the digital era. Raghav Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of Futurense, emphasizes the significance of this partnership, stating, "In today's fast-paced world, traditional MBA programs no longer suffice. The dynamic nature of the tech industry demands a specialized approach to education, one that integrates cutting-edge technology with managerial acumen." Similarly, Vikas Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Futurense, underscores the importance of staying ahead of the curve in an increasingly digitized economy, stating, "Our collaboration with IIT Jodhpur represents a paradigm shift in the way we perceive business education. By offering a Tech MBA tailored to the needs of the modern workforce, we are equipping future leaders with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape". The emergence of disruptive technologies has prompted a reassessment of conventional MBA programs. As businesses worldwide adopt a Digital DNA, there is an increasing need for professionals proficient in both technology and management. The Tech MBA program offered by Futurense and IIT Jodhpur addresses this essential requirement, equipping students with a holistic skill set in advanced fields. With IIT Jodhpur ranked 30th in the NIRF rankings, this collaboration guarantees students an education from one of India's premier institutions, renowned for its expertise in emerging technologies and management, enhancing the prestige of their credentials. An outstanding characteristic of this program is its emphasis on practical, industry-aligned education. Boasting a faculty comprising top-tier professionals in technology and management, students gain access to pioneering research and authentic case studies. Additionally, the program presents tailored pathways in Managing Digital Enterprises with Advanced Analytics & AI, Digital Product Design and Management, and Fintech & Cybersecurity, enabling students to customize their learning to align with their career aspirations. Participants not only attain an MBA but also earn the esteemed distinction of being an IITian, bolstering their credentials even further. Futurense's choice to eliminate the CAT and GMAT prerequisites for applicants joining this program underscores its dedication to leveling the playing field for Indian tech professionals. Moreover, students receive a variety of supportive services, such as bridge courses and interview readiness training, which significantly augment their prospects of thriving in today's fiercely competitive job landscape. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. They arrived in their fanciest finery, dressed to impress and party ready for an elegant evening at the Staten Island Ballets 31st Anniversary Gala. The posh affair, staged amid the grandeur that is the Richmond County Country Club, came replete with gourmet dining and a dazzling Las Vegas-style floor show performed by members of the Staten Island Ballets Professional Dance Company who wowed the crowd with stellar ensemble and solo presentations. Members of the Staten Island Ballet perform at the event. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White The event that brimmed with lavish prizes galore also included a silent auction with opulent offerings and plenty of casino fun. A soloist performs for the crowd. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Guests even got to strut their stuff on the dance floor to the sophisticated strains of Ryan Kellys (a former Miss Staten Island) Juke Box Orchestra, which paid homage to the Big Band era and far beyond on one of Staten Islands most fashionable nights of the year. Songstylist Ryan Kelly and her Juke Box Orchestra. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance The Staten Island Ballet ensemble performs for the crowd. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White The Staten Island Ballet 2024 Gala was themed 'All Aboard." (Photos courtesy of Steve White)Steve White ALL ABOARD! The stylish soiree that ranks high on the boroughs social calendar and themed All Aboard,! unfolded to perfection aboard a 1930s luxury liner, specifically created at the time-honored Dongan Hills landmark to offer the best of what world travelers enjoyed during that time period. Members of the Staten Island Ballet perform for the crowd. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance Staten Island Ballet performs. (courtesy of Steve White)Steve White But one prize was unique flying a luxury airliner. Its two hours using actual controls of a passenger jet in a huge full flight simulator, under the eyes of a flight instructor, noted Ellen Tharp, the artistic director of the Staten Island Ballet. Its got loads of gadgets and cockpit windows and screens to show how youre flying and landing. Members of the Staten Island Ballet perform before a packed house. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Members of the Staten Island Ballet are shown with Capt. Don DeRosa. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Dancers of the Staten Island Ballet perform for the crowd. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance Kudos to Gala Committee member Don DeRosa, who served as a captain on multiple vessels throughout the years and made several trans-Atlantic crossings, created the original set design, the backdrop and scenery for the production, along with Gene Sorensen, also an esteemed member of the Gala Committee. Members of the Staten Island Ballet perform for the crowd. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White A performance at the Staten Island Ballet Anniversary Gala. (Photos courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Roseann and Don DeRosa ( Photos Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Creative images and the theme were inspired by Ellen and Paul Tharp, who joined forces in a collaborative effort with DeRosa and Sorensen. The Staten Island Ballet gala took place in the Richmond County Country Club. ( Photos courtesy of Steve White)Steve White The Staten Island Ballet gala took place in the Richmond County Country Club. ( Photos courtesy of Steve White)( Photos courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Our gala helps to further our non-profit mission of supporting arts education, training for colleges and careers, scholarships, free shows, community outreach programs and a professional dance company, Ellen Tharp said. From the left are Jared Hubertz, Laura DiChiara, Lucia DiChiara-Pizzi and Peter Pizzi. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White From the left are Public Administrator Edwina Martin, Ellen Tharp, Virginia Allen and Paul Tharp. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White The Staten Island Ballet is a celebration of artistry, she continued. In addition to presenting world-class artists to audiences here, the Ballet also gives hundreds of free tickets to the needy and provides free dance training to talented children. Most of all, the Ballet strives to build and to create richer tomorrows. Enjoying the event are Tom, Analise, and Lisa Scarpaci. (Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Linda and Nick Dianto enjoy the evening. ( Photos Courtesy of Steve White)Steve White From the left, Roseann Pellegrini, Marisa Calabrese Shelley and June Corey. (Photos courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Paul Tharp, executive director of the Staten Island Ballet, said: The nautical theme of the passenger ship was a perfect fit for the heavy rainstorm and those 50-mile an-hour gusts that night. The guests dried off and jumped right into the evening. Those winds eventually closed the Verrazzano, but it didnt slow down the guests. From the left are Lynn Persing, public administrator; Edwina Martin and Marisa Calabrese Shelley. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance Guests attend the Staten Island Ballet Anniversary Gala. ( Photos courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Paul Tharp went on to explain: After our 13 ballet dancers finished their show, the guests poured onto the dance floor, and they all melted together for some amazing moves. The whole place was jumping like Id never seen at our galas before. I guess the heavy storms brought them all together. Maybe it was the live, hot music of the orchestra. From the left are Capt. Don DeRosa, and Ellen and Paul Tharp. (Courtesy of Steve White) Steve WhiteSteve White We called it a fundraiser but it was actually a wild party on a stormy night,' he said. The guests did manage to raise over $33,000 for the ballets programming of free shows and scholarship aid for Staten Islanders in need. From the left are Yolanda Rudich and Christina Duval. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance Tablemates pose for a group photo. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance Tablemates pose for a photo. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance MORE ON THE STATEN ISLAND BALLET Paul Tharp has produced generations of young dancers who have fulfilled many roles, from academia to the business world. The Ballets strict professional standards help young people accomplish poise, cultural awareness and solid community service. From the left are Annette Stavros, Tom Ferrara, Joe Reitano and Lynn Persing. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance Students have joined professional companies, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, Nevada Ballet and Columbia Ballet. Students also have joined the casts of Broadway productions, such as Miss Saigon, The King and I, Godspell and Matilda, as well as Mrs. Doubtfire, both featuring Staten Island Ballet alum Analise Scarpaci. From the left are Rocco and Carol Berardi and Jenna Shea and Ethan Shea. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance Guests smile for the camera during the posh event. ( Photos courtesy of Steve White)Steve White Those interested in learning more about the Staten Island Ball or gaining further information about the professional dance company should contact the Staten Island Ballet at 718-980-0500 or visit its website at siballet.org. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Former President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance Wednesday, interrupting a private premiere of Staten Island conservative artist activist Scott LoBaidos soon-to-be released autobiographical documentary film, held in the Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. The Relentless Patriot, was in full swing at Trumps Palm Beach resort, and the eyes of about 200 high-profile conservatives, studio executives and Trump supporters, including former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, were on it when the screen suddenly went dark and the lights came on, LoBaido said. Im like, Whos interrupting my moment, my movie?, LoBaido joked as he returned by car from Florida on Friday. He walked in, and the crowd went crazy. Trump, who a day earlier secured the nomination as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, strolled about the room for about half an hour, schmoozing and enjoying an art show that was part of the event, LoBaido said. He went around with me, looking at the paintings. It was a great honor to be in his presence. LoBaido, a well-known Staten Island conservative artist and activist, has painted American flags thousands of times in public spaces. Hes also worked his paintings and other large visual displays into public demonstrations and protests, and is perhaps as well known in some circles for his criminal arrests as he is for his artwork. An ardent Trump supporter, he even created a 12-foot-high Trump T sculpture on Staten Island that was torched during the 2016 campaign season, as well as a series of other paintings featuring the presidents likeness. Hes also been known for provocative public art displays, including oversized works with unflattering imagery of Democrats, and has been arrested for participating in protests and demonstrations throughout the city. Donald Trump greets Staten Island artist and activist Scott LoBaido during the preview of his documentary on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.(Courtesy of Siggy Flicker) In 2022, he was locked up for pouring red paint on the sidewalk outside Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office to protest Braggs crime policies, and he was again arrested in 2023 for protesting the migrant shelter in Midland Beach. Trump publicly supported LoBaido back in 2020, when the artist painted a blue line in front of the 122nd Precinct station. The documentary about LoBaido, directed by Chris Martini, is scheduled to be released in theaters and possibly streaming services on Flag Day, June 14 which also happens to be Trumps birthday. It delves into both his artistic and political sides, LoBaido said, admitting with a chuckle that it was tough to fit all the arrests into the 90-minute flick. Its only a fraction of what Ive done, he says with a laugh. As he took in the art display Wednesday, Trump was particularly enamored with POTUS 45, featuring the former president jacked up in a tight t-shirt, even musing that he wanted to buy it, LoBaido said. He was saying he built a gym in one of his homes, but he doesnt use it, LoBaido said. Hes got a sense of humor. He said he was proud to have been at Mar-a-Lago Wednesday. After all this criticism, here I am at the house of the former president and the next president because of my art. LoBaido said he secured the Mar-a-Lago club with the sponsorship of Siggy Flicker, a supporter of his work and a friend of a Trump attorney. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday that there will be increased State Police and local law enforcement to combat impaired and reckless driving as celebrations for St. Patricks Day get underway statewide. Hochul said the enforcement detail will run from Friday, March 15, through Sunday, March 17 and will target those impaired sby drugs or alcohol. The campaign is one of several funded annually by the governors Traffic Safety Committee. As an Irish New Yorker, I want to make sure we can all celebrate St. Patricks Day safely and responsibly, Hochul said in a statement. There is absolutely no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and if you are celebrating, plan ahead to get home safely. Along with increased DWI patrols and sobriety check points, drivers can expect to see police officers ticketing distracted drivers who are using handheld electronic devices during this enforcement period. New York State Police will also conduct checks at retail establishments targeting underage drinking and unlawful sales to minors during the campaign. During last years St. Patricks Day impaired driving enforcement campaign, law enforcement statewide arrested 959 people for DWI, issued 188 tickets for distracted driving and 21,282 tickets in total, according to the statement. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. More than 200 supporters of Palestinians held a demonstration outside Susan Wagner High School Friday afternoon, waving flags, lining the sidewalks and prompting a large NYPD response. The mustering of support for Palestinians elicited the formation of a smaller contingent of supporters backing Israel outside the school premises as well. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City will no longer be legally required to shelter many migrant adults after 30 days following a court-supervised mediation between the city and the Legal Aid Society. Under the agreement, some requirements of the right to shelter in the five boroughs will be lifted for single adult migrants. Those 23 and older will be given 30 days of shelter without the ability to reapply unless they demonstrate an extenuating circumstance necessitating a additional stay, or if they a reasonable accommodation due to a disability. Adults younger than 23 will be given 60 days of shelter. The agreement does not affect families with children. Mayor Eric Adams said the temporary agreement, which will last throughout the declared migrant crisis state of emergency, will lift a significant burden off the city, and reiterated his call for more help from the federal government. New York City has led the nation in responding to a national humanitarian crisis, providing shelter and care to approximately 183,000 new arrivals since the spring of 2022, but we have been clear, from day one, that the Right to Shelter was never intended to apply to a population larger than most U.S. cities descending on the five boroughs in less than two years, Adams said. Todays stipulation acknowledges that reality and grants us additional flexibility during times of crisis, like the national humanitarian crisis we are currently experiencing. Part of the agreement also requires the city to clear a backlog of new arrivals who are reapplying for placement in the citys shelter system, according to the Legal Aid Society. The Adams administration will also be required to place more stringent controls on emergency shelters it has set up to deal with the massive influx of people, including adequate staffing along with access to bathrooms, showers, and meals or meal allowance. Since spring 2022, New York City has seen an influx of 165,000 people into the five boroughs, and the 65,000 still in the citys care have prompted the creation of more than 200 additional homeless shelters around the five boroughs. Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society Adriene Holder said the agency will monitor the citys compliance with Fridays agreement throughout the rest of the declared state of emergency. This settlement safeguards the right to shelter in the consent decree, ensuring single adults both long-time New Yorkers and new arrivals -- access to shelter, basic necessities and case management to transition from shelter to housing in the community, Holder said. It also requires the City to immediately eliminate the use of waiting rooms as shelters where new arrivals have been sleeping on chairs and floors while they wait for shelter placement. As a result of a 1979 lawsuit and subsequent legal action, New York City is one of three U.S. municipalities that has a right to shelter for all homeless people, according to the Coalition for the Homeless. A coalition co-founder, attorney Robert Hayes, brought the suit that year on behalf of Robert Callahan, a homeless man suffering from alcoholism who Hayes discovered sleeping on the street in Manhattan, according to the coalition. In a 1981 settlement, the city and state agreed to provide shelter and board to all homeless men who met the need standard for welfare or who were homeless by reason of physical, mental, or social dysfunction. Women and children were added later, according to the coalition. Throughout the crisis, Adams and members of his administration have maintained that the city has a moral and legal obligation to house migrants arriving in the five boroughs, but Fridays announcement discontinues the legal obligation. Current Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless David Giffen said that, like the Legal Aid Society, the organization will be keeping an eye on the citys compliance with Fridays agreement. For more than 40 years, New Yorks legal Right to Shelter has distinguished our city as a community that demands basic standards of decency and humanity for anyone in need, and so we are relieved that this settlement finally puts an end to Mayor Adams efforts to dismantle this lifesaving cornerstone of New Yorks response to homelessness, Giffen said. We will vigorously monitor compliance to ensure that those without homes are not relegated to the streets, and look forward to the Mayor and Governor significantly increasing their efforts to help homeless longer-term New Yorkers and new arrivals alike transition from shelters into permanent housing and stability. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. On March 14, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with the Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Francesco La Camera, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The meeting included an exchange of views on completed and planned projects linked to the production and export of renewable energy, as well as the development of green energy technologies. Issues of collaboration between Azerbaijan and the agency were discussed during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in the nation this year. In accordance with the Green Energy Zone concept, full information on projects being executed in Azerbaijan's liberated regions was provided during the meeting. Furthermore, it was emphasized that the memorandum of understanding between Azerbaijan and the European Union on strategic partnership in the energy sector, as well as the Black Sea submarine cable project, which will ensure electricity export from Azerbaijan to Europe, will open up new avenues for collaboration in the field of alternative energy. The Director General of IRENA expressed pleasure with the partnership with Azerbaijan and stated that the organization he represents is willing to assist with the evaluation of current opportunities. Other bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest were discussed during the discussion. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The ripple effects of congestion pricing will disproportionately affect lower-income neighborhoods, according to Staten Islands elected officials. At a press conference on Thursday at Borough Hall, Borough President Vito Fossella presented information from New York Citys Open Data portal showing that congestion pricing will decrease the quality of life in lower-income areas, especially along Staten Islands North Shore. There are going to be many street closures in NYC due to multiple St. Patricks Day Parades and the United Airlines Half-Marathon being held this weekend. Staten Island is going to be buzzing on Sunday with its second St. Patricks Parade of March - being held on St. Patricks Day for the first time, the parade will include LGBTQ+ groups marching under their own banner and is sponsored by the Forest Avenue BID. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City unlocked more than $100 million in federal funds to help deal with the migrant crisis after months of delays, officials announced Thursday. Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom said during an afternoon press briefing that $107 million would finally be coming to New York City, the delayed portion of a larger $150 million aid package announced last summer. We appreciate the productive collaboration of our federal partners, and well continue to work closely with them so money can be released, she said. We will continue to advocate for significantly more support, as well as for comprehensive immigration reform. Mayor Eric Adams administration had come under fire in recent weeks over apparent paperwork issues holding up the release of the aid dollars overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as reported by the New York Daily News. Williams-Isom said the administration would be using the funds to reimburse money that has already been spent dealing with the nearly 183,000 migrants who have made their way to the city since spring 2022 nearly 65,000 of whom remain in the citys care at more than 200 shelters around the five boroughs. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share that he had helped work with the city and federal governments to make sure the funds were released, and took a swipe at Republicans over immigration reform. NYC will receive a fresh $106M from feds to reimbursement for migrant costs, he said. I worked hard with NYC and FEMA to deliver these funds. Now Republicans must stop blocking the strong, bipartisan border bill, which can deliver more. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. Harriette Lerche Goldberg, a beloved English teacher at New Dorp High School for over fifty years.(Family photo) Harriette Lerche Goldberg, a beloved English teacher at New Dorp High School for over fifty years, passed away on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2024, in Lantana, Florida, just one day before her eighty-eighth birthday. Originally from the Bronx, Harriettes dedication to education and her passion for literature left an enduring mark on her students and colleagues alike. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1957, Harriette returned to New Dorp High School as an educator, where she eventually earned her Masters degree from Wagner College. Her commitment to excellence in teaching extended beyond the classroom, as she became a master teacher at the College of Staten Island. Beyond her professional achievement, she cherished her role as a devoted mother, grandmother, and sister. In her retirement, she enjoyed the sunshine of Lantana, Florida, surrounded by family and friends. Her memory will be cherished dearly by all who knew her. Read the full obituary on SILive. Germaine Brennan Vindigni, a dedicated member of her community and a loving mother and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024, at the age of 88. Born in Tangent, Alberta, Canada, she spent her formative years on Staten Island before graduating from New Dorp High School. Germaine met her future husband Salvatore Vindigni while studying and working at Wagner College, eventually marrying in June 1956. After Sals service in the USMC, they settled in Greenport in 1958 and later moved to East Marion in 1966, where they raised their four children: Dan, Sally, Frank, and Joanie. Despite being a busy mother, Germaine pursued higher education, earning her bachelors degree in education from Southampton College in the early 1970s. She later joined the Social Security Administration, serving 30 years and rising to supervisor. Germaine continued her education, earning an MBA from SUNY Stony Brook in the 1990s. After retiring in 2008, she remained active as a volunteer at St. Agnes and within the community. Read the full obituary on SILive. YESTERDAYS OBITUARIES Dorothea J. Stark, 94, was a lifelong resident of Staten Island. It is with great sadness that her three children announce she passed away peacefully on February 6. Dorothea was predeceased by her beloved husband of more than 45 years, Dr. Thomas A. Stark. Born September 14, 1929, in Staten Island Hospital, Dorothea grew up in Rosebank. After graduating New Dorp High School in 1948 she worked for the Hanover Insurance Company in New York City. In June 1952, she married Tom Stark of Stapleton in St. John the Baptist de la Salle Roman Catholic Church. For more than 40 years Dorothea hosted a St. Patricks Day party on the day of the Staten Island parade. She loved to travel, especially to Ireland and Spain, summertime at the Jersey shore, and was a great cook, particularly Italian dishes which she learned growing up in Rosebank. In fact, Aunt Dollys baked beans continues to be an iconic dish at generations of Stark family gatherings. Read the full obituary on SILive. Marguerite Griffin, 92, a New Brighton resident since 1959, passed away on Jan. 24, 2024. She was a NYC Board of Education teacher on Staten Island for 30 years. She enjoyed wintering in Puerto Rico and is survived by her daughter Amy, 2 grandchildren Elizabeth and Katharine, and a great-granddaughter Nina. Read the full obituary on SILive.com. Eileen Kathleen Delaney, known affectionately as Mamie, embodied love and joy for everyone in the room. A consummate mom, grandma, and great-grandma, Mamies radiant smile created an atmosphere of sincere caring. Her passing on Sunday, Mar. 3, 2024, at her Centreville, VA home saddened all who were touched by her warmth. Mamie was the loving soul mate of Eugene A. Delaney, and their love story unfolded on Staten Island, New York. From military assignments across the country, including California, Hawaii, and Governors Island, New York, Mamie and Genes journey finally led them to retire in Virginia in 1980. Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, Eileen helped raise her siblings after her mothers passing when she was 12. Leaving high school to work at New York Telephone, she received an honorary diploma from Port Richmond High School at 93. Mamies life as a military wife brought cherished family experiences and lifelong friendships. Remaining a New Yorker at heart, Mamies love for the Yankees, Derek Jeter, big bands, Broadway, and the city skyline adorned her home. Predeceased by Gene in 2001 and son Terry in 2018, Mamie is survived by her five children Brian, Kerry, Maureen, Matthew, and Janet. Mamies eight beloved grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren carry forward her legacy of love. Read the full obituary on SILive.com. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per month Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Guy Ryder, Trend reports. The meeting covered Azerbaijan's current cooperation agenda with the UN, as well as topics of cooperative efforts in the context of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in the nation this year. It was highlighted that Azerbaijan cooperates with the United Nations, especially its specialized bodies. The opposing party was briefed of the current state and prospects for the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the current regional situation.Congratulating on the upcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan, the Deputy Secretary General noted that the UN is ready to fully support Azerbaijan in this process. Additionally, on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, he informed about the "Summit of the Future", which is planned to be held in New York in September this year. During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on other regional issues of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Advertisement Eating outRestaurant news From Barbie chai to cheesy pistachio knafeh: Five unmissable dishes at Sydneys most popular food festival How to navigate the 70+ food stalls at Ramadan Nights Lakemba. Bianca Hrovat March 15, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share More than a million people are expected to visit Ramadan Nights Lakemba this month to break their daily fast and experience the cultural showmanship along Haldon Street at more than 70 food stalls. The nightly food market, which attracted more crowds than The Royal Easter Show last year, coincides with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a time of prayer, self-discipline, reflection and charity. Albasha Knafeh & Coffee adds a dash of Salt Bae-inspired showmanship to the traditional dessert. Wolter Peeters From around March 11 to April 9, from sunrise to sunset, able-bodied and mature-aged Muslims will abstain from food, drink and other physical needs, believing this teaches restraint, sacrifice and empathy for those less fortunate. But when it comes time for iftar (the first meal of the day), the streets around Lakemba station spring to life plumes of smoke rise as Cocos Island chicken satay skewers hit the charcoal grill; wooden mallets are pounded into tubs of chewy Syrian ice-cream; and stallholders compete for attention, shouting about their brilliant chicken murtaba (a filled flatbread or pastry), or stretching chunks of knafeh, the pastry-topped sweet cheese dessert, as high as their arms will reach. Advertisement The crowds at Ramadan Nights Lakemba are less intense mid-week. Wolter Peeters Festivities kick off at dusk and continue until about 3am, though late nights are hardly an anomaly for Lakemba. In September, it became the third NSW district to receive the internationally renowned Purple Flag, recognising the suburb for its safety, vibrancy and diversity after hours. The markets are open to everyone, and charity and social enterprise Taste Cultural Food Tours hosts walking tours every Monday to Thursday. Taste provides training and employment for refugees and migrants, who draw on their Islamic background to guide guests on the 2-hour cross-cultural culinary journey (and avoid long lines). Taste tour guide Noorlindah Saleh will insist you take a second helping of murtaba. Wolter Peeters If you find yourself on Haldon Street this Ramadan, your senses overwhelmed, these are Good Foods pick of five dishes to look for, with the help of Ramadan Nights veterans and Taste tour guides Noorlindah Saleh and Latife Dogan. Advertisement Dish spellings and names may vary between stalls. Surprisingly tender patties of camel meat at Ramadan Camels. Wolter Peeters Camel Yassr Elyatims cheesy camel burgers started it all 17 years ago, with one small grill set up on Haldon Street. Now, its a major production outside Broaster Chicken, with long lines, multiple grills, and a large stuffed camel hanging from the awning. The once-a-year burgers, surprisingly tender, are still a must-order. But this Ramadan, they have competition: camel dumplings with goji berry sauce from Crescent Yum Cha on The Boulevard, and creamy camel milk hot chocolate at the Fresh Lemonade stall (next to Commonwealth Bank). Try: Lakembas original camel burger ($15) at Ramadan Camels. Advertisement Outside Broaster Chicken, 106 Haldon Street, Lakemba, instagram.com/ramadancamels Kashmiri Barbie chai at Mandi King. Wolter Peeters Kashmiri chai Taste guide Saleh has renamed Kashmiri chai Barbie tea for its rich pastel-pink hue. The colour, said to chase away the blues, emerges when green tea leaves are boiled with a dash of baking soda for upwards of an hour. The chemical reaction between the salt and the polyphenols creates a maroon liquid, which is later brightened with milk. Expect a warm, creamy tea infused with comforting spices such as cardamom and star anise, with a sprinkling of chopped pistachio nuts and a mild, salty aftertaste. Try: Kashmiri tea ($5) at Mandi King Lakemba, where its swirled with pizzazz alongside grilled meat skewers. Advertisement 99 Haldon Street, Lakemba Noor making the murtaba at Desi Paikari Bazar. Wolter Peeters Murtaba Fast, versatile and tasty, its a wonder this popular South and Southeast Asian street food staple isnt more common in Sydney. While its appeared in many forms since it was introduced (some say in Yemen, others say in Jordan) more than a century ago, at Ramadan Nights its made with paper-thin filo pastry stretched over a hot grill, stuffed with minced meat, coriander and egg, then folded, fried and chopped to serve. The murtaba chef at Desi Paikari Bazar, Noor, reveals he learned the skill in a Malaysian refugee camp after fleeing Myanmar. Try: Chicken murtaba ($15) at Desi Paikari Bazar, outside Exim Supermarket. Advertisement 70 Haldon Street, Lakemba Lamb haleem at Zam Zam Restaurant. Wolter Peeters Haleem Hearty bowls of haleem stew are a Ramadan staple, rarely served outside the holy month. The warming combination of masala curried lentils, wheat or barley, and slow-cooked meat (often lamb, goat or beef or a combination) satisfies hunger cravings, and what it lacks in Instagram aesthetics it makes up for in punchy flavours. The Bangladeshi variety at Zam Zam Restaurant is sweat-inducingly spicy, while the Pakistani variety at Pista House is rich and aromatic. Try: Bangladeshi haleem ($9) (with a side of daal puuri, fried dough stuffed spiced lentil filling, pictured top left) at Zam Zam Restaurant. 41 Haldon Street, Lakemba Advertisement Knafeh with pistachio sauce at Kanafandi. Wolter Peeters Knafeh Knafeh is one of the more eye-catching dishes at Ramadan Nights, owing to its long cheese pull (particularly magnificent at Albasha Knafeh & Coffee, thanks to a sunglasses-wearing stallholder channelling Salt Bae, the viral Turkish chef). Its a Levant (Eastern Mediterranean) dessert that varies between regions, but is always a textural delight. It features a layer of molten sweet cheese topped with crispy spun pastry, golden and soaked in a sugar-based syrup. Yummy Yummy Knafeh is a long-standing favourite of market-goers, but Taste guide Dogan swears by Kanafandi, a quiet alternative on the corner of The Boulevard. Try: The Palestinian-style pistachio knafeh ($15) at Kanafandi Nabulsi Knafeh House. 60 Haldon Street, Lakemba, instagram.com/kanafandi.sydney Ramadan Nights Lakemba. Wolter Peeters Tips to enjoy your Ramadan Nights experience The markets are officially open from Thursday to Sunday, but most food stalls operate throughout the week. Beat the crowds by visiting mid-week and arriving early. Take public transport. Lakemba Station is within easy walking distance of Ramadan Nights. Bring a tote bag to take away excess food. Canterbury-Bankstown Council advises against bringing dogs, as theyre conventionally considered unclean within the Muslim community. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Newsreaders generally dress fairly conservatively men usually in a suit and tie, women often in a tailored jacket their sneakers concealed under a desk and away from the camera. However, former SBS newsreader Lee Lin Chin could never be described as a shrinking violet. A fashion legend as much as a polished presenter, Chin was admired by viewers who tuned in to see what she was wearing that day, just as much as to hear the news. Unlike some fashionistas who are decked out in top-to-toe designer labels, Chin has always avoided the obvious. I have a total distain for labels and loud branding displayed across a garment. I am not a billboard, she says. Former SBS newsreader Lee Lin Chin is auctioning off items from her iconic wardrobe. Credit: Getty In good news for anyone envious of Chins wardrobe, she will be parting with many of her designer pieces, clothing she has acquired over the decades, when they are sold by Andrew Shapiro Auctioneers in Sydney on Monday, 25 March. This large offering, comprising over 67 items, including clothing, shoes and accessories, will be keenly watched not just by those who have a similar diminutive figure to Lee Lin, but by those wanting to purchase a small piece of fashion history. AHPRA confirmed that it was working with the state health department. Harjit Kaur, with her husband Sukhjinder Singh. While the coroner continues to examine the tragic death of a patient, our inquiries are focusing on a wider range of issues that our investigations bring to light, Fletcher said. The Medical Board of Australia used its regulatory powers, reserved for the most serious and urgent cases, to take immediate action to suspend Lopes registration. AHPRA said it was unable to comment further about individual practitioners, or any investigations being undertaken in relation to an individual practitioner, while the probe continued. Patient safety is our paramount concern, it said in a statement on Friday. Our investigation will continue in parallel with the coronial inquest into the death of a patient, respecting the integrity of the coroners critical work. The case has triggered a wider investigation. Credit: Michel O'Sullivan We are prioritising the integrity of our ongoing work and cannot provide further detail at this stage. We will update the register of practitioners if and when changes occur. Kaur, who lived in Narre Warren South, had just started a new job working as an IT executive at Nike when she died. She had been preparing to buy a new home with her husband Sukhjinder Singh to raise their two children, aged four and two. Spokesman for the family, Suresh Rajan, said they were devastated, but relieved that an investigation into her death had been launched. This is exactly what we have been wanting from day one ... an investigation into the practices of this clinic and into this particular doctor, he said. Kaurs husband Singh said in a statement he wanted to raise publicity about the case to ensure no other family went through the pain and suffering they had endured. We are so saddened. Our lives were destroyed in a minute. We would have desired that this investigation happened before January, before we lost our beautiful Harjit, it read. Were not sure how we continue to deal with the loss of a very, very dear and loving mother and incredibly devoted family member. On February 29, the Hampton Park Womens Health Clinic was banned from conducting day surgeries and specialty services such as anaesthesia and pediatric care, amid ongoing investigations and concerns over patients safety raised by the health departments watchdog Safer Care Victoria and the coroner. This suspension does not apply to general practice services. Health department officials inspected the clinic on February 8 and 21 collecting evidence and documents. We worked with nearby health services in the weeks leading up to the suspension to ensure there was as little disruption as possible to patient care and continue to support any impacted patients, a spokeswoman for the Victorian Department of Health said. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the patient amid ongoing investigations by the department, Safer Care Victoria and the coroner. As a result of this investigation, the department is also examining similar facilities that provide surgical termination of pregnancy services. Loading The Age can now reveal that Lopes was reprimanded and had his registration temporarily suspended over serious sexual misconduct towards several women, while he practised in Melbourne during a six-year period. He faced the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2021 over a spate of allegations, including that he told a patient her vagina was nice during an internal examination in 2017. The tribunal also heard that before performing the internal examination, Lopes said to the patient words to the effect of: Ha, I didnt even have to buy you dinner first. The tribunal also heard Lopes made sexualised comments to a colleague over several years including asking to see her vagina, have sexual intercourse with her and perform a pap smear on her. The Medical Board of Australia described his conduct as degrading, however, the tribunal ruled that cancelling his registration would be punitive given the 3 years he had already been suspended. Lopes faced the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2021 over a spate of allegations. Credit: Pat Scala The tribunal said in its findings at the time Lopes had paid a heavy price for his professional misconduct. Three young people crammed on one bike, kids not wearing helmets, cyclists reaching speeds surpassing cars on the roads and elderly people too scared to walk on footpaths this is what some locals say is the reality as an explosion of e-bike riders engulfs Sydneys beachside suburbs. E-bikes are legal to ride in public but must adhere to regulations like a cap on speed and power. However, at Manly Beach and Cronulla Mall, complaints have flooded in about young people flouting the rules on powered-up fat bikes. Two people spotted riding with no helmets in Manly. Credit: Edwina Pickles For e-bikes to be legally allowed on roads and footpaths in NSW (for children under 16), they must be mostly pedal-powered, no more powerful than 500 watts, and power must cut off when the rider reaches a speed of 25 kilometres per hour. However, far more powerful fat bikes with handlebar throttles and thick tyres can reach much higher speeds and are closer to what would be seen on a motorbike. They are easy to purchase and have become commonplace in beachside suburbs. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The same educational issues continue to be discussed by stakeholders this year as they were previous years (Digitised exams and essay rethink for HSC, March 15). Specifically, we are talking about the way the HSC success is still being measured only by an exam attempt with a result at 90 per cent or above. Therefore, any result less than 90 per cent is regarded as a failure for ranking purposes. If those stakeholders would like to see the impact of the educational conversation arising from these harsh and lazy measurement tools, then spend time talking to a range of HSC students as well as their teachers. Thankfully, teachers will always still value the opportunity to embrace the quest for academic excellence for students while still working to preserve a love of learning; affirm improvement; teach life skills; manage mental health and build social awareness in their classes. For the 2024 class of the Schools Summit, your homework is to design a more robust measure of school success. Sorry, but there are no more extensions allowed for this task. It is already overdue. Of course, my door is always open at lunchtime if you do need help and you dont mind me gulping on my sandwich while we talk. Grant Murphy, Russell Lea The HSC has become predictable with students memorising essays to then mould into the question asked. Time to embrace artificial intelligence within the exam context. Provide students with an answer from AI, over a set question, and get them to critically examine the response. A great way to stimulate originality. The response does not have to be length of an essay, but would require a structured and well reasoned argument. And time to stop letting universities cherry-pick the best, with early offers before the HSC exams. Force universities to get in line and wait like everyone else to see what results bring in mid-December. Michael Blissenden, Dural Illustration: Credit: John Shakespeare Educational debate will only begin a process that should always be ongoing (NSW education on the mend but must apply itself, March 15). Now is the time to consider practical management and teacher time to develop curriculum content and classroom programs. Unfortunately, teachers are rarely offered either, and they remain overburdened and time constrained. Changes dont merely happen in schools, they need to be planned and our teachers deserve assistance in implementation. Seems simplistic and commonsense, yet rarely happens. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer Your correspondent asks why the study of English, especially literature, is compulsory in the HSC (Letters, March 15). In part, her question was answered by another letter writer who pointed to the precision of mathematics. English is imprecise, fluid and relies on interpretation. Literature grounds students in understanding that the world can be seen in different ways. A sound understanding of English is essential in understanding our not always precise world. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield English to be made a non-compulsory subject? Sacrilege! Can anyone suggest a career that does not require either reading, writing, speaking, listening or viewing? These are the skills taught in English through the study of literature, drama and media. Expertise in maths and science, important as they are, teaches us nothing of morality and the human condition. Robert Hickey, Green Point Advertisement We must get back to appreciating the beauty of maths I was heartbroken when I saw the plethora of letters describing your readers mathphobia (Letters, March 15). Apart from being a uniquely human endeavour and a gym workout for the mind, any physicist will tell you that maths is the language God speaks (to paraphrase Einstein). Theres definitely a case for revising the math curriculum to the point that every Australian can at least appreciate the profound beauty Euclids proof of the infinity of primes. Ken McNamara, Wollongong Basic maths skills are often inadequate. Recently, I went to newsagent to buy two notebooks at $4 each. I took them to the checkout, where a teenage girl whipped out a calculator, pressed 4, then +, then entered 4 again and pressed =. Eight dollars she said. I paid without comment because I was speechless. I left, shaking my head, my flabbers quite gasted. John Greenway, Wentworth Falls When I moved to a boarding school in the fifties I thought the maths teacher had gone mad. He wanted me to multiply and divide letters instead of numbers. Id never heard of algebra. Barry Riley, Woy Woy I gleefully used Pythagoras theorem recently as I cut across the grass and an older gentleman, walking on the concrete path with a right-angled bend in it, told me I was walking the longer distance. It stopped him in his tracks. Laura Beaupeurt, Callala Bay Even now, wrestling with maths is a brain strain, reminds me of my third class teacher, Mr Grantham. Master Brender, you need to know this, you will not be walking around with a calculator in your pocket when you are an adult. Jeremy Brender, West Richmond (SA) There are three types of mathematicians in this world - those that can count and those that cant. Richard Statham, Kiama Advertisement Not long ago I realised I had forgotten how to do long division and struggled with multiplication of larger numbers. We found a marvellous book which weve been sharing around and I recommend: DK Super Simple Maths which lays out each step very clearly. It delves well beyond the super-simple levels so that even I feel encouraged. Dennis Dorwick, Mortdale Hapless bureaucracy makes shameful decision on Gazan refugees Why would Australia give one year temporary visas to Palestinians fleeing Gaza and then cancel the visas as the recipients are on their way to Australia (Government lashed over bungling of Gaza visas, March 14)? This must be one of cruellest acts an Australian government has done to people fleeing a war zone. Most Australians would accept that those leaving Gaza may want to stay longer than one year and surely this was obvious when the visas were handed out. Has the Australian government treated Ukrainians in the same way and cancelled their visas as they are escaping from a war zone? If not, why are Palestinians treated differently? Jo Hobson, Petersham Eliminate the threat. Credit: Cathy Wilcox You really do have to wonder if anyones at the wheel of this country when a second plane load of Gaza refugees are effectively deported mid-air after having freshly minted visas issued by one bureaucracy torn up by another. I guess the only consolation is that the fleeing victims of war in fear of their lives and with nothing but struggle to greet their return dont have to pay for a hapless and shameful bureaucracy. We do. Peter Comensoli, Mangrove Mountain Dont you just love Peter Dutton? On the one hand, playing his usual confected oppositionist role where he is critical of Labor for cancelling visas of Palestinians fleeing war torn Gaza in mid-flight to Australia. On the other, given his remark about lack of certainty around identity, affiliations, sympathies, you can bet the idea of offering protection to anyone from that region would be furthest from his mind if it was his decision to make. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay Advertisement Women and children already traumatised by war, then left stranded in a foreign country. Where is our compassion? Allow them to continue their journey here ASAP and then let due process occur. And if temporary is causing semantic difficulties for immigration officials, surely the problem lies with the visa description? Or dont we want to assist in even some small way? Margaret Johnston, Paddington Nothing super about inequity Renae Vercoes suggestion that spouses top up their wifes super is spot-on (Topping up a pregnant partners super is the best gift, March 15). After having our three children my wife had $20K in super. I began contributing my after tax super to her account to try to even things up. She retired with more super than me. I also got some tax concessions. Given she was caring for our kids, managing the household and only later returning to professional life, she had a right to financial independence. Brian Barrett, Padstow It is disappointing to still hear the worn out phrase I have worked hard all my life whenever the government shows an interest in the nest eggs of retirees (Letters, March 15). How insulting to all the people who earn a subsistence wage and no matter how hard they work, have little super and no savings when they retire. I agree though, that it is unfair to single out wealthy retirees, when many have achieved this status through being frugal and living carefully within their means. As a retired accountant, I know there is truth to the statement,it is not what you earn but how you spend it which determines your wealth in the long run. The 1 per cent levy on all taxpayers is a much fairer way to go. Superannuation income should also be levied, perhaps at a higher rate such as 3 per cent. Account-based pensions can have a balance of $1.7million and pay no tax. Ridiculous. Kathy Gall, Toronto Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding No-one is asking for a free pass when it comes to aged care, and Im not sure why it is assumed that older people, those with super or not, dont or wont make a reasonable contribution when it comes to their current or future care needs. They mostly already do, and have done so most of their working lives. I have never met a single person who flat-out refuses to use their super or savings to take care of themselves with the sole intention of hoarding it all to pass on to their heirs. I dont know what the source of this urban myth is, or why people so readily assume that it has any basis in fact. Elderly people are not a burden, and, in my experience, pretty much always go to great pains to tell younger people they dont want to be. Shaun Davies, St Peters Advertisement Many of your letter writers clearly have little experience of the aged care system as it currently stands. A two-tiered system exists now and will always exist, no matter what method of funding the government uses. Currently, anyone wealthy enough can choose the most superior care possible where high additional fees apply. Its expensive now and always will be. Money will always allow for greater choice, if you are willing to pay. Nothing will ever change this. Elizabeth Darton, Lane Cove West Snowys strength I have now read a number of articles highly critical of Snowy 2.0 (Its Snowy 2.0s seventh birthday, few will be celebrating, March 15). But I have never read any mention of its strength, which is its duration. Grid scale batteries run flat in a matter of hours. Snowy 2.0 can replace a full-size coal-fired generator for six days. Even if the costs blow out to $25 billion it will still be one-tenth of the cost of a grid scale battery per MWH of storage. I dont claim to be an energy expert, but I know two things. Storage is essential to supporting renewable energy and Snowy 2.0 provides heaps of it. Secondly, it will be built. No government will cancel it now. Its time we shut up and got behind it. Scott Lambert, Longueville Social suppression Google, Meta, X and YouTube are currently banned in China. So why is China making a fuss regarding the proposed ban on TikTok in the US (Adversaries join forces to ban TikTok, March 15)? Peng Ee, Castle Cove The prime minister on US policy regarding the banning of TikTok: Were independent. We dont follow other countries. If this wasnt so pathetically disingenuous in regard to our relationship with the US, it would be laughable. Who is he kidding? Alynn Pratt, Grenfell Advertisement BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The XI Global Baku Forum themed "Fixing the Fractured World" continues the second day of work with panel sessions, Trend reports. This day's program will include four panel talks on the topics "From Good Words to Good Deeds: What Goals Can Be Set for COP29?", "Financing Our Survival: Climate Justice", "Health for All", and "The Role of Regional Military and Economic Units". Along with the panel sessions, the 78th President of the United Nations General Assembly, Dennis Francis, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan are set to address the forum participants. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider the factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, will discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, and will touch on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food, and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Australias aviation watchdog has criticised Singapore Airlines and on-duty ground crew for lax pre-departure safety checks at Brisbane Airport, in a report released almost two years after a plane nearly took off with vital airspeed monitors covered up. An eagle-eyed refueller prevented potential disaster when he noticed the sensors still had their covers attached as Singapore Airlines flight 256, bound for Changi Airport, was about to be pushed back from the international terminal on May 27, 2022. Security footage of the Brisbane Airport refueller, pictured with the licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME), pointing towards Singapore Airlines flight 256 (out of shot) and informing the engineer the sensor covers were fitted. Credit: ATSB The sensors sit within pitot probes, which have to be covered at Brisbane Airport because of an infestation of wasps that build nests within the narrow tubes and render the airspeed sensors useless. In its final report of the incident, released on Friday, the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau found Singapore Airlines flight crew had regularly failed to properly conduct pre-flight inspections. SPOTLIGHT | Banned aid Writer Lauren Groffs new bookshop, The Lynx, will have a focus on books banned in Floridas school districts. If you havent yet discovered the American writer Lauren Groff, then you should and not just for her books (although theyre very, very good). Her five novels and two short-story collections are wildly different in theme, but all are intricately wrought, deeply evocative, quietly subversive and often hilariously funny. Her most recent work, The Vaster Wilds, follows a servant girl who escapes to the wilderness from a plague-affected settlement in 17th-century Virginia (The Guardian describing it as the Book of Job meets Bear Grylls). But the New Yorker, who reluctantly moved to Florida almost two decades ago for her husbands work, is making headlines for a new reason. This (northern) spring, in an act of defiance against the states neo-fascist spree of book-banning in many Floridian school districts, Groff and said husband, Clay Kallman, will open a bookstore, The Lynx, in their hometown of Gainesville. The Lynx will be a full-service bookshop but with a special focus heavily on prohibited books and works by local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) and LGBTQI+ writers. Its going to be a weighty section since more than 700 books have been removed from Orange Countys school shelves alone, including works such as Eat, Pray, Love (Elizabeth Gilbert), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith), Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert) and Angels and Demons (Dan Brown). Even Groffs own Fates and Furies made the hit-list because, she suspects, of the sex scene. Also, I think its because Barack Obama really liked it and put it on his list, she tells e-zine Literary Hub. Deborah Cooke READ / Life of Brian The lieutenant who took orders from disgraced mining dealmaker Peter Landau will spend more than two years behind bars for her role in the multimillion-dollar theft that saw him dealt the same fate. Jane Rosemary Flegg was sentenced in the WA Supreme Court on Friday after pleading guilty to three criminal charges, including stealing, which were the product of a major probe into the affairs of South African miner Continental Coal before its 2016 collapse. Flegg was sentenced in the WA Supreme Court on Friday. Credit: Holly Thompson Flegg, 66, had been serving as the miners company secretary when she helped Landau steal $2.13 million via 60 electronic transfers from ASX-listed Citation Resources bank account in a bid to appease a chorus of frustrated Continental investors and keep the company afloat. Landau also pocketed a small portion of the stolen funds to bankroll his personal expenses. The High Court will decide if more immigration detainees should be released into the community following a critical hearing next month challenging laws that keep non-citizens in custody if they refuse to be deported. The Albanese government is bracing for years of upheaval rippling from Novembers landmark High Court ruling overturning indefinite detention, as it charges the board that reviews visa conditions to consider any new issues arising from legal uncertainties about immigration detention. Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil said recent High Court decisions had drawn new boundaries around the powers of the executive and the parliament. Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil said recent High Court decisions had drawn new boundaries around the powers of the executive and the parliament. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen There continues to be uncertainty about exactly where those boundaries will ultimately be drawn when it comes to key aspects of migration law, she said. Two high-profile activists are expected to launch court action against John Pesutto within days, putting the Liberal leader under renewed pressure. Three sources familiar with the impending legal action told The Age that Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull and Angie Jones had until March 19 to launch proceedings, which coincides with parliament returning on Tuesday. Exiled Liberal MP Moira Deeming and Opposition Leader John Pesutto are due to face off in court later this year. Credit: The Age A second and third defamation case would put Pesutto under fresh leadership strain weeks after the departure of two of his most senior staff members, which was framed as a reset for his office. Theres been zero change since, one Liberal MP said. The West Australian government will ban boats from traversing the iconic Horizontal Falls on the Kimberley coast. The ban will come into effect for all tour operators from 2026, except for Seaplane Adventures which will be allowed to continue the tour until 2028 when its licence expires. Boats will not be allowed to traverse the Horizontal Falls from 2028. Credit: Tourism WA Tour operators will still be able to access the waters and airspace surrounding the falls. The move follows pressure from traditional owner groups to stop the experience, and after a May 2022 incident where a jet boat loaded with tourists crashed into rocks at the falls. American psychology professor Nicholas DiFonzo described what might be called the phenomenon of the sucker in his 2008 book The Watercooler Effect. Loading In the mid-1800s, he related, an American cigar manufacturer named George Hull carved the figure of a giant man from a block of gypsum and buried it in Cardiff, New York. He dug it up, made a hullabaloo about discovering it, and charged admission to the gullible. The hoax was so successful a banker named David Hannum bought Hulls giant and charged the crowds even more to see it. The sensation caught the eye of Americas great showman, P.T. Barnum, peddler of hoaxes and founder of Barnum and Baileys Circus. Barnum tried unsuccessfully to persuade Hannum to sell him the giant. Undeterred, he had a replica carved and spruiked that it was the one true giant. When multitudes flocked to Barnums exhibit, Hannum is supposed to have snorted Theres a sucker born every minute. History, according to this version, twisted it around until Barnum, not the forgotten Hannum, was credited with the deathless one born every minute quote. Whoever said it, its never been truer than in our cyber age. At its most benign, the Bora Bora holiday hoax is a farming operation, gathering names and likes which identify potential marks. Stepped up a notch or two, those who have fallen for the bait might be contacted with the happy news they have won the holiday, and directed to a third-party site where they can register. Name, email address and phone number are requested (to be sold to the dark web, naturally). The would-be winners are then prompted to pay a small processing fee or similar. All thats required to ensure your dreamy South Pacific holiday are your credit card details to cover the processing. Presto! Your identity and your financial details are suddenly no longer your own. It feels alarming, but youd be foolish to get too self-righteous about those who fall for it. You or I could be the next sucker to some other scam, many of which are much slicker than the Bora Bora swindle. Older Australians using social media turn out to be particularly vulnerable. The federal governments Scamwatch reported this week that Australians lost $477 million to scams last year. The embarrassment factor means this is probably heavily underestimated. The biggest increase in those being hoodwinked on social media? Those aged 65 and over. Loading Faceless rip-off merchants took $95 million through social media, according to Scamwatch. About half disappeared via the messaging platform WhatsApp and about 20 per cent through Facebook, with dating apps and Instagram rounding out most of the rest. WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, it happens, are all owned by Meta, the vast social media group founded as Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg, who is also chairman and CEO. Zuckerberg regularly tells flummoxed regulators and government agencies that his organisation is doing everything it can to weed out the fraudsters. Why, only this week, Meta submitted to the Australian government that any regulatory obligation to prevent further losses to a consumer who has been affected by a scam may be impossible for digital platforms to achieve because of the way in which scammers rapidly evolve their tactics in attempts to evade detection and enable persistence. Pull the other one. Zuckerbergs outfit has or should have vastly more sophisticated technologists than any scam factory. Are we to believe they have missed noticing something as primitive as the Bora Bora swindle and the like that just about anybody can find all over Facebook? PHILIPSBURG:--- Personnel of the Sint Maarten Police Force responded to an incident involving a concrete truck flipping over on the roundabout by the causeway on the airport side on Thursday march 14t 2024. Shortly after noon, the police received multiple calls regarding a concrete truck that had overturned, causing damage to the road by the causeway. In response, several police patrols and the traffic department were dispatched to the location to address the situation. Preliminary investigations suggest that the truck experienced a flat tire while descending from the causeway bridge, leading to the vehicle flipping onto its side. Fortunately, the driver escaped unharmed from the accident. The area has been cordoned off, and officers are regulating traffic at the location The Sint Maarten Police Force urges all motorists to exercise caution and patience when approaching the affected area. KPSM Press Release. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Establishing global peace is a direct duty of the UN Security Council, President of the 78th Session of UN General Assembly (GA) Dennis Francis said at the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. The United Nations Charter must be amended to put an end to global clashes and hostilities. This demands holding a special session. We must already convey our displeasure to the international community. I highly appreciate the international partnership of Azerbaijan. It made great contributions to the Non-Aligned Movement during its chairmanship," Francis added. The XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The Forum, which will run until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, as well as factors that pose threats to the new world order, security issues, and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, discussing ways to address humanity's challenges, and touching on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, such as climate, food, and nuclear security. Simultaneously, there will be discussions about the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel US ambassador says Beijing stance on TikTok ban 'supremely ironic' Beijing, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 The US ambassador to China said Friday that Beijing's position on a potential TikTok ban in the United States was "supremely ironic" given the ruling Communist Party's censorship of online platforms within its borders. The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would force the wildly popular short-video app to break with its Chinese parent company or face a nationwide ban. China has sharply criticised the approval, slamming what it called Washington's "bandit" mentality and accusing lawmakers of "unjustly suppressing foreign companies". US ambassador Nicholas Burns offered a rebuke on Friday, saying Beijing's stance was unjustified given it blocks many Western web platforms from operating in the country. "I find it supremely ironic that government officials here in China... have been criticising the United States for the debate we're currently having on TikTok," Burns said during an online seminar held by the East-West Center, a US-based research organisation. "They won't even let TikTok be available to 1.4 billion Chinese," he said in response to a question about the avenues for American public diplomacy in China. China's government tightly controls the spread of information online and scrubs out social media content it deems politically sensitive. Many Western platforms, including Google, Facebook and Instagram, are blocked from operating in the country. TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance also runs a separate version of the app inside China called Douyin. Some Western governments have voiced concern about TikTok's soaring popularity, alleging that the app's ownership makes it subservient to Beijing -- a claim TikTok denies. The bill, which has also been criticised by TikTok creators and users, is expected to face a tougher challenge in the US Senate. The White House has indicated that President Joe Biden would sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk. mjw/je/sco BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Stability around the world must be restored, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis said during the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. "Leaders, Nobel laureates, entrepreneurs, international organization representatives, and other critical thinkers have all congregated here. They are motivated to foster meaningful debate on challenging topics at all times," he emphasized. Dennis Francis mentioned that freedom, tolerance, dialog, and understanding should be at the core of strategies to restore and return to balance and stability in the world. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from over 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider the factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, will discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, will touch on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel US ambassador says Beijing stance on TikTok ban 'supremely ironic' Beijing, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 The US ambassador to China said Friday that Beijing's position on a potential TikTok ban in the United States was "supremely ironic" given the ruling Communist Party's censorship of online platforms within its borders. The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would force the wildly popular short-video app to break with its Chinese parent company or face a nationwide ban. China has sharply criticised the approval, slamming what it called Washington's "bandit" mentality and accusing lawmakers of "unjustly suppressing foreign companies". US ambassador Nicholas Burns offered a rebuke on Friday, saying Beijing's stance was unjustified given it blocks many Western web platforms from operating in the country. "I find it supremely ironic that government officials here in China... have been criticising the United States for the debate we're currently having on TikTok," Burns said during an online seminar held by the East-West Center, a US-based research organisation. "They won't even let TikTok be available to 1.4 billion Chinese," he said in response to a question about the avenues for American public diplomacy in China. China's government tightly controls the spread of information online and scrubs out social media content it deems politically sensitive. Many Western platforms, including Google, Facebook and Instagram, are blocked from operating in the country. TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance also runs a separate version of the app inside China called Douyin. - 'The real irony' - China hit back at Burns's comments on Friday, saying the US stance on the app was "the real irony". Asked about the ambassador's seminar, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the US "is making every effort to use national power to suppress TikTok". "A country that prides itself on free speech and claims to be a free-market economy is willing to use the power of the state to crack down on specific companies," Wang said. "That's the real irony." Some Western governments have voiced concern about TikTok's soaring popularity, alleging that the app's ownership makes it subservient to Beijing -- a claim TikTok denies. The bill, which has also been criticised by TikTok creators and users, is expected to face a tougher challenge in the US Senate. The White House has indicated that President Joe Biden would sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk. mjw/je/mca US Senate declines to fast-track TikTok bill Washington, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 A bill that would force the sale of TikTok from its Chinese owners or see it banned in the United States will move cautiously in the US Senate, key lawmakers said, after it sailed through the House. The bill's whirlwind House passage on Wednesday, and its backing from US President Joe Biden, had raised alarm bells that the app, used by 170 million in the United States, could be shut down within months. But hopes from TikTok's foes that the Senate could also move quickly were dashed, with key senators saying they would put the proposed law through the usual legislative process, which can take months. "These fields are evolving and changing so rapidly that you can do a lot of damage by moving too quickly or without the facts," Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, told the Washington Post on Friday. Passing major legislation is especially difficult in an election year, and backers of the bill have bitterly predicted that the House's proposed law would die in the Senate. "What we're likely to see happen in the Senate is people will nickel-and-dime it, a death by a thousand cuts," Republican Senator Josh Hawley told Axios. "Nothing that Big Tech doesn't want moves across the Senate floor," he said. Senate leaders who would be in charge of shepherding the proposed law through a complicated amendment process and bringing it to a vote have been noncommittal on the bill. After the House vote, Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat who chairs the Commerce Committee, said that she would "try to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties." Republicans also expressed caution, and on Thursday former president Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to any ban of TikTok, asking his supporters to focus their anger on Facebook-owner Meta instead. Trump's position, which was surprisingly ignored by Republicans in Wednesday's vote, is a reversal from his efforts as president to force TikTok away from ByteDance, its Chinese owner, efforts which were ultimately blocked by the courts. Some Western governments have voiced concern about TikTok's soaring popularity, alleging that the app's ownership makes it subservient to Beijing -- and could be used as a conduit to spread propaganda -- claims TikTok and Beijing deny. The White House has said Biden will sign the bill if it reaches his desk. G7 nations want 'trustworthy' AI but say rules can vary Milan, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 G7 technology ministers meeting in Italy pledged Friday to "achieve a common vision and goal of safe, secure, and trustworthy" artificial intelligence, but said the framework could vary between countries. The pledge came two days after the European Parliament gave final approval to the world's most far-reaching rules to govern artificial intelligence, including powerful systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT. ChatGPT wowed the world in late 2022 with its human-like capabilities -- from digesting complex text to producing poems within seconds or passing medical exams. Other AI followed, like DALL-E, which produce images based on a simple input in everyday language. But there are a series of risks, not least that AI-generated audio and video "deepfakes" could turbocharge disinformation campaigns. "We are committed to achieving an appropriate balance between fostering innovation and the need for appropriate guardrails," the Group of Seven (G7) nations said in a statement. The group, which includes the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada, said there were "ongoing efforts... to advance and reinforce interoperability between AI governance frameworks". But the ministers, who issued the statement after two days of talks in Verona and Trento, said they recognised "like-minded approaches and policy instruments to achieve the common vision and goal of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI may vary across G7 members". Some G7 member countries, such as the United States and Britain, are in favour of more lenient rules, relying instead on self-regulation or voluntary adherence by tech giants to surveillance systems. "Our approach to the regulation of artificial intelligence is different from that of the EU," Britain's Technology Minister Michelle Donelan told Italy's La Repubblica daily. "We do not only want to focus on risks, but also promote innovation and avoid hindering it." Turkish ministers in Baghdad talks ahead of Erdogan visit Baghdad, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2024 A high-ranking Turkish delegation held talks in Baghdad on Thursday, discussing key security and energy issues ahead of an expected visit by Turkey's president, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Iraq after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which ends in April, said a joint statement following the meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin attended the talks with their Iraqi counterparts. "We discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, and the upcoming visit," the Iraqi minister said on X, formerly Twitter. "We stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in the fields of security, trade, energy, water, education, and everything that is in the interest of our countries," Hussein added. Relations between the two countries have been strained by repeated Turkish military operations against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq as well as rows about oil exports and the sharing of scarce water supplies. A joint statement following the security meeting said the presence in Iraq of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), an organisation banned by Ankara and its Western allies as a terrorist organisation, "represents a violation of the Iraqi constitution". Turkey welcomed, according to the statement, an Iraqi decision to "consider the PKK a banned organisation". The dispute over oil exports from Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region has been a particular sticking point. Nearly a decade after seeking international arbitration, the Iraqi federal government last year won recognition of its right to control Kurdish oil exports and Ankara was ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages for transporting them without Baghdad's approval. In protest, Ankara shut down the export pipeline. Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said Wednesday he hoped the pipeline would reopen "as soon as possible". He added that Erdogan would discuss the details during his visit. rh/imm Netherlands to select future attack submarines Paris, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 The Netherlands was set to announce Friday who it has chosen for a multi-billion-euro contract to build four submarines for its navy, with a consortium headed by France's Naval Group favoured over German and Swedish rivals. French state-owned Naval Group has allied with Dutch company Royal IHC and is up against Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Sweden's Saab AB, which has allied with Dutch naval shipyard Damen. The vessels will replace the Netherland's four Walrus class subs which entered service in the early 1990s, of which one was decommissioned last autumn so that its spare parts could be used to keep the other three in operation. The Dutch defence ministry said state secretary for defence Christophe van der Maat will make the announcement Friday. Dutch media reports say the French-led consortium has been chosen, but the companies wouldn't comment. "The decision-making process is not finished, it is expected Friday," defence ministry spokesman Tom Kummel told AFP. Parliament will have to approve the contract, and caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte's cabinet has tried to speed up the decision ever since the party of far-right winger Geert Wilders won the most votes in last November's election. Wilders conceded Wednesday that he was unable to cobble together a coalition and the country's main parties agreed to form a "technocratic" government made up of non-politicians. During a parliamentary debate Wednesday, Chris Stoffer from the reformist SGP party -- which is strong in Zeeland where Damen is based -- asked that "we do not let this government decide, but a new government that will decide in the interests of the Netherlands." But van der Maat said "we must do everything in our power to carry out the process as quickly as possible or else the Walruses will be withdrawn from service before the new submarines have arrived." The contract would be worth between 4 billion and 6 billion euros ($4.4-6.5 billion), according to newspaper De Telegraaf. The submarines would be built in the shipyards of whatever company wins the contract, but there would also be an industrial cooperation accord to "reinforce the technological and industrial base of the Dutch defence industry." The first two subs would enter service within ten years of the contract signing. Should Naval Group win the contract it would be the first exports for its Barracuda model, of which 12 were to be sold to Australia before Canberra cancelled the contract in favour of the AUKUS partnership with London and Washington. The first Barracuda to enter service in the French navy was nuclear-powered, but the model offered to the Netherlands would have conventional diesel-electric propulsion and be smaller at 3,000 tonnes, instead of 4,500 tonnes. TKMS, which by some counts holds 70 percent of the market for conventional submarines, is offering an extended version of its Type 212CD, a vessel adapted to shallow waters such as the Baltic Sea. Saab is proposing an extended version of its A26 submarine that's been ordered by the Swedish navy. mra-jcp/tq/uh/dch/gv/rl NAVAL GROUP SAAB AB THYSSENKRUPP Merchant ship damaged by missile off Yemen: marine monitors Dubai, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 A merchant ship has been damaged by a missile strike in the Red Sea off Yemen, marine security monitors said Friday, after a series of attacks by Iran-backed Huthi rebels. The crew was not injured and the vessel was able to continue its journey, the British navy's United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations and security firm Ambrey said. "A merchant vessel has reported that they have been struck by a missile and the vessel has sustained some damage," said UKMTO. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Huthis, who have launched dozens of attacks on shipping in the commercially vital seaway over the past four months. The rebels say they are acting as part of an "axis of resistance" of Iran allies and proxies, in protest at Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Huthi attacks, including a deadly assault on a bulk carrier last week and the sinking of a ship carrying thousands of tonnes of fertiliser, have triggered reprisal strikes by US and British forces. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The United Nations General Assembly wishes for the signing of a peace accord between Azerbaijan and Armenia within the rules and principles of international law, the 78th President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis said during the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. "The UN General Assembly commends the resumption of meetings between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister and the Munich meeting between them, followed by the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries. We believe and expect that additional steps will be taken to achieve and restore peace and security and to make progress," Francis added. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries as well as prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from over 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the results of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as issues of security and prospects for peace, building stability in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, will discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, will touch upon conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Japan's ruling coalition agrees to fighter jet exports Tokyo, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 Japan's ruling coalition agreed Friday to allow the export of next-generation fighter jets being developed with Britain and Italy, relaxing Tokyo's strict transfer rules for military equipment. Japan and the two countries signed a treaty in December formalising plans to pool resources to co-develop the fighter jet they hope will take to the skies by 2035. Japan's arms export rules currently forbid the export of equipment to a third country, although there have been exceptions in recent years. Yosuke Takagi, policy chief of coalition partner Komeito, said at a meeting with the Liberal Democratic Party that they "have agreed" to ease the rules for exports of the fighter jet. But each individual export will need cabinet approval and the planes can only go to countries with defence deals with Japan that are not involved in active conflicts, public broadcaster NHK said. In a poll by Kyodo News released Sunday, 48.1 percent of respondents said the export "should be allowed with limited destinations" and 44.7 percent said it "should not be allowed." Israel says 'Palestinians', not army, fired on Gaza crowd Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 The Israeli army said Friday that "armed Palestinians" opened fire on civilians awaiting humanitarian aid in northern Gaza, rejecting claims by the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry that Israeli soldiers were responsible. "Armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy" in Gaza City on Thursday and then "continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks", the army said in a statement. The army did not provide a death toll for the incident which occurred Thursday in Gaza City, but said "a number of Gazan civilians were run over by the trucks". The Gaza health ministry had earlier said Israeli fire killed 20 people and wounded 155 at a roundabout, and an AFP journalist on the scene saw several bodies and people who had been shot. "A review of our operational systems and (army) forces on the ground found that no tank fire, air strike or gunfire was carried out toward the Gazan civilians at the aid convoy," the Israeli statement said. On February 29, also in north Gaza, more than 100 Gazans were killed, according to the health ministry, when Israeli forces opened fire on people scambling for food from a convoy. Israel's army said its initial probe into that incident found troops "fired precisely" at suspects who approached them and posed a threat. There are mounting fears of famine in war-ravaged Gaza, especially in the north where shortages are most severe. The United Nations and aid workers say cumbersome Israeli inspections are responsible for the lack of food and other essentials, while Israel has pointed to problems with distributing aid once it enters Gaza. The Israeli statement said the army "continues its humanitarian effort to supply food and humanitarian aid to the civilians of the Gaza Strip". Israel and Hamas have been at war since Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 31,341 people, according to the Gaza health ministry. EU pumps money into explosives in push to up shell production Brussels, Belgium, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 The EU on Friday announced hundreds of millions of euros to boost the production of explosives as it pushes to be able to churn out 2 million artillery shells a year by late 2025. The 27-nation bloc is scrambling to bolster Europe's defence industry as it looks to support Ukraine and build up its stocks in the face of Russia's invasion of its neighbour. But there are fears the European Union is lagging behind two years into the conflict as Moscow has ramped up its own output of weaponry by putting its economy on a war footing. As part of the efforts to get Europe to produce more, Brussels pushed through a 500-million-euro programme earlier this year aimed at ramping up its capacity to make ammunition. The EU's executive arm released the list of firms the money would go to on Friday, with an official saying three-quarters of the funds were for projects making gunpowder and other explosives. "The programme will support projects increasing the annual production capacity by more than 10,000 tons of powder, and by more than 4,300 tons of explosives," Brussels said. "Europe is expected to reach an annual ammunition shell production capacity of 2 million by the end of 2025." Officials have pointed to a shortage of explosives as one of the key factors hampering artillery shell production in Europe. The latest funds are part of a raft of initiatives aimed at increasing Europe's defence industry and come as EU leaders are set to focus on the issue at a summit next week. While the EU insists it is on track to bolster industrial capacity, defence firms have complained that governments are still not placing enough long-term orders. The EU is set to fall well short of a promise made last year to supply Ukraine with a million shells by this month. The debate in Europe comes as US support for Ukraine remains blocked and Kyiv's outgunned forces are being pushed back by Russia. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has launched the DMCC Sustainability Hub, a new ecosystem to pioneer environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices among its member base of over 24,000 companies. By concentrating on contemporary industry expertise, DMCC will foster a network of dedicated sustainability leaders from within its business district to drive meaningful change and impact at the global level. This new ecosystem will aim to follow in the success of other DMCC industry ecosystems in recent years and become a regional hub for knowledge and innovation in ESG. Notable companies and social enterprises including General Mills, Monjasa, Shell & Vivo Lubricants, Motif Interiors, and Evolvin Women have joined this week as founding members. Access to finance In addition to providing a programme of meetings, networking and mentorship opportunities, the Sustainability Hub will offer access to finance through ESG-focused venture capital companies and accelerator programmes. A bespoke loyalty programme will allow members to swap points for a range of business services including licenses and visa renewals and fast-tracked tier status within DMCCs own loyalty programme, thereby accessing dedicated account support teams and accelerating their own commercial growth in the process. The Sustainability Hub will be run in partnership with C3 (Companies Creating Change), a UAE-based social enterprise empowering impact-driven entrepreneurs across the globe. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: The central aim of the Sustainability Hub is to maximise the positive impact of our over 24,000 members and in the process ensure that Dubai remains centre stage in the global conversation on sustainability. DMCC has long seen the value in ESG, having signed the UN Global Compact in 2017, and led global insights last year in areas such as the energy transition, the future of transport and clean mobility in the sidelines to COP28. Establishing the Sustainability Hub is the next logical step in this journey as we provide the worlds business community with a platform to showcase their ESG credentials, share knowledge and expertise, and ultimately drive positive and meaningful change. Purpose-driven ideas As partners, C3 will provide a comprehensive training and events programme, as well as facilitate connections between Hub members and local and regional experts. Hub members will benefit from seamless access to The C3 Impact Hub, an open resource platform with the goal to inspire and catalyse purpose-driven ideas. The Sustainability Hub is free for existing DMCC members subject to passing an evaluation procedure.--TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye stand as reliable partners, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a trilateral meeting with his Turkish and Georgian counterparts in Baku, Trend reports. "Our cooperation is critical to maintaining regional security and stability. Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey are trusted partners. Furthermore, the historical developments that have occurred in the region in recent years are the result of Azerbaijan's restoration of territorial integrity, which has been recognized internationally," Bayramov noted. The minister noted that the new reality in the region opens up new opportunities for maximizing its potential. To note, the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia was held in Baku. At the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of trilateral regional cooperation taking place in the region and the world and of mutual interest. The venue of the next meeting was determined, and the Baku Declaration was adopted. After the meeting, the ministers held a joint press conference. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Della Valle insisted there would not be any further restructuring of the business following the three European deals. Im saying very clearly that today is the final step of reshaping our European operations now. All the operations that our in our portfolio now are good markets. Two episodes will premiere on BBC iPlayer at midnight, while the shows premiere will air on BBC One right before the final of the Eurovision Song Contest: a stacked double bill if ever there was one. Meanwhile, those outside of the UK will be able to catch up on all the action on Disney+. The groups pilot would take off from North Weald Airfield in Epping Forest, Essex, and fly to Le Touquet airport on the coast of northern France to collect three to four migrants to smuggle into the UK on each trip. Officers and partners such as Catch22, Rescue and Response, The Childrens Society, Transport for London, local authorities, and the transport and health sectors pulled together to achieve these results and worked hard to safeguard the most vulnerable in our society while also removing the offender that cause serious harm off our streets. A police statement on the latest incident said: We were called at 19:27hrs on Thursday, 14 March to reports of a man found injured in Arnold Circus, E2. Officers responded and were on the scene within two minutes. They found a man in his 20s with a neck injury. He was taken to hospital where his condition was assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. Initial enquiries suggest the man may have been struck by a crossbow dart. Scotland Yard also confirmed a woman had also been attacked and that inquiries were ongoing. Reports emerged on Thursday that the donor who had already given 10 million to the party personally and through his firm The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) may have given as much as 5 million which has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission. He added: Some have chosen to go (to Washington) and bring the message of peace, some have stayed at home in protest, our focus is on the message itself and that is that President Biden need to listen to people in Ireland and across the world and use his power, and he has immense power diplomatically, to unequivocally call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. We know from our own story that finding peace can be a long and painful process, and it takes time to build trust and build relationships. American politicians on both sides of the aisle helped to encourage and nurture these relationships in Northern Ireland over many decades, and we thank-you all so much for that. The president is very clear that the US would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself so, I dont think thats going to change, but I think none of us like to see American weapons being used in the way they are. The way they are being used at the moment is not self-defence. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The Baku Network expert platform has aired the next issue of the analytical video project Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov, Trend reports. The guest on the program was a prominent public figure, writer Anar (Anar Rzayev). "Only those who play the nationalist card are kept in power in Armenia. Therefore, the Armenian government is using the card of so-called 'ethnic cleansing'," he said. The writer noted that people in Armenia live in a world of mythology. "They invent these myths and live in them. If they had a sober outlook on life, on the situation, on geography, they would realize that they should, first of all, establish normal relations with Azerbaijan and Turkiye. If this consciousness ever wins in Armenia, then there will be peace in the South Caucasus," added writer Anar. We present to our readers the full issue of the program. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The New Zealand-born officer, 54, who had served in the Met Police for almost 30 years and was three months from retirement, was hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by de Zoysa within three seconds. The proposed merger of the networks is set to be formally investigated by the UKs competition regulator over concerns it could substantially reduce options for mobile customers, but Vodafone is hoping to complete the tie-up by the end of the year. A South Korea court convicted him over allegations that he hugged a woman and kissed her on the cheek against her will while he was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance. It's hard to imagine not tripping the fantastic by the Mediterranean when you've got this vintage-inspired bag in tow. Dunelm presents this chic cabin bag, complete with compression straps, a laptop insert and a telescopic handle for easy transporting. It must be said that some of the components are not as high-quality as the other options on our list (the lower price tag comes at a cost) but it's a decent option if you want to keep your cheap jolly cheap. Grylls, 49, will put the famous faces through their paces, and competitors who fail to impress him will face the Bear Hunt a game of cat and mouse in which they will be eliminated if they are captured. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye is multifaceted, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend reports. He made a remark during a press conference on the results of the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye. "The cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye is varied and exceptional. The three countries' relations are characterized by a high level of political dialogue. Our mutual support on worldwide platforms contributes to this," the Minister noted. The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister expressed optimism that signing the Baku Declaration will deepen relations. "Azerbaijan is currently a major foreign investor in both Turkiye and Georgia. Both countries are among our primary trading partners," Bayramov concluded. The minister noted that both Turkiye and Georgia are Azerbaijan's main trade partners. "During the meeting, we discussed numerous projects between our countries in many economic spheres and we had an opportunity to exchange views on new projects. We believe that soon we will witness announcements that may lead to several new and very serious results," Bayramov added. To note, the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia was held in Baku. At the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of trilateral regional cooperation taking place in the region and the world and of mutual interest. The venue of the next meeting was determined, and the Baku Declaration was adopted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, had a meeting, on Friday, with the ambassadors of the European Union member states accredited in Bucharest, on which occasion she emphasized the need to continue providing multidimensional support for Ukraine and a strong European support for the Republic of Moldova, transmitting Romania's commitment to complete the process of accession to the Schengen Area, a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reads. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Romania, in the context of holding the rotating Presidency of the EU Council. The minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the relevance of continuing to provide consistent, multidimensional support from the EU for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified and coordinated approach at the European level, as a response to the complex security developments in the region, the source says. At the same time, minister Odobescu emphasized the need for strong European support for the Republic of Moldova, in order to strengthen its resilience, "in the conditions in which this state is strongly affected by the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the destabilizing actions of Russia". Luminita Odobescu also mentioned the importance of strengthening security at the Black Sea, "an important component of the security dimension of the states in the region". She reiterated Romania's support for the advancement of the EU accession process for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, showing the importance of the rapid adoption at Council level of the frameworks for negotiations with the two states and the organization of the first political inter-governmental conferences with them until the end of the mandate of the Belgian Presidency of EU Council. The minister also reminded the need to support the European integration of the Western Balkan states. According to the MAE, the Romanian official reaffirmed her support for strengthening inter-operability and complementarity with NATO and for strengthening the technological and industrial base of the European defence sector. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Luminita Odobescu expressed concern about the dramatic developments in the region, stressing the need to identify, together with international partners, viable solutions for a sustainable peace in the region, for the immediate release of all hostages and the improvement of the civilian situation seriously affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The minister of Foreign Affairs also emphasized Romania's commitment to continue the steps to complete the process of Romania's accession to the Schengen Area, thanking t Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday in Sfantu Gheorghe, central Covasna County that it is gratifying that Central Europe finally has a candidate for NATO Secretary General. He reaffirmed at a press conference that the government in Budapest will not support Dutch Mark Rutte for this position. I believe that today the result of the election of NATO Secretary General has the same chance as in Lotto 6/49. I can tell you two things about Hungary's position. We, of course, will not support Mark Rutte's candidacy. We will not support him! How can we support a man who previously said that Hungary must be brought to its knees. In a union like NATO, where there is nothing more important than mutual trust, because if someone is attacked, others must defend him, in such an alliance based on trust, we cannot support a man who wants to bring us to our knees. How could we trust?! Thus, Mark Rutte cannot count on Hungary's support. At the same time, we are glad that we finally have a candidate from Central Europe. NATO never before had a candidate from Central Europe, now we have a candidate and that's good news. What will come out, what will be the result we do not know yet, Peter Szijjarto said, according to the official translation. On Friday afternoon, the Hungarian official will participate in the events organized in Sfantu Gheorghe on the occasion of the Day of Hungarians Everywhere. President Klaus Iohannis sent a message on Friday, March 15, Hungary's National Day, saying that the local Hungarian minority contributes to "consolidating a modern, performant and inclusive Romanian society." "Through the traditions and heritage of which it is proud and that it contributes to the symphony of civilisations, as well as through the activity of its cultural, scientific, spiritual and political personalities, the Hungarian minority is a respected contributor to the consolidation of a modern, performing and inclusive Romanian society. These objectives, aiming to highlight the potential of each citizen, regardless of ethnicity, and enhanced by Romania's membership in the European Union, will have to be reaffirmed this election year. To the Romanian citizens of Hungarian extraction, I say may today's holiday be an occasion for communion joy that strengthens your confidence in the future. Let us remain united stand together around major projects for Romania," Iohannis said, according to a press release of the Presidential Administration. He wished the ethnic Hungarians health and peace, "a prosperous life in a well-developed society", to be built by capitalising on the values and potential of cultural diversity. At the same time, he highlighted the contribution of the Hungarian minority to Romania's democratic, European and North Atlantic path. "History has shown us how wisdom, mutual understanding and the experience of coexistence have been able to establish between the Romanian majority and the Hungarian minority places of dialogue and solidarity capable of resisting all challenges. The true understanding of the past, the vision of the elites and our social and economic projects must offer a European future to the newer generations, here, in the place that Romanian citizens of Hungarian extraction have every right to call home, in their mother tongue." Vasile Bicu, judge at the High Court of Cassation and Justice - Administrative and Fiscal Litigation Section, was elected on Friday as president of the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) for the European Parliament and local elections, which will take place on June 9. Also, judge Gheorghe Liviu Zidaru, from the First Civil Section, was elected deputy chairman of the BEC. The Supreme Court appointed, on Friday, by drawing lots, the seven judges who will be part of the Central Electoral Bureau for the European Parliament and local elections on June 9. In January 2019, Vasile Bicu, promoted in the meantime to the Bucharest Court of Appeal, admitted a request submitted by the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) and suspended the decree signed by president Klaus Iohannis to extend, by one year, the mandate of general Nicolae Ciuca as the Chief of the General Staff of the Army. In justifying the decision, Bicu claimed that there is serious doubt about the legality of the decree signed by president Klaus Iohannis, because the decree was not based on the proposal of the then minister of National Defense, Gabriel Les, nor the opinion of then prime minister Viorica Dancila. Romania's national airline TAROM has hard to decline offers for August involving four destinations loved by Romanians - Istanbul, Budapest, Belgrade and Sofia - EUR 120 round-trip flights, hand luggage included. "August is the month of holidays, and you have dozens of breathtaking tourist destinations, where history, stories and mystery enthral you at every step. Of all the fascinating destinations you can choose, TAROM has four super suggestions. If you have wanted for a long time to take a boat ride on the Bosphorus at sunset, if you want to admire the Parliament Building in Budapest from the other bank of the Danube, to look from above at the gorgeous Belgrade or to breathe history in the chic centre of Sofia, TAROM comes with a new special offer for all those who have set to pursue memorable experiences in August, holiday month," reads a press release of the company issued on Friday. The offer is valid for six days, from March 15 to 20, providing the possibility to purchase flight tickets at discounted rates to Istanbul, Budapest, Belgrade and Sofia for the period August 1 - 31, 2024. As well as the plane tickets offered by TAROM being at special prices, the four destinations are among the most accessible cities in Europe that can be visited on a budget. Tickets are available for purchase on www.tarom.ro website, at TAROM outlets and authorised agencies. August 31, 2024, is the date of last return in the offer. The Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade minister, Szijjarto Peter, said on Friday, in Sfantu Gheorghe, central Covasna County, that his country, which is going to take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024, will give all the support to Romania to join the Schengen area. Not only Romania, but also Hungary has an interest in Romania entering the Schengen area as soon as possible. Hungary will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union and in the next six months we are trying to give all the support to Romania to join the Schengen area, because this is, on the one hand, in our economic interest, and, on the other hand, it greatly improves measures to maintain ties between the Hungarians of Transylvania and those of Hungary, Szijjarto Peter said, according to the official translation. On Friday afternoon, the Hungarian official will participate in the demonstrations organized in Sfantu Gheorghe on the occasion of the Day of Hungarians Everywhere. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. A historic chance has emerged for signing a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during the press conference following the ninth trilateral meeting with his Turkish and Georgian counterparts in Baku, Trend reports. "Today, along with other issues, I shared information about the post-conflict situation with Armenia, reconstruction and construction work, the return of internally displaced persons, and mine clearance. Following the restoration of our country's territorial integrity, a historic opportunity for peace with Armenia has arisen, and Azerbaijan is taking all necessary steps to realize this goal. The international community must take positive actions to deflect Armenia from revanchist notions and promote discussions, the minister emphasized. According to the minister, Azerbaijan's point of view is that full compliance with the norms and principles of international law is necessary to ensure regional peace and stability. "Azerbaijan takes systematic and consistent steps in the direction of ensuring peace," Bayramov added. To note, the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia was held in Baku. At the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of trilateral regional cooperation taking place in the region and the world and of mutual interest. The venue of the next meeting was determined, and the Baku Declaration was adopted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ST. LOUIS Doris Bass was a young widow and Republican tenderfoot in a Democratic ward. In 1969, she doggedly knocked on doors and beat two-term incumbent Thomas OShea by 19 votes. She had bigger ambitions than serving the Tower Grove Park neighborhood on the Board of Aldermen. Only eight months into representing the 15th Ward, Bass announced she was running for U.S. Senate. Far away in New York, the counterculture musical Hair was playing Broadway to hip audiences. Thin on plot but generous with decibels, it included the songs Age of Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In. The musical slammed the Vietnam War, the draft, parents and traditional morality and included a brief scene of nudity. Hair was set to run in St. Louis. On Jan. 16, 1970, Bass filed legislation to ban Hair from local stages. Critics accused her of a campaign stunt, and it worked. It also scratched across a raw cultural divide. Bass said she was trying to restore the American sense of decency. She said she was representing the sentiments of her native South Side, where many working-class people had had enough of the hippies. Predictably, the hearings on her bill made for bad theater. On Feb. 18, dozens of long-haired young people crowded the room. Bass scolded them for interfering and said, You ought to be in school! One young woman said she was at City Hall with her college civics class. Alderman Henry Stolar, representing the trendy Central West End, warned the bill would make St. Louis a cultural backwater. The exasperated committee chairman, Albert Red Villa of Carondelet, muttered, Were in a state of chaos here. In a replay one week later, Bass accused her young critics of trying to force radical views on a society that wants peace and order. The board adopted her modified anti-obscenity bill in a 16-11 vote on March 20. Mayor Alfonso J. Cervantes signed it, calling the bill a symbol of public rejection of growing permissiveness. With little for a campaign but her quotable right-wing self, Bass was trounced in the 1970 GOP primary by state Attorney General John Danforth, who narrowly lost the November election to Democratic U.S. Sen. Stuart Symington. (Danforth won a senate seat six years later.) Hair didnt arrive in St. Louis until Nov. 2, 1971, and only after St. Louis Circuit Judge Lackland Bloom flew to Kansas City, watched a performance and ruled it not obscene. Dueling pickets marched outside the American Theater, 416 North Ninth Street, on opening night. Four police officers who attended the sold-out opener called it stupid but not worth shutting down. Bass kept battling the counterculture, facing hecklers in 1972 in a packed auditorium at St. Louis Community College in Forest Park, where she responded, Your disagreement doesnt ruffle me. But she lost her aldermanic seat in 1973 to Democrat Geraldine Osborn. Bass remarried and ran unsuccessfully three more times in Republican primaries, the last in 2002 for U.S. Senate. She died in 2014. Gallery: St. Louis alderman takes on counterculture with attack on 'Hair' Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Look Back "Hair" Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today It was 1985, two years after a summer prison riot in Moberly led to the murder of 62-year-old corrections Officer Tom Jackson. Prosecutor Tim Finnical faced a jury in Dent County, where the trial had been moved, and told them that Rodney Carr stabbed Jackson. The jury believed Finnical and convicted Carr. A judge sentenced him to life in prison. Hes there today. But it wasnt true. Finnical said so himself in a letter he signed in 2019. Mr. Carr was not the person who actually stabbed the victim, Finnical wrote in a letter to the governors office seeking a pardon for Carr. That pardon hasnt come. And now Carrs attorneys, Elizabeth Ramsey and her father, Robert, are seeking a new hearing to prove their clients innocence. In a brief filed last month in St. Francois County, where Carr is in prison, they argue that the case was a mess from the beginning, with evidence kept from the defendant, differing stories from the prosecutor, intimidation of some witnesses and the encouragement of other witnesses to lie. We have never had a case like this, Elizabeth Ramsey told me in an interview. Thats saying something. The St. Louis-based Ramseys have represented some of the states most famous men wrongfully convicted of murder. They include Mark Woodworth, convicted in a 1990 murder in Chillicothe, and Brad Jennings, convicted of his wifes murder on Christmas Day in 2006. Carr was one of three men charged in the death of Jackson after the riot at Moberly Correctional Center. After two botched murder trials, Robert Driscoll was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury in his third trial. He was sentenced to time served and released. Driscoll, the man who actually stabbed Jackson, told multiple people, in prison and outside, that Carr had nothing to do with the killing. Another inmate at the time, Roy Roberts, was found guilty of holding Jackson while Driscoll stabbed him. Roberts was put to death by the state in 1999. Youre killing an innocent man, and you all can kiss my (expletive), Roberts famously said before he died. In each of the mens trials, however, Finnical offered differing and contradictory arguments about Jacksons death, according to the petition filed by the Ramseys for Carr. The transcripts from Mr. Carrs Co-Defendants trials, not disclosed to Petitioner, show glaring and irreconcilable inconsistencies among crucial states witnesses, mutually-exclusive and competing case theories and fact patterns, the petition reads. The State ... presented vastly different fact patterns through their witnesses at each trial. The State presented testimony that, taken together, could not possibly be true. The States witnesses changed their testimony about important facts from one trial to the next ... and the flip-flopping testimony of guards and inmates depending on which defendant was on trial and what they needed to convict. Among the key pieces of evidence is a pair of jean shorts Carr was wearing on the day of the riot. The state had those shorts and tested them, finding no blood nor DNA from Jackson. But that fact was never revealed not even the existence of the shorts to Carrs defense attorney. Carr didnt find out until investigators working for the Ramseys examined transcripts of the trials. When the riot broke out in Moberly, Carr was a month from being released after serving time for a stealing charge. He had no motivation to be involved in Jacksons death. Carr, 62, grew up in St. Louis, mostly living on the north side of the city. His parents, Ann and John Carr, now live in Troy, Missouri. Carr married his high school sweetheart, Peggy, in 2019. He has been, according to testimony from current and past corrections employees, a model prisoner, volunteering in the prison hospice to help fellow inmates who are dying. Ramsey hopes that, unlike Carrs previous attempt to obtain a pardon, this latest court action gets the attention it deserves. There is really nothing to hang the conviction on anymore that is the least bit credible, she says. Rodney is innocent. We have definitive proof now. Editor's note: An earlier version of this column inaccurately described Driskoll's manslaughter conviction. ST. LOUIS Authorities say a man shot and killed his ex-girlfriend during a fight Wednesday evening in a house on the border of the O'Fallon and Penrose neighborhoods. Julius Massey, 41, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was in custody on Friday. Investigators said Massey and the woman were drinking and began to argue at someone's house in the 4600 block of Pope Avenue. The resident of the home told police that's when they went to a different room. That person said the woman went to the bathroom as the argument continued, Massey followed her and then the resident heard one gunshot. More arguing followed, police wrote in court documents, and then another shot was fired. Massey left the home and the resident called police at about 8 p.m. The woman had been shot in the head twice, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity had not yet been released as of Friday morning. CLAYTON A St. Louis County jury acquitted two men of murder on Thursday after they claimed self-defense in the fatal 2022 shooting of a woman at a home in Riverview. Prosecutors argued at trial that DeSean Pearson and Ramon Lapid arrived on Sept. 23, 2022, at a home in the 9800 block of Lilac Drive in north St. Louis County to smoke marijuana with the husband of 41-year-old Toni Stroder, who had a medical marijuana card. Instead, Pearson pulled out a gun that was hidden in the cushions of a chair and announced a robbery. Stroder was shot and killed during a struggle. But Pearson testified that the night went much differently, and the jury ultimately agreed. Pearson claimed that Stroders husband was actually a drug dealer without a medical marijuana card, and Lapid drove Pearson to the house so Pearson could buy $800 worth of marijuana. Instead of giving him the weed, Pearson said, Stroders husband tried to rip Pearson off. Thats where things get nasty, said Pearsons attorney, Terry Niehoff. The two exchanged words. At one point, Pearson told Stroders husband that hed leave if he could just get his money back. Instead, Stroder came into the room with a gun. There was a struggle, Pearson said, and the gun went off. Stroder was shot and killed, and Lapid was grazed by a bullet as he and Pearson ran away. When they got to the car, Stroders son was there. Niehoff, the defense attorney, said the son tried to get into their vehicle, and Pearson shot him a use of force that is allowed under the Missouris Castle Doctrine. Pearson and Lapid were both charged with second-degree felony murder because prosecutors argued Stroder was killed while the pair was committing a robbery. Both were also charged with armed criminal action, and Pearson also faced charges of stealing a gun and first-degree assault in the shooting of Stroders son. The prosecutions case rested largely on the testimony of Stroders husband, who said he had invited Pearson and Lapid over to smoke marijuana but denied he was a drug dealer, prosecutors said in closing arguments. Prosecutors said Pearson and Lapid pretended to be friends with Stroders husband a loving grandfather who was babysitting his grandchildren at the time to get close to him and steal his marijuana. But Niehoff and Lapids attorney, Paige Bremner, said there were thousands of dollars worth of marijuana at the house much more than one person could consume and police never checked with the state to see if Stroders husband had a valid medical marijuana card. Stroders husband also made multiple inconsistent statements about the course of events, Niehoff said. The truth doesnt change, Niehoff said. The truth is the truth. Jurors took about six hours to return verdicts of not guilty on all counts. VELDA CITY The police department here shut down on Friday after its three officers and chief resigned from the force. The news was posted on the Velda City police departments Facebook page around 1:15 p.m. 45 minutes before operations ceased. Pagedale police will handle emergency calls, at least for now, said Sgt. Tracy Panus, a St. Louis County police spokeswoman. The departments front door locks were being changed around 4 p.m. Friday, and Pagedale officers were seen in the area. Velda City, with a population of about 1,200 people, is the latest small municipality in north St. Louis County to disband its police department over the past decade. Neighboring towns Charlack did so in 2015, Pine Lawn followed suit in 2016 and Kinloch shut down its police force in 2018. Some of those cities are now patrolled by county police, but others are handled by the North County Police Cooperative, a police force founded to patrol small municipalities in north St. Louis County. According to the departments Facebook post, Velda Citys officers resigned because the municipal government (was) essentially forcing them out. At this point, we are trying to move the city forward, Alderman Derrick Gill told the Post-Dispatch on Friday. We need an accredited police department. The dysfunction you can see it on display. The closure stemmed from the Board of Aldermens decision to contract with an outside agency during attempts to rein in the citys finances, according to the Facebook post. The city chose to merge with Hillsdale Police Department, but police wrote that before the board of aldermen could approve the merger on Wednesday, interim Mayor Gwendolyn Buggs spoke or met in secrecy and conspired to rescind the already approved merger. The vote was tied 2-2, and as the tiebreaker Buggs killed the merger, police said. The mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Residents should know the truth, police wrote on Facebook. For the last several months, the department has only had three officers on the street. Not three officers per shift, three officers total for the department. Gill, the alderman, said he voted against the move in part because Hillsdale is not accredited and the merger would mean giving two of Velda Citys police cars to the Hillsdale department. But Gill said he blames police Chief Daniel Paulino for the closure since Paulino doubles as Velda Citys administrator. If there is a financial issue, he was involved in it, Gill said, noting the officers resignations were obviously orchestrated. The chief did not respond to a request for comment. Its just really bad altogether, Gill said. (Paulino is) the real reason we are in this situation. Paulino made about $99,000 last year as chief and administrator, according to the Post-Dispatchs salary database. His officers made between $44,000 and $49,000. When reached by phone Friday afternoon, Alderman Buffie Griffin said she did not know about the police departments closure. The citys other aldermen Carolyn Tomlin and Melvin Jarrett did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Velda City is southeast of Normandy and north of Wellston and Pagedale. Robert Cohen of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. After being in print and on the air for almost 50 years, Riverfront Times founder Ray Hartmann will now be on the ballot. Hartmann announced Thursday that he will run in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District seat, now held by U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Town and Country. I know this gets said every four years, but this election is pivotal for democracy, said Hartmann, 71. Hartmann, a Richmond Heights resident who is moving to St. Charles County, is married with two children. His first big splash in the St. Louis area came with his founding the Riverfront Times in 1977. After leading the alternative weekly newspaper for over two decades, Hartmann sold it in 1998. He acquired St. Louis magazine in 2002 and managed it until its sale in 2018. For a brief time following the magazines sale, he returned to the RFT as an opinion columnist. He has since written for the news website Raw Story and online platform Substack. Hartmann also was one of the original panelists on Donnybrook, a public-affairs debate show on KETC (Channel 9) that made its debut in 1987. On Thursday nights show, Hartmann announced that he would be leaving the panel. Obviously, if Im running for Congress, I have to retire from journalism, he said. Along with the print and television exposure, Hartmann has been heard regularly on radio over the years: WGNU (920 AM) in the 1980s; KMOX (1120 AM) in the 1990s; and on KTRS (550 AM) from 2018-2022. A 1970 Parkway Central High graduate, Hartmann graduated from the journalism school at the University of Missouri in Columbia. After leaving Mizzou in 1974, he worked as a reporter in New York state and then returned to Missouri in 1975 to take a position as a speechwriter for then-Gov. Christopher Kit Bond, a Republican. Hartmann also has served on the boards of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Starkloff Disability Institute. In 2020, Hartmann filed for bankruptcy, claiming assets of $65,000 and debts of more than $1 million. Hartmann will be the second Democratic candidate in the race for the Aug. 6 primary. John Kiehne, 56, of Eureka, who has run unsuccessfully for the state Legislature in the past, also has filed. Wagner is seeking her seventh term in the GOP-leaning 2nd District, which includes parts of west and south St. Louis County; parts of St. Charles and Warren counties; and all of Franklin County. In 2022, Wagner won reelection over Trish Gunby, a Democratic state representative, with a 55%-to-43% edge. Hartmann said that if he wins the primary, he will concentrate on what he believes are the key differences between himself and Wagner. One, I support womens reproductive freedom; and two, I will oppose (former President) Donald Trump, he said. Wagner recently found herself in the middle of an intraparty clash with U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a fellow Republican who had pushed through legislation aimed at compensating St. Louis-area victims of radiation exposure. When Wagner questioned the fiscal soundness of the legislation, Hawley lambasted her on social media. I dont make it a habit of agreeing with Josh Hawley, Hartmann said. But he called (Wagners comments) shameful, and I think hes right. ST. LOUIS Primary care providers can now call mental health experts for immediate help with a patient. Low-income mothers Medicaid coverage continues for a year after giving birth. Health care providers are learning how to best screen for and treat emergencies when caring for pregnant women and new moms. Those are some of the ambitious efforts underway in Missouri since Gov. Mike Parson pledged last year to change the states embarrassing and absolutely unacceptable maternal mortality rates. The governor proposed, and the Republican-controlled Missouri General Assembly authorized, $4.3 million in new funding towards the effort. A plan was unveiled in December. This funding is granting the state unprecedented opportunities to create better access to quality care, said Paula Nickelson, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The strategies we are employing are based on what has truly worked in other states. The latest statewide report on maternal mortality, looking at years 2018 to 2020, found that an average of 70 Missouri women died while pregnant or within year of pregnancy. That ranks 44th among states. Among Black women, the mortality rate was three times that of white women. Nearly all maternal deaths in Missouri 84% were determined to be preventable. Mental health conditions, including substance abuse disorder, were the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, followed by cardiovascular disease and then homicides. From the previous report, covering 2017 to 2019, the number of suicides doubled, corresponding with an increase in firearm deaths. The states improvement plan centers on five domains: developing quality care protocols, training providers, standardizing screening and referrals during the postpartum period, creating a collaborative of mental health experts to call on and provide training, and improving data quality and accessibility. This year, the governor is asking for $7.2 million to continue the mortality prevention plan and implement a new effort to identify factors that lead to fetal and infant deaths from 24 weeks gestation through age 1. Kendra Copanas, executive director of Generate Health, which advocates for racial equity in maternal and infant health, supports the plan. It can provide a two-generation approach to understanding and preventing maternal and fetal/infant deaths, Copanas said. Kirk Mathews, head of the newly created Office of Medicaid Transformation, spoke about the states efforts in January at an event celebrating the start of Medicaid reimbursements for group prenatal care shown to improve outcomes for moms and babies and reduce racial disparities. The Medicaid office has nearly 60 staff members meeting weekly to address about two dozen maternal and infant health initiatives, he said. We truly believe that these initiatives when they begin to stack, will have a cumulative effect, like a snowball rolling down a hill, Mathews said. However, some providers and maternal health advocates say that the needle will be difficult to move without access to abortion and other programs to improve issues such as housing, wages, food security and gun violence. Okunsola Amadou, director of the Jamaa Birth Village midwifery clinic in Ferguson, said systemic issues that lead to poverty and discrimination are what created the maternal mortality crisis. Its a system that is failing them and not addressing the issue that contributes to the 84% of maternal mortality deaths that are preventable, Amadou said. So, if thats the case, if that is the factor, we need to step outside of the system for the solution. Jenga puzzle Maternal mortality is internationally viewed as indicator of the overall health of a community. Dr. Melissa Tepe, obstetrician and chief medical officer for Affinia Healthcare, a system of safety-net clinics in the St. Louis area, called pregnancy a stress test. For example, Tepe said, take a woman who has been dealing with years of discrimination, long bus rides, a horrible landlord, hearing gunshots at night, having to put off doctor appointments and problems at her childrens school. Years of that toxic stress does not do well for our bodies, Tepe said. When you become pregnant that may be like the last piece of the Jenga puzzle that your body is just not able to compensate for anymore. For every maternal death, she said, there are hundreds with more common complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, hemorrhage, infections and preterm births that lead to long-term issues and even more dangerous subsequent pregnancies. Addressing the maternal mortality crisis requires improving a womans health long before she gets pregnant, she said. Its hard to combat years of weathering and the systemic lack of resources in six to 10 months. Missouri did not join the majority of states in expanding Medicaid to cover more poor Missourians until July 2021, and only after voters forced the expansion with a statewide ballot measure and court case. Republicans have since proposed imposing work requirements and other limits on the coverage. Struggling to meet family needs while facing barriers to health coverage only worsens outcomes, Tepe said. The systems and resources we have in place for families regarding education and child care and food and housing, and a lifetime of access to medical care, all of those things play a very important role in how well a pregnant person is going to present in care, she said. In Missouri, the latest March of Dimes report from 2022 shows 45.4% of women who gave birth had one or more chronic health condition such as hypertension or obesity compared to 37.8% in the U.S. overall. Chronic conditions increase their risk of complications during pregnancy and likelihood of a preterm birth, the leading cause of infant mortality. In addition, the report shows, more than 15% of new moms in Missouri received no or inadequate prenatal care. Copanas, at Generate Health, said the states plan will help improve maternal health outcomes in the short-term, but long-term gains can only be sustained by programs that address challenges such as violence, poor air and water quality and lack of access to nutritious food. All the efforts are really focused on health care delivery, Copanas said, but what is also needed to improve outcomes are investments in social determinants of health housing, paid leave, economic opportunity those things are yet on the radar to be addressed for women. The Maternal Vulnerability Index, a tool created by data analytics company Surgo Health and used by the March of Dimes to understand where birthing people are more likely to have poor outcomes, shows Missouri has high vulnerability, scoring 72 out of 100 on all indicators. Indicators include a range of risk factors including the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, health care affordability, crime rates, housing conditions and access to reproductive health care. Pamela Merritt, executive director of the advocacy group Medical Students for Choice, also called it short-sighted to invest in improving health services for pregnant women while failing to improve their quality of life before they get pregnant. Merritt points to broader obstacles the result of state government policy that affect the health of Missouri mothers and their children. No requirement for paid family leave. Lax gun safety laws. Low wages. Limited and poorly administered food programs. A targeted effort by some lawmakers to defund Planned Parenthood clinics, which provide services like birth control and STI testing. Most of the issues that we face when it comes to maternal health outcomes are sourced in Jefferson City, said Merritt, a St. Louis native. Maternity care deserts Also endangering those with high-risk pregnancy, Merritt argues, is a lack of access to abortion. Missouris ban, which was approved by state lawmakers in 2019, went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022. The procedure now is allowed only in cases of medical emergency, which isnt defined in the abortion-ban statute. Even before the ban, abortions had become nearly nonexistent in Missouri after years of Republican-led efforts to restrict access. If someone has an unplanned pregnancy that endangers their health, Merritt said, then we basically have created a huge roadblock for them to access care that will likely save their lives or could protect their future fertility. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, the leading medical organization guiding the reproductive care of women, states that abortion is an essential part of comprehensive health care. The organization opposes any effort to impede access to abortion and interferes with the relationship between a patient and health care professional. Copanas said her organization is concerned about the lack of access to abortion in Missouri and its effect on womens health. We believe that pregnancies are healthier, and babies and children are healthier, when women are able to plan when and how they want to have children, Copanas said. Theres a whole host of things that can happen in a pregnancy that make it not viable, and women need to be able to make the choice of, whether for well-being or health, it is best to not continue the pregnancy. Restrictions on abortion and reproductive health services also appear to be factors in where medical students choose to train and doctors practice. Merritt said last year saw a 10% drop in medical school graduates applying for residency programs in states with abortion bans. She said graduates want to train in states where politicians are not interfering in medical care decisions and where they themselves can access abortion if needed. Residents in obstetrics are required to learn how to perform abortions, meaning those in states like Missouri must travel out-of-state for a month to learn the procedure leaving the state without a key source of hospital providers for a month. These doctors may have to incur travel and lodging costs. Being seen as regressive and not supportive of physicians as a profession has a huge impact on whether or not you are going to be able to get doctors, Merritt said. And without practicing physicians, some health care providers are forced to discontinue services. Within the past decade, 19 Missouri hospitals have closed, leaving 50 rural counties without a hospital, according to the Missouri Hospital Association. Nearly all were due to lack of staffing and low reimbursement from Medicaid. In addition, 14 hospitals have shuttered their labor and delivery services since 2012. Across, the state, nearly 42% of counties are maternity care deserts they have no obstetric services or providers. Progress Missouri was among the last states to expand Medicaid coverage to women one year after giving birth, which began in November. With the expansion and extension of Medicaid coverage, Missouri has now adopted and funded most of the policy measures determined critical to improving maternal and infant care. Other measures include expert teams to review the causes of maternal and infant deaths and a perinatal quality collaborative to identify and implement ways to improve care. The expansion of postpartum benefits from 60 days to one year is huge, said Donna Spears, regional director of womens health for SSM Health. Thats the biggest win Ive seen so far from the state. In January, SSM Health St. Marys Hospital announced the creation of the Womens Wellness Center, the first of its kind in the region to provide coordinated and comprehensive care throughout pregnancy and after birth. In addition to prenatal care, the center houses psychiatric services, substance abuse disorder treatment, postpartum care up to two years after giving birth for patients with chronic health conditions and depression, access to doulas and a telehealth hub providing expert consultations to rural providers. All is made possible through various federal, state and local programs and grants, Spears said, including one that will provide doulas to 200 high-risk patients at St. Marys and SSM Health DePaul Hospital. Two policy measures that Missouri has not implemented are paid family leave and Medicaid reimbursement for doulas. But progress has been made on reimbursing doulas professionals who support women through pregnancy to postpartum and have been found to reduce cesarean sections, preterm birth, increase breastfeeding initiation and reduce anxiety and stress. Officials with one of three of Missouris Medicaid managed care providers, Healthy Blue Missouri, say they have committed $755,000 to support doula training and services across the state through partnerships with community organizations, like at St. Marys. High-risk referrals can also now qualify for doula care. Missouris Medicaid office is working on defining doulas as a provider so they can be reimbursed. Reps. Jamie Johnson, D-Kansas City, and Wendy Hausman, R-St. Peters, have also introduced legislation to make their care reimbursable. The progress on doula reimbursement has been really good, Copanas said. Its slow, incremental progress, but it is exciting to see investments that Medicaid health plans have made. In January, Missouri became among the first states to provide additional Medicaid reimbursement for group prenatal care, where pregnant women of similar gestation participate in their prenatal appointments together and discuss different health-related topics. The model provides for social support while maintaining the risk screening of individual care and has been shown to improve a range of health outcomes. Advocates say they hope the new reimbursement will prompt more providers to offer the model. The states five-part plan to improve maternal health outcomes also is progressing quickly. The University of Missouri School of Medicine is hoping to launch in April the Maternal Health Access Program, which will connect primary care providers like obstetricians or family doctors to mental health experts across the state through virtual consultations, with as little as 30 minutes notice. Primary care providers will also have access to ongoing training in behavioral health. With mental health factors such as depression, suicide and substance abuse causing roughly a third of all pregnancy-related deaths in Missouri, Dr. Laine Young-Walker, the medical schools chair of psychiatry, said the program has the potential to make a huge impact. It speaks volumes that the governor is seeing this as important enough to put some sustainable ongoing funding to support it, Young-Walker said. The Missouri Hospital Association is coordinating the expansion in size and scope of the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, made of clinical experts, social service providers health advocates, hospital representatives and patients across the state. The collaborative is tasked with several initiatives including: developing and implementing the best protocols in maternal-fetal health care for hospitals; training providers how to screen for mental health and other chronic conditions; and creating a standardized postpartum plan of care that includes assessment for depression, screening for substance disorder and referrals to support services. Racial disparities and poor outcomes wont disappear quickly, said Alison Williams, the vice president of clinical quality improvement for the Missouri Hospital Association. However, Williams said, these efforts to mitigate harm and improve health and care are already beginning to strengthen the system that expecting and new moms depend on during their pregnancy and beyond. Merritt said she hopes state politicians will do more to improve the overall quality of life for Missourians rather than just make targeted investments into people after they become pregnant. Every year, she said, we miss an opportunity to right this wrong. The House bills to make doula services reimbursable by Medicaid are 2632 and 1446. WASHINGTON Three incumbent congressmen face tough challenges from within their own parties in Tuesdays primaries in Illinois, while at the top of the ticket, presumptive presidential nominees Joe Biden and Donald Trump are expected to easily pad their delegate leads. Neither the Democratic president nor the Republican former president faces a competitive race in Illinois on Tuesday after they both won enough delegates last week to clinch their parties nominations this summer. Illinois will also hold primaries for congressional and state offices on Tuesday, including races for U.S. House, state Senate and state House, as well as numerous local offices. Among the most noteworthy races are the primary fights in three congressional districts where the incumbents have drawn strong challenges, even though the seats arent at risk of changing hands in November. In the 12th District, Republican Rep. Mike Bost faces a challenge from former state Sen. Darren Bailey. Bosts race has probably drawn the most national attention, as he received Trumps endorsement in late February, while Bailey received an endorsement and campaign visit from U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. Bost and Gaetz were on opposite sides of last years prolonged fight to elect and then remove then-U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California as House speaker. Bost yelled at Gaetz on the House floor over his sharp criticism to McCarthy. Other noteworthy primary fights are being waged in the 4th Congressional District, where Democratic Rep. Chuy Garcia is being challenged by Alderman Raymond Lopez. And in the 7th District, Rep. Danny Davis is part of a crowded field that includes Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, community organizer Kina Collins and two others. Heres a look at what to expect on Tuesday: Primary day The Illinois presidential and state primaries will be held Tuesday. Polls close at 7 p.m. locally. Whats on the ballot The Democratic presidential primary features Biden, Frankie Lozada, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. The candidates on the Republican presidential primary ballot are Trump, Ryan Binkley, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. Tuesdays ballot also includes primaries for U.S. House, state Senate, state House, state Supreme Court and water commissioner. In Cook County, voters will decide primaries for circuit court clerk, states attorney and county commissioner. DuPage County has primaries for coroner and county recorder, while Kane County will pick nominees for county auditor and recorder. Kendall County will also hold a primary for circuit court clerk. Who gets to vote Any registered voter may participate in any partys primary. Illinois does not register voters by party. Delegate allocation rules There are 147 pledged Democratic delegates at stake in Illinois. Thirty-two at-large delegates are allocated in proportion to the statewide vote, as are 19 PLEO delegates, or party leaders and elected officials. The states 17 congressional districts have a combined 96 delegates at stake, which are allocated in proportion to the vote results in each district. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the statewide vote to qualify for any statewide delegates and 15% of the vote in a congressional district to qualify for delegates in that district. There are 64 delegates at stake in the Republican primary. Thirteen delegates are awarded to the winner of the statewide vote. The remaining 51 delegates are awarded by direct election in each of the states 17 congressional districts. Candidates for delegate appear on the ballot next to the name of the presidential candidate they are pledged to. Three delegates are elected from each district. What do turnout and advance vote look like Turnout in 2022 was about 10% of registered voters for Democratic primaries and between 8% and 9% for Republican primaries. More than 587,000 votes were cast before Election Day in the 2022 gubernatorial primaries, about 35% of all ballots cast. As of Wednesday, more than 348,000 voters had cast ballots before Election Day for Tuesdays primaries. Are we there yet? As of Tuesday, there will be 118 days until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, 153 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 231 days until the November general election. A thought exercise: Describe a scenario under which former President Donald Trump clearly loses the 2024 election and reacts by gracefully conceding to President Joe Biden. Its a trick question, of course. No such scenario exists. As Trump has repeatedly demonstrated, he is psychologically incapable of acknowledging electoral defeat. Thats why he was willing to fling a mob of his supporters at the U.S. Capitol to disrupt the election certification process on Jan. 6, 2021. And its why his newfound control over the Republican National Committee is such a dangerous development. Trumps audacious purge of the RNC this week is about more than just seizing the partys central organizational apparatus to help fund his campaign and possibly pay his legal bills. It also gives him a menacing weapon to hold over the heads of any congressional Republicans who might be tempted to resist a repeat of Trumps Jan. 6 attempted coup potentially with a different outcome when its time to certify the 2024 election results. Its common for presidential nominees to work hand-in-glove with the RNC and its counterpart, the Democratic National Committee. But as he has clinched the nomination this month, Trumps relationship with the RNC has been more like hand-on-throat. He began by pressing the organization last week to elect his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as RNC co-chair. In the process, he effectively booted former Chair Ronna McDaniel, whose long tenure as a shameless Trump sycophant apparently (and typically) earned her not one molecule of reciprocal loyalty. Lara Trump promptly suggested that the RNC whose primary function is to coordinate fundraising to aid Republican candidates ballot-wide should help fund her father-in-laws astronomical legal fees from his various criminal and civil trials. Then came the purge. Dozens of RNC employees, including most at the top, have been fired and replaced with Trump loyalists. Think of it as a practice run for what Trump plans to do with thousands of federal employees in currently nonpolitical jobs should he win back the presidency, according to widespread reports. And what will be the focus of this new army of loyalists in the GOPs central fundraising organization? Lara Trump has announced creation of a division of election integrity Republican-speak these days for election denial. The division has already lobbed a lawsuit against Michigans secretary of state (a Democrat, of course) claiming inflated voter rolls. Critics say the suit is as utterly baseless as the dozens of baseless election suits Trump filed after losing in 2020. In case there was any lingering doubt about whats going on here, the new RNC hires include attorney Christina Bobb, one of the more notorious enablers of Trumps various election-denial schemes, including the fake elector plots at the hearts of some of the criminal charges Trump faces. Top Trumpian troll Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia congresswoman, tweeted approvingly about what she called the bloodbath at the RNC, adding with uncharacteristic accuracy: MAGA is now in control of the Republican Party!! So why should anyone outside the GOP care that the party is escalating its self-immolation on the MAGA pyre? Because even if the GOP loses control of the House before Jan. 6, 2025 when Congress meets to certify the Nov. 5 presidential election results the party will still in theory have the power to steal the election. If it appears Trump has lost, some Republicans will almost certainly object to various states electoral results, as they baselessly did last time. If, this time, they are successful in creating an electoral stalemate, the president would be chosen by a House vote not a vote by member but by state delegation. Even if Democrats take over the chamber when the new Congress is sworn in three days earlier, Republicans are expected to retain their slightly larger number of state House delegations. And the RNC controls those Republicans purse strings. And Trump now controls the RNC. Another thought exercise: Under what scenario would the Donald Trump we all know not demand that his lickspittle House Republicans hand him the election like this if they can, regardless of whether theres any legitimacy to it? Trump will, of course, claim victory no matter how America votes. This is as predictable as the tide and just one of the many (many, many) reasons he belongs nowhere near power again. But a decisive defeat for Trump at the polls will make it that much harder for his congressional allies to do his bidding and steal the election, even with the RNC blade now hanging over them. The wider the margin, the harder it will be. Its the best argument there is for setting aside whatever legitimate qualms that progressives, centrists and good-faith conservatives have about Biden and voting for him. The alternative isnt just a thought exercise but a nightmare scenario. Regarding Lynn Schmidt's column " As a RINO, I knew Trumpers would win. I didn't know how they'd make me feel ." (March 10): I am an Independent voter. However, I keep wondering why it took the writer so long to "feel" tormented when casting her vote at a GOP county caucus. Where was she when Donald Trump came down the golden escalator during his first campaign and spewed bigotry by stating that Mexicans were coming to America and were rapists and murderers? Where was she when Trump stated he would ban Muslims from entering America? Or when Trump urged his supporters at his rallies to beat up protesters? Or when Trump made fun of a reporter with a disability? Or when Trump said he could get away with groping women? BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Georgia has exemplary relations with Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said, Trend reports. He made a remark during a press conference following the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye in Baku. "We discussed the processes taking place in the region and around the world. It has been noted that we are ready to further intensify our cooperation. We have strategic, exemplary ties with Azerbaijan and Turkiye. We also discussed cooperation in the political, commercial, transportation, and energy spheres. We emphasized the importance of our joint efforts to further expand cooperation in these areas," the Georgian Foreign Minister added. To note, the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia was held in Baku. At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest in trilateral cooperation, determined the venue of the next meeting, and adopted the Baku Declaration. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel March 15, 2024: Russia continues to purchase millions of dollars worth EU (European Union) weapons technology items that sanctions are supposed to prevent Russia from acquiring. The European Union nations efforts to prevent Russia from obtaining the banned technologies for use in weapons used to attack Ukraine. Over $20 billion worth of these banned items continue to come from EU countries. The current sanctions are not working, and the EU is under pressure to develop sanctions that work as intended. Most of the sanctioned equipment comes from EU nations. About $150 million worth of important, sanctioned goods that reached Russia last year came from EU nations. Russia used a network of countries that have long facilitated the smuggling by ignoring it. These countries include Turkey, the UAE or United Arab Emirates, Serbia, and China. In addition, nations neighboring Russia like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia also permitted the smuggling of sanctioned goods to Russia. Officially, legal shipments of EU goods stopped after the war began but exports of those goods via smuggling via third countries quickly supplied all that Russia needed. The smuggling effort increased the cost of the goods to Russia, but the Russian still received what was needed to keep fighting in Ukraine. Meanwhile Ukrainian troops face shortages of weapons because of the inability of EU nations to produce weapons quickly enough and political problems in the United States blocking the release of $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine. The Americans acknowledged the problem and told the Ukrainians that the military aid would be delivered in a month or two. The EU nations have said they will deal with the smuggling and work to prevent Russia from getting vital military equipment that is made in Europe. This means acting against the nations that tolerate, often for profit, the smuggling while officially denying any involvement. The blocs actions to enforce sanctions have included export restrictions on companies in third countries as well as diplomatic outreach in those nations asking them to curb re-exports to Russia. The EU has also taken powers that would allow it to ban exports of sanctioned goods to a country in the most blatant cases, though some member states have so far resisted using the tool. Most of the illegal smuggling takes place via thousands of small companies outside the EU, most of them based in China. Shipments are hard to track as they regularly involve chains of multiple vendors and at times re-sellers who may be simply dipping into older stock that they want to get rid of. The EU has also found that some firms based in the EU are supporting the export of banned weapons or components. Sometimes this is deliberate but more often the goods are sold to a legal buyer who will then resell the goods to someone who will resell the items to firms that are involved, usually deliberately with smuggling. This is a very profitable business and EU companies are willing to risk getting caught and punished because the current sales are so popular and involve documents that make it all look legal. Subsidiaries and subcontractors of some European firms operating outside Europe were producing sanctioned items and exporting them to Russia through intermediaries in countries that were legal buyers. Major manufacturers always say they abide by all sanctions rules and dont export to Russia. EU rules do allow some exceptions for export to Russia dual use goods. These are items that can be used for both military and civil purposes, like humanitarian aid for health emergencies, natural disasters, and medical use in general. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / In celebration of the strength of its U.S. and Canadian dealer network, CNH brands, CASE Construction Equipment and New Holland, recently announced the winners of their respective CASE Dealer Awards program and New Holland UK & ROI Dealer of the Year Awards. "Our dedicated and customer-first dealer network differentiates CASE in the market. Across the U.S. and Canada, we have the strength of 66 dealers, 325 locations and more than 7,000 faces of CASE providing customer-first sales, service, parts and financing support," says Terry Dolan, vice president - North America, CASE Construction Equipment. "The CASE Dealer Awards program recognizes the best of the best." Power Abe Award - Progressive Tractor & Implement Also known as the CASE Dealer of the Year Award, the Power Abe Award is given to the dealer who is committed to building the CASE brand and delivers top performance in sales, parts, service and offering Capital financing products to their customers. J.I. Case Award - Lee Tractor Co. In recognition of CASE's founder, who was resilient, customer-first and rooted in practical innovation, this year's award is presented to the dealer with the greatest focus on technology (precision and connected services). Building Community Award - GT Mid Atlantic The heart of the CASE brand is building (and rebuilding) community. This award recognizes the dealer who goes above and beyond in exhibiting our brand purpose. GT Mid Atlantic won for its work with Construction Angels and will receive a $10,000 donation for this deserving nonprofit. Power Tan Awards These awards are earned for high sales performance by product category. In addition, CNH brand New Holland has also announced the winners of its 2023 UK and ROI Dealer of The Year Awards, which celebrate excellence in performance and service quality across its extensive UK and Ireland dealer network. Main category winners: Overall, UK Dealer of the Year: Russells Ltd Ireland Dealer of the Year: M & S Machinery Medium UK Dealer of the Year: Francis Bugler Ltd Small UK Dealer of the Year: T Alun Jones & Son Product Line Category Winners: Combine Dealer of the Year: Robert D Webster Ltd Tractor Dealer of the Year: Lloyd Ltd Hay & Forage Dealer of the Year: Lloyd Ltd PLM Dealer of the Year: Agricar Ltd Implements Dealer of the Year: Agricar Ltd Construction Equipment Dealer of the Year: M & S Machinery Telehandler Dealer of the Year: Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd Parts Dealer of the Year: T H White Ltd NPS Dealer of the Year: Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd David Rapkins, New Holland Business Director UK & ROI, said: "I would like to express my congratulations to all the 2023 New Holland Dealer of the Year winners. These awards acknowledge and reward the performance and effort that our dealers put into the service they provide to our customers. A big thank you to all our UK and ROI dealers who have contributed to make 2023 a great year. We truly appreciate your hard work and excellent teamwork across the dealer network". Recognizing its dealers and rewarding customer-centric and community focused success is a demonstration of CNH's commitment to supporting its people and the communities and customers they serve. The CASE dealer awards View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: CNH Industrial Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial Email: [email protected] SOURCE: CNH Industrial View the original press release on accesswire.com The Hart Cunningham campaign ignites a profound appeal to Arizona's citizens, mobilizing their collective effort to amass an additional 5,700 registered Democratic voters. PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Today, the Hart Cunningham campaign issues a stirring call to action to the people of Arizona, rallying their support to secure 5,700 additional registered Democratic voters to propel his bid for the upcoming U.S. Senate primary. Hart Cunningham brings a dynamic spirit to the forefront of his campaign, driven by a history of tackling significant issues head-on. From landmark cases like Camp L, Talcum, Roundup, to the deeply personal tragedy of the Maui fire, where he lost friends, Cunningham's resolve to advocate for justice and support those affected by devastating events remains unwavering. His run for Arizona Senate signals the next chapter in his mission, furthering his commitment to empowering communities impacted by unprecedented and unpredictable challenges. At the core of Cunningham's vision lies a fervent pursuit of equality for all and the ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence into society. His aspiration is to lead Arizona toward a future where these principles transcend rhetoric, becoming tangible realities that uplift every citizen. Through adept use of social media, the Cunningham campaign has engaged voters, amplifying Hart's transformative agenda for Arizona and the nation. Followers are encouraged to stay abreast of campaign updates and events via Hart's Instagram account @Hpsc24 and his active presence on Bluesky Social. "We stand at a pivotal juncture in our campaign, and we need the steadfast support of Arizonans who resonate with our vision for a just, equitable, and technologically advanced society," remarked Hart Cunningham. "Every vote brings us closer to enacting meaningful change. I implore all who share our aspirations to register as Democrats and join our movement. Together, we can shape a future that reflects our collective values." To bolster Hart Cunningham's bid for the U.S. Senate, eligible Arizona voters are urged to register as Democrats and pledge their allegiance to his campaign. Every voice matters, and united, we have the power to shape a brighter future. For further information on supporting the Hart Cunningham campaign, please visit the official campaign website or follow Hart on Instagram @Hpsc24 and on Bluesky Social. Contact: Campaign Manager Hart Cunningham for Senate PURSUING.COM 4949 E Redrock, 85018 [email protected] 415-717-6087 Contact Information Raoul Davis Public Relations [email protected] (336) 575-3594 SOURCE: Hart Cunningham Campaign View the original press release on newswire.com. CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / We're delighted to announce that John Austin of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers has been admitted to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This organization recognizes attorneys who have obtained multi-million dollar settlements for their clients. Fewer than 1 percent of United States attorneys have achieved this prestigious status. John C. Austin John has been practicing law for more than 15 years. He began his career working for insurance companies, but realized he wanted to work on the victim side of the law. This beginning has given him a unique insight into the tactics insurance companies use to cheat injury victims out of a fair settlement. In his career, John has handled thousands of cases involving negligence and personal injury, including motor vehicle and trucking crashes, bicycle and pedestrian crashes, slip and fall injuries, industrial injuries, work-related injuries, and dog bite injuries. His induction into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is the latest achievement in an illustrious career that includes earning the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, a qualification fewer than 4 percent of insurance industry professionals hold. This gives him a powerful edge as he fights for his clients in court. Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is proud to have attorneys like John on our team. Our attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, and we're ready to go to bat for you, too. Schedule a free consultation today to start getting the representation you deserve. Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Clearwater Office 1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1 Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 787-2500 Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Congress Ave. Office 2360 Congress Avenue Clearwater, FL 33763 (727) 591-5610 Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Tampa Office 6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202 Tampa, FL 33615 (813) 686-7588 Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - New Port Richey Office 2515 Seven Springs Blvd. New Port Richey, FL, 34655 (727) 815-8442 Contact Information Carol-Lynn Roman Marketing Manager [email protected] (727) 787-2500 SOURCE: Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers View the original press release on newswire.com. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. ("Lincoln" or the "Company") (TSXV:LMG) is pleased to provide an update on its previously announced acquisition of the assets comprising the Bell Mountain Project located in Churchill County, Nevada (the "Transaction"). This update follows the Company's news releases dated August 10, 2023, October 27, 2023, November 6, 2023, January 5, 2024, and March 15, 2024 (the "News Releases") pertaining to the Transaction. The Transaction is governed by a purchase agreement dated November 3, 2023, as amended on January 8, 2024, and March 15, 2024, between Lincoln Resource Group Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Eros Resources Corp. ("Eros"), and Bell Mountain Exploration Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eros. The Company received conditional acceptance to complete the Transaction from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") on November 24, 2023. To ensure the parties have adequate time to satisfy the remaining TSXV requirements and obtain final approval, the parties have extended the outside date to complete the Transaction to May 31, 2024. The Company is to fulfill specific conditions to secure final approval from the TSXV. These conditions include providing the TSXV with an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA") for the Bell Mountain Project and a financial plan which outlines the Company's anticipated expenses in the first six months following closing of the Transaction. In order for the Company to satisfy the outstanding requirements of the TSXV, Lincoln intends to launch a private placement offering in the near future. Further details regarding the private placement will be disclosed in a subsequent announcement. For comprehensive details on the Transaction, please refer to the Company's prior News Releases, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, or www.lincolnmining.com. About Lincoln Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. is an advanced-stage gold mine exploration and development company holding a 100% interest in the Pine Grove Gold Project, in the Walker Lane structural zone of western Nevada. The Company has prepared a preliminary economic assessment of the Pine Grove Gold Project pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Lincoln holds its interests in the US projects through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Lincoln Resource Group Corp. and Lincoln Gold US Corporation are both Nevada corporations. For more information, please contact Paul Saxton, President and CEO of the Company. On behalf of Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. Paul Saxton President and CEO, Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. Tel: (604) 688-7377 Email: [email protected] Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that is intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's expectation that the Transaction will close, that the parties will satisfy the TSXV's requirements to close the Transaction, that the Company anticipates that the Transaction will receive final TSXV acceptance and that the Company will launch a private placement in the future.. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include those relating to the Company's expectation that the Transaction will be completed, the failure to obtain approval of the Transaction from the TSXV, the inability for the parties to meet each requirement of the TSXV to close the Transaction, the expectation that the TSXV will not impose further conditions, the expectation that the Company will launch a private placement, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company not being able to complete the Transaction within an acceptable timeline, the risk that the Company may not obtain approval of the TSXV or other necessary regulatory approval of the Transaction, the risk that the Company will not be able to launch and complete the private placement as currently expected, the risk the parties will not fulfil the TSXV conditions to close the Transaction, and general market conditions. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update or revise publicly any of the included forward- looking statements unless as expressly required by applicable law. SOURCE: Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Rockland Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rockland") (CSE:RKL) announces it has increased the size of the non-brokered private placement, announced March 14th, 2024, to 4.5 million units from 2 million units ("Units") at a price of $0.025 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $112,500 from $50,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share ("Share") and one-half transferable Share purchase warrant of the Company ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the Subscriber to purchase one Warrant Share for a 24-month period after the Closing Date at an exercise price of $0.05 per share. Proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for general and administrative purposes. About Rockland Resources Ltd. Rockland Resources is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets for the benefit of its shareholders. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Michael England, CEO & Director For further information, please contact: Mike England Email: [email protected] Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM). SOURCE: Rockland Resources Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV:SM)(OTCQX:SMDRF) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has upsized and closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering"), raising total gross proceeds of approximately $1,000,020. The Company issued 3,571,500 shares (the "Shares") at a price of $0.28 for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,000,020. Net proceeds will be used to fund the continued care and maintenance on, and the mine restart plan at, Sierra Madre's 100% owned past-producing La Guitarra Silver-Gold Mine Complex in Estado de Mexico, Mexico, 130 km southwest of Mexico City. The Offering has been structured to take advantage of the listed issuer financing exemption from prospectus requirements (the "Exemption") in Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), whereby shares issued pursuant to the Exemption are freely tradeable listed equity securities not subject to any hold period. The Shares are not subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid to an arm's length finder a cash commission totaling $15,000.30, being 1.5% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering. An amended and restated offering document related to this Offering (the "Offering Document") has been filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.com and at https://sierramadregoldandsilver.com. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. 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. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Sierra Madre Sierra Madre Gold & Silver (TSXV:SM)(OTCQX:SMDRF) is a precious metals development and exploration company, focused on evaluating the potential of restarting the La Guitarra Mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic and La Tigra properties in Nayarit, Mexico. The La Guitarra Mine is a permitted, past-producing underground mine which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018. The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource. La Tigra, located 148 km north of Tepic, has been mined historically; Sierra Madres maiden 2022 drill program at the site intercepted shallow mineralization. Sierra Madres management has played key roles for managing exploration and development of more than 22Moz gold and 600Moz silver in combined reserves and resources. Sierra Madres team of professionals has collectively raised over $1B for mining companies. On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd., "Alexander Langer" Alexander Langer President, Chief Executive Officer and Director 1-604-765-1604 Contact: [email protected] Cautionary Note 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. This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the use of proceeds. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as announced or at all. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver View the original press release on accesswire.com WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2024 / TDG Gold Corp. (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to announce the completion of acquisition of a 100% interest in the Oxide Peak mineral tenures ("Oxide Peak") located in the Toodoggone District of north-central B.C. Oxide Peak covers 8,490 hectares of prospective exploration ground1 to the north of, and contiguous with, TDG's Baker Complex. Since signing the initial option agreement with ArcWest Exploration Inc. ("ArcWest") in December 2019 (the "Option Agreement"), TDG has completed approximately $3.3 million of exploration expenditures on Oxide Peak, including 2,050 metres of diamond drilling and identifying several targets1 prospective for the discovery of porphyry copper +/- gold systems. Fletcher Morgan, TDG's CEO, commented: "Our two most recent news releases (Feb 28, 2024 and Mar 07, 2024) highlighted our progress redefining TDG's 100% owned Baker Complex, showing its potential1 to host multiple intrusive-related copper-gold-molybdenum porphyries1. Closing the acquisition of the Oxide Peak project enables us to include a portion of the Oxide Peak mineral tenures within the Baker Complex, as we advance our dialogues for a potential joint venture partner to drill test the new porphyry targets1 we have identified." Per the terms of the Definitive Purchase Agreement announced Feb 14, 2024, TDG has paid $100,000 and issued 412,031 common shares of TDG (the "TDG Shares") to ArcWest. TDG has also granted a 2% net smelter returns royalty on Oxide Peak to ArcWest, of which 1% may be repurchased by TDG for $1.0 million. The TDG Shares will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable securities laws expiring July 15, 2024, as well as certain orderly sales requirements agreed to between TDG and ArcWest. The former option agreement with ArcWest in respect of the Oxide Peak property has been terminated. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for TDG Gold Corp., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. 1Mineral Exploration/Exploration Target Area(s): Exploration targets and/or Exploration zones and/or Exploration areas are speculative and there is no certainty that any future work or evaluation will lead to the definition of a mineral resource. About TDG Gold Corp. TDG is a major mineral tenure holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 23,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta and Baker mines, which produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and the historical high-grade gold Mets developed prospect, all of which are road accessible, and combined have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. The projects have been advanced through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and, at Shasta, 13,250 m of modern HQ drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their potential extensions. In May 2023, TDG published an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Shasta (TDG news release May 01, 2023) which remains open at depth and along strike. In January 2023, TDG defined a larger exploration target area adjacent to Shasta (Greater Shasta-Newberry'; TDG news release Jan 25, 2023). In Fall 2023, TDG published the first modern drill results from the Mets mining lease (TDG news releases Sep 07, 2023, Sep 11, 2023 and Nov 28, 2023). In early 2024, TDG identified new copper-gold target areas over an expanded footprint covering ~42 sq.km known as the Baker Complex' (TDG news release Feb 28, 2024). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Fletcher Morgan Chief Executive Officer For further information contact: TDG Gold Corp. Telephone: +1.604.536.2711 Email: [email protected] Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as, "opportunities", "prospective", "potential", "expand", "associate", "prospective", "target" and variations of these words as well as other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "could", "may", "should", "would" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown 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 factors include, among others: whether suitable joint ventures can be formed; whether future exploration programs will successfully define potentially economic mineralization; the timing and availability of funding to support such exploration; accidents, labour disputes and other risks common to the mining industry; the availability of sufficient funding on terms acceptable to the Company to complete the planned work programs; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) announced today that its annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. CET, at the Company's registered office located at 26, Boulevard Royal, 4th Floor, L-2449 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Each holder of Ternium ADSs as of March 25, 2024, shall be entitled to instruct The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary bank, as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the shares represented by such holder's ADSs. The following documents are available on the Company's website at www.ternium.com in the Investor section: Notice and Agenda for the meeting. Shareholder Meeting Brochure and Proxy Statement. Company's 2023 Annual Report. Copies of these documents are also available, free of charge, at the Company's registered office in Luxembourg, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CET. In addition, shareholders registered in the Company's share register may obtain electronic copies of such documents, free of charge, by sending an e-mail request to [email protected]. Forward Looking Statements Some of the statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. These risks include but are not limited to risks arising from uncertainties as to gross domestic product, related market demand, global production capacity, tariffs, cyclicality in the industries that purchase steel products and other factors beyond Ternium's control. About Ternium Ternium is a leading steel producer in the Americas, providing advanced steel products to a wide range of manufacturing industries and the construction sector. We invest in low carbon emissions steelmaking technologies to support the energy transition and the mobility of the future. We also support the development of our communities, specially through educational programs in Latin America. More information about Ternium is available at www.ternium.com. Contact: Sebastin Marti Ternium - Investor Relations +1 (866) 890 0443 +54 (11) 4018 8389 www.ternium.com SOURCE: Ternium S.A. View the original press release on accesswire.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Georgia is ready to make its contribution to ensuring peace in the region, the country's Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said during the press conference following the ninth trilateral meeting with his Azerbaijani and Turkish counterparts in Baku, Trend reports. Georgia stands for ensuring peace in the region and is ready to make its contribution to this process, he noted. Darchiashvili emphasized that he hopes for the speedy signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The minister also added that the parties also discussed regional projects. At the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of trilateral cooperation of mutual interest, the location of the next meeting was determined and the Baku Declaration was adopted. To note, the eighth trilateral meeting of the three countries' foreign ministers was held in Tbilisi on December 23, 2019. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2024 / In an exciting development for the health and wellness sector, Vincent Amodio, a seasoned leader with a distinguished career in healthcare, announces the launch of SnapCrack, a franchise that is set to redefine the wellness landscape. With a unique integration of chiropractic care and specialized vitamin infusions, SnapCrack is poised to become a cornerstone in wellness communities across untapped markets. SnapCrack and Smile Train Making a Difference Together With Amodio at the forefront, SnapCrack leverages his extensive expertise and innovative vision to offer an unparalleled business model. Amodio, known for his forward-thinking approach and successful track record in healthcare, has meticulously crafted SnapCrack to meet the growing demands of health-conscious consumers. "Having been deeply entrenched in the healthcare industry for years, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges and limitations faced by individuals seeking quality care," said Amodio. "SnapCrack is the culmination of my journey, designed to break down these barriers, making top-tier wellness services accessible to all." Amodio's commitment to excellence and innovation in healthcare is evident in every aspect of SnapCrack. From the strategic selection of prime locations to the adaption of cutting-edge wellness advances, Amodio's influence ensures that SnapCrack is uniquely positioned for success. Potential franchisees will find confidence in Amodio's leadership and the robust foundation he has built. Amodio's vision extends beyond the immediate success of SnapCrack, aiming to foster a global movement towards accessible and affordable wellness solutions. "SnapCrack is not just a business; it's a mission to transform the wellness industry," Amodio emphasized. "Our partnership with Smile Train, where we donate $10 for every new member, reflects our broader commitment to making a positive impact beyond our services." Amodio's dedication to innovation and community well-being makes SnapCrack an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful difference in the health and wellness industry. To learn more about the SnapCrack Franchise and to discover how you can join this groundbreaking venture in wellness, please visit snapcrackfranchise.com. Contact Information Vanessa Cereceda Chief Commercial Officer [email protected] 3053316697 SOURCE: SnapCrack View the original press release on newswire.com. CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Last night, at the United Way of Calgary and Areas Community Impact Awards, AltaLink received the 2023 Workplace Excellence Award. The Workplace Excellence Award honours workplace campaigns that demonstrate industry excellence, exhibiting strong employee engagement, leadership support, and a best-practice approach to their United Way campaign. Our Powerful Giving campaign is an opportunity to come together as an organization to support the communities in which we live, work and play, said Gary Hart, AltaLinks President and Chief Executive Officer. This award demonstrates the commitment, innovation, and generous spirit our team has in strengthening our communities. We are honoured to receive this special recognition from the United Way of Calgary and Area. AltaLinks annual employee giving campaign is driven by employees, organized by a committee of representatives from across the company and guided by sponsors from the executive team. Committee chairs complete a four-month secondment with the United Way of Calgary and Area, providing them with a unique perspective of the needs of the organization that they can incorporate into their campaign planning. With employees spread across different locations in Alberta, AltaLinks campaign includes a variety of both in-person and virtual activities to give everyone an opportunity to get involved in a way that is meaningful to them. AltaLink's generosity inspires me. This award is a testament to their outstanding commitment to supporting our community, and we are immensely grateful for their longstanding partnership," said Karen Young, United Way of Calgary and Area's President and Chief Executive Officer. "With AltaLinks support, we are making sure everyone has access to programs and services when they need them most. With all donations matched dollar for dollar by AltaLinks shareholders, AltaLink raised more than $800,000 in donations to charities across the province in 2023. AltaLink has been holding its Powerful Giving campaign since 2002, and is proud to have raised $11 million over those 21 years to make a difference in the lives of Albertans. Headquartered in Calgary, with offices in Edmonton, Red Deer and Lethbridge, AltaLink is Alberta's largest electricity transmission provider. AltaLink is partnering with its customers to provide innovative solutions to meet the provinces demand for reliable and affordable energy. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, AltaLink is part of a global group of companies delivering energy services to customers worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315831845/en/ Amanda Sadleir Manager, Corporate Communications Phone: 403.585-7289 E-mail: [email protected] Source: AltaLink AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of a+ (Excellent) of SCOR SE (SCOR) (France) and its main operating subsidiaries. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. See below for a detailed listing of companies and ratings. The ratings reflect SCORs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, very favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. SCORs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the very strong level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supporting its very strong balance sheet strength assessment. AM Best expects SCORs risk-adjusted capitalisation to be maintained at least at the very strong level prospectively, supported by the groups conservative investment portfolio and robust retrocession programme. A partially offsetting factor is SCORs reliance on soft capital components, which include hybrid debt, value of in-force life business and a contingent capital facility. SCORs operating performance assessment is adequate, supported by improved underwriting in 2023 and solid investment activities result over the business cycle. In 2023, SCOR delivered a net profit of EUR 812 million under IFRS 17 supported by all business activities (2022: EUR 301 million loss under IFRS 4 driven by above-budget natural catastrophe losses and reserve strengthening carried out in the third quarter of the year). The improvement in the groups technical performance in 2023 reflects the benefit of the remedial actions implemented since 2022, including the reduction of peak exposures, as well as improved pricing conditions in most segments of the global reinsurance market. SCOR is a top tier global reinsurer, with excellent product and geographical diversification. The groups internationally recognised franchise, long-standing client relationships and technical expertise allow SCOR to manage local and global reinsurance market cycles effectively. The group is well-positioned to benefit from improved reinsurance market conditions and positive pricing momentum, while executing on its stated objective to reduce earnings volatility. The FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of a+ (Excellent) have been affirmed, with stable outlooks, for SCOR SE and its following operating subsidiaries: SCOR UK Company Limited SCOR Reinsurance Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd SCOR Global Life USA Reinsurance Company SCOR Global Life Americas Reinsurance Company SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Company of Delaware SCOR Reinsurance Company SCOR Canada Reinsurance Company General Security National Insurance Company General Security Indemnity Company of Arizona The following Long-Term IRs have been affirmed with stable outlooks: SCOR SE -- a- (Excellent) on EUR 500 million 3.625% subordinated notes, due 2048 -- a- (Excellent) on EUR 600 million 3.00% subordinated notes, due 2046 -- a- (Excellent) on EUR 250 million 3.875% perpetual subordinated notes -- a- (Excellent) on EUR 250 million 3.25% subordinated notes, due 2047 This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315973795/en/ Morgane Hillebrandt Senior Financial Analyst +31 20 308 5422 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Dr. Mathilde Jakobsen Senior Director, Analytics +31 20 308 5427 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 822 2318 [email protected] Source: AM Best LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best will participate in a panel discussion at the annual IFRS 17 Conference, hosted by InsuranceERM, to be held on 18 March 2024 at Grocers Hall in London. Tony Silverman, director, credit rating criteria, research and analytics, AM Best, will join a panel discussion at 2:30 p.m. (GMT), titled, Market Insight - How Have Analysts, Investors and External Stakeholders Responded to the First Year of Reporting Under IFRS 17? The panel will focus on how the changes in the IFRS 17-era have impacted the insurance industry. Questions to be addressed in the session include these and others: Are investors and analysts getting the insights they need and expect from insurers? How well are insurers explaining the complexities in their results, including the financial impact of the contractual service margin (CSM), discounting and risk adjustment calculations? Are accounting policies in disclosures sufficiently granular and well explained to enable users to understand the approach taken for each material line of business? How are firms bridging between IFRS 17 and Solvency II reporting? Will IFRS 17 succeed in making insurance more comparable to other sectors? Silverman has been with AM Best since 2013, and is responsible for the generation, maintenance and implementation of industry-leading and globally consistent credit rating criteria. He also has authored numerous Bests Commentaries related to IFRS 17, in addition to other insurance industry-wide issues. For more information about the InsuranceERM event, or to register, please go to the official event page. AM Best recently announced that it is requesting comments from market participants in the insurance industry and other interested parties on the application of Bests Credit Rating Methodology (BCRM) and related criteria procedures to IFRS 17-reporting companies through 27 March 2024. For more information, see the related press release or visit the methodology section of AM Bests website. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2024 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315960860/en/ Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098 [email protected] Source: AM Best BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This St. Patrick's Day, there's more than just green beer to elevate your celebrations! Cookies Baltimore is offering a different take on this historically green holiday as it hosts its first COOKIES DAZE celebration. Conveniently located across from the Cross St Market at 35 E Cross St in Federal Hill, the medical and recreational dispensary will host the event daily 10am - 10pm, Friday through Sunday. Ample parking is available just 1 block away at the West St Garage. COOKIES DAZE is a cannabis celebration that offers the same glitz and glamor as a grand opening, but the dispensary has been serving marijuana enthusiasts since last summer. For customers, this translates to incredible cannabis deals from some of the states leading brands including Airo, Alchemist, Curio Wellness, Evermore, Fade Co, Kind Therapeutics, Pharmacann, SunMed, Wyld and more. Representatives from these brands will be onsite to answer customers questions, provide recommendations, and hand out free non-cannabis promotional items. Despite being open for less than a year, Cookies is quickly becoming Baltimores go-to recreational dispensary for seasoned cannabis connoisseurs and newcomers alike. The dispensary offers Marylands largest selection of Cookies cannabis products and branded apparel. It also offers a wide range of cannabis products including packaged flower, pre-roll singles and multipacks, discreet all in one vapes, edibles, and concentrates. These categories have plenty of indica, sativa, and hybrid strains to choose from. In addition to diverse product offerings, the dispensarys knowledgeable budtenders are ready to answer questions and provide recommendations to meet customers individual needs. Cookies extends its exceptional instore service to its user-friendly website. Online customers can use the CookiesBot, a unique AI budtender designed to assist customers in finding the perfect products. By answering a few key questions regarding preferences such as desired effects, consumption method, THC potency, and price range, users receive tailored product recommendations that can be easily added to customers online shopping carts. Whether youre Irish or not, Cookies Baltimore will make your St. Patricks Day weekend a little greener. Visit baltimore.cookies.co for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315063776/en/ Laura Hufschmidt [email protected] 313-418-9162 Source: Cookies Baltimore MANCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Comcast Business announced today, that for the 13th consecutive year, it has been selected as the number one Internet service provider by New Hampshire Business Review readers. The company was recognized for its unique and forward-thinking service offerings, and dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the many businesses throughout the Granite State. The recognition is part of the New Hampshire Business Reviews annual Best of Business (BOB) Awards program which identifies, recognizes and honors the top companies across the state. More than 3,000 votes were cast using anonymous online surveys from more than 500 businesses across New Hampshire to assess satisfaction to select this years award recipients. The publication unveiled the winners, spanning a range of 70+ business-to-business categories, during an annual celebration on Thursday, March 14 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Comcast Business is honored to receive this Best of Business recognition. Were truly thankful for our loyal customers and local business community, they deserve all the credit for our selection as the number one Internet provider in New Hampshire, said Paul Savas, vice president of Comcast Business for Comcasts New England region, which includes New Hampshire. Receiving this award for the 13th consecutive year showcases the dedication that Comcast Business has to further expanding our innovative services and reach across this great state. New Hampshire Business Review is the states only business newspaper, reaching more than 50,000 subscribers every other week. It is part of Yankee Publishing Inc., a publishing company that also includes New Hampshire Magazine, Yankee Magazine and 603 Diversity, among others. To view a full list of the 2024 winning businesses, visit www.bobawardsnh.com. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a broad suite of technology solutions to keep businesses of all sizes ready for whats next. With a range of offerings including connectivity, secure networking, advanced cybersecurity, and unified communications solutions, Comcast Business is partnering with business and technology leaders across industries and integrating Masergy, a leader in software defined networking, to help drive businesses forward. Backed by a next-generation network, Comcast Business has been recognized for its growth, innovation, and leadership in global secure networking. For more information, call 800-501-6000. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About New Hampshire Business Review New Hampshire Business Review is the only statewide business newspaper in the state. Established in 1978 and published biweekly, the publication reaches over 50,000 influential and affluent business professionals around the state and has long been seen by readers as the most respected source of business information, news, features and advice. New Hampshire Business Review readers range from sole proprietors to CEOs and other top executives of large publicly held corporations to key government decision-makers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315243747/en/ Media: Marc Goodman [email protected] (617) 279-7521 Source: Comcast Business IHOP Franchisee Susan Mendenhall and Fuzzys Taco Shop Franchisee Marc Rogers Recognized for Outstanding Leadership and Community Impact PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The International Franchise Association (IFA) named two Dine Brands Franchisees as 2023 Franchisees of the Year. Susan Mendenhall, an IHOP Franchisee, and Marc Rogers, a Fuzzys Taco Shop Franchisee, were honored at the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315886758/en/ Fuzzys Taco Shop Franchisee and IFA Franchisee of the Year Marc Rogers (center), joined by son Zack Rogers (left), and Fuzzys Taco Shop President Paul Damico (right) (Photo: Business Wire) Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream, said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. We are proud to recognize Dine Brands franchisees, Susan Mendenhall and Marc Rogers, with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and I have no doubt their work is changing lives and making a lasting community impact. The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their involvement in their communities, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, fostering a strong and healthy culture with their workforce, and assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon. About Susan Mendenhall, IHOP Franchisee Susan Mendenhall has been a valuable member of IHOPs franchise community for more than twenty years and embodies the brands mission to serve more joy every day in and outside of her restaurants. Mendenhall is the proud owner of two IHOP restaurants located in Tri-Cities, WA, and her proactive commitment to serving her guests and larger community is a true example of exemplary leadership, as she is involved in local business associations, schools and clubs throughout the Tri-Cities area. Not only does Mendenhalls people-first approach set the tone for what guests can expect when they visit her IHOP restaurants, but she also serves on IHOPs Franchisee Leadership and Menu committees, providing a voice and advice on the brands strategy and menu direction that represents the broader franchisee community. About Marc Rogers, Fuzzys Taco Shop Franchisee A Fuzzy's Taco Shop franchisee since 2010, Marc Rogers of Rogers Restaurant Group owns 11 Fuzzys restaurants and has a management agreement to run another five locations in Colorado. His restaurants are located from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, with additional growth planned over the next several years. He has twice been elected to the brands Franchise Advisory Council, currently serving as council president. Marcs team understands the value of being involved with projects early in the process and provides useful feedback to support successful systemwide launches. Marc is a great brand advocate who loves Fuzzys Taco Shop and loves bringing the brand promise to life in his restaurants. We are thrilled to celebrate and recognize Susan Mendenhall and Marc Rogers who have both been awarded the prestigious title of Franchisee of the Year by the IFA. Their unwavering dedication, outstanding performance, and commitment to excellence have set a remarkable standard within our franchise network. This award demonstrates their hard work, innovation, and passion for serving guests in their local communities. We congratulate Susan and Marc on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to their continued success as an integral part of our franchise family, said John Peyton, CEO, Dine Brands. There are approximately 806,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.7 million direct jobs and generating over $858 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities. About the International Franchise Association: Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the worlds oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 806,270 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.7 million direct jobs, $858.5 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development. About Dine Brands Global, Inc. Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar, IHOP, and Fuzzys Taco Shop brands. As of December 31, 2023, these three brands consisted of over 3,500 restaurants across 18 international markets. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Companys website located at www.dinebrands.com. BR-FUZZY, BR-IHOP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315886758/en/ Susan Nelson Sr. Vice President, Global Communications Dine Brands Global, Inc. [email protected] Katherine Knight Patterson [email protected] (202) 662-0783 Source: Dine Brands Global, Inc. BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Yesterday, emnify was honored with the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award. Deloitte annually awards the 50 fastest-growing tech companies based on their revenue growth over the past four fiscal years. The cornerstone of this achievement lies in the ever-evolving emnify IoT SuperNetwork - the largest globally distributed mobile cloud core network of its kind, revolutionizing global cellular and satellite connectivity for IoT devices. Seamlessly transforming complex global connectivity into an accessible and scalable solution, emnify IoT SuperNetwork sets the standard for innovation in the industry. In 2023, emnify expanded its footprint to Brazil marking a significant milestone with the introduction of the first cloud-native IoT connectivity in the region. This expansion underscores emnify's commitment to delivering reliable and efficient IoT connectivity solutions on a global scale. Furthermore, emnify introduced a pioneering converged satellite and cellular connectivity offering with Skylo empowering businesses to seamlessly leverage both networks, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even in remote or challenging environments. Frank Stocker, CEO, and co-founder of emnify, expressed his delight at the company's accolades, emphasizing emnify's commitment to innovation. He remarked, "At emnify, innovation is ingrained in our DNA, driving both our internal processes and our customers' successes. Being recognized among Germany's fastest-growing companies is a testament to our dedication." Andreas Reu, Partner at Deloitte, highlighted, "The Fast 50 Award is not just a prize it represents our appreciation for the passionate innovation and unwavering entrepreneurship driving the tech scene. Since 1995 globally and since 2003 in Germany, we celebrate with this award the impressive ingenuity and extraordinary resilience in the world of startups." About emnify: emnify is the leading cloud building block for cellular communications in the IoT stack, connecting millions of IoT devices globally from electric vehicles to energy meters, alarm systems to GPS trackers, thermometers to health wearables. The emnify API and SIM technology connect and secure any kind of IoT deployment to its application back-end. emnifys cloud-native integrations and no-code workflows ensure seamless lifecycle scalability for deployments of all sizes from local start-up to global enterprise. The award-winning emnify IoT SuperNetwork is the largest globally distributed mobile cloud core network of its kind, supporting local network access (2G 5G, LTE-M, NB-IoT and soon satellite) in over 180 countries from more than 25 cloud regions and counting. emnifys solution is built on partnerships with the leading hyperscale cloud service providers, system integrators, and hundreds of radio network operators worldwide. About Deloitte: Deloitte is a leading global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services. Our global network of member firms and related entities in more than 150 countries and territories (collectively, the "Deloitte organization") serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies. Learn how Deloitte's more than 330,000 people make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315731810/en/ Masha Kovaleva [email protected] Source: emnify Flow Beverage Corp. announces their evolved brand identity, refreshed packaging with lowest carbon footprint yet, alongside a new brand platform both launching this summer TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Flow Beverage Corp. (TSX: FLOW; OTCQX: FLWBF) (Flow or the Company) is thrilled to unveil at Expo West in Anaheim, California (Hall E, Booth 5515) its refreshed, newly designed and most advanced sustainable packaging, set to debut later this summer in 2024 across North America alongside a new brand platform. This revitalization marks a pivotal moment for the brand, accentuating its premium appeal both on the shelves and in the hearts and minds of consumers. The rollout will commence with the introduction of the updated packaging for Flow Original, followed by the release of Flavored Water later in the year, solidifying Flow's dedication to driving growth and sustainability across established and emerging channels. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315462759/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The redesigned packaging aims to elevate Flow's presence within the premium water category, boasting a refined and sophisticated design system. Emphasizing clear communication of its unique selling points, bolstered brand recognition, and a fresh emphasis on mineral rich properties as a key product differentiator, the new packaging is poised to captivate consumers' attention and reinforce Flow's commitment to excellence. This new package design is visually striking on the shelf and positions Flow with a definitive edge in captivating consumers at the point of purchase. We have streamlined our design to resonate with discerning premium market consumers, ensuring clarity of messaging and consistent brand recognition across physical and digital platforms, said Nicholas Reichenbach, Founder and CEO of Flow. Founded in 2014, Flows mission since day one has been to reduce environmental impacts by providing sustainably sourced, naturally alkaline mineral spring water, in a recyclable plant-based pack. Today Flow is announcing its most sustainable Tetra Pak package yet, with 80%+ renewable materials, and mindfully sealed with an improved sugarcane-based cap. The new Tetra Pak carton replaces traditional polymers with bio-based ones and contains post-consumer recycled content for the first time. Flow's new package is also designed to have the lowest carbon footprint to date; seven times lower than glass, four times lower than aluminum, and three times lower than PET. Flow is B Corp certified with a "Best for the World" designation placing it among the top 5% of all B Corp certified companies, and the highest scoring water brand. "We're excited to be able to roll out our beautifully redesigned package in our most sustainable format yet, thus delivering on the core promise of Flow to bring you the highest quality mineral spring water in the most environmentally conscious way, without compromising its pure taste. As I've always said, Mother Nature is our biggest shareholder and doing what's best for our consumers means doing what's best for the planet," Nicholas Reichenbach continued. In addition to the new packaging, Flow is introducing their new brand platform. The ethos of this platform is grounded in Flow's aspiration to empower consumers to embrace their best selves every day, which will serve to enrich the Flow brand and its strategic positioning through a multifaceted approach. The platform will be designed as a way to further connect with Flows community and target consumers through above-the-line communications, tailored retail initiatives, influencer and creator collaborations, consumer events, and more. Consumers will have further insight into the latest brand updates, exclusive offers and incentives. This platform will aim to increase touchpoints for consumer engagement with the Flow brand, enforcing a community-led and inspired approach to our continued evolution underscoring our commitment to enhancing not just hydration choices but also holistic lifestyles," added Nicholas Reichenbach. Flows packaging redesign and new brand platform will further expedite Flows path to profitability through even stronger velocities and ability to invest in new, high growth channels. This is a pivotal moment for the Flow brand as one of the leading premium water brands in North America. For more information about Flow Beverage Corp. and our commitment to sustainability, please visit https://flowhydration.com/pages/sustainability or find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn: @Flow, @Flowhydration, Flow Alkaline Spring Water. About Flow Flow is one of the fastest-growing premium water companies in North America. Founded in 2014, Flows mission since day one has been to reduce environmental impacts by providing sustainably sourced naturally alkaline spring water in recyclable, and up to 80% renewable, plant-based pack. Today, the brand is B-Corp Certified with a best in-class score of 126.5, offering a diversified portfolio of beverage products including: original naturally alkaline spring water, award-winning organic flavored alkaline water, and vitamin-infused flavored water in formats ranging from 330ml to 1litre. All products contain naturally occurring electrolytes and essential minerals and support Flows overarching purpose to bring wellness to the world through the positive power of water. Flow beverage products are available online at flowhydration.com. For more information on Flow, please visit Flows investor relations site at: investors.flowhydration.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (Forward-Looking Statements). The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this press release relate to future events or Flows future plans, operations, strategy, performance or financial position and are based on Flows current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions. Such Forward-Looking Statements have been made by Flow in light of the information available to it at the time the statements were made and reflect its experience and perception of historical trends. All statements and information other than historical fact may be forwardlooking statements. Such ForwardLooking Statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as may, would, should, could, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, plan, foresee, believe, continue, expect, believe, anticipate, estimate, will, potential, proposed and other similar words and expressions. Specific Forward-Looking Statements contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Flows business strategy or outlook and future growth plans, expectations regarding the elevated pace of revenue growth, potential operational efficiencies to be realized and anticipation of profitability. Forward-Looking Statements are based on certain expectations and assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Flows control, that could cause actual events, results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in these Forward-Looking Statements. Forward-Looking Statements are provided for the purposes of assisting the reader in understanding Flow and its business, operations, prospects, and risks at a point in time in the context of historical and possible future developments, and the reader is therefore cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-Looking Statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these Forward-Looking Statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein are provided as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any Forward-Looking Statements as a result of new information or future events, or for any other reason. The following press release should be read in conjunction with the managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as at and for the year ended October 31, 2023. Additional information about Flow is available on the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, including the Companys Annual Information Form for the year ended October 31, 2023, dated January 29, 2024. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315462759/en/ Trent MacDonald, Chief Financial Officer 1-844-356-9426 [email protected] Investors: Marc Charbin [email protected] Media: Natasha Koifman [email protected] Jessica Mallett [email protected] Source: Flow Beverage Corp. WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global Partners LP (NYSE: GLP) (Global) today announced that it intends to redeem all $69,000,000 of its 2,760,000 issued and outstanding Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units (the Series A Preferred Units) (CUSIP: 37946R208). All of the Series A Preferred Units are maintained in book-entry form registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or its nominee and will be redeemed in accordance with the applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company or such nominee. The redemption date will be April 15, 2024 (the Redemption Date). The Series A Preferred Units will be redeemed at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to all unpaid and accrued distributions thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, less any applicable tax withholding as required by law (the Redemption Price), which will be payable in cash on the Redemption Date. After the Redemption, Series A Preferred Units will no longer be outstanding and all of the rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Units will terminate, except the right to receive the Redemption Price. Furthermore, because all of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Units are being redeemed, trading of the Series A Preferred Units on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) will cease prior to market open on the Redemption Date (or, if such date is not a business day, the following business day). The Series A Preferred Units currently trade on the NYSE under the symbol GLP pr A. We are required to provide qualified notice to brokers and nominees that hold Series A Preferred Units on behalf of non-U.S. investors under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1446-4(b) and (d) and 1.1446(f)-4(c)(2)(iii). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100%) of Globals distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. In addition, brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100%) of the distribution as being in excess of cumulative net income for purposes of determining the amount to withhold. Accordingly, Globals distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at a rate equal to the highest applicable effective tax rate plus ten percent (10%). Nominees, and not Global, are treated as the withholding agents responsible for withholding on the distributions received by them on behalf of non-U.S. investors. Separately, for the purposes of withholding on sales transactions by non-U.S. investors under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446(f)-4(a)(2), brokers should treat one hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds attributable to the sale of Series A Preferred Units as being attributable to a U.S. trade or business. The notice of redemption and related materials are being distributed to holders of record of Series A Preferred Units as of March 15, 2024. Questions regarding the redemption of the Series A Preferred Units, or the procedures therefore, may be directed to Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the redemption agent, at: Equiniti Trust Company, LLC 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, NY 10005 Tel: (718) 921.8200 About Global Partners LP Building on a legacy that began more than 90 years ago, Global Partners has evolved into a Fortune 500 company and industry-leading integrated owner, supplier, and operator of liquid energy terminals, fueling locations, and guest-focused retail experiences. Global operates or maintains dedicated storage at 49 liquid energy terminalswith connectivity to strategic rail, pipeline, and marine assetsspanning from Maine to Florida and into the U.S. Gulf States. Through this extensive network, the company distributes gasoline, distillates, residual oil, and renewable fuels to wholesalers, retailers, and commercial customers. In addition, Global owns, supplies, and operates over 1,700 retail locations across 12 Northeast states, the Mid-Atlantic, and Texas, providing the fuels people need to keep them on the go at their unique guest-focused convenience destinations. Recognized as one of Fortunes Most Admired Companies, Global Partners is embracing and diversifying to meet the needs of the energy transition. Global, a master limited partnership, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GLP. For additional information, visit www.globalp.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Redemption and its expected timing. The words believe, expect, anticipate, plan, intend, foresee, should, would, could or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on Globals current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on Global. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting Global will be those that it anticipates. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond Globals control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Globals historical experience and present expectations or projections. The assumptions and future performance are subject to a wide range of business risks, uncertainties and factors, which are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from Globals projected results, please see Globals filings with the SEC, including its 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. Global undertakes 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314703645/en/ Gregory B. Hanson Chief Financial Officer Global Partners LP (781) 894-8800 Sean T. Geary Chief Legal Officer and Secretary Global Partners LP (781) 894-8800 Source: Global Partners LP BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The next 10th trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Georgian foreign ministers will be held in Turkiye, Georgia's Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said during the press conference following the ninth trilateral meeting with his Azerbaijani and Turkish counterparts, Trend reports. "We agreed to hold our next trilateral meeting in Turkiye," noted Darchiashvili. The minister also mentioned the issues discussed at the ninth meeting. "We attach great importance to joint regional projects, and all of them must be implemented in full. Our cooperation in the field of energy transportation from Asia to Europe and ensuring Europe's energy security is particularly important," he emphasized. At the same time, according to him, the meeting paid attention to the implementation of projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, and the Southern Gas Corridor. "It's important for our countries to deepen cooperation so that the Middle Corridor operates at full capacity, and we attach great importance to this. We must maintain close ties to increase the transit potential of our countries," added Darchiashvili. To note, the ninth trilateral meeting of Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Georgian foreign ministers took place today in Baku. At the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of trilateral cooperation of mutual interest, the location of the next meeting was determined, and the Baku Declaration was adopted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Experienced Technology Leader and Entrepreneur to Assist Firms Technology Clients in Brazil SAO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE: HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that Rafael Pereira has been appointed as a Senior Advisor to assist the firm with its expansion in Brazil. Mr. Pereira has more than two decades of experience as a tech entrepreneur and executive, building and growing technology-based businesses from spearheading startups to publicly listed companies. Mr. Pereira co-founded Open Co, Brazils leading consumer financing FinTech that democratizes access to affordable credit products to families and small businesses across the country through cutting-edge technologies, raising more than $1 billion in equity and debt from multiple global investors. Prior to Open Co, he held several positions at Enova, KPMG, BRQ Digital Solutions, and IBM. The Brazilian technology sector is undergoing a multi-year structural transformation, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs. The combination of Rafaels knowledge, network, and creativity with our leading Technology and FinTech industry groups, with approximately 200 financial professionals combined, will be unique to support local companies in their various stages of growth, says Bruno Baratta, Houlihan Lokeys Head of Brazil. We are delighted with his arrival and the prospect of deepening our relationship with clients in the space. It is a great pleasure to join Houlihan Lokey and work together with its global Technology Group and its experienced local team to serve our Brazilian clients, says Rafael Pereira. Over the last few years, the Brazilian technology ecosystem has consolidated, creating countless opportunities for local and global companies and financial investors, and Houlihan Lokey is uniquely prepared to serve clients of the most diverse profiles in this environment. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Mr. Pereira has helped shape Brazil's technology and financial landscape, serving as a board member for Parana Banco and as President of Brazil's FinTech association ABCD, where he championed regulatory reforms to promote financial inclusion and transformative initiatives like fast payment rails (PIX) and Open Finance. Mr. Pereira is also an early-stage investor in tech companies and venture funds. Mr. Pereira earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a degree in Engineering from PUC Rio de Janeiro. He also completed the OPM program at Harvard Business School. About Houlihan Lokey Houlihan Lokey (NYSE: HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. The firm serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firms commitment to client success across its advisory services. The firm is the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past nine consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past ten consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by LSEG (formerly Refinitiv). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315992049/en/ Investor Relations +1 212.331.8225 [email protected] Media Relations Tiago Lethbridge, Nova PR +44 (0) 20 7747 1480 [email protected] Source: Houlihan Lokey, Inc. EL PASO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hunt Military Communities Foundation (HMCF) is excited to launch its fifth annual Hunt Little Heroes program to recognize dependent children of military service members who are making a difference within their communities. In honor of the Month of the Military Child, nationally recognized each April, Hunt Little Heroes will highlight military children ages 4 -16 who positively impact their communities or beyond. Throughout the country, thousands of military children showcase outstanding leadership traits, emulating their parents who serve, said Brian Stann, Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Military Communities. The Hunt Little Heroes program provides us with a unique opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of military children who give back to their communities in meaningful and creative ways. What is the program? We are asking children of military families to share their Hero Stories of what they think it takes to be a hero and how they have been a positive influence in their community. Submissions can be via a 300-word essay or a maximum two-minute video. The Hunt Little Heroes program is open to all children of military families, not only those living within Hunt Military Communities housing. Heroes will be selected and recognized in their community with a special coining ceremony and a monetary prize of $1000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for the third-place winner. Each winner can make a charitable donation equal to their monetary prize to an organization of their choice. All applicants will receive a unique hero cape, mask, and a letter of appreciation for sharing their hero story. Submissions are open from March 15 through April 30, 2024. Additional guidelines and details for submission can be found at https://huntlittleheroes.org. About Hunt Military Communities Foundation The Hunt Military Communities Foundation (HMCF) is dedicated to supporting the military service members who serve our great nation. We work to fund projects that support growth and development in the military community while addressing the critical areas of health, education, housing, and overall support. As a non-profit organization, we aim to improve the quality of life for all military families who sacrifice so much for us daily. To learn more about the Hunt Military Communities Foundation, visit http://www.huntmilitarycommunitiesfoundation.org or http://www.huntlittleheroes.org About Hunt Military Communities Hunt Military Communities, the largest military housing owner, offers unsurpassed quality and service to more than 165,000 residents in approximately 52,000 homes across the USA on Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army installations. We do this through our Pillars of Excellence, Customer Commitment, Accountability, Integrity, and Continuous Improvement. With a 50-year legacy and a partnership with the Department of Defense, HMC strives to ensure the integrity of our military communities and the families who live there. For more information, visit www.huntmilitarycommunities.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315806095/en/ Lynette Hegeman (970) 389-41113 [email protected] Source: Hunt Military Communities Foundation CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), announced today the sale and financing of Alta Chandler at The Park, a 291-unit mid-rise multifamily asset in Chandler, Arizona. The property traded for $94.5 million, which represents $324,742 per unit. IPA Capital Markets arranged $52 million in acquisition financing. Alta Chandler at The Parks affluent demographic anchored a robust absorption story, obtaining an average of 24 net leases per month after opening in January 2023, said Steve Gebing, IPA executive managing director. The resident profile of high-earning professionals was drawn by the propertys physical characteristics and direct proximity to Price Corridor, Arizonas most innovative economic hub. Gebing and IPA executive managing director Cliff David represented the seller, Wood Partners, and procured the buyer, Olympus Property. Brian Eisendrath, Cameron Chalfant, Jake Vitta and Jesse Zarouk of IPA Capital Markets arranged eight years of interest-only financing. Located within walking distance of The Park shopping center along Chandler Boulevard, the property is a 30-minute drive from the majority of Phoenix MSAs high-tech workforce and under two miles from the Price Corridor. Nearby employers include Intel, Northrop Grumman, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Microchip Technology. Downtown Chandler is one mile from the property and within five miles there is 18.9 million square feet of retail and dining. Alta Chandler at The Parks apartment interiors have expansive, open-concept floor plans with nine-foot ceilings, laundry closets with full-size or stackable washers and dryers, extended primary bedrooms with dedicated work-from-home space, and separate den or loft quarters. Select units have direct access garages. The property has an open-concept leasing office and clubhouse, a convenience market, sky lounge, fitness center, and a private, multi-purpose fitness room. About Institutional Property Advisors (IPA) Institutional Property Advisors (IPA) is a division of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI), a leading commercial real estate services firm in North America. IPAs combination of real estate investment and capital markets expertise, industry-leading technology, and acclaimed research offer customized solutions for the acquisition, disposition and financing of institutional properties and portfolios. For more information, please visit www.institutionalpropertyadvisors.com. About IPA Capital Markets IPA Capital Markets is a division of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI). IPA Capital Markets provides major private and institutional clients with commercial real estate capital markets financing solutions, including debt, mezzanine financing, preferred and joint venture equity, and sponsor equity. For more information, please visit institutionalpropertyadvisors.com/capital-markets. About Marcus & Millichap, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) Marcus & Millichap, Inc. is a leading brokerage firm specializing in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services with offices throughout the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2023, the company had 1,783 investment sales and financing professionals in over 80 offices who provide investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. The company also offers market research, consulting and advisory services to clients. Marcus & Millichap closed 7,546 transactions in 2023, with a sales volume of approximately $43.6 billion. For additional information, please visit www.MarcusMillichap.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314773135/en/ Gina Relva, VP of Public Relations [email protected] Source: Marcus & Millichap NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Paramount Defenses, the worlds #1 cyber security company in privileged access, identity and Active Directory security, today announced that it is celebrating eighteen years in business and giving away up to $100 Million of its Gold Finger software. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314766840/en/ Paramount Defenses is a privately-held innovative American cyber security company. (Photo: Business Wire) From America to Israel, United Kingdom to the European Union, Saudi Arabia to India, and Singapore to Australia, Microsoft Active Directory is the foundation of cyber security at thousands of business and government organizations worldwide. In contrast to the Cloud, Microsoft Active Directory is a mature, time-tested and trustworthy technology that enables organizations to autonomously operate the lifeline of their business, their IT infrastructures. Paramount Defenses was founded by former Microsoft Program Manager for Active Directory Security on March 14, 2006 and today it is the worlds undisputed leader in access assessment, a paramount cyber security capability without which no organizational asset can be secured. Cyber security is fundamentally about access control. To reliably control access, organizations first and foremost need to be able to accurately assess access. It is impossible to secure assets without accurate access assessment, especially in Active Directory. The need to know exactly who has what access in Active Directory is paramount to organizational cyber security because even a single unidentified excessive access grant in Active Directory could be exploited and result in a massive breach, said Sanjay Tandon, CEO of Paramount Defenses. Paramount Defenses develops and licenses its Gold Finger software, the worlds only accurate access assessment solution for Active Directory. The unique capabilities of its Microsoft-endorsed Gold Finger are a necessity for attaining and maintaining least privileged access (LPA) in Active Directory, and the gold standard for access assessment in Active Directory. The combination of Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft-endorsed Gold Finger enables organizations worldwide to easily attain and maintain least privileged access in Active Directory, and consequently to easily, securely and autonomously operate their Active Directory powered IT infrastructures. Over the last eighteen years, we have been able to pioneer, perfect and automate the incredibly difficult and sophisticated art of accurate access assessment, particularly in Active Directory. As pioneers and industry leaders in access assessment, today our innovative, patented access assessment technology governs the accurate determination of access at thousands of organizations worldwide, he added. To celebrate eighteen years in business, Paramount Defenses announced its intention to give away up to $100 Million worth of Gold Finger licenses to organizations worldwide, to help them understand the paramount importance of being able to accurately assess and control access in Active Directory. Saliently, to demonstrate its industry leadership, Paramount Defenses is offering to gift a complimentary license of its Gold Finger software to all organizations that can prove that the solutions they use today to assess access in their Active Directory can deliver the same level of accuracy as Gold Finger. This six-month offer is limited to the first 1000 companies, from across 100 countries worldwide, that can demonstrate an accuracy match, and limited to a maximum of 50 awardee organizations per country. For complete giveaway details, please visit www.paramountdefenses.com/software-giveaway ABOUT PARAMOUNT DEFENSES Paramount Defenses is a privately-held innovative American cyber security company engaged in the development of paramount cyber security defenses for organizations worldwide. Established in 2006 by former Program Manager for Active Directory Security, the companys unique, innovative, patented accurate access assessment technology helps secure organizations worldwide. It is the worlds #1 company in the paramount access assessment space in the field of cyber security. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314766840/en/ 949-468-5770 [email protected] Source: Paramount Defenses The company creates clinical advisory board to advise on protocols to maintain compliance and medical standards PADUCAH, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PreventScripts, an innovator in preventive digital health tools doctors can order for patients, today announced it has named former banking executive William Bill Jones and healthcare tech entrepreneur and leader Jean Anne Booth to its board of directors, joining CEO and co-founder Brandi Harless. Bill and Jean Anne have already brought powerful insights and are trusted advisors who will help us secure success, said Harless. Both support our mission of driving healthcare provider revenues through proven interventions aimed at aiding the 33% percent of the population with metabolic disorders. Jones brings over 37 years of public accounting and commercial banking experience with a large national bank. As a seasoned business leader and strategic advisor, Jones brings experience in corporate governance, risk management and financial operations. Jones is currently a member of the board and serves on the Audit committee of Independence Bank of Kentucky and on the board of the Commonwealth Fund of Kentucky Educational Television, where he is also chair of the Nominating committee. Jones serves on the advisory board of National Association of Corporate Directors Nashville, where he also chairs the Program committee. I am thrilled to join PreventScripts, said Jones. The companys forward-thinking approach to preventative health resonates with my commitment to driving positive change. I look forward to applying my ability to support PreventScripts as it works to improve outcomes in primary care populations. A serial entrepreneur, Booth spent 30 years working in semiconductors and sold businesses to Apple and Texas Instruments. She is the CEO of UnaliWear, the makers of the voice-controlled Kanega watch that provides discreet support for falls, medication reminders and guide-me-home assistance. Her background spans systems, software, and applications engineering; silicon development engineering; and operations and product engineering. She holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas Austin and a masters degree in computer engineering from National Technological University. I want to support Brandi and PreventScripts because it improves much needed patient health across the healthcare landscape, particularly in rural areas where access to care is more challenging, said Booth. The patient monitoring strategies it deploys create a powerful feedback loop between the provider and patient. I have witnessed the rapid evolution of healthcare tech, and I look forward to driving meaningful impact for the company. PreventScripts also announced four clinical advisory board members complementary to a full-fledged board of directors. The clinical advisory board is comprised of physicians with a unique perspective and breadth of expertise to enhance PreventScripts comprehensive platform. The board now includes: Dr. Rebecca Berman, MD, Professor and Internal Medicine Residency Program Director at the University of California, San Francisco Dr. Kathy Nieder, MD, Staff Physician at Baptist Health Medical Group Dr. Todd Prewitt, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Humana Care Solutions Dr. Robert Wilson, MD, President of CovenantCare About PreventScripts PreventScripts is at the vanguard of healthcare innovation, offering physicians cutting-edge tools to empower patients in their health journeys. It is redefining patient self-care and physician support through insurance-covered platforms and alignment with top-tier health recommendations. PreventScripts offers a groundbreaking platform, providing tools for physicians to extend to patients covered by insurance, enabling them to self-monitor their health through a dedicated health behavior change app. This app is not only enriched with content and recommendations from ADA, AHA, and the Diabetes Prevention Program but delivers information in a way that helps patients put the guidance into practice immediately. Moreover, it integrates biometric education, adhering to both AAP adolescent and AFP adolescent/adult guidelines, ensuring optimal monitoring of Blood Pressure, Weight, Blood Sugar, and BMI. Beyond offering this revolutionary app, PreventScripts tailors its service line to sync seamlessly with a providers specific clinic workflow. PreventScripts has assessed over 10,000 patients and triaged close to 6,000 since its inception. For more information, visit https://preventscripts.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315573616/en/ Paulo Acuna 310.824.9000 [email protected] Source: PreventScripts STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RAVE Computer, a leader in the manufacturing of purpose-built computing solutions, today announced it will debut the new RenderBEAST X2 workstation, purpose-built to run NVIDIA Omniverse workloads, the latest in its series of GPU-intensive computers, at NVIDIA GTC, running March 18-21 in San Jose, CA. Designed to meet the demands of today's immersive computing landscape, the RenderBEAST X2 sets a new standard in performance and reliability. Leveraging dual NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPUs and an AMD Ryzen liquid-cooled CPU, this powerhouse workstation is specially created for complex rendering tasks, including demanding immersive, XR, and AI scenarios, and large design and engineering workloads. Our single-GPU RenderBEAST has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our customers, shared Matt Moy, Sr. Systems Engineer for RAVE Computer. As the NVIDIA Omniverse development platform sets new standards with ray tracing in XR and multi-GPU support, RAVE aimed to maintain the compact size, quiet operation, and superior performance of the original RenderBEAST in multi-GPU configurations. The performance data well share at GTC demonstrates that we've achieved an exceptionally efficient and balanced configuration, pushing the boundaries in both raw performance and cost-effectiveness. RAVE will feature the RenderBEAST X2 in Booth #1641 for live demos in the XR pavilion of the NVIDIA GTC exhibit hall, and Moy will discuss features of the RenderBEAST X2 on the XR stage on Tuesday, March 19th, at 12:30 p.m. PDT. Both RAVEs demo and stage presentation feature how to implement real-time ray tracing in mixed reality, with the RenderBEAST X2 powering OpenUSD and NVIDIA RTX-based scenes from NVIDIA Omniverse, maximized by Varjos latest XR-4 Series headset for a true photorealistic immersive experience. Moys in-person session will also provide practical advice and strategies for initiating XR projects using Omniverse and the Varjo XR-4 headset powered by the RenderBEAST X2. RAVEs RenderBEAST lineup of GPU-intensive computers is designed to be customized and adapted to customer specifications. Boasting compact form factors and whisper-quiet performance, they have been rigorously tuned to support power draw, acoustic output, and thermal performance targets to ensure customers have a balanced system that can run in boost mode for extended periods. This balanced approach delivers highly efficient workflows, allowing maximum compute power that delivers professional AR/VR/XR experiences. RAVE is an Elite Solution Provider in the NVIDIA Partner Network and participates on the NVIDIA Federal Advisory Council. RAVEs RenderBEAST line of computers harness the powerful performance of NVIDIA RTX GPUs to help meet the demands of todays immersive computing landscape, said Kevin Berce, Senior Director of Public Sector Software at NVIDIA. RAVE is also Varjos only Elite Reseller partner in North America. Our partnership with RAVE, grounded in our shared commitment to innovation, has significantly advanced the industrial use of VR and XR technologies, especially in the automotive, manufacturing, and defense sectors. By integrating Varjo's cutting-edge immersive solutions with RAVE's expertise, we've streamlined complex processes and achieved remarkable operational efficiencies for our enterprise customers. We look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional value to industries worldwide with the combination of the XR-4 Series and RenderBEAST workstations, said Brandon Turnage, Varjos Head of Enterprise Design. Earlier this week, Varjo recognized RAVE Computer as its North American Value-Added Reseller of the Year 2023 for the third consecutive year. "RAVE is honored and thrilled to be named Varjo's Reseller of the Year for North America once again," said Stacey Ferguson, President of RAVE Computer. "This remarkable achievement underscores not only our steadfast partnership with Varjo but also the pivotal role of our RenderBEAST computers in amplifying the brilliance of Varjo's products. As an Elite Partner, RAVE stands committed to delivering excellence and pushing the boundaries of innovation, ensuring that our clients receive transformative solutions that maximize value and elevate possibilities." About RAVE Computer RAVE Computer is a woman-owned small business that has helped people overcome challenges through innovation, specializing in the design, optimization, and integration of purpose-built compute solutions for over 35 years. RAVE strives to serve as trusted advisors and an extension of each clients team and vision by understanding every unique use case and creating optimized compute solutions. To learn more about our products and to reach out with a use case for collaboration and optimization, stop by RAVE Booth #1641 while at NVIDIA GTC, contact RAVE Computer at [email protected], or call (800) 966-7283. Stay connected to RAVE Computers latest news, views and announcements by visiting http://www.rave.com/ and following RAVE Computer on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rave-computer View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315623603/en/ April Gray 800.966.7283 [email protected] Source: RAVE Computer Analysts highlight companys platform-first approach to data labeling and ability to handle complex use cases VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TELUS International (NYSE and TSX: TIXT), a leading digital customer experience (CX) innovator that designs, builds, and delivers next-generation solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI) and content moderation, for global and disruptive brands, has been named a Leader by global research and advisory firm Everest Group in its PEAK Matrix for Data Annotation and Labeling Services for AI / Machine Learning (ML) report. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315727678/en/ Everest Group Data Annotation and Labeling Solutions for AI / Machine Learning (ML) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024. (Graphic: Business Wire) TELUS International excels as a top tier, global provider uniquely positioned to meet the dynamic needs and more complex demands of todays customers, and we are honored to be named a Leader in Everest Groups inaugural PEAK Matrix for Data Annotation and Labeling for AI and Machine Learning, said Jeff Puritt, President and CEO, TELUS International. This recognition is a true testament to our teams expertise, dedication and innovative spirit to ensure our clients are driving heightened customer satisfaction and loyalty and achieving a first-to-market advantage with their products and solutions to ultimately propel accelerated business growth. The widespread adoption of generative AI has revolutionized all industries, resulting in a surge of intricate and highly-customized use cases. This underscores the demand for global providers with specialized expertise and technology that can swiftly, responsibly and cost-effectively deliver high-quality training datasets at scale to support the development of advanced foundation models. TELUS International was one of only five providers recognized as a Leader in Everest Groups inaugural report assessed during the time period of January 2022-June 2023. PEAK Matrix assessments are based on market impact and vision, and capabilities. Leaders were selected based on their strong vision toward solving data challenges to help their clients accelerate AI development. "TELUS International has a strong focus on building platforms to strengthen their annotation and labeling capabilities, with the latest one supporting pre-training and fine tuning of generative AI models. Its robust innovation push, coupled with strong technical expertise in managing complex use cases has helped the company emerge as a Leader in Data Annotation and Labeling (DAL) Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024, said Arpit Mehra, Practice Director, Everest Group. The Everest Group report specifically highlighted TELUS Internationals platform-first approach and ability to undertake complex use cases across different data types and modalities, including image, text, video, audio, LiDAR, geospatial and computer vision. Additionally, analysts noted TELUS Internationals robust proprietary AI Data Platform, highlighting its numerous AI and ML-assisted features, automated quality assurance (QA) workflows for increased accuracy, efficiency and speed, and its fully-managed, tech-enabled experts-on-demand sourcing solution, Experts Engine. The latter algorithmically matches human expertise to tasks such as data creation, collection, annotation and validation to provide high-quality training datasets at scale for foundation models, including large language models (LLMs). TELUS International has over 17 years of experience in the AI industry based on strategic acquisitions, investments in organic growth initiatives and focused talent recruitment to establish its AI Data Solutions division. The companys strong technology infrastructure and capabilities enables it to agilely evolve its AI offerings in line with ongoing market shifts and client demands. Through its industry-leading AI Data Platform, TELUS International manages all aspects of its global crowdsourced AI Community of 1.2 million participants. To learn more about TELUS Internationals leading, end-to-end AI Data Solutions, visit telusinternational.com/ai-data About TELUS International TELUS International (NYSE & TSX: TIXT) designs, builds and delivers next-generation digital solutions to enhance the customer experience (CX) for global and disruptive brands. The companys services support the full lifecycle of its clients digital transformation journeys, enabling them to more quickly embrace next-generation digital technologies to deliver better business outcomes. TELUS Internationals integrated solutions span digital strategy, innovation, consulting and design, IT lifecycle including managed solutions, intelligent automation and end-to-end AI data solutions including computer vision capabilities, as well as omnichannel CX and trust and safety solutions including content moderation. Fueling all stages of company growth, TELUS International partners with brands across high growth industry verticals, including tech and games, communications and media, eCommerce and fintech, healthcare, and travel and hospitality. TELUS Internationals unique caring culture promotes diversity and inclusivity through its policies, team member resource groups and workshops, and equal employment opportunity hiring practices across the regions where it operates. The company is building stronger communities and helping those in need through large-scale volunteer events that have positively impacted the lives of more than 150,000 citizens around the world and through its five TELUS International Community Boards that have provided $5.6 million in funding to grassroots charitable organizations since 2015. Learn more at: www.telusinternational.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315727678/en/ TELUS International Investor Relations Jason Mayr (604) 695-3455 [email protected] TELUS International Media Relations Ali Wilson (604) 328-7093 [email protected] Source: TELUS International Global Trading Platform For Maturing Whiskey Barrels Utilizes Blockchain And AI To Bring Transparency And Value To One Of Americas Oldest Industries NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spirits Capital Corporation, a fintech company that merges technology with the premium American whiskey asset class, announced the technology behind its Q2 launch of the Distilled Barrel Financial Exchange (DBFEX) has completed a three year long AI based machine learning integration process. The DBFEX global marketplace is set to connect distillers, investors and brands in a transparent ecosystem never seen in the whiskey and spirits industry. The platform will leverage AI in a way that analyzes the entire supply chain behind the manufacturing of every barrel of whiskey in real time. Reza Hashemi, Chief Technology Officer, at Spirits Capital states, By leveraging cutting-edge AI, were setting new standards of transparency and trust in the whiskey exchange market. Inspired by how Zillows Zestimate brought clarity to real estate values, our platform uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze the nuances of supply chain, pricing, and market demand. This approach offers precise valuations and forecasts, establishing a new benchmark for authenticity and efficiency. Our aim is to redefine industry standards, facilitating transactions that are not only quicker and smoother but fundamentally more reliable. Through technology, we envision a future where all market participants can make well-informed decisions, bolstered by transparent and solid data. Todd Sanders, Chairman & CEO of Spirits Capital, says, For over 100 years whiskey has been traded by a small group of whiskey brokers. The industry hasnt utilized historical pricing or analyzed supply chain factors to determine costs and current or forecasted valuations. DBFEX will empower all parties, from brokers to distillers, investors to institutions with access to real-time data in a safe and secure marketplace. About Spirits Capital Corporation Spirits Capital is a fintech company that merges technology with the alternative asset class of premium American whiskey and other spirits. The Companys mission is to develop, utilize and monetize the spirits industry through technology driven platforms that enable investors and institutions to value, invest and profit on maturing spirits. Founded with a focus on premium American whiskey, Spirits has built a platform that provides investors with a secure and transparent way to capitalize on the growth of the spirit while it matures in the barrel. In addition, Spirits has created the Distilled Barrels Financial Exchange (DBFEX), a cutting-edge digital platform for the global trading of aged whiskey barrels; Using its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) driven pricing tool uniquely developed for the DBFEX, the Barrel Value Optimizer analyzes an extensive array of market data and barrel-specific information to suggest optimal price ranges for aged whiskey barrels. For more information about Spirits, visit www.spiritscap.com. Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements include the capabilities and success of the Company's business and any of its products, services or solutions. The words "believe," "forecast," "project," "intend," "expect," "plan," "should," "would," and similar expressions and all statements, which are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, any of which could cause the Company to not achieve some or all of its goals or the Company's previously reported actual results, performance (finance or operating) to change or differ from future results, performance (financing and operating) or achievements, including those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no, and hereby disclaims any, obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No Offer or Solicitation. The information in this communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314437816/en/ Media Contact Adam Handelsman Vice President of Corporate Communications Spirits Capital 512-363-0596 or [email protected] Investor Contact Kelsee Pottorff Director of Investor Relations Spirits Capital 949-674-0355 or [email protected] Source: Spirits Capital Corporation DORDRECHT, MAINPORT ROTTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trifleet Leasing Holding B.V. (Trifleet), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chicago-based GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX), announced that Robin Pol has been appointed as managing director, effective March 1, 2024. I am pleased to announce Robins promotion, said Thomas A. Ellman, executive vice president and chief financial officer of GATX. With his deep industry knowledge, passion for serving customers, and a proven leadership track record, Robin is well-suited to lead Trifleet and continue building on its reputation for providing high-quality tank containers and best-in-class service to customers. Since joining Trifleet in 1995, Mr. Pol has held various leadership roles across the commercial and technical departments. In his most recent position as director of commercial, global accounts and strategy, Mr. Pol was responsible for all business development activities and for ensuring that Trifleet delivers outstanding value to its customers. I am honored to lead our exceptional team at Trifleet, Mr. Pol said. I look forward to working more closely across the organization to further Trifleets business growth and mission to service our customers across the globe at the highest levels. ABOUT TRIFLEET As one of the largest tank container leasing companies, Trifleet Leasing provides a first-class rental fleet that spans the globe. Trifleet focuses on providing top quality, reliable tank containers, expert advice and professional, responsive service for the leasing of its standard and special tanks such as gas tanks, lined and cool tanks, electrically heated tanks, cryogenic and swap tank containers. ABOUT GATX CORPORATION At GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX), we empower our customers to propel the world forward. GATX leases transportation assets including railcars, aircraft spare engines and tank containers to customers worldwide. Our mission is to provide innovative, unparalleled service that enables our customers to transport what matters safely and sustainably while championing the well-being of our employees and communities. GATX has been headquartered in Chicago, Illinois since its founding in 1898. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ON GATX'S WEBSITE Investors and others should note that GATX routinely announces material information to investors and the marketplace using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the GATX Investor Relations website. While not all of the information that the Company posts to the GATX Investor Relations website is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media and others interested in GATX to review the information that it shares on www.gatx.com under the Investor Relations tab. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315715937/en/ Trifleet Leasing Rutger Rodermond +31 (0) 78 639 17 97 [email protected] GATX Corporation Shari Hellerman Senior Director Investor Relations, ESG, and External Communications 312-621-4285 [email protected] Source: GATX Corporation MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TurnOnGreen, Inc. (TurnOnGreen or the Company), today announced the continued expansion of the Companys electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across select Tenet Health (Tenet) properties in California. In accordance with a Site Licensing Agreement (SLA) between TurnOnGreen and Tenet, TurnOnGreen will assume ownership, operation, and maintenance responsibilities for the EV chargers for a term of ten (10) years. In exchange for these responsibilities, TurnOnGreen will retain a percentage of recurring charging revenues for the duration of the contract and any extensions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315033512/en/ TurnOnGreen high-power, networked EVP700G Level 2 EV charger located at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA; all copyrights reserved by TurnOnGreen, Inc. @2024 (Photo: Business Wire) Tenet provides quality, compassionate care in communities across the United States. Tenet currently owns and or operates more than 480 ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals, 58 hospitals, and approximately 160 additional outpatient centers and other sites of care across the United States.1 Desert Regional Medical Center, in Palm Springs California, will be the first Tenet facility at which TurnOnGreen will complete the installation of its EV chargers. The project features multiple high-power, networked EVP700G Level 2 EV chargers that hospital employees can activate using the TurnOnGreen App, RFID cards, or scanning a unique QR code displayed on each EV charger. The Company collects fees for any paid sessions on the platform. Hi-Desert Medical Center, located in Joshua Tree California, is the second Tenet facility at which TurnOnGreen will install and operate EV charging infrastructure under the SLA. The project is currently in the engineering and permitting phase and is expected to be completed by December 2024. We are thrilled to work with Tenet Health facilities to provide their physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers access to affordable, dependable EV charging services while at work, said TurnOnGreen President Marcus Charuvastra. Providing EV charging infrastructure in a healthcare setting supports our front-line workers and helps our partners achieve their sustainability goals. Amos Kohn, the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, added, Working through Site License Agreements is a selective process, a key component of our growth, and will help support our recurring revenue verticals. We are steadfast in our quest to be the leader in workplace EV charging and sustainable energy infrastructure solutions. TurnOnGreen offers scalable EV charging solutions to homes, businesses, and fleets across North America. The Companys EV charging hardware, management software, and network services allow municipalities, businesses, and homeowners to monetize, track and report EV charger usage. TurnOnGreen charging systems maintain high standards in the market, are Energy Star Certified, and are backed by an internationally recognized certificate of safety and performance. For more information on TurnOnGreens product line, please visit www.TurnOnGreen.com. About TurnOnGreen TurnOnGreen, Inc. (OTC: IMHC) designs and manufactures innovative, feature-rich, top-quality power products for mission-critical applications, lifesaving and sustaining applications spanning multiple sectors in the harshest environments. The diverse markets we serve include defense and aerospace, medical and healthcare, industrial, telecommunications, and e-mobility. TurnOnGreen brings decades of experience to every project, working with our clients to develop leading-edge products to meet a wide range of needs. TurnOnGreen headquarters are located in Milpitas, CA; www.TurnOnGreen.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions and include words such as believes, plans, anticipates, projects, estimates, expects, intends, strategy, future, opportunity, may, will, should, could, potential, or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Companys business and financial results are included in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Companys Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and the Companys website at www.TurnOnGreen.com. 1 https://www.tenethealth.com/about View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315033512/en/ TurnOnGreen Investor Contact: [email protected] or (877) 634-0982 Source: TurnOnGreen, Inc. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye stand as reliable partners, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a trilateral meeting with his Turkish and Georgian counterparts in Baku, Trend reports. "Our cooperation is critical to maintaining regional security and stability. Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey are trusted partners. Furthermore, the historical developments that have occurred in the region in recent years are the result of Azerbaijan's restoration of territorial integrity, which has been recognized internationally," Bayramov noted. The minister noted that the new reality in the region opens up new opportunities for maximizing its potential. To note, the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia was held in Baku. At the meeting, views were exchanged on issues of trilateral regional cooperation taking place in the region and the world and of mutual interest, the venue of the next meeting was determined and the Baku Declaration was adopted. After the meeting, the ministers held a joint press conference. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Silicon Valley-based Hans Laser Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of China-based manufacturer Han's Laser Technology Group Co., which makes laser cutting and laser welding machinery, last year announced plans for a $60 million U.S. expansion. The firm has locations in San Jose, California and Katy, Texas and purchased 262 acres at 12429 W. Kimbro Road in the Austin suburb of Manor, Texas in April 2023. In 2019, Han's Laser Technology Industry Group apologized for its Chairman Gao Yunfeng after he reportedly made inappropriate comments to a journalist during a CCTV state television interview. According to Hotel Inside, when asked about the mysterious Swiss research center the company is supposed to be building, Gao reportedly asked the journalist How dare you spy on me? Yicai Global reported that it visited the address of Han's Laser's research and development center in Engelberg, Switzerland on July 31, 2019, only to find that the hub -- which has been in the pipeline for nine years -- was merely a room of about 10 square meters. However, the firm's nearby hotel renovation project, part of the center's construction plans, was well underway. A Hans Laser affiliate opened the renovated hotel in 2021, but it is unclear whether plans for the $159 million R&D Center ever materialized. Further, the Doubletree Downtown Los Angeles hotel owned by Hans Holding Group, an affiliate of Hans Laser, faces an escalating labor dispute, strikes, picket lines and two federal unfair labor practice charges alleging discriminatory discipline of a union shop steward and unlawful requests for immigration documents. Thirty-four hotels have now reached tentative agreements with UNITE HERE Local 11 to resolve labor disputes, but the Doubletree has failed to do so. Hans Laser investors should carefully scrutinize any of the firms expansion plans, hold the firm accountable for its development timeline, and ensure that the firm builds relationships with labor, community and political stakeholders to avoid labor disputes and associated risks. UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona that work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers and airports View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315123422/en/ Jordan Fein | [email protected] | (312)576-5048 Source: UNITE HERE Local 11 The University was honored with two Silver ADDY Awards for creative excellence in a campaign PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix proudly announces the receipt of two Silver ADDY Awards from the Phoenix Chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). These accolades were granted in recognition of the University's integrated television campaign on competency-based masters degree programs. The awards ceremony, held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess on March 8, 2024, celebrated the University's achievements. The campaign conveyed clear and engaging messaging on the opportunity to save time and money with the Universitys competency-based masters degree program for less than $11,000 and in under a year, shares Chief Marketing Officer Steve Gross. We feel good that the campaign was recognized and that we had the opportunity to celebrate our teams excellence. The Silver ADDY Awards, presented in two distinct categoriesElements of Advertising (Video Editing) and Film, Video, and Sound (Regional/National Television Campaign)were awarded for the Universitys Channel Surfing campaign. Developing excellent creative that addresses a consumer need and gets attention is truly a team effort, shares Vice President, Creative, Jeff Preston. It starts with deep understanding of our audience that extends to all facets of the creative process, and Im incredibly proud of the work our team produced. According to the AAF, the ADDY Awards represent the advertising industry's largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries every year in local AAF Ad Club competitions. The mission of the American Advertising Awards is to recognize the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. Conducted annually by the AAF, the local tier of the American Advertising Awards is the first of a three-tier, national competition. At the second tier of the competition, which University of Phoenix will enter, local ADDY winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. Selection of the most creative entry at each level is determined by a scoring process in which a panel of judges evaluates all creative dimensions of every entry. A Gold ADDY is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and is judged to be superior to all other entries in the category. Entries that are also considered outstanding and worthy of recognition receive a Silver ADDY. University of Phoenix previously received ADDY awards from the Phoenix Chapter in 2023, 2022, and 2020. Learn more about the Phoenix Chapter of the AAF 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315857126/en/ Michele Mitchum University of Phoenix [email protected] Source: University of Phoenix Webinar will provide insights on CRA definitional changes MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Compliance professionals from Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions will host a webinar this month to discuss key definitional changes under the final rule amending the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations. The changes, as published in the Federal Register on February 1st, 2024, present significant interpretive questions for covered U.S. lenders and will be discussed in the webinar, CRA Defined Terms A look at key definitional changes under the modernized CRA regulations, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM C.T. The new regulations contain new defined terms and update existing ones. Regulatory compliance professionals Jason Keller and Kris Stewart of the Wolters Kluwer Financial & Corporate Compliance division will provide an overview of these definitional changes to help guide CRA practitioners through their organizations updated rule implementation processes. Participants will leave with better insights into the new definitional terms and, importantly, how changes impact banks implementation of the modernized CRA, said Vikram Savkar, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions. Understanding regulatory definitions is a fundamental prerequisite for comprehending the new regulation and ensuring its proper application in practice. Attendees will be the first to receive Wolters Kluwers newly completed CRA defined terms whitepaper, which provides a side-by-side comparison of terms used in the current regulation with those reflected in the final rule. Reporters wishing to arrange an interview on navigating CRA compliance obligations with Wolters Kluwer experts, such as Keller and Stewart, are invited to contact David Feider, Associate Director, External Communications, Wolters Kluwer FCC. Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions is a market leader and trusted provider of risk management and regulatory compliance solutions and services to U.S. banks, credit unions, insurers and securities firms. The business, which sits within the Wolters Kluwer Financial & Corporate Compliance (FCC) division, helps these financial institutions efficiently manage risk and regulatory compliance obligations, and gain the insights needed to focus on better serving their customers and growing their business. Wolters Kluwer FCC is also home to CT Corporation, a leading provider of registered agent services, incorporation services and legal entity compliance, including the new beneficial ownership requirement for small businesses that took effect January 1, 2024. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2023 annual revenues of 5.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,400 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315608998/en/ David Feider Associate Director, External Communications Financial & Corporate Compliance Wolters Kluwer Office +1 612-246-9454 [email protected] Source: Wolters Kluwer UpToDates trusted content on treatment of Dengue is now available to help with national health emergency SAO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With the significant growth of Dengue cases in Brazil, Wolters Kluwer Health is providing free, online access to evidence-based information about the disease from its clinical decision support (CDS) resource, UpToDate. Access is available to doctors, even if they are not UpToDate subscribers, as well as to the general community by visiting this link. According to data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, by the second week of March 2024, more than 1.3 million probable cases of the disease had been recorded in Brazil, double the volume in the first quarter of 2023. Regarding the incidence coefficient, which represents the risk of new cases occurring, the rate so far is above 660 per 100,000 inhabitants, a value of around 540% higher compared to the same period last year. Nine states and 201 Brazilian municipalities have declared a health emergency due to the high volume of cases of the disease. Among them are Acre, Amapa, Distrito Federal, Espirito Santo, Goias, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Sao Paulo. According to Natalia Cabrini, Director of Strategy and Sales, Wolters Kluwer Global Growth Markets, Brazil, the objective of the initiative is to help improve patient care and contribute to reducing the volume of cases in Brazil. She explains: We are closely monitoring the increase in Dengue cases in Brazil, and our focus is to find ways to contribute to solving this adversity as soon as possible. By providing access to this content covering prevention and early diagnosis to appropriate treatment. We hope to contribute to reducing the impact of the disease on Brazilian public health. UpToDate is a market leading clinical decision support (CDS) solution used by two million doctors worldwide. It is an evidence-based clinical decision support solution, authored and reviewed exclusively by doctors recognized in their specialties, and can be accessed from anywhere, whether on a mobile device or online. UpToDate content is written and reviewed by more than 7,000 authors and section editors, including world-class physicians who choose to contribute to UpToDate to share their expertise and insights with peers in the medical community. In addition, contributors are based all over the world, with over 1,100 based outside of the US. Content covers over 25 specialties, offering more than 10,000 clinical topics, including Dengue. To access information and recommendations about the virus, simply access the link. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2023 annual revenues of 5.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,400 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315977067/en/ Media Andre Rebelo Director, External Communications Wolters Kluwer Health +1 (781) 392-2411 [email protected] Source: Wolters Kluwer Health Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE: HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that Rafael Pereira has been appointed as a Senior Advisor to assist the firm with its expansion in Brazil. Mr. Pereira has more than two decades of experience as a tech entrepreneur and executive, building and growing technology-based businesses from spearheading startups to publicly listed companies. Mr. Pereira co-founded Open Co, Brazils leading consumer financing FinTech that democratizes access to affordable credit products to families and small businesses across the country through cutting-edge technologies, raising more than $1 billion in equity and debt from multiple global investors. Prior to Open Co, he held several positions at Enova, KPMG, BRQ Digital Solutions, and IBM. The Brazilian technology sector is undergoing a multi-year structural transformation, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs. The combination of Rafaels knowledge, network, and creativity with our leading Technology and FinTech industry groups, with approximately 200 financial professionals combined, will be unique to support local companies in their various stages of growth, says Bruno Baratta, Houlihan Lokeys Head of Brazil. We are delighted with his arrival and the prospect of deepening our relationship with clients in the space. It is a great pleasure to join Houlihan Lokey and work together with its global Technology Group and its experienced local team to serve our Brazilian clients, says Rafael Pereira. Over the last few years, the Brazilian technology ecosystem has consolidated, creating countless opportunities for local and global companies and financial investors, and Houlihan Lokey is uniquely prepared to serve clients of the most diverse profiles in this environment. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Mr. Pereira has helped shape Brazil's technology and financial landscape, serving as a board member for Parana Banco and as President of Brazil's FinTech association ABCD, where he championed regulatory reforms to promote financial inclusion and transformative initiatives like fast payment rails (PIX) and Open Finance. Mr. Pereira is also an early-stage investor in tech companies and venture funds. Mr. Pereira earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a degree in Engineering from PUC Rio de Janeiro. He also completed the OPM program at Harvard Business School. Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18 trial, also known as ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047, investigating KEYTRUDA, Mercks anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) met its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer. At a pre-specified interim analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, KEYTRUDA in combination with concurrent CRT showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS versus concurrent CRT alone. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and shared with regulatory authorities worldwide. As previously reported, KEYNOTE-A18 met its other primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) in 2023. These PFS data were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 and supported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with CRT for the treatment of patients with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) 2014 Stage III-IVA cervical cancer in January 2024. This is the first Phase 3 trial in which an immunotherapy-based regimen has shown a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival compared to chemoradiotherapy alone, said Dr. Gursel Aktan, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. Building on the positive progression-free survival findings from this study, these results underscore our commitment to exploring the role of KEYTRUDA across different types of cancers in earlier stages of disease, where there is a greater potential for better outcomes. These findings are important for patients and the medical community alike and reinforce previous data from the KEYNOTE-A18 trial, now showing this regimen has the potential to extend the lives of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, said Prof. Domenica Lorusso, the studys overall principal investigator, lead investigator for ENGOT, and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Humanitas University. In the U.S., KEYTRUDA has two additional approved indications in cervical cancer: in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) 1] as determined by an FDA-approved test; and as a single agent, for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS 1) as determined by an FDA-approved test. About KEYNOTE-A18/ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047 KEYNOTE-A18, also known as ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047, is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04221945) sponsored by Merck and conducted in collaboration with the European Network for Gynecological Oncology Trial (ENGOT) groups and the GOG Foundation, Inc. (GOG) investigating KEYTRUDA in combination with CRT (cisplatin and external beam radiotherapy [EBRT] followed by brachytherapy [BT]) compared to placebo plus concurrent CRT for the treatment of newly diagnosed high-risk (stage IB2-IIB with lymph node-positive disease, and stage III-IVA with and without lymph node-positive disease) locally advanced cervical cancer where patients are treated with definitive intent. The primary endpoints are PFS and OS, and secondary endpoints include complete response rate, objective response rate and safety. The trial enrolled 1,060 patients with cervical cancer who had not previously received any definitive surgery, radiation, or systemic therapy for cervical cancer. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either: Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) ("Osisko Development" or the "Company") announces an updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for its 100%-owned underground Trixie deposit (the "2024 Trixie MRE"), within the Company's wider Tintic Project ("Tintic" or the "Tintic Project"), located in the historic East Tintic Mining District in central Utah, U.S.A. The 2024 Trixie MRE incorporated an additional 1,674 underground chip samples over 1,678 meters ("m") (5,507 feet ("ft")) of underground development, and 7,385 m of drilling (24,229 ft) in 122 holes completed by the Company since the release of the initial Trixie MRE (the "2023 Trixie MRE"), with an effective date of January 10, 2023. Relative to the 2023 Trixie MRE, contained gold ounces in measured and indicated resources decreased by 29% and inferred resources decreased by 79% primarily due to lower estimated grades that incorporated an updated geologic model interpretation and conversion of inferred resources. Drill results and underground mapping from the 2023 exploration program improved the knowledge of the extent and distribution of mineralization, resulting in modeling improvements to both mineralization and the historical mine shape model. Chris Lodder, President, stated, "The 2024 Trixie MRE incorporates changes to our interpretation of the main mineralized structures and reflects better understanding of the structural controls of the deposit and realistic mining parameters following our exploration and test mining work in 2023. To date exploration and mining occurred on less than 10% of known mineralized structures in the west Tintic district and thus, we see significant precious metal potential at depth, on parallel structures to Trixie, along the Trixie and Sioux Ajax faults to the north and south, as well as around all historic high-grade gold mines in the West Tintic District. These high-grade gold targets, combined with the copper-gold porphyry potential where drilling is underway, and a large area of polymetallic carbonate replacement potential, illustrate that we have only scratched the surface in understanding the overall metal endowment potential of the Tintic district." Table 1: 2024 Trixie MRE (all zones) March 14, 2024 Classification Tonnes(000's) Au Grade(g/t) Contained Gold (000's oz) Ag Grade(g/t) Contained Silver (000's oz) Measured 120 27.36 105 61.73 238 Indicated 125 11.17 45 59.89 240 Measured and Indicated 245 19.11 150 60.80 478 Inferred 202 7.80 51 48.55 315 Notes (applicable to Tables 1, 2, and 3) Effective date of the 2024 Trixie MRE is March 14, 2024. Each of Mr. William Lewis, P.Geo., of Micon International Limited and Alan J. San Martin, MAusIMM(CP), of Micon International Limited (i) has reviewed and validated the 2024 Trixie MRE, (ii) is considered to be independent of the Company for purposes of Section 1.5 of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), and (iii) is a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101. The mineral resources were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining ("CIM"), Metallurgy and Petroleum's "CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" adopted by the CIM council. Mineral resources are reported when they are within potentially mineable shapes derived from a stope optimizer algorithm, assuming an underground longhole stoping mining method with stopes of 6.1 m x 6.1 m x minimum 1.5 m dimensions. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Geologic modelling was completed by Osisko Development modeling geologist Jody Laing, P.Geo, using Leapfrog Geo software. The 2024 Trixie MRE was completed by Osisko Development chief resource geologist, Daniel Downton, P.Geo using Datamine Studio RM 2.0 software. William Lewis and Alan J. San Martin of Micon International Limited independently reviewed and validated the mineral resource model. The estimate is reported for an underground mining scenario and with USD assumptions. The cut-off grade of 4.32 g/t Au was calculated using a gold price of US$1,750/oz, a CAD:USD exchange rate of 1.30; total mining, processing and G&A costs of US$168.04/imperial ton; a refining cost of US$2.65/ounce; a combined royalty of 4.50%; and an average metallurgical gold recovery of 80%. The stope optimizer algorithm evaluated the resources based on a gold equivalent grade which incorporates the silver grade estimate and assumes a silver price of US$23/oz and metallurgical silver recovery of 45%. The 2024 Trixie MRE is comprised of six zones within the greater Trixie area: T2, T3, T4, Wild Cat, 40 Fault and 75-85. Average bulk density values in the mineralized domains were assigned to the T2 (2.955 T/m3), T3 (2.638 T/m3), T4(2.618 T/m3), Wild Cat, and 40 Fault (2.621 T/m3), and 75-85 (2.617 T/m3) domains. Inverse Distance Squared interpolation method was used with a parent block size of 1.2 m x 2.4 m x 2.4 m. The Company intends to file a technical report (the "Technical Report") in respect of the 2024 Trixie MRE in accordance with NI 43-101 on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ) and on EDGAR ( www.sec.gov ) under Osisko Development's issuer profile within 45 days of the date of this news release. The 2024 Trixie MRE results are presented in-situ. Calculations used metric units (metres, tonnes, g/t). The number of tonnes is rounded to the nearest thousand. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects. Neither the Company nor Micon International Limited is aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issue that could materially affect the mineral resource estimate other than disclosed in this news release. Technical information in this news release differs from similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See below under "Cautionary Statement to U.S. Investors". TRIXIE MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE The 2024 Trixie MRE comprises six mineralized zones within the greater Trixie deposit, including T2, T3, T4, Wild Cat, 40 Fault and 75-85 over a strike length of 530 m, a maximum width of 105 m and to a maximum depth of 195 m for the deposit and is 350 m from surface (see cross section Figure 1). These dimensions are for the overall size of the mineralized zone structures, with the 2024 Trixie MRE blocks contained within a smaller 440 m strike length, 60 m total width and 195 m depth footprint. Gold mineralization is associated with high sulphidation epithermal mineralization, structurally controlled and hosted within the quartzites. Mineralization consists of native Au, and rare Au-Ag rich telluride minerals with quartz and quartz-barite-sulphosalt stockwork veining. The T2 Zone is the highest-grade structure within the overall deposit. In 2023, a total of 4,637 oz were recovered from processing mineralized material with an overall feed grade of 35.61 g/t Au. The 2023 drill program also converted ounces from inferred to indicated, and drilling at depth indicated a transition from high-grade gold to anomalous copper, which prompted the testing of the deep porphyry target at Trixie West. The T4 Zone envelops the T2, 40 fault, and Wild Cat domains. Within the T4 domain, there are discrete sub-vertical high-grade gold structures, defined on multiple levels and sections. However, these structures appear to be more discontinuous and less disseminated in the broader area than had been previously estimated. In 2023, mapping and modeling modified the interpretation from a stockwork to distinct high-grade structures. As a result, the model now incorporates tight search parameters around these structures, increasing confidence within the zone, while also including the quartz-barite-sulphosalt disseminated stockwork mineralization. A mineralized fault structure known as the 40 fault, is mapped over 230 m strike length and 80 m at depth and is about 1 m wide. This fault is a mineralized domain within the T4 and offsets vertically dipping epithermal Au-Ag structures. The Wildcat domain, a discrete structure within the T4, is steeply dipping to the east and strikes for 237 m and terminates at the 40 fault. The T1 Zone, previously described in the 2023 Trixie MRE, has been incorporated into the T4 Zone. The T1 Zone was previously an envelope on the contacts of both the 75-85 and T2 Zones. The T1 Zone had similar high-grade fissure zones as described in the T4 Zone, that are constrained within the T4 envelope. Additional drilling in this area also reduced the estimated contained gold above cut-off. The 75-85 Zone is a moderately west dipping silica sulphide cemented breccia zone. Drilling along strike to the south suggests that the 75-85 Zone truncates both the T2 structure and T4 zone. Mine development in 2023 intersected previously unknown stopes within the modelled 75-85 Zone and high-grade assays were less continuous at depth, although increasing down plunge. Table 2: 2024 Trixie MRE Separated by Domain March 14, 2024 Domain Category Tonnes Grade (Au g/t) ContainedGold (oz) Grade(Ag g/t) ContainedSilver (oz) T2 Measured 22,678 106.27 77,484 115.99 84,572 Indicated 11,939 23.19 8,902 51.07 19,602 M+I 34,617 77.62 86,387 93.60 104,173 Inferred 1,996 9.82 630 61.38 3,938 T3 Measured 2,385 9.46 725 75.34 5,776 Indicated 970 5.47 171 57.32 1,787 M+I 3,355 8.30 896 70.13 7,564 Inferred 139 6.27 28 63.14 282 T4 + Wild Cat + 40 FLT Measured 94,784 8.93 27,227 48.41 147,520 Indicated 51,827 6.48 10,795 37.59 62,637 M+I 146,611 8.07 38,023 44.58 210,156 Inferred 104,676 6.57 22,127 38.57 129,792 75-85 Measured - - - Indicated 60,008 12.93 24,943 80.95 156,185 M+I 60,008 12.93 24,943 80.95 156,185 Inferred 94,793 9.12 27,784 59.28 180,666 Total Measured 119,847 27.36 105,437 61.73 237,868 Indicated 124,743 11.17 44,811 59.89 240,211 M+I 244,590 19.11 150,248 60.80 478,078 Inferred 201,603 7.80 50,569 48.55 314,678 Refer to notes described under Table 1, which are also applicable to Table 2 in their entirety. TRIXIE AND GREATER TINTIC CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In 2023, the Company completed a total of 6,028 m (19,776 ft) of underground drilling in 73 diamond drill holes at Trixie. Assays were finalized up to hole TRXU-DD-23-069 and were included in the 2024 Trixie MRE. The new drilling, mapping and historical data compilation improved the interpretation and revealed that there is significant potential for parallel high-grade gold fissure zones similar to T2 and adjacent to the existing mine development. Much of the Trixie area remains unexplored. At Trixie, exploration potential remains highly prospective at depth near historical stopes that ceased mining at the water table. The Trixie deposit remains open to the north, along strike of T2, down dip below the historical 756, down plunge to the Survey Vein and additional, parallel structures are highly possible within the epithermal system. The Company continues to explore for additional high-sulphidation epithermal Au and Ag targets along the 4 km strike length of historical mines and has identified at least a dozen new drill ready targets from extensive data compilation and regional field work in 2023. Further work is recommended to test these targets (see Figure 3 for property wide historical deposits and exploration targets). PORPHYRY TARGET DRILLING Copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry potential remains an exploration priority for the Company. One diamond drill rig is currently active at surface testing a porphyry target at Big Hill and is at a current depth of 1,180 m (3,872 ft). Assays are pending for this drillhole. One drill hole tested a copper-gold-porphyry target below Trixie and was drilled to a depth of 759.6 m (2,492 ft) when it crossed the Eureka Lily Fault to the east and out of the prospective alteration zone. Further drill testing of a copper-gold porphyry target at depth below the Trixie deposit is recommended to the west. The development of the 1,390 m decline ramp at Trixie, completed in September 2023, significantly improving access to the underground workings for exploration development and drilling beyond the 625 level. The Company has advanced rehabilitation at the 750 level to allow for further underground diamond drilling to test for the down dip extent of the 756 zone and the porphyry target below Trixie. Figure 1: Trixie geologic model and mineral domains cross section Figure 2: Exploration potential at Trixie Figure 3: Property wide mineralization and exploration targets Table 3: Trixie MRE Cut-Off Grade ("COG") Sensitivity (Base Case in Bold) March 14, 2024 Classification Tonnes COG Grade(Au g/t) ContainedGold (oz) Grade(Ag g/t) ContainedSilver (oz) Measured + Indicated 366,130 2.50 13.79 162,348 50.18 590,666 324,251 3.00 15.23 158,722 53.31 555,740 291,005 3.50 16.64 155,716 56.19 525,681 261,219 4.00 18.14 152,350 58.95 495,091 244,590 4.32 19.11 150,248 60.80 478,078 237,143 4.50 19.58 149,266 61.52 469,058 217,327 5.00 20.99 146,677 64.07 447,646 198,538 5.50 22.55 143,909 66.19 422,504 182,842 6.00 24.01 141,164 68.57 403,074 165,955 6.50 25.81 137,734 71.39 380,902 152,986 7.00 27.55 135,503 74.34 365,663 Inferred 438,189 2.50 5.26 74,056 34.46 485,528 342,880 3.00 5.99 66,034 38.38 423,112 279,722 3.50 6.65 59,767 41.84 376,306 224,039 4.00 7.42 53,438 46.31 333,578 201,603 4.32 7.80 50,569 48.55 314,678 190,002 4.50 8.02 49,009 49.90 304,803 163,894 5.00 8.60 45,313 53.08 279,718 141,728 5.50 9.16 41,742 55.92 254,818 123,472 6.00 9.71 38,532 58.70 233,028 106,080 6.50 10.35 35,291 60.43 206,087 91,725 7.00 10.99 32,397 61.91 182,579 Note: Micon International Limited's QP has reviewed the COG used in the sensitivity analysis relating to the 2024 Trixie MRE and is of the opinion that the individual cut-off grades used in the sensitivity analysis meet the test of reasonable prospects of economic extraction. The numbers in bold represent the current 2024 Trixie MRE. Table 4: Trixie MRE Cut-off Grade Calculation Breakdown PARAMETERS VALUES Mining Cost ($/ST) $74.33 G&A ($/ST) $52.71 Heap Leach ($/ST) $41.00 Total Refining Cost/ OZ $2.65 Gold Price $1,750 Royalty (Combination) 4.50% Heap Leach Au Recovery 80.0% Cut-off Grade (COG) 4.32 The cut-off grade for the 2024 Trixie MRE is 4.32 g/t Au compared to 4.85 g/t Au in the 2023 Trixie MRE primarily due to the difference in the estimated cost of heap leach processing ($41/ST) relative to the previously estimated mill processing scenario ($89/ST). Qualified Persons The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maggie Layman, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Osisko Development, and a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101. The independent QPs for the 2024 Trixie MRE, within the meaning of NI 43-101, are William Lewis, P.Geo. and Alan J. San Martin MAusIMM(CP) of Micon International Limited. Each QP is independent of Osisko Development within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the content in this news release. Quality Assurance (QA) Quality Control (QC) All drill core and exploration samples are dispatched to ALS Geochemistry or SGS Canada for offsite sample preparation and analysis. Both labs are ISO/IEC 17025 certified, and ALS Geochemistry is also ISO 9001 certified. Samples are assigned a unique sample ID. All geological and sampling information is entered into a Datamine Fusion database. Core is sawn in half and half is sampled. Certified standards and blanks are inserted into all sample dispatches. Samples are collected by Old Dominion Transportation and dispatched to SGS Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, British Columbia or ALS Geochemistrys laboratories in Elko, Nevada or Twin Falls, Idaho. Sample submission forms accompany the samples, and digital copies are emailed to the destination lab. Core sample preparation is completed by ALS Geochemistry or SGS Canada, including drying, crushing, and pulverizing of samples. Analytical assays include gold by 30-gram fire assay with AAS finish, and gold overlimits by fire assay with gravimetric finish. Screen metallic analyses are performed on selected samples. Multielement analysis (including silver) is by four-acid digest with ICP-AES/ICP-MS finish. The pulps are returned to Osisko Development and coarse rejects are disposed after 90 days. Assays are reported to Osisko Development and then loaded into Datamine Fusion. Quality Assurance-Quality Control samples are checked, and assays are merged with sample information for future reporting. Underground face samples are collected by Company geologists from each of the active mining faces, with samples transported by the geologists from Trixie to the on-site Company laboratory located at the Burgin administrative complex. Underground samples are dried, crushed to <10 mm and a 250 g split is taken. The split is pulverized, and a 30 g Fire Assay with gravimetric finish is completed to determine gold and silver grades, reported in oz/short ton and g/t. The Company's Burgin laboratory is not a certified analytical laboratory, but the facility is managed by a qualified laboratory manager with annual auditing by technical staff. The laboratory has been independently audited by Qualitica Consulting and Micon International Limited's QP with recommendations implemented. Inter-laboratory check assays using ALS Geochemistry as a third-party independent analysis of samples is routinely carried out as part of ongoing QA/QC work. Certified OREAS QC standards and blanks are inserted at regular intervals in the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. True width is estimated to be approximately 0.5 m - 3 m (1.6 - 10 ft) for all fissure veins and discrete structures (T2, T3, 75-85, Wildcat and 40 Fault) and the T4 zone is modelled at an average width of 90 m (300 ft) and encompasses disseminated mineralization and discontinuous veins ranging from several cm to 1 m (3 ft). ABOUT OSISKO DEVELOPMENT CORP. Osisko Development Corp. is a North American gold development company focused on past-producing mining camps located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company's objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada, the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company's project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company's strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources. For further information, visit our website at www.osiskodev.com or contact: Sean Roosen Philip Rabenok Chairman and CEO Director, Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (514) 940-0685 Tel: +1 (437) 423-3644 CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS Cautionary Statement Regarding Test Mining Without Feasibility Study The Company cautions that its prior decision to commence small-scale underground mining activities and batch vat leaching at the Trixie test mine was made without the benefit of a feasibility study, or reported mineral resources or mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result there may be increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of material or the cost of such recovery. The Company cautions that historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. Small scale test-mining at Trixie was suspended in December 2022 and resumed in the second quarter of 2023. Even with the resumption of small-scale test-mining at Trixie, there is no guarantee that production will continue as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved. The failure to continue production may have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs may have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and potential profitability. In continuing current operations at Trixie, the Company has not based its decision to continue such operations on a feasibility study, or reported mineral resources or mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Cautionary Statement to U.S. Investors The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the applicable Canadian securities laws and, as a result, reports information regarding mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, including the information in its technical reports, financial statements, MD&A and this news release, in accordance with Canadian reporting requirements, which are governed by NI 43-101. As such, such information concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, including the information in its technical reports, financial statements, MD&A and this news release, is not comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). People look at the new iPhone 15 Pro as Apple's new iPhone 15 officially goes on sale across China at an Apple store in Shanghai, China September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Apple agreed to pay $490 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleged Chief Executive Tim Cook defrauded shareholders by concealing falling demand for iPhones in China. A preliminary settlement was filed on Friday with the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, and requires approval by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. It stemmed from Apple's unexpected announcement on Jan. 2, 2019 that the iPhone maker would slash its quarterly revenue forecast by up to $9 billion, blaming U.S.-China trade tensions. Cook had told investors on an Nov. 1, 2018, analyst call that although Apple faced sales pressure in markets such as Brazil, India, Russia and Turkey, where currencies had weakened, "I would not put China in that category." Apple told suppliers a few days later to curb production. The lowered revenue forecast was Apple's first since the iPhone's launch in 2007. Shares of Apple fell 10% the next day, wiping out $74 billion of market value. Apple and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling. The Cupertino, California-based company denied liability, but settled to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation, court papers show. Shawn Williams, a partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd representing the shareholders, called the settlement an "outstanding result" for the class. The settlement covers investors who bought Apple shares in the two months between Cook's comments and the revenue forecast. Apple posted $97 billion of net income in its latest fiscal year, and its payout equals a little under two days of profit. Last June, Rogers refused to dismiss the lawsuit. She found it plausible to believe Cook had been discussing Apple's sales outlook and not currency changes, and said Apple knew China's economy was slowing and demand could fall. The lead plaintiff is the Norfolk County Council as Administering Authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund, located in Norwich, England. Lawyers for the shareholders may seek fees of up to 25% of the settlement amount. Apple's share price has more than quadrupled since January 2019, giving the company a more than $2.6 trillion market value. The case is In re Apple Inc Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-02033. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jason Neely, Jane Merriman and Alexander Smith) A person rides a scooter past a JD.com advertisement for the "618" shopping festival in a shopping district in Beijing, China June 14, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) - China-based online retailer JD.com said on Friday it would not make an offer for British electricals group Currys, days after U.S. investor Elliott Advisors walked away. Shares in Currys, which slumped to a session low after the update, were down 5% at 56.3 pence by 1425 GMT. JD.com, which was keen on Currys' store and warehouse network to help it expand in the UK and Europe and counter weak demand in China, had said on Feb. 19 it was evaluating a possible offer. However, it said on Friday that "following careful consideration", it does not intend to make a bid. Currys had no immediate comment. Elliott Advisors said on Monday it wouldn't be making a firm offer for Currys either, having had proposals of 62 pence a share and then 67 pence a share rejected. The stock closed Thursday at 58.9 pence, giving Currys a market capitalisation of 670 million pounds. Analysts at Peel Hunt had said it would take an offer of over 80 pence per share for Currys' board to engage. While Currys, which sells fridges, washing machines, computers and other consumer electricals in Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, has struggled to grow over the last two years due to the squeeze on consumer incomes, the company has argued its prospects are bright. In January it forecast annual profit ahead of market expectations as it benefited from improving consumer confidence and a better performance in its Nordics business. Earlier this month, it said a deal to sell its Greek unit would complete in April, giving it net cash proceeds of 156 million pounds which it would use to reduce debt. The number of failed takeovers of UK-listed companies has more than doubled in recent years as boards have rebuffed a slew of bids they believe are taking advantage of cheapened stock prices. (Reporting by James Davey and Muvija M; Editing by William James and Jan Harvey) FILE PHOTO: Motorists drive past Tesla's primary vehicle factory after CEO Elon Musk announced he was defying local officials' restrictions against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by reopening the plant in Fremont, California, U.S. May 12 By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -Tesla has settled a long running lawsuit by a Black former factory worker who claimed he was subjected to severe racial harassment, according to a court filing on Friday, as the electric carmaker faces a series of other discrimination lawsuits. Tesla and lawyers for Owen Diaz, a former elevator operator at the company's Fremont, California assembly plant, did not disclose details of the settlement in the filing in San Francisco federal court. The agreement ends appeals that both sides were pursuing after a jury last year awarded Diaz $3.2 million in damages. Tesla claimed it was not liable for the alleged discrimination and Diaz had argued that the company's lawyers engaged in misconduct warranting a new trial. A different jury in 2021 had awarded Diaz $137 million, one of the largest verdicts ever in a discrimination case involving a single worker. But a judge found that the verdict was excessive and ordered a second trial after Diaz refused a lowered award of $15 million. Diaz, who first sued Tesla in 2017, claimed that when he worked at the Fremont plant he was subjected on a daily basis to racial slurs, scrawled swastikas and other racist conduct, and that Tesla ignored his complaints. Tesla and lawyers for Diaz did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The company has said it does not tolerate discrimination and has fired employees accused of racist conduct. Tesla faces similar claims of tolerating race bias at the Fremont plant in a pending class action on behalf of 6,000 workers, separate cases from California and U.S. anti-bias agencies, and multiple lawsuits involving individual employees. The company has denied wrongdoing in those cases. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New YorkEditing by Chris Reese, David Gregorio and Alexia Garamfalvi) Contained nickel for the Eureka Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), effective February 12th, 2024, equals: Indicated Resources: 3.9 billion pounds of nickel Inferred Resources: 4.2 billion pounds of nickel VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (AEMC or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has filed an Updated National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report (the Updated Technical Report or the Report) on SEDAR+ for its 100% owned Eureka Property, Nikolai Nickel Project in Alaska, USA. Highlights of the Updated Eureka Technical Report and MRE include: The Eureka West and Eureka East deposits reported in the maiden 2023 MRE are now connected as one deposit measuring 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) in length. A significant portion of the Eureka MRE has been upgraded from Inferred to Indicated Resource. The Indicated Resource contains: 813 million tonnes grading 0.29% NiEq containing: 3,877 million pounds (1.758 million tonnes) of nickel 1,276 million pounds (578,783 tonnes) of copper 303 million pounds (137,438 tonnes) of cobalt 4.0 million ounces of platinum, plus palladium and gold The Inferred Resource increased from 319.6 million tonnes to 896 million tonnes, a 180% increase. The Inferred Resource contains: 896 million tonnes grading 0.27% NiEq containing: 4,225 million pounds (1.916 million tonnes) of nickel 1,040 million pounds (471,736 tonnes) of copper 327 million pounds (148,324 tonnes) of cobalt 3.4 million ounces of platinum, plus palladium and gold A higher-grade core, present over the southeastern half of the deposit, has been clearly confirmed and identified. The higher-grade core is open to the southeast, and the Company has plans to drill test this zone in 2024. As a consequence of joining the two deposits together, the strip ratio has been reduced from 3.7:1 to 1.5:1. Three parallel zones of mineralization are identified (EZ1, EZ2, and EZ3). Chrome and iron have been identified as potentially significant co-products of mineralization at the Eureka deposit. AEMC will continue to evaluate the potential to produce a ferrochrome (FeCr) product through ongoing metallurgical testing currently in progress. The Report titled Nikolai Mineral Resource Estimate Technical Report is dated March 13th, 2024 and supports the disclosure made by the company in its February 12, 2024 press release titled Alaska Energy Metals Significantly Increases NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate For The Eureka Deposit, Nikolai Nickel Project, Alaska, USA. The Independent MRE and Updated Technical Report were prepared by Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 regulations. The Report can be found under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Alaska Energy Metals website (www.alaskaenergymetals.com). Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: It was fortunate that the spacing of the eight holes we drilled in 2023 allowed us to include 35 other holes that were drilled historically. This, in turn, allowed our consultant, Stantec, to produce a larger-than-expected Mineral Resource Estimate update. We now have a very substantial nickel deposit with a higher-grade core that could be mined early with a 0:1 strip ratio. This feature will be important for project economics. The deposit is open in all directions and the higher-grade zone, which projects to the southeast, will be drill tested during our planned 2024 drill program. So far, our discovery-exploration cost amounts to about one-tenth of a cent per pound of nickel discovered. This is a very good result for the funds entrusted to us by our shareholders. QUALIFIED PERSONMr. Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. is the independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has prepared, or supervised the preparation of, or has reviewed and approved, the scientific and technical data pertaining to the MRE and technical report. Mr. Loveday declares he has read this press release and that the scientific and technical information relating to the resource estimate are correct. Gabriel Graf, the Companys Chief Geoscientist, is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101 having reviewed and approved all other scientific and technical information contained in this news release. For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/ ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALSAlaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for national security and a bright energy future, while generating superior returns for shareholders. AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic energy-related metals for North America. AEMC also holds a secondary project, Angliers-Belleterre, in western Quebec. Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, carbon mitigation and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that ESG performance is measured by action and led from the top. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDGregory BeischerGregory Beischer, President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEOToll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164 Sarah Mawji, Public Relations[email protected] Venture Strategies Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, that the Company execute further drilling in 2024. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Source: Alaska Energy Metals Corporation VERO BEACH, Florida, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. (NYSE: ARR and ARR PRC) (ARMOUR or the Company) today announced that Jeffrey J. Zimmer will retire as Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice Chair and director of the Company. Mr. Zimmer has agreed to serve as an ex-officio, non-voting special advisor to the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Zimmer will also continue serving as a Co-Managing Member of ARMOUR Capital Management LP, ARMOURs external manager (ACM), to advise on finance, lending and trading activities, including capital markets strategies, funding, repurchase lending and ARMOURs mortgage-backed securities (MBS) portfolio. Daniel C. Staton, Chairman of the ARMOUR Board, commented, The Board and I are very grateful to Jeff for his leadership in founding and building the Company and playing a pivotal role during the last 15 years in leading and guiding the Company through tremendous growth. Jeff is a dear friend and has played a critical role in the development and success of ARMOUR. The Board and I will miss his leadership, but are delighted that Jeff has graciously agreed to continue to be a valuable advisor to the ARMOUR Board in his new role. Jeff built ARMOUR from an idea to the enterprise it is today, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future, said Scott Ulm, Chief Executive Officer, Head of Risk Management and Vice Chair of ARMOUR. "Building ARMOUR alongside Scott has been the highlight of my career, Mr. Zimmer said. I especially want to thank our employees for helping elevate and shape ARMOUR and our culture from the beginning. I have the utmost confidence in Scotts leadership and ability to capture the significant growth potential for the business, and I look forward to continue supporting the Board as a special advisor. About ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.ARMOUR invests primarily in fixed rate residential, adjustable rate and hybrid adjustable rate residential mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association. ARMOUR is externally managed and advised by ACM, an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Safe Harbor This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as expect, estimate, project, budget, forecast, anticipate, intend, plan, may, will, could, should, believes, predicts, potential, continue, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. The Company disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Additional Information and Where to Find ItInvestors, security holders and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the Company at the SECs internet site at www.sec.gov, or the Company website at www.armourreit.com or by directing requests to: ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc., 3001 Ocean Drive, Suite 201, Vero Beach, Florida 32963, Attention: Investor Relations. Contact: Investors:[email protected]Scott J. Ulm ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.(772) 617-4340 Media:Meaghan Repko / Mahmoud Siddig / Tim RagonesJoele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher(212) 355-4449 Source: ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arras Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: ARK) (Arras or the Company) is pleased to announce that in accordance with the Companys Equity Incentive Plan, it has granted an aggregate of 1,495,484 restricted share units ("RSUs") to certain officers as 2023 annual performance awards. The RSUs vest one year from the grant date (February 27, 2024) . Additionally, an aggregate of 414,984 RSUs that were granted in February 2023 as 2022 annual performance awards were settled as common shares of the Company effective March 14, 2024. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Tim Barry" Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo) Chief Executive Officer and Director INVESTOR RELATIONS: +1 604 687 5800 [email protected] Further information can be found on: the Companys website https://www.arrasminerals.com or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrasminerals or follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/arrasminerals About Arras Minerals Corp. Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The Company has established the third-largest license package in the country prospective for copper and gold (behind Rio Tinto and Fortescue). In December 2023, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Teck Resources ("Teck") in which Teck is sole funding a US$5 million generative exploration program over a portion of the Arras license package in 2024-2025, focusing on critical minerals. The Companys shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol ARK. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Arras future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding plans and expectations of the exploration program Arras is in the process of undertaking, including the expansion of the Mineral Resource, and other aspects of the Mineral Resource estimates for the Beskauga project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras exploration projects, the industry in which Arras operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras management. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, continues, may, variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to future periods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond managements control, including undertaking further exploration activities, the results of such exploration activities and that such results support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption Risk Factors in the Management Discussion and Analysis filed on the Companys profile on SEDAR on February 27, 2024 and in the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed on February 27, 2024 available on www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. Dubai, UAE, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The dynamic and ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies continues to toss and turn, leaving investors searching for the next hidden gem. Memecoins, fueled by community sentiment and often characterized by rapid price swings, have captured considerable attention following the revival of the broader crypto market. BEFE: Top Meme Coin of 2024 BEFE (Blockchain Ecosystem for Everyone) is rapidly growing in popularity across crypto forums. Launched by the BEFE crypto project in November last year, BEFE has managed to catch the attention of crypto pundits thanks to its strong fundamentals and unique selling propositions. Despite being an early stage token, BEFE has emerged as one of the most promising memecoins of 2024. Lets take a closer look at what BEFE has to offer. In less than four months, BEFE, which is backed by Bitgert, has carved a niche within the competitive memecoin space. Leading BEFEs charge are two main factors: Community: BEFE enjoys the support of a vibrant and active community that is paving the way for this projects success. User-Centric Design: Unlike some memecoins, BEFE features no transaction taxes and opted for a fair launch, eliminating pre-sales and allocations. This user-centric approach has earned BEFE the nickname "the people's memecoin" among crypto enthusiasts. Meme-worthiness: As a relatively new memecoin, BEFE stands to gain more from the meme culture by harnessing the power of social media and being more relevant in terms of meme trends. The visionary team behind BEFE opted to distribute the tokens via fair launch, thereby eliminating presales and allocations and creating a more equitable and inclusive experience. As the most meme worthy crypto, BEFE aims to bring back the glory days of memecoins and become the ultimate meme king. BEFE has already been listed on major crypto exchanges, including MEXC, Gate.io, Uniswap, PancakeSwap, and AscendEX (BitMax). Since its launch, BEFE has returned a whopping 517% to early investors and reached a market capitalization of more than $45 million. In just the past four weeks, BEFE has surged nearly 11%, reaching as high as $0.00063. Crypto analysts and experts speculate that BEFEs growing popularity has put it on the path to becoming the top memecoin this year. Find Out More Here: Website: befetoken.comTelegram: t.me/befetokenTwitter: twitter.com/befetoken Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Kerri Jensen BEFE info-at-befetoken.com Source: BEFE Columbus, Ohio, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Breezeline hosted two digital literacy seminars to empower older adults in Ohio with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate the digital world. The trainings were held this week at the Dodge Community Center in Columbus and the Middleburg Heights Community Center in Middleburg Heights. Breezeline held the events in partnership with Cyber-Seniors, a non-profit that provides tech training and digital mentors to seniors. The interactive seminars showed attendees how to create an email address and other internet basics. Seniors want to learn how they can incorporate digital technology into their lives, said Steve Dockman, program manager for Middleburg Heights Community Center. We appreciate Breezelines work with Cyber-Seniors to promote digital learning in Ohio. Older adults are less likely to be connected to the internet or to have a smartphone, which can contribute to social isolation and deprive them of access to vital information and resources, including telemedicine. Trainings like these help older adults live more connected lives, said Asha Burney, manager, Dodge Community Center. We are grateful for Breezelines commitment to seniors in our community. This event is one of several steps Breezeline is taking to foster digital literacy and the responsible use of technology in its communities. Last week, Breezeline hosted a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) kit distribution at elementary schools in the Cleveland and Columbus areas. To learn more about Breezelines commitment to digital literacy, please visit www.cyberseniors.org/breezeline. Attachment Katie McCoid Breezeline [email protected] Source: Breezeline This annual award recognizes oncology nurses who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional patient care CRANBURY, N.J., March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CURE Media Group, the industry-leading multimedia platform devoted to providing cancer updates and research to more than 1 million patients, survivors and caregivers, partners with Oncology Nursing News, a multimedia platform dedicated to navigating care and empowering voices within the community of oncology nurses and healthcare professionals, to announce the finalists for the 2024 Extraordinary Healer award. This award honors oncology nurses whose compassion and expertise improve the lives of their patients. The award presentations and winner announcement will be held on April 24, 2024 during the Oncology Nursing Society's Annual Congress at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. We are privileged to honor and celebrate these remarkable individuals who consistently elevate the standards of oncology care, leaving a lasting impression on the lives of countless people, said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, the parent company of CURE Media Group. Their passion and commitment inspire us all, and we express our sincere gratitude for their profound impact on the journey towards better health." The finalists for the 2024 Extraordinary Healer award are: Jessica McDade, B.S.N., RN, OCN. McDade is a charge nurse at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She decided to enter the nursing profession as a result of her mothers experience with renal cancer when she was 15 years old. After graduation, McDade worked at a cardiac step-down unit and quickly realized it was not for her, as it was a very fast-paced, high-turnover floor. She wanted to work in an environment where she could develop relationships with patients and follow them through the process. McDade aims to develop close relationships with many of her patients in hopes that they feel comfortable under her care. In addition to her job at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she has worked for 16 years, she also mentors newly graduated nurses with efforts including a weekly clinical group. McDade is also continuing her education at Simmons University in Boston, where she is working towards a masters degree in nursing education. With this degree, she is hoping to continue mentoring nursing students and move her career from the bedside into an education role. McDade is a charge nurse at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She decided to enter the nursing profession as a result of her mothers experience with renal cancer when she was 15 years old. After graduation, McDade worked at a cardiac step-down unit and quickly realized it was not for her, as it was a very fast-paced, high-turnover floor. She wanted to work in an environment where she could develop relationships with patients and follow them through the process. McDade aims to develop close relationships with many of her patients in hopes that they feel comfortable under her care. In addition to her job at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she has worked for 16 years, she also mentors newly graduated nurses with efforts including a weekly clinical group. McDade is also continuing her education at Simmons University in Boston, where she is working towards a masters degree in nursing education. With this degree, she is hoping to continue mentoring nursing students and move her career from the bedside into an education role. Lauren Yakelis, B.S.N., RN. Yakelis is the manager of the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Program at Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Health in New Orleans. Her responsibilities include overseeing quality metrics for bone marrow transplant, the continuation of care between inpatient and outpatient settings, educating inpatient and outpatient staff about new treatments, and maintaining accreditations. Yakelis has also played a pivotal role in launching the adult CAR-T cell therapy group, which is the first of its kind in Louisiana. While leading by example, she also goes beyond the call of duty to perform thoughtful acts of kindness to her patients, such as washing clothes for patients during extended hospital stays, organizing a Christmas reunion with a mother undergoing treatment and her children, and helping a patient with transportation to obtain medications that were not carried at the hospitals pharmacy, among other efforts. Yakelis is the manager of the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Program at Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Health in New Orleans. Her responsibilities include overseeing quality metrics for bone marrow transplant, the continuation of care between inpatient and outpatient settings, educating inpatient and outpatient staff about new treatments, and maintaining accreditations. Yakelis has also played a pivotal role in launching the adult CAR-T cell therapy group, which is the first of its kind in Louisiana. While leading by example, she also goes beyond the call of duty to perform thoughtful acts of kindness to her patients, such as washing clothes for patients during extended hospital stays, organizing a Christmas reunion with a mother undergoing treatment and her children, and helping a patient with transportation to obtain medications that were not carried at the hospitals pharmacy, among other efforts. Meaghan Mooney, RN, BCN, OSN. Mooney is the chief of staff at Ascension Texas in Austin, Texas. While in nursing school, she was originally gravitating towards a career in maternity and pediatrics, but a surgical rotation on an oncology floor led her on a different path. She was drawn to oncology because, although a tough area, it was very rewarding. Once Mooney graduated, she worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York before moving to the oncology floor at Seton Medical Center Austin, which is part of the Ascension health care system in Texas. She transferred to Texas Oncology in Austin, where she worked for nine years, then rejoined Ascension in 2019 as a quality and patient safety nurse. Although her current position has taken her away from patient care, she still helps patients with cancer and their families for the Wonders & Worries, a nonprofit organization that provides support for children and teenagers during a parents serious illness or injury. For more information on the 2024 Extraordinary Healer event and to register, please visit the event page. This event is supported by Johnson & Johnson. About CURE Media Group CURE Media Group is the leading resource for cancer updates, research and education. CURE has become the most widely distributed and read consumer publication in the United States for patients with cancer, survivors and their caregivers. The platform includes its industry-leading website curetoday.com; innovative video programs; a series of educational and inspirational events; and CURE magazine, which reaches more than 1 million readers. CURE Media Group is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels. About Oncology Nursing News Oncology Nursing News is the premier platform for oncology nursing professionals, offering a dynamic blend of print and online resources, including a bimonthly magazine, live event coverage, video interviews, and blog posts. Oncology Nursing News is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels. Media Contact: Julia Paradizova MJH Life Sciences [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51a436e6-e71e-44a1-9813-063712e67ef0 SINGAPORE, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) (Genius Group or the Company), a leading entrepreneur edtech and education group, announces that it will host a Live Virtual investor Call on Thursday, March 21, 2024, with its Chief Executive Officer, Roger Hamilton, and FatBrain AIs Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ritz. The virtual meeting will be held as a YouTube Livestream, and will include: Post-merger Growth Strategy Road map to 100 million students goal Genius City Plan Road map to 100 Genius Cities goal Upgraded AI Product & Partnership Plan to $1 billion revenue goal Update on legal actions Revised 2024 Financial Guidance A Q&A to answer shareholder enquiries To ensure all enquiries are answered, except those related to legal proceedings that Counsel advises should not be answered, all shareholder questions need to be submitted in advance to the email address [email protected] . Webcast Information: Time: Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. SGT Webcast: We will livestream the investor call on YouTube on the following link . An archived replay of the presentation will be available on Genius Groups Investor Relations website and on YouTube on the above link. About Genius Group Genius Group is a leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, with a mission to disrupt the current education model with a student-centered, life-long learning curriculum that prepares students with the leadership, entrepreneurial and life skills to succeed. Through its learning platform, GeniusU, the Genius Group has a member base of 5.4 million users in 200 countries, ranging from early age to 100. For more information, please visit https://www.geniusgroup.net/ Investor Notice Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, as amended for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on June 6, 2023 and August 3, 2023. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below. Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this press release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will. plan, should, expect, anticipate, estimate, continue, or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Reports of a Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise. Contacts Investors: Solomon Bamidele, Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Reston, Va, March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NanoBioFAB, a Frederick, Maryland-based small business providing artificial intelligence (AI)-driven smart sensors for telemedicine and personalized health care and high throughput technology, as well as services to accelerate nanomaterial research and development, was announced as the winning company pitching technology solutions at AFCEA Internationals recent two-day emerging technology conference. The competition was part of AFCEAs inaugural TechNet Emergence conference, held March 11-12 in Reston, Virginia. Fourteen companies made their technology pitches before panels of experts in start-up investment and venture capital over the two days. NanoBioFAB CEO Xiaonao Liu introduced her company, saying: We are at the forefront of AI-driven smart nano sensors, revolutionizing pathogen detection and early infection prediction. The companys technology embeds sensors into wounds and detects the gases bacteria release to then sound an alert for a potential infection using an AI model with a high degree of accuracy, Liu said. Although the scoring was close, NanoBioFAB beat out the 13 other companies because its presentation demonstrated key success factors, said Anitha Raj, president of ARAR Technology and chair of AFCEAs Technology Committee. It had the right technology for wound healing, which is one of the newest technologies using nano sensor technology, Raj said. Competing companies had less than five minutes for their pitches to the judges. Management of the competition was aided by Big Idea CONNECTpreneur, led by founder S. Tien Wong. The organization helps early-stage companies with many of their needs, from capital to workforce development, customers, vendors, partners, product development, marketing and more. Other pitch winners from TechNet Emergence included EarthGrid, showcasing a technology solution to dig tunnels faster, Hue Lens, which develops lenses to improve color vision, and BioSolution Designs, which creates tools for genetic therapy research. The 14 pitching companies included: 247Solar, Inc. Airgility BioSolution Designs EarthGrid Heudia Health Hue Lens IMEROPEX, Inc. NanoBioFAB Nimbus-T Global, Inc. Patero PRIVO Shouldrs Soteria Vannadium, Inc. ***************************************************************************************************** ABOUT AFCEA INTERNATIONAL: AFCEA International is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit international professional association that connects people, ideas and solutions globally. Established in 1946, the membership association serves the military, government, industry and academia by developing networking and educational opportunities and providing an ethical forum. This enables military, government, industry and academia to align technology and strategy to meet the needs of those who serve. AFCEA operates under the guidance of a board of directors, international staff and committees. A large network of chapters is managed by a group of regional vice presidents. Join online. Howard Wahlberg AFCEA International 703-631-6199 [email protected] Source: AFCEA International Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Introducing a groundbreaking addition to the cryptocurrency landscape: Pajamas Cat Token. Born out of nostalgia and the ever-evolving world of digital assets, this token marks a new chapter in the history of meme coins. Inspired by the first-ever cat video uploaded to YouTube by co-founder Steve Chen on May 22, 2005, Pajamas Cat Token is poised to revolutionize the crypto sphere in 2024. This 30-second clip of Steve's pet playing with a rope is titled "Pajamas and Nick Drake." With its roots firmly planted in internet history, this token promises to captivate the attention of investors, enthusiasts, and newcomers alike as it embarks on a journey towards stardom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvTmxDBxtLs $PAJAMAS was born out of the nostalgia that we all know and love in crypto, Steve Chen felt the same and wanted his cat Pajamas to be immortalised on the blockchain for all eternity. What started out as a grassroots project has grown by leaps and bounds to become a contender for the top Meme Coin of 2024. Video Call with Steve Chen - Co-Founder of YouTube As Pajamas has begun to make waves in the crypto sphere, there were still doubts that Steve Chen's account had been hacked. This false speculation has been denied after a leading Asian crypto investor named Tsubasa (0x8i11i0n on Twitter) uploaded a recorded video call with Steve Chen. https://twitter.com/0x8i11i0n/status/1767849191282487320 Capturing Attention of Anatoly Yakovenko - Co-Founder of Solana Labs Even the attention from Solana Labs Co-Founder Anatoly Yakovenko has been captured - he followed Steve Chen on Twitter. A Unique Community Is Emerging Pajamas is laying a unique foundation for a cat meme token as the first cat that has ever been uploaded to YouTube, capturing attention from Billionaires, newcomers (aka normies) and crypto veterans/degens. The Pajamas community is growing every day and paving the way to become one of the most famous meme coins of 2024, starting to gain mainstream media attention. As one community member said, 'Pajamas is like one of the coins which could make you regret for life if you don't buy'. CA: FvER7SsvY5GqAMawf7Qfb5MnUUmDdbPNPg4nCa4zHoLw Website | Twitter | Telegram | Instagram | ChartPajamas CatPhilip Perreault[email protected]https://pajamas.cat/ Disclaimer:The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency. Philip Perreault Pajamas Cat admin at pajamas.cat Source: Pajama Cat BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. A great opportunity has arisen to make the South Caucasus a place of peace and stability, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during the press conference following the ninth trilateral meeting with his Azerbaijani and Georgian counterparts in Baku, Trend reports. "Ensuring peace in the region is beneficial for all countries. After November 2020, a historic opportunity arose for this, the minister added. "There is a great opportunity to turn the South Caucasus into a place of peace and stability. Ensuring peace in the region is beneficial for all countries. After November 2020, there is a historic opportunity for this," Fidan said. The minister noted that ensuring peace in the South Caucasus is very important not only for the region but also in terms of global security. "It is important that countries of other regions also support such projects as the Zangezur corridor, which is important in the regional and global sense based on the principle of "Win-Win"," Fidan added. To note, the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia was held in Baku today. At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest of trilateral cooperation, determined the venue of the next meeting, and adopted the Baku Declaration. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE: SAN) resulting from allegations that Santander may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Santander securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22671 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 5, 2024, the Financial Times published an article entitled Iran used Lloyds and Santander accounts to evade sanctions. This article stated, in part that Santander UK provided accounts to British front companies secretly owned by a sanctioned Iranian petrochemicals company based near Buckingham Palace, according to documents seen by the Financial Times. On this news, Santanders American Depositary Shares (ADSs) fell $0.24 per ADS, or 5.7%, to close at $3.94 per ADS on February 5, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com NEW YORK, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN -- The Cannabis Place announces today the grand opening of its New York City flagship licensed dispensary. The location will open its doors on Saturday, March 16, at 4:20 p.m. ET. The address is 74-03 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, Queens, New York, NY. Osbert Orduna, The Cannabis Place founder and CEO, said: We picked this weekend to open because its symbolic in many ways. By opening our state-licensed dispensary in the Middle Village area of New York City we are providing New Yorkers with access to licensed and regulated New York Cannabis products, we have created dozens of good-paying jobs in our community, revitalized a long-vacant storefront and we are bringing much-needed cannabis tax revenue that will be reinvested into our city to help fund education initiatives for kids and help our seniors and towards beautifying our communities. Our city is littered with unlicensed smoke shops and their untested and unknown products, this is why it is so important for us to open in Middle Village and provide the residents of Queens and NYC with an opportunity to shop at an actual licensed and legally operating dispensary that is supporting and contributing back to our community and city. The Cannabis Place is New York's first licensed dispensary, with a truly diverse ownership team that provides an example of the path forward in the legal cannabis industry as a legacy to legal, service-disabled veteran and minority-owned business. We are bringing three communities together and this makes it even more special to us and our team. Each member of The Cannabis Place Dispensary team completed an intense 40-hour cannabis retail training program. Nearly two dozen local residents learned the basics of working in a cannabis retail environment from The Cannabis Place Dispensary experts. We are a partner with our local community, said Orduna. That means running an ethical, pro-union company and boosting the prospects and prosperity of our neighbors. The Cannabis Place Dispensary does that and is living proof that workforce investment equals immediate positive community impact. I am proud to say that we are leading by example. People deserve an opportunity, whatever their background and skill level, regardless of their history. This weekend we take inspiration from Saint Patrick and the Irish proverb May the road rise up to meet us, as we open the areas first licensed and legally operating recreational cannabis dispensary. Dasheeda Dawson, founding director of Cannabis NYC, said: "The opening of The Cannabis Place in New York City is not just a milestone for the cannabis industry, but a beacon of inspiration and hope. As a service-disabled veteran and Latino leader in this burgeoning field, Osbert Orduna exemplifies resilience, courage and innovation. His dedication to serving both our country and community is commendable, and today, we celebrate not only the realization of an entrepreneurial dream but also the embodiment of perseverance in the face of adversity. The Cannabis Place stands as a testament to the limitless potential of individuals to create positive change, and I am proud to support their vision as we continue to shape the future of cannabis in our city together. Cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation and The Cannabis Place Dispensary is demonstrating that responsible corporations can ensure the benefits of its growth accrue equitably. That includes building pathways to family-sustaining careers with a special focus on marginalized communities, veterans and those who suffered during cannabis prohibition. The Cannabis Place was founded by Queens native, CEO Osbert Orduna, a first-generation Latino American of Colombian descent, who grew up in New York City public housing, where he was stopped and frisked for the first time when just 13 years old. He was the first person in his family to go to college and earned his service-disabled veteran designation while deployed in Iraq. He is putting his U.S. Marine Corps experience, his life experience and his unique perspective to work as a model for other professionals to follow in the licensed cannabis industry. About The Cannabis Place Dispensary: The Cannabis Place is a licensed adult-use dispensary operator in New York and is also a licensed adult-use dispensary operator in New Jersey. In addition to being the only small business dispensary operator in both states, The Cannabis Place Dispensary runs the nations largest licensed cannabis free-delivery service providing daily free delivery of licensed cannabis products to an area with over 15 million adults, which includes all of New York City, Long Island, Westchester County and Hudson County, NJ. Before its launch, CEO and founder Osbert Orduna visited dispensaries across the country to develop his model for a new kind of cannabis company, which puts people over profits. More at https://TheCannabisPlace.org The Cannabis Place CEO and founder Osbert Orduna can be reached directly for media interviews at 631-836-4909 or via email at [email protected] Wire Service Contact:IBNLos Angeles, Californiawww.InvestorBrandNetwork.com310.299.1717 Office[email protected] Source: The Cannabis Place LOS ANGELES, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the continually changing California real estate market, Feature Publications GA Inc.s Top Agent Magazine has established a groundbreaking 'Find a Top Agent' feature, setting a new standard for how REALTORS elevate their online presence and meet potential clients. This tool has become an asset for real estate power players. Agents utilizing the Find a Top Agent feature receive a personalized page on the Top Agent Magazine website. The dedicated space not only highlights their professional successes and unique talents but also remains active on the site indefinitely. One of the most impactful aspects of the 'Find a Top Agent' feature is its enhancement of an agent's digital footprint through strategic search engine optimization. Being in the Find a Top Agent section of the website significantly boosts visibility in online search results. The agent page includes a presentation of their storys pages through an engaging video for cover stories, which is also featured on Top Agent Magazines YouTube Shorts channel. Many of the highest-producing agents have been listed in Top Agent Magazines Find a Top Agent, including Jason Oppenheim, Aaron Kirman, Josh Flagg, Mauricio Umansky, Sally Forster Jones, Chris Cortazzo, Jade Mills, Cindy Ambuehl, Valerie Fitzgerald, and more. This section has been successful for agents worldwide as Sarah Leonard from Chicago enjoys being a part of it saying, Top Agent Magazine holds a special place in my heart because with search engine optimization my story with Top Agent from years ago is still the first link that pops up when you search my name creating a lasting impression. Exclusive to those featured in Top Agent Magazine, the tool demonstrates the distinction of being selected by the publication, setting featured agents apart from the competition. In a market as competitive as California's, this exclusivity serves as a powerful endorsement of an agent's abilities and dedication to their clients. As the real estate landscape continues to shift, this innovative tool stands as proof of Top Agent Magazines commitment to supporting the industry's best. Source: Feature Publications GA Inc. Vallourec: Availability of the 2023 universal registration document Meudon (France), March 15th, 2024 Vallourec announces the availability of its 2023 Universal Registration Document (URD), in accordance with applicable regulations. The French version of this document was filed with the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) on March 14th, 2024 in ESEF format (European Single Electronic Format) under the reference D. 24-0113. The English translation of this document may be consulted on the Companys website www.vallourec.com and at the Companys registered office, 12 rue de la Verrerie - Meudon (92190). It is equally available on the AMF website: www.amf-france.org. This document includes in particular: - the 2023 annual financial report; - the report of the Board of Directors on corporate governance; - the statutory auditors reports; - the statement of auditors fees - the description of the stock repurchase program; - the statement of non-financial performance. About Vallourec Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourecs pioneering spirit and cutting-edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With more than 15,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible. Listed on Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013506730, Ticker VK), Vallourec is part of the CAC Mid 60, SBF 120 and Next 150 indices and is eligible for Deferred Settlement Service. In the United States, Vallourec has established a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R4074, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between ADR and a Vallourec ordinary share has been set at 5:1. For further information, please contact: Investor relations Connor Lynagh Tel : +33 (0)1 49 09 39 77 [email protected] Press relations Heloise Rothenbuhler Tel: +33 (0)1 41 03 77 50 [email protected] Individual shareholders Toll Free Number (from France): 0 800 505 110 [email protected] Attachment The US plans to award Samsung Electronics Co. more than $6 billion, allowing the chipmaker to expand beyond a Texas ... I'm a New Customer I'm a Returning Customer E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device) Password The Canadian Shield hosts numerous nickel, copper, gold, and platinum group metals Fathom targets high-grade nickel sulfide discoveries for use in EV and green energy markets Fathom operates the Albert Lake Project and the Gochager Lake Project, both located in Saskatchewans Trans Hudson Corridor Favorable results revealed from recent drilling at the Albert Lake Project Company recently closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered offering, total gross proceeds totaled $4,571,063 when combined with the first tranche The Canadian Shields rich mineral endowment presents abundant mining exploration and drilling opportunities. Covering a significant portion of Canada, this vast geological region hosts numerous nickel, copper, gold, and platinum group metals both known and waiting to be discovered. Fathom Nickel (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) is an energy metals exploration company targeting high-grade nickel sulfide discoveries for use in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle and green energy markets. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, FNICF operates the Albert Lake Project and the Read More>> NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to FNICF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FNICF About MiningNewsWire MiningNewsWire (MNW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on developments and opportunities in the Global Mining and Resources sectors. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, MNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, MNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. MNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from MiningNewsWire, text BigHole to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit https://www.MiningNewsWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the MiningNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by MNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.MiningNewsWire.com/Disclaimer MiningNewsWire Los Angeles, CA www.MiningNewsWire.com 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] MiningNewsWire is powered by IBN During the China Coal Import International Summit held in Xiamen, the National Coal Association of China revealed that the country was nearing peak coal consumption. Zhang Hong, the associations deputy-secretary general, added that concerns on energy security would cause coal use to level for a while after it peaked. He also noted that the growth recorded in the solar and wind industry in 2023 would decrease coal demand in the power sector. This announcement comes after China Petrochemical Corp stated late last year that it expected the countrys consumption of coal to hit almost 4.4 billion metric tons by Read More>> About MiningNewsWire MiningNewsWire (MNW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on developments and opportunities in the Global Mining and Resources sectors. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, MNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, MNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. MNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from MiningNewsWire, text BigHole to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit https://www.MiningNewsWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the MiningNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by MNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.MiningNewsWire.com/Disclaimer MiningNewsWire Los Angeles, CA www.MiningNewsWire.com 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] MiningNewsWire is powered by IBN Experts say Shanghais latest plan to improve Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards is compatible with the countrys developmental concept of innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing. With ESG becoming an increasingly integral cog in the corporate world, Shanghai officials recently published a three-year plan designed to boost the citys ESG capabilities. The Action Plan for Accelerating the Improvement of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Capabilities of Foreign-related Enterprises in Shanghai (2024-2026) was released by the Shanghai Commission of Commerce to improve ESG principles among corporations operating in the city. It outlines 12 key measures across three major actions: improving ESG market efficiency, enhancing ESG enterprises and optimizing Read More >> NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to First Tellurium Corp. (CSE: FTEL) (OTCQB: FSTTF) are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FSTTF About ESGWireNews ESGWireNews (ESG) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) sector and public companies committed to sustainable corporate practices. ESGWireNews is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, ESG is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, ESG brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. ESG is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from ESGWireNews, text ESG to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit https://www.ESGWireNews.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the ESGWireNews website applicable to all content provided by ESG, wherever published or re-published: https://www.ESGWireNews.com/Disclaimer ESGWireNews Los Angeles, CA www.ESGWireNews.com 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] ESGWireNews is powered by IBN Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - Alset Capital Inc. (TSXV: KSUM.H) ("Alset" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $4,777,323 (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one (1) Common Share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each, whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. In connection with closing of the first tranche of the Offering, the Company paid finders' fees of approximately $289,696.88 and issued an aggregate of 1,711,154 Common Share purchase warrants (the "Finders' Warrants") to eligible finders. Each Finders' Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Common Share (each, a "Finders' Warrant Share") at a price of $0.15 per Finders' Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Company intends on using the net proceeds from the Offering for capital expenditures, working capital and general corporate purposes. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months plus one (1) day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or to any "U.S. Person" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act")) of any equity or other securities of the Company. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of U.S. securities laws. On behalf of Alset Capital Inc. "Morgan Good" Morgan Good Chief Executive Officer About Alset Capital Inc. Alset Capital Inc. is an investment issuer that is focused on investment in diversified industries such as technology, healthcare, industrial, special situations, operating businesses through both debt and equity using cash resource or shares in its capital. The Company is led by an experienced, entrepreneurial group of executives having a diverse industry and capital markets background. For further information about ALSET CAPITAL INC., please contact: Morgan Good, CEO and Director T: 604.715.4751 E: [email protected] Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the intended use of proceeds, the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants and the issuance of the Finders' Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Finders' Warrants. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201993 Vaughan, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - Delota Corp. (CSE: LOTA) (FSE: S62) ("Delota" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has retained Strike Communications Inc. ("Strike") to perform capital markets and corporate communications services for the Company, effective March 14, 2024 (the "Agreement"). The Agreement will continue on a month-to-month basis and may be terminated by either party upon 60 days' written notice. In connection with the Agreement, Strike will assist with the creation, coordination and implementation of the Company's targeted capital markets strategy and investor relations objectives with respect to developing and distributing effective marketing communications and increasing investor awareness while introducing the Company to private investors, analysts, brokers, money managers, newsletter writers and other financial professionals ("Services"). As compensation for its Services, Strike will receive a fee of $8,000 plus applicable taxes per month in remuneration. Furthermore, the Company has granted options to acquire 150,000 common shares in the capital stock of the Company ("Common Shares") exercisable for a period of two (2) years from the date of grant at a price of $0.20 per Common Share (the "Options") to Strike in connection with the Agreement. The Options shall vest over a period of one year in four equal installments every three (3) months following the date of grant and are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. The grant of the Options is subject to the provisions of the Company's omnibus incentive plan, the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") and applicable securities laws. About Strike Communications Inc. Strike Communications Inc. is a boutique capital markets, investor relations and corporate communications firm with extensive experience across various industries. Strike offers in depth, full service strategic investor relations and communications strategies to its clients. The Strike strategy includes integrated investor communications and messaging, investor outreach and engagement, identifying unique value propositions and overall capital markets support. Its established network of investment banks, analysts, asset management firms and retail brokerages provides its clients with diversified capital, increased exposure, support and capital markets management. About Delota Corp. Delota Corp. is a nicotine vape enterprise that spearheads the smoke-free revolution in Canada, catering to adult consumers seeking alternative to traditional combustible tobacco. With a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional retail experiences and carefully curated product offerings, the Company is dedicated to redefining the way people transition away from smoking. The Company's flagship brand, 180 Smoke Vape Store, stands as Ontario's largest specialty omnichannel vape retailer, fueling innovation, growth, and leadership in the retail vape space. For further information, please contact: Delota Corp. Cameron Wickham Executive Vice Chair and CEO T: (905) 330-1602 E: [email protected] Cautionary Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements or information". Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: anticipate, intend, plan, goal, seek, believe, project, estimate, expect, strategy, future, likely, may, should, will and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, the Company retaining Strike to provide the Services for future months and statements we make regarding information about future plans, expectations and objectives of the Company overall. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings, the availability of future financing and/or credit, developments and changes in laws and regulations, consumer sentiment towards the Company's products, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, competition, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions, the impact of technology and social changes on the products and industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in disclosure documents filed by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201805 Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is emerging as the powerhouse driving the unprecedented growth of India-UAE trade, with a 28% year-on-year surge in new Indian businesses setting up in the trade and logistics hub. DP World's flagship economic zone has seen 190 new companies from India established in 2023, bringing the total number of Indian businesses in Jafza up by 15% year-on-year to over 1,500. The surge in customers was announced following a series of Jafza trade events in Mumbai and Hyderabad that were held in coordination with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the UAE-India Business Council (UIBC). Bharat Mart Bharat Mart, whose foundation stone was laid in February 2024 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took the spotlight at the events. Scheduled to open in 2026, Bharat Mart will allow Indian traders to reach local and international customers in the Middle East, Africa and Europe by providing comprehensive supply chain solutions that integrate retail, warehousing, and logistics services into one streamlined operation. The project has generated nearly 3,000 business leads in less than one month. Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer, Parks & Zones at DP World GCC, elaborating on the platform's potential impact, said: "We've received overwhelming interest from Indian businesses who are keen to establish a presence in Jafza and leverage our world-class infrastructure, network and market access. With Bharat Mart, we will continue to revolutionise trade, opening new pathways that strengthen economic partnerships and facilitate seamless global commerce. Flourishing trade The gathering also shed light on the flourishing trade ties between the UAE and India since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was inked in May 2022. The landmark agreement eliminated tariffs for Indian traders, creating an open and efficient environment for cross-border trade. As a testament to the agreements success, bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and India reached $50.5 billion in the first year of CEPA, a 5.8% annual increase. The goal is to further boost non-oil trade to $100 billion by 2030. CEPA's effectiveness is boosted by DP World's India-UAE Trade Bridge initiative launched in 2019, which streamlines shipping between the two nations, reducing costs and time and generating new business opportunities in sectors like manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Al Hashmi added: "Despite the ongoing challenges in the international trade network, our collaborative initiatives with India have led to a notable increase in trade between our two nations. Jafza has been key to this success, and our focus now is on sustaining this growth by empowering Indian businesses and promoting a strong trade ecosystem, reinforcing our commitment to economic prosperity." 10,000 companies Jafza currently serves over 10,000 companies from 130 countries, with 87% of UAEs non-oil trade with India coming through Dubai. Indian companies represent the second largest partners in terms of trade volume and are fourth in terms of trade value at Jafza. Jafza links businesses to Jebel Ali's new Agri Terminals facility, which broke ground in February 2024. The AED550 million ($150 million) complex will establish the largest multi-tenant facility in Dubai for storing and processing grains for both domestic consumption and export to the wider region. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in early 2025. Together, the Port and Free Zone offer a comprehensive logistics solution that can help Indian companies thrive. DP World is significantly investing in India to create a leading integrated logistics network, including five port terminals and developing three free trade zones, positioning itself as the country's top free trade zone operator and developer.--TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Some French politicians have totally irrational, unbalanced position on Azerbaijan-Armenia issue, French Senator Nathalie Goulet said in an exclusive interview with Trend, as she is attending the XI Global Baku Forum. Knowing Azerbaijan for such a long time, I understand that the country is angry and also very disappointed with the French position. But I have to explain that, first of all, we have a very strong Armenian lobby everywhere. The storytelling of Armenian lobby right now is very strong. First of all, most part of the people completely forgot the first Karabakh war. They have absolutely no idea that Armenia occupied Azerbaijans territories and Azerbaijan, over the last 30 years, had to deal with one million IDPs and refugees coming from those territories to Baku and the other areas because of the Armenian occupation. They completely forgot this part, she said. At the same time, as Goulet said, the Minsk Group, which was created to solve the issue of occupation, was a total failure because of a lack of leadership, because Russia, France or the United States absolutely had no interest to solve the problem. We were facing the lack of governance in the Minsk Group. There was a need to remind that the Minsk Group was created because of occupation. This part of the history was erased from the memory of some people. That is one point. The second point is that amid the global atmosphere after the 9/11 attacks, the national and territorial conflicts shifted into religious conflicts, and there was a perception of good Christian Armenia against the bad Turkish. Most part of the politicians in France think that Azerbaijan may have the project to erase Armenia from the map. All these kinds of things are totally irrational, but at the same time it works. It becomes difficult for friends of Azerbaijan to express themselves. They have a kind of self-censorship, because suddenly they are regarded as the ones paid by Azerbaijan, as foreign agents for a foreign country. Then it becomes very difficult to be the only one to try to argue, noted the senator. She pointed out that no way Azerbaijan has the intention to erase Armenia. I don't think so. This kind of approach is totally irrational and unbalanced. Most part of the French, maybe 99 percent, completely forgot the first Karabakh war and the history and completely match their rhetoric to the Armenian lyric. And then the realities throughout the world gives them some reason to be scared. I think that this negative atmosphere in our relations has definitely to slow down. Our French ambassador here is working hard. I try to explain as much as I can, but for some French people, I'm not credible at all. Nobody wants to listen to me. You saw the recent voting in the French Senate. There was one vote against and some abstentions, but nobody dare. I would like also my colleagues to understand the situation. I have no intention to give up. But from time to time, I have a sense of self-censorship to express myself, because it becomes weird to be the only one in the middle of a sea of hostility. And you try to express a different position. But it's my strong conviction and I will not move away from it. As everybody knows, I don't eat caviar. So, the caviar diplomacy is not for me, as it's strongly forbidden by my religion. They have to give me a break with the caviar diplomacy. It's very challenging to be a French in Baku today. It's easy to be Nathalie Goulet, but not very easy to be a French in Baku, Goulet noted. The French senator noted that during a certain period, the bilateral relationship was at the highest level. I was with the president of France all along when he traveled to Azerbaijan. We had a lot of hope. And at the same time, nothing moved in the Minsk Group. I can feel the disappointment that now all this work which has been built is totally destroyed. And what hurts me, it's an unbalanced situation. Let's say, you are a French senator and you strongly believe that you have to protect the Christians in the Middle East. But you have to get a balanced situation, and you have not to forget the first war and occupation. What I try to do is to balance, saying it's not black and white, added Goulet. Touching upon the act of vandalism against Azerbaijani poetess Natavans monument in France, Goulet noted that the mayor of Evian wrote a very nice letter to the Azerbaijani ambassador Leyla Abdullayeva, noting that he has started proceedings to find the people responsible and will fully restore the statue. These things were out of the hands of the mayor of Evian. It was the isolated action of some crazy people. There was absolutely no clue of the reality. But the mayor wrote to the embassy to apologize, she explained. Peace building between Azerbaijan and Armenia President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the Global Baku Forum that Azerbaijan and Armenia are close to peace than ever before. I believe it and hope so. At the same time, its very difficult, because we are used to it. I think that both countries have to deal themselves with their global interests without any interference of any foreigners, and especially get rid of the lobby everywhere. We have to let the Azerbaijanis and Armenians together to solve this issue and not put oil on the fire, she said. Goulet believes that the direct contact is the best way. But for direct contact, we need to restore trust and that is very important. At the same time, how can we trust the Russians now? How can we trust Americans in the middle of the election? And how can we trust somehow the French? It's important to be back to basics. I mean, those three countries were leading the Minsk Group to solve the problem and didn't do any single thing for 30 years. How can we trust them? But direct contact will work only if trust is back. I think that peace is on the way. I hope that next time we will have an Armenian speaker in the global forum. Why not? she added. Multiculturalism in Azerbaijan Two days ago, when we were walking with some friends in the Old City, we heard music in one of the places. I tried to get in, but a bodyguard said it's forbidden. He noted that a Jewish community is having a celebration there. After 10 minutes, they called the chief rabbi, who said that local Jews, including Bukharan Jews have a meeting there. There was only one bodyguard in front of the door and that's it. There is no way we can have a Jewish meeting like that in Paris right now, without 10 cars of policemen, she said. Goulet noted that Azerbaijan is a safe place for Jews abroad. You have music and food during Ramadan, you have secularism in this country. People have to ban their stereotypes, which are really a shame and they have to see the country. We cant say that everything is good, but I think that people have to try to balance their position and stop with the Azerbaijanophobia. It hurts me, the senator said. Importance of the Global Baku Forum First, it's an opportunity to meet a lot of people, and sometimes very old friends. I saw the lady who was the ambassador of Bahrain in Paris 20 years ago, and it was very pleasant. I also met with former Turkish minister for the European Union Affairs Volkan Bozkir, whom I haven't seen for ages. When he was the minister, I had the pleasure to help him to meet some colleagues in the Senate 14 years ago. I was surprised enough, when I saw that he kept a picture of us in his phone after so many years. That is one thing. The other thing is that we are in a terrible world. People are not talking to each other, they prefer to fight, noted Goulet. The senator pointed out that there is a big area of progress in this matter, to bring the people back to the table and dialogue instead of fighting. And the forum is an opportunity to discuss some issues. I'm not sure that the Global Forum will bring any solution, but at least people are talking to each other. When it comes to the war in Ukraine, it's very important to solve this issue. But right now, we have to bring back the Israeli hostages from Gaza and of course, get a ceasefire. Getting hostages back is a very important issue for me and for a lot of us. It's very difficult to solve the problem. I'm wearing my necklace with inscription bring the hostages back, and I strongly support it, she added. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2024) - Oberheiden P.C., a premier Dallas-based litigation and compliance firm, proudly announces the addition of Jennifer W. Corinis to its team as Litigation Counsel. With a distinguished 25-year career that spans across various sectors of the legal system, Corinis brings a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in federal civil and criminal litigation, as well as appeals. Jennifer W. Corinis To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8977/201710_857d79dde48dab76_001full.jpg Before joining Oberheiden P.C., Jennifer W. Corinis dedicated 14 years of her career to serving as a federal prosecutor, where she honed her skills in the courtroom, successfully trying a dozen federal cases on behalf of the United States and arguing numerous cases before the United States Court of Appeals. Her practice areas have covered a wide range of issues including fraud, False Claims Act, Medicare reimbursement, and employment matters, showcasing her versatility and depth of knowledge in handling complex legal challenges. Throughout her illustrious career, Corinis has achieved notable successes in defending federal agencies, companies, and individuals in high-stakes litigation. Her track record includes representing a Big Four auditor in a securities class action and government investigation leading to a favorable settlement, defending executives against claims of alleged theft of trade secrets, securing a defense verdict on behalf of government physicians in a multi-million dollar case, and successfully moving to dismiss lawsuits against large entities accused of False Claims Act violations. Jennifer W. Corinis's background as a former clerk to the Hon. Sandra L. Lynch, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, further bolsters her analytical and judicial insight. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston University School of Law after obtaining her Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College. Corinis is an active member of the Florida and Massachusetts bars and is admitted to practice in all federal district courts in Florida, as well as the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. About Oberheiden P.C.: Oberheiden P.C. is a litigation and compliance firm based in Dallas, Texas, known for its team of former Justice Department officials, and seasoned litigators. The firm focuses on corporate security, defense, and litigation, offering strategic legal solutions to complex challenges faced by businesses and individuals. With a commitment to excellence and a client-focused approach, Oberheiden P.C. continues to lead in the legal industry, now strengthened by the expertise of Jennifer W. Corinis. Jennifer W. Corinis's arrival at Oberheiden P.C. marks a significant enhancement to the firm's litigation capabilities, promising to deliver unparalleled legal representation to its clients across the nation. Contact Information Nick Oberheiden [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201710 Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. 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With a focus on delivering superior results and fostering a vibrant community, Mito Exclusive+ continues to set the standard for copy trading innovation in the digital asset landscape. For press inquiries, please contact: Telegram: t.me/mitoadmin Telegram Group: https://bit.ly/3nW2eFO Mito+ Exclusive ByBit Copytrading: https://bit.ly/3TyjUnZ Contact Info: Name: Mito community Email: Send Email Organization: Mito community Website: http://mitoweb3.xyz Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence. Release ID: 89124230 In case of encountering any inaccuracies, problems, or queries arising from the content shared in this press release that necessitate action, or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we urge you to notify us at [email protected]. Our responsive team will be readily available to promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, resolving any identified issues diligently or guiding you through the necessary steps for removal. The provision of accurate and dependable information is our primary focus. Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Shoppers can now search more easily for their ideal vanity with seamless updated navigation. The team at Unique Vanities is thrilled to announce the launch of an upgraded navigation system that is giving shoppers an even more exceptional experience when they shop at the companys website. Unique Vanities made its debut in 2005 and has continued to grow to become the most trusted source for vanities on the internet. Founder Julia Ritzenthaler envisioned an extension of her familys existing residential remodeling business, and while online shopping had yet to grow to its peak, she especially wanted to give people in small towns the ability to shop for luxury vanities from the comfort of home. Today, the Dallas, Texas, based company hosts a selection of vanities that includes thousands of products from brand names, as well as an exclusive selection of special lines. Unique Vanities continues to be female-owned and emphasizes putting the customer first in every aspect. When it comes to online shopping, Unique Vanities has always worked to give shoppers streamlined experiences. Now, with the debut of a new and updated navigation system, Unique Vanities shoppers can find exactly what they want with a host of new preferences and toggles. Shoppers can refine their search with a variety of options including single or double sinks, style, width, depth, height, material, color, countertop, sink material, rating, and price. In addition, shoppers can choose if theyd like to see products that include a cabinet, faucet, and/or mirror, and they can also browse by specific types such as corner, free standing, pedestal, and wall mount. The new navigation system is helping shoppers find exactly what theyre looking for, said a spokesperson for Unique Vanities. It truly makes for a better user experience when sorting through thousands of products. The new navigation system makes it simple for shoppers whove already gotten their dimensions and know exactly what they need. By selecting the dimensions that fit their criteria, shoppers can view the exact vanities that will fit their space. This gives shoppers a chance to concentrate on the styles they love. Unique Vanities offers something for everyone with a selection that includes traditional, modern, transitional, and everything in between. Whether shopping for a remodel or new construction, Unique Vanities offers an array of options. Plus, the company offers some of the best delivery options in the industry. In-stock orders ship within 3 business days and are delivered to customers doorsteps within 7-10 days. All double sink purchases are eligible for white glove delivery, which includes placement in the room of choice. Try the new navigational system now by visiting https://www.uniquevanities.com/bathroom-vanities.html. About the company: Unique Vanities launched in 2005 and is a trusted online resource for vanities. The website features the largest, most diverse selection of vanities, including brand names and exclusive lines alike. Contact Info: Name: Julia Ritzenthaler Email: Send Email Organization: Unique Vanities Phone: 866-526-1843 Website: https://www.uniquevanities.com/ Release ID: 89124428 In the event of encountering any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release, we kindly request that you immediately contact us at [email protected]. Our dedicated team will be readily accessible to address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to rectify any identified issues or facilitate press release takedowns. Ensuring accuracy and reliability are central to our commitment. NEW YORK , March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today ( March 14 ), Swedish designer Anna- Karin Karlsson was honored at an exclusive event commemorating a decade of partnership with the world-renowned department store Bergdorf Goodman. The milestone marked ten years since the designer's avant-garde creations first graced the store's retail floors, introducing an unparalleled level of eyewear artistry to the discerning clientele of this iconic New York landmark. VIP guests from across the fashion, music, and eyewear industries, along with the luxury retailer's select customers and private clients, enjoyed an intimate champagne toast and meet and greet with the designer. The 2024 collection was also unveiled at the event, with Anna-Karin Karlsson sharing insights into her favorite designs. Anna-Karin Karlsson extended her gratitude for the celebration, stating: "Bergdorf Goodman is the epitome of luxury, and as the first US department store to showcase my eyewear couture pieces back in the day, this anniversary is truly special to me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with their extraordinary team and customers, whose creativity and appreciation for the less conventional aspects of life, allow me to flourish. I look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come." International Press Contact Jenny Harler +46 73-904 85 85 [email protected] US Press Contact Heidi Wuttke +1 917 815 0268 [email protected] About ANNA- KARIN KARLSSON ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON, founded in Sweden , represents the quintessence of haute couture eyewear and is steered by its visionary owner and creator Anna-Karin Karlsson . Renowned globally for its avant-garde designs, the brand seamlessly blends bold innovation with opulent materials and flawless craftsmanship, ensuring each frame is a true work of art. To learn more, visit www.annakarinkarlsson.com. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/anna-karin-karlsson/r/anna-karin-karlsson-celebrates-10-years-at-bergdorf-goodman,c3946056 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/23056/3946056/2671136.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/anna-karin-karlsson/i/anna-karin-karlsson-at-bergdorf-goodman,c3278520 Anna-Karin Karlsson at Bergdorf Goodman View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anna-karin-karlsson-celebrates-10-years-at-bergdorf-goodman-302089959.html SOURCE ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON The partnership represents Apptronik's first publicly announced commercial deployment of Apollo and the first application of humanoid robotics for Mercedes-Benz AUSTIN, Texas , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Apptronik , a leader in next-generation general purpose humanoid robots designed to change the way we live and work, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Mercedes-Benz . As part of the agreement Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz will collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robotics in Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing. Mercedes-Benz is committed to empowering its staff with state-of-the-art technology that supports its commitment to excellence, and with Apollo , Mercedes-Benz brings one of the world's most advanced commercial humanoid robots into its manufacturing facilities. Mercedes-Benz is exploring potential use cases for Apollo humanoid robots in logistics to bring parts to the production line for workers to assemble, the so-called delivery of assembly kits, while simultaneously inspecting the components. Apollo will also be used to deliver the totes of kitted parts later in the manufacturing process. The addition of humanoid robots to factories and plants would allow organizations like Mercedes-Benz to deploy robotics that are optimized to perform in spaces that are designed for humans, thus avoiding full-scale facility redesigns that are built around robots rather than people. In short, this approach centers on automating some physically demanding, repetitive and dull tasks for which it is increasingly hard to find reliable workers. "When we set out to build Apollo , an agreement like the one we're announcing today with Mercedes-Benz was a dream scenario," said Jeff Cardenas , co-founder & CEO of Apollo . "Mercedes plans to use robotics and Apollo for automating some low skill, physically challenging, manual labor a model use case which we'll see other organizations replicate in the months and years to come." Apollo , which has a form factor that roughly matches the size of a human worker (5 foot 8 inches tall and 160 pounds in weight with the ability to lift 55 pounds), is built to operate in industrial spaces alongside people. Combined with a unique force control architecture that maintains safe operation around people (similar to a collaborative robot versus a traditional industrial robot), Apollo's friendly design allows it to work alongside people while simultaneously taking on the physically demanding tasks. Additionally, Apollo's computing power makes it possible for leading AI companies to solve use cases outside the ones that Apptronik will initially solve, similar to the iPhone concept: world-class, user-friendly hardware that comes with some pre-built applications and can add applications developed by third parties. "To build the most desirable cars we continually evolve the future of automotive production: Advancements in robotics and AI open up new opportunities also for us. We are exploring new possibilities with the use of robotics to support our skilled workforce in manufacturing. This is a new frontier and we want to understand the potential both for robotics and automotive manufacturing to fill labor gaps in areas such as low skill, repetitive and physically demanding work and to free up our highly skilled team members on the line to build the world's most desirable cars," said Jorg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management. About Apptronik Apptronik is the leader in next-generation general purpose robots designed to change the way we live and work. Apollo , a humanoid robot built to work alongside people in environments designed for people, culminated from the design and development of over 10 general purpose robots including extensive work on NASA Valkyrie. The company was founded in 2016 out of the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, with a mission to leverage innovative technology for the betterment of society. Apptronik's goal is to introduce the next generation of robots that will change the way people live and work, while tackling some of our world's largest challenges. To learn more about Apptronik, please visit https://apptronik.com . Contact: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apptronik-and-mercedes-benz-enter-commercial-agreement-that-will-pilot-apptroniks-apollo-humanoid-robot-in-mercedes-benz-manufacturing-facilities-302089972.html SOURCE Apptronik O'HARA TO WEAR BAFFIN GEAR ON ICELANDIC EXPEDITION FOR OCEAN CONSERVATION STONEY CREEK, ON , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian cold-climate footwear and apparel brand Baffin is proud to welcome new ambassador Meg O'Hara, as she embarks on Icelandic Odyssey an expedition focused on ocean conservation and the preservation of polar and sub-polar environments. An artist and environmentalist, O'Hara is bound for Iceland with Baffin as her official footwear and apparel sponsor. This partnership symbolizes an enthusiastic alliance between two entities united by a common goal: to motivate individuals to explore the wonders of nature and recognize the importance of its conservation. From March 15 th to March 20 th, O'Hara will travel through Iceland beginning in the capital city of Reykjavik and continuing to the glaciers, ice caves, and iceberg graveyards near Jokulsarlon. This journey fuses the realms of art and activism, serving as a platform to amplify awareness regarding the critical need for ocean conservation. Following a meeting with the Canadian Ambassador to Iceland , Jeannette Menzies , O'Hara will delve into the country's icy landscapes and participate in climate change discussions. Baffin has geared up O'Hara for her expedition, providing high-performance winter boots, cold-weather accessories, rubber boots and hybrid slippers to take her through every point of her travels. "Meg O'Hara stands as a beacon of creativity, resilience, and environmental responsibility. As she embarks on her visionary journey, we are proud to provide the gear she needs knowing that her passion and purpose will carve a path towards a sustainable future," says Mark Hubner , Senior Vice President, Commercial at Baffin. "Baffin's passion for exploring cold climates and real-world testing products in a diverse range of elements has led to a goal that extends beyond preparing people for adventures; we're determined to ensure the longevity and protection of these cold environments. We are thrilled to welcome Meg to the Baffin family as we start the next chapter of exploration, conservation, and our goal to keep the Earth cold and feet warm." Since 1979, Baffin has earned a reputation as the leader in the cold-climate footwear industry by providing customers with high-performance products they can trust to protect them from the elements on any adventure. These products are proven by Baffin through real-world experiences and in the coldest moments on Earth, with expeditions to the North and South Poles, Machu Picchu, Lake Ontario , the Rocky Mountains and more, putting Baffin products to the test. This passion for the outdoors has led Baffin to longstanding partnerships with Protect Our Winters Canada, a passionate community advocating for policy solutions to climate change and the Bruce Trail Conservancy, one of Ontario 's largest land trusts that acquires, protects and restores the vulnerable habitat and biodiversity of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere. "Embarking on this expedition to Iceland , I'm honoured to have Baffin as a partner in our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and adventure. As an artist and environmentalist dedicated to ocean conservation in polar and subpolar regions, this journey holds profound significance," says O'Hara. "With Baffin by my side, we're not only traversing Iceland 's breathtaking landscapes but also championing the protection of our planet's fragile ecosystems among policy makers. I'm excited to share this experience and its powerful message with others, inspiring them to join us in safeguarding our planet for generations to come. Thank you, Baffin, for keeping me warm in cold places!" O'Hara was the Artist-in-Residence on the Polar Prince icebreaker ship during an Ocean Conservation Expedition with the SOI Foundation and during a delegation to Antarctica looking at the impact of climate change on the region. She was the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Canadian Ice Core Lab with glaciologist and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Alison Criscitiello and her painting of Antarctica from this project was displayed in the James Cameron Exhibit at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. O'Hara has been awarded the BCBusiness 30 Under 30 and Woman of the Year awards. She is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a Member International at The Explorers Club, a WINGS WorldQuest Flag Carrier, and a Creative Ambassador for Protect Our Winters. Along with highlighting the importance of ocean conservation, this expedition will inspire a new painting series from O'Hara. To learn more visit Megoharacreative.com. Baffin Ltd. is an innovative, leading outwear company based in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada with a core focus on technically advanced, innovative footwear and high-performance apparel. Baffin designs, develops, and field tests footwear in the most demanding environments on the planet and is focused on being a global leader in footwear within the Outdoor, Industrial, and Hunt and Fish categories. Baffin Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Goose Holdings Inc. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baffin-names-canadian-artist-and-environmentalist-meg-ohara-as-brand-ambassador-302090464.html SOURCE Baffin Limited NEW YORK , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO)(NYSE: BMO) announced today that it will implement a 1-for-10 reverse split of three series of its outstanding exchange traded notes, as listed in the table below (the "ETNs" or "Notes"), expected to be effective as of March 25, 2024 (the "effective date," or the "ex date"). The table below indicates the ETNs that will be subject to the reverse split, their trading symbols, their current CUSIP numbers, and the CUSIP numbers that they will receive after giving effect to the reverse split: The reverse split will be effective at the open of trading on March 25, 2024 . Each ETN will begin trading on the NYSE Arca on a reverse split-adjusted basis on that date. Holders of an ETN who purchased that ETN prior to March 25, 2024 will receive one reverse split-adjusted ETN for every 10 pre-reverse split ETNs. In addition, investors that hold a number of ETNs that are not evenly divisible by 10 will receive a cash payment for any fractional ETNs remaining (the "partials"). The cash amount due on any partials will be determined on March 28, 2024 and will equal, for each remaining ETN, its closing indicative value on that date. Bank of Montreal will pay these amounts on or about April 3, 2024 . The closing indicative value of each ETN on March 22, 2024 will be multiplied by 10 to determine the reverse split-adjusted closing indicative value. Following the reverse split, the ETNs will have a new CUSIP, as set forth above, but will continue to trade under their current ticker symbols. The reverse splits will affect the trading denominations of the ETNs, but they will not affect the aggregate principal amount of the ETNs, except that the aggregate principal amount will be reduced by the corresponding aggregate amount of any cash payments for the "partials." Illustration of a Reverse Split The following table shows the effect of the 1-for-10 reverse split on the hypothetical closing indicative value of the ETNs. The closing indicative value of an ETN is not the same as its principal amount or the trading price of that ETN. Number of ETNs Hypothetical Closing Indicative Value Aggregate Closing Indicative Value Pre-Reverse Split 100,000 $10.00 $1,000,000 1-for-10 Post-Reverse Split 10,000 $100.00 $1,000,000 None of the other exchange traded notes issued by Bank of Montreal are affected by this announcement. The ETNs are senior, unsecured debt obligations of Bank of Montreal. Investment suitability must be determined individually for each investor, and the ETNs may not be suitable for all investors. This information is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon as providing accounting, legal, regulatory or tax advice. Investors should consult with their own financial advisors as to these matters. The leveraged ETNs discussed in this press release are intended to be daily trading tools for sophisticated investors to manage daily trading risks as part of an overall diversified portfolio. They are designed to achieve their stated investment objectives on a daily basis. The returns on the ETNs over longer periods of time can, and most likely will, differ significantly from the return on a direct short investment in the index underlying those ETNs. An investment in the ETNs is subject to significant risks. Investors should proceed with extreme caution in considering an investment in the ETNs. Bank of Montreal, the issuer of the ETNs, has filed a registration statement (including a pricing supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus) with the SEC regarding the ETNs discussed in this press release. Please read those documents and the other documents relating to the ETNs that Bank of Montreal has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Bank of Montreal and the ETNs. These documents may be obtained without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Bank of Montreal, and any agent or dealer that participated in the offerings of the ETNs, will arrange to send the applicable pricing supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus if so requested by calling toll-free at 1-877-369-5412. About REX Shares REX is an innovative ETF provider that specializes in alternative-strategy ETFs and ETNs. The rm created the MicroSectors and co-created the T-REX product lines of leveraged and inverse tools for traders. The rm is rooted in decades of experience building inventive solutions that solve for a range of specic challenges in investor and trader portfolios. For more information, please visit www.rexshares.com or http://www.microsectors.com. Follow REX (@REXShares) and MicroSectors (@msectors) on Twitter. REX Media Contacts: [email protected] About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.3 trillion as of January 31, 2024 . Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada , the United States , and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. Internet: www.bmo.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmo-announces-the-reverse-split-of-three-series-of-etns-302090602.html SOURCE BMO Financial Group SLIEMA, Malta , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the extraordinary general meeting of Kindred Group plc ('Kindred' or the 'Company') the meeting resolved to approve the Board of Directors' proposal to amend the Company's current Memorandum and Articles of Association to, inter alia, include squeeze-out rights for an offeror. At Kindred's extraordinary general meeting held on 15 March 2024 (the "EGM") 41.64 percent in nominal value of the total shares/Swedish depository receipts ("SDRs") in issue were represented at the meeting and 99.99 percent of the shares/SDRs represented (41.64 percent of the total shares/SDRs in issue) voted in favor of the Board of Directors' proposal to amend the Company's current Memorandum and Articles of Association to, inter alia, include squeeze-out rights for an offeror. In accordance with Article 135 of the Companies Act (Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta ) the adoption of the resolution required approval by not less than 75 percent of the nominal value of the shares/SDRs represented and entitled to vote at the EGM. As this requirement was fulfilled, the resolution was passed and the new Memorandum and Articles of Association will be submitted to the Malta Business Registry for registration shortly. Board of Directors Kindred Group plc CONTACT: For more information: Patrick Kortman , Interim CFO, +46 723 877 438 Linda Lyth , Investor Relations Manager, +46 767 681 337 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/kindred-group/r/bulletin-from-kindred-group-plc-s-extraordinary-general-meeting,c3946699 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/824/3946699/2672894.pdf Bulletin from Kindred Group plc's Extraordinary General Meeting View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bulletin-from-kindred-group-plcs-extraordinary-general-meeting-302090361.html SOURCE Kindred Group GUANGZHOU, China , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the 135th China Import and Export Fair (" Canton Fair "), Chu Shijia, the event's Vice President and Secretary General, also the Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, has embarked on a promotional journey to Greece , UK and Ireland . Chu's discussions with local business leaders in these nations highlighted the ongoing high-quality growth of China's economy and its move towards Chinese modernization, which he believes will open up new global opportunities. He stressed that the Canton Fair serves as a vital platform not just for China but for the entire world. In Athens , during an exchange with the Greek business community, Chu reviewed the history and stated, " China and Greece , both ancient civilizations, have witnessed a long-standing friendship through the ancient Silk Road . Under the strategic guidance of our leaders, China - Greece economic cooperation has achieved significant results. The Canton Fair opens a window to the world, and we look forward to active participation from the Greek business community to promote China - Greece economic and trade development, contribute to the global economic recovery, and build an open world economy." The promotional event in London was of significant scale, where Chu and his team held discussions with the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council. Chu introduced that the 135th Canton Fair will feature an optimized exhibition structure, a concentration of high-quality enterprises, and a wealth of innovative products. Jack Perry , Chairman of the 48 Group Club, expressed his intention to lead a delegation to the 135th Canton Fair and explore establishing a strategic partnership with the event. During the promotion conference in Dublin , Chu mentioned, " China's recent announcement of unilateral visa exemption for Ireland will further promote cooperation between businesses of both countries." In light of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland , he invited the Irish business community to actively partake in the fair, access the Chinese market, take advantage of Chinese opportunities, and amplify bilateral economic and trade collaboration. The business communities of Greece , the UK , and Ireland have responded positively to the promotional activities of the Canton Fair. Local enterprises and institutions have expressed eagerness to attend the event, expand cooperation with Chinese companies, promote trade development, and continue the beautiful friendship. The delegation signed partnership agreements with Hellenic Chinese Business Chamber and Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland (ICAOI) in this tour, adding Canton Fair's global partners to 195 covering 103 countries and regions. For more information about the upcoming 135th Canton Fair , please visit: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canton-fair-delegation-seeks-to-boost-european-trade-ties-ahead-of-the-135th-session-302090411.html Mass timber construction growth sparks supply chain expansion: Timberlab and Swinerton respond by adding manufacturing capabilities to its portfolio. PORTLAND, Ore. , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Timberlab Inc. (Timberlab), a subsidiary of Swinerton Incorporated (Swinerton) and leading national provider of holistic mass timber systems, unveils its plans to construct and operate a state-of-the-art cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing facility in Oregon's mid-Willamette region. This strategic initiative represents a significant milestone in the firm's mission to accelerate the mainstream adoption of mass timber construction across the United States , providing a low-carbon and renewable material for the construction industry. "Timberlab's objective has been to remove pinch points in the mass timber industry so that timber structures are affordable and widely usable in the U.S. construction market," states Timberlab President Chris Evans . "Over the last four years, we have added two CNC facilities in Portland, OR , and Greenville, SC , focused on expanding the supply chain for mass timber. The increase in mass timber demand, coupled with our successes over the last seven years, is driving us to continue to expand the supply chain by adding our new CLT manufacturing facility in Oregon ." Supported by an investment from Swinerton, plans for the 250,000-square-foot CLT manufacturing facility is poised to support the growing demand for sustainable construction alternatives nationwide. With an anticipated annual output of 100,000 cubic meters of finished CLT products, the facility will integrate automated processes and is expected to create 100 manufacturing jobs at full capacity becoming one of the largest facilities in the U.S. This endeavor and its employment opportunities will contribute to the region's economic development while fostering a skilled workforce dedicated to advancing sustainable construction practices. The mid- Willamette Valley is the heart of the Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2023. Timberlab has ongoing collaboration with leading academic research programs at Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, and the Tall Wood Design Institute. Building this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near these resources will drive innovation and position Timberlab, Swinerton, and the State of Oregon as catalysts in mass timber construction. Swinerton, initially through another subsidiary, Swinerton Builders, has been a pioneer in mass timber construction since 2014 and has continuously pushed industry boundaries through advancements in structural design, engineering, and material procurement. In 2020, the firm's dedication to sustainability and innovation led to the opening of its first mass timber fabrication facility in Portland, OR , and the formal launch of Timberlab in 2021. As mass timber construction continued to grow across the U.S. in 2023, Timberlab expanded its operations by opening an East Coast mass timber fabrication facility in Greenville, SC . The progression into manufacturing aligns seamlessly with both firms' strategic visions and missions. "As early adopters of mass timber construction, we swiftly recognized the importance of managing the entire supply chain to ensure timely delivery, exceptional quality, and competitive pricing for our clients. Our new CLT manufacturing facility and two existing fabrication facilities bring us significantly closer to our vision," says Swinerton Chief Executive Officer David Callis . "These facilities and our turnkey in-house design, procurement, and detailing services have positioned Timberlab, Swinerton, and the industry to make significant strides toward a sustainable built environment. I am thrilled about what this move means for sustainable construction in the U.S. " About Timberlab In 2021, Swinerton launched Timberlab, a holistic provider of mass timber systems with in-house timber engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation services for construction projects across the United States . Its mission is to accelerate the mainstream adoption of mass timber in the U.S. commercial construction market to benefit the planet and its people. Timberlab is headquartered in Portland, OR , with a Greenville, SC facility serving East Coast markets. For more information, visit Timberlab.com. About Swinerton Swinerton is a 100% employee-owned company recognized nationally since 1888, comprised of Swinerton Builders, Timberlab, Inc., SAK Builders, Inc., MD Builders, Inc., Swinerton Energy, Inc., and Lindgren Development Inc. Swinerton Builders provides commercial construction, construction management, design-build, and self-perform services throughout the United States . Timberlab is a holistic provider of mass timber systems with in-house timber engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation services for construction projects. SAK Builders offers Division 3 concrete services in the Pacific Northwest . MD Builders provides full-service preconstruction, general contracting, and trade subcontracting in Northern California . Swinerton Energy is a leader in premier Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services, specializing in projects from clean energy generation to industrial process facilities. Lindgren Development is the real estate and project development and financing arm of Swinerton. For more information, visit: https://swinerton.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cross-laminated-timber-industry-to-gain-new-manufacturing-facility-in-oregons-mid-willamette-valley-302089704.html SOURCE Timberlab BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijan, within the region, has undertaken significant measures in combating the coronavirus, said Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Winnie Byanyima during a panel session on "Health for All" at the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. "Preventing future pandemics is essential, yet challenges arise due to existing inequalities, with higher mortality rates observed in middle- and low-income countries. Managers must implement measures to ensure equitable distribution of finances," Byanyima added. The XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations, with more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will run by March 16, will participate in global discussions about the outcomes of COP28 and the preparation for COP29. It will discuss causes endangering the evolving world order, including security concerns and peace possibilities, as well as initiatives to promote stability in a tumultuous global landscape and the consequences. Additionally, it will investigate solutions to handle impending issues, tackle critical conflicts and megathreats, and cover climate, food, and nuclear security concerns. Moreover, discussions will encompass the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional viewpoints, relationships with the EU and neighboring states, youth policies, strategies for enhancing resilience against global challenges, and addressing issues of inequality, natural resource scarcity, and migration dynamics. Additionally, the forum will delve into the emergence of new security paradigms in the era of artificial intelligence, drones, and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TOKYO , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- - Addressing Challenges Like Water Scarcity, Food Waste and Nitrogen Fixation - DG TAKANO Co., Ltd., a Tokyo -based design company committed to solving social and environmental challenges, will unveil its new "meliordesign" brand for the first time at Milan Design Week 2024 taking place from April 16 until 21, 2024. Logo: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108046/202403077688/_prw_PI1fl_ub0XGuFG.png DG TAKANO's flagship product, the "Bubble90" extreme water-saving nozzle, reduces water usage by up to 95% compared to standard faucets, while also boosting cleaning power. With an 80% market share in Japan's restaurant sector and 50% in the supermarket space, users collectively conserve the equivalent of Osaka City's monthly water consumption every year (*1). The company's new "meliordesign" brand, pioneering the future of household convenience with the world's first self-cleaning dishware. Ever since its foundation, the company has been not only honored with a number of awards (*2) but also selected for a Japanese government program to support future unicorn start-ups (*3). The company will debut its groundbreaking Zero-Waste Circular Agriculture system at Milan Design Week 2024. This end-to-end solution transforms 100% of the gray water and food waste into useful nutrients to power local, sustainable agriculture. The concept tackles the key environmental challenges of today, from water scarcity and food waste to ocean pollution and CO2 emissions. Moreover, it addresses the rapidly growing issue of nitrogen fixation in the best way possible: By avoiding chemical fertilizers entirely, it facilitates a vital reset of the nitrogen cycle. Image of meliordesign's TABLE to TABLE: Zero-Waste Circular Agriculture system: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108046/202403077688/_prw_PI2fl_PeO1kcM6.jpg It is recommended that anyone who can be a business partner to accelerate meliordesign's project, consider implementing its ecosystem, or spread its idea, should contact the company. Exhibition overview Period: April 16 - April 21, 2024 Venue: Superstudio Piu (via Tortona27 Milano ) https://www.superdesignshow.com Information: https://meliordesign.com/ https://meliordesign.com/pages/milandesignweek2024 Schedules for on-site event will be delivered via the following SNS links: (Hashtag: #meliordesign) https://www.instagram.com/meliordesign_official/ https://twitter.com/designersguildt https://www.facebook.com/dgtakano/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/dg-takano/ About DG TAKANO Co., Ltd.: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202403077688-O1-A9EXvClY.pdf Corporate website: https://dgtakano.co.jp Notes: (*1) The population of Osaka City is as large as that of Rome in Italy and Chicago in the U.S. Figures based on in-house data. (*2) The company was selected for "J -Startups 2019" by METI. (*3) The company was conferred the Super Monozukuri Innovative Parts and Components Award by the Monozukuri Nippon Conference and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun (2009). Masaaki Takano was named one of the "50 most influential Japanese people" by Nikkei Business (2019). The company won the Energy Conservation Grand Prize, sponsored by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (2023). View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dg-takanos-meliordesign-to-showcase-japanese-zero-waste-agritech-solution-in-support-of-europes-green-deal-at-milan-design-week-2024-302090141.html SOURCE DG TAKANO Co., Ltd. State-of-the-art tent hospital arriving in Calgary March 19 via DC-8 and 757 cargo planes CALGARY, AB , March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, March 19 , Samaritan's Purse will transport one of its Emergency Field Hospitals to Calgary to increase Samaritan's Purse Canada's capacity to launch international, life-saving medical responses. The tent facility will arrive at the Calgary International Airport onboard the Christian relief organization's DC-8 and 757 Cargo planes. The hospital will be strategically positioned in the Samaritan's Purse Canada warehouse and have customizable units that include an emergency room, laboratory, surgical facilities, and everything needed for inpatient and outpatient care in the event of an international crisis. "As our world faces increasingly large and frequent disasters, all of our global Samaritan's Purse offices are committed to responding in Jesus' Name at a moment's notice," said Franklin Graham , president of Samaritan's Purse. "Our emergency field hospitals have helped us save lives and bring the hope of the Gospel in the midst of crises around the world, and this facility will equip our Canada office to respond wherever God calls us next." Since 1973, Samaritan's Purse Canada has been providing desperately needed relief around the world in Jesus' Nameincluding food, water, and temporary shelter for victims of war, poverty, disease, and natural disasters. "We are thankful that the Lord has provided us with this resource," said Fred Weiss , executive director of Samaritan's Purse Canada. "We'll be able to deploy this field hospital along with Canadian disaster responders to provide expert care that will save lives and reduce suffering while sharing the message of eternal life through Christ." Since its inaugural deployment to Ecuador in 2016, the Samaritan's Purse Emergency Field Hospital has been deployed more than 20 times and provided emergency medical relief to tens of thousands of patients in disaster-stricken areas including war-torn Ukraine , Turkey following a deadly earthquake, and Iraq in the midst of the conflict in Mosul . All of these deployments have included Canadian doctors, nurses, and other staff. WHEN: Tuesday, March 19, at 08:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with media opportunities beginning at 08:00 a.m. WHERE: Calgary International Airport 5107'53.4"N 11402'17.3"W (Along Aero Dr. NEspecific GPS pin provided upon request) MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES Interview Fred Weiss , executive director of Samaritan's Purse Canada , executive director of Interview Melanie Wubbs, who has deployed with the Emergency Field Hospital and helped lead medical responses in locations such as Haiti , Ukraine , and Turkey and helped lead medical responses in locations such as , , and Gather b-roll footage of the cargo planes as they taxi on the tarmac Broadcast quality b-roll and photos of previous DC-8 and Emergency Field Hospital missions in addition to the unloading of the Emergency Field Hospital in Calgary available upon request About Samaritan's Purse Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and development organization that takes its name from Jesus Christ's biblical story of the Good Samaritan. Like that Good Samaritan, who found a beaten man and helped restore him, we aid victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. Besides emergency medical relief, our work includes Operation Christmas Child and providing safe water, vocational skills, and agricultural supplies and training to families in the developing world. Visit SamaritansPurse.ca for more information. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emergency-field-hospital-being-delivered-to-samaritans-purse-canada-to-increase-global-medical-response-capacity-302089930.html SOURCE Samaritan's Purse LONDON , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Serac Healthcare Limited ("Serac Healthcare" or "the Company"), a clinical radiopharmaceutical company developing an innovative molecular imaging agent, and the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health at the University of Oxford announce that preliminary data has been presented from the "Detecting Endometriosis expressed integrins using technetium-99m" (DETECT) imaging study, indicating that 99mTc-maraciclatide is capable of imaging superficial peritoneal endometriosis, the earliest stage of the disease. The data was presented today by Dr Tatjana Gibbons , an investigator on the study from the University of Oxford, in an oral presentation at the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI) annual meeting taking place from 12-16 March 2024 in Vancouver , Canada. The presentation summarised the preliminary findings from patients with known or suspected endometriosis who were imaged with a SPECT-CT camera and subsequently underwent planned laparoscopic surgery, a key-hole surgical procedure to establish the presence, absence and location of endometriotic lesions. The imaging findings were compared to the surgical and histology reports and indicate that 99mTc-maraciclatide holds potential as a non-invasive test for early-stage endometriosis. Specifically, these preliminary findings demonstrate that 99mTc-maraciclatide has the potential to: - Visualise superficial peritoneal endometriosis which is found in the thin peritoneum lining which covers the abdomen and pelvis, and currently can only be identified accurately by surgery. This subtype accounts for c. 80% of all endometriosis diagnoses. In the patients in this study 99mTc-maraciclatide correctly identified superficial peritoneal endometriosis in those who went on to have this early-stage endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy - Highlight areas of activity in patients with deep endometriosis (often found on the organs e.g., bladder, bowel, rectum, ovaries) and endometrioma (cysts which are commonly found in the ovaries) The presentation also outlined a case study on one patient with superficial peritoneal endometriosis which had not been identified by ultrasound, but which had been visualised with 99mTc-maraciclatide and later confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. The ongoing study which will recruit 20-25 patients in total is being led by Professor Christian Becker , Co-Director of the Endometriosis CaRe Centre in Oxford, together with Professor Krina Zondervan , Head of Department at the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford. It is anticipated that the study will complete later this year. 99mTc-maraciclatide is a radio-labelled tracer which binds with high affinity to the cell adhesion protein v 3 integrin and images angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) which is known to be critical to the establishment and growth of endometriotic lesions. David Hail , Chief Executive Officer of Serac Healthcare, said: "These promising initial findings indicate that there is real potential for maraciclatide as a novel non-invasive method of diagnosing early-stage endometriosis. The ability to visualise the early stage of this disease is particularly significant as it cannot be seen by other imaging modalities, which contributes to the almost nine year average delay to secure a diagnosis. We are hugely encouraged by these results and look forward to continuing this work with the world-leading specialists from Oxford University." Professor Christian Becker , Co-Director of the Endometriosis CaRe Centre in Oxford added: "Endometriosis is a common disease affecting many millions of women worldwide with pain and infertility. The current delay in diagnosis results in prolonged suffering and uncertainty. Therefore, a novel imaging tool to assist healthcare professionals in identifying or ruling out the disease is urgently needed." Professor Krina Zondervan , Head of Department at the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford added: "Superficial peritoneal endometriosis is the most prevalent form of the disease. It often affects younger women for whom earlier diagnosis could enable intervention at an earlier stage, with the potential to significantly change outcomes and improve prospects. At the Endometriosis CaRe Centre at the University of Oxford our studies focus on identifying novel genetic, diagnostic and therapeutic targets for endometriosis. We are delighted about the early results of the DETECT study and are looking forward to recruiting more patients to consolidate the data." Maraciclatide is for investigational use only and is not approved by the FDA or UK and European regulatory authorities. About Serac Healthcare Ltd Serac Healthcare is a clinical radiopharmaceutical company with deep expertise in discovering, developing and commercialising innovative molecular imaging technologies. Using these targeted technologies to underpin personalised medicine in the fields of endometriosis and inflammatory arthritis, Serac Healthcare is focused on bringing to market effective tools to accelerate diagnosis, and to deliver earlier and more effective treatment decisions. Serac Healthcare Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Serac Life Sciences Limited. www.serachealthcare.com About Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health The Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health (NDWRH) at the University of Oxford is a pioneering institution with a rich legacy dating back to 1937; and stands as a vanguard of excellence in perinatal research and clinical practice. Our vision is clear: a world where everyone enjoys high-quality, evidence-based women's and reproductive healthcare. Through cutting-edge research and transformative teaching, we're committed to elevating the standard and accessibility of women's healthcare worldwide. www.wrh.ox.ac.uk About endometriosis Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease that affects up to one in 10 women of childbearing age, about 190 million women worldwide. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus, predominantly in the pelvis, but sometimes also elsewhere in the body, e.g. lungs. The presence of this ectopic endometrial tissue can lead to inflammation and distortion of normal anatomy, which can cause significant pain and infertility. The diagnostic journey in those with endometriosis typically results in numerous visits to physicians and hospitals, along with multiple scans. About the Society for Reproductive Investigation Meeting www.sri-online.org/meetings-calendar/2024 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2364034/Serac_Healthcare_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2364028/Nuffield_Oxford_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imaging-with-99mtc-maraciclatide-correlates-with-identification-of-early-stage-endometriosis-by-laparoscopic-surgery-302090612.html SOURCE Serac Healthcare Limited New Medical School Hosts First Match Day Event to Celebrate Future Physicians and Change Agents PASADENA, Calif. , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) celebrated its first annual Match Day, a milestone event for the new medical school and its inaugural class of students. On Match Day, medical students learn where they will begin their careers as physicians. KPSOM students opened their results today at 9:00 A.M. PDT when most residency applicants across the United States received their results. The KPSOM inaugural class and their guests, along with KPSOM leadership, faculty and staff, gathered together shortly after to celebrate the significance and hard work involved in achieving this milestone. Match Day is a momentous occasion in a medical student's journey as they learn where they have been matched for a residency or fellowship training program in their chosen specialty. The National Resident Matching Program matches most medical students through a computerized mathematical algorithm that places applicants and programs together based on their ranked preferences. "KPSOM's inaugural class is a group of passionate, caring and creative students whose years of hard work have now led them to the threshold of residency," said Mark Schuster , MD, PhD, founding dean and chief executive officer of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. "It's our mission to support the development of our students as compassionate future physicians who improve the health and well-being of their patients and communities. We are extremely proud of our first class of students and their exciting residency placements." Among the graduating class, 62% of students will remain in California for their residencies, with 19% of students matched to a Kaiser Permanente residency program for all or part of their training. The top three institutions with the most matches for our students are University of California Los Angeles, University of California San Francisco, and University of Washington. Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine are the top three most matched specialty programs, and 38% are matched into primary care specialties, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics. "It has been an honor to support and watch this class grow, learn and thrive over the last four years," said Anne Eacker, MD, senior associate dean for student affairs at Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. "From beginning their medical education at the height of the global pandemic to starting clinical training just three weeks into their first year, this class was differentiated from other residency candidates from the start of their medical education journey. I believe our students are uniquely positioned for the challenges and rewards that come with joining the physician workforce." "Starting residency has multiple meanings to me," said KPSOM student Lucas Saporito . "It is the culmination of all the work and dedication in medical school. It's also the start of a new journey, one that is more focused and allows more personalization toward my future practice. This milestone is important because I get to train and learn while providing more hands-on care for patients ... It will be a challengingand often humblingopportunity, and one that I will cherish." The inaugural KPSOM class will graduate in May 2024 . The students will begin their residencies following graduation with the skills learned from KPSOM's forward-thinking approach to medical education. The school's innovative approach includes: A core curriculum that emphasizes a holistic view of health and integrates biomedical science, clinical science, and health systems science (HSS) with a focus on case-based, interactive, small-group learning A commitment to addressing health inequities and advocating for equity, inclusion and diversity in medical education and healthcare through community engagement and a service-learning curriculum A multimodal anatomy program utilizing cutting-edge technology and anatomical structures preserved by plastination Precepted clinical learning starting within the first three weeks of medical school to facilitate early clinical reinforcement of concepts To learn more about KPSOM's curriculum and hands-on preparation for residency and beyond, visit medschool.kp.org/education/residency-preparedness. About the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine is devoted first and foremost to offering an outstanding, forward-thinking medical education. Its curriculum is built on the three pillars of Biomedical Science, Clinical Science, and Health Systems Science. Students think broadly about the ways care can be more effective for everyone and learn how to advocate for better health in homes, school, workplaces, neighborhoods, and society. The school incorporates many of the most innovative and effective educational practices available today. In addition, the school's future physicians learn the knowledge and skills essential to the highest quality patient care and the transformation of the nation's healthcare so that all people thrive. Learn more at http://medschool.kp.org/. Contact Ashannti Hill Mims [email protected] (626) 826-7374 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kaiser-permanente-bernard-j-tyson-school-of-medicine-announces-residency-placements-of-inaugural-medical-school-class-302090719.html SOURCE Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine Despite documenting over 1,000 violations of the Animal Welfare Act at more than 400 commercial dog dealers alone, the USDA only took action against four dog dealers WASHINGTON , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has released a new report analyzing the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) inspections of Animal Welfare Act licensed facilities, documented violations, and enforcement actions against violators for the 2023 fiscal year. Based on the ASPCA's analysis of USDA data, federal inspectors documented over 1,000 violations for commercial dog dealers at more than 400 facilities. However, the agency only took action against four dog dealers. Additionally, violation history had no impact on a facility's ability to have their license renewed by the USDA, so all dog dealers who wanted to be relicensed were, even problematic dealers with consistent violations. "The Animal Welfare Act sets minimal welfare requirements for animals in commercial facilities, including dogs in puppy mills, yet the USDA has continually failed to enforce those requirements," said Robert Hensley , Senior Counsel, ASPCA Legal Advocacy and Investigations. "Thousands of vulnerable dogs and other animals have suffered and died because of the USDA's repeated failure to take any meaningful inaction against problematic dealers, and hundreds more remain at risk under the agency's failing oversight. We urge Congress to step in to fix the USDA's broken system and ensure animals in federally licensed facilities get the protections they deserve." There are a quarter of a million dogs in USDA licensed commercial breeding facilities, and countless examples of facilities where dogs were suffering, yet the USDA took no action at all. Examples of the USDA's failure to act during FY23, include: David Horning , dog breeder, Iowa : In February 2023 , the USDA found a dead puppy under an elevated floor that had not been noticed by the licensee. Another puppy was found to be small, with a head tremor, making it difficult to walk and was continuously stepped on by his littermates. The licensee had taken no action to address these issues, and the USDA issued a warning but took no further action. The breeder later voluntarily cancelled his license. In , the found a dead puppy under an elevated floor that had not been noticed by the licensee. Another puppy was found to be small, with a head tremor, making it difficult to walk and was continuously stepped on by his littermates. The licensee had taken no action to address these issues, and the issued a warning but took no further action. The breeder later voluntarily cancelled his license. Cody Zimmerman , dog breeder, Missouri : In March 2023 , the USDA found several mother dogs with puppies who had been left overnight without any water. When they were finally given water, one dog drank for over a minute while her puppies hovered nearby, trying to drink as well. The USDA took no enforcement action against this licensee. In , the found several mother dogs with puppies who had been left overnight without any water. When they were finally given water, one dog drank for over a minute while her puppies hovered nearby, trying to drink as well. The took no enforcement action against this licensee. David Weaver , dog breeder, Ohio : In April 2023 , the USDA passed Weaver on a relicensing inspection, granting him licensure for the next three years, despite repeated violations on inspection reports throughout 2023, including dogs with severe gum disease and inflamed ears. He also repeatedly failed to make himself available for USDA inspections. To address these ongoing failures, the ASPCA is urging Congress to include Goldie's Act in the upcoming Farm Bill. Sponsored by a bipartisan team of lawmakers including U.S. Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), and Zach Nunn (R-IA), Goldie's Act (H.R. 1788) which is named after a Golden Retriever who suffered and died in an Iowa puppy mill will require the USDA to conduct more thorough inspections, impose penalties for violations, and report suspected cruelty to local law enforcement. The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus recently endorsed Goldie's Act, which has garnered support from nearly 150 animal welfare, law enforcement and shelter organizations, and received attention during Secretary Tom Vilsack's recent appearance before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, when Congressman Nunn raised the urgent need to pass this bill. For more information or to read the ASPCA's full analysis of the USDA's FY23 enforcement data, please visit www.aspca.org/USDAEnforcement2023. About the ASPCA Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation's leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States . The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-aspca-report-shows-usda-failed-to-act-in-response-to-90-percent-of-animal-welfare-violations-in-fy23-302090450.html SOURCE ASPCA Starting With the Navajo Language, Jack Connor Will Use His $100,000 O'Shaughnessy Fellowships Grant to Save Dying Languages by Using AI GREENWICH, Conn. , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- O'Shaughnessy Ventures LLC ("OSV"), an investment firm that empowers creators, has awarded its first O'Shaughnessy Fellowship of 2024 to Jack Connor . Connor will train a large language model to communicate fluently in Navajo, an endangered language spoken primarily in the Southwestern United States . He will use existing and collected Navajo audio, video, and written content to train the model. Connor will then build a repeatable process to use on the over 3,000 other endangered languages that exist today. He also aims to create a documentary to showcase his mission's importance and demonstrate the human face of the Navajo language. OSV's founder and CEO, Jim O'Shaughnessy , commented, "We can learn so much about a culture's history, traditions, values and more from its language. We are delighted to be able to support Jack in saving as many languages as we can." Connor said, "I'm humbled and incredibly excited by this opportunity, and thank OSV and Jim personally for funding such important work. Dozens of languages go extinct every year, so to get the chance to work with a prestigious organization such as OSV to turn the tide and save these languages is an immense opportunity to do good in the world. OSV is giving me the opportunity to fulfill my life's work." About Connor Connor is a linguist, programmer, and author with a lifelong fascination with languages. He spoke seven languages by age 25. Connor's interest in language and technology led him to the world of AI. Connor taught himself to code and has built many pieces of AI language technology. In 2017, he wrote "Siri in the Uncanny Valley ," a book exploring linguistic problems in voice technology. In 2023, Connor began his project to preserve endangered languages using large language models. The world loses dozens of languages every year due to the increased dominance of major languages like English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Connor believes that losing a language is akin to losing an entire culture and its history. He decided to focus first on preserving Navajo, a historically important and linguistically fascinating language with an estimated 170,000 native speakers in the United States . Outside of work, Connor has been a semi-professional skateboarder and has lived in ten countries. More about Connor can be found on his LinkedIn page. About the Fellowship Program OSV launched the O'Shaughnessy Fellowships in 2023. It is a one-year program for ambitious people who want to build something great. Fellows receive a $100,000 grant and access to OSV's network of founders, investors and experts to support them in bringing their projects to life. More information about last year's Fellows is available on OSV's website. In 2024, OSV will award ten $100,000 Fellowships. Applicants for the Fellowships will also be considered for its sister program, the O'Shaughnessy Grants. Under this program, OSV will make twenty additional $10,000 grants to promising creators, who will also be provided with access to OSV's network. Applications for the Fellowships remain open until and including 30 April 2024 . Creators interested in applying can do so via OSV's website. About O'Shaughnessy Ventures OSV is a creative investment firm that empowers and inspires creators to bring their ideas to life. Founded by Jim O'Shaughnessy , a pioneer in quantitative investing, founder of O'Shaughnessy Asset Management, and author of four books on investing, OSV aims to provide financial support and to partner in growing the next life-changing creative ideas. OSV combines Jim's deeply rooted interest in all things art, science, investing, and tech with his long-held desire to establish scenarios designed to help promising creators and their inspiring ideas succeed, regardless of age, location, job history, or level of education. For more information, visit https://www.osv.llc . Media Contact: Ena Gong O'Shaughnessy Ventures LLC (917) 355-7420 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oshaughnessy-ventures-awards-100-000-fellowship-grant-to-linguist-aiming-to-preserve-endangered-languages-302090072.html SOURCE O'Shaughnessy Ventures Yiwugo Vendors Export Over 1 Million Boxes Weekly YIWU, China , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. "Do you have press-on nails?" Yesterday, in Zone 3 of Yiwu International Trade City (also known as the Yiwu Market), two live-stream influencers on e-commerce platforms were scouting for suppliers. "We need handmade ones, approximately 1,000 boxes per week..." Zhejiang Fashion Cosmetics Co., Ltd, a highly recommended store on Yiwugo.com, consistently attracts a significant number of proactive customers. Among these inquiries, an order of 1,000 boxes per week may not seem substantial, considering that many customers place orders for tens of thousands of boxes. Nevertheless, the sheer volume of orders underscores the current popularity and demand for press-on nails. Press-on nails are both convenient and flexible, causing no harm to your natural nails. Indeed, some businesses have introduced enticing promotional offers, such as "experience it for the price of a cup of coffee". Consequently, these nail wraps have rapidly gained popularity, particularly when compared to traditional nail art, which often costs a few dozen dollars and requires a significant time investment. With their quick application and removal, coupled with their excellent value for money, these press-ons have gone viral. Recent statistics reveal a remarkable surge in sales of press-on nails on Tmall, with a staggering year-on-year growth of 200% since March. This upward trend shows no signs of slowing down. On a popular social media platform, there are over 4.63 million posts discussing these emerging nail wraps. The demand for press-ons has skyrocketed, making it another hot trend in the beauty industry. Particularly on e-commerce platforms, there has been a continuous release of highly popular and sought-after press-on nail products. Zhejiang Fashion Cosmetics is frequented by e-commerce vendors. "The fast-paced nature of e-commerce demands us to maintain a swift and constant supply," states Yang Yan , Sales Director of Zhejiang Fashion Cosmetics. As a professional enterprise specializing in the development, design, production, and sale of nail supplies, Zhejiang Fashion Cosmetics takes advantage of its in-house design research, development and manufacturing capabilities. "Every day, we launch 10 to 15 new product designs, and so far, we have successfully developed tens of thousands of products across more than 100 nail types," says Yang Yan . She emphasizes that the entire process, from design to pattern making and sampling, can be completed within a single day. Earlier, a top live-streaming influencer on a certain e-commerce platform made a request to Zhejiang Fashion Cosmetics for a type of press-on nail product with a festive ambiance. "We initiated communication on the first night, and by the third day, the influencer had already received 10 sample designs," explains Yang Yan . It was this particular product line that achieved a remarkable sales record of over 8 million yuan (about 1.23 million USD ) within just five minutes during her livestream. Press-on nails are not only thriving domestically, but their popularity remains equally strong in overseas markets. At Zhejiang Fashion Cosmetics, the factory consistently fulfills orders for European and American clients, dispatching shipments of approximately 400,000 boxes of press-on nails per week. "Our customers are so eager to receive their orders that they often prompt as soon as the products are ready for shipping," shares a representative from the company. It is worth noting that many clients place bulk orders for an entire year's supply of press-on nails. Last year, the company unveiled a revolutionary product that combines the best features of nail gel and press-on nailsa wearable soft nail solution. "With just a brief exposure to nail lamp, the adhesive patches transform into durable and beautiful nail extensions within a minute. The convenience, durability, and enhanced beauty of this product have garnered significant interest from international customers. We receive daily inquiries, with particularly strong demand coming from the South American market, where sales have been quite impressive," says Yang Yan . Foreign businessmen from not just Europe , America, and South America , but also from the Middle East , Africa , and beyond have flocked to Yiwu. Among them is Amir Makram , an Egyptian merchant who visited Zone 3 of Yiwu International Trade City yesterday with a clear purpose: to explore nail beauty products. As he stood in front of a store specializing in press-on nails, his curiosity was piqued. After a store attendant provided a detailed introduction, Amir Makram's interest intensified, leading to an exchange of WeChat contacts between both parties, setting the stage for further negotiations. According to data analysis from the Yiwugo platform, there has been a significant surge in search volume for press-on nails since the beginning of this year. As of early March, the platform recorded a 2.34-fold yoy increase in the number of press-on nails orders and a 2.64-fold yoy increase in transaction value. Nails may be small, but they hold great potential within the realm of beauty. To capitalize on this "beauty economy" surrounding nails, businesses in the Yiwu market are exerting their full efforts in production and striving to stay ahead by introducing new products. With relentless innovation and market expansion, many companies now face production lead times of 45 to 60 days as they endeavor to meet the soaring demand. "To meet the market demands, we have upgraded our equipment. With the addition of 15 new machines, we can now produce over 200,000 boxes of press-on nails per day, doubling our previous production capacity. While fulfilling current orders, we have also intensified our investment in new product development. Presently, we are collaborating with clients to delve into the research and development of new products for the year 2025," said Yang Yan . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/press-on-nails-go-viral-exceeding-1-million-in-5-minute-livestream-sales-302090175.html SOURCE Yiwugo.com Reaching its midpoint, 'A Story to Tell' Part 6 secures Platinum Flagship status for Q1 2024, bolstering Richard Runyon's legacy and the success of his renowned interview cycle. His 'Storybook' web series and a packed 2024-25 release schedule await. SEATTLE , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard Runyon unveils 'A Story to Tell' Part 6, marking the midway milestone of his acclaimed travelogue series with a unique Caribbean and Latin American twist. Embark on an exhilarating journey through Mexico , Trinidad and Tobago , and Saint Kitts and Nevis in the latest chapter of Richard Runyon's captivating interview series. "Reaching the halfway point of this landmark series is a monumental achievement," shares S.W. Miliano , CEO/President of The Stone Register ("TSR") and longstanding member of the Forbes Business Council. "It symbolizes not only the depth of Richard 's storytelling prowess, but also the excitement these true stories deliver." Richard Runyon and his team want the reader in the driver's seat the whole time! Runyon adds: "I hope I've succeeded at creating a little universe that my readers can lose themselves in, reliving these experiences with me." During a short break before things picks back up with "A Story to Tell" Part 7, the highly anticipated web series, ' Richard Runyon's Storybook,' will premiere. It is an audiovisual delight that aims to push boundaries, while entertaining and expanding its host's message. Like its predecessor, this new installment stands as the official Platinum Flagship article for Q1 2024, maintaining Runyon's prestigious Platinum status for two consecutive quarters (a rarity indeed). As of this writing, Runyon's 'A Story to Tell' has accumulated 12,303,580 news impressions, and his official website has welcomed over 2.2 million visits in only 12 months, not counting the high traffic in previous years. We think you'll agree that Richard Runyon is poised to keep riding the continuous wave of content and exposure through 2024 and well into the future! Discover 'A Story to Tell' Part 6 today. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/richard-runyons-a-story-to-tell-part-6-sets-the-platinum-standard-for-q1-2024-302090633.html Music education franchisor with over 360 schools across 15 global markets expanding small business ownership opportunities in California SAN FRANCISCO , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- School of Rock , the leader in performance-based music education with over 360 schools across 15 global markets, is looking to expand its franchising opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area , including the Fremont , Milpitas and Cupertino regions. " San Francisco is one of the most innovative and culturally relevant music cities in the nation. It's renowned for its music festivals and prestigious schools like the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Berklee College of Music, making it the ideal location to extend new franchise ownership opportunities," said Stacey Ryan , COO of School of Rock. "Our performance-based music education programs empower students of all ages and skill levels to develop their musical talents and build confidence both on stage and in life. As we grow, we aim to enrich San Francisco's storied musical tradition by fostering a community where students can discover the joy of making music together." School of Rock provides students with an exciting and engaging music education experience, which includes bass lessons , guitar lessons , singing lessons , drum lessons and piano lessons . Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn music theory and techniques through popular songs from various legendary artists. With more than two decades of experience, School of Rock offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to quickly plug into a global brand with a proven business model. A testament to its mission and culture is the fact that many of its franchise owners started their journey as parents of students enrolled in School of Rock programs. Through the power of music, prospective franchise owners have the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of students and their communities as a whole. Jason Kline and Cecilia Yi , the married franchising couple behind five School of Rock locations in Northern California and over 1,000 students and counting, are a prime example of that impact. Their success as owners has not only earned them recognition within their communities but also by the International Franchise Association, which named them 2024 Franchisees of the Year. Jason and Cecilia serve as a testament to the remarkable opportunities available to prospective owners and showcase what's achievable in the growing California market. "Owning a School of Rock is an incredible journey filled with great joy and many rewards," said Cecelia Yi, owner of five School of Rock locations in Northern California . "We have people thanking us every day for providing a special place for their children to play music with their friends and for making a positive impact within our communities." The initial investment for a School of Rock franchise is approximately $395,800 $537,400 including a $49,900 franchise fee. Ideal candidates, or groups of investors, will have a net worth of $350,000 , of which $150,000 is liquid. Additionally, U.S. military veterans receive a special discount on their initial franchise fee. For information on School of Rock franchise opportunities, visit schoolofrock.com/franchising/pr or register HERE to attend an upcoming School of Rock Franchising 101 webinar. About School of Rock School of Rock helps aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity and develop tools they need to thrive in life. Founded as a single school in Philadelphia, Pa. , in 1998, School of Rock has become a rapidly growing international franchise with over 500 schools open and in development across 15 global markets. Since 2009, School of Rock has grown its student count from 4,000 to over 62,000. School of Rock offers a wide variety of music lessons , including guitar lessons , singing lessons and piano lessons . The company also sells musical instruments and music gear through its GearSelect program. School of Rock is proud to support Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS). School of Rock was awarded US Patent 10,891,872 in 2021 for its innovative music education method. School of Rock also has garnered the following industry awards: International Franchise Associations 2024 Franchisees of the Year; 2024 and 2023 Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 Top Children's Music Enrichment Brand; 2023 Global Franchise Grand Champion; 2023, 2022 and 2021 Global Franchise's Awards Best Children's Service and Education Franchise; 2024 Global Franchise Highly Commended Best Children's Service and Education Franchise Recognition; Franchise Business Review's 2024 and 2023 Top 200 Franchises and Culture 200 list; 2021 Franchise Innovation Award for Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools; 2020 Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 200 Franchise and the #1 Child Enrichment Franchise; and 2018 Forbes # 2 Best Franchise Medium-Level Investment Award and the #1 Music Franchise in America. Follow School of Rock on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SchoolofRockUSA . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/school-of-rock-targets-san-francisco-bay-area-for-music-education-franchise-expansion-302089734.html SOURCE School of Rock As part of a USD $1.3M deal, semiconductor leader will help develop photonic laser arrays enabling next-generation AI capabilities KISTA, Sweden , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sivers Semiconductors AB (STO: SIVE), a leading supplier of integrated chips and modules for the most advanced communications and sensor solutions, today announced that its subsidiary Sivers Photonics has signed a product development agreement with an undisclosed company. Beginning with an initial contract valued at USD $1.3 million for delivering prototypes in 2024, the agreement is expected to grow rapidly during 2025, before moving to volume manufacturing. Upon entering full production, the annual chip volume is anticipated by the customer to exceed several million units per annum beyond 2026. Sivers, a recognized leader in advanced customised lasers for high-speed optical solutions, is ideally placed to capitalize on the rising demand for next-gen laser chips that enable solutions to voracious AI computing demands. The company's optical communication technology already powers applications requiring high bandwidth and low latency data transmission. The new collaboration will further expand Sivers' footprint into the rapidly evolving AI hardware sector. "As optical solutions become essential for advanced AI workloads, our technology will help power the light-speed data transmission this new computing paradigm demands. This is a fantastic opportunity short term and is a mega opportunity for exceptional continued growth from 2026," said Anders Storm , Group CEO of Sivers Semiconductors. For more information please contact: Anders Storm , CEO Tel: +46 70 262 6390 E-mail: [email protected] This disclosure contains information that Sivers Semiconductors is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the contact person set out, on March 15, 2024 , 08:00 CET . Sivers Semiconductors AB (SIVE.ST) is a leader in SATCOM, 5G, 6G, Photonics, and Silicon Photonics that drives innovation in global communications and sensor technology. Our business units, Photonics and Wireless, supply cutting-edge, integrated chips and modules critical for high-performance gigabit wireless and optical networks. Catering to a broad spectrum of industries from telecommunication to aerospace, we fulfill the increasing demand for computational speed and AI application performance, replacing electric with optical connections for a more sustainable world. Our wireless solutions are forging paths in advanced SATCOM/5G/6G systems, while our photonics expertise is revolutionizing custom semiconductor photonic devices for optical networks and optical sensing, making us a trusted partner to Fortune 100 companies as well as emerging unicorns. With innovation at our core, Sivers Semiconductors is committed to delivering bespoke, high-performance solutions for a better-connected and safer world. Discover our passion for perfection at www.sivers-semiconductors.com. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/sivers-semiconductors/r/sivers-semiconductors-teams-with-strategic-customer,c3946446 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/11695/3946446/2671942.pdf Sivers Photonics PR__EN_240315 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sivers-semiconductors-teams-with-strategic-customer-302090194.html SOURCE Sivers Semiconductors BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, who is on a visit to the country to participate in the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye, Trend reports. During the discussion, the sides discussed topics related to Azerbaijan and Georgia's present bilateral and multilateral cooperation agendas, as well as the regional situation in the post-conflict period. The sides noted that the continuous development of friendship and good neighborliness relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia will help regional cooperation, as well as the relevance of high-level contacts and political consultation mechanisms in this regard. The sides emphasized the importance of leveraging the existing economic cooperation potential and successfully implementing joint projects, as well as the importance of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided detailed information on the current regional situation in the post-conflict period, reconstruction and construction works, as well as Azerbaijan's peace initiatives. He stated that the resolution of the former Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict creates favorable conditions for strengthening regional cooperation. At the same time, it was highlighted that the difficulties of the peace process, particularly the projection of numerous countries' political agendas in the region, harmed the peace effort. Minister Ilia Darchiashvili expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for successfully organizing the 9th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, noting that Georgia is interested in further developing regional cooperation under this format. During the meeting, the sides also discussed other subjects of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel DULLES, Va. , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kim Koster, the Vice President of Product Marketing for Unanet, the leading provider of project-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) for government contractors (GovCons), will conduct a fireside chat with Tiffany Hixson , GSA's Assistant Commissioner, Professional Services & Human Capital Categories. Hixson, who oversees the contracts in these categories, will lead a discussion about how the GSA will support businesses in 2024, including small and disadvantaged businesses. Additionally, Koster and Hixson will probe the opportunities for GovCon businesses amid the recent OASIS and OASIS+ IDIQ contracts. Date: Monday, March 18, 2024 Time: 11:00 a.m. EDT Participants: Kim Koster , Vice President of GovCon Product Marketing, Unanet , Vice President of GovCon Product Marketing, Unanet Tiffany Hixson , Assistant Commissioner, Professional Services & Human Capital , U.S. General Service Administration The Fireside Chat will be virtual and is organized by Executive Mosaic LLC. Interested participants can register for the free event through GovConWire at https://events.govconwire.com/event/gcw-fireside-chat-with-tiffany-hixson-from-the-gsa/?src=siegfried 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 GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unanet-govcon-expert-to-speak-with-gsas-assistant-commissioner-at-upcoming-govconwire-fireside-chat-302089890.html SOURCE Unanet Volpara's online customer community reaches 1,000-member milestone LYNNWOOD, Wash. , March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Volpara Health Technologies Ltd. (ASX: VHT), a global leader in software for the early detection and prevention of cancer, will showcase its latest software advancements for breast centers at the 2024 National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) conference, March 15-19 in Las Vegas . Volpara will feature Lunit's INSIGHT AI-software for early cancer detection alongside the company's suite of solutions for assessing breast density, evaluating cancer risk, and mammography quality. "NCBC comes at a time of great change for breast centers with new standards from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a national density inform mandate, and growing clinical demands combined with staff shortages," says Teri Thomas , Volpara CEO. "Success in this new era will require programs to embrace AI-powered solutions to automate, optimize and personalize care for providers and patients to thrive. Finding an AI partner you can trust has never been more important." Volpara and Lunit join forces Volpara previously announced it entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement with Lunit. If the scheme is approved by Volpara shareholders and ultimately implemented, it is expected to be complete in Q2 2024. Regardless of the outcome of the scheme, a distribution agreement allows Volpara to sell Lunit's products immediately and offer a comprehensive suite that uses AI to enhance the mammography journey from screening to diagnosis. Thriving Volpara customer community Members of Volpara's Hive, the exclusive digital community for Volpara Health customers, will also gather at NCBC to discuss the latest AI research for breast centers. The Hive recently surpassed 1,000 members from diverse healthcare systems, imaging groups and breast centers, who connect online with peers and Volpara experts to knowledge share, access resources and spread best practices. Singing River addresses health disparities with Volpara Tami Hudson, RN , BSN, BHCN, CGRA, Breast Health Navigator, at Singing River Health System will present during the NCBC Clinical Post-Conference: Complexities of High-Risk Breast Care on Tuesday, March 19 . Hudson's presentation will review the clinical impact of making cancer risk assessment standard for every patient receiving a mammogram at four breast centers. The health system is located in a state that often ranks low in health outcomes and health literacy. Singing River Health System has used Volpara Risk Pathways cancer risk assessment software to identify patients at elevated risk who are eligible for breast MRI or genetic testing over the past three years. "Our comprehensive approach to care involves early identification and tailored support for high-risk patients. Genetic testing is a key tool for us," said Hudson. "Volpara Risk Pathways streamlines the overall process, helping patients receive the care they need for cancer prevention." To see the latest software advancements for breast centers from Volpara visit Booth #303 at NCBC 2024. About Volpara Health (ASX: VHT) Volpara Health makes software to save families from cancer. Healthcare providers use Volpara to better understand cancer risk, empower patients in personal care decisions, and guide recommendations about additional imaging, genetic testing, and other interventions. Our AI-powered image analysis enables radiologists to quantify breast tissue with precision and helps technologists produce mammograms with optimal image quality, positioning, compression, and dose. In an industry facing increasing staffing shortages, our software streamlines operations and provides key performance insights that support continuous quality improvement. Volpara is the preferred partner of leading healthcare institutions around the world. Our software is used in over 2,000 facilities by more than 5,600 technologists, impacting nearly 17 million patients globally. It helps providers conduct more than three million cancer risk assessments each year and can be deployed stand-alone or fully integrated with electronic health record systems, mammography reporting systems, imaging hardware, and genetic laboratories. Volpara holds the most rigorous security certifications and numerous patents and regulatory registrations, including FDA clearance and CE marking. Since listing on the ASX in April 2016 , the Company has raised A$132 million . With an office in Seattle , Volpara is based in Wellington , New Zealand. For more information, visit www.volparahealth.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volpara-to-showcase-ai-software-for-breast-centers-at-ncbc-2024-including-lunit-insight-for-early-detection-302090531.html SOURCE Volpara Health, Inc. FILE PHOTO: Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Azores Regional President Jose Manuel Bolieiro toast with an Azores traditional spirit as small earthquakes have been recorded in Sao Jorge island, Azores, Portugal, March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Pedr By Sergio Goncalves LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's far-right Chega party abstained on Friday from voting on the Social Democratic Party's (PSD) minority government policy programme in the Azores islands, thereby letting it pass, a move PSD hopes Chega will replicate nationwide after last weekend's inconclusive election. Chega has demanded to be included in Portugal's new government after the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) won Sunday's national general election by a slim margin, but has been rebuffed by PSD. PSD, which formed the regional government in the Azores after winning a Feb. 4 regional election there, is also the biggest party in the national Democratic Alliance. After last month's Azores election, the local Chega Acores party initially demanded to be part of the regional government, but PSD Azores leader Jose Manuel Bolieiro said his party would instead run a minority government and pass legislation with case-by-case support from other parties. AD plans a similar strategy at national level. Bolieiro said on Friday that at national level "negotiation is also necessary" given the patchwork of parties that will make up the legislature following Sunday's election. "There will be responsibility and determination to make our democracy in Portugal stable and the country governable, but I don't believe there is a need for (coalition) agreements (with Chega)", he said. The leader of Chega Acores' parliamentary bloc, Jose Pacheco, said on Friday that his party "is always part of the solution and never the problem, as long as there is dialogue and respect." Chega quadrupled its seat share in Portugal's parliament by capitalising on disgruntlement among voters with traditional parties and underinvestment in public services, but AD hopes that its proposed tax cuts and wage hikes will be impossible for Chega to reject. Adelino Maltez, a political scientist at Lisbon Technical University, said that Chega is likely to also allow the AD to pass legislation in the short term and "it shouldn't bring down the PSD government yet, but its stability in the medium term is not guaranteed." (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; Editing by Susan Fenton) FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A Swiss flag is pictured above a logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse in Bern, Switzerland, November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo By Stefania Spezzati and Oliver Hirt LONDON/ZURICH (Reuters) -A year after the banking crisis that felled Credit Suisse, authorities are still considering how to fix lenders' vulnerabilities - including in Switzerland, where the bank's takeover by rival UBS created a behemoth. The Swiss government-sponsored rescue of Credit Suisse and U.S. bank salvages in March 2023 doused the immediate fires kindled by a run at little-known U.S. regional lender Silicon Valley Bank. But regulators and lawmakers are only starting to address how banks could better withstand deposit runs, and whether they need easier access to emergency cash. A top global financial watchdog recently warned Switzerland must strengthen its banking controls, highlighting the risk that a failure of UBS - now one of the world's biggest banks - would pose to the financial system. "The banking system is no safer," said Anat Admati, professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and co-author of the book "The Bankers' New Clothes: What's wrong with banking and what to do about it." "Global banks can cause a lot of harm," she added. Rules introduced after the 2008 financial crisis did little to avert last year's crash, as clients pulled cash from banks at unprecedented speed. One of the key weaknesses that emerged last year was that banks liquidity requirements proved insufficient. Credit Suisse saw billions of deposits exiting in a matter of days, burning through what had appeared to be comfortable buffers of cash. Introduced after the 2008 financial crisis, the so-called liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) has become a key indicator of banks ability to meet cash demands. LCRs require banks to hold sufficient assets that can be exchanged for cash to survive significant liquidity stress over 30 days. European regulators are debating whether to shorten the period of acute stress to measure buffers banks need over shorter timeframes, of say one or two weeks, according to one person with knowledge of the discussions. The move would echo calls by the acting Comptroller of the Currency in the United States, Michael Hsu, who also made the case for a new ratio to cover stress over five days. If such measures are put in place, banks would need to hold higher levels of liquid assets and park more assets at the central banks, said Andres Portilla, managing director of regulatory affairs at the Institute of International Finance, a Washington-based bank lobby group. Ultimately funding could become costlier. Industry-wide changes are only likely to take place next year in Europe as banks are still working through the final implementation of post-financial crisis rules, so-called Basel III, which will require banks to set aside more capital, the person told Reuters. Amid worries that a repeat of a rapid run could threaten another bank, the European Central Bank is intensifying scrutiny of liquidity buffers of individual banks, another person familiar with the discussions told Reuters. The ECB declined to comment for this article. It has identified liquidity supervision as a priority after the Credit Suisse rescue. BANKING BEHEMOTH In Switzerland, the regulatory debate has homed in on how to make emergency loans more widely available. When borrowing from central banks, lenders need to provide certain assets in exchange, also known as collateral, which must be easy to price and sell in financial markets. That protects taxpayers in case the lender cannot repay. As Credit Suisse suffered unprecedented outflows, the lender ran out of securities to pledge to the Swiss National Bank (SNB), forcing the central bank to offer cash to the struggling lender without security. A group of experts has called on the SNB to accept a wider pool of assets, including corporate loans and loans backed by securities. The SNB said the universe of eligible collateral is reviewed on an ongoing basis and developed in dialogue with the banks. A spokesperson for UBS declined to comment. UBSs imposing balance sheet of more than $1.6 trillion, nearly twice the size of the Swiss economy, is prompting the country to also review its too-big-to-fail rules, a package of regulation that disciplines systemically important banks. "All domestic and globally systemic important banks have become public-private partnerships. No government can risk their instability," said Peter Hahn, emeritus professor of banking and finance at The London Institute of Banking & Finance. The Swiss government is expected to publish a report next month. It might announce stricter capital requirements for UBS, some analysts have warned. UBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti said this week that he can't rule out that could happen. "We fixed the problem only in the short term. What we did sets the stage for a much bigger problem later," said Cedric Tille, professor of economics at the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, who sat on the Swiss National Banks supervisory council until last year. "UBS has become too big to save." Amid concerns about a repeat of 2023, the ECB has asked some lenders to monitor social networks to detect early bank runs. Global financial regulators are due later this year to unveil a "deep dive" into how social media can speed up deposit outflows. "A run on deposits doesnt happen in a month, it happens in a few hours," said Xavier Vives, professor of economics and finance at IESE Business School in Barcelona. "Regulation must be amended." (Reporting by Stefania Spezzati in London and Oliver Hirt in Zurich; additional reporting by John O'Donnell in Frankfurt, Jesus Aguado in Madrid and Noele Illien in Zurich. Editing by Elisa Martinuzzi and Susan Fenton) A man fills plastic containers with water from a truck distributing free water to houses in the Iztapalapa neighbourhood, amidst tensions over water scarcity, in Mexico City, Mexico March 14, 2024. REUTERS/Henry Romero By Diego Ore MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Just a few months ago ruling party candidate Clara Brugada looked like a shoo-in to be elected the next mayor of Mexico City. But a worsening water crisis has many voters rethinking their choice to run Mexico's largest and most important city. A severe nationwide drought has hit the capital particularly hard, and with it has come growing criticism of Morena the party that has run the city and the country for the past six years. In November, Brugada, a 60-year-old economist, had the backing of 47% of potential voters compared to 34% for opposition alliance candidate Santiago Taboada, according to a poll by newspaper El Financiero. By early March, the gap had tightened to 8 percentage points. Internal polls conducted for Brugada's team, and shared with Reuters, show the race as even narrower. "There is fear," a source working on Brugada's campaign told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "In some internal polls they're already nipping at our heels. The water problem is taking its toll on us." Spokespeople for Brugada and Taboada did not respond to requests for comment. In February, for the first time, water scarcity surpassed security as the main concern of Mexico City's almost 10 million residents, with the percentage of voters flagging the issue more than tripling from May, according to a survey by Aragon, a research firm. In Iztapalapa, a sprawling poor neighborhood, people rise early to source water, lining up to fill buckets from government water trucks. Often, government supply does not meet demand and users must wait until late at night or pay private tankers. "I was thinking of voting for Morena, but they are responsible for us now not having water," said Martin Juarez, an Iztapalapa resident. For sure, the roots of the Mexican capital's water problems go back decades. Under-investment and poor planning resulted in a system plagued by leaks and unequal distribution. But with left-wing parties ruling Mexico City since 1997, voters are broadly blaming Morena and its rival the PRD for the shortages, with a particular focus on the incumbent. Taboada, a 38-year-old politician for the conservative PAN party, has made water scarcity a central issue of his election campaign. A former municipal governor, he has promised to immediately address the water shortages through plans to improve collection, management and reuse. The opposition blames the government for the decades of neglect and warns the city could run dry. Brugada, a former government leader of Iztapalapa, has rejected that as a "lie." Mexico City is the country's beating economic and political heart and the job of mayor is one of the top jobs, as well as a common launching pad for a future presidential bid - as it was for the current leading candidate Claudia Sheinbaum. A loss for Morena would be a huge blow for the party, an electoral juggernaut in recent years, although the water shortages are seen by pollsters as unlikely to play a significant role in June's presidential election. The growing role of water scarcity in voter decisions is, however, a potential window into the political future of Mexico and further afield as climate change increasingly impacts people's lives. In Mexico, scientists predict there will be worsening droughts in the capital and north. The Cutzamala System - made up of three dams and supplying 25% of the water consumed in the capital and almost half of that in the adjoining State of Mexico - is at 40% capacity, an historic low. Last year was the driest and hottest since the 1940s, according to official figures, which meant reservoirs did not refill as much as usual. Authorities warn that if the Cutzamala System levels fall further, they could be forced to cut off supply entirely. "The water crisis is getting worse," said Gibran Ramirez, a founding member of Morena and political analyst who now represents opposition party Citizens' Movement. "Without a doubt it will be an issue in the elections." (Reporting by Diego Ore; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Rosalba O'Brien) FILE PHOTO: Berkshire Hathaway logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Berkshire Hathaway said Warren Buffett raised the pay of his designated successor Greg Abel to $20 million last year, as the conglomerate posted a record operating profit. The company also urged the rejection of six shareholder proposals, including that Berkshire disclose more about its plans to reduce greenhouse gases and improve diversity, monitor the safety of its BNSF railroad unit more closely, and discuss how much its operations depend on Chinese government activities. Berkshire disclosed executive pay and the recommendations on shareholder proposals in its annual proxy filing on Friday, ahead of the Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate's May 4 annual meeting. Abel's salary comprised virtually all his compensation, which grew from $19 million a year earlier. That sum included a $16 million salary and $3 million bonus. The 61-year-old vice chairman oversees Berkshire's non-insurance operations such as BNSF, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and dozens of chemical, industrial and retail operations. Vice Chairman Ajit Jain, who oversees insurance operations such as Geico, also received $20 million, up from $19 million. Buffett's own pay totaled $413,595, comprising a $100,000 salary unchanged for more than 35 years, plus personal and home security. But the 93-year-old Buffett also owns 15.1% of Berkshire, and his $135 billion fortune ranks sixth worldwide according to Forbes magazine. Berkshire's operating profit totaled $37.4 billion in 2023. BNSF, CHINA PROPOSALS Some of the shareholder proposals on Berkshire's climate and diversity efforts mirror proposals offered at last year's meeting, none of which drew more than 27% support. Buffett controls 31.2% of Berkshire's voting power, making passage of proposals he opposes an uphill battle. The BNSF proposal by the AFL-CIO Equity Index Funds urges independent Berkshire directors to form a railroad safety committee to monitor financial risks. Those funds said the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that caused a health and environmental crisis illustrated a need for Berkshire to do more to avert derailments and the resulting harm. But Berkshire said BNSF already has state-of-the-art safety programs, and a committee was inconsistent with Berkshire's culture of letting its operating units handle their own affairs. It also said BNSF is the only major U.S. railroad not to adopt "Precision Scheduled Railroading," which relies on longer and heavier trains that require fewer workers, and which some observers believe may have contributed to the Ohio crash. The China proposal from the conservative National Legal and Policy Center said Berkshire "does not seem to take the China threat seriously." It cited late Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, who drew applause at last year's annual meeting when he said: "If there's one thing we should do, it's get along with China. And we should have a lot of free trade with China, in our mutual interest." Berkshire called issuing a report unnecessary, and said its "Prohibited Business Practices Policy" specifically addresses transactions with China and human rights issues. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis) FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. March 9, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden on Friday condemned what he termed an ugly resurgence of Islamophobia since the Oct. 7 start of the Israel-Gaza war but a leading Muslim advocacy group dismissed his comment and urged a change in U.S. policy instead. Biden issued his statement on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, established in 2022 by the United Nations on March 15, the anniversary of the 2019 Christchuch, New Zealand, mosque shootings in which 51 people were killed during Friday prayers. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT Human rights advocates have cited a rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian bias and antisemitism in the U.S. and elsewhere. U.S. incidents that raised alarm include the fatal October stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume in Illinois, the November shooting of three students of Palestinian descent in Vermont, and the February stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Texas. BY THE NUMBERS The Council on American-Islamic Relations advocacy group says it received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023, a 178% rise from complaints about anti-Muslim incidents in the same period from a year earlier. KEY QUOTES "We recognize the violence and hate that Muslims worldwide too often face because of their religious beliefs - and the ugly resurgence of Islamophobia in the wake of the devastating war in Gaza," Biden said in a statement. "Islamophobia has no place in our nation. Yet Muslims in the United States frequently endure baseless fearmongering, blatant discrimination, harassment, and violence in the course of their everyday lives," Biden said. REACTION The Council on American-Islamic Relations dismissed Biden's statement and accused the White House of contributing to the problem by neglecting calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and by giving unconditional support to Israel. "The White House cannot condemn violence against a Palestinian Muslim child here in America while simultaneously enabling the mass murder of Palestinian Muslim children in Gaza, nor can the White House call the destruction in Gaza 'devastating' while at the same time sending weapons to those causing the devastation," the advocacy group said. CONTEXT Rights groups have compared the resurgence of Islamophobia since Oct. 7 to the stigma faced by Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Palestinian Islamist Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, Israel says. The health ministry in Hamas-governed Gaza says more than 31,000 people have been killed in the subsequent Israeli offensive that has displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population in the coastal enclave and caused a starvation crisis. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Howard Goller) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks at the 67th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs at Vienna International Centre, in Vienna, Austria March 15, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool By Humeyra Pamuk and Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday called for greater international cooperation to fight the booming trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, the leading cause of overdose deaths in his country. He was speaking at an annual meeting of the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which reviews global drug regulation and each year adds new so-called precursor chemicals - ingredients used to make illicit drugs - to international lists known as schedules to place strict controls on their trade. "More than 40% of the American people know someone who has died from an opioid overdose. Synthetic drugs are now the number one killer of Americans aged 18 to 45," Blinken said in a speech to the two-day "high-level segment" of the CND. While the drugs and the scale of the problem may vary by country, "in every region, use, dependence, overdose deaths by synthetic drugs are rising rapidly", he said. "My message to this gathering is urgent. If we want to change the trajectory of this crisis, there is only one way to succeed, and that's together," he said. This year the CND, which is meeting in Vienna until the end of next week, is considering adding two fentanyl precursors to the schedules, which the United States supports. While such "scheduling" is necessary, U.N. officials say the process is a losing battle. "The current international scheduling system is absolutely very effective in putting one substance out of the reach of illicit drug traffickers, but unfortunately is very little efficient in slowing down the pace of evolution of illicit drug manufacturing," Antonio Mazzitelli of the International Narcotics Control Board, which monitors compliance with the schedules, told a separate event at the CND meeting. "As soon as a substance is put under control, another one replaces it," he added. Blinken echoed that sense of facing a cunning opponent. "The criminal groups that produce these drugs are agile. When one country cracks down on the production of a synthetic drug, or the chemical precursors that go into making them, criminals quickly find another place to produce them," he said. Through a combination of other initiatives, however, such as closer cooperation with allies and working with social media companies to disrupt the synthetic drug trade online, there have been some successes, he said. "We have recent data that suggests that for the first time in years, the number of Americans who died of overdoses did not increase significantly. The number has leveled off. Now with one American still dying of a drug overdose every five minutes, our work is far from finished," Blinken said. "But the change suggests that the steps we're taking, many in partnership with countries here in this room, are making a difference, are starting to turn the tide," he added. (Additional reporting by Laura Gottesdiener; Writing by Francois Murphy) OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose Liberals are trailing badly in the polls, on Friday said he thought about quitting his "crazy job" every day but insisted he would stay in office until the next election. That vote must be held by October 2025 and recent surveys of public opinion show the Liberals would be crushed by the right-of-center Conservatives. Pollsters say voters are tiring of Trudeau, who first took office in November 2015. "I could not be the man I am and abandon the fight at this point," he told French-language broadcaster Radio-Canada in a lengthy interview. Asked whether he thought about quitting, he laughed and replied: "I think about quitting every day. It's a crazy job I'm doing, making the personal sacrifices. Trudeau continued: "Of course, it's super tough, it's super not great at times. But my God, the path we're on is so precarious, democracies are under such attack around the world." The Conservatives say they will ax a carbon tax introduced by the Liberals, address the government's budget deficit, tackle a housing crisis and crack down on crime. The carbon tax is due to go up again on April 1 and Trudeau reiterated the government would not heed calls from some provincial premiers to freeze the increase. "I entered politics not to be popular, not for personal reasons, (but) because I want to serve and I know I have something to offer," he said. Last year, Trudeau and his wife Sophie announced they were separating after 18 years of marriage. (Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Nick Zieminski and Rosalba O'Brien) AMSTERDAM/PARIS (Reuters) -The Dutch government on Friday said it had picked French defence company Naval Group to build four new submarines in coming decades in a deal seen by politicians as a potential lifeline for the shipbuilding industry and a boon for France three years after Naval Group lost a key contract to build 12 submarines for Australia. The first two submarines would be operational within the next 10 years, junior defence minister Christophe van der Maat said. He did not specify the exact value of the multi-billion euro contract. The submarines will be of a size to both operate in shallow waters and take part in missions far from base. "The Barracuda family submarine will provide the Royal Netherlands Navy with extended leading edge capabilities satisfying the requirements set by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence," Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group said in a statement, welcoming news his group had been selected and saying the submarine programme would help the Netherlands' "strategic autonomy". The agreement still has to be approved by the Dutch parliament, where several parties voiced discontent over the choice for Naval following media reports about the decision. A group of lawmakers this week urged the government to rethink and opt for a consortium of Swedish defence company Saab and Dutch shipbuilder Damen instead, saying that would benefit domestic industry more. Van der Maat said on Friday that Naval's bid would also create a lot of work for Dutch industry. "Not only during building, but also for maintenance. This decision is not only good for our navy and our security, but definitely also for Dutch companies," Van der Maat said. Earlier this month the Dutch government said it had largely granted the order to replace nearly its entire non-submarine fleet in the coming 15 years to Dutch industry, with large roles for Damen and the Dutch arm of French defence company Thales. (Reporting by Bart MeijerAdditional reporting by Dominique Vidalon in Paris, Editing by Sharon Singleton, Andrew Cawthorne and Frances Kerry) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijani Parliament has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, Trend reports. Chairperson of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova, at today's parliamentary meeting, proposed to send a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva on behalf of the Azerbaijani Parliament. The MPs supported the proposal with applause. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A person stands near a military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin camp, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 12, 2024. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo By Andrew Gray and John Irish BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - The European Union is close to agreeing sanctions on Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank after Hungary signalled an end to its opposition, European diplomats said on Friday. While much international attention has focused on Hamas's cross-border assault from Gaza and Israel's subsequent war there, European officials have also expressed increasing concern about rising violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. But the EU's 27 member countries have struggled to agree sanctions against those responsible, even after the United States and Britain imposed such measures. Some EU members close to Israel, such as Germany and Austria, had said they were ready to approve sanctions on violent settlers after more had been imposed on Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. Hungary, a staunch ally of the Israeli government, had been the most vociferous opposing sanctions on settlers. But diplomats said Budapest had now allowed proposed sanctions to pass through the EU system. Some said the sanctions could be approved by EU foreign ministers on Monday but others said more time would be needed. "Theres an agreement on working group level," said one diplomat. "The context in the region has worsened," said another, citing a possible reason for Hungary reversing its opposition. Hungarian officials at the foreign ministry were not immediately available for comment. The struggle over the proposed sanctions reflects broader divisions on the Middle East, with some EU countries strongly backing Israel while others lean more towards the Palestinians. The proposals initially under discussion focused on imposing sanctions on around a dozen people or organisations, according to diplomats. The EU has not spelled out what the sanctions would entail but officials have said they would include bans on travel to the EU. "It will probably be fewer than a dozen now after negotiations, but that's ok as the important thing is to do it now," the second diplomat said. The EU has already imposed sanctions on Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks and diplomats say more are in the pipeline. (Reporting by Andrew Gray and John Irish; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) FILE PHOTO: A portrait of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is placed amid flowers at his grave the day after the funeral at the Borisovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, March 2, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - The European Union is set to agree sanctions on several people seen as involved in the mistreatment and death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in an Arctic penal colony, three diplomats said on Friday. EU foreign ministers are likely to endorse the sanctions on Monday, the day after the end of a three-day Russian election that is almost certain to hand President Vladimir Putin six more years at the helm of the world's biggest nuclear power. Having survived a poisoning attempt in 2020, Navalny, who was 47 and Putin's most prominent critic when he died a month ago, was serving sentences of over 30 years on fraud, extremism and other charges that he said were trumped up to silence him. Russian authorities issued a death certificate stating that he died of natural causes. Navalny's followers believe he was killed by the authorities, which the Kremlin denies. Eight European countries initially wrote to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in February asking for sanctions on Russian prosecutors, courts and penitentiary officials over Navalny's death. "I think you will see political agreement when it comes to sanctions against persons that were involved in the death of Navalny," one senior EU diplomat told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the topic's sensitivity. Two other diplomats also said they expected a political decision by the ministers although for technical reasons the measures would not be legally adopted until a later date. (Reporting by Andrew Gray and John Irish; editing by Mark Heinrich) By Jorgelina do Rosario and Karin Strohecker LONDON (Reuters) -Ukraine's overseas bondholders are in talks to form a creditor committee ahead of debt rework talks with the country, according to four people with direct knowledge of the discussions. Time is of the essence for Ukraine to secure a restructuring before a two-year payment freeze agreed by holders of its $20 billion of outstanding international bonds ends in August. A formal group could kick off talks ahead of the International Monetary Fund's spring meetings, two sources said, which are scheduled to start on April 17 in Washington. Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 has shattered Ukraine's economy and finances, forcing it into a debt freeze to avoid a sovereign default. This would be the first effort to formalize debt talks between private bondholders and the country. A formal group would be able to engage with the government to hold detailed discussions and exchange concrete proposal, involving privileged information. The current push to get creditors together is coming from a number of sides, according to the sources. Ukraine's debt management office has reached out to some investors in an effort to get them organised as a creditor group, the sources said. Weil, the law firm that advised creditors on the nation's 2015 restructuring and on the payment pause, has also reached out to some of the country's largest creditors to prepare for debt talks, according to four sources, who asked not to be named because the talks are private. The creditor committee is expected to include eight to 12 large asset managers, one of the sources said. Weil did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Ukraine's DMO said authorities had never stopped exchanging opinions with the market on debt strategy and sustainability. "We keep collecting the feedback from investors on the approaches towards the commercial debt treatment in line with the intention we publicly announced a year ago," the spokesperson said. RUSSIA'S FROZEN ASSETS The war-torn economy has been sounding out major investors since late 2023 over plans to restructure the country's international debt and the possibility of raising fresh financing, as previously reported by Reuters. But so far discussions have only been held informally. What a restructuring could look like is unclear as it involves an economy engulfed in a war whose outlook, fiscal position and ability to pay back its debt remain highly uncertain. Some bondholders are hoping to emerge from a debt rework with new bonds that would deliver interest payments from the start, according to two of the sources. However, paying foreign bondholders might be unpalatable for Kyiv which is struggling to shore up its finances to keep the country afloat. In addition to issuing bonds as part of the rework, Ukraine could raise fresh financing by selling collateralized and guaranteed bonds. These could see Ukraine's international partners - either multilateral lenders or individual countries - provide collateral for the new bonds, akin to the so-called Brady bonds issued by Latin American countries in the late 1980s that were backed by U.S. Treasuries. The debt talks will unfold as Western officials are weighing confiscating some of the $300 billion-$350 billion worth of frozen Russian assets to help support Ukraine, but how it will be done remains highly complex given it would set a contested precedent. The reserves locked in the European Union - essentially bonds and other types of securities in which the Russian central bank had invested - are held in a Brussels-based depository called Euroclear. S&P Global Ratings said last week it expected the country to complete a debt restructuring with private creditors by the middle of this year, as it cut the country's rating deeper into junk territory. (Reporting by Jorgelina do Rosario and Karin Strohecker, editing by Elisa Martinuzzi and Toby Chopra) FILE PHOTO: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures while standing in front of his house before testifying to the Federal Police in Brasilia, Brazil, February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo By Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardo Brito BRASILIA (Reuters) - The former commanders of Brazil's Army and Air Force told police investigators that President Jair Bolsonaro summoned them twice to meetings to discuss a possible coup d'etat after his election defeat in 2022, according to their testimonies released on Friday by the Supreme Court. Their accounts place Bolsonaro at the center of a plot to declare martial law and stop leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva coming to power after he won the election that year. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, Bolsonaro has denied attempting a coup in the days after his election defeat, which he never conceded. He left for the United States to avoid handing the presidential sash to Lula. Days later, his supporters stormed government buildings trying to provoke a coup. Bolsonaro's lawyers did not immediately reply to requests for comment. In their depositions, former Army commander Marco Antonio Freire Gomes and Air Force commander Carlos de Almeida Baptista said they both told Bolsonaro they would not support a coup, defusing any military backing for the then-president's plans. Both military chiefs implicated Navy commander Almir Garnier Santos in the coup plans. In several meetings, they said, the admiral said the Navy was ready to back Bolsonaro in a military uprising. Garnier Santos has not spoken publicly about the investigation carried out by the Federal Police under instructions from the Supreme Court. Beyond the two military commanders, police have depositions by three other witnesses who directly implicate Bolsonaro as the main conspirator behind the attempted coup, a police source told Reuters. The investigation will detail a chronology of Bolsonaro's attempts to organize a coup with members of his government, including active and retired military officers, said the source who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case. The military commanders said the meetings with Bolsonaro took place in the presidential residence. Freire Gomes said in his deposition that Bolsonaro presented a draft decree for declaring a state of siege. The retired general said it was the same draft text found by police on the computer of Bolsonaro aide Mauro Cid, who is under arrest and has entered a plea bargain with the authorities. The two commanders were called to a third meeting with then Defense Minister Paulo Sergio Nogueira to discuss the draft decree. They testified that when they asked the minister if the text implied that president-elect Lula would be barred from taking office, Nogueira did not answer. They then refused to consider the text of the decree. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardobrito; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Rescuers work at a site of a residential area hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine March 15, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer By Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - The Group of Seven (G7) industrialised powers told Iran on Friday not to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia to use in its conflict with Ukraine, warning that they would take action against Tehran if it did so. "Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran," the G7 leaders said in a statement. Iran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, sources told Reuters last month, deepening the military cooperation between the two countries, which are both under U.S. sanctions. The G7 statement did not say whether it believed Russia had already received Iranian missiles, suggesting that Tehran was still reviewing the possibility. "We are extremely concerned about reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology," the statement said. "We call on Iran not to do so, as it would add to regional destabilization and represent a substantive material escalation in its support for Russia's war in Ukraine," the G7 said, adding that Tehran had already provided Russia with drones that it had used against civilians. The G7 group of major Western democracies is currently chaired by Italy and also includes the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France and Canada. The statement came as the European Union is also considering measures against Iran for arming Russia, Reuters reported this week. (Reporting by Angelo Amante and John Irish; Editing by Crispian Balmer) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reads a statement as he meets French President Emmanuel Macron, in Ramallah, West Bank, October 24, 2023. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -The Islamist group Hamas on Friday criticized the "unilateral" designation by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of an ally and leading business figure as prime minister with a mandate to help reform the Palestinian Authority (PA) and rebuild Gaza. Mohammad Mustafa's appointment comes after mounting pressure to overhaul the governing body of the occupied Palestinian territories and improve governance in the occupied West Bank where it is based. Hamas said the decision was taken without consulting it despite recently taking part in a meeting in Moscow also attended by Abbas' Fatah movement to end long-time divisions weakening Palestinian political aspirations. "We express our rejection of continuing this approach that has inflicted and continues to inflict harm on our people and our national cause," Hamas said in a statement. "Making individual decisions and engaging in superficial and empty steps such as forming a new government without national consensus only reinforces a policy of unilateralism and deepens division." At a time of war with Israel, Palestinians needed a unified leadership preparing for free democratic elections involving all components of their society, it added. In the West Bank, Fatah fired back at Hamas' criticism of Abbas, blaming it for what had befallen Gaza since it unilaterally carried out "the Oct7 adventure." "Has Hamas consulted the Palestinian leadership as it is negotiating with Israel now and offering the concessions, in a bid to secure guarantees of its leaders' personal safety in return?" said the Fatah statement. FOREIGN DEMANDS As president, Abbas remains by far the most powerful figure in the Palestinian Authority, but the appointment of a new government showed willingness to meet international demands for change in the administration. Mustafa, who helped organise the reconstruction of Gaza following a previous conflict, was assigned to lead the relief and rebuilding of the area, which has been shattered by more than five months of war, and reform Palestinian Authority institutions, according to the designation letter. He replaces former Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh who, along with his government, resigned in February. Arab and international efforts have so far failed to reconcile Hamas and Fatah, which makes up the backbone of the PA, since the Hamas 2007 take over of Gaza, a move that reduced Abbas's authority to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Palestinians want both territories as the core of a future independent state. Hamas said any attempt to exclude it from the political scene after the war was "delusional." In a recent warning, a security official told a Hamas-linked news website that attempts by clans or community leaders to cooperate with Israel's plans to administer Gaza would be seen as "treason" and met with an "iron fist." But the group denied media reports it killed some local clan leaders in recent days for meddling with aid distribution. (Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) By Samia Nakhoul, Parisa Hafezi and Laila Bassam DUBAI (Reuters) -With ally Hamas under attack in Gaza, the head of Iran's Quds Force visited Beirut in February to discuss the risk posed if Israel next aims at Lebanon's Hezbollah, an offensive that could severely hurt Tehran's main regional partner, seven sources said. In Beirut, Quds chief Esmail Qaani met Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the sources said, for at least the third time since Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel and Israel's devastating retaliatory assault on Gaza. The conversation turned to the possibility of a full Israeli offensive to its north, in Lebanon, the sources said. As well as damaging the Shi'ite Islamist group, such an escalation could pressure Iran to react more forcefully than it has so far since Oct. 7, three of the sources, Iranians within the inner circle of power, said. Over the past five months, Hezbollah, a sworn enemy of Israel, has shown support for Hamas in the form of limited volleys of rockets fired across Israel's northern border. At the previously unreported meeting, Nasrallah reassured Qaani he didn't want Iran to get sucked into a war with Israel or the United States and that Hezbollah would fight on its own, all the sources said. "This is our fight," Nasrallah told Qaani, said one Iranian source with knowledge of the discussions. Calibrated to avoid a major escalation, the skirmishes in Lebanon have nonetheless pushed tens of thousands of people from their homes either side of the border. Israeli strikes have killed more than 200 Hezbollah fighters and some 50 civilians in Lebanon, while attacks from Lebanon into Israel have killed a dozen Israeli soldiers and six civilians. In recent days, Israel's counter-strikes have increased in intensity and reach, fuelling fears the violence could spin out of control even if negotiators achieve a temporary truce in Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant indicated in February that Israel planned to increase attacks to decisively remove Hezbollah fighters from the border in the event of a Gaza ceasefire, although he left the door open for diplomacy. In 2006, Israel fought a short but intense air and ground war with Hezbollah that was devastating for Lebanon. Israeli security sources have said previously that Israel did not seek any spread of hostilities but added that the country was prepared to fight on new fronts if needed. An all-our war on its northern border would stretch Israels military resources. Iran and Hezbollah are mindful of the grave perils of a wider war in Lebanon, two of the sources aligned with the views of the government in Tehran said, including the danger it could spread and lead to strikes on Iran's nuclear installations. The U.S. lists Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and has sought for years to rein in Tehran's nuclear program. Israel has long considered Iran an existential threat. Iran denies it is seeking a nuclear weapon. For this story, Reuters spoke to four Iranian and two regional sources, along with a Lebanese source who confirmed the thrust of the meeting. Two U.S. sources and an Israeli source said Iran wanted to avoid blowback from a Israel-Hezbollah war. All requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The U.S. State Department, Israel's government, Tehran and Hezbollah did not respond to requests for comment. The Beirut meeting highlights strain on Iran's strategy of avoiding major escalation in the region while projecting strength and support for Gaza across the Middle East through allied armed groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, analysts said. Qaani and Nasrallah "want to further insulate Iran from the consequences of supporting an array of proxy actors throughout the Middle East." said Jon Alterman of Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, responding to a question about the meeting. "Probably because they assess that the possibility of military action in Lebanon is increasing and not decreasing." Already, Tehran's carefully-nurtured influence in the region is being curtailed, including by Israel's offensive against Hamas along with potential U.S.-Saudi defence and Israel-Saudi normalisation agreements, as well as U.S. warnings that Iran should not get involved in the Hamas-Israel conflict. IN ISRAEL'S SIGHTS Qaani and Nasrallah between them hold sway over tens of thousands of fighters and a vast arsenal of rockets and missiles. They are main protagonists in Tehran's network of allies and proxy militias, with Qaani's elite Quds Force acting as the foreign legion of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. While Hezbollah has publicly indicated it would halt attacks on Israel when the Israeli offensive in Gaza stops, U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein said last week a Gaza truce would not automatically trigger calm in southern Lebanon. Arab and Western diplomats report that Israel has expressed strong determination to no longer allow the presence of Hezbollah's main fighters along the border, fearing an attack similar to Hamas' incursion that killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages. Israel's retaliatory assault in Gaza has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and laid waste to the coastal enclave. "If there is a ceasefire in (Gaza), there are two schools of thought in Israel and my impression is that the one that would recommend continuing the war on the border with Hezbollah is the stronger one," said Sima Shine, a former Israeli intelligence official who is currently head of the Iran program at the Institute for National Security Studies: A senior Israeli official agreed that Iran was not seeking a full-blown war, noting Tehran's restrained response to Israel's offensive on Hamas. "It seems that they feel they face a credible military threat. But that threat may need to become more credible," the official said. Washington, via Hochstein, and France have been working on diplomatic proposals that would move Hezbollah fighters from the border area in line with U.N. resolution 1701 that helped end the 2006 war, but a deal remains elusive. "FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE" A war in Lebanon that seriously degrades Hezbollah would be a major blow for Iran, which relies on the group founded with its support in 1982 as a bulwark against Israel and to buttress its interests in the broader region, two regional sources said. "Hezbollah is in fact the first line of defense for Iran," said Abdulghani Al-Iryani, a senior researcher at the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies, a think tank in Yemen. If Israel were to launch major military action on Hezbollah, the Iranian sources within the inner circle of power said, Tehran may find itself compelled to intensify its proxy war. An Iranian security official acknowledged however that the costs of such an escalation could be prohibitively high for Iran's allied groups. Direct involvement by Iran, he added, could serve Israel's interests and provide justification for the continued presence of U.S. troops in the region. Given Tehran's extensive, decades-long ties with Hezbollah, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to put distance between them, one U.S. official said. Since the Hamas attack on Israel, Iran has given its blessing to actions in support of its ally in Gaza: including attacks by Iraqi groups on U.S. interests. It has also supplied intelligence and weapons for Houthi operations against shipping in the Red Sea. But it has stopped well short of an unfettered multi-front war on Israel that, three Palestinian sources said, Hamas had expected Iran to support after Oct. 7. Before the Beirut encounter with Nasrallah, Qaani chaired a two-day meeting in Iran in early February along with militia commanders of operations in Yemen, Iraq and Syria, three Hezbollah representatives and a Houthi delegation, one Iranian official said. Revolutionary Guard's Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami was also present, the official said. Hamas did not attend. "At the end, all the participants agreed that Israel wanted to expand the war and falling in that trap should be avoided as it will justify the presence of more U.S. troops in the region, the official said. Shortly after, Qaani engineered a pause in attacks by the Iraqi groups. So far, Hezbollah has kept its tit-for-tat responses within what observers have called unwritten rules of engagement with Israel. Despite decades of proxy conflict since Iran's 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic has never directly fought in a war with Israel, and all four Iranian sources said there was no appetite for that to change. According to the Iranian insider, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not inclined to see a war unfold on Iran, where domestic discontent with the ruling system last year spilled over into mass protests. "The Iranians are pragmatists and they are afraid of the expansion of the war," said Iryani. "If Israel were alone, they would fight, but they know that if the war expands, the United States will be drawn in." (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai and Laila Bassam in Beirut; Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad, Arshad Mohammed and Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Dan Willimas and James Mackeenzie in Jerusalem; Writing by Samia Nakhoul; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel) Students and supporters of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) take part in a protest rally against a new citizenship law, in Kochi, India, March 12, 2024. REUTERS/Sivaram V/File Photo NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Comments by the United States expressing concern about India's implementation of a contentious citizenship law based on religion are "misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted", the foreign ministry of the South Asian nation said on Friday. India's move this week sparked sporadic protests, with critics, including Muslims groups and opposition parties, saying the law was discriminatory and undermined the country's secular constitution. In a statement, the U.S. State Department said it was "concerned" about the notification of the law, citing "respect for religious freedom and equal treatment" as a fundamental democratic principle. "We are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted," Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India's Foreign Ministry, said on Friday, in response to the U.S. statement. "Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of Indias pluralistic traditions and the regions post-partition history are best not attempted," he added. The reference was to the colonial-era division of the subcontinent at the time of independence from Britain in 1947. There were no grounds for concern about the treatment of minorities, Jaiswal said, adding, "Votebank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress." The Indian law provides a fast-track for citizenship to persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who have fled to India from neighbouring countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has earlier defended the law, known as the Citizenship Amendment Act, saying it will benefit the victims of years of such persecution in India's neighbours. In addition to the United States, the United Nations expressed concern about the law's implementation, which comes ahead of general elections due by May at which Modi will seek a rare third term. (Reporting by Krishn Kaushik; Writing by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by YP Rajesh and Clarence Fernandez) CAIRO (Reuters) -A Marshall Islands-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker reported two explosions near the ship as it travelled off the coast of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, the third merchant vessel attack of the past 48 hours, British security firm Ambrey said on Friday. The crew from the ship involved in the latest Red Sea incident was U.S.-owned until recently, Ambrey said. The Master of a merchant vessel located in a similar area reported an explosion a distance off the vessel's starboard beam, according to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations(UKTMO). Reuters was not immediately able to verify if the same ship was the subject of the two reports. Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen have repeatedly launched drones and missiles against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November in professed solidarity with Palestinians against Israel's war in Gaza. Their attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to take longer and more expensive journeys around the southern end of Africa. There was no damage or crew injuries reported to ships involved in the earlier attacks. The United States and Britain have carried out strikes against Houthi targets in response to the attacks on shipping. Late on Thursday, the U.S. military said Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden, and to the north, two missiles toward the Red Sea, but there were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. The U.S. military's Central Command said early on Friday it destroyed nine anti-ship missiles and two drones in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. (Reporting by Muhammad Al Gebaly, Ahmed Elimam, Clauda Tanios, Enas Alashray, Ahmed Tolba and Lisa Baertlein; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Gerry Doyle, Michael Perry, Alex Richardson and David Gregorio) James Crumbley enters the Oakland County Courtroom in Michigan, U.S., March 13, 2024 during his trial on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the four students killed in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting perpetrated by his son Ethan Crumbley. M By Brad Brooks (Reuters) - A Michigan jury on Thursday convicted the father of a teenager who fatally shot four classmates at a high school near Detroit of manslaughter after prosecutors argued he bore responsibility because he and his wife gave their son a gun and ignored warning signs of violence. James Crumbley, 47, was found guilty in his trial, carried out a month after his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, was found guilty on manslaughter charges stemming from the shooting. James Crumbley faced four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the victims at Oxford High School in the 2021 shootings. Jurors began deliberating on Wednesday. Both James and Jennifer Crumbley will be sentenced on April 9. Manslaughter carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. The Crumbley's son, Ethan, was 15 at the time of the shooting at Oxford High School involving a semi-automatic handgun. He pleaded guilty in 2022 to four counts of first-degree murder and other charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December. The U.S., a country with persistent gun violence, has experienced a series of school shootings over the years, often carried out by current or former students. The Crumbleys were the first parents to be charged with manslaughter in a child's school shooting. "This is a very egregious and rare, rare set of facts," Oakland County, Michigan, prosecutor Karen McDonald told the jury during closing arguments on Wednesday. McDonald said James Crumbley repeatedly ignored warning signs that his son was deeply disturbed, did not get him the help he needed, and did not do enough to safely store the firearm in the family home. "He did nothing over and over and over again," McDonald said. McDonald also presented the jury with texts that Ethan Crumbley had sent to a friend and journal entries he had written in the months leading up to the shooting, in which he talked about wanting medical attention and hearing voices, but he was worried his parent would be "pissed." On one occasion, according to a text message to a friend, McDonald said that Ethan had asked James Crumbley to take him to the doctor, but his dad "gave me some pills and told me to suck it up." Defense attorney Mariell Lehman argued that James Crumbley could not have possibly foreseen that his son would carry out a mass shooting. "James had no idea that his son was having a hard time," Lehman told jurors during her closing argument, saying no evidence had been presented that James knew the contents of his son's text messages or journal. 'HELP ME' Gun safety experts have said they hope the Crumbley trials serve as a wake-up call for parents to better secure weapons in their homes. About 75% of school shooters obtained the guns used in attacks from their own homes, according to government research. According to prosecutors, James Crumbley purchased the handgun used in the attack four days before the Nov. 30, 2021, shootings. On the morning of the shootings, a teacher discovered drawings by Ethan Crumbley that depicted a handgun, a bullet and a bleeding figure next to the words "Blood everywhere," "My life is useless," and "The thoughts won't stop - help me." The Crumbleys, summoned to the school that morning, were told that Ethan needed counseling and they needed to take him home, according to prosecutors. But the couple resisted taking their son home and did not search his backpack or ask him about the gun, prosecutors said. Both of the Crumbleys challenged that account in their trials, saying that teachers in the meeting mutually agreed that Ethan could remain in school that day, and that at no point did they think he posed a danger to fellow students. Ethan Crumbley was returned to class and later walked out of a bathroom with the gun and began firing, according to prosecutors. (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Longmont, Colorado; editing by Donna Bryson and Leslie Adler) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The Minsk Group has extended the Armenian occupation of Karabakh, Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. "The Minsk Group is to blame for the decades-long Armenian occupation of Karabakh. But after the Second Karabakh War and anti-terrorist measures, justice was eventually served," he said. The minister noted that immediately after the II Karabakh War in 2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev expressed a very far-sighted hope for peace by proposing the establishment of a regional mechanism of six states - Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Iran, and Georgia. "The foundation of this approach is the belief that our region's nations, not foreigners, can open the path to more peace and stability. As of right now, the platform known as 3+3 has convened twice in fast succession," Hakan Fidan added. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries as well as prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from over 70 countries. The Forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the results of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building sustainability in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, will discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, will touch upon conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel FILE PHOTO: A North Korean defector and his children stand in front of a barbed wire fence near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, February 12, 2021, on the occasion of Seolnal, the Korean Lunar New Year's day. REUTERS/Kim Hong-J By Emma Farge and Cecile Mantovani GENEVA (Reuters) - North Koreans defectors spoke at a U.N. event in Geneva on Friday to expose human rights violations in a country one of them described as "hell" and to advocate for a strengthened U.N. mandate to investigate and document them. The defectors came to the U.N. in Geneva where diplomats say the U.N. Human Rights Council will consider an EU-led motion to boost scrutiny by providing an update to a landmark 2014 report that found grave abuses constituting crimes against humanity. Kim, a 33-year-old escapee who asked not to give his full name to protect those who remain, prepared his escape for 15 years and fled to South Korea by boat last year. He took with him his pregnant wife and his father's ashes because he was afraid he would be punished as a traitor for escaping by disinterring his father's grave. He told the U.N. meeting that authorities harassed him and confiscated his food and had barely enough to survive after COVID-19 era restrictions came in. "I was so angry that I couldn't do anything in this country. I couldn't live in this hell," Kim told Reuters on the sidelines. "I stood on this stage with a hope that the North Korean government will allow my family and friends still living there to live a slightly more comfortable life." Another defector Kyu Li Kim who escaped by swimming across the Tumen River to China in 1997 said she was worried that her sister might die after being arrested and sent back to North Korea from China last year. "In 2003, my brother passed away in jail from starvation and severe punishment. I don't want my sister to die as my brother did," she told the meeting, saying they had lost all contact. North Korea has rejected accusations of rights abuses and criticised U.N. investigations as a U.S.-backed scheme to interfere with its internal affairs. Human Rights Watch, which is one of 20 civil society groups calling for a new U.N. report, says that China has recently forcibly returned some 500 people who had escaped North Korea and warned that they were at risk of being put in forced labour camps or even execution. U.S. ambassador Michele Taylor who attended the meeting pledged support to the North Korean defectors: "I, for one, promise that I will use my voice to ensure that it was not without reason that you spoke today and that your pleas for help are amplified." She also called on China to uphold its legal obligations. China said in October that there were no North Korean defectors in the country and that it had handled those who had entered illegally for economic reasons according to law. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Toby Chopra) FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. October 28, 2023. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/FILE PHOTO By Tim Reid WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mike Pence, who served as Donald Trump's vice president for four years, said on Friday he will not endorse his former boss ahead of November's U.S. presidential election. Pence, who ended his own 2024 presidential campaign amid dismal opinion poll numbers, told Fox News: "It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year." Trump this week won enough delegates to mathematically clinch the Republican nomination and will face a general election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden on Nov. 5. Pence served Trump loyally but publicly broke with the former Republican president over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. On that day, Pence, who as vice president held the ceremonial role of president of the U.S. Senate, was overseeing the certification of Biden's 2020 election win over Trump. He refused Trump's instructions to delay or halt the certification, drawing an angry rebuke from Trump during the riot. Some rioters shouted, "Hang Mike Pence." Pence said during his presidential campaign that his life was put in danger that day, and he urged Republican primary voters not to choose Trump as their White House candidate this year. Pence ended his bid for the Republican nomination in October before any primary votes were cast. (Reporting by Tim Reid in Washington; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Nia Williams) FILE PHOTO: A supporter of jailed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko reacts during an electoral campaign caravan to support the detained presidential election candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who Sonko picked to replace him in the race, in the out By Bate Felix and Ngouda Dione DAKAR (Reuters) -Senegalese opposition firebrand Ousmane Sonko and the presidential candidate he is backing in the March 24 election, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison on Thursday, state broadcaster RTS said on its website. Their release had been expected after parliament passed an amnesty law on March 6 as the authorities sought to ease tensions following their thwarted bid to postpone the vote by 10 months. RTS did not give further details, and it was not immediately clear where the pair were after their release. Thousands of supporters massed in Dakar, the capital, to celebrate the news, chanting Sonko's name on the gridlocked street where he lives. Some lit flares, danced or tooted their motorbike and car horns. "We've been waiting for this day for so long. Prayed for it," said health worker Fatima, 52, who gave only her first name. She had rushed to join the crowd when she heard Sonko and Faye were free. "I believe Sonko can change the country," she said. Sonko has called on his supporters to back Faye in the presidential race, a concern for competitors as Sonko enjoys widespread support, particularly among young people frustrated with economic hardships and a lack of jobs in the West African country of 17 million. Members of Sonko's dissolved Pastef party and other parties formed a coalition and picked Faye as a candidate in November. Sonko himself was disqualified over a defamation conviction he said was politically motivated, which authorities deny. Faye, who previously was relatively unknown but also in detention, remains eligible because there has been no ruling as yet against him linked to charges including defamation and contempt of court. There are no public election opinion polls in Senegal, but Faye is seen as a strong contender among the 19 candidates vying to succeed President Macky Sall, who is stepping down after two terms. Earlier on Thursday, the head of Amnesty International Senegal, Seydi Gassama, said authorities had sought to limit Faye's electoral chances by keeping him in prison, seeing him as the main threat to the ruling coalition's candidate, Amadou Ba. "It's really regrettable that we're at this point because ... it shows that we're not ready to organise a free and democratic election," Gassama told Reuters ahead of Sonko and Faye's release. (Reporting by Bate Felix and Ngouda Dione; Additional reporting by Zohra Bensemra, Sofia Christensen and Diadie Ba; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Chris Reese, Leslie Adler and Tom Hogue) DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegal's Supreme Court on Friday rejected a bid by one of the main opposition parties to halt a presidential election on March 24, sparing the country from another constitutional crisis. The Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS) filed an urgent motion to freeze electoral procedures earlier this month, citing irregularities and alleged corruption it said led to the elimination of their candidate Karim Wade. The judge announcing the verdict declared the demand unfounded and said the Constitutional Council - the body that approves presidential candidates - had the legal authority to make the decisions it took. The Constitutional Council had rescheduled the vote to March after authorities unsuccessfully attempted to postpone it from February to December and then to June, sparking unrest and international condemnation of the usually democratic West African country. (Reporting by Bate Felix; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Christina Fincher) FILE PHOTO: The Tim logo is seen at its headquarters in Rome, Italy November 22, 2021. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia's (TIM) Chief Executive Pietro Labriola has warned investors the company could need to raise billions in capital if the planned sale of its network to U.S. fund KKR collapsed, two sources briefed on the matter said. Labriola met a few dozen investors in Milan on Friday after presenting a new three-year strategy last week for the company set to emerge from the fixed network divestment. The TIM CEO will meet other investors in London on Monday. Labriola told the meetings TIM expected to gain necessary approvals to complete the sale to KKR this summer as repeatedly indicated, the sources told Reuters, requesting anonymity as the meetings were confidential. Asked about what would happen if the KKR deal fell through, Labriola said cash-burning, debt-laden TIM would need to reduce spending drastically or seek fresh capital to sustain planned investments, the sources said. TIM shares recorded their sharpest fall on record following the plan's unveiling as investors fretted about debt rising further in the short term and the new company not generating cash before 2026, despite projected robust core profit growth. The market reaction piles pressure on Labriola ahead of a shareholder vote next month over whether to hand him another mandate. Backed by the Italian government and worth up to 22 billion euros, the network deal is opposed by TIM's top investor Vivendi, which has questioned the sustainability of the remaining business. With its 24% stake, Vivendi could stand in the way of Labriola's reappointment if an alternative slate of board candidates emerged ahead of the April AGM. Any successor to Labriola would still need to finalise the KKR deal, or else expose TIM to penalties under the accord it sealed with the U.S. fund, one of the sources said. (Reporting by Elvira Pollina and Elisa Anzolin; Editing by Valentina Za) FILE PHOTO: People dressed in Japanese imperial military uniform and carrying Japan's Rising Sun flag visit the Yasukuni Shrine on the 78th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two in Tokyo, Japan, August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Pho By Yukiko Toyoda TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Yasukuni Shrine has picked a former military commander as its chief priest, in a move that could stir controversy over a site that other Asian nations see as a symbol of Japan's wartime aggression. The shrine on Friday named Umio Otsuka, a former Maritime Self Defense Force (SDF) commander and one-time ambassador to Djibouti, as its new chief priest, marking the first time since 1978 that an ex-military official assumed the post. The last retired military officer appointed as chief priest, Nagayoshi Matsudaira, enshrined 14 prominent convicted war criminals alongside the 2.5 million war dead honoured at the shrine, including World War Two-era prime minister Hideki Tojo. "I feel very honoured that the next stage of my life will be to serve this shrine for peace, where the spirits of those who gave their precious lives for the country are commemorated and honoured," Otsuka, 63, told Reuters. Yasukuni means "peaceful country" in Japanese. Visits to the shrine by senior Japanese political figures have drawn criticism from countries such as South Korea, which was under Tokyo's colonial rule for 35 years, and China, which Japan invaded. Conservatives assert that Yasukuni, which was established in 1869 as Japan emerged from more than 250 years of isolation, is meant to commemorate all the nation's war dead and is not a shrine dedicated to those blamed for waging war on Japan's neighbours. Otsuka's appointment comes as Tokyo and Seoul deepen security cooperation with each other and their shared ally, the United States, in response to escalating regional threats from China, Russia and North Korea. No serving Japanese prime minister has visited the shrine since Shinzo Abe went in 2013, prompting an expression of disappointment by then-U.S. President Barrack Obama. (Reporting by Yukiko Toyoda; writing by Tim KellyEditing by Chang-Ran Kim and Michael Perry) FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Forum River Center in Rome, Georgia, U.S. March 9, 2024. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Donald Trump's criminal trial stemming from hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 U.S. election will start no earlier than April after the judge on Friday granted a 30-day delay due to the late disclosure of evidence to the former president. Justice Juan Merchan's decision to delay the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president marks another victory for Trump, who has sought to slow down proceedings in his various legal entanglements as he prepares to challenge President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S. election. The case in New York state court in Manhattan, which had been due to start on March 25, was the first of four criminal indictments brought against Trump last year. While none of the other three cases have firm trial dates, the delay to the New York trial could complicate scheduling the others. In a written ruling, Merchan did not announce a firm new trial date in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office. Instead, the judge will hold a hearing on March 25 after which he will potentially set a trial date even further into the future. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the New York case to 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide his former lawyer Michael Cohen's $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels for her silence about a sexual encounter she has said they had a decade earlier. Trump has denied having had any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The delay came after the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, who had previously investigated Cohen's payment to Daniels, this month disclosed more than 100,000 pages of documents related to Cohen in response to a subpoena from Trump's defense team. Trump's lawyers said they needed a 90-day delay to the trial to review the material. Bragg had consented to a 30-day delay. Bragg's office said on Friday many of the documents turned over by federal prosecutors were not relevant, and thus were not part of a request it made to the U.S. Attorney's office last year. But Trump's lawyers accused Bragg of seeking to prevent them from obtaining potentially damaging information about Cohen, who is expected to be a key prosecution witness at the trial. Merchan asked lawyers for both sides to provide him with a "detailed timeline" of their efforts to get documents from federal prosecutors. "The requested documents are necessary for the court to properly assess who, if anyone, is at fault for the late production of the documents," Merchan wrote. Trump's lawyers have argued that Cohen paid off Daniels to spare Trump's family embarrassment, not to protect his electoral prospects as state prosecutors have alleged. They said some of the material included in the late disclosure showed Trump did not commit crimes. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal charges of violating campaign finance law through the payment to Daniels. Trump also faces three other federal and state criminal indictments, including two stemming from his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden, as well as one tied to his handling of sensitive government documents after leaving office in 2021. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Trump's legal issues thus far have not harmed his bid to regain the presidency. He clinched the Republican nomination this week. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York, editing by Scott Malone and Deepa Babington) FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he hosts a campaign rally at the Forum River Center in Rome, Georgia, U.S. March 9, 2024. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donald Trump on Friday accused the New York prosecutors who charged him with crimes stemming from hush money paid to a porn star of trying to obstruct his access to damaging information about his former lawyer Michael Cohen, a key witness in the case. The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president has been scheduled for March 25. That timing was thrown into question when the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said on Thursday it would not oppose a 30-day delay due to late disclosure of evidence from federal prosecutors. The district attorney's office blamed the delay on Trump, who is seeking to regain the presidency this year. Trump on Jan. 18 subpoenaed the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan office for additional information about Cohen, who in 2018 pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance charges over the payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 U.S. election. Trump has requested that the trial be delayed by 90 days or that the indictment be dismissed altogether. In a court filing made public on Friday, his lawyers asked Justice Juan Merchan to hold a hearing during the week of March 25 to discuss the timing of the trial. They accused Bragg of obstructing "Trump's access to discoverable information that we should be permitted to use to challenge the credibility of their star witness, Michael Cohen." They also said they subpoenaed federal prosecutors after failing to get documents directly from Cohen. Bragg's office opposed Trump's Oct. 17 subpoena to Cohen, calling the request "extraordinarily broad." Cohen also opposed it. Merchan on Dec. 18 ordered Cohen to comply with some of Trump's requests, but denied Trump's bid to get material such as Cohen's tax information and book publishing deals. Bragg's office has said it has fully complied with its obligations to hand over potentially useful evidence to Trump. In a separate filing on Friday, it said the bulk of the 73,000 pages federal prosecutors turned over to Trump between March 4 and March 8 were "irrelevant" to the case. "We understand that the vast majority of the forthcoming records, like the initial productions, are likely to be unrelated to the subject matter of this case," the district attorney's office wrote. Trump is accused of directing Cohen to pay Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, $130,000 for her to remain silent about a sexual encounter she has said they had a decade earlier, and then lying to cover it up. Trump, the Republican candidate challenging Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 U.S. election, has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts in the case, one of four indictments he faces. He also denies having had an encounter with Daniels. Cohen's testimony at trial is expected to be important to bolstering the prosecution case that Trump knew his payment to Daniels violated campaign finance law, and that he falsely recorded his reimbursement to Cohen as "legal expenses" in his real estate company's books to conceal that crime. Trump's defense lawyers have made clear they plan to challenge Cohen's credibility at trial. Any delay to the hush money trial could complicate efforts to schedule trials in Trump's three other criminal cases, which stem from his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden and his handling of sensitive government documents after leaving office in 2021. Trump also has pleaded not guilty in those cases. (Reporting by Luc Cohen; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone) FILE PHOTO: The logo of Nippon Steel Corporation is displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo May 1, 2019. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS/File Photo (Reuters) -U.S. Steel Corp said in a regulatory filing on Friday that the acquisition by Nippon Steel is expected to close later this year. The filing with exchanges comes at a time when the Japanese firm's $14.9-billion deal to buy the iconic 122-year-old U.S. steelmaker faces heightened scrutiny due to national security concerns. U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday expressed explicit opposition to the deal and said U.S. Steel must remain a domestically owned American firm. Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves said on Thursday he would consider another bid for U.S. Steel likely worth no more than $30 per share if the Nippon Steel deal falls apart. (Reporting by Pratyush Thakur in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta Agarwal and Shounak Dasgupta) A sign marks a rendezvous location for Lyft and Uber users at San Diego State University in San Diego, California, U.S., May 13, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo (Reuters) - Uber Technologies and Lyft said on Friday they will stop operations in Minneapolis starting May 1 after the city's council paved the path for rideshare drivers to be paid a minimum wage. The council voted 10-3 to override Mayor Jacob Frey's veto, ensuring rideshare drivers in the city are paid $15.57 an hour. "We are disappointed the Council chose to ignore the data and kick Uber out of the Twin Cities, putting 10,000 people out of work and leaving many stranded," Uber said. Meanwhile, smaller rival Lyft, calling the bill "deeply-flawed", said it hopes to return to Minneapolis as it advocates for a statewide solution in Minnesota. This comes after rideshare and delivery drivers staged a protest on Valentine's Day this year demanding fair pay and working conditions. The New York Attorney General's office said in November that Uber will pay $290 million and Lyft will pay $38 million to resolve a multi-year investigation into the companies, calling it the largest wage theft settlement in her office's history. A study by the Minnesota state's Department of Labor and Industry published last week said the companies are unlikely to hike prices to levels that would significantly reduce consumer demand and commissions, adding that such an outcome was unlikely. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a visit to the country to participate in the 9th trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend. At the meeting, ministers discussed the future of bilateral relations between the two countries and the prevailing regional situation. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted the positive momentum in Azerbaijani-Turkish relations, characterized by brotherhood and friendship, culminating in the signing of the Shusha Declaration, which solidified allied ties. He emphasized that these bilateral relations extend to both regional and international platforms, bolstering mutual support and solidarity. Additionally, he provided a comprehensive overview of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, underscoring Azerbaijan's commitment to advancing it despite existing challenges. Confidence was expressed in the belief that the normalization of relations would foster regional peace and security. The Azerbaijani minister also addressed preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan this year. He emphasized that COP29 presents fresh opportunities for collaboration. Minister Hakan Fidan expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and the successful organization of the 9th trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye. He conveyed confidence that the Baku Declaration would enhance regional cooperation. Hakan Fidan wished Azerbaijan success during its chairmanship of COP29 and reiterated Turkey's willingness to cooperate with Azerbaijan within the framework of this event. Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Max Hunder and Anastasiia Malenko KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine urged Global South countries on Friday to do more to prevent their citizens from being recruited to fight for Russia in its war on Ukraine, presenting to the public what it said were eight prisoners of war from such countries. Those people included five men from Nepal, and one each from Cuba, Somalia and Sierra Leone, according to Petro Yatsenko, a representative at the Ukrainian government's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. "By showing these citizens who are captured, we are saying that perhaps it is necessary to use more radical, more effective steps so that tens, hundreds of these people won't be conned by agitators," he told reporters in Kyiv. "If we take a country with a low level of income per population, there is a high probability that some citizens of that country may be recruited by Russia and used as storm troopers, cannon fodder," Yatsenko said. Last week, India said it uncovered a major trafficking network which it said lured young men to take jobs in Russia before sending them to the front. In December, Nepal said it asked Moscow not to recruit its citizens into the Russian army and to send back any Nepali soldier serving there. The prisoners were presented in military uniforms, sat in two rows, at a news conference in central Kyiv. "As long as they aren't decreed by a court to be mercenaries, we are treating them in the same way we are treating other prisoners of war," Yatsenko added. He added that the number of foreigners fighting for Russia appeared to have risen as the flow from Russian prisons dropped. The Wagner group, a massive Russian private military group, recruited extensively from prisons before its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin staged a mutiny last year and subsequently died in a plane crash. Russia has not commented on allegations by Global South countries that it is recruiting their citizens to fight. Moscow frequently accuses Kyiv of also having "foreign mercenaries" on its side, a claim that Ukraine denies. (Reporting by Max Hunder and Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) (Reuters) -Ukraine attacked a small oil refinery in Russia's Kaluga region with drones early on Friday in an operation that was conducted by the GUR military spy agency, a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters. Ukraine was checking the extent of the damage at the facility, the source said. The Russian governor of the region said there had been no serious infrastructure damage or casualties. Kyiv has conducted a string of drone attacks on major Russian oil facilities in the last week, trying to target the lifeblood of the Russian economy more than two years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The privately owned Kaluga refinery, some 65 km (40 miles) from the outskirts of Moscow, is not one of Russia's important oil facilities. It says its primary processing unit's capacity is 1.2 million tons per year, roughly 24,000 barrels per day. Vladislav Shapsha, the Russian governor of Kaluga region, said earlier on the Telegram messenger app that air defences had shot down four drones in the area where the refinery is located and that there had been no infrastructure damage or casualties. He later said that four drones tried to attack one of the region's enterprises, causing no serious damage. One of the drones was shot down by air defence, while three others were jammed by radioelectronic warfare. "The enterprise continues its operations," he said without providing a name. There was no immediate comment from the company that owns the refinery. Reuters was unable to independently verify the statements. Ukraine has prioritised the production of long-range drones during its war with Russia to narrow the gap in strike capabilities as it faces a much larger foe with far more sophisticated weaponry. Ukraine's digital minister, who has championed the domestic drone industry, told Reuters in February that Ukraine planned to produce thousands of long-range drones this year for strikes in Russia. Moscow has used thousands of Iranian-made "Shahed" attack drones to bomb targets in Ukraine since the first year of the war, Ukrainian officials say. Two people were killed overnight in the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia when a residential building was struck during a Russian drone attack, Kyiv officials said. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Alison Williams and Alex Richardson) FILE PHOTO: Sudanese refugees gather as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams assist the war-wounded from West Darfur, Sudan, in Adre hospital, Chad, June 16, 2023 in this handout image. Courtesy of Mohammad Ghannam/MSF/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Nearly five million people in Sudan could suffer catastrophic hunger in parts of the war-torn country in the coming months, United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths warned the Security Council on Friday in a note seen by Reuters. Griffiths said acute levels of hunger were being driven by the severe impact of the conflict on agricultural production, damage to major infrastructure and livelihoods, disruptions to trade flows, severe price increases, impediments to humanitarian access and large-scale displacement. "Without urgent humanitarian assistance and access to basic commodities ... almost 5 million people could slip into catastrophic food insecurity in some parts of the country in the coming months," Griffiths wrote. He said it was likely that some people in West and Central Darfur would move into those famine conditions as security worsens and the lean season starts. Cross-border aid delivery from Chad to Darfur is a "critical lifeline," Griffiths said. Nearly 730,000 children throughout Sudan are projected to suffer severe acute malnutrition, including over 240,000 children in Darfur, Griffiths wrote. "An unprecedented surge in the treatment of severe wasting, the most lethal manifestation of malnutrition, is already being observed in accessible areas," Griffiths said. War erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The U.N. has said nearly 25 million people - half Sudan's population - need aid and some 8 million have fled their homes. The U.S. says the warring parties have committed war crimes. Under a 2018 Security Council resolution, the U.N. secretary-general is required to report to the 15-member body when there is a "risk of conflict-induced famine and widespread food insecurity in armed conflict." Since the start of the war in Sudan, Griffiths said, more than 1,000 aid access incidents had been recorded that had "adversely impacted humanitarian operations." He said 71% were due to conflict or intentional violence against humanitarian assets or aid workers. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Don Durfee and Bill Berkrot) FILE PHOTO: The United States Supreme Court building is seen as in Washington, U.S., October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court, addressing free speech rights in the digital age, decided on Friday that government officials can sometimes be sued under the Constitution's First Amendment for blocking critics on social media. In unanimous decisions in two cases from California and Michigan, the justices set a new standard for determining if public officials acted in a governmental capacity when blocking critics on social media - a test to be applied in lawsuits accusing them of violating the First Amendment. First Amendment protections for free speech generally constrain government actors, not private individuals. Under the new test, officials are considered to have engaged in governmental action if they had "actual authority to speak on behalf of the state on a particular matter" and "purported to exercise that authority in the relevant posts." The justices threw out decisions by lower courts in the two cases involving lawsuits brought under the First Amendment by people who were blocked after posting criticisms on the social media accounts of local officials. The justices directed the lower courts to revisit the cases based on the new standard. Blocking users is a function often employed on social media to stifle critics. The Supreme Court previously confronted the issue in 2021 in litigation over former President Donald Trump's effort to block critics on X, called Twitter at the time, but failed to decide the matter by deeming the case moot after he left office. Thomas Berry of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank that had filed a brief in the cases, praised how the justices on Friday navigated the competing interests at stake. "The court's approach strikes a reasonable balance between the general public's right to access official state communications and the rights of government officials to exercise their own private speech," Berry said. Evelyn Danforth-Scott of the ACLU, a civil rights advocacy group that supported both sets of plaintiffs in the cases, also welcomed the outcome. "It underscores that the First Amendment still restricts how the government can shape speech when that speech takes place on social media," Danforth-Scott said. "And it gives everyday Americans a way to hold officials constitutionally accountable when they censor social media content, restrict access to it, or improperly elevate certain viewpoints over others." FIRST AMENDMENT CLAIMS The plaintiffs in both cases claimed their First Amendment rights had been violated. In the California case, two public school board trustees from the city of Poway appealed a lower court's ruling in favor of parents who sued them after being blocked from the accounts of the officials on X and Facebook, which is owned by Meta Platforms. In the Michigan case, Port Huron resident Kevin Lindke appealed after a lower court ruled against his lawsuit challenging a city official who blocked him on Facebook. Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett authored the Supreme Court's Michigan case ruling. Its California ruling was unsigned. President Joe Biden's administration had sided with the officials in both cases. The California case involved Michelle O'Connor-Ratcliff and T.J. Zane, elected trustees of the Poway Unified School District. They blocked Christopher and Kimberly Garnier, the parents of three students at district schools, after the couple made hundreds of critical posts on issues including race and school finances. Zane and O'Connor-Ratcliff had public Facebook pages identifying them as government officials. The parents sued them in 2017. A federal judge ruled that the parents' First Amendment rights were violated. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed. In the Michigan case, Lindke sued in 2020 after City Manager James Freed blocked him from his public Facebook page following critical posts concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Freed's account also was a public Facebook page identifying him as a public figure. A federal judge ruled in favor of Freed. The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed. The justices are expected to issue rulings by the end of June in other important cases involving speech on social media. One involves a challenge to Republican-backed state laws limiting the ability of social media platforms to remove or moderate content deemed objectionable or misinformation. Another involves a bid to prevent Biden's administration from encouraging such content moderation. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) FILE PHOTO: The United States Supreme Court building is seen as in Washington, U.S., October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected an LGBT student group's bid to compel West Texas A&M University to allow a charity drag show on campus while a lawsuit accusing the school of violating free speech rights for barring the event plays out. The justices in an unsigned order denied a request by the LGBT student group, called Spectrum WT, to stop the school's president, Walter Wendler, from prohibiting the show that he deemed misogynistic and disparaging of women. The student group has argued that the school violated the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protections for freedom of speech. Spectrum WT in March 2023 sued officials at the university, located in Canyon, Texas, after Wendler barred the drag show planned for that month. Drag shows typically feature men dressed as women. Wendler, in explaining his decision, said such performances "stereotype women in cartoon-like extremes for the amusement of others and discriminate against womanhood." The group later held the charity event off campus, but it continued to seek an injunction barring Wendler from prohibiting future events including a planned drag show on March 22. The group is represented by the non-profit free-speech advocacy group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). FIRE senior attorney JT Morris expressed disappointment in the court's ruling but vowed to continue to press Spectrum WT's case in the lower courts. "The show is not over," Morris said. Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who backed the university officials, praised the court's decision to reject what he called the student group's "extraordinary attempt to force the university to host this activity." "President Wendler's efforts to uphold decency and protect women from hostile and degrading caricatures, and to protect children from exposure to obscene conduct, are completely defensible," Paxton said. Spectrum WT's lawsuit included an allegation that school officials violated First Amendment speech rights by discriminating against the group based on their viewpoint. "The First Amendment protects expressive conduct, including performance theater (like drag shows), whether held in high regard by supporters or low esteem by detractors," the lawsuit stated. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in an interim ruling last September denied the group's request for a preliminary injunction, casting doubt on their First Amendment claims because "it is not clearly established that all drag shows are inherently expressive." The group appealed to the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which declined to fast-track the case, scheduling arguments for late April. Spectrum WT responded by asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block the drag show ban while the case plays out. The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority. Some states including Texas have pursued Republican-backed measures targeting drag shows, drawing criticism from LGBT rights advocacy groups. A federal judge last September ruled that the Texas law limiting public drag performances was a First Amendment violation and forbid enforcement of it. In November, the Supreme Court declined to revive a Republican-backed Florida law banning the performance of "lewd" drag shows in the presence of children after the measure was blocked by lower courts. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) FILE PHOTO: A new logo of German carmaker Volkswagen is unveiled at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer//File Photo By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Volkswagen Group of America's wholly owned finance unit has agreed to pay $48.75 million to resolve a government lawsuit that accused the German automaker and its former CEO of defrauding investors in U.S. bond offerings. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit in March 2019 accusing Volkswagen AG, two subsidiaries and former chief executive Martin Winterkorn of defrauding investors. The SEC is dismissing claims against Volkswagen AG and Winterkorn. The settlement with Volkswagen Group of America Finance filed Friday marks the last significant legal action related to the diesel emissions scandal in the United States. This cost the German automaker more than $20 billion in fines, penalties and settlements after it admitted in 2015 it had cheated emissions tests by installing "defeat devices" and sophisticated software in nearly 11 million vehicles worldwide. Volkswagen in 2017 pleaded guilty to criminal conduct as part of a $4.3 billion Justice Department settlement and offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting U.S. vehicles. A Volkswagen spokesperson said its finance unit was "pleased to have reached an agreement with the SEC". The settlement requires approval by a U.S. judge in San Francisco. The VW finance unit did not admit or deny the SEC allegations. The SEC, which did not immediately comment Friday, had sought about $350 million plus interest. The SEC complaint said from April 2014 to May 2015, Volkswagen issued more than $13 billion in bonds and asset-backed securities in U.S. markets when senior executives knew more than 500,000 U.S. vehicles dramatically exceeded legal vehicle emissions limits. VW could have faced another $350 million if civil penalties had been imposed. The settlement includes $34.35 million and interest of $14.4 million that will be distributed by the SEC to investors in the 2014 and 2015 bond offerings. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alexander Smith) As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024 Registration Statement No. 333-232579 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ____________________ POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM F-6 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 For Depositary Shares Evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ___________________ DouYu International Holdings Limited (Exact name of issuer of deposited securities as specified in its charter) n/a (Translation of issuer's name into English) Cayman Islands (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of issuer) JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (Exact name of depositary as specified in its charter) 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11 New York, New York 10179 Telephone: +1-800-990-1135 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of depositary's principal executive offices) ____________________ Cogency Global Inc. 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10168 Telephone: +1-212-947-7200 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) Copy to: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 11 New York, NY 10179 Telephone: +1-800-990-1135 It is proposed that this filing become effective under Rule 466 immediately upon filing on (Date) at (Time) If a separate registration statement has been filed to register the deposited shares, check the following box. CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE Title of each class of Securities to be registered Amount to be registered Proposed maximum aggregate price per unit (1) Proposed maximum aggregate offering price (2) Amount of registration fee American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, each American Depositary Share representing a specified number of ordinary shares of DouYu International Holdings Limited n/a n/a n/a n/a (1) Each unit represents one American Depositary Share. (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Pursuant to Rule 457(k), such estimate is computed on the basis of the maximum aggregate fees or charges to be imposed in connection with the issuance of American Depositary Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares. PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS The Prospectus consists of the proposed form of American Depositary Receipt (ADR or American Depositary Receipt) included as Exhibit A to the form of Amendment No. 1 to the Deposit Agreement filed as Exhibit (a)(2) to this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-6, which is incorporated herein by reference. CROSS REFERENCE SHEET Item 1. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED Item Number and Caption Location in Form of American Depositary Receipt Filed Herewith as Prospectus (1) Name and address of Depositary Introductory paragraph and bottom of face of American Depositary Receipt (2) Title of American Depositary Receipts and identity of deposited securities Face of American Depositary Receipt, top center Terms of Deposit: (i) Amount of deposited securities represented by one unit of American Depositary Shares Face of American Depositary Receipt, upper right corner (ii) Procedure for voting, if any, the deposited securities Paragraphs (6), (11) and (12) (iii) Collection and distribution of dividends Paragraphs (4), (5), (7) and (10) (iv) Transmission of notices, reports and proxy soliciting material Paragraphs (3), (8), (11) and (12) (v) Sale or exercise of rights Paragraphs (4), (5) and (10) (vi) Deposit or sale of securities resulting from dividends, splits or plans of reorganization Paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (10), (11) and (13) (vii) Amendment, extension or termination of the Deposit Agreement Paragraphs (15), (16) and (17) (viii) Rights of holders of ADRs to inspect the transfer books of the Depositary and the list of Holders of ADRs Paragraph (3) (ix) Restrictions upon the right to deposit or withdraw the underlying securities Paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (5) and (6) (x) Limitation upon the liability of the Depositary Paragraph (14) (3) Fees and Charges Paragraph (7) Item 2. AVAILABLE INFORMATION Item Number and Caption Location in Form of American Depositary Receipt Filed Herewith as Prospectus Statement that DouYu International Holdings Limited is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, accordingly files certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such reports can be inspected by holders of American Depositary Receipts and copied at public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Paragraph (8) PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 3. EXHIBITS (a)(1) Form of Deposit Agreement. Form of Deposit Agreement among DouYu International Holdings Limited, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary (the Depositary), and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs issued thereunder (the Deposit Agreement). Previously filed. (a)(2) Form of Amendment No.1 to Deposit Agreement, including the form of American Depositary Receipt attached as Exhibit A thereto. Filed herewith as Exhibit (a)(2). (b) Any other agreement to which the Depositary is a party relating to the issuance of the American Depositary Shares registered hereunder or the custody of the deposited securities represented thereby. Not Applicable. (c) Every material contract relating to the deposited securities between the Depositary and the issuer of the deposited securities in effect at any time within the last three years. Not Applicable. (d) Opinion of counsel to the Depositary, as to the legality of the securities being registered. Previously filed. (e) Certification under Rule 466. Filed herewith as Exhibit (e). (f) Power of Attorney for certain officers and directors of the Registrant. Included as part of the signature pages hereto. Item 4. UNDERTAKINGS (a) The Depositary hereby undertakes to make available at the principal office of the Depositary in the United States, for inspection by holders of the American Depositary Receipts, any reports and communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities which are both (1) received by the Depositary as the holder of the deposited securities, and (2) made generally available to the holders of the underlying securities by the issuer. (b) If the amounts of fees charged are not disclosed in the prospectus, the Depositary undertakes to prepare a separate document stating the amount of any fee charged and describing the service for which it is charged and to deliver promptly a copy of such fee schedule without charge to anyone upon request. The Depositary undertakes to notify each registered holder of an American Depositary Receipt thirty days before any change in the fee schedule. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. on behalf of the legal entity created by the Deposit Agreement, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that all the requirements for filing on Form F-6 are met and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The City of New York, State of New York, on March 15, 2024. Legal entity created by the form of Deposit Agreement for the issuance of ADRs evidencing American Depositary Shares By: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Depositary By: /s/ Gregory A. Levendis Name: Gregory A. Levendis Title: Executive Director SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, DouYu International Holdings Limited certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that all the requirements for filing on Form F-6 are met and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Wuhan, China, on March 15, 2024. DouYu International Holdings Limited By: /s/ Mingming Su Name: Mingming Su Title: Chief Strategy Officer, Director POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Mingming Su, Simin Ren and Hao Cao as an attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to do any and all acts and all things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or desirable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) representing ordinary shares of the registrant, including, without limitation, the power and authority to sign the name of each of the undersigned in the capacities indicated below to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (the Registration Statement) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such ADSs, to any and all amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, whether such amendments or supplements are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement, to any related Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in connection with such Registration Statement or any and all amendments thereto, whether such amendments are filed before or after the effective date of such Registration Statement; and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorney and agent shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 has been signed by the following persons on March 15, 2024 in the capacities indicated. SIGNATURES Signature Title Chief Executive Officer, Director Name: Shaojie Chen1 /s/ Mingming Su Chief Strategy Officer, Director (co-principle executive officer, principle financial officer and principle accounting officer) Name: Mingming Su /s/ Hao Cao Vice President, Director (co-principle executive officer) Name: Hao Cao /s/ Simin Ren Vice President, Director (co-principle executive officer) Name: Simin Ren Director Name: Song Zhou Director Name: Haiyang Yu Independent Director Name: Xi Cao /s/ Zhaoming Chen Independent Director Name: Zhaoming Chen /s/ Xuehai Wang Independent Director Name: Xuehai Wang /s/ Zhi Yan Independent Director Name: Zhi Yan 1 Although Mr. Chen is titled as Chief Executive Officer, as of November 24, 2023, the board of the directors formed an interim management committee consisting of Mr. Mingming Su, Mr. Hao Cao and Ms. Simin Ren to oversee the management of DouYu International Holdings Limited in lieu of Mr. Chen. SIGNATURE OF U.S. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of DouYu International Holdings Limited, has signed this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 in New York, New York, on March 15, 2024. Authorized U.S. Representative Cogency Global Inc By: /s/ Colleen A. De Vries Name: Colleen A. De Vries Title : Senior Vice-President on behalf of Cogency Global Inc. INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number (a)(2) Form of Amendment No.1 to the Deposit Agreement among DouYu International Holdings Limited, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary, and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs issued thereunder, including the form of American Depositary Receipt attached as Exhibit A thereto. (e) Rule 466 Certification. ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS e619367_ex99-a2.htm e619367_ex99-e.htm Recruits with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion practice drill formations on the Peatross Parade Deck on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., July 25, 2023. Recruits learn close-order drill as a means of instilling discipline, teamwork and spatial awareness and as a base to execute combat formations. (Casey Cooper/U.S. Marine Corps) The Marine Corps should train male and female recruits in gender-integrated platoons at both of its recruit depots and the Pentagon should adopt new polices to protect the careers of pregnant troops, a Pentagon panel focused on issues affecting women recommended in a report released Friday. The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, or DACOWITS, recommended Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin order the Marines to train male and female recruits in platoons together and institute gender-integrated drill instructor teams. Committee members wrote they believe better integrating recruit training efforts would improve male Marines acceptance of women in their ranks and better prepare them to serve together in integrated units in the fleet. DACOWITS commends the Marine Corps for the steps it has taken since 2020 to increase gender integration at recruit training, the panel wrote in its newly published 2023 annual report. However, the committee feels more integration is necessary to better prepare male and female recruits as they become Marines, to operate within an integrated operational force and to better align the Marine Corps with its service counterparts. The Marine Corps-focused recommendations were among more than two dozen proposals that the committee sent Austin in the report, which ranged from efforts to better recruit women to expanding their opportunities once in uniform. The committee has existed since 1951, and its recommendations have long driven change in the military, including its suggestions that resulted in the Pentagons 2015 decision to open all military jobs and units including front-line combat posts to female troops. The Marine Corps has long been the slowest U.S. military branch to adopt women-focused changes. It was the lone service to recommend against opening close-combat jobs to women, and it is now the only branch that does not train male and female recruits together in platoon-size units. For decades, the Marine Corps trained women only at its East Coast recruit training depot at Parris Island, S.C., where it segregated them in a separate training battalion where they interacted little, if at all, with their male counterparts during the 13-week course. Last year, the Corps deactivated the all-female training battalion at Parris Island and opened all its training battalions to women at Parris Island and Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. The Marine Corps has integrated women and men into companies at both recruit depots, but it has pushed back on desegregating at lower levels. Its recruit battalions are each currently made of four all-male companies and two all-female companies. A Marine official said maintaining gender-segregated platoons allows the service to optimize its training to include the time when recruits are in their sleeping quarters. But DACOWITS argued in the new report that the Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force have all found success in training male and female recruits together in platoon-level units, while separating them for sleep and hygienic routines. The Army has found integrating recruit platoons prepares soldiers to better work together with the opposite gender when they reach their first unit and eliminates any perception that recruits went through different training experiences, according to the report. The committee said the Navy reported similar findings. The panel argued the Marine Corps current model does not meet a true definition of [gender] integration nor the intent of a 2020 congressional mandate that the Marines not segregate training by gender at MCRD Parris Island within five years and MCRD San Diego within eight years. The Marine Corps has long had the smallest percentage of female troops. In 2023, the Marines were about 9% women, while the total military was roughly 19% women, according to the report. The Air Force had the highest percentage of women in its ranks, with about 23%. The committee said it observed during visits to both Marine recruit depots last year that male and female Marine recruits rarely interacted. A female recruit told the panel that they are instructed not to speak with members of the male platoons in their company. They threaten to drop us [from recruiting training] if we speak to the males in the same company, the DACOWITS report quoted a female recruit. The guys are forbidden to speak at us. The committee argued the lack of gender integration at recruit training could foster biases among male Marines. It also said the committee believed the Corps should adopt the gender-integrated drill instructor teams to help male Marines better accept instruction from women. Male Marine Corps recruits showed statistically significant higher levels of sexist attitudes, both benevolent and hostile, compared with their male peers in other services and female recruit counterparts, the report reads. These attitudes are not transformed during their time at MCRDs and therefore will persist in follow-on integrated training and operational environments. The panels report also included nearly a dozen recommendations focused on pregnant service members. Among its recommendations, the committee suggested the Pentagon needs a more robust directory of womens health care services on Military OneSource, its website and call center that provides details on benefits available to troops. That directory should include topics such as reproductive health, pregnancy, mental health, and contraceptive care. The panel argued such information can be difficult to track down for service members and would be best presented in a single location. It also suggests the Pentagon adopt clearer policies for parental leave, including minimum lengths for maternity convalescent leave, better defined circumstances for commanders to deny parental leave, and raise the rank to at least O-6 for the commander permitted to deny parental leave. The panel wrote current policy grants too much leeway, and service women could be denied this essential form of leave. It suggested Austin direct a review of maternity uniforms across the service to ensure they present a professional, modern appearance while providing functionality, comfort and ease of movement for the wearers. The committee also recommended Austin direct a study aimed at determining the practicality of allowing active-duty service women to transfer temporarily into the reserve components while pregnant and postpartum. Female troops have long reported that pregnancies have derailed their careers because of lost opportunities for promotions, issues meeting fitness requirements and lost opportunities for key training or deployments while pregnant or postpartum. The panel said a temporary move into the Reserve or National Guard might be a way to keep mothers on track if they can then return to the active-duty military. Lost time and work experience from pregnancy and the postpartum period compound, affecting servicewomens evaluations and promotion potential, leaving women at a disadvantage relative to their male peers, the report reads. DACOWITS recommends the [defense secretary] take more proactive action to identify and remove unnecessary career barriers and employ innovative solutions to ensure servicewomens careers are not impacted as a result of a temporary medical condition, such as pregnancy. As the demand for nuclear-powered submarines increases, Newport News Shipbuilding said its working to hire 3,000 skilled trades workers this year and a total of 19,000 within the decade. (Matt Hildreth, The Virginian-Pilot/TNS) (Tribune News Service) As the demand for nuclear-powered submarines increases, Newport News, Va., Shipbuilding said its working to hire 3,000 skilled trades workers this year and a total of 19,000 within the decade. We are making intentional investments and collaborating with community leaders to ensure we have a robust pipeline for hiring and strong partnerships to meet hiring needs, Newport News Shipbuilding spokesperson Todd Corillo said. Last year, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council reported that the regions maritime shipbuilding vacancies could increase to 40,000 by 2030 if measures to build capacity werent taken. And U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro told attendees of a Dec. 14 suppliers conference in Philadelphia that the U.S. shipbuilding industry will need 150,000 new qualified workers in the next 10 years. The Newport News shipyard is working with the Navys submarine industrial base office and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council to reach potential new hires, Corillo said. Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, is the states largest industrial employer with a workforce of 25,000. It is the sole manufacturer of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy and one of two yards that builds nuclear-powered submarines. The shipyard also works to maintain aging submarines. In 2021, Newport News Shipbuilding began building components for the Columbia-class, a new fleet of ballistic missile submarines that will replace the aging Ohio-class boats. The lead contractor on the Columbia-class is General Dynamics Electric Boat of Groton, Connecticut. Newport News and Electric Boat also build Virginia-class attack submarines in a 50-50 teaming arrangement. And in the coming years, Newport News Shipbuilding could work with Electric Boat to build three to five Virginia-class submarines as part of an Australia- United Kingdom- U.S. agreement where the U.S. could sell three to five nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the 2030s as the country ramps up construction at its shipyard in Adelaide with U.S. technology and support. Building the shipyard workforce is critical to helping the U.S. compete with Chinas navy, which has tripled in size over the past 20 years and is expected to surpass 400 warships by 2030, Del Toro said during his December speech. The U.S. Navy has 292 battle force ships, according to January research prepared for Congress. The Hampton Roads Workforce Council relied on strategy and management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to forecast vacancies and help us understand the gap and where we needed to focus as a region to fill the workforce needs of the maritime industry, Shawn Avery, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, said. The workforce council, Avery said, predicts the number will increase as the shipyard and the Navy work to meet the shipbuilding demand. This demand, he said, adds to a steady stream of work at Hampton Roads ship repair and shipbuilding facilities, offshore wind efforts, a continued increase in warehouse and logistics facilities and port-related activities. Virginia serves as the nations largest shipbuilding and repair industrial base, according to the Virginia Maritime Association. About 33,500 employees directly work in the private shipbuilding and repair industry with ripple effects bringing the industrys total Virginia payroll employment impact to 79,000. The associated $6.2 billion in labor income generates $10.9 billion in gross state product. Newport News Shipbuilding met its goal of 3,000 hires in 2023, Corillo said, and plans to match that goal again. The company is also hiring for salaried positions, including entry-level engineering positions. To continue to build its workforce, Newport News Shipbuilding and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council began hosting monthly walk-in hiring events at locations in South Hampton Roads. The first was held in February, with the next event slated for March 28 at 861 Glenrock Road, Suite 114, in Norfolk. No appointment is necessary. On the Peninsula, Newport News Shipyard hosts Walk-in Wednesday trade hiring events each week. Those events are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the shipyard employment office at 5200 W. Mercury Blvd., Suite 176, in Hampton. No appointment is necessary. caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com 2024 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A stolen bus heads toward a gate at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in this screenshot of a video posted by the 36th Wing commander. (Facebook ) The front gate at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, was a crime scene Wednesday after a stolen bus struck a barrier causing traffic delays, according to the commander of the Air Forces 36th Wing. So if you were wondering why the traffic at the front gate was backed up a bit more than normal yesterday day it was this, Brig. Gen. Thomas Palenske posted Thursday on Facebook along with a video of the incident. A man (not affiliated with Andersen AFB) allegedly stole this bus and hit one of our barriers at the gate turning it into a crime scene for about an hour, Palenske wrote. Something different every day at Andersen AFB! Murica! The footage shows what appears to be a yellow school bus approaching the gate with police in pursuit. After the bus stops, officers emerge from their cars and appear to gain entry to the vehicle. A spokeswoman for the 36th Wing, 1st Lt. Ariana Wilkinson, had no further information to share, she said by email Friday. A police officer appears to draw a weapon at the driver of a stolen bus near Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in this screenshot of a video posted by the 36th Wing commander. () The bus driver, identified by Guam police as Jesse Sablan Basaliso, attempted to enter Andersen and collided with a concrete barrier at the gate following a police pursuit that started in the village of Dededo, Guam Police Department spokeswoman Officer Berlyn Savella told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday. Basaliso, also known as Jesse Taitano Basaliso, was still in custody Friday on suspicion of motor vehicle theft, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, eluding a police officer, no drivers license, resisting arrest and obstructing government operations, Savella said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Meetings between the leadership of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have consistently been characterized by a spirit of friendship and mutual respect. This occasion was no exception. Once more, the discussions between the leaders of both countries resulted in significant progress, marked by the signing of nine important documents. Among these, a strategic partnership agreement between the Azerbaijani Investment Holding and Kazakhstans 'Samruk-Kazyna' JSC is particularly noteworthy. The idea of establishing an investment fund between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan was first discussed during the 20th session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Astana on March 5, 2024. Over the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Baku and Astana, investment cooperation between the two countries has entered a completely new phase. From 2005 to 2022, investments from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan totaled $306 million, while those from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan amounted to $95 million. Azerbaijan is now in the league of the top 15 significant investors in the Kazakh economy. In Kazakhstan, over 900 companies with Azerbaijani capital are registered, primarily involved in trade, intermediary services, road and infrastructure construction, processing, and logistics. Conversely, approximately 150 companies with Kazakh capital operate in Azerbaijan, engaging in sectors such as industry, agriculture, trade, services, construction, and transportation. Both countries have been successful partners within the framework of the Turkic Investment Fund based in Istanbul, which fosters economic integration across the wider region. The fund plays a crucial role in supporting intra-regional trade, aiding small and medium-sized enterprises, and executing joint projects with international financial institutions. However, in addition to this cooperative approach among Turkic states in the investment sphere, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have made the decision and initiated steps to implement a mutual bilateral initiative for establishing a commercial investment fund. An Azerbaijani expert and PhD in Economics, Ilgar Velizade, noted the newly established investment fund between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan has the potential to drive forward a range of significant bilateral projects. "Both sides are keen on bringing specific projects to fruition across various sectors. During his recent visit to Baku, the President of Kazakhstan highlighted several areas of collaboration, including energy, transportation, high technology, agro-industry, tourism, and more. This investment fund will play a pivotal role in fostering bilateral cooperation in these fields. Additionally, there are hopes for fostering collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises, thus allowing promising projects to receive funding through this fund," he remarked. Velizade underscored the significance of the fund's outreach beyond Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, noting its potential to undertake projects in third countries. This, he suggests, indicates a broader scope for cooperation between the two nations in the markets of third countries. "All the countries mentioned are Turkic-speaking or Balkan nations, where Azerbaijani and Kazakh businesses have established a strong presence over the years, successfully executing various projects. As a result, Azerbaijani and Kazakh businesses are well regarded in these regions. The implementation of these pivotal investment projects in neighboring markets will allow businesses from both countries to thrive in familiar territories, offering our partners in these countries a mutually beneficial cooperation agenda, centered on the interests of both businesses and, of course, the local populations," he concluded. In turn, Kazakh expert and Director of the Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Studies, Talgat Kaliev, highlighted that the new investment fund would primarily finance infrastructure projects, especially those related to the development of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor. "This project holds significance for both nations, as the improvement of bottleneck areas along the corridor directly impacts its overall capacity. Hence, the fund will support the construction, reconstruction, modernization, and expansion of key transportation routes and ports. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have pledged $300 million towards this fund, and I anticipate that they will be the primary investors. However, foreign investors may also join if there's interest. As for the regional fund, there's considerable potential, particularly among Turkic nations. It could serve as a platform for other countries like Turkiye, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, which share an interest in corridor development and can influence each other economically, to contribute," he explained. The visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has already reinforced the importance of bilateral relations both for Baku and Astana. The strategic partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to establish an investment fund will undoubtedly inject new momentum into bilateral relations. With such a fund in place, Azerbaijan can facilitate capital exports and undertake strategically important projects for the benefit of the broader region. Given the agreements reached during the visit, it's safe to say that the future of Azerbaijani-Kazakh relations looks promising and holds great potential for both nations. A South Korean air force explosive ordnance disposal specialist inspects an unexploded bomb found at a construction site in Cheongju, South Korea, March 13, 2024. (South Korean air force) SEOUL, South Korea A laborer wielding a spade found an intact, 1,000-pound bomb from the Korean War at a construction site Wednesday, less than a week after an identical bomb was unearthed there. The worker at the site in Cheongju, 60 miles south of Seoul, found the bomb in a 19.6-foot crater and reported it to police, a South Korean air force spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone the next day. The spokesman declined to identify the construction site. South Korean officials regularly speak to the media on a customary condition of anonymity. Air force explosive ordnance disposal specialists identified the object as an American AN-M65 general-purpose bomb from the 1950-53 Korean War, the spokesman said. They removed the detonator and carried the bomb away for further investigation, he said. The bomb turned up 32 feet from the spot where another M-65 was found and removed by the South Korean air force on March 7. Following the second bombs discovery, Cheongju officials, construction workers and police agreed construction should cease for a while until safety is guaranteed, a city hall spokesman said by phone Thursday. The militarys [explosive ordnance disposal] team is now exploring there in consideration of possible bombs, the spokesman said. Our city doesnt know how long it will take, but, if the team finds no more bombs there, the construction company is going to be able to restart its work there then. M-65 bombs were dropped from P-47 Thunderbolt and B-26 Invader aircraft on structures such as dams and railroad bridges, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Forces website. An unexploded Korean War-era bomb was found at a construction site in Cheongju, South Korea, March 13, 2024. (South Korean air force) Unexploded ordnance from the Korean War is regularly found throughout South Korea. In June, a railway worker at a construction site a mile from the U.S. Armys Yongsan Garrison in Seoul reported smoke emanating from the ground; South Korean army specialists collected an unspecified piece of unexploded ordnance from the site without injuries. In April, unexploded ordnance was found and dismantled at another construction site near Yongsan Station, about a 15-minute walk from the garrison. Prosecutors, not police, decide formal charges under the Japanese justice system. (Pexels) A Japanese court on Friday sentenced an Okinawa-based Marine to a one-year suspended sentence for a drunken driving collision over the summer. Naha District Court Judge Tetsuro Sato found Cpl. Mike Moncoeur, 22, of Camp Schwab, guilty of negligent driving resulting in injury and driving under the influence, a district court spokesman said by phone Friday. Sato sentenced Moncoeur immediately to a year in prison with hard labor but suspended the sentence for three years, the spokesman said. Some government spokespeople in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Moncoeur will not serve the prison term if he commits no further offenses in Japan. Moncoeur was drowsy and intoxicated while driving northbound at on Route 224 in Okinawa city at 6:47 a.m. Aug. 12, according to a summary of the indictment. He dozed off but continued driving another 200 feet, strayed into the opposing lane and collided with an oncoming vehicle, according to the indictment. The other driver, age 54, suffered a broken rib. A breath test at the scene measured Moncoeurs blood-alcohol content at 0.12%, four times Japans legal limit, an Okinawa prefectural police spokesman said in August. By comparison the legal limit for driving under the influence in the United States is 0.08%. Moncoeur was not seriously injured, according to police. A spokesperson for III Marine Expeditionary Force did not immediately respond Friday afternoon to an email seeking further information. After Moncoeurs arrest in August, III MEF spokesman Capt. Brett Dornhege-Lazaroff said, The alleged behavior does not reflect the core values of the U.S. Marine Corps, nor does it represent the conduct of the vast majority of Okinawa-based Marines. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discusses American military support during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting Sept. 19, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Austin on Tuesday will discuss further military support for Ukraine with allies in Europe, marking his first trip abroad since undergoing surgery for prostate cancer in December. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will be at Ramstein Air Base on Tuesday to discuss further military support for Ukraine with allies in Europe, his first trip abroad since he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in December. Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles CQ Brown will participate in the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the Pentagon said in a statement Thursday. The group consists of nearly 50 countries that have banded together to provide military assistance to Ukrainian troops, who have been battling Russias invasion since February 2022. Austin and Brown will join defense ministers and senior military officials from counterparts in the contact group. The U.S. alone has provided roughly $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine during the war. The United States and this coalition continue to stand with the people of Ukraine, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Thursday when describing Austins travel plans. We will not let Ukraine fail in its war to defend themselves against Russian aggression. The meeting comes at a pivotal time, as Russian troops are advancing on the battlefield, Ukraine is running out of ammunition and permanent U.S. military aid to the beleaguered country remains stalled in Congress. On Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg repeated a call for allies to show political will and continue supporting Kyiv. We have the capacity to give Ukraine what it needs, Stoltenberg said in Brussels while presenting the alliances annual report. The Ukrainians are not running out of courage. They are running out of ammunition. Austins visit to Germany comes days after the Defense Department and the White House announced a new round of security assistance for Ukraine worth up to $300 million. The package includes Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, 155 mm artillery rounds, 105 mm artillery rounds and AT-4 anti-armor systems. It was made possible through presidential drawdown authority, which allows the president to send military supplies and services from the Defense Department to foreign countries in emergency situations. The latest round of drawdown authority aid is the first this year and was achieved after the Army negotiated a lower price for replacing supplies already in Ukraine, the Pentagon said Tuesday. The assistance provides a short-term stopgap, but it is nowhere near enough to meet Ukraines battlefield needs, the Pentagon said. Austin failed to disclose his prostate cancer surgery in December and a subsequent hospitalization in January to deal with complications. That sparked a barrage of criticism, including calls for his resignation. In February, Austin was hospitalized again for a bladder issue, which forced him to cancel a trip to Brussels for the previous meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, at which some members agreed to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine. Tuesdays meeting will be the 20th of the group, which first met in April 2022. Sgt. Kaity Andersen gets set to jump out of a C-130 Hercules on March 14, 2024, during the 173rd Airborne Brigade's all-female parachute jump near Vajont, Italy. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) AVIANO, Italy More than 100 female paratroopers from six battalions of the Armys 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Germany and Italy joined up at Aviano Air Base for an airborne operation made up entirely of women. On a bright day with an occasional breeze, soldiers leaped from two Air Force C-130 cargo planes flying near the northeastern town of Vajont. Their silver, mushroom-shaped parachutes all deployed, giving the soldiers a hazy view of the Dolomite Mountains as they descended upon the green fields of Drop Zone Juliet. Cpl. Jordan Flees, an information technology specialist who was jumping for the final time before heading to a non-airborne unit, said on Thursday that capping off her run as a sky soldier in female company was empowering. I feel lucky to have this as my last jump, where I have a bunch of supportive women alongside me, said Flees, a member of the 54th Engineer Battalion stationed at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza. Flees said her job is full of mental challenges. Putting on the gear and parachuting out of a C-130 helps her overcome those, simply because jumping out of an airplane is in itself overcoming a mental barrier, she said. The feeling of moving through the air is what she will miss when she moves on to her next assignment, Flees said. Two U.S. Army paratroopers apply camouflage to their faces March 14, 2024, during the 173rd Airborne Brigade's all-female parachute jump near Vajont, Italy. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) Spc. Olivia Alimanestiano has her chute checked prior to an all-female airborne operation March 14, 2024, by the 173rd Airborne Brigade near Vajont, Italy. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) Two U.S. Army paratroopers fold their parachute retrieval bags ahead of the 173rd Airborne Brigade's all-female parachute jump near Vajont, Italy, on March 14, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) Sgt. 1st. Class Alina Zamora prepares her rucksack before taking part in the 173rd Airborne Brigade's all-female parachute jump near Vajont, Italy, on March 14, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) The timing of the jump came as Womens History Month is celebrated in the United States. The event was a testament to the women in leadership roles who care about the development of female paratroopers, said Sgt. Kaity Andersen, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the operation. Besides those in the skies above Aviano, the jumpmasters and safety personnel participating in the operation Thursday were women as well. Ukraine military recruits conduct training in February 2024. (Wojciech Grzedzinski for The Washington Post) U.S. officials foresee a range of bleak scenarios in Ukraine if the military aid President Biden has requested doesnt materialize, including a catastrophic breakdown of Ukrainian lines in the grimmest contingency and the likelihood of massive casualties in the best. Even as Biden piles pressure on Congress to approve his proposal for $60 billion in new aid, held up for months by Republican opposition, administration officials acknowledge they must also prepare for other outcomes. This doesnt go well for Ukraine over time without a supplemental, and it could lead to potential collapse, a senior U.S. official said. But heres the bottom line: Even if Ukraine holds on, what we really are saying is that we are going to leverage countless lives in order to do that. CIA Director William J. Burns, speaking to lawmakers this week, warned that absent U.S. aid, the territorial losses this year will be significant and that time is running short. Hoping to maintain the public focus on Congress, administration officials have refused to openly address any alternate realities for Ukraine. But in private, they are fast coming to terms with the prospect that Washingtons political dysfunction may prevail, either by tanking the aid package or passing it too late to avoid disaster for the government in Kyiv. Democratic and bipartisan groups of lawmakers in the GOP-controlled House this week launched separate attempts to circumvent the refusal of Speaker Mike Johnson (La.) to hold a vote on a huge national security package that passed the Senate last month with bipartisan support. It is far from certain, though, that they can overcome the partisan deadlock. On Thursday, Johnson told Politico that he expects to pass a bill with additional military assistance for Ukraine by leveraging Democratic votes, an acknowledgment that he may not have enough support among Republicans to do so. Additional aid for Ukraine and Israels war in Gaza could be raised as one bill or two, he said. The White House did not immediately comment on the administrations outlook in case of a continued inability to secure new aid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a dwindling supply of air defense missiles is making Russias regular air attacks more deadly. On the front lines, troops are rationing artillery shells. The United States is, by far, Ukraines largest military backer, donating more than $40 billion in aid since the war began two years ago. While Europe is racing to ramp up defense production, it has provided only a third of the shells it promised for this year, Zelenskyy has said. Russia, meanwhile, on top of its huge manpower advantage, is flooding Ukraine with drones and is on pace to manufacture 2.7 million shells, according to Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, far outstripping near-term U.S. production. Speaking last week in Washington, she said that every day of indecisiveness in the West will result in greater loss of life and diminish her countrys military outlook. Ukraines resilience, Stefanishyna added, should not be taken for granted. Despite exceeding expectations in the initial months after Russias invasion, Ukrainian forces have struggled to shatter what has become a protracted stalemate a fact often emphasized by opponents of Bidens funding request. The Ukrainians failed to achieve their goal last year of threatening Russias land route to occupied Crimea, and last month saw significant Russian breakthroughs. American officials, describing their assessments should U.S. funding for Kyiv be permanently severed, said where Ukraine would land within their range of scenarios would hinge on its ability to mobilize new forces, the success of Western training initiatives, and troops morale, among other variables. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss what they characterized as a consensus within the Biden administration. Whether it ends in collapse or large casualties remains a subject of internal debate, the senior official said. But there is no future that is bright for Ukraine without a supplemental and continued U.S. support. Rescue workers search for survivors after a missile strike that destroyed a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in January 2024. (Alice Martins for The Washington Post) Russias advantages Officials noted with some optimism that Ukraine has the inherent advantage of fighting on defense and has done so with significant success. Its forces are working to establish hardened fortifications, including trenches and physical barriers, in a fashion similar to what the Russians did while Ukraine prepared last years counteroffensive. Their goal is to create three lines of defense in some areas, analysts say. Russia, like Ukraine, has struggled to take new territory, and despite some recent gains, it is far from evident that its military has gotten any better on offense. The Kremlin has experienced consistent morale problems among its troops, many of whom are conscripts or poorly trained volunteers who now confront the challenge of attempting to push forward. Even as Russia faces a huge web of Western sanctions, its president, Vladimir Putin, has been able to funnel resources toward the production of shells, tanks and other hardware. He has also tapped allies Iran and North Korea for weapons supplies. On Friday, the Biden administration accused Iran of preparing to expand its military cooperation with Russia by providing Moscow with advanced ballistic missiles to use in Ukraine. The United States and its Group of Seven partners issued a joint statement warning Tehran of swift consequences, including the possible prohibition of its state-owned airline from landing planes in Europe. Samuel Charap, a scholar at the Rand Corp., noted that Ukraine had managed to repel Putins attempt to capture Kyiv and other major cities in the wars initial weeks, despite having little of the sophisticated weaponry it later received from the West. Ukraine was able to defend all these cities without much of any Western assistance at all, he said. But Putin also retains a huge manpower advantage. Although the invading forces have taken staggering losses, Russia has the ability to dip into its much larger population for additional recruits. Ukraines battlefield losses in contrast which the government recently said stood at about 30,000 killed in action are felt more acutely given Kyivs comparatively smaller force size. Russia can lean and lean and lean and waste human resources at a shocking rate, and so it is difficult, a second senior U.S. official said. And so the question is, how do [Ukraines] forces stand up, and their morale, during this time? A senior adviser to Zelenskyy agreed there was a high likelihood of significant Russian territorial gains against Ukraine by the summer in the absence of new U.S. aid. People dont understand how bad the front is right now, the adviser said. The morale is low; the momentum is low. Young men are afraid they will be mobilized to die because of a lack of weapons. A spokesman for Zelenskyy did not respond to a request for comment. There is no immediate solution in sight to Kyivs intensifying manpower challenge. While the government had hoped to expand conscription, a proposal to do so remains stuck in Ukraines parliament, raising the possibility those forces wont materialize this year. Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the lack of adequate manpower, particularly infantry troops, and the need for stronger fortifications would be crucial in determining Ukraines trajectory. If the supplemental passes but Ukraine does not address its manpower issues, then it will certainly buy time, but the structural problem remains, Kofman said. Russian air attacks will also take an increasing toll. Ukrainian policymakers have told European and U.S. officials that munitions for some of their missile defense systems may be nearly used up by the end of March, according to two officials who met with the Ukrainians at a security conference last month. While Ukraine has tried to shoot down 4 of every 5 missiles fired at its cities, it soon may be able to target only 1 in 5, one of those officials said. That would have a significant effect on life in Ukraines urban centers, many of which have assumed a relative normalcy over the last year as missile defense has generally proved effective. Inside a Finnish production facility that makes 155mm artillery shells. (Juho Kuva for The Washington Post) Against that gloomy backdrop, the Biden administration is encouraging Kyiv to harden its defenses and to continue to pressure Russias military assets in Crimea and the Black Sea. Exploit all margins The increasingly alarming battlefield picture has prompted officials in Washington and across Europe to reconsider what risks they are willing to take to their own security to continue to assist Ukraine. On Tuesday, for instance, the Pentagon announced that it would send $300 million in additional U.S. weapons to Kyiv after finding unanticipated cost savings in recent arms contracts. The package includes medium-range cluster rounds for the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, which has a range of about 100 miles. Ukrainian forces have used the system to target Russian headquarters and troop formations. Washington is also exploring how the Pentagon might continue to provide donations and training if the supplemental funding remains stalled, a U.S. official said. That could include leveraging the administrations authority to donate up to $4 billion in weapons from U.S. stockpiles, which officials have said they would not employ unless Congress approved funds to replenish those stores. Those discussions mirror a process underway in Europe to reassess what its militaries can part with from their stockpiles and what they are willing to purchase for Ukraine. European nations, for example, are abandoning their insistence that arms purchases be sourced in Europe, coming together behind a Czech initiative to procure ammunition from outside the continent. Denmark recently announced that it would give its entire stockpile of artillery to Ukraine. Britain has pledged 10,000 additional drones and is working to help Kyiv develop new drone capabilities. No matter the level of U.S. support thats given, were not going to walk away, a Western official said. We might adapt our approach toward how we work best with them and think a bit more creatively. French President Emmanuel Macron, staking out an increasingly hawkish position for France, convened an emergency meeting on Ukraine last month and raised the possibility of sending personnel from NATO countries into Ukraine potentially maintenance experts or trainers to free up Ukrainian troops to fight. A French official said that France, like other supporters of Ukraine, was looking at a range of possibilities to assist Kyiv and exploit all margins below the threshold of directly wading into the war. France has placed orders for new arms, including artillery shells, surface-to-air missiles and air defense systems to assist Ukraine in the near term. France and other nations are going through a risk-management process as they seek to sustain their own security and stave off the worst for Ukraine. This support cannot stop, the official said, because we all know we cannot afford to let Russia win. Ellen Nakashima, Shane Harris and Abigail Hauslohner contributed to this report. Egyptian drivers walk near their trucks that are loaded with humanitarian aid for Gaza at the Kerem Shalom border crossing on March 14, 2023. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post) At least 20 people were killed and more than 150 wounded late Thursday in what Palestinian officials in Gaza and witnesses said was an Israeli attack on a crowd of people waiting to collect supplies from an aid convoy in the north of the enclave. Israels military strongly denied responsibility for the killings in a statement Friday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Palestinian gunmen opened fire as the crowd gathered and that some civilians had been run over by the aid trucks. An intensive preliminary review conducted overnight by the IDF found that the IDF did not open fire at the aid convoy, the statement said. Three people interviewed by The Washington Post who said they went to meet the trucks Thursday night said they saw an Israeli helicopter and drones randomly firing on Palestinians who had gathered to receive the aid. Two of the witnesses said they saw armed Palestinian police officers as well, but they were some distance from the convoy, and one said the officers fired their weapons in the air to control the crowds. The killings occurred as Gaza reels from a hunger crisis humanitarian officials say is man-made and due in large part to Israels obstruction of aid. The dire shortages and retreat of authorities have led to desperate scrambles around aid convoys and scenes of chaos that Gazans were unaccustomed to. As limited supplies of food, medicine and other necessities have entered Gaza through land crossings, the United States and other nations have resorted to delivering a small amount of supplies by air and by sea. Israel has denied restricting aid to Gaza. U.N. and other relief officials say that without a cease-fire, the enclaves population could face mass starvation. Israels war cabinet met Friday to evaluate a new cease-fire proposal by Hamas. Afterward, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said in a statement that the militant groups demands were still unreasonable but that Israel would send a delegation to Qatar, which has brokered cease-fire talks, to discuss Israels position. Shortly before midnight Friday, Gazas Health Ministry said that dozens of people had been killed or injured as the result of an Israeli attack on civilians waiting for food at the Kuwaiti Roundabout, a place in northern Gaza where people have rushed to intercept aid deliveries. Al-Shifa hospital had received 11 bodies and 100 injured people, the statement said. The Health Ministry later said at least 20 people had been killed. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense in Gaza, said in an interview late Thursday that thousands of people who had gathered near the roundabout were forced to take cover after what he said was shooting by Israeli helicopters and drones, followed by tank and artillery fire. An artillery shell landed on a destroyed house where people were sheltering, he said. The IDF in a statement said it had facilitated the passage of 31 trucks carrying humanitarian aid intended for residents in northern Gaza. About an hour before they arrived at the humanitarian corridor, armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were waiting, the statement said. The Palestinian gunmen continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks, the statement said. No Israeli tank fire, airstrike or gunfire was carried out toward the Gazan civilians at the aid convoy, it added, calling reports that Israel was responsible for the deaths part of a smear campaign by Hamas. Police in Gaza stopped guarding aid deliveries in the territory last month after Israel launched several strikes targeting the force. Last month, police in Gaza said they would no longer accompany aid deliveries after an increase in Israeli attacks targeting the force, according to the United Nations. The retreat of police has consequently fueled the lawlessness surrounding aid distribution. Abdul Hakim Jawwad, one of the witnesses, said he left his home in the town of Beit Lahiya around 7 p.m. after the evening prayer. About an hour later, when he was still north of the Kuwaiti Roundabout, he first heard what he described as artillery and gunfire. Then, he said, he saw a helicopter and a quadcopter that fired shells and bullets. Jawwad said the firing began before the trucks arrived. It stopped at times, he said, when a truck sped through the crowd and people clamored to jump in and grab flour or other supplies. Then the firing would start again, he said, estimating that there were seven trucks. The trucks ran over people, too, he said. I am one of those people. A truck ran over my foot. Jawwad said he has gone several times to the Kuwaiti Roundabout to try to get flour, though he always came away empty-handed, as he had Thursday. The chaos of the aid deliveries, which people hear about through word of mouth, has become routine, he said. In the darkness, people are fixated on trying to get food and survive, he said. For the first time at the roundabout, Jawwad said he saw groups of men, some armed with automatic weapons, who he identified as police. He said they were about 350 feet away from the roundabout and at times fired into the air to quiet the crowds, adding that he did not see Palestinians firing on other Palestinians. Another witness, Mohammed Samir Bassel, 49, from the Zaitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, told The Post by phone that he saw police stationed less than a mile away. He said that starting around 8 p.m., Israeli helicopters and drones periodically fired toward the crowds. One of Jawwads friends, Mohammed Safi, 29, also went to the Kuwaiti Roundabout in search of flour. When the crowds first arrived, Israeli troops threw sound and smoke bombs, he said. Then they started shooting. Victims started being brought out, he said. The accounts could not be independently corroborated. Late Friday, the IDF released grainy, edited footage of what it said showed Palestinian gunmen opening fire in the midst of Gazan civilians. The Post could not immediately verify the location in the footage or the events the IDF said it depicted. The United States reviewed a new hostage release offer from Hamas on Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, declaring that there was intense ongoing work to try to reach a deal that would impose a cease-fire on a war that started five months ago. There has been a counterproposal put forward by Hamas, Blinken told reporters in Vienna after a day of meetings with United Nations policymakers and Austrian leaders. I obviously cant get into the details. The United States is working intensively with Israel, with Qatar, with Egypt to bridge the remaining gaps and to try to reach an agreement, he added. We have conversations that are happening now as we speak here, and Im convinced theyll go on into the coming days. Basem Naim, a Hamas official, told The Post that he could not confirm the exact details of the proposal but said the group is aiming for a comprehensive deal to end the fighting rather than just a partial one. A whole deal or no deal, he said. Reuters, which said it reviewed the proposal, reported that details included the release of women, children and elderly, as well as sick Israeli hostages, in exchange for 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences. According to figures from the Israeli government, around 99 living hostages remain in captivity in Gaza. In response to news of a potential deal nearing, some families of Israeli hostages said they would gather outside a government building in Tel Aviv on Friday to put pressure on the war cabinet to accept the deal. Now is the moment for the members of the Security Cabinet and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a decision that will save our beloved ones, they said in a statement Friday. An entire nation is counting on them to make the right choice the return of our brothers and sisters. Michael Birnbaum, Hajar Harb, Itay Stern and Adela Suliman contributed to this report. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The full text of the Baku Declaration of the Ninth Trilateral Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Republic of Turkiye, has been disclosed, Trend reports. The declaration reads: At the invitation of H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and with the participation of H.E. Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye and H.E. Ilia Darchiashvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the Ninth Trilateral Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the three countries was held in Baku on 15 March 2024. The Ministers, Emphasizing the existing strong ties among their countries, based on friendship, and historic bonds, mutual respect and trust; Desirous of deepening further cooperation at the level of strategic partnership in all areas of mutual interest, including political, economic, trade, peace and security, science and technology and cultural fields; Mindful of the significant contributions made by their respective states for promotion of peace, stability and development in the region and the mutual desire of their peoples to further advance these ideals for shared prosperity and security in the broader region; Conscious of the challenges and emerging threats confronting their countries including but not limited to threats of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, cyber-attacks and hybrid forms of warfare; Realizing the importance of acceleration in trade and investment activities for boosting regional economic profile; Acknowledging regional connectivity as cornerstone for sustainable and resilient economic growth and development in the region; Expressing solidarity with the government and people of Azerbaijan in their efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate its conflict-affected territories; Reiterating their solidarity with the Turkish people for the two devastating earthquakes took place since their last trilateral meeting, which claimed thousands of lives and left thousands more injured and caused heavy destruction in the southeastern region of Turkiye on 6 February 2023, as well as the wave of terrorist attacks perpetrated against Turkiye over the last 6 months; Have declared the followings: Reiterated strong and unequivocal support of their respective states for each others sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders; Welcomed the full restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan within its state borders, and reaffirmed their support to the post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Reaffirmed their support to the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the basis of mutual recognition of and respect for each others sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders, and expressed their conviction that the soonest establishment of relations between them will significantly contribute to regional stability and security and pave the way for full realization of the regions potential for cooperation, and in this regard, acknowledged the positive role of Georgia and Turkiye as regional countries; Reiterated the significance of the Montreux Convention and Turkiyes fastidious implementation thereof which has been instrumental in engendering a successful escalation management in the Black Sea; The importance of immediate ceasefire leading to an end to hostilities, provision of urgent, unhindered, sustained and sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza and resumption of a genuine peace process towards a lasting peace in the Middle East is underlined. Reiterated the utmost importance of the restoration of Georgia`s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders; Renewed their resolve to strengthen cooperation in line with relevant international and regional instruments to combat all forms and manifestations of terrorism, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking in weapons, drugs and their precursors, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, money laundering, crimes against cultural and historical heritage and cybercrimes; Stressed the significant steps taken to strengthen the transit potential of their countries, including the Trans Caspian East-West Middle Corridor, railway-based multimodal transportation corridor passing through the territories of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye, as well as the efforts to integrate into the international transit system; Highlighted the key role of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway (BTK) and Marmaray project as a part of Iron Silk Road in facilitating competitive transportation between Asia and Europe; Stressed the importance of the early completion of the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion works at the Marabda- Kartsakhi section of the BTK and to make the railway line fully operational again in 2024; Underlined the importance of development of transport and communication infrastructure; Determined to enhance cooperation on transport, trade, energy, including green energy and low carbon technologies, as well as people-to-people contacts, education, social and cultural exchange, tourism, and ICT, including through improving and strengthening air, rail and road links and regional connectivity; Underlined the strategic partnership in the field of energy and reaffirmed their full support for the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), as well as for energy projects aimed at increasing volumes of natural gas; Supported the coordination of measures in the field of sustainable growth, including the efficient use of renewable energy; Encouraged to cooperate and exchange know-how and expertise regarding security of supply, liberalization of the energy sector, establishment and/or operation of markets; Ensured continued and enhanced cooperation in the economic areas of common interest through effective and result-oriented projects; Expressed their readiness to further encourage investments in the areas of mutual interest, as well as to maintain direct contacts in this direction through the business circles, chambers of commerce and industry, as well as the industry and business associations of the three States, including by exploring export-import opportunities and new modalities of promoting economic cooperation; Appreciated the active cooperation of the states, including through supporting their respective candidacies at international organizations, where possible; Stated their willingness to strengthen the bonds of friendship, brotherhood and kinship among the youth and athletes of the countries through trilateral events and projects; Welcomed the election of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 11-22 November 2024. The Ministers expressed profound thanks to H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for successful organization of the meeting. Emphasized the importance of regularly holding trilateral meetings and decided to hold the Tenth Trilateral Meeting in Turkiye on mutually agreed dates in 2025. The declaration was signed by the Foreign Ministers of all three countries. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) says Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah. (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post) Last month, President Biden issued his sharpest rebuke yet of Israels military response in Gaza, calling it over the top. Early this month, Vice President Harris called for an immediate cease-fire for at least six weeks. Then on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) went even further, calling for a new election in Israel, which he said risked becoming a pariah under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When the war began following Hamass deadly Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, just a few far-left Democrats in Congress denounced Israels military response. Many in the party said Israel had the right to defend itself and to root out the Hamas terrorists who orchestrated the massacre. But now, amid vocal pressure from liberal protesters, activists and others in the party, top elected Democrats have adopted an increasingly hostile tone toward the Israeli government. Increasingly, Democrats have said Israel has gone too far as the war has stretched on for months, killing around 30,000 Palestinians, including women and children, and displacing nearly 2 million people who do not have access to food, water and medicine. Schumers sharp rebuke of Netanyahu on the Senate floor Thursday is the latest criticism of Israel from a high-ranking Democrat. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah, Schumer said. Opinions about the war in the Middle East loom over Bidens reelection bid, with many of the voters typically aligned with the party expressing anger over his response. Public polling has shown Democrats are deeply divided, with 62 percent saying Israels military response in Gaza has gone too far, compared to 33 percent of Republicans who feel that way, according to a January AP-NORC poll. A little more than half of Democrats disapprove of how Biden is handling the conflict. The displeasure is especially acute among Arab Americans and Muslims, young voters and people of color. A last-minute campaign in Michigan to protest the war in Gaza by getting Democrats to vote uncommitted in the states February primary instead of for Biden garnered more than 100,000 votes. Michigan is a crucial battleground state in the presidential election. On Thursday, a group of Arab Americans and Muslims in Chicago rejected a meeting with senior Biden aides. The gathering had been designed as part of a broader outreach effort the White House and campaign are conducting ahead of Novembers election. A majority of Democratic voters have said they support a full cease-fire, and many community leaders have said meetings with White House officials are pointless as long as Biden does not support such a move. On Capitol Hill, Democrats have increasingly supported halting U.S. military aid to Israel and dozens of Democrats have since voiced support for a permanent cease-fire. Schumers scathing assessment of Netanyahu garnered widespread attention, coming from the highest-ranking Jewish elected official, who has been a stalwart supporter of Israel. It drew some criticism from Republicans and contrasted with the tone of his previous comments. On Oct. 7, Schumer said hed do all I can to deliver everything Israel requires in this time of urgent need and that friends of Israel must stand strongly by her. In a January statement, he urged Israel to intensify its efforts to protect innocent Palestinian lives, and to maximize the entry and delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance. In recent weeks, Biden has toughened his criticism of Israel and Netanyahu. In December, Biden said Israels indiscriminate bombing was beginning to cost Israel support around the world. Bibis got a tough decision to make, Biden said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. I think he has to change, and with this government, this government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move. The presidents rhetoric shifted notably in early February, as it became clearer his support of Israel was becoming a political liability. On Feb. 8, Biden issued his strongest rebuke of Israel when he said its military campaign in Gaza had been over the top. Biden and his aides have become especially angered by Israels refusal to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza as famine and starvation have gripped the enclave. Earlier this month, Biden said there were no excuses for Netanyahu to prohibit more aid from entering. And in an interview with MSNBC last week, Biden said Netanyahu was hurting Israel more than helping Israel. But, unlike Schumer, Biden has not called for new elections and said as recently as this week that he would never stop providing Israel weapons and support. In calling for a new election, Schumer said Netanyahu was too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. After his remarks, the enduring divisions in the Democratic Party were on display. For some Democrats, Schumers speech did not go far enough because he didnt call for a permanent cease-fire. Abdullah H. Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, Mich., the city with the largest Arab American and Muslim population per capita in the nation, appeared on MSNBC after Schumer spoke. Words are not enough, what we want to see is actual change in policy, Hammoud said. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called upon Pakistan to revisit the National Finance Commission (NFC) award with the provinces. This demand came during the second day of talks between Pakistani officials and the IMF under the second review of the $3 billion standby arrangement (SBA). Article 160 of the Constitution authorizes the president to approve the distribution of revenues between the federation and the provinces through order of the NFC Award. The newly formed government informed the IMF delegation that the provincial shares could not be reduced without a constitutional amendment and made all the provinces agree to a new formula. The 2010 NFC award had been agreed for five years but since then there has not been any consensus to revisit it. The international lender also sought a plan for Pakistan International Airlines and other government entities privatization. During the talks the IMF delegation raised concerns on the performance of the energy sector, the sources within the ministry revealed. The delegation was also briefed on the domestic financing, government guarantees and the expenses of the health and education sectors during the meeting. A nod from the IMF would unlock the $1.1 billion loan tranche for Pakistan. As per details, the anti-terrorism court heard the bail plea filed by PTIs Omar Ayub and he appeared before the court with his lawyer. The court extended the interim bail and adjourned the hearing of the vandalism case till April 16. Earlier, Omar Ayub Khan on Friday granted transit bail in six cases bail from Peshawar High Court (PHC). As per details, Omar Ayub along with his counsel Babar Awan appeared before the PHC Abbottabad bench to seek transit remand in six cases registered against the former minister in Mianwali, Faisalabad and Lahore. The court after initial arguments granted Omar Ayub transit bail in six cases until April 14. He was directed to appear before the concerned courts. Talking to newsmen after getting transit bail, Omar Ayub claimed 95 fake cases have been registered against him under sections of murder, attempt to murder and terrorism. He demanded the release of all PTI workers including the former prime minister. It is pertinent to mention here Omar Ayub Khan lost the PM election against Shehbaz Sharif, last week. Ayub secured 92 votes while Shehbaz Sharif secured over 200 votes to become the countrys PM again. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday slammed a handful of miscreants protesting outside the World Bank and International Monetary Fund headquarters in the United States. Addressing the media in Islamabad, the information minister said the country was not created for the agenda on which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was acting. Slamming the PTI, Tarar said, "Their past behaviour was also anti-nationalist. They are demanding from the IMF to give Pakistan a grant after their leader is released." The minister claimed that the PTI would tell the nation that the US hatched a conspiracy to topple its government in 2022 but were holding protests in the US. "The anti-national party embroiled in May 9 incidents is working against Pakistans interests," he maintained. On the IMF mission's visit to Pakistan, the minister said that the talks with the delegation were moving in a positive direction and is hopeful of good results. He said the prime minister wanted to resolve the national issues at the earliest, hence, he had given a comprehensive economic reforms agenda. The PM is also contemplating increasing the tax net, cutting government expenditures and restructuring the Federal Board of Revenue, he said. IMF assails ministry declaration On the other hand, the visiting IMF team has expressed its displeasure over the Ministry of Finance's verdict that it had materialised all structural benchmarks, quantitative and indicative targets even prior to scrutinising and completion of the review by the Fund staff, according to a The News report published Friday. IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter and his other colleagues expressed their displeasure that the finance ministry had announced its verdict before the completion of the review process under $3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) programme, which they had just started and would come up with their prescriptions only after analysing the official data of various sectors of the national economy. Ahead of talks on Wednesday, the finance ministry announced in its official handout that they had met all structural benchmarks and other targets before getting any feedback from the IMF. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with the Chairman of the 78th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Dennis Francis, who arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the XI Global Baku Forum, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. The meeting discussed the current agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN, preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), as well as the regional situation in the post-conflict period. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that our country, as a responsible member of the international community, takes an active part in cooperation within the UN. In particular, during the period of its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, the country was active in developing relations between the UN and NAM, and a number of important joint global initiatives were implemented in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. At the meeting, initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan were discussed, as well as successfully implemented in a number of areas, including in the field of energy security, transition to alternative energy sources, development of regional transport and communications. Noting that Azerbaijan will host COP29 this year, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed in detail about the preparatory work. He also spoke in detail about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, reconstruction activities carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, the mine danger posing a threat to ongoing work, as well as the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Dennis Francis informed about the initiatives that are planned to be implemented during his presidency of the UN General Assembly, including the Future Summit. He particularly noted Azerbaijan's successes in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It was emphasized that the UN General Assembly supports peace initiatives put forward in the post-conflict period. During the meeting, views were also exchanged on other issues of mutual interest. Mr Manning was charged with indecently assaulting six males on various dates in the mid-1970s. Jack Manning, 87yrs, pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice(CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin after he appeared before the District Court. Pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie A FORMER teacher and Christian Brother has been sent forward for trial accused of 60 counts of indecent assaults at a Dublin school around 50 years ago. Jack Manning, 87, with an address at a nursing home at Dunsink Lane, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was remanded on bail today. Mr Manning was charged with indecently assaulting six males on various dates in the mid-1970s. The incidents allegedly occurred at CBS Westland Row, South Cumberland Street, Dublin 2. The pensioner has nine charges involving one complainant: 12 charges against the second male, 12 against the third, three charges against the fourth, 12 charges against the fifth, and another 12 charges against the sixth alleged injured party. There was no objection to bail during his first hearing in December when the case was adjourned. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment and completed a book of evidence, which was served on him when he appeared at Dublin District Court today. Judge Cephas Power granted a return for trial order, sending the accused forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The case will be listed for mention on April 12. Mr Manning, who has yet to indicate a plea, was granted legal aid. Judge Power also directed gardai to provide disclosure of interview videos to the defence. Mr Manning was warned to inform the prosecution if he intends to use alibi evidence in his trial. Anatol Botnari (24) grabbed the teenager between her legs, then was himself badly beaten by local people who came out and attacked him A MAN has been found guilty of groping a 14-year-old girl at a Dublin bus stop, after a judge said she did not accept his claim that he only bumped into the victim. Anatol Botnari (24) grabbed the teenager between her legs, then was himself badly beaten by local people who came out and attacked him. Adjourning the case for a victim impact statement and a probation report, Judge Monika Leech said the girl had been a truthful and reliable witness. Botnari, from Moldova but with an address at the time at Sorrel Heath, Clonsilla, had pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the girl in north Dublin on February 4 last year. The girl had told Dublin District Court she was at a bus stop with two friends when the accused "jumped at me from behind the shelter and wrapped his arms around her before putting his hand between her legs and groping her. She said he put his hand on her vagina over her tracksuit, that he proper felt her and that it was disgusting, the court heard. After it happened, she ran away and told her family. Botnari had claimed he drunkenly tripped" over the girl while going to get a bus and denied touching her between her legs or anywhere with his hands. His defence had said CCTV footage showed the accused did not wrap his arms around the girl. Today, Judge Leech said despite descriptive differences in what the girl said, she remained consistent on the basic story that she told. On the credibility of the victim, she said "I found her to be a truthful and reliable witness." After reviewing CCTV evidence, Judge Leech said she did not accept Botnari merely fell upon the girl and it was evident that he had made a direct approach to her. The judge was satisfied he did place his over the victims clothing on her vaginal area. Botnari was a hard-working man who had been in Ireland for around three years, and only his brother was here too, his solicitor Mark OSullivan said. The solicitor said he got the impression his client was very much isolated. Referring to the assault on Botnari after the incident, Mr OSullivan said the accused had already suffered. He had no previous convictions and this seems to be completely out of the norm for him, he said. Ordering a probation report, the judge said she was concerned that the accused appears to be somewhat alone in this country. Mr OSullivan said if Botnari, who had always denied the offence, was not accepting his guilt, it could be a stumbling block for dealing with the probation service, and he would advise him on this. During the non-jury trial, one of the victim's friends who also ran away alleged that when she returned, she saw the accused still on the green area, humping a lamppost, rocking his hips back and forth into the pole. Eventually, members of the community came upon him and Mr Botnari was assaulted, suffering head injuries and a broken tooth. Gardai found him and he was taken to hospital. In evidence, the accused said he was drinking in a friends car and had seven to eight beers in half an hour to an hour before going to get a bus home. All I know is that I bumped into her, I tripped and then she took off, he claimed. The court was told the music now coming from the bar was "like an earthquake" and much louder than before. A NEIGHBOUR of one of Dublin's best-known gay bars has told a court his night's sleep was "decimated" by the venue playing "thumping" club music and blasting Whitney Houston or Celine Dion's hits. Tommy Bergin, who lives with his wife in an apartment above the popular Street 66 bar on Parliament Street, lodged an objection to its music, singing, and dancing licences. The case was heard at Dublin District Court by Judge Marie Quirke, who oversees public houses in the capital. The judge noted expert witnesses gave evidence that the building was not ideal for the co-location of apartments and a late-night venue. She granted the renewal of the licences on the condition that the premises implemented a ten-decibel drop in the music levels, noting that there was no empirical evidence that this would affect business. The judge also ordered both parties to meet every four months. Describing it as an "unfortunate situation," she said yesterday that the Bergins were entitled to peace and quiet. However, she accepted that the bar owner, Siobhan Conmy, had also bought the venue in good faith and her evidence that she would do everything required. The judge refused to change the bar's special exemptions, allowing late-night opening two nights at the weekend. Dublin City Council employee Mr Bergin and his wife Mai moved into an apartment in 2021. Mr Bergin said the problem began in early 2022 when the covid restrictions were lifted. He said the music now coming from the bar was "like an earthquake" and much louder than before. He could not sleep despite using noise-cancelling headphones. He said that even if he turned his television to full volume, "you could still hear the blast of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston." He told his barrister, Conor Duff, that the music was "thumping every night" and also included club-style tunes, and the effect was that "my sleep pattern was absolutely decimated." He could not sleep before 3 am and had to be at work six hours later. The bar stays open until midnight Monday to Thursday and until 3 am at the weekends. Asked about the music volume, his wife Mai told the court, "The walls trembled". She could give the court the bar's playlist: "A lot of Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Britney Spears doing 'Toxic' at one, two or three, and Whitney Houston and 'Psycho Killer". Singer Celine Dion. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Mrs Bergin said the night would often end with Ike and Tina Turner's version of Proud Mary. She said, "The walls were shaking", and it felt like being in a nightclub. Another witness who lived in the apartments over the bar also agreed the volume had gone up. He told the court he had to switch to night shifts at work so he could sleep in the daytime. During the case management stages of the proceedings, the court ordered sound experts from each side to carry out a joint assessment. They differed by two decibels on how much the sound level needed to be reduced. The venue's audio expert, Diarmuid Keaney, recommended reducing the volume limit at one part of the bar from 88 to 80 decibels, which he said had almost halved the maximum sound level. Mr Bergin's audio consultant, Ted Dalton, believed the limit should be 78 decibels in the front bar and 86 decibels in the back. Owner Siobhan Conmy said her bar, which was called the Front Lounge until 2016, was a fun premises that plays chart music; she said it was an LGBT bar and had that feel about it since 1995 She agreed with her counsel, Dorothy Collins, that she had paid 52,000 for modifications. The court heard she removed six bass speakers from the bar, installed air conditioning so windows and doors could be kept closed, and soundproofing upgrades had been carried out. Judge Quirke ordered that the new maximum music volume be limited to the levels recommended by Mr Bergin's expert witness. Paula Doyle, who waived her right to anonymity, spoke outside court after the sentencing hearing of her attacker Aidan Kestell Paula Doyle speaks to the media at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin after the sentence hearing of Aidan Kestell. PHOTO: IrishPhotoDesk.ie A man has been jailed for seven and a half years for the rape of his wifes friend in a Dublin park almost five years ago. Paula Doyle, who waived her right to anonymity, spoke outside court after the sentencing hearing of her attacker Aidan Kestell (55) and urged other victims to come forward. I know it may seem that you are alone, but you are most definitely not. I know that today may seem like your darkest day and it feels everlasting, and this deplorable journey will never end but I constantly thought that too, I couldn't see myself standing here today but I am. The silence will stop, your voice will be heard, and you will have your day. If you haven't already gotten there, if you haven't already told someone, it's never ever too late, just tell one person and take it from there. Ms Doyle also called for more to be done in relation to violence against women. Violence, sexual assault, rape and murder of women in this country is on the increase over the last number of years. It can happen anytime, anywhere. We need more than just vigils and conversations. We need action, discussions need to be had by both men and women. Young boys and girls need to be educated and spoken with in both school and at home. Kestell was convicted of rape after a four-day trial at the Central Criminal Court last month. The offence took place on September 6, 2019, at Hartstown Park, Hartstown, Dublin 15. Kestell raped the woman in a park after walking her home from a party at his house. Kestell of Briarwood Lawn, Dublin 15, has no previous convictions. Ms Doyle, speaking outside court, said she had struggled with physical, mental, and emotional pain since the assault and it has had a lasting impact on her daily life. The actions of the predator that is Aidan Kestell have caused me immense suffering. During the investigation, it was found that the vile texts, photos, videos and stalking I had been subjected to for three and a half years prior to the rape were from him too. I believe in innocent until proven guilty, but l also believe there's not enough being done to protect the victim who has already had their world destroyed Today, Mr Justice Tony Hunt set a headline sentence of nine years for the rape. He said this was a single incident but one with appalling and enduring consequences. He described it as a crime of violence and revenge, for which Kestell will pay a serious price. Mr Justice Hunt said his actions were intentional and knowing, and there was nothing reckless about it. He said there were few mitigating factors and he was not inclined to agree that there had been a high degree of co-operation. He noted Kestell had first denied the offences and then gave a grudging acceptance that it had come about in a preposterous way. The judge said he utterly failed to see how that could be co-operation with the investigation. He said the best that could be said for Kestell was that he had reached his 50s without previous offending and was of good character with a good work history to the point where he got into this difficulty. He noted there would be serious consequences for him that would last the rest of his life. Mr Justice Hunt reduced the sentence to eight years and suspended the final six months. He ordered that Kestell be of good behaviour for three years post-release and have no contact with the woman or her family. Mr Justice Hunt wished Ms Doyle well and said he hoped her way was a bit clearer now this part of the ordeal was out of the way. At an earlier hearing, Ms Doyle said the sentencing hearing was an important step as it would close the four-and-a-half year sentence I've served since the attack. She suggested Kestell thought she wouldn't come around, continuing, Bet you thought youd got away with it. She described him as manipulative, vile and a compulsive liar. I've no noun to describe you. I wouldnt put you with any normal man, she said, adding that he's shown no remorse for his actions. I'm overjoyed your web of lies that you tried to spin has untangled...the life you once had is over. Speaking outside court Ms Doyle said: I am ready to rebuild my life, I can now look towards my future and live again. Today I am no longer a victim but a real survivor. First you will deposit 350 to begin then 500 when the license is ready. License will take 8 day to registered. The messages about fake licences sent to and from to the criminal Motorists trying to buy bogus driving licences are at risk of having their online bank account accessed by sophisticated criminal gangs. Fraudsters are using social media to offer forged documents for sale but buyers are eventually asked for more details than are needed on a licence. The information is enough for someone to take over a banking app on a phone. The cyber criminals are relying on the fact that someone trying to illegally obtain fake documents wont report them. One forger found by the Sunday World features photos and what appears to be high-quality drivers licences on a Facebook page, inviting direct messages for more details. Within a short time of sending a message the would-be forger gets back to ask if a full or provisional licence is sought. In the following exchanges, the forger gives the impression the licences are genuine and come from the National Driver Licence Service and the Road Safety Authority. Initially looking for a fee of 850, the forger offers a breakdown of costs including fee paid to director of work = 150 and documents approved from NDLS = 200. The messages about fake licences sent to and from to the criminal . . They also suggest it costs another 200 for RSA documents registration fee. First you will deposit 350 to begin then 500 when the license is ready. License will take 8 day to registered. You are not taking any test as we take care of everything. Full license is valid for 10yrs before renewal, the messages read. The price is dropped to 600 when it is suggested that 850 is a little steep, on condition the buyer finds more clients for him. The would-be forger then looks for more information than is needed for a drivers licence as well as insisting the 400 is paid via Revolut, so we get to work now. When told that the buyer would rather meet up and hand over the cash face-to-face they reply: Only up-front, make me know you are serious. They then sent a series of screen grabs and a video showing licences that were posted out, proof of transactions on Revolut and courier deliveries, which are quickly deleted. When I post I send you tracking code and you wait your package simple, their message says. The reality is that even if a bogus licence is created and delivered, the scammer would now have enough information to attempt to access a Revolut account. Revolut is a common target for cyber criminals along with other banks and companies such as eflow, and delivery firms. A spokesperson for Revolut said they are aware of a recent increase in advanced Account Takeover (ATO) scam attempts by criminals across the industry. Revolut is deeply concerned that large numbers of frauds are being enabled by criminals throughout the industry, using social media platforms in particular, the spokesperson said. We are continuously strengthening our fraud controls to stay one step ahead of new trends, introducing further direct interventions and sharing educational materials with our customers so they are able to spot the social engineering tactics of criminals. Gardai recently released figures which show reports of bogus texts and calls were up by 20 per cent to September 2023. They said there have been over 1,000 reports of account takeover fraud amounting to almost 7 million stolen to date in 2023. Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said most attempts at an account takeover start with a phone call and people being directed to a bogus website. He told the Sunday World scammers also likely to use a Revolut account to launder cash because transactions are completed in just eight seconds. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time, I know how much you loved them Tributes have been paid to criminal Glen Keegan, dubbed The Little General ahead of his funeral in Dublin on Monday. Keegan earned the nickname as a one-man crime wave during the 80s and 90s when Martin The General Cahill was one of the most notorious criminal figures in the city. According to his RIP.ie page, Keegan of Glen (Killinarden, Tallaght), died on March 12. He is predeceased by his mother Carmel and father Benny and sadly missed by his heartbroken family. 'Little General' Glen Keegan This includes: Sister Deborah, brothers Tony, Paul, Karl and Darren, children Chloe, Torri, Laceymae and their mother Olga, stepdaughters Laylaigh, Bonnie and their mother Aileen, granddaughter Sophia, nephews, nieces, extended family and close friends. Keegan will be reposing at Chloes mams house on Sunday (March 17th) from 3pm until 7pm" with removal on Monday, March 18, to The Sacred Heart Church, Killinarden arriving for 10am Funeral Mass and burial afterwards in Bohernabreena Cemetery. Numerous messages of sympathy have been left in the condolences section of the page in tribute to Mr Keegan. One reads: My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time, I know how much you loved them. "I always met you with a smile on your face and a kind word for others. May your passing be peaceful and rest assured you wont be forgotten, another adds. Tallaght has lost an absolute legend. Ive lost count of how many chats a giggles weve all had with you outside the chipper. "Youll be missed by everyone you were everyones friend. Watch over your family and all your beautiful kiddies they need you now more than ever, wrote another. To think I wont see you again or you to ring me is too hard to get me head around Glen. Rest easy until we meet again, thanks for the memories, the very funny nights together growing up and as old fellas we still had the laughs. "Youre at peace with your ma and da but we really, really werent ready to let you go. We miss you already and will never ever forget you.. one of a kind, reads another. I did not see a no trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. Pierce Brosnan has pleaded guilty to walking off a trail in a thermal area during a visit to Yellowstone National Park. The former James Bond star was fined 500 dollars and ordered to make a donation of 1,000 dollars (784) paid by April 1 to Yellowstone Forever, a non-profit organisation that supports the park, according to court documents. Brosnan, 70, pleaded guilty to foot travel in all thermal areas and within Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails, while the second charge of violating closures and use limits was dismissed by US Judge Stephanie Hambrick. As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world, Brosnan said in an Instagram post. However, I made an impulsive mistake one that I do not take lightly when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a no trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. Brosnan had previously pleaded not guilty to walking in an off-limits area near Mammoth Hot Springs on November 1, in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana border. Pierce Brosnan previously pleaded not guilty to the charges (Yui Mok/PA) Mammoth Hot Springs is a scenic tourist spot with hot springs alongside travertine terraces, while going out of bounds can prove dangerous with water at or near boiling point. Brosnan played Bond on the big screen four times from 1995 to 2002, before Daniel Craig took over the role. He also starred in the 1980s TV series Remington Steele and is known for starring roles in the films Mrs Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair and Mamma Mia!. A representative for Brosnan has been contacted for comment. The two Dubliners posed for a series of snaps on the red carpet, alongside the rest of the McGregor gang Conor McGregor hailed partner Dee Devlin as the love of his life as he celebrated his film premiere in London. Action packed flick Road House made its debut at the Curzon in Mayfair on Thursday and the McGregor clan turned out in style for the event. "Our London premier of @roadhousemovie for @primevideo a HUGE success! Thank you all for your commitment, Conor wrote on Instagram. Dee left Conor a touching tribute in response. Dee and Conor "I love the bones of you babe I am sooooo proud of you! to which Conor replied: LOML or love of my life. The two Dubliners posed for a series of snaps on the red carpet, alongside the rest of the McGregor gang, as well as Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Lukas Gage, and Billy Magnussen. The remake of the 1989 original Road House that starred Patrick Swayze will be available soon to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Actors on stage The fight movie sees Jake Gyllenhaal as lead actor playing an ex-UFC fighter who ends up working at a rough club in the Florida Keys. Conor plays anti-hero Knox as he makes his acting debut. Conor and Dee were joined by his sister Erin, his mother Margaret, father Tony as well as extended family. Dee and Conor The Crumlin native wore a purple suit to the event with Dee sporting a stylish, black dress. In a recent ITV interview, Conor spoke about his forthcoming marriage to Dee. "She is my long time lady and we're set to get married. Rian and Dee "I will spare no cost for sure for my lady and my family. It'll be humongous." He also had some kind words about his co-star. "Jake is a consummate professional. This is his 75th movie and he's now a friend for life." The veteran actor previously said Conor arrived on set willing to learn. I think we all had great respect for the fight game, Gyllenhaal told MMA Junkie. Same thing with Conor when he came to the movie set. He came in and said, Im a white belt. Im here to learn. I dont know anything about making movies or acting, and I want to learn. That type of humility in that space, I tried to bring the same way in the opposite end. I dont know that much about the fight game. I have great respect for it, and I wanted to learn. Conor added: "'ll tell you what I enjoyed the most. The fact that now everything else seems easy. "Because 15-hour days on set, memorising lines. You're memorising the lines and practicing before you even go on set, so it's a lot of hard work. "And I was doing my own stunts. But leaving it, going to training camp, preparing for fights, shooting content for all these companies, everything seems so much easier. I definitely was playing a role. Nobody knows the real Conor, thats the truth of it and that lends well into this craft. You know, I feel like my life is very much removed from reality as it is. "You know, in the public sphere so much. I feel like I could play any role. So, this was a good role to play and I done my best. These tours are difficult. Im the type of person that celebrates at the starting line. I get excited we finished the first day of New York and then we still had four more days of New York, and then we still had to go to Texas and do four days. "But were only after finishing one day and I get excited and start celebrating, then its tough to do it the next day. Its just experience. There is still no definite return date announced for McGregors UFC return. "I had a camp in Cannes in the south of France, I had a camp in Dubai, world champions training with me where I was hoping for a December date, then a January date and then it keeps getting pushed back, Conor told The MacLife in London. Roger Rabbits with Jim Bunny Sit back and rejoice. Hallelujah and pass the grass, leaves, grains and thorny desert plants. Because 2024 is The Year of the Camelid celebrating the timeless bond between Arabs and camelids, to show how important they are to the livelihoods of millions of people in 90 countries, their contribution to food security, nutrition and economic growth. I am sure you are positively glowing at the news. Ill save you a Google search a camelid is an even-toed ungulate, a ruminant mammal with a three-chambered stomach. A camel, a llama or an alpacaYou any the wiser? But how did we get to this? How did those bad-tempered, bad-mannered, spitting and kicking camels, creatures of the devil, manage to corral the hearts and minds of the entire United Nations to become animal of the year. Ive already fired off a message of protest to Antonio Guterres. And it demands draft resolution 2344/181 revoking the 2024 International Year of the Camelid be submitted to the General Assembly. We will see what sort of power The Weekend Sun pulls. Foul smelling soup Anyhow camelids vile things. Camels have a vicious slashing bite. They also gob a foul smelling soup of regurgitated food if you upset them. No style! Did you know Australia has the largest wild population of Arabian camels in the world? Yep its a country of convict blood and camels. So why are droves of Kiwis headed there? But I digress Llamas are also into the spitting thing streams of green, partially-digested food. And theres something called Berserk Llama syndrome, BLS, or aberrant behaviour syndrome which causes them to be dangerously aggressive to humans. Anyhow Mr Guterres I respectfully submit two new and more deserving contenders for UN Year of the Whatever. First, the dirty, diseased and much unloved pigeon. Thats their reputation because city pigeons perch high and poop on everyone and everything. Pigeons are called rats with wings. And they have that rat cunning. We were reminded of this a couple of weeks ago when a pigeon outsmarted the pest controllers and security at a New Zealand supermarket. The pigeon flew in, did a low pass over fruit and vegetables, skirted wine and beer, banked around the deli and bakery and came in for a graceful two-point landing down the dry goods aisles by the bulk seeds, legumes and grains. Damned smart The pigeon then stuck his beak into a dispenser and gorged himself. Health issues aside, thats one damned smart pigeon. How did it know where to go? Where did it get its co-ordinates? It was out of necessity, the pigeon later told The Weekend Sun. People used to toss us bread crusts down on market square. But with food prices soaring people are eating the crusts themselves. And if David Seymour has his way, the crusts will be commandeered for school lunches. To add to my case for International Year of the Pigeon there is the legend of Cher Ami or Dear Friend. Cher Ami was serving in the trenches during WWI when a commander of trapped infantry needed to get crucial information back behind the lines. The job fell to Cher Ami, who took off under a barrage of German fire. Bullets zipped all around as the bird flew 40km back to its coop. Cheri Ami lay there on its back and covered in blood blinded in one eye, a shot to the breastbone and a leg hanging by just a few tendons. What a bird! But the message got through and nearly 200 lives were saved. Cher Ami was awarded the French Croix de Guerre cross of war. Cher Ami was immortalised in verse. Little scrawny blue and white, Messenger for men who fight, Tell me of the deep red scar, There, just where no feathers are. Cher Ami died of war wounds in 1919. A taxidermist preserved what was left one eye, a stump and a few feathers. Living in a hippos butt I respectfully submit another of Gods creatures for the UN Year of the Whatever if only for its extraordinarily difficult living situation. Its the Placobdelloides Jaegerskioeldi. These creatures live in the butt of hippopotami. You heard me right. Hippos have very thick, tough skin and a layer of blubber. And the butt is the only part of the hippo thats sufficiently vascularised, or veiny, for the leaches to get a good blood meal. It must be difficult for the Placobdelloides Jaegerskioeldi to accept the cruel deal life has dealt it. But as some compensation, it has been blessed it with two powerful suckers to withstand the hippos rather explosive bowel movements. We were thinking of door-stopping the leach for comment, but that would have created health and safety issues. And so, in their ignominy, I suggest Placobdelloides Jaegerskioeldi deserves celebration. We all love an underdog. A Ruapehu business owner says the latest government bailout is a waste of money. On Wednesday, the government agreed to a final $7m bailout for Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, but was clear it would be the last taxpayer money the struggling ski resort received. The money will allow the ski season to go ahead at Whakapapa this year, while the Government also agreed to provide $3.05m in equity and loan funding to support the sale of Turoa ski field on the other side of the mountain. Ruapehu accommodation and ski-hire business owner Sam Clarkson told Morning Report the money is being put in the wrong direction. Clarkson, who was also part of the Ruapehu Skifields Stakeholders Association, says government ministers need to sit down with people who actually know how to run skifields. "[RAL] don't have people running the company who know how to run skifields. When it got into trouble in came Mbie, who don't know how to run skifields, and have gotten in consultants, who don't know how to run skifields." Clarkson says the millions spent on bailouts could have been used to forgive the more than $30m in government debt. He says they are willing to wipe the debt for other potential buyers and should do the same for the community ownership model. "Get rid of the consultants who have made millions of dollars out of this, the same millions that would have fixed up RAL." They have a "whole crew" of experts standing by ready to run things, Clarkson says. 'Poor cousin to the rockstar that is Queenstown' Stu Robinson owns Kings Accommodation in Ohakune. He told First Up he hopes the latest bailout will give those interested time to get themselves sorted. "Might just put a fire up people to actually get something lined up for proper for next year. "The commercial entities need to sort of step up, there's definitely a number of people that have said they're keen to take on Whakapapa." Robinson says the town is used to being the "poor cousin to the rockstar that is Queenstown". "[Ohakune has] got more of that good wholesome small Kiwi town vibe, you still borrow cups of sugar, you're catching rides with a lot of people, there's a real good community feel here." He says the area is well-loved and well-visited. "We're a resilient bunch, everyone sort of looks after each other. It's a really good community that has each other's back and we work together putting together deals and promotions and we're always actively sort of advertising Ohakune and the smaller satellite towns and the Ruapehu region as a whole." 'Time and goodwill running out for Whakapapa' Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton says time and goodwill are running out for Whakapapa ski field. He says the latest bailout provides some certainty for the upcoming ski season. But Kirton told Morning Report there needs to be some adult conversations about how they move forward. "I think there's enough goodwill for that to happen, and we want to play our part to make sure that that can happen on behalf of not only our district, but the rest of New Zealand." Kirton says it appears a previous deal for Whakapapa had fallen over due to some of the details which needed to be addressed. But he says the deal for the Turoa side of Mt Ruapehu shows there is no reason the same couldn't be achieved for the Whakapapa side. 'Such an asset' Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the $7m is "the last chance saloon". "This money is circumscribed within the $200-odd-million-dollars that the last regime had and it's traceable back to some of the original allocations from the initial Provincial Growth Fund." Labour MP Jan Tinetti told First Up every possibility needs to be looked at. "I've skied up there myself and I absolutely love it and I just know that it's such an asset for particularly the North Island." -RNZ. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. On March 15, another group of former internally displaced persons, consisting of families temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, pioneer camps and administrative buildings in various territories of Azerbaijan, was sent to the city of Fuzuli from the Garadagh district of Baku, Trend reports. At this stage, another 35 families (153 people) moved to the city of Fuzuli. The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt on the basis of instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation. Until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 562 families - 2,122 people. An envelope sent from Whakaari/White Island to Cambridge on December 14, 1928, is up for auction estimated at $650. The envelope is special because of its December 14, 1928, postmark from White Island. The post office was only open on the dangerous island from 1927 to 1930, so letters from it are rare. The Post Office supported sulphur mining which became uneconomic during the 1930s depression, forcing the post office to close. The envelope is part of an auction that will see some of New Zealands biggest ever coin auctions in Wellington next week. These auctions with $1.7m of coins and stamps bring the last years offering to a record $3m and have great historic and collector interest, says David Galt, recently appointed managing director Mowbray Collectables. The combination of rare stamps on offer is almost never seen. 12 shillings and sixpence 1925 stamp duty stamp estimated at $75,000. Top New Zealand stamp is a 1925 Twelve Shillings and Sixpence stamp used for paying stamp duty tax showing Queen Victoria, with a $75,000 estimate, one of 10 known. Threepence Vanguard stamp of 1949 estimated at $65,000. Even scarcer is a Threepence 1949 stamp for the cancelled NZ visit of King Charles grandfather, George VI, showing the ship the King was to travel on, one of just seven to survive, estimated at $65,000. Top coin estimate of $18,000 is for a superb set of six NZ coins from 1935 with the rare, large Waitangi Crown coin showing Lieutenant Governor William Hobson and Chief Tamati Waka Nene at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The top banknote is a 50 Pounds Reserve Bank 1934 note also showing Tamati Waka Nene estimated at $20,000, the first available in the regular auctions since 2018. Reserve Bank 50 Pounds Banknote of 1934. It would have had a face value of $7500 in todays money. Quirky coins include Pennies which were stuck in the press and show two heads and two mule coins combining head designs from completely different countries with New Zealand designs, the kowhai on a 2 cent with a Bahamas die and the pied shag with a Solomon Islands die on a $5 coin from 2000. There are eight medals from the 1860s New Zealand Wars, which typically sell for $1000 upwards, and eight memorial crosses issued to the NZ families of soldiers killed in World War II onwards after war-time Prime Minister Peter Fraser sought a way to express condolences to the families. As ANZAC Day looms in April, these provide a potent reminder of the sacrifices and deaths of those who served overseas. A grandmother and granddaughter who set out for a bush walk on Sunday afternoon are no doubt thanking their lucky stars after a late night rescue. The pair had set out at about 4.30pm on Sunday with their four dogs for an afternoon walk at the base of the Mangamukas. But after nearly three hours they quickly realised they had lost their way and darkness was looming. The rescue is being used as a warning for anyone venturing out in New Zealand's countryside this autumn. Constable Sam Davidson, from Whangarei Police Search and Rescue, says they received a call for help at about 7.40pm and it wasnt long before a team was assembled and deployed. The information we received indicated that both women were lightly dressed and had no food or water. The granddaughter also had a mobile phone on her but it only had 10 per cent battery and no data. A team of seven Far North Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) members left Kerikeri at about 8.30pm and arrived at their last known location near Abraham Road at about 9.20pm. Constable Davidson says the team were able to make voice contact after an hour and by 11.35pm the pair were being walked out safe and well. It was a really good response and result. They had a couple of minor cuts and bruises but it was a fantastic team effort. Constable Davidson says it was also a timely reminder for people to prepare and be ready for an unexpected situation and to have the ability to navigate if necessary, even if its just data on your phone. I also want to reiterate how important it is during these types of situations that we back our LandSAR team. They are well-trained, efficient and experts in their field and we couldnt do what we do without them. People will be donning green for a good cause at the St. Patricks Day Races in Tauranga. Tauranga resident and Wish4Fish founder Bryce Dinneen has organised a fundraiser at the races on Saturday, March 16, to support a woman who suffered a spinal cord injury after falling off a horse. Rebecca Allum fell off her horse five years ago when a horse bucked and she fell and landed on her neck. As she lay paralysed on the ground, she knew she had broken her neck. Rebecca had broken C4, C6 and C7. Her recovery is a long process and there have been times when she has wanted to give up. Rebeccas determination to get back on a horse has massively paid off. Five years since her incident, she is an incomplete tetraplegic. She has some mobility and can walk with a stroller. Rebecca is back on her horses and driving her car. Rebecca will continue to live with her injury for the rest of her life, but that will not hold her back from achieving her dreams. Rebecca wants to compete in para-equestrian and she needs funds to achieve this dream. Rebecca is a friend that lives with a spinal cord injury and shes trying to do something really amazing, so I rolled my sleeves up to give her a hand, says Bryce. The fundraiser is about lifting her profile and trying to raise a few dollars for her so she can compete in para-equestrian. Join the fun-filled Irish-themed race day fundraiser in the Tokyo Lounge at Racing Tauranga. With individual tickets or tables(8pax) available, it's time together with your friends, work colleagues and anyone who is looking for a great day out enjoying thoroughbred racing action. So if you like a little bit of fancy dress, some Irish-themed food and beverage, trying to back a winner, raffles and giveaways make sure you register to secure your tickets to a great day out on behalf of an incredible lady. To find out more, visit the C4 Events & Fundraising Facebook page here and the Facebook event page. Tickets are $115 per person, drinks are provided on arrival. There will be grazing platters, a St Paddys lunch and dessert and a Luck of the Irish lucky draw, along with much more. Contact Bryce by calling 021616601 or emailing c4bryce@gmail.com for your tickets. Western Bay of Plenty District Council is encouraging residents from Omokoroa, Waihi Beach, Te Puke, Maketu, Kaimai and Katikati to speak up on how they want to be represented. Did you know the Western Bay has 11 councillors and a mayor? Or that there are five community boards? Whether a representation rookie or representation royalty, heres your chance to assess if Western Bay of Plenty District Council's current representation arrangements fit or need a change through its Do You Know: Representation Review Edition, Kei te mohio koe: Te Putanga Arotake Whakaata. Representation lies at the heart of a thriving democracy and community, ensuring that the voices of everyone are heard, considered, and represented in decision-making processes, says Western Bay Mayor James Denyer. Councils are required to review their representation arrangements every six years to ensure that we have effective and fair representation for the community. It includes things like where the boundaries of our Districts voting wards go and the number of elected councillors that we have. Mayor James says the council last did a review in 2018 and the district has changed since then. Our community is evolving, and our representation arrangements need to keep pace, says Mayor James. Population estimates, according to Stats NZ, show nearly 12,000 newcomers to the Western Bay from 48,960 in June 2017 to 60,770 in June 2023 since the 2018 Representation Review. This includes the general electoral population increasing from 43,000 to 53,500 and the Maori electoral population increasing from 5960 to 7240. The District is also becoming increasingly diverse. "So, its now time to review our representation arrangements again and were keen to hear your feedback." This means checking in with you about: The total number of councillors for the District and the way in which they are elected this could be at large (by everyone) or by ward (only people living in a ward can vote for a particular candidate). The boundaries of wards, as well as the number of Maori wards, our District should have. Whether we should keep community boards, how many there should be, what their boundaries are or should we try something different. As part of the Representation Review process Council has already decided that the First Past the Post electoral system will be used for the 2025 and 2028 local body elections. It also decided to establish Maori wards for the 2025 local body election. This means that for the first time Councils representation arrangements will include a Maori ward or wards. Following this community korero, Council will develop a draft proposal and check in with the community one more time later this year, July-August, before adopting the final arrangements. Any changes will be in place for the next Western Bay of Plenty District Council election in 2025. What are the current representation arrangements? Western Bay has a mayor who is elected by the whole of the District i.e. at large. Western Bay currently has 11 councillors who are elected from three different general wards. Katikati-Waihi Beach ward: three councillors Kaimai ward: four councillors Maketu-Te Puke ward: four councillors Western Bay also has five community boards each with four members and two councillors. o Waihi Beach Community Board o Katikati Community Board o Omokoroa Community Board o Te Puke Community Board o Maketu Community Board How to join the korero You can give feedback via the following options: Online, wananga ipurangi - head to the Have Your Say web page haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz/rep-review-2024 Hard copy, pepa maro printed feedback forms are available at all council library and service centres. Email, imera email haveyoursay@westernbay.govt.nz Community conversation, Korero a-hapori come see council staff at the following community events: Omokoroa Night Markets: Friday, March 15, Omokoroa Domain, 5-9pm Waihi Beach Sunday Market: Sunday, March 17, Wilson Park, 9am-1pm Te Puke/Maketu Community Group Workshop: Monday, April 8, Te Puke War Memorial Hall, 7-9pm Kaimai Community Group Workshop: Wednesday, April 10, Oropi Hall, 7-9pm Katikati Town and Country Market: Saturday, April 13, Katikati War Memorial Hall, 9am-1pm Feedback closes 5pm Monday, April 15 2024. Europa Press Seville Friday, 15 March 2024, 16:38 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram President of the Junta de Andalucia Juanma Moreno aims to get local authorities together to discuss the possibility of towns and cities imposing an extra tax on tourists in the region, similar to the one charged in cities such as Barcelona. Moreno said on Thursday that he has urged the regional minister of tourism, Arturo Bernal, to arrange a meeting between the Andalusian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FAMP) and the Confederation of Andalusian Business owners (CEA) in which the Junta will act as a "mediator" to assist both parties to reach an agreement on the regulation of a regional tourist tax. Moreno made this announcement after the FAMP president and the Mayor of Cordoba, Jose Maria Bellido, proposed to the Junta de Andalucia the creation of a working group on the regulation of a tourist tax in Andalucia, a demand shared by mayors of cities such as Seville, Granada, Cadiz and Malaga, all of them from the Partido Popular. The proposal was made to Moreno during his speech at the Europa Press breakfast briefings on Tuesday. During his speech at the closing of the IV Spanish Economic Forum in Andalucia organised by El Espanol and Invertia, Moreno said that he had instructed Bernal to call a meeting with municipal authorities and business owners "so that they can sit down and negotiate an agreement or a possibility of an agreement for this tourist tax that some town councils are demanding with very specific limitations and that the sector does not quite see". "There is a small conflict that we are going to resolve between the administrations and where the role of the Junta de Andalucia, as always, is to mediate and at the same time to promote an agreement that is ultimately positive for a sector as important as tourism and also to improve the quality of the tourism we offer," the president of the Junta said. Antonio M. Romero Malaga Friday, 15 March 2024, 17:39 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The provincial branches of the conservative Partido Popular (PP) in Malaga and Cadiz have sealed a strategic alliance to demand that the Socialist-led government extend the railway line from Fuengirola to Marbella and Estepona, which would also open the doors to its extension to the Campo de Gibraltar in Cadiz province. This common front was agreed at a meeting in Algeciras, attended by the president of the PP in Malaga, Patricia Navarro, with her counterpart from Cadiz, Bruno Garcia, and the mayor of Algeciras, Jose Ignacio Landaluce. The three-way meeting resulted in the commitment of the PP in Malaga and Cadiz to promote initiatives to demand an infrastructure that is "clearly necessary to guarantee the development of one of the most thriving areas with the greatest growth projection in the country", according to the Malaga PP. In addition, the leaderships of both parties agreed in highlighting "the urgency" of calling on PM Pedro Sanchez to ensure that in the next national budget, which is in the drafting phase, sufficient funds are allocated "for the project to move forward and break the deadlock". Secretary general of the Malaga PP Jose Ramon Carmona stressed that it is "key" to start planning the coastal train, an infrastructure that, in his opinion, "has been absent for five years from the list of priority projects of the government, despite the fact that the Partido Popular's ex-minister of Public Works, Inigo de la Serna, left two alternative routes proposed in 2018, with progress made in the geotechnical studies and which provided the initial environmental document with a budget". The time to be "ambitious" Carmona has maintained that now is the time to be "ambitious" and that the coastal train, which is "a priority" for Malaga and Cadiz, should not be postponed. For this reason, the PP in both provinces will take initiatives with this claim to city councils, the provincial authorities, the Andalusian parliament and the Congreso in Madrid so that calls for "this necessary infrastructure do not fall on deaf ears". "We know that the PSOE is now more concerned with its internal affairs, but they must not forget that they must have the interests of the general public at heart. At the PP, as a party with a vocation for government and public service, we understand that it is our obligation to offer mobility solutions to both current and future residents, always from the technical rigour of the experts and hand in hand with the citizens," added the number two of the party in Malaga. Landaluce, Navarro and Garcia, after the meeting held in Algeciras. SUR Jose Ramon Carmona maintained that it is necessary to look for alternatives to the traffic problems on the Costa del Sol as far as Algeciras, where the absence of a railway alternative forces residents and visitors to use "the most expensive toll [per] kilometre in Spain". He insisted on asking the government to temporarily suspend the toll on the AP-7 until the train from Malaga to Algeciras comes into operation and recalled that the government has committed to subsidise 75% of the Galician AP-9 and AP-53 motorways following the agreement between PSOE and BNG, which was an essential part in allowing Sanchez to be re-elected as prime minister. SUR in English Gibraltar Friday, 15 March 2024, 13:22 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram On Monday, Gibraltar celebrated Commonwealth Day with the theme One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth. To mark the occasion, the government held an essay competition on Gibraltar's relationship with the Commonwealth for local schoolchildren. There were prizes of 150 for each category: lower primary, upper primary, comprehensive and over 18s. As far as possible, for the resolution of online disputes in consumer matters in accordance with Regulation (EU) 524/2013, the possibility that the European Commission provides as an online dispute resolution platform and that is available at the link https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. Tony Bryant Marbella Friday, 15 March 2024, 14:04 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The local, English-speaking theatrical sector was saddened by the death of June Rendle, a talented actor, playwright and director who died peacefully at her home in San Pedro Alcantara on Monday 4 March. June had been involved with the local theatre and cultural scene in the province of Malaga for many years, and she also wrote amateur theatre production reviews for SUR in English, something she enjoyed until 2023. An only child born in Walsall (West Midlands) in 1930, June gained her passion for drama at the age of 16. She was offered a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, although her father decided she should work for him at his garage instead, something that June would regret all her life. In 1952, June married Johnny Rendle, a former Royal Air Force pilot. Living in Walsall in a house designed by her husband, June became a "typical 1950s housewife", bringing up two children. During the 1960s, June, who became close friends with Eric Morecambe and his wife, Joan, began teaching drama at Aldwickbury School. She made her debut for the Abbey Players in St Albans in the 1970s, playing the lead role in their inaugural performance in front of the Queen Mother. June appeared in several adverts and in television programmes like The Benny Hill Show. She also made it to the final two actresses to replace Honor Blackman as Emma Peel in The Avengers, although the part was eventually given to Diana Rigg. June first arrived on the coast with her husband in 1979, where she brought a holiday home in Nueva Andalucia (Marbella), and the couple settled permanently on the coast in 2005. June began writing short stories and magazine articles in 2009, shortly after her husband died. Her love of theatre had followed her to Spain, and she became a valued member of the International Theatre Studio in Marbella (ITS), an amateur theatrical group that will mark its 50th anniversary on the coast next year. June was an active and prominent member with the ITS for many years, offering her skills as an actor, playwright and director. In a social media post, the ITS wrote, "We will miss her passion, expertise, knowledge and guidance." June is survived by her daughter Nikky and son Miles. Tony Bryant Seville Friday, 15 March 2024, 15:13 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Celebrated British film director and producer Stephen Frears arrives in Seville this week to participate in the Hay Festival Forum, an international gathering of experts and leaders in the field of ideas, architecture, literature, film, art and culture. Now in its second year in the Andalusian capital, cinema plays a leading role in the forum, and along with the chance to listen to Frears talking about his long career in the film industry, there was also an opportunity to see three of his most celebrated films in English: My Beautiful Laundrette, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Queen. SUR in English caught up with the 82-year-old, who claims "being a film director is an odd combination of involvement and detachment", to talk about his early work, his rise to stardom in Hollywood and some of the actors he has most enjoyed working with. Frears spent most of his early directing career in television, mainly for the BBC. He has since become world-renowned for his real-life stories that explore controversial subjects or events, like interracial relationships, homosexual promiscuity, political scandal and the British class system, most of which are a mixture of tragedy and comedy. Born in Leicester, Frears began his career working as an assistant director in theatre and television, directing his debut feature film, Gumshoe, in 1971. However, it was to be in the 1980s when Frears' career really took off, in particular, with the movies, My Beautiful Laundrette, which launched Daniel Day-Lewis on his acting career; and Prick Up Your Ears, the true-story of playwright Joe Orton's tragic life, which starred the young actors Gary Oldman and Alfred Molina. These three actors were relatively unknown at the time, but they were not chosen because Frears has an eye for new talent. "I didn't have enough money to use anyone famous at that time. What happens is you do it out of necessity. There were four people on the list for Dan's part. They were the ones who were around at that time. It's true, we didn't have enough money, but we were saved by our poverty," he says, bursting into laughter. Even though many of his films are based on real-life characters, Frears rarely seeks to meet the people he is portraying. "Well, I never met the Queen, or Joe Orton, and I've never met Tony Blair. I've no desire to meet them, because that would have confused me. I don't think real life helps, because, in a way, it's much better to use one's imagination," he explains. Academy nominations Frears received international attention as a director in 1988, when he directed Dangerous Liaisons, which starred John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer. The film received world-wide critical acclaim and was nominated for seven Academy and ten British Academy awards, launching Frears onto the Hollywood scene. In 1990, he directed the crime thriller, The Grifters, which was produced by Martin Scorsese, someone for whom he obviously holds much respect. "I was always waiting for Martin to phone. One day he rang. He had seen Laundrette and thought that the man who made this must make The Grifters. I thought this was brilliant," he says. Another "big moment" in his life was when he went to Hollywood in 1992 to make Hero, starring Dustin Hoffman. "Hero was a studio film, and I didn't really know much about working for the studios. I don't think I know that much now. I was quite perplexed by it all," he declares, with sincerity. A string of box-office hit movies followed and Frears began to establish himself as a much sought-after director, but he never turned his back on the UK and the British film industry. He returned to directing for television with The Deal (2003), which was based on the alleged deal between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as to which of them would lead the Labour party in 1994. This was followed by The Queen (2006), a film based on the death of Princess Diana from the angle of Queen Elizabeth II. The lead role was played by Helen Mirren, who had described the movie as "a hot potato". Mirren claimed that it was only the professionalism of the director that put her at ease. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and Mirren, who claimed she was "petrified at the thought of making it", won Best Actress for her portrayal of the monarch. "When I was first introduced to Helen, I thought it was a very good idea for her to play the role. When she sat down, the producer said, 'Oh my goodness, she looks exactly like the queen.' Helen was so good, but I didn't feel the subject was a hot potato. She was brilliant. I remember her going into wardrobe, and when she came out, she was the queen. It's as simple as that," Frears says. Although he sometimes works with the same actor for different movies, he claims he does not have any favourites. "I don't really have favourites, but I remember thinking when I first met Hugh [Grant] that I would have a part to play in his life. We started flirting, and then along came the film Florence Foster Jenkins, which was enjoyable to make. Next was the film about Jeremy Thorpe, A Very English Scandal. I always knew Hugh would be brilliant, although he took some convincing." Journey of discovery Frears believes that "making a film is a journey of discovery; they are a way of learning about life". "I have a curious mind, so coming up with fresh material is key. I pick a film because I like it, and because I think it's well written. I am astonished that writers seem to be able to write the inside of my head. The idea of repeating myself is very depressing though," he explains. In 2017, Frears made Victoria and Abdul, a British film about the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria and her Indian Muslim servant. The film starred Judy Dench, whom he had worked with on Mrs Henderson Presents, in 2005, which also starred Bob Hoskins. He had also collaborated with Dench in 2013 on the film, Philomena, which explored the story of Philomena Lee's 50-year search for her son, who was taken from her when she was a young unwed mother at a Catholic convent, and then adopted by an American family. Although he has been voted among the top 100 most influential people in British culture, and hailed as one of the film world's "most influential creators in recent decades", Frears claims he "takes no notice" of this praise. Even his knighthood in 2023 is something he believes to be of little use in the film world. "I must say that I was surprised when I heard about the knighthood, but it's not a title I would ever think of using. The thing about it was that it was of no relevance, but the day was rather charming. Princess Anne was charming," he says. The director acknowledges that the film industry has changed greatly since he first began, which is why he feels that forums like the one in Seville are important. "When I grew up, you went to the pictures, to the cinema. I've always preferred that. I can see the world is not the way I wanted it to be, so these types of festivals have become important. "The way films are made is also easier today, but of course, the easiness is its own trap, because in the end, it's about thought and imagination," he concludes. Stephen Frears' latest project, The Regime, which stars Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, premiered on HBO at the beginning of March. du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung to expand its business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) segments. Under the agreement, du and Samsung will work together to expand Samsung's digital service business and offerings, such as Samsung Care+, through retail, online, and mobile channels. This move aims to enhance the overall customer experience for both B2C and B2B customers. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, said: "We are thrilled to solidify our partnership with Samsung, this collaboration will allow us to provide our customers with an even wider range of cutting-edge products and services. By combining the strengths of both companies, we are confident that we can meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers." Innovative mobile experience Fadi Abu Shamat, Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: "This strategic collaboration with du is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative mobile experience to our customers in the UAE. Through this partnership, we will be able to bring our cutting-edge products and solutions including Galaxy AI- a key enabler for new user experience paradigms, especially when it comes to the tools that empower creative expression, productivity, and barrier-free communications. This is the beginning of the future of mobile AI and we are proud to share this journey with our esteemed partner, du. The partnership between du and Samsung will focus on various business fundamentals and key development pillars. This includes expanding B2C practices to B2B, with an emphasis on the Enterprise Edition portfolio and rugged device offerings. Additionally, du will have exclusive access to Samsung's latest product launches, ensuring customers have access to the most advanced technology available. The companies will also collaborate on reaching the younger generation, with joint participation in events like the Dubai Esports Festival. Another strategic focus of this partnership is the creation of B2B-specific workshops and events to maximise reach. The collaboration aims to provide customers with value-added services (VAS) and monetisation opportunities through direct investment and by leveraging the du ecosystem. Furthermore, the companies plan to develop B2B-specific rate plans for the enterprise edition and rugged device portfolio, as well as collaborate on CRM initiatives for local customers in the premium segment offerings.--TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Many expectations for the future are held by the most vulnerable individuals. The Special Envoy for Climate Change of the Kingdom of Morocco and the 14th president of Liberal International Hakima El Haite told Trend on the sidelines of the XI Global Baku Forum. "The initial step towards addressing climate change is honoring the commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement," she underlined. The second crucial solution, according to her, is responsibility. "Responsibility serves as a mechanism that ensures transparency regarding efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, investments, and more. This mechanism should be established and agreed upon at COP29. I believe this framework will compel countries to acknowledge their responsibilities," she said. Hakima El Haite also remarked that the world is currently experiencing significant turbulence. "In our world filled with conflicts, climate change, akin to war, is claiming lives. Climate change is poised to trigger waves of migration. So, what actions are being taken? What takes precedence? How can we address these challenges while allocating substantial investments to warfare and obliging nations to allocate 1.5 percent of their GDP to defense?" she added. The XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations, with more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will run by March 16, will participate in global discussions about the outcomes of COP28 and the preparation for COP29. It will discuss causes endangering the evolving world order, including security concerns and peace possibilities, as well as initiatives to promote stability in a tumultuous global landscape and the consequences. Additionally, it will investigate solutions to handle impending issues, tackle critical conflicts and megathreats, and cover climate, food, and nuclear security concerns. Moreover, discussions will encompass the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional viewpoints, relationships with the EU and neighboring states, youth policies, strategies for enhancing resilience against global challenges, and addressing issues of inequality, natural resource scarcity, and migration dynamics. Additionally, the forum will delve into the emergence of new security paradigms in the era of artificial intelligence, drones, and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Jennie Rhodes Nerja Friday, 15 March 2024, 22:54 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Malagas provincial council of the Asociacion Espanola Contra Cancer (Spanish association against cancer, AECC) has appointed Eduardo Rubio Rodriguez as the new president of its Nerja branch, on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol. Rodriguez replaces Aurelia Lopez Solier, who held the post for five years before resigning in December 2023 for health reasons. Rodriguez has said that his intention is to give continuity to the work done so far. "Nerja has done good work in recent years and has managed to open new services that are very important for our residents including transferring patients to hospitals in Malaga for treatment. My intention is to continue this work and to promote it even more. He went on to say, I am sure that thanks to the residents of Nerja we can continue to grow in patient care, cancer prevention and the promotion of cancer research". Professional career in Nerja and Torrox Born in El Puerto de Santa Maria (Cadiz), Rodriguez worked in a bank for most of his professional career, holding positions of different responsibilities. From 1996 until his retirement in October 2023 he worked for Caixabank in Torrox and Nerja. During all this time in Nerja, independently of his professional activity, he has collaborated with the Centro de Mayores (centre for elderly people) and has participated in different socio-cultural initiatives in the town, among others, as a member of the Coral Alminares de Nerja choir. His family has had close involvement with AECC as his sister-in-law used the service when she had cancer and up until her death from the disease. Rodriguez said, The patient and their family are at the centre of our mission and we have to help them. For this I count on all the volunteers and appeal to the residents of Nerja to join the AECC, either as members or as volunteers. Your help is essential". Services In addition to the patient transfer service, the Nerja branch of the AECC also provides psychological care with Marina Salas, the association's psycho-oncologist, who in 2023 attended more than 50 patients, giving more than 250 sessions. So far this year, another ten new patients have requested this service and have been seen every fortnight. Social workers are also on hand to provide help and advice with benefits, referrals to social services and the provision of resources. 21 volunteers from the Nerja branch also participate in craft workshops every Monday and Friday where craft items are made to be sold to raise funds for the association. The AECC has been in operation for 70 years to bring together patients, relatives, volunteers and professionals who work together to prevent, raise awareness, accompany those affected and finance cancer research projects that will lead to better diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It has 52 provincial branches across more than 2,000 Spanish towns, over 30,000 volunteers, more than 500,000 members and almost 1,000 professionals. During 2022, the Spanish Association Against Cancer assisted 140,595 people affected by the disease. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Friday, 15 March 2024, 09:49 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram This weekend will be the last of winter, as astronomical spring will begin on Wednesday, 20 March, at 4.06am. After a spell of rain, snow and cold during the previous week, from now on and for several days there will be warmth (well above average for this time of year), sunshine and even a possible return of the warm 'terral' wind blowing from inland. All this, sadly, without a trace of the much-needed rainfall. "The rise in temperatures is going to be general, across a large part of Spain, due to a very stable anticyclonic situation", explained the head of Aemet's state weather agency in Malaga, Jesus Riesco. The rise in maximum temperatures will be felt throughout the province. This Friday (15 March), Riesco forecasts an inrush warm 'terral' air from the west, which will be more noticeable in Malaga city and areas of the coast where the warm wind usually blows (Coin and the rest of the Guadalhorce valley, Velez, Estepona, etc). On Saturday it will change to easterly and the mercury will drop a little, and on Sunday it will rise again - across the board. "The tendency is to rise throughout the province," added the meteorologist, although with differences in the weather between the coast and inland - when it is higher in one, it will tend to fall in the other, and vice versa. Therefore the maximum temperatures in Malaga city will be around 25C today, 22-23 degrees on Saturday and 24C on Sunday. "These are quite high for this time of year, well above normal values," Riesco warned. The situation will continue at least until Monday, when the Guadalhorce valley could reach up to 30 degrees. From Tuesday onwards, the situation will tend to normalise, although with temperatures still above 22-23C and minimum temperatures of 15-16 degrees. However, for the time being, the much-needed rain is not on the horizon in the short term. The anticyclonic ridge will be accompanied by "a very warm air mass for the time of year", added Jose Luis Escudero, head of SUR's weather blog, Tormentas y Rayos (Storms and Lightning . "We will have positive temperature anomalies of up to 8 and 11 degrees, and the rest of the Andalusian region will also be affected". The expert pointed out that on Monday there could be thunderstorms. Ten degrees more in a week It is worth remembering that the average maximum temperature for this month, according to the state agency Aemet statistics, is 19.6C and the minimum 9.8 degrees. Last weekend, the values were even lower than these, so the thermal rise, as Escudero reminds us, will exceed 10C in just one week. A roller coaster ride of rises and falls in the mercury that is leaving many Malaga residents with colds and early allergy peaks. However, this time the levels will not reach what happened in March last year, which was the hottest in terms of the average maximum temperature at Malaga Airport's Aemet weather station. The 23C beat the previous record, which dated back to 1952 (22.4C). It also beat, by one tenth of a degree, the second highest maximum temperature record in 1952 (31.2 degrees): the maximum at the airport in March 2023 was 31.3C. Therefore, the record value of the maximum temperature in the third month of the year of 31.4C, which happened on the 26th in 1988, remains intact. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Friday, 15 March 2024, 14:40 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram To use a seafaring term, you could say that the Malaga's megayacht marina is starting to pick up cruising speed. Since last week, and at least until the end of the month, a minimum of three large super-luxury craft will be calling or wintering at quay one (Muelle Uno). And there may be more, as negotiations are still under way with other boat owners to bring their vessels to the city during their current winter cycles, when they are preparing for the routes they will make during the high season. The refurbished harbour area between quays one and two was designed to receive large boats such as this and provide them with the necessary services during low season, such as high-power electrical connections. Lady Moura The second to arrive, on 7 March, has been a frequent visitor to Malaga marina for at least a decade. The Lady Moura is scheduled to stay for several weeks. It is owned by Nasser Al Rasheed, a Saudi magnate, who has one of the largest private fortunes on the planet. He heads the engineering consultancy Rasheed Engineering and is also an advisor to the Saudi royal family. With a length of 105 metres and a beam of 20 metres, it is considered one of the most luxurious yachts in the world due to its profusion of exotic details. The first of these is its transom name board and coat of arms, which is made of pure gold. Its facilities include a spa, casino, party room, several lounges, an operating theatre, a heliport and several pleasure boats. It can accommodate up to 30 passengers and has twice as many crew. The ship was designed by Italian architect Luigi Sturchio and was built at the prestigious German shipyard Blohm+Voss in 1990, since when it has been refurbished twice. It is powered by 6,900-horsepower diesel engines, so it can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots (37.04k/h). Limitless Since its construction in 1997, in the German Lurssen shipyard, the Limitless has been a regular visitor to the island of Mallorca, but it had never stopped in Malaga, until now. Painted in navy blue and white, it has three decks, a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure. It has capacity for a dozen guests and 20 crew. Powered by a hybrid diesel-electric engine, it can reach a cruising speed of 17 knots (31.4k/h), and up to 25 knots (46.3k/h) at top speed. Limitless's arrival is thanks to a new collaboration with Caribbean ports. Malagaport, which operates under the Port Authority, together with operator IGY, have recently worked with the marina of Isle De Sol, on the island of Saint-Martin, which is some 240km east of Puerto Rico and is divided between France and the Netherlands. Thanks to these negotiations, the Limitless has come to the Costa del Sol for the first time on a technical stopover. It has plans to stay for at least several weeks. Maria Gardo Castellon Friday, 15 March 2024, 16:15 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The thick fog in the Valencia region of Spain this Friday (15 March) is believed to have led to a serious accident involving 40 vehicles on the AP-7 motorway at Nules. One man died in the accident and five other people were injured and taken to La Plana hospital in Vila-real. The AP-7 has been closed in both directions and diversions have been put in place. Four men - aged 45, 47, 54 and 56 - suffered injuries. The 54-year-old was rushed to the general hospital in Castellon, while the other three, along with a 49-year-old woman, were transferred to La Plana Hospital in Vila-real. The accident, which happened in a bank of fog at around 8.40 am at kilometre 455 of the AP-7, forced the road to be completely closed in both directions and some 40 vehicles were involved, according to the provincial fire brigade and 112CV emergency services control room. The Guardia Civil traffic division has since reported that the motorway in the direction of Barcelona has been opened to traffic. Two people were trapped in their vehicles, one of them in a car and the other in a lorry, which had become entangled in another lorry. Edurne Martinez Madrid Friday, 15 March 2024, 18:27 | Updated 19:57h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Elon Musk's Spanish-style SpaceX. This is how one could broadly define Halo Space, the Spanish company whose aim is to take tourists to "near space" in just two years. The company, founded in 2021 and which will offer zero-emission commercial flights between 25 and 40 kilometres high, has announced that its first flight with paying passengers will be launched in 2026 after having already carried out five successful test flights. The next test flight will be in June from Saudi Arabia. The eight passengers per flight will be able to observe the curvature of the planet and the vastness of space through panoramic windows on a journey lasting around six hours. This will be made possible by its stratospheric balloon, which is equipped with a pressurised capsule offering a 360-degree view. The company's goal is to operate 400 flights a year from southern Spain, United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia from 2029 to take 3,000 passengers a year into the stratosphere at 150,000 euros a ticket. In ten years the company expects to take up to 10,000 tourists a year, with simultaneous flights from its various bases. Flight tickets will be available to book by the end of this year or early next year. One of Halo Space's test flights lands in the California desert. RC Carlos Mira, CEO of Halo Space, said at a press conference that this project is innovative. "There is no one else in the world doing this". The executive emphasised that sustainability is its strong point, second only to safety. The executive acknowledged that the flights are "expensive" but much more affordable than other tourist travel experiences to space which are currently available for a cost that exceeds one million euros. Mira said his companies' flight prices will start to come down after five years of operation. The capsule is five metres in diameter and 3.5 metres high. This spacious area has the same atmosphere as in a commercial aircraft, so that the space passengers can move or talk in a completely normal way. The descent and landing is done by means of a paraglider-type dirigible parachute. Launches from southern Spain The first commercial flight to be launched in 2026 does not yet have a confirmed base of origin, although the first certification to fly will be received from the United States, so this is likely to be the starting point. There will be a launch base in southern Spain, but the company did not reveal the area where it will be located. It is not expected to be able to launch its first flight in Spain for another three years because the authorisation from the European agency is "slower than the others". Halo Space is working with leading aerospace companies such as CT Engineering, Aciturri, GMV and B2Space to design, manufacture, integrate, test and certify the craft. Since 2021, Halo Space has invested 10 million euros in the project and the company anticipates total expenditure of between 80 and 90 million euros. Paula de las Heras Madrid Friday, 15 March 2024, 15:49 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram MPs in Congreso approved on Thursday this week the text of the law to give an amnesty to those involved in the illegal Catalan independence declaration in 2017 and events around it. The controversial law passed by 178 to 172 votes with the support of the same parties that had voted in the government last year except one Canary Island regional party MP. The amnesty - modified last week following a last-minute pact between PSOE and the Catalan Junts and ERC parties - will now go to the Senate, the upper house of parliament. Here the opposition PP will use its majority to slow down approval that cannot be avoided for long. It is expected that in mid-May the law will return to the lower house and be definitively approved. The bill was proposed by the ruling PSOE party as a way to secure its government with the support of Catalan separatists after last July's general election produced a hung parliament. The European Parliaments proposals to combat greenwashing are well-intentioned, but wrong-headed. There is a risk that in the future companies will completely avoid talking about their efforts to reduce environmental and climate impacts, says Marcus Wangel, Environmental Policy Expert. On Tuesday, the European Parliament voted through a new Directive - the Green Claims Directive addressing the verification of, and communication around, stated environmental claims. The basic concept underpinning the legislation is a positive one; namely, to reduce the level of inaccurate or even false environmental claims that currently exist; the ultimate goal is to help consumers make choices that are more sustainable. So-called greenwashing is a genuine problem; designed correctly, this initiative from the European Commission could improve the competitiveness of the many Swedish companies and industries that have genuine, credible evidence that supports their environmental claims. Any legislation in this area should be designed in such a way that it encourages companies to produce products and services that are more environmentally sustainable and that they can talk about and market to consumers, within the framework of clear regulations. Unfortunately, as currently structured, the Directive is moving in the opposite direction. The likely result is that companies will instead simply choose to refrain from communicating on their environmental and climate work. This would be a clear setback for both those companies seeking to develop sustainable business models and products and for individual consumers who want to make more environmentally conscious choices. Under the new Directive, companies seeking to make environmental claims for their products must seek and obtain prior approval from an external verifier. This may sound a relatively simple procedure, but in practice creates significant cost increases, time delays and uncertainty, as well as considerable additional administration and management. This will particularly impact small businesses. Often, their competitiveness and capacity for breaking into the market is, in many cases, based on developing innovative and sustainable products. Their success depends on their ability to communicate about the available benefits. At the same time, there are stringent penalties for anyone who happens to break - even unintentionally - any of the Directives numerous difficult-to-interpret rules. These include a one-year exclusion from public procurement, a freeze on earnings from offending products and fines of up to 4 percent of turnover. Faced with these risks, companies particularly smaller ones - will instead choose to say nothing about how a given product is significantly more sustainable and environmentally friendly than others on the market. It is worth noting that the European Parliament has taken a number of steps to try to improve the Commissions proposals. These include delegated acts that simplify processes for obtaining certain prior authorisations (already a relatively complicated procedure). Unfortunately, these do not go far enough, and many of the underlying problems remain. In addition, the severe penalties have not been amended. It is therefore particularly important that negotiations in the Council of Ministers, which will continue into the spring and early summer, seek to make a genuine difference on greenwashing, rather than seeking to impose convoluted, cost-driving requirements on individual companies, which will instead only lead to so-called greenhushing. So, what could make a real difference? The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, along with a wide range of industry organisations and companies, has argued from the outset of this process that further regulation and legislation is not the answer. There is already a significant amount of regulation surrounding how environmental claims may be communicated. These include mandatory national and European legislation and the International Chamber of Commerces (ICC) marketing code, which acts as the business communitys own international standard for self-regulation in this area. What is really missing or in short supply is sufficient and effective supervision and enforcement under existing legislation, something that the Swedish Consumer Agency and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency had already highlighted early in this process. Here, targeted investment and greater ambition are needed at European and national levels to ensure that there is actually compliance with the existing rules. Swedish companies ask for and welcome appropriate supervision, despite being the ones that have to pay for it. Why? Because more effective supervision leads to the removal of incorrect environmental claims and improves the competitiveness of those companies that are serious about their efforts. With increased resources and clear guidance for authorities, it would be perfectly feasible to prosecute those companies that have been shown to be in breach of current legislation. At the same time, it could also provide support for the numerous companies that want to do the right thing for themselves, but which lack the knowledge to do so or are uncertain about what they are allowed to communicate. As indicated, negotiations around the Green Claims Directive are far from over. The final stages of the legislative process are only likely to happen once the new European Parliament and new Commission are in place, which will be towards the end of this year. There is therefore ample time for all parties involved to reflect and listen to the business community. That way, they can advance proposals to ensure that existing regulations are complied with, rather than stifling those companies that make realistic efforts to improve the environment and want to be able to communicate about what they do. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. We have access to great technologies capable of helping us solve global problems, former Moldovan prime minister Chiril Gaburici said at the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. According to him, today humanity has all the necessary resources to solve problems such as global warming, environmental pollution, health problems, and ensuring access to education and food supplies. We need to get our priorities right, and these priorities must be taken into account. We need to build an honest and respectful global dialogue in which we find compromises that unite us, he added. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider the factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, will discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, and will touch on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food, and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Amherst, N.Y. Foodies, take note: Two of Yelps top places to eat in 2024 are in Upstate New York. The crowd-sourcing and business directory apps yearly list of the top 100 restaurants in the United States includes top-rated restaurants serving up everything from sourdough-crust pizzas to plant-based tacos. Upstates talented chefs frequently make Yelps highly anticipated, annual list. And the two restaurants on the 2024 roundup are just 20 miles apart in Western New York: Manito Taco Shop, a taqueria in Lockport that started as a food truck, was ranked No. 69 on Yelps list. Anchi A La Carte, a restaurant in Amherst that features authentic Vietnamese cuisine, was rated No. 91. Only one other New York restaurant made the list: CHILI, a Sichuan restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Anchi A La Carte, a Vietnamese restaurant in Amherst, N.Y., has been named one of the top 100 restaurants in America in 2024 by Yelp. Photo courtesy of @yl_foodsPhoto courtesy of @yl_foods The Manito Taco Shop got its start as a food truck during the Covid-19 pandemic when Manito Gonzales and his daughter Rebecca opened the business to serve farm workers, Yelp reported. Manito later opened a permanent location celebrating the restaurants one-year anniversary with a candle in a taco in October. The taquerias most popular dishes include its carne asada tacos, barbacoa and tres leches cake. Best tacos in western New York, one Yelp reviewer wrote, giving Manito a five-star review. Hands down if you havent been here yet you need to give it a try. Hola Manito!!! Anchi A La Carte, a woman-owned business, serves up Vietnamese comfort food. The eaterys most beloved dishes are its spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup and its special pho. Tucked away in a plaza near AMC Theatre with next to no signage indicating what it was...The food was outstanding! a Yelp reviewer gushed. Only my 3rd or 4th dabble into Vietnamese food and this will be my go-to for it going forward. Past restaurants that landed on Yelps yearly list of Americas top restaurants include Inizio, an Italian restaurant in Buffalo and Rossi & Sons Rosticceria Deli, a sandwich shop in Poughkeepsie. Syracuse, N.Y. -- As Brandon Lessun tearfully told stories about the love of his life surrounded by family and friends Friday, his four-year-old son came to hug him and tell him everything was going to be okay. That is all her, Brandon said about his sons compassion. It all came from his wife, he said. Stephanie Lessun was hit by a car as she was walking across Harrison Street in Syracuse around 3:43 p.m. Wednesday after work. She had crossed the 4-lane city street countless times. The Upstate University Hospital social worker was rushed to the same emergency room where she often worked. She was declared dead there. Her family said they were told she had hit her head. Stephanie, 35, was a proud peacock mom, a fearless warrior for her patients and so much more, her family, friends and colleagues told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard Friday. The Central New York native lived in Warners with her husband and two kids, both under 5 years old. She graduated from LeMoyne College with a near-perfect GPA before getting her masters degree in social work from Syracuse University. Stephanie, who first went to work for the Salvation Army, worked in Upstates ER and the hospitals ALS center as a social worker. In both roles at Upstate, she was a fierce advocate for the patients and helped to revolutionize the ALC clinic, said Dr. Eufrosina Young, director of the ALS Research and Treatment Center. Young told Stephanies family that before Stephanie left the clinic for the last time on Wednesday, she reminded Young to look over the agenda for a summit she organized to help the clinic communicate with hospice centers and other agencies that provide care for people in the late stages of ALS. Young said the clinic has been struggling for years to figure out how to prevent the quality of care for ALS patients from declining as their disease and needs progressed. Stephanie came up with the solution of getting all the interested parties in a room to talk about the issue. Young said that once Stephanie proposed it, it seemed simple but they knew it could be impactful. Stephanie delivered the plan for what she had named a summit and Young joked that it sounded like world leaders would converge on Syracuse to solve the issue, she said. When Stephanie asked if they should change the name, Young assured her it was perfect. The summit Stephanie planned and submitted the agenda for the day she died will be held on Thursday next week. It now will be called Stephanies Summit. Young told another story about how Stephanie went out of her way to advocate for a patient who was first diagnosed with ALS at just 30 years old. Stephanie had worked closely with the man who was able to finish school, get a masters degree and start a business after receiving his diagnosis. Young remembers Stephanie telling the man that he wasnt alone and we are about living, she said. Eventually, the disease affected more and more of the mans life and he became a quadriplegic and had to be moved to a nursing home downstate. Even after the man moved away, Stephanie continued to check in with him. Stephanie noticed something was wrong and wouldnt stop until she and Young could get the nursing home to put the patient on a video call to check on him. When they finally saw the patient, they noticed he had no access to a call button and wasnt able to get help in an emergency. Immediately Stephanie filed a report with the state and an investigation was opened to make sure the man was getting the help he needed. Stephanies husband laughed and cried as Young told stories of Stephanies passion, saying that nothing could stand in her way once she had a goal. Stephanie and Brandon have two children, 4-year-old Milo and 3-year-old Lorelei. Stephanie would talk about her kids every chance she got and sought to raise them as little humanitarians who find the beauty in everything, Brandon said. Stephanie would collect slugs with the kids and teach them all about nature, her husband said. Every time there were slugs, snail or even a snake, she would find a teaching moment for the kids and give them the same thirst for knowledge she had. All their family vacations would include zoos, aquariums and museums, her family said. Her family started a GoFundMe to continue her legacy of learning and fund her childrens education. The couple loved fishing together, a hobby of Brandons that Stephanie quickly excelled at, he said. Stephanie would always out fish him, Brandon said. The couple even won back-to-back years of a local fishing tournament near Brandons parents house called the Jacks Reef Bottom Feeders. The couple first got together in 2008 and fell madly in love. When they first got together they would watch SpongeBob Squarepants, Brandons favorite show. Brandon said that when he asked her to be his girlfriend and then later when he asked her to marry him, he couldnt even get the whole question out before she said yes. The pair married in 2016 at Green Lakes State Park. Their beloved dog Sledge was their ring bearer. Brandon remembers crying as he saw her walking down the aisle in her wedding dress. That dress hangs in a closet he just built, Brandon said. On their wedding anniversary, the couple each got a tattoo of seahorses because the fish mate for life. Her family said that Stephanie made an impact on everyone she knew. In every conversation she had, she wanted people to know she cared. Young and Brandon said that in her email signature, she always had famous quotes about kindness and compassion. One of her favorite quotes was from Frank Barron and served as one of her many email signatures: Never take a persons dignity. It is worth everything to them, and nothing to you. 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. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation police officers (ECOs) on Wednesday seized an 11-foot, 750-pound alligator from a residence in Hamburg where it was being kept illegally as a pet. The homeowner once had a DEC license for the roughly 30-year-old alligator, but it expired in 2021 and was not renewed. He also built an addition for the gator and installed an in-ground swimming pool where he allegedly allowed people to swim with it unsecured. The gator has numerous health issues, including blindness in both eyes and spinal complications. ECOs transferred it to a licensed caretaker who will care for it until it can be properly transported for permanent care. Authorities are analyzing evidence seized during the warrant, and consultation with a licensed veterinarian will determine any future potential charges. ECO McCabe ticketed two poachers in Aurora for illegally shooting four snow geese from their vehicle.NYSDEC The following reports are excerpted from DEC: A pair of poachers in a vehicle shot snow geese in a field in the town of Junius on Feb. 29. Witnesses saw the shooter jump out of the vehicle and pick up a goose while leaving three others to die in the field. License plate number in hand, ECOs tracked the poachers to the village of Aurora, where they issued the pair 10 tickets for wanton waste, possessing a loaded gun in a motor vehicle, discharging a firearm across a public highway, and other violations. On Jan. 11, undercover ECOs seized an ivory chess set offered for sale on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Ivory articles sold in NY are subject to a strict permitting process to ensure they are not being sourced illegally overseas. The seller faces hundreds of dollars in potential fines. A car struck a bald eagle on the busy Henry Hudson Parkway on Feb. 19 while scavenging roadkill. ECOs discovered that the raptor was tagged and well known to members of the NYC birding community who often spotted it hunting in Central Park. Two anglers in a small boat pulled into a Lake George boat launch on March 4 and told two patrolling ECOs that theyd caught somewhere around the legal limit of perch. ECOs counted 135 perch in the anglers cooler35 over the limitand ticketed the men. Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: READ MORE Upstate NY man caught red-handed for spray painting squirrels bright red - newyorkupstate.com Two Upstate NY poachers busted after using fake social media profiles to target big deer - newyorkupstate.com Upstate NY man ticketed for shooting decoy deer - newyorkupstate.com Conservation cops pinch Upstate NY poacher for shooting deer over hood of his car - newyorkupstate.com Upstate NY hunters charged with illegally spotlighting deer - newyorkupstate.com Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. Marcellus, N.Y. -- Tempers are so high for some over the stalled sale of a local grocery that a handful of last-minute candidates are trying to win control of the village board. The controversy emerged last month, weeks after Rich Nojaim thought he had the support of current village leaders to sell Nojaim Brothers supermarket to Stewarts Shops convenience stores. Instead, the three-member village board last month unanimously passed a moratorium on new business development in the heart of the village of 1,800 people. That essentially put Nojaims retirement plans on hold after running the village grocery for more than four decades. Villagers took to social media, angered by the move by the mayor and two trustees. The hearing before the Feb. 22 moratorium vote was moved to the high school auditorium to accommodate the dozens of people who attended. The crowd booed after the 3-0 vote. Now, at least three people have launched write-in campaigns in Tuesdays elections. Theyre aiming to oust the current mayor, John Jack Murphy, and Trustee James Curtin, two of the three votes that put Nojaims sale on hold. Village Mayor John "Jack" Murphy is running for re-election in Marcellus. Village Tavern owner Chad Clark is challenging the mayor as a write-in candidate after controversy over whether a local grocery store in the village can sell to a chain of convenience stores.Provided photos Before this with Nojaims, I dont think most people know who the mayor was and how the board is set up, said Chad Clark, the owner of the Village Tavern who is challenging Murphy for the mayors seat. Thats easy to believe. Usually, village elections draw fewer than 100 people. In the last election, 55 people voted. This year, Village Clerk Charnley Abbott said she has already sent out more absentee ballots than the number of people who went to the polls in 2023. The mayoral incumbent, Murphy, has defended the moratorium. He said the pause gives the board time to consider the overall future of Marcellus, including whether its smart to replace Nojaims with a convenient store with gas pumps on the villages main drag. Were not trying to stop it or hurt Rich Murphy said in February. Were just trying to do it the right way. Murphy has been a trustee for three years and was appointed to the mayors seat in September. Hes running for a two-year term. He did not respond to inquires from syracuse.com this week. Curtin, a former Marcellus town board member whose family has been in the area since the 1840s, was appointed to the village board as a trustee in December. Village trustees serve for four years. Curtin agreed the moratorium addresses more than the Nojaims sale. He also said hes happy to see more people get involved in politics. We on the board love this village, he told syracuse.com on Friday. Im confident the Nojaims-Stewarts Shop issue will be resolved. He added he hopes the candidates realize serving on the board is time-consuming, although rewarding. Clark, who wants village voters to write-in his name for mayor, said he believes he has the experience to run the village, which has a police department and provides sewer and highway services. Clark has run his tavern for 14 years and says hes ready to get involved with village government. The board needs to listen to what people have to say, Clark said. I see a lack of communication overall. Nobody knows whats going on or can get answers. I would change that. Erik Randall and Marlene Spencer also are running as write-ins for the one trustee position up this year. Randall has lived in the village for eight years, and works in technology. Spencer said she worked for the federal government and is now semi-retired. Both said the Nojaims controversy prompted their campaigns. Another candidate, Mary Lollis-Barnell, recently posted on social media she is running for trustee. The write-ins names will not appear on the ballot. People who vote for them have to write in their names on the ballot. Even the boards latest move hasnt thwarted the newcomers political ambitions, they said. Just two weeks after passing the moratorium, village leaders announced they would consider exempting Nojaims sale from the moratorium. A public hearing on the exception is set for 7 p.m. March 25. It, too, will be held in the high school auditorium. Polls are open Tuesday from noon to 9 p.m. at village hall, 6 Slocombe Ave. in Marcellus. Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com Washington Rep. Brandon Williams has hired a new top aide to run his congressional office on Capitol Hill the third person to hold the position in a little more than a year. Joe Guy, 30, a Syracuse native, stepped down from his post this week as chief of staff to Williams. The congressman promoted Taylor Weyeneth, his communications director and deputy chief of staff, to take over for Guy. The moves are the latest staff changes for Williams, whose staff turnover rate ranked third among 435 House members as of October, according to LegiStorm, a nonpartisan group that tracks staff moves in Congress. Williams, a first-term Republican, has lost key staff at a rate that is about triple the average for a House member this year, LegiStorm found. Williams lost six of his original 13 staffers who were either fired or quit during his first year in office. The departure list included his most senior aides a chief of staff, two legislative directors, a communications director and operations director. In a statement Thursday, Williams suggested that the parting with Guy was amicable. Joe helped to build a strong team and operation that has delivered significant results for Central New York, Williams said. I remain close friends with Joe and am thankful for his continued support. Williams office also released a statement from Guy. I will always be very grateful for my time with Rep. Williams and look forward to helping get him and other Republicans elected in November, Guy said. Guy did not respond to a message from syracuse.com asking if he left to accept a campaign-related position elsewhere. Guy is the son of former Syracuse Common Councilor Rick Guy, who hosted or co-hosted two fundraisers for Williams in 2022. Both Rick and Joe Guy worked in former President Donald Trumps administration. Joe Guy later worked for former Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., as a legislative assistant and then special projects director from January 2021 until March 2022. Guy was hired by Williams in April 2023. He was paid $140,361 for the period from April 24 through Dec. 31, according to House payroll records compiled by LegiStorm. Weyeneth, 30, the new chief of staff, is also a Central New York native who went on to work in the Trump administration. He is a 2012 graduate of Skaneateles High School. Weyeneth received national attention in 2018 after his fast rise to the second-ranking post in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy during Trumps administration. A Washington Post investigation told the story of how Weyeneth at the age of 24 ended up in a key post to direct the nations response to the opioid epidemic. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 A small Upstate New York town is mourning the loss of a special education teacher who passed away last Friday. RochesterFirst reported that Courtney Fannon, who had taught at Kendall Elementary School since 2018, was found unresponsive in her classroom on March 8. She collapsed moments after she sent a text message to her husband, Kurtis, according to Matthew Smith, who detailed the events in a GoFundMe. Courtney, who was also pregnant with the couples first child, was rushed to a local hospital. Kendall, NY is about 30 miles northwest of Rochester, along Lake Ontario. Later that evening, Courtney and her unborn daughter, whom the couple had intended to name Hadley Jaye, passed away despite life saving efforts by the medical staff. Hello Everyone, In the wake of all that has transpired over the last few days, there were a few things that I... Posted by Matthew Kevin Smith on Monday, March 11, 2024 A cause of death has not been released. No students were in the building that day as it was a professional development day for teachers, district spokesperson Steve Dawe told USA TODAY. Smith wrote in the GoFundMe about Courtney, saying, For those who did not have the wonderful opportunity to meet or get to know Courtney, there is an endless amount of positive and good things that can only be said about her. She was a special education teacher in the Kendall School District and was the perfect person to fill the role. She was loving, genuine and organized in a way that always placed her students ahead of herself, ultimately changing the lives of her students and caregivers, always for the positive. The funds raised through GoFundMe, which has already exceeded its goal, will go towards covering any final expenses for Courtney and Hadley, such as medical bills, funeral service costs and help Kurtis with living expenses for the short term. The couple were together for 10 years before being wed in 2022. Courtney was due to deliver Hadley in just four weeks. All Kendall Public Schools were closed to students on Monday and counselors were on site Tuesday for support of staff and students. In a statement from Kendall District Superintendent Nicholas Picardo, he wrote, Courtney was a special education teacher who served her students with passion and joy each day. Services are scheduled for Saturday, March 16, according to her obituary. The family has asked that donations be made in Fannon and Hadleys name to Homestead for Hope, which is a nonprofit inclusive community farm for individuals with and without disabilities to learn, work, live, and grow in natures classroom in Rochester, New York. Pontiac, Mich. The father of a Michigan school shooter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Thursday, a second conviction against the teens parents who were accused of failing to secure a gun at home and doing nothing to address acute signs of his mental turmoil. The jury verdict means James Crumbley has joined Jennifer Crumbley as a cause of the killing of four students at Oxford High School in 2021, even without pulling the trigger. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. On March 14, 2024, an international conference on Study and Preservation of the Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Turkic World from the Perspective of UNESCO was held in Baku with the joint organization of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, the Turkic Academy, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the National Commission of the Republic of Turkiye for UNESCO, as well as the Institute for Development and Diplomacy of ADA University, Trend reports. The opening of the conference was attended by Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Adil Karimli, Secretary general of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev, Chairman of the National Commission of the Republic of Turkiye for UNESCO Professor Ocal Oguz, President of the Ataturk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History Derya Ors, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Department of the State Historical and Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher" Shahin Seidzade, and also the President of the UNESCO General Conference Simona - Mirela Miculescu welcomed the participants of the event with a video message. Speaking at the event president of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova underlined the Foundation's activities within the framework of the TURKTIME strategic development program adopted at the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Astana on November 3, 2023. Aktoty Raimkulova stressed that the organization she heads is preparing a legal framework for the preservation and restoration of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples the "Turkic Cultural Heritage Convention", and has also taken steps to create a digital platform on the Turkic heritage. The president of the Foundation noted that the issue of active participation in the restoration and reconstruction process carried out in the member and observer countries will be at the forefront of the Foundation's activity plan for the coming years: "The restoration of the Gochahmadli mosque in the Fizuli district, as well as the restoration of the house museum of the famous Kyrgyz writer Alykul Osmonov in Bishkek are priorities for the coming years two years". Aktoty Raimkulova noted that educational programs play an important role in preserving the common material and cultural heritage: "Our historical and cultural heritage unites the past and the present, allowing people of all ages and peoples to learn the depth of the Turkic heritage. In this regard, we plan to hold a number of events, including organizing winter and summer schools, as well as trips for young professionals and students involved in the preservation and protection of cultural heritage, to implement capacity-building projects, exchange programs". Aktoty Raimkulova spoke about the work of the Turkic Culture and Heritage in creating a procedure for adding joint nominations of the Turkic world to the UNESCO World Heritage List. She stressed that the Foundation, in cooperation with the Department of the State Historical and Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher" under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has begun the process of adding an original art form belonging to the Turkic world - "Gurama" to the World Heritage List. Four sessions with breaks are scheduled for the first day of the conference. The first session is devoted to the National Strategies and Approaches for Preserving the Cultural Heritage of the Turkic World under the moderation of the President of the Turkic Academy Shahin Mustafayev, the second session is devoted to the Collaboration of Turkic Cooperation Organizations for the Preservation, Documentation, and Promotion of Cultural Heritage under the moderation of the President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova, the third session is devoted to the Innovative Approaches and Necessary Works for Preserving and Promoting Cultural Heritage was moderated by the President of the Turkish Language Association Osman Mert, and the last session covers the topic Projects-Based Cooperation of National Commissions in the Protection/Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage was moderated by the Ambassador-at-Large - Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO Seymur Fataliyev. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The traditional approach to the health care system did not meet modern requirements, said Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musayev during a "Health for All" panel session at the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. "The swift advancement of information technologies has actualized the concept of "Health for All." The digitization of healthcare represents a transformation of the sector, encompassing not only technological but also cultural shifts," he said. The minister said it has paved the way for the emergence of a new paradigm in healthcare. He further noted that Azerbaijan undertook significant efforts over the past two decades to bolster the national healthcare system, focusing on infrastructure, human resources, and healthcare financing. The XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations with more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will run by March 16, will participate in global discussions about the outcomes of COP28 and the preparation for COP29. It will discuss causes endangering the evolving world order, including security concerns and peace possibilities, as well as initiatives to promote stability in a tumultuous global landscape and the consequences. Additionally, it will investigate solutions to handle impending issues, tackle critical conflicts and megathreats, and cover climate, food, and nuclear security concerns. Moreover, discussions will encompass the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional viewpoints, relationships with the EU and neighboring states, youth policies, strategies for enhancing resilience against global challenges and addressing issues of inequality, natural resource scarcity, and migration dynamics. Additionally, the forum will delve into the emergence of new security paradigms in the era of artificial intelligence, drones, and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Omkar Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,770 Thanked: 21,301 Times Driving the Hyundai Creta 1.5L Turbo-Petrol 6-speed MT Powering the Hyundai Creta N-Line is a 4-cylinder, 1.5L turbo-petrol engine producing 158 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 253 Nm @ 1,500-3,500 rpm. Weve driven this engine with the 7-speed DCT in the Hyundai Verna, Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta facelift. Its quite an impressive engine and a worthy upgrade from the old 1.4L turbo-petrol engine from Hyundai-Kia. However, when it comes to the transmission options, only the Verna and the Creta N-Line are offered with a proper 6-speed manual transmission. The Seltos gets an iMT which most enthusiasts turn a blind eye to, and the regular Creta is offered only with the 7-speed DCT. At idle, the engine is refined, and you dont hear it inside the cabin at all. Right off the bat, you will notice that the clutch travel is a bit long like most regular Hyundais. Youll get used to it like in most Hyundais and getting off the line is pretty smooth. At low speeds, you dont really feel any turbo lag. Theres enough grunt at low revs for puttering around in the city. Unlike most turbo-petrols, which feel very spiky and eager to pounce, you can drive the Creta N-Line MT smoothly. Of course, flex your right leg and the car is more than capable of putting all those horses to good use. But in the hands of a sedate driver, the N-Line wont feel out of place. The lower gears are tall and you won't feel the need to constantly shift when driving in the city. Get on the open road and you will be able to properly stretch the legs of the Creta N-Line. With 158 BHP on tap, the straight-line acceleration is impressive. The turbo kicks in at ~1,500-1,600 rpm and youre greeted with a strong surge of acceleration. The engine pulls hard and you will reach triple-digit speeds in no time. The meat of the power band is from ~2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm after which the power starts tapering off. As is the case with most turbo-petrol engines, the redline is conservatively marked at 6,500 rpm. The engine however revs only till 6,250 rpm after which the rev limiter kicks in and the fuel cuts off aggressively. So if youre planning to hit max revs before upshifting, not a good idea. Youll see the 1st gear max out at ~52 km/h and the 2nd gear at ~95 km/h. Even on the highways, the driveability is good and you can munch miles comfortably. In 6th gear, the car cruises at 100 and 120 km/h at ~2,100 and 2,500 rpm respectively. In most cases, you wont have to downshift if theres no traffic around and you can get ahead of other cars quite comfortably. Only if you need to pass a car very quickly will you need to drop down a gear and in some rare cases, two gears. At no point, will you feel that the engine lacks the power to overtake. As mentioned earlier, the clutch travel is not as short as you would expect in a performance-oriented car. The good thing is that the clutch is light. It's just that the long travel takes away some of the fun when pushing the car and moving through the gears quickly. The clutch feel & travel is very similar to the older Seltos 1.4 turbo-petrol 6-speed MT. Talking about the 6-speed MT gearbox on the Creta N-Line, the gear knob is lovely to hold. The throws, however, are long and we would have liked them to be shorter. There is a hint of notchiness in the shifts, especially when moving between 2nd and 3rd gears. Note that these comparisons are keeping in mind that this is a performance-focused variant. Drive it like a regular car and you probably won't find anything to complain about. The gearbox is sure-slotting for you to enjoy shifting gears. Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) When we drove the Creta facelift recently, we found the NVH levels impressive. The engine is very refined and you can barely hear it while driving around in the city. However, this being an N-Line we were expecting an enthusiastic exhaust note. Unfortunately, thats not the case. The exhaust is barely audible inside the cabin. If youre expecting a fruity exhaust note like the i20, youll be disappointed. At high rpms, the engine gets boomy and isnt something enthusiasts will enjoy. Mileage & Fuel economy The Creta N-Line comes equipped with an auto start-stop feature that helps fuel efficiency in city driving conditions. The ARAI-certified fuel efficiency for the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol 6-speed MT is 18 km/l which is a little better than that of the Seltos 6-speed iMT (17.7 km/l). Of course, the real-world FE numbers will be much lower considering that turbo-petrol engines are very sensitive to driving style. Well wait for some ownership reviews to get a better picture of the real-world fuel efficiency. The fuel tank capacity remains the same as the regular Creta at 50 litres. This 1.5L, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine makes 158 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 253 Nm @ 1,500-3,500 rpm: 6-speed manual gearbox shouldve had shorter throws: Suspension Ride Comfort Compared to the regular Creta, the N-Line's ride is noticeably different. The car rides on 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 215/55 section tyres as opposed to 17-inch wheels on the regular Creta. Furthermore, Hyundai has stiffened up the suspension to make it sportier. While driving around at low speeds, you feel a lot of the road. Small potholes and speed breakers register themselves sharply. If ride comfort is an important deciding factor for you, youre better off with the regular Creta. The N-Lines ride is on the stiffer side and very similar to that of the pre-facelift Seltos. Handling & Dynamics Thanks to the stiffer suspension setup, the high-speed stability is pretty good. On the expressways, theres no unnecessary bounciness or floatiness at triple-digit speeds. The car is planted and has good composure. Expansion joints of the city flyovers are also absorbed nicely. Dynamics is where the N-Line has had major gains. The stiffer suspension setup allows you to carry more speed into the corners. You can attack some really tight corners and theres very little understeer. Body roll is well controlled and the car doesnt feel like it will lose composure at any point. Traction control does limit you if you go too aggressive, but it doesnt cut off the power sharply. Even high-speed corners are handled very well by the N-Line. The JK UX Royale tyres managed to provide enough grip, but they did chirp quite a bit when pushed hard. If you want to extract some more performance, you should definitely upgrade to wider Michelin or Yokohama rubber. Steering While the difference between the steering of the regular Creta and the N-Line isnt much, the latter does feel a little more direct. The EPS is well-tuned and light at city speeds. As you build up speed, it weighs up fairly, but considering this is an enthusiast-focused car, wed have wished that there was a bit more weight. In corners, the steering feels light, but has a more consistent feel to it. You can turn into a corner carrying good speed smoothly and straighten out without feeling too nervous. Braking The braking in the Creta N-Line 6-speed MT was surprisingly very different from the Creta DCT that we drove in January. Where the brakes in the DCT variant felt over-served and extremely sharp, the pedal feel of the N-Line 6-speed MT was a lot more consistent. The brake pedal felt a lot more progressive in corners and allowed the car to shed speed smoothly. Emergency braking situations were handled well and the car managed to stop without any drama. Disclaimer: Hyundai invited Team-BHP for the Creta N-Line test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event. Powering the Hyundai Creta N-Line is a 4-cylinder, 1.5L turbo-petrol engine producing 158 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 253 Nm @ 1,500-3,500 rpm. Weve driven this engine with the 7-speed DCT in the Hyundai Verna, Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta facelift. Its quite an impressive engine and a worthy upgrade from the old 1.4L turbo-petrol engine from Hyundai-Kia. However, when it comes to the transmission options, only the Verna and the Creta N-Line are offered with a proper 6-speed manual transmission. The Seltos gets an iMT which most enthusiasts turn a blind eye to, and the regular Creta is offered only with the 7-speed DCT.At idle, the engine is refined, and you dont hear it inside the cabin at all. Right off the bat, you will notice that the clutch travel is a bit long like most regular Hyundais. Youll get used to it like in most Hyundais and getting off the line is pretty smooth. At low speeds, you dont really feel any turbo lag. Theres enough grunt at low revs for puttering around in the city. Unlike most turbo-petrols, which feel very spiky and eager to pounce, you can drive the Creta N-Line MT smoothly. Of course, flex your right leg and the car is more than capable of putting all those horses to good use. But in the hands of a sedate driver, the N-Line wont feel out of place. The lower gears are tall and you won't feel the need to constantly shift when driving in the city.Get on the open road and you will be able to properly stretch the legs of the Creta N-Line. With 158 BHP on tap, the straight-line acceleration is impressive. The turbo kicks in at ~1,500-1,600 rpm and youre greeted with a strong surge of acceleration. The engine pulls hard and you will reach triple-digit speeds in no time. The meat of the power band is from ~2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm after which the power starts tapering off. As is the case with most turbo-petrol engines, the redline is conservatively marked at 6,500 rpm. The engine however revs only till 6,250 rpm after which the rev limiter kicks in and the fuel cuts off aggressively. So if youre planning to hit max revs before upshifting, not a good idea. Youll see the 1st gear max out at ~52 km/h and the 2nd gear at ~95 km/h.Even on the highways, the driveability is good and you can munch miles comfortably. In 6th gear, the car cruises at 100 and 120 km/h at ~2,100 and 2,500 rpm respectively. In most cases, you wont have to downshift if theres no traffic around and you can get ahead of other cars quite comfortably. Only if you need to pass a car very quickly will you need to drop down a gear and in some rare cases, two gears. At no point, will you feel that the engine lacks the power to overtake.As mentioned earlier, the clutch travel is not as short as you would expect in a performance-oriented car. The good thing is that the clutch is light. It's just that the long travel takes away some of the fun when pushing the car and moving through the gears quickly. The clutch feel & travel is very similar to the older Seltos 1.4 turbo-petrol 6-speed MT. Talking about the 6-speed MT gearbox on the Creta N-Line, the gear knob is lovely to hold. The throws, however, are long and we would have liked them to be shorter. There is a hint of notchiness in the shifts, especially when moving between 2nd and 3rd gears. Note that these comparisons are keeping in mind that this is a performance-focused variant. Drive it like a regular car and you probably won't find anything to complain about. The gearbox is sure-slotting for you to enjoy shifting gears.When we drove the Creta facelift recently, we found the NVH levels impressive. The engine is very refined and you can barely hear it while driving around in the city. However, this being an N-Line we were expecting an enthusiastic exhaust note. Unfortunately, thats not the case. The exhaust is barely audible inside the cabin. If youre expecting a fruity exhaust note like the i20, youll be disappointed. At high rpms, the engine gets boomy and isnt something enthusiasts will enjoy.The Creta N-Line comes equipped with an auto start-stop feature that helps fuel efficiency in city driving conditions. The ARAI-certified fuel efficiency for the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol 6-speed MT is 18 km/l which is a little better than that of the Seltos 6-speed iMT (17.7 km/l). Of course, the real-world FE numbers will be much lower considering that turbo-petrol engines are very sensitive to driving style. Well wait for some ownership reviews to get a better picture of the real-world fuel efficiency. The fuel tank capacity remains the same as the regular Creta at 50 litres.This 1.5L, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine makes 158 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 253 Nm @ 1,500-3,500 rpm:6-speed manual gearbox shouldve had shorter throws:Compared to the regular Creta, the N-Line's ride is noticeably different. The car rides on 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 215/55 section tyres as opposed to 17-inch wheels on the regular Creta. Furthermore, Hyundai has stiffened up the suspension to make it sportier. While driving around at low speeds, you feel a lot of the road. Small potholes and speed breakers register themselves sharply. If ride comfort is an important deciding factor for you, youre better off with the regular Creta. The N-Lines ride is on the stiffer side and very similar to that of the pre-facelift Seltos.Thanks to the stiffer suspension setup, the high-speed stability is pretty good. On the expressways, theres no unnecessary bounciness or floatiness at triple-digit speeds. The car is planted and has good composure. Expansion joints of the city flyovers are also absorbed nicely.Dynamics is where the N-Line has had major gains. The stiffer suspension setup allows you to carry more speed into the corners. You can attack some really tight corners and theres very little understeer. Body roll is well controlled and the car doesnt feel like it will lose composure at any point. Traction control does limit you if you go too aggressive, but it doesnt cut off the power sharply. Even high-speed corners are handled very well by the N-Line. The JK UX Royale tyres managed to provide enough grip, but they did chirp quite a bit when pushed hard. If you want to extract some more performance, you should definitely upgrade to wider Michelin or Yokohama rubber.While the difference between the steering of the regular Creta and the N-Line isnt much, the latter does feel a little more direct. The EPS is well-tuned and light at city speeds. As you build up speed, it weighs up fairly, but considering this is an enthusiast-focused car, wed have wished that there was a bit more weight. In corners, the steering feels light, but has a more consistent feel to it. You can turn into a corner carrying good speed smoothly and straighten out without feeling too nervous.The braking in the Creta N-Line 6-speed MT was surprisingly very different from the Creta DCT that we drove in January. Where the brakes in the DCT variant felt over-served and extremely sharp, the pedal feel of the N-Line 6-speed MT was a lot more consistent. The brake pedal felt a lot more progressive in corners and allowed the car to shed speed smoothly. Emergency braking situations were handled well and the car managed to stop without any drama. At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Easy setup Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Matter Tight integration with Philips Hues smart light ecosystem Works in tandem with Philips Hue security cameras Cons Indoor-only design Philips Hues Secure ecosystem still in early stages Expensive Our Verdict Its pricey and likely wont work with an existing non-Hue security system, but the Philips Hue Secure contact sensor still ranks as one of the best door and window sensors weve tested. Retailer Price $39.99 View Deal Product Price Signify-owned Philips Hue is making its way into the smart security space, first with its Hue Secure video cameras and now with the Hue Secure contact sensor. Tightly integrated with both the Hue app as well as Hues new security cams, the Hue contact sensor can warn you when a monitored door or window is unexpectedly opened or closedand if there is trouble, you can then use the Hue app to flash all your lights at once, warn a trusted contact, or even call the cops. Easy to set up and compatible with all the major smart home platforms (and yes, it works with Matter), the Hue contact sensor is a solid choice if youre already invested the Hue smart lighting ecosystem, and particularly if you havent committed to a smart security system yet. It also works great if you simply want a contact sensor that turns your lights on or off as you open or close a door. Taken on its own, the Philips Hue contact sensor is one of the best door and window sensors weve ever tested. But if you do have a Ring Alarm or another brands home security devices deployed in your home, the Hue smart sensor will start to lose its appeal, as it wont play as nice with competing security systems. And as with other Hue products, the Hue contact sensor is pricier than the competition. Design and specifications Available in both black and white varieties, the Philips Hue Secure contact sensor ($39.99, or $69.99 for a 2-pack) is roughly the same size as other contact sensors in its class. The main sensor measures 2.75 x 0.87 x 0.79 inches (HxWxD), while the smaller magnetic portion is 0.87 x 0.51 x 0.47 inches (HxWxD). This review is part of TechHives in-depth coverage of the best smart home systems. The top half of the main sensor (depending on how you orient the component, of course) contains a circular LED that briefly blinks green when the sensor detects that the door or window has been opened or closed. If the battery door is open (more on the battery in a moment), the LED will blink orange. The sides of the LED end of the contact sensor are glossy, and its near this portion where the magnet needs to be sitting. The magnet (which should be placed on the moving part of the door or window) can be positioned to the left, right, or top of the sensor, so long as its near this glossy segment. The magnet component [left] needs to be placed near the glossy top segment of the main sensor unit, near the LED indicator. The magnet component [left] needs to be placed near the glossy top segment of the main sensor unit, near the LED indicator. Ben Patterson/Foundry The magnet component [left] needs to be placed near the glossy top segment of the main sensor unit, near the LED indicator. Ben Patterson/Foundry Ben Patterson/Foundry The Philips Hue Secure contact sensor is powered by a single CR2 battery, which Hue says should last up to two years. The sensor comes with a CR2 already installed. The contact sensor connects via Zigbee to the Hue Bridgeand as theres no Bluetooth radio onboard it, the Hue Bridge is a required component. As with other Philips Hue products, the Hue Secure contact sensor is compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and (following a November 2023 software update) Apple HomeKit. The sensor also works with Matter, meaning youre pretty much covered regardless of which smart home ecosystem youre using at home. Installation Theres nothing novel about installing the Philips Hue Secure contact sensor. Like other sensors of its type, both the sensor itself and the magnet component have peel-and-stick backing; the sensor itself also has mounting holes for screws. Just attach the sensor unit to the door or window trim, while the magnet goes on the door or window itself. (You could reverse the positions of the two components, but Philips Hue suggests putting the sensor on the part that doesnt move for the best results.) As to where exactly you want to place the sensor on the door or window trim is up to you; it could be on the top trim or the sides, with the sensor unit either in a either a horizontal or vertical position. The main thing is that the magnet portion should be within two centimeters of the sensors glossy portion. Hue also recommends leaving at least a 1.5-centimeter space around the sensor so you can access the battery, which you do by gripping the sensor and sliding it off its mounting plate. You can slide the main sensor unit [right] off its mounting plate to reveal the CR2 battery. You can slide the main sensor unit [right] off its mounting plate to reveal the CR2 battery. Ben Patterson/Foundry You can slide the main sensor unit [right] off its mounting plate to reveal the CR2 battery. Ben Patterson/Foundry Ben Patterson/Foundry Once the sensor and magnet are mounted, you press and hold the button inside the circular LED to put the sensor into pairing mode, then add the device using the Hue app; within moments, the sensor was connected to the Hue Bridge. Done and done. Features and usage At its simplest level, you can set the Philips Hue Secure contact sensor to trigger your Hue lights when the door or window its monitoring is opened or closed. You can opt to have the sensor control individual Hue lights, a room (or rooms) of lights, a lighting zone, or all your Hue lights. Once youve selected the lights you want the sensor to control, you can decide what happens when the sensor detects a change in its state. For example, you can set the sensor to trigger a lighting scene (like Bright) in a specific room when a door is opened; you can also set your lights to turn off, do nothing, or return to their previous state. Those three last options can also be triggered when a door or window is closed, or after a set period of time (between one and 30 minutes) has elapsed from when the door/window was opened. Besides triggering actions in the Hue app, the Hue Secure contact sensor can also trigger lights and automations in Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. For example, I included the Hue sensor in an Apple HomeKit automation that lit a Nanoleaf Essentials A19 bulb when my front door was openedand yes, that automation works in parallel to any Hue app automations. Hue Secure functionality Of course, Philips Hue aims for its contact sensor to do more than simply turn lights on and off. Hue has positioned the device as part of its new Secure ecosystem of home security devices, including its new wired and battery-powered security cameras, as well as a floodlight camera. When you first pair the Hue contact sensor with the Hue app, the app will prompt you to enable its Hue Secure functionality, including the ability to set home and away modes. (Hue Secure is entirely opt-in, and you dont have to mess with it at all if you dont want to.) Once you arm your home via Hue Secure, the Hue app will alert you if any of your Secure apps, including the Hue contact sensor, detects a noteworthy event, such as motion or entry. If a security event does happen, youll have the option to swipe a red take action slider (ideally after checking a camera feed to see if theres an actual emergency). Swiping the slider can trigger up to three pre-configured actions, including flashing your lights (some or all of them) either white or red; dialing a trusted contact (just one); and/or calling emergency services, including 9-1-1 in the United States. The Hue app lets you decide which of your Hue lights to activate when the contact sensor detects an entry or exit (left). You can also choose which lights will flash (center) when you trigger the alarm (right). The Hue app lets you decide which of your Hue lights to activate when the contact sensor detects an entry or exit (left). You can also choose which lights will flash (center) when you trigger the alarm (right). Ben Patterson/Foundry The Hue app lets you decide which of your Hue lights to activate when the contact sensor detects an entry or exit (left). You can also choose which lights will flash (center) when you trigger the alarm (right). Ben Patterson/Foundry Ben Patterson/Foundry If Hue Secure sounds suspiciously like a subscription plan, it is, although none of the features I just mentioned will cost you anything extra. What will cost more is cloud storage for one or more Hue Secure cameras, if you opt for them. The Hue Secure Basic plan covers one camera for $3.99 a month or $39.99 a year and gives you 30 days of video storage, while the $9.99/month or $99.99/year Hue Secure Plus plan increases the storage to 60 days for all your Hue cameras. A paid Hue Secure plan is also required for motion and privacy zones (which, again, apply only to Hue Secure cameras, not the contact sensor.) Hue Secure is off to a solid start, but it has a long ways to go before it can catch up to either Amazons Ring or Googles Nest ecosystems. Ring, in particular, has a far wider range of security offerings, including entire alarm systems, keypads, video doorbells, and outdoor contact sensors (the Hue contact sensor is indoor-only). And while the Hue Secure contact sensor works with Alexa, it wont trigger your Ring Alarm. Now, Philips Hue seems committed to its new line of smart security devices, and more products and accessories are sure to arrive in the months ahead. But if youre already (say) a Ring, Nest, or SimpliSafe user, it makes more sense to stick with the brand in which youre already invested, particularly since all those brands have their own subscription plans. Taken on its own, the Philips Hue contact sensor is one of the best door and window sensors weve tested. Its well-made, easy to install, works with all the big smart home ecosystems, and works nicely with the Hue app and other Hue products, namely its lights. Yes, this contact sensor is relatively pricey, but you will save money if you purchase more than one at a time. If you werent already aware, you can also buy a Philips Hue Indoor Motion sensor and a Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor. Weve reviewed both and found them to be excellent. The real question is, are you already invested in another smart security system, like Ring? If notand youre willing to try Philips Hues nascent security linethen the Hue contact sensor is a safe bet. But if you have already installed devices from Ring, Nest, or other security brands, you might want to think twice. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The Rail Cargo Group is actively working on the development of the Middle Corridor between Asia and Europe, Clemens Forst, CEO of the Austrian OBB Rail Cargo Group, told Trend. "We are actively working on developments on the Middle Corridor between Asia and Europe as an alternative to the Northern Corridor on the New Silk Road. The Middle Corridor runs from China, through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, over the Black Sea to the Romanian port of Constanta, before continuing to Central Europe," Clemens Forst said. He stated that Rail Cargo Group is one of the top providers of rail logistics in Europe, with a broad international network (TransNET) spanning many Eurasian nations and allowing for seamless end-to-end logistics solutions across many borders through the use of so-called TransFER. "We are a major operator in cross-border transport between Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), with over 1,500 different combinations of TransFER connections in our network. With 20 TransFER connections per week, our strong network between Europe and Turkiye is especially noteworthy and serves as a vital conduit between the CIS countries and Europe," he emphasized. The company official went on to say that the company's Istanbul branch serves as a hub for Central Asia and offers rail connections between Georgia and Turkiye, which covers all of Central Asia, including Turkmenistan. To note, the Middle Corridor links the container rail freight networks of China and the European Union countries through Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe. A multilateral multimodal transportation infrastructure links ferry terminals on the Caspian and Black Seas with the railway systems of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Poland. The Middle Corridor facilitates increased cargo traffic from China to Turkiye, as well as to Europe and vice versa. In a nutshell: Google announced two new security features for its Chrome web browser to make navigating the web easier without worrying about malware and phishing scams. The first is a significant upgrade to the existing Safe Browsing feature, bringing real-time URL protection to desktops and mobile devices. The second is a set of password protection measures to improve the security of Chrome on iOS. Chrome's Safe Browsing feature protects users from dangerous websites by downloading a database of known malicious URLs and comparing them to the sites they visit. Chrome typically updates the list every 30 to 60 minutes. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to thoroughly protect all users since the average malicious site exists for less than 10 minutes. So, to make Safe Browsing protection more effective, Chrome now checks webpages against a server-side list of known bad sites in real time. If the check finds a positive match, the browser will show a security risk warning. By checking sites against its regularly updated list in real-time, Google expects Chrome to block 25 percent more phishing attempts than the previous method. Google claims that the new feature fully respects user privacy, and no one other than the user will know what sites and URLs they attempted to visit. "[The feature] uses encryption and other privacy-enhancing techniques to ensure that no one, including Google, knows what website you're visiting," the announcement read. While the real-time protection will require slightly more horsepower, the company claims its engineers have worked to ensure the user experience remains unaffected on desktop and mobile versions. Chrome on iOS will receive an update to its Password Checkup feature to help users fortify their online security. The mobile browser will now flag weak and reused passwords and display an alert whenever it detects an issue with a password entered by the user. Chrome for iOS already flagged compromised passwords, but the new feature is now expected to make it easier for users to choose stronger and more complex passwords for better security. The updated Safe Browsing mode is already available on desktops and iOS and will be available on Android later this month. The enhanced Password Checkup feature has started rolling out on iOS, but there's no word on when or if it is coming to other platforms. In a nutshell: The biggest security threats active today work on the international stage, which means an effective attempt to disrupt them should be global as well. Members of the Cybercrime Atlas are trying to do just that, starting with a shared intelligence on cybercrime gangs and their operations. The World Economic Forum (WEF) officially launched the Cybercrime Atlas initiative in 2023 after spending three years in discussions about the plan and its feasibility. One of the most powerful NGOs and lobbying organizations in the world is now actively partnering with founding member Banco Santander, Fortinet, Microsoft, and PayPal to lay an "actionable" effort against major cybercrime operations. Cybercrime can impact anyone, WEF states, making life and business prospects harder for individuals and global corporations. Critical infrastructures and government organizations are affected as well, which means that digital crimes can cause immense damage to the world's economies and societies, even though this damage is not always visible. The Cybercrime Atlas project was conceived to "narrow the space" in which cybercriminals can move, improving and sharing a common understanding on the phenomenon through an "open source" research approach. The organization now collaborates with over 20 law enforcement agencies, private security firms, financial institutions, NGOs, and academic institutions, all working towards the same goal. According to Tal Goldstein, head of strategy for the WEF Centre for Cybersecurity, Cybercrime Atlas members spent their fair share of time asking themselves if such an initiative was even feasible. Now that the organizations have proof that they can work together, Atlas will enter its operational phase with the creation of a massive "knowledge base" against cybercrime and cybercriminal gangs. The new collaboration program has done a lot of work on the intelligence side of things, Fortinet vice-president Derek Manky said. Atlas members now want to try to actually make an impact on international cybercrime, which means that they should soon start seizing criminal infrastructures, making arrests, and publicly attributing attacks to digital gangs. Cybercrime Atlas will work to effectively disrupt the cybercrime market, Manky remarked, sending the message that WEF's initiative now "means business" and can make criminals' lives much harder. Cybercrime must become a cost-prohibitive operation on a global scale, now that WEF's own numbers highlight the new security risks stemming from "simmering" geopolitical tensions and unchecked technological advancements. In context: Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems built by colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. They are rich in biodiversity and are sometimes referred to as the "rainforests of the sea." Despite occupying less than 0.1 percent of the global ocean area, reefs host at least a quarter of all known marine species. Researchers aim to stimulate new growth in damaged coral reefs by "bathing" them in sound recordings taken from reefs teeming with life. A recently published study describes what could be a promising new method to restore healthy conditions to coral reefs, offering scientists the opportunity to save and repopulate one of the most vital marine ecosystems. It is estimated that half of the world's coral reef habitats have disappeared since 1950. A lethal combination of global warming, overfishing, pollution, and disease outbreaks has contributed to this dire situation. Researchers are now trying to restore the damaged reefs by relocating artificially-raised coral colonies capable of withstanding today's warming ocean waters. NadeIAge Aoki, a researcher at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, is proposing a different approach to reef repopulation. Aoki and her colleagues built on previous research studies concerning coral larvae swimming towards reef soundscapes and developed their own sound contraption to test the new method. The researchers deployed a system of underwater speakers off the coasts of the US Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean Sea, initiating an experiment involving three different coral reefs. They played sound effects simulating busy reef activity at only one reef, to test how the coral larvae they released in the seawater would respond. After broadcasting the sounds of a healthy reef for three nights, Aoki and her colleagues discovered that coral larvae were, on average, 1.7 times more likely to settle at the site where the sound was played. Settlement rates decreased away from the underwater speaker system, indicating that the broadcast was indeed responsible for the larvae's increased activity levels. Aoki stated that the study yielded interesting and promising results, but more research is needed to determine if other coral species can benefit from healthy reef soundscapes, and how the new settlements develop over time. The ultimate goal, Aoki emphasized, must be to ensure the survival of the new coral colonies. Marine biologist Steve Simpson noted that he has been using reef sounds to attract fish larvae to coral reefs for 20 years. If we can preserve the dying coral reef ecosystem, Simpson believes, "we can save anything." In context: Manufacturers are trying to develop novel chip substrate technologies to save Moore's law and keep crunching the Megahertz rates up. Glass is the most promising material for next-gen substrates Manufacturers should start using them earlier than anticipated if Samsung can succeed at its ramped-up R&D effort. According to rumors from unnamed industry insiders, Samsung has decided to invest heavily in the research and development of glass substrates for chip manufacturing. The company plans to bring products to customers by 2026, creating a "coalition" of subsidiary organizations to speed up technology development. The leakers say that three divisions within the Korean conglomerate Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung Electronics, and Samsung Display will develop the new glass-based chip substrates. Samsung Electronics will work on integrating semiconductor components with the new substrates, while Samsung Display and Electro-Mechanics focus on the glass processing part. The insiders said that Samsung will try to leverage a synergic approach among its subsidiaries, leveraging their expertise in their respective fields. During the Consumer Electronics Show 2024, Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced plans to build mass-production capabilities for glass substrates by 2026. Glass substrates can theoretically bring significant improvements to the chip manufacturing process. Compared to traditional organic substrates, glass shows an enhanced flatness that improves the depth of focus for lithographic processes. The material also has higher dimensional stability for interconnects and provides higher thermal and mechanical strength. The material could withstand higher temperatures and stress levels, making chips more durable and resilient even in "harsh" data center conditions. The technology would be ideal for multi-chiplet, system-in-package (SiP) applications, which are set to become one of the industry's most popular chip designs. Intel has been developing a glass substrate solution for years, and the company recently announced its plans to launch novel commercial products by 2030. Samsung and Intel aren't the only companies working on the next generation of substrate technology. Japanese manufacturer Ibiden has also joined the R&D effort for glass-based designs, while South Korean company SKC has opened a new subsidiary (Absolics) to develop new mass production capabilities. Absolics has already partnered with AMD and other leading semiconductor companies. Researchers see a surge in search-based malvertising campaigns. Last month, the cases nearly doubled the documented incidents. Among the familiar payload deployments, novel evasion tactics emerged, highlighting the evolving landscape of online threats. This is where FakeBat malware enters the scene with its unique technique of payload distribution. Unveiling FakeBat: A Unique Malware Variant One notable malware strain, FakeBat, garnered attention for its unconventional approach. Employing MSIX installers bundled with heavily obfuscated PowerShell code, threat actors orchestrated sophisticated attacks, according to MalwareBytes. The malvertiser associated with distributing FakeBat initially relied on predictable URL shorteners. However, recent iterations showcased experimentation with new redirectors, including leveraging legitimate websites to evade security measures. Related Article: WogRAT Malware Alert: Hackers Abuse Online Notepad to Trigger Malicious Code Diversification in Campaign Targets Unlike previous trends that predominantly targeted specific software brands, the latest wave of FakeBat malvertising campaigns exhibits diverse targets. This shift signifies a departure, with threat actors expanding their scope to include numerous brands in their malicious campaigns. Adaptive Redirection Strategies Recent FakeBat malvertising campaigns adopted dual redirection tactics. While traditional abuse of URL/analytics shorteners persisted, threat actors also leveraged subdomains from compromised legitimate websites. Threat actors circumvented detection mechanisms by exploiting the illusion of credibility conferred by these compromised domains. Active Brand Impersonations Current campaigns impersonate various reputable brands, including OneNote, Epic Games, Ginger, and the Braavos smart wallet application. Many of these malicious domains are hosted on Russian-based infrastructure, adding a layer of complexity to detection and mitigation efforts. Persistent Threats and Evolving Payloads Each downloaded file masquerades as an MSIX installer, complete with a valid digital certificate. Upon execution, a standardized PowerShell script connects to the attacker's command and control server, cataloging victims for future exploitation. Despite efforts to detect PowerShell execution, threat actors continue to bypass security measures, posing a persistent threat to businesses. Defense Strategies and Mitigation Efforts Defending against search-based malvertising requires a multifaceted approach. While efforts to block malicious payloads are essential, addressing supporting infrastructure poses challenges. ThreatDown EDR detects PowerShell execution but remains challenged by the dynamic nature of malvertising tactics. Implementing robust ad-blocking policies, such as ThreatDown DNS Filter, remains an effective countermeasure to thwart malvertising attacks at their source. Malvertising Tactics Will Evolve For Years to Come It is anticipated that search-based malvertising will evolve in the coming years. This will encourage businesses to implement stricter security policies inside. Understanding the nuances of evolving malware variants and adapting defense strategies accordingly is paramount. By leveraging tested and proven mitigation measures and collaborating with industry partners, organizations can effectively protect their digital assets against threat actors. In other news, Bumblebee malware created a new buzz during Valentine's Day following its new scheme. Discovered in 2022, researchers believed that the popular Conti ransomware gang from Russia was behind the malware. Read Also: ScreenConnect Flaw Exploit: North Korean Hackers Infect Targets With Toddleshark Malware 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The highly-expected annual event of Google is coming, with the company confirming its upcoming I/O 2024 showcase taking place this Tuesday, May 14, at 10 AM PDT. Google's upcoming event will bring massive new developments coming for the year and what it will release amidst the event, as headed by its CEO Sundar Pichai who will kick off the event with his keynote. This yearly tradition from Google since 2016 continues, only seeing a cancelation in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and returned the year after in a virtual setup. Google I/O 2024 is Coming This May 14 Google's I/O website released the "Break the loop" puzzle which will lead users to the event date of its annual event, and after completing it, the company shared that its showcase will take place on May 14. For those who want to get to the point, they may click the "I'd rather observe" button which will lead them straight to the landing page that Google will give which states the event date. While not much has been revealed by Google in this date revelation, there are already massive expectations set out for the company for this showcase. That being said, I/O 2024 will have both a physical and virtual setting for the event, with a limited live audience for those who will go in person. It will take place on Google's campus in Mountain View, California. Read Also: Google Releases AI Safeguards Ahead US, Global Elections What to Expect from Google I/O 2024? The event will be kicked off by Pichai with his keynote address at the Shoreline Amphitheater on the Google campus, and will only be a two-day event from May 14 to 15. Online registration is available now for those who want to watch the event on the upcoming date, available for free. For developers, they may also create a developer profile that brings extra perks for the events, with this digital experience offering more like saving and viewing content that one prefers compared to the regular audience. Google and Its Upcoming Tech It is a big year for Google and its technological developments, and this much has been confirmed from the internal message of the Big Tech's CEO, Sundar Pichai, who revealed the plans earlier this January. According to Pichai, Google's goal for 2024 is to expand more of its AI developments as its top priority, alongside its improvements on productivity apps, Google Cloud innovations, and more. One of the largest releases of the year for Google was its Gemini AI, but that has been plagued by the issues it faced upon launch, centering on racial inaccuracies and other complaints from users. Last year, Google placed Gemini on a pedestal and regarded it as the most advanced AI technology it released, one that replaces Bard, but its controversial release is facing a setback, soon to relaunch. While AI is the most prioritized tech in Google now, there are many other products that await the likes of the I/O event for a special showcase, including the upcoming Pixel devices, Android, YouTube, and more. Google I/O 2024 is set to kick off this May 14, less than two months from now, to bring the latest from what Google has to offer, and what the company worked on the past year. Related Article: Google Boosts Chrome Security: Safe Browsing Now with Real-Time Protection 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Ringer Union announced the ratification of their new contract, garnering 100% approval from members. The agreement boasts several key provisions, including significant raises totaling over $300,000 for Year 1. (Photo : TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images) The company logo of Swedish music streaming giant Spotify is pictured on a smartphone in Berlin on January 23, 2023. Ratifying New Contract The Ringer union just approved a new contract with Spotify. It took a week of talks after the old contract ended. The new deal includes better pay and protections about how Spotify uses AI. The union made sure Spotify needs permission to use their voices or names for AI. But they also agreed to let Spotify translate Ringer podcasts using AI. The union shared the rules about AI use, making it clear that Spotify can't copy their voices without permission. This is important because AI could eventually sound just like a real person. Notably, employees earning below $110,000 will receive a minimum raise of $4,500, while the average increase for all employees amounts to 6.4%. Moreover, the minimum salary for union members has been raised to $65,000, representing a substantial victory for lower-paid staff. Recognizing the instability prevalent in the industry due to frequent job cuts, the new contract also includes enhanced severance packages. Long-tenured employees may receive up to 26 weeks of severance pay, while newer members are guaranteed a minimum of 11 weeks' severance in the event of layoffs. Key AI Protections Amidst Generative AI Concerns A significant consideration arises concerning AI-powered translations. Spotify is not required to obtain consent from its employees to translate their audio into different languages using digital replicas of their voices. However, as a compromise, employees can request a disclaimer to be included in the episode stating that the voice was generated by AI. The union, which falls under the Writer's Guild of America, East, highlighted AI as a major obstacle in reaching an agreement. This presents a victory for The Ringer's staff, yet it also highlights Spotify's priorities. Spotify launched its podcast translation tool last fall, and feedback on the quality of these translations has been varied. However, industry insiders suggest that if these translations can overcome certain challenges, it could revolutionize the podcast landscape. As a global platform, Spotify has the potential to expand a podcast's audience by making it accessible to diverse markets. Thus, it's understandable that they would seek to safeguard this capability, particularly concerning their own podcasts. Also Read: Spotify to Go Head to Head With Apple Music as Both Companies Will Launch Podcast Subscription Services Next Week Previously, The Verge reported that the union took a firm stance on translations, emphasizing the importance of obtaining consent from hosts and including a disclaimer about the use of AI. While they succeeded in securing disclosure requirements, they compromised on consent. This negotiation outcome sheds light on the nuanced role of AI in podcasting. It suggests that reputable companies are unlikely to fully embrace AI-generated podcasts. However, AI technology is gradually infiltrating various aspects of content creation, from generating pickups to creating voiceovers for social media snippets. The terms of The Ringer contract may serve as a model in this evolving landscape. While it sets boundaries by prohibiting the cloning of employees' voices, it also allows for practical applications of AI in podcast production. Related Article: Spotify Introduces New AI Voice Translation That Can Clone Podcasters' Voices 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Under Armour's "first AI-powered commercial" is reportedly garnering criticisms from various creatives on Instagram after the commercial is claimed to be a blatant remix of past uncredited works. The advertisement reportedly features boxer Anthony Joshua as per the director Wes Walker. He claimed that Under Armour asked them to create a video using just pre-existing elements, a 3D model of Anthony Joshua, and no access to athletes when he shared the ad and its versions on Instagram earlier this week. It is said to be the most recent instance of Under Armour utilizing AI to speed up production. To generate new materials, the shoemaker has been collaborating with production companies to compile a dataset that embodies UA's "visual DNA." (Photo : JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration photograph taken with a macro lens shows an 'OpenAI' logo reverse projected onto a human eye at a studio in Paris on June 6, 2023. ChatGPT is a conversational artificial intelligence software application developed by OpenAI. According to the post, breakthroughs in AI voiceover were combined with motion graphics, 35mm film, digital video, 3D CGI, AI photo, and motion graphics to create the AI-powered advertisement. Walker goes on to say that every AI tool available today was thoroughly used. Walker mentioned that the commercial relies heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) and stated that the entire thing was completed in three weeks, a very short time for a well-known company and athlete. However, creatives on Instagram were not slow to pick up on the fact that the commercial was essentially a repackaged copy of someone else's work. Director Gustav Johansson of the Scandinavian production studio Newland says the "AI-powered" advertisement from Under Armour is a remix of a complete, uncredited film production that was directed by Johansson and featured some footage that was shot by Andre Chementoff. Walker's advertisement also features a video from Iconoclast Germany's Maik Schuster, a second filmmaker, from 2023. Johansson and Schuster were not listed among the initial credit holders for the spot. Read Also: Netflix CEO Says AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement for Filmmakers AI Use Out of Necessity According to AdAge, Under Armour's vice president of global brand creative, Brian Boring said that the company's strategy for the Walker commercial was driven by necessity because the athlete was unable to film. He described the Walker advertisement as a "mixed media piece," including live-action, CGI, and some AI. He also stated that the idea that UA is using athlete video to train AI is inaccurate. Walker on his post, however, promoted the human touch in commercial creation even as he bragged about using AI. He asserts that although AI will integrate into workflows in ever-changing ways, the heart and the intellect that peep behind perception's doors are still and always will be "ours." AI Exploitation of Creatives The advertisement has been marketed by the firm as a marvel of AI ingenuity. On the other hand, some claim the business is accelerating the date on which artificial intelligence will supplant humans in the manufacturing process. According to Tech Crunch, industry creatives are emerging from the woodwork to protest what they see as another step toward AI replacing human labor with the tactic of firms using it to exploit their talents. Related Article: Loki Season 2 Poster Sparks Backlash Amid Allegations of AI Involvement 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New research reveals that glaciers are melting at a quicker pace in the ocean than previously projected. Over the initial two decades of the current century, the ice has significantly thinned, with an average annual melt rate escalating from 10 feet per year in the 1990s to 30 feet per year in the 2020s. (Photo : OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images) A study funded by NASA found that about half of the Himalayas glaciers have melted because global temperatures have risen beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. Alarming Rate of Glacier Melting Intrigued by the accelerated melting of northwest Greenland's Petermann Glacier over the past fifteen years, scientists delve into the underlying causes driving this phenomenon. Their focus zeroes in on the infiltration of warm ocean waters beneath the glacier, prompting them to embark on a comprehensive observation and modeling study. Spearheaded by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Irvine, Interesting Engineering reported that this endeavor aims to unravel the potential implications of ice melt. The computer analysis conducted during the study reveals that the projected sea level rise could surpass previous estimates, signifying a graver scenario than anticipated. Such a rise in sea levels could pose significant threats worldwide, including heightened risks of flooding, particularly imperiling coastal communities and their livelihoods. Analyzing Tidal Movements Researchers utilized radar interferometry data from multiple European satellite missions to analyze the tidal movements of Petermann Glacier. Apart from satellite data, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a comprehensive computational model to evaluate the effects of climate change in intricate environments comprising ice, seawater, and land. The model tracks the interplay among these components, encompassing tidal effects and temperature fluctuations induced by climate change. In their analysis of climate-induced changes in ice melting intensity, scientists observed significant shifts in glaciers, spanning several kilometers, in response to tidal variations. Lead author Ratnakar Gadi, a Ph.D. candidate in Earth system science at UCI, explained that by incorporating this glacier migration into the MIT numerical ocean model, they estimated a thinning of approximately 460 feet of ice between 2000 and 2020. Over this period, the average melt rate surged from around 10 feet per year in the 1990s to 30 feet per year in the 2020s. Also Read: Greenland's Lesser-Known Glaciers Surge in Melting Rates, Revealing Alarming Impact on Sea Levels Senior co-author Eric Rignot, a professor of Earth system science at UCI, noted that traditionally, the transition boundary between ice and ocean was perceived as sharp, but their study revealed it to be diffuse, extending over a wide zone known as the 'grounding zone,' which spans several kilometers. He explained that in this zone, seawater rises and falls with tidal fluctuations, resulting in vigorous melting of grounded ice from beneath. Furthermore, Gadi highlighted that the model depicted exceedingly high melt rates near the entrance of the grounding zone cavity, surpassing rates observed elsewhere in the ice shelf cavity. He clarified that the heightened temperatures of the water and increased intrusion of seawater beneath the ice are the primary factors driving the thinning of ice along the central flowline of the Petermann Glacier. Interestingly, the grounding zone plays a pivotal role in the escalated ice melting process. Through analysis using the numerical model, scientists observed a thinning of approximately 12 feet solely attributable to warmer ocean temperatures. Related Article: NASA Study Reveals Himalayas Glaciers Rapidly Melting Amid Worsening Climate Crisis 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The restoration of historical Khudafarin bridges has been discussed by Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Mehrabian, a source in the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy told Trend. Overall, the authorities talked about current concerns of collaboration between the two nations in the sector of the electric power business during brief and lengthy talks. The ministers discussed developments on the joint technical commission and working group's operations, as well as the state of the construction of the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydro junctions and hydropower plants (HPPs) on the Araz River. "Satisfaction was expressed that the work on the hydro junctions is in the final stage, and the opening ceremony of the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydro junctions will take place in the near future. The importance of expediting issues related to the construction of power plants was also emphasized, and the acceleration process was agreed upon. The discussions covered matters pertaining to the utilization of water resources in addition to cooperative actions with the Iranian side on the preservation, repair, and safeguarding of the historic Khudafarin bridges. The current level of cooperation on integrating the electrical networks of Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia was also reviewed at the meeting, as were steps to speed the building of the 36 MW Ordubad HPP on the Araz river. It was agreed to call a trilateral meeting as soon as feasible. The growth of collaboration in the trade and transportation of electricity was also covered throughout the conversation. It was decided to step up joint efforts in order to develop the cooperation agenda's top initiatives. A press conference was held at the end of the meeting," the source added. To note, the Khudafarin bridges are two arch bridges located at the border of Azerbaijan and Iran, connecting the northern and southern banks of the Araz river. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Following the passage of a bill in the House of Representatives that could pave the way for a potential ban of TikTok in the United States, the platform has intensified its efforts to rally users in opposition to the legislation. TikTok Urges Users to Contact their Senators TikTok has rolled out new in-app messages urging users to contact their senators and voice their concerns about the proposed ban, as reported first by Engadget. This latest push comes just a day after the bill received approval in the House, marking TikTok's second attempt to mobilize its user base in response to the legislative threat. Prior to the House vote, the platform had encouraged users to reach out to their representatives, resulting in a flood of calls to Congressional offices, predominantly from young users. The new alerts are more explicit in their messaging, highlighting the potential consequences of a TikTok ban and urging users to take action. Emphasizing the impact on its 170 million American users, the notifications prompt users to call their senators and advocate against the ban, underscoring the importance of preserving creativity and community on the platform. Read Also: Steven Mnuchin Leading Investor Group to Acquire TikTok Amid Legislative Threats, but What Did China Say? TikTok CEO Show Chew Tells Users to Defend Their Constitutional Rights TikTok CEO Shou Chew has also addressed users directly, urging them to defend their constitutional rights in the face of the proposed legislation. Chew's video message, posted on X, reassures users of TikTok's commitment to fighting for the platform's survival, including exploring legal avenues to challenge the bill if enacted. "We will not stop fighting and advocating for you. We will continue to do all we can including exercising our legal rights to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you," Chew said. Expressing apprehensions about the bill's implications, Chew echoes concerns raised by its sponsors, warning of a potential ban on TikTok in the US. The bipartisan legislation, titled the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," aims to compel ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest its US operations or face removal from American app stores and web hosting services. TikTok's approach in notifying its user base about the bill's ramifications has sparked controversy, with lawmakers criticizing the platform for perceived interference in the legislative process. However, Chew argues against the ban, asserting that it would consolidate power among a handful of dominant social media entities, a sentiment previously echoed by former President Donald Trump. Despite the bill's passage in the House with overwhelming support, advocates emphasize that the objective is not to eliminate TikTok but to address national security concerns surrounding Chinese access to American user data. President Joe Biden's expressed willingness to sign the bill has bolstered its prospects, pending Senate deliberation on legal and free speech considerations. Related Article: Italy Antitrust Watchdog Slaps TikTok with 10 Million Euro Fine Over Content Moderation Failures 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into AliExpress, the global e-commerce platform operated by Chinese technology giant Alibaba, over the dissemination of illegal content. The investigation, conducted under the auspices of the Digital Services Act (DSA), marks another step in the EU's efforts to enforce accountability in the digital sphere. DSA is a recent legislative initiative aimed at regulating tech giants' conduct. EU Launches Probe Into AliExpress' Operations According to the Commission's statement, the probe will focus on various aspects of AliExpress' operations, including its content moderation practices, internal complaint-handling mechanisms, advertising transparency, and researchers' data access. These areas are crucial for safeguarding consumer protection and preventing the proliferation of illicit content on online platforms. The commission's decision to launch formal proceedings against AliExpress underscores the gravity of the alleged violations and the need for a thorough investigation. The inquiry will delve into AliExpress' compliance with specific obligations outlined in the DSA, such as risk assessment, content moderation, and transparency requirements. Key areas of concern include the platform's purported failure to enforce its terms of service effectively, particularly concerning the sale of products posing health risks and the accessibility of inappropriate content to minors. Additionally, the investigation will scrutinize AliExpress' measures to prevent intentional manipulation and the dissemination of harmful content through its affiliate program. Furthermore, the commission will assess AliExpress' adherence to DSA provisions related to user notification mechanisms, internal complaint handling, and data transparency for traders. These aspects are pivotal for ensuring accountability and maintaining the integrity of the platform's operations. If found guilty of non-compliance with DSA regulations, AliExpress could face significant penalties and enforcement measures. The commission's investigation will prioritize gathering evidence and conducting in-depth assessments to determine the extent of the alleged infringements. The initiation of formal proceedings empowers the commission to take enforcement actions, including interim measures and non-compliance decisions, to address any identified violations promptly. AliExpress may be required to commit to addressing the issues under investigation. Read Also: China's AliExpress Expands Presence in Spain, South Korea AliExpress' Response AliExpress, designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA, is subject to heightened regulatory scrutiny due to its extensive user base in the EU. As a VLOP, AliExpress must comply with stringent requirements outlined in the DSA to ensure a safe and compliant marketplace for consumers. "Consumers' protection, especially for minors, is an essential cornerstone of the Digital Services Act. AliExpress must respect its obligations to mitigate the systemic risks on its platform and apply all safeguard provisions to ensure its services are safe. The Commission will now assess its measures and verify their compliance with our rules," Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, said in a statement. In response to the commission's investigation, an AliExpress spokesperson told CNBC about the company's commitment to collaborating with regulatory authorities and upholding applicable standards. The spokesperson also emphasized AliExpress' dedication to creating a secure marketplace environment conducive to consumer trust and compliance with the DSA's provisions. Related Article: Report Says Amazon Collects Over 50% Commission From Merchants 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. McDonald's, the globally renowned fast-food chain, faced a widespread system outage across the Asia-Pacific region, leaving customers frustrated and unable to place orders online. The disruption impacted stores from Hong Kong to Australia, prompting some restaurants to suspend services until the glitch was resolved. McDonald's Across Asia Face Outage According to reports, the issue stemmed from a computer system failure, causing chaos for customers attempting to use electronic kiosks and mobile apps to place their orders. Instead, McDonald's advised patrons to order directly from staff at store counters, reverting to a more traditional approach to avoid further inconvenience. In Japan, McDonald's acknowledged the technical difficulties, stating, "There is currently a system failure. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask that you please wait for a while until the service is restored." Meanwhile, restaurants in Taiwan suspended phone and online ordering due to system maintenance, exacerbating the situation. Reports of the system outage rippled across the region, with social media platforms like Weibo buzzing with the hashtag "McDonald's crashed." Even parts of mainland China felt the impact, according to Hong Kong newspapers. Customers in Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong shared their frustration as they encountered difficulties placing orders. Some Australian outlets resorted to pen and paper, with workers taking orders manually, while others closed temporarily until the issue was resolved. Australian news outlets reported scenes of inconvenience, with customers queuing for long periods and some even resorting to paying in cash due to the system outage. Drive-through customers recount a frustrating experience where their plans to pick up dinner for their children were hindered by a technical glitch. Restaurants in New Zealand were also unable to take orders online. Read Also: More iPhone Owners Are Installing Brave Browser to Replace Safari After Apple's iOS 17.4 Change McDonald's Address System Outage Despite the disruption, McDonald's worked swiftly to rectify the issue, with some restaurants in Australia returning to full service by Friday evening. Customers in Melbourne were seen crowding around self-service ordering machines, enjoying their meals after the two-hour outage. McDonald's Hong Kong took to Facebook to address the situation, stating, "the mobile ordering and self-ordering kiosks are not functioning." This transparency helped keep customers informed amid the chaos. In Other News Google has announced major updates to the security features of its Chrome browser in response to the changing landscape of cybersecurity threats. These upgrades are designed to provide users with real-time protection against malicious behavior. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: AI-Powered Fast Food, Coming This 2024 Says McDonald's 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a bid to seize a slice of the booming artificial intelligence (AI) market, South Korean startups are ramping up efforts to design cutting-edge AI chips. With backing from tech giant Samsung Electronics and support from the government, these companies are making significant strides in the field of AI computing (via Nikkei Asia). South Korean Startups Eye Global Chip Market One such startup, Rebellions, established in 2020, is working hand-in-hand with Samsung's foundry division to develop a cutting-edge AI chip. This chip, set to incorporate Samsung's high-end HBM3E memory, is expected to revolutionize AI computing, potentially making its market debut as early as the second half of this year. Rebellions is not alone in this endeavor. Sapeon, a spinoff from South Korea's leading telecom company, SK Telecom, is also making waves. With plans to supply its AI chip manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Sapeon aims to deliver its innovative solution to customers by June. A Burgeoning AI Market These initiatives are pivotal in the semiconductor industry, with global players racing to capitalize on the burgeoning AI market. Nvidia, renowned for its graphic processing units (GPUs) tailored for AI computing, currently leads the pack. However, the emergence of South Korean startups poses a formidable challenge to Nvidia's supremacy. Drawing on his extensive background in finance and aerospace technology, Park brings a wealth of experience to Rebellions. The company recently secured a substantial investment of almost 170 billion won ($128 million) in its Series B funding round, with contributions from prominent venture capital firms and telecommunications giant KT. Meanwhile, Sapeon's collaboration with Docomo Innovations underscores its commitment to advancing AI services across various healthcare and insurance sectors. CEO Soojung Ryu, who distinguished himself at Samsung before leading Sapeon, emphasized the company's pioneering role in Korea's AI semiconductor development. Read Also: China's Record $27 Billion Chip Fund to Counter US Tech Sanctions Government Support The South Korean government recognizes the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry and has introduced initiatives to bolster local fabless companies. A 300 billion won "semiconductor ecosystem fund" aims to stimulate investment in semiconductor-related ventures, while low-interest loans totaling 24 trillion won will support the growth of fabless companies. Last year, Samsung also said it would spend $230 billion (300 trillion won) to build five new memory and foundry fabs in South Korea, supporting the government's goals of establishing a massive semiconductor center in Yongin, outside Seoul. These expenditures will continue until 2042. Despite South Korea's status as home to major memory chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix, the nation trails behind the US in designing advanced chips. Analysts note the importance of closing this gap to secure a stronger foothold in the global semiconductor market. Amidst these developments, concerns over semiconductor supply chain disruptions have intensified. Recent moves by Samsung and SK Hynix to halt the sale of used chipmaking equipment reflect heightened geopolitical tensions and regulatory pressures. The US, in particular, is urging stricter controls on semiconductor exports, citing national security concerns. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Samsung Invests $230 Billion in South Korean Chip Factories 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Advertisers are contemplating alternate marketing channels to avoid interruptions from TikTok's unclear US future. After House members passed legislation ordering ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to divest the app within six months or face a nationwide ban, advertisers are closely monitoring developments and waiting for Senate action before making significant marketing changes. On Wednesday, the House approved the bipartisan measure 352 to 65 to address ByteDance-related national security concerns. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said, "Today we send a clear message that we will not tolerate our adversaries weaponizing our freedoms against us." U.S. President Joe Biden's readiness to back the measure has boosted efforts, but Senate discussions, especially on legal and free speech issues, will decide its destiny, as reported by TechTimes. TikTok Ban To Benefit Rival Platforms Industry insiders expect Meta's Reels and YouTube's Shorts to absorb TikTok's advertising dollars after a ban, as reported by Reuters. TikTok opposes the prohibition, citing possible harm to artists and small companies, but experts see rising support behind legislative measures, forcing advertisers to plan for advertising landscape changes. Some companies prefer a "business as usual" attitude to TikTok, noting its durability despite past restrictions, while others stay alert, understanding the volatility of the situation. Social media advertising is dynamic, so firms can quickly adapt their marketing strategy to changing events. Estimates predict $8.66 billion in U.S. ad income for TikTok this year, demonstrating its influence on culture and advertising. Despite assurances from certain digital ad providers that an outright TikTok ban is unlikely, the risk of a sale inside the deadline highlights the need for advertiser readiness. This picture, taken in Moscow on October 12, 2021, shows the Chinese social networking service TikTok's logo on a smartphone screen. (Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) Read Also: EU Launches Probe Into Alibaba's AliExpress Over Illegal Content However, rival social media platforms' ability to replicate TikTok's impact is unknown. Meta's Reels and YouTube's Shorts provide comparable video forms, although user preferences and interaction patterns may differ. Strategic flexibility in the changing social media environment is crucial for advertisers, who must monitor customer behavior and trends. TikTok Fights Back US politicians suggest finding a new TikTok owner. Despite its apparent simplicity, the path to execution faces formidable challenges. Notably, the stringent six-month timeframe poses a significant hurdle, alongside other complexities. Interest from figures like the "Shark Tank" personality Kevin O'Leary underscores potential buyers' intrigue, but Stanford University researcher Graham Webster emphasizes the arduous nature of negotiations and the hefty financial investment required. Moreover, potential buyers must navigate scrutiny from antitrust authorities in both the US and China. However, Matt Perault from the University of North Carolina's Center on Technology Policy noted that experts suggest a potential reduction in TikTok's acquisition cost if the bill advances and survives legal challenges. Meanwhile, in response to the passage of the House measure, TikTok CEO Shou Chew urged users to protect their constitutional rights and suggested that TikTok might sue the legislation if it passes. "I encourage you to keep sharing your stories; share them with your friends, share them with your family, and share them with your senators. Protect your constitutional rights. Make your voices heard," Shou Chew noted. Related Article: Steven Mnuchin Leading Investor Group to Acquire TikTok Amid Legislative Threats, but What Did China Say? 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The tragic passing of Angela Chao, a well-known CEO based in Texas and the sister-in-law of Senator Mitch McConnell, made headlines last month. Findings of further investigations into the incident, initially reported as a "car accident," conducted by journalists from the Austin American-Statesman unveiled distressing details of Angela Chao's Tesla tragedy, as reported by USA Today. Rescue Efforts Failed Angela Chao is believed to have drowned after her Tesla veered into a pond on a private ranch in Texas. Despite speculation, local officials have refrained from disclosing details, refuting claims of a criminal inquiry. Chief Deputy Robert Woodring of the Blanco County sheriff's office asserted, "It's always been an unfortunate accident. We have not seen a single thing that would make us believe otherwise." Jim Breyer and Angela Chao attends the AFI Awards Luncheon at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo : Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) On the night of Feb. 11, deputies responded to a private address outside Austin, Texas, for a potential water rescue. Over the following 30 minutes, EMS responders, deputies, and firefighters mobilized at the scene. According to reports, Chao's Tesla was submerged, prompting desperate rescue efforts. Fire Lt. Royce Penshorn's report outlined attempts to access the vehicle. Despite efforts, a tow truck's chains could not reach the submerged electric vehicle. Rescuers managed to retrieve Angela Chao from the Tesla vehicle around 12:56 a.m. EMS responders administered "advanced life support" for 43 minutes, but tragically, the CEO was pronounced dead at the scene. Notably, no dive team was available at the time. Benjamin Oakley, EMS chief, explained Blanco County's reliance on neighboring counties for such operations. Read Also: TikTok Uncertainty: Advertisers Eyeing Meta's Reels and YouTube's Shorts If US Senate Approves Ban Tesla Faulty Reverse Function Under Scrutiny According to Business Insider, the US Department of Transportation database contains 12 complaints related to Tesla's reverse function. These complaints highlighted confusion with Tesla's gearshift design and instances where cars shifted between drive and reverse unexpectedly. Despite reverse-shifting concerns, they pale in comparison to other Tesla issues. The database containing 12 reverse-shifting complaints contained a total of 4,228 Tesla-related complaints. The US Department of Transportation received over 700 complaints concerning "phantom braking" when Teslas under Autopilot braked for imaginary risks. Phantom braking killed one person in 2022, triggering a regulator probe. In a separate development, the 2018 Model X collision lawsuit against Tesla's Autopilot system is back with fresh evidence. Next week, plaintiffs will submit new evidence challenging Tesla's position in California. An insider from Tesla said that the firm knew of Autopilot's distracting effects, citing a 2016 email, as previously reported by TechTimes. The legal proceedings against Tesla regarding its Autopilot technology will recommence in California next week, starting Monday, Mar. 18. The plaintiffs plan to introduce fresh evidence contradicting Tesla's stance. Lawyers representing Huang's interests obtained a crucial statement from a Tesla insider regarding the company's knowledge of Autopilot usage. This statement referenced a 2016 email from former Tesla President Jon McNeill to Autopilot head Sterling Anderson, who confessed that using Autopilot diverted his attention from driving as he attended to emails or phone calls. Related Article: Tesla Looking for Senior Manager to Take Charge of 'Zero Service' Program: What is This Position? 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. PASHA Holding is planning a social program for children of those slain in local anti-terrorist measures in Azerbaijan's Karabakh on September 1920, 2023, Trend reports. PASHA Holding has been running a social support program for the minor children of Azerbaijani heroes killed in the 2020 Second Karabakh War since last year. Starting in 2024, the present program will also cover the children of those who died during local anti-terrorist measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Karabakh in September last year. Currently, the project covers more than 2,000 children and more than 1,000 families of those who died in the 2020 second Karabakh war after its end and during the September provocations (the shelling of the Azerbaijani Army by Armenian armed forces on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border in 2022), as well as those who died during local anti-terrorist measures. Children of martyrs get celebratory presents from PASHA Holding and the Bravo grocery chain for New Year's, Novruz, Gurban, and Ramadan holidays, as well as Victory Day (which commemorates Azerbaijan's victory in the second Karabakh war), as part of the program. Furthermore, PASHA Insurance Company offers an enhanced insurance package to children of martyrs through the program, which includes dental care, screening examinations, and treatment for chronic conditions. Furthermore, the organization provides school materials to the children of martyrs for the next academic year. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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 The revolution of the hungry is coming... even if it is delayed 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. 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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 Lebanon: Easter celebrations tarnished by the situation in Gaza and the south of the country 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? 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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 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? 8 new massacres in Gaza and fierce battles between the resistance and the occupation forces Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. On March 15, 2024, President of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf met with Espen Mehlum, Head of Energy Transition and Regional Acceleration Research at the World Economic Forum, and Rene Van Heusden, Head of Oil and Gas Industry Affairs, Trend reports. During the meeting, representatives of the World Economic Forum were informed about the transformation of SOCAR from an oil and gas company into an international energy company and about other strategic goals defined in the Corporate Strategy until 2035. It was noted that the energy transition has been identified as one of the priority areas for the companys development, and the importance of the documents signed between SOCAR and international partner companies. During the conversation, it was noted that COP29, which Azerbaijan will host, will make an important contribution to steps to combat climate change. The parties reviewed the possibilities of expanding cooperation between SOCAR and the World Economic Forum, exchanged views on issues of digitalization, decarbonization, reduction of methane emissions, as well as other issues of mutual interest. Japan suspends Fukushima water release after quake as precaution Tokyo, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 The release of wastewater from Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant was suspended on Friday following an earthquake, its operator said while stressing that the move was precautionary. A 5.8-magnitude jolt struck off the coast of the northeastern Fukushima region, home to the plant wrecked by a tsunami in 2011, at 00:14 am Friday (1514 GMT Thursday), the Japan Meteorological Agency said. "We have confirmed remotely that there were no abnormalities on ALPS treated water dilution/discharge facility, etc.," Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said on X, formerly Twitter, referring to the water release process. But "to be on the safe side, we have suspended the operations of the facilities in accordance with the pre-defined operational procedures", it said. Japan's nuclear regulatory authority also said shortly after the quake that no abnormalities were detected at either the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi plant, or its sister plant Fukushima Daini. TEPCO began releasing into the Pacific last August around 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of wastewater that have collected at Fukushima Daiichi since the 2011 accident, one of the world's worst nuclear disasters. The operation has been endorsed by the UN atomic agency, and TEPCO says all radioactive elements have been filtered out except for tritium, levels of which are within safe limits. But China and Russia have criticised the release into the Pacific Ocean and banned Japanese seafood imports, saying that Japan is polluting the environment. Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year and the vast majority cause no damage. There were no immediate reports of injuries from the latest jolt and there was no tsunami warning. Germany 'on course' to reach 2030 climate goals Frankfurt, Germany, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 Germany on Friday said that it was on track to meet its 2030 climate goals for the first time, after a sharp drop in greenhouse gas emissions last year. An increase in the use of renewables and a weaker economy weighed down by higher energy costs had contributed to a 10.1-percent plunge in carbon emissions year-on-year, the economy ministry said. Germany, Europe's biggest economy, aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 65 percent by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2045. The latest report from Germany's federal environment agency (UBA) showed that emissions were now projected to fall by almost 64 percent by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. In a 2021 report, that figure was estimated at just 49 percent. "The projection shows for the first time that we are on course and that we can achieve the 2030 climate protection goals," Economy Minister Robert Habeck said at a Berlin press conference. The optimism comes after Germany lowered its CO2 emissions by 76 million tonnes last year to 673 million tonnes -- the biggest reduction since German reunification. The drop was in large part driven by an industrial downturn, as companies in energy-intensive sectors such as aluminium, steel and chemical production were battered by higher energy prices and lower demand. Coal use also declined as Germany became a net importer of electricity in 2023. Around 60 percent of those energy imports -- mainly from Scandinavian countries -- came from renewable sources. - 'Light and shadow' - Habeck said 2023 had been a year of "light and shadow", with the German economy shrinking by 0.3 percent and forecast to grow only moderately this year. He said the government was counting on a "full economic recovery" and that the right instruments were in place to keep up the momentum on climate protection. Renewables, which for the first time generated more than half of Germany's electricity supply in 2023, now formed "the backbone" of the nation's energy supply, Habeck said. The government has also launched several schemes to incentivise green technology projects, he said, including investments in hydrogen and a recently unveiled subsidy programme to decarbonise industrial production. Legislation aimed at phasing out gas and oil heating in buildings is forecast to lead to a shift towards more environmentally-friendly heat pumps in the coming years. The "price shock" triggered by the end of cheap Russian energy imports, meanwhile, had led to a shift in behaviour, Habeck said, with consumers more aware of the benefits of conserving energy. Habeck acknowledged that the transport sector, which has consistently failed to meet its carbon reduction targets, remained the "problem child" of Germany's climate efforts. Emissions savings in other sectors would have to "overcompensate" for the expected shortcomings in transport, he said. CORRECTED: Sprawling storms, tornadoes roar through US Midwest Washington, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 Devastating storms pounded three central US states Thursday night, spawning massive tornadoes, officials said. More than 13 million people in the central United States were under tornado watches, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. A "very dangerous half-mile-wide tornado" touched down in Ohio state, NWS said. One struck the rural town of Indian Lakes in western Ohio. "It's pure devastation. I have never seen anything like this in my entire life," Amber Fagan, president of the Indian Lakes Chamber of Commerce, told a Columbus ABC television station. "Downtown, it's bad. It's very bad." Indiana State Police initially told US media that three people died in a mobile home park in Winchester, Indiana, when a suspected tornado struck. But at a press conference overnight they said they were "not aware" of any fatalities. Storms hopscotched across the Ohio Valley, spawning apparent tornadoes in a number of areas. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on social media that a tornado moved through Gallatin and Trimble in his state but left no fatalities. Tornadoes, a weather phenomenon that is as impressive as it is difficult to predict, are relatively common in the United States, especially in the central and southern parts of the country. French Guiana villagers seek UN help to stop solar project Geneva, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 Indigenous villagers in French Guiana called Friday on UN bodies to intervene to stop the construction of a solar power plant they fear will harm their way of life. The Organisation of Indigenous Nations of French Guiana and the International Service for Human Rights said they filed requests on behalf of the villagers with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to intervene with French authorities to halt construction of the plant. They said the construction of the West Guiana Power Plant project (CEOG) located just two kilometres (1.2 miles) from Prosperite village occupied by the indigenous Kalina people, will see the destruction of more than 70 hectares (173 acres) of forest used for hunting, fishing and agriculture. "By persisting with this project in this form and in this location, the French Republic is trampling our identity and endangering our way of life and the future of our peoples," indigenous traditional chief Roland Sjabere was quoted as saying in a statement. The villagers say they don't completely oppose the project, which would provide electricity to 10,000 homes, but are unhappy with its location right outside their village. Construction began in November 2022 but was halted after several months during the rainy season. Forest-clearing resumed in mid-August last year under heavy police protection. UK plan to capture carbon ignited by 4bn contracts London, March 15 (AFP) Mar 15, 2024 Major UK plans for gas-fired power stations that capture carbon took a key step forward Friday with the award of building contracts worth pound4 billion ($5 billion). The joint-venture scheme, led by British energy giant BP plus French and Norwegian peers TotalEnergies and Equinor, forms part of UK government plans for a net zero carbon economy by 2050. The facilities, to be built in northern England by a date yet to be specified, come under the Net Zero Teesside Power and Northern Endurance Partnership banners. The pair on Friday said they had "selected contractors for engineering, procurement, and construction contracts with a combined value of around pound4 billion". "The selection of nine leading specialist contractors across eight contract packages is a major milestone for the Teesside-based projects, which would contribute to the UK's journey towards net zero emissions by 2050," the statement added. Up to two million tonnes of CO2 would be captured annually before being transported and securely stored in subsea sites beneath the North Sea. Companies awarded contracts included energy group Shell, infrastructure specialists Balfour Beatty and oil-services firm TechnipFMC. "The selection of contractors is a major step forward for Net Zero Teesside Power," said Ian Hunter, managing director at Net Zero Teesside Power. "We have selected world-class partners who have the experience and capability needed to deliver." Chris Daykin of Northern Endurance Partnership, added that "selection of contractors is a clear signal of momentum". Friday's announcement comes after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government this week pledged to build new gas-fired power stations to boost energy security. At the same time, the UK is rolling out low-carbon energies such as nuclear, solar and wind power in a strategy to combat sky-high domestic electricity and gas bills, which rocketed after key producer Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. bcp/rl BP TotalEnergies Equinor Shell BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. COP29 (the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) to be held in Azerbaijan will bring new opportunities, President of the 78th Session of UN General Assembly (GA) Dennis Francis said at the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. "I feel that COP29 will be successful. This conference will provide ambitious recommendations for turning a new page in the fight against climate change. We should not cut corners when it comes to recommendations for the planet's sustainability. I believe everyone will contribute their experiences and knowledge. COP29 will bring about the transformation that we need. This will serve as a road plan for addressing the critical issues we face. Once again, I applaud the government of Azerbaijan for providing a forum on which crucial talks can occur, Francis added. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider the factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, will discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, and will touch on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food, and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. COP29 is facing the task of solving very complex issues, Deputy to the Director General and the Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (UNIDO), Fatou Haidara said, Trend reports. She made a remark during her speech at the panel of the XI Global Baku Forum titled "From Good Words to Good Deeds: What goals can be set for COP29? "If we organize industry properly, it can contribute to climate change. It will also facilitate the transition to a low-emission economy. COP29 faces the task of addressing extremely complicated topics. Climate action should be strengthened. Every country must voluntarily increase its contribution. We must coordinate our efforts in this area," Haidara added. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider the factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, will discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, will touch on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The annual plan includes the largest amount of money in the 16-year history of annual spending plans for the authority, and about $90 million more than the current fiscal year. The plan, if approved by the Legislature, begins on July 1. "We're happy to say that almost 80% of (the $1.71 billion budget) is going into construction," CPRA Executive Director Glenn Ledet told the board. "If you think about the 50-year, $50 billion coastal Master Plan, obviously we need to do a billion dollars of work on average a year." Interactive version An interactive version of the fiscal year 2025 annual plan is available online. (Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority) The plan shows the state's continued ability to make use of funds from the 2010 BP spill, from offshore oil revenue and other federal and state programs, and state surpluses, to underwrite that cost, he said. The final version of the annual plan approved Thursday included $30 million more in spending than the draft version the authority reviewed in December 2023, but there were increases and reductions in the amounts to be spent in the upcoming year for several dozen projects. Age subscribers are invited to experience THE LUME Melbournes Leonardo da Vinci - 500 Years of Genius presented by Webuild with 2-for-1 tickets*. In a celebration of innovation, art and the timeless genius of Leonardo da Vinci, THE LUME Melbourne exhibition gives visitors the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step inside the world of Leonardo, featuring original drawings and writings from the Codex Atlanticus, penned by the master himself. This is the first time in history the Codex Atlanticus has been in Australia, underscoring THE LUME Melbournes commitment to bringing this new extraordinary experience to Australia. THE LUME Melbournes Leonardo da Vinci - 500 Years of Genius presented by Webuild. Credit: THE LUME Melbourne Head to THE LUME Melbournes website, add two adult tickets to your cart and apply the unique code: THEAGELDV. Offer is valid for exhibition dates between March 16 - April 16. You have until 11:59pm on Monday, March 18 to redeem this exclusive offer. The showcase also features to scale machine inventions brought to life by Italian artisans from the pages of Leonardos codices, the only exact 360 replica of Mona Lisa in the world, a brand new immersive experience in the enormous 3000 sqm multisensory gallery, cutting-edge AI and VR interactive technologies that breathe life into the masters iconic work, a Renaissance-themed culinary experience like no other in Caffe Medici, and more. It was a balmy afternoon at Adelaide Writers Week and hundreds of us were sitting in the sun under the trees, listening to the writers. And then journalist John Lyons plunged us into a different world. By the time this session ends, he said, three or four Palestinian children will have been killed. Five bombs will have been dropped by the Israelis. Imagine this garden as a square kilometre in Gaza, he said. Since the start of the latest conflict it would have been hit by 79 bombs. Poet Omar Sakr told a Adelaide Writers Week session that when he sees Arab children dying in Gaza, he sees his son. Credit: Isabella Moore The six days of last weeks literature festival were filled with writers exploring all kinds of topics, from ancient Rome to the impact of AI on authors. And yet you couldnt get away from Gaza. Lyons thanked Writers Week director Louise Adler for resisting pressure to cancel such discussions. The mood was peaceful, respectful and overwhelmingly pro-Palestine. There were a few proud wearers of the keffiyeh scarf, both onstage and in the audience. One was Miles Franklin winner and First Nations novelist Melissa Lucashenko, who said her daughter-in-law had family at grave risk of being killed. She finished her session with the words, Free Palestine. Naomi Ruth Barber King: Flown but not Forgotten NEWS PROVIDED BY Alveda King Ministries March 15, 2024 ATLANTA, March 15, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Dr. Alveda King, she is available for comment: Over the past week, I have been blessed by and grateful for the numerous calls and prayers remembering my vibrant life lessons from my mother, Dr. Naomi Ruth Barber King. She often reminded me to "heal on your feet." My Mother was affectionately known as the "Butterfly Queen." I am her "Angel Daughter." Butterflies were a lifelong symbol of her vibrant, grace-filled, hope-filled, love-filled spirit. She found peace and strength in the delicate wings of these creatures just as we who know and love her found peace and strength resting beneath the wings of her lessons and love. Over the years, I had the privilege of supporting my mother as she traveled the world. She advocated for human rights with the same passion and conviction as my father A.D. King and Uncle Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared. Most recently at the end of last year, I traveled to Amsterdam on her behalf, where I was blessed to share her wisdom and vision with world leaders. Such wisdom can only be gained through listening and responding to the world with the love of the Lord. In every beat, my heart simultaneously grieves and rejoices at her parting. I have no doubt that my mother is at peace and at rest with the Lord. I also have the great honor of being a grateful benefactor of her wisdom and love. I see the impressions of her life on the lives of generations of Kings and Butterfly Queens throughout eternity. Her foundation is also her legacy. Inquiries and support may be made to her memory at THE AD KING FOUNDATION. SOURCE Alveda King Ministries CONTACT: Brian Mayes, 615-771-2040, brian@nashvillepublicity.com Share Tweet Phosphorus Cybersecurity, the leading provider of unified, prevention-based security, has announced the appointment of Osama AlZoubi as the Regional Vice President, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. In his new role, AlZoubi will oversee Phosphorus growth and development throughout KSA and the Middle East, as the company expands its presence in the region with its best-of-breed Cyber-Physical System (CPS) Protection Platform that discovers, remediates, monitors, and manages the full scope of IoT, OT, IIoT, and IoMT devices. As one of the worlds fastest growing economic regions, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are experiencing significant technological progress, particularly in energy, smart manufacturing, and urban development. Saudi Arabia is also spearheading a monumental transformation in the region with its Vision 2030 with mega and giga projects like NEOM, King Salman Park, Diriyah, Murabba, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya. Critical role AlZoubi will play a critical role in leading Phosphorus efforts to assist the regions public and private enterprises in achieving the highest level of proactive cybersecurity for their entire xIoT estates, including the most sensitive mission-critical and life-critical assets. Osama is an accomplished computer scientist and former CTO of Cisco Middle East and Africa who helped build many of the networks we work to secure. His knowledge and experience will make him a tremendous asset to our organisation and senior leadership team, said Chris Rouland, CEO of Phosphorus. Cybersecurity is critically important in fast-developing Saudi Arabia, and across the Middle East region, as more countries invest in advanced technologies, such as smart cities. These critical IoT and OT assets require a new level of protection that traditional security solutions simply cannot provide. Osama will play a crucial role in expanding our xIoT platform across this region to ensure our customers have the highest level of proactive protection for their Cyber-Physical Systems. Groundbreaking Phosphorus is a groundbreaking and disruptive security company with remarkable potential in the region and throughout the world, said AlZoubi. Only Phosphorus has the capability to proactively discover, remediate, monitor and manage the full range of IoT, OT, IIoT, and IoMT assets that represent an ever-expanding attack surface. This is especially true in Saudi Arabia, and throughout the Middle East and Africa, where high-tech development is not only creating massive economic opportunity, but also the potential for disruption from ransomware and cyber-physical attacks. I am excited to join this innovative company and I look forward to accelerating its growth in the region. AlZoubi is a seasoned technology and business leader with over 25 years of extensive experience in information and communications technology (ICT). His expertise encompasses pivotal domains such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, data centres (DC), software (SW), and infrastructure. Throughout his career, he has actively engaged in cutting-edge research and development initiatives, including a patent for a wireless underwater IoT system. Prior to joining Phosphorus, AlZoubi held multiple global leadership roles and most recently served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Cisco in the Middle East and Africa. AlZoubi led the Engineering and Business Architecture teams, to drive Digital Transformation across the MEA region, while driving the digitisation initiatives, innovation, and business growth across the private and public sector in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and Africa. AlZoubi is also the author of The Digital Disruption, he holds a patent in the IoT field, and he has multiple publications in Harvard Business Review Arabia. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago. Phosphorus Gartner-recognised Unified xIoT Security Management Platform is the industrys only CPS Protection Platform proactively covering the entire security and management lifecycle for xIoT.--TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The planned target is to generate up to 5 gigawatts of solar and green energy by 2030, Azerbaijan's First Deputy Economy Minister Elnur Aliyev said during the XI Global Baku Forum, Trend reports. "We also aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2050. This involves establishing a green energy zone in the liberated territories," he said. The Deputy Minister noted that this year is the Year of Solidarity for a Green World, and that Azerbaijan's renewable energy programs have yielded significant results. "The launch of Azerbaijan's first solar power plant with a capacity of 230 megawatts last year was just the beginning," he added. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider the factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, and will touch on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food, and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Alasdair MacLeod sits on the back deck of a humble farm cottage at Wilmot cattle station near Armidale, morning cup of coffee in hand, looking out over green pastures and talking about the importance of enhancing nature, rather than fighting it. Its a far cry from the global boardrooms and newsrooms of News Corp, where MacLeod, who is Rupert Murdochs son-in-law, has spent much of his professional life. Alasdair MacLeod at Wilmot cattle station near Armidale. Credit: Janie Barrett But Wilmot is where he can pursue an interest in repairing agricultural land that was forged during a terrible drought on the Murdoch family farm, Cavan, 20 years ago. I wasnt a farmer, I was a newspaper publisher, so farming was completely new to me, MacLeod says of how he got into farming at the Murdoch sheep property during the Millennium drought. He had three young children at the time and the family would regularly head down to the farm near Yass to get out of Sydney. This recipe appears in the most popular recipes of March 2024. See all stories . Sunshine gold to lift any mood. Ola O. Smit Golden lemon drizzle cake with poppy seeds A cake that has it all: sweet, sour, fluffy, sugar-crusted crunch and luxurious filling. And then the sponge! Sunshine gold to lift any mood. My secret is ground turmeric in the batter, which also serves to echo the slight bitterness of lemon, offsetting the sweetness, while a generously juicy drizzle brings intense tang. The idea for the lemon mascarpone centre came from Tonia George in a magazine cutting I have held on to for 15 years. I will be forever grateful to her, as this might just be my favourite cake. INGREDIENTS Advertisement FoodJust open The new wave of casual eateries giving the American diner an Aussie accent Roadside diner staples meet Melbourne flair, resulting in chicken-salt hash browns, bread-and-butter pickle Martinis, and coffee youll want refills of. Daniela Frangos March 16, 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 . American diner culture is quite close to my heart, says Daniel Wilson. That might sound surprising from the executive chef of bustling Japanese grill Yakimono, in Melbournes CBD. But the New Zealand-born chef spent three years training in Michigan, in Americas Midwest, before a stint under French chef Daniel Boulud at upscale restaurant Daniel in New York City. There was a diner across the road and I frequented that quite a bit, says Wilson, who launched Huxtaburger, the Melbourne chain that kicked off a wave of American-style burger joints in the early 2010s. Some of the Dans Diner crew, including (from left) Daniel Wilson, bartender Daniel Docherty and chef Daniel Puskas, with waitstaff Will Lonergan and Dena Eketone. Eddie JIm This weekend, Wilson returns to his past at Dans Diner as part of an all-Dan line-up alongside Dan Hunter, of regional Victorian restaurant Brae, and Daniel Puskas, of Sydney three-hat restaurant Sixpenny, for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Advertisement The menu at the Fed Square pop-up takes cues from classic US roadside diners, adding contemporary Aussie tweaks (hello, wagyu patty melt and peach cobbler doughnuts). Wilson will riff on the greasy spoon playbook, serving fried chicken and wafes with togarashi maple syrup; and mini hash browns ferrying Yarra Valley salmon caviar and seaweed creme fraiche. The festival pop-up joins a fresh wave of casual eateries that meld the quintessential American diner with the flair and finesse of Melbournes dining scene, among them Operator Diner in the CBD and Ghostys in Bendigo. These new-school venues serve classic cheeseburgers and club sandwiches alongside items sourced closer to home, including Milo milkshakes and chicken-salt hash browns. JollyGood Diner in Collingwood serves burgers, pancakes, tap beers and cocktails. Hayden DIb Raphael Exton Pery, who launched a sandwich pop-up during the pandemic, expanded his JollyGood brand in January with a flagship bar and diner in Collingwood serving burgers, beer, Bloody Marys and bottomless filter coffee. Advertisement The former Gimlet chef wanted to recreate the approachable, democratic diners he encountered in the US, particularly Los Angeles. I knew I could sit at the bar, chat to the bartender, have a nice meal by myself or with a group of friends, and I wanted to instil that in this place, with the big bar and communal table, he says. Its that growing appetite for accessibility and nostalgia that has made the modern diner so alluring, Wilson believes. Theyre a place of comfort and rejuvenation, he says. Theyre not challenging, the food is familiar and the coffees always flowing. Its a bit of a warm hug. Whether its part of the wider revival of retro-inspired food, a continuation of the US-style-sandwich craze, a longing for old-school hospitality after COVID, or simply The Bear factor, were happy its here. Here are five new spots to try. Waiter Will Lonergan at the launch of Dans Diner at Federation Square. Eddie JIm Advertisement Dans Diner, Federation Square Dan Murphys is rebooting the retro diner at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Chefs Dan Hunter, Daniel Puskas and Daniel Wilson are zhooshing up American classics on a menu featuring pork and venison meatloaf; disco fries with eggplant and chicken gravy; and a banana split with spiced rum caramel. The pop-up is going all out with chequered flooring, booth seating and laminate tabletops, plus cocktails such as the Danhattan (naturally) and a non-alcoholic Cherry Cola Sour by another Dan (Dan Docherty, from Collingwood wine bar Commis). Dans Diner is open for lunch, drinks and dinner daily from noon, no bookings needed, from March 15-24 at Federation Square, Melbourne. JollyGood Diner in Collingwood serves the familiar American diner classics. Hayden Dib JollyGood Diner, Collingwood Advertisement This new addition to Johnston Street brings an Aussie wine bar aesthetic and sensibility to the American diner, with a focus on cocktails (bread-and-butter pickle Martini anyone?) and tap beers until late (Thursday to Saturday) alongside classic American dishes such as NY deli sandwiches, cheeseburgers and wedge salad, plus damn fine coffee and pie to please any Twin Peaks enthusiast. At weekends the kitchen turns out breakfast sandwiches and buttermilk pancake stacks. Knock them back with a Michelada (like a Mexican Bloody Mary, with beer instead of vodka). 27A-29A Johnston Street, Collingwood, jollygoodmelbourne.com Skinnys Eatery, Preston This charming corner deli weaves in influences from all over the globe, from its Melbourne milk bar aesthetic (complete with Nippys flavoured milk in the fridge) to its American-diner-style menu of subs, bagels, hoagies, and crowd-favourite hash browns (with chicken salt). Come lunchtime, youll find British pub staples such as rarebit and Scotch eggs (served with a sidecar of curry sauce). Stick around for $1 batch coffee refills, or a classic Aussie spider and a house-made doughnut or Roman-style maritozzi bun. 107 Gilbert Road, Preston Advertisement Lattice-topped apple pie and whipped cream at Walrus in Brunswick. Walrus, Brunswick The diners of the US West Coast were the inspiration behind this unfussy Sydney Road eatery, which not only looks the part (leather-upholstered bar stools, laminate and plywood booths), but also serves a more faithful version of American diner fare than most in Melbourne. Slide into a booth for eggs with French toast, pancakes or a wedge of apple pie, and sides such as home fries and crispy streaky bacon from Hagens Organic Butcher. 312 Sydney Road, Brunswick Ghostys Diner, Bendigo Advertisement Fast-food giant McDonalds was on Friday night experiencing a computer outage that was preventing stores in Australia from processing orders. Customers in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan, as well as those in Germany, Sweden, Taiwan and Hong Kong, also reported problems. Kings Cross McDonalds is normally bustling with delivery drivers on Friday evening but was almost empty due to the outage. Australian stores were affected from about 4pm on Friday, with the outage running through the evening. Staff posted pictures of blank computer screens, saying they had little information and could give no indication of when the computer systems would go back online. More so than other countries, Australia expects its figureheads not just to inspire the nation but to embody it. Representing the country meets only half the job description. Ideally, they should be representative as well. It is not enough, say, for an Australian mens cricket captain to be an accomplished player and astute tactician. To become truly talismanic, he needs to exemplify certain national character traits. This explains why Steve Waugh so perfectly performed the role. This son of the Sydney suburbs was flinty, hyper-competitive, plain-spoken and completely unaffected by fame. Captain Australia as much as the Australian captain. Could Sam Kerr be the latest victim of the Ned Kelly syndrome? Credit: This peculiarly Australian tendency partly explains why the Sam Kerr controversy has become loaded with so much meaning. For here is a sporting icon seen to personify 21st century Australia. Her Indian heritage reflects this polyglot nations rich multiculturalism. Her engagement to the US soccer star Kristie Mewis speaks of the countrys growing live-and-let-live social liberalism. The fact that she overcame her calf injury in last years World Cup to score the wonder-goal of the tournament and in the semi-final against England, no less demonstrated fortitude in the face of adversity, and elevated her from a metaphorical pedestal to a more monumental plinth. In terms of female empowerment, she was central to the Matildas effect, a cultural phenomenon every bit as powerful in Australia as the Barbie effect was worldwide. Small wonder that Anthony Albanese asked her to carry the flag at the coronation of King Charles, an invitation, endearingly, that initially she thought of turning down because of a scheduling clash with her commitments for Chelsea. The former health and safety manager of the Ballarat Gold Mine has savaged the mines owner, saying repeated safety concerns were raised about the companys practices before a rock collapse this week killed one worker and left another with life-threatening injuries. Rick Walker said he and two other staff members had told the company that ground conditions in Ballarat were unsuitable for a mining technique known as air-legging but the practice went ahead anyway. It was an accident waiting to happen, he said. Kurt Hourigan, a 37-year-old miner from Bruthen in East Gippsland, died in the rock collapse 500 metres underground on Wednesday night. Tributes flowed for Hourigan on social media this week as his family and friends struggled to come to terms with his death. The states gang task force says tobacco shops are being set alight across the city after victims report extortion at the hands of the Hamad crime syndicate to police. One of the alleged standover men for the syndicate, George Serevetas, who police said is known as Snowman Adam, faced court on Friday charged with extorting a business owner in Glenroy. George Serevetas is also known by the name Snowman Adam, according to Victoria Police. He was one of two men linked to Lunar taskforce operations to face court on Friday. Police told the court crime family leader Kazem Hamad allegedly contacted the owner of a Glenroy tobacco shop via WhatsApp and made repeated demands for cash payments of $5000. Explainer Sometimes the silence can be more alarming than the snoring as the bed partners of people with apnoea will know. Why are sleepers left gasping for breath, and how does everyone get a good nights rest? BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Azerbaijan will host an event uniting the entire planet, former Bulgarian president Rosen Plevneliev told Trend on the sidelines of the XI Global Baku Forum. "What could not be agreed upon at previous COP events will be agreed upon at COP29 [the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change]," he said. The ex-president pointed out that COP29 will become one of the most important and pivotal events in the world. "These issues concern not only the present day but also our future. Azerbaijan is very ambitious and will host an event uniting the entire planet. We believe that it will handle this task admirably. But the question is, are other countries ready to reach a consensus? I believe that the efforts, discussions, and negotiations among state and governmental officials coming to Azerbaijan from various parts of the world will bear fruit. We no longer need mere words that exist only on paper. We must act, move from words to action, to practice. We need agreements, financing, and global consensus on climate. Azerbaijan is also making efforts in this regard," Plevneliev emphasized. To note, the XI Global Baku Forum is attended by representatives of many countries and prestigious international organizations: more than 350 guests from more than 70 countries. The forum, which will last until March 16, will host global discussions on the outcomes of COP28 and preparations for COP29, will consider the factors that pose threats to the new world order, as well as security issues and prospects for peace, building resilience in a fractured world, its impact on the global world, discuss ways to address the challenges facing humanity, and will touch on conflicts and mega-threats shaking the world, including climate, food, and nuclear security. At the same time, there will be discussions on the role of military and economic alliances in global governance, regional perspectives, the European Union and its relations with its neighbors, youth policy, ways to build resilience to global challenges, inequality, natural resource scarcity and migration issues, artificial intelligence, and new security paradigms in the age of drones and cyberweapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Planning Minister John Carey has made the extraordinary move to intervene in a dispute between the City of Perth and Ruah regarding its safe night space for women. The community service provider had got planning approval to operate the space at its existing James Street facility in Northbridge. But the City of Perth placed a condition stipulating the facility be operated to the citys satisfaction, which its chief executive Debra Zanella said was heavy-handed, created uncertainty and posed a risk to its success. More than 70 people gathered outside Council House in November to voice their support for the retention of the night space. Credit: Jesinta Burton. Ruah was fighting these conditions in the State Administrative Tribunal. The end of the Australian funding pause, which began on January 27, will be backed by separate moves to send a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A aircraft to deliver 140 aerial delivery parachutes for aid drops on Gaza by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The government will also give $4 million to UNICEF, the UN agency that helps children, to offer help to Palestinians, as well as offering $2 million to the UN humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza to help deliver aid. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has made clear the government wants to resume funding for UNWRA. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The moves will take Australian aid to $52.5 million since the crisis began on October 7. Australia paused the $6 million in additional funding to UNRWA after Israel claimed some of the agencys workers had taken part in the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas killed more than 1200 Israeli people and took another 250 hostage. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organisation by Australian authorities. Israel claimed that at least a dozen UNRWA workers joined the October 7 attacks and that more than 1400 of the agencys employees were active members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but these claims have been the subject of fierce disputes. Of the 12 people implicated, UNRWA immediately identified and terminated the contracts of 10, another two are confirmed dead, the UN said on February 8, while promising an investigation by the UNs Office of Internal Oversight Services. Wong has been waiting on the outcome of the UN investigation into the matter, but said on Friday it was time to release the Australian money because of the undertakings from UNRWA and the fact that other countries chose to end their funding suspensions. Israels ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said it was very disappointing that Australia was reinstating UNRWA funding, especially before the UNs review was finalised. Other viable options exist to deliver aid in Gaza and they should be utilised, he posted on social media platform X. Sweden and Canada ended their funding pauses last week, while the European Union said two weeks ago that it would proceed with the first tranche of 50 million ($83 million) for the agency this year out of 82 million ($135 million) promised for 2024. Wong said the commitments from the UN agency would give Australia greater confidence about the neutrality of its staff and supply of its aid to people in need. The plan includes strengthened internal controls to ensure its neutrality, including rigorous requirements of staff and updated reports to donors, she said. The foreign minister emphasised that UNRWA was the only agency capable of delivering enough aid in Gaza to help the Palestinian people during the conflict. I know that there are people starving in Gaza. I know that the European Union and Canada have determined to unpause [their funding], she said. I know that UNRWA is critical to providing this assistance to people who are on the brink of starving. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Networks president Nasser Mashni welcomed Wongs announcement as he said it had been distressing when funding was frozen. Its heartening to hear the Australian government publicly recognise the integrity of UNRWA and to acknowledge the agencys vital and ongoing humanitarian effort in Gaza and its support of Palestinian refugees across the region, he said. The Australian National Imams Council also welcomed the decision and said UNRWA was making a critical difference while Israel continued its unrelenting and brutal campaign against civilians in Gaza. The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council said funding for needy Palestinians should be supplied urgently, but not through UNRWA because of the evidence that it employed terrorists. UNRWA does not promote the Australian governments vision of two states living in peace, but has instead long been a significant barrier to achieving this goal and needs to be phased out as soon as possible, AIJAC executive director Colin Rubenstein said. Loading Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the government needed to find another way to feed the people of Gaza. Our community favours the provision of aid to civilians in Gaza who are in desperate need, but we are totally opposed to the use of UNRWA as an agency for delivering that aid, Aghion said. Universities are barring international student applications from people already in Australia on tourist, temporary work or bridging visas before the next phase of a Labor crackdown on migration. The sectors peak bodies will this week consider asking the government to freeze its changes to the risk ratings that determine priorities for visa processing, to prevent institutions slipping in ranking after the government slashed visa approvals. Universities are rejecting applications from people already in Australia on tourist and post-study work visas in a new phase of the foreign student clampdown. Credit: Aresna Villanueva The Albanese governments new migration strategy is designed to weed out people using the student visa system as a back door to the job market, aiming to cut new arrivals by about 250,000 by targeting universities and colleges considered the highest risk of accepting students coming to Australia to work rather than study. International Education Association of Australia head Phil Honeywood said the governments shake-up of the size and integrity of higher education to reduce the number of temporary entrants to Australia meant universities were rejecting onshore applicants to protect their own ratings from slipping. Moscow: Voters headed to the polls in Russia on Friday for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putins rule by six more years after he stifled dissent. The election takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system. It also comes as Moscows war in Ukraine enters its third year. Russia has the advantage on the battlefield, where it is making small, if slow, gains. Ukraine, meanwhile, has made Moscow look vulnerable behind the front line: long-range drone attacks have struck deep inside Russia, while high-tech drones have put its Black Sea fleet on the defensive. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with residents following a visit to the Solnechniy Dar greenhouse complex outside Stavropol, Russia, on March 5. He has no opposition at this weekends elections. Credit: Kremlin/AP Voters will be casting their ballots until Sunday at polling stations across the vast countrys 11 time zones, as well as in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine where voters are being coerced to vote for their wartime occupier. Trump will not assist a democracy under invasion by an autocracy. He will not support a friendly nation against a US enemy. He will not observe a nations fundamental right under the UN Charter to be free from the use of force against its territorial integrity or political independence. In sum, he will not defend liberty, even at no risk to the US itself. Because we are not talking about a US military intervention to save Ukraine. No one is advocating that the US go to war against Russia. We are talking about money. Trump is not even prepared to continue financial support to Ukraine. When Britains Neville Chamberlain notoriously claimed that hed achieved peace with honour by appeasing Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill retorted: You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war. Trump isnt even asked to commit to war. He has a choice between dishonour and giving aid. He chooses dishonour. Not to avoid war, not even to save money. The money is not a genuine concern. We know that because, while he likes to talk like a scrooge about American taxpayers money, in office he was a spendthrift, even before COVID. Under Trump, the US national debt grew by $US8 trillion. He took national debt as a proportion of the US economy to its highest since World War II. Hes not planning to abandon Ukraine to save American money but to gratify a brutal dictator and avowed American enemy. Vladimir Putin. Trumps original Boss Bro. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump at the White House in 2019. Credit: AP Trumps preternatural affinity with Putin is well established though poorly grasped. Remember when Putin fired the first volley of cruise missiles into Kyiv, Trump responded by declaring it genius. At the same time, Trump has a history of antagonism to Ukraine because he suspected it was concealing some dubious dealings of Bidens son. Two of Trumps former advisers have tried to explain his Boss Bro-mance. My theory on why he likes the dictators so much is thats who he is, retired US general John Kelly and former chief of staff for Trump postulated in an interview with Jim Sciutto of CNN. 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. John Bolton, former national security adviser to Trump, has a similar explanation: He views himself as a big guy. He likes dealing with other big guys, and big guys like [President Recep] Erdogan in Turkey get to put people in jail, and you dont have to ask anybodys permission. He kind of likes that. Trump views himself as a big guy. He likes dealing with other big guys like Vladimir Putin, according to John Bolton, a former national security adviser to Trump. Credit: AP Are Americans alert to the fact that their alternative leader is so ready to sell out the very values by which they have defined themselves for generations? Merely to pander to Putin? In his State of the Union address this week, Joe Biden tried to sound the klaxon as loudly as possible. His opening words: In January 1941, Franklin Roosevelt came to this chamber to speak to the nation. And he said, I address you at a moment unprecedented in the history of the Union. Hitler was on the march. War was raging in Europe. President Roosevelts purpose was to wake up Congress and alert the American people that this was no ordinary time. Freedom and democracy were under assault in the world. Tonight, I come to the same chamber to address the nation. Now its we who face an unprecedented moment in the history of the Union. And, yes, my purpose tonight is to wake up the Congress and alert the American people that this is no ordinary moment either. Loading Is Biden going over the top by invoking Hitler? There are two relevant comparisons. First is that Putin, like Hitler, is a danger to the security of the continent. If he prevails in Ukraine, there are reasons to expect that he will continue his military drive into Europe. Certainly, Sweden and Finland think so. Thats why theyve abandoned long traditions of neutrality and joined NATO. But if Trump is president once more, will NATO still function? Trump said recently that if NATO members didnt contribute a satisfactory yet unspecified amount of military spending, hed encourage the Russians to do whatever the hell they want. John Bolton draws the obvious conclusion: NATO would be in real jeopardy. Second is that Trump himself is said to have invoked Hitler in his pantheon of Boss Bros. According to Kelly in his Sciutto interview: 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. According to Kelly, Trump also envied Hitlers hold on senior Nazi officers: When I pointed out to him the German generals ... in fact tried to assassinate him a few times, and he didnt know that. He truly believed, when he brought us generals in, that we would be loyal, that we would do anything he wanted us to do. Trump didnt deny Kellys claims but in 2021 a spokesperson said Trump denied praising Hitler. Loading Trump displayed the same set of instincts this week in the American debate about whether to ban TikTok. In office, Trump wanted to ban the Chinese-owned app as a threat to US national security. But now that the US House of Representatives has voted to ban TikTok, Trump has reversed his position. Why? Without TikTok, you can make Facebook bigger, and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people, Trump says. In other words, hed rather gratify a foreign rival than allow an American business a chance to expand its market share. Again, why? Because he claims that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg tried to interfere in the 2020 US election in favour of Biden. Trump loves to invoke American patriotism. Make America Great Again and America First, for example. But these are just posturings. When it comes to a choice between the US national interest and Trumps personal interests, America loses. In truth, he has no conception of an American interest, only one of his own immediate interests. Hed rather aid US enemies than friends so long as it suited his personal fetishes and appetites. This does not make him a tough guy or a big guy. It makes him weak. US allies and friends around the world, including Australia, must not expect a weak figure like Trump to defend them. And we cant vote in American elections. Our only option is to prepare for a world with autocrats rampant and America absent. Churchill might have counselled: It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required. Peter Hartcher is international editor. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Applications are currently being welcomed by the Wyoming Arts Council for the Native Art Fellowship, a prestigious accolade recognizing the exceptional work of Native artists residing in Wyoming. Up to two $5,000 fellowships will be awarded. The Native Art Fellowship is awarded based on the artist's portfolio and is open across various artistic disciplines, including visual, literary, performing, folk, and traditional arts. Its primary aim is to elevate the visibility of Wyoming's remarkably skilled Native artists and commend their creative endeavors. Open exclusively to residents of Wyoming, the deadline for submissions to this fellowship is May 15, 2024. Noted Native artists from outside the state will evaluate all applications. Applications must be submitted online through https://wyomingartscouncil.submittable.com/submit. Serving as jurors for this year are Ben Pease and Dakota Hoska. Ben Pease is a native Montanan artist of Tsitsistas and Apsaalooke descent. He is Newly-Made Lodge clan from the Valley of the Chiefs District on the Crow Indian Reservation. His educational background includes studies at Minot State University, Montana State University, and Little Big Horn College. Pease uses his work to seek understanding and perspective as an Indigenous person, as reflected in his diverse projects and collaborations. His work has been featured in major exhibitions at museums such as the Field Museum of Chicago and the New York Historical Society. His works have been collected worldwide and are represented in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Whitney Western Art Museum and the Plains Indian Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Montana State University, and the Mulvane Art Museum. Dakota Hoska (Oglala Lakhota Nation, Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee) serves as the Associate Curator of Native Arts at the Denver Art Museum where she has been employed since 2019. Previously, she served as a Curatorial Research Assistant at the Minneapolis Institute of Art supporting the ground-breaking exhibition "Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists. Hoska completed her MA in Art History, focusing on Native American Art History, at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN (2019). She also completed two years of Dakhota language at the University of Minnesota (2016) and received her BFA in Drawing and Painting from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (2012). Dakota has participated in multiple curatorial programs such as the EPIC international curatorial exchange program sponsored by the Association of Art Museum Curators, the Otsego Summer Seminar sponsored by the Fenimore Art Museum, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Native American Museum Fellowship at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the American Indian Museum Fellowship at the Minnesota Historical Society. She currently serves on multiple national advisory councils and frequently writes about and presents on issues related to curating Native North American art collections. Recipients of the Native Art Fellowship will also be given support to find a venue to showcase their work. AAdditional information can be found on the Arts Council wyomingartscouncil.org. Complete eligibility requirements can be found on Submittable. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 15. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air airlines has been granted permission to operate regular flights to Uzbekistan, Trend reports. According to the Civil Aviation Agency of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport, the authorization was issued in accordance with the intergovernmental Agreement on Air Communication between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Under the terms of this agreement, Uzbekistan's Civil Aviation Agency has granted Qazaq Air authorization to fly regularly to Uzbekistan via the Turkestan-Samarkand-Turkestan route. These flights will be flown by DHC-8-402 aircraft, increasing connectivity between the two countries and making travel easier for passengers. Qazaq Air is an interregional airline founded by the National Welfare Fund of Kazakhstan and Samruk-Kazyna JSC to increase the safety and accessibility of interregional air transportation in Kazakhstan and adjacent countries. How drinks brands are celebrating St Patricks Day in 2024 St Patricks Day is this Sunday 17 March, and drinks brands have been making the most of the occasion. In this round-up, weve taken a look at how different brands are celebrating including marketing campaigns, special releases, and rebrands. Shankys Whip runs Shank Patricks Day campaign Irish whiskey liqueur brand Shankys Whip has launched a global campaign targeting on- and off-trade for the month of March, to turn St Patricks Day into Shank Patricks Day. Shankys has special serves and merchandise for the hospitality sector, and in retail the brand is launching sampling activations and gift packs. The brands social media campaign will promote Im a Little Shankys, Short and Stout, a song promoting its take on a Short and Stout combination. Bushmills launches super-rare 31-year-old Irish whiskey In celebration of St Patricks Day, Bushmills Irish Whiskey launched a 31-year-old bottling to Great Britain. Just 12 bottles have been made available through retailer the Whisky Shop. The ultra-exclusive release has been matured in oloroso sherry butts before an 18-year finish in second-fill Madeira casks. Kahlua campaign exchanges Guinness for Espresso Martinis According to research by Kahlua , most Britons prefer an Espresso Martini to a Guinness, and the brands St Patricks Day marketing campaign reflects this. Kahlua has teamed up with former Ireland rugby player Rory Best to encourage people to order what they want on St Patrick's Day cocktail or stout without judgement. Tullamore DEW refreshes bottle design Galway distiller Tullamore DEW has updated its bottle design in time for St Patricks Day. The new label centres Tullamores iconic Irish wolfhound, symbolising the brands values of loyalty, friendship, and strength. Alongside the rebrand, Tullamore is running a marketing campaign across the UK, including a competition to win a trip to the distillery. Midleton Distillery Experience reopens following flooding After closing in autumn 2023 due to flooding, Midleton Distillery Experience reopened this week in time for St Patricks Day. The relaunched experience includes tours, cocktail classes, and an in-depth behind-the-scenes view of how Irish Distillers whiskey is made. Talnua Distillerys anniversary coincides with St Patricks Day St Patricks Day celebrations are not limited to Irish brands. Colorado-based distillery Talnua, known for its pot still whiskeys, is celebrating its 5th anniversary on St Patricks Day. The team behind Talnua were inspired by pot still whiskey on visits to Ireland, and decided to try their hands at it back home across the Atlantic. At its annual St Patricks Day event this week, Talnua will unveil 2024 Olde Saints Keep Special Release Whiskey. 15 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield Australian sustainable wine brand arrives at Waitrose Tread Softly, the brand from Australian winemakers Fourth Wave Wine, has arrived in the UK via Waitrose. Made with techniques to minimise environmental impact, Tread Softly is certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. The brand has partnered with Carbon Neutral in Australia to plan a tree for every case it sells in the Tread Softly Forest. Bringing its ethos to the UK as well as its wine, Tread Softly has also partnered with Rewilding Britain. Tread Softly Rose 2023 is now available in Waitrose stores. The brand describes the wine as having red fruit, floral, and citrus notes. Tread Softly Rose has a lower ABV of 9.9%. Also now available in the UK is the Tread Softly range of 0% ABV wines. Tread Softly has partnered with importer and distributor Zero Zilch Zip to sell its Everything Except range. Nicholas Crampton, director of Fourth Wave Wine, commented: We are thrilled to bring our leading sustainable moderate & 0% wines to the UK market. We really believe the trend towards lighter and sustainable wines is not fleeting. Tread Softly is Australias leading sustainable wine brand for good reason and is driven by solid consumer demand for better-for-you options and environmental considerations. Tread Softly goes beyond the product, it supports a cause larger than itself and aims to connect with an ever-evolving-evolving community to be and do better. 15 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield Air service for religious places, tourist sites is top priority: CM Staff Reporter Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav launched PM Shri Tourism Air Service and PM Shri Religious Tourism Heli Service on Thursday. Addressing the gathering at the launching ceremony at the State hangar, Dr Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is now well connected state. The State Government is now providing the air facility to help people reach religious places by air. Expanding air service to boost religious tourism is one of top priorities. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that Narmada originating from Amarkantak is the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh as well as Gujarat. With an extension of air services, it will make religious journeys easier. Efforts to build airstrips in all districts and expand interstate air service are on. CM said that after the air service from Indore to Mahakaleshwar and Mamleshwar (Omkareshwar), helicopter service will be started for Datia, Maihar, Orchha etc.. Efforts will be made to expand air facilities to all the major religious places within state. There is also a plan to expand air service to other places important from tourism point of view like Kanha, Bandhavgarh. Arrangements will be made to visit the existing pilgrimage sites linking the schemes of the State Government for religious pilgrimage. He announced the launch of both the schemes. He launched both the schemes virtually and flagged off two planes and a helicopter. He said that Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister of State Gautam Tetwal, Naresh Shivaji Patel and Dr Pratima Bagri are visiting Indore. Similarly, Minister Rakesh Singh, Sampatiya Uike and Dharmendra Lodhi are leaving for Jabalpur. Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, Ministers Andal Singh Kansana, Narayan Singh Kushwaha and Pradyuman Tomar left for the service, which is starting for Gwalior. Tourism, Culture, Endowments and Religious Trusts Minister Dharmendra Lodhi said that with the inspiration of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Madhya Pradesh is getting PM Shri Tourism Air Service and PM Shri Religious Tourism Heli Service. This will give boost tourism. Two twin engine aircrafts are being operated, in which air travel will be very safe. At affordable rates, tourists, devotees or common citizens will be able to visit from one city to another. Through air service, remote areas of the state will be added to the tourism map, which will new employment opportunities will be created. An MoU was signed between the Tourism Board and Jet Air Service (Flyola) organisation for the operation of PM Shri Tourism Air Service. Additional Managing Director of Tourism Board Vivek Shrotriya and Managing Director of the organisation M. Ram Ola exchanged views in the presence of the CM. CM provided Letters of Acknowledgement (LoA) for the operation of Jhabua, Khargone and Mandla airstrips. Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Shiv Shekhar Shukla informed that a contract has been signed with the organisation Flyola for the smooth operation of PM Shri Tourism Air Service. According to the contract, the operator organisation will have to carry out works like selection of flight route, establishment of ticket counter, local staff selection and training etc. within two months. After this, regular operation of services will be started. Two 8-seater twin engine aircraft will be operated, which will connect the major airports of the state, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Bhopal, Khajuraho as well as other smaller airports. Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana Staff Reporter In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, an approval was given to expand the Chief Ministers Solar Pump Scheme and implement it under the name Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana. The Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana will be implemented by the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam as per the guidelines issued under the Kusum B scheme of the Central Government. To provide solar agriculture pump connections to farmers/groups of farmers, solar agriculture pump connections are also being provided under the currently prevalent Mukhyamantri Krishak Mitra Yojana. The Council of Ministers granted administrative approval for work to be done in the first and second phase of the Ken-Betwa Link Project at a cost of Rs 24,293.24 crore. The project will provide irrigation to 6,57,364 hectare drought affected area of Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Panna, Damoh, Sagar, Datia and Vidisha, Shivpuri, Raisen districts of Betwa basin of Bundelkhand region and drinking water facility to about 44 lakh population. The Council of Ministers also approved the establishment of Chitrakoot Development Authority for the integrated development of Chitrakoot city, by disintegrating the existing Chitrakoot Special Area Development Authority by the Urban Development and Housing Department. With the establishment of Chitrakoot Development Authority, overall development of this naturally, historically and religiously significant region will be possible. Besides, the implementation of the proposals of effective development plan by the Directorate of Town and Country Investment will become possible. The Council of Ministers approved a grant-in-aid amounting to Rs 20 crore for the authority. The Collector has been authorised to make other necessary arrangements. The Cabinet approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Public Works Department and National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) for the development, implementation, construction, operation and maintenance of the ropeway. The ropeway projects proposed in the National Ropeway Development Programme Parvatmala were approved. In the first phase of the project at four places, including Railway Station to Mahakal Temple, Ujjain Ropeway, Tikitoria Mata Mandir (Sagar) Funicular, Empire Stadium to Gurudara (Via Rampur Chowk and Avenue Mall), Jabalpur and Civic Center to Baldevbagh (Via Malviya Chowk, Lodganj, Barafuara), Jabalpur Cabinet approved to authorise Public Works Department to select the options for the remaining ropeway projects found feasible in future and as mentioned in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) of the proposed projects. Approval has been given to expand the Mukhya Mantri Solar Pump Yojana and implement it under the name Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana. The implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana will be done as per the guidelines issued by the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Yojana under the Kusum B scheme of the Central Government. For the entire ropeway project proposed in Madhya Pradesh, approval was given to authorise the Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation on behalf of Madhya Pradesh Government for approval of alignment of the project. Approval was given to authorise the Principal Secretary, MP Government, Public Works Department for notifying the Geo co-ordinates of all ropeway project alignments in the Gazette of the State Government, approving all actions related to land acquisition, signing the Definitive Agreement and appointing National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) as Promoter for implementing the projects. Cabinet granted revised administrative approval for the revised cost amount of Rs 157 crore 77 lakh for the high level bridge construction work on Usaid Ghat of Chambal River in Ambah Pinhat road km 24/2 in Morena district. In-principle approval given for pension of university pensioners as per the seventh pay scale, like state government pensioners. The Cabinet approved that the State Government will bear the additional burden of Rs 11.65 crore under PM Janman in the construction on route L063 Mohapani to Baragaon (Talaiya) length 29.10 km of Narsinghpur at a cost of Rs 40 crore 75 lakh including maintenance (Rs 1.40 crore per km), which exceeds fixed limit cost of Rs 1 crore per km. In future, if a proposal is made under PM Janman Yojana costing more than Rs 1 crore per km, the additional amount to be invested in such proposal can be approved by the empowered committee constituted under the authority. This additional amount will be borne by the state government. Under the scheme head, the Cabinet Ministers list out achievements since forming govt Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Cabinet Ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Chhattisgarh Government presented a comprehensive account of their achievements in the past 100 days since forming the government. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma highlighted the governments swift action, starting from December 13, with the approval of 18 lakh Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) houses at the first cabinet meeting held on December 14. He noted that the previous governments attempts to initiate localized housing schemes, approving 47,000 houses, were integrated into the current administrations plans. Additionally, Sharma emphasized the fulfillment of promises such as releasing two years outstanding bonus to farmers and implementing the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, which saw the disbursement of the first installment as per the budget provision. Under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, the Congress government had provided Rs 917 per quintal in four installments previously, whereas the current administration ensured single-installment payments, totaling Rs 13,320 crores to farmers. Notably, despite no new taxes or rate increases, the budget allocations were significantly enhanced, with Rs 8,700 crore allocated for PMAY and Rs 12,300 crore under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. The government also fulfilled its promise of conducting a CBI probe into the PSC scam, ensuring transparency in recruitments, and initiating various welfare schemes. Minister Ramvichar Netam reiterated the governments commitment to fulfilling promises made under the Modi Ki Guarantee, highlighting the commencement of housing projects for 18 lakh families. He emphasized the BJPs track record of delivering on its commitments, particularly regarding agricultural support schemes like the Krishak Unnati Yojana and assistance to tendu leaf collectors. Minister Kedar Kashyap praised the governments achievements, especially in procuring 1.57 crore metric tons of paddy within three months and disbursing benefits to 70 lakh women. He also announced the resumption of the Charan Paduka Yojana and lauded the governments efforts to rectify past shortcomings, such as the lack of universal health schemes. Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal highlighted the governments significant investments in the healthcare sector, including the approval of funds for medical infrastructure like SIMS on the line of AIIMS and renovation of Bilaspur SIMS and addition of 700 more beds in Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hospital and recruitment of health workers. He underscored the governments commitment to improving healthcare services and addressing past deficiencies. Wage of strike period to health workers and reinstatement of all the employees who were terminated from service by previous government. Finance Minister Choudhary outlined the governments economic vision, aiming for a Rs 10 lakh crore GDP through aggressive decisions and strategic investments. He announced the formation of the Chhattisgarh Economic Advisory Council to seek expert advice and the revival of infrastructure projects like the Chirimiri Railway track. In response to media queries, Minister OP Choudhary addressed concerns about the disbursement of benefits, reassuring that over 69 lakh people received payments, and any remaining issues would be resolved. He also emphasized the governments commitment to transparent governance and financial management. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma expressed concern over targeted killings of BJP leaders, promising strong action against fake farmers misusing benefits. Additionally, Minister Choudhary addressed connectivity issues, citing ongoing infrastructure projects to improve connectivity between old and new Raipur. Replying of media query, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma expressed confidence in winning all Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections. Cheetah Project Foresters seek expansion of Kuno Sanctuary for cubs By Ankita Garg Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has sent the proposal to the Government to extend the protected area of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary by 541 square kilometre to provide bigger running area to the cheetah cubs. According to reports, the proposal includes to acquire 369 square km of area from Sheopur Division and 172 square km from Shivpuri Division. Officials said that growing population of cheetahs in Kuno is the main reason for this proposal. Uttam Kumar, Field Director of KNP said, The sanctuary has 13 cubs born in India and in less than two years, they will start making territory and killing the prey in wild. These cubs require open space to set up their territory, kill the prey and survive with other species. He further informed that the 13 cubs are significant for the team to make ambitious Cheetah Project successful. This is a crucial step towards securing the long term survival of the Indian cheetahs population. added the director. He informed that the State Government had already expanded Kuno last year adding around 550 sqkm of area. In September 2023, Kunos cheetah got more space to active in wild. Earlier, a big forest land, encompassing over 550 square kilometre was conserved for Madhavrao Scindia Sanctuary. In order to provide adequate space to imported cheetahs, the area conserved for Madhavrao Scindia Sanctuary was added to Kuno that made the cats enjoying a sprawling 1249 sq km area. The 50 acres of forest land is situated between Madhav National Park in Shivpuri district and KNP was conserved to be developed as Madhavrao Scindia Wildlife Sanctuary. Concerned over the need of vast area for cheetah in Kuno, Government decided to add the land in Kunos periphery. Completion of projects hallmark of PM Modis devpt model: Nirmala GUWAHATI, COMPLETION of projects after laying foundation is the hallmark of Prime Minister Narendra Modis development model, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Thursday. Sitharaman claimed that prior to 2014, when the Modi government came to power at the Centre, foundations were laid but projects were not completed on time. The delay in completing projects adversely impacted the countrys image, giving the impression that India does not finish its projects, Sitharaman said at the Vikasit Bharat Ambassador Campus Dialogue organised at IIT-Guwahati. The PM believes that the government will not only lay foundations, but also complete the projects... Northeast has also benefitted from this thumb rule, she said. The Northeast is an important part in the Governments development model, which is evident from the number of times the PM and other Ministers have visited the region in the last decade, she said. The PM has visited the region 65 times, while other Union Ministers have visited 850 times. This shows the Governments priority, Sitharaman said. She highlighted various initiatives taken by the BJP in the last decade to make the Northeast an engine of growth and development. The initiatives taken during the last ten years for the Northeast is not just to ensure that the region catches up with the other states, but to make sure that it marches fast and ahead in the development process, she said. Cong corporators take to streets with begging bowls, collect money from public Staff Reporter Congress corporators took to streets with begging bowls in hand and collected money from public, on Thursday. The corporators entered in the cabins of officials and begged. They said Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh has proposed a budget of Rs 1600 crore during Mayor-in-Council meeting. Despite such a hefty budget proposal, employees are not receiving salaries. Therefore, they took to streets and collected money. Corporator Rajesh Yadav said the Mayor and M-i-C claims JMCs financial situation is dire and they cannot pay salaries to employees. Not only that, they are not able to carry out development work. Congress corporators alleged that while there is rampant corruption in the Municipal Corporation, on the other hand the Mayor cites a poor financial situation. The corporators also shouted slogans against the Mayor and JMC administration at JMC headquarters. They were also carrying placards written No funds, no work, Mayor is incompetent. After begging on the streets for nearly two hours, Congress corporators reached senior officials in JMC and continued begging in front of them. Corporators said they were to receive a sum of Rs 10 crore from Mukhyamantri Kayakalp Yojana, which has not been received yet. The amount allocated for infrastructure by the Chief Minister, which amounts to crores, has also not been received. Corporator Ayodhya Tiwari said that the sessions for 2022-23 and 2023-24 have ended, work orders have been issued, but funds have not been received. Negligience has stalled development works in wards. Congress corporators also mentioned that there are around 500 contract employees in JMC who are not receiving salaries. Despite the High Courts directives to pay regular employees their salaries by first of every month, they are receiving their salaries between 10th and 12th. Gallant Vidarbha finish second best By Paritosh Pramanik IT WAS already written on the wall after fourth days play. But a determined Vidarbha believed in the abilities of their captain Akshay Wadkar. A glimmer of hope rekindled until captain Wadkar was there in the middle along with young Harsh Dubey. The former two-time champions Vidarbha even frustrated mighty and now 42-time title holders Mumbai for two and a half hour on the last day of Ranji final. But after giving a tough fight, Vidarbha lost the battle and finished second best in the country. Mumbai registered a 169-run win over Vidarbha at the iconic Wankhede Stadium which ended their eight-year barren run to lift the Ranji title. Vidarbha captain Wadkar (102) and the unheralded Dubey (65) kept hosts Mumbai at bay for the entire first session on the last day after Vidarbha resumed on 248 for five, needing another 290 runs to win. But Wadkars wicket post lunch session ignited the fall and Vidarbha were eventually bowled out for 368, losing the match by 169 runs. Wadkar led from the front and fought for Vidarbha scoring seasons first century which also helped him cross the 600-run mark. With Dubey, they forged the longest stand of the innings, consuming 255 balls in 194 minutes from Day Four. With 185 runs still needed, Wadkar was trapped in front to Tanush Kotian, signalling the end of the pairs dogged resistance. Wadkar did take the review but that too could not save him as the ball tracking showed hitting the stumps. Dubey followed his captain and the end came soon after as Vidarbhas lower order caved and they were all out for 368. In the end it was a challenge which Vidarbha posed to Mumbai at their home. Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane lauded Vidarbhas efforts at the post-match presentation. Before speaking about my team, I want to talk about Vidarbhas efforts the way they played, the way they fought. It is not easy when chasing 538, and it is very easy to give up. But they didnt give up. The way theyve been playing the last 7-8 years, its really good to see them fight back, Rahane said. Good(s) earnings CRs Ngp Divn crosses Rs 5,000 cr Staff Reporter In a major achievement, Central Railway's Nagpur Division crossed Rs 5,000 crore in earnings from transportation of goods with a fortnight still to go for ending the financial year. This is a significant milestone in operational history of the division that is a major revenue earner for the Zone as, besides being an important junction, it is also a leader in loading. A proud Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Manish Agrawal shared the important milestone of Nagpur Division with mediapersons on Thursday. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr DCM) Aman Mittal, was also present during the interaction. Agrawal said, on March 13, Nagpur Division reached a momentous occasion as it surpassed the monumental figure of Rs 5,035.94 crore, as 18 days were still remaining in the current fiscal year. By 17:38 hours on the same day, the division had achieved a remarkable Rs 5,036.60 crore, marking the highest-ever earnings in its history. Last year, the division's goods earnings stood at Rs 4,595.16 crore, indicating a substantial growth trajectory. With approximately Rs 250 crore expected to be added to the earnings by the end of March 31, 2024, this achievement represents the highest-ever earnings in the history of the Nagpur Division. Agrawal said they hope to close the financial year with earnings of Rs 5,200 crore. This accomplishment represents a significant breakthrough for Nagpur Division, crossing the remarkable Rs 5,000 crore mark for the first time. The achievement underscores the division's commitment to excellence and innovation, setting a new standard within the railway industry. The fiscal year target for Goods was set at 54% of the entire Central Railway, a goal that Nagpur Division has not only achieved but surpassed with extraordinary success. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of the division's Goods staff, whose relentless efforts have been instrumental in this remarkable accomplishment. Nagpur Division extends its gratitude to all employees for their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts, which have played a pivotal role in achieving this historic milestone. The division remains steadfast in its mission to deliver exceptional service and performance to its customers. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 15. We should always be ready to defend the sovereignty and independence of the state, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during the meeting of the National Kurultai, Trend reports. "As a responsible member of the international community, we must always be prepared to defend national interests while also protecting state sovereignty and independence. This is especially essential now that the world is increasingly appealing to the notion of "not the force of law, but the right of force" and enabling thinking about, purportedly, second-rate sovereignty states, which are doomed to the fate of satellites," Tokayev said. Kazakhstan's president highlighted that global rivalry for resources, investments, transportation logistics, and communications has lately become fierce. "Previous conceptions about international problems and their resolution, especially the current regional constructions as a panacea for all economic and political problems, appear utopian, if not naive, in the context of today's complex and conflicting world. We need a comprehensive study of events around the globe and their ramifications for the national interests of Kazakhstan. This is the responsibility of specialized agencies, scientists, and political scientists," Tokayev noted. Kazakhstan, he stated, remains committed to bilateral and multilateral cooperation through constructive dialogue as well as active diplomatic and economic activity. "Our focus remains on the integration processes in the Eurasian space and the Central Asian region," the President concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Indian Navy assists hijacked Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) An Indian naval warship and a long-range maritime patrol aircraft extended assistance to a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel after it was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, in the latest in a series of such support missions by the Indian Navy in the region. The Navy said on Friday that the safety of the crew held hostage by armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain its presence in the close vicinity of the vessel till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia. After receiving information about the hijacking of the ship, the Navy on March 12 deployed long-range maritime patrol aircraft (LRMP) P-8I. The Navy said that on receipt of intimation, the LRMP was immediately deployed, and on locating the merchant vessel in the evening of March 12, it attempted to establish communication to ascertain the status of the ship's crew members. "However, no response was received from the ship," it said. "The mission deployed warship on maritime security operations, which had also been diverted, intercepted the hijacked vessel on the morning of March 14," the Navy said in a statement. "The safety of the merchant vessel's crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain in close vicinity of the vessel till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia," it said. In the last few weeks, the Indian Navy has extended assistance to a number of merchant vessels in the Western Indian Ocean following attacks on them. The Indian Navy, earlier this month, foiled a piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel with a crew of 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals along the East coast of Somalia. In January, Indian warship INS Sumitra rescued 19 Pakistani crew members of a fishing vessel after their Iranian-flagged vessel was attacked by pirates in the east coast of Somalia. The Navy on January 5 thwarted an attempted hijacking of Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea and rescued all its crew members. Liberian-flagged vessel MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was the target of a drone attack off India's west coast on December 23. The Navy has already enhanced deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft for maritime security operations in view of the maritime environment in critical sea lanes, including in the North and Central Arabian Sea. There have been mounting global concerns over Houthi militants launching a series of attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea in the last few months. Jumbo issue.. After plans to get two elephants from Karnataka, Gadchiroli fail, PTR exploring other states By Kaushik Bhattacharya The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) management is exploring other options to get two more elephants for its Borban camp as it is unable to get elephants from Motigodu camp of Karnataka and Kamlapur camp in Maharashtra respectively. PTR was supposed to get one male elephant from Karnataka, but due to some issue, the transfer of elephant got cancelled. Locals of Kamlapur elephant camp in Gadchiroli opposed the shifting of their 32-year-old female elephant Mangla to PTR. Therefore, PTR is searching for two elephants -- one male and one female -- in other states. Locals are not ready to release their female elephant to be taken to Nagpur and the camp in Karnataka also has a shortage of male elephants there, to handover us. Therefore, we are now exploring other camps in other states like Odisha to get two elephants in Borban camp, Dr Prabhunath Shukla, Deputy Director, PTR told The Hitavada. We were supposed to get the male elephant from Karnataka till the end of this month but now it will take more time, said Dr Shukla. Nagpur Forest Division recently established the elephant camp at Chorbaoli Range for development of eco-tourism in PTR and for deep forest patrolling with the help of elephants. In the first phase, PTR got two male elephants named Bhima (30) and Subramanaya (29) from Karnatakas Motigodu and Dubare elephant camps. Two more elephants are supposed to come from different camps but it is now delayed as the PTR management is still searching two jumbos. The Borban camp in PTR is situated on the bank of Pench river which is surrounded with thick forest. It is situated far away from any kind of human interference. Team of Borban camp to visit MP for training Music an elixir of life! BY PRAKASH KULKARNI MONO T O N Y mars the mirth andmerriment of life, charge changesthesad and solitary life into charming andcheerfulone.Musicashobby has a magnificent and magical effect on ones body, mind, intellectandsoul,itisaptlysaid by Danies What is this life if full of care, There is no time to stand and stare! Music is the finest art, a simple and ever refreshing hobby. Music has many magical powers. It is no wonder, that music can change pain into pleasure. Music has moral values also. It canchangeevilintogood.Most of our classical songs are religious.Asalampilluminatesthe surroundingarea,musichasits sweet effect all around. Amidst hustle and bustle of modern life, it is essential to carve-out time for self-care and reflection.Inhaste,wearesavingsecondsandlosinglives.Manysuccessful Individuals prioritize Me-Time as a non-negotiable part of theirroutine,whether it is through journaling, meditation, indulging in a favourite hobby as music, writing,reading,drawingetc,spendingtime in nature to foster inner peace and balance, same is emphasised by spiritual leader Sadguru, too. Inrat-race of life, your notion is you have to be what others want,andothershavetobewhat you want.Just be yourself, each and every Individual is just unique; So get immersed in the hobby you love and experience bliss and ecstatic pleasure (Sukoon). In pursuit of happiness,weare dumping moder n gadgetsandgizmosinourhomes but fail to understand that happinessisastateofmind,andnot connected with the materials; which may give comfort at the most.Thereare 3types of needs in life First basicneed as food, cloth,shelter,Secondcomforts and Third luxurious and lavish life.Why should we hanker and chase the third type? Of course technological and scientific advancement is necessary but it should not enslave us. Great poet Milton truly says Mind initsownplace,Canmakeahell of heaven.And aheaven of hell. A man becomes ill because his mind is not still. Mind is alwayswanderingwithloadsof thoughts, disturbing with continuous ripples, only in silent waterslinagesareseenenabling us to think in clear and rational terms.Inone charitable hospital at Kolkata, there is displayed a very touching quote If you can bring peace in the cells,You are cured! Music works to this end, giving soothing soulful, heartening effect on mind. While there are v a r i o u s methods ofdisciplininganddirectingthe mind(NotControlling)asJapa Pranayam, just witnessing the thoughts on thescreen of mind letting them go without entertaining, nurturing, only concentrating on breath called meditation, is given the same effect by music. Music is also recognized as a therapy in treating patients, also proved scientifically that milch animals give more milk, trees grow fast. Music releases happy hormones in human body called Dopamine which refreshes invigorates, rejuvenates, tranquilizes the mind, whichotherwisegoesastrayand playshavocifnotdealtwiththe manner as above. In the universe, there is rhythm and music in Nature, Stars, Sun, Moon, Darkness, Silence, rippling river, breezes thatlulltheleavesoftrees,chirping of birds, ringing bells, dangling around the neck of animals returning homes in the evening eagerly dusting off stress in villages, rains quenching thirsty Mother Earth, lightning in the sky etc. Mind your mind with three Ms in life Moderation, Meditation and Music to keep fourth M Medicine as bay. Researchershavediscovered thatengaginginmusicthroughout your life is linked with better brain health in older adults, a new study has said. The findings have revealed that playing a musical instrument such as pianocanimprovememoryand executive function, a skill that helps you solve complex problems.The study also suggested that singing is also connected to better brain health. Being musical can be a way of harnessing the brains agility and resilience. Toconclude,wecancultivate habits that nurture our wellbeing leading to lasting personal growth and fulfillment. UK PM Rishi Sunak firmly rules out May 2 general election By Aditi Khanna London, Mar 15 (PTI) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has firmly ruled out an early general election to coincide with local polls scheduled for May 2 amid intense speculation from the Opposition Labour benches. The British Indian leader had indicated earlier in the year that he was considering going to the polls in the second half of the year but in recent weeks there had been mounting theories that he may call a snap election in early May. But during an interview with ITV News West Country' channel on Thursday, he sought to quash the speculation having previously preferred to keep people guessing. In several weeks' time we've got elections for police and crime commissioners, for local councils, for mayors across the country, the 43-year-old prime minister said. Asked if there would also be a general election at the same time, Sunak said: There won't be a general election on that day but when there is a general election, what matters is the choice. I can see that the Labour Party are trying to whip up this idea that I'm about to call a general election. It's very deliberate, it's because they want to avoid questions about how they're going to fund all of their spending commitments, he added. Labour's deputy national campaign coordinator Ellie Reeves responded on Friday to say people rightly want a general election after 14 years of a Conservative-led government and accused the governing Tories of running scared. I think he should get on and call it for May 2. What's he running scared of, Reeves told Sky News'. Sunak faces a tough political landscape as his party lags in most opinion polls with clear signs of anti-incumbency, with the Labour Party holding a steady lead. A lot was riding on the Spring Budget earlier this month when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced some tax cuts. However, the reaction on all sides of the political spectrum is that the announcements are unlikely to have favourably moved the dial on the electoral fortunes of the Conservative Party. The repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act in 2022 restored the ability of British prime ministers to set election dates. However, by law a general election has to take place at least every five years, making January 2025 the outermost deadline for Sunak to go to the ballot box. While local council and mayoral elections across England, which take place every four years, have been scheduled for May 2 for some time, the date for a general election remains uncertain. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 15. The coat of arms of Kazakhstan presents challenges in perception due to its complexity, encompassing eclecticism and elements reminiscent of the Soviet era, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the meeting of the National Kurultai (Congress), Trend reports. "Considering the state emblem, I advocate for heeding the sensible arguments of professionals and concerned citizens, including young people, who find the coat of arms of Kazakhstan overly complex, reflecting eclecticism and Soviet-era symbols. If there's a widespread agreement, forming a special commission to thoroughly assess all aspects and conduct public discussions would be beneficial. Subsequently, organizing an open competition for the best design of the new State Emblem of Kazakhstan could be pursued," he said. Speaking about the flag of Kazakhstan, Tokayev noted that it is stylistically flawless. "Meanwhile, based on my knowledge, discussions involved several experts and public activists who highlighted the necessity of modernizing the entire system of state symbols. Personally, I maintain that our sky-blue flag is stylistically impeccable and distinctly embodies the uniqueness and ideals of our nation," Tokayev said. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Research analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Almaden Minerals (NYSE:AAU Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday. The firm set a sell rating on the stock. Almaden Minerals Stock Performance NYSE:AAU opened at $0.14 on Wednesday. Almaden Minerals has a 12 month low of $0.11 and a 12 month high of $0.21. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.14. The company has a quick ratio of 22.82, a current ratio of 22.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. Get Almaden Minerals alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Almaden Minerals Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in Almaden Minerals in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP increased its position in shares of Almaden Minerals by 564.4% during the 4th quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 233,188 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 198,088 shares during the last quarter. HRT Financial LP acquired a new position in Almaden Minerals in the 4th quarter valued at about $64,000. Millennium Management LLC grew its position in Almaden Minerals by 587.9% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 485,878 shares of the companys stock valued at $119,000 after acquiring an additional 415,244 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Almaden Minerals in the 4th quarter valued at about $119,000. Almaden Minerals Company Profile Almaden Minerals Ltd., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of mineral properties in Mexico. The company's principal asset includes a 100% interest in the Ixtaca gold-silver project located in Puebla State, Mexico. Almaden Minerals Ltd. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Almaden Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Almaden Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA raised its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 6.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 26,407 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after buying an additional 1,557 shares during the period. Baldwin Brothers LLC MAs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $3,194,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 36,299,584 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $4,161,014,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005,328 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 11.0% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 33,923,655 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $3,882,219,000 after acquiring an additional 3,348,650 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,937,070 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,639,903,000 after acquiring an additional 145,691 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in EOG Resources by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,183,166 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,391,507,000 after purchasing an additional 368,745 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in EOG Resources by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 11,532,527 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,462,966,000 after purchasing an additional 892,951 shares in the last quarter. 89.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get EOG Resources alerts: EOG Resources Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of EOG Resources stock traded down $0.68 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $123.11. 2,681,932 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,331,015. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.39. EOG Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $98.52 and a twelve month high of $136.79. The company has a current ratio of 2.44, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $114.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $121.83. EOG Resources Dividend Announcement EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 25.38% and a net margin of 31.40%. The company had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.18 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.30 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.31 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 16th will be issued a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 15th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.96%. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is 27.98%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth EOG has been the topic of several recent research reports. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $150.00 to $138.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $172.00 to $165.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $164.00 to $147.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Raymond James reduced their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, TD Securities reduced their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $135.00 to $130.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued 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 a consensus target price of $141.80. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on EOG 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BQE Water Inc. (CVE:BQE Get Free Report) insider Robert Stein bought 8,880 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$36.00 per share, for a total transaction of C$319,680.00. Robert Stein also recently made the following trade(s): Get BQE Water alerts: On Tuesday, January 9th, Robert Stein sold 1,000 shares of BQE Water stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$32.50, for a total value of C$32,500.00. On Friday, January 19th, Robert Stein sold 300 shares of BQE Water stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$33.00, for a total value of C$9,900.00. BQE Water Price Performance Shares of BQE Water stock traded down C$0.25 during trading on Friday, hitting C$37.00. 400 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 937. The company has a quick ratio of 3.70, a current ratio of 4.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.18. The stock has a market cap of C$46.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.89 and a beta of 0.69. The firms fifty day moving average is C$33.49 and its 200-day moving average is C$29.96. BQE Water Inc. has a 52 week low of C$24.22 and a 52 week high of C$37.74. BQE Water Company Profile BQE Water Inc, a water treatment company, provides wastewater management and treatment solutions to the mining and metallurgical industry in Canada, the United States, Latin America, China, and internationally. It offers water treatment solutions for mine drainage, run-off, waste rock seepage, tailings water, groundwater, and lime plant influent and/or effluent streams for treating metals, sulphate, selenium, nitrate, ammonia, and cyanide in the mining sector; smelting and refining services for treating metals and sulphate; and hydrometallurgy services for the treatment of metals, cyanide, and acids. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BQE Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BQE Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 15. A new transport and logistics center in the Chinese city of Xi'an will significantly increase cargo flow through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the meeting of the National Kurultai (Congress), Trend reports. "To foster continued economic expansion, it's crucial to leverage all our competitive strengths. Kazakhstan must take decisive strides towards transforming into a pivotal transit hub within Eurasia. Recently, we inaugurated a transport and logistics center in Xi'an as part of the ambitious Kazakh-Chinese "One Belt, One Road" initiative. This week, the first container train from Xi'an arrived in Azerbaijan. The establishment of this new logistics center will substantially augment cargo throughput along TITR," Tokayev said. According to him, the building and reconstruction of the country's road network will give a powerful impetus to the development of the economy. "The works aim to cover a minimum of 12,000 kilometers of highways, leading to a substantial enhancement in the transport accessibility of settlements. This will foster increased business activity and social mobility for residents. Additionally, the government plans to boost gasification levels in settlements and modernize at least 1,700 kilometers of networks, ensuring access to natural gas for over 300,000 citizens. It's imperative to fully leverage the capabilities of local businesses and domestic enterprises when executing these infrastructure initiatives," Tokayev said. The Middle Corridor links the container rail freight transportation networks of China and the European Union through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkiye and Eastern Europe. Multilateral multimodal transportation infrastructure links ferry terminals of the Caspian and Black Seas with railway systems of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Poland. The Middle Corridor facilitates increased cargo traffic from China to Turkiye, as well as to European countries and vice versa. A route train along this corridor delivers cargo from China to Europe in an average of 20-25 days, and this is one of the main advantages of this transport corridor. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CGN Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR Free Report) by 83.2% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 2,633 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 12,997 shares during the period. CGN Advisors LLCs holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $354,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $77,000 after buying an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its stake 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 valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $620,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Digital Realty Trust by 1.1% during the third 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 period. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in Digital Realty Trust by 0.6% during the third 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 period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Insider Transactions at Digital Realty Trust In other news, Director Jean F. H. P. Mandeville sold 3,400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.50, for a total transaction of $494,700.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 8,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,224,091.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Digital Realty Trust Trading Down 1.2 % Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend NYSE:DLR traded down $1.76 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $141.05. The company had a trading volume of 754,748 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,086,970. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $86.33 and a fifty-two week high of $154.18. The businesss fifty day moving average is $141.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $133.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market cap of $44.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.10, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.54. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Digital Realty Trusts payout ratio is 164.31%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup upped their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $154.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Raymond James upped their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued 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 assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong 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 $136.53. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Digital Realty Trust 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DLR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Czech National Bank raised its position in Parker-Hannifin Co. (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 0.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,501 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the quarter. Czech National Banks holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $10,366,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Parker-Hannifin by 2.0% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,849,497 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,794,892,000 after acquiring an additional 190,889 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 0.8% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,559,538 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,168,442,000 after buying an additional 41,684 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 9.6% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,689,402 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,437,096,000 after buying an additional 324,063 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 1.6% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,190,496 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,244,421,000 after buying an additional 50,787 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 1.8% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,911,452 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,134,069,000 after buying an additional 52,739 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.25% of the companys stock. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Parker-Hannifin Stock Performance Shares of NYSE PH traded down $0.48 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $535.77. 214,607 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 617,307. Parker-Hannifin Co. has a 52 week low of $300.86 and a 52 week high of $544.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $502.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $445.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The company has a market cap of $68.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.55, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.52. Parker-Hannifin Dividend Announcement Parker-Hannifin ( NYSE:PH Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $6.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.26 by $0.89. The business had revenue of $4.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.82 billion. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 13.28% and a return on equity of 29.91%. The companys revenue was up 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.76 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Parker-Hannifin Co. will post 24.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a dividend of $1.48 per share. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. Parker-Hannifins payout ratio is currently 29.31%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, COO Andrew D. Ross sold 3,904 shares of Parker-Hannifin stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $510.16, for a total transaction of $1,991,664.64. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 13,120 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,693,299.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Thomas C. Gentile sold 2,978 shares of Parker-Hannifin stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $501.72, for a total value of $1,494,122.16. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 5,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,741,899.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Andrew D. Ross sold 3,904 shares of Parker-Hannifin stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $510.16, for a total value of $1,991,664.64. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 13,120 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,693,299.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 12,079 shares of company stock valued at $6,099,566 over the last three months. Company insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have recently weighed in on PH. Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and set a $588.00 price target on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. TD Cowen raised shares of Parker-Hannifin from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $300.00 to $500.00 in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $450.00 to $510.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $551.00 price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $500.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Parker-Hannifin presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $504.56. View Our Latest Research Report on PH About Parker-Hannifin (Free Report) Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Parker-Hannifin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Parker-Hannifin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $100.00. Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $101.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Duke Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $101.00 to $113.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Get Duke Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Duke Energy Insider Buying and Selling at Duke Energy Hedge Funds Weigh In On Duke Energy In related news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total transaction of $277,710.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,213 shares in the company, valued at $1,315,697.41. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 100,433.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,846,616 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $808,123,000 after purchasing an additional 7,838,811 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 106.1% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,006,373 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $291,739,000 after purchasing an additional 1,547,868 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 21.3% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,188,381 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $734,825,000 after purchasing an additional 1,435,725 shares during the last quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 8,722.3% in the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 1,127,837 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $112,784,000 after purchasing an additional 1,115,053 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 15.4% in the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 8,030,239 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $779,256,000 after purchasing an additional 1,071,075 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.68% of the companys stock. Duke Energy Stock Down 0.5 % NYSE:DUK opened at $95.05 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. Duke Energy has a twelve month low of $83.06 and a twelve month high of $100.39. The company has a market cap of $73.33 billion, a PE ratio of 26.77, a P/E/G ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 0.46. The companys 50 day moving average is $94.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.50. Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $7.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.24 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 8.93% and a net margin of 9.78%. The firms revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.11 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Duke Energy will post 5.98 EPS for the current year. Duke Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be paid a $1.025 dividend. This represents a $4.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.31%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. Duke Energys payout ratio is 115.49%. About Duke Energy (Get Free Report Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Tuesday. EW has been the subject of several other research reports. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Citigroup lowered Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Bank of America raised Edwards Lifesciences from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Wolfe Research lowered Edwards Lifesciences from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $57.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $70.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $87.38. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Edwards Lifesciences Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance Shares of NYSE EW opened at $93.36 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $56.14 billion, a PE ratio of 40.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 1.05. Edwards Lifesciences has a fifty-two week low of $60.57 and a fifty-two week high of $95.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 2.40 and a current ratio of 3.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $82.48 and a 200-day moving average of $74.92. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.64. The company had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 23.56% and a net margin of 23.35%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.64 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Edwards Lifesciences In other Edwards Lifesciences news, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 14,510 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.55, for a total transaction of $1,110,740.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 19,248 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,473,434.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 14,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.01, for a total value of $1,319,645.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 39,503 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,595,168.03. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 14,510 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.55, for a total value of $1,110,740.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 19,248 shares in the company, valued at $1,473,434.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 196,859 shares of company stock worth $16,445,296 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Edwards Lifesciences A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EW. Cove Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Edwards Lifesciences in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $974,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 52,363,400 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $3,992,709,000 after acquiring an additional 729,984 shares in the last quarter. Wahed Invest LLC lifted its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 10,105 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $771,000 after acquiring an additional 618 shares in the last quarter. Willner & Heller LLC bought a new position in Edwards Lifesciences in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $430,000. Finally, Greenwood Capital Associates LLC lifted its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Greenwood Capital Associates LLC now owns 91,853 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $7,004,000 after acquiring an additional 1,563 shares in the last quarter. 79.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile (Get Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Green Alpha Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in shares of GSK plc (NYSE:GSK Free Report) by 24.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 17,785 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock after selling 5,728 shares during the period. Green Alpha Advisors LLCs holdings in GSK were worth $659,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of GSK during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of GSK by 271.8% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 885 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 647 shares in the last quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its position in shares of GSK by 61.3% during the 1st quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 968 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 368 shares in the last quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. raised its stake in GSK by 52.9% during the 1st quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,090 shares of the pharmaceutical companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 377 shares during the period. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in GSK during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 13.53% of the companys stock. Get GSK alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised GSK from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on GSK in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an equal weight rating on the stock. Guggenheim raised GSK from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Citigroup raised GSK from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy. GSK Stock Down 2.5 % Shares of GSK stock traded down $1.06 on Friday, hitting $42.02. The company had a trading volume of 863,837 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,757,250. The stock has a market capitalization of $86.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.64. GSK plc has a 1 year low of $33.24 and a 1 year high of $43.84. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $41.15 and a 200-day moving average of $37.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.88. GSK (NYSE:GSK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The pharmaceutical company reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.76 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.79 billion. GSK had a return on equity of 51.45% and a net margin of 16.24%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that GSK plc will post 4.08 earnings per share for the current year. GSK Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $0.3564 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. This is a positive change from GSKs previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. This represents a $1.43 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. GSKs dividend payout ratio is currently 52.82%. GSK Company Profile (Free Report) GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development and manufacture of vaccines and specialty medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GSK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GSK plc (NYSE:GSK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GSK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GSK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Inchcape plc (LON:INCH Get Free Report) insider Byron Elmer Grote bought 7,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 637 ($8.16) per share, with a total value of 44,590 ($57,130.04). Inchcape Trading Down 0.7 % Shares of Inchcape stock opened at GBX 633.50 ($8.12) on Friday. Inchcape plc has a 1 year low of GBX 597.50 ($7.66) and a 1 year high of GBX 1,086.62 ($13.92). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 106.79, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 1.06. The company has a market capitalization of 2.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,261.33, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.22. The companys fifty day moving average is GBX 673.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 694.07. Get Inchcape alerts: Inchcape Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 2nd will be given a dividend of GBX 24.30 ($0.31) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 2nd. This represents a yield of 3.57%. This is a boost from Inchcapes previous dividend of $9.60. Inchcapes payout ratio is presently 6,800.00%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Berenberg Bank decreased their price objective on shares of Inchcape from GBX 1,085 ($13.90) to GBX 1,040 ($13.32) and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Get Our Latest Research Report on Inchcape Inchcape Company Profile (Get Free Report) Inchcape plc operates as an automotive distributor and retailer. It engages in the distribution, sales, and marketing of new and used cars, and parts. The company also provides aftersales service and body shop repairs; and finance and insurance products and services. It operates in the Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Inchcape Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Inchcape and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC Get Free Report) Director Rowland Wallace Uloth purchased 49,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 8th. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$1.10 per share, for a total transaction of C$54,230.00. Rowland Wallace Uloth also recently made the following trade(s): Get Lavras Gold alerts: On Tuesday, January 23rd, Rowland Wallace Uloth acquired 8,500 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were bought at an average price of C$1.12 per share, for a total transaction of C$9,520.00. Lavras Gold Price Performance CVE LGC opened at C$1.29 on Friday. Lavras Gold Corp. has a 52-week low of C$0.21 and a 52-week high of C$1.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 18.00 and a quick ratio of 11.12. The firm has a market capitalization of C$66.24 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -25.80. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$1.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$1.14. About Lavras Gold Lavras Gold Corp. operates as a junior exploration company in southern Brazil. It engages in the exploration and development of the Lavras do Sul gold project covering an area of approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lavras Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lavras Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (NYSEARCA:EIDO Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 813,669 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 66% from the previous sessions volume of 489,816 shares.The stock last traded at $22.80 and had previously closed at $22.91. iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF Stock Down 1.0 % The firm has a market cap of $514.83 million, a P/E ratio of 17.64 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a 50 day moving average of $22.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $22.07. Get iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF by 2,688.5% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,975,718 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,540,000 after buying an additional 1,904,865 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $19,107,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF by 151.0% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,274,277 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,531,000 after purchasing an additional 766,505 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF during the third quarter worth $6,548,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF by 185.8% during the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 415,105 shares of the companys stock worth $9,568,000 after purchasing an additional 269,865 shares during the period. iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (EIDO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Indonesia IMI 25-50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of large-, mid and small-cap Indonesian companies. EIDO was launched on May 5, 2010 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Construction Group (TSE:NOA Get Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) had its price target raised by investment analysts at National Bankshares from C$43.00 to C$46.00 in a report issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. National Bankshares price objective indicates a potential upside of 47.20% from the stocks previous close. Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. ATB Capital decreased their price objective on North American Construction Group from C$46.00 to C$45.00 in a research note on Thursday. TD Securities increased their target price on North American Construction Group from C$33.00 to C$34.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on North American Construction Group from C$39.00 to C$42.00 in a research note on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, North American Construction Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$40.13. Get North American Construction Group alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on North American Construction Group North American Construction Group Stock Performance About North American Construction Group Shares of NOA stock traded down C$0.06 on Friday, reaching C$31.25. The stock had a trading volume of 68,228 shares, compared to its average volume of 77,147. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 131.18, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.25. North American Construction Group has a 1 year low of C$21.14 and a 1 year high of C$34.87. The stock has a market cap of C$835.63 million, a P/E ratio of 13.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.74. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$31.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$29.96. (Get Free Report) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR Get Free Report) insider Jeffrey Ryan Hollis sold 4,700 shares of Par Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.39, for a total value of $175,733.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,176 shares in the company, valued at $492,650.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Par Pacific Trading Up 5.1 % Shares of Par Pacific stock traded up $1.85 on Friday, hitting $38.40. The stock had a trading volume of 426,969 shares, compared to its average volume of 802,205. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $20.30 and a one year high of $40.69. The stock has a market cap of $2.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 1.96. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $36.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $35.04. Get Par Pacific alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Par Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.00. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PARR. Towle & Co. bought a new stake in shares of Par Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,623,000. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in shares of Par Pacific by 459.9% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,258,201 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,253,000 after buying an additional 1,033,480 shares in the last quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Par Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $26,128,000. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Par Pacific by 34.2% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,787,761 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,297,000 after buying an additional 710,461 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Par Pacific by 14.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,080,201 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,956,000 after buying an additional 508,925 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.83% of the companys stock. About Par Pacific (Get Free Report) Par Pacific Holdings, Inc owns and operates energy and infrastructure businesses. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Retail, and Logistics. The Refining segment owns and operates three refineries that produces ultra-low sulfur diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, marine fuel, distillate, asphalt, low sulfur fuel oil, and other associated refined products primarily for consumption in Hawaii, Pacific Northwest, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Par Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Par Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 15. Kyrgyzstan has imposed a temporary ban on the export of timber and wood materials from its territory beyond the boundaries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) for a period of six months, Trend reports. According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Cabinet Chairman Akylbek Japarov signed a corresponding resolution on March 14, 2024. The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan has been tasked with notifying the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization and the Eurasian Economic Commission about the introduction of this temporary ban. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has been instructed to inform the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) about the imposition of the aforementioned temporary ban within three days from the effective date of this resolution. Furthermore, the State Customs Service and the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan have been directed to take the necessary measures to prevent the illegal export of goods listed in the resolution. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the countrys trade with EAEU member states amounted to $278.3 million in January 2024, which is a 4 percent fall from January 2023. During this period, Kyrgyzstan's EAEU trade was dominated by Russia (70 percent) and Kazakhstan (27.6 percent). Parkside Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:EAGG Free Report) by 8.0% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 53,635 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,974 shares during the quarter. iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF accounts for approximately 0.7% of Parkside Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Parkside Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $2,561,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Perigon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $335,000. CX Institutional bought a new position in iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $232,000. Cambridge Trust Co. raised its position in iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 59,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,692,000 after purchasing an additional 2,097 shares during the last quarter. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. raised its position in iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 15.8% in the 3rd quarter. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. now owns 1,789 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 244 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 72.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 53,489 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,523,000 after purchasing an additional 22,473 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Up 0.0 % EAGG traded up $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $46.67. The companys stock had a trading volume of 287,194 shares, compared to its average volume of 321,544. The firms 50 day moving average price is $47.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.32. iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $44.07 and a 12 month high of $48.56. iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Company Profile The iShares ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (EAGG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of US dollar-denominated bonds from issuers evaluated for favorable ESG practices. EAGG was launched on Oct 18, 2018 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EAGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:EAGG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Africa Oil Corp (CVE:AOI Get Free Report) Senior Officer Paul Martinez purchased 24,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$2.11 per share, with a total value of C$51,695.00. Africa Oil Price Performance Africa Oil Corp has a 12 month low of C$9.85 and a 12 month high of C$30.70. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Africa Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Africa Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its stake in shares of Realty Income Co. (NYSE:O Free Report) by 8.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 15,515 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 1,174 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADVs holdings in Realty Income were worth $891,000 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 O. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its stake in Realty Income by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 5,888 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $373,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG boosted its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 1.4% in the second quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG now owns 13,182 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $788,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in shares of Realty Income by 13.8% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,522 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. Vestcor Inc grew its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 0.4% during the second quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 48,121 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,877,000 after buying an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 4,119 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $206,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.82% of the companys stock. Get Realty Income alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have commented on O. Wolfe Research raised shares of Realty Income from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $66.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Realty Income in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. They issued a market perform rating and a $57.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Realty Income from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. StockNews.com upgraded Realty Income from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on Realty Income from $60.00 to $56.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $60.96. Realty Income Stock Performance Shares of Realty Income stock opened at $51.68 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $54.28 and a 200-day moving average of $53.55. The company has a market cap of $44.50 billion, a PE ratio of 41.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.41 and a beta of 0.92. Realty Income Co. has a 1-year low of $45.03 and a 1-year high of $64.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Realty Income (NYSE:O Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.02 by ($0.72). The business had revenue of $1.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.02 billion. Realty Income had a return on equity of 4.06% and a net margin of 21.39%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 21.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.00 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Realty Income Co. will post 4.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Realty Income Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a mar 24 dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.257 per share. This is a boost from Realty Incomes previous mar 24 dividend of $0.26. This represents a dividend yield of 6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. Realty Incomes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 244.45%. Insider Transactions at Realty Income In other news, Director A. Larry Chapman sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.98, for a total value of $199,430.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 10,590 shares in the company, valued at approximately $603,418.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. About Realty Income (Free Report) Realty Income, The Monthly Dividend Company, is an S&P 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index. We invest in people and places to deliver dependable monthly dividends that increase over time. The company is structured as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), and its monthly dividends are supported by the cash flow from over 13,250 real estate properties primarily owned under long-term net lease agreements with commercial clients. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding O? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Realty Income Co. (NYSE:O Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Realty Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Realty Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Select Medical (NYSE:SEM Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued on Wednesday. Separately, UBS Group began coverage on Select Medical in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. They issued a neutral rating and a $26.00 price objective for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Select Medical currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $34.40. Get Select Medical alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on SEM Select Medical Stock Down 1.3 % Shares of NYSE:SEM opened at $28.21 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.01. The firm has a market cap of $3.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.77, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.36. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $26.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.28. Select Medical has a 52-week low of $21.28 and a 52-week high of $33.51. Select Medical (NYSE:SEM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The health services provider reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.05. Select Medical had a return on equity of 16.93% and a net margin of 3.65%. The firm had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.22 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Select Medical will post 2.03 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Select Medical news, Chairman Robert A. Ortenzio sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.00, for a total value of $1,300,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 6,789,668 shares in the company, valued at approximately $176,531,368. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Select Medical news, Chairman Robert A. Ortenzio sold 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.63, for a total transaction of $2,663,000.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 6,839,668 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $182,140,358.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Robert A. Ortenzio sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.00, for a total transaction of $1,300,000.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 6,789,668 shares in the company, valued at $176,531,368. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 19.14% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Select Medical A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SEM. Baird Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Select Medical during the second quarter worth approximately $4,819,000. Algert Global LLC acquired a new stake in Select Medical in the third quarter valued at $852,000. Clough Capital Partners L P raised its holdings in Select Medical by 16.9% in the third quarter. Clough Capital Partners L P now owns 348,900 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $8,817,000 after acquiring an additional 50,400 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Select Medical by 3.3% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,387,202 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $35,055,000 after acquiring an additional 43,776 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its holdings in Select Medical by 155.3% in the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 34,417 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $870,000 after acquiring an additional 20,938 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.95% of the companys stock. About Select Medical (Get Free Report) Select Medical Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers in the United States. It operates in four segments: Critical Illness Recovery Hospital, Rehabilitation Hospital, Outpatient Rehabilitation, and Concentra. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Select Medical Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Select Medical and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 3.5% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $1.94 and last traded at $1.93. 350,161 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average session volume of 1,364,848 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.86. Taseko Mines Stock Up 3.5 % The businesss fifty day moving average price is $1.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $559.17 million, a PE ratio of 17.36 and a beta of 1.94. Get Taseko Mines alerts: Taseko Mines (NYSE:TGB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.01). Taseko Mines had a return on equity of 11.54% and a net margin of 15.66%. The firm had revenue of $112.90 million for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Taseko Mines Limited will post 0.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About Taseko Mines Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TGB. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Taseko Mines by 10.0% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 376,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $861,000 after purchasing an additional 34,100 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Taseko Mines by 305.3% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 309,635 shares of the companys stock valued at $713,000 after purchasing an additional 233,235 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Taseko Mines by 148.6% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 36,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 21,790 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Taseko Mines by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 77,196 shares of the companys stock valued at $176,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its holdings in Taseko Mines by 663.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 819,644 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,836,000 after purchasing an additional 712,220 shares in the last quarter. 16.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Free Report) Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The company holds 75% interest in the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds 100% interest in Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taseko Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taseko Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Free Report) by 2.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,427 shares of the companys stock after selling 118 shares during the period. Tealwood Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Molina Healthcare were worth $1,600,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MOH. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in Molina Healthcare by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 6,315 shares of the companys stock worth $1,766,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the period. New York Life Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Molina Healthcare by 0.4% during the third quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 8,495 shares of the companys stock worth $2,785,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Molina Healthcare by 5.0% during the third quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 763 shares of the companys stock worth $250,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 40.4% in the third quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 125 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. raised its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 3.0% in the second quarter. EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. now owns 1,238 shares of the companys stock valued at $373,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.11% of the companys stock. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MOH shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Molina Healthcare from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price target for the stock from $367.00 to $420.00 in a report on Thursday, February 15th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $435.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $367.00 to $392.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Molina Healthcare has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $385.91. Insider Activity In other Molina Healthcare news, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 711 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.06, for a total transaction of $273,066.66. Following the sale, the director now owns 12,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,688,220.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Molina Healthcare news, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 711 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.06, for a total transaction of $273,066.66. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 12,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,688,220.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Mark Lowell Keim sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.56, for a total transaction of $5,798,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 36,531 shares in the company, valued at $14,121,423.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 16,711 shares of company stock valued at $6,472,517. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Molina Healthcare Stock Down 0.3 % NYSE MOH traded down $1.33 during trading on Friday, reaching $405.35. 134,838 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 395,284. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $382.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $358.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.54. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a 12-month low of $258.42 and a 12-month high of $410.00. The firm has a market cap of $23.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.47. Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.31 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.35 billion. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 3.20% and a return on equity of 32.34%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $4.10 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 23.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Molina Healthcare (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 8.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,480 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,964 shares during the quarter. Tealwood Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $1,753,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 7.5% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 20,822 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,847,000 after buying an additional 1,452 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 4.3% in the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 6,263 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $528,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 25.4% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,064 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,101,000 after buying an additional 2,648 shares during the period. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 7.5% in the first quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,807 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $321,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 16.6% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,239 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $104,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the period. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Price Performance NYSE SCHW traded up $0.64 on Friday, reaching $67.24. 4,496,388 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,773,270. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $64.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The company has a market cap of $119.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.00. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12 month low of $45.65 and a 12 month high of $71.40. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.49 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.33% and a net margin of 26.90%. The companys revenue was down 18.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.07 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid 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 was Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 39.37%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently commented on SCHW. Barclays boosted their price target on Charles Schwab from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. StockNews.com upgraded Charles Schwab from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday. Citigroup cut Charles Schwab from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. TD Cowen started coverage on Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. They set a market perform rating and a $77.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut 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 note on Thursday, January 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.92. Check Out Our Latest Report on Charles Schwab Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 71,226 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $4,628,977.74. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 61,251,038 shares in the company, valued at $3,980,704,959.62. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 71,226 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $4,628,977.74. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 61,251,038 shares in the company, valued at $3,980,704,959.62. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the chief financial officer now 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. About Charles Schwab (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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. (NYSE:AMN Free Report) by 6.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,374 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,072 shares during the quarter. WealthPLAN Partners LLCs holdings in AMN Healthcare Services were worth $1,076,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AMN. Holocene Advisors LP acquired a new position in AMN Healthcare Services during the 2nd quarter worth $92,796,000. Boston Partners lifted its stake in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 236.2% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,115,826 shares of the companys stock valued at $120,770,000 after purchasing an additional 783,966 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its stake in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 3,287.3% in the 3rd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 555,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,359,000 after purchasing an additional 539,576 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of AMN Healthcare Services by 1,181.5% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 540,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,422,000 after purchasing an additional 498,600 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of AMN Healthcare Services in the 4th quarter valued at $49,022,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.23% of the companys stock. Get AMN Healthcare Services alerts: Insider Transactions at AMN Healthcare Services In other news, Director Jorge A. Caballero bought 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $56.80 per share, for a total transaction of $113,600.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $138,421.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Director Jorge A. Caballero bought 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $56.80 per share, for a total transaction of $113,600.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $138,421.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jeffrey R. Knudson bought 6,951 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $57.75 per share, with a total value of $401,420.25. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer now directly owns 27,804 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,605,681. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired a total of 26,626 shares of company stock worth $1,516,899 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.93% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JMP Securities cut their price target on AMN Healthcare Services from $87.00 to $75.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 26th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of AMN Healthcare Services from $85.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $88.00 price objective on shares of AMN Healthcare Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of AMN Healthcare Services in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. They issued a neutral rating and a $73.00 price objective for the company. Five 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, AMN Healthcare Services currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $87.25. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on AMN AMN Healthcare Services Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of AMN Healthcare Services stock traded up $0.27 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $57.60. 327,420 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 709,428. The company has a 50 day moving average of $68.59 and a two-hundred day moving average of $73.10. AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $53.77 and a fifty-two week high of $112.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. The stock has a market cap of $2.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.84 and a beta of 0.21. AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE:AMN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The company reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.07. AMN Healthcare Services had a net margin of 5.56% and a return on equity of 38.29%. The company had revenue of $818.27 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $803.14 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.48 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 27.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. will post 3.97 EPS for the current fiscal year. About AMN Healthcare Services (Free Report) AMN Healthcare Services, Inc provides healthcare workforce solutions and staffing services to healthcare facilities in the United States. It operates through three segments: Nurse and Allied Solutions, Physician and Leadership Solutions, and Technology and Workforce Solutions. The Nurse and Allied Solutions segment offers travel nurse staffing, labor disruption staffing, local staffing, international nurse and allied permanent placement, and allied staffing solutions. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. (NYSE:AMN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AMN Healthcare Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AMN Healthcare Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Emirates has renewed its partnership with TUI Cruises for the upcoming two cruise seasons. Emirates will closely work with TUI Cruises to offer dedicated flight options that closely align with upcoming cruise schedules, ensuring a smooth transition from air to sea for its customers. The renewed partnership with TUI Cruises was signed on the sidelines of ITB Berlin (March 5-7), Emirates said, underscores its commitment to working with like-minded partners to offer seamless travel experiences, both in the air and on the ground through its dedicated cruise terminal check-in areas and with the collaborative support of its partners in Dubai. The airline will also explore enhanced transportation solutions between Dubai International (DXB) and Port Rashid, leverage insights to improve services on the ground, and provide dedicated support teams for cruise passengers. Currently, the ports Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, the worlds largest single covered cruise terminal facility, is capable of handling 14,000 passengers a day. In addition to coordinated operations and exploring marketing synergies, the partnership will focus on developing exclusive luxury packages and experiences that showcase the best of Dubai and the regions TUI Cruise programmes. The MoU with TUI Cruises was signed by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline; and Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises. Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: Emirates is proud to play a vital role in supporting Dubais status as one of the worlds best cruise destinations. This is a result of many years of work to build a maritime infrastructure that is second to none, outstanding tourist attractions and landmarks, and unparalleled air connectivity coupled with streamlined on ground customs and handling facilities for inbound cruise tourists. Wybcke Meier, CEO TUI Cruises said: For more than 10 years, we have been calling at Dubai with the Mein Schiff fleet to give our guests the opportunity to discover the world of the Orient with us. Dubai is not only an important turnaround port, the destination and the region offer what Mein Schiff guests want: a mix of metropolises that are constantly evolving, wonderful beaches and special insights into the culture. With Emirates, we are working successfully with an airline that gives our guests this vacation feeling right from the start. Last year, Emirates transported nearly 400,000 cruise passengers to Dubai. The city welcomed over 166 ships during the last cruise season, making it the regions biggest port of embarkation and most popular call for cruise liners. The city expects an increase of 23% more cruise passengers for the upcoming season. TradeArabia News Service At UN's CSW68 - LaRoda outlines Administrations steps to advance equitable financial empowerment of women and girls Rob's gripping account reveals the intense anticipation and the profound commitment to duty felt by the team, tasked with what they believed could be a one-way ticket to the heart of danger. From the charged silence aboard the flight to the compound to the intense Hollywood dramatizations, Rob contrasts the cinematic portrayals with the visceral reality of combat. Stress, anxiety and depresion among adolescents due to the ethnic clash in Manipur | Vidula Abhyankar (under the guidance of Dr Sumaila Parveen, Prof Dept of Psychology, LPU) Contd from previous issue OBJECTIVES As the ethnic clashes continue still, one of the most affected groups are students studying in classes from IX-XII. Since most of the Government schools were converted into transit camps for the displaced people and/or the Central Armed Police Forces and thus, remained closed for more than 04 months, adolescents are struggling hard to resume their life normally. This study aimed to find and analyse the prevalence of Stress, Anxiety and Depression among the adolescents because of the ongoing Meitei-Kuki ethnic clashes in Manipur. The objectives of the study are: 1. To analyse the difference in levels of Stress, Anxiety and Depression amongst the adolescents displaced/living in affected areas as compared to those living in non-affected areas. 2. To identify the association, if any, between Stress, Anxiety and Depression among these adolescents, and 3. To identify the difference in levels of Stress, Anxiety and Depression with reference to gender of these adolescents. HYPOTHESIS 1. There will be significant difference between the level of Stress, Anxiety and Depression experienced by adolescents displaced/living in affected areas of ethnic clashes as compared to those living in non-affected areas of ethnic clashes. 2. There will be a relationship between the prevalence of Stress, Anxiety and Depression experienced by the adolescents displaced /living in affected areas of ethnic clashes and those living in non-affected areas of ethnic clashes 3. There will be difference in levels of Stress, Anxiety and Depression experienced by the adolescents displaced/ living in affected areas of ethnic clashes as compared to those living in non-affected areas of ethnic clashes with reference to gender. VARIABLES UNDER STUDY The impact of two experimental variable, that is, Impact of Ethnic Clashes and Gender on three dependent variables i.e., namely Stress, Anxiety and Depression among the adolescents sample population in Manipur was studied and analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHOD Participants : An objective, cross sectional study was conducted to analyse the prevalence of Anxiety, Depression and Stress among adolescents of Manipur State a. who have been victims of ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki tribes from different districts of Manipur and as a result had to be housed at Relief Camps in the Imphal Valley b. who are living in non-affected areas of the State, predominantly the Imphal Valley c. who were studying in senior /secondary schools before their displacement in classes IX-XII in Manipur. d. who are studying in different Senior/ Secondary schools in classes IX-XII in Manipur Sample. A total number of 138 adolescents belonging to various tribes and communities from the state of Manipur participated in the study. These participants belong to the age group of 14 -16 years of age and are studying in classes IX-XII. Out of the total 138 participants, 70 number of participants are male and 68 number of participants are female. Measures/Tools used. The scale used for the study was the Anxiety, Depression and Stress Scale (ADSS) developed by Pallavi Bhatnagar, Megha Singh and others published through National Psychological Corporation Agra, India. General Description of ADSS: It is a self-administrable test that measures the Anxiety, Depression and stress experienced daily by the human beings of the age group 14 years -70 years. It can be administered on an individual as well as a group. The test consists of a total number of 48 items divided into three subscales. Higher scores indicate Greater Anxiety, Depression, and Stress and vice-versa. The reasons for choosing this scale to measure Anxiety, Depression and Stress among Adolescents are a. its suitability for Indian population b. unique ability to assess all three mental states (Anxiety, Depression & Stress) into a single scale c. its high applicability due to being bilingual and being accessible to both literate and illiterate population d. its suitability as both a diagnostic as well as rating scale e. its generalizability (due to use on both clinical and non-clinical samples), f. its equally high Reliability and Validity Method. The Nodal Officer for Relief Camps in Imphal Valley was approached and due permissions from the parents were sought to administer the ADSS questionnaire to their wards falling in the age group of 14-16 years of age. Similarly, permissions were sought from Principals of various schools and colleges. Once permissions were accorded, conduct of test according to the convenience of the inmates of relief camps and the school authorities was held. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Data Collection Procedure & Data Analysis Data Collection: Sample: The study was conducted on a total of 138 adolescents studying in classes IX-XII in different schools of Manipur. Out of total 138, 70 were Male and 68 were Female. A total of 18 samples were discarded due to incorrect and incomplete filling of responses. After filtering out the irrelevant samples, the final number of samples (total 120; 60- male, 60-female) were considered for the study from affected areas and non-affected areas Statistical Analysis: The results of the test was then fed in MS Excel sheets and tabulated before treating it by descriptive statistics methods to obtain the significant differences and correlation between the three sub-scales among the adolescents from the affected and non-affected areas. The website DATA tab was referred to for obtaining the Mean, mode, median, variance, Standard Deviation, t-test results, 95% confidence interval of mean and Pearsons Correlation coefficient of the data. Table I (a), (b), (c): Significant difference in levels of Anxiety, Depression and Stress in adolescents displaced/living in Affected Areas of Ethnic Clashes as compared to those living in Non-Affected Areas of Ethnic Clashes Discussion This study was conducted to find out the effect of ongoing Meitei-Kuki ethnic clashes on mental health of adolescents in Manipur and to analyse if there is any other factor such as gender that influences their mental health. With the help of the ADSS developed by Pallavi Bhatnagar and others, the levels of three sub scales of mental health namely Anxiety, Depression and Stress amongst a sample of 60 adolescents displaced or living in affected areas were analyzed in comparison with a sample of 60 adolescents living in non-affected areas of Manipur. A look at results displayed in Table I (a), (b), (c) and Graph 1, shows a comparison between the Mean, Standard Deviation and levels of Anxiety, depression and Stress experienced by the adolescents displaced/living in affected areas and the adolescents living in non-affected areas. This, in turn, proves that First Hypothesis: there will be significant difference between the level of Stress, Anxiety and Depression experienced by adolescents displaced /living in affected areas of Ethnic Clashes as compared to those living in non-affected areas of Ethnic CONCLUSION The findings of this study have proven that the mental health of adolescents has been adversely affected by the ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur. There is a significant prevalence of Anxiety, Depression & Stress amongst adolescents in Manipur due to the ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur. The levels of Anxiety, Depression and Stress are significantly higher in the adolescents displaced/living in affected areas as compared to the adolescents living in non-affected areas. Also, within the adolescents displaced or living in affected areas, the female adolescents have shown significantly higher levels of Anxiety, Depression and Stress as compared to the Male adolescents displaced/living in affected areas. It is felt that timely counselling, guidance, and encouragement for participation in academic and co-curricular activities would go a long way to improve the mental health of the adolescents who have been either displaced or living in affected areas of Manipur. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 15. National Bank of Tajikistan is interested in continuing effective cooperation with the World Bank (WB) in banking sector, the Chairman of the National Bank, Firdavs Tolibzoda, said, Trend reports. He made the statement during a meeting with a WB mission, which arrived in Tajikistan for a working visit. Tolibzoda said that the National Bank is ready to support constructive initiatives proposed by the WB and take necessary measures to implement them. Furthermore, discussions during the meeting centered on the implementation of the second phase of the "Financial Sector Strengthening" project in Tajikistan. Tolibzoda conveyed appreciation to the WB for its longstanding and effective cooperation, as well as continuous support for projects aimed at strengthening the country's economic and social sectors. He noted that the National Bank of Tajikistan is currently collaborating with the WB on three projects: "Tajikistan's Digital Foundations," "Tajikistan Financial and Private Sector Development" and the second phase of the "Financial Sector Strengthening in Tajikistan" projects. Tajikistan joined the WB in 1993 and the WB's International Development Association (IDA) in 1994, cementing its commitment to international development cooperation. The national general secretary of the Trinamul Congress Abhishek Banerjee today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis guarantee means nothing. Addressing Janagarjan Sabha at Maynaguri Town Club ground in Jalpaiguri today, the TMC national general secretary Mr Banerjee said, PM Modi has been advertising his guarantee schemes keeping an eye on Lok Sabha polls. Modis guarantee means zero but Didis (Mamata Banerjee) guarantee is lifetime warranty. Significantly, the TMC leader Mr Banerjee screened several video clips of Narendra Modis speeches, which were recorded in 2019, in his political meeting today and claimed that all promises were false propaganda. Advertisement Even Abhishek Banerjee challenged Narendra Modi and asked him to answer his questions, when he will be coming to campaign in north Bengal, related to 100 days job and especially Awas Yojana. Notably, TMC leader Mr Banerjee today posted on X asking the BJP leadership to prove how much fund was allocated for Bengal. As the BJP countered his statement, Mr Banerjee invited the BJPs Yuba Morcha leaders in Maynaguri to answer his questions publicly. Addressing the audience at Maynaguri Mr Banerjee, as no BJP leader was present, asked the BJP to publish a White Paper on it. If the BJP can prove that at least 10 paisa has been allocated for Awas Yojana since 2021, I would quit politics, Abhishek Banerjee said. Mr Banerjee also said, showcasing Mamata Banerjees guarantee as lifetime warranty, that he would quit even the Trinamul Congress if it fails to fulfil the commitments. You had cast a vote in favour of the BJP, keeping in mind Ram Temple in the last elections. The Ram Temple has been built but you have not yet constructed your pucca house, Mr Banerjee said, adding, You will have to cast votes keeping in mind your rights to obtain basic needs in your daily life. Coming down heavily on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the TMC general secretary Mr Banerjee said, Narendra Modi is now a daily passenger for Bengal. Who does not stay in Bengal and does not know its culture and even cannot speak Bengali, how can you accept Modis guarantee! How can he guarantee in association with corrupt leaders in Bengal. Modis guarantee means zero. The integrated ticketing system (ITS), enabling commuters to avail services in all the three recently-inaugurated lines of the Kolkata Metro Railway at one ticket will be available only till 3.30 pm, informed the city Metro today. The commercial services in the newly-added lines, including the underwater stretch between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade are to start tomorrow. The city Metro has introduced an integrated ticketing system of tickets that would allow the commuters avail services and switch to any corridor including Green, Blue and Orange through the interchanging stations at Esplanade and Kavi Subhash by purchasing tickets once. One of the truncated stretches that are to see the beginning of commercial services tomorrow is the first leg of the New Garia-Airport corridor between Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. The stretch is to have the first service at 9am while the last service would be run at 4.40pm. Considering the fact, the Kolkata Metro Railway would stop the sale of integrated tickets from all station counters from 3.30pm. Advertisement Apart from this, the ITS is to be issued only from the ticket counters. The integrated tickets would not be issued from the Automatic Smart Card Recharge Machines (ASCRM) machines of any station of Green Line, Blue Line and Orange Line. The advanced ticketing system would also not be available for the Purple Line. The carrier is said to have upgraded the AFC-PC gates at the stations accordingly. The commuters, however, would be able to use the existing smart cards for availing Metro services on these three newly inaugurated stretches. A brainstorming session for organising the 2nd edition of the International Museum Expo scheduled to be held at Science City, Kolkata, on 18-19 May, took place at Science City on Wednesday. Mugdha Sinha, joint secretary, ministry of culture chaired the session in the presence of A D Choudhury, DG, NCSM, S Kumar, DDG, NCSM; S Chaudhuri, director, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum and others. After the grand success of the first edition of the International Museum Expo 2023 in New Delhi, it was decided to organise the second edition at Science City, Kolkata, with a focus on science museums, said Mugdha Sinha. She further added, The broad theme for the expo will be Museums for Education and Research with several sub-themes. The idea of this International Museum Expo is to bring together museum professionals, private companies, start-ups, creative minds, architects, IT professionals, etc. who contribute to the development of museums in different capacities for the exchange of ideas, networking, infotainment, and peer-to-peer interaction and learning with each other. Advertisement The Expo will have exhibitions on various themes, keynote addresses, parallel sessions, panel discussions, presentations by science museum professionals from across the world, master classes by experts in the field, various activities, science demonstrations, a market place for start-ups and innovators, a special exhibition on innovation, a special corner for Indian women in STEM, etc. Apart from these, international science museums and science museum professionals will be invited to attend this expo, said Mr Kumar, director, Science City. Ajit Prasad Mahato, the mul manta (supreme leader) of the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj will contest from the Purulia Lok Sabha seat, from where BJPs Kurmi leader and sitting MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato is seeking re-election and is pitted against another kurmi leader and former state minister, Shantiram Mahato of the Trinamul Congress. After a high-level meeting of the state committee of Adivasi Kurmi Samaj at bandwan in Purulia district it has been finalised that the party will contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in four seats of South Bengal. These four seats are Purulia, Jhargram, Midnapore and Bankura. A large chunk of voters in these four seats are from the Kurmi community. Advertisement In the past one year, the adivasi kurmi samaj has agitated on several issues, including rail roko, chakka jam etc in Junglemahal areas. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has announced several projects recently to woo these vast Kurmi vote banks. Kurmi Academy and Kurmi Bhawan have been set up by the state government. Since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, these four seats have become a stronghold of the BJP and the TMC is trying hard to wrest all these seats in South Bengal. In the 2021 Assembly polls too, the TMC suffered losses in these seats. At this juncture, the announcement of the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj to field its own candidates in Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram and Midnapore have created a stir in political circles. While the name of the Purulia candidate has already been announced, the names of candidates for the other three seats Jhargram, Midnapore and Bankura will be announced shortly, party sources said. There is a chance of change in political equations in all the four seats, where the majority is Kurmi voters and the announcement of its own candidates have put spanner in both the BJP and TMC plans. Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee remembered the farmers, who laid their lives at Nandigram in East Midnapore on 14 March, 2007. On March 14, 2007 the police and CPM goons in a bid to disperse the agitating farmers had opened fire killing 14 people on the spot. The event triggered a spirited movement by the Opposition, led by Mamata Banerjee, which marked the beginning of the end of 34 years of CPM rule in Bengal. In the 2008 panchayat election, Trinamul Congress won the zilla parishad in East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas. In 2009, Lok Sabha election, Trinamul got 19 seats while in 2010 got control over Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Finally, in 2011, Trinamul Congress defeated the CPM-led Left Front government. Advertisement Trinamul Congress observes the day as Farmers Day. Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee tweeted: On Farmers Day, I remember the farmers who had laid down their lives. Farmers are very close to our hearts and they provide us our food. We have tried to be by their side. Under the Krishak Bandhu scheme, we have provided financial help to them, do crop insurance, given pensions to the farmers and assist those who die in accidents. We have started 186 Kisan Mandi and give agricultural equipment free of cost. Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the party, who is touring in north Bengal, today, garlanded the martyrs tomb and paid homage to the farmers. The farmers in Nandigram, under Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) tried to foil the attempt of the state government to acquire the land to set up a chemical and petrochemical hub by Prasun Mukherjee, an NRI businessman. The farmers organized a movement and refused the state government to acquire the land. The Left Front government had to open fire at farmers to disperse them, leading to the death of 14 people, while many went missing. Mamata Banerjee went to the areas despite stiff resistance put forward by CPM cadres. The CPM government finally dropped the project but it was too late. The farmers agitation, led by Mamata Banerjee against the aggrieved farmers in Nandigram and Singur, who had organized movement against forcible acquisition of farm land put the final nail in CPMs coffin. There was massive erosion of CPM vote bank after Nandigram and from 2011 Assembly election, in all the subsequent polls, many candidates of the party had forfeited their deposits. After being denied a ticket from Barrackpore Lok Sabha (LS) seat by Trinamul Congress, disgruntled leader of the ruling party in the state Arjun Singh is all set to join BJP on Friday. Yesterday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had commented that Arjun Singh is a BJP MP and as an individual, for which party he wants to fight he has to decide. Ending much-publicised speculations on his changing camps Mr Singh is flying to Delhi tonight where central leadership of the saffron party is scheduled to hand over the party flag with lotus symbol to him on Friday. Advertisement While speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Mr Singh on Thursday said he would return to the BJP after he was denied a party ticket from the Barrackpore parliamentary constituency which he represents. But nothing has been divulged by him whether he would contest again from Barrackpore LS seat this time after his joining the BJP. The Barrackpore strongman also claimed that a top leader of the Trinamul Congress would also join BJP along with him. It would be a rerun of the LS polls in 2019 when Mr Singh had joined BJP quitting Trinamul Congress after the latter denied him a ticket to contest. He had won the Barrackpore LS seat on a BJP ticket in 2019 but later in 2022 came back to Trinamul Congress. He did not resign as an MP. When I joined the Trinamul Congress in 2022, I was promised that I would be re-nominated as the TMCs candidate from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat. But the party did not keep its promise and betrayed me. So, I have decided to return to the BJP, he said. On Sunday, Trinamul Congress had announced its candidate list for the 42 seats and fielded state irrigation minister Partha Bhowmick from the Barrackpore constituency. As a damage control measure, the Trinamul Congress leadership led by party supremo Mamata Banerjee had reportedly proposed that he be nominated in Baranagar assembly seat where a by-election is scheduled to be held in next six months. He started making scathing attacks on the Trinamul Congress leadership since he was not found in the candidate list of the ruling party. With the resignation of Tapas Roy as a Trinamul Congress leader from Baranagar hardly couple weeks ago bypolls are lying due there in the assembly. Mr Roy has joined BJP quitting Trinamul Congress. On the other hand, speculation is rife that Mr Singh may be fielded again in Barrackpore on a BJP ticket again to fight against his rival Mr Bhowmick. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan. March 15. Tajikistan is actively advocating for a comprehensive approach to tackling water and climate-related issues, Sharaf Sheralizoda Ambassador of Tajikistan to the Swiss Confederation, the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva said, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sherolizoda made these remarks while addressing participants at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In his address, Sherolizoda also highlighted the impact of climate change and its ramifications for millions of people. He emphasized the significance of the UN General Assembly resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers and March 21st as World Glacier Day. Additionally, initiatives such as the establishment of a trust fund to support glacier preservation efforts and the hosting of a high-level conference on glacier conservation in Dushanbe in 2025, all spearheaded by Tajikistan, were commended. Meanwhile, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, during his address to the nation at the end of 2023, outlined plans to continue construction on hydroelectric power plants Rogun and Sebzor, as well as the refurbishment of existing hydroelectric power stations. Moreover, efforts to secure financing for new capacities in green energy production were highlighted. Rahmon noted that by 2032, Tajikistan aims to fulfill its entire electricity demand through renewable sources, achieving a 100 percent target (currently at 98 percent). Following international standards, greenhouse gas emissions are projected to be minimized in the country by 2037. On January 31, the central bank ordered Paytm Payments Bank to stop accepting any fresh deposits in its account, or popular wallet, from February 29. The deadline was further extended to March 15. As the deadline comes closer, multiple questions were surfaced related to the operability of the app. To answer them, Paytm released a set of questions and answers related to the future course of the payments business. Advertisement Q: Will UPI services on Paytm continue even after March 15? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to examine Paytms request for TPAP. Paytm said it is working with NPCI for the same. Q: Will Paytm QR code, Soundbox, card machines continue to operate seamlessly? Yes, Paytm QR codes, Soundbox, and card machines also remain fully operational. This ensures continued convenience for millions of users and merchants who rely on these services for their daily transactions. Q: Services on Paytm App such as movies, events, travel ticket bookings? All other services on the Paytm app, including movies, events, travel (metro, flight, train, bus) ticket bookings, and more, remain fully operational. Q: Can users continue to make mobile/internet recharges, pay utility bills, and other services on Paytm App? Users can continue to recharge their mobile phone, DTH or OTT subscriptions, and pay all utility bills (electricity, water, gas, internet) with ease directly through the Paytm app. Q: Bill payments at the Paytm app? Users can continue to use Paytm app for the payment of piped gas bill, apartment electricity bill. Users can also also continue to pay their credit card bills on Paytm. Q: What about the insurance policies, investments in Equity, Mutual Funds, or NPS? Users can continue to buy new insurance policies for bike, car, health, and more; or pay premiums using Paytm app. Further, the customers investments in Equity, Mutual Funds, or NPS with Paytm Money are working. Paytm Money Limited is SEBI-regulated and fully compliant. Q: Can users buy FASTag or recharge my other banks FASTag on Paytm app? Paytm is already offering HDFC Bank FASTags and also offer the FASTag recharge of other partnered banks on the Paytm app. However, users can not purchase Paytm Payments Bank FASTags though they can recharge it before 15th March and use the balance until its exhausted. Q: What about settlement of money in your existing PPBL? The settlement in your existing Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. account will proceed without any issue until March 15, 2024. The balance in the account can be withdrawn even beyond March 15, 2024. However, Paytm recommended users to change settlement account in Paytm for Business app from Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. to any of your other savings or current accounts held with other banks to ensure seamless settlements. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set guidelines for the operations of Paytm Payments Bank has come, and still a question that remains is the use of FASTag issued by it. Paytm had said that the customers can continue to use FASTag to pay at enabled toll and parking merchants up to the available balance in their wallet. The company has said that no further funding or top-ups will be allowed in the FASTags issued by Paytm Payments Bank after March 15. Advertisement In order to close the Paytm Payments Bank FASTag via the Paytm App, users need to follow certain steps: Search for Manage FASTag option in Paytm App It will list all the vehicles linked to Paytm Payments Bank Fastag Choose Close FASTag option on the top right section of the page Select the vehicle for which FASTag is to be closed Click Proceed and confirmation message will be seen on screen FASTag will be closed within 5-7 working days. Paytm Payments Bank has said that there are no restrictions on withdrawing funds from existing balances. The RBI directive has also explicitly stated that the existing balances in accounts and wallets are secure, alleviating concerns regarding the safety of deposited funds. According to the details shared by the RBI over the use of FASTag, users cannot transfer the balance from old FASTag issued by Paytm Payments Bank to a new FASTag obtained from another bank. In order to ensure safety and care of the senior citizens of the national capital, a state level meeting of senior police officials, representatives of senior citizen groups, NGOs and nominated senior citizens was chaired by Delhi Police Special Commisioner for Ajay Chaudhary here today. Chaudhary is heading the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC). Senior citizens and NGOs including all those present in the meeting shared their important suggestions, grievances and several other measures that could further help in developing a better environment and ensuring safety of senior citizens. The Special CP in his address in the meeting emphasized that the city police strives to take care and look after vulnerable groups and suggested to take preventive measures when it comes to the concerns of the elderly. Advertisement He further suggested and stressed that initiatives regarding cyber crime awareness programmes must be taken up at district level as well since the people belonging to the senior age groups often fall prey to such incidents. Chaudhry also asserted that programmes related to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 must be conducted at the district level among senior citizens. The representatives from various NGOs and associations of senior citizens appreciated several initiatives already being undertaken by the police for their welfare. They also appreciated the hard work and deep sense of responsibility towards the grievances of senior citizens at local police station level and district level. The Special Commisioner also asserted and asked the police officials from across districts to ensure that complaints, issues related to the senior citizens must be dealt on a priority basis and with more care. Meanwhile, there are initiatives that are already in place and the police personnel at all levels in the areas care for the senior citizens, especially those who live by themselves. The Delhi government will give a new look to Guru Ravi Dass Marg in the Kalkaji assembly constituency. This includes the strengthening and beautification of Guru Ravi Dass Marg. Delhi PWD Minister Atishi inaugurated the project. On this occasion, she shared that during the beautification of Guru Ravi Dass Marg, footpaths will be repaired to make them user-friendly, and the service road will also receive a new look. She said the beauty of the road will be enhanced with beautiful plants. The Delhi PWD Minister said Guru Ravi Dass Marg is one of the most important and busy roads in the Kalkaji assembly constituency, used by lakhs of people for commuting daily. In this regard, the transformation of the road will benefit lakhs of people. After the strengthening and beautification of Guru Ravi Dass Marg, connectivity to main roads from several colonies in the Kalkaji assembly constituency will improve, making these beautiful roads the identity of our assembly constituency. Advertisement Atishi said under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government is working in Mission Mode to improve the citys roads. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has received a lot of love and respect from the Kalkaji area, and thanks to this, Guru Ravi Dass Marg is now set to become world-class. She said Guru Ravi Dass Marg is one of the most crucial roads in the Kalkaji assembly constituency. Stretching approximately 4 kilometers, this road also connects Mata Anandmayee Marg and the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. It is used by a significant number of people daily. Therefore, efforts are being made to provide people using this road with a world-class walking experience, ensuring they have access to beautiful and safe roads. In this direction, the work of giving Guru Ravi Dass Marg a new look is underway. She said after the beautification of Guru Ravidas Marg,this road will become the identity of Kalkaji and every resident of Kalkaji will be able to be proud of this road. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai alleged that electoral bonds are the biggest scam of the Central government. Through this (the electoral bonds), the Central government did business with companies, took bribes from them, indulged in money laundering, and extorted donations from them under the threat of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), he alleged. Talking to the media here on Friday, Rai said a part of the information from 2018 to 2019 has not yet been given in which 95 per cent of this money has gone to BJP. He demanded a white paper on the PM Care fund too. Advertisement Visibly happy on this occasion, the UP Congress chief released a poster of the Youth, Farmers, Women, and Tribal Justice Guarantee issued by the Central leadership. He said, This is our resolution, and we will implement it after the INDIA bloc forms the government at the Centre. He asserted that the INDIA will form the government in the country. On the announcement of Congress candidates for the Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh, he said the list would be released soon. On a question about seat-sharing arrangements among the INDIA members, he said, We are takers, not givers. As Bollywoods reigning queen, Alia Bhatt, turns another year older today, fans and critics alike are celebrating her journey in cinema. With her versatility, charm, and undeniable talent, Alia has carved a niche for herself in the film industry. On this special occasion of her birthday, lets take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable performances of Alia: Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022): Alias magnum opus directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gangubai Kathiawadi, has already set the silver screen ablaze with her portrayal of the fierce and indomitable Gangubai, a brothel owner and matriarch in the underworld of Kamathipura. Her mesmerizing performance has garnered rave reviews, positioning it as one of her most captivating roles to date. Raazi (2018): In this critically acclaimed spy thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar, Alia delivered a powerhouse performance as Sehmat Khan, an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Her portrayal of resilience, patriotism, and inner turmoil garnered widespread acclaim and even won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Advertisement Highway (2014): Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Highway showcased Alias raw talent and range as an actor. Playing the role of Veera Tripathi, a young woman abducted just days before her wedding, Alia captivated audiences with her emotionally charged performance, earning her accolades and establishing her as one of the most promising talents in the industry. Udta Punjab (2016): In this gritty drama highlighting the rampant drug abuse in Punjab, Alia stunned audiences with her portrayal of a Bihari migrant worker named Kumari Pinky. Her nuanced performance as a victim of human trafficking struggling to break free from the shackles of addiction earned her widespread praise and several awards, including a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress. Dear Zindagi (2016): In this coming-of-age drama helmed by Gauri Shinde, Alia shared the screen with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, portraying the role of Kaira, a young cinematographer grappling with lifes complexities and seeking solace in therapy. Alias portrayal of vulnerability, confusion, and eventual self-discovery struck a chord with audiences, further cementing her reputation as one of the finest actors of her generation. As Alia Bhatt celebrates her birthday today, her illustrious filmography continues to dazzle and inspire audiences worldwide. With each role, she reaffirms her status as one of Bollywoods most versatile and talented actors, leaving an indelible mark on the silver screen. Heres wishing the luminous star a birthday filled with love, success, and countless more iconic performances! Actress Kriti Sanon, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming movie Crew, has shared that she once auditioned for the Karan Johar directorial Student of the Year, which was released in 2012. Kriti said she was asked to do scenes from the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Wake Up Sid, and was also asked to dance to the song Bahara. The actress made the revelation during the sixth season of No Filter Neha. Advertisement Giving the audience a peek into her struggling days, Kriti opened up about her bad audition. She said, I think my first audition probably was for Student of the Year. I recently told this to Karan, who threatened me that he is going to release the clip, and I was like please dont take the clip out now, ab toh bilkul bhi nahi. It was my first audition. I remember they made us do some scenes from Wake up Sid and dance to Bahara Bahara. I was terrible at it. I dont think I even knew what I was doing, she added. No Filter Neha Season 6 is available on JioTV and JioTV+. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati stressed on Friday that Bahujan Samaj has to grab power at the Centre and states to achieve success in social change and economic liberation. Mayawati after paying tribute to the partys founder Kanshi Ram on his 90th birth anniversary here on Friday, said that Bahujan Samaj has to continue the struggle against the casteist forces to escape from various conspiracies. Appealing to the BSP workers to work whole-heartedly to win Lok Sabha elections, she said that it is necessary to sacrifice body, mind and money to get the master key of power. Advertisement It is important for the Bahujan Samaj to remain active in the elections by avoiding the conspiracies, claims and promises of the casteist and pro-capitalist opposition parties, because now it would be suicidal to rely on them, she said. BSP supremo said after SC, ST, now the government talks a lot about the interest of OBC community, but the backlog of their reservation was not being filled for years. Due to this, the role of people of Bahujan community in policy making has turned secondary and there was a need for thinking and electoral efforts to change the mindset, she said. She said in honour of BSP Founder Kanshi Ram, the BSP government created many monuments, places, parks, universities, colleges, hospitals along with new districts, which the opponents never liked. As soon as their government was formed, the names of many were changed. The name of Kanshiram Nagar district was changed, she charged without taking any names. Meanwhile, on Kashi Ram birth anniversary, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also paid tribute to the Dalit icon. Akhilesh Yadav on social media said On the birth anniversary of respected Shri Kanshiram ji, who struggled throughout his life to provide rights to the Dalits, the deprived and the exploited, we pay our respects and heartfelt tribute. On the occasion, Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party founder and former SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya demanded that the government give Kanshi Ram the top civilian honour Bharat Ratna. A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his remarks on Hindu and Sikh refugees over the CAA. Speaking to reporters outside the ECI office in New Delhi, Mandaviya said after the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Delhi CM made objectionable remarks about Sikh, Parsi, and Buddhist refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. He further said a delegation of Sikh refugees led by Sirsa met the ECI in this regard. Advertisement Speaking on the occasion, Sirsa said that the Sikh and Hindu refugees in Delhi have been complaining that some political parties, which are questioning the CAA, are spreading false information about the refugees. Calling them (the parties) bad elements, he said they would disturb the atmosphere in the country. Sirsa said the Sikh and Hindu refugees approached the DSGMC to register their complaint against what they said hatred is being spread against them by comparing them with criminals. It is being said about the Sikh and Hindu refugees, who hail from Pakistan and Afghanistan, that they would create issues if they settled here, claim jobs of the people of India, disturb the law and order, and further make trouble, Sirsa rued. He said, We have brought to the notice of the Election Commission all that Arvind Kejriwal said against us. He pointed out that the Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, and Buddhist refugees had no other option but to come to India to save their religion and lives, and to ensure the safety of their daughters. Since these people have their roots in India, the government brought the CAA to save them and give them citizenship. The AAP chief had slammed the Centre for the implementation of the CAA, saying the government was unable to create enough jobs for its own people, how then can it provide jobs to the refugees, how would it accommodate around 1.5 crore people from other countries. Kejriwal said migrations on such a large scale would result in chaos and may lead to a rise in crime and instability in the country. On Thursday, Hindu and Sikh refugees protested outside the CMs house. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the second day of his two-day visit to Balrampur on Friday morning, visited the Devi Patan Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeethas ( places associated with Shakti, the Goddess of power), and paid obeisance. After doing puja as per rituals, the CM proceeded to inspect the ongoing construction works on the temple premises. The Chief Minister also served cows at the cowshed located on temple premises as well as inspected Shri Ma Pateshwari Sevashram Hospital and issued necessary directions to the officials concerned. Advertisement Later, the Chief Minister visited Maa Pateshwari Public School located in Bhawaniyapur where he spent some time with school children and gathered information about the facilities available to them. The Chief Minister also offered chocolates and toffees to the visibly delighted children. Later, he proceeded to participate in the bhoomi-pujan and foundation stone laying ceremony of Ma Pateshwari Devi State University. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 15. Minister of Transport of Tajikistan Azim Ibrohim and Lithuanian Ambassador to Tajikistan (residing in Kazakhstan) Egidijus Navikas deliberated on the prospects of collaboration in the transport sector, Trend reports. According to the Tajik Ministry of Transport, the parties discussed the existing level of Tajik-Lithuanian cooperation and possible areas for expansion, particularly in transit and transportation. Lithuania is one of Tajikistan's main trading and commercial partners in Europe. From January to November 2023, bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Lithuania was $18.759 million, with $88,300 in exports and $18.671 million in imports. The bilateral legal framework for cooperation is currently being developed and consists of five documents. The diplomatic ties between Tajikistan and Lithuania were established on August 13, 1992. HYDERABAD, MARCH 15: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the Delhi liquor scam. Sources said she is being taken to Delhi for further questioning. The development comes on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the city, conducting a road show in the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat. Advertisement Meanwhile, members of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) gathered outside Kavithas residence and shouted slogans against Modi. Senior BRS leaders K T Rama Rao and T Harish Rao also reached her residence. Earlier in the day, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at Kavithas Banjara Hills residence. The ED teams from Delhi arrived at her doorstep around lunch hour. The raids also come on the eve of the announcement of the poll schedule. The Congress had cornered the BJP in the past accusing it of working out a deal with the BRS and pointing out that though most of the AAP leaders named in the case were incarcerated, Kavitha was still free. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on Kavithas pleas against the summons issued by ED in connection with the Delhi Liquor scam till March 19. Kavitha had refused to appear before CBI following summons after she was designated as an accused in the case. The ED officials and BRS working president K T Rama Rao also entered into a spat after the former reached Kavithas residence. While the officials demanded to know how Rao gained entry into the residence, the BRS leader sought to see the transit warrant to arrest Kavitha. Rao also accused the ED of deliberately arresting her on a Friday. Condemning the arrest of Kavitha by ED the BRS alleged that it was preplanned by the BJP to demoralise BRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao. Party leader T Harish Rao questioned the timing of the arrest, claiming that the Supreme Court had ordered that no coercive action should be taken against her. She was arrested on Friday evening deliberately so that she could not move court, he alleged. The party has decided to move the apex court against her arrest and has given a call for protest in all constituencies across Telangana. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport as Kavitha, accompanied by her husband, was taken to Delhi late in the evening. The government is pressing very hard with the Russian authorities for an early discharge of Indian nationals who have been duped to work in the Russian Army, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. At a media briefing here, he said there are about 20 Indians who have approached the Indian authorities. There are two Indians who have passed away. The paperwork regarding their mortal remains has been done. The funeral agency, which we have engaged, has handed over the bodies. We are in touch with the families. We are also in touch with the Russian authorities. And hopefully, we will have the mortal remains in India by the end of this week, that is on Sunday or thereabout, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Asked about Indias current stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he said, We have been very consistent in our position on the war. We continue to encourage a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy which is our standard position and we remain open to engaging all ways and means that could help achieve this objective. The Opposition parties on Friday described the electoral bonds scheme as the biggest scam of independent India with the Congress alleging that the data shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the scheme yesterday was incomplete. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said- Na khaunga, na khane doonga. Today it has been exposed by the Supreme Court how BJP made money out of electoral bonds. During a press conference in Bengaluru, he lamented that there was no level playing ground for the Congress party when its accounts were frozen on the instructions of the BJP-led government. Advertisement They (BJP) instructed I-T people to do this. Our nearly Rs 300 crores are frozen. How can we go for elections in this? Our accounts are closed but their accounts are open. Where is the level playing ground? I demand an inquiry at the highest level into this. Unless the truth comes out, their accounts should also be frozen.., he demanded. Addressing a press conference in Maharashtras Palghar district, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said his party has been seeking an appointment with the ECI since last year, but has not been given an audience yet. Why and of whom is the ECI scared to meet the Opposition parties, he asked. Referring to the electoral bonds data published on the Election Commissions website, Mr Ramesh said the details were incomplete. There are four categories in the list those who purchased the electoral bonds and got government contracts, those who purchased bonds due to threat of investigating agencies, those who purchased bonds as bribes to get contracts and purchasing through shell companies, he said. This is the biggest scam of independent India. We have the option to move the Supreme CourtWe will go to the peoples court, he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of being a core beneficiary of the electoral bonds purchased by the gaming and gambling companies. He charged the BJP with being involved in the biggest scam in the country. Senior RJD leader Manoj Jha claimed that the data on electoral bonds has proved that the ruling BJP at the Centre is the most corrupt political party in the history of the country. Jha, the partys national spokesperson, also claimed that the data, which has been put up on the Supreme Courts website, flies in the face of the nationalistic pretensions of the BJP, while lending credence to the charge that central investigating agencies were being misused for political purposes. CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters in Delhi , We opposed it when we were in Parliament saying that it is like providing legal status to political corruptionHave you ever heard that any action has been taken against the electoral bond that has been bought? He said that the Supreme Court has said that the SBI should provide the number of every bond, then it will be clear who got which bond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhutan next week on what is expected to be his last trip abroad before the Lok Sabha elections. The visit is expected to take place on 21-22 March, official sources said on Friday. Mr Modi accepted an invitation to visit the neighbouring country when Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay met him here last night. Mr Tobgay is in India on an official visit, his first overseas trip after assuming office in February 2024. Both leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people to people exchanges and development cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship. Advertisement The visiting PM conveyed his deep appreciation for Indias role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutans developmental priorities. On behalf of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, PM Tshering Tobgay extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bhutan next week. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation, an official press statement said. The Global Biofuel Alliance, announced at the G20 summit on 9 September 2023 in New Delhi, has the potential to generate opportunities worth billions of US dollars in the coming years. The global ethanol market was valued at $99.06 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.1 per cent by 2032, surpassing $162.12 billion by 2032. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there is a 3.5-5x biofuels growth potential by 2050 due to Net Zero targets, creating a significant opportunity for India. Sustainable Biomass in many varieties, with its vast indigenous yearly availability, will lead to the indigenous production of enough biofuel energy, supporting additional revenues for agricultural growth, environmental sustainability, pollution abatement, and financial security supplementing and slowly replacing fossil fuels. Technological cooperation must be made within G20 partners for the success of the Biofuel Alliance. India proposed collaboration on biofuels within the IndoPacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to ensure energy security, affordability, and accessibility through sustainable biofuels. This IPEF was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, Australia, and seven Asian members. India also emphasized technology transfer through joint ventures in the clean energy pillar. This proposal was supported by the G20 countries and 12 global organisations, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum and others. This will help G20 nations reduce their dependence on fossil fuels; their overall imports of fossil fuels can be reduced by billions of US dollar within the next 3-5 years, helping them meet sustainable development and carbon emission reduction goals. Biogas can generate an opportunity of 200 billion, considering the least investment required, compared to other energy generation options and easy availability of raw-materials. Bio energy/ Biogas in principle, has the potential to replace fossil fuels completely, especially to decarbonize the transport sector. This initiative will also align with Indias ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070. Bioenergy stands as a pivotal force in Indias pursuit of sustainable development, offering multifaceted benefits beyond energy production, contributing to the circular economy, and promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle (LiFE). Advertisement In addition, it unlocks carbon credit potential and drives decarbonization efforts, making a significant contribution to achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for emission reductions. This aligns with climate goals, enabling India to make tangible strides in mitigating climate change impacts globally. The government has undertaken important initiatives such as the National Bioenergy Programme, SAMARTH Scheme, and SATAT (Efficient Bioenergy technologies), among others. Augmenting Farmers Livelihoods: Farmers, being the backbone of societies, are benefitted by agricultural growth. Bioenergy initiatives offer farmers a pathway towards enhanced livelihoods by providing opportunities for additional income streams. Through the cultivation of biomass feedstock such as agricultural residues, energy and protein rich crops, and organic waste, farmers can diversify their revenue sources while contributing to the renewable energy sector. Moreover, the establishment of bioenergy facilities in rural areas stimulates local employment and entrepreneurship, thereby uplifting rural communities by reducing migration to large cities and thus augmenting their standard of living. Enhancing Energy Security: Substantial and ever growing crude oil imports contribute to major dependency and cause a drain on Indias dollar resources. A paradigm shift that sees Biomass as the new crude oil is needed as Bioenergy serves as the cornerstone of fortifying Indias energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports and broadening the energy portfolio. As a locally sourced renewable resource, bioenergy mitigates vulnerabilities linked to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating global energy markets as well as the vicissitudes of the oil cartel. Additionally, decentralized bioenergy facilities enable communities to tap into local resources, strengthening energy resilience at the grassroots level. There is a need to set up Bio Compressed Plants and world-class-sized biorefineries in almost all states in India. India needs ethanol for the E20 and E30 target. Ethanol blend to partly decarbonize diesel is also being adopted, creating a sizable additional demand. Ethanol is also the basic and main feedstock for SAF and renewable diesel via ATJ pathway. There is scope for over 50 large bio-refineries (1000-1500 KLPD standard size in the USA and EU) to reach the E30 programme and meeting diesel and SAF demand. To reach the Governments target of E30 by 2030, we would need 18 million tons of ethanol for blending in gasoline and more ethanol if 5 per cent blending in diesel and SAF production is adopted. The current production is around 4 million tons, leaving a wide gap. Indias gasoline consumption would reach 60 million tons/year by 2030. Biofuels alone will not replace other energy sources but will have a major role. Being highoctane and clean burning, they would cut down PM2.5 emissions and pollution in Indias major cities by making gasoline and diesel more clean burning. Over 800 biomass power projects have been installed with a combined capacity of 10,632 MW for power generation and 140 tons/day for compressed biogas production. The country is also developing a market for bio-products like biomass pellets. Government initiatives, with a mandate for a minimum 5 per cent utilization of biomass in thermal power plants, and the STAT scheme, which promotes the use of CBG in transportation, along with amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels in 2018, contribute to this growth. The national policy on biofuels now allows a wider range of feedstock for biofuel production with immediate aims for a 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol by 2025-26. The 2023 Indian budget proposed the establishment of 500 new wasteto-wealth plants under the Goverdhan Scheme, including 200 CBG plants. The focus is on diversifying to advance feedstock to minimize land use for price and other environmental factors. Technologies like cellulosic ethanol and biomass waste Fischer-Tropsch are being developed to expand non-food crop biofuel production. But there are challenges. G The governments plan recognizes feedstock availability as the first challenge for ethanol-blended fuel. There is an urgent need for second[1]generation feedstock from non-food sources, such as cellulose. Also, the maize route for ethanol production needs to be accelerated. G Bioenergy growth needs consistent government policies. G Only a few states in India, like UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, and Haryana, are major agricultural producers. In view of this, extensive infrastructure is needed for the storage, transportation, and distribution of ethanol throughout the country. G Modifying petrol pumps to use E20 at all locations throughout the country. Bioenergy systems exemplify circular economy principles by efficiently utilizing organic waste streams like agricultural residues and forestry waste for renewable energy production, minimizing waste generation, conserving resources, mitigating pollution, and fostering sustainable production and consumption patterns. Bioenergy emerges as a transformative agent poised to reshape Indias socioeconomic landscape. (The writer is Chair, Environment & Green Hydrogen Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Managing Director, Greenstat Hydrogen India Pvt. Ltd., and former Chairman, EAC (Industry 2), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. He can be reached at jpglobalconsultinggroup@gmail.com) The long-awaited Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) at Jewar in Greater Noida is expected to commence operations by September 2024. While delivering a presentation to Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra here on Friday, Chief Executive Officer of the Noida Airport Dr Arun Veer Singh disclosed that the Zurich Airports subsidiary, Yamuna International Airport Pvt. Ltd., has done the development work of the terminal building, ATC and runway. Besides, the airports development, in accordance with the projects plan, was carried out by the EPC contractor, Tata Projects. Singh informed that the work at the Jewar Airport will be completed by September 2024. Advertisement NIAL officials informed that the installation of navigation and surveillance equipment at the airport has started and the connectivity of the Jewar Airport with the Yamuna Expressway will be completed by April 2024. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of Industrial Development, Secretary of Finance, Director of Civil Aviation, and the Nodal Officer of NIAL. The CEO of Noida and the CEO of Greater Noida participated via video conference. South Korean and US warplanes staged a combined live-fire exercise against North Korean cruise missile and long-range artillery threats in waters off the west coast this week, officials said on Friday. The five-day drills began on Monday, mobilizing some 40 aircraft, including South Korean F-35A, F-15K and F-4E jets, as well as A-10 and F-16 aircraft from the US 7th Air Force stationed in the country, Yonhap news agency reported. Pilots trained on staging precision strikes against simulated enemy cruise missiles flying at low altitudes with air-to-air missiles and against long-range artillery, using air-to-surface missiles and guided bombs, South Korean Air Force said. Advertisement The drills came amid renewed concerns over North Korean cruise missile threats after the country staged five rounds of cruise missile launches this year. North Korea claimed to have test-fired a new surface-to-sea missile off its east coast on February 14. North Korea also held live-fire artillery drills, involving units capable of striking Seoul, on March 7, its state media reported, in an apparent response to the annual South Korea-US Freedom Shield exercise that ended Thursday. North Korea has one of the worlds largest artillery forces, many of them positioned within range of the greater Seoul area, home to about half of South Koreas 51 million people. FILE - An American Airlines Boeing 777 is framed by utility wires as it prepares to land at Miami International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Miami. An American Airlines flight landed safely in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, after the flight crew reported a potential mechanical issue with the plane. On March 13, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Milford Regionals newest community-based satellite location Milford Regional at Medway. Pictured from left are: Milford Regional Physician Group Director of Operations Nancy Jolicoeur; Milford Regional Board Vice Chair and Building Committee Chair Brian Earley; Lobisser & Ferreira Construction Corp. President Joe Ferreira; state Rep. Michael Soter; state Rep. Jeffrey Roy; Medway Select Board Chair Glenn Trindade; Momina Haidri, district liaison for state Senate President Karen Spilka; Milford Regional Medical Center President and CEO Edward Kelly; Milford Regional Physician Group President Patrick McSweeney, MD; Medway Town Manager Michael Boynton; Lobisser Companies President Kevin Lobisser and state Rep. Brian Murray. Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Bella Ramirez at bramirez@thesunchronicle.com . US, G-7 allies warn Iran to back off deal to provide Russia ballistic missiles or face new sanctions The United States and allies are warning Iran that major Western economies will pile new sanctions on Tehran if it moves forward with an emerging plan to provide ballistic missiles to Russia for its war with Ukraine Ron Klein is the founding chair of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Democratic Council of America. He served in Congress representing Floridas 22nd District from 2007 to 2011. He wrote this for InsideSources.com . Benjamin Ginsberg, a research fellow at the Independent Institute, is a political science professor at Johns Hopkins University and the author of The New American Anti-Semitism: The Left, the Right, and the Jews. He wrote this for InsideSources.com . ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 15. Turkmenistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) discussed key areas of cooperation, Trend reports. According to an official source, these issues were discussed during a meeting between the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and EBRDs Vice President for Policy and Partnerships Mark Bowman. During the exchange of views on priority aspects of cooperation, the effective and long-term nature of Turkmenistan's cooperation with the EBRD was noted with satisfaction. The parties acknowledged that new, promising areas of partnership are emerging, including the energy sector, in addition to the positive outcomes attained. Berdimuhamedov stressed that Turkmenistan places a high value on developing and expanding cooperative international relations, which includes positive relationships with respectable financial organizations and banking systems. The Head of State expressed confidence that the meetings and negotiations with Turkmen colleagues planned during the current visit of the EBRD's Vice President to Ashgabat city will contribute to the further development of bilateral economic relations. The parties also emphasized Turkmenistan's dedication to cooperation in this field through diversification, where consistent efforts are being made to develop "green" energy and introduce environmentally friendly technologies into the industry. Turkmenistan boasts abundant natural resources, and this presents ample opportunity for the EBRD to be involved in projects and initiatives in the field of sustainable energy implemented in Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, in total, the EBRD's investments in Turkmenistan for all time exceed 334 million euros and cover 87 different projects in various sectors of the country's economy. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In the journey towards gender equality, the professional advancement of women remains a critical area where gender biases persistently hinder progress. Despite evolving workplace dynamics, women in various industries still encounter obstacles that curtail their progress. These biases not only hamper women's advancement but also diminish the advantages businesses could gain from a diverse workforce. According to a LinkedIn study, companies ranking in the top quartile for gender diversity are 25 per cent more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts financially. This suggests not only the ethical imperative of addressing gender inequality but also the substantial economic benefits of embracing diversity within the corporate sphere. The many faces of gender bias in workplaces Gender-based discrimination is a pervasive issue which impacts women on multiple fronts lower pay, under-representation in leadership roles, restriction to roles based on gender stereotypes, and microaggressions that render the working environment more stressful. The "broken rung" phenomenon, which marks a significant disparity in the promotion rates of women to managerial roles compared to men, severely limits the representation of women leaders. This issue creates a bottleneck at the crucial transition from entry-level to management, drastically shrinking the pool of women eligible for upper-level positions and thus constricting the leadership pipeline for female talent. The consequences are evident in womens professional advancement from 46 per cent at the entry level, womens representation is only 25 per cent at the C-suite, which drops to 12 per cent in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, as per LinkedIn Economic Graph findings. The scarcity of women in key positions restricts access to top executive roles, reinforcing gender imbalances within the corporate hierarchy. A 2023 study conducted by the CFA Institute sheds light on the expanding gender pay gap in India as women ascend the career ladder. Initially, the study indicates a near-equitable pay scale, with the average ratio of women's median remuneration to men's being 0.97, suggesting a close approach to gender pay parity at entry or mid-level positions. Yet, as the focus shifts to higher echelons of management, this semblance of parity sharply declines. For key management personnel (KMP), the ratio plummets to 0.52 nearly half of mens pay. Similarly, for director-level positions, the ratio stands at 0.64 highlighting a significant disparity as women progress to more senior roles. This data underlines the persistent challenges women face in achieving financial equality, particularly in leadership positions. Job stereotypes, deeply rooted in arbitrary societal norms, significantly restrict women's career opportunities. For instance, Smithsonian Magazine has documented that while women were historically predominant in early computing roles, viewed similarly to secretarial work, the industry's evolution towards higher complexity and pay reclassified it as a male-dominated field. This shift from women being the primary "computer girls" to a male-dominated tech industry exemplifies how stereotypes arbitrarily confine women to specific roles and sectors, limiting their professional scope based on gender rather than ability. Dismantling gender biases at workplaces Organisational policies are key to creating an inclusive, non-discriminatory workplace environment. This means implementing policies that not only recognise the existence of biases but actively work to eliminate them. Flexible work hours which studies find are demanded by both men and women can help those women who are involved in caregiving activities. Similarly, equitable pay, and fair parental leave policies (as opposed to maternal leaves) are foundational. Another aspect is to initiate cultural and mindset shifts. This involves making people aware of their unconscious and internalised biases. Training and sensitisation sessions may help to a certain extent, but it is also necessary to create room for more direct discussions on biases. Inculcating skills such as active listening can help employees resolve conflicts and allow women to directly raise their concerns within smaller teams. To mitigate gender biases in hiring, companies should refine job descriptions using neutral language, employ blind applications and skills assessments to focus on abilities over demographics and leverage data-driven tools to identify diverse candidates without bias. Ensuring structured interviews with diverse panels can further ensure fairness by removing prejudices from the line of questioning. These strategies collectively contribute to a more inclusive recruitment process, emphasising skill over gender. Mentorship is a powerful tool in the professional development of women. It provides them with guidance, encouragement, and access to networks that might otherwise be unavailable. Women leaders acting as mentors can share their journeys, challenges, and strategies for navigating professional landscapes dominated by gender biases. By seeing more women in leadership roles, aspiring professionals can find inspiration and a clearer path to their advancement. However, eliminating unconscious gender bias can also be driven when both leaders and mentees are exposed to diverse perspectives encompassing the entire gender spectrum. Having multiple mentors can challenge and dilute the impact of gender stereotypes by showcasing a broad spectrum of successful pathways and leadership styles, not confined to a single narrative or gendered expectation. Achieving workplace gender equality requires a comprehensive strategy to eliminate deep-rooted biases that limit women's advancement. Tackling issues from the "broken rung" to enforcing fair policies is essential for creating an inclusive workplace. By removing these gendered barriers, organisations not only champion gender equality but also tap into diverse perspectives that amplify innovation and financial success. Naghma Mulla is CEO of EdelGive Foundation. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK. Fair trade watchdog CCI, on Friday, ordered a probe against Google for alleged discriminatory practices with respect to its Play Store pricing policy after finding a prima facie violation of the competition law. The order for detailed investigation comes less than two years after the Competition Commission of India (CCI) penalised and passed various directions against Google regarding Play Store policies. The regulator's latest decision came on a raft of complaints that Google's updated payment policies in relation to its proprietary app storeGoogle Play Storewhich is alleged to be in violation of the competition law. The complainants are Anupam Mittal's People Interactive India Pvt Ltd, Mebigo Labs Pvt Ltd, Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and the Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF). The order also comes less than two weeks after Google removed some apps from the Play Store over payment issues and later reinstated them. In their complaints, they alleged that the payment policies are stated to be impacting several stakeholders, including app developers, payment processors and users alike. A Google spokesperson said it is examining the CCI's order to initiate the investigation. "The CCI has previously examined our service fee in detail between 2020 and 2022 and found no illegality. However, we take our commitment to comply with local laws and regulations in India seriously and will cooperate with the process in every way," the spokesperson said. The CCI noted that there were concerns regarding the revenue distribution model within the Google Play Store app developers potentially facing substantial costs, with nearly half of their chargeable value, towards the service fee of Google (up to 30 per cent) and an additional 20 per cent spent on advertising across Google's platforms and third-party apps. However, Google claimed that 97 per cent of developers pay no service fee at all. According to the regulator, Google has other revenue streams from the 'free apps' listed on Play Store, in the form of advertisement-related revenue or otherwise. Therefore, the watchdog said it appears that these 97 per cent of apps also contribute to the recoupment of the costs associated with the Play Store and Android ecosystem, in addition to the service fee. In its 21-page order, the regulator stated that Google has claimed that the service fee has been charged for a multitude of services provided by Play Store to app developers. If the fee is for the services rendered to app developers, then the reasoning given by Google does not appear to be reasonable, the watchdog noted. Further, it said the issue assumes importance in view of the fact that various physical delivery apps are very large in size and yet do not contribute towards recoupment of Google's investment in Play Store (as claimed by Google). "Extending this further, it is not clear as to why consumption-only apps have been allowed relaxation when their content is consumed within the app. On the whole, the applicability of service fee seems to be arbitrary and discriminatory," the CCI said. The watchdog has ordered a detailed probe by its Director General after prima-facie finding that Google has violated Section 4 of the Competition Act that pertains to abuse of dominant position. In the present matter, app developers appear to have insignificant bargaining power vis-a-vis Google and are forced to accept terms that deter legitimate competition and increase their costs of operation. The app developers have no choice but to agree to the terms and conditions unilaterally decided by Google, otherwise, they will not be able to access a vast pool of potential Android users in India, the regulator said. However, the CCI said it also appears that Google has used its virtual monopoly power to reap trading benefits which it would not have reaped if there had been effective competition. Given this complete dependence of app developers on Google Play Store, the price being charged by Google appears to be unfair in itself, it added. Among the complainants, People Interactive India operates online matchmaking classified services Shaadi.com and Sangam.com and Mebigo Labs owns the brand 'Kuku FM'. IBDF is an organisation that works towards the interests of the Indian television and digital media industries, and IDMIF is a subsidiary of IBDF. It has also been alleged by IBDF/IDMIF that Google is also discriminating among similarly placed apps in the OTT industry itself. The use of Google Play Billing System (GPBS) has not been mandated on that app so it is free to use its own embedded payment system. Under the GPBS, Google imposes a 15-30 per cent service fee/ commission for in-app purchases and subscriptions, whereas, for developers who choose its alternative billing systems (ABS) alongside GPBS, the rate of commission payable to Google is 11-26 per cent, marking a reduction of 4 per cent on the service fee. The complainants also alleged that Google had disregarded a previous order from the competition watchdog directing the tech giant to refrain from preventing app developers from charging in-app purchases on Google Play or from using third-party billing or payment processing services. This is the second major order passed by the CCI against Google in respect of the Play Store. In October 2022, the CCI slapped a penalty of Rs 936.44 crore on the internet major for abusing its dominant position with respect to its Play Store policies. Besides, Google has directed the company to cease and desist from unfair business practices as well as carry out various measures to address the anti-competitive issues within a defined timeline. The ruling was challenged by Google. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who suffered injuries on her forehead and nose, is stable and has been discharged from the hospital, said a senior official of the state administration. However, SSKM hospital director Manimoy Bandyopadhyay's statement that the chief minister was admitted to the hospital with a "history of (a) fall within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind" raised concerns. The hospital director told reporters on Thursday evening that doctors administered three stitches on her forehead and another on the nose. "Chief Minister of West Bengal reported to our hospital today around 7.30 pm with a history of a fall within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind. She had a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut over her forehead and nose, which was bleeding profusely," Bandyopadhyay said while addressing reporters outside the hospital. Mamata, 69, was inside her Kalighat residence in South Kolkata when she sustained injuries. The Bengal CM underwent three stitches on her forehead and one on her nose and was discharged following necessary medical tests at the hospital. "She had a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut on her forehead and nose which was bleeding profusely. Initially, she was assessed by senior doctors of the neurosurgery, medicine, and cardiology departments of our institute and her vitals were stabilised. Three stitches were applied on her forehead, and one on her nose and the required dressing was done. Investigations like ECG, echocardiogram, CT-Scan, and Doppler were done," Bandyopadhyay said. Though the chief minister was advised to stay in the hospital, she 'preferred to go home'. "The CM's health condition is stable. She had a good sleep in the night as senior doctors kept a close watch on her throughout the period. This morning there will be another assessment of her condition," the official told PTI on Friday morning. However, the police said yet are to receive any complaint in connection with the fall. The department, however, has upped the security arrangements in and around Banerjee's residence. "As of now, there has been no complaint lodged in connection with the fall of the CM. We have increased the security around the CM's residence," the officer told PTI, adding that they were looking at whether there was any security lapse or not. Banerjee gets a "Z+ category" cover and has a special team of officers looking after her security and even at her residence. Earlier in the day, the TMC informed that Banerjee sustained a 'major injury' to her forehead after a fall at her residence in Kolkata's Kalighat on Thursday. The party also shared Mamata's pictures from the hospital bed, with a deep cut on her forehead and blood dripping down her face. Party national general secretary and Banerjee's nephew Abhishek took her to the hospital in his vehicle and got her admitted to the hospital. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on Friday, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the PM was corrupt and the Supreme Court exposed how the BJP made money through electoral bonds. Kharge claimed that the BJP misused the central agencies to coerce potential donors to part with huge sums of money. Hinting that there was a possibility of trade-offs between the donors and Modi government, Kharge demanded a special inquiry into the electoral bonds scheme and freezing of BJPs bank accounts till the completion of the investigation. Addressing a press meet at KPCC office in Bengaluru, Kharge said, Prime minister used to claim 'Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga (I will neither take bribe nor allow others to take bribe). But today, the Supreme Court just exposed how the BJP has made money out of the electoral bonds. The data released by the State Bank of India shows that BJP got 50 per cent of all donations, while Congress got only 11 per cent. If you look at the voting pattern, Congress holds one-third of the votes, while the rest, including the BJP, make up for two-thirds of all votes. However, when it comes to donations, the BJP got more than 50 per cent. This shows there are many dubious donors, who were embroiled in ED or IT cases. It appears the Modi government and the BJP pressurised these people to part with more donations. There is no other reason why BJP would get such a huge share of the donations. Our account which had Rs 300 crore has been made inoperative. But BJP has Rs 6,000 crore in its accounts. Now, how do you expect us to go for elections? Where is the level playing field? I demand a probe on how the BJP raised such a huge sum as I suspect the donors received favours or were coerced into purchasing the electoral bonds. Did the government offer to close the cases against some of these donors in exchange for bonds? Some who were labelled as corrupt suddenly became clean after joining the BJP. Some got important positions too, claimed Kharge. Earlier, Rajya Sabha member Ajay Maken pointed out that the Election Commission of India website, on the orders of SC, had put up a list of all those who purchased the bonds. The list has exposed a saga of corruption and high-handedness of the BJP as it has misused the electoral bonds as instruments of corruption. As per the list, a total of 22,217 bonds were issued since 2018. But the website had details of only 18,871 bonds. The details pertaining to 3,346 bonds amounting to Rs 2,500 crore is not available. Now, who is the Modi government trying to shield is the big question. Second, as the Congress president has demanded, there should be an investigation directly under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The probe should link the IT, ED notices issued and raids carried out to the electoral bonds purchased. The names of some companies tell us they are the same companies that were raided and issued notices by the central agencies. They were forced to purchase the bonds and give to the BJP, said Maken adding that a major disparity was in the share of bonds. The ruling party holds more than 50 per cent of the bonds but the principal opposition has only 11 per cent share. This is a difference of 39 per cent and in the last elections, the difference was only 17 per cent. This clearly proves that the BJP government used coercion through central agencies to get more bonds for the party. The BJPs bank account should be immediately frozen as the SC has said the Electoral Bond Scheme is unconstitutional and has scrapped the scheme. Now how can it allow BJP to use that money for conducting elections, asked Maken, who ridiculed the government for freezing the Congress partys bank account over an old and frivolous case. IT department has frozen the Congress partys account which had Rs 300 crore, on frivolous grounds. How can they freeze the account just three weeks before the announcement of the elections? The BJP is allowed to use the ill-gotten money procured in an obscure manner from big corporate houses using force by IT and ED. The Congress had got money through its partyworkers and through crowd sourcing by NSUI. But all that money is now in the frozen account, rued Maken. Answering a question, Kharge clarified that his party would decide on the next course of action at the working committee meeting to be held shortly. I will consult my party members. I am not a Modi and I believe in consultation, taunted Kharge. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday raided the house of BRS leader K. Kavitha in Hyderabad in connection with the Delhi liquor police case. The raids follow after BRS MLC and the daughter of former Telangana chief minister Chandrashekar Rao skipped the ED summons multiple times. ED had issued summons in January and February this year. The ED had claimed Kavitha was linked to a 'south group' named lobby of liquor traders who were trying to play a larger role under the now scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. Reacting to the raids BRS spokesperson Sravan Dasoju said that searches were politically motivated and both BJP and Congress are hand-in-glove to harass leaders of the KCR-led party. Earlier, she was questioned by ED in March 2023 in connection with the case. It is alleged that Kavitha was in touch with Vijay Nair, the communication head of AAP, who was engaging with businessmen from the liquor industry and politicians during the execution of the policies. In connection with the money laundering case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in February last year arrested Butchibabu Gorantla, Kavitha's chartered accountant. Arun Ramachandra Pillai, who advocated for her in various meetings with Nair and others, was arrested by ED in March. The ED officials had said that Butchibabu in his statement agreed that there was political understanding between Kavitha and other ministers under scanner in connection with the case. There was a political understanding between K Kavitha and the chief minister of Delhi (Arvind Kejriwal) and (former) deputy CM (Manish Sisodia) of Delhi. In that process, K Kavitha has also met Vijay Nair on 19th-20th March 2021," read Butchibabu's statement to the officials. ED also alleged that Pillai acted as the representative for Kavitha's illicit or unauthorised investments. The Central Asian country plans to increase its export of IT services to $5 billion by 2030 (compared to $344 million in 2023). A special economic zone, IT Park, has already attracted over 400 foreign firms to base themselves there thanks to attractive policies implemented by the Uzbekistan Government. The Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park of Uzbekistan jointly hosted their first US event this week to attract more American companies to outsource their IT needs to the country. Uzbekistan is planning to become the worlds IT outsourcing hub, displacing traditional locations India and China, delegates heard at the first Uzbekistan Outsourcing Conference on 7 March in New York. In India, escalating labor costs and high levels of employee churn are eroding its competitive edge while China's outsourcing landscape is fraught with regulatory complexities and intellectual property concerns, casting a shadow of uncertainty over foreign investments. In contrast, Uzbekistan offers a stable and welcoming environment, underpinned by a supportive government and a burgeoning tech workforce. Its strategic location, competitive labour costs, and proactive business incentives present an attractive proposition for foreign companies seeking to optimize costs and access top-tier talent. Uzbekistan plans to boost the export of IT services to $5 billion by 2030 (compared to $344 million in 2023). The event, jointly hosted by The Ministry of Digital Technologies and special economic zone IT Park of Uzbekistan, outlined to an array of US firms the special incentives Uzbekistans government has put into place that have already attracted more than 400 foreign firms to IT Park. International companies already based at IT park include Esokia, Optimo, AMCBridge, Dyninno, Vention, Gcore, and Reasunta Technology. Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Sherzod 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 such as . Alongside the comprehensive support we have introduced, our main asset is out educated and talented youth. Of a population of Uzbekistan's population of 36 million, 60% are young people with an average age of 29. We already have more than 1800 companies at IT Park, and we look forward to welcoming new US companies. Incentives already being offered to foreign companies who choose to base their IT outsourcing needs at IT Park include exemption from corporation and social tax (up to 25%), 7.5% income tax (as opposed to 12%) and a VAT waiver on import or services. In 2024, the Uzbekistan government also launched "Enterprise Uzbekistan", a special legal regime designed to further encourage digital innovation and R&D. Key areas covered include customs and taxation, labour relations, finance and banking, data use and protection, intellectual property protection, and the resolution of commercial and civil disputes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu and charged they know only to cheat and insult women. Modi charged the alliance questioned its move to pass the women's reservation bill. Addressing a BJP rally in Kanyakumari, Modi said, The workers of DMK and Congress only know how to cheat and insult women. The people of Tamil Nadu know how the workers of DMK behaved with former chief minister Jayalalithaa. They do politics in the name of women. DMK leaders also questioned our move to bring the Women's Reservation Bill, ANI reported. "DMK is the enemy of the future and the culture of Tamil Nadu. Before the Ayodhya Ram temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, I came to Tamil Nadu and visited the prominent temples in the state. But, the DMK government tried to stop the telecast of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony, the prime minister charged. Modi said the Supreme Court had to reprimand Tamil Nadu government in this regard. They also didn't like the installation of the Sengol in the new parliament. It is our government which cleared the way for the Jallikattu, Modi claimed. The prime minister alleged DMK-Congress alliance history is of scams and corruption hence it can never make Tamil Nadu a developed state. He said the DMK and Congress wanted to come to power to 'loot' people and alleged that the DMK was the 'biggest beneficiary' of the 2G Spectrum scam. While the BJP has development initiatives to showcase to people, the PM said, opposition bloc INDIA, however, only, has 'scams.' He went on to detail such scams saying the 'list is big'. Modi alleged that DMK has hatred towards the country, its culture and heritage and that the Dravidian party is an enemy of Tamil Nadu's future and its culture. -with agency inputs. The data on Electoral Bonds released by the Election Commission on Thursday revealed the top political funders of the now-scrapped scheme over the last five years, which include firms that face Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) department investigations. Interestingly, three of the top five donors, including number one donor Future Gaming, Hyderabad-based infrastructure firm Megha Engineering and mining giant Vedanta, face probe from federal investigation agencies. While Future purchased bonds worth Rs 1,300 crore between 2019 and 2024, Megha has purchased Rs 980 crores between 2019 and 2023. Vedanta, the fifth largest buyer of electoral bonds, bought electoral bonds worth Rs 375.65 crore. Future, owned by Santiago Martin, has several run-ins with law enforcement agencies, including an ED probe into money laundering allegations. The ED had also searched the premises of Aadhav Arjun, son-in-law of Santiago Martin, earlier this month in connection with an illegal sand mining case. Megha, which carries out infrastructure projects in irrigation, water management, power, hydrocarbons, transportation, buildings, and industries, faced IT raids at the groups offices in Hyderabad in October 2019. However, the firm denied that it was a raid or a search and called it "routine inspection." Recently a CAG audit report had mentions about Megha, alleging bribery and misappropriation of funds worth crores for the work it had done in a major irrigation project in Telangana. The report said the firm pocketed thousands of crores of rupees of public money in the ill-famed Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. The report also pointed fingers at the company's closeness with the previous BRS government. Vedanta came under ED radar for its alleged involvement in a bribe-for-visa case in mid-2018 where certain Chinese nationals were given visas by alleged bending of rules. Few months later, Vedanta Ltd purchased bonds worth over Rs 39 crore. A money laundering probe is also on against the firm. Besides these three firms, other firms that feature on the donor list with ED, IT behind them include Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, which was raided by IT officials in 2020 and DLF Commercial Developers Limited which faced CBI raids in January 2019 over alleged irregularities in allocation of land, reported The Quint. While Yashoda purchased Rs 162 crore in electoral bonds in October 2021, DLF donated Rs 130 crore in electoral bonds. The IT sleuths had also targetted Chennai Greenwoods Private Limited (Rs 105 crore in bonds), Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited (Rs 80 crore), NCC Limited (Rs 60 crore), United Phosphorus India Limited (50 crore), Aurobindo Pharma (1.6 crore) and Divi S Laboratory Limited (55 crore). The data on Electoral Bonds released by the Election Commission on Thursday had several names, including billionaire tycoons to lesser-known entities, as buyers. Though the exhaustive list included who's who of the business world, including steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, Sunil Bharti Mittal's Bharti Airtel, Anil Agarwal's Vedanta, ITC, Mahindra and Mahindra, DLF, PVR, Birlas, Bajajs, Jindals, Spicejet, IndiGo and the Goenkas, it was another name that stood out for making the biggest donation. It is a little-known lottery company called Future Gaming and Hotel Services. Future Gaming and Hotel Services purchased possibly the highest amount of bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore. The company was founded by Santiago Martin, also known as the Lottery King, in 1991. Martin, who was a labourer in Myanmar, returned home to start a lottery business in 1988 which was the Martin Lottery Agencies Ltd in Coimbatore. This later metamorphosed into Future Gaming and Hotel Services. Though it operated out of Tamil Nadu, Future Gaming later shifted base to Karnataka and Kerala after then Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha had banned lottery in the state in 2003. Today its operations are spread across 13 states, including the North East where it is the sole distributor of the popular Dear Lottery. According to the company website, Martin was also the Consul General for Liberia, where he also set up a lottery industry, the Future Gaming website states. He is also the President of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries, a lobby of lottery distributors, stockists and agents. But, Martin faces many legal troubles. The Enforcement Directorate attached assets of lottery company Future Gaming & Hotel Services Private Limited and its various sub-distributors worth over Rs 409 crore in a money laundering case in April 2022. The attached assets were in the form of balances in bank accounts and Mutual Fund Holdings. The ED in a statement had alleged that Future Gaming & Hotel Services Pvt. Ltd., its various sub-distributors, and area-distributors criminally conspired together and illegally retained unsold lottery tickets and claimed top prizes on such unsold tickets in the pre-GST period till 2017. Further, sale proceeds of lottery tickets have been illegally diverted towards gifts and incentives by modifying the prize structure of lottery schemes without any approval from the state governments. In this manner, Future Gaming and its sub-distributor companies illegally claimed around Rs 400 crore between 2014 and 2017, said the ED in a statement. The ED also searched the premises of Aadhav Arjun, son-in-law of Santiago Martin, earlier this month in connection with an illegal sand mining case. In 2015, Martin was accused in lottery scams in Kerala and the CBI had filed a Central Bureau of Investigation charge sheet that alleged the company sold lotteries from the government of Sikkim in Kerala. He was reportedly close to the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) and had made a film based on a script by former Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi in 2011. He was arrested in Tamil Nadu in August 2011 over an alleged land grab case when J Jayalalithaa was the chief minister. With the Lok Sabha elections just around the corner, the BJP is facing a setback as the Sadashivanagar police on Thursday night registered an FIR against BJP veteran and former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012, for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor at his Bengaluru residence. The police have registered a case under the POCSO Act and section 354(a) (sexual harassment) of the IPC. The complainant, mother of a 17-year-old girl, stated that she, along with her minor daughter, a rape victim, had visited the former CMs residence on February 2 around 11 am to seek help in a cheating case related to trading business. As per the FIR, the complainant alleged that Yediyurappa listened to her problems for nine minutes and when she urged him to get the cheating case investigated by a special investigation team (SIT), he said he could not help her in the matter. Further, the woman alleged that all through the conversation Yediyurappa was holding her daughters hand and later took the minor girl into a room and sexually harassed her by touching her inappropriately. I did not have the courage to report the matter earlier. But now, I thought the issue is too serious to be ignored, stated the complainant in the FIR. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar rushing to the home ministers residence on Friday morning had led to speculations over the authenticity of Yediyurappas case. Incidentally, the complainant, a 53-year-old woman has filed around 53 cases against various people including former police officers Alok Kumar and Bhaskar Rao and their staff for supporting alleged criminals and ruining her life. Two videos purportedly taken by the complainant during her visit to Yediyurappas residence have also surfaced where the mother is seen holding Yediyurappas hand while talking to him. Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed that a complaint had been lodged by a woman on Thursday night. The FIR has been filed after examining the complaint. The investigation will begin soon. Some people have informed me that the woman is mentally unstable. However, we have filed an FIR based on her complaint which was given to the police in a typed letter. As it involves a senior leader and a former chief minister, it is a very sensitive issue. We will investigate the case, said Parameshwar. Yediyurappa, who convened an emergency press meeting at his residence on Friday morning said, A woman has filed a complaint against me. I have seen this woman and her daughter standing outside the house several times. But I never entertained them. But last month, since they were crying, I invited them into the house and inquired about their problem. The former CM further said, They told me they had suffered injustice. I called the police commissioner Dayanand and asked him to help them. But they started talking ill about me and I sensed that they had some mental health issues. I asked them to contact the police commissioner. The police commissioner spoke to them. Yediyurappa alleged that the woman had now twisted the case and filed an FIR against him. I will deal with it legally. But I am wondering how helping someone can backfire. I had even given them some money as they said they had hardship. Now this is the development. I did not anticipate this. But I will face it, he added. The government, on Friday, rebuffed criticism of the Citizenship Amendment Act by the US and others, saying it is an internal matter of India and "lectures" against it is "misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted." Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said CAA is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with the country's inclusive traditions and long-standing commitment to human rights. "The act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before 31st December 2014," he said, and clarified that the act is about giving citizenship and not taking it away. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights, he noted. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had said on Thursday that the US is concerned about the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act and is closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. "Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles," Miller had said. Directly addressing this statement, Jaiswal said, As regards the US State Department's statement on the implementation of CAA, and there have been comments made by several others, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted. He said India's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens, and there are no grounds for any concern or treatment of minorities. "Vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress. Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India's pluralistic traditions and the region's post-partition history are best not attempted. Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken." Amid intensifying Israel-Hamas war, a ship carrying 200 tonnes of aid from Cyrus reached the coast of Gaza on Friday in order to bring more assistance to the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. The ship, manned by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday. The food in the ship was sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jos Andrs. Facing severe humanitarian crisis, Gazans are reeling under starvation and outbreak of severe illnesses. Many countries including the United States started airdropping supplies to the isolated region of northern Gaza. The aid groups said the airdrops and sea shipments were far less efficient ways of delivering the massive amounts of aid to Gazans. The groups have called on Israel to guarantee safe corridors for truck convoys after land deliveries became nearly impossible because of military restrictions. Despite Israel's evacuation orders, nearly 3,00,000 Palestinians are believed to be still in northern Gaza. A second aid ship is being readied to supply more aid to Gaza through the route, said Cyprus' Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. Israel denies attack on aid distribution point Israel denies Gaza Health Ministry's claim that it targeted an aid distribution point that claimed 20 lives and wounded 155 others. "Approximately one hour before the arrival of the convoy to the humanitarian corridor, armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy," said a statement by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). The violence occurred late Thursday near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, which has been a distribution point of aid in north Gaza over the past weeks. The health ministry said a group waiting there for aid was hit by Israeli shelling. Also, it seems the truce proposal for Gaza has hit a stonewall. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has downplayed the chances of truce in Gaza after Hamas gave its 'comprehensive vision' to mediators. According to Netanyahu's office, Hamas was still "holding to unrealistic demands". In the detailed plan proposed by Hamas includes initial release of Israeli women, children, elderly and ill hostages in return for the release of 700-1,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons. Voting has begun in Russia for Presidential elections which will see ballots being cast for three days from March 15 to 17 across the country's 11 time zones. Polling stations opened in the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia's easternmost region, at 8 am local time on Friday and will finally close in the westernmost Kaliningrad enclave at 8 pm on Sunday. However, there is little doubt over who the next President will be as incumbent Vladimir Putin is largely expected to secure a fifth term as leader. Interestingly, the voting is also held in the newly annexed regions of Ukraine. Russians also can vote online, the first time the option has been used in a presidential contest and over 200,000 people in Moscow reportedly made use of the facility. There are also provisions to vote in all countries where Russia has diplomatic missions, including in India. Moscow has said that expatriate Russians will also be able to vote in March's presidential election even if they live in "unfriendly" countries that have imposed sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The election comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third year with Kremlin making substantial advantages on the battlefield. The country had also witnessed protests against Putin's regime over the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the subsequent crackdown. Critics call the elections a sham, considering that there isn't a powerful opposition for the President, besides the absence of an Independent watchdog to monitor the elections. "The elections in Russia as a whole are a sham. The Kremlin controls whos on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign. To say nothing of being able to control every aspect of the voting and the vote-counting process," Sam Greene, director for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington, told the Associated Press. Critics also allege that the Kremlin is keen on luring young voters to ensure an increased voter turnout, thereby putting pressure on students, graduate students and young workers to vote. "The presidential administration demands that regional leaders step up their efforts to attract more loyal people to vote. They are specifically drawing attention to students and young professionals. We are complying," The Moscow Times, an independent website covering Russia, quoted a Moscow City Hall official. The report added that the Kremlin wants to achieve "impressive numbers" that will serve as a signal to the West of Putin's "indestructibility" and total domestic support. "The end goal is to make the West understand that our young people are for Putin, not for runaway oppositionists and certainly not for [Alexei] Navalny," the Russian government official told the website. "Well, and to make the boss himself [Putin] feel pleased." To ensure on historic, "never-before-seen" turnout, the Kremlin had embarked on an extensive campaign to get citizens to vote that includes pressure tactics as well as freebies. There are allegations that officials are trying to attract residents to polling stations with free lunches, concert tickets and raffles for prizes ranging from bags of sugar to a new car. It added that the residents of the Altai region are being offered the chance to win brand-new sanctioned goods such as an iPhone 15 and Dyson hairstyling devices. Other prizes up for grabs include motorcycles, apartments, and Chinese smartphones and free food. To win one of the prizes, voters are to take part in an election day trivia quiz where they will have to answer a series of questions about the regions history. "You can literally answer all the quiz questions incorrectly and still win a prize. It is all random," The Moscow Times quoted a local news outlet. Washington, Mar 14 (AP) President Joe Biden is coming out in opposition to the planned sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying in a statement to be released Thursday that the US needs to "maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers. In a statement obtained in advance by The Associated Press, Biden adds: US Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated." By opposing the merger, Biden has chosen to support unionized workers in a critical election year at the risk of upsetting the business community and an essential ally in Japan. Thursday's announcement, coming as Biden is campaigning in the Midwest, could have ripples in his race against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. The Democratic president has made the restoration of American manufacturing a cornerstone of his agenda as he seeks reelection, and he has the endorsements of the AFL-CIO and several other prominent unions. Nippon Steel announced in December that it planned to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for USD 14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and US national security. The Japanese company has tried to assuage critics by promising no job losses due to the merger. It also committed to keeping the US Steel name and Pittsburgh headquarters, while noting it already has a presence in the American market and would bring in new resources to foster job growth. The company, which is the world's fourth largest steel producer, launched a website with supportive statements from Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary, and Pat Toomey, a Republican and former senator from Pennsylvania. Shortly after the steel deal was announced, the White House indicated it would be under review by the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The government does not officially provide updates on the CFIUS review process. Biden has a big megaphone to weigh in on the matter, but he is not intervening in the review process or formally blocking the deal, according to a person familiar with deliberations who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation. Still, the president holds sway over CFIUS. The treasury secretary leads the committee, which is also composed of the heads of federal agencies and, as deemed appropriate, directors of White House councils on the economy and national security. Trump said earlier this year after meeting with the Teamsters union that he would stop the U.S. Steel acquisition: I would block it. I think it's a horrible thing, when Japan buys US Steel. I would block it instantaneously." Biden will travel on Thursday to Saginaw, Michigan, which was once home to multiple General Motors plants and where he hopes his backing from union workers can resonate with voters. The city is in a swing county that narrowly backed Trump in 2016 and then flipped to Biden in 2020, making it a crucial contest in this year's presidential race. Biden has a close relationship with the United Steelworkers. He gave the union members personal assurances" that he has their backs, according to a February statement by the union about Nippon Steel's plans. US Steel is headquartered in Pennsylvania, another key state in this year's election. The United Steelworkers issued a statement last week after meeting with representatives from Nippon Steel that it had concerns about whether the company would honour existing labour agreements and about the company's financial transparency, adding that there were barriers to closing a merger. The US considers Japan to be one of its closest allies and a key partner in countering China's ambitions and influence in Asia. Biden has visited the country twice as president and will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 10. But Nippon Steel's connections to China have raised concerns within the Biden administration. More than half the steel produced globally comes from China, according to the World Steel Association. India is the second-largest producer, followed by Japan and the United States. The US Chamber of Commerce warned in a February blog post that it would be foolhardy of the Biden administration to block the deal. Doing so could hurt foreign investment into the United States, cause other countries to block the overseas investments that US companies want to make and undermine the US-Japan alliance, the chamber said. John Murphy, the head of international issues for the chamber, said Thursday that it was inappropriate and counterproductive of Biden to politicize the CFIUS review. It's imperative that the CFIUS review proceed; and if, as expected, it reveals no national security concerns, the sale should proceed, Murphy said. But Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, who is up for reelection, applauded Biden's statement, saying, I'll work like hell against any deal that leaves our Steelworkers behind." (AP) RUP RUP RUP Kolkata, Mar 15 (PTI) Energy and environmental services major, Thermax Ltd, said on Friday that it is in discussion with several steel companies in the eastern region for a commercial-scale high-ash coal gasification project. This project will be the first of its kind in the eastern region. Thermax is also in dialogue with Coal India on coal gasification technology. CIL has plans to set up a coal-to-SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) project in the Eastern Coalfields Limited command area. In this domain, Thermax claims to have patented technology. "We are currently in talks with steel companies for a project that will pioneer high-ash coal gasification in the eastern region. Deliberations are going on regarding the funding, which is facing a viability gap of approximately 30-40 per cent of the project cost," Thermax MD and CEO Ashish Bhandari said. Although the government is expected to provide viability gap funding of around 15 per cent, companies will need to address the remaining funding gap, he said. "We have also committed to investing in this commercial-scale demonstration project. He added that the viability gap is minimal in the steel industry compared to other use cases like power and anticipates that the first demonstration project might be established in West Bengal," Bhandari said. The gasification project is envisioned to have a capacity of 100-150 tonnes of coal per day, with an estimated cost of about Rs 600 crore. Bhandari expects greater clarity soon from the government regarding funding and execution details for such projects. The Ministry of Coal aims to stimulate investments and technological advancements in coal/lignite gasification projects through strategic initiatives and policy frameworks, aligning with India's vision for a cleaner and energy-efficient future. The government has approved Rs 8,500 crore for viability gap funding of coal gasification projects, with a target to gasify 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal by 2030. CIL has plans to set up a coal-to-SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) project in the Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) command area through a joint venture with GAIL, and a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project in the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) command area through a joint venture with BHEL. Meanwhile, Thermax held a roadshow in Kolkata showcasing cleaner energy technologies. Bhandari said the revenue mix from the energy transition mix is growing and it will become 60 per cent over the next six years. The Pune-based company recorded a consolidated operating revenue of Rs 2,324 crore in the third quarter of FY 2023-24, 13 per cent higher as compared to Rs 2,049 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Islamabad, Mar 15 (PTI) The Iranian ambassador to Pakistan has said a Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan is likely to be finalised during the planned visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad, according to a media report on Friday. Iranian Ambassador Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam, while addressing a business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Thursday, said the FTA would increase mutual trade and several bilateral economic and trade agreements would also be signed during the visit, the Dawn newspaper reported. However, the Iranian envoy did not provide any details such as the timing of the upcoming visit of his countrys president. He also said that the two countries need to have strong air, maritime and sea links, which will strengthen the economic relations and Pakistan will also be connected to regional and global trade. The envoy emphasised the closeness of maritime links, especially Karachi and Gwadar and Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports and said that Gwadar and Chabahar should be declared as sister ports. He said the current bilateral trade volume was just USD 2.5 billion, which increased by 11 per cent in the last 11 months. After the FTA and bilateral agreements for the promotion of mutual trade, there is a strong possibility that the mutual trade between Pakistan and Iran would reach USD 5 billion in the next few years, he added. He said Pakistan and Iran can fulfil 70 per cent of each others needs by engaging in mutual trade, just as Iran imports halal meat, Pakistan can do a lot of work in Iran in this sector. The envoy added that the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline was a significant project, which would benefit both the domestic and industrial sectors of Pakistan. Iran is serious about resolving Pakistans energy problems and that is why Tehran completed the gas pipeline project for USD 1 billion in 2009 so that Pakistan could meet its energy needs, he said, adding that it was essential that the project be completed at the earliest. He added that Iran was already trading in the gas and the energy sector with Turkiye, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, therefore Pakistan can also follow the procedure adopted by these countries. He acknowledged that the banking channel between Pakistan and Iran was a serious issue, but Iran has banking links with Turkiye, Bahrain and Iraq, reported the paper. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The ship was attacked 50 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says, Trend reports. "UKMTO has received information about an incident 50 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen," the statement said. The incident was considered an "attack". Other details have not yet been provided. Singapore, Mar 15 (PTI) A Malaysian of Indian origin was sentenced to three weeks jail on Friday, for driving a bus that ran over a passengers legs after she fell while alighting, resulting in both her limbs having to be amputated above the knee. Gunaselan R Subramaniam, 45, was disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for two years from his date of release, according to a report by The Straits Times. He was also prohibited from driving any vehicles in Singapore for two years from his release date. He had been convicted on March 8 of causing grievous hurt to Tuminah Sapie, who was 74 at the time, by driving the bus in a negligent manner. On June 24, 2019, Gunaselan stopped the vehicle at a Woodlands Checkpoint departure concourse at around 10.45 am for passengers to get off. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ariel Tan told the court that Gunaselan had failed to conduct checks before driving off as he was talking on his mobile phone. Another passenger that day testified in court that she had heard him talking on the device while passengers were stepping out of the vehicle. Malay-origin Tuminah, who was the last passenger exiting the bus, told District Judge Cheng Yuxi that she was standing on the steps near the rear exit of the vehicle when she felt it moving. She had testified that she could not control her body when the bus moved suddenly and fell out of the vehicle. When she was on the ground, she felt her legs being run over by the bus, said DPP Tan. She was rushed to hospital. Tuminahs right lower limb was mangled and she also had multiple fractures. She had degloving injuries in her groin area and left lower limb too. The term refers to when the top layers of skin and tissue are ripped from the underlying muscle or bone. The injuries which resulted in the amputation of her legs above the knees constitute grievous hurt, said the DPP. Gunaselan admitted in earlier proceedings that he had felt his bus going up a hump after he closed the doors and drove off a short distance. The broadsheet cited the prosecutor telling the court, The accused fell short of the requisite standard of care as he failed to conduct the necessary checks before driving off. For causing grievous hurt to another person by performing a negligent act, an offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to SGD5,000. Washington, Mar 15 (PTI) India-US security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead and the work of the two countries on emerging technologies will take on even more promise, a top American diplomat said on Thursday, reiterating the remarks of President Joe Biden that this is the defining partnership of the 21st century. As both President Biden and Prime Minister Modi have said, our impact on each other is important, but what we can do for the world is even more important. Whether its addressing food insecurity or battling the next pandemic or connecting millions to the digital economy, there is so much we can do together, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, wrote in a blog post in his recent return from India. Verma is the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the State Department. He was also the first ever Indian-American to serve as the US Ambassador to India. So, where are we headed? Verma wrote as he described in detail the significant growth in the India-US relationship over the last few decades. He identified defence, democracy and technology as three key areas of cooperation between the two countries. Our security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead. The threats we face are real, but building our collective capabilities, increasing sharing of information, and improving maritime domain awareness and interoperability will ensure India continues to be a provider of net security across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, Verma wrote. Our work on protecting, preserving, and strengthening democracy will continue to be even more important, with the rise of authoritarian leaders and movements. This includes continuing to strengthen a global rules-based order architecture, ensuring we bridge the divide on income inequality, and battling mis and disinformation. Democracy must continue to deliver for our peoples, he said. Our work on emerging technologies will take on even more promise. New and emerging technologies offer tremendous opportunities for economic growth and development. At the same time, recent disruptive cyber attacks, carried out by criminals and nation states, demonstrate the risk that cyber vulnerabilities can pose to global peace and security, said the top American diplomat. We must work together to tackle data privacy issues, such as identity theft, by exchanging knowledge on data protection issues. Through the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership, the US is working closely with India to build and maintain internet infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity protections. From semiconductors to critical minerals to space exploration and innovation in clean energy, battling climate change, and so much more, this is about economic and physical security, Verma wrote. Dubai, Mar 15 (AP) Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have a new, hypersonic missile in their arsenal, Russia's state media reported on Thursday, potentially raising the stakes in their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways against the backdrop of Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The report by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited an unidentified official but provided no evidence for the claim. It comes as Moscow maintains an aggressively counter-Western foreign policy amid its grinding war on Ukraine. However, the Houthis have for weeks hinted about surprises they plan for the battles at sea to counter the United States and its allies, which have so far been able to down any missile or bomb-carrying drone that comes near their warships in Mideast waters. On Thursday, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthis' secretive supreme leader, said the rebels will start hitting ships heading toward the Cape of Good Hope in Africa's southern tip. Until now, the rebels have largely struck ships heading into the Red Sea toward the Suez Canal, and such an escalation would target the longer, alternative route used by some vessels. It remains unclear how they would carry any possible assault out. Meanwhile, Iran and the US reportedly held indirect talks in Oman, the first in months amid their long-simmering tensions over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme and attacks by its proxies. Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, claims to have a hypersonic missile and has widely armed the rebels with the missiles they now use. Adding a hypersonic missile to their arsenal could pose a more formidable challenge to the air defence systems employed by America and its allies, including Israel. The group's missile forces have successfully tested a missile that is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and runs on solid fuel," a military official close to the Houthis said, according to the RIA report. The Houthis intend to begin manufacturing it for use during attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel". Mach 8 is eight times the speed of sound. Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds higher than Mach 5, could pose crucial challenges to missile defence systems because of their speed and maneuverability. Ballistic missiles fly on a trajectory in which anti-missile systems like the US-made Patriot can anticipate their path and intercept them. The more irregular the missile's flight path, such as a hypersonic missile with the ability to change directions, the more difficult it becomes to intercept. China is believed to be pursuing the weapons, as is America. Russia claims it has already used them. In Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi boasted that his fighters continue to expand the effectiveness and scope of our operations to areas and locations the enemy never expects. He said they would prevent ships connected to the Israeli enemy even crossing the Indian Ocean ... heading toward the Cape of Good Hope". The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas' October 7 attack on southern Israel. The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, have increasingly had little or no connection to Israel, the US or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted. The Houthis don't have a navy, nor weapons reaching into the far distances of the Indian Ocean, making their Cape of Good Hope threat difficult. However, Iran is suspected of targeting Israeli-linked vessels previously in the Indian Ocean. The Houthis have claimed attacks assessed to have been carried out by Iran in the past, such as the 2019 attack on Saudi Arabia that temporarily halved its oil production. After seizing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Houthis ransacked government arsenals, which held Soviet-era Scud missiles and other arms. As the Saudi-led coalition entered Yemen's conflict on behalf of its exiled government in 2015, the Houthis' arsenal was increasingly targeted. Soon and despite Yemen having no indigenous missile manufacturing infrastructure newer missiles made their way into rebel hands. Iran long has denied arming the Houthis, likely because of a years-long United Nations arms embargo on the rebels. However, the US and its allies have seized multiple arms shipments bound for the rebels in Mideast waters. Weapons experts as well have tied Houthi arms seized on the battlefield back to Iran. Iran also now claims to have a hypersonic weapon. In June, Iran unveiled its Fattah, or Conqueror in Farsi, missile, which it described as being a hypersonic. It described another as being in development. Iran's mission to the UN did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Asked about the hypersonic claim, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said: We have no indication that they even have that capability. Israel's military declined to comment. Also Thursday, The Financial Times reported that the US and Iran held indirect talks in Oman in January that America hoped would curtail the Red Sea attacks. The last known round of such talks had come last May. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency indirectly acknowledged the talks but insisted they were merely limited to negotiations on lifting anti-Iran sanctions. The US State Department did not deny the January talks took place in a statement to The Associated Press, saying: We have many channels for passing messages to Iran. Since October 7, all of (the communications) have been focused on raising the full range of threats emanating from Iran and the need for Iran to cease its across-the-board escalation, it added. The assaults on shipping have raised the profile of the Houthis, whose Zaydi people ruled a 1,000-year kingdom in Yemen up until 1962. Adding a new weapon increases that cachet and puts more pressure on Israel after a cease-fire deal failed to take hold in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Earlier in March, a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel. It marked the first fatal attack by the Houthis on shipping. Other recent Houthi actions include an attack last month on a cargo ship carrying fertilizer, the Rubymar, which later sank after drifting for several days. A new suspected Houthi attack targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, but missed the vessel and caused no damage, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. A later attack similarly missed a vessel in the Red Sea off Yemen's port city of Hodeida, the centre said early Friday. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said he wouldn't be surprised if Iran transferred a new, hypersonic weapon to the Houthis. However, the question is how maneuverable such a weapon would be at hypersonic speeds and whether it could hit moving targets, like ships in the Red Sea. I wouldn't exclude the possibility that the Houthis have some system that has some maneuvering capability to some extent, Hinz said. It is also possible for the Iranians to transfer new stuff for the Houthis to test it. (AP) PY PY *US says it is concerned about CAA and closely monitoring its implementation. India-US security cooperation will become even more important in the years ahead: Richard Verma. Russians head to polls in a vote set to extend Putin's rule. His foes are in jail, in exile or dead. Stories related to political developments in Pakistan. Stories on Israel-Gaza war. Stories on Russia-Ukraine war. * Islamabad, Mar 15 (PTI) Imran Khan's party has announced that it would approach the Supreme Court after a top court rejected the Sunni Ittehad Council's petition challenging the election commission's decision to allocate reserved seats in the national and provincial legislatures meant for it to other parties. The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday dismissed petitions of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), in a huge blow to jailed former prime minister Khan's beleaguered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party. The bench, which heard arguments for two consecutive days, pronounced a short order on Thursday and rejected the two petitions filed by the SIC which was joined by the PTI lawmakers to claim their share of reserved seats for women and minorities in the national and provincial legislatures after the February 8 elections. After the decision, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan told reporters outside the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on Thursday where the 71-year-old PTI founder is jailed. He said that the former ruling party would move the Supreme Court to claim its share of reserved seats, the Dawn newspaper reported. Gohar urged the top court to constitute a larger bench to hear the case. The SIC had sought directives from the court for the Election Commission of Pakistan to allocate the reserved seats to it based on their strength in parliament. It had also challenged Section 104 of the Elections Act which pertains to the mandatory submission of priority lists of candidates by a political party for the reserved seats. On March 6, the court granted interim relief to the SIC and directed the speaker of the National Assembly not to administer an oath to the eight lawmakers elected on reserved seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Keeping in view intricate legal questions in the matter, the PHC chief justice had constituted a special larger bench consisting of five senior judges, including Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Justice Ijaz Anwar, Justice Syed Muhammad Attique Shah, Justice Shakeel Ahmad and Justice Syed Arshad Ali. The ECP last week said the SIC is not entitled to claim quota for reserved seats due to having non-curable legal defects and violation of a mandatory provision of submission of party list for reserved seats which is the requirement of law. There are 70 reserved seats in the National Assembly and 156 in the provincial assemblies that are allotted proportionally to the winning parties in the general elections. The reserved seats were allocated to all political parties according to their strength in the assemblies except the PTI-backed SIC. Though more than 90 independent candidates backed by Khan's PTI won the maximum number of seats in the National Assembly, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto struck a post-poll deal and formed a coalition government last week. Moscow, Mar 15 (AP) Voters headed to the polls in Russia on Friday for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin's rule by six more years after he stifled dissent. The election takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system. It also comes as Moscow's war in Ukraine enters its third year. Russia has the advantage on the battlefield, where it is making small, if slow, gains. Ukraine, meanwhile, has made Moscow look vulnerable behind the front line: Long-range drone attacks have struck deep inside Russia, while high-tech drones have put its Black Sea fleet on the defensive. Voters are casting their ballots Friday through Sunday at polling stations across the vast country's 11 time zones, as well as in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine. Russians also can vote online, the first time the option has been used in a presidential contest; more than 200,000 people in Moscow voted online soon after the polls opened, authorities said. The election holds little suspense since Putin, 71, is running for his fifth term virtually unchallenged. His political opponents are either in jail or in exile abroad, and the fiercest of them, Alexei Navalny, died in a remote Arctic penal colony last month. The three other candidates on the ballot are low-profile politicians from token opposition parties that toe the Kremlin's line. Observers have little to no expectation that the election will be free and fair. Beyond the fact that voters have been presented with little choice, the possibilities for independent monitoring are very limited. Only registered candidates or state-backed advisory bodies can assign observers to polling stations, decreasing the likelihood of independent watchdogs. With balloting over three days in nearly 100,000 polling stations in the country, any true monitoring is difficult anyway. The elections in Russia as a whole are a sham. The Kremlin controls who's on the ballot. The Kremlin controls how they can campaign. To say nothing of being able to control every aspect of the voting and the vote-counting process, said Sam Greene, director for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington. Ukraine and the West have also condemned Russia for holding the vote in Ukrainian regions that Moscow's forces have seized and occupied. In many ways, Ukraine is at the heart of this election, political analysts and opposition figures say. They say Putin wants to use his all-but-assured electoral victory as evidence that the war and his handling of it enjoys widespread support. The opposition, meanwhile, hopes to use the vote to demonstrate their discontent with both the war and the Kremlin. The Kremlin banned two politicians from the ballot who sought to run on an antiwar agenda and attracted genuine albeit not overwhelming support, thus depriving the voters of any choice on the main issue of Russia's political agenda, said political analyst Abbas Gallyamov, who used to work as Putin's speechwriter. Russia's scattered opposition has urged those unhappy with Putin or the war to show up at the polls at noon on Sunday, the final day of voting, in protest. The strategy was endorsed by Navalny not long before his death. We need to use election day to show that we exist and there are many of us, we are actual, living, real people and we are against Putin. ... What to do next is up to you. You can vote for any candidate except Putin. You could ruin your ballot, his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said. How well this strategy will work remains unclear. Golos, Russia's renowned independent election observer group, said in a report this week that authorities were doing everything so that the people don't notice the very fact of the election happening. The watchdog described the campaign ahead of the vote as practically unnoticeable and the most vapid since 2000, when Golos was founded and started monitoring elections in Russia. Putin's campaigning was cloaked in presidential activities, and other candidates were demonstrably passive, the report said. State media dedicated less airtime to the election than in 2018, when Putin was last elected, according to Golos. Instead of promoting the vote to ensure a desired turnout, authorities appear to be betting on pressuring voters they can control for instance, Russians who work in state-run companies or institutions to show up at the polls, the group said. The watchdog itself has also been swept up in the crackdown: Its co-chair, Grigory Melkonyants, is in jail awaiting trial on charges widely seen as an attempt to pressure the group ahead of the election. The current elections will not be able to reflect the real mood of the people, Golos said in the report. The distance between citizens and decision-making about the fate of the country has become greater than ever. (AP) AMS Colombo, Mar 15 (PTI) The Sri Lanka Navy on Friday detained at least 15 Indian fishermen off the coast of Karainagar in the northern Jaffna Peninsula for allegedly fishing in the island nations waters, an official statement said, in the latest such incident this year. The fishermen and their trawler were escorted by the navy to the Kankesanturai port and handed over to the fishing directorate for further action. In recent weeks, Sri Lankan fishermen have protested against the authorities to protect their rights from the alleged poaching by their Indian counterparts in the Sri Lankan waters. With this mornings arrests, the total number of Indian fishing trawlers confiscated by the navy in 2024 so far has risen to 16 with 225 fishermen being detained for poaching, the Sri Lanka Navy said. The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters. The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. There have been periodic instances of Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. In 2023, the island nations Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Islamabad, Mar 15 (PTI) Pakistan's telecommunication authority has installed a system for legal phone interception and the system was at the disposal of the government and its agencies, the chairman of the country's top telecom body told a court here. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major-General Hafeezur Rehman made the statements during the hearing of a case at the Islamabad High Court on Thursday, the Dawn newspaper reported. Responding to a question by Justice Babar Sattar, who was heading the IHC bench, about whether there was a mechanism for legal interception, Rehman said that the top telecom body had installed a system, but it was at the disposal of the federal government and its agencies. However, he added that all provisions of the licence for telecom operators have been enforced, except the provision of legal interception. "Phone hacking has become so easy that if you leave your mobile phone somewhere and go to the washroom, I can connect and hack it before you return, Rehman told the court. Rehman said the Pegasus spyware developed by an Israeli surveillance firm, the NSO Group, can hack a phone within a minute. On being asked if audio recording or phone tapping was being done illegally, the counsel for the telecom authority replied that legal interception does not pertain to cellular services, as it is the domain of the PTA, the government and relevant agencies, the report said. Justice Sattar pointed out that in the case of legal interception, telecom operators share the individuals locations with law enforcement agencies, while under an agreement with consumers, the operators are obligated to keep their personal information confidential. The court also asked if telecom operators could share an individual's personal information with any agency without the government's permission. The PTA lawyer Irfan Qadir told the court that the regulator could take action against such cellular companies for breach of privacy. The court asked the PTA about the law under which they shared information relating to a consumer with the relevant agencies and directed the telecom operators to submit a detailed report by the next hearing date. The court was hearing a case on the petitions of former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisars son Mian Najam-us-Saqib and jailed former prime minister Imran Khans wife Bushra Bibi, about their audio conversation leaks, according to the report. London, Mar 15 (PTI) A Delhi-based innovator whose low-cost electric invention helps overcome power cuts and a mental health campaigner from Haryana are the Indian winners among 20 worldwide recipients of the Diana Legacy Awards, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Diana Award charity set up in memory of the late Princess of Wales. Uday Bhatia, founder of Uday Electric, and Manasi Gupta, founder of Huesofthemind Foundation, received their awards from Prince William, the older son of Princess Diana, at an awards ceremony in Londons Science Museum on Thursday evening. Taking place every two years, the Diana Legacy Award is a prestigious accolade for exceptional young people from around the world for their social action or humanitarian work. The paths taken by these young people have not always been easy. Many have overcome adversity and prejudice, but they are driven by courage, compassion and commitment qualities shared by my mother, said William, Prince of Wales, in his speech. Over the next two years, the Diana Award, alongside many of their partners here today, will equip these young people with the skills to have an even bigger impact. I am excited to see what they can all do together, he said. When Uday Bhatia began mentoring students as a 16-year-old schoolboy in the slums of Bichpuri, Uttar Pradesh, he saw how frequent power cuts rendered children unable to study. To tackle the power crisis, he developed his ground-breaking invention called the Outage Guard bulb, as a low-cost solution designed to provide uninterrupted lighting for up to 10 hours during power cuts. It has reportedly resulted in 950 families receiving stable and reliable power, boosting their educational and employment opportunities. Being a social innovator means tirelessly solving problems for the community. I view the Diana Legacy Award as a means to generate a ripple effect that inspires social innovators to change the way we view global issues, said 18-year-old Bhatia on receiving the honour. My late grandmother always motivated me to be a changemaker and to be the best version of myself. I hope that I've made her proud. More than just recognition, it has provided me with a launchpad and a vast network of connections to enhance my impact, he said. Bhatia's aim now is to focus on energy generation alongside energy storage, with the goal of lighting every house across the globe, one bulb at a time. Manasi Gupta, 24, was recognised for having personally delivered over 100 sessions globally to encourage an emphasis on mental health support. Impacting over 50,000 lives through her non-profit Huesofthemind Foundation, she is credited with creating an empathetic community focused on mental health support, and in collaboration with over 200 stakeholders, has delivered innovative campaigns, projects and events globally. Guptas work during the COVID-19 pandemic was recognised by the former Health Secretary of India at the IHW (Integrated Health & Well-being) Digital Health Awards. "It's such a heart-warming experience to receive the Diana Legacy Award. I feel truly humbled by the trust the panel has in the work of my organisation, Huesofthemind Foundation, said Gupta. I believe that we have a long way to go to make mental health services more affordable in India and to destigmatise conversations around mental well-being. In Gandhiji's words, I continue to use that barrier as motivation to keep being the change I wish to see by leveraging the power of communities, expressive arts and compassion," she said. Gupta has also created an illustrated book to raise funds and increase awareness through social media, reaching more than 1.2 million viewers in the past four years. Bhatia and Gupta joined young changemakers from around the world, including the UK, US, UAE, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Oman, Romania, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Australia, at the awards ceremony this week. Princess Dianas younger son, Prince Harry, made an appearance via video call from his California home to interact with the winners. In addition to receiving the Legacy Award, recipients receive bespoke personal and professional development support to enhance their social action work with the long-term aim of inspiring and mobilising other young people to engage in social action. As we mark the start of our 25th Anniversary year, these young people couldnt be a more fitting tribute and legacy to Diana, the late Princess of Wales, and her belief that young people have the power to change the world. Through their courage, selflessness and sheer determination, they are making change happen, often, in the face of huge adversity, said Dr Tessy Ojo, Chief Executive of the Diana Award. The 20 Legacy Award recipients were chosen by an independent judging panel, which had the task of selecting just 20 from a pool of exceptional individuals already recognised for their impact on society with the Diana Award in 2022 or 2023. Jerusalem, Mar 15 (AP) The Palestinian Health Ministry accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wrecked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155. The Israeli military said Friday that Palestinian gunmen opened fire in that attack and that none of its forces fired toward the waiting crowd or the aid convoy. Some of those in the crowd near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, the aid distribution point, were run over by the trucks, the military said. The Israeli forces were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks when the violence erupted late Thursday, it added. Meanwhile, an aid ship loaded with some 200 tons of food was seen approaching Gaza's shores on Friday morning in a mission to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, five months into the war. The ship, operated by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday towing a barge laden with food sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. The international community has been pushing for more aid to enter Gaza, frustrated with the growing humanitarian crisis and with Israel's restrictions that have prevented more aid getting in by land. Australia announced early Friday it would resume funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians and pledged additional money to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza. A quarter of Gaza's population is starving, the United Nations has warned, and the territory's Health Ministry said Friday that at least 31,490 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in southern Israel during the Hamas-led incursion on October 7 that sparked the war. Around 250 people were abducted, and Hamas is believed to still be holding about 100 hostages. Currently: A proposed US resolution would back global efforts for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Gaza. Palestinian leader Abbas appoints his longtime adviser as prime minister in the face of calls for reform. A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels strikes a ship in the Red Sea. Top Democrat Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace. Here's the latest: GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR IS HEADING TO JORDAN AND ISRAEL, EXPECTED TO PRESS FOR MORE GAZA AID BERLIN German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is making his second trip to the Middle East since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. He plans meetings with the leaders of Jordan and Israel. Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Scholz will depart Saturday for Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah II. He plans to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in Israel on Sunday. 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. Berlin plans to have its air force participate in Jordanian-initiated airdrops of aid to Gaza. But Hebestreit stressed on Friday that deliveries by sea or air are at best a second-best solution and aid should be sent to Gaza overland, as well as renewing calls for Hamas to free Israeli hostages. SHIP CARRYING 200 TONS OF AID APPROACHES GAZA'S SHORES WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip A ship carrying 200 tons of aid that set off from Cyprus was approaching the shores of Gaza on Friday. The shipment was intended to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to bring more assistance into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian crisis brought by Israel's offensive in the enclave. On Friday morning, the boat could be seen far in the distance from the beaches of Wadi Gaza in the middle of the Gaza Strip. Israel has been under increasing pressure to allow more aid into Gaza after five months of war between Israel and Hamas. HAMAS PUTS FORWARD A NEW CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL BEIRUT A Hamas official said Friday the militant group has put forward a new proposal for a cease-fire deal. International mediators had hoped to broker a six-week cease-fire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began earlier this week. But talks stalled with no agreement in sight. The mediators had proposed a deal that called for Hamas to free dozens of hostages being held in Gaza; Israel to release Palestinian prisoners it is holding; and a major influx of aid into Gaza. Hamas has said it wants a permanent cease-fire, the return of displaced people and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said Friday that the group put forward a new plan along similar lines as its previous demands. He declined to give details of the plan or explain how it differed from their earlier plans. THE UNITED STATES' PROPOSED RESOLUTION WOULD BACK GLOBAL EFFORTS FOR A SUSTAINED CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA UNITED NATIONS The United States circulated the final draft of a United Nations Security Council resolution late Thursday that would support international efforts to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war as part of a deal to release hostages taken captive during Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. No time has been set for a vote, and the draft, obtained by The Associated Press, could still be changed. The US circulated the initial draft on Feb. 19, a day before it vetoed a widely supported Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the war in the embattled Gaza Strip, saying it would interfere with negotiations on a deal to free the hostages. The US draft would demand that all parties comply with international law requiring protection of civilians and civilian objects, which include hospitals, schools and homes. The draft would also express the council's deep concern about the threat of conflict-inducted famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza, as well as the number of undernourished people, and the catastrophic levels of hunger. If the resolution is approved, it would for the first time condemn the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, as well as its taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, and sexual violence including rape, as well as its use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and to hold hostages. It would also demand that Hamas and other armed groups immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining hostages. ISRAEL DENIES GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY'S CLAIM THAT ISRAELI FORCES KILLED 20 NEAR AN AID DISTRIBUTION CENTER DEIR-AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wrecked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155 others. The Israeli military said in a statement that Palestinian gunmen were the ones to open fire and that none of its forces, who were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks, fired toward the waiting crowd or the convoy. Some of those in the crowd were run over by the trucks, it said. The violence occurred late Thursday near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, which has been a point for the distribution of aid in north Gaza over the past weeks. The health ministry said a group waiting there for aid was hit by Israeli shelling. The Health Ministry said Friday that 149 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing to at least 31,490 the number of Palestinians killed in the war. The United Nations says one-quarter of Gaza's 2.3 million people face starvation, many of them in the isolated north, the largely devastated target of Israel's initial offensive in Gaza. Bloodshed surrounding an aid convoy on Feb. 29 killed 118 Palestinians in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said some of its forces fired at people in the crowd who were advancing toward them. Witnesses and hospital officials said many of the casualties were from bullet wounds. The Israeli military said many of the casualties were caused by a stampede over the food and people being run over by the aid trucks. Following the violence, the United States announced plans to build a temporary pier in Gaza to bring in food by sea and joined with other countries to airdrop food into the isolated north. AUSTRALIA RESUMES FUNDING FOR UNRWA AND PROMISES MORE AID TO GAZA Australia will restore funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, weeks after the agency lost hundreds of millions of dollars in support following Israeli allegations that some of its Gaza-based staff participated in the Oct. 7 attack. The Australian government also pledged Friday to increase aid for the besieged enclave, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressing horror at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Australia's move follows Sweden, the European Commission and Canada in reinstating funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which had seen its international funding frozen while the allegations were investigated. Speaking to reporters Friday in Adelaide, Wong also pledged an additional 4 million Australian dollars (USD 2.6 million) to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza, and a C17 Globemaster plane will also deliver defence force parachutes to help with the US-led airdropping of humanitarian supplies into the enclave, which the United Nations says is on the brink of famine. (AP) GSP Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has appointed Joseph Roy as the new Cluster Director of Finance for three of its Fairmont properties in the UAE, namely: Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Ajman and Fujairah. A qualified Accountant from American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Roy brings a wealth of experience in operational finance with renowned international brands. Previously serving as Director of Finance for prestigious hotels in UAE including Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, Hilton Al Habtoor City complex, Anantara the Palm Dubai Resort & Spa and Anantara Residences, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Abu Dhabi, The Yas Hotel (W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island) and Grand Millennium Dubai, Roy has consistently demonstrated the ability to build strong collaborative relationships across various stakeholders in the business to drive business performance, a statement said. During his career, Roy has been instrumental in implementing and executing financial management strategies that have led to significant cost and efficiency improvements, revenue growth, and enhanced financial performance for the businesses that he worked for. In his return to the Fairmont brand, Roy will assume a strategic leadership role, overseeing the financial operations across the three properties of Fairmont Dubai, Ajman, and Fujairah. His responsibilities will encompass a comprehensive range of financial functions, including but not limited to financial reporting, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, auditing, statutory compliance, risk management, financial processes improvement, procurement, overall decision-making, and investor and stakeholder relations. He will lead the finance teams of the properties in the ongoing transformation of the finance function into more of a strategic business partner. Roy will also add new dimensions to aspects of financial planning and analysis while ensuring that the business is protected with strong financial controls and through regulatory compliance, it said. General Manager of Fairmont Dubai Joe Nassoura said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Roy into our team. Josephs impressive career trajectory and deep-rooted knowledge of hospitality accounting systems makes him an invaluable addition to the Fairmont team. Adding to this Elias Chakhtoura, Cluster General Manager for Fairmont Ajman and Fujairah, commented: Josephs track record of success and his commitment to excellence are indicative of the contributions he will bring to the finance department of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, elevating the hotels financial operations to new heights. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to achieving new milestones. - TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. The US administration expects the new Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa to carry out reforms in the country, White House National Security Council communications director Aidrienne Utson said, Trend reports. According to her, the United States welcomes the appointment of Mustafa as Prime Minister of Palestine and calls on him to form a reform-oriented cabinet as soon as possible. "The United States will expect the new government to implement policies and far-reaching political reforms". She noted that a reformed Palestinian Authority is necessary to achieve results for the Palestinian people and create conditions for stability in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Beijing, Mar 15 (PTI) A pair of Chinese satellites failed to reach a planned orbit on their way to the moon after experiencing abnormalities, a rare setback for Beijing's high-profile space programme. The satellites, known as DRO-A and DRO-B, were launched on Wednesday evening from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the Sichuan Province, the launch centre said in a press release on Thursday. They were carried by A Yuanzheng-1S (Expedition-1S) upper-stage aircraft, attached to a Long March-2C carrier rocket, it said. The first and second stages of the rocket operated normally, while the upper stage encountered an abnormality during flight, causing the satellites to fail to enter the preset orbit accurately, it said. The relevant disposal work is currently underway, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing the launch centre. The plan was for the two satellites to head towards the moon and enter a distant retrograde orbit (DRO). From there, they would fly in formation and work with DRO-L a third satellite that was successfully placed into low-Earth orbit by a Jielong 3 rocket last month to test laser-based navigation technologies between the Earth and the moon, known as cislunar space, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The DRO orbit is at a high altitude, tens of thousands of kilometres above the lunar surface. It is highly stable, allowing spacecraft to remain on track for a long time without using fuel, and is an advantageous waypoint for research and exploration, according to Chinese scientists. Long March rockets have been integral to China's space ambitions, including moon missions. China's manned space station is currently in orbit. Jerusalem, Mar 15 (AP) The Palestinian Health Ministry accused Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wracked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155. The Israeli military said Friday that Palestinian gunmen opened fire in that attack and that none of its forces fired toward the waiting crowd or the aid convoy. Some of those in the crowd near the Kuwaiti Roundabout, the aid distribution point, were run over by the trucks, the military said. The Israeli forces were securing a convoy of 31 aid trucks when the violence erupted late Thursday, it added. Meanwhile, an aid ship loaded with some 200 tons of food was seen approaching Gaza's shores on Friday morning in a mission to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, five months into the war. The ship, operated by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday towing a barge laden with food sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. The international community has been pushing for more aid to enter Gaza, frustrated with the growing humanitarian crisis and with Israel's restrictions that have prevented more aid getting in by land. Australia announced early Friday it would resume funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians and pledged additional money to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza. A quarter of Gaza's population is starving, the United Nations has warned, and the territory's Health Ministry said Friday that at least 31,490 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in southern Israel during the Hamas-led incursion on October 7 that sparked the war. Around 250 people were abducted, and Hamas is believed to still be holding about 100 hostages. NETANYAHU'S OFFICE SAYS ISRAEL HAS APPROVED PLANS TO ATTACK GAZA'S SOUTHERNMOST TOWN OF RAFAH JERUSALEM Israel has approved military plans to attack Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza where the majority of the embattled strip's population is sheltering, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Friday. The operation will involve the evacuation of the civilian population, the statement said, without specifying how or when this would take place. There are 1.4 million displaced Palestinians living in Rafah. The military had said on Wednesday that it planned to direct them to humanitarian islands in the centre of the territory ahead of its planned offensive in the area. Officials from the United States and other countries have expressed concerns over Israel's plans to invade Rafah, fearing for the safety of the civilians. However Netanyahu has said he had no intention of backing down, saying that attacking Hamas in Rafah was crucial to his goal of eliminating the militant group. Friday's statement came after Hamas released a cease-fire proposal calling for a three-stage process, starting with a partial Israeli pullback in Gaza and the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of all the female hostages militants are holding in the enclave, according to a report on the Al-Jazeera television station confirmed to The Associated Press by a Palestinian official. Netanyahu called the demands unrealistic but said that an Israeli delegation would join international mediators in Doha for another round of talks after Israel security cabinet hammered down its position. HAMAS PROPOSES A 3-STAGE TRUCE THAT WOULD END THE WAR BUT WON'T GIVE UP ITS HOLD ON GAZA BEIRUT Hamas' latest cease-fire proposal calls for a three-stage process, starting with a partial Israeli pullback from Gaza and the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for freeing all female hostages the militants are holding in the enclave. The details of the proposal were first reported by the Al-Jazeera network and confirmed to The Associated Press by a Palestinian official on Friday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal the content of the negotiations. International mediators had been working to broker a six week truce before the onset of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that started earlier this week. Hamas rejected any deal that would not lead to an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent truce. Hamas' new proposal suggests three phases, six weeks each, according to the report. In the first phase, Israeli forces would pull back from two major streets linking north and south Gaza and would allow hundreds of thousands of displaced people to return home and aid to reach the isolated north. Hamas would the release all the female Israeli soldiers being held in Gaza while Israel would release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. In the second stage, a permanent cease-fire would be declared and Hamas would release all the Israeli soldiers the militants have taken hostage. In the third and last stage, reconstruction of Gaza would begin and the Israeli blockade of the Hamas-run enclave would be lifted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the proposal for the hostage release unrealistic, but said Israel would send negotiators to Doha for more talks. (AP) GRS GRS Washington, Mar 15 (AP) The United States and allies warned Iran on Friday that major Western economies will pile new sanctions on Tehran if it moves forward with an advancing plan to provide ballistic missiles to Russia for its war with Ukraine. The Biden administration has raised alarms for months that Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran as Moscow struggles to replenish its dwindling supplies. The US has yet to confirm that missiles have moved from Iran to Russia. But US officials are alarmed by comments by Iranian officials that suggest that a deal is imminent. One action that the Group of Seven countries are mulling is to prohibit Iran Air, the country's national air carrier, from flying to Europe, according to a senior Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorised to comment and insisted on anonymity, declined to preview other sanctions that the US are mulling beyond describing the potential action as significant measures. The US and Europe already impose extensive sanctions against Iran targeting individuals as well as limiting the country's access to trade, financial services, energy, technology and other sectors. The sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States maintains on any country, with thousands of individuals and entities targeted. (AP) GRS GRS Islamabad, Mar 15 (PTI) The US on Friday expressed support for Pakistans democracy and the key role of an independent press as US Ambassador Donald Blome met newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here and discussed bilateral issues, economic reforms and regional security. Blome, who called on Sharif at the Prime Minister House here, asserted that the US considers Pakistan an important partner and hoped to work with the government to build stronger ties between the two countries. During the meeting, Blome also expressed support of the US for Pakistans democracy and the key role of an independent press, Acting US Embassy Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery said in a statement. Blome and Sharif discussed issues of mutual interest, including regional security, US support for continued economic reforms with and through the International Monetary Fund, trade and investment, education and climate change, he said. The two also discussed how both countries can work together to accelerate projects addressing climate change under the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework. According to a statement by Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, the prime minister expressed satisfaction with the present state of bilateral relations and emphasised the need to maintain the positive momentum. He said this can be done by regularly convening existing dialogue mechanisms focused on trade, investment, energy, health, defence, education, agriculture, and climate change. Sharif said his government would "focus on macro-economic reforms to stabilise the economy and attract foreign investment." He also highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which has been established to fast-track foreign investments in priority sectors in Pakistan, the statement said. The situation in Gaza and the Red Sea and the developments in Afghanistan were also discussed. The meeting also came a day after a US Congressional committee announced that it would hold a hearing on March 20 on the recently held elections in Pakistan after over two dozen lawmakers expressed concern over the fairness of the polls. On March 20, the House Foreign Affairs Committee is also scheduled to consider a resolution which expresses support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. The resolution calls on the US President and the Secretary of State to work with Pakistan to ensure democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are upheld and urges Islamabad to uphold democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law and respect the fundamental guarantees of due process, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech of the people of Pakistan. The meeting comes as an International Monetary Fund mission is in Pakistan to review progress on the USD 3 billion Standby Agreement before issuing its final tranche of USD 1.1 billion. Pakistan is hopeful of getting the Washington-based global lender's nod as it is eager to get a fresh and bigger loan from the IMF to improve its balance of payments. Islamabad, Mar 15 (PTI) Pakistans National Assembly on Friday passed a resolution to extend seven ordinances for an additional 120 days amidst a heated debate with the key coalition partner Pakistan Peoples Party roasting the government on the issue. Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the resolution for the extension under the proviso to sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Pakistani Constitution. The ordinances included The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, The Pakistan Postal Services Management Board (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, The National Highway Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, The Privatization Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, and the Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Ordinance, 2023. The moment the law minister moved the resolution, several lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and other parties stood up to protest and even tore the copies of ordinances. The PPP, which is the main coalition partner of the government, also joined the criticism against the move with its senior leader Khursheed Shah saying, I support the opposition because you cannot run the government on ordinances. However, the PPP restricted itself to the verbal opposition and when the speaker proceeded with the voting process, it got 130 votes in favour of the extension and 63 votes against it. Legislation through ordinances is deemed as a bad practice as it infringes on the parliament's authority to legislate. However, governments use it to avoid lengthy processes while making laws on thorny matters. Age of an ordinance promulgated by the president is for 120 days and it should either be placed before parliament for approval to become a permanent law or extended for another term otherwise it lapses. Washington, Mar 15 (AP) The United States and allies warned Iran on Friday that major Western economies will pile new sanctions on Tehran if it moves forward with an advancing plan to provide ballistic missiles to Russia for its war with Ukraine. The Biden administration has raised alarms for months that Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran as Moscow struggles to replenish its dwindling supplies. The US has yet to confirm that missiles have moved from Iran to Russia. But US officials are alarmed by comments by Iranian officials that suggest that a deal is imminent. One action that the Group of Seven countries are mulling is to prohibit Iran Air, the country's national air carrier, from flying to Europe, according to a senior Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorised to comment and insisted on anonymity, declined to preview other sanctions that the US is mulling beyond describing the potential action as significant measures. Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran, the G-7 leaders said in a statement. Iran's UN Mission said last month that there are no legal restrictions to prevent it from making ballistic missile sales but that is morally obligated to refrain from weapon transactions during the Russia-Ukraine conflict to prevent fuelling the war. The US and Europe already impose extensive sanctions against Iran targeting individuals as well as limiting the country's access to trade, financial services, energy, technology and other sectors. The sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States maintains on any country, with thousands of individuals and entities targeted. The Democratic administration in January said that US intelligence officials had determined a Russian-Iran deal had not been completed but that they were concerned that Russia's negotiations to acquire missiles from Iran were actively advancing. In September, according to the White House, Iran hosted Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to show off a range of ballistic missile systems a moment that sparked US concern that a deal could come together. The US and other countries have taken steps aimed at thwarting the supply, sale or transfer involving Iran and ballistic missile-related items, including issuing guidance to private companies about Iranian missile procurement practices to make sure they aren't inadvertently supporting Iran's development efforts. "We've sent very clear messages to Iran not to do it, this is a subject of considerable conversation among a number of countries, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a news conference on Friday in Vienna. The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to make the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on Iran and North Korea for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine and has disclosed intelligence findings that it says show as much. Russia has acquired and used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, however, say that North Korean missiles when deployed by Russian forces have frequently missed targets. Russia has received hundreds of one-way attack drones, as well as drone production-related equipment, from Iran, according to the White House. The Biden administration also has accused Tehran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow. Iran initially denied supplying drones to Russia. Tehran later only acknowledged providing a small number before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. (AP) GRS GRS Ottawa, Mar 15 (PTI) An Indian-origin couple and their teenage daughter were killed in a "suspicious" fire which tore through their home last week in Canada's Ontario province, police said on Friday. A fire engulfed a home at the Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive area of Brampton on March 7, a press release by the Peel Police said. After the blaze was put out, investigators located what was believed to be human remains within the gutted house, but the number of people killed couldn't be ascertained at the time. The charred remains were on Friday identified as those of three family members: 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo; his wife, 47-year-old Shilpa Kotha; and their 16-year-old daughter, Mahek Warikoo. Police said that they resided at the address before the fire. Peel police Constable Taryn Young on Friday said the fire had been deemed suspicious, the CTV news channel reported. "At this time, we are investigating this with our homicide bureau, and we are deeming this as suspicious as the Ontario Fire Marshal has deemed that this fire was not accidental," the report quoted Young as saying. "There's not much left to it," Young said when asked about the possible cause of the fire. "Looking into something like that as a fire marshal, I'm sure it's very tough when there is not much left to look at. But we are exhausting all avenues," she said. The deceased family's neighbour, Kenneth Yousaf, said that the family had lived on the street for about 15 years, and he never noticed any problems with them. Yousaf said he was alerted to the fire last week by a family member, who heard a big "bang." "When we came out, the house was on fire. So sad. Within a few hours, everything was down to the ground," the report quoted Yousaf as saying. In a press release, police said they are continuing to investigate the deaths of the three family members and urged anyone with information to come forward. "The circumstances surrounding the house fire remains the focus of an active investigation, and anyone with information or video footage (dashcam or otherwise) is urged to contact Homicide detectives," police said. Islamabad, Mar 15 (PTI) For the first time after taking oath, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday visited the Army headquarter and discussed issues of security with the Army leadership. The PM was accompanied by key members of the Cabinet during his trip to General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and was received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir. During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif and Cabinet members engaged in discussions with military leadership on matters of national security, regional stability and military preparedness. They were briefed on the current security environment, threat spectrum, response to the security threats and ongoing counter terrorism operations. PM and the cabinet members appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, and sacrifices of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism and commended its dedication in safeguarding the nation's territorial integrity and ensuring peace and stability, the statement said. The PM assured that the government would provide all the resources required for ensuring operational readiness of the Armed Forces. Pakistan is destined to rise and the role of the Armed Forces in ensuring the peaceful rise of Pakistan cannot be over-emphasized, he said. The COAS thanked the PM for the visit and reposing confidence in the Army and affirmed that the Pakistan Army would continue to measure up to the nations expectations and resolutely support the Government in addressing the security challenges facing Pakistan. The visit concluded with civilian and military leadership reiterating their commitment to upholding national interests and working together for a prosperous and secure Pakistan. Earlier, the PM on arrival was presented with a guard of honour and he laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to pay tribute to the martyrs, according to the statement. The Army establishment is considered extremely powerful in Pakistan and civilian governments are dependent on its support for survival. The visit by the PM is expected to build trust between the government and establishment and help to jointly tackle the challenges faced by the country. Palghar, Mar 15 (PTI) Three persons who allegedly stole jewellery and cash worth nearly Rs 7.5 lakh from a house in Maharashtras Palghar district were arrested while they were escaping on a long-distance train, an official said on Friday. Senior inspector Raju Mane of the Manickpur police station said a house in Vasai was burgled on March 7 when its occupants were away. The family later said they lost ornaments and cash worth Rs 7.52 lakh in the theft. The police registered an FIR and launched a probe. With the help of CCTV footage, intelligence and technical inputs, the police identified the three individuals who were behind the crime and arrested them from Gorakhpur Express in Nashik on Wednesday, the official said. He said the entire stolen jewellery and cash have been recovered from the accused Rakesh Kumar, alias Chakki Ramraj Yadav (33) and Mohammad Sayeed, Shannu Garibulla Khan (37) and Lalkesar, alias Baccha Dadan Rai (27). While Yadav and Khan are Mumbai residents, Rai is from the Fadarwadi area of Vasai. The trio is named in many cases registered with Mumbais Goregaon police, he added. Indore, Mar 15 (PTI) Senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Chandra Prabhash Shekhar died here on Friday after a prolonged illness, his family said. C P Shekhar, a former home minister of the state, died at a private hospital, his elder son Akash Shekhar told PTI. He was admitted to hospital for a lung infection on March 4, and put on ventilator four days ago after his condition became critical, Askash said. The last rites will be performed at Regional Park crematorium on Saturday morning. Shekhar had also been chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Housing Board. French President Emmanuel Macron's love story with Brigitte Macron deserves a movie, as it dates back to 1992 when the future high-ranking official was only 15 years old, and his teacher was 39. Over the 32 years of their relationship, the woman passed on her life experience to the politician and has always been his companion. Such support allowed Macron to gain recognition not only in France but also abroad due to his active international activities. ADVERTISIMENT Brigitte Macron herself (at the time with the surname of Osier) taught the future politician literature and theater at a high school, People writes. She considered Macron to be an incredibly gifted young man, and her daughter Laurence called her classmate Mozart. At the time, the woman was married to banker Andre-Louis Ozier and had three children together: daughters Tiffen and Laurence and son Sebastian. Of course, Brigitte Ozier wanted a quiet family life at the time, but the sympathy of the schoolboy Macron did not give her peace of mind. Once, after a public performance of The Art of Comedy by the Italian writer Eduard De Filippo, which was adapted specifically for students, a student bowed low and kissed his teacher on the cheek, and she smiled with delight. This was the beginning of rumors about a married woman having an affair with a teenager. ADVERTISIMENT Emmanuel Macron was even sent to a Paris boarding school for his young love with Brigitte Ozier, who was 24 years older than him, but this did not help him "get the woman of his dreams out of his head." At the same time, she stopped teaching theater and switched to Latin. According to The Independent, the first lady of France hoped that during the young man's stay in another city, he would forget about her and find a woman of his age, but instead, he kept in touch with a person whose children were Macron's age. Then, as we can see, Brigitte's life turned upside down and in 2006 she got a divorce, and the following year she accepted Macron's offer to become his wife. ADVERTISIMENT "I took the time not to ruin my children's lives. It took me 10 years to get them back on their feet. You can imagine what they heard. But I didn't want to miss my life," the first lady told the NewYorkPost. In her new position as first lady since 2017, Brigitte Macron has been subjected to considerable harassment, the most notable of which was an anti-campaign where people claimed that the woman was actually transgender with a real name, Jean-Michel Tronier. This lie hurt the president's wife, and she filed a lawsuit against the two gossips who spread the information. An "independent journalist and psychic" from unknown sources claimed that the first lady's documents were forged and that as a man she had a relationship with Catherine Ozier, who had never actually met Brigitte Macron. ADVERTISIMENT In 2023, the investigation of the case was completed and, of course, there was not a shred of truth in the slander. As a punishment, the court ordered each of the gossips to pay a fine of 2,000, 3,000 to Catherine Auzier and her husband, and 2,000 in court costs. Despite the disagreements, over the 17 years of their marriage, Brigitte Macron has become an "anchor" for the French president. It is she who shows politicians how important the truth is, he said in an interview with CNN. In turn, the first lady believes that she has no influence on her husband's important decisions, such as his intention to send French troops to Ukraine. "We are an ordinary couple. I have the influence that a wife can have on her husband. The fact that he is president has not changed anything. Except that we are in the news. This is our everyday life. When I see him free, I ask questions and tell him what I think. He knows what I'm doing at any time of the day," she told Paris Match. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA told you more about the famous relationship between Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron. The couple never hides their feelings in public, so you can often find cute photos of them kissing and hugging on the Internet. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Kolkata, Mar 15 (PTI) Students of Presidency University have been staging a sit-in demonstration on the campus for over 25 hours, demanding the introduction of a bus service between the Salt Lake girls' hostel and the city campus. On Friday, the agitation escalated as the students blocked the road, disrupting vehicular traffic for around 15 minutes at the MG Road and College Street crossing. The students, numbering around 100, are demanding the reinstatement of bus services for girl students residing in the hostel, which had been provided till 2019 but was discontinued after the Covid pandemic. Despite repeated requests to the college authorities, no action has been taken, according to a spokesperson for the students. Their demands include the introduction of four buses for girl student boarders from April, with a monthly transportation fee capped at Rs 500. Currently, around 50 boarders have been staging a sit-in protest outside the office of the dean of hostels and development officer for over 25 hours. The movement has garnered support from student bodies like the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and Independent Consolidation (IC). However, university officials said the previous bus service was arranged by the state transport department under subsidy, and reviving it is not feasible. The Presidency Hostel for girls is located in Salt Lake, while the boys' hostel is near the College Street campus. New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) Tamil Nadu has agreed to sign an MoU with the Centre for implementing the PM SHRI school scheme, the Ministry of Education said on Friday. With Tamil Nadu agreeing to implement the scheme, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala and Delhi are the only states which have not signed a memorandum of understanding with the Union Ministry of Education yet for having such schools. "Tamil Nadu Government has taken an important decision to sign an MoU with Ministry of Education, Government of India to implement PM SHRI Scheme. PM SHRI are #NEP2020 exemplar schools," the ministry wrote on X. "The MoU will be signed by the State before beginning of next academic year 2024-25. This partnership between the Tamil Nadu Government and the Ministry of Education, Government of India, signifies stronger centre-state relations. We wholeheartedly welcome this initiative as it exemplifies the shared commitment towards ensuring holistic development for the students of Tamil Nadu," it added. The PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme targets to upgrade 14,500 schools and is expected to benefit 1.8 million students. It also aims to ensure these schools serve as model institutes and encapsulate the spirit of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The government has already selected 6,448 schools from 28 states and Union territories for upgrade in the first round. New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) The Indian Army raised its first squadron of Apache attack helicopters in Rajasthan on Friday seeking to support ground operations in the western sector, officials said. Sources said the squadron has been raised in Jodhpur. The Indian Army raised its first squadron of Apache attack helicopters today in the presence of Army Aviation Corps' Director General, Lt Gen Ajay Suri, officials said. The squadron will support ground operations in the western sector, they added. The delivery of the Apache attack helicopters is expected to start in May, officials said. Manufactured by American aerospace major Boeing, Apache is one of the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopters and is flown by the US Army. The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of these attack helicopters. Lucknow, Mar 15 (PTI) Police in Uttar Pradesh have made fool-proof security arrangements ahead of the Friday namaz, the first since the Centre announced the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), officials said. "The police headquarters has strengthened vigilance by making adequate arrangements for a safe conduct of Friday prayers," Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said. Additional police forces have been deployed near mosques for the convenience of the namazis, he added. "Special vigil is being maintained on anti-social elements and social media and our officers are taking stock of the situation on the ground," the DGP said. Massive anti-CAA protests broke out in Aligarh, Kanpur, Bareilly, Varanasi and Lucknow in 2019 after Parliament passed the contentious law. On January 17, 2020, a group of women staged a sit-in at the Lucknow Ghanta Ghar and it continued for months. Police and the administration are on high alert to ensure that incidents similar to the 2019 protests do not recur. New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) Animal rights activists have emphasised the need for nuanced approaches to address the root causes of dog-related incidents after the Centre directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs. The central government has directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler and Mastiffs, amid rising instances of people dying due to pet dog attacks. In response to the directive Geeta Seshamani, vice president of Friendicoes SECA and secretary founder of Wildlife SOS, raised concerns about the sweeping nature of the ban. She highlighted the importance of responsible ownership and training, emphasising that no dog is inherently ferocious. "No dog is born ferocious. It is how they are handled and trained that leads to such mishaps. Each breed has its characteristics, its own levels of energy and without understanding the needs of big breeds, simply in a desire to acquire a status symbol, out of social snobbery, many people buy such breeds but cannot train them, handle them responsibly or give them the nurturing and exercise and disciplining they need," Seshamani told PTI. She pointed out the unfortunate consequences of breed generalisation, where even well-behaved dogs may suffer due to their breed's reputation. Seshamani's sentiments were echoed by Shaurya Agarwal, an Advocacy Research Associate at PETA India. Agarwal applauded the government's efforts to protect vulnerable dog breeds from exploitation by criminal elements, particularly in illegal dog-fighting rings. However, he emphasised the need for nuanced approaches to address the root causes of dog-related incidents, rather than blanket bans that may unfairly target certain breeds. "This order provides vital protection for both humans and dogs and sends a strong, clear message that Pitbulls and other such breeds are bred to be used as weapons. Pitbulls and related breeds are the most commonly abandoned dogs in India, and this action will prevent a great deal of suffering," he said. Agarwal commended the government's action as a step toward preventing suffering among abandoned dogs, particularly Pitbulls and related breeds. They emphasised the importance of protecting both humans and animals from harm, recognising the role of responsible ownership and enforcement of anti-cruelty laws. In a letter dated March 12 to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying also said that these breeds of dogs, which have already been kept as pets, should be sterilised to prevent further breeding. Flagging serious recent issues of death of human beings due to dog bites by some ferocious breeds of dogs kept as pets, the department said it has received representations from citizens, citizen forums and Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) to ban some of the breeds of dogs from keeping them as pets and other purposes. Lucknow, Mar 15 (PTI) The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested two persons over their role in leaking the examination paper of Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) held by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). The exam was held on February 11 across the state. The state government on March 2 cancelled the exam following reports that exam papers were leaked on a massive scale. According to a press statement issued by the STF on Thursday, "One Arun Kumar Singh and Saurabh Shukla both a native of Pratapgarh were arrested on Thursday in connection with the paper leak." The duo were called to STF headquarters where they were put under arrest after questioning. According to STF, the duo got the copy of the paper from another mastermind on their phone a day before the exam. The duo then forwarded the paper to others and charged money for the same. STF officials said investigations into the matter are underway. The names of the arrested accused will be added to the FIR lodged in Kaushambi district regarding the paper leak, the statement said. The said FIR was lodged under the Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating by inducement), 467 (forgery of valuable documents), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document). New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) Four more people were arrested for their alleged involvement in the blackmarketing of cancer drugs, police said on Friday. The accused have been identified as Rohit Singh Bisht, 36, a resident of New Moti Nagar, and Jitendra, 33, Majid Khan, 34, and Sajid, 33, all from Gurugram in Haryana, they said. Police had earlier arrested eight people in connection with the case. During interrogation, police found that an accused named Neeraj Chauhan was buying filled vials, supposedly from employees of hospitals, following which the four people were arrested, police said. Bisht works as a day care in-charge in the chemotherapy unit of a reputed hospital in Delhi. He supplied filled Keytruda/Opdyta vials to Neeraj. He would save the vials from the patient's dose and sell them to Neeraj, a senior police officer said. Bisht, who has a diploma in general nursing, used to get Rs 65,000 for Keytruda and Rs 35,000 for Opdyta. He has been working at the hospital for the last 10 years. Neeraj roped him in during a visit to the hospital for marketing. He was arrested on Wednesday from Dwarka, the officer said. Jitendra works in the bone marrow transplant unit of the oncology department of a reputed hospital at Gurugram. He was caught in possession of three vials of Keytruda and Opdypta when he came to sell them to Neeraj, police said. Jitendra, who has a diploma in D Pharma from Karnal, got Rs 60,000 for Keytruda and Rs 30,000 for Opdyta. Jitendra met Neeraj when he went for an interview for the post of pharmacist at a hospital where Neeraj was posted in the oncology unit. They shared contacts and later became partners in the illicit trade, police said. Khan worked as senior staff nurse in the chemo day care unit of a reputed hospital at Gurugram till September 2023. He had recently joined a hospital in Patna and came back to Delhi after a week. He was arrested from Jaipur and was found to have three vials of Keytruda kept at his house. Khan revealed that he used to take these vials, empty or filled, from Sajid. Khan got Rs 60,000 and Rs 30,000 for each vial of Keytruda and Opdyta, and Rs 5,000 for an empty vial. Neeraj visited him for empty vials and packaging, police said. Sajid works in the oncology department of a hospital in Gurugram as nursing staff. He used to supply Keytruda and Opdyta to Khan. Three empty vials with a box and two Opdyta packaging were recovered from his possession, police said. In the course of investigation, police seized 14 bank accounts belonging to the accused with a deposit of Rs 92.81 lakh, police added. Rishikesh, Mar 15 (PTI) Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj on Friday inaugurated the week-long international yoga festival at a resort on the banks of the Ganga here, saying Yoga is recognised all over the world as a symbol of Indian culture. "Through yoga, the mind can be controlled and the body can be kept healthy. It can also help fight addiction," the tourism minister said. Noted institutions like The Art of Living, Isha Foundation (Coimbatore), Manav Dharma Rimi, Krishna Acharya Yoga Mandiram (Chennai), Ramani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute and Shivananda Ashram are participating in the event which will conclude on March 21. The annual festival is being held at the Ganga Resort by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. Addressing the gathering of yoga enthusiasts at the event as the guest speaker, yogacharya Swami Sukhbodhanand said yoga should be incorporated into everyday routine by all to remain mentally and physically healthy. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal said Rishikesh has become the centre of important activities like tourism over the last few years. Yoga and adventure tourism together have generated good employment opportunities in the area and booted its economy, he said. Rishikesh MLA and Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal said yoga means unification. It is the way to heal the body and mind. Jaipur, Mar 14 (PTI) An intelligence team of Rajasthan Police on Thursday arrested a man running a store selling Army uniform on charges of espionage, officials said. Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Sanjay Agarwal said the accused Anand Raj Singh (22) has been arrested for collecting information of strategic importance of the Army and sharing it through social media with three female handlers of Pakistan intelligence agency. The ADGP said the accused ran a uniform store outside the Suratgarh Army Cantonment. He said espionage activities carried out by Pakistani intelligence agencies are being continuously monitored by Rajasthan Intelligence team. Aggarwal said Singh had left his work at the uniform store for some time and was working in a factory in the Behror area. Even during this period, he was in constant touch with the female handlers of Pakistani intelligence agency. Singh used to secure important and confidential information of the Army from his sources and shared it with the Pakistani agents. He also demanded money in return for sending confidential information to the Pakistani intelligence agency, the ADGP added. New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) The Supreme Court has dismissed the curative petitions filed by AAP leader Manish Sisodia against its October 30 last year verdict dismissing his bail pleas in the corruption and money laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, which considered the curative pleas in-chamber, also rejected his application for listing the petitions in the open court. A curative petition is the last legal recourse in the apex court and is generally considered in-chamber unless a prima facie case is made out for reconsideration of the verdict. "Application for listing the curative petitions in open court is dismissed. We have gone through the curative petitions and the connected documents. In our opinion, no case is made out within the parameters indicated in the decision of this court in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs Ashok Hurra. The curative petitions are dismissed," the bench, which also comprised justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and SVN Bhatti, said in its order passed on March 13. On December 13 last year, the top court had dismissed Sisodia's pleas seeking review of its October 30, 2023 verdict dismissing his bail petitions. On October 30 last year, the apex court had denied him bail in the corruption and money-laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, saying the allegations by the probe agencies that "windfall gains" of Rs 338 crore was made by a few wholesale distributors was "tentatively supported" by evidence. The top court, which termed several charges levelled by the Enforcement Directorate against Sisodia as debatable, had said about the alleged windfall gains that "However, there is one clear ground or charge in the complaint filed under the PML Act, which is free from perceptible legal challenge and the facts as alleged are tentatively supported by material and evidence." It had referred to the CBI's charge sheet, which said the excess amount of seven per cent commission/fee earned by the wholesale distributors totalling Rs 338 crore constituted an offence as defined under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to bribery by a public servant. It had said as per the ED's complaint, the amount of Rs 338 crore is the proceeds of crime. "This amount was earned by the wholesale distributors in a span of ten months. This figure cannot be disputed or challenged. Thus, the new excise policy was meant to give windfall gains to select few wholesale distributors, who in turn had agreed to give kickbacks and bribes," the top court had noted from the CBI's charge sheet, adding, the "conspiracy and involvement of the appellant Manish Sisodia is well established". Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023 for his alleged role in the "scam". The ED arrested Sisodia in a money-laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9 last year after questioning him in Tihar Jail. The Delhi government had implemented the new excise policy on November 17, 2021, but scrapped it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption. However, the Delhi government and Sisodia have denied any wrongdoing and said the new policy would have led to an increase in the city government's revenue. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands could have trolled British Princess Kate Middleton amid the scandal of her disappearance and the official photoshopped photo. He spoke about the photo editing right in front of his subjects and the paparazzi while talking to schoolchildren. ADVERTISIMENT The 56-year-old monarch met with the public at a royal reception in Zutphen, the Netherlands, on Thursday, where a little girl asked him about his family portrait. Laughing in response, he said, "At least I didn't use Photoshop." The video appeared on X (formerly Twitter). The media and netizens almost unanimously decided that the king referred to the princess, who had been suffering from a whirlwind of rumors for more than a week because of photoshopped photos. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on January 16, Kate Middleton was hospitalized for abdominal surgery. After nearly two months of absence, Kensington Palace published an official photo of the Duchess with her children for the first time on Mother's Day. However, attentive users noticed obvious photoshopping in different parts of the frame. This theory was confirmed by Instagram, which labeled the photo as "edited." Kate Middleton got in touch to explain that she edited the shot herself because she loves to do so. The princess's passion for photography was known before. However, the next photo sowed even more doubt in the minds of fans. ADVERTISIMENT A shot of the allegedly "disappeared" princess and her husband driving in a car appeared online, but surprisingly, the background in the mirror and outside the car was very different. Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that against the backdrop of such miscalculations by the royal press service, the subjects began to suspect the worst. Some believe that the princess was beaten, and others are sure that she is still in the hospital. However, the most popular version is that of Duke William's "mistress" Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Chennai, March 15 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Friday directed the police in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore to grant permission with certain conditions to BJP to conduct a four km road show of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in that city on March 18. Justice N Anand Venkatesh gave the directive to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, R S Puram Range, on a petition filed by J Ramesh Kumar, BJP District President, Coimbatore, challenging an order denying permission to BJP to conduct the road show on Monday. In his petition, Ramesh Kumar submitted he had applied for permission with the police on March 14 to permit him to conduct a road show for a span of four km via Mettupalayam road, Coimbatore for the purpose of enabling people to meet the Prime Minister. The road show was to sensitize the people of Coimbatore about various welfare schemes launched by the PM and urge them to avail them through Direct Benefit Transfer without any interference of touts and also promote the habit of saying no to drugs keeping in perspective the recent incidents hazardous drug trafficking in Tamil Nadu, he added. He said his application was rejected, the reasons being maintenance of law and order and peace and disturbance to public tranquility in Coimbatore in the event of conducting such road show and also in view of security threats as if it prevails. The order was arbitrary and in contrary to the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. The reasons stated in the refusal were not at all reasonable and despite his willingness to abide by any conditions imposed to conduct the road show has been completely overlooked by the police for political reasons, he added. Britains high court ruled Thursday that an Australian computer scientist is not, as he claimed, the mysterious creator of the bitcoin cryptocurrency. Craig Wright has for eight years claimed that he was the man behind Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym that masked the identity of the creator of bitcoin. His claim was dismissed by Justice James Mellor following a trial brought forward by the Crypto Open Patent Alliance, a non-profit group of technology and cryptocurrency firms. The organization claimed Wright had created an elaborate false narrative and forged documents to suggest he was Satoshi and had terrorized those who questioned him. Wright, who attended the start of the five-week trial, denied the allegations. At stake was not just bragging rights to the creation of bitcoin, the worlds most popular virtual currency, but control of the intellectual property rights. Wright has used his claim as bitcoins inventor to file litigation to drive developers away from further developing the open-source technology, the alliance claimed in their lawsuit. The ruling will clearly impact three pending lawsuits that Wright has filed based on his claim to having the intellectual property rights to bitcoin. The murky origins of bitcoin date to the height of the financial crisis in 2008. A paper authored by a person or group using the Nakamoto pen name explained how digital currency could be sent around the world anonymously, without banks or national currencies. Nakamoto seemed to vanish three years later. Speculation on the true identity swirled for years and the names of several candidates had emerged when Wright first surfaced to claim the identity in 2016 only to quickly return to the shadows, saying he didnt have the courage to provide more proof. Bitcoin is the worlds most high-profile digital currency, and like others is not tied to any bank or government. Like cash, it allows users to spend and receive money anonymously, or mostly so. It can be converted to cash when deposited into accounts at prices set in online trading. Supporters say it can be more trustworthy than traditional money, which can be vulnerable to the whims of those in power. Skeptics say their volatility has introduced a potential new risk to the global financial system, and fret about their potential to promote illicit activities and introduce uncertainty. (AP) President Joe Biden came out in opposition to the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying on Thursday that the U.S. needs to maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers. In a statement, Biden added: U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated. By opposing the merger, Biden has chosen to support unionized workers in a critical election year at the risk of upsetting the business community and an essential ally in Japan. Thursdays announcement, coming as Biden is campaigning in the Midwest, could have ripples in his race against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. The Democratic president has made the restoration of American manufacturing a cornerstone of his agenda as he seeks reelection, and he has the endorsements of the AFL-CIO and several other prominent unions. Nippon Steel announced in December that it planned to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. The Japanese company has tried to assuage critics by promising no job losses due to the merger. It also committed to keeping the U.S. Steel name and Pittsburgh headquarters, while noting it already has a presence in the American market and would bring in new resources to foster job growth. The company, which is the worlds fourth largest steel producer, launched a website with supportive statements from Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary, and Pat Toomey, a Republican and former senator from Pennsylvania. Shortly after the steel deal was announced, the White House indicated it would be under review by the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The government does not officially provide updates on the CFIUS review process. Biden has a big megaphone to weigh in on the matter, but he is not intervening in the review process or formally blocking the deal, according to a person familiar with deliberations who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation. When asked about the deal on Thursday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to say if the president wanted to stop it outright or would be amendable to changes in its structure. But Kirby told reporters that the United States sees its alliance with Japan as stronger than its ever been. Still, the president holds sway over CFIUS. The treasury secretary leads the committee, which is also composed of the heads of federal agencies and, as deemed appropriate, directors of White House councils on the economy and national security. Trump said earlier this year after meeting with the Teamsters union that he would stop the U.S. Steel acquisition: I would block it. I think its a horrible thing, when Japan buys U.S. Steel. I would block it instantaneously. Biden will travel on Thursday to Saginaw, Michigan, which was once home to multiple General Motors plants and where he hopes his backing from union workers can resonate with voters. The city is in a swing county that narrowly backed Trump in 2016 and then flipped to Biden in 2020, making it a crucial contest in this years presidential race. Biden has a close relationship with the United Steelworkers. He gave the union members personal assurances that he has their backs, according to a February statement by the union about Nippon Steels plans. U.S. Steel is headquartered in Pennsylvania, another key state in this years election. The United Steelworkers issued a statement last week after meeting with representatives from Nippon Steel that it had concerns about whether the company would honor existing labor agreements and about the companys financial transparency, adding that there were barriers to closing a merger. The U.S. considers Japan to be one of its closest allies and a key partner in countering Chinas ambitions and influence in Asia. Biden has visited the country twice as president and will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 10. But Nippon Steels connections to China have raised concerns within the Biden administration. More than half the steel produced globally comes from China, according to the World Steel Association. India is the second-largest producer, followed by Japan and the United States. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned in a February blog post that it would be foolhardy of the Biden administration to block the deal. Doing so could hurt foreign investment into the United States, cause other countries to block the overseas investments that U.S. companies want to make and undermine the U.S.-Japan alliance, the chamber said. John Murphy, the head of international issues for the chamber, said Thursday that it was inappropriate and counterproductive of Biden to politicize the CFIUS review. Its imperative that the CFIUS review proceed; and if, as expected, it reveals no national security concerns, the sale should proceed, Murphy said. But Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, who is up for reelection, applauded Bidens statement, saying, Ill work like hell against any deal that leaves our Steelworkers behind. (AP) An appeals court denied Trump White House official Peter Navarro s bid to stave off his jail sentence on contempt of Congress charges Thursday. Navarro has been ordered to report to a federal prison by March 19. He argued he should stay free as he appeals his conviction for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. But a three-judge panel of the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. disagreed, finding his appeal wasnt likely to reverse his conviction. His attorneys declined to comment but have previously indicated he would appeal to the Supreme Court. Navarro was the second Trump aide convicted of contempt of Congress charges. Former White House adviser Steve Bannon previously received a four-month sentence but a different judge allowed him to stay free pending appeal. Navarro was found guilty of defying a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House Jan. 6 committee. He served as a White House trade adviser under then-President Donald Trump and later promoted the Republicans baseless claims of mass voter fraud in the 2020 election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Navarro has said he couldnt cooperate with the committee because Trump had invoked executive privilege. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta barred him from making that argument at trial, however, finding that he didnt show Trump had actually invoked it. (AP) A violent altercation on a moving A train resulted in a shooting at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn subway station in Downtown Brooklyn on Thursday evening, leaving one person with a bullet fatally lodged in his head. According to City Council member Lincoln Restler, a fight broke out on the train as it approached the station, and one man pulled out a gun. The other man managed to gain control of the weapon and shot the first man. The police responded to the incident just before 5 p.m., during the height of rush hour, and a person of interest was taken into custody by 5:20 p.m. A firearm was also recovered, according to Mayor Eric Adams office. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and the police are investigating the motive for the attack and any potential relationship between the two individuals. The incident has sparked further concerns about safety in the New York City subway system, which has been under extreme scrutiny in recent weeks. Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard to check riders bags in an effort to deter crime and ease public fears. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Judith Raanan, a Chicago mother who was abducted by Hamas with her teenage daughter Natalie on October 7th and released after almost two weeks, told NewsNation that when she arrived at a hospital in Gaza, all the nurses cheered at the sight of Jewish prey. Judith, who grew up in Israel, had traveled to southern Israel with Natalie for Sukkos to celebrate her mothers 85th birthday. The two were staying at a guesthouse in Kibbutz Nachal Oz. In an interview with NewsNation, Judith said that on the morning of October 7th, she got up early to daven and then went back to sleep and fell into a deep sleep. She was awakened after her mother called her daughters cell phone, warning them not to go outside. Judith got up and started walking toward her daughters bedroom and at that moment, a rocket hit her bedroom. They heard gunshots and eventually heard Hamas terrorists speaking Arabic. It was at that point that Judith realized that she has two minutes to explain to her daughter whats happening. She explained that men will be coming in with full military artillery like in the movies and not to panic. Two Hamas terrorists then came in. They tied Judith and Natalie with zip-ties and abducted them at gunpoint through the desert to Gaza. Judith was badly cut when a Hamas terrorist used a sharp knife to cut her zip tie off. In Gaza, they were taken to a hospital. All the nurses were standing there and cheering, Judith said. They were all so happy that they came back with prey, with Israeli, Jewish prey. Although I told them that Im an American but Jewish prey. Like we captured our prey and everyone is very happy about it. Judith and Natalie, who are members of the Chabad of Evanston shul in Chicago, were the first hostages to be released from Gaza for humanitarian reasons. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Hamas terrorists on Thursday executed the leader of the Doghmush clan in Gaza for allegedly cooperating with Israel in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, reports from Gaza said. The execution was carried out in the middle of the clans command center sending a loud and clear statement about what happens to anyone in Gaza who disobeys Hamas. Two other clan members were executed as well. Earlier this week, Hamas warned Gazans to avoid collaborating with Israel in distributing humanitarian aid to civilians. The execution was carried out following a ruling by a Hamas family court in Gaza City. Israeli media recently reported that Israel is considering using armed clans in Gaza to control the Strip the day after the war as well as to prevent Hamas terrorists from commandeering the humanitarian aid that enters the Strip. Ynet quoted Hassan al-Sharfi, a human rights activist in Gaza, as saying: We the people of Gaza sometimes die because of Jews and sometimes because of Hamas. Hamas militias executed the leader of the Doghmush family inside the Family Court.' The Doghmush clan controls the northern Gaza Strip and has armed groups inside Gaza. Public figures in Gaza, including businessmen and ministers, rely on the clans security services. Members of the clan were affiliated with Fatah before the coup perpetrated by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2007. The Doghmush clan was involved in the abduction of Gilad Shalit in 2006. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Popular Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal penned an opinion article, published in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, called Bidens Middle East Is a Fantasy World. When Joe Biden and officials in his administration talk about the Israelis and the Palestinians, they describe two peoples that dont exist in reality, Amit began. According to the White House, the Palestinians aspire to peace, reject Hamas and are ready to make painful concessions. A week after Hamas attacked Israel, Mr. Biden said in an interview on 60 Minutes: Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas dont represent all the Palestinian people. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said: The many, many Palestinians who have had nothing to do with the brutal terrorist organization Hamasthe vast majority of the population of Gazathey deserve dignity. They deserve safety and security. In reality, according to a November survey by Arab World for Research and Development, affiliated with Ramallah-based Birzeit University, 59% of Palestinians extremely support the Oct. 7 massacre, and another 16% somewhat support it. When Mr. Biden refers to the Palestinian Authority as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, he ignores that its president, Mahmoud Abbas, was last elected 19 years ago to a four-year term, and that the last time the Palestinians went to the polls, in 2006, they voted for Hamas. The Israeli people as the White House envisions them are also different from the real thing. Vice President Kamala Harris this week uttered a statement about Israel of the kind typically reserved for dictatorships: Its important for us to distinguish or at least not conflate the Israeli government with the Israeli people. Some of Mr. Bidens supporters have suggested he address the Knesset, going over the head of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and speaking directly to Israels purportedly moderate population. The president seemed open to the idea in an MSNBC interview this week, though he later disavowed it. If Mr. Biden engages directly with the Israeli people, hell be surprised by what he hears. Yes, there is a significant disparity between Israels leadership and its citizensbut its the opposite of what people in Washington assume. The Israeli public is far more right-wing than the policies of its government. While Mr. Netanyahu has previously voiced support for a Palestinian state, a February survey conducted by Midgam for Channel 12 News found that 63% of the Israeli public strongly opposes such a state under any circumstances. While the cabinet implicitly agreed that a renewed Palestinian Authority would control Gaza, 73% of those who expressed an opinion in the survey opposed it. Minister Benny Gantz has hosted Mr. Abbas in his home, yet Israelis havent forgotten Mr. Abbass brazen lies about the Holocaust. The Israeli government has been providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, but a January survey found that 72% of the public opposes such aid until all hostages are released. Mr. Netanyahu has officially repudiated the ideas of renewing Jewish settlement in Gaza and direct Israeli control over the strip, but two-thirds of his voters support such moves, according to the Midgam/Channel 12 survey. The Israel Mr. Biden knowsthe one that supports deep withdrawals, settlement evacuations and the two-state solutionceased to exist two decades ago during the second intifada. Savage Palestinian violence at that time indiscriminately claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Israelis, including babies, women and the elderly. That massacre was led by Fatah moderates rather than Hamas extremists, and the slaughter unfolded in slow motion over three years rather than eight hours. Those bloody events occurred months after Israels prime minister offered the Palestinian leader more than 90% of Judea and Samaria, the evacuation of thousands of settlers, the division of the Old City of Jerusalem, and Palestinian control of the Temple Mount. Its time the administration recognizes reality: The Palestinians overwhelmingly support the murder of Jews, and the Israelis dont think the Palestinians deserve a state. Maybe Mr. Netanyahu should go over Mr. Bidens head and speak to the U.S. people directly. According to a recent Harvard Caps-Harris poll, the American public supports Israel much more than the president does. And Id like to remind my fellow Israelis that its important for us to distinguish, or at least not conflate, the American government with the American people. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a tweet, War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz expressed his disapproval of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers recent speech, in which Schumer called for elections in Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz stated that while Schumer is a friend of Israel who helps us a lot, his remarks were a mistake. Gantz emphasized that Israel is a strong democracy and that its citizens should be the only ones to determine its leadership and future. He stressed that any external intervention in the matter is incorrect and unacceptable. Earlier Thursday, Schumer called for elections in Israel, saying that Netanyahu was no longer the right leader for the Jewish State. The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed radically since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past, said Schumer. He added that Netanyahu lost his way, putting himself in coalition with far-right extremists like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. If Prime Minister Netanyahus current coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing US standards for assistance, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course, Schumer said. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, has expressed strong support for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers recent speech, in which he called for elections in Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Soifer tweeted that Schumer did something big by speaking out, stating that his words reflect the thoughts of the overwhelming majority of American Jews who are concerned about Israels future as a secure, Jewish, and democratic state. She praised Schumer for demonstrating moral clarity, conviction, and leadership and expressed her admiration with the Hebrew phrase Yasher koach. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) On March 7, the body of 27-year-old Ukrainian woman Marharyta Razaz was found in Hockenheim, Germany. The young woman was brutally murdered. Her 51-year-old mother, Maryna Stetsenko, and newborn daughter went missing. The police put them on the wanted list. ADVERTISIMENT Read more about this in the OBOZ.UA article. On March 15, it became known that the German police in Mannheim had found a little girl, the daughter of the murdered 27-year-old Margarita Razaz. This was confirmed by DNA analysis. The girl, who is only a month and a half old, was under the care of two men. They have now been arrested. Law enforcement is currently trying to find the mother of the murdered Ukrainian woman, 51-year-old Marina Stetsenko. Last seen in a restaurant with a new friend German police reported that on March 7, the body of 27-year-old Ukrainian woman Marharyta Razaz was found on the Rhine River dam near Hockenheim. At first, law enforcement officers could not identify her. But later, when friends started looking for a missing Ukrainian woman, it turned out that it was Marharyta. ADVERTISIMENT The body was found by a passerby. After an autopsy, it was confirmed that the girl had suffered "external violence" before her death. Marharyta and her mother with their newborn daughter were last seen alive in a restaurant in the town of Bruchsal. According to Arina Yakubovska, a family friend, they were there with an acquaintance named Inna, who lives in the city of Waldorf and helps Ukrainian refugees. According to the friend, the mother and daughter found this woman in one of the social media groups, and she offered to help them with the paperwork for the child and with the maternity hospital. But no one really knew her. ADVERTISIMENT And after that, Ryta, her mother, and her newborn daughter disappeared. Inna's Telegram and social media accounts also disappeared. Rita used to run a culinary business Marharyta and her mother, Maryna Stetsenko, left for Europe in the summer of 2023. At first, they ended up in Slovakia. In one of the groups, Marharyta posted an announcement that they were looking for housing for 3-4 months. After that, at the end of November 2023, they were already looking for housing in Germany, in the Mannheim area of Baden-Wurttemberg. At that time, the Ukrainian woman said that she needed housing for a long time, as one of the women was giving birth in a month and a half. The payment was promised through a job center, as they were registered as asylum seekers in Germany. ADVERTISIMENT In January, the girl gave birth to a daughter. At the time of her death, the child was only five weeks old. Judging by her social media pages, before the full-scale invasion began, Ryta was engaged in making cakes and edible bouquets for sale. There are many photos of her work on her Instagram page bouquets for men, women, and children's gift bouquets. ADVERTISIMENT Originally from Karlivka, Poltava region, Rita lived in Kharkiv until February 24, 2022. Her friends say that she did not communicate with the child's father. Ryta has a sister in Ukraine, but the family does not want to say anything yet, explaining that they are being asked by the police. German police are searching for a grandmother and her young granddaughter. At the same time, family and friends are preparing to transport Ryta's body home for her funeral. If anyone wants to help the family, they can transfer money to the bank. The card number is 5375 4112 1647 8482, https://send.monobank.ua/jar/5pLC4pzXh. According to a report by Reuters, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has informed Iran, the groups main backer, that it will fight a war against Israel on its own if the conflict escalates, without dragging Tehran into the conflict. This comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with the latter launching near-daily attacks on Israeli communities and military posts along the border since October 8. The report cites seven sources, including Iranians within the inner circle of power, who revealed that the head of Irans Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, visited Beirut in February to discuss the risk posed by a potential full-scale Israeli assault on Hezbollah. During the meeting, Nasrallah reassured Qaani that Hezbollah would fight independently, saying This is our fight. The development comes as Israel has repeatedly warned that it will no longer tolerate Hezbollah on its northern border and has threatened to launch an offensive if diplomatic efforts fail. The ongoing skirmishes along the border have resulted in numerous casualties, including seven Israeli civilians, ten IDF soldiers and reservists, and 244 Hezbollah members, as well as civilians and operatives from other terror groups in Lebanon and Syria. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Hamas has presented a ceasefire proposal to the US and mediators, which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, including 100 serving life sentences. The proposal also includes the release of women, children, the elderly, and ill hostages, in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners. According to the proposal, Hamas would agree on a date for a permanent ceasefire after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, and a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would be agreed upon after the first stage. The group also agreed to release all detainees from both sides in the second stage of the plan. However, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of continuing to make ridiculous demands and has expressed skepticism about the proposal. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has appealed to the war cabinet to agree to a deal, stating that it is a chance to finally reunite with their loved ones. Egypt and Qatar have been mediating the negotiations, aiming to reach a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where one-quarter of the population is facing famine. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has stressed the importance of reaching a deal and warned against an Israeli incursion into Rafah, where an estimated 1.5 million people have sought shelter. The proposal is seen as a significant development in the indirect negotiations, which had appeared to break down last week. However, hopes have risen in recent days, with Qatar reportedly putting pressure on Hamas to soften its demands. A senior Israeli official has expressed cautious optimism, stating that there is something to work with. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a security cabinet meeting today, security officials revealed that Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas military wing in the central Gaza Strip, was killed in an IDF strike earlier this week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the news as a great achievement for Israel, as reported by Ynet news site. The IDF confirmed on Monday that it had targeted Issa in a strike on central Gazas Nuseirat, but had not initially confirmed the success of the operation. Issas death is a significant blow to Hamas, as he was considered the number three in the terror organization in Gaza and served as the deputy of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Issa, along with Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, is believed to have masterminded the groups October 7 massacre in southern Israel, which triggered the ongoing war. His death may have significant implications for the conflict, as efforts to secure a ceasefire and release of hostages may be complicated by this development. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Small-cap advanced materials engineering group Versarien had a week worth celebrating with a gamut of fresh international licensing agreements announced to the public. First off, Versarien announced the sale of its South Korean plant and equipment to MCK Tech for 604,000 alongside an exclusive licensing agreement for five patents. This move is part of Versarien's strategy to offload non-core assets, including the Korean plant acquired from Hanwha Aerospace in 2020. The transaction also includes an exclusive licence for MCK Tech to use Versarien's patents in Korea, with payments pegged at 4.5 per cent of sales revenue from products using these patents. One of Versarien's businesses is Manchester University spin-out 2-DTech. It makes graphene, which is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon Then came the announcement of a five-year licensing deal with Brazilian-headquartered multinational business Montana. Montana was granted use of Versariens Graphinks branded goods, such as dispersions and formulas, for its own products. Celebrate, the market did, with Versariens shares soaring 58 per cent throughout the week. There was less to celebrate in the wider stock market, albeit not much to commiserate either, with the AIM All-Share Index approaching the end of the week essentially flat at 739. Mid-week trades were buoyant though, with the markets repricing expectations of when the Bank of England will make its first rate cut after an ONS labour market report showed softening in several areas, including weaker wage growth. On the blue-chip front, the FTSE 100 notched up a three-month high on Wednesday on the back of this data. Though it retreated a little bit in the latter half of the week, footsie managed to close up over one percent higher. Immupharma was a top riser in the biotech space. The developer of peptide-based therapeutics announced it is set to participate in the BIO-Europe Spring gathering, touted as a 'premier partnering event, designed to provide biotechnology companies with the opportunity to present to and connect with investors together with the global biopharma community'. Capital Metals led the charge in the mining sector, rallying 40 per cent after Sheffield Resources acquired a 10 per cent stake in the minerals sands company as part of a 1.25million investment at a bumper premium. In the tech space, Smartspace Software agreed and recommended the terms of a takeover by Sign in Solutions to its shareholders, seeing it valued at 28.35million. Shares added 30 per cent. A corporate update from supercapacitor manufacturer CAP-XX was met with a lead-balloon response, as the board warned of a pressing need for financing or face administration. 'In this eventuality, it is not known how much, if any, value would be returned to shareholders,' the group admitted. Unsurprisingly, shares collapsed 85 per cent. Speaking of raising funds, communications company LoopUp Group made some concerning comments about the state of small-cap funding on the London Stock Exchange. The group announced plans to delist from AIM to tap the private markets for capital. LoopUps board unanimously concluded that 'this proposal to delist and conduct a private fundraising is in the best interests of the group and of our shareholders as a whole'. Like CAP-XX, LoopUp has some pressing financing requirements- according to a trading update, cash at the year-end was 845,000 but it has a 6million loan from Bank of Ireland due for repayment in September. LoopUp shares crashed 70 per cent in response. Blue Star Capital received a major shock to the system when its stakes in Dynasty Gaming & Media and Googly Media were revalued at less than 450,000 after a combination of the two. Blue Star had been carrying these investments at a combined valuation of approximately 5.45 million. Blue Star shares fell nearly 50% following this significant valuation decline. Shares in second-hand electronics folks musicMagpie were also on the slide after reporting its full-year results. It was a music playlist in fairness; although top-line revenues slipped 6 per cent, tight margin control meant pre-tax earnings climbed 15 per cent to 7.5million. For the year to November. But there was also the issue of debt increasing from 7.9million to 13.1million in the period. Shares ultimately took the bearish route and fell 19 per cent by Friday. Ambition: Shein requires Beijing's blessings for its plans The spotlight is turning to the world of fast fashion as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt campaigns to persuade Shein to list its shares in the UK. The $60billion Chinese online giant, founded in 2008 to supply wedding dresses for the budget-conscious brides of the USA, is today the great disrupter in the 'pile 'em high sell 'em cheap' garment sector. It is even snapping at the heels of the mighty Amazon. Excitement is already gathering over what could be one of the largest ever flotations in London, spurred by the belief that a decision to float here, rather than in the US, would 'happen with a bang', as one City figure puts it. The arrival of funky Shein (pronounced She-in) could shift the perception that our stock markets are a dowdy backwater. Obstacles stand in the way, however. Although now Singapore-based, Shein still requires Beijing's blessings for its plans. Also it may not have abandoned its earlier ambition to go public in New York, hoping to overcome objections, some of which arise from the US and China trade war. On both sides of the Atlantic, there is intense scrutiny of Shein's sustainability strategy detailed in the evoluSHEIN Roadmap document. The controversy over fast fashion's labour practices and environmental impact will mean some UK investors will shun Shein. Others will question whether it pays sufficient tax. The company, which ships from China, is not subject to UK import duties which are charged on parcels worth 135 or more. But many investors are already wondering whether Shein shares could yield a profitable 'haul' . For the uninitiated, a 'haul' is the term for a parcel of fast fashion 'fits' or clothing, shown off by the shopper in a Tik Tok video. S HEIN deliveries take about eight days, but its Gen Z fan base seems sanguine. This week you could buy a dress for 4.24 from Missguided, the UK business that Shein bought last year from Mike Ashley's Frasers Group. Such rock bottom prices have assured Shein's ascent under its secretive founder Sky Xu. Sales rose from $1.3billion in 2018 to $22.7billion in 2022, accelerated by the pandemic shift to online shopping. A figure of $60billion is projected for 2025, explaining why Shein has caused disarray at Asos and Boohoo, the UK's top fast fashion names. Asos shares, which peaked at 5772p in 2021, have tumbled to 343.4p. Boohoo shares stand at 33.05p, below the 50p price at its IPO (initial public offering) in 2014. Empire building: Shein's secretive founder Sky Xu These glamour stocks are among the most shorted shares, suggesting pessimism about the outlook. But both could be caught up in the enthusiasm if Shein comes to London. Frasers owns 22 per cent of Asos and 26 per cent of Boohoo, so it is clear that deal-maker Ashley perceives an opportunity. The Shein effect is also being felt at Inditex and H&M, the world's first and second biggest fashion retailers. Inditex, the Spanish owner of Zara, Pull & Bear and other brands, is expanding its discount chain Lefties, which operates in Spain and Portugal. It is also opening larger Zara stores to conjure an impression of luxury that makes trend seekers more relaxed about higher prices. This strategy helped the group to record sales and a 23 per cent rise in profits, as was announced this week. Meanwhile, Swedish giant H&M is fighting back by speeding up the introduction of new lines in stores. Research from the consultancy McKinsey shows that the average cost to H&M and Zara of an item of stock is $26 and $34.2 respectively. At Shein it is $14. But prospective investors should note that its dominance is not assured. Temu, an arm of Chinese e-commerce titan Pinduoduo, is already a rival, although only set up in 2022. Swetha Ramachandran, manager of the Artemis Leading Consumer Brands fund says: 'Before investing in Shein, I would have to understand more about how the company means to make its competitive edge durable. How it can it keep on producing at rock-bottom prices? Shein is heavily reliant on Chinese factories. But wages there have been rising, as workers seek a better standard of living.' Ramachandran also points to another issue. 'Shein appeals to an 18 to 25-year-old age group, but long-term success in retail depends on widening your appeal and so taking the members of your clientele with you as they grow older.' She cites Next as an example of a 'best-in-class retailer' that offers not only online convenience but also welcoming stores. She said: 'People like to be in shops. They like the social aspect.' Shein's social media presence may be prodigious, but it cannot compete on this front. The UK market needs the lustre that Shein could bring. The brouhaha surrounding the IPO ought to raise the profile of unloved shares in great companies. But the opposite could be the case if advisers fail to probe Shein's credentials. You may not be a close follower of trends in fast, or any other type of fashion. But this is certainly one to watch. Shell yesterday watered down its green targets and said the world will have to keep investing in oil and gas for decades to come. The FTSE 100 energy giant scaled back its carbon reduction goal for 2030 and has ditched a further target for 2035. It is the latest evidence that Shell, whose boss Wael Sawan took over last year, is rethinking how the company can achieve its net zero ambitions amid uncertainty about the transition to green energy. But it was criticised by environmental campaigners amid complaints that the 163billion company was already not doing enough in the battle against climate change. Shells argument is that investment in green energy such as wind farms is not happening quickly enough to meet growing global demand while fossil fuel energy sources are being lost. Crude move: Shell scaled back its carbon reduction goal for 2030 and has ditched a further target for 2035 as it rethinks how it can achieve its net zero ambitions It said it continues to target net zero emissions, supporting a balanced and orderly transition... to low-carbon energy solutions. Sawan said that its strategy makes it more, not less, likely that we will achieve our climate targets. It comes after the chief executive announced last year that Shell would stop shrinking its oil production and would be ramping up its natural gas manufacturing. Rival BP is moving in a similar direction, and has decided to row back on its own emission reduction targets. The moves come amid investor pressure on the two companies to boost returns. Shells position was announced as part of an annual update on its energy transition strategy, focused on a measure of carbon intensity. That measures carbon emissions as a proportion of all the energy that the company sells, allowing the impact of fossil fuel output to be offset by other parts of the business such as renewable energy. Shell will aim to cut its carbon intensity by 15 per cent to 20 per cent by 2030 compared with 2016 levels, having previously aimed for 20 per cent. A target to reduce it by 45 per cent by 2035 was scrapped. Sawan said the 2035 goal was perilous because there is too much uncertainty at the moment in the energy transition. Shell plans to ramp up gas production in the belief that it will play a critical role in the energy transition, being preferable to coal for use in heavy industry and power generation Another key factor in the target being watered down is that Shell expects growth in its sales of power, including from renewable sources, to slow. Its broader analysis has concluded that not enough money is being invested in renewable energy. At around 1.3trillion a year, it falls short of the 2.3trillion to 3.1trillion needed to reach net zero by 2050, it said, adding: Significant investment will be required to keep supplying oil and gas while low-carbon alternatives are developed and made commercially available. This continued investment is needed because demand for oil and gas is expected to drop at a slower rate than the natural decline of the worlds oil and gas fields, which is at 4 per cent to 5 per cent a year. The plans come as Shell is facing legal challenges over its climate strategy. It is appealing against a Dutch court ruling that ordered it to cut its emissions faster. Mark van Baal, founder of the activist shareholder group Follow This, said that with this backtrack, Shell bets on the failure of the Paris climate agreement which requires almost halving emissions this decade. But Neil Wilson, the chief market analyst at Markets, said that Shells move seems sensible and that it was emissions from China and India that were the main problem. Time to ditch all of this net zero crap, said Wilson. The John Lewis Partnership is back in the black after three years of losses, but it is struggling to keep up with the resurgence of rival Marks and Spencer. The group behind Waitrose and the John Lewis department stores unveiled profits of 56million for the 12 months to the end of January, having made a loss of 234million a year earlier. It was the first profit since the pandemic struck but came alongside a somewhat underwhelming rise in revenues of 2 per cent to 10.8billion. And the profits were still not enough for bosses to bring back its annual bonus for staff, as revealed by The Mail on Sunday last weekend. John Lewis is owned by its 70,000-strong workforce, who are also known as partners. They typically get an annual bonus on top of their base salary but were left disappointed once again this year. Departing: The John Lewis Partnership, which is headed by chairman Dame Sharon White (pictured), unveiled profits of 56m for the 12 months to the end of January The company, headed by chairman Dame Sharon White, who is set to leave next year, said it would not be right to award a payout while the company cuts costs. It is the second year in a row that workers have been denied a bonus and the third time since 1953. The woes at John Lewis put it at odds with M&S, which stormed back into the FTSE 100 last year as its recovery picked up pace. In its most recent figures, M&S posted its 11th successive quarter of growth, including a 7 per cent sales jump year-on-year over Christmas. Food sales led the way with 10 per cent growth, while clothing and homeware climbed 5 per cent. Analysts put this down to M&S dropping its dowdy clothing and attracting younger shoppers. Actress Sienna Miller was the face of its autumn collection and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham featured in its Christmas advert. In January, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said the business was entering 2024 with a spring in our step. By contrast, John Lewis has struggled to revive its shops. Yesterday, it said department store sales fell 4 per cent to 4.8billion last year, largely weighed down by a weak performance for home and tech products as shoppers cut back. But Waitrose was a bright spot, with sales up 5 per cent to 7.7billion, despite lifting its prices by 7 per cent in the year on average. A million more customers shopped at the group last year, taking the total to 22.6million. But the improvements were not enough to restart the annual bonus, which may prove controversial for workers concerned about job cuts. And rather than handing them a bonus, bosses said there was a responsibility to ensure the partnership is sustainable into the long term, which has meant investing in stores and driving up base pay. Pay could be increased by a record 116million this year, it said. It comes as the business ploughs ahead with a turn-around, which could mean 11,000 jobs will be lost over the next five years in a bid to save 900million, reports suggest. The group has already made cuts of 88million over the past financial year. Yet at half-year results in September, John Lewis warned it would take a further two years to complete the cuts, shifting the end date from 2025-26 to 2027-28. White said it would focus unashamedly on its retail by opening more Waitrose shops and refurbishing existing ones. John Lewis has also scrapped targets for its non-retail departments, including for financial services and housebuilding divisions. This marks a major climbdown from previous goals, which included building and renting out 10,000 homes as part of plans to generate 40 per cent of profits from outside retail by 2030. But change is already afoot. In October, White said that she would be stepping down as chairman in February 2025, making her the shortest-serving boss in the partnerships 94-year history. The former Ofcom chief joined at the start of 2020 and has been criticised for her lack of retail experience. Rumours have swirled about who will be named as her replacement. Katie Bickerstaffe, the first woman to lead M&S when she was made co-chief executive two years ago, has been tipped as a candidate. She leaves M&S in July and has helped revive the High Street giant. Garry White, of wealth manager Charles Stanley, said M&Ss resurgence meant the sustainability of John Lewis was not guaranteed. Review: Tom Hayes was convicted in 2015 for rigging the London Interbank Offered Rate The conviction of Tom Hayes, the first trader jailed for fixing the Libor rate, was extraordinarily unfair and should be overturned, the Court of Appeal has heard. Hayes, a former Citigroup and UBS trader, was convicted in 2015 for rigging the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) that tracks what banks pay to borrow cash from each other. He was among 38 traders prosecuted for manipulating the Libor and Euribor benchmarks. His appeal is being heard alongside ex-Barclays trader Carlo Palombo, who was sentenced to four years for manipulating Euribor. Hayes served half his 11-year sentence and last year won a review. His lawyer Adrian Darbishire KC argued the conviction was unsafe, and directions to the jury about Libor were not only wrong in law but extraordinarily unfair. The Libor scandal led to banks paying big fines. Traders like Hayes argue they were scapegoated. Vodafone has finally agreed to sell its Vodafone Italy business to rival Swisscom for 8billion (6.8billion) in cash, with the telecoms giant setting aside half the amount for shareholder payouts. It follows efforts to 'right-size' Vodafone's portfolio by offloading underperforming assets, having also agreed the sale of Vodafone Spain to Zegona Communications last October, merged its UK business with Three and lined up around 11,000 job cuts over three years. The sale of Vodafone Spain and Italy has netted the group 12billlion, of which 4billion, or roughly 3.4billion, will be paid out to shareholders via buybacks, it said on Friday. However, the group will also halve its dividend to 4.5c from 2025. Vodafone 'right sizing' European portfolio by offloading struggling units Vodafone shares were up 3.8 per cent to 68.6p by midday on Friday. They remain down by around 27 per cent over the last 12 months. Shareholders will receive the first tranche of 2billion via buybacks after the Vodafone Spain sale is complete, while the completion of the Italian deal will prompt an additional 2billion payout. Vodafone expects shareholders to receive 'up to' 3.1billion during its 2025 financial year, taking into account 1.1billion in ordinary dividend payments and representing a 23 per cent increase on the 2.5billion it anticipates paying investors this year. Boss Margherita Della Valle said: 'The sale of Vodafone Italy to Swisscom creates significant value for Vodafone and ensures the business maintains its leading position in Italy, which has been built through the dedicated commitment of our colleagues to serving our customers over many years.' She added that the 'reshaping' of Vodafone's European operations will see the group focus on markets 'where we hold strong positions enabling us to deliver predictable, stronger growth'. Vodafone also told shareholders it would accelerate its investment in its business-to-business operations, with the group intending to 'further strengthen our range of platforms and capabilities'. It also hopes to strengthen and expand partnerships, such as the 10-year artificial intelligence deal agreed with Microsoft last year. Lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Sophie Lund-Yates said: 'The telecoms are unlikely to ever shoot the lights out when it comes to growth, but the reliable nature of their revenue and high barriers to entry make shareholder returns one of the core attractions of these stocks. 'Vodafone's Italian business has been struggling, so shedding this weight should help the group refocus and the division's been up for sale for a while. 'Attention will now turn to how effectively Vodafone uses its resources to fix wider challenges, including high debts, costs and some increasing competition.' Revamp: Margherita Della Valle aims to simplify the telecoms giant Vodafone is selling its Italian business to a Swiss rival for 6.8billion in the 'third and final step' of its European makeover. The telecoms giant has agreed to sell Vodafone Italia to Swisscom as part of wider plans to reshape its sprawling business. It follows weeks of speculation about the fate of the Italian unit, which saw Vodafone snub an offer from French telecoms operator Iliad in January. Vodafone yesterday said the deal with Swisscom, which is majority-owned by the Swiss government, would allow it to leave Italy, where it was 'not possible' to achieve adequate returns. Announcing the deal, the FTSE 100 company also revealed it would return up to 3.4billion to shareholders through buybacks and cut its dividend to 4.5 cents a share (3.8p) from next year, down from 9 cents (7p) in 2024. Vodafone shares rose 5.7 per cent. The sale of the Italian business is the third major move by chief executive Margherita Della Valle, who has been looking to simplify the company's operations amid pressure from shareholders. Since taking over in January last year, the Italian-born boss has dumped Vodafone's Spanish business in a 4.4billion deal with Zegona and has been spearheading a planned 15billion mega-merger between Vodafone and Three UK, which is owned by the Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison. Della Valle said: 'I am announcing the third and final step in the reshaping of our European operations. Going forward, our businesses will be operating in growing telco markets where we hold strong positions enabling us to deliver predictable, stronger growth in Europe.' The planned buyback will be made up of 1.7billion from the sale of Vodafone Spain and up to 1.7billion from the sale of Italian arm, which is subject to regulatory and other approvals, the company said. Sophie Lund-Yates, lead analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'Vodafone's Italian business has been struggling, so shedding this weight should help the group refocus.' She added the announcement of a buyback would also be seen by shareholders as a 'welcome token for their patience in what has been a difficult period'. However, some analysts have warned that slashing the dividend would hurt investors in the long run. Russ Mould at AJ Bell said: 'A lower dividend over the long term reduces Vodafone's ongoing financial commitment to shareholders. This may help put capital allocation on a more sustainable footing, but it does dilute one of the key reasons people hold the shares.' And the company is still grappling with its flailing German business, which remains its largest market. Karen Egan, at research group Enders Analysis, said: 'The company is highlighting how well it is positioned to grow now without Italy and Spain, and with the prospect of a better position in the UK. 'Germany is more important than ever, and the jury is still out on that turnaround.' Voda's German unit posted revenues of 2.5billion in the three months to the end of December, up just 0.3 per cent from the same period the year before. And its planned merger with Three is far from guaranteed. The tie-up which could create Britain's biggest telecoms operator is facing scrutiny from the competition regulators, which have until next Friday to decide whether to launch a further investigation into the deal. In the morning of March 15, people in Belgorod region complained of shelling. Hits during the declared air raid alert due to the missile threat were recorded, in particular, in Belgorod, and there was destruction. ADVERTISIMENT Russians are posting videos of explosions in the regional center and the region, with two victims reported. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that "MLRS missiles were destroyed." The morning in Belgorod and the region began alarmingly. A "missile threat" was announced in the region from 07:11 to 07:25 Kyiv time. A few minutes before the alert ended, local channels began reporting "loud noises" over Belgorod and that a "column of smoke" was rising over the city. A little later, videos of the hits and their consequences began to appear online. In particular, a car was on fire on a street in Belgorod. According to the data announced by the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, by 08:30 Kyiv time, various damages were found in 23 apartments of seven apartment buildings. ADVERTISIMENT "A hit to the territory of the school stadium was recorded, there is damage to the treadmills, and 2 windows in the school building were slightly damaged. Information on the number of damaged cars is being clarified," Gladkov said. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, according to him, "in Belgorod region, damage was recorded in several apartments of one apartment building, 5 private residential buildings and two shopping center buildings. 8 cars were also damaged". ADVERTISIMENT In addition, Gladkov reported two injuries. "One man has a bruised chest and a closed fracture of several ribs, an ambulance team took him to Belgorod City Hospital 2. All necessary medical care is being provided. The second man's face was cut by glass shards. The medical team is on the way to the victim," he said. ADVERTISIMENT Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry boasted of "destroying" all MLRS missiles in the air. "At about 08.15 Moscow time (07:15 Kyiv time - Ed.), an attempt by the Kyiv regime to launch a terrorist attack on targets in the Russian Federation using the RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system was stopped. Air defense systems on duty shot down seven missiles in the air over the Belgorod region," the Russian Defense Ministry said. Meanwhile, residents of Belgorod continue to post photos of the aftermath of the "foiled attack" and complain that the entrances equipped with special devices for remote opening during a missile threat did not open today during the air alert. ADVERTISIMENT "People were unable to hide in their homes," Belgorod residents complain. The day before, on March 14, there were also complaints of explosions in the Russian city of Belgorod. Smoke rose into the sky near the train station. On the same day, Russian volunteers from the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps called on civilians in the Belgorod region to evacuate to save their lives. The Russian volunteers promised to destroy military facilities in a number of settlements in the region. If you fancy a bolthole in Ireland but don't need too much room, this tiny house that extends across just 34 square metres may fit the bill. The little property for sale in Cork is sandwiched between two larger homes on the city's Vicar Street and is up for grabs for 170,000, the equivalent of 145,000. The property is described by the estate agent as 'mid-terrace' and a 'quaint, cosy home'. This tiny home in Ireland's city of Cork is up for grabs for 170,000, the equivalent of 145,000 The unusual property extends across just 34 metres square, the equivalent of 365 square feet Helen O'Keeffe, of Auctioneera, which is the estate agent handling the sale, explained: 'We appreciate that this is a unique property in terms of its size and that it won't be for everyone. 'However, we think people will appreciate the fact that the property has been refurbished to a high standard and makes efficient use of a small space.' She went on to say that the property would be ideal for a first-time buyer, or for someone seeking close proximity to the city. Indeed, it could work as the perfect commuter pied-a-terre during the working week, as the property is just over a ten minute walk from the city centre of Cork. Ms O'Keeffe said: 'In today's challenging economic environment, it can be a struggle for many to get on the property ladder and we feel that this property, albeit small, still presents a great opportunity for someone to secure a quaint, cosy home in a welcoming and convenient location close to the city. 'Plus, there's always the major bonus that you won't spend your days cleaning as it will take a short time to keep it spick and span.' Auctioneera, which is the estate agent handling the sale, explained that the property had been refurbished to a high standard The house has an open plan living area that includes a kitchen, dining area and living room on the ground level A mezzanine area above the main living area provides the bedroom space, with skylights that flood the room with light The property on Cork's vicar Street has been refurbished to provide a clean and contemporary look Buying agent Henry Pryor explained that the property's asking price would be significantly higher if it was in a major UK city such as Bristol or London. He said: 'This looks little more than a covered passageway and shows the housing crisis is not just a UK problem. 'If you think that this is mad, then in Bristol they would be asking closer to 200,000 and in London there are estate agents who would be confident quoting closer to half a million in some postcodes.' The main living area leads out onto an small outdoor space that is paved via a glass door At the rear of the property, there is a modern shower room hidden behind double doors The compact shower room has grey floor to ceiling tiles as well as a modern white suite The property has been refurbished to provide a clean and contemporary look across just 34 square metres, the equivalent of 365 square feet, and boasts an open plan living area that includes a kitchen, dining area and living room on the ground level. A mezzanine area above the living area provides the separate bedroom space, with skylights that flood the room with light. The property has gas central heating and water mains connected. It is also wired for cable television and broadband. easyJet plc (LON:EZJ Get Free Report) insider Kenton Jarvis acquired 28 shares of easyJet stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 548 ($7.02) per share, with a total value of 153.44 ($196.59). Kenton Jarvis also recently made the following trade(s): Get easyJet alerts: On Monday, February 12th, Kenton Jarvis bought 27 shares of easyJet stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 546 ($7.00) per share, for a total transaction of 147.42 ($188.88). On Wednesday, January 10th, Kenton Jarvis purchased 29 shares of easyJet stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 514 ($6.59) per share, with a total value of 149.06 ($190.98). easyJet Stock Performance Shares of EZJ opened at GBX 519.20 ($6.65) on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 538.58 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 471.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 104.20, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.00. The company has a market cap of 3.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,207.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 2.58. easyJet plc has a 1 year low of GBX 350 ($4.48) and a 1 year high of GBX 582.71 ($7.47). easyJet Cuts Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 22nd will be issued a dividend of GBX 4.50 ($0.06) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a yield of 0.9%. easyJets payout ratio is 1,162.79%. A number of brokerages have commented on EZJ. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a GBX 585 ($7.50) price objective on shares of easyJet in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of easyJet from GBX 690 ($8.84) to GBX 680 ($8.71) and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and set a GBX 700 ($8.97) price objective on shares of easyJet in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given 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 price target of GBX 609.17 ($7.80). Check Out Our Latest Research Report on EZJ easyJet Company Profile (Get Free Report) easyJet plc operates as a low-cost airline carrier in Europe. The company engages in the provision of holiday packages; aircraft trading and leasing activities; development of building projects; financing and insurance business; and tour operator activities. easyJet plc was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Luton, the United Kingdom. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for easyJet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for easyJet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Imperial Oil Limited (TSE:IMO Free Report) (NYSEMKT:IMO) Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q1 2024 EPS estimates for Imperial Oil in a report released on Tuesday, March 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will earn $2.08 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $2.06. The consensus estimate for Imperial Oils current full-year earnings is $8.34 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Imperial Oils Q2 2024 earnings at $1.64 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.94 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $1.95 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $7.61 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $2.62 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $7.81 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $9.47 EPS. Get Imperial Oil alerts: A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on IMO. Desjardins increased their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$77.00 to C$86.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$97.00 to C$94.00 in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$82.00 to C$85.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Imperial Oil from C$78.00 to C$80.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, TD Securities cut shares of Imperial Oil from a buy rating to a hold rating and increased their price objective for the stock from C$87.00 to C$88.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Eight 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, Imperial Oil presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$87.46. Imperial Oil Stock Performance Shares of IMO opened at C$91.75 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.49. The stock has a market capitalization of C$49.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.84. The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$80.52 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$79.16. Imperial Oil has a 12 month low of C$60.19 and a 12 month high of C$91.77. Imperial Oil (TSE:IMO Get Free Report) (NYSEMKT:IMO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The company reported C$2.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$2.08 by C$0.39. The business had revenue of C$13.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$16.57 billion. Imperial Oil had a net margin of 9.64% and a return on equity of 21.91%. Imperial Oil Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, April 1st will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. This is an increase from Imperial Oils previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.62%. Imperial Oils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.27%. Imperial Oil Company Profile (Get Free Report) Imperial Oil Limited engages in exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream and Chemical segments. The Upstream segment explores for, and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic crude oil, and bitumen. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, blending of refined products, and the distribution and marketing of refined products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Imperial Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Imperial Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from $90.00 to $105.00 in a research report issued on Friday, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage presently has a market perform rating on the stock. Telsey Advisory Groups target price would suggest a potential upside of 7.12% from the companys current price. A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on SIG. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Signet Jewelers from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. StockNews.com cut Signet Jewelers from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, March 8th. Finally, Citigroup raised Signet Jewelers from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $93.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $104.00. Get Signet Jewelers alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Signet Jewelers Signet Jewelers Stock Performance Insider Activity SIG opened at $98.02 on Friday. Signet Jewelers has a one year low of $57.10 and a one year high of $108.79. The company has a market cap of $4.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.87, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 2.13. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $100.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $87.71. In other news, insider Stash Ptak sold 750 shares of Signet Jewelers stock in a transaction on Friday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.36, for a total value of $75,270.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 23,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,340,495.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Oded Edelman sold 7,912 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.87, for a total value of $798,083.44. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 25,466 shares in the company, valued at $2,568,755.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Stash Ptak sold 750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.36, for a total value of $75,270.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 23,321 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,340,495.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 91,004 shares of company stock valued at $9,014,794 over the last quarter. 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 SIG. Belpointe Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 67.9% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 403 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP grew its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 274.1% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 404 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 296 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 187.2% in the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 494 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 37.0% in the 4th quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 470 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC bought a new position in Signet Jewelers in the 1st quarter worth approximately $51,000. About Signet Jewelers (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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Signet Jewelers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Signet Jewelers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $50.44, but opened at $51.89. PBF Energy shares last traded at $53.74, with a volume of 408,348 shares. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PBF has been the subject of several research reports. Mizuho raised PBF Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $52.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and set a $50.00 price target (down from $65.00) on shares of PBF Energy in a report on Monday, January 8th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on PBF Energy from $53.00 to $49.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Citigroup assumed coverage on PBF Energy in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on PBF Energy from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five 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 target price of $54.80. Get PBF Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PBF PBF Energy Stock Performance The company has a 50 day moving average price of $47.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $47.29. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a market cap of $6.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 1.71. PBF Energy (NYSE:PBF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.41) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.08 by ($0.49). The business had revenue of $9.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.65 billion. PBF Energy had a net margin of 5.59% and a return on equity of 23.69%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 15.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.41 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that PBF Energy Inc. will post 6.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. PBF Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.83%. PBF Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 6.08%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Trecia M. Canty sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.69, for a total transaction of $466,900.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 89,587 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,182,817.03. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Trecia M. Canty sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.69, for a total value of $466,900.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 89,587 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,182,817.03. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Control Empresarial De Capital acquired 770,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $42.95 per share, for a total transaction of $33,071,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 13,832,998 shares in the company, valued at $594,127,264.10. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought 1,268,200 shares of company stock worth $54,251,872 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 5.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. California Public Employees Retirement System raised its stake in PBF Energy by 5.9% during the 2nd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 195,720 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $8,013,000 after buying an additional 10,896 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in PBF Energy by 527.4% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 526,671 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $28,193,000 after buying an additional 442,730 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC raised its stake in PBF Energy by 199.3% during the 3rd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 16,281 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $872,000 after buying an additional 10,842 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its stake in PBF Energy by 91.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 904,537 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $48,420,000 after buying an additional 431,801 shares during the period. Finally, Seven Eight Capital LP acquired a new position in PBF Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $277,000. 89.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. PBF Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) PBF Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in refining and supplying petroleum products. The company operates in two segments, Refining and Logistics. It produces gasoline, ultra-low-sulfur diesel, heating oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, lubricants, petrochemicals, and asphalt, as well as unbranded transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks, blending components, and other petroleum products from crude oil. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for PBF Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PBF Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lowered its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report) by 2.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,968 shares of the companys stock after selling 400 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADVs holdings in Jacobs Solutions were worth $2,592,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new position in Jacobs Solutions in the 1st quarter worth $125,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Jacobs Solutions by 22.6% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,472 shares of the companys stock worth $478,000 after buying an additional 641 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its position in Jacobs Solutions by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 17,290 shares of the companys stock worth $2,383,000 after buying an additional 933 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its position in Jacobs Solutions by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 14,801 shares of the companys stock worth $2,040,000 after purchasing an additional 680 shares during the period. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its position in Jacobs Solutions by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 8,445 shares of the companys stock worth $1,179,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.77% of the companys stock. Get Jacobs Solutions alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on J shares. Raymond James cut Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and issued a $160.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a sector weight rating for the company. Finally, Truist Financial started coverage on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Thursday. They set a hold rating and a $154.00 target price for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Jacobs Solutions has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $152.30. Jacobs Solutions Trading Down 0.8 % NYSE J opened at $149.38 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 52 week low of $109.00 and a 52 week high of $151.72. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $140.83 and a two-hundred day moving average of $134.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.77 billion, a PE ratio of 26.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.73. Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.46. Jacobs Solutions had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 4.20%. The firm had revenue of $4.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.02 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.67 earnings per share. Jacobs Solutionss revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a $0.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.78%. This is a positive change from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio is presently 20.71%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,486 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total transaction of $817,414.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 57,233 shares in the company, valued at $8,527,717. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 1,852 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total value of $274,096.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 28,791 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,261,068. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,486 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total transaction of $817,414.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 57,233 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,527,717. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Jacobs Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Jacobs Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jacobs Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO Get Free Report) Chairman Hyatt J. Brown sold 144,323 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.96, for a total transaction of $12,406,005.08. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 37,460,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,220,113,605.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Brown & Brown Trading Down 0.2 % NYSE BRO traded down $0.19 during trading on Friday, hitting $84.80. The company had a trading volume of 235,810 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,381,810. The companys fifty day moving average is $79.78 and its 200-day moving average is $74.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The company has a market cap of $24.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.78. Brown & Brown, Inc. has a one year low of $53.14 and a one year high of $86.53. Get Brown & Brown alerts: Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO Get Free Report) last released 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 firm had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.50 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Brown & Brown, Inc. will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current year. Brown & Brown Dividend Announcement Analyst Ratings Changes The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 2nd were paid a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.61%. Brown & Browns dividend payout ratio is presently 16.99%. BRO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com cut Brown & Brown from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, March 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Brown & Brown from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their price objective for the company from $84.00 to $83.00 in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Bank of America lowered Brown & Brown from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and boosted their target price for the company from $80.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Brown & Brown from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Brown & Brown from $72.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Brown & Brown presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $83.60. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Brown & Brown Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brown & Brown Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Brown & Brown by 142.7% in the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 25,783 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,775,000 after buying an additional 15,159 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its stake in Brown & Brown by 28.7% during the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 277,331 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $19,369,000 after purchasing an additional 61,800 shares during the period. Comerica Bank bought a new position in shares of Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter valued at about $328,020,000. Glenview Trust Co increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 11.4% in the 2nd quarter. Glenview Trust Co now owns 11,123 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $766,000 after acquiring an additional 1,135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Brown & Brown by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 352,685 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,632,000 after buying an additional 5,936 shares in the last quarter. 70.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Brown & Brown (Get 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brown & Brown Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brown & Brown and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (NYSE:AMR Get Free Report) Director Kenneth S. Courtis sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $318.95, for a total transaction of $4,784,250.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 681,036 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $217,216,432.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Alpha Metallurgical Resources Stock Down 2.3 % AMR traded down $7.06 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $297.01. 74,096 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 243,336. Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. has a 1-year low of $132.72 and a 1-year high of $452.00. The stocks 50-day moving average is $377.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is $300.06. The stock has a market cap of $3.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.23 and a beta of 1.37. Get Alpha Metallurgical Resources alerts: Alpha Metallurgical Resources (NYSE:AMR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The energy company reported $12.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.78 by $4.10. Alpha Metallurgical Resources had a net margin of 20.80% and a return on equity of 46.22%. The business had revenue of $959.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $796.65 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $13.37 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. will post 37.3 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Alpha Metallurgical Resources Alpha Metallurgical Resources Company Profile A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMR. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in Alpha Metallurgical Resources by 16,462.5% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 1,325 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $174,000 after acquiring an additional 1,317 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Alpha Metallurgical Resources by 111.5% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 87,196 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $11,506,000 after acquiring an additional 45,975 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. acquired a new stake in Alpha Metallurgical Resources in the first quarter valued at $200,000. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new stake in Alpha Metallurgical Resources in the first quarter valued at $3,044,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in Alpha Metallurgical Resources in the first quarter valued at $255,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.31% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc, a mining company, produces, processes, and sells met and thermal coal in Virginia and West Virginia. As of December 31, 2022, it operated twenty four active mines and eight coal preparation and load-out facilities. The company was formerly known as Contura Energy, Inc and changed its name to Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc in February 2021. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Alpha Metallurgical Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alpha Metallurgical Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stellantis (NYSE:STLA Get Free Report) major shareholder N.V. Stellantis bought 800,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $5.36 per share, for a total transaction of $4,288,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 37,851,720 shares in the company, valued at $202,885,219.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Large shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. N.V. Stellantis also recently made the following trade(s): Get Stellantis alerts: On Monday, March 11th, N.V. Stellantis acquired 800,000 shares of Stellantis stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $4.83 per share, for a total transaction of $3,864,000.00. On Friday, March 8th, N.V. Stellantis bought 800,000 shares of Stellantis stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $4.60 per share, with a total value of $3,680,000.00. Stellantis Price Performance STLA traded up $0.86 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $28.36. 2,102,962 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,534,792. The firms fifty day moving average is $24.21 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.64. Stellantis has a 1-year low of $15.07 and a 1-year high of $28.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Stellantis Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of STLA. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Stellantis during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its holdings in Stellantis by 307.4% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 1,707 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 1,288 shares during the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Stellantis during the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. lifted its holdings in Stellantis by 424.4% during the 4th quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 2,145 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 1,736 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Solstein Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Stellantis during the 4th quarter worth about $50,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 28.17% of the companys stock. Several brokerages have issued reports on STLA. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Stellantis from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. HSBC cut Stellantis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Stellantis in a report on Thursday, February 1st. They set an outperform rating for the company. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Stellantis in a report on Friday. They set an overweight rating and a $39.00 price target for the company. Finally, Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Stellantis in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. They set a buy rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Stellantis has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $30.23. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Stellantis About Stellantis (Get Free Report) Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; American and European brand vehicles; and parts and services, as well as retail and dealer financing, leasing, and rental services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Stellantis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stellantis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Riverwater Partners LLC lessened its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report) by 14.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,619 shares of the companys stock after selling 448 shares during the quarter. Riverwater Partners LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $286,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock worth $4,363,385,000 after purchasing an additional 39,289,404 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter worth $2,736,293,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 82,442,666 shares of the companys stock worth $8,487,472,000 after purchasing an additional 5,196,914 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2,671.4% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 5,099,334 shares of the companys stock worth $418,400,000 after purchasing an additional 4,915,334 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 184.5% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,254,914 shares of the companys stock valued at $837,144,000 after acquiring an additional 4,705,004 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.59% of the companys stock. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, insider Joseph Romanelli sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.89, for a total transaction of $124,890.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 19,569 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,443,972.41. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 50,694 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.65, for a total value of $6,420,395.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,619 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,991,346.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph Romanelli sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.89, for a total value of $124,890.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,569 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,443,972.41. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MRK has been the topic of several recent research reports. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $122.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. TheStreet cut shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a b+ rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, TD Cowen raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the company from $125.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $129.14. View Our Latest Analysis on Merck & Co., Inc. Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Down 0.3 % MRK traded down $0.33 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $120.18. 2,684,652 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,798,933. The firm has a market cap of $304.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 861.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 0.37. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $99.14 and a 12-month high of $130.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $123.38 and a 200 day moving average of $111.53. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.09) by $0.12. The company had revenue of $14.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.49 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 0.61% and a return on equity of 9.33%. The firms revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.62 EPS. Analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 8.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.77 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.56%. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 2,200.00%. About Merck & Co., Inc. (Free Report) Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes under the Keytruda, Bridion, Adempas, Lagevrio, Belsomra, Simponi, and Januvia brands, as well as vaccine products consisting of preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines under the Gardasil/Gardasil 9, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, RotaTeq, Live Oral, Vaxneuvance, Pneumovax 23, and Vaqta names. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Activists of the ATESH military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars joined the electoral process in the Russian Federation. On the first day of the so-called "presidential elections" in one of the cities near Moscow, they distributed anti-Putin leaflets. ADVERTISIMENT These leaflets call on Russians not to go to the pseudo-elections, warn those involved in the organization of responsibility, and announce the "end of Putin." Photos from Krasnogorodsk, Moscow region, were posted on the movement's Telegram channel. One of the goals pursued by the activists was to persuade Russians not to create a picture of a high turnout for the Kremlin regime and not to legitimize the "reappointment" of incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin by participating in the "elections." Leaflets with such a call were seen on the morning of the first day of the "election" by residents of Krasnogorodsk, Moscow Region. "We urge locals not to support the pseudo-elections. Real elections are impossible under Putin's regime. You must realize that the government has already made a choice for you! The results have long been known. Only you can fix it! Don't vote, don't help the propagandists create a good picture for TV. The future of your country is only in your hands!" ATESH appealed to Russians. ADVERTISIMENT The activists left a separate message for those involved in the falsification of the so-called will in Russia. Among those who should expect retribution are the Russian Guard. ADVERTISIMENT "We already know the names and addresses of all those involved in organizing the fake election. They will all be held accountable for their actions soon," ATESH said. The activists also took the opportunity to remind Russians that Putin will "have a quick end." ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, ATESH agents discovered the occupiers' missile depots in Sevastopol. They stated that they had passed the coordinates to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, so the invaders should prepare for a "surprise". It was also reported that ATESH found out the location of the occupiers in Luhansk. In the captured city, they are hiding in residential buildings. Antero Midstream Co. (NYSE:AM Get Free Report) insider Sheri Pearce sold 16,394 shares of Antero Midstream stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.67, for a total transaction of $224,105.98. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 170,266 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,327,536.22. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Antero Midstream Trading Up 0.5 % Antero Midstream stock traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $13.46. The company had a trading volume of 468,312 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,814,095. The firm has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.40 and a beta of 2.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95. Antero Midstream Co. has a 1 year low of $9.56 and a 1 year high of $13.81. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $12.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.48. Get Antero Midstream alerts: Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The pipeline company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.03. Antero Midstream had a net margin of 35.69% and a return on equity of 19.96%. The company had revenue of $260.17 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $261.04 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.20 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Antero Midstream Co. will post 0.96 earnings per share for the current year. Antero Midstream Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 24th were issued a $0.225 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 23rd. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.69%. Antero Midstreams dividend payout ratio is currently 116.88%. AM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. cut shares of Antero Midstream from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $12.00 to $13.00 in a research note on Tuesday. StockNews.com cut shares of Antero Midstream from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.70. View Our Latest Analysis on Antero Midstream Institutional Investors Weigh In On Antero Midstream Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of AM. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Antero Midstream in the 4th quarter valued at about $54,704,000. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 9.1% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 32,917,158 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $357,809,000 after acquiring an additional 2,743,230 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 51.3% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 5,221,579 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $56,759,000 after acquiring an additional 1,769,545 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 329.9% during the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,812,771 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $22,714,000 after acquiring an additional 1,391,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 102.3% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,980,382 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $21,527,000 after acquiring an additional 1,001,677 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 52.02% of the companys stock. About Antero Midstream (Get Free Report) Antero Midstream Corporation owns, operates, and develops midstream energy assets in the Appalachian Basin. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Water Handling. The Gathering and Processing segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collects and processes production from Antero Resources' wells in West Virginia and Ohio. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Antero Midstream Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Antero Midstream and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Apella Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 1.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,240 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the period. Apella Capital LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $1,048,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 17.4% in the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,909 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $680,000 after purchasing an additional 1,173 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Income Solutions Inc acquired a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil during the first quarter valued at about $275,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 318.8% during the first quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 17,163 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,417,000 after buying an additional 13,065 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 95.6% in the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 15,843 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,308,000 after purchasing an additional 7,744 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the first quarter valued at approximately $237,000. 58.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Exxon Mobil Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of XOM stock traded up $0.33 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $111.80. 9,223,351 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,516,059. The firm has a market cap of $443.60 billion, a PE ratio of 12.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The companys 50 day moving average is $102.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $105.95. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 1 year low of $95.77 and a 1 year high of $120.70. Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.28. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The company had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.03 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.40 EPS. Exxon Mobils revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.12 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th were issued a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.40%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is currently 42.74%. Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $252,000.00. Following 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total transaction of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares of the companys stock, valued at $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 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 transaction, the vice president now owns 30,189 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,169,845. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes XOM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $116.00 to $119.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 8th. TD Cowen upgraded 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. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $120.00 price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $127.53. Get Our Latest Research Report on XOM Exxon Mobil Profile (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSE:IVN Get Free Report) Senior Officer Mary Vincelli sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$15.47, for a total value of C$77,350.00. Ivanhoe Mines Stock Performance Shares of Ivanhoe Mines stock traded up C$0.27 on Friday, hitting C$16.07. The stock had a trading volume of 639,208 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,565,526. Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. has a 52-week low of C$9.89 and a 52-week high of C$16.10. The company has a current ratio of 3.28, a quick ratio of 20.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.08. The stock has a market cap of C$20.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.89 and a beta of 2.00. The companys 50 day moving average price is C$14.15 and its 200 day moving average price is C$12.50. Get Ivanhoe Mines alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on IVN. TD Securities boosted their target price on Ivanhoe Mines from C$17.00 to C$17.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$17.00 to C$18.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$6.50 to C$6.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 12th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, Ivanhoe Mines has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$15.64. About Ivanhoe Mines (Get Free Report) Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals located primarily in Africa. It explores for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium, zinc, silver, germanium, and lead deposits. The company's projects include the Platreef project located in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; the Kipushi project located in Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Kamoa-Kakula project located within the Central African Copperbelt. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ivanhoe Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ivanhoe Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Wood Group PLC (OTCMKTS:WDGJF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 29th, there was short interest totalling 1,253,900 shares, an increase of 94.5% from the February 14th total of 644,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3,134.8 days. John Wood Group Price Performance WDGJF remained flat at $1.90 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $2.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.96. John Wood Group has a 12 month low of $1.62 and a 12 month high of $2.88. Get John Wood Group alerts: John Wood Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also John Wood Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, project management, and engineering solutions to energy and built environment worldwide. It operates through Projects, Operations, Consulting, and Investment Services segments. The Projects segment provides engineering design and project management services across energy and materials markets including oil and gas, chemicals, mining, minerals, and life sciences. Receive News & Ratings for John Wood Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Wood Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montecito Bank & Trust trimmed its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 8.9% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 2,303 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 225 shares during the quarter. Montecito Bank & Trusts holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $888,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cambridge Trust Co. raised its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 82.0% in the third quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 91 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 88.0% in the 3rd quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 94 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 69.06% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Edward Jones assumed coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. They set a buy rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $398.00 to $421.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $491.00 to $506.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $410.00 to $430.00 in a research report on Thursday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $410.22. The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance Shares of GS stock traded up $0.97 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $389.58. 838,511 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,291,482. The company has a market cap of $126.83 billion, a PE ratio of 17.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.42. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $289.36 and a 52-week high of $397.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $385.19 and a 200 day moving average of $352.68. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 EPS for the quarter, 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 business had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.32 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.79 earnings per share for the current year. The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $2.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.82%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.20%. Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total transaction of $5,001,372.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 29,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,602,947.31. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total transaction of $5,001,372.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 29,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,602,947.31. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 11,650 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $390.64, for a total transaction of $4,550,956.00. Following the completion of the sale, the treasurer now owns 18,408 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,190,901.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 38,907 shares of company stock valued at $15,080,021 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Symmetry Partners LLC decreased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 8.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 263 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 24 shares during the quarter. Symmetry Partners LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $599,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 79.5% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 948 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,500,000 after acquiring an additional 420 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 15.5% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 171 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $271,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 3,032 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $4,796,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 6.1% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 777 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,229,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 38.9% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 218 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $345,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. 91.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened at $2,749.85 on Friday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52 week low of $1,569.00 and a 52 week high of $2,775.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $75.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 62.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.29. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $2,508.86 and a 200-day moving average of $2,206.70. Insiders Place Their Bets Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The restaurant operator reported $10.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.73 by $0.63. The firm had revenue of $2.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.41% and a net margin of 12.45%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $8.29 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 53.11 earnings per share for the current year. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,278.45, for a total value 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 approximately $51,144,367.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Albert S. Baldocchi sold 750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $97,221,776.21. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $51,144,367.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 4,744 shares of company stock valued at $11,607,678 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CMG shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,450.00 to $2,560.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,930.00 to $2,226.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,650.00 to $2,900.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $2,400.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,185.00 to $2,425.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,469.88. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CMG About Chipotle Mexican Grill (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. InTrack Investment Management Inc decreased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 59.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,665 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 9,720 shares during the quarter. InTrack Investment Management Incs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $342,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BMY. Herold Advisors Inc. grew its position in 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 in the last quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 69.6% during the second quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $323,000 after buying an additional 2,072 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.5% during the third quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 139,811 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,115,000 after buying an additional 12,121 shares in the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 14.8% during the third quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 101,772 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,907,000 after buying an additional 13,122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jmac Enterprises LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 11.4% during the third quarter. Jmac Enterprises LLC now owns 12,171 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $706,000 after buying an additional 1,245 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.8 % NYSE:BMY traded up $0.44 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $52.93. 2,830,907 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,177,613. The stock has a market capitalization of $107.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $47.58 and a one year high of $71.07. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $53.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.82 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 5th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.53%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 62.18%. Analysts Set New Price Targets BMY has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Redburn Atlantic downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com upgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Bank of America cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Societe Generale cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $61.12. Get Our Latest Analysis 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Buttonwood Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 0.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 233,814 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 751 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF comprises about 8.9% of Buttonwood Financial Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding. Buttonwood Financial Group LLC owned approximately 0.07% of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF worth $12,182,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Sheets Smith Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 172.8% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 502 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 318 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 457.9% in the 2nd quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 530 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 435 shares during the period. Tompkins Financial Corp increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 59.8% in the 4th quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 524 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the period. Finally, Howe & Rusling Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Price Performance BATS:EFV traded down $0.54 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $53.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 36,293,096 shares. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a fifty-two week low of $49.15 and a fifty-two week high of $59.57. The firms 50 day moving average is $51.86 and its 200-day moving average is $50.40. The firm has a market cap of $17.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.84. About iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Construction Group (TSE:NOA Get Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) had its price objective lifted by stock analysts at CIBC from C$32.50 to C$33.00 in a research note issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs price target would indicate a potential upside of 5.60% from the companys current price. A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on NOA. National Bankshares upped their price target on North American Construction Group from C$43.00 to C$46.00 in a research report on Friday. TD Securities lifted their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$33.00 to C$34.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of North American Construction Group from C$39.00 to C$42.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, ATB Capital cut their target price on North American Construction Group from C$46.00 to C$45.00 in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$40.13. Get North American Construction Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on North American Construction Group North American Construction Group Stock Down 0.2 % About North American Construction Group NOA stock traded down C$0.06 during trading on Friday, reaching C$31.25. 68,228 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 77,147. The company has a market capitalization of C$835.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.74. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$31.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$29.96. North American Construction Group has a 12 month low of C$21.14 and a 12 month high of C$34.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 131.18, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.25. (Get Free Report) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Get Free Report) was up 7% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $8.15 and last traded at $8.13. Approximately 129,399 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 15% from the average daily volume of 152,609 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.60. Analyst Ratings Changes IRS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. TheStreet raised IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research report on Friday, November 24th. Get IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on IRS IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Trading Down 2.0 % The stock has a market capitalization of $588.34 million, a PE ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $8.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.59. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $0.76 EPS for the quarter. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima had a return on equity of 25.70% and a net margin of 99.91%. The company had revenue of $132.42 million during the quarter. Institutional Trading of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the 3rd quarter worth $58,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the 1st quarter worth $77,000. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the 3rd quarter worth $81,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the 1st quarter worth $135,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.56% of the companys stock. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Company Profile (Get Free Report) IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the diversified real estate activities in Argentina. It operates through five segments: Shopping Malls, Offices, Hotels, Sales and Developments, and Others. The company is involved in the acquisition, development, and operation of shopping malls, office buildings, and other non-shopping mall properties primarily for rental purposes. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. During the attack on Odesa on March 15, Russian troops used Iskander-M ballistic missiles. The enemy launched the missiles from the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Telegram channel of the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine. There were arrivals in the city. As of 4 p.m. on Friday, 14 people were killed, including residents of the area, a medic, and a rescuer. 46 people were injured, including eight rescuers. ADVERTISIMENT A three-story building of a recreational facility was destroyed, and at least 10 private houses, a service station, a low-pressure gas pipeline, an ambulance, and fire rescue vehicles were damaged. As a result of the shelling, a fire broke out, which was extinguished by rescuers. At 16:00, the rubble was still being cleared. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT We would like to add that the shelling on March 15 was the largest in terms of casualties in Odesa since the beginning of the Great War. Caution, photo is 18+! As OBOZ.UA previously reported: On the morning of March 15, explosions were heard in Odesa. At first, two victims were reported a paramedic and a rescue worker who had arrived at the scene after the first arrival to assist were killed. Soon the number of victims increased. ADVERTISIMENT - The spokesman for the operational headquarters of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Serhii Bratchuk, said that the enemy had struck civilian objects. After the first explosion, the occupiers paused and waited for emergency services to arrive. After that, a second air attack was launched. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $43.25 and last traded at $43.12, with a volume of 191800 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $41.58. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Banco Macro from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Get Banco Macro alerts: Read Our Latest Report on BMA Banco Macro Stock Performance Banco Macro Increases Dividend The stocks fifty day moving average price is $32.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.05. The company has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.52 and a beta of 1.84. The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 8th were issued a dividend of $0.5958 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 5th. This is an increase from Banco Macros previous dividend of $0.45. Banco Macros dividend payout ratio is 50.63%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Macro A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Banco Macro by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 20,798 shares of the banks stock worth $360,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in Banco Macro during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $42,000. UBS Group AG acquired a new position in Banco Macro during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Barclays PLC acquired a new position in Banco Macro during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Banco Macro in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $112,000. About Banco Macro (Get Free Report) Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines (ATMs), and money transfers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Banco Macro Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Macro and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:RYCEY Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $5.04 and last traded at $5.01, with a volume of 2271706 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.98. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Price Performance The firms fifty day moving average is $4.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3.39. Get Rolls-Royce Holdings plc alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SVB Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc by 52.6% in the 1st quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 19,515 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 6,729 shares during the last quarter. Tieton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in the 4th quarter valued at about $75,000. Fulton Bank N.A. acquired a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in the 3rd quarter valued at about $122,000. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in the 2nd quarter valued at about $217,000. Finally, OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in the 1st quarter valued at about $385,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.05% of the companys stock. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Company Profile Rolls-Royce Holdings plc develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for air, sea, and land in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report) by 5.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,644 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 876 shares during the quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $1,693,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 8.3% during the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 78,641 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,484,000 after purchasing an additional 6,036 shares during the last quarter. United Bank lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 5.6% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 27,546 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,972,000 after acquiring an additional 1,456 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 67.2% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 52,705 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,686,000 after acquiring an additional 21,177 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 4.8% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 24,791 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,674,000 after acquiring an additional 1,128 shares during the period. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 19.7% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 8,847 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $954,000 after acquiring an additional 1,455 shares during the period. Get iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Stock Up 0.1 % NYSEARCA IJR traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $105.83. 2,924,155 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,584,889. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 1 year low of $87.32 and a 1 year high of $110.55. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $105.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 1.15. About iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polish farmers have begun blocking the road on the border with Slovakia to check whether grain from Ukraine is being smuggled into their country. They intend to do this at least until the end of March. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by RMF24. It is noted that the road was blocked by tractors and by noon on March 15, this led to the fact that "about a dozen cars and several dozen trucks" gathered on the Slovak side. "Farmers will not let trucks transporting grain and oil from Ukraine to Poland through. They do not rule out that they will stay in Chyzhnia until the end of March... Truck drivers who fail to pass the inspection will not be allowed to enter Poland," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT It is emphasized that the protesters plan to check every truck heading to Poland and let one truck through per hour. At the same time, they promised to let cars, pedestrians, and cyclists pass unhindered. Poles have extended the blockade of the border with Ukraine At the same time, Polish farmers have extended the blockade of the border with Ukraine for almost 2 months until April 30. Previously, they intended to end it on March 10. In this way, the Poles want to achieve restrictions on the import of agricultural products from outside the European Union, including from Ukraine. This is stated in the relevant document published by the Municipal Office of the Lubicz-Korolowska Commune. According to it, 100 people will block the border. ADVERTISIMENT "The public meeting is scheduled to start on March 10, 2024, at 14:30 and end on April 30, 2024, at 14:30. The goal is to eliminate the Green Deal (an EU strategy to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere) and limit products from outside the EU, in particular from Ukraine," it says. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Ukraine is ready to limit the volume of its exports to the European Union to get the Poles to lift the border blockade between the countries. Instead, it wants the EU to ban the import of products from Russia into its territory. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The land of fog often scares travelers away. Although it is washed by two seas and the Atlantic Ocean, it cannot offer tourists a beach vacation. That's why it's avoided and often underestimated. But imagine: there are about 3,000 castles in a tiny area the size of three Ukrainian regions. And the number of natural wonders here is untold. ADVERTISIMENT To know what to see there, read on! Edinburgh The capital of the country is located on three hills, which are permeated by the River Leith. The city has managed to preserve its historical and cultural heritage. The number of attractions per square meter is simply amazing. Go to the local castle, which is perfectly preserved to this day. The fortress stands on a volcanic rock called The Castle Rock. By the way, the fortification stopped performing its defensive functions in 1915. Nowadays it receives tourists from all over the world. Harry Potter fans should go to Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery. This is where Tom Riddle's tombstone is located. Don't forget about the National Scottish Gallery. It houses the largest collection of European paintings. Visit the National Museum too. By the way, it is among the top most visited in the world. Archaeological finds, works of art, science and technology are preserved within its walls. You can also see a stuffed animal of the famous Dolly the sheep. ADVERTISIMENT Isle of Arran The island is located in the west of the country in the picturesque Firth of Clyde. It is connected to the mainland by several ferry crossings. The main one runs from Ardrossan, a small Scottish town. This piece of land stands out among others for its unique flora and fauna and also for its short routes. Most of the attractions are located within a 30-minute drive. First of all, go to the remains of the Machrie Moor stone circles, which have been here since the Bronze Age. Go to Brodick, the largest village on Arran. Here you can immerse yourself in the traditions and culture of Scotland. You can also see the castle of the same name, surrounded by an incredible island park. By the way, it is the only one in the whole of Britain. ADVERTISIMENT Lovers of spirits should definitely take a tour of the local distillery. It is within its walls that the famous Arran Gold cream liqueur is produced. Of course, you will have the opportunity to taste the drink and buy a bottle as a gift. To explore the area, avid tourists advise renting a bicycle. In their opinion, this is the best way to get to know the unexplored nature. Mousa Island An uninhabited piece of land with an area of only 1.8 square kilometers can surprise all connoisseurs of defense buildings. It is home to an example of an Iron Age defensive building - the Broch of Mousa - which is the tallest broch that has survived to this day. It is still not known when the tower was built. However, most historians believe that it was born in 100 BC. ADVERTISIMENT Isle of Man The island has several picturesque villages and a town called Tobermory, famous for its local whiskey. The only way to get here is by ferry. However, such restrictions have never deterred tourists who wanted to see Duart Castle, the residence of the Maclean clan. By the way, boats leave for the island from three points: Oban, Loch and Kilchoman. It is better to find out about the availability of seats in advance as the location is very popular among travelers. ADVERTISIMENT Loch Ness It is simply impossible to avoid the world-famous reservoir. It is said to be home to a monster that has been scaring locals and tourists alike for centuries. But it's not just the mysterious monster that makes it worth a visit. It offers incredible views as well. Isle of Skye Fans of board games have long been familiar with this name. The board game of the same name offers to become the king of a picturesque piece of land, overcoming all the leaders. Nothing can compare to a real trip to these lands. People come here to admire the unique nature. It is not surprising because this corner is officially recognized as the most beautiful in the whole of Scotland. ADVERTISIMENT We recommend climbing to the highest point of the island, Mount Cuillin, and visiting Dunvegan Castle. By the way, the complex is still privately owned. It belongs to the McCloud clan. When looking for a country for your next trip, take a closer look at Scotland. Its unspoiled nature and ancient buildings will amaze you to the core. Enjoy your trip! Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On March 15, volunteers of the Freedom of Russia Legion, the RDC, and the Siberian Battalion announced a massive attack on the military facilities of the Russian occupation army in Belgorod. They appealed to the residents of the city to leave within an hour of the warning or take shelter. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in a message on the LSR Telegram channel. The Russian volunteers called on their countrymen to spread the warning among the residents of Belgorod as much as possible. The warning about the preparation of a massive attack on Belgorod was published at 12:33 Kyiv time. Russian volunteers promised to hit military targets. "Urgent warning for residents of Belgorod! Within the next hour, a massive attack will be launched on military targets in the city of Belgorod. We urge local residents to immediately go to safe shelters and stay indoors until the attack is over. Spread this message among Belgorod residents help save the lives of your fellow countrymen," the statement reads. ADVERTISIMENT On March 15, the attacks continued in the Belgorod region. Explosions were heard in Belgorod and Belgorod district in the morning, and Russians in panic published photos and videos of the aftermath of the attacks. Local authorities recognized the destruction and reported two casualties. In contrast, the Russian Defense Ministry boasted of the "destruction" of seven MLRS missiles. Hospitals across the country are overwhelmed with over 400 patients, including 31 children, waiting on a bed on Friday, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Association (INMO). They say 444 patients, including 31 children, are without a bed in Irish hospitals today. Hospitals have been described by the INMO as being "overwhelmed" due to staff shortages and a recruitment moratorium. The INMO added that 2,528 people have gone without a bed in Irish hospitals this week. Commenting on todays trolley count figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: Once again we are heading into a bank holiday weekend with an unacceptable amount of patients, particularly young children, being treated on trolleys or chairs. St. Patricks weekend is always a very busy weekend for our members. Our members will be working short in many hospitals this weekend as so many patient-facing roles remain vacant. Nurses and midwives are now dealing with very real risks to patient and staff safety when roles continue to remain unfilled because of the moratorium. The INMO has made clear to HSE and Government the very real impacts the recruitment moratorium is having on our members and the patients they are trying their best to provide safe care to. They must now reverse their continued position that is leading to staff and patient safety being compromised, MS Ni Sheaghdha said. The HSE has been contacted for a comment. Investigations are underway following a second significant drugs seizure in Dublin in just two days. As a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dog James, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in the capital seized 10.8 kgs of herbal cannabis on Thursday. The illicit drugs, which have an estimated street value of 216,000, were discovered in two parcels which had originated in Portugal and which were destined for an address in County Louth. The discovery was made 24 hours after a similar operation at the same premises which resulted in the seizure of drugs worth around 275,000. "With the assistance of detector dog James, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Dublin seized 13.5 kgs of herbal cannabis and 882 grammes of cannabis resin with an estimated value of 275,000," said a spokesperson. According to Revenue, the illicit drugs discovered on Wednesday were also concealed in parcels which had originated from Spain and Portugal and were destined for addresses in Monaghan and Louth. Investigations into both seizures are ongoing. Revenue is also appealing to businesses and members of the public, who have any information regarding drug smuggling, to contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295. A rapist convicted of making a hoax bomb threat to the home of the Minister for Justice has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that he does not accept the jury's verdict. Michael Murray (54), formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Dublin, appeared before Judge Patricia Ryan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today after being found guilty of one count of knowingly making a false report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else while he was imprisoned in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise on March 7, 2021. Murray was convicted on the sole count by a jury after an eight-day trial earlier this month. Detective Garda Patrick Muldowney told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that on March 7, 2021 a call was made to the Samaritans by an anonymous male asking if they could take a message. The caller then said: This is the Irish National Liberation Army. Explosives have been planted at the home of the Minister of Justice and her family. The password is Red October. This is to do with a court case happening in Dublin tomorrow. Gardai were dispatched to the home of the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, but found no evidence of any explosives. The court heard the call was traced back to Murray's cell within the Midlands prison. He was the sole occupant of the cell at the time. Murray was arrested and questioned. He admitted making a call to the Samaritans but denied making the threat. When interviewed, Murray accepted that he had previously been aligned with the INLA and that he had a gripe with Fine Gael and the Minister for Justice. On August 9, 2021, Murray requested a meeting with gardai where he said he admitted making the call and that he did so out of frustration. Giving evidence during the trial, Murray maintained that these admissions concerned a later call to the Samaritans and not the bomb threat. No victim impact statement was handed in to the court. Garret Baker SC, defending, said his client respectfully disagrees with the verdict of the jury and instructed him not to offer mitigation on his behalf. Murray has 40 previous convictions for rape, sexual assault, harassment, abduction of a child, false imprisonment, threats to kill, burglary and theft. Taking to the stand on his own behalf, Murray said today: I absolutely reject the verdict of the jury. He said the DPP were absolutely disgraceful and had failed to hand over documents or answer letters in time for his trial. Murray added it was disgraceful how the jury came to the conclusion he was guilty and said he maintains his innocence for his prior conviction for rape. Judge Ryan adjourned the case for finalisation until March 19. In 2013, Murray was convicted of abducting a mother and her four year old son and repeatedly raping the woman for hours. He received a sentence of 19 years' imprisonment for this. He was then sentenced to 16 further years in prison for a campaign of harassment and death threats directed at his victim and the prosecuting lawyers in that trial with the judge calling his actions an unprecedented and deliberate abuse of process. During his sentence hearing for those charges, he threw a bible at the judge. That judge described his actions as a fundamental attack on our system of justice. Asia will lead the recovery in the tourism sector, with visitor arrivals reaching 564.0 million, followed by the Americas with 167.7 million and the Pacific with 30.4 million by 2026, says a forecast. Out of 39 destinations covered in the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2024-2026 report, 34 are predicted to recover to pre-pandemic levels, with Japan and the Maldives topping the fastest-recovering destinations chart. Japan is forecast to welcome 49.3 million visitors by 2026, which is 155% more than the 2019 number. The Maldives is expected to host 2.5 million visitors, indicating a 148% recovery rate to pre-pandemic levels. With this in mind, the visitor arrivals recoveries in the region call for appropriate destination management strategies. Leading positions China, the US, the UK and Australia are expected to maintain their leading positions as major source markets of IVAs to the Asia Pacific region, all of which are forecast to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, fuelled by their economic growth potentials. Under the medium scenario, international visitor arrivals (IVAs) to Asia Pacific are expected to increase from 619 million in 2024 to 762 million in 2026, with a recovery rate of 111.6% compared to the 2019 level. PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid points out: While most destinations within the Asia Pacific region are rebounding strongly and moving closer to pre-pandemic levels, this forecast report highlights the significant changes as experienced by the individual destinations. Therefore, it is important to understand this trend which will impact the future growth for respective destinations as compared to the overall region. Holistic viewing In interpreting the Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2024-2026 report, it is crucial to note that the data should not be viewed holistically, as destinations are undergoing recovery at varying paces. Each destination has its unique dynamics, contributing to diverse percentage changes in international visitor arrivals. For example, while numerous Pacific destinations are experiencing robust recovery, their numerical figures understandably differ in scale when compared to larger destinations globally. In analysing the forecasted growth, it becomes evident that understanding the nuanced recovery patterns of individual destinations is imperative for a comprehensive perspective on the evolving landscape of tourism in the Asia Pacific region. PATA emphasises the significance of observing the specific recovery rates and trends for each destination, as they shape the overall narrative of the region's tourism resurgence. Noor added: The ramifications for destination marketing organisations (DMOs) to be more agile, flexible and robust to quick changes in the marketplace, especially output from the source market will play a crucial role on which destination will perform better than the other in the coming years. Destination marketeers and policy makers must understand that what they do in 2023, might no longer work from this year onwards, as the travel market shifts expeditiously while consumer buying power depends very much upon user-generated content (UGC). In this regard, understanding the PATA forecast report, which takes into consideration various key factors such as economic indicators, travel capacity, etc., will be crucial.--TradeArabia News Service The international abridged version of the Oscars 2024 will include a cut part of the awarding of the team of the Ukrainian documentary 20 Days in Mariupol directed by Mstyslav Chernov. Following complaints from Suspilne, the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to re-release the updated 90-minute part of the award due to the unfair treatment of both Ukrainians and last year's editions, where the Best Documentary Film award was added to the TV version. ADVERTISIMENT According to Deadline magazine, the Oscar for 20 Days in Mariupol will be included not only in the Ukrainian TV version but also in all those covered by the Disney license. Therefore, Chernov's crucial 45-second speech about the true nature of Russians will be heard by the whole world. In particular, the film company has previously stated that the selection of categories and moments that will be included in the 90-minute version takes place in advance, even before the show starts. For some reason, its representatives decided to cut out the part with the Best Documentary award along with the director's speech, even though they could have predicted that there were significant chances for the Ukrainians to win. ADVERTISIMENT "Here's a bold fact: last year's documentary category was included in the 90-minute international version, as was Yulia Navalnaya's political speech. I don't really believe that Disney is planning the script of the 90-minute version without taking into account the winners' predictions as it doesn't sound convincing for a high-performance show. 20 Days in Mariupol is not only an outstanding documentary, it is a unique testimony to Russian crimes, and the entire team literally risked their lives to make it. That is why it is extremely important to have this historic event and Mstyslav Chernov's historic speech included in all versions," Lukian Halkin, executive producer of Suspilne Culture, told Deadline. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, along with Suspilne, the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting also appealed to Disney to return the cut part of the 20 Days in Mariupol award. In the letter, the institution noted that by its decision to cut the part with the awarding of the statuette and Chernov's speech, the company tolerates Russia in its war against Ukraine, since last year the cynical liberal award for the film about Alexei Navalny was included in the shortened version of the Oscars. As previously reported, the film 20 Days in Mariupol was released in cinemas on March 14 again. In addition, the movie can be viewed on paid streaming services. Some of them offer a free trial subscription. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! OBOZ.UA continues to raise funds to buy an ATV for the 423rd Separate Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is needed on the occupied coast of Kherson region, and a C-Vog FPVKiller trench EW system. Taking into account the associated costs of repairs and FPV for our colleagues, the total amount needed is 300 thousand hryvnias. ADVERTISIMENT As of the morning of March 15, we have already raised 49 thousand. Thank you for every hryvnia! "The Russian occupier continues to attack our peaceful cities and does not give up trying to seize more Ukrainian territory. Our guys need help more than ever," the Telegram channel of our publication says. A prize will be drawn among donators Our friends, the Ukrainian brand of handmade jewelry FROMLI, have joined the collection. We will raffle off a beautiful piece of Ukrainian-style jewelry among those who donate 100 hryvnias or more. In addition, three shells from the German Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun will be raffled among all donors. They were provided by our guys. ADVERTISIMENT Details Link to the bank: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/6ncxcJPq7u Bank card number: 5375 4112 1698 0560 PrivatBank card: 4731185620373594 Pay Pal: [email protected] We would like to add that FROMLI is a domestic brand of handmade jewelry founded by Aliona Lipshyts. This is a separate world of exclusive designer products that are created through a unique and painstaking process that begins with the selection of a combination of colors and shapes and ends with the assignment of a personal name to the finished product. All products are handmade by FROMLI brand masters. In Europe, the proceeds from the frozen assets of the Russian Federation will be used to purchase weapons for Ukraine. The relevant decision has already been made, and specific mechanisms will be discussed on March 18. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a joint briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He specified that on March 18, the allies in the Ramstein format should discuss concrete steps to implement plans to help Ukraine. According to Scholz, "some decisions have already been approved in Brussels." Thus, the EU decided to replenish the Peace Fund with an additional 5 billion euros to help Ukraine this year. "We also planned to expand the training mission of the Ukrainian military. In addition, we will use the proceeds from the frozen assets of the Russian Federation in Europe to financially support the purchase of shells for Ukraine," the chancellor said. Scholz did not specify what kind of ammunition he was talking about. Perhaps he is referring to the shells that the Czech Republic proposes to buy outside the EU: although enough countries have already declared their support for the initiative, the appropriate funding has not yet been found. ADVERTISIMENT Separately, Scholz announced the creation of a coalition of Ukraine's long-range rocket artillery allies. "Germany, France, and Poland are among Ukraine's largest political, military and financial allies. We stand closely and steadfastly by Ukraine's side. We made this clear from the very beginning, and it will continue as long as necessary," the German chancellor added. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Our TKC blog community talked about a new plan to fight historic & deadly crime last year and the only thing we really learned is that the KCPD Chief doesn't handle bloggy comment criticism as well as we'd hoped given her media credentials. More importantly . . . This winter might have taught us that the arctic cold stops crime more effectively than any political idea or law enforcement endeavor. But maybe that's a bit too cynical. Actually . . . TKC ENCOURAGES & APPRECIATES POLICE DEVELOPING NEW STRATEGIES TO CURB THE HISTORICALLY VIOLENT TREND CURRENTLY IMPACTING KANSAS CITY!!! Still . . . There's a contradiction in the "release" of the new plan . . . The KCPD Chief emphasizes that this plan not really new . . . And that police are already implementing these tactics. That's cool but given the continued rate of local killing, mass shooting and violence: Wouldn't that imply that the strategy isn't effective or at least hasn't yet taken hold?!?! We're not nitpicking . . . We're merely noting that mixed messages confuse the goal: Reducing crime. In fact . . . It's fair for locals to want NEW tactics given that whatever Kansas City tried in 2023 clearly didn't work. And so . . . We'd like for our blog community to cypher this one, share criticism, ideas, analysis and whatever insight that might help . . . Or at least help our understanding. Here's a passage from the intro . . . Another note from the Chief and then another link to the plan: This report summarizes the Kansas City Police Departments plan to reduce and prevent crime while building trust and legitimacy in the eyes of the public. The plan utilizes three key strategies that seek a balance between prevention and enforcement, as well as short- and long-term tactics. The primary strategies that comprise the plan are: Data-Informed Community Engagement (DICE) Data-Driven Deployment Focused Deterrence And now . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link and accompanying note from the top cop . . . Chief Graves Releases KCPD Crime Plan Kansas City is facing challenges with rising violent crime. The key to ending the culture of violence in our city is in all of us, the people of Kansas City. To truly make a sustainable impact, we must take a city-wide approach to reducing violent crime and work together in both words and action to improve quality of life for all Kansas Citians and change the trajectory of violent crime. Every Kansas Citian should ask themselves what they can do or how they can contribute and work toward a safer, healthier city. For those who say we need to hold offenders more accountable for their violent acts and for those who say we need more options that address the root causes of crime, you are correct on both accounts. While we cant arrest our way out of the next generation of violent crime, we also cant solely rely on well-intended programs to ensure safety from violent individuals in our city. How can we work together? Ive included a link to KCPD's crime plan that details what your police department is doing to fight crime in Kansas City. As you will see, there is opportunity for you to be a part of the solution. We are investing in our community partnerships to strengthen our relationships and expand policing resources that amplify the communitys voice. We are also working hand-in-hand with city and local leaders (Mayor, City Council, prosecutors, federal partners, faith-based, business, community, etc.), who are also committed to making Kansas City safer. I want to make this clear. I am sharing this plan today because I want you to know we are working hard to build a better, safer Kansas City. Nothing is more important to us than your safety and well-being. And while I am sharing this plan now, we began carrying it out in 2023, shortly after I became the Chief. Additionally, this crime plan is a high-level view of evidence-based strategies fueled by data and analysis; it is not all-inclusive of our efforts to fight crime. No written document can quantify the impact of thousands of positive community interactions and great police work our members carry out each day. With this plan and our community and local leaders, we are all moving forward together with momentum and strong will to reduce violent crime, making our city safer for all of us. #################### For those who didn't want to read that whole spiel . . . Click this link or the image for a view of the plan: You decide . . . Our blog community doesn't have any love for spy tech from the far east but the GOVERNMENT TELLING PEOPLE WHAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION THEY'RE ALLOWED TO USE is a big leap for anybody who cares about the FIRST AMENDMENT. In fairness, here is her side of the story: U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, was among lawmakers supporting the move, voting yes on the bill and urging ByteDance, TikToks Chinese developer, to revoke its ownership of the app. I would say the primary concern is the provisions around divestiture of the Chinese Communist Party ownership stake in a very widely used and accessed platform, Davids said Thursday during a stop in Kansas City to meet with business and civic leaders. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . It seems that an outpouring of sympathy and support from throughout the metro and the world has not yet been distributed according to the local news. It seems that Taylor Swift was able to provide cash help far more efficiently than a group of professionals who have a HUGE ORGANIZATION dedicated to doing the same thing. Only very slowly. Here's the word: "Generous donors poured more than $1.2 million into the KC Strong Fund to support victims and other causes. "Now FOX4 has learned United Way of Greater Kansas City has not dispersed any of that money yet, and theyre not sure if theyll be able to help all of the victims affected. "Weve talked with multiple families who have inquired as to when theyll receive help and why theyve heard little from United Way." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Chiefs rally shooting victims still waiting on KC Strong money United Way of Greater Kansas City has not dispersed any KC Strong funds yet, and they're not sure if they'll be able to help all of the victims. This family was injured at Kansas City's Super Bowl parade. A month later, they feel forgotten In the first of our series "The Injured," a Kansas family remembers Valentine's Day as the beginning of panic attacks, life-altering trauma, and waking to nightmares of gunfire. Thrown into the spotlight by the shootings, they wonder how they will recover. Developing . . . Visiting Spain can be fun and memorable, but most of the time, this country is overcrowded, making you feel difficult to spend your vacation with fewer people around. Amid the chaos of popular tourist spots and the struggle to find a moment of peace, there's a secret escape just waiting for you: Costa Brava! This coastal region, a short journey from Barcelona, is the breath of fresh air you have been searching for. Forget the endless lines and packed streets. Costa Brava offers you the space to relax and enjoy Spain's natural beauty without the crowds. So, why Costa Brava is another option if you want to visit Barcelona? Here are the reasons. Escape to the Seaside Villages When you leave Barcelona and head to Costa Brava, the first thing you notice is the change in pace. Here, the seaside villages are like stepping back in time. Each one has its own charm, from the whitewashed houses of Cadaques to the medieval streets of Pals. In these villages, you can enjoy a quiet coffee by the beach or a leisurely stroll without the hustle of a crowd. The locals are friendly and always have a story to share about their home. It feels like you are part of a community, even if you are just passing through. Feast on Local Delicacies One of Costa Brava's highlights is undoubtedly its cuisine. This region is famous for its fresh seafood, caught daily and served in seaside restaurants. You have not truly experienced Costa Brava until you have tried a traditional Catalan dish, like suquet de peix, a delightful fish stew. The local markets brim with fresh produce, inviting you to taste the flavors of the region. Dining here is about eating and experiencing the local culture and traditions. Plus, the wine from the surrounding vineyards is the perfect complement to any meal. Discover Hidden Beaches Costa Brava boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, many of which are tucked away from the main tourist trails. These hidden jewels can be your perfect escape from the busy city life. You can find your own piece of paradise, whether it is a small cove with crystal-clear water or a long stretch of sand bordered by rugged cliffs. The beauty of these beaches is that they remain relatively untouched, offering natural landscapes. Spending a day here feels like a true escape, with nothing but the sound of the waves and the warmth of the sun. Related Article: Seeking Tasty Bites? Where You Should Go in Barcelona, Spain Immerse Yourself in Nature Beyond the beaches, Costa Brava offers a plethora of outdoor activities set against a background of stunning natural beauty. Hiking trails wind through the region, leading to breathtaking viewpoints and secluded spots. If you prefer a challenging hike or a leisurely walk, there is a trail for you. The Cami de Ronda, for example, offers a unique way to explore the coastline, connecting many of the villages along the way. This area is also great for snorkeling, kayaking, and other water sports, allowing you to explore the vibrant marine life. Enjoy the Peaceful Atmosphere Perhaps the most compelling reason to visit Costa Brava is for the peace and quiet it offers. Unlike Barcelona, where the energy is electric and ever-present, Costa Brava allows you to slow down and relax. Here, you can spend your days lounging on a beach, wandering through a village, or simply enjoying the view from a cafe terrace. The pace of life is slower, giving you the chance to unwind and recharge. For those looking to escape the buzz of the city and find a peaceful place, Costa Brava is the perfect destination. Read Also: Why Spain is the Perfect Destination for Digital Nomads and Retirees On the afternoon of March 15, Russian invaders attacked Odesa region. During the air raid, explosions were heard in the regional center. ADVERTISIMENT As a result of the attack, there were reports of arrivals, destruction and casualties, a paramedic and a rescuer who were working at the site of one of the arrivals were killed. This was reported by Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration. "There are victims of the Russian missile attack on Odesa. All relevant services are working at the scene. The data is being clarified," he said shortly after reports of explosions in the regional center. Later, Kiper said that among the victims and injured as a result of the strikes were medics and rescuers who arrived at the scene after the first arrival to save people. "Unfortunately, a paramedic and an employee of the State Emergency Service, who arrived at the scene after the first explosion, were killed as a result of the Russian missile attack. There are also seriously wounded among the medics and rescuers. The total number of injured is being clarified, and all are being provided with the necessary medical care. Russia is a terrorist country," emphasized the head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration. ADVERTISIMENT The first explosions in Odesa were reported in the public domain around 11 am. About 20 minutes later, there were reports of repeated explosions. The invaders, according to monitoring channels, launched at least two ballistic missiles at the regional center. As noted, the launches were carried out from the temporarily occupied Crimea. According to Mykolaivsky Vanko, the enemy could have hit a high-rise building. "Preliminarily, there is damage and fire to civilian infrastructure (HOUSE, F*CK, AGAIN)," the message said. A missile threat was also recorded for the Izmail district of Odesa region. As a reminder, on the night of March 2, 2024, as a result of another attack by the Russian Federation using kamikaze drones on Odesa, 18 apartments were completely destroyed and 36 apartments were damaged in a high-rise building at 134 Dobrovolskoho Avenue. The attack killed 12 people, including five children. 20 people were injured. The search and rescue operation was completed on March 3. Five people were rescued. ADVERTISIMENT On March 6, when the city was saying goodbye to a mother and a baby killed by the occupiers, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister of Greece paid tribute to the victims of the Russian Shahed missile attack on a residential building in Odesa. At that moment, the invaders attacked the city again. After Russia's strike on Odesa, the Greek prime minister voiced a "message" to the Kremlin. According to him, Moscow will not be able to intimidate Ukraine's partners with such terror: they will continue to support the Ukrainian people. Russia is running out of mobilization resources, so it is looking for mercenaries around the world, particularly in southern countries with a difficult economic situation. Citizens of Nepal, Cuba, Sierra Leone, and Somalia are currently being held captive in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Petro Yatsenko, a representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said this at a press conference on March 15, where some mercenaries from the Global South were presented. According to him, Russia recruits mercenaries in Africa, Nepal, India, Cuba, Serbia, and other Balkan countries. "For you to understand correctly, one in a thousand is taken prisoner. That is, these people who were taken prisoner by Ukraine were lucky to save their lives and health. And even though they are mercenaries, which means they are international criminals and can be convicted, Ukraine fully respects all their rights," Yatsenko said. ADVERTISIMENT In general, the largest number of mercenaries is from Nepal, with an estimated 15,000. Some countries, such as Cuba, are interested in the participation of citizens in the war. India and Nepal are against recruitment. The flow of foreigners into the ranks of the Russian army increased after the "end of the Wagner mercenaries" and former prisoners who fought in the ranks of Storm Z and other formations. One of the prisoners from Cuba said that he was paid 250 thousand rubles (about 105 thousand UAH) per month. Money was his motivation. ADVERTISIMENT Another said he learned about recruitment from a poster, but thought it was a job as a "security guard" and not on the front line. He spent "about four days" at the front and saw that the mercenaries were not trained to fight. In turn, Vitaliy Matvienko, a spokesperson for I Want to Live, said that more than 270 occupiers have surrendered as part of the project. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukraine has given Russia an ultimatum on the detention of prisoners of war. Now the occupants in captivity may lose the opportunity to call their families because of the Kremlin's thoughtless policy towards Ukrainian prisoners. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The country is tonight mourning the loss of one of its legal luminaries... who also served i The European Union commends Kazakhstan's clear stance on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and its adherence to international law. That's according to an EU statement that was read out at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna with the participation of Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "We commend Kazakhstan's clear stance on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and its adherence to international law, including the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act principles," the statement said. The EU also thanked the Kazakh government "for its active and constructive engagement in support of the OSCE as our common security platform, as well as its efforts to intensify regional cooperation within Central Asia." According to the statement, the European Union is committed to deepening and broadening our relations with Kazakhstan in all mutually beneficial areas. Earlier reports said that Kazakhstan, an ally of Russia in the CSTO, had not supported Russian aggression against Ukraine. Kazakhstan supports the cessation of bloodshed in Ukraine "on the basis of territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of states in accordance with the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter." Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that his country did not need to join the Union State of Russia and Belarus. Finland plans to adopt temporary legislation that will allow border authorities to stop asylum seekers trying to enter its territory from Russia. This was reported by Reuters, Ukrinform reports. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that the proposed bill would be sent out for comments and then submitted to parliament. He added that Finland "has become a target of instrumentalized migration," and the Russian authorities "not only did not intervene, but even contributed to it." Some asylum seekers in the EU continue to arrive at the Finnish border from Russia, and the government believes that their number may increase significantly in the spring. In a statement, the Finnish Interior Ministry said that the country "must be prepared for Russia to exert long-term pressure". According to Yle, the law will be temporary and will be in effect for one year after its entry into force. Orpo assured that the government's goal is to normalize traffic on the eastern border, but due to Russia's actions, this is currently impossible. Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, for her part, noted that under the new law, border guards, for example, will be able to send asylum seekers to apply elsewhere. The Interior Minister also noted that the borders with Russia are unlikely to open in April. In February, Rantanen said that the authorities had information that there were thousands of people on the Russian side waiting for a chance to get to Finland. As Ukrinform reported, at the end of last year, Finland closed all crossing points on its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia due to the growing number of arrivals who did not have valid documents to enter the EU. Photo: Juha Kemppainen / Yle The aggressor country Russia is currently deploying tactical and operational reserves to eastern Ukraine, trying to maintain and potentially intensify the pace of its current offensive operations. Such actions demonstrate the enemy's possible ability to dynamically balance and reassess its offensive efforts. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). At the same time, analysts continue to believe that any ability of the Russian Federation to achieve success still depends on the level of support for Ukraine from the West. On March 14, Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets reported that the Russian military command was allocating tactical and operational reserves for an offensive in the Lyman direction near Bakhmut, as well as to the west and southwest of the Donetsk region, to prevent the Defense Forces from further stabilizing the front line. He said that many of these reserves were intended to exploit an anticipated Russian breakthrough of Ukrainian defenses, and not necessarily to support ongoing Russian offensives against the stabilization of Ukrainian defensive positions. ADVERTISIMENT It is noted that Russian troops recently sent additional units of the 3rd Army Corps to fight southwest of Bakhmut; an unspecified reserve regiment of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division (8th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District) and the 10th Tank Regiment (1st Army Corps "DPR") to fight southwest of Donetsk; units of the 272nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (47th Tank Division of the 1st Guards Tank Army) to the Liman direction. Mashovets added that Russian forces still have adequate reserves to further intensify offensive operations, but they are likely to be insufficient to allow the occupiers to destroy the Ukrainian defense. ADVERTISIMENT "Russian troops have been struggling to achieve more than gradual minor tactical success in Ukraine since mid-2022, and the introduction of tactical or even limited operational reserves does not change their prospects for achieving significant operational success as the Russian Armed Forces have not yet demonstrated the ability to conduct smart mechanized maneuvers to quickly capture large areas of territory," ISW emphasized. The analysts suggested that reports of Russia's redeployment of tactical reserves to new areas demonstrate the enemy's likely ability to dynamically balance and reassess its offensive efforts. Mashovets's reports of the deployment of Russian army units are noteworthy because these units were probably reserves in other areas where the occupiers are conducting offensive operations. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, units of the 10th Tank Regiment participated in the capture of Avdiivka in mid-February. Their deployment southwest of Donetsk, rather than west of Avdiivka, suggests that the Russian command does not want to increase the pace of offensive operations there by slowing down the pace of fighting southwest of the regional center of Donetsk. "The redeployement of Russian forces in the Avdiivka area could apparently allow Russian forces to intensify their efforts to advance further west of the city at a time chosen by the command, which may have decided that this potential reserve is sufficient without elements of the 10th Tank Regiment," ISW emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT It is also noted that units of the 1st Guards Tank Army were responsible for Russian offensive operations northwest of Svatove from the beginning of the Russian offensive in the winter-spring of 2024 on the lines of Kharkiv and Luhansk regions. The 272nd Motorized Rifle Regiment was apparently intended as a reserve to support these offensive operations. Its redeployment to the Lyman direction may indicate that Russian troops are now prioritizing an offensive there rather than on other parts of the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line. "These tactical movements are relatively minor, but they are examples of how the Russian military command can increase or decrease commitments to operations anywhere along the front line at its discretion due to the operational flexibility provided by Russia's initiative in the entire theater of war," analysts say. ADVERTISIMENT As reported, the Institute of War Studies said that the delay in Western aid would make the front line in Ukraine "fragile". If the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not receive the necessary ammunition and equipment, the occupiers may use this to attempt a breakthrough in some vulnerable area of the front. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published March 14, 2024 MONROE, LA Louisiana District 5 Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced that she has secured $37.39 million in community project funding for the Fifth District of Louisiana. As part of the funding package, $1 million will go toward a collaboration between the University of Louisiana Monroe and the City of Monroe for entrepreneurial expansion and a business incubator. Thank you so much, Congresswoman Letlow, for seeing the value in the continued partnership between the City U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and OUR University of Louisiana Monroe, said Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis. We are so excited and look forward to the fruits of our collaboration and what this project will produce for Northeast Louisiana. The impacts of working together to enhance the small business ecosystem and create space for entry-level and new businesses to grow and expand will create a stronger economy for our region, said Ellis. The City is proud to be able to partner with ULM on this initiative, strengthening our existing entrepreneurial culture and providing opportunities for small businesses to flourish. We are grateful for the leadership and support of Congresswoman Julia Letlow for securing funding for this initiative that will help create businesses, jobs and grow our economy, said ULM President Dr. Ron Berry. Her passion and commitment for this region were instrumental in bringing the University and the City of Monroe together for this impactful project, he continued. We also appreciate the leadership of Mayor Friday Ellis and the Monroe City Council for their partnership and look forward to working with them to expand business opportunities and success in our region, said Berry. The community project funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. In a statement, Rep. Letlow said, My number one mission in Congress is to give back to our communities. My office and I worked hard to secure the millions in funding that will be crucial for Louisianas economic growth and prosperity. The project proposal from ULM and the City of Monroe was officially titled Creating an Environment for Economic Development Entrepreneurial Innovation Expansion. The $1 million will go towards the creation of additional space for small businesses to have a place to grow and developing rural-based satellite facilities for business incubator space in lower-income areas of the region. Additionally, the funds will help renovate existing space for K-12 institutions to use for training and establishing an entrepreneurial spirit among youth in the City of Monroe and constructing a resource center for under-represented populations and individuals with seemingly limited career options to explore entrepreneurship. ULM and the City of Monroe will continue to work together to finalize and execute the proposal. The information about the destruction of another enemy Murom-P complex, which was used by the occupiers to monitor the territory, has been posted online. The target was eliminated by Russian volunteers who, together with the Ukrainian Defense Forces, are fighting the Kremlin regime. ADVERTISIMENT Together with the Murom-P equipment, the soldiers hit the antennas of electronic intelligence and electronic warfare of the Russian troops. The defenders found the enemy equipment in a multi-story building. The antennas were on the roof, and the Murom-P camera was installed in a window. The strikes were carried out using drones. "We should have hidden it better," The Freedom of Russia Legion joked. "We have turned Putin's Murom-P long-range visual surveillance complex and radar/rebroadcasting antennas into a pile of metal. We continue to work!" the press service wrote. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: - The Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and the Siberian Battalion continue a joint operation in the territory of the Russian Federation. Since the authorities of Belgorod and Kursk regions did not organize proper evacuation of civilians, the soldiers appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross. ADVERTISIMENT - On the afternoon of March 15, Russian volunteers announced a massive attack on the military facilities of the Russian Armed Forces in Belgorod. They called on the city's residents to leave or take shelter. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! While Russian propagandists are spreading messages about the "successful actions of the Russian army" and its advance in Ukraine to Western audiences, Ukrainian soldiers are calmly and methodically doing their job. Over the past week, in the east of our country alone, the Defense Forces regained control of 24 positions previously seized by the invaders. ADVERTISIMENT The occupiers' losses in manpower exceeded 2,000 people, and the invaders also lost 1,044 pieces of military equipment and weapons, including UAVs and nearly four dozen ammunition depots. This was reported by a user of the X network with the nickname "Serhii Neshchadnyi", who, according to Ukrinform, is a current officer of Ukrainian military intelligence. "As a result of the "successful actions of the Russian army" for the period from March 9 to 14, 2024, the Ukrainian Defense Forces regained control over 24 positions in the eastern direction alone," the author of the message noted. In addition, the invaders were actively losing their equipment and weapons. Thus, in less than a week, the enemy's ranks were thinned out by 2,039 militants thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian soldiers. The pace of "demilitarization" during this period is also impressive. From March 9 to 14, the invaders lost ADVERTISIMENT tanks 11 armored combat vehicles 53 artillery systems 67 air defense systems 5 electronic warfare equipment 18 technical means of surveillance 6 UAVS 785 automotive equipment 98 heavy flamethrower systems 1. In addition, 39 ammunition depots of the Russian invaders were blown up. ADVERTISIMENT A state-appointed monitor overseeing New Jersey City Universitys finances and governance has directed the institution to seek a partnership with another college to improve its financial standing, according to a report released Tuesday. State Intervention and Oversight Following a law enacted last year, allowing state-appointed monitors to assist financially struggling public institutions, New Jersey City University found itself under the scrutiny of Henry Amoroso. The law came into effect after the university declared a financial emergency due to a significant deficit of nearly $23 million. Amoroso's directive aims to explore partnerships with other public institutions, ranging from sharing academic programs to complete mergers. READ ALSO: Bay Path University To Acquire Cambridge College in Merger Deal The University's Response and the Monitor's Findings Interim President Andres Acebo expressed the university's commitment to review the plan and collaborate with the state's higher education department. While Amoroso acknowledged the institution's role in providing accessible education to a diverse student body, he cited challenges such as declining enrollment and financial mismanagement decisions. The university's previous president resigned amidst financial turmoil, and the institution received a $10 million lifeline from state lawmakers. Challenges and Recommendations Despite implementing cost-cutting measures and reducing spending, Amoroso emphasized that the university's financial challenges persist. The institution carries a significant debt burden of $287.1 million, coupled with chronic deficits in revenues versus expenses. Amoroso recommended pursuing a strategic partnership with another institution to address immediate and long-term financial concerns. Additionally, he proposed restructuring the university's governance, suggesting changes in board membership and committee structure to enhance oversight and decision-making processes. Path Forward and Collaboration As New Jersey City University embarks on the journey to find a strategic partner, collaboration with stakeholders will be essential. The university must engage with potential partner institutions to explore mutually beneficial arrangements that enhance academic offerings and financial stability. Moreover, fostering transparent communication with students, faculty, and alumni will ensure that the decision-making process is inclusive and aligned with the institution's mission and values. Impact on Students and the Community The outcome of the partnership search will have far-reaching implications for students and the broader community. A successful collaboration could expand educational opportunities, improve resource allocation, and strengthen the university's position as an anchor institution in Hudson County. However, it is imperative to safeguard the institution's identity and preserve its commitment to serving diverse student populations and fostering academic excellence. New Jersey City University faces a critical juncture in its quest for financial stability. The directive to seek a strategic partner underscores the urgency of addressing longstanding fiscal challenges. As the institution navigates this transition, collaboration with state authorities and stakeholders will be crucial in charting a path toward sustainable growth and continued educational excellence. By leveraging partnerships and implementing effective governance practices, New Jersey City University can emerge stronger and better equipped to fulfill its mission of empowering students and serving the community. RELATED ARTICLE: Exploring a Merger: Cleveland State University Engages in Talks with Notre Dame College for a Transformative Partnership Students at Monroe Community College (MCC) in New York are expressing their disapproval of a decision allowing campus safety officers to carry long rifles on campus. The move prompted some students to organize a protest rally on Monday to voice their opposition, as reported by Rochester First. Student Protest During the rally, captured by News 10, an NBC affiliate, students marched with signs bearing messages such as our campus, our tuition, our choice and dont militarize MCC. David Mills, a student, expressed concerns to the outlet, stating that the presence of long guns on campus was "way too intimidating." Several students echoed Mills' sentiments, expressing worries about the potential escalation of violence and the impact on the overall campus environment. The protest reflects broader debates about the role of firearms on college campuses and the balance between security measures and student welfare. MCC students are joining a national conversation about campus safety and the use of weapons by law enforcement personnel in educational settings. READ ALSO: Shooting at University of Nevada Las Vegas Kills 3; Community on High Alert College Response In response to the protest and concerns raised by students, college officials issued a statement on Monday afternoon. The statement highlighted that the decision to permit campus safety officers to carry long rifles was announced by MCC President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna during a Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 29. The decision followed a college-wide consultation process in the fall of 2023, which involved discussions with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, the Board of Trustees, and County Executive Adam Bello. According to the statement, the consultation process included a public presentation by the colleges chief public safety officer and the dean of the public safety training facility. Additionally, the student government issued a letter expressing support for the decision after consulting with students. The statement emphasized that peace officers at MCC undergo the same training and certifications as local police officers through the Police Academy at the Public Safety Training Facility. It further clarified that the rifles would be used and secured according to local law enforcement policy, kept out of plain sight unless necessary during a violent critical incident. The college reiterated its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, ensuring they remain integral components of public safety training. Acknowledging students' right to free speech and peaceful assembly, the statement affirmed the college's commitment to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are heard and respected. As the debate over campus safety measures continues, MCC faces the challenge of balancing security concerns with the expectations and preferences of its student body. The college administration may need to engage in further dialogue and collaboration with students to address their concerns and ensure a safe and inclusive campus environment for all. RELATED ARTICLE: Burlington Chief Says Shooting of 3 Palestinian Students Likely a Hate-Crime The Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth campuses and the states community colleges have initiated a groundbreaking partnership aimed at facilitating the transfer process for students. The partnership introduces a common dual-admission program, enabling community college students enrolled in associate degree programs to receive an admissions offer to a designated Penn State Commonwealth campus upon request. A recent news release from the Penn State system outlined that these students can apply to transfer with no fee during their final semester and are guaranteed admission to a bachelors degree program at the designated college, provided they meet eligibility requirements. Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing its alignment with the shared mission of strengthening communities, serving Pennsylvania students and families, and expanding access to higher education. Bendapudi highlighted the transformative power of education and affirmed the commitment of both institutions to fostering pathways for student success. Streamlined Transfer Process As part of the partnership, Penn State Commonwealth campuses will enhance existing or establish new articulation agreements with community colleges, utilizing a standardized template to simplify the transfer process. This streamlined approach aims to remove barriers and uncertainties often associated with transferring credits between institutions, ensuring a seamless transition for students pursuing higher education opportunities. Additionally, the collaboration involves the promotion of RaiseME transfer scholarships, a program designed to incentivize and support community college students in their academic journey. Through RaiseME, students can earn microscholarships for various achievements such as academic excellence, participation in campus activities, or community service. Upon transferring to Penn State, these scholarships are converted into institutional scholarships, further facilitating access to financial assistance for incoming transfer students. Tuesday Stanley, Chair of the Board of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges and President of Westmoreland County Community College, expressed optimism about the partnership's potential to expand pathways to bachelors and higher-level degrees. Stanley emphasized the importance of fostering strong partnerships between Pennsylvania colleges and universities to promote student success and address the evolving needs of the workforce. READ ALSO: Got Rejected by a College? Here Are 5 Ways to Reapply Collaborative Efforts Amid Changing Higher Education Landscape The establishment of this partnership comes at a pivotal moment for higher education in Pennsylvania, where public institutions face challenges related to declining enrollments and shifting demographics. In response, some campuses have explored innovative strategies to collaborate rather than compete, aiming to enhance educational opportunities and address systemic challenges more effectively. Governor Josh Shapiros proposal to unify 10 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities and the states community colleges under a single governing body underscores the growing recognition of the benefits of collaboration within the higher education sector. While the proposed overhaul does not encompass the Penn State University system, it reflects broader efforts to optimize resources and streamline operations across the state's higher education landscape. As Penn State Commonwealth campuses and community colleges forge ahead with their partnership, they are not only enhancing educational access and opportunities but also setting a precedent for collaborative efforts in addressing the evolving needs of students and communities across Pennsylvania. RELATED ARTICLE: Online Education Makes Ivy League Schooling Possible at Home Clarkson University and Siena College are entering into a significant agreement that will see the transfer of 16 graduate-level teaching programs from Clarkson to Siena. This move, pending approval from the New York State Education Department and expected to be finalized in June, reflects both institutions' strategic efforts to adapt to changing educational landscapes and meet workforce demands. Strategic Shifts Amid Evolving Educational Trends Clarkson University, renowned for its focus on STEM disciplines, made the strategic decision to refine its academic identity and concentrate on its core mission. As part of this initiative, the institution opted to transfer its teacher education graduate programs to Siena College, recognizing the latter's potential to expand offerings and address the growing demand for educators in New York State and beyond. The decision underscores broader challenges facing teacher education programs, with declining enrollments observed both nationally and within New York. Factors such as demographic shifts, evolving perceptions of the teaching profession, and the impact of the pandemic have contributed to decreased interest in pursuing careers in education. Recognizing these trends, institutions are proactively reevaluating their academic portfolios and seeking collaborative solutions to sustain program viability. READ ALSO: Bay Path University To Acquire Cambridge College in Merger Deal Implications and Opportunities for Siena College For Siena College, the acquisition of Clarkson's graduate teaching programs presents an opportunity to meet critical workforce needs and expand its graduate offerings. With projections indicating a substantial demand for new teachers in the coming years, Siena aims to position itself as a key provider of high-quality educator preparation programs. The transfer aligns with Siena's commitment to community service and educational excellence, enabling the college to play a vital role in addressing regional and statewide educational needs. By leveraging the expertise of Clarkson's faculty and the established reputation of the transferred programs, Siena anticipates significant enrollment growth and enhanced contributions to the Capitol Region and beyond. As Siena prepares to integrate the new programs, its leadership emphasizes the importance of maintaining institutional culture and ensuring a seamless transition for faculty, staff, and students. With careful planning and strategic implementation, Siena College anticipates that the addition of Clarkson's graduate teaching programs will further strengthen its position as a leading institution committed to academic excellence and community engagement. Collaborative Solutions in Higher Education The partnership between Clarkson University and Siena College exemplifies a broader trend in higher education toward collaboration and innovation. As colleges and universities navigate demographic shifts, financial challenges, and evolving student needs, strategic partnerships offer opportunities for institutions to leverage their respective strengths and address shared goals. By pooling resources, expertise, and intellectual capital, institutions can enhance program offerings, expand access to higher education, and better serve their communities. The transfer of graduate teaching programs from Clarkson to Siena represents a proactive response to changing educational trends and workforce demands, demonstrating the agility and adaptability of higher education institutions in meeting the evolving needs of society. RELATED ARTICLE: State Tasks New Jersey City University To Find a Partner for Financial Stability Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday apprised the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka about the important reform priorities of the Government ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2024) Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday apprised the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka about the important reform priorities of the Government. The Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan Dr. Riina Kionka called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Mr. Muhammad Aurangzebm, said a press release issued here. The Finance Minister also shared possible areas of mutual collaboration including digitization, export competitiveness, livestock and dairy production. The Ambassador acknowledged the economic agenda of the Government and assured the Finance Minister of EUs continued support to Pakistan. The Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Dr.Riina Kionka called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, at the Finance Division. Finance Minister Mr.Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed the Ambassador of the EU and appreciated the longstanding bilateral relations and development cooperation between EU and Pakistan. He thanked the Ambassador for EUs ongoing support in flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Dr.Riina Kionka congratulated the Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue on his recent appointment to office and looked forward to collaborating with the new Government. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2024) Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Friday addressed concerns regarding the ban on the export of bananas and onions, clarifying that the restriction is specifically for the duration of Ramazan and is temporary. The decision to impose the ban was made at the cabinet level following the submission of a summary by the Ministry of National Food Security, and a price escalation predicted by the sensitive price index and export association, said a press release issued here. This move came in response to a calling attention notice raised by Syed Naveed Qamar and other legislators regarding the impact of the ban on agricultural exports. Minister Jam Kamal Khan assured the assembly that the ban would remain in effect until the 15th of the following month, highlighting the government's sensitivity to the concerns raised by agriculturists. The temporary ban on the export of bananas and onions during Ramazan aims to ensure an adequate domestic supply of these essential commodities during the holy month, which would ease common people and does not create a false shortage perception. The government's decision reflects its commitment to balancing the needs of local consumers with the interests of agricultural producers. While the ban presents a short-term restriction on export opportunities for farmers, it underscores the government's proactive approach to managing food security during religious observances. Alizey Khan, founder Ruhil Foundation is the first Pakistani woman to have been awarded the Diana Legacy Award ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2024) Alizey Khan, founder Ruhil Foundation is the first Pakistani woman to have been awarded the Diana Legacy Award. She received the award from Prince William at a ceremony held in London on March 14, 2024. Alizey Khan, 26 has been recognised with the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts, said a news release. The legacy awards take place every two years and celebrate the achievements of 20 young leaders from across the world The Legacy Award marks The Diana Awards 25th Anniversary - a charity set up in memory of Diana, the late Princess of Wales and her belief in the power of young people to change the world. The Award has the support of both her sons, HRH The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. The 20 Legacy Award recipients have been chosen by a prestigious independent judging panel, chaired by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, who had the difficult task of selecting just 20 from a pool of exceptional individuals, already recognised for their impact on society with The Diana Award in 2022 or 2023. Alizey established the Ruhil Foundation to combat food insecurity by delivering ration bags and cooked meals to those in need. Over the years she has delivered thousands of meals across the country. She also provides support for weddings and has conducted hygiene drives in underdeveloped areas. Alizey is also helping to provide education to children of sex workers and is actively involved in fundraising for orphanages in Lahore. She did extensive work during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided ration bags to flood affectees in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar said on Friday said a handful of miscreants associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was bent upon sabotaging Pakistans deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that was crucial for economic stability ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2024) Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar said on Friday said a handful of miscreants associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was bent upon sabotaging Pakistans deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that was crucial for economic stability. In a bid to disrupt Pakistan's ongoing talks with IMF, some miscreants protested in front of IMF and World Bank offices in United States and indulged in sloganeering against Pakistan Army, he said while addressing a news conference here. The protestors belonging to the PTI were urging the IMF to give funds to Pakistan only if their jailed leader was released, he said, regretting that activists of an anti-national party continued to hold sit-in and protest outside the IMF office. This is a fashionable crowd and these are the enemies of Pakistan who are left with no love for the country, the minister said while paying tributes to the overseas Pakistanis who were sending their hard-earned money to the country by doing white and blue collar jobs abroad. He said these people were protesting to stop funding to the people of Pakistan were wearing costly branded shoes and carrying branded bags. They only wanted to sabotage the IMF deal because their dream was to make Pakistan default but Inshallah, Pakistan would make progress and the growth rate would increase soon. The heinous conspiracies of anti-national elements would not have any effect on the IMF deal, the minister said emphatically, adding the imprisoned PTI founder chairman was involved in Tosha Khana fraud, 190 million pound scam and cypher case. He advised the PTI to approach courts of Pakistan for release of Imran as IMF and World Bank had nothing to do with his cases. Tarar said that country was stable today with the sacrifices of martyrs, Ghazis and efforts patriotic political leaders. The Allah Almighty had always protected Pakistan from external and internal threats and the talks with the IMF were going on positively which was also reflected by the trends in stock exchange, he added. "We have been voted by the people to solve the problems in the country, not to increase them", he maintained. He said under the vision of the Prime Minister, efforts would be made for making the country prosperous through hard work. The Prime Minister, he added, had given a comprehensive agenda on economic reforms including restructuring FBR, increasing tax network, reducing government expenditure. He said since the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took over the power, the economic situation has started improving. The minister said that the Prime Minister wanted an early solution to the country's problems and he had been pursuing the vision to chart the country on path of progress and prosperity. He said that international organizations like Bloomberg were hailing the appointment of Muhammad Aurangzeb as the Finance Minister of the country as he had command over economic affairs. The minister said that unfortunately an anti-national party involved in May 9 incidents was conspiring and working against the interests of Pakistan. He said that the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz faced imprisonment due to fake cases but it never compromised on honour and dignity of the country. Tarar urged the youth to side with Pakistan instead of any political party, adding This is the mission of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and we will be moving forward with the same spirit. To a query, he said the PTI would be requested in the dialogues to refrain from taking any such initiatives that undermined economy or country. APP/mhn-nvd President Vladimir Putin on Friday vowed a strong military response to a string of Ukrainian attacks on Russia's border that he described as an attempt by Kyiv to derail his bid for re-election Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2024) President Vladimir Putin on Friday vowed a strong military response to a string of Ukrainian attacks on Russia's border that he described as an attempt by Kyiv to derail his bid for re-election. Putin addressed his security council on the first day of the three-day vote that is also being held in occupied territories of Ukraine and with no opposition candidates allowed to contest the ballot. He promised a harsh response to waves of fatal Ukrainian aerial attacks on the frontier regions of Belgorod and Kursk that have also seen fierce fighting in recent days with pro-Kyiv sabotage groups. "These strikes by the enemy do not and will not go unpunished," the long-time Russian leader said in comments aired on state-run television. "This is an attempt to interfere with the presidential election," the 71-year-old Russian leader added. Putin has been in power in Russia since the last day of 1999 and is set to extend his grip on power until 2030. The Kremlin distributed images showing Putin voting online at his office computer and waving to the camera after issuing the vow to strike back against Ukraine, and as Russian strikes killed at least 19 in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Gaza City, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2024) The first aid vessel heading to the besieged Gaza Strip via a new maritime corridor was visible Friday off the coast of the war-ravaged territory, an AFP journalist said. AFP video footage and photographs showed the Open Arms towing a barge which the Spanish charity operating it says is carrying 200 tonnes of food for Gazans threatened with famine after more than five months of war. The specialist site Vessel Finder showed the Open Arms roughly five kilometres (three miles) off the coast of northern Gaza. A handful of civilians gathered on the rubble-strewn coast on Friday to watch the vessel, AFP footage showed, though it was unclear when it would actually reach shore. The food has been supplied by the US NGO World Central Kitchen, which has a team in Gaza building a jetty onto which the cargo can be unloaded. Cyprus, the Mediterranean nation which is the starting point for the maritime corridor, has said a second, bigger vessel is being readied to make the same journey. However, the sea missions and airdrops are "no alternative" to land deliveries, 25 organisations including Amnesty International and Oxfam said in a statement this week. The health ministry in Gaza has in recent weeks recorded at least 27 deaths from malnutrition and dehydration, most of them children. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Baghdad, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Mar, 2024) A high-ranking Turkish delegation held talks in Baghdad on Thursday, discussing key security and energy issues ahead of an expected visit by Turkey's president, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Iraq after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which ends in April, said a joint statement following the meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin attended the talks with their Iraqi counterparts. "We discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, and the upcoming visit," the Iraqi minister said on X, formerly Twitter. South Korea's "Squid Game" actor O Yeong-su has been found guilty of sexual misconduct, a local court said Friday, after he was charged with assaulting a woman in 2017. The 79-year-old in 2022 became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance as a seemingly vulnerable old man in the mega-hit Netflix dystopian thriller. The actor was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court told AFP. He has been also ordered to complete 40 hours of classes on sexual violence, the court added. The victim's own records of the assault and her claims are "consistent ... and appear to be statements that cannot be made without actually experiencing them," judge Jeong Yeon-ju said, according to the court. O was indicted in 2022 without detention on charges of sexually assaulting a woman, who has not been identified, on two occasions. The incidents took place when O was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance in 2017, on a walking path and in front of the victim's residence, respectively, according to the Suwon District Court. "Squid Game," a series that depicts a dark world where marginalized individuals are forced to compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games, quickly gained immense popularity on Netflix. Within less than four weeks of its release in 2021, it attracted a staggering 111 million viewers. The show's success has amplified South Korea's increasingly outsized influence on global popular culture, following global fame won by the likes of K-pop band BTS and the Oscar-winning film "Parasite." Multiple figures in South Korea's film industry -- including late filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun -- have faced sexual assault allegations. Over the last few weeks, China has gone to great lengths to give the impression that it is opening up to the world whether for foreign businesses, tourists or journalists. I cant speak with certainty on these claims. Im not a China specialist, but a regional reporter who covers what often feels like an impossibly large part of the world, including China. But my recent experience on a short reporting trip to Beijing reveals the difficulties faced by foreign journalists working in the country. It's an experience that goes against the official narrative of an opening up in China. Recently, the Chinese government invited me to cover the country's biggest annual political event, including a meeting of its National Peoples Congress, which wrapped up this week in Beijing. I hadnt expected to get a visa. Journalists working for U.S. and many other Western news outlets have been mostly shut out of China since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when U.S.-China tensions spiked, and the country entered a severe three-year period of lockdowns and strict COVID controls. No VOA journalist had been given a visa for China since 2020, other than a State Department correspondent who was part of a traveling press pool during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. By my count, China handed out at least seven short-term journalist visas for U.S. and European media to cover the week-long political gathering, known as the Two Sessions, during which Chinas political elite delivered a consistently upbeat message about Chinas struggling economy. Mixed messages It doesnt take an expert to see that China faces a long list of problems. Even after lifting its COVID-19 lockdown at the beginning of last year, Chinas economy has seen some of its slowest growth in decades. Foreign investment has plunged, amid geopolitical tensions and a series of high-profile detentions of Chinese and foreign businesspeople. And fewer tourists are coming to China compared to before the pandemic. At the Two Sessions, China downplayed those challenges, setting an ambitious economic growth target of about 5% for the year. But while authorities promised to reduce barriers to tourism and foreign trade, they also tightened the Communist Partys grip over the government and expanded national security laws that many foreign critics already saw as vague. As a journalist, I also sensed inconsistent messaging. While China restored pre-COVID levels of media access at the Two Sessions, it canceled the usual press conference given by the premier at the end of the gathering. Many reporters felt conflicted about the cancellation; while it was clear the questions at this press conference were usually pre-selected, it was still a rare chance for journalists to engage with a senior Chinese leader. Journalistic restrictions Most of my challenges as a reporter began when I left Tiananmen Square, where the political meetings were held, and visited other parts of Beijing. For much of this month, the entire capital area has seen an increased security presence, as is typical during sensitive political moments. But I figured the omnipresent police patrols would not prevent me from conducting basic journalistic tasks, such as getting video footage of major tourist areas and conducting brief, impromptu interviews with local residents. My interview questions were innocuous. What do Chinese people think about the upcoming U.S. presidential election? Do they prefer Donald Trump or Joe Biden? Do they have any hope that U.S.-China ties will improve? The questions generated a range of thoughtful responses, which you can see in the video below. I didnt experience any trouble until I returned to my hotel that evening, when I received a phone call saying I should appear immediately at a local office of the Ministry of Public Security, Chinas main state policing agency that also monitors domestic political threats. Upon arrival, I was escorted down a nondescript hall to a small conference room, where I was met by several officers, who proceeded to conduct an interrogation. Why, the officers demanded to know, was I asking people about Trump and Biden, and not writing about the Two Sessions for which I had media credentials? The focus of my reporting trip, I responded, was on Chinas policies, including its foreign relations. Why, they wanted to know, had I not gotten permission before filming? I told them that not only was I in a public area, but I did also not shoot any interviews without first getting permission from the interviewees. Their last question took the form of a rebuke: Why was VOA not more fair in telling Chinas side of the story? Apparently, the officers had not appreciated the irony that I had been interviewing residents for a piece with the main goal of providing Chinese perspectives. Pattern of abuse In the end, I received only a mild scolding before I was allowed to leave. Other China-based reporters often experience far worse abuse, even if only counting very recent incidents. The week before I arrived in China, a Dutch journalist covering a bank protest in the central city of Chengdu was shoved to the ground and had his equipment confiscated by police, who detained him and his cameraman for several hours while preventing them from making phone calls. This week, a reporter for The Associated Press said he and a colleague were followed by plainclothes police, who at one point even trailed him into a bathroom. The AP reporters were in Chengdu speaking with elderly retirees who had invested in a trust fund that had gone bankrupt. Over a dozen plainclothes followed us, using tactics I've only seen in Xinjiang. They followed me into the bathroom and to the airport. They took photos of us, the reporter, Dake Kang, said on social media website X. This is Chengdu, one of the most liberal cities in China. Startling to see such tactics deployed here. Foreign journalists have often experienced harassment when visiting far-flung areas, such as Tibet or Xinjiang, where China is accused of severe human rights abuses, or while reporting on other politically sensitive topics, such as protests or natural disasters. But if my experience, and that of many others, is any indication, it is becoming much more difficult for foreign journalists to do even the most non-controversial stories in the biggest of Chinas cities. Even Chinas state-controlled journalists have faced increasing restrictions. Just this week, authorities in the city of Sanhe, 50 kilometers outside Beijing, harassed reporters from state outlet CCTV during a live broadcast near the scene of a deadly gas explosion. The incident prompted a public backlash, even drawing a statement of concern from a Communist Party-affiliated association of journalists. The incident was a wake-up call to a problem suffered for decades by more professional news outlets in China that have attempted to do real reporting in the face of formal press restrictions from the Chinese Communist Party leadership above, and frequent intimidation down below, wrote David Bandurski, in a commentary published in the China Media Project. Such acts of obstruction are not an exception but the very nature of media policy in China, he added. Open to the world? So, how does all this relate to Chinas official narrative that it is open to the world? I obviously cant say how all foreign investors feel about returning to China. But Ive spoken with colleagues in business and academia who no longer feel comfortable traveling to the country, citing fears of arbitrary detention. I cant speak for foreign tourists, either. But I can tell you how difficult it was as a newcomer to accomplish even the simplest tasks such as booking a taxi, paying for a meal with a foreign bank account and checking Facebook, Instagram or virtually any other Western social media app given Chinas insistence on placing a digital firewall between its people and the rest of the world. What I can say with certainty is that I felt welcomed by Beijing residents, who seemed eager to interact with VOA, despite a state-backed campaign portraying foreign journalists as potential spies and dangerous troublemakers. But at one point during last weeks meetings, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told gathered media that his government is opening its door wider to the world. At another point he insisted more foreign friends are welcome to join us in telling Chinas story. From my point of view, it sure didnt feel that way. Ukraine, joined Friday by more than 55 countries at the United Nations, condemned Russia's attempts to organize elections on occupied Ukrainian land, saying they were not valid. "We condemn in the strongest terms the Russian Federation's illegitimate attempts to organize Russian presidential elections in temporarily occupied areas within the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine," the group said in a statement read by Ukraine's U.N. ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, flanked by his counterparts. "Holding elections in another U.N. member state's territory without its consent is in manifest disregard for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "Such elections have no validity under international law." Starting Friday and continuing through Sunday, Russians are casting votes in polls that international election observers have dismissed as having no chance of being free or fair and are designed to return President Vladimir Putin to power for another six years. Ukraine, supported by council member Slovenia, requested that the U.N. Security Council meet Friday to discuss Russia's holding of the vote in areas of Ukraine that Russian forces have seized and occupied, including Crimea and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. "You convened an entire Security Council meeting to criticize Russia for Russia's conduct of democratic elections on territories which administratively, politically and economically are part of our country like it or not," Russia Deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said. Ukraine's envoy dismissed the Russian election as a "travesty" and said residents in the occupied areas have been subject to broad intimidation by local authorities to participate in the "sham" election. "Among them, threats against life, illegal detention, denial of access to health care and social services, threats of deportation and deprivation of property," Kyslytsya said. "We should not forget that these actions take place at gunpoint." "Let's call this what this is: It's a blatant propaganda exercise, undertaken in the hopes of somehow strengthening Russia's false claim to the parts of Ukraine it illegally invaded," said U.S. envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield. U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said as the occupying power, Russia is obligated to uphold Ukrainian laws in the occupied territories. She said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Russia's intention to conduct presidential elections in these areas as "unacceptable." Defense attorneys for Alec Baldwin urged a New Mexico judge on Thursday to dismiss a grand jury indictment against the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie "Rust." The indictment in January charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021, at a movie ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the charge. His attorneys in a new court filing accused prosecutors of "unfairly stacking the deck" against Baldwin in grand jury proceedings that diverted attention away from exculpatory evidence and witnesses. They say that prevented the jury from asserting their obligation to hear testimony from director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting while standing near Hutchins, as well as assistant director and safety coordinator Dave Halls and props master Sarah Zachry. "The grand jury did not receive the favorable or exculpatory testimony and documents that the state had an obligation to present," said the court motion signed by defense attorney Luke Nikas. "Nor was the grand jury told it had a right to review and the obligation to request this information." Prosecutor Kari Morrissey declined to comment and said a response will be filed with the court. Baldwin's motion also asserts that the grand jury received inaccurate and one-sided testimony about the revolver involved in the fatal shooting. "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted by a jury last week in the shooting and is being held without bond pending an April sentencing hearing. Involuntary manslaughter carries a felony sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and injuring Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the gun's hammer, but not the trigger. Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed at a two-week trial for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set of "Rust" where it was expressly prohibited. They also said she failed to follow basic gun-safety protocols. Halls last year pleaded no contest to negligent handling of a firearm and completed a sentence of six months of unsupervised probation. Baldwin is scheduled for trial in July. Apple settled for $490 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit Friday, which accused CEO Tim Cook of misleading shareholders in 2019 by failing to disclose low demand for Apple products in China. Plaintiffs allege that Cook withheld this knowledge of falling demand, causing shareholder wealth to fall by billions when Apple later forecasted a steep drop in profits in 2019. This drop was almost entirely due to low demand in China, says The Associated Press. Apple has denied claims of withholding information but settled to avoid the costs and distraction of litigation. In settlement documents, the company said it wished to avoid an "overly burdensome, expensive, and distracting" legal ordeal. The preliminary settlement was filed Friday with the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, but still needs to be approved by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who last year refused to dismiss the lawsuit. The lawsuit stems from an investor meeting in 2018, when Cook expressed confidence in how Apple is performing in China, saying it was "very strong last quarter." He added that although Apple has struggled with iPhone sales in Brazil, Russia, India and Turkey, he "would not put China in that category." A few days after the call, Apple told suppliers to slow down production. Then, in January 2019, Apple made a revenue forecast that shocked many shareholders, saying that profits would drop by about $9 billion. The drop was blamed on trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The forecasted revenue drop cut Apple shares by 10%, ultimately taking out $74 billion of the companys market value. According to The Wall Street Journal, plaintiffs said Apple knew that it wasn't performing well in China and should have disclosed that information to shareholders earlier. They said, "Apple's business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as defendants had led the market to believe." The leading plaintiff in the case is Norfolk County Council in the U.K., which is the administering authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund. Rogers said she found it plausible that Cook had been discussing the company's sales outlook, not currency matters. She added that Cook knew that China's economy was slowing down and the demand for iPhones could fall. Apple has denied these claims. According to Shawn Williams, a lawyer for the Apple shareholders, the settlement was an "outstanding result" for the class involved in the lawsuit. The shareholders' lawyers may seek fees up to 25% of the settlement amount. Since January 2019, Apple's share price has grown more than four times, putting its market value at $2.6 trillion. The settlement payout will amount to less than two days' worth of profit for the company, which in its latest fiscal year, made approximately $97 billion in net income. Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Friday the government will resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which is providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. In January, Australia joined several Western nations in suspending funding to UNRWA after Israeli intelligence suggested a dozen of its workers had been linked to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants. Australia is also being criticized for canceling the visas of several Palestinians fleeing the conflict with Israel in Gaza. The Australia Greens party says the move shows a lack of humanity. Speaking to reporters Friday in Canberra Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said she was confident UNRWA was not a terrorist organization. She added that the United Nations aid agency for Palestinians was critical to providing help to people in Gaza who are on the brink of starving. Earlier this month, Canada and the European Union announced they would also resume funding to UNRWA. The United States, the agencys largest donor, continues to freeze payments. Wong told reporters she is satisfied an investigation into the allegations following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas has been thorough. The nature of these allegations warranted an immediate and appropriate response. The best available current advice from agencies and the Australian government lawyers is that UNRWA is not a terrorist organization, and that existing additional safeguards sufficiently protect Australian taxpayer funding, she said. Australias resumption of aid to the agency comes amid criticism for canceling the visas of Palestinians fleeing the conflict. Data from the Department of Home Affairs states that Australia granted 2,273 temporary visas for Palestinians with connections to Australia between October 7 and February 6. More than 2,400 visitor visas were also granted to people declaring Israeli citizenship during that period. The visa category does not allow recipients to work or have access to education or government-funded health care in Australia, although they would not be turned away from emergency rooms. Campaigners for refugees and migrants say several Palestinians have had their Australian visas abruptly canceled by the Canberra government in recent days. The government, citing privacy reasons, refuses to say how many visas are affected. A cancelation notification obtained by local media asserted a particular applicant had never intended to genuinely stay temporarily in Australia. Australias left-leaning Labor government has defended its actions, insisting they were based on ongoing security checks. A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the Australian government reserves the right to cancel any issued visas if circumstances change. But Adam Bandt, the leader of the Australian Greens party, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Friday that visa applicants are being treated unfairly. What Labor is saying is that peoples visas are being canceled because Labor does not know how long the Labor-backed invasion of Gaza will last, and, accordingly, they are refusing them entry into the country. That is callous inhumanity, said Bandt. Australia has said Israel has the right to defend itself after the attack by Hamas militants last October. Canberra advocates a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist within internationally recognized borders. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that the proposed transitional council in Haiti, meant to provide a political transition and bring stability to the troubled Caribbean nation, was still not set, but he expressed confidence it would be in the coming days. Speaking at a news conference in Austria, Blinken said most Haitian social and political stakeholders had named their representatives to the seven-member council but that a couple had not. He expressed confidence they soon would. Blinken took part early this week in an emergency meeting on Haiti in Jamaica, led by the regional trade group CARICOM. It was during that meeting that the Transitional Presidential Council, consisting of seven voting members and two nonvoting observers, was agreed to. Under the agreement, Blinken said, the council would appoint an interim prime minister and, together with the interim leader, appoint an inclusive council of ministers, including a national security council and a commission that would oversee new elections. This was a Haitian-led agreement, Blinken said. He said that the issue of security was related but separate, and that distributing humanitarian aid, developing the economy and setting up elections would be impossible if there was profound insecurity in Haiti. Violence in Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, has left much of the city under the control of heavily armed gangs. Agence France-Presse reported that attacks continued overnight Friday into Saturday, taking place at Port-au-Prince airport and a top police official's home. It said residents set up roadblocks in two areas of the city to try to impede criminal gangs. Blinken said the international community has been working for months on the multinational security force, led by Kenya and other African and Caribbean nations in support of the Haitian police. He said it was moving forward but would not be in place until the transitional council was set up. The secretary of state said he expected that to happen in the coming days, but in Haiti, Every single day, there are challenges to that process political challenges, security challenges and we are working to address them. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson called Friday for "all Haitian stakeholders to set aside their differences and take immediate action to advance the implementation of the transitional governance arrangements." Also Friday, U.S. aid chief Samantha Power announced $25 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti, on top of $33 million announced by the U.S. government on Monday. Under pressure from the United States and other regional nations, unpopular and unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced Monday that he would step down once the transitional council was in place. The White House confirmed Thursday that Henry was in Puerto Rico. On Thursday, gang alliance leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier threatened the politicians who are to take part in the transitional council. Also Thursday, the United Nations said it was working to establish an aid airlift to Haiti. And in Washington, the U.S. Senate voted Thursday to confirm career diplomat Dennis Hankins as ambassador to Haiti. The confirmation marked the first time the diplomatic post will be filled in the country in almost 2-1/2 years. The U.S. said its embassy remained open and limited operations continued, focused on assisting Americans in Haiti and supporting Haitian-led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power. Other embassies, including Canadas, have similarly reduced embassy staff in the country over safety concerns. VOAs Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. Some information came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Top Brazilian military leaders declared to police that former President Jair Bolsonaro presented them a plan to reverse the results of the 2022 election he lost, but they refused and warned him they would arrest him if he tried it, according to judicial documents released Friday. The testimonies of Bolsonaro's former army and air force commanders to police, and released by the Supreme Court, include the first direct mentions of the right-wing leader as actively participating in a conspiracy to ignore the results of the October 2022 election won by his rival, current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The statements by military commanders during Bolsonaro's term add to his legal woes as prosecutors seek to find links between the far-right leader and the Jan. 8, 2023, riots that trashed government buildings in the capital, Brasilia, one week after Lula's inauguration. A federal police report said former army commander Marco Antonio Freire Gomes testified that he and other top military leaders attended several last-minute and unscheduled meetings at the presidential palace after the second round of the elections "in which then-President Jair Bolsonaro offered possibilities of using legal tools ... regarding the electoral process." General Freire Gomes told federal police that in one of the gatherings, Bolsonaro told the three commanders of his military and his then-Defense Secretary Paulo Sergio Nogueira he wanted to create a commission to "investigate the confirmation and the legality of the electoral process." He added that other tools could be used, such as issuing a decree to declare a state of siege. Gomes said he rejected the idea from the start and told Bolsonaro that such a move "could end in the legal responsibility of the then-president," according to the federal police document. The general also declared to police he "always made it clear to the then-president that, under the conditions at the time, there was no possibility of reversing the result of the elections from a military standpoint." Former air force commander Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Jr. also told federal police he rejected Bolsonaro's electoral moves. He added that he believes that Gomes' rebuke was key to stopping Bolsonaro from seeking to reverse the elections result. "If the commander [Freire Gomes] had agreed, possibly, a coup d'etat attempt would have taken place," the federal police document quotes Baptista as saying. "Gen. Freire Gomes said that if such move was attempted, he would have to arrest the president," the police document reads. Baptista also told the federal police that Almir Garnier, the former commander of Brazil's navy, "said he would put his troops at Jair Bolsonaro's disposal," according to the document. Bolsonaro has denied that he and his supporters attempted a coup when rioters assaulted government buildings a year ago. "What is a coup? It is tanks on the streets, weapons, conspiracy. None of that happened in Brazil," he said during a demonstration last month. Bolsonaro's lawyer, Fabio Wajngarten, called Gomes' testimony "folkloric" on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday. Bolsonaro started raising unfounded questions about Brazil's electronic voting process years before the vote, and those efforts to sow doubts accelerated in the lead-up to the election. But top figures in the military giving lengthy testimonies to federal police is an ominous omen for Bolsonaro. "It's one of the first big signs that Bolsonaro is going to stand alone and lose much of the military support he had," said Sergio Praca, a political scientist from the Rio de Janeiro-based Getulio Vargas Foundation, a think tank and university. The testimonies are unlikely to have a significant impact on public opinion, said Manoel Galdino, a political scientist at the University of Sao Paulo. Bolsonaro loyalists will not be swayed by new evidence, while many others are already convinced that the former president was involved in plotting a coup. "There has been no major new revelation to the point of changing Bolsonaro's status or the role he will play in the October municipal elections, for example," said Galdino. Bolsonaro is barred from running for office until 2030 due to two convictions of abuse of power, but he remains active in Brazilian politics as the main adversary for left-of-center Lula. As this year's mayoral elections loom, candidates have split between the two leaders. According to Brazil's Penal Code, attempting a coup carries a sentence of a minimum of four years and a maximum of 12. A new, closer diplomatic relationship between Australia and Vietnam is drawing warnings from China against forming "exclusive circles" in the Indo-Pacific region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Monday's daily news briefing, "To advocate bloc confrontation and build exclusive circles goes against the trend of the times and the common aspiration of regional countries." Although Wang did not mention Vietnam or Australia by name, he was responding to a question posed by one of China's official media outlets, Shenzen TV, about an agreement the two nations signed March 7. Longtime observers of Vietnam's diplomacy say Beijing's response to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) reveals its unease with Hanoi's push to upgrade ties throughout the region. In August, Vietnam signed a CSP with the United States, China's rival. A CSP is the highest level in Vietnam's diplomatic hierarchy, a relationship Hanoi maintains with China, India, Japan, Russia and South Korea. A CSP commits partners to cooperation on a wide range of concerns and typically contains a military dimension. A joint statement issued March 7 by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the nations share a common vision of a peaceful, stable, independent and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. It also mentioned a joint commitment to the "settlement of disputes, including those in the South China Sea, by peaceful means without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law." China's increasingly aggressive claim of sovereignty over those waters has met challenges from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thursday at a news conference, "The upgrade of Vietnam-Australia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a natural development step and in line with the level of relationship between the two countries after more than 50 years of establishment and development, for the common interests and aspirations of the people of the two nations and for peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world." The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not respond to VOA's request for a comment on Wang's remarks. Instead, the ministry referred to Albanese's statement from the day the CSP was signed. "Australia and Vietnam share an ambitious agenda across climate change and sustainability, digital transformation and innovation, defense and security, economics and trade, and education," he said, adding that the CSP reflects "our cooperation, our strategic trust and shared ambition for our region." "China is of course concerned," said Ha Hoang Hop, an associate senior fellow with Singapore's ISEAS Yusof Ishak Research Institute. Speaking on the telephone with VOA Vietnamese from Hanoi on Monday, he said, "China may, in fact, be concerned that Vietnam may move closer to the United States and its allies. But China cannot be offended because Vietnam first aims to create a security balance." The CSP "is both beneficial for Vietnam and beneficial for our comprehensive strategic partners, including China. The establishment of partnerships is not intended to create factions or cause trouble for countries in the region," said Ha. "Everyone is aware that it only creates a better environment for development cooperation, and more broadly, ensuring peace and prosperity for the Asia-Pacific region." The agreement with Australia reflects Vietnam's bamboo diplomacy as its ruling Communist Party tries to navigate rising regional and global tensions. The reference is to the bamboo plants qualities of adaptability and resilience. Vu Duc Khanh, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who follows Vietnamese politics, told VOA Vietnamese via email on Monday that although he can understand China's reactions, he believes it is too early for Beijing to be overly concerned by Vietnam's latest CSP. He pointed to Hanoi's endorsement in December of China's "community of common destiny" with objectives of "common development" and "common security." "China's comments [are] largely in line with its strategy of keeping Vietnam neutral," said Vu Xuan Khang, a doctoral candidate at Boston College who specializes in international security. "China does not want Vietnam to join any blocs made up of countries that China sees to be anti-China because Vietnam could then become a springboard for those countries to hurt Chinese interests," Vu Xuan wrote to VOA via email on Monday. "Vietnam thus needs to be careful and should not stoke too much Chinese suspicion to avoid unnecessary Chinese retaliations," he added. On March 9, the Vietnam News Agency quoted emeritus professor Carl Thayer of the Australian Defense Force Academy, University of New South Wales, as saying that upgrading bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will create opportunities for more in-depth discussions on various issues between Vietnam and Australia, noting that most Australians support strengthening this relationship, especially in the field of education. Thayer believes that Australia will prioritize cooperation with Vietnam and promote dialogue, helping both countries to deal with future challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and competition between world and regional superpowers. China conducted joint military drills this week with Russia and Iran in the Gulf of Oman, a critical water conduit near the entry to the Persian Gulf. The five-day exercise, "Maritime Security Belt 2024," involved both naval and aviation forces, with the primary objective of enhancing the security of maritime economic activities, according to Russia's Ministry of Defense. The drills may have been planned long in advance of the current Israel-Hamas war, but their implication and message to regional players and the West are highly significant, analysts say. More than 20 ships, combat boats, support carriers and navy helicopters participated in the exercise. Iran's semiofficial Mehr News Agency reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) debuted new warships in the exercise, including the Shahid Soleimani corvette. "That's a game changer," Wendell Minnick, an arms specialist and "China in Arms" podcaster, told VOA. "Pay close attention to anti-ship missiles on ships," Minnick said. "The U.S. Navy has a real problem with these types of missiles." The IRGC-operated Shahid Soleimani corvette is equipped with long- and short-range anti-ship cruise missiles. It's the first Iranian warship outfitted with advanced VLS, or Vertical Launching Systems, for firing surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. "This gives the U.S. Navy a nightmare scenario of being saturated by multidirectional vectors of attack that they cannot possibly defeat en masse," Minnick said. "Like being attacked by bees or ants. Eventually they will get you." Rear Admiral Mohammad Nozari, the IRGC commander of Iran's base at Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman, told the Mehr News Agency the drill's chief objectives were consolidating regional security, promoting China-Russia-Iran cooperation, and safeguarding global peace and maritime security. Analysts say Chinese, Russian and Iranian objectives go far beyond the IRGC top naval commander's stated claims. "The Chinese and the Russians are using this exercise as a variety of tools disposable to them to show their presence and to pressure the West," said Meir Javedanfar, who teaches Iranian security studies at Reichman University, in Herzliya, Israel. "The Chinese are saying these exercises are normal and have nothing to do with what's happening in the Middle East," Javedanfar said in an interview with VOA. "Nevertheless, the fact that these exercises are taking place against the background of an unprecedented U.S. and Western naval presence in the Middle East shows that the rivalry between the China-Russia-Iran front against the Western front is now heating up, and the Middle East waters are playing an important part in this rivalry." The rivalry takes on heightened significance when weighed against the recent uptick in Chinese participation in regional drills. In November, China collaborated with Pakistan in "Sea Guardian 3" joint naval exercises in the Arabian Sea. It was the biggest joint People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Pakistani Navy drill to date and included land and sea phases. China's warships are stationed at a naval base in Djibouti near the Red Sea waters where Iranian-backed Houthis declaring solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict have since last year repeatedly fired drones and missiles at ships. China has not publicly condemned the attacks. "If China really wanted the Houthis to stop these attacks against Western shipping, they could pressure the Iranians and the Iranians would listen, but they're not doing this because they want to pressure Western economies and to show that they have influence in the region," Javedanfar said. "The drills play a part in the larger strategy led by China and Russia and Iran," Javedanfar said. Sophie Kobzantsev, a Russia analyst and research fellow at the Misgav Institute in Jerusalem, says the Gulf of Oman drill is part strategy, part message. "From the beginning the Russia-Ukraine war Russia's goal was to create a new world order in which it gets a role or a place as super world power," Kobzantsev told VOA. "Part of this concept of the new world order is to partially create a military balance vis-a-vis the West. The drill serves Russia and Iran and China in creating the image and the message to the West that there is a counterstrategic military coalition." Leading the Russian contingent was the missile cruiser Varyag from its Pacific Fleet, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Naval representatives from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India and South Africa served as observers during the exercises. The drills come just a week after NATO's Nordic Response exercises, the most expansive NATO drills since the Cold War ended in 1991. Nordic Response incorporated military participation of NATO's newest member states Sweden and Finland. With an increased U.S. foothold in the Middle East due to its role in mediating the Israel-Gulf States Abraham Accords, pursuing the normalization of Israel-Saudi ties and now mediating between Israel and Hamas, the drill also takes on "countermessage" significance, said Kobzantsev. The area where the joint drills are taking place is also significant. An estimated 20% of globally traded oil moves through the narrow Strait of Hormuz passage linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Since 2019 the Gulf of Oman has seen a series of ship seizures and attacks that the U.S. has blamed on Iran, although Tehran has denied any involvement. "We actually see a kind of formation of the world that is reminding us of the Cold War and that there is a new clash between superpowers in this world," said Kobzantsev. "The West vs. Russia, China and Iran." Marine Security Belt 2024 is the fourth joint China-Russia-Iran military exercise since 2019. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. Chinese reporters, often thought of as mouthpieces for Beijing, appeared to be pushed out of that role Wednesday when authorities physically intervened while several state media reporters were gathering news or doing live coverage from the scene of a deadly blast in Hebei province. The actions of local authorities triggered a quick response from the All-China Journalists Association, which issued a statement defending the role of journalists acting in their professional manner in Chinese society. The death toll from the blast that hollowed out a four-story building has risen to seven, according to state media reports, with dozens more injured. Local authorities told Chinese media on Thursday that the blast was caused by underground gas pipe leaks, not business entities that were housed in the building, as previously reported. Chinese reporters from multiple media outlets rushed to the scene within hours of the explosion, among them reporters from China Central Television, a key player in Chinas state media conglomerate, along with Peoples Daily and Xinhua. During CCTV Channel 2s midday broadcast Wednesday, while two Beijing anchors questioned the stations reporter on the scene live, viewers saw men, dressed in black, approach the reporter and block the camera. The reporter was cut off midsentence, causing the two anchors sitting in their studio in Beijing to say be safe, before turning to other news. In another incident from the blast scene, a team of reporters from another CCTV department, wearing media vests, were grabbed by about a dozen security officers before they were marched away, as seen in a video clip posted online by one of the reporters. The two incidents prompted the All-China Journalists Association to issue a statement Wednesday evening on WeChat. It briefly recounted the incidents, then raised and answered three questions. Should journalists be out reporting? the association asked. It answered yes, adding, The public wants to know more about this grave and significant public safety incident. It then asked whether reporters on the scene were causing trouble, to which it said no, adding that safeguarding the publics right to know is part of journalists job. It also highlighted the CCTV teams professionalism on the scene. Finally, the association asked whether an official press release or its equivalent could replace reporting, to which the association answered no. In the absence of trained reporters filing from the scene, the pubic is left with two sources of information, the association said. One is through official statements; the second is various information spread on the internet. However, an official statement wont cover the details, while information spread on the internet could potentially spread rumors. Hence the role of professional media is critical. The association concluded its statement by saying authorities should not crudely interfere or interrupt journalists at work. Members of Chinas state media rarely are seen being physically harassed by authorities, especially not on live television. Even more rare is for a national trade association, in this case one representing Chinas own journalists, to come out in defense of their members right to work and to be treated with respect. As Thursday began, a little more than 24 hours after Wednesday's deadly blast, the incident and associated developments was the number one searched topic on Chinas social media platform Weibo, clocking in 440 million views, a third of Chinas 1.4 billion population. By Thursday evening, however, the topic was nowhere to be seen among the top 10 hot search topics on Weibo. Many commentators on Weibo expressed support for the reporters and pointed to law enforcement figures actions as an example of the unchecked power wielded by multiple layers of the one-party state. When Hebei local authorities explained that the CCTV reporters live feed was interrupted out of safety concerns, one Weibo user responded: The real threat to our safety is the violation of the publics right to know and journalists right to do their job. On Thursday, a statement was posted by the command center in charge of the blast and fire incident, acknowledging mishandling of the situation in which reporters were forced to leave the scene. Looks like the authorities weiwen techniques were used on state media representatives, how ironic, noted a Chinese commentator on Twitter/X. Weiwen is the term the government uses to describe efforts to maintain social stability. It is widely seen at home and abroad as the governments means to suppress dissent, or potential dissent, often violently. In a nondescript building in southwestern Munich , Uyghur children gather every Saturday to do something that is banned in China: learn their native language. On a recent morning, the children in the youngest course giggled as their instructor made animal noises to teach them the words for cat and goat. In more advanced classes, Uyghur literature is introduced. Many of the children have never visited their homeland of Xinjiang. In preserving the language and culture of a group that has long been under threat in Xinjiang, these courses mark an act of defiance against the Chinese government, which is working to destroy Uyghur culture within Xinjiang's borders. "Language is our identity. Without our language, we cannot say that we are Uyghur," Salamet Hashim, one of the teachers, told VOA. Hashim moved from Xinjiang to Germany in 2017. Like her students and their families, she doesn't know if or when she'll be able to return. The school, founded in 2018, focuses on the next generation. "We're passing the baton to them as well to preserve and protect our identity," she said. Beijing's assimilation policies include banning Uyghur children from learning their language at school and forcing an estimated 900,000 Uyghur children into so-called boarding schools. Those actions and more have led several governments to accuse Beijing of committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs, a majority-Muslim ethnic group native to the northwestern region of Xinjiang. The Chinese government has long denied any wrongdoing in the region, which many Uyghurs prefer to call East Turkestan or the Uyghur Region. China's Foreign Ministry did not reply to VOA's email requesting comment for this story. For decades , Munich has stood as the de facto European political center for this diaspora. That status is evident across the southern German city: in the language and dance classes, the city's Uyghur restaurants, the well-attended protests outside the Chinese consulate, and the strong sense of community that unites the group. "The Munich community can be considered a model of what a Uyghur community is. It's a small piece of East Turkestan. We feel at home here," Abduweli Tursun, another language teacher, told VOA. Munich's role as a safe haven was prompted in part by a Uyghur language radio show run by VOA's sister network, then known as Radio Liberty, and launched in the early 1970s. The show and city became a beacon of sorts for Uyghurs leaving Xinjiang, according to Enver Can. Originally from the city of Ghulja in Xinjiang, Can worked for the broadcaster for several years after moving to Munich in 1973. "Munich really became the political center of the Uyghur diaspora movement. And I'm proud to have contributed to that. And I'm proud to be part of this community," Can, who is also head of the Uyghur human rights group the Ilham Tohti Initiative, told VOA. Wearing a blue and gold doppa, a traditional skullcap, Can pointed out various pieces of Uyghur art on his walls. By now, his years living in the Munich area far outnumber those lived in Xinjiang. When he arrived, only a handful of Uyghurs lived in Munich. Now, about 700 to 800 are estimated to live in the area. That's still relatively small compared with other Uyghur communities. By contrast, several thousand live in the Washington area, and an estimated 50,000 Uyghurs live in Turkey. "Most of the Uyghurs who live in Munich are very involved with Uyghur culture, with political activism," said Dolkun Isa, president of the advocacy group the World Uyghur Congress, or WUC. Many feel a responsibility to keep their culture alive and pass it on to a generation that knows about Xinjiang only from the stories their parents tell them and what they see in the news. "If a nation forgets about their own heritage and culture, it means it's the extinction of a nation," said WUC spokesperson Zumretay Arkin. "If you don't speak the language anymore, if you don't practice the traditions, or values, or religion, then there's nothing left for us." As violence continued in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, a powerful gang leader on Thursday threatened political leaders who are set to take part in a planned transitional council to govern the Caribbean nation. Under pressure from the United States, unpopular and unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced Monday that he would step down once the transitional council was in place. The White House confirmed Thursday that Henry is in Puerto Rico. The calm following Henrys announcement eventually gave way to a resurgence of violence late Wednesday, including a shootout in one neighborhood of the capital and an attack on a police academy on Thursday. Haitian authorities have expanded a nighttime curfew until Sunday. In a seven-minute audio message that was shared widely on the WhatsApp platform Thursday, gang alliance leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier threatened the politicians who are to take part in the transitional council. Dont you have any shame? Cherizier said, directing his remarks at politicians who he said were looking to join the council. You have taken the country where it is today. You have no idea what will happen. Ill know if your kids are in Haiti, if your wives are in Haiti ... if your husbands are in Haiti, he said in an apparent threat to their families. If you're going to run the country, all your family ought to be there." We are going to continue the fight for Haitis liberation, Cherizier, a former policeman, told the Spanish-language network W Radio. On Thursday, the United Nations said it was working to establish an aid airlift to Haiti. Its bringing in some supplies. Its also taking some U.N. staff out and bringing other U.N. staff in, the secretary-general's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Wednesday that he had spoken with Kenyan President William Ruto, whose country is expected to lead an international security mission to Haiti to help restore order. "I was on the phone this morning with President Ruto of Kenya, who confirmed Kenya's preparedness to lead that mission, as soon as the new council is stood up, which we believe will happen in the next couple of days, and an interim prime minister is selected. That mission can move forward," Blinken said. In Washington, the U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to confirm career diplomat Dennis Hankins as ambassador to Haiti. The diplomatic post has not been filled in the country in almost 2-1/2 years. The U.S. said that its embassy remained open and that limited operations were continuing, focused on assisting Americans in Haiti and supporting Haitian-led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power. Other embassies, including Canadas, have similarly reduced embassy staff in the country over safety concerns. The United Kingdom, meanwhile, said it would increase security in the nearby Turks and Caicos Islands, which are a British Overseas Territory. VOAs Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. Some information came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Increasing numbers of migrants are arriving in Ciudad Juarez, the Mexican city directly across the U.S. border from Texas, according to immigration officials. They say warm spring weather and the temporary halt to a controversial Texas law are driving the increasing numbers. VOA's Cesar Contreras reports the story, narrated by Veronica Villafane. U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday for the annual St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House, amid calls to boycott the event by many in Ireland who are outraged by staunch U.S. support of Israel in its war against Hamas. Today celebrates 100 years, 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and America, Biden said in front of reporters at the top of his meeting with Varadkar. May the hinge of our friendship never go rusty, he added, quoting an Irish saying. Varadkar noted the strong relationship between Ireland and the U.S. and said he is keen to discuss the situation in Gaza. My view is that we need a cease-fire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out, he said. We need to talk about how we can make that happen and move towards a two-state solution which I think is the only way we'll have lasting peace and security. I agree, Biden said. Varadkar has repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire, a step that goes beyond the six-week halt in fighting that Biden is pushing for. Speaking earlier this week in Boston, where almost a quarter of the citys population claims Irish descent, the Irish prime minister cited Irelands own painful history, and said he intends to warn Biden and congressional leaders that if the West does not see and respect the equal value of a child of Israel and a child of Palestine, the rest of the world, particularly the Global South, will ignore calls to uphold rules and institutions that are the bedrock of the civilized world. Polls show Ireland, a Catholic-majority European country, is one of the most pro-Palestinian nations in the world. Many Irish cite their own resistance against British rule as the reason for their support of the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation. Varadkars visit comes amid shifting public sentiment among Bidens Democratic Party on the war in Gaza. On Thursday, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S. and an avid supporter of Israel, stunned Israelis by condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace and calling for new elections in Israel. Biden told reporters that Schumer contacted senior White House officials before addressing the Senate on Israel. He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans, Biden said. Biden and Varadkar discussed support for Ukraines push against Russian aggression amid a deadlock in the U.S. Congress over funding for Kyiv. The Irish leader added his voice to the chorus of European leaders urging House Republicans to pass the aid package. Varadkar underscored that hes very worried about the progress of the war. We don't think that if [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is successful in Ukraine, he'll stop there, he said. The leaders attended a "Friends of Ireland" luncheon with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Biden implored the House of Representatives to pass the Senate-approved $95.3 billion aid package, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel, $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance and $4.8 billion to support regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region. "I continue to urge every member in this room to stand up to Vladimir Putin," Biden said in his luncheon address. "He's a thug." Northern Ireland First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill of Sinn Fein and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of the Democratic Unionist Party or DUP are also in Washington to take part in St. Patricks Day celebrations. The two aim to deliver the message that Northern Ireland is open for business following the recently restored power-sharing deal in Stormont or the Northern Ireland Assembly, after two years of political infighting between DUP, which favors continued governance with London, and Sinn Fein, which broadly supports reunification with Ireland. Biden, who often cites his Irish heritage, has long advocated for the Good Friday Agreement, the 1998 peace deal that helped end 30 years of bloody conflict over whether Northern Ireland should unify with Ireland or remain part of the United Kingdom. I'm glad to see Northern Irelands Executive Assembly is up and running, Biden said, calling it a very positive step forward. In his visit to Northern Ireland last year, the president promised that American businesses are ready to invest once power-sharing and stability is returned. Senator Chuck Schumer calls for elections in Israel. An update from Kyiv as well as developments in Africa, including the Wagner Groups latest incarnation and a growing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. Plus, a look at Turkeys home-grown defense industry and an international hamburger IT glitch. A top Namibian health official tells VOA the southern Africa country is set to begin distribution of the HPV vaccine to adolescent girls in April as a preventative measure in the fight against cervical cancer. Namibia has a population of about 1 million women ages 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Each year, about 375 women in Namibia are diagnosed with the disease, and the fatality rate is over 50%. The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, known as HPV, has been proven to greatly lessen the chance of getting cervical cancer. Ben Nangombe, executive director at Namibias Ministry of Health and Social Services, says health workers will begin vaccinating about 183,000 girls between the ages of nine and 14 next month. He says the ministry has been allocated $7 million to procure single dose vaccines for this purpose. Mehafo Amunyela, who works at the #Be Free Youth Program in the capitals Katutura Township, told VOA that vaccine hesitancy could be a hurdle to fully immunizing the target population. She said she hopes that through awareness campaigns, children and their families can be educated about the advantages of getting the vaccine. We saw the reaction of the public toward the COVID vaccine when it came out, but I think we need to be honest with ourselves and remember that the reason we dont have illnesses like polio is because of vaccines, that they worked then, and they still do now, she said. The Cancer Association of Namibia says the vast distances between most towns and villages in Namibia could present another logistical challenge in the immunization program. The association says to achieve the target of immunizing 183,000 girls, awareness campaigns should be undertaken in the different indigenous languages spoken in the country. With the rollout of the HPV vaccine, Namibia is on the path to do its part in meeting the World Health Organizations goal of vaccinating 90% of girls worldwide by 2030, with the long-term goal of eliminating cervical cancer within the next century. Although cervical cancer is preventable and curable, the disease claimed 350,000 lives worldwide in 2022 according to the WHO. Authorities in Pakistan released an independent journalist from jail Saturday, 20 days after he was arrested on charges of broadcasting anti-state commentaries through his social media platforms. The detention of Asad Ali Toor outraged free speech advocates and triggered calls for his unconditional release. Toors lawyers sought relief from different courts, arguing that his detention breached Pakistani laws protecting freedom of speech. His lawyer, Imaan Mazari-Hazir, confirmed Toor's release. The journalist, who has nearly 300,000 followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, and more than 160,000 subscribers to his YouTube political affairs channel, was taken into custody on February 26 by the Federal Investigation Agency, or FIA. He was accused of running a malicious and anti-state campaign through his social media platforms against Pakistani government officials and state institutions, charges the journalist denied. He accused authorities of punishing him in retaliation for his work. Toor was frequently broadcasting commentaries critical of the chief justice of Pakistan and the countrys powerful military establishment before being arrested at his residence in the capital, Islamabad. FIA operatives also seized Toors broadcast devices during the raid on his home and pressured him while in custody to disclose his sources, his lawyers said. Toors release on bail came a day after the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ, demanded he be immediately and unconditionally released, saying his arrest constituted an egregious violation of press freedom in Pakistan. The CPJ statement also urged authorities to stop using Pakistans Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and other draconian laws to persecute journalists and silence critical reporting and commentary. Matiullah Jan, a well-known Pakistani journalist with 1 million followers on X and more than 270,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, criticized Toors arrest, saying he was denied the due process of law. Arresting a journalist who is already cooperating in the inquiry, putting handcuffs on him and pushing him around to produce him in court, not allowing his family members to meet him this is all abuse of the process of law against a journalist for reporting [critical] things, Jan told VOA. Toors arrest came a week after authorities in Pakistan's most populous province of Punjab took a nationally known journalist, Imran Riaz Khan, into custody on alleged corruption charges. The jailed Khan, who has 5.6 million followers on X and 4.6 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, denied any wrongdoing and told the judge during a recent court hearing that he was being punished for criticizing alleged state-sponsored rigging in the February 8 national elections. Pakistans elections were marred by allegations of widespread voter fraud to enable pro-military parties to win the elections, charges officials have rejected. X remains inaccessible Meanwhile, 28 civil society organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, signed a joint statement this week demanding Pakistani authorities remove a monthlong blockade of X. Pakistan has officially refused to acknowledge the restriction, but independent foreign and domestic digital media monitors have confirmed it. The ban has forced Pakistanis to bypass it through virtual private networks, or VPNs, which allow users to hide their identities and locations online. We, a collective of human rights activists and civil society organizations, express profound concern over the increasing instances of internet shutdowns and social media platform blocking, specifically in the lead-up to and following the general elections in Pakistan, read the joint statement released Friday. It stated, The arbitrary blocking of platforms, including the prolonged and unannounced disruption of X since 17 February 2024, is a sobering illustration of growing digital censorship in the country. The blockade of X went into effect more than a week after authorities had shut down nationwide mobile phone and internet services during the February 8 parliamentary elections. The move fueled widespread allegations that Pakistans military-backed interim government had manipulated the voting process and its outcome to enable its allies to win the elections. The joint civil society statement said, These actions not only infringe upon the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and access to information but also set a troubling precedent of throttling genuine political discourse, including plurality of voices in the country. The Israeli military says a ship carrying 200 tons of humanitarian supplies for Gaza reached the enclave Friday and unloaded its cargo, inaugurating a sea route from Cyprus meant to help ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The ship, Open Arms, was the first to sail the new maritime corridor from Cyprus, departing three days ago. It carried food provided by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by chef and philanthropist Jose Andres. Spanish aid group Open Arms, for whom the vessel is named, transported the aid. The vessel docked Friday at a temporary jetty. Israels military said Friday evening that the ships cargo had been unloaded onto 12 trucks. The new maritime corridor was created in order to bring more aid to Gaza, where the United Nations warns that 576,000 people are on the brink of conflict-related famine and virtually all of Gazas 2.3 million residents are experiencing food insecurity. The corridor is being coordinated by the United States, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the European Union and the United Nations. While humanitarians say any additional aid is welcome, they emphasize that ships and air drops are no substitute for the volume of aid that trucks can carry, and they have repeatedly called for Israel to open more border crossings and roads into Gaza. The U.S. military has dispatched a ship to the Mediterranean to build a temporary pier on the Gaza shoreline to provide passage for more aid but says it may take up to two months to complete. Cease-fire efforts U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that the United States was working intensively with Israel, Qatar and Egypt to reach an agreement for a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas and for an extended cease-fire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas. We have conversations that are happening now as we speak here. I am convinced that they will go on into the coming days, Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with Austrias foreign minister in Vienna. He said that Hamas had put forward a counterproposal and that Israel had sent a negotiating team to Qatar to pursue further talks, after they stalled recently, dashing hopes of a pause in fighting ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Monday in much of the world. I think it reflects the sense both of possibility and of urgency to get an agreement to get a cease-fire, to get the hostages back, to get even more humanitarian assistance in, Blinken said of Israels return to the negotiating table. This is something that we are committed to, and we will work as long and as hard as it takes to get it done. A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Hamas' proposal was unrealistic but that Israel would send negotiators to Qatar for more talks. Netanyahus office said the prime minister had approved plans for a military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1.3 million Palestinians are sheltering. He said the army was preparing operational issues and the evacuation of the civilian population. The Biden administration has said it needs to see a clear and achievable plan for such a ground operation and that it must protect civilians. Blinken said the administration has not yet seen such a plan. More dead in new aid incidents The Israeli military denied Friday that its soldiers had opened fire on Palestinians waiting for an aid convoy late Thursday in the northern Gaza Strip, where severe hunger is pervasive. In conflicting accounts of what happened, Palestinian health officials in Gaza said at least 21 people were killed and more than 150 were injured by Israeli fire on a crowd awaiting aid trucks in northern Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces denied their troops opened fire in Kuwait Square. The military said that about an hour before the convoy arrived, armed Palestinians opened fire on the civilians waiting for aid. As aid trucks were entering, the Palestinian gunmen continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks, the IDF said in a statement. Additionally, a number of Gazan civilians were run over by the trucks. The military said a preliminary review found no tank fire, air-strike or gunfire from their troops, but they are continuing to review the incident. The United Nations says people are starving in northern Gaza. The U.N. childrens agency, UNICEF, said Friday that 31% of children under age 2 are suffering from acute malnutrition double the percentage in January. Some 4.5% of children UNICEF has screened are suffering from wasting the most life-threatening form of malnutrition. At least 23 children have reportedly died from malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks, as famine concerns grow. We have repeatedly attempted to deliver additional aid, and we have repeatedly called for the access challenges we have faced for months to be addressed, said Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director. Instead, the situation for children is getting worse with each passing day. Our efforts in providing life-saving aid are being hampered by unnecessary restrictions, and those are costing children their lives. The United Nations says Israel has facilitated only about a quarter of planned humanitarian missions to the north since the war started. In a separate incident in central Gaza, the health ministry said an Israeli airstrike hit an aid distribution center in al-Nuseirat camp, killing and injuring several civilians. Israel began its military campaign to wipe out Hamas after the groups fighters carried out a terror attack in southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 people as hostages. About 130 remain in captivity, but Israeli officials say they believe about 30 were either taken as corpses in the attacks or died in captivity. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says nearly 31,500 Palestinians have been killed and more than 73,000 others wounded. More remains are believed to be under the rubble. The United Nations said Thursday that it would take years to clear the nearly 23 million metric tons of destroyed homes and buildings across Gaza and to remove unexploded ordnances. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Police in Somalia say security forces have ended a siege by al-Shabab militants who attacked a heavily guarded hotel close to the countrys presidential palace. Police spokesperson Major General Qasim Ahmed Roble told VOA Somali that all five assailants who carried out the attack have been killed, and now the situation has been normalized. Roble said three government soldiers were also killed, and 27 people were injured during the siege of the SYL Hotel that began Thursday evening. He said the injured included nine soldiers and 18 civilians. VOA reporters who contacted hospitals in Mogadishu put the number of injured at more than 40, including lawmakers, government officials and a journalist. A former BBC reporter who is currently a Somali government spokesperson, Farhan Jimale, and the owner of a local television station, Hassan Ahmed Ade, were among the injured. The hotel attack began around 9 p.m. local time Thursday evening, when armed al-Shabab fighters stormed the heavily guarded hotel. According to residents close to the area, a heavy explosion was detonated outside the hotel. Moments later, deafening gunfire was heard from inside the hotel. The police spokesperson said the militants started their attack by detonating an explosives-laden vehicle and then the five assailants entered the building. Earlier, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack on the hotel, which is often frequented by government officials, lawmakers and Somalis from the diaspora. Media affiliated with the group has also claimed that four Somali MPs were wounded in the attack. The government has not said if there are wounded lawmakers, and VOA could not independently verify al-Shababs claim. Hotels in Somalia are a frequent target of terrorist attacks by al-Shabab. At least 14 individuals were slain when the terrorists assaulted the Villa Rays hotel in the city in 2022. Three years earlier, at least 26 people were killed in an attack on the Asasey hotel in the port of city of Kismayo. Among those killed were numerous foreigners and a well-known journalist. Russian drones and missiles hit communications infrastructure in northeastern Ukraine on Thursday, in what appeared to be an effort to block access to information, officials in Kyiv said. The assault affected television and radio signals in five cities and towns in the regions of Sumy and Kharkiv, according to the officials. "In addition to physically destroying the infrastructure objects, the enemy is trying to jam Ukrainian radio stations and the satellite signal of Ukrainian television," the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection said. The agency said that the overnight attack was part of Moscow's "information warfare" to hinder Ukrainians' access to "truthful information." The Sumy governor said repairs were underway to restore television and radio signals and that mobile phone signals had been mostly restored. Russia intercepts drones Earlier Thursday, Russia's Defense Ministry said it destroyed 15 Ukrainian drones and eight missiles, while officials in a Russian region bordering Ukraine said one person was killed and several others injured by a Ukrainian drone attack. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor of Belgorod, said preliminary information indicated a man in a car was killed in the attack, while several other people were injured. Gladkov said another drone crashed into a tree, with a blast wave damaging two houses but causing no injuries. The Russian Defense Ministry said it intercepted 12 of the drones over the Belgorod region and three others over the Kursk region of western Russia. In Ukraine, Oleh Synehubov, governor of the eastern Kharkiv region, reported a Russian missile strike. Synehubov said there were no reported casualties from the attack. Putin vows to protect Russian state Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow is prepared to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened, warning the United States again that if it sent troops to fight in Ukraine it would be considered a major escalation of the conflict. In an interview with state television, Putin said that there had been no need for the use of nuclear weapons in Russia's two-year invasion of Ukraine and that he did not think the world was headed to a nuclear confrontation. He described U.S. President Joe Biden as a veteran politician who understands the danger of nuclear warfare. But Putin's remarks appeared to be one of his recurring messages to the West that Russia intends to protect its territorial gains in Ukraine and is ready to use nuclear weapons in case of a threat to "the existence of the Russian state, our sovereignty and independence." "All that is written in our strategy. We haven't changed it," he said. In an apparent reference to NATO allies that support Kyiv, Putin also declared that "the nations that say they have no red lines regarding Russia should realize that Russia won't have any red lines regarding them, either." But he also said that in the U.S. "there are enough specialists in the field of Russian-American relations and in the field of strategic restraint. Therefore, I don't think that here everything is rushing to [nuclear confrontation], but we are ready" for this. U.S. National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, "Russia's nuclear rhetoric has been reckless and irresponsible throughout this conflict. It is Russia that brutally invaded Ukraine without provocation or justification, and we will continue to support Ukraine as they defend their people and their sovereign territory from Russian aggression." Biden says no plans to send US troops A senior White House official said, "As we understand it, Mr. Putin was restating Russia's nuclear doctrine that they will use nuclear weapons if their sovereignty is threatened, so this isn't a new stance for them. We have not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine." Biden has repeatedly said the U.S. has no intention of sending U.S. troops to fight alongside Kyiv's forces, although French President Emmanuel Macron recently would not rule out the possibility of Western troops joining the stalemated conflict that has no end in sight. In a Thursday interview on French television, Macron again declined to rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine. "If Russia wins this war, Europe's credibility will be reduced to zero," Macron said. "If war spreads in Europe, Russia would be to blame," Macron continued. "But if we decided to be weak, if we decided today that we would not respond, it would be choosing defeat already. And I don't want that." Western countries have, however, continued to arm Ukraine, with the U.S. this week cobbling together $300 million worth of ammunition, anti-aircraft missiles, artillery rounds and "some anti-armor systems" from its military stockpiles in a new tranche of aid to help Kyiv's forces. But a much broader $60 billion aid package that Biden supports is stalled in Congress. After holding meetings in Washington on Thursday, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the outcome of the war in Ukraine would be determined this spring and summer. "The next months will be decisive," Borrell said. "Many analysts expect a major Russian offensive this summer, and Ukraine cannot wait until the result of the next U.S. elections." With Congress continuing to block a substantial aid package for Ukraine, Borrell said his message to U.S. policymakers was, "Whatever has to be done, has to be done quickly." "It's true for us. We have to speed up," Borrell said about Europe's contributions to the Ukrainian war effort. "We have to increase our support, to do more and quicker. That's why we are increasing our industrial defense capacities. And it is also true for the U.S." 'A matter of survival' In his nightly address Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that defeating the Russian invasion "is a matter of survival for democratic systems." "Ukraine is capable of defending itself, given sufficient support," Zelenskyy said. "And having defended ourselves, we can ensure that no other international criminal will be tempted by aggression like Putin. We can protect life, and we must do so." On the battlefield, Ukraine's military used drones to target Russian oil refineries Wednesday, damaging a site in the Ryazan region. Pavel Malkov, regional governor in Ryazan, said an attack at an oil refinery there caused a fire and some injuries, according to preliminary reports. Officials in the Leningrad region said Russian air defenses shot down a Ukrainian drone as it approached a refinery and that there was no damage. The attacks were part of a wave of Ukrainian drones launched into Russian territory for the second consecutive day. Alexander Gusev, governor of the Voronezh region that borders Ukraine, said Wednesday that air defenses shot down more than 30 Ukrainian drones overnight. VOA White House correspondent Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. Some information came from Agence France-Presse, Reuters and The Associated Press. A Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday killed 20 people, including rescue workers, according to Ukrainian officials. More than 70 others were wounded when two ballistic missiles hit a residential area of the city. The second strike came as first responders were rushing toward the scene to treat those hurt by the initial attack at the same location. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack "vile." "Our Defense Forces will certainly do everything to ensure that the Russian killers feel our fair response," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. In a post complete with pictures on his Telegram social media account, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said the dead included residents, a medic and a rescue worker. He said seven emergency workers were among the injured. Kiper said a day of mourning would be held Saturday and called Russia "a terrorist country." Russia has stepped up its attacks on Odesa since the middle of last year, after the Kremlin ended a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to ship Ukrainian grain from the city through the Black Sea. Mass evacuation begins In another development Friday, Ukrainian authorities in the northern Sumy region said they began a mass evacuation of residents living near the border with Russia, according to Reuters. The military administration of Sumy region posted on Telegram that more than 180 residents near the Velikopysarska community had been evacuated over the past three days. Sumy officials have been reporting extended periods of intense Russian shelling of the region. Also Friday, both Ukraine and Russia said they had shot down enemy drones the previous night. In a social media post, Ukraine's air force said it downed 27 Iranian-style drones. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Friday that five Ukrainian drones and two rockets were intercepted over Russia's Belgorod border region and the Kaluga region, southwest of the Russian capital, Moscow. On Thursday, Russian drones and missiles hit communications infrastructure in northeastern Ukraine in what appeared to be an effort to block access to information, officials in Kyiv said. The assault affected television and radio signals in five cities and towns in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, according to the officials. The Sumy governor said repairs were underway to restore television and radio signals and that mobile phone signals had been mostly restored. The latest fighting came as leaders of Germany, France and Poland met Friday in Berlin to discuss support for Ukraine as it faced dwindling military supplies. Following the meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the leaders agreed on the need to procure more weapons for Ukraine. "We will use windfall profits from Russian assets frozen in Europe to financially support the purchase of weapons for Ukraine," he said at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "We will do everything as necessary for as long as needed so that Russia cannot win this war," said Macron. The violence in Ukraine and Russia also came as Russian citizens began three days of voting Friday in national elections in which President Vladimir Putin faces no effective opposition due to the intimidation or jailing of most potential opponents. Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse, Reuters and The Associated Press. U.N. investigators have accused Russian authorities of disregarding basic human rights principles and causing untold suffering to Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians by subjecting them to appalling treatment. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine submitted its latest report to the U.N. Human Rights Council this week. The investigators presented a blistering account of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, and corresponding war crimes, committed by Russia in Ukrainian areas under its control. At a news briefing Friday in Geneva, Commission Chair Erik Mose said the report focuses on torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war and describes horrific treatment of POWs in several detention facilities in the Russian Federation. He said new evidence strengthens the commissions previous findings that torture used by Russian authorities in Ukraine and the Russian Federation has been widespread and systematic. ... Victims accounts disclose relentless, brutal treatment inflicting severe pain and suffering during prolonged detention with blatant disregard for human dignity. This has led to long-lasting physical and mental trauma, he said. Commission Chair Mose told journalists that the Russian authorities have received the report and have had an opportunity to comment on the draft. We have noted with regret that the Russians have not responded to any of the drafts that we have sent them during this reporting period, nor have they done so this time, he said. The commission will officially present the report Monday at a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting. Russia has the right to respond but has often boycotted such meetings in the past. The report covers the period from April 2023 to March 2024. During that period, the commission traveled to Ukraine 16 times, visited 34 settlements in nine provinces and interviewed 816 people. Allegations of torture Mose said that the commission examined credible reports concerning torture in 11 detention facilities, seven in areas under Russian control in Ukraine and four in the Russian Federation. He said the prisoners of war in the centers were subjected to beatings, verbal abuse, and electronic devices that were used on body parts, adding that the picture emerging from the way they were treated over long periods of time enables us to use the word horrific. The report documents incidents of rape and other sexual violence committed against women in circumstances which also amount to torture. It also details incidents of torture with a sexualized dimension and threats of rape against male prisoners of war, under the control of prison guards. Vrinda Grover, a commission member, said there also were incidents of touching of certain body parts of male prisoners, which was considered very humiliating. She said the commission found that Russian soldiers raped and sexually assaulted girls and women, ages 15 to 83, usually during house searches in the presence of family members. These are violations of international human rights, as well as the war crime of rape and sexual violence, she said. Mariupol The report also assesses the grave impact on civilians of the fighting in the three-month siege of Mariupol, which began the day Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Residents describe unbearable suffering during relentless shelling and aerial bombardments, which caused large-scale death, injury, and destruction, said Mose. He said people interviewed recalled seeing large numbers of dead bodies on the streets. One woman who fled on foot to a neighboring village called it the road to death, expressing the pervasive feeling of fear, he said. For the first time, the commission has documented attacks by Russian authorities affecting cultural property and the seizure of cultural objects. In one case, it says Russian authorities transferred cultural objects from the Kherson Regional Art Museum to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Grover said, The commission has concluded that Russian authorities violated international humanitarian law relating to cultural property and committed the war crime of seizing the enemys property. Transfer of children One of the most emotive issues facing the Ukrainian people is Russias forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to areas under its control. The Ukrainian government estimates some 20,000 children have been taken from Ukraine to Russia, given Russian citizenship and put up for adoption by Russian families. The commission says its investigations found additional evidence concerning the unlawful transfer of children to areas under Russian control. In its current report, the commission focuses on the case of a group of 46 Ukrainian children from the Kherson Regional Childrens Home to Crimea, on orders of Russian authorities, on 21 October 2022. Grover said the commission has concluded that the transfer to Crimea was not temporary and hence amounts to the war crime of unlawful transfer. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The White House is urging senators to quickly begin considering a bill that would address national security concerns related to the social media app TikTok. The House approved the measure earlier this week. VOA Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson reports. Camera: Saqib Ul Islam. Editor's note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com. Advocates call on Congress to avert end of Afghan Special Visa Program The United States program to resettle former Afghan interpreters and contractors could come to an abrupt end in a few months as the number of available Special Immigrant Visas dwindles. Activists are urging Congress to authorize additional visas, known as SIVs, with less than 8,000 remaining amid a backlog of over 120,000 applications. VOAs Akmal Dawi has more. Immigration becomes focus during Georgia campaign stops U.S. President Joe Biden said Saturday that he regretted using the term "illegal" during his State of the Union address to describe the suspected killer of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University. At a rally attended by Lakens family and friends, Bidens all-but-certain 2024 Republican rival, Donald Trump, blasted the Democrat's immigration policies and blamed them for Rileys death. Reported by The Associated Press. Biden calls for $7.3 trillion US budget for fiscal 2025 President Joe 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. VOAs Ken Bredemeier and White House correspondent Anita Powell report. Biden, Trump use immigration, abortion rights to rally Voters As U.S. voters prepared for a new round of primaries, 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 has a recap of the main arguments made by each candidate, who are closer than ever to becoming their respective parties 2024 presidential nominees. Judge upholds Biden program allowing 30,000 migrants into US monthly A federal judge in Texas on Friday upheld a key piece of President Joe Biden's immigration policy that allows a limited number of migrants from four countries to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds, dismissing a challenge from Republican-led states that said the program created an economic burden on them. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ruled in favor of the humanitarian parole program that allows a total of 30,000 asylum-seekers into the U.S. each month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela combined. The Associated Press reports. Two people die as migrant boat attempts to reach Canary Islands Two people died as a migrant boat with 40 people on board attempted to reach the Canary Islands, while four others were evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in serious condition, the Spanish maritime rescue service said on Tuesday, as migration attempts from West Africa continue. Immigration around the world Indonesia to deport Japanese man accused in $90 million fraud A Japanese man accused of helping to run a $90 million investment scam will be sent home after four years on the run, Indonesian authorities said Tuesday. Yusuke Yamazaki, 43, was arrested off Bulan island in Kepulauan Riau province on January 31 while attempting to cross into Malaysia in a small wooden boat, said Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, who heads the provincial office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. The Associated Press reports. UNRWA chief cautiously optimistic donors will return The head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said he was cautiously optimistic that some donors would start funding it again within weeks, warning it was "at risk of death" after Israel alleged some of its staff took part in the October 7 Hamas terror attack. Reported by Reuters. Research highlights migrants pay gap in Australia A report released Wednesday shows migrants are paid less than Australian-born workers. The Committee for Economic Development of Australia, an independent policy advocacy organization, has found migrants often work in jobs beneath their skill levels and can suffer discrimination. The look into migration highlights missed opportunities for Australia. Produced by Phil Mercer. News brief The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the release of its first Indigenous Languages Plan, which strengthens language access for speakers of Indigenous languages of Latin America in DHS programs, activities and operations. A key prosecution witness in the trial of Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai took the stand this week despite concerns raised by U.N. officials that the witness may have been mistreated in custody. Andy Li, a computer programmer who became a pro-democracy activist in 2019, gave evidence against Lai on Wednesday. Lis testimony pertained to his role in a crowdfunding campaign that supported Hong Kongs 2019 pro-democracy protests. Prosecutors have alleged that Lai, a British national, masterminded the crowdfunding campaign. The 76-year-old is accused of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law and sedition. Lai rejects the charges. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. Li, meanwhile, was arrested in China in 2020 with several other people. A Washington Post investigation last year found that Li was mistreated while in Chinese custody. 'The report, based on CCTV footage, letters and interviews with those familiar with the case, detailed solitary confinement, sleep deprivation, lights in cells constantly turned on and detainees forced to sit in uncomfortable positions. Screams were heard frequently from Lis cell, the Post reported. The findings, say experts, draw into question whether his testimony against Lai is coerced or untrustworthy. Caoilfhionn Gallagher, the head of Lais international legal team, wrote in a post on the social media platform X, Andy Li should not be giving evidence at all. But remember, anything he does say is unreliable. In January, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, wrote to Chinese authorities to express her concern about the circumstances surrounding Lis testimony. I am deeply concerned that evidence that is expected to be presented against Jimmy Lai imminently may have been obtained as a result of torture or other unlawful treatment, she wrote. An investigation into these allegations must be conducted immediately, before any evidence is admitted into these present proceedings. Neither Hong Kong's Security Bureau nor its judiciary immediately replied to VOA's request for comment on Li's testimony. Authorities have previously disputed accusations that the trial against Lai is unfair. The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, expressed concern about Lis testimony in a statement on Friday. Hong Kongs prosecutors must be desperate to provide convincing evidence against Jimmy Lai, but resorting to testimony from a witness who has been tortured and forcibly held in a psychiatric institution is convincing no one, said RSFs Asia-Pacific bureau director Cedric Alviani. Such testimony can in no way be considered reliable evidence and only serves to again highlight the sham nature of this trial. We call again on democracies to step up pressure on Chinese authorities to release Jimmy Lai and the 11 other press freedom defenders detained in the territory, Alviani said. Media and rights advocates say the trial against Lai symbolizes the rapid downfall of press freedom in Hong Kong following the introduction of Chinas National Security Law in 2020. The Chinese government and Hong Kong officials have rejected criticism that the law is harming the city-region's media environment. On March 5, Alexei Zhuravlev, a member of the State Duma (the lower house of Russias parliament), brushed aside arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for two top Russian military commanders suspected of war crimes in Ukraine, suggesting the warrants would not have any consequences: I am sure that the sailors of the Black Sea Fleet will laugh together today at the fact that their command is wanted by the International Criminal Court. ... this is just a nothingburger designed to stir up an information wave, nothing more. Zhuravlevs statement is false. While Russia is a safe haven for suspected criminals, they will be arrested and brought to ICC if they travel to any of the 124 world nations that recognize the world courts jurisdiction. Regime change in Russia can also end the impunity. On March 5, the ICC issued international arrest warrants for Lieutenant-General Sergei Kobylash, commander of Russia's Long-Range Aviation, and Admiral Viktor Sokolov, the former commander of Russias Black Sea Fleet. Kobylash and Sokolov are suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between October 10, 2022, and March 9, 2023. ICC alleges that military forces under their command are responsible for missile attacks on Ukrainian electric infrastructure. The Russian military deliberately targeted civilian objects, causing excessive incidental harm to civilians, the court said. The International Criminal Court operates under the auspices of the United Nations. The ICC expands its jurisdiction and authority over 124 world nations who signed the international treaty known as the Rome Statute. Those signatories, which comprise 64% of all countries, must arrest any target of an ICC warrant and send them to the ICC for trial. Twenty-seven European countries, all 12 South America countries, 33 of 54 countries in Africa, along with Australia and Japan, are Rome Statute signatories and thus recognized the ICCs jurisdiction. Any representative of the Black Sea Fleet who held any management position during the period of mass shelling of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine in 2022 and 2023 is either an accomplice or a witness, international law expert Boris Babin told the Ukrainian Service of VOAs sister organization, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). ...We are talking about tens, hundreds and possibly thousands of people involved in these crimes. ... This, at a minimum, will not strengthen the combat capability of the Black Sea Fleet, Babin said. Last March, the ICC issued international arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russias children's rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, for committing the war crime of illegally deporting Ukrainian children. As a result, Putin took only six foreign trips in 2023. Three of them were to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus, which are members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a Russia-controlled Eurasian regional intergovernmental organization. Putin also traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and China. In 2022, the year Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he traveled abroad nine times. By comparison, Putin made 22 foreign visits in each of the pre-COVID years of 2018 and 2019. Since the Rome Statute entered into force on July 1, 2002, ICC judges have issued arrest warrants for 42 individuals, 21 of whom have been detained by signatory states and handed over to the ICC. The ICC has reviewed or is still reviewing 31 cases, and its judges have handed down 10 convictions and four acquittals. Two of those convicted are currently serving sentences. Dominic Ongwen, a former brigade commander of the Lord's Resistance Army, a Ugandan guerrilla group, was arrested in 2014 and sentenced in 2021 to 25 years for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Bosco Ntaganda, a former Congolese rebel leader, turned himself in to the U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013. In 2019, the ICC found him guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 2002-2003 conflict in the eastern DRC and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In March 2009, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir became the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the ICC. The court issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide in connection with the Darfur conflict, which, according to the U.N., killed 300,000 people and displaced 2.5 million others from 2003 to 2008. In April 2019, al-Bashir was ousted in a military coup. In August 2021, the Sudanese government said it would hand al-Bashir over to the ICC. In April 2023, Bashir and other members of his ousted regime were reportedly moved to a military hospital near Sudans capital Khartoum amid fighting between elements of the countrys military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Laurent Gbagbo, the former president of Ivory Coast, became the first former head of state to appear in person before the ICC. In November 2011, he was charged with crimes against humanity committed during the countrys armed conflict from 2010 to 2011. Hearings in the case began in January 2016, and the ICC acquitted Gbagbo in January 2019. Charles Lindbergh, who became the first pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1927, a year after the Plus Ultra odyssey. The abduction and murder of pilot Charles Lindberghs baby boy back in 1932 shocked the world. Charles Lindbergh became a hero in American lore when he flew single-handedly non-stop across the Atlantic in 1927, earning himself the moniker, Lucky Lindy. So when his 20-month-old toddler disappeared on March 1, 1932, apparently stolen from his crib at the family home in Hopewell, New Jersey, few were prepared to believe he might be involved. Now, 92 years after the event, a macabre new theory has surfaced and is being taken seriously by heavyweights in the U.S. judicial system. After undertaking extensive research, Lise Pearlman, a retired California judge turned best-selling crime novelist, has reached the conclusion that the German immigrant Bruno Hauptmann, a New York carpenter who went to the electric chair for the babys murder in 1936, is innocent. The wrong man was executed, Pearlman told the San Francisco Chronicle in January. My hope is that Hauptmann will be posthumously exonerated. And I am certainly not the only one who wants that. Pearlman, who lives in Oakland, published her book Suspect No.1 in 2020. It analyzes alleged failures by the prosecution during the trial and contextualizes the 1932 coroners report. The 550-page text includes a new analysis by a renowned pathologist involved in other high-profile cases in the U.S. justice system. In the wake of the San Francisco Chronicle interview, the book has become something of a sensation in the very active true-crime-fan community. Genre authors and judicial experts have praised Pearlmans investigation as well-researched, powerfully argued, and very plausible. Lowell Jensen, a retired federal judge who worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office, considers it a definitive book on the Lindbergh saga. Bruno Hauptmann, right, was arrested and later executed for the murder of the Lindbergh baby. ASSOCIATED PRESS Charles Lindberghs aviation feat may always be considered an important landmark in American history, but Lindbergh had a dark side that has also been extensively documented. Philip Roths The Plot Against America imagined an alternative America where the ideas of Lindbergh, a Nazi Germany sympathizer and white supremacist, were adopted by the majority. The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh, a 2020 biography by Candace Fleming aimed at younger readers, recalls that the hero led incendiary rallies in which he called journalists dishonest parasites and demanded the closing of Americas borders to prevent alien blood from coming into the country. Pearlman believes Lindbergh was responsible for the death of his son, Charles Augustus. According to Pearlman, Lindbergh may have lent his baby boy to the French scientist Alexis Carrel to carry out scientific experiments on his organs. The former judge points out that Carrels team extracted, at the very least, his carotid and probably his thyroid. These were kept viable for transplantation for 30 days. We believe he died on the operating room table, Pearlman told the San Francisco newspaper. Pearlman imagines that Lindbergh fabricated the tale of his sons abduction to avoid investigation. Both Carrel, a 1912 Nobel Prize winner, and Lindbergh believed in eugenics, the philosophy of race improvement through genetic manipulation embraced by Nazism. I believe Lindbergh was present during the operation, Pearlman told the San Francisco Chronicle. Pearlmans research consisted of trawling through essays written by the French biologist and examining dozens of photographs of the baby, who had a larger-than-normal head and was a sickly child. His body was found in a decomposed state in an open field near the familys home on May 12, 1932, more than two months after he disappeared. The remains were cremated without an autopsy. According to Pearlman, Lindbergh now emerges as the number one suspect, yet he managed to escape justice until his death in 1974. The police captured Bruno Hauptmann two years after the crime when he used a dollar bill that had been part of the ransom at a gas station. In his defense, the man claimed that he had been given the money, some $13,500, from a friend who had returned to Germany. A handwriting analysis conducted by the FBI determined that the handwriting on the supposed kidnappers note left in the childs bedroom demanding $50,000 and Hauptmanns handwriting were not the same. Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh testifies from the stand in Hauptmanns trial for the disappearance and murder of his son. ASSOCIATED PRESS Hauptmanns trial was dubbed trial of the century. But Pearlman argues in her book that the case put together by the prosecution was deeply flawed. The authorities did not pursue many of the lines of investigation opened by the police, the prosecution did not allow the defense to study an extensive 90,000-page report, and, according to Pearlman herself, a dozen witnesses presented by the prosecutors lied from the stand, ensuring the German immigrant was sent down for the crime. Suspect No.1 is not only considered a sensation among true-crime fans, its author has also presented her research to criminology professionals and was invited to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting last year to present her findings. She told the experts that key forensic evidence was hidden and other physical evidence altered by New Jersey police to make Hauptmann fit the profile of Americas most wanted man. Pearlmans book has even prompted a lawyer to file a lawsuit demanding that New Jersey allow independent experts to analyze the archived evidence from the case. A judge last year turned down the demand, but the decision has since been appealed. Pearlmans arguments have been sufficiently compelling that the Innocence Project, a nonprofit venture that reviews court cases, is on board to clear Hauptmanns memory. Other experts in the case, however, take a more skeptical view of Pearlmans work, maintaining it is close to impossible to prove her theory nearly a century after the tragedy. Newspapers from the 1930s described the scene of the crime, committed while Colonel Lindbergh, his wife and nanny were at home. A trail of muddy footprints led from the crib to an open window, according to The New York Times archive. When the nanny alerted the parents that the baby was missing, Lindbergh called the police chief directly. Officers determined that the abductor was barefoot or wearing socks, as there were no shoe marks on the floor. The footprints led to a wooded area, where a second, smaller pair of footprints appeared, leading investigators to believe that a woman was involved. In the woods, the search party found a wooden ladder, thought to have been used to reach the babys room. Lindbergh refused to speak to the reporters who were present. The murder of the Lindbergh child had led to dozens of theories and claims over the years, some of them far-fetched. In the 1980s, for example, two men separately claimed to be the grown boy, inferring no murder had been committed. Over the years, evidence collected by the FBI and New Jersey police would be revised. A 1993 book called Crime of the Century: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax has already claimed that the alleged abduction was in fact a ruse and that the childs father was involved in the babys death. Pearlman is just the latest to put a twist in the tale and perhaps contribute to the original verdict being overturned. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Israel is planning to attack Lebanon, either at the end of Ramadan, in mid-April, or maybe even sooner. Its purported aim is to create a buffer zone within Lebanese territory south of the Litani River, as it tried unsuccessfully to do in 2006. The initial stage is the systematic destruction of all the infrastructure built in this area by Hezbollah over the past fourteen years. So as to ward off any war crimes accusations, the IDF dropped leaflets over the area, which read: Citizens of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah jeopardizes your lives, your families and homes. Hezbollah members implant themselves and their arms depots in your neighborhoods. Thus, they can claim that they did not target civilians but, on the contrary, warned them in advance. Since the beginning of Operation Swards of Iron, the IDF launched air strikes against 4,500 targets, mostly located in the South, but also in Baalbeck, while sparing the other sectors of Lebanese society. The Netanyahu government hopes that the countrys social rifts will gradually lead to the erosion of the Party of Gods support base, without provoking a conspicuous reaction. It claims to have already eliminated 300 Shiite fighters, while Hezbollah acknowledges 244. IDF Unit 8200 intercepts all Lebanese telephone and internet communications as well as almost all private security cameras. By cross-checking the information, it manages to pinpoint almost all of its human and physical targets. For example, this is how Hamas leader Saleh Al-Arouri, opposed to the Muslim Brotherhood, was located and assassinated, in January, in a Beirut subsurb (see 0001). At the same time, Israel is gearing up for a major response from Hezbollah. It has just purchased port facilities in Larnaca (Cyprus) in anticipation of the Haifa port destruction [1]. These facilities will, in any case, subsequently be used to establish the transport corridor linking India to Europe, via Israel. Likewise, numerous underground parking lots have been set up in the north of the Jewish state to accommodate civilians in the event of bombings. In addition to the installation of sanitary facilities, ventilation ducts, medicines and furniture, food for two days will be stored there. Photo-Illustration: Vulture. Photos: FXX; NBC; Sony Pictures Television; Fox This list was originally published on March 15, 2019. Its been updated to include additional episodes. Lucky you. St. Patricks Day is a holiday unlike any other. While the core meaning of a lot of Christian holidays is lost over time, giving way to feasts of capitalism and overindulging, St. Patricks Day has kinda always been a little about that. Historically, one aspect of the celebrations was that the Lent restrictions on alcohol would be lifted for the day. Now, many revelers take that to the furthest degree, spending the day wearing green, drinking themselves into oblivion, and not spending too much time thinking about Saint Patrick or the meaning of Irish identity. Its closest relative is Halloween, another holiday rooted in tomfoolery and chaos that unites and divides us in equal measure. These days, the meaning of the holiday is that chaos. But if youd rather watch the wild antics from afar than head to your local pub and drain it of cheap, weve got your solution 11 of the best St. Patricks Day TV episodes, many of which feature magic and hedonism to enjoy vicariously. Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Charlie Catches a Leprechaun (Season 11, Episode 8) Despite its bars namesake (Paddys Pub), somehow Sunny got to season 11 before having a St. Patricks Day episode. In an otherwise pretty weak season, Charlie Catches a Leprechaun makes the most of Charlies endearing childlike curiosity and gullibility while Dennis tries to streamline the bar with a booze-selling wagon. After a man is caught pickpocketing, he tells Charlie hes a leprechaun and Charlie believes him; setting glue traps to catch him, and going on a wild goose chase all over town with Mac to track him. Leaning into the more magical, whimsical aspects of the holiday, this episode sees the gang at their best instead of relying on tired tropes of drunkenness. Available to stream on Hulu Bobs Burgers, Flat-Top O the Morning to Ya (Season 10, Episode 16) Bobs Burgers loves a holiday episode, but this is the first and only dedicated to St. Patricks Day. Here Linda and Teddy get a little too in the festive spirit. It starts innocently enough with an Irish-themed breakfast, but Bob is keen to keep things classy (and not green) in the restaurant. While Bob goes on his own side quest, Linda and Teddy egg each other on, starting out with dyeing some beer green and moving on to coloring everything ketchup, mustard, fries, burgers. But their enthusiasm doesnt quite rub off on the customers, whod rather not chow down green meat. In the end, they take it to the streets, bringing back all the drunk and hungry revelers to eat as many on-theme burgers as their hearts desire. Available to stream on Hulu The Afterparty, High School (Season 1, Episode 5) Innovative murder-mystery comedy The Afterparty sees a group of ex-classmates under suspicion for the murder of an old friend. Everyone is a suspect, and theres a lot of buildup to finding out what happened at a fateful St. Patricks Day party 15 years prior especially when Chelsea (Ilana Glazer) makes a mysterious reference to an incident that made the entire school ostracize her. Diving into St. Patricks Day 2006, we see Walt (Jamie Demetriou) observing everything from his fly-on-the-wall-position at a house rager straight out of a teen movie: early-aughts fashion choices, lots of alcohol, and a painful reminder of the horrors of the high-school rumor mill. Bonus points if you can spot Walt lurking in the background of every shot. Available to stream on Apple TV+ Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Salem, the Boy (Season 3, Episode 17) St. Patricks Day (and Irish culture) is often associated with magic, gold, and leprechauns. In Salem, the Boy, Sabrina the Teenage Witch leans into that association, with Roland returning as a leprechaun. He gives Sabrina three golden coupons that grant her wishes; which, as we know, never goes well. She turns Salem into a man, but his essence is placed into a boy at school, leading to his attempts to take over the world. Its a silly, fun episode with no real stakes but lots of ridiculousness and capers all round perfect for the holiday. How I Met Your Mother, No Tomorrow (Season 3, Episode 12) In No Tomorrow, the How I Met Your Mother gang gives into the green hedonism of St Patricks Day after attempting to stay at home and have a board-game night. When Barney convinces Ted that the day has no consequences, Ted goes hog wild on behaving badly and finds that his bad deeds actually reward him: For one night only, he can live consequence-free, just like Barney. While Ted doesnt feel too pleased with himself afterward, there is a lesson in here that every St. Paddys Day reveler seems to hope to be true: that your behavior on that night is, if not inconsequential, then forgivable. Available to stream on Hulu Cheers, Bar Wars VII: The Naked Prey (Season 11, Episode 19) Naturally, more than one show on this list takes place in a bar. In Cheers, the original bar-based comedy, they took the St Patricks Day episode hijinks as far as they could reasonably take them. In the episode, the bar is in an annual battle for sales against Garys Olde Towne Tavern and loses. As in the Sunny episode, the stakes are more about business and pride than having wild, raucous fun partly because, well, running a bar over St. Patricks Day probably isnt that much fun, but it definitely brings in a lot of money. Catch this episode of Cheers and then spare a thought (and a big tip) for your local bartender if you go out this weekend. 30 Rock, St Patricks Day (Season 6, Episode 12) 30 Rock has special episodes for every holiday you could think of (shout out to Leap Day), and St. Patricks Day is no exception. Here, Lizs hatred for the holiday, and a particular Irish American (her ex-boyfriend Dennis Duffy), comes to a head. She attempts to stay inside and avoid the revelry something you might be trying to do, reader, even if it isnt always possible. When Dennis shows up at her apartment claiming to be married, Liz tries to deal with it, all in her Liz Lemon way. Elsewhere, Jenna and Tracy each fight to be lead host of the St Patricks Day parade. Its a perfect 30 Rock episode, full of arguments, megalomania, and general disdain, all heightened by the holiday. Charmed, Lucky Charmed (Season 5, Episode 17) Magic is a theme in a few of these episodes, but perhaps none more so than in Charmed. In Lucky Charmed, a less fun St. Paddys Day episode than others on the list, leprechauns get their turn to be more of a sympathetic force than a tricksy, difficult, troublesome one. A demon is out killing leprechauns and stealing their magic, so the Charmed Ones, as always, step in to help. The girls battle the evil magic and attempt to reverse the leprechauns legendary bad luck, proving St. Patricks Day doesnt always have to go as badly as it has in the past. The Office, St Patricks Day (Season 6, Episode 19) Luckily, the holiday falls on a weekend this year, which means those so inclined can get in their partying without worrying about work. Not so in this classic episode of The Office, in which Dunder Mifflins employees are all stuck at work after being made to stay later by Jo. Eventually, Michael is forced to be direct with Jo and tell her hes letting the employees leave. She relents, and we have a happy ending, as the employees get to enjoy their St. Patricks Day in a bar, as it was intended by St. Patrick himself. Available to stream on Peacock Home Improvement, Desperately Seeking Willow (Season 7, Episode 19) St. Patricks Day should be a time for hedonism and letting loose, but in this Home Improvement episode, Wilsons visiting niece, Willow, has a bit too much fun, failing to return home from the club and scaring everyone into sending out a search party. Meanwhile, theres a St. Patricks Day celebration on Tool Time. Its a holiday episode within a holiday episode Tim and Al wear lots of green, the set is dressed in Guinness merch, theres Irish-themed improvement projects, and Tim opens with an attempt at an offensive limerick. Its an episode that proves that all you really need to celebrate holiday (even on a Tuesday) is to get into the spirit, which might just mean painting your toolbox green. Also dont get lost. 2 Broke Girls, And the Kilt Trip (Season 3, Episode 19) As with many festive and outgoing holidays, a lot of us more introverted types might find ourselves grudgingly trying to join the fun even if its not quite our bag. Thats what happens in 2 Broke Girls And the Kilt Trip when, seeking to fit in with Max and her other friends, Caroline joins everyone to get crazy at the St. Patricks Day parade. Surprise: She has a not-so-great time, and instead longs to enjoy her own old holiday traditions at the Plaza Hotel. Available to stream on the Roku Channel If you dont want spoilers, but you do want answers, let us explain. Photo: A24 Civil War isnt even out yet, but Alex Garlands new movie has already triggered some light internet controversy, with a handful of people questioning whether now is the right time to invoke the idea of a violent nationwide conflict. The actual film, which premiered Thursday night at SXSW before opening in theaters on April 12, anticipates those concerns. Its an anti-war screed thats less about the war itself than the psychological toll such strife takes. Its also a road movie. Civil War follows four journalists two photographers (Kirsten Dunst and Priscillas Cailee Spaeny) and two reporters (Wagner Moura and Stephen McKinley Henderson) making the intrepid drive from New York City to Washington, D.C., where they hope to question an authoritarian president (Nick Offerman) who treats members of the media as enemy combatants. The pit stops they make along the way expose the group to gun-toting goons whod be all too happy to execute them for saying the wrong thing. As the hardened quartet travels, the film zeroes in on wars numbing effect. They encounter Americans who have alternatively militarized their entire lives or turned a blind eye to the situation entirely. Early reviews are largely positive, but if youre still wondering what exactly Civil War is and whether its worth the pre-release skepticism, heres some spoiler-free intel. Is Civil War about a civil war? What you see in the movies trailers is pretty much all the context Garlands script offers. Texas and California, the so-called Western Forces, have both seceded from the union, protesting a third-term POTUS who has disbanded the FBI, weaponized the police, and authorized airstrikes across the country. Thats right, things are so bad that Texas and California finally agree on something. Florida, too! The United States has descended into disarray youre either with the government or youre against it, and there could be someone lurking nearby to kill you based on that position. But dont expect Dunkirk-level battles here; this is a character study with a handful of explosive set pieces. Ultimately, if youre in the mood for an uplifting movie in 2024, stick to Kung Fu Panda 4. What year is all this happening? The movie doesnt specify. Its meant to be the near future, but theres no timeline explaining how this lawless president extended his administration or what led to violence. So its a left-versus-right thing, huh? This isnt The Hunt, if thats what youre thinking. The presidents political party is never clarified, and theres no mention of Republicans and Democrats. That ambiguity might puzzle some audiences expecting more backstory, but it works: By avoiding cliched left-versus-right ideologies, Garland makes the conflict feel more human, like a populace that has simply run its course and spun out of control. Theres nothing more chilling than Jesse Plemons asking What kind of American are you? while holding an assault rifle. But does it hit too close to home? On Reddit and X, people who have not actually seen the movie are debating whether a realistic depiction of modern-day civil war is irresponsible given the unrelenting polarization of our current moment. One Reddit user worries it might be interpreted as a role model to MAGA groups if not portrayed carefully. Someone else pointed out that such thinking sounds similar to the false alarm surrounding Joker, when a few prophets of doom decided the comic-book movie was sure to spark angry mens-rights rallies. (It didnt.) Whether or not the average moviegoer will want to experience a fictional, arguably prescient home-front war is another question (my next one, actually), but in general: Garland sees partisanship as beside his point, and seemingly intends for anyone to project anything they want onto the conflict. Whether it hits too close to home is up to you. What is the most controversial aspect of the film then? The sheer realism of it all, particularly as it relates to a tyrannical government that has toppled the Constitution. In 2022, Donald Trump suggested that the termination of the Constitution would be justified if it meant overturning the 2020 election results. By not drawing a firmer parallel to a GOP that supports his law-busting platform, some might accuse Civil War of pulling punches. Do Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons share a scene? The most intense scene, actually. Plemonss role is small. Without giving much away, hes a militant who terrorizes passersby with a M4 carbine and pink sunglasses that Elle Woods might wear to a costume party. This new world order seems to have empowered him to create his own little fascistic bubble. Dunst & Co. happen to cross his path on their way to D.C. perhaps the only time Dunsts fearless character cracks. This is the real-life couples third project together after Fargo and The Power of the Dog. Its also how Dunst met Spaeny, whom she recommended to Sofia Coppola for the title role in Priscilla. Is Civil War like other Alex Garland movies? Aside from the fact that Garland has never been particularly fond of backstory, its quite different. Ex Machina, Annihilation, Men, and the FX miniseries Devs were all sci-fi or horror. Civil War is certainly horrific, but its not a genre movie in the same way. Its a difficult sort of speculative fiction, more interested in blowing up the Lincoln Memorial than creating mutated beasts. Will the movie be a hit? Budgeted at $50 million, this is A24s most expensive project yet. The studio is endeavoring to make films that are more commercial, some based on existing IP, and Civil War is sort of a lead-up to that new era. (An adaptation of the best-selling video game Death Stranding will kick it off in earnest.) A24 will forego its typical platform strategy and release the movie wide on April 12. The trailers certainly feel commercial, emphasizing the action in a way thats likely to lure in moviegoers who dont know the difference between Red Rocket and The Green Knight. Photo: Bruce Glikas/WireImage Climate-change protesters from Extinction Rebellion interrupted the second act of Broadways An Enemy of the People at Thursday nights show, shouting phrases like, No theater on a dead planet. Several members of the cast, like Michael Imperioli, who plays Peter Stockmann, helped get the protesters out of the theater while in character. He can be seen yelling Liars! to the protesters as ushers escort them out. It caused some audience members to think it was a part of the play, as the show had invited audience members onto the stage for the town-hall scene. The 1882 play, starring Jeremy Strong, Imperioli, and Victoria Pedretti follows Strong as Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer who threatens to expose harmful bacteria found in the town spa but ends up becoming the enemy of the townspeople. Strong stayed in character as well but seemingly did not interact with the protesters, as Dr. Thomas would most likely agree with the protesters anyway. Climate protesters from Extinction Rebellion disrupted tonights #AnEnemyOfThePeople show in NYC three separate times and the cast joined in to getting them out. Jeremy Strong stayed in character because dramaturgically it made sense. pic.twitter.com/3Keg4fIDQg Moises Mendez II (@MoisesFenty) March 15, 2024 Manhunt Pilot Season 1 Episode 1 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Previous Episode Next Episode Photo: Apple TV+ There are a few moments in American history that everyone knows about no matter how much they might have napped in school, and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln is high on that list. Theres a good chance, however, that you only remember the basics: Fords Theatre, disgruntled actor with Confederate sympathies, maybe a bit about Samuel Mudd and the assassins ultimate fate in a fiery barn a few days later. Like the 2006 nonfiction account it adapts, James L. Swansons Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase of Lincolns Killer, this new miniseries puts this heavily streamlined version of the story in historical context. Theres never been any doubt about who murdered Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth, an actor from a well-known family of actors, leaped to the stage to claim credit. Nor does Manhunt created by Monica Beletsky, a veteran of Fargo, The Leftovers, Friday Night Lights, and more play fast and loose with history by inventing a puppet master (though the question of Booths connections to the Confederacy remains a central element). It does, however, explore the complexity of the moment and all the forces driving events leading up to and following Lincolns assassination. Its overarching thesis isnt Everything you know is wrong so much as You probably dont know enough about this famous event, its repercussions, and its continued relevance. Lets explore. Beletsky uses two central figures for this exploration. The first, played by Tobias Menzies (The Crown, You Hurt My Feelings) is Edwin Stanton, Lincolns Secretary of War, and a rival turned friend who becomes obsessive in his pursuit of the presidents killer, sometimes jeopardizing his health in the process. The other is Booth himself, played by Anthony Boyle (Masters of the Air, The Plot Against America). Its Booth we see first, closing his window to the celebratory sounds of a Washington, D.C., filled with those happy to see the end of the war and a victorious Union. Booth knows what they dont: that the day will be remembered for other reasons. Its telling that we first see Booths hand with a telltale JWB tattoo as he preps in the mirror like a 19th-century Travis Bickle. The series and Boyles performance depict him as a consummate egotist, which squares with history. Hes not, as quickly established, a lone gunman. Round up everybody. Its a go, he tells David Herold (Will Harrison), the co-conspirator who accompanied Booth on his flight. But who is everybody? And what, exactly, is a go? The wordless scene that follows, set at a Washington boardinghouse, introduces a few key players whose names well soon learn: Mary Surratt (Carrie Lazar), the owner of the boardinghouse; and Lewis Powell (Spencer Treat Clark), who has another assignment that night. The next scene brings in another key player in George Atzerodt (Tommie Turvey), whos seen receiving a gun from Booth in the lobby of a hotel, though his task will remain unfulfilled. Though Manhunt follows the search for Booth from its beginning to end, it makes the occasional leap in time, first hopping to a moment 30 minutes before the assassination as Herold and Powell pay a visit to the home of William H. Seward (Larry Pine), Lincolns Secretary of State. Already injured by a carriage accident, Sewards an easy target for Powells assassination attempt, even if Powell doesnt seem to know why hes supposed to kill him in the first place. Yet, in the bloody melee that follows, Powell fails, fighting with Sewards servants and family members while Herold makes a timely retreat, leaving his buddy alone at the crime scene. An early suggestion that this may not be the most tightly knit conspiracy in American history, at least at this level. Its not until after the title card that we meet Stanton, whos given the news of the attack on Seward by his son Edwin Stanton Jr. (Brandon Flynn). We also quickly meet Stantons wife Ellen (Anne Dudek), who, after being told hes off to investigate the incident, asks her husband, Have you ever met a problem you could delegate? This isnt the subtlest way to establish Stantons character (nor is a subsequent moment in a later scene in which Stanton refuses to have a doctor look after his asthma), but its an effective sketch of a character who, like the historical Stanton, seemed compelled to micromanage every problem. (Booth, on the other hand, puts maybe too much trust in others to get the job done.) Stantons visit to Sewards home helps establish the gravity, and the strangeness, of the situation. Whoever broke in wasnt interested in stealing from Seward, just taking him out. Another leap in time brings back to the White House five days before Lincolns death, where we meet Lincoln himself (Hamish Linklater) who uses a folksy anecdote about a sick girl to explain why the war, in its final days, is down to raisins. Hes right, though. They soon receive word of Robert E. Lees surrender at Appomattox. The Union has won, at last, a tearful Lincoln tells the room. Stanton seems to take pleasure in the moment, briefly, before an asthma flare-up and the need to compose the news overtake him. He soon brings it to Seward and the two share a laugh about the humiliating circumstances of Lees surrender, but Seward offers a warning: The war might be over, but that doesnt mean everyone on the losing side has given up. That certainly applies to Booth. A swaggering braggart intent on exploiting his fame for all its worth, Booth can freely wander into Fords Theatre, where hes worked and is well known to the staff, but bristles when he realizes his better-known father and brother are up on the wall but he is not. Booth also knows the layout of Fords Theatre well, allowing him to creep unnoticed into the balcony where Lincoln and his wife Mary (Lili Taylor) are enjoying the broad comedy of Our American Cousin. Outside, Ned Spangler (Walker Babington), the Fords Theatre worker hes tasked with watching his horse, has subcontracted the job to someone else. (A character well later learn is nicknamed Peanuts, played by Daniel Croix.) Then, the assassination: Manhunt stages the scene with brutal immediacy, watching as Booth waits for just the right moment, pulls the trigger, leaps to the stage, shouts sic semper tyrannis to the audience after falling awkwardly on one leg, then exits through the back, the orchestra pit impeding pursuit by any in the audience, even if they could shake off the shock of the moment to give chase. Instead, Booth forces his way out the back, smacks Peanuts with his cane (which he probably feels free to do because Peanuts is Black), and rides off into the night. Manhunt takes some considerable liberties with history, but this moment isnt one of them. It really happened that quickly and brutally. (Its probably worth noting here that the great Carl Franklin directs this episode.) While Stanton continues to investigate the Seward attack, Booth finds himself trapped inside Washington, unable to leave due to the closing of the bridge at 9 p.m. Or at least he would have been trapped if the soldier in charge of enforcing the curfew wasnt a fan of Booths acting and willing to make an exception. Hell soon find he has bigger obstacles to overcome, however. Reconnecting with Herold in the woods, and still in pain from his broken leg, he knows he needs to find a safe haven and medical attention. Fortunately for him, he knows a guy. Specifically, Booth knows Samuel A. Mudd (Matt Walsh), a physician/farmer with a spot in Maryland whod be happy to help. There theyre also waited on by Mary Simms (Lovie Simone), a servant previously enslaved by Mudd who remains in his employ, alongside her brother Milo (Antonio J. Bell). Mary becomes the object of Booth and Herolds racist, leering insults, which she endures with dignity. It says a lot of Booth and Herolds mindset that, even after the wars end, they believe taking these kinds of liberties will have no repercussions. In Washington, Stanton makes his way to Lincoln only to find that he, too, has been attacked, and is unlikely to survive. Walking into the Petersen House, where the grievously injured Lincoln has been taken, Stanton finds chaos, an angry Robert Lincoln (Maxwell Korn), who doesnt understand why is father was allowed to attend the play in the first place, and a hysterical Mary, who blames Lincolns bodyguard William Parker (Chris Gerard) for the attack on her husband. Parker spent his time conversing with Booth at the bar without a clue to his designs, having been sent away by Lincoln during the play. Stanton also finds Lincoln, positioned diagonally in a bed too small to hold him, obviously near death. Lincoln dies and the plot thickens. Army Chief Thomas Eckert (Damian OHare) brings news that Vice President Andrew Johnson, too, was targeted for assassination. Atzerodt, the German immigrant mechanic to whom he slipped a gun, has lost his nerve, confessed to his would-be crime, and named Booth as his boss. Stanton will soon watch as his friend is carried out in a coffin in the rain, then immediately returns to the case, investigating the crime scene at Fords Theatre. Its there he meets Sanford Conover (Josh Stewart), a reporter for the New York Tribune whose pushiness and tactlessness (to say nothing of the way he asks if Stanton care more for the rights of the Negro than men like us) annoys Stanton, who threatens to arrest him. Instead, Stanton throws him a bone, telling him to meet him later at the Petersen house where theyll have a tense interview during which Stanton tells the reporter, This is America. We replace our presidents with elections, not coups. (On the nose? Maybe. Relevant anyway? Certainly.) For now, its his job to reconstruct what happened and talk to witnesses, including Peanuts, who shares a description of Booths horse and points them in the direction of Maryland before emotionally insisting he had no idea he was helping an assassin by watching his horse. Stantons investigation then takes him to Booths hotel room where he finds a coded message. But from whom? And where? Another clue: a $500 deposit into a bank in Montreal, a hotbed of Confederate espionage. So what does this mean? Was Booth acting on his own, or on the orders of a still-active Confederacy intent on toppling the government? And if so, Eckert asks his boss, then what? Stantons reply: Id have to start another war. Theres a lot going on in this first episode of Manhunt, which has to establish all the series major players and plot threads while finding a middle ground between historical drama and procedural. Written by Beletsky, the episode does this with admirable efficiency, balancing the investigation with exposition that provides some historical context and, perhaps most importantly, offers some insights into what drives Booth and Stanton. Scenes between Stanton in Lincoln are especially crucial, establishing both as real people with a warm but complicated relationship, not just names from the pages of a history book. Its also a gripping mystery, even if the culprit is clear from the start. We know how and why Booth did it, but was he pushed? And, if so, who did the pushing? Clues and Codes I am not well versed enough in American history to fact-check every detail of Manhunt (or even most, though Im reading Swansons book alongside the series). I also dont think absolute historical accuracy is a standard by which to judge a project like this. Beletsky has to streamline and shape the facts into a story; historys left a lot of blanks that need to be filled for the narrative to work. This first episode diverges in significant spots from its source material for dramatic effect: Booth and Parker never had a conversation over drinks before Lincolns assassination, but its still one of the episodes best scenes. And while Booth did bypass a curfew he should never have been allowed to break to make his escape, nothing suggests it was a starstruck fan that let him through. Yet the scene offers some insights into Booths character and the tense atmosphere in Washington even before the assassination. Beletsky has to make some strong choices and stick with them. For instance, varying accounts have Stanton saying of the deceased Lincoln, Now he belongs to the ages and Now he belongs to the angels. Like Swanson, she goes with angels. Similarly, theres been much debate about Mudds complicity. His descendants protested his innocence for generations, an effort that even brought in the Supreme Court in 2003. (The court refused to hear the case.) Mudds been portrayed as an innocent in John Fords Prisoner of Shark Island and the Dennis Weaver-starring 1980 film The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd. Similarly, Robert Redfords 2010 film The Conspirator treats Mary Surratt sympathetically, even if it doesnt argue conclusively for her innocence. Beletsky allows no such ambiguity. The facts seem to be on her side here, too, but the story wouldnt work without a strong point of view about whos responsible. One divergence is worth noting, however: Mary Simms would ultimately testify that her boss had Confederate connections, but both Mary and Milo had left Mudd by the time of the assassination. Lincoln called Stanton Mars after the god of war. It now seems like Hamish Linklater can be counted on to play a supporting role in miniseries and just kill every scene in which he appears. (See also Midnight Mass.) Seemingly unthreatened by Daniel Day Lewis great performance in Lincoln, he delivers a warm interpretation of Lincoln that only deepens the tragedy. Photo: Patrick Redmond/Netflix For years, I have cheerfully covered the Netflix Christmas Cinematic UniverseIndustrial Complex, consuming its endless exports with the assumption that, in the end, it was all harmless fun, just a series of categorically but admirably bad movies about fake monarchies and horny yet prude journalists. Now that I have seen Netflixs latest film, Irish Wish, I realize I have been but a hapless pawn in a larger sociopolitical plot to maintain the status quo, quell dissent, replace much of the workforce with AI, install a permanent Christian theocratic dictator, and make Ireland look weird for some reason. Irish Wish is not technically a Netflix Christmas movie, but it shares all of the genres hallmarks: Its vaguely holiday-themed (Im inferring the St. Patricks Day connection based on the films release date and the fact that it has no other reason to take place in Ireland), everyone in it dresses like they have only ever shopped on amazon.com on Cyber Monday, there is no sex or sexual chemistry to speak of despite the entire plot hinging on the possibility thereof, and every scene is lit and color coded like a poorly managed childrens hospital. The primary difference here, however, is that Irish Wish is a thinly veiled Trojan horse for the conservative agenda, a crypto-fascist work of art cluttered with right-wing dog whistles and dialogue that could have only been written by a malevolently programmed artificial intelligence. I attempted to identify and examine its most troubling moments, which ended up being the entire movie from start to finish, which I watched twice while feeling the walls of reality melt around me. 1. The film begins with both text and voice-over defining the word wish, for those unfamiliar: Wish (verb): To want something that cannot or will not happen. The voice-over continues ominously, Irishly But what if it does ? This is the first of thousands of indicators that a human being did not write this screenplay. Suddenly, the camera cuts from a neon-green field in what the press notes inform me is the Republic of Ireland to Times Square, which inexplicably transforms into the Meatpacking District. 2. Its here we meet Lindsay Lohans Maddie, a polite, nervous book editor who sometimes puts on glasses to indicate she doesnt know shes beautiful and who exclusively wears one dress, apparently available in a variety of fabrics and prints, with a suspiciously high neckline and below-the-knee hemline that hints at the lurking specter of Traditional Family Values. (It should be said that Lohan sells this movie as well as anyone can, Dakota Johnson style, and I pray she wrenches herself free of both her binding Netflix contract and its attendant Handmaids Taleass stylist.) Maddie is late for a flashy, paparazzi-attended book premiere (??) that will feature a freakishly small step-and-repeat that directly faces the street, a cocktail hour during which everyone sits down in booths, and a somber, intimate reading. 3. The book in question is Two Irish Hearts, by caddish author Paul Kennedy, Maddies longtime client and crush. His best-selling in the U.K. books, its soon revealed, are mostly ghostwritten by Maddie, leaving her no time to write her own novels or to arrive at Meatpacking Square at the appropriate hour. ChatGPT has been instructed to inform us that, despite having really good hair, Maddie does not have it together, so it regurgitates a visual cue from the hundreds of rom-com scripts it has trawled for parts: Maddies scarf gets caught in her cab door, and she runs after it half-heartedly, then gives up. 4. On the red carpet at an event that she has planned and is late for, Maddie calmly answers a phone call from her mom, Jane Seymour, who very clearly shot all of her scenes in a single day, only ever appears via FaceTime, and seems to have no idea which movie she is in. Good for her. Seymour is audibly struggling to order $74 toilet paper on a website called School Supplies of America. The large bottle of keyboard cleaner that sits next to her, huffably, might explain this entire movie. Seymour lectures Maddie about being late to her event despite directly contributing to that problem and asks Maddie if she has told Paul she is in love with him. I hope you havent told anyone about my feelings for him, Maddie says, noting as she goes on speakerphone and places the phone on the public restrooms sink that even her best friends do not know about her feelings. Her best friends are named Heather and Emma, again pointing to an AI maniacally commandeered by someone who grew up in the 80s. 5. Maddie greets Heather and Emma in one of the most chilling approximations of human behavior Ive ever witnessed in my life. Hey, girls, she says. They all hug systematically. Wheres the scarf I gave you to wear? asks Emma. Freak accident. I totally get it if you never want to loan me anything again, says Maddie. Dont worry about it, Mads, says Emma. That scarf was a sample from work. Maddie turns robotically to Heather, who is played by Ayesha Curry. Heather, she says, great job on the cover art. This is the first time Maddie has seen the cover for the book she has just edited. You like it? asks Heather. Its stunning, says Maddie. What do you think, Emma? 6. The plot lurches forward, herky-jerky, like the reanimated corpse it is: Emma tells Maddie she thinks Paul is hot; Paul asks Maddie to help with his next book instead of confessing his love, as she hoped he would; Emmas fake eyelash is coming off in the hallway. Im a stylist at Bergdorfs, and I get all the latest in luxury cosmetics, Emma offers by way of explanation. Paul puts it back on for her even though he is ostensibly straight, and they gaze longingly at each other. The girls cab home through a poorly green-screened Times Square as Maddie jealously negs Emma. 7. Suddenly, destabilizingly, we are in Ireland and its Emma and Pauls wedding weekend and everyone is at the Knock Airport. Dressed in a blazer and rolled-up Capris like Sheryl Sandberg ca. 2010, Maddie mistakes her bag for one belonging to a hot British guy named James, and they fight over it before both ending up on the same airport shuttle, which somehow takes Maddie all the way to Pauls familys Irish castle. On the way, he shits on Paul Kennedy, not knowing her relationship to him. I took the bus, which was fine, except for the cheeky English guy I had to ride with, she complains to Heather. She then nearly knocks over a priceless family vase lest we forget she is a single hapless woman and therefore a total shitshow. 8. We meet the one prophesied queer-coded character, Pauls brother, Kory, as he carries a pile of logs in what can only be described as the gayest way possible. As in all Netflix properties, his purpose here, outside of carrying a bunch of logs around despite living in a castle with a full staff, is to make bitchy jokes. Heather will inexplicably obsess over Kory for the rest of the movie despite having almost no interactions with him. 9. Major and rapid exposition dump at a local pub called Scruffy Murphys, where the eponymous bartender explains Jamess job to him (gallivanting around the world photographing lizards and birds) and laments the fact that this job is getting in the way of his personal life (How are you going to find a nice woman to settle down with you?). Good to see you, they both conclude. The scene abruptly ends. 10. Another major exposition dump, this time for Maddie. Is everything okay with you? You seem a little off, says Heather, the least perceptive friend on earth. She suggests they all have a girls night (in rural Ireland). We go out, get a couple drinks, meet some guys because you havent dated in almost a year, since you started writing that book with Paul Just say yes! Maddie says yes, and Heather says, Thank you. They never do the girls night. 11. Fifteen minutes later, they all go on a picnic, during which they stumble upon a series of millennial-pink canoes and a matching dock near a hallucinatory field that looks like the set of What Dreams May Come. Maddie is not allowed to go on a boat because she is single, so she wanders off to FaceTime Jane Seymour, who lectures her again, this time for being too single. Maddie agrees, smiles, hangs up, and meets some kind of winking Irish phantom woman in full stage makeup who grants her a single wish, which is, of course, I wish I were marrying Paul Kennedy. 12. Maddie awakens suddenly in her new life. Paul is showering in her bathroom. She screams and covers her eyes despite having wanted nothing else but to fuck Paul for years. She spends the rest of the movie assiduously avoiding all sexual contact, including kissing, with her fiance, perhaps in part because Lohans husband co-produced this film. 13. Maddie pulls a wedding dress, raw, out of her suitcase. 14. There is a framed photo of Maddie and Paul smiling cheerfully in Times Square, which, its now very clear to me, the algorithm understands as the entirety of New York City. This photo is zoomed in on several times over the course of the film. 15. Breakfast. Everyone is in pearls and heels. The dialogue takes on an exponentially uncanny tone, from which it never recovers. Why can I not find a photographer for this wedding? asks Pauls mom about the wedding thats happening in two days. Because youre horrible, Mom, says Gay Kory cheerfully. 16. Much of Pauls Irish family is British, and nobody explains this. 17. You have to try these local woodland strawberries. Theyre delicious, says Heather out of the fucking blue. 18. Oh, I meant to tell you: The bakery called. The wedding cake we ordered is too tall for the delivery truck, says Pauls mom. Could you get a smaller cake? asks Maddie hesitantly. Well done, dear, says Pauls mom. I like your thinking, says Pauls dad. Finally, someone with some sense! says Kory. None of this is ever addressed again. Its possible that this movie was made solely to get some kind of secret political message across international boundaries in deep code. 19. Same afternoon. Everyone is wearing new outfits. Heathers unexplained twin fixations on fruit and Kory continue apace. Emma and I are going down to the family orchard later to pick some apples. Kory, do you want to come with us? (Kory cant pick apples; hes busy playing some kind of sport, gayly.) In the next scene, as the women hoist their heavy baskets of apples up the drive, Heather says, How about we make an apple pie for Kory? Is this some kind of QAnon thing? Regardless, fruit is never addressed again. 20. Pauls mom asks that Maddie wear a vintage Lanvin wedding gown instead of the random crumpled one she yanked out of her suitcase earlier. This is presented as problematic. My mom will handle her, says Maddie of Jane Seymour, who is flying in from Des Moines at the last minute. 21. At the local rare-books shop, James wins a free copy of Pauls rare best-selling novel. 22. Maddie, trying on wedding dresses next door, falls into Jamess convertible. Pauls mom appears and congratulates her for having found a photographer. They all go back to the castle, and Maddie changes back into the same dress and pearls from breakfast. She and James share a romantic moment when she repeats his profound words back to him Everyone has a camera in their pocket now from their earlier shuttle-bus interaction, which he doesnt remember in this universe because it never happened. Any time traveler will recognize this as an unethical seduction tactic. 23. Maddie winks at herself in the mirror. Youre marrying Paul Kennedy! she squeals. She falls asleep, then beats the shit out of Paul when he gets in bed to snuggle with her. The glaring subtext is that Maddie is a staunch virgin (because she is not married). 24. Maddie and James go location-scouting alone because Paul is grievously injured from the night before. They stand at the staggeringly beautiful edge of the Cliffs of Moher. I think I just stepped into a James Joyce novel, says Maddie. Thats not a reference I was expecting, says James. Joyce is my favorite author, says Maddie. Is he? says James. Unfortunately, I dont think a rugged cliff is Pauls style, says Maddie. But I think its beautiful here. Me too, says James, astonished. This conversation forms the central foundation of their fledgling love. 25. Back at the castle, Kory plays gay sport with an unexplained male friend named Finn who has one hoop earring. Wow, says Heather. This looks like fun. Finn laughs. So Heather, I was talking to Kory about the big wedding-aisle walk, he says. Should we all practice so we can make a splaaaashy entrance? He wiggles his hips suggestively. Ive got my eye on you, Finn. Dont steal my spotlight, says Paul randomly. Ive got moves I aint gonna lie, says Finn. I have lost all bearings on anyones sexuality at this point. 26. Emma and Paul, who have recently bonded over their shared belief that men can get Botox after their initial meet-cute over eyelash extensions, bond further over Emmas amazing concealer, further complicating the already fraught and inconsistent sexual politics at play in this film. 27. Jane Seymour sleeps through her alarm owing to Irish magic and misses her flight. She tries to rebook but then falls and goes to the hospital because the rules of her contract dictate that she never has to go to the actual set of this movie. 28. The scene that follows takes place, as so much bad art does, at the direct intersection of conservative propaganda and pornography. On the drive home from the Cliffs of Moher, a storm downs a tree in the middle of the only road out of town. Maddie and James cant drive back to the castle. Luckily, James knows a lovely little pub nearby where another bartender (not Scruffy Murphy; in this universe, he is, I guess, dead) has a vested interest in his nonexistent love life. They learn that another patron named Seamus is not fixing the tree until the morning because he is drunk. They must stay overnight. 29. Is it true that you dont have a home? Maddie asks James over pints of Guinness, by way of making conversation. If I were allowed to choose only one line out of this film to prove that it was written by AI, it would be this one. 30. The two make eyes at each other over a sensual game of darts, the preferred game of the Irish working class. They then participate in a choreographed Irish jig in a brief, tragic Titanic rip-off; even the soundtrack briefly goes a little Titanic. If its possible to be racist about white Irish people, this movie is. 31. Maddie gets splattered in mud on the drive back to the castle, where everyone is mad that she is late to the rehearsal. Those trees can be a real challenge, says Heather. And we dont even know if they had a chain saw. Right, Emma? If the character of Emma is a big-pharma plant, shilling cosmetic interventions, then Heather was paid for by big ag. 32. Muddy Maddie races into the rehearsal, at which Paul and Emma are making googly eyes at each other. We were coming back from the Cliffs of Moher, Maddie explains. What were you doing in that tourist trap? asks Paul of the stunning natural locale that was entirely empty of other people. Maddies face falls. For those keeping track, Paul and Emma are perfect for each other because they love body mods; Maddie and James are perfect for each other because they love objectively beautiful cliffs. 33. Before Maddie and Paul can kiss (for the first time) at the end of the rehearsal, the stained-glass window turns into the Irish witch and winks at Maddie, causing her to scream and pass out. Turns out the witch in question is named Saint Brigid. Everyone knows her, and she is crazy. 34. At the rehearsal dinner, Kory begins a game of How Well Do You Know Your Fiance? An early trivia question for the couple is Where did Paul propose? Its revealed that Maddie actually proposed, which suggests that Kory, with his sassy leading question, is somehow complicit in the multidimensional chicanery and/or this script was not even given a cursory review by a human being. They all stand up and dance like Sims to September by Earth, Wind & Fire. 35. We spent a day together. I admit it was a beautiful day, filled with dramatic vistas and romantic rain, says Maddie to James. But tomorrow Im marrying Paul Kennedy. They get into an argument. Tomorrow will be the last you see of me. Because after that, Im off to Bolivia to photograph an endangered TREE lizard, says James. When do you LEAVE? asks Maddie. SUNday, spits James. Great. Right on time to keep running away from your own LIFE, says Maddie. HE storms off. 36. Maddie leaves her rehearsal dinner to work on her own novel, which so far reads, UNTITLED NOVEL, BY MADELINE KELLY. CHAPTER ONE. 37. Paul emails her while he is downstairs at the rehearsal dinner. The email reads, Here you go babe! WEDDING VOWS. By Paul Kennedy. 38. The next morning, Maddie spies James taking photos of a random fountain. Its one thing to edit a book, he says, but you really shouldnt go on editing your own life. She is bowled over. 39. A bereft Maddie stands Melancholia style in front of a window in her cursed vintage Lanvin. Emma, nightmare friend, runs in and asks the bride if her own eyebrows are even because the makeup artist has serious tude. Maddie reassures her and then apologizes to Emma because she knows Emma and Paul are meant to be, and Emma is like, Yeah, thanks. 40. One-hoop Finn is revealed to be Pauls only other groomsman besides Kory. Are they also related? I have no idea whats going on anymore. 41. Maddie wears a plaid version of her one dress to call off her own wedding. James and Paul get into a bitchy slap fight at the altar. Jane Seymour calls, and Maddie answers the phone in the middle of all of this. Dont panic, but Im in the hospital in Des Moines, Seymour says. 42. James storms out, and Maddie runs after him. I should never have stayed on this job, he says, gaslighting her. Ive become too emotionally involved. They kiss (the one moment of physical contact allotted in Lohans contract), and the camera spins around them in dramatic slo-mo. James runs away. 43. Sobbing, Maddie speeds down the Irish roadways in a long-lens drone shot that turns into an obvious luxury-car advertisement. She finds and begs Saint Brigid to unwish my wish. Half the movie plays back in reverse, an amazing budget hack. 44. Maddie reawakens back in her old life. Jane Seymour calls her again and talks about taking meds for her arthritis. Seymours character is a more traditional big-pharma plant. 45. In what is clearly a reshoot, based on several just slightly wrong costume moments and Currys very different wig, everyone is at Paul and Emmas wedding. Finn has inexplicably disappeared. Kory dances sensually with an unnamed woman; perhaps we are now in some third multiverse, where he is straight. Okay, fine. Hes not into me. Im moving on, says Heather, sighing. A man appears next to her, and she asks him to dance. He says yes, and she says, Say less, which is demonstrably not possible. 46. Maddie turns down Pauls offer to work on his next book. She walks out of her lifelong best friend Emmas wedding. Where are you going? he asks. To write my own story! she says. 47. Maddie finds James near the reanimated Scruffy Murphys. In this Straight-Kory Universe, they have met only briefly on the bus or maybe never, but anyway, he reveals he is no longer photographing the endangered tree lizard because fuck that guy. She reveals to him that she is writing a book on the Cliffs of Moher. Thats one of my favorite spots, he says of the cliffs. Mine too, she says. Maybe we can go there someday. 48. In what is obviously a shot recycled from their previous Cliffs of Moher visit, Maddie and James, dressed in the exact same outfits and hairstyles as before, wander the totally empty tourist trap that is the Cliffs of Moher. Maddie uses her unethically obtained interdimensional psychic knowledge to pretend that she really wants to play darts and do the Irish jig later, suggesting yet again that their romance is not organic but a direct result of the systematic abuse of the rules of time travel. Love, in other words, is possible only by covert manipulation. Appropriately, the film ends with a song by Aliana Lohan, Lindsays sister. A Great Lakes Works sign is seen at the U.S. Steel Great Lakes Works plant in Ecorse, Michigan, U.S., September 24, 2019. President Joe Biden is coming out in opposition to the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying in a statement to be released Thursday that the U.S. needs to maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers. In a statement obtained in advance by The Associated Press, Biden adds: U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated. By opposing the merger, Biden has chosen to support unionized workers in a critical election year at the risk of upsetting the business community and an essential ally in Japan. Thursdays announcement, coming as Biden is campaigning in the Midwest, could have ripples in his race against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. The Democratic president has made the restoration of American manufacturing a cornerstone of his agenda as he seeks reelection, and he has the endorsements of the AFL-CIO and several other prominent unions. Nippon Steel announced in December that it planned to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. The Japanese company has tried to assuage critics by promising no job losses due to the merger. It also committed to keeping the U.S. Steel name and Pittsburgh headquarters, while noting it already has a presence in the American market and would bring in new resources to foster job growth. The company, which is the worlds fourth largest steel producer, launched a website with supportive statements from Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary, and Pat Toomey, a Republican and former senator from Pennsylvania. Shortly after the steel deal was announced, the White House indicated it would be under review by the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The government does not officially provide updates on the CFIUS review process. Biden has a big megaphone to weigh in on the matter, but he is not intervening in the review process or formally blocking the deal, according to a person familiar with deliberations who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation. Still, the president holds sway over CFIUS. The treasury secretary leads the committee, which is also composed of the heads of federal agencies and, as deemed appropriate, directors of White House councils on the economy and national security. Trump said earlier this year after meeting with the Teamsters union that he would stop the U.S. Steel acquisition: I would block it. I think its a horrible thing, when Japan buys U.S. Steel. I would block it instantaneously. Biden will travel on Thursday to Saginaw, Michigan, which was once home to multiple General Motors plants and where he hopes his backing from union workers can resonate with voters. The city is in a swing county that narrowly backed Trump in 2016 and then flipped to Biden in 2020, making it a crucial contest in this years presidential race. Biden has a close relationship with the United Steelworkers. He gave the union members personal assurances that he has their backs, according to a February statement by the union about Nippon Steels plans. U.S. Steel is headquartered in Pennsylvania, another key state in this years election. The United Steelworkers issued a statement last week after meeting with representatives from Nippon Steel that it had concerns about whether the company would honor existing labor agreements and about the companys financial transparency, adding that there were barriers to closing a merger. The U.S. considers Japan to be one of its closest allies and a key partner in countering Chinas ambitions and influence in Asia. Biden has visited the country twice as president and will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 10. But Nippon Steels connections to China have raised concerns within the Biden administration. More than half the steel produced globally comes from China, according to the World Steel Association. India is the second-largest producer, followed by Japan and the United States. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned in a February blog post that it would be foolhardy of the Biden administration to block the deal. Doing so could hurt foreign investment into the United States, cause other countries to block the overseas investments that U.S. companies want to make and undermine the U.S.-Japan alliance, the chamber said. John Murphy, the head of international issues for the chamber, said Thursday that it was inappropriate and counterproductive of Biden to politicize the CFIUS review. Its imperative that the CFIUS review proceed; and if, as expected, it reveals no national security concerns, the sale should proceed, Murphy said. But Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, who is up for reelection, applauded Bidens statement, saying, Ill work like hell against any deal that leaves our Steelworkers behind. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Renee Rapp. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Renee Rapp famously has no filter, and it comes in handy when making a political statement. After winning Outstanding Music Artist at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards on March 14, the artist took her speech as an opportunity to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. Were in a room of very influential people and very privileged people, which is exciting, and also its a huge privilege to be a part of that, she noted. Having said that, Id like to take the opportunity to show support and call for an immediate cease-fire and permanent cease-fire in Gaza. Rapps statement comes on the back of Jonathan Glazers Oscars speech stirring up controversy and misquoting owing to his condemnation of Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation. Rapp ended her speech by saying, Please continue to advocate for yourselves, continue to advocate for your friends, for your queer friends, and for those who cant advocate for themselves. Photo: Marvel When the familiar strains of 1992s X-Men: The Animated Series opening theme music began to play in the trailer for its sequel series, X-Men 97, it was like a siren song for elder millennials. That tune has come to represent the innocence and excitement of the 90s Saturday-morning cartoon experience, and the show is often remembered as one of the pillars of the famed Fox Kids programming block. And luckily enough, the haze of nostalgia did not distort our memories. A lot of it is actually quite good! So, to both celebrate the series and give a bit of a primer on the stories it told before X-Men 97 premieres on March 20, were revisiting 15 of its best episodes. At its height, X-Men: The Animated Series could combine superhero action with long-running serialized storytelling and dramatic pathos in a way that reignited its audiences interest in the titular mutant team and introduced a generation to their plight and battles. These episodes show off why, in the minds of many that grew up on them, its still the adaptation of X-Men that all others have yet to beat. Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2: Night of the Sentinels Parts I & II The Night of the Sentinels two-parter accomplishes with ease what other superhero series have struggled to do: How do you introduce an entire team of fantastical characters, establish the intricate world they live in, set up their various issues and dynamics, and send them on their adventurous way all in a few short episodes? By using the young mutant Jubilee as a sort of audience surrogate, so that her confusion and subsequent learning experience mirrors that of the viewer. You never get bogged down in exposition, because it feels like part of the plot rather than just a bunch of information being dumped on the viewer. Aside from this expert introduction, Night of the Sentinels is a fun watch that sets up the high stakes of the series immediately. The first real mission that the X-Men go on is a disaster, with Morph dying, Beast getting locked up, and Wolverine at odds with Cyclops due to his perceived lack of leadership skills. Rather than tidy things up in a neat package, it shows a lot of faith in its intended young audience that theyll just kinda figure things out. Season 1, Episode 4: Deadly Reunions It doesnt take very long for the show to introduce Magneto, the X-Mens primary antagonist (or misunderstood protagonist, depending on which thinkpiece youre reading. He makes some pretty good points!). And when it does, its with a bang. Magneto is a vengeful, complex conqueror, and it doesnt take long to understand why hes one of the few X-Men villains to have truly pierced into the mainstream. The episode also ends with a powerful scene of Professor Xavier beating Magneto, not through sheer force (Magneto trounced any X-Men that came at him) but by forcing him to telepathically relive the brutal death of his parents. Thats cold, X. Season 1, Episode 7: Slave Island As targeted outcasts, the X-Men have been the subject of a wide variety of metaphors, some of which are a little misguided. Theyre more analogous to broader communities that often feel threatened by would-be fascists and fearmongers that use them as scapegoats for societys ills. Slave Island presents a less fantastical, sobering view of the outcome of totalitarianism on these populations: Mutants are rounded up and used as slave labor. This is an X-Men cartoon, of course, so they do manage to enact an uprising and help the enslaved Mutants escape, destroying all the big robotic Sentinels that have been acting as prison guards on the way out. However, even without all of the flashy colors and lasers, its still a grim message and an excellent part of season ones overall plot thread of leaders trying to subjugate mutants for their own warped purposes. Season 1, Episodes 11 & 12: Days of Future Past Parts I & II X-Men: The Animated Series liberally picked from comic-book plots in order to fill out its story lines, and toward the end of season one, the creative team chose perhaps the most famous one: Days of Future Past. The mutant Bishop is sent back in time to stop a member of the X-Men from assassinating the bigoted zealot Senator Kelly. It turns out, though, that it was all a frame job to begin with. Mystique was pretending to be an X-Man in order to lay the blame on them and bring about the annihilation of all mutants. This two-part episode changes some of the details from the original comics, but its still an exciting adventure and a more-than-proper introduction for kids who hadnt yet cracked open the source material. Season 2, Episodes 14 & 15: Till Death Do Us Part Parts I & II Much to Wolverines chagrin, Scott Summers and Jean Grey get married in the opening of season two. But its far from a peaceful matrimony while Wolverine gets his anger out by beating up Cyclops-esque robots in the Danger Room, Scott and Jean are abducted by Mister Sinister. Sinister lacks the destructive grandeur of a villain like Apocalypse or Magneto. Instead, hes a perverse weirdo who is really good at betrayal and wants to extract everyones DNA. He gets stopped when the X-Men manage to regroup, but he provides a good look into the series aims going forward, which put less focus on social commentary and more on the inner workings of the mutant world. Season 2, Episode 18: Repo Man Some of the best installments of X-Men come from Wolverines intricate backstory, to the extent that its a little baffling how a film like X-Men Origins: Wolverine managed to whiff it so hard. Diving into his past is a natural way to bring in a score of new characters, and thats what Repo Man does, tackling the introduction of Wolverines prior team, Alpha Flight. Theyre a Canadian mutant group sort of like Wolverines hometown team before he left and got drafted to the big X-leagues. And though theyre initially set to bring him down, they end up rejoining him and helping him escape the clutches of the bad guys who want to rip Wolverines skeleton out of his body. Ya know, for study. Not because theyre awful or anything. Season 2, Episodes 20 & 21: Time Fugitives Parts I & II X-Men: The Animated Series loved time-travel plots. If our team had to go back to the past to save the future, consider it greenlit. In Time Fugitives, mutants and fellow admirers of giant laser guns Cable and Bishop find themselves at odds. Cable needs to stop Bishop from disrupting his timeline, one that Bishop is disrupting himself because hes trying to save his own. Meanwhile, the X-Men are caught in the middle, doing their best to not end up dead (which they originally do, in the timeline that Bishop wants to save.) Throw in a plague developed by Apocalypse that aims to ignite an anti-mutant agenda and you have one of the best action-oriented installments of the entire show and one that makes great use of what could be an oversaturated plot device. Season 2, Episode 22: A Rogues Tale Along with throwing constant new mutants at us, season two was dedicated to backstories, with Wolverine, Gambit, Storm, and Rogue all getting episodes that dive into who they were before they joined Team X. The shift in focus was helped by a seasonwide B-plot of Professor X and Magneto trying to survive the dinosaur-infested Savage Land far away from the main action. So with its few extraneous details, A Rogues Tale might be the most emotionally effective of them all as we learn about Rogue and her foster mother, Mystique. Mystique is one of the most complicated X-Men foes. Her mutant ability allows her to turn into anyone, meaning that shes rarely granted a real identity herself. Whether she uses this as a launching pad for empowerment or the impetus for the manipulation of others depends on the episode or issue, but in A Rogues Tale, her attempts at maternity are warped into fearsome control. Rogue, who can steal any mutants powers and who was abused by her biological father, becomes Mystiques victim. So Rogues eventual confrontation with Mystique isnt just about her betrayal but her attempt to mold Rogues identity and use it against her. Their dynamic provides a haunting example of how parenthood can descend into a selfish power play and how horrific cycles are passed on. Season 3, Episode 35: Obsession X-Men: The Animated Series had a convoluted relationship with serialized storytelling. The first season connects pretty fluidly, but a network decree forced the creators to scale back on that kind of intense continuity and instead save it for B-plots and multipart episodes. However, one of the best examples of its ability to build up narratives came in the form of Archangel, a character who was betrayed by Mystique and enslaved by Apocalypse in the first season who now dreams of revenge on the mutant baddie. Also notable is the lack of a happy ending Archangels bloodlust ends up putting the X-Men in danger, and he concludes the episode even angrier than he began. It proves that for some, redemption isnt possible. At least not yet. Season 3, Episode 37: Cold Comfort In a world where the government is out to get them, Magneto is out to recruit them, the X-Men are putting out fires, and the public opinion on mutants is generally chaotic, can one mutant live a normal life? Cold Comfort tries to answer that by showing us Bobby Iceman Drake, an early X-Men member who abandoned the team because he just wasnt feelin it after his girlfriend, Polaris, became injured. Is he successful at staying out of trouble? Ehhh. The X-Men and Iceman end up in conflict with government team the X-Factor, and while it seems like theyre en route to a triumphant ending, Polaris reveals that shes fallen in love with a member of X-Factor and leaves him. Jaded by both the X-Men and his ex-woman, Iceman refuses to rejoin his old team and leaves. As it turns out, in the world of the X-Men, drama is going to find you wherever you go. Season 3, Episodes 40, 41, 42, & 43: The Dark Phoenix Parts I-IV The Dark Phoenix saga, a classic comic-book story that has confounded the creators of two different X-Men films. (Both The Last Stand and Dark Phoenix crashed upon the rocks in trying to properly adapt it.) However, it thrives in the animated series, coming after a similarly effective Phoenix saga and giving Jean Grey the story line that shes always deserved. Grey, as the doting partner to Cyclops and a voice of reason among the X-Men, typically plays the straight man amid the more explosive personalities. As the Dark Phoenix, her mutant powers that are often seen as a source of stability for the X-Men become nightmarish. She defeats the X-Men with ease, and as such, theyre sent on a desperate run to find a way to rid Jean of the Phoenix Force without killing her. Its a mission that will come to involve factions from across the galaxy, with Jean turned into the universes most desired (and most powerful) prize. Season 4, Episode 53: Nightcrawler Few cartoons on Saturday morning in the early 90s delivered stories about the conflicting natures of spiritual devotion, but X-Men pulled through with Nightcrawler, an episode that introduced the titular mutant and gave us a look into both his and Wolverines attitudes toward religion. Its not hard to see why Wolverine is on the disillusioned end of things: Hes had a hard, often miserable existence. Nightcrawler, abandoned as a child (by his real mother, Mystique, whos an expert at this point in ruining lives), relates to him a bit and tells Wolverine, Open your heart. Will it hurt so much to see the world through different eyes? after a poignant discussion about faith. The episode ends with Wolverine, often an example of stubborn fortitude, moved to prayer. Season 4, Episode 61: Weapon X, Lies and Videotape That hard life that Wolverine was talking about? Much of it was due to his (forced) participation in the Weapon X program that viciously experimented on him and turned him into an assassin. This episode (with a delightful pun-based title) deals very directly with the results of those events, with Wolverine and other former Weapon X members like Sabretooth and Silver Fox falling prey to the effects of an onslaught of sudden, painful memories. To find relief, the former team members have to trace them back to their source and thus confront their pasts, as terrible as they may be. Weapon X has always been one of the best examples of the capacity of mankinds cruelty toward mutants, and the episode puts their deeds in vile focus. Season 5, Episode 73: Old Soldiers Thanks to a sudden demand for another final season and a change in production studios, the fifth season of X-Men: The Animated Series looks noticeably cheaper than the first four. However, it does manage to grant us a handful of memorable episodes. X-Men was actually the beginning of a sort of shared universe, and Old Soldiers gives us our biggest look yet at Wolverines World War II buddy, Captain America (whod previously appeared in related Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four cartoons). Here, Wolverine and Captain America are teaming up to take on the Red Skull, and while theres nothing particularly deep about their derring-do, it is a fun exercise in trying to take down Marvels most famous Nazi. And it never hurts to return to Wolverines limitless capacity for backstory. What hasnt that dude been involved with? Season 5, Episode 76: Graduation Day After being attacked by an anti-mutant agent, Professor X is devastatingly injured and needs the kind of medical help that doesnt quite exist on Earth. And so the final episode of X-Men revolves around the universes reaction to its central figure being laid low Lilandra, the leader of the alien Shiar empire, comes to lend him aid, and Magneto arrives to offer his condolences, with differences put aside for a moment. The episode ends with the mutant team watching Xavier be whisked away for treatment in outer space, with the future of the X-Men seeming fairly uncertain. And so it stayed for over 25 years. Until X-Men 97, which finds the X-Men becoming battle ready once again and Magneto relishing his power as the head of what formerly belonged to his old peer and rival. Will this new show add to the legacy of the now classic X-Men: The Animated Series, or will it be seen as hollow nostalgia? Hopefully we get more of the former category. That said, if it keeps the same theme song, itll probably score at least a few easy points with me. While global trade shows signs of weakening, the shipment of goods from China to Mexico continues to increase and is probably the strongest growing trade in the world right now, according to European data analytics firm Xeneta. Container demand for trade in this direction increased 59.7% in January compared to the same month in 2023. Based in Oslo, the company claims to have the worlds largest market analysis and benchmarking platform for shipping and air freight rates. On Thursday, its chief analyst Peter Sand published a weekly report with the latest data. In it, he notes that demand for ocean shipping containers rose from 73,000 TEUs (Twenty Equivalent Units) in January 2023 to 117,000 TEUs in January of this year. The strength in trade between China and Mexico has been building, with the annual growth rate in 2023 standing at 34.8% compared to just 3.5% in 2022, Sand says. The numbers portray a rapidly changing picture. In recent years, the United States has imposed tariffs and restrictions on Chinese goods and services with the goal of encouraging companies to leave China and relocate in the U.S. or in an allied country. According to U.S. officials, they are pursuing that strategy for national security purposes. Mexico is emerging as an attractive alternative, as it is a middle-income country that pays wages comparable to those paid in China, is the southern neighbor of the worlds largest market and forms part of the worlds largest trading bloc: the United States-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA). For that reason, Sand discerns from the data a tendency for Chinese companies to triangulate their trade with the U.S. through Mexico to avoid tariffs. U.S. lawmakers and officials have complained that China is using Mexico as a back door to enter their market and have called on Mexico to comply with the rules of origin for products exported to the U.S., as set out in the USMCA. Trade deficit Two days ago, the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN) warned of a large deficit between Mexico and China. According to the organization, for every dollar Mexico exported to China in 2018, China sold Mexico $11.20; in 2023, for every dollar Mexico sent, China sent $11.40. Textiles and footwear are among the most affected sectors. For its part, Chinas largest airline, China Southern, will launch its first direct flight to Mexico City, in a sign that business between the two countries is growing. Last year, Mexico ranked as the top source country for imports into the U.S., dethroning China for the first time in 16 years. However, Sand wrote, with a sizeable portion of these goods likely being trucked into the U.S., it gives rise to the possibility that Chinas increase in trade with Mexico is being used to circumvent tariffs placed on imports from China to the U.S. as part of the ongoing trade war. In August of last year, Mexico amended its import tax law to place tariffs on products from countries with which it does not have a free trade agreement, including China. According to the Ministry of Economy, this was done to protect domestic industry. The change aligns with the messages the White House has been sending Mexico in recent years about its trade with third countries that are not part of the North American trading bloc. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Neurological diseases are now the leading cause of ill health in the world. A study published in The Lancet Neurology journal has estimated that in 2021 around 3.4 billion people worldwide 43% of the worlds population suffered from a nervous system disorder, such as Alzheimers and other forms of dementia, stroke, migraine or autism spectrum disorders, among others. The study shows that, over the last three decades, the number of people living with or dying from such pathologies has increased (by 59% and 41%, respectively) due to the aging of the population and the influence of environmental, metabolic or unhealthy lifestyle factors that constitute risk factors for some of these pathologies (e.g., stroke and dementia). The authors warn of the enormous impact of these pathologies on public health and call for the implementation of public policies and resources to respond to the demand for care. Neurological diseases are an amalgam of pathologies that share the common aspect of damage to the nervous system. However, these conditions are complex and widely vary in terms of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and the healthcare they require. For example, dementia has little or nothing in common with a neurodevelopmental disorder, or a headache with motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The coinciding aspect is that all of them form a category of highly prevalent pathologies that can result in a substantial loss of quality of life and length of life. According to the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, which quantifies the decline in health due to 371 diseases in more than 200 countries on a regular basis, neurological conditions the study groups 37 pathological conditions within this category caused more than 11 million deaths in 2021 and contributed to one of the largest losses in quality of life globally. The study analyzed classic neurological pathologies, such as stroke or migraine, but for the first time it also included pathologies bordering on other areas, such as autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It also includes new phenomena that have emerged in recent years, such as neurological conditions associated with Covid-19 (cognitive impairment or Guillain-Barre syndrome) or neurodevelopmental damage in infants whose mothers were infected with Zika virus during pregnancy. We estimate that 3.4 billion people experienced some form of neurological health loss in 2021, which is a staggering number. This is largely due to certain conditions that are widespread. For example, tension-type headaches affected about 2 billion people in 2021. Our analysis takes into account independent comorbidity within conditions, which means that one individual may have more than one disease at the same time, explains Jaimie Steinmetz, author of the study and researcher at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. In order to assess the impact on health of these conditions, researchers use disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), an indicator that measures all the time of full, healthy life lost due to disease, associated ill health or premature death. According to the study published in The Lancet Neurology, neurological diseases account for a global loss of 443 million healthy life years, which makes this group of pathologies the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, even ahead of cardiovascular diseases, the authors agree. Since 1990, DALYs caused by neurological diseases have increased by 18%. The increase in total DALYs and the rise in the total number of people living with neurological health loss is primarily due to the aging of the population and population growth, Steinmetz points out. Indeed, many neurological conditions, such as dementia or Parkinsons disease, are more common in old age. However, the author adds that, paradoxically, if the effect of demographic changes is eliminated and standardization by age is applied, the study shows that death rates in certain pathologies, such as stroke or neonatal encephalopathy, decrease: These downward trends are fueled by improved mortality prospects, but, in addition, increased survival through better care means that we see more years lived with disability in the population. For example, more children with long-term neurological consequences. Poor countries are the most affected The neurological conditions that result in the highest number of years of healthy life lost are stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia, and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage associated with high blood glucose). Meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications in premature babies, autism spectrum disorders and cancer of the nervous system are also ranked at the top of the table of pathologies most affecting quality of life. However, there are differences according to country and age. Lower income regions are more impacted by this group of diseases. In developing territories, such as central and western Sub-Saharan Africa, neonatal encephalopathy, meningitis and neural tube defects are some of the diseases that result in the greatest loss of healthy life years, while these same pathologies in high-income regions, such as Australasia, are much less prevalent and therefore have a lesser impact. The decline in nervous system health disproportionately affected people in low- and middle-income countries, partly due to a higher prevalence of conditions affecting newborns and children under the age of five years, the authors of the article explain. The condition with the most consistent impact around the globe is stroke: in 19 of the 21 regions analyzed in the study, it is the pathology that contributes most to the loss of healthy years of life. In terms of age, in children under five years old, the most common conditions are neonatal encephalitis, meningitis and neural tube defects; in children and adolescents, neurological disorders associated with prematurity and epilepsy predominate; in adults aged 20 to 59 years, stroke, migraine and diabetic neuropathy are the most common; and in the elderly, stroke is accompanied by dementia and Parkinsons disease. This age-based diversity, according to Steinmetz, supports the need to consider neurological health and healthcare throughout a lifetime. The researchers also analyzed how the impact of neurological disorders has fluctuated over the past 30 years and detected significant changes. For instance, the years of healthy life lost have soared by more than 90% since 1990 in the case of diabetic neuropathy and have decreased by the same amount with tetanus. Nevertheless, everything has an explanation: the global surge in the incidence of diabetes may account for an increase in its neurological effects and, on the other hand, the authors point to routine vaccination for the substantial decrease in deaths due to tetanus globally. The promotion and implementation of folic acid supplementation and enrichment of cereal products contributed to the decrease in the incidence of neural tube defects in countries where this basic public health initiative has been institutionalized, the researchers add. Fight to protect brain health Jesus Porta, president of the Spanish Society of Neurology, applauds the publication of this study, although he did not participate in it: It is very interesting and important for us. Not so much for the neurologists everyday practice, because we already know a lot of the data, but research that shows the years of loss of quality of life due to neurological diseases warns us that we have to fight to protect brain health. Given this scenario of rising neurological pathology, the physician calls for health prevention campaigns and structuring of the healthcare system to ensure that there is an adequate response. For example, he says, with specialized units to meet the growing and diverse demand. Steinmetz also echoes this sentiment. An aging population means more cases of conditions affecting older adults, like neurodegenerative conditions. Healthcare systems must anticipate this and ensure that treatment and care systems are in place to cope with the increasing burden. The researcher points out that more than 80% of neurological deaths and DALYs occur in low- and middle-income countries and, despite these environments carrying a higher burden of disease, the workforce trained to treat these conditions is 70 times larger in high-income areas. This problem needs to be addressed, he warns. The authors also focus on preventable risk factors and stress that high blood pressure, smoking or high blood glucose levels are variables that favor neurological pathologies, such as stroke or Alzheimers disease. In 2021, 84% of stroke-associated DALYs were potentially preventable if exposure to 18 identified risk factors were decreased, the authors summarize. In this regard, Porta mentions three healthy lifestyle tips that help prevent brain pathologies: Physical exercise, adequate sleep patterns and adequate nutrition, he concludes. Fire broke out in apartment in outskirts of Bologna. Italian authorities have opened an investigation into a fire that caused the deaths of three children and their mother in the northern city of Bologna on Thursday night. The deceased children included two-year-old twins and a six-year-old, according to Italian media reports. Their mother, reportedly a 32-year-old Romanian woman, died while being taken to hospital. The fire, which broke out in a fourth-floor apartment on Via Bertocchi in the outskirts of Bologna, may have been caused by an electric heater, Corriere della Sera reports. Photo credit: ChiccoDodiFC / Shutterstock.com. 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. Cressida, who retired from acting to marry a barrister and raise a family, is hoping to get back to acting, after catching her husband, Rupert, in flagrante with a woman young enough to be their daughter. Given Cressidas age, her agent can only offer her ads for incontinence pads. Penny, a distinguished interviewer and war correspondent, finds herself on the shelf as the TV channel decides to promote her vain and incompetent male co-host into a primetime slot. And Jo was fired despite her skills by a new studio boss because she drew attention to his bulldozing of good ideas. Loading It is Jos response to this that underpins the plot. She is the first to demonstrate the forms that revenge can take, and her method is decidedly Shakespearean. Having the advantage of already being tall and rangy, she uses her special-effects skills to reinvent herself as Joseph, and, like Portia, Viola and Imogen, she goes back into the mens world. The studio that fired her as a menopausal mess of a woman now pays her far more, and she sees how the men really talk about the women. At first, her old uni girlfriends dont recognise her, but as she opens up to them and they share their stories back, the womens club is formed, and the fun begins. How the Revenge Club hits its targets is funny and wicked. Sometimes decidedly the latter. Occasionally there is a whiff of that wonderful Irish immorality-play series, Bad Sisters (five sisters plotting to remove a brother-in-law who would have been the star of Reddits Am I The Asshole? thread). And as with Bad Sisters, failure is as much a part of the story as success. However, comeuppances do happen, despite the white-water rafting the quartet must navigate. How the four women raft through is what kept me reading and laughing. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday. By the time he won the Nobel Prize in 1995, Heaney was clearly frustrated by the exigencies of his status, a major aspect of which was the answering of letters. Increasingly he operated in what he brilliantly called the executive part of my being. This is just one lucid phrase of so many in the volume. After having shot to early fame after Faber & Faber published his first volume, Death Of A Naturalist, in 1966, Heaney was continually called upon to be a kind of mascot for the Republican cause in an era of devastating local bloodshed. Navigating such dangerous waters by resisting the call to be a political mouthpiece, he continued instead to quarry his own grounded habitat of memory and word-music, declaring that as a poet he had a disposition, rather than a position. The flak he received was considerable, but his own personal anxieties notwithstanding, such lucidities as he had access to always seemed to measure up via a deeply human logic. And, as the flashpoints of the Troubles attenuated themselves through the 80s and 90s, Heaney, now living in Dublin and teaching at Harvard for nearly half of every year, developed into a unifying figure. The percussive acoustics of his work and the profoundly sensory dialects of feeling it summoned were proof of his view of the poet as a speaker for all times, if not all peoples. Seamus Heaney seen during a visit to Australia in 1994. He was a speaker for all times, if not all peoples. Credit: Dominic O'Brien There will always be those who disagree, of course. I met a man at a party in Melbourne during the 1980s who was in exile from Ireland after having performed certain duties for the IRA that made his migration necessary. When I mentioned Heaney to him in conversation, he said, in a loquacious Northern burr not dissimilair to the poets own: Seamus Heaney. Too many f-----n manners for my liking. This, I might add, was in the same city where as an insouciant teenager I was once kicked out of a party by the host a poet and former colleague of Heaneys at Harvard whose parting shot was to tell me that it was a shame I did not have the impeccable manners of my hero, Seamus Heaney. You can see the kind of pressure of expectation the mans gift put him under, even at the other end of the world. The letters leave us in no doubt that his was a gift he was both honoured and burdened by, and his handling of the balances he might even say squarings between the heft and sluice of his own inner music and his sense of what was humanely proper in a social sense is a continuous feature here. Loading The book, however, is long, and given that Heaneys 500-page interview about his work with Dennis ODriscoll, Stepping Stones, is already available to us, one wonders if some of the more mannerly apologies he makes for the tardiness of his replies could have been cut. Still, his courteous example is a fine one, and his loyal defence of friends under siege, particularly Ted Hughes, reminds us that his geniality was always underset by a fierce passion. Like Yeats, he knew the dangers of a fanatic heart and it was his great role in Irish literature to show how loyalty to the deeper self is in the end the best thing for the land. As I was reading the letters, I had a farewell call from a dear friend who sadly, as it turned out, died the very next day. He was surprised, he told me, that after a lifetime of chaos, he felt at peace and ready to go to whatever came next. His only concern, he said, was that he die well for the sake of his children. I told him I had a sense of how important that was, and without wanting to put further pressure on him, told him the story of the poets death. Jessica Revell, 27, of Beveridge, said organisers should have provided this information before the festival began. We were already on the bus there at 8.30am on Friday. We got all unpacked, and it wasnt until we went down to the stage that we saw the sign that said the CFA advises you leave tonight or early tomorrow morning, she said. Crowds at the 2023 Pitch Music & Arts festival near the Grampians. Credit: Pitch Music Arts/YouTube We just thought, we have no way of getting home, we have no internet, we have nothing. If all of that had been communicated earlier, it would have changed a lot. Dr Milad Haghani, a senior lecturer of urban mobility, public safety and disaster risk at UNSW, said a key takeaway from Pitch was the importance of involving attendees more directly in risk assessments before the event began. We need to acknowledge weather-related risks are going to become increasingly common. This way, we allow individuals to make informed decisions based on comprehensive, more nuanced, risk information, considering their personal health and other factors, he said. Any information provided must also be streamlined, eliminating mixed messaging. By integrating all messaging into a single nuanced set of information, attendees can receive straightforward information about potential risks, including temperature forecasts, fire risks, and specific health conditions or demographics at higher risk, Haghani said, adding that detailed information about the heightened risk of using drugs in adverse conditions like extreme heat could help punters make safer choices. A Pitch spokesperson said organisers diligently followed the guidance of relevant authorities leading up to and during the festival to prioritise the safety of [its] community. We had a full team of emergency services including medical, police and on-site fire response who were on call throughout the event, as well as Crowd Care, an initiative to support emergency teams and patrons on site, and over 30 staffers from DanceWize. Wi-Fi and reception Pitch organisers were regularly sharing updates via social media; however, Revell said many of the attendees had been unable to access these due to poor mobile phone service and a lack of Wi-Fi. We were in limbo The only way you could know what was going on was if you walked all the way down the hill in the sun to read the [information] board. Catherine Strong, an associate professor at RMIT specialising in popular music studies, said festival organisers should consider basing their events in areas with existing phone and Wi-Fi coverage. You could be sending out the best communications in the world but if people cant get that communication, you may as well not be saying anything, she said. Rethink location, time and scale Music festivals are traditionally held in regional areas where large, open spaces are available. However, these are the areas increasingly hit by bushfires and floods. As a result, Mitch Wilson, managing director of the Australian Festival Association, says the insurance industry has unilaterally stopped covering major events held in areas that are more likely to be hit with extreme weather. Some organisers may need to consider relocating festivals to less remote spaces, ensuring attendees could more easily evacuate in emergencies. It might start to become impossible to get insurance for a festival held at the height of summer because of the risks around fire and heat are too high, Strong said. Maybe were going to start to see more autumn and spring festivals. Another possibility is bringing music festivals indoors. Strong references small country towns that have set up a number of small venues, most of which were sheltered from the elements. Though this would require a general reshaping of peoples perception of festivals, it could help mitigate the impact of extreme weather. Its also not a new concept: Byron Bays iconic Bluesfest launched in Melbourne and was held indoors. Similarly, Sydneys Laneway Festival moved from Callan Park to the covered Sydney Showgrounds. Prevention over mitigation Regardless of how prepared a festival is, weather remains unpredictable. Though music festivals like Pitch factor in the possibility of extreme weather when implementing safety measures, it remains difficult to predict what will happen at a specific time of year so far ahead of time. However, the industry contributes to the very thing that has intensified these extreme weather events: climate change. Specific data on festivals carbon footprint is lacking due to the absence of a comprehensive greenhouse gas audit within the industry, Haghani says, but the UK could act as a reference point. Loading The UKs live music sector emitted approximately 400,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, he said. Audience travel and venue operations account for nearly 70 per cent of the total carbon footprint of live events. Green initiatives like Coldplays One Tree Planted campaign are a step in the right direction, but Haghani said festival organisers needed to prioritise a number of environmental measures, such as localising festivals to reduce the amount of travel required, or minimising the amount of plastic waste left behind. It must go beyond the festival organisers, Strong added, noting the importance of government intervention. People may need to start getting more political around this Were getting to a point where everybody who has a stake in anything needs to be thinking about how they could be doing more to put pressure on the people who are making decisions, who can get real change to happen. French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated Thursday his position that sending Western troops into Ukraine should not be ruled out, but said that todays situation doesnt require that. In an interview on French national television Thursday, Macron was asked about the prospect of sending Western troops to Ukraine, which he publicly raised last month in comments that prompted pushback from other European leaders. Were not in that situation today, he said, but added that all these options are possible. Macron said that responsibility for prompting such a move would lie with Moscow It wouldnt be us and said France would not lead an offensive into Ukraine. But he also said Today, to have peace in Ukraine, we must not be weak. Macrons comments came after the French parliament debated the countrys Ukraine strategy this week. Both the National Assembly and the Senate approved in symbolic votes the 10-year bilateral security agreement signed last month between Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Macron planned to meet on Friday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Berlin in a summit meant to show unity. Last month, the French president appeared isolated on the European stage after his remarks at a Paris conference on Ukraine prompted an outcry from other leaders. Scholz, in particular, appeared to contradict Macron, saying participants had agreed there will be no ground troops on Ukrainian soil sent by European states. French officials later sought to clarify Macrons remarks and tamp down the backlash, while insisting on the need to send a clear signal to Russia that it cannot win in Ukraine. Scholz on Wednesday appeared dismissive of any speculation of frictions between France and Germany, saying he has a very good personal relationship with Macron. France, Germany and Poland will meet as the so-called Weimar Triangle, and the grouping is especially important now that we are all so concerned about the terrible consequences of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, Scholz said. Supporting Ukraine is a very concrete and very practical question of whether there is enough ammunition, enough artillery, enough air defense - many things that play a major role. And discussing and advancing this cooperation once again is what is needed right now, he said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Manhunt Apple TV+, Friday A historical thriller that mostly succeeds in augmenting non-fiction facts with tactile characters and vivid momentum, Manhunt is a seesawing journey through American conflict. It uses the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln (Hamish Linklater), shot on April 14, 1865, just five days after he had won victory over the Confederacy in the American Civil War, to examine fault lines and beliefs that remain bluntly relevant. As Lincolns friend and Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton (Tobias Menzies), puts it: we replace our Presidents with election, not with coups. Lili Taylor and Hamish Linklater in the historical drama Manhunt. Stanton, who wants both vengeance and to enact Lincolns crucial policies regarding slavery post-war, is the limited series focus. The notion that the surrender of the southern rebel states ended the war is debunked: violence continues, conspirators simply act covertly, and the conditions for Americas black population, not yet legally emancipated, remains fraught. Everything is up for grabs, even as half a nation grieves. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size There are two tables in two different parts of Melbourne which tell the story of what the war in Gaza the most socially corrosive conflict Australia has experienced since Vietnam is doing to Australias Muslim leadership and the communities they represent. The first, the head table at a parliamentary Iftar dinner held this week inside the five-star Sofitel Hotel on Collins Street, was snubbed by invited guests from the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) and Australian National Imams Council. This Ramadan, they have no appetite to break their fast with politicians from either major party. The second was a trestle table draped in a Palestinian flag, set on a stage inside a western suburbs mosque on Sunshine Road, Tottenham. This is where ICV president Adel Salman took a seat the week before Ramadan, alongside prominent figures in the Palestinian protest movement, to denounce Israel as a criminal regime and repeat his inflammatory description of Hamas October 7 attack which killed 1200 Israelis as a legitimate act of resistance. Salman has repeatedly said he does not justify the killing of civilians. Max Kaiser (left), Nasser Mashni, Janet Rice and Adel Salman address a forum in Tottenham, in Melbournes west. Credit: Eddie Jim The Tottenham event, titled Understanding Cries for a Free Palestine, was hosted by HobsonsBay4Palestine, a newly formed off-shoot from a self-seeding, protest movement which every Sunday for the past five months, has organised mass rallies in central Melbourne and Sydney. Seated alongside Salman were Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni sporting a Black Lives Matter T-shirt, Greens Senator Janet Rice and Max Kaiser, a member of the Jewish Council of Australia, a nascent, non-representative Jewish group critical of Israel. Near the culmination of two-hours of passionate discussion about the war, the history of Israel and the plight of Palestinians, Egyptian-born Salman, an electrical engineer turned corporate manager who for the past three years has led the peak representative body for 270,000 Muslims in Victoria, told the keffiyeh-clad crowd that although the current picture was grim for Palestinians, the war had also unleashed an unprecedented campaign of grassroots activism which he believes, will speed the liberation of Palestine from Israel. Advertisement The Zionists are losing, they are losing, he declared. Theyre losing on so many fronts, and theyre certainly losing the fight for public opinion. If there is one issue that unites the hearts of 2 billion Muslims, one quarter of humanity, one quarter of the people that walk this earth, its Palestine. Islamic Council of Victoria president Adel Salman. Credit: Eddie Jim Australian Muslims are used to horrendous events from elsewhere in the world reaching deep into their communities. In the first two decades of this century, they absorbed a surge in Islamophobia triggered by al-Qaedas attack on New Yorks World Trade Centre, the deadly outreach of Islamic State into our suburbs, and from Christchurch, the live-streamed, mass murder of people gathered at a mosque for Friday prayers by an Australian-born white-supremacist. Closer to home theyve felt the venom of the Cronulla race riots and the sting of bumper stickers telling them F--- off, were full. Despite their resilience through these previous trials, the war in Gaza is having an isolating impact. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry estimates that more than 31,000 people have been killed, many of them children. Australias Muslim leaders, faced with this horrific loss of life and what they see as a failure of the Australian government to call out Israels excessive response to October 7, are disengaging from government and shunning multi-faith forums. Salman accuses mainstream media outlets and journalists of either wilfully ignoring, misrepresenting or suppressing the truth about the conflict to promote a Zionist agenda which he says creates further hatred. He declined to be interviewed or answer questions for this story. Advertisement In the meantime, Australias Muslim leadership is supported by a radical protest movement which prosecutes the case for Palestinian self-determination through the prism of race and settler colonialism and, at its extremes, seeks to minimise or rationalise Hamas October 7 atrocities. In this narrative, Israel is cast not as a liberal democratic state recognised under international law, but the occupier of stolen lands and evil oppressor of 4.5 million people. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess, delivering his annual threat assessment earlier this month, said his agency was carefully monitoring the implications for domestic security. A pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne in December. Credit: Wayne Taylor We have seen heightened community tensions that have translated into some incidents of violence connected to protest activity, Burgess said. We have also observed an increase in rhetoric encouraging violence in response to the conflict. Hateful rhetoric has targeted Israel and the Jewish community, as well as Muslim and Palestinian communities. An expert in radicalisation, who spoke to his masthead anonymously to preserve their relationship with Muslim communities, said they were struck by how quickly supporters of Palestine reframed October 7, when Hamas militants broke through Gazas northern fence into southern Israel, killed 1200 people and captured 250 hostages. Regardless of where you stand on the long-standing Arab/Israeli issue, you start going down a very slippery slope when you start justifying any type of violence, the expert said. That is really problematic. Nasser Mashni, a Palestinian activist whose father lived through the Nakba, the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, says the just right of Palestinians to resist occupation extends to armed resistance. Advertisement Despite the nightmarish scenario confronting Palestinians living in Gaza, Mashni believes all Palestinians are closer to realising their end goal than they were on October 6. With Israels atrocities being livestreamed 24/7 into every home on the planet, the past six months have given civil society and community a heightened sense of just how gross that injustice is and an elevated understanding that there is no other solution to it other than Palestinian self-determination, he told this masthead. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni outside the Tottenham forum. Credit: Eddie Jim Were seeing an advocacy constituency that is not just broader in its make-up but also more engaged, more aware of what is at stake and how to work in allyship with Palestinians, more galvanised in its resolve, better equipped with the tools of our democracy, and with enormous capacity to challenge this injustice wherever people have influence in academia, politics, the media. The next step, Mashni says, is for the pro-Palestinian movement to harness its power at the ballot box. During last weeks forum in Tottenham, he urged fellow Muslims not to reflexively vote Labor at the next federal election. Make sure you get what your vote is worth, he said. The opportunity Mashni sees is reflected in Australias electoral rolls. At the time of the 1981 census, the year before the Israelis invasion of Lebanon, 30,346 people living in Australia identified as Jewish and 41,328 as Muslim. When the most recent census was conducted in 2021, 88,831 people identified as Jewish and 813,392 as Muslim. Iftar dinners, the nightly breaking of fast during the holy month of Ramadan, serve as a sit-down centrepiece for Muslim engagement with politicians, business leaders, universities, journalists and senior figures in the civil service. This year they are emblematic of the Muslim withdrawal. Advertisement Australian Intercultural Society executive director Ahmet Keskin, the organiser of countless Iftar dinners over the past 20 years, says this is being driven not only by the leaders of peak bodies but the communities they represent. The Victorian and NSW governments, at the request of Islamic organisations, cancelled their signature Iftar events. Those still going ahead are being largely boycotted by the community whose faith and culture they are meant to celebrate. Loading Dr Rateb Jneid, the president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, in announcing the federations decision to cancel its Iftar dinner, took direct aim at NSW Premier Chris Minns. Given the present political landscape, we find it impossible to engage in communal meals with leadership that exhibits duplicity, notably the NSW premiers stance. The ICV publicly withdrew its support for the Victorian premiers Iftar event three days after the state Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt, met with Muslim community leaders at an open mosque event. A government source said the premiers office was blindsided by the move. When the government eventually cancelled the dinner, the ICV issued a conciliatory statement. Keskin, whose Australian Intercultural Society hosted Tuesday nights parliamentary dinner at the Sofitel, says his organisation had a robust discussion about cancelling the event but decided it was important to keep talking. You need to be at the table, he said. You need to have a voice to raise your views. If we withdraw, we are further isolating ourselves. The dinner was attended by Jewish and Christian faith leaders, Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll and other state government ministers, Opposition Leader John Pesutto and federal parliamentarians from both sides of the political aisle and the cross benches. The only Muslim faith leader in the room was Ibrahim Karaisli, the newly appointed imam at Quba Mosque in the northern suburb of Somerton. He recited the call to prayer. Advertisement If youre booked on a cruise itinerary that traverses the Red Sea any time this year, you should expect your cruise to be rerouted around Africa, or to sail on a brand-new itinerary elsewhere. If your cruise is imminent, it has most likely already been cancelled. The Red Sea is one of the worlds most important waterways, providing access between the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. Attacks on shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels have caused jitters and, as a result, risk-averse cruise ships are sensibly steaming for the horizon. Cruise lines regularly use the Red Sea to redeploy ships from Europe to Asia at the end of the Mediterranean cruise season in October or November, and the reverse in March or April. And with that transit season now upon us, the list of cruise lines pulling out of the Red Sea has rapidly lengthened. The earliest off the blocks was small-ship Greek company Variety Cruises in October 2023, whose owners clearly had a superior crystal ball. Silversea, MSC and German-founded company AIDA (now owned by Carnival Corporation) followed early this year. Virgin Voyages has cancelled its return to Australia next summer, citing the expense of returning from Europe via Africa. The rest seemed to hesitate, but were probably scrambling to think of alternatives. Rearranging cruise itineraries isnt easy. Port berths are booked well in advance, and cruise ships have far less flexibility than commercial vessels. Many African ports dont have tourism infrastructure or suitable catering supplies, or might have complicated passenger visa requirements. The cancellations were bound to come, though. The Houthis explicitly vowed to attack shipping connected to Israel, Britain or the United States, and have launched numerous drone and missile attacks and attempted hijackings on trade ships in the Red Sea, which resulted in retaliation by Britain and the US on Houthi targets inside Yemen. Washington: It was the love affair that nearly derailed one of the biggest criminal trials Donald Trump faces. But after two months of public scrutiny, three days of hearings, and one explosive personal testimony, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis survived an attempt to disqualify her from the election interference case she brought against the former president but only if her lead prosecutor and now ex-boyfriend stepped aside. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade. Credit: AP In a highly anticipated decision handed down on Friday (Saturday AEDT), Georgia Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Willis could stay on the case despite having a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the man she hired to oversee it. While McAfees decision stopped short of giving Trump and his allies the win they wanted, it wasnt exactly good news for the Georgia-based district attorney, whose bruised reputation could make it even harder to convict the former president over an alleged scheme to overthrow the 2020 election results in her state. As Vladimir Putin heads for another six-year term as Russias president, theres little electoral drama in the race. What he does after he crosses the finish line is whats drawing attention and, for many observers, provoking anxiety. The voting that concludes on Sunday is all but certain to allow Putin to remain in office until 2030, giving him a full three decades of leading Russia as either president or prime minister. The heft of that long tenure and the thorough suppression of effective domestic opposition voices gives Putin a very strong and perhaps unrestrained hand. That position is bolstered by the Russian economys surprising resilience despite wide-ranging Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. Its also strengthened by Moscows incremental but consistent battlefield advances in recent months, flagging support for military aid to Kyiv from the United States and other quarters, and growing skepticism in some Western countries over more progressive social attitudes that echoes Putins push for traditional values. Putin, in short, would head into a new term with few obvious restraints, and that could manifest itself quickly in major new actions. Russias presidential election is not so important as what will come after. Putin has often postponed unpopular moves until after elections, Bryn Rosenfeld, a Cornell University professor who studies post-Communist politics, said in a commentary. Probably the most unpopular move he could make at home would be to order a second military mobilization to fight in Ukraine; the first, in September 2022, sparked protests, and a wave of Russians fled the country to avoid being called up. However unpopular a second mobilization might be, it could also mollify relatives of the soldiers who were drafted 18 months ago. Some in Russia believe it could happen. Russian leaders are now talking of consolidating the whole of Russian society around its defense needs, Brian Michael Jenkins, a senior adviser at the RAND Corporation think tank told The Associated Press. The precise meaning of this phrase is not entirely clear, but it suggests that Russias leadership understands that the war Putin describes will go on for a long time, and therefore resources must be mobilized, he added. In other words, Russian society must be organized for perpetual warfare. But Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, says Putin doesnt need a mobilization partly because many Russians from poorer regions have signed up to fight in order to get higher pay than what they can earn in their limited opportunities at home. In addition, Putins apparent confidence that the war is turning in Russias favor is likely to make him continue to insist that the only way to end the conflict is for Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table, she said. Which, in fact, means capitulation. While support for Ukraine lags in Washington, both French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski have said recently that sending troops to back Kyiv is at least a hypothetical possibility. With those statements in mind, Putin may be motivated to test the resolve of NATO. Alexandra Vacroux, executive director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University, posits that Russia within several years will make an attempt to assess NATOs commitment to Article 5, the alliances common defense guarantee under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. I dont think that Putin thinks that he needs to be physically, militarily stronger than all of the other countries. He just needs them to be weaker and more fractured. And so the question for him is like ... instead of worrying so much about making myself stronger, how can I make everyone else weaker? she said. So in order to do that, its like you have to find a situation where you could test Article 5, and if the response is mild or uncertain then youve shown that, like NATO is just a paper tiger, Vacroux said. Russia could run such a test without overt military action, she said, adding, You could imagine, like, one of the big questions is what kind of cyberattack constitutes a threat to attack? Although it is not a NATO member, the country of Moldova is increasingly worried about becoming a Russian target. Since the invasion of Ukraine, neighboring Moldova has faced crises that have raised fears in its capital of Chisinau that the country is also in the Kremlins crosshairs. The congress in Moldovas separatist Transnistria region, where Russia bases about 1,500 soldiers as nominal peacekeepers, have appealed to Moscow for diplomatic protection because of alleged increasing pressure from Moldova. That appeal potentially leaves a lot of room for escalation, said Cristain Cantir, a Moldovan international relations professor at Oakland University. I think its useful to see the congress and the resolution as a warning to Moldova that Russia may get more involved in Transnistria if Chisinau does not make concessions. On the Russian home front, more repressive measures could come in a new Putin term, even though opposition supporters and independent media already are cowed or silenced. Stanovaya suggested that Putin himself does not drive repressive measures but that he approves such actions that are devised by others in the expectation that these are what the Kremlin leader wants. Many players are trying to survive and to adapt, and they compete against each other and often they have contradictory interests, she said. And they are trying all together in parallel to secure their own priorities and the stability of the regime. Russia last year banned the notional LGBTQ+ movement by declaring it to be extremist in what officials said was a fight for traditional values like those espoused by the Russian Orthodox Church in the face of Western influence. Courts also banned gender transitioning. Ben Noble, an associate professor of Russian politics at University College London, said he believes the LGBTQ+ community could face further repression in a new Putin term. In the Kremlins eye, they can be held up as an import from the decadent West, he said. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The WCO, with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF/China), organized an in-person consultation meeting of the Informal Working Group (IWG) of the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO). The meeting, hosted by the WCO Regional Training Centre in Shanghai, China, was attended by 30 participants from 10 Member administrations, including the participants of the IWG, representatives of five WCO regions and the representative of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme. The purpose of the meeting was to finalise the first phase of the feasibility study on the Certificate of Origin (CO) Interconnectivity Framework, namely the Business Process Model (BPM) and the electronic CO dataset. Gael Grooby, Acting Director of the Tariff and Trade Directorate, and Brendan O'Hearn, Deputy Director of the Procedures and Facilitation Sub-Directorate, WCO, welcomed the participants virtually and emphasised that the Interconnectivity Framework is based on the comprehensive Globally Networked Customs (GNC) methodology, which provides an opportunity for different subject matter experts in the area of origin and facilitation. Mrs Ding Nan, Director of the Office of Rules of Origin, General Administration of China Customs, joined the Acting Director and Deputy Director in welcoming the participants. Mrs Ding shared that China Customs had rich experience in establishing multiple Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES) and was pleased to contribute to the feasibility study based on the experience. The meeting started with an update from the Secretariat on the progress of the feasibility study and presentations on the relevant WCO instruments and tools relevant to the Interconnectivity Framework, such as the GNC and the WCO Data Model. Participants visited the Shanghai Customs Clearance Centre to see how digitalisation enhances the efficiency of Customs work, thereby facilitating global trade. The participants then reviewed and provided input to refine the draft components of the feasibility study on BPM and the e-CO dataset. Among other things, participants clarified the terminology and definition of authorities responsible for the transmission of e-CO data and the Declaration of Origin. Participants from Madagascar, Mauritius and Nigeria shared their national experiences of the current operating environment, highlighting the needs, challenges, and opportunities they face in implementing interconnectivity for CO. The feasibility study will feed into the work of the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme, in particular the support provided to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and to Regional Economic Communities committed to the implementation of E-CO and interconnectivity frameworks. The meeting launched the second phase of the feasibility study by discussing the technical specifications and system integration architecture. Participants supported the need to provide recommendations on technological solutions that can lead to global interoperability. Regarding the legal framework, participants discussed the legal enablers and requirements for e-CO data exchange. Concluding the meeting, the way forward relating to finalizing the further development and endorsement processes of the feasibility study by the WCO working bodies was discussed. Participants highlighted the importance of involving the relevant stakeholders in the future to ensure the efficient implementation of the CO interconnectivity framework. Afghan soldiers destroy a poppy field in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. GHULAMULLAH HABIBI (efe) The poppy is one of the bases of Afghanistans economy. The ban on cultivating it by the Taliban, who regained power in 2021, has led to a drastic drop in the number of acres of poppy fields from 575,755 to 26,687. The latest report from the European Drug Monitoring Center warns of the risk that a possible lack of global supply will be replaced with more harmful synthetic opiates, such as fentanyl derivatives or nitazenes. Afghanistan produces 80% of the worlds opium, according to the monitor. We have no indication that there are synthetic opiates in Spain, but we are all watching with bated breath, says the government delegate for the National Plan on Drugs, Joan Villalbi. The European report has also landed on their desk, and they have studied it in detail. The Taliban announced that they would ban opium cultivation. We didnt know if it would be for real or just for show. Now we have the first warnings that it could be happening, says Villalbi. The document also points out another risk that comes from the lack of drugs: an increase in polysubstances among heroin users. It is a window of opportunity, admits Barcelonas chief investigative commissioner Ramon Chacon. They call it the chaos theory: if poppies are not grown in Kabul, thousands of people will die in Europe, he says, about the consequences that a hypothetical heroin shortage would have on European markets, with consumers who would move on to more dangerous alternatives. But he insists that the data so far refute that this scenario is immediately looming over Europe. In the last six years, the police have seized 379 grams of fentanyl, according to data from the Intelligence Center against Terrorism and Organized Crime (CITCO). And the majority (291 grams) were confiscated in a single raid in the port city of Ceuta (Spain) in 2018. Experts also point out that heroin derived from opium produced in Afghanistan has a long journey before it arrives in Europe. The drugs take a long time to arrive, says Chacon, which means that the feared shortage has not yet occurred. It is a vision shared by the state director of Energy Control, Claudio Vidal, who specializes in drug analysis: You can still live for a while on the stock that is already in storage. Vidal adds that so far they have not found traces of the dreaded synthetic opiates either in their task of analyzing what is consumed both recreationally and in supervised drug consumption rooms. No one has provided solid data to confirm the presence of fentanyl or other derivatives in Spain. Before the actual discovery of the drugs, other elements would allow it to gain a foothold in the market. The price and purity of heroin would be prior indicators, says Chacon. Given the shortage of heroin, the cost per gram would increase, and its quality would decrease, it would be more cut with other substances. Villalbi, however, does not rule out the real risk that, if Afghanistan does not grow opium poppies, the production of synthetic opiates will be carried out in any of the surrounding countries along the heroin route. And he warns about a product that requires other chemical elements that are mostly produced in China. Commissioner Chacon disagrees, saying that the process of manufacturing synthetic opiates is difficult, and must be very measured so as not to kill the consumer right away. It is not so easy to have the knowledge. It is organic chemistry, and molecularly it is difficult, he says. In his opinion, it would be more plausible for other countries close to Afghanistan, such as India or Kazakhstan, to take over the much simpler cultivation of poppy fields. Last year, the number of poppy-growing acres in Myanmar overtook Afghanistans, according to the report by the European Drug Monitoring Centre. The police expert points out other elements that also make the arrival of these drugs difficult. The first, the little interest in them shown by powerful criminal organizations, which are focused on supplying other drugs, such as hashish, or marijuana, both in cycles of growth. They dont need to because they are already making huge profits. The commissioner also mentions the rumor that comes to the police from time to time, that that cocaine might be cut with fentanyl. The market, he indicates, is in a process of global fragmentation with more outsourced production processes, but there is also more cocaine than ever, due to the increase in acres under cultivation in Peru and Colombia. There is no point in cutting it with fentanyl. And we would find it in the analyses, he explains. Cocaine has purity rates that have never been seen before, agrees Vidal, regarding what his analyzes find. Extreme growing conditions Another thing, the police commissioner points out, is that the Mexican cartels, which supply the United States, decided to cover a possible demand in Europe too. But he counterpoints with another element that, in his opinion, can end the threat. How long will the Taliban maintain the veto? Afghanistan no longer has aid from the IMF or the World Bank, he says. In addition, the country is suffering from drought. The fields of fruit tree crops are decreasing more and more because it is not profitable, he adds. The opium poppy, on the other hand, can withstand more extreme conditions. The ban has had a devastating effect on the countrys economy, with a loss of more than $1 billion for farmers, according to the U.S. Institute of Peace, an independent agency. And if all else fails, and synthetic opiates finally do enter the European market, those involved in the war on drugs are clear that it would be detected immediately. You would know right away because the main risk associated with fentanyl is overdose, recalls Claudio Vidal, from Energy Control. And in many cases these overdoses lead to death. We are looking at it very carefully, insists Villalbi, from the National Drug Plan, regarding the monitoring of all the indicators that would demonstrate the arrival of the dreaded fentanyl, which is causing havoc in the United States. In this scenario, Chacon considers that cases of nitazene abuse, which have already been found in Europe, have higher numbers than fentanyl. The Health agencies of the United Kingdom, France, and Ireland have issued recent but specific alerts of overdoses due to this type of synthetic derivative, with devastating consequences for health. In any case, Chacon warns, if synthetic opiates reach Europe, it will be a global phenomenon. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Two days after this interview, held on March 10, events confirmed the words of Alexander Kamyshin. Dozens of drones allegedly launched by Kyiv which for the moment has not acknowledged responsibility for the attack on Monday and Tuesday struck the Russian provinces of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tula, Oryol, Bryansk, and Nizhny Novgorod some more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Ukrainian territory and the border provinces of Voronezh, Belgorod, and Kursk. Ukraines Minister of Strategic Industries emphasizes these successes of the countrys military technology with regard to Kyivs Western allies, to show Ukraine not as a mere beneficiary of war supplies, but as a reliable and competitive technological partner for the EU and NATO amid an ongoing war with a superpower that allows it to instantly test the most advanced unmanned devices on land, at sea and in the air. To stop being a burden for the West, these countries must invest in the local arms industry and thus generate economic and strategic benefits for both parties. Spain is capable of producing 155-millimeter ammunition on a large scale, Kamyshin says of a security agreement he is currently negotiating with the government of Pedro Sanchez. Question. After this summers counteroffensive, the conflict has become a costly war of attrition in which Ukraine is fighting against one of the worlds main arms producers, and which possesses vast resoucres in manpower. Will Ukraine be able to bear the cost of such a war? Answer. Our defense industry is growing. It was good in Soviet times but later it was neglected. Now it is growing again and is capable of growing even more. We finance ourselves with the resources that the market gives us and we look for internal and external financing sources. But despite what we can produce, we will continue to depend on supplies from the West. I am very grateful to Spain for its support during these 746 days of war. We would never have been able to resist Russia without the support of our allies, alone with our resources and our funds. If we add the defense industry capabilities of the European Union, the United States and Ukraine, they would not be sufficient against Russias military industry either. They have not stopped developing over the last two decades. They have grown non-stop. Q. In recent months Ukraine has suffered from its dependence on the West. Aid from the United States is stalled, there is a global ammunition crisis, and some countries like Germany are hesitant to deliver long-range missiles like the Taurus. How are you going to reduce that dependency? A. We will never stop being dependent because no country can confront Russia alone with the capabilities of its own military industry. But we are trying to reduce the burden on our allies and produce more ourselves. If we talk about long-range missiles, some countries justify not giving us those weapons because it fears that we will use them on Russian territory. But the truth is that the world has seen that we can already reach the most distant targets inside Russia with weapons built in Ukraine. In recent cases we have reached targets deeper than Moscow with our own manufactured capabilities. Q. Ukraine wants to stop being a simple beneficiary of Western aid and become a partner. What can you offer your allies? A. Ukraine will join the EU and NATO. It is not yet known when, but it is a fact that it will happen. That will be good for both organizations. Not only because of our army, which fights non-stop, but also because of our defense industry. Our industry is already capable of producing many things, from 155-caliber self-propelled artillery systems to armored vehicles and drones. We are already able to turn over products that would be complementary for both the EU and NATO and our products are also competitive in price. That is why Ukraines entry into these organizations will bring benefits to our partners. Q. What specific products can Ukraine supply to its partners? A. From conventional weapons to long-range weapons. Also products that have emerged during this war, such as technological warfare devices, drones, and naval drones that have never been used before. It is something that we have used extensively for the first time in this war and that has given us the ability to hit the Russian fleet in Crimea. We have sunk much of their fleet with our small fleet of naval drones. Q. Creating a competitive and multinational military industry in the middle of a war is a difficult task. How do you plan to achieve this goal while fighting Russia? A. Our growth is good, but it will never be enough. There are definitely areas where it is, but in others it is not. We are facing scarce funding. We know that we could produce more than we have if we had more resources at our disposal. We have never spent so much on defense. For years we have been a peaceful and agriculturally focused country. Now we need to spend more. That is why, for example, we are asking NATO countries that have promised us a million drones to buy them from Ukrainian arms companies. Were capable, were price competitive, and its the quickest way to help each other and get those drones to the front. We know what works and we know how to build it quickly and get it to the front. Q. You are currently negotiating a security treaty with Spain. How is the Spanish military industry going to help Ukraine? A. Its not just about helping Ukraine. It is about developing joint defense capabilities. Spain has important companies such as Expal or Santa Barbara. It can produce 155-millimeter projectiles on a large scale. If Spain produces more, this would help Ukraine, Spain, and the joint capabilities of both countries. After signing the treaty there will be agreements between arms companies, businesses from which we will all benefit. Q. Former army commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi recently stated in a CNN article that technology was most needed to win this war and that heavy weapons were not that important. You surprised the world with your ability to build drones and quickly deploy them on the front lines. But lately the Russians have caught up in that area. What new devices is Ukraine preparing? A. Last year, the challenge was to produce technology and we achieved it. This year, the challenge is to coordinate, integrate, and manage, to use technology correctly. President Zelenskiy has announced the creation of a new unmanned systems force (in addition to the army, navy and air force). This year will be the year of artificial intelligence and its use in proximity [drone] swarms. There will also be new ground-based technological devices on the front. We want to get as many people as we can out of the front lines and put in machines. We have already tested unmanned ground devices on the front lines that kept the Russians at bay for 40 days. Technology is the key in this war, so we have to learn faster to use it immediately. We have to increase its production. Q. What are Ukraines medium- and long-term prospects in the war? A. In 2022 we fought with the support of the West and what we had of Soviet heritage: 2022 was the year in which Ukraine became a testing ground for this weaponry. 2023 was the year we started producing ourselves and the industry continues to grow. It doesnt matter when we win this war, because the defense industry will remain strategic for Ukraine, the EU and NATO. Democracies must always be better armed than dictatorships, and Russia will always be at our doors. We have to be strong enough to not allow them back in. Follow all the international information on Facebook and X, or on our weekly newsletter. Guatemala offers growth opportunities and welcomes both local and foreign economic investments. However, to succeed, corruption needs to be rooted out from government. This was the key message conveyed by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo during his speech to Guatemalan and American business leaders at a forum hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA). The event, titled Towards Growth with Inclusive Social Development, co-sponsored by AS/COA and the Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (FUNDESA) in Guatemala City, aimed to explore ways to drive social development through inclusive economic growth. My government fully shares your belief that prosperity and sustainable growth can only be achieved in Guatemala by strengthening our political institutions and vigorously eradicating public corruption, said Arevalo in his keynote address on March 14. The president also drove home the need to restore ethics in public administration and reform the judicial system. Strengthening is not about adding more officials or intervening directly in the economy. Its about enhancing the governments legitimacy, with corruption as a major obstacle. Guatemala ranks 154th out of 180 countries in Transparency Internationals 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index. The country scored 23 out of 100, its lowest ranking in a decade. Arevalo, elected on an anti-corruption platform, outlined his governments focus on three main areas: reforming business competition and investment laws, investing in road infrastructure, and expanding health and education services. AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal, along with finance and economy ministers, and businessmen from both countries, participated in the first-of-its-kind event in Latin America this year. Segal noted that democracy is thriving in Guatemala, and the free electoral process that led to Arevalos election makes the country one of the most appealing places in Central America for investment. Ive mentioned before how strongly I believe were on the brink of a pivotal moment in Guatemala-U.S. relations, said Arevalo. The United States is a key trading partner for Guatemala and has held significant influence in the countrys history. The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on various officials, ex-officials and businessmen for alleged corruption and actions deemed as undermining democracy. This includes attempts to manipulate the 2023 general elections and block Arevalo from assuming the presidency. Since Arevalo assumed office two months ago, the U.S. government has restarted and increased financial aid for agriculture, security programs and combating illegal migration. Guatemala is a significant origin country for migrants. President Arevalo has vowed to fight corruption, but will be hampered by a Justice Ministry (responsible for legal prosecution and investigation) that does not support him. Successful prosecution of public corruption cases hinges on the removal of Attorney General Consuelo Porras. Guatemalas Attorney General is selected by the president from a pool of candidates nominated by an independent commission that the president does not control. A very positive meeting was held recently where there was a favourable reaction to the chances of the 2028 All Ireland Fleadh being held in Ballina. Cllr John OHara and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Director General Dr Labhras OMurchu met in Dublin to discuss the work that needs to be done. They spoke about the organisational structure, accommodation, venues, financing the Fleadh, and local authority support. "It was very positive and Mr OMurchu said he could not believe how well the 2023 Connacht Fleadh in Ballina went," Cllr OHara said. "He believes if we put the work and preparation in, there is no reason why we cannot be successful." The cost of staging the event is 2 million and the bid application needs to be submitted by 2026 with an initial 150,000 required. "There will have to be an amount of money gathered up at that stage by the Fleadh committee and they will need to start collecting money beforehand," Cllr O'Hara added. The Fine Gael representative, who organised the first meeting in 2021 to discuss a possible All-Ireland Fleadh bid, said sponsorship can help with funding. "We also talked about the rates and rather than getting it from the ordinary ratepayers in the town, to go to the big multinationals in the county, he said. "The county council can increase the rates on them rather than put it up on the shopkeeper." Cllr O'Hara will put forward a motion at next month's meeting of Mayo County Council asking what support the local authority will provide. By Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Washington DC US President Joe Biden has hailed the return of powersharing in Northern Ireland as a very positive step forward. The president and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discussed political progress in the region during a bilateral meeting at the White House ahead of St Patricks Day celebrations in Washington DC this weekend. A number of political and business figures from Northern Ireland, including First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, are in the US capital, where they have been taking part in events. Leo Varadkar, left, at a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. The Stormont powersharing institutions returned last month following a two-year suspension. Mr Biden had said he wanted to see the return of the political institutions during a visit to the island of Ireland last year. Speaking during his bilateral meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Biden said: As I said in Belfast, we remain committed to protecting the peace and progress in Northern Ireland since the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. Like you, Im glad to see the Northern Ireland executive and Assembly back up and running. From my perspective, thats a very positive step forward. Michelle ONeill, left, and Emma Little-Pengelly are in the US for St Patricks Day events. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Mr Varadkar later said he had updated the president on Northern Ireland during their meeting. He said: One of the issues we talked about is the situation in Northern Ireland, the president is always very keen to know what is happening. So, encouraged that we have the Good Friday institutions up and running again and that we have settled trading arrangements with the UK so that we are able to avoid a hard border between north and south and focus on the Good Friday Agreement working again. He is a huge supporter, as you know, of Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. Mr Varadkar had earlier said the highlight of his trip so far was seeing Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly jointly address the Ireland Funds gala. The Stormont leaders had told US investors that Northern Ireland is open for business during the event. The presidential election being held in Russia between Friday and Sunday presents a bleak outlook for the electorate: never before has Vladimir Putin, who will extend his mandate until 2030, faced so few rival candidates, and his three supposed opponents unconditionally support the Kremlin. Moreover, this will be the first presidential election with the opaque internet voting system, and observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will not be present. The Kremlins aim is to turn the election into a plebiscite, a demonstration of mass support, with which Putin can justify the harsh measures he will adopt in the future. Of the 25 political parties permitted in Russia only eight, including the presidents own, have dared to present a candidate. The presidential filter has been inflexible. Only three formations loyal to power the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and New People made the cut. For its part, the largest party in the country, United Russia, did not nominate anyone from within its organization, but unanimously backed the candidacy of the independent Putin. The president has shored up his power in the six years since the previous presidential election in 2018. Through a 2020 constitutional reform he zeroed out all his accumulated mandates since 2000 and can now remain in the Kremlin until 2036. Laws enacted this legislature, and prison cells, have removed any candidate the presidential administration deems dangerous to its plans from the running. And yet, the Kremlin is afraid to register a liberal candidate, Stanislav Andreichuk, a board member of Golos, Russias largest independent election transparency organization, tells this newspaper. It is the smallest number of presidential candidates in the entire history of Russian elections, only equaled by 2008, when Dmitry Medvedev took turns with Putin, he notes. The visible heads of the Russian opposition are in jail, in exile, or dead. One of the most prominent dissident leaders, Alexei Navalny, died suddenly in prison a month before the elections. His funeral drew tens of thousands of Russians despite the Kremlins boycott and the arrests of hundreds of peaceful protesters following his death. People walk past a huge digital billboard showing Russian President and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin, in St. Petersburg, Russia, 14 March 2024. ANATOLY MALTSEV (EFE) Candidates vetoed Without reference points, the section of the population critical of the government grasps at any straw to show its discontent. As such, Russias Central Election Commission has vetoed two candidates who mobilized huge lines of people willing to sign to endorse their candidacy. Political scientist Boris Nadezhdin supposedly an opponent of the Ukraine war although he participates in the Kremlins propaganda media collected some 300,000 signatures, but the electoral board annulled enough of them to prohibit his participation. Something similar happened to journalist Yekaterina Duntsova, who was arrested when she was presenting a new party in January. The opposition Yabloko party turned 30 in October. It has not been able to present a candidate, but still maintains its struggle within the system, in town halls and regional assemblies, with the slogan for peace and freedom. Classical politics fighting against the decisions of the authorities in elections is forbidden, it is practically impossible. But it is possible to fight for ideas, for peoples souls, the chairman of the formation, Nikolay Rybakov, tells EL PAIS. With our activity we show that there is a significant number of Russians who support peace and freedom, and it is important for the hope for a better, peaceful future to be preserved. If this is not done now, it cannot be done in the future, he adds. This will be the second Russian election and the first presidential election since 1993 to be held without an OSCE observer mission. As in the pseudo-referendums for the annexation of the occupied Ukrainian territories in 2022, the Kremlin will bring its own international observers, some of them Spanish citizens, to present the idea that they are clean and fair. Internet voting under the watchful eye of the boss In addition, this time the authorities have implemented a controversial electronic voting system at 27 electoral points most of them problematic areas for Putin including his two cosmopolitan metropolises, Moscow and St. Petersburg. During the 2021 local elections, United Russia was losing in several districts of the capital as the physical ballots were being counted. In the early hours of the morning, after scrutiny of the online votes that lasted over 15 hours, the two million electronic votes that fell into the system gave a landslide victory to the party of which the president is de facto leader. Golos denounces that it is an opaque system because only the final figures are visible on a screen, but access to the code is restricted to the Kremlins computer scientists. Moreover, via this method, it is easier to check whether a citizen has voted as the authorities wish. If your boss requires you to vote, but you do it with a ballot at a traditional polling station, no one can check who you voted for. With internet voting we dont have that guarantee, Andreichuk says. In addition, most electronic votes come into the system on Friday mornings, just when people are at work with the bosses behind their backs. The other method the Kremlin employs to force the population to vote is an application devised by United Russia (GEO-SMS) for public employees, to certify that they went to the ballot box that corresponds to them through the geolocation on their cell phones. This coercion is unconstitutional, because not voting is also a political choice. Another controversial aspect of the election is that it is being held in the occupied territories, including Crimea. The international community, including China, does not recognize its annexation, a large part of the population has fled their homes and fear is present in the form of bombs and Russian security forces. Moreover, the organization of elections in these territories contradicts Russian legislation, notes Andreichuk, who gives as an example that there voters can go to the polls without a Russian passport, using a Ukrainian one or those issued by the peoples republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The election commissions in those areas have been formed without party representatives and there are practically no observers, he adds. The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) has called on the international community not to recognize the polls taking place on occupied land. Five million voters from these territories are forced to participate in the elections, approximately 4.8% of the total number of voters, emphasizes the organization. It is a very high percentage: by way of comparison, the Russian Central Election Commission vetoes candidates if it considers that 5% of the signatures they present to run for office contain in its eyes some kind of irregularity. The electoral investigator Sergey Shpilkin, who has been declared a foreign agent by the Kremlin, in 2008 published a system to estimate the number of fraudulent votes in the Russian elections. According to his calculations, in all the elections held since then, including legislative ballots, there were between 10 and 15 million irregular votes, although in 2020, because of the restrictions applied due to the coronavirus pandemic, this figure soared to over 25 million. Also striking is the contradiction between the authorities efforts to promote a high turnout in Putins plebiscite both with remote control systems and millions of free gifts and free tickets to events for turning out to vote while encouraging disinterest in the candidates. The Russian president has not attended any election debates, where the focus was on the West and not the Kremlin, and as the elections have approached federal TV stations have devoted minimal space to his rivals. According to Golos, the Communist Party candidate received 17 minutes in total from the six national channels over a full week, while the other two candidates got less than 10 minutes. Putin, the eternal president, appeared exultant at all hours on the screens of Russian homes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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. Tomorrow Mainly cloudy with a few showers or some drizzle, especially the first half of the day. 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. MT. PENN BOROUGH, Pa. Mount Penn officials have given the go-ahead to plans to update two buildings for the Antietam School District. The town's zoning board approved a conditional use plan to update the Mount Penn Primary and Elementary centers. The district's current plan is for students in grades three through eight to use the Elementary Center. Student in grades nine through 12 would use the Primary Center. A Mount Penn official says they hope everyone can come together after a difficult year. "We know that there's a lot of feelings about the decision that have been made on all sides, but really, our goal is to make sure that we're healing some of those divisions that exist and may exist going forward, but we're intent on trying to work the best we can with the school district going forward," said Hunter Ahrens, Mount Penn's borough manager. The school district can't use the Middle Senior High School building. It's still damaged from last summer's flooding. BETHLEHEM, Pa. The Bethlehem Planning Commission recommended denying a curative amendment related to an apartment complex Thursday night at city hall. The proposal, offered by BAHX, LLC, calls for the development of three five-story apartment buildings and one four-story building with 317 total units on a 8.74-acre-tract south of the Lehigh Shopping Center at 2300 Hanover Ave. The development, which would be known as Hanover Apartments, would straddle the Bethlehem and Allentown borders. Last year, the developer sought approval for the project, but the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board denied a variance for building length. The proposal offered a building length of 290 feet. The Limited Commercial zoning district allows 180 feet. At Thursday's meeting, BAHX claimed the ordinance "arbitrarily and unreasonably restricts" their property rights. In addition, the ordinance "is unduly restrictive and confiscatory...and interferes with petitioner's property rights with a rational relation to public safety, health and morals, or general welfare." Finally, the curative amendment contends the ordinance discriminates against BAHX to "establish a lawful permitted use" on their own property "with no rational basis for the discrimination...and violates their right to due process and equal protection." "A zoning ordinance, by its nature and by its law, has to be based or predicated on some type of benefit or protection to the public health, safety and welfare," attorney James Preston, representing the applicant, said in summarizing the amendment's premise Thursday night. "Conversely it cannot be predicated on likes or dislikes not related to the public's health, safety and welfare...There must be some connection between the protection or the advancement of the public's health, safety and welfare for a zoning ordinance provision to be valid. If the applicant can demonstrate through competent evidence that it's not rationally related to a valid public purpose, then there's a problem. How we sort that out is through the process that we're going through here now." "The first thing that we do in our findings is take a closer look at the definitions or purposes of each zoning district," Darlene Heller, the city's director of planning, said in summarizing the city's position and rationale for instituting zoning districts. "For CL, which is Limited Commercial, generally speaking the intent is that they are less intensive types of commercial uses. They are more neighborhood friendly, I would say. Uses that would not generate a nuisance and they are typically on smaller lots." Heller then placed the issue in context for the planning commission. "The thing to remember is that if this is changed in the zoning ordinance it doesn't just affect their property," she said. "It affects all properties within the CL zoning district and there are a lot of unknowns there." Residents who spoke during a public comment session said the planning commission "should consider the quality of life of the existing neighborhood" in rendering a recommendation for or against the proposal. Another neighboring resident lamented increased traffic, specifically LANTA buses and the exhaust from those buses. A challenge to the zoning ordinance is ultimately decided by city council. HELLERTOWN, Pa. Staff at Braveheart Highland Pub in Hellertown are getting geared up for what they say is the restaurant's busiest weekend. "We've definitely been decorating this pub since the beginning of March," said Madi Sheetz, bartender. "The energy is great, and it is a really good time," said Sera Heil, bartender. The pub has been busy preparing some St. Paddy's Day-inspired dishes, including corned beef and cabbage, roasted baby potatoes and homemade Irish soda bread with dates. "We have to throw some haggis on the menu, even though it is St. Patrick's Day, we are technically Scottish," Heil said. In addition to festive fare, the pub will offer some special drinks this weekend, including the "shamrock shake martini." Sheetz said they "never stop pouring Guinnesses," but they are prepared and fully stocked with beer. The restaurant already has 400 reservations for Sunday, but still has some spots left for the weekend. FLEMINGTON, N.J. - A man in Hunterdon County, New Jersey is being accused of possessing child pornography. Francisco Berrones-Galicia, 31, of Flemington, was arrested Wednesday and is charged with third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material, according to a news release from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office. A cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to an investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Offices Forensic Services Unit, the Raritan Township Police Department, and the Flemington Borough Police Department that resulted in the arrest of Berrones-Galicia, the prosecutor's office said. Berrones-Galicia was taken to the Warren County Jail and was later released onto conditional pretrial monitoring. The prosecutor's office says Berrones-Galicia could face between three and five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Egypts top diplomat made an emotional appeal Thursday for an urgent increase in humanitarian aid going into Gaza by land, even as an aid ship loaded with some 200 tons of food was on its way to the enclave, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are on the brink of starvation. The push to get food in by sea along with a recent campaign of airdrops into isolated northern Gaza highlighted the international communitys frustration with the growing humanitarian crisis and with Israel's restrictions that have prevented more aid getting in by land. Australia announced early Friday it would funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians and pledged additional money to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza. A quarter of Gazas population is starving, the United Nations has warned, and the territory's Health Ministry says more than 31,314 Palestinians have been killed. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in southern Israel during the Hamas-led incursion on Oct. 7 that sparked the war. Around 250 people were abducted, and Hamas is believed to still be holding about 100 hostages. Currently: Australia resumes funding for UNRWA and pledges more Gaza aid. Palestinian leader Abbas appoints his longtime adviser as prime minister in the face of calls for reform. The U.S. sanctions three Israeli West Bank settlers and their outposts for violence against Palestinians. Top Democrat Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Here's the latest: AUSTRALIA RESUMES FUNDING FOR UNRWA AND PROMISES MORE AID TO GAZA Australia will restore funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, weeks after the agency lost hundreds of millions of dollars in support following Israeli allegations that some of its Gaza-based staff participated in the Oct. 7 attack. The Australian government also pledged Friday to increase aid for the besieged enclave, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressing horror at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Australias move follows Sweden, the European Commission and Canada in reinstating funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which had seen its international funding frozen while the allegations were investigated. The best available current advice from agencies and the Australian government lawyers is that UNRWA is not a terrorist organization, Wong told reporters Friday in Adelaide while she announced the aid package. Wong also pledged an additional 4 million Australian dollars ($2.6 million) to UNICEF to provide urgent services in Gaza, and a C17 Globemaster plane will also deliver defense force parachutes to help with the U.S. led airdropping of humanitarian supplies into the enclave, which is on the brink of famine, according to the United Nations. US PROPOSES UN RESOLUTION TYING GAZA CEASE-FIRE TO HOSTAGE RELEASE UNITED NATIONS The U.S. has circulated the final draft of a U.N. Security Council resolution that would support international efforts to bring an immediate and sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. That would be part of a deal for the release of hostages taken captive during Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. No time has been set for a Security Council vote, and the text could still be changed. The U.S. circulated its initial draft Feb. 19, a day before it vetoed an Arab-backed and widely supported Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. The U.S. said that would interfere with negotiations on a deal to free the hostages. It was the third U.S. veto of a Security Council resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and has put the Biden administration at odds with much of the world, including many allies. The latest U.S. draft is the fifth version of the text and makes some key changes. The initial draft would have underscored that a temporary cease-fire as soon as practicable required the release of all hostages. It also said Israels planned ground offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians have sought safety, should not proceed under current circumstances. The final draft eliminates the word temporary and says the window of opportunity created by any cease-fire should be used to intensify diplomatic efforts to create conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities and lasting peace. It also drops the tough statement that Israels offensive in Rafah shouldnt go ahead. Instead, the resolution would emphasize the Security Council's concern that a ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement, potentially into neighboring countries." It says that "would have serious implications for regional peace and security. CLEARING THE DEBRIS FROM GAZA WILL TAKE YEARS, UN OFFICIALS SAY UNITED NATIONS U.N. humanitarian officials are warning that it will take years to clear away the nearly 23 million metric tons of debris from the destruction of buildings across Gaza and get rid of unexploded ordnance. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric delivered the assessment Thursday, pointing to Israeli airstrikes after Hamas Oct. 7 invasion of southern Israel that have destroyed residential buildings as well as other property. In January, experts said the Israeli military campaign ranks among the most destructive in recent history. In just over two months, researchers said the offensive has wreaked more destruction than the razing of Syrias Aleppo between 2012 and 2016, Ukraines Mariupol or, proportionally, the Allied bombing of Germany in World War II. According to an analysis of Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data at that time, Israels offensive had likely either damaged or destroyed over two-thirds of all structures in northern Gaza and a quarter of buildings in the southern area of Khan Younis. Since then, the offensive and airstrikes have continued. Achim Steiner, the head of the U.N. Development Program which has staff in Gaza, told reporters Wednesday that when the war ends, it will take years, if not decades to reconstruct Gaza. He said UNDP is focusing on trying to develop early recovery projects for when the fighting stops that will revive peoples livelihoods so they can start earning some income, start rebuilding essential infrastructure to supply water and electricity and provide sanitation, and begin to clear the enormous amount of debris and unexploded ordnance. DANISH OFFICIAL SAYS THAT DESPITE ACCUSATIONS, THERE'S CURRENTLY NO GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO UNRWA COPENHAGEN, Denmark Denmark said Thursday it has paid its contribution of 105 million kroner ($15.4 million) to the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians, weeks after the agency lost hundreds of millions of dollars in funding following Israeli accusations against some of its staff in Gaza. The accusations come after years of tensions between Israel and the agency known as UNRWA over its work in Gaza, where it employs roughly 13,000 people. Israel has accused 12 of UNRWAs employees of taking part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that set off the war. In response, more than a dozen countries suspended funding to UNRWA, amounting to about $450 million almost half its budget for the year. Dan Jrgensen, Denmarks minister for development cooperation, said that there is currently no alternative to UNRWA in Gaza. The accusations against UNRWA have pointed out a number of organizational weaknesses around UNRWAs control mechanisms, he said. "In the longer term, it will be absolutely crucial that important reform measures are initiated in the organization. In the same statement, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen described UNWRA as an indispensable player right now. It is probably too much to hope that all the weak points of the organization have disappeared, but the management has initiated a number of measures to restore trust, he said. The U.N. has condemned the abhorrent alleged acts and fired nine of the accused UNRWA workers, who include teachers and a social worker. Two are reportedly dead, and the last is still being identified. Denmark's announcement follows similar decisions from Sweden, the European Union and Canada, the Danish government said. GAZA'S HEALTH MINISTRY SAYS ISRAEL'S ASSAULT ON THE TERRITORY HAS KILLED 31,314 PEOPLE RAFAH, Gaza Strip Gazas Health Ministry said on Thursday that Israels assault on the territory has killed 31,314 Palestinians and wounded more than 73,100. The ministry says around two-thirds of the dead are women and children and that the real overall toll is higher because bodies are buried under the rubble or in areas that medics cant access amid Israels ground offensive and bombardment. The ministrys count does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israel blames the high civilian death toll on Hamas because the militants fight in dense, residential areas. The Israeli military says it has killed over 13,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence. ISRAELI POLICE SAY MILITANT STABS MAN AT A HIGHWAY REST STOP IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli police say a man was stabbed and critically wounded in a militant attack at a highway rest stop in southern Israel on Thursday. The police say the attacker was subdued, without providing further information on his condition or identity. The attack came amid heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began this week. The Hamas militant group has called on Palestinians to attack Israelis during the holy month. On Wednesday, a Palestinian stabbed two security forces at a checkpoint south of Jerusalem before being shot and killed. Israeli police say at least 3,000 security personnel will be deployed across Jerusalem during the first Friday prayers of Ramadan, where tens of thousands of Palestinians are expected to pray at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam. The site is the holiest for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount because it was the location of the Jewish temples in antiquity. It has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Violence has surged in the occupied West Bank since Hamas Oct. 7 attack triggered the war in Gaza. EGYPT'S TOP DIPLOMAT MAKES AN URGENT APPEAL TO INCREASE GAZA AID THROUGH LAND CROSSINGS CAIRO Egypts top diplomat on Thursday appealed for an urgent increase in the amount of humanitarian aid going into besieged Gaza through land crossings, adding that people in the devastated territory cannot wait until a U.S. planned temporary port to be built for sea shipments. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry spoke as U.S. military representatives were expected in Israel this week to further coordinate a planned U.S. floating pier that will be built off the coast of Gaza. The United States and other countries have also been airdropping food into northern Gaza in recent weeks to help alleviate the crisis. But aid groups said air drops and bringing sea shipments are far less efficient and effective than bringing in food by land routes, which Israel has severely restricted. Shoukry said the sea port is expected to be completed in two months. "What shall we do during those two months? Shall more children continue to die until this port is constructed, he asked during a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares in Cairo. President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military last week to set up a temporary port off the coast of Gaza to carve out a sea route for food and other aid. Pentagon has said the construction of a massive floating pier will take weeks and require as many as 1,000 US troops. We should be realistic in dealing with the situation and we cannot afford any delay, said Shourky. What we have at our disposal now are land crossings. He insisted that Israel should be held accountable for restricting the passage of aid to Gaza, urging it to allow relief assistance through all six border crossings with the strip. Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data Ukraine has about a month before it runs out of artillery shells, and the U.S. Congress cannot agree to ship more. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is dead. The slaughter in Gaza continues with no end in sight. The Yemeni Houthis are attacking ships in the Red Sea. The North Koreans are testing intercontinental ballistic missiles. In normal times, pessimism can look like an intellectual fad. In times like these, it becomes a starker form of realism. The post-1945 world order written into international law, ratified by the United Nations, and kept in place by the balance of nuclear terror among major powers is hanging by a thread. The United States is divided against itself and stretched to the limits of its capabilities. Europe is waking up to the possibility that, come November, America may no longer fulfill its collective-defense obligations under Article 5 of the NATO treaty. Faced with this new uncertainty, Europe is cranking up its defense production, and European politicians are screwing up the courage to persuade their electorates that they will need to ante up 2% of their GDP to guarantee their own safety. The Western alliance doesnt just face the challenge of doubling down on defense while maintaining unity across the Atlantic. It also now faces an axis of resistance that might be tempted to threaten Western hegemony with a simultaneous, coordinated challenge. The lynchpin of this axis is the Russia-China no-limits partnership. While the Chinese supply the Russians with advanced circuitry for their weapons systems, Russian President Vladimir Putin ships them cheap oil. Together they have imposed autocratic rule over most of Eurasia. If Ukraines exhausted defenders are forced to concede Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the Donbas region, the Eurasian axis of dictators will have succeeded in changing a European land frontier by force. Achieving this will threaten every state on the edge of Eurasia: Taiwan, the Baltic countries, and even Poland. Both dictatorial regimes will use their vetoes on the U.N. Security Council to ratify conquest, effectively consigning the U.N. Charter to historys dustbin. This partnership of dictators works in tandem with a cluster of rights-abusing renegades, led by Iran and North Korea. The North Koreans provide Putin with artillery shells while plotting to invade the rest of their peninsula. The Iranians manufacture the drones that terrorize Ukrainians in their trenches. Meanwhile, Irans proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are helping Russia and China by tying down America and Israel. Unless the U.S. can force Israel into a long-term ceasefire, it will find itself struggling to control conflicts on three fronts (Asia, Europe, and the Middle East). Not even a country that outspends its rivals on defense by two to one can maintain a war footing simultaneously across so many theaters. The idea that democracies around the world will join up with America and Europe against the authoritarian threat seems like an illusion. Instead of joining with the embattled democracies of the Global North, the rising democracies of the Global South Brazil, India, and South Africa seem unembarrassed to be aligning with regimes that rely on mass repression, the cantonment of entire populations (the Uighurs in China), and shameless murder (Navalny being only the most recent example). To be sure, the authoritarian axis currently is united only by what it opposes: American power. It is otherwise divided by its ultimate interests. The Chinese, for example, cannot be overjoyed that the Houthis are blocking freight traffic through the Red Sea. The worlds second most powerful economy doesnt have all that much in common with an impoverished Muslim resistance army or with theocratic Iran. Moreover, both Russia and China remain parasitic beneficiaries of a global economy that is sustained by U.S. alliances and deterrence. That is why they still hesitate to challenge the hegemon too directly. However, like sharks, they smell blood in the water. They have not only survived U.S. sanctions but continued to prosper, replacing their dependence on embargoed markets with new markets in Latin America, Asia, and India. Both Russia and China have discovered that American control of the global economy is not what it once was. This discovery of American weakness might tempt them to risk a joint military challenge. As matters stand, U.S. diplomacy and deterrence have successfully kept the axis divided. CIA Director William Burns and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan are keeping the channels open to China. Blowback American strikes against Iran have apparently convinced the theocrats to rein in Hezbollah and the militias in Iraq though not the Houthis, whom nobody seems able to control. It doesnt take strategic genius to see the opportunity China and Russia might be contemplating. If they decided to mount an overt challenge to the American order for example, with a coordinated, simultaneous offensive against Ukraine and Taiwan the U.S. would struggle to rush weapons and technology into the breach. Nuclear weapons would not necessarily deter China and Russia from risking a coordinated attempt to take Taiwan and the rest of Ukraine. All parties would pay a horrendous price, but Russia has shown what it is willing to expend in Ukraine, and both China and Russia may believe that there will never be a more opportune moment to overthrow American hegemony. If they were to combine forces, we would face the most serious challenge to the global economic and strategic order since 1945. Nobody has any idea what the world would be like on the other side of such a confrontation. We cannot even assume, as we have always done, that America would prevail if faced with a simultaneous challenge from two formidable powers. If a pessimist is someone who imagines the worst in order to forestall it, we should all be pessimists. Keeping the authoritarian axis from becoming a full-fledged alliance should be Americas first-order priority. Michael Ignatieff, Professor of History and Rector Emeritus of Central European University in Vienna, is a former Canadian politician and author of "On Consolation: Finding Solace in Dark Times" (Metropolitan Books, 2021) and "Isaiah Berlin: A Life" (Pushkin Press, 2023). Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2024. www.project-syndicate.org DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have a new, hypersonic missile in their arsenal, Russia's state media reported Thursday, potentially raising the stakes in their ongoing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways against the backdrop of Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The report by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited an unnamed official but provided no evidence for the claim. It comes as Moscow maintains an aggressively counter-Western foreign policy amid its grinding war on Ukraine. However, the Houthis have for weeks hinted about surprises they plan for the battles at sea to counter the United States and its allies, which have so far been able to down any missile or bomb-carrying drone that comes near their warships in Mideast waters. Meanwhile, Iran and the U.S. reportedly held indirect talks in Oman, the first in months amid their long-simmering tensions over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program and attacks by its proxies. Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, claims to have a hypersonic missile and has widely armed the rebels with the missiles they now use. Adding a hypersonic missile to their arsenal could pose a more formidable challenge to the air defense systems employed by America and its allies, including Israel. What is a hypersonic missile? The groups missile forces have successfully tested a missile that is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and runs on solid fuel," a military official close to the Houthis said, according to the RIA report. The Houthis intend to begin manufacturing it for use during attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel. Mach 8 is eight times the speed of sound. Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds higher than Mach 5, could pose crucial challenges to missile defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability. Ballistic missiles fly on a trajectory in which anti-missile systems like the U.S.-made Patriot can anticipate their path and intercept them. The more irregular the missiles flight path, such as a hypersonic missile with the ability to change directions, the more difficult it becomes to intercept. China is believed to be pursuing the weapons, as is America. Russia claims it has already used them. In Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi rebels' secretive supreme leader, boasted about the rebels' weapons efforts at the end of February, saying: We have surprises that the enemies do not expect at all." A week ago, he similarly warned: What is coming is greater. The enemy ... will see the level of achievements of strategic importance that place our country in its capabilities among the limited and numbered countries in this world, al-Houthi said, without elaborating. After seizing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Houthis ransacked government arsenals, which held Soviet-era Scud missiles and other arms. As the Saudi-led coalition entered Yemen's conflict on behalf of its exiled government in 2015, the Houthis' arsenal was increasingly targeted. Soon and despite Yemen having no indigenous missile manufacturing infrastructure newer missiles made their way into rebel hands. Iran also claims to have hypersonic weapon Iran long has denied arming the Houthis, likely because of a yearslong United Nations arms embargo on the rebels. However, the U.S. and its allies have seized multiple arms shipments bound for the rebels in Mideast waters. Weapons experts as well have tied Houthi arms seized on the battlefield back to Iran. Iran also now claims to have a hypersonic weapon. In June, Iran unveiled its Fattah, or Conqueror in Farsi, missile, which it described as being a hypersonic. It described another as being in development. Iran's mission to the U.N. did not respond to a request for comment Thursday, nor did the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, which patrols Mideast waterways. Israel's military which also has come under Houthi fire since the war against Hamas erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage declined to comment. US, Iran hold talks over attacks Also Thursday, The Financial Times reported that the U.S. and Iran held indirect talks in Oman in January that America hoped would curtail the Red Sea attacks. The last known round of such talks had come last May. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency indirectly acknowledged the talks but insisted they were merely limited to negotiations on lifting anti-Iran sanctions. The U.S. State Department did not deny the January talks took place in a statement to The Associated Press, saying: We have many channels for passing messages to Iran. Since Oct. 7, all of (the communications) have been focused on raising the full range of threats emanating from Iran and the need for Iran to cease its across-the-board escalation, it added. The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end the war in Gaza, which has seen over 31,000 Palestinians killed in the besieged strip. The ships attacked, however, have increasingly had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. But the assaults have raised the profile of the Houthis, whose Zaydi people ruled a 1,000-year kingdom in Yemen up until 1962. Adding a new weapon increases that cachet and puts more pressure on Israel after a cease-fire deal failed to take hold in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Earlier in March, a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel. It marked their first fatal attack by the Houthis on shipping. Other recent Houthi actions include an attack last month on a cargo ship carrying fertilizer, the Rubymar, which later sank after drifting for several days. A new suspected Houthi attack targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, but missed the vessel and caused no damage, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said he wouldnt be surprised if Iran transferred a new, hypersonic weapon to the Houthis. However, the question is how maneuverable such a weapon would be at hypersonic speeds and whether it could hit moving targets, like ships in the Red Sea. I wouldnt exclude the possibility that the Houthis have some system that has some maneuvering capability to some extent, Hinz said. It is also possible for the Iranians to transfer new stuff for the Houthis to test it. Launch of Irish Tech Challenge SA 2024 ignites innovation The Tech Challenge seeks to foster partnerships between South African and Irish startups. Launched by the Irish Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien T.D., as part of a visit to South Africa to mark St Patricks Day, the Tech Challenge is a partnership between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency, along with implementing partners, Wits Universitys Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct (South Africa) and Dogpatch Labs in Ireland. Speaking at the launch which took place at Tshimologong in Braamfontein, O Brien said: "I am delighted to officially launch this years Irish Tech Challenge, and to announce the expansion of the programme with an increase in the number of entrepreneurs to take part. Ireland is committed to deepening trade and investment relations with South Africa. This includes the promotion of entrepreneurship among women and young people from backgrounds of historical disadvantage. Our partnership with the South African government on the Irish Tech Challenge reminds us of the crucial role of technology and innovation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and inclusive economic growth. Building on the success of previous editions, the 2024 Tech Challenge aims to accelerate the growth of South African-owned, tech startups aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Companies in clean and green technology, healthcare, education, and water sanitation and hygiene are particularly encouraged to apply, as part of the Tech Challenges aim to address pressing global challenges while promoting economic development and job creation in South Africa. The 2024 Tech Challenge will see an expansion with an increase of the number of winners to seven. The selected seven startups will receive a range of benefits, including 10,000 each in grant funding, a curated 10-day trip to Ireland to access global customers and partners, Irelands top tech expertise and business acceleration, and increased visibility through support from both Irish and South African governments. Hesus Inoma, the Dogpatch Labs EIR comments: "The Irish Tech Challenge offers more than a prize. It offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to catapult their business from the vibrant South African Ecosystem to a leading EU Tech Hub representing a leap towards international recognition and footprint." OBrien was welcomed at Tshimologong by Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, the Vice Chancellor of Wits University, who reaffirmed the University's dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Vilakazi emphasised the pivotal role of the Tshimologong Precinct in nurturing startups, positioning it as a key contributor to their growth and development. Wits is committed to supporting the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, exemplified by its active participation and coordination in initiatives like the Tech Challenge, which greatly benefits the startup community. The launch event emphasised the importance of collaboration between governments, academia, and the private sector in driving innovation and economic growth. It highlighted the role of initiatives like the Irish Tech Challenge in creating a conducive environment for startups to thrive and succeed. Chief Director for Overseas Bilateral Cooperation at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Anneline Morgan, welcomed the 2024 instalment of the Irish Tech Challenge, expressing South Africas commitment to bilateral relations with Ireland on science and innovation. This initiative underscores the two countries commitment to fostering innovation and driving technological advancement. Programmes like this provide a platform for aspiring technologists and entrepreneurs to showcase their talent, collaborate on groundbreaking projects, and contribute to the growth of tech ecosystems in both countries, said Morgan. By nurturing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to drive economic growth and address the socio-economic challenges of the country through science and innovation. South Africa's Decadal Plan on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) typically sets out strategic priorities, goals, and initiatives for advancing STI over a 10-year-period. These plans are designed to complement and support the objectives outlined in the National Development Plan. The DSI encourages all participants to seize this opportunity, embrace the spirit of collaboration, and unleash their potential to shape a brighter future for the two countries and beyond, said Morgan. In line with its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa encourages applications from women, young entrepreneurs, and historically disadvantaged communities. By providing a platform for underrepresented groups to showcase their innovations, the challenge aims to create a more inclusive and equitable tech ecosystem. As the Irish Tech Challenge 2024 sets off on its journey, it marks a new phase of innovation and collaboration in South Africa. With a focus on sustainability, social impact, and economic development, the challenge promises to catalyse positive change and work towards a brighter future. Applications opened today, 15 March 2024, and close on the 26th of April 2024. An information session will be held in early April. For more information including how to apply, visit www.irishtechchallenge.com First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services decreased its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 1.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 31,668 shares of the companys stock after selling 537 shares during the period. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $4,964,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. RPG Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. RPG Investment Advisory LLC now owns 4,876 shares of the companys stock valued at $807,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. TX grew its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. TX now owns 5,744 shares of the companys stock valued at $951,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. FIDELIS iM LLC grew its position in Johnson & Johnson by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. FIDELIS iM LLC now owns 2,117 shares of the companys stock worth $374,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. TFG Advisers LLC grew its position in Johnson & Johnson by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 18,330 shares of the companys stock worth $2,855,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,880 shares of the companys stock worth $293,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.40% of the companys stock. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Insider Transactions at Johnson & Johnson In other news, major shareholder & Johnson Johnson sold 3,725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.81, for a total transaction of $96,142.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,099,575 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $105,810,030.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Johnson & Johnson news, major shareholder & Johnson Johnson sold 3,725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.81, for a total value of $96,142.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 4,099,575 shares in the company, valued at approximately $105,810,030.75. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Jennifer L. Taubert sold 59,397 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.27, for a total transaction of $9,281,969.19. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 141,416 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,099,078.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance NYSE:JNJ traded down $2.15 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $158.95. The stock had a trading volume of 3,584,917 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,009,365. Johnson & Johnson has a 1-year low of $144.95 and a 1-year high of $175.97. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $159.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $157.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $382.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.67, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.53. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $2.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.01. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 37.79% and a return on equity of 37.27%. The firm had revenue of $21.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.35 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a dividend of $1.19 per share. This represents a $4.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is 34.47%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently commented on JNJ shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Raymond James upped their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $172.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. UBS Group upgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $167.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $181.00 price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued 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 Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $177.31. Get Our Latest Research Report on Johnson & Johnson About Johnson & Johnson (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Without fear, the evolution of life would have been impossible. Any threat triggers states of alarm that protect through two alternative reactions, flight or fight. Present throughout human history, in advanced modern societies the situations in which it appears are reduced to extremes such as personal violence (rape, robbery, kidnapping) or collective violence (war, civil conflict). In people with post-traumatic stress disorder, this dread often reappears even when there is no longer a threat. Now, a group of scientists has discovered what happens in the brain to cause the distress to return. In the future, this could be the basis for a drug therapy against fear. Based on what is known about conditioned fear, based on a real threat, researchers at the University of California, San Diego sought the chemical basis of generalized fear, in which there is no objective situation of danger. To do so, they studied the parts of the brain involved in this state, in particular two regions of the brain stem at the base of the brain (the periaqueductal gray and the dorsal raphe nucleus). They did this in mice, a model that allows extrapolations to human organs. In these regions there are clusters of serotonergic neurons that, by releasing this neurotransmitter, regulate an infinite number of basic processes, such as states of alertness and wakefulness, hunger, fear.... What they did was to observe the activity in these neuronal areas while performing a series of experiments in which they subjected rodents to shocks of different intensities on their paws. We discovered that after acute stress, certain nerve cells in the dorsal region of the raphe change the molecules (neurotransmitters) they use to send signals to other nerve cells, explains Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind researcher and senior author of this research, Nick Spitzer. Specifically, they saw a change in the neurotransmitters released by the neurons, changing one of them, glutamate, to another one called -aminobutyric acid and known by its acronym, GABA. This change causes these neurons to inhibit the cells they make connections with, rather than excite the cells they make connections with, he adds. The consequence of this reversal of signaling is that the mice had generalized fear, to environments other than the one in which they experienced the acute stress. The research, published in the scientific journal Science, went a step further by looking for a correlate in humans. To do so, the researchers analyzed samples from a dozen deceased people, half of them with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the others as a control group. They found that the brain stem tissues of the individuals with PTSD showed a marked decrease in the number of neurons that, in addition to serotonin, expressed glutamate. Specifically, up to 26.12% and, in parallel, a reduced increase of only 6.5% of those co-expressing serotonin and GABA. The authors emphasize that many more studies will have to be done, with larger samples, but the replication in humans (although with tissues in the laboratory), led them to seek how to block this exchange of neurotransmitters. Then they went back to the mice. The researchers found a way to stop the production of this generalized fear. To do this, before the mice were hit on the paws and thus experienced acute stress, they injected into the dorsal raphe of a group of rodents an adenovirus to suppress the gene responsible for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter GABA. They succeeded in preventing the mice from acquiring generalized fear. But most exciting was the discovery that immediate administration of an antidepressant drug, fluoxetine, succeeded in preventing the change in signaling molecules, thus preventing the onset of generalized fear in mice, Spitzer emphasizes. Fluoxetine is the active ingredient of a famous drug, Prozac. What they found is that the mice that received an injection of this drug just after the shocks not only had that exchange of glutamate for GABA, but did not become paralyzed in the different situations in which they were placed to induce fear. What could this mean? This research raises the possibility of quickly administering fluoxetine to people after a very bad and terrifying experience, to prevent them from acquiring generalized fear, concludes the American neuroscientist. The head of the Neurology department at the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in Madrid, Alberto Villarejo, emphasizes that this is basic science research. Fear is a physiological protective mechanism of animals and humans in the face of a threat, he underscores. But on certain occasions and in certain people, this complex mechanism is triggered in situations that are not really threatening. And we dont know why. Cultural differences intervene. Poverty and the fear of it generates more anxiety in countries like the United States than in others where material things are not so highly valued, notes Villarejo. The personality of each individual also plays a role, how they deal with problems. Another element is the possible genetic influence and, finally, the neuronal connections through neurotransmitters. The most extreme cases are those tied to post-traumatic stress disorder caused by situations of extreme violence such as terrorist attacks or wars. Thats when this generalized fear can emerge, triggered by unrelated stimuli, says Villarejo, who notes that Prozac is already being used as treatment, but that psychotherapy remains fundamental. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services reduced its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report) by 1.9% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 49,619 shares of the companys stock after selling 985 shares during the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. accounts for 1.4% of First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $5,409,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 180.2% during the 3rd quarter. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. now owns 311 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. TFO Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 108.1% in the 3rd quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 464 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 241 shares during the period. Ameliora Wealth Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. VitalStone Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $56,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter valued at about $73,000. 74.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MRK has been the subject of several research reports. TD Cowen upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $125.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. TheStreet cut shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a b+ rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. StockNews.com raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Societe Generale cut shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a hold rating to a sell rating and set a $104.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $129.14. Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance Shares of MRK stock traded down $1.54 on Thursday, hitting $119.85. 5,648,199 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,806,469. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $303.54 billion, a PE ratio of 872.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 0.37. Merck & Co., Inc. has a one year low of $99.14 and a one year high of $130.24. The firms 50 day moving average is $123.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $111.47. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.09) by $0.12. The company had revenue of $14.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.49 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 9.33% and a net margin of 0.61%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.62 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 8.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.77 per share. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Merck & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is presently 2,200.00%. Insider Buying and Selling at Merck & Co., Inc. In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 50,694 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.65, for a total transaction of $6,420,395.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,619 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,991,346.35. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 50,694 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.65, for a total transaction of $6,420,395.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 23,619 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,991,346.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph Romanelli sold 1,000 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.89, for a total value of $124,890.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 19,569 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,443,972.41. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile (Free Report) Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes under the Keytruda, Bridion, Adempas, Lagevrio, Belsomra, Simponi, and Januvia brands, as well as vaccine products consisting of preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines under the Gardasil/Gardasil 9, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, RotaTeq, Live Oral, Vaxneuvance, Pneumovax 23, and Vaqta names. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lynch & Associates IN reduced its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 3.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 58,424 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 2,026 shares during the quarter. Abbott Laboratories comprises about 1.6% of Lynch & Associates INs holdings, making the stock its 19th largest position. Lynch & Associates INs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $6,431,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. Halpern Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. CGC Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. 73.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories In other Abbott Laboratories news, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 18,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,223,060. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total transaction of $4,781,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly 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 accessible through this link. Also, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 472 shares of the 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 56,435 shares of company stock valued at $6,451,298 over the last 90 days. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on ABT. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.00. Read Our Latest Report on Abbott Laboratories Abbott Laboratories Trading Down 4.6 % ABT traded down $5.44 on Friday, reaching $113.41. 10,478,892 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,124,313. The companys 50 day moving average is $115.35 and its 200-day moving average is $105.78. The company has a market cap of $196.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.47, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $89.67 and a twelve month high of $121.64. 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 (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.65%. The company had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.03 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current year. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.48%. About Abbott Laboratories (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) Senior Officer Jay Ellery Froc sold 3,240 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$99.79, for a total value of C$323,319.60. Canadian Natural Resources Stock Performance Shares of CNQ stock traded down C$1.10 during trading on Friday, reaching C$98.51. 9,834,871 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,087,831. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.01. The stock has a market capitalization of C$105.41 billion, a PE ratio of 13.29, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.98. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a twelve month low of C$67.13 and a twelve month high of C$99.96. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$88.03 and its 200-day moving average price is C$87.88. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.26%. Canadian Natural Resourcess payout ratio is 51.54%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently weighed in on CNQ. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$100.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$95.00 to C$86.00 in a report on Thursday, December 14th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$105.00 to C$110.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. National Bankshares lifted their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$94.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from C$102.00 to C$106.00 in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Canadian Natural Resources currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$98.65. Get Our Latest Stock Report on CNQ About Canadian Natural Resources (Get Free Report) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Read More Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centre Asset Management LLC lowered its position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 12.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,672 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,348 shares during the period. Centre Asset Management LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $3,469,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,419 shares of the companys stock valued at $645,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares in the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 14.6% during the 3rd quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 94,424 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,772,000 after buying an additional 12,016 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,003,260 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,298,184,000 after buying an additional 131,339 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 26.9% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 10,823,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,642,339,000 after buying an additional 2,293,824 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wambolt & Associates LLC raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wambolt & Associates LLC now owns 19,736 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,995,000 after buying an additional 1,024 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Stock Performance NYSE PG traded down $0.57 on Friday, reaching $160.93. 4,503,531 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,910,579. The Procter & Gamble Company has a one year low of $141.45 and a one year high of $162.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $378.67 billion, a PE ratio of 26.89, a PEG ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.44. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $156.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $151.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.60% and a return on equity of 34.04%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.59 earnings per share. Analysts expect that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th were given a dividend of $0.9407 per share. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 18th. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is currently 62.98%. Analysts Set New Price Targets PG has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.41. View Our Latest Report on Procter & Gamble Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 22,000 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total transaction of $3,549,040.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 36,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,943,835.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,097,637.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 22,000 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total value of $3,549,040.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 36,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,943,835.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 279,063 shares of company stock valued at $43,187,745. 0.17% of the stock is owned by corporate 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CGN Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Capital Group Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:CGGR Free Report) by 14.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 14,934 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,881 shares during the period. CGN Advisors LLCs holdings in Capital Group Growth ETF were worth $422,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CGGR. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Capital Group Growth ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $351,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Capital Group Growth ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $1,109,000. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in Capital Group Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth $209,000. Capital International Investors acquired a new position in Capital Group Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth $25,035,000. Finally, UBS Group AG acquired a new position in Capital Group Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $492,000. Get Capital Group Growth ETF alerts: Capital Group Growth ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA CGGR traded down $0.14 on Friday, reaching $31.21. The company had a trading volume of 286,937 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,225,686. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.26 and a beta of 1.09. Capital Group Growth ETF has a 1-year low of $20.91 and a 1-year high of $31.91. The companys fifty day moving average is $29.83 and its 200-day moving average is $27.19. Capital Group Growth ETF Company Profile The Capital Group Growth ETF (CGGR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests predominantly in US companies of any market capitalization. The fund seeks to provide capital growth. CGGR was launched on Feb 22, 2022 and is managed by Capital Group. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Capital Group Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital Group Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Czech National Bank lowered its stake in Aon plc (NYSE:AON Free Report) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,067 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 389 shares during the period. Czech National Banks holdings in AON were worth $10,205,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in AON by 17.3% in the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 590 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $191,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR raised its stake in shares of AON by 4.9% during the second quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 38,046 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,134,000 after acquiring an additional 1,788 shares in the last quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of AON by 45.1% during the third quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 15,663 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,081,000 after acquiring an additional 4,872 shares in the last quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its stake in AON by 78.0% in the third quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 397 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $129,000 after buying an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its stake in AON by 5.8% in the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 4,429,362 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,529,014,000 after buying an additional 243,371 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.45% of the companys stock. Get AON alerts: Insider Transactions at AON In related news, CFO Christa Davies sold 20,618 shares of AON stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $311.40, for a total value of $6,420,445.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 159,570 shares in the company, valued at approximately $49,690,098. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Michael Neller sold 750 shares of AON stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $312.00, for a total transaction of $234,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,869 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,207,128. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Christa Davies sold 20,618 shares of AON stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $311.40, for a total transaction of $6,420,445.20. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 159,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at $49,690,098. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 74,532 shares of company stock worth $23,335,805 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.15% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of AON from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $351.00 to $321.00 in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of AON from $304.00 to $295.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of AON from $306.00 to $326.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of AON from $350.00 to $310.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of AON from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $328.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AON currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $336.36. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AON AON Price Performance AON stock traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $320.50. The companys stock had a trading volume of 380,954 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,016,059. The stock has a market cap of $63.55 billion, a PE ratio of 25.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 61.66. Aon plc has a fifty-two week low of $284.12 and a fifty-two week high of $347.37. The companys 50 day moving average is $307.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $317.29. AON (NYSE:AON Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The financial services provider reported $3.89 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.07 by ($0.18). The firm had revenue of $3.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.36 billion. AON had a net margin of 19.17% and a negative return on equity of 1,150.40%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.89 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Aon plc will post 15.77 EPS for the current year. AON Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 1st were issued a dividend of $0.615 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 31st. This represents a $2.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.77%. AONs dividend payout ratio is currently 19.71%. AON Profile (Free Report) Aon plc, a professional services firm, provides a range of risk and human capital solutions worldwide. It offers commercial risk solutions, including retail brokerage, specialty solutions, global risk consulting and captives management, and affinity programs; and health solutions, such as health and benefits brokerages, and health care exchanges. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AON? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aon plc (NYSE:AON Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for AON Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AON and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ero Copper Corp. (TSE:ERO Free Report) Research analysts at National Bank Financial issued their Q1 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Ero Copper in a report issued on Sunday, March 10th. National Bank Financial analyst S. Nagle anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.19 for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Ero Coppers current full-year earnings is $1.83 per share. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Ero Coppers FY2025 earnings at $3.86 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $3.48 EPS. Get Ero Copper alerts: ERO has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Ero Copper from C$30.00 to C$22.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 17th. TD Securities lifted their target price on shares of Ero Copper from C$24.00 to C$25.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, March 8th. Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their target price on shares of Ero Copper from C$29.00 to C$27.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 12th. Eight Capital set a C$23.50 target price on shares of Ero Copper and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Ero Copper from C$28.00 to C$25.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$24.92. Ero Copper Stock Up 0.4 % Shares of TSE ERO opened at C$24.68 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$21.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$21.20. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.70, a P/E/G ratio of -0.72 and a beta of 2.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.09, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.43. Ero Copper has a 1 year low of C$15.72 and a 1 year high of C$32.12. Ero Copper Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ero Copper Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of mining projects in Brazil. The company engages in the production and sale of copper concentrate from the Caraiba operations, located within the Curaca Valley, northeastern Bahia state, as well as gold and silver by-products. It also holds a 99.6% interest in the Tucuma project, a copper development project located within southeastern Para state; and holds a 97.6% interest in the Xavantina Operations located in Mato Grosso state. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ero Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ero Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. (NYSE:AVAL Get Free Report) fell 3.9% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $2.19 and last traded at $2.20. 148,563 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 118% from the average session volume of 68,273 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.29. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Stock Down 3.9 % The stock has a market capitalization of $2.61 billion, a PE ratio of 37.33 and a beta of 1.10. The firms fifty day moving average is $2.55 and its 200-day moving average is $2.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Get Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores alerts: Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 8th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 31st were given a $0.0147 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 6.77%. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valoress dividend payout ratio is presently 283.33%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores About Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of AVAL. Creative Planning purchased a new position in shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 2,216.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 15,962 shares of the banks stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 15,273 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the 4th quarter valued at about $53,000. Finally, Stokes Family Office LLC raised its position in shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 31,000 shares of the banks stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 12,500 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.25% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores SA provides a range of financial services and products to public and private sector customers in Colombia and Central America. It offers traditional deposit services and products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and other deposits. The company also provides commercial loans comprising general purpose loans, working capital loans, leases, loans funded by development banks, corporate credit cards, and overdraft loans; consumer loans, such as payroll loans, personal loans, automobile and other vehicle loans, credit cards, overdrafts, leases, and general purpose loans; and microcredit and mortgage loans. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Piedmont Office Realty Trust (NYSE:PDM Get Free Report) and WeWork (NYSE:WEWKQ 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 dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership. Insider & Institutional Ownership 84.7% of Piedmont Office Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of Piedmont Office Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.0% of WeWork shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Piedmont Office Realty Trust alerts: Volatility and Risk Piedmont Office Realty Trust has a beta of 1.14, suggesting that its share price is 14% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, WeWork has a beta of 1.44, suggesting that its share price is 44% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Piedmont Office Realty Trust -8.38% -2.72% -1.18% WeWork -48.69% N/A -9.59% Analyst Ratings This table compares Piedmont Office Realty Trust and WeWorks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Piedmont Office Realty Trust and WeWork, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Piedmont Office Realty Trust 0 0 0 0 N/A WeWork 0 0 0 0 N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares Piedmont Office Realty Trust and WeWorks top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Piedmont Office Realty Trust $577.76 million 1.34 -$48.39 million ($0.40) -15.67 WeWork $3.25 billion 0.00 -$2.03 billion ($75.60) 0.00 Piedmont Office Realty Trust has higher earnings, but lower revenue than WeWork. Piedmont Office Realty Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than WeWork, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Piedmont Office Realty Trust beats WeWork on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Piedmont Office Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (also referred to herein as "Piedmont" or the "Company") (NYSE: PDM) is an owner, manager, developer, redeveloper and operator of high-quality, Class A office properties located primarily in major U.S. Sunbelt markets. The Company is a fully-integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") with local management offices in each of its markets and is investment-grade rated by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. The Company was designated an Energy Star Partner of the Year for 2021, 2022 and 2023, and it was the only office REIT headquartered in the Southeast to receive those designations. Approximately 85% of the Company's square footage is Energy Star certified and nearly 70% is LEED certified. Piedmont is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. About WeWork (Get Free Report) WeWork Inc. provides flexible workspace solutions to individuals and organizations worldwide. The company offers workstation, private office, and customized floor solutions; and various amenities and services, such as private phone booths, internet, high-speed business printers and copiers, mail and package handling, front desk services, off-peak building access, common areas, and daily enhanced cleaning solutions. It also provides various value-add services; business and technical service solutions, including professional employer organization and payroll services, remote workforce solutions, human resources benefits, dedicated bandwidth, and IT equipment co-location solutions. In addition, the company offers WeWork All Access, a monthly subscription-based model that allows members to book workspaces, conference rooms, and private offices; WeWork On Demand, which enables users with pay-as-you-go access to book individual workspace or conference rooms at nearby WeWork locations; and WeWork Workplace, a turnkey workspace management solution for landlords, operators, and enterprises. WeWork Inc. was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in New York, New York. On November 6, 2023, WeWork Inc., along with its affiliates, filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. Receive News & Ratings for Piedmont Office Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Piedmont Office Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Construction Bank (OTCMKTS:CICHF Get Free Report) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares China Construction Bank and Toronto-Dominion Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get China Construction Bank alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets China Construction Bank N/A N/A N/A Toronto-Dominion Bank 11.16% 14.15% 0.75% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations for China Construction Bank and Toronto-Dominion Bank, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score China Construction Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Toronto-Dominion Bank 0 5 2 0 2.29 Institutional and Insider Ownership Toronto-Dominion Bank has a consensus price target of $89.33, suggesting a potential upside of 48.74%. Given Toronto-Dominion Banks higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Toronto-Dominion Bank is more favorable than China Construction Bank. 6.7% of China Construction Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 51.5% of Toronto-Dominion Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Toronto-Dominion Bank shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Dividends China Construction Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 46.1%. Toronto-Dominion Bank pays an annual dividend of $2.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. China Construction Bank pays out 33.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Toronto-Dominion Bank pays out 45.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. China Construction Bank is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Valuation & Earnings This table compares China Construction Bank and Toronto-Dominion Banks top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio China Construction Bank N/A N/A N/A $0.91 0.72 Toronto-Dominion Bank $75.05 billion 1.42 $7.99 billion $4.68 12.83 Toronto-Dominion Bank has higher revenue and earnings than China Construction Bank. China Construction Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Toronto-Dominion Bank, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Toronto-Dominion Bank beats China Construction Bank on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About China Construction Bank (Get Free Report) China Construction Bank Corporation provides various banking and related financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through Corporate Finance Business, Personal Finance Business, Treasury and Asset Management Business, and Others segments. The company accepts various deposits, such as foreign currency, all in one accounts, RMB, corporate term and notification, and corporate demand deposits, as well corporate deposits by agreement. Its loan products include personal business, car, and housing loans; and SME, traditional credit, commercial draft, buyer credit, and RMB credit line loans. The company also offers credit cards; physical gold for personal investment and personal gold accounts; foreign exchange services; certificate treasury and savings bonds, securities deposit accounts, and securities services, as well as bank-securities transfer and book-entry treasury bond over the counter transaction services; and wealth management products. In addition, it provides collection, salaries payment, third-party collection and payment, insurance agency, and remittance services; international settlement and financing, and FI services; securities and fund settlement services; guarantee-based, consulting and advising, and factoring services; fund custody services; and e-banking services. Further, the company offers institutional services comprising services for government agencies, social security, banks cooperation, bank-securities cooperation, bank-insurance cooperation, and services for non-banking financial institutions. China Construction Bank Corporation was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. 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. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for China Construction Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Construction Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. In an unexpected turn of events, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate in the November presidential election, could receive a legal respite, as his lawyers have aggressively tried to play the delay card in most of the many proceedings against the former president. The former presidents New York trial on 34 criminal charges was set to begin in the Stormy Daniels case (a bribe payment to a porn actress to buy her silence about their extramarital affair) on March 25. But on Thursday, less than two weeks before the trial was scheduled to start, prosecutors proposed a delay of up to 30 days. That was a surprising development in what is expected to be the first criminal trial against a former president in U.S. history, barring further delays. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office charged Trump with 34 felonies for covering up a sex scandal during and after the 2016 presidential campaign; the bribe was intended to prevent a scandal so as not to harm his candidacy. Bragg explained that the delay would give the defense sufficient time to review a new batch of records, which the D.A. recently received from federal prosecutors after seeking them for a year. Federal prosecutors investigated the hush money payments at the start of the case years ago. The new evidence consists of tens of thousands of pages, which is why Trump, who is leading in several presidential preference polls, and his defense team requested that the trial be delayed for 90 days. It is not the first time that his attorneys have opted for dilatory tactics in order to gain time and delay Trumps trials as much as possible; New York was to be the first of the four criminal cases. But with the prosecutors agreement and petition to delay the start of the trial by a month, it seems more than likely that they will succeed this time. Interestingly, until today, the Manhattan case was the only one of the four criminal cases that had not been delayed. Trump, who secured the Republican presidential nomination for the third time this week, faces four criminal trials and several civil lawsuits. In a document filed on Thursday, the Manhattan District Attorneys office said that they are prepared to begin the trial on March 25 as scheduled, but they do not oppose an adjournment in an abundance of caution and to ensure that defendant has sufficient time to review the new materials. The New York trial derived from another criminal indictment against Trump in Washington for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 elections. That case was also scheduled for this month, but it has been delayed while the defendant appeals to the Supreme Court. The delay in the Stormy Daniels case would be a great boost for the former president, whose main strategy for dealing with his multiple court cases is to delay the process for as long as possible. If elected to a second term in November, the criminal cases against him would be stalled until he leaves office, although the Manhattan trial (like the one in Georgia) is a state case, unlike those in Washington, D.C., and Florida, which are federal ones. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition NACCO Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NC Get Free Report) SVP Thomas A. Maxwell sold 866 shares of NACCO Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.64, for a total transaction of $25,668.24. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,834 shares in the company, valued at approximately $261,839.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. NACCO Industries Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE NC traded up $0.15 during trading on Friday, hitting $29.16. 29,956 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,999. NACCO Industries, Inc. has a 12-month low of $28.82 and a 12-month high of $39.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a current ratio of 3.31. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $34.75 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $218.99 million, a PE ratio of -5.53 and a beta of 0.83. Get NACCO Industries alerts: NACCO Industries Cuts Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.2175 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 1st. This represents a $0.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.98%. NACCO Industriess dividend payout ratio is presently -16.45%. Institutional Trading of NACCO Industries Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in NACCO Industries by 34.0% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,005 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC grew its stake in NACCO Industries by 533.1% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,089 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 917 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in NACCO Industries by 62,650.0% during the 2nd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,255 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 1,253 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in NACCO Industries by 95.7% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,804 shares of the companys stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 882 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA grew its stake in NACCO Industries by 1,355.5% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,863 shares of the companys stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 1,735 shares in the last quarter. 34.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Separately, TheStreet lowered NACCO Industries from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Get Our Latest Stock Report on NC NACCO Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) NACCO Industries, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the natural resources business. The company operates through three segments: Coal Mining, North American Mining, and Minerals Management. The Coal Mining segment operates surface coal mines under long-term contracts for power generation companies and an activated carbon producer in North Dakota, Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, as well as Navajo Nation in New Mexico. Read More Receive News & Ratings for NACCO Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NACCO Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC cut its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report) by 25.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,113 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,107 shares during the period. WealthPLAN Partners LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $607,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AGG. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 145.5% in the first quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 6,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $705,000 after acquiring an additional 3,906 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.2% in the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 52,003 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,570,000 after acquiring an additional 13,829 shares in the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $241,000. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC lifted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% during the first quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 14,640 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,568,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares during the last quarter. 83.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.0 % AGG stock traded up $0.03 on Friday, hitting $97.14. 1,616,213 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,919,502. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $91.58 and a 1-year high of $100.98. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $97.89 and a 200-day moving average of $96.29. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Company Profile IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KB Financial Group (NYSE:KB Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. KB Financial Group Price Performance NYSE KB opened at $57.62 on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $46.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.53, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a current ratio of 1.67 and a quick ratio of 1.69. KB Financial Group has a 1-year low of $35.20 and a 1-year high of $58.52. Get KB Financial Group alerts: KB Financial Group (NYSE:KB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 6th. The bank reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.64 by ($0.21). KB Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.72% and a net margin of 12.94%. The company had revenue of $3.54 billion during the quarter. On average, equities analysts predict that KB Financial Group will post 9.87 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On KB Financial Group KB Financial Group Company Profile Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KB. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of KB Financial Group by 54.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 65,235 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,682,000 after purchasing an additional 23,016 shares in the last quarter. Altrinsic Global Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of KB Financial Group by 46.9% in the 3rd quarter. Altrinsic Global Advisors LLC now owns 111,820 shares of the banks stock worth $4,597,000 after buying an additional 35,692 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of KB Financial Group by 66.0% in the 3rd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 137,942 shares of the banks stock worth $5,670,000 after buying an additional 54,821 shares during the last quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC grew its position in shares of KB Financial Group by 17.7% in the 3rd quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 28,696 shares of the banks stock worth $1,180,000 after buying an additional 4,310 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC grew its position in shares of KB Financial Group by 28.2% in the 3rd quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 120,884 shares of the banks stock worth $4,970,000 after buying an additional 26,584 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 6.30% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) KB Financial Group Inc provides a range of banking and related financial services to consumers and corporations in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through seven segments: Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Other Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Life Insurance, and Non-Life Insurance. See Also Receive News & Ratings for KB Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of New Gold Inc. (TSE:NGD Get Free Report) (ARCA:NGD) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as C$2.37 and last traded at C$2.34, with a volume of 782485 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$2.27. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have recently issued reports on NGD. National Bankshares cut their price target on shares of New Gold from C$2.25 to C$2.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. National Bank Financial reiterated a sector perform spec overwgt rating on shares of New Gold in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Get New Gold alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on New Gold New Gold Trading Up 3.5 % The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 50.84. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is C$1.75 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$1.67. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.61 billion, a P/E ratio of -17.62, a P/E/G ratio of -3.02 and a beta of 1.52. New Gold (TSE:NGD Get Free Report) (ARCA:NGD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported C($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.03 by C($0.04). New Gold had a negative net margin of 8.20% and a negative return on equity of 7.38%. The company had revenue of C$271.22 million during the quarter. As a group, analysts forecast that New Gold Inc. will post 0.1302605 earnings per share for the current year. About New Gold (Get Free Report) New Gold Inc, an intermediate gold mining company, develops and operates of mineral properties in Canada. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. The company's principal operating properties include 100% interest in the Rainy River mine located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada; and New Afton project situated in South-Central British Columbia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for New Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Construction Group (TSE:NOA Get Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) had its price objective hoisted by research analysts at CIBC from C$32.50 to C$33.00 in a research note issued on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs target price would suggest a potential upside of 5.60% from the companys current price. A number of other research firms have also recently commented on NOA. ATB Capital dropped their price objective on North American Construction Group from C$46.00 to C$45.00 in a research report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of North American Construction Group from C$39.00 to C$42.00 in a report on Thursday. TD Securities upped their price objective on shares of North American Construction Group from C$33.00 to C$34.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$43.00 to C$46.00 in a research note on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$40.13. Get North American Construction Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on North American Construction Group North American Construction Group Price Performance About North American Construction Group Shares of NOA stock traded down C$0.06 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$31.25. The companys stock had a trading volume of 68,228 shares, compared to its average volume of 77,147. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 131.18. The business has a fifty day moving average of C$31.72 and a 200-day moving average of C$29.96. North American Construction Group has a twelve month low of C$21.14 and a twelve month high of C$34.87. The stock has a market cap of C$835.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.74. (Get Free Report) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacifica Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 322 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $59,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,074 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $562,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the period. Equitable Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 2,816 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $489,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 6,221 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,016,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Thomasville National Bank grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Thomasville National Bank now owns 1,563 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $255,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp grew its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 3,646 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $596,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.12% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 12,287 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.68, for a total value of $2,588,625.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares in the company, valued at $2,966,374.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 26,633 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.76, for a total value of $5,666,437.08. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 255,178 shares of the companys stock, valued at $54,291,671.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 12,287 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.68, for a total transaction of $2,588,625.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares in the company, valued at $2,966,374.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 109,775 shares of company stock worth $23,343,903. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently commented on TRV. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $194.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective 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. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $201.38. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Travelers Companies Travelers Companies Stock Up 0.0 % TRV traded up $0.11 during trading on Friday, reaching $221.53. 724,880 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,548,954. The stock has a market cap of $50.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.58. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $157.33 and a twelve month high of $224.00. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $212.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $185.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.34. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.10 by $1.91. The business had revenue of $10.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.18 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 13.68%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.40 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.67 EPS for the current year. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.81%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is 31.27%. Travelers Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PagerDuty (NYSE:PD Get Free Report) updated its first quarter earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided EPS guidance of $0.12-0.13 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $0.18. The company issued revenue guidance of $110.5-112.5 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $113.86 million. PagerDuty also updated its FY 2025 guidance to 0.650-0.700 EPS. Analysts Set New Price Targets PD has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of PagerDuty from $32.00 to $31.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 1st. TD Cowen downgraded shares of PagerDuty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the company from $29.00 to $23.00 in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $30.00 price target on shares of PagerDuty in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of PagerDuty in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $30.00 price target for the company. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, PagerDuty has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $27.00. Get PagerDuty alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on PD PagerDuty Trading Down 2.0 % NYSE PD opened at $22.93 on Friday. PagerDuty has a 1 year low of $19.18 and a 1 year high of $35.33. The company has a current ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 2.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $24.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $22.90. PagerDuty (NYSE:PD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 14th. The company reported ($0.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.11) by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $111.12 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $110.50 million. PagerDuty had a negative return on equity of 22.87% and a negative net margin of 18.00%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that PagerDuty will post -0.48 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at PagerDuty In other 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 value of $118,106.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 177,087 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,789,661.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other 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 transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 177,087 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,789,661.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Howard Wilson sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.27, for a total value of $131,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 511,565 shares in the company, valued at $13,438,812.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,298 shares of company stock worth $1,364,392. Insiders own 7.90% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On PagerDuty Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Quarry LP raised its stake in shares of PagerDuty by 614.2% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,764 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 1,517 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new position in PagerDuty during the third quarter worth $50,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of PagerDuty in the 2nd quarter valued at $50,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of PagerDuty by 270.8% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,572 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 1,148 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors raised its holdings in shares of PagerDuty by 755.3% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $107,000 after buying an additional 3,799 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.94% of the companys stock. About PagerDuty (Get 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for PagerDuty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PagerDuty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras (NYSE:PBR Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $16.15. PBR has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America downgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $16.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Friday, March 8th. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $20.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com raised Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Get Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on PBR Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras Price Performance Institutional Investors Weigh In On Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras Shares of NYSE PBR opened at $14.72 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $16.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of $15.71. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras has a 52-week low of $9.56 and a 52-week high of $17.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.70. Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. MONECO Advisors LLC bought a new position in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras in the 4th quarter valued at $1,586,000. SageView Advisory Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras during the 4th quarter valued at $706,000. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 3,961 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 41.4% during the 4th quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 135,927 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $2,171,000 after buying an additional 39,797 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Petrobras by 242.5% during the 4th quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 1,091,595 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $17,433,000 after buying an additional 772,859 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.57% of the companys stock. 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (OTCMKTS:PPERY Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $19.05 and last traded at $18.70, with a volume of 192700 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.35. PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk Price Performance The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $17.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.03. About PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (Get Free Report) PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk provides various banking products and services to individuals and businesses in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor Leste, Shanghai, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the Cayman Islands. The company operates through Wholesale and Retail segments. It offers savings and current accounts, time deposits, demand deposits, and foreign currency savings and current accounts; motorcycle loans, mortgage loan, and housing loans, as well as loans for various purposes, such as education, home renovation, marriage, health, and other needs for individuals; and working capital loans, investment loans, people's business loans, syndicated loans, and micro business loans for businesses. See Also Receive News & Ratings for PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Securitas AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SCTBF Get Free Report) and Allegion (NYSE:ALLE Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, risk, valuation, earnings and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares Securitas AB (publ) and Allegions net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Securitas AB (publ) alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Securitas AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A Allegion 14.80% 51.95% 14.65% Institutional & Insider Ownership 35.4% of Securitas AB (publ) shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.2% of Allegion shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Allegion shares are held 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. Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Securitas AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Allegion $3.65 billion 3.11 $540.40 million $6.12 21.21 This table compares Securitas AB (publ) and Allegions top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Allegion has higher revenue and earnings than Securitas AB (publ). Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Securitas AB (publ) and Allegion, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Securitas AB (publ) 0 0 0 0 N/A Allegion 0 5 1 0 2.17 Allegion has a consensus target price of $125.50, suggesting a potential downside of 3.32%. Given Allegions higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Allegion is more favorable than Securitas AB (publ). Summary Allegion beats Securitas AB (publ) on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Securitas AB (publ) (Get Free Report) Securitas AB (publ) provides security services in North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Security Services North America, Security Services Europe, and Security Services Ibero-America. It offers on-site guarding, mobile patrol, canine security, reception, loss prevention, screening, and track and trace services, as well as operates Securitas operation centers. The company also provides remote video solutions; aviation security services, such as physical security, airline security, hospitality, and consultancy related services; and electronic security services, which includes access control, video security, and system design and installation services. In addition, it offers fire and safety; enterprise risk management services, such as risk and security management, executive protection, and security consulting services; and intelligent security and home alarm services. The company was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. About Allegion (Get Free Report) Allegion plc manufactures and sells mechanical and electronic security products and solutions worldwide. The company offers door controls and systems and exit devices; locks, locksets, portable locks, and key systems and services; electronic security products and access control systems; time, attendance, and workforce productivity systems; doors, accessories, and other. It also provides services and software, which includes inspection, maintenance, and repair services for its automatic entrance solutions; and software as a service, including access control, IoT integration, and workforce management solutions, as well as aftermarket services, design and installation offerings, and locksmith services. The company sells its products and solutions to end-users in commercial, institutional, and residential facilities, including education, healthcare, government, hospitality, retail, commercial office, and single and multi-family residential markets under the CISA, Interflex, LCN, Schlage, SimonsVoss, and Von Duprin brands. It sells its products and solutions through distribution and retail channels, such as specialty distribution, e-commerce, and wholesalers, as well as through various retail channels comprising do-it-yourself home improvement centers, online and e-commerce platforms, and small specialty showroom outlets. Allegion plc was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Receive News & Ratings for Securitas AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Securitas AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis under whose watch former president Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants were indicted in August on felony charges in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia will be able to keep prosecuting the case, with some conditions. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee found that the (now ended) romantic relationship between Willis and the special counsel she appointed to the case, Nathan Wade, did not pose an actual conflict of interest as the defense had claimed. However, Judge McAfee did find that the appearance of impropriety created by the relationship means that either Willis or Wade should remove themselves from the case. The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office, and refer the prosecution to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council for reassignment. Alternatively, SADA Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case. Hours later, Wade formally withdrew from the case. Wade offered his resignation in a letter to Willis, saying he was doing so in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. In a 23-page ruling following hearings in February, the judge found the defenses allegations and evidence legally insufficient to support a finding of an actual conflict of interest. McAfee said there was no sufficient evidence that the District Attorney acquired a personal stake in the prosecution, or that her financial arrangements had any impact on the case. However, the established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team, an appearance that must be removed, the judge wrote, calling Willis decision to get romantically involved with Wade a tremendous lapse in judgment. The decision is a Pyrrhic victory for Willis. The February hearings shed light on numerous aspects of her private life that may linger in the mind of the public as the legal case against Trump and his co-defendants proceeds. The same judge earlier this week dismissed three of 13 counts against Trump in the indictment. Throughout the two-year investigation, Willis the first African-American to head the Fulton County District Attorneys Office has endured all kinds of harassment, including racist slurs and death threats, to the point that she was temporarily forced to move to a different home. The case will have consequences. It is possible, on the one hand, that Trump and the other defendants will appeal McAfees decision. On the other hand, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp passed a state law this week allowing investigations of local prosecutors suspected of acting for improper reasons. Republican lawmakers in that state have already indicated they plan to open an investigation against Willis, a Democrat. A local congressional committee has already opened its own hearing on the allegations against the two prosecutors. The scandal erupted in January, when lawyers for Mike Roman, one of the defendants in the election fraud case, denounced the existence of the romantic relationship between Willis and Wade and claimed that it constituted a conflict of interest. The DA, they claimed, benefited financially from hiring in November 2021 her then-boyfriend, who with his salary as special prosecutor he has collected $650,000 dollars during this time paid for a series of luxury vacations for both in places like the Bahamas, Aruba or Napa Valley during the investigation against the former president. Both prosecutors have admitted the relationship but denied there was any financial benefit for Willis, either directly or indirectly. The DA said she paid for her share of the vacation time, but always in cash, claiming that her father taught her to always have a lot of cash handy in case of an emergency. Throughout the hearing, one of the main points of conflict between the prosecutors and the defense team was when exactly the relationship began. Willis and Wade both testified that it was in 2022, after he was hired in 2021. But Trumps lawyers did not consider this testimony to be truthful and felt this was enough to have Willis disqualified from the case. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition SSAB AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:SSAAY Get Free Report) and Worthington Steel (NYSE:WS Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership and earnings. Dividends SSAB AB (publ) pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.2%. Worthington Steel pays an annual dividend of $0.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. SSAB AB (publ) pays out 50.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Get SSAB AB (publ) alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for SSAB AB (publ) and Worthington Steel, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SSAB AB (publ) 0 1 2 0 2.67 Worthington Steel 0 1 1 0 2.50 Profitability Worthington Steel has a consensus price target of $29.00, indicating a potential downside of 4.16%. Given Worthington Steels higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Worthington Steel is more favorable than SSAB AB (publ). This table compares SSAB AB (publ) and Worthington Steels net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SSAB AB (publ) 10.91% 18.72% 11.54% Worthington Steel N/A N/A N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares SSAB AB (publ) and Worthington Steels top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SSAB AB (publ) $11.26 billion 0.67 $1.23 billion $0.60 6.09 Worthington Steel N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A SSAB AB (publ) has higher revenue and earnings than Worthington Steel. Summary SSAB AB (publ) beats Worthington Steel on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About SSAB AB (publ) (Get Free Report) SSAB AB (publ) produces and sells steel products in Sweden, Finland, Rest of Europe, the United States, and internationally. It operates through five segments: SSAB Special Steels, SSAB Europe, SSAB Americas, Tibnor, and Ruukki Construction. The SSAB Special Steels segment offers quenched and tempered steels, and advanced high-strength steel products. The SSAB Europe segment provides strip, heavy plate, and tubular products. The SSAB Americas segment sells heavy plates for steel and plate production. The Tibnor segment distributes a range of steel and non-ferrous metals in the Nordics and Baltics. The Ruukki Construction segment produces and sells energy-efficient building and construction solutions. The company markets its steel products under the Strenx, Hardox, Docol, GreenCoat, Toolox, Armox, Duroxite, SSAB Boron, SSAB Domex, SSAB Form, SSAB Laser, SSAB Weathering, Cor-Ten, and SSAB Multisteel brands. Its products are used by customers in the heavy transport, building construction and infrastructure, industrial applications, construction machinery, energy, and material handling markets. SSAB AB (publ) was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. About Worthington Steel (Get Free Report) Worthington Steel, Inc. operates as a steel processor in North America. It offers carbon flat-rolled steel and tailor welded blanks, as well as electrical steel laminations; and aluminum tailor welded blanks. The company serves various end-markets, including automotive, heavy truck, agriculture, construction, and energy. Worthington Steel, Inc. was incorporated in 2023 and is based in Columbus, Ohio. Receive News & Ratings for SSAB AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SSAB AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equities researchers at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Wednesday. The firm set a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Separately, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $8.00 target price on shares of Credit Suisse Group in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. Get Credit Suisse Group alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on CS Credit Suisse Group Stock Performance Institutional Investors Weigh In On Credit Suisse Group Shares of CS opened at $0.89 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $0.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.89. Credit Suisse Group has a 52-week low of $0.82 and a 52-week high of $6.36. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Apollon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Credit Suisse Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Credit Suisse AG acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Franklin Resources Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. 11.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Credit Suisse Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StrongBox Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 9.3% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 12,779 shares of the conglomerates stock after buying an additional 1,083 shares during the period. Danaher accounts for about 1.7% of StrongBox Wealth LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest holding. StrongBox Wealth LLCs holdings in Danaher were worth $2,956,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Danaher by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,962,346 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $6,718,427,000 after buying an additional 866,600 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Danaher by 18.6% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 24,930,281 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $6,185,203,000 after purchasing an additional 3,905,449 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Danaher by 96,490.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 23,287,013 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $6,180,839,000 after purchasing an additional 23,262,904 shares during the period. Capital International Investors grew its position in Danaher by 20.4% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 14,029,348 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,366,677,000 after purchasing an additional 2,377,625 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Danaher by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,459,741 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,221,386,000 after purchasing an additional 559,056 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.71% of the companys stock. Get Danaher alerts: Insider Activity In other news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,102 shares in the company, valued at $9,601,704. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total value of $636,280.74. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,029,891.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 32,957 shares of company stock worth $8,265,802 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock. Danaher Price Performance Shares of DHR traded down $0.98 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $252.24. 1,166,746 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,695,429. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $243.06 and a 200-day moving average of $231.34. Danaher Co. has a one year low of $182.09 and a one year high of $259.00. The firm has a market cap of $186.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.63, a PEG ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.37. Danaher (NYSE:DHR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.18. Danaher had a return on equity of 12.25% and a net margin of 17.26%. The firm had revenue of $6.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.87 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Danaher Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is a boost from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Danahers dividend payout ratio is currently 15.02%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently issued reports on DHR shares. HSBC started coverage on shares of Danaher in a research report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $215.00 to $205.00 in a report on Thursday, December 7th. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on shares of Danaher from $260.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Danaher from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Danaher currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $266.00. View Our Latest Research 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DHR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new stake in shares of SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:XAR Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $250,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF by 21.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,438 shares of the companys stock valued at $304,000 after acquiring an additional 438 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF by 11.4% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 12,068 shares of the companys stock worth $1,505,000 after buying an additional 1,233 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF by 295.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,579 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,000 after buying an additional 1,180 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp bought a new position in shares of SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $548,000. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. grew its position in SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF by 61.6% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 5,746 shares of the companys stock worth $716,000 after acquiring an additional 2,190 shares in the last quarter. Get SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF alerts: SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA XAR opened at $137.43 on Friday. SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF has a 1-year low of $108.32 and a 1-year high of $142.78. The businesss 50 day moving average is $133.35 and its two-hundred day moving average is $125.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.50 and a beta of 1.09. SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF Company Profile The SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in industrials equity. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of US aerospace & defense companies. XAR was launched on Sep 28, 2011 and is managed by State Street. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XAR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:XAR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Get Free Report) EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 86,517 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.11, for a total value of $5,114,019.87. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 254,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,069,030.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Vistra Stock Down 1.5 % Shares of VST traded down $0.94 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $62.17. The companys stock had a trading volume of 758,633 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,458,291. The business has a fifty day moving average of $46.37 and a 200 day moving average of $38.57. The company has a market cap of $21.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.63 and a beta of 1.03. Vistra Corp. has a 1 year low of $22.67 and a 1 year high of $63.22. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.26. Get Vistra alerts: Vistra Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.215 per share. This represents a $0.86 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.38%. This is a positive change from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 19th. Vistras dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.74%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra Analyst Ratings Changes Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd grew its position in shares of Vistra by 323.6% in the third quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 4,554 shares of the companys stock valued at $151,000 after purchasing an additional 3,479 shares during the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vistra by 166.8% in the third quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 189,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,286,000 after buying an additional 118,426 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Vistra during the third quarter worth about $3,703,000. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in Vistra by 30.0% during the third quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 479,480 shares of the companys stock worth $15,909,000 after purchasing an additional 110,555 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia bought a new position in Vistra during the third quarter worth about $750,000. 91.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on VST shares. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Vistra from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Vistra from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on VST Vistra Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across 20 states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Donald Trump on Thursday attended a hearing in Fort Pierce (Florida) where a court is overseeing the case of the classified papers that the FBI found in the search of the former presidents Mar-a-Lago mansion. His lawyers had filed several motions to dismiss the 40 counts against him, but at the end of the hours-long hearing, federal judge Aileen M. Cannon issued a two-page order rejecting one of Trumps motions. Trump had requested the dismissal of the first 32 counts, tied to his possession of classified material related to national defense. The former presidents lawyers alleged that some phrases in the wording of the Espionage Act, which the accusation rests on such as unauthorized possession of documents relating to the national defense and entitled to receive are unconstitutionally vague when applied to the facts of the case and would therefore be a violation of due process and the rule of lenity. Although the judge said that the motion raises several arguments warranting serious consideration, she refused to dismiss the charges and left the matter to be raised as appropriate in connection with jury-instruction briefing and/or other appropriate motions. Judge Cannon, who was appointed to the bench by Trump himself, has thus returned a decision against the former president for the first time. On previous occasions she had agreed to requests that favored Trump and were later corrected by higher courts, giving an appearance of bias that worried prosecutors. The judge has not yet ruled on another motion filed Thursday by the defense alleging that Trump was authorized under the Presidential Records Act to retain the documents after leaving the White House, as he had designated them as personal property. The judge, however, has appeared little inclined to dismiss the case for those reasons. Its difficult to see how this gets you to the dismissal of an indictment, she said to a Trump defense lawyer, according to AP, present at a hearing that was not broadcast. Cannon implied that it would be up to the jury to establish whether those documents, many of them with top secret classification marks, can be considered his private property. A supporter of Donald Trump stands outside the courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida on March 14. Marco Bello (REUTERS) Trump has already claimed immunity in the Washington case, in which he is accused of attempting to overturn the result of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden. Although both the judge handling the case and the Court of Appeals rejected his request, Trump appealed to the Supreme Court, which has set an April 22 hearing for the oral arguments by both parties. Special counsel Jack Smith is handling both the Washington and Florida cases. No new trial date Prosecutors filed charges against Trump in June 2023, but the case has been moving very slowly. The judge initially set the start of the trial as May 20, but nothing indicates that this date will be observed. In another hearing held on March 1, the parties presented their arguments on when to set a new date for the trial, but the judge has not yet done so nor did she provide any clues on Thursday as to what her intentions are. Trumps lawyers want the trial to be delayed until after the election on November 5. In part, that would prevent Trump from sitting in the dock and potentially being convicted in the middle of the presidential campaign. But in addition, that would allow Trump, if elected, to give orders for the accusations to be dropped or even to pardon himself. The prosecutors would like to have the trial take place in the summer. Trump and his lawyers insist without evidence that the accusations against the former president are a case of political persecution ordered by Joe Biden, his rival in the November presidential election. They also claim there is a double standard in the application of the law, after another prosecutor decided not to file charges against Biden for the classified papers he had in his possession from the time he was a senator and vice president, despite the enormous differences between both cases. Trump supporters and detractors gathered outside the courthouse on Thursday. Big crowds in Fort Pierce, Florida, for the Biden induced Witch Hunt against his political opponent, ME! Thank you, a great honor to have you there. Such a thing has never happened in our Country before - Strictly Third World. BUT, WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!, Trump wrote on his network, Truth Social. Meanwhile, prosecutors in the criminal case against Trump in New York have asked to delay the trial, initially scheduled for March 25, for up to a month. In that case, Trump is accused of accounting record falsehood in connection with payments to three people to hide scandals in the 2016 presidential campaign (including porn actress Stormy Daniels, to cover up an alleged extramarital affair). Following the dismissal of three charges in the Georgia election fraud case, Trump is now facing 88 counts in four indictments. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Women in Science and Technology Forum, a newly added segment to the X-Lake Forum, was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the People's Government of Shenzhen in Shenzhen, a city in South China's Guangdong Province on November 16. With the theme "science-education coordination and intelligence-driven future," the forum was organized by Shenzhen Women's Federation, Shenzhen Municipal Commission of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nanshan District People's Government and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School. The forum witnessed the launch of Shenzhen Women Sci-tech Innovation Fund and Shenzhen Women Sci-tech Public Welfare Project. Shenzhen Women Sci-tech Innovation Fund was jointly launched by Shenzhen Women's Federation, Longhua District People's Government and Shenzhen Capital Holdings Co., Ltd. As a special fund with investments from State-owned enterprises, it aims to support women in their sci-tech endeavors, build a platform for women to engage in cooperation concerning human resources and coordination among enterprises, universities and research institutes, and provide women with financial, managerial and technical assistance. The two enterprises have funded the first 500 million yuan (US $69.4 million). Shenzhen Women Sci-tech Public Welfare Project was founded by Shenzhen Women and Children's Development Foundation in collaboration with several partners under the guidance of Shenzhen Women's Federation. It aims to bring together all forces available in sci-tech and financial sectors, make innovations in public welfare service and it focuses on social and educational affairs. (Source: China Women's News / Translated by Women of China) Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. KYODO NEWS - Mar 15, 2024 - 14:44 | All, Japan Nippon Steel Corp. said Friday it is committed to its $14.1 billion plan to acquire United States Steel Corp. after U.S. President Joe Biden voiced opposition to the buyout plan. "Our transaction delivers clear benefits to U.S. Steel, union workers, the broader American steel industry, and American national security," Nippon Steel said in a statement. "We are determined to see this through and complete the transaction." Japan's largest steelmaker also announced there will be no layoffs and plant closures until September 2026 under certain conditions and pledged to make additional investments worth $1.4 billion after the completion of the deal. The company also said the deal will strengthen American supply chains and economic defenses against China. The statement was released after Biden said Thursday that the iconic U.S. firm should be domestically owned, with votes from steelworkers in swing states seen as increasingly important for Biden as the November U.S. presidential election nears. "It is important that we maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers. I told our steel workers I have their backs, and I meant it," Biden said in a statement Thursday. Biden's expected rival in November, former President Donald Trump, has also said he would "block" Nippon Steel's plan, announced in December. United Steelworkers, a major labor union, is opposed to the deal, which would create the world's third-largest steelmaker by volume. In Friday's statement, Nippon Steel reiterated its commitment to the U.S. economy, saying it has imported metallurgical coal from the United States for over 70 years and employs about 4,000 American employees. "No other U.S. steel company on its own can meet this challenge while also meeting antitrust requirements," it said. "Nippon Steel is the right partner to ensure that U.S. Steel is successful for generations to come as an iconic American company. Related coverage: Biden voices opposition to Nippon Steel's takeover of U.S. Steel Nippon Steel rebuffs Trump criticism over U.S. Steel deal U.S. says to investigate Nippon Steel, U.S. Steel merger FILE - Protesters of Kentucky Senate bill SB150, known as the Transgender Health Bill gather at the steps of the Senate chamber of the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Protests at Kentucky's Capitol can seem as commonplace and noisy as basketball pep rallies when the Republican-led legislature is considering bills that stir the emotions of activists opposing them. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File) Challenges to discharge patients impact entire hospital system with patients told no capacity at all Wrexhams Member of the Senedd is to write to the chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board following an escalation in waiting times at the local emergency department, after information passed to Wrexham.com showed waiting patients were informed there was no capacity at all in the hospital wards. Earlier this week Wrexham.com reported on the significant demand facing the hospital this week, which is largely being driven by a lack of available ward beds for patients. A spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board confirmed that disruption with patient flow through the hospital is being caused by issues with discharges. Upwards of 15 ambulances were seen outside the hospitals emergency department at the height of the delays earlier this week. One person contacted us to say that their 79-year-old elderly relative with a severe chest infection had spent 12 hours waiting for medical care. Others detailed the huge number of ambulances outside, with another who was dropping food for someone waiting on Monday evening describing the situation as unsustainable. Another who attended A&E on Tuesday evening said the department was told that there was no capacity in the hospital and that one ambulance had been waiting outside for 24 hours. According to live data provided by NHS Wales, as of 6:30pm on Thursday (14 March) 90 patients were waiting in the hospitals emergency department. Wrexhams Member of the Senedd Lesley Griffiths said that she will be raising the latest concerns with the chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Lesley Griffiths MS said: Its no secret health services throughout Wales and across the UK are facing severe pressures. Demand is increasing and it is important we recognise and pay tribute to the frontline staff that regularly go above and beyond to deliver care for patients. I regularly meet and correspond with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Borad representatives, enabling me to raise any local issues and ensure the authorities are aware of patients day-to-day experiences. From my recent correspondence with the Chair of BCUHB, I know he is aware of the issues facing the Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Emergency Departments across the region. However, as the issues appear to be escalating, I will raise these latest concerns with him. Wrexhams Member of Parliament, Sarah Atherton, called for Wales Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, to put immediate measures in place to protect patient safety. Sarah Atherton MP said: This is a scandalous situation and the Welsh Labour Government should be ashamed of burying their heads in the sand over the past few years. I demand the Welsh Health Minister puts immediate measures in place to ensure patients lives are not put at undue risk due to their lack of duty to care. The people of Wrexham deserve better and for the past 4 years, I have been campaigning on their behalf. This situation was predicted, and yet the Welsh Government has done nothing except offer empty promises and excuses as to why it is never their fault. I am asking the Welsh Government to step up right now and show they are capable of running our health service and Wales. We contacted Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board about comments about ambulances waiting for 24 hours at the hospital and to confirm if there was one nurse for 52 patients on Tuesday evening. A spokesperson for the health board referred us to comments made earlier this week and said that it was not true that there was just one nurse available on the department. Information shared with Wrexham.com details a member of staff updating long waiting patients on the current situation in the hospital, indicating one nurse was allocated to around 50 people. The staff member was reassuring those waiting, explaining the tough situation the hospital was in and how the staff were doing their best to keep people safe, and expressed empathy with those frustrated at the wait while explaining we are all doing the best we can. They are heard updating patients saying, We have no cardiac arrest space. If anybody came in cardiac arrest now we have no space to put them in, with patients told the situation is beyond our control because the entire hospital is full to capacity, and it all lands on us unfortunately. While explaining to patients wider numbers of those waiting in the hospital system, What would happen in an ideal world ten years ago [those patients] would go straight to a ward, but unfortunately there is no capacity in the hospital at all, with minimal, if any, moves to wards expected over the night in question. Dr Michelle Greene, Director of the East Integrated Health Community at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: Our Emergency Department in Wrexham Maelor Hospital is extremely busy due to significant demand over the last couple of days, resulting in much longer waiting times than we would like over this period despite the best efforts of our nursing and medical staff. We would like to apologise to anyone waiting for a lengthy time, especially those waiting for an inpatient bed, and assure them we are reviewing all options on site to allow us to reduce delays in the department. We continue to face challenges to discharge patients from hospital to suitable accommodation or care services. This does impact flow through the entire hospital system, and on our ability to bring patients into and through the Emergency Department in a timely manner and we continue to work with our health and social care partners to improve this. We would urge the public to only attend the Emergency Department for life threatening conditions and injuries, and please continue to help us by choosing the right service for their needs. Patients who do not need full emergency treatment may find that they can get appropriate advice and care from other NHS services, including GP surgeries, minor injury units and local pharmacies. Please visit the Health Board and NHS Wales 111 website for advice if you are unsure where to go. [email protected] Wrexham MP urges Welsh Labour leadership candidates to axe 20mph policy Wrexhams Member of Parliament has called on the two First Minister hopefuls to ditch the Welsh Governments 20mph policy. Tomorrow (16 March), either Vaughan Gething MS or Jeremy Miles MS will be elected as Welsh Labour leader. However, the winner will not become First Minister until their predecessor, Mark Drakeford, has resigned, after which point, there will be a vote in the Senedd before a formal appointment by the King. Ahead of tomorrows announcement Sarah Atherton MP has written to both candidates hoping to become Wales next First Minister to call on them to repeal the Welsh Governments 20mph policy. The introduction of the default speed limit in September 2023 has not been without its problems. A petition calling for the 20mph limit to be revoked has gained over 468,000 signatures since September 2023. New 20mph speed signs have been damaged and defaced in the last five months. There has also been questions of the large amount spent on promotion and communication of the speed limit and whether councils were aware they could issue more exemptions. In her letter to both candidates Wrexhams Member of Parliament commented on the cost of implementing the policy, estimated to be within the region of 32 million. Although Ms Atherton has maintained that a 20mph speed limit is appropriate around areas such as schools and hospitals, she has argued that the record-breaking petition calling on the Welsh Government to rescind the 20mph policy which has attracted almost 470,000 signatures cannot be ignored by Ministers in Cardiff Bay. In her letter, Ms Atherton said: As part of the devolution settlement, most transport policies are decided by the Welsh Government. Lather this week, one of you will become Wales new First Minister. Last September, both of you supported the introduction of the blanket 20mph speed limit in Wales and whoever becomes First Minister will decide the future of this policy. Since the blanket introduction of 20mph, residents and businesses in Wrexham have raised serious concerns over the fact this policy has cost over 32m to implement, yet confusion over the speed limit remains, particularly when crossing over the border to England. A large number of 20mph signs have been vandalised in protest and a lack of adequate speed limit signage, or contridictory signage may leave speeding convictions open to scrutiny. In addition to introducing the blanket 20mph policy, the Welsh Government have scrapped all new road building projects in Wales, including much-needed upgrades. This has led to an increase in road rage and significantly more congestion in Wrexham. Additionally, the 20mph policy is forecast to cost the Welsh economy 3.5 billion and by slowing down our taxi and delivery drivers, the harm it is doing to our local economy is already evident. Public transport has suffered too, with bus timetables having to be completely changed at huge cost and inconvenience to passengers and bus companies. Pedestrians now have difficulty judging car speeds when crossing roads, as some drivers are driving 15mph while others are driving over 30mph in protest at the blanket 20mph limit. This is poising a further risk to road safety. Police guidelines also say that enforcement will be targeted at drivers travelling 10% over 20mph, plus an extra 4mph. This perversely means that drivers in Wales can now legally drive past schools and hospitals at 26mph, whereas in England it remains 22mph. What is the rationale behind this decision? No debate has taken place in the Senedd despite 470,000 people signing a petition for the 20mph policy to be repealed the most petition signatures in Wales history. Welsh Government also refused my request to compensate motorists for the damage the 20mph limit is reportedly causing to vehicles. In Wrexham, there appears to be a standoff between Wrexham Council and Welsh Government over which roads are exempt from 20mph, who is responsibly for deciding this and when will it be fully implemented? Despite supporting the blanket 20mph speed limit prior to its introduction, you have both committed to reviewing the policy during your campaigns. Having engaged with a huge number of residents and businesses on this issue, the message is clear: nobody disputes 20mph limits outside schools and hospitals but this blanket rollout simply has not worked. The 20mph policy is unfairly criminalising motorists, causing confusion on our roads and slowing Wales down. Sarah Atherton MP commented: This weekend will provide a new opportunity for Welsh Labour to accept ownership of its mistakes and commit to undoing the damage that has been done as a result of its blanket 20mph policy. While both leadership candidates supported and voted in favour of the 20mph policy, the Welsh Government cannot continue covering its ears and ignoring the collective voice of the people of Wales, hoping that the noise will disappear. No longer can my constituents afford a Welsh Labour Government which prioritises a ruinously expensive and unpopular 20mph policy at the expense of elderly patients languishing in the back of ambulances; our roads left in a state of disrepair and our schools oversubscribed. Whoever the next First Minister is, the people of Wales deserve a leader who puts their priorities ahead of vanity projects, and that includes the 20mph default speed limit. [email protected] Wrexhams Premier Radio CIC gets 10,000 boost to extend its live coverage A community radio station in Wrexham has received almost 10,000 to help extend its live coverage and outreach in the local area. Premier Radio CIC, based on Eagles Meadow, was among 40 community groups in the region to receive grant funding from The National Lottery Community Fund the largest funder of community activity in Wales. The local station has been awarded 9,997 to extend its live coverage and to purchase additional broadcasting equipment, which will allow them to further engage with the community and reduce isolation. Paul Griffiths, director of Premier Radio, said the funding will develop peoples skills and support the Wrexham community. The National Lottery Community Fund grant will allow our volunteers to engage more frequently with live outside broadcasts from around Wrexham at community events, said Paul. It will also help us to engage with the public and let them know that we can help in many ways. We currently have three volunteers who never had the opportunity to present a radio show presenting their own shows weekly, so the funding we have received will allow them to develop further with presenting live. We encourage those who always wanted to be on the radio to join us and see what it is all about. Meanwhile in Flintshire, organisations such Outside Lives Ltd, 1125 CIC and Estuary and Mountain Mission Area have received a share of funding. In Denbighshire, Drosi Bikes CIC was awarded a 92,645 grant to design and deliver The Social Re-Cycle Project, providing a bike repair service which will improve the wellbeing and confidence of people of all ages. John Rose, Wales Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: Its great to see so many community groups are enabling people to come together and live healthier lives with their vital work. We are proud to recognise and support these projects efforts, with thanks to National Lottery players, who raise 30 million a week for good causes across the UK. To find out more about our funding programmes, visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk Photo Premier Radio CIC [email protected] KYODO NEWS - Mar 15, 2024 - 23:03 | All, World North Korean-made ballistic missiles launched by Russia into Ukraine amid the war are of a "very low" quality with an accuracy rate of only around 20 percent, Ukraine's top war crimes prosecutor recently said based on an analysis of the weapons debris. Around 50 North Korean missiles have been launched into Ukraine so far, resulting in 24 deaths and over 100 injured, according to Yuriy Belousov, head of the War Crimes Department of Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General. Belousov expressed concerns North Korea may be using Ukraine as a missile testing ground, saying, "In my opinion, they definitely use it" to trace how effective its weapons are. Pundits believe that Pyongyang is obtaining data from Russia on the missiles' first deployment in actual combat, aiming to improve its capabilities to attack and evade interception. According to Belousov, preliminary assessments have shown that around 80 percent of the North Korean missiles failed to hit their target, with half of them exploding in mid-air. Ukraine is still gauging the level of the weapons' ability to evade being intercepted by its air defense system, he said. Moscow has fired North Korean KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, which Belousov says "definitely copy" Russia's Iskander, as well as North Korean KN-24, which resembles the U.S.-made surface-to-surface Army Tactical Missile System. But compared with Russia's "extremely precise" Iskander, North Korean missiles are of inferior quality possibly due to Pyongyang not having "enough parts that make missiles more accurate," he said. Belousov, meanwhile, indicated the possibility of an uptick in the use of North Korean missiles, saying, "The numbers are increasing all the time." Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin told local media on Feb. 16 that at least 24 ballistic missiles recently fired by Russia were suspected to be of North Korean origin, meaning the number has roughly doubled in around a month. The New York Times, citing U.S. and European officials, reported in January that fewer than 50 missiles had been transported from North Korea to Russia. But with close to 50 missiles already launched, more of the weapons may have been supplied to Russia. Both the KN-23 and KN-24, which use solid fuel, are short-range ballistic missiles capable of being fired rapidly and flying on irregular trajectories. North Korea has repeatedly conducted test launches of its missiles into the Sea of Japan. Related coverage: North Korean missile found in Ukraine used European, U.S.-made parts Putin gives Russian-made car to N. Korea's Kim amid closer ties In a fundamental attack on democratic rights, the British government announced its new definition of extremism Thursday. It marks a new stage in the criminalisation of protest and free speech. The definition was announced in Parliament by Communities Secretary Michael Gove, who made clear that the intention was to make oppositional thought a criminal offence. Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Claiming that our democracy and values of inclusivity and tolerance are under challenge from extremist groups, he complained that Most extremist materials and activities are not illegal and do not meet the terrorism or the national security threshold. The proposed definition will hold that extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that aims to: negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; undermine, overturn or replace the UKs system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve those results. The full definition is available on the governments website here. Extremism was first defined by the government in 2011, said Gove. But his department is publishing an updated, more precise and rigorous definition of extremism and a set of cross-Government engagement principles and setting up a new counter-extremism centre of excellence. The centre of excellence is a massive Whitehall-based spying operation to be run by a group of unnamed government officials tasked with gathering intelligence and identifying extremist groups and individuals. Its written mission statement asserts that it is not intended to capture, for example, political parties that aim to alter the UKs constitutional makeup through democratic means, or protest groups which at times may cross into disruption but do not threaten our fundamental rights, freedoms, or democracy itself. Yet, in the same section, it adds that Extremists can be individuals, groups or organisations, where there is evidence of behaviour conducted to further any of the three aims set out in the definition and that The examples of behaviour above are indicative and not exhaustive; we must have the flexibility to reflect the changing nature of how extremists operate in the UK over time. Gove announced that the first groups to be considered extremist are already under investigation. He named two far-right groups, the British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alternative, as well as the Muslim Association of Britain, CAGE-UK and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), which give rise to concern for their Islamist orientation and beliefs. We will be holding these and other organisations to account to assess if they meet our definition of extremism and will take action as appropriate. More organisations were listed in Goves draft speech, including Friends of al-Aqsa and 5Pillars, described as divisive forces within Muslim communities, and the far-right group Britain First. Groups designated as extremist are only allowed to seek a reassessment and submit new evidence to a review. The sole avenue after that is taking out a judicial review in the courts at a prohibitive cost. Making clear the ability to widen the definition to encompass left-wing political tendencies, the written mission statement explains that Behaviour that could constitute extremism is Advocating that the UKs parliamentary democracy and democratic values and rights are not compatible with their ideology, and seeking to challenge, overthrow, or change our political system outside of lawful means. This is the criminalisation of opinion and thought, rather than actions taken. The government press release seeks to play down the vast implications of the definition for free speech and the right to protest, stating, This definition is not statutory and has no effect on the existing criminal lawit applies to the operations of Government itself. It is not about silencing those with private and peaceful beliefs not will it affect free speech, which will always be protected. It does not create new powers, it instead helps the government and our partners better to identify extremist organisations, individuals and behaviours. The fact is that over the last decade, there has been a widening attack on fundamental democratic rights, with key pieces of legislation enacted laying the basis for the police state now in operation. In addition, the press release notes that the new definition is just the first in a series of measures to tackle extremism and protect our democracy. With the new definition and new Counter-Extremism Centre of Excellence enforcement unit, what is being established is the British version of Germanys Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz). In 2017, the Verfassungsschutz classified the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality PartySGP), the German section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, as a left-wing extremist organisation. In the years since it has maintained this designation. The SGP, as a result, has been placed under state surveillance. The Tories had been assured of the backing of the opposition Labour Party long ago. Even prior to Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks extraordinary attack on the right to protest, following the election of George Galloway on an anti-war, pro-Palestinian ticket in the Rochdale by-election, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was matching Sunak in branding anti-war protests as extremist and accusing them of fuelling antisemitism. Labours Shadow Security Minister Dan Jarvis had demanded of his Tory counterpart on February 29: Recent protests, alongside threats to and intimidation of politicians, have also raised the issue of what is defined as hateful extremism. The government have not yet brought forward a definition, but that would be helpful in countering threats and intimidation. He asked, Can the Minister say when the government... will bring forward a definition, and outline when the Government will bring forward an updated counter-extremism strategy? Within two weeks the definition has been delivered. For all the talk about protecting Britains pristine democracy, only a few dozen MPs out of 650 could be bothered to attend to hear Goves statement. Speaking on behalf of Labour in response to Gove was Shadow Communities Secretary and deputy party leader Angela Rayner. Her response was centred on her questioning why has it taken the Government 13 years to address this? and demanding, given that Labour is expected to win the next general election, a new cross-Government counter-extremism strategy, given that the last one is now nine years out of date. Rayner responded like a nodding dog to Goves responses, including thanking her for the constructive, detailed and consensual approach that she is taking. Noting that Rayner asked how the centre of excellence will be staffed and funded, Gove responded we will work with the existing expertise in the homeland security analysis and intelligence unit within the Home Office. Gove said of her question as to why the Government or arms of the state have unwittingly engaged with extremist organisations in the past: Although the previous definition of extremism was well intentioned and drawn up with care, it was perhaps insufficiently precise and insufficiently policed, so we thought it was appropriate to update it. The working class must oppose this right-wing extremist cross-party agenda root and branch. The labelling and ultimately banning of groups branded as extremists represents a further massive erosion of democratic rights, which cannot stand. Beginning with the demonisation of Muslims, and despite throwing in a few fascist outfits, the real target is that which the ruling elite fear most of alla left-wing, anti-war movement of millions as the working class fights back against war and austerity. Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery (November 24, 2023April 7, 2024) The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, England is hosting an important exhibition, Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery. The introductory commentary explains that it charts the evolution of embroidery in Palestine over the past century: from rich village tradition, transformed by modernity, to its politicisation in the 1970s and commodification in the present. Over the last 75 years, embroidery has become a powerful symbol of resistance. The Whitworth is home to a collection of over 60,000 works of art, textiles, and wallpaper. Its watercolours are the finest in the country outside the Victoria and Albert Museum and British Museum. For the first time in more than 30 years, UK audiences can appreciate the beautiful Palestinian exhibits, including 40 dresses, or thobes, and embroidery pieces. Some of the thobes contain up to 200,000 stitches. The embroidery, with colours and motifs inspired by nature, and over the last 75 years reflecting the experience of occupation by Israel, is stunning. Detail of a dress from Palestinian Arab village Deir Tareef, 1940s. Deir Tareef was destroyed, and its people ethnically cleansed, in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. [Photo by The Whitworth, The University of Manchester / Ruth Wedgbury.] In the words of curator Rachel Dedman, the textiles sensitively reflect the changes in the social and political landscape in which they are produced. The exhibits are from the Whitworths own collection or on loan from collections in Jordan, Jerusalem and the West Bank. Curator Rachel Dedman, a writer and art historian, is Jameel Curator of Contemporary Art from the Middle East at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibition is based on her extensive research, compiled in her book, At the Seams: A political history of Palestinian embroidery. Commissioned by the Palestinian Museum, Birzeit, in the West Bank, the exhibition was first shown in Beirut, Lebanon. In 2016, it was exhibited as Labour of Love in Birzeit; from there to Kettles Yard Museum in Cambridge, England, and then to the Whitworth as Material Power. Detail of everyday dress from Gaza or Hebron, 1935-1940, illustrating the intricacy of the designs. [Photo by The Whitworth, The University of Manchester] The celebration of Palestinian art is particularly poignant today. The people who contributed to this segment of world culture are being slaughtered mercilessly in Gaza, with the backing of the NATO powers, who continue to fund and arm the Israeli governments genocide as part of a widening Middle East conflict alongside NATOs war in Ukraine against Russia. The worlds population looks on in horror, disgust and anger as the death toll has mounted to over 31,000 Gazansincluding 12,300 children. Some 25,000 children have been orphaned. The 1.5 million people crammed into southern Gaza, in and around Rafah, are being bombed and face an imminent ground invasion. The 400,000 who remain in the north are starving and deprived of medical aid. The Palestinians in the West Bank will likely suffer the same fate, and the Palestinian Museum that commissioned the exhibition and which houses many cultural treasures could be razed to the ground. The Whitworth stands on a main thoroughfare into Manchester city centre and is passed regularly by anti-war demonstrators waving Palestinian flags, denouncing the genocide and its perpetrators and demanding an immediate ceasefire. However, the most the Whitworthpart of the University of Manchestercan muster in reference to one of the most heinous crimes of the 21st century is a timid statement on its website by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, president and vice-chancellor of the university. She writes, The violence and loss of life that has affected innocent people in Israel and Gaza since 7 October is truly heartbreaking, while appealing for mutual understanding and tolerance in these very difficult times and concluding, Our hope is that peace will soon be restored to the region. The Whitworth makes no mention on the display boards at the entrance to the exhibition of the genocide being perpetrated against the Palestinians in Gaza. The exhibition itself, however, does not shirk from the truth as to the historic oppression of the Palestinians. It testifies through the ancient art of embroidery to the suffering of the Palestinian people, ethnically cleansed from their homeland in the Nakba when the state of Israel was founded in 1948 as a military outpost for US imperialism. During the first Nakba, between 750,000 and one million Palestinians were driven from their homes and became refugees, and about 15,000 were killed. Included in the exhibition is a film, commissioned by Dedman, by artist Maeve Brennan, with the title The Embroiderers, 2016. It is informative and moving, comprising interviews with five Palestinian women who live in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan and keep the age-old tradition of embroidery alive. One embroiderer, an elderly woman, explained how embroidery, which began as a labour of love bringing joy to the creator, has now become a source of livelihood. She sometimes works on embroidery from 10 am to 10pm, saying embroidery brings income and resistance. Another who lives in a refugee camp said her husband couldnt find work, so I embroidered and grew vegetables to sell. Embroiderers are superexploited, receiving, according to the infographic, only 10-25 percent of the sale price for a piece of embroidery, while their work is sold all over the world. Expressing the spirit of resistance reflected in their art, another embroiderer lamented all the things Palestine has lost theyve stolen everything from us. Im unable to fight with a rifleso Ill do this [embroidery] to keep the Palestinian heritage alive. In response to the banning of Palestinian flags and colours, women made intifada dresses incorporating the Palestinian national flag and colours. In February 2022, the University of Manchester capitulated to the lying campaign spearheaded by the Labour Party that conflated anti-Zionism with antisemitism when it removed Alistair Hudson from his post as head of the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery. A blatant act of censorship, this followed the controversy surrounding the showing at the Whitworth of a significant 2021 exhibition, Cloud Studies, by Turner Prize-nominated investigative agency Forensic Architecture (FA). Cloud Studies, part of that years Manchester International Festival, came under attack from Zionist organisations. Among the exhibits exposing imperialist crimes was Herbicidal Warfare in Gaza, Palestine, an FA investigation into the use of herbicides by the Israeli army that destroyed arable land in Gaza. Another exhibit bore witness to The Bombing of Rafah, the deadliest and most destructive day in the 2014 Israeli assault on Gaza, on August 1. FA declared its partisanship: Forensic Architecture stands with Palestine, praising those who, during the attack on Gaza in June 2021, continue to document and narrate events on the ground and to struggle against this violence, apartheid and colonization. The Whitworth Art Gallery withdrew an online statement of support for the Palestinian people at the time after receiving objections from the Zionist organisation UK Lawyers for Israel. While the Blairites, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, promoted the antisemitism witch-hunt, nominal left winger and supposed friend of the Palestinian people Jeremy Corbyn capitulated miserably, throwing some of his own supporters under the bus. To this day, Corbyn will not name Starmer as an accomplice in the Israeli crimes, thereby strengthening the hand of those who declare it is antisemitic to oppose genocide by Israel. With its present silence on the Gaza genocide, the management of the University of Manchester and Whitworth Art gallery have clearly fallen into line. More and more artists, however, are defying censorship and lifting their voices against what is happening to the Palestinian people. Art and artists have an important role to play as allies of the working class in the struggle against oppression, tyranny and poverty, whose source lies in the capitalist system. KYODO NEWS - Mar 15, 2024 - 17:41 | All, Japan A Japanese court on Friday decided a nuclear reactor that started running over 40 years ago in central Japan could continue operations, upholding a lower court ruling that rejected residents' calls to halt the unit over safety concerns. The Osaka High Court decided against an injunction to halt the No. 3 unit of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama power plant in Fukui Prefecture, saying the court believes it poses "no specific danger." Seven residents hailing from Fukui, Shiga and Kyoto prefectures have sought the injunction, claiming there were issues with the reactor's ability to withstand a massive earthquake and that it is located near a fault line. They also argued that the current evacuation plans in the event of an earthquake were inadequate. But Presiding Judge Koji Hasegawa said there were no issues with the nuclear facility, noting it had passed all the necessary checks under the Nuclear Regulation Authority's new safety standards, introduced in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis. The Osaka District Court rejected the residents' petition in December 2022 on the grounds that the plant passed the necessary checks, prompting them to immediately appeal. In June 2021, the No. 3 unit, which began operations in 1976, became the first nuclear reactor to operate beyond 40 years under the new rules, which in principle limit a reactor's service period to 40 years but allow for extensions by up to 20 years if approved by the authority. Related coverage: Takahama No. 2 nuclear reactor in Japan restarted after 12-year halt Japan marks 13 years since quake-tsunami, Fukushima nuclear disaster Court rejects lawsuit to halt Ikata nuclear reactor in western Japan British filmmaker Jonathan Glazer has become the target of a vicious witch-hunt for his remarks at the Academy Awards ceremony last Sunday. Upon receiving the award for best international feature film for The Zone of Interest, about the commandant of Auschwitz, Glazer told the audience: All our choices we 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. 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 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gazaall the victims of this dehumanization, how do we resist? Glazers entirely legitimate response to the fact that he and his colleagues have had their Jewishness and the Holocaust hijacked by the current Israeli onslaught in Gaza struck a nerve with the professional defenders of Israels mass crimes. Someone letting the general public in on a dirty secret, that the Zionists routinely and cynically make use of the horrors of the Holocaust to justify their atrocitiesbefore an international viewing audience that still numbers in the tens of millionshad to be denounced and smeared. James Wilson, from left, Leonard Blavatnik, and Jonathan Glazer accept the award for "The Zone of Interest" from the United Kingdom, for best international feature film at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Chris Pizzello] The result has been a stream of vitriolic, hysterical abuse. Some of the critics were stupid or dishonest enough to misquote Glazer and report that he had simply refuted his Jewishness. Meghan McCain, television personality, daughter of the late warmonger Sen. John McCain and a reactionary in her own right, denounced a situation in which a man gets on stage to refute his Jewishness and half the room claps. She was corrected by hundreds of commentators on social media, to no effect of course. Abraham Foxman, former director of the Anti-Defamation League and a ferocious defender of Israel, also chose to distort Glazers statement, asserting that as a survivor of the Holocaust I am shocked the director would slap the memory of over 1 million Jews who died because they were Jews by announcing he refutes his Jewishness. Shame on you. The pro-Zionist forces who managed to grasp Glazers comment, however, were no less hostile. Noa Tishby, a former Israeli government official, has become a leading apologist in the US for Israels crimes. She denounced the entire film award event March 10, without mentioning Glazer by name, as a subtle and overt display of Jew-hatred. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, another media-seeking defender of Zionism, took to X to denounce Glazers comments as Absolutely disgusting! The director, according to Boteach, had betrayed his people and disgraced himself and trivialized the 6 million martyrs of the holocaust, when he said that Israels War in Gaza was hijacking the memory of the holocaust. How dare you compare the two? You fool. The whole purpose of Israels war in Gaza is to make sure THERE ISNT A SECOND HOLOCAUST so we dont need more of your films because Jews actually remain alive. HAMAS HAS ONE INTENTION. GENOCIDE OF JEWS. These are fascist-minded individuals who only restrain themselves, for the moment at least, from bellowing: Kill all the Arabs! David Schaecter, president of the Miami-based Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, defensively claimed that Glazers comment was factually incorrect and morally indefensible and said that Israel has nothing to do with the Holocaust. He insisted Glazer was trying to equate Hamas maniacal brutality against innocent Israelis with Israels difficult but necessary self-defense in the face of Hamass ongoing barbarity. The CEO of Combat Antisemitism Movement Sacha Roytman Dratwa claimed that Glazer had appropriated his religious and ethnic identity to attack the national homeland of the Jewish People which is fighting a war on seven fronts against those who openly call for the genocide of Jews. These people can justify anything. One hundred thousand Gazans dead, wounded or missing; 2,000 pound Israeli-Made in the USA bombs dropped on residential neighborhoods; the destruction of hospitals, universities, mosques, libraries and schools; the assassination of political opponents, intellectuals, artists; the slaughter of thousands of women and children; the sadistic torture and summary execution of prisoners; the deliberate starvation of an entire population. The world watches in horror as the Israeli military commits one crime after another, each more heinous than the one before. And through it all, the pack of fascists that comprise Netanyahus cabinet, along with the leading voices of the Israeli and global media, and the Biden administration and its European allies insist they are fighting terrorism and antisemitism. One of the most repulsive and dishonest attacks on Glazer was posted on the Hollywood Reporter website, appropriately enough, as the publication played a leading role in the McCarthyite witch-hunts of the late 1940s and 1950s. The piece, by one Richard Trank, first of all, lyingly asserts that the current conflict began October 7, not 76 years ago with the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, followed by decades of destruction of villages and orchards, theft of land, persecution, murder and abuse, including almost 20 years of forcing the Gazan population to live in an open-air prison camp. Trank presents the ongoing genocidal campaign and subsequent events in these terms: Toward the end of October, the Israeli army attacked Hamas in Gaza, determined to wipe it out forever so that an atrocity like this [October 7] will never happen again. In the subsequent months, we have watched pro-Hamas and anti-Israel forces unleash a campaign of worldwide antisemitism the likes of which has not been seen since the Nazi era. Trank argues that those actors and others at the awards ceremony March 10 who sported red pins in support of a Cease Fire Now and Palestinian flags on their lapels were wearing the equivalent of swastika pins in sympathy with Hitlers Reich. There is an element of derangement in this type of slanderous comment. Glazers observation about dehumanization seems entirely fitting. No crime is beyond the Israeli regime and its backers in Washington, London, Paris and Berlin. There are no military, moral or intellectual red lines. Derangement, and extreme anxiety. Tens of millions have expressed their horror at the mass killings in Gaza. Great numbers of Jewish young people, in the US and elsewhere, are participating in the mass protests. Glazers remarks, from a filmmaker without a history of political commentary or intervention, demonstrates how far the discrediting of Zionisms lies has reached. The WSWS has no hesitation in wholeheartedly defending Glazer against these vile attacks. Last Thursday, March 7, police shot dead Yanqui Khotan Gomez Peralta, a student of the Ayotzinapa rural teaching college in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero. This is the same institution attended by the 43 students killed in the infamous case of September 2014. Two other students were arrested and tortured. Yanqui Khotan Gomez Peralta [Photo: Family photo] On Monday, president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) acknowledged that the police had lied about the students firing first, noting that there had been an abuse of authority. He then called on the officer involved to turn himself in, explaining that he had escaped with the assistance of the local authorities. The governor of Guerrero, Evelyn Salgado, belongs to AMLOs Morena party and seconded the statements of the president about the incident. On Wednesday night, two of the three officials presumably involved turned themselves in, but the one who reportedly fired the weapon remains on the run. Lopez Obrador and Salgado have gone into damage control, attempting to cover over their own responsibility and any explosive details. The government undoubtedly fears that the incident will renew mass protests ahead of the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of the 43. Protests have already erupted across Guerrero, with students burning patrol cars, invading the state prosecutors office and setting up roadblocks. The family and classmates of the victim are demanding the arrest of those responsible and the resignation of Salgado. According to available reports summed up by the Mexican daily La Jornada, the night of the shooting, three students stopped at a store on their way to pick up other students and participate in the 98th anniversary celebration of their college. State police approached them on motorcycles with their guns drawn, shouting commands, and then firing. Gomez Peralta was shot in the head, suggesting a deliberate intention to kill. The second student, Osiel Faustino Jimon Dircio, was beaten up and arrested, while a third one, nicknamed Arenita, tried to run away but was later arrested by a soldier and handed over to the police, who beat him up for two hours. Osiel and Arenita were then taken to a dark place and ordered not to tell anyone about their treatment. The police officials planted a gun, munitions, bags with a crystalline substance and beer cans in the vehicle. The initial report claimed the car had been reported stolen and that the students fired first, but this has been proven false. According to Jornada journalist Luis Hernandez Navarro Hernandez, Gomez Peralta was in his fourth semester studying to become a primary school teacher. He was a promoter of the traditional Tlacoloreros dance, enjoyed riding horses, and ran track for a local club. In his Facebook page, there are publications indicating he was active in demonstrations. At the funeral, his mother Lilia Vianey Gomez spoke powerfully: We have to keep on fighting so that all this ends and you have better things. We must not be left behind, we must not sell out either. The government will always talk with lies. The police will always sell out, because they are the same as the government. That is why now I am one more of the 43. Even 10 years later, there has not been a full accounting of what led to the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students. In 2014 and last week, officials at the highest levels instinctively launched an effort to cover up the culprits and the underlying causes of their crimes. Some commentators have pointed to the ties of the police and military to organized crime as a likely factor, since the 43 students were killed and their bodies disappeared in an operation involving gangs, police and the military. The most glaring circumstance of the latest attack is that it took place one day after a group of Ayotzinapa teaching students and parents of the 43 carried out a protest where they knocked down a door of the National Palace, where president Lopez Obrador was giving a press conference. Imagen Noticias has confirmed on video and from relatives that Gomez Peralta was among the students who knocked down the door of the presidential building only 35 hours before being shot dead. The protesters were denouncing the governments ongoing cover-up of the role of the military in the 2014 massacre. The president responded to this protest by calling it a provocation and dirty war against his administration, claiming the organizations behind it were being backed by foreign governments. His handpicked presidential candidate for this years elections, Claudia Sheinbaum, echoed his statements. While AMLO said there would be no reprisals against the protesters in Mexico City, the World Socialist Web Site warned in an article published the night of the shooting in Guerrero, his statements and those of Sheinbaum set the stage for such repression. The response by the president could have easily been interpreted as a declaration of open season on the students, and Thursdays attack is in part meant to terrorize students, parents and supporters planning protests for the 10th anniversary of the 2014 events. This was the 11th killing of a teaching student from the same Ayotzinapa college in recent years, outside of the 43. This has included victims of live ammunition fired by police against road blockades. Rural teaching colleges in general have long been considered hotbeds of left-wing politics by the ruling class. Today the students are organized in the Mexican Federation of Socialist Rural Students (FECSM), which was founded in 1935 by members of the Stalinist Mexican Communist Party (PCM). Just a year after its founding, the organization endorsed the Mexican Popular Front alliance with the bourgeois nationalist government of president Lazaro Cardenas, who officially recognized the FECSM as the representative of the students. The FECSM was later associated with the development of Guevaraist guerrillas in the 1960s and its members were among the main targets of the actual dirty wars of state murders of left-wing activists that reached its climax in the years following the 1968 massacre of Tlatelolco in Mexico City, when the military killed hundreds of students. These conditions of draconian repression at schools led to a brief dissolution of the FECSM, but it was reconstituted in 1972. For many leaders, it has served as an entryway into local and even national politics, including within AMLOs Morena party. The Ayotzinapa section of the FECSM has been a particular target of the ruling class. It carries out almost yearly protests and roadblocks to demand appropriate funding and allowances, and it was very active in the 2014 protests against the Pact for Mexicoa set of measures that were aimed at preparing privatizations and social cuts. Military documents leaked by the Guacamaya group revealed that the military was spying on the spokespeople of the parents of the Ayotzinapa victims, as well as human rights advocates and politicians associated with them. According to the leaks, this espionage, which included phone tapping, continued under AMLO until at least 2022. While power changed hands to the pseudo-left Morena partyfrom the Party for Democratic Revolution (PRD) that governed Guerrero and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) that ruled nationally in 2014the role played by the military and the police remains unchanged. Lopez Obrador has often said that extrajudicial executions were the official policy of the military and police before his administration. His predecessors had the idea of killing them all, torturing and massacring, he said last year, but his government chose to attend to the youth and strengthen their values. The latest killing confirms the maxim of Marxism that, under capitalism, regardless of which party is in power, the state plays the role of enforcing class rule by violently crushing opposition to the diktats of the national bourgeoisie and imperialism. Palestinians buy food at a local market next to a residential building destroyed by Israeli airstrikes [AP Photo/Fatima Shbair] Israeli troops carried out yet another massacre of Gazans waiting to receive food aid Thursday, killing 60 people and injuring 160, the Euro-Med Monitor reported. The shooting took place in the Kuwait roundabout on the outskirts of Gaza City. People seeking aid were targeted with gunfire from tanks, helicopters and drones. Footage circulating on social media showed dozens of bodies lying close together, covered in blood. The massacre appeared to be the largest since February 29, when Israeli forces killed 112 people and injured 700 more when they opened fire on people attempting to receive aid in the same location. Commenting on the latest killing, the Euro-Med Monitor wrote, Amid conditions of famine created by Israels government, the Israeli army continues to deliberately commit massacres in the besieged enclave. The Israeli targeting of civilians while they attempt to obtain humanitarian aid has persisted for the fifth consecutive day now, with the total number of casualties from the Flour Massacres reaching over 500 deaths. Survivors of the massacre described how they were attempting to gather food for their starving families when Israeli forces abruptly opened fire. One survivor, Ibrahim Al-Najjar, said, according to the Euro-Med Monitor, that he tried to get a bag of flour for his children at the Kuwait roundabout, but that he and others were subjected to live ammunition and artillery shells despite gathering in an area previously designated as safe by Israels army. In a statement, Gazas Health Ministry called the attack a new, premeditated massacre. Thursdays act of mass murder took place just one day after Israeli troops killed six Palestinians waiting for aid in the same location. Also Wednesday, Israeli forces carried out a strike on a United Nations food distribution center in Rafah, killing six people and injuring 22 more. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that the strike targeted one of the very few remaining UNRWA distribution centres in the Gaza Strip as food supplies are running out, hunger is widespread and, in some areas, turning into famine. Since the start of Israels invasion of Gaza, UNRWA has recorded an unprecedented number of violations against its staff and facilities that surpass any other conflict around the world, according to the UNOCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), with at least 165 UNRWA team members killed, more than 150 UNRWA facilities struck, and over 400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) killed while seeking shelter in UNRWA facilities. Gazas Health Ministry said Thursday that at least 31,341 Palestinians had been killed in the enclave since October 7 and that 73,134 more had been wounded. Adding the number of people who are missing, the prospective death toll surges to over 40,000, according to the Euro-Med Monitor. During March 13-14, 69 Palestinians were killed in Gaza because of Israeli military operations, the Ministry of Health said. Almost the entire population of Gaza is facing hunger. At least 23 children are reported to have died from malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza over the past month, and the most basic food items are either unavailable or priced at unobtainable levels. The New York Times reported that rice was being sold for $11 per pound, more than 10 times the normal cost. In a report published Thursday, Juzoor For Health & Social Development warned that the health care system in Gaza is at a breaking point. The inability to continue renal dialysis, the lack of insulin, and other life-saving cardiac medications, fuel shortages, scarcity of clean water, and lack of electricity means thousands of people with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), asthma, kidney disease, or diabetes are unable to treat or control their conditions, which will result in the rapid increase in deaths, it warned. The Israeli government continues to reject any negotiated settlement of the war. On Wednesday, Hamas negotiators submitted a plan for a ceasefire to the Israeli government, which the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called unrealistic. The Israeli government has made clear that it intends to initiate an offensive on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza where over a million refugees are sheltering. Behind the scenes, the United States is in active negotiations about publicly supporting a military action in Rafah, Politico reported. In an article headlined, The US privately told Israel the kind of Rafah campaign it could support, Politico wrote that the Biden administration would support Israel going after high-value Hamas targets in and underneath Rafahas long as Israel avoids a large-scale invasion that could fracture the alliance. Such an operation would involve a massive aerial bombardment using bunker-buster bombs and involve a huge civilian death toll. In an interview over the weekend, US President Joe Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plans to invade Rafah, declaring, You cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead. But the White House was quick to declare that Bidens words did not imply any change in policy. The president did not make any declarations, pronouncements, or announcements, according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a press briefing on Thursday. The White House has rushed to reaffirm that the US does not have any red lines for Israel. I dont think its productive to assign a red line terminology to what is a very complex set of policies, said Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton at a briefing aboard Air Force One on Monday. Bundeswehr advertising postcard: "Do you already have any plans after school?" The armed forces commissioner of Germanys parliament (Bundestag), Eva Hogl (Social Democrats, SPD), presented the latest edition of the armed forces report Tuesday. As in previous years, the report aims to advance German rearmament and the buildup for war. Presenting the report in the federal press conference room, Hogl stated that she had to unfortunately determine that the armed forces (Bundeswehr) still had too little of everything. She continued, There is a lack of ammunition, spare parts, radios. There is a lack of tanks, ships and aircraft. The warmongering media eagerly took up Hogls statements and drew a picture of an army in the red zone, as the daily Suddeutsche Zeitung put it, which must finally be upgraded and made fit for war. The Tagesspiegel wrote: Shrinking troop numbers, disastrous barracks: Thats the harshness of the military report on the new epoch, declared by Chancellor Olaf Scholz following Russias US-provoked invasion of Ukraine. And the Frankfurter Allgemeiner Zeitung complained: The armed forces are therefore not yet fully ready for action. With this propaganda, the ruling class pursues a series of interconnected goals. On the one hand, military spending is to be further increased. The chairman of the German Armed Forces Association, Colonel Andre Wustner, appealed on public broadcaster ARDs Morgenmagazin for a massive increase in the defence budget: We have major problems in all the armed forces, measured by their tasks and the situation. Investing now is essential. The 100 billion Bundeswehr special fund had unfortunately not improved anything, he claimed. Eva Hogl already called in 2023 for a special fund of 300 billion. The new armed forces report states that it is already clear that after the exhaustion of the special fund by the end of 2027 a significant increase in the defence budget in the order of billions of euros will be necessary. The rearmament, which is accompanied by violent attacks on social and democratic rights, is already gigantic. Officially, the government plans to spend around 72 billion on defence this year. The regular defence budget accounts for 51.95 billion and around 20 billion come from the special fund. Taking into account other military expenditures hidden in other budget items and funds, the actual war budget is even higher, at 85.5 billion. The immediate concern of the ruling class is to vastly expand military support for the Ukrainian army, which is suffering terrible losses and has its back to the wall. Despite the escalating and worrying situation in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine must not be allowed to fade into the background, the armed forces report says. In supporting Ukraine, the Bundeswehr makes a considerable contribution and must continue to do so. The report provided an indication of the extent to which the Bundeswehr is already a party to the war in Ukraine. Supplies of equipment and weapons from its own stockpiles, as well as government-funded supplies from industry, would provide material military support services, such as armored combat vehicles, air defense assets, artillery and logistics, pioneering and endurance capabilities, and protective and special equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition, the Bundeswehr has so far successfully provided mission-oriented training to about 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers, especially on Western weapons systems, in local and urban combat, in the medical service, as pioneers and infantrymen. The German government is currently preparingdespite all claims to the contrary by Scholzthe delivery of long-range weapons systems to enable Ukraine to target strategically relevant targets far in the rear of the Russian aggressor, according to a Bundestag resolution of the coalition government of February 22. After Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) spoke out again on Sunday for the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev, Die Welt reported Tuesday that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had given the order to make all Taurus missiles operational. According to the newspaper, the Bundestag Defense Committee was informed of the plans in the secret part of its special session on Tuesday evening. Although the certification of the weapon systems by the manufacturer MBDA is not yet an indication of a change of heart by the Federal Chancellor the decision now to make all of the Bundeswehrs Taurus missiles ready for use opens up further options for the Federal Government, Die Welt commented. It could give more of the cruise missiles to Ukraine in the future without exposing its own national defense. And a so-called swap agreement, as recently offered by the British government, is more likely to be possible. The direction of travel is clear: the ruling class is responding to the leaked conversation between air force commanders about the possible delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine and their use against Russian targets by pushing these plans ahead. Hogl also indicated at the press conference that she supports supplying Taurus missiles. When asked whether this sensitive device should be made available to Ukraine, she replied that Ukraine needed to be supported with everything it needs. The soldiers also see this as their mission, she added. Germanys support for the war in Ukraine and the genocide in Gaza are aimed at strengthening German militarism so that it can play a leading role in the struggle for the imperialist redivision of the world. This is also made clear in the military report. What both wars have in common is that they change the global order. The world is becoming more multipolar, and there are more and more crises, conflicts and wars, it said. Our solidarity with Israel and with Ukraine must therefore lead to our being able to become stronger ourselves. The report stated that important steps have already been taken along this path last year. Under the title Combative. RESILIENT. Sustainable, the government presented a national security strategy for the first time in June of the reporting year. In November 2023, Pistorius and Inspector General Carsten Breuer (the highest-ranking military officer) presented the new defence policy guidelines for the new epoch at the Federal Armed Forces Conference in Berlin. Both documents are aimed at refocusing all areas of society on war. Our combativeness requires a warlike Bundeswehr, the guidelines stated. This means that their personnel and equipment are geared to the performance of their demanding tasks. Soldiers need the readiness to fight at any time with the expectation to succeed in high-intensity combat. We dont just want to win, but we must in a confrontation with at least a peer competitor. Another goal is war prowess as a maxim of action. Germany needs soldiers who have the will to bravely defend the right and freedom of the German people while consciously accepting the danger to life and limb. This is exactly what is at stake now: German soldiers and civilians are to be mobilized en masse again in order to put their bodies in the line of fire for the predatory interests of German imperialism. As a next step, the requirements of the defence policy guidelines must be converted into a new Bundeswehr capability profile and into a military strategy, the armed forces report demands. Central to this is that a broad societal majority is prepared to bear a strengthened Bundeswehr and to anchor the Bundeswehr deep in the heart of society. The military commissioner therefore welcomes the debate on the introduction of a year of service, i.e., a form of conscription. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) and its youth and student organisation IYSSE strongly condemn these plans, which threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of young peopleand, in the event of a nuclear escalation, the entire human race. After the German crimes in the First and especially in the Second World War, there is a deeply rooted opposition to militarism and war among the population, which is coinciding with a growing wave of protests and strikes. The SGP is participating in the European elections to develop this resistance and arm it with a socialist perspective. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka held a successful meeting on March 7 at the Colombo Tamil Sangam Hall in Wellawatte to promote the recently published Tamil translation of Leon Trotskys seminal work, The Revolution Betrayed: What Is the Soviet Union and Where Is It Going? The IYSSE is the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the world Trotskyist movement. The March 7 event, which was attended by students, workers and youth, was the final in a series of SEP/IYSSE meetings on the historic Tamil-language edition, which was produced by SEP comrades in France in collaboration with members of other European sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International. The first meeting was on February 11 in Hatton, in the central plantation district, and the second on February 26 in Jaffna in the Northern Province. In the campaign to build the meetings in Hatton and Jaffna, SEP/IYSSE teams visited several schools. They were able to address meetings of students in two of the main schools in those areas. Teachers and students from both schools attended the SEP/IYSSE public meetings. SEP General Secretary Deepal Jayasekera chairing Colombo public meeting, March 7, 2024 SEP General Secretary Deepal Jayasekera, who chaired the Colombo meeting, briefly explained the circumstances that led to Trotsky writing the book in 1936. Jayasekera pointed out that Trotsky was the co-leader with V.I. Lenin of the October 1917 revolution in which the Russian working class overthrew bourgeois rule, took power, and established the first workers state in history. Lenin, Trotsky and other leaders of October Revolution never treated the Russian Revolution as a national event, he said. They considered it the first shot of the world socialist revolution based on the perspective of socialist internationalism. Jayasekera said that the failure of working-class revolutions in several advanced capitalist countries in Europe, including Germany, led to the isolation of the Soviet Union. This created the conditions for the emergence of a bureaucratic caste headed by Joseph Stalin which systematically usurped political power from the working class. The speaker explained how Trotsky and the Left Opposition initiated and developed the political and theoretical struggle against this bureaucracy and its reactionary anti-Marxist theory of socialism in one country. The Stalinist bureaucracy responded to the struggle waged by the Left Opposition by expelling Trotsky from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and exiling him to Alma Ata in Soviet Kazakhstan, and then deporting him from the Soviet Union. Under immense difficulties, Trotsky deepened the struggle to defend the internationalist and socialist perspective of the October Revolution against the Soviet Stalinist bureaucracy. The Revolution Betrayed was a powerful exposure of the counterrevolutionary character of this bureaucracy. SEP Assistant Secretary Saman Gunadasa, the main speaker, explained how the imperialist powers are dragging the planet into a third world war and said capitalism had survived because of the Stalinist betrayals of the Russian Revolution and the international working class. Saman Gunadasa speaking at March 7, 2024 public meeting in Colombo Gunadasas speech referred to the ground-breaking political significance of Trotskys scientific analysis of the Stalinist Soviet bureaucracy, an entirely new social phenomenon, and the conditions that produced it. He talked about the immense problems facing the Soviet Union following the October Revolution. These included its backward levels of technology, abject poverty and social misery, as well as illiteracy in vast areas of the country. The main challenge in this situation, Gunadasa said, was to develop production in order to meet the needs of all the working people in the Soviet Union. The key to overcoming this challenge was organising the socialist revolution internationally, particularly in the advanced capitalist countries, to overcome the isolation of the Soviet economy. The speaker described how the Stalinist bureaucracy abandoned the scientific perspective on which the Bolshevik seizure of power in October 1917 was based, and instead advanced the nationalist theory of socialism in one country. This reactionary theory, developed by Nicolai Bukharin and promoted by Stalin, renounced Trotsky and the Left Opposition, accusing them of taking the Soviet Union into unending foreign wars and revolutions, Gunadasa said. The bureaucracy insisted that the Soviet people could build socialism in the Soviet Union, instead of developing the world revolution, the speaker said. He explained that the bureaucracys theory was in direct opposition to the internationalist program of the socialist movement, going back to the Communist Manifesto. Gunadasa outlined how Trotsky was exiled to Alma Ata and then expelled from the Soviet Union. Hundreds of thousands of Bolsheviks, socialists and other opponents of the bureaucracy were framed-up and murdered in the subsequent Moscow show trials. Gradually, the bureaucracy transformed itself into the gravedigger, not only of the revolution in the Soviet Union, but of the world revolution. And every working-class defeat strengthened the position of the bureaucracy and paved the way for the further isolation of the Soviet Union, he stated. The speaker quoted directly from The Revolution Betrayed: The state assumes directly and from the very beginning a dual character: socialistic, insofar as it defends social property in the means of production; bourgeois, insofar as the distribution of lifes goods is carried out with a capitalistic measure of value and all the consequences ensuing therefrom. Gunadasa explained how the Stalinist bureaucracy betrayed the international socialist revolution by subordinating international workers uprisings to what the Stalinist bureaucracy claimed was the development of socialism in the Soviet Union. He then reviewed Trotskys warnings that unless the Soviet working class overthrew the Stalinist regime in a political revolution and took power back into their own hands, the bureaucracy would restore capitalism. These warnings were vindicated when the Stalinist regime, in the culmination of its decades-long betrayal of the Soviet and international working class, dissolved the Soviet Union in December 1991 and restored capitalism. This process, which began under Mikhail Gorbachev, was an expression of how the globalisation of production in 1980s had undermined all nationalist economic policies, including those of the Stalinist bureaucracy. The restoration of capitalism was completed under Boris Yeltsin. While these counter-revolutionary attacks were resisted by the working class, the Stalinist bureaucracys destruction of the Left Opposition in the late 1920s meant there was no genuine socialist and internationalist movement within the Soviet Union to take forward this struggle. During the meetings question and answer session, one worker asked whether Leninist ideas and conceptions still prevailed in Russia. Another asked why the Soviets, which had overthrown bourgeois rule in Russia, could not defeat Stalinism. Responding to the first question, Gunadasa emphasised that the only force fighting for the continuity of Leninism was the Trotskyists and that had Lenin lived, he would have been in the ranks of Left Opposition. The speaker explained that in Lenins last struggle, he proposed an alliance with Trotsky to fight the rising bureaucracy and called for the removal of Stalin as general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party. The speaker said that the liquidation of the Soviet Union paved the way for more than three decades of imperialist aggression, including the US-led war against Russia in Ukraine, Israels genocidal ethnic-cleansing against Palestinians in Gaza and preparation war against China, and quoted from the WSWS 2024 New Year Statement. Gunadasa again stressed the contemporary relevance of Trotskys analysis in The Revolution Betrayed, pointing out that the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) was the living continuity of the Left Opposition. He urged the audience to read and carefully consider Trotskys masterpiece and make the decision to join the ICFI. He also referenced the Young Guard of Bolshevik Leninists (YGBL), which is working in political solidarity with the ICFI and carrying out a determined struggle for Trotskyism in the working class of the former Soviet Union, including Russia and Ukraine. Answering the other question, Gunadasa pointed out that the failure of revolutions in Germany and elsewhere was due to the lack of Bolshevik-type parties in those countries. These defeats were used by the Stalinist bureaucracy, which falsely claimed to represent the continuity of the October Revolution, to justify its reactionary theory of socialism in one country. It should always be kept in mind, Gunadasa continued, Stalinism was neither inevitable nor the natural outcome of the Russian Revolution. There was an alternative, put into practice by the Trotskyist opposition, but it was crushed and drowned in blood by the privileged bureaucracy. This revolutionary program is epitomised and continued today by the ICFI, the world Trotskyist movement. It embodies the struggle for more than a century by Trotskyists for the continuity of Marxism, in its intransigent struggles against Stalinism, Social Democracy, and all varieties of reactionary nationalism. Healthcare workers and community residents are protesting a transformative plan that could result in the closure of State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. The neighborhood has already endured several hospital closures that have limited patients access to care and increased the burden on the remaining healthcare workers. On February 29, hundreds of people rallied in support of SUNY Downstate, shutting down the block where it is located. SUNY Downstate Medical Center. [Photo by Jim Henderson / CC BY-ND-NC 1.0 The medical center is overseen by the SUNY Board of Trustees. Fifteen of the boards 18 members are appointed by New Yorks governor. Citing years of financial emergencies and structural problems, such as flooding and poor temperature control, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. developed a plan with the ostensible goal of keeping the facility afloat. Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, embraced the plan, which her office claims would provide a modernized facility and protect healthcare jobs. But initiating the plan would mean that SUNY Downstate would no longer operate at its facility in East Flatbush and no longer provide inpatient services. Workers and area residents say that the plan is a closure in all but name. Brooklyn needs this hospital, Dr. Joel Gernsheimer, an emergency physician at SUNY Downstate, told Brooklyn Paper. We need not just the ER or the clinics, we need the inpatient services because we have a lot of sick patients and we dont have a place to put them. And Kings County, where I also work, doesnt have a place to put them. SUNY Downstate is a teaching hospital in a predominantly African American neighborhood. It mainly serves patients with Medicaid and those with inadequate insurance. The hospital is one of two high-level perinatal care centers in Brooklyn. It is also the only medical facility in the borough that performs kidney transplants. Under the proposed plan it is unclear whether the kidney and perinatal care programs would still be provided in East Flatbush. In addition, without inpatient services, SUNY Downstate would lose revenue from Medicaid reimbursement. Hospital quality is generally low across in Brooklyn and is lowest in communities with a large proportion of black residents, according to a report that the state Health Department published in January. Despite the need for its services, SUNY Downstate has endured decades of disinvestment. In a statement in February, King advance several justifications for why the transformative plan is allegedly needed. He said that the hospital is operating with a $100 million deficit and claimed that the building is so dilapidated that it would cost SUNY more than $4 billion to repair it. He added that fewer than half of the hospitals available beds are in regular use. The plan includes $300 million in capital investments and $200 million to enable community engagement in planning SUNY Downstates future. It would also transfer staff to nearby hospitals like Kings County Hospital Center, which is part of the NYC Health + Hospitals system of public hospitals. Moreover, as many as 345 workers at SUNY Downstate could lose their jobs. If the proposal is adopted, vital functions of Downstate will be drastically compromised, department chairs at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine wrote in an open letter that was published in BK Reader. The plan would undermine the hospitals core missions and harm the College of Medicine, they added. The department chairs also rebutted the arguments that King advanced to justify the transformative plan. They called the $100 million deficit temporary and attributed it to SUNY Downstates designation as a COVID-only hospital during the early part of the pandemic. The designation precluded normal operations at the hospital. They also questioned the claim that the hospital is falling apart and would cost $4 billion to repair. One of seven floors has been completely renovated, they noted. Furthermore, the new Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital, which is larger than SUNY Downstate, cost $923 million to build. The department heads also called Kings claim about the hospitals daily census disingenuous. Although SUNY Downstate has more than 350 originally certified beds, it is staffed for the number of beds that can be occupied, which is about 180. The hospitals average daily census is 150. Moreover, SUNYs proposal to transfer inpatient care to a wing of Kings County Hospital, which is across the street from Downstate, is entirely unrealistic, according to the department heads. Kings County does not have the bed space to accommodate these patients, they asserted. Nor has Kings County agreed to the plan. One can be certain that improving healthcare in an underserved area is not the motivation for the transformative plan. The plan was developed and is being promoted by current and former officials of the Democratic Party, which represents the interests of Wall Street. King, the chancellor of SUNY, previously served as New York states education commissioner under Governor Andrew Cuomo. He subsequently became secretary of education under President Barack Obama. Many of the SUNY trustees have served in state government under Democratic governors such as Hochul and Cuomo. In New York, as throughout the country, the Democrats have a record of antagonism toward public health when it conflicts with the accumulation of private profit. At the beginning of the pandemic, Cuomo required nursing homes to accept residents who had tested positive for COVID-19. The policy resulted in more than 15,000 deaths: a figure that Cuomo tried to cover up. Today, the Democrats are promoting the lie that the pandemic is over, and all measures to track the virus, isolate infected individuals and control transmission have been abandoned. At the national level, the Democrats main priorities are the escalation of the war against Russia in Ukraine, which threatens to become a nuclear conflagration, and the continued support of Israels genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. This slaughter is part of an unfolding third world war, which the Democrats are working to expand. President Joe Biden has ordered attacks on alleged Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria and has also overseen arms deliveries and provocative official visits to Taiwan, which are intended to provoke a military response by China. The transformative plan for SUNY Downstate has also emerged amid tens of thousands of layoffs in the healthcare industry. Layoffs have recently occurred at University of Chicago (180 workers); John Muir Health in Concord, California (164 workers); and Novant Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (160 workers), to name only a few. The systematic downsizing of healthcare is being pursued, even amid the second largest wave of the pandemic, in order shore up profits for the private health systems. It is also intended to suppress rising working class opposition by creating mass unemployment. In Brooklyn and around the world, the fight to safeguard public health and to provide universal access to the best medical care requires a fight against the capitalist profit system, which subordinates critical social needs to the drive for private enrichment. Victory in this struggle requires a struggle against both capitalist parties, based on the working class, in the fight for the socialist reorganization of society. The TikTok Inc. logo is seen on their building in Culver City, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2024 [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes] The 352-65 vote by the US House of Represenatatives this week to ban or force the sale of the popular social media app TikTok by its Beijing-based owner ByteDance is an attack on the democratic rights of the American people, particularly the more than 170 million people, mainly young, who make regular use of this application. It is an escalation of the longstanding campaign to censor left-wing and oppositional viewpoints on the internet while whipping up anti-China sentiment to escalate trade war measures against Beijing and prepare the population for open war with the worlds second-largest economy. President Joe Biden gave the green light for the overwhelming bipartisan passage of the right-wing, authoritarian bill in the nearly evenly split Republican-controlled House when he declared last week that he would sign the ban if it was approved by Congress. It must now be approved by a vote in the Democratic-controlled Senatea prospect that remains uncertain with the bills current languagebefore heading to the presidents desk. US politicians routinely declare TikTok to be a threat to national security, claiming the apps algorithm and use of artificial intelligence are employed to collect information on and manipulate American citizens to the benefit of Beijing. These accusations are nothing more than confessions, as this is exactly what big US corporations are already doing, scooping up and selling internet users data. And it has long been established that the US government is illegally spying on the entire worlds population. The renewed effort to effectively kill the app, either through its purchase by a US-based outfit or a de facto ban through massive punitive fines, has developed amid the growth of the app as the most popular platform among young Americans to get their news and share their views. The app has 170 million active monthly users in the US, with nearly half of users between the ages of 18 and 34. While users post and view content on a vast array of subjects, videos critical of US foreign policy routinely go viral. Since Israel launched its genocidal campaign with the full backing of the US against Gaza in October last year, hundreds of millions in the US and around the world have watched videos on the app that expose the horrific reality for the Palestinians on the ground and cut through Zionist propaganda. The head of the Zionist Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt, who was caught on a leaked audio calling this the TikTok problem, has backed banning the app on the grounds that it facilitates the spread of antisemitisma slander that is hurled against all those opposing the genocide in Gaza. A TikTok ban was first attempted under President Donald Trump in 2020 as part of his trade war measures against China. An executive order he signed prohibiting downloads of the app on Apple and Android devices was ultimately blocked by a federal judge for violation of the Constitutions First and Fifth Amendment rights to free speech and due process. The current bill backed by Biden is as far-reaching as Trumps attack. The intervening years have seen an institutionalization of censorship on social media and efforts to capture and kill platforms that were once open for free political discourse and were used to organize oppositional movements. Users of social media platforms have found that certain words or phrases, such as Gaza or genocide, will get their posts flagged and suppressed. Metas platforms Facebook and Instagram have been turned into wastelands under congressional pressure over supposed concerns about the safety of children and teens. The fascist billionaire Elon Musk purchased Twitter in 2022. The app, which was key for those organizing the 2011 Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions and for those following these events, has been turned into X, a platform where the filthiest antisemitism, anti-immigrant xenophobia and anti-LGBTQ content is regularly boosted by its owner. Since 2020, the World Socialist Web Site has been banned from the largest discussion boards on Reddit, which is being increasingly sanitized and commercialized as it moves toward becoming a publicly traded corporation. Meanwhile, Google continues to manipulate its search algorithm to suppress results for the WSWS and other left-wing sites. On Thursday, YouTube politically censored the World Socialist Web Site by flagging as age-restricted a video of the lecture given by WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North at the University of Michigan on March 12, titled, The Gaza genocide and the death of Aaron Bushnell: What are the political lessons? Among those salivating at the prospect of snapping up TikTok is Trumps former treasury secretary Steve Mnuchinan instigator of the campaign against the companywho announced on CNBC Thursday that he has put together a group to buy the billion-dollar operation. Similarly, the right-wing video hosting service Rumble, which hosts Trumps Truth Social, announced interest in buying TikTok. The anti-democratic trajectory of the app under such ownership is clear. Censorship of the internet is seen as a key part of the preparations by the American ruling class for great power conflict, most openly against China and Russia, that is, preparations for World War III. The Biden administration has based itself on the national security strategy outlined by the Pentagon under Trump in 2018, which declared long-term strategic competition requires the seamless integration of multiple elements of national powerdiplomacy, information, economics, finance, intelligence, law enforcement, and military. This has meant ever more aggressive trade war measures on supposed national security grounds, from the current effort against TikTok to the banning of the use of China-based Huawei equipment by 5G networks. This is being extended to demand a ban on the import of electric vehicles and batteries from China and the paranoiac hysteria that Chinese-built shipping cranes are spying on Americans. The social media platforms which have been developed over the last two decades have proven to be critical instruments in the hands of the working class, which is what strikes fear in the ruling class and motivates the growing censorship regime. Workers and young people must oppose the growing censorship campaign online, which is aimed above all at closing off the avenues available to find oppositional content and mobilize against capitalist exploitation and war. And they must mobilize against the campaign to whip up an anti-China hysteria aimed at setting the stage for open warfare between nuclear armed powers, which would be devastating for billions around the world. We are publishing the second part of the interviews that the WSWS carried out with four anti-COVID activists from Brazil at the end of February 2024. The first part, published on March 13, 2024, dealt mainly with the negligence of the Lula government and the World Health Organization in responding to the pandemic. In this second part, they talked about Long COVID, and the lack of measures by the Workers Party government to curb the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Long COVID is the biggest threat to the health of the working class in this century In April 2021, anti-COVID activist Fernando Santos was infected with COVID. Although he initially had mild symptoms, a few weeks later he began to manifest a series of symptoms caused by COVID, such as kidney inflammation and tachycardia. In July 2021, he was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/dysautonomia, a dysfunction of the nerves that regulate involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and perspiration. Anti-COVID activist of the project Qual Mascara? (Which Mask?), created by Beatriz Klimeck, handing out PFF2 masks and raising awareness of COVID airborne transmission [Photo: @qualmascara] In addition to its lack of monitoring and failure to acquire more modern vaccines, the Lula governments negligence in responding to the pandemic has also been manifested in relation to Long COVID, considered by many experts to be the pandemic within the pandemic. According to Fernando, The only time [Lulas health minister] Nisia Trindade, mentioned the term Long COVID on Twitter was very briefly, superficially, in 2022. At the turn of the year, we had the expectation that [the Lula government] would follow science. But then came all the frustration. For him, today, The Long COVID situation in Brazil is catastrophic, its negligence and its a public health crime. After a long account of the failed attempts to treat the symptoms of Long COVID, Fernando told the World Socialist Web Site: Since I had COVID back in 2021, to this day Im still waiting for the first appointment at the specific Long COVID outpatient clinic. From the Bolsonaro government to the Lula government, Fernando said, the Basic Health Units have not adapted to the evolution of knowledge about Long COVID, limiting themselves to cardiorespiratory physiotherapy. We have data today that Long COVID affects people who have had mild cases much more and especially young adults, between the ages of 18 and 40-something. So, the policy for dealing with long-term COVID is completely wrong, its still wrong. Under the previous government it was non-existent, and now its taking off, but in a very wrong direction. We are lagging behind the rest of the world. About the process of infection and the development of awareness about Long COVID, he said: The notion I had of Long COVID until that moment [of infection] was of prolonged symptoms. The nomenclatures persistent COVID, long COVID, can imply that. Ive been using chronic COVID, which I think has more appeal and more coherence. For Fernando, all the experience with COVID has led to the conclusion that Long COVID is the greatest threat of this century, of our era, to the health of the working class. Thats a fact. Because it will permeate anything. If you talk about the climate crisis ... its one thing to face a heatwave being 100 percent healthy. Its another thing for me now... I used to train jiu-jitsu, without a fan, in Rio de Janeiros dismal 40C sun, and I used to train happily. Now its a little hotter here, because of the dysautonomia, I cant do anything. I have to sit at home drinking isotonic with my legs up. I cant study properly, I cant work. There is no intention by the health ministry to try to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 Lawyer Juliana, who has been making inquiries to the Lula government via freedom of information requests about the pandemic in Brazil, told the WSWS that her intention was to understand what the governments official position is, considering that there is no clear position. She asked the federal government: Should the population resign themselves to the fact that we will have to live with the virus forever, wave after wave? According to her, the Lula government says that We are pro-science, we are pro-vaccine, but there is no vaccine. [Hes] using an idea of herd immunity that doesnt apply to COVID, ... and Nisia [Trindade, health minister] is in silence. Lula tweeted about the pandemic last July. She continued: In fact, they dont talk about it, they dont give an objective answer about it, but they give the impression that its something were really going to have to live with. So, there is no intention in the Ministry of Health to try to mitigate SARS-CoV-2. We shouldnt count on that. On the other hand, There are answers that are based on absolutely wrong things, such as the claim that if you are vaccinated, you are protected, because vaccines do not prevent infection and the development of Long COVID. In addition, Juliana said, There are still many official responses that dont address the transmission of COVID by aerosol. Some of the most prevalent symptoms of Long COVID Brazil is experiencing a desperate situation when it comes to babies and children dying from COVID. This year alone, there have been 48 deaths of babies and children up to the age of 14, 26 of them under the age of two. For those who survive the infection, Juliana drew attention to a World Bank report that said humanity is compromising the intellectual development of an entire generation of children by repeated SARS-CoV-2 infections. On this subject, in one of her inquiries via freedom of information requests, she asked: If vaccines are the solution to the pandemic, how can we protect babies up to 9 months old who are not yet fully vaccinated? ... The answers are always very evasive and general ... In reality, there is no planning. The impression is that there isnt even a conversation about it within the Ministry of Health. The pandemic is a watershed in the world All the interviewees concerns about COVID are linked to the wider issues the world is experiencing. Graphic designer Fernanda Giulietti expressed this, saying: The pandemic is a watershed in the world, for humanity. Its not possible that were not looking at it [in this way] ... I used an analogy about the 2008 crisis. The acute crisis has passed, but its repercussions are still there today, 15 years later. Things cant be solved, they dont end when they end, as the poet used to say. All the crises are adding up, like the indigenous crisis and global warming. Fernando mentioned the need for the application of the precautionary principle in relation to COVID, ignored by all capitalist governments: Healthy people are exposing themselves to risks, and they may later regret it, due to lack of information, and they will be abandoned, because the capitalist system sucks and grinds us down as long as we are productive. Today, when Im not so productive for society, Im seeing the reflection of that. In contrast to the historical negligence of governments not only in relation to COVID and its chronic effects, but toward other post-viral syndromes that could even offer more answers today to Long COVID, an international network of activists has formed, mainly on social media. Fernando concluded: I wanted to leave my message of respect and to thank first the international Long COVID advocates. It was through them that I was able to acquire information to understand my illness and to position myself today as a person with a disability. In Brazil, I would also like to thank the patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome... If I have all this information now, its because they had it before me. Fernandos and other activists fight for science-based measures against the COVID-19 pandemic and for adequate COVID-19 care is part of an international movement in defense of public health. In the latest expression of this movement, a coalition of Long COVID patients will hold a march in Washington D.C., the US capital, on March 15 to protest the lack of care and funding for research into Long COVID treatments. Anti-COVID activists in Brazil should see this protest as part of their struggle and, in turn, activists in the US and around the world should count on their counterparts in Brazil to take this fight forward. Workers at the Sevel plant in Atessa, Italy [Photo by Stellantis] Stellantis is aggressively pursuing a ruthless restructuring of its operations worldwide in its transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Thousands of workers, from the US to France, have been laid off. Plans for mass dismissals are well advanced, despite a record profit in 2023 and strong projections in the first months of 2024. Italy is no exception. The historic Mirafiori and Pomigliano dArco plants are slated for massive layoffs and reduced operations. The current furloughs, originally extended to March 30, have been further prolonged until April 20. The company has announced the termination of entire lines, such as Maserati Levante, and reduction of Fiat 500 EV production. Meanwhile, other Stellantis factories are pushing through similar policies, whether through individual or collective measures. The Cassino plant has already been subject to cassa integrazione (redundancy pay) as well as forced transfers (aptly referred to by workers as deportations). The state and the trade unions have heeded CEO Carlos Tavares extortionist demands. While the government of fascist Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is preparing to grant $1 billion in incentives, the union bureaucracies have supinely lobbied for Stellantis, appealing to the ultraright-wing executive, thus exposing their complete subordination to the capitalist state. Tavares has been promoted by the media as some sort of superstar. His tours around North American plants have rightfully provoked the anger and contempt of thousands of workers whose future is hanging by a thread. The CEO has also been touring Europe in recent months. One of his performances took place last January at the Sevel Plant in Val di Sangro, Italy, also known as Sevel-Sud. Opened in 1981, the plant produces FIAT, Citroen and Peugeot light vehicles for Stellantis. Until not long ago, about 6,200 workers were employed there. Today a more accurate figure is around 5,000, pointing to an ongoing process of erosion of jobs due to early retirement package offers and delocalization to Poland and other countries. The Stellantis Sevel Val di Sangro plant, originally financed through public funds in 1978 on the backdrop of a struggle by citizens committees and local farmers named NO ALLA SANGRO CHIMICA (No to chemical Sangro), started production of light vehicles in 1981. Today, it produces FIAT, Citroen and Peugeot light vehicles under Stellantis. It is the largest plant of light vehicles in Europe. The WSWS spoke to Francesca Felice, a Sevel worker who was fired early this month. WSWS: Can you tell us about your experience at Sevel? Francesca Felice: Im 45 years old. I was initially hired in 2006 on an apprenticeship, then with a permanent contract in 2007. Ive worked at IVECO [Stellantis] in Suzzara [Mantova] and several other adjacent plants [formerly Fiat] in Northern Italy. The most important and longest experience has been in the auto industry, when since the beginning I was a member of FIOM CGIL, with a representative role for the minority inside the plant. I then switched to SLAI Cobas [a base union] and fought many strikes against overtime, for safety, including during the COVID pandemic, and for the improvement of working, economic and employment conditions. WSWS: What is the mood in the auto industry in recent months? FF: Since the beginning of this year, Ive been very active in protests in support of our brothers and sisters at the Stellantis Cassino plant, against the agreement signed by the unions forming the Contratto Collettivo Specifico di Lavoro [CCSL, or Specific Collective Labor Agreement], which enables the company to implement obligatory quarterly reassignments to other factories, with dire consequences for the lives and emotional bonds of the workers affected by this. We also protested Tavares visit to our plant on January 22, denouncing the absence of a definitive industrial and employment plan as well as the delocalization of production to Gliwice in Poland. I have also fought a prolonged battle for the recognition of the right to personal health conditions, as I suffer from a degenerative autoimmune disease and was qualified to have reduced working capacity with a definitive targeted placement in April 2022. Despite this, I was forced to fight for years to obtain a work description that would be compatible with my state of health. Unfortunately, similar conditions persist for hundreds of colleagues within the factory due to an exhausting work pace. WSWS: When and why did Stellantis fire you? FF: On February 15 I received a disciplinary complaint at the end of my shift, the content of which was the prelude to a dismissal. I was then fired after several days of a stressful wait, as my arguments were deemed irrelevant by company management. From that day, my life was suspended because I was deprived of any future economic certainty. I was accused of having a union-related discussion at my workstation, which allegedly turned to a confrontation with a union representative of the FIM CISL union. Following the formalization of my dismissal, on the occasion of the International Women Workers Day on March 8, we proclaimed an eight-hour strike throughout the entire plant and on all working shifts. At the protest, my comrade Delio Fantasia, also fired in February from the Cassino plant, and a large delegation of FLMU-CUB workers, as well as other related factories and Pirelli workers, showed their support. WSWS: What would you tell workers who may be facing a similar situation, given Stellantis plan to restructure its global industrial complex? FF: The fundamental messages, expressed by many voices, have been and will remain the following: We must bring out class consciousness among workers, without which the class struggle, so indispensable to change our conditions, cannot be successful. We must unify our struggles, as the unity of the exploited masses scares the bosses! Only the workers vanguards, who are, not surprisingly, hit hard by employers repression, can carry out this unavoidable task. I will continue the legal battle to demonstrate the speciousness of the charges that led to my dismissal, with the hope of a timely reinstatement to prevent that what happened to me could happen to others. WSWS: What are some of the political lessons workers can draw from your experience? FF: If you ask me, Do you feel politically represented? the answer is absolutely not. It is no coincidence that I did not participate in the recent regional election. The right-wingers won. Many are pissed off at people like me who didnt go to vote. But it is not my fault, the responsibility for abstention lies with the left, or rather the pseudo-left and with the organizations that over the years have disconnected with reality, standing light years away from ordinary people. These pseudo-left organizations have looked increasingly to the right. They are responsible for the worst laws against workers [from the Treu Law of 1997 to the Jobs Act of 2018]. They have fueled disinterest in politics, frustration and total resignation. I hold them responsible. Im pissed off and I dont feel represented at all; there is no political force that carries forward our demands. The right advances in Italy and unfortunately elsewhere. This is a process that does not begin today but has been growing for over 20 years now. YouTube offices in Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Danny Moloshok] On Thursday, YouTube politically censored the World Socialist Web Site by flagging as age-restricted a video of the lecture given by WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North at the University of Michigan on March 12, titled, The Gaza genocide and the death of Aaron Bushnell: What are the political lessons? Despite multiple protests and appeals, YouTube has not reversed or in any way justified this act of censorship, which is clearly aimed at preventing the platforms 2.7 billion active users from accessing the political content of Norths lecture. By age-restricting the video, all those who see it on YouTube or wherever it is embedded, including on the WSWS itself, are greeted with a black box warning that Viewer discretion is advised, as shown below. "Age-restricted" censorship of WSWS video The aim was clearly to obstruct the viewing of Norths lecture. For tens of thousands of people accessing the WSWS on their cell phones or laptops, this was disruptive and confusing. Whereas the viewership of a clip from the lecture has surpassed 4,000 on TikTok and 6,000 on Twitter/X, a small fraction of those numbers have viewed the lecture on YouTube. As a result, the WSWS was forced to swap out the YouTube video with a Twitter/X post of the full lecture. Furthermore, only users verified as older than 18 who are logged into their accounts can even view the video, preventing hundreds of millions of the platforms users, who are under 18, from accessing the lecture altogether. At 8:22 a.m. EDT Thursday morning, the WSWS initially appealed YouTubes decision to flag the video as age-restricted. At 8:45 a.m. EDT, the WSWS received the email below from YouTube rejecting our appeal and claiming, We reviewed your content carefully, and have confirmed that it violated our self harm policy. The dishonesty of this statement is self-evident, given that YouTube replied to the WSWSs appeal only 23 minutes after it was sent, during which time it is impossible that they carefully reviewed the contents of the 49-minute video. More fundamentally, anyone who watches the lecture carefully would recognize it as the most sensitive and thoughtful analysis of the suicide of 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, which places this event in its broader objective and historical context. There is no one of any age who would not benefit from a serious examination of these questions and, in particular, young people who have higher rates of mental health conditions. In the course of his report, North meticulously documents the phenomenon of ever-rising rates of suicide in the United States, particularly in the military, rooting this in the eruption of US imperialism, the suppression of the class struggle and the toxic promotion of individualism following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. He then critiques an essay by Chris Hedges, who unequivocally endorsed Bushnells suicide, making himself, in effect, not only an accomplice after the fact in the young mans death, but also an instigator of future protest suicides. North characterizes Hedges essay as consisting of a mixture of religious mysticism, middle class utopianism, political disorientation, historical falsification and the glorification of irrationalism. Sharply summing up the significance of Hedges promotion of suicide as a viable political strategy, North states, Hedges essay speaks to the pessimism, intellectual bankruptcy and essentially reactionary character of middle class pseudo-leftism, i.e., the ideological conceptions that generally predominate on university campuses. In opposing suicide as a tactic, North stresses the need for young people to study the classics of Marxism and take up the fight for revolutionary socialism, concluding, transform your anger and outrage into effective political action, into the determination to master Marxist theory, to learn the lessons of history, to acquaint yourself with the great revolutionary struggles of the last century. At no point in his lecture does North in any way promote or justify Bushnells suicide, and it is entirely unclear what caused the video to trigger YouTubes censorship algorithm. Scenes or photos of Bushnells self-immolation do not appear at any point in the video. The video briefly shows the well-known 1963 photo of the self-immolation of Thich Quang uc, which won the World Press Photo of the Year, but there are numerous videos on YouTube which show this photo and are not age-restricted. The only relevant clause from their self-harm policy is that the lecture could qualify as Content that is meant to be educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic or Content that is of public interest. These broad categories are listed among those that can trigger the age restriction, underscoring the entirely arbitrary and anti-democratic character of these rules. Following the rejection of our appeal to lift the age restriction flag, the WSWS corresponded with two YouTube Support Assistants and a supervisor of the YouTube Support Experience team, who could very well have been AI-generated chat-bots presented as real people. In a Kafkaesque manner, each assistant repeatedly assured the WSWS that the matter had been thoroughly investigated while refusing to provide any details as to what triggered the censorship, a decision they repeated was final and conclusive. Part of the correspondence included the following: WSWS: This is clearly an act of censorship of a left-wing, socialist news outlet which has no justification. The timing of our protest and the email from Youtube makes clear that the reviewers spent only 23 minutes, or less than half the time of the video, supposedly reviewing it. YouTube: I can sense how difficult this can be for you, and I can assure you that we have thoroughly investigated your request. [] YouTube: Upon reviewing the details, I can confirm that your video was carefully evaluated by our internal reviewers and confirmed that it falls under our age-restriction policy, specifically with our suicide/self-harm policy. Therefore, the age-restriction will remain on your video. I totally understand this can be worrisome on your end, given that the decision was after around 20 minutes, while the video is around 49 minutes. WSWS: That is not a real answer, youre simply repeating the same baseless assertion as the other two customer service representatives I corresponded with, as well as the original email we received after our appeal. We have not been informed of anything specific that triggered this censorship and demand to be provided with those details. YouTube: Please note that our internal team is composed of experienced professionals who have been trained to make objective and fair evaluations of all the appeals particularly with Community Guidelines. [] YouTube: Unfortunately, the decision is final and conclusive. [] YouTube: I appreciate your interest in reversing the decision. However, our internal team which specializes in reviewing content in line with our policies confirmed the decision and this is conclusive. The censorship of the WSWS is fundamentally a political attack against the basic democratic rights of the global population, above all, the rights to free speech and freedom of the press. The suicide of Aaron Bushnell is an enormously significant event of great public interest, which has been viewed and discussed by millions of people throughout the world. The underlying aim of censoring David Norths lecturewhich uniquely examines Bushnells death from a Marxist perspectiveis to bury this event and keep it hidden from the public. It is being done as part of efforts to censor all opposition to the imperialist-backed Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people. It is abundantly clear that this was a targeted censorship. When one searches for Bushnell suicide on YouTube, almost every video does not include the age-restricted flag, including some which show the graphic suicide video. The only other video that was censored in the same manner as the WSWS was a news report on Bushnells suicide by the left-wing program Democracy Now! This is the first time that YouTube has directly censored a video from the World Socialist Web Site. It takes place just three months after the WSWS posted David Norths previous lecture given in Berlin, which also examined the genocide in Gaza and was viewed over 12,000 times. Undoubtedly, the popularity of that lecture influenced YouTubes decision to directly censor the WSWS. YouTube is owned by Google, which has developed an apparatus of internet censorship since the spring of 2017, first exposed by the World Socialist Web Site, which was its chief target. At an October 2020 Senate hearing, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Googles parent company Alphabet, admitted that the company had censored the WSWS. YouTube, along with every other social media outlet, has imposed an expanding censorship regime on all criticism of the Israeli government and its imperialist backers, including through the demonetization of MintPress News (MPN) shortly after the genocide in Gaza began. The censorship of the WSWS and all other left-wing outlets must be opposed. As world capitalism descends ever further into barbarism and dictatorship, all democratic rights are under relentless assault. Only the building of a revolutionary movement of the international working class can stop these processes and overthrow this outmoded social order, creating the conditions for a vast expansion of social and democratic rights internationally. By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Mar 15, 2024 - 08:44 | All, World, Japan U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that United States Steel Corp. should be domestically owned, coming out against Nippon Steel Corp.'s plan to acquire the company as support from labor unions is becoming more significant for his reelection bid. "It is important that we maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers. I told our steel workers I have their backs, and I meant it," Biden said in a statement. Such comments ahead of the November presidential election will almost certainly turn the Japanese company's plan to buy the U.S. producer for over $14 billion into even more of a political issue. "U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated," Biden said. Former President Donald Trump, who seeks to defeat Biden to return to the White House, has also said he would "block" Nippon Steel's plan, announced in December. The two companies believe the merger, creating the world's third-largest steelmaker by volume, would benefit both sides. The Tokyo-based steelmaker has said its advanced production technology would improve the U.S. firm's operations. It has also promised to leave the name and branding of U.S. Steel unchanged, while vowing no jobs would be lost as a result of the acquisition. The U.S. steelmaker, founded in 1901, was once an industrial leader but has fallen to 27th in global output. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in the election. Nippon Steel has also said it would keep the U.S. firm's Pittsburgh head office and manufacturing facilities, enabling its products to continue to be made in the United States. But unionized workers are not in favor of the $14.1 billion, all-cash transaction, although it values the legacy company at $55 per share, representing a 40 percent premium over its closing stock price on Dec. 15 last year. On Thursday, shares of the U.S. company tumbled 6.4 percent to finish at $38.26. According to the White House, Biden on Thursday called United Steelworkers International President David McCall, who in early February disclosed that the president stood with its members in opposing the merger. McCall welcomed Biden's latest statement, saying "Allowing one of our nation's largest steel manufacturers to be purchased by a foreign-owned corporation leaves us vulnerable when it comes to meeting both our defense and critical infrastructure needs." He said the 81-year-old Democratic president's words "should end the debate: U.S. Steel must remain 'domestically owned and operated.'" A U.S. president has no direct authority to interfere in this kind of private-sector deal, and it is extremely rare for such comments to be made prior to an interagency committee concluding its review on national security grounds. Biden's statement came days after the nominating races for the Nov. 5 election have made it all but certain that he faces a rematch against Trump, a 77-year-old former president who leads the incumbent in head-to-head races in some national polls and key swing states. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday warned against "politicizing" Nippon Steel's acquisition of the U.S. company. Biden's statement was also released at a time when the United States and Japan are preparing for an official visit to Washington next month by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Biden is committed to iconic U.S. steel producers remaining in American hands, but declined to go beyond the president's own words when asked to clarify whether he wants the deal to die. Kirby told reporters that Biden, who will host Kishida as a state guest, has "an awful lot to talk about, an awful lot to explore" with the Japanese leader when they meet on April 10. "The alliance with Japan is stronger than it's ever been and it's a real keystone to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. So we're looking forward to that visit and we believe it's going to be a very, very productive one," he said. The Biden administration has said Nippon Steel's plan should be scrutinized in terms of its potential impact on national security, despite the offer being from a key U.S. ally. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, also known as CFIUS, is in charge of examining and determining whether certain foreign investment transactions in U.S. firms pose national security threats. "That review will surely support the transaction given Japan's status as one of America's most important and reliable allies," John Murphy, the chamber's vice president and head of international issues, said in a statement on Thursday, pointing out that Japanese investment in the United States supports nearly a million jobs in the country. "Officials must be careful not to send a chilling signal to international companies that U.S. politics may put their job-creating investments in the U.S. at risk," he said. "For these reasons, it's imperative that the CFIUS review proceed; and if, as expected, it reveals no national security concerns, the sale should proceed." Related coverage: Nippon Steel rebuffs Trump criticism over U.S. Steel deal U.S. says to investigate Nippon Steel, U.S. Steel merger Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel for $14. bil. in all-cash deal Protests against the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza were held in the major Australian cities last weekend, as they have throughout the more than five-month onslaught. The demonstrations coincided with new war crimes, including repeated Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians seeking food over the past weeks, as cases of starvation rise. Despite the Australian governments ongoing support for Israel, protest organisers continue to limit the rallies to plaintive appeals to Labor to change course. In opposition to this, Socialist Equality Party (SEP) campaigners are insisting on the need to mobilise the working class against the government, and the capitalist system that is responsible for genocide, in Australia and internationally. As part of its fight to build a socialist leadership in the working class, the SEP is seeking electoral registration, so that it can stand in federal ballots under its party name. Several thousand took part in the Sydney protest. Athmane, who joined as an SEP electoral member, said the Labor governments support of Israels genocide was just disgusting. Im really disappointed with the Labor party and Im definitely not going to vote Labor again. Athmane Albanese talked about the rights of Aboriginal people, but when it came to Palestinians, the indigenous people of their land, he completely switched. I couldnt believe the double standards. Originally from Algeria, Athmane said: Growing up, we heard about Western democracies, and human rights. But then we saw the Iraq war and started to think this is not right. The US talk about freedom and liberty, but were all human beings. Likewise, in Gaza, the US is fighting for its interests. Theyre not fighting for human rights or anything like that. Its about money. I cant watch Australian news anymore. With Gaza, the lies are insane. But people are starting to wake up, with social media and videos now. I think Gaza was the last straw. People can see it with their own eyesit cant be covered up. Asked whether he thought the Labor government could be pressured to change its position on Israel and Palestine, he said: To be honest, no. In fact its been getting worse. I dont think they will budge. With liberalism and capitalism, theres always going to be wars, because of greedthe money is never enough. If these systems continue, the wars are going to continue. Theres no other outcome, unless people get together to fight for socialism. In Melbourne, where 5,000 participated despite heatwave conditions, Uliana, a retired disability worker, said she had been to the rallies every weekend. Uliana On the Labor governments dismissal of the protests, she responded: Its disgraceful, it makes me so incredibly angry and sad and helpless because I put my trust in my government to follow what people believe in, in what is right, and I think they are not doing it now. Youre going to kill a whole race of people because of Hamas? No, thats not believable and the fact that they dodge the question all the time just is unbelievable. I have no faith in our governments. If there was an election now, I wouldnt know who to vote for because I wouldnt vote for Liberal or Labor. The Greens I dont know, are they just an up and coming Labor Party? Traditionally I have voted Labor, at the last election I voted Greens and now, I dont know. Nour raised: Ive been coming every Sunday almost since these protests started, because I dont believe in genocide, I think that Palestinians should be free and should be safe. I dont think theres any other message that I want to put out there. Nour Asked about Labors steadfast support for the Zionist onslaught, she responded: Ive no idea why that is happening, because when we first started protesting I genuinely could not have imagined that it would be 22 weeks of protest, or 22 weeks of genocide. I could not have imagined that going into the New Yearit felt so foreign, it felt like surely everyone can see what is happening and surely everyone is against genocide? So I honestly have no idea, but it is really disturbing that were still here after 22 weeks and that this is still happening. Nour added: Ive been involved in a lot of the different forms of protest and I think that at the very least it shows that were not going to forget, and were not going to just get over it, which I think is maybe part of the reason that the government doesnt do anything. Similar sentiments were expressed by Holly and Maddison, both hospitality workers. Holly said: We are taught in society to learn from history, but were still not. Maddison(left) and Holly(centre) Her friend Maddison told WSWS reporters that she had attended around ten of the Free Palestine rallies. On the Labor governments role, she said: It disgusts me, I find it hard to put into words what I have to say about it; I dont understand how we can keep on doing things like this and not learn from the past at all and not learn about what has been done in history. We are still doing this today, its just disgusting. Asked about her understanding of the role of the US in the Middle East, Maddison replied: It has been shown in history so many times that they want to take over everything and say that they are doing great things. But I dont understand how you can do bad things and then turn around and say, we are for human rights. I just recently came across the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Im like, how do we have that and were still doing things like this. You cant say you are for universal rights and then turn around and kill tens of thousands of people. Ive had people ask me, why are you going to this rally, especially being my birthday soon, and Im like, thats a great way to spend my birthday, fighting for the rights of other people. I dont even want to celebrate my birthday now, because how can I stand here and celebrate my life and be happy about my life when people are dying and struggling to stay alive? Thats horrible, of course I want to be here and be doing this instead. Dean said: I think the genocide is abhorrent. I want it to stop and I want all our society to be participating in stopping that. Its an indictment on the government here. I dont think we can trust Labor at all in conscience ever again. Dean importantly raised the connection between the re-emergence of genocide as an instrument of state policy and the elimination of all COVID-19 public health measures. Yes, there is absolutely a link, he said. COVID-19 is being used as a weapon of war against Palestinians right now in Palestine, and it is also being used as an attempted means to prevent mass movements from gathering momentum. Because if governments have convinced everybody that COVID is not an issue, and we should all just be going back to normal in our lives, then our comrades are going to get infected, reinfected and eventually disabled. My partner has been disabled and cant come to any of these protests because she has been in bed for six months with Long COVID. Its an absolute disgrace. I think we can very easily lay the blame for all the mass atrocities that are occurring, both on governments and the corporations who have captured them through the way that capitalism currently operates in the world. Millions of workers and young people are protesting internationally, outraged by the genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza with the aim of ethnically cleansing the Palestinians. Since October 7, thousands of protests have been organized across Spain, including the major cities Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza, mobilizing millions of workers and youth. The anti-war spirit of those participating stands in stark contrast to the cynical motivations of their organisers. This is particularly the case with the pseudo-left tendency Podemos, which having left government in December is now posturing as an opponent of genocide after it had armed Israel when it was in power. Over 100,000 people marched in Madrid on Sunday October 29 in defense of Gaza. There is a class gulf between the struggle waged by the WSWS to turn the protests to the essential task of building a conscious movement of the working class against the government and the capitalist systemthe source of inequality, war and fascismand cynical political maneuvers of Podemos in parliament and on the streets aimed at keeping mass anger against the Israeli genocide in Gaza trapped within the straitjacket of the PSOE-Sumar government. Podemos in power (2020-2023): the flourishing years of Israel-Spanish relations Today, Podemos actively participates in widespread protests across Spain calling the PSOE-Sumar coalition government to sever all diplomatic and military ties with Israel. However, when it was in a governmental coalition with the PSOE from 2020 to 2023 Spain's political, economic, and military engagements with the far-right Netanyahu government intensified. This occurred despite Netanyahu's brutal suppression of Palestinian rights in the West Bank and Gaza, actions that led to the Hamas October 7 incursion into Israel. Before 2020, relations between Israel and Spain had deteriorated over Jerusalems position on the Catalan secessionist crisis in 2017. Israel had defined the crisis in Catalonia as an internal matter that had to be resolved through dialogue, angering Madrid which expected full support for its suppression of the Catalan nationalists. This changed when Podemos came to power. Trade relations soared to a record 3.1 billion in 2023. In 2022 alone, 2,558 companies exported to Israel, with the value of their goods and services reaching a record 2.1 billion, an increase of 20.2 percent on the previous year, while imports from Israel reached 1 billion. Some of Spains largest corporations on the Ibex-35 stock exchange increased their presence in the Israeli market, such as Sacyr, Indra, Acs and Comsa. Podemos never opposed some of the infrastructure companies, such as CAF, COMSA, GMV or TyPSA, working to reinforce Israels occupation of the West Bank through the expansion of tram networks connecting occupied Jerusalem with Israel. Weapons trade also flourished. In 2014, Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias criticised the right-wing Popular Party (PP) government for its weapons deals with Israel. Iglesias said it was a shame that our government is going to continue spending 300 million buying Spike missiles from Israel and that during 2013 sold military material to Israel worth four million euros. Podemos party leader Pablo Iglesias speaks as Spain's caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks on after signing an agreement at the parliament in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul White) Six years later, however, the PPs weapons deal with the Zionist regime paled in comparison with that of Podemos. Under Vice President Iglesias, between 2020 and 2022, Spain sold weapons to Israel worth 140 million, while Madrid spent hundreds of millions buying weapons with the combat-tested mark from Israel. Their use against the Palestinians made them seen as more valuable and more reliable for Spains armed forces. The PSOE-Podemos government also bought Spike missiles worth 365 million. On October 3, just days before the Israeli assault on Gaza, the government bought another 1,680 Spike missiles worth 285 million. Diplomatic relations also improved. In June 2023, Madrid hosted the Fifth Spain-Israel Strategic Dialogue, gathering senior officials from both countries including from defence ministries and armies. The conference discussed the scope for Israel to help meet the growing demand from Spain and its EU partners for civil and military technology. The Podemos government also maintained 646 troops in southern Lebanon, as part of the imperialist mission of the 11,000-strong United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the largest deployment of Spain in a UN mission. Led by Spanish Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, its aim is to secure Israels northern border against Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia and ally of Hamas in Gaza. On the eve of the October 7 uprising, Podemos and its newly formed coalition, the Sumar electoral platformwhich included the Sumar Movement, Podemos, the Stalinist United Left, as well as various nationalist and regionalist factions, all led by tested, pro-NATO politicianshad already signaled their support for Israel's oppression against Palestinians. Podemos forty-five days in government after October 7 Podemos played an extraordinary cynical role. While accusing Israel of genocide, the PSOE-Podemos government continued selling millions of euros of weaponry to be used on Gazans. Just a week after October 7, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of the PSOE condemned the Hamas attack and reiterated Israels countrys right to defend itself, Podemos leader and Minister for Social Rights Ione Belarra accused Israel of carrying out a planned genocide in Gaza. Ione Belarra at The Left Summit in Madrid, October 2023 [Photo by The Left/Flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Belarra accused Israel of leaving hundreds of thousands of people without electricity, food and water and bombing the civilian population as a collective punishment. She was playing a duplicitous role. According to research by the Delas Center for Peace, after October 7, the PSOE-Podemos government continued buying and selling weapons to Israel and closing contracts with Israeli arms companies. Last November, as Belarra sat in government, a Spanish arms company exported lethal ammunition to Israel authorised by the PSOE-Podemos government worth 987,000 belonging to the category bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, cartridges and other ammunition and projectiles. These operations were continued by its successor, the PSOE-Sumar government. Imports also rose. Spain acquired 705 million worth of products from the Israeli company Elbit Systems, specialising in manufacturing military electronics and intelligence gathering systems and different types of vehicles such as submarines, aircraft and combat ships. The PSOE-Podemos government also protected Israels rear, as Podemos ministers voted to send Spanish frigate Mendez Nunez and military supply ship Patino to join the battle group of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. The carrier was deployed in the eastern Mediterranean to provide US support for the Israeli war in Gaza, backing up US threats to bomb forces in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq or Iran that might seek to intervene militarily to assist the Palestinians. The turning point that compelled Podemos to shift its stance came with the global outcry against the Israeli atrocities. The largest and most sustained anti-war movement since the Vietnam War era erupted across the world, with millions participating in protests. In Belgium, airport unions called on workers not to handle arms shipments to Israel. In Barcelona, 1,200 dockworkers announced they would refuse to service any ships carrying material to supply the Netanyahu governments war. In Ferrol, workers at public shipyard company Navantia denounced the dispatching of Spanish warships and demanded their immediate return and an end to all commercial and diplomatic ties with Israel. Understanding that they faced political oblivion due to their association with the genocide, with the vast majority of its supporters joining pro-Palestinian protests and the first signs of the intervention of the working class internationally, Podemos decided to leave the PSOE-Sumar government. On December 5, five lawmakers of Podemos announced that they were leaving the Sumar Movement parliamentary group. Podemos left government not because it opposes the genocide in Gaza, its austerity policies and its militarism, all of which it supported from 2020 to 2023. It even made clear that it was not going to use its key five lawmakers to bring down the government, which enjoys a thin majority. On the contrary, Belarra cynically stated that the democratic forces [Podemos, PSOE and Sumar] must work together to stop the far-right in Spain. Podemos postures against genocide Podemos was in short working with the PSOE-Sumar government to keep mass anger against the Israeli genocide in Gaza confined in the straitjacket of the PSOE-Sumar government by citing the far-right threat. Typically, in early January, Belarra stated that Podemos had urged the Spanish government to support South Africa's case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for genocide. Podemos sent official letters to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the central government. The ICJ interim ruling found that there was compelling evidence of both genocidal acts and genocidal intent on the part of Israeli government and military leaders and that the case should go forward. However, ceding to pressure from major imperialist powers, including the US, UK, France, Germany and others, the court scandalously failed to call on Israel to end its bombardment of Gaza and lift its blockade of food, medicine, energy and other essentials. South African, left, and Israeli delegation, right, stand during session at the International Court of Justice, or World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. [AP Photo/Patrick Post] The ruling exposed Podemos insistence that protestors should put their hopes in the ICJ that could not and will not stop the genocide. Podemos is also attempting to divert the protests away from the Spanish government and the imperialist bourgeoisie it serves utilizing a shop-soiled Stalinist anti-Americanism. On X, Podemos leader Belarra said, This government's subservience to the US is what prevents it from acting against the genocide of the Palestinian people. I'm ashamed. This is despite the fact that as a minister she voted in favour of increasing the number of US warships and soldiers stationed on Spanish territory and Spanish soil and joined in sending tanks and weaponry to the US-NATO proxy Kiev regime in the Ukraine to wage war on Russia. Behind Belarras anti-Americanism is not socialist opposition to US imperialism. Rather, under conditions where US power is diminishing and voices within sections of the European elite are calling for strategic autonomy from Washington, particularly in case Trump wins the elections this year, Podemos is consciously bolstering European and especially Spanish imperialism. At the same time, by not mentioning the mass protests that have erupted in the US, particularly among Jewish people, Podemos is showing it is hostile to any perspective of international unity of workers across the Atlantic in opposition to the genocide in Gaza. Podemos also promotes illusions that the PSOE-Sumar government, still involved in selling and importing weapons to and from Israel, can be pressured to act against its campaign of mass murder and ethnic cleansing. In late February, Podemos submitted a non-legal proposal in parliament to cut diplomatic relations and military ties with Israel, until the offensive on Gaza and the West Bank ceases. Of the six initiatives put to a vote, only doubling efforts to ensure the inflow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the increase of aid and the sending of jointly coordinated aid within the EU was adopted. Cynically, on the call for an immediate cessation of arms trade with Israel, the two government parties, the PSOE and Sumar, voted in favour, but this was rejected by 176 votes to 166, with the opposition right-wing People's Party (PP), the far-right Vox, and the Catalan nationalist Together for Catalonia (Junts) party, which support the government from outside. For all their posturing, Podemos is still trying to shore up the government. It does not oppose Spanish militarism and when in power agreed to record hikes in military spending. They also supported the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, sending millions of euros in weaponry, training and aid to the far-right Zelensky regime. Podemos war abroad is bound up with its now well-established record of suppressing workers in Spain, including sending thousands of police to crush the Cadiz metalworkers, the 2022 truckers strike, and imposition of draconian minimum services to break strikes. Above all, Podemos is opposed to the only way of stopping the mass murder and ethnic cleansing in Gaza: the development of a global movement of the working class against the capitalist class and its repressive state apparatus. Any genuine fight against genocide and war requires the independent mobilization of the working class on an international and socialist basis, in opposition to political forces like PSOE, Sumar and Podemos and its trade union allies, CCOO and UGT, which acts as a police force on behalf of imperialism. This requires new organisations, a new perspective and the building of a political leadership aiming for the conquest of power by the working class, the overthrow of capitalism and imperialism, and the establishment of socialism on a world scale. It means building a Spanish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, the world Trotskyist movement. The Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee (Australia) (HWRFC) continues its campaign in defence of health workers who have spoken out against the ongoing genocide in Gaza. In a resolution passed on January 17, the HWRFC condemned the doxxing campaign orchestrated by Zionist forces against health workers who have publicly opposed the genocide and ongoing war crimes committed by Israels Netanyahu government. Nurses and midwives contingent at weekly anti-Gaza genocide Hyde Park protest in Sydney [Photo: Instagram/nandm4palestine] At least 39 individuals who have opposed the ongoing Israeli war crimes have been reported to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by Zionists who have weaponised medical complaints procedures to falsely accuse them of antisemitism. The careers, professional reputations and livelihoods of the reported doctors and other health workers now hang in the balance as a result of these bogus accusations. At a recent meeting of the HWRFC, one of the victimised doctors from Sydney spoke about her experiences. She explained that when doctors sought to discuss the genocide in Facebook groups, they were suppressed: Everything was shut down, there was censorship. The only comment I made in one group was to just say that Palestinians have been dying for a very long time, theyve been dying very quietly and that they were probably going to be annihilated after October 7, which is exactly what is happening. And for that, I was accused on social media of being antisemitic, the doctor stated. She outlined the systematic witch hunt against pro-Palestinian doctors, who had their name, workplace, and registration number published by pro-Zionists on social media and had false accusations made against them. The Australian medical authorities were refusing to condemn these anti-democratic attacks. Our colleges know this is happening, including AHPRA and the AMA [Australian Medical Association], RACGP [Royal Australian College of General Practitioners], but there is radio silence from them. They will not put out a statement that doxxing is happening and they will not put out a statement that this kind of behaviour is disgusting, she said. A Melbourne health worker also relayed her own experiences with the AHPRA complaints process. The process was very long, meticulous, and traumatic. For an AHPRA complaint to be made based on one comment and for any individual to be put through that process when they have done absolutely nothing wrong is atrocious, she said. The HWRFC is urging all medical professionals and other sections of the working class in Australia and internationally to oppose this major attack on freedom of speech and democratic rights. Statements and letters of support can be sent to these addresses: Email: sephw.aus@gmail.com Twitter: @HealthRandF_Aus Facebook: facebook.com/groups/hwrfcaus Published below are two recently received statements of support from health workers: Maya, a molecular biologist and science communicator from Victoria: I became a scientist with the idea that maybe my research could help others and a desire to do something for the greater good, however small. Most healthcare professionals will say something similar, i.e., a desire to help those in need and to give back to the community. This desire to give back often equates with an imperative to speak out against injustice and not stand in silence whilst others suffer. I therefore offer my support to the Palestinian people for the disproportionate suffering visited upon them by the Israeli government, killing almost 30,000, mostly innocent women and children. We see the complete destruction of schools, universities, hospitals, Palestinians being rounded up and moved from one refugee camp to another where they are then bombed, shot at, and starved to death. These actions constitute war crimes under the Geneva convention. I offer my support to the health care professionals recently doxxed by pro-Israeli groups claiming to expose antisemitic sentiment as their motive. It is not antisemitic to criticise the ongoing slaughter in Gaza by Israel. Being anti-Israel is not tantamount to being antisemitic and it is incorrect to conflate the two. Harassing and intimidating healthcare professionals and publishing their personal details online for supporting Palestinians is against the tenets of freedom of speech, yet these same people were morally outraged when their identities were exposed for having perpetrated these offences. Why is the law only applicable to one group of people and not another? Why are only these peoples opinions deemed worthy? Because they hold a lot of power within the community, and they dont want people talking about war crimes in Israel. I fully support the doctors and nurses who are now being wrongly investigated by AHPRA for speaking out against the murder of Palestinians in Gaza. As healthcare professionals, they are duty bound to support people in need and call out injustice where they see it and thats all these people were doing. I applaud them for their actions. Mary, a hospital administration worker from New South Wales: I would like to support the campaign being waged by the World Socialist Web Site, the Socialist Equality Party and HWRFC to fight to end the attacks on pro-Palestinian medical professionals who have spoken out publicly against genocide in Gaza. I work in health administration in a large regional hospital in northern New South Wales and any attempt to label health workers as antisemitic for opposing the genocide just shows the desperation and fear the ruling elites have at the growing opposition to their war plans in the working class more broadly. The most recent atrocity which has become known as the #FlourMassacre, where starving people were tricked into approaching aid trucks and then attacked with assault weapons and tanks, killing over 100 and injuring over 750 people was shocking and horrifying to witness. Social media has placed these live images around the world while government and corporate funded media ignore whats going on. The late journalist John Pilger was 100 percent correct to label these Vichy journalists who cover for imperialist crimes on a daily basis. We have watched in utter horror and despair, knowing Israel is aided by AUKUS allies including Australia and Western European imperialist governments. I call on all my fellow workers in the health sphere to join the HWRFC, or start a committee in your workplace and support the struggle to end the genocide in Gaza, war in Ukraine and threats of war with China, and Russia. Thanks to the WSWS and SEP for taking up this campaign and organising meetings How to Stop the Genocide in Gaza to mobilise opposition to the Israeli Zionist genocide of Palestinian babies, children, women and men. President Joe Biden speaks with Vice President Kamala Harris after speaking at the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in Philadelphia. [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky] The Democratic Party is launching a full-scale campaign against third-party competition in the 2024 presidential election, mobilizing both the resources of the Democratic National Committee and of outside political action committees funded by longtime Democratic multimillionaire donors. The effort is its first-ever publicly announced campaign against third parties, although the Democrats have a long and sordid record of behind-the-scenes efforts to block the emergence of any left-wing, let alone socialist, challenge to the capitalist two-party system. Democrats have frequently challenged the efforts of socialist candidates to obtain ballot status, particularly in closely contested elections. The initial target of the public Democratic campaign, according to reports Thursday by NBC News and the Washington Post, is the announced third-party campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running on a right-wing program of vaccine denial and other conspiracy theories. But there is little doubt that it will be directed primarily at the campaigns of Cornel West, Green Party candidate Jill Stein and, in particular, the recently-announced campaign of Socialist Equality Party candidates Joseph Kishore for president and Jerry White for vice president. NBC reported: The Democratic National Committee is building its first team to counter third-party and independent presidential candidates, people involved told NBC News, as the party and its allies prepare for a potential all-out war on candidates they view as spoilers. The NBC article added, More legal challenges are almost guaranteed, with attorneys actively monitoring third-party ballot access attempts across the country to look for any slip-up that could be exploited. That is, the Democrats are preparing to challenge every signature and use every anti-democratic legal maneuver to prevent challengers from being on the ballot. The DNC has hired veteran Democratic operative Lis Smith, best known for her work guiding the 2020 presidential campaign of Pete Buttigieg, to help oversee an aggressive communications component of its strategy, which also includes opposition research and legal challenges. Underscoring how important Democrats view the effort, it is being overseen by Mary Beth Cahill and Ramsey Reid, two veteran DNC insiders Matt Corridoni, Smiths former deputy on the Buttigieg campaign and most recently a top aide to Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., is also joining the team as a spokesperson. The NBC and Washington Post articles cited a series of comments by prominent Democratic Party operatives blaming the partys losses in the 2000 and 2016 presidential campaigns on the role of the Green Party and independent Ralph Nader. In both elections, the Democrats won a plurality in the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College, but they chose to blame not the archaic and anti-democratic structure involving electoral votes, but the supposed spoiler role of Nader and Jill Stein, who diverted votes from Democrats Al Gore and Hillary Clinton. This effort includes not only well-funded Democratic-oriented groups like Third Way, American Bridge and Move-On, but newly established groups like Citizens to Save Our Republic, which, the Post reported, called on all third-party candidates to sign a pledge to leave the race in six swing states by July 1 if they have not qualified in enough states to win the electoral college and have not polled competitively. A new super PAC, Clear Choice, was recently founded by Pete Kavanaugh, a deputy campaign manager for Bidens 2020 campaign. In a statement issued by the group, Kavanaugh declared: Its imperative that this election is a clear choice between President Biden and Donald Trump. No third-party or independent candidate has any chance of winning a state in November, never mind reaching 270 electoral votes. They are spoilers, plain and simple. Were here to work with allies to ensure those candidates are held accountable, and everything is on the table. That everything includes brazenly anti-democratic methods labeled insuring that third-party candidates play by the rules, that is, they conform to rules set down by the Democrats and Republicans to exclude third-party competition as much as possible. The efforts to counter third party campaigns avoid dealing with the political issues which motivate voters to break with the Democratic Party, mainly the right-wing and pro-war policies of the party and its candidates. Instead, they seek to terrorize voters with the prospect that if they refuse to vote for Biden, Trump will win. As one official told NBC, Trumps ceiling in the popular vote was about 46 percent, and the Democratic strategy was to compel the remaining majority of voters to back Biden. Longtime Democratic operative Joe Trippi, now with Citizens to Save Our Republic, explained this analysis, according to NBC: Trump expanded his vote share from 2016 to 2020, from 46.1% to 46.9%, but won in 2016 and lost in 2020 because of third parties, Trippi argued. In 2016, third-party candidates collectively received almost 5% of the national popular vote, while in 2020 they earned only about 1.5% of the vote. The result was a Biden victory, a formula which must be repeated in 2024, Trippi claimed. The single biggest threat that helps put Trump back in the White House is third-party candidates. Its not Bidens age. Its not whether Trump gets convicted. Its not any of that stuff, he told NBC. This utterly cynical approach is a hallmark of the decay of capitalist politics. It is in fact the thoroughly right-wing character of the Biden administration, together with its systematic efforts to revive the Republican Party on the basis of support for war, that is responsible for the fact that Trump is in a position to regain the White House. Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore noted that Michigan, the first state in which the SEP is seeking ballot status, is considered one of the most critical states for the Biden reelection campaign, and that the resources of the Democratic Party and its most fervent backers, such as the United Auto Workers union bureaucracy, would be mobilized against the socialist campaign. The SEP campaign is fighting for the working class to break with the Democrats and the Republicans, Kishore said. There is no alternative for working people and youth between the fascist Republican Trump and the Democrat Biden, instigator of imperialist war in Ukraine and defender of genocide in Gaza. In the initial stages of our drive to collect enough petition signatures to meet the state requirement of 12,000 registered voters, we are explaining the connection between the fight against war and the fight of workers against inequality and capitalism, and for socialism. KYODO NEWS - Mar 15, 2024 - 14:48 | All, Japan, World Japan's ruling parties agreed Friday to relax the country's strict defense equipment transfer rules to allow the export of next-generation fighter jets set to be jointly developed with Britain and Italy, senior party members said. Kisaburo Tokai and Yosuke Takagi, the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner the Komeito party's respective policy chiefs, told reporters that they shared and understood "the necessity" of making the fighter jets available for export at a meeting earlier in the day. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet plans to revise the implementation guidelines of the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" policy on March 26 to enable the fighter jet shipments, according to a source close to the matter. "The two parties had frank discussions before reaching the agreement, which has brought about better public understanding" concerning enabling exports for the fighter jets, said Tokai, who had meetings with Takagi four times to discuss the issue intensively since late last month. The LDP, led by Kishida, recently said in a parliamentary session that allowing Japan to export fighter jets to a third country, by easing restrictions on weapon exports, is necessary to ensure efficient spending on the warplane's development and to maintain Japan's credibility as a partner in other future defense projects. Komeito, traditionally a pacifist party with a dovish stance on security issues, was initially unwilling to relax the regulations and had demanded some limitations be placed on the fighter jet shipments to prevent Japan from selling them without due process. But the party welcomed Kishida's pledges at the parliamentary session on Wednesday that the fighter jets would be shipped under strict conditions and "never be transferred to a country where combat is taking place." Kishida has also said the destination of fighter jet exports would be limited to nations that have signed a pact with Japan on defense equipment and technology transfers, and each individual export case would require a separate Cabinet approval. Currently, Japan has such a defense agreement with 15 countries -- Australia, Britain, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Vietnam. Takagi said fighter jets tend to be considered offensive weapons but are "necessary to defend our nation," while stressing that the government and the ruling bloc will "continue to be held accountable to the public" for exports of the warplane, even after Cabinet approval. Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara has said detailed discussions with the two European partners on the plan of developing the fighter jet by 2035, announced in late 2022, would possibly begin this month. The three-way program marked Japan's first joint defense equipment development deal with a nation other than the United States, Tokyo's close security ally, and comes amid China's increasing military influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan has been opening up for arms exports under certain conditions after removing in 2014 its arms embargo policy that was long seen as symbolic of its pacifist stance under the war-renouncing Constitution. Related coverage: Japan, Italy PMs agree to join hands for success of G7 summit Japan, U.S. agree on AI research for drones to assist new fighter jet Japan eases rules on weapon exports to enhance security ties KYODO NEWS - Mar 15, 2024 - 21:33 | All, Japan Three by-elections to fill vacant seats in the House of Representatives will be held on April 28, it was announced Friday, with a political funds scandal eroding public trust in Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Official campaigning for the first national elections since the funds scandal was unveiled late last year is scheduled to start on April 16, with approval ratings for Kishida's Cabinet having plunged to their lowest levels since it was launched in October 2021. The LDP has come under intense scrutiny amid allegations that some of its factions, including the biggest one formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, failed to report portions of their incomes from fundraising parties for years and created slush funds. Recently, Kishida's government and ruling party have been also criticized by the opposition bloc, after a prefectural chapter of the LDP hosted a party for its junior members, at which female dancers in revealing dresses were in attendance. Kishida said at a parliamentary session on Friday that the event was "truly inappropriate," indicating that he has instructed his LDP to thoroughly investigate why the prefectural chapter organized such a party. Up for grabs are seats in the Tokyo No. 15 district, the Shimane No. 1 district and the Nagasaki No. 3 district, all of which were held by LDP lawmakers before they became vacant. The LDP has yet to put forward a candidate in either Tokyo or Nagasaki. In Shimane, meanwhile, the race is set to be a one-on-one battle with the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. The by-election in Tokyo is being held after a former senior vice justice minister resigned as lawmaker after being arrested in violation of the election law. The Nagasaki seat became vacant after an LDP lawmaker stepped down over the funds scandal. The by-election in Shimane follows the death in November of Hiroyuki Hosoda, a former lower house speaker. The LDP heavyweight previously headed the LDP's largest faction at the center of the scandal. Related coverage: Kishida Cabinet support rate hits fresh low at 20% over funds scandal Japan PM Kishida to address U.S. Congress on April 11 Japan upper house ethics panel arranging LDP funds scandal hearings KYODO NEWS - Mar 15, 2024 - 19:22 | All, Japan, World Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. said Friday they have agreed to start a feasibility study for a strategic partnership in electric vehicle production and software technologies in a bid to cut costs and improve competitiveness in the face of powerful overseas rivals such as Tesla Inc. and China's BYD Co. The Japanese automakers are considering collaborating on EV components, including electric drive systems, and the development of software as well as complementing their respective product line-ups, they said. The move comes as competition in the global EV market has intensified worldwide. With the change of tide progressing at a fast clip, automakers worldwide are faced with ever-increasing costs for developing vehicles equipped with expensive batteries and sophisticated features such as autonomous driving. "Working on electrification and intelligence is an extremely tough task to do alone," Nissan President Makoto Uchida said at a press conference. "By combining respective know-how, we will be able to create new values." Honda President Toshihiro Mibe said at the conference, "We can no longer fight in the existing framework in the face of the rapid change in the industry," adding that economies of scale are extremely important to be competitive in the area of EVs. Nissan, considered one of the pioneers in the EV market with the launch of the Leaf compact car in 2010, has been widely seen as failing to maintain a strong presence in the segment due to the meteoric rise of newer players such as Tesla and BYD. The potential partnership with Honda could mean a shift in Nissan's current EV strategy, which is focused on its alliance with Renault SA of France and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. The tie-up talks follow Renault's decision in January to call off the plan to list its new EV venture Ampere, in which Nissan expressed its intent to invest last year in a bid to widen its EV line-up. Nissan's Uchida said its partnership with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors has not changed, while adding that if the tie-up with Honda proves beneficial, there is a possibility of expanding the collaboration to other alliance partners. Honda, which had traditionally preferred to develop cars in-house, has been ramping up EV collaboration with other companies, such as Sony Group Corp. and General Motors Co., in recent years. "Moves by newer players are extremely powerful and agile. If we cannot respond to the change, we will be wiped out," Honda's Mibe said. "We have changed our mindset." Nissan and Honda are not considering a capital tie-up at the moment, their presidents said. The potential collaboration will likely help them meet their electrification goals set for the coming years. Nissan plans to increase the number of electrified models to 27 by fiscal 2030 while also aiming to put into practical use all-solid state batteries, a next-generation technology expected to significantly boost the range of EVs, by fiscal 2028 Honda has said it will make all its new models either EVs or fuel-cell vehicles by 2040 in a major shift away from gasoline-powered cars, its traditional revenue source. Related coverage: Nissan mulls EV cooperation with Honda to take on overseas rivals Antitrust watchdog to warn Nissan for underpaying subcontractors Nissan plans self-driving mobility service in Japan from FY 2027 The child would have celebrated his first birthday later that day at Chuck E. Cheese Go fund me Baby Lennox A 1-year-old child has died in a Connecticut home after being fatally attacked by a dog. East Hartford police spokesperson officer Marc Caruso said in a news release that police responded to the incident shortly after 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, per CBS News. 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. "Despite the valiant efforts of medical professionals, who arrived on the scene and provided immediate lifesaving measures before transporting the toddler to the hospital, the child succumbed to his injuries," Caruso said. A GoFundMe account created by the childs aunt identified him as Lennox. The woman, Crystal Rod, said the victim was her sister Keyshlas first and only son, and he was her first and only nephew. Getty police tape -- stock image According to the GoFundMe, the boy was killed on his birthday. Today we would have been celebrating his first year of life at Chuck E. Cheese, however an unexpected tragedy occurred that claimed [Lennoxs] life, Rod said. In the post, the grieving aunt said she had been on the phone with her sister as Keyshla and Lennox played together on a trampoline at the home. Related: Wash. Boy, 4, Who Was 'Full of Energy' Is Mauled to Death by Family Dog on Halloween The dog jumped in the trampoline and attacked both Lennox and his mother, she said, adding that Lennox was mauled to death. Believe it or not it was the family dog and never in a million years would we have seen this coming, Rod said of the Dalmatian though some news sites have reported that the canine was mixed with a pit bull. Getty Dalmatian -- stock image As of Thursday, the Gofundme account for Lennox had received over $11,000 in donations for Lennoxs funeral services. If this page reaches you I hope you find it in your heart to spare what ever you can during this tough time every cent counts and every dollar raised will be used to give Lennox a proper going away service, the aunt wrote. Caruso said two dogs were removed from the home, per CBS News. They are quarantined at an animal shelter in South Windsor. Related: 10-Month-Old Girl in North Carolina Dies After Being Attacked by Family's 2 Rottweilers "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones as they mourn their loss," the East Hartford police spokesperson said. "May they find solace and strength during this challenging time." East Hartfords WFSB spoke to a neighbor who left her home just moments before the incident occurred. I missed it. I couldve been there [to] potentially save a life. It was just a few minutes if I had stayed a few more minutes I wouldve been able to help the mom, Catiria Delgado told the news station. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. "I can't sleep. I can't concentrate on the everyday things I have to do because I'm worried about my little daughter," said the victim's father Enrique Sandoval GoFundMe Marlene Sandoval A 32-year-old woman was brutally attacked last Wednesday during a robbery at the beauty store she manages in Commerce, Calif., reports ABC News 7, NBC News 4, and Fox News 11. Marlene Sandoval was severely injured after she tried to prevent four women from robbing the M Beauty store. In surveillance footage, Sandoval was seen outside of the store being pushed, beaten, grabbed by the hair and aggressively thrown to the ground. The suspects then left Sandoval, who collapsed on the street as she tried to get up. The suspects fled the scene in a white sedan and remain at large as of March 12, per Fox 11. GoFundMe Marlene Sandoval Related: Tx. Teen Allegedly Beat Mom with Bat and Slit Her Throat Before Sister Discovered Dead Body As a result of the vicious attack, the victim suffered two heart attacks and is now in a coma. Her father, Enrique Sandoval, says Marlene is in need of a transplant, reports ABC 7. The store owner, Daniel Min, told NBC 4, We just want justice for Marlene and her family. We are just hoping and praying for the best and for her recovery, and for her to come back. "This isn't how California used to be. I think our state's judicial system definitely needs to change," Min told ABC 7. "How the DA prosecutes these individuals should definitely be more aggressive and put these people where they're supposed to be, like in jail." GoFundMe Instagram Story of Marlene Sandoval Related: Pa. Man Beat Girlfriend to Death, Dropped Sofa on Her Body, Then Took a Nap: 'Painful and Brutal' "I can't sleep. I can't concentrate on the everyday things I have to do because I'm worried about my little daughter," her father Enrique told ABC 7. She is my sunshine. She is the sunshine of my life, he told NBC 7. Its incredible they dont care about the life of the other person. It was a brutal attack on my daughter. "Those girls are having no respect for human beings," he told Fox 11. My daughter she is very very responsible for where she works. So she blocked the exit at the store trying to stop those girls with the merchandise. We are praying every day and every night, continued Enrique. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. GoFundMe Instagram Story of Marlene Sandoval Marlenes family also set up a GoFundMe page to assist with her medical expenses. On Wednesday, an update noted that Marlene has had three surgeries since the attack. The GoFundMe shared that Marlene is connected to an ECMO device and Impella both of which are used for temporary ventricular support. Along with the GoFundMe, Marlenes sister created an Instagram account to update followers on her recovery. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department representative did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for more information on Thursday. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Actor Alec Baldwin is trying to get the "Rust" charges against him dismissed. The 65-year-old actor was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had her criminal trial earlier this month. It only took three hours for a jury to find her guilty. Her sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 15. Alec Baldwin's Legal Team Calls 'Rust' Trial An 'Abuse Of The System' MEGA Only a few months before actor Alec Baldwin is scheduled to stand trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, his lawyers asked a judge on Thursday to throw out his case. Baldwin's legal team accused prosecutors of violating nearly every rule in the book in the process of obtaining an indictment. They claim that prosecutors not only leaked information to the press but also failed to present exculpatory evidence to the grand jury. In addition, the prosecutors are also accused of giving a faulty jury instruction on involuntary manslaughter that "stacked the deck" against the "30 Rock" actor. Enough is enough, the lawyers wrote in Thursday's court filing. This is an abuse of the system and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme. Baldwin Had Charges Refiled Against Him In January 2024 MEGA In January 2023, actor Alec Baldwin and "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of Halyna Hutchins. In April 2023, the charges against Baldwin were dropped without prejudice pending further investigation into the incident. However, after an FBI forensics support concluded that Baldwin had to have pulled the trigger in order for the gun to go off, charges were refiled against him in January 2024. On January 31, Baldwin entered a plea of not guilty. His trial has been scheduled for July 9. Alec Baldwin's Legal Team Argues That The Prosecution Is 'Malicious' MEGA In the motion filed on Thursday afternoon, Baldwin's legal team alleges that the prosecution failed to make witnesses available to the grand jury who have testified that it was not the actor's duty to inspect the firearm before filming the scene, as per Variety. They are accusing special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, who has taken the lead in this case, of failing to adequately inform grand jurors that they could hear from the defense witnesses if they wanted to. In addition to hearing testimony from director Joel Souza, Baldwin's lawyers also want the grand jury to hear from first assistant director Dave Halls, producer Ryan Smith, and other witnesses who they believe would support Baldwin's position. According to the motion, Baldwin's legal team accused Morrisey of relying heavily on the state's expert witness, Bryan Carpenter, who insisted that an actor was responsible for the safe handling of firearms despite a SAG-AFTRA statement saying otherwise. Baldwin's Attorneys Say Prosecutors Are Trying To Indict Baldwin 'No Matter The Truth' MEGA In Thursday's filing, Alec Baldwin's legal team accused Morrissey of engaging in vindictive and malicious conduct from start to finish, writing that The State had one goal indict Baldwin, no matter the truth, no matter the rules or the Court rulings, and no matter what it took to do so." They went on to claim that Morrissey was quoted as an unnamed "source familiar with the case" by NBC News, in which she allegedly stated that this would provide a "teachable moment" and "humble" Baldwin. The lengthy legal filing also went on to detail some of the factual and legal arguments that Baldwin's lawyers will likely raise during the trial, in the event that the motion to dismiss the filing is denied. Alec Baldwin Has Denied Pulling The Trigger MEGA Alec Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger in several interviews given following the death of Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021. His legal team is expected to argue that the gun had been modified to fire without the trigger being pulled. They will also most likely point to the condition of the gun, which was broken during FBI testing. Baldwin's lawyers have also been struggling to define the term "involuntary manslaughter" ahead of the trial. They have been trying to add an instruction forcing prosecutors to prove that Baldwin had subjective knowledge of an actual risk that the firearm placed in his hand had been loaded with live ammunition. However, the standard jury instruction only states that Baldwin "should have known" the risk of his actions and acted with a "willful disregard for the safety of others." The actor is charged with involuntary manslaughter related to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins John Lamparski/Getty Alec Baldwin attends The Roundabout Gala 2023 in New York City Alec Baldwins lawyers asked a judge to dismiss his Rust manslaughter case, accusing New Mexico prosecutors of violating nearly every rule in the book in its pursuit of an indictment against the actor. Baldwin, 65, was indicted by a New Mexico grand jury in January 2024 for involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or alternatively, with involuntary manslaughter (without due caution or circumspection) in the death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021. Baldwin allegedly pointed a gun at Hutchins, unaware that it was loaded with a live bullet when it discharged. Director Joel Souza was also injured. The actor pleaded not guilty on Jan. 31 and his trial is scheduled to start in July. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this month. She was acquitted of a separate charge of tampering with evidence. John Lamparski/Getty Alec Baldwin Related: Halyna Hutchins' Parents and Sister 'Satisfied' with Rust Armorer's Guilty Verdict After Cinematographer's Death In Thursdays motion to dismiss, Baldwins lawyers accused prosecutors of leaking information to the press, claiming they did not know about prosecutors criminal case against Baldwin began in January 2023 until after the Wall Street Journal contacted them. They also accused special prosecutor Kari Morrissey of speaking to the press the same day she told Baldwin of her plans to present the case to a grand jury in October, six months after the previous special prosecutors dropped the original charges against Baldwin. This was "yet another disclosure that violated basic rules governing grand jury secrecy," his lawyers claim. His lawyers also accused prosecutors of not presenting exculpatory evidence to the grand jury and claimed the state violated Ex Post Facto clauses of the U.S. and New Mexico Constitutions when they charged Baldwin with a firearm enhancement that had not been enacted when the accident occurred. (The firearms enhancement charge was dropped in February 2023.) Related: Halyna Hutchins' Family Attorney Says SAG-AFTRA's Defense of Alec Baldwin 'Flies in the Face of Common Sense' 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. Prosecutors did not make witnesses who could have testified that it was not Baldwins responsibility to check the gun before filming available to the grand jury, his attorneys claim. Baldwin wanted Souza and other witnesses they believed could be helpful to Baldwin to testify, alleging that "every favorable fact was hidden, and all of the grand jurys inquiries about exculpatory information were redirected to witnesses who misrepresented the facts or had no foundation for giving the answers." Enough is enough, Baldwins lawyers claimed. This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme. The Court should dismiss the indictment. Later in the document, Baldwins lawyers claim prosecutors had one goal, to indict Baldwin, no matter the truth, no matter the rules or Court rulings, and no matter what it took to do so. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The incident aboard the New Zealand-bound flight left 50 people injured on Monday DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Front of a LATAM Airlines plane. LATAM Airlines flight LA800 experienced a sudden plunge during its flight to Auckland, New Zealand from Sydney, Australia on Monday The cause of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners mid-air drop was reportedly due to a flight attendant accidentally hitting a switch on the pilots seat in the cockpit Boeing has issued a memo to all 787 operators to inspect their planes as the switch is meant to be covered Boeing has sent a reminder out to all 787 operators after LATAM airlines flight LA800 experienced a severe mid-air drop on Monday during its flight to New Zealand from Australia. The sudden plunge was reportedly caused by a flight attendant accidentally hitting a switch on the pilots seat while serving a meal in the cockpit, according to the Wall Street Journal. A motorized feature that pushed the pilots seat forward was then initiated, causing the pilot to bump into a control that directed the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners nose downward, per the outlet. Following the incident, Boeing issued a precautionary memo to all 787 operators as the switch is meant to be covered whenever the seat is occupied. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Boeing says: We have taken the precautionary measure of reminding 787 operators of a service bulletin issued in 2017 which included instructions for inspecting and maintaining switches on flight deck seats. They add that the investigation of the flight is ongoing, and that We are recommending operators perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity. LATAM Airlines declined PEOPLEs request for comment until the investigation is complete. Related: 50 Injured After Flight Experiences Strong Mid-Air Drop: People Were Flying Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty LATAM Airlines plane flying in the air. The plane was heading to Auckland from Sydney when it experienced a strong shake mid-journey, according to a press release from the Chile-based airline. After the plane landed safely at Auckland Airport at approximately 4:26 p.m, emergency medical service Hato Hone St John rushed to the scene. The organization confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement that their ambulance crews assessed and treated approximately 50 patients. While most injuries were moderate to minor, they said one passenger was left in a serious condition. In total, 14 Hato Hone St John units responded, including seven ambulances, two operations managers, two Major Incident Support Team vehicles, one Command Unit, and two rapid response vehicles. Related: People Were 'Thrown Back 4 or 5 Aisles' After Flight Experienced Mid-Air Drop, Passenger Says Bradley White/Getty Auckland Airport. Passenger Brian Jokat, 61, recalled the terrifying experience to NBC News following the incident. "Everything was going well," Jokat said. Then all of a sudden, the plane took a nosedive down. He added, People were flying out of their seats, hitting the roof, being thrown back four or five aisles back. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The flight was carrying a total of 263 passengers and nine flight and cabin crew members. LATAM Airlines confirmed to PEOPLE that 10 passengers and 3 cabin crew members were taken to Middlemore Hospital after Hato Hone St John assessed the injured. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Dan Wakefield, an accomplished scribe who rubbed elbows with political luminaries and literary giants while capturing American livesincluding his ownin his books, journalistic dispatches, and screenplays, died in Florida on Wednesday. He was 91. His attorney, Ken Bennett, confirmed his death to The Indianapolis Star, though he did not share a cause. Will Higgins, a friend and former radio colleague, told The New York Times that the writer had moved from Indianapolis to Miami after a stroke late last year. What is incredible about Dan is the experiences he had in his writing life and the number of people he called a friend, from Kurt Vonnegut to James Baldwin, Bennett told the Star. The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library was among those who paid tribute to Wakefield, calling him a friend, esteemed writer, and passionate advocate for literature. Wakefield edited three collections of Vonneguts scribblings, collecting his letters, speeches, and stories. He evidently enjoyed burnishing this credential, and for a time maintained the website vonnegutsoldestlivingfriend.com, which now redirects to his blog. In an email sent to supporters on Thursday, the museums chief executive, Julia Whitehead, said that Wakefield captured the essence of lifes complexities in his writing. Dan made a difference, she said, according to the Star. He was generous with his time. He was passionate about civil rights. He was a compassionate teacher. He was passionate about family and friends. He was part of Kurts extended family and our extended family. We will miss him terribly. Wakefield wrote nearly two dozen books over his lifetime. Most of them were nonfiction, and several dealt with his spiritual journey away and back to the church, but he was perhaps most well known for Going All the Way, an autobiographical 1970 novel that became a bestseller. When it was turned into a movie starring Jeremy Davies, Ben Affleck, and Rachel Weisz, Wakefield penned the script. The comic sex romp Starting Over followed three years later and, having proved equally popular with readers, was also adapted into a filmalthough James L. Brooks was tapped to write the screenplay this time around. The feature, starring Burt Reynolds and Candice Bergen, was nominated for two Academy Awards. Born in 1932 in Indianapolis, Wakefield struck out for New York City after high school, studying at Columbia University and diving into Greenwich Villages alternative scene. Poetry was in the air in those days, just as jazz was. Mailer said jazz was the background music of New York in the fifties; poetry was the liturgy, he remembered in a 2019 interview with Susan Neville, a friend, author, and professor at Butler University. Wakefield said hed carried a paperback collection of Federico Garcia Lorcas poetry everywhere like a priest with the catechism in those days. But it was as a journalist that hed make his name in New York, particularly in his work for The Nation, which sent him south to cover the Emmett Till murder trial in 1995. After the weeklong trial ended with the suspects acquittal, the then-23-year-old Wakefield wrote, The trial week wont be forgotten here soon, and glimpses of the foreign Negroes who dont till cottonfields but hold positions as lawyers, doctors, and Congressmen have surely left a deep and uncomfortable mark on the whites of the Delta. He added acidly: But at least for the present, life is good again. He also wrote for The New York Times Magazine and Harpers, and covered the Vietnam War for The Atlantic. In early 1968, the magazine dedicated an entire issue to his reporting, having tasked him with traveling and capturing as much as you can of America, its people, its moods, its troubles and disillusionments, its still bright and valid dreams, its many ways of life (and not a little death). Then 35, Wakefield spent more than four months criss-crossing the United States on the assignment. Frankly, I was neither scientific enough nor colorful enough to have my mission seem acceptable or credible to many of the natives, he wrote of the Americans he encountered. Most of them, though, were kind enough to tolerate me and humor what seemed to some of them my mysterious enterprise. I am grateful to them, and to the hospitality that often was extended me. Another great year must surely have been 1959, when Wakefield published his first book, the nonfiction treatise Island in the City: The World of Spanish Harlem, which won effusive praise from none other than James Baldwin. Dan Wakefield has a remarkable combination of humility and tough-mindedness that makes these streets and these struggling people come alive, Baldwin wrote, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal. In 1977, Wakefield was hired by NBC to create a coming-of-age television movie and follow-up series about a teenage boy who moves from Oregon to Massachusetts. The show premiered to high ratings and warm reviews, with The Washington Post calling it ambitious, inquisitive and authentic. But it proved controversial in its frank depiction of teenage sexuality, and Wakefield would depart under a cloud the next year, having tangled with network executives over an episode in which the protagonist loses his virginity. The show was canceled shortly after. Wakefield returned to Indianapolis in 2011, where he was in high demand as a local celebrity. Almost every night he would be headed someplace to give a talk or going to some dinner party where hed be the guest of honor, Higgins told the Business Journal. It was fantastic. Wakefield was an incredible storytellerand not just when he had a pen in his hands. Neville recalled to the Indianapolis Star how Wakefield held court at the Red Key Tavern, a popular Indianapolis watering hole. He could have everyone laughing and smiling and crying, she said. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in Yemen at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 14, 2024. United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned Thursday that the war in Gaza is narrowing the mediation space in Yemen and risks reversing the peace process. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned Thursday that the war in Gaza is narrowing the mediation space in Yemen and risks reversing the peace process. "The mediation space has grown more complex," said Grundberg. "Although we have tried to shield the peace process from regional developments since the war in Gaza, the reality is ... that what happens regionally impacts Yemen and what happens in Yemen can impact the region." Last week, the Houthis attacked a bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden, killing and wounding several crew members. Another vessel that the Houthis recently struck, the Rubymar, left an oil slick and has now sunk in the Red Sea along with its cargo, he told the Security Council in a briefing. "Regrettably, the current trajectory gives cause for serious concern," said Grundberg. The longer the escalatory environment continues, the more challenging Yemen's mediation space will become. With more interests at play, the parties to the conflict in Yemen are more likely to shift calculations and alter their negotiation agendas. In a worst-case scenario, the parties could decide to engage in risky military adventurism that propels Yemen back into a new cycle of war, he said. "Therefore, allow me to emphasize the importance of remaining focused on the long-term aims that we are seeking to achieve in Yemen," said Grundberg. "In order to protect progress on the peace process, I urge all those involved to exercise maximum restraint and work toward de-escalation." With the Red Sea now part of a wider set of concentric circles of escalation, the envoy reiterated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' warning about the risk of further spillover of the Gaza conflict across the region and his recent calls for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Inside Yemen, although hostilities have remained at relatively low levels compared with the pre-2022 truce period, there have been continued clashes and troop movements in various areas. The parties also continue to make public threats to return to war, he said. Amid the regional turmoil, his focus remains on reaching a cease-fire and starting a political process. This is the only way to resolve the conflict in Yemen, said Grundberg. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg (Front) speaks at a Security Council meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, on March 14, 2024. Grundberg warned Thursday that the war in Gaza is narrowing the mediation space in Yemen and risks reversing the peace process. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised. In April 2009, Heather Strube met her husband, Steven Strube, in the parking lot of a Target store in Snellville, Georgia. The duo was going through a problematic custody dispute over their son. The couple met, and Steven handed over their child to Heather. However, as soon as Steven left, an unknown assailant arrived at Heathers car and shot her. Dateline NBC will now re-examine the brutal murder and uncover details of how Heathers mother-in-law, Joanna Hayes, was responsible for the crime. The episode airs Friday, March 15, at 9 p.m. ET. On April 26, 2009, after the meeting, Steven Strube left the parking lot. ABC News reported that Heather tucked her son into his seat. However, an unknown assailant came right at Heathers window and shot her in the head. The outlet also mentioned that the killer didnt hurt the kid. After police discovered the body, they started the investigation. Subsequently, they contacted Heather Strubes husband and began the interrogation. Although he was able to prove that he left the parking lot after the swap, police still considered him a suspect. As the investigations progressed, investigators discovered a surveillance video and showed it to Steven. The publication mentioned that Steven identified the person in the video as his mother, Joanna Hayes. Almost eight months after the murder, Joanna Hayes was arrested and charged with murder in December 2009. As per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the jury found Hayes guilty and sentenced her to life imprisonment. Joanna Hayes is currently serving her sentence at Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville, Georgia. Heather Strubes murder case explored After the incident, police started their investigation with Steven Strube. Although he left the scene, they thought that he might have arranged a hit-for-hire, per Oxygen. However, authorities had a breakthrough when a truck driver told them he saw an individual with a white pickup truck. Oxygen reported that the vehicle belonged to Heather Strubes mother-in-law, Joanna Hayes. As mentioned earlier, authorities showed Steven a video that helped them get close to finding the culprit. After watching it, Steven identified the person in the video as his mother. Subsequently, authorities called Joanna Hayes for interrogation, but she reportedly maintained her innocence. However, in December 2009, they finally arrested her and charged her in Heather Strubes murder case. The trial began in 2011, and the prosecution team alleged that Hayes wore a disguise while committing the murder, per ABC News. The prosecution also alleged that Hayes never liked Heather and didnt want her to have custody of her grandson. The prosecutor said, This person pulls out a gun, places it on Heathers forehead, and shoots her. The defendant didnt like Heather. She didnt want Heather to have custody of Carson in the divorce. Hayes always maintained her innocence During the trial, a woman testified that Heather was scared of her mother-in-law and didnt feel safe around her, per ABC News. Meanwhile, another testimony noted that Joanna Hayes once commented on how she would commit a perfect murder. Meanwhile, the defense noted that their client had no involvement whatsoever in the slaying. After listening to several testimonies and arguments, the jury deliberated for two and a half days before reaching a guilty verdict. The court sentenced her to life in prison, with the possibility of parole. During the sentencing, Joanna Hayes cried and said she had never harmed anyone in her life. She said, It hurts me to hear others say that we had a strained relationship, because we did not I did not commit this offense because I loved her just as much as anyone. Hayes is currently booked at Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville, Georgia. The post Dateline NBC: Where Is Heather Strubes Killer Joanna Hayes Now? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. "I almost need to rename the tour to the Miracle Tour or something," the 'Dancing with the Stars' judge said of Hayley Erbert's possible return to the stage Emma McIntyre/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert on June 14, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Derek Hough is hoping to have wife Hayley Erbert back with him on stage soon. The Dancing with the Stars judge, 38, shared with E! News that theres a possibility Erbert, 29, will be rejoining their Symphony of Dance tour once she fully recovers from the emergency craniectomy she underwent in December. "We actually met dancing on stage on tour. Our first kiss was on stage on tour, Hough explained. We were touring last year for the first time as a married couple and now this, going back out, there's a completely different meaning and tension." "I almost need to rename the tour to the Miracle Tour or something," added the professional dancer of Erbert's recovery. "Because if there's a moment where she's with us and joining us on stage, it's going to be unbelievably special. I don't know even know how I'm going to through it, he confessed. I'm an emotional guy." Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough on June 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Related: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Go on Valentine's Day 'Adventure,' Focusing on Their 'Unique and Special' Love While Erberts return to tour hasn't been confirmed, Hough announced he has rescheduled the remainder of his tour after he initially postponed it following his wife's health crisis. The show will resume on April 16 in Tampa, Florida, and conclude in San Diego, California, on May 19. In early December, Erbert suffered a cranial hematoma after their Symphony of Dance tour stop in Washington D.C. on Dec. 6. She underwent an emergency craniectomy before having cranioplasty surgery to replace a large portion of her skull" a day later. Writing on Instagram at the time, Hough shared that the operation had been successful. This surgery marks a significant milestone in my wifes recovery journey, and your support has played a crucial role in getting us here, he wrote in the lengthy caption. We are filled with hope and optimism for the future, knowing she is on the path to a full recovery, surrounded by such a loving community. Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert on "The Kelly Clarkson Show." Related: Derek Hough Reveals Sister Julianne Moved to D.C. for 2 Weeks to Help amid Wife Hayley's Health Crisis (Exclusive) Since then, the pair have shared updates on Erberts condition and progress. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE earlier this month, Hough shared how supportive both of their families have been and noted that the widespread public support really touched the couple. The thing that really makes us and really her the most emotional about all of this is just the love that she felt from not just family and friends, but just from everyone. It's a really beautiful feeling and we're just really thankful for that," he said. Hough also applauded Erberts determination and strength throughout her healing process. She's incredible. She really is. I double take all the time just seeing the way she's handled this situation with just such elegance and a sense of just accepting it for what it is, he said of his wife. She's just an unbelievably determined person and has been unbelievably strong through this whole experience." 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 couple first connected in 2015 but didn't get engaged until June 2022. A year later, Hough and Erbert tied the knot in August 2023 in California. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, the new series from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, has moved to Netflix from Channel 4. Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the comedy thriller will start shooting in Northern Ireland later this year. More from Variety The project was announced by Channel 4 in August 2023. In a statement to Variety, the network cited changes in editorial direction and rising costs as to why the series could no longer move forward there. We loved Lisa McGees How to Get to Heaven From Belfast and offered a substantial license fee to be its U.K. home, a Channel 4 spokesperson said. Unfortunately due to changes in editorial direction as the development process progressed, coupled with rising costs and the recent cooling in the U.S. co-production market, it became impossible to get the right international partner and funding plan in place. We wish Lisa and Hat Trick Productions all the best and look forward to working together on future projects. How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is an eight-part series following longtime friends Saoirse, Robyn and Dara. Clever, chaotic TV writer Saoirse, glamorous, stressed-out mother of three Robyn and dependable, inhibited carer Dara have been a tight-knit group since school. Now in their late 30s, but still as close as ever, these three friends are about to embark on the most thrilling adventure of their lives, the shows synopsis reads. When an email arrives, telling them about the death of the estranged fourth member of their childhood gang, Greta, a series of eerie events at her wake set them on a dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey through Ireland and beyond as each tries to piece together the truth of the past. A show about friendship, memory and what happens when life doesnt turn out quite like youd expected. Michael Lennox (Derry Girls, Say Nothing) serves as director. Executive producers include McGee, Lennox, Caroline Leddy (Derry Girls, The Inbetweeners), Liz Lewin (Derry Girls, The Lovers) and Jimmy Mulville. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. "Tzane Janelidze died after falling into a ravine while filming social media content in Italy Giorgi Janelidze/Instagram Fitness influencer, Giorgi Janelidze, dies after falling into ravine. Fitness influencer Giorgi Tzane Janelidze died on Wednesday after falling into a ravine while filming social media content in Italy. According to Greek media outlet Ethnos, the accident took place during the 23-year-old's visit to Roghudi Vecchio, Calabria, an ancient mountain village abandoned in the 1970s due to a severe flood. While standing on a balcony without a railing, he slipped and fell into the ravine. Despite the efforts of firefighters who rushed to the scene, they were unable to save him. Helicopters were eventually called in to retrieve his body due to the depth of the ravine. From there, his body was transported to the town of Saline Joniche, where it was handed over to authorities. Janelidze's friend, Chris Kogias, who accompanied him on the trip, confirmed news of the death to the outlet. Tzane is no longer with us, Kogias, who is also a social media influencer, said. He left us yesterday afternoon during the trip we made to Italy. Please pray with us for his soul to rest in peace. Related: Woman, 29, Dies After Superbugs Attack Her Organs, Sending Her into Septic Shock Giorgi Janelidze/Instagram Fitness influencer, Giorgi Janelidze, dies after falling into ravine. Janelidze, who was born in Georgia but lived in Greece, has over 100,000 followers on Instagram. In his most recent post, he shared with his followers a video of him holding a bag of his protein powder, which he co-founded with fellow influencer Dream Greek. 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. Related: TikTok Star, 22, Dies of Bone Cancer After Painful 4-Year Journey: 'I Am So, So Scared' The most beautiful person inside and out, the biggest adventure Ive ever had with someone, Janelidzes girlfriend, Elena Margariti, wrote in a since-expired Instagram Story post, per the New York Post. With my man, my whole life. She continued, Many dreams, a home together, through our difficulties, through our joys, and we made it, us against all odds. So unfairly, so early. I love you so much. We will meet again. My Tzitsi. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda Season 6 resumes the format of the American crime documentary series, covering real-life crimes. The show is fondly known as Homicide Hunter and Homicide Hunter: Joe Kenda among its fanbase. In this edition, the detectives investigate the death of Enrique Urrutia during a barrio birthday party. Upon further investigation, they discover the involvement of an uninvited guest, who initiated violence at the event. Heres how you can watch and stream Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda Season 6 via streaming services such as HBO Max. Is Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda (2011) Season 6 available to watch via streaming? Yes, Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda Season 6 is available to watch via streaming on HBO Max. Season six kicks off with the gruesome murder of Pamela Edwards. As soon as Joe Kenda arrives, he takes up the responsibility of protecting Pamelas young daughters from the horrific scene. With Kendas aid, the authorities are able to track down the killer and follow it up with a foot chase across Colorado Springs. Joe also investigates a case involving the death of a 13-year-old kid. While Josh Casaubon returns to narrate the incidents of the case, Joe Kenda also reprises his role as the shows host. Carl Marino portrays a dramatized version of Kenda and is also joined by a talented roster of supporting actors. Watch Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda (2011) Season 6 streaming via HBO Max Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda Season 6 is available to watch on HBO Max. Apart from featuring animated titles from Crunchyroll and Studio Ghibli, HBO Max also offers its subscribers the option to access all content produced by Warner Bros. You can watch via Max, formerly known as HBO Max, by following these steps: Go to HBOMax.com/subscribe Click Sign Up Now Choose your plan: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (with ads) $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year (ad-free) $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (ultimate ad-free) Enter your personal information and password Select Create Account Max With Ads provides the services streaming library at a Full HD resolution, allowing users to stream on up to two supported devices at once. Max Ad-Free removes the services commercials and allows streaming on two devices at once in Full HD. It also allows for 30 downloads at a time to allow users to watch content offline. On the other hand, Max Ultimate Ad-Free allows users to stream on four devices at once in a 4K Ultra HD resolution and provides Dolby Atmos audio and 100 downloads. Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda Season 6 synopsis is as follows: A non-fiction investigative series of murder cases told through the personal experience of retired detective Lieutenant Joe Kenda. Through re-enactments, discussions with investigation teams, and interviews with victims families and other involved persons, the show highlights Kendas successes with his 400 homicide case history and 92 percent solution rate. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke with Snack Shack stars Gabriel LaBelle and Conor Sherry about the comedy movie. The duo Movies Tyler Treese 50 mins ago During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard shared what fans can expect from the TV Maggie Dela Paz 50 mins ago Now that the second part of Invincible Season 2 has premiered on Prime Video and with the third season TV Ryan Louis Mantilla 50 mins ago Joe Dante has been tapped to direct a reimagining of Little Shop of Horrors, Little Shop of Halloween Horrors. Per Movies Brandon Schreur 1 hour ago Read more The post Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda (2011) Season 6 Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via HBO Max appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. After a healthy run of comedy and genre work, Karen Gillan felt it was time for a dramatic change. Shortly before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3s whirlwind press tour, Gillan returned to Australia where she shot Thor: Love and Thunder a couple years earlier, and joined the cast of Adam Coopers Sleeping Dogs, led by Russell Crowe. The twisty psychological crime drama follows Crowes retired homicide detective Roy Freeman, as his recovery from an experimental Alzheimers procedure prompts him to re-approach a murder case from a decade earlier. Gillan plays the enigmatic Laura Baines, the right-hand researcher to Marton Csokas Dr. Joseph Wieder and his memory reconsolidation therapy thesis. More from The Hollywood Reporter When Professor Wieder (Csokas) winds up dead, Freeman (Crowe) takes a newfound interest in Baines (Gillan) when he revisits the case a decade later. Sleeping Dogs plays with the tropes of the femme fatale through Baines, although Gillan hesitates to use that description for her. My interpretation of the character might not line up with everyone elses interpretation, but I liked this idea that she was very performative, Gillan tells The Hollywood Reporter. So I thought it would be fun for me to watch some YouTube videos of people that she might want to emulate and then do a little bit of an affectation. Gillan is also looking back at the conclusion of James Gunns Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, and even she was surprised by the final message that Chris Pratts Peter Quill/Star-Lord would return to the MCU someday. With the Quill-led Guardians films coming to a fitting end, his post-Vol. 3 future, along with his fellow Guardians, was a big question mark until that parting post-credit statement. It was pretty surprising, but it was cool as well. I was like, Okay, whats the plan here? Gillan says. With Gunn moving over to co-run DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, Gillan has openly stated that shed love to play Poison Ivy for her former director, but after the decades worth of work he already provided her, shes not going to press him on the subject. I like to leave things up to the universe a little bit and see what happens, but I would absolutely love to work with James again. Hes the best, Gillan shares. Below, during a recent conversation with THR, Gillan also discusses her highly popular vlog about her final Guardians experience, as well as the candid in-character photo she posted of Zoom couples therapy. So where did Sleeping Dogs fall on your timeline? Oh my god, since the pandemic, I have no sense of time. I dont know if youre experiencing that as well, but I thought I got married one year ago and I just realized its been two. (Laughs.) Anyway, I shot [Sleeping Dogs] last February and it wouldve been after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, I think. What was your state of mind at the time? What were you looking for with regard to work? I dont know if I really was looking for anything in particular, but I do want to dabble in the dramatic space a little bit more just because Ive gotten to do a fair bit of comedy and genre stuff. So I wanted to exercise that [dramatic] muscle a little bit, but I was pretty open-minded. This just came along, and I always think a sure sign that I should do something is when Im reading it and I start reading the lines out loud just because its fun. So its for no ones benefit but my own, and thats when Im like, Well, if Im having fun doing this right now, I should probably go and do this for a job. Karen Gillan as Laura Baines in the Action/Crime/Thriller film SLEEPING DOGS Your character is a walking spoiler, but was the chance to play in the femme fatale realm part of the appeal? My interpretation of the character might not line up with everyone elses interpretation, but I liked this idea that she was very performative. Maybe she studied people that she deemed to be intellectual and were really into classical music and sophisticated things that she could talk about at dinner parties. So I thought it would be fun for me to watch some YouTube videos of people that she might want to emulate and then do a little bit of an affectation. Its not an impression, but its more like this feeling that she doesnt seem totally genuine. Theres something going on there that feels a little performative. You briefly shared the forest set with Tommy Flanagan in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but Sleeping Dogs gave you one or two rather interesting scenes together. As fellow Scots, have you crossed paths a lot over the years? I think it was just on Guardians, actually, but funnily enough, hes from the same area in Easterhouse, Scotland as my mother. So I feel like Ive just known him forever, but no, we havent actually worked on that many things together. Karen Gillan as Laura Baines in the Action/Crime/Thriller film SLEEPING DOGS Russell Crowes former cop lives alone with Alzheimers, which is a terrifying existence. But it got me thinking about how important memory is for an actor. You have to memorize your lines and channel personal memories in certain scenes, if thats the technique one uses. Could you remotely do your job without a healthy memory? Im trying to imagine that because I rely heavily on my memory. I really wouldnt be able to go into it without knowing my lines. I know them inside out so that I can then be really free emotionally and try a bunch of things that work or fail, and itd be hard to concentrate on doing all that when you are limited by not knowing what word is next in your dialogue. So I would struggle without my memory. However, Im sure theres some people that have the technique of turning up and not knowing their lines and somehow getting through it, and sometimes that turns out brilliantly. So there isnt one rule for everyone in this. Its all about just trying to be as truthful and as in the moment as possible, and that can be with memory or without. So I really liked the behind-the-scenes vlog that you did for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but something caught my attention after youd gone through four hours of makeup and prosthetics to become Nebula. You went back to your trailer in full makeup, and then someone arrived to give you a Covid test. Wouldnt it make sense to give you a Covid test before undergoing four hours of makeup? Yes, it would! The reason for that is because I had to start makeup so early that they didnt have any staff that could come in at that hour to do a Covid test. They came in at the beginning of everybodys normal day, but my normal day started at 3:00 AM. So we basically couldnt do it until they came into work. You dont have to specify, but were there instances where people tested positive after going through hours and hours of makeup? Yeah! That photo of you attending Zoom couples therapy in your Nebula makeup is one of the most remarkably honest images Ive ever seen. Between that and the vlog, did you intentionally want to show people the less glamorous side of an actors life? I just thought it was the funniest thing. My husband and I both thought it was the funniest, most ridiculous thing. So there was no strategy of wanting to show a real side. It was more that we had to because it was so funny. I also think its good to try to normalize therapy in any way that we can. There is still a little bit of a stigma attached to it, and if more people just talked about it in a normal fashion, maybe we can get to the point where people are more willing to go and seek help. (L-R): Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Dave Bautista as Drax, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis in Marvel Studios Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 When you eventually saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, did that post-credit message about Star-Lord returning surprise you as well? Did you know that was coming? No, I dont remember seeing that in the script. So either I have a bad memory or it wasnt in there. So it was pretty surprising, but it was cool as well. I was like, Okay, whats the plan here? Do you think Nebula and Drax are going to last long in their parental roles on Knowhere? Yeah, Id like to think so. Nebula has got a real sense of purpose now, and its such a major part of healing. Shes been through so much, and now she can finally accept love and show love towards other people. So the last stage of all that healing is helping other people, and thats exactly what shes doing. Im sure theres a temptation to want to send Poison Ivy memes and gifs to [DC Studios boss] James Gunn, but considering that your Guardians casting already led to ten years of work, are you not going to force the issue? The fact that Nebula turned into ten years of work is the greatest thing thats happened to me. So I like to leave things up to the universe a little bit and see what happens, but I would absolutely love to work with James again. Hes the best. You also reunited with another Flanagan, Mike Flanagan, after first working with one another on Oculus (2013). How was Life of Chuck, based on Stephen Kings novella? Magical. Oh my god, it was just magical. Its one of the more unique scripts that Ive ever read in my life. Ive just never really seen anything with that structure before. Its a beautiful exploration, but I dont want to give it away. So it was amazing to work with Flanagan again and see how he changed as a filmmaker, but in a lot of ways, he remained exactly the same. I actually got to see a version of the film, and its just one of the most beautiful things Ive ever seen. And lastly, who do we blame for the next Jumanji being stuck in neutral? If you find out, can you let me know? (Laughs.) Because I dont know. Im sure its tricky to wrangle everyones schedules, but I havent heard anything about it other than the fact that we will be doing it at some point. So were all so enthusiastic about it. We all love working on those films, and its just a matter of when. *** Sleeping Dogs releases only in theaters on March 22nd. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Lindsay Lohan has ~a beautiful life~ in Dubai! The actress has called the United Arab Emirates city her home for years now, and it doesnt seem like she has any plans to move back to the U.S. But when and why did Lindsay move to Dubai in the first place? When Did Lindsay Lohan Move to Dubai? Lindsay packed up her things and headed to Dubai in 2014, and she hasnt looked back since. As of June 2023, she lived in a "four-bedroom villa overlooking Kite Beach, per The National News. Lindsay gave a journalist from the publication a personal tour of her family home at the time, featuring "accessories and artwork that the Irish Wish star collected during her world travels. Why Did Lindsay Lohan Move to Dubai? Lindsay revealed to Cosmopolitan in 2022 that she moved to Dubai for privacy after years of public scrutiny in the U.S. Paparazzi is illegal in the city, so she doesnt have to worry about getting followed by cameras everywhere she goes. What Lindsay Lohan Has Said About Living in Dubai Moving to Dubai turned out to be a great decision for Lindsay. For one thing, it led the Mean Girls star to meet her now-husband, Bader Shammas. She revealed to Allure in June 2023 that they first crossed paths in a restaurant, where he was dining with colleagues and she was eating with friends. I said, You look like someone I know. He was like, No, I dont, who? she said, revealing that they chatted for hours. And then I said to him, I feel like you're the person I'm going to be with forever. I'd never been able to talk to someone like this. Lindsay and Bader tied the knot in July 2022 and welcomed their first child, a son named Luai, in July 2023. In addition to meeting the love of her life in Dubai, Lindsay has said that she simply found comfort in the city. Theres a certain calmness that I find there. Theres no paparazzi, no cameras; thats a big deal for me, she told W Magazine in February 2018. I never considered people taking a picture bothering me, but I dont want people to misinterpret who I am as a person if they see me sneezing and they say Im crying. I do really appreciate having the life where I can just go outside and not have to worry. Where Else Has Lindsay Lohan Lived? Before she settled down in Dubai, Lindsay called New York her home for years. She also did a brief stint in Turkey, telling W that she switched off on everyone in my life and threw myself into understanding what was going on. Finally, Lindsay spent some time in London. I felt so relieved when I moved everything over from London to Dubai and I saw everything in one place, she said. Now I dont have to open suitcases and live out of hotels and bags. Everything is where it should be. Its a cleansing of your head, which is what I needed, and it took me a while to do it. We are investigating whether Mr. Strain was served alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated," said a representative of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Christopher Whiteid Riley Strain Riley Strain, 22, a University of Missouri student, was last seen on March 8 after he was reportedly kicked out of Luke Bryan's bar "State law prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated," said the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department previously told PEOPLE that the search for Strain is continuing The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) said that it is looking into whether a visiting college student from Missouri was overserved at country music star Luke Bryans bar in Nashville prior to his disappearance a week ago. Riley Strain, 22, a University of Missouri student, was last seen by friends on the evening of March 8 after he was reportedly kicked out of Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink, per the St. Louis Post Dispatch, FOX affiliate WZTV and NBC affiliate WSMV-TV. TABC communication director Aaron Rummage shared a statement with PEOPLE Friday: There are no specific rules or statutes that governs escorting out intoxicated patrons from their businesses or providing assistance in getting someone home. However, state law prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to someone who is visibly intoxicated. A violation is a class A misdemeanor. The TABC has opened an investigation into this matter to see if any violations have occurred. 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. Rummage earlier told NBC News about the case: We are investigating whether Mr. Strain was served alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated. Related: University of Missouri Student Missing After Reportedly Getting Kicked Out of Luke Bryan's Bar in Nashville In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Christopher Whiteid, Strains stepfather, said that his stepson was traveling with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers to Nashville as part of their annual formal. Christopher Whiteid Riley Strain According to Whiteid, Strain Facetimed his mother sometime before 8:00 p.m. from a different bar accompanied by his friends. The following morning, Strains mother received a call from the fraternity brothers, prompting the missing students family members to speak with police and go search for him in Nashville. "Its killing us," Whiteid told PEOPLE. "Because we dont know whats going on. We cant find him." Related: Student Last Seen After Leaving Luke Bryans Bar Still Missing 5 Days Later: 'Its Killing Us,' Family Says Of the whereabouts of Strains friends the night when Strain left the restaurant, Whiteid said that, per the fraternity members, "the bouncers wouldnt let them out with him, that they were trying to get their bill paid." The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department earlier told PEOPLE that the search for Strain is continuing and detectives are "working around the clock with different leads." PEOPLE reached out to TC Restaurant Group, which oversees Lukes Bridge 32, for comment Friday. Earlier this week, Bryan posted on his Instagram Stories: "TC Restaurant Group, operator, and owner of Luke's 32 Bridge is continuing to work closely with the Metro Nashville Police Department to provide security camera footage and any other potentially helpful information to aid in the search for Riley Strain. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones for his safe return." Related: Student Last Seen After Leaving Luke Bryans Bar Still Missing 5 Days Later: 'Its Killing Us,' Family Says Bryan also captioned the message: "Y'ALL THIS IS SCARY. PRAYING FOR HIS SAFE RETURN." This past Tuesday, Nashville police released a surveillance video of Strain stumbling as he was crossing the street. Detectives today continue to pursue tips & investigative leads concerning missing person Riley Strain, 22, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department captioned the footage posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). Strain, wearing a 2-tone shirt, is seen in this video crossing 1st Ave N to Gay St (right to left), at 9:47 p.m. Fri. Have info about him? Plz 615-742-7463. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Pierce Brosnan attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's "The Out-Laws" on June 26, 2023 in Los Angeles. - Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Pierce Brosnan must pay a $1,500 fine after pleading guilty to walking off the trail in a thermal area at Yellowstone National Park, the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Wyoming said on Thursday. Per the Attorneys Office, the Bond actor was caught after posting pictures in the thermal area on his Instagram account late last year. The Attorneys Office had originally sought two years probation and a $5,000 fine. After pleading guilty Thursday, Brosnan was fined $500 and issued to give another $1,000 to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund. More from Rolling Stone The Associated Press reported that a second offense of violating closures and use limits was dismissed. Those who wander into the Yellowstone thermal areas are throwing themselves into hot water, in both the legal and literal sense. As the Attorneys office noted, the ground in the thermal areas is fragile, while the water below is boiling hot, putting those who trespass in danger while also potentially compromising the preservation efforts of the thermal areas. Brosnan posted a lengthy apology on his Instagram account Thursday, referring to himself as an environmentalist and labeling his action an impulsive mistake. I did not see a no trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area, Brosnan wrote, noting that the area was covered in snow at the time. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. #StayOnThePath. Best of Rolling Stone Pierce Brosnan pleads guilty in Yellowstone case, admits he stepped off trail in national park thermal area Pierce Brosnan pleaded guilty Thursday to stepping off a trail in a thermal area during a visit to Yellowstone National Park on Nov. 1, 2023. According to The Associated Press, Pierce phoned into the court hearing to enter his plea and hear his fines. The actor was fined $500 and instructed to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization created to support the national park, by April 1. Pierce Brosnan pleaded guilty Thursday to stepping off a trail in a thermal area during a visit to Yellowstone National Park on Nov. 1, 2023. Brosnan's petty offense for violating closures and use limits was dismissed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick on Thursday. PIERCE BROSNAN HEADING TO COURT AFTER VIOLATING CLOSURES AT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Brosnan took to Instagram after his guilty plea to share that he considers himself an "environmentalist" who has the "utmost respect for and love of our natural world." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph," Brosnan added. "I did not see a No Trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area." APP USERS CLICK HERE The actor shared his apologies for "trespassing in this sensitive area." "Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. #StayOnThePath," Brosnan concluded his message. Prior to Brosnan's guilty plea, the actor's attorney appeared in court on his behalf on Jan. 4 to enter a not guilty plea. His attorney filed a waiver of appearance at arraignment and requested a trial. On Jan. 10, a notice was posted vacating Brosnan's originally scheduled Jan. 23 hearing. In January, Brosnan pleaded not guilty. Brosnan, 70, was cited for "foot travel in all thermal areas and w/in Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails" and "violating closures and use limits," according to the U.S. District Court of Wyoming docket. Brosnan's citations, which were listed as petty offenses, were issued to the "Mrs. Doubtfire" actor on Nov. 1 but not filed in court until Dec. 26, Fox News Digital previously confirmed. Brosnan visited Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Nov. 1, 2023. LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The rules for Yellowstone National Park's thermal areas include, "Do not travel through thermal areas after dark." They additionally state that "stock are not permitted in thermal areas," "altering or putting objects in thermal features is prohibited" and "swimming, soaking or bathing in waters that are entirely of thermal origin is prohibited." Yellowstone National Park features over 500 active geysers. Brosnan was fined $500 and instructed to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization created to support the national park, by April 1. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "In thermal areas, the ground may be only a thin crust above boiling hot springs, and there is no way to guess where a safe path is," the park's website states. "New hazards can bubble up overnight, and pools are acidic enough to burn through boots, so you must stay in designated walking areas. The park service has established boardwalks for an easy and safe approach to thermal features." A recent incident illustrates just how dangerous the park's thermal areas can be. Brosnan's petty offense for violating closures and use limits was dismissed in court Thursday. Federal prosecutors charged a Michigan man with off-trail travel in a Yellowstone National Park thermal area and being under the influence of drugs and alcohol after he sustained thermal burns in August. He has been banned from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks until the criminal charges are resolved, according to a press release. Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report. Original article source: Pierce Brosnan pleads guilty in Yellowstone case, admits he stepped off trail in national park thermal area COLOMBO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy arrested 15 Indian fishermen who were poaching in the country's territorial waters in the early hours of Friday, the navy said in a statement. The arrests were made during a special operation to chase away Indian trawlers poaching near Karainagar in northern Sri Lanka, and the navy also seized a trawler that the Indians were traveling in, the statement said. The seized trawler and the 15 Indian fishermen were brought to Kankesanthurai Harbor, and they will be handed over to the local authority for onward legal proceedings. With this arrest, the navy has seized a total of 16 Indian poaching trawlers and 125 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2024. 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 kilograms of contraband in 2023. After a Texas law requiring visitors of Pornhub and other adult content websites to verify their age went into effect this week, the Canadian-owned website pulled out of the Lone Star State and users there are now apparently seeking workarounds in massive numbers. Pornhubs homepage now displays a lengthy message to those who log on in the state after Texas HB 1181, introduced in the apparent interest of regulating the publication or distribution of sexual material harmful to minors on an internet website, as the law states, went into effect; the bill, which passed in June and took effect in September, makes it mandatory for pornographic websites to verify the age of consumers before allowing them to view sexually explicit content. Users must provide digital identification or use a commercial age-verification system. More from The Hollywood Reporter A federal appeals court recently upheld the legislation, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced last week before celebrating Pornhub having disabled its website in Texas in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday. PornHub has now disabled its website in Texas. Sites like PornHub are on the run because Texas has a law that aims to prevent them from showing harmful, obscene material to children. We recently secured a major victory against PornHub and other sites that sought to block this law Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 14, 2024 Google searches for VPNs have risen periodically in Texas since Wednesday, with Google Trends showing spikes in searches over the past two days. According to a CNN report, there has been a fourfold increase in searches for virtual private networks across the Lone Star State. Pornhubs message to Texas users indicated how ineffective it sees the laws to be in achieving their stated intentions. As you may know, your elected officials in Texas are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website, the message to Pornhub users reads. Not only does this impinge on the rights of adults to access protected speech, it fails strict scrutiny by employing the least effective and yet also most restrictive means of accomplishing Texass stated purpose of allegedly protecting minors. The company notes that similar laws in other states including Arkansas, Montana, Mississippi, Utah and Virginia have led porn-seekers away from the few adult websites that comply with these laws to the thousands of websites, with far fewer safety measures in place, which do not comply [with age verification rules]. Pornhub is calling instead for age verification on devices and that denial or access to age-restricted material be based on that verification. The law lets Texas enforce penalties of up to $10,000 per day that an entity operates a website in violation of the age-verification requirements and allows for penalties of $250,000 for violating the law and allowing minors to access sexual material. Theres also a $10,000 penalty for retaining identifying information. Opponents of the Texas law say the age-verification requirement is unconstitutional as it could expose those in a protected class and forces all users to complete a mechanical process before accessing protected material, which can slow people down and act as a barrier to content. It also drags down the earning potential of publishers and adds costs to users who create content. Free Speech Coalition, an adult-industry advocacy organization that sued Texas along with other plaintiffs over the age-verification law in the above court case where an appeals court upheld the legislation said in a statement about the decision that, Sexual expression, online and off, has been and continues to be the canary in the coal mine of free speech. Best of The Hollywood Reporter A police vehicle remains parked outside of Oxford High School on December 01, 2021 in Oxford, Michigan. Yesterday, three students were killed and eight others were injured when a gunman began shooting at the school. A 15-year-old sophomore, believed to be the only gunman, is in custody. - Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images On the morning of Nov. 30, Robin Reddings son Treshan, a senior at Oxford High School in Michigan, asked if he could stay home from school that day. Usually, Treshan goes to school with his cousins, but that morning, they werent answering their phones. He felt that was kind of weird, Redding says. He felt a little different, a little off, like something is wrong. In recent weeks, the school had put out two notices responding to rumors on social media about a possible threat to campus, and, Treshan says, people were joking about it in the halls. It turned out his cousins had just overslept, but Treshan stayed home on Tuesday anyway, completing his classes online instead of going in person. That day, the Oakland County Sheriff says, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley walked out of a bathroom and began firing at students in the hallway. Four students were killed, and six others were wounded, before deputies disarmed the sophomore. Crumbley, who reportedly used a Sig Sauer handgun purchased by his father on Black Friday, four days before the shooting, has been charged with terrorism and four counts of first-degree murder. More from Rolling Stone The day of the shooting, Sheriff Michael Bouchard stressed that his office was not aware of any credible threats to the school prior to the incident itself. There is all kinds of stuff on social media; please dont believe everything you hear on social media, Bouchard said. He added, Were also hearing that there were rumors that someone had said something or knew something. None of that came to us until today. At a press conference on Wednesday, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said that her office had reviewed a mountain of digital evidence, including videotape and social media posts that indicated the shooting was planned well in advance. After reviewing the evidence, McDonald said, It isnt even a close call. It was absolutely premeditated. She added that her office is considering charges against Crumbleys parents. (The Crumbleys, who have reportedly retained a lawyer, could not be reached for comment.) Treshan, for his part, says that on Tuesday he showed police a screenshot of a threatening Snapchat message from an unknown sender that circulated among students at Oxford High School the day of the shooting. Treshan says he received a screenshot of the message after the shooting, when he was standing in a McDonalds parking lot with other students and families from the school, waiting for more information from local police. He had gone to the area near the school after he heard about the shooting, and says that a number of other students said they received it that day, too. Everybody screenshotted it, and then, my brother, he posted it like, What the heck is this? So I screenshotted it, Treshan said. I was probably a couple of feet away from the detectives and I was like, Im just going to go show them because they probably need this for like evidence or something. (The Oakland County Sheriffs Office did not respond to a request for comment about the message in question, and at a press conference on Wednesday, the county prosecutor would not comment on which social media posts allegedly suggested Crumbley had planned the attack.) According to Treshan, the message was passed around after administrators at the school issued two separate statements seeking to reassure parents that there was no threat to campus safety in the weeks that preceded the shooting. On Nov. 4th three weeks before the shooting Oxford HS principal Steve Wolf posted a message on the schools website, intended to clarify some of the rumors that have started this morning. In the note, Wolf described the scene that greeted students and teachers when they arrived at school that morning: a severed deers head in a school courtyard and messages scrawled in red acrylic paint on the pool deck and the schools windows. In the statement, Wolf took pains to emphasize that there was no threat to campus safety, but that the Oakland County Sheriffs Office had nonetheless been contacted to open an investigation. One week later, a second note appeared on the schools website. We are aware of the numerous rumors that have been circulating throughout our building this week, read the statement, signed by OHS administration. Please know that we have reviewed every concern shared with us and investigated all information provided. Some rumors have evolved from an incident last week, while others do not appear to have any connection. Student interpretations of social media posts and false information have exacerbated the overall concern. The administrators went on to say that there was still no threat to the building or the schools students, adding that OHS has numerous highly-trained professionals, including social workers, counselors and two highly-trained security guards and an Oakland County Resource Officer working to keep the school safe. (At press time, no one from the school had responded to an inquiry from Rolling Stone.) Best of Rolling Stone In the third season of Shark Tank India, viewers witnessed various pitches ranging from fashion to food. One unique concept among them is Cup-Ji. In episode 38, Aakash Sotta and Jay Sotta, the brains behind Cup-ji, brought their innovation to Sharks Namita Thapar, Amit Jain, Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, and Vineeta Singh. With a vision of a new way to drink green tea, the founders launched their product in the market. As such, before presenting a pitch, the founders shared their product with the Sharks, showcasing their ready-to-sip green teacups. During the pitch presentation, the founders described their five moats that give Cup-ji a competitive edge in the market. These moats include: Fifth-generation family business in the tea industry In-house manufacturing Understanding of the export market Flavors Blends and positioning For those unaware, moat means a distinct competitive advantage that helps the company protect its market share. Afterward, pitchers announced that Cup-ji has already made its mark internationally, having been exported to Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Dubai. Moreover, they earned recognition as the most innovative beverage at the Gulf Food Exhibition and secured a contract with Saudi Arabia. However, despite their achievements, the pitchers left the tank empty-handed. Cup-ji on Shark Tank India season 3 episode 38: Where to buy, products, price & more For those interested in trying Cup-ji, the products are available in various combinations, pack sizes, and merchandise options. However, its products range between $1.45 $12.05 (Rs. 120-999). Some of their offerings include: Cup-Ji 5 Cups Trial Pack | Pack of 3 at $4.3 (Rs. 360) Cup-Ji 10 cups Jar | Pack of 2 at $5 (Rs. 420) Rose Cardamom Green Tea Pack of 10 Cups at $2.65 (Rs. 220) Customers also have the flexibility to customize their orders based on size, color, and flavor preferences. To indulge in this flavorful experience, one can visit their official website. Stay tuned for more captivating pitches on Shark Tank India. The post Shark Tank India Season 3 Episode 38: What Is Cup-ji? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Snack Shack, director Adam Rehmeiers latest aggro-comedy, opens with an unusual sight: A pair of 14-year-old boys chainsmoking at the dog track. Amid a string of shouted expletives, with the words fuck and pussy enhancing every other word and giggle, our heroes, A.J. (Connor Sherry) and Moose (Gabriel LaBelle), hit it big before hightailing it to the bus leaving the field trip theyre supposed to be on. Like Licorice Pizzas Gary Valentine, these enterprising adolescents constantly run from scheme to scheme, chasing dollars with proto-grindset glee. If only watching the movie were half as fun as they seem to be having. Unfortunately, most of Snack Shacks humor goes down like skunked beer. Splitting the difference between Greg Mottolas Superbad and Adventureland, Snack Shack attempts to capture the formers chaos and the latters sentimentality. Set in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in 1991, A.J. and Moose, on the brink of parental punishment over a disastrous homebrew operation, procure a public pools snack bar. Its a promising premise that Rehmeiers script overcomplicates. Characters move in and out of the film with reckless abandon, offering no clarification on their role or relationship to the boys. Shane (Nick Robinson), an older neighborhood friend who recently returned from Desert Storm to drive drunk around town, fills in for A.J.s older brother, yet we never learn much about their history together. A new girl, Brooke (Mika Abdalla), takes on the plum spot of an inevitable source of conflict for the boys. When the movie pulls a tragic Hail Mary in the third act, it feels like a cheap stunt to My Girl-up the films emotional resonance. Across Snack Shack and 2020s satirically muddled and weirdly hateful Dinner In America, Rehmeier has established a knack for atmosphere and tone. His actors interplay with the camera can overcome his scripts messy hostility and haphazard provocations. Filmed on location in Nebraska, he creates an evocative sense of space so palpable you can feel the summer breeze flowing through your hair. Where Rehmeier falters is arguably more critical than good cinematography: Jokes. For all its fucks, shits, and thats piss, aint its, Snack Shack shouts hopeful catchphrases at full volume, drowning out laughs as quickly as they arrive. Theres no foundation for what constitutes normal behavior; without the contrast, theres no space for punchlines. No matter how hard LaBelle sells Fuck Dog, laughing through his line reads with infectious looseness, none of Rehmeiers quirks quite track. Things like A.J.s auctioneer mother (Gillian Vigman, reprising her Holdovers role as a military school-threatening matriarch) and his cross-examining father (David Costabile) feel like details that should be followed up on, or at least called back, but theyre dropped as quickly as they arrive. Snack Shack shows how hard it is to do what Danny McBride and Jody Hill do. Their aggression shines in the give and take. Someone has to react to the absurdity here. That person is supposedly A.J., the uptight one who also operates an illicit alcohol operation, smokes cigarettes when his parents are home, and performs straight-man duties only when necessary. Its not that we need fuck dogs off the menu, but without the reaction to give dynamism to the scene, jokes sit there, becoming another slightly weird thing in a film filled with slightly weird things. Even with the scripts problems, the film is kinetic, and as in Dinner In America, Rehmeier gets terrific performances from his cast. With the frame of Freaks & Geeks Sam Weir, Sherry holds the camera without a hint of self-consciousness as he dances, sneezes, and pratfalls around the screen. LaBelle bursts with macho energy as his hyper-confident, jacked-as-hell 14-year-old attacks each scene with joy and speed. Supporting players like Vigman make meals out of Rehmeiers forced idiosyncracies, selling them through sheer will of performance. Whether in an impressive one-shot through a teen booze party or A.J. and Moose flipping burgers and fries in their mouths in the back of a speeding pick-up, Rehmeier constructs an intoxicating teenage dreamworld. Whats missing are moments where they act like actual human children. Snack Shack is the kind of movie we long to see more of. Sharply performed, personal comedies that appeal to broad audiences come along too infrequently. But these episodic coming-of-age stories work best when the script isnt so busy forcing its characters to have fun. Snack Shack should feel like Summer School, not summer school. Veteran producer and sales agent Rosa Bosch has joined the Madrid-based distributor and international sales agency Begin Again Films. Bosch will serve as part of the companys international department. Bosch has previously held roles at AFI FEST, the London Film Festival, the National Film Theatre in London (Deputy Director), and the San Sebastian Film Festival. She was a founding partner of the production company and international sales agency, Tequila Gang, along with Guillermo del Toro, Laura Esquivel, Bertha Navarro, and Alejandra Moreno. As a producer, her credits include titles such as Buena Vista Social Club by Wim Wenders, The Devils Backbone by Guillermo del Toro, The Gospel of Wonders by Arturo Ripstein, and Broken Silence by Montxo Armendariz. More from Deadline Bosch led the international launch and distribution strategy of films such as Amores Perros by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Corpo Celeste by Alice Rorhwacher. She also served as the Managing Director of International Distribution at HBO Films, based in London. In 2018 she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Along with Boschs announcement, the company said it acquired the Berlinale title The human hibernation, directed by Anna Cornudella. Produced by Japonica Films (Gerard Rodriguez and Frank Lucas) and Batiak Films (Clara Santaolaya), the film will join Begin Again Films international sales lineup. The pic won the Fipresci Award in the Forum section of this years Berlin Film Festival. It is truly exciting to return to Spain at this time when Spanish cinema and industry are experiencing a moment of talent explosion and international visibility. In addition, Spanish companies are demonstrating the potential to compete in the global market, said Bosch. When analyzing the Spanish industry landscape, I could not have found a company in a better position than Begin Again Films. I admire the way Belen and Gloria have built a solid and transversal company in a short time, surrounded by a first-class professional and driven team. Gloria Bretones and Belen Bernuy, co-CEOs and founders of Begin Again Films added: The partnership with a professional of extraordinary caliber like Rosa Bosch strengthens and enhances the entire international strategy that we have been carrying out for a few years at Begin Again, and above all allows us to take a step further, and start working with producers and filmmakers from other countries, without forgetting our firm commitment to Spanish cinema, for which Rosas experience and strategic vision will contribute in making our films even more visible outside of Spain. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Oh Young-soo, who played Player 001 on the popular Netflix series, was accused of inappropriately touching an actress in 2017. Noh Juhan/Netflix Oh Young-soo Oh Young-soo, the Squid Game actor who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of contestant 001 on season 1 of the globally popular Netflix series, was found guilty of indecent assault in a South Korean court on Friday, according to the New York Times. An unidentified actress accused Oh of inappropriately touching her on multiple occasions in August and September 2017, which included kissing her cheek and making sexually inappropriate comments. Oh was convicted of indecent assault and given an eight-month suspended sentence. Judge Jeong Yeon-ju also ordered him to attend 40 hours of classes on sexual violence. Oh publicly denies the accusations and said he plans to appeal. Representatives for Netflix did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment. Even before Squid Game, Oh was known as one of South Korea's most accomplished stage actors, appearing in more 200 plays since 1968, with several awards to his name. But Squid Game, where he played a wily older contestant on the deadly game who conceals elements of his true identity from the other players, rocketed Oh to international fame. He became the first South Korean actor in history to win a Golden Globe for his performance, and was also nominated for an Emmy. But his career has suffered since prosecutors officially charged him in 2022. Oh is not part of the cast for Squid Game season 2, set to hit Netflix later this year, and was also dropped from the South Korean play Love Letter. 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. Related content: Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly. The post Squid Games Oh Young-soo Found Guilty of Sexual Misconduct appeared first on Consequence. Oh Young-soo, who played Oh Il-nam (Player 001) in Netflixs Squid Game, has been found guilty of sexual misconduct. The 79-year-old actor was given an eight-month suspended sentence for indecent assault on Friday in Seoul, South Korea. He is also required to attend 40 hours of classes on sexual violence. The charges were brought in 2022 after an actress who worked with Oh Young-soo accused him of inappropriately touching her during a touring production in 2017. Prosecutors said last month that theyd be seeking a one-year sentence and an employment suspension if Oh was convicted, but the initial charge carried a prison sentence of up to 10 years and an $11,000 fine. The details of the case, including the actress who filed the complaint, have been kept private, as is custom for sex crimes being tried in South Korea. Oh has repeatedly denied the charges. In 2022, he told South Korean broadcaster JTBC that he had only held the accusers hand to walk her around the lake, and claimed he apologized to her after the incident: I apologized because [the person] said she wouldnt make a fuss about it but it doesnt mean that I admit the charges, Oh said. Despite his repeated denials, he admitted to reporters as he walked into his first court hearing in February 2023 that I think I behaved badly but continued to refute the charges. The allegations have had a major impact on Ohs career over the last two years. The actor who won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy for his performance as Oh Il-Nam was removed from the upcoming second season of Squid Game and his appearances in several South Korean film and theater projects have been canceled. If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual misconduct, you can reach out for support: RAINN Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) http://www.rainn.org Crisis Text Line SMS: Text HERE to 741-741 http://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support) Squid Games Oh Young-soo Found Guilty of Sexual Misconduct Paolo Ragusa Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. F4 Thailand Boys Over Flowers aired in 2021 but has remained among the favorites of Thai drama fans. The show is a Thai adaptation of the classic manga Boys Over Flowers, which has received multiple remakes, including K-drama and C-drama. F4 Thailands rollercoaster plot keeps viewers hooked to the end. At the forefront of the series is F4 a group of four handsome friends who are heirs of some of the wealthiest families in Thailand. F4 includes Thyme (Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree), Ren (Dew Jirawat Sutivanichsak), Kavin (Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn), and M.J. (Nani Hirunkit Changkham). The elite group also happens to be bullies in their high school. Thymes world is turned upside down when Gorya (Tu Tontawan Tantivejakul), a simple girl from a humble background, joins his school. She is the first to stand up against F4s brutality. Things take a turn when Thyme falls for Gorya while she has a crush on his best friend, Ren. In the final episode, Thyme loses his memories after getting stabbed to protect his mother, Roselyn, from an attacker. Throughout the drama, Roselyn tries to break Thyme and Goryas relationship. She uses Thymes injury as an opportunity to erase Gorya from his life. Roselyn stops his treatment and returns him to their house, where Thymes friends cant reach him. Gorya doesnt give up as she sneaks into Thymes house to see him. However, Roselyn stops her from returning his memories and kicks her out. F4 Thailand ending: Does Thai drama have a happy or sad ending? Roselyn is forced to go outside and speak with Gorya as she stands outside the house in the pouring rain. Gorya then tries to confront Thymes mother and tells her that money and power do not make her son truly happy. However, shes stopped by Thyme, who tells her that he would never love someone like her. As Goryas about to leave, Thymes eyes fall on her necklace, and his memories of their relationship return. He then rushes to stop Gorya, and the two reconcile. F4 Thailand ends happily as Thyme surprises Gorya at the schools prom night. Its a heartwarming finale as Gorya enjoys a sweet dance with all the F4 members: Thyme, Ren, Kavin, and M.J. The post Thai Drama F4 Thailand Boys Over Flowers Ending Explained: How Did Bright and Tus Story End? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. One more match? The Undertaker has been retired from WWE for four years now following his WrestleMania 36 battle against AJ Styles. Since then, The Deadman has shared that retirement has been hard on him, and it appears that he still battles the thought of making a comeback. During a recent Patreon Q&A for his Six Feet Under podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer shared that when he came back from WWE Elimination Chamber weekend in Australia, he told his wife Michelle McCool that he wanted to return to the ring. (H/t Wrestling Observer for the transcription) Its still tough for me. Im still coming to grips with [retirement], Undertaker said. And I may or may not have said to my wife recently that I was going to make a comeback. Fortunately, I think Ive talked myself out of that. When his co-host told him not to start up rumors, The Undertaker clarified that he is not going to return for another match at this moment. No, theres not one more match, Taker said. It was just like I just got back from Australia, I was tired, and I knew I had a lot of stuff coming up. And that was me just feeling comfortable saying it Dont expect it. Theres not one more match. Dont even start. Michelle McCool recently appeared on Six Feet Under and showed interest in returning to WWE for a singles match against one of the modern stars. You can read her comments here. The post The Undertaker Says He Recently Talked Himself Out Of Making A Comeback appeared first on Wrestlezone. Speaking to Variety ahead of her films world premiere at leading European doc fest CPH:DOX, Lisa Jackson was keen to emphasize that Wilfred Buck is what she calls a feel-good story despite addressing dark issues related to Canadas colonial past. Written and directed by Jackson (Biidaaban: First Light), the film is a hybrid doc that follows the extraordinary life story of the eponymous charismatic science facilitator, an expert in Indigenous lore about astronomy, who overcame a harrowing history of displacement, racism and addiction by reclaiming ancestral star knowledge and ceremony. More from Variety Buck, who dropped out of school as a teenager, went back to complete his education as an adult and has two degrees from the University of Manitoba. He has dedicated 25 years to teaching students, from kindergarten to university level, through lectures and planetarium presentations. The film is adapted from Bucks memoir, I Have Lived Four Lives, a story of colonialism told from the inside, that took him, in Jacksons words, from the gutter to the stars. In addition to being a highly respected educator, renowned for his deep knowledge of astronomy from both an Indigenous and a Western approach, Buck is an elder and ceremonial leader for the Cree, one of Canadas largest First Nations groups. I want to underscore how deeply hopeful I find this film. I hope it can be seen as something that will open doors to new ways of looking at the world through an Indigenous lens, and that viewers will enjoy getting to meet this phenomenal man in the process, says Jackson, a filmmaker and media artist from the Anishinaabe, a group of Indigenous peoples from the Great Lakes region of North America. The film weaves together three strands: archival footage of Indigenous people from the National Film Board of Canada, re-enactments of key moments in Bucks life shot on film for a grainy, authentic look, and Jacksons verite footage documenting his life today as an educator and science facilitator. It is also peppered with poetic, abstract scenes of meteorites seen through a microscope, used as a metaphor to allow the viewer to move fluidly in time. The idea with the film is that we would be time travelling from Wilfreds past to present but also that this more atmospheric third thread would represent deep time, this idea of deep ancestry, the beginning of the Earth almost like a Greek chorus something more elemental, more visceral than a purely rational method of looking at the world, she explains. Jackson had initially expected to document a dialogue between Western science and Indigenous ways of knowledge, but as the film took shape, things turned out differently, and it became the film it was meant to be. What I saw was that theyre not even speaking the same language I witnessed a real willingness, an interest in Indigenous methodologies, ways of knowing, but I think the film is an invitation for that dialogue to start, she says, referring to the growing conversation between the Western scientific community and Indigenous knowledge keepers, illustrated in her film by a high-level conference at Harvard University where Buck is invited to share his star knowledge. Jackson explains that what she learnt from Buck, and hopes to convey in her film, is the fundamental difference between the Western and Indigenous approaches to science, and how complementary they are. Western science is excellent at breaking things down into the tiniest parts, and Indigenous knowledge is really expert in seeing how the parts fit together as a whole, understanding that relationship, and where we, as humans, fit into the big picture. It is much more connected to personal development, to community and to land itself, she tells Variety. In the case of Buck, this journey took him through his personal healing, but he didnt stop there, she says. Hes brought together a larger community as an ongoing mission: its the journey of a hero who is dedicated to his community first and foremost, and who continues to do the work and spread what he knows. Jackson and her team are currently working on a short 360 film, sharing four Cree star stories, narrated by Buck, which will be screened in planetariums and domes. Wilfred Buck is a Door Number 3 and National Film Board of Canada production, in association with Clique Pictures, Crave, the Canada Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, the Rogers Documentary Fund, the Indigenous Screen Office, Justfilms, the Ford Foundation and APTN, with the support of Sandbox Films and the Sundance Institute. The film will have its world premiere at CPH:DOX on March 18. The festival runs in and around Copenhagen until March 24. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The London Book Fair, one of the world's largest, wrapped up on Thursday with industry insiders calling for greater collaboration between Chinese and international publishers. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Elon Musk was one of many who shared the disinformation on X (formerly Twitter). - Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP/Getty Images In their long-running quest to sow xenophobia among the American populace, some on the far right have accused migrants of every imaginable crime. Donald Trump declared them rapists and falsely claimed that the violent street gang MS-13 was invading the country on a massive scale. GOP legislators have argued, with scant evidence, that the fentanyl crisis can be blamed on drug smugglers entering the U.S. illegally. There are bogus claims about noncitizens committing voter fraud, and the outbreak of war in the Middle East last fall even led to speculation that Hamas militants might cross over the southern border from Mexico. These frequently debunked warnings all serve to prop up the same age-old moral panic: that hordes of foreign evil-doers are overwhelming communities, imposing their culture, and wresting control of institutions. But the latest supposed threat right-wingers have trotted out in support of tougher domestic security is the most absurd yet: cannibals. More from Rolling Stone The nation of Haiti is currently experiencing a bloody upheaval, with gangs seizing control of areas in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry as they vie for power. The bloody struggle has refugees trying to flee the chaos; many are turned back at the border with the neighboring Dominican Republic. The U.S. Coast Guard is also intercepting migrants in boats, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week deployed extra law enforcement and the Florida State Guard to stop a potential influx of immigration. Its a real and tragic humanitarian crisis that Republicans have predictably used to stoke fear and anxiety over border issues. However, since destitute people hoping to escape a civil war arent scary enough, far-right commentators are focusing on unverified rumors that the gangs responsible for the collapse of Haitis government practice cannibalism. Malaysian influencer Ian Miles Cheong has repeatedly tweeted that cannibal gangs are not only roving Port-au-Prince but illegally entering the U.S. en masse. Podcaster and Daily Wire columnist Matt Walsh told his audience that according to reports circulating all over social media, the violent gangs terrorizing Haiti have even resorted to cannibalism. Elon Musk, who consistently frets about the border and falsely asserted that voting noncitizens swing elections for Democrats, shared Walshs video on Monday, commenting, Cannibal gangs. Haiti has collapsed. The President is no longer in the country. The ports are officially closed. Cannibal gangs are besieging the national palace in Port-au-Prince. pic.twitter.com/xm2T5Scc5o Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 10, 2024 When NBC reported that these allegations of cannibalism were false and appeared to stem from the gangs efforts at intimidating rivals with propaganda about their cruelty and bloodlust (a former vigilante group active in the early 2000s was known as the Cannibal Army), Cheong, Walsh, and Musk all fired back. They are such liars, Musk complained. He and Cheong doubled down on the racist canard that any group of Haitians attempting to travel to the U.S. includes cannibals, with Musk indicating that hes in favor of screening immigrants for potential homicidal tendencies and cannibalism. (Its not clear how this would work.) White supremacist Nick Fuentes was characteristically brazen in his assessment, streaming an episode of his podcast that blared Cannibal Savages PLOT IMMINENT Florida Invasion. If wanting to screen immigrants for potential homicidal tendencies and cannibalism makes me right wing, then I would gladly accept such a label! Failure to do so would put innocent Americans in mortal risk. Shame on NBC. Shame, shame, shame. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 13, 2024 Theres a long, shameful history of white westerners baselessly accusing Haitians of cannibalism and human sacrifice, often connecting them to Haitian Vodou, a heavily stereotyped African diasporic religion. In this instance, Musk and others also implied that American liberals would be tolerant of cannibalism. An image of a fake column headlined Dear Racists, Cannibals Are People Too made the rounds on the conservative side of X (formerly Twitter). The anonymous author of the account @EndWokeness, meanwhile, posted footage from a 2017 CNN documentary series in which sociologist Reza Aslan talks to a member of the Hindu Aghori sect, which includes post-mortem cannibalism among its religious practices. The years-old interview was recorded in India and has nothing to do with the situation in Haiti but sparked comments ridiculing mainstream media as naively accepting of purported cannibalism among Haitians. CNN should really go to Haiti and get some new footage about what its like living under the rule of cannibals. CNN seems to think Haitian illegals who will soon be arriving in the U.S. are fine so why doesnt CNN go to Haiti first and interview the cannibals before their trip? Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) March 13, 2024 In attacking NBC for their coverage of his tweets, Musk even shared what he believed to video evidence of cannibalism occurring in Haiti posted by a different X user. The graphic, unverified footage violated Xs guidelines, however, and was removed by the company. While the U.S. State Department has not received credible reports of cannibalism amid the unrest in Haiti, misleadingly captioned images on social media have been widely accepted as proof that Haitians are eating each another. One video said to show two corpses being roasted in Haiti, viewed nearly half a million times on an X account, actually depicts Halloween decorations at a Chinese theme park in 2018, per the fact-checking website Snopes. So the prospect of wild cannibals invading the U.S. is overblown, to say the least. Even if Haitis gang members were consuming human flesh and theres no evidence that they are these are not the individuals trying to leave the country. If anything, Americans might want to worry about the potential cannibals already living next door: Conspiracy kingpin Alex Jones, who lives in Texas, has lately posted a string of tweets describing how he will feast upon his political enemies when apocalyptic food shortages make cannibalism a necessity. I will eat your leftist ass like corn on the cob, he tweeted on Thursday, seeking to further clarify a meme of himself that many had interpreted as a sexual in nature. The left has misunderstood what my intention was in posting this meme. I am taking about the road warrior collapse that has already begun because of the policys of The Great Reset. I am taking about Cannibalism as defined as the consumption of another human's flesh. 10 days https://t.co/mi83UL8GB8 Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) March 14, 2024 Tellingly, its only those public figures known for credulously accepting and spreading misinformation who predict any kind of cannibal takeover, most of them with the clear objective of demonizing migrants as a whole. Its not a particularly compassionate response to those displaced by a deadly insurrection, but thats never given conservatives pause when they want to ramp up election-year rhetoric around the Democrats border policy. When it comes to scaring themselves, this crew simply cant be outdone. Best of Rolling Stone The Air Jordan 3 will get its second new colorway of the year, this time with a womens-exclusive release taking on soft hue. Peach will come to the Air Jordan 3 for a late-April drop, making for an idyllic rendition of the fan-favorite model for spring and summer. The namesake shade is applied sparingly on the heel stabilizer, upper and lower most eyelets and Jumpman logo on both the heel and tongue. The rest of the sneaker remains familiar with a clean mix of white and grey, including the signature elephant print and an eggshell midsole giving it a sort-of pre-loved look. More from Footwear News The Air Jordan 3 is one of the most popular Air Jordan models of all, in part because of the lore from it being designer Tinker Hatfields first contribution to the franchise and its role in helping to convince Michael Jordan to stay at Nike. Jordan Brand has made the model more of a regular fixture in its release slate in recent years, and another new colorway in Green Glow is slated to release this Saturday, March 16. Near the end of the year during the holiday season, the Air Jordan 3 is also expected to return in its essential Black Cement makeup. The Air Jordan 3 Peach is scheduled for an April 27 release through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. In addition to womens, sizing will also be available for preschool and toddlers. Pricing for the adults is set at $200. Air Jordan 3 Peach Air Jordan 3 Peach Air Jordan 3 Peach Air Jordan 3 Peach Air Jordan 3 Peach About the Author: Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. Hes previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that ball is life and doesnt fuss over his kicks getting dirty. Best of Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. New Balances Sounds of an Icon series showed love to East Coast cities that have driven culture and the streetwear space for decades. The brands renowned 990 model, the peoples sneaker, took off after its initial introduction in 1982. But much of the 990s success is owed to the major stylish cities that put it on the map: Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Baltimore. The Sounds of an Icon series highlighted three multidisciplinary creatives within these impactful cities through digital soundscape experiences, showing their dedication to honoring their cities influences. Then, New Balance traveled to each city to welcome local artists, tastemakers, and more into IRL gallery spaces and workshops, bringing these immersive digital experiences to life. new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community First, New Balance headed to Philadelphia, teaming up once again with founder and creative director of Yowie, Shannon Maldonado. Maldonado grew up in Phillys South Street neighborhood, a hub for the arts and fashion. Now, giving back to the community that has shaped her creative outlook, she oversees her own concept space, which also acts as a design studio and a boutique hotel. new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community Maldonado feels a strong tie to the 990 as its distinct style is a perfect match for the bold attitudes of Philadelphians. Expanding upon the sneakers influence within the city she calls home, she and New Balance unveiled an open-to-the-public gallery space on January 27th at Huddle Philadelphia. The space included quotes from the local community, Sounds of an Icon campaign shots, audio stories, and photos highlighting the rich history of the city, as well as some of Maldonados most meaningful attractions and must-visit spots. Visitors had the chance to add their own notes to the immersive map display as well as participate in a private crocheting workshop with Keke LReese, an open-to-the-public zine-making class with Many Fortunes, and a screen printing activation in collaboration with All Caps Studio. new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community Spreading the love, New Balance then headed to Washington DC to continue breathing life into the Sounds of an Icon series. Washington DC adopted the 990 and adapted the sneaker in ways that radiated far beyond the Capital City. Dom Adams, creative and co-founder of retail store and coffee shop, Somewhere, grew up in DC and recalls childhood memories of rocking the 990s across all of his favorite spots in the city. New Balance and Adams reconnected to amplify this story and celebrate his community through a gallery showcase and panel discussion on February 17th. new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community Hosted at Chela Mitchell Gallery, the collaborative gallery included intimate shots of the city, an in-depth shoe timeline of the 990, audio stories from locals, and an interactive map highlighting the citys hidden gems as well as some of Adams favorite spots. Furthering the community-first ethos of the project, visitors once again had the opportunity to contribute to the gallery map. The events panel discussion, co-hosted by Adams and moderated by Hypebae, opened up a discussion about trends that arose in the DMV, the importance of showcasing DCs rich creative community, and the rise of the 990 in the region. Panelists included sneaker collector and podcaster Abdul and entrepreneur and arts enthusiast Ian Callender, alongside Dom. new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community Wrapping up the IRL portion of this series, New Balance then made its last stop in Baltimore. The brand reunited with artist and photographer Shan Wallace, who takes pride in being a Baltimore native. Having lived in the city for her whole life, Wallace wants to show others the beauty and power of the city, especially highlighting the many other Baltimore-based creators and artists who have broken barriers within fashion and culture. For this last activation, Wallace helped New Balance curate another in-person gallery at Nomunomu, a local arts collaborative. Clips from her past projects were showcased, highlighting the unseen bits of Baltimore and its residents. Guests could also collage on top of her work, imparting their own perspective onto the display. A 990 shoe display showed off different versions of the acclaimed model, so visitors could see how it has grown and evolved through the years. Tea was provided by Cuples Tea House, a Black woman-owned boutique tea house, and Wallace also helped oversee a public art and photography workshop, sharing insight into her craft. new balance sounds of an icon series philadelphia washington dc baltimore events communty 990 celebratory dom adams ian callender abdul shannon maldonado shan wallace philly yowie sneakers fashion streetwear cities east coast community To learn more about New Balances Sounds of an Icon series and the 990, check out the iterations in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balances U.S. sales. Sunspel opened the doors to its second California outpost on a day that seemed appropriate for its name. It was very sunny with balmy temperatures. The 850-square-foot venue in the hip Silver Lake area of Los Angeles is carrying the brands full menswear line, including T-shirts made in England and the famous Riviera Polo shirt worn by Daniel Craig in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. The stores merchandise includes luxury casualwear, underwear and swimwear that fits in well with the California vibe. Womenswear will be added soon. More from WWD On hand for the retail outposts opening was Raul Verdicchi, the British companys relatively new chief executive who came on board last August. He succeeded Nicholas Brooke, who in 2005 acquired Sunspel with Dominic Hazlehurst from the descendants of the brands founder. Brooke stays on as executive chairman. Since becoming CEO, Verdicchi has been overseeing Sunspels latest retail expansion in the United States, which is the companys second-largest market with the help of accounts like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and a number of small, independent stores. Last year, a Sunspel store opened on Madison Avenue in New York City as well as the labels first West Coast store, debuting in December in the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, Calif., near San Francisco. We are actually looking for another opportunity to open a store this year in California, but we are in early stages, Verdicchi said. Our first priority now is to make all these recent openings successful and develop a loyal customer base. Inside the new Sunspel store. Photo courtesy: Sunspel Sunspel chose Silver Lake, whose residents tend to work in creative industries, because of the neighborhood feel found in the area with trendy coffee shops, used clothing boutiques and several luxury brand stores including A.P.C. and Buck Mason. We are a brand that opens where there is a sense of community in terms of retail spaces that are different, not just the typical high-street luxury brands. You can see that in our London stores and in northern California at the Marin Country Mart, the Sunspel CEO said. Silver Lake is where we also see a lot of new projects being done. There is a large residential development going up across the street. Sunspels largest collection of retail outposts is in the United Kingdom where it has nine stores. The label has a long history of making goods and still manufactures T-shirts at its Long Eaton factory established in England in 1937 and employs 30 workers. About 40 percent of Sunspels clothing is made in the U.K. and the rest is manufactured in Portugal. High quality Supima cotton from California is one of the labels key ingredients as well as a rare Sea Island cotton grown in the Caribbean. The steeped-in-all-things English label was founded in 1860 by Thomas A. Hill, who manufactured high-quality underwear and later branched out to T-shirts, boxer shorts and casualwear. For years, Sunspel made primarily menswear and is best known for its T-shirts, boxer shorts and polo shirts. Later, Sunspel added womenswear, developing essentials including sweaters, shirts, T-shirts, trousers, vests, underwear and accessories. The company gained a small claim to fame in 2006 when costume designer Lindy Hemming approached it about tailoring a Riviera polo shirt to fit Daniel Craig when he was portraying James Bond in the Casino Royale movie. The Riviera polo shirt is still a popular, classic piece that sells well. The new L.A. Sunspel store, inside an old Art Deco brick building, is located at 3312 West Sunset Boulevard. . Best of WWD It is an oddity of how the British have written and read history over the last century that the Great War, which started because of events in eastern Europe, has largely been interpreted and remembered through the prism of over four years of carnage taking place on a strip of land that ran from the Channel down the French/Belgian and French/German borders. Yet as Nick Lloyd reminds us in The Eastern Front, his exhaustive, highly-detailed and meticulously researched book, the consequences of the fighting in the central and south-eastern European theatres were profound for the future of the continent indeed, of the world. It was along this front frozen in winter, baked in the summer that the principal mistakes and executions of policy were made that put Britain, France, Italy and the United States in the victors chairs at the 1919 Versailles conference, changing the map of Europe forever and prompting the discord and instability that provoked the resumption of hostilities in 1939. The main combatants on this front were the Habsburg empire in Austria-Hungary, a genuine thousand-year Reich with roots in Charlemagnes Holy Roman Empire, and whose determination to fight Serbia to avenge the murders of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo made war inevitable. Austria went into the war thanks to the promise of support from Germany, a superior military power that had provided the so-called blank cheque to its allies in July 1914 to go ahead and do what it felt it must to gain that revenge. The first power to mobilise, however, was Russia, which chose to fight to defend its fellow Slavs in Serbia. This dragged in Russias French allies in the Entente, and Germanys decision to invade France through Belgium brought in the British Empire, completing the train of events that caused a world-changing and fundamentally disastrous war. Later, and also part of Lloyds picture of this front, the Italians came in to fight the Austrians, hoping for Trieste and other territorial gains; the Romanians came in behind the Allies too, while the Bulgarians joined the Central Powers. An important part of this book is also the detail of how an expeditionary force of French and British troops arrived by sea at Salonika and, eventually, led a campaign to liberate Serbia from the south. Lloyd depicts a war in the east characterised by overstretch and attrition, and in which an old sense of almost feudal obligation to crown and country is swept away by the realities of a mindless conflict and what becomes its inevitable consequence, uprising and revolt by those pressed to fight. Germany has to fight in both the west and the east, which causes conflict within its high command and with its Austrian allies, who complain constantly that more German men and firepower would have quickly finished off an often incompetent and disoriented Russian enemy. Austria concentrated on seeing off the Russians in Galicia and the southern stretch of the front, but, whereas the Germans had thrashed Russia at Tannenberg in the autumn of 1914 and continued to harry their forces right to the end, the Austrians were in a constant back-and-forth with them. Nothing decisive happened until Russia turned in upon itself in 1917, and chose to fight the class struggle rather than any external enemy. On taking power, Lenin rushed to withdraw Russia from the conflict - Getty Lloyd describes the events of the Russian revolution clearly and illuminatingly, and has a particularly fine account of the conference at Brest-Litovsk in the winter of 1917-18 that confirmed Russias departure from the war. The Tsars army had, after February 1917 when the people had had enough, imploded in a lethal riot of indiscipline that progressed to murdering its officers and, in increasing number, refusing to fight. Once Lenin seized power in November 1917, he made it clear Russia would leave the war forthwith, though he tried to impose terms (through his plenipotentiary, Trotsky) that would have been better from a conqueror and not a supplicant. Germany then annexed a large swath of eastern Europe, Russia and Ukraine, and put Russia back in its box. The consequences of that, and subsequent, boundary revisions are still being fought out to this day. Throughout the conflict on this front, a swift and decisive outcome was prevented because of insufficient war production there were never enough guns, rifles, ammunition, warm clothing, boots, food or, in the end, men and that was why the Central Powers eventually lost. Even after the great offensive of 1918 in the West, which seemed to have decided the Allies defeat, under-supply and plummeting morale ensured the collapse of Austria-Hungary and Germany. Lloyd is right to salute the actions of Karl, the young prince who succeeded his uncle Franz Josef as Austro-Hungarian emperor and king in 1916, and almost immediately started to use his family connections to open channels with the French and British to end the conflict. The old military caste in Prussia and Russia would not hear of it, and so in the end the beleaguered and demoralised people spoke. In the east, especially, it was a predictably pig-headed end to a war whose fantastic destructiveness did not end in 1918. The Eastern Front by Nick Lloyd is published by Viking at 30. To order your copy for 25, call 0844 871 1514 or visit Telegraph Books 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. Daisy Ridleys first order of business upon arriving in Austin was to get tacos. The actress had flown in for SXSW from Australia, where shes in the middle of filming her next project, and was making the most of her brief trip before heading back. Everyone had said the audiences here are amazing, say Ridley, who premiered her film Magpie the evening before and was getting ready to soon board a plane back to Australia. Ridley leads the film, which she developed and produced with husband Tom Bateman, who wrote the script. It was strange that the film seemed to go so quickly. Time took on a slightly different meaning, because youre hyper-aware of how people are feeling around you. More from WWD She describes the experience as surreal. It was an amazing audience reaction, and really fun being in the room and hearing people go on the ride of the film, says Ridley of attending the premiere. And then because Ive only been here for 48 hours, and Im going back to a film that Im in the middle of, I feel like this will feel like it never happened or it did happen, and it was some weird fever dream. Ridley was on set when the news that the film was headed to SXSW arrived in her inbox. I had a really intense day on set, and was in my trailer Facetiming my husband, saw the email that said we got in, was crying my eyes out. Like, oh my god, I cant believe we got in! And then he goes, look, I dont want to overwhelm you, but I got the role in Hedda Gabler he just did the film version of Hedda opposite Tessa Thompson so I was like, oh my god, Im so proud of you! she says. It was such an intense evening. Their work on Magpie started with a real germ of an idea, says Ridley. Which initially was an actress who was cast as the mother of a little girl in a film, and basically sees that [family] life and wants it. Writing the film, Bateman was drawn to center the story on the childs real off-screen mother, who watches as the actress infiltrates her family and strikes up an affair with her husband. Magpie marks Ridleys first time being involved with the casting process. The team called on Shazad Latif, a longtime friend of Batemans, to costar in the male lead role, and Matilda Lutz rounds out the main cast. Each piece was like a chefs kiss puzzle piece slotting in and adding to the depth of this film, says Ridley. With the crew, we called on a lot of resources. A lot of people helped us out. A lot of our crew were people either that we knew and admired or we didnt know but admired. RIdley is returning to production for We Bury the Dead, a zombie film about a woman searching for her husband on Tasmania after a nuclear experiment gone awry. Its also a meditation on grief, says Ridley. You learn over the course of the film what they had been going through in their life. And its wonderful gorgeous crew, gorgeous cast. Im excited to get back to filming. Her next film, Young Woman at the Sea, will be released in May; Ridley stars as swimmer Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel. A new Star Wars film is in development as well, but is still a couple years away from fruition. I find myself drawn towards all different sorts of things in different genres. I really love to work, and I love to work with people I admire, says Ridley. I cant believe I get to do this. Daisy Ridley Best of WWD Experts have issued a warning to dog owners in Southern California following the discovery of a dog-killing flatworm species in the Colorado River. The deadly internal parasite, scientifically known as Heterobilharzia americana (H. americana) was initially thought to only exist in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and other states on the Gulf Coast. Experts now fear this latest discovery only means the potentially fatal parasite, referred to as liver fluke in non-scientific terms, is spreading fast and wide. The research team from the University of California Riverside (UCR) tested for the presence of the flatworm in the Colorado River which runs through Southern California after an increase in cases of local dogs infected with the parasite. Dog-killing worms found in California for the very first time According to USA Today, H. americana is transmitted through a specific species of snails found in water bodies. In other words, these snail species act as the flatworms immediate hosts. Researchers explained that these snails release the killer flatworms in their larvae form. Once in the water, the larvae penetrate their next preferred mammal host. In this case, animals such as dogs, who love swimming and playing in water, become victims. The parasite does not infect humans. A dog who swims in or drinks water contaminated with this flatworm species gets infected with it. Usually, this parasite burrows through a dogs skin and first travels to the lungs. It then migrates to the liver, intestinal lining, and other organs. In dogs, these flatworms cause a life-threatening condition known as canine schistosomiasis. Ultimately, this illness causes organ failure, as per Daily Mail News reports. Commenting on the discovery, UCR Professor Adler Dillman stated they didnt expect to find those specific snail species and the killer flatworm in the Colorado River. Not only was it a surprise to find H. americana, we also did not know that the snails were present, he said in a statement. Dillman shared theyll continue spreading awareness about this killer parasite. Dogs can die from this infection, so we are hoping to raise public awareness that its there. Furthermore, the researcher cautioned dog owners against taking their canines to the Colorado River. If youre swimming in the Colorado River with them, your pets are in peril, Dillman said. The post Dog-Killing Flatworms Found in Southern California appeared first on DogTime. Finland's fans celebrate after Mikko Lehtonen scored the opening goal during the group A match between Hungary and Finland at the ice hockey world championship in Tampere, Finland, Friday, May 19, 2023. In 2023, for the sixth year in a row, Finland was ranked the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report. | Pavel Golovkin In 2023, for the sixth year in a row, Finland was ranked the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report. But this may not be obvious given the way that Finnish people talk about happiness, according to Frank Martela, a happiness expert and psychologist who lives in Finland. Last year, an article in The New York Times entitled The Finnish Secret to Happiness? Knowing When You Have Enough unpacked this counterintuitive phenomenon: Why do the Finns not view themselves as happy as the data say they are? I wouldnt say that I consider us very happy, Nina Hansen, a high school English teacher from Kokkola, told The New York Times. Im a little suspicious of that word, actually. Finlands robust welfare system offers its citizens health care, education and unemployment benefits, which contribute to economic stability and security in society. It makes people feel safe and secure, to not be left out of society, Teemu Kiiski said in the same New York Times article. In a recent article on CNBC, Martela, a lecturer at Aalto University in Finland and the author of A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence, shared the surprising four phrases that reflect the way that Finnish people talk and think about happiness. Who has happiness should hide it. Shying away from overt expressions of happiness comes from the Finns modest national temperament, according to Martela. The phrase was coined by Eino Leino, Finlands national poet. Finnish people tend to drive modest cars and live more restrained lifestyles, including clothing and material possessions, he said. Its human nature to compare ourselves to others, which often has a negative effect on our happiness. However, in Finland and other Nordic countries, people tend to be more oblivious to those comparisons and more content, Martela wrote for CNBC. The pessimist will never be disappointed. Finnish people share the attitude of meliorism, Martela writes the idea that everything is always capable of improvement, he said. Accepting these inevitable struggles, while focusing on what is still in your hands and can be improved, will keep you active and energized even during tough times, he said in the article. Everyone is the blacksmith of their own happiness. This is another popular saying in Finland, which points to ones individual responsibility to foster happiness in their own life. Martela acknowledges, however, the importance of the community and support networks in helping achieve a state of happiness. We need both our own effort and the support of our community to succeed, he said. Some have happiness, everyone has summer. This century-old expression is a reminder that so many factors are outside of our control, and regardless of the present struggle, a brighter future is ahead. We Finns know that, no matter the situation, you can always count on one thing: sooner or later, summer will come to us all, Martela wrote for CNBC. "We're not going to have fake meat. Like that doesn't work," Gov. Ron DeSantis said. Upside Foods Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to keep lab-grown meat out of Florida. Over the last several months, Florida legislators have been quietly working to ban and criminalize the production and sale of cell-cultivated meat across the state, via the introduction of two bills, HB 1071 and SB 1084. On February 6, the state's House of Representatives passed SB 1084, which now sits on DeSantis' desk awaiting a signature. And if his previous comments are any indication, he will be pulling out his pen soon. "I know the Legislature is doing a bill to try to protect our meat," DeSantis said in February while visiting the South Florida State College Hardee Campus, according to CBS. "You need meat, OK. And we're going to have meat in Florida." DeSantis added, "We're not going to have fake meat. Like that doesn't work." Cell-cultivated meat, to be clear, differs from traditional veggie burgers and meat alternatives like Impossible Burgers. As the Congressional Research Service (CRS) defines, Related: What Longtime Vegetarians Think About the Plant-Based Meat Boom Cell-cultivated meat "is developed in a lab, grown from a sample of animal cells that does not require the slaughter of animals." In other words, it's actually meat. The development of cell-cultivated meat, the CRS explained, happens in five steps: the biopsy of animal cells, cell banking, cell growth, harvesting, and food processing. It's an industry that has heavy oversight in the U.S. by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). As the CRS noted, there are about 150 companies around the world involved in the cell-cultivated meat industry, 43 of which are based in the U.S. Of those 43, just two companies, Good Meat and Upside Food, have FDA approval in the U.S. While it's still a relatively small industry, it's one with major financial backing. According to the CRS, some $3 billion has been invested in its growth via private capital, and an additional $5 million has been issued via the National Science Foundation in research grants, along with an additional $12 million in grants by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Even still, all this funding and research isn't enough for some Florida lawmakers. "As of today, the unknowns are so great," House bill sponsor Danny Alvarez, a Republican representative from Hillsborough County, shared during a meeting of the House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee, CBS reported. "There are no long-term studies." If the "unknowns" feel a little too simple for you, it's probably because it is. Related: 25 Vegan Recipes to Put on Repeat Florida state Rep. Tyler Sirois, the Republican who introduced a similar bill, HB 1071, told Politico that his major motivation is protecting the cattle industry. Farming and cattle are incredibly important industries to Florida, Sirois stated, adding, "So I think this is a very relevant discussion for our state to have. He did make sure to slip in that he considers cell-cultivated meat an affront to nature and creation. I think it raises important ethical concerns about the limitations and boundaries we should place on this type of science, Sirois added. I think you could see a very slippery slope here leading to things like cloning, which are very troubling to me. Mother Nature may disagree on the "affront" part, at least according to Josh Tetrick, co-founder and chief executive of Eat Just, which operates Good Meat. Instead of all of that land and all of that water thats used to feed all of these animals that are slaughtered, we can do it in a different way, said Josh Tetrick, co-founder and chief executive of Eat Just, which owns Good Meat, shared with the Associated Press following its FDA approval. Related: How a Vegan Doughnut Coverup Outraged the Internet Florida, however, isn't alone in its pursuit to block the production and sale of this type of meat. As Fast Company reported, Tennessee is considering a similar bill that would impose a $1 million fine for selling cultivated meat. Alabama also passed a bill to ban the sale and manufacturing of it, making it a Class C felony. This means that if you're caught selling cell-cultivated meat there, you could wind up in prison for up to 10 years. And, as Food Dive reported, Texas also implemented legislation around how cultivated meat can be labeled and marketed. All this legislation won't kill the industry; it will just move it offshore. According to Fast Company, both South Korea and Israel have favorable laws toward cultivated meat, while the Netherlands (where the first cell-cultivated meat was developed in 2013) has pledged $65 million to the industry. China even named cultivated meat as part of its five-year plan for national food security, giving other nations the proverbial first and likely biggest bite out of an industry that's projected to own as much as 35% of the meat market by 2040. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. More than 175 years ago two French brothers named Schaeffer began letting Henderson residents down for the very last time. Jacob and Thebo (sometimes spelled Thebaut or Thebeaut) set up business in 1848, according to the 23 S. Main St. entry in the 1985 book Old Henderson Homes and Buildings. They initially built furniture, according to the 1850 census. In fact, the earliest mention of them I could find in the County Court Order books is dated Jan. 22, 1855, when the court ordered they be paid $18 for building a dozen chairs for the courthouse. Perhaps for jury use? The Schaeffer brothers were among Hendersons earliest undertakers if not the first. I use that old term because it wasnt until 1895 that Kentucky undertakers decided they wanted to be called morticians. Were more likely to call them embalmers or funeral directors nowadays. Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home can directly trace its history to the Schaeffer brothers, who Ill circle back to in a second, but first I want to give a tip of the hat to Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home, which can trace its ancestry to at least January 1896 when W. Given Rudy was partnered with Ignatius T. Spalding in the Henderson Coffin and Embalming Co. According to The Gleaner of Feb. 12, 1908, Rudy merged his mortuary with the livery business of H.G. and James Rowland, who did business at First and Green streets. That merger created the Rudy-Rowland we know today. (Rudy ended his career working with Otis A. Benton.) Jim Rowland was the old man of the local funeral business when he sat down for an interview with Jack Hudgions, which appeared in the Evansville Sunday Courier & Press of Feb. 13, 1955. He laid out the ways the business had changed since he entered it. Back then, he said, family or friends of the deceased would choose a coffin the day before the funeral. The funeral home would pick up the body the day of the funeral, take it straight to the service, and then to the graveyard. William H. Klee ran this advertisement in the Henderson Daily Journal of Oct. 29, 1891. He bought the undertaking business from Thebo Schaeffer two decades earlier. Schaeffer, one of Henderson's earliest undertakers, is a predecessor of Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home. Fifty years ago, about one person out of every 40 was embalmed for burial. Now, we wouldnt think about burying a person without embalming. Im not sure how much if any embalming Jacob and Thebo did in their business; I havent seen references to local embalming before the 1880s, but thats not to say it didnt happen. Melanie Harrah, owner of Benton-Glunt & Tapp, told me embalming got its start during the Civil War. The 1850 census says Jacob was 38 and Thebo was 24. For years Ive run across references to T. Schaeffer as an undertaker but it took a little work to figure out his first name. Most of my 1860s information comes from the Civil War period of the Henderson Weekly Reporter. The Feb. 8, 1862, issue carried an advertisement from Thebo that talked about his furniture and undertaking business. He had two horse-drawn hearses and a variety of wood and metallic coffins. But he left the furniture business four months later, selling it to Augustus Palis, and by Aug. 13 was moving his undertaking operation to the John McCombs stable on Main Street. Thebo experienced cash flow problems throughout the Civil War (like most local merchants) and by 1864 his notices became more strident. This item from the Reporter of July 22, 1864, is illustrative: Pay the undertaker! the headline blared. All those indebted to the undersigned are requested to come forward and settle. If they do not heed this notice within a few days the accounts will be put in the hands of officers for collection. The notice made clear that his brother Jacob was authorized to receive money while he was out of town. Most of the Reporters advertisements throughout the Civil War were under the name T. Schaeffer and little notice was made of Jacob. But an inventory of Jacobs estate, filed Oct. 16, 1876, contains a long list of tools and materials for crafting coffins, such as fabric, lumber, and precious metals. Jacob also was the first to begin buying property on Main Street. The Old Henderson Homes and Buildings book says Thebo sold to William H. Klee in 1879 although the 1880 Henderson County atlas lists Thebo as still being the owner. The County Court Orders of March 3, 1883, noted Thebos wife, Mildred, had been appointed administrator of his estate. That was about the time Klee took control of 15-17 S. Main St. The Reporter of Aug. 17, 1882, had this to say: Wm. Klee, undertaker, has and furnishes his own embalming fluid, which contains no poisons as others do. By 1899 Klee was well enough established to build the beautiful Queen Anne-style house at the northwest corner of Main and Washington streets. A number of other undertakers came and went between 1880 and 1900. Heres a brief list, which is by no means comprehensive: The Reporter of Jan. 10, 1882, noted undertakers Gilligan & Becker were in business but it didnt last long. The March 7 issue of the Semi-Weekly Reporter noted it had been liquidated. Ning Mitchusson bid $2.50 for a cooling board because he wanted to relax on it in his backyard. A neighbor threatened to organize a picket line if he did. He refrained. The Aug. 15 issue reported Robert Dixon had bought the entire stock of Gilligan & Becker and was entering the undertaking business. He already had a large livery business at the northwest corner of First and Elm streets.The Henderson City Directory of 1889-90 lists Cotton & Crum at 213 Second St. I mentioned earlier the Henderson Coffin and Embalming Co. of early 1896, but there was a competitor back then along with Klee. D.H. Lehman was the undertaker for a partnership composed of T.W. Priest, W.E. Labry and Wyatt H. Ingram Jr., according to the Henderson Journal of Nov. 16, 1896. There was an early morning fire at Lehmans establishment, according to the Journal of May 14, 1895: The caskets blazed in a lively manner for some time after the arrival of the fire department but were extinguished before spreading to the upstairs offices. Klee and Given Rudy outlasted them all. Toward the end of his life Klee took on Claud A. Morton as a partner and the firm became known as Klee-Morton. Klee died at age 60, according to his obituary in The Gleaner of Jan. 4, 1920, Klees will set aside $500 to buy a modest house for his faithful colored servant Henry Blackwell, and his daughters were required to pay the taxes and insurance. The property reverted to them after Blackwells death, however.About a month after Klees death The Gleaner of Feb. 8 announced that Webster County undertaker Luther Tapp had joined the Klee-Morton firm, which became Klee-Morton-Tapp. Morton died Sept. 29, 1939, and the corporation dissolved in 1940. At that point it became Tapp Funeral Home. The firm built new quarters on Third Street in 1926; in recent years it merged with Benton-Glunt Funeral Home to become Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home. The merged operation retains the Benton-Glunt building at 629 S. Green St. Ill wrap this up by explaining what got me writing about undertakers. Theres a story in The Gleaner of March 16, 1924, about the James H. Fleming & Son monument dealer, which originated in 1864. Fleming wasnt the first local merchant of tombstones. The Democratic Banner of April 22, 1852, carries the advertisement of L.F. Danforth, who had just bought the local marble works. Also, the 1850 census lists five men who were either marble agents or dealers. The Fleming firm, however, supplied many of the markers set in the cemeteries of Vicksburg and Natchez, Mississippi, right after the Civil War. Fleming came to Henderson from Evansville to join the firm of James Karins, according to the Reporter of Dec. 1, 1864, and the Fleming firm lasted until about 1931. The Civil War Reporter usually ran Flemings advertisements right next to Thebos and Id been curious about T. Schaeffer for years. I couldnt resist a swan dive into that black hole. 75 YEARS AGO Three children were being treated for rabies after being bitten by a dog, according to The Gleaner of March 18, 1949. The three were Billy Joe Crowley, 3; Shirley Samples, 13; and James A. Nichols, 12, according to county health officer Dr. L.M. Weaver. He said several other people were also being treated for rabies. 50 YEARS AGO Businessman and newscaster S.Z. Sol Bernstein died at the age of 56, according to The Gleaner of March 26, 1974. He operated a clothing store and was news director at Henderson Cable TV at the time of his death. Before that, he spent years as a Gleaner reporter and worked as a correspondent for several Evansville television and radio stations. The Gleaners editorial of March 27 noted his news output was prodigious and his contributions of public service were outstanding. Henderson was a better town because of the life of Sol Bernstein. 25 YEARS AGO CSX Railroad was considering painting the rusty railroad bridge at the riverfront after meeting with local officials, which prompted some optimism, according to The Gleaner of March 20, 1999. It had been decades since the bridge had been painted with toxic lead paint. The optimism failed to bear fruit -- the bridge remains unpainted. Readers of The Gleaner can reach Frank Boyett at YesNews42@yahoo.com. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Henderson history: French brothers began longstanding undertaking in 1848 Seo Gangsu (R) promotes strawberry with a villager in Dajiao Township of Jiangxian County, north China's Shanxi Province, March 2, 2024. (Xinhua) TAIYUAN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Following a recent visit to Dajiao Township in Jiangxian County, located in north China's Shanxi Province, Seo Gangsu from the Republic of Korea (ROK) was astonished by the wide range of strawberry varieties cultivated by local farmers. "There are over a dozen varieties of delicious strawberries here, and I've tried them all. I'm eager to see how they compare to those in my country," he said. Hailing from Suncheon City in southern ROK, Seo first arrived in China at the age of 18 to study Chinese. He later obtained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Beijing Normal University. After studying in China for a decade, Seo decided to stay and pursue his dreams in the country. He later married a Chinese woman and currently runs a cosmetics company and a childcare institution. "Although I've been in China for many years, I rarely had a chance to explore the vast rural areas," he said, adding that rural areas are often stereotyped as dilapidated and run-down places but his recent visit completely changed his perspective. Apart from the thriving strawberry industry, Seo also visited modern residential communities, livestreaming e-commerce hubs and herbal tea factories. He stopped by a residential community called Xingfu where he learned that the residents were relocated from uninhabitable regions eight years ago through the country's nationwide poverty alleviation campaign. Life in their previous villages was very hard. People lived in caves, navigated challenging mountain terrain, and endured harsh weather conditions with limited access to essential services like schools and clinics. Thanks to an array of poverty alleviation policies, more than 100 households from uninhabitable villages were resettled in the new residential community in 2016. "The entire village is clean, tidy and very modern," Seo said, noting that many residents here are engaged in e-commerce activities, selling agricultural products online, which has generated employment opportunities. "It reminds me of an old Chinese proverb that goes: give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime," Seo said. Following this visit to rural China, Seo said he can conclude that many Chinese villages boast unique characteristics, stories and distinctive industries. "In the future, we can capitalize on the country's favorable policies, along with leveraging experiences from the ROK, to further boost the revitalization of rural China," he said. The best grocery stores in America offer fresh food items, competitive pricing, and knowledgeable employees. Now imagine a supermarket that checks those necessary boxes yet offers a fast and easy-to-navigate grab-and-go shopping experience. Jilea and Jamie Hemmings opened the first Black-owned autonomous grocery store, Nourish + Bloom Market, in Fayetteville, Georgia, in 2022. The dedicated, morally sound business owners are eager to expand Nourish + Bloom's footprint by pitching their one-of-a-kind food store on ABC's "Shark Tank." Yet, what makes this modern-day food market so different from the rest? Nourish + Bloom is the first 100% AI-powered supermarket open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers input their payment information before scanning a bar code for entry. Thanks to ceiling cameras and weight-sensitive shelves, once patrons collect their desired food items, payments are processed as customers exit the store hassle-free. Even though Nourish + Bloom employees are available for questions and friendly banter, customers no longer need to wait in long lines to endure a fully-fledged checkout experience. This bodega-style market also has a fully functioning kitchen that makes ready-to-order entrees. Beyond using highly advanced technology, the Hemmings' are committed to providing nutritious food to all communities. For these two successful business owners, potentially securing an investment on Season 15, Episode 18 of "Shark Tank" is just one part of their evolving mission to increase food security for all. Read more: The Best Grocery Store In Every State Nourish + Bloom's Founders Are On A Mission To Provide Healthy Food To Communities In Need Nourish + Bloom Market in Georgia - Nourishandbloommarket / Instagram Before Nourish + Bloom became a brick-and-mortar reality, Jamie and Jilea Hemmings both had flourishing jobs in the tech industry and experienced moderate success with a previous food business. Their eldest son's battle with Autism spurred the couple to prioritize healthy food. In 2009, the couple developed Greenie Tots: frozen meatless meals for kids. While Greenie Tots was once available in over 100 stores nationwide and even granted the Hemmings an opportunity to appear on "Shark Tank," the company owners put their trust in a faulty investor, and the business closed in 2016. Upon moving from Chicago to Fayetteville, Georgia, in 2019, Jilea Hemmings quickly noticed a lack of healthy food options in their new town. The couple's drive to create Greenie Tots spurred into a bigger mission to create a fully functional market for the greater community. The business owners' goals were to fuse the ease and convenience of technology with a fully accessible food market for anyone in the surrounding area who wished to have more quality food options. Not only does Nourish + Bloom provide customers with healthy and filling snack foods and a kitchen that shells out made-to-order entrees, but this high-tech market now offers nutritious grab-and-go meals. Jilea and Jamie Hemmings hope to secure a deal on "Shark Tank" to expand their autonomous food markets to more communities hoping to access nutritious food. What Are Nourish + Bloom's Chances Of Expansion In The Retail Marketplace? Nourish + Bloom AI delivery robot - idahbrown1 / Instagram Since opening its doors in 2022, Nourish + Bloom has provided the community of Fayetteville, Georgia, with a nutritious food store. Yet, this high-tech market has also garnered additional intrigue for its state-of-the-art technology. All purchases are streamlined through the Nourish + Bloom app. Surprisingly, if you live within a three-mile radius of the brick-and-mortar location, temperature-controlled robots can deliver your recently purchased groceries. Based on the majority of Google reviews, most patrons have been happy with the experience at Nourish + Bloom, apart from some customers who felt confused by the AI-generated shopping experience and hoped for more assistance setting up their accounts. However, many customers stand behind the quality and taste of the market's made-to-order entrees. Company owners Jilea and Jamie Hemmings are set on expanding their high-tech food stores across Georgia and into Texas. In 2023, the couple planned to start a funding campaign for their second location, but the campaign is no longer up and running. Last month, the couple revealed plans to open three small-scale tech-friendly food markets in the greater Atlanta area, strategically placing them in food deserts to broaden the range of accessible healthy food. Whether or not Nourish + Bloom receives buy-in from "Shark Tank" investors to expand their mission for greater food security, Nourish + Bloom is still providing the Fayetteville community with healthy food options, perfect cheeseburgers, and jerk chicken plates. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Editors Note: In Snap, we look at the power of a single photograph, chronicling stories about how both modern and historical images have been made. Nine years ago, Sethembile Msezane stepped on top of a plinth, wearing a black body suit and stiletto heels, her arms adorned with wings she fashioned out of wood, velvet, and hair. Behind her, a statue of a man can be seen being lifted in the air. Chapungu The Day Rhodes Fell has since become an iconic photograph, capturing the spirit of the #RhodesMustFall movement which led to the removal of 19th century colonist Cecil Rhodes statue at the University of Cape Town. Msezane was a studying for a Masters degree in Fine Arts at the university during the protests, which saw students call for the Britons statue to come down, citing his legacy as being tainted with racism. There is no way I could have conceptualized that moment and the way things unfolded on that day, said Msezane, speaking to CNN from Cape Town. Her performance, and the resulting image which has come to serve as a symbol for the historic day was born from a recurring dream that haunted her around the time the protest movement began. Artist Sethembile Msezane on a plinth in front of the statue of British colonialist Cecil John Rhodes. Its removal was the culmination of a month of protests by students. - Charlie Shoemaker/Getty Images The dreams centred around Chapungu, a sacred Zimbabwean bateleur eagle who Msezane embodied atop the plinth with her wings. Eight of the birds which hold great spiritual value for the people of Zimbabwe were immortalised in green-gray soapstone in the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe. As the site fell into disrepair, six were subsequently looted, and in the 1800s, one statue of Chapungu was given to Cecil Rhodes. While several have now been returned, to this day, it remains at Rhodes former home at the Groote Shuur estate in Cape Town, Msezane explained. There have been political calls for her to return home, but for some reason, these calls have been denied, she said. There is a mythological belief that until she is returned home, there will be social unrest in Zimbabwe. Msezane says that Chapungu, who is a totem of peoples hopes and aspirations in Zimbabwean society, was in collaboration with her consciousness on the day Rhodes fell. She used my body as a vessel, and I accepted the call. Even after the sculpture of Rhodes had fallen, Msezane stayed atop her plinth for another 20-30 minutes. It was important for (Chapungu) to be present so that she could be seen, so that we can begin to see ourselves in her and not in our history of subjugation and dispossession. That we too have histories of abundance and ancestral knowledge. The image is currently on display in London as part of the South London Gallery and V&A Parasol Foundations exhibition Acts of Resistance: Photography, Feminisms and the Art of Protest which takes a journey through female-led resistance around the world, from the perils of illegal abortion in Chile, Poland, and the United States, to women-led protests in Iran and Bangladesh. Would I be pushed over? Creating the work took its toll. The Chapungu piece which involved Msezane standing on the plinth in high heels on a hot day for nearly four hours was pretty strenuous, she said. She would hold the wings strapped to her arms aloft for two minutes before having to rest for 10, then start again. She was also afraid at the beginning. When you make a work like that, youre quite vulnerable, she explained. The statue of British colonialist Cecil John Rhodes was removed from South Africa's Cape Town University on April 9, 2015. - Schalk van Zuydam/AP I was scared because what if the police come and take me away, while this very important historical occasion is happening? What would happen to me, having been taken away wearing a leotard and some stilettos? Would I be pushed over? Could I potentially hurt myself or die? Afterwards, she was shaking. Her limbs were tired, her feet painful and her vision blurred. All I wanted were my clothes, she says, of stepping off the plinth. I just wanted to go home and take a bath. When the Chapungu work garnered so much international attention, Msezane continued on with her life and didnt think much about it. I was still within the tension of what was happening, she said, referencing the Rhodes movement and what would lead to the Fees Must Fall campaign. While her work was receiving acclaim, she was being targeted for her involvement with the movement. My work was being cited everywhere and it meant very little to me to be honest, when that was the reality I was living the system still finds ways to oppress you, even though a work like that can give you a voice. Sometimes, she fears that the meaning of the piece is lost with the focus being on Rhodes and not the symbol of Chapungu, who has become a beacon of hope for many. For Msezane, the work has inspired her to think about how else we can help women around the world. She no longer performs endurance works like Chapungu, citing how taxing, dangerous, and emotional such they can be. Instead, she uses her art as a tool for change in other ways such as by donating profits from the sales of her work to fund charitable endeavors (she has previously supported the Panzi Hospital in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which provides health care for over 80,000 women and girls who are survivors of conflict-related sexual violence). Art was a calling From a young age, Msezane was a creative at heart expressing herself through poems, drawings, and dress, but she did not expect to become an artist. Sethembile Msezane has performed other performance pieces like this titled "So Long a Letter," at the African Renaissance Monument in Senegal in 2016. - Sethembile Msezane I didnt think that being an artist would be viable for me, she explained. With encouragement from her aunt, she set off to study fine arts at the University of Cape Town an experience which she describes as very frustrating, due to the curriculums Eurocentrism. I kept fumbling over concepts of Africans not being producers of their own work but being faceless and nameless. While observing Cape Towns landscape and architecture, Msezane became inspired to think about what the city had to say about black womens histories. I found it to be quite barren of our stories, Msezane told CNN. This observation marked the start of her Public Holidays performance art series, when Msezane would use the day off from her job as an arts administrator to stage performances in the city. It became a task for me to re-insert some of the histories I was thinking about on political public holidays, in relation to colonial, male, European statues, she said. She performed as Lady Liberty on Freedom Day, Rosie the Riveter on Workers Day. Not long after, Msezane left her day job and started practicing full-time as an artist. Its kind of how life panned out it was a calling. Now, suspended from a ceiling in a south London gallery, Msezanes image greets visitors and commands their immediate attention. I want for them to walk in with a sense of wonder and to let that wonder take over their senses, she said. When they view the image, let them go where they need to. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, too. Christine Burroni/Travel + Leisure JetBlue has touched down in Ireland Dublin, to be exact and I can say firsthand the journey was just as good as the destination. Initially announced in October, Flight B6 841 took off in the evening on Wednesday, March 13, from New Yorks JFK and arrived in Dublin Thursday morning. However, celebrations for the inaugural flight started well before takeoff. Passing by a massive balloon display spelling out "DUB" in the center of Terminal 5 on my way to Gate 14, I knew I ended up in the right place when I saw even more balloons, Irish flags, and commemorative signage, bringing buzz and excitement to what would typically be a routine evening in the airport. Ahead of boarding, passengers were treated to Irish delicacies, including corned beef and cabbage, a sausage and potato stew dish aptly known as Dublin coddle, and shamrock-shaped sugar cookies. And to top things off, Irish step dancers performed right before remarks from executives at JetBlue and JFK, as well as a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Christine Burroni/Travel + Leisure Joanna Geraghty (in blue) at the gate of JetBlue's inaugural flight to Dublin. "Dublin exemplifies St. Patricks Day [we're] very excited to be launching [the route]," JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty told Travel + Leisure in an interview following the ribbon cutting. "It shows there are great routes and great opportunities for JetBlue to fly and really bring the JetBlue product and service to more markets." Following JetBlue's recent termination of their potential merger with Spirit Airlines, Geraghty touted the new route and the airline's upcoming inaugural flight to Edinburgh in May as a sign of a hopeful future. "We have a company thats resilient and one that has outlasted the competition for 20-plus years," she said. "Were going to redouble our efforts around what makes JetBlue special and unique. Weve got a great brand, a great product, great service, great crew members, a great set of cities, and we're going to take full advantage of that." The flight to Dublin JetBlue's latest transatlantic route, with London being the first in 2021 will operate seasonally out of JFK and Boston's Logan International Airport until Sept. 30. Since then, the airline has also headed to Paris and Amsterdam. When it was time to board the Airbus A321neo aircraft, I took my seat in JetBlue's Mint section, the airline's business-class product, which felt like my personal living room. Even better, I was seated in the Mint Studio, complete with an extra seat in its pod for more space. All Mint options have lie-flat seats, sliding doors for privacy, a blanket and pillow by Tuft & Needle, and, for my flight, new amenity kits that, along with the Dublin route, were also making their debut. Christine Burroni/Travel + Leisure The revamped amenity kits include Dr. Dennis Gross skin care products, as well as in-flight essentials like an eye mask, earplugs, socks, and a toothbrush (which came in handy as I forgot mine). The highlight, though, and Geraghty's favorite, is the fact that the kit itself by New York City-based sport bag and accessory company Caraa can turn into a drawstring backpack, ideal for use while traversing your destination. Related: 20 Best Places to Visit in Ireland From a Dark-sky Park With Milky Way Views to One of Europe's Highest Sea Cliffs Christine Burroni/Travel + Leisure As for the food, JetBlue's Mint service has meals curated by New York-based Delicious Hospitality Group (think: spots like Charlie Bird and Legacy Records), and I indulged. Thankfully, the airline crew has an "express service," offering three courses at once mine being the kale salad, burrata, and spinach lasagna. This gives passengers the opportunity to have uninterrupted rest after eating, which, lucky for me, ensued. Upon arriving, I headed to Anantara The Marker Dublin, a hotel situated at Grand Canal Square in the city's Docklands neighborhood. With its sleek and contemporary exterior designed to represent the Cliffs of Moher the property and its surroundings add a futuristic vibe to a city filled with history. The hotel's interior decor, from the lobby to the hallways, are also packed with nods to the country's past, and its rooftop boasts a 360-degree view of the city. The hotel has 187 rooms, a spa, and multiple dining options by chef Gareth Mullins, which I plan to eat at. Courtesy of Anantara The Marker Dublin Anantara The Marker Dublin Luck continued to be on my side as one of my first to-dos was to head to the hotel's spa for a 60-minute massage. (To level up my post-flight self-care even more, I used the Dr. Dennis Gross Ultra Gentle Daily Peel treatment from JetBlue's amenity kit, which gave my skin an instant refresh.) As for the rest of the weekend, which will culminate with prime viewing of the St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday, I'll fill my time with activities around Dublin, including a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. My itinerary, which was curated with the help of Anantara The Marker Dublin, also includes culinary experiences such as a fishing excursion and a whiskey and Irish coffee masterclass led by Mullins. Closing out day one of my trip, my excitement for exploring this city after a good night's sleep matched that of what I was met with at the airport. As for where JetBlue may be headed next? Geraghty said, "Not sure yet, stay tuned." For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Photo: Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images In 1938, a 16-year-old Judy Garland was cast as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, which would cement her as a Hollywood icon. When she wasnt on the musical fantasys set, the young actor was settling into her brand new Bel Air, California, home, which she and her mother had commissioned architect Wallace Neff to build. Earlier this week, the East Coast traditional-style abode surfaced on the market for the first time in 12 years with an asking price of just under $11.5 million, per Robb Report. Generated image Photo: Paul Barnaby Spanning about 5,500 square feet, the white two-story residence has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The listing includes photos of the starlet in the dwelling, side-by-side with present day images, where the same built-ins and windows can be seen. Tucked behind neat hedges, the verdant 2.66-acre plot also hosts a kidney-shaped swimming pool and a writers studio, complete with a wood-burning fireplace original to the property. Vintage souvenir postcard, Judy Garland's Bel Air Home, Movie Star Homes series, ca 1938 Photo: Nextrecord Archives/Getty Images The main house features dark hardwood floors lined with seagrass mats. Up a winding staircase with ornate iron railing, Garlands teenage bedroom was outfitted with a dressing room and an ensuite bathroom. Its not clear how much of the original floor plan survived renovations over the years, but the propertys current primary suite boasts two dressing closets, a black marble fireplace, and a spacious ensuite bathroom with a dual-sink vanity and a soaking tub. Photo: Paul Barnaby Other highlights of the home include a wainscoted formal dining room with three sets of French doors leading out to the landscaped yard, a sunroom that also offers backyard access, and an office with a sweet window bench seat. See the video. In 1941, just a few short years after moving into the custom-built home, the Meet Me in St. Louis star married composer David Rose and the couple moved into another Bel Air home. Josh Flagg of Compass holds the listing. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Celebrity Style Stories From AD "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." If you're looking for an instantly-iconic "be gay, do crime" movie, look no further than Love Lies Bleeding, the new film starring Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian, Ed Harris, and Dave Franco. It follows Lou (Stewart) and Jackie (O'Brian), who meet in 1980s New Mexico and bond over Jackie's dreams to participate in a bodybuilding competition. Everything is bliss for about.02 seconds. And then things go awry when Lou's family history and conflicts get in the way. Think: murders, fight scenes, New Mexico landscapes, and one very creepy ponytail. Love Lies Bleeding is directed by Rose Glass, whose first feature film, Saint Maud, came out in the spring of 2020 and was beloved by critics (and frankly, still has me scared four years later). Over Zoom, she and O'Brian spoke to Cosmopolitan about how the chemistry read between Stewart and O'Brian sealed the deal, why they were both so happy to work with an intimacy coordinator, and where they think these two characters end up after the credits roll. Shop Now Buy Tickets Here fandango.com $25.26 Rose, you always had Kristen in mind for the role of Lou. What did it take to convince her to do the movie? RG: Luckily she saw Saint Maud and really liked it. Now that we're doing press for this film, she's said I could have offered her anything and she would have done it, which is nice. I met her when she came to London to promote Spencer and we had what I thought was a really bad meeting, I thought I came across very badly and got unexpectedly really starstruck and tongue tied. But anyway, she was up for it. Katy, I read you heard about the part of Jackie because a friend tagged you in something on Instagram. When you actually got your hands on the script, what were your first reactions? KO: I got my hands on the script after my first audition. So I didn't know anything really in that first audition except that it's this queer Midwestern girl going for a bodybuilding competition, and I was like, well, that's me, so I'm just gonna do me. Then when I when I finally read the script, I was terrified. Jackie goes through a lot. She does a lot of shitty things in this movie. I've not done scenes this violent before. I haven't done scenes as intimate before, but also I haven't had scenes that are so fucking embarrassing. I was like, Okay, I have to do this project. This is the thing that's either going to help me as an actor or tell me I don't want to do this anymore. How did you both know the pairing of Katy and Kristen would work? RG: They met for the first time when we did the chemistry reads. We saw a couple of other people read with Kristen, but the thing that clinched it was seeing the two of them together and just being like, Oh, you can really see something there. The chemistry thing is so unquantifiable. There has to be this extra spark of something. KO: We're both such awkward people that we could work as our characters and people are like, Oh my god, this is amazing. You must be like, so tight. And then offset we're like, so, um, how are you today? We're just like really awkward people. It was fun to see her process and the way that she builds up her energy and nervousness. She has to really physically manifest that, running around jumping up and down and getting into that moment, she gets really anxious and she stays in that elevated state. RG: They both really embody the yin and yang of the characters. Katy's incredibly strong and powerful and Kristen's the weak, frail one. But Katy brings this really important softness and vulnerability and sweetness to Jackie. Kristen brings a real hard, moody antihero kind of vibe. It's a very complimentary couple. Katy, what was your favorite moment working together? KO: There's a scene where Kristen and I push a car off a cliff, but our stunt doubles did that. They were like, it's not safe, and we were like, we want to push that car off a cliff. But Kristen got throw real Molotov cocktails off of the ridge. So the car is already on fire from below. And then Kristen throws a Molotov cocktail over, so it explodes. And we feel the explosion from the top of this ridge. Those reactions are genuine. We were not expecting that much fire to come back up. And luckily for this role, you're already someone who is absolutely shredded. But what further prep did you have to do? KO: I was given two weeks notice that I booked the project, so they hooked me up with my trainer two weeks beforehand. I was grateful I already had the muscle because then we were in the cutting phase. I tend to do bodybuilding workouts year round anyway, but not as intense. So in reality, if you're going to be competitive, you have to think of it as like a year-round thing. You're eating to grow muscle in the offseason. And then you're very slowly cutting fat. My trainer is really good at training people for film. So he knows okay, this is the muscle that a camera is gonna see better, so he really knows how to train you for the camera lens. And it's different than training for stage. So he was able to do some cool things with my muscles to make them pop on camera. A24 A lot of people are praising this movie for how horny it is, but I want to dig into that a little deeper. Rose, how much does that factor into your process when writing the script? Did you want to write a "horny" movie? RG: I knew I wanted to make something sweaty and violent. So the sweat came first and the visceral bodyness. But then very quickly in writing it me and Weronika Tofilska, my writing partner, decided it should be a love story. If you've got sweaty, muscle-y, greasy people taking a bunch of drugs and falling in love, probably they're gonna have some interesting, fun sex as well. What was it like for both of you to work with an intimacy coordinator, both in front of and behind the camera? RG: I was a little apprehensive that it would feel like somebody else was taking over, but it's kind of like working with a stunt coordinator. You try to be as specific as you can in writing the scenes, like, hand goes here, head goes there. I talk with the intimacy coordinator about each scene and clarify with them exactly how I'm thinking of shooting it. And then she basically has separate meetings with both the actors and they have a chance to voice any concerns. So by the time you get on set, everybody knows exactly what is and what isn't going to be happening. Then they kind of take a backseat and it almost feels like you have a motherly school teacher sort of vibe, in a nice way, checking in. KO: I loved it. They're like, don't hesitate to pull me aside and be like, I'm not comfortable with this. But we were doing some intimate scenes in 100 degree weather. So when we were pulling each other's pants off, we had some kind of cover, like fake underwear, and they taped that down. And then they put another layer on and they taped that down, and then they put a cut out yoga mat on top of me and they taped that down. But everyone was very collaborative and making sure that everyone was comfortable. I wanted to make sure Kristen knew I wasn't trying to take advantage of her. She wanted to make sure that I didn't feel taken advantage of. Where do you both think Jackie and Lou end up after the credits roll? KO: The realistic side of me is like, well, they get arrested eventually, they get extradited back to New Mexico and they go to jail for murder and all the things. But the movie side is like okay, so they go out to California and try to start anew, and I think they would eventually get over each other. I kind of hope they don't stay together because they're not good for each other. Maybe they'll go to California and murder more people and that can be Love Lies Bleeding Part Two. But whatever the end is, I hope the cat is fine. RG: Short term, I think it's going to be great and continue to be a lot of fun. Maybe they'll get to the next bodybuilding competition. I'm not sure how highly I rate their long term prospects, but you never know. It's what they both needed at that point. So long as Jackie continues bodybuilding, and Lou doesn't really have a huge amount of purpose beyond getting out of this town, she'll continue to latch herself on to Jackie too much. At one point were like, maybe maybe Lou should go and become a slightly manipulative manager, but I don't want to write a sequel just yet. You Might Also Like King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands may not have answers for conspiracy theorists worried over the whereabouts of Kate Middleton, but he certainly has a sense of humor. Earlier this week, the Dutch monarch was asked about a photo that was taken of his family and shared by a group of children. In response, the 56-year-old hit back with a joke seemingly aimed at Kensington Palace's decision to share a manipulated photo of the Princess of Wales with her children. "Really?" he said. "In any case, I didn't Photoshop it!" Meisje had al een foto van een jonge Willem-Alexander gezien. Die was niet gephotoshopt, zegt Willem-Alexander pic.twitter.com/4VXtq1ke8q Rick Evers (@RickEversRoyal) March 12, 2024 The ever-escalating situation the royals have found themselves at the center of, unfolded on what was Mother's Day in the United Kingdom after royal watchers believed Middleton to be "missing" following the lack of recent sightings since her hospitalization and the admission that the royal family's recent release of a "new" photo had been edited by the princess herself. Related: Video of Kate Middleton Discussing the Power of Proper Photography Resurfaces Amid Editing Scandal Then, days later, another photo of the Princess of Wales, this time joined by husband Prince William, went viral for similar reasons as conspiracy theorists refused to believe it was an unaltered image of the royal couple. The scandal, which several media personalities like Piers Morgan, Stephen Colbert and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as royal family membersincluding King Charles III, Prince Harry and Meghan Marklehave commented on, has since been dubbed "#KateGate." Even a London-based public relations expert shared their perspective of the controversy, saying in only so many words that the palace's current strategy has only made things "worse." Next: Prince William Praises Wife Kate Middleton as The Arty One Amid Photoshop Scandal Theres a rule for social climbing that never goes out of style: Fake it til you make it. And for Kristen Wiigs ambitious Maxine Simmons in the forthcoming comedy Palm Royale, the actress said admission into high society in Floridas wealthy Palm Beach island comes with a high-maintenance look. Kristen Wiig at the premiere of Apple TV+s Palm Royale held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater on March 14 in Los Angeles. That definitely helped along with my spray tan it really dialed it in, Wiig told WWD on Thursday how hair, makeup and wardrobe helped enhance her interpretation of her character: a former pageant queen who relocates to 1969 Palm Beach, where the members-only club Palm Royale is the playground of the elite. More from WWD Kristen Wiig in Palm Royale. We were so lucky with the wigs and the sets. Everyones wardrobe you just felt like you were there, and Ive never seen anything like that on anything Ive ever worked on, the Saturday Night Live alum said at the AppleTV+ series premiere in Los Angeles ahead of its release for streaming on March 20. Allison Janney at the premiere of Apple TV+s Palm Royale held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater on March 14 in Los Angeles. The actress was joined by her costars Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Carol Burnett, Kaia Gerber, Laura Dern and Leslie Bibb, among others. Palm Royale costume designer Alix Friedberg, who has worked on two other Dern projects, including Big Little Lies and Enlightened, curated the looks. Janney plays the icy queen bee of Palm Beachs high society, and shes a fixture of the Shiny Sheet the glossy newspaper covering galas, gossip and the glamour of socialite life. She also has a closet of caftans to envy. Allison Janney in Palm Royale. The wardrobe that Alix Friedberg put together for all of us ladies on Palm Royale was extraordinary. In my first fitting I thought, OK, I know who Evelyn is. And all she put on me were these flowy gowns and it was just so much fun, and then the hair Jill Crosby created all these incredible hair designs for me that it was hard not to feel I almost didnt have to do any acting, Janney explained. I put on those costumes, that hair, the makeup and it was so easy to be in character because you dont dress like that, nobody dresses like that anymore. Ricky Martin at the premiere of Apple TV+s Palm Royale held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater on March 14 in Los Angeles. Martin portrays the clubs waiter, who spends most of his time in a uniform and sometimes in a lot less. I went froma uniform that a bartender wears while working in such an exclusive club like Palm Royale to be almost naked in the show and wearing all kinds of Speedos, Martin said. What was fascinating for me is that whatever I used, most of them were original fabrics from the 60s and original T-shirts from the 60s, I was like, Can I keep this? and theyre like, sorry, this is a gem and this is part of someones collection. You cannot use this. The sandals that I wore were originals from the 60s, so for me that was fascinating. And this is the kind of underwear that I want to wear forever, to be honest. Bathing suits, Im sorry, it kind of made me say, I want to [wear them] forever. Best of WWD Michael B Jordan has spoken candidly about how he struggles with loneliness as a single man. On a recent episode of the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, the 37-year-old actor was asked what were the best and worst parts of being Michael B Jordan. He admitted that it was the loneliness that comes with fame and his current singledom that is the worst part. I love multitasking; I love juggling, the balancing act that I do, he explained to Shetty. The worst part is the loneliness that comes with that. The Black Panther star continued:Theres a loneliness that I have. The responsibility that you have is isolating, and the weight is isolating. So I think the worst part of that is the feeling like nobody really understands, and sometimes falling into the spaces of just being alone, feeling alone. He admitted that being someone who has been named Peoples Sexiest Man Alive in the past can be a very lonely and isolating experience. When asked by Shetty about it, the actor said: I revert back to the last question. Its very lonely! He added that he also finds that he has a hard time figuring out what he wants, with the actor often going back and forth between wanting partnership and then not knowing whats the best partner for me. He said that his fame often causes strain in his relationships and he has to be careful before bringing someone who isnt accustomed to that level of attention into the public eye. And its not just: I love you, you love me, that should be enough, right? he explained. Its not quite that simple. Finding the right person to understand all of me, but then all that comes with me, as well. The Creed actor added that when hes dating, he does try to strike a balance by making time for his partner as well as stepping back from work to focus on his personal life, but it isnt easy. The sacrifice, the compromise that comes with a partnership and a relationship, and understanding how to make that all work, sometimes it gives me anxiety and pause, he said. He expressed that he also wants to enjoy being single, not necessarily by dating, but by exploring the world around him and learning more about himself. Im looking forward to that part of my life... I gotta start living, he continued. Ive sacrificed, and Ive zoned in for so long. I owe it to myself a little bit to do that... Im not looking [for a partner], but it would take a very special person to understand and grow with me. Jordan was last linked to Lori Harvey, who he split from in 2022 after a year and a half of dating. Soon after the death of his father Robert in July of 1031, Henry I of France had a problem. His mother, Constance, had never supported his claim to the crown. Now she seized the moment, taking up arms against Henry, and was followed into revolt by powerful vassals with imposing, high-medieval names like Odo II, Count of Blois. Henry had to act quickly. In the north he traded land for the assistance of the Duke of Normandy. Looking east he brokered an alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II by betrothing himself to Conrads daughter Matilda (then only five years old, she died young the following year). Conrad pushed into Burgundy, keeping Odo busy in the southeast, while Henry crashed down on Constance forcing her to flee from her palace at Poissy, near Paris, to a fortress at Le Puiset, near Orleans. During the siege that followed, the furious king swore that he would slaughter everyone inside, and likely would have gone through with it had his mother not thrown herself before him and begged for their lives with tears in her eyes. Its dramatic stuff, with more than a whiff of Shakespeares Coriolanus. Surprising, then, that by the reckoning of House of Lilies Henry ranks comparatively low in the pantheon of interesting Capetian monarchs: a figure who does not stand out from the background of his reign. This is a testament to the rich seam that Justine Firnhaber-Baker is mining in her chronicle of one of Europes greatest mediaeval dynasties, the family which came to define France in the four centuries leading up to the Hundred Years War. This isnt a story of particularly humble beginnings (the first of the name, Hugh Capet, was unanimously elected King of West Francia in 987) but it is one of astronomic rise. For the first few generations the family was in a weak position, with small holdings surrounded by a bickering patchwork of vassal territories. Every page details schemes, battles, arranged marriages, poisonings or pogroms, all carried out in the attempt to consolidate control. 'Henry I went to war against his own mother, threatening mass slaughter' - Icas94 / De Agostini Picture Library via Getty Images More than raw violence though, this is also a story of reputational management. By the 12th century the Capetians settled on the fleur-de-lis, a far older symbol of the holy trinity, as their symbol with their supporters plastering it everywhere in an attempt to conjure an ideology of sacred Capetian kingship. Religion lies at the centre of the tale (there are even two saints rattling around the roster in brother-and-sister pair Louis IX and Isabelle), though for every almshouse and gothic cathedral built under Capetian patronage we also learn of a holy war (the family gives us five consecutive crusader-kings). Dynastic histories can often be fawning, or narrative at the expense of historical heft, but Firnhaber-Bakers writing avoids both traps, while remaining crisp, entertaining and direct. Though the books focus remains largely on the territory of France, one idea that repeatedly emerges is how closely wound the dynastic affairs of the Capetians were with those of our own country. Henry I spent much of his time between 1052 and 1060 attempting to dislodge an increasingly strong William the Conqueror from his ducal seat in Normandy, a conflict in which the duke honed military talents that he would eventually deploy to conquer England. Almost a century later Louis VII, co-leader of the Second Crusade, annulled his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine after the pair failed to produce a male heir. Within two months the former queen was remarried to Plantagenet Henry, Duke of Normandy (later Henry II of England), with whom she would have eight children. Its impressive that Henry managed to find the time, busy as he was conceiving the Angevin Empire the greatest threat to Capetian supremacy, stretching at its height across England and taking over much of western and central France. The Capetian reconquest is a constant backdrop for the Crusades, family disputes, and squabbles with popes that make up the latter half of the book. Firnhaber-Baker has a bad habit of introducing sources merely as a historian or a chronicler, and there are a number of learned asides that could do with some expansion. For example, when discussing the 1259 Treaty of Paris, where Henry III of England gave up most of his French holdings outside of Gascony, we are told that this decision may have ultimately caused the Hundred Years War a century later but the reasoning only emerges in the epilogue. These quibbles aside, this is a mighty, panoramic history, extending until the death of Charles IV in 1328. While this marked the end of the main Capetian line, it wasnt the end of the family as a whole. For a period of history that lasted several centuries you could scarcely lift a rock in western Europe without a Capetian scuttling out. Firnhaber-Baker does a real service for those with an interest in France and England alike by providing a dextrous and engrossing account, a treasury for anyone with an interest in the royal, political, and religious worlds of the high medieval period. The House of Lilies is published by Allen Lane at 30. To order your copy for 16.99 for 25, call 0844 871 1514 or visit Telegraph Books Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. When you share the news about being pregnant, you can expect a flurry of questions among the congratulations: When are you due? Do you know the babys sex yet? Do you have a birth plan? But more and more, a new question is rising to the top of the list: Have you gotten on child care waitlists yet? This question might seem crazy, especially if you are in the earliest stages of pregnancy. But in the current child care landscape, which is marked by long waitlists and high prices, its proving to be an understandable concern. And the question of who you will trust with your children leads to even more questions, including how you will pay for care and how to find the best place for your child. Whether you're a first-time parent or are looking to switch child care programs, navigating Wisconsins child care system can be daunting. We compiled a list of common questions and answers to help you through. I'm looking for child care. Where do I start? A list of regulated child care providers is available online at childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov. Here, you can filter searches based on location, type of care and YoungStar rating. YoungStar is the states optional quality rating system. According to the state Department of Children and Families, YoungStar considers four main areas: staff education and training, learning environment and curriculum, business and professional practices and childrens health and well-being. The site also includes a list of providers regulation violations in the last three years. Dana Bain, development director at Child Care Resource & Referral Inc. in Kimberly, previously explained some entries, such as paperwork errors, might not spark immediate concern, but others, like safety issues, are red flags. Corrine Hendrickson cleans a snack table on Jan. 25 at her home-based family child care center, Corrine's Little Explorers in New Glarus. Every county and tribe in Wisconsin is served by a child care resource and referral agency like the one in Kimberly. These sites assist child care programs with a variety of needs and also help families find regulated care. While CCR&Rs cannot refer clients to specific child care programs for liability reasons, both CCR&R Inc. and 4C For Children, which serves Milwaukee and five surrounding counties, can generate free lists of regulated child care programs based on families preferences. Others might have luck by seeking suggestions from trusted family and friends, as well as community social media groups. What are the different types of child care in Wisconsin, and which are regulated? In general, there are two main types of child care for young children: family child care and group child care. Family child care programs are smaller in size than group care and are typically run out of a providers home. Usually, one or two people take on all the necessary roles to run the child care business: teacher, cook, director and more. Once a family child care has four or more children younger than 7, they are legally required to be licensed through DCF. The exact number of children family child care providers can legally serve depends on the childrens ages. Family child care providers who care for three or fewer children younger than 7 who are not related to them can be "certified," a voluntary form of regulation through their county. Group child care centers care for more children and are usually required to be licensed, and therefore have a larger number of staff. Children are typically grouped by age. There are also licensed day camps, which are nature-focused programs for four or more children older than 3 that last for a specific time period. Some child care settings may be exempt from DCF regulation, such as those run by schools or churches. Just because a child care is not regulated and there are many cases where it's not required does not mean it is not high quality. On the flip side, just because a program is regulated doesn't mean there will never be safety concerns. However, the health and safety standards required for regulation can serve as safeguards for children and families. For more on child care regulation in Wisconsin, visit bit.ly/DCFregulation. More: Picking a safe, high-quality child care for your family can be difficult. Here's some helpful tips How much does child care cost in Wisconsin? A lot. Child care costs can vary based on the age of the child, type of care, location and other factors. According to Child Care Aware of America, the average annual cost of center-based infant care in Wisconsin, which is typically the most expensive group, was over $13,500 in 2022. The average annual cost of Wisconsin home-based toddler care, the least expensive classification of care the report charted, was over $9,000 in 2022. For care to be considered affordable," child care for all children in a household should be no more than 7% of the household's gross income, or their income before any taxes or deductions, DCF Communications Director Gina Paige said. For both the median married Wisconsin family and the median single-parent Wisconsin family, care for an infant or toddler in either setting surpasses this affordability standard. More: 4 takeaways about the high cost of child care in Wisconsin and nationwide What if I need help paying for child care? Wisconsin Shares, the states child care subsidy program, assists eligible families by paying a portion of their monthly child care costs. Last year, the program started allowing families to request funds to pay registration fees as well. To see if you qualify, visit bit.ly/WiscShareseligibility. Note that the criteria will change this summer, when the initial eligibility threshold to qualify for Wisconsin Shares will move from 185% to 200% of the federal poverty level. A table outlining federal poverty guidelines, which change based on the number of individuals in a household, can be found at bit.ly/FPLguidelines2024. For example, the federal poverty level is $25,820 for a family of three and $31,200 for a family of four. More: Struggling to afford child care in Wisconsin? Here's where to find help. Related: Wisconsin is altering its child care subsidy program. Heres what families need to know. Children whose families meet certain income guidelines may also attend Head Start, a federal learning program for young children, free of charge. Children in foster care or who are homeless are also eligible. For more information on Head Start eligibility requirements in Wisconsin, visit bit.ly/Wisheadstart. Your local CCR&R may know of local grants that can help your family pay for child care, and some child care programs have their own tuition assistance programs. Additionally, some workplaces and colleges offer child care assistance. A new law will expand Wisconsins Child and Dependent Care Expenses Tax Credit beginning with the state income taxes filed in spring 2025. To learn more about the new law, and how it may affect your family, visit bit.ly/childcarecreditexpansion. Madison Lammert covers child care and early education across Wisconsin as a Report for America corps member based at The Appleton Post-Crescent. To contact her, email mlammert@gannett.com or call 920-993-7108. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to Report for America by visiting postcrescent.com/RFA. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Common questions about child care in Wisconsin answered Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea (C) makes a statement during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 15, 2024. Yemen's armed Houthi forces said on Friday that they have launched fresh attacks targeting an Israeli ship and a U.S. warship in the Red Sea. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) SANAA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's armed Houthi forces said on Friday that they have launched fresh attacks targeting an Israeli ship and a U.S. warship in the Red Sea. "We launched attacks against the Israel-linked ship, Pacific 01, with a number of missiles in the Red Sea, and launched drone attacks against a U.S. warship also in the waters," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a written statement broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. "The strikes accurately hit the targets," Sarea added. He also claimed that his group has carried out three other attacks targeting three Israeli and U.S. vessels in the Indian Ocean, without specifying when the attacks occurred. "We began to expand the scope of our operations against Israeli ships or those linked to Israel to include the Indian Ocean near the Cape of Good Hope," the spokesman said. Last night, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed to expand attacks to vessels transiting the Indian Ocean toward the Cape of Good Hope on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Central Command said on social media platform X that since Thursday morning, Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists have fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden and two additional ASBMs toward the Red Sea, adding, "There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or (U.S.-British) coalition ships." The command noted that it "successfully destroyed nine anti-ship missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen," stressing that "these actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels." However, the Houthis have said the U.S.-British coalition's strikes hit empty locations and did not degrade the group's military capabilities. The Houthis have controlled much of northern Yemen, including the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, since the civil war broke out in late 2014. The Houthi forces have been attacking commercial ships since last November in what they said in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and have vowed to escalate and expand their strikes until Israel stops its offensive against the Palestinian enclave. In response, the United States and Britain have conducted airstrikes and naval bombardments against Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-January to deter the group from interrupting international shipping lanes. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea makes a statement during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 15, 2024. Yemen's armed Houthi forces said on Friday that they have launched fresh attacks targeting an Israeli ship and a U.S. warship in the Red Sea. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Friday. Loro Piana wool tied to unpaid Indigenous farmers in Peru Loro Piana sells a vicuna sweater for about $9,000, but the Indigenous community of Lucanas receives about $280 for an equivalent amount of fiber, meaning some farmers are unpaid for their labor. Vicunas are camelids found in the southern Andes that produce the most expensive wool, and although Loro Piana has been the Lucanas' sole customer since 1994, the village of 2,700 people still largely experiences poverty. A 2018 study found that 80% of those living in the town said they hadn't benefited from the community's participation in the trade. {Bloomberg/paywalled} Who is the TikTok Shop consumer? After launching last year, TikTok Shop saw 5 million purchases during Black Friday and Cyber Monday and in February, it recorded the same number of active users as Shein. TikTok Shop has reached many consumers in a short amount of time, and despite Gen Z's strong presence on the app, millennial and Gen-X shoppers are growing the fastest on TikTok Shop. Earnest Analytics found that in February, people aged 25 to 34 and 45 to 54 accounted for 25% and 22% of sales, respectively, while 18 to 24 year-olds made up 7% of spending. {Business of Fashion/paywalled} Photo: Courtesy of Some creative agency. "In Her Bag: The Summit" to showcase women entrepreneurs and executives Some creative agency. is hosting "In Her Bag: The Summit" which supports female entrepreneurship with guests such as Nikki Kria, head of communications at Kickstarter; Kendall Reynolds, founder and CEO of Kendall Miles; Imani Nia, VP of strategy & partnerships at Brandon Blackwood; and LaToya Williams-Belfort, executive director of Fifteen Percent Pledge. The two-day summit includes panels, workshops, pop-ups and networking opportunities. The summit will be held at 131 Greene St. on March 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Tickets start at $150 and are available here. {Fashionista inbox} New York Men's Day Spring 2025 designer applications open Designer applications are now open for New York Men's Day Spring 2025 to be held Sept. 6, 2024. NYMD features 10 to 12 designers, and each will present in an individual studio space simultaneously over two-hour periods. NYMD covers 85% of the presentation costs for each designer. Applications, which are available here, close Friday, April 12. {Fashionista inbox} Photo: Courtesy of Gucci Gucci premieres Sabato De Sarno documentary Gucci released a 20-minute documentary titled "Who is Sabato De Sarno? A Gucci Story" exclusively on the Mubi platform on March 15. Directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost and narrated by Paul Mescal, the short film explores De Sarno's inaugural Gucci collection and a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. Gucci will host screenings of the film in major cities worldwide and an enhanced version will be available on Apple Vision Pro beginning April 3. {Fashionista inbox} Dior taps Deva Cassel as international fashion and makeup ambassador Model Deva Cassel, the daughter of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, is Dior's newest international ambassador for fashion and makeup. "I have always had enormous respect for the house of Dior, and the feminine and refined image that they conveyed has always made me dream," Cassel told WWD. Cassel will appear in a campaign for Dior beauty's summer 2024 collection, beginning April 1. {WWD/paywalled} Miaou opens Los Angeles pop-up Miaou opened a pop-up in Los Angeles on Friday. The space was inspired by founder Alexia Elkaim's grandmother's French apartment on Paris' Rive Gauche. Located at 6111 W 5th St., the pop-up is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. until March 24. See images from the space below. {Fashionista inbox} Miaou Los Angeles pop-up shop. Photo: Michael Wells/Courtesy of Miaou View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article Never miss the latest fashion industry news. Sign up for the Fashionista daily newsletter. The number of accidents and incidents involving Boeing commercial planes, at least during the first 55 days of this year, is relatively the same as 2023, federal data shows. There have been 19 incidents, accidents and occurrences involving Boeing planes globally as of Feb. 24, according to the most recent data available from the National Transportation Safety Boards Case Analysis and Reporting Online tool (CAROL). For comparison, the NTSB documented 23 such events during the same 55-day period last year. Events in the U.S. so far this year include the mid-air door plug scare involving a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft over Oregon on Jan. 5, an engine fire in Miami on Jan. 18 and stuck rudder pedals on Feb. 6 in New Jersey. The National Transportation Safety Board released a photo from its investigation showing a gaping hole where a door plug fell off a Boeing 737 Max 9 on Jan. 15. National Transportation Safety Board via Associated Press The 2023 cases include two runway incursions when theres an improper plane on a runway in Texas and Honolulu on Jan. 23 and Feb. 4; air turbulence causing injuries in Chicago on Feb. 10; and a near-collision in Florida on Feb. 16. Though these cases dont include more recent events including a plane veering off the runway in Houston on March 8, a tire falling off mid-flight in San Francisco on March 7 and an engine fire in Houston on March 4 it suggests that such incidents arent increasing. Experts also say theres no reason for panic. The public being aware is always important, but I think everybody is hyper-sensitive, if I may use that word, because of how we started the year, said aviation expert Anthony Brickhouse, who is a professor and director of the Aerospace Forensic Lab at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. We had the Japan Airlines incident in Tokyo, a runway collision, he said, referring to the non-Boeing Jan. 2 collision that killed five Japanese Coast Guard personnel. And then later that week, we had the door plug. Boeing 787 Dreamliners are built at Boeing's assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, in May 2023. Juliette Michel via Getty Images Obviously, when people read the news or hear the news and they hear about these safety events, its going to give them a reason to pause, but I think that we just have to have confidence in our fellow regulators and investigators, he said. I would be perfectly comfortable stepping on a flight this afternoon in spite of these recent events that have happened, but I understand how the general public thinks not knowing what I know. Capt. Richard Levy, who spent 41 years as a commercial airline pilot before retiring as a flight instructor, also dismissed recent incidents highlighted in the news as not alarming at all. Because of the Alaska Airlines situation with that plugged door theres a focus on Boeing, he said. Were there issues with this particular aircraft with the bolts? Yes, there were ... that does not blacklist Boeing as a bad airplane. The door plug on the Alaska flight is believed to have blown off after workers failed to reattach bolts during repair work late last year, a preliminary report by the NTSB recently concluded. Other figures similarly assure that air safety overall has significantly improved over the years, with accidents causing death, serious injury or substantial damage to an aircraft generally falling. A Boeing 777X airplane taxis before its inaugural flight in Everett, Washington, in 2020. JASON REDMOND via Getty Images Last year there were just six fatal commercial aviation accidents worldwide, resulting in a total of 115 deaths. Thats the fewest on record, according to aviation industry publication FlightGlobal. In the U.S., there were 18 non-fatal accidents and one fatal accident in 2022, according to the NTSB, which has not yet posted annual data for 2023. That one fatality involved a runway worker and an Embraer E175 jet in Alabama. In 2021, there were 23 non-fatal accidents. And in 2020, there were 12 non-fatal accidents. Both Levy and Brickhouse encouraged the public to have greater assurance in airlines training and response when situations arise, as they will. Both noted that although everything in life involves some degree of risk, flying is still considered one of the safest modes of transportation. We train for the situations when there is something unusual, from the minor to the major, Levy said. The pilots are trained well to handle it so nobody should have one thought or hesitation, and there will be. Safety is an ongoing activity. Its not something that you fully achieve. Its something that you constantly work toward.Anthony Brickhouse, director of the Aerospace Forensic Lab at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Airlines are constantly upgrading their fleets and getting rid of old aircraft and getting new aircraft, Brickhouse said. All airlines have really good maintenance activities going on just like our passenger cars, after a certain number of miles you have to go in for an oil change. He further encouraged passengers to do their part by paying attention to the safety instructions at the start of flights, and Levy stressed fastening seatbelts when directed. A passenger on the Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines flight, who claims his shoes and socks were sucked off his feet when the door plug blew off, has credited his seatbelt for saving his life in a lawsuit filed Thursday. Safety is an ongoing activity. Its not something that you fully achieve. Its something that you constantly work toward, Brickhouse said. Boeing, meanwhile, faces a two-day investigative hearing with the NTSB in August over the door plug incident and reportedly a Justice Department criminal investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the aviation company 90 days to provide a plan of action in response to an audit finding multiple instances in which Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, which manufactures the Boeing 737 Maxs fuselage, allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. Boeing has vowed to be transparent with the NTSB investigation while adding additional inspections into the 737s build process to ensure the safety of the jetliners. Related... St. Patrick's Day is this weekend, which likely means area residents will be hitting the town in search of bar crawls, green beer and parties. While Louisville's local St. Paddy's Day parade already passed, it won't stop Kentuckians from celebrating on the actual holiday. A recent study from Celtic Titles indicated Louisville isn't the only city with St. Patrick's Day spirit. Apparently, Lexington doesn't like to miss out on the holiday fun either. According to the website, Louisville ranked 19th nationally for St. Paddy's Day spirit, while Lexington was ranked 36th overall. Both cities all fell in the top 11 for the percentage of people of Irish descent in the area, with Louisville ranked 9th and Lexington ranked 11th. Lexington was also ranked 26th in the nation for St. Patrick's Day enthusiasm. More: When is St. Patrick's Day 2024? You're more likely to get in a car crash than you are to find a four-leaf clover With Kentuckians seeking out a good time for the upcoming celebration, here's what to know: Patrons drink green beer during a pre-St. Patrick's Day celebration at Irish Bred Pub in Montgomery, Ala. Green beer in Louisville: Where to Find St. Paddy's drinks 2024 According to GotoLouisville.com, the following places tend to offer green beer on St. Paddy's Day: Flanagan's Ale House: Located at 934 Baxter Ave. The Irish Rover: Located at 2319 Frankfort Ave. Jackdaw Coffee & Bourbon Bar: Located at 120 S. Floyd St. Molly Malone's Irish Pub: Located at 933 Baxter Ave. O'Shea's Irish Pub: Located at 956 Baxter Ave. Patrick O'Shea's: Located at 123 W. Main St. More: 2024 St. Patrick's Day Drinks Drive sober or get pulled over: Sobriety checkpoints around Kentucky for St. Patrick's Day When is St. Patrick's Day 2024? St. Patricks Day falls on Sunday, March 17, 2024, according to History.com. What is St. Patrick's Day 2024? St. Patricks Day is celebrated on the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick died in the 5th century, but it wasnt until the 9th or 10th century that the day gained recognition in the Roman Catholic church as a feast day. Traditionally a religious and spiritual holiday, it became more of a celebration through modern times. According to the National Portrait Gallery, in America, the holiday is recognized by shamrocks, leprechauns, parades and all things green. What is St. Patrick the patron saint of? St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, engineers, those afraid of snakes or seeking protection from snakes and more, according to Catholic Saint Medals. St. Patrick's real name: What was it? St. Patrick's real name was Maewyn Succat and eventually changed his name when he became a priest, according to Historic UK. St. Patrick's Day colors 2024 St. Patrick's Day colors include green, white, orange and blue, according to Always the Holidays. The first three colors all appear on the Irish flag, and green is most commonly associated with the Irish holiday. What color was originally associated with St. Patrick's Day? St. Patrick's Day was first recognized by the color blue, according to IrishCentral. The earliest depictions of the saint depict him in blue robes and garments. Where was St. Patrick born? St. Patrick was originally born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, to a Roman family living in Great Britain. When he was around 14 to 16 years old, he was captured by Irish pirates and brought to the country to teach Christianity in a predominately pagan area. When was St. Patrick born? St. Patrick was born around 385 in Kilpatrick, Scotland. 12 ways to wear green on St. Patrick's Day Cute St. Patrick's Day outfits 2024 Dressing cute and colorful for St. Paddy's is one of the best parts of the holiday for many. See below for outfit inspiration: Nasty Gal: Click here for outfit inspiration. Pinterest: Click here for outfit ideas. Pretty Little Thing USA: Click here for outfit inspiration. Tipsy Elves: Click here for outfit ideas. 2024 St. Patrick's Day crafts and activities for toddlers, kids According to Good Housekeeping, there are plenty of crafts and activities perfect for those of all ages. Some of these include: Leprechaun Hat Shamrock Keychain Ombre Shamrock Wreath Green Slime Pot of Gold Rainbow Handprint Painting Craft Stick Leprechaun Four-leaf Clover Hair Clip For a full list with tutorials, click here. 2024 St. Patrick's Day snacks Krispy Kreme: The company introduced four new doughnuts available for a limited time at participating locations. Additionally, customers wearing green who visit Krispy Kreme March 15-17 can receive one free O'riginal Glazed Doughnut, no purchase necessary. The O'riginal Glazed Doughnut is an original Krispy Kreme doughnut gone green. Rainbow Macaroons: See recipe from Broken Oven Baking. Popcorn Cereal Balls: See recipe from A Beautiful Mess. Beer Cheese: See recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction. 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 2024 coloring sheets Click the links below for an assortment of St. Paddy's coloring sheets: St. Patrick's Day movies 2024 "The Luck of the Irish": Available on Disney+. Rated G. "Finian's Rainbow": Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. Rated G. "The Secret of Roan Inish": Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. Rated PG. "The Secret of Kells": Available on Amazon Prime Video. Not rated. More: 2024 St. Paddy's Day Trivia, Jokes Learn these phrases to sound authentically Irish on Saint Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day 2024 trivia According to Parade.com, here are some fun 2024 St. Patrick's Day trivia questions: Q: Green hasnt always been associated with Saint Patricks Day. That actually didnt happen until when? A: 1798. Q: Where was the first St. Patricks Day parade in Ireland held in 1903? A: Waterford, Ireland. Q: Even though its a big drinking day now, St. Paddys Day used to be a dry holiday up until what decade? A: The 1970s. Q: What year did St. Patricks Day go from being a strictly holy day for Catholics to an official Irish holiday? A: 1903. Q: The most popular drink to have on St. Patricks Day is Guinness. Roughly how many pints are served on St. Paddy's Day? A: Approximately 13 million. Q: Three-leafed shamrocks were believed to be used by Saint Patrick to explain what? A: The Holy Trinity. 2024 St. Patrick's Day jokes Parade.com also recommends the following jokes for St. Paddy's Day: Q: Why did the leprechaun go outside? A: To sit on his paddy-o. Q: What is a lephrechaun's favorite type of music? A: Shamrock 'n' roll. Q: What do you call an Irish spider? A: Paddy long legs. Q: What did the leprechaun say when the video game ended? A: Game clover. Q: What instrument does a showoff play on St. Patricks Day? A: Brag-pipes. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: St. Patrick's Day 2024: Guide to outfits, crafts, snacks, trivia, jokes and more "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." WHEN IT COMES to inhabiting new and interesting worlds, Tobias Menzies is a veteran. Some may remember his time in Westeros, showing up as the competent but never-all-the-way-respected Lord Edmure Tully in 9 episodes of Game of Thrones. Others may recall his Emmy-winning turn as part of the aristocracy, playing Prince Philip for two seasons on Netflix's The Crown, or his time aboard the spooky HMS Erebus in AMC's The Terror. Hell, just last year he ventured into the oft-explored-but-still-intriguing waters of Manhattan's Upper West Side to play opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus in A24's intimate relationship dramedy You Hurt My Feelings. Menzies has been all over the place, and his latest project once again takes him somewhere else entirely: the 1860s United States of America, specifically the days just after President Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865. In Manhunt, Apple TV+'s new limited series based on the best-selling nonfiction book of the same name, the 50-year-old actor plays Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who finds himself leading the hunt for infamous presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth. Stepping into 1865 America isn't quite the same as showing up in Game of Thrones, or assuming a position within the ranks of Buckingham Palace, but Menzies goes through the same process every time, no matter if he's going into a world being adapted from a fantasy, horror, or nonfiction book. Chris Reel In fact, he hardly sees a difference at all. "Its not quite as clear cut as that," he says over Zoom, noting that it's his responsibility to make the exceptional seem unexceptional, whether that's a character who lives among dragons or one who works with Abe Lincoln. "These are flesh and blood people, with very human needs and concerns, and what draws us through a story is those connectionsthose things you can understand over time." There's got to be something to it, though, right? Menzies bounces between worlds like it's nothing; if anyone is great at grounding a characterone from any worldin a relatable story, it's him. But he's not about to reveal it before we head into the journey. "Id be giving away my secrets then," he says with a laugh. Men's Health spoke to Menzies about traveling back in time, telling a not-particularly-well-known story of such a vital point in U.S. history, and working alongside Brad Pitt in Apple's upcoming F1 movie. MEN'S HEALTH: The Manhunt book is super interesting. What drew you to this specific moment in American history? Tobias Menzies: The simple answer is that its a rather remarkable story. Its one I knew the bare, basic details of, but a lot of it I was not aware of, and I suspect a lot of audience watching will have a lot to find in this story. That was the big first draw. Also, at the heart of it is a really interesting mansomeone I didnt know aboutin Edwin Stanton. The chance to bring this story, an important story in Americas history, to a new audience felt like an exciting endeavor. Shop Now Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer: An Edgar Award Winner (P.S.) amazon.com $11.99 MH: Did you read the book? TM: Sure. Yeah. Whats great about the book is its deftness, and its thriller quality. Its a very dynamic read, and I hope weve managed to keep some of that in the show. Obviously, its primarily a true-crime thriller, the book and the show as well, but I think [showrunner Monica Beletsky] also tried to fold in some of the politics that were revolving around that assassination. MH: How did you explore some of the more subtle differences between the 1860s and present day? TM: I certainly read into the history and the world. In a way, its hard to know about expression, or physical expression, or how they move, because we dont have any record of that. But one of the books I really enjoyed reading was Team of Rivals, which is about Lincolns cabinet during the Civil War, and Edwin Stanton is featured in that. What was interesting about that is the nature of argument, and the politicians were larger than life. That cabinet in particular he brought together some very disparate and very disputatious figures, and got them to work together. Stanton was an important cog in that machine. Chris Reel MH: The show also does a good job exploring Lincoln and Stanton's friendship. How much emphasis did you put on that relationship? TM: It was quite a long journey. I mean, they first met before Lincoln became President, when he was a Springfield lawyer, and Stanton was a very considerable lawyer in his own right. I know there are reports of Lincoln going to see Stantons work as a lawyer, his advocacy. When Stanton first met Lincoln, he didnt think much of him. He thought he was a countryside hick, in a way, but by the time the story starts, and Lincoln is killed, by this point, for Stanton, those thoughts are completely gone. We have both a huge respect politicallyStanton comes to understand Lincolns genius, and his ability to bring people together and build consensusand, yes, theyve also become friends. So, part of what the show is wrestling with is a man whos got to both hold a country together, but also grieve a friend. MH: I love when Stanton refers to Lincoln as Abe. Its a small thing, but we dont hear Abraham Lincoln referred to on a first-name/nickname basis very often. TM: That doesnt change through the ages. If youre close to someone, you shorten their name, or use a patronym. Im sure that was through to them, too. Lincoln calls Stanton Mars, he was the Secretary of War. I think those things are a shorthand to getting a sense of what their relationship was. MH: How do you most relate to this character? Is it difficult to go back almost 200 years and find a connection? TM: I dont think men and women have changed hugely over time. Certainly the clothes change, and the times around them change, but people are still husbands, and fathers, and children, and parents, and they still eat, and they still need friendship. So, all of those human qualities are quite universal, and you have to build those up so that its a relatable story. Hes a man in an extraordinary situation, and to see him try to navigate that is whats interesting. I tried to relate who he was, and what he was dealing with on a personal level, as much as possible. Apple MH: How did you try to balance the professional and private parts of Stantons life together? TM: I think the argument of the show is that he doesnt get the balance very right. Hes neglectful of his family during this period, and you see someone whos consumed by the attempt to salvage both their political legacy, and find some justice for his friend, to the detriment of his marriage in the show. His wife leaves, and certainly hes not the kindest of fathers. I think you see someone not entirely getting the balance right, and put in a position of a great extremist. MH: You spent time in the 1860s for this project. What was that transformation like? TM: The clothes do a lot. Sometimes, I would curse them, because we were shooting in Savannah, Georgia, and it was very humid, so I certainly didnt want to wear waistcoats, and hats, and coats [Laughs]. The production design, and costume design, is a huge part of bringing that story to life, and its hugely helpful to us actors each day. MH: What kind of physical preparation was involed? TM: He was an asthmatic, at a time when it was a hard condition to have. This is pre-inhalers. So, that runs as a physical challenge through the story, and I had to do a bit of research into that what that feels like, and is for someone. Its something he lived with, and through the story, in a way, hes risking his own health as well as he tries to salvage this almost impossible situation. MH: Is there any record of how they treated asthma back then? TM: Theres a lot of steaming, and stuff, but they didnt really have a medicinal solution to it yet. Chris Reel MH: What was it like sharing scenes with Hamish Linklater, who has just seemingly completely transformed into the larger-than-life figure that is Abraham Lincoln? TM: Lincoln obviously is at the heart of this story, and we discover the friendship through flashback, because the story starts with his death. We were very lucky to have Hamish come and play him for us, and he does a brilliant job. I really enjoyed working with himI had not filmed with him before, and hes great company and a fantastic actor, so I always looked forward to doing those scenes. In a way, that relationship and that character, and the sense and energy and heart of that man is the emotional heart of the whole story. MH: Is there any difference in approach as youre going into 1865 compared to going into Westeros? TM: The answer is no. Not really. Its all the same muscles. Its acting, its looking the other person in the eye and meaning it. Delivering certain ideas, or feelings, or thoughts. So, whether its in the imagined hall in Game of Thrones, or in a room in 1860, as I say, human behavior is quite consistent over time. That is the currency of actingbehavior, human psychology, wants, needs, what are they trying to get? What dont they have? All these drives and muscles are true to all the different scenarios, whether its Prince Philip in Buckingham Palace or Stanton in the War Room. MH: Speaking of going to kind of another world your upcoming film with Brad Pitt sounds like itll be Top Gun: Maverick, but with Formula 1 cars. Can you tell us anything about it? TM: The honest answer is that I think I cant talk about it. I think Im embargoed. I remember talking to someone a while back, and saying something about it, and and I got in quite a bit of trouble [Laughs]. I havent finished doing it yet Im going back. We obviously got interrupted by the strike, so Im going back to do some more, and Ive really been enjoying it. But I cant really say much about it. MH: Can I ask you tangentially, then, about F1are you interested in that sport? TM: In complete honesty, no. Its not a sport that Im very engaged in. But we shot some stuff at Silverstone last year, and its a crazy circus. It was pretty lively, so yeah [Laughs]. Its a crazy world. This interview has been condensed for content and clarity. You Might Also Like A person is dead and another is hospitalized after a motorcycle and a bus collided in Valley Glen Friday morning. The crash was reported at about 11 a.m. near the intersection of Hazeltine Avenue and Bessemer Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. A motorcycle carrying two people and a bus crashed into each other, resulting in one death and one transport to a hospital, the Los Angeles Police Department said. That persons condition is unknown. The age, gender and names of those involved have not been released. As a result, the Metro Orange Line at Hazeltine is closed until further notice, police said. The LAPD later advised that as of 12:19 p.m., the closure was expected to last a further several hours. We will advise when open, police said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Its been a year since State College Area School District administration first presented the idea of turning the Delta Program into its own school, and while the proposal is moving forward, parents opposition to it hasnt changed. During a Wednesday night meeting, the SCASD administration and parents from the Delta School Steering Committee presented to students, parents and staff of the Delta Program, outlining what a transition from program to school would look like. The 2 1/2-hour meeting mostly consisted of public comments from parents, students and staff who questioned and opposed the districts recommendation. Many Delta parents said the benefits were not worth changing the program. Parent Jen Nourse said despite the year of discussions, the process was moving too fast. For 50 years Delta has been perfectly fine, Nourse said. I dont understand the urgency, I dont understand the rush, I dont understand the timing. The Delta Program, a democratically run alternative schooling program students can opt into starting in sixth grade, has operated within the district since 1974. Since 2019, the program has been housed within the North Campus of State High after its move from the Fairmount Building in downtown State College. Last March, the district proposed issuing Delta its own building code, which would allow for a clearer picture of Deltas state data. As a program, Deltas demographics, standardized test scores and school climate surveys are essentially a black hole to the district, with student scores stored in their home schools rather than within the Delta Program. Following community pushback, the district formed a committee of Delta parents, students and staff that has met ten times in the past six months to discuss the programs future. Its unclear if the program committee has reached a consensus on whether Delta should become a school, but the administration is pushing ahead. The SCASD board of directors is set to hear a presentation on the proposal on March 25. For the past year, the administration has tried to assure the Delta community that a transition to school would have few effects on Delta. The school would continue to be democratically run, students would continue to be able to take State High classes and participate in sports. During the meeting, several parents from the Delta Program Committee asked if another solution could be found to both increase Deltas visibility and separate its data from the other schools within the district. The group requested a yearlong transition period to help work through the impacts as well as a board policy that would reaffirm the districts commitment to maintaining Deltas democratically run system. Linnet Brooks, a parent on the committee, expressed her frustration with the process so far and said parent suggestions had not been adequately included by the administration. I dont know about you, but I signed my kids up to go to a program, Brooks said. ...Our families deserve to know what a school might look like. Becoming a school could help with Deltas visibility outside the State College community, making it easier to find for families moving into the district, assistant superintendent Johnathan Butcher said. It would also allow for administrators to gain access to Deltas individual demographic, standardized testing and school climate data. It benefits us because we can make better decisions for the kids in the end, Butcher said. We have more information, clear information. Thats ultimately our goal. The administration will present to the board at its March 25 meeting, after which a motion to make Delta into a school could appear on a later board agenda. If the board approves Delta to become its own school, the transition would take place before the 2025 school year. TAIYUAN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- As the search and rescue operation has ended, all the seven miners who were trapped in an accident in an underground warehouse of a coal mine in north China's Shanxi Province were confirmed dead, local authorities said. The accident happened on Monday at the coal mine of the Taoyuan Xinlong coal industrial corporation in Zhongyang County, according to the county government. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two men were sentenced to prison Thursday for their involvement in a deadly drive-by shooting that took the life of a 20-year-old man two years ago. John Juarez-Juarez received a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and first-degree attempted murder. The shooter, Yahir Cruz-Rosales, was sentenced to 20 years for first-degree manslaughter and first-degree attempted murder with a firearm. Tigard gas station robbed by gunman, police seek suspect The duo killed Eduardo Garcia near Hayesville Drive Northeast near Reimann Street in the evening hours of March 9, 2022. Both men were teens when the shooting took place. Officials say that Juarez-Juarez confirmed that their motivation for the killing was gang-related. This is another senseless gang-related shooting death, District Attorney Paige Clarkson stated. It is worrisome how common this narrative has become for young men in this community. This case, combined with tragic recent events, emphasizes the need to focus on gun violence prevention and community-based intervention of gang violence. Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims family and loved ones. Especially Eduardos daughter, who was yet-to-be born before this tragedy took her father. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Two police officers fired by Jonesboro Mayor Donya Sartor after alleging she pointed a gun at them are now suing the mayor and the City of Jonesboro. Speaking with Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln in December, Daryll Triplett, who is suing alongside fellow former officer Godreque Newsom, said the termination was retaliation for alleging the mayor had pointed a gun at them, prompting an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. While the end result of that investigation, for the mayor, was the Clayton County District Attorney reporting there was insufficient evidence that the incident happened, both officers were suspended and later fired. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] After the GBI completed their review, they said was no evidence of that allegation either. Investigators say the text message soliciting campaign donations appeared to be a general solicitation sent to several people. They also noted that Sartor shared several reasons they did not hire the man. As previously reported, Triplett showed Lincoln his termination letter, which alleged the former sergeant had violated department policy by speaking with the news media and publicly criticizing the agencys policies. What is that putting out to the rest of the employees, that if you go against Donya Sartor, if you say anything against Donya Sartor that she doesnt like, youre going to be terminated, Triplett told Lincoln previously. In October, Channel 2 Action News reported that the Jonesboro City Council had voted to conduct a misconduct investigation in September after multiple allegations were levied against Sartor. At the time, the mayor said the misconduct claims were a political witch hunt. RELATED STORIES: Newsom and Tripletts lawsuit against Sartor and the City of Jonesboro says they seek damages and equitable relief for alleged retaliation, and are seeking compensation for unpaid suspensions and termination because they refused to donate to Sartors contested political campaign for mayor and because they participated in and cooperated [with] investigations into Sartors campaign finance violations, among other allegations. The court filing submitted on behalf of the two former officers alleges the city violated both the First Amendment and the Georgia Whistleblower Act. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Sartor violated laws, rules and regulations by, among other things, using City vehicles for her own personal use including traveling to concerts and parties, and violated the law by requiring City police escorts to personal functions and requiring City police officers to provide her private security while she worked out and when she went to private functions, at the expense of taxpayers. The lawsuit also alleges Sartor offered city employment in return for campaign contributions and encouraged city employees to wear campaign clothes, in violation of state law. Those claims were investigated by attorney Tracy Lawson at the request of the city council in September 2023. An attorney for Triplett and Newsom said the two former officers had filed the lawsuit and were waiting for the mayor to be served for the case. The Jonesboro mayors office told Channel 2 Action News that they were aware of the lawsuit, had not been served yet and had no comment on the litigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Get your green and get ready to party. The Charlotte St. Patricks Day Parade and Festival is returning to uptown. All weekend long, the city will be a sea of green with several events, parties and bar crawls ahead of the holiday, including the annual parade thats expected to bring out thousands of people. St. Patricks-themed floats pass by the crowds on 3rd St. during Saturdays 21st annual Charlotte St. Patricks Day Parade in uptown Charlotte. The free family-friendly event, featuring food and drinks, craft vendors, Irish dancers, marching bands and more, will be held Saturday, March 16th, 2024. The festival will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and the parade will kick off at 11 a.m. Heres a look at the parade route and what roads will be closed off for the event, held on North Tryon Street, along with a festival map of which vendors will be at the event: St. Patricks Day parade route The route for the 2024 Charlotte St. Patricks Day parade in uptown. During the parade, which will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Tryon Street will be closed from East 9th Street to West 3rd Street. St. Patricks Day festival map The festival map for the 2024 Charlotte St. Patricks Day festival in uptown. The festival, which will last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will be held on North Tryon Street from West 3rd Street to West 1st Street. Were all Irish in March: Make your St. Patricks Day plans with these Charlotte events Parking and public transportation With the event being in the heart of uptown Charlotte, organizers are encouraging those planning to attend to take advantage of the light rail. Tickets can be purchased at a ticket vending machine at each station platform or online through the CATS-Pass mobile app. If you plan on driving to the parade, there are multiple parking options in and around uptown Charlotte. You can find a list of parking garages and parking lots within the area online at parkme.com. You can find more information about this years St. Patricks Day parade and festival online at charlottestpats.com. Filing day for public offices in San Juan County unfolded on Tuesday, March 12 with a handful of surprises, including an incumbent New Mexico lawmaker who chose not to seek reelection. There will be 20 positions open across the county, and 20 people filed their candidacy on Tuesday. Some races will see numerous candidates, while in a few others, no county resident is running. County Clerk Tanya Shelby said would-be candidates filtered in gradually throughout the day a bit of a change from the usual pace, she said, when some political hopefuls typically are waiting at the door at 9 a.m. to file when the office opens for business. It was a good day, Shelby said of the slow but steady pace. San Juan County Clerk Tanya Shelby, left, watches Alyssa Kuhn fill out her paperwork as a Republican candidate for county clerk during filing day on Tuesday, March 12 in the San Juan County Administration Building in Aztec. The biggest surprise of the day was an apparent decision by state Rep. Ryan Lane, R-Aztec, in District 3, who opted not to seek reelection. Lane serves as the House Republican leader and has served two terms in office. He was first elected in November 2020. Lane, an Aztec attorney, said in a March 13 news release that he made the decision to walk away from the Legislature only shortly before the filing date. More: Ryan Lane, a newly-elected state representative, says economic development is needed Our caucus has shown tremendous growth over the last year and as much as I love leading this group of legislators, my family comes first, he stated in the release. Filing for Lanes seat was Aztec Republican William A. Hall II. No Democratic candidates filed for the seat. Other New Mexico lawmakers not seeking reelection In House District 4, incumbent Anthony Allison, D-Fruitland, also did not file for reelection, leading to an apparent wide-open competition for his seat. Four hopefuls filed to replace him. The list includes three Democrats Cheryl L. George of Shiprock, Christina J. Aspaas of Fruitland and Joseph Franklin Hernandez of Shiprock and Republican Lincoln Mark of Waterflow. Another open seat in the Legislature, that of the District 2 seat of state Sen. Steve Neville, R-Aztec, who announced his retirement in February, drew two candidates. Democrat Songtree L. Pioche of Bloomfield filed for the seat, as did Republican Steve Lanier of Aztec, a current member of the San Juan County Commission. More: Longtime San Juan County lawmaker Steve Neville will not seek reelection Candidates seeking New Mexico Senate seats Another state Senate seat in San Juan County up for election in this cycle is the District 1 seat held by incumbent William Sharer. Sharer, a Farmington business owner who has held the seat since 2001, filed for reelection and will be seeking his seventh term. A sign greeting potential candidates stands outside the San Juan County clerk's office in Aztec on Tuesday, March 12 as filing day was held. No San Juan County candidates filed for the state Senate seats in districts 3, 4 or 22, but those district boundaries cross county lines, and the races drew hopefuls from other counties. In District 3, Democratic incumbent Sen. Shannon Pinto of Tohatchi, who has held the office since 2019, filed to run again and will face challenger Sherylene M. Yazzie of Brimhall in the primary. In District 4, Democratic incumbent Sen. George Munoz of Gallup will face Democratic challenger Keith Edward Hillock of Gallup in the primary. And in District 22, Democratic incumbent Sen. Benny Shendo Jr. of Jemez Pueblo filed for reelection and did not draw any opposition. New Mexico elections: Plan for the June primaries New Mexico House races In the state House, incumbent District 1 Rep. Rod Montoya, R-Farmington, filed for reelection, but he will face a primary opponent, as fellow Republican Keith Mitchell Neil of Farmington filed to run against him. In the District 2 House race, incumbent Mark Duncan, R-Farmington, filed for reelection and did not draw any opposition. The districts 5, 65 and 69 state House races did not draw any San Juan County hopefuls. But the boundaries for those districts also cross county lines, and residents of other counties filed for those seats. In District 5, Democratic incumbent Rep. Wonda Johnson of Church Rock filed for reelection and did not draw any opposition. In District 65, Democratic incumbent Rep. Derrick Lente of Sandia Pueblo filed for reelection and did not draw any opposition. And in District 69, Democratic incumbent Rep. Harry Garcia of Grants will face Democratic challenger Michelle P. Abeyta of Tohajilee in the primary. San Juan County area races, candidates The non-legislative races on the ballot also featured some new faces. 11th Judicial District Attorney Rick Tedrow did not file for reelection, leading Farmington lawyer and former San Juan County Commissioner Jack Fortner to file for the position. In the county clerks race, Shelby, the incumbent, was unable to seek reelection because of term limits. Republican Alyssa Kuhn, the chief deputy clerk, was the only candidate to file for that office. Incumbent Carol Taulbee, a Republican, filed for reelection for San Juan County treasurer, drawing no opposition. The race for the District 3 seat on the San Juan County Commission being vacated by Steve Lanier as he mounts a campaign for the District 2 state Senate seat drew three Republican hopefuls Scott Eckstein, currently a member of the Bloomfield City Council; James Crowley, currently a member of the Aztec City Commission; and Sandra Lanier, the wife of Steve Lanier. No Democrats filed for the seat. Republican incumbent Terri Fortner was the only candidate to file for the District 4 seat on the County Commission, but the District 5 seat held by John Beckstead, who did not file for reelection, will be decided among two Republican candidates Randon Matthews of Farmington and Sam Gonzales of Aztec. The race for the District 10 seat on the New Mexico Public Education Commission did not draw any San Juan County residents, but Democratic incumbent Steven Carrillo of Santa Fe filed for reelection and was unopposed. In the race for the 11th Judicial District Judgeship Division 7, no San Juan County residents filed. But Democratic incumbent Douglas Decker of McKinley County is seeking reelection and drew no opposition. Shelby, the San Juan County clerk, said his office has until Tuesday, March 19 to certify the people who filed on Tuesday as qualified or disqualified candidates for those offices. She said some candidates who drew no declared opposition on Tuesday could still face opponents in the general election, as the deadline for independent candidates to file for those offices is not until June 27. Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e. This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: New Mexico GOP House leader Ryan Lane of Aztec won't seek reelection Filing day for the 2024 elections was March 12. Voters can cast ballots beginning May 7 for the June 4 primary. In New Mexico, only voters registered to one of the three major parties Democratic Party, Republican Party, Libertarian Party of New Mexico are eligible to vote in the primary election. The Green Party of New Mexico is considered a minor party. Primary elections determine each qualified party's nomination of candidates for federal offices, and in certain cases include state and county offices. In Otero County several primary races are competitive: New Mexico House District 51 and County Treasurer. Here is a list of who is running for public office to represent Otero County during the 2024 cycle. Check back to this page during election season. New Mexico elections: Add these important dates to your 2024 calendar State Senator District 33: Nicholas Allan Paul (R) State Representative District 51: Ashlie Myers (D), Steve Brockett (D) John Block (R) District Attorney 12 th Judicial District: Michael Ryan Suggs (R) Magistrate Judge Division 2: Albert Greene (R) County Clerk: Selina Maes (R) County Treasurer: Karl Paul Melton (R), Rachel Black (R) County Commissioner District 3: Vickie Pruiett Marquardt (R) New Mexico elections: Are you registered to vote? Candidates for State Rep. for District 51 Incumbent Republican John Block has been in office since 2022, unseating Rachel Black who held the seat for three years. Block announced his reelection campaign Jan. 4. "I want to stress to the great people of Alamogordo that they have an advocate and a conservative champion in me that they did not have before," Block said in an email. New Mexico House of Representatives District 51 Candidate John Block More: John Block seeks reelection to District 51 in 2024 Sixty-nine-year-old Steve Brockett is a retired small business owner who hopes to represent the people of Alamogordo to the best of his ability. Brockett said his friends originally asked him to run as a Republican, but he said he does not vote for the party, instead votes for the candidate. "I've voted for both Republicans and Democrats. I usually switch, whenever I'm good and angry I'll switch," he said. "If the state would allow decline to state, I would probably be an Independent because I see positives in both parties and I see negative in both parties. I was part of the 18-year-old inaugural class in 1972 and the race was between Richard Nixon and George McGovern, and I didn't like either of them, so I left it blank, that kind of sums me up." Brockett said he just hopes he can bring a positive change. Waffle and Pancake Shoppe owner Steve "Tio" Brockett The Alamogordo Daily News contacted Ashlie Myers but did not receive a response by the time of this article's publication. In a New Mexico Political Report article by Nicole Maxwell, Myers said she's tired of watching partisan games from both political parties. "Im so tired of watching the partisanship on both sides. Im sick of it. People need to work together. I just think we need some younger blood around everywhere," Myers said in her interview with Maxwell. Candidates for Otero County Treasurer The Otero County treasurer manages the county budget funded by taxpayer dollars, including property tax, and other county revenues. The treasurer is elected for a four-year term and is limited to two terms. Current Otero County Treasurer Laura Whiteside's term will end this year. Her Chief Deputy Treasurer Rachel Black is running against Karl Melton who announced his campaign Feb. 26. Portrait of New Mexico Rep. Rachel Black (R-51) More: Karl Melton seeks election as Otero County treasurer Whiteside said she endorses Black because her experience is the most important thing to look at when thinking of who to vote for. "Rachel Black has been my Chief Deputy Treasurer during my entire term as county treasurer; she has been a blessing to me, my office and to the taxpayers. She has a great knowledge of the office and the laws by which we must abide," Whiteside said. "I have a thorough grasp of the cash flow for the county and know how important a secure and ironclad portfolio is for the county and its future. On top of property tax collection, the county treasurer accounts for 144 different funds," Black said. She said that for anyone with no experience there may be a learning curve but with her experience that would not be the case. She said she is trained in bookkeeping and accounting in order to keep the books balanced. "I agree that new faces and fresh ideas are important in policy making positions, like County and City commissioners. However, in elected, administrative offices, like the county treasurer, lack of experience can cause costly mistakes, possibly harming the taxpayers or the county itself," she said. More: Rachel Black announces campaign for Otero County Treasurer Karl Melton Melton, on the other hand, believes it's time for someone new to take the position. Otero County deserves a principled, hard-working conservative county treasurer with the required education and a record of success in finance to ensure the hard-working taxpayers money is well-managed and accounted for. Now is not the time to recycle the same career politicians in this role who have done nothing but harm our countys reputation, said Melton. Otero County deserves a responsible, hard-working treasurer who always puts the taxpayers first. Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter at @Juan36Corr. This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Otero County candidates in the 2024 Primary Election The search and rescue operation was backed by a aeroplane, two helicopters, a drone and 18 boats (Demiroren News AAgency) Twenty-two migrants including seven children have drowned after a boat capsized off the Turkish coast, local officials said on Friday. Two people were rescued by the Turkish coastguard and another two managed to make it out of the water on their own, officials said. The victims' nationalities were not yet known. The boat capsized off Turkey's largest island, called Gokceada or Imbros, which is located in the Aegean Sea off the coast of the northwestern province of Canakkale, near Greece's Lemnos island. "The Turkish coastguard found the bodies of 22 people including seven children," the local governor's office said in a statement. The search and rescue operation was backed by one airplane, two helicopters, a drone, 18 boats and 502 personnel, it added. Turkey is hosting nearly four million refugees, mostly Syrians. Many migrants try to reach the Greek islands from Turkey's western coasts hoping to eventually reach prosperous European Union countries, with many dying in the perilous sea crossing. Officials said the boat began sinking overnight and on Friday many ambulances were standing by at the port of Kabatepe near Gokceada. There has been an increase in migrant crossing attempts in the waters between Turkey and Greece in recent weeks. The Turkish coastguard indicated that it had rescued or intercepted several hundred migrants, including children, attempting to cross to Greece since the start of the week. - More arrivals - The EU border agency Frontex said this week that the number of irregular border crossings into the bloc in the first two months of this year reached 31,200 -- similar to the level from a year ago, according to preliminary calculations. In the eastern Mediterranean, the second most active migratory route after the Western African route, the number of detections more than doubled to 9,150 in the first two months of the year, it said. The Mediterranean Sea has for several years been the centre of migrant flows from Africa and the Middle East to Europe. The influx peaked in 2015 as migrants, many fleeing the Mideast upheaval caused by Syrian civil war, sought refuge in Europe. Turkey struck a deal with the European Union in 2016 to curb the number of arrivals to the EU in return for financial assistance and other incentives. The issue of illegal migrants is a thorn in relations between NATO members Turkey and Greece, which are already embroiled in long-standing disputes from exploratory drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean to the divided island of Cyprus and rival claims over the Aegean Sea. Greece also frequently accuses Turkey of waving through migrants from across their joint border and at sea. Ankara in turn accuses Athens of illegal pushbacks of migrant boats. Turkey and Greece agreed when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Athens in December to open a new page in their relations and address their problems including irregular migration through dialogue and mutual goodwill. The issue of migrants is likely to figure highly in talks when Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visits Ankara in May. fo/js JAKARTA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Three teenage students were killed after their wooden boat capsized off in an inundated paddy field in the Indonesian regency of Kudus in Central Java province on Friday, police said. Central Java police spokesman Stefanus Satake Bayu said the three teenagers, aged 14, 15 and 16 years old, died from drowning during bad weather. No marks of violence was found in their bodies after medical observations conducted by police and medical workers, he added. Bayu also said two other teenagers survived the incident and were unable to rescue their friends. KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A 22-year-old man was busted after trying to rob a bank with a stolen gun, Kannapolis Police said Friday. Officers responded to calls regarding the armed robbery at a Wells Fargo branch in Kannapolis on South Cannon Blvd around 9:15 a.m. on Friday, March 15. Witnesses told officers an armed man entered the branch and took money. A description of the suspect was given to officers and Damien Matthews, 22, of Pennsylvania, was identified as the suspect. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here A search ensued and Matthews was arrested a short time later. He was also wanted out of Virginia on robbery charges. A stolen gun and money taken from the bank were seized, according to the police report. Matthews is being held at the Cabarrus County Jail. No court date has been announced. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Three people were killed and 27 people injured in a terrorist attack at a hotel near Somalias presidential palace on Thursday, the countrys state broadcaster Somalia National Television (SNTV) has reported. According to SNTV, five armed gunmen attacked the SYL Hotel in the capital Mogadishu on Thursday night. All five were shot and killed by Somali security forces, SNTV cites Somali police as saying. Three soldiers were killed in the attack and 27 more were injured, SNTV reported, adding that many more people, including government officials, were evacuated from the hotel by security forces. While SNTV did not identify the organization behind the attack, Somali police spokesman Colonel Qasim Ahmed Roble told AFP that the assailants were from terrorist group Al-Shabaab. Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited injured victims of the attack at Erdogan Hospital in Mogadishu on Friday, the state broadcaster said. The US Embassy in Mogadishu said it condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack, adding that the US remains committed to supporting Somali efforts to defeat al-Shabaab, it said in a post on X. The US has less than 500 troops in Somalia that assist the Somali government in their ongoing fight against al-Shabaab militants, including carrying out strikes on al-Shabaab targets. The US considers al-Shabaab the largest al-Qaeda network in the world and one of the strongest, with the capability to attack US forces and US interests. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, condemned the attack by Al-Shabaab at the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, he said in a post on X. We commend the efforts of the Somali forces that have successfully concluded their operation and neutralised assailants, Borrell added. The United Nations in Somalia noted that the attack was a violation of the values of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com While plenty of women have been recognized as important figures in United States history, there are even more who, as somewhat unsung heroes, dedicated their lives to making change and shattering glass ceilings. Among a list of the countrys 200 most iconic women of progress and innovation who are no longer alive, compiled from a poll conducted by Somewang, are three Delawarean pioneers you may not know about. Annie Jump Cannon (1863-1941) Delawares noted astronomer Annie Jump Cannon was featured for her birthday in a Google doodle in 2014. Annie Jump Cannon, born in Dover, is No. 31 on the list of women. Cannon, known as the census taker of the sky, was a pioneering astronomer who worked at Harvard College Observatory, according to the National Womens History Museum. Inspired to pursue science at a young age, Cannon could be found watching the stars in the rooftop observatory she built with her mother. Although she suffered from hearing loss, she excelled in her studies and was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Wellesley College, where she studied physics and astronomy. A U.S. Mint coin released in 2019 recognizes Annie Jump Cannon, an astronomer from Delaware who developed the star-classifying system that is still used today. She revolutionized the way scientists classify stars, developing the Harvard spectral classification system that classifies stars based on temperature, which advanced the field of astronomy and is still used today, according to Somewang. Cannon was the first woman to receive a doctor of astronomy degree from Groningen University, to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University and to be awarded the Henry Draper Medal of honor from the National Academy of Sciences. Aside from her love of the sky, Cannon could be found taking photos of her travels. Alice Dunbar-Nelson (1875-1935) Alice Dunbar-Nelson Alice Dunbar-Nelson, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but later residing in Wilmington, Delaware, is No. 119 on the list of innovative women. A graduate of Straight University (now Dillard University), Dunbar-Nelson was a poet, activist, journalist, essayist and diarist who used her Black, Creole, Anglo and Native American heritage to address the complexity of race, gender and ethnicity in her work, according to Poetry Foundation. A ceramic portrait of American Poet, Alice Dunbar Nelson As one of the prominent artists involved in the Harlem Renaissance, much of her work addressed the hardship of being a Black woman in the early 20th century. She also was active in civil rights efforts and womens suffrage movements, acting as a field representative for the Womans Committee of the Council of Defense in 1918 and campaigning for the passage of the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill of 1924. After moving to Wilmington in 1902, Dunbar-Nelson taught at Howard High School, the State College for Colored Students (now Delaware State College) and Howard University. Her poetry appeared in Black Newspapers, such as The Crisis, Ebony and Topaz and Opportunity, and her books include Violets and Other Tales, The Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories and Masterpieces of Negro Eloquence. Celebrating women: Happy Women's History Month! Here's what to know about how it started and the 2024 theme Louise du Pont Crowninshield (1877-1958) Louise du Pont Crowninshield Louise du Pont Crowninshield, a member of the du Pont family and a descendant of Eleuthere Irenee du Pont, is No. 196 on the list. She was born in Winterthur. Crowninshield is known as a key figure in the early historic preservation movement in the U.S. and played a crucial role in the preservation of historic sites nationwide, including her family home in Delaware which later became the Winterthur Museum, according to Somewang. In 1949, she was one of the founders of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was a member of the five-person Advisory Committee to redecorate the White House during the Truman administration. Among the many historic sites she financially supported are Marblehead Historical Society and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts, according to Hagley Museum & Library. An exterior photo of Eleutherian Mills, a du Pont family home on the grounds of the Hagley Museum on Monday, December 11, 2023. Crowninshield had a knack for collecting and correctly dated antique furnishings and adding them to period rooms, which she did in Virginia at Kenmore the home of George Washingtons sister and Wakefield, George Washingtons birthplace. Her work was considered highly innovative, and a role that was typically held by men at the time. Her specialty was decorating in a Colonial Revival style, which can be seen today in the Terrace Room at Eleutherian Mills Residence in Greenville. More women on the list The top 10 women featured by Somewangs poll include: Susan B. Anthony, New York. Harriet Tubman, Maryland. Abigail Adams, Massachusetts. Gertrude Elion, New York. Clara Maass, New Jersey. Rosa Parks, Alabama. Maya Angelou, Missouri. Juliette Gordon Low, Georgia. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, South Carolina. May Wright Sewall, Indiana. Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware women highlighted in list of top 200 innovators, changemakers FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Three men have been reported shot at an apartment complex in a Fresno neighborhood on Thursday night, the Fresno Police Department said. Officers say they responded to a shot-spotter activation following a call for a gunshot wound victim at the Alder Heights apartment complex in the area of Dakota and Hughes Avenues in Fresno around 9:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers with the Fresno Police Department say they found a second individual suffering from a gunshot wound at the scene. A third victim was reported and showed up at the Community Regional Medical Center. At this time the police do not have a suspect arrested or a motive for this shooting. This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be provided as it becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Three people were shot and suffered injuries in Warner Robins early Friday morning, according to the Warner Robins Police Department. At approximately 2 a.m., officers were called to the CRU Lounge located on 85 South Highway for a report of a possible active shooter, according to the police department. It was initially reported that at least one person was shot. Upon arrival, officers saw multiple cars and people fleeing the location. Officers secured the scene and then began rendering first aid. Officers found the first victim, a 28-year-old, close to the parking lot. Kendrick had a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to Navicent medical center in Macon. Two other victims, both 27, went to Houston Healthcare-Warner Robins in personally-owned vehicles, according to police. One of them had a gunshot wound to the upper chest and was taken to Navicent for further treatment. The other had been grazed and received treatment at Houston Healthcare-Warner Robins. Detectives learned during the initial investigation that a fight had started between unknown parties. Katlyn Green, 24, was involved and used a handgun to shoot the victims, police alleged. Officers charged Green with aggravated assault. Warner Robins Police were still investigating the incident later Friday morning. Anyone with information can reach detectives at (478) 302-5380 or by contacting Macon Regional Crimestoppers. RICHMOND, Va. (DC News Now) Virginia lawmakers ended the 2024 General Assembly session on March 9, prompting Gov. Glenn Youngkin to start taking action on the bills. Here is a look at three bills Youngkin has signed into law which will be going into effect on July 1. Five bills waiting on Virginia Gov. Youngkins desk Banning college legacy admissions House Bill 48 and Senate Bill 46, bans all public colleges and universities from giving applicants preferential treatment during the admission decision process based off the applicants legacy status or their familys ties to the institution or its donors. Marriage equality House Bill 174 makes it so that anyone can legally marry each other, regardless of their sex, gender or race. Anyone authorized to issue marriage licenses will not legally be allowed to deny someone a license based on their sex, gender or race of the parties. The law will also require the Commonwealth to recognize that the marriage is lawful, but religious organizations or members of the clergy have the right to refuse to perform any marriage. Alcohol advertisement regulation Senate Bill 182 will put the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority in charge of regulating the terms and conditions of how alcohol can be advertised. Alcoholic beverages manufacturers, brokers, importers and wholesalers would have to follow the regulations if they want to advertise their products on the internet, social media or through other electronic means. Virginia General Assembly votes to legalize marijuana sales Thousands of bills with an April 8 deadline are still waiting on Youngkins desk before lawmakers reconvene on April 17. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Nearly 40 people were injured as severe and tornado-warned storms moved through Randolph County Thursday night. The Randolph County Sheriffs Office confirmed that 38 people were injured in the storms. No deaths have been reported at this time. >> PHOTOS: Severe storms, radar-confirmed tornadoes move through Miami Valley A Declaration of Emergency was signed for the county just after midnight on Friday. Officials will be conducting a thorough damage assessment this morning. Deputies also noted that the Indiana Urban Search and Rescue Team was requested to assist local first responders with searching structures. Thursday night, the Sheriffs Office asked people to stay away from Winchester due to the heavy storm damage. >> REALTED: Indiana governor issues condolences to those impacted by Randolph County storms Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb released a statement after the severe storms moved through. Janet & I send our deepest condolences & prayers to the loved ones of those impacted by tonights storms & the Hoosiers in the path of destruction, he said in a statement. The people of Winchester are resilient & should know the state will walk alongside & support them as we pick up the pieces & rebuild. Four South Mississippi restaurants scored a C on their restaurant inspection in the last three weeks, one for the condition of food and another for having bugs, rodents or animals present. Restaurants and other food service establishments in Mississippi are rated A if they pass the health department inspection, B if all violations are corrected during the inspection and C if the violations are critical. Those restaurants given a C are: The Menagerie on Market, 2302 Market St., Pascagoula, was inspected March 1 for a permit renewal. It was cited for: Food not in good condition, safe and unadulterated Food not separated and protected Food contact surface not cleaned and sanitized This was the first C dating back to 2017. Every other inspection was an A. Sea Level at 3 South Hiern Ave., Pass Christian, had a scheduled inspection March 13. It was cited for: Insects, rodents or animals present Corrected during the inspection was: Food contact surface cleaned and sanitized The restaurant changed owners last year. This was the second inspection for the restaurant, which got an A on the first inspection in August 2023. Big P Food Mart, 19191 Commission Road, Long Beach, had a scheduled inspection March 11. It was cited for: No certified manager, a repeat offense No person in charge present who demonstrates knowledge and performs duty This is the second C since 2021. Subway at 790 Memorial Blvd., Picayune, was inspected Feb. 27 for a permit renewal. It was cited for no certified manager. The restaurant has had only two Cs since 2011 but this is the second time in two years for same offense. Most restaurants, school kitchens and food trucks inspected since February 23 in South Mississippi had no violations, with 191 kitchens scoring an A and 33 a B. DAYTONA BEACH Savannah-Jane Griffin, CEO of the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, was honored Thursday evening as the Volusia-Flagler area's "Young Professional of the Year" for 2024. "Wow!," said Griffin, who was stunned to hear her name announced to receive the top honor at The Daytona Beach News-Journal/LocaliQ's annual "40 Under Forty" awards event. Gazing at the a packed crowd of 150 people at the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Griffin said, "Just being in a room with so many incredible leaders, I just think about the impacts of the individuals in this room and all that we can do." This year's Volusia-Flagler area "Young Professional of the Year" Sarah-Jane Griffin, third from the left, stands alongside the five other special award winners at the "40 Under Forty" event at the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Daytona Beach on Thursday. Pictured, starting from the left: Wade Hunter (Most Charitable), Samantha Tribble (Small Business), Griffin, Khelsea Bauer-Young (Rising Star), The Honorable Rachel Myers (Local Government), Kristopher Rowley (Private Sector). What is the '40 Under Forty' event about? Since 2006, The News-Journal has been recognizing outstanding young professionals in Volusia and Flagler counties each year for their achievements both in their professions as well as in the community through volunteering. "We've recognized 680 professionals over the course of 17 years," said Jane Katona, general manager of The News-Journal, who served as the event's master-of-ceremonies. "All these honorees have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and resilience, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. They have ranged from small business owners to executives of major corporations, nonprofit executives, local government, chambers, and trade association leaders." LocaliQ is the digital marketing arm for The News-Journal and USA Today Network which also helps to put on the event. Forty people under the age of 40 are selected to be honored from nominations submitted by News-Journal readers. Six special awards are also given out, chosen by a panel of judges consisting of the previous year's special award winners. Attendees take photos at this year's "40 Under Forty" event at the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Daytona Beach on Thursday. Who else won special awards? In addition to Griffin, here are this year's other five special award recipients: The Most Charitable Young Professional Award went to Wade Hunter, general manager of Sonny's BBQ in DeLand. The Young Local Government Officer of the Year Award went to Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Rachel Myers. The Young Small Business Professional of the Year Award went to Samantha Tribble, co-owner (with her husband Stephen) of Lunar Studio, a photography business in New Smyrna Beach. The Young Private Sector Professional of the Year Award went to Kris Rowley, a senior project manager/engineer with Zev Cohen & Associates in Ormond Beach. The Young Professional Rising/Shining Star of the Year Award went to Khelsea Bauer, chief operating officer for AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. Who is Griffin? This year's Young Professional of the Year is a 39-year-old mother of two children whose husband Christopher is an Army veteran. Griffin leads a nonprofit agency in DeLand whose mission is to help the hungry and prevent homelessness. This past year, the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia helped more than 29,000 individuals from throughout the county's west side. Griffin also worked to establish strategic partnerships in the community to tackle the shortage of affordable housing and secured more than $900,000 in grants and donations to be directly used to help prevent homelessness in Volusia County. She chaired the recent Volusia and Flagler County Point in Time Count effort where more than 100 volunteers went out to survey the unsheltered homeless population in the two counties over a 24-hour period to identify the need for more services. "There's a huge need right now, I'm sure you are all aware," Griffin told the audience upon receiving the Young Professional of the Year award. "There was a 17% increase in homelessness last year in Volusia County. We need more volunteers. We need more funds for affordable housing. ... If you know people that are in hunger or need housing, reach out to the Neighborhood Center. We'll connect them with resources." Griffin also serves as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and is a member of the boards for the MainStreet DeLand Association, the AdventHealth Foundation, and Greater Union Life Center. She also teaches a course on global citizenship at Stetson University as part of the university's First Year Seminar Program. Her reaction on receiving the top award Following the event, Griffin said, "I'm just overwhelmed, humbled by this honor. I was not expecting this. ... To get this recognition means the world to me, but also to our community. To see that the work I do everyday is being recognized and that people realize the need is out there." Who are this year's '40 Under Forty'? This year's "40 Under Forty" honorees gather for a group photo at the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Daytona Beach on Thursday night, March 14, 2024. The event, put on by The Daytona Beach News-Journal and LocaliQ, recognized outstanding young professionals from throughout Volusia and Flagler counties. The complete list of this year's "40 Under Forty" honorees are as follows: Brent Atkinson, Caroline Cline, Casey Williams, Chad Hass, Dr. Kristen Nelson, Emmanuel Delgado, James McCarthy, Jessica Gow, Josh McEnany, Jusan Hamilton, Karly White, Kelli Cosentino, Khelsea Bauer, Kirstyn Seward, Kristen Green, Kristin Green-Vogt, Kristopher "Kris" Rowley, Krystal Sperry, Lacy Martin, Lauren Benning, Lauren Sanders, Monique Evelyn, Nicole Haves, Nikki Risley, Parker Cook, Rafael Garces, Richard White, Ryan Ossowski, Samantha Potts, Samantha Tribble, Sarah Jacobs, Sasha Staton, Savannah-Jane Griffin, Summerlyn Kendrick, The Honorable Rachel Myers, Tron Griffin, Vishnu Nitta, Wade Hunter, and Wilson Kowaleski. A special section featuring this year's "40 Under Forty" honorees, and mini-profiles on each of the six special award winners will be published in the Sunday's print edition of The Daytona Beach News-Journal and will also be available at news-journalonline.com. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: '40 Under Forty' event honors Volusia-Flagler's young professionals FILE - San Francisco 49ers linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (45) plays in the team's NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Aug. 25, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers have agreed to a one-year contract to bring back Flannigan-Fowles. A person familiar with the deal said Flannigan-Fowles will remain on the Niners for a fifth season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the signing had not been announced.(AP Photo/Scot Tucker, File) SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a one-year contract to bring back linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. A person familiar with the deal said Thursday that Flannigan-Fowles will remain with the Niners for a fifth season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the signing had not been announced. San Francisco needed depth at linebacker with starter Dre Greenlaw recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the Super Bowl and No. 3 linebacker Oren Burks a free agent. Flannigan-Fowles has played extensively on special teams during his four seasons with the 49ers and has gotten spot time on defense. He had four tackles in the Super Bowl loss to Kansas City when he came in on defense after Greenlaw got hurt. The Niners thought they had filled a spot at linebacker on Thursday when they came close to finalizing a deal with Eric Kendricks. But Kendricks changed his mind at the last minute and signed with Dallas instead. The 49ers have been active in free agency targeting defense, signing free agent defensive linemen Jordan Elliott and Yetur Gross-Matos and re-signing defensive lineman Kevin Givens to a one-year deal. San Francisco also has an agreement to sign Leonard Floyd to a two-year contract and acquired defensive tackle Maliek Collins in a trade from Houston. The Niners needed reinforcements with defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw, Clelin Ferrell, Chase Young and Randy Gregory all free agents. San Francisco also cut longtime defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who agreed Friday to sign a $51 million, three-year deal with Jacksonville, a person with knowledge of the decision said on condition of anonymity because the move hadn't been announced. Collins is expected to replace Armstead as the starting defensive tackle alongside Javon Hargrave. I dont think you replace a person like Arik Armstead, the person he is in the community, the person he is on the field, Collins said Thursday. Im just here to add my skillset and bring who I am to the table. Armstead was the longest-tenured 49ers player, having been drafted in the first round in 2015. He had 33 1/2 sacks in 116 games in the regular season and his eight career sacks in the postseason are the second most in franchise history to Nick Bosas 10. Armstead also was the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award the past four seasons. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The United States who often accuses other countries of spreading disinformation is in fact the true breeding ground of disinformation, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday. Wang made the remarks at a regular press briefing when answering a query concerning a secret executive order signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. According to Reuters, Trump signed the secret order to authorize the Central Intelligence Agency to launch a clandestine campaign aimed at smearing China by creating a special team of operatives who acted covertly such as buying off media outlets and using bogus internet identities in China, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and Africa. "I recall that CIA Director William Burns said publicly not long ago that the CIA has committed substantially more resources toward China-related intelligence collection," said Wang. Wang said the report echoes Burns's remarks, which has also once again shown that the United States has spread China-related disinformation in an organized and well-planned way for a long time, and it's the United States' important approach to wage a battle of perception against China. Wang quoted from U.S. Republican Senator Rand Paul that the U.S. government is the biggest propagator of disinformation, noting that concocting and spreading rumors will only get one lose credibility faster. "Spreading disinformation cannot inhibit China's progress but will only discredit the United States," the spokesperson said. Somalia security officers patrol near the SYL hotel building which was attacked on Thursday by al-Shabab Islamic extremist rebels in Mogadishu, Somalia, Friday March 15, 2024. The Somali extremist group al-Shabab said its fighters have attacked a hotel in the capital Mogadishu, where a loud explosion and gunfire were heard Thursday night. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh) MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) Security forces in Somalia say they have killed all five attackers who laid siege to a hotel in a normally secure area of the capital. Police spokesperson Kasim Roble said Friday that three soldiers were killed and 27 people injured in the Thursday night attack on the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu. The Somali extremist group al-Shabab said on Telegram on Thursday that its fighters managed to penetrate the hotel, which is not far from the presidential palace and is patronized by government officials. The situation is now calm, the hotel is secure now, and lawmakers and other hotel residents started returning, and the security situation returned to normal, Roble said. Journalists were barred from accessing the hotel after the siege ended. Attacks in the seaside capital had declined in recent weeks as security was beefed up. Al-Shabab, which opposes Somalias central government, has been responsible for many deadly attacks on hotels and other places in the past. The last major attack in Mogadishu was in October 2022, when at least 120 civilians were killed in twin car bombings at a busy intersection. Somalias government is conducting a high-profile offensive against the extremist group, which the United States has described as one of al-Qaidas deadliest organizations. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared total war against the extremists, who control large parts of central and southern Somalia and have been the target of scores of U.S. airstrikes in recent years. Before you start rolling up, it's better to know which states are rolling out recreational marijuana legalization measures this year. Although some efforts to legalize it may not come to fruition, five states have pot decriminalization efforts in the works for 2024, reflecting Pew research that shows nearly nine in 10 Americans support legal recreational weed. Even though two dozen states have legalized recreational weed, with five more now making serious moves toward that effect, psychoactive plant is still illegal at the federal level. This could be the year that more that more than half the country has access to weed, despite its categorization by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule I drug. Which states are looking at potentially loosening weed laws this year? Florida recreational marijuana possible Smart and Safe Florida collected over a million petition signatures to put adult personal use of marijuana legalization on the 2024 ballot. The state is arguing before the Supreme Court that the amendment fails to accurately inform voters that marijuana would still be illegal under federal law. If the Florida Supreme Court rules the referendum's language is legal by April 1, recreational marijuana will likely make it to the November ballot. More: Most Americans want legal pot. Here's why feds are taking so long to change old rules. Pennsylvania recreational marijuana legislation This past year, political leaders in Pennsylvania on both sides of the aisle have signaled interest in legalizing marijuana recreationally but the caveats are there. Republicans and Democrats in the Keystone State legislature have different ideas for regulatory framework for legal weed, media outlets like Axios have reported. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has pushed for marijuana legalization to take place this year despite legislative obstacles. Currently, a bill is being mulled by state lawmakers who hold the reigns over marijuana's future, according to SpotlightPA. The process in Pennsylvania contrasts the direct democracy approach taken by Florida activists whose petition will push the state government to take action one way or another, either through the court or the legislature. Displaying marijuana flower at a dispensary in Oakland, Calif. New Hampshire governor willing to legalize marijuana Although New Hampshire has previously made moves toward marijuana legalization, this year legislation is making its way through with the tacit support of the state's governor. Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, said in a statement last summer that he is "ready to sign a legalization bill," reversing a previous policy position. New Hampshire's House of Representatives passed legislation that would legalize marijuana in February if it can clear subsequent hurdles. According to the New Hampshire Bulletin, the bill is now being fine-tuned by the House Finance Committee and must pass the House again and be submitted to the state Senate by April 11. Hawaii legislature back and forth over legal weed While marijuana bills in New Hampshire have had difficulty making it through the Senate even when passed by the House, Hawaii has the opposite problem. Although the law, which is backed by the state's governor and attorney general, would not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2026, it could be passed this year. Honolulu Civil Beat reported that legal weed passed the Senate handily earlier this year will now go to the House of Representatives for approval or rejection. South Dakota petition could put marijuana on ballot Activists in South Dakota have until May 7 to submit 17,509 signatures to put marijuana legalization on the ballot this fall, an obstacle South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws is hoping to overcome. South Dakota pot proponents have failed twice in the past, once after the effort was invalidated by the state's Supreme Court and a second time at the polls, according to South Dakota State University. If enough signatures can be gathered, recreational marijuana could make its way to the polls this year where voters will decide its fate in the Mount Rushmore State. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Marijuana in Florida, 5 other states could be legalized in 2024 MARION, S.C. (WBTW) Marion County authorities have asked for the publics help to find a missing paramedic. Phonesia Machado, 52, was last seen on Tuesday at her home on Wildwood Loop in Marion, deputies said. She is 5-foot-2 and weighs about 140 pounds. Machado is believed to be driving a white BMW DX7C with the South Carolina license plate EA1523. The Marion County Sheriffs Office said Machado is employed with Florence County EMS and also works part-time with Marion County EMS. Download the News13 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WBTW email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WBTW.com for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. Anyone with information is asked to call 843-423-8399. * * * Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan Court of Appeals has denied an application for leave to appeal from the so-called I-96 Corridor Shooter, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. Raulie Casteel, 54, a geologist from Wixom, is serving a sentence of up to 40 years at Lakeland Correctional Facility for his 2012 random-target shooting spree along I-96 in Ingham, Livingston, Oakland and Shiawassee counties. CBS News previously reported that Casteel had testified he shot at the cars because he had believed he was battling demons, and that motorists were part of a government conspiracy against him. Only one person was injured in the 100-mile shooting spree through four counties, CBS reported at the time. Casteel had filed for appeal at the Court of Appeals after a trial court denied his motion for relief from judgement, claiming his own counsels ineffectiveness in not asserting an insanity defense on his behalf. It is important for the safety of the public at-large that these convictions and sentences remain in place, and here the Court of Appeals agreed with our position that Casteel had adequate representation at trial, said Nessel. Casteel was convicted of 25 felonies in 2014, either by plea or by jury. The charges were one count of Terrorism; 12 counts of Felony Firearm; one count of Carrying a Weapon with Unlawful Intent; one count of Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle; one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; eight counts of Assault with Intent to Commit Gross Bodily Harm Less than Murder; and one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder. Casteels earliest possible release date from Michigan Department of Corrections custody is Nov. 5, 2030. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. A member of the US Air Force 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron aboard an HC-130J aircraft prepares to airdrop humanitarian aid supplied by Jordan over the Gaza Strip (Dylan COLLINS) From the hatch of a US aircraft, the destruction wrought by months of war on the Gaza Strip stretched out below in grey piles of debris along the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. The transport plane rumbled above the besieged territory, as airmen from the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron readied pallets of desperately needed food aid destined for Palestinians in northern Gaza. But the three tonnes of humanitarian assistance provided by Jordan is just a "drop in the bucket" of what is needed, said co-pilot Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Anderson. "There are so many people that need aid out there," he said, during the 10th US aid drop over the territory. Gazans are experiencing dire shortages of food and other basic necessities more than five months into Israel's war on Hamas, with the United Nations warning of looming famine as aid trickles in. The Hamas-run territory's health ministry has in recent weeks recorded at least 27 deaths from malnutrition and dehydration, most of them children -- figures expected to rise. With only a small fraction of the basic supplies needed to sustain Gaza's 2.4 million people coming in by land, foreign governments have turned to airdrops and a new maritime corridor from Cyprus. As the propellor-driven aircraft settled into its path above the coast, 15 pallets rolled out an open door at the rear, towards the wasteland of destroyed homes and lives stretching out below. White parachutes shot out to gently lower the cargo of cardboard boxes filled with basic foodstuffs like rice, flour and pasta. Across northern Gaza, once-towering residential buildings were either toppled or pancaked into themselves. In one flattened area visible from the sky, an enormous Star of David was etched into the sand. - 'Manmade' crisis - The relentless Israeli bombardment has raged since Hamas launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7 that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Hamas also seized about 250 hostages, around 130 of whom Israel believes are still held in Gaza, including 32 presumed dead. Israel's retaliatory campaign in Hamas-controlled Gaza has killed 31,341 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. Daily aid airdrops by multiple countries have been taking place this month, but they are "no alternative" to land deliveries, 25 organisations including Amnesty International and Oxfam said in a statement. European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said this week that "starvation is being used as a war arm" in Gaza, calling the humanitarian crisis "man-made". Despite airdrops being far from sufficient to address the scale of the humanitarian disaster, the international community is doing what it can, said the US serviceman. "Anything outside of air dropping is out of our control, so we'll manage the things that are within our control," said Anderson. The dire shortages have left starving Palestinians scrambling for scraps of aid, sometimes at a deadly cost. A medic in Gaza said last week that an aid drop killed five people and wounded 10. US Central Command subsequently said it was aware of the reports, but stressed that "this was not the result of US airdrops". Anderson said the US Air Force was taking steps to mitigate the risk by lightening loads and dropping shipments near the water. "If a chute doesn't open, it's going to go in the water and nobody is going to get hurt." dco/ysm/jsa/it FILE - A demonstrator holds a sign outside the Arkansas Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., June 24, 2022, protesting the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Arkansas' attorney general on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, approved the wording of a proposed ballot measure that would scale back the state's abortion ban, clearing the way for supporters to begin gathering enough signatures to qualify for the November election. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File) Arkansas is one of 20 states that have severely restricted or completely outlawed abortion in the nearly two years since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Some anti-abortion groups consider the states law one of the most restrictive in the nation. But now, an effort is underway to change that and give Arkansas voters a chance to enshrine some abortion protections into the state Constitution. If the effort is successful, Arkansas could join a small number of other conservative states to put the issue before voters. Activists are using a ballot measure to push for a change that has proven out of reach in the General Assembly. The citizen-initiated constitutional amendment would legalize abortion through 18 weeks of pregnancy and in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly and risk to the life or health of the mother. Unlike many other Southern states, Arkansas constitution is objectively among the easier to amend of all the state constitutions, because we have this direct democracy route, said Janine Parry, a University of Arkansas political science professor. Related: Kamala Harris declares 'health crisis' in historic visit to abortion clinic in Minnesota Gennie Diaz is the leader of Arkansas for Limited Government, the group working to get the item on the November ballot. She said that before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and the dramatic upwelling of public support for abortion rights that came with it, this would have been virtually impossible. We could not have done it in our state pre-Dobbs, she said, referring to the court case that led to Roes fall. But in this unprecedented political moment, her group, Arkansans for Limited Government, which held a rally on Sunday at the state Capitol, is gaining traction for their amendment. Theyre forging ahead to certify their measure and put it directly to the voting public. A national trend Arkansas amendment is one of 12 potential ballot issues across the country seeking to protect or expand access to reproductive care in Novemberan additional five aim to restrict abortion. These questions over whether to cement abortion rights will be the first since last year in Ohio, another red state, where a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion passed 56.6% to 43.4%. According to polling data from the Pew Research Center, Arkansas is among the top three most conservative states attempting to bring any kind of abortion-related item to the ballot this cycle, alongside Montana and South Dakota. The people collecting the 91,000 required signatures for the Arkansas amendment are all volunteers. Diaz said theyve trained around 350 so far. Theyve mostly been collecting signatures through online outreach by canvassing in public places, including in and outside of businesses that allow them to. National issue: Biden to launch full-scale attack on Trump over abortion on Roe v. Wade anniversary They havent been going door to door so far, partly because, especially in rural areas, the distances make it inefficient. Theyre also looking to avoid any possibility of confrontation with people opposed to their legislation. If and when they get the signatures they need, the next step is submitting them to the state. Every signature is scrutinized, Diaz said, and checked against each persons address and voter registration status. If enough are rejected that the number of signatures falls below the threshold to be on the ballot, theres a period when groups can cure themor correct any mistakes that might have led to their disqualification. Two groups in the state, Arkansas Right to Life and the Family Council, have mounted decline to sign campaigns against the abortion amendment. But Diaz said only five state lawmakers have taken a vocal stand against them. Not a political statement Diaz and Arkansans for Limited Government have lowered their sights on what they see as an ideal amendment in the interest of giving it a better chance at passing. This policy that were proposing is not a political statement on abortion, Diaz said. Were not saying, Hey, the government cannot restrict abortion in any circumstance because a woman has an inherent right to choose. We believe that, Diaz said, but that is not policy that, from a pragmatic standpoint, will pass in Arkansas. The amendment would legalize abortion in some cases and provide certain exceptions. Parry, the political science professor, characterized the amendment as relatively moderate. Theyre not shooting the moon here by any stretch, she said. They did some polling in advanced as I understand, and they decided to keep it in the really early months of pregnancy. Based on polling conducted by the universitys Arkansas Poll, which she directs, Parry believes the amendment will pass if it reaches the ballot. Over the last few years, support for the abortion ban currently on the books in Arkansas, which has exceptions only for medical emergencies, has polled at between 15% and 20%. Politically, she said she sees even higher stakes for those who oppose the abortion amendment than for those advocating for it. Many of the amendments provisions see broad support even supermajorities, she said for protections for abortion in cases of fetal malformations and the health of the mother, for instance. We have that burden of convincing the majority of Arkansans that they are the majority, Diaz said. I think that theres this fear that theyre alone in having a nuanced view, when theyre not. The amendment does not include exceptions for things like financial hardship, which Parry said do not have majority support. They were sensitive to some of the nuance of public opinion when they wrote it, she said. County by county For each type of issue initiative, amendment or referendum to get on the ballot, it has to get the signatures of a certain percentage of the last gubernatorial elections turnout. Canvassers are required to collect that percentage statewide and across each of a required number of counties. Act 236, which passed last year, is one of the major new changes to the process. It mandates that the signatures come from 50 of the states 75 counties rather than the 15 stipulated in the state constitution. This will make it so groups looking to advance a ballot item cant rely as heavily on dense population centers and will have to go farther afield into more sparsely populated, often more conservative, rural areas. The laws constitutionality is currently at the center of a court challenge brought by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, which supports an initiative that would eliminate state sales tax on menstrual products and diapers. Their co-plaintiff is Republican state Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, who said he stands behind another new initiative he hopes to see on the ballot in November, which would protect and strengthen the states Freedom of Information Act. Parry said that Act 236 is intended to raise the bar for entry to put a measure on the ballot but has increased the determination of people who want to circulate these signatures to get it right. Its possible it will be struck down, and the required number of counties will revert to 15. We wont take the risk, though, Diaz said. Arkansans for Limited Government is collecting as many as possible, just to be safe, and already has signatures from 65 counties. Diaz is relatively upbeat about having to add 35 counties to her organizational map, though she maintains that Act 236 is unconstitutional. She says it forces their hand to build more organizing power in areas where we typically dont have to concentrate. Its extra work, but its doable. I look at it as opportunity, because we need to be talking to Arkansans about this issue, she said. It needs to be done even if we werent trying to get something on the ballot. Her campaign is working with Healthcare Alliance for Reproductive Care, a group of doctors, nurses, hospital administrators and other providers who do outreach among their peers, counseling them on how to participate in supporting the amendment. We have a really high burden and a high responsibility to educate Arkansans in general about reproductive health, she said, noting that Arkansas has no mandatory sex education in school. Katie Clark, a League of Women Voters of Arkansas board member who leads an initiative campaign but is not directly involved in the lawsuit, said that if its done right, even a failed ballot item can be worth it for the exposure and public education. A strong and conspicuous display of public support could even effect change in future legislative sessions, she said. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Arkansas abortion amendment could be on november ballot A doctor examines a child injured as a result of Israeli attacks at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza on Oct. 13, 2023. Credit - Abed ZagoutAnadolu via Getty Images John Kahler once again heard the sound, the wailing. Inside a room at MedGlobals wound care clinic in Rafah, another one of the 150 to 200 patients seen a day was simply having their wounds cleaned. But this was Gaza, and medical supplies are limited or tapped out entirely. Wound care usually means debridementyou have to scrub all the crap off the burn or the wound. That stuff is extremely painful and theres no anesthesia, and so from seven in the morning until the last patient is seen, you just hear this wail, he says. Its justits heartbreaking. Kahler is cofounder of MedGlobal, a nonprofit that has doctors, nurses, and specialists operating around the world. But, he says in a phone call, that despite his experience in various crises, including Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and in war-torn Yemen, he wasnt anywhere near prepared for this. In some ways, the horror of Gaza can be expressed in staggering statistics. The Gaza Ministry of Health puts the death toll since Oct. 7 at more than 30,000. The U.N. warns that more than 1 million Palestinians face emergency levels of food insecurity, and that the danger facing 500,000 others is catastrophic. The World Health Organization has found children dying of starvation or suffering from malnutrition. These statistics are buttressed by stark, disturbing footage of Israels bombardment of the Strip. All of this has played out in a social media age. Yet the images dont capture the full reality facing Gazans or the medical community treating them that is in non-stop crisis mode. Were just seeing shrapnel injuries Ive never seen before, says Nahreen Ahmed, a critical care doctor at the University of Pennsylvania and medical director of MedGlobal. They shred through the body, creating injuries that are just really absolutely horrific. Read More: The Horrors Ive Seen Treating Patients at Gazas Remaining Hospitals Ahmed says that the deaths of so many children in particular is hard to stomach. Some coming into the emergency room at Nasser Hospital who had sustained blast injuries looked like they were sleeping. Many were dead on arrival. One night I think we saw seven dead children under the age of five in the course of like four or five hours, she said in a call. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 12,000 children have died since the war began. Major charities like Doctors Without Borders, the International Medical Corps, the International Rescue Committee, the Red Cross, and the WHO say they face a hydra-headed problem in Gaza. The sheer mass of wounded and ill is one thing, complicated by the fact that most hospitals are no longer functioning. Not long after Ahmed left Gaza to return to the U.S., for example, Israeli forces raided Nasser Hospital, where she volunteered for 20 days in January. The hospital, which was also being used as a shelter by thousands of civilians, no longer operates as a care facility. Where hospitals continue to operate, there are staff shortages. Most Palestinian aid workers, including doctors, have been displaced in the Strip, and many cant get to the hospitals and clinics where they normally serve, according to the International Rescue Committee. The doctors with whom I spoke told stories of the crushing need for care that outstripped all available resources and sometimes forced awful decisions about whom to treat. Joint Jordan-U.S. airdrops of food and medicines began two weeks ago, joining efforts of several other countries. But international aid groups have criticized the efforts as inefficient and too small to make a meaningful difference. One drop even killed Gazans when a parachute failed to open. If a threatened ground incursion by the Israeli military into Rafah materializes, an already dire situation may grow only more so. It was already mass casualty after mass casualty coming in through the emergency room, Ahmed says. With resources as scarce as they are, it sometimes only took four or five patients to overwhelm an emergency room. And oftentimes, it was much more than that, she adds, and mostly children. Contact us at letters@time.com. (AP) The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas announced Thursday that it was appealing a judges order blocking Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kellys administration from allowing transgender people to change the sex listed on their license. The appeal will challenge the courts ruling earlier this week that granted Attorney General Kris Kobachs request for a temporary injunction, thereby ensuring that for the duration of the case proceedings, Kansans will still not be able to change their gender markers on their drivers licenses, said the ACLU in a news release. Judge Watson issued a well-reasoned order, and we are confident her decision will stand on appeal, said Kobach. At least 22 states and the District of Columbia allow X as an option. Democratic lawmakers questioned the need to move quickly to change the policy and also the agencys argument that its needed for public safety. A nonbinary students death after a high school fight has been ruled a suicide The Kansas Constitutions Bill of Rights guarantees all Kansans, including those who are transgender, rights of personal autonomy, privacy, and equality. The Court has mistakenly adopted the Attorney Generals overbroad interpretation of SB180, which provides no language whatsoever requiring the state to force Kansans to carry inaccurate identification cards, against their fundamental rights, said D.C. Hiegert, LGBTQ+ Legal Fellow for the ACLU of Kansas. But perhaps most importantly, the Court has decided that the states administrative interest outweighs the threat of harassment, discrimination, and violence to individual Kansans. This is clearly dangerous, and it wholly contradicts the tragic reality of current trends. The new policy makes it more difficult for transgender people to change the sex listed on their licenses and IDs by requiring an amended birth certificate to be submitted. Currently, a court order is required to change the sex on a birth certificate. Under the new rules, the designated sex must match a persons birth certificate, passport or Homeland Security document. Passports allow X as an option. If a persons passport lists X, the applicant must submit a form choosing male or female. The emergency rules will be in place for 120 days as the department works on permanent ones that will go through a public comment process. They are to take effect after the full Legislative Council reviews them Friday. ___ The Associated Press writer John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. TechCrunch Amazon, Microsoft and Google have relaxed their egress fees, which are a tax of sorts that the cloud companies charge customers to move their data to another vendor. Its a way to keep existing customers in the fold, but its kind of a ham-handed way to do it, and doesnt exactly foster goodwill. For example, there are limits to the kind of data you can move, and each requires you to contact the vendor and open a request to get your own data out of the cloud. MAMMOTH, Wyo. (AP) Pierce Brosnan, whose fictitious movie character James Bond has been in hot water plenty of times, pleaded guilty Thursday to stepping off a trail in a thermal area during a November visit to Yellowstone National Park. Brosnan, who called in to the court hearing, was fined $500 and ordered to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever a nonprofit organization that supports the park by April 1, court records said. A second petty offense, for violating closures and use limits, was dismissed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick. Brosnans attorney, Karl Knuchel, was not immediately available for comment. Brosnan, 70, walked in an off-limits area at Mammoth Terraces, in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana line, on Nov. 1, according to the citations. He was in the park on a personal visit and not for film work, the U.S. Attorneys Office for Wyoming has said. Mammoth Terraces is a scenic spot of mineral-encrusted hot springs bubbling from a hillside. They are just some of the parks hundreds of thermal features, which range from spouting geysers to gurgling mud pots, with water at or near the boiling point. Going out-of-bounds in such areas can be dangerous: Some of the millions of people who visit Yellowstone each year get badly burned by ignoring warnings not to stray off the trail. Getting caught can bring legal peril, too, with jail time, hefty fines and bans from the park handed down to trespassers regularly. In addition to his four James Bond films, Brosnan starred in the 1980s TV series Remington Steele and is known for starring roles in the films Mrs. Doubtfire and The Thomas Crown Affair. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. MANILA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A delivery van plowed into a house along a highway in Quezon province of the Philippines, southeast of Manila, on Friday morning, killing the driver and injuring four others, police said. Police said the freight forwarder closed van truck was traveling to Unisan town from Manila when it crashed into a roadside house around 6 a.m. local time, killing the driver on the spot. A resident of the house was among the four who sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Police have taken the van's assistants into custody as the cause of the accident is under investigation. MAMMOTH, Wyoming Actor Pierce Brosnan received a much more lenient sentence than that requested by the U.S. Attorney's Office for straying off a path at Yellowstone National Park in 2023. The 70-year-old Malibu, California, resident was fined $1,540. Of that, $500 was the fine and $1,000 was destined for the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund. The rest of the money wasfor administrative fees. An assistant U.S. Attorney had requested a sentence of two years probation and a maximum fine of $5,000. PIERCE BROSNAN HEADING TO COURT AFTER VIOLATING CLOSURES AT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Pierce Brosnan attends the UK Premiere of "Black Adam" at Cineworld Leicester Square on October 18, 2022 in London, England. "Mr. Brosnan pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area," officials sated in a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice in Wyoming. "According to court documents, on or about Nov. 1, 2023, Brosnan uploaded pictures to his Instagram page of himself standing on a Yellowstone National Park thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs." He also posted a photo of a new hat with the caption: "A new hat from Aspen Hatter, Austin Texas making memories in Montana." Signs posted in the area prohibit visitors from leaving the designated boardwalk and trails. The National Park Service said that the thermal features are fragile and dangerously hot at times. The ground in thermal areas is very thin, and scalding water with acid sits just below the surface. SEE THE EXTREME WEATHER VISITORS AT NATIONAL PARKS EXPERIENCE Cleopatra Terrace sign at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. (Photo by: Jerry Lee Whaley/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) "Trespassing on thermal features is dangerous and can harm delicate natural resources within the park," officials said in the release. "Additionally, the park was established primarily to protect these hydrothermal areas." The official charge was "foot travel in all thermal areas and within Yellowstone Canyon" and "violating closures and use limits," according to the U.S. District Court of Wyoming docket. The Mammoth Hot Springs feature "natural plumbing," a series of fractures and fissures through the limestone deposited millions of years ago when the area was a sea. Mountain snow and rain seep into the ground and are heated by either a large magma chamber under the Yellowstone Caldera or a smaller heat source, according to the NPS. 7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Palette Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs; Jim Peaco; June 2015; Catalog #20197d; Original #IMG_7079 The steam and hot water bubble up to the surface. A bit of carbon dioxide dissolved in the water creates a weak carbonic acid which dissolves the calcium carbonate in the limestone. The calcium carbonate is deposited as travertine at the surface, creating the stunning terraces, according to the NPS. Original article source: Actor Pierce Brosnan fined for Yellowstone off-path hike Former US president Donald Trump did not visit Africa during his term, but sometimes met African leaders like Rwanda's Paul Kagame at international events like the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos (Nicholas Kamm) If Donald Trump wins November's US presidential election and returns to the White House, what will it mean for American relations in Africa? Perhaps not much, but some on the continent are worried. During the Republican leader's first term he never showed much interest in the continent, and is remembered mainly for his outburst about "shithole countries". His successor and rival in this year's election re-match, President Joe Biden, had pledged to pay more attention to Africa, but has so far failed to make a promised visit. So will it make much of a difference to Africans whether Trump or Biden wins the vote? In some areas the answer is "yes", according to experts who spoke to AFP. Christian Moleka, national coordinator of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Dypol network of political scientists, says Trump's approach to China and the UN will be key. While Trump's first term had a "strategic vacuum" where an Africa policy should have been, his administration was focused on commercial rivalry with China. In central Africa, including the war-torn east of the DRC, Western and Chinese firms are in a race to secure access to rare minerals. An "America First" Trump administration could step up the strategic confrontation with China but be less concerned to engage with African governments on the rule of law and human rights. "Trump did not show an interest in Africa. We mainly remember his expression 'shithole countries'," Moleka told AFP. "A return of Trump would mean a reduction in American involvement in everything that is multilateralism such as the climate issue, and possibly a reduction in development aid." - Strongman to strongmen - Trump's transactional approach, mirroring China's, might prove comforting for some African leaders, tired of lectures about democratic backsliding and LGBT rights. And his call for "total presidential immunity" and refusal to accept Biden's 2020 victory will chime with African leaders seeking to abolish any constitutional checks on their rule. "It's very likely that his return will encourage African strongmen," Moleka said. And Trump's eagerness for the fight with China might backfire, with US disengagement opening a door for Beijing and Moscow. "Trump's lack of interest will give free rein to Africa's autocratic regimes," said Kelma Manatouma, political science professor at Chad's University of N'Djamena. "These authoritarian regimes will easily revive open ties with Russia and China." Trump's disrespect for democratic norms in his own country -- claiming the 2020 election was rigged and defending a mob that ransacked Congress -- has damaged US influence. South Africa's ruling ANC has mocked calls for US poll observers to attend the May general election, pointing to their country's 30-year unblemished record of undisputed votes. Pretoria has also had a prickly relationship with Biden's administration, which dismissed South Africa's genocide case against US ally Israel as "meritless". But Trump, a fan of Russia's President Vladimir Putin, is less likely to complain about South Africa's sympathy for the Russian side in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. While in some parts of Africa, local leaders may not resent US disengagement, in the Horn of Africa there is concern a Trump return could undermine anti-terror operations. In the final days of his presidency, Trump ordered the withdrawal of 700 US troops from Somalia, where they had been supporting local forces against al-Shabab militants. Biden reversed the decision, but if a returning Trump insists on a pull-out the Americans will be hard to replace. "If his approach is similar to the tail end of his previous term, where we witnessed an 'America First' approach ... this will be very problematic," consultant Samira Gaid told AFP. Gaid, a senior analyst at Balqiis Insights, a research consultancy based in Mogadishu, said US mentoring and training was vital for Somalia's Danab Brigade commandos, an elite army force. - 'Rekindled ties' - "We might be looking at challenging times ahead, not just for Somalia, but for the region's broader security landscape," she said. African countries have at times been frustrated with the Biden administration, which has been distracted by crises in Afghanistan, Ukraine and the Middle East. But Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken have made high profile visits. In practical terms, the US has put $250 million into financing a soon to open 1,300-kilometre (800 mile) rail line from mines in DR Congo and Zambia to Angola's Atlantic ports. In short, Dr Julius Kattah of the University of Ghana warned, the continent might regret a Trump win. "Joe Biden's administration has done well to rekindle that US-Africa relationship," he told AFP, whereas his predecessor "practically abandoned the continent". "Trump just didn't care about Africa and, in the event he returns, his policies towards Africa won't change." burs-dc/ach Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here. Gaza has received its first batch of humanitarian aid by sea as international powers step up efforts to bring in much needed supplies to the besieged enclave. The ship run by Spanish charity Open Arms - left Cyprus around 3:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday and arrived at the shores of central Gaza on Friday. It is meant to provide the equivalent of one meal each for a quarter of the enclaves more than 2 million people, of whom hundreds of thousands are on the brink of famine. World Central Kitchen (WCK), the non-profit organization leading the initiative, said the maritime corridor will allow it to send millions more meals after the initial delivery. The aid ship comes as the United States, the European Commission, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom join efforts to launch maritime routes that deliver assistance directly to Gaza. WCK said it is working with international partners to open this aid corridor and that it has another 500 tons of aid in Cyprus ready to be loaded on future boats. It also comes as land crossings into Gaza, through which the bulk of vital aid has traditionally entered the territory, remain heavily restricted by Israel. Aid agencies have accused Israel of imposing arbitrary and contradictory criteria that obstruct the entry of relief into the war-ravaged territory. Israel insists there is no limit on the amount of relief that can enter. With Palestinians in Gaza in dire need, any aid is welcome, but aid groups say maritime and air-dropped aid should be complementary to land deliveries, not a substitute. Many have warned it risks setting a dangerous precedent where land-based aid is undermined and hostilities continue. States cannot hide behind airdrops and efforts to open a maritime corridor to create the illusion that they are doing enough to support the needs in Gaza, wrote 25 non-governmental organizations in a joint statement calling on governments to prioritize a ceasefire and land-based aid deliveries. Heres what we know about maritime shipments. How do maritime aid deliveries compare to other methods? Delivering aid by ship comes with complications. There are no functioning ports left in Gaza. UN Special Rapporteur for food Michael Fakhr last week said Israeli forces had decimated the Port of Gaza, the enclaves main, if small, port near the Rimal district in Gaza City. A non-profit organization, World Central Kitchen, said it was working with partners in Gaza to construct a jetty that will be used to offload aid before loading it onto trucks, without specifying who those partners are. One of the problems and complications, I think, will be the logistics of offloading boats onto a beach, and then onloading onto trucks, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Jamie McGoldrick said, adding that this will have to be done in an area which is prone to insecurity. WCK said it plans to distribute the aid itself once it reaches Gaza. US President Joe Biden has said the US military will begin establishing a separate port in Gaza that could receive large shipments of aid. But that floating pier could take up to two months and some 1,000 US military personnel to complete, the Pentagon said. The US and other countries have meanwhile been air-dropping humanitarian aid into Gaza, a method aid agencies have criticized as ineffective given the scale of need in Gaza. Airdropped aid killed five people and injured 10 others last week as it fell west of Gaza City. Palestinians run along a street as humanitarian aid is airdropped in Gaza City on March 1. - AFP/Getty Images Who is involved, and who isnt? WCK, the non-profit, is working with the UAE, Cyprus and the Spanish charity Open Arms to coordinate the dispatch of aid, and its teams on the ground will distribute the aid. Other aid organizations that have been key to aid distribution in Gaza have not been involved in the process, including the Palestinian Red Crescent and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Both have for decades handled almost all distribution of UN aid coming into Gaza. UNRWA alone has 11 food distribution centers for 1 million people in Gaza, with some 13,000 employees operating in the enclave. Israel has for years called for UNRWA to be dismantled, but has increased its rhetoric against the agency after accusing some of its staff of being involved in Hamas October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 and saw more than 250 others taken hostage. Israel has also been touting aid deliveries by independent actors as being more effective than those by the UN. Smoke billows after a strike by Israel on the port of Gaza City on October 10. - Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images How does Israel view the maritime shipments? Israel, which controls Gazas airspace, land and maritime borders and inspects all shipments to the territory, has welcomed the maritime project and urged other countries to join the initiative. The Cypriot initiative will allow the increase of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, after security checks are carried out in accordance with Israeli standards, Israels Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat announced Friday on X, referring to the maritime corridor. Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the agency that runs Israeli operations in the Palestinian territories, told CNN Tuesday that Israel had participated in the process of inspecting the ship, without specifying when or where that was done. COGAT inspects aid going into Gaza, and has been accused by aid agencies of denying access for arbitrary reasons, or no reason at all. A truck carrying humanitarian aid provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent society moves past Israeli soldiers standing guard at the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing with the southern Gaza Strip on December 19. - Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images Will the plan work? Aid agencies and government officials have repeatedly warned that no method of humanitarian relief can be as effective as delivery by land. The 25 NGOs have warned against the potential devastating consequences of creating dangerous precedents that risk the degradation of land-based humanitarian access, as well as prolonging hostilities. While maritime and air-dropped aid into Gaza is helpful, the UNs McGoldrick told CNN, they cant replace what isfundamental, referring to aid deliveries by trucks. Roads have been the traditional method we have used in the past, and we have three roads that enter Gaza, north to south, he said, adding that with only one road currently operational, relief is slowed. Only one road is used for deliveries, the coastal road, and it is prone to attacks, looting and ransacking, he said. Only two land crossings are currently allowing aid in Gaza the Rafah crossing with Egypt and the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. And volumes are insufficient compared to the scale of suffering. Israel has however begun trying out a pilot program to bring in aid through the 96th gate on the security fence with the Gaza. Six trucks have crossed so far. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has echoed McGoldricks sentiment, saying that while air drops and maritime deliveries were helpful, they were not enough. You cannot replace hundreds of trucks by sending parachutes. The most important thing is to open the borders by land, he said on Wednesday. The UNs World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday said that famine is imminent in northern Gaza if the size of aid entering the enclave does not increase exponentially. The ground aid arriving in the northern Gaza Strip is very, very small not enough for anyone, Gaza Ministry of Health spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra told CNN Tuesday. A growing number of Gazans have died due to malnutrition and dehydration, according to the territorys ministry of health. unknown content item - The ship that arrived Friday is carrying 200 tons of aid. By comparison, each truck can carry about 20 tons of aid, and an average of about 94.5 truckswere getting into Gaza every day through both crossings as of last month. Thats far below the 500 trucks that entered through the Rafah crossing alone before the war started. The UN has said that in nine days from February 24, fewer than 1,000 trucks entered Gaza. An estimated 500 trucks are needed daily in order to alleviate the suffering of Gazans. Any effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza is very welcome, because people are absolutely desperate, Juliette Touma, Director of Communications at UNRWA, told CNN. However, what we are saying is that there is a cheaper, more efficient, faster, safer way to get aid into Gaza and that is through the road crossings that connect Gaza with Israel, Touma said, adding that this can be done by increasing the number of trucks that can enter, extending the working hours of the crossings, as well as easing the process of clearance and inspection. CNNs Scott McLean, Ibrahim Dahman, Muhammad Darwish, Niamh Kennedy and Richard Allen Greene contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A ship transporting nearly 200 tonnes of much-needed aid was close to the shores of Gaza on Friday following United Nations warnings that famine is stalking the besieged Palestinian territory. The charity ship Open Arms left the port of Larnaca three days ago towing a barge containing flour, rice and protein donated by the US-based humanitarian group World Central Kitchen (WCK), which said it had another consignment of 300 tonnes of food aid being loaded in Cyprus. With Israel imposing tight and time-consuming restrictions on deliveries by road into Gaza, opening up the maritime route has become more pressing with UN agencies warning that more than two dozen deaths have already been caused by malnutrition and dehydration, most of them children. The charity operation is separate to a US military operation now in the planning, to build an emergency pier to get much more aid in and avert a bigger humanitarian disaster in Gaza, following five months of war caused by terror raids by Hamas. The Palestinian group presented a new ceasefire proposal which includes the release of Israeli hostages seized on October 7 in exchange for 700-1,000 Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the proposal was still based on "unrealistic demands, but the hardline leader himself came under striking new pressure in Washington. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest ranking elected Jewish official in the US, said that Mr Netanyahu has "lost his way" and is an obstacle to peace in the region. "Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah," the Democrat warned. Ratcheting up the pressure on its Israeli allies, the US circulated the final draft of a UN Security Council resolution last night supporting international efforts to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Gaza war. The Open Arms maritime vessel that set sail from Larnaca in Cyprus carrying humanitarian aid approaches the coast of Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa A charity ship laden with 200 tons of food, equipment and relief supplies for the people of northern Gaza reached the coast of the Palestinian territory on Friday. It was the first time a humanitarian ship had carried out such a mission since the start of the Israeli offensive over five months ago. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its naval and ground units were deployed to secure the aid mission, which was coordinated by the United Arab Emirates. With the operation, the Open Arms ship, operated by a Spanish aid group, also inaugurated a new so-called maritime corridor for supplies to the territory. The Open Arms ship left Cyprus on Tuesday carrying rice, flour, canned meat and other food for the hungry people of Gaza. The food shipment was organized by World Central Kitchen (WCK), the non-profit organization started by US-based celebrity chef Jose Andres. The organization took crates of food from the Open Arms and transported it to shore via small barges. It was then transferred to trucks for onward travel to northern Gaza. "The ship contained 130 pallets of humanitarian equipment and 115 tons of food and water, that were transferred to 12 WCK trucks, which will distribute them to northern Gaza," the IDF said. World Central Kitchen said they are shipping a crane, along with more food, on a second vessel they will dispatch to Gaza soon. The crane is to help get the aid to the shore and delivery trucks faster. The humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip has been worsening dramatically for weeks, with a critical shortage of basic necessities. Aid groups and the UN warn that hunger and malnutrition have taken hold in Gaza, especially in the north. According to the UN children's aid organisation UNICEF, 31% of children under the age of 2 in the northern Gaza Strip are acutely malnourished. In January, the figure was 15.6% of children. The United States, Germany, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and other countries have been airdropping urgently needed food and medical supplies. The US also plans to have its army construct a floating dock off Gaza to facilitate maritime aid shipments. While aid groups have welcomed the deliveries from the air and sea, they say land crossings are still the most effective method and are calling on Israel to allow more lorries to cross into Gaza. Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, which began following Hamas-led massacres in Israel on October 7, started with airstrikes and then a ground offensive in the north of the coastal territory. The Israeli army then moved southwards in Gaza in its attempt to completely eliminate the terrorist group. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for a long-anticipated military operation in the southernmost city of Rafah on Friday, according to his office. Netanyahu has said that "total victory" over Hamas is not possible without an operation in Rafah, which lies on the border with Egypt. The move comes despite growing international criticism and warnings from key Israeli allies, as more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering there after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the strip. Politicians and aid groups are calling on Israel to draw up plans on how and where the people in the Rafah area can be brought to safety before any military operation. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel needs to protect civilians ahead of its planned operation in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. "We have to see a clear and implementable plan, not only to get civilians out of harm's way but also to make sure that once they are out of harm's way, they are appropriately cared for," Blinken said. An Israeli army spokesman said earlier on Friday that the military would make sure civilians are safe. Spokesman Arye Shalicar said that in the event of an operation in Rafah, the civilians would be evacuated to safer places such as the al-Mawasi camp. "That is what we have been doing in recent months and that is exactly how we would operate when it comes to Rafah," he said. He stressed however that leaders of Hamas were suspected to be in the city, along with many remaining fighters from the Palestinian Islamist group. The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 left more than 1,200 people in the Israeli border area dead, and some 250 kidnapped. According to the Hamas health authority, more than 31,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks and fighting in the Gaza Strip since then. The Open Arms maritime vessel that set sail from Larnaca in Cyprus carrying humanitarian aid approaches the coast of Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa GAZA STRIP (Reuters) -A ship towing a barge loaded with food arrived off Gaza on Friday, witnesses said, in a test run for a new aid route by sea from Cyprus into the devastated Palestinian enclave where famine looms after five months of Israel's military campaign. The ship, arranged by the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity, is carrying nearly 200 tonnes of aid to be delivered via a jetty being prepared in Gaza, with a second ship expected to sail soon. Floating on a barge attached by rope to a salvage ship, rough seas appeared to slow down the cargo reaching land, footage posted by a WCK official on social media showed. WCK have been constructing a makeshift jetty which would allow the flat-bottomed barge to approach Gaza's shallow waters for lack of proper port infrastructure. "So far 2 crates already delivered from the barge," WCK founder Jose Andres, a Michelin-starred chef, said in a post on X. "But still more to do next few (h)ours". There are few details on how the aid delivery and distribution will work once it is ready to unload in Gaza, with U.N. relief agencies having described huge obstacles to getting relief supplies to those in need. If the new sea route is successful, it may help to ease the hunger crisis affecting Gaza, where much of the population faces malnourishment and hospitals in the worst-stricken northern areas have reported children dying of starvation. However, bringing in aid by sea and through air drops will not be enough to make up for difficulties getting in supplies by land, aid agencies have repeatedly said. The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7 when Hamas fighters rampaged into Israel killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies. Israel's air and ground campaign has since killed more than 31,000 Palestinians according to health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza, while driving most of the population from their homes and pushing the enclave towards famine. (Reporting by Reuters in Gaza and Michele Kambas in Cyprus; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Toby Chopra) Voting in the "elections" in Belgorod was forced to be interrupted Morning air-raid alert and explosions interrupted the first day of voting in Russia's sham presidential "elections" at polling stations in Belgorod, the propaganda outlet RIA Novosti reported on March 15. Locals who came to vote went into shelters during the alert. As soon as it was canceled, they were allowed to return to the polling stations. Russia awoke to the sound of air raid sirens for the fourth straight day as border communities begin to feel the pain of an insurrection by the Russian Volunteer Corps. Drone attacks were reported over Russias Kaluga and Belgorod oblasts. Air defense intercepted and destroyed two Grad shells and five drones over the oblasts, Russias Defense Ministry initially claimed, adding a few hours later that seven more rockets from Vampire multiple rocket launcher system were intercepted. Ukraine has traditionally been blamed for the shelling. Read also: Ukraines Verkhovna Rada urges international partners and organizations to condemn sham elections on occupied territories So-called presidential elections are being held in Russia and Ukraines temporarily occupied territories between March 15 and 17. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who has been in power for 24 years, announced his participation in the elections last December. No opposition leaders or anti-war candidates were registered by the countrys Central Election Commission. The European Parliament announced on March 14 that it would not send its observers to the sham vote. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said the vote in the occupied territories would be "illegal and invalid. On Mar. 14 Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada [Parliament] called on foreign governments and parliaments, international organizations, and parliamentary assemblies to condemn Russia's illegal sham presidential "elections" in the Temporarily Occupied Territories (TOT). Read also: Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says Moscows vote in occupied territories illegal 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 Newly appointed police auditor Anthony Finnell speaks at a town hall hosted by the Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board in February as board member Brandyn Costa listens. The Akron Citizens' Police Oversight Board has appointed an auditor to independently review the police department's practices. On Friday evening, the board held a special meeting for the sole purpose of voting to appoint Anthony Finnell as Akron's first independent police auditor. He was approved in a 6-2 vote. Finnell will assume his position on March 25. Board chair Kemp Boyd and board member Cati Castle cast the two "no" votes. Boyd said his vote wasn't personal. For him, it wasn't a question of if they were going to hire Finnell, but how. "I thought it would have been better to bring him in as a consultant versus in the immediate as an auditor," Boyd said. "Simply, the reason why is I know he's coming in from out of town, and because the hire was going to be so heavy and so big for us, I thought bringing him in as a [consultant] and gradually easing him in to help us find someone more local, possibly a deputy auditor, or possibly even as an auditor." Castle said she believes Finnell's background makes him a good fit for the role. "But I do feel, from things that I've heard from different community members, that there were some other things that I personally believe would be important to our candidate for the position that Mr. Finnell did not showcase through the process," Castle said. Finnell currently serves as the president of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). Finnell's job now is to provide external and internal oversight of the Akron Police Department's policing practices by reviewing use-of-force incidents, citizen complaints alleging excessive force, unprofessional behavior and more. The board picked Finnell to fill the position in January, but two members felt it necessary to introduce him to the public before appointing him. Then, there was concern that he couldn't be appointed until the board's rules were in place, which were accepted by City Council on Feb. 26 once two provisions from a previous iteration were removed. The first is the power to conduct an investigation at the same time as the police department, and the second is the power to compel officers to comply with subpoenas. Finnell also faced job performance questions pertaining to his time in similar roles in Oakland, California and Seattle, Washington concerns that the board ultimately disregarded. More: Akron's oversight board's choice for police auditor has faced job performance questions When those questions came to light, board member Bob Gippin said what he'd seen didn't change his mind or concern him. Vice Chair Donzella Anuszkiewicz and board member Brandyn Costa agreed. During a Feb. 21 meeting of the police board, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik's chief of strategy, Nanette Pitt, urged the board to consider hiring Finnell as a consultant rather than as auditor. In an emailed statement to the Beacon Journal, Malik encouraged the board to consider Finnell's past job performance as outlined in a report from WKYC, writing, "The decision of whom to hire rests with the board; our administration will work constructively with the board and whoever is selected." Boyd said his belief that Finnell would have initially been more suited to a consulting role had nothing to do with the administration's recommendation. He'd suggested bringing Finnell on as a consultant after the board interviewed him two and a half months ago. The last piece required for the board to be fully staffed is a deputy auditor, which Boyd said he hopes to hire within Finnell's first 90-days. Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413 This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Police oversight board appoints Anthony Finnell as independent auditor A 19-year-old Akron man was shot and killed Thursday afternoon, police said. The 19-year-old Akron man shot and killed in Kenmore Thursday afternoon has be identified by the Summit County Medical Examiner as Javeone Aamir Suggs. Akron police have charged another man injured in the shooting with murder and aggravated robbery. Detectives overnight began to unravel what led up to the gunfire in the 2100 block of 19th Street West and said it began with an attempted robbery during a marijuana sale. According to police, a 30-year-old man was selling marijuana to Jovante Dowdell, 22, and Suggs. At some point, Dowdell and Suggs tried to rob the dealer, who shot both men, police said. A bullet only grazed Dowdell's leg, but a bullet hit Suggs in the chest and killed him, police said. Police described the 30-year-old shooter as a victim in the case. He hasn't been charged in the shooting, but he does face a charge for trafficking marijuana, a felony, police said. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. Citizens may also provide anonymous information to The Summit County Crimestoppers by calling 330-434-COPS. You can also text TIPSCO with tips to 274637. Wednesday fatal shooting: 43-year-old from Akron identified as man found with gunshot wound in Kenmore This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jovante Dowdell charged with murder after Javeone Suggs killed in Kenmore CAIRO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has been making sincere efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to protect and rescue innocent civilians, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Friday. In televised remarks broadcast on the state-run Nile TV, Sisi said at the country's Police Academy that "we are striving to halt the bloodshed in Gaza to boost aid deliveries to the enclave and allow displaced people in its south to move back north." "We wish within a few days at most to reach a ceasefire and not to have a negative development that could affect the situation," he said, adding Egypt has been endeavoring to facilitate the delivery of the maximum amount of aid possible to Gaza. The Egyptian president also warned against the danger of an Israeli incursion into the southern Gazan city of Rafah, while underscoring "We aim to create a real opportunity for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with international recognition." Adjacent to the besieged Palestinian enclave, Egypt has been a major aid supplier to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing during the ongoing Israeli attacks. The aid is donated by Egypt and other countries as well as local and international organizations. Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, tried to mediate between Israel and Hamas to secure a ceasefire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began this week, but their efforts fell short. ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (WRBL) An east Alabama couple is under arrest after safety checkpoint by police locates more than a pound of meth, Suboxone patches, cash and a gun. On March 14th, 2024, the Alexander City Police Department carried out a routine safety checkpoint on Comer Street. A black Impala attempted to evade the checkpoint, leading officers on a brief pursuit as the occupants discarded items from the vehicle. Police say a searche yielded approximately 1.2 pounds (538 grams) of Methamphetamine, digital scales, and a 9mm handgun. Additionally, authorities recovered 91 Suboxone Films which can treat dependence on opioid drugs, $1,060.00 cash. Neville William Parker, a 47-year-old male from Ashland, Alabama, faces multiple charges, including Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Chassady Nicole Hudson, a 33-year-old female from Alexander City, Alabama, was also arrested on similar charges. All evidence has been turned over to the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force for further investigation and prosecution. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) The results for Alabamas March 5 primary election are in. According to a press release, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen certified the results and candidates ahead of the April 16 runoff. WHAT WILL REPLACE THE MOBILE CIVIC CENTER What is state election result canvassing? Per Ballotpedia, State election result canvassing, also known as the certification of state election results, are the laws governing the certification and review of state election votes. Laws governing the certification of results differ by state, but in Alabama, election results are certified on the second Friday next after the election at the hour of 12:00 noon. The United States Election Assistance Commission website notes that although election officials make election results public as soon as possible before the certification happens, the results are still unofficial. Election certification refers to the process of election officials attesting that the tabulation and canvassing of the election are complete and accurate and that the election results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in a particular election. Pensacola heroin and meth dealer gets 44 years in federal prison: USDJ A fair, secure, and transparent election Secretary Allen said this was the first statewide election conducted under his administration and he noted that it was successful. Today, this Office certified the results of a fair, secure, and transparent election, said Secretary Allen. The March 5th Primary Election was the first statewide election conducted under this Administration. I am proud to know that it was administered with election integrity and security as the top priority, and I look forward to carrying that same priority into the administration of the April 16th runoff. To view the full certified election results, visit the Alabama Secretary of States Website under the Primary Election March 5, 2024 heading. The files containing the results are included below. Republican Party Results: RepublicanPartyOfficial-2024PrimaryResultsDownload Democratic Party Results: Democratic_Party-Official_2024_Primary_Election_ResultsDownload For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission proposes new rules to ease caregiver requirements to ease medical cannabis administration in health care facilities. Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Chair Rex Vaughn talks to an AMCC lawyer during a meeting in Montgomery on Dec. 12, 2023. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) approved a set of rules Thursday for public comment to safeguard patients access to medical cannabis while they are in a medical facility. The proposed rules would ease licensing requirements for professional caregivers, or someone whose career is to assist another person in a way that enables them to live as independently as possible, according to the current AMCC rules, by applying the same requirements for a caregiver who might be a relative. We certainly want to look at identifying what the issue or issues may be, and then figure out how we can address that either through the rules, or through potential legislation, if thats what it requires, said Justin Aday, general counsel for the commission. The proposed rules would remove requirements such as passing a screening test from the Alabama Medicaid Agency in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Alabama Department of Senior Services; certification by the American Caregiver Association or employment as a nurse, therapist or other health care provider by a hospital, long-term care facility or hospice program. Aday said there could be other gaps that may need to be addressed, such as whether patients would be allowed to bring medical cannabis into a facility. The commission will have to continue to work on those issues, he said, either through new rules or legislation. I think that we will definitely need to take the opportunity to work with various stakeholders in this to look for a solution for when these coverage in care gaps may arise based on this, and ultimately, its probably going to require some legislative action at some point, Aday said. Sam Blakemore, vice chair of the commission and a pharmacist, said bringing medical cannabis into a medical facility is a concern he heard when speaking with other pharmacists. Because its classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, he said that administering medical cannabis in a medical setting will create a whole set of new issues. We still need to consider the caregiver being allowed to administer the product on the premises, but I dont know how thats going to be worded, he said. Dr. William Saliski Jr., a member of the commission, said that they will eventually have to look at approving a caregiver to administer medical cannabis in a medical facility in a different way. Its going to take on a different look, if you will, and were going to have to prepare for that, so I absolutely agree that this has to be reevaluated, Saliski said. Professional caregivers would have the same requirements as a caregiver. They must register with the commission and be issued a valid medical cannabis card by the commission. They must be at least 21 years old or the parent or legal guardian of a registered qualified patient. They must also be the patients parent, legal guardian, grandparent, spouse, or an individual with a valid power of attorney for health care of a registered qualified patient. Aday said that having qualified caregivers administering medical cannabis who have ties to a facility makes sense. While that was the intent of the rule, he thinks the current statute doesnt quite get us there yet. Weve got to resolve the conflict now, and then get to work on a solution that may bring us back here, but its probably if it brings us back here. Its going to have to be in conjunction with some legislation probably at a minimum, he said. Litigation against the commission over license awards last year is still pending before state courts. . Lawsuits appealed to the Court of Civil Appeals, including Veranos, which claimed the commission did not have the authority to issue its own stay on licenses, is currently paused. Lawsuits at the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals are paused, with the court indicating it will wait for a ruling from Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson on two motions to dismiss the lawsuits, one from the commission and another from a company who won a license. Andersons ruling would come on Apr. 15, at the earliest, giving plaintiffs and defendants two weeks each to file briefs. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission proposes rules to facilitate patient access appeared first on Alabama Reflector. The Alachua County school district has proposed creating an alternative disciplinary school for students, according to a document filed with the state by Superintendent Shane Andrew. The new school, called Scholars for Success, was originally floated by school board Chair Diyonne McGraw early into her term as a board member, but was submitted to the state without any board approval, as outlined by Florida law. On June 1, Andrew filed and signed a Master School Identification (MSID) application with the Florida Department of Education that requested the school be added to the state management system. Scholars for Success is listed as an active elementary school by the FLDOE, and is located at 2802 NE Eighth Ave., the same location listed for Alachua eSchool. Florida law says that MSID applications must be submitted to the FLDOE by the district within 30 days of the approval of the school application by the district, though no such application was ever approved for the school by the board. The school has been a wishlist item of McGraw since before her election, but has only been publicly discussed a few times, including in a February 2023 meeting, and at a February 2024 meeting immediately following the approval of the superintendent's new contract, which included a raise. Other than brief pushback from other board members due to a lack of finances, the board has never discussed the plan in detail. The application, signed by Andrew, lists the districts director of state reporting, Kim Neal, as the primary contact, and Alachua eSchool principal Jesely Alvarez as the principal. Alachua County Superintendent Shane Andrew at a School Board meeting on Oct. 17, 2023. The students attending this school are attending as an alternative to their general education program and will be assigned to this school as an intervention due to discipline, the form reads. More: Divided Alachua County School Board finalizes superintendent's contract More: Investigator of GHS club recommends 'corrective action' over employee's emails Attempts to reach school district officials for comment for this story were unsuccessful. McGraws idea for a new school McGraw was elected to the school board for this term in August 2022. Before then, she had been removed from office in June of 2021 due to a residency dispute. Following her removal, McGraw filed a lawsuit against the governor, and lost. She was able to rerun after the school board redrew district lines that included her home. McGraws reelection was viewed as a success story for her, and was the first time the district had an all-woman, majority-Black board. McGraw has spoken numerous times about the importance of resolving disciplinary issues and has floated the idea of the school for some time. In February 2023, the school board met for a workshop at which each member was asked to bring one big idea they wanted to accomplish while on the board. At the meeting, McGraw gave a presentation, pitching an initiative called Enough is Enough, and talking about the need for another alternative school. The districts lack of finances were brought up in response, though Andrew said he would look into the matter more. The next month McGraw, without board approval or direction, sent an email from her personal account to Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell, asking to add an agenda item to an upcoming joint meeting between the county and school board. She wrote that the district estimated the cost of her alternative Enough is Enough school to be around $3 million annually and asked the county to fund the initiative for three years. She mentioned in her email that she spoke about the issue with the superintendent. The item was never added to the joint meeting agenda. The district has a tight budget, and this years budgeting process wasnt entirely smooth, as pointed out by board member Tina Certain in September. There were some issues with budgeting documents and presentations, including having the wrong years listed on them. To date, there has been no publicly released financial data regarding the disciplinary school. McGraw was among the majority of school board members who said on the campaign trail and during their first months in office that they wanted to conduct a national search to replace Andrew, who at the time was the interim superintendent. That opinion, however, changed over the summer. In August 2022, school board candidates were asked during a Facebook Live forum with the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors (GACAR) what they planned to do for the open superintendent position. One of the first things that I will be looking at as a new board member coming in is coming up with an action plan where we as a board have to have our expectations for the process of hiring a new superintendent, said McGraw during the forum. ... The people have spoken. I would like to see a national search. We will work with Mr. Andrew during the timeframe that we have to, but we need to move forward. In April 2023, McGraw seconded a motion to conduct a national search for a superintendent with the Florida School Board Association. The motion passed unanimously with a 5-0 vote. Shortly after, the Gainesville Sun reported that Andrew had staff put together his annual self evaluation. During a meeting where Andrew brought a Bible into a staff meeting, cited Biblical references and accused people of backstabbing him, the superintendent said he would have the upper hand on the board if they tried to terminate him and that he could rally community support. This occurred before his annual evaluation the next month. The following month, the district held a workshop to discuss the superintendent search and community input process with Andrew not present. At the workshop McGraw reiterated her desire to hire a new superintendent from the outside. Early in May 2023, Andrew told the public he never brought a Bible into a staff meeting and that the Suns story was false, though on May 25 The Sun reported that it received records that show Andrew misled the public and school board about his meeting with staff. Andrew submitted the Scholars for Success application to the state the next month on June 1. The Sun identified the school as having been listed as active on the FLDOE website since August. Since that time, McGraw has changed her tune with Andrew as the district chief. Her daughter was also hired by the district. McGraw was part of the split majority who voted against conducting a superintendent search in October. The October meeting was not expected to be controversial, given the boards previous votes. Andrew, who usually sits quietly to the side and takes notes as board members debate, was quick to insert himself into the conversation about the planned superintendent search, even going as far as disagreeing with the School Board attorney and suggesting someone could create a motion to renegotiate his contract with a pay raise later in the year. McGraw took issue with Certain and other board members, claiming that they were personally attacking Andrew for criticizing his work performance, adding that she would never belittle anyone. At the time of the meeting, McGraws daughter, Brooksie McGraw, was under investigation for her role in the creation of Club GAIN, a Gainesville High School club accused of exclusively targeting Black male students in violation of state law. McGraw, a month before the October vote where she changed her mind about the search, rallied community members to speak out against a concerned parent, even releasing information about the mother and her son, for asking questions about the club. McGraw and others also falsely claimed the parent was attacking a pre-collegiate program and going after her daughter for political purposes. The investigation found that Brooksie McGraw should face corrective action for comments she made to the concerned parent and Facebook comments where she nearly identified the student in question. Brooksies personnel file, obtained via public records by The Sun, shows she took a training on dealing with the angry parent as her corrective action. On Dec. 5, the board had a discussion about Andrews contract, which was drafted by Andrew and district attorney Susan Siegel. The contract called for a $50,000 raise and was placed on the agenda by McGraw, who had recently become chair of the board. The teachers union showed up to protest the raise at the Dec. 5 meeting, given Andrews stalled negotiations with the union, and the board voted down discussing his contract further. Less than two weeks later, the union had a tentative contract agreement in place, paving the way for Andrews contract. On Feb. 6, the board voted to approve Andrews contract, agreeing to pay him a $182,500 base salary and provide additional salary increases based on his completion of tasks, along with an $800 car allowance and $2,000 bonus, among other reimbursements and benefits. The next day, less than 24 hours after Andrews contract was approved, McGraw brought up her desire for a new disciplinary school in the district, failing to mention that the state already lists Scholars for Success as an active school. Despite the resources the district has in place, McGraw said, some students need to be worked with in a separate location. Certain responded by telling McGraw that the district simply does not have the finances necessary for a new alternative school, and that she feels the district already has inconsistent use with one position meant to combat these issues: the family liaison position held by Brooksie McGraw. I think a district our size does not need a second alternative learning space, Certain said. Do we have the resources to open up another location to serve an alternative type of thing? I'm not convinced of that. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Superintendent submits application for new school without board's say Alec Baldwin speaks with investigators after the fatal shooting on the "Rust" set in Santa Fe, N.M., in 2021. (Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office) Alec Baldwin has asked a New Mexico judge to dismiss involuntary manslaughter charges against him in the deadly "Rust" movie shooting, alleging misconduct by prosecutors who have overseen the long-running case. A grand jury in Santa Fe County indicted Baldwin in January on two counts of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the October 2021 accidental death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the low-budget western movie set. If convicted, the 65-year-old actor could serve up to 18 months in prison. On Thursday, Baldwin's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the indictment. In the 52-page petition, they detailed a series of alleged missteps that they said threatened Baldwin's constitutional right to receive a fair trial. His criminal trial is set to begin July 10 in a Santa Fe courtroom. In the motion, Baldwin's lead attorney, Luke Nikas, accused special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis of conducting a "sham" grand jury proceeding against Baldwin earlier this year. The closed-door hearing occurred on Jan. 18 just one day before the grand jury panel's term of service ended. Baldwin's attorneys contend the special prosecutors cut corners in their rush to win an indictment against the high-profile actor. They called just seven witnesses during the hearing, and only one was a witness to the shooting. Grand jurors heard testimony from people who held a dim view of Baldwin and his actions, including a crew member who has filed a civil lawsuit against Baldwin and other producers, the motion said. Jurors did not have the benefit of hearing from several key crew members who were there that day and could have provided insight into the production, the lawyers said. The new allegations come after high-profile mistakes last year by the previous set of prosecutors, including initially charging Baldwin with a criminal count that was not on the books in New Mexico when the fatal shooting occurred. After the first two prosecutors stepped down, Morrissey and Lewis took over the case nearly a year ago. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Read more: What does the 'Rust' armorer's criminal conviction mean for Alec Baldwin's case? "State prosecutors have engaged in this misconduct and publicly dragged Baldwin through the cesspool created by their improprieties without any regard for the fact that serious criminal charges have been hanging over his head for two and a half years," Baldwin's attorneys wrote in the motion to dismiss. "Enough is enough. This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme." Morrissey declined to comment. In an email, she said a response would be filed with the court later this month. Earlier this month, Morrissey and Lewis won a conviction of the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez. After a 10-day trial, a Santa Fe jury found the 26-year-old Arizona woman, who loaded the gun that day, guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins' death. Gutierrez was taken into custody immediately after the verdict; her sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 15. During Gutierrez's trial, prosecutors introduced evidence that suggested Baldwin might also share responsibility for the tragedy by allegedly acting carelessly when handling his prop gun. Prosecutors played behind-the-scenes video from the set for jurors; one video from several days before the deadly shooting showed Baldwin rushing crew members to quickly reload his gun. In her closing argument, Morrissey told jurors in the Gutierrez case that Baldwin also must answer for his actions. Read more: Full coverage: The fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set The tragedy on the set of "Rust" brought added scrutiny to on-set safety, a key concern among Hollywood film crews. Just hours before the fatal shooting, "Rust" camera crew members had walked off the set, on a sprawling movie location south of Santa Fe, to protest what they saw as safety concerns. Camera crew members pointed to accidental gun discharges and a lack of nearby lodging. Because of the camera team's exodus, the remaining crew members were running behind that day. Just after lunch, Baldwin and Hutchins were rehearsing a scene that was meant to be a camera close-up of Baldwin who was playing a hardened outlaw, Harland Rust slowly pulling his Colt .45 revolver from his shoulder holster while sitting in a pew in a rustic church. Baldwin has acknowledged pointing the revolver at Hutchins, who was standing next to the camera, and cocking the hammer. He had been told the gun was "cold," meaning it had no live ammunition inside. But the gun contained five so-called dummy rounds and an actual bullet. Read more: Will 'Rust' assistant director testimony help prosecutors, or Alec Baldwin? Baldwin has long maintained that he did not pull the gun's trigger. Hutchins, the cinematographer, was standing two to three feet away when Baldwins gun discharged, firing the lead bullet that fatally struck her in the chest. The bullet also injured the films director, Joel Souza, who has recovered from his wound. A month after the accident, Baldwin told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos: I didnt pull the trigger. ... I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Baldwin was first charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023. Prosecutors at that time added a "firearm enhancement" charge that carried a mandatory five-year prison sentence. But New Mexico's Legislature and governor did not enact the law until months after the shooting. The first two prosecutors resigned from the case a year ago. Soon after Morrissey and Lewis took over the prosecution, they dropped the charges against Baldwin "after Baldwins counsel proved to them, accurately, that the gun was modified and that the State had overlooked dozens of legal issues and facts," according to the motion by Baldwin's team. At the time, the prosecutors said they reserved the right to refile the charges. After they dropped the charges, Baldwin traveled to Montana to resume the filming of Rust. Production of the movie wrapped last May. The film's producers have been in talks with potential distributors in anticipation of the movie's release. Persistent questions about the guns condition at the time of the shooting are likely to be thorny for prosecutors. Baldwins defense team has suggested the prop gun was faulty and may have malfunctioned, leading to its discharge a theory that is expected to be a centerpiece of the actors defense should the case go to trial. His lawyers have pointed to the failure of the weapon during testing to support Baldwins recollection of his role in the tragic shooting. Read more: FBI analyst describes damage to Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' gun in armorer criminal trial However, ballistics experts including one who testified for the prosecutors during Baldwin's grand jury proceeding have cast doubt on Baldwins claims. An FBI forensic examiner who testified in Gutierrez's trial said the gun an Italian-made Pietta pistol, a replica of a vintage 1873 model was operational when he received it a few months after the shooting. That analyst, Bryce Ziegler, said he performed a rigorous set of tests, including striking Baldwins prop gun several times with a rawhide mallet" to determine whether bumping or jostling the weapon would result in a discharge. He said he was trying to simulate scenarios for the gun to go off without the handler pulling the trigger. The gun broke during testing. Morrissey hired a respected Arizona gun expert, Lucien Haag, to review the evidence in the case, including the damaged gun. Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver, Haag wrote in his August 2023 report. After receiving Haag's report and the behind-the-scenes video from the movie production, Morrissey and Lewis shifted gears, announcing last fall that they would take Baldwin's case to the grand jury. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Mr Baldwin pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter last month Lawyers for US actor Alec Baldwin have asked a judge to dismiss involuntary manslaughter charges against him over a fatal shooting on a movie set in 2021. A new court motion accuses prosecutors of "unfairly stacking the deck" against the Emmy award-winning actor. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said she would respond in court and has 14 days to file a reply, Reuters reports. Mr Baldwin denies responsibility for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The 65-year-old actor was practising firing a Colt .45 pistol before filming a scene for Rust, a forthcoming Western filmed near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021. But the gun went off, with a live round fatally striking 42-year-old Ms Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. He has maintained he did not pull the trigger and only drew back its hammer. Previous charges were dropped last April, but Mr Baldwin was indicted again in January after prosecutors said new tests had revealed the incident could have only taken place if the trigger had been pulled. The new motion filed by his attorneys alleges prosecutorial misconduct. "Enough is enough," it said. "This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme." His lawyers argue the prosecution withheld "substantial exculpatory and favourable evidence" from the grand jury in the case - including failing to call a witness who they say would have testified he had no role in enforcing safety protocols or hiring crew. The motion to dismiss comes eight days after the film's armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The 26-year-old is yet to be sentenced and faces up to 18 months in jail. Mr Baldwin's trial is set for 10 July in New Mexico. BUTLER, Wis. (WFRV) One person was taken into custody after allegedly driving while intoxicated, leading police on a pursuit, and nearly hitting a parked car. The Butler Police Department in Waukesha County released a video of an officer who was alerted to a possible drunken driver and located the vehicle on West Hampton Avenue after it left a local establishment. Oshkosh pedestrian who was hit by vehicle backing out of driveway dies day after incident As seen in the video, the suspect nearly hit a parked car, then drove onto the median and, once pulled over, back into the Butler Police Departments squad car. Neither the officer nor the driver were injured in the incident. The driver was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and was given a safe ride directly to the county jail. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. The man accused of killing two people and injuring 29 others during Oslo Pride month in 2022 pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday. Zanier Matapour, 44, is facing murder, attempted murder, and terrorism charges for the shootings that took place on June 25, 2022, the night before the citys Pride parade. Prosecutors say Matapour fired 19 rounds from two weapons during the shooting. They say he targeted LGBTQ+ people and locations, killing a 60-year-old man at the London Pub and a 54-year-old man at the Per pa hjrnet bar during the shooting spree. He was tackled and subdued at the scene by bystanders until he was taken into custody by police. Matapour has refused to cooperate with authorities since his arrest, and continued his combative behavior in court on Tuesday, according to NRK coverage of the trial. He is considered an active threat to others in the courtroom. He has been denied using a ballpoint pen during the trial because it could be used as a weapon, and he must instead use the less-threatening ink-filled insert, according to the European Conservative. When asked to enter a plea, Matapour instead demanded to know why the court was in session during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The judge brushed off Matapours objections and continued with the proceedings. The jury heard testimony that Matapour, a naturalized Norwegian citizen who emigrated from Iran as a child, has a history of drugs, violence, and mental health issues. His rap sheet included multiple weapons and narcotics charges, and prosecutors say he came to the attention of authorities in 2015 for the radicalization of his beliefs. Matapour was interviewed by police a month before the shootings, but they determined he was not a threat to the community. The shooting shocked Norway. Fearing further terrorist attacks targeting the LGBTQ+ community, the Pride parade scheduled for the day after the shooting was canceled. Oslo Pride has received clear advice and a recommendation from the police that the parade, Pride Park, and any other event in relation to Oslo Pride be canceled, Inger Kristin Haugsevje, leader of Oslo Pride, and Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of the Norwegian Organisation for Sexual and Gender Diversity, said in a joint statement on Facebook at the time, adding, We will follow the polices recommendation and take care of each other. The trial is scheduled to continue into May. ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Alleghany County Sheriffs Office reports that multiple deputies will be reinstated after an investigation determined their actions to be justified during a shooting that injured a man in Covington in January 2024. On Jan. 15, deputies from Alleghany County were involved in a chase after attempting to make a traffic stop. This led to the suspect to crash their vehicle into a residence on the 800 block of North Beverley Ave, where they then allegedly fled into a different, nearby home. Deputies followed the suspect to the house, where a standoff then occurred. The situation escalated, resulting in deputies opening fire on and injuring the suspect. RELATED STORY: VSP-Deputies shoot suspect following chase and standoff in Covington The deputies involved were placed under paid administrative leave while an investigation into the incident took place. On Thursday, March 14, the sheriffs office was notified that the Roanoke City Commonwealth Attorneys office determined that the shooting was justified. With the investigation over and all department requirements fulfilled, these deputies will be making a return to full duty. WFXR News will continue to update you with more information as it becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. The Freedom of Russia Legion has stated that residents of Russias Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, in which it is currently conducting combat operations, have begun to evacuate from dangerous areas, with a total of 7,600 vehicles leaving these regions overnight. Source: The Freedom of Russia Legion on Telegram Quote: "Since the announcement of the humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians from Russias Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, as of 07:00 Moscow time, more than 7,000 civilian cars belonging to residents of Belgorod city and Belgorod Oblast as a whole have used it... Also, more than 600 additional civilian vehicles evacuated the city of Kursk via the corridor..." Details: The information was reportedly provided by "local residents, law enforcement and security officials who oppose the Putin regime." Earlier, Russian volunteer soldiers who decided to fight on Russian territory called on residents of Kursk and Belgorod oblasts to urgently evacuate due to a "special military operation on the territory of the aforementioned oblasts." To this end, they announced that a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of the population would be open from 21:00 on 14 March to 7:00 on 15 March. "After the expiration of the humanitarian corridor, the destruction of military facilities in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts will continue until the region is completely liberated from the Putin regime's troops," the volunteer soldiers stated. On 15 March, residents of these oblasts were urged to remain indoors "due to the intensification of hostilities in Russia" and later to leave the border regions until "the active phase of the limited military operation is completed." It is reported that the new humanitarian corridor will also operate overnight from 21:00 on 15 March to 7:00 Moscow time on 16 March. "Anyone who is unable to use the humanitarian corridor and leave the area of the limited military operation in time is advised to find a safe shelter, refrain from walking outside, avoid crowds of people and vehicles, and stay at home or in safe places if possible," the volunteer soldiers said. Update: At 12:33, they announced new strikes on military targets in Belgorod. "Urgent warning for residents of Belgorod! Within the next hour, there will be mass strikes upon military targets in the city of Belgorod. We urge residents to immediately seek shelter in secure locations and refrain from going outside until the attack is over," the message reads. Background: On the morning of 14 March, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia's Belgorod Oblast, said that Russian air defence assets and personnel had shot down eight aerial targets over the city of Belgorod and the surrounding district of the same name. At the same time, Russian Telegram news outlets reported an alleged attempt by a "Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group" to enter the territory of the oblast, but Russian volunteer soldiers who are fighting on Ukraine's side said that it was them attacking military targets in Russia. They explained that they were forced to open fire because Russia continues to hit peaceful settlements in Ukraine. Immediately afterwards, Denis Nikitin, the leader and founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), stated that anti-regime Russian military volunteers would open fire on military targets in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts within 1.5 hours. Later, the Freedom of Russia Legion posted a video featuring burning buildings and reported that they had destroyed two Russian army ammunition storage points in the village of Tyotkino, in Russia's Kursk Oblast. At the same time, the governor of Kursk Oblast said that "Ukrainian terrorists" were supposedly breaking into the oblast, while Rosgvardia claimed that it was "repelling an attack by Ukrainian saboteurs". This news has been updated since publication. Support UP or become our patron! BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The carrier rocket for the Chang'e-6 lunar probe has arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said on Friday. The Long March-5 Y8 carrier vehicle will undergo assembly and testing at the launch site together with the lunar probe, which has already been transported to the site, the CNSA added. Chang'e-6 lunar probe is scheduled for launch in the first half of this year. The probe is set to collect samples from the far side of the moon, marking a mission that will be the first of its kind in human history. The CNSA announced that scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency/Sweden will be onboard the lander of the Chang'e-6 mission, and a Pakistani payload on the orbiter. At present, the preparatory work at the launch site is underway as planned, the agency said. UPDATE: Miguel Montoya is charged with assault family violence, unauthorized use of motor vehicle and aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon. His bonds total $235,000 EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An Amber Alert issued for a 2-year-old El Paso boy Thursday triggered a manhunt and hours-long SWAT standoff with the boys father in East El Paso. Missing 2-year-old from Amber Alert found safe El Paso Police took the boys father, Miguel Montoya, into custody at Studio 6, located along the 11000 block of Gateway Blvd West at Lomaland, just before 9 p.m. Thursday evening. The boy was located, reportedly unharmed, and later returned to his mother. Cheyenne Roman, the mother of missing Kenji Montoya, detailed the traumatic events leading up to the abduction of her non-verbal, autistic son by his father late Wednesday evening. According to Roman, the childs father, Miguel Angel Montoya, planned to abduct them in an elaborate plan he concocted to lure his 12-year-old daughter from a previous relationship so he could kill the girl. El Paso Police say Montoya has a previous pending felony criminal warrant for domestic violence. Roman alleges Montoya previously assaulted her and is also facing similar allegations from his 12-year-old daughter. She also told KTSM Child Protective Services enacted a safety plan on Montoya, preventing him from being around his children without a social worker present. Roman claims Montoya continued to stalk her despite a protective order and cameras installed around her apartment. Montoya was allegedly hiding in the bedroom with a katana sword when she arrived home Wednesday. He popped up from the bedroom. So he had been there, and he told me he had been there a few hours and he had made some plan that he was going to hurt his daughter and he was going to kidnap me and Kenji in order to get his daughter. He wanted to murder her, Roman explained. She says Montoya forced her to drive them to her sisters home to pick up her niece, who he thought would help lure his 12-year-old daughter from his ex-wifes home. According to Roman, Montoya had a large bag of cocaine that he was doing as she drove to her sisters home. He wanted us to drive off to an unmarked location and for me, my niece, and my son to drop them off so that he could murder his daughter. She went on to say, He told me that if he got [his daughter], he wouldnt kill the rest of us, but that if we didnt comply, he was going to kill us. When Romans sister came out of the house with her niece, she struggled to get out of the car and call for help. I was trying to open my back seat to get my son. But since the car was still going, I tried to pull the handle. And I guess, like the wind, it was pushing it inside, so I couldnt, I couldnt get the door open all the way. At that point, I guess he was able to get into the drivers seat, and he sped off, and my sister flew off into the bush. And thats the last time I saw my son, an emotional Roman told KTSM. Montoya fled from the home in Romans 2020 silver Dodge Journey SUV with the boy in the car and her phone and other belongings. EPPD believes he later abandoned her Dodge Journey and switched cars to a red 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt bearing Texas license plate TRH6179. I dont know what hes capable of doing to my son, but if he was able to have this idea that he was going to kill his daughter, he could very much have killed my son. My son is autistic, and hes nonverbal. And a lot of how he expresses himself is by crying. And he doesnt have patience for that, explained Roman Thursday morning. Miguel Montoya is now facing Aggravated Kidnapping charges and could be facing additional charges pending the outcome of El Paso Polices full investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Off-duty staff were called in to work to provided cover Ambulance crews in Guernsey dealt with 27 calls in 24 hours on Thursday. Call-outs included several of the highest priority calls and one to help a patient in Sark. Off-duty staff were called in to work to provide cover and senior managers were diverted to operational duties, said St John Ambulance Guernsey. The pressure meant 999 calls were triaged "to ensure the most serious cases were attended to in order of priority and less serious cases received the appropriate response", said a spokesperson. The service said: "Ambulance crews attended a total of 27 calls across 24 hours, which although is short of a record, did include periods when several cases were being responded to at the same time." A Sark patient was taken to hospital in Guernsey by boat and a lifeboat crew helped rescue someone from Petit Port, in Guernsey. "The ambulance service would like to thank the lifeboat volunteers and police officers who attended this case," said the spokesperson. Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Related stories Related internet links FAIRLEA, WV (WVNS) Spring hasnt quite sprung yet! But the American Heritage Music Hall is getting into the spirit early. The group is hosting a Spring Craft and Vendor show fundraiser. The fundraiser will host over 40 vendors. Live music will also be performed. What do you need for spring gardening? Children under 10 can get in free. We will also be serving food from the confession stand. We would just like everyone to come out and support us, said Organizer Kay Shafer. The event will be held at the State Fair of West Virginia fair grounds on Friday from 5pm to 7pm. Events will continue over to Saturday from noon until four in the afternoon. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will also be available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Americans are seeing more congressional ads than ever before, in part because of the California Senate race, according to a report released Thursday. As of March 10, more than $163 million was spent on broadcast television advertising, according to the Wesleyan Media Project report. There have been more than 316,000 ad airings in congressional races so far, a 28 percent increase from the 2022 cycle. The number is outpacing the record-setting 2018 cycle by more than 50,000 aired ads, the report said. One big reason for the jump is the California Senate race, where a field of Democrats were competing for a chance to win a rare open Senate seat. The race attracted a number of heavyweights with healthy fundraising bases, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who advanced to a runoff last week against Republican Steve Garvey. Schiffs campaign ran ads attacking Garvey that also elevated the Republican, who ended up finishing ahead of Democratic Rep. Katie Porter (Calif.), a rising star in the party. Even before Schiff and Garvey advanced, the race accumulated more than $31 million in spending on advertising, and more will be spent as the two enter a head-to-head race. The race in Ohio, where Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) is running for reelection, is the second most expensive race so far. On the GOP side of the race, the three-way battle between state Sen. Matt Dolan, businessman Bernie Moreno and Secretary of State Frank LaRose has ballooned the airwaves with more than $22 million to date. The third-ranked Senate race is Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester (D) hopes to keep his post against a challenge from former President Trump-backed candidate Tim Sheehy, who is expected to be the GOP nominee after Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) dropped his bid. The contest has seen more than $13 million in spending so far. More than $11 million has been spent on the Senate race in Maryland to date, and more than $6 million in the West Virgina Senate race. On the House side, New Yorks 3rd Congressional District special election led the way with more than $15.5 million spent. Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.) secured his return to Capitol Hill by winning the special election. In a distant second, North Carolinas 13th District contest has attracted more than $4 million in spending. Californias 22nd District is third with $2.4 million. Alabamas 1st and 2nd District contests have drawn $2.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively. The spending will increase as the contests get closer to November. We expect a lot of outside group spending throughout the election year, as every competitive congressional race could mean the difference between one of the parties winning or losing control of the chamber, said Travis Ridout, the co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project. While advertising has ramped up in the battles for the House and Senate, presidential ads have fallen in what has been a relatively sleepy primary season. Just 216,000 presidential ads have been on broadcast TV this cycle, a drop-off from the more than 1 million aired to this point in the 2020 race. The big difference is that former President Trump has run away with the GOP nomination, as has President Biden with the Democratic nomination. Both have already secured presumed nominee status by winning the necessary number of delegates. Pro-Republican ads have been centered on immigration in Senate races. Its clear that Republicans, at least at this moment, are running on immigration and public safety, Ridout said. Its an issue combination that Republicans tried in some places in 2022 without much luck, but the politics of immigration now may be different than they were two years ago. National defense and budget came in second and third in frequency. Those supporting Democratic candidates for the upper chamber have shelled out ads mainly focused on prescription drugs, housing and jobs, according to the report. The television data in the report came from Vivvix CMAG. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FILE - Tractors are parked during a protest, near the Chateau de Versailles, outside Paris, Friday, March 1, 2024. The European Union's executive arm on Friday, March 15, 2024 proposed to sacrifice even more climate and environmental measures in the bloc's latest set of concessions to farmers who appear bent to continue their disruptive tractor protests until the June EU elections. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) BRUSSELS (AP) The European Unions executive arm on Friday proposed weakening even more climate and environmental measures in the bloc's latest set of concessions to farmers apparently bent on continuing disruptive tractor protests until the June EU elections. Angering environmentalists across the 27 EU member states, the Commission proposed to further loosen rules imposed on agriculture which it said, not so long ago, were instrumental to the bloc's strategy to become climate neutral by 2050. That iconic challenge put the EU in the global vanguard of fighting climate change. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted that the EUs overall climate goals remained intact, even though she stressed she would "continue to stand steadfastly by our farmers, who maintain EU food security and serve at the frontline of our climate and environment action. Under the proposals, the conditions to move farming to become more climate friendly were weakened or cut in areas like crop rotation, soil cover protection and tillage methods. Small farmers, representing some two-thirds of the workforce and the most active within the continent-wide protest movement, will be exempt from some controls and penalties under the new rules. Politically, the bloc has moved rightward over the past year. The plight of farmers has become a rallying cry for populists and conservatives who claim EU climate and farm policies are little more than bureaucratic bungling from elitist politicians who have lost any feeling for soil and land. The Christian Democratic European People's Party of von der Leyen has been among the most vocal and powerful in defending the farmers' cause. I would actually call it populism, said Green MEP Thomas Waitz, saying the Commission proposals would cut deep into the agricultural commitment that is part of the EU's vaunted Green Deal to reach climate neutrality. Now they try to deflect the anger of the local farmers and instrumentalize it against the Green Deal. Scientists and environmentalists from around the globe, though, have insisted drastic measures are necessary just to prevent global warming from getting worse, and have pointed to Europe as one of the places with the bleakest prospects. The Commission proposals must still be endorsed by the member states, but considering previous concessions, they stand a good chance of being accepted quickly, observers said. Friday's plans were the EUs latest concessions in reaction to protests that have affected the daily lives of tens of millions of EU citizens and cost businesses tens of millions of euros due to transportation delays. Others have included shelving legislation on tighter pesticide rules and requirements to let some land lie fallow. On top of the EU itself, member states have also caved in to several demands as the tractor protests shot up the political agenda. Complaints have centered on excessive bureaucracy, intrusive environmental rules and unfair competition from third countries, including Ukraine. The Commission said that even though more flexibility measures for farmers were now proposed, the overall EU climate goals remained valid. We are the first continent to have made a binding legal commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Not only have we done that, said Commission spokesman Eric Mamer, "but we actually fixed a roadmap to 2030 with the legal act to ensure that we are on the right path to meet that objective. He insisted Friday's proposals would not veer from that commitment, even though that we ... adapt from time to time to changing circumstances is obvious. Incumbent Dennis McBride will face Andrew Meindl, who currently serves as an alderperson for District 1, in Wauwatosas mayoral election April 2. The next mayor will enter office as the city plans its 2045 Comprehensive Plan. They'll tackle questions of how to fund aging infrastructure as the city approaches a fiscal cliff and faces financial restraints on its tax levy. The next mayor will also need to focus on meeting the demand for housing and figure out how and where to build developments. Like other cities nationwide, Wauwatosa is facing an affordable housing shortage, and 92% of its workforce doesn't reside in the city, according to the 2023 Housing Study and Needs Assessment. If Meindl wins the election, a new person would be appointed to his alderperson position. If he doesnt win the election, he would remain on the Common Council until the end of his term in 2026. Heres what to know about the two candidates: Andrew Meindl Andrew Meindl will face incumbent Dennis McBride for Wauwatosa mayor April 2. Background: Andrew Meindl has served on Wauwatosas Common Council as District 1 alderperson since 2022. Hes running for mayor because he wants to address the root causes of issues and bring a fresh vision to Wauwatosa. Meindl and his wife Amanda moved to Wauwatosa in 2020 to raise their two children and reside in East Tosa. He currently works full-time as a project manager for the U.S. General Services Administration and has worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service. Meindl would leave his full-time job to serve as mayor, he said. He holds degrees in environmental planning and policy, and urban and public affairs. On the Common Council, Meindl has pushed to depenalize marijuana possession, advocated for the use of city funds to erase residents medical debt and worked to bring a sustainability manager position to Wauwatosa. Websites: www.meindl4tosa.org/ , www.facebook.com/meindl4tosa Endorsements: Meindl has been endorsed by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, an economic, racial, and environmental justice advocacy group; Run for Something, an organization that recruits and supports strong voices in the next generation of progressive leadership; former Wauwatosa Mayor Theresa M. Estness; and more than a dozen community members on his website. Supporters: Meindls campaign is primarily funded by monetary donations and some in-kind donations from Wauwatosa residents and himself, according to campaign finance reports through January. The next reports will be due March 25 and published shortly after, according to Wauwatosa Communications Manager Eva Ennamorato. Meindl wants to increase homeownership, save TIF for 'truly affordable' housing developments Meindl believes that the strategy of increasing supply to meet demand is not working to bring Wauwatosa the housing it needs. He doesn't think tax increment financing, or TIF, should fund developments unless they bring "truly affordable housing" for households that earn 50% of the area median income, he said. "We need to go in (on) as many projects as we can on the general tax rolls, and not (be) deferring them in a TIF," he said. Meindl wants to take measures before using TIF, like expediting a permit process, to incentivize developers to bring affordable housing with their developments. Meindl also wants to increase homeownership through the city's newly formed Regional Community Land Trust, a private nonprofit that would own the land the house sits on while selling qualifying individuals the home. Meindl wants to cut down on third party spending, focus on sustainability Wauwatosa is taking out too much debt and has excessive spending of at least $1 million on third party vendors like attorney fees, Meindl said. One way to cut down on costs he believes would be to insource work to City staff. In his executive budget, he would hire a grant writer and sustainability manager, two jobs he says would pay for themselves with the grant funding found and the money saved with sustainable measures. Since most city staff need to spend time writing their own grants, a grant writer would work across city departments to leverage funds for the city, Meindl said. The City has worked to reduce its own carbon footprint with initiatives like installing solar, but reducing residential and community-wide emissions is another story. A sustainability manager would work to complete a climate adaptation plan for all of Wauwatosa to improve its emissions, Meindl said. Meindl sponsored a resolution to create a sustainability manager position with public works, but McBride's executive budget denied that along with other staffing requests. Wauwatosa is now pursuing funds for a sustainability manager position to be shared between Milwaukee-area suburbs. Meindl wants to get residents more involved, increase transparency in local government Meindl said he would increase transparency in Wauwatosa as mayor. He would start by opening public comment at the Common Council level for comments connected with items at the meeting. Public comments are currently made at the committee meetings before an agenda item is sent to the Common Council for what is often the final discussion. He said he's heard residents feel left in the dark on how the city handled the purchase of the Boston Store and the apartment development planned for Mayfair Mall. "I wish that if we're going to embark on this large-scale project that we could have had more residential engagement" from the start, Meindl said. Meindl would also instate participatory budgeting, a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget, as much as state statute allows. He would create a citizen development review board, a meeting open to any residents to see development proposals and add suggestions that a committee would have as input when elected officials discuss development projects. "Then the citizens will know that their voice was heard," Meindl said. Dennis McBride (incumbent) Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the start of the $55 million 9-mile CONNECT 1 East-West Bus Rapid Transit line on Monday, June 5, 2023. McBride faces alderperson Andrew Meindl in his run for reelection as mayor April 2. Background: Dennis McBride has served as mayor of Wauwatosa since 2020. He was an alder on the Common Council for 10 years and served on the Wauwatosa Civil Service Commission for 15 years. McBride worked as an attorney for more than thirty years in government and private practice. He holds degrees in journalism and public administration. A Wauwatosa East High School alum, hes a co-founder of Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool, Inc. and Support Our Schools (SOS) Wauwatosa. The COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 protests against former Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah's shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole, marked the start of McBrides first term as mayor. He has advocated for the need to reform the states property tax levy to loosen spending restrictions on local governments and worked with County Executive David Crowley to secure $15 million in ARPA funding to finance affordable housing in the suburbs. Websites: www.mcbride4tosa.com, www.facebook.com/Dennis4Tosa/ Endorsements: McBride is endorsed by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; former Wauwatosa Mayor Kathy Ehley; former Wauwatosa Mayor Maricolette Walsh; Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland; community members and 13 current alderpersons, according to his website. Supporters: McBride has received monetary donations from Wauwatosa residents and real estate executives and architects, including individual $972 donations from Jason Macklin of Wingspan Development Group, based in Mount Prospect, Illinois; Christopher Thomas, the architect of the Mayfair Collection; Tim Blum, who led the Mayfair Collection redevelopment; and Michael Coakley. John Morgridge, former Cisco Systems CEO, and Tashia Morgridge each donated $970 to McBrides campaign as well, according to campaign finance reports through January. Wauwatosa is moving forward, rebuilding trust since 2020, McBride said Almost four years since the protests to fire Mensah sparked by national movements following the murder of George Floyd, McBride says Wauwatosa is healing and moving forward. He said he made the right decision to enact an emergency curfew during that time. If any part of Wauwatosa had burned we would have had flight out of this city, he said. Instead, our property values are soaring, were moving forward on affordable housing none of that would have happened if we hadn't taken steps to make sure that what happened in Kenosha didn't happen again in Wauwatosa. McBride said the city and Wauwatosa Police Chief James MacGillis have embraced changes and recommendations from a 2021 report and study on the Wauwatosa Police Department that asked for transparency and more community policing. McBride said if he had extra funding he would spend it on hiring more social workers to work with police to support residents in mental health crises. Two thirds of police department calls are related to mental health, he said. The city currently has one staffed social worker. McBride wants to play 'small ball' for affordable housing Wauwatosa needs more multi-family housing like condos and duplexes for people who have low- and middle-incomes and the 92% of its workforce that doesn't reside in the city, according to the 2023 Housing Study and Needs Assessment. McBride said all housing will help affordability, and building more housing will meet the demand. In his next term as mayor, McBride said he would take the approach of playing small ball by identifying lots within land-locked Tosa to build housing that makes sense for the area. We have to find the small properties that are vacant, underdeveloped, and try to do something with them, he said. The latest developments in the city, like the Mayfair mall apartments, have put apartments where no one would have put a single-family home, he said. Private developers will need subsidies to build affordable housing, but the city cant afford to subsidize those developments alone, McBride said. Tax increment financing and federal funds are already helping projects, he said. You cant force private developers to build housing when they cant get the financing for it, McBride said. McBride will address aging infrastructure needs 'on a methodical basis' At a mayoral candidate forum in early March, McBride said the city is taking small steps to fix the city's aging infrastructure and he'd submit for a referendum when it comes time to do so. The city might face an operating referendum in the coming years, which allows a school or municipality to exceed its revenue limit without issuing new debt and pays for operating costs like salaries, benefits and supplies. The city could also go to a capital referendum, or issue bonds, for city hall and library renovations. In the case of lead lateral removal and replacements, the city is seeking federal funding. The city will work with residents that have a lead lateral they want removed now and are willing to pay for, McBride said. "We can't afford everything, and we can't afford it all at once," McBride said, "but if we do what we're doing on a methodical basis, we can get the job done." Contact the reporter at bfogarty@gannett.com Editor's note, 3/15/24: This story was edited to clarify Andrew Meindl and his wife moved to Wauwatosa in 2020. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Incumbent Dennis McBride, Alder Andrew Meindl on ballot for Tosa mayor A Republican-led bill establishing a new commission to study and advise on Kentuckys long-term energy needs passed easily in the state Senate this week, despite criticisms of a designed bias on the commission in favor of fossil fuel industry lobbyists. Senate Bill 349 would create the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission, or EPIC. It would analyze Kentuckys future energy needs through an economic development lens, according to sponsors, and review utilities applications to retire generating units. The states existing Public Service Commission, which decides utility cases, would be required by law to take the commissions findings into consideration for proposed generating unit retirements. The bills group of Republican sponsors is led by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, who similarly carried legislation last session to make fossil fuel-fired power plant retirements more difficult. He also joined Daniel Cameron's gubernatorial ticket last year in opposition to what he called the "radical environmentalist" policies of the Biden and Beshear administrations. Mills repeated his criticisms of federal energy policy on the Senate floor Tuesday, accusing the Biden administration of regulating into near-extinction Kentuckys plentiful baseload energy, and was joined by fellow Republicans in lamenting the continued decline of the states coal industry a trend also seen during the Trump administration, The Courier Journal previously reported. Further retirement of fossil fuel-fired electric generating resources is not necessary for the protection of the environment or the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth, according to Mills bill. This statement is in direct conflict with the scientific consensus of physicists, climatologists and other experts globally, whose research has determined a prompt and substantial reduction in fossil fuel use is non-negotiable for preserving a habitable planet. With the Senate's passage of the bill, it now heads to the House. Here's what to know about the legislation and how it could shape Kentucky's future decisions on energy policy: What does Senate Bill 349 do? Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, presents legislation, Feb. 10, 2023. The bills key function is establishing EPIC, attached to the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research with an 18-member board and five-member executive committee. Mills said the commission would study the states current and future energy needs with economic development and grid reliability in mind, particularly as the state looks to attract major industries with high energy demands. Of the 18 board members, at least five would be nominated by the fossil fuel industry, including groups representing coal, oil and gas interests. Only one member of the commission would represent renewable energy interests, and two would come from the nuclear energy and nuclear fuel industries. Other members would represent utility, economic and banking interests and consumers, as well as the states Energy and Environment Cabinet and Cabinet for Economic Development. A later version of the bill also removed a requirement that commission members be residents of Kentucky. Audrey Ernstberger, a Kentucky Resources Council attorney, said in an email the change risks voluntarily ceding Kentuckys major energy decisions to outsiders, calling it outrageous. In addition to establishing a new energy planning commission, the Republican proposal would also define what sources of energy are dispatchable meaning output can be scaled up and down on demand and what sources are intermittent. The bill Mills carried last session requires the Public Service Commission to ensure replacements for retiring generating units are dispatchable. Under his bill this session, solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower are all defined as intermittent, or non-dispatchable. The definition for intermittent assumes that certain energy sources (including pumped hydro, geothermal, biomass and anaerobic digestion) cannot provide consistent and dispatchable power. That is not the case, according to a letter on the bill co-signed by the heads of the Public Service Commission and the Energy and Environment Cabinet. What did senators say about the bill? Tuesdays Senate vote on the bill largely fell along party lines 28-9 with one pass vote but several Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, was the sole pass on the vote, agreeing with the premise of studying the states big-picture, long-term energy needs but balking at the proposed makeup of the commission. This bill creates a board of, essentially, lobbyists, Southworth said on the Senate floor. As legislators we recognize all the names of these folks that assuredly would be appointed to this board. Kentucky Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, speaks on the Senate floor on Jan. 30, 2024. Nominations to the commission would be made by groups including the Kentucky Coal Association, the Kentucky Oil and Gas Association and the Kentucky Bankers Association. It concerns me greatly that we have, essentially, lobbyists now being appointed to a board to help make decisions in the public interest on the public side, not on the private side, Southworth said. This bill is not, as some people have tried to portray it, a coal bill, said Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester and a co-sponsor on the bill, citing references to an array of energy sources throughout the legislation. Stivers and other lawmakers also pointed to recent winter storms in arguing for more comprehensive grid planning. Last year, an LG&E and KU representative testified to the Public Service Commission, reporting coal-fired power, in addition to natural gas, failed amid Winter Storm Elliott, contributing to rolling blackouts. Nearly absent from the Senates debate on Kentuckys long-term energy policy was the looming threat of climate change. Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, voted 'no' on the bill before referencing the risks of continued fossil fuel reliance. My constituents want clean energy, clean air and clean water, she said. And if we don't begin to deliver that to our children, then we're going to leave them in a world that is not safe to live in. In committee, Stivers said the proposed commissions study of the grid would include the context of, whether you believe in it or not, decarbonization, or global warming that's part of the discussion. What did stakeholders say about the bill? In their letter to legislators on Mills bill, the Public Service Commission and Energy and Environment Cabinet laid out a lengthy list of concerns about the bill, including a lack of appropriated funding, despite an estimated $1.5 million annual cost for the proposed analysis of energy needs. In addition to various warnings about how EPIC could further burden the Public Service Commissions existing process, the letter also brought up concerns over the bills originally imposed six-month time limit for the PSC to issue final orders on some utility applications, including retirements. An amendment extended the time limit to eight months. If the commission does not issue its decision in that time, those applications would be automatically approved. The PSCs final order last year on LG&E and KUs proposed coal plant retirements and new natural gas and renewable generation came in November, 10 months after the utilities joint application was filed. LG&E's Cane Run power generating station was imploded on Saturday June 8, 2019 in Louisville, Ky. The coal-fired facility generated power for 61 years and was last used in 2015. When the bill was before the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, Tami Wilson spoke on behalf of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in opposition to the bill, saying it would not foster a business-friendly climate. While we empathize with Eastern Kentucky and the loss of jobs associated with the coal industry, Wilson said, we feel strongly that forcing our members and potential members to pay more for their energy simply to ensure we continue to support the coal industry is not a reasonable ask of the Northern Kentucky region. Sen. Chris McDaniel and Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, both Northern Kentucky Republicans, voted against the bill in the floor vote. Representatives of LG&E and KU and Duke Energy also spoke against the bill in committee. Its just another layer of bureaucracy that I fear we're talking about here, said John Crockett, president of LG&E and KU, citing an arduous process of generating unit retirements last year, and calling the proposed commission "a collection of special interests ... that would seek to promote their own agendas as part of this process." Amy Spiller, representing Duke Energy, said the utilitys ability to meet Kentucky's energy needs will be compromised by Senate Bill 349. She agreed with legislators that a more comprehensive approach to energy planning is warranted, but not through what she called "needless review" by a commission artificially weighted toward one preference. Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. The program funds up to half of corps members salaries, but requires a portion also be raised through local community fundraising. To support local environmental reporting in Kentucky, tax-deductible donations can be made at courier-journal.com/RFA. Learn more about RFA at reportforamerica.org. Reach Connor directly at cgiffin@gannett.com or on X @byconnorgiffin. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Coal, gas, oil interests could get more say on Kentucky energy policy BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) Violence interrupters and outreach workers are made up of men and women who aim to halt gun violence in their communities. One such activist, Ndia Brissett, spoke exclusively to PIX11 News after surviving a gunshot wound while on duty five weeks ago. Illegal smoke shop sold marijuana with traces of fentanyl, cocaine: police sources The Brooklyn native, employed by Brownsville In, Violence Out, was shot in the neighborhood while on the job. The irony is not lost on her. To work for an anti-gun violence organization and then to be shot, Brissett said. She serves as an outreach worker, mentoring over a dozen young people and guiding them toward positive paths. The city-funded organization has expanded, recently opening its second location in Bushwick. Brissett and Zashawn Lewis, her colleague, were together when the bullet struck her stomach and colon in January. Following successful surgeries and rehabilitation, they are preparing to resume their partnership. Brownsville In, Violence Out (BIVO) only intensified its efforts after her shooting. NYPD statistics show the partnership is working. In the 73rd Precinct, shooting victims have plummeted by 100% this year. We were just at 66 days with no shootings. [Ndias] situation was the last incident, Lewis noted. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now PIX11 News Headlines Brissetts mother, Zarahiah Richey, said her daughters resilience got them both through this chapter. It was an experience I never imagined I cried, I prayed, I cried, I prayed, Richey recalled. Brissetts faith, passion, and perseverance continue to propel her commitment to this cause. I want to do more, to let them know if this could happen to me, it could happen to you, Brissett asserted. A native of Brownsville, Brissett holds a degree in Criminal Justice and hopes BIVO will help propel her to her dream job with the FBI. The NYPD has yet to make any arrests in connection with her shooting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. FILE - Matt Dolan, Ohio Senate Republican from the 24th District, listens to colleagues speak at the Ohio State House Senate Chambers in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana, File) WASHINGTON (AP) With the presidential nominations locked up, the most high-profile election in Ohios primary on Tuesday will be the Republican contest to take on Ohios Democratic U.S. senator. There are presidential contests in five states on Tuesday, but Ohio is one of two states also holding state and congressional primaries that day. Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, first elected in 2006 and uncontested in his primary this year, is among the most vulnerable members of a closely divided chamber and has managed to hold onto his seat even as the state has shifted to the right. In his most recent reelection in 2018, he defeated then-Rep. Jim Renacci by almost 7 percentage points. Two years later, Ohio voted for then-President Donald Trump by 8 points. There are three Republicans on the ballot: state Sen. Matt Dolan, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and businessman Bernie Moreno. LaRose and Moreno have aligned themselves with the pro-Trump camp of the party, while Dolan is backed by more establishment Republicans, including Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman. Moreno has the endorsements from Trump and the states junior senator, JD Vance. Dolan finished third in the 2022 primary that Vance won. Other notable races are in Ohios 2nd, 6th and 9th Congressional Districts. Former Rep. Bill Johnson resigned from the 6th District in January for a job in academia. There are two sets of primaries held concurrently for the seat, one to complete the current term and one to serve the next full term. Two Democrats and three Republicans are running to take this seat, which stretches along the eastern border and includes Youngstown. The Republican primaries in Ohios 2nd and 9th Districts are significant because the solidly red 2nd District is open following Rep. Brad Wenstrups retirement and the 9th, currently held by Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, is considered a top Republican pickup opportunity in the fall. Besides the U.S. Senate primary and primaries for each of Ohios 15 congressional districts, there are primaries for state House, the state Senate and one state Supreme Court seat. A look at what to expect on election night: ELECTION DAY The Ohio state and presidential primaries will be held on Tuesday. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. EDT. WHATS ON THE BALLOT PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY (D): Joe Biden, Dean Phillips. 127 delegates at stake. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY (R): Donald Trump, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy. 79 delegates at stake. U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 2 PRIMARY (R): Niraj Antani, Kim Georgeton, Phil Heimlich, Ron Hood, Thomas Hwang U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 6 PRIMARY (R): Michael Rulli, Reggie Stoltzfus, Rick Tsai (for both full and partial terms) U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 9 PRIMARY (R): Steve Lankenau, J.R. Majewski, Derek Merrin, Craig Riedel SUPREME COURT PRIMARY (D): Lisa Forbes, Terri Jamison (for term ending Dec. 31) WHO CAN VOTE Any registered voter in Ohio may participate. Voters can choose only one partys primary. DELEGATE ALLOCATION RULES There are 127 pledged Democratic delegates at stake in Ohio, and theyre awarded according to the national partys standard rules. Twenty-seven at-large delegates are allocated in proportion to the statewide vote, as are 17 PLEO delegates, or party leaders and elected officials. The states 15 congressional districts have a combined 83 delegates at stake, which are allocated in proportion to the vote results in each district. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the statewide vote to qualify for any statewide delegates and 15% of the vote in a congressional district to qualify for delegates in that district. For Republicans, all 79 delegates are awarded to the winner of the statewide popular vote. DECISION NOTES The presidential primaries in Ohio are unlikely to be competitive, as Biden and Trump enter as presumptive nominees and face no major opposition. In both races, the first indications that Biden and Trump are winning statewide on a level consistent with the overwhelming margins seen in most other contests held this year may be sufficient to determine the statewide winners. Be careful about making assumptions about early returns. The first vote updates from Ohio counties usually include votes cast before election day, either in person or by mail. As a result, these initial results might not reflect the final outcome. The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. WHAT DO TURNOUT AND ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE Turnout in the 2022 Ohio primaries was about 8% of registered voters. There were 7.9 million voters registered in Ohio as of June 16, 2023. The state does not register voters by party. As of Thursday, nearly 312,000 ballots had been cast before Election Day, about 55% in the Republican primary and about 43% in the Democratic primary. In 2022, pre-Election Day voting made up about 41% of the total votes cast in the primary elections. HOW LONG DOES VOTE COUNTING USUALLY TAKE? In the 2022 Republican primary for U.S. Senate, the AP first reported results at 7:38 p.m. ET, or eight minutes after polls closed. The election night tabulation ended at 1:14 a.m. ET with about 99% of total votes counted. ARE WE THERE YET? As of March 19, there will be 118 days until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, 153 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 231 days until the November general election. ___ Associated Press writer Robert Yoon contributed to this report. Ocala is home to businesses, commerce, fine dinning, arts and culture. Now, it has opened its arms to another new adventure: A new hotel. Here's what we know about the new adventure: What? According to a press release, "stayAPT Suites" is "an apartment-style hotel brand" that "offers 76 well-appointed suites spread across three stories, each featuring a living room, full-size kitchen and a separate bedroom." New apartment complex Where? 3509 W. Silver Springs Blvd. Any special features? Yes. Amenities include a sleeper sofa, wall-mounted smart TV, kitchen with appliances, outdoor courtyard that has a built-in grill station and fitness center, the release notes. New apartment complex What does corporate officials say about the location? They point to the location close proximity to several popular spots, such as the World Equestrian Center, the Paddock Mall and nearby hospitals. Does the hotel chain have plans for other areas in Florida? Yes. Corporate officials said they plan to open hotels further north in Pensacola and Tallahassee. Officials said they plan to have more than 40 hotels at the end of year. A new place to live: Lamplighter Legacy Downtown Apartments now leasing in Ocala Where can anyone find more information about the hotel chain? www.stayapt.com/hotels/stayapt-suites-ocala/, or www.stayAPT.com. Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Apartment-style complex opens in Ocala Students attend a job fair in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. A job fair was held on Friday at Tsinghua University, with about 430 employers offering more than 10,000 jobs to university graduates. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Students inquire about job opportunities at a job fair in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. A job fair was held on Friday at Tsinghua University, with about 430 employers offering more than 10,000 jobs to university graduates. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Students attend a job fair in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. A job fair was held on Friday at Tsinghua University, with about 430 employers offering more than 10,000 jobs to university graduates. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) A foreign student (L, front) inquires about job opportunities at a job fair in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. A job fair was held on Friday at Tsinghua University, with about 430 employers offering more than 10,000 jobs to university graduates. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Students attend a job fair in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. A job fair was held on Friday at Tsinghua University, with about 430 employers offering more than 10,000 jobs to university graduates. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Students inquire about job opportunities at a job fair in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. A job fair was held on Friday at Tsinghua University, with about 430 employers offering more than 10,000 jobs to university graduates. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) A man was taken into custody Friday afternoon after a standoff with authorities that prompted the evacuation of an apartment complex in Fair Oaks, as well as return fire from Sacramento County Sheriffs Office deputies during the 7-hour ordeal. It ended around 5:30 p.m. when the 36-year-old man, identified as Eric Oneal Smith Jr., was flushed out of a unit in the Hazel Ranch apartment complex by tear gas and detained, said Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Amar Gandhi. Radio dispatches monitored by The Sacramento Bee revealed the man, who may have been suffering from a mental health crisis, laid down on the ground as deputies rushed in to end the incident. The only way out of this is praying, a dispatcher said Smith told a woman over the phone. At one point, crews from PG&E were called in to close gas lines into the complex after Smith told deputies he sought to use natural gas fumes to die, according to the radio dispatches. Gandhi could not confirm the circumstances of the mans state of mind or a motive behind the brazen, random shootings but said deputies were not injured in the gunfight, nor were residents of the complex. He didnt know if Smith lived inside the unit, but said he was alone throughout the ordeal. Smith was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail late Friday night and is expected to be arraigned Tuesday on at least four felony charges. Hes being held without bail. Officers return to their vehicle as bystanders watch during a standoff at the Hazel Ranch apartment complex in the 8800 block of Winding Way in Fair Oaks on Friday. They were retrieving water for other officers at the scene. Renee C. Byer/rbyer@sacbee.com Deputies, suspect exchanged gunfire The standoff began when gunfire erupted before 10:30 a.m. at the 208-unit complex on the 8800 block of Winding Way near Hazel Avenue. Gandhi said Smith began firing shots from the unit through a window. Deputies had responded after another resident of the complex had called for someone who had fired weapons into their home, leaving a bullet hole through a window. Gandhi said there were multiple calls reporting shots fired, including from the suspect himself. Within minutes, deputies who had arrived exchanged gunfire with the man. According to Gandhi, Smith had fired on deputies and deputies had returned fire. The man later fired upon SWAT deputies who had been called in to negotiate a peaceful surrender, Gandhi said. Smith was taken to a hospital with relatively minor injuries from a gunshot wound to his arm, Gandhi said. Negotiators had been talking with Smith by phone from the start, Gandhi said. As they worked to coax the man out, he sang songs and frequently hung up the phone, according to radio traffic, only to call deputies back. Smith had indicated he wanted to be killed by law enforcement, according to witnesses outside the complex and in the dispatch audio. It appears that he was setting them up for an ambush, Gandhi said in a briefing with reporters after the surrender. Officers arrive on the scene after gunfire erupted at the Hazel Ranch apartment complex in the 8800 block of Winding Way in Fair Oaks on Friday. Renee C. Byer/rbyer@sacbee.com Evacuated resident: Im still in shock While out of harms way, residents stood by waiting for normalcy as the standoff stretched into the evening. Im still in shock, said Devon Thomas, who was in the area as the standoff unfolded. I hear active gunfire, and Im just hoping that everyones OK. I hope no officers are injured, nobody in the community is injured as well. In addition to allegedly firing on authorities twice, the Sheriffs Office said Smith shot down a drone. Gandhi said he also destroyed two other unmanned aerial vehicles used by deputies to monitor the standoff and Smiths condition. Most residents in the 6-acre complex at the time were evacuated while others who did not want to leave were asked to shelter in place. Winding Way as well as a parking lot at the next-door shopping center was shut down. Within an hour of the incident starting, Sheriffs Office deputies had been seen wearing protective gear and holding onto the sides of a tactical vehicle as it moved into the blocked area. Several SWAT vehicles were deployed throughout the day, including the agencys Rook vehicle, used by deputies in dangerous situations to get closer to suspects. Two bullets penetrated an apartment directly across from the gunmans location, according to radio dispatches. Earlier, as deputies evacuated parts of the complex, a deputy ushering three residents to safety asked for cover as they escaped. Another family had described being scared and hiding in a closet, dispatchers told deputies. An officer pulls an ice chest after gunfire erupted at the Hazel Ranch apartment complex in the 8800 block of Winding Way in Fair Oaks on Friday. Renee C. Byer/rbyer@sacbee.com Officer-involved shooting to be reviewed Kevin Banks, who was evacuated with his neighbors, said he moved into the Hazel Ranch complex three months ago to live with his mother. He said his mother asked him to move to Fair Oaks because she said it was safer than where he lived in Berkeley. This is my welcome to the neighborhood right here, Banks said, standing in a safe area at the Hazel Ridge Plaza Shopping Center. Its so out of the blue. Gandhi said such violence in the eastern Fair Oaks residential neighborhood, a few blocks west of Lake Natoma, was unusual. Its a very quiet area, Gandhi said. According to jail records, Smith faces four felony charges, including attempted murder and assault with a firearm on an officer. Jail records showed Smith was also alleged as a felon in possession of a weapon. I am hoping hes locked up for a while, Gandhi said. The Sheriffs Offices professional standards division will investigate the shooting involving deputies, which is standard practice. The Sacramento County District Attorneys Office will conduct its own review of the shooting. The Sheriffs Office is expected to later release a community briefing video that will include body camera video and other information, in compliance with state law. A Sacramento Police SWAT vehicle arrives on the scene after gunfire erupted at the Hazel Ranch apartment complex in the 8800 block of Winding Way in Fair Oaks on Friday. Renee C. Byer/rbyer@sacbee.com The Bees Renee C. Byer contributed to this story. A New Jersey school district is cooperating with local police on their investigation into a parent who got into a heated confrontation with students on Monday. A widely circulated video shows the parent approaching a student in a classroom at Paulsboro High School and demanding that the teen apologize to his daughter. "I didn't do nothing to her," the student claimed. Aaron Thomas, 38, is facing several charges for confronting a student he believed had a dispute with his daughter. (Photos: @murderinknews/Fox 29/Screenshot/Youtube) "You heard what the f**k I said," the father responded while face-to-face with the teen. "Apologize to my daughter. Now!" In the video, the father appears to argue with another teen who is defending his classmate. Throughout the dispute, the student repeatedly says that he did nothing wrong. Another adult tried to de-escalate the situation, but the father continued to call out to the student: "I'm just proving a point," he said. "If I have to come up here again, I'm going to slap fire out the both of y'all," the parent added while being escorted out of the room. "Do it, we're right here," one of the students clapped back. The father walked back up to them, and a brief standoff ensued between him and a student. It appears that they made physical contact during the confrontation. "You scary as sh**," the man continued before finally walking off. The father captured in the video was identified by police as 38-year-old Aaron Thomas, WPVI reported. He was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing, simple assault, and terroristic threats. The Paulsboro Public School District issued a statement to the community saying that safety is their top priority and an investigation is ongoing. "Safety and security of our staff and students is paramount," the district said, per the news station. "Unfortunate situations such as these gives us an opportunity to reflect and analyze current practices to further strengthen the district's safety and security procedures to ensure that our schools are a safe place for all students and staff." Parents had mixed reactions to the video. Some believed the man protected his child, while others said he should have scheduled a meeting with school officials and the other students. "As a father, I can understand exactly what he's saying, what he's doing," Ed Rosas told the outlet. "But also, as a father of a child that's in the schools, to have a stranger come in to do what he did is also wrong." Apologize to My Daughter: New Jersey Father Charged After Bursting Into Classroom and Confronting Student He Believed Was In a Dispute with His Child LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man wanted on a murder charge was arrested Wednesday in Dolan Springs, Arizona, according to the Mohave County Sheriffs Office (MCSO). Nicholas Ray Volk, 32, of Kingman, was armed with a shotgun when deputies surrounded the residence in the 15000 block of N. Jasper Dr., but he was taken into custody after a short standoff, MCSO officials said in a social media post. Volk was wanted in the investigation into the death of Marie Ann Noelani Garcia, 30, of Kingman. Dolan Springs is along U.S. 93 about midway between Las Vegas and Kingman. Garcia was shot and killed on March 3 in the 3100 block of Butler Ave., according to MCSO information. Volk was booked on a charge of second-degree murder at the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending against people who might have helped Volk elude police, according to the MCSO post. The Mohave County Sheriffs Office thanked the Kingman Police Department, MAGNET, Kingman Fire Department, Northern Arizona Fire Department, Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire Department, River Medical Ambulance, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Bullhead City Police Department for assisting in Volks apprehension. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders tours tornado-damaged Wynne High School on April 2, 2023. (Randall Lee/Arkansas Governor's Office) A consulting firm recommended to lawmakers Thursday that Arkansas start its own insurance company to combat rising property insurance premiums for public schools and higher education institutions. Meadors, Adams & Lee Insurance Inc. presented its recommendations to the Arkansas Legislative Councils executive subcommittee after a months-long study of the issue. Roberts Lee, president of the Little Rock-based consulting firm, said Arkansas should combine the states three insurance programs into a special-purpose captive, which gives the state more ability to control premiums than if it purchases insurance from another company. (A captive is a form of insurance where the insured party also owns the entity providing the insurance.) Let me tell you the most expensive thing about insurance: its giving it to an insurance company, Lee said. Theres nothing more expensive than that and it doesnt get less expensive, and the only way that were going to fix this is start our own. Lee said the insurance company should charge sufficient premiums to schools to cover annual expected losses and reinsurance costs, which would create a policyholder surplus that could be invested and used to pay claims. Jonesboro Republican Rep. Jack Ladyman agreed its the smartest approach to insurance, but said theres often an issue with expertise in operating a self-insured program. To eliminate conflicts of interest and add checks and balances, Lee suggested the insurance company be governed by a board that reports to the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner. The board, which would include members like a reinsurance broker, risk manager and investment adviser, would manage every function of the insurance company, including risk finance and risk control, he said. Lee also advised beginning operations by Oct. 1. I applaud you for the work youve done, this is one of the most commonsense things and business approaches that Ive seen since Ive been in the legislature, said Rep. Howard Beaty, R-Crossett. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE Lawmakers took no action on the report and will continue to discuss Lees recommendations, which also included charging the same rate for all districts. Lee said the move would benefit smaller schools, which the firms research found were paying much more than larger schools. School insurance premiums are increasing nationwide, Education Week reports, because climate change is causing more frequent natural disasters that affect school operations and require insurance companies to pay out. A tornado that destroyed Wynne High School last March resulted in $122 million of the more than $147 million losses in the insurance program managed by the Arkansas School Boards Association. This is the largest loss of any school district in Arkansas history, lawmakers learned last year. Last summer, the governors office estimated Arkansas school districts would see an average increase of 130% in insurance premiums this school year. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in July authorized the use of state funds to cover 30% of the cost increase. Lawmakers approved the $10.8 million transfer of funds to be split three ways $6.3 million for the 170 districts in the program managed by the Arkansas School Boards Association; $4.46 million for the 68 districts in the Arkansas Public School Insurance Trust, which is managed by the Arkansas Insurance Department; and nearly $118,000 for the Bentonville School District, which procures insurance directly through the open market. The post Arkansas firm recommends plan for controlling schools increasing insurance rates appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson explains his department's revocation of a policy allowing "X" in place of "male" or "female" on state-issued IDs to the Arkansas Legislative Councils executive subcommittee on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) This story was updated at 10:55 a.m. Friday, March 15, 2024. Arkansas lawmakers voted Friday to require drivers licenses and state-issued IDs to reflect the gender listed on a persons birth certificate. The state Department of Finance and Administration on Tuesday rescinded a policy that had been in place since 2010 allowing drivers license holders to change their gender marker with no questions asked or to use an X in place of male or female. This policy was improper because it never received legislative review or approval, Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson told the Arkansas Legislative Councils executive subcommittee Thursday. He also said the policy change is necessary for law enforcement to understand who theyre encountering during a traffic stop. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US A drivers license does not exist for the benefit of the license holder, Hudson said. Its not a platform for speech. Its not a platform for personal identity. It doesnt exist for that purpose. It allows third parties, especially law enforcement officers, to look at the information and determine Who is this person? Hudson said Thursday that the updated policy seeks to minimize the need for intrusive questions by state employees and has been in the works since shortly after his appointment to lead the finance department in August. Emergency rules enacted by the state limit the opportunity for public feedback before they go into effect. Several lawmakers asked Hudson on Thursday and Friday why an emergency rule was necessary in lieu of a permanent rule, which Hudson said will come later and receive public comment. Hudson said the 516 Arkansans with the gender-neutral indicator on their drivers licenses could be renewing those licenses at any time, including as recently as yesterday, meaning Wednesday, and state employees should be prepared. There are 3.2 million active licenses and IDs in Arkansas. Sens. Clarke Tucker and Linda Chesterfield, both Little Rock Democrats, asked if any emergency or dangerous situation occurred regarding the gender-neutral indicator in the 14 years it was allowed on Arkansas drivers licenses. Hudson said he was not aware of any and the new rule is meant to prevent threats to law enforcement officers safety. During Fridays Legislative Council meeting, Tucker made a motion to remove the emergency rule from the rest of the executive subcommittees report and vote on it separately. The motion failed on a voice vote, and the council then approved the report as a whole with some dissent, primarily from the councils Democrats. Chesterfield asked Hudson how many officers have complained about the X indicator, and Hudson said most have not known about it. Whenever weve shared that information, weve been met with alarm [because] they were unaware that was the case, he said. Republican lawmakers made similar arguments last year while promoting anti-transgender legislation restricting pronoun usage and bathroom use in public schools based on students gender assigned at birth, citing the need to protect teachers religious views and childrens privacy, respectively. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed both bills into law. In October, she also signed an executive order that banned gender-neutral language in Arkansas government documents. The order specifically cited language related to pregnancy, birth and menstruation, claiming they are exclusive to women. Sanders expressed support Tuesday for the Finance Departments updated drivers license policy, stating there are only two genders and Arkansas state government will not endorse nonsense. The transgender advocacy group Intransitive called the policy a blatant act of discrimination. Chesterfield indicated her agreement Friday. It seems to me that the end effect is cruelty, its unnecessary and its unworthy of us, she said before voting in favor of Tuckers motion. In addition to Washington D.C., Arkansas has been one of 22 states that allows a M, F or X designation on a drivers license. Thursdays committee discussion Documents provided to the subcommittee cite the need to comply with state law as justification for using an emergency rule as a means of changing policy. The portion of state law in question lists the traits, including gender, that must be on Arkansans drivers licenses or state-issued identification card. Hudson said the statute means that drivers licenses must denote male or female as someones gender. The statute does not include those terms. Matching the gender marker on a drivers license to that on the persons birth certificate, unless the latter has been legally changed, could create more trouble than it prevents, said House Minority Leader Tippi McCullough, D-Little Rock. If a law enforcement officer is presented with documentation that is completely different from the way someone is presenting in real life, it seems like this is also very confusing, she said. A drivers license does not exist for the benefit of the license holder. Its not a platform for speech. Its not a platform for personal identity. It doesnt exist for that purpose. Jim Hudson, Arkansas Secretary of Finance and Administration Additionally, DMVs usually take peoples word for it when asking for many of the other listed physical traits, such as height, weight, hair color and eye color, Tucker said. I got my drivers license renewed a month ago, and I dont recall seeing a scale or a lie detector test there, he said. If we want law enforcement to have accurate information and I support that idea why are we focused on just gender? Other traits might not be accurately reflected on a persons drivers license, but it is easier to detect some of that than it is an individual whos [changed] something as fundamental of a characteristic as gender, Hudson said. Tucker said he did not consider gender significantly different from the other characteristics listed on a drivers license. He and McCullough both mentioned that the federal government allows X as a gender marker on passports, which could create a conflict between someones identifying documents under the states new rule. McCullough asked how the rule would require drivers licenses to identify people who are intersex, meaning they were born with ambiguous sexual organs. Paul Gehring, the finance departments assistant commissioner of revenue policy and legal, said these people usually have male or female written on their birth certificate and that would determine what their state-issued ID says. Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, said she believed the finance departments 2010 decision to offer a third gender marker for drivers licenses set a precedent for state agencies going rogue and determining public policy without going through this legislative body and this legislative process. If [the department] decided that X was acceptable, then why not Z, or why not A, or why not B? Irvin said. The post UPDATED: Arkansas lawmakers approve reversal of gender-neutral drivers license policy appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old high school student in connection with the violent attack and assault on a security guard at an upscale community in Orange County, officials confirmed to KTLA. Aidan Grogan, 18, was arrested Thursday at Yorba Linda High School at around 12 p.m., according to officials with the Orange County Sheriffs Department. The incident at East Lake Village in Yorba Linda occurred at around 9 p.m. on March 3, according to a post in a private social media group obtained by KTLAs Shelby Nelson. According to the post, security cameras captured the parking lot attack on the security guard, who had asked the suspects to leave because they were fishing after dark. The severity of the attack, which included a headlock that rendered the security guard unconscious, indicates that at least one of the boys has some kind of training, the post reads. Security guard brutally attacked in upscale O.C. community While its unclear just how many attackers there were, the suspects were described as males between the age of 16-17, one of whom had shaggy blonde hair and another who was filming the attack on his cellphone. Some residents of the upscale community said they were upset management did not tell them about the alleged assault. Security guard brutally attacked in upscale O.C. community KTLA reached out to the general manager of the community, but they would only provide minimal details, saying that it was reported to authorities and that the guard is expected to be okay, though no information about the extent of guards injuries was provided. Nude photo scandal rocks another Southern California school At that time, officials with the Orange County Sheriffs Department confirmed they were investigating the alleged assault, and that it was reported March 6, two days after the incident occurred. So far, authorities have not said whether there have been any additional arrests beyond the 18-year-old who was booked at the Orange County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. AUSTIN (KXAN) Robots, improved satellite maps and a=Artificial Intelligence (AI) are just a few of the tools firefighters may have at their disposal. On Thursday, a South by Southwest (SXSW) panel discussed the future of wildfire detection and response. Former firefighter and the panel moderator Jay Stalnacker said this new technology is the future of firefighting. Well see a lot of innovative technology around AI, taking data, bring it in, making good maps, Stalnacker said. Then making it make sense to the robot or the autonomous part of it. RELATED COVERAGE: How Austin-based company uses AI to detect wildfires Stalnacker said theres everything from sound waves that can put a fire out to smoke sensors that can determine the difference between a campfire and wildland fire. Embracing this technology for the right, specific reason of wildland firefighting. Jay Stalnacker One thing that can be a barrier to new tech is the cost. Stalnacker said this needs to happen at an affordable price. Some of this technology, satellite technology is expensive. Youre talking billions of dollars, Stalnacker said. So really overcoming those financial burdens also is a challenge in this new technology. Stalnacker said it must be scaled in a way that all communities have access to it. Austin Energy to use AI for wildfire detection This isnt the first time new innovation for firefighting has come to Austin. Back in October, KXANs Grace Reader reported on the city council approving a contract between an AI company and Austin Energy. The company uses 360-cameras and AI to detect wildfire smoke and notify fire crews as soon as possible. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin Energy to use 360-cameras, artificial intelligence for wildfire detection We can also monitor and see where it [a fire] is in relation to our infrastructure, and so if we do have something going towards our infrastructure we might be able to shut off the power and then make it safer and help the firefighters out, said Chris Vetromile, Austin Energy wildfire program manager. The plan was to have the tech in multiple locations around Austin and up and running before fire season. Wildfire innovation competition Stalnacker is the technical lead for the XPRIZE Foundations wildfire $11 million competition. The prize aims to transform current wildfire management approaches through the development of new technologies that can rapidly and accurately detect, characterize, and respond to wildfires before they become destructive, the foundations website said. Its incentivizing the innovation of firefighting technologies. These technologies come and most of them are here, most of them exist today. Theyre just not being applied to this problem, Stalnacker said. With XPRIZE were trying to get the technologists, the innovators to apply it to the problem. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. ASHWAUBENON - Voters will decide if incumbent Chris Atkinson or challenger Drew Kuehl will be a trustee on the Ashwaubenon Village Board to represent Wards 7 and 8. The Press-Gazette asked both candidates to answer three questions with word counts up to 100 or 150 words and to provide their background information. Here is what the candidates had to say. Their responses were edited lightly for clarity. (i) denotes incumbent. The candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. Information about your polling place and registering to vote can be found on the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us. Chris Atkinson Chris Atkinson (i) Age: 42 Occupation: Self-employed business owner Highest education level attained: Technical college Relevant experience : I have spent the past year on Village Board as the current trustee for Wards 7 and 8. I currently also serve on the Plan Commission and Community Development Authority. Before being on Village Board I served four years on the Ashwaubenon Site Plan Review Committee. Over the years, I have been a big supporter of our local veteran community through volunteering at the Pearly Gates Veterans Event and with The Honor and Valor Foundation to help better the lives of our veterans both mentally and physically. As a licensed contractor in the village, I have also donated countless time and resources to those in our community that were in need. Campaign Facebook page: I don't have an official website but I do urge people to join my Facebook group Ashwaubenon Community Connect. Drew Kuehl Drew Kuehl Age: 29 Occupation: Capital management/finance Highest education level attained: MBA and master of science in finance at UW-Whitewater Relevant experience : Housing market analyst, credit analyst, capital management, city of Sun Prairie (Comprehensive Plan Committee, Downtown Redevelopment Committee, Workforce Housing Committee), Wisconsin Army National Guard-sergeant. Campaign Facebook page: Drew Kuehl Why are running for Village Board? Atkinson: To help mold our community into one the best, most desirable areas to live, work and play. My wife is a lifelong Ashwaubenon resident. I have lived in Ashwaubenon for the past 17 years. We have raised our children ages 10 and 13 in the Ashwaubenon School District. My family and I share a passion for this community and its residents and enjoy being actively involved in multiple aspects of it. Kuehl: Ashwaubenon is a community currently undergoing rapid redevelopment while dealing with an aging population and landlocked borders while trying to attract young professionals and families. My professional experience and status as a young professional place me as an ideal candidate to help my community navigate these challenges and to continue prospering. What makes you the better candidate? Atkinson: My passion for our community makes me the ideal candidate. I enjoy learning about our residents' concerns and ideas by attending events and on my Facebook Group Ashwaubenon Community Connect. My ability to see things from multiple perspectives and adapt to current needs is what allows me to be the best representative. As a resident, father of children in our school district, contractor, and real estate investor in Ashwaubenon, I truly understand what it takes to develop a strong community. Kuehl: I have a broad understanding of the development process from my work as a housing market analyst, my previous involvement on several committees for the city of Sun Prairie and my finance work experience and education. Additionally, my status as a young professional means I know how to attract other young professionals and families. What two issues do you feel most need to be addressed in Ashwaubenon, and how would you address them? Atkinson: An issue is our aging homes and lack of desirable housing due to being landlocked. I'm currently working to help establish redevelopment areas to allow single-family homes & condos to be built. At our Comprehensive Plan Meeting we discussed what the residents would like to see. Housing was a big topic. I was excited to talk about the new Active Adult Apartments, along with our plans to capture TIF funds to help our residents options for improvements on their homes. Another concern is our school district. With the lack of family homes comes a lack of children to naturally fill our schools vs. relying on school of choice, causing our schools to receive lower funding per student. We are working to address this with our long-term comprehensive plan. Kuehl: The two most pressing issues for Ashwaubenon are that we have an aging population in a landlocked area and that we need to redevelop while preserving the current character of the village that so many enjoy. If unaddressed, these issues can snowball and lead to higher housing prices, a lower number of new/young families, lower levels of school enrollment, and a declining tax base. In order to improve this situation, there are three areas that need to be addressed: housing solutions, village services, and redevelopment of the Stadium District specifically the area east of Lambeau Field. I would encourage the development of housing options that fit the villages needs and character and preserve the village services enjoyed by residents. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ashwaubenon Village Board Wards 7 and 8 Atkinson, Kuehl Q&A FILE - Sephora is one of multiple new businesses to open on Alps Road in recent months. Alps Road might soon get some upgrades as it is planned to benefit from an $800,000 federal grant to improve it as well as Hawthorne and Oglethorpe avenues. Athens-Clarke County has won an $800,000 federal grant for planning vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Hawthorne Avenue, Oglethorpe Avenue and Alps Road, Georgias two U.S. senators announced this week. The local grant is part of a set of transportation grants awarded across Georgia totaling more than $210 million. Other grants went to Atlanta, Savannah and Macon, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Georgia Municipal Association. The overall goal for the local grant, according to Warnocks office, is to increase safety and advance connectivity along the designated routes. Particularly along Hawthorne and Oglethorpe avenues, safety and traffic volume have long been causes of concern for residents and county officials. FILE - Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) speaks to students and supporters at the UGA Chapel, in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. Warnock recently helped secure a $500,000 federal grant for road improvements on Alps Road as well as Hawthorne and Oglethorpe avenues. In a news release announcing the grant to Athens-Clarke County and other Georgia jurisdictions, Warnock said the significant funding for key infrastructure projects in Georgia will help strengthen communities across the Peach State by improving pedestrian mobility, traffic flow, and bolster(ing) local commerce. The funding will come through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program. In announcing the $800,000 grant headed to Athens-Clarke County following the local governments successful pursuit of the funding, Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said, I commend Athens-Clarke County for their successful work bidding for this major award. FILE - Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga talks about the federal resources that will aid Athens area Habitat for Humanity in building 40 homes in the Gaines School Elementary School district of Athens, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Ossoff recently helped secure a $500,000 federal grant for road improvements on Alps Road as well as Hawthorne and Oglethorpe avenues. Commenting Thursday on Athens-Clarke Countys successful bid for the $800,000 grant, Daniel Sizemore, the bicycle, pedestrian and safety coordinator for the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works, said planning for improvements on the three targeted routes should begin this fall. The planning process is expected to take 18-24 months, according to Sizemore, and will focus on a Complete Streets approach. Under that approach, planning will involve enhancing bicycle, pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Part of the planning will ensure that the needs of people with various disabilities will be able to comfortably use the corridors, Sizemore explained. Public engagement will be part of the planning process, Sizemore noted. One thing that will not happen in the planning process is proposing to increase vehicular traffic on the three routes. Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods funds cant be used toward that end, Sizemore said. However, Sizemore added, the grant funding can be used to plan ways to more efficiently move traffic through the targeted corridors. Recall effort: Athens mayor deems 'unserious' recall effort underway for him, sheriff, DA, commissioner Once the county has moved through the planning process, it can begin the process of applying for additional federal grants for actual installation of any planned improvements, Sizemore added. The $800,000 grant for Hawthorne and Oglethorpe avenues is just the latest in a string of federal transportation grants awarded to Athens-Clarke County over the past two years. Last year, the community received a $1 million USDOT Safe Streets and Roads grant for boosting transportation safety. The funds are slated for use in developing local plans to reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and injuries. Tow years ago, Athens-Clarke County received a $25 million grant through the USDOTs Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The RAISE dollars will fund improvements along North Avenue from downtown Athens at the intersection of North Avenue and Willow Street up to the intersection of Freeman Drive and Collins Industrial Boulevard. Improvements include upgraded bus stops, sidewalks, pedestrian traffic signals and lighting. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: $800,000 federal grant to improve Athens roads, including bicycle lanes Attorneys for former President Donald Trump and other defendants in the Georgia election interference case are vowing to keep fighting to have the case thrown out following Fridays ruling saying either Fani Willis or Nathan Wade must be removed from the case. Lawyers for former President Donald Trump and other defendants alleged Willis paid Wade large sums for his work as a special prosecutor and then improperly benefited when he paid for vacations for the two of them. Willis and Wades relationship first came to light in a motion filed by an attorney for Trump co-defendant Michael Roman that sought to have the indictment dismissed and to bar Willis and Wade and their offices from continuing to prosecute the case. In his ruling Friday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said, There has not been a showing that the Defendants due process rights have been violated or that the issues involved prejudiced the Defendants in any way. He did however say that there was an odor of mendacity that remains about the case. The established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team - an appearance that must be removed through the States selection of one of two options, McAfee wrote. The appearance standard recognizes that even when no actual conflict exists, a perceived conflict in the reasonable eyes of the public threatens confidence in the legal system itself. When this danger goes uncorrected, it undermines the legitimacy and moral force of our already weakest branch of government. An outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist, McAfee said in his ruling. Wade resigned from the case late Friday afternoon. RELATED STORIES: Trump attorney Steve Sadow said while he respects the court decision, the fight to have Willis removed from the case is far from over. We believe that the Court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade, including the financial benefits, testifying untruthfully about when their personal relationship began, as well as Willis extrajudicial MLK church speech, where she played the race card and falsely accused the defendants and their counsel of racism. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place. Ashleigh Merchant, who first made the accusations surrounding Willis and Wades relationship, said despite the case not being thrown out, McAfees ruling was vindication. While we believe the court should have disqualified Willis office entirely, this opinion is a vindication that everything put forth by the defense was true, accurate and relevant to the issues surrounding our clients right to a fair trial. The judge clearly agreed with the defense that the actions of Willis are a result of her poor judgment and that there is a risk to the future of this case if she doesnt quickly work to cure her conflict. While we do not agree that the courts suggested cure is adequate in response to the egregious conduct by the district attorney, we look forward to the district attorneys response to the demands by the court. We will continue to fight for our client. Attorney Chris Anulewicz, who represents defendant Robert Cheeley, also sent us a statement, saying: The Court correctly found that an appearance of impropriety and a pall exists over this case requiring the recusal of either the District Attorney or Mr. Wade. We believe the finding of impropriety requires the disqualification of the entire prosecution team and are assessing next steps. In an exclusive interview Thursday with Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne, McAfee spoke about the gravity of making this ruling. The message I want to convey is no ruling of mine is ever going to be based on politics. Im going to be following the law the best I understand it, McAfee said. I took this job not because I wanted to score partisan political points, didnt go looking for the spotlight. I did it because I love the law and giving people their day in court and being efficient about it. Meanwhile, Channel 2s Richard Elliot spoke with former DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James. He said McAfee made the right decision because an appearance of impropriety can affect a prosecution almost as much as actual impropriety. The judge looked at whether or not theres an actual conflict, and he decided that theres not, and i agree, theres really no evidence to support an actual conflict. But the appearance as it pertains to Nathan Wade was just too strong to leave him on the case, James said. James told Elliot that he thinks Willis can continue to prosecute this case, but he says the case may move forward a bit damaged now. RELATED NEWS: BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China's securities watchdog will issue three guidelines to boost supervision of initial public offerings (IPOs), listed companies, brokers and public offering funds. It will also release a guideline to improve its own capacities, said Li Chao, vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on Friday. The regulator will intensify its crackdown on financial fraud, particularly targeting five types of illegal practices, said Guo Ruiming, head of the CSRC Department of Listed Company Supervision. They are long-term systemic fraud and third-party cooperation in fraudulent activities, fraudulent issuance of stocks and bonds, abuse of accounting policies to manipulate profits, falsification through activities like financing trade, and fraudulent actions that harm the interests of listed companies, according to Guo. The regulator noted that it will enhance random sampling and on-site probes of companies slated for listing. Yan Bojin, head of the CSRC Department of Public Offering Supervision, said that the CSRC will conduct thorough investigations into companies that withdraw their listing applications when they are subject to on-site probes, which implies that even if they withdraw their applications, they will still be investigated. Deep underwater, a group of elusive predators gathered off the coast of Panama. The gathering was atypical and a first of its kind for the area. It didnt go unnoticed. Scientists in a submarine spotted the rare sea creatures and identified them as prickly sharks, according to a study published March 8 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Fish Biology. Prickly sharks, scientifically known as Echinorhinus cookei, are an elusive and solitary deep-sea species named for the small thorny projections that cover their bodies, researchers said. These sharks are found throughout the Pacific Ocean. A photo shows the pale gray-brown shark. A prickly shark, or Echinorhinus cookei, swimming along the ocean floor. Researchers spotted 12 prickly sharks in May 2022 during a series of submarine dives to explore the Cordillera de Coiba seamounts, a protected marine area off the western coast of Panama, the study said. Two prickly sharks were seen on their own, and 10 were seen in an atypical gathering, researchers said. The sharks seemed to have gathered deliberately rather than coincidentally, but researchers did not know why. A close-up photo shows the head of a prickly shark, or Echinorhinus cookei. The deep-sea predators were mainly observed swimming over rocky habitats about 1,000 feet underwater, the study said. The sighting was the first documented record of live specimens of Echinorhinus cookei in Panama, researchers said. Prickly sharks had been seen in the area before, but the sightings were not confirmed. The recent sightings suggest that the Cordillera de Coiba seamounts might be a critical habitat for prickly sharks, the study said. The research team included Hector Guzman, Candy Real and Stefanie Kaiser. Driver shocked to learn animal he hit with his car wasnt a deer, Oklahoma police say Pair of bald eagles found incubating eggs in Torontos first-ever nest. See it Keeper finds incredibly rare twins on parents backs in surprise birth at Iowa zoo VERONA Eighteen shovels stand like columns, emerging from an island line of dirt in a sea of concrete. They're on Dick Huff Lane, between Shenandoah Valley Social Services and the Middle River Regional Jail. It's Friday. The wind whips a green Augusta County flag nearly horizontal. A tent withstands the wind, as does the photography drone flying overhead. Under the tent, fruit, pastries, and a cake cover a half-built rectangle of tables. Rows on rows of folding chairs point to the island of dirt, and a podium. Behind the podium, Augusta County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff Slaven and County Administrator Timothy Fitzgerald briefly look at the shovels together and test the microphone. Supervisor Carolyn Bragg stops them and takes a picture. Around 10 a.m., Slaven calls for the crowd. Several dozen people, including judges, elected representatives, media, contractors, take a seat. "Looks like everybody has quit wriggling and moving around, so I guess you've got your spot for the morning," says Slaven. He steps away, allowing Reverand John Craft, also an officer with the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, to open the statements with a prayer. Slaven returns. "We are thrilled to celebrate this important moment in Augusta County's history," says Slaven. "The new courthouse will not only serve as a symbol of our commitment to justice but also as a cornerstone for our community, fostering civic pride and enhancing the quality of life for generations to come." Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey Slaven. The supervisors previously approved an approximately $62 million contract with Branch Builds for courthouse construction on Feb. 28. During Wednesdays meeting, they agreed to move forward with the project financing with bonds through the Virginia Resources Authority. After Slaven, Fitzgerald approached the podium, outlining the history of Augusta County Courthouses, past and now present. After the presentation, Supervisor Pam Carter called the groundbreakers up to the shovels. The dirt flew, and the courthouse is now underway. Elected officials, local dignitaries, representatives from the design and construction team members broke ground on the new Augusta County Courthouse. Fitzgeralds full comments: Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, and citizens of Augusta County, today marks a significant moment in our countys history, as we gather here. Amidst the anticipation and excitement of constructing a new courthouse. It is fitting that we take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey that has brought us to this pivotable moment in Augusta Countys history. From the arrival of our first settlers in 1732, to the formal establishment of our county in 1738, our courthouse has mirrored the growth of our community. Our countys first courthouse was erected in 1746. A modest log cabin offered to the colonial government in Williamsburg by William Beverley. In the middle of his Mill Place. Today Mill Place sits directly behind you, Mill Place Commerce Park. County Administrator Timothy Fitzgerald A record from 1748 describes the courthouse as having cracks wide enough to let in the chill of the winter winds and windows without glass or shudders. Despite its humble appearance, this courthouse served as a bedrock for our fledging judicial system. In 1755, a second structure emerged with little known about its design or construction, except for the presence of a chimney and a fireplace, likely a small comfort against the harsh realities of frontier life. Our population grew and our county flourished. So too did the need for a more substainal courthouse. By the late 18th century, Augusta County had emerged as a stable and prosperous community. In 1789, our countys third courthouse was built, with a stately edifice of stone, adorned with wooden columns, and a second floor. In 1835, our countys fourth courthouse took shape under the capable hands of Thomas R. Blackburn, an architecture student of Thomas Jefferson during the construction of the University of Virginia. With its square footprint and elegant proportions, the 1835 courthouse served the county for 65 years. Augusta County staff at the groundbreaking. In 1900, the Board of Supervisors hired a local architect by the name of T.J. Collins to design and remodel the courthouse. The planned remodel, however, turned into a newly constructed courthouse. It is this building that is the foundation of the current courthouse that we cherish today. There were a few significant remodels along the way. In 1939, they expanded the courthouse to its current footprint. In 1949, 2004, and again in 2008, this courthouse has served the county and its citizens in a stalwart fashion for nearly 125 years. Each iteration of our courthouse bore witness to the passage of time and the changing needs of the county. As our county continued to grow, it became increasing clear that our courthouse could no longer adequately serve the needs of our community. With each passing year, our judicial system strained under the weight of an ever-increasing caseload [and] the demands of modern [security in] our beautiful, but space-constrained, courthouse. Fitzgerald explains the history of the courthouse project. In response to these challenges, for the last 30 plus years, under the tenure of 13 Board of Supervisors [members], Augusta County embarked on a journey of exploration to build a courthouse that would not only meet the modern needs of the courts, now and into the future, but also adhere to the construction and design restrictions imposed by building a historic courthouse in downtown Staunton. Between 2002 and 2015 alone, seven court analysis were done, looking at space needs for our circuit court, our general district court, juvenile and domestic relations court systems, and exploring ideas to satisfy their needs. Some of these ideas including renovating the old Western State building, creating a consolidated court system between the city of Staunton and Augusta County, expanding the courthouse to include a pedestrian sky bridge across Augusta Street to a new courts building located on the site of the bank, renovating the vacated Beverley Manor Elementary School while building a new courts building on the site of the district courts building, which, oh by the way, sits in a flood plane, and purchasing options on downtown properties to allow for the expansion of the 1901 courthouse. Everyone takes a seat to hear the opening comments. We explored every avenue and possibility to build a courthouse in downtown Staunton that not only met the growing needs of our court system but also adhere to the Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines. Meeting the minimum court standards proved difficult to achieve, particularly while working with challenging historic preservation requirements, and keeping the costs of historic remodels in check. The cost for the perpetual renovations needed by the 100-plus year-old courthouse, while pursuing property options to expand, and in general working to retrofit the functions of a modern day court system into the shape of the buildings in the 1800s for mercantile businesses, were not insignificant. Due to the unsuccessful work to that point, the county then decided a referendum should be held on the issue. In 2016, a referendum was held concerning the relocation of the courts to Verona. Even when given approval to put the question on the ballot, the language of the referendum was restricted by Virginia Code to only include the location in Verona and the cost, making it very unclear to the average voter that the alterative cost, to remain in downtown Staunton, was at an even greater cost. As we all know, even with a tremendous effort to educate the voters, the referendum did not pass. Once the referendum failed, the county once again looked at options in downtown Staunton, to no avail. No options could meet the approval of the county and the city. With this being the case, in 2021, Circuit Court Judge Goodwin, who is here today, issued a show cause order, which made it incumbent on Augusta County to show how we were going to make the court system safe and in good repair. We found ourselves in a real dilemma. We could not make any of the project in downtown work for the needs of the court and in ways that were compatible with the requirements of historic downtown. Augusta County found itself under a court order, with no valid project ideas left. Augusta County's judges at the groundbreaking. The only solution we had was to go to referendum again, especially difficult because the requisite 10 years between referendums had not passed. We would have to not only ask the General Assembly for special permission to go to referendum but also to change the referendum question, to make it clear the choices the voters [really had]. This difficult legislative process started in 2022. We had two champions Delegate John Avoli, whos with us today, and Senator Emmett Hanger. With great skill, they ushered House Bill 902 and Senate Bill 283 through the session. Garnering support with common sense and patience, they even secured an audience with Governor Youngkin, who was interested in understanding our obstacles and reasons for asking the voters again. The Branch Builds team on site during the groundbreaking. As you can imagine, this was a nerve wrecking time. We were under the pressure and time restraints of the court order. We had no other options. Ultimately, the legislation passed and allowed us to ask the voters. Augusta County voters didnt let us down. The rest, as they say, is history. This is what brings us here today. Its not every day, or even in ones lifetime, that a courthouse is constructed. The last time we built one was in 1901, and a fine one that was. It has served us well and will continue to in its second century and next phase of life. We find ourselves here today ready to embark on a new era. Our new courthouse is designed consistent with the architectural elements of a traditional Virginia courthouse, with red brick, white trim, four white columns, triangular pediment, and a cupula. A beautiful and fitting salute to our 1901 courthouse. The Augusta County Board of Supervisors at the groundbreaking. Ill stop here real quick for a small story. Judge Ludwig is here with us today. Prior to the 2016 referendum, Judge Ludwick and I traveled to Spotsylvania County to look at a courthouse. He probably remembers that. Judge Ludwick was deciding whether he wanted a new courthouse or not. We looked at that courthouse and I remember him saying, very clearly, to me, Im okay with a new courthouse, but I want it to look exactly like the one Ive got. It is close, judge, its close. More than 100 staff members in the Circuit Court and the clerks office, along with the Commonwealth attorneys office, the general district court, clerks office, juvenile court, its clerk and services unit, the magistrates office, the sheriffs department, and victim witness services will all find a home in this building. 124,000 square feet and over four floors will provide security and functionality dedicated spaces for the next 20 years. I would say next 100 years. John Craft opened the ceremony with a prayer. A total of eight courtrooms, including circuit court, civil court, room that doubles as a jury assembly room, will serve a projected, combined caseload of more than 104,000 cases per year. The number of lives that will be touched in this building and the momumental decisions made here are staggering to comprehend. This courthouse will reflect the importance and promise that justice and truth under the law has in Augusta County. This courthouse also symbolizes the culmination of a vision for Augusta County first put forth in 1987 in the Augusta County Government Center Master plan. Developed at a time when all county offices and court services were located in downtown Staunton, it was apparent even then that the county needs were outgrowing the space. We had a need to move to Verona. This vision for a government center in Augusta County began with the purchase of this facility, which was Smith Transfer. Implementation began and the move of core government services and offices from downtown Staunton to the Government Center in Verona began in 1990. Shenandoah Valley Social Services moved in 1992. Sheriffs office came to Verona in 2004. Our juvenile detention center was built in 2005, and the Middle River Regional Jail, which is directly behind us, in 2006. The administrative offices for Augusta County Public Schools moved here in 2013. Our courts are the final piece in this visionary master plan, which aimed to balance the growing needs of our county with efficient and financially effective consolidation of resources. With this building of a new courthouse, we move the county seat to Augusta County, completing the final phase of the master plan. The crowd just before 10 a.m. Today, as we embark on this new chapter, we do so with a profound sense of gratitude to all that have contributed to this journey, to our legislatures who championed our cause with unwavering dedication, to our citizens that entrusted us with hopes and aspirations, and to the countless individuals, many are here today, whos expertise, guidance, and unwavering support will have brought us to this historic moment. We extend our deepest gratitude. As we break ground for our new courthouse, let us remember the countless lives that will be touched, the profound decisions that will be made, and the enduring legacy that we are building for generation to come. Let us ensure that this courthouse stands as a beacon of justice, a symbol of integrity, and a testament to the values that define Augusta County. Let us never forgot what brought us to this moment, a journey marked by perseverance, enduring commitment, and the indominable spirit of Augusta County. Thank you. Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? Its welcome through email to lbordelon@gannett.com. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com. More: Augusta supervisors address 54% average assessment increase More: Historic Staunton Foundation purchases Cabell Log House This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta County Courthouse construction officially underway AUSTIN (KXAN) The City of Austin said it launched a new dashboard aimed at bringing attention to hate crime numbers in the city. The city said the Austin Against Hate Community Data Dashboard would keep track of when and where reported hate crimes have happened around Austin since 2017. The dashboard is part of the We All Belong anti-hate campaign, an initiative focused on education and outreach. RELATED: City of Austin launches We All Belong anti-hate campaign According to the city, the dashboard was designed to help people understand hate crimes in Austin in context with how acts of hate and bias influence public sentiment. Use the layers to explore Austin Police Report Data about where hate crimes where hate crimes have been reported in Austin to compare and contrast with resident survey data examining the communitys overall sense of safety regarding hate crimes and trust in the Citys response, the dashboard said. In terms of numbers, the dashboard reported that over the last seven years, there were 191 hate crimes around the Austin metro area, with 2023 having the most incidents at 51 while 2019 had the least at 12. So far in 2024, there have been four hate crimes reported, mainly in and around the downtown Austin area. The campaign plans to increase its advertising around town this year and even create a mural at city hall. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin will leave for Germany on Monday, where he will chair the 20th meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group, reported US Defense Ministry Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh at a briefing on March 14. Secretary Austin will depart for Germany where he and the Chairman, Chairman C.Q. Brown, Jr., will host the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base, said Singh. Read also: No more emergency aid packages for Ukraine, Pentagon says The Secretary and the Chairman will join ministers of defense and senior military officials from nearly 50 nations around the world to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and reiterate that the United States and this coalition continue to stand with the people of Ukraine. We will not let Ukraine fail in its war to defend themselves against Russian aggression, she added. The last meeting at the Ramstein base was held online. Austin just got out of the hospital at the time and was working from home. The meeting had strengthening of Ukrainian air defense, as well as artillery systems and drones on the agenda. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi discussed preparation for the next Ramstein meeting with Austin on March 11. It will take place on March 19. Read also: F-16s for Ukraine: initial batch of six jets ready for July, allies pledge more 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 As he gears up for the 2024 election, presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump met with an old ally: Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary who has triggered a democratic backslide in his country. Mr Orban met with Mr Trump last week, bypassing any meetings with President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris despite stopping in Washington, DC where he visited with The Heritage Foundation, a powerful conservative think tank staffed by many former Trump administration officials. Their meeting came just one week before National Hungary Day when Mr Orban gave a speech condemning the Western world. They start wars, destroy worlds, redraw countries borders and graze on everything like locusts, Mr Orban told a crowd in Budapest, per the Associated Press. We Hungarians live differently and want to live differently. The exact details of the discussion between Mr Trump and Mr Orban are unclear. Mr Trumps campaign released a statement describing their conversation as focused on 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. Regardless, the conversation clearly went well, with Mr Orban calling the former president his good friend on Monday. The same day, the Hungarian Prime Minister also praised Mr Trumps reported comment that he will not send any aid to Ukraine if elected. Meanwhile, Mr Trump has mentioned Mr Orban in several remarks, including a 2023 speech in which he wrongly referred to him as the President of Turkey. Even beyond Mr Trump, the GOP has a fixation with Hungary and Mr Orbans government. In 2022, former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson focused on Hungary, releasing a documentary that appeared to portray the country as a model for conservatism. More recently Carlson has been singing the praises of Vladimir Putins Russia both Mr Trump and Mr Orban have a close relationship with the Russian dictator. So, why do Mr Trump and Mr Orban get along so well? Experts tell The Independent its because Mr Trump wants to learn from Mr Orban if re-elected in 2024. Why is Donald Trump obsessed with Viktor Orban? The former President and Mr Orban have similar goals for the future world order making them eager allies, Robert Benson, a senior policy analyst with the Center for American Progress, told The Independent. Its no coincidence that someone like Viktor Orban is attempting to build a relationship with Stephen Miller, with Donald Trump, with the Maga Republicans on this side of the Atlantic, Dr Benson said. Because they see themselves in a civilizational battle for the future of what they call Western Civilization. This is steeped in anti-immigrant xenophobia, in right-wing nationalism, and in tropes about the nation-state. Mr Trump, of course, has made his far-right, anti-immigration stance clear since day one of his 2016 presidential campaign. Similarly, Mr Orban has expressed radical views on immigration since 2015 and in 2022, he said he did not want Hungarians to become peoples of mixed race. I am the only politician in the EU who stands for an openly anti-immigration policy, Mr Orban said. This is not a race issue for us, this is a cultural issue. Meanwhile, Kim Scheppele, Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Princeton University, sees the Trump-Orban relationship in a different light rather than plotting a new future for civilization, she says the two leaders are just opportunistic, transactionalists looking to cut a deal whenever it happens. Both of them are just transactional politicians, Dr Scheppele told The Independent. One of the reasons why both of them love dictators and dont like organizations like Nato, the EU and so on is because dictators are also transactional. They dont expect you to be loyal forever; everything is just a deal in the moment. Both Mr Trump and Mr Orban have expressed disdain for Nato and its processes. The former president has threatened to violate Nato by allowing Russia to attack member states; meanwhile, Mr Orban delayed a vote on Swedens membership for 18 months. As a result, the country was not admitted until this year. Mr Trump would not have to entirely pull out of Nato to reject their principles during a potential second presidency. As journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum wrote in The Atlantic, Mr Trump could simply reject Article 5, which states an attack against one Nato nation shall be considered an attack against them all. Though, as former United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said, a second Trump presidency could certainly mean the end of US Nato membership. Though he did not outright reject it, Mr Trump did not specifically endorse Article 5 at the 2017 Nato summit. Trump admires lots of dictators, but I think he admires them because they stay in power forever, because they look all powerful, but that mostly because their foreign policy doesnt tie them up in strings, Dr Scheppele said. Mr Trump has formerly expressed that he would be a dictator on day one of his potential second presidency. Orban becomes a model for this kind of foreign policy, Dr Scheppele continued. Now, Hungary is in a democratic backslide. Mr Orban has sought to undermine education, even targeting his former ally-turned-enemy George Soros, who founded Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. Mr Orban forced Mr Soros who has become a hate figure to the hard right across the world over his support for civil society projects to relocate the university to Vienna in 2018. In 2022, the EU Parliament declared that Hungary could no longer be called a full democracy, labelling it an electoral autocracy. Lawmakers raised several concerns about the Hungarian government, including the lack of media pluralism, religious freedom and independence of the judiciary. Academic freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of association, the right to equal treatment, including LGBTIQ rights, the rights of minorities, as well as those of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, are also problematic, Parliament said in a statement. Then, in 2023, Hungary passed Mr Orbans Defence of National Sovereignty Act, which authorized the creation of a new government authority that can gather information on any organizations or individuals that benefit from foreign funds or that can influence public debate. Dr Scheppele called the law an authoritarian monster. Meanwhile, the European Commission said last month the law violated European Union law. What could this alliance mean if Mr Trump is re-elected? Practically, Dr Benson said a second Trump administration could bring withdrawals from international institutions. So, in the event that Trump were to win the presidency in 2024, he would probably withdraw from international institutions, Dr Benson told The Independent. Hes mentioned his disdain for NATO. This plays neatly into a playbook for Vladimir Putin, who is banking exactly on our domestic politics to be able to succeed in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Dr Scheppele pointed to Project 2025, a conservative playbook for the next presidential administration that calls for a series of actions to bolster a potential conservative presidency come the 2024 election. Its purpose is to avoid the mistakes of 2017 when Mr Trump first took office and the GOP was woefully underprepared. Along with replacing supposedly impartial federal officials with fellow conservatives, Project 2025 also calls for several policy revisions, such as re-adding the citizenship question to the US Census and reversing the FDA approval of abortion pills. Wes Coopersmith, the Chief of Staff for the Heritage Foundation who oversees Project 2025, told The Independent that replacing employees with GOP allies if Mr Trump is elected would be democratic. We think the most democratic way to run the administration is with folks who agree with the President, who voted for the president, who agree with his policies and want to implement that, Mr Coopersmith said. Mr Orbans success leading an authoritarian government relied on decapitating the civil service and replacing it with his extremist allies, which mirrors the Project 2025 strategy, Dr Scheppele said. In 2010, [Orban] came in and decapitated the civil service, replacing with all his own loyalists, reinstated Civil Service protection for them and captured the state bureaucracy that was a big part of how he went about locking himself into power, Dr Scheppele told The Independent. You see this as the blueprint for Trump. There is an ideological battle at play between liberal democracy and those who espouse a kind of perverted autocracy, Dr Benson said. Its clear that this is very much part of the stakes going into 2024 here at home, he continued. In this photo provided by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC officers secure an 11-foot (3.4-meter) alligator for transport after it was seized from a home where it was being kept illegally in Hamburg, N.Y., on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The home's owner had built an addition and installed an in-ground swimming pool for the 30-year-old alligator, which has blindness in both eyes and spinal complications, among other health issues. (New York DEC via AP) HAMBURG, N.Y. (AP) An ailing alligator was seized from an upstate New York home where it was being kept illegally, state officials said. Environmental conservation police officers seized the 750-pound (340-kilogram), 11-foot-long (3.4-meter-long) alligator on Wednesday from a home in Hamburg, south of Buffalo. The home's owner built an addition and installed an in-ground swimming pool for the 30-year-old alligator and allowed people, including children, to get into the water with the reptile, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The alligator has blindness in both eyes and spinal complications, among other health issues. The reptile was sent to a licensed caretaker until a place is found where it can receive permanent care, according to a release from the agency. The owner's state license to keep the alligator expired in 2021. The state determined at that time the alligators holding area failed to meet safety standards. Officers took action this week after learning the extent at which the owner was seriously endangering the public, according to a statement from the agency. Tony Cavallaro, who told The Associated Press the alligator, Albert, had been with him since the 1990s, promised to fight for his return. Cavallaro said he treated the alligator like it was his kid and that he never put anyone in danger. I'm not dangerous. I'm not being unsafe with people, Cavallaro said. State environmental officials haven't decided whether to bring charges. Officials believe a lethargic 4-foot (1.2-meter) alligator found in Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn in February 2023 was likely an abandoned pet. In the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), where Egypts regal figures from the ancient past lay to rest, a visitor to the Cairo facility could never imagine that the gilded coffin of Nedjemankh, located on the ground floor, could reflect a perfectly concocted story where fame, corruption and theft of Africas cultural heritage intertwine. Yet, the coffin of the ancient priest, which was acquired by the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) for almost $4 million in 2017, was promptly given back to Egypt when the truth about the coffins documentation and provenance circulated online. The incident marked a success for Egypt, which has been vocal and active in the repatriation of its cultural artifacts from museums and collections in Western countries, particularly in recent years. Cultural jewels and historic artifacts stolen from African countries (Photos: (Photos: Son of Groucho/Flick, UCLA) However, Egypt is only one of several African countries carving the path nations across the continent are making significant strides in reclaiming their heritage and preserving their cultural identity. Ghana has been championing a remarkable successful streak in repatriating its cultural jewels. Last month, the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles repatriated looted objects belonging to the Asante kingdom, which had been forcibly taken by British forces during the 1874 Sagrenti War after 150 years since the looting. The UCLA museum returned seven artifacts, including a royal necklace (known as a gorget), an ornamental chair, and an elephant tail whisk. Have you ever wondered how these African objects ended up in museums? Kenyan researcher and visual artist Jim Chuchu asked during a 2021 TEDMonterey talk in California. "Some were bought by traders, and tourists, Chuchu said. Some were gifts exchanged in acts of friendships, and some were excavated in archaeological digs. But then there are many others that were looted during raids, confiscated by colonial forces, and stolen at gunpoint. In 2022, Reuters, citing French art historians, reported that almost 90 percent of Africa's cultural heritage is believed to be homed in Europe. Indeed, from the British Museum (London) to the Musee du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac (Paris), almost every internationally acclaimed museum is punctuated by an exhibition featuring African artifacts, with usually no information made public as to how the artifacts were acquired. It is precisely because these museums retain thousands of African artifacts in their magazines or on public display that African governments are made aware of their location and can raise questions regarding their provenance and acquisitions. One such example bringing to light documentation efforts in the hopes of cultural artifact repatriation is the International Inventories Programme (IPP), an international research and database project that has managed to uncover more than 30,000 Kenyan artifacts located in institutions worldwide. Supplementing research efforts, Kenyan authorities have been facilitating, for the last decade, the gradual repatriation of important artifacts that retain a clear link to African cultures and peoples. Take vigango ancestor veneration sculptures that represent the spirits of deceased members of the Mijikenda peoples of the southeastern Kenya coast. Many of these vigango, located in various museums such as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science or the Illinois State Museum, have been successfully repatriated to Kenya after many years of negotiation and reinterpretation of what these cultural relics mean to contemporary peoples. Moreover, in 2022, Germany returned more than 20 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. Similarly, 26 artifacts looted by French soldiers at the end of the 19th century were also handed back to Benin authorities in 2021 in a ceremony featuring President Patrice Talon. This return is a testimony to what we have been, a testimony that we existed before, a testimony to what we have known, Talon stated, according to Reuters. For more than ten years, Nigerians also have called for the return of the bronzes, but Western countries and museums have only just started to heed their plea. By all accounts, and out of any continent, African nations seem to be the most susceptible to the illegal trade in cultural property. The pace of the repatriation of Africa's cultural artifacts is painstakingly slow, even though an international convention was adopted more than 50 years ago to prevent the illicit traffic of cultural property. The endeavor has become more complicated due to discussions over provenance, logistical blunders, and negotiations with Western museums, which depend on their collections for traffic and, often, profit. Nonetheless, in their relentless pursuit to restitute relics, African governments have endured on a path to reverse the obliteration of Africas cultural memory. Back to Africa: The Successful Efforts to Return Cultural Jewels and Historic Artifacts Stolen from African Countries [Source] A Japanese high court made a landmark ruling on Thursday, saying the country's lack of legal support for same-sex marriage violates the constitution. Key points: Responding to a case brought forth by three same-sex couples, the Sapporo High Court in Tokyo deemed denying same-sex marriage as a violation of the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ couples, reported the Associated Press. Current civil union law defines marriage as between a man and a woman. While a significant step forward, the ruling requires legislative action as it does not compel government offices to recognize same-sex unions unless laws are amended. Recent polls show increased public support for same-sex marriage, but the government has so far resisted change. The details: The ruling echoes sentiments from lower courts, with the Tokyo District Court issuing a similar verdict earlier, marking the sixth such decision nationwide. While previous rulings criticized Japan's policy, none explicitly deemed it unconstitutional until the Sapporo High Court's earlier decision back in 2021. The lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage contrasts sharply with global trends, as Japan stands as the sole Group of Seven (G7) nation with such restrictions. Public support for marriage equality has swelled in recent years, with advocacy efforts gaining momentum despite opposition from conservative factions within Japan's government. Despite the growing clamor for change, Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, has so far maintained a conservative approach to family issues. U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and prominent activists Kane Hirata and Kotfei Katsuyama have lent their voices to the push for marriage equality. The big picture: Japan's conservative values, influenced by ties with religious sects and right-wing factions, have historically hindered progress on LGBTQ+ rights. The country has long upheld a law defining marriage as being strictly between a man and a woman, excluding same-sex couples from legal recognition and benefits. The newest court ruling is a step forward for Japan's LGBTQ+ community. Trending on NextShark: Singapore, Taiwan are Asia's happiest countries: World Happiness Report Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! COLOMBO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- About 3,000 families in Sri Lanka are facing drinking water problems due to persistent dry weather conditions, said the Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Friday. Talking to media on the current weather and its implications, Deputy Director of the DMC Pradeep Kodippili said they have told those who live in areas with water shortages to contact the DMC for assistance. They can reach the DMC through the hotline "117," he said. Kodippili added that those affected can also reach out to grassroots government officials, and those families are from Kegalle and Kurunegala districts, he said. Kodippili said DMC officials are collaborating with government agencies to provide relief to the people affected by the dry weather. Earlier, the meteorological department warned there would be no significant rainfall in the country until May. Just let them break the rules? Perhaps Republicans should ask Nicole Russell to give the next rebuttal to the State of the Union. (March 10, 4C, Biden promised unity, but State of Union was angry, partisan) After reading her column, I felt as if I had just watched Sean Hannity on Fox News. Is it partisan for a sitting president to fight for our democracy when his opponent and the opposing party are trying to redefine it? Is it wrong for a sitting president to be angry when he knows he will be heckled with inappropriate outbursts by people who break the rules? No mention of that in her column. Maybe Russell should go back and watch Donald Trumps State of the Union address in 2020 and comment on that. - William Coleman, Fort Worth Biden is the divider in chief I read a story that called President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech an optimistic address. It struck me as an angry old man tired of having his decisions questioned. You could find optimism in the speech if you look forward to millions more immigrants coming into the country illegally or dont mind prices continuing to go up, because the rate of increase was slowing down. Biden, the person who was going to unite the country, continues to be the divider in chief. Im not necessarily a big fan of Donald Trump, either, but he would do less damage to this country than Biden. The only optimistic thing I see is that with any luck, Biden has only a few more months in office. - Ed Newsom, Keller Lockheed Martin get it right President Joe Biden got it right in his State of the Union speech: CEOs want an educated workforce. Thats how I completed my education. Lockheed Martin reimbursed its employees if they successfully completed job-related courses. I paid for other courses that the university required for a degree. Corporations should provide tuition reimbursement to their employees. Lockheeds plan worked for me, and it worked for Lockheed. - Bettye Parker, Trophy Club Energetic, but spoke too loudly Watching President Joe Bidens campaign speech oops, his State of the Union speech I was impressed with the energy he displayed and his ability to stand at the podium for more than an hour. Also, he seemed to be shouting rather than speaking at a normal tone. Could he have been on something or was that the new Biden? - Angela Benvenuto, Arlington Finally, Trump made me laugh Donald Trump recently gave himself the new nickname Honest Don. Can somebody pick me up off the floor? Thats quite possibly the joke of the century. Who knew he was such a comedian? - Graham Donathan, Benbrook Taking food off of childrens plates Texas children in danger of going hungry on weekends and holidays will face even greater challenges this summer because Gov. Greg Abbott has rejected $450 million in federal funding that would provide summer meals for 3.8 million eligible Texas children. This is indefensible at a time that funding for pandemic aid programs is winding down. Abbott has rejected hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid funds, keeping Texas as the state with the highest percentage of uninsured residents. Food insecurity, lack of health insurance, high maternal mortality rates, poorly paid teachers and underfunded public schools make Texas a leader among states with failing social safety nets. Texas has the resources to ensure that children are healthy, well-educated and well-fed. It lacks the political leadership to do so. - Karen Myers, Fort Worth On this episode of Battle lines we talk to South America correspondent Mat Charles about meeting child gang members at the forefront of an explosion of violence in Ecuador. Then we hear from our Africa correspondent Ben Farmer about why the nearly year-long war in Sudan might be entering a new phase. Finally, Brussels correspondent Joe Barnes takes us into a recreation of the Hamas tunnels where Israelis were kept and we hear from a hostage about what it was like. Across the world, from Europe to Asia, from the Americas to the Middle East, tensions are rising between nation states as the traditional alliances and alignments evolve in the 21st century. 2024 sees war in Europe and Israel, and elections in major economies, from the US and the UK to Taiwan. Insurgencies flare in Yemen and Burma, tensions escalate in East Africa, and all around the world the international security architecture buckles under increasing pressure. Battle Lines, a new podcast from The Telegraph, combines on-the-ground reporting with analytical expertise to help the listener to better understand the course of world politics, wars and tensions, as fault lines grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous and confusing multipolar world. Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favourite podcast app. 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. Youre at the beach. You find a seal. What do you do? Some answers from ACRC. (Part Five of Five) The Coast (WHTM) Youre spending a day at the beach, swimming, sunbathing, strolling, looking for shells, or just plain relaxing. Suddenly you realize theres a seal on the beach. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here People are seeing them more frequently on the beach, which is exciting, says Margot Madden, senior rehabilitation biologist at the National Aquariums Animal Care and Rescue Center in Baltimore. So we encourage people to enjoy that encounter since it is pretty unique. But why is it there? Is it stranded? Is it sick? Is it injured? Or is it just resting? What should you do? Madden says the first thing you should do is keep back. Inside the National Aquarium Animal Care and Rescue Center We do ask that people remember that they are federally protected, and maintaining a good distance, usually suggested about 150 feet away. Thats about three school buses parked end to end. Its a recommendation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, whose duties include protecting marine life. (The National Aquarium conducts its rescue operations under a NOAA permit.) National Aquarium Animal Care & Rescue Center new arrivals Seals are semi-aquatic, and DO come ashore to rest. If a seal reacts to your presence in any way, youre too close. If you have a dog, keep it leashed. If the dog (or you, for that matter) gets too close, the seal might feel threatened and defend itself. (The NOAA website rather drolly notes that Seals have powerful jaws, and can leave a lasting impression.) If the seal is a pup, that doesnt necessarily mean its orphaned. A mama seal will sometimes leave her pup on the beach while she feeds. That makes it even more important for humans to keep away. If Mama Seal comes back to find her baby surrounded by two-legged monsters, she might abandon it. Saving seals at the Animal Care and Rescue Center Unless theres some obvious injury, its hard to tell if a seal is in distress. Margot Madden says this is the time to make a phone call. We do encourage the public to call our stranding hotline, which is found on our website. Well be able to provide our staff acknowledgment that we have an animal on the beach. Healthy or not, its good data for us to collect. Saving sea turtles at the Animal Care and Rescue Center If the data you provide says the seal needs help, the center will send a team to take a closer look, and if necessary bring it in for treatment. The National Aquarium recently opened a Stranding Response Center in Ocean City, Maryland, which can cut the response time to a stranding by hours. The seal will stay at ACRC for however long it takes to treat its illnesses or injuries. Once it fully recovers, the seal will be taken back to the beach, and returned to its life in the wild. (The ACRC Stranded Animal Hotline is 410-576-3880. They cover strandings in Maryland. NOAA has a page on its website, showing what organizations handle stranded marine animals in other parts of the country. You can view it here.) For guidelines on viewing marine wildlife, click here. To learn more about ACRC rescue work, click here To learn more about the Ocean City stranding facility, click here. To view Part 1 of this series, click here. To view Part 2 of this series, click here. To view Part 3 of this series, click here. To view Part 4 of this series, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. WYTHE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) As fire personnel continue to battle a large fire in Wythe County, officials made sure one animal was safe and sound. On March 14, the Ivanhoe Volunteer Fire Department was called to the 200 block of Harmon Road where they discovered a large growing brush fire. Firefighters worked to contain the fire however, it quickly began growing and additional crews were called to help. RELATED STORY: Fire grows to 150 acres on Harmon Road in Wythe County, 90% contained Amid the battle, the Wythe County Assistant Administrator Matt Hankins rescued a cub from the area of the fire. The fire department said the cub was given to the Virginia Department of Wildfire Resources. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Judge Scott McAfee has ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can stay on the case against Donald Trump in that jurisdiction, provided that Nathan Wade, the prosecutor on the case with whom she had a relationship, withdraws. I guess we count that a win, although to be honest, Willis has so damaged herself by her colossally terrible judgment that it probably would have been better if she were out of the picture. The other problem with Williss scandal is how it slowed the case down, giving Trumps lawyers a chance to make this not about the defendant but about herand another chance to delay, delay, delay. Meanwhile, Thursday, down in Florida, we saw Trumpy Judge Aileen Cannon issue yet another ruling in the classified documents case that helps Trump. She didnt support Trumps lawyers motion to dismiss the case, but she kicked the can down the road in a way thats very helpful to Trump. MSNBC analyst Andrew Weissmann even called it the worst possible outcome for the government. If the judge had simply said, I agree with Donald Trump, and I find that this is vague, and Im dismissing it, the government could have appealed it to the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, as they have done twice before and won twice before, Weissmann said. But she also did not want to rule in favor of the government. So what she did is said, Why dont you bring this up later? I think theres some real issues here. Also this week, in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case against Trump, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg shocked us all by asking for a 30-day delay in the trial, which was scheduled to start March 25. Trumps lawyers had requested a 90-day delay. Bragg conceded that some delay was appropriate. Why? It looks like its the fault of federal prosecutors. Braggs office requested certain documents a while ago from the Southern District of New York, and it shared them with Trumps lawyers during the discovery process. Trumps lawyers suspected there was more, especially relating to Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen, so they subpoenaed the SDNY. That happened in January. It was only earlier this month that the Southern District turned over all the documents. Braggs filing to the court on Thursday included this fascinating sentence, a clear swipe at the SDNY (in this sentence, the People equals Braggs office): Based on our initial review of yesterdays production, 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. Wait. What? Its more than fair to ask: Why did the Southern District take so long to produce these documents? And we must also ask this: Did Merrick Garland know his prosecutors were taking so long to hand over documents, and thus playing into Trumps hands? And if he knew, did he do anything about it? Finally, lets recall the status of the fourth criminal case against Trump, the biggest one, at least to my mindthe January 6 insurrection case. On that one, were basically waiting on the Supreme Court, which announced on February 28 that it would hear arguments in Trumps claim of complete immunity but set the argument date for April 25. The high court could easily take another monthor even twoto hand down its decision after that, meaning that this crucial trial, about whether a sitting president initiated an insurrection against the government of the United States, may not happen before Election Day. How in the world did all this happen? A few weeks ago, it looked like the wheels of justice were finally turning, catching up on a man who has flouted and broken laws not only during his presidency but for his entire adult life, going back to when he and his father wouldnt rent apartments to Black people in Queens. There was the judgment in the E. Jean Carroll case. And then the whopping penalty in the New York attorney generals case against the Trump Organization. But this week, it looks like everything is falling apart. When we talk about whats wrong with our democracy, we talk about our political structures and processes. We talk about the Senate. We talk about the Electoral College. We talk about gerrymandering. And of course all these problems are real. We dont talk about our legal system. We should. The American legal system doesnt uphold the values of democratic rule like equality. It far more often corrupts and perverts them. Rich people like Trump twist the system into a pretzel and win delay after delay after delay. Corporations pay fines, usually not that large when considered against their bottom line, and they admit no wrongdoing, even after their practices have killed people. Poor people, meanwhile, get pushed around by the system constantly. There is no such thing in this country as equality before the law, and everyone knows it. And I would argue that this legal inequality does more damage to democracy than all the political inequities for the simple reason that theyre more visible. And theyve never been more visible than they are now with Trump. If he is able to push all these cases back past November, or at least three of them (the Bragg case should proceed this summer), and then especially if he wins the White House and pardons himself, that will constitute the biggest failure of the rule of law in the history of the country. The lesson? We cant count on the legal system to stop Trump. We have to stop him ourselves. One conviction would be nice; two would probably be quite helpful. But we cant count on the broken legal system to do a job that we ourselves have to do at the polls. This article first appeared in Fighting Words, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by editor Michael Tomasky. Sign up here. It will surprise no one to learn that William Barr, who made it clear when Donald Trump picked him to succeed Jeff Sessions as attorney general that he favored strict and uniform application of federal pot prohibition, and John Walters, who ran the Office of National Drug Control Policy during George W. Bush's administration, think "legalizing recreational marijuana" has been "nothing short of a disaster." Reason's Katherine Mangu-Ward already has ably rebutted their recent Free Press piece making that case. I'd like to add a few points about their approach to the subject, which combines valid concerns with strawman arguments, cherry picking, illogical inferences, reliance on dubious estimates, and tendentious interpretations of contested research. Barr and Walters complain that marijuana legalization has "created the false perception that the drug is 'safe.'" They think refuting that false perception is enough to justify a return to prohibition. Because "marijuana is dangerous," they say, "legalizing it was a mistake." But the question is not whether marijuana is "safe"; it is whether marijuana's hazards justify the use of force to stop people from consuming it. Barr and Walters fail to seriously grapple with that question even in utilitarian terms, and they completely ignore moral objections to criminalizing conduct that violates no one's rights. It easy enough to show that marijuana, like every other drug, has risks as well as benefits. But that banal observation is not enough to clinch the case for prohibition even if, like Barr and Walters, you ignore the claim that adults have a right to weigh those risks and benefits for themselves. Alcohol, after all, is assuredly not "safe." By several important measures, it is substantially more dangerous than cannabis. A lethal dose of alcohol is roughly 10 times the effective dose. Given the dearth of fatal reactions to cannabis among humans, that ratio is difficult to calculate for marijuana. But based on research with laboratory animals, it is more than 1,000 to 1. Alcohol abuse results in potentially lethal organ damage of a kind that is not seen even in the heaviest cannabis consumers. Alcohol is more strongly associated with violence than cannabis, and it has a much more striking impact on driving ability. Alcohol is nevertheless a legal drug, which reflects a judgment that the costs of prohibiting it outweigh the benefits. It is not clear whether Barr and Walters disagree with that judgment, since they do not mention alcohol at all. In fact, they seem keen to avoid any interdrug comparisons that might undermine the premise that marijuana should be banned because it is especially dangerous. Barr and Walters warn that "THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, produces a high by altering brain chemistry and interfering with the nervous system's normal functioning." The same could be said of any psychoactive substance. That description tells us nothing about marijuana's relative hazards. Back in 1988, Francis Young, the Drug Enforcement Administration's chief administrative law judge, deemed such comparisons relevant in assessing how marijuana should be classified under the Controlled Substances Act. "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man," he observed. "There are simply no credible medical reports to suggest that consuming marijuana has caused a single death." By contrast, it was well-established that both over-the-counter and prescription drugs could kill people when consumed in large doses. For aspirin, Young noted, the ratio of the lethal dose to the effective dose was about 20 to 1, while the ratio for many prescription drugs, such as Valium, was 10 to 1 or even lower. With marijuana, he said, that ratio "is impossible to quantify because it is so high." Barr and Walters would have us believe that Young's assessment is outdated because today's "hyperpotent marijuana" is radically different from the drug that had been studied at the time. Yet the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently echoed Young's basic point. Explaining its rationale for rescheduling marijuana, HHS noted that "the risks to the public health posed by marijuana are low compared to other drugs of abuse," such as heroin (Schedule I), cocaine (Schedule II), benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax (Schedule IV), and alcohol (unscheduled). Although "abuse of marijuana produces clear evidence of harmful consequences, including substance use disorder," it said, they are "less common and less harmful" than the negative consequences associated with other drugs. It concluded that "the vast majority of individuals who use marijuana are doing so in a manner that does not lead to dangerous outcomes to themselves or others." This does not mean increased potency poses no challenges. As anyone who was accustomed to smoking an entire joint or bowlful of crappy pot in college could testify, the high-THC strains and concentrates available in state-licensed pot stores require more caution. For occasional consumers, a few puffs is generally enough. But in a legal market, consumers can make that adjustment based on readily available information as well as personal experience. It is not different in kind from the dosing decisions that millions of Americans make when they consume alcoholic beverages that vary widely in potency. Instead of considering the typical behavior of cannabis consumers, as HHS did, Barr and Walters focus on problem users. "It's conservatively estimated that one in three people who use marijuana become addicted," they aver, linking to a page of information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "One study estimated that approximately 3 in 10 people who use marijuana have marijuana use disorder," the CDC says. The CDC is referring to a 2015 JAMA Psychiatry study based on data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The researchers compared survey results from 20122013 to survey results from 20012002. Inconveniently for Walters and Barr, who argue that legalization has led to an explosion in problematic use, the analysis found that "the prevalence of marijuana use disorder among marijuana users decreased significantly" during that period, from 35.6 percent to 30.6 percent. Although the first state-licensed recreational dispensaries did not open until 2014, 17 states and the District of Columbia had legalized medical use by 2013, and some of those laws (such as California's) were permissive enough that pretty much anyone could obtain the requisite doctor's recommendation. Barr and Walters equate the survey-based definition of "marijuana use disorder" with addiction. But the former term encompasses a wide range of problematic behavior, including "abuse" as well as "dependence." The JAMA Psychiatry study defined "abuse" as meeting one or more of four criteria: 1) "recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home"; 2) "recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous"; 3) "recurrent substance-related legal problems"; and 4) "continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance." These are all problems, but they are problems of different kinds, and they do not necessarily signify addiction as that term is generally understood. If someone swam, drove, or hiked a mountain trail while high a couple of times, for example, that could be enough to qualify for the "abuse" label under the second criterion. The study defined "dependence" as meeting three or more of six criteria: 1) tolerance, 2) taking the substance "in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended," 3) "a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use," 4) spending "a great deal of time" on "activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects," 5) forgoing or reducing "important social, occupational, or recreational activitiesbecause of substance use," and 6) continuing use "despite knowledge of having a persistent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance." Now we are getting closer to the conventional understanding of addiction. But equating any three of these criteria with addiction is still questionable. If a regular marijuana user found that he needed a larger dose to achieve the same effect, sometimes went one toke over the line, and decided to get high instead of going out with friends, for example, he could be deemed "dependent" under this test. More generally, critics of applying psychiatric diagnoses based on survey responses have noted that such data may result in overestimates because they neglect "clinical significance." Despite these limitations, Barr and Walters conflate dependence/addiction with a much broader category of marijuana-related problems, and they deem the resulting estimate "conservative." That one-in-three past-year estimate is much higher than the lifetime dependence risk that a 1994 study calculated based on the National Comorbidity Survey: 9 percent for cannabis, compared to 32 percent for tobacco, 23 percent for heroin, 17 percent for cocaine, and 15 percent for alcohol. It is also at odds with a detailed 2010 analysis in The Lancet, which found that the dependence risks for marijuana and alcohol were similar while rating the overall harm attributable to alcohol more than three times as high. I have just devoted half a dozen paragraphs to one dubious claim out of many in the Barr and Walters piece. As Mangu-Ward notes, they also gloss over the vigorous debate about the nature of the connection between marijuana and psychosis, ignore countervailing evidence regarding the alleged impact of marijuana on IQ, and erroneously equate any level of THC in a driver's blood with impairment. Barr and Walters cite the persistence of black-market marijuana in states such as California as evidence that legalization cannot work when it is actually evidence that high taxes and burdensome regulations make it hard for licensed businesses to compete with unauthorized dealers. They likewise blame burglaries and robberies of dispensaries on legalization when the actual problem is the barriers to financial services created by continued federal prohibition, which force those businesses to rely heavily on cash. Barr and Walters note that marijuana smoke contains "many of the same toxic and carcinogenic chemicals" as tobacco smoke, falsely implying that it is equally carcinogenic. In addition to differences in the composition of marijuana and tobacco smoke, the dose has to be considered: Given typical patterns of use (say, an occasional joint vs. a pack a day), cigarette smokers are exposed to much higher amounts of toxins and carcinogens than marijuana smokers. And Barr and Walters do not even acknowledge smoke-free alternatives such as vaping and edibles. Barr and Walters cite increases in "marijuana-related ER visits" without considering how legalization might affect people's willingness to seek treatment or to identify themselves as cannabis consumers. They mention increases in "adolescent cannabis abuse" during "the past two decades" without acknowledging the lack of evidence that legalization has increased underage consumption. Taking a stab at cost-benefit analysis, Barr and Walters cite a laughably bad Centennial Institute analysis that supposedly showed "every dollar of cannabis-related tax revenue [in Colorado] has been offset by $4.50 in costs due to marijuana-related traffic fatalities, hospital care, and lost productivity." In assessing the costs of marijuana use, such as health care expenses stemming from "physical inactivity" and lost productivity related to dropping out of high school, that report conflated correlation with causation. It counted tax revenue as the only benefit of legalization, ignoring the expansion of liberty and the boost in consumer satisfaction as well as the criminal justice and law enforcement benefits. Most egregiously, the study did not even attempt to measure how legalization had affected the negative outcomes it tallied. Barr and Walters likewise see only costs from legalization, which they systematically exaggerate. "Greater marijuana use has contributed to the steady erosion of the civic responsibility, self-discipline, and sobriety required of citizens to sustain our system of limited government and broad personal liberty," they write. "A doped-up country is a nation in decline." As Barr and Walters see it, "broad personal liberty" requires the state to dictate which psychoactive substances people may consume, asserting the authority to control their brains by controlling the drugs they use. That is a counterintuitive view, to put it mildly. Barr and Walters never even broach an issue that is central to this debate: When and why is it moral to deploy the threat and use of violence against peaceful individuals because you disapprove of how they get high? The post Because 'Marijuana Is Dangerous,' 2 Inveterate Drug Warriors Say, 'Legalizing It Was a Mistake' appeared first on Reason.com. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) It takes a brave human being to run into a burning house, and those are the people Beckley Fire Department Captain Ricky Fisher is looking to hire. Captain Fisher said the department is in need of professional firefighters and will offer a test on April 13, 2024, to interested candidates. 2024 Spring Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at Historic Black Knight Ballroom Right now, what were looking at in the next year, probably losing six to eight people, as far as retirements go and everything, Captain Fisher said on Thursday, March 14, 2024. So, what we do is keep a current hiring list, and thats done off this written test were getting ready to give on April 13th. Beckley Inclusive Recovery City project gets axed BFD is hosting a Firefighter Recruitment Open House on March 22, 2024, for those who are interested in taking the test. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. First launched in 1999, Isas more formally known as Individual Savings Accounts have become a hugely popular way for savers and investors alike to shield their money from tax. Thats because savings interest and investment returns earned from money held in an Isa is tax-free, shielding you from potential income tax, capital gains tax and dividend tax charges. But there are several rules youll need to abide by to keep this tax-free status. For instance, all adults in Britain get an Isa allowance of 20,000 this is how much you can deposit into Isa accounts during each tax year. Plans announced in the 2024 Spring Budget will see an extra 5,000 Isa allowance for those willing to invest via a Great British Isa, for UK-listed equities. You can either save everything into one Isa, or split it across several, but you can currently only pay into one of each type of Isa each year. From April, Isa savers will be able to pay into more than one of the same type of Isa in the same tax year in a bid to make things simpler for savers and investors. Here, Telegraph Money takes a look at the different types of Isas to help you decide which options could work best for you. In this guide we will cover: Should you save with a cash Isa? Cash Isas are offered by banks, building societies and National Savings and Investments (NS&I). They function in pretty much the same way as normal savings accounts the main differences being the restrictions on how much you can pay in, and how you switch to a new account. As you can currently only pay into one cash Isa each tax year (though this is set to change from April 2024), if you see a better deal elsewhere after youve already started saving, you have to make an Isa transfer moving all the cash youve deposited during the current tax year to the new account. You have to submit an Isa transfer request with the new provider to make this happen. Its worth noting that the top cash Isa rates can usually be beaten by their savings account equivalents. There are a few possible reasons for this. According to Moneyfacts, providers have a greater administrative burden of offering Isas (such as reporting to HMRC each year) and may offer lower rates as a result. It could also be that the complexity of Isas puts off some providers, reducing the competition and incentive to make rates more competitive. This means basic-rate taxpayers can earn up to 1,000 in savings interest in each tax year; reducing to 500 for higher-rate earners. If you pay additional-rate tax, you dont qualify for this allowance. Use our savings tax calculator to see how much youd pay if your cash was held in a savings account, so you can decide whether its worth switching to a cash Isa instead. Youll have to consider the trade-off between how much tax you could save with an Isa, vs the extra interest you could earn with a savings account. Investing with a stocks and shares Isa A stocks and shares Isa can hold a range of investment products, and any investment growth or interest earned within the account is tax-free. Investments that can be held in a stocks and shares Isa include unit trusts, investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, individual stocks and shares, corporate and government bonds, and Open Ended Investment Companies (OEIC). Lots of banks offer stocks and shares Isas, along with a host of investment platforms. Depending on how youre investing, you could expect to pay fees charged by the investment platform or financial adviser, as well as charges levied by individual fund managers if youre buying funds. These fees will vary depending on the providers you use and the value of your investment. You can only pay into one stocks and shares Isa in each tax year. As with cash Isas, its possible to transfer funds from current or previous tax years to a new account, and you have to fill out a transfer request form to do so. Investment returns can produce higher returns than cash but this isnt guaranteed and will depend on the performance of the investments held in the account. If youre thinking about investing, its good to go in with a long-term view in mind ideally, youll be looking to invest for at least five years. This gives investments time to grow, and will hopefully even out any short-term volatility. Read the full article Lifetime Isas: save for first home or retirement Lifetime Isas (Lisas) were introduced in 2017 to help people either save up to buy their first home, or for retirement savings. They can be opened by those aged 18 to 39, and you can deposit up to 4,000 a year anything you pay in will be deducted from your 20,000 Isa allowance. You can choose between cash or stocks and shares Lifetime Isas. The biggest bonus Lisas offer is that the Government tops up your savings with an extra 25pc, which means you could get up to 1,000 extra each year. However, you can only keep saving into the account until you turn 50. If youre saving for retirement, youll then have to wait until you turn 60 before you can access your savings but they can then be spent however you choose. Only first-time buyers can use Lisa savings to buy a home, with a maximum purchase price of 450,000. You cannot own, or have owned, a home in Britain or anywhere else in the world. You must also be planning to live in the house you are buying and use a traditional repayment mortgage. This purchase limit can be a problem in expensive parts of the country, and can leave savers vulnerable to the biggest Lisa catch - the withdrawal penalty. If savers withdraw Lisa savings for any reason other than buying their first home or to use after they turn 60, they will face a 25pc exit penalty. This removes the government bonus and 6.25pc of savers own money, leaving them worse off than they were to start with. House hunters who find they can no longer find a property worth less than 450,000 will also face this charge. Savers who have a Lifetime Isa that is no longer fit for their first home could use it to fund their retirement instead, but this comes with potential downsides. Paying into a Lisa is less lucrative than paying into a pension, which can include employer-matched contributions and tax relief at your highest rate of income tax. Innovative Finance Isas for peer-to-peer investing This relatively niche type of Isa allows you to invest in loans given to consumers and small businesses. Also known as the peer-to-peer Isa, you lend your money to borrowers in return for a set amount of interest based on the length of time you are prepared to lock your money away for. You can choose to invest your full 20,000 allowance into an Innovative Finance Isa each year. However, fewer providers offer these Isas than other types, and each one differs in the rates they offer, who they lend to and how they structure the investments. Make sure to read up on what youre investing in before you go ahead and part with your cash. Experts have warned that some Innovative Finance Isas pay little more than cash accounts, despite the higher risks involved. Most providers have a back-up fund that will pay out if borrowers default on their loan repayments. However, if a large number of borrowers were to default at the same time then providers may struggle to pay out, and could even go bust. If the worst should happen, money held within an Innovative Finance Isa is not protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so you could stand to lose your savings. Junior Isas for under-18s Parents can open a Junior Isa (Jisa) for their children, and save up to 9,000 in each tax year. If you have more than one child, you can open a Jisa for each of them and pay in 9,000 per child. This does not form part of your 20,000 allowance for other types of Isas. There are both cash and stocks and shares Jisa options to choose from, but children can only hold one of each at a time. Any money you put in is locked away until the child turns 18, at which point their account becomes an adult Isa they can manage themselves. If you have a large amount to save for your kids, children aged 16-17 can hold a Jisa and an adult cash Isa at the same time, meaning theres a brief opportunity to deposit up to 29,000 tax-free. However, this will no longer be possible after April 2024. In a policy document released alongside the 2023 Autumn Statement, only over-18s will be able to open an adult Isa from the next tax year. Cash Jisa rates tend to be more generous than adult cash Isas, but can usually be beaten by their savings account equivalents and the tax-free status is less of a draw. Childrens income can be taxed, but its very rare; given theyre not usually receiving any other earnings, they could combine the personal allowance, savings starting rate and personal savings allowance to earn up to 18,570 savings interest tax-free. A stocks and shares Jisa could be more beneficial; Jisa savers could have up to 18 years of investment growth before they can access their money and if theyre lucky it could grow significantly over this time. Read the full article Plans for a Great British Isa In a bid to encourage more investment in homegrown firms, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the launch of a Great British Isa in his 2024 Spring Budget. The plan is for savers to receive an extra 5,000 allowance to invest in UK-listed equities, and receive growth tax-free. It is not yet clear which platforms will offer it, or how the 5,000 allowance will interact with the rest of the 20,000 allowance, but experts have pointed out that only a small number of investors will benefit from being able to deposit more cash, with most savers unable to use their whole Isa allowance as it is. There is a consultation on this new kind of Isa out now, which will close on June 6, 2024. The Government will issue a response after its closure, but has already acknowledged that provider platforms will need time to update their systems before the new Isa can be offered, so delays are likely. Four Isa rules you need to know Any allowance you dont use, youll lose All Isa allowances renew on 6 April at the start of a new tax year, and its not possible to carry over anything you havent used in the previous year. You can inherit thousands in Isa savings, tax-free When a spouse or civil partner dies, theres a tax-saving mechanism that means their surviving partner can inherit their tax-free savings but youll need to follow the rules, and they can be tricky. Read the full article You can lose tax-free status if you transfer funds yourself Anyone who tries to bypass the official Isa transfer procedure could become unstuck, because as soon as your money leaves its protective Isa wrapper it becomes taxable. This would be the case if, for example, you transferred the balance of your cash Isa to your current account before later sending it to a different cash Isa. Read the full article You could get a tax bill if you exceed your allowance If you accidentally pay in more than 20,000 in the same tax year, HMRC will usually detect the error, as Isa providers are required to submit figures to the tax authority each year. If its a one-off mistake, you could be let off with a warning letter. Otherwise, your Isa provider may be instructed to remove the excess money that was deposited, and you could be taxed on any interest or growth it earned. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A verdict has been reached in the trial against two former JEA top executives. Former CEO, Aaron Zahn, has been found guilty, and former CFO, Ryan Wannemacher, has been found not guilty. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< This is a unique case. Both men are being tried at the same time, but each has their own jury. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Zahns jury deliberated for just under seven hours. While, Wannemachers jury deliberated for about six hours Thursday, and continued into Friday. After 7 hours on Friday, they had their verdict. On Thursday, the judge overseeing the case proposed to attorneys to seal the first verdict. He explained that he didnt want one verdict to impact another, if the jury was released for the day. He stated this is a high profile case and he wanted to protect the integrity of the verdicts. Zahn went home on Thursday night not knowing whether a jury had found him guilty or not guilty. Throughout the trial, when questioned by reporters after court, he maintains that he just wants to spend time with his family. RELATED: Timeline: Failed sale of Jacksonville public utility JEA that led to indictment of former CEO, CFO Both men were accused of conspiring to privatize the public utility company and make millions off the deal. Their attorneys argue it was a legitimate business plan, especially as solar becomes more popular. Federal prosecutors said Zahn and Wannemacher lied about the state of the utility company, presenting the worst case scenario as fact. However, Zahns attorney said that is false and showed a video clip from a board meeting where Zahn stated, we are not in a death spiral. We are looking at evolving JEA strategy. Some of the witnesses called by federal prosecutors stated they felt otherwise. Jury selection began on February 15. TRIAL BEGINS Opening statements started on February 21. Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva said Zahn created a false narrative to set up a potential sale of JEA where he could have profited with tens of millions of dollars. Duva said Zahn and Wannemacher lied by commission and omission in convincing the board to approve a sale in 2019 before the whole plan blew up. Eddie Suarez, Zahns attorney, described Zahn as a visionary. His ideas were put forth to help the utility, not hurt the utility. He explained that Zahn knew solar power could impact the number of utility customers in the future, and wanted to have a plan in place if it did. Wannemachers attorney said the former CFO was just doing his job, doing what Zahn told him to do. Zahn was slated to make $40 million if he succeeded in selling the utility. Multiple witnesses said former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry supported this. The former mayors spokesperson said, never happened. Prosecutors also said it was obvious that Curry and his office were behind Zahn becoming CEO with the intent to sell the utility, which isnt a crime in of itself. Curry isnt accused of any wrongdoing and he did not testify. TESITMONY Federal prosecutors planned to call 30 witnesses. We detailed some of the main testimony. The first witness called in the trial was Paul McElroy, who served as CEO for JEA for 16 years until his 2018 retirement. Zahn took over after him. McElroy said the utility was in good financial health while he was CEO. He said he was surprised and somewhat disappointed when he heard the news Aaron Zahn was taking his place. Many believed Melissa Dykes, the former Chief Operating Officer, would be chosen instead. She did interview for the position, but Zahn was ultimately chosen. Council Auditor, Kim Taylor, of the Jacksonville City Council Auditors Office took the stand on February 26. She discussed concerns over a proposed JEA bonus plan, know as the performance unit plan or PUP. She said it was uncapped and unlimited. Taylor said she wasnt getting cooperation from Wannemacher when she started asking questions. Melissa Dykes was called to testify on February 29. She said that she did interview for the CEO position, but ultimately was not chosen. She served as the interim CEO, until Zahn took over. During her time at the utility, with Zahn as CEO, she said she was involved in multiple conversations about privatizing JEA, along with Zahn and Wannemacher. She said she knew there would be high pay-outs if the sale went through, however she didnt think it would. On July 23, 2019, when the board voted in favor to start the process to potentially sell the utility, she said she was very surprised. Dykes explained that the resolution did not show a numerical amount. She said when she questioned Zahn about it, he everybody who needs to understand it, understands it. Dykes said Zahn essentially promised her a higher position if the utility sale went through. During her testimony, she explained that he told her he wanted to step down if the utility was sold. She said she took that to mean stick around and youll be CEO after this. She said she had concerns and was uncomfortable about these conversations, but ultimately she never spoke up. RELATED: JEA Trial: Bombshell testimony reveals that former JEA COO promised higher position after sale On cross-examination, Suarez asked Dykes if she wanted to be CEO. She said she had mixed feelings. He asked her why she would have stayed after not getting the position. I stayed because I believed in my team, Dykes said. I stayed because I believed in JEA. [I] thought our work was important. Suarez went on, stating Zahn agreed to cross every T and ever I when it came to the sale of JEA. Dykes agreed with this statement. She also agreed with Suarez when he stated that it was known that financials and customer satisfaction were at an all time high. The following week, Jason Gredell, a banker with JP Morgan said JEA tried to fast-track the deal, but it was a complex transaction the equivalent of landing a 747 on an aircraft carrier during a hurricane. RELATED: JEA Trial: Bankers say they felt pressured to fast-track JEA utility sale On March 7, Zahns former roommate, Aaron Amdur, testified. He testified that the former JEA CEO told him former Mayor Lenny Curry supported Zahn receiving millions from the sale of the utility. On cross-examination, the defense didnt deny the conversation and said Zahn wasnt trying to hide anything. Amdur also testified that Zahn said other executives would have received $10 million each. He said that in his role as a mergers and acquisitions attorney who is used to big bonuses, that is a substantial sum in both cases. On March 11, the defense for Aaron Zahn called its first and only witness to the stand: an accountant. He explained to jurors that the numbers didnt add up in the plan for JEA employees to get paid out in tens of millions of dollars, if the utility was sold. He said it would have been far less under the long-term incentive plan. Wannemachers defense did not call any witnesses. However, his attorneys made a motion to acquit, stating the federal prosecutors failed to meet the requirements for theft of federal funds and conspiracy. The judge rejected that motion the next day. CLOSING ARGUMENTS These two defendants came up with a plan to fleece the city of Jacksonville based on a fake stock option, Duva said during closing arguments on March 13. Whenever Aaron Zahn went to Wannemacher, however that was cooked up -- he should have stood up and say no but he didnt. he joined the plan. Federal prosecutors said Zahn warned the board of private home solar adoptions and alarmed employees by trying to persuade that this was going to happen in extremes. Prosecutors showed us data revealing families using solar in their homes was not incredibly popular in Jacksonville, according to a bar graph they provided. Suarez, Zahns attorney, said the argument that the executive board was led to believe that JEA was failing is nonsense. He said Zahn was looking at the idea of privatization because of potential threats to the company. He said Zahn believed JEA was a healthy company, but there were factors that could hurt the utility and employees pensions. He went on to say that Zahn disclosed all information about the privatization plan to his attorneys in good faith. Suarez also said there are no documents linking Zahn and Wannemacher. Federal prosecutors came back stating we want people who dont steal and we dont want people like him [in government], pointing to Zahn. Wannemachers defense attorney stated there was a lack of critical evidence against the former CFO. He added that Mr. Wannemacher is a good guy and he has good character. SENTENCING Zahn faces up to 25 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2024 at 9 a.m. Duva said Zahn faces up to five years for conspiracy and 20 years for wire fraud. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Weeks before the latest violence broke out in Haiti, the self-described "king" of a Haitian gang was in a US court pleading guilty to smuggling AK47s and a .50 caliber rifle to the Caribbean nation. "The Justice Department will aggressively pursue every tool at its disposal to hold accountable those who would smuggle US-origin weapons and other controlled goods for the benefit of malicious actors," prosecutors said at the time. But as conflict rages between Haiti's gangs and police, the guilty plea of Joly Germine, 31, in late January for smuggling some two dozen weapons has proved hardly enough to make a dent in the country's violence. Haiti has long been awash with guns smuggled in illegally from abroad, with the US likely a significant point of origin, according to experts. The total number is hard to pin down, though authorities have noted that only a fraction of the estimated hundreds of thousands of arms in the country are legally owned. "The principal source of firearms and munitions in Haiti is in the US, and in particular, Florida," according to a 2023 UN Office on Drugs and Crime report. Weapons purchased legally in states with loose gun laws are often "hidden inside consumer products, electronic equipment, garment linings, frozen food items or even the hulls of freighters," it added. Haiti has no firearms or ammunition manufacturing capabilities and has laws restricting legal ownership. Yet those laws, as well as UN restrictions on importing arms into Haiti, have proved insufficient in the face of US smugglers and Haitian gangs targeting the ports. "Would the gangs in Haiti acquire them from somewhere else if weapons in the US were not available? Probably," Matt Schroeder, of the research group Small Arms Survey, told AFP. "Would it be as easy? Probably not." - Demand for rifles - Gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, whose attacks have helped force Prime Minister Ariel Henry to promise to step down, has been seen alongside associates with weapons that appear to be Galil rifles and M16- or AR-pattern rifles, according to experts who viewed AFP photos of Cherizier. It's unclear if Cherizier, a former police officer, got them from illegal or legal channels, though the UN report noted that "higher-powered rifles such as AK47s, AR15s and Galils are typically in higher demand from gangs." "Seizure rates indicate that the percentage of illicit weapons in circulation (in Haiti) that are rifles are much higher than in the rest of the Caribbean," Schroeder told AFP. "And that is in part reflective of the demand and the desired capacity of the illicit end-users," he said, while cautioning that hard data -- both on the number of guns and their countries of origin -- remains hard to pin down because of the weapons' illegal nature. Germine's shipment of weapons was actually one of the larger smuggling attempts -- highlighting how difficult cracking down on smugglers is when they're often simply individuals making a quick buck by slipping a single or a few guns being into otherwise normal cargo shipments, Schroeder said. As of Friday morning, residents in Port-au-Prince had put up barricades in the streets -- in part to protest the armed gangs that control 80 percent of the capital, but also for their own protection. nro/sms JERUSALEM, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel received Hamas's response to a new ceasefire deal proposal from Qatari mediators on Thursday, an Israeli official confirmed to Xinhua. David Barnea, chief of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, received the written response from Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, according to the official speaking on condition of anonymity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement, saying Hamas "continues to fortify itself with unfounded demands." The office added that the wartime Cabinet is expected to convene on Friday to discuss the proposal. Despite the comment from the prime minister's office, the Israeli state-owned Kan TV news reported that the document includes a list of demands that Israel considers "reasonable." Hamas confirmed in a statement that it has presented a "comprehensive vision" of a truce that includes a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza since the group launched its deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year. Following sham elections, Belarus revives the All-Belarus Peoples Assembly crafted as a sanctuary for dictator Alexander Lukashenko and afforded extensive powers. EU Parliament seeks to criminalize sanctions violations and circumvention, standardizing penalties across member states. Lithuanian citizen dies in Belarusian prison: Lithuanian foreign ministry protests violation of consular rights, urges Belarus for information. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on UN secretary-general to intervene to end incommunicado regime of Belarusian political prisoners. Russia-Belarus Union State allocates $11 million for a new propagandist media holding. Belarusian authorities prosecute in absentia the exiled former head of Childrens Hospice charity organization on multiple charges. After so-called elections, Belarus revives ruling body designed as refuge for Lukashenko Following sham parliamentary elections in late February, on March 12, the Belarusian authorities commenced the selection of candidates for a new governing body the All-Belarus Peoples Assembly. The assembly, which will have extensive powers, including the impeachment of the president, has been designed as a political vehicle for Lukashenko should he decide to step down from the presidency. The assembly candidates' nomination is set to occur between March 12-31. The candidates will be drawn from various strata of the Belarusian bureaucracy and will be nominated by the Belarusian parliament, government, judiciary, pro-government professional unions, and nonprofits. Read also: Kyrgyzstans trade is booming as Russia masters sanctions circumvention The Belarusian authorities have characterized the assembly as the highest representative body of the people's power, akin to the medieval Slavic "veche" assembly. However, the Belarusian public will have no say either in selecting candidates or voting for them. The 1,200 members of the assembly are supposed to convene annually, with the first meeting scheduled for April 24. Among the organizations wide powers, the Belarusian Constitution lists the right to consider the legitimacy of elections and impeach the president, initiate changes to the Constitution, and enact a state of emergency or martial law. Belarusian political experts almost unanimously agree that the new structure is only powerful on paper. Lukashenko would likely chair the assembly and remain in the presidents office, turning it into a modern version of the Communist Party congress. In its previous form, initiated in 1996, the All-Belarus Peoples Assembly was a consulting conference of Lukashenko supporters drawn from the government power structures. Between 2,500 and 5,000 participants were selected to convene as the assembly and publicly approve of Lukashenkos course every five years. Read more about the history of the All-Belarus Peoples Assembly in todays Spotlight segment. European Union to criminalize sanctions violations and circumvention The European Parliament has adopted a directive to criminalize the violation and circumvention of European Union sanctions and standardize the associated penalties across member states, according to an official press release published on March 12. The directive introduces definitions and minimum penalties that are to become common for every member state. Under this set of laws, concealing or transferring funds that should be frozen, concealing the true ownership of property, and not reporting necessary information become criminal offenses, punishable by a maximum of five years of imprisonment. We need this legislation because diverging national approaches have created weaknesses and loopholes, and it will allow for frozen assets to be confiscated, said Sophia In t Veld, a member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands. Read also: Russias descent into totalitarianism: How it happened Since 2014, the European Union has imposed progressively stricter sanctions against Russia. It has introduced asset freeze and travel restrictions against 1,706 Russian individuals and 419 entities in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 13 packages of restrictions have been adopted against Russia. Russias ally in its aggression, Belarus, has been targeted with five sanction packages for its fraudulent elections, human rights abuse, forcing the landing of a commercial airline flight in 2021, and orchestrating a migration crisis on the EUs borders. Russian FSB kills alleged Belarusian saboteur in northern Russian region Agents from Russias Federal Security Service or FSB on March 6 shot dead a Belarusian activist, Mikalai Aliakseeu, during an attempt to detain him in the Olonets district of Karelia, a region of Russia north of St. Petersburg. The FSB alleges that the 49-year-old Belarusian belonged to the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, a Belarusian formation fighting as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It claimed Aliakseeu had been recruited by the Ukrainian security services and had been planning to commit a terrorist attack. A criminal case against Aliakseeu was launched on March 6, the day of his attempted arrest. Russian law enforcers said that the activist had an improvised explosive device and was shooting at the officers during his detention. However, members of BELPOL, a Belarusian organization of law enforcers in exile, studied a video recording of the alleged detention operation published by the FSB on March 7 and claimed that it was clearly staged after the actual death of the accused. Lithuanian citizen dies in prison in Belarus The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry summoned Belarus charge daffaires in the country to express its extreme dissatisfaction following the death of a Lithuanian citizen in a prison in Belarus, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry reported on March 12. Read also: Belarusian opposition working to create alternative passport, safeguard exiles from Lukashenko regime Lithuanian consular officers (in Belarus) were not properly informed about the detention of the citizen, the grounds thereof, and the state of health of the Lithuanian citizen, reads an official statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry. In addition, there was no possibility to visit or provide the detainee with the necessary consular assistance. By doing so, Belarus has grossly violated the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. A 70-year-old Lithuanian citizen residing in Vilnius was detained at a Lithuania-Belarus border crossing on Dec. 31, 2023. Belarusian customs stated that 98 pistol cartridges (918PM) for 9mm caliber weapons were found in the persons car and charged the Lithuanian with illegally transporting ammunition. Lithuanias Ambassador for Special Assignments, Asta Andrijauskiene, told reporters on March 12 that Lithuania requested a meeting with the detained person multiple times, but one was never granted. The Lithuanian foreign ministry has strongly advised its citizens not to visit Belarus, despite Belarus having introduced a visa-free regime for the citizens of neighboring countries Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. Tsikhanouskaya calls on UN secretary-general to intervene on behalf of political prisoners Exiled Belarus democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to intervene on behalf of political prisoners in Belarus and demand an end to the practice of holding political prisoners incommunicado. Tsikhanouskaya and her supporters gathered near the Belarusian embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on March 8 to raise the issue of the incommunicado regime imposed on political prisoners in Belarus. Intervene, demand to stop the atrocious incommunicado policy, Tsikhanouskaya said in her address to Guterres. Its within your powers to save peoples lives. And this is not a political issue its a humanitarian issue. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, opposition leader of Belarus, speaks at the European People's Party congress in Bucharest, Romania, on March 6, 2024. (Andrei Pungovschi/Bloomberg via Getty Images) The incommunicado regime involves full isolation of the prisoner from the outside world: they are unable to receive or send letters, are not allowed phone calls or meetings, and are prevented from seeing their attorneys in penal colonies. The UN Human Rights Committee has previously concluded that an incommunicado regime violates several articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights the core legal instrument of the United Nations, which was adopted in 1966. Human rights activists also equate incommunicado regimes to forced disappearance. Around 1,500 political prisoners are currently held behind bars in Belarus. The Viasna Human Rights Center has reported that since mass protests broke out in Belarus following the fraudulent 2020 elections, at least 4,690 people were charged in politically motivated criminal cases. In 2020 alone, over 30,000 people were subjected to arbitrary detention. Five political prisoners have died in custody either without receiving timely medical care or under unclear circumstances that were never investigated. Sign up for our newsletter Sign up Russia-Belarus Union state reserves $11 million for new propaganda media holding The Union State, a supra-national formation of Russia and Belarus, has allocated $11 million to launch joint media holding in 2025, the Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev told Russian newspaper Izvestiya on March 11. According to Mezentsev, the newly established media holding, which will have its head office in Moscow, is set to include TV and radio broadcasters, as well as two newspapers Union Veche and The Union. Belarus-Russia and the Union State magazine. The broadcasters are to be allocated roughly $4.35 million. The Union Veche weekly newspaper, which already has a reported circulation of around 320,000 copies, is expected to receive $2.86 million. The funds come from the budget of the Union State, formed jointly by Russia and Belarus. Mezentsev also said that the new media holding will oversee a resource center producing content for distribution via online media. The weekly newspaper The Union. Belarus-Russia has been published since 1999 and has 321,429 subscribers. In Belarus, its distribution is attached to the circulation of the state-run SB. Belarus Today newspaper. The monthly magazine, with a circulation of 15,000 copies, has been printed since 2006. Belarusian authorities prosecute in absentia former head of Childrens Hospice charity, shut amidst crackdown Belarusian Investigative Committee has launched in absentia proceedings against Volha Vialichka, the exiled former head of the Childrens Hospice charity, who has been accused of inciting hatred, mass discord, aiding extremist activities as well as insulting Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, and illegally publishing personal data. The Investigative Committee announced the initiation of in absentia proceedings on March 5, demanding that Vialichka return to Belarus to participate in the investigation. Vialichka founded the public charity organization Childrens Hospice in the western Belarusian city of Hronda in 2008. The organization operated for 12 years until its head, Vialichka, was detained and fined for improperly conducting public events. The mass event allegedly held in violation of the law was a charity event at the Childrens Hospice. In 2020, Vialichka joined presidential candidate Viktar Babarykas election staff, was an independent observer, and actively tried to prevent election falsifications and stop police brutality. The first criminal case against her was launched in 2020 and was based on trumped-up charges of the illegal use of financial aid. Fearing that she might lose custody of her children due to the criminal investigation, Vialichka fled the country. Later, on Aug. 4, 2021, the Belarusian Interior Ministry reported that a second case against Vialichka had been opened on charges of grossly violating public order. The Childrens Hospice in Hronda was liquidated in 2021, along with 1,271 other non-profits dissolved by the Lukashenko regime. The third criminal case against the hospice director followed as law enforcement claimed that the organization continued to work after its official liquidation. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko meets with foreign media at his residence, the Independence Palace, Minsk, Belarus, on July 6, 2023. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images) Spotlight What is the All-Belarus Peoples Assembly? The Spotlight segment provides readers with the historical context of contemporary events in Belarus. The All-Belarus Peoples Assembly was first created in 1996 as newly elected Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko struggled to obtain ultimate political power following a contested 1995 referendum, which brought back the Russian language as the official language of the country, replaced the historic flag and insignia, supported economic integration with Russia, and gave Lukashenko the right to dissolve parliament. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) dismissed the referendum, saying Belarusian authorities "conducted extensive efforts to convince the voters to participate in the referendum." Throughout 1996, Lukashenkos conflict with parliament rose. Lukashenko feared the Belarusian parliament would side with the people and oust him from power, so he announced a new referendum that would turn the then parliamentary-presidential republic into a presidential one. Lukashenko created the All-Belarus Peoples Assembly on Oct. 19-20, 1996, slightly over a month before the referendum, to give the impression there was public support for the draft of the Constitution proposed for the vote. Referring to Article 3 of the Constitution, which stipulates that the people are Belarus's only source of power, Lukashenko claimed that the new consultative organ would be akin to a Slavic veche (a medieval peoples assembly). At its first congress, the assembly included around 5,000 people drawn from institutions of the authorities the government, local councils, and professional unions. In the following years, the number of participants was reduced to 2,500 and its members were selected according to the same principle, although this fluctuated sometimes towards more popular representation, including workers, farmers, or officials. The selection procedure remains obscure. Requests for delegates are issued through the governing structures, and delegates are provided by institutions that are dependent on state funding. The assembly usually convened once every five years, prior to presidential elections, to accept a report on the previous five-year cycle and approve plans for the next one. The cycle was broken in 2015 when the assembly convened only after the presidential elections. The opposition party Belarusian Peoples Front (BNF) claimed this had been because none of the previously promised economic targets had been achieved. The following assembly convened for the sixth time in 2021 after the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections and several month-long countrywide protests. Following the unrest in the country in 2020, experts believe, Lukashenko was forced to consider the possibility of his resignation, and the assembly came across as a solution for stepping down as president and yet retaining his grip on power. In the contested referendum on Feb. 27, 2022, the Belarusian people allegedly approved the assembly's introduction to the Belarusian constitution. The vote was held amidst the protests against Russias aggression towards Ukraine and was not recognized as free or fair. Lukashenko openly said that the All-Belarus People's Assembly was designed as a way to limit the actions of a potential next president. (The older generation) should not prevent the new generation from creating a new life and moving forward. But it should have the right to observe and have the authority to stop the wrong (kind of) movement, Lukashenko told his associates as amendments to the constitution were discussed in September 2021. The assembly members will be selected between April 1 and April 10, and its first meeting is scheduled for April 24. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Paul Ferran, 47, pleaded guilty to spitting blood at a PSNI officer and vehicle in December 2022 A man who spat blood at a police officer while being taken to hospital for a broken jaw has avoided prison. Paul Ferran, 47, of Dunmurry Lodge in Belfast appeared before the city's crown court on Friday. He was handed a nine-month jail term, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to assaulting the officer and causing criminal damage to a police vehicle. The judge said when someone spits at an officer a custodial sentence is normal. The court heard that on 11 December 2022, Ferran spat blood over an officer and the police vehicle while being taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said police officers "must be able to carry out their duties without any fear of injury, damage or infection of themselves". The original sentence of 15 months was reduced to nine both due to Ferran's lack of offences since 2011 and his guilty plea. 'Exceptional case' Judge Kerr told the court after examining Ferran's medical report, it was made clear he was being transported to hospital for "a serious fracture to his jaw in three different places". It would have been expected then, the judge said, that the defendant would have to spit on a regular basis due to the blood in his mouth. Despite pleading guilty to deliberately spitting blood on the officer, the judge said had Ferran not spit "he may well have had difficulty with his airways and his breathing". "In those circumstances, and given the fact he has no recent convictions, I consider this an exceptional case," he said. Judge Kerr then suspended the sentence for two years, but warned the defendant if he reoffends he will have to serve not only the nine-month sentence, but a potentially additional service for whatever brings him before the court again. By Vladimir Soldatkin BELGOROD/SHEBEKINO, Russia (Reuters) -Air raid sirens wail almost daily in the southern Russian city of Belgorod, sending people rushing for cover and reminding residents the full-scale war in neighbouring Ukraine is a reality for them too. Compared with the destruction across much of Ukraine, Russia's vast territory has been largely unscathed. Belgorod, 40 km (25 miles) north of the border, is the main exception, a reminder that not every civilian can be shielded from the conflict. As Russians began voting early on Friday in a three-day presidential election, a missile alert forced election officials to take shelter at a polling station in Belgorod and voting was briefly halted, according to Russia's RIA state news agency. Vladimir Seleznyov, a pensioner who witnessed a missile attack on Plekhanov Street on Feb. 15 in which seven people were killed, said it was hard to grow accustomed to the danger. "Of course, the situation is difficult, but we live near the border. It would be a stretch to say that we got used to that," he told Reuters on a recent visit to the city to which international media rarely get access. "It's understood that, naturally, we will win, we will prevail, but the people are worried and concerned." In the ancient fortress town, now a modern city of 300,000 people that is once again on Russia's front lines, scores of civilians have been killed in drone and missile strikes from Ukraine since February 2022. Kyiv denies targeting civilians just as Moscow does, despite Russia having launched drones and missiles against Ukraine that have killed thousands of civilians and caused hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of damage. In the worst civilian loss of life from foreign enemy fire in internationally recognised Russian territory since World War Two, 25 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in missile attacks on Belgorod on Dec. 30 last year. As he marches towards certain re-election in the March 15-17 vote, President Vladimir Putin nevertheless remains popular in Belgorod as he does across Russia, underlining how the war has galvanised support for him. He calls it a "special military operation" and casts it as part of a long-running battle with a decadent and declining West that humiliated Russia after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Ukraine and its Western allies say the invasion was an aggressive and illegal land grab. WAR FOOTING For Belgorod residents, disruptions are frequent and the signs of war are in plain view. Soldiers walk the streets and cement blocks have been positioned at bus stops to protect people from potential blasts. Primary schools have moved to online lessons only while secondary schools are working on a hybrid model of home and in class, similar to how many Ukrainian institutions operate. Buses stop running when warnings of a missile threat sound, forcing people to disembark and walk. Shopping can be complicated and appointments are often cancelled. Thousands of people left the surrounding region to escape the danger. Civilian volunteer groups in Belgorod are supporting soldiers, a phenomenon that is common across Russia and Ukraine. Galina, who collects everyday hygiene items and tools for digging trenches and sends them to the army, said she helps to try and bring the conflict to an end. Echoing words used by the Kremlin to describe the leadership in Kyiv, she spoke of the need to "denazify" Ukraine and end "fascism" there. Ukraine and its allies dismiss such language as nonsense, pointing out President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is Jewish. "There are no other options," said Galina, who gave only her first name, as she stood in a warehouse with goods for soldiers. "I believe that the work that he (Putin) has started in terms of a special military operation, he must complete it," she added. CROSS-BORDER INCURSIONS Russia's defence ministry said on Friday its forces had thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to launch a cross-border attack on the Belgorod region the day before. In a statement, the ministry said Ukraine used helicopters to land up to 30 soldiers close to the border village of Kozinka. It said they were repelled by Russian soldiers and border guards. Ukrainian officials said earlier on Friday that two Russian border provinces, Belgorod and neighbouring Kursk, were under attack by anti-Kremlin Russian armed groups based in Ukraine. The town of Shebekino, located some 7 km from the border in Belgorod region, was hit by shelling in May and June last year by armed infiltraters. Shell craters mark the roads, and buildings were hit and damaged. At that time, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov escorted about 600 children from Shebekino and Graivoron districts to the cities of Yaroslavl and Kaluga, far from the Ukrainian border. Pensioner Valentina said she also left Shebekino temporarily last summer, persuaded to do so by her daughter, before returning. She said she hoped the war would end soon and that people who left the town would come back. "Everyone wants to get back home," she said, adding that she planned to vote for Putin. "He has to finish off this war." (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Mike Collett-White, Barbara Lewis and Gareth Jones) WASHINGTON The U.S. government on Thursday announced sanctions against two Israeli outposts in the West Bank, an escalation from the Biden administration's previous targeting of individual settlers. The sanctions focus on Zvis Farm and Moshes Farm, which the State Department said are used as bases to perpetuate "violence against Palestinians." Three Israeli settlers Zvi Bar Yosef, Moshe Sharvit and Neriya Ben Pazi were also sanctioned. There is no justification for extremist violence against civilians or forcing families from their homes, whatever their national origin, ethnicity, race, or religion, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. Axios first reported the sanctions. The announcement signals an escalation in the administration's response to settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, because sanctions against outposts have impacts on wider groups than those against individuals. "These West Bank outposts are owned or controlled by designated individuals, have acted as a base from which to launch violent acts and are illegal even under Israeli law," Miller said at a briefing Thursday. "It is critical that Israel take additional action to stop settler violence and hold accountable those responsible for it." The White House has increasingly called for Israel to "hold extremist settlers accountable for violent acts" against Palestinians. Israel's conservative-led government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has made expanding West Bank settlements a top priority, even though critics point out that they significantly complicate the prospects for any two-state solution. "Todays action further underscores our commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability for civilians in the West Bank and accountability for the individuals and entities involved in these actions, the State Department said Thursday. President Joe Biden has come under scrutiny from his own Democratic Party, particularly progressives, for what he calls his "ironclad" support of Israel amid the growing Palestinian death toll in Gaza. More than 1,200 people died in Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, and an estimated 30,000 people in Gaza have died, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. A campaign urging U.S. voters to abandon Biden has gained traction among progressives, which led more than 100,000 voters in Michigan to cast protest votes for "uncommitted" in the state's Democratic presidential primary. Biden and his allies have also faced pro-Palestinian cease-fire protests at official White House and campaign events, increasing concerns among some donors about what the "uncommitted" vote could mean for his chances in November. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Biden administration announced Friday it is looking to take action against junk fees for college students and student loan borrowers. The White House said it is targeting four kinds of junk fees in its initiative: student loan origination ones, college banking junk fees, automatic charges for textbooks, and colleges keeping leftover money in a students meal plan. Each year, students including Federal student loan borrowers incur billions in fees or additional unseen costs for unused meal account funds, using a college-sponsored credit card or banking account, paying for textbooks, or simply taking out a loan to pay for school, the administration said in a statement. Additionally, students arent always provided clear and upfront opportunities to avoid fees for services they do not want. Obscured costs and misleading practices arent just frustrating they cost millions of students and borrowers money, it added. In the presidents 2025 budget proposal, he is asking Congress to end student loan origination fees, which can range from 1 percent to 4 percent for borrowers and add thousands of dollars to an individuals debt. The Department of Education is also targeting college banking fees in the negotiated rulemaking process. Sometimes colleges will require students to use certain banks to access their financial aid, but some of these institutions have thrown on surprising and costly hidden fees. The department in the negotiated rulemaking process is also looking to end automatic billing for textbooks and would allow students to opt out and find a textbook at a more affordable price. And it is formally considering regulations for students to get refunds on their meal plans if they do not use the whole amount rather than the school keeping the leftover money. The fees targeted in todays announcement may be imposed multiple times during the college or graduate school experience, the White House said. The administration added these actions would build on previous work by the president to prevent schools from withholding transcripts and making the cost of college more transparent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, March 15, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden expressed support Friday for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator called for new elections in Israel, the latest sign that the U.S. relationship with its closest Middle East ally is careening toward fracture over the war in Gaza. Schumer, a Jewish Democrat from New York, sent tremors through both countries this week when he said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his way and warned that Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah" as the Palestinian death toll continues to grow. He made a good speech, Biden said in the Oval Office during a meeting with Irelands prime minister. I think he expressed serious concerns shared not only by him but by many Americans. The Democratic president did not repeat Schumer's appeal for Israel to hold elections, a step that would likely end Netanyahu's tenure because of mounting discontent with his leadership. But Biden's comments reflect his own frustration with an Israeli prime minister who has hindered efforts to expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza and opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The latest point of friction has been Israel's goal of pursuing Hamas into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have fled to avoid fighting in the north. Netanyahu's office said Friday that it approved a military operation that would involve evacuating civilians, but U.S. officials are concerned about the potential for a new wave of bloodshed. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Vienna, said, We have to see a clear and implementable plan to safeguard innocent people from an Israeli incursion. We have not seen such a plan, he said. However, Blinken said tough conversations between Israeli and American leaders do not mean the alliance is fraying. Thats actually the strength of the relationship, to be able to speak clearly, candidly and directly, he said. Its possible that an attack on Rafah could be avoided. Negotiations over a cease-fire and the release of hostages are underway in Qatar, where Netanyahu agreed to send a delegation to continue talks. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. would not have its own team at the negotiations but will remain engaged in the process. He also said it's up to the Israeli people to decide" whether there should be elections. Asked about why Biden praised Schumer's speech, Kirby said the president appreciated the senator's passion. Biden's rhetoric on the war has evolved since the conflict began on Oct. 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack. The president immediately embraced Netanyahu and Israel while also warning against being consumed by rage. Since then, Israel has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza. And while Biden continues to back Israel's right to defend itself, he's increased his criticisms of Netanyahu. After his State of the Union speech earlier this month, Biden said that he needed to have a come to Jesus conversation with Netanyahu. He also accused Netanyahu of hurting Israel more than helping Israel with his leadership of the war. Biden is trying to navigate between a Republican Party with an Israel right or wrong mindset and a deeply divided Democratic Party, said Aaron David Miller, who has advised administrations from both parties on the Middle East. He described the U.S. approach to Israel as passive aggressive, with escalating rhetoric but no concrete steps like withholding military assistance. I havent seen it, Miller said. And were six months into the war. Americans have increasingly soured on Israels military operation in Gaza, according to surveys from The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In January, 50% of U.S. adults said the military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip had gone too far, up from 40% in November. Its a sentiment even more common among Democrats, with about 6 in 10 saying the same thing in both surveys. Reckoning with shifts in Israeli and American politics has been challenging for Biden. A self-described Zionist, Biden's political career began several decades ago when Israel was led by liberal leaders and the country enjoyed broad bipartisan support in its battle for survival against its Arab neighbors. Since then, the failure of peace talks with Palestinians and the growing power of conservative Israeli politicians has led to a growing tension. Biden's praise for Schumer could upset Netanyahu, who has already chafed at what he sees as American meddling in Israeli politics. One would expect Sen. Schumer to respect Israels elected government and not undermine it, said a statement from Likud, Netanyahu's political party. This is always true, and even more so in wartime. Netanyahu has a long history of defying U.S. presidents, particularly Democratic ones. He fought President Barack Obama's push for a nuclear deal with Iran, and he accepted a Republican invitation to address Congress to demonstrate his opposition. Before that, he clashed with President Bill Clinton over efforts to create an independent state for Palestinians, who have lived for decades under Israeli military occupation. Democratic anger over Israel's siege of Gaza has focused on Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister who leads a right-wing coalition that includes ultranationalist politicians. He also faces corruption charges in a long-delayed trial and declining popularity over his failure to prevent Hamas' attack or secure the return of all Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. Public opinion surveys suggest that, if elections were held now, Netanyahu would likely lose to Benny Gantz, a former military leader who is a centrist member of Israels war cabinet. Netanyahu has an interest in buying time, said Gideon Rahat, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and professor of political science at Hebrew University. "That's always his interest, not to have elections, to stay in power. Rahat also said a different Israeli leader might approach the war differently, causing less strain with Washington. Another government would pursue not only a military but also a diplomatic and foreign affairs solution, one involving the PA," a reference to the Palestinian Authority that operates in the West Bank, Rahat said. Another government would give more aid to Gaza and would run the war with a better distinction between Hamas and the Palestinians. However, replacing Netanyahu would not necessarily end the war or stop the rightward shift that has been underway in Israel for years. Jewish Israelis believe by a slim majority that their leaders' judgment should be prioritized over coordinating with the U.S., according to a January poll from the Israel Democracy Institute. In addition, the Israeli Defense Forces receive wide support for their performance in Gaza. Gantz also criticized Schumer's remarks, although not as harshly as Likud did. He wrote on social media that the senator is a friend of Israel who erred in his remarks. Israel is a robust democracy, and only its citizens will decide its future and leadership," Gantz said. "Any external interference on the matter is counter-productive and unacceptable. ___ Julia Frankel in Jerusalem and Matt Lee in Vienna contributed to this report. Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux and Darlene Superville contributed from Washington. President Joe Biden expressed support for top Democrat Chuck Schumer after he gave a speech castigating Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Schumer, the Senate majority leader said on Thursday that Israel should hold elections to replace Mr Netanyahu. Without explicitly endorsing the election call, Mr Biden on Friday praised Mr Schumer for "a good speech". "I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans," Mr Biden said. The president's remarks, made during an Oval Office meeting with Ireland's prime minister, could widen a growing rift between Israel and its closest ally. Washington leaders from both parties, including President Biden, had mostly refrained from criticising how Mr Netanyahu has handled the conflict in Gaza, which began when Hamas gunmen stormed into southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others hostage. But the president has become increasingly critical of Mr Netanyahu and his government's handling of the crisis. Last month, Mr Biden made his sharpest critique so far, calling Israel's military response in Gaza "over the top". Vice-president Kamala Harris then called for an "immediate cease-fire" for at least six weeks. The comments from Mr Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in US government, marked a further escalation of these tensions. Mr Schumer, a long-time supporter of Israel, said the Israeli leader was allowing "his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel". Israel, Mr Schumer added, risked becoming an international "pariah" under Mr Netanyahu. Israel's leaders were quick to reproach the senator, with Mr Netanyahu's Likud party saying Israel is not a "banana republic" and that the prime minister's policies are "supported by a large majority". "It is expected of Senator Schumer to respect Israel's elected government and not undermine it," the party said. More than 30,000 Palestinians - the majority of them children and women - have now been killed in Gaza since 7 October, the Hamas-run health ministry said last month. The actual number of dead is likely to be far higher as the count does not include those who have not reached hospitals, among them thousands of people still lost under the rubble of buildings hit by Israeli air strikes. The Israel-Gaza war and escalating humanitarian crisis is expected to loom large over the US presidential election in November, where voters are split on Israel's approach to the conflict. According to a December survey from Pew Research Center, 27% of Americans overall, and 42% of Democrats, say Israel is "going too far". President Biden used a joint appearance with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Friday to urge lawmakers to pass assistance for Ukraine that faces an uncertain path forward in the House. Biden, speaking at the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon to mark St. Patricks Day, expressed his appreciation for Irelands commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine during its war with Russia and to the people of Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Im committed to continuing to do our part, Biden said to the room of bipartisan lawmakers, which included Johnson. Im confident the vast majority and excuse me for saying this but I think a vast majority of members of Congress are willing to do their part. And I continue to urge every member in this room to stand up to Vladimir Putin. Hes a thug, Biden added, at which point those in the room, including the Speaker, applauded. Biden called on the House to send him the national security supplemental that passed the Senate in a 67-32 vote last month. The legislation included $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, as well as funding for Israel and for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. But Johnson has yet to bring it up for a vote in the House. It sends a clear message that America stands up for freedom and we bow down to no one. To no one in the world, Biden said. President Biden and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) President Biden and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) leave the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon during a ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 15, 2024. (Greg Nash) Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach of Ireland, echoed Bidens calls to provide aid to Ukraine in the face of Russias invasion, which began in February 2022. Ukraine must not fall, and together we need to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes, Varadkar said. Fridays public plea comes as Johnson has signaled that he plans to move on aid for Ukraine but has not disclosed details of what the package would look like, with a growing contingent of his conference opposed to sending any assistance to the embattled U.S. ally. He said the chamber is first focusing on completing the government funding process. At the House GOP retreat in West Virginia this week, Johnson said I understand the timetable and I understand the urgency of the funding, but once against cast doubt on the Senate supplemental. He said the lower chamber will work the will of the House and is processing through all the various options right now, warning that the ultimate product may not look exactly like the Senate supplemental. Johnson delivered the same message to Republican senators during their retreat this week, floating sending aid as a loan or through a lend-lease program. Top Stories from The Hill Notably, however, he did not mention if the Ukraine legislation would include U.S. border security, a departure from his previous stance that any aid for Ukraine must be tied with policy addressing the situation at the southern border. The inclusion of tough border security measures Republicans have been demanding would be nonstarters among Democrats. During an interview with Politico on Thursday, Johnson said he expects the House will approve Ukraine aid through a fast-track process that will require Democratic support. He also floated separating Israel and Ukraine aid, but the interview did not mention whether border security would be included. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden praised Friday a speech by the US Senate leader urging new elections in Israel, saying many Americans shared concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza war. The call by Democratic Senate majority chief Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking elected Jewish American in history, was the most strident rebuke of Israel yet by a senior US official since Hamas's October 7 attacks. "He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans," Biden said when asked about the speech after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House. Biden told reporters in the Oval Office that Schumer had contacted his staff to say he was going to make the comments, and added that he was "not going to elaborate on the speech." The US president also crossed his fingers for luck, but did not comment, when asked by reporters what he thought of Hamas's new proposal of a six-week truce in Gaza. The Schumer speech came amid mounting pressure from Biden on Netanyahu to reduce the number of Palestinians being killed in Gaza, and to let more aid in as famine looms in the territory. Biden also faces growing political pressure at home, with fears voters could punish the Democrats in the US presidential election in November over his support for Israel. "As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may. But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice," said Schumer. "There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel after October 7." Schumer also said Netanyahu was one of four "major obstacles" to peace alongside Hamas, Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas and radical right-wing Israelis. - 'Cautiously optimistic' - Biden has strongly supported Israel's right to defend itself since the October 7 Hamas attacks, but there have been signs of a growing rift with Netanyahu over his approach. The president's praise for Schumer's speech has intensified speculation about tensions with the Israeli leader but the White House said he was not calling for new elections. "That's going to be up to the Israeli people to decide," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. Tensions are particularly high over Israel's plan to launch an offensive in the southern city of Rafah, which Netanyahu said he had approved on Friday. "We haven't seen it. We certainly would welcome the opportunity to see it," Kirby said. The president could not support any plan without a "credible, achievable, executable plan" to shelter the more than one million Gazans sheltering there, he added. On Hamas's new ceasefire plan, Kirby said the White House was "cautiously optimistic that things are moving in the right direction." "I would say the proposal that was put forward is certainly within the bounds of -- in broad brushstrokes -- the deal we've been working on for several months," Kirby added. The Gaza war meanwhile cast a shadow over the Irish prime minister's traditional visit to the White House to mark the Saint Patrick's Day holiday. Varadkar has been one of the strongest Western critics of Israel's offensive. "You know my view is that we need a ceasefire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out," Varadkar said -- as Biden nodded his head and said "I agree." dk/tjj President Biden offered support Friday for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) after the senator called for new elections in Israel and criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war with Hamas. Biden told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with the prime minister of Ireland that Schumer gave senior White House staff a heads up about the remarks before delivering his dramatic speech on the Senate floor. Im not going to elaborate on the speech. He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans, Biden said. Asked if the president wants to see new elections in Israel, White House spokesperson John Kirby said that would be up to the Israeli people to decide. For our part, were going to keep supporting Israel in their fight against Hamas. Were going to keep urging them to reduce civilian casualties. And were going to keep working to get a temporary cease-fire in place, Kirby said. Schumer on Thursday argued Netanyahu had lost his way, pointing to the political and legal battles he has faced recently while also allowing that the off-and-on prime ministers highest priority is the security of Israel. As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after Oct. 7, Schumer said, referring to Hamass attack. The world has changed radically since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past. Schumers remarks elicited backlash from Republicans in particular, some of whom argued it was inappropriate for the senator to call for elections and changes in leadership in another democratic government. It is grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel, said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), calling Schumers remarks unprecedented. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called Schumers plea for new elections highly inappropriate and wrong. Benny Gantz, a leading rival of Netanyahu who serves in his wartime Cabinet, called Schumers remarks a mistake. Gantz is a top contender to replace Netanyahu and met with Schumer in Washington only last week. Biden has similarly sought to balance his own frustrations with Netanyahu with his administrations support for Israel in its fight against Hamas. The president has repeatedly asserted Israel has a right to defend itself after Hamass terrorist attacks last October, while simultaneously urging Israel to do more to protect civilians and allow aid into Gaza. In an interview last weekend with MSNBC, Biden said he thought Netanyahu was hurting Israel more than helping. Whats happening is he has a right to defend Israel, a right to continue to pursue Hamas, Biden told MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart. But he must, he must, he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken. Updated at 3:23 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TOKYO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan's ruling coalition, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito Party, on Friday agreed to permit the export of the next-generation fighter jet jointly developed by Japan with Britain and Italy, to third countries, marking a further relaxation of Japan's arms export control and another step contrary to the country's pacifist constitution. According to the agreement between the two parties, Japan will only be allowed to directly export weapons to third countries that are currently involved in the joint development of the new fighter jet. Moreover, the recipient country must have signed defense equipment export-related agreements with Japan and must not be engaged in any ongoing conflict. Additionally, individual export cases will be subject to cabinet approval. As per the agreements, there are currently 15 identified target countries eligible for export, including the United States, Germany, India, and the Philippines, besides the joint development partners. To enable the fighter jet shipments, the Japanese government plans to revise the implementation guidelines of the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" policy on March 26, with a possible cabinet vote later this month, local media reports showed. Last December, the Japanese government significantly amended the three principles and the implementation guidelines, allowing Japan to export finished weapons it produces and assembles to countries authorized by Japan for production. The amendment also permits the export of crucial components such as engines or wings of fighter jets to countries with security cooperation agreements with Japan, but finished fighter jets at that time could not be directly exported to third countries. Local media reports suggest that Friday's agreement by the ruling coalition represented another shift in Japan's post-war security policy by opening the door for the nation to directly export finished combat weapons to third countries. Naotaka Fujita, a senior staff writer with the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, noted that the Constitution of Japan explicitly states that "never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government," which not only requires the Japanese government to control armaments but also to control weapons exports. The current actions of the incumbent government and ruling coalition are rendering the constitution meaningless, inevitably fueling disputes and raising concerns within the international community, Fujita said. By Jarrett Renshaw and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden said on Friday that U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer echoed the concerns of many Americans when he called for new elections in Israel and harshly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace. "He made a good speech," Biden said in the White House's Oval Office, when asked by reporters about remarks by Schumer, the Senate majority leader, on the chamber's floor on Thursday. "He expressed a serious concern, shared not only by him but by many Americans," Biden said, adding that Schumer notified him and his staff in advance about the speech. Schumer, a longtime supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish U.S. elected official, told the Senate on Thursday that Netanyahu's government "no longer fits the needs of Israel" five months into a war that began with attacks on Israel by Hamas militants on Oct. 7. The speech reflected growing frustration in Washington with Netanyahu, his management of the war, failure to do more to protect Palestinian civilians and perceived obstruction of aid deliveries in Gaza. International criticism of the U.S. for supporting Israel has mounted due to the death toll and starvation crisis in the coastal enclave. Schumer also criticized Palestinians who support Hamas, and said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas should also step aside. Schumer said it would be a "grave mistake" for Israel to reject a two-state solution and urged negotiators in the Israel-Gaza conflict to do everything possible to secure a ceasefire, free hostages and get aid into Gaza. Schumer raised the possibility of Washington using its leverage if Israel does not change course. Still, he did not go as far as suggesting the step that some Democrats advocate: introducing legislation to make easing the humanitarian crisis a condition for the U.S. provision of weapons to Israel. Hamas' Oct 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military assault on Gaza since has displaced nearly its 2.3 million population, caused a starvation crisis, flattened most of the enclave, and killed over 31,000, according to the Gaza health ministry. (Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; writing by Kanishka Singh; editing by Rami Ayyub) (This March 14 story has been refiled to correct the spelling of Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves' surname in paragraph 9) By Trevor Hunnicutt and Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Steel Corp, which has agreed to be bought by Japan's Nippon Steel for $14.9 billion, must remain a domestically owned American firm, President Joe Biden said on Thursday - expressing explicit opposition to the deal for the first time. "U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated," the president said in a statement. It was, however, not immediately clear whether Biden would use any U.S regulatory authorities to scuttle the deal. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a powerful panel that reviews foreign investments in U.S. companies, has the power to recommend the deal be blocked on national security grounds. The White House said in December that the proposed acquisition deserved "serious scrutiny" given U.S. Steel's core role in steel production that is critical to national security. Nippon Steel said in a statement on Thursday that the acquisition would deliver "clear benefits to U.S. Steel, union workers, the broader American steel industry, and American national security." "We are progressing through the regulatory review, including CFIUS, while trusting the rule-of-law, objectivity, and due process we expect from the U.S. Government. We are determined to see this through and complete the transaction," it said. The Japanese firm also said in an initial statement that there would be no layoffs and no plant closures until September 2026 under certain conditions but later re-issued its statement to say there would be no layoffs or plant closures as a result of the transaction. Shares of U.S. Steel sank again on Thursday and have tumbled 18% over two days to $38.26 on concerns that Biden would express his opposition. That's far below the proposed deal price of $55 per share. The company was not immediately available for comment. Separately, Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves said on Thursday he would consider another bid for United States Steel likely worth no more than $30 per share if the deal with Nippon Steel falls apart. Cleveland-Cliffs was among the bidders for U.S. Steel. U.S. opposition to the deal has the potential to overshadow an April 10 summit between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aimed at boosting the long-standing security alliance between their countries in the face of growing Chinese influence. Biden, who is running for re-election this year and has courted unions as a key constituent of political support, also called United Steelworkers International President David McCall on Thursday. He reiterated that he has the "steelworkers' back," the White House said. McCall said Biden's statements should end debate about the deal. "Allowing one of our nation's largest steel manufacturers to be purchased by a foreign-owned corporation leaves us vulnerable when it comes to meeting both our defense and critical infrastructure needs," he said in a statement. CFIUS has met with the parties to discuss the deal, a person familiar with the matter said. The Treasury Department, which leads CFIUS, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the White House declined to comment on whether Biden planned to use its powers to block the deal. According to a January filing, Nippon Steel has committed to undertaking "all actions required" to obtain CFIUS clearance and to pay U.S. Steel a $565 million breakup fee if it fails to do so. Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth in New York, said there were always complications when foreign companies look to buy U.S.-based corporations but Nippon Steel had an uphill battle in particular due to timing. "In an election year, it will be a heavy lift to get all the stakeholders comfortable with the acquisition of a U.S. manufacturing icon," Hogan added. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Alexandra Alper and Jeff Mason in Washington, and Andrea Shalal in Saginaw, Michigan; Additional reporting by Mrinmay Dey, Noel Randewich, Ismail Shakil, Abhijith Ganapavaram, Bansari Mayur Kamdar, Katya Golubkova and Miyoung Kim; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) US President Joe Biden has hailed the return of power-sharing in Northern Ireland as a "positive step forward". He made the remarks as he held bilateral talks with Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar at the White House as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations. Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers are among politicians taking part in events in Washington DC. President Biden said the US remained "committed to protecting peace and progress" in Northern Ireland. "I was glad to see the Northern Ireland Executive back up and running and from my perspective, it's a positive step forward," he said. The institutions were restored last month after a two-year hiatus. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was pleased to see the return of power-sharing since he and Mr Biden had met last autumn. "It's really good to see the promise of the Good Friday Agreement being fulfilled again, which is such a positive change since we last met," he added. Mr Biden said Ireland and the US shared a "deepening economic partnership" and friendship. 'More to be done in Gaza' First Minister Michelle O'Neill also spoke with President Biden on Friday and said the United States has been a "critical partner for peace in Ireland". "We deeply value this support," Ms O'Neill said. "Our peace process and your role in this are a fine example of successful US diplomacy and foreign policy success," she added. Both Mr Varadkar and Ms O'Neill spoke with the US president on global issues, including the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict. President Biden said "a whole lot more has to be done in Gaza". Referencing the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Ms O'Neill called on the US to apply "the same constructive role" they showed in helping to bring an end to the almost 30 year conflict in Northern Ireland. The taoiseach said a ceasefire between Gaza and Hamas is well over due Speaking outside the White House, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was "fair to say" the US was working very hard to put in place a temporary humanitarian ceasefire. "There's a strong hope and belief if that can be achieved then there's the possibility of something more permanent." He added that President Biden had said the US would continue to support Israel and assist it. But he said: "None of us like to see American weapons being used the way they are, the way they're being used at the moment is not self-defence". Pressed on his opinion over a ceasefire, he said it "is well over due - the number of lives that have been lost is just too much - but it has to be on both sides." Former taoiseach Mary Robinson had earlier called on Leo Varadkar to tell the US government to stop its military and financial support for Israel whilst he is in Washington. Speaking to RTE, Mrs Robinson said: "The United States can influence Israel by not continuing to provide arms, it has provided a lot of the arms, bombs that have been used on the Palestinian people and he's continuing to do that and he's also providing money." 'Possibilities overcoming disagreements' Later, at a lunch hosted by the US Speaker on Capitol Hill, President Biden congratulated Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers. He said the appointment of Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly "reminded us what possibilities there are on overcoming disagreements". The ministers received a round of applause from the attendees in the room. Speaking after the event, Ms Little-Pengelly said "so many people have talked about our joint message and about Northern Ireland being open for business, so it's really great they are talking about Northern Ireland but they are also talking about our pitch and what we can offer." "Northern Ireland is a small place but we get really good access to key and influential people here in the US," she added. Analysis box by Enda McClafferty, NI political editor Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is walking a political tightrope. He wanted to deliver a tough message to President Biden over Gaza while not embarrassing his host. Choosing his words carefully he said they had "to work together to secure a humanitarian ceasefire", President Biden said he agreed. He got a further nod of approval from the president when he suggested a "two state solution was the best way to secure lasting peace and security". President Biden also acknowledged in his speech there was work to be done on Gaza. It is clear both men are on the same page but the president is not yet in a position to call for a permanent ceasefire. The fact he described Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer's speech criticising the Israeli government as a "good speech" which all Americans could support is also a clear indicator. It will feel like mission accomplished for the taoiseach. He did not get a firm commitment of a change of policy on Gaza but he got the next best thing. The return of the Northern Ireland power sharing institutions was something they could both celebrate. HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) Take a look at some of the top stories on WAVY.com from the week of March 11. Click here for more local news. Virginia Beach has the top seafood restaurant in America, according to Yelp Yelp has released its 2024 list of the Top 100 Seafood Spots in the country. Coming in at No. 1 in the country, however, is a strip-mall restaurant in Virginia, according to Yelp. Downtown Tunnel reopens after tractor-trailer gets stuck A tractor-trailer crash closed all westbound lanes at the Downtown Tunnel for several hours on Monday. Cory Bigsby found guilty in murder of son, Codi After about two hours of deliberation, jurors found Cory Bigsby, the man accused of killing his 3-year-old son, Codi, guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder and hiding the body of his son, whose body has never been recovered. Complete Coverage: Codi Bigsby Paradise Ocean Club returning to Fort Monroe this summer with changes, owner says A new lease has been signed to return Paradise Ocean Club to Fort Monroe in summer 2024, according to business owner Baxter Simmons. Police: VB woman reported missing, found dead in the ocean A woman who was reported missing on Valentines Day was found dead on March 13 in Virginia Beach. Dollar Tree reports over $1.71 billion in losses; nearly 1,000 stores could close Dollar Tree, headquartered in Chesapeake, plans to shut down nearly 1,000 stores after posting a huge quarterly loss. Recent whale strandings are pushing the boundaries for our region Between Virginia and the Outer Banks, teams are working to figure out how four whales died within a one week span. Tangier man overharvested blue crabs, sold them in Maryland A Tangier man has admitted to overharvesting Chesapeake Bay blue crabs on multiple occasions and selling them in Maryland. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. On average, military families have to move every 2.5 years, and that can often mean military spouses are faced with fees needed to transfer job licenses or certificates. It can really create this constant restart for families and create these gaps in employment if they go through a recertification process, said Shannon Razsadin, President and Executive Director of the Military Family Advisory Network. We see a lot of out-of-pocket expenses that military families go through every time they move and many of those are not reimbursed. Now, there is a push in Congress to help military families keep up with those expenses. The bipartisan Military Spouse Job Continuity Act was introduced by Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO). The bill would provide reimbursement up to $1,000 to active-duty service members spouses for relicensing and business costs. This is one of the top concerns that I hear about from military families, Ossoff told our Washington News Bureau. If for a family military service is prohibitively expensive, inconvenient, if it disrupts the ability to earn an income necessary to support kids, we cant retain families. We cant retain service members in the Armed Forces and thats a national security issue. Service members have dedicated their lives to our country we should continue to find ways to make their lives easier, said Schmitt. Military spouses should not be required to shoulder the cost of fees and other charges related to professional licensing or certification when moving between duty stations. Advocates say the proposal would go a long way in helping military families keep up with rising costs. It would make a huge difference and it would continue to make life a little bit easier for families, said Razsadin. We know Americans today require two incomes to sustain their household and so we need to make sure that military spouses can contribute to their families finances. According to the bills sponsors, the Defense Department says almost 40 percent of military spouses require a professional license for their jobs. The U.S. has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to renewed initiatives to help Haiti during its crime crisis in the country, but concerns remain about whether the country will properly utilize the money, according to an expert. Haiti received around $13.5 billion in the years following a devastating 2010 earthquake, thanks to an international effort led by the U.S. and the United Nations, around 120% of the countrys GDP at the time. "They never rebuilt Port-au-Prince. Youre talking about a city that doesnt have a sanitation system, doesnt have basic plumbing and electricity, no basic infrastructure people cant get anywhere, theyre walking up and down the dirt," said Jack Brewer, a former NFL player and philanthropist who has pursued initiatives to help rebuild Haiti. Brewer told Fox News Digital that he felt the funding provided after the 2010 earthquake "wasnt properly spent." "I got a chance to watch a lot of the things that happened on the ground," Brewer said. "After the earthquake in 2010, I worked with the NFL Players Association, and we partnered with the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund it was called the Clinton Haiti Fund and we raised a lot of money through that, and it started to be allocated." "Then other countries came in and started to allocate a lot of money," he added. "You would think that the long-term goal was to rebuild the city of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas that were impacted by the earthquake, but I was there, and a few years went on, and we're still working." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP SENATE VOTES TO CONFIRM US AMBASSADOR TO HAITI AMID GANG ATTEMPT TO SEIZE POWER IN CARIBBEAN COUNTRY The U.S. has committed to contribute the bulk of funds for a multinational security mission from East Africa to Haiti, led by Kenya and comprised of police from various countries. The Biden administration will pledge another $33 million in general humanitarian aid to the country, bringing the total committed for the effort to $333 million as America's national debt tops $34.5 trillion. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the crisis "has been a long unfolding story" and will require the international community to help stabilize the country as gangs continue to run rampant. U.S. NATIONAL DEBT TRACKER: SEE WHAT AMERICAN TAXPAYERS (YOU) OWE IN REAL TIME "Having done all this work, we should be in a place where that mission goes forward," Blinken said. "It will, we believe, help reestablish security and take back control of the country from gangs." Jimmy Cherizier, known by the nickname "Barbecue," runs a gang coalition called the G9 Family and Allies, rising to a level of influence that allows him to block sitting Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning to the country until he agrees to resign. PENTAGON ALERTED TO POTENTIAL MARITIME MASS MIGRATION FROM HAITI AMID CARIBBEAN NATION'S SPIRALING CONFLICT Brewer said he feels that many Haitians "believe that America is one of the roots of the problem," going back to the Clintons and their rebuilding efforts following the earthquake. "They think Washington, D.C., is controlling these leaders that are coming into the country, and, as you can see, most of the leaders are corrupt," Brewer claimed. "Theyre in, and its kind of the culture in Haiti: As a politician, once you get there, you get that power so you can enrich yourself." Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier claimed responsibility for the jailbreak that set about 4,000 inmates loose in Haiti and the recent violence. When asked about their role in the Haiti recovery, spokespersons for the former president and the secretary told Fox News Digital: "The Clintons worked tirelessly to address the needs of the Haitian people in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. Even as their detractors have distorted and obfuscated the facts, they have never shied away from doing all they could to lift people up. Its easy to point fingers from afar for political gain, but it impedes progress, and thats tragic." An expert on Haiti told The Associated Press that after President Rene Preval left office in 2011, he found subsequent Haitian leaders were at best easy on the gangs and at worst tied to them. HAITI'S FUTURE GOVERNANCE FACES STRUGGLE BETWEEN POLITICAL POWER AND GANG INFLUENCE The gangs have gained influence throughout the previous decades, but their increasing influence and ties with the countrys political leadership allowed them to gain money through a mix of extortion, kidnappings, and drugs and weapons smuggling. Brewer worries that even without the fear of diverting the funds, he does not have confidence that the new money will prove effective, citing the post-earthquake humanitarian aid and lack of long-lasting improvements. In a 2016 review of some of the initiatives applied to Haiti following the natural disaster, ABC News found that a $400 million garment factory that promised to create plenty of jobs for the area had ultimately "underdelivered." "Theyre building infrastructure with no coding," he said. "They dont have coding, so if they get hit with another earthquake, the same thing is going to happen." CONGRESSMAN EVACUATES 10 AMERICANS FROM CRIME-RAVAGED HAITI, SLAMS BIDEN FOR PATTERN OF ABANDONMENT The country struggled to cope with a cholera outbreak that started after U.N. peacekeepers accidentally introduced the disease to the island. Around 10,000 people died as a result of the disease. Part of the issue was that money given to Haiti had already been earmarked for a number of necessary services, such as paying the Red Cross for their on-the-ground assistance, as well as other rescue services. "The actual funds left on the ground, a lot of them got into the hands of the wrong people or the folks in power," Brewer added, calling the recovery effort "the worst handling of a natural disaster in the history of the planet." "Its been very disappointing to see the level of corruption, particularly around things that involve children and youth, and trying to get medical supplies in and out of the country it has been very difficult," he said. Regarding the $333 million headed for Haiti in the coming months, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) told Fox News Digital that "any interference in, or diversion of, humanitarian aid is unacceptable." "USAID takes its duty as a steward of U.S. taxpayer funding seriously and holds implementing partners to the highest standards to ensure that taxpayer funds are used wisely, effectively, and for their intended purposes," a USAID spokesperson said. "We require our partners to have robust safeguards and risk-mitigation systems in place to ensure that principled humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most." The agency noted that it works with humanitarian partners with "extensive experience working in challenging environments" and who have "demonstrated their commitment to stay and deliver life-saving assistance with impartiality, neutrality and independence while ensuring the safety of their staff and facilities." The United Nations did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment by the time of publication. The Associated Press and Fox News Digital's Michael Lee and Bradford Betz contributed to this report. Original article source: Billions invested in Haiti since 2010 earthquake have not improved country: 'We're still working' Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the University of Florida in Gainesville, says that while sharks sometimes bite people, such attacks are rare and the creatures generally try to avoid humans (Jesus OLARTE) As the northern hemisphere edges toward spring and millions flock to the beach, headlines have dubbed the southeastern US state of Florida the world's most likely place to be bitten by a shark. They're right, but, at the same time, shark bites are exceedingly rare overall -- a fact scientists wish more people knew, especially amid declining shark populations desperately in need of conservation. "When the sharks in the water are targeting the fishes that they normally feed on, once in a while, people get in the way and the sharks make a mistake," said Gavin Naylor, coauthor of a recent report tallying last year's shark attacks. According to data he gathered for the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File, Florida was home to a quarter of last year's shark attacks -- a scary statistic, if taken on its own. And yet that only amounts to 16 unprovoked attacks, out of 69 total worldwide -- and millions of swimmers flocking to Florida's coast each year. If sharks wanted to attack us, "people are very easy to target. They are a bit like floating sausages," Naylor told AFP. "So we know that they must be avoiding them." - Shark attack 'capital' - Florida's subtropical latitude means many sharks move through the waters of its continental shelf, which are rich in nutrients and therefore in fish to feed them. And miles of beaches attract huge numbers of tourists to the Sunshine State -- 135 million last year, according to Florida statistics. Yet despite the long odds of a shark bite, the predators still carry an outsized reputation -- one probably not helped by their rows of razor sharp teeth, or fictional movies about killer sharks like "Jaws" and the decades-long US cable television phenomenon known as "Shark Week." New Smyrna Beach, located in Volusia County -- home to half of Florida's shark bites last year -- is inauspiciously known as the "shark bite capital of the world." Surfers often flock to its coast, where the murky waters reduce sharks' visibility, and increase the chance they will bite a human by mistake. Bites are like an "airplane crash" -- shocking but rare, said New Smyrna Beach resident Bruce Adams, who remembers close encounters with sharks of his own during his surfing days. "It's sensational, it sells a lot of T-shirts," he told AFP, lamenting the creatures' bad reputations. - Swimming with sharks - In fact, most of us have probably been in the water alongside sharks -- we just didn't know it, said report coauthor Joe Miguez. "They don't really want anything to do with us," he told AFP. Some humans meanwhile are seeking out sharks. In Jupiter, some 90 miles (150 kilometers) north of Miami, Jonathan Campbell has done more than 500 dives with a coterie of enthusiasts, all there to swim with sharks. "You see sharks in movies and they are scary monsters. But in the water, they are actually shy puppy dogs," he said. In fact, amid crashing shark populations -- there has been a 70 percent worldwide decline since 1970, according to a recent study -- what the world might need is more sharks. "We should be more focused on conserving these animals than just going out and saying that they're out to get us," said Miguez. gma/nro/mlm A woman looks at Lady in Blue, which was designed by artist Tschabalala Self Sadiq Khan has approved plans to install a statue of a black everywoman on Trafalgar Squares fourth plinth as an apparent symbol of equity in the capital. Lady in Blue, a painted bronze statue by New York artist Tschabalala Self, was on Friday confirmed as the latest sculpture to be installed on the plinth, with an unveiling expected in 2026. Described as a young, metropolitan woman of colour who could be just one of many Londoners today, the statue depicts a black woman wearing a blue dress and high heels midway through a confident stride. Commissioners said Lady in Blue was a symbol of our shared present and future ambitions the aspiration of equity through representation, recognition and action. A world where all global citizens are appreciated for their unique contributions. It is also intended to bring a contemporary everywoman to Trafalgar Square, and Ms Self said she hoped the police would represent a woman that many can relate to. The commission was one of several submitted to the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, which puts its recommended winners to the Mayor of London for approval. British artist Heather Phillipson had her sculpture The End installed on the fourth plinth until 2022 - Geoff Pugh The fourth plinth was set up in 1999 with help from Dame Joanna Lumley to find use for a pedestal left empty after 19th-century plans for a statue of King William IV were scrapped. The empty pedestal displays a rotating series of artworks chosen by an independent commissioning group and signed off by the Mayor. After Lady in Blue has had two years on the plinth, it will be replaced by artwork produced by Romanian-born sculptor Andra Ursuta. The artwork, called Untitled, depicts a figure on horseback cloaked in an excretion of green slime. In September, the casts of 850 trans people, some of whom are sex workers, will feature on top of the plinth as Improntas (Imprints), by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles, starts its own run. Andra Ursuta's figure on a horseback covered in a green, slime cloak will be next on the plinth - Paul Grover It will replace Samson Kambalus Antelope, which depicts a statue of John Chilembwe, a black pastor who tried to lead an uprising in colonial Nyasaland and who had a white estate manager beheaded. The political themes of the statues placed on the fourth plinth have led to accusations that the scheme, under the control of the mayors culture team, is woke. There have been calls for a permanent statue to be erected on the plinth, including one celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth II, but the scheme is set to continue. Justine Simons, deputy mayor for culture and creative Industries, said: Im delighted that Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuta have been selected as the next artists to display their work on the world-renowned Fourth Plinth. These artists were chosen from a fantastic shortlist that has inspired debate among Londoners. The sculpture prize has entertained and brought out the art critic in everybody for 25 years, and I have no doubt these two very different pieces will continue that fine tradition. 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. Nex Benedict, the non-binary teenager who was relentlessly bullied at their Oklahoma high school, died from suicide, according to the local medical examiner. The finding has reignited the debate over how the state treats its LGBTQ+ population. Meanwhile, prosecutors in Georgia failed to show up for a status hearing on the trial of infamous Black Hammer leader Augustus Romain, a.k.a Gazi Kodzo. And a South Carolina man was arrested, for a second time, for distributing racist flyers. Its the week in extremism. A vigil to mourn Nex Benedict was held at Redbud Festival Park in Owasso, Oklahoma, on Feb. 25, 2024. Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary teenager, died earlier in February, one day after they were hospitalized for injuries sustained in a school fight at Owasso High School. Nex Benedict died of suicide The death last month of Nex Benedict, a non-binary Oklahoma teenager, a day after they were involved in a fight in a high school bathroom, sparked fresh outrage over the states policies towards its LGBTQ+ population, especially children. Far-right influencers spreaded doubt that Benedicts death was connected to the bullying they faced for years. Then, the local medical examiner concluded Wednesday that they had taken their own life. Benedicts cause of death, revealed in an autopsy report, was ruled as toxicity from diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, and fluoxetine, an anti-depression medication. Benedict who used he/him and they/them pronouns, identified as gender expansive, an umbrella term that describes people whose gender identity expands beyond traditional gender norms, according to the National Institutes of Health had been bullied for years at their high school over their gender identity. Other LGBTQ+ students had also been bullied at the school. On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Policy Initiative, a nonpartisan advocacy group that advocates for equitable student treatment in public schools, called for reforms to the states ant-LGBTQ+ policies: We fail to be those role models for our children when we allow public policies that create dangerous conditions for our loved ones and our neighbors in our 2SLQBTQ+ community, wrote policy analysts with the group. Hate is not an Oklahoma value. Seven bills are currently advancing in the Oklahoma legislature that would further limit LGBTQ+ rights, including one that the ACLU says will force the outing of LGBTQ+ students in schools. Elsewhere in Oklahoma, NBC reported this week on the small town of Enid, where activists have banded together to try and force the ouster of a city commissioner who was photographed at the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. Judd Blevins allegedly marched at the Charlottesville rally, alongside men shouting Jews will not replace us. He faces a recall election on April 2. Black Hammer prosecution in Georgia delayed, again The curious prosecution of Augustus Romain also known as Gazi Kodzo the leader of the extremist group Black Hammer, took another strange twist on Tuesday in Georgia when, according to Romains defense attorney, prosecutors failed to turn up at a status hearing. "The Court had a status hearing scheduled to discuss when this case will finally go to trial, and the state didn't deem it important enough to appear," Romains defense attorney Stacey Flynn told USA TODAY. "But with no witnesses and even less evidence, I'm not surprised." Romain is on trial in Fayetteville County, facing a raft of felonies including racketeering, gang charges, kidnapping and sodomy. Black Hammer gained notoriety for its plans to build a community in the Colorado mountains that would allow no white people, no police and no protections against the Coronavirus. The planned settlement never happened, and the group relocated to a house in suburban Atlanta. In July 2022, someone in the Atlanta house called police claiming he had been kidnapped. A SWAT team raided the property. One man was found inside with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Romain and another top Black Hammer leader were arrested. Since then, the prosecution has faced repeated delays and confusion. Augustus, who is also on trial for a federal case involving an alleged Russian influence scheme, was supposed to be tried last summer but that trial never happened. Prosecutors said at the time that Augustus had not been released from federal custody for the trial. David Studdard, chief assistant district attorney in Fayetteville, told USA TODAY this week: We intend to try him on our charges once he is finished with his federal trial. David Glosser, left, and Slava Burdman, both of Sarasota, join in a March against Hate-Bring the Hostages Home rally. The federation was joined by Sarasota Ministerial Association, Sarasota-Manatee Rabbinical Association and Aviva in hosting the event. The walk highlighted a call for the freedom of the more than 220 hostages held in Gaza and spoke out against rising antisemitism. South Carolina man arrested for antisemitic flyering Jamin Fite, a 48-year-old from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was arrested this week in Florence County, just west of his hometown, and charged with seven counts of communicating obscene messages and littering, according to the local sheriffs department. Fite allegedly threw plastic bags containing antisemitic materials into driveways and yards in multiple neighborhoods in the county. Its not the first time Fite has been arrested for hateful activity. He was arrested in 2022 and charged with distributing racist flyers in his home county. He was convicted, but appealed, citing his First Amendment rights to freedom of speech. He lost the appeal. Statistic of the week: Six Thats how many neo-Nazis showed up last month at the suburban home of Jordan Green, a North Carolina journalist who has reported on white supremacist activity in his state and beyond. Green, who writes for the news website Raw Story, has published several investigations into a local neo-Nazi group, 2119. At least two of the people who protested at his house were connected to 2119, Green told USA TODAY. This week, another member of that group, 20-year-old Frankie Rizzello, was arrested and charged with two felony counts for antisemitic vandalism. Green wrote about the arrest. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nex Benedict death ruled suicide: Oklahoma teen was bullied for months Not sure where to grab a bite to eat? With lots of options around the Fall River area, it can be difficult to choose. If youre having a hard time, were here to help you narrow it down. We've compiled a list of meal deals, special events, and mouth-watering offerings at local eateries and markets to consider when planning your next night on the town, or a quick stop for a tasty treat. This week, Black Salt in Swansea is sharing some merchandise proceeds with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Plus, we've got more St. Patrick's Day plans, make-your-own margaritas and avocado fries, and even a macaron sale. Lets dig in: Black Salt, 481 Wilbur Ave., Swansea, is donating some merchandise proceeds to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Black Salt merch will help Make-A-Wish Foundation Black Salt, 481 Wilbur Ave., Swansea, says their St. Patricks gear has come in. You can get some merch, and do a little bit of good while youre at it: They recently wrote on their Facebook page that part of the proceeds from merchandise sales will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Taste of summer: A guide to when seasonal ice cream and seafood places are opening in Fall River and beyond St. Patricks Day at Mesa 21 Stop by Mesa 21, 21 Lindsey St., Fall River, on Sunday, March 17, for some St. Patricks Day goodies. Doors open at 9 a.m. Theyll be serving an Irish breakfast, corned beef pizza, and more. Corned beef dinner at Barretts Alehouse, 4171 N. Main St., Fall River. St. Patricks Day specials at Barretts Alehouse The St. Patricks Day specials are available all week at Barretts Alehouse, 4171 N. Main St., Fall River. For starters, theyve got corned beef egg rolls, served with thousand island dipping sauce. Plus, Dublin pretzel dippers and Irish potato skins. Entrees include shepherds pie, a corned beef dinner, corned beef sliders, a reuben panini, and bangers and mash. The soup of the week is Irish beef stew. Pot O'Gold mac and cheese at Barretts Waterfront, 1082 Davol St., Fall River. Pot OGold mac and cheese at Barretts Waterfront Barretts Waterfront, 1082 Davol St., Fall River, has got a pot of gold for you. Pot O Gold mac and cheese, that is. Its got a Guinness-gouda cheese sauce, shredded corned beef, chopped bacon, roasted Brussels sprouts, cavatappi pasta, and shaved Irish whiskey cheddar cheese. Comfort food: Get your Canadian comfort food fix at new Fall River poutine trailer St. Patricks Day at McGoverns Family Restaurant You can also celebrate St. Patricks Day with McGoverns Family Restaurant, 310 Shove St., Fall River. Their doors open at 11 a.m. on Sunday, and theyll be serving traditional favorites, including corned beef and cabbage. For those who cant make it on Sunday, theyll also have corned beef and cabbage on Saturday. Make your own margarita and avocado fries at Tequila Lime Cantina Ever wanted to make your own margarita? How about some avocado fries? You can do both at Tequila Lime Cantina, 197 Bank St., Fall River. On Thursday, April 25, at 6 p.m., you can learn how to make a margarita as well as Tequila Limes iconic avocado fries. All supplies will be included. Tickets are $45 per person. Call 774-365-4850 or send an email to tequilalimecantina@gmail.com. French macarons at Wingates Cake Design, 434 American Legion Hwy., Westport. French macaron flash sale at Wingates Cake Design Wingates Cake Design, 434 American Legion Hwy., Westport, is having a flash sale on French macarons. You can shop online, and pick them up in-store on Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find them on Wingates website, https://tinyurl.com/5227brr9, for 30% off. Bakes for Breast Cancer turns 25, seeks participants The Boston-based Bakes for Breast Cancer is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and is seeking participants for this year's events. Since 1999, the non-profit organization has encouraged restaurants, cafes, bakeries, pastry shops, grocery stores and other businesses offering desserts to designate one of their sweet treats during the weeklong event where 100% of the proceeds go to Bakes for Breast Cancer to fund breast cancer research. Participating establishments also have the opportunity to offer up their entire dessert roster, where 50% of the proceeds go back to the organization. Over the last twenty five years, Bakes for Breast Cancer has raised over 2 million dollars and over 5,000 different establishments have participated. The Massachusetts and Rhode Island event will take place from Friday, May 10, to Thursday, May 16. For more information about the event, and participating, visit bakesforbreastcancer.org. Do you have a special deal, menu item, or food-related event to share with local foodies? Send us an email at kfontes@heraldnews.com or news@heraldnews.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River Eats: Black Salt merch helps Make-A-Wish Foundation BRASILIA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira on Thursday said Israel's "disproportionate" use of force in the Gaza Strip indicates Benjamin Netanyahu's government seeks the "collective punishment" of the Palestinian people. At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee probing Brazil's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Vieira said it was necessary to condemn the "atrocity" of Hamas' attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and that the Brazilian government repudiated the attacks from the very beginning. "Israel has the right to defend its population, but it must do so within the norms of international law. However, with each passing day, it is clear that Israel's reaction has been extremely disproportionate. It is not only directed against those responsible for the attack but against the entire Palestinian people. It is a collective punishment," said the minister. Israel advancing into Palestinian territory is "unacceptable" and only "deepens the ongoing tragedies," he added. "Brazil's position is in favor of dialogue and negotiations leading to a two-state solution, with Palestine and Israel coexisting in peace and security, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders," the foreign minister told the committee. On Wednesday, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry announced that Vieira will visit the Middle East from March 15 to 20, including Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. After Venita Cooper moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and opened the brick-and-mortar location for her small business, she already had a vision of how its legacy would live on. In 2019, the entrepreneur crafted the concept of her store Silhouette Sneakers & Art, a shopping boutique that offers authentic sneakers and apparel exclusive to the Tulsa community. When customers visit her location, they also experience an art show since there is a gallery displaying urban art. In addition, they also host events that cater to new and old sneaker lovers. I was hopeful that I could build something that really resonated with the community, Cooper said in an interview with Marketplace.org. And then, if I could actually get it to a certain level of success, following in the footsteps of the Black entrepreneurs that came before me and using that to kind of pass the torch on to another entrepreneur. Coopers store is located in the Greenwood region of Tulsa, which is also famously recognized as Black Wall Street. Its one of the businesses that survived and thrived during and after the pandemic. The next phase Cooper had in mind involving the retail shop was to share her knowledge of entrepreneurship with other aspiring entrepreneurs, and thats exactly what she did, according to marketplace.org. On March 12, Cooper announced on Instagram that shes handing the reigns of the store to a new leader, Kellen James, an Oklahoma native. NEWS: Weve been acquired by Kellen James, a 3rd generation Tulsan, local firefighter, and lifelong sneakerheadSwipe for statements about the happy transition from Coop and our new owner Kellen, and drop any questions for them in the comments Were ready to enter this next chapter , Cooper captioned the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Silhouette Sneakers & Art (@silhouettetulsa)
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While this may have surprised the public, this was Coopers plan all along. It was her way of making a bigger impact in the area. Im a transplant to Tulsa, she told Marketplace.org. And, you know, theres a certain type of person that it was important to me that they would take over Silhouette. And to me, its someone from Tulsa, from North Tulsa, who has roots here. Still, Cooper isnt leaving Tulsa or sneaker culture behind. In May 2023, she introduced her new technology venture, Arbit, which she describes as the first app to forecast future prices in the sneaker resell market. I love this place, she said to Marketplace.org. Tulsa cant get rid of me. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer (C) and Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Federal Chancellery. Helmut Fohringer/APA-POOL/dpa US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated that Israel needs to protect civilians ahead of its planned operation in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. "We have to see a clear and implementable plan, not only to get civilians out of harm's way but also to make sure that once they are out of harm's way, they are appropriately cared for," Blinken said in Vienna on Friday after talks with Austrian leaders. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg noted that although it is fighting against the militant Palestinian Hamas organization, "Israel has to measure itself by international law." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for a military operation in Rafah on Friday, according to his office. Alongside the operational deployment, the army is preparing to evacuate the civilian population, his office said in a statement. According to Netanyahu's office, in addition to operational operations, the Israeli army is preparing to evacuate the civilian population of Rafah. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer (C) and Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Federal Chancellery. Helmut Fohringer/APA-POOL/dpa The BMW driver charged with killing two people on the Cross Bronx Expressway while going more than 130 mph didnt expect to be arrested, his lawyer said Thursday. Now Anyelo Velez Rodriguez busted Tuesday when he went to pick up his damaged car, which police have been holding since the fatal crash five years ago faces up to 15 years in prison. He had no idea that an investigation was going on, his lawyer Kevin Faga said at the suspects arraignment for manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. He received a notice that his car was going to be released and he went to the precinct. Thats when he was taken into custody. The suspect was also drinking before the crash, though his blood alcohol level, .04%, was not high enough to charge him with a DWI. Killed in the Feb. 11, 2019 crash were Jaquan Cesar, 28, and Richard Lue, 22. Cesar got out of his car on the westbound Cross Bronx Expressway near Webster Ave. at about 1:15 a.m. to help a 24-year-old woman injured when she rear-end a GMC. Dozens of vehicles passed by the scene with no issues, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Kenny said in court. But then the suspect, allegedly flying at about 130 mph, rear-ended the Mercedes, launching him over the concrete barrier and onto the expressways eastbound lanes, where he was struck by another driver eviscerated by oncoming traffic Kenny said. The suspect then lurched his car backward, striking Lues Honda, which was pushed into the path of an oncoming tractor trailer, police previously said. Cesar died at the scene, while Lue died that night at St. Barnabas Hospital. Velez Rodriguez, ordered held on $100,000 cash bail, owns two body shops in the Bronx and has three children, according to his lawyer. The suspects fiancee appeared in court for moral support. A boat carrying 25 migrants from Haiti was recently interdicted by Florida law enforcement, state officials said Friday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Florida Fish and Wildlife officers intercepted the vessel within the last couple of weeks. In their boat, in their vessel, they had firearms, they had drugs, they had night vision gear and were boating very recklessly, which would potentially endanger other folks, DeSantis said at a press conference. DeSantis said the boat was interdicted near the Sebastian inlet, and the migrants were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation. Florida Fish and Wildlife released a statement acknowledging that officers had intercepted a boat carrying multiple illegal Haitian immigrants, guns, drugs and night vision equipment on Feb. 29. After stopping the vessel, officers immediately knew they had intercepted a human smuggling operation, the agency said. On Thursday, DeSantis announced Florida would deploy additional law enforcement resources to the southern regions of the state in anticipation of a possible wave of Haitian migrants as the country struggles with street violence and political instability. The Florida governor, speaking at a press conference, said he signed three bills that target illegal immigration in the state. He also said the state had been looking at boats before the announcement Thursday and law enforcement is going to continue to do it. DeSantis criticized the federal government for failing to take responsibility and said it is not really Floridas responsibility to increase its resources to combat the influx of migrants. Weve got an incredible amount of resources that are now on display, he said, later adding that the Coast Guard does by and large a good job but theyre undermanned, theyre under resourced, so were filling those gaps. DeSantis used the speech to slam President Biden for his border policies, and said migrants from all over the world, as well as Haiti, are going to have an easier time entering the United States by walking across the border than anywhere else because they know that Biden will just let everybody in. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The body of a missing kayaker who disappeared in Lake Carolina Thursday afternoon, according to reports from WOLO. The Columbia Fire Department, with assistance from the Department of Natural Resources, spent hours searching for the boater after their kayaker overturned and never resurfaced. ALSO READ: ID released of 41-year-old man who drowned in Catawba River Eventually, the kayakers body was found in the northeast Columbia area of Richland County, according to reports from WOLO. The coroners office has not released the victims identity. VIDEO: Officials: Crews search for body of missing kayaker in Catawba River Boeing has told airlines operating 787 Dreamliners that pilots need to check their seats as an investigation into an incident on a Latam flight continues. It comes after 50 people were hurt this week when a 787 dropped suddenly during a Latam Airlines flight. The Wall Street Journal reported that a flight attendant accidentally hit a switch on the pilot's seat, which pushed the pilot into the controls, forcing down the plane's nose. Latam is supporting investigations. During the incident people were thrown against the roof of the plane, which was travelling from Australia to New Zealand. Passenger Brian Jokat said at the time that a number of people suffered head injuries. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jokat revealed that people had hit the ceiling with such force "some of the roof panels were broken". 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. Emergency services later said one person was in a serious condition. Boeing said: "The investigation of Flight LA800 is ongoing and we defer to the investigation authorities on any potential findings." "We have taken the precautionary measure of reminding 787 operators of a service bulletin issued in 2017 which included instructions for inspecting and maintaining switches on flight deck seats." It recommended that operators perform an inspection of the switches "at the next maintenance opportunity". Chilean-Brazilian carrier Latam Airlines said it "continues to work in coordination with the authorities in order to support the ongoing investigation". 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. The incident comes after a door panel came off a Boeing plane in January this year, with a report in February finding bolts meant to secure the panel were missing. And this week, a former Boeing employee known for raising concerns about the firm's production standards was found dead in the US. The LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping violently and injuring dozens of travellers, is seen on the tarmac of the Auckland International Airport on March 12, 2024 (BRETT PHIBBS) Boeing on Friday warned airlines flying its 787 Dreamliner model to inspect certain switches in the cockpit, after a New Zealand-bound LATAM plane dropped violently mid-flight, injuring dozens of travelers. "The investigation of Flight LA800 is ongoing and we defer to the investigation authorities on any potential findings," a statement from the US aeronautics giant said. "We have taken the precautionary measure of reminding 787 operators of a service bulletin issued in 2017 which included instructions for inspecting and maintaining switches on flight deck seats," Boeing said, adding, "We are recommending operators perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity." Boeing regularly sends recommendations about its planes to its clients. But this one involved a particularly dangerous incident. The Chilean airlines LATAM was flying Monday from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand, when the plane suddenly plunged earthward, flinging unrestrained passengers out of their seats and smashing some into the cabin roof. Fifty people were injured, including 13 who were hospitalized. The airline on Tuesday attributed the accident to an unspecified "technical event." But the Wall Street Journal, citing US industry sources, said Friday the incident was caused by the clumsiness of a crew member. It said a flight attendant inadvertently hit a switch on the pilot's seat while serving a meal, causing a motorized feature to thrust the pilot into the controls and push the plane's nose sharply down. It said the switch is usually covered and is not meant to be used when the pilot is in the seat. Contacted in Chile by AFP, LATAM refused to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. "From the beginning we have collaborated with the authorities to clarify this matter," it added. Boeing also refused to comment. For its part, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was convening a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) made up of safety experts to study the matter "and provide feedback to Boeing." It added, "The process will include reviewing the 2017 service bulletin related to the switches in the pilot seats." Boeing has suffered a series of safety issues in recent years, including the fatal crashes of 737 MAX planes in 2018 and 2019 that killed more than 350 people and the near-catastrophic incident in January when a fuselage panel on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines jet blew off mid-flight. 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. 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." Boeing's share price has dropped 25 percent since the start of the year. elm-ps/els/cm/bbk/acb Curious Causes As Boeing continues to be in the news for its repeatedly malfunctioning planes, the fallout from one ex-employee's death continues and new reports complicate the coroner's initial suicide ruling. In an interview with Charleston, South Carolina's ABC4 News, a friend of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, whose body was found dead in a car parked in a hotel lot amid his testimony against his former employer last weekend, said that he warned her that something might happen to him. "I said, 'Aren't you scared?'" the woman, who gave only her first name Jennifer, told the local broadcaster. "And he said, 'No, I ain't scared, but if anything happens to me, it's not suicide.'" Jennifer said that Barnett's words were spoken ahead of his deposition against Boeing. At the time, he'd mentioned that the company had retaliated against him for raising safety concerns before which was, indeed, the subject of his Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) complaint that led to his now-unfinished deposition. The woman, who lives in the whistleblower's home state of Louisiana where he'd moved in recent years to take care of his aging mother, said that that cryptic warning has come back to haunt her since Barnett's death, which a coroner in Charleston says was self-inflicted. "I know that he did not commit suicide," Jennifer told ABC4. "There's no way. He loved life too much. He loved his family too much. He loved his brothers too much to put them through what they're going through right now." Hearsay She's not alone in that sentiment either, it seems. In a statement to Futurism, Barnett's attorneys said that they also "didn't see any indication" that the whistleblower may have been planning to take his own life, and that he'd seemed in "good spirits" as his deposition was coming to a close. Not everyone close to the longtime Boeing quality control manager agrees with that sentiment, however. In an interview with the Seattles Times, Barnett's niece, Katelyn Gillespie, said that her "fun uncle" had become "stressed and depressed" in recent months as his ex-employer was in the news amid the same kinds of safety concerns he'd raised and ultimately resigned over. "He battled a lot due to the Boeing stuff," the whistleblower's niece said. "It took a major toll on him." Despite the Charleston County coroner's preliminary autopsy report on the cause of death being a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that local police found, per the city's Live 5 News, "some sort of note," authorities said they are still actively investigating the case while awaiting an official coroner's ruling. As in other suspicious whistleblower suicides, it's almost impossible for anyone to know exactly what happened when Barnett died but with this new claim from someone close to Barnett, things just got a lot more complicated. More on Boeing: Pilot Lost Control of Boeing Jet Because Gauges Went Blank," Causing Nosedive In newly released reports, Boises police oversight office said five officers acted appropriately in the nonfatal shootings of three men and publicized several training recommendations made by the citys police department. Office of Police Accountability Director Nicole McKay published three reports Thursday in the 2022 shootings of Jake Cottrell and Jeremy Waste, and the 2023 shooting of Gavin Donithorne. All three men were injured and later charged with felonies. The office has dealt with a backlog after the citys former oversight director was fired in December 2022. With the completion of the reports in the Cottrell and Waste incidents, the OPA has released findings on all three police shootings from 2022. Boise police were involved in six shootings in 2023, and five of those reports still are outstanding. The oversight offices reports are among the investigations that occur when a Boise police officer shoots someone. There also are a Critical Incident Task Force inquiry led by a local law enforcement agency and an investigation done by the departments Office of Internal Affairs. Typically, the details of the internal affairs investigation arent public, but McKays reports have publicized those findings along with any police training recommendations. In all three shootings, the departments IA investigations found that the officers use of deadly force didnt violate any laws or police policies. The Boise Police Department did conclude, however and McKay agreed in the OPA report that Boise Cpl. Brad Griffin violated policy when he didnt turn on his body camera in the shooting of Donithorne. Working after the CITF reports, prosecutors cleared the officers in the shootings of Waste and Donithorne, and said they were justified in their actions. The Owyhee County Prosecutors Office is still determining whether officers were justified in shooting Cottrell, according to the OPA report. Cottrell was sentenced to up to 40 years in prison last summer after pleading guilty to several felonies related to incidents that led to his shooting. He fled from police during a home visit while he was on parole, eventually stealing two vehicles and firing a gun at law enforcement officers. One responding Boise officer didnt fire weapon at Donithorne In March 2023, police began searching for Donithorne, 23, who was driving from Oregon to Boise and had threatened family members here with harm, according to calls to authorities. Law enforcement said they eventually located Donithorne, who pointed and appeared to discharge a weapon at officers after he exited his car. Boise Police Officer Nicholas Quintana, who has five years in law enforcement and joined the department in 2023, and an Ada County Sheriffs Office sergeant fired their weapons at Donithorne, who was struck once. Police later discovered that the firearm was a compressed-air BB gun, the report said. It was reasonable for Quintana to believe Donithorne had a real firearm since it was nearly identical in size and appearance to an actual handgun and didnt have orange coloring on the muzzle that typical replicas have, according to the report. The OPA report also noted that Griffin did not fire his weapon. Donithorne pointed the BB gun at Griffin, who ducked down, but he then heard sounds that he recognized as a BB gun, so he didnt discharge his service weapon, according to the report. This occurred while Quintana was firing at Donithorne, the report said. Given the imminent nature of the threat of being shot, less lethal force options, such as a taser or pepper spray, were not appropriate or reasonable for the officers to use in this situation, the OPA report said. McKays report summarized recommendations made by the Internal Affairs investigation. The department said officers should receive additional training on vehicle pursuit tactics, practicing tactical scenarios and incorporating body-camera activation. The oversight office agreed with these recommendations and didnt have any other suggestions. Report cites mans history of mental health problems The report covering the shooting of Waste, 31, highlighted that his mental health had been deteriorating for several weeks. This new information makes Waste one of 10 people shot by Treasure Valley authorities since 2021 who were suffering from a mental health crisis, previous Idaho Statesman reporting shows. In November 2022, officers responded to an East Boise home after Waste was accused of stabbing a family member, but werent able to locate him. Two days later, Waste attempted to rob Washington Federal Bank off of South Federal Way in Boise, according to the report. (The Boise Police Department) became concerned about Mr. Wastes escalating violent behavior, reported access to firearms, and reported deteriorating mental health, the report said. Later that day, the report said police began an organized effort involving multiple uniformed and plainclothes officers to locate and arrest Waste. Cpl. Kip Paporello, who joined the Boise department in 1999, located Waste riding a bike near an apartment complex and attempted to stop him after identifying himself as a police officer, but the report said Waste fled toward a bike path. Waste was then located by Cpl. Robert Gibson. Waste yelled, I want to get shot, I want to go to heaven, and ran toward Gibson with a knife, according to prior Statesman reporting and video footage. Gibson attempted to avoid Waste by going behind his patrol car, and then Waste ran toward Paporello. Paporello fired two shots at Waste, according to the report. The BPD Internal Affairs investigation said that Paporello, a neighborhood contact officer, was not in uniform and was at a disadvantage when he stopped Waste by himself, because he didnt have all the necessary equipment such as a car-mounted radio, body armor, less-lethal options and a body camera. The report noted that if Paporello had taken time to have his tactical vest, which had additional equipment, he might have lost the element of surprise. While Cpl. Paporellos decisive action was reasonable under the circumstances, it is noted that it created additional risk to officer safety, the report said. The oversight office said additional training, refined protocols and equipment for the neighborhood contact unit could be added to mitigate those risks. These findings fell in line with recommendations made by the Boise Police Department that all neighborhood officers and detectives should be equipped with body armor, tactical vests and any other necessary paraphernalia. Police also said the unit should perform training quarterly. Cpl. Paporello and Cpl. Gibson handled the situation in a professional and effective manner, the report said. Rui Miguens de Oliveira, Angola's minister of industry and commerce, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Luanda, capital of Angola, March 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Dai He) "China's presence and collaboration at various levels -- state level, public enterprise level and private business level -- have been crucial for our industrial relaunch," said Rui Miguens de Oliveira, Angola's minister of industry and commerce, in a recent interview with Xinhua. LUANDA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- "China's presence and collaboration at various levels -- state level, public enterprise level and private business level -- have been crucial for our industrial relaunch," said Rui Miguens de Oliveira, Angola's minister of industry and commerce, in a recent interview with Xinhua. Regarding Angola's industrialization process, Rui Miguens expressed gratitude for China's strong support in the post-war rebuilding and construction of new infrastructure. The minister emphasized that the participation and presence of Chinese companies and financial resources were fundamental for the initial recovery of destroyed infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, energy transmission lines and water supply systems. "All of these are infrastructures necessary for general economic and social development, but particularly essential for our industry," he said. Rui Miguens noted that following the restoration of infrastructure, Angola witnessed investments from Chinese private companies in various industrial sectors, bringing new vitality and showcasing Angola's industrial potential to the world. "The fact is that, at this moment, the largest private investors in Angola are likely Chinese investors. They are the best example of Angola, where it is possible to invest, create jobs, establish industries, and allow entrepreneurs to earn profits honestly," he said. This photo taken on March 9, 2024 shows a city view of Luanda, capital of Angola. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) More than 400 Chinese companies currently operate in Angola, with investments exceeding 24 billion U.S. dollars. Many of these companies are engaged in industrial production, running factories that produce construction materials, plastics, daily-use products, steel, batteries, and other items. "I was very impressed with the level of development I found in Chinese society and found the model that China has for industrialization, bringing large sections of the population that were previously just rural into the industry," he said. Rui Miguens believed that China's high-tech manufacturing and industrial development have benefited ordinary households, thereby improving people's lives, and Angola can learn from China's industrialization experience to improve the income of its people. Since China and Angola established diplomatic relations 41 years ago, Angola has emerged as China's second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching 23 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Chinese companies have rebuilt or constructed new 2,800 km of railways, 20,000 km of roads, over 100,000 social housing units, more than 100 schools, and more than 50 hospitals in the southern African nation. In the past decade, cooperation between China and Angola under the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results, Rui Miguens said, describing the initiative as promoting economic and social development on the African continent and helping Africa integrate into global trade. It enables nations to leverage their capabilities and potential, ultimately aiming for global well-being, the minister said. He also highlighted the initiative's potential contribution to peace, in addition to promoting social development among countries. "We have been able to develop trade between various nations in such a way that it is mutually beneficial, benefiting all parties in a balanced and fair manner. We will be able to have more peace in the world, which is very necessary for us to develop our lives and have well-being for all humanity," he said. As Ukrainian forces assume a more defensive posture, Kyivs irregular warfare behind enemy lines becomes even more important. Ukrainian irregulars are already active, even striking distant targets in Russia. With Western support and technology, these silent warriors could become even more potent. Using unorthodox and imaginative tactics, Ukraines irregular warriors are notching stunning gains. Sea drones sink modern warships in the Black Sea. Aerial drones evade Russias best air defenses to strike oil facilities in St. Petersburg. Saboteurs blow up trains and paralyze Russias longest rail tunnel in the Far East. Officials and turncoats in Russian-occupied areas are routinely assassinated. Two years ago, when Ukraines military prospects seemed dimmer, Western allies considered helping to sponsor a government in exile and subsequent guerilla operations. There is a Ukrainian precedent: Insurgents fought in World War II and endured for a decade afterward. In 2022, some in the West worried that backing a Ukrainian insurgency could draw NATO and Russian forces into conflict. These concerns might now be less. Russia has not attacked NATO member states, and Ukraine has not used Western arms to strike ground targets in Russia. The West has long had experience in aiding resistance movements. In World War II, covert Allied supplies helped Yugoslav Partisans tie down Nazi divisions. In the 1980s, the U.S. helped Afghan insurgents fight Soviet occupiers, and it supported the Solidarity free trade union to oppose Polands Soviet-backed regime. Drawing on this experience and emerging technologies, how might the West further strengthen Ukraines irregular warfare campaign as part of an overall strategy to win the war? First, in a conventional war between industrial powers, irregular warfare operations will be only a supporting element to the main strategy. They can, however, have outsized impact if properly integrated into that strategy. D-Day sabotage by the French resistance is an example. A common definition of strategy is a method to combine ways and means to accomplish an end. For Ukraine, this is the restoration of territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Standing in the way of this, however, is the Russian army. Last year, it blunted Ukraines counteroffensive, although Russias own offensive also failed. Despite some recent success, the Russian army has vulnerabilities in logistics, command and control, and morale. Ukraines fighting force could further exploit these weaknesses with improved integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets linked to longer-range fires. The West could help by providing greater support to Ukrainian operations behind Russian lines, and to longer-range fires for strikes deep behind them. This integrated capability could help Ukraine suppress enemy air defenses. This will be essential if newly arriving F-16 jets are to provide effective close-air support to future Ukrainian offensives. The Russian military failed to do this when increasing air sorties to support its Avdiivka offensive and lost a dozen combat aircraft. Ukrainian forces could not afford a similar mistake. Longer-range fires would enable Ukraine to seriously disrupt Russian logistics as well as command and control. These fires could destroy or render inoperable the Kerch Bridge and other bridges as well as railyards, warehouses and ammunition depots in occupied Ukraine and over the border in Russia. If Moscow can daily target Ukrainian civilians, Kyiv should have the ability to strike Russian military assets that sow death and destruction on Ukrainian soil. Dismantling Russian air defenses and logistics requires intelligence gathered behind enemy lines. Ukraine has shown that even with limited resources it can conduct intelligence-based deep strikes in Crimea and elsewhere. The keys to scaling this up are increased on-the-ground human and technical intelligence and secure communications. Irregular warfare behind Russian lines need not resemble the guerrilla exploits of the French, Polish or Yugoslav resistance movements in World War II. Smart weapons and Russian war crimes against Ukrainian civilians make this unnecessary or unwise. Instead, Ukrainian irregular warfare should resemble stealthy Cold War intelligence and counterintelligence work rather than large-scale paramilitary operations. The West has been criticized for being overly reluctant to provide Ukraine with some advanced conventional arms. This self-deterrence ought not stay the Wests hand in helping Ukraine with irregular warfare. This is unlikely to pose escalatory risks that worry some in the West. A strategy to attrit Russian army logistics and undermine morale is optimal for indirect, irregular warfare. It will support the more substantial conventional offensive operations needed to expel Russian forces from Ukraine. Phillip Wasielewski is a senior fellow in the Eurasia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute think tank. He previously served as a paramilitary case officer with a 31-year career in the CIAs Directorate of Operations. William Courtney is an adjunct senior fellow at the think tank Rand and a former U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan and Georgia. Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said after meetings in Washington on 14 March that further support for Ukraine must not be delayed, given the likelihood of another Russian offensive. Source: European Pravda, citing Borrell as quoted by Reuters Details: The EU's top diplomat told journalists he had conveyed a simple message to US politicians: "Whatever has to be done, it has to be done quickly." "It's true for us. We have to speed up. We have to increase our support, to do more and quicker. That's why we are increasing our industrial defence capacities. And it is also true for the US," Borrell said. He added that "the next few months will be decisive" for the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Many analysts expect a major Russian offensive this summer, and Ukraine cannot wait until the result of the next US elections," the top EU diplomat said. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has refused to schedule a vote on a bill that would provide Ukraine with an additional US$60 billion in aid. He has promised to prepare his own draft to support Ukraine, which may offer support in the form of a loan or lend-lease to protect American taxpayers' interests. The White House has rejected this idea. Support UP or become our patron! NYPD detectives have arrested a 14-year-old boy who played a role in a Bronx subway station shooting that left one dead and five wounded, cops said Friday. The young teen, who was not named because of his age, was also wounded in the shooting. Detectives on Thursday charged the teen with murder, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon for the Feb. 12 gang-related shooting at the Mt. Eden station on the No. 4 line. Hes expected to be arraigned as a juvenile offender Monday, police sources with knowledge of the case said. Cops had already arrested 16-year-old Langel Jones, who was ordered held without bail on murder charges. Jones is charged as an adult. A 15-year-old boy who was with Jones is still being sought, cops said. Jones and the 15-year-old who was with him are members of the D Block crew, say police. D Block stands for Davidson Ave., NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters last month. Jones and the 15-year-old suspect were walking through the train when they spotted the 14-year-old, who is affiliated with the Burnside crew, cops said. The younger teen was responsible for a Jan. 15 gang-related shooting against the D Block crew outside a bodega on Davidson Ave. cops said. During the chance encounter the three teens pulled guns and began firing from opposite ends of the subway car as the train entered the station, said cops. The three teens continued to shoot as they ran out onto the platform, cops said. An estimated 19 shots were fired, hitting six people, most of them innocent bystanders. One of the bullets struck 35-year-old Mexican immigrant Obed Beltran-Sanchez in the chest, prosecutors say. Beltran-Sanchez died at St. Barnabas Hospital. Police have not said which suspect fired the fatal bullet. Five other people between 14 and 71 years old were wounded. Beltran-Sanchez was seated on the train and stepped out the door when he heard a commotion and was hit by a stray bullet, Kenny said Thursday. Hes just a gentleman riding the train, Kenny said. He made the mistake of looking out onto the platform to see what was going on and he ends up getting killed. It was not immediately clear Friday if the 14-year-old is being charged as an adult or a juvenile. The arrest was announced the day a 36-year-old man was shot in the head on a Brooklyn A train during a bloody brawl with a younger man. In that incident, the victim was the aggressor and pulled the gun, but his intended victim managed to get it away from him and shoot him in the head with it, cops said. That shooting in the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station in downtown Brooklyn is the ninth reported on the subway system this year, cops said. This time last year, only one shooting had occurred. The Bradenton Heralds journey toward a more digitally focused, sustainable future takes its biggest step yet later this year. We will transition to a 24/7 digital product with two days of high-quality print editions beginning May 20. The print editions will publish Wednesdays and Sundays and be delivered by mail, arriving on the same day as publication, in most cases, alongside your regular mail delivery. The Sunday newspaper will arrive on Saturday because of the U.S. Postal Services delivery schedule. Single copies also will be available at select retail locations. The electronic edition we call it the eEdition for short will continue to publish seven days a week at Bradenton.com and in our digital app. And well continue to publish news digitally throughout the day, every day. The best is yet to come. Were very excited about a new, improved eEdition that will be in place in the next few months. This is another key move for us in the digital transition of the news industry and a vital step toward the sustainability of the Bradenton Herald. Originally founded as the Evening Herald in September 1922, the Bradenton Herald is one of Manatee Countys oldest institutions, and were not going anywhere. For over 100 years, the Herald has been a trusted source of the latest news from Anna Maria Island to Lakewood Ranch to Parrish. But as we look to continue that coverage for the next 100 years, we must adapt to the digital world. Just as consumers have become comfortable with online shopping, banking and social media, readers have also grown comfortable with reading the news online. Were also expanding our digital offerings and improving your digital experience. For a limited time were offering a unique opportunity for Bradenton Herald subscribers to enjoy a customized experience via a brand-new tablet we provide at no extra cost. You can register for that program online at digital.bradenton.com/tablet-offer/ while supplies last. Restrictions apply. The Bradenton Heralds mission remains the same as always. We hold the powerful to account and keep citizens up to date on the latest news affecting the coastal paradise that we call home. In the past year alone, our team of reporters won first-place awards from the Florida Society of News Editors for Hurricane Ian coverage, reporting on the environment and how development has affected the historically Black Tallevast community. The newsroom also earned accolades for reporting on business, housing development in Parrish and local politics. In January, the Florida Press Club awarded the Herald for our in-depth reporting, environmental news, photography and more. Some of the Bradenton Heralds recent standout coverage includes James A. Jones scoop that a third Target store is coming to Manatee County, Ryan Balloggs expert reporting on controversial changes to local wetland protections and Michael Moore Jr.s article on a tragic fatal hit-and-run crash that will not result in any charges. And our investment in the community continues. On Monday, Victoria Villanueva-Marquez joined the newsroom as our newest hire. In the coming days and weeks, you will see her name on the Bradenton Heralds award-winning breaking news coverage. If youre already a subscriber, thank you for supporting the work we do and investing in local journalism (be sure to activate your digital access at bradenton.com/activate). If you arent a subscriber, please consider being a part of the solution. A growing community deserves a strong, independent local news source. The future of our community depends on it. In the coming days, subscribers will receive correspondence from our customer service team regarding next steps. That team can be reached at 1-800-748-6666. Ryan Callihan is the senior editor of the Bradenton Herald. He has been a member of the newsroom since 2017. You can contact him at rcallihan@bradenton.com. Brooks Houck, who is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Crystal Rogers, wants to be tried separately from the other two men who have been charged in connection with the death of the Bardstown mom. Kentucky Special Prosecutor Shane Young filed a motion in Nelson Circuit Court Wednesday requesting that one joint trial be held for Houck, Joseph Lawson and Stephen Lawson. Houck, 42, was indicted in September on charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Joseph Lawson, 33, and Stephen Lawson, 53, have been indicted on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit murder and complicity to tampering with physical evidence. All three have pleaded not guilty. Young argued that they acted in concert to accomplish the murder of Crystal Rogers and to dispose of evidence which would conceal the murder and said the facts and evidence surrounding the crimes they are accused of committing are identical, overlapping, and would be admissible if they were tried together or separately. He stated in his motion that the grand jury relied on the same facts in indicting each of the three defendants, and he said a joint trial will ensure that the jury will have the complete picture of what occurred during that time frame and the involvement of each defendant. But in a response filed Friday, attorneys for Houck say trying all three men together would violate Houcks Sixth Amendment rights. The 24-page document filed by Houcks attorneys includes excerpts from interviews law enforcement conducted with the Lawsons, which Houcks attorneys say shows the bias and pressure to charge Brooks. Police reported to both Lawsons that they were not concerned whether either one of them murdered Crystal Rogers, as long as they agreed to cooperate against Brooks, the document states. Stephen Lawson is Joseph Lawsons father, according to the document filed by Houcks attorneys. Both Lawsons sought to avoid jail time by saying whatever they needed to say to obtain the immunity offer that was dangled in front of them, the document states. Being able to show the law enforcement focus on Houck during those interviews and the inconsistencies in the other defendants statements will be crucial to Brooks defense, his attorneys argue. However, they say statements made by the Lawsons cannot be introduced as evidence against them, which Houcks attorneys say would be problematic for his defense. To preserve the rights of each defendant, they must be tried separately, Houcks attorneys argue. The special prosecutor, Young, argued in his motion to consolidate the trials that a joint trial would be more efficient, especially since Houck and the Lawsons have all asked for a change of venue. Houcks attorneys filed their request to have the trial moved out of Central Kentucky last week, saying incessant and pervasive local media coverage would prevent him from getting a fair trial. The logistics of moving a case of this nature and size would be monumental, Young wrote. Requiring multiple trials in another venue would certainly be a waste of judicial resources when the cases involve the same facts surrounding the same events. While separate trials may be inconvenient, the inconvenience does not outweigh each of these defendants constitutional right to a fair trial, especially when such gravely serious charges are involved, Houcks attorneys argue in their response. Young said in his motion that he will present his request to the court at 1 p.m. March 21. Rogers was reported missing by her mother July 5, 2015. Her body has never been found. Trial date for Brooks Houck, other suspects set in the case of Crystal Rogers death Whos involved in the Crystal Rogers case? 12 people to know and how theyre connected There have been arrests in Crystal Rogers case, but not these other Kentucky cold cases EVANSVILLE Eighth District Rep. Larry Bucshon swatted down a Newsweek report suggesting he might resign from Congress because of dissatisfaction with former President Donald Trump. Newsweek included Bucshon in a list of "five other House Republicans" who could resign in the wake of Colorado Rep. Ken Buck's unexpected announcement Tuesday that he would leave Congress. Buck, a Republican, had already announced he would not seek re-election this year. Bucshon also has said he will not seek an eighth two-year term. More: Bucshon built a very specific profile in Congress. He says he won't seek re-election. But that's a far cry from resigning and leaving Congress now. Bucshon spokesman Zach Bannon said in an email to the Courier & Press that the Newsweek report is baseless speculation. "Hoosiers in Southern and West Central Indiana renewed Dr. Bucshons contract for another two years in 2022, and he plans to fulfill that contract and serve out his current term in Congress," Bannon wrote. "Any assertion otherwise has no basis in fact other than Dr. Bucshon has decided to not run for reelection. U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon at the Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the Evansville Country Club March 2, 2023. "This is nothing more than the political equivalent of 'CLUE.'" Bucshon announced in January that he would not seek re-election to Congress serving Indiana's 21-county 8th District, which includes Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey and Gibson counties. It came as a surprise because Bucshon had said he intended to run for re-election again this year. No other Republicans and just one Democrat had made plans to seek his Southern and West Central Indiana seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. For election purposes the seat is open for the first time in 14 years. Newsweek's report cited Bucshon's prediction in August that Trump would not be the GOP's presidential nominee in 2024. In an interview with the Courier & Press then, Bucshon cited the controversy that dogs Trump and the intense feelings the former president engenders from both supporters and opponents. More: Trump won't be GOP's candidate next year, says Evansville congressman Bucshon also accused Trump of using "dangerous rhetoric" after Congress voted to certify electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election. He followed that by noting that he had supported Trump for president and supported his policies, but "many of the Presidents supporters took him literally, resulting in the attempted insurrection." The veteran Republican congressman also took issue with what he called Trump's "harsh unfounded criticism of my friend Vice President Mike Pence." More: With 13 candidates, Indiana's 8th District Congressional race is a free-for-all Bucshon's decision not to run for re-election in the solidly Republican 8th District triggered a wildly unpredictable and packed race to succeed him in Congress. The major parties will choose nominees in the race in primary elections to be held May 7. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Bucshon denies and slams Newsweek report that he may resign BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo man was arrested in connection with a July 4, 2023 fatal shooting on Warring Avenue, the Buffalo Police Department announced Friday. Police said 27-year-old Lamarrio Clark allegedly shot 28-year-old Corbin Kinsey multiple times around 5 p.m. on the first block of Warring. The victim was found in the street with gunshot wounds and was later declared deceased after being taken to ECMC. Clark was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to police. Latest Local News Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Bulgarian Orthodox Priests pay their last respects to Bulgarian patriarch Neophyte at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Friday, March 15, 2024. National mourning was declared by the Bulgarian government on March 15 and 16 to honour Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria. Neophyte who was the first elected head of the Orthodox Church in the post-communist Balkan country, died at a hospital in Sofia on March 13. He was 78. .(AP Photo/Valentina Petrova) SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) Thousands of Orthodox Christians from across Bulgaria flocked to Sofias main Alexander Nevski Cathedral on Friday to pay their respects to their late spiritual leader, Patriarch Neophyte, who died Wednesday at the age of 78. Neophyte, who became patriarch in 2013, was the first head of the Bulgarian church to be chosen after the fall of Communism in 1989. He died in a hospital in Sofia after a long illness. The government declared a two-day period of national mourning to honor Patriarch Neophytes memory. Black-clad priests held a memorial service Friday as lines of worshippers passed by the open casket where Neophyte lay in state, dressed in a white robe and wearing a golden crown. The coffin holding the patriarchs body will be taken on Saturday in a funeral procession to St. Nedelya's Church, where he will be buried. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, is expected to arrive for the funeral, as well as delegations from other Eastern Orthodox churches. Orthodox Christianity is Bulgarias dominant religion, followed by some 85% of its 6.7 million people. Bartholomew is considered first among equals among Eastern Orthodox patriarchs, which gives him prominence but not the power of a Catholic pope. Large portions of the Eastern Orthodox world are self-governing under their own patriarchs. Neophyte succeeded Patriarch Maxim, who was at the helm of the church during the turbulent transition period from Communism to democracy. Neophyte was widely acclaimed for his diplomatic skills in resolving internal conflicts among the senior clergy, as well as maintaining good relations with other churches and denominations. With the charisma of a modest and well-tempered leader, Neophyte won respect among the faithful. He publicly welcomed Pope Francis during the pontiffs visit to Sofia in 2019, a major gesture of reconciliation between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches but which was seen by other senior figures in the Bulgarian Church as an attack on Orthodoxy. In a statement, the Bulgarian Catholic church praised Neophytes sincere brotherly Christian love for the Bulgarian Catholic community. The Muslim faith will remember him for his empathy and respect for the religious communities in the country, said Mustafa Hadzhi, spiritual leader of the Muslim community in Bulgaria. Relations with the larger Russian Orthodox Church deteriorated after Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Last year, a high-ranking Russian Orthodox priest in Bulgaria was expelled from the country on accusations of espionage, while earlier this year, Neophyte strongly condemned the role of the Russian church in the war in Ukraine. Our Lord, God, and the Holy Church bless only that army which does not demonstrate aggression and whose sole purpose is to protect and defend its people and country within internationally recognized territorial borders, Neophyte said, referring to Moscow Patriarch Kirills blessings of Russian soldiers going to fight in Ukraine. Bus services in the west of Scotland are set to be brought back under local control under radical plans. The current deregulated network could be replaced with a franchise system like the ones in London and Manchester. This means fares, routes and ticketing would be controlled by a local public body such as Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). However, SPT has said it could take seven years to set up and would need at least 45m in extra funding every year. In the meantime, Bus Service Improvement Partnerships (BSIPs) will be introduced, where contracts are put in place with bus firms to run services. That will prevent operators from planning services on a purely commercial basis - without input from a local transport authority like SPT. The aim is to bring more local control and enable operators to be judged on performance. Reform recommendations were approved at an SPT meeting earlier. It said it would consult widely on the recommendations over the next few months. Under the planned franchise system, bus firms would have to bid for contracts within an approved network. A public body, such as SPT, would set the precise routes, the timetable, the frequency and take in fares. It means that routes with lower patronage are subsidised by busier, more popular routes. But bus operator McGills has warned that introducing a franchise system will create a "funding black hole for taxpayers". Deregulation, which was introduced by Margaret Thatcher in 1986, was meant to drive down fares and improve services amid competition, but has led to complaints about fewer services, punctuality and higher costs. Bus use plummeted Critics say bus firms cherry-pick the profitable routes, and leave the rest. According to SPT, bus use in the region has plummeted by a third in the past decade - equating to 70 million fewer bus journeys. And despite the fact that the bus network is shrinking, with fewer bus routes being served, fares have risen much faster than the cost of living. SPT's chairman, Councillor Stephen Dornan, said it was a "bold and ambitious plan" which "sets a strong approach to tackle a declining bus market". "It gives us opportunities to build for growth, and deliver a network that is attractive, accessible, and affordable to both passengers in our communities who rely on the bus to get around and those who we need to get 'on board' by offering an attractive alternative to the private car," he said. "However, any franchising option will take time and investment to establish so we need to look at doing something now to halt the declining bus market. "BSIPs, which also require suitable investment, offer the best opportunity for a significant, interim improvement while we work to establish the world-class local bus franchise model the people of the west of Scotland deserve." He called for extra funding from the Scottish government. A franchise system is in place in London and Manchester and is also being introduced in Liverpool. SPT has warned it could between five and seven years for a franchise system like the Bee Network in Manchester to be in operation. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says putting buses back under public control improves services But Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, told BBC Scotland News it makes services accountable to people. "If the bus sails right past, or doesn't turn up at all, there's nothing you can do to get come-back against those operators, and hold them to account for the travelling public," he said. "That's what deregulation means. "Now there is something I can do. "They may suffer financial penalties if they don't turn up on time, and that's a world of difference." Mr Burnham argues that another benefit is that money spent by passengers - the so-called "fare box" - comes back to the network, not the bus companies, if more people use the bus. "We take the upside of that, and we use that upside to keep the fares low," he said. "And because the fares are going lower, even more people might use it and you create a virtuous circle, rather than a spiral of decline that we've had in this city for four decades prior to the Bee Network. "The evidence from Greater Manchester is clear - putting buses back under public control improve services. It makes you able to recycle the proceeds into keeping fares low and, critically, it makes the people the bosses of the buses." Bus operator McGills has warned that bus franchising could create a 100m annual black hole for Scottish taxpayers and warned it would take legal action if it went ahead. Chief executive Ralph Roberts said: "The bus users of Strathclyde consistently tell us that their number one issue in using buses is congestion, which affects service reliability, journey times and cost of travel. "The biggest priority for SPT should be to push local authorities to manage their infrastructure under the powers they already have which will allow bus users to make more consistent, quicker and cheaper journeys." Andrew Carter, chief executive of the economic think tank Centre for Cities, said bus franchising could improve access to Glasgow city centre for about 300,000 people. "It will lead to better routes, better pricing and simpler fares for passengers," he said. "It's one step towards reversing decline in bus travel and getting the economy firing again." He added that Greater Manchester had seen an 8% increase in bus passenger numbers. Analysis box by David Henderson, Business and transport correspondent, Scotland A sub-standard bus network makes life very difficult for many. Getting to work, the shops or college becomes a daily grind. It limits choices for many workers, and think tanks warn it harms Glasgow's economy. Now SPT has put a nail into the coffin of bus deregulation, a system that's been in place, for better or worse, for almost 40 years. Few will mourn its loss. Other transport authorities across Scotland have the power to follow suit, and it's likely some will. But there's a long road ahead- with consultations galore - before the bus network changes. Stand by for a long argument about money. Where will the millions of pounds in extra funding for SPT come from? Can bus routes that were lost in recent years be reinstated? How, in short, can the service be improved so passengers return in large numbers? Operators argue that buses need priority on the roads to speed up journeys and attract passengers. Will that become part of the plan? University of Utah Mormon Studies professor Paul Reeve discusses the 1852 Utah Legislatures debate over a slavery law during the BYU Slavery Project conference at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Feb. 16, 2024. | Tad Walch Scholars said a willingness to be uncomfortable with the nations history can be a key component to reconciliation during the 2024 BYU Slavery Project conference on the Brigham Young University campus. They also pleaded for healing through education and understanding during the conference, which was titled Truth and Reconciliation and drew more than 200 people to the Varsity Theater. BYU began a public campaign against racism in 2020, prompted by the chair of its board of education, President Russell M. Nelson, the leader of its sponsoring institution, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Nelson issued a joint statement with NAACP leaders in June 2020 that called for work to end systemic racism in education and elsewhere. We likewise call on government, business and educational leaders at every level to review processes, laws and organizational attitudes regarding racism and root them out once and for all, they wrote. A week later, BYU announced the formation of a committee on race and belonging that the following year issued recommendations to root out racism it found on campus. One of the 15 proposals the university has implemented so far was the creation of an Office of Belonging with a leader who is a member of the university presidents cabinet. We must recognize the reality of racism in society and condemn any ongoing racial prejudice, BYUs Vice President of Belonging Carl Hernandez said during the conference. Telling the truth and knowing and understanding the truth is important, he told the Deseret News. If those truths are uncomfortable, then we need to find a way to reconcile. Thats the gospel of Jesus Christ. The BYU Slavery Project began with a history professor in 2019. It studies the legacy of slavery in the United States during the time in which BYU was founded, history professor Matthew Mason said. Clemson, Georgetown, Harvard, TCU, Virginia and dozens of other American universities have projects that examine slaveholding and the history of higher education. Northwestern professor Leslie Harris was the conferences keynote speaker. Co-author of the book Slavery and the University: Histories and Legacies, she said it is important to discuss the way in which slavery created economic advantages for some and economic depravity for others. The book notes that American slavery and higher education began and matured simultaneously, which meant scholars and universities developed both proslavery and antislavery thought and discriminatory laws that persisted well beyond the Civil War. The histories of race on our campus are not just about symbolism, she said. They are rooted in the realities of our nation. She also said that many colleges and universities were founded and funded by money from slavery and the slave trade. Our institutions often sit on lands formerly occupied by Native peoples and in some cases are former slave plantations. Other presenters at the conference noted that one early benefactor of Brigham Young Academy, the predecessor to Brigham Young University, had owned four slaves. Another scholar presented a photo of students on campus in the 1950s using blackface, noting how racist attitudes prevalent in the United States influenced university life, including classroom instruction. Early lecture notes from James E. Talmage, a future Latter-day Saint apostle who attended Brigham Young Academy, show racist post-Civil War ideas about racial hierarchy and racial superiority were taught. Northwestern University professor Leslie Harris delivers the keynote address at the BYU Slavery Project conference at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Feb. 16, 2024. | Tad Walch A national look at the history of racism In my estimation, its impossible to root out racism without examining its roots. And today I want to talk about its roots, Paul Reeve, author of the Deseret Book title Lets Talk About Race and Priesthood and chair of the University of Utahs Mormon Studies program, said at the event. In 1852, just under a decade before the Civil War, Utahs Territorial Legislature passed a law to regulate enslavement in the territory. Reeve said the entire nation was struggling with one central question can human beings be held as property? Northerners said no and believed the Declaration of Independence clearly declared slavery was wrong. Southerners said yes, human beings could be property, and they believed the Constitution protected their property rights. Joseph Smith, whom Brigham Young succeeded as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reported in 1833 that he had received a revelation that slavery is immoral. That revelation contributed to the Missouri order to evict and exterminate the Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith also ran an abolitionist campaign for the U.S. presidency in 1844. Part of his platform was compensated emancipation, which would pay slave owners to release all slaves by 1850. In April 1862, Congress passed and Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. It freed slaves in the District of Columbia and compensated owners up to $300 for each freeperson. D.C. commissioners paid to grant freedom to 2,989 former slaves, according to a history page on the U.S. Senate website. During the decades leading up to and through the Civil War, a popular idea throughout the United States was a centuries-old belief, unsupported by scriptural evidence, that God cursed Cain and his descendants with black skin after he murdered Abel. Brigham Young successfully asked the Legislature to pass An Act in Relation to Service, which legalized slavery in the Utah territory. The law differed from Southern-style chattel slavery because it mandated education for slaves, prohibited buying and selling slaves without their consent, and stipulated that children of slaves were born free. President Young referred to the curse during the debate. Latter-day Saint leaders have disavowed the idea of a curse. In 2013, the churchs governing First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles released a landmark 2013 Gospel Topics essay titled Race and the Priesthood. Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse ... or that Blacks or people of any other race or ethnicity are inferior in any way to anyone else, the essay says. While slavery was rare among early Latter-day Saints in Utah, many early Latter-day Saint converts came from the northeast or England, and three slaves were in the first party of Mormon pioneers to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. At least 61,000 Latter-day Saint pioneers migrated to the state from 1847-68. U.S. Census data in 1850 and 1860 listed between 24 and 45 slaves. A total of about 100 Black people appear in reliable documents as being enslaved in Utah Territory before the 13th Amendment ended the practice for good in 1865, Reeve said. Brigham Young helped legalize slavery in the Utah territory, and the historical record suggests he may have also been involved in facilitating the freedom of at least two formerly enslaved persons. One was Green Flake, a member of that first 1847 pioneer company, and a man born enslaved to the Flake family of North Carolina. According to the work of scholar Amy Tanner Thiriot, after a Flake family member moved from Utah, she sought to enlist Brigham Young in selling Green Flake for the financial benefit of the Flake family. Brigham Young, however, did not sell Green Flake and instead appears to have briefly purchased Green Flakes labor. After the passing of Greens former owner shortly after, Green Flake was free on the 1850 census. A relative recalled years later that Green shed tears at the death of Brigham Young and helped dig his grave. Once we come to terms with the truth of our history, Reeve said, we can then pivot to the redemptive work of reconciliation. We can begin to imagine what still could be. Reeve said he adopted the philosophy of Elder Steven E. Snow, the former Church Historian and Recorder, who said, My view is that being open about our history solves a whole lot more problems than it creates. Latter-day Saint leaders model reconciliation Today, church leaders approach racism with plainspokenness. The churchs prophet, President Nelson, linked arms with the NAACP in 2018 and said the church and its leaders strive to build bridges of cooperation rather than walls of segregation. I grieve that our Black brothers and sisters the world over are enduring the pains of racism and prejudice, he said in 2020. Today, I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of Gods children. The historically Black Morehouse College awarded President Nelson its first Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize in 2023 for his efforts. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, acknowledged in 2018 that the churchs past restriction on Black people holding the priesthood and receiving temple blessings caused pain and suffering. A champion of the Constitution, President Oaks also has said it originally included the birth defect of slavery and that the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery was divinely inspired. FamilySearch, a Latter-day Saint nonprofit that gathers and shares genealogical records, and education, announced last month that it will help build a free database of 10 million enslaved Africans with the genealogical society American Ancestors. The work of truth and reconciliation Todays divisive political climate makes it inevitable that some will push back or even attack the idea of reviewing historys impact on the present, several scholars said. Each movement towards new knowledge in these areas has invoked fear, if not backlash, Harris said. Why? Sometimes its very simple. We fear making a mistake. We fear doing the right thing, but doing it wrong. We fear change. Harris was a consultant on The New York Times controversial 1619 Project, but the Times ignored her when she vigorously disagreed with reporters who asserted that slavery was a main reason for the American Revolution. She said Friday it is difficult to know how to do the right thing and be safe. I would ask you as members of Brigham Young University to ask yourselves, is Brigham Young a place of deliberate engagement and constructive struggle? Is it a place where you are safe from harm but perhaps a little uncomfortable every now and then, as a sign of growth? These are foundational to our survival, writ large and writ small. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. Xi held talks with Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Noting that China and Angola jointly celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, Xi said relations between the two countries have stood the test of international vicissitudes and benefitted the two peoples. China-Angola cooperation is South-South cooperation and cooperation between developing countries, which is about mutual help between good friends, reciprocity and win-win cooperation, Xi said. In a world that is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, the two sides should continue their traditional friendship, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, firmly support each other, and achieve common development, Xi noted. China supports Angola in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, and realizing national development and revitalization, he said. China is also willing to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Angola, upgrade bilateral strategic relations, and jointly promote the modernization process of each country, Xi noted. He stressed that cooperation between China and Angola enjoys a sound foundation, large scale and high complementarity, endowing huge potential and bright prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides should advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, synergize their development strategies, and improve the quality and effectiveness of their pragmatic cooperation. China is ready to work with the Angolan side to implement key infrastructure projects, support competent Chinese enterprises to carry out various forms of cooperation in Angola, and help the country advance agricultural modernization, industrialization and economic diversification, Xi said. It is hoped that Angola will take more effective measures to ensure the legitimate rights, interests and safety of Chinese citizens and enterprises, Xi said, adding that Angola is welcome to introduce more quality products to China through platforms such as the China International Import Expo and China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. China will continue to send medical teams to Angola and implement other projects, provide scholarships to Angolan students, and enhance people-to-people exchanges and friendship, he said. Noting that at present, the collective rise of developing countries is unstoppable, Xi said the Global South must not be absent from global governance, or development and prosperity. "China is a reliable friend and sincere partner for African countries in their efforts to safeguard independence, and promote development and revitalization." Xi said China supports African countries and the African Union in solving African issues in the African way, and safeguarding regional peace and stability. China stands ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with Angola and other African countries to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added. Lourenco said that China was the first country to provide valuable support both when Angola was reeling from its civil war and struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "China's support and cooperation have greatly promoted Angola's infrastructure construction and economic and social development, setting a good example of mutually beneficial cooperation," Lourenco added. The Angolan side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola to help its national development and revitalization, the president said. Angola firmly adheres to the one-China principle and holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, he added. Angola highly appreciates China's consistent commitment to promoting world peace and progress, and safeguarding international fairness and justice. Angola is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as important norms governing international relations, he said. Lourenco also expressed the willingness to work with China to achieve more results in bilateral relations. After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents regarding the Belt and Road cooperation plan, economy and trade, agriculture, green development and other fields. The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Angola. Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People. In the evening, Xi held a banquet for Lourenco. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. Xi held talks with Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. Xi held talks with Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. Xi held talks with Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco jointly witness the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents regarding the Belt and Road cooperation plan, economy and trade, agriculture, green development and other fields after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. Xi held talks with Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) The mother of Cairo Jordan, the five-year-old boy whose body was found in a closed suitcase abandoned in a wooded area in Southern Indiana, has been arrested in connection with his 2022 death. Indiana State Police on Friday said Dejuane Ludie Anderson was taken into custody without incident Thursday by the U.S. Marshals Service in California. While one other woman was sentenced in November 2023 in Cairo's death, police had sought Anderson since the start of the investigation of the case. Where was Cairo Jordans body found? The then-unidentified five-year-old's body was found in Southern Indiana on April 16, 2022. An area resident hunting for mushrooms reportedly found his body near a roadway in a heavily wooded area in the 7000 block of East Holder Road Washington County, northwest of Louisville, Kentucky. Cairo was found in a closed, hard-shell suitcase printed with "Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada." Police identified Cairo Jordan's body six months later Indiana State Police announced the identity of the boy on Oct. 26, 2022, six months after his body was found. How did Cairo Jordan die? Police said Cairo died due to an electrolyte imbalance "most likely caused by gastroenteritis, which in common layman's terms would be vomiting and diarrhea. And that resulted in dehydration." Indiana State Police Sgt. Carey Huls held up a photo of Dejuane Ludie Anderson who has been charged in connection to the death of her son Cairo Jordan, who was 5 at the time, during a press conference at the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post in Sellersburg, In. on Oct. 26, 2022. Police said Cairo Jordans mother and her friend were responsible for his death At an October 2022 press conference, police identified as suspects Dawn Elaine Coleman from Louisiana and Anderson from Atlanta, Georgia. Both were charged with neglect and obstruction of justice, and Anderson was charged with murder. Dawn Elaine Coleman arrested for Cairo Jordans death Coleman was found and arrested in San Francisco, California, in October 2022, then extradited to Indiana. She pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the boy's death and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Investigators believe she had Cairo in her custody for about two weeks in April 2022. Cairo Jordan death investigation findings A police investigation determined Coleman had been living with Anderson and Cairo in a house in Louisville, Kentucky. Coleman's arrest affidavit stated she walked into a bedroom of the home, where she witnessed Anderson lying on top of Cairo, who was facedown on a mattress. Police said Coleman told them that "it was already done" by the time she walked in and that Anderson asked her to help put Cairo in a trash bag and then into a suitcase. Anderson and Coleman then drove to a wooded area outside Pekin, Indiana, where they dumped the suitcase, according to police. Fingerprints belonging to Coleman and Anderson were found on contents in the suitcase and police found cellphones owned by the women in the area where Cairo's body was discovered, The Courier Journal reported. Additionally, RiverLink data found a car Anderson owned crossed a bridge between Louisville and southern Indiana the day the body was recovered. Police have sought Cairo Jordans mother since his body was found. Police said Anderson had traveled San Francisco and San Diego, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Houston, Texas, since Caros death but they were unable to arrest her until earlier this week. Cairo Jordans mother has a troubled past Anderson was arrested in Louisville less than a month before her son's death. She was charged with second-degree robbery after being accused of attempting to steal merchandise from the city's Von Maur store in late March 2022, according to her arrest citation, and of hitting a security guard in the face who confronted her. She was released on her own recognizance on April 11, 2022. Both Anderson and Coleman had published several social media posts that referred to a child as a "demon" and "an avatar playing a character" ahead of Cairo's death, according to Coleman's arrest affidavit. At one point, Anderson is alleged to have written a post that referred to writing a "book about living with a demonic child." Cairo Jordan was buried in May 2022 Cairo was buried with a headstone that read, "In loving memory of a beloved little boy known but to God." His full name has since been engraved on a space left open at the time of his burial. Where is Cairo Jordans father? On Oct. 25, 2022, a man who identified himself as Cairo's father posted on Facebook that he had just learned of his son's death. The name on the account matches the name of the father identified by investigators and belonged to a man who lives in Atlanta, where Cairo was born. In the post, the man said he hadn't seen his son in three years and that his family had been searching for Cairo and Anderson. IndyStar reporters Cate Charron and Jenny Porter Tilley, and Louisville Courier Journal reporters Krista Johnson and Leo Bertucci contributed to this report. Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mother of Cairo Jordan, 5, arrested for his death. What to know Adolfo Romero Ramirez has completed his most recent three DACA applications with help from the legal services program at Cal State Fresno. The attorneys have also provided a safe space for him to ask questions about his own immigration case. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Galilea Ramirez was a toddler when her mother brought her across the border from Mexico. She grew up in Fresno as an undocumented immigrant. As a student at Cal State Fresno, she met for the first time with an immigration lawyer, who said she might be eligible for a visa because she had technically been abandoned by her parents. Her mother had been deported, and her stepfather was eventually unable to care for her. The lawyer, provided through a state program that offers free immigration services on California State University campuses, helped Ramirez get the visa and a work permit. She's now in line for a green card and has secured a paid internship in environmental consulting, the field she plans to pursue after graduation. This program changes peoples lives, said Ramirez, now a 22-year-old senior. Peer mentor Ximena Tapia made buttons for students at the Dream Success Center at Cal State Fresno on March 11, 2024. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Since 2019, the CSU Immigration Legal Services Project has provided legal representation and other assistance to thousands of students, staff, faculty and their families. With free legal services on all 23 Cal State campuses, the initiative helps immigrant Californians earn work permits and other legal protections, giving them access to better jobs. But amid an expected $38-billion budget shortfall, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed slashing funding for the program from $7 million annually to $1.8 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Newsom budget spokesperson H.D. Palmer acknowledged the $5.2-million cut. But in a written statement to The Times last week, he said the state would use dollars from a previous fiscal year to bridge the shortfall and "fully fund the legal services at all campuses through June of 2025." The budget maintains existing funding levels for two other state programs providing immigration legal services, Palmer added. Read more: California libraries may lose free passes to state parks as budget deficit mounts If the CSU program's budget is cut by 75% as proposed, the number of staff provided by four legal service organizations would need to be significantly reduced, said Barbara Pinto, managing attorney for Oakland-based Immigrant Legal Defense, which serves Cal State Fresno and eight other campuses. Peer mentor Ximena Tapia speaks with Luz Toribio, a liberal studies undergrad, at the Dream Success Center at Cal State Fresno. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) The remaining attorneys wouldn't have the capacity to take on new clients, she said, and the program would essentially come to a full stop." Even though it serves only those with a connection to the universities, the program has played a vital role in regions with a shortage of immigration services, including the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast and the Inland Empire. Clients in the San Joaquin Valley who lack the time or transportation to seek legal services in coastal cities might have slipped through the cracks, said Allison Davenport, senior managing attorney for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, who is focused on increasing legal capacity in the valley. Some might have turned to consultants who arent authorized to practice immigration law, including unscrupulous notarios. If youre in L.A. or the Bay [Area] at a CSU, there might be at least another place that could absorb your case, but thats not necessarily the case in a place like Bakersfield, or Turlock, or Fresno, Davenport said. What is the Plan B for those students and their families? Its a pretty limited landscape here. The proposed cuts come at an uncertain time. While the general election is months away, advocates are warning that another Donald Trump administration could bring stricter immigration enforcement. The future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , or DACA, is in limbo, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to again review its legality. Most students entering college these days dont qualify for the program, which gives recipients a work permit and a temporary reprieve from deportation, making their cases more complex, Davenport added. Read more: What's the current status of DACA? Here's what you need to know At Cal State Fresno , the legal services are housed within the universitys Dream Success Center, which serves undocumented and DACA students. Center coordinator Diana Rea Flores recommends that these immigrant students schedule a consultation to see if they qualify for any type of relief. Students, as well as faculty, staff and their families, feel safe seeking legal advice there, she said. Of the nine campuses where it operates, Immigrant Legal Defense provides the highest number of one-on-one consultations and legal services at Cal State Fresno . The Dream Success Center is located in the Joyal Administration Building at Cal State Fresno. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Adolfo Romero Ramirez stands in front of the Joyal Administration Building, where the Dream Success Center is located. He was a baby when he and his parents emigrated from Mexico. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Adolfo Romero Ramirez was a baby when he and his parents emigrated from Mexico. The first time he applied for DACA, he had to pay both the lawyer and the application fee. At that point, he was picking nectarines, peaches and plums to pay for his courses at Reedley College. It wasnt breaking the bank but it was a couple hundred" dollars, said Romero Ramirez, who grew up in Parlier, outside of Fresno. As someone thats undocumented, trying to go to school and save money for that, every hundred dollars meant a lot to me. Since then, he has completed three DACA renewals with help from the legal services program at Cal State Fresno . He has also asked the program's attorneys about his immigration case. Why would they want to stop funding that? said Romero Ramirez, 35, who earned his bachelor's and masters degrees from Cal State Fresno and is now teaching communications there and at Fresno City College . Its been such a huge help for people like me. Read more: Citing risks, UC won't hire its immigrant students without legal status, work permits The campus program has played a crucial role in ensuring that more college-educated immigrant students enter the regions workforce after graduation, Davenport said. In Fresno County, where less than a quarter of residents have a bachelors degree or higher, it hurts more, because we need those people more desperately than a lot of other regions in the state," she said. Though undocumented immigrants can start small businesses or work as independent contractors, she added, "it's just double the work to have to think about all of these alternative systems." Clint Olivier, chief executive of the Central Valley Business Federation, said initiatives that provide qualified workers benefit the region's business community. "They're looking for people to come to them with a good education, and they're looking for people to come to them with all paperwork in order," he said. "If a program like this was to go away, there's no question that there will probably be an impact to the business community." The library at Cal State Fresno. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Assemblymember Devon Mathis, a Republican from Visalia, said the state should be investing in infrastructure improvements on CSU campuses, rather than providing immigration services. Mathis previously supported expanding Medi-Cal to undocumented residents, calling it the "fiscally conservative thing to do." Immigration legal services are "more of a lane for nonprofits," he said, calling the state-funded clinic a "misuse of public funds." "Is it really the responsibility of the state of California to fund this service through our state universities?" he said. "We can't even get university facilities done." Immigrant advocates, meanwhile, are calling on state lawmakers to fully fund the legal services, a lifeline for immigrant families, said Bruno Huizar, the California Immigrant Policy Centers policy manager for detention and deportation. State legislators will weigh funding for the CSU Immigration Legal Services Project during budget subcommittee hearings this month and next month. This article is part of The Times equity reporting initiative, focusing on the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address the economic divide in California. More information about the initiative and its funder, the James Irvine Foundation, can be found here. 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. A California family of three including a two-year-old girl survived a plane crash with only minor cuts and scratches on Friday after the aircrafts parachute system lowered them to safety. The Mendocino County Sheriffs Office said a man, woman and a two-year-old child from Santa Rosa were five minutes into their journey from Shelter Cove Airport when their single engine plane lost power and crashed. The aircraft began falling and descended into some trees near Whitethorn, California, authorities said. As the plane was falling, the pilot made the decision to deploy a parachute system, slowing the planes fall enough to make a relatively gentle crash-landing, the Sheriffs Office added. All the passengers on board had minor injuries. The plane was destroyed in the crash (Shelter Cove Fire via Instagram) Shelter Cove Fire Department said in a statement posted to Instagram that the family were extremely fortunate to only receive minor injuries, while Mendocino County Sheriffs spokesperson, Captain Quincy Cromer, called it a miracle. These are usually worst-case scenarios. The fact that they had only minor scratches and abrasions is a miracle, he said, according to KGO-TV. While the planes occupants emerged from the crash relatively unscathed, the plane was found badly damaged. Photographs released by the Fire Department show the wrecked plane and parachute caught up in the trees about 100 feet from the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. It is the second time the Shelter Cove Fire Department has responded to a small plane crash in the past two years. Both incidents resulted in minor injuries and no fatalities, although two aircraft were destroyed, the fire department said. On Sunday, five people, including a child, were killed when the plane they were travelling in crashed into a wooded area near Virginias western border and burst into flames. Police added that the plane involved in the crash was a small, private jet. Cara Delevingne says her 'heart is broken' after $7million LA home catches fire Cara Delevingne has said that her heart is broken after her $7 million Los Angeles home caught fire. Firefighters rushed to the scene early Friday morning to combat the blaze, which is suspected to have originated in the back room of her Studio City, California, property. On her Instagram story, the 31-year-old model and actress thanked firefighters for helping to save her cats. She wrote: My heart is broken today. I cannot believe it. Life can change in a blink of an eye. So cherish what you have. She added: Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the firefighters and people that have showed up to help. It was not immediately clear whether her cats had survived the fire, but Delevingne later posted a picture of the pets, writing: They are alive!! Thank you to the firefighters. (Instagram/Cara Delevingne) Delevingne is currently residing in the UK as she makes her West End Debut so wasnt present when the fire broke out at the 8,000-square-foot home. A firefighter was transported to a hospital in fair condition due to unspecified injuries, while an individual from the house experienced minor smoke inhalation, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange said. Firefighters responded to the two-story residence to discover extensive flames at the rear of the house, causing damage to a room and spreading to the attic, according to Prange. After ensuring the evacuation of all occupants, firefighters adopted a defensive stance, leading to the collapse of the roof. He said it took over two hours for the fire departure to extinguish the fire. Delevingne bought the property in 2019, according to the LA Times, and splits her time between California and London. Delevingne gave Architectural Digest a tour of her Los Angeles home in 2021, which she called her adult playhouse. Her house includes a ball pit, projector screen, trampolines and a pool. The model had previously owned another Hollywood residence with her sister Poppy Delevingne, which they bought from actor Jared Leto. The pair then sold the property to singer Usher for $3.4million in September 2022. The British star recently opened up about why she decided to move away from London in the first place, telling ES Magazine it was in part because the press and journalism can be really rough [here]... Youre either a person that people want to succeed or youre not. And I think once you are one of the latter, you cant really get out of that. So I was like, The only thing I want to do is leave. However, she said that being back in London now is different for her, claiming shes more boring. People dont follow me around all the time and I dont have much [going on] they can write about, she shared. The model-turned-actress is currently in London, making her West End debut portraying Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre alongside Olivier award-winning actor Luke Treadaway. The Standard has contacted Cara Delevingnes reps as well as the LA Fire Department for comment. An aerial view shows the fire-damaged property in the Studio City area of Los Angeles - Jae C Hong/AP Cara Delevingne, the British model and actress, has said her heart is broken after a fire destroyed her $7 million (5.5 million) home in Los Angeles. The 31-year-old, who is starring in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in Londons West End, posted a video of a fire engine and flashing lights online following reports that her property was ablaze. The British model and actress is currently starring in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London's West End - Ricky Vigil M/Justin E Palmer/GC Images The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said there had been no reported injuries following the blaze at the Studio City address and added that the cause was under investigation. In her Instagram story, Delevingne thanked the firefighters for helping to save her two cats, which she initially thought had perished in the blaze. My heart is broken today. I cannot believe it, she said. Life can change in a blink of an eye. So cherish what you have. She added: Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the firefighters and people that showed up to help... Alongside a picture of her cats, she wrote: They are alive!! Thank you to the firefighters. Delevingne posted pictures of her two cats on social media and thanked firefighters for saving them A post on the LAFD website said: Firefighters arrived to find a four-storey building with fire showing from the second floor. It took a team of 40 firefighters 21 minutes to extinguish the fire, it said. After firefighters entered the structure to eliminate the remainder of the flames, crews ventilated the building to remove any lingering smoke and conducted a search for any victims, the statement continued. No reported injuries to civilians or firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Delevingne gave Architectural Digest a tour of her Los Angeles home, which she called her adult playhouse, in 2021. It includes a ball pit, projector screen, trampolines and a pool. Delevingnes representatives have been 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. ***Watch fire prevention safety video above.*** LOS ANGELES (AP) A Los Angeles home that appears to belong to model and actor Cara Delevingne was destroyed in a fire Friday. One firefighter was taken to a hospital in fair condition with unspecified injuries, and one unidentified person from the house suffered minor smoke inhalation, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange said. PHOTOS: Commercial boat on fire in Ashtabula Harbor Delevingne shared several Instagram stories that seemed to refer to the fire after TMZ reported that the house in the Studio City neighborhood that was engulfed in flames before dawn belonged to her. Firefighters arrived at the two-story house to find heavy fire in the rear, which destroyed a room and spread to the attic, Prange said. Once fire crews made certain everyone was out of the house, they took a defensive position and the roof collapsed. It took them more than two hours to put out the flames. Hours later, Delevingne shared a video that showed a street full of fire trucks with lights flashing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the firefighters and people that have showed up to help, another Instagram story read. A third Instagram story showed a photo of two cats with the caption, My heart is broken today I cannot believe it life can change in the blink of an eye cherish what you have. Delevingnes representatives did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Star Wars actor Michael Culver dies at 85 The cause was under investigation. The 31-year-old London-born Delevingne became widely known as a fashion model in the early 2010s and later began acting, appearing in the 2016 DC Comics film Suicide Squad and director Luc Bessons 2017 Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. She also appeared in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez in 2022, and on FXs American Horror Story in 2023. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. L.A. firefighters spent more than two hours Friday morning extinguishing a large fire at the Studio City home of model-actor Cara Delevingne. (Jordan Strauss/ Invision / Associated Press) The Los Angeles Fire Department knocked down a greater alarm structure fire in Studio City on Friday morning at a hillside home belonging to actor-model Cara Delevingne. "My heart is broken today ... I cannot believe it. Life can change in a blink of an eye. So cherish what you have," Delevingne wrote Friday on Instagram Stories, sharing a picture of two fluffy cats, as well as footage from the emergency response scene. Read more: Cara Delevingne lists Studio City home after buying a bigger one "Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the firefighters and people that have showed up to help," the "Only Murders in the Building" star added, noting that her cats survived the harrowing blaze. "They are alive!! Thank you to the firefighters," she wrote in a fourth story featuring her feline pets. The fire at the two-story home near Fryman Canyon Park burned for nearly three hours early Friday morning, and took 94 firefighters more than two hours to put out, according to LAFD. The blaze, reported just before 4 a.m. at the 3000 block of North Oakdell Lane, collapsed a roof and was extinguished by 6:13 a.m. One firefighter was transported to a hospital in fair condition and an occupant of the home sustained minor smoke inhalation, LAFD said. The cause of the fire in under investigation. Representatives for Delevingne, 31, did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment on Friday. TMZ, which obtained footage of the smoking structure, reported that the model was not at the $7-million home at the time. The star is currently in her native England, where she's playing Sally Bowles in the West End production of "Cabaret" at the Playhouse Theatre all week. LAFD Alert-KNOCKDOWN #StudioCity Greater Alarm Structure Fire 3265 N Oakdell Ln MAP: https://t.co/DwItrWvi7f FS97; 94 FF in 2 hours and 16 min. One firefighter was transported in fair condition, and one occupant sustained minor smoke inhalation. Cause under investigation. DETAI LAFD (@LAFD) March 15, 2024 Fire authorities reported substantial damage and heavy fire in the rear of the home. The flames consumed one room there and developed into a deep-seated attic fire. "Crews confirmed all occupants were out of the home, and then pulled back into defensive mode due to the long duration of heavy fire exposing the structural members," LAFD said. "The house subsequently sustained a roof collapse, as firefighters continued to apply hose streams from the exterior. Ultimately, it took 94 firefighters 2 hours and 16 minutes to access, confine and extinguish the flames. " Read more: Four months sober, Cara Delevingne reflects on what prompted her to seek treatment Flames and smoke rising from the hillside residence could be seen from nearby freeways, NBC 4 reported. The "American Horror Story" star showcased her Hollywood Hills abode in Architectural Digest in 2021 and described it as her personal Playboy Mansion inspired by the Mad Hatter's tea party. The home was originally built in 1941 for the Von der Ahe family, which founded the Vons supermarket chain, and was owned by her "Suicide Squad" co-star Jared Leto before Delevingne bought and renovated it. Delevingne and her sister Poppy Delevingne worked with architect Nicolo Bini whom the Burberry model referred to as the Mad Hatter to her Alice in Wonderland to deck out the colorful space before briefly listing it in 2021. They added quirky designs and embellishments throughout, including a game room, screening room, vintage bar inspired by Gilligans Island, Gucci wallpaper, custom lounge with carpeted walls and a creative area that Delevingne described as "a vagina tunnel." Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Catholic Church in Hong Kong said Friday that confessions by devotees to priests would remain confidential under the city's new national security law (ISAAC LAWRENCE) The Catholic Church in Hong Kong said Friday that confessions by devotees to priests would remain confidential under the city's upcoming national security law. Hong Kong is fast-tracking a homegrown national security law, following the one Beijing imposed in 2020 after quashing huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests. The government bill -- expected to be put to a legislature vote within days -- proposes a maximum jail term of 14 years for any person who knows that someone will commit treason but fails to report it to the police. The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong said in a statement Friday that it "recognises that citizens have an obligation to ensure national security". But the security law "will not alter the confidential nature of Confession", the diocese added. The diocese had "expressed its views" on the legislation, but told AFP that it did not intend to make those views public. UK-based activist group Hong Kong Watch earlier said the offence "directly threatens religious freedom" as it would force priests to reveal what was said in the confessional booth against their conscience. The former British colony is a common law jurisdiction and has a legal system distinct from mainland China. Hong Kong authorities defended the proposed criminal offence -- which used to be called "misprision of treason" -- saying that it had long existed in the city and other common law countries. Responding to a lawmaker's question last week, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said it would be "very difficult to create exceptions" for people like clergy and social workers regarding the offence. The government has said the measure "has nothing to do with freedom of religion". Hong Kong officials conducted a month-long public consultation on the security law and the subsequent legislative vetting took less than a week. Around 390,000 of Hong Kong's 7.5 million people are Catholic, according to the diocese, and notable devotees include two former city leaders. hol/sco LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Clark County School District Board of Trustees approved salary increases and other benefits for school district police officers. CCSD board trustees approved a tentative agreement on Thursday with the Police Officers Association of the Clark County School District. The tentative agreement includes an average salary increase of approximately 16%, health insurance contributions to increase by 5% effective on July 1. The agreement was extended for two years until June 30, 2025. All police officers represented by the POA will receive a Cost of Living Adjustment of 4.12% effective July 1, 2024. The funding will be provided through SB 231 funds and there will be no impact on the districts general fund. The board also approved an agreement with the Police Administrators Association which includes the following: the starting salary of lieutenants to be raised to an amount equal to 20% more than the maximum base salary of sergeants The starting salary of captains will be raised to an amount equal to 12.5% more than the salary of lieutenants The agreement is extended for two years until June 30, 2025 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A Centre County man was sentenced Friday to at least two months in jail after animals on his farm were found either dead or neglected in the winter. Levi K. Byler, 31, of Curtin Township, was sentenced by Centre County Judge Katie Oliver to a maximum of one year in the county jail. He received credit for 39 days served. He was also sentenced to two years of probation and was fined $1,500. The plea agreement requires him to comply with regular inspections of his farm. Byler declined an opportunity to offer a statement before his sentence was handed down. A pregnant Percheron and two lambs were among the animals found dead in January 2023 on Bylers farm, state police at Rockview wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. Byler, police wrote, said he probably did not do right by his horse. The farm lacked sufficient food, water and shelter for the animals, including cows, a donkey, Rottweilers and other horses. The only food available for the animals during a police search was a 20-pound bag of corn and a hay bale. Byler, police wrote, did not understand the care necessary to take care of the animals, especially in poor weather conditions. The animals were abandoned for three weeks while Byler was in Florida for health reasons, police wrote. Defense lawyer Wayne Bradburn told Oliver nearly all of Bylers animals have been removed from the farm. He has a carriage horse, but no others. He pleaded guilty in February to seven misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Fourteen charges were dropped. Huang Xiaowei (C, front), Minister and Deputy Head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, speaks at the China-EU side event on "Financial Inclusion for Gender Equality" during the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E) UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The lead delegate of the Chinese delegation attending the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) has called for efforts to create a world free from discrimination against women. "China, along with the international community, will push forward the Global Development Initiative to be more in-depth and practical, building a world free of discrimination against women and creating a new era of global development," Huang Xiaowei, Minister and Deputy Head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, told the CSW68, which kicked off on Monday. In her speeches delivered at the huge gathering over the past few days, Huang said that China incorporates gender equality as a basic state policy into "the governing program of the Party," committed to promoting the synchronized development of women with the economy and society, empowering women to have confidence and independence. Huang stated that China insists on putting people at the center, winning the largest-scale battle against poverty in human history, contributing over 70 percent to global poverty reduction, with more than 44 million rural women lifted out of absolute poverty. "China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries, increase investment in women in the field of sustainable development, continue to promote women's poverty reduction, encourage women's participation in green transformation, and further implement gender equality and women's empowerment," Huang said. She stressed that China has supported capacity building for women in over 100 developing countries and will continue to work with countries worldwide to actively develop health education, digital education, and science education for women, helping them grow and develop better in enjoying equal quality education. At the China-EU side event on "Financial Inclusion for Gender Equality," which was held on Wednesday, Huang shared the significant opportunities brought to women's development by China's inclusive finance strategy. Through stories of "small changes" in women's lives, such as "the first time having the priority to get a loan," "the first time having their own seal and bank card," and "the first time buying lipstick with their own earned money," she showcased the "big revolution" in realizing women's economic empowerment and equal participation of men and women. During the CSW68, the delegation also spoke on topics such as supporting economic empowerment and capacity building for women and youth in developing countries, including conflict areas, and held several bilateral meetings with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Executive Director of UN Women Sima Sami Bahous and senior officials from various countries. Over the past days, the delegation participated in various multilateral activities, including a general debate, a ministerial roundtable, the high-level public debate of the Security Council, and thematic side events. CSW68, the UN's largest annual event dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment, takes place from March 11 to 22, at the UN headquarters in New York, under 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." Huang Xiaowei (front), Minister and Deputy Head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, speaks at a ministerial roundtable during the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui) TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (KFOR) The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service confirm two men have been arrested in connection with animal cruelty in the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service say, both men face felony charges in Cherokee Nation District Court. OCSO needs help identifying check fraud ring operation Gunner Lee Richards, 25, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, of Broken Bow, was arrested Wednesday near an RV park in Owasso. Tryston Hunter Needham, 29, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, of Pittsburg County, was arrested in Tahlequah Thursday. The Cherokee Nation continues to uphold its public safety obligations under the historic McGirt decision and will continue to work with our state and local partners to ensure those who commit crimes are prosecuted, Cherokee Nation Attorney General Chad Harsha said. Sex offender reportedly breaks into dorm room, offers to make porn movie According to the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, Needham and Richards have been charged in the Cherokee Nation District Court with two felony counts of cruelty to animals and one felony count of grand larceny for the November 14, 2023, shooting of two buffalo in Owasso. Authorities say Needham and Richards have been released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. CHICAGO A Chicago man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for shooting two federal agents and a task force officer who were conducting a covert investigation in 2021. Eugene Gen Gen McLaurin, 31, pleaded guilty last year to three counts of assaulting a federal officer and two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence. The shootings occurred on the morning of July 7, 2021, when two agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and an ATF Task Force officer were driving in an unmarked vehicle while conducting a covert federal investigation on the South Side. Man charged with murder of 11-year-old; boy defended mother McLaurin admitted in a plea agreement that he had mistakenly suspected the officers were members of an opposing gang. McLaurin drove alongside the vehicle and fired several shots, leaving the three officers seriously injured, prosecutors said. Shortly after the shooting, McLaurin disposed of his handgun in a sewer drain and hid the key to his vehicle in the basement of his residence in order to conceal evidence of his involvement in the shootings. On Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced McLaurin to 27 years in prison. The Associated Press contributed to this article. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Children forced to learn from home during lockdown are still suffering from emotional and social development delays, a study has found. Pupils continue to struggle as a result of school closures during the pandemic, according to a new report that analyses the responses of over 6,000 state school head teachers and teachers in England. The work was commissioned by Save the Children, Just for Kids Law and the Childrens Rights Alliance for England, and will be submitted as evidence to the Covid Inquiry. It found more than nine in 10 primary school teachers said their pupils had experienced emotional and social growth delays as a result of prolonged periods of school closures during lockdown. Meanwhile, 85 per cent said that since the pandemic, children had struggled with behavioural issues and 78 per cent said their pupils suffered from mental health problems. Among secondary school teachers, the biggest problem noted was absenteeism, with 87 per cent saying that children had been skipping school since the pandemic. Next week marks four years since the first lockdown, which saw schools close and people told to stay at home. We are seeing our greatest fears now Anne Longfield, the former childrens commissioner, said the reports contents were horrific, adding: This reflects what teachers tell me, week in and week out, that at every stage of school, there are children still deeply impacted by lockdown and Covid. Four years ago, when children were sent home from school, the warning signs were all there. My fear was that we would look back in four or five years time and see a generation of children with an impact that could affect them throughout their lives. Sadly we are seeing our greatest fears now. The survey, conducted by Teacher Tapp, found that teachers in more deprived schools defined by the proportion of students eligible to receive free school meals were more likely to report disadvantaged children falling behind their wealthier peers, and to a greater extent. Four in five teachers said they have seen disadvantaged pupils fall behind their peers following lockdown, and 95 per cent believe the Governments 5 billion Covid catch-up fund has not gone far enough to repair the damage. The Childrens Rights Alliance for England and Save the Children UK are calling for an increase in cash for the Governments catch-up programme, as they say the current funding does not go far enough. The response to Covid failed our young this cannot happen again By Anne Longfield Four years on from the first lockdown and most of us have moved on, our lives returning to normal. For many children, the pandemic and closure of schools has caused long-lasting, even permanent damage to education and development. I fear we could end up looking back on the 10th anniversary of the first lockdown at a generation of lost life chances, asking why we ever allowed ourselves to assume that all children would recover from two years of enormous disruption. Speak to almost any parent or anyone who works closely with children, and they will talk about how many children, particularly the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, have never been the same since lockdown. As the Teacher Tapp/Save the Children survey shows, nine out of 10 teachers believe the emotional and social delay theyre still seeing in the classroom is related to lockdown and remote learning. They see how disadvantaged children are falling further behind their peers, and how the limited catch-up government funding has been largely ineffective. After the second national lockdown was lifted, many of us urged the then Government to recognise the sacrifices that children made during Covid with a well-funded programme to get every child back on track. We called on the Government to be ambitious about supporting schools to stay open longer and to offer after-school clubs and weekend activities. Sadly, those calls were largely ignored. In the context of other pandemic spending, the resource and political capital put aside for children has been piecemeal. What is particularly frustrating is that many predicted that the pandemic and its disruption to learning, social development and play would have terrible consequences for some vulnerable and disadvantaged children. While the Government at the time was talking levelling up, Covid was levelling down many young peoples opportunities. The attainment gap is growing, the scale of child mental health problems is still deeply worrying, and we have a school attendance crisis of previously unseen proportions. If we are worried about the number of people unable to work due to their mental health now, what can we expect when tens of thousands of children who have struggled without real help since lockdown leave school and enter the workforce? How will those children who fell out of the routine of going to school adapt once they are looking for work or having to hold down jobs? What will be the impact on society of children whose development was held back when they were toddlers or primary school children? We dont know yet, but it would be extraordinary if our nations prosperity and productivity were not affected. The failure to take catch-up and childrens recovery seriously is not just a long-term problem for those children suffering from the impact of lockdown, it is a national problem for us all. As I told the Covid Inquiry last year, the pandemic response overlooked children and so failed many of them. We cant let this happen again. It isnt too late to prioritise catch-up and recovery funding. We cant afford to write off thousands of our children. It is in the national interest to recognise the damage that was done and to put it right. Anne Longfield is chairman of the Centre for Young Lives and was childrens commissioner for England 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. Executive Director Cindy Brew sits at her desk in the expanded Children's Advocacy Center at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. When Cindy Brew took over as the leader of the Children's Advocacy Center of Portage County in October 2020, the world was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years later, the CAC has doubled in size in staffing, funding and office space. "We've done a lot of growing, which is exciting," said Brew. Since its beginning in 1998, CAC has been helping children and families deal with the traumatic consequences of child sexual abuse. Madison Emanuel is an education and outreach advocate at Children's Advocacy Center in Portage County. She is working in a new meeting place at the CAC. Brew, herself a survivor, has worked in victim services for about 20 years. She arrived at CAC after serving as director of the Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties, where she also oversaw an expansion. "Cindy has been a just a great director in managing and expanding the services [at CAC]," said Portage County Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci, who is president of the CAC's Board of Trustees. Increasing services "When I started in 2020, we were only providing advocacy, forensic interview and medical forensic medical services at that time and only to child victims of sexual abuse," said Brew. "We expanded our services to include child witness to violence, child human trafficking, child sexual abuse material (pornography), and child physical abuse." Services at CAC are free, including therapy for victims that began in 2023. "The big importance of therapy is that most of our clients have severe trauma that's going to affect them forever, and so the sooner you can get them into therapy, the better outcomes for them in their future, which when it comes down to it, means less cost," said Brew. As a part of this expansion, CAC launched a human trafficking coalition with representatives from various interested agencies around the county. "I have never been a part of such a well-attended coalition," said Brew. "We have about 40 regular members from all different disciplines. You know, children's services, juvenile detention. We've had prosecution, law enforcement, all the advocacy services in Portage County." She said coalition members meet quarterly and are setting up protocols to provide operational consistency. "We've just been sort of establishing who do you call, who does what, those types of things, so no one's duplicating services in the county," said Brew. Different types of services offered Brew said children are abused in a number of ways. It might involve parents trafficking children for drugs, with the children coerced into engaging in sexual activity, or children enticed by someone to meet with them via social media, perhaps with a promise of drugs. Children who run away are also at risk of being picked up by traffickers. The CAC now does trafficking risk assessments for every child who enters a program. Other risks include runaways; children lacking lacks basic needs, such as food; drug use. "We do an evidence-based risk assessment on all the children that receive services at our center," said Brew "And if a child is found at risk of human trafficking, or at high risk, then we provide additional follow up services for them to hopefully minimize or even eliminate that risk." Brew said the CAC is increasing its community outreach as a part of its prevention efforts. Expanded services require expanded resources When Brew was hired, the CAC had four full-time employees, plus three part-time nurses who worked a combined total of 15 hours per week. It now has nine full-time employees with plans to hire two more. "So we've added staff as a result of Cindy's obtaining additional funding, and the center's doing well," said Vigluicci. The additions include two therapists, with one specializing in human trafficking. Staff also includes three victim advocates, a full-time nurse, and three prevention, programming, education and outreach staff members. Brew said CAC typically provides services to about 110 children annually. Currently, it is serving 98 families with176 children and non-offending caregivers. It also provides training to about 350 community members per year. "When we look at the numbers, we're seeing less than 10% of the child victims in our county, so outreach is really important," said Brew. CAC has just about doubled its office space at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center. Fortunately, it was at no cost. "With this expansion, we needed a lot more room, and University Hospitals wonderfully donated additional space to us," said Brew. "They donated office space for six more people and a conference room. So that's amazing." The education and outreach department meeting spot in the expanded Children's Advocacy Center of Portage County office space at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. Brew said CAC's budget has more than doubled in four years, to $770,000 this year. The bulk of the funding comes through grants. "She's just done a wonderful job of obtaining funding," said Vigluicci. "Both grant and foundational funding to allow us to expand services to children." Brew said $200,000 has come in from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services' Anti-Human Trafficking Fund, and it has received $75,000 two years in a row from the National Children's Alliance for combatting child pornography and child trafficking. Brew said the Portage County CAC is the only agency in Ohio to receive the latter grant. "So that's quite an honor for us in Portage County," she said. The National Children's Alliance, which has awarded its accreditation to CAC, also has provided $50,000 annually for "core services" for three years in a row, and $20,000 annually for "expanding access" for two years in a row. Bowling fundraiser set April 27 The CAC has set its 25th annual Bowl Against Abuse fundraiser for April 27, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, at Kent Lanes, 1524 S. Water St. The bowling event will have two sessions, starting at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Organizations and community members can form teams of up to six to register for $25, which pays for bowling and shoes. "It's just a wonderful time to hang out and have fun and do some good against child abuse," said Brew. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yuea6hc7. Brew said the event has raised about $30,000 annually over the last few years. Other funding needs Because grant funding often can't be used for items other than their specific target, community members are always welcome to help out. "Transportation is a real issue," said Brew. "We can't buy gas cards or pay for an Uber for someone to get to therapy out of grant funding, but we can out of these kinds of donations." Go to https://childadvocacyportage.org for more information about the Childrens Advocacy Center of Portage County. The CAC can also be reached at 330-297-8838. To report child, or elder, abuse, call the Portage County Department of Job and Family Services 24/7 hotline at 330-296-2273 (CARE). Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com. This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Children's Advocacy Center expanding services for Portage County kids Semafor Signals Insights from Reuters, Semafor, and Bloomberg The News China accused the United States of suppressing free speech in a newly published report, saying freedom of speech in the United States is one for domestic politicians and interest groups, and another for ordinary people. The U.S. often manipulates international public opinion to maintain its hegemony, the report from the countrys Foreign Ministry alleged, saying the country uses social media to launch psychological warfare and suppress anti-war rhetoric. The report cited Washingtons attempts to crackdown on TikTok as an example. A bill that would force Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the app or face a ban in the U.S. which China has vehemently opposed has garnered bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Freedom of Speech in the United States is not worthy of the name, the report claimed, asserting that the U.S. government colludes with the media to achieve its political goals. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. US calls Chinas accusations supremely ironic Sources: Bloomberg, Chinese Embassy in U.S. The United States top diplomat in China called Beijings anger toward the potential TikTok ban supremely ironic, pointing out how many platforms the Chinese government has restricted access to. They dont give their own citizens the right to use X, to use Instagram, to use Facebook, to have access to Google, Ambassador Nicholas Burns said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington told Newsweek that the nation welcomes foreign platforms on the premise that they observe Chinas laws and regulations. This is completely different from the U.S. way of handling TikTok, which is clearly a bullying act and robbers logic, Liu Pengyu said. Chinese media says US has double standard for free speech, market competition Sources: The Global Times, The New York Times, Semafor After the United States House passed the bill that would force TikToks parent company to divest the app or risk a nationwide ban, Chinese nationalists condemned the U.S. government for trying to quell speech on social media, Semafor reported. Chinese state-run tabloid the Global Times accused the U.S. of hypocrisy, saying the nation has a double standard on freedom of speech in the internet field, stigmatizing China for what it calls digital authoritarianism while also stifling speech. On Chinese social media platform Weibo, which is heavily censored, TikTok fights back became a trending topic this week. Many commenters characterized the bill as theft and questioned Washingtons commitment to free-market competition, The New York Times reported. Trump tried to turn Chinese citizens against Beijing but his method could backfire Source: Reuters As the U.S. pointed out Beijings hypocrisy in lecturing on freedom of speech, a new investigation revealed a clandestine attempt by Washington to influence public opinion in China. In 2019, then-President Donald Trump launched a secret CIA campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion in China against its government, Reuters reported. U.S. officials told the news agency that the operation was in response to China doing the same thing to the U.S. for years. The covert operations were meant to foment paranoia among top leaders there, forcing its government to expend resources chasing intrusions into Beijings tightly controlled internet, the officials said. However, U.S. efforts to sneak anti-Beijing messaging into the country could backfire if China calls out American hypocrisy in intervening in the internal affairs of countries when it benefits them, one CIA analyst told Reuters. Semafor Signals Insights from the South China Morning Post, The Atlantic, and The Guardian The News China is falling behind the United States on artificial intelligence because of the countrys heavy reliance on American technology to train its AI models, researchers in the country have warned Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Researchers at the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence told the Chinese premier that China faces a serious lack of self-sufficiency in building its own generative AI, the South China Morning Post reported. Domestic AI firms are said to rely excessively on Metas Llama system: an open source family of large language models (LLMs) that developers used to train AI services such as ChatGPT and its competitors. Meanwhile, United States export restrictions on semiconductor technology to China mean that firms have struggled to create chips powerful enough to support domestic LLMs that have the same training capabilities as Llama. China is racing to compete with Silicon Valley for AI dominance internationally, while the government has underscored the importance of being self-reliant in science and technology but tech leaders fear a widening gap with the United States. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Beijing has moved to loosen AI regulations to boost development Sources: Geotechnopolitics, Carnegie Endowment's Matt Sheehan China was the first country to introduce regulations on generative AI with guidelines ranging from ensuring privacy to developer responsibilities as Beijing sought to retain extensive oversight over the emerging technology. But Chinese leaders are now realizing that these regulations are likely hindering development. During a recent visit to a technological production zone in Beijing, Li told developers the government was working to open up more [AI application opportunities], increase policy support, and create a more relaxed environment for the development of the AI industry, according to the Geotechnopolitics Substack. Matt Sheehan, a Chinese tech researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, wrote on X that Lis comments reflected a shift in emphasis on AI policy from absolute control toward development brought about by the countrys macroeconomic downturn and a fear of falling behind the U.S. Chinas heavy censorship is a stumbling block for homegrown AI Sources: South China Morning Post, The Atlantic Analysts have warned that Chinese AI will fall behind Silicon Valleys because of Beijings extensive censorship rules. A chatbot model trained only on vetted information encircled by Chinas Great Firewall is unlikely to be as effective as a foreign competitor that draws on a wider and more diverse corpus of sources, Beijing-based journalist Michael Schuman wrote for The Atlantic last year. Chinese researchers are well aware of the limitations they face. During the presentation in Beijing, Li was told that a unique challenge faced by Chinese LLMs is quality content that is in line with facts, the South China Morning Post reported a euphemism for ensuring that training models stick closely to Chinese Communist Party-sanctioned information and ideology. AI developers are also working to circumvent hallucinations false content generated by AI to avoid the inaccurate output sometimes given by bots including ChatGPT and Googles Gemini, the SCMP reported. Deepfake influencers show Chinas AI sector has different strengths Source: The Guardian Chinese AI may lag behind that of the U.S., but it is still highly advanced and a significant backbone of the Chinese economy, particularly in the live streaming and e-commerce sectors, Sinologist Manya Koetse wrote for The Guardian. China and the U.S. are each engaged in their own race on different tracks when it comes to AI implementation, Koetse argued, and it is inaccurate to say that Chinas AI revolution is losing momentum. For example, while Chinese chatbots are not as robust as American models, the country has a thriving sector of deepfake influencers whom business users can use to sell their products, she wrote. Search giant Baidu recently announced that it hopes to boost rural economic development by using these virtual livestreamers to sell the products of 100,000 Chinese farmers internationally. (Bloomberg) -- The top American diplomat in China hit out at Beijings objection to a potential ban on TikTok in the US, in sharp comments that underscore persistent tensions between the countries despite a recent improvement in ties. Most Read from Bloomberg I find it supremely ironic because government officials here are using the X platform to criticize the United States, Ambassador Nicholas Burns said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday. They dont give their own citizens the right to use X, to use Instagram, to use Facebook, to have access to Google. Burns said the video-sharing app and advanced chips are central to the competition between the worlds two largest economies, further signaling the Biden administrations toughened position toward Chinas technological ambitions. Technology is in many ways now at the heart of the competition between the United States and China, whether its commercial technology, TikTok for instance, or whether its technology that can be transformed into military technology used to compete against us, Burns said. Earlier in the day, Beijing called on the US to stop unreasonably suppressing TikTok after the US House of Representatives passed a bill to ban TikTok in the country unless its Chinese owner sells the app. The fate of the platform used by 170 million Americans is now in the hands of 100 senators, who have yet to review the legislative proposal. When asked about Burnss remarks on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: The US styles itself as a country of free speech and a free-market economy but its left no stone unturned to harness state power to go after TikTok. This is the really ironic thing. China was open to all kinds of platforms, products and services as long as they followed the law, Wang said at the regular press briefing. TikTok operates lawfully and was registered in accordance with US law but it was suppressed by the US side. Read More: Xi Upends the Secretive World of $10,000-an-Hour China Experts Burnss comments came a week after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blasted the US for imposing a bewildering level of trade curbs on the Asian nation and accused Biden of failing to fulfill promises he made in a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a summit in the US, although he didnt specify what they are. Asked about Wangs allegation, Burns said: Weve kept our commitments that weve made in San Francisco. Burns also cast doubt on Chinas stated goal to attract more foreign investment as the worlds second-largest economy seeks to regain its economic momentum. Beijing this month set an ambitious target to grow the economy by around 5% this year, a goal met with skepticism by some economists. The diplomat said American businesses operating in China are hesitant to invest more in the country, citing what he called conflicting signals from the Chinese authorities. Some senior Chinese government officials say private-sector investment is welcome in China, your investment will be protected. But then these companies are also hearing a different message, he said. He named the raids against US companies last year and Chinas broad new counter-espionage law as factors that deter investment. I think the voices that theyre hearing from the government here in China about national security theyre the strongest and loudest voices right now, he said, adding that the raids went beyond the due diligence companies and consultancies that were publicly probed by Chinese authorities. Washington has sought to stabilize its ties with Beijing after they soured last year over an alleged Chinese spy balloon, but the two countries have continued to dispute over issues spanning Ukraine, the South China Sea and Taiwan. The US has also continued to increase its trade and technological restrictions on Beijing. Burns defended Washingtons curbs on Chinas access to high-end chips as a necessity. Were not going to compromise on national security and were not going to negotiate, Burns said. The Biden administration has been adding sanctions to suppress the advancement of Chinas technological capabilities, saying such technology could be used to bolster Chinas military power. Earlier this month, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Washington will do whatever it takes to curb Chinas access to sophisticated semiconductor technologies. The Biden administration is mulling fresh sanctions on several Chinese tech companies, including memory chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc. US President Joe Biden pledged Tuesday to look into a petition from a group of unions asking his administration to review Chinas subsidies for shipbuilders. Burns did acknowledge areas where US-China ties have improved. He said China has helped US law enforcement in curbing the flow of the drug fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, in addition to starting a discussion on risks associated with artificial intelligence and resuming military-to-military communications. Below are some excerpts from the interview: On TikTok as a national security threat: The president has spoken to it and I think Jake Sullivan asked the right questions when he spoke to it this week at the White House. He said, Do we want an American company or a Chinese company to own this, this very important technology, TikTok? Do we want an American company to have access to the data of millions of Americans or a Chinese company? And the answers to both questions are obvious when it comes to TikTok. On Chinese industrial overcapacity: I think theres a growing concern around the world that if part of what the government here tries to do to deal with its own internal economic problems is to ramp up manufacturing and export. That excess production at artificially low prices or dumping to the rest of the world, whether its Europe on EVs, whether its the United States, whether its Japan and South Korea thats going to roil and disturb and complicate global trade. On US businesses in China: A lot of companies dont know what the direction of the economy is here, and where policy, guidelines and parameters will be. And so theyre not quite sure if they make a major investment, whether thats going to be a rational decision. So a lot of people are sitting on their money. Very few companies are leaving this market. Its such a big market, an important market. But a lot of companies have Plan Bs as well. On the outcome of the Biden-Xi summit in November: San Francisco did not resolve all the problems between the two governments and on the military, on technology, on human rights we have profound differences with China, and well continue to talk about those. On military-to-military communications with China: Our new chairman of the joint chiefs, Chairman Brown, has had a discussion with his Chinese counterpart. And we hope very much that Secretary Austin will be able to talk to his counterpart in the coming weeks or months. And, and then we hope therell be even conversations at a more tactical level between our militaries. This is common sense because you want to drive down the possibility of any kind of accident or misunderstanding between our air forces or our navies. On Hong Kongs efforts to make a new security law: We have serious concerns about the Article 23 legislation. Well see what happens in the coming weeks as to whether or not that moves forward. But the concerns are about the right of people to dissent, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the State Departments been very clear about that concern that we have over the last several weeks. On getting Taylor Swift to perform in China: My three daughters and my granddaughter would never forgive me if we didnt try to get Taylor Swift to come to China. Chinese people need to see American culture and American life in all of its manifestations, and shes a brilliant artist. (Updates with comments from Chinas Foreign Ministry.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: Angola's President Joao Lourenco, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing FILE PHOTO: Angola's President Joao Lourenco, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said he would support Chinese firms that invest in Angola's agriculture and manufacturing sectors, state media reported on Friday, as the African oil producing nation seeks help in diversifying its economy. "The Chinese side is willing to work with Angola to implement key infrastructure projects and support strong Chinese companies to go to Angola to carry out various forms of cooperation," Xi told visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Lourenco's visit follows Angola's announcement in December it would leave producer group the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and agreements with China on cooperation. Xi told Lourenco on Friday Chinese firms could "help Angola achieve agricultural modernisation, industrialisation and economic diversification," the state media report said, part of Beijing's long-term drive to deepen economic and political ties with Africa. China has a vested interest in Angola's quest to overhaul its economy because Luanda owes Chinese creditors just under $21 billion, World Bank data shows. Lourenco, who is accompanied on this visit by his agriculture minister, needs funds to implement structural reforms to cut its reliance on oil, as Luanda does not have enough non-oil revenue sources to finance its transition. In December, China and Angola signed an investment protection agreement, while Angolan firms from Dec. 25 have had tariff-free access to China's massive consumer market across 98% of goods under a separate agreement. On Friday, the two leaders also agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, allowing for greater trade and investment. Chinese firms have invested close to $12 billion in Angola since it joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2014, data from the American Enterprise Institute think tank shows, just under half of which went into the country's energy sector. The littoral state has plentiful reserves of base metals and ample agricultural resources, such as sugarcane, coffee, cotton and livestock, but they have been neglected compared to oil. The International Monetary Fund on March 8 released its Executive Board's assessment of Angola's economy said "heavy dependence on the oil sector" put Luanda at a high risk of missing the 0.5% growth target the Fund forecast for 2023, as the IMF expects its oil sector to have shrunk by an annual 6.1% over last year. (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Barbara Lewis) An indicted Chinese businessman pumped millions of ill-gotten dollars into the bank accounts of some of the most influential figures in MAGA Worldincluding former Trump aides Steve Bannon and Jason Milleraccording to a raft of documents filed in federal court in February. The materials represent an effort by the court-appointed trustee in the bankruptcy case of Guo Wengui, the self-styled billionaire and anti-Chinese Communist Party crusader, to recover money that Guo allegedly transferred as part of a fraudulent scheme to hide wealth from his creditors. Guo has long bankrolled Bannon and Millers post-White House endeavorseven as critics accuse the former construction tycoon of serving as a covert double agent for Beijingand the feds allege he swindled more than $1 billion from Chinas dissident diaspora. Guo has denied all such claims, and cast himself as a victim of elaborate conspiracies. Among the trustees biggest targets is Gettr, the troubled Twitter alternative Guo launched with Miller in 2021, from which the overseer seeks to recoup a whopping $21 million. For years, the debtor has orchestrated a shell game, employing a convoluted web of shell companies, nominally owned by family members and subordinates, but in reality, controlled by the debtor, the legal filing reads. The debtor, through his alter-ego shell company Hamilton Opportunity Fund SPC (Hamilton) transferred funds in the amount of $21,000,000 after the [bankruptcy] petition date. This language recurs throughout the hundreds of filings the trustee submitted, with little additional detail, and with only the names and sums of money changing. Many of the defendants are mainstream firms such as FedEx and American Express, or obscure corporate entities lodged in the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. In all cases, however, the targeted parties allegedly received funds from Guo that truly belonged to the fallen magnates lenders, victims, and to the New York court that slapped him with $134 million in contempt penalties. The materials also reveal abiding ties between Guo and key players on the American right. They show that Bannon Strategic Advisors, the ex-White House strategists longtime consulting concern, received $850,000 from two of Guos companies not long before the bankruptcy filing. A spokesperson for Bannon did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Miller, meanwhile, personally received $353,269.23 from Guowhile his former firm Jamestown Associates, which served the Trump campaign in 2016 and 2020, got $104,691.25. Fox News received $264,113.25. Miller maintained that the money he took in was laid out in his formal compensation package as GETTRs chief executive. This is ridiculous, Miller said in a statement. All monies earned in my role as GETTR CEO were specifically laid out in my contract and were for services performed. We will be opposing this witch-hunt. In text messages with The Daily Beast, the longtime Trump adviser asserted that Jamestown had created ads for Gettr that Fox aired. All services performed, all highly documented, Miller wrote in explanation of the payments. Its quite ridiculous. Neither Fox nor Jamestown responded to requests for comment from The Daily Beast. Nor did Gettr itself, which Miller left last year to join the ex-presidents comeback bid. The trustee also seeks to claw back $300,000 that a Guo-led NGO paid to Washington Times columnist Bill Gertzs nonprofit The Gertz File Investigative Reporting Project, which pays salaries to Gertz and his wife. Gertz and Bannon helped found the NGO in question, the Rule of Law Foundation and its sister organization, the Rule of Law Society, in 2018. The Department of Justice has since identified both groups and Gettr as part of the criminal conspiracy through which Guo allegedly enriched himself at the expense of anti-Communist activists. The revelation that Gertz had accepted a $100,000 loan from a Guo associate cost him his job at the Washington Free Beacon in 2019. Gertz did not reply to questions from The Daily Beast. Repeated emails to the Washington Times press account also went unanswered. Notably absent from the list of defendants are Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro, whom the trustee identified as potential targets of subpoenas in a draft document filed in January. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand public, government leaders and Muslim community on Friday marked the five-year anniversary of terrorist attacks that claimed 51 worshippers in two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019. "March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters in Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand's South Island. The fifth anniversary fell on the mandatory Islamic Friday prayer, the occasion of which was targeted by the gunman five years ago. Friday was a solemn but important day as the trauma of the survivors is ongoing, said Abdur Razzaq of the Federation of Islamic Associations. People in New Zealand should be able to go about their lives without fear, Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins said, adding that lessons should be learned and necessary changes will be made. New Zealand has tightened the regulation of guns and banned military-style semi-automatic weapons following the terrorist attacks. The terrorist, Brenton Tarrant, is currently serving a term of life imprisonment without parole on murder, attempted murder and terrorism charges sentenced in August 2020 after he pleaded guilty to all the charges. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A Cibola High School student accused of bringing a gun on a school bus will remain in custody. The Bernalillo County District Attorney says the student was carrying a handgun in his pocket. Police were alerted and arrested the student as he got off the bus. Trial for Questa man charged under Bennies Law delayed until June The DA says he will appear in court on April 8. The student faces a one-year expulsion and criminal charges. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. FILE PHOTO: A logo for OnlyFans is seen in this illustration picture FILE PHOTO: A logo for OnlyFans is seen in this illustration picture By Linda So and Andrew R.C. Marshall (Reuters) - Three U.S. lawmakers and two in Britain called for tougher safeguards against online sexual exploitation after a Reuters investigation this week identified more than 140 police complaints of nonconsensual pornography on OnlyFans, the popular adults-only website. "It is absolutely unconscionable," U.S. Representative Ann Wagner, a Missouri Republican, said in a statement about the abuses alleged in the complaints. "These findings confirm what my office has known for years: Americans are being sexually exploited on OnlyFans," said Wagner, who sponsored a federal law passed in 2018 that allows victims to sue websites that knowingly host abusive commercial sex activity. Congress and federal law enforcement must do more. Through public records requests to the largest U.S. law enforcement agencies and a review of court cases, Reuters identified 128 cases in which adults complained that sexual content featuring them had been posted on OnlyFans without their consent between January 2019 and November 2023. A Florida woman, alleging a video of her rape was posted and sold on OnlyFans, filed a lawsuit in November 2022 against the platform under federal laws including Wagner's. In the UK, where OnlyFans is based, Reuters documented 18 complaints of nonconsensual pornography appearing on the site. "Social media platforms have become a safe harbor for predators," U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said in a statement to Reuters. "Rape victims including children are not only violated at the time of their assault, but they are victimized over and over again with the rapid spread of their abuse material online. Even worse, the platforms profit from this activity. That's unacceptable." U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, a Virginia Democrat, called for greater accountability for perpetrators to ensure "we are protecting the rights and lives of all victims and survivors." OnlyFans says on its website that it is building "the safest social media platform in the world." Its CEO, Keily Blair, has said the company reviews 100% of content using human moderators and artificial intelligence tools. In a statement responding to Reuters findings, an OnlyFans spokesperson said that "in the few examples where bad actors have misused our platform," OnlyFans "removed the content swiftly, banned the user and actively supported investigations and prosecutions." She added that OnlyFans tightened its consent verification procedures in late 2022. Reuters found more than a dozen complaints of nonconsensual porn that were filed after that. In a court filing, OnlyFans' U.S. subsidiary, Fenix Internet, has said it will seek to have the Florida womans sex-trafficking case dismissed, citing a federal law that gives websites immunity from suits based on their users' posts. UK-based OnlyFans is one of 10 companies, including social media platforms and a porn site, that partner with stopNCII.org, a British project designed to prevent the sharing of non-consensual intimate images (NCII) online. David Wright, CEO of South West Grid for Learning, the British charity that runs stopNCII.org, did not address Reuters findings about OnlyFans, but said: "We encourage all platforms to make the same steps as OnlyFans to prevent NCII and work towards the eradication of intimate image abuse." Damian Collins, a British member of parliament, said the Reuters investigation "shows there are clearly gaps in the systems being used by OnlyFans, and Ofcom, the UK (communications) regulator, should challenge the company based on this evidence." Collins chaired a parliamentary committee on Britain's draft Online Safety Bill, which became law in October 2023. The law requires social media companies to prevent and quickly remove illegal content, including nonconsensual porn, and to stop children from accessing harmful content or pornography. Ofcom can fine companies that don't comply up to 18 million pounds ($23 million) or 10% of their global revenue, whichever is greater. Enforcement of the law is proceeding in phases. OnlyFans has said it does not know how much adult content is on its site. It also features sports, music and other non-sexual content. "I am concerned that if OnlyFans cannot say how much adult content is on its platform, or how many accounts are dedicated to sharing user generated pornography, then it does not have sufficiently robust monitoring systems," Collins said in a statement. "This cannot just be left to uploading tools and AI, there also needs to be effective human oversight of the platform's policies." A spokesperson for Ofcom told Reuters that tackling sexual abuse and other illegal online harms will be its priority under the Online Safety Act. The regulator is "already actively engaging with many services about the robustness of their protection measures, including OnlyFans, under the existing video-sharing platform regulations," the spokesperson said. "We've seen some improvements as a result of this engagement, but there's more to do." In a January report on video-sharing platforms, Ofcom said OnlyFans had introduced measures to verify the age of its British users and made it easier for them to report child sex abuse material. In a post on X, James Bethell, a Conservative member of the House of Lords and campaigner on online harms, said he was "skeptical" that OnlyFans offers "a secure platform for sharing legitimate porn content." He expressed concern about the site's distinctive subscription model, in which individual creators' content is hidden behind a paywall. "OnlyFans has great PR. But their paywall prevents law enforcement from searching for illegal content," he wrote. (This story has been refiled to add a dropped letter in the reporter's name in the signoff) (So reported from Washington D.C. and Marshall from London. Jason Szep and Rosa Furneaux contributed reporting. Editing by Julie Marquis) The recently approved 2024 state budget includes $3.7 million for Conservation Florida to buy 225 acres at U.S. 319 and State Road 267, 14 miles south of the Capitol, in Wakulla County. While Gov. Ron DeSantis still needs to sign off on the expenditure, the allocation allows for a land swap that prevents the construction of a 16-pump gas station directly above The Chips Hole Cave that links directly to Wakulla Springs. Glorious fall colors abound in the swampy beauty of Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Spearheaded in the legislature by Rep. Jason Shoaf and Sen. Corey Simon, this allocation was the direct result of a citizen action last summer. In sweltering 110-degree heat, 400+ concerned citizens showed up to voice their disapproval of the planned gas station to the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners. Prior to this meeting, the board members had said their hands were tied and they had no choice but to approve the application by Southwest Georgia Oil Co. Wakulla Springs Alliance, Friends of Wakulla Springs, and the Down River Project, in coordination with other local environmental groups, collaborated and organized this action to demonstrate the overwhelming public opposition to this dangerous and disastrous plan. People of all political affiliations and ages showed up. Money was raised for a public relations campaign with organizations utilizing social media and email lists to promote coming together to have their voices heard. The commissioners, upon seeing the overwhelming opposition to the gas station plan, pulled it from the agenda, started negotiations with the legislators, and later agreed, by 5-0 votes, to two other resolutions to prevent future fiascos like this. About 400 people turned out in 100 degree temperatures for Monday's meeting of the Wakulla County Commission Public workshops were promised to craft an update of the Wakulla County Springs Protection Ordinance, plus the county agreed to add special consideration language for the permitting of gas stations in the environmentally sensitive Karst topography of the county. Although promised, neither one of these ideas have yet to be put into motion. The inclusion of this funding in the budget is a demonstration of what an informed public can do to influence public policy by banding together for a common goal and showing up. This is an example of what it looks like when everyday people come together and the government is responsive to their constituency. Anthony Gaudio is chair of the Wakulla Springs Alliance. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Citizen voices were heard in securing state money for Wakulla County A city in New Jersey is losing its only Starbucks: Its sad for Trenton TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) Businesses come and go, but saying goodbye brings pain for Benjamin Young, a barista at Trentons only Starbucks. Its sad for Trenton, said Young. I just had somebody walk up and talk to me. They were like, Yo, we heard they was closing. I was like, yeah, its closing, and they were like, Yo, its going to mess us up.' Youre saying it wrong: New York City street names When it opened in 2017, Starbucks launched it as a community store, designed to bring jobs to underserved communities and give youth their first shot in the workforce. At the end of the month, its set to close for good. Everybody, they come here, they know us, said Young. Its more personable here. Everybody talks to us, everybody vibes with us, so to see it all go, like I said, it would be a headache, it would be heartbreak. I feel like Trenton is thriving right now and its just a big impact as far as them closing, said Deonna Maldonado, co-owner of nearby Skil-Lit Cafe. They would always allow us to use the bathroom, they would always give out cake pops, they would give out drinks, and just the courtesy of them is going to be missed, said customer Aleea Johnson, and the location, because its the only one in Trenton. Bryan Evans is the Chair of the Trenton Downtown Association and says when Starbucks came in, small businesses opened up and thrived. I call it the Starbucks effect, said Evans. A lot of people want to be here because Starbucks is here. I think its critical that they stay and I hope that they change their minds. Starbucks would not give us any specifics behind the reason for the closure but said baristas impacted will have the option to work for other Starbucks locations in the area. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora says Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Governor Phil Murphy, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker are all pushing to keep the store open. Gusciora spoke to us shortly after what he says was a productive meeting with Starbucks officials. Were hopeful that we can get an extension of the closure and see how we can all work together from here on out, said Gusciora. As for Young, he also works right across the street at Skil-Lit Cafe, so even if Trenton loses Starbucks, it wont lose his smile. Im a barista here, Im a host at Skil-Lit, so Ill still make my impact as much as I can, said Young. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Earlier this week, the City of San Diego updated its plans to provide more homes and jobs near more affordable options for San Diegans to commute to work, school or meet other daily needs. The second draft of the citys General Plan, called Blueprint SD, is focused on creating hundreds of thousands of new homes while also helping the city make progress toward its climate goals. What are San Diegans paying for with their monthly electricity bill? The new proposed plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future by encouraging residents to look at alternative ways to commute aside from driving their vehicles. Part of the citys climate action plan sets a goal of net zero emissions by 2035. To meet this goal, the citys target is to have at least half of all trips across San Diego take place by walking, biking or public transit in the next 13 years. According to the city, neighborhoods in San Diego have a higher cost of living, overcrowding and sub-par housing conditions that stem from having a limited supply of available homes. Blueprint SD takes into account residents housing needs, San Diegos climate action plan and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) regional transportation plan known as the 5 Big Moves. Two neighborhoods in San Diego also have updated improvement plans. San Diego home sales jumped in February. Heres where This week, the city also released second drafts of the University community plan update and the Hillcrest focused plan amendment, as well as a draft environmental impact report (EIR). The University community plan update will provide guidance for how the neighborhood of University City will look over the next 20 to 30 years, whereas the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment (also known as Plan Hillcrest) looks at ways to ensure Hillcrest thrives in the future while celebrating its LGBTQ+ history and culture. The City of San Diego invites the public to provide public comment on the draft plans and the EIR until April 29. The City Planning Department will use the feedback they receive to create final plans, which will then go through the public hearing process. The final plans will be presented to the City Council later this summer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. In November, Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray interviewed a South Fulton man who was suing the city to get access to records he requested. The man, Reshard Snellings, said he sued South Fulton because he thought they were breaking the states open records laws. These are public documents that should be made available to the public, Snellings told Channel 2 Action News previously. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Now, city officials confirmed theyre changing the policies they have for requesting open records and filling those requests. In a statement shared with Channel 2 Action News, a spokeswoman said the city reaffirms its unwavering commitment to transparency and compliance within standards of the [Georgia] Open Records Act, adding that under the guidance of the South Fulton City Clerk and City manager, theyve made significant strides to enhance their open records process. TRENDING STORIES: The city said theyve also put comprehensive training programs to ensure adherence to the highest standards of compliance in place in order to foster trust and accountability in their community. As previously reported, Snellings said the lawsuit he filed was simple. I hope they see that they cant just violate the law like this. They have to produce these documents. I know they dont like to do it, but it is what it is within our right as residents to question the government and be able to see these documents, he told Gray in November. Even earlier, a Channel 2 Action News investigation found that the citys police department had not been following parts of Georgias open records laws, which led to changes in the South Fulton Police Department. Now that the issue appears settled, Snellings attorney, Joy Ramsingh, said she and her client were pleased with the decision, saying in part: Were at the end of Sunshine Week, a national movement to celebrate government transparency at federal, state, and local levels. Georgia is slightly behind the curve when it comes to government transparency. Our law is good, but our enforcement lags behind other states. Lawsuits like this one are the only way that Georgians can bring agencies into compliance. We appreciate the Citys renewed commitment to transparency, and we hope that this lawsuit inspires agencies to become more proactive with their Open Records Act compliance. Going forward, city officials said they remain dedicated to ensuring that citizens of South Fulton have access to requested information, in adherence to the Open Records Act. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Mail trucks sit in a U.S. Postal Service parking lot in Tooele on Thursday, July 14, 2022. An extremely rare U.S. postage stamp from 1868 is up for auction. An extremely rare U.S. postage stamp from 1868 is up for auction and it could be sold for up to $5 million. The New York auction house Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc., dubs the 1-cent stamp of Benjamin Franklin as one of, if not the most valuable U.S. stamp in history. Smithsonian clarified that the stamp is only one of two kinds known to exist. Its the first time one will be up for sale in 26 years. Why is the 1-cent stamp so sought after? Z-grill stamps are the rarest types of stamps for philatelists or those who study and collect stamps. According to Smithsonian, grills, or marks, were placed on stamps around this time to prevent them from being reused, and zig-zag patterned grills were the rarest version. The U.S. Post Office stopped issuing the marked stamps in the early 1870s, but some alternate, also rare versions still remain all of which are claimed to be used and display cancellation marks. Most of (the Z-grill stamps) were 2-cent and 12-cent stamps. Some were 3-cent stamps. And very, very few were 1-cent, 10-cent and 15-cent stamps, Scott Trepel, the president of the auction house, told Smithsonian. Who currently owns the two stamps? Fox Business reported that the listed Benjamin Franklin stamp is owned by American investor William H. Gross, who acquired it back in 2005. He is reportedly selling his entire stamp collection to the auction house, which, according to The New York Times, Gross spent over $100 million on. Auction house director Charles Shreve calls Gross collection undoubtedly the most significant and most valuable collection of U.S. stamps curated in the past 50 years, per Fox Business. The other Benjamin Franklin stamp is at the New York Public Library, which was donated the stamp in 1925, reports Smithsonian. Why is Gross selling his stamp collection? The investor has been selling off his collection for over 15 years, starting with international stamps in 2007 and U.S. stamps in 2018. He claims to give the proceeds to charity. A spokesperson for Gross told The New York Times that obtaining rare stamps took patience, but the chase was the fun part. Smithsonian claims that Gross complete collection is expected to accumulate up to $20 million. The stamp can attain a U.S. record Currently, the Z-grill stamp is estimated to sell between $4 to $5 million. The auction is on June 14 and will end the next day. If the estimates are correct, it will be the most expensive postage stamp in the U.S., beating out an Inverted Jenny stamp selling for $2 million last fall. However, a 1-cent magenta stamp from British Guiana known to be the only one of its kind sold for over $8 million in 2021, so the Benjamin Franklin stamp may not achieve the world record, per Smithsonian. Still, the auction house is happy to be a part of the historical event. For collectors who have patiently waited for this to happen, it is an opportunity to buy what they have wanted for a very long time, Trepel said to Fox Business. And for others who just want one stamp the rarest of the rare, the best of the best it could well be an opportunity to capture a trophy. FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WVNS) Multiple complaints filed by Southern Regional Jail inmates towards seven West Virginia counties that use Southern Regional Jail was dismissed after a Fayette County judges order. According to a press release from Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti Jr., Judge Frank W. Volk entered a order dismissing all claims filed by inmates. Judge Volk cited the inability of the plaintiffs (inmates) to provide a, plausible foundation for holding the County Defendants liable for the alleged federal constitutional claims. Jude Volk also pointed out that county commissions are not responsible for ownership, operation, and maintenance at the regional jails. The claims were ordered to be dismissed without prejudice. This means the claims cannot be brought up in court again. An objection to the claims being dismissed with prejudice must be filed by the plaintiffs by March 20, 2024. Lawsuit: WVDCR finds SRJ staff berated dying inmate, didnt get medical help for him The press release concluded with the following statement: Recent events at the Southern Regional Jail are concerning to both the Fayette County Commission and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County. However, conditions at the Southern Regional Jail are completely outside the control of both the Fayette County Commission and the Office of Prosecuting Attorney for Fayette County. The only involvement the Fayette County Commission has with the operation of the Southern Regional Jail is monitoring of and payment of the cost for housing inmates. The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation is solely responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Southern Regional Jail and it is our most sincere hope that the recent litigation will result in improved conditions at the Southern Regional Jail. Anthony Ciliberti Jr. | Office of The Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Stick with 59News for more updates on Southern Regional Jail. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A Clarksville man will spend 25 years in federal prison for crimes he committed while he was out on bond for a state murder charge, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday. According to the DOJ, Mark Ellis, 30, of Clarksville, was convicted in May of 2023 for a host of fentanyl and gun charges, including conspiracy to distribute and sale of the deadly narcotic. Evidence at trial showed Ellis, in January of 2022, while out on bond for a first degree murder indictment for a 2018 shooting, sold a fentanyl mixture to a police informant during a controlled deal. Evidence also showed Ellis possessed a 9mm pistol during the drug deal. A search warrant was executed at the home of one of Ellis family members, where police seized a pound of fentanyl. PREVIOUS: Clarksville man convicted for committing drug crimes while on bond for murder Ellis was indicted in July 2021 for a June 2018 homicide. He was awaiting trial for that homicide charge when he was involved in a Clarksville Waffle House shooting that injured three people. During the trial, prosecutors played a recording between Ellis and his co-conspirator, Yennifer Angeles, made while Ellis was in jail after his arrest. This recording showed Ellis and Angeles made plans to continue selling fentanyl while Ellis was incarcerated. Angeles later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced in August of 2023, according to the DOJ. Federal authorities say Ellis was sentenced to 300 months25 yearsin federal prison for the host of crimes. His state murder case is still pending in criminal court, according to the DOJ. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Fentanyl continues to poison countless people throughout Middle Tennessee, said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. Combating fentanyl trafficking is a top priority for this office and we will continue to work aggressively to hold accountable those who deal this deadly drug. Todays sentence should send a clear message that fentanyl dealers face serious consequences. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China has completed the material extravehicular exposure tests on its space station, with the experimental equipment and the first batch of material samples safely retrieved to the orbiting spacecraft, the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said on Friday. The experimental equipment and samples were transferred from the exterior of the space station to the station's airlock module at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, with the collaboration of scientists on Earth and assistance from an onboard robotic arm. The orbiting taikonaut crew subsequently moved the experimental assembly to the lab module, where they disassembled and stored the samples. These samples will be returned to Earth onboard the Shenzhou spacecraft and handed over to scientists for further research, the center noted. The material extravehicular exposure experimental equipment was launched on March 8, 2023 and has been in orbit for one year. The first batch of over 400 material samples installed were divided into non-metallic and metallic materials. According to the center, the orbiting taikonauts will install a new batch of samples into the experimental equipment in May 2024 and conduct a new round of space exposure tests. Kelsey Leathers, a junior at Clear Creek Amana, won this week's Press-Citizen Student of the Week poll. Leathers secured 92.46%, or 184 votes. Iowa City Regina's Joe Polyak received eight votes while Iowa City Liberty's Aidan Decker secured seven votes. Clear Creek Amana principal Mark Moody told the Press-Citizen that Leathers is an amazing person with a heart of gold, who makes the building a positive and enjoyable place for students and staff. Leathers has served as the FFA secretary and is currently the reporter. Recently, Leathers was elected president of the National Honor Society. In addition to academic success, Leathers is a leader on the varsity basketball team. This weeks Student of the Week poll included three nominees from across Johnson County. Faculty at area high schools are asked to nominate students for outstanding academic and school achievement and community service. This week's poll closed Thursday, March 14. More: Clear Creek Amana sophomore Gwen Dao tops the Press-Citizen's Student of the Week poll Kelsey Leathers, a junior at Clear Creek Amana, prevailed in this week's poll. Leathers secured 92.46% or 184 votes in this week's poll. The other Student of the Week nominees were: Aidan Decker, Iowa City Liberty High School Other nominees for this week included senior Aidan Decker from Liberty High School, whom Principal Justin Colbert described as a leader in and outside of the classroom. Decker's class load consists of AP and dual-enrollment college-level courses. He is also a talented and hard-working student-athlete who earned a ninth-place medal at the state cross-country meet in October. Decker is also an active leader and excels in Liberty's choir and drama programs. Joe Polyak, Iowa City Regina Catholic High School Principal Glenn Plummer from Regina Catholic High School nominated senior Joe Polyak. Polyak won two state titles in swimming for City High during his high school career. Polyak has his eyes set on the 2024 Olympic Trials in June and will continue to swim for the University of Minnesota. In addition to being a talented student-athlete, Polyak was also named a National Merit Finalist while maintaining a course load of three AP classes and three courses at Kirkwood Community College. Do you want your student to be considered as Student of the Week? Ask your principal to send nominees to studentoftheweek@press-citizen.com. Editor's Note: The next Student of the Week poll will go live March 25. There will be no poll for the week of March 18. More: Everything to know about the Dubuque St. construction in downtown Iowa City This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Junior Kelsey Leathers is the Press-Citizen's Student of the Week Last weekend, former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden both visited Georgia ahead of this weeks primary. The rallies felt like more of a preview for the general election and the choice that young people like me will have this Novemberwhich isnt much of a choice at all. Trumps speech included him saying drill, baby, drill, repeating his claims that the 2020 election was rigged, and talking about wanting to ban critical race theory in schools. His vision of the future couldnt be further from the one I want. As a student organizer with the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition, Im pushing for a future where students have the freedom to develop the skills we need to reckon with our past, shape a better future, and pursue our dreams. Climate change is a top issue for me, and for most young people I know. We understand whats at stake if we re-elect Donald Trumpthe president who pulled us out of the Paris climate accords and speculated whether climate change was a hoax. President Biden, on the other hand, used his platform at last weeks State of the Union to talk about how his administration is working to end tax breaks for Big Oil and remove poisonous lead pipes so that every child can drink clean water. Pollution is especially important to me and other Georgians living in Macon where I live. Georgia generates more coal ash than most other states in the country, more than 6 million tons a year. Coal ash contains chemicals known to cause cancer and disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color, where industrial plants are often located. Georgia Powers Scherer coal power plant is based in Juliette, just north of Macon, which is nearly 60% Black. The plant has dumped nearly 16 million tons of coal ash at a disposal site in the Macon area. In 2020, water samples collected from 29 nearby wells found potentially unsafe levels of hexavalent chromium, which is linked to ulcers, liver and kidney failure, and cancer in almost every sample. Unfortunately, this isnt the first time Georgias water has been found unsafe to drink. In 2019, our state got an F for failing to keep dangerous levels of lead out of drinking water in schools. Other reports have rated our drinking water among the least safe in the country. Under another Trump term, none of this is likely to change. President Biden, on the other hand, is standing up to Big Oil, fighting for clean air and water, and putting in the work to address the climate crisis. His administrations Justice40 initiative is investing 40% of the benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and affordable and sustainable housing investments in under-resourced communities that have suffered the impacts of industrial pollution. President Bidens clean energy plan is creating jobs, reducing emissions, and protecting our environment for future generations. His administration created the American Climate Corps, which is engaging 20,000 young people to build careers in fields like sustainability and clean energy. Locally, President Biden is investing in Georgias young people and our clean energy future. For example, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and other national parks are getting $300,000 as part of the YMCA Partnership Program to engage young people in climate change education and outdoor recreation. The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government program, which received $84 million through the presidents clean energy plan, is investing in Savannahs Energy Efficiency and Workforce Training Program project. I want to be a part of building a clean energy future for Georgia and our country as a whole. Through words and actions, Biden has demonstrated his commitment to building a brighter, safer future for Americas young people. Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear that he wants to drag us back to our fossil fuel past. Re-electing Trump means a much darker future for my generation and those that come after us. Marrow Woods is a student organizer with Georgia Youth Justice Coalition. They are based in Macon, GA. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) St. Patricks Day falls on Sunday this year. Originally considered a solemn day, it took on a life of its own in the United States. According to Historian Michael Francis, the first record of a St. Patricks Day celebration in the United States is recorded in Spains national archives, and thats because it happened in the 1600s in St. Augustin, Florida, which was a Spanish colony at the time. The holiday became popular among the Irish Diaspora here in America. According to the Census Bureau, there are over 30 million people of Irish descent living in the U.S., Paddy Day Parade is on Saturday, some streets will close St. Patricks Day has moved beyond being just an Irish or even a Catholic celebration. Its become part of American culture, but what do we know about the person behind the holiday? St. Patrick is just one of several Irish saints who played an important role in the history of Catholicism in Ireland. However, we know very little about him, and there are questions as to whether he even actually existed. We know he was born sometime at the end of Roman rule of Britain. He might have been born in Cumbria, in the northern part of England, or possibly even Scotland. According to the Catholic Encylopedia, he originally came to Ireland as a slave, and it was during his captivity on the then-pagan island that he converted to Christianity. He would eventually escape but would return years later as a missionary. We also know that he was never officially canonized by the Catholic Church. Although sainthood during that period was determined on a more local level. The one feat most often associated with St. Patrick is his driving all the snakes out of Ireland. Today, we know he didnt do that, but more to the point, that legend may have developed from misinterpretation. The confusion lies in the word. St. Patrick drove out the serpents and that is something a bit different than snakes. Serpent is a broader term, especially when referring to creatures in antiquity. Because serpent also means dragons and all manner of similar legendary beasts. The Legend of St. Patrick and the Serpent makes that clear. What isnt immediately clear is that the serpent isnt even what we think it is. St. Patricks parade will be Kansas Citys first big event since the deadly Super Bowl celebration Reporter Tom Prendiville wrote in the Irish Independent that it was probably a misreading of ancient text. St. Patrick likely led a group of armed missionaries against a pagan cult that used serpent symbology in their worship. While there will likely never be a definitive answer as to what is fact or fiction regarding St. Patrick, its hard to deny the significance his influence had on Ireland and Catholicism. That influence has also impacted American culture, from parades to iconography like Shamrocks and Leprechauns. To learn more about St. Patrick, both in legend and in the context of Catholicism, visit Catholic Online. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Coast Guard rescues man stuck 185 miles off Fort Myers shore CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) The United States Coast Guard rescued a 71-year-old man on Friday after his sailing ship took on water while he was 185 miles off the Florida coast. The Coast Guard said crews spotted the man around noon and hoisted him off the boat, transporting him to Tampa Fire Rescue emergency services for treatment. STUNNING VIDEO: Swirling clouds hover above homes The man was able to send a distress signal to the Coast Guard on a radio channel around 8 a.m., and crews found him after he activated an emergency beacon to broadcast his location. Coast Guard crews were able to complete this rescue quickly and efficiently thanks to the boater having a properly registered EPIRB aboard his vessel, said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael D. Dinapolis, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center watchstander. We encourage all boaters to adhere to safe boating in case they find themselves in an emergency out at sea, like the one we responded to today. Safe boating will increase your odds of survival no matter the circumstance. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The second-in-command of a violent Colombian gang was arrested in Texas this week. Aderbis Pirela, 29 one of the highest-ranking leaders of the Los Satanas gang was arrested in New Braunfels, Texas, on Tuesday. Pirela is wanted in Bogota, Colombia, for ties to at least four murders, extortion and drug trafficking, according to local outlet NEWS4SA. US GOVERNMENT MANDATES FACIAL RECOGNITION FOR MIGRANTS LACKING PASSPORTS TO BOARD DOMESTIC FLIGHTS Local, state, and federal authorities arrested alleged Colombian drug lord Aderbis Pierla in New Braunfels, Texas this week. "[Pirela's] role within these organizations was to distribute pamphlets, collect extortion and when they did not pay it, he obviously threatened or made an attack against the victims or their relatives," said Bogota Prosecutor's Office Leonor Merchan Lopera, according to local outlet KENS5. Pirela fled Colombia and traveled through Central America to the U.S.-Mexico border to continue his extortion efforts, General Jose Daniel Gualdron, commander of the Bogota Metropolitan Police, told the outlet. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Pirela was apprehended by Homeland Security San Antonio in cooperation with state and local authorities, who turned him into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS 30,000 MIGRANTS FROM 4 COUNTRIES INTO THE US EACH MONTH UPHELD BY JUDGE Photo shows a view of Bogota from Monserrate Hill in Colombia. Aderbis Pirela fled the city and traveled through Central America to arrive in the United States, where he was apprehended by authorities. Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan is calling on national authorities in Colombia to ensure Pirela faces justice in order to keep him off the streets. Galan also warned that actions must be taken to prevent Pirela from continuing criminal operations in prison. "It is necessary to guarantee that they do not continue to commit crimes from prison because that eventually generates what we are seeing here," Galan said, according to KENS5. Drug lord Aderbis Seguna Pierla is wanted in Bogota, Colombia, in connection to multiple murders, extortion and drug trafficking. He continued, "It is a call that I take this opportunity to ratify to the national government, because it is very important that those criminals who with the effort extraordinary measures that are being made of the authorities in charge of capturing and prosecuting them, do not continue to commit crimes from prison." It is unknown exactly how long Pirela has been operating in the U.S. or when he entered the country. Original article source: Colombian drug lord arrested in Texas 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. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that he visited the Avdiivka front, the site of the most intense combat, where he and his commanders discussed the best courses of action for Ukrainian troops and measures to strengthen defence. Source: Syrskyi on Telegram Quote from Syrskyi: "I was on the Avdiivka front, where the enemy has concentrated their main efforts and has been trying for several days in a row to break through the defence of our troops in the places where three of our brigades have their positions. The enemy is throwing assault units in vehicles and on foot into battle daily." Details: Syrskyi said that the Russians are supporting their offensive with intense artillery fire and the active use of FPV drones and other UAVs. Russian aircraft periodically drop guided glide bombs from a distance of 40-50 kilometres, and the Russians also hide their troops and artillery positions with the aid of electronic warfare. Syrskyi added that he had devoted his work at the front to hashing out "the most effective methods of mounting a defence." "Together with the commanders, we considered the best options for the actions of our troops, the manoeuvring of reserves, the provision of ammunition and other material resources. All necessary measures have been taken to strengthen defence and improve the functioning of the operational structure in this area. We continue our work," he concluded. Support UP or become our patron! This commentary is from Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Peter Burke. I am honoured to travel to Savannah to celebrate St. Patricks Day and to represent the Government of Ireland in the 200th anniversary of this citys wonderful and historic parade. Each year, St. Patricks Day offers us an opportunity to reconnect with our diaspora and the 70 million people worldwide of Irish background, tens of millions of whom call America home. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the USA. I can think of no better place than Savannah to celebrate the strength and endurance of Irelands ties in the USA. Centuries ago, Irish emigrants found a welcoming community in Savannah, one built on the values of hospitality, cooperation, and hard work. They helped to build this historic town into the thriving port city that it is today. Today, those same values continue to drive the relationship between Ireland and Savannah. We have built strong partnerships in academia, trade, and tourism, and we are committed to continuing to deepen and strengthen those partnerships in the years to come. The relationship between Wexford and Savannah is truly remarkable. At the height of Irish migration to Savannah, almost 60% of Irish arrivals in Savannah came from Wexford and this historic bond has been nourished and further developed in recent years. Much of the impetus came from the work of Dr. Howard Keeley and the team at Georgia Southern University, culminating in the opening of a Georgia Southern campus in Wexford. The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, presented Dr. Keeley with the Presidential Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his tireless efforts, for which I add my congratulations. This year, as we look to the future and the next 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States, our focus is on young people. Young people are at the heart of what makes Ireland a great place to invest, trade, visit and study. Ireland is home for all five of the worlds top software companies and 14 of the top 15 medical technology companies globally. Those companies and very many others have put down roots in Ireland because of our economic track record, stability, ease of doing business and access to a European Union market of 450 million people. But they are also in Ireland because of our talent pool, with brilliant globally-connected young people from across the European Union a key part of our dynamic workforce. Ireland is a country where enterprise is valued and young entrepreneurs are supported to bring their products and ideas to international markets. Many of those ideas have blossomed in a world-class Irish university system that attracts thousands of students from around the world because of the safe, welcoming and culturally rich environment on offer in Ireland for young people. I am so pleased that the connections between Ireland and Georgia in third-level education continue to go from strength to strength, not least in the growing relationship between between Georgia Southern University and South East Technological University, Wexford. There is an old Irish saying: Ar scath a cheile a mhaireannn na Daoine We live in each others shadow. This will remain true for our young people in the world of the years to come. Protecting and supporting each other, and building enduring partnerships, has never been more vital. It is our focus too this St. Patricks Day. In celebration of the road we have travlled, and will continue to travel together, I wish you all a Happy St. Patricks Day. Beannachtai na Feile Padraig oraibh go leir. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Commentary: With a connected past, Ireland, Savannah look to future The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has assessed Ukraine's implementation of the rulings given by the European Convention on Human Rights in cases relating to the 2013-2014 Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, and expressed concern that, 10 years later, the vast majority of criminal proceedings remain pending in national courts. Source: European Pravda with reference to the conclusions of the Committee Details: In particular, the Committee stated "with regret" that some criminal proceedings against law enforcement officers or non-state actors involved in human rights violations during these events were suspended by national courts due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in the case of Shmorhunov and Others, as well as Ihor Lutsenko and Yurii Verbytskyi's cases. The Committee is concerned that, 10 years later, the vast majority of criminal proceedings remain pending in national courts, with some in the pre-trial stage. The findings highlight the possibility that certain crimes may have a statute of limitations. The Committee urged the authorities to expedite the pre-trial investigation and complete the court proceedings as soon as possible, as well as to investigate alternative measures of compensation for damage to ensure that the "termination of criminal proceedings due to prescription does not indulge impunity". The Committee noted that in some cases, compensation payments were returned to the state budget as unclaimed after one year, and urged the authorities to address this issue. The Committee also expressed regret that a large number of cases involving these events had lost their relevance. The committee urged the authorities to "redouble their efforts" and complete outstanding criminal proceedings as soon as possible, as well as to "continue to effectively inform the public on their progress". In January 2021, the ECHR issued decisions in the cases of Shmorhunov and Others v. Ukraine, Lutsenko and Verbytskyi v. Ukraine, Kadur and Smalii v. Ukraine, Dubovtsev and Others v. Ukraine, and Vorontsov and Others v. Ukraine. The court accused Ukraine of numerous human rights violations, including the death of at least one protester. Support UP or become our patron! Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, and other state leaders gathered in Logan County to assess the damage caused by a deadly EF-3 tornado. DeWine and the others toured the area to see the devastation firsthand. >> PHOTOS: Severe storms, radar-confirmed tornadoes move through Miami Valley In discussing the damage, DeWine told media gathered at Indian Lake High School that it was absolutely amazing to see the resilience, toughness, and strength of the people in Logan County. He also expressed his sympathies to the families of the three people who died in the storm, as well as to those who lost their businesses and homes. This Indian Lake community will come back. And thats the message I got from everybody DeWine said. DeWine said there is a system set up to help those impacted and that there was a potential for federal and state assistance. Sima Merick, Ohios Emergency Management Director, said the damage assessments are an important part of assessing loss insurance and financial assistance recovery. Were going to do everything we can, working with the state legislature, to make sure that this community comes back, DeWine said. >> RELATED: 3 dead, multiple serious injuries from Thursday nights storms in Logan County Officials addressed the impact of the tornadoes in the high school gymnasium which was full of clothes and supplies donated to help those in need. This is what we were told from a school administrator before we walked in, what they referred to as the lake effect, State Senator Rob McColley said regarding all of the donations that have poured in. The community deciding to come together as one and rally around each other. A visitor walks past the display wall of Philips's coffee machine products during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Visitors view an air conditioner at LG's booth during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) People visit Philips's booth during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) This photo taken on March 14, 2024 shows Huawei's display area of smart home during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) A visitor looks at the screen of a TV at TCL's booth during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Visitors try smartphones at Huawei's booth during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Visitors discuss about a Philips's air purifier for pet hair during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) People visit Hisense's booth during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Visitors discuss about Laifen's electric toothbrushes during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) A lawn mowing robot from Ecovacs demonstrates during the 2024 Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE2024) in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. With the theme of "Smartize the Future", the AWE2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The world's leading brands in the field of home appliances and consumer electronics gathered at the expo to showcase their latest innovations. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The War Eagles Air Museum is inviting the community to the biggest Easter egg hunt ever held at the museum, 8012 Airport Rd. in Santa Teresa, NM, at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23. This event, Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza, will feature over 15,000 Easter eggs hidden around the museum hangar, according to a press release sent by the museum. Other activities include aviation workshops, free professional family portraits with the Easter bunny, live music, food trucks, local vendors, face painting, and a fan favorite feature the Easter bunny will arrive via helicopter. Guests will get a close-up of the helicopter landing, according to the museum. Tickets are $15 for children and $5 for adults. Childrens tickets include a premium egg hunt kit. Tickets can be purchased here. We are thrilled to invite the community out to spend a day with their families and friends. It delights us to be able to provide such a fun experience in a safe and unique environment. Here at the museum, kids and adults alike can learn and have fun. Its such a treat! said Dominique Clark, marketing director of the War Eagles Air Museum. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. An oil company that operates in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico was ordered to pay an enormous fine for violating the Clean Air Act. As the Department of Justice detailed, Mewbourne Oil will need to fork out $5.5 million after producing unlawful air pollution from its oil and gas wells. What's more, it must commit $4.6 million toward ensuring its oil and gas battery pads comply with regulations. According to the DOJ, the move will help stop the emission of 11,000 tons of planet-warming pollution every year, 9,900 tons of volatile organic compounds, and 1,300 tons of methane which has far more global heating potential than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Larry Starfield, principal deputy assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said the fine and subsequent improvements will be hugely beneficial for residents. "The result will be cleaner, healthier air for communities in New Mexico and Texas," he said in the DOJ statement. Meanwhile, New Mexico Environment Department cabinet secretary James Kenney said that oil companies' adhering to air quality regulations is essential for the protection of the environment. "We will continue to conduct oil and gas investigations and aggressively enforce violations," he added. The fine was levied after it was determined that Mewbourne had not gotten required state and federal permits for operations and had not had storage vessels inspected or monitored and those vessels were also unable to capture or control air emissions. "The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants that are considered harmful to public health and the environment," the DOJ statement read. Investigators discovered that concentrations of ozone a pollutant that is formed by the combination of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds had surpassed the 95% NAAQS criteria for acceptable levels. This is one example of an oil company's facing consequences for not meeting emissions standards. Aside from moving away from fossil fuels entirely to renewable sources for power including solar and wind it's vital for governments to hold oil and gas companies to account to ensure planet-warming pollution levels are as low as possible. Not only will this slow the rate of global heating which exacerbates extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and deadly storms but it also will help improve air quality for local residents, reducing their risk of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Western Wayne High School is planning to start its first Career Technical Education (CTE) program, focused on computer programming and networking. Certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), a CTE program can prepare students for the workforce directly from high school with the added advantage a CTE can have on the resume, district STEAM Principal Elizabeth Watson said. Both Wayne Highlands and Wallenpaupack school districts have several CTE programs in place, each with some that are unique to their school. Agreements are in place for students in these districts to enroll in a CTE program at one of the other schools, attend classes there and still earn a diploma from their home high school. "This will be our first CTE program, which is a great thing for our district," she said. "It is something we have acknowledged as something that is a very critical component to offer to our students." They joined the consortium with Wayne Highlands and Wallenpaupack and are now able to contribute a CTE four-year course of study unique to Western Wayne. She said there are very few schools statewide that include computer programming as a CTE. "We are very lucky to have a staff member... Tom Lodini, and he is one of the very few, select few certified teachers in computer programming in the state of Pennsylvania," she said. Western Wayne High School at 1970A Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel (South Canaan Township), Wayne County. The PDE normally requires certification for CTE instructors, who have equal representation in education training and working in the industry on which they are instructing. Although they have other "wonderful teachers" in technical education at Western Wayne, she said they lack industry experience. Computer programming as a CTE pathway is very new in Pennsylvania, so to encourage schools to offer it, the PDE has made the allowance to have a certified teacher without industry experience. Lodini, who graduated from Honesdale High School, has taught at Western Wayne for many years. He has been teaching mathematics and computer programming courses, although the latter was not a CTE-approved course. The new course has met the PDE standards for a CTE. Prior to starting the CTE, a student could learn computer programming but lacked the certificate a CTE brings to demonstrate to a potential employer that the student is knowledgeable and proficient, she stated. CTE courses, she said, provide industry-recognized credentials that are entered in a student's portfolio and enable them to choose to go straight to the workforce after high school graduation. In the case of Western Wayne's program, she said, the materials are produced by a company, Cisco Systems, Inc., an industry leader in terms of training and equipment for computer programming and networking. As a benefit to the school district for using Cisco, the company will help with job placement and internships for students who do well. She said the district has partnered with Cisco to be able to guarantee their students that the training will help them join the industry. While computer programming has been part of Western Wayne's curriculum, networking will be new. Watson said that the district chose this field for their CTE because they had a certified teacher on board and realized that computer science is a hugely growing industry offering many jobs. Starting with computer science as their first CTE program also did not require a large financial investment, Watson said. Resulting from the COVID pandemic when school education shifted to the home, the students use district-issued Dell laptops. They have partnered with both Cisco and Microsoft, which will cover most of the districts costs for curricular resources. The district looked at diesel mechanics, but that would require costly retrofitting of the school campus. HVAC was also considered, but both these fields also would have required hiring instructors. Elizabeth Watson, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) principal at Western Wayne High School. Preparing their students for the future, she said this may mean a four-year college, or entering the workforce to make a living at what they really love and excel at. "Living in Wayne County and Western Wayne School District specifically, we really do value all post-secondary options," Watson said. "We live in a farming community. Things always go hand in hand, so when we talk about machinery repair, the technical aspect, we pride ourselves in at least acknowledging and trying to support all student interests." She noted that everyone uses technology, including those in agriculture, lawyers, doctors, and any career, whether requiring college or not. "Being able to program technology for what you want it to do, whether it is in a hospital or in a car dealership, that is a hugely marketable skill set." Having computer skills in any chosen field is a powerful resume builder, she added. A local advisory CTE committee will be meeting with a range of stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, students, and industry members. Watson has been working together with their high school principal, Paul Gregorski, Superintendent Matthew Barrett, and the school board, she said. The four-year program will offer an introductory 42-minute class in the first year open to all students, not only those committed to the CTE program. The second and third year includes a two-period, consecutive block of classroom time; the fourth year has a three-period block of time, which includes a potential internship and applying their knowledge. Choosing to take a CTE program, she said, requires a time commitment and limits students from choosing some other electives. Choosing computer science for the first CTE was also desired because it did not duplicate what Wallenpaupack and Western Wayne have; both districts are interested in Western Wayne's venture as an option for their students, Watson stated. The 2024-2025 school year is the first full year for the joint district consortium. Reflecting on Western Wayne's first CTE program, Watson commented, "I'm over the moon about it, I really think it is a wonderful opportunity to serve our kids and the community." Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Western Wayne High School picks computer science for first CTE FILE - Soldiers accused of rape and crimes against humanity slouch in their chairs during a military tribunal in the town of Baraka, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Feb. 16, 2011. Congo has lifted a more than two-decade old moratorium on the death penalty to try and rid the country of traitors and acts of "terrorism", said the government. The moratorium, established in 2003, has allowed offenders accused of treachery and espionage, guaranteed impunity, said the justice ministry in a statement that emerged Friday, March 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Pete Muller, File) DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Congo has lifted a more than two-decade-old moratorium on the death penalty as authorities struggle to curb violence and militant attacks in the country, according to a justice ministry statement released on Friday. The statement, dated earlier this week, said the ban from 2003 allowed offenders accused of treason and espionage to get away without proper punishment. Eastern Congo has been riddled by conflict for decades, linked to more than 120 armed groups fighting for land and power and in some cases, protecting their communities. The government said the violence in the east has plagued the country with recurrent conflict and resulted in a surge of attacks that have spread terror among the communities. In recent years, the M23 rebel group the most dominant in the region with alleged links to neighboring Rwanda has continued to attack villages, forcing many to flee to Goma, the regions largest city. M23 has laid siege to several communities with about half of North Kivu province under it's control. The violence in the province has worsened in recent weeks as security forces battle the rebels. Residents have said the groups fighter mostly launch attacks with bombs out of hills overlooking remote towns. In its statement, the justice ministry said capital punishment will be reserved for offenders involved in criminal conspiracies, armed gangs, insurrection and also those who commit treason and war crimes. It will also be applied to the military, including those who rebel or desert and join enemy ranks. Rights groups have condemned the decision, calling it a step back for the country. This initiative is against the constitution," said Jean-Claude Katende, president of the African Association for Human Rights. We dont think that capital punishment and the execution of this sentence are appropriate measures to restore order. State Trooper Brian North, center, listens as a jury reads a verdict of not guilty on all counts in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford, Conn., Friday, March 15, 2024. North was acquitted of all charges Friday in the death of Mubarak Soulemane, a community college student with mental illness who was shot as he sat behind the wheel of a stolen car holding a kitchen knife. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool) A white Connecticut state trooper was acquitted of all charges Friday in the death of Mubarak Soulemane, a Black 19-year-old community college student who was shot as he sat behind the wheel of a stopped stolen car holding a kitchen knife and apparently in the throes of a mental health crisis. Trooper Brian North, 33, could have faced up to 40 years in prison if he had been convicted of first-degree manslaughter in the Jan. 15, 2020, shooting. The state's inspector general said the shooting shouldn't have happened because North and other officers were not in imminent danger. But the six-person jury in Milford acquitted him on that charge and two lesser counts: second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide. North showed little emotion as the verdicts were read. Afterward, he shook hands with his lawyers and hugged the head of the state police union. North didn't comment while leaving court, but his lead attorney, Frank Riccio II, said the trooper is still shaken by the shooting. This is not something that he will ever live down, because it was a very traumatic experience, Riccio said. The verdict is obviously favorable for him, but it doesnt change what happened on Jan. 15. Relatives and friends of Soulemane, including his mother and sister, declined to comment while leaving the courthouse. Mark Arons, a lawyer for the family, said they were devastated by the verdict. We have questions about whether justice was fully done and received here, Arons said. The trooper gets to live his life and Mubaraks never coming back." He said the verdict marked another tragedy for the family, but that it wouldn't affect the family's lawsuit against North and the other officers at the scene that day. "Theyve had to relive through the trial all the horrific events that unfolded that terrible afternoon, early evening. And then to hear the acquittal on all the three counts, its a tragic loss all over again. The case caught the attention of the local NAACP and the Rev. Al Sharpton, but race was not raised as a factor in the shooting during the trial. Scot X. Esdaile, president of the Connecticut State Conference of the NAACP, called the acquittal a major atrocity. Very disappointing. It's a huge setback. Shame on the jury, Esdaile said by phone. They didnt have to murder this young man. I think this is a disgusting decision. On the day of the shooting, North fired his handgun seven times at close range into the car's driver's window after Soulemane led police on a high-speed chase through several towns on Interstate 95. The shooting happened less than a minute after the car crashed into another vehicle in West Haven, ending the chase, and police surrounded the car. North testified that he fired when Soulemane pulled out a 9-inch knife and made a threatening movement. He said he believed Soulemane posed a danger to police officers who were on the other side of the car and had just broken the passenger door window. But Inspector General Robert Devlin, who investigates all police uses of deadly force in the state, said no officers were in danger because the stolen car was boxed in and Soulemane couldnt go anywhere. He said officers made no attempt to de-escalate the situation. The state police union, meanwhile, criticized Devlin for charging North, saying he had been forced to make a split-second decision and believed he was protecting other officers. Devlin issued a statement after the trial, saying that although his office is disappointed by the verdict, it respects the jurys decision. Soulemane struggled with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to his family. His mother, sister and girlfriend, who testified at the trial, said in the days leading up to the shooting, Soulemanes mental health problems were worsening and he was acting paranoid and erratically behavior he previously displayed when he went off his medications. According to police, the events that led to Soulemane's death began when he displayed the knife at an AT&T store in Norwalk and unsuccessfully tried to steal a cellphone. He then slapped a Lyft driver and drove off in the drivers car after the driver got out, leading police on a 30-mile (48-kilometer) chase from Norwalk to West Haven during the afternoon rush hour at speeds of up to 100 mph (161 kph). State police body camera videos show that after the case ended, a West Haven officer smashed the passenger door window of the stolen vehicle before another trooper, Joshua Jackson, shot Soulemane with a Taser through the window, though it had no effect on Soulemane, who was wearing a heavy coat. North testified that he fired his gun because he thought the West Haven officer whom he couldn't see had leaned in through the smashed window and was in danger from Soulemane, who made a motion to the passenger side of the car while holding the knife. I was afraid that he was going to be stabbed in the face or the neck, which obviously can be a fatal injury, North testified. On cross-examination, Devlin said the videos showed the other officers were not trying to enter the vehicle and asked North if he still believes anyone was actually in danger. Not from what I could see now and after hearing testimony. But what Im perceiving at the time is that there was danger, North said. In the lawsuit against the officers, Soulemane's mother, Omo Mohammad, offered to settle the wrongful death case for $13 million. PROVO, Utah (ABC4) A controversial speech performed by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland during a BYU University Conference in 2021 is now part of the schools general education curriculum, worrying the LGTBQ+ community at the university. Hollands infamous speech, The Second Half of the Second Century of Brigham Young University is most colloquially known as the musket fire speech. While addressing the staff at BYU, Holland seemed to call on the university to take up metaphorical muskets to defend the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Namely, Holland singled out the doctrine of the family and marriage as the union of a man and a woman in his remarks. He called on the university to avoid language, symbols and situations that are more divisive and unifying saying Church leaders struggled over the difficult issue of what the Church can and cannot provide to individuals and families struggling with same-sex topics. Utah officially changed its license plate requirements Heres when you can ditch your front plate I will go to my grave pleading that this institution not only stands but stands unquestionably committed to its unique academic mission and to the Church that sponsors it, Holland said in part. We hope it isnt a surprise to you that your Trustees are not deaf or blind to the feelings that swirl around marriage and the whole same-sex topic on campus. That controversial speech is now part of the general education curriculum at Brigham Young University, in a mandatory class known as BYU Foundations for Student Success. The course, which also features several other speeches given by various leaders at the university, is meant to help new students understand the unique mission and purpose of BYU and connect students to resources on campus. The classes for the new course began in the 2024 winter semester as a new requirement for General Education. The topics discussed include managing expectations, relationships with faculty, healthy mindsets, working with diverse thoughts and opinions and planning next steps. A BYU spokesperson told ABC4 in a statement that the class has been well received by students. Provo parents arrested after they allegedly had sex with their 15-year-old child, claimed it was safer At BYU we want all our students, including our LGBTQ students to feel both the love of the Savior and the joy associated with living His commandments as part of a covenant-keeping community, BYU said via email. We believe that we have a shared primary identity as sons and daughters of God. We welcome LGBTQ students and are grateful for all those who choose BYU because of its environment of covenant belonging. Still, RaYnbow Collective, an off-campus community dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ students at BYU, said the inclusion of the speech is deeply concerning. The use of this speech, which was originally intended for staff and faculty, has significant implications for queer students, suggesting they do not belong and fostering an unsafe environment, the group said in a statement made to social media. By insinuating that queer students lie outside the boundaries of the universitys mission and vision, the speech perpetuates harm and undermines efforts to foster a sense of belonging. The RaYnbow Collective said the speech has caused considerable harm, mentally physically and emotionally and even to justify acts of violence. The group said it will always advocate for initiatives that foster a kinder campus community, where all students feel valued, supported and included. We urge reconsideration and exploration of alternative messaging that promotes unity and respect for all members of the BYU community, the group said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The Cook County Board voted Thursday to pay $17 million to a Chicago man exonerated in the 1982 killings of two on-duty police officers. The payout will resolve a civil rights lawsuit filed by Jackie Wilson that accused several former Cook County assistant states attorneys of railroading him for murders committed by his older brother. It is thought to be among the largest wrongful conviction settlements for a single defendant in county history. A lawsuit against several Chicago police officers involved in the case will continue in federal court. Wilsons case dates to the 1982 slayings of Chicago police Officers William Fahey and Richard OBrien, who were fatally shot by Wilsons brother Andrew during a traffic stop. Jackie Wilson, then 21, was driving the car and was complying with the officers commands when his brother began shooting. Jackie Wilson has acknowledged fleeing the scene with his brother, but he has said he did not know Andrew intended to harm the officers. He was later convicted of OBriens murder and acquitted in Faheys slaying. Now 63, Wilson spent more than three decades in prison before charges were dropped at his third trial in 2020; he later received a certificate of innocence. As the Cook County courts recognized when granting a certificate of innocence, Jackie Wilson was wrongfully convicted of a senseless and horrific crime, his attorneys Elliot Slosar and Flint Taylor said in a statement released Thursday. During his 36 years of wrongful imprisonment, Jackie suffered unimaginable pain and trauma that few people could ever truly understand. With this settlement, Cook County acknowledges and limits the substantial risk that this litigation poses to taxpayers while also allowing Jackie to move forward with what remains of his life. A spokesperson for the Cook County states attorneys office declined to comment, citing pending litigation. The settlement which does not come with an admission of wrongdoing is a rare move for the states attorneys office. Prosecutors are often dismissed from wrongful conviction lawsuits because they have near-absolute immunity from such legal actions. Exceptions can be made when their acts are not related to advocating for the prosecution, such as acting as an investigator or serving as a witness. The payout also has raised eyebrows among attorneys because the federal case is still in its infancy, with court records showing only two depositions taken so far. One of the former assistant states attorneys named in Wilsons lawsuit, Nicholas Trutenko, has a motion to dismiss the case pending before the court. Trutenko and another assistant states attorney, Andrew Horvat, are also facing criminal misconduct charges related to their nonprosecutorial roles during Wilsons third trial in 2020. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges in the case, which is currently on hold pending appeal. Attorneys for Trutenko and Horvat told the Tribune they were not allowed to provide input in the settlement discussions and the payout will have no bearing on the mens criminal case. Trutenkos attorney, former Cook County prosecutor James McKay, argues Jackie Wilson is guilty under the legal theory that he was accountable for his brothers actions because the shooting took place during the commission of another crime an argument that a Cook County judge rejected when he declared Wilson innocent in 2020. The evidence suggests that Jackie Wilson does not deserve 17 cents, much less $17 million, McKay told the Tribune in a statement. We all recognize that anything can happen before a federal jury. Success at trial is never guaranteed. Sometimes it makes sense to settle. But why settle this case now? Whats the rush? OBriens niece Kelly OBrien told the Tribune she also objects to the payout. She was about 5 when her uncle who was also her godfather was killed, and she grew up keenly aware of the pain her family suffered. Her grandmother, she says, mourned her sons death for the rest of his life. Are you kidding me? she said when the Tribune told her Thursday about the settlement. I have no sympathy or pity for this man at all. Oh my gosh it makes me sick. $17 million? And here my family has suffered all these years. Wilsons attorneys have called on the Chicago Police Department to follow the countys example and settle Wilsons lawsuit, which could save the city significant legal fees and eliminate the risk of a steep jury award. The courts have previously found that both brothers were tortured into giving confessions by Chicago police officers under Cmdr. Jon Burge. Burge and his so-called midnight crew of rogue detectives led the torture of criminal suspects for two decades, coercing dozens of confessions. Chicago taxpayers have paid more than $130 million in lawsuit settlements and judgments related to Burges conduct over the past two decades, according to public records. The amount includes $5.5 million in reparations for torture survivors, which was approved by the Chicago City Council in 2015. Now it is time for the City of Chicago to likewise appreciate the serious exposure it faces in this case and act consistently with the promises of Mayor Johnson and his predecessors who have long acknowledged the serious harm that Jon Burge and other Chicago police torturers have inflicted upon Jackie, other torture survivors, and Chicagos communities of color, the attorneys statement said. Clever, full of the joy and pain of growing up, and full of wonderful performances, Snack Shack is one of the first additions to my best-of-the-year list. Adam Rehmeiers coming-of-age movie was filmed, and is set in, small-town Nebraska, so it will have a special appeal to those familiar with Midwestern values. Snack Shack (IMDb) The shy, thoughtful A. J. (Conor Sherry) and his hard-partying buddy Moose (Gabriel LaBelle, The Fabelmans) want to get through the summer with homemade beer, weed, get-rich-quick schemes, and, just maybe, the attention of some girls. They also want to avoid a couple of bullies who seem to be lurking everywhere they turn. The Snack Shack is exactly what it says: A spot at the pool where kids of all ages gather every day now that schools out. Adding to other complications is the presence of a gorgeous, flirtatious girl who temporarily moves in next door to A. J. for the next few weeks. When Brooke (Mika Abdalla) catches the eyes of the best friends, we know trouble is brewing immediately. I love the dialogue here, the awkwardness and the bravado of the two leads, as well as the other characters who make up the supportive and annoying forces in their young lives. Theres a little bit of Superbad edginess in this film, along with the growing pains of movies like John Hughes The Breakfast Club. The main characters are all talented young performers, some of whom most likely will become household names in the not-too-distant future. Sherry is a wonder who gives his character depth and sympathy, a kind of everyteen with whom just about any viewer can relate. Add to this a soundtrack with a batch of great pop tunes such as EMFs Unbelievable. Why not start your summer a little early at the Snack Shack? 3 stars Rated: R for foul language, sexual situations, violence and drug abuse. Running time: One hour and 52 minutes. Watch the trailer here. At Cinemark, Davenport. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Its tornado season in the Midwest, and its already turned deadly. A tornado swept through Indiana and Ohio on Thursday, killing three and injuring many more, according to CNN. I can best describe it as a bomb going off unbelievable damage, Sheriff Randall Dodds of Logan County, Ohio, told the news organization Friday. The peak tornado season runs from April to June in Kansas and Missouri, according to the National Weather Service. But are Kansas City area counties in danger of tornadoes during this time of year? Yes. In fact, the five counties Clay, Jackson, Platte, Johnson and Wyandotte have some of the highest risks of tornadoes in the United States, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. You can check your countys threat level in FEMAs National Risk Index. What is Kansas Citys risk assessment for tornadoes? The National Risk Index is a dataset that compiles data for 18 natural hazards, like like snowstorms, wildfires, hail and heat waves, and calculates the risk of each hazard occurring in a county. For instance, many coastal counties like those along the Gulf Coast have a relatively high or very high risk assessment because of the threat of hurricanes and coastal flooding. Scores are on a scale of 100, and range from very low to very high. The index is based on the National Weather Services database for severe weather and uses the same geographical divisions as the U.S. Census. Heres how FEMA ranks the Kansas City area counties when it comes to the tornado risk compared to the rest of the country: Clay County: 96.9, which is relatively high Jackson County: 99.6, which is very high Platte County: 91.5, which is relatively moderate Johnson County: 99.1, which is very high Wyandotte County: 96.9, which is relatively high FEMA also has rankings for the countys total risk assessment. Heres how the counties ranked: Clay County: 86.89, which is relatively moderate Jackson County: 95.61, which is relatively high Platte County: 74.48, which is relatively low Johnson County: 94.27, which is relatively moderate Wyandotte County: 87.18, which is relatively moderate What that means is if a Census tract has Risk Index percentile of 84.32, for example, then its Risk Index value is greater than 84.32% of all U.S. Census tracts, according to FEMA. How should I prepare for tornadoes? Here are some steps to take to prepare for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Have a safe space planned in your home for protection, like a storm cellar or basement away from windows. Write down important information, like emergency phone numbers. Keep emergency supplies on hand. Have a first aid kit available. Store away extra food and water. GAZA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinians were killed and several others wounded as they gathered in the Kuwait roundabout area east of Gaza City to receive aid, eyewitnesses and local Palestinian sources said Thursday. The witnesses and sources told Xinhua that thousands of Palestinians coming from different places in northern Gaza were at the roundabout to obtain aid amid severe shortages of food and supplies. They noted that helicopters opened fire with their machine guns and launched several shells toward the gathering. Palestinian media outlets said at least 30 Palestinians were killed in the incident. The eight candidates running for Sioux Falls City Council had a chance to pitch themselves and their campaigns to the public at a Thursday evening forum held by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. The forum was split into two parts, beginning with a moderated forum where candidates answered prepared questions, followed by a session where the public could ask their own. More: 8 people are running for Sioux Falls City Council: What to know Here's a look at a few highlights from each candidate throughout the night. Election Day is April 9. At-Large C Richard Thomason Richard Thomason Thomason made it a point to note his prior government experience as a legislator in the South Dakota House of Representatives several times, encouraging residents to look up his track record, which he called in part "pro-Sioux Falls." Like other candidates, he said collaboration of all kinds would be important to him if elected, adding he planned to "learn from everybody." Among specific ideas he proposed were creating initiatives exclusively for smaller businesses to help them get started in the city, and working with developers to ensure that affordable housing in Sioux Falls was being built in area where occupants would have easy access to necessary amenities. Jordan Deffenbaugh Jordan Deffenbaugh Deffenbaugh's answers on topics from affordable housing to business development often came back to the city's zoning ordinances, something he's said he would like to address if elected. He pointed to multiple initiatives in the city he had either started or assisted on, including Strong Towns Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Tool Library, Citizen Taco and the Community Revitalization Collective. He also discussed concerns about some of the city's ongoing projects. While he didn't directly name it, his allusion to a $200 million project was a clear reference to the Riverline Center a discussion he said should have done more to include nearby neighborhoods. Allison Renville Allison Renville Renville made one of the few direct comparisons between candidates of the night in her opening statement, saying one reason she ran was that she wasn't satisfied with what she'd heard from her opponents. She said her identity as a Native American would make her a unique presence on the council. She said she would be willing to have hard conversations on topics in the city. And while she didn't dig too deep into the specifics, her self-described "radical" proposal to make the city more sustainable was to "properly tax" wealthy people who moved into the city. Northeast District Miranda Basye Miranda Basye Basye also made multiple references to collaboration and crowdsourcing ideas as important factors of her time on the council if elected. And while she praised the city's strong tradition of philanthropy for major projects, she added for people in her district, something as simple as the addition of sidewalks could be a quality of life improvement. She also said she wanted to see more engagement overall throughout the city's neighborhoods, pointing to the All Saints neighborhood as a positive example. More: Thomason, Basye have financial advantage as council election approaches Neil Jeske Neil Jeske Jeske spoke against the city's existing government several times throughout the night. One of his primary goals if elected would be to try and eliminate several members of Mayor Paul TenHaken's staff that he feels are overpaid, he said. The self-described "libertarian statesman" also said the city government's involvement in issues such as affordable housing and workforce development should be "little to none," and said the city should remove as many regulations as possible. "All the waste is at city hall and HR," Jeske said. David Zokaites David Zokaites speaks at a mayoral debate on Monday, April 4, 2022, at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. Zokaites tied multiple issues back to marijuana laws throughout the night, and said he wanted to see more transparency in government a topic he often hits in his weekly presentations at Sioux Falls City Council meetings as a regular speaker during public comment. No stranger to odd moments while campaigning, he said one of the ways he had improved the city was through teaching an after-school martial arts program where, he explained, he learned how to successfully fall off a ladder. He also said he'd like to see political campaigns be publicly funded, which he said would help address corruption. Northwest Jennifer Sigette Jennifer Sigette Though Sigette is running for the Northwest seat uncontested and will not be on the ballot, she still spoke at the forum, saying she wanted to approach the job with an open mind and an interest in learning about various issues. She praised several sitting councilors for projects she thought had or could have a positive effect, including Councilor Sarah Cole's work on funding a police campaign to get people to lock their cars, and a project from councilors Curt Soehl and David Barranco to provide tax incentives for green homes. She also said she wanted to see more people engaged and giving feedback on public projects such as parks and pools, not just the people who had strong feelings about them. She added she'd like to take a more data-driven approach to such projects, as opposed to simply going off narratives heard. More: Exiting Sioux Falls city councilors concerned to see their seats going uncontested Southwest Ryan Spellerberg Ryan and Emily Spellerberg Spellerberg, who is also uncontested in his race and will not be on the ballot, did not attend the forum, citing an existing conflict. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Council candidates lay out how they would improve Sioux Falls during Thursday's debate The highest collegial political body of the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers, has noted the positive decisions of the Ukrainian authorities on the way to reforming the judicial system. Source: the decision of the Committee, which assessed the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights ruling of the Volkov v. Ukraine case, as reported by European Pravda Details: In particular, the conclusions note that in 2014-2018, Ukraine took significant steps to restructure the system of disciplinary responsibility and the career of judges, including amending the Constitution and implementing legislation. The Committee welcomed the fact that Ukraine now has a fully operational High Council of Justice and High Qualifications Commission of Judges. In addition, the Committee "noted with interest" the repeal of Article 375 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which stipulated a prison sentence for a judge for making an unlawful decision. "Any criminal investigation against a judge is to be compliant with the Council of Europe standards and recommendations, so that it is not misused to exert undue influence and pressure," the conclusions say. The Committee is satisfied with the adoption and implementation of the new law on transferring judges of the "old composition of the Supreme Court of Ukraine" to the Supreme Court established in accordance with the 2016 constitutional amendments. The Committee concluded that it was no longer necessary to closely monitor the developments relating to the status of the 29 judges dismissed by the Ukrainian Parliament on 29 September 2016. The case of Volkov v. Ukraine concerns 18 judges who were dismissed on the grounds of "breaching their oath of office". In particular, Supreme Court judge Oleksandr Volkov was dismissed from his post in June 2010, with the Parliamentary Committee on Justice, which made the decision, acting beyond its powers. In the Volkov v. Ukraine case, the European Court of Human Rights found that the dismissal procedure was not independent and impartial, with various violations noted during the vote in parliament. The court also noted the committees shortcomings in forming a special chamber of the Supreme Administrative Court, which dealt with the case of Oleksandr Volkov. Volkov was reinstated on 2 February 2015, and Ukraine implemented constitutional and legislative reforms to improve the impartiality of judges. The Ukrainian authorities pledged to pay Volkov approximately 41,000 in compensation for pecuniary damage, as well as any taxes payable. Volkov has agreed to drop any further claims against Ukraine in this case. Support UP or become our patron! BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) When the opioid epidemic swept through Appalachia, it left overcrowded jails and a decimated work force. As pharmaceutical companies pay millions in settlements, small cities like Beckley struggle to recover, and non-profits like Seed Sowers have sprung up to help. The group offers housing and other services to those in recovery. In May 2023, Phillips, the executive director of Seed Sowers in Beckley, said the program helps those who want to recover from addiction by providing housing, transportation and other resources. A lot of people end up kind of feeling lost in the system, if you will, so what were doing here is reaching out to those folks, he said. Phillips brings those in recovery to live in Beckley and helps them access resources to rebuild their lives. One of his partners is Fruits of Labor, which operates a nationally recognized, state-funded work program at its business. Those in recovery work at Fruits of Labor. Is it allergies or illness? How you can tell the difference The cafe attracts a crowd at lunch, and the servers have said they feel supported by the Beckley community, which makes their recovery process less of a struggle and encourages them. Despite community support for those in recovery programs, some in Beckley are concerned about what it could mean to attract a large number of people who are in recovery to the city. At-Large Beckley Common Councilman Cody Reedy said on Thursday, March 14, 2024, that, some of those he represents are worried about what being an Inclusive Recovery City could mean. Folks are shell-shocked by the epidemic and the city is trying to attract businesses. He said he has questions about how recovery networks, like those which include Seed Sowers, operate in city limits. Seed Sowers is mentioned on the website of The Fletcher Group, a non-profit former Kentucky governor Ernie Fletcher founded to help develop recovery centers. New details revealed about the Ghent toll booth fire victims Both The Fletcher Group and Seed Sowers receives funding from Appalachian Regional Commission, which also funds recovery programs in Beckley and is co-led by former West Virginia First Lady Gayle Manchin, wife of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). The Fletcher Group has come up with almost tens of millions of dollars in grant monies, and I dont know where that money is going, said Reedy. So I dont feel comfortable with them coming in and using our taxpayer dollars, not knowing exactly where the moneys going. Phillips said on Thursday that The Fletcher Group provided services when he was organizing Seed Sowers, but the two groups dont mix finances. Ward 3 Beckley Common Councilman Robert Dunlap said hes asked Phillips to give more information on March 19, 2024, during a Q&A session with the public at WVU-Tech. Originally, the session had been planned as an announcement that Beckley would be an Inclusive Recovery City. 2024 Spring Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at the Historic Black Knight Ballroom Although Phillips said the IRC initiative does not cost money but is a public announcement that the City of Beckley welcomes and supports those in recovery programs, four members of Beckley Common Council, including Reedy, opposed the initiative without learning more, leading Mayor Rob Rappold to cancel the announcement on Wednesday. Councilman Dunlap, who is running for mayor, said more information is necessary. I just think if youre asking the city to buy into something like a recovery city initiative, we need more information, and you need to have the community educated, so they have input, especially if theyre against us, said Dunlap. Phillips said he will provide answers to Council and the public during the session. He said he wants to remove the stigma from those in recovery, and that is the goal of being an Inclusive Recovery City. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. One of the participants of the criminal organisation, Serhii Chertylin. Source: Chertylin on Facebook The court has arrested four participants in a criminal organisation that was inciting religious hostility. Source: Kyiv Oblast Prosecutors Office; Ukrainska Pravda source Details: The Solomianskyi District Court chose preventive measures in the form of pretrial detention without bail for four members of the criminal organisation. Among them was the organisers right-hand man, who was responsible for the editorial policy of the media wing of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) (a Ukrainska Pravda source states that this is the priest Serhii Chertylin). He gave instructions to the authors of publications, determined the manner in which information was to be presented, and controlled the content. Two more individuals were responsible for editing and approving publications. The fourth had little directorial input and wrote articles on assigned topics. It is noted that ten other participants were served with notices of suspicion under established protocols, but as they are outside of the country, they have been put on the wanted list. It has been decided in absentia that these defendants are to be jailed pending trial. Background: Law enforcement officials announced the uncovering and neutralisation of the so-called media wing of the UOC-MP as a criminal organisation intent on inciting religious hostility. The criminals churned out and disseminated pro-Kremlin narratives and provocative messages aimed at destabilising the socio-political situation and fuelling religious hatred in Ukraine. The group consisted of 14 participants, four of whom were key figures, and they were arrested. Among them was one of the leaders of the capital's UOC-MP cathedral, who was found to be part of the Russian special services' intelligence apparatus. Ukrainska Pravda sources say that the person in question is the priest Serhii Chertylin. Support UP or become our patron! President of Croatia Zoran Milanovic speaks during a press conference of the informal meeting with leaders of the alliance's members in the Western Balkans Skopje BELGRADE (Reuters) - Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Friday set April 17 for a parliamentary election and said he would run for the more powerful post of prime minister after dissolving parliament in the small European Union country. He acted in keeping with a motion by opposition parties led by the Social Democrats (SDP) and green left-wing Mozemo after a wave of protests against the policies of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic of the centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). The election for the 151-seat parliament was originally planned for the autumn, but the government opted to hold it before European Parliament polls in June. Milanovic is a Social Democrat and populist whose presidential term expires in February 2025 and has been at loggerheads with Plenkovic, but his announcement that he would seek election as prime minister was unexpected. "There are times ... when one must leave his comfort zone," Milanovic told a news conference. "I am promising a determined and clean government." Croatia has a parliamentary democracy in which the prime minister and his cabinet set all major policies. The president is empowered to nominate the prime minister based on election results, can dissolve parliament and acts as armed forces chief with some say in foreign policy. Milanovic and Plenkovic frequently sparred over public and economic policies, filling vacant posts and ways of fighting the COVID pandemic. They often traded insults and refused meetings on a number of occasions. The centre-right HDZ has led the government in the small southeastern European nation for the past three terms, with Plenkovic as premier since 2016. Milanovic, who served as prime minister from 2011-16, said he would resign as president if he wins the coming election. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; editing by Mark Heinrich) Less than two years ago, politicians scrambled to distance themselves from the cryptocurrency world and its disgraced Washington ambassador Sam Bankman-Fried. Now, with SBF out of the picture and $80 million dangling from new crypto super PACs looking to reshape the Senate, candidates are jumping back on the industrys bandwagon. Days after the super PACs announced plans to spend on the U.S. Senate race in Maryland, two leading Democratic contenders are revealing that theyre pro-crypto. Crypto advocacy isnt an obvious issue for Rep. David Trone or Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Neither has ever tweeted the word crypto or championed digital asset policy in past roles. Trone last year signed on to a letter led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a leading crypto critic, that pressed the Biden administration to crack down on the use of digital assets in terrorist financing. Now Trone is echoing a familiar industry line: The U.S. must establish rules that facilitate the growth of crypto firms here or risk America falling behind on technology. Likewise, Alsobrooks is calling for a policy that harnesses the benefits of crypto in a bid to help underserved communities another repeated industry talking point. Her campaign says her views are long-held. Their statements to POLITICO this week underscore the success that cryptos political influence machine is having this cycle. The super PACs spent more than $13 million to help boost pro-crypto candidates to victory in Super Tuesday primaries in California, Alabama and Texas. The industry is eager to recruit allies at a key moment, especially in the Senate, when Congress is fighting over legislation that could give crypto firms a clearer path forward in federal law or impose new requirements that they hate. The crypto group, consisting of the PACs Fairshake, Protect Progress and Defend American Jobs, is planning to use its war chest next in Senate races in Maryland and Michigan as well as in Republican-leaning states like Ohio and Montana. Their approach to the 2024 campaigns is to elect industry allies and annihilate potential foes. Major crypto firms and investors, including Coinbase, Ripple and Andreessen Horowitz, are bankrolling the effort and stand to gain if its successful. Fairshake is committed to supporting elected officials and candidates on both sides of the aisle who want to get things done and keep tech jobs in America, and, as Super Tuesday showed, the voters are with us, the group's spokesperson, Josh Vlasto, said in a statement. Trone and Alsobrooks appear to be on board in Maryland, a blue state where one of them is expected to face off against Republican Larry Hogan, the popular former governor. Trone, a three-term congressman who co-founded the liquor store chain Total Wine & More, said the U.S. has a responsibility to establish a sensible regulatory framework that safeguards investors and consumers. Other countries are racing ahead of the U.S. to establish clear regulatory frameworks that provide legal certainty for cryptocurrencies and digital assets, foster innovation and attract talent and capital, he said. We cannot let the U.S. fall behind in the global race for technological advancement and economic competitiveness. Alsobrooks, a former prosecutor, said it is important that we harness the benefits of digital assets and blockchain appropriately, and in a way that allows for innovation while protecting consumers. She added that crypto and the underlying blockchain technology can help all Americans, including traditionally underserved communities, have a first chance to build generational wealth for their families. In the Super Tuesday races earlier this month, the super PACs also backed candidates who ended up with pro-crypto language on their campaign websites. Among them was Rep. Adam Schiff, who is poised to be Californias next senator. Schiff said in an interview this week that he had no interaction with the super PAC, saying "they were completely independent." Asked about his view on crypto, he said he wants "all of these new technologies to stay in California. I think it's an important segment of our economy." Industry critics, who warn that crypto is a threat to consumers, are speaking out against the campaign. This is just a continuation of the FTX-Sam Bankman-Fried playbook to buy politicians who will then pay back the crypto industry with favorable legislation, said Dennis Kelleher, CEO of the financial watchdog group Better Markets. The group's highest impact targets are expected to be Ohio and Montana. That's where a pair of key crypto critics Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown and Jon Tester are facing tough re-election campaigns in races that may determine control of the Senate. The crypto group announced last week that it plans to spend in both states but said it hadnt decided on who it will back. Its a carrot-and-stick approach with Brown and Tester: The super PACs are leaving the door open to supporting them if they come around on industry-friendly policies, but are also threatening to hurt their re-election bids if they dont. Asked about the super PACs this week, Brown and Tester said they were aware of the groups but declined to comment. UPDATE: THURSDAY 3/14/2024 5:19 p.m. (COLORADO SPRINGS) According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the right two lanes of I-25 northbound at Academy Boulevard are closed due to a crash in the same area in the northbound lanes. It is unclear if the closure is related to the semi truck crash. THURSDAY 3/14/2024 4:16 p.m. The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is urging drivers to avoid I-25 in northern Colorado Springs after a semi truck rolled over near the Woodmen Road exit. CSFD posted about the crash shortly before 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, and said an 18-wheeler had rolled on southbound I-25. CSFD warned drivers to expect delays and be cautious of crews responding to the crash. The United States Air Force Academy fire department is responding to take over the incident, CSFD said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Cumberland County man was sentenced to three years in prison for threatening to assassinate President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. According to the Department of Justice, Mohamed Farah, a Somalian citizen, threatened to assassinate the president in January 2022. The Justice Department says Farah also admitted to threatening the life of former President Trump if he ran for re-election. Following his imprisonment Farah will have three years of supervised release and may be deported to Somalia. The sentence was announced on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Wilson. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and Lower Allen Township Police. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with the Security Council over its inaction on an international investigation of the September 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines. Talking to reporters after Security Council consultations on the incident, Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said his country drew the attention of the council members to "the absolutely unsatisfactory situation" around the investigation of the Nord Stream sabotage. Exactly a year ago, in March 2023, the Security Council was not able to take action on a Russian draft resolution asking the UN secretary-general to make a proposal on an international investigation. Later, Russia proposed a Security Council Presidential Statement on the same subject, which was also blocked, said Polyanskiy. Those council members against action said they wanted to give some time to national investigations of Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Since then, any Russian attempt to push for Security Council action was declined by the United States and its allies, he said. "The mentioned national investigations of Denmark, Sweden and Germany were proceeding without any results. There was absolutely no transparency for Russia, and they rejected any attempts to establish bilateral cooperation with Russia though Russia is undoubtedly the affected state in this situation," said the diplomat. Polyanskiy said the national investigations were so inconclusive that it is like spending a year investigating into a murder case and coming up with a conclusion that it was indeed a murder. "Of course this is unsatisfactory. I would say that this is a mockery of international efforts," he said. Polyanskiy said it is quite clear now that the only aim of the investigations by Denmark, Sweden and Germany is to win time and complicate international efforts to ensure accountability for the Nord Stream sabotage. "If we do not ensure accountability, we are on a very slippery slope, admitting that destruction of infrastructure facilities in international waters can go unpunished," he said. "We also act on the premise that members of the Security Council will work in good faith and are interested in bringing those who blew up Nord Stream to justice. Therefore, we reserve the right to renew the efforts to bring about an international investigation of Nord Stream sabotage and to come forward with relevant proposals." Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala changed his Paris summit speech on Pragues ammunition initiative for Ukraine when he found out that pro-Russian Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was attending the meeting, the Czech news outlet Aktualne reported on March 14 citing sources. The summit was convened by French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 26 to exchange information on military assistance to Ukraine. Representatives of about fifteen countries were initially expected to attend, but the number gradually rose to twenty-five, including Fico. Read also: Slovak deputy parliamentary speaker defends Russian aggression against Ukraine Speaking on the eve of the second anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Fico said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was being falsely demonized. When Fiala learned that Fico would be at the negotiating table, he decided to change the speech, crossing out sensitive information about the origin and price of non-European-made shells for Ukraine. Read also: Czech Republic found hundreds of thousands of artillery munitions abroad that could be transferred to Ukraine Yes, we crossed it out, a source in Czech diplomacy confirmed to Aktualne. Fiala reportedly shared the most sensitive information with several leaders separately in order to prevent strategic information from leaking to Russia through the Slovak prime minister. The Czech delegation was also surprised that neutral countries such as Austria and Ireland were invited to Paris. Read also: Ammunition under Pragues initiative could reach Ukrainian battlefields in June Czech PM adviser Fico has 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. In January, Fico said that Ukraine must give Russia part of its territory to end the war. He also argues that it is better for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate over the next ten years than to kill each other. Read also: Forgetting how the Nazis carved up Czechoslovakia, Slovak PM advocates the same for Ukraine Czech President Petr Pavel first announced the possibility of buying 800,000 shells for Ukraine on Feb.17. He said he had found half a million pieces of 155-millimeter ammunition and 300,000 pieces of 122-millimeter ammunition. Pavel did not name the countries that agreed to sell the shells. A Ukrainian security official told NV that plans are in place to purchase more shells from South Korea and South Africa. The contract is estimated to cost around $2 billion. So far, more than 15 countries have pledged funding for the ammunition, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Norway, as well as non-European allies such as Canada. While Prague identifies available ammunition worldwide, other countries provide the necessary funding. The Czech Republic will then coordinate delivery to Ukrainian battlefields. According to Fiala, the purchase of 300,000 rounds has been confirmed and a further 200,000 have been pledged. The goal is to deliver the ammunition to Ukraine this year. I do not want to promise the impossible because even in an ideal situation, it will take months to successfully get the material to the frontline, where it is most needed, Fiala said. On March 11, German newspaper Bild reported that Czechia had purchased 800,000 artillery shells from third countries, which could be delivered to Ukraine within a few weeks. Czech President Petr Pavel first announced the possibility of buying 800,000 shells for Ukraine on Feb.17. He said he had found half a million pieces of 155-millimeter ammunition and 300,000 pieces of 122-millimeter ammunition. Pavel did not name the countries that agreed to sell the shells. A number of European countries have joined his initiative. 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 Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala allegedly adjusted his talking points with allies regarding the initiative to procure 800,000 artillery rounds for Ukraine after learning that the pro-Russian Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, would also be present at the table. Source: European Pravda, citing Aktualne Three weeks ago in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of allies to exchange views on how to address Ukraine's most urgent needs collectively. Initially, Fiala planned to provide more details on where the Czech Republic "found" 800,000 artillery rounds that could be purchased for Ukraine from third countries, including their origin and cost. At first, around 15 leaders were expected to attend the meeting, but it later became known that more would join, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who regularly makes openly anti-Ukrainian statements. Upon learning that Fico was invited, Fiala allegedly removed several details from his initial speech, fearing that strategically important information might leak to Moscow through the Slovak Prime Minister. A source among Czech diplomats confirmed to journalists that such a decision was indeed made, and Fiala later disclosed these details to a few leaders in one-on-one conversations. Background: Recently, the Czech Republic announced its decision to pause intergovernmental consultations with Slovakia due to "significant differences," particularly regarding positions on the Russian-Ukrainian war. Fico subsequently stated that Prague had jeopardised its relations with Bratislava. For the same reason, tensions were high during the Visegrad Group summit. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban denied rumours that the Czech and Polish PMs almost shouted at him during disagreements over support for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! A father is accused of telling police his infant son fell off a bed at their south Georgia home. Now, the dad is charged in the childs death, police said. Daniel Hudson, 24, was arrested on three counts of murder Thursday, March 14, more than nine months after 5-month-old Uriel Nathaniel Hudson died at a hospital, according to the Glynn County Police Department. Hes also charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery and first-degree child cruelty in connection to the June 4 incident, police said. Investigators said Hudson took the baby to a hospital and told doctors that he fell off a bed. Uriel had several injuries and later died, according to police. A medical examiner determined the infant died due to blunt force trauma, police said. An investigation led to his fathers arrest at Southeast Georgia Health Systems on Thursday. Hudson remained in custody at the Glynn County Jail as of March 15, online records show. Authorities didnt release additional details but said the investigation is ongoing. Glynn County is about a 70-mile drive south from Savannah. Mom tries to sell 18-month-old for $500, Florida cops say. Then a witness steps in 57-year-old driver beats 18-year-old unconscious in road rage dispute, Georgia cops say Dad used kids as shields in standoff, cops say. Hes sentenced to 291 years in prison The father of a US teen who purchased the gun his son used in a deadly 2021 school shooting was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a Michigan court on Thursday. James Crumbley and his wife, who was found guilty of the same charges last month, bought their then 15-year-old son the 9mm SIG Sauer handgun he used to kill four students at Oxford High School, 45 miles (70 kilometers) north of Detroit. The Crumbleys, the first parents of a school shooter to face felony manslaughter charges in the United States for the actions of their child, were accused of ignoring warnings that the teen had mental health struggles. "James Crumbley failed his son in a tragic way," prosecutor Karen McDonald said in closing arguments. "But he didn't just fail his son. He failed to perform his legal duty to prevent these kids from being killed." But defense attorney Mariell Lehman said James Crumbley "did not know he had to protect others from his son. He had no idea what his son was planning to do." The jury returned a guilty verdict for James Crumbley, 47, after just over a day of deliberations. Both parents face up to 15 years in prison. Their son Ethan is serving a life sentence for the November 30, 2021, shooting which left four students dead and seven other people injured. Jennifer Crumbley, 45, testified during her separate trial that her husband bought their son the gun just days before the attack as an early Christmas present, and that she took the boy to a shooting range the next day. She said her husband was responsible for storing the weapon at their home, and it was for her son "to use at the shooting range only." The mother said she never had reason to believe her son was capable of carrying out such a violent act. The Crumbleys were summoned to the school on the day of the shooting -- before it occurred -- after a teacher was "alarmed" by a violent drawing she found on Ethan's desk. The parents were shown the drawing and advised they needed to get the boy into counseling. They allegedly resisted taking their son home and he returned to class. He later entered a bathroom, emerged with the gun which had been concealed in his backpack and fired more than 30 shots. Amid a huge number of deadly firearms incidents involving young people in the United States, pressure has been mounting to punish parents who make it possible for their children to get weapons. The father of an Illinois man accused of killing seven people in July 2022 pleaded guilty in November to misdemeanor charges of "reckless conduct" for helping his son obtain the assault rifle used in the mass shooting. A Virginia woman whose six-year-old son shot and severely wounded his teacher was recently sentenced to two years in prison for felony child neglect and 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to illegally obtaining the firearm. rle/cha/nro/acb The Dallas Zoo is offering a $12,500 reward after authorities found a whooping crane dead with a gunshot wound, the zoo said this week in a post on X. The crane was released into the wild as a chick in November 2023 after it was born at the Dallas Zoo. The animal was found dead on Jan. 9 near Mamou, Louisiana, according to the zoo. Harming whooping cranes a federally endangered species per the Endangered Species Act is prohibited, the zoo said in the post. As a result, the zoo and other contributing organizations offer the reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible for the death of the bird. Conservation is at the heart of everything we do at the Dallas Zoo. While we often celebrate success stories, the work we so passionately undertake is often marked by challenges and setbacks beyond our control. The impact of this significant loss is felt by everyone involved, the zoo said in the post. The incident is being investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Today's top stories: 25-year-old fatally shot at north Fort Worth park early Friday Police identify 13 deaths at unlicensed Arlington, Mansfield group homes Ex-cop exposed himself to 2 women who were scared to not comply: warrant Get free alerts when news breaks. Anyone with information about the incident can call the USFWS at 985-882-3756 or the LDWFs Lake Charles Office at 337-491-2588. Blaine Schmidt holds his guitar near his damaged home following a severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) A storm's trail of destruction affected people in parts of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas on Thursday night. At least three people in Ohio were killed, dozens hurt and even more reported damaged homes or businesses by Friday. Residents sorted through rubble, reflecting on the fear the storms caused and their relief at coming through physically unscathed. They briefly rejoiced over recovered possessions, tempered by the cleanup ahead. LAKEVIEW, OHIO Ron Watt knew the roaring sound coming from the west like a freight train, several of them was trouble. But without a basement, he had to make a split-second decision to grab his chihuahua and run to the east side of his house in Lakeview about 70 miles (112 kilometers) northwest of Columbus. Watt said he wedged his body between a couch and a freezer, then threw a sleeping bag and pillows around them. And about that time, to put it bluntly, all hell broke loose, he said Friday morning. For Sandy Smith and her family, tornado sirens Thursday night were their signal to get inside their home's laundry room. A couple flashes of light, and then everything just peppered against the house, she said, adding that her husband then saw their garage blow away. After the storm passed, Smith and her family sheltered in their flower shop that they own down the street. They were able to save two of their cats and a dog, but were searching for two more Friday. It couldve been a lot worse than it was, she said, choking up. Were just blessed to be alive. Blaine Schmidt, 34, said he heard sirens moments before the storm hit. He and his roommate sheltered in the bathtub, using a shower curtain to ward off broken glass. Im lucky to be alive, Schmidt said Friday. The front of the house had been peeled open. The remnants of a couch were visible and toy dinosaurs were scattered across the front lawn. Schmidt sifted through broken glass and splintered wood, looking for anything salvageable. Among his rescues: A guitar and a stack of diapers wedged under his arm. WINCHESTER, INDIANA In the eastern Indiana town of Winchester, a retirement community in the south of town was near the direct line of the storm. Resident Romona Platt, 81, grabbed pillows and ran into her bathroom. At one point, she worried the door was moving so she braced it with her hands as the raging winds howled. "Just snap, crackle, pop, boom, boom, boom, she said, describing the sound of the tornado. I thought the whole house was gone. Friday morning, many of her home's windows were shattered and her roof was partially ripped off. Several pieces of wood punctured straight through the wall of a bedroom. But a puzzle she had been working on remained completely intact. Damage around the town of 4,700 about 70 miles (110 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis included a Goodwill store missing much of its roof and a leveled fast-food restaurant. The storm also destroyed the Church of Christ in Winchester. A hymnal from the church lay on the other side of the highway Friday morning, open to the song Shelter in time of storm. ___ Bickel reported from Lakeview, Ohio and Volmert reported from Winchester, Indiana. Young students have made less progress in reading this year than they did earlier in the post-pandemic period, according to new data. The results from curriculum provider Amplify show that the number of K-2 students on track in literacy increased by 2 percentage points compared to this time last year. The leap between 2021-22 and 2022-23 was more than twice as large 5 percentage points. That means students still havent reached pre-COVID performance in reading. To Paul Gazzerro, Amplifys director of data analysis, the latest scores show that while many students have now hit grade-level performance, theres still tough work ahead to reach those who are severely behind. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Maybe the lower-hanging fruit has been pulled, and now the much harder journey is there, he said. There are a lot of kids who are really struggling and need that intensive support. The data from 300,000 students across 43 states is the latest indicator that the billions of dollars spent on stronger curriculum materials, teacher training and tutoring over the past three years has paid off. Thats especially true for Black and Hispanic students, who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The results, from a widely used assessment called Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy Skills, or DIBELS, show that those students made greater gains than white and Asian students over the past two years. Thats exactly what we want to see, Gazzerro said. But he added, In this last year, everything slowed down. Its also slowing down for those subgroups. The report recommends schools universally screen students for reading difficulties like dyslexia, assign staff to spend extra time with students who havent mastered foundational skills and ensure all teachers get training in research-backed methods. Related In Search of Equity, Divided Ga. District Taps COVID Funds for Reading Overhaul Additional headwinds The Amplify results resonate with Todd Collins, a school board member and literacy advocate in Palo Alto, California. Students who started school after the end of remote instruction clearly made more progress than those who learned to read over Zoom or had to rely on worksheets while schools were closed. But schools now face the additional headwinds of chronic absenteeism. And while the Biden administration continues to emphasize tutoring and summer school for students learning well below grade level, those efforts cant replace strong basic instruction, he said. Related Post-Pandemic, 2 Out of 3 Students Attend Schools With High Chronic Absenteeism Band-Aids dont fix bullet holes, said Collins, who supports legislation that would move the state to a phonics-based approach. The Amplify data, he said, really underscores why these bills are so important. Supplementing [instruction] is not going to solve the problem. Lawmakers have yet to take action on the bill. If it passes, it would bring the state whose leaders have been reluctant to mandate a single approach to reading instruction in line with the more than 40 states that have enacted so-called science of reading laws. The legislation has some strong opponents, including advocates for English learners, who say they worry teachers might eliminate strategies that can still help students learning English, such ase using pictures to understand words. As in other states, the legislation would phase out techniques that encourage students to rely on visual cues to guess words. The California Teachers Association has not yet taken a position on the bill, but previously opposed universal screening, which uses short assessments to see if students are on track. They said the practice can lead to overidentifying students for special education and takes up too much class time. Even so, the state last year joined 40 others that require it. A state panel is currently preparing a list of approved screeners. Teachers already trained in the science of reading, however, arent waiting, said Leslie Zoroya, a reading and language arts coordinator for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. With a $5 million federal grant, the office has trained over 6,000 teachers from across the state over the past three years. Related Exclusive: Despite K-2 Reading Gains, Results Flat for 3rd Grade COVID Kids In the beginning, sometimes people are like, Now wait, what? Ive been teaching reading for 20 years. Is this a pendulum swing? she said. Its not a pendulum swing. Its getting the reading research into the hands of the teachers who need it. Ronit Glickman, who teaches kindergarten at a charter school in Santa Rosa, California, is among those who have found screening to be a valuable part of her teaching. I know exactly whats going on with any student at any moment in time, and I can tell the parent in great detail, she said. Using a screener from Acadience Learning, she asks students at the beginning of the year to name letters and identify the first letter sound in short words like cat or man. Naming just four or fewer puts them in the red range and means they are scoring well below expectations. When students come back from winter break, she screens them again. Most students move to the green, meaning theyre making the right amount of progress, she said. But she always has a few that miss the mark. By using the screener, she said, I know to keep my eye on those students. Related Some High Schoolers Need More Time to Graduate. States Can Give It to Them The Amplify data shows that the percentage of students needing the most help is dropping closer to 2019-20 levels especially in kindergarten, where its just 1 percentage point higher than before the pandemic. But in first and second grade, the percentage needing intensive intervention is still 30%, compared to 26% four years ago. Caption: Across K-2, fewer students are far behind than this time last year, but the percentages havent dropped to pre-COVID levels. (Amplify) To Karen Vaites, a literacy and curriculum expert, the finding that student progress has tapered off shows that passing a reading law is just the beginning. Most laws emphasize training and screening, but not choosing a strong curriculum, she said. She pointed to Tennessee as a model for training teachers and getting high-quality curricula into the average district. The real lesson of this moment for the science of reading is that training of teachers alone is not enough, she said. Youve got to give teachers the tools. States have to get all these pillars right if we want to see student outcomes. Police are searching for a man accused of multiple indecent exposure incidents in Davis, including peeping, starting last summer and continuing recently. The suspect is accused of approaching several women this week near West Covell Boulevard, including the areas of F Street, Alvarado Avenue and Anderson Road. There was also an incident that happened around Acacia Lane, police said Thursday on social media. The Department is reminding people to remain alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, police said in the social media post. Police said the man exposed himself to women on the sidewalk or in a parking lot. He is also accused of peering into area residents homes this week. There were four incidents reported this week: Two were related to showing body parts and two revolved around peeping into residences, said Lt. Dan Beckwith, a spokesman with the Davis Police Department. The man is described as a Hispanic man, around 25 years old and with a black beard or facial hair. He wears glasses and has dark curly hair, police said. Last fall, the suspect approached woman while they jogged or walked around West Covell Boulevard and Anderson Road, police said. He would wear a gator-style mask or a ski mask to cover his face, according to The Sacramento Bees previous reporting. The circumstances, location and description of the suspect are all very similar, police said Thursday. In total, there have been 12 incidents of similar nature since last summer, which all included women as victims, Beckwith said. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Davis Police Department at 530-747-5400 or email policeweb@cityofdavis.org. Muslims answer the call to pray at Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor Mosque, in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 22, 2019, one week after a series of mosque shootings left 51 people dead. File Photo by Martin Hunter/EPA-EFE March 15 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and others in Rome. A gold coin commemorating his assassination minted two years after his death was sold at auction in 2020 for $3.5 million. In 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise between the North and South, Maine was admitted into the Union as the 23rd state. It had been administered as a province of Massachusetts since 1647. In 1916, U.S. Army Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing led an expedition into Mexico to capture revolutionary leader Pancho Villa, who had staged several cross-border raids. The two-year expedition was unsuccessful. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI Syrian anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration at Souk Al-Hamadiyeh street on March 25, 2011. On March 15, 2011, protesters marched on the Syrian capital of Damascus calling for democratic reforms, kicking off a civil war. File Photo by Ali Bitar/UPI In 1917, Czar Nicholas abdicated as ruler of Russia amid the February Revolution. In 1939, German troops, occupying the Czech provinces in the name of Adolf Hitler, entered Prague in triumph to the hisses and catcalls of the people, who sang the Czech national anthem. Chinese President Hu Jintao listens to Premier Wen Jiabao deliver his government report to delegates during the opening ceremony of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 5, 2008. On March 15, 2003, Hu replaced Jiang Zemin as president of China. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI In 1965, in response to the violence witnessed in Selma, Ala., President Lyndon Johnson, in an address to Congress, proclaims that "We shall overcome," calling for voting rights for all. UPI File Photo On March 15, 1493, Christopher Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the New World. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI In 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected the first, and only, president of the Soviet Union. In 1991, a grand jury indicted four Los Angeles police officers on felony assault charges for the beating of Rodney King. The officers' acquittals in 1992 sparked violent riots in the city. In 2007, Palestinian leaders of Hamas and Fatah agreed to a coalition government but their platform didn't recognize Israel or renounce violence. In 2011, protesters marched on the Syrian capital of Damascus calling for democratic reforms. Syrian security forces opened fire on the demonstrations. The uprisings, which spread across the country, were met with force, and by the end of May, more than 1,000 people had been killed by security forces. In 2019, a gunman opened fire at two New Zealand mosques, killing 51 people, while live streaming. In 2021, the U.S. Senate confirmed Deb Haaland as secretary of the Interior Department, making her the first Native American to serve in a presidential Cabinet. File Photo by Graeme Jennings/UPI AUSTIN (KXAN) Tyrone Thompson, 23, who police arrested in a deadly hit-and-run crash that happened at 7th and Red River Streets early Tuesday morning, previously faced a DWI charge in 2022 that was ultimately dismissed, according to online Travis County court records. Police charged him with DWI, among other charges, in Tuesdays incident. Police identified the victim as 26-year-old Cody Shelton. Those same court records show the DWI was dismissed because the evidence was insufficient. In Texas, a persons first two DWIs are misdemeanors unless aggravating factors are involved, such as a child being in the car at the time or someone getting killed or injured. The third DWI then becomes a felony. Thompsons 2022 case was classified as a Class B Misdemeanor. KXAN has reached out to the County Attorneys Office for further detail on the dismissal and will update this story when that occurs. Thompsons attorney at the time has not gotten back to us either; his attorney for this weeks case said he could not comment. A lot of DWI cases are dismissed for a number of reasons, some of the main ones are evidentiary issues, the case cannot be proven, said Will Hale, a defense attorney with Gergen, Hale and Campbell, who is not affiliated with either of these cases. According to the arrest affidavit for Thompsons case that got dismissed, police arrested him as he hit a curb and broke an axle while trying to leave the scene of a physical disturbance in a parking lot. The officer who responded said Thompson was acting erratically, and the officer believed he could be on PCP. When somebody is delusional, whether its drug-induced or a mental health break, them doing the field sobriety test becomes very difficult, Hale said. Because they have to do physical tasks, mental tasks, and theyre not gonna be able to follow that. Hale said that can contribute to the difficulties of proving to the courts a person was intoxicated during an act beyond a reasonable doubt. In the case of the Tuesday hit-and-run Thompson is accused of, he faces charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), resisting arrest search or transport, obstruction or retaliation, unlawful carrying of a weapon and an accident involving death. A lot of times that charge is used because its easier to prove, Hale said comparing the charge of accident involving death to the charge of intoxication manslaughter. All the state has to prove is he was the one that was driving, he caused the death, and he did not stay at the scene. He was going places, Victims family says Shelton nearly died in a different crash years ago He had a lot of life to live, he had goals, he had dreams, he was going places, said Sheltons aunt Angel Scallion. With a passion for cooking, Shelton had landed himself a spot at Arlo Gray a downtown restaurant owned by a renowned chef. Hes originally from Fort Worth. He had a passion and went after it, Scallion said. Sheltons family had been through this once before, but last time, Shelton survived. Back when he graduated high school, he was actually hit by a car here in Fort Worth, Scallion said. He was in ICU for two months. And we didnt think he was going to make it through that, and he did. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Sheltons funeral expenses. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. JERUSALEM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved Friday a plan of Israel Defense Forces for the operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah and rejected Hamas demands about the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, said Netanyahu's office. In a statement issued following a war cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the demands of Hamas are "still absurd." He noted Israel will still send delegates to Qatar, a main regional mediator of a diplomatic solution to the raging Gaza conflict, to continue the truce efforts "once the security cabinet discusses the Israeli position." Israel's decision came despite widespread warnings from the international community to avoid more incursions into Rafah, where about 1.5 million Palestinian refugees have been seeking shelter since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023. The death toll in a Russian drone attack in Vinnytsia Oblast on the evening of March 14 has risen to two as another person died in the hospital, Governor Serhii Borzov said. Three more people injured in the attack that hit a residential building remain in the hospital, according to Borzov's update on Telegram. The deceased resident was a 53-year-old woman, according to Ukraine's National Police. Her 52-year-old husband was killed in the attack the day before. The couple's 26-year-old son was rescued from under the rubble and is being provided with medical care, police said. Vinnytsia Oblast lies in the central-western part of Ukraine, some 300 kilometers (180 miles) from the front line. This is the fourth Russian attack that hit a residential building over the past week. The March 12 missile strike against a nine-story apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, killed five residents, and injured 50, including children. A total of two people were killed and seven wounded as a result of an airstrike on a residential building in Myrnohrad, Donetsk Oblast, on March 13. On the same day, a drone attack on a five-story apartment building in Sumy killed three people and injured at least 12. Read also: 5 children killed in single attack: We should never forget what Russia did Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Multiple deaths have been reported after a series of storms and tornadoes on Thursday night ripped through Logan County and other central Ohio counties. The first tornado warnings were issued about 8:30 p.m. and continued through 10:15, connected to storms with strong winds and unconfirmed tornadoes. Three people in Logan County died in connection, according to the county coroner, where an EF-3 tornado was confirmed near Orchard Island. Were heartbroken by the devastation thats come upon the Indian lake community in the last several hours, Logan County Commissioner Joe Antrim said on Friday. Whatever local government can do to assist we certainly are anxious and willing to help in any way. The latest forecast from Storm Team 4 is available at this link. Follow NBC4 all day Friday for updates. Confirmed tornadoes The National Weather Service surveyed damage to determine where tornadoes touched down, and as of 11 p.m. Friday had confirmed at least eight across Ohio. Crews in Logan County confirmed a EF-3 tornado caused damage near Orchard Island after initially categorizing it as an EF-2. Teams were continuing to survey damage in the area and around the village of Lakeview. The Logan County EMA and sheriffs office said search and rescue efforts have been completed. Crews visited Licking and Mercer counties, where they determined an EF-1 tornado occurred near Johnstown and another EF-1 touched down in western Mercer County. Licking County was the site of a tornado near Jersey in late February. That means tornadoes have struck north and south of the Intel construction site in recent weeks. In Orange Township in southwestern Hancock County, an EF-1 tornado reached estimated winds of 100 mph and traveled for more than 3 miles at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A 250-yard-wide EF-2 tornado traveled for more than 10 miles in Crawford and Richland counties shortly before 8 p.m. State leaders: We will be back Behind state leaders, the Indian Lake High School gym had transformed into a makeshift donation center. While officials took turns speaking at the podium, dozens of volunteers could be seen sorting through mountains of clothes and carrying boxes of batteries, underwear, tissues, menstrual products and other basic necessities. What we see in this gym, I think, is symbolic and real of the spirit of the people of Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine said. DeWine and other elected officials toured the towns and villages around Indian Lake Friday afternoon, witnessing what the governor called a tremendous amount of damage. But between demolished buildings and roads covered in debris, he said he also found an unending amount of resilience. He and state legislators credited the states emergency response program, a complex network of state and local agencies and protocols, with saving countless lives. But he acknowledged that while the immediate danger was over, the communities around Indian Lake had a long road to recovery. And, he noted, the normal tornado season is still yet to come. We will be back. We are coming back, DeWine said. It is not lost on any of us that the summer season is almost here. Storm damage in photos and video Devastation from violent storms and possible tornadoes left a wake of damage from its path in Logan and Delaware counties. Antrim said the cleanup effort could take quite a while. Im concerned of the fact that this is going to be a long-term recovery here, he said. Everyone is so gracious to come out today, immediately, but dont forget Indian Lake community in the next coming weeks. Drone video: High school field, businesses ruined in Delaware County Olentangy Berlin athletic fields sustained extensive damage after violent storms ripped through Delaware and Logan Counties, March 14, 2024. (NBC4/Mark Feuerborn) Delaware County residents experienced extensive damage to their homes and property in the aftermath of violent storms, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Mark Feuerborn) Delaware County residents experienced extensive damage to their homes and property in the aftermath of violent storms, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Mark Feuerborn) Delaware County residents experienced extensive damage to their homes and property in the aftermath of violent storms, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Mark Feuerborn) Olentangy Berlin athletic fields sustained extensive damage after violent storms ripped through Delaware and Logan Counties, March 14, 2024. (NBC4/Mark Feuerborn) Multiple people are dead in Logan County after violent storms and possible tornadoes ripped through central Ohio, March 14, 2024. (NBC4) Houses and businesses in the village of Lakeview have been damaged by a violent storm, and possible tornado, that moved through Logan County overnight on March 14, 2024. (NBC4 Photo/Eric Halperin) Multiple people are dead in Logan County after violent storms and possible tornadoes ripped through central Ohio, March 14, 2024. (Courtesy/Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce) A doorbell camera captures a possible funnel cloud forming in Delaware County, March 14, 2024. (Courtesy/Jason Cox) Multiple people are dead in Logan County after violent storms and possible tornadoes ripped through central Ohio, March 14, 2024. (Courtesy/Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce) Multiple people are dead in Logan County after violent storms and possible tornadoes ripped through central Ohio, March 14, 2024. (Courtesy/Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce) Multiple people are dead in Logan County after violent storms and possible tornadoes ripped through central Ohio, March 14, 2024. (Courtesy/Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce) Multiple people are dead in Logan County after violent storms and possible tornadoes ripped through central Ohio, March 14, 2024. (Courtesy/Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce) A power tower is down after storms ripped through Delaware County, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Kyle Beachy) Storm damage caused several roads to close and damaged homes in Galena, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Kyle Beachy) Storm damage caused several roads to close and damaged homes in Galena, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Kyle Beachy) Storm damage caused several roads to close and damaged homes in Galena, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Kyle Beachy) Storm damage caused several roads to close and damaged homes in Galena, March 15, 2024. (NBC4/Kyle Beachy) Storm damage in Mercer County north of Dayton (Photo Courtesy: Grace Hewitt, WDTN) Storm damage in Mercer County north of Dayton (Photo Courtesy: Grace Hewitt, WDTN) Multiple people are dead in Logan County after violent storms and possible tornadoes ripped through central Ohio, March 14, 2024. (NBC4) Multiple homes and businesses have been damaged in the village of Lakeview on Indian Lake. (NBC4 Photo/Eric Halperin) See raw video of storm damage in Logan County below. Storm relief assistance: How to help The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at the Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave. It asks those needing help to call 1-800-RedCross and not message its Facebook page. Indian Lake High School is also operating as an emergency shelter for those displaced by the storm. The address is 6210 State Route 235 in Lewiston. Those needing supplies are encouraged to stop by at any time, including throughout the night, but volunteers asked that donations either be dropped off by 5 p.m. Friday or after 10 a.m. Saturday. NBC4 has partnered with the American Red Cross to raise relief funds. All money will go toward immediate needs, including helping people access shelter, food and water in the days, weeks and months ahead. You can donate online or send a $10 donation by texting TORNADO to 90999. The Red Cross is asking only for monetary donations and is not accepting food, household items, or clothing at this time. The United Way of Logan County has started the Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund for Logan County residents impacted by the storm. Donation information is available here. Mass casualty event near Indian Lake Reports came in Thursday of a mass casualty event from the Logan County Emergency Management Agency, with numerous trees downed and homes damaged. Police in Washington Township confirmed deaths from Lakewood, Midway and Orchard Island. A spokesperson with Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine said the hospital saw 19 patients in its emergency room with weather-related injuries. All the injuries were bone fractures and concussions. The official said the hospital was following its procedures for a mass casualty event because of the surge in patients but that it never exceeded its capacity and still had beds available. Police chief: Its just chaos the damage Washington Township police chief Michael Thompson said this is the first time hes dealt with anything of this magnitude. For me, its just chaos, because you drive around these streets and you visit these people, you visit the business, Thompson said. And then you see what it is now. I think, for me, its just atrocious what you see, the damage, and we cant even begin to assess it. This embedded content is not available in your region. Washington Township stretches south in Logan County from Indian Lake and includes the communities of Orchard Island and Russells Point. Thompson expected search and rescue efforts to include cadaver dogs. School closings and delays A concert was under way at Indian Lake High School when tornado sirens sounded. The school was quickly turned into a triage center and public shelter for those who had to flee their homes. We had this huge response from the community, Superintendent Rob Underwood said. We had people from all over the region nurses, mental health professionals that showed up and really just started moving into action. Indian Lakes schools were closed for Friday. In Delaware County, Big Walnut schools were closed, in addition to Olentangy schools, a major Columbus suburban district. A sheriff deputy in Delaware County said that part of the roof came off a middle school and the scoreboards were wrecked at the athletic fields. For the full list of Friday school closings and delays, follow this link. Power outages in Delaware County Delaware County was hit hardest in terms of power outages, and there was severe damage to peoples property due to lightning, downed power lines and fallen trees. Sheriff Tracy Whited confirmed several roads are closed due to storm damage, particularly in Berlin Township, Berkshire Township and the Village of Galena. Some of those closures include Wagner Way at Stratford. Find more information about power outages at this link. Heavy equipment to move debris In Russells Point, Mayor Robin Reames said heavy equipment will be brought in to help move debris, with the extent of damage not expected to be known until later Friday. Weve seen a lot of devastation, but we have been blessed with volunteers, first responders from counties all surrounding us, from the state, all over the state, Reames said. We have even had civilian people coming who have had losses themselves but are not thinking of themselves but are thinking of others. Russells Point is a village about of 1,300 on the southern edge of Indian Lake. Some are stuck and in their homes, and some are just devastated, Reames said. Park and road closures Indian Lake State Park has been closed until further notice. Staff and emergency crews from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will assess damage and reevaluate the status of the park. In Delaware County, the emergency management team was urging motorists to steer clear from Berlin Station Road, Gregory Road, Africa Road, Cheshire Road and the Village of Galena. Please avoid sightseeing the aftermath of the storm while we have multiple serious traffic obstructions live wires down and large trees and debris on the roadways, a statement read. Crews need to focus on these areas, so PLEASE avoid going out right now unless you need to. Find live traffic conditions at this link. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. The mural had been on display in Tynemouth Station since 2012 Plans to discuss the reinstallation of a controversial mural have been delayed after legal action was threatened following claims the work was antisemitic. A group of Conservative councillors had called on North Tyneside Council not to put the mural back up at Tynemouth Metro station. However, the council decided not to discuss the issue on Thursday after legal action was threatened by one of the murals artists. Neither North Tyneside Council nor the artist wished to comment. The friendship mural was created by young Palestinian refugees in 2012 and depicts octopuses, as well as other animals and cartoon figures. It was removed in October last year after the council received a threat it could be defaced. 'Abused and weaponised' Councillor Paul Bones said he and two colleagues were warned by the Campaign Against Antisemitism that octopuses could be seen as an antisemitic trope, and called on the local authority to not reinstate the mural. The organisation has been approached for comment. The council had planned to discuss the mural on Thursday, but put the debate on hold following an accusation that calling the work antisemitic was defamatory, Mr Bones said. Were disappointed that the motion was withdrawn, he added. Earlier this week, a group of North East Jewish academics sent a letter to councillors which insisted the mural was not antisemitic and called for it to be put back up. The letter said octopuses were not exclusively used to depict Jewish people and the artwork's removal was another example of how antisemitism and Jewish history" was "being abused and weaponised. Calling for the mural to remain removed did not protect Jews in the North East but instead assisted in the ongoing destruction of Palestinian culture, it said. One of the signatories, Newcastle University lecturer Dr Ellie Azoulay, said: We are really upset about this." Follow BBC North East on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria Related internet links The Delaware Senate approved a "permit to purchase" handgun bill across party lines Thursday, but not before hours of debate and voting on 15 amendments proposed by Republican lawmakers. The lengthy debate mirrored the divide witnessed during the House of Representatives debate March 7, with Republican senators proposing various changes that they said would ensure no delays in issuing permits; give those denied permits ample opportunity to appeal; and make certain no gun registry is created in the process, among others. A .45-caliber handgun sits in a fingerprint safe box. The Delaware Senate on March 14, 2024, approved a "permit to purchase" bill that requires individuals receive a permit and complete gun safety training before purchasing a handgun. The state Senate voted 15-6, divided along party lines, to approve the permit to purchase bill, requiring individuals to receive a permit and gun safety training before purchasing a handgun in Delaware. RELATED: After hours of debate, Delaware House approves revised 'permit to purchase' handgun bill Legislators have been working on the bill since 2019, and its sponsors and supporters have reminded opponents that theyve had years to work across the aisle to make the bill more palatable. Those reminders were echoed in Senate Chambers again on Thursday. Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth Tizzy Lockman noted that the bill wouldnt take effect for 18 months, giving departments time to prepare for implementation and legislators the opportunity for additional enhancements. Im willing to work with you and other colleagues on some of these ideas and crafting future legislation to make the law stronger, but I'm concerned that these are not being offered to make it stronger or better, but merely as an effort to delay this life-saving law even further, Lockman said on the Senate floor. So after five years of debate and four versions of this bill, and twice included in the governors recommended budget, and 26 proposed amendments on this version alone I think the time has come for us to send this bill to the governor. The bill now goes to Delaware Gov. John Carney for his signature, which he said Thursday he's looking forward to signing. "Weve made progress to keep our communities safe these past seven years. Weve banned assault weapons, bump stocks, and high-capacity magazines," he said in an emailed statement. "Weve passed red flag laws and prevented straw purchases. Passing this piece of legislation is another important step. Why lawmakers support the bill Those who support the legislation say the measure would cut down on straw purchases of guns as well as homicides and suicides. Sponsors of the bill say the vast majority of crime guns are pistols and revolvers, and 83% of Delawares crime guns are handguns. Plus, legislators say 70% of these crime guns are purchased in Delaware. Handguns for sale are displayed at Shooter's Choice in Dover. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2 would require applicants to shell out money for fingerprinting and the required training, but there would be no fee to obtain the permit. Amendments passed in the state House remove the voucher program that would have provided financial assistance to low-income residents to cover the firearms safety training; make other technical changes, including language empowering law enforcement to ensure the surrender of guns purchased under a revoked permit and reiterating that information collected for the permit would be exempt from the state's Freedom of Information Act Law. People who already hold a valid concealed carry permit, qualified law enforcement officers as well as retired police are not required to obtain or present a handgun purchase permit. The House also passed amendments that exempt "certain professionals and individuals" from the training requirement "only if the firearm training they undertake as part of their employment meets the requirements for training set forth" in the bill. While Republicans Senators attempted to undo some of the changes made in the House on the bill, their efforts were unsuccessful. Why others oppose permit to purchase Lawmakers who opposed the bill argued the regulations violate the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and warned that constitutional challenges would be brought against the legislation if passed. Gun rights advocates have filed lawsuits on many of the recent gun safety reforms passed in Delaware; legal challenges that are happening nationwide. LEGAL CHALLENGE: Delaware attorneys defend assault weapons, high-capacity magazine bans in federal court It was among the concerns expressed by House Republicans prior to that legislative bodys vote on March 7, and some Senate Republicans also expressed concern for the bills constitutionality on Thursday. While some of the lawsuits have continued to run their course through the legal system, Delaware attorneys have pointed out that the First State has yet to lose a case, bolstering their confidence that the bills can withstand constitutional challenges. Sen. David G. Lawson, R-Marydel Marydel Republican Sen. David Lawson stressed that Republican lawmakers support efforts that will save lives, but their concern is centered around the constitutional right to bear arms. I know that we maybe dont see it the same way, but I'm telling you right now, thousands of Delawareans believe like I do, he said. Lawson said lawmakers realized their proposed changes wouldnt pass in the Senate, but wanted to continue the fight. They were specifically designed to recognize the bills passage, but to also say to Delawareans who are concerned, hey, at least we can make sure whats passed works. Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 'Permit to purchase' handgun bill heads to governor for signature The government will "fully support" new legislation to combat puppy and kitten smuggling, MPs have been told. A bill banning the import into the UK of puppies, kittens and ferrets under the age of six months has cleared its first Commons hurdle. Heavily pregnant animals and those with mutilations such as cropped ears or a docked tail would also be covered. Private members' bills which get government backing stand a greater chance of becoming law. Despite this, there is no guarantee the bill will become law before a general election, expected later this year. Ministers first promised to raise the age at which puppies can be imported in 2021, but dropped their legislation in 2023. Conservative MP Selaine Saxby said her Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill would ensure that pets were not sold or traded as objects. Opening a Commons debate, the North Devon MP said: "As a dog owner myself, it is horrific to hear stories of puppies and kittens being smuggled across the border, and the poor conditions they have to endure. "Pets are more than just property, they are family." Her bill would deliver a Tory manifesto commitment by "closing loopholes exploited by unscrupulous commercial trading," she added. The RSPCA said the measures would stop people "making a quick buck out of the suffering and exploitation of animals", but some organisations which rescue dogs from abroad worry that raising the importation age could put vulnerable puppies at risk. Former Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey gave her backing to the legislation, but urged ministers to roll out its measures swiftly. She raised concerns that rules limiting the number of pets a person can travel with would not come into force when the bill became law. "I appreciate there might be transition, but at the moment it says six months," she said. 'Mutilated' The Commons also heard from Conservative Neil Hudson, a vet, that Disney Pixar films such as Up and celebrity culture were normalising ear cropping in dogs. "If you look really closely at the dogs in that film, many of them are cropped. And so if people are going to the cinema with their kids, and seeing this on the big screen, that looks normal and that is wrong. "So we need to educate people that these dogs have been horrifically mutilated," he said. Ms Saxby told MPs that despite not receiving "strong representations" from the ferret-owning community, ferrets were included in the bill because they were in the same category as dogs and cats when it came to the risk of rabies. Labour MP Samantha Dixon joked that the Commons had not discussed ferrets enough, as opposed to government "reverse ferrets", in the current Parliament as she also spoke in favour of the bill. During the debate it was revealed that Attorney General Victoria Prentis used to have a pet ferret, called Roulette. Environment minister Mark Spencer confirmed the government would back the legislation, telling the Commons: "I would like to thank (Ms Saxby) again for taking forward this important bill, and look forward to seeing it progress through the remaining stages in the House and in the other place (House of Lords)." Labour has indicated it will back the bill, but has accused the Conservatives of having "bottled their manifesto promises". Major animal welfare charities, such as the Dog's Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and the RSPCA, have backed the proposals after years of campaigning. Under the current rules, puppies can be imported from the age of 15 weeks. Amy Ockelford, from the RSPCA, said raising the age would help prevent puppies being taken away from their mothers too early and being put at risk of disease and behavioural problems. "It's also making them less marketable to the people who are exploiting their cute puppy charms because they'll be a little bit older by the time they come into the country, a little bit healthier and those welfare issues won't be so significant. But some dog rescue organisations have expressed concerns. Rachael O'Regan runs a not-for-profit company, The Responsible Dog Rescue, in Southport, which rescues dogs from Romania. She says the harsh winter weather combined with conditions in public dog shelters and the prevalence of potentially fatal diseases such as parvovirus make young puppies very vulnerable. "The chances of them contracting an illness and suffering as a result of that, potentially dying, are massively increased. The behaviour issues and being able to correct those and being able to train them becomes more difficult if you are bring them over from six months onwards. "It's immediately making the job more difficult for the rescuers and for the adopters." Definitive figures for the number of puppies smuggled into the country do not exist, but, between 2015 and 2023, the Dog's Trust reported that it had rescued more than 3,000 dogs linked to illegal imports. According to government figures, 116 puppies and kittens were quarantined at the Port of Dover in 2023 for being below the current legally-required minimum age for import. The new bill would limit - to five by car, or three on foot - the number of cats and dogs people can travel with, to stop traders using the Pet Travel Scheme to smuggle in animals, pretending they are their own pets. This measure would apply in England, Scotland and Wales. Painful cosmetic procedures, such as ear-cropping and declawing, are already illegal in the UK. Ear cropping involves removing all or part of a dog's ear flap, while declawing is partially amputating a cat's toe. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, in an article published this week, compared Latinos who support former President Trump to "Jews for Hitler" as he discussed GOP outreach in the area, and the remark immediately drew accusations of racism from his Republican challenger in the upcoming election. "For [Republicans] 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," Gonzalez, who represents an area that includes some of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, told The New Republic. "If not, they will eventually lose elections. "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?" MANHATTAN DA BRAGG ASKS FOR DELAY TO TRUMPS HUSH MONEY TRIAL Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, walks down the House steps after a vote in the Capitol Sept. 15, 2022. Democrats have accused Republicans of embracing racist rhetoric in their platform of securing the border and limiting illegal immigration. But the New Republic article emphasized how Trump could win both Texas and the Rio Grande Valley as he pushes to restore the tougher border security measures seen during his presidency amid a record-setting border crisis. The remarks from Gonzalez drew an immediate rebuke from both the National Republican Congressional Committee and former Rep. Mayra Flores, who is seeking to unseat Gonzalez in November. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP SPEAKER JOHNSON FLOATS STAND-ALONE ISRAEL AID PLAN AFTER SCHUMERS COMMENTS MADE SITUATION EVEN MORE URGENT "Hispanic voters, especially those living in border communities, know that Democrats are failing them on the border, the economy and community safety. Vicente Gonzalezs comments are insulting, and he should apologize," NRCC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said in a statement. "Vicente Gonzalezs racist comments are incredibly hurtful to our entire Latino community in the Rio Grande Valley," Flores told Fox News Digital. "While he continues peddling in hate and division, Im going to focus on policies that uplift our entire community, including lower costs, a secure border, safer communities and a focus on faith, family and more opportunities in TX-34." Reached for comment Thursday, Gonzalez stood by his remarks. People hold placards after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence addressed supporters at a Latinos for Trump campaign rally at Central Christian University Oct. 10, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. "Im stating the obvious. Mayra Flores champions President Trump, who was quoted calling hard-working Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals saying theyre not our friends," he said. "She threw her lot in with Marjorie Taylor Greene and George Santos instead of with South Texans." The controversy comes as the border crisis, which is now into its third year, looks likely to be a top election issue this year. President Biden and former President Trump both visited the southern border this month. Biden has renewed calls for the Senate to pass a bipartisan border funding bill that he supports, saying it is needed to fix a broken system. Conservatives have said the bill doesnt go far enough. Republicans say Biden has the power to fix the border crisis, including by restoring Trump-era policies, and passed a border bill of their own last year in the House. Original article source: Democratic Texas congressman compares Latinos for Trump to 'Jews for Hitler' Denver airport will be busiest on these days around spring break DENVER (KDVR) The Denver International Airport is expecting a record number of travelers over the next few weeks thanks to spring breakers and skiers taking advantage of the final weeks of the ski season. Between March 12-30, the airport said it is expecting over 1.2 million passengers to go through the TSA checkpoints, a 6.7% increase from the same period last year. Study: This is where Coloradans are going for spring break 2024 The increased traffic can be attributed largely to two things: students and families traveling for spring break, and skiers making their way to hit the slopes before the ski season ends. When will the airport be the busiest? DIA said some days will be busier than others though. March 15, 17 and 22 are expected to be the busiest days in the coming weeks. Each of those days are projected to have some 80,000 passengers going through security, according to a release from DIA. Here is what the airport is expecting this year: 2023 Actual Volume 2024 Forecasted Volume March 12 66,678 March 12 55,632 March 13 62,816 March 13 61,750 March 14 54,378 March 14 71,579 March 15 62,547 March 15 80,883 March 16 69,155 March 16 78,343 March 17 73,106 March 17 81,687 March 18 68,195 March 18 71,895 March 19 73,592 March 19 59,625 March 20 69,130 March 20 63,034 March 21 58,456 March 21 72,390 March 22 60,610 March 22 81,252 March 23 67,028 March 23 78,872 March 24 73,865 March 24 75,405 March 25 66,841 March 25 64,723 March 26 68,550 March 26 54,442 March 27 62,234 March 27 55,804 March 28 52,348 March 28 65,104 March 29 51,670 March 29 66,993 March 30 56,612 March 30 60,414 When will security be the busiest? The airport is warning travelers that the increased traffic could result in longer security lines and advises travelers to show up two hours before their boarding time. Security lines could be especially long during the peak times, which the airport expects to be between 4 to 5 a.m., 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Staycation? Heres the best spring break worthy destinations in Colorado Options to get through DIA security quicker Luckily, the Denver airport has some security options that could help during busy times. Passengers can reserve a spot in the TSA line at the Denver airport in advance thanks to a fairly new security appointment program. There is a line at the A-bridge security checkpoint designated for screening reservations, and it is available daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is also a new security checkpoint at DIA that replaced the North Security Checkpoint. The new checkpoint, the West Security Checkpoint, is supposed to get people through at a quicker rate than others. CPW: New wildlife area to expand hunting, recreation opportunities in Colorado This checkpoint is located on level 6 near the check-in counters and is open from 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Soon, new faster terminal train cars will give travelers a speed boost getting to their terminal. Those cars are expected to be operating by this summer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVILLE Still shaken after a recent spate of heavy rains that produced the worst flooding in town since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, residents and local officials are awaiting the release of a final federal report that could authorize a $19 million project to raise or floodproof 38 structures along the Rockaway River basin. Most of those structures are residences along Riverside Drive, including 28 houses that would be raised. Additional structures, including six downtown businesses along Righter Avenue, would benefit from non-structural floodproofing initiatives, according to a Flood Risk Management Study completed last year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District. Representatives of the USACE met with the public in October to discuss the study findings and outline its recommended plan, which will take several years to implement. Federal funds capped at $10 million would cover approximately 65% of the cost, with "non-federal partners" including the New Jersey Department of Environmental covering the remaining 35%. Denville, NJ March 12, 2023 -- The Park Meadow section of Denville along the Rockaway River. Cost to homeowners unclear Township Administrator Steven Ward said property owners who opt into the voluntary program would end up paying "a portion" of the remaining costs still to be determined by factors including how many eligible property owners opt out. "I believe there will be a homeowner contribution," Ward said Thursday. "How much and who that is actually paid to is something we are hoping to glean from the next public meeting with the Army Corps." Flooding in Denville in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. When that meeting will take place remains unclear. The public comment period for the study ended in December. Asked for an update on the project, a spokesperson for the USACE New York office this week said the "forthcoming phase for the Denville Flood Risk Management Study involves the release of a final report this spring. We anticipate collaborating with the NJDEP and the Township of Denville on the subsequent stages of this study. "We anxiously look forward to scheduling a public meeting with the Army Corps to discuss the next steps associated with the identified property owners," Ward said. Denville, NJ March 12, 2023 -- The Park Meadow section of Denville along the Rockaway River. Irene devastation Tidal surges flooded the Jersey Shore during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 as its winds caused further historic damage throughout the state. But Tropical Storm Irene in August of 2011 generated significantly more flooding in North Jersey, especially along the Passaic, Pompton, Whippany and Rockaway rivers and tributaries in Morris County. Following those storms, 11 flood-prone homes along the Rockaway River were bought out and demolished. Two of those lots were repurposed as Park Meadow, where a sign shows the level of the river during Irene, some 6 feet off the ground Denville was inundated by Irene with flooding along the Rockaway River and Den Brook. Mayor Tom Andes, who took office a few months after Irene arrived, said 350 homes and 75 businesses were affected. A sign at Park Meadow shows the level reached by the Rockaway River after Tropical Storm Irene flooded the region on 2011. "Since then, my administration and the town council have been working to fund affordable and achievable flood-mitigation efforts," Andes told the audience at the October public meeting with the USACE. Local efforts included obtaining $3.4 million from state Green Acres funding and the Morris County Open Space Trust to fund the buyouts. Other initiatives included the installation of new drainage valves, a grant-funded removal of Morris Canal piers that caught river-blocking debris and dredging portions of the river near the Diamond Spring and Pocono Road bridges. Annual river cleanups also have been implemented, partnering with neighboring towns to remove downed trees and brush that snag debris. Seeking to do more, Denville officials eventually learned of the USACE program and launched a partnership that began in 2018 with a feasibility study. That report, issued last fall, outlined several proposals to mitigate flooding in the area. Those options included the installation of floodwalls for $90 million and bypass culverts that would have cost nearly $60 million. Those and other high-cost alternatives were dismissed as not economically viable. "They are not going to spend $2 to save $1 in flood damage," Ward observed. Flooding in Denville in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Here's the plan The USACE study recommended the lowest-cost plan considered in the study a $19 million "nonstructural plan" that could be finalized and enter the design phase this spring. Eligible property owners will be contacted to discuss their participation, review design plans and implement a schedule for the work to be done in phases. A relocation fund will be available for residents who will have to leave their homes while the work is done. Denville, NJ March 12, 2023 -- The Park Meadow section of Denville along the Rockaway River. After the work is complete, homeowners will be required to meet certain responsibilities for property maintenance and agree to certain easement restrictions, such as requiring any subsequent additions to the home to be above flood level. Some homeowners may also lose their basements or have them restricted from being used as living space. On the plus side, those homeowners could benefit from lower flood insurance premiums and higher property values in addition to the flood-damage protections provided by the project. Andes said he hoped for a plan that would directly benefit more property owners, but the USACE plan which came with the promise of federal dollars was the only economically sensible option. "Ultimately our goal was to help as many as we could," he said. Story continues below video. Meanwhile, more floods While these plans continued to move forward late last year, Ward said several rain storms in recent months have caused the worst flooding Denville has seen since Irene, and left many newer homeowners shaken. "Some residents who have purchased homes since Irene are in a bit of a state of shock," Ward said. "They did not realize the power of the river." Residents saw the river rise 7 feet above its normal level during storms in December and January that also flooded the downtown business district and Route 46. Denville, NJ January 10, 2024 -- A car stuck in the water on West Main St. in Denville That's why Denville officials are "pressing" for a new meeting with the USACE and its partners, Ward said. The design phase of the project is expected to begin this year. Should it stay on track, construction could begin in 2026 and likely continue past 2018, the feasibility study predicts. This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Denville awaits word from feds on $19 million floodproof plan Tongass National Forest (Photo by U.S. Forest Service) A new legal opinion by the top attorney at the U.S. Department of the Interior has extended the jurisdiction of Alaska tribes over a broad swath of the state, upending decades of precedent and offering new opportunities for the states 228 federally recognized tribal governments. The opinion, issued Feb. 1 by Interior Department Solicitor Robert Anderson, says tribal authority applies on land allotments given to individual Alaska Natives, unless those parcels of land are owned by a nontribal member or are geographically removed from the tribal community. That is a very big change, said Joel Jackson, president of the Native Village of Kake in Southeast Alaska. Were always looking for land back, he said. Thats important to us. Were going to do that. The opinion which reverses decades of prior interpretation doesnt change who owns the land, but it does change the laws that apply to the land. Tribal law, not just state, local or federal law, will now apply. Since the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Alaskas tribal governments have had authority over minimal territory because that law assigned Native corporations which are legally distinct and not governments most Native land. Almost 17,500 allotments have been awarded to individual Alaska Natives since 1906 or are in the process of being awarded, according to figures published by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Each parcel can be as big as 160 acres. That means the opinion has the potential to change the legal framework around many thousands of acres in Alaska. All in all, it will be a positive step forward for the state of Alaska, said Rhonda Pitka, first chief of the Native Village of Beaver. Having Native lands in Native jurisdiction makes a lot of sense for everybody, I think. Attorneys for the state of Alaska disagree. In a court filing last month, they expressed alarm, calling the new opinion a sea change for the state. In response to emailed questions, the Alaska Department of Law provided a written FAQ that said, In two strokes of its Solicitors pen, Interior has changed how Alaska has operated for more than 50 years. The state has gone from minimal amounts of tribal territorial jurisdiction to millions of acres. The federal government already owns more than 60% of the lands in Alaska, but with these recent changes that percentage could significantly increase, the FAQ said. The change has implications for things as varied as game management, local zoning and police coverage. In the past 10 years, the Native Village of Eklutna and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska each sought to open federally regulated gaming halls on Native allotments in their traditional territory. A federal judge and the National Indian Gaming Commission, respectively, rejected the plans, concluding that the allotments were not under tribal jurisdiction. The tribe is reviewing the solicitors opinion with interest and considering what it might mean for us, said Brenda Hewitt, tribal administrator for the Native Village of Eklutna. A message to the Tlingit and Haida Central Council was not returned. Legal experts expressed mixed opinions about the states analysis, which was offered in a legal filing known as a surreply. The states vibe in its surreply is a bit like that Itll be anarchy!!!! line in the Breakfast Club. Will it though? My short answer is that I dont think it will be anarchy or affect folks much day to day, said Erin Dougherty Lynch, senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, by email. And if the state is worried about confusion, it could proactively work with Tribes to address any issues, as other states have done for years, she said. Dougherty Lynch said Palm Springs, California, is an example. There, the Agua Caliente Reservation is arranged in a checkerboard over the city, with Native land next to municipal and private land. Multiple people familiar with the new legal opinion said each of the states tribes will use the new authority differently and gradually, based on local needs and goals. There is no one, tribal way of doing things, Pitka said. Its really a local decision, and its up to (the tribes) how they wish to enforce it, she said. Pitka said she believes the change will help public safety in her region. The holders of Native allotments nearby are being plagued by trespassers, she said, but state and federal law enforcement has been slow to address the problem. Weve called them on this several times, and the troopers wont enforce it. They asked us to put up more signs on our lands. So we do that, and they still dont come out and enforce the trespass, Pitka said. In one case, she said, someone appeared to steal large amounts of gravel from an allotment. Having tribal jurisdiction over that allotment might allow the tribe or the owner of the allotment to bring claims in tribal court against trespassers and thieves. That would be the remedy, Pitka said. That would be kind of exciting to do. That would be kind of exciting to test. Dougherty Lynch also suggested that the states concerns should be viewed in context. The state of Alaska, federal government and Native tribes are deep in litigation over the extent to which the federal government has the ability to take land into trust on behalf of tribes. Trust lands are held by the United States for the benefit of tribes or individuals. Tribes in the Lower 48 and Hawaii have long had that ability, but the state has argued that federal law applies differently in Alaska, something the Department of the Interior and several tribes contest. The state filed suit against the federal government in 2023, after Tlingit and Haida put a 787-square-foot parcel of land into federal trust, becoming the first tribe to take that action since 2017. Oral arguments in that case are scheduled for March 28, and the state has argued that the matter should fall under the major questions doctrine, which says that judges should give federal agencies less deference when there are conflicts over the meaning of the law. The arrival of the new solicitors opinion adds evidence to the idea that the issue is a major question, state attorneys say. Opposing attorneys disagree, and the issue is among those that the judge will decide. Most Native allotments have been in the hands of individuals or families for decades. From 1906 through the enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971, individual Alaska Natives could request up to 160 acres of land from the federal government, akin to a homestead. Natives lost the ability to select allotments under ANCSA, but in 2019, Alaskas congressional delegation inserted a provision, allowing Alaska Native veterans of the Vietnam War, or their survivors, to select new allotments. Already, the Bureau of Land Management has received 358 applications, with more expected. Both Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaskas members of Congress have urged the federal government to speed up the transfer process, an act that might result in more land being placed under tribal jurisdiction. To date, the federal government has restricted the locations of new allotments, and most are in Interior, northern, or western Alaska. Jackson, of Kake, said Vietnam veterans in his area have been reluctant to seek allotments under the new law because theyre far from home. Dougherty Lynch said that its too early to tell how much new tribal jurisdiction will be created by the new legal opinion, which requires the allotment to be owned by a tribal member and be geographically close to the relevant tribe. So given those requirements there are some allotments (who knows how many) that would not meet that criteria, she said by email. In Southeast Alaska, Jackson and the Kake Tribe have a long-running culture camp on one Native allotment, and the tribe has been seeking to acquire the land around the camp in order to protect it. The order could offer additional protection, he said. But he also has his eyes in a different direction, he said. The Tribe has been fighting development projects in the Tongass National Forest for more than two decades and has frequently taken a lead role in lawsuits over the regions Roadless Rule. He said he sees the new order as a chance to protect some of the remaining stands of old-growth forest in the region. We want to protect it, he said. Thats our main concern. Hes now in his 60s, and as a younger man worked on a road-building crew, logging in the region. He later came to realize what was being lost as the forest was cut. When I take a breath and look back and I tell you the truth I was out on my boat, and I looked up at the land, and a tear rolled down my cheek, he said. I still go out I can hardly walk very far anymore. But Ill walk into an area and find a log to sit on and just sit there and absorb everything thats going on around me: the smells, the sounds, Jackson said. And, you know, its just amazing how much peace it brings me. It centers me in my life. And its way more valuable to me to leave something for future generations to experience that, to be able to walk into an old growth forest. The post New Department of Interior opinion promises to recognize expanded tribal jurisdiction in Alaska appeared first on Alaska Beacon. Gov. Ron DeSantis stages a press conference in Winter Haven on March 15, 2024. Source: Screenshot/DeSantis Facebook Quality Journalism for Critical Times Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Friday designed to make it harder for undocumented immigrants to live in the state thereby, he said, possibly deterring them from coming here. The measures include driving without a license, non-official ID cards, and bumping up certain criminal penalties, all to highlight immigration restrictions just days before the states Republican presidential preference primary. (Theres no Democratic primary on Tuesday.) DeSantis staged the press conference before a friendly crowd at the Polk County Sheriffs Office in Central Florida. Keep in mind that DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Asa Hutchinson, Vivek Ramaswamy and Ryan L. Binkley are still on the Florida ballot though theyve dropped out of the race. But Donald Trump is the only major Republican who hasnt suspended his campaign. Backing DeSantis Friday were Sheriff Grady Judd, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, and Attorney General Ashley Moody. The event had all the hallmarks of a political rally, including attacks on President Joe Biden for allegedly intentionally refusing to police the U.S. Mexico border. None mentioned the bipartisan border control bill that Congressional Republicans have refused to vote on because Trump told them not to, to preserve immigration as a campaign issue this fall. Also there were state Rep. Kiyan Michael, a Duval County Republican who lost her son Brandon, to a 2007 auto accident blamed on an undocumented immigrant whod already been deported twice and who was driving without a license; and Nikki Jones, who lost her husband under similar circumstances in 2019. Like the other participants, Jones stressed that immigrants threaten public safety through what she called illegal alien crime. The bills DeSantis signed underscored that theory. HB 1589, for example, doesnt mention migrants specifically but imposes a mandatory 10-day jail sentence for a third or subsequent conviction for driving without a license or with a license that has been suspended, cancelled, or revoked. One of the biggest deterrents we can do for illegal immigration is to make sure people that are doing that are facing serious consequences, DeSantis said. You come here, youre not getting a license. Were not recognizing your California license that you may have gotten in a sanctuary state, he said. He also signed SB 1036, bumping criminal penalties for people who commit felonies after having been deported and returning to the United States or who are found to be members of transnational crime organization, defined as an organization that routinely facilitates the international trafficking of drugs, humans, or weapons or the international smuggling of humans. For example, aggravated assault is now a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000; after the new law takes effect on Oct. 1 the crime would bring up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The most serious crimes, first-degree felonies, now worth up to 30 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, would bring 30 years to life behind bars. We are throwing the book at you, and you are going to regret coming to the state of Florida, DeSantis said. Identification One of the bills, HB 1451, prohibits the state and local governments from recognizing non-official ID cards sometimes issued by community groups to provide people lacking official ID with at least one way to establish their identities. Last years heavily restrictive immigration legislation had already stopped local governments from financing these documents but Legal Aid nonprofits in counties including Broward and Palm Beach issue them for a fee of $20-25 to people with other picture IDs such as passports and proof of residence in the county. Unhoused people also use these community IDs and would be affected by the new law, which Michael sponsored. Vanessa Coe, managing attorney for the community ID program at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, said she plans to continue issuing the cards notwithstanding the new law. People who get community ID cards are largely using them for other reasons, things that are a little more accessible, like being able to enter a gated community or pick up a prescription, Coe said in a phone interview. So, this decision [to sign the new law], while it is unfortunate, is not the end of our programs throughout Florida. She continued: I think its a big waste of our governments time to be focusing on something so small, but that is where theyre at, apparently. Coe emphasized the human stakes. A lot of folks cannot conceptualize just how desperately someone might need that level of identification to just exist, and Im happy for people who arent in that situation, who can access everything with whatever ID card they have, she said. But for those who cannot, theyre struggling, and this is a very basic tool that they can use to just exist a little bit easier. So, I think it is just mean for anybody to sit there and think that this is somehow taking advantage of our system, or our government, or our country. Surveillance Finally, DeSantis praised the Legislature for passing a resolution urging Congress to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Last years immigration bill a sweeping blow at the ability of undocumented immigrants to live and work in Florida, passed when DeSantis was still planning his presidential run increased penalties for businesses employing them; required harvesting of DNA samples from immigrants who get arrested and forwarding of their information to immigration enforcement; established a Domestic Security Oversight Council to pursue immigration crime and terrorism; and pumped another $12 million into DeSantis program rounding up migrants out of state for transport to sanctuary states before they could move to Florida, and more. DeSantis started those flights in 2022, while still running for reelection as governor. The post DeSantis signs bills intended to drive undocumented immigrants out of Florida appeared first on Florida Phoenix. *Since the Spring Festival holiday, which lasted from Feb. 10 to 17 this year, China's cruise tourism market has seen a significant surge. *The flourishing cruise tourism industry also offers a glimpse into China's accelerated recovery of outbound and inbound tourist markets. *China's total inbound and outbound trips are expected to exceed 264 million this year, generating tourism revenue of 107 billion U.S. dollars, the China Tourism Academy said. DALIAN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- On March 10 and 11, about 2,000 tourists and staff members aboard the Zuiderdam cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line visited the port city of Dalian in northeast China and Tianjin Municipality, respectively. The Zuiderdam was the first international cruise ship that docked in northeast China since the country announced the full resumption of international cruise ship transport to and from its ports in September 2023. An aerial drone photo taken on March 10, 2024 shows the Zuiderdam cruise ship arriving at Dalian port in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong) The itinerary of the tourists, hailing from some 30 countries and regions, featured visits to multiple scenic spots in Dalian while they also participated in cultural experience activities. "Although the tourists only stay in Dalian for one day, we have prepared five travel routes for them, which not only allow them to visit over a dozen scenic spots but also provide interactive experiences such as taking trams and visiting local families," said Zhang Shuqiu, general manager of Splendia Travel (Dalian), which is responsible for the reception of the tourists in Dalian. Since the Spring Festival holiday, which lasted from Feb. 10 to 17 this year, China's cruise tourism market has seen a significant surge. On Feb. 22, four international cruise ships, including China's first domestically built large cruise ship Adora Magic City, docked in Shanghai. An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 1, 2024 shows the large domestic cruise ship "Adora Magic City" at the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) On Tuesday, the world's major cruise line operator, Royal Caribbean International, announced its new China route deployment plan, with two cruise ships deployed for the ports of Shanghai, Tianjin, and Hong Kong. According to data from China's leading travel platform, Fliggy, during the Spring Festival holiday, orders for cruise ship trips, including domestic and international cruise ship travel, increased by 445 percent compared with the same period last year. "The economic climate index of China cruise ships in 2023 has increased significantly, exceeding expectations. The year 2024 is expected to become a key year for the comprehensive development of China's cruise economy," said Ye Xinliang, a professor from Shanghai University of Engineering Science, who focuses on economic research of the cruise industry. To aid the growth of cruise tourism, immigration authorities in north China's Tianjin have provided effective and convenient services to facilitate visitors' entry aboard the Zuiderdam. Bi Linlin, a local immigration inspection officer, said they worked with the cruise line and the port company to streamline passenger clearance procedures and meet the needs of tourists. As the largest cruise home port in north China, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 16 cruise ships and seen 50,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. "We are quite optimistic about the recovery of the cruise tourism industry in Tianjin," Dong said. Tourists aboard the Zuiderdam cruise ship arrive at Dalian port in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong) The flourishing cruise tourism industry also offers a glimpse into China's accelerated recovery of outbound and inbound tourist markets. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese mainland saw 3.6 million tourist departures and 3.23 million tourist arrivals during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday, thanks to favorable policies such as mutual visa exemptions. To provide more convenience for global travelers, the country has recently taken steps to make mobile payments easier for visitors from abroad, such as guiding mobile payment platforms to raise their single transaction limit. Identity verification processes are also becoming simpler. China's total inbound and outbound trips are expected to exceed 264 million this year, generating tourism revenue of 107 billion U.S. dollars, the China Tourism Academy said. "With government support policies and people's increasing demand for cruise tourism, we believe that the cruise tourism industry will develop rapidly in China," said Jiao Deshuai, senior assistant manager of the shipping department at the Sinotrans North China Container Company, which is engaged in the cruise ship agency business. (Video reporters: Liu Bin, Song Rui, Li Shuai; Video editors: Zhang Yucheng, Liu Xiaorui, Liu Yutian, Liu Ruoshi, Wang Han) Imam Kifah Mustapha, director of The Prayer Center in Orland Park, Illinois, on Feb. 27, 2024. Mustafa Hussain for HuffPost ORLAND PARK, Ill. Kifah Mustapha, the imam at Orland Park Prayer Center, wasnt surprised when a petition protesting the idea of a Muslim cemetery in the area began circulating. Mustapha and leaders from other mosques in the suburbs of Chicago had anticipated resistance. They had seen the xenophobic and racist reactions that other mosques had gotten when trying to build cemeteries where Muslims could be buried according to Islamic tradition. When the backlash came for his mosque, Mustapha was ready. He had quietly applied for all the permits and licenses needed to purchase and develop the land, had successfully fundraised the amount needed to develop the cemetery and had hired a top law firm that could step in if needed. Critics in the community did what they could to stop the cemetery from being built, claiming it would bring unnecessary traffic to the area, decrease property values and affect the areas drinking water. Those reactions were not unlike the anti-mosque uproar of the early 2000s, when Muslim Americans faced vehement opposition to building new places of worship. Non-Muslim residents used zoning ordinances as a pretext to mask Islamophobic opposition to the growing Muslim population in their communities. And Muslim Americans have increasingly faced resistance while burying their loved ones. Proposed Muslim cemeteries across the country have been subject to protests, online petitions and town-hall meetings jammed with angry residents. HuffPost has documented more than two dozen incidents where people protested the construction of a Muslim cemetery in states across the country. Some states, like Illinois, saw multiple incidents. Other Muslim communities had their cemeteries vandalized or broken into. Every community had its own struggle, from the Irish to the Jewish community, to the Black and Latino community, so Muslims are no exception, Mustapha said. But this goes against what this country is all about. We have the Constitution and laws that protect the rights of a citizen as an individual or as a community. Muslim Ummah Cemetery in Orland Park, Illinois on Feb. 27, 2024. Mustafa Hussain for HuffPost Situated about 40 minutes outside of Chicago, the Orland Park Prayer Center serves a community of nearly 30,000 Muslims, the vast majority of whom are of Palestinian descent. The three-floor mosques golden dome, made to imitate the Dome of the Rock at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, can be seen for miles down. Blue and gold calligraphy lines the perimeter of the prayer hall. A school, visible from the mosques windows, hosts Saturday school and a full-time day care that is already at capacity. The mosque will be opening a mental health clinic this summer, which will be available for anyone to visit, including those not part of the local Muslim community. But the prayer center did not have a cemetery, and the section of the predominantly Christian cemetery where local Muslims had been buried had run out of space. The only mosque in the area equipped to handle Muslim funeral services including the traditional rituals of washing and shrouding the body couldnt keep up with the demand. Instead of buying another segment in a mixed-faith cemetery, community leaders, including Mustapha, decided it was time to establish a Muslim one. The plan for the Muslim Ummah Cemetery began in 2020, and the mosque soon purchased a 40-acre plot of land. Reserving the cemetery for Muslims only would allow Muslims to be buried at any time, without having to rely on another person to open the gravesite an important feature, since Islamic tradition states that people should be buried within 24 hours of dying. Muslims dont allow embalming, the process of injecting a corpse with chemicals to stop the body from decaying. They also bury bodies in a white cotton shroud, without any caskets or coffins, to represent that people are born without any material items. Such burials are environmentally friendly, Mustapha said, noting that any other community opening an eco-friendly cemetery would probably be celebrated. Thats where the scent of racism comes in, Mustapha said. If its Muslims, its a problem. People in the area pushed back against the plan to open a Muslim cemetery, and a petition questioning how the prosperity of the community will be affected garnered over 1,500 signatures. A town hall in May 2023 also brought out fierce critics, with more than 200 people in attendance, most of them against the cemetery. They called Muslim burial practices unsanitary, claiming the burials would contaminate local water wells. Neither the county nor the states public health agencies found credible public health concerns, and the mosque was able to move forward with its plans to develop a cemetery. The Muslim cemetery opened last November, and more than two dozen Muslims have been buried there so far. Across the country, Muslim groups have faced similar backlash over building cemeteries. HuffPost has documented more than two dozen incidents where people protested the construction of a Muslim cemetery in states including Illinois, New York and others. Map: MSJONESNYC for HuffPost Across the country, Muslim groups have faced similar backlash over building a cemetery. HuffPost documented nine instances of Muslim groups suing over their right to bury their dead. In 2020, a Muslim nonprofit accepted a $500,000 settlement from Stafford County, Virginia, after local officials there blocked a mosques attempts to construct a cemetery. A year prior in 2019, the Department of Justice filed its own lawsuit against the county over its attempt to block the cemeterys construction. In Texas, a city council halted plans in 2015 for a Muslim cemetery after people threatened to dump pigs blood on the site and accused it of being a cover for an extremist training camp. The Muslim community sued and the DOJ stepped in, saying city workers had to comply with federal law, which protect individuals, houses of worship and other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning and land use laws. There is no place in our community for religious discrimination, U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown said in 2019, in announcing a settlement in that case. Our office is committed to protecting religious freedom. In Minnesota, an eight-year legal battle ensued when the local Muslim community tried to build a cemetery in Castle Rock. After multiple permit rejections, the Al Maghfirah Cemetery Association sued the local township and won in 2017. The property was also vandalized: In one instance, the walls of a building on the property were spray-painted with swastikas and a message that said, Leave, you R dead. Muslim cemeteries in North Dakota, California and Washington state have been vandalized. Pakistani immigrant families from Brooklyn bury relatives who have died of COVID-19 on May 9, 2020 at a Muslim cemetery in Morganville, New Jersey. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images In New York, which has one of the largest and growing Muslim populations in the country, a battle over a Muslim cemetery is ongoing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many in the community made a grim realization: Muslims were running out of space to bury their loved ones in designated sections of cemeteries. New Yorkers were forced to look outside their state, often driving nearly two hours to bury their loved ones in New Jersey and Connecticut. As COVID-19 deaths climbed, the Hillside Islamic Center in New Hyde Park began to call other mosques and ask if they had available plots in nearby graveyards. Many Muslims could not be buried in accordance with the timeline spelled out by Islamic tradition, as many cemeteries are closed on weekends or holidays. Burying Muslims according to their faith became a challenge, often resulting in further grief for their families. Costs were also skyrocketing. Families were paying nearly $10,000 to bury loved ones at the Washington Memorial Cemetery, a nearby graveyard that had a Muslim section. We are tax-paying citizens of this state. We make contributions yet we have no place to bury our dead, said Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, who chairs the Hillside Islamic Center as well as the Muslim Community of Nassau County, an umbrella organization for the local mosques in the county. Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan at Hillside Islamic Center in New Hyde Park, New York on Nov. 9, 2023. KHOLOOD EID for HuffPost We as a community should not go through this. We have been living here for a long, long time, he added. I cannot imagine when I die my children have to go through all of this. In March 2023, the Hillside Islamic Center bought and signed a contract for a 14-acre land in Bellport, an hours drive from the mosque, embarking on its plan to open the first Muslim-only cemetery in New York. The land itself costs roughly $2 million, and another $2 million will be needed to prepare it cutting down the trees, paying for inspections, hiring lawyers and architects. The costs to mourners will be minimal, roughly around $2,000 per burial, and the mosque plans to offer financial aid to those who cannot afford it. This is not a business venture, Bhuiyan said. The land purchased to create a Muslim cemetery in Bellport, New York. KHOLOOD EID for HuffPost But Bhuiyan knew that other communities have faced challenges when trying to open their own cemeteries, including in New York. Zoning ordinances have also made the venture challenging, as does bias and prejudice against Muslims in the state. In 2010, local residents and town officials in Sidney, New York caused a national uproar when they protested a Muslim community centers cemetery, and even demanded that the Muslims dig up the remains. When Bhuiyan met with elected officials to present their plan for a cemetery, he said he was greeted with disdain and interrogated about noise levels from funerals. Muslim burial is the quietest burial that you will have. No noise, no fanfare, no music, nothing, he recalled telling them. Bhuiyan submitted the plans to the local township board three months ago, but the town has yet to schedule a meeting with their architect or attorney. He has no choice but to keep waiting. It is something so inhumane for anyone to [feel,] I am here doing all of this, working and contributing to the betterment of the community and the betterment of the state, and yet when my loved one dies, there is no place for me to bury them, Bhuiyan said. Stress over burying family members can make an emotional time even harder to navigate, he said. Muslim Ummah Cemetery in Orland Park, Illinois on Feb. 27, 2024. Mustafa Hussain for HuffPost In Orland Park, the Muslim community has plans to expand its new cemetery, including building its own funeral service facility on the premises that would offer services such as transporting, washing and shrouding bodies. The mosque currently has to rent burial equipment, including the machinery to dig graves, though the community hopes to hopes to buy its own. But Mustapha is not worried about those costs. He is more concerned about those outside the community recognizing the importance of faith traditions as a means to provide comfort and support to a grieving neighbor. We have certain ritual traditions for celebration and joyful moments. But when one is heavy, of loss and grief, the rituals become more important to bring ease to the sorrows of an individual, he said. The same way others seek it in their own cultures and religion, then it should be the same for us. This story was produced with support from the Round Earth Media program of the International Womens Media Foundation. The independent MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington attends a 'Stand With Abbott Rally' in London - Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images Diane Abbott has claimed Labour will not return the whip for her allegedly anti-Semitic comments because she is too critical of the party leadership. In a post on Twitter, Ms Abbott, who now sits as an independent MP, suggested she was being punished for speaking out against Sir Keir Starmer. She had the whip suspended last April after writing a letter suggesting Jewish people are not subjected to the same racism as some other minorities. The Labour leader is coming under mounting pressure to re-admit Ms Abbott to the parliamentary party in solidarity over the Tory donor racism row. But the stand-off shows no sign of ending, with a senior Labour insider telling The Telegraph that the MP is very unlikely to be welcomed back unless she offers a full apology for past behaviour that has led critics to question how seriously she takes claims of an anti-Semitism crisis under Jeremy Corbyn. The veteran Left-winger, a long-term ally of Mr Corbyn, implied Labour is withholding the whip from her because she has been too critical of the partys direction of travel. Leaderships real agenda Posting a clip from BBC Radio 4 on Twitter, in which it was suggested she would not be welcomed back into the fold any time soon, she said: I will not get the whip back because my attacks on the leadership have if anything intensified. This is the leaderships real agenda. She also shared an article in which The Guardians political editor, Pippa Crerar, argued that her chances of getting the whip back appear remote. In another post on X, the MP added: More than one press report that I will not get the whip back because my tweets are critical of the leadership. This is from Starmer himself, who has already pronounced my guilt plus his staff. Making a mockery of the claim that process must be followed. In recent weeks, Ms Abbott has been openly critical of Labours economic policy and mocked shadow health secretary Wes Streeting for urging the NHS to stop doing daft things in the name of diversity. Alleged anti-Semitism She has been suspended from the parliamentary party for nearly a year, pending an investigation, after suggesting in a letter to The Observer that Jewish people do not suffer racism all their lives. She later apologised for the remarks, claiming that they were a first draft sent to the newspaper in error. She has sat as an independent ever since. Sir Keir is now facing calls from across the Labour spectrum including senior moderate figures to welcome her back into the fold after it was claimed that Frank Hester, the Tories biggest donor, said she makes people want to hate all black women and should be shot. The party leadership appeared to be at odds on Thursday, with deputy leader Angela Rayner saying that personally I would like to see Diane back, while Sir Keir rejected calls to restore the whip. On Friday, Ms Abbott denied a report in The Independent that she refused an offer to rejoin the parliamentary party on the condition she gave a more fulsome apology and took anti-Semitism training. Ms Abbott wrote on X, formerly Twitter: A blatantly shoddy piece of journalism. I told the reporter that all the key facts in his piece were false - on the record. Instead, he has led with the unattributable briefings from Labour party sources. The facts can be verified by LP. On the record. Thousands sign petitions Meanwhile, two petitions demanding that the Labour leader restore the whip are gaining traction online. One, tabled by grassroots group Momentum, has around 2,000 signatures, while the other, sponsored by the Labour Assembly Against Austerity, has 6,000 supporters. It comes as GPs are urging Mr Hester to resign from his health tech company, The Phoenix Partnership (TPP), in light of his alleged remarks about Ms Abbott. The British Medical Associations General Practice Committee passed a motion stating that it was disgusted by the claims and would like to see Mr Hester resign and hand over his directorship [at TPP] with immediate effect. Mr Hester has admitted making rude comments about Ms Abbott but claimed they had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin. TPP has been 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A bombshell report recently released by the Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC) states the cases of nearly 100 people charged with crimes were impacted by the alleged actions (or inactions) of one Central Oregon public defender. The report found that between 2017 and 2020, Jason Munn did not adequately maintain records, research cases or communicate with dozens of his clients in Crook and Jefferson counties. What he did was egregious, said Brittney Plesser, a co-director of OJRCs FA:IR Law Project. Its completely unacceptable to not review discovery, to not conduct investigation, to not talk to your clients, and to not conduct legal research. Multnomah County district attorney candidates face off in debate Commissioned by the former office of public defense services, OJRC investigated Munns cases after prosecutors in Jefferson County filed a complaint against him with the bar in 2020. The complaint read, Mr. Munn did not download and review complete discovery in at least 96 cases. 37 of those, Mr. Munn had failed to obtain most or all of the case discovery and in at least two, the client was sentenced to prison. Munn was suspended from practicing law for two years last August. The report cites deposition where Munn admits to not always requesting discovery. When asked why he did not follow up with witnesses, he claimed he did not know thered be any value to witnessing two drug addicts. Portland man arrested for second alleged bias crime attack against same victim I dont think that, from my experience, that it would be reasonable to say that, you know, Munn is just one bad apple, said Steve Wax, another co-director with the FA:IR Law Project. I think that our elected experience suggests that that is not the case. This is point Munn agrees with, as he maintains the three cases the OJRC petitioned for post-conviction relief for are comparable to numbers that would be found of a review of most public defenders. But with more than two-thousand Oregonians charged with crimes currently without representation, OJRC says the report highlights a wider systemic issue regarding the lack of funding for and supervision of public defenders. Tri-government response to the fentanyl emergency: A look inside the Unified Command Center There has been inadequate oversight both by the office of public defense services and now under its new name, we dont know what if anything will change, added Wax. In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Jessica Kampfe, Executive Director of the new Oregon Public Defense Commission, stressed they are working to implement its recommendations such as better oversight, improved data collection and fair compensation for public defenders. The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) appreciates the hard work by the Oregon Innocence Project at the Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC) in reviewing the cases impacted by one of our public defense contractors. Gov. Tina Kotek praises bipartisan success of legislative session for action taken on housing, drug crisis In 2020, we learned of the allegations against Mr. Munn and contracted with the OJRC to investigate whether public defense clients had been negatively impacted by his work. OJRC was selected because it is a third-party and could remain neutral on issues of public defense. Additionally, OJRC has an established track record of examining cases that may involve a miscarriage of justice. This investigation reviewed public defense representation under Oregons former pay-by-case system, which was deemed unconstitutional by the 6th Amendment Center. OPDC has transitioned away from this system. Now, attorneys are compensated for their work based on the percentage of their time devoted to public defense. OPDC appreciates how this report highlights the need for well-funded, transparent, and accountable public defense across Oregon. We have been working on implementing the reforms mentioned in this reports recommendations. Providing adequate public defense representation, better oversight, improved data collection, and fair compensation for public defenders is vital for the health of our entire judicial system. Munn told KOIN 6 News he disputes the claims made against him, calling the report a disappointing attention grab. Munn added that he is concerned about how the scrutiny could dissuade attorneys from becoming future public defenders at a time the state needs them most. As a result, he is currently appealing his suspension. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The Champaign School District is facing an employment discrimination charge for an allegedly excessive punishment against an assistant principal. Documents obtained by WCIA confirm Booker T. Washington STEAM Academys assistant principal Rebecca Ramey has filed a charge of discrimination with both the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The complaint alleges the district harshly punished Ramey based on her marital status and sexual orientation. The charges of discrimination were filed Monday. Ramey had a meeting scheduled with the district Wednesday, where she was told she was being relocated as the assistant principal to Kenwood Elementary School for the rest of the school year. Champaign school district releases statement after board member resignation Ramey was also told the district was not sure if she would have a position for next school year. A lawyer for the assistant principal argue no valid reason for her transfer exists, as she has been a valued member of the Booker T. Washington community since fall 2019. The Districts actions appear punitive and retaliatory, as Ms. Ramey is being transferred from BTW without the option of allowing her to finish out the school year, while simultaneously being told that there is no guarantee of her future employment with the District, part of an email Rameys lawyer Ron Langacker sent to District Superintendent Dr. Shelia Boozer said. Rameys wife, Diana Kistler, is a first-grade teacher also at Booker T. Washington STEAM Academy. Kistler was among the teachers vocal about the need for safety after two groups of children exchanged gunfire near the school in September. At the next board meeting on Sept. 26, she publicly criticized district administration for their leadership in the situation. I want to publicly forgive you, Dr. Boozer, for the hurt you have recently caused me, Kistler said at the meeting. I forgive you for not showing up when we needed you, I forgive you for beckoning me over with your finger. I forgive you for forgetting to ask me if I was okay the day after my family experienced yet another traumatic event. In late October, Ramey violated district policy for dispensing medication to a student without the proper updated authorization. Booker T. Washingtons principal, Jaime Roundtree, found after conducting an internal investigation no harm happened to the child, and Ramey was unfamiliar with district policies but not reckless nor negligent. Roundtree recommended a written warning for the violation. Administration for the district ignored Roundtrees request and instead gave Ramey a five-day unpaid suspension. The principal found the suspension to be excessive. He believed the severe punishment was because of Rameys relationship with Kistler and Kistlers opinions. District leaders also told Roundtree the administrative staff had made a decision to transfer Ramey in December. At the meeting Wednesday, Ramey alleges when she asked why she was being relocated, one of the reasons administrative officials gave was the issue with [her] wife. Registration for Champaign schools now open Administrative decisions like relocations are done at the discretion of the Superintendent, but are subject to approval from the Board of Education. One board member, Betsy Holder, said she doesnt speak on behalf of the board but she personally would vote against approving Rameys reassignment. With her current understanding of the situation, Holder believes Rameys transfer across schools would greatly affect the student population. My concern is that in moving either of these administrators takes away stability from those kids, especially mid-year, Board member and Champaign parent Betsy Holder said. As adults, we can all argue and fight and have our opinions on things, but its the kids who are largely losing on this. The IDHR lists on their website all proceedings with charges of discriminations must be concluded within 365 days, unless all parties agree to an extension. Langacker estimates the case will be resolved in 6-9 months. The school districts response A spokesperson for Champaign School District denied the discrimination claims. Champaign Unit 4 Schools is extremely proud of our diverse student body and workforce, a statement to WCIA from the district reads. While we vehemently deny the accuracy of the information shared by Mr. Langacker, we will not offer further comment at this time out of respect to our employees. As always, we caution our community about leaping to conclusions based on partial or misleading information. Langacker told WCIA he stands behind his clients allegations. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Police believe that cocaine shipments have been hidden underwater near Skibbereen, Co Cork - Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Moment RF Several divers have been arrested in Ireland for alleged drug smuggling, with police now hunting for cocaine shipments they believe have been hidden underwater. The men include six Spaniards, two Dutchmen, one Serbian and one man from Northern Ireland. Ireland is used as a route by South American cartels, working with Irish gangs, to move drugs into the UK and Europe. Senior gardai believe they have thwarted a major smuggling pipeline in West Cork and retrieved a rigid inflatable boat from the back of the seized articulated lorry. Officers believe caches of cocaine were stashed underwater off the south-west coast of Ireland until the gang thought it was safe to bring them into land. The waterproofed consignments are electronically tagged so they can be found and retrieved by divers in smaller, safer quantities than one large shipment of narcotics. No drugs have yet been found. The operation was launched after a suspicious foreign vehicle was spotted by locals in the village of Leap, Co Cork, Police hope that several seized mobile phones will reveal details of plans to pick up a consignment of cocaine worth tens of millions. Detectives believe the cocaine is most likely originally sourced from Colombia or Venezuela. The Irish coast guard and navy are now working with police to examine boat movements off the coast over the last week. Irish, Spanish, Dutch and UK nationals were among those arrested in the swoop on Thursday morning, which was triggered by a report of suspicious activity near Tragumna. Four people were arrested after a foreign-registered camper van was stopped on the outskirts of Leap village at the start of searches carried out nationwide. Six other men were arrested at other locations, including experienced divers based in Spain. Three were stopped in a 4x4. Another man had raised suspicions after leaving Tragumna in an articulated lorry. We never see articulated lorries in Tragumna the road into the village is very narrow and there is no reason for an artic to come down there, one local told The Irish Times. Months of careful planning Key individuals were under surveillance for some time amid suspicions of drug smuggling, the Irish Independent reported. A source told the newspaper the operation was entirely intelligence-led and was the culmination of months of undercover work by anti-drug units. During the course of the operation 10 males ages ranging from mid-20s to mid-50s were arrested, a garda spokesperson said. All 10 continue to be detained at a garda station in Co Cork under organised crime legislation. Police said they would be making no further comment at this time. Last September, Irish commandos boarded a cartel mother ship carrying 136 million of cocaine in Irelands biggest ever drugs bust. Police believed it was delivering drugs to smaller boats at sea. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A driver abandoned four dogs near a road and almost ran over them, a South Carolina animal shelter said. Its just completely unacceptable to leave animals like that just running in the middle of the street to get hit, Aldwin Roman, vice president and chief operating officer for the Charleston Animal Society, said in a video shared with McClatchy News. Thats not helping. Thats not saving the animal. But the dogs luck quickly turned around. Surveillance footage shows animal society workers racing to round up the dogs with traffic speeding by. They were brought into the safety of the shelter, marking the start of their next chapter. The dogs were soaking wet, frightened and confused, the shelter wrote March 13 in a Facebook post. We named the quartet after the brave animal society staff who ran into oncoming traffic to save them. The shelter said the dogs Amanda, Cameron, Jodi and Nikki were abandoned during a storm early March 9. The National Weather Service reported that nearby downtown Charleston received 3.63 inches of rain, breaking a daily record of 1.43 inches. The animal organization said an unidentified woman drove up to its gates, let the four dogs out of her SUV and left them outside. The two adult dogs reportedly were chained together at the time. As she attempted to drive away, the two adult dogs and two puppies came running after her vehicle circling the car and were almost run over, the shelter wrote. Surveillance video shared with McClatchy News shows the dogs continued running along a street before people rushed in to help. The shelter said a North Charleston firefighter and two police officers worked with shelter staff members to rescue the pups, described as lucky to be alive. The dogs, believed to be two parents and their babies, were not yet up for adoption as of March 14. Some are more outgoing, and others are shy, Roman told McClatchy News in an email. We are still assessing them and are learning more every day. The shelter, which said it has a sign warning against animal abandonment at its front gate, asks people with information about the dogs or the SUV driver to come forward. Anyone with information can contact community@charlestonanimalsociety.org. Scared puppies found stuffed in box near SC shelter. See them snuggle after rescue Spunky puppy with broken jaw gets a new chance in SC. Meet the fearless little guy OTTAWA COUNTY Cheryl Clark wants Ottawa County residents to better understand the treasurer's office. It's mostly about "dollars, dogs and delinquencies," she said, but it plays a vital role for the county's financial security. Clark, who was sworn in as treasurer Dec. 29, was appointed after previous treasurer Amanda Price announced her retirement at the end of 2023. She was selected for the position from more than 20 applicants by a panel consisting of Clerk Justin Roebuck, Prosecutor Lee Fisher and Probate Judge Mark Feyen. Clark now is running for a full four-year term in 2024. Ottawa County Treasurer Cheryl Clark is running for the position in the 2024 election. Clark, the former deputy treasurer, was appointed to the position in December after former treasurer Amanda Price retired. The treasurer is the custodian of all county funds and all property tax rolls, she recently told The Sentinel. "The majority of what the Treasurers Office does is mandated by the state of Michigan," she explained. More: Our go-to guide for races in Ottawa, Allegan counties Some of the mandated functions are: Recording revenue Collecting delinquent property taxes Conducting tax foreclosures Managing dog licenses "This is a very busy time of year for our office," Clark said. "The local townships and cities collect taxes up until the end of February. And then starting March 1, we take over collecting any taxes that were not paid. And what we do is we balance out the books between the townships and cities, and we then end up paying every taxing entity and making them whole, taking on the full cost of all of the delinquent taxes." The county then attempts to work with any homeowners who are delinquent in their property taxes. "We're meeting with taxpayers and we're trying to stop foreclosing on their property," Clark said. "We don't want their property. We want to keep people in their homes. We see our role as helping the taxpayer and not hurting them." More: Full circle: Cheryl Clark sworn in as next Ottawa County Treasurer More: Ottawa County promotes from within for treasurer role She said part of her state-mandated duties is to ensure all revenue is recorded and invested properly "because we want to protect the county's money." When Clark interviewed for the role in December, she had served as the deputy treasurer for 15 years; Jason Kondrat has since been named as the deputy treasurer. Prior to working for the county, Clark was the Robinson Township treasurer for a decade, where she previously had been an account technician. She said her goals for the department included upgrading the department's software, streamlining the county's credit card payment services and offering cross-training opportunities to all employees. She said progress has been made in all of those areas. "We are going to start working on the 2025 budget for the county and for our office," she said. "One of my goals was to reorganize our office and do more cross-training, so I am hoping to hire one more full-time employee and include more training costs." Cheryl Clark's goals for the county Treasurer's Department included upgrading the department's software, streamlining the county's credit card payment services and offering cross-training opportunities to all employees. She said she also plans to request an RFP (request for proposal) for investment software and cashiering software. As she gears up for campaign season, Clark said she will focus on her expertise. "What I'm going to do is I'm going to focus on the experience that I have not only working in the county for over 20 years, but also working at the township as their treasurer for nine years, and then focus on what the treasurer's office does," she said. Clark said she feels a vote of confidence from the selection committee that appointed her. "They appointed me because of my experience," she said. "They knew that the county needed somebody with deep experience during this time. And not only my experience, but the education that I have." Clark has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Cornerstone University and has continued her education during her career, including leadership training and a master's certificate for public funds investment management. A lifelong Republican, Clark said she isn't concerned about the current political climate in the county. "I'm ready and willing to work with whoever the board may be," she said, referring to the current Ottawa Impact controlling majority on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. Clark was born and raised in Grand Haven and has been married to husband Joe Clark for 20 years. The couple has two adult sons, Jack and Chris. She attends Hope Church in Grand Haven and has served as a high school youth group leader and has participated in the worship team and women's ministry. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage She said Ottawa County is where she plans to stay. "I am deeply committed to Ottawa County. I love it here. And I'm committed to keeping people in their homes, being a good steward of the county's financial resources, ensuring that the county's investments are sound, maintaining the county's good bond rating and enhancing the efficiency of the treasurer's office with the latest technology." Fellow Republican Ben Genser, who also applied for the position last year, has formed a campaign committee, but has not yet filed to run with the county clerk's office. Dates to know Tuesday, April 23: Filing deadline for Ottawa County candidates Tuesday, May 7: Special recall election for Board of Commissioners District 2 Tuesday, Aug. 6 : Michigan primary election Tuesday, Nov. 5: Michigan general election Sarah Leach is executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: 'Dollars, dogs, delinquencies': Clark seeks full term as treasurer A chaotic and last-minute document dump of over 119,000 pages of potential evidence has forced an unexpected delay in Donald Trumps much-anticipated hush money trial in Manhattan, with a state judge on Friday pushing back the trial to Aprilor even later. In his Friday afternoon order, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan made clear the historic criminal trial is now on pause as he figures out whether the Manhattan District Attorneys Office screwed upor if Trumps team is just playing delay games. Merchan wrote that there are significant questions of fact which this court must resolve before he makes a decision. What was supposed to be the first day of trial, March 25, will now be replaced by a contentious court hearing in which attorneys on both sides will fling accusations against one another. Trumps legal team, led by Todd Blanche, claims that prosecutors violated the law by holding back evidence that could undercut the DAs indictment, which criminally charged Trump with faking business records to cover up the $130,000 hush money payment he made to the porn star Stormy Daniels to avoid a campaign-killing scandal days before the 2016 election. Meanwhile, DA Alvin Bragg Jr.s team asserts that Trumps team ran out the clock before making eleventh-hour requests from the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys Office for documents, essentially forcing a massive document dump on the eve of trial. On Thursday, the DAs office agreed to postpone the start of the trial by 30 days to ensure the disagreement gets ironed outand potentially stave off any legal appeals that would jeopardize the trial by holding it prematurely. In his order, Merchan noted that he was only holding back the trial on consent of the DAs office. But he left wide open when the trial would actually commence, pointing out that Trumps lawyers wouldnt want to start it in mid-April anyway, given that the Jewish holiday of Passover would interrupt the very first few days of the proceeding. At this moment, its possible the first ever criminal trial of an American president might not start until May. But the judge is even considering the possibility that it might get canceled altogether, a shocking proposition that would deal a severe blow to the years-long effort to hold him accountable for the scandal. Merchan held back from making any promises, saying that hell make his ruling after the decisive hearing later this month. The court will set the new trial date, if necessary, when it rules on defendants motion following the hearing, he wrote. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with visiting President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco in Beijing on Friday, calling for deepened political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. Noting that China and Angola enjoy a profound traditional friendship and are good brothers and partners who trust each other, Li said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two countries' presidents, the two sides have adhered to the principles of sincerity, friendship, equality and mutual benefit, achieved fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, and continuously upgraded the level of strategic partnership. China is willing to work with Angola to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples, he said. Li pointed out that China appreciates Angola's long-standing adherence to the one-China principle and will, as always, firmly support Angola's efforts to safeguard national security and stability, oppose external interference and promote economic and social development. "China is ready to work with Angola to upgrade practical cooperation and expand cooperation on infrastructure, agriculture, trade, new energy and digital economy under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to achieve win-win results," Li said. He said that China stands ready to import more quality products from Angola and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola. "The two sides should deepen exchanges on medical and health care, human resources development, culture and tourism to consolidate public support for friendship between the two countries," Li added. Lourenco said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 41 years ago, bilateral relations have been strengthened, with huge potential for cooperation. Angola appreciates China's precious support when Angola was in the most difficult period, helping Angola to achieve rapid economic and social development, and to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. The Angolan side will firmly abide by the one-China policy and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, Lourenco said, adding that Angola welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in its country and is willing to further strengthen cooperation with China on infrastructure, agriculture, energy and new energy to achieve common development. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Silver Lake's Cafe Tropical on the last day it was open, Nov. 30, 2023. It returns on Saturday. (Lucas Kwan Peterson / Los Angeles Times) Neighborhood residents snapped pictures of their guava cheese pastelitos and greeted old friends inside Cafe Tropical in Silver Lake on Thursday. It was a sweet reunion for the cafes patrons who have missed the Cuban institution since it suddenly shuttered in November. At Thursdays soft-reopening event, new owners Danny Khorunzhiy, Ed Cornell and Rene Navarrette welcomed customers back to the almost 50-year-old establishment and served a limited menu that included breakfast sandwiches and coffee. The outpouring from the community has been really cool, said Khorunzhiy. Cafe Tropical will officially reopen to the public on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular business hours moving forward will be Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the owners said. Tropical has been a Sunset Boulevard fixture since 1975, when the street connecting Silver Lake to Echo Park featured many Cuban American businesses. A family legal dispute contributed to the unexpected closure of the cafe as well as its sister businesses, restaurant El Cochinito and bar Bolita. The cafe was not only a treasured coffee shop but an unofficial beacon for people in addiction recovery. Meetings were held day and night in a rear room. Ive frequented the community room back here for the last 15 years, Khorunzhiy said. "This place has really had an impact on my life. Read more: Shuttered Cafe Tropical was also a beacon for people seeking sobriety When Khorunzhiy heard Tropical was closing, he tapped Navarrette to help him gather a group of people from the community to save it. Navarrette connected the group with his brother, Eddie Navarrette, who is executive director of the Independent Hospitality Coalition. Recently, they have been trying to save older restaurants that are getting eliminated here in L.A., said Rene Navarrette. This was already in our minds. Cornell was working at nearby Quarter Sheets when Khorunzhiy reached out to him to step into the Cafe Tropical kitchen. We restarted the menu, but we kept a few things that we felt were the most popular, beloved things, Cornell said. We pared it down so that we can actually reopen and not destroy ourselves or ruin anything. For roughly the past four weeks, the group has been working to get the restaurant ready to reopen and even brought back some of the former staff, many of whom were left unpaid after the unexpected closure. Some guests at the Cafe Tropical soft reopening on March 14 were eager to get back to their favorite tables. (Sarah Mosqueda / Los Angeles Times) More items will be added to the menu once Cafe Tropical is fully staffed again, with a better idea of how busy it will be, the new team said. Cornell assured guests they can count on cafe con leche and at least three Tropical staples. The guava cheese, the guava pastries and the Cubano sandwich; those are three things that we said, 'We know we cannot open without these,'" Cornell said. Local writer nurtured at cafe Poet, author and Silver Lake native Yesika Salgado days ago sparked initial buzz about a reopening when she posted on her Instagram account that she was nearly moved to tears when she bit into a guava cheese pastelito at a preopening visit. I have been going to Cafe Tropical my whole life. I have lived in Silver Lake since birth and I dont have a single memory where Cafe Tropical was not on the corner of Sunset and Parkman, Salgado said. Salgado began going to the cafe as a child with her mother and continued to do so as a teenager, when she had friends who worked there. As an adult, she said, Cafe Tropical became her preferred work space early on in her writing career. When I started writing more seriously and needed somewhere to go outside of my house, it was the closest cafe within walking distance that was welcoming, she said. Cafe Tropical was where Salgado wrote her first collection of poetry, "The Luna Poems," and where she took her first meeting with her publisher. I worked on the manuscripts there that was my office, Salgado said. I think I just became another piece of furniture in the cafe. Read more: Poet Yesika Salgado blew up on Instagram. Now her books are breaking literary boundaries Like Salgado, some guests at the soft opening were eager to get back to their favorite table and settle in with their laptops. Others were looking forward to the return of the sobriety meetings, which will start again next week, Khorunzhiy said. That was how I was introduced to this place, through the meeting room. That is a big, vital part of why we are doing this, said Khorunzhiy. Cornell, Khorunzhiy and Navarrette each recognize that Cafe Tropical has become that third place for many in the community, and the partners are working hard to make sure the sun will not set on Cafe Tropical. It feels good to be part of something that wasnt lost, said Navarrette. Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WORCESTER The blue envelope is everything, and Mina Botros made sure he didnt lose it. Inside was the answer that would determine his future, and the pressure was mounting. Botros was packed into the UMass Chan Medical School lobby on Friday, a space chock-full of his fellow medical school students and their entourages of family and friends. Each student held a blue envelope they couldnt open until the clock struck noon. Thats the annual tradition on Match Day, with its countdown from 10 to zero, culminating in a collective tearing open of envelopes to see where students will spend their residency training. Some will get their first choice, others wont, and thats OK. That message was delivered by UMass Chan Chancellor Dr. Michael F. Collins minutes before the countdown. He told students that where they go for residency is secondary to making a profound difference in the lives of those patients that they have a privilege to care for. Medical student Mina Botros reacts to finding out where he will spend his residency during Match Day at UMass Chan Medical School. A perspective heard by Botros, but being one of 164 soon-to-be UMass Chan graduates, he was focused on the envelope. When the moment came, Botros calmly opened his, unfurled the letter inside, and immediately thrust both arms into the air. First choice achieved Im going to UMass! Botros bellowed, followed by a loud, Whoo!" He's staying put, getting his first choice, with a residency in neuropsychiatry at UMass Chan. The first family hug came from his parents, Paul and Soheir. Then one from his brother Andrew, followed by another from his sister Marissa. Then Botros gave a delicate swipe to his right eye to hold back happy tears. Its a dream come true, he said. Medical school is normally a four-year grind, but Botros, 29, put in an extra year because of his commitment to combating the COVID-19 pandemic. His medical school class started during the pandemic, and Botros wasnt content to focus on his studies. He organized a team of his fellow students to go out into Worcester and inoculate residents against the virus. The experience played a big impact on who I am today, said Botros, who immigrated from Egypt at age 6. Besides his work to vaccinate residents against COVID-19, Botros played an integral role in establishing the Worcester Free Care Collaborative that fanned out across the Greater Worcester area to give free medical care to anyone in need, regardless of income, insurance and residence status. His siblings couldnt hold back their praise. Andrew called him an "inspiration," while Marissa said, Hes the best brother anyone could ever ask for. Theres no doubt hell do great as a doctor. Another first choice achieved Christian Pineda also got his first choice, but the 27-year-old Fitchburg resident isnt staying close to home. Hes headed to the West Coast for a residency in family medicine at the University of California Irvine Medical Center. Pinedas family immigrated from Mexico before he was born in Boston. Hes the first one in his family to attend college. Medical student Christian Pineda, of Fitchburg, receives congratulations after learning that he'll be heading to the West Coast. The draw of providing health care in an area of the country with a large immigrant and Hispanic population was a primary factor in Pinedas first choice of California. So is that area's warm weather (Pineda uttered the word selfishly, with a smile). Pineda arrived at UMass Chan through the medical schools baccalaureate MD pathway program. Its mission is to diversify the ranks of doctors, tapping into the four undergraduate campuses in the UMass system. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, or those who would be first generation four-year college graduates, are eligible to apply. Pineda started the pathway program the summer after his sophomore year at UMass Amherst. He always knew he had a passion for science and helping others, so becoming a doctor was a natural fit. What next? More celebrating Dr. Michael F. Collins, chancellor of the UMass Chan Medical School, speaks at Match Day on Friday. With their first choices achieved, and hugs from family and friends, how will these two students extend their celebrations into Friday night and the weekend? Let's just say it will be low-key, with Botros saying he will hang out with medical school colleagues. As for Pineda, he joked that the details of his partying can't be printed in the newspaper. He plans road trips to Texas, California, Nebraska, the Carolinas and Mexico to show his match letter to family members. He and Botros will squeeze in UMass Chan commencement on June 2. One can assume the congratulatory hugs will resurface that day. They certainly got off to a good start on Match Day, especially for Botros. "I'm so happy," said his mother. "I'm so proud. He worked hard for it." Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Students at UMass Chan Medical School celebrate Match Day Pisgah Church Road, one of several canopy roads in Tallahassee, Florida, as seen on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Tree canopies shade 72 miles of roadway in Leon County, offering a scenic view for many who take the long and winding roads from the center of Tallahassee to its rural outskirts. "If you want to kind of get away from things, you have these old roads that have this history and this aesthetic quality, so you can go for a drive out in the country and really experience what old Florida really is," said Artie White, the director of Planning, Land Management and Community Enhancement for the city and county. Tallahassee has eight designated canopy roads: Meridian, Centerville, Miccosukee, Old St. Augustine, Old Bainbridge, Sunny Hill, Old Centerville and Pisgah Church. The designation for canopy roads goes back to 1972, but the roads themselves date back to a time before Tallahassee was named the capital, even before the Spanish arrived in Florida. Protesters holding signs to save canopy oak tree on Miccosukee Road. The Committee to Protect a Few Trees was formed in 1985 to "stop destroying our canopy roads." Miccosukee Road was a Native American footpath that led to the village of Miccosukee, almost 21 miles away from downtown Tallahassee, according to British surveyors who made note of the path in 1767. Old St. Augustine Road was literally that, an old road from Mission San Luis to St. Augustine that was once called El Camino Real in the 1600s. In the early 1800s, the federal government contracted John Bellamy to build a road from St. Augustine to Pensacola with Tallahassee as the midpoint. At the time, Bellamy said he could build the road from St. Augustine to Tallahassee for $13,500. Bellamy used the labor of enslaved people to construct the road, which was 25-feet wide. An 1840 census, notes that Bellamy kept 100 people enslaved. By the 1850s, Miccosukee Road and the other canopy roads were the main thoroughfares from cotton plantations into town and even all the way to port at St. Marks, where cotton was shipped to New York and New Orleans, Louisiana. The roads were instrumental in the establishment of cotton plantations. In 1850, there were almost 1,000 plantations in Florida, according to census records. There were at least 20 major plantations in Leon County in 1860. In the 1820s the federal government authorized an earthen road to be constructed from St. Augustine to Pensacola, with Tallahassee at its midpoint. This became the Old St. Augustine Road (still in use as a paved street in Tallahassee). The St. Augustine-Tallahassee leg of this road was constructed by enslaved individuals and a private contractor, John Bellamy. For this reason, the Old St. Augustine Road was also known as the Bellamy Road. Unlike the other canopy roads, which twist and turn on their way out of town, Meridian Road is straight. Meridian Road started with a length of chain in 1824. Benjamin Clemens, a federal surveyor, laid chain down through Leon County to mark the Prime Meridian all the way to the Georgia border. Most of the trees that make up the canopies are oak, maple and birch trees. Pine trees wouldn't have the same covering effect, White said. The canopy road zone, 100 feet from the center line of the road, also has more protections from encroaching development; not just buildings and homes, but also fences, sheds and utilities. Meridian Road has been threatened by development more than the other roads, said Ann Bidlingmaier, who was president of the Canopy Roads Citizens Committee for six years. "But fortunately, for the most part, the city and county commissions have been unwavering in their support of canopy roads," she said. Even in the middle of winter, the view from the 22nd floor of the Capitol shows the city enshrouded in trees. "Except for a few state buildings, Doak Campbell Stadium and Lake Jackson, the city lies under a carpet of green," wrote Democrat writer Gerald Ensley in 2000. "For so many of us, raised in faceless concrete communities elsewhere, Tallahassee's chief appeal has always been its natural physical beauty. Even as the city's development has exploded, Tallahassee has retained that natural charm," he added. This story is part of TLH 200: the Gerald Ensley Bicentennial Memorial Project. Throughout our city's 200th birthday, we'll be drawing on the Tallahassee Democrat columnist and historian's research as we re-examine Tallahassee history. Read more at tallahassee.com/tlh200. Ana Goni-Lessan can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee canopy roads: 72-miles of shaded history A driver fleeing from authorities ignored a road closure sign and crashed into a snow plow on a Colorado highway, deputies said. The 33-year-old was in a Jeep Cherokee on Thursday, March, 14, when he approached a road closure on U.S. Highway 40 Berthoud Pass, the Grand County Sheriffs Office said. A sergeants vehicle was blocking the roadway and a sign alerted drivers to the closure, deputies said. But the driver went past the sergeant and the sign, deputies said. The sergeant followed the driver, but he refused to stop, deputies said. The officer warned authorities in Clear Creek County about the driver. The driver then crashed into a snow plow, which attempted to protect and shield other vehicles from the suspects vehicle, deputies said. He tried to flee on foot, but deputies said he was arrested on traffic charges related to this incident and an outstanding felony arrest warrant. No injuries were reported. 18-year-old driver flees police at 115 mph until BMW flips into porta-potty, CA cops say Uber passenger in fear for his life when driver flees from police, Tennessee cops say Officer tries running woman off road in road rage incident, Connecticut cops say National Highways project lead Jonathan Wade told motorists to "avoid the area entirely" ahead of the unprecedented closure this weekend National Highways has advised drivers to "take the train" ahead of an unprecedented full weekend closure of a section of the M25. A five-mile stretch between junctions 10 and 11 in Surrey will be closed from 21:00 GMT on Friday until 06:00 on Monday. Jonathan Wade from National Highways told drivers to "avoid the area entirely, change their plans, go shopping on Thursday night rather than Saturday morning, or take the train." It is the first time there has been a scheduled daytime shutdown of all lanes on the M25 since it opened in 1986. The closure is to enable the demolition of a bridge and the installation of a new gantry - part of the junction 10 improvement scheme due to be completed in mid-2025. Mr Wade told BBC Radio Surrey that the improvements would bring "long-term benefits", but he warned of "heavy congestion and delays" in the short term. National Highways is advising those planning to travel to London and the surrounding areas to plan their journeys well in advance. You can listen to a full explainer on the closure, including diversion routes, from BBC Radio Surrey here. The M25 at junctions 10 and 11 will be closed in both directions this weekend Compounding the travel disruption are a number of engineering works facing South Western Railway this weekend affecting services running from London Waterloo to stations in Surrey, including Guildford, Epsom and Dorking. Some services in Petersfield and Leatherhead terminate early while other lines are operating a replacement bus service. Passengers are being advised to check routes before they travel. Travellers affected could include people going to Gatwick and Heathrow Airports and the Channel ports. The M25 normally carries between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles in each direction every hour between 10:00 and 21:00 at weekends between Junctions 9 and 11. St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey, warned patients to "only visit if necessary". It said in a statement: "If you are visiting the hospital over that weekend, please be aware of the diversions that will be in place and that there is likely to be considerable congestion in the local area. " Map Mr Wade said: "Drivers should only use the M25 if their journey is absolutely necessary." He advised motorists to avoid "simply following what a sat-nav says" and to follow signs in the area. He added there was "probably a greater risk of congestion by people just doing their own thing and thinking they can perhaps beat the signs and find a shorter or quicker route". Surrey's communities were braced for a "difficult" weekend and some school sports fixtures have been postponed. Runnymede councillor Malcolm Cressey said "it could end up with all sorts of gridlock", while Woking councillor Tahir Aziz said there would be huge disruption, adding: "We've never experienced something like this." Cass Alahmad said they had been aware of the M25 closure but not that they were on the diversion route In West Byfleet, which is on the diversion route, one resident, Rod Steel, said it would be a nightmare and people wouldnt be able to go anywhere. Another resident, Joanne Cripp, said: Ive put my car away. Its not coming out until Monday morning. She said local people had been warned about the closure, but people coming from further afield might not know. Cass Alahmad, from Chris Jackson dry cleaners, said: It will affect us. The annoying part is that we did not know about the diversion. "We only a knew a few days before the M25 would be shut over the weekend but we were not told the diversion would be through here. National Highways said the closure was to allow the demolition of a bridge and construction of a new gantry as part of an upgrade Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: "For drivers who've already had their patience tried by the queues at the junction 10 works, the phrase 'you ain't seen nothing yet' springs to mind. "We must hope National Highways has overstated its dire predictions of sat-navs adding to the traffic chaos by taking drivers off the official diversion route, because the temptation to try to skip the queues will be intense." Meanwhile, AA president Edmund King said drivers can expect the closure to have "a significant impact" on journeys and advised drivers to give the M25 in Surrey a "wide berth". The closure will be the first of five between now and September as part of a 317m upgrade project. Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Related Internet Links Drones are set to patrol rivers in northern France after people smugglers switched tactics and began to load migrants onto small boats inland. The aircraft will start flying across a 100-mile stretch of waterways, which includes areas of outstanding natural beauty enjoyed by holidaymakers. People traffickers shift to rivers comes as French authorities increasingly clamp down on boats loading up on Channel beaches. The problem came into sharp focus last week, when seven-year-old Iraqi girl Rula drowned in the Aa canal, at Watten, some 20 miles south of Calais. Officials working for the Northern Defence and Security Zone Prefecture immediately pushed to introduce the new fly zone. The aircraft will contribute to a strategy aimed at safeguarding human lives, said a prefecture source. Day or night, they will be patrolling along the rivers, and the surrounding countryside, to stop the small boats. At night, thermal imaging will be used. Complaints over drone surveillance As many as 80 aircraft at a time will be in action, and this figure will include support helicopters, said the source. Drone surveillance in public spaces was legalised in France by a decree in April 2023, and there have been numerous complaints since then. Aircraft continually whirring across some of Frances most beautiful wetlands is certain to lead to protests, especially as ramblers and others enjoying boating holidays will be among those filmed. But the source claimed nobody would be identified, or chased by the drones. Thats not the point of the surveillance, he said. The cameras will simply pick up basic images, allowing police on the ground to intercept boats that are clearly being used by the smugglers. The drones will be deployed across three departments Nord, Pas-de-Calais and the Somme focusing on estuaries and coastal rivers, such as the Canche and Authie. All are surrounded by walking paths and camping sites, and are crucial to tourism in the region. Girls family to continue crossing Channel The Aa canal, where Rula died, will be covered over a three-mile stretch which enters the English Channel at Gravelines beach, between Dunkirk and Calais. Rulas family had paid the equivalent of 5,000 for the trip across the Channel alone, having travelled overland from Iraq. But the stolen pleasure boat provided for the last leg of the journey was falling apart, and had no life jackets onboard. Rula was onboard with her parents and four other adults, as well as nine other children, aged between seven and 13, all of whom ended up in the river. Charlotte Huet, a Dunkirk prosecutor, said a criminal enquiry had been opened for manslaughter, unintentionally causing injuries, criminal conspiracy and aiding illegal immigration within an organised gang, while endangering others. Despite this, Rulas family said they would continue their efforts in trying to get to Britain by a small boat, in a bid to claim asylum. The fatality followed five migrants dying while trying to get to Britain on Jan 14. In August last year, six people died after a boat carrying migrants sank in the Channel. And in November 2021, at least 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK the highest recorded number of deaths from a single incident. Some 29,000 people reached the UK in small boats in 2023, despite the British government saying that stopping them was a priority. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The front of the headquarters of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in downtown Los Angeles. (Associated Press) Some L.A. city employees are "double dipping" by retiring and then starting a new job at the Department of Water and Power while collecting a pension for the first job, according to a union leader. Gus Corona, head of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18, which represents nearly all DWP workers, said the double dipping harms the city's finances and the DWP's retirement plan, and that it came about in violation of the union bargaining process. In a cease-and-desist letter to City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto on March 11, Corona called the situation "DROP on steroids" a reference to a police and firefighter program that allows participants to collect their salaries and pensions simultaneously for the last five years of their careers. Read more: Veteran L.A. cops and firefighters can work one shift, then collect double pay for years Corona wrote that his union will not accept this or any threat to the citys financial health, the financial health of DWP employees retirement plans or to the Citys obligation to bargain in good faith. The city attorney's office has "unilaterally changed its interpretation" of the city charter, Corona wrote, allowing workers to double dip despite a ban against employees in the Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System taking another paid job with the city. So far, Corona said in an interview, four to six city employees have retired from a LACERS position, then taken a new salaried position with DWP, which has its own pension system. But in his cease-and-desist letter, he predicted "cascading effects," with employees rushing to take advantage and city taxpayers footing the bill. "It would spark a flood of retirements from LACERS-covered positions, exacerbating the already extreme exodus of expert and experienced employees from key positions," Corona wrote. City employees who transfer from a LACERS position to DWP would also be able to collect a DWP pension when they retire, Corona said. A representative for Service Employees International Union 721, a union that represents civilian city employees who are covered by LACERS, declined to comment on the cease-and-desist letter. The city attorneys office said it is not unlawful to retire from a LACERS position and begin a DWP position, noting that the reverse has long been permitted. Under the Charter, the hard-working employees of the Department of Water and Power have, for more than 80 years, been able to retire, collect a pension, and then seek further employment with the City in LACERS-covered positions. This decades-old practice is not unlawful, the city attorneys office said in a statement. Just as DWP retirees have done for decades in other City positions, LACERS retirees can play a key role by bringing their expertise to positions with DWP, the statement said. Some of the dispute between the IBEW Local 18 and the city attorney's office boils down to whether the DWP is included in the city charter's prohibition against taking another city job after retirement. In his cease-and-desist letter, Corona argued that a "city" job includes positions with the DWP. IBEW Local 18 is also filing an unfair practices charge with the Los Angeles Employee Relations Board for the city's alleged failure to notify and "meet and confer" with the union about its revised interpretation of the charter. The city attorneys office said it plans to respond to Corona's letter in writing. 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. An early warning system to spot synthetic opioids and other drugs is being developed by ministers, in an attempt to prevent a US-style fentanyl crisis. It will test waste water and spikes of overdoses being reported by the emergency services to track the presence and strength of synthetic drugs across the UK in real time. Chris Philp, the crime and policing minister, will announce details in his speech at the annual conference of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in Vienna on Friday. In The Times, Mr Philp said the early warning system will help Britain to avoid a crisis on the scale of the one the US is experiencing. He said the public need to be aware of the risks. There is also a lack of awareness about the fact that synthetic opioids are significantly more toxic than better-known drugs such as heroin, he added. He said: Sadly, some seek these drugs out. Just as tragically, many dont and are unknowingly taking illicit drugs cut with a potent synthetic opioid. Misusing drugs is playing Russian roulette with your life. Fentanyl is a form of synthetic opioid which is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The Government will also expand the distribution of the life-saving medication naloxone, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Data from the UKs new warning system will be fed into data in the UN commissions own early warning system, which alerts countries of emerging trends. The minister added: The UK is a funding contributor to the UNs early warning advisory system, which alerts countries across the world to emerging drug trends, and we are also enhancing our own system. This will include state-of-the-art monitoring for the presence of synthetic drugs by analysing waste water, or recording spikes in overdoses in specific locations. These findings will be cascaded down to law enforcement and public health agencies, meaning they can take rapid action. 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. CAMPO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego Sheriffs deputies and the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force went door-to-door Wednesday in rural East County to notify residents about a sexually violent predator (SVP) who will be living in their community. Alan Earl James, a 61-year-old registered sex offender, was convicted for several counts of molesting and kidnapping children back in 1981 and 1985. Alan Earl James, a 61-year-old registered sex offender, was convicted for several counts of molesting and kidnapping children back in 1981 and 1985. He was released into the community this year under the Conditional Release Program and has a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender, the Sheriffs department said in a release Thursday. Law enforcement agencies warn the community about sex offenders living or frequenting their area under California Penal Code Section 290, also known as Megans Law. The purpose of going door-to-door in Campo Wednesday, the release said, was not to induce fear, but rather to keep the community informed. How many registered sex offenders are in Chula Vista? However, some Campo residents have voiced their concerns in the past about releasing James into their community. James served several years in state prison before being admitted to Coalinga State Hospital in 2007 for treatment as a sexually violent predator. After completing his program, he is set to be placed at a home on Custer Road under 24-hour supervision. He is not wanted by the Sheriffs department at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Noting that China and Angola jointly celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, Xi said relations between the two countries have stood the test of international vicissitudes and benefitted the two peoples. China-Angola cooperation is South-South cooperation and cooperation between developing countries, which is about mutual help between good friends, reciprocity and win-win cooperation, Xi said. In a world that is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, the two sides should continue their traditional friendship, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, firmly support each other, and achieve common development, Xi noted. China supports Angola in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, and realizing national development and revitalization, he said. China is also willing to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Angola, upgrade bilateral strategic relations, and jointly promote the modernization process of each country, Xi noted. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Snively Hot Springs on the lower stem of the Owyhee River are flooded by cold, swift, potentially deadly water flows recently released from the Owyhee Dam in Eastern Oregon, the Bureau of Land Management announced Thursday. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation opted to release the dam water early in anticipation of brimming reservoir levels caused by runoff from an unusually high winter snowpack, BLM said. While the hot springs remain open, officials like BLM Field Manager Jonah Blustain are advising people to avoid the popular swimming area until river levels return to normal in Malheur County. We are not closing the site, but we do want to advise the public of the conditions, Blustain said. Cold water can quickly cause hypothermia and high flows can sweep a person off their feet. VIDEO: Loud, chunky sea lions take over Hayden Island docks The Snively Hot Springs. (BLM) Snively Hot Springs Owyhee reservoir levels. (Data provided by the Bureau of Reclamation.) owyhee Dog Mountain hiking permits sell out in a single day The high volume of icy cold snowmelt is too cold for the Snively Hot Spring pools to remain warm at this time, the BLM said. Flow rates are expected to reach 1,000 cubic feet per second Thursday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Homeless activists hold a memorial outside San Francisco City Hall for the dozens of people who have died unhoused on the city's streets, many due to fentanyl poisoning. Voters rejected a challenge to two Superior Court judges who opponents charged were too "soft on crime." (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) San Francisco voters made national news in the March primary election by adopting two ballot measures that until recently would have been unthinkable in their famously liberal city. The measures to expand police powers and require drug testing of welfare recipients were largely funded by tech and real estate billionaires, and passage was fueled by widespread frustration with homelessness, drug addiction and car break-ins. But voters importantly said no to an attempt by the same movement to oust two San Francisco Superior Court judges for supposedly being too soft on crime. Read more: San Francisco ties welfare to drug-screening, boosts police powers in stunning tough-on-crime shift The challenges to Judges Michael Isaku Begert, appointed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Patrick Thompson, appointed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, were ominous. This was not because their opponents might have brought an ideological shift to the bench but because their removal would have politicized the court and undermined its independence. There is inherent tension between judges accountability to the public and their ability to render rulings based solely on the law and the facts of each case, free of popular sentiment or political pressure. Read more: Editorial: Judges aren't to blame for homelessness in California. Newsom should know better In California, Superior Court judges may be challenged at the polls every six years. The system is a check on bench officers who perform poorly, for example by failing to show up for hearings or treating litigants disrespectfully. But the system can be misused as well. The same big-moneyed interests that want to sway the outcome of a ballot measure such as the recent two in San Francisco can also seek to stock the court with judges who will favor the donors business or political interests or punish those who don't. A judiciary that responds to the public mood because judges fear election challenges has relinquished its adherence to the law. Read more: Editorial: Recalling the judge from Brock Turner's case will likely bring about less justice in California, not more Thats a problem regardless of whether the challenge to competent judges comes from the right or the left. In 2018, for example, four deputy public defenders challenged four San Francisco judges appointed by Republican governors. That would have been a large shift in a relatively small court of 31 bench officers, and could easily have made every judge, whether challenged or not, consider the political ramifications of their rulings. Voters wisely kept their incumbent judges in place. It was a different case in Santa Clara County, where voters in 2019 recalled Judge Aaron Persky because of unhappiness over his sentence for Stanford swimmer Brock Turner after he was convicted of sexual assault. The six-month sentence was shockingly lax, but within the law at the time. The recall put public outrage ahead of the judges individualized determination given the facts of the case and the law. Read more: Endorsement: One L.A. County judge deserves reelection. Another doesn't The same year, Democratic challengers swept every Republican judge off the bench in Harris County, Texas, where (unlike in California) judicial candidates run in partisan elections and tout their party affiliations. Harris County is dominated by Houston, which is more liberal than the rest of the state. To many on the left, a Democratic takeover of the courts in deep-red Texas may sound like a triumph. But the same popular moods that politicize the courts one way could easily move in the opposite direction at another time or in another place. Thats exactly how it is supposed to work in elections for mayor, sheriff or district attorney. Its not the way it should be for the courts. Read more: Editorial: Stanford sexual assault case: When is it right for voters to oust a judge? In Los Angeles County this year, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Repecka challenged Judge Emily Theresa Spear and currently holds a slim lead. Repecka touts progressive principles and for that reason may be preferred by some L.A. voters over Spear, a former prosecutor. The Times endorsed Repecka, not because of politics or ideology but because the judge fell below an acceptable standard of performance with excessive unapproved absences from her courtroom. It was the first time The Times had endorsed a challenge to a sitting judge since 1992. That year, the editorial board called for the defeat of Judge Joyce Karlin because of her probation sentence for Soon Ja Du, the Korean American grocer who shot Latasha Harlins, a Black 15-year-old girl, to death in Du's store. The killing was widely seen as a spark for the deadly and destructive riots that year. The board wrote at the time that Karlin's "stunningly inept" sentencing reflected "a lack of fairness impairing her ability to sit as an impartial judge." It's a reminder that it can be difficult to distinguish between simply disagreeing with a judge's ruling and finding it to be evidence of professional ineptitude. The editorial board's principle on the issue of judicial independence has not changed in three decades, but the way it applies it, much like the way a judge might apply a sentencing law, has evolved. Voters reelected Karlin. Justice is not a popularity contest, Karlin wrote in response to The Times' endorsement against her. The law is not up for bidding among politicians, pressure groups and vocal bullies who think disagreement means one has the right to trash the entire judicial system. San Francisco voters may have slowed the politicization of the courts this year. But absent a change in the way we select and unseat judges, it is unlikely to go away anytime soon. 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. Its no secret that Fort Worth-area educators are struggling not just teaching our communitys kids but to even stay in their demanding jobs. We need a solid curriculum, parental involvement and of course, students to fill the classroom, but without teachers the backbone of education communities will not have public schools. At over 20%, the turnover rate for educators for the 2022-23 school year remains at an all-time high, up more than 4 percentage points from the previous year, according to a local teacher group. Its even higher at some Fort Worth campuses. According to Texas AFT, a statewide teacher group, an alarming 69% of teachers surveyed said they might leave their jobs. Weve known that dissatisfaction has been brewing. Lawmakers have attempted to address this but have fallen short. About a year ago, the Governors Teacher Vacancy Task Force released a report with suggestions to keep educators from leaving, including discovering patterns of dissatisfaction. The panel recommended pay raises and improving working conditions, among other things. These seem like good ideas, but implementing them is difficult. Lawmakers had a chance to pass a pay-raise package last year, but it failed after some House Republicans refused to vote for a package that included school vouchers, as Gov. Greg Abbott demanded. We know from statistics and anecdotal evidence that Texas must pay teachers more. With the minimum salary not even at $34,000, their pay has remained low and stagnant, failing to address spikes in the cost of living, let alone reward a job well done. Thats not all. Large classroom sizes, a workload beyond the classroom and most of all, awful student behavior that make teachers feel stuck, unsupported or even afraid, have made the job truly thankless. When teachers leave the profession for good, its not always about money. Its about simple respect and being able to focus on why they got into education in the first place rather than a childs raucous behavior or a looming STAAR test. Its past time that lawmakers raised pay and began to put in place some of the suggestions we already know they need, such as additional support to handle behavioral issues. However, aside from lobbying legislators and local school boards, between sessions theres little the average citizen can do. But there is one thing we can do for students now, and thats encourage them and their parents, as a community. JD Cashion, a resident of the DFW area, experienced this dynamic himself. A former teacher of 10 years, he now works to help teachers outside of the classroom. He didnt have an education degree but taught high school math. He told our Editorial Board behavioral issues and lack of pay were the main drivers that forced him out of a field he enjoyed. What behavioral issues boiled down to was lack of parental support, Cashion said. Not necessarily in terms of not supporting what teachers were doing but parents not actually parenting at home. That is an epidemic. We know that family dynamics at home, including everything from poor socioeconomic conditions to parents struggling with mental health or even violence, can be associated with behavioral problems at school. For students to do well at school, they must feel safe and loved at home. For parents to facilitate this at home, they must prioritize their own mental, emotional, and physical health, too. Children and teenagers must also receive the message at home that poor behavior at school will be addressed at home, with serious consequences. Some teachers report more parents saying that its up to schools to deal with discipline or actually become defensive when schools attempt to render consequences to kids. That simply isnt sustainable. We need teachers to be able to focus on teaching for our school districts to thrive. Policy can address issues such as pay and class sizes. As a community, we need to help encourage students and parents in their mental and behavioral health. Its a long, complicated approach, but better student behavior will vastly improve teachers experience and get more to stay. Do you have an opinion on this topic? Tell us! We love to hear from Texans with opinions on the news and to publish those views in the Opinion section. Letters should be no more than 150 words. Writers should submit letters only once every 30 days. Include your name, address (including city of residence), phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have questions. You can submit a letter to the editor two ways: Email letters@star-telegram.com (preferred). Fill out this online form. Please note: Letters will be edited for style and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed. The best letters are focused on one topic. By Nayera Abdallah DUBAI (Reuters) -Egypt is hoping to reach a deal within a few days for a ceasefire in Gaza that would boost aid deliveries and allow displaced people in the enclave's south to move back north, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Friday. Sisi also warned against the danger of an Israeli incursion into the city of Rafah, where an estimated 1.5 million people have sought shelter next to Gaza's border with Egypt. Aid officials have warned of looming famine in the coastal enclave, home to 2.3 million people, with the war between Israel and the Gaza Strip's ruling Palestinian Islamist group Hamas now in its sixth month. "We wish within a few days at most to reach a ceasefire and not to have a negative development that could affect the situation," Sisi said in comments recorded during a visit to a police academy. "We are talking about reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, meaning a truce, providing the biggest quantity of aid," he said. This would include "curbing the impact of this famine on people, and also allowing for the people in the centre and the south to move towards the north, with a very strong warning against incursion into Rafah". Sisi added: "We warned of what is happening, that aid not entering would lead to famine." Egypt has joined international calls on Israel to open land crossings with Gaza to let in more aid. Fearing a spillover of displaced Palestinians crowded near its border, Egypt has been trying, along with Qatar and the United States, to mediate between Israel and Hamas in pursuit of a truce and the release of Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. A push to secure a ceasefire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this week fell short. Hamas said on Thursday that it had presented a proposal for a truce deal to mediators. Israel said it was based on unrealistic demands. Sisi also voiced alarm at regional ripples from the Gaza war, including attacks on Red Sea commercial vessels that have led shippers to divert away from the Suez Canal, slashing Egypt's vital canal revenues by about 50% early this year. The attacks have been carried out by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, who describe them as acts of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war. There have also been months of border clashes between Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, and Israeli forces northeast of Gaza. "We also warned of the war expanding and, as you have seen,(affecting) the safety of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, and the significant impact of that on international trade," said Sisi. "We warned of all of that. And also that the conflict could expand to the north. These are all risks we warn against." (Reporting by Nayera Abdallah; writing by Aidan Lewis; editing by Sharon Singleton, Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich) TWO RIVERS Police this past week searched wetlands, rural areas, the West Twin River and a farm waste container to try to locate Elijah Vue, but the 3-year-old remained missing as of March 15. Two Rivers Police Capt. Andrew Raatz said March 15 investigators have followed up on numerous tips and leads and continue to go through large amounts of video footage with the Division of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. This weekend, Raatz said police will continue their search. With warmer than normal temperatures this year and with outdoor activities increasing, we encourage continued safe searches of local recreation areas, as well as rivers, ponds and waterways, Raatz said. Anyone who finds something they suspect may be related to the disappearance or location of Elijah should contact the tip line at 844-267-6648 or submit information using the Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers P3 app. The total reward for information leading to the discovery of Elijah or the arrest and charging of anyone responsible for Elijah's disappearance has grown to $40,000 after the FBI offered $15,000, Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers offered $10,000 and the city of Two Rivers offered an additional $15,000. 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 children: Elijah Vue is one of more than 30 missing children in Wisconsin Candlelight vigil for Elijah Vue will be at Walsh Field Saturday. A candlelight vigil is planned for Elijah Vue at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Walsh Field in Two Rivers. The field is at 2201 Polk St. Free candles will be given to the first 600 people. Elijah Vue has been missing since Feb. 20. A missing person poster was on display at the press conference held at the Two Rivers city hall to help find three-year-old Elijah Vue, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in Two Rivers, Wis. Elijah was reported missing from an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers at 10:59 a.m. Feb. 20. Daily search efforts since that day by local, state and federal law enforcement have included canvassing of urban and rural neighborhoods; searches of rivers, shores and a landfill in Calumet County; and K-9 teams checking and rechecking various areas. Two Rivers Police Department also sent a Wisconsin Amber Alert, which is an emergency child abduction alert, for Elijah a few hours after he was reported missing, and that alert is still active. Elijah is also listed as missing on the Wisconsin Department of Justices Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults. Elijah Vues mother Katrina Baur and her boyfriend Jesse Vang are facing neglect charges. As part of their investigation, police arrested Elijahs mother, 31-year-old Katrina B. Baur of Wisconsin Dells, and her boyfriend, 39-year-old Jesse Vang of Two Rivers. Both Baur and Vang are being held at Manitowoc County Jail on child neglect charges. Baur was bound over for trial after appearing in Manitowoc County Circuit Court March 14. Her next court date is an arraignment scheduled for 4 p.m. March 22. She faces one felony charge of chronic child neglect, a felony charge of child neglect involving a 6-year-old child, and two misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer. Vang also made a brief appearance in court March 14 via Zoom from the county jail. However, he has not yet been assigned an attorney from the Office of the State Public Defender, so his preliminary hearing is rescheduled for 10:30 a.m. March 21. Vang faces one charge of felony child neglect. According to the criminal complaint, Elijah was staying at Vangs Two Rivers residence at an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road for more than a week before he was reported missing at 10:59 a.m. Feb. 20. Jesse Vang: What to know about Jesse Vang, the Two Rivers man charged with neglecting missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue 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. Police have also sought video of a vehicle they suspect is related to the disappearance of Elijah Vue. 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 been seeking surveillance video from the public of 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 have said their interest in this vehicle is not with the current owner of the vehicle, only in the camera footage captured between 2 and 9 p.m. Feb. 19. Police also said neither Baur nor Vang is the owner of the vehicle. 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. 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 vigil planned as search for missing 3-year-old Wisconsin boy continues UPDATE MARCH 17, 2024: This story was update to clarify that the Belleville property is in court-ordered receivership and to correct the day that the indictment was unsealed. First, his tenants complained that he neglected basic maintenance at his companys Belleville shopping center, where weeds grew in the landscaping, trash cans spilled over, parking lot lights flickered and business roofs leaked. Then, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit, alleging he used $35 million from investors in his vast business holdings as a personal slush fund, financing a lavish lifestyle that included homes, personal jets and a six-figure birthday party for his dog. Now, Jonathan Moynahan Larmore, who owns a major section of Belleville Crossing shopping center at Illinois 15 and Frank Scott Parkway, faces criminal charges of tender offer and securities fraud. An indictment unsealed Thursday in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of New York alleges Larmore used a sham company to falsely announce a $77 million tender offer for shares of WeWork stock as part of a scheme he intended to lure a rush of investors that would artificially inflate its value and potentially make him millions. Larmore, 51, and now a resident of Punta Gorda, Florida, could be facing up to 20 years in a federal prison on each of the two counts against him. He was arrested and held on $3 million bond, though its not clear through public records if hes still being held or has been released. Through his company, Arciterra Group LLC, Larmore owned at least 81 business properties in 26 states, according to his Linked-in page. Jonathan Moynahan Larmores alleged actions strike at the heart of market integrity and investor confidence, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in a statement. By allegedly orchestrating a deceptive scheme involving a counterfeit tender offer, he purportedly preyed upon investors, artificially inflating the value of WeWork stock for personal enrichment. The charges leveled against Larmore highlight the profound implications of his alleged fraudulent conduct, emphasizing the imperative of accountability and transparency in our financial systems. Larmore was not available for comment. WeWork is a publicly traded company based in New York City that provides shared work space and other professional office resources. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November, right about the time Larmore is alleged to have put his scheme into motion. The alleged scheme According to the criminal complaint, Larmore set up a sham company called Cole Capital Funds LLC in October of 2023. Less than a month later, on Nov. 2, he spent more than $775,000 buying up tens of thousands of cheap, short, dated, out-of-the-money WeWork call options. Lamore also purchased hundreds of thousands of shares of WeWork common stock. A call option refers to an agreement between the buyer and seller to purchase stock at an agreed-upon price up until a defined deadline. Then, on Nov. 3, Larmore created and distributed a press release announcing that Cole Capitol Funds LLC intended to purchase 51% of all outstanding shares of WeWork in an all-cash offer worth more than $77 million, just as the company prepared to enter Chapter 11 reorganization. In fact, neither Larmore nor Cole Capital had the intent or ability to execute the announced tender offer, the complaint states. Within 20 minutes of Larmores fake press release going public, the value of WeWork stock increased more than 150% from 85 cents per share to $2.14. Larmore might have made millions had he not mistimed publication of the Cole Capital release. By the time it had been distributed through a wire service at about 5:20 p.m. Eastern Time, his call shares of WeWork stock had already been expired for barely more than an hour. The WeWork call options Larmore purchased could have made Larmore millions of dollars if the news of Larmores fraudulent tender offer had caused WeWorks share prices to increase significantly prior to the expiration of Larmores options, the complaint states. The turquoise lines on these parcel maps show property in and around Belleville Crossing thats owned by companies under the Arciterra umbrella. Two are part of the main strip mall (upper left and right), one contains a smaller strip mall (lower left) and one is vacant land (lower right). SEC complaint The allegations outlined in Fridays criminal indictment already had been made public through a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit that included allegations against Larmore related to Belleville Crossing. The strip mall, which has shown signs of neglect and mismanagement in recent years, and five of the companys shopping centers in other cities, have been in court-ordered receivership since May due to defaults on bank loans. The SEC complaint filed on Nov. 28 in the U.S. Court for the District of Arizona, alleges that Larmore raised about $45 million from 1,045 investors for two private investment funds, beginning in 2006, but started diverting much of the money to Arciterra Strategic Retail Advisors, a company he owns with his mother, Marcia Larmore, as early as 2017. (Jonathan) Larmore used the (ASRA) account as his multi-million-dollar slush fund, taking money from the various entities he controlled including from real estate holdings owned by the (private investment funds) to pay for other cash needs of his businesses, and to fund his lavish lifestyle of private jets, yachts, and expensive residences, the complaint states. The complaint mirrors claims made by four Belleville Crossing investors in May, when they filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Larmore, his mother (identified as Marsha Larmore in that case), his wife, Michelle Larmore, two of their companies and four other executives. The shareholder derivative complaint alleged that the defendants had been breaching their duty to properly maintain the strip mall for five years while transferring cash to pay for exorbitant family expenses, and that they had stopped paying dividends to 177 investors in 2019. The complaint pointed to the Larmore familys 12 residences, two airplanes, boats, vehicles and other luxury toys and accused Jonathan and Michelle Larmore of hosting six-figure parties, including one for their dogs birthday. The investors voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit, which had asked for $2 million in damages, in October without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled at a later time or in a different jurisdiction. We believed that the SEC was going to be coming in and filing an action, and it would have essentially halted our lawsuit, said their Indiana-based attorney, Mark Maddox. And we were probably going to have to refile in Arizona anyway due to a jurisdictional issue. The complaint names Marcia Larmore, 77, and Michelle Larmore, 50, who now is in divorce proceedings with Jonathan Larmore, as relief defendants, meaning they arent being charged with wrongdoing but allegedly benefited from it. Other relief defendants are the limited-liability companies CSL Investments, MML Investments, Spike Holdings and JMMAL Investments. A landscaping island is filled with weeds and trash in front of the former Dressbarn clothing store, which closed in 2019, at Belleville Crossing shopping center, along Illinois 15. Belleville Crossing Belleville Crossing is on the northeast corner of the intersection of Illinois 15 and Frank Scott Parkway West. The 50-acre shopping center consists of a main inline strip mall of retail stores, two smaller outlot strip malls and several free-standing businesses, mostly restaurants. At Belleville Crossing IL Inline bought the main strip mall (excluding The Home Depot and Target) in 2011, according to St. Clair County records. Belleville IL Outlot 6 owns one of the smaller strip malls. Both limited-liability companies are part of Arciterra with the same Phoenix address. For the past few years, Belleville Crossing tenants and city officials have complained about chronic problems such as tall grass and weeds, malfunctioning signs, overflowing trash receptacles, potholes in the parking lot, leaky roofs and empty storefronts. In addition, delinquent property-tax bills were sold at auction before being redeemed. Larmore gave up managerial duties at Arciterra in September and quickly created another limited-liability company, Cole Capital Funds, for a new scheme involving the manipulation of WeWorks stock, according to the SEC complaint. BND reporter Teri Maddox contributed information for this article. Every morning at 6.30am, I slowly come to life with the help of a set of voices discussing current affairs that are by turn smooth (Amol), reasonable (Justin), hectoring (Nick), grownup (Martha) and skewering (Mishal). Henceforth, a new voice will take Marthas place in the room: Emma Barnett (dogged) is leaving Womans Hour to join the Today programme. The deal was apparently done on a walk in Brockwell Park also the location where Martha Kearney told Todays editor she was thinking of moving on from the programme, during a swim in Brockwell Lido. The news has been widely welcomed, although there has also been much mourning of Barnetts departure from Womans Hour, where for the past three years since taking over from Jane Garvey and Jenni Murray she has been a force of nature, beginning with extending the programme to its full titular hour, from the previous 45-minute slot. In the intervening period she conducted the first interview with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after she was released from prison in Iran, upset a wide range of people, from Zara Mohammed, the first woman Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, to the late Sinead OConnor, and skilfully transformed the programme from a slightly schizophrenic, magazine-esque mixture to a current affairs programme that began to set the agenda rather than just follow it. I used to sit two desks away from Emma Barnett, and even then, nearly nine years ago, she was a force to be reckoned with. Shed launched the Telegraphs digital womens desk, Wonder Women, with the specific aim of getting readers of both sexes fired up which it duly did. She managed to juggle this with regularly guest hosting Womans Hour and presenting a weekly Sunday show on Radio 5 Live. Ive never seen so many senior editors gathered as at her leaving do in a nearby pub a couple of years later. But much of the respect she engenders is because of the manner in which she tackles even the most controversial of topics head on, taking no prisoners, but remaining courteous throughout. She is as tenacious as Paxman, but with more charm; her no bulls--- attitude is engaging rather than off-putting. As one former colleague puts it: Shes dead serious about news, but also irreverent. A bit like the current queen, she shows the men around her how to work outrageously hard, but also has a f---ing good time doing it. Barnett has hosted Woman's Hour since 2021 - PA/BBC Radio 4 I cant have been the only one who cheered out loud when she called out the newly appointed transgender CEO of an endometriosis charity (Barnett suffers from endometriosis) last November for stating that theres 29 cases of endometriosis found in men, or when she skilfully had Nancey Kelly, the CEO of Stonewall, tying herself in knots during the same month. She genuinely loves a debate, and while some might say that Barnett makes her personal views too obvious for a supposedly impartial BBC journalist, in the topsy turvy world in which we now live, most of the time shes simply a voice of common sense. Who should replace her at Womans Hour? Radio 4 is apparently welcoming interest from experienced live broadcasters who have strong journalistic credentials, warmth and gravitas. Anita Ranis weekend hosting of the show always makes for enjoyable listening and she should definitely be on the shortlist. Nuala McGovern made an excellent stand-in during Barnetts most recent maternity leave, and there are plenty of listeners including me who wouldnt be averse to having her back permanently. Just as long as the Beeb doesnt shuffle across Anita Anand, whose schoolmarmish manner is well suited to reining in longwinded Any Answers listeners but would be a touch too grating at 10am on a weekday. Should the Beeb want to target a younger demographic (who might also be more sympathetic to the trans CEOs of this world) they might want to have a re-listen of the hit podcast The High Low, co-hosted by Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes both outrageously plummy, but more importantly razor sharp, insightful and funny. The only problem is telling them apart on air but then I always used to get confused about whether it was Jenni Murray or Jane Garvey talking, and it didnt seem to matter too much. Just as long as they do get a woman to host it Im sick of listening to middle-aged centrist dads on air. Which is another reason why Barnett will be such a boost to Today. The Today programme could learn a lot from this new Womans Hour ran one review of Barnetts first WH show back in 2021. Lets hope that, with her advent there, they will. 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. BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, announcing decisions to revise and repeal certain administrative regulations. The State Council will revise eight regulations, including those concerning global computer networking, property registration, registration of global companies' representative offices, corporate information disclosure, as well as the imports and exports of goods. These revisions aim to facilitate institutional reforms, streamline administrative processes, and safeguard individual and corporate interests, the decree says. Additionally, the State Council will revoke 13 administrative regulations, including the one governing coal delivery, in correspondence to the country's evolving economic landscape, reforms and relevant sectors. The decree will come into effect on May 1, this year. By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House counsel's office urged the Republican leader in the House of Representatives on Friday to end an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden after months of investigation turned up no evidence that the president had done anything wrong. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House counsel Edward Siskel outlined testimony from the president's family members, their associates, and other witnesses that showed the "opposite of what House Republicans have claimed" regarding Biden improperly profiting from family members' business activities. He also noted reporting that showed Republican lawmakers themselves saying the inquiry was falling apart and had not found impeachable offences or particular crimes. The House voted in December to formally authorize the inquiry even in the absence of evidence of wrongdoing by the president. Republicans allege Biden improperly traded access while he served as vice president in President Barack Obama's administration. Biden denies the allegations. "I write to you today because it is clear the House Republican impeachment is over," Siskel wrote. "The House Majority ought to work with the President on our economy, national security, and other important priorities on behalf of the American people, not continue to waste time on political stunts like this." A spokesperson for Johnson accused Biden of lying and said it was not up to the White House to decide what happened with the inquiry. "The White House does not get to decide how impeachment gets resolved, that is for Congress to decide, Raj Shah said in an email. The White House letter reflects exasperation with House Republicans over what Biden officials view as a political stunt as the Democratic president seeks re-election this year in a race against Republican former President Donald Trump. "For over a year, House Republicans have been investigating President Biden in an effort to find something anything to hurt the President politically," Siskel wrote. "Instead, the investigation has continually turned up evidence that, in fact, the President did nothing wrong." The timing of the letter also suggests the White House sees vulnerability for Johnson, whose majority in the chamber will slip to 218-213 next week when Congressman Ken Buck, a Republican who has criticized the impeachment inquiry, exits office early. The president and Johnson were set to meet later on Friday at a reception on Capitol Hill. (Reporting by Jeff MasonEditing by Alistair Bell and Bill Berkrot) From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch The kerfuffle in Congress over TikTok is a strange one. It feels as if the U.S. government is doing its job (for once!) and somehow not doing much of anything. Do you worry that tens of millions of young Americans now get their news from a platform controlled by a totalitarian communist regime? You should, especially in an election year. If so, youre presumably cheered by Wednesdays House vote in favor of a bill that would force TikToks Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform or else see it barred from app stores in the United States. Do you also worry that social media writ large is saturated with foreign propaganda and that enemy states are harvesting data from American users? The TikTok ban wont do much about that, Im afraid. As one House Democrat noted Wednesday, theres nothing stopping the Chinese government from buying Americans personal data from willing brokers. And five minutes spent on The App Formerly Known as Twitter is enough to know that anti-Americanism will continue to thrive online even if TikTok doesnt. Banning TikTok would also do little to address the most alarming problem with social media. Jonathan Haidt, the foremost evangelist on the topic, has a long piece at The Atlantic exploring how the smartphone age has stunted the psychological development of young Americans in all sorts of horrific ways. One study he cites found college-aged users so eager to break free from TikTok that they were willing to pay to have their peers stop using the app so that they didnt feel obliged to use it too. Arguing over whether the Chinese government should have a right to control the platform or be compelled by law to sell it to an American outfit is like addressing the fentanyl epidemic by worrying about whether dealers are native-born citizens or not. Either way, the overdoses will continue. And yet, the politics of Wednesdays House vote are interesting. Huge majorities in both parties voted in favor but 50 Democrats and 15 Republicans, many whose names you know, voted against. Any time Marjorie Taylor Greene and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are allied with the Chinese Communist Party against U.S. policy, youve got populist horseshoe theory magic in the making. What brought that unusual coalition together? In fairness to them, I understand feeling some apprehension about the bill on the merits. My inner libertarian winces instinctively at granting the federal government the power to compel a business to divest its holdings for political reasons, although less so when, as here, the legislation is limited to businesses controlled by a foreign adversary. Jeff Blehar notes at National Review that the House bill also carefully limits those adversaries to Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea instead of defining the term broadly. Its not a tool for presidents to start squeezing foreign-owned companies willy-nilly. But control is a gassy concept. If Elon Musk starts pushing Russian or Chinese propaganda on Twitter (more than he already does, I mean), what would Joe Biden need to show to prove that Elon and his platform are subject to the direction and control of one of those foreign adversaries within the meaning of the bill? Would extensive business interests in those countries suffice circumstantially to establish control? Because Musk has those. Would direct contact between him and the leaders of those countries matter? Because Elon is guilty of that too. Its possible to agree with those who find it suspicious that ByteDance is reluctant to cash in on TikToks success by selling the platform, suggesting more of a political than business motive to its operation, and to worry about how this precedent might be abused or extended in the future by an unscrupulous president with an ax to grind against disfavored social media companies. But theres a lot more that drove Wednesdays no vote than just the merits of the bill. The two sides of the populist coalition that opposed the TikTok ban arent perfectly aligned in their motives, of course. For some Democrats, I suspect the tender age of TikToks user base influenced their calculus. Progressivism is self-consciously a youth movement, Bernie Sanders notwithstanding. Many of its most notable representatives in Congress skew conspicuously young as well: Ocasio-Cortez is just 34, as is Greg Casar of Texas. Maxwell Frost of Florida is, if you can believe it, 27. All three were part of the bloc of 50 who voted against the TikTok bill. You cant claim to be leading young Americans into a brave new socialist future if youve voted to ban the app to which theyre addicted, I suppose. There may have been an ideological motive to the vote as well. Although TikTok disputes the claim, some critics insist that the platforms algorithm put a thumb on the scale in favor of the Palestinians after Hamas instigated a war with Israel last October 7. If youre a progressive in Congress whos frustrated with the White Houses pro-Israel tilt, you need to bring as much public pressure to bear on Biden as you can muster to convince him to change course. Insofar as Chinese-run TikTok is steering young American liberals to side with the Palestinians, its an ally in that effort. A TikTok controlled by a U.S. entity (possibly one controlled by Donald Trumps former Treasury secretary!) might be much less of one. No wonder dozens of older leftists, including the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also voted against the bill on Wednesday. And that certain younger leftists who arent members of Congress, thank God, pointed the finger squarely at Israel and its supporters when searching for scapegoats for the bans passage. Populist Republicans who joined them in voting no had their own distinct motives for trying to block the bill. Some plainly voted the way they did out of mindless loyalty to Donald Trump. Compare Greenes attitude four months ago Not only is TikTok brainwashing our kids with CCP propaganda but any conservative who wishes to share content gets immediately banned.https://t.co/3sY71ec1l9 Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) November 30, 2023 to her attitude on Wednesday, less than a week after her idol came out against forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok: MTG says Trump wasn't a factor in her decision to vote NO on TikTok bill: "He has his opinion.It doesnt mean that were all robots. We make our own decisions and mine was to vote 'no' on this bill." Mace says Trump didn't influence her NO vote. "Its the libertarian in me" pic.twitter.com/Fd23Mc6kH1 Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 13, 2024 Reaganites know zombified Trump-worship when they see it. Conservatives have been railing against TikTok for years over the platform being used as a tool to indoctrinate kids into transgenderism, Erick Erickson grumbled. But now that Trump has changed his mind, all these people are suddenly fine with TikTok. These arent actually conservatives but cultists. Lobbyist influence might also have moved some Republicans, directly or indirectly via Trump, to oppose the bill. Thats a both sides problem, to be clear: Punchbowl News notes that the House bill will face a skeptical audience in Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a Democrat with former staffers who now work or lobby for TikTok. Its not just Republicans who are being bought off by friends and allies of the CCP. But Trump is a unique case by dint of his enormous influence over lawmakers from his party. His recent meeting with ByteDance investor and right-wing mega-donor Jeff Yass coincided so remarkably with his turnabout on TikTok that even Steve Bannon felt moved to accuse him of being on the take. (Yass is reportedly on Trumps short list to become Treasury secretary in a second term.) Lobbying the GOP is a wonderfully efficient business in the Trump era: If you can buy off the cult leader, you stand a fair chance of having scores of congressional Republicans tumble your way like dominoes. Although not this time, interestingly. The most hardcore Trump devotees in the House, like Greene and Matt Gaetz, dutifully voted as their leader had recommended. But so many Republicans broke the other way to help pass the ban that it led the estimable Ramesh Ponnuru to declare that The vote to ban TikTok shows the Republican Party is not a Trump cult. Which is sort of true and sort of not. The Trump-era GOP is a cult in many ways but not, as I noted recently, on foreign policy. Not yet. Maybe thats because staunch hawkishness is the defining trait of Reaganism and therefore the last part of it to die. Maybe its because congressional Republicans know voters dont pay close attention to foreign policy and therefore feel safer in defying Trump on international affairs. But mostly, I think, its because the question of China is confounding to MAGA populists in a way that no other global issue is. On the one hand, opposition to Beijing all but defines the movement. They despise communists and recognize that the Chinese government threatens U.S. interests globally in a way no other power does. They also blame China for hollowing out American industries by undercutting the cost of Western labor and attribute the COVID pandemic, rightly, to a CCP cover-up. The Trumpist rights obsession with strength all but requires them to be China hawks: If they wont face down Americas most formidable enemy, they cant credibly posture as strong. All of which explains why MAGA heroes like Lauren Boebert and Anna Paulina Luna voted in favor of banning TikTok and why MAGA influencers like Laura Loomer supported doing so. Rarely do they cross Trump on major legislation but sticking it to China is a special case, a matter of populist obligation. Especially when the swamp of D.C. lobbyists is out in force on the other side. On the other hand, Trumpy populists have no beef in principle with heavy-handed authoritarianism. Many of them, Trump himself most notably, admire it for demonstrating precisely the sort of illiberal strength they hope to emulate once in power. And an America First movement doesnt concern itself with far-flung regional squabbles like the standoff between China and Taiwan, by definition. It doesnt concern itself with foreign adversaries at all, really. Populist-nationalism is about asserting tribal preeminence over other domestic tribes. And so it prioritizes fighting the enemy within. The enemy within in this case is the U.S. national security establishment and its defenders in Congress, especially traditional Republicans. Those are the power blocs that are most gung ho for a TikTok ban and neither is part of the populists tribe, to put it mildly. Which leads to logic like this: Heres whats actually going on with the TikTok fight right now. Deep State toadies are taking advantage of anti-China sentiment to transfer TikToks surveillance apparatus from Chinas evil surveillance state to the U.S. governments evil surveillance state. TikTok isnt Sean Davis (@seanmdav) March 13, 2024 When forced to take sides between the deep state and Chinaor between the deep state and anyonethe most polarized MAGA types will reliably side against the enemy within. Their hero once famously did so onstage with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, remember. In fact, Trump has justified his reversal on TikTok as a counterstrike against an entirely different enemy withinnamely, Facebook and its chairman, Mark Zuckerschmuck, who would stand to benefit financially if a platform thats eating into his business suddenly went away. It speaks volumes about MAGAs priorities that Trump felt safe politically allying himself with China on a pressing issue in an election year so long as he framed his position in terms of greater antipathy to one of the rights domestic enemies, Big Tech. Sure, the CCP is bad, but it wasnt the CCP that took away his and other insurrectionists posting privileges after January 6, was it? The adversarial posture taken by many left- and right-wing populists toward their own government is the common ground among those who voted no on the TikTok bill. Progressives like Ocasio-Cortez fear and loathe the national security establishment because it led the U.S. to war in Iraq and now supports Israels, ahem, genocide in Gaza. MAGA types like Greene fear and loathe it because it supports Ukraines fight on behalf of the Western liberal order against Russia and because it persecuted their champion, Donald Trump. If your worldview is based on the belief that the U.S. political establishment is the planets greatest evil then of course youre not going to roll over when it calls for banning TikTok. A revolutionary faction that seeks to replace that establishment will naturally seize this moment as an opportunity to suggest that, in a test of credibility between America and one of the most evil regimes on Earth, its the latter that deserves the benefit of the doubt. Precisely because MAGA is of two minds about what to do when the deep state confronts China, traditional Republicans in the House had all the political cover they needed to support the bill. What was Trump going to do to them for voting yes? Lambaste them for being too hard on the CCP? Reaganites have never trusted him on foreign policy. Long before Kevin McCarthy became My Kevin, he was caught on tape sharing his suspicions with colleagues that Trump was being paid by Putin. Eight years later, despite the GOPs populist metamorphosis in many other areas of policy, there remain enough hawks in the Trumpified Republican House conference for a major new Ukraine aid bill to pass easily if Speaker Mike Johnson ever dares to call a vote on it. I suspect old-school Republicans were also emboldened by the fact that Trumps motives for flipping on the TikTok ban were less idealistic than those of the libertarians who resent using state power to force business divestitures for political reasons. For instance, among those leaning on Trump to reverse himself was his former campaign manager, the no doubt very-well-compensated Kellyanne Conway calling in a favor on behalf of the Yass-funded Club for Growth. Inside Trumps campaign, senior staff are particularly annoyed with Conway, who didnt give them a heads up she was lobbying Trump on TikTok, our former colleague Andrew Egger reported today at The Bulwark. So his flip-flop exploded like a bomb inside the campaign, one source told us. Electoral considerations were also a factor, Time alleges: Part of his calculus, multiple sources familiar with Trumps thinking tell TIME, is the opportunity to make gains with younger voters by protecting their beloved platform. Theres nothing unusual about a politician seeking advantage at the polls by changing his position on a pressing issue, but his willingness to subordinate a priority as paramount as U.S. national security to his reelection chances may have rubbed old-school Republican hawks in the House the wrong way. Particularly since it isnt the first time that hes done it. Ponnuru believes this episode could even be a harbinger of how Trumps second term will go, with the mercurial president hedging on tricky foreign policy questions and/or being ignored by resolute congressional Republicans who insist on doing the right thing. Thats a happy thought; I do think there would be significant GOP pushback in Congress if Trump tried to withdraw from NATO, for instance. It takes a lot nowadays to get Marco Rubio to resist him, but NATO is one subject on which the senator has already done it. Europe is one thing, though. Taiwan is quite another. MAGAs inherent ambivalence about containing China makes it anyones guess how a President Trump would respond to a Chinese blockade of the island. His deathly fear of being seen as weak would encourage him to move boldly; his America First ethos, and his equally deadly fear of losing a war with China, would discourage him from intervening. Thats the problem (well, one of many problems) with mercurial leadership. No one knows what well get, Trump very much included. Perhaps itll all come down to whos in his ear and greasing his palm when the fateful moment arrives. Taiwan lobbyists in Washington might want to start holding meetings with Jeff Yass. He appears to be the man to see in setting Trumps foreign policy nowadays. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Alec Baldwins attorneys asked a judge to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter indictment against him on Thursday, accusing prosecutors of misconduct and claiming the actor had been dragged through the cesspool created by their improprieties. Baldwins lawyers laid out their claims in a 52-page filing, alleging prosecutors violated nearly every rule in the book before he was indicted by a grand jury in January. The filing claims prosecutors withheld substantial exculpatory and favorable evidence, and failed to call enough witnesses who were on set of the film Rust when the shooting took place. Enough is enough, the filing reads. This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme. The New York Times notes that in New Mexico, defendants are not allowed to call their own witnesses when a case is presented to a grand jury, but can submit a document to prosecutors that includes evidence that can help their client. The filing Thursday notes that Baldwins team proposed multiple people who were on set during the shooting, including the films director and assistant director. Baldwins attorneys claimed testimony from the men could have helped grand jurors better understand safety procedures surrounding guns on film sets. But prosecutors called just one witness Baldwins team proposed, the lead detective on the case. The State had one goal indict Baldwin, no matter the truth, no matter the rules or the Court rulings, and no matter what it took to do so, the filing reads. Alec Baldwin is escorted away from a pro-Palestine protest by NYPD officers after clashing with protesters in Midtown Manhattan on Dec.18, 2023, in New York City. John Lamparski via Getty Images The actor was indicted in January over the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the western film in New Mexico. Baldwin was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal when the firearm went off, killing her and injuring the films director, Joel Souza. The actor has maintained he did not pull the trigger and has denied any responsibility for Hutchins death, saying there were others on set who were in charge of gun safety. But prosecutors have accused him of total disregard or indifference for the safety of others. A grand jury indicted him on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to 18 months in prison. He is set to go to trial in July and has pleaded not guilty. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter last week. She will be sentenced at a hearing next month and faces up to 18 months in prison. Even if the judge does dismiss the case, prosecutors could bring the case to a different grand jury. An initial manslaughter charge against Baldwin was dismissed in early 2023 before prosecutors brought the most recent case against him. Related... Whether youre Irish or not, you can still get a pint of Guinness and get down to some Celtic music on St. Patricks Day. Across the state, multiple cities are turning their downtowns into the ultimate party destinations, from pub crawls to literally dying the rivers green (we're looking at you, Tampa Bay). Heres when St. Patricks Day 2024 is and a brief roundup of parades around Florida this weekend. Remember to wear green! When is St. Patrick's Day 2024? St. Patricks Day will fall on Sunday, March 17. Why does the United States celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Why do we have to wear green? Area 142 and the rock-dance band Alter Ego draws a large Friday night crowd to downtown Cocoa Beach during a tourist-heavy combination of spring break, St. Patricks Day and Friday Fest. According to the Library of Congress, St. Patrick's Day is an Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorating the death, as legend has it, of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, on March 17, circa 492. But how did an Irish holiday make its way to America? The National Portrait Gallery says Irish soldiersoften indentured servantsin the British Army brought the holiday to America back in the late 1700's. Saint Patrick was originally celebrated for bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century and, up until the mid-20th century, the NPG says the holiday remained modest and grounded in religion. It wasn't until the 1960s that in Ireland, St. Patricks Day took on more celebratory, fun traditions. For example, wearing green. Wearing green on St. Patricks Day actually comes from 18th century Ireland, when Irish people made green a symbol of Irish rebellion and nationalism under Britains rule. Wearing green on the holiday was loosely tied to Saint Patrick, but a more direct symbol of the patron saint of Ireland was the three-leaf shamrock. Theres also a superstitious reason for wearing green on St. Paddys, but its origin is more American than Irish. The legend suggests that wearing green will keep you safe from being pinched by a leprechaun. No one in Ireland is worried that they will be pinched if they don't wear green, per History.com. St. Patrick's Day parades in South Florida St. Patrick's Day parades in West Florida and Central Florida St. Patrick's Day parades in North Florida, Panhandle Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Crawfordville - Saturday, March 16 Contributing reporting: Lianna Norman, USA Today Florida Network This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: St. Patrick's Day 2024: Tampa's and other Florida parades this weekend Demonstrations by farmers have taken place in recent weeks across Europe, including in Spain (CESAR MANSO) European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday laid out a further series of concessions to EU farmers, especially for those on smaller properties, in a bid to calm rolling protests in the sector. The measures aim "to further ease the administrative burden" and loosen compliance with some environmental rules farmers encounter when getting money from the bloc's subsidy programme, von der Leyen told Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a phone conversation, a commission statement said. The changes affecting the EU subsidy programme, known as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), were officially proposed on Friday evening. Farmers in Poland, which has a particularly big agricultural base, have been protesting farm imports from war-torn Ukraine, which they say undercut prices for their own produce. Demonstrations by farmers have also taken place in recent weeks in other countries, including Belgium, France, Spain and Italy over a litany of burdens they say are depressing revenue. Von der Leyen told Tusk the proposed changes would "apply certain standards in a way that is more compatible with the everyday realities that farmers face on the ground". For instance, one would exempt farms under 10 hectares (25 acres) from checks and penalties tied to CAP conditions. Another would free farmers of the obligation to keep part of their land fallow, though they would still be incentivised to do so -- a measure von der Leyen's commission already announced last month. "The commission's proposals are a direct response to the requests received from farmers' organisations in and beyond Poland," the statement said. It added that the EU was also looking at extending sanctions on Russia to include restrictions on Russian farm imports. The proposed changes to the CAP still need to be negotiated between EU member states and the European Parliament. The concessions are being made just three months before EU-wide elections for the European Parliament that surveys predict will result in a surge of support for far-right parties that are using farmers' discontent as part of their campaigning. Environmental NGOs however have denounced the plans. Anu Suono of WWF said that "blindly abandoning environmental measures will not appease farmers who are suffering from unfair prices and the climate emergency". rmb/rox/imm Aftermath of the Russian attack on Odesa. Photo: The State Emergency Service of Ukraine The EU has reacted to the Russian missile attack on the city of Odesa in which tens of civilians were killed and injured. Source: European Pravda; Peter Stano, spokesperson for foreign policy of the European Commission, on Twitter Details: Stano called todays Russian attack "a particularly heinous and deadly [Russian] hit on civilian targets". "Another show of the barbaric nature of Putin's aggression. All responsible will be held to account," Stano stressed. Background: On the afternoon of 15 March, Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Odesa. The death toll from the Russian missile strike on Odesa had risen to 20 and the number of casualties to 73 by 19:20. A paramedic and a rescue worker are among those killed in the attack. Later, Ukrainian forces reported that Russian troops had attacked Odesa with an Iskander-M tactical missile system. Support UP or become our patron! Charles Michel, President of the European Council, stated unequivocally that Vladimir Putin's re-election to the Russian presidency was not the result of free democratic voting, congratulating him in advance on his "victory." Source: Michel on Twitter (X), on the first day of voting in the presidential "elections" in Russia, as reported by European Pravda Details: Michel sarcastically congratulated Putin on his upcoming uncontested "victory." Quote: "[I] would like to congratulate Vladimir Putin on his landslide victory in the elections starting today. No opposition. No freedom. No choice," Michel wrote. Would like to congratulate Vladimir Putin on his landslide victory in the elections starting today. No opposition. No freedom. No choice. Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) March 15, 2024 The European Commission previously stated that it would evaluate the legitimacy of the Russian "elections" and decide whether or not to recognise them once the process was completed. The US State Department condemned Russia for allowing "voting" in Ukraine's occupied territories on the first day of the elections. Support UP or become our patron! Representatives of European Union member states on Friday agreed a new law intended to protect human rights in supply chains, diplomats have told dpa, although Germany abstained. The European Supply Chain Act is intended to hold large companies accountable if they profit from child or forced labour outside the EU. Germany, Europe's largest economy, abstained due to divisions within its Social Democrat (SPD)-led coalition government. The liberal Free Democrats (FDP), a minority partner in the government, fear the legislation will unduly burden the economy. The FDP fear that the law will drive companies out of Europe. German ministers from the larger SPD and Green parties are in favour of the law. Germany's FDP justice minister, Marco Buschmann, told reporters in February that the legislation could damage the local economy. "The risks for our country and its economy, which is characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises, outweigh the benefits," Buschmann told the Rheinische Post, a German regional newspaper. The legislation still needs the definitive approval of the European Parliament and of ministers to become law. But the text approved by senior diplomats on Friday represents a hard-won compromise between member states and parliamentary negotiators. Normally, once negotiators for member states and the parliament have agreed a compromise, the steps on its final passage into law are little more than formalities. But the Supply Chain Act has had a much bumpier ride than usual. The initial compromise with parliamentary negotiators was brokered in December by Spain, acting on behalf of all EU member states. But that compromise failed to win adequate support among senior diplomats, with particular concerns coming from Germany and Italy. That obstacle forced Belgium - which in January took over from Spain as negotiator-in-chief - to persuade parliamentary negotiators to tweak the agreement. The new compromise raises the threshold at which companies will fall under the new rules: from 500 employees and annual revenue of 150 million ($163 million) in the old compromise, to 1,000 employees and 450 million in the new agreement. The law will come into effect gradually over a five-year period, affecting larger companies earlier, starting with those that have more than 5,000 employees and 1.5 billion in annual revenue. On Friday, the revised deal won adequate support among member states, despite Germany's abstention. The agreement unblocks the EU's lawmaking process and makes it very likely that the Supply Chain Act will ultimately become law. The new settlement needs the support of an absolute majority in the European Parliament, and the final step is approval by ministers who vote on behalf of their member states. Most EU laws need the approval of at least 15 of the EU's 27 member states. The member states in favour also generally need to represent at least 65% of the EU population - although this requirement is waived if at least 24 member states are in favour. A drone view of farmer's tractors blocking a speedway from Lublin to Warsaw, on the outskirts of Warsaw in Wiazowna By Anna Koper and Philip Blenkinsop WARSAW/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission proposed on Friday an easing of a series of rules on leaving land fallow or rotating crops, offering concessions to farmers who have protested with tractor blockades across Europe over the past few months. The European Union executive said it was sending its proposals to the 27 EU member governments and the European Parliament to reflect on how to improve the position of farmers in the food supply chain. It said the list of possible actions would be discussed by national agriculture ministers, who are next due to convene in Brussels on March 26. EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski had been due to present the reforms on a visit to his native Poland earlier on Friday, but said this was delayed due to a dispute over the timing of some changes. Polish farmers have been among those that have staged weeks of protest across the EU to press a series of demands, including removing restrictions placed on them by the EU's Green Deal plan to tackle climate change, as they say they cannot afford them. Poland's farmers have a particular grievance because of increased competition from neighbouring non-EU Ukraine's farmers, who they accuse of flooding EU markets with cheap imports that leave them unable to compete. Commission proposals concentrate on offering farmers more flexibility in heeding mainly environmental rules, such as to protect peat land, limit water pollution and soil erosion, while continuing to benefit from EU agriculture fund payments. For example, farmers will be able to get more financial support for keeping a share of their land non-productive, such as with hedges or trees, to improve biodiversity. Farmers could carry out crop diversification, rather than crop rotation. Certain crop types could also be exempt from rules on tillage, soil cover or rotation. In addition, exemptions could be granted in cases of adverse weather, while small farms of below 10 hectares (25 acres) would not have to be subject to controls or penalties. Wojciechowski has faced calls to resign from all sides of the political spectrum in Poland, with farmers blaming him for the policies they oppose. The European Commission is especially anxious to quell opposition from farmers ahead of European Parliament elections in June in which the far right, for whom farmers represent a growing constituency, is expected to make gains. It has already set curbs on imports of Ukrainian farm products, allowed some exemptions to land needing to be left fallow, and also scrapped a plan to halve pesticide use. (Reporting by Anna Koper, Philip Blenkinsop; writing by Alan Charlish; editing by Nick Macfie, Barbara Lewis and Mark Heinrich) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Cairo on Sunday, 17 March, accompanied by Greek, Belgian and Italian heads of government. The aim of the visit is to a multi-faced deal that includes attempts to curb migration flows into Europe. But critics have their doubts. Ursula von der Leyen travels with the Prime Ministers of Italy, Belgium and Greece, Giorgia Meloni, Alexander De Croo and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to "to advance negotiations" with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi regarding the signing of an EU-Egypt Strategic Partnership. The groundwork for visit was laid out in Brussels during the 10th Association Council meeting between the two sides in January. Then, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, expressed optimism that the agreement would be finalised by the end of February. The collaborative approach mirrors the Team Europe strategy employed last summer, when Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined von der Leyen and Meloni in persuading Tunisian President Kais Saied to sign the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding [MoU.] And while the memorandum with Tunisia focuses on border management and migration cooperation, the dealwith Egypt will be broader. "Why make us dependent on such a regime? Read more on RFI English Read also: EU countries strike deal for major overhaul of asylum system EU seeks to speed up expulsion of unwanted migrants after terror attacks European Union countries agree on plan to reform migration rules WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. district judge in Florida overseeing the federal criminal case regarding former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents on Thursday rejected one of his two motions to dismiss the case. Aileen M. Cannon, a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, issued the ruling shortly after the completion of a daylong hearing on Trump's requests to dismiss the case, which Trump attended. A "motion to dismiss charges" is a legal request made by a defendant in a criminal case to have the charges against them dismissed. If the motion is granted by the court, the charges are dropped, and the case does not proceed to trial. However, if the motion is denied, the case will continue through the legal process. Trump's legal team argued that the majority of the charges should be dismissed based on the Presidential Records Act, a 1978 law which regulates the preservation of information during and after a presidency, contending that the law prevents Trump from being prosecuted. Trump's lawyers cited other cases where presidents were discovered to have kept classified information and also referenced Special Counsel Robert Hur's choice not to prosecute President Joe Biden for classified material he retained after his vice presidency. Trump has also asserted that he designated the materials he removed to Mar-a-Lago as personal records while he was still in office, an argument refuted by the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has been investigating Trump. Trump, who clinched the Republican presidential nomination earlier this week, is embroiled in four criminal cases, facing about 90 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. ROME The European Union has named a host of local ammunition firms it will supply with more than half a billion euros, or almost $560 million, in combined funding to help them beef up production in a bid to push the blocs annual output of shells to two million a year by the end of 2025. Munition firms across the EU are in line for the funding to invest in their facilities to accelerate shell production to improve supply to Ukraine as it battles against Russias invasion. Amid complaints from Kyiv that it cannot compete with Russias constant shelling, the EU admitted in January that it had fallen short on a pledge made last March to supply a million shells in a year. Instead, member states would hand over just 524,000 shells, 52% of the promised batch, by March 2024, said EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell. Those shells were coming courtesy of the first two phases of the EUs so-called ASAP plan to use two billion euros to buy up existing European inventories and make new joint purchases from EU manufacturers. Phase three of ASAP, announced on Friday, involves the 513 million to help firms improve facilities, as well as co-finance investments with the private sector, which should take the total investment to 1.4 billion, the European Commission said in a statement. The 31 investment projects selected cover explosives, powder, shells, missiles, and testing and reconditioning certification, the Commission said, although it added that the production of explosives and powder will receive the lions share of the funding 124 million and 248 million, respectively. As bottlenecks in supply are eased, the Commission hopes to increase the annual production of explosives in the EU by over 4,300 tons and the production of powder by 10,000 tons. Firms who applied for and received cash to boost explosives production included Greeces Hellenic Defence Systems, Slovakias MSM Export, Norways Chemring Nobel, Frances Eurenco France, Swedens Eurenco Bofors and Hungarys N7 Holding. Among the 17 firms who applied for and received cash to boost powder production are Rheinmetall, Nexter, Nammo and Eurenco. Deals for funding will be signed in May, the Commission said. Overall, the member states involved in the scheme are Greece, Slovakia, Norway, France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Finland, Spain, Romania, Belgium and Czechia. A spokesman for the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), welcomed the deal but claimed the EU was bulking up the funding with money taken from the budget of the European Defense Fund - the EU body charged with funding defense technology in the bloc. ASAP has been an important step to support the much needed ramp-up of the European defense industrys production capacity, the spokesman said. But he added, At the same time, we regret the limits and the sources of the financial envelope. Using 260 million (from the) budget of the European Defence Fund to fund ASAP is particularly disappointing in this respect, as it undermines the long-term development of the European defense industry. Europe needs to address todays urgent needs, including ammo production, without undermining research and development activities that ensure Europes technological edge in defense in the long run. The rescue personnel of the SOS Mediteranee's humanitarian ship Ocean Viking attend migrants rescued from a deflating rubber dinghy in the Central Mediterranean Sea, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Survivors reported that some 50 people who departed Libya with them a week ago had perished during the journey. (Johanna de Tessieres/ SOS Mediteranee via AP, HO) ROME (AP) The European charity ship Ocean Viking said Friday it rescued another 135 migrants, including a pregnant woman and eight children, from a double-decker boat in Maltese search-and-rescue waters. In total, the vessel operated by the humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee was carrying 359 shipwreck survivors, it said, adding the ship had been assigned to the distant port at Ancona, in Italy's central Marche region. Such a long navigation should never be imposed on persons rescued at sea, the rescue organization wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Non-governmental organizations operating in the central Mediterranean Sea have repeatedly warned that the far-right-led Italian governments policy of assigning ports farther north keeps their rescue ships out of waters where they can be saving lives. Migrants, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, often flee war and poverty in their own countries in search of a better life in European nations via the Mediterranean Sea. Rome has recently ordered the ships to port after each rescue, punishing groups that conduct other rescues by holding ships in port for 20 days at a time. The Ocean Viking has been subject to three such blocks over three months, the most recently from Feb. 8 until a judge lifted the block 10 days later. Friday's rescue came a day after survivors saved from a deflating rubber dinghy in the central Mediterranean on Thursday reported that some 60 people who departed from Libya with them more than a week ago had perished during the journey. The Ocean Viking spotted the dinghy with 25 people on board Wednesday. Two were unconscious and were evacuated to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, some 60 miles (97 kilometers) to the north. The other 23 were in serious condition, exhausted, dehydrated and with burns from fuel on board the boat. An SOS Mediterranee spokesman said the survivors were traumatized and unable to give full accounts of what had transpired during the voyage, adding that the number of missing and presumed dead was unlikely to ever be verified. Humanitarian groups often rely on accounts of survivors when pulling together the numbers of dead and missing at sea, presumed to have died. The U.N. International Organization for Migration says 227 people have died along the perilous central Mediterranean route this year through March 11, not counting the new reported missing and presumed dead. Thats out of a total 279 deaths in the Mediterranean since Jan. 1. A total of 19,562 people arrived in Italy using that route in the period. ___ Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration The European Commission has announced the allocation of 500 million to European companies for extending their ammunition production capacities under a scheme that will allow increasing ammunition supplies to Ukraine and replenishing the stocks of EU countries. Source: European Pravda with reference to the statement of the European Commission Details: It is expected that, with the support of the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), Europe will achieve an annual production volume of 2 million rounds by the end of 2025. Quote: "Today, the Commission allocated the 500 million foreseen under the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP). This will allow the European defence industry to ramp up its ammunition production capacity to 2 million shells per year by the end of 2025." The Commission has selected 31 projects in order to help the European industry extend ammunition production and increase its readiness. The selected projects cover five sectors: explosives, gunpowder, and projectiles, as well as test and recovery certification. 513 million from the budgets of the EU and Norway will be allocated for the implementation of the projects. This funding will involve additional investments from the industry on the terms of joint funding, as a result of which the total amount of investments into the supply chain will be approximately 1.4 billion. Thanks to the measures already taken, European annual production capacities in the manufacturing of 155-mm projectiles had reached 1 million per year in January 2024. Companies receiving ASAP funding and their supply chains are located across the European Union. The support is provided to strengthen the existing production capacities and develop new ones. The finished projects will increase the efficiency and capacity of the EU defence industry, which will facilitate a quicker supply of ammunition and missiles to Europe. It is expected that grant agreements with selected companies will be signed in May 2024. Background: Earlier, it was reported that Portugal had joined the Czech Initiative and would provide 100 million for the purchase of large-calibre artillery ammunition for Ukraine. In addition to the commitment to purchase 300,000 artillery shells for Ukraine under a Czech-led initiative, Prague received preliminary approval to purchase an additional 200,000 shells. At the Munich Security Conference, Czech President Petr Pavel announced that Czechia had found up to 800,000 NATO standard-calibre shells that could be sent to Ukraine in a few weeks if funding was raised. Support UP or become our patron! European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Eric Vidal/EU Parliament/dpa The European Commission on Friday unveiled plans to allow European Union members to loosen environmental regulations for farmers, following months of intense protests in several countries. "Agricultural policy adapts to changing realities," said commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement on Friday. "The commission will continue to stand steadfastly by our farmers, who maintain EU food security and serve at the frontline of our climate and environment action." Lively protests brought the EU's political centre in Brussels to a standstill in February, as farmers in convoys of tractors protested red tape under the bloc's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP pays subsidies farmers rely on to stay afloat, but payments are conditional on strict environmental protection rules. The CAP revisions unveiled Friday - which will need the support of EU member states and the European Parliament to become law - would ease rules governing matters such as land use and crop rotation. Farmers would no longer be obliged to leave parts of their arable land fallow. Member states would be required to offer additional financial support for farmers who voluntarily leave some land unused. "All EU farmers will be incentivized to maintain non-productive areas beneficial for biodiversity without fearing loss of income," the commission's press release said. The EU executive is also proposing to loosen rules requiring farmers to rotate the types of crops they grow. Instead, farmers would be permitted to choose between rotating crops and diversifying them. However, each member state individually would have to authorize diversification as an alternative to rotation for the change to apply in that country. The commission also proposes that member states could exempt certain crops and soil types from rules on tillage, soil cover and crop rotation or diversification. EU countries would also be allowed to relax environmental rules more broadly when extreme weather strikes. Such loosening "should be limited in time and only apply to the beneficiaries affected" by the bad weather, the commission said. Another proposal would exempt small farms of under 10 hectares (25 acres) from compliance checks and penalties. There is a lengthy process ahead before the proposed changes can be added to EU law. First the European Parliament and EU member states, separately, will be allowed to draft their own amendments to the proposals. Negotiators for the parliament and the member states will then meet behind closed doors to hash out compromises between their competing amendments. These negotiations typically involve several rounds of talks. Whatever compromise they reach will then need to be approved by a majority in the parliament and by ministers from the member states to become law. The commission will also have the right to withdraw the draft law entirely if it objects strongly enough to the amendments. Kate Middletons bizarre photoshop gaffe has been the talk of gossip circles worldwide this week, and even the Dutch King Willem-Alexander apparently couldnt resist making a joke of it. While meeting with children in the Netherlands at a public royal engagement, Willem-Alexander was reportedly asked about a family portrait by a young girl. After exchanging a pleasantries with her, reporters covering the event heard the king quip, At least I didnt photoshop it. Meisje had al een foto van een jonge Willem-Alexander gezien. Die was niet gephotoshopt, zegt Willem-Alexander pic.twitter.com/4VXtq1ke8q Rick Evers (@RickEversRoyal) March 12, 2024 A clip of the exchange has since gone viral, which showed the adults in attendance chuckling. Willem-Alexander made no mention of Princess of Wales, but, given the waves her infamous Mothers Day photo made, it was a clear dig at the British royal. Kate, 42, issued an apology Monday for her altered photo, which news agencies including the Associated Press and Reuters issued a issued a rare photo kill for. That manipulated photo, as the Associated Press described it, was the first official picture of the princess to be released since she had abdominal surgery in January, showing her smiling with her three children. Kate apologized for the gaffe Monday and took the blame for the sloppy editing, which had a noticeable error on the sleeve of Princess Charlottes cardigan, among others. Later that day, Kate was photographed leaving Windsor Castle in a car alongside Prince William. Photog Behind Viral Harry and Megan Pic Shoots Down Claims it Was Doctored In the fallout of the ordeal, the authenticity of other photos of royals have been called into question, including a snap that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle used to announce their pregnancy in 2019. The photographer of that photo came down hard on those who claimed it was altered, however. News agencies have not confirmed if other photos of royals have been altered, but some, including Frances Agence France-Presse, come out and said this week they no longer consider Kensington Palace to be a trusted source of information. Aside from Kates apology on Monday, the palace has opted to stay silent about the debacle. Prince William may have alluded to the ordeal briefly, gushing at an event this week that his wife is the arty one in their relationship. The palace has been equally silent about Kates health post-op, which, in addition to her being kept out of the public eye, has led to mounting speculation about her health. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. European and U.S. officials condemned Russia's March 15 missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Odesa that killed at least 20 people and injured over 70. Russian troops launched two Iskander-M missiles against Odesa, damaging homes and civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian authorities. First responders and police officers were reportedly among the victims. Russia has recently intensified its missile and drone attacks on the southern city of Odesa and the region, which hosts Ukraine's biggest seaports, resulting in the deaths of civilians and large-scale destruction. Maia Sandu, the president of Moldova, which borders Odesa Oblast, commented on the strike, calling to provide Ukraine with "urgent help to defend itself and to defend peace in Europe." "Russia's war on Ukraine knows no bounds My heart goes out to Odesa," Sandu said on X (formerly Twitter). Read also: Russian missile strike kills 20, injures 73 in Odesa Remains of Russian drones used to attack Odesa Oblast have been found several times on the Moldovan territory close to the border with Ukraine, while Russian missiles launched from the Black Sea have violated Moldovan airspace, prompting an increase in security measures. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Buric condemned the attack "in the strongest terms," adding strikes on civilian infrastructure must end. Peter Stano, the European Commission's lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, called the Odesa attack "another show of the barbaric nature of (Russian dictator Vladimir) Putin's aggression," adding that "all responsible will be held to account." Denise Brown, the current Head of the United Nations in Ukraine, said in a statement that she was "appalled by the horrible tragedy that struck Odesa City," emphasizing that "all efforts must be taken to stop the deaths and suffering of civilians." "The loss of lives and injuries inflicted on civilians and those selflessly risking their lives to save them is utterly unacceptable," she added. "International humanitarian law requires the protection of the civilian population, and launching an attack knowing that it would be disproportionate is a breach of this law." U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink also issued a statement, saying that "this cruel attack underscores that Russia will not stop its brazen aggression in Europe. " "We need to help Ukraine stop Russia now. There is not a moment to lose," added Brink, as U.S. aid for Ukraine remains stalled in Congress. Read also: 5 children killed in single attack: We should never forget what Russia did Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Starship flew faster and longer than ever before on Thursday, but with both stages lost during the mission, theres clearly much more progress to be made. Heres our detailed breakdown of Integrated Flight Test 3 and what happens next. The megarocket, standing 400 feet tall (121 meters), took off at 9:25 a.m. ET yesterday from SpaceXs Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The most powerful rocket in the world, pushing off from the planet with more than 16 million pounds of thrust, was pushed to its limits, succeeding in some ways but falling short in others. Heres how it all went down. Meritorious methane Screenshot: SpaceX Propellant loading began on Thursday morning at approximately 8:35 a.m. ET, following a delay caused by boats loitering in restricted waters near the Boca Chica testing facility. The loading of 10 million pounds of methane and liquid oxygen propellant was, as usual, a cinch for SpaceX; rarely, if ever, does this fuel cause the company problems (in case youre wondering, Falcon 9 runs on liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene). Contrast that with NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which runs on liquid hydrogena particularly difficult and volatile fuel to handle and a frequent cause of scrubs. Spectacular as ever Photo: SpaceX The experimental megarocket left the launch mount at 9:25 a.m. ET, approximately 95 minutes after the opening of the launch window, piercing through a somewhat cloudy sky. This was the second Starship launch in which the water deluge system, designed to quell the tremendous power exerted by the rocket at the launch mount, did its job. Reliable Raptors Image: SpaceX For the second time in a row, all 33 Raptor engines lit up and stayed that way for the full duration of the Super Heavy launch stage. Concerns about Raptor reliability were raised after the first flight test on April 20, 2023, when several engines failed during the launch, but this latest performance is sure to boost confidence. Stage separation: so hot kinjavideo-196675 Integrated Flight Test 3 (IFT-3) involved SpaceXs second hot staging attempt, which is meant to smoothen the process of stage separation by keeping the engines of the departing booster running for a brief overlap period. During the second test flight, done this past November 18, stage separation appeared to go well, but the Super Heavy booster exploded shortly afterwards owing to a blocked filter. Things went better during this latest attempt, as Starship executed its second successful hot-stage separation. This involved powering down to only three of Super Heavys Raptor engines and igniting the six second stage Raptor engines just prior to separation (these Raptors can work in the vacuum of space). The booster then performed its flip maneuver and full boostback burn, directing it toward its designated splashdown location in the Gulf of Mexico. Booster crash Screenshot: SpaceX For this test, SpaceX targeted a soft ocean landing of the Super Heavy booster, utilizing its 13 central Raptor engines, each capable of gimbling (pivoting to steer the rockets direction). The graphical display on SpaceXs broadcast suggested that only two engines fired up, while the grid fin was visibly working frantically to orient the falling rocket. Super Heavy successfully lit several engines for its first ever landing burn before the vehicle experienced a RUD [rapid unscheduled disassembly], as SpaceX explained on its website. The boosters flight concluded at approximately 462 meters [1,516 feet] in altitude and just under seven minutes into the mission. SpaceX typically uses the term RUD to describe explosions, so Im not entirely sure whats meant here; perhaps the boosters self-destruct system kicked in, or it simply fell apart. Hopefully, well find out soon. Achievement unlocked Screenshot: SpaceX The Starship upper stage continued on its journey through space, attaining, for the first time, an orbital velocity exceeding 16,156 miles per hour (26,000 kilometers per hour). Technically, Starship didnt achieve Earth orbit (that wasnt the plan), but its velocity was within the ballpark of the speed needed for it to maintain a stable orbit around the planet. The spacecrafts six Raptor engines fired for roughly six minutes, becoming the first Starship to complete its full-duration ascent burn, according to SpaceX. That said,Starship did not attempt its planned on-orbit relight of a single Raptor engine due to vehicle roll rates during coast, marking one of several failed objectives for the mission. Working the Pez dispenser Screenshot: SpaceX Among the many milestones reached during IFT-3, SpaceX did manage to open and close Starships payload door while the vehicle was careening above the planet. Dubbed the Pez dispenser for how it looks and works, it will eventually deploy Starlink satellites en masse, among other payloads, similar to how Pez candies leave the dispenser. Sloshing some propellant around Propellant transfer demo complete SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024 Another important milestone was the propellant transfer demonstration, which SpaceX conducted under its $53 million Tipping Point contract with NASA. For the test, SpaceX shifted super-cold liquid oxygen between tanks while the vehicle was in space. SpaceXs future deep space missions, like landing astronauts on the Moon, hinge on transferring large amounts of cryogenic propellant between Starships in orbit. This capability is crucial for Starships successespecially for meeting the demands of NASAs Artemis 3 mission, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon in late 2026. Keeping NASA happy Congrats to the teams who made progress on todays flight test. Spaceflight is a bold adventure demanding a can-do spirit and daring innovation. Todays test is an opportunity to learnthen fly again. Together @NASA and @SpaceX will return humanity to the Moon, Mars & beyond. https://t.co/QGjwr45KM1 Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) November 18, 2023 NASA, which is funding the development of Starship as part of its Artemis program, is keeping close tabs on SpaceX. Writing on X, the space agencys administrator, Bill Nelson, congratulated the team after the launch, saying; Together, NASA and SpaceX will return humanity to the Moon, Mars, & beyond. This latest flight is a super positive sign, but to fair, Elon Musks company still has a long way to go before it can use Starship to safely land human beings on the lunar surface. A birthday present for the president Happy birthday to @SpaceX! What a day! HUGE congratulations to the entire team for this incredible day: clean count (glad the shrimpers could get out in the nick of time!), liftoff, hot staging, Super Heavy boost back and coast (and likely a couple engines making mainstage pic.twitter.com/D3YUPIgKNH Gwynne Shotwell (@Gwynne_Shotwell) March 14, 2024 The third test flight of Starship occurred on March 14, which happened to be Pi Day and the 22nd anniversary of SpaceXs founding. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and chief operating officer, shared her congratulations on X, while making note of the anniversary. Musk, the company CEO, typically gets all the glory when it comes to SpaceXs successes, but Shotwell, whos been with the company for over 20 years, deserves a ton of credit. That said, she needs to be better when it comes to acknowledging alleged cases of sexism and sexual harassment at the company. The view from up here Screenshot: SpaceX The plan was for Starship to perform a hard splash down in the Indian Ocean, requiring the vehicle to travel some three-quarters of the way around Earth. As a result, Starship flew farther and faster than ever before, skimming the top of the planets atmosphere and using the resulting drag as a natural braking system. The Starlink connection Reliable high-speed, low-latency internet around the worldeven while traveling at 27,000 km/h through a plasma field https://t.co/FPELfpWq6M Starlink (@Starlink) March 14, 2024 During its reentry, Starship broadcasted live video through SpaceXs Starlink network, a notable feat given that the ionized plasma field typically results in communication blackouts. During reentry, the Starlink connection managed to hold up; SpaceX maintained communication with Starship using a series of ground stations along its trajectory and through NASAs Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system. Lost on reentry Screenshot: SpaceX Of all the problems endured during IFT-3, the inability of Starship to survive reentry is perhaps the most serious. Approximately 49 minutes into the mission, Starship suddenly went silent while reentering above the Indian Ocean and disintegrated, preventing the planned hard splashdown in the ocean. SpaceX will now have to carefully evaluate the reentry, during which Starships 18,000 hexagonal Thermal Protection System endured temperatures reaching 2,600 degrees F. The 165-foot-long (50-meter) Starship, larger than NASAs retired Space Shuttle, is designed for reuse, and without the ability to safely return to terra firma, its just an oversized rocket. Yet another FAA investigation Screenshot: SpaceX The Federal Aviation Administration declared the recent mission a mishap, citing the loss of both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage, and opened a new investigation as a result. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported, the regulator said in a statement, adding that its overseeing the SpaceX-led mishap investigation to ensure the company complies with its FAA-approved mishap investigation plan and other regulatory requirements. The investigation could result in further delays, but SpaceX does need to clean things up and implement fixes regardless. Steady progress Watch carefully for dishonest critics of Starship moving the goalposts. After IFT-1 they said that 30 engines couldn't be reliable. We have now had 2 back-to-back flights with zero failures on ascent. After IFT-2 they said that the dynamics of the boostback were fatally pic.twitter.com/ikDPejazg7 Peter Hague PhD (@peterrhague) March 14, 2024 Astrophysicist Peter Hague chimed in after the test, saying we should be on the lookout for dishonest critics of Starship moving the goalposts, as he wrote on X. Initial doubts about Raptor reliability and boostback dynamics were disproven after the first two flights, Hague wrote, and now he suspects that critics will opine on heat shields, control issuesand insist that these things cant be fixed any time soon. Its a fair point, as SpaceX has made progress with each of the three Starship launches thus far, and moving past supposedly intractable challenges each time. Many flights to come Photo: C&J Images This was the first of many planned Starship missions for the year. Earlier this week, Musk said SpaceX could launch as many as six in 2024. And as SpaceX commentator Siva Bharadvaj said on the broadcast yesterday, the company already has four Starships and four Super Heavy boosters already built, with more coming off the production line. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A 52-year-old Bradenton man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murdering his father, the State Attorneys Office announced Friday afternoon. Matthew Briganti was convicted of second-degree murder after pleading no contest to the charge on March 15, according to a news release. The maximum possible sentence for the crime was life in prison. Briganti was set to go to trial on March 18 for killing his 68-year-old father before entering the plea, according to court records. On July 31, 2021, Briganti called 911 at around 5 p.m. saying that he found his father not breathing or moving, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. Briganti, who was 49 at the time, lived with his dad at Gar Fair Mobile Home Park, 3103 9th St. W., Bradenton. When EMS arrived after getting a medical call, they found his father dead and determined that he had been dead for hours, according to court records. It was also found that the death occurred under suspicious circumstances as there was obvious trauma to the victims head, according to the State Attorneys Office. This was a brutal murder that could only stem from evil and hatred. The defendants futile attempt to make his fathers murder appear as an accident served as further proof of his guilt, Assistant State Attorney Charlie Lawrence said in a news release. Bradenton man sentenced for killing father When interviewed by detectives, Briganti told them his father must have fallen, according to a news release. An autopsy determined the death was the result of being struck in the head several times with a blunt object, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. The medical examiner also said the victim was intentionally struck at least two times in the head with a heavy object, according to the State Attorneys Office. A blood spatter expert brought on by the Manatee County Sheriffs Office also said the blood patterns found on specific items were additional evidence that Brigantis father was struck at least two times in the head with an object, according to a release. During the investigation, Briganti provided statements to detectives that were inconsistent with evidence. Video surveillance of his residence showed that Briganti was the only person inside the home after the victim was last seen alive entering the home about 1:45 p.m. July 30, according to an arrest report. This crime could not have been solved for what it truly was without the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, Lawrence said. (KRON) A former Apple software engineer was convicted of threatening FBI agents after he asked the agents to investigate the tech giant. A federal jury convicted Brian Broderick on March 8 of threatening the FBI following a one week-trial, announced U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey. The jury convicted Broderick on one count of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure. The 32-year-old Santa Cruz man contacted the FBI repeatedly in 2021 and 2022 to report several issues, including allegations against Apple, prosecutors said. He believed that the tech company was spying and conspiring against him, court records state. Multiple Apple employees told Santa Cruz police that they received threatening and erratic emails from their co-worker while he was on medical leave, court records show. Tech engineer rigged his Gilroy home as explosive booby trap, investigators say The Santa Cruz Police Department wrote that Broderick was paranoid and in the midst of a mental health crisis, court records state. SCPD obtained a gun violence restraining order against him, and law enforcement officers seized his gun from a storage locker. Apple filed a restraining order against Broderick accusing him of harassment on Dec. 27, 2021. A judge granted a 3-year restraining order. An FBI special agent sent Broderick an email to follow up on his reports about Apple in May of 2022. Over the next several weeks, Broderick sent a series of escalating and derogatory emails to FBI San Francisco Division agents, prosecutors said. On June 1, 2022, Broderick sent another email to the FBI stating he was an American who is literally hunting an idiot traitor FBI agent, according to court records. Broderick went on to warn agents, You act on this in . . . 24 hours, or I go beyond taking your livelihood. On the same day, he posted on his YouTube channel a video he filmed of himself surveilling an FBI office. Broderick will face up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on June 24. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Reince Priebus said the committee needs to focus on three key swing states in 2024, as the organization undergoes transitions and ramps up its efforts ahead of the general election. Priebus said Friday on Fox News that he considers his recommendations pretty simple stuff. No. 1, at the committee, you gotta raise about $40 million in the next 60 days, he said. No. 2, you have to put out paid workers about 5,000 people in Michigan and Pennsylvania and Wisconsin that are paid full-time, on the ground, targeting early vote, absentee ballot voting, using the data, Priebus continued. Former President Trump clinched the Republican Partys nomination this week, the same week the committee hit reset. Just days after the RNC elected Michael Whatley to be its new chair and Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, to be its new co-chair, the organization slashed more than 60 positions. Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel brushed off financial concerns last year, but questions remain about how the committee will fund Trumps race and congressional GOP races. In the past, Lara Trump said she would spend every single penny of the RNCs money to help her father-in-law win reelection. A major question moving forward is whether the party will pay for Trumps legal bills; the former president has been ordered to pay more than $500 million in fines. He faces 91 felony charges across four indictments. Priebus said the RNC should be investing in the three key swing states now. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all turned blue in the 2020 presidential election, helping President Biden secure his victory over Trump. The former chair added that a lot of the other things, such as continued efforts to get rid of mail-in voting and following these court cases, can happen later, after the RNC focuses on raising money and focusing its attention in those three states. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BEIRUT, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said Friday that guaranteeing funding for the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is in the common interest of Lebanon and the whole region. During his meeting with Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon Dorothee Klaus, Bou Habib warned that halting the funding will "cause Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to lose hope and push them toward extremism and violent acts," reported Lebanon's National News Agency. Lebanese lawmaker Fadi Alameh, who also attended the meeting, said the Lebanese side is keen to safeguard and support UNRWA, "an important institution created to help the Palestinian people." For her part, Klaus said UNRWA provides vital and basic services to 250,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and that there is no alternative to supporting them in these difficult times. She thanked the Lebanese government for "the help that UNRWA has received over the past weeks from its various institutions," and informed Bou Habib of the expectations for the ministry to help secure sufficient funding for her agency. A number of donor countries decided to suspend funds to UNRWA after Israel accused the agency's employees in Gaza of taking part in the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. While some have partially reinstated UNRWA funding, given that Israel's claims have not been verified, the agency has lost the bulk of its financial support. A Russian missile attack on Odesa on March 15, killed former Deputy Mayor SerhiyTetyukhin and the Commander of the Tsunami battalion, Oleksandr Hostyshchev, who also previously served as head of the regional Patrol Police, the head of Odesa District Council Vitaliy Barvinenko and City Council member Andriy Vahapov reported on their Facebook pages. Tetyukhin resigned from the city council in the fall of 2023 and mobilized to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In the City Council, he first worked as the director of the Economic Development Department, then headed the Department of Transport, then was the deputy mayor, and from May 2023, he served as the first deputy mayor. The information about his death was confirmed by Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov. Hostyshchev became the head of the Patrol Police in Odesa Oblast in 2019. In 2021, he became the Deputy Chief of Police of Odesa Oblast, and, after the full-scale invasion, he became the Commander of the Tsunami battalion. Russian strike on Odesa on March 15 The Russian army launched a missile attack on Odesa on March 15, allegedly with two Iskander missiles. At least 19 dead and another 73 injured have been reported. Read also: Russian missile attack in Odesa kills 14, including first responders Five rescuers were among the wounded. Some of them are in serious condition. The Russian military first targeted civilian infrastructure. While extinguishing the fire and clearing the rubble, the aggressor struck again, killing a rescuer. 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 Bernie Moreno a Republican candidate for Senate in Ohio, speaks during a forum at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, last month. Bernie Moreno a Republican candidate for Senate in Ohio, speaks during a forum at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, last month. Photograph: Jeremy Wadsworth/AP A former intern to Bernie Moreno, Donald Trumps endorsed candidate for US Senate in Ohio and a hardline opponent of LGBTQ+ rights, said he wrote as an aborted prank a post on the AdultFriendFinder website in which Moreno appeared to look for young guys to have fun with and men for 1-on-1 sex. Related: Republicans say Democrats hardball Ohio Senate play could backfire I am thoroughly embarrassed by an aborted prank I pulled on my friend, and former boss, Bernie Moreno, nearly two decades ago in late 2008, the former intern, Dan Ricci, said in a statement provided to the Associated Press by Morenos lawyer. Moreno, 57, was born in Colombia, came to the US and made his fortune dealing cars. He is now in a three-way fight for the right to take on the incumbent Democratic senator, Sherrod Brown, at the polls in November. The seat is seen as a crucial battleground in the fight for the US Senate with Democrats desperate to defend Brown and Republicans believing they can beat him in a state that has turned red in recent elections a result that would greatly aid them in winning control of the chamber. The Republican primary takes place on Tuesday. Polling shows a tight race, Moreno in second behind Matt Dolan, a state senator, and ahead of Frank LaRose, the Ohio secretary of state. Brown leads all three but is seen as vulnerable as Republicans seek to take back the Senate, which Democrats hold 51-49. The same lawyer told the AP, which broke the story on Thursday, Moreno had nothing to do with the AFF account, and provided evidence of Riccis work as an intern at Bernie Moreno Companies in November 2008. The AP said it could not contact Ricci but cited records showing he donated $6,599 to Moreno last year. The person who provided evidence of Riccis internship was also a Moreno donor, the AP said. Formerly a swing state, Ohio has trended right in recent elections and the Senate race there is being fought with hardball tactics. On Browns side, a group aligned with Senate Democrats has spent more than $2m on an ad emphasising Morenos Trumpist credentials, hoping to propel him into a general election where he can be portrayed as too extreme for independents and moderate Republicans. Reporting the AdultFriendFinder profile, the AP also laid out extensive evidence of how Morenos views on LGBTQ+ issues have changed. Past views have included support for the Gay Games in Akron and Cleveland in 2014; a discussion of how a TV sitcom, Modern Family, helped change his perception of same-sex marriage; mentioning that his eldest son is gay; and condemnation of homophobic and transphobic behaviour at Cleveland State University. But in a Republican party steered to the far right by Trump, Moreno has changed his tune, attacking opponents for supporting a supposed radical trans agenda and earning the backing of Ohio Values Voters, which opposes LGBTQ+ rights. Donald Trump Jr, a campaign surrogate for his father, recently called Moreno a real conservative, in contrast to leftwing, pro-trans Frank LaRose. The AP report about the AdultFriendFinder post linked to Moreno therefore landed with a splash. The AP said it obtained data from a leak affecting the website and confirmed the profile was created using Morenos email account. Moreno responded through his lawyer. Donald Trump is set to appear with Moreno on Saturday, at a rally in Dayton. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, told the AP the media was obsessed with anyone who supports the America First movement. Maria Bruno, public policy director for Equality Ohio, told the AP Morenos shifting stance on LGBTQ+ rights was a real shame, adding: Anyone who is going to be compromising their value system just to win an election, they lose a lot of credibility. PORTSMOUTH Former Portsmouth police officer Aaron Goodwin has been charged with simple assault in connection with a Nov. 22 fight at a diner on Fleet Street. Local bank executive Mamadou Dembele, who identified himself as a victim in the incident, has publicly called it a racist attack, which Goodwin denies. Goodwin, now 45, of Eliot, Maine, was fired from the Portsmouth Police Department in 2015 after being accused of exercising undue influence to get an elderly, mentally impaired woman to leave most of her multi-million-dollar estate to him. A probate court judge voided the trust that made Goodwin the prime beneficiary and restored an earlier trust that gave the money to her grandson, Shriner's Hospitals for Children, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and others. Now he is being charged with simple assault, along with his brother Kevin, 42, of Dundalk, Maryland, and Shannon Goodwin, 37, of Dundalk, Maryland. Aaron Goodwin and Kevin Goodwin are charged with simple assault (Class A misdemeanor) and disorderly conduct (violation). The arrest warrant issued for Shannon Goodwin is for three counts of simple assault (Class A misdemeanors) and disorderly conduct (violation). Portsmouth police Sgt. Aaron Goodwin is seen during the Geraldine Webber Revocable Living Trust hearing at the 7th Circuit-Probate Division-Dover in spring 2015. New Hampshire State Police and the Strafford County attorney's office have led the investigation, which initially included the attorney general. Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport previously said the case was handed over to avoid a conflict due to a former employee's connection to the case. City police responded to the incident about 10:30 p.m. the night before Thanksgiving. Mamadou Dembele said he was victim of 'racist attack' Will Arvelo speaks in support of Mamadou Dembele, right in red with Portsmouth Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley at his side, during a protest held at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park in Portsmouth Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. "Mamadou is grateful for law enforcements diligent work in this case," said Robin Melone, Dembele's attorney, in a prepared statement Friday. "It has been a long wait to see Aaron Goodwin arrested. The arrest is just step one. We will continue to respect that the process takes time, but are fully invested in justice for Mamadou and the community members impacted by Goodwins conduct." Dembele received an outpouring of support in a public rally in Portsmouth following the attack. Dembele, who is Black and a vice president with Bangor Savings Bank, has said in a prepared statement at that rally that he was assaulted the night of Wednesday, Nov. 22, by a person who used language that made it clear it was a racist attack. He said he did not know the attacker. Melone previously said she has no question the alleged incident was a hate crime against her client. Aaron Goodwin has been arrested on a simple assault charge. Goodwin placed blame on Dembele for the incident. "I was acting in defense of my sister in law," Goodwin said in a prepared statement provided to Seacoastonline. "Mr. Dembele pursued her and I perceived him as a threat after he put his tray of food on the ground and got in her face. I pulled him away from her. There was nothing more. The entire incident is on surveillance. After a four month long investigation Im not being charged with anything race related. You wouldnt know it though from reading seacoastonline. Extremely irresponsible/divisive reporting." Police did not announce any charges against Dembele. When asked why the charges against Goodwin did not address the racial aspect of the case, Melone, Dembele's lawyer, responded: "We stand by our original statement. The facts in this case will speak for themselves when it is time." Melone also responded to Goodwin's comment. "We know what happened," Melone said. "And we've seen the video. I'm not interested in a debate about whether the police had probable cause to arrest. They did a thorough investigation and got a warrant." Community organizes support for Dembele Dembele has been supported by a coalition of Black and Indigenous People of Color organizations throughout the state, including the New Hampshire Business Alliance for People of Color, the Black Heritage Trail of NH, Seacoast NAACP, Manchester NAACP, the New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity, the New England BIPOC Festival and Black Lives Matter New Hampshire. Will Arvelo, chairperson of the New Hampshire Business Alliance for People of Color, reacted to the charges against the three Goodwins on Friday afternoon. I can speak for the coalition of concerned BIPOC (organizations) in New Hampshire that have been following this from the beginning and supporting Mamadou Dembele through the process," Arvelo said in a prepared statement. "We obviously have had concerns about the time it took to get where we are today and we now understand that this was a complicated case. We better understand the process. "We are happy that this door has been closed to provide some level of relief and validation also to Mamadou Dembele because he was concerned that nothing was going to happen and that he was not being taken seriously in terms of what he knew happened," Arvelo added. "Thats a relief for him. I know that he suffered both physical and emotional harm. Were very happy that we are where we are today and were very appreciative of the efforts of state police, the (attorney generals) office and the Strafford County prosecutors in terms of bringing it to where we are today. We know this is just the first step in the process but that the folks that committed this assault, their names are out there and well see where it goes from there. Justice still has to go through its process. We will still pay attention to it to make sure justice is rendered. Arvelo also commented on how long it took for arrests to be made. We say that had that been a Black man attacking a white person, that Black man would have been arrested right then," Arvelo said. "We all believe that. As a community of concerned BIPOC people and organizations, we feel that this was a hate crime. We dont see it as anything but that. We believe that the evidence will show that thats what it was. What's next for assault suspects On Friday, Aaron Goodwin voluntarily surrendered, police said. He was released on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear April 22 in Portsmouth District Court. State Police were preparing to take Kevin Goodwin and Shannon Goodwin into custody Friday, they said. It was not immediately known if the suspects have attorneys. Officers from the Portsmouth Police Department, analysts from the New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center, Troopers from the Maryland State Police and the Strafford County Attorneys Office assisted in the investigation, police said. Police said the investigation is ongoing and ask anyone with information who hasnt already spoken with investigators to contact Detective Sgt. John S. Kelly at john.s.kelly@dos.nh.gov or (603) 679-3333. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ex-Portsmouth police officer Aaron Goodwin charged with assault Former Vice President Mike Pence on Friday announced he wont back Donald Trump in the 2024 race for the White House. The onetime loyal lieutenant, who broke with the former president over the effort to overturn their loss in the 2020 election, said in an interview that he wont back the comeback battle by Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee. It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing President Trump this year, Pence told Fox News.There are profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues. I cannot in good conscience endorse him, Pence added. Pence dropped out of the GOP presidential primary race last fall when his campaign fizzled before any votes were cast. The Indiana conservative said he doesnt plan to make public his 2024 choice but said he remains a staunch Republican and ruled out voting for President Joe Biden. I would never vote for Joe Biden, Pence said. Trump wrapped up the nomination last week after sweeping all of the early voting and Super Tuesday states. Most of Trumps former opponents have endorsed him, although Nikki Haley, the final holdout, said Trump has to earn her support. Pence did not explain why he is breaking the pledge he and other Republican presidential candidates made to endorse the eventual winner of their primary race. Pence, who was hunted down for assassination on Jan. 6 by Trump supporters howling Hang Mike Pence, downplayed the importance of Trumps attack on democracy in his decision. He ticked off a list of policy disputes including Trumps soft line on the national debt, backing away from a pro-life stance on abortion rights and even coddling China with his flip-flop on TikTok. Donald Trump is articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on, Pence said. _____ It may be 20 years since "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" hit theaters, but fans are still dying to return to Genovia. So TODAY.com went straight to the top to ask Queen Clarisse Rinaldi herself ahem, Dame Julie Andrews for the inside scoop. Will there be "The Princess Diaries 3"? Ah, I have been asked that so many times, Andrews says while chatting about the new picture book she wrote with her daughter, Emma Watson Hamilton. The movies follow San Francisco resident Mia Thermopolis, played by Anne Hathaway, as she learns she is actually the princess of the small kingdom of Genovia. Andrews plays her regal grandmother who has to teach the American teenager to fit in to their royal family. Image: Original Film Title: THE PRINCESS DIARIES. English Title: THE PRINCESS DIARIES. Film Director: GARRY MARSHALL. Year: 2001. Stars: JULIE ANDREWS; ANNE HATHAWAY. Credit: WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS / BATZDORFF, RON / Album (Alamy) TODAY.com has been keeping an eye out for news of a third installment of the series for years. In 2019, TODAY.com reported that Anne Hathaway, who played Mia Thermopolis in the first two movies, said there was a script for the third movie on an episode of Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live." She told Andy Cohen, I want to do it. Julie (Andrews) wants to do it. Debra Martin Chase, our producer, wants to do it. We all really want it to happen. TODAY.com also reported on Andrews' 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter prior to being honored with an AFI Life Achievement Award. At that time, Andrews said that it was likely "too late" for a third film, especially after director Garry Marshall died in 2016. Andrews seemingly confirms the conclusion of the series in her conversation with TODAY.com this week. "There was dialogue about it," she says, but "nothing had been realized. And I think I may be wrong, but I think its been shelved now. I cant be sure." Andrews does think the franchise will live on in some form, however: "Im sure there will be another version on another day." Pausing to muse about the possibility of a third movie, Andrews says, "Its quite a long time now since the two Diaries were done, and Im not sure, but sometimes its best to leave a good thing alone. I dont like it when people milk and milk and milk the subject, you know, 'til its dead." But don't assume that Queen Clarisse will abdicate quite yet. "Id be very happy if we did do another one," she adds. "But I dont expect to." This article was originally published on TODAY.com This story is the second in a two-part series. Read more about the ordinances and how they came about by Source new Mexico. Ordinances that could restrict abortion care passed by New Mexico municipalities likely originated over the eastern state line in Texas, according to emails obtained through public records requests. Documents show the N.M. cities of Hobbs, Clovis, Eunice and Edgewood working with former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell and Mark Lee Dickson, founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn initiative. The documents also include engagement letters for Lea and Roosevelt Counties from Mitchell after the New Mexico attorney general challenged the ordinances in court, but the letters are not signed by anyone at the counties. Still, both counties votes to pass the ordinances are listed on Dicksons website, presented as examples of his movements reach. The emails were initially requested under the states Inspection of Public Records Act by Democracy Forward, a legal nonprofit. Source NM independently verified the records through interviews with local officials and our own records requests with the local governments. Records show Mitchell and Dickson pitching the measures, directing their language, overseeing changes, and in exchange for adopting them, offering to defend the local New Mexico governments in court for free. In a phone interview on Monday afternoon, Dickson declined to say how he and Mitchell can afford to do this work pro bono, and declined to identify who, if anyone, is paying them for their time. New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Shannon Bacon questions attorney Valerie Chacon, who is representing Hobbs, during the oral arguments dealing with local municipalities implementing ordinances restricting abortion rights. The hearing is being held in Santa Fe Wednesday, December 13, 2023. The Lord takes care of all the behind the scenes, he said, adding that there are a lot of people on board who understand these ordinances as a stepping stone to ending abortion in America. Among the volunteers, he highlighted the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based anti-abortion rights law firm. The ordinances in New Mexico vary somewhat, but all would restrict abortion access based on the now-infamous Comstock Act of 1873, an archaic U.S. law banning the sending or delivery of obscene, lewd or lascivious materials through the mail, including those related to birth control or abortion. Courts overturned parts of Comstock in the 20th century, most prominently when the U.S. Supreme Court protected the right to obtain contraception. Congress repealed part of the law that banned contraception in 1971. New Mexico municipalities could curb potential abortion clinics that would likely seek the shipping of drugs for medication abortion by far the most common form of abortion today by citing Comstock at Mitchell and Dicksons suggestion. The bigger goal for anti-abortion rights activists, legal experts say, is to get a Comstock case before the U.S. Supreme Court. These six ordinances in New Mexico might help such a case get there. A legal challenge is still being deliberated by the state Supreme Court. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is suing the local governments. He argued in October before the justices that legislators reserved regulation of reproductive health care exclusively for the state government and blocked local governments from restricting it with House Bill 7, enacted in March 2023. Mitchell, arguing on behalf of Clovis and Hobbs in a written filing in May 2023, said nothing in the New Mexico Constitution nor state law allows people to mail abortion medication or abortion-related paraphernalia, because that would violate Comstock, and federal law trumps state law. As of Tuesday morning, the New Mexico Supreme Court justices had not issued a ruling in the case. Ive never heard of it before Dickson said there was nothing unusual about what he and Mitchell were doing in New Mexico. Its not scandalous at all, Dickson said. This is quite common. I know some people would probably perceive this as something scandalous, but in reality, this is quite normal. Two local legal experts said its highly unusual for someone from outside of New Mexico to come in and dictate the terms of a draft ordinance. In fact, its never happened before, said Frank Coppler, a Santa Fe-based lawyer who practices municipal law. Its not just unusual. Ive never heard of it before, and I believe Ive kept track of this kind of municipal law for the last 50 years, he said. Coppler is one of a pool of several attorneys working on contract to represent Edgewood. He said he advised the towns elected commissioners last year not to adopt Mitchells ordinance, but they didnt follow his advice. Municipal councils and commissions cant delegate their legislative power to somebody else. That notion is crazy, he said. Because theyre elected to be the legislators not a lawyer from Texas, not a lawyer from New Mexico. Veronica Gonzales is an associate law professor at the University of New Mexico whose professional work often relies on interpreting language in local government charters and ordinances. She agreed that legislative authority rests solely with commissions or councils, which arent required to seek input from anyone else necessarily. They can, of course, hire third-party attorneys to review something theyre working on, or run it past their city attorney. Whats strange in the case of Clovis, for example, is that this appears to have worked the other way around, according to the records, with Mitchell providing the first drafts and approving changes for commissioners along the way, she said. It signals to me, as a lawyer, that those individuals are really trying to exert pressure and influence in this community. Dickson said he and Mitchell go into a community after people there not necessarily officials ask them to. They were invited to a church in Clovis in September 2022 to talk about their initiative, he said, and it was packed. The interest was there, he said, and the mayor of Clovis was there. Clovis Mayor Michael Morris did not respond to multiple requests for comment on this story. Mitchell has also not responded to multiple requests for comment submitted over weeks. Dickson said he often fields media inquiries on Mitchells behalf, and hes too busy to talk. Clovis locals questioned ordinances origins Eastern New Mexico Rising, a nonpartisan progressive advocacy group, spoke out against the ordinances in Clovis and Roosevelt County. In a friend of the court brief they filed in the New Mexico Supreme Court case, they refer to the ordinances as the product of out-of-state special interest groups who seek to impose their extreme and intolerant beliefs on the people of New Mexico. The group argued the ordinances undermine equality in New Mexico and disregard the values embraced by New Mexicans and enshrined in state law. Victoria Robledo and Sarah Robertson are members of Eastern New Mexico Risings steering committee and Clovis residents. It did strike me as odd that it was coming from an outside source, as opposed to (a Clovis city) attorney, Robertson recalled in an interview. Robledo said she told the Clovis commissioners that expressing a different opinion at their public hearings on the ordinance was daunting. Im not going to a commission meeting to get degraded by the other side, to be intimidated, she recalled telling them. Were being played by Texas interests. Theyre going to make a mess, and were going to be the ones to clean it up. She has since announced shell seek a seat on the commission. Reviving an old strategy to curb constitutional rights Long before the court case, in October 2022, Dickson sent Clovis officials two versions of ordinances they could pass, according to an email, and said Mitchell could represent the city in court, referring to him as my attorney. A year earlier, Mitchell had represented Dickson in the legal defense of Texas 2021 six-week abortion ban called SB 8, which allows private individuals to sue anyone who performs an abortion or aids in one. The legal differences between the Texas ban and the New Mexico ordinances illustrate how much control Mitchell and Dickson had over them. Coppler, the municipal attorney, explained that New Mexico courts have interpreted the state constitution to say local governments cannot create new ways for private individuals to sue each other as the Texas law does. In September 2022, almost six weeks before the city of Hobbs formally adopted the ordinance, then-Hobbs City Attorney Efren Cortez emailed Dickson about a draft, asking for a workaround to avoid violating that part of the state constitution. I want to be able to accurately ensure our elected officials that they are not willfully violating the NM Constitution, Cortez wrote. Dickson responded with a correction that should fix that issue. The private civil enforcement has been removed and the ordinance has been re-crafted as a licensing requirement, Dickson wrote to Cortez. Cortez, who is now a state District Court judge in Lovington, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. So some of the cities ordinances restrict abortion through licensing regulation like the one Dickson outlined. Three require potential clinics to apply for a local business license with a new restriction the local government who issues the license can revoke it if the proposed activity cannot be accomplished without violating the requirements of Comstock. At the state Supreme Court, Hobbs Deputy City Attorney Valerie S. Chacon argued on behalf of Clovis and Hobbs that the ordinances dont violate the new state law against local governments restricting health care because they are business ordinances. She said the ordinances dont restrict abortion in any way. But they very clearly indicate no business could operate to terminate a pregnancy, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Shannon Bacon said. The licensure overlay here is frankly, the argument is a ruse, Bacon said. Dickson said there were early discussions of Clovis passing a ban like the ordinance adopted by the city of Lubbock in Texas, which bans abortion in the city limits and allows relatives of people who get abortions to sue the clinic and anyone who helped. He described that ordinance as an outright ban on abortion. In New Mexico, we were not confident that we could pass an explicit ban on abortion, which is why we went the route of passing ordinances that simply required compliance with Comstock, Dickson said. Of course, we believe that (the Comstock statutes) are de facto abortion bans that are on our books here in America, he continued. And if they were truly enforced, we do believe they would shut down abortion in America. Gonzales, the UNM law professor, said the licensing requirement is a resurgence of a tool used historically by people in power to curb or narrow constitutional rights of individuals under the guise of fair application processes. If the goal is to curb abortion care altogether, of course, the city is going to say none of it complies with the requirements of federal law, and therefore nobody will receive a license, Gonzales said. A facade of fairness that is anything but. Austin Fisher is a journalist based in Santa Fe. He has worked for newspapers in New Mexico and his home state of Kansas, including the Topeka Capital-Journal, the Garden City Telegram, the Rio Grande SUN and the Santa Fe Reporter. Since starting a full-time career in reporting in 2015, hes aimed to use journalism to lift up voices that typically go unheard in public debates around economic inequality, policing and environmental racism. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Experts react to emails showing Clovis, Hobbs officials handing over their lawmaking authority An explosion rocked Odesa on March 15 after the Air Force issued a warning about Russian ballistic missiles approaching the city, local Telegram channels reported. An air alert has been declared in several eastern and southern Ukrainian oblasts. This story is developing. Read also: The Russian army attacked Ukraine with 27 Shahed kamikaze drones overnight on March 15, with Ukraines Air Defense Forces destroying them all. Two people were killed and four sent to hospital after Russia hit an apartment building in Vinnytsia in a drone strike on the evening of March 14. 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 Every explosion at a Russian oil refinery disrupts the supply of fuel to Russians in the combat zone in Ukraine. Source: Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda.Pidsumky Details: Yusov has neither confirmed nor denied that the strikes on Russian oil refineries were the work of DIU, but he specified the types of facilities at which explosions occur. Quote: "These are both storage and production capacities. Every such incident that has disrupted the operation of some facilities over the last few weeks or months also disrupted the pace of the supply of fuels and lubricants to the occupying forces in Ukraine. It gives our defence forces extra time and opportunities and helps save civilian Ukrainian lives. Tanks cannot function without fuel. Recent events clearly show that the process is ongoing and will continue." Details: Yusov added that the explosions occur at military facilities which cover the needs of the Russian forces. Support UP or become our patron! An apartment in Odesa that was hit by a Russian missile. Stock photo: Ukrainska Pravda Russia attacked Odesa in Ukraine's south with missiles on 15 March. Source: Suspilne and Ukrinform journalists, reporting from Odesa Details: Journalists have reported a series of explosions. Explosions rang out shortly after the air-raid warning was issued. At 11:04, the Air Force warned that a missile was heading towards Odesa, followed shortly by the announcement of a general ballistic missile threat to the countrys south. Telegram channels are reporting ballistic missile strikes on Odesa, but this has not yet officially been corroborated. Oleh Kiper, the Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, urged city residents to seek shelter. The all-clear sounded at 11:47. Update: Kiper reported that there were casualties in the Russian missile attack on Odesa. All emergency services are working at the scene. The information is still being confirmed. Support UP or become our patron! BAGHDAD, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and his visiting Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, on Thursday discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties and the issue of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in Iraq. The two sides agreed to prepare a memorandum of understanding on establishing a strategic framework to facilitate coordinated work by authorities of the two countries, said a statement issued after their meeting by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. The two sides also decided to form joint committees on combating terrorism, trade, agriculture, energy, water, health, and transportation, said the statement. They also discussed the preparations for the upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Baghdad after the holy month of Ramadan that will end in April, according to the statement. It said that the meeting came as a continuation of the discussions held between the two countries in Ankara last December. Both sides also agreed that the PKK represents a security threat to both Turkiye and Iraq, stressing that its presence on Iraqi territory violates the Iraqi constitution, said the statement. Meanwhile, Turkiye welcomed Iraq's decision to consider the PKK a banned organization in Iraq. The two sides mulled the measures to be taken against the PKK and its use of Iraqi territory to carry out attacks on Turkiye. The Rev. Dr. Jamey O. Graham Sr., right, greets President Joe Biden before Biden speaks at St. John Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C., on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. | Jacquelyn Martin Most Christians in the United States hold an unfavorable view of President Joe Biden, according to a new survey from Pew Research Center. Pew found that 66% of American Christians rate Biden unfavorably, including 86% of white evangelical Protestants and 64% of Catholics. Biden is viewed more favorably by Black Protestants, as well as by Jews. Majorities of Black Protestants (66%), Jews (62%) and atheists (59%) rate Biden favorably, Pew reported. How faith groups rate Trump Former President Donald Trump is also viewed unfavorably by most U.S. Christians, although he enjoys strong support from white evangelicals. White evangelical Protestants (67%) are the most likely to hold favorable views of Trump, while far fewer Black Protestants (17%) ... take this stance, Pew reported. Overall, 53% of American Christians hold an unfavorable view of Trump, Pew found. Should presidents be religious? While members of different faith groups hold varying views on Trump and Biden, nearly all people of faith agree that its important for a president to live a moral and ethical life. Ninety-six percent of Protestants and Catholics, 94% of Jews and 91% of Muslims rated that quality as important in the Pew survey. Pew also identified strong support for the idea that a president should stand up for people with their religious beliefs. Seventy-six percent of U.S. Christians, including 81% of Protestants and 68% of Catholics, said its important for the president to defend their beliefs. Religious voters in 2020 Pews new data repeats some of the patterns observed on Election Day in 2020. Biden won the White House thanks, in part, to strong support from religiously unaffiliated voters and Jews. His results were more mixed among Catholics, and white evangelicals overwhelmingly preferred Trump. Heres the share of major faith groups that voted for Biden in 2020, according to the Survey Center on American Life: 18% of white evangelicals. 49% of Catholics. 68% of Jews. 72% of religious nones. One factor that likely explains Jews ongoing support for Biden is that faith groups strong belief that Biden stands up for people who hold their beliefs. Nearly three-quarters of Jews (73%) say that Biden stands up for people with religious beliefs similar to theirs, compared to 24% of white evangelicals, 34% of Muslims and 49% of atheists, according to Pew. Biden, who is Catholic and has attended Mass regularly over his time in office, continues to struggle to win the support of his own faith community. Fewer than half (44%) of Catholics say that Biden stands up for people who hold their beliefs, Pew reported. Manhattan federal prosecutors say fallen cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Frieds theft of $8 billion from his customers should land the 32-year-old former billionaire in prison for 40 to 50 years. In court papers filed Friday, the prosecutors called his crime likely the largest fraud in the last decade. Justice requires that he receive a prison sentence commensurate with the extraordinary dimensions of his crimes, prosecutors wrote in the 116-page sentencing recommendation submitted to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. The defendant victimized tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years, prosecutors wrote. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials. The maximum sentence for Bankman-Frieds crimes is 110 years. Bankman-Friend was convicted on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering by a federal jury in Manhattan in November. Bankman-Fried, an MIT graduate, used the $8 billion he took from his cryptocurrency trading platform, FTX, to fund political contributions, luxury real estate in the Bahamas and business investments, prosecutors said. Before his companies went bankrupt, Bankman-Fried partied with celebrities as he built a crypto empire. After his companies collapsed, Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas and extradited to the United States in December 2022. While awaiting trial, he was allowed to stay at his parents Palo Alto, Calif. home. That ended when a judge determined Bankman-Fried had tried to tamper with witnesses, and put him behind bars. Federal prosecutors cited over $100 million in unlawful political donations Bankman-Fried made to hundreds of politicians, believed to be the largest-ever campaign finance offense. They also called a $150 million bribe he paid to Chinese government officials one of the single largest by an individual. Even following FTXs bankruptcy and his subsequent arrest, Bankman-Fried shirked responsibility, deflected blame to market events and other individuals, attempted to tamper with witnesses, and lied repeatedly under oath, they wrote. Last month, Bankman-Frieds lawyers asked the judge for a much-lower sentence of five years to 6 1/2 years. Their request came after federal probation officials suggested Bankman-Fried serve a 100-year sentence a proposal Bankman-Frieds lawyers have called grotesque. Those who know Sam also know how deeply, deeply sorry he is for the pain he caused over the last two years, his lawyers wrote. And that he believes there is nothing he will ever be able to do to make (his) lifetime impact net positive, a devastating self-assessment for someone who has devoted his life to improving the welfare of others. Bankman-Frieds sentencing is scheduled for March 28. Asked for comment, Bankman-Frieds lawyer Marc Mukasey said in an email: Next week ... stay tuned. _____ Students hold a demonstration at Owasso High School in honor of Nex Benedict in February, calling on school and state officials to better protect LGBTQ+ students. Editor's note: If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, addictive tendencies, stress and other mental health issues, you can call or text 988 , Oklahoma's Mental Health Hotline, or call 911. The family of an Oklahoma teen whose death has gained national attention called on school administrators, lawmakers and others to end hate and bullying in schools Thursday. Their remarks followed the release of a summary report by the state medical examiner that ruled Nex Benedict, 16, died by suicide last month. The news prompted President Joe Biden to say the country needs to a better job of protecting LGBTQ+ students from bullying and discrimination. "Reforms creating school environments that are built upon the pillars of respect, inclusion and grace, and aim to eliminate bullying and hate, are the types of changes that all involved should be able to rally behind," the teen's family said in a statement issued by attorney Jacob Biby. More: Oklahoma teen Nex Benedicts cause of death revealed in autopsy report The Owasso High School sophomore died the day after a fight with other students in a school bathroom, raising questions about whether they were bullied or targeted because of their gender expansive identity. Benedict, a descendant of the Choctaw Nation, used the pronouns he, him, they and them, their friends and relatives have said. A photograph of Nex Benedict is projected during a candlelight service in Oklahoma City on Feb. 24, 2024. In its latest statement, the Benedict family said it "felt compelled" to make public some additional details from the teen's full autopsy report, which has been released to them, that have not yet been disclosed by the Oklahoma chief medical examiner's office, which plans to issue its full report publicly later this month. The family released what it says is a portion of the full autopsy report. The section, labeled "no lethal trauma," lists some bruises, cuts and other injuries on or near the teen's head and left hand, as well as injuries on their chest that a forensic pathologist determined were consistent with CPR performed by emergency medical technicians. The family said it believes that some of the other injuries "evidence the severity" of the altercation at school that preceded their death. More: A month after Nex Benedict's death: Crisis calls, anti-LGBTQ+ both on the rise in Oklahoma Nex was treated at a local hospital soon after the Feb. 7 incident and released later that day. They told a school resource officer that a group of girls they did not know had been antagonizing them and their friends because of the way they dress and laugh. So I went up there and I poured water on them, and then all three of them came at me, Nex said, explaining the water came from a water bottle. Nex said the girls took them to the ground and were beating them when Nex blacked out. The interview was recorded by the officers body camera. As Nex lay in the hospital bed, the officer explained Nex could also be facing assault charges because they squirted other students with water. More: After Nex's death, former LGBTQ+ students say Owasso has troubling history of bullying Dr. Ross Miller, a state forensic pathologist, wrote in a one-page summary report issued Wednesday that the teen died Feb. 8 of toxicity from diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, and fluoxetine, an anti-depression medication. Owasso police interviewed the other students involved with the fight at school and plan to turn over their investigation into Nex's death to Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, who declined to comment on the case until the medical examiner releases its full report later this month. The Benedict family has said they are conducting their own investigation into the circumstances that led up to Nex's death. In an obituary, the teen's family recalled Nex's love of nature, art, video games and cats. Friends remembered Nex at a community vigil as a sweet, thoughtful and funny person who loved to cook. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Nex Benedict autopsy: Family releases additional details from full report Netflix has confirmed a new true crime series about the murder of Rachel Nickell in 1992. The Witness was announced by the streamer yesterday (March 14), and will look at the aftermath of her death from the perspective of her son Alex Hanscombe and his father Andre. Nickell was fatally stabbed on Wimbledon Common in July 1992, with the only witness being her then-two-year-old son. Shutterstock Related: Zara McDermotts Idaho murders BBC documentary is massively flawed The Netflix drama "takes us on their journey from 1992 through to the early 2000s as they deal with the devastating impact of Rachels brutal murder on their lives". "His father Andre becoming a single parent overnight put his own grief to one side and made Alex the centre of his world," the synopsis adds (via What's On Netflix). "Navigating the unscrupulous media furore and the urgency of an increasingly desperate police investigation, his sole concern became the welfare of his tiny, traumatised son. Who also happened to be the only eyewitness to the attack. "This is the story of how a father and son made it through the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy, through darkness and into light. THE WITNESS In 1992 Alex Hanscombe witnessed his mothers brutal murder on Wimbledon Common. He was two years old. The Witness follows the investigation into Rachel Nickells murder from the point of view of Alex and his father, and explores the unexpected ways in which the Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) March 14, 2024 Related: New true crime drama about serial killer John Wayne Gacy confirmed The Witness, which is set to begin filming this summer, has been created by The Victim's Rob Williams, with Alex and Andre Hanscombe acting as consultants on the series. "We are much indebted to the whole team," the Hanscombes said. "Our journey has all been by the grace of God and a promise to go on together. "We hope that audiences will be left with a testament to the tough battle of life we all face and to the power of faith, hope, love and never giving up. Nickell's murder was previously explored in four-part Channel 4 series Deceit in 2021, which focuses on the police operation into the case. The Witness will stream on Netflix. You Might Also Like Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has accepted the resignation of her outside prosecutor and former romantic partner who was hired to lead a sprawling criminal case against Donald Trump and his allies for their alleged scheme to overturn Georgias election results in 2020. Nathan Wades notice arrived hours after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee determined that Ms Willis and her office should step aside or Mr Wade should withdraw following several days of hearings on allegations that she financially benefited from his hiring. His letter to Ms Willis and her reply underscored Mr Trumps alleged efforts to overthrow 2020 results and the years of work among prosecutors to get the case to trial, after they spent weeks hearing salacious allegations from Mr Trump and his allies that prosecutors argue were designed to embarass them and distract from the case against the former president. In his resignation letter, Mr Wade wrote that the furtherance of the rule of law and democracy is and has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow the results of Georgias 2020 presidential election. He offered his resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible, he added. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case, he wrote. Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime. Nathan Wade (AP) Writing in response, Ms Willis noted that Mr Wade and his family have endured threats and unjustified attacks in the media and in court on his reputation. I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election, she wrote. Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from their acceptance of your role, she added. You were the one who had the courage to accept the role, even though you did not seek it. The former president and more than a dozen co-defendants including his allies Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark and John Eastman are accused of mounting a statewide effort to unlawfully reverse his election loss in the aftermath of the 2020 election. They allegedly mounted a so-called fake elector scheme to falsely assert his victory in a state he lost to Joe Biden, conspired to seize voting machines, intimidated election workers, and pushed the states top election official to find votes he would need to win. Four of Mr Trumps original co-defendants in the Fulton County case including attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell pleaded guilty last year after reaching plea deals with prosecutors. Earlier this week, the judge dismissed several charges against Mr Trump and five of his co-defendants that stemmed from their alleged pressure campaign to solicit state officials to violate their oaths of office and subvert the states election results. Judge McAfee, however, did not toss out the central racketeering charge facing all the defendants, nor did he dismiss the overt acts that support their alleged scheme to pressure Georgia lawmakers and secretary of state Brad Raffensperger. Ms Willis can re-open an indictment against them. She can also appeal the judges decision. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will be allowed to continue prosecuting Donald Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants for their alleged scheme to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election results. But only if the lead prosecutor and a former romantic partner she hired was willing to step down. The judge overseeing the case against Mr Trump and more than a dozen of his allies rejected their attempts to dismiss the case and refused to disquality Ms Willis following hours of testimony and arguments over allegations that she financially benefited from Nathan Wades hiring. A decision from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee on 15 March offered her a choice: she can remove herself from the case, along with her entire office, or Mr Wade can step aside. Hours later, Mr Wade submitted his letter of resignation to Ms Willis. His departure leaves the district attorney with broad discretion to either bring on another outside prosecutor, or rely on her deep bench of assistant district attorneys, and quickly move to get the case against Mr Trump and his allies back on track. Judge McAfees decision was the best bad decision that the DA could get, according to Amy Lee Copeland, a former appellate chief at the US Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Georgia. The judge clearly articulated Georgia law regarding conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety in such cases, and found that something had to change, Ms Copeland told reporters on 15 March during a virtual briefing from the Defend Democracy Project The court said either the DAs entire office can leave or the DA can say goodbye to Mr Wade and move forward, she said. Ms Willis is imminently expected to make a decision on her offices next steps, and attorneys for Mr Trump and his co-defendants are likely to challenge the judges latest ruling in a last-ditch effort to keep delaying the trial or have the case dismissed entirely. Following Mr Wades withdrawal, Ms Williss office can begin a search for another independent counsel to supervise the case, or she might just say, listen, the investigation is over lets just go forward with what we have, Ms Copeland said. Mr Wade led an eight-month special purpose grand jury investigation into an alleged scheme from Mr Trump and his allies to pressure state officials and election workers to falsely assert victory in a state he lost to Joe Biden in 2020. He was tasked with leading a prosecution with roughly a dozen lawyers from the district attorneys office. The team is there and shes capable of leading it, according to Norm Eisen, a former special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Mr Trumps first impeachment. The need is for speed, he said. If I was Fani Willis, I would embrace this ruling, respectively register my disagreement, and then on Monday [renew a request] for a trial date We have waited long enough for this case to move. Steve Sadow, Mr Trumps attorney in the Georgia case, said in a statement that his team will use all legal options available to fight to end the case against his client. But the judges decision on whether to disqualify Ms Willis is not immediately appealable. Parties would first need a certificate of immediate review for the judge to pursue it, according to Ms Copeland. Days before his decision, Judge McAfee narrowed the list of charges against Mr Trump and five of his co-defendants in the sweeping indictment against them, but he has refused to throw out the central racketeering case against the defendants, and evidence of the election subversion scheme laid out by prosecutors is still in play. Its time to leave that sideshow behind, according to Atlanta attorney Allegra Lawrence-Hardy with Lawrence & Bundy. Whats important here is the attempt to steal an election here in Georgia. The proceedings against Ms Willis only served to distract from the case against Mr Trump and his allies, relying on his time-tested delay tactics that are going to run out of steam at some point, according to Mr Eisen. In his resignation letter, Mr Wade wrote that the furtherance of the rule of law and democracy is and has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow the results of Georgias 2020 presidential election. He offered his resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible, he added. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case, he wrote. Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime. Ms Willis accepted his resignation, writing in response that Mr Wade and his family have endured threats and unjustified attacks in the media and in court on his reputation. I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election, she wrote. Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from their acceptance of your role, she added. You were the one who had the courage to accept the role, even though you did not seek it. In three days of hearings over two weeks, lawyers representing the district attorney argued that the case rested on the attempts from Mr Trump and his allies to publicly impugn and smear the prosecutor as political payback, and that the testimony and documents presented to the court showed no evidence that the district attorney has financially benefited at all. The allegations against Ms Willis relied on salacious rumours, gossip and innuendo designed to embarrass and harass her, all while indefinitely decaying the criminal case against Mr Trump and his allies, lawyers for Ms Willis argued. Outside the court, Mr Trump routinely railed against Ms Willis on his Truth Social, baselessly accusing Democratic officials of conspiring against him, while his allies in Congress have threatened to hold Ms Willis in contempt if she refuses to respond to their subpoenas. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has told US media she is carrying out the Trump probe as she would any other case Fulton County's first female district attorney has been spared the humiliation of being kicked off the highest-profile case of her career - prosecuting Donald Trump - because of her relationship with a man she hired to work on the case. Fani Willis was preparing to start her new role as Fulton County district attorney in Georgia when Donald Trump made a phone call to a top Republican in the state that would upend her work for the next several years. On 2 January 2021, the former president phoned Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and asked him to "find 11,780 votes", the number he needed to beat Joe Biden, who had won the state and the 2020 presidential election several weeks before. Audio from the call was leaked to US media the next day, whipping up a massive political and legal storm on Ms Willis's first day in office. "How soon I knew an investigation may be warranted was on day one," Ms Willis told USA Today in 2022. Two-and-a-half years after that phone call, on 14 August 2023, a grand jury in Fulton County voted to charge Mr Trump and 18 others with attempting to overturn the election result in the state. Mr Trump's lawyers called the indictment "shocking and absurd". Ms Willis is known by fellow Georgia lawyers and those who have worked with her as a dogged prosecutor capable of securing convictions in high-profile and complex cases. "She had a reputation of always being prepared," said Melissa Redmon, who worked in the Fulton County district attorney's office at the same time as Ms Willis. "Given the type of cases she prosecuted, that took a tremendous amount of dedication." Ms Willis used that rigour in a controversial Atlanta Public Schools scandal involving officials who cheated to improve standardised test scores, and in prosecuting several well-known rappers accused of gang crimes. She has insisted that in investigating Mr Trump, her office followed the same procedures it would use to look into any reports of a possible crime. "The reality is, we have a job, and the job is just to try to find the truth," she told the New York Times in February. "We're just going to do that [Trump] case like every other." The first female Fulton County DA Born in Inglewood, California in 1971, Ms Willis was raised primarily by her father, a criminal defence lawyer and member of the Black Panthers, the radical political party that championed African-American civil rights. She graduated from the historically black Howard University in 1993, before receiving a law degree from Emory University in Georgia in 1996. Just five years later, Ms Willis joined the Fulton County district attorney's office, where she served in several different divisions until 2018. During her nearly two decades there, Ms Willis led more than 100 jury trials, including the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. It ended with convictions for 11 of 12 Atlanta public school officials accused of cheating on state-administered standardised tests in 2009 for better bonuses and promotions. Her trials won her a reputation of being an exceptionally skilled prosecutor, even among the accused, said Ms Redmon. During her time at the DA's office, Ms Redmon remembers hearing a defendant once plead with a relative to try to get a witness to leave town because the prosecutor tackling their case, Ms Willis, was "a genius". In 2020, after years in private practice, Ms Willis decided to go head-to-head with her former boss, six-term Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard. She won in a runoff election with 73% of the votes, becoming the first black woman to serve as Fulton County's top prosecutor. The probe against Trump Ms Willis launched the investigation into Mr Trump's post-election conduct just a month after his phone call to Mr Raffensperger. Her office interviewed dozens of witnesses, including top Georgia Republican officials like Governor Brian Kemp and Mr Raffensperger as well as Mr Trump's former lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Mr Trump has repeatedly lambasted the investigation on his Truth social media platform. The "Radical Left Democrat 'Prosecutor' from Georgia who is presiding over one of the most Crime Ridden and Corrupt places in the USA, Fulton County, has put together a Grand Jury to investigate an absolutely 'PERFECT' phone call to the Secretary of State", he wrote in 2022. Ms Willis had a comeback to the attacks: no-one is above the law. "I do not have the right to look the other way on a crime that could have impacted a major right of people in this community and throughout the nation," she told the New York Times last September, referring to the right to vote. The accusations against Fani Willis But the sprawling and historic case was almost derailed after it was revealed that Ms Willis had an affair with Nathan Wade, a lead prosecutor on the case. One of Mr Trump's co-defendants, Michael Roman, asked a judge to disqualify her and drop some of the charges, saying the case was tainted. She took the stand in an evidentiary hearing in February to deny testimony from a former friend of hers that the relationship with Mr Wade began long before Ms Willis hired him to the Trump case. The district attorney also rejected accusations of financial impropriety, telling the court that she and Mr Wade had split the cost of their holidays to destinations including Aruba, Belize, the Bahamas and Napa Valley. In March, Judge Scott McAfee agreed that her affair did create an "appearance of impropriety", but decided she could stay on the case so long as Mr Wade was removed from the proceedings. The judge also threw out six of the charges, including three against Mr Trump. But that is far from the end of the matter. Georgia Republicans have enacted a law that empowers a state commission to remove rogue and incompetent prosecutors. Democrats say the measure is aimed at Ms Willis. And the state Senate has created a special committee that is investigating whether she used state money to benefit herself by employing Mr Wade. The controversy is likely to continue to at least prove a distraction for the Fulton County district attorney as she pursues the high-stakes prosecution of a former US president. With additional reporting from Kayla Epstein Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis will be allowed to continue to criminally prosecute Donald Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants who are accused of mounting a criminal enterprise to unlawfully overturn Georgias election results in 2020. The judge overseeing that case has rejected efforts from Mr Trump and his allies to disqualify the district attorney following allegations of misconduct with a prosecutor she hired to lead the case. In his 23-page decision on Friday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee wrote the defendants failed to meet their burden in proving a conflict of interest that would require her removal, but he noted that any appearance of impropriety could necessitate Ms Willis or prosecutor Nathan Wade withdrawing for the case to move forward. Hours later, Mr Wade announced his resignation. The furtherance of the rule of law and democracy is and has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow the results of Georgia's 2020 presidential election, he wrote in a letter to Ms Willis on Friday. He offered his reisgnation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible, he added. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case, he wrote. Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, and being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honor of a lifetime. Ms Willis accepted his resignation, writing in response that Mr Wade and his family have endured threats and unjustified attacks in the media and in court on his reputation after taking on the case against the former president. I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election, she wrote. Others who were considered were understandably concerned for the safety of themselves and their families that would arise from their acceptance of your role, she added. You were the one who had the courage to accept the role, even though you did not seek it. Attorneys for Mr Trump and his co-defendants accused Ms Willis of financially benefiting from the case against the former president by hiring a lead prosecutor with whom she was romantically involved. Mr Wade and Ms Willis have acknowledged their prior relationship, but they have repeatedly testified that they started dating after he was hired, split their expenses, and that the relationship ended last summer before an indictment. Judge Scott McAfee says the district attorney must step aside or remove the prosecutor (AP) But, the judge wrote, an odour of mendacity remains. While the court is not under an obligation to ferret out every instance of potential dishonesty from each witness or defendant ever presented in open court, there remain reasonable questions about the prosecutors relationship, according to Judge McAfee. Neither dismissing the case nor removing an elected official from her post would solve them, he wrote. Instead, he gave Ms Williss office two options: either step aside and refer the case to a prosecuting attorneys council for re-assignment, or Mr Wade can withdraw. Mr Wades departure would allow the case and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from the proceedings, according to Judge McAfees order. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist, he wrote. Steve Sadow, Mr Trumps lead attorney in the Fulton County case, said in a statement on Friday that the court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct alleged by the defendants. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place, Mr Sadow said. In three days of hearings over two weeks, Judge McAfee heard intimate details of Ms Williss personal life including testimony from the district attorney herself, as well as from Mr Wade and her father while star witnesses for the defence failed to wring out damning details about them. Youre confused, Ms Willis told defence attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who brought forward allegations against Ms Willis and Mr Wade on behalf of her client, Mike Roman, a Trump campaign aide in Georgia. You think Im on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020, she said. Im not on trial. No matter how hard you try to put me on trial. Lawyers representing the district attorney previously argued that the case rested on the attempts from Mr Trump and his allies to publicly impugn and smear the prosecutor as political payback, and that the testimony and documents presented to the court showed no evidence that the district attorney has financially benefited at all. The allegations against Ms Willis relied on salacious rumours, gossip and innuendo designed to embarrass and harass her, all while indefinitely delaying the criminal case against Mr Trump and his allies, lawyers for Ms Willis argued. Ms Merchant and other defence attorneys accused Ms Willis of lying on the stand, and defence witnesses at the hearings were propped up by attorneys to refute the prosecutors claims. Robin Bryant-Yeartie, a former friend and co-worker of Ms Willis, testified that there was no doubt that the now-former couple began dating in late 2019 after they met at a conference, and before Mr Wade was hired on the case. Ms Merchant also called Terrence Bradley, a former law partner of Mr Wade, and who reluctantly took the stand to face questions from Ms Merchant about text messages she shared with him about the allegations. But defence attorneys were unable to draw any conclusive evidence from their supposed star witnesses, and lawyers for Ms Willis questioned their motives and suggested they were more likely disgruntled former friends and colleagues. Theres absolutely no evidence that the defendants in this case, their due process rights have been harmed in absolutely any way, prosecutor Adam Abbate said during closing statements. Zero evidence. Judge McAfees order on Friday notes that his finding is no means an indication that the court condones this tremendous lapse in judgement or the unprofessional manner of the district attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing. Whether this case ends in convictions, acquittals, or something in between, the result should be one that instills confidence in the process, Judge McAfee wrote. A reasonable observer unburdened by partisan blinders should believe the law was impartially applied, that those accused of crimes had a fair opportunity to present their defences, and that any verdict was based on our criminal justice systems best efforts at ascertaining the truth. Any distractions that detract from these goals, if remedial under the law, should be proportionally addressed. Fani Willis and prosecutor Nathan Wade speak to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment against Donald Trump in August 2023. (Reuters) The judges decision comes after he dismissed several charges against Mr Trump and five of his co-defendants that stemmed from their alleged pressure campaign to solicit state officials to violate their oaths of office and subvert Georgias election results to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss. Judge McAfee, however, did not toss out the central racketeering charge facing all the defendants, nor did he dismiss the overt acts that support their alleged scheme to pressure Georgia lawmakers and secretary of state Brad Raffensperger. Ms Willis can re-open an indictment against them. She can also appeal the judges decision. The former president and more than a dozen co-defendants are accused of mounting a statewide effort to reverse his election loss, including a so-called fake elector scheme to falsely assert his victory in a state he lost to Joe Biden, seizing voting machines, intimidating election workers, and pushing the states top election official to find votes he would need to win. Four of Mr Trumps original co-defendants in the Fulton County case including attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell pleaded guilty last year after reaching plea deals with prosecutors. PARIS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- France would not take the initiative on an offensive against Russia, said President Emmanuel Macron Thursday, insisting that there should be no restrictions on its commitment to supporting Ukraine. Macron, who was invited to TF1 and France 2 channels to clarify his remarks about the possibility of sending western troops to Ukraine, assumes the "strategic ambiguity" in the face of a Russia that "has become very tough." "We will never attack, we will never take the initiative. France is a force for peace. Today, to achieve peace in Ukraine, we must not be weak," Macron said, adding that France does not rule out any option, and Russia is "the only one who will be responsible for it." France's security and Europe's credibility, he said, depend on the evolution of the crisis in Ukraine. The beginning of 2024 should be a great leap in support of Ukraine, for which "the situation has been much more difficult" for some time. "We are not waging war on Russia and its people, we support Ukraine, we are doing our best to make Ukraine defeat Russia," Macron said. In this logic, he called Russia an "adversary" but not yet an "enemy." Macron acknowledged the French defense industry was not adapted to the high territorial intensity of the conflict in Ukraine. He thus stressed the need to move to a "war economy" in order to "produce more and produce more quickly." Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor in Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case, has resigned after a judge said his affair with District Attorney Fani Willis was inappropriate. Mr Trump and his co-defendants had tried to get Ms Willis disqualified, saying her relationship with Mr Wade - whom she hired - compromised the trial. The judge disagreed but said it did create an "appearance of impropriety". He said either Ms Willis or Mr Wade should leave the case to resolve that. Mr Wade's resignation letter admitted no wrongdoing, and said his decision was "in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible". In a letter accepting his resignation, Ms Willis praised him for his "professionalism and dignity", and for having endured threats since joining the case. In his ruling earlier on Friday, Judge McAfee said Ms Willis had committed a "tremendous lapse in judgement" by engaging in an affair with Mr Wade, and also called her testimony at a hearing last month "unprofessional". Mr Trump and the 18 others are being prosecuted in Georgia for conspiracy to overturn the state's 2020 election results, which they deny. But they accused Ms Willis - who is leading the prosecution - of misconduct, for having a romantic relationship with Mr Wade, a lawyer she hired on the case. They alleged there was a financial conflict of interest, saying the couple used the money paid to Mr Wade for working on the case to fund luxury trips together. But Ms Willis and Mr Wade said there was no financial benefits and they split the cost of their holidays together. Judge Scott McAfee ruled there was not enough evidence to show a conflict of interest, but there was an "appearance of impropriety", and there was a "need to make proportional efforts to cure it" before the case can continue. The Georgia election interference case is one of four criminal cases Mr Trump faces, that both sides of the political aisle are watching closely ahead of November's presidential election. But some of the cases have faced delays. His New York case over alleged hush money payments to a porn star has been pushed to at least April. In Florida, where Mr Trump is facing charges for his alleged mishandling of classified documents, both sides also say the trial will need to be postponed, although a judge denied Mr Trump's motion to dismiss the case outright. In his 23-page ruling on Friday, Mr McAfee presented Ms Willis with two options: step down, along with her team, and have the Prosecuting Attorney's Council take the case over, or have Mr Wade step down. An outsider could easily think she was "not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences," Mr McAfee wrote. "As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist." Mr Trump's lead lawyer on the Georgia case said in a statement: "While respecting the court's decision, we believe that the court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place." Mr Trump and his co-defendants could appeal the judge's ruling and further delay the proceedings. The former president criticised Judge McAfee's decision in a fundraising email from his campaign, saying it was "not enough" to remove Mr Wade. 'A win-win' According to Adrienne Jones, an assistant political science professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta, delaying the case was exactly what Mr Trump and his co-defendants had hoped for. "They will ride that out as long as possible," she said. Ms Jones characterised the judge's decision as effectively a win-win for both Ms Willis and Mr Trump. The district attorney has the option to stay on the career-defining case, she said, and Mr Trump might not face trial before he is possibly elected president. However, Ms Jones said the judge's "gratuitous comments" about Ms Willis' behaviour could harm the case by undercutting her credibility. To the question of whether this could have an effect on a potential jury, Ms Jones said: "Absolutely. Everybody here is likely to be influenced by the news coverage of the judge's decision." The case has not yet been scheduled for a trial. Special prosecutor Nathan Wade also testified in the hearing last month Earlier this year, Ms Willis admitted she had a romantic relationship with Mr Wade, but said it had no bearing on the case. She denied allegations of impropriety from the witness stand during an evidentiary hearing before Judge McAfee. Visibly upset, she held up papers presented to her by the defence and shouted: "It's a lie!" The hearing laid bare multiple intimate details about her private life, including that she kept large sums of cash in her home, some of which she said she used to pay for overseas trips she took with Mr Wade. The hearings often revolved around disputes about exactly when the relationship began, with Ms Willis saying it started after she hired Mr Wade but a former friend saying the romance was already established by then. The details of the romance came forth after one of Mr Trump's co-defendants, Michael Roman, filed a motion accusing Ms Willis of engaging in an "improper, clandestine personal relationship" with Mr Wade. Separately, earlier this week, Judge McAfee threw out some of the criminal charges against Mr Trump and the other defendants. He found six counts in the 41-count indictment lacked detail - although he said they could be refiled at a later date. The special prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump resigned on Friday, hours after a judge ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could continue to lead the prosecution only if he stepped aside. While Willis accepted Nathan Wades resignation, she did not hold back in her response letter, slamming the unjustified attacks in the media and in court on your reputation as a lawyer. I will always rememberand will remind everyonethat you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants, in this case, engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election, Willis wrote. Earlier on Friday, Judge Scott McAfee ruled that Willis romantic relationship with special prosecutor Wade brought a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team. He said it could only be resolved if one of them stepped aside from the case. The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office, and refer the prosecution to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council for reassignment, he wrote in the 23-page ruling. Alternatively, SADA Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case. Wade wrote in his resignation letter that although the court found that the defendants failed to meet their burden of proving that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest, he was stepping aside in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. The shake-up comes after a defense motion to disqualify Willis and dismiss the racketeering indictment for Trump and several of his co-defendants. In the motion, former Trump aide Mike Romans defense attorney argued that Willis financially benefited from hiring Wade as special prosecutor because the pair went on luxurious trips paid for by his taxpayer-funded salary. McAfee rejected the motions request to disqualify Willis, stating that theres no evidence of an actual conflict of interest brought on by the relationship, as defense lawyers failed to prove the DA acquired a personal stake in the prosecution, or that her financial arrangements had any impact on the case. This finding is by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing, the judge wrote in his Friday ruling. Rather, it is the undersigneds opinion that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choiceseven repeatedlyand it is the trial courts duty to confine itself to the relevant issues and applicable law properly brought before it. The romantic entanglement, which defense attorneys argued began before Willis hired Wade in November 2021, allegedly resulted in misconduct, hindered a fair trial in the Georgia state election interference case, and made the DAs office a global laughing stock, according to the defense team. Wade and Willis confirmed on the stand that they had a romantic relationship but said it began in early 2022 and lasted until last summer. The two denied any wrongdoing and pushed back on claims that their affair was funded solely by Wade. Senior Assistant District Attorney Adam Abbate argued that despite misleading evidence, the defense team failed to prove that the irrelevant relationship between Wade and Willis impeded the case or cited relevant case law. You think Im on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. Im not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial, Willis said in court last month, after asking to testify despite initial attempts from her office to keep her off the witness stand. The Sauciest Moments From Fani Willis Time on the Stand McAfees decision not to remove Willisor her entire officefrom prosecuting Trump and his allies may have saved the historic Georgia probe from derailment. Prosecutors allege in the state RICO case that Trump and his co-defendants conspired to change the 2020 Georgia election results. While the case does not yet have a trial date, it is considered the strongest of several against Trump and is the only one that the former president cannot be spared from with a pardon. He and his co-defendants face a minimum of five years in prison. On Wednesday, McAfee dismissed six charges against Trump and his co-defendants, three of them directly involving the former president. The judge, however, insisted that the ruling does not mean the entire indictment is dismissed. Steve Sadow, who is representing Trump in the Georgia case, said in a statement to The Daily Beast that while his team respects McAfees decision, they still believe that the Court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade. He added that this team will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place. This is a very unusual case, which caused for a very unusual remedy, former DeKalb County District Attorney J. Tom Morgan told The Daily Beast. But its like weve said all along, there was no actual conflict here. There was an appearance of it, however, and the judge ruled that the appearance if sufficient enough. Although Willis was not taken off of the case, defense attorneys sought to taint her credibility in the court of public opinion to further delay the racketeering case. During the string of hearings leading up to McAfees decision, only one witness directly contradicted Wade and Willis assertion that they started dating after the DAs office hired the special prosecutor in the racketeering case. Robin Yeartie, a former longtime friend of Willis who briefly worked at the district attorneys office, testified that the pair started dating in 2019 after the two met at a conference. She said that she saw the pair hugging, kissing, being affectionate before Wade joined the DAs office and last saw the couple in 2022. (Yeartie and Willis are no longer friends after a 2022 situation at the DAs office where she was asked to resign or be fired.) Wades former law partner and one-time divorce lawyer, Terrence Bradley, was also set to prove the relationship started earlier but insisted on the stand he couldnt recall the timeline. Abbate later suggested that Bradley may have lied to Romans defense attorney, who relied on his information to file the January motion to disqualify Willis from the case. Cellphone records presented by the defense also argued that Wade secretly made late-night trips to Willis house before the end of 2021. Prosecutors argued that evidence was not properly peer-reviewed and did not establish that Wades number was in touch with Willis number at those times. Its highly offensive when someone lies on you, and its highly offensive when they try to implicate that you slept with somebody the first day you met with them, Willis said on the stand to Romans lawyer about the allegations her relationship with Wade began as early as 2019. And I take exception to it. The rebuke was one of several confrontations between Willis and defense attorneys while she was on the stand. Willis also critiqued the highly offensive court filings in the case, asked a defense attorney not to yell at her, and called out attempts to try to trip her up. She also disclosed details about her personal life, including how she prefers Grey Goose vodka over wine, has no interest in visiting Australia, and was taught at an early age by her father to always have cash on hand. Fani Willis Dad on Why She Keeps Cash: Its a Black Thing Im not trying to be racist, but its a Black thing, Willis father, John Floyd, testified last month about his cash stance. I was trained, and most Black folks, they hide cash or they keep cash, and I was trained you always keep some cash, he added. I gave my daughter her first cash box. Willis testified that she used that cash to pay Wade back for their vacations whenever he put things on his credit cards. Wade also confirmed that Willis would pay her own way by giving him cash or paying for things on their trips, which included a 2023 trip to Napa and a cruise. Lets take the Belize trip, for example. That was a birthday trip to me, so I paid nothing for that trip, Wade said about the March 2023 trip. We are not keeping a ledger. Wade and Willis confirmed that, while they are no longer romantically involved, they believe they still have a close relationship. We will be friends to the day we die, Willis said. Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said Friday that it defies logic that Willis or Wade remain on the case after the evidence shown during the evidentiary hearing. This whole show-trial should concern every American, Goodman added. It's a sad day in America. We are showing the world that the United States no longer has a fair system of justice. McAfee ruled Friday that the evidentiary hearing established the prosecution is encumbered by an appearance of impropriety and that even if the relationship started after Wade was hired, Willis still chose to supervise and pay him during the affair. Wades patently unpersuasive explanation for the inaccurate interrogatories he submitted in his pending divorce indicates a willingness on his part to wrongly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney, McAfee wrote. As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Nigel Farage has warned that the new definition of extremism could be used to target those who oppose the Government - Mandel Ngan/AFP Nigel Farage has warned the Governments new extremism definition could shut down free speech. The Reform party co-founder said he feared that the definition could be abused by Governments to shut down debate on issues that they did not like. The new definition was unveiled this week by Michael Gove, the Communities Secretary, as he named five groups three Muslim and two far-Right which will be investigated as potentially extremism organisations. The new tighter definition of non-violent extremism will be used by civil servants and academics to identify and publish a list of both Islamist and far-Right groups. Who knows what may come in the future Officials will be instructed to cut off all central Government funding and block all meetings with any of the groups that meet the definition to ensure it is not inadvertently giving them a platform or legitimacy to advance extremist ideologies. Mr Farage said: My concern is this could be open to abuse If you attempt to undermine, overturn or replace the UK system of liberal parliamentary democracy, you could be branded an extremist. My concern with all of this is that I think it has the potential to be abused by governments that want to shut down debate on issues that they dont like. He added: We were told the new definition would be less woolly and yet, from what I can see, it is completely and utterly open-ended. I am sure that everybody on all sides of the political debate will argue that they are being victimised but I think this is open, genuinely, to a shutting down of free speech, maybe not by this government but who knows what may come in the course of the following years. Announcing the plans in the Commons on Thursday, Mr Gove insisted the crackdown was not intended to restrict freedom of expression, religion or belief and would not affect other potentially controversial groups. Our definition will not affect gender-critical campaigners, those with conservative religious beliefs, trans activists, environmental protest groups or those exercising their proper right to free speech, he said. The definition aims to include conduct that falls short of criminality but is deemed unacceptable. It will be initially targeted at groups but may be extended to individuals. It describes extremism as the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that aims to negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others or undermine, overturn or replace the UKs system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights. It also includes those who intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve either of those aims. In the Commons, Mr Gove faced a backlash from Tory MPs concerned about its impact on free speech. Miriam Cates, the Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said the definitions inclusion of groups that promote hatred or intolerance risked encompassing people with legitimate views. She said: If we separate the legal definition of extremism from violence and harm, we risk criminalising people who hold perfectly legitimate views. In a pluralistic democracy there are, of course, a wide range of opinions that many of us would consider extreme. But the state should only intervene if there is an actual threat of physical harm. Otherwise, we erode our fundamental freedoms of speech, association, expression and religion. Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, warned it risked landing in no-mans land: not going far enough to tackle the real extremists, not doing enough to protect the non-extremists. He urged Mr Gove to press ahead with the implementation of a tougher reformed version of the Prevent counter-terror programme, revoke the visas of foreign visitors who supported extremism and ensure police vigorously and fairly enforced existing laws. 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. WJBF Fashion designer Rob McKiver is certainly making a name for himself with his brand of apparel known as The Gents Life. McKiver chats with WJBF about his experience in fashion and how a certain King Of Comedy helped put him on his journey. Welcome to Celebrating Black Excellence. Lets get started with your humble beginnings. How did you get started with fashion? Honestly, Ive been in fashion pretty much my whole life. I think I came out of the womb dealing with fashion. I went home for the holidays, man. Im from New York, so I went home for the holidays. Theres a grade school picture, man. Im talking like third/fourth grade. When you take your school pictures, you normally come in and your character t-shirt, your jeans, or whatever, but Im literally standing there in a three piece, white and pink, full suit, like tuxedo suit. So, like I said, Ive always been enamored with fashion. Thats just been my thing. Like, Ive always been known for that. I actually got into the fashion industry back maybe in 99/2000, right around when the Kings of Comedy were taping for The Kings of Comedy. Thats actually what gave me my birth into the fashion industry. I used to dress some of the well-known entertainers, some ballplayers, etc. I would always just kind of be that guy behind the scenes putting outfits together. They liked how I put things together. It wasnt until we were taping The Kings of Comedy that I actually began with The Gents Life Apparel, and a well-known guy by the name of Steve Harvey was like, Man, how much do you charge for this? because he liked how I was putting things together. I was like, You know, I dont charge anything. I mean, its just something I love to do. He was like, Well, from this point on, you need to start charging, and from that point on, I started charging. So, thats how everything kind of came full circle. So, like I said, it was on the taping of The Kings of Comedy. So, if you actually go back and look at that video, like the outtakes, and look behind the scenes at the end of the movie like a B-reel, youll see me, Steve [Harvey], Ced (Cedric The Entertainer), and the late, great Bernie Mac, and D.L. [Hughley]. We were all kind of like sitting backstage and chopping it up. CBE365: Speak Out with Miss Mai How does that feel to have these well-known people appreciate your choice of style? Man, this is super humbling. Its not one of those things you ever really get used to because my style is that: my style. So, some things that I may feel look good on me may not necessarily translate to looking good on you, but you want it to look good on you. However, its very humbling, man. Like, I still get the jitters and the goose bumps every time. Man, Im grateful. Im humbled by that. Just to know that after 20, almost 25 years now, people are still rocking with me on that level. So, its still very much humbling to me. So, the name of your company is The Gents Life Apparel. Whats behind the name? Why The Gents Life? So, its just that, man. Like, Im just a throwback. Like, my grandfather was in a Harlem Renaissance, so its like Im a throwback to that. I have a whole storage closet of all of his old clothes, like suits and things like that. It just so happened that we were the same size. So, Im that guy, man. Ive always been the overdressed person, you know? There are people who are like, Well, I feel like Im a bit overdressed. Well, if I didnt. If I didnt come looking the way that I was looking, I always felt like I was underdressed. So, you know, I always had that mantra, man. If I stay ready, I never have to get ready. So, thats just always been my thing when it comes to fashion. So, what inspired the I Am Black History jacket? What was the reasoning behind this type of apparel? Obviously, it was right around Black History Month well, what we consider Black History Month. You know, were Black always and always. So, that was the thought behind the jacket. That was a thought behind the I Am Black History versus Celebrate Black History Month. I mean, as we live, as we walk, and as we breathe, I am Black history right now. Im making history as a Black man, and in every day in which Im on the side of the dirt is history being made. So, that was my thought process behind it, and I was like, Well, I want to take it to another level. So, I said, I want to do it. So, whereas someone can wear that 365, 7 days a week, however they want to do it. They could still do that and not just be kind of compartmentalized to that 28-29 days that we have a year. So, that was also thought behind it. I wanted to do it obviously for Black History Month, but for Black History Life. ALSO ON WJBF: Actor, singer Terron Brooks reminisces on The Temptations while embracing The Soul Of Broadway So, whats next for you? What do you have next on your plate? Next, man its just much the same. Like, what you have to understand is that in my head its always by the time you guys see it and by the time its into production, Im already like 10 or 15 designs ahead, if that makes sense. So, what you got even this design was done like a couple of years ago, but I just had to wait for the right opportune time. I want to do it on a leap year, which is because it gets a couple more days. Well, at least a day and a half more to kind of celebrate. But next up, man, Im coming out with another line of suits. I do actual suits as well, like tailor made suits. So, Im going to be doing that. I got pitched again for New York Fashion Week and then Paris Fashion Week. So, Im going to be doing that in the fall. So, Im trying to be prepping for that. So, what inspires you? What or who inspires you when it comes to fashion and what you do? My kids: I have two girls. They keep me in line because theyre always telling me, Okay, I think you should do this. You should do that. So, it gives me that youthful thing, if you will. I kind of stay in touch with my youth. As far as people, like I say, I mean, Im a throwback. So, itll be the older generation, man. Itll be, you know, like I say, the Harlem Renaissance-feel like when we actually dressed the part, if that makes sense. When we walk out of the house, you make sure that when someone sees me, theyre going to see me today. So, Im just inspired by everything, to be honest with you, man. Not one thing in particular. Im inspired by everything. Like, you and I can be having a conversation, and then, it can spark something creatively in my brain. The next thing, you know, I just put pen to pad and there you go. What are some words of encouragement or inspiration that you can give someone? Just do it, man. I tell people I dont know. I tell people to get in and just mess up, right? Because what I tell people all the time is that Ive learned nothing in life from my success. Like I feel like if I if I stay ready, I never have to get ready. If I prepare, if I do the things Im supposed to do, if I cross all my Ts and dot all of my Is, Im supposed to be successful. Its not until I lose, or until I dont get what Im supposed to get from life, then, Im like, Well, what did I miss? So, then, I have to go back to the drawing board. So, what I would tell people is just do it. Jump out there. If you got that thing in your head, put it down on paper and go forward. And dont take that no. Like, dont be afraid of rejection. I promise you that Ive learned nothing in life from my success. Every lesson Ive ever learned came from a failure, and I dont even look at it like that because I feel like this is my winning season. Thats what I would tell people all the time. Its a part of my product line: Its My Winning Season. So, what I would tell people is just go step out on faith, man. I mean, at the end of the day, youre going to miss all the shots that you dont attempt to take. So, thats what I would say. Just go. ALSO ON WJBF: Singer Angel Taylor talks Grammy-nominated gospel group Trin-i-tee 5:7, new music while making The Comeback Now, if people want to know more information about you and The Gents Life, how can they get that information? We have a website, but we do it mainly from like Instagram, Facebook, and IG Store. We have Tik-Tok now. So, thats booming. So, you probably just log on to Instagram and go @thegentslifeapparel, just like the brand, and itll pop right up for you. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. They may call him Big Joey Crack, but on Friday, Fat Joe was all about that ganja green, that Cali weed. The rapper real name Joseph Cartagena joined Vice President Kamala Harris and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday to discuss marijuana reform. During his State of the Union address earlier this month, President Joe Biden called for marijuana reform, a historic first for the nations highest office, and Harris roundtable examined how cannabis is currently classified in federal regulations. Harris said that Beshear, Fat Joe and people whove received pardons for marijuana-related convictions present at the event were all in support of changing federal law regarding cannabis. Ive said many times, I believe I think we all at this table believe nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed, Harris said. Harris selections of Fat Joe and Beshear were fitting, as all have made headlines around marijuana. Beshear signed into law medical marijuana in his state, while Harris, who has admitted to marijuana use, formerly prosecuted marijuana laws as the district attorney of San Francisco, though she has since publicly supported legalization. Fat Joe, whose hits include Lean Back and All the Way Up, has told humorous anecdotes about his own marijuana use and has said he plans to invest in the cannabis market. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Severe storms moved through parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Thursday, resulting in at least two deaths. Logan County Sheriff Randall Dodds confirmed to Channel 11s sister station WHIO that mobile home parks in Russels Point and Lakeview were directly hit. Officials said at least six people were injured. Three deaths occurred in Logan County, according to the sheriffs office. Thursday nights storms also left trails of destruction in Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas, WHIO reports. Tornadoes were also suspected in Illinois and Missouri. Forecasters will survey the affected areas on Friday to confirm the tornado. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads for Penguins promotion stolen; team offering contingency plan Neighbors work together to free deer from plastic jug stuck on its head Project to connect 3 Pittsburgh neighborhoods getting underway VIDEO: Downed wires cause major delays on Pennsylvania Turnpike near Monroeville ago DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts The father of a school shooter in Michigan has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a case that created headlines across the United States for seeking to find a parent criminally responsible for the actions of their child. Related: Uvalde parents furious as report into attack that killed 22 absolves police James Crumbley, 47, is the father of Ethan Crumbley, a 15-year-old boy who took a gun from home and killed four students at Oxford high school on 30 November 2021. In February, Ethans mother, Jennifer Crumbley, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, raising the prospect that parents of future school shooters will also face trial in American courts. The Crumbleys are the first US parents to be prosecuted in such a way. During the five-day trial for James Crumbley, prosecutors showed that the gun, a newly acquired Sig Sauer 9mm, was not safely secured at the Crumbley home. Although Michigan did not have a storage law at that time, James Crumbley had a legal duty to protect others from possible harm by his son, prosecutors argued. James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did, prosecutor Karen McDonald told the jury. James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and for what he didnt do. He doesnt get a pass because somebody else actually pulled the trigger, she said. Ethans mental state was slipping on the day of the shooting: he made a macabre drawing of a gun and a wounded man on a math assignment and added: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. Blood everywhere. The world is dead. But the Crumbleys declined to take Ethan home after a brief meeting at his school, accepting only a list of mental health providers as they returned to work. They did not tell school staff that a handgun similar to one in the drawing had been bought by James Crumbley just four days earlier. Ethan pulled the gun from his backpack a few hours later and began shooting. No one had checked the bag. The Oxford victims were Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16. The verdicts one each for the four victims were read out about 7.15pm local time at the end of a full day of deliberations. James Crumbley listened to the outcome through headphones worn throughout the trial because of a hearing problem. He shook his head from side to side as the jury foreman said guilty. Family members of some of the students who died wept quietly and gripped each others hands in the second row of the courtroom gallery. I know this verdict will not bring them back, said McDonald, the prosecutor, but I hope it will serve as an example of the importance of holding those who enable gun violence accountable. James and Jennifer Crumbley are the first US parents to be charged with having responsibility for a mass school shooting by a child. Earlier, in November 2021, Ethan wrote in his journal that he needed help for his mental health but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. Defense attorneys have said James Crumbley did not know Ethan knew where to find the gun at home and that school officials seemed more concerned about him harming himself, not others. Ethan Crumbley, now 17, is serving a life sentence for murder and terrorism. The Associated Press contributed reporting JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS) A father is demanding answers after he says his 11-year-old daughter with special needs was sexually assaulted on a Jackson Public Schools school bus. The father, David Heileman, said it happened last Tuesday. He said his daughter Arreyonna got home from school and started complaining about pain in her private area. David Heileman embraces his daughter Arreyonna. (WLNS) The next day, Heileman said he got a call from the school saying she had been inappropriately touched on the bus. He said he asked the school for more information, but they didnt give any. I trusted the schools with my child and, you know, look at the type of things that happen, Heileman said. He feels like hes being passed off from one person to another. Its been a real mess, trying to figure it out, he said. I just wish there was more they could do for our kids. It just feels like theyre trying to sweep it under the rug and Im not for that. He said that Arreyonna is in the fifth grade at Dibble Elementary and in previous years shes ridden a special needs school bus. But this year shes been riding the general public school bus. The thing is my kid wasnt safe and if my kid wasnt safe, these other kids arent safe on that,Heileman said. He said he took her to the hospital to get checked out and has filed a police report. Jackson Police confirmed they are in the middle of an ongoing investigation. Heileman said his daughter will not be returning to the bus, or the school. Shes not getting back on your guys transportation. If thats happening on your transportation what else is happening on them, Heileman said. 6 News spoke with the superintendent of Jackson Public Schools Jeff Beal. He said the district is working with police and that he has no further comment due to the ongoing investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. The father of a Michigan school shooter who killed four students has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The trial heard James Crumbley, 47, ignored his 15-year-old son Ethan's mental health needs, buying him the gun he used in the November 2021 attack. He and his wife - who was convicted on the same charges - now both face a maximum of 15 years in prison. The case is thought to mark the first time the parents of a mass shooter have been held criminally liable. The couple are scheduled to be sentenced on 9 April. The jury deliberated for just over a day after a nearly week-long trial. James Crumbley was in court on Thursday evening for the verdict and appeared to show little reaction as it was read out. Their son killed fellow students Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17, with a semi-automatic handgun at Oxford High School. Seven others were also injured in the shooting. He is serving a sentence of life in prison without parole. Steve and Ai St Juliana lost their 14-year-old daughter Hana, who they said was kind and always checked in on others Steve St Juliana, Hana's father, said on Thursday evening that the prosecution of the Crumbleys was "just the beginning steps" when it came to dealing with gun violence in the US. "Our children are dying on a daily basis in mass murders and we do very little about this," he added. "We can put people on the Moon, we can build skyscrapers, huge monuments like the Hoover Dam and we can't keep our kids safe in schools." In a statement, attorney Ven Johnson said that James and Jennifer Crumbley played a "causal role" in the deaths of the four students. "This guilty verdict...won't bring back the lives of these four students, but it represents one more step towards holding everyone responsible under the law," Mr Johnson said. Earlier this week in her closing arguments to the jury of six men and six women, prosecutor Karen McDonald called the attack "preventable and foreseeable". She added that James Crumbley's actions had been "rare and egregious". This embedded content is not available in your region. He did not take even the slightest measures to ensure his son was not a threat after giving him a semi-automatic pistol as a gift just days before the shooting, said the prosecutor. Prosecutors also said the Crumbleys had not done enough to address their son's declining mental health. On the morning of the shooting, the two parents cut short a school meeting about a disturbing drawing their son had made to go to work and had declined to take him home. School officials sent him back to class without checking his backpack, which contained a gun. When Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his job as a DoorDash delivery driver, looking for the weapon, the trial heard. Crumbley's defence lawyer, Mariell Lehman, argued that "James had no idea that his son was having a hard time". Crumbley did not testify, unlike his wife, who took the stand during her trial and tried to blame her husband. Prosecutors said the Crumbleys had also failed to ensure the weapon was safely stored. "Parents and gun owners have a responsibility to prevent children from accessing deadly weapons," said Nick Suplina, with the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, in a statement, adding the verdict "further underscores this critical duty of responsible gun ownership". The Crumbleys were charged by police within days of the killings. Initially, the parents were supposed to be tried together but in November sought separate trials. SANTIAGO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Thursday said the latest wildfire in the fire-ravaged central Valparaiso region burnt 20 homes on Wednesday night, but fortunately it claimed no lives. "Thanks to the rapid deployment of firefighters, along with the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), all the fires that we saw yesterday in the region of Valparaiso ... have been contained," the president told local media. While at least 20 homes were affected, he said, there were no injuries or fatalities in the fires that burnt about 2.5 hectares of land at Cerro Cordillera in Valparaiso, located one hour from the capital Santiago. "At this moment, work is being carried out with all the required urgency ... the government has all the necessary resources and energy focused on supporting all those in need," the president said. Forest fires began to plague the Valparaiso region more than a month ago, claiming 134 lives to date and destroying 6,019 homes. Yaxley Parish council members Andrew Wood and Helen Taylor said they are paying the price for Peterborough City Council's decisions Villagers fear excess surface water from a nearby housing development has led to increased flooding in the area. More than 5,000 homes are being built as part of the Great Haddon development on Peterborough City Council land, to the south of Peterborough, just outside Yaxley. Tracy Reed, a Yaxley resident for the last 36 years, said she has never seen this amount of standing water before in the village and described it as "worrying. But Peterborough City Council said the flooding was due to the lack of maintenance of the watercourse - a claim Yaxley Parish Council denies. The excess water from Great Haddon is regularly flooding the pond behind St Peter's Church on Waterslade Road in Yaxley Residents said the situation is "unacceptable and will get worse" if nothing is done soon. Helen Taylor, the clerk to Yaxley Parish Council, said: Peoples houses are being flooded. The field behind the church is rented out by us for horses, but its [been] unusable since September. "The watercourse has always been maintained and there was never an issue before." Residents in Yaxley want something radical to be done to sort the flooding issue Andrew Wood, parish council vice chairman, said it was paying the price for the decisions of another authority. We have been told the developer is currently only discharging one-third of the approved amount of water. "The consequences could be enormous when it is up to full capacity, which we believe is 32.7l per second. It's not just the quantity but also the quality of the water and Its impacting us environmentally. The fauna and flora is damaged and the pond has deteriorated. The Great Haddon development will comprise more than 5,000 homes with the first homes occupied by Spring The area falls under Huntingdon District Council. However, the planning authority for the development is Peterborough City Council which allowed the developers, Vistry East Anglia Group, to discharge excess surface water into the watercourse that runs into Yaxley. The Middle Level Commissioners corporation, which is responsible for the drainage systems in Yaxley, said it recently met with Yaxley Parish Council, the Vistry Group and Shailesh Vara, MP for North-West Cambridgeshire, to discuss the flooding experienced along Waterslade Road during the last nine months. The commissioners confirmed there has been considerable altering of the water flow as a result and water that would have infiltrated elsewhere was now flowing into the head of the small riparian watercourse along Waterslade Road in Yaxley. Residents said they are regularly seeing standing water along Waterslade Road for at least nine months MP for North West Cambridgeshire Shailesh Vara said Yaxley residents have his full support. Not enough attention was given to the flood risk for Yaxley and its residents at the early planning stages of the development," he said. Yaxley Parish Council said the developer's pipe was larger than Yaxley's watercourse pipe In response to the concerns raised by the parish council, a spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: Our sustainable drainage team has provided Yaxley Parish Council with Environment Agency flood maps which show the site was always part of the Yaxley catchment. Until the developers sustainable drainage systems is developed, which we have asked them to do as a priority, we have recommended [they] restrict the flows downstream to prevent flooding. Vistry Group said it had obtained all necessary permissions from the planning authority. A spokesperson for the firm said: We have been engaging with all stakeholders to find a suitable solution to the concerns raised by Yaxley Parish Council and this is ongoing. Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830 More On This Story Related Internet Links A federal judge has dismissed parts of two of three cases filed against the City of Wauwatosa, former Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah and former police chief Barry Weber by relatives of three people of color killed by Mensah in five years while on duty. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman on Thursday ended two claims the 2015 shooting of Antonio Gonzales and the 2016 shooting of Jay Anderson Jr. on summary judgment. Adelman ordered an oral argument between plaintiffs and defendants regarding the 2020 shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole. Joseph Mensah is a former Wauwatosa police officer who resigned in November 2020. He fatally shot three people in five years while in the line of duty. Mensah was cleared by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office of any criminal wrongdoing in all three shootings. The three cases, which were consolidated in federal court in September 2022, allege Mensah used excessive force in violation of the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment in each fatal shooting. Plaintiffs, family members of the three people Mensah killed, also alleged in the suit that each shooting was caused by the Wauwatosa Police Departments failure to train and supervise its officers properly and its practice of condoning and ratifying the use of excessive force. This aspect of the case remains pending. Gonzales, a 29-year-old from Wauwatosa, was killed on July 16, 2015; Anderson, a 25-year-old from Milwaukee, was killed on June 23, 2016; and Cole, from Milwaukee, was killed on Feb. 2, 2020. Mensah, who resigned from the department in November 2020, was not criminally charged by Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office in any of the deaths. Mensah also was not disciplined after any of the shootings, despite an outside investigator recommending he be fired after Cole's shooting. Following a motion from an attorney representing Coles family, the judge ordered an oral argument with 20 minutes for both sides to speak after conflicting testimonies from officers and witness observations left it unclear whether Cole had a gun in his hands. The oral argument for Cole's case is scheduled for April 9 at 11 a.m. in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Courthouse, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave. The judge said defendants filed answers four months late to amended complaints in the Anderson and Cole cases, but excused their tardiness and still granted their requested extension of time to file answers to amended complaints in the Anderson and Cole cases. "The delay will not delay the case," Adelman said in his order. The judge granted Mensah and the city an extension of time to file answers to amended complaints in the Anderson and Cole cases. Attorney Annalisa Pusick, who represents the families of the three individuals Mensah killed, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Attorney Ann C. Wirth, who represents Wauwatosa and Mensah, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. According to the judges decision: Police claim Cole had a gun in his hands when Mensah shot him but officers had conflicting testimony as to the position of his body at the time of the shooting and where the gun was pointed. Witnesses observed Cole without a gun, but Coles attorney did not present evidence in court. The footage from the squad car doesnt clearly indicate what occurred. In Anderson's case, the judge found that Mensah did not violate Anderson's Fourth Amendment rights. Mensah testified that he witnessed a weapon in Andersons car and ordered Anderson not to reach for the gun and to keep his hands up. Squad car footage showed in the seconds leading up to the shooting, Anderson reached his right hand toward the seat where the weapon was located, according to the judges decision. Contact the reporter at bfogarty@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Judge throws out two of three cases against Joseph Mensah, Wauwatosa The federal government has a new plan for land it has controlled in the Tri-Cities area since World War II. By April 15 the Department of Energy wants to hear proposals from companies wishing to negotiate leases and develop unused land into clean energy projects, such as solar farms. The 14,000 acres are at the south end of the Hanford nuclear site by Richland in Eastern Washington. A decision on how to use the land could be announced in September, according to DOE. But Tri-Cities development and local government leaders say that DOE is not seeing the big picture when it comes to the land. In its apparent rush to develop the land, at least until Hanford environmental cleanup is completed, DOE does not appear to be considering what the Tri-City Development Council considers the best use of the land both to diversify the Tri-Cities economy and for the nations effort to build a clean energy future. It is important to work now to make sure that our community does have the diversified economy and it stays strong after (Hanford) cleanup is complete or begins to wind down, said David Reeploeg, TRIDEC vice president of federal programs. Green areas on this map of Hanford land just north of Richland show the land most important for Tri-Cities development, particularly the area marked as Corridor, according to the Tri-City Development Council. This year about $3 billion in federal money will be spent at the Hanford nuclear reservation to clean up radioactive and chemical waste and contamination left from producing nearly two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program from World War II through the Cold War. Hanford jobs plus jobs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, both Department of Energy facilities, account for just over 11% of jobs in Benton and Franklin counties. But they pay about 23.4% of all wages in the two counties, TRIDEC has said as it looks ahead to replacing well-paid Hanford environmental cleanup jobs when work at the site ramps down or is completed. While solar energy production may be a good use of some of the 14,000 acres, TRIDEC believes that DOE should also be considering clean industrial development and energy storage. DOE has indicated it is aware of the community vision, but does not plan to go that route, said Sean OBrien, executive director of the new Tri-Cities-based Energy Forward Alliance. Instead, it appears set to advance with a short-term, nonstrategic approach, he said. TRIDEC vision for Hanford land Industrial production contributes 30% of greenhouse gas emissions and is a growing share of emissions because it is one of the most difficult sectors to abate and typically involves extensive retrofitting that costs more than twice the cost of building a new clean industrial plant. New technologies are needed for critical industries, such as fertilizer, cement, batteries, sustainable aviation fuels and chemicals, according to TRIDEC. It believes that unneeded DOE land near Hanford is the place to show how that can be done. Some 14,000 acres in the southeast corner of Hanford are proposed to be leased for clean energy production. TRIDEC, with the support of Tri-Cities area governments, has been working toward its vision of the Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park. Our vision includes demonstrating for the country and the world how to deeply decarbonize the electrical grid and industrial processes, TRIDEC told DOE. We believe this demonstration will be critically important in helping the federal government and Washington state meet their aggressive clean energy and decarbonization goals. The acreage that DOE wants to use for clean energy generation is the only land near the city of Richland that would be suitable for future clean industrial development, the use that local officials propose for unused Hanford land nearest to Richland. Without access to it for development, the Tri-Cities will be severely limited in our economic development and diversification efforts moving forward, TRIDEC said in a letter when DOE initially asked for information on its proposal. In the past DOE has worked with TRIDEC to transfer unneeded Hanford land to the community, most recently 1,641 acres adjacent to Richland in a transfer approved in 2015. Atlas Agro wants to build the Pacific Green Fertilizer Plant, billed as the worlds first carbon-free fertilizer plant at the corner of Stevens Drive and Horn Rapids, land that was formerly part of the Hanford site. Atlas Agro wants to construct a $1.1 billion carbon-free fertilizer plant at Stevens Drive and Horn Rapids in north Richland. Other companies are interested in decarbonization or clean energy, including for battery and decarbonized steel manufacturing, said TRIDEC. Interest in the land has accelerated, said Karl Dye, president of TRIDEC. TRIDEC says some of the land should be reserved for its vision of an advanced clean energy park, including a north-south corridor of land that would link the land transferred in 2015 with land that Energy Northwest leases. This co-location provides an extraordinarily unique opportunity to master plan and develop a large-scale, sustainable, clean energy generation and a decarbonized advanced clean manufacturing industrial hub, TRIDEC told DOE. There are few, if any, places in the country where this would be possible, and probably none that have the available land, technical expertise, highly skilled workforce, robust existing electrical transmission and transportation infrastructure, all located right next to one of the nations top experts on clean energy, grid-scale energy storage, and the advanced grid DOEs on Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, it said. Energy Northwest is working toward developing an advanced small nuclear reactor on its leased land adjacent to the 14,000 acres DOE wants to use for clean energy development. The reactor would not only produce electricity continuously unlike solar or wind production but high temperature steam that could be used by nearby industries, in TRIDECs vision. Industry in the corridor TRIDEC has developed could share heat, power, water, wastewater and water treatment. Short life for clean energy projects The request for proposals, or qualifications, that DOE released this month requires that projects be torn down as Hanford cleanup is completed. That would be challenging for the projects that TRIDEC wants on some of the land. Shrub steppe land at the Hanford nuclear reservation site in Eastern Washington is proposed to be leased for clean energy generation. It is hard to imagine anyone is going to be willing to invest a billion-plus dollars in capital investment on land they dont own that has to be torn down by some undetermined date in the future, Reeploeg said. What the DOE request for proposals does seem to lend itself to is solar projects, which have a 20 to 30 year lifetime, and could be torn down at the end of the Hanford cleanup work, he said. Wind turbines are not a likely option because their vibration would interfere with work at the adjacent LIGO Hanford observatory, a project that measures the minute ripples in space-time caused by gravitational waves from cosmic events such as colliding black holes. Workers build an optical cavity at LIGO Hanford for quantum squeezing of light to improve the observatorys sensitivity and help it detect gravity waves in a larger area of space. TRIDEC is not opposed to solar, saying even 10,000 of the 14,000 acres could be used for solar. But that would not provide the baseload, firm power that the Northwest energy grid needs or the family-wage jobs that will be needed eventually to replace Hanford job, Reeploeg said. OBrien is hopeful, after briefing Washington congressional leaders about the local vision for the land, that DOE may delay development of the corridor that is of highest interest. Earlier TRIDEC had asked DOE to transfer 19,000 acres to TRIDEC, which would work with local governments, regional tribes and others in the community to develop or lease the land in accordance with both the Tri-Cities and DOEs Cleanup to Clean Energy vision. Or it could transfer just the corridor between Energy Northwest and the 1,641 acres most recently transferred to the community, TRIDEC proposed. Another option would be for DOE to partner with the community and regional tribes to help the Tri-Cities advance its industrial development vision. DOEs current rushed approach would not only limit the Tri-Cities ability to develop, but could harm the communities ability to develop jobs for the future if it does not support the vision of the Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park, OBrien said. Solar farms would create few long-term jobs after construction is completed. Now the portion of the 580-square-mile Hanford site that was originally used as a security perimeter is part of the Hanford Reach National Monument and much of the remaining land is designated in the Hanford land use plan for preservation and conservation. The largest land designated for industrial use at Hanford is in the southeast corner of the site by Richland, where DOE is seeking interest in clean energy production projects. Land for the Hanford site was seized by the federal government in 1943 for a secret wartime project to produce plutonium for the worlds first atomic explosion in the New Mexico desert and then the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, helping end World War II. The U.S. government had good reason to take the land, but as it is no longer needed it should be turned back over to the community, Dye said. It really is our future, he said. (KRON) A felon was arrested in connection with two homicide cases on Feb. 29, the San Francisco Police Department announced Friday. SFPD Homicide Detail took over both investigations. The SFPD Homicide Investigators identified 43-year-old Solano County resident Demetri Moore as the suspect in both homicides. At 12:17 a.m. on Oct. 18, 2022, San Francisco police officers responded to the 900 block of Market Street due to a ShotSpotter activation. En route, responding officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds on the unit block of Turk Street. Despite police and medical personnel rendering aid, the victim succumbed to his injuries. Signatures in Alameda County DA Pamela Price recall to be counted by hand At 1:37 a.m. on June 13, 2023, SFPD officers responded to the unit block of Turk Street for a report of a shooting. Responding officers located a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was transported to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. On February 29, 2024, at approximately 6:39 p.m., SFPD Tenderloin officers saw Moore in the area of OFarrell and Jones Streets and recognized him from an SFPD crime bulletin. Officers took Moore into custody for an outstanding homicide arrest warrant along with an active and outstanding warrant out of Pittsburg. Moore was taken into custody. Police said they found a firearm on Moore. Moore was arrested and booked in the San Francisco County Jail for multiple chargers: Charges of murder Carrying a concealed firearm Carrying a loaded firearm Carrying a loaded firearm by a convicted felon Carrying a loaded firearm Felon in possession of a firearm Violent felon with a firearm Firearm possession after misdemeanor conviction felon in possession of ammunition Possession of large large-capacity magazine Use of a firearm during the commission of a felony Active warrant out of Pittsburgh Despite Moores arrest, the cases will remain open investigations. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at (415) 575-4444. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A native of Michigan, Figge Art Museum executive director Michelle Hargrave will return to her home state next month to become new head of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. A graduate of Brighton High School (north of Ann Arbor) and the University of Michigan, Hargrave decided to move to be closer to her parents and siblings, Figge spokeswoman Lacey Skorepa said Friday. Michelle Hargrave will be the new executive director of Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year in her home state of Michigan. We at the Figge Art Museum are deeply thankful for her impactful leadership and dedication. Michelle is choosing to step down to be closer to her family, a decision we wholeheartedly support, Skorepa said by email. This new chapter offers her an exciting opportunity, and we share in her excitement. We remain committed to our mission of bringing art and people together, and we are optimistic about our future direction and continuing the work Michelle has been a significant part of. Executive director of the major art museum in the Quad Cities since December 2019, Hargraves last day here will be April 17, 2024, and shell start in Kalamazoo on May 6, 2024. She was not available for comment on Friday. As executive director and CEO at the Figge (225 W. 2nd St., Davenport), she spearheaded transformative initiatives that elevated the museums status and resulted in notable growth, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts said in its release. Her achievements include securing major acquisitions and gifts, increasing earned and contribute revenue, developing key partnerships with national organizations such as the Art Bridges Foundation, further diversifying the museums collections and programming, and significantly growing the museums studio school program. A rendering of the planned lighting of the Figge Art Museum, Davenport, by internationally acclaimed artist Leo Villareal. Additionally, she secured funding for what will be the largest public artwork in Iowa, an ambitious light sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Leo Villareal, set to illuminate the Figges facade in 2025 (the 100th anniversary of the Davenport art museum; KIA was founded in 1924). With a deep commitment to ensuring museums serve their communities with excellence and inclusion, she expanded free admission periods and collaborated closely with regional partners to expand meaningful programming, outreach, and accessibility, KIAs release said. Hargraves prior roles include deputy director at the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut and curator at the American Federation of Arts in New York City. A native Michigander, Michelle is looking forward to returning to her home state, the KIA said. She earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and a masters of art from The Bard Graduate Center: Decorative Arts, Design, and Material Culture. The top of the list Michelle Hargrave rose to the top of the list of a very competitive and diverse candidate pool of potential executive directors for the KIA, said KIA Search Committee and Board of Directors member James Liggins, Jr. Michelle Hargrave, executive director of the Figge Art Museum, is moving back to Michigan to be closer to her family. She provided the clearest combination of robust and high-level museum executive director experience coupled with a powerful vision of how to shepherd the KIA through its continued growth as a premiere arts museum not just in Southwest Michigan but in the nation, he said in the museum release. Michelle came to the search process with a strong and genuine appreciation of the great work accomplished during the previous administration and substantive knowledge on how to capitalize on our momentum as we enter into our next 100 years as an institution. The KIA, over the last 100 years, has demonstrated the power of people, place, and art, establishing itself as a premier institution in the sector. In the next 100 years, with Michelles strategic leadership, we will see exciting innovations, greater engagement, and continued excellence in museum, education, and collections, said KIA board chair Perry Wolfe. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has more than 5,000 fine artworks in its permanent collection, and presents touring and collection exhibitions in 10 galleries. Hargrave expressed her enthusiasm for the new opportunity, stating, I am honored to join the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, a dynamic institution that embodies the belief that the arts are for everyone, and look forward to collaborating with the dedicated board members, KIA colleagues, and vibrant community to further enrich the institutions legacy of artistic excellence and community engagement. Together, we will build upon the foundation laid by previous leadership and chart an exciting course for the future of the museum that fosters creativity, inclusivity, innovation, and meaningful connections through the transformative power of art, she said. The KIAs current building opened in 1961, designed by the Chicago-based firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; the 45,000-square-foot structure was based on a Mies van der Rohe design for a small museum. In 1997, the KIA began a $14.5 million expansion and renovation. The project increased the size of the KIA to 72,000 square feet and added a two-story lobby gallery, auditorium, classrooms and galleries, gallery shop, library and an interactive gallery for children. Dale Chihulys Kalamazoo Ruby Light Chandelier, a colorful chandelier of 400 pieces of glass, became a permanent fixture in the lobby foyer. The Figge opened in 2005 at 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport. The four-story, $47-million Figge Art Museum (which opened Aug. 6, 2005) was designed by architect Sir David Chipperfield. He was named 2023 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize an award regarded internationally as architectures highest honor. The board of the Figge is actively engaged in the process of appointing an interim executive director. Were committed to ensuring a seamless transition and will share more information as it becomes available, Skorepa said Friday. For more information on KIA, click HERE. Additional information about the Figge Art Museum and a schedule of events is available HERE. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. MAHWAH Township and Rockland Electric authorities say they expect the permanent Fire Company 3 cellular monopole off Rozanski Lane to be "powered up" soon. "We are estimating approximately two weeks before the first safety tests are completed," Rockland Electric spokesman Michael Donovan said. "Then our line crews will connect the service to the grid." But that does not mean phone companies will immediately begin transmitting from the permanent tower, said Township Administrator Benjamin Kezmarsky. Temporary (left) and permanent (right) cell towers at Fire Company 3 in Mahwah. "They are now waiting for the OK from Rockland Electric to cut the power over to the permanent tower," Kezmarsky said. "At that time the temporary tower where Verizon is located will be powered by the new tower. Once the permanent power is turned on, the process can commence for Verizon and T-Mobile to begin the installation of their equipment on the permanent tower." Kezmarsky said the delivery and installation of the pole's transformer had to wait for "trenching and running of power lines." But neither Donovan nor Kezmarsky provided details about the steps involved in constructing a tower that cleared its last approval hurdle from the Department of Environmental Protection in September 2022. Long time coming Residents and carriers have been pressing since 2005 for a tower to address a 2-mile-wide dead zone on the New York state border. After myriad denials, the Township Council approved a tower at Rozanski Lane in September 2019. A temporary cell tower was activated in May 2021, and work on the permanent tower began in February 2023. Though better than no tower, the temporary tower received mixed reviews from residents depending on which carrier they use and where they live. All have expressed hope that the 183-foot permanent tower, 25 feet taller than the temporary one, will reach farther and support more carriers. But again, reception depends on which carriers erect aerials on the pole, as well as the distance from the pole, tree coverage and changes in topography. The permanent tower is designed to accommodate four carriers. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile have signed up. It is unclear if a fourth carrier has joined. The project has taken years to get here. January 2020: Masonicus Road residents filed hearing requests with the state Department of Environmental Protection, claiming a second wetlands area on the firehouse property was ignored in a study of the site. The DEP took until June 2020 to review and deny the request. June 2020: Hired in September 2019 to sign up carriers for the tower, consultant Wireless Edge was declared in default nine months later after failing to attract any carriers. October 2020: FSD Enterprises hired in August to replace Wireless Edge announced it had secured carrier contracts to support a tower. March 2021: Aspen Court residents filed a lawsuit saying the township did not have permission to use their easement, on which the fire company's access road is built, to transport equipment for installation of the tower. A $30,000 settlement was reached in December 2021. April 2021: A Masonicus Road resident temporarily halted installation of power lines across his property, saying the township had failed to pay him or produce the necessary wetlands permit. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: The final stretch? Mahwah cell tower expected to be 'powered up' soon Finland is planning to enact temporary legislation that would enable its border authorities to block asylum seekers attempting to enter the country from Russia, Reuters reported on March 15. In late 2023, Finland closed all crossing points along its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia amid an increase in arrivals lacking valid EU entry documents. Read also: Three detained in Finland for suspected laundering of nearly EUR 6 million from Ukrainian Defense Ministry However, asylum seekers continue to arrive in the country, with their numbers likely to grow as the weather improves. Read also: New NATO members Finland and Sweden launch joint Nordic Response 24 excercises with Norway Helsinki accuses Moscow of funneling migrants to the Finnish border, an allegation the Kremlin denies. "Finland has become a target of weaponized migration... not only has the Russian authority not intervened in this phenomenon, but even facilitated it," said Finnish PM Petteri Orpo. Read also: Finland responds to Russian hybrid attack using migrants complete border shutdown for two weeks According to Orpo, the government hopes the corresponding bill will be swiftly approved. Meanwhile, Finnish Interior Ministry noted that the country "must be ready for Russia to exert prolonged pressure." On Nov. 30, 2023, Finland shut all checkpoints points at the border with Russia. The closures were prompted by increased incidents of third-country nationals seeking asylum arriving from Russia. 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 Finland, the court refused to consider a lawsuit to open the border with Russia The Supreme Administrative Court of Finland has upheld the governments decision to temporarily close the borders with Russia, the local outlet Yle reported on March 14. Those who appealed the decision to the Supreme Administrative Court claimed Finnish citizenship, residence permits, or affiliation with the Russian-speaking minority in Finland, along with ties to Russian origin or family members in this minority. Some complainants identified as indigenous Finns with a special need to travel to Russia. The applicants alleged that the governments actions discriminate against the Russian-origin minority and violate fundamental rights. However, the Supreme Court opted not to investigate the complaints. Finland initiated the closure of four border crossing points in the eastern region bordering Russia on Nov. 6, 2023. Additional checkpoints were shut down on Nov. 22, leaving only one operational. Finally, on Nov. 30, Finland closed all border checkpoints with Russia. This decision stemmed from a rise in cases of third-country nationals, lacking proper documentation, arriving at the Finnish border with assistance from Russian border guards to seek asylum. Read also: If Russia wins the war, the EU will lose all credibility, especially in Eastern Europe Macron 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 Open Arms maritime vessel that set sail from Larnaca in Cyprus carrying humanitarian aid approaches the coast of Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa A ship carrying humanitarian aid has arrived in the Gaza Strip for the first time since the war began in October, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said. The ship, which left Cyprus on Tuesday, is carrying 200 tons of food and relief supplies. The UAE's Foreign Ministry said the delivery comes in cooperation with Cyprus, World Central Kitchen and international partners "to strengthen the humanitarian response to civilians of northern Gaza." The humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip has been worsening dramatically for weeks, with a critical shortage of basic necessities. Patrick Mayoh, New South Wales Branch CEO of Australia China Business Council, speaks during the opening ceremony of the AliExpo 2024 in Sydney, Australia, March 15, 2024. Alibaba launched a two-day e-commerce event AliExpo 2024 in Sydney on Friday to help inspire reading about opportunities in China and Southeast Asia and provide attendees with relevant information. Over 100 exhibitors from China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions join in the expo. More than 20 speakers from Alibaba Group's affiliates and Australian and New Zealand brand leaders attended the AliExpo Business Conference. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) SYDNEY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Alibaba launched a two-day e-commerce event AliExpo 2024 in Sydney on Friday to help inspire reading about opportunities in China and Southeast Asia and provide attendees with relevant information. Over 100 exhibitors from China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions join in the expo. More than 20 speakers from Alibaba Group's affiliates and Australian and New Zealand brand leaders attended the AliExpo Business Conference. Michael Evans, president of Alibaba Group, delivered a welcome address in a video at an opening ceremony, saying that this event aims to create significant growth opportunities for businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, as well as Alibaba's business partners in Southeast Asia and China. "Our key focus is to enable local brands and businesses to export to China and other parts of Asia through both B2C and B2B channels," he said. According to Alibaba, this year's AliExpo is set to focus on "Crafted Down Under, Love Worldwide: Where Australia, New Zealand and Pacific meet Asia," showcasing the importance of international trade and empowering businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape, especially in Asia. Kit Yau, head of Marketing for Australia and New Zealand at Alibaba Group, told Xinhua that Australia and New Zealand are very important to Alibaba, which has used Tmall Global, a leading import e-commerce platform in China, to introduce many health products, beauty products, personal care products, and maternal and child products from the two countries into the Chinese market. Meanwhile, this cross-border e-commerce platform is a relatively easy channel for Australian and New Zealand brands to enter the Chinese market, because Alibaba can give support to the brands in terms of foreign trade process, consumer group portrait and other aspects, she said. Besides, Yau said that the middle class in Southeast Asia is growing, and their demands for natural and green products bring a lot of opportunities to Australian and New Zealand brands. Patrick Mayoh, New South Wales Branch CEO of Australia China Business Council, said that Australian enterprises, not only those with bigger scale but also small and medium-sized ones, can grasp many opportunities by entering the Chinese market via Alibaba's online platform. China is the largest trade partner of Australia, and the trade and investment relationship between the two countries are becoming better, he added. Kit Yau, head of Marketing for Australia and New Zealand at Alibaba Group, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Sydney, Australia, March 15, 2024. Alibaba launched a two-day e-commerce event AliExpo 2024 in Sydney on Friday to help inspire reading about opportunities in China and Southeast Asia and provide attendees with relevant information. Over 100 exhibitors from China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions join in the expo. More than 20 speakers from Alibaba Group's affiliates and Australian and New Zealand brand leaders attended the AliExpo Business Conference. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) An exhibitor (R) introduces products to a visitor during the AliExpo 2024 in Sydney, Australia, March 15, 2024. Alibaba launched a two-day e-commerce event AliExpo 2024 in Sydney on Friday to help inspire reading about opportunities in China and Southeast Asia and provide attendees with relevant information. Over 100 exhibitors from China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions join in the expo. More than 20 speakers from Alibaba Group's affiliates and Australian and New Zealand brand leaders attended the AliExpo Business Conference. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) Visitors and an exhibitor communicate during the AliExpo 2024 in Sydney, Australia, March 15, 2024. Alibaba launched a two-day e-commerce event AliExpo 2024 in Sydney on Friday to help inspire reading about opportunities in China and Southeast Asia and provide attendees with relevant information. Over 100 exhibitors from China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions join in the expo. More than 20 speakers from Alibaba Group's affiliates and Australian and New Zealand brand leaders attended the AliExpo Business Conference. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) People visit the AliExpo 2024 in Sydney, Australia, March 15, 2024. Alibaba launched a two-day e-commerce event AliExpo 2024 in Sydney on Friday to help inspire reading about opportunities in China and Southeast Asia and provide attendees with relevant information. Over 100 exhibitors from China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions join in the expo. More than 20 speakers from Alibaba Group's affiliates and Australian and New Zealand brand leaders attended the AliExpo Business Conference. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) People visit the AliExpo 2024 in Sydney, Australia, March 15, 2024. Alibaba launched a two-day e-commerce event AliExpo 2024 in Sydney on Friday to help inspire reading about opportunities in China and Southeast Asia and provide attendees with relevant information. Over 100 exhibitors from China, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and regions join in the expo. More than 20 speakers from Alibaba Group's affiliates and Australian and New Zealand brand leaders attended the AliExpo Business Conference. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) James Crumbley, the father of a 15-year-old who shot and killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter by an Oakland County jury on Thursday. Crumbley and his wife Jennifer, who was also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter last month, are the first parents to be convicted for a mass shooting carried out by their child, with their verdicts triggering debate about the culpability of parents in crimes committed by their children. Each could face sentences up to 15 years in prison. Its very rare for parents to be held accountable when their children have access to firearms and do harm, Adam Winkler, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the author of Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America, tells TIME. Winkler describes Thursdays verdict as not unexpected but still surprising, adding that the facts in Crumbleys case were unusually clear. This case may not set a huge precedent, he says, because there wont be as many cases where the facts are as egregious as this one. Read More: Parents of School Shooters Rarely Are Held Responsible. This Case Is Different James and Jennifer Crumbley had bought their son Ethan the pistol that the teen used in the November 2021 shooting that killed four students and injured seven. Ethan pleaded guilty in 2022 to numerous charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, and is serving a life sentence without parole. In their separate trials, prosecutors argued that the Crumbleys had ignored warning signs about their sons mental health and had been negligent in allowing their son to have a gun. Prosecutors pointed to a journal entry Ethan had written: I have zero HELP for my mental problems and its causing me to SHOOT UP THE FING SCHOOL I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. On the morning of the shooting, James and Jennifer Crumbley attended an urgent school meeting after Ethans teacher found drawings he had made of a gun and bloody figures, but they declined to take him home. When the teen began his rampage hours later, James, who was working as a DoorDash driver, rushed home to look for the gun. James defense lawyer argued that there was no evidence that the 47-year-old had declined to help Ethan and that James had no idea that his son was having a hard time. In a statement sent to media outlets, attorney Ven Johnson, who represents the victims families, said that the verdicts of the Crumbleys wont bring back the lives of these four students, but it represents one more step towards holding everyone responsible accountable under the law, which is justice for the victims families and the Oxford community. While it remains to be seen if the manslaughter convictions will be overturned in the coming yearsexperts say appeals are expected for the cases due to their unprecedented naturethe Crumbley verdicts mark a major milestone in the longstanding debate over the responsibility of parents in preventing school shooters. There have been more than 1,500 school shootings in the U.S. since 1997, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and Education Week. Its shown a new avenue, a different sort of treatment towards school shootings and accountability that hasnt yet been seen, Tim Carey, law and policy advisor at the John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions said on a podcast after Jennifers verdict. Legal experts, however, are divided on whether the recent verdicts can effectively tackle gun violence in the future. Stephen J. Morse, a professor of law and psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, told the BBC after Jennifers verdict last month that it could result in courts looking for scapegoats in similar cases. I understand that she was not necessarily the best mother in the world, but this is not a crime, he said. Read More: The Problem With Punishing Parents for Their Kids Crimes Meanwhile, Winkler says that he does not think the verdicts of the Crumbleys will have much of an effect on gun policy in the U.S., but they could have an impact on gun violence. Gun control politics are such that its going to take much more than individual cases to change the direction of gun control today, says Winkler, though he notes that even without any future legislation clarifying liability, the recent convictions could still influence individual behavior and attitudes around guns. It could lead to more prosecutors bringing charges against parents when their children use firearms. And that could have a similar effect of gun control, he says. It would encourage more parents to keep guns out of the hands of their children, to take safe storage more seriously, in which case it doesnt change the law on gun control but maybe changes how people at home control their guns. Contact us at letters@time.com. Russian media outlets have reported the first violations of electoral integrity during the countrys so-called presidential election, citing independent observers. At one of the polling stations in the city of Voronezh, a portrait of incumbent president Vladimir Putin was hung on the wall (later being covered with a sheet), and at another, the ballot box was found to be "stuffed", already containing ballots before the official start of voting. Source: Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian news outlet; Russian service of Radio Liberty; Novaya Gazeta, a Russian social and political newspaper; Voronezh Oblast authorities on Telegram Details: Radio Liberty stated that an observer found a portrait of Vladimir Putin at a polling station in Voronezh. Since political campaigning inside the polling station itself is officially illegal, the portrait was covered with a sheet. At another polling station, an independent observer found ballot papers in the ballot box before the voting began. Meduza stated that one of the local activists asked the election commission to remove the ballots from the ballot box, to which they agreed. Another polling station in Voronezh opened before voting had officially begun. In turn, the authorities in Voronezh Oblast called the allegations of ballot stuffing "fake news" and claimed that it was the result of "disinformation attacks conducted by pro-Western and pro-Ukrainian outlets." Alexei Navalny's supporters also post photos of ballots with the name of the deceased Russian opposition in them instead of Putin's name. Navalny's name instead of Putin's on ballot. Photo: The Insider Voting was also interrupted by an air-raid warning in Belgorod. Voters and election officials were sent to the shelter by security forces. Six minutes later, people returned to the polls and voting continued. . pic.twitter.com/OZlopJ3gnr (@ukrpravda_news) March 15, 2024 Support UP or become our patron! Florida man barricades himself after abducting girlfriend, forcing her into car: police WILDWOOD, Fla. (WFLA) Multiple law enforcement agencies worked to find a Florida woman after she was violently abducted by her boyfriend Thursday night, officials said. Wildwood Police Chief Randall Palmer said at about 11 p.m., officers were called to a home in the Villages for a domestic disturbance. Operators of Luke Bryans Nashville bar say missing student Riley Strain was only served 1 alcoholic drink According to Palmer, the victim was visiting a family members home when she said she did not want to leave with her boyfriend, James Savage. That point, he grabbed her by the hair, forced her to the ground, struck her several times, forced her in the vehicle, and fled the area, the chief said. Surveillance video showed the suspect attacking the victim multiple times as he cursed at her. Friday afternoon, Wildwood police said the victim was found by the Marion County Sheriffs Office. She was said to be safe. As of the latest from the Marion County Sheriffs Office, Savage was still barricaded at a home in the north end of The Villages. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Some of Florida's loudest advocates for public school book removals make up half of a state government-sponsored group to advise school districts on how to select titles and when to pull them off shelves. Moms for Liberty members made up three of six members of a Department of Education workgroup that met Thursday in Tallahassee to redevelop an online training program for school librarians and media specialists following a 2023 state law focused on book challenges. Its a demonstration of the states willingness to cater to the conservative group, which has long supported Gov. Ron DeSantis and, along with its local chapters, has become the leading voice against books in schools that it considers inappropriate. Its evident that the Florida Department of Education is not ready to turn a corner and start tamping down on the gross censorship were seeing across the state, said Stephana Ferrell, co-founder and director of research and insight for the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a book access advocacy organization. Ferrell had applied to be a part of the workgroup. So did more than 20 others, according to resumes her group received through a public records request. Most, like Ferrell herself, werent picked. Instead, the department selected Priscilla West, chair of Moms For Liberty-Leon County, Moms for Liberty Indian River County Chapter Chair Jennifer Pippin and Jamie Merchant, Florida legislative chair for the national parents' group. West and Pippin, in an interview after the meeting in the state Department of Education building, emphasized their role as parents, not just Moms for Liberty representatives. Organizations aside, at the end of the day, we're parents, we're moms and we're concerned with what we're finding in the schools, Pippin said. And they were also concerned with the meeting itself, which lasted approximately only an hour. Advocates on both sides of the book debate said it didn't do enough to clarify the expectations for schools. Meet the Moms for Liberty on the librarian training workgroup As previously reported by the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, West's group is working to remove a number of books from school libraries. Good Evening, Joyful Warriors! she wrote in an email to members last year. We are rockin' and rollin' with these book challenges! In the lead-up to Thursdays meeting, the Facebook page for Wests chapter made a multitude of posts soliciting parents to challenge various titles with sexual and LGBTQ material. (Its) gender identity ideology woven into a pulp romance, the account wrote about Felix Ever After, which won a Stonewall Book Award. When a commenter responded that transgender students deserve to see themselves represented in books, the account ridiculed gender transitions. Jennifer Pippin, president of the Indian River County Moms for Liberty, speaks before school district members during citizen input, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. Pippin, meanwhile, made many headlines for her school book challenges. One of them was about a childrens book, called Unicorns Are The Worst, that showed the bare behind of a goblin. As a result of her challenge, clothes were drawn over the goblin. She also got Anne Franks Diary: The Graphic Adaptation pulled from a Indian River County high school. Merchant, the Moms for Liberty Florida legislative chair, was previously reported as a Mamas for DeSantis participant, a pro-DeSantis initiative launched during his gubernatorial reelection campaign in 2022. The conservative education reform-focused Florida Citizens Alliance lists her on its website as a member of its advisory council. In an emailed statement, Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, said, "We are glad that our members are taking an interest in public schools and public policy in education. The other three members were made up of media specialists from Republican-dominated Marion, Manatee and Wakulla counties. Florida No. 1 in book bans, per group: Florida is the nation's book banning leader, according to national free speech group Controversial times: Culture war? Banned books? Controversial terms in a fiery time in Florida 'We shoud err on the side of freedom': Meeting leaves all sides disappointed Both Pippin and Merchant had been in the original workgroup, which was formed after DeSantis signed the Republican-backed Curriculum Transparency Act in 2022, which he touted as a way to increase parental involvement in education and prevent "indoctrination." The law requires districts to catalog every book they offer and put a formal review process in place for complaints. The original online training program, which came out at the beginning of 2023, contained a slide that warned educators to err on the side of caution with their book choices. Another slide pointed out that school officials could be charged with a third-degree felony if materials are found harmful to minors under an older state law. School districts interpreted the guidance in wildly varying ways, leading some to pull hundreds of titles out of fear of potential penalties, and others to pull none. A national free speech advocacy group recently ranked Florida No.1 in book bans, a much-debated term to describe the books pulled from public schools. The workgroup didnt alter that original presentation wording, much to the disappointment of a Florida Education Association representative who spoke during the public comment period of the meeting. We should err on the side of freedom. We should err on the side of education, not on the side of caution, said Luke Flynt, communication specialist for the teachers union. Instead, the group discussed the incorporation of yet another book challenge law into the training. The measure makes it easier to get a challenged book removed for sexual conduct. Passed last year, it further panicked and confused school districts, leading to more removals, even of acclaimed classics like Beloved by Toni Morrison and Dracula by Bram Stoker. Much of the meeting, which was not broadcast virtually, was dominated by the complexities of the new law. Members agreed on adding a new slide about the new objection criteria, which includes requiring that a book be removed within five days of a challenge because it includes pornography or "sexual conduct" and until the complaint is resolved. They also OK'd adding audio to a slide about book selection criteria explaining that people can file sexual conduct objections. Despite having an agenda predicting the meeting would last much of the day, it started and ended in about an hour. Pippin and West said they would have liked more time. The meeting, they said, could have been a virtual meeting or email. "My anticipation was to do the work and discuss other things," said Pippin, who added that she had woken up at 3 a.m. to make it to the meeting, which was attended by and steered by Department of Education employees. "I probably had five or 10 more questions I could have asked, but I saw they kept redirecting to (the new state law)." She pointed out a recent press conference from DeSantis where, citing frivolous objections, he called for limits to how many books the public can challenge in schools. The Legislature passed a bill this past session, which the governor has not yet signed, that states a "resident of the county who is not the parent or guardian of a student with access to school district materials may not object to more than one material per month." Ferrell also said the group should have done more, such as including information about the settlement from earlier in the week between the state and LGBTQ groups over the critic-called "Don't Say Gay" law, which restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation. Some school districts had pulled books citing the law. But the settlement, in part, comes with a statement from the state that the law does not affect library books (something that had already been said by Attorney General Ashley Moody in legal filings). Ferrell said she doesn't believe the training properly explains the new law and only adds to the confusion: "They will encourage more removals," she warned. It's unclear if the group will convene again. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida book bans: Moms for Liberty members create librarian training AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) The Food Bank of East Alabama is celebrating its new facility and increasing its ability to fight food Insecurity. The non-profit serves Tallapoosa, Barbour, Lee, Russell, Chambers, Macon, and Randolph County where between 12 and 17% of the population is food insecure. Last year we distributed 5.8 million pounds worth of food. We are serving an average of 32,000 people a month through our agencies, said Martha Hink. The $1.2 million facility began serving the public in 2020, as the pandemic hit delaying an open house.Thursday donors, volunteers, and community members were able to tour the larger space the massive freezer. With the pandemic, assistant programs ending and the high cost of groceries the need is growing And those things have been dead, so we are starting to see people struggling, said Hink. A quote hanging on a banner on the warehouse wall reads Alone we can do so little together we can do so much. 25,000 volunteers make it possible for the food bank to make sure families including seniors, and children eat fresh produce, are visited via mobile food pantry, or receive senior food boxes, or backpack kits to stay in children after school. With the support of generous donors and partnerships with organizations like Feeding America, the Food Bank continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Amid the sizzling aromas of street food delights, mobile food trucks in Stanislaus County are subject to health and safety inspections just like any brick-and-mortar food facility. Have you ever wondered where you can find inspection results? A reader asked Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions from the mundane to the top of mind about the Modesto region: How are mobile food trucks inspected and where can those reports be accessed? Heres what we found: Italian food truck Braulios Bistro at Grub Hubs food truck court in Modesto ,Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. How are food trucks inspected in Stanislaus County? Local environmental health departments are responsible for inspecting food trucks, the California Department of Public Health wrote in a statement to The Modesto Bee. In Stanislaus County, the Food Safety Program with the Division of Environmental Resources enforces the California Retail Food Code and conducts inspections for retail food facilities, cottage food operations, mobile food facilities, temporary food facilities and farmers markets. For inspections of mobile food trucks, Robert Kostlivy, a director with the department, said the process is similar but not the same as with typical food facilities. The main difference between a mobile food facility inspection is the time of day that they are inspected, he wrote in an email to The Modesto Bee. Filipino Corner food truck on McHenry Avenue and Meily Way in north Modesto, Calif., Friday, June 16, 2023. A permanent food facility is inspected during its regular business hours, Kostlivy said, but mobile food trucks are inspected at the departments office. The (mobile food facility) makes an appointment with our department and they pull into an inspection bay for their annual inspection, he wrote. Staff ensures that (it) meets the requirements found in the California Retail Food Code. How often are food trucks inspected? Unless a complaint is filed by the community, Kostlivy said food trucks are inspected once a year. Discolored, worn toilets and no hot water: See latest Stanislaus County health inspections What are the standards for food truck inspections? La Placita food truck park on 9th Street in Modesto, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. According to Chapter 10 of the California Retail Food Code, mobile food facilities must abide by the following requirements: Operation Mobile food trucks must operate in an approved permit, unit and location for the sanitation of food storage and employee cleanliness. Cleaning and servicing Mobile food facilities must be cleaned daily and report to an approved facility daily. Permanent facilities with mobile food units must store food safely and report the units daily for cleaning and storage. Owner identification The food truck must display its name at least 3 inches in size. The operators name, city, state, ZIP code and permit holder must be at least one inch in size and visible for customers. Required identification must also be visible on two sides of the unit. Equipment and construction requirements Equipment must have smooth and cleanable surfaces for easy cleaning, preventing vermin and allowing maintenance. Floors, walls and ceilings should be smooth and easy to clean. Cooking areas must have impenetrable and safe flooring extending at least five feet around them. Refrigeration is required for potentially hazardous foods. Food-handling requirements Employee entrance doors must be self-closing and kept shut when not in use. Food trucks, equipment and utensils must be kept clean, in good condition and protected from vermin and other contaminants. During transport, storage and operation, food and utensils must be protected, the law states. Food for sale must be handled only within the food truck, except for restocking approved by the enforcement agency. Food preparation counter space should be provided near cooking equipment. Sanitation Sinks must be easily accessible and should be separated from warewashing sinks by a metal splashguard unless theyre spaced apart by at least 24 inches, the law says. If located outside the unit, warewashing sinks must have overhead protection from contaminants like bird droppings, dust and rain. Bathroom facilities A mobile food facility must operate within 200 feet of an approved toilet and handwashing facility to ensure restroom access for employees. Local authorities can impose further safety regulations, the law states. Additional storage Spare tires, automotive equipment and tools must not be stored in food preparation or storage areas. Poisonous substances also should be stored separately. During the business off-hours, food and utensils must be stored in approved facilities to prevent contamination and access to vermin, the law states. Safety A first-aid kit must be in an enclosed case conveniently located for employees. Mobile food facilities operating at multiple locations in one day must ensure utensils are secured, equipment has secure lids, glass liquid level sight gauges have metal protective devices and light bulbs are covered. Liquefied petroleum equipment must meet fire authority standards, and fire extinguishers must be available to combat grease fires. Additional exits must be provided, labeled and easily operable for employees. Gas-fired appliances must be insulated to prevent excessive heat buildup. Outdoor areas The exterior of a mobile food facility and its surrounding areas must be kept clean and hygienic for food service operations. Cook Veronica Campos prepares tacos on the Los Karnales food truck at La Placita food truck park on 9th Street in Modesto, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. Where can food truck inspection reports be accessed? Inspection reports are required to be housed in two locations, Kostlivy said. Each food facility is required to have the most recent inspection report at its facility and available upon customer request, he said. The department also keeps hard copies of the inspection reports at its office, which also are available upon request. Even though there are no official requirements to post inspections online, our department has been doing so for several years, Kostlivy wrote. Inspection reports done by the department can be accessed on Stanislaus Countys website. The county recently made changes to its reporting system after a Bee investigation highlighted persistent public access issues. While the department is in the process of revamping the entire online inspection report portal to provide an easier customer interface, he said the department hopes to have the website finalized by the end of the year. So we respectfully request that our public be mindful of our current improvement efforts and if they have any challenges finding information in our online portal, to either request the report directly from the food facility or our office, Kostlivy wrote. Antonio Hernandez, owner of Tacos El Tony, right, with his employee Jayleen Casillas, left, in Modesto, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Have a question about life in Modesto? Ask The Bees Service Journalism Team Heres how to submit your question to The Bee: You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing me directly at arodriguez@modbee.com, our service journalism desk servicejournalists@modbee.com, or by filling out the form below. Go ahead and fire away with whatever comes to mind. What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com. Feb 27, 2024; Hebron, Ohio, USA; Long-time Buckeye Lake resident Brenda Hileman leaves the polling place where she voted in the recall election for their mayor, Jeryne Peterson. Hileman said she has lived in Buckeye Lake since 1988. Ken Blackwell is a former Ohio secretary of state. Jason Snead is executive director of Honest Elections Project Action, a Washington-based conservative organization. Ohioans deserve elections that are free of foreign influence. But right now, foreign nationals like billionaire activist Hansjorg Wyss are exploiting a tangled web of liberal special interest groups to funnel vast sums into elections all over America. Armed with almost unlimited resources, these foreign-funded groups are influencing ballot issue campaigns across the country. And Ohio is at the heart of it all. Just last year, one of these foreign-backed groups, Sixteen Thirty Fund, spent over $14 million on ballot issue campaigns in Ohio. That was no one-off. Sixteen Thirty Fund is already one of the largest backers of an issue campaign dubbed Citizens Not Politiciansironic, given Sixteen Thirty Funds foreign fundingand is poised to spend millions on ballot initiatives this year. Ken Blackwell is a former Ohio secretary of state. As a former Ohio Secretary of State and the leader of an organization devoted to advancing fair and honest elections, we believe this foreign influence should be stopped. It is already illegal for foreign nationals like Mr. Wyss to donate to political candidates. The same should be true for ballot issues. Fortunately, the first steps to close this loophole have already been taken. The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 215 sponsored by Sens. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, and Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green. The bill will ban both direct and indirect foreign influence over state ballot issues. We call on the Ohio House to quickly follow suit, and put this crucial protection in place before the 2024 election. The scope of foreign influence in politics today is astounding. Hansjorg Wyss is one of the largest political donors in America, despite choosing not to become a citizen. According to a biography of Wyss written by his sister, Wysss goal is to [re]interpret the American Constitution in the light of progressive politics. By all accounts, he is making good on his promise to influence American politics. Politico recently reported that Wyss showered liberal groups with $63 million in 2022 alone. All in, Wyss has funneled nearly half a billion dollars into partisan organizations and causes. Half of that enormous sum, $243 million in all, was directed to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the same group that has already pumped over $14 million into Ohio's ballot issue campaigns. Sixteen Thirty is a behemoth of liberal political activism. It has spent nearly $80 million to influence ballot issues in 18 states, and in 2022 alone NBC News reports that Sixteen Thirty spent $200 million helping Democrats win elections and backing state ballot measures. This foreign-funded juggernaut has put Ohio in its crosshairs. Sixteen Thirty Fund is pushing a supposedly bipartisan overhaul of the redistricting process. And in the Ohio Supreme Court, Wyss's personal attorney, Marc Elias, is suing to advance another ballot issue to rewrite the states election laws. The proposed text of that measure would even permit non-citizen voting, something Ohioans voted decisively against in 2022. Jason Snead is executive director of Honest Elections Project Action, a group that advocates for voting law restrictions. Foreign nationals should not be dictating Ohios election laws, deciding who gets to vote, or rewriting this states Constitution. That is true regardless of which side may benefit from foreign funding. Thats why eight states, including even blue states like California and Washington, have taken steps to block foreign funding of ballot measures. Initiatives should not be a Trojan horse for foreign political influence. Ohioans overwhelmingly agree. A recent poll conducted by Honest Elections Project Action found that 85% of registered voters think foreign nationals should not be allowed to influence elections, while 68% would support a law to block indirect foreign influence of elections. Senate Bill 215 would make Ohio the next state to close this loophole, without infringing on the rights and privacy of American citizens who choose to donate to candidates and causes they support. It is a crucial step, but it is not the end of the road. Once this loophole is closed, foreign-funded special interests will likely look for others. Lawmakers should remain vigilant. Not one person testified against the bill, but every Democrat in the Ohio Senate voted to continue allowing foreign money to influence Ohios elections. Buckeye State voters deserves better than politicians that would turn a ban on foreign election influence into a partisan issue. For lawmakers, the question is simple: should foreign money be allowed to influence Ohios elections? To us, the answer is clear. The Ohio Senate has begun this crucial work. For the sake of every Ohioan, its time to finish the job. Ken Blackwell is a former Ohio secretary of state. Jason Snead is executive director of Honest Elections Project Action, a Washington D.C. -based conservative organization. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Foreigners and their money must be kicked out of Ohio elections Commentary: What drives the growth of China's soft power 08:08, March 15, 2024 By Gao Wencheng ( Xinhua A guest attends the publishing forum on the "China's Academic Sharing and Dissemination Around the Globe" and book launch of the "China Perspective" Series at London Book Fair in London, Britain, March 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Consistency between words and deeds defines China's soft power. This is precisely why China is poised to synergize its growing soft and hard power and make more contributions to world peace and development. BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A recent report by British consultancy Brand Finance highlighted China's ascent to the third position in the Global Soft Power Index for 2024. This leap underscores China's growing charm and burgeoning influence on the global stage. Brand Finance defines soft power as a country's ability to influence and attract international actors rather than coerce them. While interpretations of soft power differ, it generally represents a country's appeal, influence and charisma, as opposed to the awe and dread associated with hard power. China's surge in soft power can be attributed to various factors. To begin with, the ascent has much to do with the appeal and innovation of traditional Chinese culture. As Joseph Nye, an American political scientist who coined the term soft power, put it, one of the sources of China's soft power is traditional Chinese culture, which remains attractive. Recent events like Year of the Dragon celebrations at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York have once again showcased the charm of Chinese culture and captivated audiences worldwide. Such elements as language, traditional medicine, Tai Chi and calligraphy have also gained popularity overseas. People perform dragon dance in a parade featuring Chinese New Year in San Francisco, the United States, Feb. 24, 2024. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua) Meanwhile, modern Chinese culture is also trending. Productions like "The Three-Body Problem" and "The Wandering Earth" have garnered international traction, and Chinese games like "Genshin Impact" have successfully entered overseas markets. Another driver is the robust new momentum of China's development, whose spillover effect has created more opportunities for the world. The success of online retail platforms like Temu and Shein and the international recognition of Chinese electric vehicles serve as good examples. China's emphasis on innovation-driven development has positioned it at the forefront of crucial fields like digital technology and renewable energy. That not only boosts China's economy but also offers quality products and services that meet the needs of global consumers, fostering a shared sense of progress and prosperity. Also propelling China's soft power is the increasing global recognition of the principles it upholds and practices as a responsible major country. Through China's engagement in promoting multilateral cooperation and its consistent efforts to address pressing international challenges, resolve regional conflicts and push for a fairer global governance system, the world sees a country committed to the common good of humanity. Journalists take photos and videos during BYD grand launch in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 18, 2024. China's BYD, a global leader in the sale of pure electric vehicles (EV), launched three new electric passenger cars, SEAL, Atto 3, and Dolphin, in Jakarta, Indonesia to further expand in the Southeast Asia region. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) China's development model also serves as a viable alternative for many developing nations in their quest for modernization, offering valuable insights into balancing political stability, economic growth and social governance. The tangible results yielded from the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and other Chinese proposals have continuously strengthened the world's appreciation of China's positive national image and contributed to the ongoing enhancement of China's soft power. For example, the China International Import Expo and other Chinese exhibitions "reflect the desire of China to cooperate with other countries to achieve common interests in a way that reflects joint development for China and the world," said Diaa Helmy, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Egyptian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, adding that "those initiatives and expos are an indication that China opens its arms to all to achieve win-win cooperation." Consistency between words and deeds defines China's soft power. This is precisely why China is poised to synergize its growing soft and hard power and make more contributions to world peace and development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Six More Assyrian Parties Announce Boycott of Kurdistan Elections Six Christian political parties on Thursday announced that they would not take part in the Kurdistan Region's upcoming general elections due to the elimination of the quota seats by an Iraqi top court, joining several other Christian and Turkmen political parties. The Assyrian Democratic Movement, the Beit Nahrain National Unity Party, the Assyrian Democratic Party, the Assyrian Syriac Chaldean People's Council, the Sons of Nahrain Party and the Beit Nahrain Democratic Party announced in a joint statement on Thursday that they would not participate in the Kurdistan Region's June 10 parliamentary elections, citing concerns over the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court's recent decision which eliminated the 11 quota seats allocated for minorities. "If any individual takes part [in the elections] through the general lists to reach the parliament, they will not represent us and we will not abide by their positions and policies," read the joint statement from the Christian political parties. Jinan Jabbar, leader of the Chaldean National Party, on Monday read out a statement from his party and a number of other Christian parties, including the National Unity Alliance and the Chaldeal Political Board, announcing their boycott of the Kurdistan Region's June polls. Jabbar told reporters that the federal court's ruling was a "great injustice" against Christians and a "dangerous violation of the rights of the minorities." In Ainkawa, situated at the northern edge of Erbil city, residents gathered in front of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph last week to protest the "blatant injustice and the unjust decision to remove the quota seats," calling on the Baghdad court to reverse the ruling. The court ruling is very significant for the minorities as it rules that their candidates for the Kurdistan parliament can no longer only run against other minority candidates competing for the designated quota seats, with Christian and Turkmen parties having to resort to fielding their candidates against those of better-funded, established Kurdish political parties. Several Turkmen political parties have also announced that they would not take part in the June polls. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has set June 10 as the new date for the Region's general elections which have been repeatedly delayed due to disputes between the Region's ruling parties on how the polls should be held and in relation to the dissolution of the Kurdish legislature after the federal court deemed its self-extension "unconstitutional." GENEVA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China has made significant progress in safeguarding ethnic minorities' right to education during its modernization, said experts at a side event of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council here Thursday. During the event, hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies, Chinese experts and scholars from universities and research institutions presented findings on China's efforts to guarantee ethnic minorities' right to education in its modernization, with a focus on Xizang Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Modernization is a crucial indicator of high-quality development, and education plays a key role in achieving it. With the acceleration of human civilization, ethnic minorities' right to education has received increasing attention, as it is closely related to the modernization of China and the world, said Wang Yanwen, deputy secretary-general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies. Liang Junyan, a researcher at the Institute of History Studies of China Tibetology Research Center, shared cases of Tibetan students whose lives were changed through education. She said that the development of education in Xizang has not only improved the cultural literacy of local ethnic groups, but also provided strong talent support for Xizang's economic, social, and cultural progress. China's efforts to safeguard the right to education of ethnic minorities in Xizang have greatly promoted the development of education in the region, said Jia Chunyang, executive director of the Center for Economic and Social Security Studies of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. Tuersun Aibai, an associate professor with the School of Journalism and Communication of Xinjiang University, highlighted Xinjiang's continuous efforts to protect the right to education of all ethnic groups, especially minority groups. Xinjiang has been broadening access to education, increasing investment in education, and promoting the teaching of the national common language. It has introduced courses in Uygur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Mongolian, and Xibe languages in primary and secondary schools, fully guaranteeing the right of minority students to learn their own languages, said Aibai. Qiao Basheng, director of the Center for International Communication and Cultural Security Studies of the Northwest University of Political Science and Law, said that modern education in China not only safeguards the rights of ethnic minorities to maintain their own characteristics and dignity, but also provides opportunities and channels for them to participate in national development. The right to education of ethnic minorities with disabilities is a manifestation of social equity and justice, and plays a significant role in promoting social progress and development. Remarkable achievements have been made in this regard in Xizang and Xinjiang, said Zhou Lulu, vice dean of the Institute for Human Rights at Guangzhou University. Li Juan, a researcher from the Human Rights Studies Center of Central South University, said that China has continuously strengthened the legal basis for the protection of the right to education of ethnic minorities by formulating and implementing a series of education laws. In the process of modernizing education in China, educational informatization is essential to ensure that ethnic minorities have access to education, while educational digitalization will become a stronger driving force for the protection of ethnic minorities' right to education, said Gong Xianghe, executive director of the Institute for Human Rights Studies of Southeast University. A photo exhibition with the theme "Modern Life of ethnic minorities in China" was held simultaneously, demonstrating the practices of China's ethnic minorities in promoting modernization in political, economic, social, cultural and other fields. A banner reading "Climate protection is not a crime!" hang on at a camp organized by the "Stop Tesla" initiative in a pine forest near the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. The permit for the camp expires this Friday at midnight and is expected to be evacuated next weekend. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa An environmental activist camp in the woods near electric carmaker Tesla's plant outside Berlin will be allowed to remain for the time being, officials announced on Friday. The activists set up camp in the woods, which are state property, to protest Tesla's plans to expand the plant and clear the forest. Tesla's expansion plans have also prompted environmental concerns about potential risks for sensitive nearby wetlands. The camp's protest authorization was set to expire on Saturday, raising the prospect of police action to clear the forest. But the interior minister for the German state of Brandenburg, which owns the forest, announced that permission would be extended through Thursday. The activists, however, will be required to take down tree houses that they built in the woods by Monday, according to the minister, Michael Stubgen of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU). He cited safety concerns. If the activists do not remove the structures, the police have some legal authority to break up the gathering. The protestors have so far not said if they will comply with the demand to dismantle the tree houses. The activists had registered the camp as a political gathering, which is protected by German law and does not require special police permission. Such gatherings, however, can be prohibited under certain circumstances. Stubgen said authorities would also need to consider whether a long-term occupation of the woods by activists would pose issues for the natural area and wildlife. People stand in front of a camp organized by the "Stop Tesla" initiative in a pine forest near the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. The permit for the camp expires this Friday at midnight and is expected to be evacuated next weekend. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa Tree houses hang in a camp organized by the "Stop Tesla" initiative in a pine forest near the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. The permit for the camp expires this Friday at midnight and is expected to be evacuated next weekend. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa Retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig issued a searing rebuke of the Supreme Courts unanimous decision that Colorado could not disqualify former President Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendments insurrection ban, which preserved his ability to seek a second term. In a piece published Thursday in The Atlantic, Luttig, a longtime conservative jurist on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, said all nine justices dangerously betrayed democracy in making their decision. Voters and advocacy groups had filed dozens of challenges to Trumps ballot eligibility in states across the country, claiming his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack triggered his disqualification. The high court sided with Trump by ruling Congress has exclusive authority to enforce the 14th Amendment to disqualify federal candidates. Luttig, who had been vocal in support of the Colorado Supreme Courts decision to bar Trump from the ballot, described Section 3 of the 14th Amendment as the Constitutions safety net for Americas democracy, promising to automatically disqualify from public office all oath-breaking insurrectionists against the Constitution, deeming them too dangerous to entrust with power unless supermajorities of both houses of Congress formally remove their disability. Our highest court dramatically and dangerously betrayed its obligation to enforce what once was the Constitutions safety net for Americas democracy. The Supreme Court has now rendered that safety net a dead letter, effectively rescinding it as if it had never been enacted, Luttig wrote. Luttig pushed back on the argument that barring Trump from the ballot would be undemocratic, writing: Disqualification is not what is antidemocratic; rather, it is the insurrection that is antidemocratic, as the Constitution emphatically tells us. He continued, That the disqualification clause has not previously been invoked to keep traitors against the Constitution from having a second opportunity to fracture the framework of our republic reflects not its declining relevance but its success at deterring the most dangerous assaults on our government until now. Luttig, who previously submitted an amicus brief in the case, reiterated his core arguments in favor of upholding the Colorado decision. What ought to have been, as a matter of the Constitutions design and purpose, the climax of the struggle for the survival of Americas democracy and the rule of law instead turned out to be its nadir, delivered by a Court unwilling to perform its duty to interpret the Constitution as written, Luttig wrote. Desperate to assuage the growing sense that it is but a political instrument, the Court instead cemented that image into history. It did so at what could be the most perilous constitutional and political moment in our countrys history, when the nation and the Constitution needed the Court mostto adjudicate not the politics of law, but the law of the politics that is poisoning the lifeblood of America. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former long-time county tax commissioner pleaded guilty to not reporting earnings from her work for four cities on her tax return. According to court records, 57-year-old Tabetha DuPriest pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing to a false tax return. DuPriest served as Worth County Commissioner since 2001 and as President of the Georgia Association of Tax Officials from 2019 to 2021. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In her role as tax commissioner, officials said she oversaw the collection of motor vehicle taxes and property taxes for the cities of Sylvester, Poulan, Warwick and Sumner. Court documents revealed that she earned $80,000 a year for that work and received her Form W-2 from the Worth County Board of Commissioners. In addition to her salary, officials said each city separately contracted DuPriest to collect city taxes and was compensated for her work. According to investigators, DuPriest did not declare any additional income she received from her independent contracts with the four cities in Worth County on her federal tax returns since she became the tax commissioner. TRENDING STORIES: Officials said that DuPriest began declaring the additional income after she was interviewed by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in 2022. During her interview, officials said DuPriest first claimed she reported the extra revenue on her tax returns, but in another interview, officials said she admitted to not reporting it. According to the investigation, DuPrest received $99,293.65 from the four cities between 2016 and 2021 and did not report it on her tax returns. Officials added that she was responsible for causing the Internal Revenue Service at least a $27,924.22 tax loss and must now pay $22,482.22 in restitution. There is no excuse for a long-time Tax Commissioner to fail to report earnings on personal income taxes, just like other citizens must do, said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. These kinds of schemes undermine the publics trust and simply wont be tolerated by our office or our law enforcement partners. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A jury on Friday convicted former MBTA police officer Shawn McCarthy of raping two women while on duty after he drove them in his marked police cruiser to an area near the Museum of Science in 2012, the district attorney said. McCarthy, 50, a former Wilmington who now lives in Maine, was ordered held on Friday after being convicted of three counts of rape stemming from the 2012 incident, Hayden said. He will be sentenced on Wednesday, March 20. This officer abused his position, violated his department protocols, and, worst of all by far, subjected two young women to sexual assaults that went unacted upon for many years, Hayden said in a statement Friday. But thanks to the victims ultimately coming forward, and the diligent work of investigators, justice in this case was sought and, with todays verdict, delivered. In a statement Friday, MBTA Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green called McCarthys conduct abhorrent, predatory and vile. First and foremost, we must acknowledge the survivors in this horrific incident. We are in total admiration at the courage and bravery they displayed throughout this ordeal, Green said. We must also acknowledge Assistant District Attorney Ian Palumbuam whose experience, skills and abilities were brought to bear on behalf of the survivors and citizens of the Commonwealth to hold Shawn McCarthy accountable for his abhorrent, predatory and vile conduct. The jurors rendered a thoughtful and just verdict. We are committed to restoring the faith and trust of those we are sworn to serve and protect. On July 6, 2012, the victims, then in their early 20s, were drinking in Boston when they encountered McCarthy outside the Aquarium subway station, Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum said. Against the advice of a fellow officer, McCarthy offered the women a joyride in his marked police cruiser and drove them around the area with blue lights flashing, prosecutors said. After stopping in a vacant lot so the women could relieve themselves, McCarthy said he hadnt risked his job for nothing and he would not take them back downtown until he got something out of it, Hayden said. The women told investigators that they feared getting in trouble and had no choice but to submit. McCarthy raped one of the victims as she stood against the parked cruiser, and also raped the second victim as she sat in the backseat of the cruiser, Hayden said. McCarthy then drove the women back to the area where they had met and warned them not to tell anyone about the episode. One of the victims disclosed the assault soon afterward to a male relative, Hayden said. In August 2019, she had to disclose it again while answering required questions as a candidate for a law-enforcement job in another community. Up to that point, both victims had believed the perpetrator worked for the Boston Police Department, prosecutors said. The matter was initially referred to Boston Police, and investigators identified the assailant as a Transit Police officer, Hayden said. A grand jury investigation with the MBTA police followed. McCarthy was later arraigned on the rape charges in May 2020. McCarthy admitted that he had two women in the cruiser on the night in question but denied any wrongdoing, Hayden said. He was placed on administrative leave in December 2019 and resigned soon afterward. 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 Laura Smith was MP for Crewe and Nantwich between 2017 and 2019 Former Crewe and Nantwich MP Laura Smith says she has quit the Labour Party after being suspended by the local Labour group on the council she serves. Ms Smith, a Cheshire East councillor, posted on her Facebook page to say she was suspended for not voting with her party to support a council budget she described as an austerity budget. She added quitting Labour had not been easy but said it was the right move for her, adding she would continue to serve her Crewe South ward as an independent. The Labour Party said the budget to which Ms Smith objected was credible and sensible. No party has overall control at the local authority, but it is run under a joint administration of Labour and independent councillors. Ms Smith was MP for Crewe and Nantwich from 2017 until 2019, when she lost out to Conservative Dr Kieran Mullan. In September 2018 she made headlines by calling for a general strike at a Labour conference fringe event. Having objected to proposed budget cuts, Ms Smith said she could not be a hypocrite by voting to push them through. It is for that reason, and after much consideration, I have decided to resign my membership of the UK Labour Party, rather than appeal my recent suspension letter by the local Labour group at Cheshire East Council. 'Too good for them' Among those to respond to the news of Ms Smiths departure was recently-elected Rochdale MP and former Labour member George Galloway. He said: All I can say to you is you are way too good for them. Time to go. Ms Smith said representing her home towns as MP was something she had not felt would be possible. That two and a half years in Parliament was an experience that I will always cherish and struggle with in equal measures," she said. The stark reality of our political system is one that I cannot pretend hasn't made me more cynical, less hopeful for a real alternative and unfortunately more worried for the future. 'Finger-wagging' She said she had felt judgement within the Labour Party for not being able to attend meetings or carry out door-knocking due to her responsibilities as a working mother. I have heard the tutting and watched the finger-wagging and listened to the comments and I think that it unfortunately remains the case that to be valued in the party you need to have lots and lots of free time, Ms Smith said. A spokesperson for the Labour Party said: "Under Keir Starmer's leadership the Labour Party has changed fundamentally. The Labour Party is no longer a party of protest." They added: "The Conservatives have slashed council budgets, hitting vital services after 14 years of cuts. Despite the cuts, the Labour Party in Cheshire East has set a credible, sensible and deliverable budget which protects services and the most vulnerable. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk Related stories Related internet links Former Ojai private school teacher Paul Herder pleaded guilty Thursday to six felony counts involving sexual conduct with an underage student. Herder, 65, admitted to unlawful sexual intercourse, using a minor for sex acts, oral copulation of someone under 18, digital penetration of a minor and two counts of luring, according to Ventura County Superior Court records. In the plea agreement, Herder also admitted to special allegations that he took advantage of a position of trust. Such allegations can impact sentencing. Sheriff's deputies began investigating Herder in February 2023, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's office, after a former Oak Grove School student came forward with allegations that Herder had engaged in "numerous" sexual acts with her while he was a teacher and she was a minor student. The relationship lasted from 2013 to 2017. Detectives located Herder in Hawaii where he was arrested June 12 before being extradited on July 31. The former teacher previously pled not guilty to 23 felony charges in August before reversing course on a handful as part of Thursday's plea deal. Deputy DA Emily Reber led the case against Herder. Paul Herder For too long, the defendant had gotten away with the terrible crimes and abuse of trust heperpetrated on the underage victim, Reber said in the DA's news release. She is finally able to secure the justice and accountability that had escaped her for so many years. Herder remained in custody Saturday at the Todd Road Jail facility outside Santa Paula with bail set at $100,000. Herder's sentencing is slated for the morning of April 29 in courtroom 11. The former educator is expected to be sentenced to six years and eight months in state prison, prosecutors said. On Nov. 13, a former student filed a civil lawsuit against Herder, Oak Grove School and the Krishnamurti Foundation of America, the school's parent nonprofit. The suit alleges the school and foundation failed to protect her from alleged sexual assault and abuse by Herder and covered up evidence that he had sexually abused other students. That lawsuit is ongoing as of March 14, according to court documents. This story may be updated. Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Former Ojai private school teacher pleads guilty in sex crimes case FILE - President Donald Trump listens as Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a briefing at the White House, March 29, 2020, in Washington. In an interview with Fox News Channel Friday, March 15, 2024, Pence said he will not be backing Donald Trump in the 2024 election. "It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year," he said. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) NEW YORK (AP) Former Vice President Mike Pence says he will not be backing Donald Trump in the 2024 election. It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year," Pence said in an interview with Fox News Channel Friday, weighing in for the first time since the former president became the presumptive GOP nominee. Pence ran against Trump for their party's nomination but dropped his bid before voting began last year. The decision makes Pence the latest in a series of senior Trump administration officials who have declined to endorse their former boss's bid to return to the Oval Office. While Republican members of Congress and other GOP officials have largely rallied behind Trump, a vocal minority has continued to oppose his bid. It also marks the end of a metamorphosis for Pence, who had long been seen as one of Trump's most loyal defenders but broke with his two-time running mate by refusing to go along with Trump's unconstitutional scheme to try to remain in power after losing the 2020 election. When Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, trying to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's win, Pence was forced to flee to a Senate loading dock as rioters chanted, Hang Mike Pence! outside. In order to participate in the Republican primary debates, Pence was required to sign a pledge saying that he would support the partys eventual nominee. And during the first debate in Milwaukee, Pence was among the candidates who raised their hands when asked whether they would support Trump even if he were convicted in one of his four criminal indictments. But Pence had made clear he had come to harbor serious reservations about Trump's actions and his policy stances. I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again, he said during his campaign launch speech. As the campaign progressed, he raised alarms about the party's resistance to sending aid to Ukraine and called on his fellow Republicans to reject what he called the siren song of populism espoused by Trump and his followers. In the interview on Fox's "The Story with Martha MacCallum," Pence said he was incredibly proud of his and Trump's record in office, but said, During my presidential campaign I made it clear that there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues, and not just our difference on my Constitutional duties that I exercised on January the 6th." I mean, as I have watched his candidacy unfold, I've seen him walking away from our commitment to confronting the national debt. I've seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life, he went on, also referencing what he called Trump's reversal on getting tough on China and supporting our administration's effort to force the sale of the popular TikTok app. In each of these cases, Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. And that's why I cannot in conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign," he said. Pence declined to say whom he would be voting for I'm going to keep my vote to myself, he said but made clear it wouldn't be Biden. I would never vote for Joe Biden," he said. I'm a Republican. WORCESTER Princepe "Prince" Virtuez could have started his barber shop anywhere, but the Worcester resident decided to put down roots in his old neighborhood of Main South. Princepe "Prince" Virtuez, doing his signature social media pose, used to be homeless and in and out of jail before starting his barbershop. He started studying barbering back in 2018 after finishing an eight-year sentence. Now hes a business owner trying to be a role model to others in Main South. In fact, the Palace Elite Barber Spa, located at 1067 Main St., overlooks where Virtuez used to sleep. The building, known as Bike Alley, has an adjoining parking lot where he would spend the night after running away from foster care. This used to be my bed, said Virtuez pointing to the lot, who at the time was between 14 and 15 years old. Not a grown man who couldnt get his life together, but a child who didnt know where to go. When the time came to choose a location for his business and Virtuez heard there was space at the Bike Alley, so named for having formerly been a bicycle shop, he asked his real estate agent to look into it. In returning to his roots, Virtuez wanted to challenge a long-standing belief in communities like Main South that success only comes to those who are able to get out. That's the Worcester culture, he said. That you have to leave here to come up I wanted to defeat that. In doing so, he hoped he could become an inspiration to others in his community seeing that opportunities for success are not always outside Worcester, but in themselves, he said. "Coming from nothing" Virtuez spent the first part of his childhood in foster care, then as an adult was in and out of prison in a self-perpetuating cycle. Id go to prison, and when I was released, Id be homeless, go back to doing the same things because of that, then back to prison, he explained. During his last stint, serving an eight-year sentence, Virtuez began taking a variety of career training classes. I wanted to give myself all the opportunities I could, he said. He studied horticulture, welding, culinary arts and barbering. He enjoyed many of them, but a lot of those things I couldnt do forever barbering was the one that fit me the most. Classes were one thing, but breaking the cycle and making a career out of it was another. The issue was how do I make it happen, cause every time I got out of jail Id be homeless, he explained. Upon getting out of prison in 2018, he approached a friend who owned a barbershop in Webster. Virtuez was given a job and a place to live, and from there he began to work his way up. I was staying in the basement, he recalled. The basement was unfinished, with all that implies water leaks, vermin and no windows. After a year, he had saved enough to purchase his own tools, a car and rent an apartment nearby. In January of 2023, Virtuez opened Palace Elite Barber Spa on Main Street. I live, eat, sleep and breathe (my business), he said. Been 9 to 9 for five years straight. He now boasts a clientele that includes city leadership such as the mayor. The community connection Aside from working for himself, it was important to Virtuez that his career path let him work closely with and serve his community. "Barbering for me was the only thing that I could think of that would not only help me change my life but help me motivate others to change theirs," he said. A strong social media presence is also required for a business to differentiate itself in Worcester and keep up with the pulse of the local community, he said, to the point that every small business owner needs to become a minor content creator. Theres rarely a unique business here. Anything you choose to do, there are probably 15 of those already flourishing so you have to be consistent with marketing and community relations, he said. Marketing is more than just posting pictures of a product, Virtuez warned. The posts alone are not enough. It also takes timing and regularity. Make three or four a day and pay attention to which post at what time gets the most reactions, he explained. For Virtuez, theres no such thing as a lunch or dinner break, with the former a time for editing posts and the latter for checking analytics, views and posting. True to his goal, what sets Palace Elite Barber Spa is the community connection, said Virtuez, building up from the individual to the neighborhood level. Prince Virtuez styles Ash Mbua of Worcester in his Main South shop, Palace Elite Barber Spa. "When I stepped in, the first thing I noticed was that it was very clean," recalls Ben Nwosu, 15, of Worcester. The Worcester Academy student started coming to Palace Elite late last year on the recommendation of a friend when his old barber closed and quickly saw that the language as well as the shop was clean. Which meant he had also found a barber for his father. "Sometimes, I'd be going to barbershops in like a bad area and they'll be cursing a lot and playing explicit music and that would drive my dad away," he said. "It's basically a family-friendly barbershop which I'd been looking for my dad. "(Virtuez) is always happy to have a conversation with you and it's really chill," said Nwosu. "He's just a stand-up guy in general and the cuts are always nice." In addition to hosting bingo nights and free hair cut days for children, Palace Elite has doctors from UMass Chan visit for monthly health care checks. The shop is a participant in the recently revived Barbershop Health Network, which offers services such as blood pressure and glucose screening to Worcester residents through local barbershops, as a way to reach those who might not regularly see a doctor. Taking the national stage Virtuez has not stopped at the neighborhood community in the last five years he has become a force in the national barbershop scene, attending conventions where he gives talks and hosts conferences. Every month, Im somewhere, he said. He spoke to the Telegram from Augusta, Maine, where he was teaching a class, but he's never gone from Palace Elite for long and just like he did when first opening, always returns to Main Street. I came back to Main South to show everybody that the kid who was homeless and a jailbird succeeded, he said. I want to change what Worcesters about. From May 4 to 6, Virtuez plans to attend the CT Barber Expo at Mohegan Sun casino, the biggest barber event in the world. "Any prestigious person in the hair industry will be there," he said. May 4, he is up for a Barber Grammy for Positive Influencer of the Year through his work on social media. "Im all about coming from nothing and inspiring people and social media is the way for that," he said. Though his competition includes celebrity barbers who style hair for actors and pop stars, Virtuez refuses to be intimidated. "I could bring a Grammy home to Worcester. Would be the first barber from Massachusetts to do that. I want to put it right there," he said, pointing at a shelf by the center barber chair. Virtuez is on Instagram as Prince_the_fit_barber. Vote for him in the Grammys before April 17 at www.ctbarberexp.com. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester barber uses his own rags-to-riches story to inspire others (Bloomberg) -- Germany and France said they would start producing weapons inside Ukraine as the leaders of the European Unions two largest economies tried to move past concerns that their differences would hinder the bloc from mobilizing sufficient support for Kyiv. Most Read from Bloomberg The announcement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, however, will do little to address Ukraines most pressing need: getting Kyiv enough ammunition in the short term to ward off the advances of Russian troops, whose average daily shell use can be anywhere from three to five times what Ukrainian forces can fire. Nor will it assuage concerns that Europes leaders as a collective are still struggling to grasp the magnitude of the threat they face. Macrons rhetoric has turned more dire in recent days, but hes so far failed to persuade Scholz to endorse such a bleak analysis. Scholz and Macron met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the so-called Weimar Triangle format to discuss aid and to try to present a united European front, following weeks of bickering among the blocs countries over what kind of equipment to provide and whether to consider sending troops into Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are running desperately short of ammunition as they battle to hold off Russian advances, fueling fears that a defensive collapse could see President Vladimir Putins forces closing in on Kyiv once again. Macron struck a much stronger stance this week, warning during a television interview on Thursday that the European Union would face a threat of a Russian invasion unless Putins forces are defeated in Ukraine. Who can think for a second that President Putin, who hasnt respected any of his limits or commitments, would stop there? Macron asked during a joint interview with TF1 and France 2 television channels on Thursday. The security of Europe and French people are at stake. Neither Scholz nor Macron gave details on the production plants, but German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG announced last month that it will open a new plant in Ukraine to produce artillery ammunition with a local joint venture partner. The partners have agreed to build and jointly operate the plant, which will produce a six-digit number of bullets per year. Today in Berlin we discussed how we can very concretely support Ukraine even more strongly, Scholz told reporters after the meeting. The production of military equipment will be expanded, also with partners in Ukraine. Earlier this month, the French defense minister Sebastien Lecornu cited the Franco-German battle tank manufacturer KNDS among French companies that will set up partnerships to produce equipment in Ukraine. Id like to thank the chancellor, who takes particular responsibility for industrial co-production choices on Ukrainian soil, Macron said. Tusk told reporters that they all agreed that help for Ukraine needs to be immediate and as intense as possible. Macron has sought to take a lead in Europe on support for Ukraine, organizing a leaders summit in Paris at which countries agreed on a plan to source much-need ammunition for the Ukrainian military outside the European Union, and signing bilateral defense pacts with Ukraine and Moldova. Last week he sent his top diplomat to Lithuania to drum up support from the Baltic states, which praised his sense of urgency. But the French leader sparked tensions with allies two weeks ago by saying nothing should be ruled out when asked about putting boots on the ground in Ukraine. He argued strategic ambiguity was needed to deter Moscow. Scholz and the White House swiftly rebuffed the option, while Putin warned NATO risks a nuclear conflict if it sends troops to aid Ukraine. Scholz, however, has faced criticism for refusing to agree to Kyivs request to provide it with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. The chancellor has instead highlighted that Germany is one of Ukraines most generous backers, pledging military assistance worth around $30 billion. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski praised Germanys bilateral aid to Ukraine in an interview ahead of the meeting with Gazeta Wyborcza and Ouest France, while also urging Berlin to do more. I hope that Fridays meeting of the Weimar Triangle will encourage Chancellor Scholz to take more decisive action. While the meeting in Berlin wont be a game changer, it is the last chance for Scholz and Macron to mend fences ahead of decisive months for Ukraine, Junes European Parliament elections and the appointment of a new NATO leader, consulting firm Eurasia Group said in a note. Scholzs chief spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, pushed back earlier Friday against suggestions that the chancellor and Macron dislike each other, which some critics have said is hindering progress in areas including support for Ukraine and joint European defense. The two leaders have a very good relationship, even if they disagree on some issues such as sending troops to fight in the war with Russia, which Macron has declined to rule out, Hebestreit said at the regular government news conference. --With assistance from Samy Adghirni. (Recasts from the first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The leaders of France, Germany and Poland are set to hold urgent talks on Ukraine in Berlin, as they seek to garner additional support for Kyiv. Friday's tripartite summit in Berlin comes on the heels of a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Polish leaders in Washington, shortly after Biden announced an emergency stopgap package for Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was of great importance that the three countries of the so-called Weimar Triangle meet to discuss the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Scholz said: "We must do everything we can to organise as much support as possible for Ukraine." Scholz stressed that the "Weimar Triangle" a diplomatic format for French, German and Polish cooperation established in 1991 was an important format for political exchange. Poland, one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, has repeatedly urged its Western partners to increase their spending on military aid as Kyiv fends off Russia's invasion. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told state broadcaster TVP late Tuesday from Washington: "In my opinion, these three capitals have the task and the power to mobilise all of Europe" to provide Ukraine with fresh aid. Read more on RFI English Read also: Brussels agrees 'in principle' to 5bn package to fund arms for Ukraine The 136bn price tag on Ukraine's path to joining the EU France's Macron urges allies not be 'cowardly' on Ukraine BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Brunei has allocated over 1 million U.S. dollars to deliver 5,920 ready-to-eat meal packages to Gaza via airdrops, official media Pelita Brunei has reported. The report said, citing a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that the initial delivery was carried out on Wednesday using aircraft from the Jordanian air force, targeting the northern coastal region of Gaza. More deliveries were scheduled for Thursday and Friday to the same location. Each food package contains long-lasting meal for one person, according to the report on Thursday. The food airdrops were funded by Brunei's Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023. Fresno County has been ordered to pay more than $72,000 in legal fees to two Fresno City Council members for their defense against the countys unsuccessful lawsuit over campaign finance issues. The county last year sued Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez, both candidates for the countys Board of Supervisors, after the pair announced their intentions to transfer money from their City Council campaign finance committees to their Board of Supervisors campaigns. The lawsuit was based on a 2020 ordinance that put a $30,000 cap on transfers or contributions from a candidates campaign account for non-county elective offices into their campaign for county offices including the county Board of Supervisors. Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jon Skiles ruled in favor of Bredefeld and Chavez in October, finding that the countys ordinance was unconstitutional in how it was applied. In a ruling last week, Skiles ordered the county to pay the two council members $72,709 in attorney fees. The pair were represented in the case by Sacramento attorney Brian Hildreth. In a prepared statement, the county said it is still considering whether to appeal the fee award or not. In his March 7 ruling, Skiles said the amount, while less than what Bredefeld and Chavez were seeking, adequately compensates for the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved in the case. The ruling came two days following the March 5 primary election in which Bredefeld was the top vote-getter in a five-person field to represent northeast and northwest Fresno in the District 2 seat on the Board of Supervisors, earning a spot in a November general election runoff against incumbent Supervisor Steve Brandau. Chavez won a place in a two-person runoff by finishing second to incumbent District 3 Supervisor Sal Quintero out of a field of four candidates. Throughout the lawsuit, Bredefeld had criticized the countys ordinance as an incumbent protection scheme and Chavez described the case as a witch hunt because the ordinance did not apply to incumbent Fresno County officeholders While Bredefeld and Chavez were named as defendants in the lawsuit, Fresno County Counsel Daniel Cederborg said following the October ruling that this lawsuit did not target individuals but was an attempt to settle conflicting questions on the issue of campaign transfers. But in his ruling to award attorney fees, Skiles noted that the county argued that the two council members were the only individuals affected by the ordinance in question and the only people to benefit from the judgment in the lawsuit. Bredefeld and Chavez, however, said their defense against the lawsuit served to protect not only their rights to free speech, but also those of future county candidates. The constitutionality of (the county ordinance), as applied to intra-campaign transfers, was the question before the court, Skiles wrote. Although fundamental constitutional rights are by nature individual rights, their enforcement benefits the entire public. The posture in this case was the County seeking clarification of whether it could proceed with enforcement of its ordinance, to avoid violations of the ordinances and to provide the public, the county and all potential candidates for County elective office with clear guidance (on the ordinance) to avoid any uncertainty or unfairness in the upcoming 2024 elections, Skiles wrote, quoting from the countys lawsuit against Bredefeld and Chavez. Skiles added that the defense against the lawsuit resulted in the enforcement of free speech, constituting a significant benefit to the general public. Match Day is arguably one of the most anticipated days in a medical students journey to becoming a physician. Through the National Resident Matching Program, every medical student in the U.S. learns the results of their residency program placements simultaneously. The reveal happens on March 15 at noon. Theres a lot of nerves, a lot of anxiety, anxious anticipation, Marcy Verduin, an Associate Dean for Students and Professors of Psychiatry at UCF, said. Watch: UCF and City of Orlando partnering to launch resilience hub for underserved communities At that time, University of Central Florida College of Medicine students will learn where theyre going to spend the next three to seven years of their lives. Its a high-stakes day with a lot of pressure. It is so important, Verduin said. Its the culmination of everything theyve been working for. All their dreams, the kind of doctor they hope to become. Where they want to live and train. There are 117 students matching at UCF. Read: UCF lands its largest pledge ever for big football facility project Sixteen of them applied to psychiatry. Its the second-largest specialty at the college, next to internal medicine. Kelsey Manko and Matthew Caldwell both applied to match in that field. Its popularity has grown since the pandemic. Watch: $13.2M project aims to improve pedestrian safety near UCF Theres a lot more emphasis on mental health, Manko said. I think people in general started realizing how important mental health is after being isolated for so long. Both Manko and Caldwell are from Orlando and hope to match in Florida or the Southeast. They both told us UCF has set them up for success, but the nerves are still running high. Im a little nervous, Caldwell said. Mostly excited. Im more excited about finding out where Im going to go for the next four years. UCFs College of Medicine Match Day festivities will begin at 11:30 Friday morning on Tavistock Green. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Semafor Signals Insights from Just Security, Lawfare, and The New York Times The News A Georgia judge ruled Friday that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could stay on former President Donald Trumps election interference case if she cuts all ties with the cases lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, with whom she had a romantic relationship with. Later on Friday, Wade resigned from his position as special prosecutor, saying he was doing it in the interest of democracy... and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. The Trump team failed to meet their burden in proving Williss relationship with Wade was a conflict of interest to merit her removal from the case, Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee ruled. But he found impropriety in Williss and Wades relationship, and said she must step aside if Wade does not leave the case. Trump and his co-defendants had argued that Williss romantic relationship with Wade, who she hired to oversee the case, benefitted her financially, and should have barred her from working on the indictment. Willis and Wade have both strenuously denied any wrongdoing that would have merited their disqualification. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Legal experts say evidence presented didnt merit disqualification Sources: MSNBC, Just Security Judge McAfees decision is an easy one with a clear path, MSNBC News legal contributor Katie S. Phang wrote last week: Trumps co-defendants didnt show the evidence legally required to disqualify Willis, she said, so the district attorney should remain on the case. Whether there were personal failings is not the operative legal test for whether Willis or Wade should be disqualified from the case, legal experts wrote for Just Security, arguing that there was no basis in Georgia law for removing Willis and Wade based on the evidence presented. Even if all the factual allegations regarding Willis and Wade were true, there would be no basis for disqualifying them, the experts wrote. Calls for Wade to step down or risk being removed Sources: Just Security, CNN, Lawfare Regardless of whether he was guilty of any wrongdoing, the legal experts who wrote for Just Security said before the decision was made that Wade, the special prosecutor, should voluntarily step down from the case to dispense with any lingering concerns and prevent any in the future. (Wade stepped down Friday after the judges ruling.) His continued presence will create a distraction, and his departure, in addition to an on-the-record hearing in court, is the best path, they wrote. Several advisers and confidants of Willis have urged her to encourage Wade to step aside, CNN reported. Even though the judge didnt disqualify Wade, two legal experts wrote for Lawfare that Willis should remove him. Wade has displayed a sufficient lack of candor with the courts that he is not a credible figure to continue to represent the state in this case, they wrote, including when he seemed to misrepresent his relationship with Willis during his divorce proceedings. They said while those misrepresentations dont add up to what Trumps co-defendants are alleging, they still taint the prosecution if he remains involved with it. Others have argued that both Willis and Wade should step aside. Disqualified or not, the allegations sow distrust of Willis Sources: ABC News, The New York Times I dont think there is any scenario where this [isnt] a bad situation for the prosecutor, one legal ethics professor told ABC News, saying that this will continue to distract from the case even if Willis isnt disqualified. In the near term, when it comes to optics and public perception, it does unfortunately interfere with the perception of integrity, he said. It stokes doubt in members of a Fulton County jury, it stokes doubt in the process of the prosecution, another law professor told The New York Times. She added: These are all negatives that take our focus away from whether or not under Georgia law the former president and his colleagues have the right to engage in the kind of behavior they were engaging in. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing in Atlanta on March 1. (Alex Slitz/AP) Special prosecutor Nathan Wade officially resigned Friday from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump after a judge ruled that either he or Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, with whom Wade previously had a romantic relationship, had to leave the case in order for it to continue. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee found there was no actual conflict brought about by the relationship between Wade and Willis, but that it created the appearance of impropriety. According to the Associated Press, Wade wrote in a letter offering his resignation to Willis that he was stepping away in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. Heres everything you need to know about the latest developments including a timeline of how we got here. Trump at a campaign rally in Rome, Ga., on March 9. (Mike Stewart/AP) Jan. 1, 2021: Willis takes office as the Fulton County district attorney after defeating her former boss in the Democratic primary and running unopposed in the November election. Jan. 2, 2021: Trump asks Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on a now infamous phone call to find him just enough votes to help him flip his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden in the Peach State. The call would later become the centerpiece of Williss case. Feb. 10, 2021: Willis sends a letter to top Georgia officials including Raffensperger, Gov. Brian Kemp, and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan informing them of her initiation of a criminal investigation into possible interference in the states 2020 general election and instructs them to preserve evidence. Nov. 1, 2021: Willis hires Wade as a special prosecutor in the investigation. Special prosecutor Nathan Wade at a hearing in Atlanta on March 1. (Alex Slitz/AP) Nov. 2, 2021: Wade files for divorce from his wife, Joycelyn Wade, in Cobb County Superior Court. Jan. 20, 2022: Wade asks the Fulton County Superior Court to impanel a special purpose grand jury to investigate possible attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. February-April 2022: Willis and Wades yearlong romantic relationship begins, they later say. May 2023: Wade swears in a divorce filing that he has not had sexual relations with anyone since separating from his wife. (He testifies otherwise in a 2024 hearing on Trumps motion to dismiss the case.) Aug. 14, 2023: Trump and 18 others are indicted by a grand jury on criminal charges stemming from Williss long-running investigation. Trump is charged with 13 counts including a charge of violating Georgias RICO (or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. Its the fourth indictment in five months for Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination. Willis gives the defendants until noon on Aug. 25 to surrender. Willis, flanked by Wade, holds a press conference in Atlanta after a grand jury voted to indict Trump and 18 others, Aug. 14, 2023. (Christian Monterrosa/AFP via Getty Images) Jan. 8, 2024: In a bombshell legal filing, Trump co-defendant Michael Roman accuses Willis of misconduct for her clandestine relationship with Wade, alleging that Wades firm was receiving more than $650,000 in public funds while he was paying for vacations with Willis in the Caribbean and elsewhere. The filing also claims that Willis improperly benefited from the arrangement. Roman asks the judge to disqualify the entire prosecution team from the case. Feb. 15, 2024: Willis takes the witness stand during a contentious hearing, forcefully pushing back against what she describes as lies about her romantic relationship with Wade. Do you think Im on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020, Willis says in her fiery testimony. Im not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial. March 15: McAfee, the Fulton County judge, finds that while their relationship created the appearance of impropriety, there was no evidence to support Romans conflict of interest claims. 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 judge writes, the Defendants claims of an actual conflict must be denied. Later that day, Wade offers to remove himself from the case. In a letter accepting his resignation, Willis applauds the special prosecutors professionalism and dignity, saying that Wade had endured threats against you and your family, as well as unjustified attacks in the media and in court on your reputation as a lawyer. Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade (right) has resigned from the Fulton County election interference case "in the interest of democracy." Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder This story was updated at 4:55 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024. A Fulton County judge ruled Friday that District Attorney Fani Willis and her whole office can either step aside from the 2020 election interference case or the special prosecutor who was involved in a romantic relationship with Willis can withdraw from the case. And by Friday afternoon, the special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, had submitted a letter of resignation. Although the court found that the defendants failed to meet their burden of proving that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest, I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and move this case forward as quickly as possible, Wade wrote in his resignation letter. It was one of two options presented in a 23-page ruling that Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issue Friday morning that he concluded were needed to address a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team. But McAfee found that the codefendants who were pushing for Willis disqualification had failed to prove a conflict of interest. Willis quickly accepted Wades resignation. I will always remember and will remind everyone that you were brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the allegations that the defendants in this case engaged in a conspiracy to overturn Georgias 2020 Presidential Election, Willis wrote in response. Defense attorneys had claimed Willis gave her boyfriend Wade a lucrative contract funded by taxpayers to be the lead prosecutor in the election case. Wade spent thousands of dollars on the couples travel to take vacations together on cruises out of the country, weekend trips out of state and other expenses, according to credit card receipts that fueled a dramatic twist in the court case against Trump and his allies. Willis and Wade testified at a hearing on Feb. 15 that their romantic relationship began several months after he was hired for the case and ended last summer. Willis testified under oath that she paid for her share of travel costs in cash. Wade has been paid about $700,000 since being appointed as special prosecutor in November 2021. Fridays 23-page ruling is in response to a motion filed in January by one of the lesser-known defendants, former Trump campaign official Michael Roman, who sought to have the indictment dismissed and the DAs office disqualified from prosecuting the case. The judge held a hearing in February that was nationally watched and featured surprise testimony from Willis, who offered a fiery defense of her actions. But while McAfee ultimately concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove a conflict of interest, he said there is a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team. This finding is by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing, McAfee wrote. Rather, it is the undersigneds opinion that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices even repeatedly and it is the trial courts duty to confine itself to the relevant issues and applicable law properly brought before it. McAfee ruled that changes to the prosecution team were needed because even a perceived conflict could undermine the publics confidence in the legal system. Whether this case ends in convictions, acquittals, or something in between, the result should be one that instills confidence in the process, he wrote. A reasonable observer unburdened by partisan blinders should believe the law was impartially applied, that those accused of crimes had a fair opportunity to present their defenses, and that any verdict was based on our criminal justice systems best efforts at ascertaining the truth. Trumps lead defense counsel Steve Sadow issued a statement Friday morning expressing disappointment in the ruling. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place, Sadow said. In August, a grand jury levied felony charges against Trump and 18 other allies on accusations that they illegally conspired to overturn Georgias 2020 presidential election. The former president as well as the remaining 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, while four of the initial co-defendants have accepted plea agreements. The outcome of the landmark case could factor into Willis bid for a second term as district attorney as she finds herself under a much brighter spotlight than when she won against Paul Howard in 2020. Even with the judges ruling in Willis favor, the motion to dismiss has delayed the case by more than two months, complicating Willis attempt to start the trial by August, ahead of Trumps expected rematch with Biden on Nov. 5. Trump attorney, Steve Sadow, has indicated in an earlier court hearing that the defense attorneys plan to appeal if McAfee allowed Willis to remain on the case. The post Special prosecutor has resigned, allowing DA Willis to continue leading election interference case appeared first on Georgia Recorder. Judge Scott McAfee said his long-awaited ruling on the effort to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis "should" come out Friday. I made a promise to everybody. These kind of orders take time to write. I need to make sure I say exactly what I want to, and I plan to stick to the timeline I gave everyone, McAfee said, according to ABC affiliate WSB who spoke to him Thursday evening. Should be out tomorrow, he continued. PHOTO: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. (Alex Slitz/AP, FILE) MORE: Timeline: Criminal probe into Trump's efforts to overturn Georgia election results Attorneys for several defendants have been pushing for the disqualification of Willis from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump and 18 others. McAfee has been weighing motions to disqualify Willis, primarily over accusations from Ashley Merchant's client, Trump co-defendant Michael Roman, that Willis benefited financially from a "personal, romantic relationship" with Nathan Wade, who she hired for the case, through Wade's "paying for vacations across the world with money he is being paid by the Fulton County taxpayers and authorized solely by Willis." Friday's ruling comes as McAfee is in the midst of an election for a full four-year term on the bench. He has denied that politics would play a part in his ruling. "The message I want to convey is no ruling of mine is ever going to be based on politics," McAfee said. "Im going to be following the law as best I understand it." MORE: Attorney leading effort to disqualify DA Fani Willis tells legislators how she uncovered allegations of misconduct Willis has pushed back on any allegations of misconduct. In a filing this week, she urged the judge to reject the motion to disqualify her, saying that in order to disqualify an elected district attorney, "an actual conflict of interest must be proven" -- which she says the defendants have not done. On Thursday night, a reporter asked the judge how he balances campaigning to keep his seat while presiding over "one of the most watched cases in America." "So I just focus on the job Im doing. Im incredibly grateful for the last year Ive been able to do this. I took this job not because I wanted to score partisan political points. I didnt go looking for the spotlight. I did it because I love the law and giving people their day in court and being efficient about it," he said. Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty last August to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia. Defendants Kenneth Chesebro, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and Scott Hall subsequently took plea deals in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants. Fulton County judge says Fani Willis disqualification ruling 'should be out tomorrow' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Judge Scott McAfee issued his ruling Friday morning on the motions to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others. Willis and Wade given a choice Although McAfee stated that the Defendants failed to prove that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest in this case through her personal relationship and recurring travels with her lead prosecutor, McAfee asserted that the established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that affects the current structure of the prosecution team - an appearance that must be addressed by the State through the selection of one of two options either Willis or Wade must go. "The prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the State selects one of two options. The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office, and refer the prosecution to the Prosecuting Attorneys Council for reassignment. See O.C.G.A. 15-18-5. Alternatively, SADA Wade can withdraw, allowing the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case," McAfee wrote. Nathan Wade resigns A few hours later, Nathan Wade resigned his position as a special prosecutor for the Georgia election interference case on Friday afternoon. In the letter, Wade says that although the court found that the defendants failed to meet their burden of proving an actual conflict of interest, he was offering his resignation in the "interest of democracy" and in dedication to the American public. Click to open this PDF in a new window. After Wade's resignation was announced, former President Trump posted on Truth Social that Wade had resigned in "disgrace" and that Wade was "Special" in more ways than one. He also said it was the equivalent of "Deranged Jack Smith" getting canned. Smith is the special counsel assigned to oversee the criminal investigations into the retention of classified documents at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. Willis responds to resignation Willis complimented Wade in her response to his resignation. She praised him for his "professionalism and dignity" in face of threats and "unjustified attacks." She also said that she will always remember and remind everyone that he was "brave enough" to step forward and take on the investigation and prosecution of the case. Willis also called Wade an "outstanding advocate" and thanked him for his "patriotism, courage, and dedication to justice." Click to open this PDF in a new window. Response to financial benefit allegations In response to allegations that Willis benefited financially from hiring Wade and prosecuting Trump and the other defendants, Judge McAfee wrote: Furthermore - and of greater importance - the Court finds, largely based on the District Attorneys testimony, that the evidence demonstrated the financial gain stemming from her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor for the District Attorney to indict and prosecute this case. While a general motive for increased income cannot be entirely disregarded, the District Attorney was not financially destitute during this time or in dire need, as her salary exceeds $200,000 per year without any indication of excessive expenses or debts. Likewise, the Court finds that the Defendants have failed to show that the District Attorneys conduct influenced the case to their detriment. ... In summary, the District Attorney did not act in a manner consistent with the theory that she orchestrated a financial scheme to enrich herself (or gain favor with Wade) by prolonging this prosecution or engaging in excessive litigation. What the judge said about the relationship Regarding the relationship between Willis and Wade, McAfee wrote: Even if the romantic relationship began after SADA Wades initial contract in November 2021, the District Attorney chose to continue supervising and paying Wade while maintaining such a relationship. She also permitted the regular and informal exchange of money between them without any precise or verifiable reconciliation. This lack of a confirmed financial division raises the possibility and appearance that the District Attorney benefited - albeit insignificantly - from a contract solely within her jurisdiction. Most importantly, if the case were to proceed unchanged, the prima facie concerns raised by the Defendants would persist. As the District Attorney testified, her relationship with Wade has only grown stronger since these motions, and Wades unconvincing explanation for the inaccurate interrogatories he submitted in his pending divorce suggests a willingness on his part to improperly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney. McAfee continues to express that the public may have lingering doubts if their relationship has resumed, and an outsider could reasonably question whether Willis is exercising independent professional judgment. "The testimony provided, including that of the District Attorney and Wade, did not alleviate these concerns." Click to open this PDF in a new window. The church speech Regarding the speech Willis delivered in the historic Black church on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the judge ultimately found that the speech did not cross the line. The judge noted that the case is too far removed from jury selection to establish a permanent taint of the jury pool. However, the judge did deem the speech "legally improper" and wrote that providing such public comments creates "perilous waters" for the district attorney to navigate further into. McAfee also suggested that it may be time for an order preventing the State from mentioning the case in any public forum to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity. RELATED: Judge in Georgia slams Fani Willis' 'improper' church speech, 'playing the race card' EARLIER STORY Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to learn on Friday whether she will be disqualified from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his codefendants over her romantic relationship with Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade. Willis, the district attorney who initiated the investigation into potential interference in the 2020 presidential election results, faced a motion for disqualification filed by one of Trump's co-defendants, Michael Roman, in early January. The motion alleged an "improper, clandestine relationship" between Willis and Wade, whom she hired on November 1, 2021, to lead the investigation. Roman and his attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, also accused Willis of "profiting significantly" from the prosecution at taxpayers' expense. Attorneys presented their arguments after several days of extraordinary testimony earlier this month. Now Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee will determine if Willis relationship with Wade amounts to a conflict of interest that should force them off one of four criminal cases against the former president. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 1, 2024, in Atlanta. (Photo by Alex Slitz-Pool/Getty Images) The defense attorneys claim that Willis and Wade lied on the witness stand about when their relationship began and tried to prove that Willis had a financial interest in the case by hiring Wade and going on romantic vacations together without disclosing the relationship. READ ALL STORIES Willis and Wade have acknowledged the relationship , but say it has no bearing on the case against Trump and that the district attorney did not reap any financial benefits Wade earned as a special prosecutor. The pair said they didnt begin dating until the spring of 2022 after Wade was hired, and that they split travel expenses. RELATED STORIES McAfee has not given any signals of which way he's leaning, but said at the end of the hearing 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." Earlier this week, McAfee made another ruling about the case, saying that six counts in the indictment must be quashed, including three against Trump. The order left the other charges intact, and the judge wrote that prosecutors could seek a new indictment via another grand jury on the charges he dismissed. What happened at the hearing Following a preliminary hearing, Judge McAfee expressed concern about the allegations and scheduled a full hearing for Roman's motion. The hearing featured testimony from Willis and Wade, both denying any relationship before Wade's hiring and insisting Willis paid for her fair share of expenses during their relationship. Roman's star witness, Terrence Bradley, ultimately failed to deliver on the stand, claiming he was speculating about the relationship. Timeline: Fulton County DA Fani Willis, Nathan Wade controversy After the hearing, both sides continued filing motions and replies. Roman's attorney submitted cellphone data alleging overnight stays by Wade at Willis's Hapeville home before the alleged relationship began. Lawyers for other defendants, David Shafer and Cathy Latham, filed notices for proposed testimonies to dispute Bradley's testimony. The former president and remaining co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. What happens if Fani Willis is disqualified? Willis removal would throw the most sprawling of the four criminal cases against Trump into question. But it wouldnt necessarily mean the charges against him and 14 others would be dropped. A nonpartisan council supporting prosecuting attorneys in Georgia would be tasked with finding a new attorney to take over. That person could either proceed with some or all of the charges against Trump and others or drop the case altogether. The Associated Press contributed to this report. MEMPHIS, Tenn. It is finally Friday, and it is time to take a look at some of the fun things to do this weekend around the greater Memphis area. Friday night is the WWE: Friday Night Smackdown at the FedEx Forum, and The Rock is coming back home for tonights show. Festivities kick off at 6:45 p.m. Saturday is the Memphis Police Department Austin Peay Stations Annual Easter Festival. This will be at the Ed Rice Community Center on North Watkins from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. After that, head over to Beale Street for the Silkys Saint Patricks Day Parade. There will be marching bands, floats, and of course green beer. The parade starts at 2 p.m. Also Saturday, head to the New Olivet Worship Center for a Community Fair. Members from the Girl Scouts will have sign-up sheets, Southwest Community College is bringing their Flight Simulator, the Memphis Police Department is putting on a boxing exhibition, and more! There will also be food trucks, a gaming competition and basketball. This is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And if that isnt enough Irish celebrations for you, Sunday is the Cooper-Young Saint Patricks Day Parade. This is from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. There will be bands, bagpipes, floats, dancers, and more green beer! Sunday also kicks off Memphis Black Restaurant Week. This is a great time to get out and try some new restaurants you havent been to before and most will be offering special deals. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Group of Seven (G7) leaders called on third parties to stop providing Russia with material support, naming Iran in their joint statement published on March 15. Iran has been cooperating with Russia on military supplies since the first year of Russia's all-out war in Ukraine in 2022, becoming Russia's key drone provider. In February, Reuters reported that Iran had already sent 400 ballistic missiles to Russia. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed this claim. "We are extremely concerned about reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia after having supplied the Russian regime with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine," the statement reads. Iran's involvement would lead to additional destabilization in the region and represent "a substantive material escalation" in its support for Russia's war, G7 leaders said. The officials warned that they are prepared to respond "swiftly," including with new "significant measures" against Iran if it proceeds with supplying Russia with ballistic missiles or related technology. The U.S. said in February it would impose new sanctions and "prepared to go further" if Iran sold Moscow ballistic missiles. While Russia's use of Iranian missiles to attack Ukraine has not been confirmed, Ukrainian authorities have recorded several cases of North Korean missile launches by Russian troops. One of the first cases was recorded on Dec. 30, 2023, during an attack on Zaporizhzhia, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) wrote. Later on, Russia also struck Kyiv and Kharkiv Oblast with North Korean weaponry. Read also: Russia, China and North Korea have new dynamics. And its bad for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Curtis Warren became the first gangster to be featured in the Sunday Times Rich List Convicted gang leader Curtis Warren has appeared in court after being charged with a further seven breaches of a crime order. The 60-year-old, from Liverpool, is already facing 11 counts of failing to comply with a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) - said to have been committed following his release from prison in 2022. Warren appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court to face seven additional charges in relation to the order. The order, put in place to stop him committing further serious offences, imposes a number of restrictions on his movements, ability to travel, finance, and business dealings. Curtis Warren was arrested in South Tyneside in July 2023 The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the new charges related to alleged breaches committed between May 2023 and January 2024. They include allegations of failing to notify the NCA of: a change of use of vehicles a change to a communication device a change to business premises a change of bank accounts He is also alleged to have breached the order by having more than 1,000 in his possession. Warren, originally from Toxteth in Liverpool, but now living in Boldon, South Tyneside, made no indication of pleas to the new offences. He was charged last November with 11 counts of failing to comply with a serious crime prevention order. During the five-minute hearing, Warren was told he would be released on conditional bail but needed to be back at Liverpool Crown Court on April 12. The original SCPO was imposed following Warren's release from prison in November 2022. Warren was arrested by the NCA in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, in July last year. A trial date has already been fixed for November 18 at Liverpool Crown Court. Why not follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk More on this story SEOUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Price for imported goods to South Korea rose for the second consecutive month in February due to higher crude oil price and local currency's depreciation versus the U.S. dollar, central bank data showed Friday. Import price index gained 1.2 percent in February from a month earlier after advancing 2.5 percent in the prior month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 80.88 U.S. dollars per barrel in February, up 2.6 percent compared to the previous month. The average won/dollar exchange rate climbed to 1,331.74 won per dollar in February from 1,323.57 won recorded a month earlier. Price for imported raw materials added 2.4 percent in February on a monthly basis after spiking 4.0 percent in the previous month. Import price for intermediary goods, including oil products, went up 0.8 percent last month, lower than an increase of 1.7 percent in the prior month. Price for imported capital goods was unchanged, but consumer goods price increased 0.5 percent last month. Export price index picked up 1.4 percent in February on a monthly basis, after mounting 3.1 percent a month earlier. A teen who survived the bombing of her family home in Gaza is ready to share her story. And with the help of a local nonprofit, her sister will receive free medical care after. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Thursday evening, at the Mazaj restaurant in Duluth, HEAL Palestine, proudly announced the arrival of 19-year-old Seham. Seham survived a bombing in Gaza that killed her two brothers and left her sister, Sarah, 17, with burns on 60% of her body. HEAL Palestine said it is offering Sarah free medical care in the United States. The organization, in collaboration with local supporters, has organized for Sarah to arrive in New York, where she will receive specialized medical care and support to rebuild her life. TRENDING STORIES: To celebrate the collaboration, HEAL Palestine invited the community out to join a special event during the holy month of Ramadan. The event allowed the Atlanta community to meet Seham, hear her story of strength and resilience, and share in the compassion that has brought her sister Sarah to the United States for much-needed medical care. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: (WFLA) General Hospital actress Robyn Bernard was found dead in an open field, according to authorities in California. She was 64. The Riverside County Sheriffs Office said Bernard died Tuesday after her body was found behind a business in San Jacinto, California. The actress cause of death was not revealed. Jennifer Lopez cancels Tampa concert, 6 other shows from upcoming tour Bernard was known for playing Terry Brock on the daytime soap opera for six seasons. According to IMDB, Bernard was featured in 145 episodes from 1984 to 1990. Los Angeles, CA 1988: (L-R) Scott Thompson Baker, Robyn Bernard, Jackie Zeman appearing in the ABC tv series General Hospital. (Photo by Bob DAmico /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) Variety reported that the actress appeared in the French miniseries Maigret in 1992 and in a Gallic film entitled Kings for a Day in 1997. Her final on-screen performance was in 2002s Voices from the High School, where she played a psychologist. After that role, she retired from acting and moved to San Jacinto. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Police have charged a Georgia father with murder months after he claimed his son died falling out of bed. Glynn County officers responded to a home off Odyssey Lake Circle on June 4, 2023 about an injured baby. When they arrived, the 5-month-olds father, identified as Daniel Hudson, told officers the injuries were from a fall. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The boy died at the hospital. Doctors said they spotted several injuries on him. On Thursday, police said that the medical examiner ruled the boy died from blunt force trauma to the head. Officers arrested Hudson at Southeast Georgia Health Systems GCPD Investigators worked closely with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Medical Examiners Office and the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office to pinpoint the cause and time of injury, which led to the arrest of Daniel Hudson, police wrote in a statement. TRENDING STORIES Hudson faces three counts of murder, cruelty to children in first degree, aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Officials booked him into the Glynn County jail. Anyone who has information on the case is asked to contact Glynn County police at (912) 554-3645. IN OTHER NEWS TRENDING STORIES: STORY 1 STORY 2 STORY 3 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] There are more than 100,000 complaints about dogs and cats getting sick after using Seresto flea and tick collars. Now if you bought one, you could be getting some money back. Its all part of a proposed settlement to end a class action lawsuit involving Seresto flea and tick collars. But some Georgia pet owners are calling the settlement an insult. [HAVE A STORY FOR CHANNEL 2 ACTION NEWS INVESTIGATES? Submit it here] It was just a mere slap in the face to me, Tammy Shugart said. She was talking about the proposed $15 million class action lawsuit settlement with Bayer and Elanco who bought Seresto flea and tick collars from Bayer in 2020. Channel 2 Action News first told you how Shugarts little chihuahua Mr. Jones went blind in April 2022. He got really sick after I put this collar around him in the fall. He started having problems with his salivary glands, and then problems with his eyes, Shugart told us in 2022. Mickey Hearn recorded a video of what happened to her dog Buddy after she put a Seresto collar on him. The whole area was covered with dried puss, she said in the video. Hearn is also disappointed with the proposed settlement. It would pay out $13 for each Seresto collar purchased with receipts or a maximum of $26 without them. Pet owners would receive $25 per pet for medical treatment or 100% of medical treatment costs not reimbursed with documentation. The settlement calls for paying out $300 per pet death plus burial or cremation costs. The settlement is equivalent to a parking ticket, you know, a $15 million settlement with a company thats making half a billion dollars a year on a product is not a punishment to them, Hearn said. MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: The EPA received more than 100,000 incident reports including more than 2,500 pet deaths involving Seresto collars. Elanco sent us this statement: Although Elanco vigorously disputes liability, it agreed to the settlement to avoid the costs and risks associated with continuing this case. Veterinarians and pet owners can continue to remain confident in Seresto. Years of robust scientific evidence and broad use of more than 110 million collars around the world affirm Serestos safety profile. Additionally, the EPAs comprehensive, multi-year review confirmed that Seresto continues to meet EPA standards for product registration. Since launch in 2013, more than 41 million Seresto collars have been sold in the U.S. Over this period, the reporting rate for all incidents related to Seresto has been low and trending downward. In 2022, the estimated incidence of adverse events in the U.S. following exposure to Seresto was approximately 0.116%, which equates to approximately 1 animal with a reported adverse event for every 1,000 collars distributed in the U.S. The vast majority of these reports relate to non-serious events such as itching or redness localized at the collar application site. All available data supports the safety profile of Seresto. Both Shugart and Hearn said they dont plan to file any claims. $300 per death of your cat, you couldnt write me a check for $3 million for my pet, Hearn said. The EPA studied the complaints and told Elanco to add a warning label to Seresto collars. You can submit a claim online. The deadline to file is July 23, 2024. A judge is expected to hold a final hearing to approve the settlement on Dec. 4, 2024. RELATED NEWS: The Associated Press published a story last night headlined: Kemp signs Georgia law reviving prosecutor sanctions panel. Democrats fear its aimed at Fani Willis. The piece announces the news that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a new law Wednesday that will allow the states Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to begin disciplining and even ousting local prosecutors it deems to have gone rogue. The bill creating the state-run board with authority to investigate and remove local district attorneys was signed into law last spring and was set to begin reviewing cases in October, but its operations have been on hold since November when the state Supreme Court refused to uphold rules regarding its regulation abilities. While it hasnt yet reviewed any actual cases, one of the first complaints filed with the new commission was against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Eight Georgia Senate Republicans filed the complaint with the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission mere weeks after Willis office indicted Donald Trump and 18 allies on state racketeering charges, among other things. The law Kemp signed yesterday will make it so the state Supreme Court does not have to sign off on the commissions rules of governance in order to function, meaning it can begin operating as intended to ensure rogue and incompetent prosecutors are held accountable if they refuse to uphold the law, Kemp said at the signing Wednesday. Thats the official line on the state-run board. But its been designed to serve as a defense mechanism for Trump since the start. Kemp and Georgia Republicans began pushing the initiative back in 2022 when other Republican governors were looking for ways to enact control over district attorneys whose enforcement they didnt like. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was one of the primary ones pushing this at the time as he went after a local DA who said he wouldnt prosecute people seeking abortions. But the long game was clear from the start, which is why the APs headline on Democratic concern for Willis was so striking to me. Before Willis brought any charges against Trump or his allies and before the defendants in that case dragged her through hours of testimony on a romantic relationship she had with one of the prosecutors on the Trump case, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) made it clear that the bill to create the commission was being introduced as a proactive retribution plan in the event that Willis brought charges against Trump. I unpacked that more here. As the AP notes, the new measure will likely face its own set of legal challenges before the commission can take up Georgia Republicans complaint against Willis but its one thing to have on your radar as we await final word on the disqualification decision from Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee. The Best Of TPM Today Newly Produced Docs From Feds Threaten To Delay Trump Hush Money Trial McConnell Leads Disgruntled Right-Wingers In Complaining About New Judge-Shopping Fix New in TPM Cafe: The New New Right Is The Old New Right Yesterdays Most Read Story Judicial Conference Takes Action On Judge-Shopping That Has Imbued Trump Appointees With Massive Power Kate Riga What We Are Reading Voters dont have a clue about how much worse Trumps second term would be The Philadelphia Inquirer GOP nominee to run North Carolina public schools called for violence against Democrats, including executing Obama and Biden CNN Rep. Matt Gaetz subpoenaed in defamation suit by woman he allegedly had sex with as minor ABC News Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican, urged lawmakers to vote for a healthcare proposal even though they may not like everything about it. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder A proposal to loosen up Georgias health care business regulations cleared the Senate Thursday with some bipartisan support, but Democrats say they will withhold support next time unless the bill includes full Medicaid expansion. Republicans in the GOP-controlled chamber may not need Democrats to send the measure to the governors desk, but the final form of the bill is destined to be hashed out in a conference committee and there were already some signs of unease among GOP lawmakers. Sen. Billy Hickman, a Statesboro Republican, said he was voting for the measure because it would set aside more state funds for a rural hospital tax credit program. The cap would go from $75 million to $100 million. Hickman, though, said he was concerned about proposed changes that would make it easier for some ambulatory-surgery centers to open, which is a change opposed by hospital representatives. I have prayed over this bill probably more than any bill in my four years up here. I prayed over this more than I did the horse racing bill, Hickman said. The more than hourlong debate featured a string of Senate Democrats calling for full Medicaid expansion. The proposal would instead create a commission focused on comprehensive health care coverage that would meet after lawmakers go home for the year. Sen. David Lucas, a Macon Democrat, became emotional talking about Medicaid expansion Thursday. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder Sen. Jason Esteves, an Atlanta Democrat, argued that changes to the states certificate-of-need rules alone will not be enough to improve access to health care in Georgia. I am voting no today as a call to action, Esteves said. While I agree with the principles in this legislation, I also firmly believe that we have to expand Medicaid now. We can take the lead in this chamber by signaling our desire to expand Medicaid with an easy vote right here on this floor. We dont have to wait on the House. We dont have to wait on the governor to make a statement that we want to make progress on health care in this great state, he said. The bills Senate sponsor, Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican, said backing the bill would keep the debate over Medicaid expansion alive just maybe not for this year. It sets up a commission that will consider that, Cowsert said. And we will continue that discussion until we find a solution. You cant get everything you want in one bill. The decades-old certificate-of-need rules were designed to control costs by limiting the number of health care services allowed in a community. But the regulations have long been the source of debate under the Gold Dome, with critics saying the limits do not help but hospitals arguing they protect fragile hospitals from standalone centers that would poach the more profitable services. This years proposal would keep the program in place but loosen some of the rules, making it easier, for example, to open or expand a psychiatric and substance abuse inpatient facility, a rural hospital if certain conditions are met, and freestanding birth centers. The bill cleared the Senate with a 43-to-11 vote Thursday and will now go back to the House for consideration. An earlier version passed overwhelmingly in the House last month with a 166-to-1 vote. But it is expected to land in a conference committee made of lawmakers from both chambers who meet to hash out a deal. Minority Leader Gloria Butler, a Stone Mountain Democrat, and other Senate Democrats who supported the bill Thursday said after the vote that they will not do so again if the bill comes back from the House this session without full Medicaid expansion. If we pass Medicaid expansion, Democrats will support the certificate-of-need reform, just like we saw last year in North Carolina, Butler said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. Let me be clear: CON and Medicaid expansion must be done together. North Carolina became the most recent Southern state to expand Medicaid last year when lawmakers tied it to changes to the states hospital business regulations. And Medicaid expansion is currently being debated in Mississippi. Georgia is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. About a half million people could gain insurance, and the states coffers would benefit from federal incentives. Instead, Georgia partially expanded Medicaid through a program called Georgia Pathways to Coverage, which requires participants to complete 80 hours of work, school or other qualifying activity each month to gain and keep coverage. Less than 3,000 people enrolled in the first six months. This years session started with chatter about Medicaid after high-level Republicans signaled an openness to talking about an Arkansas-style model that uses federal dollars to purchase private insurance for low-income participants. Gov. Brian Kemp talks to reporters at the Capitol Tuesday morning. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder But House leaders seemed to signal that this would not be the year that Georgia would change course when they proposed a measure last month that instead called for the commission. In early February, the state sued the federal government over delays to the implementation of Georgia pathways, which launched in July. Kemp, though, dismissed the idea that he put the kibosh on the Medicaid expansion talks this session. It was never even my idea to discuss that, the governor told reporters Tuesday. That was a legislative priority, mainly of the House, to put that out there and have some conversations. Kemp said he has been focused on his health care waivers since first taking office in 2019, including one that sets up what Kemp called a limited Medicaid expansion in a conservative way. Advocacy groups, though, continue to hold out hope that full expansion could still happen this session. We urge legislators to act before this session ends and close the healthcare coverage gap now rather than kicking the can down the road, Natalie Crawford, executive director of Georgia First, said in a statement Thursday. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Georgia Senate OKs bill to loosen limits on health care facilities, but talks ongoing appeared first on Georgia Recorder. A Turn2X production facility for the commercial production of renewable and climate-neutral natural gas. -/Turn2X/dpa The Munich-based company Turn2X said on Friday it had opened the first production facility in Spain for the commercial production of renewable and climate-neutral natural gas in Europe. The plant, which opened on Friday in the western town of Miajadas, will accelerate the clean energy transition, said the company, which was founded in 2022. The plant has a capacity of two megawatts and can produce around two gigawatt hours of renewable natural gas per year. The German company pointed out the benefits for its home country. By 2030, Turn2X aims to cover 10% of Germany's natural gas requirements with "green methane," which is produced from green hydrogen and CO2. The plant is connected to Germany via an existing natural gas pipeline, meaning that deliveries to German customers are planned to begin later in the year. Turn2X said a key advantage of the plant is its high level of flexibility: It can be ramped up and down quickly and is therefore particularly suitable for supplying electricity from wind power and photovoltaic systems. Turn2X is planning to build a plant with a capacity of at least nine megawatts this year, also in Spain. LOS ANGELES, March 14 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket for the third time on Thursday, but the company lost communication with the vehicle before it made a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The rocket lifted off at 8:25 a.m. Central Time from SpaceX's Starbase test site in Boca Chica, Texas. About three minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster, known as Super Heavy, successfully separated from the upper-stage Starship spacecraft. SpaceX completed opening and closing the vehicle's payload door and transferring propellant between two of Starship's tanks in orbit during the flight test, according to the company's live broadcast. But the vehicle was lost as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere. Both the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket booster made it much further into flight than during two previous flight tests in 2023. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called Thursday's test "successful." "Congrats to @SpaceX on a successful test flight! Starship has soared into the heavens. Together, we are making great strides through Artemis to return humanity to the Moon -- then look onward to Mars," Nelson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "At ~5000 tons, Starship is the largest flying object ever made," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is overseeing the SpaceX-led mishap investigation to ensure the company complies with its FAA-approved mishap investigation plan and other regulatory requirements. The mishap involved both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship vehicle. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported, the FAA said in a statement. The FAA will be involved in every step of the mishap investigation process and must approve SpaceX's final report, including any corrective actions. A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. In addition, SpaceX may need to modify its license to incorporate any corrective actions and meet all other licensing requirements, according to FAA. SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, collectively referred to as Starship, represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the moon, Mars and beyond. SpaceX made the first test flight of its fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket in April last year, but the vehicle exploded after liftoff from the launch pad in SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, South Texas. During the second test flight in November last year, Starship blasted off from the launch pad, but exploded minutes after launch. Annalena Baerbock, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, is trying to change German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs opinion on supplying Ukraine with Taurus long-range cruise missiles. Source: European Pravda with reference to Spiegel Details: Spiegel has reported that for several months, Baerbock has refrained from making any public statements about Taurus missiles which Scholz could have perceived as undue pressure. However, Baerbock has been relying on Germanys allies to do this. Spiegel mentions the suggestion made by the UK foreign secretary in an interview with a German media outlet that Taurus missiles could be swapped for British Storm Shadows, noting that he had seemingly proposed what Baerbock had failed to say openly. The Spiegel article also says the German foreign minister is secretly working on a plan for Germany to send cruise missiles to Ukraine without crossing the red lines outlined by Scholz. One option is for Germany to send Taurus missiles to the British, who would deliver them to Ukraine but retain control over their deployment and targets. Baerbock has yet to convince Scholz, Spiegel says. For her, this is about far more than just one armament system. Ukraine is increasingly on the defensive. According to sources from Baerbocks inner circle, this means it is crucial for Scholz to spell out to Germans what Ukraines defeat would mean for Europes security. The key reason why Chancellor Scholz is so opposed to sending long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine may be to do with special features of the missiles targeting system. Scholz has publicly given various reasons for Germanys refusal to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles from avoiding escalation and being drawn into a war with Russia, to concerns that the missiles would be used to strike Moscow. Support UP or become our patron! Rolf Mutzenich, the leader of the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD or Social Democratic Party of Germany) in the Bundestag, suggested during a debate earlier to consider "freezing" the war in Ukraine. The suggestion was met with criticism from Mutzenichs associates. Source: European Pravda, citing Deutsche Welle (DW), a German international broadcaster and media outlet Details: In particular, Mutzenich sharply criticised the supporters of providing Ukraine with Taurus long-range missiles and said: "Isn't it time not only to discuss how to wage war but also to think about how to freeze the war and end it later?" Afterwards, the chair of the Bundestag Defence Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, said she was shocked by Mutzenichs remarks. "Such a view of Russia's aggressive war would mean a paradigm shift," she believes. Strack-Zimmermann added that Ukraine has been assured of support in defending itself against Russia, and while Mutzenich is now speaking on behalf of the SPD, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's party is obviously moving away from the "change of epochs" proclaimed by the chancellor, which should be thoroughly discussed within the coalition. In his turn, Anton Hofreiter, a foreign policy expert of the Green Party, accused Mutzenich of being naive. "I believe that the SPD, in its naivety, has not realised that it takes two to negotiate. Namely, not only the victim but also the aggressor must be ready to negotiate," Tagesspiegel quoted the lawmaker as saying. Hofreiter believes that with his remarks, Mutzenich is attempting to derail the chances of negotiations by pursuing a strategy aimed at freezing the conflict. "In this way, he is achieving the exact opposite of what he claims to want to achieve, namely, ending the war," the lawmaker added. At the same time, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit, when asked to comment on Mutzenich's remarks, noted that the government does not assess statements made in parliament. Meanwhile, he stressed that Germany supports Ukraine "in its defence against the Russian aggressor with everything we can take responsibility for". "That is still in effect," the spokesman added. Background: Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of unwavering support amid the blocking of Taurus shipments. Scholz also rejected the idea of swapping missiles with the UK to provide Ukraine with more long-range weapons. Support UP or become our patron! Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) at the Hotel Atlantic Hamburg. Marcus Brandt/dpa Germany and Malaysia must both use their influence to reach an amicable solution to the war in Gaza, despite their opposing views on the conflict, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday. Anwar credited German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for being very accommodating in seeking to understand the position of Malaysia a predominantly Muslim country - towards Gaza and the Islamist Hamas organization, which Kuala Lumpur refuses to recognize as a terrorist group. I dont buy this propaganda, Anwar said in an interview with dpa, adding: We see freedom fighters. The West see terrorists. While it was impossible to erase history, he stressed the necessity now of working on a peaceful resolution to the conflict. What is important is for us, for Germany to use our influence to reach an amicable resolution to the problem. What is needed now is a permanent ceasefire, he said. He said Palestinian "lives, their property, their dignity" must be respected. Anwar was wrapping up a five-day trip to Germany, accompanied by his foreign, trade and entrepreneurship ministers. A key focus was on business opportunities, with more than 700 German companies already active in the south-east Asian country, according to Anwar, including chip manufacturer Infineon. On Monday he held talks with Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Funding for the United Nations (U.N.) agency that provides relief for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, has emerged as a serious obstacle as congressional negotiators race to prevent a partial government shutdown at the end of next week. Republicans have been pressing to block further funding to UNRWA in light of allegations that a dozen of its staffers took part in Hamass attack on Israel last October. Democrats have acknowledged the gravity of that revelation, but they are quick to note the number of alleged malefactors is a miniscule fraction of the more than 30,000 employees of UNRWA. Theyre warning that eliminating funding for the agency altogether would leave a void in the delivery of food, medical care and other humanitarian assistance that no aid group or world government is currently in a position to fill. The U.S. funds UNRWA through an account covered by the annual State Department funding bill that, along with five others, is due on May 22. Congress passed its first batch of six full-year funding bills for fiscal year 2024 last week, but lawmakers are warning the second tranche will be more difficult to find agreement on. UNRWAs fate is one of the key sticking points. And Democrats are pressing for the aid. Ive talked to all of the NGOs, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. Save the Children, the World Food Program, Oxfam Mercy Corps. Ive talked to all of them, and their view is there may be something that we can do in the future, DeLauro said Wednesday. But right now, that UNRWA is a necessity in order to be able to get the massive quantity of aid that we need to get in there out. Rep. Greg Meeks (N.Y.), senior Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, delivered a similar warning. The fact of the matter is, theres no replacement for UNRWA theres none even to get humanitarian aid and food [into Gaza], he said. Its not like we can say, Forget them, and lets move on to somebody else. Because theres no somebody else. The Democrats push for UNRWA funding sets up a clash with Republicans, who are drawing hard red lines against it. Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, told The Hill on Thursday the issue is a non-starter. We can put the funding through other agencies, she said. Were not going to support UNRWA. Theres not gonna be any money for UNRWA, echoed Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), the top Republican on the Senate subcommittee that oversees UNRWA funding. He also ruled out any deal that doesnt omit the funding. I dont think youll get a bill if you dont, he said. UNRWA was created in 1949 to address the refugee crisis resulting from the conflict surrounding the creation of Israel a year earlier. The agency operates in a handful of regions throughout the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip, where Hamas has served as the de facto governing body for almost two decades. The groups services have been a crucial lifeline during the war between Israel and Hamas, which has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians roughly 1 percent of the population while displacing almost 2 million others. Critics of UNRWA have frequently charged that Hamas has infiltrated the agency, turning it into a front group opposed, like Hamas, to Israels very existence. And those voices found new ammunition in January, when Israel accused 12 UNRWA staff members of participating in Hamass Oct. 7 attack, which led to the death of more than 1,100 people and the kidnapping of 250 more. In response, Senate negotiators of a $95 billion foreign aid package which features military assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza excluded any funding for UNRWA. That legislation has passed the Senate, but Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is vowing to alter it and send it back to the upper chamber. Those changes are expected to relate to Ukraine aid, and conservatives are insisting on the UNRWA exclusion, which is all but certain to remain. A lot of us would be more comfortable if we took out the money for the U.N. entities that had some of their associates attacking Israel, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told reporters recently. Democrats are hoping to provide the UNRWA funding through a separate legislative vehicle: the forthcoming minibus spending bill slated for consideration next week. That package, which could come out as soon as this weekend, features funding for a number of crucial agencies, including the Pentagon, Homeland Security Department and State Department, where Democrats are hoping to attach the aid for Palestinians. A failure of Congress to act would result in a partial government shutdown at the end of March 22. The Democrats have signaled an openness for new conditions on UNRWA funding, while pressing for further investigation into Israels claims of Hamas connections. But they also fear the disintegration of humanitarian aid to Gaza if the agency were to collapse. We have a significant disagreement over whether to condition aid to UNRWA, whether to separate out UNRWA Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, [and] West Bank from Gaza, or whether to have a complete ban on aid to UNRWA, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who chairs the appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations, told reporters Thursday. I strongly prefer that we recognize there is an ongoing investigation into UNRWA Gaza, but separate it from funding for UNRWA in Jordan, Coons said. For example, in Jordan, 2.5 million Palestinians in 10 refugee camps receive their health care, their education, their waste removal, I mean, it basically runs as a municipal government. Democrats are pointing to a tragic episode late last month, when a riot broke out around a convoy of aid trucks operated by private contractors overseen by the Israeli military attempting to deliver assistance to northern Gaza. In the resulting chaos, more than 100 people were killed, and more than 280 wounded, according to Gazan health officials, who said many of the casualties were shot by Israeli troops. In the eyes of many Democrats, those deaths might have been avoided if the more experienced UNRWA staffers had directed the delivery process. Maybe it helps us explain that UNRWA for all of the need to have accountability and reform for those handful of folks who participated in Oct. 7 is an indispensable humanitarian resource, said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). They can actually navigate all of this chaos in ways others cant. So if we care about the humanitarian needs, we really have to get UNRWA funding back on the table. Highlighting the delicacy of the UNRWA debate, even Israeli military officials were reportedly wary of publicly airing their accusations of Hamas affiliation against the 12 agency staffers, for fear that a breakdown of the relief group would exacerbate an already enormous humanitarian crisis and saddle Israel with an enormous new responsibility it was ill-equipped to manage. Heading into the spending fight, Democrats are hoping to find a way to eliminate the bad actors within UNRWA, while empowering the broader agency to continue its humanitarian mission for the sake of Palestinians. Its really wrongheaded to completely ban UNRWA funding instead of just calling for reforms and accountability to address the handful of bad apples that were a part of Oct. 7, Huffman said. There are 30,000 employees in Gaza for UNRWA. That gets lost in some of the political rhetoric. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Republican senators and conservative judges are sharply criticizing a new policy aimed at combatting so-called judge shopping, which has allowed state attorneys general and advocates to effectively choose their judges in some cases. In letters to about a dozen chief judges across the country, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) along with Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) urged courts not to heed the policy directives of the Judicial Conference, the federal judiciarys policymaking arm, saying its policy is not legislation. It is Congress that decides how cases should be assigned in the inferior courts and Congress has already spoken on this issue in an enacted statute: Congress gave that power to the individual district courts, the Republican senators wrote. Whatever the Judicial Conference thinks you ought to do, what you actually choose to do is left to your courts discretion under the law. The Judicial Conference announced a new policy at its biannual meeting Tuesday that mandates federal district courts randomly assign a judge to a lawsuit if the suit aims to block any federal or state law, executive order or regulation. Under some district courts procedures, lawsuits are automatically assigned to a judge who sits in that particular division. Some critics have expressed frustration that, since some divisions comprise only one judge, plaintiffs in effect have been able to select the judge they expect will deliver a favorable result with striking precision. Proponents of single-judge divisions note they are often used to accommodate rural areas. In particular, some groups have pointed to the way Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and conservative legal groups have filed dozens of challenges to federal policies in specific divisions in Texas since President Biden took office. This tactic has come under intense criticism from the Biden administration, Senate Democrats and others. The Justice Department has criticized the practice and attempted to transfer some of Paxtons lawsuits. Last year, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) penned a letter threatening congressional intervention if the Northern District of Texas didnt change its case assignment procedures. After nearly a year of sounding the alarm and calling for courts to act, I am pleased the Judicial Conference has finally taken action to update rules, level the playing field, and bring more justice back into the justice system by finally putting an end to unscrupulous plaintiffs having the ability to choose their judge, Schumer said in a statement. The practice of judge shopping has given MAGA-right plaintiffs the ability to hijack and circumvent our federal judiciary by targeting courts that would all but guarantee a handpicked MAGA-right judge who would rule in their favor. In McConnells letters on Thursday, he and his colleagues called out Schumer individually, saying the policy shift was developed at the urging of Senator Chuck Schumer. Its not our place to opine on how you should best manage the caseload of your court. Neither is it Senator Schumers place, for that matter. It is your job to manage the caseload of your court according to the dictates of local circumstances and convention, according to the GOP senators letter. We therefore hope and expect that you will continue to do what is in the interest of justice for litigants in your jurisdiction without regard to partisan battles in Washington, D.C., they continued in the letter. Other conservative judges expressed similar sentiments. In statements to Reuters, U.S. 5th Circuit Judges James Ho and Edith Jones said the policy change was a result of political pressure, and shared McConnells sentiment that the policy change seemed to conflict with federal law. Judges are supposed to follow the laws enacted by Congress, not bend the rules in response to political pressure, Ho said in a statement to Reuters. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Senate President Robert Stivers and Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, both Republicans, confront Louisville Democrat Karen Berg (right) as Minority Leader Gerald Neal and David Yates, also Louisville Democrats, try to keep the peace. Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, sits in the foreground. FRANKFORT The Senate approved the controversial Safer Kentucky Act on Friday afternoon after a fiery debate where tempers flared and Senate leaders confronted Louisville Democrat Karen Berg about her comments. Democrats weren't the only ones angry about the bill. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, who did not seek reelection, drew the plaudits of his colleagues Friday morning as they passed a resolution honoring him and lauded him with speeches for about an hour. But by Friday afternoon, his attempts to narrow the scope of HB 5 had failed, resulting in an angry "no" vote from him. House Bill 5 would make a long list of changes to Kentuckys criminal law. And despite the fiery opposition to the measure, it passed on a 27-9 vote. The 78-page measure now returns to the House for final approval before being sent to Gov. Andy Beshear for consideration. Among many other changes, HB 5 creates a new crime of unlawful camping for sleeping on streets, sidewalks, under bridges, in parks and in cemeteries. Critics say this would criminalize homelessness. The bill would also create a "three strikes" rule for Kentucky, prohibiting prohibit probation, parole or early release for any person convicted of three violent felonies and adding crimes to the list of the violent felonies. Breaking Senate rules? Democrats are staunchly opposed to the bill and Louisville Democratic Sen. Karen Berg's speech drew a sharp, off-mic rebuke from Senate leaders. After her speech, majority floor leader Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, confronted Berg on the Senate floor. "You came very close to breaking the Senate rules today," Thayer told Berg. He said her speech had questioned the GOP's motives and accused them of plagiarism. Thayer was joined on the floor by Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, while Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, tried to calm the GOP leaders down. After the exchange, Sen. Cassie Armstrong Chambers, D-Louisville, and Berg exited the chamber together. Berg had said the "extent of plagiarism" in the bill would result in an academic losing their credibility within the profession and that the evidence that the bill's supporters have cited is very weak. We as a legislature are presenting data to our citizens that never came from this state, with support pages and pages of support that has no validity, Berg said. Others have questioned the data behind the bill, as well. For example, during the floor debate, Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, called on sponsor Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, to read the names of all the studies he used in crafting the measure, resulting in a lengthy response from Bauman. An analysis from Pam Thomas, a senior fellow at the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, shows that after an increase during the COVID pandemic, violent crime has decreased in Kentucky. At a press conference earlier this week, she said the the bill's sponsors are relying on outdated crime statistics. Westerfield's opposition Westerfield announced earlier this session that he does not plan to run again. On Friday morning, the Senate honored him, as he was joined on the Senate floor by his family. But the tide had turned by Friday afternoon. Earlier this week, Westerfield had proposed an alternative version of the bill, but he lacked the votes to get the bill through the Senate Judiciary committee, which he chairs. Instead, the committee approved a version much more similar to the original House version. Westerfield then tried to get the changes he wanted into the bill via Senate floor amendments on Friday. However, those also lacked the needed votes and he withdrew them. During a speech opposing the bill, Westerfield called it a "serious mistake." "No part of this bill addresses the root causes of homelessness," Westerfield said. One of his proposals had been to require that officers provide unsheltered people with a list of resources and offer to transport them to a shelter before citing someone for violating the camping provision. Westerfield said the bill may not reduce crime but will increase taxpayer costs and take money away from needed services like education and mental health services. A Legislative Research Commission fiscal note attached to the bill says the costs are "indeterminable" but that there will "likely (be) a significant increase in expenditures primarily due to increased incarceration costs for the Department of Corrections." More: Lobbying for 'Safer Kentucky': How much in-state, national groups paid to weigh in on HB 5 A separate analysis from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy estimated the costs of the bill to be more than $1 billion over the next decade. Much of that would be due to the increased incarceration lengths and health care costs for aging prisoners. What does House Bill 5 do? HB 5, which is currently 78 pages long, includes many provisions, including: 85% sentencing rule: The bill would require those convicted of the newly expanded list of violent offenses to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for probation, parole or early release. Critics say that would increase the incarcerated population and drive up costs for the state and local governments. Selling or providing fentanyl to a person who dies from an overdose would be classified as manslaughter, a felony. The bill includes a Good Samaritan exception for those who seek help for an overdose. Bail bonds: Charitable bail organizations wouldn't be allowed to bail people out who are accused of violent crimes and would be limited to bail payments of less than $5,000. Business owners and shoplifting: Shop owners and employees could use a "reasonable amount of force" to prevent someone from escaping in cases of suspected shoplifting if the bill passes. The bill includes a provision stating that deadly force shall not be used solely to protect property. Carjackings: The bill classifies carjacking as its own crime, a Class B felony. Currently, carjacking is charged as a first-degree robbery. Destroying guns: Kentucky State Police currently auctions off guns confiscated by local law enforcement. One of the bill's provisions would allow a gun used in a homicide to be destroyed, but only after it is auctioned off and only if the purchaser wants that. Westerfields version of the bill would have allowed the family member of a victim of a homicide to simply request that the weapon be destroyed. Youth restorative justice: Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and making amends victim-offender mediation is one example rather than punishment. The bill requires counties to create committees. Those would be tasked with developing restorative justice programs to serve children who are referred by schools, courts or social service agencies. Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: The Senate passed HB 5, the Safer Kentucky Act, after fiery debate Just as time can unearth buried treasures, it can also reveal haunting remnants of our past mistakes. A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office sheds light on the potential consequences of melting ice sheets and rising sea levels. This could lead to the disturbance of nuclear waste left behind by U.S. nuclear projects, particularly in Greenland and the Marshall Islands. The report paints a grim picture of the aftermath of nuclear testing during the Cold War era. Why is the unearthing of nuclear waste important? Earth's rising temperatures are disturbing buried nuclear waste, causing widespread concern to those living in nearby areas. Nuclear waste is the leftover material from nuclear reactors, and it can be harmful because it remains radioactive for thousands of years, posing threats to the environment and humans. In the Marshall Islands, rising sea levels could spread contamination, further endangering the health of residents already grappling with the aftermath of nuclear testing. Additionally, conflicting risk assessments and a lack of clear communication exacerbate distrust among affected communities a hindrance to solving the problem. Similarly, in Greenland, nuclear waste from a former U.S. military research base poses a threat as ice sheets melt. Chemical pollution and radioactive material left over from past nuclear activities could potentially contaminate the environment. The lack of comprehensive cleanup plans in both regions underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. Failure to take action not only perpetuates environmental risks but also undermines the well-being of communities already bearing the brunt of historical injustices. What's being done about nuclear waste? Ariana Tibon, chair of the National Nuclear Commission, told Grist that she was disappointed that the report's only recommendation boiled down to creating a new communications strategy. "What we need now is action and implementation on environmental remediation. We don't need a communication strategy," she said. "If they know that it's contaminated, why wasn't the recommendation for next steps on environmental remediation, or what's possible to return these lands to safe and habitable conditions for these communities?" Recent developments, such as the discovery of bacteria that can consume nuclear waste, offer hope for new methods of mitigating these dangers. It's an area of active research and innovation, aiming to make nuclear energy cleaner and safer for the future. Moreover, funding initiatives, such as the recent agreement by the Biden administration to support a museum commemorating those affected by nuclear testing, are steps in the right direction but must be accompanied by tangible measures to address environmental contamination. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) criticized Georgia Judge Scott McAfees nonsensical ruling not to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) for once having a romantic relationship with a prosecutor she appointed to the case against former President Trump. Graham said politics is hanging over the election interference case against Trump and his allies, and McAfees decision reinforces the narrative of a two-tiered justice system going after the defendants. This ruling is nonsensical, Graham said in a statement Friday. When it comes to the prosecution of President Trump and others in Fulton County, Georgia, politics hangs heavy in the air. The charges brought by Fulton County DA Willis and the bizarre decision by the judge not to remove her for an obvious appearance of impropriety reinforces the narrative that there is a two-tiered system of justice for President Trump and those around him, he said. McAfee ruled Friday morning that either Willis or the special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, has to depart from working on the election interference case before it can continue. The judge said that Willis and Wades past romantic relationship constituted an appearance of conflict of interest in the case. Wade stepped down from the case Friday afternoon. [T]he established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team an appearance that must be removed through the States selection of one of two options. The Defendants motions are therefore granted in part, McAfee wrote in the ruling released Friday. The South Carolina senator said he hopes the decision will be looked at by the Peach States Attorney General Chris Carr (R) or the state Senate. I am hopeful either the Georgia State Senate or the states Attorney General will look into this matter, Graham said. Today is a sad day for Georgia. Steve Sadow, Trumps lead defense counsel, also disagreed with the decision, saying the judges decision did not go far enough. While respecting the Courts decision, we believe that the Court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade, including the financial benefits, testifying untruthfully about when their personal relationship began, as well as Willis extrajudicial MLK church speech, where she played the race card and falsely accused the defendants and their counsel of racism, Sadow said in a Friday statement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland has lost a court appeal over a decision to block a parade in Stonehaven. The planned march involving about 200 people - which was to mark the opening of a new lodge in the area - was rejected by Aberdeenshire Council. Some concerned residents said it would bring public disorder and force local shops and pubs to shut for the day. After lengthy deliberations at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Friday, the Lodge's appeal against the ban was refused. Organisers had previously said that, if they won the appeal, a "peaceful and respectful procession" would go ahead as planned on Saturday. They maintained that there was "no threat whatsoever to public order from the Orange Lodge members within the procession". Speaking outside court, an Orange Lodge spokesman said the decision was very disappointing and a "sad day for Scottish and civil liberties" and said the Lodge would now consider its legal position. The spokesman told BBC Scotland News it would not unofficially march in Stonehaven on Saturday but members would go ahead with opening the new lodge and laying a wreath. A statement from the Lodge said: "Regrettably, it appears that the threat of violence and intimidation won the day over human rights and civil liberties. Throughout Scotland, and further afield, there will be many who will be aghast at this undemocratic decision taken by the courts on this dark day for Scotland's civil liberties. "In this recent campaign in Stonehaven, it was blatantly obvious that extreme Nationalist and Republican elements were at work, evident by the copy and paste comments in the objections to the council. "This strategy, we contend, is a slippery slope on determining who can or cannot legally demonstrate dependent on their detractor's 'muscle', and becomes even more abhorrent when the courts agree with it in this blatant act of appeasement." It was planned that a flute band would lead the planned procession The statement added that the Lodge had the right to demonstrate under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. "Today these rights have been trampled upon by this ludicrous decision," it said. "Our parades do not pose any issue or threat whatsoever to anyone, and in no way are they intended to be contentious, but somehow, they appear to be for those who desire to go out of their way to be offended." The vote to stop the event came as an online petition calling for the march to be cancelled received thousands of signatures. Aberdeenshire Council's Kincardine and Mearns area committee decided unanimously on 5 March that the planned procession could not go ahead for safety reasons. Councillors felt it would place an excessive burden on local policing. Lawyers for the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland argued in court that blocking the march was a breach of human rights and domestic law. They said the reasons for blocking the parade were "inadequate, unbalanced and lacked transparency". The Lodge's legal team highlighted the view of Police Scotland, which said it would be able to police the parade despite having to cancel rest days and deploy other officers from across Scotland. Lawyers also pointed to recent processions in Scotland on matters such as independence, abortion rights and the situation in the Middle East, arguing the Lodge also had the right to freedom of assembly. It had been planned that the Pride of the Rock flute band from Dumbarton would lead the procession. A Dassault Falcon 900LX, the type of aircraft in which Mr Shapps was travelling - Alamy/Wirestock Inc The jet which had its GPS jammed by Russia while carrying Grant Shapps home from Poland was not fitted with protective systems after ministers baulked at the cost. Military experts said the plane was effectively defenceless because it did not have kit such as anti-missile jammers, jam-proof communications or military-standard aircraft electronics. The Dassault Falcon 900LX was passing Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, on Wednesday morning when the pilots lost access to the GPS. Mr Shapps, the Defence Secretary, was on board as he returned to Britain from a visit to Poland, where he watched British troops taking part in an Nato exercise. Now it has emerged that ministers chose not to pay for state-of-the-art defensive systems to be fitted to the plane one of a pair when they ordered it in 2021. The Times reported that Ben Wallace, then defence secretary, made the decision to order the basic model so that money could be prioritised elsewhere in the RAF. Grant Shapps, top, is interviewed by journalists en route from Poland to London Ministers have since ordered a security upgrade for both government jets to fit them with the equipment, which is expected to cost around 150 million. A defence source said the extra defensive measures were needed because it is a more dangerous world than just a few years ago when the planes were bought. Mr Wallace defended his decision on Friday, telling The Times that diverting millions from other programmes to pay for the upgrades would have been a vanity project. The RAF is already overspent. I didnt add the suite of extras because it would have meant taking millions away from military programs to spend on a vanity project, he told the paper. The planes are never going to fly to hostile areas and if ministers need to then they switch to military lift. There are many more military platforms that need protection than a VIP jet. This is completely the wrong priority. Retired to save money Ministers were previously flown around in BAE 146 aircraft, which had defensive systems. The planes were retired to save money following a 2021 defence review. Tim Ripley, editor of the news website Defence Eye, said the decision not to fit the new jets with defensive equipment meant they were vulnerable to surprise attack. These critical aircraft, which are used to fly members of the Royal family, government ministers and service chiefs on high-profile missions, are effectively defenceless until protection systems are fitted, he added. Defence sources have played down the risk from the jamming attack on Mr Shappss plane and said it was unlikely the Defence Secretary was specifically targeted. Russia engages in regular jamming around its borders including in Kaliningrad, they said, and the pilots were able to use other means to determine the planes location. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: As announced in 2022, the Envoy aircraft are being upgraded to full military and operational capability. Its not unusual for aircraft to experience GPS jamming near Kaliningrad and at no time was the safety of the aircraft threatened. 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. Voting results are displayed during a vote of the General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 15, 2024. The General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution on measures to combat Islamaphobia. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution on measures to combat Islamaphobia. The resolution condemns any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. It particularly condemns the incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence against Muslims as manifested in the increasing number of incidents of desecration of their holy book, attacks on mosques, sites and shrines and other acts of religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, hatred and violence against Muslims. The resolution calls on UN member states to take all necessary measures to combat religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, hatred, incitement to violence and violence against Muslims and prohibit by law incitement to violence and violence against persons on the grounds of their religion or belief. It also calls on member states to engage with all relevant stakeholders to promote the virtues of interreligious and intercultural dialogue and dialogue among civilizations, respect and acceptance of differences, tolerance, respect for religious and cultural diversity, peaceful coexistence and cohabitation, inclusion and respect for human rights, and to reject the spread of hate speech. The resolution requests the UN secretary-general to appoint a UN special envoy to combat Islamophobia and to submit a report to the General Assembly at the upcoming session on the implementation of the resolution and on measures taken by member states and the United Nations to combat Islamophobia. The draft resolution, tabled by Pakistan, won 115 votes in favor, none against, with 44 abstentions. Two amendments to the draft resolution, tabled by the 27 European Union member states and co-sponsored by Britain, were rejected by the General Assembly. One amendment would have removed the reference to the desecration of the holy book. The other would have asked the UN secretary-general to appoint a focal point instead of a special envoy to combat Islamophobia. The adoption of the resolution coincides with the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Voting results are displayed during a vote of the General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 15, 2024. The General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution on measures to combat Islamaphobia. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) GREEN BAY - West Green Bay voters on April 2 will choose a new voice to represent them on the Green Bay City Council for the next two years. Kathy Hinkfuss and Bobby Lindsey have entered the race to succeed outgoing council member Jesse Brunette, who chose not to run for reelection this year. Hinkfuss is a small business owner who currently serves on the city's Redevelopment Authority. Lindsey is a retired police officer and current criminal justice instructor. Both tout strong ties and connections to the council district on the far west side of Green Bay. District 12 covers the city's far west side where Green Bay borders Howard, Hobart and Ashwaubenon. It stretches from the Oneida Golf Club to the north, Hillcrest Drive to the west, Cormier Road to the south and Packerland Drive and Green Bay Southwest High School to the east. Green Bay City Council District 12 Ahead of the April 2 nonpartisan election, the Press-Gazette requested each City Council candidate provide some background about themselves and answer several questions on issues like funding road construction, spending and housing. Responses were limited to about 200 words. Candidates are listed alphabetically. For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us. Kathy Hinkfuss Kathy Hinkfuss Age: 60 Occupation: Small business owner and community volunteer Highest level of education: MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Campaign website: Kathy Hinkfuss for Green Bay City Council D-12 Why are you running? As a resident of Green Bay for over three decades, I've developed an intimate understanding of our community. My husband and I have called District 12 our home for the past 20 years, giving me firsthand knowledge of the area's needs and concerns. I am well-versed in the issues facing our neighborhood and equipped with the skills necessary to make a positive impact. My commitment to my neighbors and our city is unwavering, and I am dedicated to serving them with diligence and integrity. What two issues most need to be addressed in Green Bay: Property taxes: Following the recent reassessment, residents in the 12th District have witnessed a notable surge in property taxes. This trend isn't exclusive to District 12, but it poses significant challenges for families and spending priorities. Affordable housing stands as one of our paramount concerns, particularly for younger generations and retirees. We need to foster innovation when planning new developments and streamline administrative processes to facilitate building more homes. Bobby Lindsey Bobby R. Lindsey Age: 58 Occupation: Criminal justice instructor Highest level of education: Master of science in human services management and organizational leadership Campaign website: Bobby Lindsey for Green Bay Why are you running? I'm running for Green Bay City Council because my wife and I love this community and its unique characteristics, its quality of life, and the people that give it pride and vibrance as an All American City. We'll spend the rest of our lives here, and I want to contribute my public service (and human services) knowledge and experience to help strengthen families, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, and to preserve the traditional values and charm of our great city. What two issues most need to be addressed in Green Bay: I'm concerned about the impact of partisanship in local government, prohibiting effective service to meet the needs of families, businesses, and the best interests of our city. Our council should work hard to be a model for rejecting partisan politics. I'd also like to observe more proactive discussion and action to deal with imminent community safety challenges emerging in other cities, like human trafficking, fentanyl, violent crime, etc. Alders Grant and Eck showed what can be accomplished. Green Bay is currently studying the feasibility of a transportation utility to fund road construction costs like water or sewer service. Why do you support or oppose this idea to replace the wheel tax? Hinkfuss: Information on the implementation of a Transportation Utility Fund (TRF) is limited. The current council allocated $100,000 to study the possibility of Green Bay establishing a TRF. The study was approved in December 2023, and the results are expected within six months. In 2019, the City Council voted to enact a wheel tax, which residents pay when registering a car with the DMV. Green Bay typically collects around $2 million annually from this tax, which is directly allocated to road construction. The wheel tax is applied to all vehicle registrations. Implementing the utility fund would entail eliminating the wheel tax and transferring the financial responsibility (utility fee) to property owners. Introducing another fee for homeowners is a significant concern for me. A show stopper. Lindsey: I've attended several City Council meetings since the fall of 2023, and I am aware that there is no guarantee that a proposed transportation utility will "replace the wheel tax." I was present during the presentation from the company purported to run studies to explore financial scenario outcomes regarding this endeavor, and the subsequent council vote to fund the study to determine the impact on Green Bay. It has been reported that in June (2023), the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the town of Buchanan's transportation utility fee as an unlawful property tax, the result of a lawsuit brought by a nonpartisan membership organization consisting of thousands of small businesses, farms, and property owners from the community. Clearly, opposition to this proposal is prudent. How can Green Bay better address residents' need for affordable housing and the general shortage of housing units? Hinkfuss: In 2020, the Green Bay Redevelopment Authority received the results of the 2020 housing study. The study showed Green Bay needed to add 140-310 Rental Units a year and 170-375 owner occupied units to keep up with the population growth. As a member of the RDA, we have spent the last 5 years adding housing units to the city. I have come to appreciate that Green Bay is a city in which developers want to build. We are also home to organizations that focus on building new affordable homes for income qualified families. With the (Fort at the) Rail Yard Opening, Green Bay will have added in excess of 330 housing units. We need to continue our focus on development along with making the city easier to do business with. Lindsey: Affordable housing is an issue impacting many communities throughout the United States, and this complex issue is impacted by federal, state, and local government social and economic decision-making. At best, government decision-making has not effectively addressed root causes of the problem, or at worst, government decision-making has contributed to or exacerbated the problem. Compassionate people agree that affordable housing is a basic need for life, and as such, it demands that local government engage in sound policy making that mitigates perpetuation of circumstances and conditions that contribute to the problem. Governments must engage in fiscally responsible spending (and responsible spending cuts) to address housing needs, particularly during crisis situations. Almost any significant budget cut will involve personnel cuts, which impacts city services. If you want to cut property taxes, what services should be cut to do so? Hinkfuss: Implementing budget cuts and maintaining essential services are not mutually exclusive. Cuts can and should occur through the improvement and redefinition of work processes. If reductions are necessary, I would turn to the department leaders & staff for ideas, given their close involvement in daily activities. I would encourage department leaders to identify areas for improvement and assess whether processes can be streamlined to achieve the same outcomes with fewer steps. I would also evaluate the balance between positions directly serving taxpayers and those supporting such services. It's essential to assess whether the current ratio is sensible. As your alder, I am committed to ensuring that essential city services remain intact. Cutting services is not an option. Lindsey: This question would be best answered by city residents, as all government funds belong to the taxpaying citizens. If city services are to be cut, residents should be regularly afforded complete, timely transparency of all aspects of government spending policies, practices and behaviors. Such transparency would allow for informed decision making by the residents funding local government. Government regularly seeks resident referendum approval for spending, but residents are rarely, if ever, sought to approve proposed spending cuts. Referendums for spending (or spending cuts) should always allow for balanced pro and con considerations for residents. If need be, nonpartisan or bipartisan audit data should be required and expected. Green Bay's recent population growth has been driven by our Hispanic, Black, Native American, biracial and Asian communities. Yet recent Wello surveys show nearly one-third of residents feel like Green Bay does not accept people with different ideas. How can the Green Bay City Council help increase acceptance and well-being as we grow? Hinkfuss: Actively listen, be curious & ask questions to understand the perspectives and experiences of individuals from cultures different from our own. As leaders on the City Council, it is our responsibility to create safe and welcoming spaces in chambers and committee meetings where all voices are heard and respected. Communication is key in addressing the real fears experienced by minority communities. It's our responsibility to make people feel safe, valued & heard. Meeting with leaders of minority communities allows us to gain insights, address concerns, and build meaningful relationships. By celebrating our differences and recognizing the unique contributions of each culture, we can foster a sense of belonging and promote unity within our community. Lindsey: With respect to the noted survey, as a black male resident, I have never in my entire life been surveyed about my feelings of being accepted or rejected in any community. It's never been a thought. I see Green Bay as a wonderfully diverse community that is steeped in Midwest-friendly values and traditions. I'm running for City Council because I feel overwhelmingly welcomed here, and I enjoy all of the diversity within this community that I hope to serve. I recognize that every human being has "different ideas," and that focusing on differences rather than commonalities leads to division and angst. The Green Bay City Council (and all residents) can increase acceptance of others by continually celebrating the famously welcoming atmosphere and culture that is genuinely Green Bay, Wisconsin. Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay City Council District 12 election: Lindsey faces Hinkfuss PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Gresham police have arrested a man accused of shooting at a driver with another passenger and three children in his car Thursday evening. Authorities responded to 3100 NE Cleveland Avenue after receiving multiple 911 calls that a shooting had happened just before 6:30 p.m., officials said. Columbia CEO Tim Boyle sounds off: If we cant pick up trash, what the hell can we do? The man who was shot had been waiting for a red light at the intersection of Southeast Stark Street and Northeast Cleveland Avenue at the time of the shooting. After fleeing the area, he had another passenger take him to a nearby hospital, according to police. Officials say the man suffered non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation found Kelvin Pea, 31, had been trying to shoot a stolen firearm at a separate vehicle that had two people with whom he had an ongoing dispute. However, when the driver got away from the scene unharmed, they contacted police. Man rescued after 25-foot fall from Beacon Rock Pea now faces charges of attempted murder, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment of another person, first-degree theft of a firearm, and possession of a firearm as a felon. Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to contact police. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Angela, an American academic, started traveling solo in November. Angela said she felt burned out after not taking any time off for many years. She felt tied down by expectations to get married, but solo travel felt freeing. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Angela, an academic and content creator in her early 40s who travels solo in Europe. Angela requested that her last name not be shared for privacy. This essay has been edited for length and clarity. In 2020, I had a major setback. I was engaged and supposed to get married but realized that my fiance wasn't the right person for me. I was living my life for other people's expectations and in fear of judgment. It was one of the most challenging years of my life. I was born in Beijing and was raised by a traditional Chinese family that told me succeeding academically was the only way to find success in life. I spent most of my time studying and never got to travel or enjoy hobbies. In the early 2000s, I moved to the US on my own to pursue my education as an international student. I lived in Florida, Texas, and Southern California before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2017. While I initially faced language and culture barriers, I adapted quickly to life in the US. I'm someone you call a "third culture individual" I identify with both my American and Chinese cultures. I feel at home in the Bay Area, a place that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Since moving to the US, I've earned a Ph.D. in information science and now work at a university as an academic. After living in the US for the past 20 years, I'm also a naturalized US citizen. I traveled solo after breaking off my engagement Apart from visiting family in China my last trip to Beijing was in 2018 I hadn't traveled solo until last year. I had always lived my life according to my parents' expectations. Like most Chinese parents, they expected me to succeed academically, get married, and have kids by a certain age. I never felt I was doing enough. Angela cycling in Copenhagen, Denmark. Courtesy of Angela/@realphdfoodie After breaking off the engagement, I worked on healing myself. Last year, I decided to try something I'd never done before, which was to travel solo internationally. For the first time, I felt like I was prioritizing myself and putting what I wanted to do first. I began documenting my solo travel on TikTok and Instagram. I found it easy to connect with people abroad I started my journey with a solo trip to Denmark and Sweden in November. A month later, I embarked on a monthlong solo trip traveling to eight cities in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Vatican City. And in February, I traveled to Iceland to celebrate my birthday on my own. In addition to my regular time off, I have over 30 days of vacation a year I can accumulate. Because I work at a university, I also follow the academic calendar. For the monthlong trip to Europe, I took 3 weeks off and had a week of holiday leave for the Christmas break. In total, I spent around $8,000 on that trip. All of my years of hard work have provided me with enough savings to fund my trips. One of the things that I loved most about traveling solo was being able to meet and socialize with people from all walks of life. I'm an outgoing and social person, and it helped that I stayed in hostels so I could meet other travelers. But I realized that it was easy to meet people anywhere just by starting a conversation and saying hi. Angela dining out in Iceland. Courtesy of Angela/@realphdfoodie In Rome, at the Colosseum, I met another solo traveler. After taking photos of each other, we ended up chatting and spending the rest of the day exploring the city and having dinner together. I met several different people in the same way. Solo travel helped push me out of my comfort zone Solo traveling is such an empowering experience. I have the complete freedom to decide what I want to do and where I want to go. I enjoy solitude when I want and socialize when I want. It is the serendipity that makes solo traveling beautiful. I did a lot of self-discovery and self-growth. I learned that you don't have to live life a certain way. The world is big, there are many ways to live a fulfilling life. It's helped me gain clarity and put things into perspective. Read the original article on Business Insider ZANESVILLE Hes guided by faith and a sense of purpose. I embraced my formative years with a cheerful and outgoing spirit, recalled Eastin Lewellen. Throughout my K-12 education, the unwavering support of my wonderful family shaped my love for sports. Despite childhood dreams of pursuing a career as a professional basketball player or delving into the world of business and sales, my journey ultimately took an unexpected turn towards education. Today, Lewellen is director of workforce development at Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center. Eastin Lewellen I collaborate with schools and businesses, he explained, to create meaningful programming and opportunities for students pursuing careers, higher education, and valuable skills. My motivation for this role, he added, stems from a deep-seated sense of gratitude for the opportunities afforded to me by my loving parents. Their influence instilled in me a desire to give back by ensuring that students, regardless of their circumstances, have access to opportunities that can positively shape their futures. The significant impact of my parents on my life journey cannot be overstated, he noted. Their consistent support and commitment to providing every possible opportunity have instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude and a strong desire to contribute positively. Additionally, the influence of our close-knit community in Zanesville has been a motivating factor. The sense of camaraderie and support from our community members has shaped my values and underscored the importance of community bonds. Growing up in this environment has fueled my passion for education and community service. I am deeply committed to ensuring that every student, irrespective of their background, has access to opportunities that can significantly shape their future. Lewellen grew up in the tight-knit community of South Zanesville, and graduated from Maysville Schools. He earned a degree in middle childhood education from Ohio University Zanesville, then a masters from Western Governors University, and another masters in educational leadership from the American College of Education. Additionally, he earned a superintendents license from Ashland University. Before joining the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC), he said, my career took a pivotal turn. Six years of teaching middle school math at Philo Jr. High School were followed by three transformative years as the assistant executive director for Foxfire Schools, working under the leadership of Superintendent Todd Whiteman. My time at Foxfire, alongside Mr. Whiteman and the dedicated staff, provided invaluable experiences in setting up career pathways and forming community partnerships that significantly influenced my career trajectory. Lewellen began at MVESC in August 2023. Eastin has hit the ground running in his role as workforce development director, assessed Dana Matz, president of the Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce. The groundwork hes doing today will, in a positive way, affect the future workforce and our local businesses. Looking back on my journey, Lewellen responded, I couldnt be more pleased with where lifes path has taken me. Guided by faith and a sense of purpose, I find fulfillment in contributing to my community, cherishing my wonderful family, and pursuing a career aligned with my passion for education and opportunity. Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center is located at 205 N. Seventh Street in Zanesville. For more information, log on www.mvesc.org. 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 trnews@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com. This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Eastin Lewellen of MVESC wants every child to have opportunities Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, a $10 billion plastics plant built by ExxonMobil and SABIC, started operations this year on 1,300 acres of previously undeveloped land in San Patricio County, across the bay from Corpus Christi. Credit: Dylan Baddour/Inside Climate News A booming petrochemical buildout on the Gulf Coast has drawn billions of dollars in public subsidies from state tax abatement programs despite regular violations of pollution permits, according to a new report released Thursday. The Environmental Integrity Project, an environmental nonprofit based in Texas and Washington, D.C., compiled data on all U.S. plastics projects built, expanded or proposed since 2012, almost all of them along the Gulf Coast. The report identified 50 plastics complexes built or expanded in the last 12 years, 33 of them in Texas, where they have drawn a total of $1.65 billion in property tax breaks through the states Chapter 313 program for energy and manufacturing companies, which the state legislature replaced last year with a new but similar program. Thats a tiny dent in Texas $250 billion annual tax revenue, but its just one visible slice of the total concessions corporations receive to do business in Texas, and it represents lost income that would have gone primarily to the states public schools, which are struggling with shortfalls in teachers and funding. Now, companies are proposing to build an additional 42 plastics plants, 24 of them in Texas, according to the 73-page EIP report, Feeding the Plastics Industrial Complex. The industry is expanding rapidly, and more communities are being asked to consider public subsidies, it said. None of the state programs we examined require industries to follow the terms of their state pollution control permits. While Texas hosts the most new plastics production, the most generous tax breaks come from neighboring Louisiana, among the nations poorest states, where three projects alone drew $6.5 billion in local discounts since 2013. All operating projects considered in the EIP report claimed a total of $9 billion in exchange for commitments to economic development and job growth. That money would have otherwise funded local schools and public services, said Alexandra Shaykevich, research manager at the Environmental Integrity Project. Instead, its given to highly profitable corporations that are often foreign-owned and likely would have located near the nations major oil and gas resources with-or-without local tax incentives, according to her groups report. Most facilities reviewed by the EIP reported repeated violations of their pollution permits, Shaykevich said, but those violations never jeopardized their tax subsidies. I think if companies cant obey the law they shouldn't be rewarded with taxpayer money, she said. We would certainly advocate for making subsidies conditional on compliance. The American Chemistry Council and the Texas Chemistry Council, which represent the plastics business, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Texas Sen. Charles Schwertner, chair of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, said the states tax incentive program bolsters economically distressed communities and enhances its competitive advantage in attracting vital industries. The program ensures that the Texas economic miracle continues to thrive by offering quality employment opportunities for Texans and investments in our communities, Schwertner said. Gulf Coast Expansion The recent growth in Gulf Coast petrochemicals, which include plastics, are a result of the ongoing boom in hydraulic fracturing upstream in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin of Texas. Pipelines carry oil and gas hundreds of miles to the coast, where refineries and chemical plants produce commercial products and load them onto ships for sale overseas. The United States . remains a world leader in petrochemical production and export thanks primarily to these industries, said Joe Powell, executive director of the Energy Transition Institute at the University of Houston. Weve got really good energy prices here on the Gulf Coast because of fracking, he said. That makes the U.S. Gulf Coast a really good investment opportunity, especially in petrochemicals. Within plastics, he said, most recent growth has come from ethane crackers, facilities that turn natural gas into ethylene, which, according to the American Chemistry Council, can be made into polymers that are used to manufacture fibers, bins, pails, crates, bottles, piping, food packaging films, trash liners, bags, wire and cable sheathing, insulation, surface coatings for paper and cardboard, and a wide variety of other products. The U.S. is the top exporter of ethylene polymers, much of which go to China, the worlds top importer. Powell, a former chief scientist for Shell, the global energy company, said years of rapid expansions have brought a glut of ethylene to market and left the Gulf Coast overbuilt in the short term, which he called typical of the chemical business. But in the long term, robust demand for plastics is expected to rapidly grow. The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development predicts global plastics demand will triple between 2019 and 2060. Much of that supply will come from Texas. High demand for plastics and other petrochemicals will support a growing share of fossil fuel production, said Tom Sanzillo, a director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, as major sectors like transportation fuels and power generation shift to more sustainable forms of energy. Proposed Projects in Texas For its report, the EIP drew on public records, including permit applications and company announcements, to compile a list of plastics projects currently proposed. Their data shows a wave of new development still planned for the Texas coast, including seven new complexes and 20 expansions at existing complexes. For example, it said Formosa Plastics, a $460 billion Taiwanese company, has proposed to build a new vinyl chloride reactor, which produces material for PVC plastic, at its 2,500-acre Point Comfort complex on Lavaca Bay. (The company has quietly advanced other expansion plans lately, as well.) At neighboring Matagorda Bay, German petrochemical manufacturer Roehm plans to turn greenfields into a new plant to produce methyl methacrylate, a component of common construction plastics. In Corpus Christi, a joint Singaporean-Taiwanese-Mexican venture plans to build a new manufacturing complex for polyethylene terephthalate, a common plastic in disposable packaging, named Project Jumbo. The complex, proposed by the companies Indorama, Far Eastern New Century and Alpek, will also include a desalination plant to pull seawater from Nueces Bay. Near Houston, ExxonMobil plans three major expansions at its massive Baytown complex: a new cracking furnace, expansion of its polypropylene plant and a new hydrogen plant to power those and other units. The highest concentration of proposed new plastics complexes surrounds Port Arthur, a small city ringed in heavy industry that boasts some of the last available ship channel waterfront on the Gulf. There, Motiva Enterprises, which is owned by the government of Saudi Arabia, has proposed a new ethylene unit consisting of eight furnaces next to its existing Port Arthur refinery. Ethylene is produced by heating natural gas or petroleum to above 800 degrees Celsius, which produces a mixture of gases from which ethylene is separated. Texas-based companies Energy Transfer, Enterprise Products Partners and Chevron Philipps Chemical have also proposed new complexes of ethylene and polyethylene units in the area. Our local government and our state government welcomes this activity, but the people who live in the shadows of the industry are the ones who continue to suffer, said Hilton Kelley, 63, a community organizer from Port Arthur. In most of these situations around the nation, you will find that its people of color. Forty-three percent of Port Arthur residents are Black, more than three times the statewide average. Much of the city is in the 95th percentile nationally for both the volume of toxic air pollution released and resulting cancer risk, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Motiva oil refinery, the largest in the United States, looms over a residential neighborhood in Port Arthur, Texas. Credit: James Bruggers/Inside Climate News Were just like a dumping ground, said Kelley. A large number of my friends and relatives have died from cancer. But despite the abundance of multibillion-dollar industries in Port Arthur, median household income is 37 percent less than Texas as a whole while its poverty rate is nearly double. State Tax Abatement Programs In its report, the EIP found at least two-thirds of the 50 recently completed plastics projects it reviewed nationally received tax abatements through state or local governments. Of the top four recipients, three were in Louisiana, drawing a combined $4.6 billion from the states Industrial Tax Exemption Program since 2013, and one was in Pennsylvania, a massive Shell ethylene plant in Beaver County outside Pittsburgh, which drew $1.65 billion from Pennsylvanias Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit. All were owned, in part or in full, by corporations from Asia, Africa or Europe. The fifth top recipient was Dow Chemicals Freeport chemical complex in Brazoria County, which received $393 million in operating discounts since 2013 through Texas Chapter 313 tax abatement program. Dow did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It sounds like a lot of money. But in this game that some people would call interstate competition for growth and others would call corporate welfare, its not an overwhelming amount, said Mike Kraten, director of accounting program initiatives at the University of Houstons Bauer College of Business. I think anyone would agree that this has become par for the course. Chapter 313, one of many tax abatement programs in Texas, represents a small slice of the total incentives that companies may receive to invest here. The biggest concessions are typically custom-negotiated in private between company lobbyists and state or local governmental development offices, Kraten said. Chapter 313 drew criticism from both Republicans and Democrats in Texas. The conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation called itunnecessary and wasteful.Texas doesnt need to offer tax incentives, critics argued, because its oil and gas fields mean companies will locate here anyway. Last year, the Texas Legislature replaced the Chapter 313 program with a similar program called Chapter 403, which the think tank Every Texan called better in some ways, worse in others. According to Dick Lavine, a senior analyst at Every Texan, two 403 agreements have been signed to date. Meanwhile, the Texas comptrollers office shows 872 tax abatement agreements still active under Chapter 313. Last year, an analysis by the Houston Chronicle showed those outstanding agreements will cost Texas taxpayers $31 billion in lost revenue over the next 30 years. Regular Violations of Pollution Permits These subsidies are awarded irrespective of companies history of compliance with environmental law, the EIP report found.. Of the plastics plants it considered, 84 percent had self-reported violations of their pollution permits to state environmental regulators. They seldom face penalties and never have their public subsidies revoked, no matter how frequent their environmental permit violation, the report said. For example, it cited Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, a huge, new plastics plant outside Corpus Christi, jointly owned by the Saudi Basic Industries Corp. and ExxonMobil, the worlds largest private oil company, which posted a record $56 billion profit in 2022. Located in the town of Gregory, which is 90 percent Hispanic, the project secured in 2017 a $249 million tax break from the Gregory-Portland Independent School District for the period between 2022 and 2032. Then, between 2021 and 2022, the facility reported 10 unpermitted pollution releases totalling 560,802 pounds due to equipment failure, emergency flaring or unplanned shutdowns. During one incident in 2022, the glow of burning ground flares was visible from 20 miles away for days, according to the Corpus Christi Caller Times. The plant also incurred 63 violations from Texas environmental regulator in less than two years, according to the EIP report. These include failure to comply with limits for pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, failure to properly sample and analyze discharges of stormwater from the site, and failing to properly operate and monitor its flares, the report said. An ExxonMobil spokesperson, Lauren Knight, said Gulf Coast Growth Ventures has donated $20 million to the local community including local enrichment projects, environmental preservation, STEM programs, city infrastructure and air monitoring. Knight said air monitors installed in 2019 have shown no change in air quality since. At all of our sites, our focus is on reducing emissions, improving air quality and protecting the environment. We maintain the highest standards for safety, health and environmental care and comply with all applicable laws and regulations, Knight said. All of the top seven U.S. plastics plants that incurred legal penalties for Clean Air Act violations between 2020 and 2023 were in Texas, the report found. Brandy Deason, climate justice coordinator for the nonprofit Air Alliance Houston, which collaborated on the report, said public subsidies shouldnt go to companies that harm public health beyond what their pollution permits allow. Before Air Alliance Houston, she worked at commercial laboratories in Louisiana and Texas that analyzed air samples from industrial operators for their reports to regulators. Thats where she realized what sorts of vapors wafted from refineries and chemical plantsthings like benzene, butadiene and all manner of volatile organic compounds. I saw the air pollution first hand. I ran it through the instruments. I did the reports, she said. I saw a lot of pollution. What frustrates her most, she said, was the pointlessness of much of it. While many plastics are now used in construction and high-grade medical gear, much more goes to single-use packaging that wasnt present in the world just a few decades ago. And, she said, campaigns by Air Alliance Houston and its allies to slow the pace of plastics expansions authorized by Texas regulators have been largely ineffective. Even if the community speaks out, permits are almost never denied, she said. Were constantly showing them the problems, we just get ignored and they get the permits. Disclosure: Air Alliance Houston, Dow Chemical, Energy Transfer, Every Texan, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Texas Public Policy Foundation and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. We cant wait to welcome you to downtown Austin Sept. 5-7 for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival! Join us at Texas breakout politics and policy event as we dig into the 2024 elections, state and national politics, the state of democracy, and so much more. When tickets go on sale this spring, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today. by Hummam Sheikh Ali DAMASCUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Hadia Kamel Kurdi, a mother of five from Aleppo City in northern Syria, is deeply troubled by the dire situation confronting her family. Most of the time, they have nothing to eat, and when they do, it's often just olives, thyme, or boiled potatoes. "Everything is scary for us. The situation will only get worse," Kurdi said. "Now, we live on the meals sent by the orphanage association every two days." As Friday marks the 13th anniversary of the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, Syrians face a harsh reality that few could anticipate years ago. A recent report by the United Nations (UN) said that 16.7 million people inside the country are projected to require humanitarian assistance this year, the highest number of people in need since 2011. According to the humanitarian needs overview released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to cover the month of February, the staggering number, which makes up roughly 75 percent of the Syrian population, is due to the ongoing conflict, widespread displacement, inadequate services and infrastructure, and economic collapse. Mohammed Ibrahim Hindawi, a disabled man in Aleppo, said most of the time he had nothing to eat. "We have nothing. You can come into our house, but you will not find anything at all. I'm constantly worried about whether I can get food for myself or my kids," he said. "Yesterday, we couldn't find anything to eat." The economic crisis has forced him to adopt survival tactics, leading him to prevent his children from attending school and instead engage in work to earn money for the family. Spiraling prices, coupled with a depreciating currency, have rendered the cost of living unattainable for many. The economic fallout, experts warned, is not transient but rather persistent, with repercussions expected to reverberate for years to come. Experts highlight that the enduring aftermath of the war, compounded by external pressures such as economic sanctions, contribute significantly to Syria's economic woes. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Hayam Ali, a Damascus-based economist, underscored the destructive consequences of unilateral sanctions, which severely undermine food security and livelihoods. "The impact of U.S. sanctions has exacerbated poverty, heightened demand, and reduced production, resulting in tangible hardships for Syrians, such as a decline in food security that affects most people," she said. The sanctions also have adverse effects on younger generations, with recent statistics showing that Syrian children are increasingly at risk of malnutrition and undernourishment due to the sanctions, Ali noted. The economist emphasized the need for urgent actions both at home and abroad, noting that while external aid remains crucial, concerted efforts to bolster the agricultural sector and enact targeted economic policies are also indispensable, despite that the road to recovery is arduous. (KRON) A gun was confiscated from a student Friday on the campus of an elementary school in Antioch. According to a letter sent out to parents at Belshaw Elementary School, a parent notified the school office about a student in possession of a gun at 7:50 a.m. Administrators at the school immediately confiscated the gun, school officials said. The Antioch Police Department was notified. Woman killed in SF burglary, stabbing; suspect arrested in Oakland An investigation determined that the student had no intent to use the gun on campus, officials said. School safety is our top priority, and we want to thank the parent, police department, and school administration for their swift action, said Belshaw Elementary Principal Amanda Gallagher. Please speak to your children about the dangers of playing with guns. If you are a gun owner, please make sure they are securely locked up and away from your children. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. School officials are advising anyone with questions about the incident to contact the school office. Belshaw Elementary is part of the Antioch Unified School District and is located at 2801 Roosevelt Lane. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Gypsy Rose Blanchard is curtailing her social media presence to live a more private life. Blanchard, who became widely known a decade ago for the murder of her abusive mother, later found empathy online following her release from prison in December. But earlier this week, she shut down her public Instagram account, which had millions of followers. A lot of people are like, What happened? And what happened is, I had a really good conversation with my dad and he gave me some guidance that I feel like I really needed, Blanchard said in a video on her TikTok account, which has since been shuttered as well. And that guidance was that real life is something you can touch, she added. However, Blanchard noted that she has set up a private Instagram page and verified it. I had absolutely no trouble or doubts about deleting that public one, she said in another since-deleted clip. I have people who were like, Oh, my God, youre insane for deleting that kind of a following. And Im like, I could give a F about a following. Thats not real life. The reluctant influencer, who had previously shared videos online about her newfound freedom, went on to explain that she no longer wants to live under a microscope. In 2015, Blanchard and then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn carried out a plot to kill her mother, Clauddine Dee Dee Blanchard. In court, the daughter suggested that her mother had Munchausen syndrome by proxy raising her to falsely believe that she was disabled and chronically ill, and even subjecting her to unnecessary surgery. Gypsy Rose Blanchard, right, married Louisiana teacher Ryan Scott Anderson in 2022. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Gypsy Rose Blanchard pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2016 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Godejohn, who fatally stabbed Blanchards mother, was sentenced to life without parole in 2019. Blanchard married Louisiana teacher Ryan Scott Anderson behind bars at Missouris Chillicothe Correctional Center in 2022, before news broke the next year that shed been cleared for early release. But the woman whose story has received so much media attention now appears intent on stepping out of the public gaze. I dont understand why people are so interested in my life. I dont get it, she said on TikTok. I dont see myself as famous. Especially for for what? Like, I did something bad. Im trying to make myself a better person now, but I dont get it. She added: Thats not me. Im not famous. Im not anything. Im just Gypsy. Related... Video: Tina Whitlow speaks about who her father was. He was a very generous man. He would do anything for anybody. OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) A man was found shot to death on Third Street in Opelika over twenty years ago. Although the case has been cold, the victims daughter continues to seek out answers as to who killed her dad. On Jan. 3, 2001, at about 9 p.m., Opelika Police found 50-year-old Steve Edward Whitlow fatally shot in his 1994 Ford Aerostar. An autopsy determined his manner of death was homicide. At the time of Steve Whitlows murder, he was a security guard at Char-Broil on Williamson Avenue. He was also a navy veteran who served in Vietnam. An investigation began, but Opelika police say the case eventually went cold. Despite that, Steve Whitlows daughter continues to seek justice. I had to lay my father to rest 23 years ago. I was only 20 years old, which was the hardest day of my life. My father was shot and killed on the corner of 3rd Street and Ave B, where his van went into someones yard and rested in a tree. Tina Whitlow Tina Whitlow told police she thinks someone knows what happened and who did this. I am asking for anyone who has any knowledge or information to please contact the Opelika Police Department, said Tina Whitlow. I am praying for justice so that way I can have closure. 3rd Street and Avenue B, where Steve Whitlow was found dead, is a primarily residential area on the outskirts of downtown Opelika. According to OPD, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the OPD Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police mobile app. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. The whirling buzz of the rotors first appeared after sundown, seven days after a united front of ruthless armed gangs seized Haitis two largest prisons, freeing thousands of prisoners and forcing the temporary suspension of flights at the capitals international and domestic airports The helicopter flights continued for the next couple of days as staff at diplomatic missions in Port-au-Prince scrambled to get out of the gang-fueled chaos amid food shortages and looting in a city under siege. Haitis air space may be closed. But not necessarily for those with connections and deep pockets. As the violence intensifies, foreign embassy staffers and wealthy foreigners stranded in the volatile Caribbean nation are knocking on the doors of air-travel companies in Miami and in the neighboring Dominican Republic trying to secure themselves a way out. The main destination is Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. READ MORE: Who will lead Haiti? Naming of transition panel embroiled in uncertainty, disputes But the availability of seats in helicopters with pilots willing to fly into Haiti is extremely limited and very expensive, running in some cases into tens of thousands of dollars, amid the difficulties faced by chopper companies in obtaining approval for their flight plans from officials in Santo Domingo. Were trying to help foreigners, particularly American citizens trying to extricate themselves, but pilots keep getting denied because of the restrictions that are coming out of the Dominican Republic, said Steve McPartland, Miami managing director of Americas for the Emerald Solutions Group. The Dubai-based company provides helicopter service as well as security, supplying would-be travelers with bulletproof transportation out of undisclosed locations in Haitis capital. Dominican officials told the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald that there is a protocol to get approval for the extraction of foreigners out of Haiti. Companies attempting to organize the operations, however, say the process is long. It requires the green light from different slow-moving Dominican governmental agencies. Days after announcing, for example, that it was temporarily relocating some of its Port-au-Prince staff to the Dominican Republic, the United Nations still had not received approval to take its staffers out on helicopters. It is not yet operational, just to be clear, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters on Friday. Days earlier, as the violence erupted, several European missions successfully evacuated nine people, including the German ambassador, on a mission that was supposed to be hush-hush but ended up being leaked, causing a days delay. After word got out about the flights, those involved called it off out of security concerns, sources said. The United States also evacuated its non-essential staff at its embassy in Tabarre, where gangs looted several businesses and took over a car dealership where the Jamaica consulate is housed. Instead of charters, however, the U.S. military flew into Haiti in the dead of night for the extraction mission that also left behind Marines to secure the embassy. READ MORE: Senate confirms U.S. ambassador for Haiti in urgent vote The helicopter flights coincided with an uneasy calm over the capital, where armed groups had targeted the airport in anticipation of the return of outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Henry was on a visit to Kenya, finalizing a bilateral agreement with the government to send 1,000 of its police officers to Haiti as part of an international mission the East African nation has offered to lead, when the violence hit a peak on March 2. Using a drone, armed groups attacked the countrys largest prison and released thousands of inmates, including several notorious gang leaders, then breached a second prison in Croix-des-Bouquets, not far from the U.S. embassy. Locked out of the country, Henry had hoped to charter a helicopter to get back into the country. But he was later forced to land in Puerto Rico after the Dominican Republic refused to allow his charter plane to land in Santo Domingo. Several days later, helicopter pilots started their risky extraction flights, which two sources told the Herald can cost as much as $80,000 per seat. Given that evacuations are carried out under hazardous conditions, aviation companies are demanding hefty prices. The Dominican pilot said a charter helicopter flight can run between $10,000 to $15,000, but that there might be additional costs given the violence and the difficulty of refueling in Haiti. The flights appear to have become less frequent over the past few days even though demand is growing. Major airlines have not yet said when they will resume flying and on Thursday gangs once more targeted the area near the airport with heavy gunfire. An hour later they set fire to the private residence of the countrys police chief, triggering panic in Port-au-Prince. The teeming capital is surrounded by armed groups that control all of the major roads in and out of the capital, leaving no other option out but to helicopter out. Various aviation companies trying to organize flights out of the Dominican Republic said they have not been able to get the necessary authorizations. There are no flights right now, said a Dominican helicopter pilot, whose company had previously helped evacuate the diplomatic mission of a European country. We have been contacted by many people but we have not been able to help them. Foreign journalists attempting to get into Haiti face the opposite problem. A number of foreign broadcast networks have been reaching out to helicopter companies but are finding themselves unable to leave the Dominican Republic. McPartland of Emerald Solutions said his company provides all-around protection to guarantee the safety of its passengers, from the point of pickup to the secure place they would be taken in the Dominican Republic. The cost of each extraction would depend on its individual condition and the size of the team required, but that it can run into many thousands of dollars. The most high-profile evacuation to date involved bestselling author Mitch Albom. The author of the blockbuster book Tuesdays With Morrie, Albom was visiting an orphanage he established in Haiti when the gangs broke into the prisons. In an interview with NBC News, Albom said he and his wife had to flee in the dead of night on a helicopter with nine others. The country fell into great turmoil, Albom said. The airports were closed. The ports were taken over. The borders were closed. The streets were blocked. And yet, foreigners are in a much better position than the countrys citizens caught in the wave of violence, said McPartland. The foreigners there are desperate to get out, but my personal opinion is that, you know, well get them all out of there. And we can keep them safe inside a shelter for the time being, he said. But the Hatians, those are the ones that are really desperate because they have no way out of a horrible situation. Since early February, Haiti has been crippled by deadly violence at the hands of a group of gangs who forced the resignation of the countrys unpopular prime minister, Ariel Henry. As conditions deteriorate, the U.S. which supports a transition of power has deployed a team of U.S. Marines to Haiti and is set to announce millions of dollars in humanitarian and military support. Haiti prepares for a transition of power Haiti has not held any parliamentary or general elections since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, after which Henry stepped in to serve as the countrys interim leader. On Feb. 29, Henry left Haiti for Kenya to secure support from the United Nations for a multinational security mission to rein in the widespread killings, sexual assaults and kidnappings plaguing his country. During his absence, the gang alliance leader, Jimmy Cherizier, claimed responsibility for all of the street violence in a video posted on social media. He vowed to use all strategies to force Henry to cede power. Heny has not returned to his country since, but on March 11, he announced he would be stepping down in a video posted to official government channels. "The government that I am leading cannot remain indifferent to this situation, Henry said. There is no sacrifice too big for our country. Henry will remain the interim leader until a transitional council is chosen by CARICOM a 15-member coalition of Caribbean leaders convened to oversee a transition to a new government for Haiti. Gang leader says Henry's resignation is a first step in the battle Cherizer, an ex-police officer turned gang leader, is the ringleader of the G9 Family and Allies that now controls about 80% of the Haiti capital, Port-au-Prince. The alliance is made up of nine capital area gangs that have thrown the country into chaos with deadly fighting. The alliances recent activities include setting fire to police stations, a failed attack on Haitis main airport, mass killings of police and private citizens, the escape of thousands from two large prisons, as well as widespread sexual assault, property damage and theft. Late on Wednesday, gangs coordinated a shooting in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood. The next day, a police academy was attacked. A nationwide nightly curfew has also been extended through Sunday. According to the U.N., more than 360,000 people have been displaced in Haiti due to the violence. On Wednesday, Cherizer said in an audio message shared on the messaging app Whats App that Henrys resignation was only "a first step in the battle," accusing Henry of the countrys deterioration and threatening politicians families. The gangs have accused opposition leaders and police of plotting to kill Moise, the former president who was assassinated in 2021, and have threatened to instigate a civil war within the country unless new leadership is installed. However, whether Cherizers gangs will support the transitional council remains to be seen. The U.S. response U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, at an emergency meeting on Haiti convened by member states of CARICOM, in Kingston, Jamaica, March 11. (Gilbert Bellamy/Reuters) The U.S. has also pushed for Henry to step down amid the political unrest and has said that it supports the move to establish a presidential transitional council so that the country can hold free and fair elections. In the meantime, U.S. Southern Command has deployed Marines to Haiti to bolster security around the U.S. Embassy as American citizens evacuate the country. Bestselling author Mitch Albom, who runs an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, posted on X Tuesday that he and nine other Americans had been evacuated via helicopter. Albom had been sheltering in place since early March, when a state of emergency was first declared in the country. On Wednesday, the U.S. Southern Command also deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team to maintain strong security capabilities at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also sent aircraft, ships, about 200 state law enforcement officers and 50 members of the National Guard to combat what he called illegal vessels arriving in South Florida as Haitians flee the country. According to CNN, the White House has weighed using Guantanamo Bay as a migrant processing center for those migrants. In an urgent bipartisan vote on Thursday, the Senate confirmed Dennis Hankins as U.S. ambassador to Haiti. The appointment filled a vacancy to oversee a multinational security mission, which will be led by Kenya. Support for the multinational mission is a requirement for candidates interested in joining the presidential transitional council a rule that has been resisted by some within Haiti. On Friday, USAID chief Samantha Power was set to announce an additional $25 million in humanitarian aid for Haiti. That is in addition to the $33 million that Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on Monday during talks with dozens of Haitian representatives in Kingston, Jamaica, via Zoom. Relatives of hostages in Gaza protest in front of the Israeli parliament demanding their return - Saeed Qaq/Anadolu via Getty Images Israel reopened ceasefire talks with Hamas on Friday after the terror group dropped its demands for a permanent truce. Hamas published a revised deal to swap its Israeli hostages for up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Previous talks broke down over Hamas demanding a permanent end to fighting, and after the group refused to supply Israel with a list of captives who are still alive in Gaza. Under the draft proposals, a first tranche of hostages will be released under a six-week truce, after which talks can start on a permanent ceasefire. On Friday, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, dismissed the unrealistic new offer but said he would send a delegation to Qatar to reopen talks. Israel has been reluctant to sign up to a permanent ceasefire as it is committed to its goal of destroying Hamas entirely. A group representing families of some of the hostages urged the Israeli government to accept the deal - Saeed Qaq/Anadolu via Getty Images Mr Netanyahu also said that he had approved plans for an invasion of Rafah, the last remaining Hamas stronghold in Gaza. His threat was probably part warning and part negotiating leverage. On Friday, the US said that it needed to see a clear and workable plan for Rafah, which included getting civilians out of harms way. It came as Joe Biden praised a speech by the Democratic leader of the US Senate that called for Mr Netanyahu to hold elections in Israel as he has lost his way. Hosting Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, in the Oval Office, Mr Biden said senator Chuck Schumer had forewarned the White House that he intended to make a highly critical speech about the Israel leader. Im not going to elaborate on the speech, the US president said. He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans. The new Hamas offer demands Israel frees up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 100 people serving life sentences, in return for vulnerable Israeli hostages. In the first stage of the deal, Hamas would release all women, children, elderly and ill hostages as well as female soldiers in exchange for 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, according to the document seen by Reuters. Hamas would then push for a permanent ceasefire only after the first stage of the deal was complete. A group representing families of some of the hostages urged the Israeli government to accept it. For the first time, we can envision embracing them again. Please grant us this right, the group said. Several hundred people rallied outside the IDFs headquarters on Friday afternoon, demanding the cabinet accept the deal. Hamas toughened its stance in the most recent round of talks, saying it would only agree to a deal that included a permanent ceasefire. Israel previously offered a six-week break in fighting and publicly insisted it could not stop fighting in Gaza until it felt all the military capability of Hamas had been destroyed. Mr Netanyahu earlier this week reiterated this call for a ground operation in Gazas southern city of Rafah, something that Israels main ally, the United States, has opposed. Egypt, one of the key mediators between Hamas and Israel, has urged both parties to come to an agreement. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Friday that his country was hoping to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and increase the flow of aid into the besieged enclave. He also wanted Israel against launching a ground offensive in Rafah near the Egyptian border. 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. Smoke rises during an Israeli ground operation in Khan Younis, as seen from Rafah By Samia Nakhoul DUBAI (Reuters) -Hamas has presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the U.S. that includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters. Hamas said the initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly and ill hostages in return for the release of 700-1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, according to the proposal. The release of Israeli "female recruits" is included. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Thursday a new Gaza truce proposal presented by Hamas to mediators was still based on "unrealistic demands". His office said an update on the issue would be handed to the war cabinet and extended security cabinet on Friday. Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like as a deepening humanitarian crisis has one quarter of the population in the battered Gaza Strip facing famine. Qatari officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Egypt is seeking to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, ramp up aid deliveries to the Strip and allow for displaced Palestinians in the south and centre of the enclave to move to the north, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Friday. "We are talking about reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, meaning a truce, providing the biggest quantity of aid," he told Egypt's police academy. Sisi also warned against the dangers of an Israeli incursion into Rafah, on the border with Egypt. POSSIBLE ASSAULT ON RAFAH Five months into the war, Netanyahu's office said in February it had ordered the military to develop a plan to evacuate Rafah and destroy four Hamas battalions it says are deployed there. A possible assault on Rafah, where most of the displaced have sought shelter, prompted international concern for its dire consequences. Hamas said ceasefire negotiations had faltered over the past few weeks due to Netanyahu's rejection of its demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, the return of the displaced in the south of the enclave to the centre and the north, and stepping up aid without restrictions. In February, Hamas received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris that included a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one - a similar ratio to the new ceasefire proposal. RELEASE OF ALL DETAINEES Israel had rejected in February a draft proposal for a truce from Hamas, citing its long-held goal of not ending the war until it has destroyed the Islamist group that has run Gaza since 2006. Hamas insists an agreement should end the war. According to the latest proposal, Hamas said a date for a permanent ceasefire would be agreed upon after the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group said all detainees from both sides would be released in a second stage of the plan. The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's air, sea and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 31,000 people and wounded over 71,500, according to Gaza health authorities. The conflict has spread to other parts of the already volatile Middle East. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah has frequently exchanged fire with Israel along the border. Pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq have attacked U.S. forces in the country and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked ships in and around the Red Sea to show their solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. Late on Thursday, Hamas said it presented to mediators a comprehensive vision of a truce based on stopping what it calls Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, providing relief and aid, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. With the war now in its sixth month, the U.N. has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access for aid. (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul, writing by Nayera Abdallah; Editing Michael Georgy, Sharon Singleton and Alex Richardson) Semafor Signals Insights from El Pais and The New York Times The News Hamas has submitted a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza that includes the release of Israeli hostages for up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, agencies reported Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that Hamas is making unreasonable requests with its proposals so far. Also on Friday, a ship carrying 200 tonnes of food from Cyprus arrived off the coast of Gaza, though few details have emerged yet on how the supplies will be distributed. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Talks keep breaking down over mistrust Source: El Pais Negotiations have repeatedly collapsed between Israel and Hamas, who have been unable to agree on the first phase of the ceasefire. Both sides are aware that a truce would not mean the end of the war, but Hamas has advocated for it to be the beginning of the end of hostilities, which Israel disagrees with. While the first phase of a hostage agreement would focus on releasing the young, women, and the sick, a second phase would see men released something Hamas hopes Israel will trade for a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave, El Pais reported. Hamas will be looking for maximum guarantees in exchange for the [hostages], because when it releases them it will have run out of ways to pressure Israel, an expert in conflict resolution told the Spanish paper. Divides between US and Israel grow Source: The New York Times Netanyahus leadership in Israel is problematic: The prime minister sent forces into Gaza with no clear plan about how the enclave would be managed after the conflict, and Israel as a whole is becoming radioactive, The New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote. Israel has a prime minister who apparently would rather see Gaza devolve into Somalia, ruled by warlords, than partner with organizations like the Palestinian Authority to establish a government for the Palestinian territories. The only thing worse for Israel, not to mention Gazans, than a Gaza controlled by Hamas, he argued, is a Gaza where nobody is in charge. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party hit back at criticism on Friday by Hamas and other factions over his appointment of a new prime minister they said could deepen divisions as the war with Israel in Gaza rages. Abbas appointed Mohammed Mustafa, a long-trusted adviser on economic affairs, as prime minister on Thursday and tasked him with forming a new government. But the factions said in a statement Friday that "making individual decisions, and engaging in formal steps that are devoid of substance, like forming a new government without national consensus, is a reinforcement of a policy of exclusion and the deepening of division". Such steps point to a "huge gap between the (Palestinian) Authority and the people, their concerns and their aspirations," they said. The other signatories were Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant group in Gaza, the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Palestinian National Initiative, a political party which seeks a third way between Fatah and Hamas. Mustafa replaces Mohammed Shtayyeh, who resigned less than three weeks ago citing the need for change after the Hamas attack of October 7 triggered war with Israel in Gaza. He accepted the appointment and said in a letter to Abbas published on Friday he was "well aware of the severity of the... dire circumstances that the Palestinian people are going through". Fatah hit back at Hamas late Friday, accusing the Islamist movement in a statement of "having caused the return of the Israeli occupation of Gaza" by "undertaking the October 7 adventure". This led to a "catastrophe even more horrible and cruel than that of 1948", a reference to the displacement and expulsion of some 760,000 Palestinians from their lands at the creation of Israel, they said. "The real disconnection from reality and the Palestinian people is that of the Hamas leadership," said Fatah, accusing Hamas of not having itself "consulted" the other Palestinian leaders before launching its attack on Israel. The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures. The retaliatory Israeli military offensive in Gaza has killed at least 31,490 people, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Mustafa, 69, now faces the task of forming a new government for the Palestinian Authority, which has limited powers in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Control of the Palestinian territories has been divided between Abbas's Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip since 2007. Analysts have said Mustafa's closeness to Abbas would limit chances for major reform of the Palestinian Authority. The United States and other powers have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories after the war ends. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has rejected post-war plans for Palestinian sovereignty. bur-skl-rcb/aph/pbt The House of Representatives, on March 13, passed a bill that would force ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, to sell the apps U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. The bill, which will now be sent to the Senate, puts the future of the ultra-popular app up in the air but this situation is not without precedent. In 2019, the U.S. government ordered the Chinese owners of Grindr, an LGBTQ+ dating app, to give up control of the company. The forced sale draws some parallels to Congress current case against TikTok and could provide a glimpse into TikToks future, Sarah Bauerle Danzman, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and professor at Indiana University, told McClatchy News. The TikTok transaction is Grindr on steroids, said Bauerle Danzman, who studies international investment. National security concerns The government took action against Grindr and TikTok for largely the same reason: national security concerns related to Chinese data collection. But the specific concerns surrounding the two apps while similar are not identical, Bauerle Danzman said. Grindr collects substantial personal data from users, including their real-time location and sensitive information like HIV status and vaccination status, according to the company. As a result, U.S. officials were concerned that the data maintained by the apps Chinese owner, Beijing Kunlun Tech could potentially be used to blackmail individuals for the purpose of intelligence gathering, Bauerle Danzman said. TikTok collects similar types of user data, including in-app messages, financial information and uploaded content, according to the company. Lawmakers have argued that Bytedance could provide this information to the Chinese government at any point an assertion that TikTok has denied, according to the Associated Press. But an added concern is that TikTok, by nature of being a social media platform, curates a content feed for users, Bauerle Danzman said. Therefore, unlike Grindr, Chinese control of TikTok creates concerns about manipulation of the algorithm for propaganda purposes, Bauerle Danzman said. Further, TikTok has a much larger footprint in the U.S., boasting more than 100 million users compared to Grindrs 13 million monthly users worldwide, making the scale of the perceived problem much bigger. Government action The government crackdown on both apps began with the same organization: the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency group that monitors business transactions involving international companies for potential national security risks. The organization reports to the president and can recommend he demand a company to divest from foreign entities, though companies can also voluntarily enter agreements with CFIUS, Bauerle Danzman said. In recent years, in response to strained U.S.-China relations, the organization has become more dubious of foreign acquisitions and otherwise foreign-owned companies, according to a Brookings report. In 2019, following an investigation, CFIUS ordered Grindrs Chinese owners to relinquish control of the company, though its specific reasoning was not disclosed, according to the report. This was perhaps the first major reported CFIUS review that was undertaken due to concerns about sensitive personal data, Bauerle Danzman said. A year later, the Chinese owners voluntarily complied and sold the company to San Vicente Acquisition, incorporated in Delaware, for around $608 million, according to Forbes. The sale led the owners to make a substantial profit on their initial investment, Bauerle Danzman said. Similarly, CFIUS began investigating Bytedance in 2017, when it purchased Musical.ly, a startup with U.S. operations that eventually rebranded into TikTok. (Former President Donald Trump also tried to ban the app through executive order in 2020, though the effort was stopped in court after TikTok sued). CFIUSs investigation, unlike the Grindr probe, has been ongoing for years and has yet to reach a conclusion, according to Axios. So, now, Congress has elected to take action, with the House passing a bill that would essentially have the same effect as a CFIUS divestment order, per the outlet. Notably, the bill only addresses ownership and would not require TikTok to change its algorithm, Bauerle Danzman said. If ByteDance chooses to divest, TikTok could carry on operating in the U.S., like Grindr, without significant changes, Pennsylvania Rep. Madeleine Dean wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Grindr divested and its alive and well today, Dean wrote. But whether the bill will garner enough votes to pass in the Senate is an open question. If it is passed and signed into law by the president, its not clear whether ByteDance will opt to divest from TikTok a possibility that some have cast doubt on. Any kind of divestiture and then merger with another company or acquisition would have to be approved by the Chinese government, which would probably reject that and is probably advising ByteDance that it would reject that Paul Triolo, a partner at consulting firm Albright Stonebridge, told CNBC. A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs was critical of the bill on March 14, calling it at odds with the principles of fair competition and international trade rules, according to the outlet. Biden isnt alone with his age concerns. Heres how past presidents dealt with aging Should US keep arming Israel? Poll finds most Americans want weapon shipments to stop Are voters happy with Americas global standing? Poll shows near-record disapproval CAIRO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met Thursday with visiting Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain Jose Manuel Albares in the Egyptian capital of Cairo to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza Strip. The two sides underscored their rejection of Israel's military escalation in the besieged enclave, especially in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. They also voiced opposition to all measures that will lead to the liquidation of the Palestinian cause via the displacement of Palestinians outside their land, it added. During the talks, the two sides stressed the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating the delivery of sufficient quantities of humanitarian relief to the enclave. They called on the international community to take tangible measures to push forward the global recognition of the Palestinian state and to support its full membership in the United Nations, which will help activate the two-state solution to restore regional peace and security, said the statement. The Spanish minister embarked on a tour of the Middle East on Tuesday, with his first stop in Jordan, seeking to "promote a solution to the serious crisis stemming from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," according to a statement by his ministry. Whats happened is disgusting: Trust fund companys board resigns after $100M for those with special needs goes missing TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A local nonprofit is missing $100 million from trust accounts for some of the most vulnerable. Now the companys board of directors have resigned. Its like a ghost town at the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration. The only person who answered the door was an off-duty St. Pete police officer. According to a filing, a month ago, the center filed for bankruptcy after learning its founders, Leo Govoni and John Staunton, loaned themselves $100 million over an 11-year span and have not repaid it. Theres nothing left in there: $100M missing from St. Pete trust fund company for people with special needs Last week, 8 On Your Side spoke with the centers spokeswoman, Beth Leytham, who said the centers new leadership is on it. We hate that this is happening, but were working around the clock as much as we can, all of us, to get the money back where it belongs, said Leytham. The Chamberlin family. Source: Thomas Leeder But as of this week, the board has resigned, which makes what Leythem told us just last week even more concerning. When asked about the centers oversight, she said, not that Im aware of. So, whos now in charge of running a center that is managing $100 million of vulnerable peoples money and looking for the other $100 million thats missing? The federal government is appointing a trustee, according to this bankruptcy filing. An independent person in this case, will bring in their own investigators into the corporation, the nonprofit corporation in this case, and will provide their own independent accounting that will give us a better understanding of whos been affected, and to what extent, said Thomas Leeder. St. Pete non-profit responds to what happened to missing $100 million Leeder is the managing partner at Leeder Law, based in South Florida. Whats happened is disgusting, said Leeder. This shouldve never happened. Leeder is so outraged that he and another attorney filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of the Chamberlin Family. Their lives have been devastated, said Leeder. 15-year-old twin brothers Clark and Sawyer were born prematurely and ended up in the NICU. Clark is now disabled. I represented the Chamberlins in the underlying medical malpractice case that came to a conclusion at the end of 2020, said Leeder. Leeder said the family received a large settlement in that malpractice case. Money for Todd and Kelli Chamberlin to use to take care of Clark for the rest of his life. To protect Clarks money, it was placed in a trust at the center. They believed they had the financial security for Clark going forward, and that was their ultimate goal for the family, said Leeder. The Chamberlin family. Source: Thomas Leeder But on Valentines Day, that goal was crushed when the Chamberlins discovered not only the center that manages their sons money filed for bankruptcy, but also that their sons money was all gone. Florida kids still living in nursing homes? 8 On Your Side investigates How much money was drained from their sons account? Leeder was asked. It was a substantial amount of money, said Leeder. Theyre one of the top 30 creditors thats been listed. The bankruptcy filing shows a list of creditors or families that have been most impacted from the centers missing money. One family had more than $4.5 million drained from their account alone. This should have not happened to these vulnerable people in our community after fighting tooth and nail for what they see for at the time was a fair, and just result to only have that taken away it just adds insult to injury, said Leeder. 8 On Your Side has been trying to get in contact with Govoni for two weeks now and has tried getting ahold of Staunton. We previously told you that they left in 2009, but still had control over the center, according to the bankruptcy filing. We went to one of their businesses located on 49th Street in Clearwater. Govonis son came out to talk to Investigator Brittany Muller and directed her to his fathers attorney, Eric Koenig. He hasnt responded to our calls or emails. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Check out community events around New Mexico from March 15-21. Albuquerque New Mexico Albuquerque Notices Pre-lease applications open for new affordable housing complex in Albuquerque The city is in the process of converting the former SureStay Hotel off of Lomas and Eubank Boulevards into apartments. About 30 apartments are expected to be open in the spring. The city and property manager Monarch Properties Inc. are accepting applications for one-bedroom apartments. ABQ BioPark asks for drivers to slow down to protect geese crossing the road on Tingley With nearby construction on Bridge Blvd., more cars are taking Tingley these days to get to Central. Theres a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit on Tingley that the city said is appropriate for the road. The BioPark said if the public spots injured wildlife near Tingley, to call 311 to notify the city. Adult STEM night at National Museum of Nuclear Science and History Discovery After Dark will take place on April 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. APD pilot program tracks gunshot data in neighborhoods The Albuquerque Police Department launched a new program using data from their Shot Spotter program which is a real-time gunshot detection system. With the new program, anytime theres a rise of gunshots in a neighborhood, police will gather the date, time, and place of where it happened and attempt to pinpoint the person who committed the crime. Registration open for Albuquerque Little Theatre summer camps Albuquerque Little Theatre Education and Youth Program offers classes, workshops, and summer camps that cater to students of all ages. Kids can register for Disneys Descendants musical camp, the play actors mini camp, the Play Builders summer camp, and more. City adds turf robots to help out at Los Altos Park The robots are on lease to the city for at least the next year for a cost of $16,000, which covers maintenance and repairs. So far the robots are only painting softball fields, but the city says theres a possibility of using them elsewhere. Sandia Peak Tram, TEN 3 restaurant announce reopening date Crews updated the 1960s-era controls that send the carts up and down the mountain and installed technology that will help maintenance teams better inspect and troubleshoot problems more easily. The TEN 3 restaurant reopened on March 14. Explora Spring Break Camps Explora is offering Spring Break camps on March 22, 25-29, and April 1-5. They will provide STEAM camps for Pre-K, K-2nd Grade, and 3-5th Grade groups. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Spring Camps Camps are happening March 25-29 and April 1-5 and are for children between the ages of 5 and 10. Bernalillo County launches paid high school internship program Students will receive employability training to prepare them for the internship. They will work up to 20 hours per week and be paid $14.31 per hour. Applications are open through April 30. New Mexico Notices St. Patricks Day Uber code offered for Sandoval, Santa Fe, Bernalillo counties The Take a Ride on Us program is firing back up, starting on Friday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. and going until Monday, March, 18 at 2:00 a.m. Use Uber code ABQGREEN42 and receive a credit of up to $10 on two trips. The credit does not cover Uber Eats or a drivers tip. 2 Rio Rancho City Council positions headed to runoff election In District 6, Nicole Dahn leads the pack with more than 200 votes over her next competitor Edward Lynn Paulsgrove but she did not get the 50% vote needed. Paul M. Wymer is the new District 5 councilor with 54% of the votes. The runoff elections for city council will be on April 9. New Mexico History Museum to host free community event at the Palace of the Governors The event is to celebrate the completion of five years of rehabilitation work at the Palace. History Homecoming: Past, Present, Palace will take place on Sunday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Palace of the Governors. Jury finds Hannah Gutierrez guilty of involuntary manslaughter for Rust movie set shooting Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that Gutierrez be held in custody until sentencing in April. Gutierrez faces up to a year and a half in prison. Delinquent property tax auctions scheduled in March An auction in Colfax County is happening Wednesday, March 20, at 10:00 a.m. in Raton; Union County will hold one on Thursday, March 21, at 9:00 a.m. in Clayton.; Harding County will also hold an auction on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in Mosquero. Mayor of Hatch passes away The mayor of the Village of Hatch passed away on Saturday. Mayor James Whitlock, known by many as Slim, was 65 years old, according to Mayor Pro-tem Dennis Torres. Mayor Pro-tem Torres, a lifelong resident and community member of Hatch, has assumed the role of interim mayor. Torres told KRQE News 13 that he will always remember Whitlock for his kindness. Bosque School researches impact of 2022 Bosque fire on local porcupine population A fire that ripped through nearly 30 acres of the Bosque right in the middle of the city also torched a lot of habitats of Albuquerques mostly hidden porcupine population. The school plans on continuing the research with future students for years to come. New Mexico History Museum collecting community objects for Zozobra exhibition The museum and the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe want to see the communitys favorite memories of Zozobra, also known as Old Man Gloom. Community members can bring materials like vintage merch, family movies, or other memorabilia directly to NMHM on Lincoln Street to have them examined and photographed on-site. New Mexico Military Institute students head to DC to compete in National Science Bowl finals The team from the New Mexico Military Institute secured their spot and an all-expenses-paid trip to the finals after winning a qualifying regional competition this past weekend. The National Finals will take place from April 25- 29, in Washington, D.C., and will include science activities and sightseeing, along with the competitions. Custom-built Oppenheimer film set opens to visitors in New Mexico The hour-and-a-half tour of the Oppenheimer set at Ghost Ranch is open to those ages 10 and up. The cost is $45. To book a tour, you are asked to contact Ghost Ranchs tour department via email: tours@ghostranch.org. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Former President Donald Trumps hardline rhetoric on immigration appears unlikely to cost him or the GOP much support among Floridas Hispanic voters in November. It might even help them. With Republicans accusing President Joe Biden and his administration of failing to enforce basic immigration laws and secure the U.S. southern border, the issue of immigration is particularly complicated in Miami-Dade, where more than half of the countys residents were born abroad. Though nationally Hispanic voters are more likely to side with Democrats on immigration, a notable number of Floridas Hispanic voters many of whom are immigrants themselves see illegal immigration as a pervasive problem for the U.S., according to public polling. That could help Republicans win over even more support in a voter-rich part of Florida that has shifted rightward in recent years, or at least minimize any damage. A recent survey of Hispanic voters in 22 states conducted by Florida International University and the marketing firm Adsmovil found that almost half (45%) of Hispanic voters in the U.S. believe Democrats have the best handle on immigration issues, with just 29% saying that Republicans are better on the issue. But when the survey asked the same question of Floridas Hispanic voters, the results were flipped. Theres this perception among those that are here that the boat is full, Eduardo Gamarra, a political science professor at FIU who led the universitys poll, said Thursday night during a Hispanic voter town hall hosted at the university by the Miami Herald and news partners. Will someone pull the ladder up? Gamarras survey also found that, both nationally and in Florida, Hispanic voters are most likely to identify immigration and open borders as the biggest threat to the countrys national security. Another panelist at Thursdays town hall, Irina Vilarino, whose family launched the popular Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine chain of restaurants after coming to the U.S. during a mass wave of Cubans in 1980, agreed that Miamis Hispanic voters are worried about the historic influx of migrants coming to the border, but disagreed with Gamarras characterization as to why. Vilarino, a former Republican congressional candidate, said the GOP simply wants good people to come to the United States. I am not against immigration, she said. On the contrary. We need great immigration for our businesses, for our economy. KEEP READING: How a migrant influx is causing tensions in one of the most Hispanic cities in the U.S. Trump has sought to elevate the crisis at the U.S. southern border as he vies to reclaim control of the White House this year. But in doing so, hes also deployed rhetoric that is widely seen as anti-immigrant. At a campaign stop in New Hampshire in December, he insisted that undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of the U.S. During a rally in Hialeah in November, Trump drew cheers when he promised to launch the biggest domestic deportation campaign in history. Nelson Diaz, a Republican lobbyist and former chairman of the Miami-Dade GOP, brushed off Trumps remarks, saying that the former president isnt against legal immigration, but is simply acknowledging that the disaster thats occurring on the southern border is unacceptable. The biggest mistake that a lot of people make is assuming that when Donald Trump talks about closing the border and that kind of stuff, hes saying he hates immigrants or anyone thats foreign born, and thats just not true, Diaz said. RELATD CONTENT: This could be a big deal in November. Heres whats driving Hispanic voters to the right Perspectives driven by politics Despite Miamis vast foreign-born population and unique political culture, some experts said that the immigration debate in South Florida is still largely driven at the national level. Guillermo Grenier, a professor of sociology at FIU who studies immigration, said that the countrys hyper-polarized political environment has made it difficult to separate voters attitudes toward immigration from their party affiliation. While Cuban Americans a traditionally Republican-leaning voting bloc that has dominated Miami-Dade politics for decades tend to be sympathetic to migrants fleeing their countries of origin for political reasons, he said, many of those voters have toed the Republican Party line in the immigration debate. Theyre thinking about the politics of it, Grenier said. The politics of it is: Were not in power and we want to be. Were Republicans, we want our president to be Republican. If wailing about immigration is a way to get us there, well go for that, because were party people first. Still, the immigration debate in South Florida is more nuanced, Grenier said. Miami is a city that has been shaped over the last 60-plus years by waves of immigrants, mostly from Latin America and the Caribbean, and many voters still believe in a legal pathway for people to come into the country, he said. A survey released in November by the Latino advocacy group UnidosUS found that while more than 1 in 5 Florida Hispanics see immigration as the most pressing issue for elected officials to address, exactly half said that the U.S. should provide a pathway to citizenship for long-time undocumented immigrants living in the country. Thirty-eight percent of Florida Hispanics said that ramping up border security was a more-important undertaking. Fernand Amandi, a Miami-based Democratic pollster, said that Republicans rely on the chaos at the U.S. southern border to rile up their conservative base and stir fear among voters. At Thursdays Hispanic voter town hall at FIU, Amandi noted that Biden and Senate Democrats were ready to pass a bipartisan bill intended to stymie the record number of illegal border crossings, but Republicans blocked that legislation at Trumps urging. Who came out and said we are not doing this bill? said Amandi, who is Cuban-American. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee-in-waiting. Playing out in real time Far from the U.S.-Mexico border, Florida has its own set of immigration-related challenges. Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Wednesday that he will deploy hundreds of state law enforcement officers and soldiers to South Florida and the Keys to head off a potential surge in Haitians fleeing their embattled homeland. Haiti is in the midst of a political crisis and its government is teetering on the brink of total collapse, raising concerns among state and federal officials that many Haitians could make the harrowing 700-mile boat trip to Florida in an effort to escape the chaos. National immigration issues have also been front and center in South Floridas city halls. In Hialeah, a majority-immigrant city with one of the most Cuban populations in the United States, officials have been pointing fingers at newly arrived immigrants for exacerbating some of the citys problems, including a lack of affordable housing. In November, shortly after the Trump rally in Hialeah, the City Council unanimously renamed an avenue after the former president. It also condemned Bidens immigration policies last month in an official resolution that said the influx of illegal immigrants has brought significant social and economic changes to Hialeah. Mayor Esteban Bovo recently told the Herald and el Nuevo Herald that his concerns about the consequences of migration on his city arent driven by anti-immigrant sentiments, but rather practical governance. It would be very, very hypocritical of myself to say that people are not welcome, because were not down with that, he said. But do we need the infrastructure and the ability to accommodate people? Yes. Do we have it? No. Despite Saint Augustines Universitys financial struggles, a third-generation HBCU graduate is raising money for the institution through her coffee business. Located in Charlotte, the 23-year-old owns Kaldis Coffee House and Roastery. As of 2024, Cox sells her pastries, tea and coffee as part of her business. Additionally, her coffee beans come from Ethiopia. The idea came after Cox discovered Saint Augustines Universitys financial and accreditation challenges. The HBCU graduate created this coffee after Saint Augustines University-inspired 1867, a medium roast with hints of fruit and chocolate. She is donating 30% of sales to the Falcon Pride Initiative, according to ABC. Her efforts are intended to inspire other HBCU graduates to save the institution. It could really be any one of our HBCUs. A lot of them sometimes are just one moment away from going through anything. As an HBCU family, we should be helping each other out as much as we can because of the important legacy and history of HBCUs, Cox said. She graduated from North Carolina A&T University and is a proud HBCU alum. As Cox points out, Aggies believe in giving back. On Instagram, Cox explained how Saint Augustines story inspired her to create an HBCU Legacy Coffee Line. This coffee line will raise awareness and help support HBCUs financially, she wrote. Im excited to say specifically for Saint Augustine, 30% of the 1867 Brew will go directly to their Falcon Pride Initiative Fund. The Falcon Pride Initiative Fund addresses the critical need to showcase Saint Augustines University as financially solvent to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, she continued. With a fundraising goal of $5,000,000, the campaign seeks to elevate financial stability and reaffirm SAUs commitment to providing a high-quality education to its students. Saint Augustines University recently learned its accreditation appeal was denied. Due to financial management problems at the school, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions Appeals Committee upheld the boards decision to revoke accreditation. WRAL revealed documents showing a pattern of money problems at the university. Saint Augustines University faces a financial crisis: unpaid debts and a $7.9M tax lien. When Eberechukwu Nwanegwo applied for a summer internship at the Baltimore Police Department, she had no interest in becoming an officer of the law. Given all the media coverage of police brutality, she was nervous about joining the department and didnt want to tell her family and friends. But the 23-year-old nursing major at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania needed to earn some money while she was studying for her board exams and she figured it was only a few weeks. Maybe shed learn something, she thought. Nwanegwo said her outlook completely changed after the first day. She said her supervisor gave her a binder outlining a consent decree and she was surprised to see the reforms the department agreed to. Throughout the program, she said, she was given assignments she never knew a police department could offer, from buying groceries for victims of violent crime to working in an office dedicated to increasing equity in the department. I came in there wanting to just kind of make some money and leave, she said. Then I left like OK, how can I do this for the rest of my life? Amid a nationwide law enforcement staffing shortage, some departments are trying to solve the problem by recruiting more young people of color and women, which some experts say could improve policing. Advocates say attracting the next generation of law enforcement requires addressing historic distrust and discrimination by demonstrating that departments have made major changes in their culture, not just offering big bonuses or slashing requirements. But it's been tough going for some. Nwanegwo's internship in Baltimore was part of a program launched by the Police Executive Research Forum to offer dozens of students at historically Black colleges and universities internships at 29 police departments across the country. The Minneapolis Police Department joined the program and, initially, no one applied, according to Chief Brian O'Hara. This is a police department that murdered George Floyd, so there's a whole lot of skepticism about the police department, the city, O'Hara said. 'Historic' recruitment crisis requires culture shift Police departments are struggling with a "historic crisis in recruiting and retaining" officers, the Justice Department said in October. Though hiring reportedly rebounded in 2022, agencies are losing officers faster than they can replace them and total staffing is declining, according to a survey of 182 police agencies across 38 states and Washington from the Police Executive Research Forum. Departments that previously never had to worry about filling their academies are paying attention to how they market themselves, according to Alex Johnston, co-founder of Epic Recruiting, a content creation company that works with law enforcement agencies nationwide. Johnston said when departments approach his company for help with marketing, attracting diverse candidates is often a priority. More than 14,700 law enforcement agencies employed over 708,000 full-time sworn officers in 2020, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In local police departments, about 14% of full-time sworn officers were women, 14% were Hispanic and 12% were Black. Though experts have said diversity alone is not enough to address all of the issues with policing, some research has shown that Black and Hispanic officers make fewer arrests and use force less often than their white counterparts and female officers take those enforcement actions less often than men. If this next generation doesn't choose law enforcement, then we're in a really not only dangerous path, but also a path that's probably going to end in further inequity, said Andy Saunders, co-founder and CEO of New Blue, which supports officers interested in reform. Some departments are offering as much as $75,000 in signing bonuses to attract recruits, but Saunders said more money may not be enough to attract diverse candidates. When New Blue first launched, Saunders said he tried to recruit college students of color into the profession, but an analysis of those efforts found that even when they were offered an extra $30,000 a year, many would not commit to policing. He said one of the most powerful reasons given was fear of what their loved ones would think of them. Saunders said some departments have also tried to attract diverse talent by relaxing grooming requirements or updating the application process. Allowing tattoos and dreadlocks does not make Gen Z say, Oh, that was the thing holding me back, he said. It's the deeper values. Saunders explained departments may find themselves in something of a Catch-22: they want to hire more diverse candidates, but young people of color may not want to join an organization that is and historically has been predominantly white and male. But, he said, in addition to diversity, Gen Z candidates also value transparency, social justice, and civic engagement and they are more likely to join a department that shares and demonstrates those values. Just having a chief say, I agree that law enforcement doesn't currently serve everyone and I would like to recruit diverse folks that can help me solve this issue, and then publicly committing to that change can also show Gen Z officers that department is willing to listen to feedback and take action to address their concerns, he said. Police try to entice HBCU students through internships, scholarships, advertising HBCUs are one of the major targets for police recruiters looking to diversify their ranks. Johnston, of Epic Recruiting, recalled creating a recent ad campaign for the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia aimed at a nearby HBCU that featured several of the department's African American officers. We created specific content for that specific audience, and we featured individuals that represented them and could speak to them and inspire them to pursue this as a successful career, he said. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara raises his fist in solidarity on the three-year anniversary of George Floyd's death at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. However, recruiting from these schools can be a challenge for some departments. Since 2018, 44 HBCU students have expressed interest in applying for the college scholarship offered by the Winston-Salem Police Department in North Carolina. But after learning about the requirements, which include completing a summer internship and agreeing to work for the department for at least three years after graduation, just five of them applied, according to Kayla Carleton, a recruiting sergeant with the department. We're serious about diversity, so we're working hard, and that's why we budgeted for this scholarship, said Chief William H. Penn Jr. And we want to give that scholarship out more, so that's been a challenge for us. While internship programs alone cant fully solve the nationwide staffing shortage, when they successfully attract candidates, they can be an important part of improving officer recruitment and retention, according to a report from the Police Executive Research Forum. Much like Nwanegwo, every intern who responded to a survey after going through the program agreed the experience had positively changed their opinion of policing in general and as a career, with 65% expressing a desire to apply for a position as a sworn officer, PERF said. "By helping students gain a better understanding of both policing and police, internships can also help build public trust in the profession, as the PERF-HBCU Internship Program showed," the report said. Departments look for bilingual recruits in Puerto Rico Police departments in several states including Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee have announced plans to attract more Spanish-speaking officers through recruiting in Puerto Rico. Dallas Police Department Chief Eddie Garcia, who was born on the island, has gone back with his department twice in search of recruits and plans to return in April. Nearly half of our population here in Dallas is Latino and there are a lot of individuals that are Spanish-speaking, Garcia said. It's incredibly important for us to ensure that we have as diverse a workforce as we can possibly have. Garcia said some of the recruits he encounters are hesitant to move to the state, and the department tries to entice them by offering assistance with housing and bringing the other officers from the area, so that these young men and women from Puerto Rico can see people that resemble themselves, that took the chance, got it and are successful. Chief Eddie Garcia, center, speaks with media during a press conference at the Dallas Police Department headquarters on March 4, 2021, in Dallas. Much like the efforts aimed at HBCUs, not all of the campaigns targeting Latinos are successful. In July, officials in the city of Memphis went to Puerto Rico to fill positions at the police department and other agencies and no one was hired, the Daily Memphian reported. It was a strategy used by some other cities Louisville, Dallas, and Baltimore to recruit bilingual employees, city spokesperson Arlenia Cole said in a statement to USA TODAY. However, it was not successful for us. The Prince Georges County Police Department in Maryland has had to put plans for a recruiting trip to Puerto Rico on hold, but in the meantime, the agency is making a "concerted effort" to reach out to the local community, according to spokesperson Brian Fischer. We try to reach out to our Hispanic residents in Spanish and on a vehicle like Telemundo and Univision, Fischer said. Nina Medina, president of the Latino Peace Officers Association, said the group is also working with local police agencies to spread the word about job openings to its members and mentor recruits through the process. Medina said it is important to not focus on one group of Latinos when thinking about the challenges of increasing diversity in the profession. We're not just talking about Mexican Americans. We're also talking about Puerto Ricans, people from Honduras, Guatemala, said Medina, a retired detective from the San Diego Police Department. We're talking about Latinos across the nation. Hundreds of agencies join initiative to recruit more women More than 360 law enforcement agencies around the country have signed onto the 30x30 initiative, a campaign that aims to get police recruit classes to have 30% women by 2030, according to co-founder Maureen McGough. McGough, executive director of the Excellence in Policing and Public Safety Program at the University of South Carolinas School of Law, said advocates arent simply telling departments to hire more women but to think more critically about the skills needed for fair and effective policing. If you do that, we're very confident, you'll see an increase in the representation of women in your ranks, she said. Effective changes in recruitment could include looking beyond criminal justice majors or military veterans and targeting nurses, psychologists and educators, rethinking when and how recruits are tested on certain physical fitness requirements and making marketing campaigns more accurately reflect the community service aspects of policing, McGough said. When I first started getting into this work in 2018, I heard the story about a law enforcement agency, they didn't have any aviation assets, they didn't even have a drone, but the commercial that they put out to get people to go work for them was a giant dude hanging out of a helicopter with guns strapped to his chest, right, she said. So that's reaching a very small subset of the population with a message that isn't accurate about what policing is and what it takes to do it well. One of the first 25 agencies to join the 30x30 initiative was the Mesa Police Department in Arizona. The department has built a recruitment team with several women, including Elisha Gibbs, who said she is working to do more outreach and education in the community to help potential female recruits better understand what police work entails. Mesa police Officer Elisha Gibbs speaks during a press conference regarding allegations of sexual harassment against Mesa police Officer Jeffrey Neese on July 18, 2019, in Tempe. That outreach includes targeted advertisements that help illustrate the departments commitment to work/life balance, something she's heard women who have or want children are concerned about. While some departments have changed or eliminated certain physical requirements that presented a barrier to women, Gibbs said shes focused on helping female recruits learn the proper technique to passing a test that once intimidated her: scaling a 6-foot wall. Since 2020, the number of female officers in the department has risen from 90 to 113. Though the increase is small, Gibbs said the new approach has helped. Getting them in on ride-a-longs, if they apply and theyre in the process, bringing them in and talking to them, showing them videos, putting it out on our social media or TikTok or Instagram the different jobs that you can have throughout the profession has been a really big help or push to break past those barriers, she said. McGough acknowledged that theres more work to be done to reach the thousands of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. To make the biggest impact, she said her organization is trying to target state-level agencies and ensure their work is intentionally intersectional, despite a frustrating lack of research on how the experiences of female law enforcement officers of different ethnic and racial groups differ. We've got to make sure that we stay committed to that intersectional analysis because we know that women aren't a homogenous group and we want to make sure everybody's unique needs are met and everyone's unique value is understood and celebrated, she said. Contributing: Bart Jansen This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Policing has long struggled with diversity. Here's what can help Ukrainian law enforcement officers have served Vladimir Mashkov, the well-known Russian actor who heads Vladimir Putin's "election headquarters", with another notice of suspicion. He is charged with propaganda for Russia's war against Ukraine. Source: Security Service of Ukraine; Office of the Prosecutor General Details: According to the investigation, Mashkov, as a public figure in Russia, openly supported the so-called "special military operation" on the territory of Ukraine [as Russian propaganda calls the war against Ukraine ed.]. In March 2022, he took part in a concert rally in Moscow to mark the anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. There, he delivered a speech in support of the Russian president and the actions of Russian forces in Ukraine. Mashkov also spoke with similar rhetoric in September 2022 during the so-called "patriotic action" dedicated to the illegal referendums in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. In December 2023, Mashkov was appointed co-chairman of Putin's "election headquarters" for the sham elections. In this "position", Mashkov became a key propaganda speaker in the Russian dictator's "election campaign". He publicly calls for support for Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine. The actor also justifies the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the seizure of part of Ukraine's territory. Background: In May 2023, Ukrainian law enforcement officers served a notice of suspicion of encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine to the famous Russian actor Vladimir Mashkov. According to the investigation, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, he has systematically participated in concerts and public events in the territory of the Russian Federation, in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts in support of the president and military of Russia. On 21 December 2023, it became known that Vladimir Mashkov had become the head of Vladimir Putin's election headquarters for the sham elections scheduled for 15-17 March 2024. Support UP or become our patron! SAUGATUCK Former Saugatuck City Manager Ryan Heise is one of five finalists for the city administrator position in Hudson, Wisconsin. The news was first reported by the Pioneer Press, but was confirmed by The Sentinel through Mike Johnson, interim city administrator for Hudson. More: Saugatuck mayor said no decisions would be made in workshop they were anyway According to Johnson, the application process for the role closed Jan. 31 meaning Heise was pursuing other job opportunities prior to signing his resignation agreement Feb. 23. Heise was one of 35 applicants pursuing the role. According to the Pioneer Press, the position pays up to $160,000 a year, plus benefits. Saugatuck Mayor Lauren Stanton told The Sentinel local officials were not aware Heise was applying for other jobs before the resignation agreement was reached. However, in the release announcing Heise's departure, Stanton wrote: It became widely known six months ago that Ryan had intentions to relocate his family to the Stillwater, Minnesota, area where his wifes family resides and was considering new opportunities to grow in his career." Hudson and Stillwater are about nine miles apart. The resignation agreement reached between officials and Heise continues to draw criticism from locals, in part because Heise received over $98,000 in exchange for his departure, and also because the vote approving the agreement was taken at the end of a workshop meeting for Saugatuck City Council. About two minutes into that meeting, Stanton said the items on the agenda were "for discussion only." She was addressing dozens of taxpayers who'd shown up to speak on short-term rentals; few of whom remained after the late-meeting closed session that led to a decision on Heise. According to the agreement signed by City Clerk Jamie Wolters on March 4, Saugatuck paid Heise a lump sum of 10.25 months of his annual salary, or $98,650, in exchange for his resignation. He will receive 144 hours of pay for unused vacation time, and will keep insurance benefits through Dec. 30. The agreement was slightly more than the 9 months of pay Heise would've been entitled to, had the city fired him without cause. A source close to the issue, granted anonymity by The Sentinel, confirmed $11,147 listed under "legal fees employment in the packet for a meeting Monday, March 11, represented the cost the city incurred to negotiate the agreement. Under his original contract, Heise was required to give a month's notice before resigning. Under the new agreement, that was waived. Heise also agreed not to re-apply for employment with the city unless asked to do so in writing, and the city agreed not to provide more than his dates of employment and job title to prospective employers unless Heise signs a written request. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage "There's basically two issues here," one resident, Joe Leonatti, said Monday. "One story is that he resigned to go to greener pastures. ... The other story is that he was forced to resign and I don't think anyone in this council is vindictive, so I assume that if that was the case, (that) must have been for cause. In either case, if someone resigns for a better job, and you can't fault him for that, why are we paying him? "The other reason, if he was fired for cause ... why are you paying him?" Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Heise a candidate for city administrator role in Wisconsin PULASKI Three seats on the Pulaski School Board are up for election April 2, but only one of them is contested. The at-large seat has two candidates in the running Steve Liegl and Jenny Rybicki after Corey Juelich was eliminated in the Feb. 20 primary. School Board member Megan Mills-Koehler, who currently holds the at-large seat, filed for noncandidacy in December. For Zone 2, incumbent Dennis Kaminski is up for reelection, and incumbent Sara Mangold is running in Zone 5. Both are running unopposed. Board members serve three-year terms and earn annual stipends of $3,050. The president earns $3,550, and the clerk gets $3,300. For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us. The Press-Gazette asked all school board candidates in contested races to fill out a questionnaire about issues that are top of mind for them, student achievement and accountability. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and formatting. Here's what each of the candidates for the at-large School Board seat said: Steve Liegl Steve Liegl Age: 50 Campaign website: https://bit.ly/SteveLieglforSchoolBoard Current occupation: Director of IT at WEC Energy Group Education: Doctorate of business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Relevant experience: My work experience has provided me with a solid foundation for managing financials, personnel and assets. As part of the experience, it includes the oversight of a multimillion dollar operating and capital budget along with the project portfolio. The board seats and committees I currently serve on provide me with the opportunity to interact with organizational staff and members to understand the strategy and develop a plan to address both the short- and long-term goals. Jenny Rybicki Jenny Rybicki Age: 43 Campaign website: https://bit.ly/JennyRybickiforSchoolBoard Current occupation: Agent support representative Education: Master's degree from Lakeland University Relevant experience: My professional background is in finance and operations. In the community, Ive served as an AmeriCorps member for the Alliance for WI Youth, in Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin's Youth Outreach Program, taught in Northeast Wisconsin Technical Colleges Learning for Independence and served as the director of the Pulaski Area Chamber of Commerce. I have served on Pulaski's Economic Development Committee and Commission on Aging, the board for the Volunteer Center of Brown County and currently serve on the Pulaski United Foundations board. Why are you running for School Board? Liegl: As a current educator in higher education, parent and district citizen, I find that being actively involved in all aspects of the education of district children can have lasting effects. In addition, my current business leadership experience, involving budget and personnel, would be valuable to the district as we are stewards of the taxpayers' funds and associated assets. My focus is on the safety of our students and staff, providing a best in class education and financial discipline. Rybicki: I am blessed to live and work in the Pulaski Community School District and to have my girls go to school here, and I want give back to the community by stepping up to serve on the board. I have already taken an active role in our schools by volunteering and serving the community in a number of volunteer roles. And with voters passing the recent referendum, I wish to bring my financial background, education and experience to the board to ensure that we are responsible stewards of taxpayer money. What makes you the best candidate? Liegl: I believe I should earn the vote of community members because I am focused on what is best for the overall district, including students, staff and community members. My work and education experience has given me the opportunity to work in diverse situations and be a facilitator of change and collaboration, even when it seems impossible. Regardless of who the vote was cast for, each School Board member is tasked with supporting the strategy set forth within the district. I understand without quality educators in the district that feel valued and empowered, achieving any strategy will be impossible. Rybicki: For many years before seeking to serve on our School Board, I have rolled up my sleeves to work side by side with teachers, staff and parents; chaperoning, volunteering with the Parent Teacher Organization, and helping with the Pulaski Area Community Education (PACE) program. My other community involvement, as I described, has shown me that our school district goes far beyond Pulaski to include many areas that need to be heard and represented. I bring a diverse background of knowledge, education and experience to the table, including a strong financial acumen from leading a corporate finance team at a Fortune 100 company. I am also a proud mom who understands that our schools decisions must always be driven by doing what is best for our kids and community. What do you believe are the top two issues that need to be addressed in the district, and how would you address them, if elected? Liegl: The top challenges are very static: attracting members and teachers to the district communities and providing a best in class education in a safe environment while managing the annual budget with unknown sources of income. To address these challenges, it requires a collaborative School Board, administrative staff, engaged teachers and informed community members. This collaboration can only be possible through positive interactions, transparency and respect for opinions. By achieving these key items, it will open the opportunity for more community involvement and the possibility of a positive message about the overall district to anyone considering making a home in the Pulaski School District. Rybicki: Unfortunately, in todays world, school safety is something that every parent worries about. Our biggest challenge is to keep PCSD schools a safe place for our kids. I am grateful to see the work PCSD has put into keeping our schools safe, but we can never say good enough. I will continue to advocate for the safety of all our children if elected. Second, PCSD faces staffing challenges in todays competitive employment climate, as does every other school and business. I have seen PCSD explore some creative ways to attract and retain quality staff and teachers. The School Board needs to continue to be open to all ideas to address this challenge because it is not going away any time soon. In Brown County, about 44% of LGBT high school students feel a sense of belonging at school compared to 67% of their straight and cisgender counterparts, according to the Wisconsin's 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results. What do you think is the role of the district and School Board in making LGBTQ+ students feel supported in the classroom? Liegl: The role of the district and School Board is to establish and enforce policies that provide equality for all students. Inappropriate actions, words or bullying should not be tolerated against any student, resulting in a higher likelihood that all students feel a sense of belonging. To measure the overall climate, routine surveys can be provided to ensure timely action is taken if adjustments are required. Rybicki: I am proud that a core value of PCSD is that all means all. We must ensure all students feel a sense of belonging regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity. Bullying has always been a problem in society and unfortunately new avenues today, such as cyberbullying, make it easier to attack people from behind a keyboard. As a parent, I am familiar with the anti-bullying program in place in our schools, but we must never stop finding ways to keep schools a safe space for everyone. I look forward to being able to take a deeper dive into the districts efforts as a member of the School Board. About 48% of Pulaski's fourth-graders tested proficient or advanced in reading and math last year. Do you have areas of concern about student achievement in your district? What are your specific suggestions for improvement? Liegl: I believe that test scores provide one measure of many for the overall proficiency of students within the district. Teacher feedback on student performance is also crucial in the overall evaluation process. To properly address proficiency, a consistent approach is required at all levels of education, and adequate attention needs to be provided to students that are identified as struggling. Intervention measures should be properly followed with adequate staff to address the growing need. Lastly, equipping teachers with the tools and training needed to address students will increase the probability of success. Rybicki: As a parent, I am deeply invested in the quality of education our schools provide. Overall, PCSD exceeds expectations on state report cards. However, the challenge is to close gaps where they exist, at either the grade or classroom level, and ensure the district is doing all it can to help students succeed again, all means all. I know that our teachers work very hard to do the best they can for all kids, but ultimately the buck stops with the School Board as the final authority. As a board member, I will be relentless in ensuring that we provide the best outcome for all our kids by ensuring the effectiveness of programs such as PCSDs Achievement Gap Reduction, as well as exploring other programs that could have an impact. As a School Board member, how would you measure the success of district leadership meeting key goals? How will you know when a program or decision has been successful? Liegl: Success is measured through the overall evaluation of students, staff and community involvement against the established annual strategic goals. Test scores are only a portion of the success criteria; staff engagement and overall performance provide additional data points. Overall program success will be determined by performing a data analysis along with a comparison to the established success criteria. The School Board must remain engaged in all aspects of district success and provide an unbiased approach to staff evaluation and program implementation. Rybicki: My background is in business, where success is measured by growth in sales and customers. This basic philosophy can be applied to schools: Is our customer base of students shrinking or growing? I also have an MBA and a deep and broad knowledge and experience in finance and can demand answers to key questions: Are we achieving our financial goals? Are we paying down debt while saving for the future? And what does the public think? The referendum passage was a vote of confidence, but what other ways can we measure public satisfaction with our schools or its leadership? That could include additional surveys of the public. I would also require new programs implemented by district display a clear cost benefit. What specific steps would you take as a School Board member to improve transparency and make school district information more widely available? Liegl: This can be accomplished by inviting staff, parents and community members to the School Board meetings and for board members to perform outreach within the community. The board must position themselves to be involved with any topic that may be hindering or enhancing the education of the students within the district. No one voice should be heard louder than the others, and by working as a team to address any item presented, it will help provide balance and build trust and relationships. Rybicki: We need to build on our tradition of engaging with the community. Based on my research and experience, PCSD does offer a high level of transparency when it comes to board meetings, educational standards and curriculum, so lets keep expanding that. Most important, transparency is an attitude: Our mindset should always be looking for ways to build trust with the public through complete openness, and as a board member, I will relentlessly push for that. 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: Here's where Pulaski School Board candidates stand on educational issues QUINCY This week, the Quincy Fire Association sent its $378,999 check with an insurance voucher for $668,000 to order a new pumper tanker from Pierce Manufacturing. But Pierce will not deliver the $1.2 million fire truck until 2028. Quincy Fire Chief Mike Sherman explained why they needed to pay $1.2 million upfront for a new fire truck that won't be delivered until 2028. Quincy Fire Chief Mike Sherman answered questions about the purchase to replace an older used truck which had its electrical system burned at a fire in April 2022. Why won't the truck be delivered until 2028? "There are about 3,700 orders ahead of us from Pierce Manufacturing, in Appleton, Wisconsin. The company is owned by Oshkosh Corporation. Pierce is currently one of the largest fire apparatus companies in the U.S." Why pay the total price now? "The upfront price of $1.271 million came with a $155,567 discount, which locks in the price. We don't know what the cost will be in four years...The last truck we purchased new in 2019 also was from Pierce, the only bidder. That cost $712,000." Why is this new replacement truck needed? "The 2,500-gallon pumper/tanker is for the rural area, capable of doing frontline fire suppression as well as carrying water when needed. The last truck only has 750 gallons of water on board. It's a structural firefighting truck as well, but it carries all the specialized rescue gear, the Jaws of Life and ice rescue gear, specialized gear. That truck is the main response truck in Quincy." Why is Quincy Fire purchasing a new trucks? A 2018 study by consultants Emergency Vehicle Response told the Quincy Fire Association buying used equipment "was only purchasing someone else's problems." When will Quincy Fire need another truck? "The department is scheduled to replace another truck in 2029-30." More about the fire association The Quincy Fire Association consists of the village of Quincy, Quincy Township, and Algansee Township. The new truck purchase was only possible because Sherman insured the damaged truck for the full value of $668,600. Quincy Township and the village of Quincy used $231,374 from its joint fire millage fund. Quincy voters approved 1.25 mills for 10 years in 2017 to pay for fire services. Algansee voters rejected a half-mill levy in the same 2017 election. Algansee paid $147,625 from ARPA funds and its general fund budget. Subscribe Follow this story. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter. Algansee Township Supervisor Russ Jennings said voters would need to approve a millage for the township to afford the next truck. Quincy voters must decide on a new millage in 2026 before purchasing the next truck. ---Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Quincy paid $1.2 million upfront for 2028 delivery of a new fire truck Warmer weather signals the start of wildfire season on Californias Central Coast. How high is the risk of wildfires in the region? Using data collected in March 2023 and risk assessments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has created an interactive map that shows which counties across the United States are the most at risk for wildfires. FEMA looked at expected annual loss, which calculates the costs of natural disasters, as well as social vulnerability, which determines how social groups will be affected by disasters. The agency also explored community resilience how well people prepare for natural disasters and how quickly communities bounce back following the event. The agency used these factors to rate each countys wildfire risk from very low, relatively low, relatively moderate, relatively high to very high. Heres how it rated San Luis Obispo County and its neighbors: Whats the risk for wildfires in SLO County? On the Central Coast? According to FEMAs map, this is the risk of wildfires in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Monterey counties: San Luis Obispo County Wildfire risk: Relatively high Estimated annual loss due to wildfires: $9.7 million Frequency: 0.704% chance per year Historic loss ratio: Relatively low Santa Barbara County Wildfire risk: Relatively high Expected annual loss due to wildfires: $24 million Frequency: 0.811% chance per year Historic loss ratio: Relatively moderate Monterey County Wildfire risk: Relatively high Expected annual loss: $7.8 million Frequency: 0.532% chance per year Historic loss ratio: Relatively low A firefighter attacks the edge of the Lizzie Fire in the hills above San Luis High School on Oct. 30, 2023. How bad were recent wildfires in the region? In 2023, a whopping 7,127 wildfires burned a total of 324, 917 acres across California, according to data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In addition, four people lost their lives and 71 structures were either destroyed or damaged. Significant wildfires on the Central Coast that year included the Plant Fire, which burned 5,464 acres of land in Santa Barbara County, according to Cal Fire. The Bitter Fire burned nearly 700 acres on the Carrizo Plain. Its seen on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. The Bitter Fire, which sparked southeast of Shandon, scorched 673 acres in San Luis Obispo County, and the Green Fire off Highway 46 burned 243 acres. Meanwhile, the Vineyard Fire east of San Miguel blackened 392 acres in SLO and Monterey counties. Some of those blazes came close to devastating residential communities such as the 124-acre Lizzie Fire, which swept up the hillside behind San Luis Obispo High School and forced nearby neighborhoods to evacuate. The Dolan Fire spread to around 36,000 acres overnight from Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, to Tuesday, Sept. 8, burning near Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and the Nacimiento Fire Station. On that Tuesday, the fire overran a crew of firefighters, injuring 14, including Capt. Casey Allen. However, 2023s Central Coast wildfires couldnt rival recent blazes such as the Dolan Fire, which burned 128,050 acres in Monterey County in 2020, and the Thomas Fire, which burned 281,893 Acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties before it was fully contained in early 2018. As of Monday, California has seen 172 wildland fires so far this year, according to Cal Fire and the U.S. Forestry Service. Thats compared to a five-year average of 490 wildfires, the agencies said. A firefighter battles the Rinconada Fire next to Rinconada Ranch on the north side of Highway 166, halfway between New Cuyama and Santa Maria. Are wildfires getting worse in California? While most wildfires occur between April and October, California faces the risk of wildfires all year now due to the warmer and drier weather patterns, according to CalMatters. According to the California Air Resources Board, climate change primarily caused by burning fossil fuels is making wildfires worse in California. Since 1950, the area burned by California wildfires each year has been increasing, as spring and summer temperatures have warmed and spring snowmelt has occurred earlier, the board said on its website. Of the 20 largest fires in Californias history, eight have occurred since 2017, the website said. by Tafara Mugwara RUWA, Zimbabwe, March 15 (Xinhua) -- For Monica Mudonhi, a rabbit farmer in Ruwa, about 22 km to the southeast of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the joy of her rabbits kindling is unmatched. "Being around my rabbits, especially when you know that they want to kindle, especially during the day, you don't sit down," she said. At 68, Mudonhi has been breeding rabbits for about three years, and it has become more than just a source of income; it is a way of life. "Even if I go somewhere, as soon as I park my car, I come to the rabbitry straight. It is a habit now," she said. Mudonhi is among the beneficiaries of a Chinese-funded rabbit farmer training program by the Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders Association (ZICORBA). The program aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools needed for successful rabbit farming, covering topics like rabbit husbandry, breeding techniques, disease management and market access. More than 200 people, including Mudonhi, attended the inaugural training program in Harare at the end of February. "I think it is a good program which is being run around Zimbabwe. I wish people could attend, even those without rabbits," she said. ZICORBA, established in 2020, aims to uplift the livelihoods of 1.5 million households in Zimbabwe through rabbit farming, according to ZICORBA President Regis Nyamakanga. "We are trying to create not just a farmer who is doing subsistence farming, but we are looking at a business person who derives livelihood from rabbit production," he said. In Zimbabwe, the white meat segment has been dominated by chicken and fish. Thanks to ZICORBA, however, rabbit meat is now becoming a popular option on dining tables across the country. Nyamakanga attributed this to the growing demand for rabbit meat among health-conscious consumers, as it is low in cholesterol and fats. This growing demand has presented a lucrative business opportunity for farmers like Mudonhi. "A lot of farmers are coming into rabbit production because of the quick returns that you get out of rabbit production," Nyamakanga said. Since the establishment of ZICORBA, the demand for rabbit meat in Zimbabwe has grown significantly, with producers struggling to meet the demand. "Currently we are producing about 10 tonnes per month in Zimbabwe. The target is to reach about 25 tonnes a month and plus," Nyamakanga added. Value addition initiatives in the rabbit sub-sector are also gaining traction, with the introduction of rabbit burgers, pies, pizzas, sausage rolls, biltong, among other products. Nyamakanga said that a demonstration village has been set up in Zvimba District near Harare, and Chinese technical experts are working with ZICORBA to develop a curriculum and offer technical advice. Mudonhi, who now wants to expand her rabbitry, sees great potential in the market for exports. She believes that rearing rabbits is an ideal project for people of all ages as it requires minimal land and resources compared to other livestock. "I am sharing the knowledge that I have received from the training with others who ask me about what they want to know about rabbits. But if it is a complicated question which I cannot handle, I refer them to the trainers," she added. Paida Nyamakanga, executive director of Raymeg, a corporate member of ZICORBA, praised the Chinese-funded training program for farmers. "We are really grateful to the training that was conducted by ZICORBA with aid from China because quite a number of rabbit farmers did not have requisite skills and knowledge on how to farm," she said. She also highlighted the potential for exports to China, the largest consumer of rabbit meat, if the right measures are implemented. "We have taken some measures to tap into the Chinese market, firstly by doing a bit of research on what their needs are, and checking on what we need to do in order to be prepared for that market," she said. The Business Secretary said she was 'very resistant' to deadlines being set on negotiations - PETER NICHOLLS/AFP Kemi Badenoch has suspended trade talks with India as there is no chance they will be completed by the next Indian election. The Business Secretary has agreed discussions on a deal will be put on hold because the country is about to announce its election schedule. It means that despite two years of negotiations, there are still significant sticking points to prevent agreement. The Department for Business and Trade said the UK was insistent that it would not give up its vital interests. A spokesman said: The UK and India are continuing to work towards an ambitious trade deal. Whilst we dont comment on the details of live negotiations, we are clear that we will only sign a deal that is fair, balanced and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy. British negotiators flew to India in a last-ditch attempt to get an agreement over the line before talks were paused - but success was not possible. Kemi Badenoch and Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal at a summit in New Delhi last year - Altaf Qadri/AP Boris Johnson originally predicted a deal could be done by Diwali in October 2022, but they stalled and remained unfinished under Liz Truss. The two sides have edged closer under Rishi Sunak - but not sufficiently enough for a deal to be agreed. Ms Badenoch said earlier this month that a deal may not be signed. Taking questions at a Chatham House event in London, she said: We can actually sign an agreement before the Indian elections. I suspect that is not necessarily going to be the case because I dont want to use any election as a deadline. It is possible that will be done, but Im very resistant to deadlines being set on trade negotiations because it runs down the clock. So it is very possible that we can sign but Im not using it as a deadline for the work that Im carrying out, basically. 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. Holly Hill Police Chief Jeffrey Miller has resigned from his position, Mayor Chris Via told Eyewitness News on Thursday. Channel 9 has received a memo from the Holly Hill City Manager Joseph Forte outlining the latest on the situation. Read: Orlando couple charged with attempted murder for planned shooting in Lake County neighborhood Fortes memo read in part: I write to address recent developments within the Holly Hill Police Department that demand transparency and decisive action. A few weeks ago, an allegation surfaced regarding inappropriate incidents involving a police sergeant. Without delay, I took immediate action by referring the matter to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office for an impartial internal investigation. As this investigation unfolded, today I was informed that additional accusations emerged implicating the Chief and Captain, prompting a necessary expansion of the inquiry. In accordance with established protocol, individuals under investigation are placed on suspension with paid leave. Consequently, Chief Miller verbally tendered his resignation with immediate effect, while Captain Yates was placed on paid leave pending further investigation. Sergeant Fountain was similarly suspended and placed on paid leave. Read: Winter Park leaders discuss state budget proposal that blocks bans on gas leaf blowers The memo went on to state that to ensure the continuity of critical services provided by the HHPD and to support the Holly Hill community, temporary operational oversight has been established. Chief Westfall and Watch Commanders, Lieutenant Tucker and Lieutenant Bryan have been assigned by the Sheriffs office to provide assistance and to fill operational gaps until such time as the Chiefs position can be permanently filled Sergeant Bentley has been reassigned to fill the vacancy left by Sergeant Fountain, and Chief Westfall will be temporarily filling the CID sergeant position with a member of the VCSO to be determined, Forte added. Read: Local church help gather donations to send to Haiti amid crisis Channel 9 will bring you the latest updates on this investigation. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Former Holly Hill Police Chief Jeffrey Miller. Holly Hill Police Chief Jeffrey Miller has resigned and two other officers, a captain and a sergeant, are on paid leave as an investigation into "inappropriate incidents" at the department is underway, according to City Manager Joseph Forte. Miller resigned effective Thursday. He's been with the department since Dec. 1, 2006, and was later promoted to chief. He received an annual salary of $112,965. Capt. Christopher Yates is on paid leave. Yates earns $87,880 annually and was hired on Nov. 5, 2004. Sgt. Shannon Fountain is also on paid leave. Fountain earns $58,750 annually and was hired on Nov. 4, 2016. Why did Holly Hill's police chief resign? Forte sent a memo to city employees on Thursday night announcing the developments. A few weeks ago, an allegation surfaced regarding inappropriate incidents involving a police sergeant," he wrote. "Without delay, I took immediate action by referring the matter to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for an impartial internal investigation. As this investigation unfolded, today I was informed that additional accusations emerged implicating the chief and captain, prompting a necessary expansion of the inquiry. Forte wrote in an email to The News-Journal that documents related to the investigation are not public at this time. Forte also wrote that he believed it best that the Volusia Sheriffs Office conduct the internal investigation. Due to the sensitivity of the allegations and those involved, I felt it was best that the investigation be conducted by an agency other than the Holly Hill Police Department, Forte wrote. The sheriff's office routinely does this level of investigation and, with the support of Sheriff Chitwood, they have agreed to handle this investigation. He declined to discuss specifics of the investigation. I am not at liberty to disclose any details of the allegation that I have been made aware of, all documents are part of the investigation file, it is not a public record at this time, Forte wrote. The Holly Hill Police Department has 29 full-time officers. Thanks to Sheriff Chitwood, there is no concern with response or level of protection to the residents of Holly Hill, Forte wrote. Holly Hill chief of police resigns In his resignation letter dated Friday, March 15, Miller thanked Forte for accepting his verbal resignation on Thursday. Miller wrote he was extremely proud of the department's accomplishments over the last several years, including implementation of technology to help in investigations, a victim advocacy and chaplain program, community policing program and a 20-year low in part I crimes in 2022. Part 1 arrests include murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He thanked Forte and the City Commission for their "timeless support throughout the years." In a brief reply, Forte accepted his resignation effective Thursday, March 14. Volusia Sheriff's Office not taking over Forte wrote that "temporary operational oversight has been established." He then wrote that "Chief Westfall, watch commanders, Lt. Tucker and Lt. Bryan have been assigned by the sheriff's office to provide assistance." Forte wrote in the memo to the city that the sheriffs office would not be taking over the department. It is important to emphasize that this deployment is not an attempt to take over the HHPD, but rather to fill operational gaps until such time as the chief's position can be permanently filled and to develop a collaborative effort to ensure uninterrupted provisions of critical services and safeguard every member of the Holly Hill community, Forte wrote. In a follow-up email, Forte wrote, "The sheriff has graciously provided me with these officers. They are being paid by the sheriff but they are reporting to me. The operations remain under the control of the city manager." This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Holly Hill police chief resigns, 2 placed on leave during investigation Swift action: Islamist preacher Mahjoub Mahjoubi, a father of five who has lived in France for 38 years, was arrested and deported from France to his native Tunisia less than 12 hours after being detained - FETHI BELAID/AFP The boffins of the Home Office have hatched a brilliant plan: hate preachers are to be barred from entering Britain. Soon, the most dangerous extremists from countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia will be identified before they arrive in the UK and placed on visa warning lists. This policy sounds eminently sensible, but it is a dreadful advert for the Tories competence on immigration to date this is surely the lowest hanging fruit which shouldve long been picked. Ministers are also mulling over a ban on foreigners who are non-conducive to the public good, which further begs the question: what was the criteria before? The new plan is being drawn up as Rishi Sunak declared earlier this month there had been a shocking increase in extremist activity since the October 7 attack on Israel. It is a step in the right direction, but what about the extremists already ensconced in Britain? Half of the organisers of some of the anti-Israel marches occupying central London each weekend the Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of al-Aqsa and the Palestinian Forum in Britain have known links to Hamas, a proscribed terror group cheered on by many of the protestors. The Charity Commission recently said it was investigating a string of utterly repugnant sermons delivered in British mosques in the weeks after October 7. While some of these Hamas sympathisers are homegrown, and cannot be deported, other extremists have come from abroad including senior Hamas officials living in leafy London suburbs. The Government has an opportunity to put them on notice to show that Britains hospitality is not without limits, and that the Prime Ministers warning that you cannot be part of our civic life if your agenda is to tear it down, has teeth. Packing off extremists is fraught with legal complications, but these can be overcome if there is the political will to do so. The French government recently introduced tougher immigration laws which cut through red tape holding up deportations. The Minister of the Interior also has the power to order immediate expulsions in extreme cases. As a result, France has become a less lucrative place for Islamic radicals. An Islamist preacher in France last month shared a video in which he called the tricolour a satanic flag which held no value with Allah. The French state responded tout de suite Mahjoub Mahjoubi, a father of five who has lived in France for 38 years, was arrested and deported to his native Tunisia less than 12 hours after being detained. In France, the imam had called for the destruction of Western society, encouraged discrimination against women, jihadist radicalisation, and had referred to Jewish people as the enemy, according to an extract of the deportation order obtained by French media. Mr Mahjoubi appeared to harbour nothing but contempt for France, while enjoying its largesse and hospitality for decades. His insult to the countrys flag was the last straw for the French state, whose parting favour to the unhappy cleric was a plane ticket home. France did not have to leave the EU to do this. It is also signed up to the same human rights conventions as Britain. Though Mr Mahjoubi intends to contest his deportation in European courts, his chances of returning to France are slim. The French government said in October it is willing to break European human rights law to expel dangerous foreigners. It will simply pay the fine if European courts rule against it, but not allow them back. In other words, France has adopted a shoot first and ask questions later approach. Britain has opted for the inverse. They would never do this to an imam in England, Mr Mahjoubi stated in a tearful interview from Tunisia. A minister wouldnt be allowed to throw me out. Id have the chance to defend myself in court. Mr Mahjoubi is quite correct. If the government pushed for his deportation it would initiate a costly, drawn out process. There would be a clamour from Islamic organisations and professional do-gooders pulling out all the stops to keep him in the country for the sake of his human rights, children or mental health. Taxpayer-funded lawyers would be instructed and prepare the case to be heard at a future date. All the while, Mr Mahjoubi who insists his remarks about the tricolour were a slip of the tongue would remain in Britain pouring bile into suggestible ears from his digital pulpit on TikTok, which has more than ten thousand followers. I doubt this is a price most Brits would be willing to pay, even if denying Mr Mahjoubi due process would grate with the British sense of justice. British politicians, on the other hand, are petrified of inflicting damage to our international reputation which has become the main talking point against the UK having a freer hand over deportations, implementing the Rwanda scheme and leaving the European Court of Human Rights. However, Frances political class is more afraid of handing power to Marine Le Pen, the leader of the hard-right National Rally party and the bookies favourite to win the next presidential election. Emmanuel Macrons government is being forced to harden its stance on immigration, in line with the French publics wishes, to take the wind out of Le Pens sails. There is a salutary lesson here for centrists in Britain: if they dont address the dangerous externalities of mass migration, the public will lurch further to the Right until it happens upon someone who will. As the problems continue to fester, it is likely the candidates, and their solutions, will grow more unpleasant. 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. NHS England has ordered hospitals to stop using physician associates (PAs) on doctors rotas. Officials wrote to trusts this week to say that such staff are not substitutes for medically trained professionals and should never be used as replacements to cover doctors shifts. The move comes as The Telegraph can reveal that the rotas at more than 30 hospitals show physician associates taking on doctors shifts. Ministers and NHS executives have repeatedly claimed that PAs and anaesthesia associates (AAs) are not being used to replace doctors. However, The Telegraph has seen leaked rotas and other documentation from 31 NHS hospitals in England that uncovers a widespread practice of placing non-medics on rotas traditionally reserved for doctors. Despite only receiving two years training and being unable to prescribe, both PAs and AAs can be seen picking up similar shifts to medics, in some cases reviewing patients independently. At 13 hospitals, doctors work appears interchangeable with those of associates, with the A&E department at St Georges Hospital, in Tooting, London, advising that new junior doctors and PAs can all swap with one another. The leaks show that 10 hospitals used PAs and AAs to fill gaps in the medic roster caused by sickness. Nine used them as on-call senior house officers (SHOs) junior doctors with at least one years experience and two even gave them emergency bleeps to respond to potentially life-threatening situations. In 10 hospitals, PAs counted towards the minimum safe number of medics on shift. NHS trusts have a legal duty to provide enough suitably qualified staff to meet patients needs, but there is no set formula to calculate the required doctor-patient ratio. Whistleblowers claim that any substitution of doctors is a risk to patient safety, especially out of hours. The roster for the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby reveals that on Friday March 15 the on-call cover anaesthetist shift will be filled not by an anaesthetic doctor, but by an anaesthesia associate. Last resort In response to The Telegraphs findings, NHS England has this week written to all trusts warning them that PAs should not be used as replacements for doctors on a rota. The letter said: It is important to emphasise that PAs are not substitutes for doctors; rather, they are specifically trained to work collaboratively with doctors and others as supplementary members of a multidisciplinary team. The Telegraphs revelations come as the Royal College of Physicians opens voting on five measures that would curtail the scope and delay expansion of PAs proposed at a closed extraordinary general meeting on March 13. During the closed debate, college fellow Dr David Nicholl reported a conversation with a doctor who had been told by a hospital manager that: We dont need to answer to anyone about using PAs on doctors on-call rota. We dont need to answer to you. If all motions pass, Dr Nicholl told The Telegraph it would call into question the sustainability of NHS Englands Long Term Workforce Plan under which associate numbers will increase almost fourfold to 12,000 by 2036/37. The measures are advisory, but it would be challenging for NHS England and the health department to push ahead with PA and AA expansion against the wishes of the medical professional body. The Telegraph previously revealed that PAs had prescribed controlled drugs including opioids without legal authorisation, and that doctors at a third of hospital trusts claimed to have seen PAs misrepresent themselves as qualified medical professionals. Patient safety scandal At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, London, The Telegraph found a PA working both on a non-doctor rota and taking a locum shift as a junior medic, which the trust described as rare and a last resort to ensure patient safety. While at Salford Royal in Pendleton, an associate covered shifts in trauma and orthopaedics when the SHO caught Covid. The hospital said this was unplanned help. Prof Philip Banfield, the British Medical Associations council chairman, called on the Health Secretary to launch an independent inquiry to uncover the full extent of what is essentially a patient safety scandal. Only last month, NHS Englands national medical director, Prof Sir Stephen Powis, said: PAs are not doctors, and cannot and must not replace doctors a sentiment repeated by health minister Andrew Stephenson in the House of Commons, he added. The professor said that the evidence The Telegraph has uncovered appears to be the exact opposite. Victoria Atkins [the Health Secretary] has a duty to patients and a duty to medically qualified staff to establish how widespread this practice is and, more importantly, stop it, he said. The entrance to London's Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich - Ferrari Press Agency Kings College Hospital in south London is the biggest tertiary liver transplant centre in the country and its rota shows a PA working in place of an SHO doctor. A staff member familiar with the service said: The PA is definitely counted towards the minimum staffing of two doctors for the general hepatology and post-transplant sub-teams. There are times when the PA covers the long day-twilight on-call shifts, meaning that they are the sole staff member covering that sub-team out of hours. There is also no senior on site during those hours, meaning that the PA must ask members of other teams to prescribe for them. In response to this investigation, Prof Powis wrote to all hospital executives instructing them to audit rota software and undertake department-specific assessment[s] to establish safe minimum staffing levels. Not replacements Many rotas seen by The Telegraph do not clearly distinguish between doctors and PAs, for example, by putting any credentials in illegible superscript, or omitting them entirely. As a result, the national body has ordered all hospitals to ensure that the full name and job title of each healthcare professional, including physician associates, are prominently visible on any rota system. A spokesman said this new guidance is in addition to the NHSs expectation that PAs and AAs should work under the supervision of a doctor and within the scope of their practice. From August 2023 onwards, it is clear that a line in the rota for the acute medical unit at St Georges Hospital previously ring-fenced for twilight SHO doctors has been replaced with one for PAs. The trust insisted that PAs do not replace our junior doctors. Medics also say having PAs on the doctors rota is inefficient. At the ambulatory assessment unit in Oxfords John Radcliffe Hospital, associates work shifts that had previously been assigned to doctors. Prof Sir Stephen Powis said PAs 'cannot and must not replace doctors' - Yui Mok/PA A senior medic familiar with the department said: It generates more work for registrars and consultants who generally feel that PA assessments are less reliable, hence requiring a registrar or consultant to re-review the patient, prescribe everything and request all scans by which time the senior doctor might as well have seen the patient themselves. Addressing The Telegraphs findings, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman explained there is an expectation for local services to adhere to national policy. We have been clear that the role of associates is to work with doctors, not to replace them, and we expect healthcare organisations to have robust clinical governance processes in place to ensure associates are working with the appropriate level of oversight and supervision, he said. Trusts said associates have a named consultant supervisor and work within a locally defined scope of practice. 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. Isolated. Abused. Overworked. These are the themes that emerged when I invited nine Black women to chronicle their professional experiences and relationships with colleagues as they earned their Ph.D.s at a public university in the Midwest. I featured their writings in the dissertation I wrote to get my Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. The women spoke of being silenced. Its not just the beating me down that is hard, one participant told me about constantly having her intelligence questioned. It is the fact that it feels like Im villainized and made out to be the problem for trying to advocate for myself. The women told me they did not feel like they belonged. They spoke of routinely being isolated by peers and potential mentors. One participant told me she felt that peer community, faculty mentorship and cultural affinity spaces were lacking. Because of the isolation, participants often felt that they were missing out on various opportunities, such as funding and opportunities to get their work published. Participants also discussed the ways they felt they were duped into taking on more than their fair share of work. I realized I had been tricked into handling a two- to four-person job entirely by myself, one participant said of her paid graduate position. This happened just about a month before the pandemic occurred so it very quickly got swept under the rug. Why it matters The hostility that Black women face in higher education can be hazardous to their health. The women in my study told me they were struggling with depression, had thought about suicide and felt physically ill when they had to go to campus. Other studies have found similar outcomes. For instance, a 2020 study of 220 U.S. Black college women ages 18-48 found that even though being seen as a strong Black woman came with its benefits such as being thought of as resilient, hardworking, independent and nurturing it also came at a cost to their mental and physical health. These kinds of experiences can take a toll on womens bodies and can result in poor maternal health, cancer, shorter life expectancy and other symptoms that impair their ability to be well. I believe my research takes on greater urgency in light of the recent death of Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey, who was vice president of student affairs at Lincoln University. Before she died by suicide, she reportedly wrote that she felt she was suffering abuse and that the university wasnt taking her mental health concerns seriously. What other research is being done Several anthologies examine the negative experiences that Black women experience in academia. They include education scholars Venus Evans-Winters and Bettina Loves edited volume, Black Feminism in Education, which examines how Black women navigate what it means to be a scholar in a white supremacist patriarchal society. Gender and sexuality studies scholar Stephanie Evans analyzes the barriers that Black women faced in accessing higher education from 1850 to 1954. In Black Women, Ivory Tower, African American studies professor Jasmine Harris recounts her own traumatic experiences in the world of higher education. Whats next In addition to publishing the findings of my research study, I plan to continue exploring the depths of Black womens experiences in academia, expanding my research to include undergraduate students, as well as faculty and staff. I believe this research will strengthen this field of study and enable people who work in higher education to develop and implement more comprehensive solutions. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. 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: Ebony Aya, Macalester College Read more: Ebony Aya received funding from the Black Collective Foundation in 2022 to support the work of the Aya Collective. TUNIS, March 15 -- The World Bank has approved two loans worth 520 million U.S. dollars to fund projects in Tunisia to address food security challenges and reduce regional disparity, the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) reported Friday. "The two loans are in line with the World Bank's strategic partnership with Tunisia for the period 2023-2027, which aims to strengthen human capital and increase economic opportunities throughout the country," TAP quoted World Bank Resident Representative in Tunisia Alexandre Arrobio as saying. Arrobio explained that the first loan, worth 300 million dollars, would be added to the emergency food security project to help confront the repercussions of four consecutive years of drought in Tunisia. The project aims to rationalize wheat imports, support small farmers, and provide climate-resilient seeds for wheat producers. The second loan, worth 220 million dollars, aims to finance a development project in Tunisia by reducing economic disparity between its various regions through developing infrastructure, especially roads. WASHINGTON (AP) With St. Patrick's Day this weekend, President Joe Biden got to dwell Friday on one of his favorite subjects: Ireland. Biden played host to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House and then the two attended a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol as the two countries celebrate a century of diplomatic relations. The president wore a green necktie for Ireland and the Oval Office was decorated with a bowl of shamrocks placed in front of the fireplace. May the hinge of our friendship never grow rusty, Biden said to the Irish prime minister. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., hosted the president and Varadkar for the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the Capitol. Johnson introduced the president as America's most famous Irishman. Biden used the event to push for foreign aid to support Ukraine as it fights against Russia and Israel as well as provide humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza. Varadkar used his remarks at the luncheon to thank the United States for its work to bring peace between Ireland and Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. But he turned to the war in Ukraine, as the House has been unable to pass military aid for the country, much to Biden's frustration. Ukraine must not fall and together, we need to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes, Varadkar said. We look forward to working with America for the next 100 years. Biden is nearly as fond of his Irish heritage as he is of his home state of Delaware and his birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He loves to quote the Irish poet Seamus Heaney, among others. He has delivered Irish toasts before formal dinners. He has routinely brought up Ireland with leaders from other foreign countries. He spoke at a pub last year while visiting Ireland, reveling in the chance to be there. As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last year while Biden visited that country, Joe, one thing that everybody has learned about you is that youre a proud Irish American. His campaign planned to hold a virtual event on Friday to mobilize Irish American voters in a sign of the Democrats' interests. The Census Bureau has said that more than 30 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry, with the largest group being in the Chicago area. ___ AP Writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report. Homebuyers in South Florida can expect the house-hunting process to get more expensive this summer following a change announced on Friday by the largest association of real estate agents. Sellers and their listing agents are no longer beholden to covering commission fees starting in July, according to the National Association of Realtors. Listing agents often posted their commission fees on the Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, a portal where licensed agents can post and see whats for sale. Sellers and listings agents baked in the usual 6% commission fee into the price buyers and their representatives would see online. Now, buyers and sellers will have to negotiate how to split the commission fee. In a community where affordability concerns remain high, this adds another cost for South Floridas buyers to keep in mind. The change comes on the heels of a settlement for $418 million where the association fought against concerns about fair buyer representation. Since the 1990s, sellers and their listing agents have set commission fees, but starting in 2019 a series of lawsuits from sellers across the country raised concerns about the practice. We knew this was going to happen. It was only a matter of time, said Jack McCabe, owner of the Deerfield Beach-based real estate and economic research firm Jack McCabe Expert Services. Sellers are going to say, Why am I going to pay 6% commission? The National Association of Realtors did not return a request for comment, and the Miami Association of Realtors declined to comment. Going Dutch on real estate agent fee Buyers and sellers will be expected to go Dutch on the commission fee, said Ilene McMenamin, a real estate agent with the Oakland Park-based real estate brokerage and property management firm McElliot Properties. If the commission fee is 6%, the buyer can expect to cover 3%. What does that look like in todays market? The median sales price on a house is $630,000 in Miami-Dade County. In that case, the buyer would pay $18,900, an extra 3% on top of the price and down payment. Put yourself in a position of buying a house. You never thought about the commission. Now you have to, said Ilene McMenamin, a real estate agent with real estate brokerage firm McElliot Properties. The buyer doesnt have the money. They always went to the seller because they have the money. Who knows whether the buyer has an extra 3%. Maybe theyll borrow their money in their loan. Thats what will probably happen. The change will likely most affect first-time homebuyers, veterans using a VA loan, or those counting on a Federal Housing Administration loan. Those buying at around or below the median sales price may be digging into their pockets and worrying the most about how to cover the new fee while cash buyers and those buying condos or houses with a $1 million price tag are likely to not worry as much. It will be more complicated for lower-income buyers,said Ana Bozovic, the founder of Analytics Miami, which provides real estate data and analysis to consumers and developers. If youre rich, who cares? You have extra money. Youre used to having lawyers and work out agreements, but if you dont have extra money and not used to working on these sorts of agreements, I dont know. Buyers, down on luck Buyers lose out with the change, McCabe said. When sellers have the upper hand due to low housing stock, sellers can place the full burden of a commission fee on the buyer or split halfway. Although he expects commission fees to go as low as 4% with the change, McCabe said its still an extra amount of money buyers have to cough up. When conditions favor buyers due to perhaps an oversupply of inventory, buyers will now have to tread carefully. When things get tough thats when sellers offer buyers agents more incentives, McCabe said. The problem is the agent will take buyers to whoever offers them the most and theyll shy away from those who dont offer anything. Itll be a disservice to the buyer because theyre not aware. One things for certain no one expects South Floridas market to cool due to this change. Although activity has slowed, corporate expansions and the wealth migration continues, both helping maintain existing conditions. Former Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean said in an interview late Thursday that former President Trump is the candidate for the gazillionaire class. I dont think there is going to be any limit to dollars spent in this race. Trump has got every gazillionaire in the country, apparently is now breathing heavily whenever Trump walks around. Thats their candidate, the gazillionaire class, Howard said in an interview on CNNs NewsNight with anchor Abby Phillip. Then Biden is, working people who are now raising a ton of money over the web from small donations, Dean added. And thats the way its going to be. Bidens campaign recently said that it raised $10 million in the 24 hours following the presidents most recent State of the Union address. This also came after news that February was the campaigns best grassroots funding month to date. We thank our grassroots supporters who are motivated more than ever to reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris, Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement at the time. The Presidents State of the Union address reminded so many of our supporters who is fighting for them, and the stakes of this election for our freedoms, our rights, and our democracy. We send our condolences to the other guy and his flailing, poor campaign, she added. Turns out attacking womens rights, cutting taxes for the rich, and attacking American democracy isnt exactly a winning message. In his interview on CNN, Dean said that he thinks Robert Kennedy Jr. might do some damage with conspiracy theorists and theyre going to vote for Trump. So I just wish he wouldnt run for his own sake and for the sake of this family. Dean also said that he thinks Biden would win Michigan if the presidential election were held today, despite a recent Quinnipiac University poll showing Trump in the lead in the Wolverine State by 3 points. I think Biden would win clearly, cause Donald Trump is a disaster for the state of Michigan, Dean said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Quad-City nonprofit organization is receiving community help and hoping for more support. Humble Dwellings is an organization that provides lightly-used household items to families leaving abusive households or going through foster care and people with disabilities needing a new home. Our turnover is really heavy, Stacy Hornbuckle, Humble Dwellings CEO, said. Sometimes we have nothing and cant do the job. This isnt just popping out of the sky. This is people in your community that are loving you. Through social media, Humble Dwellings called on the community for items to donate to their cause. The community banded together to provide more than 10 items. Those included love sets, sofas and tables to give to 10 different households. Its a huge blessing, Hornbuckle said. We cant do what we do without the people. The organization is 100% volunteer, and there are many facets. We have about 100 volunteers working to make it all work. The community donating is the hugest part. Hornbuckle says the organization operates through storage units in Eldridge and through volunteer movers who donate their time. When we get to the final product, its just amazing because the clients are so thankful, Hornbuckle said. Many of them have never had an experience where they feel like they have a home. You know its hard to go to work if you are sleeping on a mattress or a floor. The nonprofit has reached many people over the years, including a volunteers child who lived with special needs. One of our volunteers whose daughter passed away, she experienced special needs, Hornbuckle said. She was very comforted by her pillows, so her family donates pillows in honor of Erica for all of our clients homes. Humble Dwellings says they keep pillows and handwritten notes from Ericas mother to inspire their clients to love as much as she did. We put it on the nightstand of their homes so they see that theres some heart behind there. Hornbuckle said. Theres people behind all of the actions that we do. The organization has rooms full of supplies to give to people in need. Hornbuckle says they give supplies out to 8 to 12 homes a month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Humza Yousaf's government plans to force those selling more than 1,000 hectares to split the sale into multiple smaller landholdings - Jeff J Mitchell/PA Wire Lairds will be forced to parcel up their estates during sales under SNP plans to reduce the concentration of landownership in Scotland. The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was launched by Humza Yousafs government on Thursday, would force those with more than 1,000 hectares of land to sell in lots, rather than as a whole. The process of lotting will make rural communities more sustainable, the Scottish government said, by giving locals more of a chance to buy land. The largest landowners will also be forced to prove that they are addressing climate change and restoring nature, under the bill. MPs and campaigners hit out against the plans, saying they were a destructive attack on Scottish landowners and would prove to be counterproductive. Scottish Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary Rachael Hamilton MSP accused the SNP of being out-of-touch with the needs of rural Scotland. They seem hellbent on intervening in the rural way of life, rather than properly engaging with them and ensuring that proportionate measures are taken, she said. Many landowners will understandably be concerned about ministers having sweeping powers as part of this bill and what they will do with them. Alongside my Scottish Conservative colleagues, I will be keenly scrutinising this bill to ensure that our rural communities and the rural economy is properly supported for future generations. MSP Rachael Hamilton has promised to scrutinise the Bill in an effort to minimise its impact on rural communities - Chris Strickland Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: Rather than taking a common-sense approach to reflect the challenges that people living and working in rural Scotland face, Scottish ministers are pursuing a destructive and disproportionate agenda against land-based businesses. She added: The government is taking an irrational approach to farms and estates over 1,000 hectares, which seems to be driven purely by a desire to break these up regardless of the outcome. The blizzard of regulations they are proposing around the transfer of landholdings will create conflict, cause market uncertainty and deter much needed investment. There are more than 1,800 estates of more than 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) in Scotland, with 623 that are more than 3,000 hectares, forming 39pc of the countrys landmass. Less than 1pc of Scotlands land is sold off annually, and 93pc of sales are of areas smaller than 500 hectares. A study by the Scottish Land Commission in 2019 found that 1,125 owners, including some major public bodies including the Forest Enterprise and the National Trust, own 70pc of rural land in Scotland. A study by the Scottish Land Commission in 2019 found that 1,125 owners, including some major public bodies including the Forest Enterprise and the National Trust, own 70pc of rural land in Scotland. It has described the concentration of landownership in Scotland as socially corrosive. The bill will need to pass three legislative stages before it receives Royal Assent and becomes Scottish law, and could see amendments added. Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: We do not think it is right that ownership and control of much of Scotlands land is still in the hands of relatively few people. Crucially, when one of these landholdings is being sold, we want the government to have the power to step in and require that it be sold in smaller parcels to different people if that will help to make local populations and communities more sustainable. 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. Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, has once again criticised the EU and the "Western world" in his speech and turned to the audience with the request to help him "occupy Brussels" at the elections to the European Parliament this summer. Source: European Pravda with reference to AP Details: Orban delivered a speech dedicated to the anniversary of the 1848 Hungarian revolution against the rule of the Habsburgs. In the speech he compared the EU to the imperial occupiers and called the "Western world" a source of incivility and destruction. "They start wars, destroy worlds, redraw countries borders and graze on everything like locusts. We Hungarians live differently and want to live differently," Orban said, addressing the crowd, which was reportedly taken to Budapest by buses. As usual, the Hungarian PM criticised the immigration and LGBTQ+ rights and appealed to national pride and sovereignty. "Brussels is not the first empire that has set its eyes on Hungary," Orban added, referring to the de-facto EU capital. "The peoples of Europe today are afraid that Brussels will take away their freedom. ... If we want to preserve Hungarys freedom and sovereignty, we have no choice: We have to occupy Brussels." Background: On 12 March, Levente Magyar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, met with US Ambassador David Pressman due to Joe Bidens words about the meeting between Viktor Orban and Donald Trump. After this meeting, Biden stated that Orban "doesnt think democracy works and is looking for dictatorship". Hungarys Foreign Affairs Ministry reacted stating that it would not tolerate "such lies" from anyone "even if this person is the president of the United States". Support UP or become our patron! Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban gives a speech on the steps of the National Museum in Budapest, Hungary, on Friday, March 15, 2024. Orban's speech, commemorating the 176th anniversary of Hungary's failed uprising against Habsburg rule, came as his government seeks to mitigate political damage from the resignation of its former president who stepped down in February over a pardon scandal. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sought to mobilize support for his brand of right-wing populism in a holiday speech on Friday, urging his spectators to help him occupy Brussels in European Union elections this summer. Orbans address, coinciding with a national holiday commemorating Hungarys failed 1848 revolution against Habsburg rule, railed against the EU and compared it to imperial occupiers that have dominated Hungary throughout history. The nationalist leader, speaking from the steps of the National Museum in central Budapest, drew a sharp contrast between his country and the Western world, accusing the latter of being a source of rootlessness and destruction. "They start wars, destroy worlds, redraw countries' borders and graze on everything like locusts," he told the crowd, many of whom were bused into Budapest for the occasion. We Hungarians live differently and want to live differently. He was speaking less than three months before EU elections that are expected to show a surge for far-right parties across the continent that share many of Orban's key positions. Opposition to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as a commitment to national pride and sovereignty, featured heavily in his comments on the national holiday, which often bore the tone of a campaign speech. Brussels is not the first empire that has set its eyes on Hungary, Orban said, referring to the EUs de-facto capital. The peoples of Europe today are afraid that Brussels will take away their freedom. ... If we want to preserve Hungarys freedom and sovereignty, we have no choice: We have to occupy Brussels. There is heightened political tension in Hungary following the resignation in February of the president, Orban ally Katalin Novak, amid outrage over her issuing of a pardon to a convicted accomplice in a case of child sexual abuse in a state-run orphanage. The scandal also led to the resignation of a former justice minister and put unprecedented political pressure on Orban's long-serving government, which has led Hungary since 2010. Hungary's position among its partners and allies has also faced strain in recent months. On Thursday, in a speech reflecting on the 25th anniversary of Hungarys NATO membership, U.S. Ambassador David Pressman highlighted concerns over Hungarys reliability as an ally in the military alliance, stating that Orban's government appears to have little interest in constructive dialogue to solve disagreements with its partners. In the speech in Budapest, Pressman criticized Hungarys recent obstructionism toward Swedens NATO accession, and accused Orban of pursuing dangerous relationships with Russia and China. Orban's government, Pressman said, "labels and treats the United States as an adversary while making policy choices that increasingly isolate it from friends and allies. Hungary's government also faces a challenge from an unexpected source at home: Peter Magyar, the former husband of one-time justice minister and Orban ally Judit Varga. Once an insider within Orban's Fidesz party, Magyar in recent weeks has publicly called for fundamental change and gathered a significant following through internet posts and widely watched interviews. On Friday, Magyar addressed a crowd of around 10,000 people in Budapest where he announced his plans to form a new political party to challenge Fidesz's 14-year grip on power and act as an alternative to Hungary's fragmented opposition. If Hungarian voters finally see a real political force that cannot be bribed or blackmailed, that is honest, straight, open and free of extremes, then more and more people will believe that there is hope for change ... after decades in a political swamp, Magyar said in a speech, where he also accused Orban's government of corruption and economic mismanagement. Yet as Orban hopes for success this summer for conservative forces in Europe, he has also achieved close ties with parts of the American right, including former President Donald Trump. The Hungarian leader last week visited the United States where he met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and openly called for a Trump victory over President Joe Biden in November elections. In his speech on Friday, Orban said that support for Trump showed that American voters were rebelling, and predicted a political shift that will favor conservatives in Europe and the United States in 2024. This year will be a turning point," he said. At the beginning of the year we were still alone, and by the end of the year we will be the majority. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A dog and two birds had quite an adventure on Thursday after tumbling into a creek in Tillamook County, according to the sheriffs office. The unusual trio fell into Fawcett Creek after a local residents dog, a Husky, decided to chase a chicken and a turkey and all three tumbled down a steep bank to the creek. Columbia CEO Tim Boyle sounds off: If we cant pick up trash, what the hell can we do? When the owner was unable to rescue the animals, two deputies used ropes to reach the animals and rescue them. The dog and the chicken were safely rescued, but the turkey had to be dispatched for care. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Greenhill Humane Society Violet is a 3-year-old Husky mix who is described as sweet, friendly and affectionate. She would make an excellent walking or jogging pal and loves to snuggle on the couch. Violet is very smart and knows her basic commands. She would love to continue positive reinforcement training to show off her obedience. Violet should meet any dogs in your home prior to adoption. She is a large girl and may have too much energy for little kids, but based on her sweet demeanor, could quickly become best friends with any children. She weighs 39 pounds and is spayed, microchipped and up to date on vaccines. Greenhill Humane Society is open seven days a week, 11 am 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org. Oregon Coast Humane Society Enzo is one of multiple puppies available at Oregon Coast Humane Society. Enzo is a Border Collie mix puppy ready for a home of his own. Oregon Coast Humane Society has lots of puppies waiting for families from three local litters. To meet Enzo and other puppies, stop by the shelter at 2840 Rhododendron Drive in Florence, or apply online at oregoncoasthumanesociety.org. Shelter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Cat Rescue and Adoption Network Cashew and Lil Bit at Cat Rescue and Adoption Network Cashew and Lil Bit are a pair of 6-year-old bonded male cats described as smart, affectionate and playful. Lil Bit is a fluffy dark gray and white tuxedo cat, while Cashew is a fluffy orange and white tuxedo cat. This pair came to the cat rescue when their owner went into assisted living. They're both shy and will take a few weeks to get comfortable, but once acclimated they are confident and friendly lap kitties who will do best as the only pets in your household. They have been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and are negative for FIV and FeLV. To meet them, please call (541)-225-4955, or visit our website at CatRescues.org for more info. Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: These Lane County dogs and cats are up for adoption A missile launched Friday by Yemen's Huthi rebels at a ship in the Red Sea caused no damage, after they threatened to expand their harassment campaign which has disrupted global trade. The Iran-backed rebels have launched dozens of missile and drone strikes on shipping in the commercially vital seaway over the past four months. They say they are targeting Israel-linked shipping as part of an "axis of resistance" of Iran allies and proxies, in protest at Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On Friday, the Royal Navy's United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations and security firm Ambrey had reported that the ship was damaged after being hit west of the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida in the early hours of Friday. But a daylight inspection showed that the vessel had not been impacted by the missile and had not sustained damage, UKMTO and Ambrey said in a later update. Ambrey said the "vessel was listed as Israel-affiliated but had changed ownership in February 2024", adding that it was headed from Singapore to the Suez Canal with armed guards onboard. The same tanker was nearly hit by a missile southeast of Yemen's port of Aden the previous day, Ambrey said. The Huthis claimed the attack in a statement, alleging that the ship is Israeli-owned. They identified the vessel as Pacific 01. They also claimed a separate drone attack on a US destroyer in the Red Sea, adding that the strike "achieved its goals". There was no immediate confirmation from Washington and AFP could not independently verify the Huthi claims. - Widened campaign - The flurry of Huthi attacks, including a deadly assault on a bulk carrier last week and the sinking of a ship carrying thousands of tonnes of fertiliser, have triggered reprisal strikes by US and British forces. On Thursday, the US military said it had destroyed nine anti-ship ballistic missiles and two drones after the Huthis fired on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Such exchanges have become a frequent occurrence in the area, sending shipping insurance costs soaring and prompting many firms to detour around the southern tip of Africa. Late on Thursday, rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Huthi said the Huthis would expand their attacks to ships taking the longer route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. "We are moving, with the grace and help of God Almighty, to prevent them from crossing even through the Indian Ocean and from South Africa," he said in a speech broadcast by the rebels' Al-Masirah TV channel. "We have begun implementing our related operations," he added. Twelve "targeting operations" using 58 missiles were carried out against commercial and military ships this week in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, the Huthi leader said. The Huthis reiterated the warning in Friday's statement, warning "all Israeli ships heading to or coming from the ports of occupied Palestine not to pass through" South Africa's Cape of Good Hope. "They will be a legitimate target for our armed forces," said Huthi military spokesman Yahya al Saree. th-ho/ami Jiang Keyu (C) and Simon Abbe teach young people contemporary dance in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb. 14, 2024. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) by Arison Tamfu, Wang Ze YAOUNDE, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Simon Abbe's smile was both nostalgic and bashful as he began to tell a tale of love in which his affection for his Chinese dance teacher not only blossomed but also became a catalyst, harmonizing Chinese and Cameroonian cultures. "It's a long story," Abbe said. Abbe's passion for dance was ingrained in him from a young age. In 2000, he, along with his childhood friends Julio Dimitri and Joseph Mario Bayong, who shared his fervor for dance, founded a hip-hop dance group called Black Star. Together, they roamed from street to street and neighborhood to neighborhood, showcasing their freestyle moves. "We danced for fun and to impress girls," recalled Bayong, now 42, reminiscing about the challenges of street life. Despite their amateur status, the group aspired to a brighter future. Five years later, they joined the Cameroon National Ballet. Around the same time, the Cameroonian government initiated a cultural exchange with China, enabling Chinese professional choreographers to teach contemporary dance to Cameroonian dancers. This partnership led to the arrival of Chinese dance teachers Naersi and Jiang Keyu in 2005, who came to train a new generation of Cameroonian dancers, including Abbe and his friends, and revitalize the Cameroon National Ballet. "Everything changed thanks to the Sino-Cameroonian cooperation training. Once I joined the national ballet, I started to learn to dance," emphasized Dimitri, now 43, noting that beyond dance techniques, the Chinese teachers imparted life skills, helping them mature quickly despite their youth. "We are actually products of the (Sino-Cameroon) cooperation. It is the foundation of my career as a dancer and choreographer," Abbe said. "The rebuilding of the ballet was a great success; during those years, we choreographed 17 dances and traveled with the President to many countries for important occasions. We also performed in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympics," Dimitri added. Training these Cameroonian dancers, however, was no easy feat. "When we first tried to rebuild the Ballet, we started with modern dance training, then we added ballet training, and created choreography," Jiang said. "Back then, the actors and musicians who came to the auditions were quite similar, mostly with African dance or hip-hop elements." As the training progressed, Jiang and Abbe's relationship blossomed. "We met when we were young," Abbe recalled. "We found out that we had a special connection." They began dating, but Jiang's stay in Cameroon ended in 2009, and she returned to China. Around the same time, Abbe went to France to further his career. "When I was in France, we realized how much we missed each other," Abbe said. That's when they decided to get married. Today, they live in China with their two children, a boy and a girl. "I have been with Simon for more than 10 years, and Chinese and African cultures have always been fermenting in our small family," Jiang said. They now run a dance troupe called Body Boulevard Company, with branches in China and Cameroon. Abbe and Jiang shared their story with Xinhua in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, where they were training a new generation of dancers for their troupe. "Now, we can see that the young dancers here are very diverse physically, and that diversity probably comes from the training we initially gave them," Jiang added. Their training session proved fruitful. Dressed in various costumes, the young performers seamlessly transitioned between the spirited, energetic rhythms of Cameroonian traditional dance and modern music. Abbe, Jiang, Dimitri and Bayong watched closely and intervened when necessary to correct the trainees' steps. Jiang described the performance as "Children of the Sun." "Africans and Chinese both look to the sun; we all need to be warm and grow under its rays. From another perspective, I am also contemplating life through the lens of Chinese philosophy, 'from birth to death,' and I want to incorporate this into my work," said Jiang, now 43. The troupe aims to tour the world not only to perform but also to bridge the gap between Chinese and African cultures, hoping for integration and mutual learning through the universal language of art and culture. "We want to bring choreographers from China and send choreographers from Cameroon to China. Culture is a powerful tool for bringing people from different areas and countries together," said Abbe, now 42. "It's been an important journey for me, moving from my 20s, where I had a deep interaction and growth with African culture, to this stage where I've moved from my personal growth to being able to eventually turn it into a production, spreading the idea of African culture and incorporating Eastern Chinese philosophy," Jiang said. She hoped that the members of the dance troupe would surpass expectations. "I hope that their passion, energy and artistic flair can reach a wider audience, and I will do my best to help them be seen by the world," she said. As the sun began to set, Abbe wrapped up the day's training session. "Our story is beautiful, and our passion is beautiful," Abbe concluded of his love story with Jiang. "It's a story of civilizational exchange," Jiang added. Jiang Keyu (C) teaches dance steps to young dancers in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb. 14, 2024. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2024 shows young dancers practicing dance steps in Yaounde, Cameroon. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) Jiang Keyu (R, front) teaches dance steps to young dancers in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb. 14, 2024. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) A young dancer practices dance steps in Yaounde, Cameroon, Feb. 13, 2024. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua) The Idaho Supreme Court denied a request by Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students, for his grand jury indictment to be thrown out. Mr Kohbergers attorneys argued, based on their interpretation of Idaho law, that grand jurors were inaccurately told that the standard for an indictment is that there is probable cause of the defendants guilt, instead of the higher threshold of beyond a reasonable doubt. The request was first made on 8 February for the Idaho Supreme Court to appeal Latah County District Court Judge John Judges decision not to toss Mr Kohbergers grand jury indictment in the quadruple murder case. They sought to have the indictment dismissed due to what they referred to as a biased grand jury, inadmissible evidence, a lack of sufficient evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. Bryan Kohberger is charged with the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students (Getty) The attorneys also filed a separate motion seeking to seal Mr Kohbergers request with a motion to seal defendants motion for permission to appeal from interlocutory orders. The Idaho Supreme Court denied the first motion, but granted his request to hide the contents of his motion. Mr Kohberger, a Ph.D. student at the nearby Washington State University, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The students were found stabbed to death in an off-campus rental house in Moscow on 13 November 2022. The military-style knife, believed to be the weapon, has never been recovered, however a knife sheath was found near one of the victims. That sheath contained a piece of DNA which was then matched to Mr Kohberger, according to authorities. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed on 13 November 2022 (Instagram) The DNA was compared to trash found at the Kohberger family home in Pennsylvania, eventually leading to Mr Kohbergers arrest. A trial date has still not been set as Mr Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial. Meanwhile, Mr Kohbergers defence team is seeking to have the trial moved to a different county. A hearing is scheduled for 14 May where the judge will hear arguments regarding Mr Kohbergers request to move the trial out of Latah County. Mr Kohbergers attorneys have argued that a fair and impartial jury cannot be found in Latah County due to the cases extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity and the small size of the community. U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the Friends of Ireland Luncheon Friday. Photo by Nathan Howard/UPI March 15 (UPI) -- Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the White House for a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday, ahead of the St. Patrick's Day celebration on Sunday. During Friday's Friends of Ireland Luncheon, Biden touted the United States and Ireland's continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, adding that he thanked Varadkar earlier that day for Ireland's "unwavering" humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Gaza. Biden emphasized the importance of a national security bill that includes funding for Ukraine and Israel, as well as humanitarian assistance to Gaza. "I'm committed to continuing to do our part," Biden said. "I'm confident that the vast majority of members of Congress are willing to do their part, and I continue to urge ever member in this room to stand up to Vladimir Putin." Varadkar in his speech said "we need to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes," while calling for an end to the "terrible violence and loss of human life in Gaza" following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (L to R), U.S. President Joe Biden and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., depart the Capitol following the Friends of Ireland Luncheon Friday. Photo by Nathan Howard/UPI "These are global challenges that demand our courage, our empathy and our action, and we pray for the wisdom of St. Patrick in facing them," he said. The White House said Biden and Varadkar met beforehand to talk about their commitment to Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and the Middle East and the United States' continued support of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. U.S. President Joe Biden shares a light moment with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during the Friends of Ireland Luncheon in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Photo by Nathan Howard/UPI Varadkar said on Wednesday he wanted to nudge Biden into making a stronger stand in calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, calling Israel's military response in Gaza "catastrophic and of great concern." "I will put across the strong view of the Irish people that there should be an immediate cease-fire, so hostages can be released so that medicine and food that's desperately needed can get into Gaza," he said. Biden's stance on Israel has cast a shadow on this year's St. Patrick's Day festivities, and public disapproval of Biden has risen in Ireland. The president, who has long touted his Irish ancestry, faces a stark contrast in Irish sentiment compared to a year ago, when he addressed a cheering crowd in his great-great-great grandfather's hometown of Ballina in County Mayo. Aodhan O Riordain, a center-left Irish lawmaker who welcomed Biden to Dublin last year, told CBS News no such crowd would turn out for Biden this year. "What we see from the Irish vantage point is the elimination of 30,000 lives, disproportionately women and children," he said of the conflict in Gaza. "What we see is a very well-equipped, well-armed, powerful nation exact revenge on a very beleaguered people." Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff hosted Varadkar and partner Matthew Barrett for breakfast at the Naval Observatory on Friday. Varadkar took part in several events on Thursday, where he told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that the United States should remain open to "good trade agreements" with Ireland. He said Ireland is one of the top 10 investors in the United States. He continued to voice his support for getting aid to Gaza and support for Ukraine against Russia, whose invasion is now in its second year. "If Putin is successful in Ukraine, he will at some point test NATO and the consequences then, for all of us, are very serious." Editors note: A previous version of this story misstated the types of illicit drugs that were found at the shop. The story has been updated. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A smoke shop in Manhattan was selling illegal marijuana and cocaine laced with fentanyl, sources said on Thursday. The New York City Sheriffs Office inspected the shop at 927 Second Ave. in Midtown East to check if they were selling illegal tobacco products, according to officials. They found illegal tobacco, e-cigarettes, and cannabis products, officials said. Authorities also found the store was selling cocaine, which tested positive for fentanyl, police sources said. New York City Sheriffs Office New York City Sheriffs Office New York City Sheriffs Office New York City Sheriffs Office New York City Sheriffs Office The Adams administration is using every tool available to protect New Yorkers from dangerous, illegal products found in unlicensed smoke shops, said New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda. We are doing everything in our power to protect our children and communities from this dangerous drug, and we have shut down this shop and arrested the person selling the products at the time of inspection. More Local News The sheriffs office also arrested the person selling the products at the time of the inspection and padlocked the store again. The store, named 2nd Ave Convenience, has been closed and padlocked by the city multiple times, officials said. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Thursday rejected one of former President Donald Trumps motions to dismiss his classified documents case. Cannon shot down Trumps motion arguing that the Espionage Act is unconstitutionally vague when applied to a former president. Cannon after a daylong hearing issued an order saying some of Trumps arguments warrant serious consideration but wrote that no judge has ever found the statute unconstitutional. Cannon said that rather than prematurely decide now, she denied the motion so it could be "raised as appropriate in connection with jury-instruction briefing and/or other appropriate motions." The Trump-appointed judge expressed skepticism about the former presidents arguments during Thursdays hearing. You would agree that declaring a statute is unconstitutionally vague is quite an extraordinary step? she asked Trump lawyer Emil Bove, according to The Washington Post. Cannon has yet to issue a ruling on Trumps other motion arguing that the Presidential Records Act allows him to deem government records as personal. Its difficult to see how this gets you to a dismissal of the indictment, Cannon said. But legal experts called Cannons ruling on Thursday a temporary victory for special counsel Jack Smith. The Judges ruling was virtually incomprehensible, even to those of us who speak legal as our native language, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance wrote on Substack, calling part of her ruling deliberately dumb. The good news here is temporary, Vance wrote. Its what Id call an ugly win for the government. The Judge dismissed the vagueness argumentbut just for today. She did it without prejudice, which means that Trumps lawyers could raise the argument again later in the case. In fact, the Judge seemed to do just that in her order, essentially inviting the defense to raise the argument again at trial. Vance noted that if Cannon had ruled against the government on Thursday, Smiths team could have appealed. But thats not the case if, after todays ruling in the governments favor, she permits Trump to resurrect the motion at trial, Vance explained. She could grant the motion to dismiss the case then and at that point, with very rare exceptions (that the Judge would be in a position to prevent), the government cant appeal. Thats because once a jury has been empaneled, double jeopardy attaches and prevents the government from retrying the defendant on the same charges if hes acquitted, which is what would happen if the Judge granted a motion to dismiss at that point and before a jury rendered a guilty verdict. Thats the nightmare scenario here. MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin noted that Cannon in her order to deny Trumps motion took a bunch of swipes at the special counsel. There's some language in that order that basically says, 'I'm not deciding this now,' but she was saying to them, I'm going to read from it right now, that there are still fluctuating definitions of statutory terms and phrases along with disputed factual issues, so rather than prematurely decide now whether this is unsalvageably vague, despite the judicial glosses, some loaded accusations against the special counsel in that, Rubin explained. In other words, you are telling me how other courts interpreted this but those are asserted judicial glosses. You are telling me what these terms mean but there are still fluctuating definitions." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Rubin said Cannon essentially kicked the can down the road. She didnt give Donald Trump what he wanted, she said. On the other hand, she made it difficult for anyone to appeal this, and just sort of held it in abeyance. I don't think it's a victory for the special counsel's office. Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told MSNBC that the ruling is only a temporary victory for Smith. Although it seems like Jack Smith won today because she didn't boot the entire Espionage Act claim, she postponed her decision, he said. She denied it without prejudice, meaning that Donald Trump can bring it up again in the middle of the trial, and if Judge Cannon agrees, in the middle of the trial, then double jeopardy attaches, and Jack Smith won't be able to appeal it to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and then Jack Smith is done on that claim. So, it's a temporary victory." The Independence man accused in a mass shooting that killed an Independence police officer and Jackson County Court employee appeared in court Friday. He was still without an attorney to represent him in the case. Larry D. Acree, who at his first appearance hearing last week indicated he planned to hire a lawyer but wanted to begin the process for a public defender, told Judge Page Bellamy, from Saline County, Missouri, he had not filled out the necessary paperwork. Acree said he needed glasses to read the form, but he didnt receive them until Thursday night. He also had some questions about how to fill out the form. Bellamy told Acree to answer the forms questions the best he could; if the public defenders office needed more information, they could let him know. Bellamy also said he did not want there to be any reason for the form not to get to the public defenders office on Friday. Acree was given another form to fill out in the courtroom and allowed time to do so. After more than 20 minutes, Acree asked for the date, and after filling it in, he handed it back to court officials. Bellamy told Acree the form would be forwarded to the public defenders office, which would review the application. Bellamy also told Acree that he could hire his attorney at any time. Bellamy, who was appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to preside over the case after all Jackson County judges recused themselves, continued further proceedings until 2 p.m. March 22. At Fridays hearing, a Jackson County Sheriffs deputy pushed Acree into the courtroom in a wheelchair, where he remained seated during the proceedings. Acree, who was injured in the shooting, still had his left arm in a bandage or cast. More than a dozen Independence police officers attended the hearing, many in uniform. There badges had black mourning bands displayed across them. No cameras were allowed in the courtroom Friday since Acree didnt have an attorney yet. The shooting The 69-year-old Acree has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder as well as first-degree assault and armed criminal action for his alleged role in the fatal shooting in late February of Jackson County civil process server Drexel Mack, 41, and Independence police officer Cody Allen, 35. The shooting unfolded shortly after 1 p.m. on Feb. 29 in northeastern Independence while Mack and another civil process server were trying to carry out an eviction. Acree lost his home in the 1100 block of North Elsea Smith Road over back taxes, court records show. The process servers heard no response after knocking on the door and announcing themselves. A property maintenance person drilled off the locks on the door. Acree allegedly fired shots, and Mack was struck and fell at the front door after entering, according to court records. Police officers responded to the home after the other court employee called for help. Allen was struck in the head by another round of gunfire from the house and a second officer was hit in the abdomen, according to court records. Officers returned fire and ultimately took Acree into custody with injuries that were described as minor. Fridays hearing is Acrees second appearance in court. Last week, after being released from the hospital, he made his first appearance, where Bellamy read him the charges. By Mark Trevelyan and Gleb Stolyarov LONDON (Reuters) - The head of an independent vote-monitoring group that Russia has labelled a "foreign agent" says the presidential election that began on Friday and is widely expected to re-elect Vladimir Putin is the least transparent the country has seen. Stanislav Andreichuk, co-chairman of Golos (Voice), said the use of electronic voting for the first time in a presidential election, and the fact that voting is spread over three days, both serve to make the process more opaque. "These are the most closed, most secret elections in Russian history," Andreichuk told Reuters in a telephone interview, referring to the 33 years since the break-up of the Soviet Union. The Kremlin says the election, which began on Friday, is a proper democratic process and predicts that Putin will win on the basis of overwhelming popular support. Election authorities say it will be scrutinised by 706 foreign observers and as many as a third of a million Russian observers nominated by candidates, political parties and social organisations. Andreichuk said high turnout figures on day one of the election reflected pressure on people by managers in the workplace to make sure they voted. "People are going and voting first thing in the morning because their bosses make them. It's very convenient to keep track of them because it's a working day," he said. Reuters has requested comment from the electoral commission on whether workers are under instructions from bosses to vote. Six sources told Reuters on the eve of the election that managers of state companies and organisations were exerting pressure on staff to vote. Four of these said people had been instructed to provide evidence of casting their ballots. "At our factory, everyone was told to vote on March 15 and send a selfie to the boss," said one employee at a state-owned company. A high turnout is important to the Kremlin as Putin, two years into the war in Ukraine, seeks to show the country is behind him. Supporters of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic penal colony last month, have urged people to protest by turning out en masse to vote at noon on Sunday. Official data showed turnout on Friday was over 33% for the country as a whole but higher than 60% in parts of Siberia and the far east. It was just under 70% in Donetsk and Kherson, two Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. The government in Kyiv has called voting there illegal and void. ELECTRONIC VOTING Andreichuk said electronic voting - available for the first time in a presidential election to people in about a third of the country - was a particular concern because it was open to manipulation and the results were impossible to check. The spread of voting across three days raised the possibility that ballot boxes could be tampered with overnight, he said. Andreichuk also noted there were only three alternative candidates to Putin, the fewest he has faced in any of his five elections, and said no open public discussion of the country's problems had been allowed to take place. "Censorship has been introduced, there's repression in the country, part of the opposition is behind bars. So these elections are just unfree and undemocratic from the start." Golos is not allowed to send observers. It was first labelled a "foreign agent" in 2013, having angered the authorities by publishing evidence of fraud in a 2011 parliamentary vote and a 2012 presidential election won by Putin. Another of the organisation's leaders, Grigory Melkonyants, was arrested last August and accused of involvement with an "undesirable" organisation. He is still in prison, awaiting trial. (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan and Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Frances Kerry) The water tanker arrives once every two weeks, its 1,000 liters expected to serve hundreds of people in this suburb of Indias most high-tech metropolis, where women carrying empty buckets come clamoring to quench their thirst. The sight is not unusual says Susheela, a resident of the suburb of Bandepalya, who goes by one name and needs the water for her family of four. Sometimes fights break out, there is a lot of arguing, she said. But what do we do? We need water. We are desperate. Susheelas taps like millions of others in the southern city of Bengaluru have run dry and the borewells that supply water to her household are empty. The tech hub, known as Indias Silicon Valley and home to giant multinationals like Infosys and Wipro, requires about 2 billion liters (528 million gallons) of water for its nearly 14 million residents every day. But those numbers dwindled to alarming levels, falling about 50% over the past week, according to the chairman of the citys water supply and sewage board, V. Ram Prasat Manohar. Residents have been advised to use water sparingly encouraged to bathe on alternate days, use disposable cutlery, and limit washing clothes and utensils. Its a crisis that has been described as dire by those who live in Bengaluru and experts warn it is only going to get worse as mercury levels climb in the lead up to summer. I have been warning about this for over a decade, said climate scientist T.V. Ramachandra, from the Centre for Ecological Sciences. Its a culmination of unplanned urban growth, rapid deforestation and the ongoing climate crisis and everyone is paying the price. From Indias garden city to dried up lakes For decades, Bengaluru also known as Bangalore had a reputation for its wide network of man-made lakes that provided water to the citys residents. The abundance of greenery and surrounding forests, boosted by its 900-meter (nearly 3,000 feet) elevation and pleasant climate, earned it the moniker Indias garden city. But since the early 1990s, Bengaluru has undergone rapid urbanization, as its transformation into a major tech center resulted in exponential growth. Developers cut down the forests and built around its lakes as the city of about 4 million exploded to house more than three times that. As layers of tarmac swept through the city, Bengaluru lost its ability to absorb water, Ramachandra said. Today 83% of Bangalore is covered in concrete, he added. There is no vegetation. There is no way that groundwater recharging can happen further to go to the underlying layers. This is a big problem. Rapid urbanization and the decline of waterbodies could also worsen the impact of the climate crisis, contributing to a rise in the citys temperatures, Ramachandra warned. The gardens of Karnataka Raj Bhavan, the residence of the state governor, in 2018. Bengaluru was once known as "India's Garden City." - Arijit Sen/Hindustan Times/Getty Images More than 70% of the citys water comes from the Cauvery River, a major waterway that flows through southern Karnataka state, of which Bengaluru is the capital. But as the city expanded, authorities didnt have enough time to extend its network of water pipes into the new neighborhoods, with these areas relying on groundwater extracted by borewells. A weak monsoon last year depleted groundwater levels, causing a water shortage for the citys huge population. But for about 4 million of them who rely on the borewells and live mostly on the outskirts of the city, the situation is much worse. Some 7,000 of the citys 16,000-odd borewells have run dry, according to Bengalurus Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and experts say the focus should be on helping them. For the 11 million people (dependent on the Cauvery River), theres a bit of scarcity but not too much of a crisis, said civil engineer and Bengaluru-based water researcher Vishwanathan, who goes by one name. For the other three and a half million people who are completely dependent on groundwater, there is a crisis because groundwater is going dry. A cow walks across the arid Nallurahalli lake at Whitefield in Bengaluru on March 10, 2024. - Idrees Mohammed/AFP/Getty Images Pushing families to the limit Residents from Bandepalya, a low-income community suburb in the citys south, line up with buckets from 9 a.m., waiting for the water tanker to arrive. Private tankers commissioned by the government distribute water to neighborhoods when river and groundwater levels run low, charging residents for the service and hiking prices when demand rises. About four hours later, as the afternoon arrives in Bandepalya, so too does the tanker. Scenes of chaos and anxiety follow as they hustle to fill their buckets and bring them home. Women try to fill two large buckets each to carry to their homes nearby. One woman begins to hit the vessel to check its water levels. The tanker is emptied within minutes. We get water once in 15 days and have to buy water on a daily basis, said resident Kumkum, who also goes by one name, from her home, adding that she is using bottled water to wash her childrens faces in the mornings. Kumkums youngest child has fallen sick with a high fever because of the crisis. All these drums are empty and havent had water in them in days, she said as she pointed to the empty buckets in her home. We cant wash our clothes or our utensils. We will catch rainwater just for our chores during the monsoon. People line up to collect drinking water during the ongoing crisis in Bengaluru on March 14, 2024. - Idress Mohammed/AFP/Getty Images Authorities capped the price of such deliveries commissioned by the government at 1,200 rupees ($14) per tanker, but residents say they are struggling financially. Susheela, the resident with the family of four, said people in Bandepalya typically earn between 6,000 8,000 rupees ($70 95) a month, and many of them have no choice but to now spend half their income buying water from the tankers. We are hardly bathing, using water so scarcely. But we are all struggling, she said. Geeta Menon, a social worker who works with low-income communities in Bengaluru said the crisis could give rise to diseases and illness as hygiene levels drop. Children are defecating on the streets as theres no water at home, theyre going thirsty, people are unable to cook, she said. This is not just a short-term problem, but will have long-term repercussions if it continues. CNN has contacted Bengalurus Water Supply and Sewage Board but is yet to receive a response. No one spared While the citys poorest are bearing the brunt of Bengalurus water crisis, it hasnt spared the upper middle class either. Management from many housing societies send daily updates to its residents, warning them of shortages and urging them to be careful with their water usage. One apartment complex has sent a notice to its residents saying they must reduce their water usage by 50%. Water situation is very alarming! the notice, seen by CNN, said. We are hardly receiving any water through from Cauvery supply. We are fully dependable on borewell water. Out of the 11 borewells only 5 are operating. We have absolutely no way of knowing when these wells will get dry. There wont be any notice period when it happens. The shortage has also forced garment factories to slow production while doubling restaurant water bills, according to Reuters. Managers at some global firms are letting some employees skip meetings to collect water from the tankers, it added. The crisis has meanwhile turned into a political blame game, weeks before a national election, with Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protesting the states Congress-led government for its alleged mismanagement of the situation. The main opposition Congress has claimed the BJP has not done enough at a federal level to help financially with the crisis. Activists and BJP members hold empty water pots during a protest against the state government over the severe water crisis, in Bengaluru on March 12, 2024. - Idress Mohammed/AFP/Getty Images Yet, for the citys residents, the tit-for-tat arguments mean little as they experience the worst of the shortages. For Maher Taj, a mother of seven, the past few weeks have been unbearable. We have cut down how many times we use the bathrooms and take turns to bathe, she said. Our children are using the washrooms in their school and my husband is going at his workplace. I have reduced water usage in all aspects of life. Its pushing my family to the limit. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WINDSOR, N.C. (WAVY) Craig Wissink was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Sgt. Meggan Callahan back in 2017 while he was in the Bertie Correctional Institute, according to an article by The Daily Advance. Wissink was currently already serving a life sentence for a 2004 murder conviction in Cumberland County. Then, on April 26, 2017, Meggan was responding to a trash fire inside the dormitory, and was attacked by Wissink. He was able to get the fire extinguisher from her and beat her to the point where she died from her injuries. He was charged in the murder on April 26, 2017. He has around 25 charges to his name since 2013, according to the North Carolina Department Of Adult Correction Offender Public Informations website. Wissink said he was sorry for Meggans murder. Meggans mother, Wendy, said she didnt support the death penalty as his sentence and forgives Wissink, according to the Daily Advances report. Previous Coverage: Lawsuit: NC prison leaders ignored problems before slaying Wissink is under high security for first-degree murder. Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The Department of the Interior announced a new wave of more than $120 million in funding for tribal climate resilience projects ranging from infrastructure reinforcement to relocation efforts. The money will support 146 projects across 102 tribal communities and nine tribal organizations. It is the largest investment under the Tribal Climate Awards Program, a competitive grant program aimed at building tribal climate resilience, since that programs inception in 2011. This years funding more than doubles the $110 million distributed over the last 13 years. Indigenous communities are facing unique and intensifying climate-related challenges that pose an existential threat to tribal economies, infrastructure, lives and livelihoods, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said during a Wednesday press call. Through President Bidens Investing in America agenda, we are making transformational commitments to assist tribes and tribal organizations as they plan for and implement climate resilience measures, upholding our trust and treaty responsibilities and safeguarding these places for generations to come. Supported projects fell broadly into two applications: adaptation and relocation. Awards ranged from around $98,000 for studying climate impacts on the Port Madison Reservation in Washington, to just over $9.8 million for fortifying and restoring a watershed on the Lummi Reservation. During the press call, agency officials responded to questions about the smaller award amounts and would be enough to help tribes address the climate challenges. An agency official, speaking on background, said the funding was part of a to pre-empt what would eventually be a colossal need in Indian Country should climate change continue unabated. We know the need overall is likely to be in the billions if climate change isnt stopped, the official said. But some tribes are facing climate problems right now. That includes an array of Alaska Native villages that received lower award amounts between $89,000 and $150,000 to help fund relocation, managed retreat, and protect-in-place coordination projects. Other relocation projects commanded awards of around $3 to $4 million, such as a housing project for the Hoh Indian Tribe in Washington. During Wednesdays press call, the senior official told reporters that the department felt these amounts were enough to get tribes moving on plans or relocation efforts. Above all, the official said that each relocating tribe remained in charge of their eventual destination and process. We are working with several tribal communities on that very issue and the important thing is to make sure they're the ones driving that bus, the official said. The effort is to remain in safer homelands. In Quinault for example, that means the Quinault Indian Nation is moving their community from the Quinault river mouth up several hundred feet of elevation, about a mile away. They're the ones driving it. We're supporting them. White House Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez called the funding unprecedented as part of the Biden-Harris administrations push toward improving climate resilience across the country. The most severe impacts of climate change fall disproportionately on communities that are least able to prepare for and recover from them, Perez said during the press call. The Biden-Harris Administration is making unprecedented investments to ensure Tribal communities have the resources to develop effective community-driven climate resilience strategies. About the Author: "Chesley Oxendine (Lumbee-Cheraw) is an Oklahoma-based reporter for Native News Online and its sister publication, Tribal Business News. His journalism has been featured in the Fort Gibson Times, Muskogee Phoenix, Native Oklahoma Magazine, and elsewhere. \r " Contact: ChezOxendine@idonthaveit.com MURRAY, Utah (ABC4 Utah) 2023 was another record-breaking year for the adult organ transplant programs at Intermountain Health, which helped saved the lives of hundreds of patients in Utah and surrounding states needing a gift often from a stranger. The Intermountain Health Transplant program, based at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, transplanted 414 organs in 2023 thanks to the generosity of donors, their families, and a skilled team of transplant caregivers dedicated to saving and changing lives. Its the fifth consecutive year that the Intermountain Health Transplant Program has performed a record-breaking number of adult transplants. A total of 182 liver, 198 kidney, 30 heart, and 4 kidney/pancreas adult transplants were performed in 2023. Thats a 38 percent increase from 2022, when the team performed 300 transplants. Over the past 38 years, the Intermountain Heart Transplant Program has grown into a national model and is recognized as a center of excellence with high-quality outcomes. This unprecedented growth in our transplant program reflects how our dedicated multidisciplinary team has lived up to our mission of helping as many people live the healthiest lives possible, said Jean Botha, MD, transplant surgeon and medical director of Intermountain Healths abdominal transplant program. The increased number of transplants is evidence that our team of caregivers are making transplantation possible for even the most complex patients with high-quality outcomes. Dr. Botha says these successes motivate the transplant team to play an even bigger role in changing the landscape of organ transplantation across the Mountain West and nationally. The largest increase was in the liver transplant program, which grew from 104 transplants in 2022 to 182 in 2023 and is now ranked ninth in the United States among 126 other transplant programs and does this by having the shortest wait times for organs in the nation. Across the country, 103,000 people are currently on the transplant list, waiting for a kidney, liver, pancreas, heart or lungs. Every nine minutes another person is added to the wait list. In Utah, 885 people are on that waiting list. We are partners in health, collaborating to keep people well, irrespective of where they live, said Richard Gilroy, MD, transplant hepatologist and Intermountain Healths liver transplant medical director. We say, Yes more often and we go to where people are to provide as much high quality of care locally as is possible. However, this is ONLY achieved through relationships with the exceptional teams of clinicians and care givers that exist in the areas that surround us here at IMED. The success of Intermountains transplant program, which serves patients throughout the nation, is also the result of increased innovation, communication, and collaboration with community partners, as well as improved patient processes and education. Its through this collaboration that we grew from a program averaging 36 transplants per year in 2018 to over 180 liver transplants in 2023 to become a top 10, and one of the largest liver transplant programs in the country. And there is no plan to stop providing life-saving opportunities to those in the state of Utah and those in the states around us, said Dr. Gilroy. Its exciting and rewarding to be part of a heart program where we have 100% patient survival rate at three years post-heart transplant, which is one of the best in the country, said Rami Alharethi, MD, medical director of the Intermountain Heart Transplant and Artificial Heart Program at Intermountain Medical Center. Intermountain is also considered a leading program nationally in the Kidney for Life Program transplanting exceptionally well-matched living kidney donors from a national pool. In October, the National Kidney Registry named Intermountain Healths Transplant program as the top Kidney for Life program in the U.S. for successfully matching kidney donors to patients in need of a life-saving kidney transplant using Eplet matching. Using this technology, we are able to provide the best option for our kidney transplant recipients, said Donald Morris, MD, Intermountain Health kidney transplant medical director. When a kidney is well matched, it should last longer with fewer side effects, fewer complications and lower risk for rejection. To learn more about organ donation or register to become an organ donor, go to intermountainhealthcare.org/donatelife. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Daily News Sponsored by Intermountain Health. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. TOKYO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- An earlier report claiming a helicopter of Japan's Self-Defense Force (SDF) had crashed in the mountains of the southwestern prefecture of Oita turned out to be a misidentification, local media reported citing prefectural authorities. Upon receiving the report earlier in the day, the prefectural authorities conducted a thorough search of the related area, but found no evidence of an accident, according to multiple local media outlets, including the regional broadcaster Television Oita. The Joint Staff Office also said it has received no report of an accident after confirming the status of all SDF aircraft. An eyewitness said a grayish aircraft circled to the right before disappearing in Hita, according to the Oita prefecture, which added that a U.S. Navy C-130 transport plane of that color was flying nearby at the time, national news agency Kyodo reported. Since there was no reported accident involving C-130 aircraft, it has been determined the eyewitness was mistaken, reported Kyodo citing the local government. The International and the European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) urged Polish authorities to investigate after two separate instances of Ukrainian journalists being detained in Poland were reported in recent weeks. The IFJ-EFJ issued a joint statement on March 14, detailing what is called "serious attacks on journalists," after Ukrainian journalists from Ukrainska Pravda and Rayon.in.ua were detained and deported from Poland while investigating trade operations. On March 7, Rayon.in.ua editor Yurii Konkevych and cameraman Oleksandr Pyliuk were detained by Polish police at the border with Russia's Kaliningrad enclave while investigating trade with Russia. They were later deported back to Ukraine and banned from entering Schengen zone countries for five years. Rayon.in.ua said that their journalists were investigating the scale of trade on the Russian-Polish border and whether Russian or Polish transport vehicles are used for crossing. After detainment and questioning, Polish authorities deleted the journalist's photos and videos during the detention. Ukrainska Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko were detained on Feb. 27 by Polish police while reporting on the shipments of Russian goods to Poland via Belarus. While being investigated, authorities allegedly denied the Ukrainska Pravda journalists' request to contact the Ukrainian consulate, editorial staff, or relatives. "The IFJ and the EFJ are alarmed by such persistent obstruction of the work of Ukrainian journalists in Poland that poses serious threats to the safety of journalists and the press freedom itself," the joint statement reads. The IFJ-EFJ called on Polish authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the "deliberate obstruction" of journalistic activities through their detainment. The IFJ-EFJ is also asking Poland to reconsider the deportation of Yurii Konkevych and Oleksandr Pyliuk. Read also: Media: Ukrainian journalists deported from Poland after investigating trade with Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Polish fast-fashion clothing and home accessories retailer LPP S.A. had allegedly been faking exit from the Russian market since spring 2022, U.S. investment research firm Hindenburg Research (Hindenburg) said in its investigation published on March 15. LPP S.A. (LPP) is a $8.4 billion fashion retailer based in Poland, one of the largest fashion companies in Central and Eastern Europe. By the end of 2022, it had 553 stores in Russia, one-quarter of its 2,244 stores globally at those times. As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, LPP announced that it plans to distance itself from Russia by divesting its local division. LPP finalized the deal with an unnamed buyer in June 2022. Later, LPP said it sold its Russian assets, namely Re Trading, to the Chinese consortium in a $382 million deal. According to Hindenburg, LPP actually sold its Russian assets to Far East Services, a Dubai-based shell company incorporated a day before the LPP's announcement on reaching an agreement to sell its Russian subsidiary. Read also: Investigation: Italian company makes sure Russian war machine has the steel it needs "It (Far East Services) has no externally verifiable presence, track record in the fashion industry, or apparent associations with China," Hindenburg said. Hindenburg called LPP's activity "a sham," as the investment firm detected accounting manipulations by the Polish retailer. LPP's annual report reads that more than two-thirds of the revenue growth in 2022-23, representing $732 million or 20% of total revenue, came from the "Other" segment, which had never represented more than 2% during the last three years, according to Hindenburg's investigation. "We believe LPP devised an elaborate sham 'divestment' to continue making money in Russia despite the devastating war while trying to deceive investors and consumers in Poland, Ukraine, and its other key markets," Hindenburg said. Hindenburg also said that it sent secret shoppers to Far East Services stores in Moscow and St. Petersburg in December 2023 and found out that almost all the garments they photographed were identical to the collections in LPP's online catalogs in Poland. The codes of Russian in-house products also matched with those in the Polish catalog, Hindenburg added. LPP's shares fell by 24% in the Warsaw stock market after Hindenburg's report was published. Read also: Ukraine Business Roundup March 12 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Lupe Breard holds a yard sale to help get rid of decades of belongings in case she is forced to leave. The 64-year-old faced eviction from the Echo Park house she has lived in for over 60 years. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Lupe Breard remembers coming to live in the Queen Anne Victorian house in Echo Park with her mother and siblings when she was a child. The memory is still vivid decades later, she says, because she didn't want to move there until she saw the chimney and told herself Santa Claus could bring presents down it at Christmas. She'd never had a fireplace before. She has stayed ever since, raising her three children in the historic home and watching as the neighborhood changed from a quiet, under-the-radar community to one where homes routinely sell for well over $1 million. Breard stayed even after her mother died in 2018, leaving the house in her will to three of Breard's older siblings. She stayed after the family estate tried, unsuccessfully, to evict her. And she has continued fighting to stay after the house was sold in 2022 to an investor who wants her and her sister, Sarah Padilla, 73, out. Inside Lupe Breard's Echo Park home, various rooms are filled with decades of belongings that she sought to sell in case she had to leave. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Over the years, Breard, 64, has come to see herself as the guardian of a historic house with an important history. "The Queen of Elysian Heights," as it is now known, is one of the earliest homes built in Echo Park. In the 1960s it was owned by members of the Arechiga family, who moved there after they drew national attention as the final holdouts resisting eviction from their home in Chavez Ravine to make way for Dodger Stadium. "I know that once Im gone itll be impossible to defend it," Breard says. I love that house. I love the walls. I love the staircase. I love walking out on the balcony at night when you can see the stars. I love the brick underneath the house where I used to hide when I was little. The history of the Queen of Elysian Heights is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been built in 1895, around the time when the community was first subdivided. Many locals see the triplex as the cornerstone of a historic neighborhood whose connection to the Arechiga family serves as an important reminder of a dark moment in the city's past. Though it was once stadiums, freeways and city redevelopment that regularly displaced people in Black and Latino neighborhoods, today it is more likely to be gentrification and residential real estate investors. "The house is very special," said Paul Bowers, a resident of the neighborhood who helped petition the city for historic status. "Its the first house in this entire area. And theres something magical about it." A sign hangs in support of Lupe Breard, 64, who faced eviction in Echo Park. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Breard's mother was a waitress at a restaurant near Placita Olvera who stretched her tips to make ends meet. She rented the house for a few years, then bought it in 1975 for $18,500, according to public records. The neighborhood was quiet. You really had to tell people where Echo Park was, Breard says. Breard continued living in the home as an adult and raised her children there alongside her mother. Breard and her older sister, Sarah Padilla, lived in separate units in the triplex at the time of their mother's death in 2018. Soon after, Breard says, she learned that she and another sister had been excluded from their mother's will. The home had been left to Padilla and two other siblings. Their older brother was named executor of the estate. Family representatives of the estate did not respond to phone calls and emails requesting comment. Soon, plans were in motion to sell the house, which over the years had grown to be valued at more than $1 million. Breard says she feared that she would be evicted and the house would be torn down to make room for apartments or condos. She saw it as history repeating itself. She, like the Arechigas, would soon be ripped from her home. "Its not just an apartment you rent. I grew up there. It took part in raising me," she said. Members of the LA Tenants Union were on hand during a recent yard sale to support Lupe Breard, who was facing eviction. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) She began organizing with the LA Tenants Union and along with other supporters worked to file an application to have the property designated a historic-cultural monument with the city planning department, hoping that it would deter a developer from buying the property and tearing it down. The estate framed the moves as stalling tactics meant to keep the house from being sold, according to court records. Breard's supporters circulated a petition calling for a show of community support so that the sisters could remain in the house and for "the rejection of tearing it down for future development projects." When the home went up for auction in the spring of 2022 there were multiple bidders. It sold for a little more than $1.2 million to NELA Development. Padilla, who according to court records refused to cooperate with the sale, received about $290,000 when the estate was settled. "Buyer to be aware that the property will be delivered with its current occupants who are not paying rent," read a notification issued with the sale. Read more: $55,000 to leave a rent-controlled apartment? Why these tenants say no thanks Padilla did not respond to requests for an interview. Representatives for NELA also did not return emails and phone calls requesting comment. The company bills itself on its website as a "family-run real estate and investment company dedicated to preserving and enhancing the many precious neighborhoods that make Los Angeles a special place to live, work and play." Charles Fisher, a historian who prepared the application for the home's historic designation, said the company has been a good caretaker for historic homes in the past. It "has got a fairly good track record in dealing with historic properties," he said. "Theyve bought houses and fixed them up properly." He noted that the company had received an award from the Highland Park Heritage Trust for its work fixing and preserving two local homes. In June 2022, shortly after the company purchased the home, Breard was given a three-day notice to "perform or quit." It said that she had "failed and refused to permit an appraiser or other workmen to enter the property" and gave her three days to do so or face eviction. One month later, the property management company filed an eviction case against her in court, saying she had not complied with the notice. Breard says she was never given the opportunity to comply. In November 2022, with the eviction pending, the home won the historic designation from the city over the new owner's objection. In January, a jury ruled against Breard in the eviction case, setting the stage for sheriff's deputies to soon arrive and lock her out of the house. Not long after, Breard saw a video posted to Facebook by the new owners, with the hashtag #realestateinvesting. "Super excited to announce our first project for 2024," a man says, standing in front of the house, its pastel facade looking worn but stately. This house here in Echo Park is absolutely amazing. Its a Queen Anne Victorian Let us know if you have any questions or if youd like the private viewing of this property. Breard began preparing for the possibility that she would have to leave the home, though she wasn't sure where she would go. She is disabled and cannot work, she said. This month, Breard hosted a yard sale to get rid of many of the possessions that filled the house over the decades. A couple of days later, she got some good news. A new attorney representing her had asked the judge to set aside the jury's decision, arguing, among other issues, that the notice to quit had been defective as it never gave Breard specific instructions on how to fix the alleged lease violation. The judge ruled in her favor, putting an end to the eviction proceeding. After the ruling, Breard said, she went to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and gave thanks at the tomb of St. Vibiana, the city's patron saint. From her perspective, the win was a victory for a city where people without money are constantly being pushed out. "I love Los Angeles, its my home," she said. But "this is happening to so many people. You see people on the street and nobody even looks at them." Despite the win, the home's future is still unclear. Breard's sister still has a pending eviction case. "The Queen of Elysian Heights" is one of the oldest homes in Echo Park. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Lupita Limon Corrales, an organizer with the LA Tenants Union, said a lawyer for the owner reached out to them and raised the possibility of selling the property to a community land trust, which would create a nonprofit that would be responsible for the home. The lawyer did not respond to a request for comment. Corrales said the group is working with the sisters to come up with a proposal that it will present to the company. If it were to happen, it could take a long time, she said. For now, their main focus is helping Padilla win her pending eviction case. 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. Iowa state lawmakers are looking to cut state income taxes again. A new individual income tax bill became law a few years ago. There are three different income tax plans, but only one plan brings it down to zero. Discussions on new plans are expected to begin this year, but lawmakers still several years to figure out if they need it. Todays revenue estimating committee will show if the current income tax plan is on pace with projections and if they can continue. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Iowa continues to lead the nation in puppy mill violations, revealing a truth that local law enforcement has long known: the USDAs ongoing failure to enforce federal law harms animals and burdens local communities. In 2021, the Wayne County Sheriffs Office worked alongside animal welfare organizations to remove hundreds of dogs from a USDA-licensed dog breeding operation, where dogs were kept in horrific conditions. USDA inspectors documented a host of federal animal welfare violations over months but didnt alert local law enforcement until the situation had spiraled out of control. Had the USDA notified local authorities when it first learned the licensee was failing to provide minimum standards of care in violation of federal law, we could have helped hundreds of dogs from unnecessary suffering. The commercial breeder in this case, Daniel Gingerich, racked up nearly 200 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Those welfare violations, long ignored by the USDA, were used by the Wayne County Sheriffs Office to support a criminal case against this licensee. Had local law enforcement not stepped in to press criminal charges, Gingerich would have evaded all accountability. Nearly 170 Samoyeds were removed from a Worth County property, in Manly, in 2018. County officials executed a search warrant after a monthslong investigation into the conditions at the commercial breeder. The ASPCA called it a "puppy mill," and said as many as eight or nine dogs were found in kennels meant for one dog. Since then, the USDA has continued to ignore its authority and obligation to ensure humane care at the facilities it licenses. As a result, thousands of animals are suffering and dying, as cruelty flourishes in Iowa and the federal government keeps local law enforcementand the publicin the dark. Last year, USDA inspectors documented more than 1,000 violations at licensed dog dealer facilities across the country, with over 200 violations in Iowa alone. These violations included sick and injured dogs who were denied access to veterinary care, dogs overheating in high temperatures, living in enclosures too small or in dangerous disrepair, and dogs without access to clean food or water. Despite witnessing this, the USDA took action against only four dog dealers in 2023. Its time for Congress to address this blatant pattern of nonenforcement. Goldies Act (H.R. 1788) named after a golden retriever who died in Gingerichs puppy mill will require the USDA to conduct more thorough inspections, impose penalties for violations, and report suspected cruelty to local law enforcement. Goldies Act has been endorsed by the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and nearly 150 independent organizations including law enforcement (such as the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association), animal control, shelters, and rescues who have come together to urge the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to include the bills protections in the upcoming Farm Bill. U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn of Iowa is championing this bipartisan bill in Congress, and when Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently appeared before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, I was pleased to see Nunn raise the urgent need to pass Goldies Act. Were grateful to Congressman Nunn for representing the best interests of Iowans, and we urge fellow Iowa politicians who sit on the Agriculture Committees that are responsible for writing the Farm Bill, including Rep. Randy Feenstra and Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, to join him in supporting Goldies Act to prevent further animal suffering and protect our communities. Keith Davis Keith Davis is sheriff of Wayne County. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Puppy mill problem in Iowa needs Congress' attention in farm bill WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The Irish prime minister is in Washington this week for what is typically a very amicable visit ahead of St. Patricks Day. But this year, Irelands staunch support of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war is complicating relations, even with President Joe Biden, who speaks often of his Irish heritage. We need to have a ceasefire as soon as possible, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said in the Oval Office Friday. We both know a whole lot more has to be done, President Biden said. Varadkar called for an end to the fighting, the release of the remaining hostages and more humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. A very human tragedy, which I think will haunt us all for years to come, Varadkar said. The Irish leader has been under pressure in his own country to condemn U.S. support of Israels actions in Gaza. Theres a long history of Irish solidarity with the Palestinian people, said Robert McCaw with the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Like President Biden, McCaw is a proud Irish American, but hes also Muslim and said the president should embrace Irelands support of Palestinians. I dont think thats something thats translated across the Atlantic to Biden, McCaw said. I think its really sad and disappointing. During a St. Patricks Day celebration at the U.S. Capitol Friday, President Biden thanked Varadkar for his support of Palestinians in the war. I am deeply grateful for Irelands unwavering humanitarian aid, Biden said. The president promised the U.S. would continue to do its part, too, as Congress still debates whether to send more military aid to Israel and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. No barrier is too thick or too strong for Ireland and the United States to get through, Biden said. The highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.), has grown impatient with Israels response, calling on the country Thursday to hold new elections. Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way, Schumer said. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), criticized Schumers remarks. Its the most irresponsible thing Ive seen yet by a United States senator regarding foreign policy, Graham said. However, President Biden called it a good speech. He expressed a serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans, Biden said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Ireland's leader Leo Varadkar urged Joe Biden to work towards an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza, during a meeting at the White House on Friday. An annual St Patrick's Day tradition, the summit usually focuses on defending Northern Ireland's peace process. Taoiseach Varadkar has faced serious domestic political pressure to raise the ongoing war in Gaza. Mr Biden, who has publicly clashed with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared to agree. Mr Varadkar got a further nod of approval from the president when he suggested a "two state solution was the best way to secure lasting peace and security". While Mr Netanyahu has increasingly opposed a future Palestinian state, Mr Biden has emphasised that any peace settlement must be based on it. For the Taoiseach, who chose his words carefully, President Biden's agreement on his call for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza will feel like mission accomplished. His efforts also come at a significant political moment in Washington. While the US remains Israel's closest ally and biggest provider of military aid, concerns have been mounting within the Biden administration and among some members of his own party over Israel's handling of the war. On Thursday, Chuck Schumer - the top Democrat in the Senate - called for fresh elections in Israel, saying that Mr Netanyahu was prioritising his "political survival" above the needs of the country. Israel's leaders were quick to reproach the senator, with Mr Netanyahu's Likud party saying Israel is not a "banana republic" and that the prime minister's policies are "supported by a large majority". Asked about the comments in the Oval Office on Friday, Mr Biden admitted that Mr Schumer had informed the White House of his intentions ahead of the speech, and said the Senate leader had "expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but many Americans". Ahead of the summit Mr Varadkar had faced significant pressure from opposition parties in Ireland to raise the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 30,000 people have now been killed, according to the Hamas run health ministry. Recent polling in the Ireland showed overwhelming discomfort with Israel's approach to the conflict, with 61% of people saying it should face EU sanctions over its actions in Gaza. There have also been mounting tensions with Israel's ambassador in Dublin, Dana Erlich, after she accused President Michael D Higgins of making "inflammatory" comments about the conflict. Despite pushing Mr Biden at the White House on Friday, the Taoiseach still faced criticism from some opposition parties for not going further in his comments. Paul Murphy, a lawmaker with the left-wing People Before Profit party, sarcastically wrote: "Varadkar clearly really put it to him if Biden felt able to agree." Ireland has long been one of the most pro-Palestinian voices in the West, informed broadly by the country's colonial history where it was controlled by Britain. Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, a lecturer of History at Trinity College Dublin, said the country's experience "shaped how people from Ireland engage with post-colonial conflicts". She noted that street murals recently painted in Belfast illustrated the feeling of solidarity that people there feel with the ongoing struggle. While many may "see the conflict through the prism of Northern Ireland", she added, "this does not mean that Catholics are anti-Zionists and Protestants anti-Palestinian". SYDNEY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The fire authority in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) on Friday expressed concern over the rising rate of lithium-ion battery fires as crews responded to four separate incidents in one single day. In one of the incidents all reported on Thursday, an e-bike caught fire at Bankstown in Sydney's southwest on the morning, with residents evacuated. The cases also included a fire in an electric vehicle charging station at Berkeley, a suburb of Wollongong on the state's Central Coast. According to Fire and Rescue NSW, there have been 63 lithium-ion battery fires reported so far this year, at a rate of 5.7 blazes a week. Seven people have been injured in the fires. Last year saw 72 lithium-ion battery-related fires in total, at a rate of 5.2 per week. At least 20 Palestinians died as they waited for humanitarian aid in Gaza City on Thursday, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Ministry of Health, a tragic incident that set off competing accounts from Hamas and Israel over how they were killed. The Ministry of Health said the Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces Thursday night while waiting for aid distribution. Another 155 were injured in the incident, according to the latest update from the health officials. What happened at the Kuwaiti roundabout points to hidden intentions of the occupation to commit a new, horrible massacre, the Hamas-run organization wrote in a statement shared on Facebook. In a statement shared on pro-Iranian Telegram channels, Hamas said more than 30 civilians were killed by Israeli forces, and 23 had reached hospitals. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rejected the reports that troops opened fire on Palestinians waiting for aid. As the IDF assesses the incident with the thoroughness that it deserves, we urge the media to do the same and rely on credible information, the military posted on Telegram. Israeli spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Palestinian gunmen opened fire near Gazan citizens an hour before a humanitarian aid convoy approached. The IDF continues its investigations into what happened, while intensifying its efforts to bring humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, he wrote in a tweet, at a time when Hamas terrorists are harming the residents of Gaza and spreading their lies in order to place the blame on the State of Israel. The tragic deaths underscore the spiraling humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. In late February, more than 100 Palestinians also died in a scramble for aid in Gaza City. That incident, too, saw competing accounts, with Hamas and Palestinians accusing Israel of opening fire and Israeli officials blaming an aggressive crowd for trampling on one another. The latest deaths come on top of a mounting death toll in Gaza, where more than 31,000 people have reportedly died since the war began in October. Israel has resisted calls for a cease-fire and is pressing on to completely destroy Hamas in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took about another 250 hostages, approximately 100 of whom are still being held in Gaza. The United Nations is now warning of famine in Gaza as humanitarian aid trickles in at a far slower pace than what was entering the coastal strip before the war. The Biden administration is airdropping aid into Gaza and is planning to construct a pier off the coast to facilitate the delivery of more food and water, but that effort will take up to two months, according to the Pentagon. The situation has led to growing concerns in the U.S., particularly among Democrats, who want to see more aid and assistance for Palestinians. But the Biden administration and most Democrats have avoided calls for a permanent cease-fire, even as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week and called for new elections in Israel when the time is right. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON Americans are growing more sympathetic to Palestinians and want President Joe Biden to do more to improve humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip as death, hunger and disease spread through the region after five months of the Israel-Hamas war. Nearly half of American voters, 45%, believe Biden should pressure Israel to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, an exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll shows. What is going on there is deplorable, said Jana Pender, 67, a retired casino housekeeping worker from Detroit. Children are dying. Though young voters have long agreed that Biden should do whatever it takes to ensure a cease-fire, the poll shows a growing consensus even among older Americans that Biden needs to do more. Forty-nine percent voters ages 18 to 34 said Biden needs to put more pressure on Israel to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as did 48% of those ages 35 to 49. The percentages were only slightly smaller among older Americans (41% of those 50 to 64 and 43% of those 65 and older). Views that Biden should do more to help the Palestinians are more widespread among Democrats (69%) and those who identify as independent/other (49%). Just 18% of Republicans share that belief. The poll is the most recent to signal growing support for Palestinians. Taken together, the polls could suggest the beginning of a more widespread shift in attitudes about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which could have implications for Biden in this years presidential election given his longstanding support for Israel. I think these polls are picking up that theres an ongoing crisis in Gaza and that there needs to be a cease-fire before more people, more civilians, die, said Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. Kamarck, who has studied the generation gap in American views toward Israel, said there were subtle signs attitudes were shifting even before the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing nearly 1,200 people and triggering the war. The change wasnt huge, she said, but constant news coverage of the latest conflict has kept the conflict at the front of Americans minds. The way this war has been prosecuted is obviously causing great damage to Israels reputation, she said. Humanitarian crisis: Gaza's dwindling water, electricity supply could turn hospitals into 'morgues' Displaced Palestinians collect food donated by a charity before an iftar meal, the breaking of the fast, on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war. Conditions in Gaza have deteriorated badly after five months of intense bombing by Israel. The United States and Jordan have been airdropping food and other supplies amid reports of widespread starvation. The U.S. is also launching an emergency mission to establish a port on the Gaza coast that can receive large shipments of humanitarian aid. Matt Williams, vice president of antisemitism research for the Anti-Defamation League, cautioned against interpreting the most recent poll results as a sign that public opinion is becoming more favorable toward Palestinians. The ADL, which works to combat antisemitism and extremism, has conducted multiple polls since the latest conflict began and hasnt seen much overall change in attitudes toward Israel or the Palestinian people, Williams said. We still find, for example, relatively high support in the U.S. population for a two-state solution across the different demographic groups, he said. We still find relatively high support for Israels right to defend itself. And we also find relatively high concern for Palestinian civilians. A war with no walls: Inside the devastating impact of Israel-Hamas war around the globe Sarah Sabornie, 71, a retired nurse from Cary, North Carolina, is among those who believe that Israel should be supported but that more humanitarian aid must go to Palestinians in Gaza. Theyre trying very hard to reach the people that are starving, that need medical help, Sabornie said. But the complexities of the Israeli-Hamas situation and everybody that's suffering in both Israel and in Gaza the waters get a little bit muddied at times. Matt Williams, 30, a middle and high school teacher from Sydney, New York, said Biden is in a tough situation. Hes kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place, said Williams, who is not related to the ADL researcher. Obviously, its horrible whats happening to the Palestinian civilians. But at the same time, you have Hamas using them, even the Palestinian people, essentially as shields. Regarding the United States' relationship with Israel, 34% of voters in the USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll said Biden should do more to support Israels security. The highest percentage of voters who held that view (41%) was those between ages 50 to 64. Just 26% of those ages 18 to 34 agreed. The belief that more should be done to support Israel is highest among Republicans (60%). Just 18% of Democrats and 24% of independents/others expressed that view. Williams, the teacher from New York, said that while humanitarian assistance is needed in Gaza, Hamas has taken some of the aid that has been sent into the area. Its kind of hard to keep giving them aid if we know some of this aid might go to the wrong people, he said. I think our best avenue of approach for that would be working with the Israeli government to try to get them to stop bombing kids. Craig Richey, 62, a film and television composer in Los Angeles, said Israel made a huge, huge mistake in responding the way that it did to the Hamas attacks. Though there is no defense for Hamas attack on Israel, he said, you cant just go and carpet-bomb and wipe out basically that whole area. The decimation is horrible, Richey said, and I think Israel has done more harm to its future relationship with the Palestinians by its actions. 'Bone-deep sense of betrayal': Arab Americans want Joe Biden defeated in 2024 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amid Israel-Hamas war, Americans want Biden to ease Gazan crisis: Poll Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (L) visits the troops participating in Gaza Strip and made a situation assessment with the commanders in Rafah. Aeriel Hermoni/GPO/dpa Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed to use US weapons only in accordance with international law, in a letter to the US government, his spokeswoman said on Friday. However, she added that this was a requirement that applied to several US allies, not just Israel. Her comments came after the Jerusalem Post reported on the letter, citing Israeli and US representatives. The newspaper also reported Gallant agreed to allow the import of humanitarian aid with US support into the Gaza Strip "without disruption." The letter comes after US President Joe Biden's administration approved a new national security memorandum in February. It does not refer specifically to Israel, though it came after pressure from Democratic senators concerned about the use of US weapons in the Gaza war. The US asked Israel to send the letter by mid-March. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken should now inform Congress by March 25 whether the commitments provided by Israel are reliable. Otherwise, further US weapons supplies to Israel could be delayed, the newspaper wrote. Israel is exploring using international private security contractors to protect humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza, according to one former and two current U.S. officials. Israeli officials have broached the idea in recent weeks with senior officials from the Biden administration, which is shipping the components of a floating dock to Gaza so it can deliver aid by sea. Some U.S. officials are reluctant, however, to have American troops or security contractors on the ground in Gaza, the officials said, and are especially wary of having Americans provide armed security. The officials said the Israeli government has approached several security companies already, but declined to specify which ones. The Israelis also brought up having other countries pay the hefty costs of the contractors, the officials said. The Israeli government declined to comment. The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Truck deliveries continue to be the most efficient way to get large amounts of aid into Gaza, according to a senior administration official. The Biden administration has focused on getting land routes open, but the IDF has not allowed in as many trucks as the U.S. wants. The distribution of aid in northern Gaza has also been hampered by the collapse of law and order. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month that during a recent visit to the region he saw 2,500 aid trucks held up outside the gates, waiting to bring supplies to Gaza. Just before President Joe Biden's State of the Union speech last week, the White House announced that the U.S. would provide a maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. But the announcement caught many military officials by surprise, according to three U.S. military officials, and one week after the announcement the Pentagon still does not have a full plan for how the U.S. operation will be carried out, including details on who will provide security on the shore. The general plan is that over about 60 days, more than 1,000 U.S. troops and civilian personnel will set up a floating dock and portable pier system that will be anchored to the shore in Gaza. Then they will ferry food and aid to shore on small boats, without actually setting foot on shore, according to the Pentagon. Once in place, this system could deliver as many as 2 million meals to Palestinian civilians every day. The Biden administration has told the Israeli government that it expects the Israelis to provide security for the temporary U.S. military pier, but defense officials say the plan for security on the shore is still a work in progress. The Pentagon insists the U.S. military will not have boots on the ground in Gaza for security and is talking to other U.S. allies in the region about roles they can play. The Israelis will also inspect the aid in Cyprus before it goes to the floating dock, the officials said. It will likely be inspected a second time before being loaded onto Army boats to travel to the pier, according to U.S. military officials. The Biden administration expects the Israelis to provide some broad perimeter security and to deconflict Israeli military operations near the shore, but the U.S. expects to call on other allies to help as well, the U.S. officials said. At least one scenario has soldiers moving the aid along the pier without being armed, but instead having armed cover from security forces in boats, according to two U.S. defense officials. The use of private contractors to provide security during U.S. government operations has repeatedly sparked controversy. Private security contractors working for the U.S. government were accused of shooting civilians or using excessive force in several incidents in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2007, contractors working for Blackwater who were protecting a State Department convoy fired on a crowd in Baghdads Nisour Square. Seventeen civilians died. Four contractors were convicted in U.S. courts on charges related to the deaths, but were later pardoned by President Donald Trump. Who will hand out the food? Another unanswered question is who would distribute the aid to the Palestinian civilians once it is ashore. The U.N. has warned that a quarter of Gazas 2.2 million residents are on the brink of famine. The hunger crisis is concentrated in the north of the Gaza Strip, and when aid appears, large crowds gather. Aid delivery trucks have been looted repeatedly by desperate people or criminal gangs, according to both the U.N. and Israel. In the early hours of Feb. 29, a hungry crowd rushed an aid convoy of 30 trucks in Gaza City that had been arranged by a Palestinian businessman. The convoy was guarded by Israeli tanks. Accounts differ as to what happened next. Witnesses said civilians were killed by Israeli gunfire and tank artillery shells. The military said most of those killed and injured were trampled or run over in the chaos. Gazan health authorities said that more than 100 people died and hundreds more were injured. U.S. officials said they will not be directly involved in the distribution. A senior administration official said its hard to imagine a large-scale distribution without the involvement of United Nations agencies like the World Food Program and U.N. Relief and Works Agency, known as UNWRA, adding that the most effective distribution in Gaza has been by the U.N. There could be a role for American and international nongovernmental organizations as well, the official said. The U.S. is also considering using Palestinian security providers in Gaza to help with aid distribution, according to two U.S. officials. They would not elaborate on who these providers are, other than to say there are groups and factions in Gaza that are separate from Hamas and could help. The officials do not expect Hamas would be directly involved in distribution and said the hope is that using multiple partners would send a message to Hamas not to interfere with the aid. After a few months, the U.S. expects to hand off the maritime humanitarian mission to commercial companies, the two U.S. officials said, explaining that this is beginning as an emergency operation but can be sustained by civilian companies over time. For now, the European Union, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States will be involved in various aspects of the maritime effort, including inspections, financial commitments, construction and continued flow of deliveries once the port is built, the officials said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A general view over the Gaza Strip as seen from the Israeli side of the border on Jan. 8, 2024, in Southern Israel. Israel extended its ground offensive into densely populated neighborhoods in the central part of the territory, forcing a fresh wave of displacement to south. Photo by Amir Levy | Getty Images The October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel was a savage act of brutality, a harrowing echo of the Holocaust and the countless, murderous pogroms that have stalked the Jewish people for millennia. Absolute evil was on grim display that day. But just five months after the attack, the world has begun to lose sight of Hamas epic act of brutality as we bear witness to the punishing war being waged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The manner in which Netanyahu has prosecuted his nations retaliation against Palestine backed by U.S.-made weaponry and intelligence has morphed from a righteous pursuit for justice into a reckless crusade for revenge. As a result, October 7 is fast becoming a historical footnote thats led many around the world to forget, or at least minimize, the racist massacre that day of 1,200 innocent Israeli men, women and children. That attack was sickening. And even more revolting was the calculated decision by Hamas to celebrate its vicious assault by recording and live-streaming the chaotic murder spree as it unfolded. Hamas and its abettors deserve to be punished, and, yes, vanquished from the worlds stage. They are no more freedom fighters than the terrorists who slaughtered nearly 3,000 Americans on September 11. But Netanyahus scorched-earth approach to the war is grossly misdirected. The killing so far of more than 30,000 Palestinians in response for the rape, murder and in some cases dismemberment of 1,200 Israelis is not justice but sheer cruelty. Tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians, more than a third of them children, have been killed or wounded by Israeli forces since the war began. Entire neighborhoods have been flattened. The enclaves hospital system has been all but destroyed. Millions have been driven from their homes, unable to escape the endless bombardment by Israel because of its sealed borders. People are starving and dying of preventable disease, and human rights groups say widespread famine is virtually inevitable. All of this after decades of a military occupation and what former President Jimmy Carter called a policy of de-facto apartheid by successive Israeli governments that have ruled Palestine as an open-air prison. Yes, there is a measure of wisdom and justice in the Biblical call for an eye for an eye, but the war by Israel has gone far beyond a quest for justice. The killing so far of more than 30,000 Palestinians in response for the rape, murder and in some cases dismemberment of 1,200 Israelis, nearly all of them Jewish, is not justice but sheer cruelty. Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 demanded that Israel strike back hard, but the Palestinian people do not deserve to be collectively punished for the crimes of Hamas. Its time to end the war. Its time to end the slaughter. Netanyahus war has become an immoral, politically self-serving, deliberate crime against humanity. By pressing a policy of unchecked revenge, Israel is winning the war but losing the battle for public opinion and earning the moral condemnation of history. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Israel is winning the war but losing the battle for public opinion appeared first on Arizona Mirror. General view of tents in which displaced Palestinians take refuge in, next to the Egyptian border with the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa The Israeli army will make sure civilians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip are brought to safety if the military carries out an operation there, an army spokesman said on Friday. Spokesman Arye Shalicar said that leaders of Hamas were suspected to be in the city on the border with Egypt, along with many remaining fighters from the Islamist terrorist group. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said on Thursday that Israel would advance on Rafah despite international pressure. Israel's war against Hamas, which began following Hamas-led massacres in Israel on October 7, started with airstrikes on Gaza and then a ground offensive in the north of the coastal territory. The Israeli army then moved southwards in an attempt to eliminate Hamas completely. From Israel's point of view, victory over Hamas is not possible without an operation in Rafah, which lies on the border with Egypt. Leading international politicians are strictly opposed to such a military offensive by Israel. According to estimates, 1.5 million Palestinians are currently seeking shelter in Rafah after fleeing the fighting in the other areas of the Gaza Strip. Aid organizations warn that the civilian loss of life would be unacceptably high. Shalicar said that in the event of an operation in Rafah, the civilians would be evacuated to safer places such as the al-Mawasi camp. "That is what we have been doing in recent months and that is exactly how we would operate when it comes to Rafah," he said. The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 left more than 1,200 people in the Israeli border area dead, and some 250 kidnapped. According to the Hamas health authority, more than 31,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks and fighting in the Gaza Strip since then. The figures from the war zone could not be independently verified. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on an aid warehouse, in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's military said armed Palestinians had opened fire while crowds were waiting for aid trucks in the northern Gaza Strip and denied soldiers fired at the convoy, defending its actions in an incident on Thursday in which Gaza officials said 21 people were killed. The incident echoed a similar incident at the end of February when scores of Palestinians were killed waiting for food trucks in the northern part of Gaza, which has been largely cut off from aid supplies as Israel's five-month-old military campaign to eliminate Hamas grinds on. The health ministry in Gaza blamed Israeli gunfire for the deaths at the Kuwait roundabout on Thursday and said another eight people were killed by an airstrike in a separate incident in the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli army said on Friday it had conducted an initial investigation and concluded that its troops had not opened fire. "A review of our operational systems and IDF forces on the ground found that no tank fire, air-strike or gunfire was carried out toward the Gazan civilians at the aid convoy," it said in a statement. Palestinian gunmen had been firing as people took aid off the trucks and several civilians were also run over by the trucks, it said. Such incidents have underscored the chaotic conditions in which aid is arriving in Gaza and have increased pressure on Israel to get more humanitarian supplies into the besieged enclave, now largely in ruins. The military said it was continuing to review the incident but accused Hamas, the Islamist movement that controlled Gaza, of what it called a "smear campaign" aimed at blaming Israel for killing people waiting for aid. Israel has rejected accusations from foreign governments and aid agencies that it has hindered the flow of food and other supplies to the enclave's 2.3 million people and caused a growing risk of famine. The Israeli military said this week it plans to "flood Gaza" with aid through different channels. It blames international aid groups for failing to deliver aid and says it has started arranging deliveries with local private contractors. It said the aid the crowds were waiting for on Thursday came in a convoy of 31 trucks intended for distribution in the northern Gaza Strip, which was the first area hit in its offensive and where an estimated 250,000-300,000 people are living amid the ruins. (Reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Frances Kerry) In response to limited raids from Ukrainian territory into Russian border regions, the Kremlin may have to choose between paying a cost in resources or in reputation, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed in their daily report on March 14. In recent days, multiple pro-Ukrainian military units comprised of Russian citizens have crossed into Belgorod and Kursk oblasts. The Freedom of Russia Legion and Siberian Battalion conducted combat operations, taking control of Tyotkino, in Russia's Kursk Oblast, and Lozovaya Rudka, in Belgorod Oblast. Oleksii Baranovskyi, a fighter with the Freedom of Russia Legion, said on March 13 that fighting is still ongoing in five settlements near the Ukrainian border. The ISW notes that these raids have played a role in heightened criticisms from Russian nationalists against the Kremlin, for failures to adequately protect Russian citizens living in border towns. As a result, the Kremlin may either respond to the criticism and allocate extra barricades and border security forces, or choose to keep the majority of military equipment and personnel in Ukraine to conserve resources. Though the Kremlin's reputation is a factor, the ISW predicts the reputation damage will be much lower in 2024 than in 2023 due to increased censorship in Russia. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, many new laws have been introduced regarding war criticism of any manner, with arrests possible for up to 15 years for spreading "fake news" about the military or government. Following Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's rebellion against Putin in June 2023, "the Kremlin has cracked down on the Russian information space's complaints against the (Russian Defense Ministry), actively censoring certain fringe and extreme milbloggers through arrests or other measures." Read also: What do we know about the Siberian Battalion that reportedly crossed into Russia? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. In the end, the prosecution got them all son, mother and father the three key figures in a 2021 mass school shooting that cost four students their lives, heightened awareness about parental responsibility and proper gun storage, and made history in the world of American jurisprudence. On Thursday, an Oakland County jury found James Crumbley guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter, making him the second parent in America to be held criminally responsible for a mass school shooting carried out by their son. The first was his wife. Separate juries held both James and Jennifer Crumbley responsible for the deaths of four students who were murdered by their son in the 2021 Oxford High School mass shooting: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. James Crumbley sits with his attorney Mariell Lehman in the Oakland County courtroom of Cheryl Matthews on Thursday, March, 14, 2024 before he was convicted on all four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Crumbley was tried on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the four students killed in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting perpetrated by his son Ethan Crumbley. Victims' families continue quest for accountability The 15-year-old shooter carried out his rampage using a gun that his father had purchased him as an early Christmas gift a detail that sent shockwaves across the world and planted a bull's-eye on America's gun culture, with child-safety advocates demanding change. Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to the murders and other charges, including his injuring seven other people, and is serving life in prison without parole. The victims' families are still reeling. For them, the guilty verdicts against the Crumbleys are a step toward justice, they say, but more accountability and change are still needed, especially when it comes to holding school officials responsible for mass shootings. While we are grateful that James and Jennifer Crumbley were found guilty, we want to be very clear that this is just the beginning of our quest for justice and true accountability, the families of the four slain students said in a joint statement after the verdict came down. There is so much more that needs to be done to ensure other families in Michigan and across the country dont experience the pain that we feel and we will not stop until real change is made. The courtroom was silent as the jury foreman, a grandfather of three who grew up around guns in the Upper Peninsula and works for a trash company, stood to announce the verdicts. As he read the verdicts, sighs of relief could be heard by the victims' families. Madisyn's mom dropped her head and cried. Nicole Beausoleil, mother of Madisyn Baldwin, reacts to the guilty verdicts handed to James Crumbley in the Oakland County courtroom of Cheryl Matthews on Thursday, March, 14, 2024. Crumbley was tried on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the four students killed in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting perpetrated by his son Ethan Crumbley. James Crumbley showed no emotion other than shaking his head side to side as each of the four guilty verdicts was read. Defense attorney Mariell Lehman provided a statement to the Free Press: "We have maintained since November 30, 2021, that James did not know that his son could or would harm anyone or that he had obtained the means to do so. James feels terrible about what happened that day to Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Justin Shilling and the many others affected. We are obviously disappointed with the outcome and also understand that the jury had a very difficult task in front of them. After jurors left the courthouse, they were escorted to their cars by sheriff's deputies. None wanted to discuss their verdict. Parents want accountability from school Craig Shilling, father of slain Justin Shilling, hugs Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald after James Crumbley was found guilty on all four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the Oakland County courtroom of Cheryl Matthews on Thursday, March, 14, 2024. Crumbley was tried on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the four students killed in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting perpetrated by his son Ethan Crumbley. Following the verdict, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald stressed that the parents of the victims are still grieving and demanding change. "This verdict does not bring back their children, but it does mark a moment in accountability," McDonald said as she once again blamed the Crumbleys for the deaths of four students. "These parents could have prevented this tragedy ... with just the smallest of efforts." Oxford High School students Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Tate Myre, 16, at top, and Justin Shilling, 17, and Hana St. Juliana, 14, were killed in a school shooting on Nov. 30. Parents of the victims, appearing at a news conference with McDonald, embraced the verdicts, but shifted their focus on their next challenge: holding the school accountable. The school faces lawsuits over decisions that day that allowed the gunman to stay in school after meeting with a counselor, the dean of students and his parents over a disturbing drawing on a math worksheet. "Weve taken care of three legs of November 30 but theres still a fourth leg, and thats the school," said Buck Myre, whose son Tate died in the shooting. "Its time for the school to pony up. Its time to break up that administration country club and its time for change. Weve got four kids here dead, and no one wants to take accountability. That needs to start tomorrow." Nicole Beausoleil, who lost her daughter Madisyn in the massacre, agreed. We need to start focusing on the school, Beausoleil said. The school and its failures. The things they dont want to admit to. They are going to see these families rise up against it and we will be here fighting every second for our children. The debate about whose gun it was and how it was stored His obsession with the Sig Sauer 9mm played especially prominent in his dad's case. But the gun purchase itself turned into a controversial issue as the prosecution maintained it was a gift for the minor child and easily accessible, while the defense claimed it wasn't really a gift, but more like a car given to a teenager. The gun actually belonged to the dad, the defense argued, was only to be used with the dad at a shooting range and was hidden in a bedroom armoire, unloaded, with the bullets tucked in a separate drawer. Lehman said in her closing argument: "If it really was his gun, why was it hidden in James' bedroom?" She also asked jurors to consider this entry in the shooters journal: "I will have to find where my dad hid my 9 mm before I can shoot (up) the school." In the end, the jury went with the prosecution's theory: that James Crumbley bought his troubled son a gun instead of getting him help, didn't secure it properly, didn't put a cable lock on it and never told school officials about that gun at a pivotal meeting where he learned about his son's disturbing drawing of a gun, along with the words, "The thoughts won't stop. Help me." This drawing is an exhibit from a filing by the Oakland County Prosecutors Office in the case of James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Oxford High School shooting suspect Ethan Crumbley. Prosecutors say Ethan made the drawing prior to the shooting. The Crumbleys, who were summoned to the school over that drawing, returned to their jobs after meeting with two school officials and their son, vowing to get him help within 48 hours. Their son returned to class. Two hours later, he fired his first shot. 'Even the smallest of things' "James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did. He's on trial for what he did and didn't do," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald told jurors in her closing argument, maintaining the father could have taken tragically small measures to prevent the tragedy, but did nothing. "Remember that he didn't just fail in his duty to his son he failed in his duty to protect Hana, and Justin and Madisyn and Tate," McDonald said. "And that is why we are here. Because if James Crumbley had done even the smallest of things, like the 10-second cable lock or gone home or took responsibility for his kid who was in trouble, those kids wouldn't have been shot and killed in that school on that day." Besides the four students murdered, seven other people were wounded, including teacher Molly Darnell, who testified against both parents, telling jurors through tears how she came eye to eye with the gunman before he fired through her classroom door, striking her in the arm. She texted her husband: "I love you. Active shooter." The prosecution built its unprecedented case against the parents on journal entries by their son, text messages the boy sent to his mom and friend eight months before the massacre, social media posts by the boy and his mom, and interviews with dozens of police officials and shooting witnesses. It also showed both juries the horrifying video of the shooting itself, which brought multiple jurors to tears, some holding their hands over their mouths. The defense tried to keep the shooting video out, arguing it was unfairly prejudicial and only inflamed the passions of the jury. It maintained the parents case had nothing to do with what happened inside the school building, but outside the building and before the massacre. But the judge let it in. And it had impact if the verdicts and tears are any indication. We want to hear from you: Submit a letter to the editor on the Crumbley verdict During the father's trial, the prosecution and defense hammered away at the same themes they did in the wife's case, with one side maintaining Crumbley was a careless, negligent father who bought a troubled son a gun and failed to secure it, while the other side maintained the dad never saw any signs that his son was mentally ill or would ever harm someone, and that the gun was secured. In closing arguments, Lehman acknowledged the horrors that occurred on Nov. 30, 2021 that lives were tragically ended and other lives ruined. But she maintained that the case against the father was one of hindsight and second-guessing. "The prosecution is asking you to second-guess the decisions" of James Crumbley, Lehman said, maintaining that no one who met with the shooter in the hours before the massacre could have predicted what was going to happen. "As (school counselor) Shawn Hopkins told you, 'It's easy to look at things in hindsight,' " she said, referring to the counselor who concluded shortly before the massacre that the shooter posed no threat, despite Hopkins getting five alerts from teachers within 24 hours of the shooting about the teen showing troubling behavior. The school officials didn't think he was a danger, she stressed, and neither did the boy's father. "You saw no evidence that James Crumbley had any knowledge that his son was a danger to anyone, Lehman said. Still, the prosecution wants you to find that James could foresee that his son was a danger to others."Lehman stressed repeatedly: "He had no idea what his son was planning to do In fact, no one that interacted with James Crumbley's son on November 30th of 2021 knew what was going to happen a short time later. No one." The jury disagreed. Here are key pieces of evidence the prosecution showed jurors at James Crumbleys trial: On Nov. 26, 2021, James Crumbley and his son went to an Oxford gun store and bought a Sig Sauer 9mm semiautomatic pistol. Two entries in the sons journal mentioned this gun: All I need is my 9 mm pistol, which Im currently begging my dad for. Another journal entry reads: "First off, I got my gun. It's a Sig Sauer The shooting is tomorrow. I have access to the gun and ammo." On the same day of the gun purchase, the son posted a photo of the weapon on Instagram, writing: Just got my new beauty today. SIG SAUER 9mm." On the morning before the school shooting, Ethan Crumbley drew on his geometry worksheet a picture of a gun, a human body bleeding, and the words: My life is useless Blood everywhere The thoughts wont stop. Help me." Entries in the teens journal indicated he was mentally struggling and begging for help., such as: "I have zero help for my mental problems, and it's causing me to shoot up the f----- school." "I want help, but my parents won't listen to me, so I can't get any help." "My parents won't listen to me about help or a therapist." A text the shooter sent to his friend seven months before the shooting: "I actually asked my dad to take me to the doctor the other day, and he just gave me some pills and said to 'suck it up.' " The drawing of the gun was discussed heavily at trial, as prosecutors argued the Crumbleys could have and should have brought their son home from school that day after seeing the alarming "Help me" message. But their jobs were more important than their son, they argued as they scoffed at James Crumbleys claim that he did not know his son was in severe mental distress. TV crews wait for a verdict in the four involuntary manslaughter cases against James Crumbley at the Oakland County Courthouse on Thursday, March, 14, 2024. Craig Shilling, back right, father of Justin Shilling, who was killed in November of 2021 when Crumbley's son Ethan shot and killed four students, is being interviewed in the hallway. "Use common sense," McDonald urged jurors. "It doesn't make any sense to stand here and say someone had no idea that he needed help when he saw on a page, 'Help me.' " Lehman sought to explain why James Crumbley didn't bring his son home that day, saying the professionals at school wanted the boy to see someone so that his sadness wouldn't get worse, "not that 'he had to see someone right now. It's an emergency. He has to see someone right now.' That's not what was said." The defense argued James Crumbley did not know what was in the journal. It could not challenge the allegations in the journal because the son refused to testify. "If James knew what was in that journal, the prosecution would have told you that. If James knew that his son had gained access to his firearms, the prosecution would have told you that. You definitely would have seen it.""But you didn't, because James didn't know," Lehman said, stressing that "can be your reasonable doubt." But the jury had no doubts. James Crumbley, like his wife, faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced. James Crumbley's wife, Jennifer, was convicted on Feb. 6 following a two-week trial that portrayed her as a selfish and philandering mother who spent more time on her horse hobby than with her son, ignored the teens mental health needs and supported his obsession with guns. Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: James Crumbley guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Oxford shooting A girl plays near an artwork on Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Australia, March 13, 2024. The 20th "Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe" is held here from March 1 to March 18 this year. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows an artwork on Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Australia. The 20th "Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe" is held here from March 1 to March 18 this year. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows an artwork on Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Australia. The 20th "Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe" is held here from March 1 to March 18 this year. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows an artwork on Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Australia. The 20th "Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe" is held here from March 1 to March 18 this year. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows an artwork on Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Australia. The 20th "Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe" is held here from March 1 to March 18 this year. (Photo by Zhou Dan/Xinhua) PONTIAC, Mich. A jury on Thursday convicted James Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in connection with his teenage sons deadly school shooting in 2021, in step with his wife, who was found guilty last month on the same charge. The jury's decision after about 10 hours of deliberations caps a landmark case that for the first time in the U.S. held the parents of a mass school shooter criminally responsible. James and Jennifer Crumbleys son, Ethan, who was 15 when he opened fire at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit, pleaded guilty as an adult and was sentenced in December to life in prison without the possibility of parole. "These were egregious facts in this case. These parents could have prevented this tragedy. It was foreseeable," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said after the verdict. "With just the smallest of efforts, they could have prevented this shooting and saved these kids lives," she said. James Crumbley, 47, faces up to 15 years in prison per the four counts of involuntary manslaughter, each one representing a murdered student. Jennifer Crumbley, 45, will be sentenced in April. Prosecutors said James Crumbley had bought Ethan a 9 mm Sig Sauer as a gift a day after Thanksgiving, at a difficult time in his son's life when he was struggling emotionally because his best friend had moved away. Crumbley is not accused of knowing about the attack beforehand, which his son had warned about in journal entries. His attorney, Mariell Lehman, said after the verdict that James Crumbley "did not know that his son could or would harm anyone or that he had obtained the means to do so. James feels terrible about what happened that day to Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Justin Shilling, and the many others affected." Parents of the four children killed spoke after the guilty verdict and said no other parent should have to go through what they have. We can put people on the moon, we can build skyscrapers, huge monuments like the Hoover Dam and we cant keep our kids safe in schools, Steve St. Juliana, the father of Hana, said. I think people just need to wake up and take action. Stop accepting the excuses. Some of the parents also said the school failed their children, and called for change in leadership. An attorney for Jennifer Crumbley, Shannon Smith, declined to comment after Thursday's verdict. We believe the victims, their families, and the community need and deserve the space and time to begin healing from this tragedy," Smith said. While the cases against the husband and wife largely mirrored each other with many of the same witnesses testifying in both trials prosecutors did not delve as deeply into James Crumbley's social and work life. Testimony took less than a week, and Crumbley did not take the stand in his own defense, like Jennifer Crumbley had. His actions in the lead-up to and the day of the shooting played a vital role. School staff testified that the Crumbleys were called to Oxford High that morning about a drawing made by their son depicting a gun and a person shot. The parents didn't tell school officials he had access to a weapon and said they couldnt take him back home that day, saying they had work. A computer crimes expert testified that James Crumbley had not begun his DoorDash delivery job until after the meeting and that when he started taking orders, he drove by the family's home four times with the prosecution suggesting he had the opportunity to check on the gun and ensure it was safely secured. Crumbley later told investigators he hid the 9 mm handgun in an armoire and placed the ammunition underneath jeans in another drawer. Ethan Crumbley would go on to kill four students: Justin Shilling; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; and Hana St. Juliana, 14. During closing arguments Wednesday, McDonald, the prosecutor, said the deaths were "preventable and foreseeable" if Crumbley had done any number of "tragically small efforts," and she attempted to undercut the defense by telling jurors that parents can be responsible gun owners no matter if their child is planning a mass shooting. This case is not a statement about guns. Its not a statement about parental responsibility. Its not a case about kids doing kid things, she said. father school shooter verdict (Robin Buckson / Pool/Detroit News via AP) The majority of jurors in Crumbley's trial are parents and also either own guns, grew up around guns or have family or friends who have them highlighting how firearm exposure is a familiar facet of this region of Michigan, where hunting is a popular activity. Defense lawyer Mariell Lehman said in her closing arguments that the prosecution had to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that it presented no evidence to show Crumbley knew his son was a danger to the public or that he had access to the gun. Prosecutors in the mother's case had focused more heavily on Jennifer Crumbley's perceived parenting failures and how she seemed to ignore her son's mental distress while she was preoccupied with her hobbies and an extramarital affair. During James Crumbley's trial, prosecutors stressed to jurors that although Michigan now has a safe gun storage law that went into effect this year, it was still his legal duty as a parent to prevent his minor child from causing "unreasonable risk of harm to others." Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said after the verdict that the Crumbleys showed "tragic inaction" before the shooting. If [your] very first thought when you hear about an active shooter at your childs school isnt, Is he OK? but to worry if your son is the shooter or to rush home to find out if the gun you irresponsibly left unsecure is still there, then you shouldve done something in advance, Bouchard said. McDonald said that the guilty verdict does not bring back the children killed that day, but it does mark a moment of accountability. She called gun violence, which in 2020 became the leading cause of death for children, a crisis in the United States. And we will not be able to address it until we start treating it like a public health crisis, McDonald said. And yes, access to guns is a critical piece of that. But its not the only piece. Selina Guevara reported from Pontiac and Erik Ortiz from New York. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com ***Video above: Jury convicts Michigan school shooters mother of involuntary manslaughter.*** PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) The father of a Michigan school shooter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Thursday, a second conviction against the teens parents who were accused of failing to secure a gun at home and doing nothing to address acute signs of his mental turmoil. The jury verdict means James Crumbley has joined Jennifer Crumbley as a cause of the killing of four students at Oxford High School in 2021, even without pulling the trigger. They had separate trials as the first U.S. parents to be charged in a mass school shooting committed by their child. Jennifer Crumbley was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in February. Former Mississippi officer pleads guilty after making man lick urine off jail floor Prosecutors focused on two key themes at the fathers trial: the parents response to a morbid drawing on Ethan Crumbleys math assignment a few hours before the shooting, and the teens access to a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun purchased by James Crumbley only four days earlier. Ethan made a ghastly drawing of a gun and a wounded man on a math assignment and added disturbing phrases, The thoughts wont stop. Help me. My life is useless. But James and Jennifer Crumbley declined to take Ethan home following a brief meeting at the school, and staff didnt demand it. A counselor, concerned about suicidal ideations, told them to seek help for the boy within 48 hours. Ethan had told Shawn Hopkins that he was sad over the death of his dog and grandmother and the loss of a friend who had abruptly moved away. He said the drawing was simply his jottings for a video game and that he wasnt planning to commit violence. Neither he, nor his parents, told school officials about the gun they had just bought, according to trial testimony. Hopkins had hoped Ethan would spend the day with his parents. But when that was ruled out, the counselor felt the teen would probably be safer around others at school. Turn yourself in: Family, friends of murdered postal worker seek justice Ethan later pulled the Sig Sauer from his backpack and began shooting that same day, killing Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16. No one had checked the bag, though a school administrator had joked about its heaviness. James Crumbley is not on trial for what his son did, prosecutor Karen McDonald told the jury. James Crumbley is on trial for what he did and for what he didnt do. He doesnt get a pass because somebody else actually pulled the trigger, she said. Hopkins told the jury that James Crumbley showed empathy toward his son during the meeting about the drawing, but took no additional action. When James Crumbley heard about the shooting, he rushed home from his DoorDash job and looked for the gun. I think my son took the gun, he said in a frantic 911 call. Investigators found an empty gun case and empty ammunition box on the parents bed. A cable that could have locked the gun was still in a package, unopened. Ethan told a judge when he pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism that the gun was not locked when he stuffed it in his backpack before school. Defense attorney Mariell Lehman tried to emphasize that James Crumbley did not consent to any gun access by his son. He did not know he had to protect others from his son, she told jurors. He did not know that it was reasonably foreseeable that his son would commit these offenses. He had no idea what his son was planning to do. There was no testimony from experts about Ethans mental health, and no records were introduced. The boys lawyers said before trial that he would invoke his right to remain silent if called to testify. But the judge allowed the jury to see excerpts from the teens handwritten journal. I have zero help for my mental problems and its causing me to shoot up the school, Ethan wrote. I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. TRENTON Leaders of Jersey Shore schools that have faced millions of dollars in state aid cuts and sharp swings in funding called on state officials to change how New Jersey distributes money to public schools. On Thursday, school superintendents from Brick, Toms River, Red Bank and Long Branch, among other school districts and education associations from across New Jersey, called for changes before the Senate Education Committee in Trenton. In Long Branch schools, where 80% of students qualify for free- or reduced-cost lunch, a measure of poverty, the district faces a $10 million cut in state aid, Superintendent Francisco Rodriguez told the Senate Education Committee. In contrast, the year prior, Long Branch schools received an increase in state aid of $600,000. "Although our city has grown in both property wealth and income wealth, we still serve some of the poorest and most needy children in our state," he said. Francisco E. Rodriguez, new Superintendent of Long Branch Schools . The lack of predictability in the funding formula is creating instability for Long Branch schools and local taxpayers, Rodriguez said. The superintendent said the $10 million state funding cut has forced the district to consider reducing staff, programs and mental health services, among other costs. Rodriguez described Long Branch as "a tale of two cities," one of high value summer homes along the beachfront with a low-income community farther inland whose children attend local schools. "We did anticipate some sort of loss just because we were on the decline," Rodriguez said. "But to go from $600,000 to $10 million (in cuts), no one in this room could predict that." Sen. Vin Gopal, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, said the purpose of Thursday's hearing was to gather feedback that will be used to amend New Jersey's school funding formula. State Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, of the 11th Legislative District "I think its critical we start taking steps to modernize the formula," Gopal said in a prepared statement. "The core of the formula established under the 2008 School Funding Reform Act has not changed since that legislation was signed into law." At the time of its implementation, The formula's creators aimed to shift state funding toward some of New Jersey's fastest growing and neediest school districts. While proponents say it succeeded in that mission in many districts, other school leaders said the formula had critical flaws. For example, it cut state aid in Brick schools to such a degree that school officials could not close the gap by raising local taxes, Superintendent Thomas Farrell told the Senate committee Thursday. State law limits school boards' ability to raise the local tax levy to no more than 2% per year for most costs. As a result, "Brick schools' (district) is almost $27 million under adequacy, the baseline that the state sets for us to provide that thorough and efficient education (required by the state Constitution)," Farrell said. Brick Township schools Superintendent Thomas Farrell speaks to the media on March 11, 2021, when COVID-19 related mask mandates were still required inside New Jersey schools. Those cuts forced Brick school officials to cut 250 employees and increase class sizes to 34 students on average in grades 3 to 5, Farrell said. "The local fair share calculations in the SFRA (School Funding Reform Act), a decades-old formula based on property values and income levels, has proven to be unpredictable and unstable," the Brick superintendent said as he urged state leaders to change the funding mechanism. Toms River Regional Superintendent Michael Citta said his district of roughly 15,000 students faces similar financial problems because of the formula. "Over the last seven years, we've cumulatively lost $137 million in state aid," Citta told the committee. While the state cut aid to Toms River Regional based on a 1,300-student drop in enrollment, Trenton officials failed to recognize the changes to student demographics in Toms River, the superintendent said. The population of students learning English as a second language rose 343% while the proportion of the student population that qualifies for free- or reduced-cost lunch, a measure of poverty, is now about 40%, Citta said. "We have that anomaly of being a seashore town with some high (property) valuations and low-income residents throughout the district," he said. "We in Toms River at our point where we are over the fiscal cliff. We lost $14.4 million last year and another $2.8 million this year. "We are facing a $26-and-a-half million shortfall in our budget," Citta added. "We are the lowest spending district in the state of New Jersey. That's nothing to brag about." Like Brick, Toms River is facing swelling classroom sizes and years of reduced staffing, the superintendent said. Gopal said that education leaders are seeking more predictability in the next version of the state funding formula. "I am hopeful that insights we heard today can help to guide us towards sensible revisions that preserve the formula's successes while correcting some of its flaws," he said. Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore school leaders want changes to school aid formula Mr Mercer could be compelled to give information to the public inquiry, with failure to comply risking a fine or a jail sentence - Geoff Pugh Johnny Mercer faces the threat of prison for refusing to reveal the identities of special forces whistleblowers who raised concerns about the alleged executions of Afghans. The Minister for Veterans Affairs is declining to cooperate with official requests from the inquiry into the unlawful killing of Afghans, The Telegraph understands. He has been asked to identify sources who had warned him about alleged atrocities committed by the SAS. The soldiers are not suspects but witnesses who Mr Mercer believes are vulnerable and whom he wants to protect. He had given them assurances that they would remain confidential sources when they came to him with concerns about seven years ago. But Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, the inquiry chairman, has warned Mr Mercer that his refusal to name sources is completely unacceptable. In a rebuke, the judge said Mr Mercer risked being part of what is, in effect, an omerta, a wall of silence, and this wall of silence is obstructing the inquiry and access to the truth. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave told Mr Mercer during his appearance at the inquiry last month that he has very significant powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 that he would use if necessary. The ultimate sanction if Mr Mercer continues to defy the inquiry is imprisonment, with a maximum sentence of 51 weeks behind bars, or a fine. Non-compliance also carries with it a criminal penalty that could put Mr Mercer in breach of the ministerial code, potentially forcing him out of office. Stand-off The stand-off between Mr Mercer and the inquiry piles further pressure on Rishi Sunak at a critical time. On Friday, James Heappey announced his resignation as Armed Forces minister while Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, is pushing for an increase to UK military spending, leaving the Prime Minister vulnerable to criticism over his handling of defence. The Afghan inquiry has already cast a shadow over SAS operations in Afghanistan while claims of a cover-up of atrocities inside the Ministry of Defence are deeply concerning for the Conservative administration. Mr Mercer had told the inquiry that he believed the Army had failed in their basic duty to find out the truth of allegations of executions conducted by a special forces unit known as UKSF1. The inquiry is looking at the actions of Britain's Armed forces in Afghanistan - REUTERS/Omar Sobhani Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, a Court of Appeal judge, is investigating allegations that special forces carried out extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. The inquiry was set up in December 2022 over initial claims that one SAS squadron had killed 54 Afghans in suspicious circumstances. If the stand-off continues, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave has the power to serve Mr Mercer with a section 21 notice that gives the judge the authority to compel witnesses to provide information as requested to a public inquiry. If Mr Mercer fails to comply with the order, the inquiry judge can issue a fine or a jail sentence. Non-compliance would mean the minister was in contempt of the inquiry. Mr Mercer, a former Army captain who served on three tours of Afghanistan, said in a 19-page written statement provided to the Afghan inquiry in November last year, that serving officers had informed him in 2017 that there were serious allegations of incidents regarding UK Special Forces that made members of that community feel very uncomfortable. He said he was also made aware of a separate allegation by a member of the Special Forces that he had been asked to carry a dropped weapon. Mr Mercer served three tours in Afghanistan Mr Mercer said in his written statement: I understood this to mean that he had been asked to carry an extra weapon (one that could not be linked to Nato forces) to be dropped on the body of a person to make it appear as though they had been a legitimate target as a combatant. The request made him uncomfortable and he refused. But asked during oral evidence if he was able to provide the names of his multiple sources to the inquiry, Mr Mercer said: Not at this stage, no. When asked why not by Oliver Glasgow KC, counsel to the inquiry, Mr Mercer replied: This has been a prolonged saga for me over many years, and my faith in the system to interrogate these issues is not where it needs to be for that to happen. Mr Mercer said his sources were not direct-hand witnesses, adding: They were not there. He told the inquiry that he needed to maintain his integrity and that the simple reality is at this stage that Im not prepared to burn them. He said the inquiry was already speaking to people with far closer knowledge of what had taken place and that he was also fearful of the repercussions that may fall on them [his sources]. Mr Mercer, who conducted a parliamentary investigation into the treatment of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, told the inquiry that there was a context around how investigators have destroyed peoples lives, adding: So when all is said and done and rank and privilege is stripped away, you know, you have your friends and your family and your own integrity, and thats it, and Im going to keep mine. Disappointing and surprising At the end of the second day of testimony, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave warned Mr Mercer of the consequences of refusing to co-operate, telling the minister: The plain fact of the matter is that you have, at least for the moment, refused to answer legitimate questions by leading counsel at a public inquiry, and in particular, what are their names, what are the names of the people who have spoken to you about these matters. And Im bound to say this is, frankly, very disappointing and surprising, particularly for someone in your position, and, I am bound to say, completely unacceptable. It gives rise to potentially serious legal consequences which may need to be put in train. Lord Justice Hadden-Cave added: I have, Im afraid, very significant powers under the Inquiries Act 2005, which I would prefer not to have to use. But you can be assured, Mr Mercer, that I will if necessary. My patience is not inexhaustible because I have a public inquiry to run and pursue as quickly as possible, in the public interest, and in the interest of all those who have had allegations made against them, or who have a dark cloud sitting over them, their families and their careers. The judge warned Mr Mercer: You need to decide which side you are really on, which was either to get to the truth of these allegations quickly, for everyones sake; or being part of what is, in effect, an omerta, a wall of silence, and this wall of silence is obstructing the inquiry and access to the truth. He said Mr Mercer was staying silent out of what he called a misguided understanding of the term integrity, and inappropriate sense of loyalty. Mr Mercer declined to comment when approached by The Telegraph this week. Offer of closed hearing It is unclear if the minister and the inquiry can reach a compromise. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave has told the minister he can offer him a closed hearing in which he could detail the names behind closed doors. He also reassured Mr Mercer that evidence can be taken in secret. A friend of Mr Mercer said: These sources are not people who are in any way suspects. They are vulnerable soldiers and veterans who for their own legitimate reasons didnt want to engage with the inquiry, but Johnny was able to tell their story for them because they trusted him. This is not about him protecting wrongdoers. But Johnny has spent his entire political career protecting junior ranks, and he wont change that. Mercer is the most senior member of the Government who has consistently said something stinks here and has called it out. He has highlighted the failure of the MoD to investigate this when it was first raised. He is uniquely a minister who also has special forces experience and thats why he recognised this was not being investigated properly in the first place He is not covering up any wrongdoing. He is protecting second-hand witnesses who dont want to engage with the inquiry because they are vulnerable. Johnny gave these soldiers his word they would not be identified. The inquiry should have used Johnny as a person who the military community trusts. Instead theyve made it less likely for people to tell anyone anything. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A North Carolina school system is shortening its school year to let high school students take fall exams before Christmas and to end classes before Memorial Day. The Johnston County school board unanimously approved a calendar for the 2024-25 school year that only has 168 days of classes seven fewer than this school year. The board picked that option after community and staff surveys ranked it ahead of two other options, including a proposal that would have moved all schools to a year-round calendar. If thats what the people want, its what they want, school board member Michelle Antoine said before the vote. The new calendar comes with challenges though, including potential instructional issues from not having an equal number of days each semester. The upcoming fall semester will have 78 days of classes compared to 90 days in the spring 2025 semester. Shorter semesters make learning difficult for our students. And for our testing ... it can put the outcome in jeopardy if there is decreased instructional time, April Lee, a high school teacher and school board candidate, said during public comment at this weeks board meeting. Calendar law limits school flexibility Johnston school leaders are putting the blame on the states two-decades-old school calendar law. The law requires traditional-calendar schools to begin in late August and end by early June. Year-round schools and charter schools are exempted from the law. School districts say the calendar law is hurting academic performance by causing students to take their fall semester exams after winter break. Most school districts dont end their fall semester until around Jan. 20. Efforts to modify the calendar law have failed in the General Assembly because of lobbying from the tourism industry. As a result, at least 16 North Carolina school districts chose to ignore the calendar law this school year, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. But Antoine said Johnston County didnt want to defy the calendar law. Instead, the board asked administrators last month to survey the community and school employees about moving to a year-round calendar or going with a shortened traditional calendar. Without the General Assembly giving us calendar flexibility, we dont have any choice but to do something different, school board chair Lyn Andrews said at the Feb. 13 board meeting. Maya Fotopoulos works on a laptop in Kim Ellisons fifth grade language arts class at Powhatan Elementary School in Clayton in this 2015 file photo. The Johnston County school board has approved a shortened 168-day calendar for the 2024-25 school year. Robert Willett / rwillett@newsobserver.com Parents, staff prefer shorter school year The district received 3,995 survey responses from the public. Johnston County is the states seventh-largest school district, with more than 37,000 students. The 168-day calendar running from Aug. 26 to May 22 was picked as the top choice by 46% of survey respondents. A more traditional 175-day calendar running from Aug. 26 to June 5 was picked as the top choice by 28% of respondents. A year-round calendar running from Aug. 1 to May 23 was picked as the top choice by 26% of respondents. The year-round calendar has 173 school days and shortens summer vacation by having breaks throughout the year. The district saw similar results among the school improvement teams and staff. Both groups gave the 168-day calendar a plurality, with more than 40% of the vote. Fewer instructional days would mean more teacher workdays for employees. Anna Kuykendal, the districts chief academic officer, said employees told them that there wasnt enough advance notice to switch to a year-round calendar. A change this year would have interrupted the August vacation plans that families had already scheduled. Employees said that the 2025-26 school year is the earliest that the district should even consider moving to a year-round calendar, according to Kuykendal. The board took no action this week on a 2025-26 school calendar. Shorter fall semester Under state law, schools are required to have either 185 days of instruction or at least 1,025 hours of instruction each school year. The 168-day calendar has 1,092 hours of instruction. Thats less than the 1,124.5 hours in the year-round calendar and the 1,137.5 hours in the 175-day option. Kuykendal told the board that the only way under the calendar law to both get fall semester exams in before Christmas and to end the school year before June was to reduce the number of instructional days. The new schedule means the fall semester will have 12 fewer instructional days than the spring semester. Thats more of an issue at high schools, where students mostly take new courses each semester. Board vice chair Terry Tippett said the high school teachers, administrators and guidance counselors hes talked to would rather have a shorter fall semester to get the final exams in before winter break. Tippett said targeted scheduling will be needed to minimize any negative impact of the condensed calendar. The change comes as school test scores in the district have been on the upswing, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. But board member Kevin Donovan said they need to make sure to address the impact from having fewer instructional hours. We need to make sure we get strategic in finding a way for these kids that do fall potentially behind ... to have time to catch up, Donovan said. JOPLIN, Mo. North Middle School eighth grader, Liam Jones has been selected for the 2024 Naval Academy Summer Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Program. More than 5,000 students from all over the United States applied to be a part of this week-long camp that includes the opportunity to be mentored and instructed by midshipmen while testing problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills. Liam is one of 330 rising freshmen who were accepted. I am excited to take part in this summer program because this is my dream school and the zenith of summer STEM programs, said Liam. The camp will be held June 3-8 in Annapolis, Maryland. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. After a full day hearing arguments related to two motions by Donald Trumps legal teams to dismiss his classified documents case, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has denied one motion without prejudice. That ruling was in relation to Team Trumps claim that it wasnt clear at the time Trump took the sensitive material if the act was illegal or not, claiming there was unconstitutional vagueness. The argument had little sway with the Trump-appointed judge. Although the Motion raises various arguments warranting serious consideration, the Court ultimately determines, following lengthy oral argument, that resolution of the overall question presented depends too greatly on contested instructional questions about still-fluctuating definitions of statutory terms/phrases as charged, Cannon wrote in a two-page order, further noting that the issue of constitutional vagueness would be better brought up with jury-instruction briefing and/or other appropriate motions. Her ruling, however, leaves wiggle room for Trumps attorneys to potentially reargue the position down the line. Even though the motion is off the table for now, Trump still has several other attempts to dismiss the trial in the works. The rest of Thursday was spent arguing another such motion on the basis that the classified documents could be considered personal materials rather than presidential under the Presidential Records Acta defense that special counsel Jack Smiths office roundly rejected. Smiths office also claimed that Trumps personal records argument was suggestive that the GOP presidential nominee believes hes beyond reproach and above the law. Cannon herself expressed skepticism at leveraging the statute to dismiss the case outright, though ultimately she determined that the issue would be better left for a jury to decide. Its difficult to see how this gets you to the dismissal of an indictment, the judge told Trumps attorney Thursday afternoon. But the trial, which was originally set to begin on May 20, still does not have a renewed court date. Legal analysts have worried that a strategy of continual delays could be the Trump-appointed judges way of surreptitiously dismissing the trial altogether. She has yet to issue a scheduling order setting a trial date, MSNBC legal correspondent Lisa Rubin said on Morning Joe on Thursday. Im not a betting person, probably would make a miserable one, but the fact she set oral arguments on two motions to dismiss makes me think maybe she thinks she can get rid of this case without setting a trial date. That is frightening, given the gravity of the charges here and the evidence that supports those charges. NEW YORK (AP) A judge on Friday delayed former President Donald Trumps hush-money criminal trial until at least mid-April after his lawyers said they needed more time to sift through a profusion of evidence they only recently obtained from a previous federal investigation into the matter. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to a 30-day postponement and scheduled a hearing for March 25 to address questions about the evidence dump. The trial had been slated to start on March 25. It is among four criminal indictments against Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee. More Local News Trumps lawyers wanted a 90-day delay, which wouldve pushed the start of the trial into the early summer. Prosecutors said they were OK with a 30-day adjournment in an abundance of caution and to ensure that defendant has sufficient time to review the new materials. Trumps lawyers said they have received tens of thousands of pages of evidence in the last two weeks from the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan, which investigated the hush money arrangement while Trump was president. The evidence includes records about former Trump lawyer-turned-prosecution witness Michael Cohen that are exculpatory and favorable to the defense, Trumps lawyers said. Prosecutors said most of the newly turned over material is largely irrelevant to the subject matter of this case, though some records are pertinent. The hush money case centers on allegations that Trump falsified his companys records to hide the true nature of payments to Cohen, who paid porn actor Stormy Daniels $130,000 during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump years earlier. Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels. His lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and were not part of any cover-up. Prosecutors contend Trumps lawyers caused the evidence problem by waiting until Jan. 18 a mere nine weeks before the scheduled start of jury selection to subpoena the U.S. attorneys office for the full case file. District Attorney Alvin Braggs office said it requested the full file last year but the U.S. attorneys office only turned over a subset of records. Trumps lawyers received that material last June and had ample time to seek additional evidence from the federal probe, the district attorneys office said. Short trial delays because of issues with evidence arent unusual, but any delay in a case involving Trump would be significant, with trial dates in his other criminal cases up in the air and Election Day less than eight months away. The defense has also sought to delay the trial until after the Supreme Court rules on Trumps presidential immunity claims, which his lawyers say could apply to some of the allegations and evidence in the hush money case. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on April 25. Trump has repeatedly sought to postpone his criminal trials while he campaigns to retake the White House. We want delays, Trump told reporters as he headed into a Feb. 15 hearing in New York. Obviously Im running for election. How can you run for election if youre sitting in a courthouse in Manhattan all day long? For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. VIENTIANE, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Preparations for summit during Laos' chairmanship of ASEAN 2024 were going as planned, according to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. During a meeting on Thursday, chaired by Sonexay, the participants mulled over preparations concerning the summit, the Lao People's Army News reported on Friday. Sonexay instructed the participants to continue with their work responsibly and diligently. Former President Trumps hush money judge in New York has delayed the upcoming trial until mid-April after new evidence was turned over to the parties, aiding the former presidents goal of delaying his criminal trials. Jury selection was scheduled to begin March 25, which wouldve marked Trumps first criminal trial, but Judge Juan Merchan agreed to push it back after prosecutors consented to the one-month delay. The new curveball came after the parties informed the judge the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York has turned over more than 70,000 pages of records in recent days, some of which are relevant to the case. Merchan said he would adjourn the trial date for 30 days from his Friday letter and instead hold a hearing on March 25 to discuss the schedule and the new documents. The Court will set the new trial date, if necessary, when it rules on Defendants motion following the hearing, Merchan wrote. This Courts directive that the parties, including the Defendant, not engage or otherwise enter into any commitment pending completion of this trial remains in effect. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs (D) office had said it was ready for trial as scheduled, but it indicated it wouldnt oppose a 30-day delay out of an abundance of caution. Trumps legal team has said the new documents require a delay that extends beyond late April. For now, however, an adjournment is necessary, and thirty days is not sufficient given the volume of recently produced materials and the nature of the ongoing dispute, Trump attorneys Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles wrote in a letter to the judge Thursday. Trumps lawyers and Braggs have sparred over the new documents, however. Braggs office said it previously requested the records and pinned the blame on the U.S. Attorneys Office, but Trumps lawyers accused Bragg of trying to rewrite the record. Federal prosecutors are making their final production of documents on Friday, court filings show. At the hearing, Merchan said he would review the delay in getting the records from federal prosecutors, asking each side to submit a detailed timeline, including their correspondence with the U.S. Attorneys Office. The correspondence must include but not be limited to letters, subpoenas, e-mails, notes, messages, etc. The requested documents are necessary for this Court to properly assess who, if anyone, is at fault for the late production of the documents, what prejudice, if any, was suffered by either party and what sanction(s) if any, are appropriate, Merchan wrote. The delay is just the latest move to benefit Trump as he broadly seeks to delay his numerous criminal trials. On April 25, the Supreme Court is set to weigh the immunity claims Trump raised in his election interference case. His trial for his efforts leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, and related proceedings have been put on ice while the high court considers the matter. And in the hush money trial, Trump has filed a separate motion seeking to toss evidence based on his immunity claims, likewise suggesting the entire case be paused while the Supreme Court weighs the matter. He has separately in the case claimed that prosecutors engaged in discovery violations, arguing his charges should be tossed entirely and prosecutors should be sanctioned. Braggs office has pushed back on those accusations, insisting it has met its obligations. The judge made clear hell keep the upcoming hearing narrowly focused, however. This Court stresses that the hearing will be limited to the specific issue of Defendants motion to dismiss on the grounds of the Peoples alleged discovery violations related to the production of records by USAO-SDNY only, Merchan wrote. Trumps campaign maintained the case should be dismissed. President Trump and his counsel have been consistent and steadfast that this case has no basis in law or fact, and should be dismissed, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. Today, after the Manhattan DA conceded violations by his office, the judge, in adjourning the trial, ordered a hearing to hold DA Bragg accountable for misconduct. We will continue to fight to end this hoax, and all of the other Crooked Joe Biden-directed Witch Hunts, once and for all. Updated at 7:13 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The judge in former President Trump's Georgia election interference case has allowed District Attorney Fani Willis to continue leading the prosecution, but he said her racially charged rhetoric about "playing the race card" was "legally improper." Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued a ruling that quashed a motion from one of the case's 19 defendants seeking to remove Wilis from the case due to her alleged improper affair with special counsel Nathan Wade. McAfee ruled that an insufficient amount of evidence was provided to justify the removal of Willis outright, but he ordered Wade must be fired for the district attorney to continue without the "appearance of impropriety" otherwise Willis must step down. JUDGE RULES FANI WILLIS MUST STEP ASIDE FROM TRUMP CASE OR FIRE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR NATHAN WADE In his order, McAfee separately took issue with a speech made by Willis at an Atlanta church in January of this year, when she claimed she and Wade were being scrutinized because of their race. While Willis later claimed not to be referring to the defendants in her accusations of racism, McAfee warned that such a distinction was not clear. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "In these public and televised comments, the District Attorney complained that a Fulton County Commissioner 'and so many others' questioned her decision to hire SADA Wade. When referring to her detractors throughout the speech, she frequently utilized the plural 'they.' The State argues the speech was not aimed at any of the Defendants in this case. Maybe so. But maybe not. Therein lies the danger of public comment by a prosecuting attorney," McAfee wrote. KEY WITNESS IN FANI WILLIS CASE TESTIFIES HE MAY HAVE LIED IN TEXTS ABOUT FRIENDS' AFFAIR Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta. The judge found that Willis' reference to "so many others" in her speech at the church left ambiguous who she was accusing of racial motivations coming dangerously close to compromising the case. He went on to complain about the district attorney's own continued references to the race of individuals involved in the case. "More at issue, instead of attributing the criticism to a criminal accuseds general aversion to being convicted and facing a prison sentence, the District Attorney ascribed the effort as motivated by playing the race card,'" McAfee wrote. "She went on to frequently refer to SADA Wade as the black man while her other unchallenged SADAs were labeled one white woman and one white man. The effect of this speech was to cast racial aspersions at an indicted Defendants decision to file this pretrial motion." Fani Willis, the district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia, previously said the allegations brought against her of having an "improper" romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade were made because she is Black. Despite finding Willis' speech "legally improper," McAfee ruled that the questionable statements regarding race did not deny the defendants "opportunity for a fundamentally fair trial." "The Court cannot find that this speech crossed the line to the point where the Defendants have been denied the opportunity for a fundamentally fair trial, or that it requires the District Attorneys disqualification," McAfee wrote. "But it was still legally improper. Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into." It has not yet been announced whether Willis will fire Wade or step down from the trial. Original article source: Judge in Georgia slams Fani Willis' 'improper' church speech, 'playing the race card' Rioters converge upon the Capitol in a deadly attack on Jan. 6, 2021, protesting results of the 2020 presidential election. Thomas Osborne of Lakeland pleaded not guilty to four charges related to the U.S. Capitol attack during an arraignment Thursday before U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta. Osborne was arrested Feb. 22 at his Lakeland home on a felony charge of civil disorder and misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds. Mehta granted Osbornes appeal of a magistrate judge's order of detention pending trial, and Osborne was released on personal recognizance. Prosecutors had argued that Osborne should be jailed while awaiting trial. In a motion, prosecutors cited Osbornes close connections to Jonathan and Olivia Pollock, formerly of the Lakeland area, who became fugitives after being indicted on multiple felony charges for the Jan. 6 riot. FBI agents captured them on Jan. 6 of this year in Lake County. Capitol attack: Former fugitive Jonathan Pollock pleads not guilty at arraignment on Jan. 6 charges The prosecution motion also mentioned that Osborne harbored another fugitive, Christopher Worrell, in his Lakeland home after Worrell fled following his conviction on multiple Jan. 6 charges. Prosecutors also wrote that Osborne had survival bags stored throughout his house and kept numerous loaded weapons. Mehta appointed Jeffrey Brown as Osbornes defender. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland man released after pleading not guilty to Jan. 6 charges A federal judge has rejected Sen. Bob Menendezs (D-N.J.) claims that he has legislative immunity and therefore cannot be prosecuted in the initial four conspiracy charges against the New Jersey lawmaker. U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein in Manhattan ruled Thursday that the embattled senator cannot evade prosecution based on what he does in the legislative realm as a sitting lawmaker in the upper chamber. Menendez claimed he could not be prosecuted because of the Constitutions Speech or Debate Clause. Stein rejected that claim. The Court rejects Menendezs argument in full, finding that none of the allegations in the S2 Indictment regarding the U.S. Attorney Scheme are protected by the Speech or Debate Clause, Stein wrote Thursday. Stein also shut down the senators claim in the indictment that it violates the separation of power doctrine. These cases strongly support the Governments position that enforcement of Section 219 against a Member of Congress is not barred by the separation of powers doctrine, Stein wrote. The trial has been set for May 6. Earlier this week, the senator pleaded not guilty to a dozen new charges accusing him and his wife of obstruction of justice. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis attends a hearing on the Georgia election interference case at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on March 1. Pool Photo by Alex Slitz/EPA-EFE March 15 (UPI) -- The lead prosecutor in the Georgia election case against Donald Trump and others resigned from the case Friday after a judge ruled he must step aside for the Fulton County District Attorney's Office to continue with the prosecution. "I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible," Nathan Wade wrote in his letter of resignation. Earlier Friday, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled that District Attorney Fani Willis could remain on the case -- if Wade withdrew. The other option was for Willis and her office to step aside and "refer the prosecution to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council for reassignment," McAfee ruled. The motion to remove Willis was brought to the court in January by Trump co-defendant Michael Roman and his attorney Ashleigh Merchant. The defense uncovered a romantic relationship between Willis and Wade and alleged a conflict of interest, claiming the couple benefited financially from the prosecution. Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides over a hearing on the Georgia election interference case at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on March 1. Pool Photo by Alex Slitz/EPA-EFE Trump, who won enough delegates to clinch the Republican nomination for president on Tuesday, has pleaded not guilty. "While respecting the court's decision, we believe that the court did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade, including the financial benefits, testifying untruthfully about when their personal relationship began, as well as Willis' extrajudicial MLK 'church speech,' where she played the race card and falsely accused the defendants and their counsel of racism. Special prosecutor Nathan Wade attends a hearing on the Georgia election interference case at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on March 1. Pool Photo by Alex Slitz/EPA-EFE "We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place," Steven Sadow, Trump's attorney, said in a statement emailed by the Trump campaign. McAfee acknowledged the "church speech" in his ruling. During the speech on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Willis defended Wade's appointment, saying the defense has targeted him because he is a "Black man." McAfee said the speech did not cross the line into tainting the jury pool against the defense but it was "still legally improper." He floated the idea of issuing a gag order against Willis to prevent her from further discussing the case in public. The judge also writes that the defense fell short of proving that Willis benefited financially from her relationship with Wade. However he made a point to say the lack of a record to prove that the pair split expenses evenly could leave a reasonable observer to recognize the appearance of a benefit. "It is the [judge's] opinion that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices -- even repeatedly," McAfee wrote. McAfee also rejected the notion that the prosecution has attempted to prolong the case in order to benefit financially. "Defendants argue that the financial arrangement created an incentive to prolong the case, but in fact, there is no indication the district attorney is interested in delaying anything," the court filing reads. "Indeed, the record is quite to the contrary." He pointed out that when the indictment was announced, it was the district attorney's intention to bring the case to trial within six months. The prosecution sought to try Trump and all 19 co-defendants together, aside from those who successfully had their cases severed. The DA's office at one point intended to charge fewer defendants but charged more at the special grand jury's recommendation. Trump and 19 co-defendants were charged in a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. The charges allege that Trump and others undertook a "fake electors" scheme, pressured Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" votes and tampered with election systems. Five co-defendants have reached plea agreements to avoid trial. Willis and Wade testified during a series of hearings on the matter. Merchant and attorneys for other defendants, including Sadow, claimed that Willis and Wade lied about when their relationship started. They also called into question several trips the pair had taken together, alleging that improperly undisclosed gifts had been exchanged. Willis and Wade said in separate testimonies that their relationship began in the spring of 2022 around March. The defense claimed that it began months earlier, around or before November 2021. Wade's former law partner and divorce attorney Terrence Bradley testified as the star witness for the defense. However, Bradley did not confirm that Willis and Wade's relationship started before they said it did. Bradley told Merchant in a text message that he believed the relationship had begun earlier. On the stand he said he was merely speculating and did not have any firsthand information. Willis testified that Wade was not her first choice for the special prosecutor role. She met with former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes and asked him to lead the case. He turned her down, citing the likely threats and harassment he would experience. The relationship between Willis and Wade ended in the summer of 2023. Dist. Atty. Fani Willis acknowledged her former romantic relationship with the prosecutor who resigned Friday from Georgia's 2020 election interference case. The ruling in Willis' favor harshly criticized her judgment and questioned her truthfulness. (John Bazemore / Associated Press) A judge delivered a significant victory Friday to Fulton County Dist. Atty. Fani Willis, ruling that she would not be disqualified from leading the Georgia election interference case against former President Trump as long as her lead prosecutor and former romantic partner, Nathan Wade, stepped down from the case. Hours later, Wade offered his resignation, in the interest of democracy and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. In a 23-page ruling, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said the defense had failed to meet their burden of proving that Willis relationship with the special prosecutor amounted to a conflict of interest. But the relationship, McAfee said, had created the appearance of such a conflict in the sweeping racketeering trial, one of four criminal cases against the former president. Wades withdrawal, the judge suggested, would allow the District Attorney, the Defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case. The judge stopped short of disqualifying Willis, but rebuked her for what he called a tremendous lack of judgment, and said that reasonable questions remained about whether she and Wade had been honest on the witness stand about the timing of their relationship and their financial exchanges. An odor of mendacity remains, McAfee wrote. But he concluded that ultimately, dismissal of the indictment is not the appropriate remedy to adequately dissipate the financial cloud of impropriety and potential untruthfulness found here. Willis accepted Wades resignation, calling him an outstanding advocate who was brave enough to step forward and take on the investigation. Steve Sadow, Trumps lead defense counsel in the case, said that the judges ruling did not go far enough and that the former presidents legal team would use all legal options available to end the prosecution. While respecting the Courts decision, we believe that it did not afford appropriate significance to the prosecutorial misconduct of Willis and Wade, including the financial benefits, testifying untruthfully about when their personal relationship began, as well as Willis extrajudicial MLK church speech, Sadow said in a statement. Trump and his co-defendants had pushed for Willis to be disqualified a move that would have derailed the case, likely holding up the start date of a trial that could have a significant influence on the Nov. 5 presidential election. Trump has won enough delegates to become the Republican Partys nominee. Willis has sought an August trial. But the timeline is still uncertain. McAfees ruling is expected to be appealed although some legal experts say its unlikely to be overturned. Anthony Michael Kreis, a professor of constitutional law at Georgia State University, said McAfee gave Willis the best ruling possible. It is a total legal victory and a huge political slap on the wrist, Kreis said. She definitely comes out scraped, battered and bruised but that was true a month ago. And so the bigger question is: Is the case preserved? Yes. Have things been derailed? No. Crucially, McAfee found no evidence to suggest that Willis had profited from the investigation, Kreis said. That is a finding of fact that will be held up on appeal, Kreis said. That means that long term, its really unlikely that this ruling is going to be overturned on appeal; it makes it also exceedingly less likely that the Court of Appeals would even take this up. Willis, a Democrat, was a newly elected Fulton County district attorney when she opened a high priority criminal probe in February 2021 into efforts to overturn Republican Trumps 2020 election loss in Georgia to Joe Biden. After losing Georgia by nearly 12,000 votes, Trump raised baseless claims of election fraud and pressured GOP leaders in the state to help him reverse the result. In August 2023, a Fulton County grand jury charged Trump and 18 of his allies in a sprawling 98-page indictment with racketeering and a dozen other felonies. Four of the defendants have since pleaded guilty to some of the charges. The relationship between Willis and Wade first drew public scrutiny in January, when an attorney for Mike Roman, a co-defendant and former Trump campaign aide, filed a motion accusing the pair of engaging in an improper, clandestine personal relationship. Defense lawyers sought to block Willis and her office from prosecuting the case, alleging Willis was already dating Wade when she hired him in November 2021 and then improperly benefited when she accompanied him on vacations he paid for. Willis and Wade have acknowledged they had a relationship. But they testified that it did not begin until early 2022 months after his hiring and that it ended last summer. They also testified that they split travel expenses. The prosecutors have argued there was no conflict of interest and no evidence the district attorney gained direct or indirect financial benefit from the relationship. Last month, the two sides sparred in hearings that played out like a daytime soap opera, as defense attorneys quizzed Wade on whether Willis had repaid him with cash for her share of their vacations, and asked Willis who paid when they went out for dinner. On the witness stand, Wade described a birthday trip to Belize as a gift from Willis. Willis detailed a Napa Valley wine tour, saying that shed paid in cash for Champagne paired with chocolate and caviar, and that she didnt really like wine and would have preferred Grey Goose vodka. Visibly upset as defense lawyers accused her of lying about the timeline of their relationship, Willis dismissed their allegations as lies and railed against what she characterized as intrusions into her personal life. Youre confused. You think Im on trial, she said at one point, confronting Romans defense attorney, Ashleigh Merchant. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. Im not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial. Defense attorneys argue that allowing Willis to preside over the case threatens to undermine public confidence in an already charged and sensitive investigation. Even the appearance of a conflict of interest, they argue, is enough to remove her from the case. That is disputed by Willis attorneys. They argued in a court filing that disqualification of a district attorney requires a high standard of proof, and that the defense had the burden of showing an actual conflict of interest. Trumps attorneys have continued to claim that Willis and Wade are lying about the timeline of the relationship. The week after the two prosecutors testified, defense attorneys filed an affidavit detailing cellphone records that they said indicated Willis and Wade had exchanged just under 12,000 calls and text messages before Wade joined the investigation. They also presented cellphone location data that they said showed Wade visited the South Atlanta neighborhood where Willis was living at least 35 times in the 11 months before she hired him. Wade had testified that he had been there fewer than 10 times during that period. But Kreis said the evidence unrebutted in court showed that the relationship ended well in advance of any grand jury indictments being considered and ultimately handed down. That really undermines the argument that this prosecution is either selective or was somehow kind of strategically manipulated in order to enrich Fani Willis, Kreis said. Still, he said, the allegations of a conflict of interest a narrative that Trump has seized on as he campaigns to reclaim the White House threatened to taint the publics perception of the prosecution. McAfees ruling came two days after he delivered a partial win to Trump and his co-defendants, dismissing six counts on Wednesday including three against the former president related to accusations of solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer. The judge said the counts fail to allege sufficient detail about what part of the oath the defendants had allegedly tried to get public officials to violate. The timeline of Trumps three other criminal cases is uncertain. His federal trial on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election, originally set to begin March 4, stalled last month as the Supreme Court agreed to consider his claim of total immunity from prosecution for actions alleged to have taken place while he was in office. And on Friday, a judge delayed New Yorks hush money trial over Trumps 2016 payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels after his lawyers said they needed more time to sift through a profusion of evidence they only recently obtained from a previous federal investigation into the matter. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to a 30-day postponement and scheduled a hearing to address questions about the evidence dump for March 25, when the trial had previously been set to begin. Meanwhile, the judge in the federal classified document case in Florida, involving government files Trump stored at his Mar-a-Lago residence and club, has delayed that trial, which had been scheduled for May. Prosecutors are seeking a new start date in July, and Trumps legal team is pressing to delay the trial until after Novembers election. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Georgia judge has ruled that embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis must either step aside from the case against former President Donald Trump or fire special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee issued the ruling after hearing evidence presented by lawyers for the co-defendants in the sweeping 2020 election interference case. Four co-defendants accused Willis of having an "improper" affair with Nathan Wade, whom she hired to help prosecute the case. McAfee said that the defendants "failed to meet their burden of proving that the District Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest in this case through her personal relationship and recurring travels with her lead prosecutor." "However, the established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team an appearance that must be removed through the States selection of one of two options," he wrote, adding that Willis and her whole office can choose to step aside, or Wade can withdraw from the case. KEY WITNESS IN FANI WILLIS CASE TESTIFIES HE MAY HAVE LIED IN TEXTS ABOUT FRIENDS' AFFAIR Willis the district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia previously said the allegations brought against her of having an "improper" romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade were made because she is Black. McAfee said that "[w]ithout 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." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP But he went on to say that his finding is "by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing." "Rather, it is the undersigneds opinion that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices even repeatedly and it is the trial courts duty to confine itself to the relevant issues and applicable law properly brought before it," he siad. "Other forums or sources of authority such as the General Assembly, the Georgia State Ethics Commission, the State Bar of Georgia, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, or the voters of Fulton County may offer feedback on any unanswered questions that linger. But those are not the issues determinative to the Defendants motions alleging an actual conflict," he added. The co-defendants had alleged that Willis benefited financially by hiring Wade because they were in a pre-existing relationship when he was hired in 2021 and would vacation together. Both Wade and Willis denied they were in a romantic relationship prior to his hiring and that the couple would split the costs of their shared travels; Willis said she reimbursed Wade for her share of the trips in cash. In his Friday order, McAfee said while Willis' "reimbursement practice" was "unusual and the lack of any documentary corroboration understandably concerning," he ultimately decided that the defendants did not present "sufficient evidence" that expenses weren't "roughly divided evenly." He also said that "the evidence demonstrated that the financial gain flowing from her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor on the part of the District Attorney to indict and prosecute this case." READ THE JUDGE'S ORDER APP USERS, CLICK HERE: Last month, Judge McAfee held a two-day evidentiary hearing where the defense, led by attorney Ashley Merchant, set out to expose a money trail that would mean Willis has a conflict of interest in the case against Trump and should be disqualified. "[T]he Court finds that the record made at the evidentiary hearing established that the District Attorneys prosecution is encumbered by an appearance of impropriety," McAfee wrote in his order. "As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed. "Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist," he said. Both Willis and Wade insisted that their relationship started in 2022, after Wade was hired. But they contradict testimony from Robin Yeartie, a former "good friend" of Willis and past employee at the DA's office. Yeartie said she had "no doubt" that Willis and Wade's relationship started in 2019, after the two met at a conference. SPECIAL ATTORNEY HIRED BY FANI WILLIS TO HELP PROSECUTE TRUMP DONATED BIG BUCKS TO HER CAMPAIGN Yeartie testified to observing Willis and Wade "hugging" and "kissing" and showing "affection" prior to November 2021, and that she had no doubt that the two were in a "romantic" relationship starting in 2019, to when she and Willis last spoke in 2022. Willis dismissed Yearties testimony and said she no longer considers Yeartie to be a friend. Judge McAfee in Friday's order said that "while the testimony of Robin Yearti raised doubts about the States assertions, it ultimately lacked context and detail." "[N]either side was able to conclusively establish by a preponderance of the evidence when the relationship evolved into a romantic one," he said. The highlight of the two-day proceeding was Willis own an unexpected testimony last month, described by one expert as "belligerent." FANI WILLIS WHO 'RELISHED IN' DONALD TRUMP PROSECUTION SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM CASE FOR ILLICIT AFFAIR: EXPERTS Attorney Ashleigh Merchant. She verbally sparred with lawyers for hours, at one point, prompting the judge to threaten to strike her testimony. She also raised eyebrows for appearing to be wearing her dress backwards. Former law firm partner and divorce attorney for Nathan Wade, Terrence Bradley, testified last month about what he knew about Willis' and Wade's relationship after McAfee determined he couldn't claim attorney-client privilege . Bradley, when pressed under oath, said he couldn't recall several details and timelines about conversations he had with former client Wade about Wade's romantic relationship with Willis. Merchant at one point referenced text messages between her and Bradley in which she had asked Bradley if he thought the relationship started before Willis hired Wade in 2021. Bradley responded "absolutely" in the text exchange. On Wednesday, Judge McAfee issued a ruling that quashed six counts in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his 18 co-defendants. Saying that the state failed to allege sufficient detail for "solicitation of violation of oath by public officer." Original article source: Judge rules Fani Willis must step aside from Trump case or fire special prosecutor Nathan Wade FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Wauwatosa Police Department in Wauwatosa, Wis., shows then-Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah. On Thursday, Feb. 14, 2024, a federal judge dismissed two of three claims against Mensah, who killed three people of color in five years. The families of Antonio Gonzales, Jay Anderson and Alvin Cole all filed federal lawsuits in 2021 and 2022 against Mensah and the city's police department, alleging that Mensah used excessive force and the department promotes racism. The lawsuits were consolidated in September 2022. (Gary Monreal/Monreal Photography LLC/Wauwatosa Police Department via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) A federal judge has dismissed two of three claims against a former Wisconsin police officer who killed three people of color in five years. The families of Antonio Gonzales, Jay Anderson and Alvin Cole filed federal lawsuits in 2021 and 2022 against former Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah and the city's police department, alleging that Mensah used excessive force and the department promotes racism. The lawsuits were consolidated in September 2022. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman in Milwaukee dismissed the Gonzales and Anderson families' claims on Thursday, online court records show. He allowed the Cole case to continue, setting oral arguments for next month. The families attorney, Kimberly Motley, said the Gonalzes family conceded last fall that they likely wouldn't win their case. Still, she plans to ask Adelman to reconsider dismissing the Anderson family's case. Mensah shot Gonzales, 29, in 2015 after Gonzales approached him with a sword and refused to drop it, according to prosecutors. He shot Anderson in 2016 after he found Anderson, 25, sleeping in a car in a park after hours. Mensah said he opened fire when Anderson reached for a gun on the passenger seat. And he shot Cole, 17, during a foot chase outside a mall in 2020. Mensah said the teen fired first. Mensah is Black. Anderson and Cole were Black and Gonzales identified as Indigenous. Prosecutors chose not to charge Mensah in any of the incidents. Mensah resigned from the police department under pressure in 2020 and joined the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department. Adelman said in a written order that Mensah warned Gonzales twice to drop the sword before opening fire. As for Anderson, the judge said that squad-car footage showed him reaching toward the passenger seat twice before Mensah fired. Mensah radioed dispatch before the shooting to inform other officers Anderson had a gun and backup officers testified they found a gun on the seat, Adelman added. Adelman acknowledged claims from Anderson's family that he was reaching for a cellphone. But he said the phone was next to the gun and there was no way Mensah could have known whether Anderson was reaching for the gun or something else. The judge said he didn't need to address the racism claims because the excessive force claim failed. Motley said she disagreed with the decision to dismiss Anderson's case, saying a jury should decide if he was trying to pick up the phone, the gun, or nothing at all. She said she planned to file a motion asking Adelman to reconsider his decision. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis combative testimony in court defending her romantic relationship with a prosecutor working alongside herand her racially charged speech at a Black church in Atlantaare not the victories she intended them to be. Her actions have now created a rocky road ahead in her criminal case against former President Donald Trump for election interference, with a judges order on Friday warning of potential consequences to come as they approach a historic trial in Georgia. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfees order will force the DA to make a hard choice: disqualify her entire office from the case or drop her ex-boyfriend, Nathan Wade, from the prosecution team. Hours after McAfees ruling, Wade submitted his resignation to the DAs office, saying he was stepping back in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. In a letter accepting Wades resignation, Willis complimented his professionalism and rebuked the unjustified attacks in the media and in court since their relationship went public in January. Fani Willis Can Stay on Trump Case, but Her Ex-Lover Has to Go McAfee's decision fell far short of what Trump and his fellow defendants wanteda full dismissal of the casebut the judge made it clear he wouldnt excuse Willis fierce response to critics, nor her decision to date a subordinate. The judge criticized her for what he called unprofessional conduct that was beneath someone in her position of power. He specifically referenced her scorched earth bravado on Feb. 15, when Willis made the rare move of testifying in court and at times refused to answer defense lawyers questions directly, ultimately delivering a fiery jab when she said, You think Im on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. Im not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial. This finding is by no means an indication that the court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing, he wrote, noting that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choiceseven repeatedly. Also at issue is Willis Jan. 14 speech at a local Atlanta church, when the District Attorney complained about the swirling questions about her decision to hire Wade. In the speech, Willis thanked the historically Black church for the invitation, despite the headlines, and discussed the stressors of her job as DA. While she did not address the relationship, Willis defended her decision to hire Wade, whom she did not mention by name but simply referred to him as a superstar, a great friend, and a great lawyer. You did not tell me, as a woman of color, it would not matter what I didmy motive, my talent, my ability, and my character would be constantly attacked, Willis said. The speech came days after the defense motion that instigated the months-long saga. In the motion, an attorney for Trump co-defendant Mike Roman argued Willis should be disqualified from the case after allegedly misusing her office and having an improper relationship with Wade, whom she hired in November 2021. When referring to her detractors throughout the speech, she frequently utilized the plural they. The State argues the speech was not aimed at any of the defendants in this case. Maybe so. But maybe not, McAfee wrote in the Friday ruling. Therein lies the danger of public comment by a prosecuting attorney. The judge noted that, by vaguely pointing to Romans motion, Willis left that question open for the public to consider. Then, instead of attributing the motions critique to a normal defense strategy, McAfee said that Willis ascribed the effort as motivated by playing the race card. She went on to frequently refer to SADA Wade as the black man while her other unchallenged SADAs were labeled one white woman and one white man, McAfee wrote. The effect of this speech was to cast racial aspersions at an indicted defendants decision to file this pretrial motion. Ex-Trump Aides Lawyer Details Start of Her Fani Willis Investigation McAfee noted that Willis did not cross an ethical line because she did not name any defendant by name, disclose any confidential evidence, or talk about details that may eventually taint a Trump jury. But it was still legally improper, he wrote. The judge even signaled that he might eventually take the precautionary step of restricting the DA from speaking about the case publicly, taking an extraordinary step that other judges in New York and Washington have found more fitting to use against Trump. Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into, the judge added. The time may well have arrived for an order preventing the state from mentioning the case in any public forum to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity, but that is not the motion presently before the court. In a statement to The Daily Beast, Trumps lawyer, Steve Sadow, stressed that in his Friday ruling, McAfee did not give proper significance to Willis church speech, where she played the race card and falsely accused the defendants and their counsel of racism. We will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case, which should never have been brought in the first place, he added. Despite the admonishment, McAfee refused to disqualify Willis from the Trump case, stating there was no evidence of an actual conflict of interest brought on by the relationship. The judge also noted that defense attorneys failed to prove Willis finances impacted the case or that she had a personal stake in its outcome. But, he said, the secret affair brought a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team that can only be remedied if Wade is removed. Wades patently unpersuasive explanation for the inaccurate interrogatories he submitted in his pending divorce indicates a willingness on his part to wrongly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney, McAfee wrote. As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued, resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed. Trump Co-Defendants Make Last-Ditch Moves to Disqualify Fani Willis Former DeKalb County District Attorney J. Tom Morgan told The Daily Beast that McAfees admonishment of Willis highlights the importance of a gag order in a high-profile case that personal attacks from the start have marred. In criminal cases, the prosecution and defense strike blows at each other but they are never personal, Morgan said. These became personal and they were below the belt and I think these are the repercussions. This was a situation she created. Willis should lick her wounds, say this hurts but its not the death of the case and move on, Morgan said. Jurors have the memory of a gnat. So I dont think her comments will affect a fair trial. What was once considered the strongest criminal case against Trump is now hobbling forward at a snails pace. At a global womens summit last year, Willis indicated she expects the trial to last well into 2025meaning Trump could already be in the White House if the top Republican candidate manages to win this years presidential election. But her assessment came well before the case went on a two-month detour while the defendants tried to get her disqualified for her romantic relationship. Since then, the judge has pared down the indictment by dropping six criminal charges, including what many considered the most blatant evidence of Trumps election interference: his infamous January 2021 phone call intimidating Georgias secretary of state to find 11,780 votes that didnt exist to flip the ballot results there in his favor. The DA can continue to prosecute the case as a mob takedown, levying racketeering charges for the overall conspiracy against Trump, MAGA lawyer Rudy Giuliani, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, election lawyer John Eastman, and others who tried to rewrite history by reversing the legitimate results of the 2020 election. But the case now proceeds with a blemished DA who has fewer criminal charges to employ against a defense team that has already scored a win by putting up a united front against her. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. FERMANAGH TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) An interchange in Juniata County has been named in honor of Trooper Jaques Rougeau Jr., who died in the line of duty last year. The interchange of U.S. Routes 22/322 with Arch Rock Road was dedicated as the Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau, Jr. Memorial Interchange in a ceremony on Friday. Interchange Named for Fallen Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr. Interchange Named for Fallen Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr. Interchange Named for Fallen Trooper Jacques Rougeau Jr. Trooper Rougeau was fatally shot in the line of duty on June 17, 2023, by a gunman in Mifflintown who had previously attacked the Stat Police barrack in Lewistown. The gunman was later killed by State Police after a shootout in Juniata County. Trooper Rougeau was a native of Corry and enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in June 2020 as a member of the 160th class. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, on Thursday once again vetoed a motion of sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The question has been a key issue in the political debate in recent months. The motion came from the conservative opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Meanwhile, parts of the governing parties -- Social Democratic Party, Greens, and Free Democratic Party -- also support the idea of providing long-range missiles. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday underlined his refusal to supply far-reaching weapon systems to Ukraine. He said the system can only be used if they were linked to the deployment of German soldiers. "That is a line I do not want to cross as Chancellor," he told the Bundestag. The majority of Germans support Scholz on the issue. According to a survey published by public broadcaster ARD last week, 61 percent are against the delivery of Taurus to Ukraine, 9 percentage points up from August last year. Nevertheless, Scholz reiterated his support for Ukraine in terms of military equipment. Also on Thursday, he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky via phone that Germany would continue to support Ukraine in the military sector in close coordination with European and international partners, a German government spokesman said. Considered one of Germany's most modern weapon systems, the Taurus missile is an air-launched missile with an operational range of about 500 km. It travels at almost the speed of sound and flies at an altitude of only 35 meters, which makes it hard for radar systems to detect it, local media reported. Almost two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Vice President Kamala Harris America's first female Vice President made history on Thursday by being the first sitting president or vice president to visit an abortion clinic. Harris, as first reported by NBC News, planned on visiting the Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota in a way that would not interfere with the providing of medical services. Instead she toured the clinic and conversed with healthcare providers and patients who were interested in speaking with her. Walking through this clinic," Harris said in a press statement after the tour, she described "people who have dedicated their lives to the profession of providing healthcare in a safe place that gives people dignity, and I think we should all want that for each other. The vice president described a "healthcare crisis" that has resulted since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Elections matter, Harris said. When it comes to national elections and who sits in the United States Congress, theres a fundamental point on this issue that I think most people agree with, which is that one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling women what to do with her body. Harris is taking the lead among President Biden's administration in advocating for women's health, launching a "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour at the start of the year for that purpose. Harris' visit to the Minnesota Planned Parenthood clinic was the sixth stop on that tour since January. On this occasion, Harris' tour was greeted with anti-abortion protesters holding signs indicating their opposition to Planned Parenthood. Their signs included slogans like "abortion is not healthcare" and "Planned Parenthood = abortion." Harris is not the first national elected official to address a Planned Parenthood, but the first to do so from an actual clinic. President Barack Obama, while in office in 2013, addressed a Planned Parenthood chapter from a hotel in Washington, D.C. Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday called on the federal government to move as quickly as possible to change the way it officially classifies marijuana, saying that nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed. I cannot emphasize enough that they need to get to it as quickly as possible, Harris said. We need to have a resolution based on their findings and their assessment. This issue is stark when one considers the fact that on the schedule currently, marijuana is considered as dangerous as heroin as dangerous as heroin and more dangerous than fentanyl, which is absurd, not to mention patently unfair. Marijuana is currently listed as a Schedule 1 drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration. That classification designates it one of the most dangerous drugs possible, with no medicinal uses. Other substances in the same category include heroin, ecstasy and LSD. Marijuana advocates have been pushing for years for the federal government to either reschedule marijuana to a different category or deschedule it entirely. Harris was speaking at a meeting at the White House with people who received pardons from President Joe Biden for marijuana-related offenses. Rapper Fat Joe, aka Joseph Cartagena, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) were also in attendance. Biden issued mass pardons to thousands of people convicted of low-level marijuana offenses in October 2022 and again in December 2023. Upon announcing the 2022 pardons, the president also ordered Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to begin the process of rescheduling marijuana. Rapper Fat Joe speaks with Vice President Kamala Harris during a roundtable conversation about marijuana reform and criminal justice reform at the White House on March 15. KENT NISHIMURA via Getty Images Becerra announced that his agency had completed its review of the health dangers of marijuana and recommended that the DEA reclassify marijuana as a Schedule 3 drug. This would not legalize marijuana, nor would it reduce the legal burdens on the burgeoning marijuana industry, but it would make marijuana enforcement a significantly lower priority, reduce some criminal penalties and allow marijuana businesses access to certain tax deductions. Harris comments are part of a recent push by Bidens administration and his reelection campaign to highlight policies liberalizing access to marijuana. No one should be jailed for using or possessing marijuana, Biden said during his State of the Union speech. This sentiment was echoed by Harris on Friday. No one should go to jail for smoking weed, she said. The comments by both Biden and Harris amount to Nixon goes to China moments for the two longtime drug warriors. In the 1980s and 1990s, Biden helped enact strict drug laws as a senator at the height of the War on Drugs. Harris, for her part, enforced California marijuana laws as a district attorney and the state attorney general while strongly opposing a marijuana legalization ballot initiative in 2010. But today, marijuana legalization is widely popular, with over 70% of the U.S. population in support, according to a 2023 Pew poll. Related... Ahead of Vice President Kamala Harriss visit to an abortion clinic in Minnesota, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll revealed that a slight majority of voters disapprove of her job performance while only 36 per cent of voters approve of her. That number is lower than the dismal 41 per cent that President Joe Biden has. Many Democrats fear that Biden is simply too old. Thats a fear hes openly confronted recently, including during his fiery State of the Union address. But those questions about Bidens age carry a subtext: Democrats fear Harris is not ready to take the job. If the only issue were that Biden was too old, Democrats could breathe a sigh of relief at the idea that he could hand off the reins to Harris if he either decided not to run again or he was incapacitated or died. The fact that they sweat Bidens age means Democrats no matter how much they may praise her in public do not think she is up to the job of being at the top of the ticket, given her unpopularity. And they certainly dont think shes the right person to face a more emboldened Donald Trump in 2024. Indeed, that USA Today/Suffolk University poll showed 54 per cent of voters did not think she was qualified to be president. Harris also struggles because Biden fills many of the duties that would usually go to the vice president. She only spent four years in the Senate and lacks the strong ties to the institution that allowed Biden to get Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer to avert a crisis. Bidens years as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Barack Obamas vice president mean he also knows most heads of state most notably, he handled the Ukraine portfolio as vice president and has known Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the two were up-and-comers. That gives Harris very little room to manoeuvre in what is already considered the most stifling job in Washington. And on the issues that Biden has given her to handle, she has notably fallen flat. In her first year, Biden gave her the job of handling an influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border, wherein she notably told migrants Do not come and laughed off a question about why she had not visited the border personally. Ironically, had she done better, then she could have attacked Republicans after they killed the bipartisan immigration bill at Trumps behest. Similarly, when Biden put her in charge of voting rights, she presided on the floor when Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema the conservative contrarians of the Democratic caucus, who are now both leaving prevented a change to the filibuster. But Harris has more credibility than Biden on abortion. For his part, abortion rights activists have long looked at Biden with skepticism for the same reasons Democrats elected him: Hes an 81-year-old white Catholic man. For much of his time in the Senate, Biden supported the Hyde Amendment, which restricts the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion procedures. He only changed his position in 2019 when he ran for the Democratic nomination. In the same way, he has shown discomfort in using the word abortion, and did not use it once in his recent address to Congress when he promised to codify Roe v Wade into law. When he spoke at a fundraiser last month, he said, Im a practicing Catholic. I dont want abortion on demand, which angered some activists. Even though he added, I thought Roe v Wade was right, the damage was done. While many of Harriss biggest defenders say she faces additional scrutiny because she is the first Black and South Asian woman to be vice president, that actually might help her communicate better with Democratic voters. Harris is 22 years younger than Biden and more comfortable discussing abortion rights than someone who came up in a time when white men still dominated both parties and many Democrats opposed abortion rights. Indeed, she recently noted how uncomfortable some words are and how that can impact reproductive rights campaigning. So, everyone get ready for the language: uterus, she said, to laugher, before adding, That part of the body needs a lot of medical care from time to time. She also did not shy away from using the A-word. Issues like fibroids we can handle this breast cancer screenings, contraceptive care that is the kind of work that happens here, in addition, of course, to abortion care, she said. The Biden White House and campaign seems to understand that Harris is well-placed to discuss such issues. She has been dispatched to a host of swing states from Minnesota, which has codified abortion rights, to North Carolina, where Republicans overrode Democratic Governor Roy Coopers veto to pass a 12-week abortion ban, to Florida, where presidential also-ran Governor Ron DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban. Harriss ascent on abortion rights also comes as many activists in multiple states, including Florida, push to put attempts to codify protections for reproductive rights on the ballot. It also comes as Democrats in red states like Kentucky win fights against abortion rights restrictions. In fairness, abortion alone probably cannot salvage Harriss image. But for all the hand-wringing about Harris, she could serve as someone who mobilizes base voters, since 76 per cent of self-identified Democrats in the USA Today/Suffolk poll approved of her. Similarly, 59 per cent of the most devout part of the Democratic base Black voters view her favorably. In turn, Harris might find her niche on the campaign, speaking meaningfully to the newest members of the Democratic coalition suburban women with degrees and rallying the most faithful bloc of the party. As the Kansas Senate finished a seven-hour debate late Thursday night over a controversial flat income tax plan, Sen. David Haley still didnt know how he would vote. The Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat voted to pass on the Republican-supported measure at first. But just after 10 p.m., GOP senators used a procedural maneuver to force him to take a position. He hemmed and hawed. He joked he should flip a coin. Then he voted yes. At least thats what many in the Senate chamber including a Star reporter heard. But Haley insists that isnt what happened. I said I dont need coins, I reluctantly voted no on 539, Haley told reporters Thursday night. Someone is saying that they heard I voted yes. Ive been here 30 years. Ive never heard or seen anything like this before. Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, a Wichita Democrat who sits next to Haley on the Senate floor, said in a text message Friday that she heard Haley vote no on the bill. Nevertheless, in a statement Friday morning Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, highlighted that the bill passed with a bi-partisan supermajority. Video of the Senate proceedings for Thursday night is unclear. Audio in the Senate chamber is generally only picked up when lawmakers speak directly into their microphones which Kansas senators rarely do when voting. Haley can be heard joking about flipping a coin, but his actual vote is inaudible in the recording. After the vote another person, though its unclear who, seems to say he said no. Speaking to The Star Friday morning Haley said he mumbled through his response and believed he may have been misunderstood when he said I reluctantly vote no to have said aye, indicating support for the bill. Ive learned a valuable lesson. Speak clearly into the microphone when you really want to, when you really need to be heard, he said. After the Senate adjourned Thursday night Haley tried to turn in a written explanation for public Senate records of his no vote and learned Senate staff had recorded him as a yes. After several minutes when staff and Masterson spoke to Haley and rewatched video of the vote, Haleys vote was recorded as a yes and the senator submitted a new explanation. The disputed vote comes weeks after Haley very publicly contemplated breaking with Democrats to help override Kellys veto of a previous flat tax proposal. He had argued he wasnt convinced the proposal would be as devastating as Kelly warned. He expressed frustration with minimal attention paid to his district in eastern Wyandotte County over his decades in office. That vote never made it to the Senate after the override attempt failed in the House last month. But Haley said Thursday evening he was still undecided. The final tax package is certain to look different from the bill lawmakers voted on Thursday night. The Senate is likely to hold conference committees with the House and both chambers will vote on a new proposal before the end of the legislative session. Rather than take a position now, Haley said, he had wanted to wait and see how the bill changed through the process and what the long term budget projections looked like. But, he said, he had serious concerns with the current proposal despite wanting to provide some level of tax relief for his constituents. I dont want to wait another half a year or more for it to come, Haley said Friday. The flip side is its just so inequitable, the matrix of this flat tax. TOPEKA (KSNT) Two Kansas towns are neck-and-neck in a nationwide contest set to determine the best small town in the Midwest. Voting is currently open for a contest hosted by USA Today to find out which small town people think is the best of the best in the Midwest. The leaderboard has 20 towns listed in its ranks this week, with Marysville and Council Grove both near the top: Madison, Indiana Marysville, Kansas Council Grove, Kansas Petoskey, Michigan Put-in-Bay, Ohio Vevay, Indiana Mitchell, South Dakota Traverse City, Michigan Sandusky, Ohio Dyersville, Iowa Winterset, Iowa Bayfield, Wisconsin Eureka Springs, Arkansas Sturgis, South Dakota Marietta, Ohio Red Wing, Minnesota French Lick, Indiana Kohler, Wisconsin Utica, Indiana Fulton, Missouri Comedian Gabriel Iglesias sets date for show in Kansas Council Grove Morris County Sunset overlooking the Flint Hills of Kansas. Council Grove has access to a wealth of history thanks to its numerous historic sites, according to the towns website. The National Park Service (NPS) lists the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Kaw Mission State Historic site, Lanesfield Historic site and more as noteworthy places to visit in town. Council Grove is also located near a scenic tallgrass prairie and the nearby Flint Hills. You can learn more about what the town has to offer by clicking here. Marysville Marshall County USA, Kansas, Marysville, downtown city view Primarily known for its abundance and love for the local black squirrel population, Marysville is located along the historic Oregon Trail in northern Kansas, according to the towns website. The town shows its love for its local squirrels by building artistic statutes of them every year. More than 30 squirrel statues can be found across Marysville. You can learn more about what Marysville has to offer by clicking here. 116,000 semi-trucks recalled nationwide, DOT says How to vote People can vote for their top choice once per day until polls close at noon ST on Monday, April 1. Winners will be revealed on Wednesday, April 10. You can vote in the contest using this link. Abilene is also in the running for a separate USA Today contest for the best historic small town. You can vote for this contest by using this link. 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. Photos by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr and Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Kari Lake has finally made good on her promise to appeal an election case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, who still hasnt acknowledged her loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs in the 2022 race for Arizona governor, has petitioned the nations top court to take up a case aimed at banning the use of machines to count ballots in two Arizona counties and forcing a hand count. Lake, along with then-candidate for Arizona Secretary of State Mark Finchem filed the suit in April 2022, alleging that the electronic ballot tabulators used in Maricopa and Pima counties were hackable and that the courts should place an injunction on their use ahead of the November 2022 election. Finchem, who also lost his election in 2022, and Lake each filed lawsuits after that election seeking to overturn the results. In both cases judges found that neither candidate could prove that there was any fraud, malfeasance or maladministration that changed the outcome. Attorneys for both Lake and Finchem have been sanctioned for making claims unsupported by facts or evidence. In August 2022, U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi threw out the tabulator case and issued a scathing ruling. He later ordered $122,000 in sanctions against the attorneys in the case, saying that Lake and Finchems claims amounted to mere conjectural allegations of potential injuries. In October 2023, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals concurred with Tuchis decision to throw out the case, agreeing that it was frivolous. None of Plaintiffs allegations supported a plausible inference that their individual votes in future elections will be adversely affected by the use of electronic tabulation, particularly given the robust safeguards in Arizona law, the use of paper ballots, and the post-tabulation retention of those ballots, the appellate court wrote. An attorney representing Lake and Finchem previously admitted in court that the Republicans had no evidence to support their claims that tabulation equipment or any voting equipment in the state had been hacked. Tabulators in Arizona are not connected to the internet and paper ballots are used across the entire state. On Thursday, Lake and Finchem asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the lower courts decision. During a livestream Friday morning on the social media site X, formerly Twitter, avid Trump supporter and election conspiracy promoter Mike Lindell claimed that there was explosive and shocking new evidence in the case that wasnt previously available. Lindell also claimed that his Lindell Defense Fund paid for the original suit. New evidence from other litigation and public-record requests shows defendants made false statements to the district court regarding the safeguards allegedly followed to ensure the accuracy of the vote, on which the district court relied, the attorneys for Lake and Finchem, Kurt Olsen and Lawrence Joseph, wrote in the petition to the Supreme Court. That enables petitioners to seek to amend their allegations on standingto show a non-speculative likelihood that the same harms will recur in future elections, which harms did indeed occur in the 2022 election. Even with their claims of new evidence, Derek Muller, a professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, told the Arizona Mirror that he believes the case is a longshot. I think the 9th Circuit opinion is pretty much right, given how the Supreme Court has interpreted standing doctrine, Muller wrote in an email. Their injury is a generalized grievance, which means its something that the public shares. They have not suffered any concrete or particularized harm. For that reason, I think the Supreme Court will probably refuse to hear the case and offer no comment on its refusal. In their appeal to the high court, Lake and Finchem harken back to the hanging chad debacle in the presidential race in Florida in 2000, but do so in a way that incorrectly implies Arizonans dont use paper ballots. The overwhelming majority of voters in the state use paper ballots that are tabulated by an optical scanner. At least there, humans could see and touch ballots and punch cards, the attorneys wrote, referring to Florida in 2000. By turning elections over to black boxes running software outside the public domain, we surrendered the ability to meaningfully verify the election process. In the petition, Lake and Finchem go as far as to accuse Arizona election officials of illegally altering the tabulator software a crime under Arizona law and concealing those alterations from the court when the case was originally filed. They also claim that Dominion Voting Systems equipment used in Maricopa County, and in many other counties across the country, have a built-in security breach enabling malicious actors to take control of elections, likely without detection. Dominion and its software have been the target of right-wing election conspiracy theories for years now, and last spring Fox News agreed to pay Dominion $787 million over false claims it made about the companys voting equipment. Lake and Finchem also pointed out that some of the components in the Dominion machines come from countries like China, that are known adversaries that routinely use components, such as motherboards and microchips, to surreptitiously access computer systems. They also indicated that, because most voters and election workers dont understand how the tabulators work, that they cant be trusted. The question is not how many times inaccurate results were discovered, but rather how many times have they not, Olsen and Joseph wrote in the petition, seemingly highlighting a lack of evidence of Lake and Finchems claims. Finchem and Lake also continue to repeat the same allegations that tabulators and their software in Maricopa County were not properly certified, or put through mandated pre- and post-election logic and accuracy testing, making them easily vulnerable to manipulation that theyve been making for more than a year now. They claim to have recently obtained system log files from the 2020 Maricopa County election that show that, instead of using certified software, Maricopas election software has been surreptitiously altered with respect to components controlling how ballots are read and tabulated. Lake and Finchem continue in their appeal to rely on inaccurate or unreliable sources and information to form their case. In the petition, they cited the debunked partisan audit of Maricopa Countys 2020 election, saying there was a 11,592-ballot discrepancy between the official results and final voted files totalled. Cyber Ninjas, the firm that completed the audit on behalf of Senate Republicans and was run by a pro-Trump conspiracy theorist who was deeply tied to the Trump campaigns effort to gin up evidence that voter fraud had led to Trumps loss, had no experience in election audits, and was never able to fully make sense of its own counts, let alone confirm the accuracy of the official results. The company spent two months in the summer of 2021 hand-counting more than two million ballots and then another four months to determine who won, but never produced an accurate final number. Looks like basically our numbers are screwy, Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan said in a text message sent during the audit that was later uncovered by the Arizona Republic. Lake and Finchem also point to tabulator problems on Election Day 2022, which they called a massive disruption, to show that their original claims about the tabulators werent speculative. While the tabulators at around 70 of Maricopa Countys 226 voting centers did have trouble scanning ballots on Nov. 8, 2022, an independent investigation found the cause was paper that was too thick and ballots that were too long for the printers to handle. The result was about 17,000 ballots that couldnt be read by the tabulators at polling sites. The issue did cause long lines and voter frustration, but even though thousands of ballots were rejected by tabulators that day, all legal votes were later counted and Lakes claims that the tabulators were manipulated for the purposes of fraud were dismissed by the courts. She also failed to prove in court that any person was denied their right to cast a ballot that day. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Kari Lake and Mark Finchem appeal their tabulator case to the U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on Arizona Mirror. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." 1982-present [live-blog-post id='d79bf70b-6e35-419b-8bea-30fc39e2677d'][/live-blog-post] [table-of-contents] stripped Who Is Kate Middleton? Kate Middleton is a member of the British royal family whose official title is Catherine, Princess of Wales. The Reading, England, native is married to Prince William. The royal wedding was held in April 2011 at Londons Westminster Abbey amid an international media frenzy. The couple has three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. In March 2024, Middleton revealed she is undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified form of cancer that was discovered earlier this year. Quick Facts FULL NAME: Catherine, Princess of Wales BORN: January 9, 1982 BIRTHPLACE: Reading, England SPOUSE: William, Prince of Wales (2011-present) CHILDREN: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis SIBLINGS: Pippa Middleton and James Middleton ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Capricorn Early Life and Family Kate Middletonofficially known as Catherine, Princess of Waleswas born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on January 9, 1982, in Reading, England. Her parents are Michael and Carole Middleton. Her younger sister is Pippa Middleton, and her younger brother is named James. On her mothers side, Kate came from a decidedly working-class stock of coal miners and builders. Her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Goldsmith, pushed her children to aim high. As a result, Kates mother became an airline hostessat the time, a considerably glamorous job. It was on this job at British Airways that Carole met Michael Middleton, an airline dispatcher, whose wealthy family hails from Leeds and which has ties to British aristocracy. The couple married soon after. In 1987, her parents founded a mail-order party goods company. The business was a surprise success, eventually making the Middleton family multimillionaires. As a result of their parents business and newfound income, Kate and her siblings didnt want for much. Kate attended exclusive boarding schools, including St. Andrews Prep School, Downe House, and Marlborough College. Her time in boarding school didnt come without its conflicts. Kate left the exclusive Downe House all-girls boarding school at age 14 due to bullying and taunts from other students. On her first day at co-ed Marlborough, some particularly mean-spirited boys began rating incoming students based on attractiveness and personality. They gave Middleton a two out of 10. Despite the initial setbacks, she did well in her studies, passing 11 GCSEs and three A-level exams. Prince William and Kate Middleton Middleton met Prince William at the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, when she became a student in 2001. They lived in the same dormitory at college, St. Salvators Hall, and shared several classes in their course schedule. Soon, they became friends. While they often shared breakfast and walked to classes together, the two werent interested in each other romantically at first. Middleton was dating senior Rupert Finch, and William was busy dealing with the press and struggling with his feelings about his new school. Royal Romance In March 2002, Middleton appeared in an exclusive fashion-show fundraiser wearing a revealing dress. William was also present at the charity event and became intrigued and interested in Kate in a new way. He attempted to engage her romantically that evening but, still in a relationship with Finch, Middleton spurned the future kings advances. At the end of the 2002 school term, Middletons boyfriend graduated, and the couple soon parted ways over issues of distance. Newly single and entering her sophomore year, Middleton and several friends were invited to share a flat with William, a setting that allowed their budding romance to blossom. At first, Middletons life didnt change much. The couple kept their relationship a secret, mostly due to the princes extreme distrust of the press. The couple agreed not to hold hands in public or be seen sitting together at dinner parties. This seemed to throw off the press for the most part. Getty Images But in 2004, Kate was caught by paparazzi while on a royal family ski trip. Her relationship with William became the subject of intense scrutiny, and by 2005, she was a tabloid favorite. The two graduated together that summer, with Middleton earning an honors degree in art history. In February 2006, it was announced that Middleton would receive her own 24-hour security detail from the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department. This led to rumors that Middleton was being groomed for a position of royalty. However, with William headed off to a military academy, Middleton was faced with tending to the paparazzi frenzy alone. Alleged Split In April 2007, Middleton and William were believed to have split. Allegedly pressured by the royal family to either propose or let Middleton move on with her life, William apparently broke off the couples five-year relationship over the phone. Media reports said otherwise, however, as Middleton was spotted at several royal events accompanied by the prince only a few months later. Other rumors indicated that the couple was living together. Both parties denied the rumors. Marriage Proposal and Engagement Ring Getty Images On November 16, 2010, Middleton and William announced their engagement. The prince proposed during a vacation to Kenya, presenting Kate with the engagement ring worn by his mother, Princess Diana. Getty Images The ring, made by crown jeweler Garrard, features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire set in white gold and surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. The ring was reportedly inspired by a brooch created in 1840 for Prince Albert as a wedding present for Queen Victoria, which she wore on her wedding day as her something blue. The design is now available for anyone to buy at Garrard. Its beautifulI hope I look after it! Its very special, Middleton said in the couples official engagement interview. The couple then announced plans to live in North Wales, where William was stationed with the Royal Air Force, after their marriage. Royal Wedding to Prince William Getty Images Kate and Prince William married on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London. She wore a dress designed by Sarah Burton, a fact that remained a closely guarded secret until the big day. Kate also donned a tiara that the Queen Mother received from her husband, King George VI, in 1936. Shortly before the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II conferred Middleton with the title of Catherine, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge. The wedding reportedly cost close to $34 million, $32 million of which was for security. Guests included Elton John and David and Victoria Beckham; 23 million people watched the ceremony live on television. Children The Princess and Prince of Wales have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Getty Images Prince George On July 22, 2013, at 4:24 p.m. local time, Kate gave birth to her eldest son, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, weighing in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces. Currently, Prince George is second in line to the British throne following his father, William. St. James Palace officially announced that Kate and William were pregnant with their first baby on December 3, 2012, after almost a year of baby rumors and much speculation. On the same day of the announcement, Middleton was hospitalized at King Edward VII hospital in London with acute morning sickness. Anticipating the arrival of the couples first born, by July 2013, international media outlets began establishing a regular presence in front of St. Marys Hospital in Paddington, London. St. Marys was the same hospital where Princess Diana gave birth to William and later Prince Harry. Princess Charlotte On May 2, 2015, Kate gave birth to a daughter named Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces, at 8:34 a.m. local time at St. Marys Hospital. Kates second pregnancy was announced in September 2014. Charlotte was Queen Elizabeth IIs fifth great-grandchild and is the third in line to the throne after her father, William, and brother Prince George. A recent change in succession rules gives preference to birth order over gender, allowing Charlotte to remain a spot ahead of Prince Louis. Prince Louis On April 23, 2018, Prince Louis Arthur Charles was born, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces, at 11:01 a.m. local time at St. Marys Hospital. Prince Louis is fourth in line to the throne after Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte. Kensington Palace announced that Kate and William were expecting their third child in September 2017. The statement revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge was suffering from severe morning sickness, known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, as she had during her pregnancies with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Careers Kates full-time job is as Princess of Wales, her royal title since September 2022. However, before marrying William and after graduating college, she worked in other endeavors. Finding a job was difficult as the girlfriend of the prince; the position had to be considered respectable by the royal family, while also allowing Middleton the flexibility to take off at a moments notice to be with the prince. In November 2006, Middleton finally found an acceptable position as an assistant accessories buyer with the British clothing chain Jigsaw in London. It was later reported that she left the company in order to study portrait photography. In 2010, it was revealed that Middleton had been working on plans to start a new bakery business with her brother, James, who ran The Cake Kit Company. The business had the goal of encouraging kids to cook and making it easier to bake party cakes. Topless Tabloid Controversy Kate made headlines in September 2012 when photos of her sunbathing topless in southern France were published by a French magazine, Closer. Soon after, the photos were reproduced in publications in Ireland and Italy. As soon as the news broke about the photos in Closer, the British royal family became involved in a legal battle to obtain the rights to the photos, in hopes of preventing other publications from printing them. According to The Los Angeles Times, the photos werent picked up by any news organizations in Britain. Shortly after Closer published the photos, on September 18, 2012, the royal family won their copyrights in court. A judge ordered the French magazine to hand over the photos within 24 hours of the courts decision, according to The L.A. Times. Closer faced daily fines of $13,000, as well as fines for any reprints of the photos, if it failed to meet the 24-hour timeline. Foundation and Mental Health Advocate Through what is now known as The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, Kate teamed up with her husband and her brother-in-law Prince Harry to form the Heads Together initiative to raise awareness of mental health issues. In January 2018, they announced the launch of a website designed to provide resources for teachers and schools seeking help in that area. We know that mental health is an issue for us allchildren and parents, young and old, men and womenof all backgrounds and of all circumstances, Kate said. I see time and time again that there is so much to be gained from talking of mental health and taking the mental health of our children as seriously as we do their physical health. When we intervene early in life, we help avoid problems that are much more challenging to address in adulthood. In April 2020, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Kate and William pledged to use their foundation to support frontline responders and families during the health crisis. Abdominal Surgery and Cancer Diagnosis The Princess of Wales was hospitalized for 13 days after successfully undergoing a planned abdominal surgery on January 16, 2024, in London. Kensington Palace released a statement the following day that Kate wouldnt return to public duties until after Easter. She hopes 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, it read. Despite this notice, the Princess of Wales absence sparked furor on the internet as royal fans continued to speculate on what her abdominal surgery was for and why she has been out of the spotlight for so long. Paparazzi photographed the Princess only twice since her most recent public appearance on Christmas Day 2023. Kate was seen in a car with her mother in early March then leaving Windsor Castle with Prince William on March 11. That same day, she issued a rare personal apology for editing a photo with her children that Kensington Palace had released in honor of Mothers Day in the United Kingdom. News agencies around the world retracted the photos distribution after discovering the picture had been manipulated. On March 22, Kate ended the speculation about her whereabouts with a short video shared on the social media site X. At the time [of my surgery], it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous, she said. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. She revealed she is in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy for her unspecified form of cancer. Given her ongoing treatment, Kensington Palace shared in March that the Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. Prince William briefly suspended his public duties during his wifes hospitalization and initial surgical recovery. His first royal engagement after Kates surgery was February 7, and he has appeared at other events since. However, he missed his godfathers funeral in late February due to a personal matter, according to Kensington Palace. The Palace clarified in March that the personal matter was Kates cancer diagnosis. Quotes I really hope I can make a difference. Even in the smallest way. I am looking forward to helping as much as I can. By far, the best dressing-up outfit I ever wore was a pair of clown dungarees, which my granny made. They were white with big red spots, and she used a hula hoop for the waistbandgenius. [Prince Charles] was very, very friendly; very welcoming. Over the years, William has really looked after me. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us! You Might Also Like ROME, March 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 60 people are feared to have died at sea and 25 others were rescued, the European migrant rescue organization SOS Mediterranee said on Thursday. SOS Mediterranee said the boat departed from Zawiya, Libya, seven days before being rescued by the organization's Ocean Viking ship. The refugee's boat's engine failed three days after its departure, leaving the vessel adrift for days without fresh water or food. According to survivors, multiple women and at least one child were among the deceased. The 25 survivors were in grave condition. Two of them were unconscious when rescued and had to be sent to a hospital on Italy's Sicily island by helicopter. The organization reported other significant rescues recently. On Wednesday, 113 migrants, including six women and two children, were rescued from a two-level wooden craft. On Thursday, 88 were rescued from a rubber boat. No fatalities were reported from these two operations. Based on their recent rescue operations, SOS Mediterranee said there was an increase in the number of boats carrying refugees from Libya, rather than Tunisia, which had been the main point of departure for migrant ships over the years. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said she is unfazed and actually thinks it is awesome that actress Scarlett Johansson impersonated her on the most recent episode of Saturday Night Live. Britt, who gave the Republican rebuttal to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address last week, joined Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on his podcast Verdict, and shared how pumped she was that SNL chose Johansson as the actress to portray her, ABC News reported. The Recount noted that despite Britts apparent admiration for the skit, Cruz took time out of the conversation to share how he felt slighted by the show. Scarlett Johanson is hot, Cruz told Britt. Im genuinely jealous because SNL has come after me a bunch of times. They don't ever have Tom Cruise play me? How come you get a gorgeous movie star? That is a real compliment that you ought to be pretty psyched with. Scarlett Johansson is hot, and I am genuinely jealous At least you were played by a woman Ive also been played by a woman. They cast Aidy Bryant as me She looks pretty good in a beard, by the way. Sen. Ted Cruz talks SNL portrayals with Sen. Katie Britt on his pod pic.twitter.com/xZTUBcb4MH The Recount (@therecount) March 13, 2024 Britt particularly enjoyed one spoof, where Johansson compared her to Kate Middleton. One of my favorite things was there was a meme that said, Why is Alabama Kate Middleton so mad? Britt told Cruz. And I thought, this is the highest compliment, can we print this out and frame it and put it on my desk? ABC News also noted that during the podcast episode, Cruz showed praise for Britt, nodding to how other Republicans have shown support for her since she gave the partys response to Biden. Cruz then also said that the media demonized Britt for that rebuttal. He criticized SNL for its portrayal of the president while mocking Britt. Both Britt and Cruz continuously slammed Bidens address as a really angry stump speech from an old cranky president. And Britt still contends that the liberal media isnt interested in the truth. Ke Huy Quan's new movie With Love has confirmed a release date. Earlier this year it was announced that the Everything Everywhere All at Once star is set to lead the new action flick, which comes from Universal and production company 87North (via Deadline). Now Variety had reported that With Love will be released in US cinemas on February 7, 2025 with a UK release date yet to be announced. The film, which marks Quan's first major leading role, will be directed by Jonathan Eusebio who is making his feature directing debut after a long career as a 2nd unit director and stunt coordinator. Steve Granitz - Getty Images Related: Michelle Yeoh lands next lead movie role While details of the film's plot are currently being kept under wraps, it has been confirmed that Luke Passmore is adapting an original script by Josh Stoddard and Matthew Murray. Last year, Quan made history as the first Vietnam-born actor to win an Academy Award. The actor previously found fame as a child star in The Goonies and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Following the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny last year, the film's director James Mangold explained why Quan's character didn't make a return to the franchise. PATRICK T. FALLON - Getty Images Related: How to watch The Zone of Interest right now "We looked at all these different things, but the first thing we were trying to do was assemble a story that made sense in the present, meaning in the 1969 section of the movie," he said. "If you notice... the only person we follow through the whole way is Indy himself joined by Helena [Shaw, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge], and I felt like we needed to have a female lead who challenged him. "But we looked at all these different things and tried to figure out how they would work. I just didn't want another adult along for the ride." With Love will be released in US cinemas on February 7, 2025. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is available to watch now on Disney+. You Might Also Like Back in the day (and not so long ago actually) a candidate running for political office who said or did something deemed unacceptable, offensive or of a scandalous nature, they promptly dropped out of the race and usually apologized. Our current president saw an earlier campaign for the highest office in the land derailed when it came to light that part of a speech he had given was plagiarized. He abandoned the campaign (how quaint this seems today). Alleged affairs, public meltdowns, unfortunate tongue-in-cheek comments about being brainwashed by the communists (made during the height of the Vietnam War by a former Michigan governor), have all served as the exit point for a number of presidential campaigns that ended before they even had a chance to build up any traction. Michael Jones So it seems strange and unfortunate that today we have a former president running once again for office despite being found culpable of sexual assault and financial fraud and ordered to pay millions of dollars for these crimes. One might think this would have sunk the former presidents campaign in its tracks. But no, he and his loyalists see this guilt, handed down in a court of law, as a sick and twisted badge of honor and use these two cases to rake in campaign contributions which are then used to pay his extensive legal bills in several other pending criminal cases. Bad as his financial fraud ruling must seem to the average normal person and should have served to end this former presidents campaign, elsewhere, in another court of law, this same president was found guilty by a jury of his peers for the sexual assault (the judge in the case had indicated for all practical purposes he had committed rape) of a woman a number of years ago. Because it was a civil trial; the victim was suing the former president for defamation and damages, the jury was only tasked with determining a financial award - which they set at $83.3 million in favor of the victim. If it had been a criminal case facing the former president he would likely now be behind bars where hed presumably still be running his campaign; such is the unshakeable cult-like support among his followers. My, my, how far our country has fallen in just a few short years. We have screwed up our moral compass until it is spinning like an out-of-control gyroscope and have now normalized the behavior of this immoral sex offender and pathological liar going back to when he was first voted into office almost eight years ago. Things just havent been the same since. Imagine, a man found guilty of financial fraud and sexual assault is currently running at a better than 50/50 chance to ascend once again to the highest office in the land, where on day one he has indicated he would be a dictator and seek retribution against his perceived political enemies. Where is our moral outrage after this man was found responsible for assaulting a woman in a department store dressing room? Why isnt this front-page news in every newspaper every single day and the lead story on every television newscast? I JUST DONT GET IT! (all caps courtesy of the former president who sincerely believes an all caps message conveys even more force and hence more truthfulness than puny lowercase letters when attempting to spread his constant lies). Why has America issued a collective HO-HUM concerning the man who once again has aspirations to occupy the White House even after having been found responsible by a jury of his peers for sexual assault? Are we still callous enough to believe women dont have the same rights as men and it is OK for a man to force himself on a woman because she was asking for it, was dressed in a provocative manner, was in the wrong place at the wrong time or any other of the myriad excuses men make up to justify the sexual assault of a woman? When, I ask you, is it ever OK to assault a woman and then allow, in this case, the former president, a free pass for such behavior? NEVER. At least not in the America I grew up in. But thats me and Im just a curmudgeonly grumpy guy who still believes political candidates must be held to a higher moral standard when seeking my vote. Vote the way you wish and if you wish to see a serial sex offender and criminal financial fraudster in the White House chances are better than pretty good you will get your wish. Just be wary of what you wish for though. It sadly may come true. Michael Jones is a columnist and contributor for the Gaylord Herald Times. He can be reached at mfomike2@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Keep it Simple: The de-evolution of American politics Kenyan MPs are investigating the recent recruitment of tax revenue workers after it emerged that some applicants were rejected after doing HIV and pregnancy tests. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) said it had disqualified 133 job applicants after they did the tests last year. They were set to undergo paramilitary training to prepare them for their roles as tax collection enforcers. Kenyan law prohibits discrimination in hiring based on health status. The news that recruits had been subjected to medical tests visibly shocked and angered MPs when it was revealed in a parliamentary session on Thursday. "There is no doubt that gross violation of rights has been committed in the recruitment," said Mandera West MP Adan Haji, who chairs the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity committee. "Just accept that you have grossly violated over 20 Articles of the constitution and the relevant laws on human rights," he told senior KRA officials. The tests were defended by KRA commissioner for domestic taxes Rispah Simiyu, who said the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), which conducted paramilitary training on the 1,406 revenue service assistants (RSAs) "always subject recruits to HIV/AIDs and pregnancy tests". "The RSA has a dimension of paramilitary training, which requires physical fitness and protection of life during training," Ms Simiyu said. "This approach was purely anchored on health and safety for this group of persons to help maintain training readiness and reduce risk to potential recruits." KRA commissioner-general Humphrey Wattanga told the committee that the 133 results were confidential and denied discriminating against people based on their HIV/Aids status. The MPs, however, demanded to know why the job hunters were rejected given that the law prohibits discrimination in recruitment based on health status. The legislators dismissed the explanation by revenue officials, saying that not all paramilitary training requires HIV tests. They also questioned the role of the military in the recruitment. The MPs vowed to open a full-scale inquiry. "This matter needs time, but before that, KRA should explain why we should not force them to hire the 133 with immediate effect," said Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were. Teso North MP Oku Kaunya called for "an in-depth probe into the operations of KRA so that our resolutions and proposals will serve as an example to other organisations". This comes barely two weeks after the High Court nullified the recruitment of all 1,406 revenue workers on the grounds that it was skewed in favour of two communities. The court ruled that recruitment was unconstitutional since it picked the majority of recruits from the president's and deputy president's ethnic groups. The KRA's explanation that there was a higher number of applications from the two communities was not supported by statistics, the court ruled. The recruitment is part of the government's efforts to increase revenue collection and weed out tax evaders. You may also be interested in: ZAGREB, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Croatian President Zoran Milanovic made an unexpected announcement on Friday, declaring his candidacy for prime minister in the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for April 17. "I have decided to run as an independent and non-partisan candidate on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) list in the elections for the Croatian Parliament," Milanovic wrote on his Facebook page. "After the election victory, which I am sure of, I will step down from my position as president of the Republic of Croatia, and, with the support of the new majority in the Croatian Parliament, take responsibility for leading the government," he said. He said he will continue to perform his duties as president in line with his constitutional obligations and duties, before assuming a new position. His presidential term expires in February 2025. While Milanovic's sudden announcement will encourage supporters of the left-wing SDP, it has also sparked controversy, said Sanja Baric, a specialist on Croatia's Constitution. "The Constitutional Court should tell Milanovic that he can run for prime minister only if he resigns from his current position." According to the latest polls, the ruling Croatian Democratic Union has the strongest public support with 26.5 percent, while the SDP comes second with 17.9 percent. As one of the most popular politicians in the country, Milanovic's unexpected move is likely to change the picture of the parliamentary elections. Amid all the calls for an Israeli cease-fire in the war with Hamas, a few key facts are getting short shrift. Israel has put forth a cease-fire plan. It was negotiated along with U.S., Egyptian, Qatari, and Saudi diplomats. Its terms are quite favorable to Hamas. And Hamas is the party thats rejecting it. The plan, which has been on the table for two weeks, calls for a 40-day cease-fire. During this period, all military activity by Israel and Hamas will stop. Israel will suspend aerial surveillance over Gaza for eight hours of each day. Hamas will free 40 hostagesone a day. They will include women, children under 19, people over 50, and ill hostages. In exchange, Israel will free 400 Palestinian prisonersa 10-to-1 ratio. Also during this period, Israel will allow much more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, including 500 trucks worth per day, as well as a commitment to provide 200,000 tents for displaced people and 60,000 caravans. (This part of the deal was outlined before President Biden ordered the U.S. military to build a pier off southern Gaza and to send in still more supplies by ship.) Israel will also allow the entry of heavy machinery and other equipment to remove rubble and rebuild hospitals and bakeries, as well as enough fuel to power the machinesas long as Hamas pledges not to use the machines or the fuel in a way that threatens Israel. All this is seen as the first phase of an agreement. The second phase hasnt yet been negotiated, beyond the broad points that it should entail releasing the remaining hostages for an unspecified number of prisoners and gradually letting displaced civiliansexcept for men of military-service agereturn to the northern Gaza Strip, from which they were evacuated in the opening weeks of Israels bombing campaign five months ago. Biden hopes that a six-week cease-fire will be extended and that diplomats use the time, and the pause in fighting, to begin negotiating an enduring political settlement of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflictpreferably in a solution that divides the narrow piece of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea into two states, one Jewish, the other Palestinian, that coexist in peace. Netanyahu has no such hopes or aspirations for this ideal. Nor do the leaders of Hamas, whose reason for existence is to destroy Israel as a Jewish state. Meanwhile, the six-week cease-fire plan seems as if it has something to offer for all sides. Diplomats from neighboring Arab states have been pushing Hamas to take the deal. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Qatari officials have threatened to expel Hamas political leaderswho have been living in cushy houses and condos in the small, oil-rich nationif they dont accept the cease-fire, though no action has yet been taken. At the same time, a recent story in Londons Financial Times reported that Israels military campaign has shattered Hamas, which is fighting on simply to survive. One would think the terrorist commanders might be desperate to take the deal. So, why dont they? First, they might not agree with the FTs analysis. As for the civilian casualties in Gaza, they dont care. A senior Hamas leader openly said, in an interview with Russian TV two weeks into the war, that protecting civilians was the United Nations responsibility, not his. They dont care about the lives or well-being of ordinary Gazans. As long as he and other Hamas leaders survive, down in their tunnels or wherever they happen to be, theyre willing to hang on. Second, signing a deal with Israelor adhering to the terms of a deal that an ally has signed with Israelmight dishearten Hamas most militant supporters, might suggest that something good could come from addressing Israel with anything but rockets and rifles. (Hamas has warned Gazans not to accept aid from Israel and, according to the Israel Defense Forces, has killed some who have done so.) Third, regardless of what its leaders really think about the first phase of a cease-fire, Hamas might want to resist any subsequent phasesand the best way to avoid those phases is to reject the first one. When the Hamas terrorists retreated to Gaza after their Oct. 7 killing spree, they grabbed about 250 hostages for two reasons: first, to trade them for prisoners later on; second, in the meantime, to deter Israel from bombing Hamas hideouts and tunnels without any restraint whatsoever, for fear that the bombs would kill the hostages too. (Some hostagesit is unknown how manyhave died, whether from the bombing or from other causes.) Once the last hostage has been freed, Hamas leaders know that their own days are severely numbered. This explains Hamas counteroffer at the peace talks. It demands a permanent cease-fire (later revised to a cease-fire lasting 4 months), and it demands that all Israeli troops leave Gaza before any hostages are released. Netanyahu has rejected these conditions as delusional. On this point, he is right. A complete withdrawal of troops and a committed end to the war would leave Israel without the means to enforce the release of hostages. It would also allow Hamas to rebuild its military and resume attacking Israel, whether with rocket fire or another attempted incursion. Hamas issued a new plan on Friday, offering to free hostages who are women, children, elderly, or sickpresumably the same 40 specified in the plan already on the tablein exchange for the release of up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences. Reports on the revised plan also suggest that it requires the withdrawal of Israeli troops to occur after this initial hostage release, in a second phase, along with the release of all remaining hostages and prisoners, as well as a formal, permanent cease-fire. The Israeli government is studying the proposal, though Netanyahu has denounced it as still absurd. At the same time, as if to brush the new proposal aside, Netanyahu announced that he has approved the Israeli militarys plan to push ahead to Rafah, the town on the southern tip of Gaza where Hamas leaders are said to be concentratedthough 1.3 million civilians, many of them evacuees from northern Gaza, are also huddled there, many without shelter, food, or medicine. Still, Israeli diplomats headed back to Qatar for another round of talks on hostages, leaving openperhaps deliberatelythe possibility that the push to Rafah might be delayed or canceled if Hamas is pressured into accepting the 40-day cease-fire deal. Biden has urged Netanyahu not to move against Rafah without a plan to protect or evacuate the civilian population. The prime minister says there is such a plan, but its unclear what it is or how any plan could be effective, given the geography and Egypts reluctance to open its own border with Gaza so that civilians can stream into the Sinai. According to the Gazan Health Ministry, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war since it began five months ago. Israel bombed and invaded Gaza after the Hamas terrorist group, which controls the strip, crossed its carelessly guarded northern border and killed 1,163 Israelisthe largest number of Jews killed in one day since the Holocaust. The next few days could reveal whether the war will come to a halt, at least for a while, or whether the bloody fighting will grind on. KILGORE, Texas (KETK) The Kilgore Police Department is seeking the publics help identifying a person suspected of being involved in an aggravated assault with a firearm. Dallas PD investigates sexual assault allegations made against Cowboys QB Dak Prescott The police department describes the person as a large-build black man driving a gray Ford passenger car. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Joshua Sims at 903-218-6907 or at Joshua.Sims@cityofkilgore.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Forty-two years ago, Ruben Garcia met Mother Teresa, who challenged him to announce the gospel Good News. This inspired him to start Annunciation House, a hospitality shelter for vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers. Matthews Gospel was the cornerstone of his work, especially Jesus words: I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me (Matthew, 25:35). Now, the Texas attorney general is attempting to shut down Annunciation House and its network of hospitality shelters. In what kind of a country is Gods work a crime? Texas can do better. Ruben and his network of hundreds of selfless humanitarian helpers have long proven that we can. Ruben Garcia, director of Annunciation House, walks out of the 205th District Courtroom with attorney Robert Doggett and Jerome Wesevich, a lawyer with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid representing Annunciation House, after a motion hearing with Judge Francisco Dominguez in El Paso, TX on Thursday, March 7, 2024. These unjust actions should serve as a call to all people of good will in El Paso to take bold and fearless action. In this moment, our faith and hope demand solidarity with the Annunciation House, recommitment to the work of human rights, and action that bears the fruit of justice. More: El Paso leaders blast Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton lawsuit against Annunciation House Hatred, racism and xenophobia are immoral, because we believe in a God who is love. Enough of the fear mongers, the ideologies of bigotry and fear, and the lies that dehumanize and bring death to those who seek life and justice at our border. Inhumane policies betray our nations most promising ideals. Msgr. Arturo Banuelas, one of the Catholic Diocese's longest serving pastors, will retire in July. Our El Paso border community is an example of what is possible in America. In our work of hospitality, we have shown to the world the beauty of our border people. We cannot take for granted the welcoming community that we have created; it needs to be cherished, deepened and defended. Now is the time to end the persecution of the poor, the policies that divide families and the brutalizing barbed wire at the border. Now is the time to work for just immigration reform. Because as the Gospel teaches us, our communion with each other is communion with God. More: Texas Attorney General denied Annunciation House records until case is heard in court Migrant communities contribute greatly to our nation economically, culturally and spiritually. Immigration is neither a Republican nor a Democratic issue but a matter of human rights and human dignity. Together, we can build a better America with more promising future for everyone. Rather than fomenting opposition, we can actively participate in building up a better humanity rooted in justice, compassion and love. We invite you to join us this week on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 6:30pm for Do Not Be Afraid: March and Vigil for Human Dignity. We will gather in San Jacinto Plaza with Bishop Mark Seitz, Bishop Anthony Celino, Ruben Garcia, members of our diverse religious traditions, parishioners, and our communitys humanitarian workers. Together, we will march to Sacred Heart Church, where we will prayerfully celebrate and defend our unique El Paso identity as a place where everyone finds their dignity and lives affirmed. Join us as we defend the borderlands as a place of welcome, stand in solidarity with Annunciation House and all those working for justice and compassion, and proclaim a vision of a world filled with the justice of God. Monsignor Arturo J. Banuelas is the founding chair and Dylan Corbett is the executive director of the El Paso-based Hope Border Institute. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Border Hope Institute plans Do Not Be Afraid vigil for human dignity BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) This season all 28 tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit are paying tribute to the King, Richard Petty, and his legendary family in their milestone 75th anniversary season. Special Petty hat monuments are positioned prominently in their fan zone areas. Bristol Motor Speedways Petty hat is black with Petty blue, just like the ones he wore during so many visits to the northeast Tennessee track over the years. NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin says different colored walls at Bristol could affect racing The hat statue is made of concrete and fiberglass is approximately six-foot tall and weighs 1,000 pounds. The design on the hat pays homage to his affinity for Petty blue and also is adorned with the three stars of Tennessee, which has a double meaning for Petty at Bristol since he earned three of his record 200 Cup Series victories at the challenging high-banked short track. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has poked fun at the Kate Middleton photo-editing saga. Here, the two are pictured together in The Hague in 2016. Credit - Peter DejongGetty Images Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, admitted to editing a family picture of herself and her three children which was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales social media accounts on Mothering Sunday in the U.K. Her statement, also shared across social media, came after several news agencies retracted the image due to suspicion that it had been doctored. The edited image has since fueled countless conspiracy theories around the world, as people continue to speculate over Kates health and whereabouts. Shes been absent from public life since undergoing a planned abdominal surgery in January. Apparently, even the Dutch King Willem-Alexander is aware of the saga. During his visit on Tuesday to Zutphen, a city in the east of the Netherlands, he encountered several young school children wearing crowns and waving Dutch flags. One child made a remark about a photograph with your whole family. The King is quoted as responding with: Really? At least I didnt photoshop it. Many people in the audience chuckled. According to a translation by Dutch royal correspondent Rick Evers, the King said: Really? That was not Photoshopped, apparently! Girl: I have seen a picture of you and your whole family! Dutch King Willem-Alexander: Really? That was not Photoshopped apparently! https://t.co/iMxNpHQ3Ph Rick Evers (@RickEversRoyal) March 14, 2024 In contrast to the British Royal Family, the Dutch Royal Family has a reputation for being relatively down to earth. Dutch royal children attend state schools and the adults are known to have regular jobs. Several years ago, King Willem-Alexander revealed he had served as a commercial airline pilot for KLM for over 21 years in a part-time capacity. The Dutch Royal Family is on good terms with the British Royal Family, and were photographed together in the Order of the Garter service and at Ascot in 2019. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands also attended King Charles IIIs coronation ceremony last year in May. Contact us at letters@time.com. Four young cats sit in the mother and child cat house at the Berlin animal shelter. German police busted an alleged illegal animal transport after officers heard the whining of 18 kittens from the luggage area of a bus during an inspection. Monika Skolimowska/dpa German police busted an alleged illegal animal transport after officers heard the whining of 18 kittens from the luggage area of a bus during an inspection. The 12-week-old kittens were found crammed into six boxes and have now been placed with an animal shelter, police announced on Friday. The 37-year-old owner of the kittens is facing charges of fraud and violation of Germany's Animal Health Act. According to police, the man presented forged vaccination records for the kittens after travelling with them across the German-Czech border on Thursday evening. After the inspection of the bus and discovery of the kittens, he reportedly told police that he was trying to transport the animals to Paris for an acquaintance. German law prohibits the import of particularly young animals and also requires animal vaccinations for imported animals, police said. The stop occurred along the A6 motorway in southern Germany near the Bavarian town of Waidhaus. Viktor Brahinskyi, the director of the Kyiv Metro, will be dismissed from his position in light of a Bihus.Info investigation into Brahinskyi's financial misconduct, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on March 14. The investigative outlet Bihus.Info reported that Brahinskyi appears to have embezzled funds and committed multiple violations in his asset declarations, using his relatives to hide the extent of his wealth. "Viktor Brahinskyi will be suspended from his duties as director of the Kyiv Metro," Klitschko said on Telegram. "Or he will not resist and will write a letter of resignation. And then the facts revealed in the investigation by Bihus.Info journalists should be dealt with by the relevant authorities. Law enforcement agencies." Bihus.Info journalists discovered suspicious declarations of land and expensive Kyiv properties among Brahinskyi's relatives. Brahinskyi's mother's declaration included Hr 2 million (approximately $52,000) which were immediately transferred to her son. Brahinskyi's sister was also implicated in the investigation. "Philosophically speaking, you can't look into everyone's soul," Klitschko said. "But when they lie to your face and pull rabbits out of a hat behind your back, it looks too bad. And not only in relation to me personally, but in relation to the people of Kyiv." The system of compulsory asset declarations was originally instituted as part of the country's fight against corruption following the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution. At the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the requirement for submitting e-declarations was suspended. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law on Oct. 10, 2023, to resume asset declarations for officials and immediately make them publicly accessible. Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) on Dec. 10, 2023, opened 24-7 access to the Unified State Register of Declarations of persons authorized to perform the functions of the state or local self-government. Read also: Abandon all hope: Ukraines wounded warriors compare military medical system to the Inferno Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has successfully targeted yet another Russian oil refinery, this time in the countrys Kaluga region, southwest of Moscow, in the early hours of March 15, a source in Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), confirmed to the Kyiv Independent. The HUR carried out the drone attack, according to the source. Russian Telegram channel ASTRA earlier claimed that three drones had struck the facility, causing damage to equipment on the site. A video posted to social media allegedly showed the moment one of the drones struck, causing a large fireball. The Kyiv Independent couldnt verify the video. Russias Defense Ministry had reported that five drones and two Grad missiles had been shot down overnight over the Belgorod and Kaluga regions but did not mention the attack on the oil refinery. Ukraine has launched a concerted effort to degrade Russias oil production capabilities, targeting refineries across the country. Earlier this week, oil refineries were attacked in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Leningrad oblasts. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has suspended the director of the city's underground rapid transit system (Kyiv Metro), Viktor Brahinsky, Klitschko announced on March 14. The suspension came hours after Ukrainian journalists at Bihus.info published an investigation into Brahinsky and his family growing asset portfolio, suggesting the official was involved in corrupt schemes. Brahinsky has administered Kyiv Metro for a decade. Read also: Mayor Klitschko vows harsh response to demolition of historic building in Kyivs Podil "Hard evening with unpleasant revelations," Klitschko said in a Telegram message. "Viktor Brahinsky is hereby suspended from his duties as Kyiv Metro director. Perhaps, he will not contest this and will resign voluntarily." Read also: Dnipro officials to appeal to Turkey over neglected metro construction Klitschko indicated that law enforcement should further investigate the claims brought to light by the journalists. Read also: Kyiv subway to be repaired by end of summer Mayor Klitschko Klitschko added that the issue tarnishes the reputation of both his office and the citizens of Kyiv. Bihus.info drew attention to high-value properties acquired by Brahinskys relatives, including his mother's purchase of luxury apartments and his estranged wife's construction of an upscale cottage in Kozyn, Kyiv Oblast. The investigation also detailed an alleged transaction where Brahinsky's sister bought land from him at a highly inflated price. 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 booming mezcal market has reshaped the Oaxacan landscape, as forests are torn up and planted with agave. The shift has weakened natural defenses in a region prone to wildfire. (Omar Torres / Getty Images) The photos and videos began flooding in Feb. 27. In a region of Oaxaca famous for its flavorful mezcal, a wildfire was raging dangerously close to the town of San Lucas Quiavini. Massive plumes of smoke choked the horizon as the flames drove toward the town of 1,700. At nightfall, local officials put out an urgent call for volunteers to head out the next morning to beat back the fire. They asked for people over 18 who knew the roads and urged them to don helmets and face masks. It would be days before the state government intervened with enough equipment and resources to get the blaze under control. In the interim, residents of San Lucas Quiavini and neighboring towns in this agave-growing hub tried to mount a defense with shovels, pick axes and what little water they could spare. By the time the government declared the wildfire contained on March 5, it had scorched more than 1,700 acres. And five men from San Lucas Quiavini had died after heeding the call to battle. Some of the fire victims had worked in Los Angeles and have close family here. Their deaths have struck an emotional chord in the city, home to the largest Indigenous Oaxacan population outside Mexico. Oaxacan restaurant owners and youth organizers have rallied in support, raising money and donations to help the families and towns that suffered losses. The men killed have been identified by local officials and organizers as Rafael Antonio Morales, 65; Pedro Curiel Diego, 64; Felipe Garcia, 41; Celso Diego, 65; and Jose Hernandez Lopez, 47. All were farmers. The relatives and restaurateurs organizing support in Los Angeles say the Mexican government failed the towns, waiting too long to mount an aerial defense. More broadly, they believe that the boom in mezcal production in this region of Oaxaca has left Indigenous communities more vulnerable to natural disaster. Mezcal, long a traditional and medicinal drink for Oaxacans, has swelled in popularity in the U.S. and beyond as a younger generation turns to craft spirits. As demand for the smoky liquor has climbed, vast tracts of forest in Oaxaca have been torn up and planted with agave, eroding the soil and weakening natural defenses in a mountainous region prone to wildfire and mudslides. The fast-growing popularity of mezcal spirits has raised environmental concerns in Oaxaca as more land, water and firewood are dedicated to growing and distilling agave. (Pedro Pardo / Getty Images) At least 50 wildfires have broken out in Oaxaca in just the first few months of 2024 though the states wildfire season typically starts in mid-March, according to El Universal, a Mexican publication. Were in a critical period of drought and heat, Oaxaca Gov. Salomon Jara Cruz said at a March 5 news conference. The consequences are that we are more prone to any wildfire, whether it be brief, slight. Jara Cruz acknowledged the state was delayed in getting air support to San Lucas Quiavini, but he said it readily deployed 267 personnel and 50 vehicles on the ground. He showed videos of the massive fire taken from the air, as well as images of San Lucas Quiavini women carrying plastic jugs of water on their heads as they trekked up steep hills to deliver water to the men fighting the fire. The men who died had reportedly gone missing on Feb. 28, the day after they volunteered for duty. At all times, we have acted with responsibility and timeliness to protect the lives and integrity of Oaxacans," Jara Cruz said. In Los Angeles, days after the bodies were discovered, Indigenous youth held a rally in front of the Mexican consulate office in MacArthur Park to protest what they said was the governments lax efforts to protect the people of San Lucas Quiavini. I've heard from my cousin that they don't even have proper shoes. They only have huaraches, said Brenda Diego, who is Zapotec and lost an uncle in the fire. They're using machetes; they're using shovels. They didn't have anything prepared for a fire. Mireya Curiel, one of the Zapotec youth organizers, said she was related to three of the men who died. Rafael Antonio Morales, her grandfather's cousin, was known to offer a friendly smile and helping hand around town. Two others, Pedro Curiel Diego and Celso Diego, were her uncles. Not only were these folks older, but these folks were also experts in the land, said organizer Randy Santiago, a Zapotec of Santiago Matatlan. Their loss to their community has been immeasurable. Their expertise, their knowledge of the land, their knowledge of tradition, culture, everything, has now been lost. That is the fault of the government. In recent days, the youth group has collected supplies requested by people in Oaxaca: masks and respirators, fire-resistant boots and clothing, battery-powered headlamps, compression gloves and socks. They were able to ferry the supplies to Tijuana, where someone picked them up and delivered them to Oaxaca in southern Mexico. They have raised more than $40,000 to purchase more supplies and support families affected by the fire. Jose Curiel of Venice lost an uncle, Pedro Curiel Diego. He has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for his cousin, Diegos daughter. His uncle spent about 10 years working as a dishwasher in Los Angeles before returning to the hometown he dearly missed, Curiel said. San Lucas Quiavini, Curiel said, is a rustic town where few people have cars and some households still collect water with barrels. It doesn't have the draw of bigger towns in the region such as Santiago Matatlan, known as the world capital of mezcal that offer tourist packages combining mezcal-tasting with tours of the agave fields. But it is peaceful, and many in L.A.'s Oaxacan community plan to return there to build their dream homes. He said the men who died did so in defense of that sense of community. They went out to help, to make sure not only that they were safe, but to save their families, their town, their whole community, Curiel said. Ivan Vasquez, owner of Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria, worries that the mezcal market is reshaping Oaxaca in ways that threaten Indigenous communities. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) Ivan Vasquez, the owner of Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria, which has four locations in Los Angeles County, spent a recent Sunday evening auctioning off vintage bottles of mezcal to raise funds for the towns affected, an event that generated more than $8,000. Vasquez, a native of Oaxaca City, travels to the region frequently to buy spirits from small-batch mezcaleros. Vasquez said he was frustrated by the lack of awareness among large mezcal production companies moving into Oaxaca that benefit from the sprawling agave fields but have yet to support the communities affected by fire. Read more: A mecca for mezcal: These are the best agave bars in L.A. Every single time that I go to Oaxaca and I go out of the city and go to the pueblos, you see more fields of agave replacing the trees, he said. The more agave you see, the more flattened land, the more fires were going to get. And the less water were going to get. Vasquez, who is Zapotec, said he worries about the future of the Indigenous communities as the mezcal market continues to reshape rural Oaxaca and global warming exacerbates conditions. This is just the beginning, he 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 bill, which still needs passage in the Senate to become law, would prohibit TikTok from U.S. app stores unless the social media platform is spun off from its parent company ByteDance. * TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew warned that if the bill is signed into law, it will impact hundreds of thousands of American jobs and take "billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses." * Critics, including technology and cybersecurity experts, have pointed out that banning TikTok does little to enhance the security of American users. Many see it as an extension of the U.S.-initiated tech war with China that undermines the principles of free trade and fair competition. NEW YORK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill which could potentially lead to the nationwide ban on short-video app TikTok, citing unfounded national security concerns due to its Chinese ownership. The move has drawn widespread criticism from various quarters both within and outside the United States, with people questioning the motivations behind Washington's suppression of the popular app, and raising concerns about constitutional rights and the principle of fair competition being violated. DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES The bill, which still needs passage in the Senate to become law, would prohibit TikTok from U.S. app stores unless the social media platform -- used by roughly 170 million Americans -- is spun off from its parent company ByteDance. The bill gives ByteDance, which allegedly raises security risks for the United States, roughly five months to sell TikTok. If divestiture is not achieved by that time, it will be illegal for app store operators such as Apple and Google to offer the app for download. The proposed TikTok ban under the guise of national security has faced backlash from the company and its vast user base. TikTok has vehemently opposed the legislation, denouncing it an infringement on the constitutional right to freedom of expression. "This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: it's a ban," the company said in a statement Wednesday. "We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents, and realize the impact on the economy, 7 million small businesses, and the 170 million Americans who use our service." The logo of TikTok is seen on the screen of a smartphone in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday responding to the House's vote, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said the company has invested in keeping user "data safe and our platform free from outside manipulation." He warned that if the bill is signed into law, it will impact hundreds of thousands of American jobs and take "billions of dollars out of the pockets of creators and small businesses." "We will not stop advocating for you, and we will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights to protect this amazing platform we have built for you," Chew said. The TikTok community, particularly content creators and small business owners who have thrived on the platform, fear for the devastating consequences of a ban. Entrepreneurs like Callie Goodwin, who launched her greeting card company on TikTok, and Tiffany Yu, a disability advocate, have shared how TikTok has been instrumental in building communities and amplifying underrepresented voices. The potential ban threatens not just their livelihoods but also the rich tapestry of connections and expressions that TikTok fosters. "SINGLED OUT" FOR BEING CHINESE Critics, including technology and cybersecurity experts, have pointed out that banning TikTok does little to enhance the security of American users and may instead be seen as a move to stifle competition against American social media giants. In a story carried by www.vox.com, Casey Fiesler, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, highlighted the lack of nuanced understanding among policymakers regarding TikTok. Concerns U.S. lawmakers cited to impose the ban, such as content moderation, algorithmic unfairness, and data privacy concerns, are prevalent across all social media platforms, said Fiesler, who herself has nearly 115,000 followers on TikTok. "The thing that's unique to TikTok is their relationship to China, which is what makes them concerned about those particular things, I guess." she added. Prominent dissidents within Congress, such as representative Jamaal Bowman, a savvy TikToker himself, have also spoken out against the ban, arguing it constitutes an attack on freedom of speech, reported USA TODAY. Bowman urged Congress to question why TikTok is the only platform being scrutinized by Congress while most agree that all social media causes some harm. "We're isolating TikTok and singling them out," Bowman said in an interview with USA TODAY. "And they are no worse or better than any of the other social media platforms who have committed blatant, egregious violations in terms of impact on our society and democracy." Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression have urged solidarity against a TikTok ban, arguing the move would raise serious First Amendment concerns and almost certainly face legal action. A similar attempt by the Trump administration to ban TikTok in 2020 was thwarted by the courts. This file photo shows a logo of TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. (Xinhua) FAIR COMPETITION IN PERIL The proposed TikTok ban has also sparked an international outcry, with many seeing it as an extension of the U.S.-initiated tech war with China that undermines the principles of free trade and fair competition. Critics have contended that the principle of fair competition is fundamental to innovation and consumer choice. When governments target specific companies based on their country of origin rather than their actions, it sets a dangerous precedent that could stifle global technological advancement. Moreover, using national security as a blanket justification for economic actions against specific foreign companies undermines the trust that's crucial for international trade, they say. The unfounded suppression of TikTok underlines the need for a more nuanced understanding of digital geopolitics and a recommitment to principles that ensure a level playing field for all participants in the global digital economy, according to the critics. The bill puts the United States on the opposite side of the principle of fair competition and international economic and trade rules, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Thursday. If so-called "national security" excuses can be used to arbitrarily suppress outstanding companies of other countries, then there is no fairness to speak of, he added. (Video reporters: Hu Yousong; video editors: Liu Yutian, Li Qin) And so it came to pass that months of careful strategic planning culminated in a Photoshopped picture of the prime minister wearing a chicken suit. Well, of course it did. And we may assume that political discourse in the next few, long months can only degenerate from this intellectual apotheosis. Labours intentions in talking up the prospect of a May 2 general election were so obvious and unsubtle that it hardly bears mentioning. Not that there was anything unusual or particularly unethical in their cynicism most opposition parties perform the same trick at some point. But did they really expect us to fall for it? For weeks shadow cabinet members have been briefing furiously that the election would, after all, be called for May 2. Sunak is hoping to wrong-foot us, they would whisper in lobby journalists ears. Things can only get worse for him over the summer, so hell cut and run on the same day as the local elections, take it from me, mate. Another beer? All of this was despite an earlier commitment from the prime minister that the general election wouldnt take place until the second half of the year, explicitly ruling out May 2. But that mattered not, for who would recall such a comment? Better to brief that May 2 is the likeliest date and then, after the inevitable denial (which came last evening in an interview Sunak gave to a regional TV station) publish that photo of him in the chicken suit, you know, the one that was prepared just before the Christmas party. Its all fun and games until someone gets hurt, just part of the peculiarly British tradition of Guess The Polling Day. It strikes me as odd that speculation has continued to focus on either the local elections date in May or some time in the autumn, usually cited as late October. Setting aside Sunaks earlier remarks about holding the election later in the year, why has June been so quickly ruled out? This is the Thatcher gambit. On two occasions in 1983 and again in 1987 the former prime minister waited to see the results of the local elections in May before finally deciding that the general election would occur a month later. Sunak might conceivably pull the same trick this year; better-than-expected results in the shires and the various mayoral elections might persuade him to take his chances on June 6 if he calculates that he can minimise losses that way. What is even odder is that all this speculation and the acknowledgement that the prime minister has the freedom to call an election at a time best suited to his own partys prospects is doing the rounds without any complaint about the principle of the thing. It was barely a decade ago that the Conservatives, Labour and the Tories then sidekicks, the Liberal Democrats, all agreed that they would support the Fixed Term Parliaments Bill that the LibDems had negotiated with their bigger partner. The principle that no prime minister should be able to set the date of an election was solemnly repeated and endorsed by all sides and the Bill duly became an Act. And then Theresa May happened, followed by Boris Johnson and the embarrassing spectacle of the Tantrum Parliament during which many of our elected tribunes seemed to lose their marbles and the only way to bring them to their senses was to hold another election. Thus the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, which turned out to be not remotely effective at guaranteeing five-year terms (and why was it five years rather than four years anyway?) was consigned to the dustbin of history. And nobody, even those valiant constitutional reformers who believe as a point of principle that if a convention has existed for a long time, it must be abolished and reformed, mourned its passing. The status quo ante now prevails and parliament is the better for it. It turns out that even without an unnecessary and clumsy piece of legislation, the longer a prime minister holds on to office and the closer we come to a parliaments statutory end, the less room for manoeuvre he has and the more entertaining it is for those of us with no dog in the fight. Sunak has very little wriggle room, but he still has some. That strikes some as unfair: why should he rather than, say, the leader of the opposition, have the sole authority to seek the monarchs permission to dissolve parliament at a time of his choosing? The answer is a simple one: because his party won the last election and Rishi Sunak, not Keir Starmer, is the prime minister. You want the leader of the opposition to have more say in when an election is called? Then try harder to win an election. Then lets see how eager the new incumbent is to throw away this very British political and constitutional advantage. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The man accused of murdering a 22-year-old nursing student on the University of Georgia campus last month has asked for a jury trial. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Laken Riley was found beaten to death along a trail on UGAs campus on Feb. 22. RELATED STORIES: The next day, Venezuelan native Jose Ibarra, 26, was arrested on murder charges. His two brothers were also arrested on charges related to being in the country illegally. They are both being held in federal custody. Ibarra is being held in the Athens Clarke-County jail. Court filings obtained by Channel 2 Action News Friday show that Ibarras attorney has asked for a jury trial and that Ibarra will not waive his rights. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Ibarra has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. An autopsy showed that Riley died from blunt force trauma to the head. LAKETOWN TWP. Another step toward the demolition of the oft-discussed Huyser House was taken Wednesday night, March 13. Laketown Township Board members voted 3-1 to accept a bid from Specialized Demolition in Hamilton to demolish the 84-year-old Huyser House. The $29,845 bid was recommended and forwarded to the board by the Parks and Recreation Commission in a January meeting. Supervisor Linda Howell, Treasurer Jim Johnson and Trustee Patrick Dietrich voted in favor of accepting the bid, while Clerk Amanda Davis voted against. Trustee Jim Delaney was attending the meeting via Zoom and could not vote. The bid will now go back to the parks commission for action, according to a release from the township. The Huyser House in Laketown Township on Dec. 28, 2023. The township board voted to accept a bid to demolish the home on Wednesday, March 13. Board members had little discussion on the action outside of asking if the bid was sufficient to complete the demolition. Township Manager Al Meshkin told board members he did not recommend accepting a bid. Meshkin is a member of the townships Building Authority, which previously suggested a plan to turn the house into a Living Legacy Center. As far as the specifications on the bid, I think theyre fine. They do cover all the pieces that I was concerned with, Meshkin said. Im just talking about the specifications, as I will say very publicly, I do not support this at all. I do not recommend it. The Laketown Township Board voted 3-1 to accept a bid to demolish the Huyser House on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. He added Specialized Demolition had the most complete bid and has been good to work with in the past. In a citizen comment session prior to the vote, township resident Steven Ringelberg again asked the board not to demolish the home. He previously presented a plan to the parks commission that would see him lease the home from the township, renovate it and manage it as a long-term rental. The plan was rejected by the parks commission in January. The Huyser House, formerly owned by Manuel and Lilah Huyser, was donated to Laketown Township along with 102 acres of land, now Huyser Farm Park, in 2001. It went unused for more than 20 years. It has been a frequent topic of discussion in the township over the past year and a half. More: Laketown Township parks commission votes to demolish Huyser House More: Last-ditch attempt to save Huyser House rejected A special committee said in December 2022 the house should be torn down, citing safety, cost and a lack of purpose. In March 2023, Laketown's Parks and Recreation Commission voted 3-2 to hand the future of the home over to the Building Authority, which was tasked with making a plan for the structure by Sept. 15, 2023. That plan was revealed in August a suggestion to convert the home into a Living Legacy Center for a cost of roughly $125,000. The plan had received approval from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, which holds an easement on the property. However, the parks commission was unhappy with the decision and sent a letter to the township board relaying that opinion in September. On Oct. 11, the township board asked the township attorney to provide an opinion on who has control of the house and whether the conservancy easement allowed the structure to be demolished. Subscribe: Receive unlimited access to your local news coverage That opinion was provided Nov. 1, when attorney Ron Bultje informed the township the Parks and Recreation Commission has control of the house. Bultje said the conservation easement does not prohibit the demolition of the house, should the township decide to knock it down. At a Nov. 15 meeting, the first for the parks commission after the opinion was issued, commissioners voted unanimously to demolish the home. Bids were reviewed in January and commissioners recommended the township board accept the bid from Specialized. Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Laketown Township Board OKs bid to demolish Huyser House Whether James Irven Staley III is ever freed from prison may now be up to three justices on Texas Second Court of Appeals. Staley, scion of a once-prominent Wichita Falls oil family, was convicted of capital murder in the 2018 death of 2-year-old Jason Wilder McDaniel. The toddler was smothered with a pillow in Staley's home. James Irven Staley leaves after a day in court Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in downtown Fort Worth. On Monday, March 13, 2023, Staley was convicted of murdering 2-year-old Jason Wilder McDaniel. Staley was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole following a trial in March 2023. He is appealing the conviction, claiming evidence from a search warrant that netted electronic devices in his home should not have been admissible. More: Jury delivers verdict in Staley murder trial Oral arguments before the justices Tuesday centered on the any and all devices language in the warrant, which appeared to concern the justices. Defense attorney Keith Hampton said sweeping up any and all devices in a search has been condemned by the U.S. Supreme Court. He blasted the warrant for what he called, a lack of probable cause, a lack of particularity, a use of boilerplate language. He said the warrant did not present adequate evidence to get inside a cell phone or inside of a computer. More: Autopsy findings: 2-year-old Wilder McDaniel may have been smothered with pillow Hampton said while the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states no warrant shall be issued without probable cause, the warrant in the Staley case met none of the requirements of the law. Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie countered that the warrant was not boilerplate, and that Texas law allows prosecutors to introduce relationships and state of mind into murder trials, which he claimed justified the search for evidence in Staleys home. Prior relationship is evidence. If prosecutors can offer it, then detectives can search for it, and if detectives can search for it, then magistrates can authorize it if they have a substantial basis to search, Gillespie said. The relationships and state of mind Gillespie referred to were what he called the volatile dating relationship Staley had with the childs mother, Amber Odom McDaniel, facial bruises the toddler suffered in Staleys care and captured on Ambers cell phone in a picture she sent to detectives, and a suspicious state of mind exhibited by Staley in not consoling the mother or going near the dead child. Gillespie argued a dating relationship in this day and age includes a fair probability of electronic communication. We live in a digital age, he said. I would suggest unless someone is Amish, a dating relationship in a domestic household arrangement is going to have documentation electronically between two parties that are caring for the toddler in that house. Justice Dana Womack asked Gillespie if he agreed that the any and all language in the search warrant was inappropriate. Gillespie said the context in the warrant was limited enough by being confined to the Staley house and the devices that existed in that house. Case law says you dont have to be specific in the specific device to be seized, he said. Justice Brian Walker asked Gillespie, Do you concede this isnt the best warrant affidavit youve probably seen in your career? More: Amber McDaniel sentenced to two years jail I probably wouldnt make that concession, Gillespie answered, saying he had seen a lot of warrants that didnt have the number of facts the Staley warrant contained. Hampton took investigators in the case to task, calling their work shoddy. The incompetence is unusual. You just dont see this, he said. This was negligence at its worst. Gillespie cited case law to persuade the justices the warrant was legitimate. Walker asked Hampton if he was suggesting that a warrant should specify every item to be taken. That is exactly what search warrant affidavits look like, Hampton said. The justices will now decide whether Staleys conviction should be upheld, overturned or retried. No date has been set for that decision. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: search warrant focus of James Staley's appeal hearing this week A man suspected of punching a 6-year-old girl in Santa Monica was arrested Thursday in Venice on suspicion of assaulting another child, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Los Angeles police officers responded around 11:15 a.m. to the 1800 block of Ocean Front Walk, where a man described as homeless had allegedly assaulted a 7-year-old boy, according to LAPD spokesman David Cuellar. Cuellar said the man, whose name was not released, was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of the assault. The condition of the child was unknown. The incident comes only days after police said the man punched a 6-year-old girl as she was walking with her parents in Santa Monica. Lt. Erika Aklufi, a spokesperson with the Santa Monica Police Department, said that incident occurred at 7 p.m. Sunday near a bus bench at Main Street and Marine Avenue. She said the girl was with her parents, walking north on Main behind the bench, when the suspect spun around and punched the child, causing her to fall. Aklufi said the child was not seriously injured. The assault prompted Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista to deploy its homeless liaison team, a group of police officers and mental health clinicians who engage the unhoused, as well as the therapeutic transport team, which responds to nonemergency calls in the city. An incident like this one is an affront to public safety and will not be tolerated. Even more so that a child was involved, Batista said. Any crime committed in Santa Monica is a crime too many; our department stands strong in the face of anyone who chooses to victimize those who are in this city." Detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department are expected to take the lead in the case, according to the LAPD. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A mother filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the owner of Snapchat, alleging the social media product contributed to her 20-year-old daughters fentanyl overdose death, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators reviewed. Avianna Avi Cavanaugh, 20, died in March 2021 from fentanyl poisoning, the lawsuit said. According to police, Cavanaugh died with fentanyl and other drugs in her system. Drug cartels are manufacturing illicit fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid 50-to-100 times more potent than morphine, and combining it with other street drugs. Dealers are often selling their products on social media platforms, the federal government warns and the lawsuit said. Diane Howard, the special administrator of Cavanaughs estate; and Theresa Keyes, Cavanaughs mother, filed their lawsuit in Clark County District Court with attorneys Robert Eglet, Robert Adams, Artmenus Ham, Erica Entsminger and Cassandra Cummings all of Eglet Adams. A bag of evidence containing the synthetic opioid fentanyl disguised as Oxycodone is shown. (Craig Kohlruss/Fresno Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) The lawsuit alleges Snapchat was expressly designed and operated as a tool to facilitate nefarious and illicit activity, especially toward teenagers and users between the ages of 15 and 29, documents said. Snapchats defective design and failure to warn were substantial factors in causing Avis death, the lawsuit alleges. As part of their investigation, Las Vegas Metro police found a text message from someone named Chris Gucci, where Cavanaugh asked for foil. Police later identified Chris Gucci as Christopher Gonzalez. Police also found messages from a Snapchat-based drug dealer, the lawsuit said. The messages showed Cavanaugh believed she was buying Xanax or Oxycodone, but the pills were 100% fentanyl. In 2022, a judge sentenced Gonzalez to serve a 2-to-5-year sentence on charges of voluntary manslaughter and sale of a controlled substance. A Clark County grand jury had indicted Gonzalez on charges including second-degree murder. Snaps product features, particularly the disappearing messaging features and marketing of those features, enabled and convinced [Gonzalez] that he could communicate with Avi without the risk of the evidence of his crime being preserved for law enforcement, the lawsuit said. Moreover, Snap connected the dealer with Avi. Snapchats features prevented Cavanaughs mother from viewing her messages from the time her daughter began using the platform as a teenager, documents said. Cavanaugh nor Gonzalez knew each other in real life other than their Snapchat connection, the lawsuit said. Howard, Keyes and their attorneys allege Snapchat has positioned itself as the social media platform of choice for drug dealers, to the detriment of its young users and that Snapchat has not done enough to protect children on its platform, documents said. Regarding Cavanaughs death, the lawsuit alleges Snapchats design [emboldens] drug dealers to use Snapchat for their illicit gains and that the social media company failed to take any reasonable action amid the fentanyl crisis. The logo of mobile app Snapchat is displayed on a tablet on January 2, 2014 in Paris. (Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images) The lawsuit also claims Snapchat features, like geolocation and stories, allow drug dealers to broadcast that they have drugs available for sale at a specific location, knowing that these advertisements will disappear after they have completed their drug sales. The lawsuit cites the causes of actions of wrongful death, product liability, negligent distribution and marketing, and neglect, among others. The fentanyl epidemic has taken the lives of too many people and we have deep empathy for families who have suffered unimaginable losses, a Snap, Inc. spokesperson, said. At Snap, we are working diligently to stop drug dealers from abusing our platform, and deploy technologies to proactively identify and shut down dealers, support law enforcement efforts to help bring dealers to justice, and educate our community and the general public about the dangers of fentanyl. While Snapchat has security features in place, the lawsuit said Snap, Inc.s CEO testified to Congress that 1% of its 20 million teenage consumers use the tool. A hearing date in the civil lawsuit was not scheduled as of Thursday. In 2020, 209 people in Clark County died from ingesting illicit fentanyl. Out of those 209 deaths, nine were children, the 8 News Now Investigators reported. Overdose deaths involving the use of fentanyl with methamphetamine or cocaine between 2020 and 2023 in Clark County increased by 97% rising from 73 deaths to 144 deaths, according to the health district. In January, Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford filed to sue social media giants Meta, TikTok and Snapchat for their addictive nature. His office filed a motion this week to block the automatic encrypted messages function for young people. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Several people have told the 8 News Now Investigators they were scammed by a man who was murdered in August of 2023. Aaron Chavez, 30, died of blunt force trauma to the head on Aug. 13, according to the San Bernardino County coroner. A California man who asked not to be identified said in an interview he and his business partner gave Chavez $25,000 to invest in protein cookies, however, Chavez made excuses when they asked about their investment. Eventually, Chavezs clients connected on social media once they realized they may have been scammed. On Chavezs Instagram page, he appeared to live a life of luxury. I was texting our group chat saying hes gonna fake his death, the investor told the 8 News Now Investigators. The body of Chavez was discovered in a desert area near Baker, California after the vehicle of his suspected killer, Gino Julian became stuck in the sand. Two tow truck drivers responded and said they found Julian, 30, sleeping in the car as the body of Chavez was approximately 10 feet from his vehicle. Tow truck drivers lead police to Las Vegas man accused of killing his friend, taking the body to California for disposal Julian was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. Investigators believed the killing took place at a home in Las Vegas. A grand jury in Clark County later indicted him for charges including open murder. The 8 News Now Investigators obtained evidence from the criminal case, including numerous text messages. Before the alleged murder, Chavez and Julian, who went by an alias, argued via text. Chavez texted, If Im touched you will be sued. Julian responded, Dead men cant sue. Las Vegas Metro police also found text messages between Julian and a man identified as Stefan Jakubov. Jakubov texted, Break his face, and Delete our convos, according to police. Where should I put on the show? Julian texted. Is there bleach or chlorine? One video clip shows Chavezs lifeless body inside a home. Multiple video clips appear to show Julian pouring gasoline on Chavezs body which was wrapped in blankets. What does it feel like to be disrespected? It sucks, right? Julian said as he recorded himself. I almost feel sorry for him. What else did you think was gonna happen, you know? Julian also referred to street justice. Julian told police Chavez had a lot of money that he gained through Ponzi schemes, and that there were many people mad at him, according to grand jury transcripts. A jury trial for Julian is scheduled for May. He remains in custody in the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas. He declined the 8 News Now Investigators requests for an interview. A warrant was issued on March 6 for Jakubov, according to Las Vegas Justice court records. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Three Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers were honored on Wednesday for their quick action to save a woman from a building fire. The fire occurred in December of 2023 at an apartment complex near Reno Avenue and Tamarus Street, near Maryland Parkway and Tropicana Avenue. The officers were finishing their shift when they saw thick, black smoke nearby, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments post on its X account. Three Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers were honored on Wednesday for their quick action to save a woman from a building fire in December 2023. (LVMPD) When officers arrived at an apartment complex a woman was found trapped outside the second floor, just feet from the flames. Officer worn-body-camera video posted by the department on its X account showed just how close the woman was to the flames. The video also captured an officers urgency as he shouted for assistance in getting a large dumpster pushed over to the building so that he could jump on top of it and rescue the woman. Three Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers were honored on Wednesday for their quick action to save a woman from a building fire in December 2023. (LVMPD) The officer was then heard shouting Grab the dumpster, grab the dumpster! All while telling the woman who was trapped to stay in place while he was able to move the dumpster closer. The officer could then be heard shouting, Get me up there, get me up there! as he attempted to climb up the dumpster and rescue the woman before the flames could reach her. Three Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers were honored on Wednesday for their quick action to save a woman from a building fire in December 2023. (LVMPD) Small explosions and breaking glass were heard from the intensity of the fire moments before the officer reached the woman and pulled her down to safety. Three Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers were honored on Wednesday for their quick action to save a woman from a building fire in December 2023. (LVMPD) On Wednesday, Las Vegas Metro Police Officer Marcolini, Officer Silva, and Officer Manzanedo were all honored by the Clark County Fire Department for their heroism and were given a special award as a thank-you for their efforts. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Las Vegas Raiders took part in Nevada Reading Week to promote the importance of reading to local schools across the valley. The team began the week by visiting classrooms at R. Guild Gray Elementary School. To continue the week, current Raider Jalen McKenzie visited the P.E. classroom at Robert E. Lake Elementary School where he got the opportunity to read to students and engage in a question-and-answer session. The Las Vegas Raiders visit students for Nevada Reading Week in effort to spread the love of reading at Addeliar D. Guy III Elementary School, Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Credit: Raiders) The Las Vegas Raiders visit students for Nevada Reading Week in effort to spread the love of reading at Robert E. Lake Elementary School, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Credit: Raiders) The Las Vegas Raiders visit students for Nevada Reading Week in effort to spread the love of reading at Robert E. Lake Elementary School, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Credit: Raiders) The Las Vegas Raiders visit students for Nevada Reading Week in effort to spread the love of reading at Addeliar D. Guy III Elementary School, Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Credit: Raiders) The Las Vegas Raiders visit students for Nevada Reading Week in effort to spread the love of reading at Robert E. Lake Elementary School, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Credit: Raiders) The Raiderettes then visited Acelero Learning Headstart Spring Valley to read in a reading circle to preschoolers ages three to five. The following day, Raiders players Darien Butler and Jalen McKenzie visited Addeliar D. Guy III Elementary School for a group reading circle that led to students getting the chance to engage with the players as they asked questions in a short question-and-answer session. To wrap up the week, the team visited Henderson International School where they had a chance to read and interact with the students from Prekindergarten through 2nd grade. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced Thursday the sentencing of a woman who operated an unlicensed group home that caught fire, causing the death of a woman who was trapped inside. Shawna Virginia Cuff, 41, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 12 to 30 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections on a neglect charge for permitting or allowing a vulnerable person to suffer unjustifiable pain or suffering. Cuff was also ordered to pay more than $30,000 in costs and penalties. The State of Nevada requires facilities like this to be licensed and for qualified caregivers to be present whenever residents are in the facility, Ford said. These laws are designed to protect individuals from unfortunate tragedies like the one here resulting from this fire. Like Judge Villani, we are appalled at the facts of this case, but we are pleased with the fair and just sentence. My office continues to vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals who assume responsibility for the elderly and vulnerable for their abusive and neglectful conduct. In June 2021, Cuff operated an unlicensed facility that caught fire in the 1900 block of Hart Avenue in North Las Vegas. During the fire, one of the vulnerable residents was trapped in a room that was altered without proper permits, had no windows, and no way to escape. That resident sustained second-degree burns to her entire body and eventually succumbed to her injuries from the fire. The facility also failed to have fire extinguishers, an evacuation plan, a fire sprinkler system, emergency lighting, or exit signs. According to Ford, an investigation showed that Cuff rented a closet to the victim while knowing she was unable to care for herself. The closet was an illegal structure without permits, with an entrance blocked by a bedroom door. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutan's Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay held fruitful talks on Thursday in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing their nations' relationship. Tobgay's visit marked his first overseas trip in this term. Expressing delight at meeting his Bhutanese counterpart, Modi highlighted the comprehensive discussions covering various aspects of their unique partnership. He also extended gratitude to Bhutan's King and Prime Minister for inviting him to visit Bhutan the following week. The discussions encompassed economic, trade, and strategic matters, including development projects and agreements in areas such as food and energy conservation. Geopolitical concerns, particularly Bhutan's boundary talks with China, were also on the agenda. Tobgay's visit to India, his first foreign trip since reelection in January, holds significance, especially with Bhutan launching a 1,500-crore economic stimulus package with Indian aid. This visit gains further importance as China engages in boundary dispute talks with Bhutan, raising regional security implications. Highlighting the strong friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that Tobgay's visit provided an opportunity to review progress and discuss expanding ties further. India has pledged increased support to Bhutan's development plans, particularly as it enters its 13th Five-Year Plan with the aim of becoming a high-income economy by 2034. Under the previous plan, India implemented numerous assistance and development projects in Bhutan, including a significant commitment towards trade support. Recent approvals from the Union Cabinet include agreements between Bhutan's Food and Drug Authority and India's Food Safety and Standards Authority, along with a memorandum of understanding on energy efficiency between relevant departments of both countries. Following the bilateral meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to meet Tobgay, who will also have engagements with President Droupadi Murmu and a program in Mumbai before concluding his visit. Cabinet Boosts Delhi-NCR Metro and Strengthens International Ties with Bhutan, UAE School employees and victims of the Uvalde mass shooting began giving testimony Friday before a grand jury investigating the failed police response at Robb Elementary School in 2022, according to several people familiar with the proceeding. Investigators who responded to the scene and the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steve McCraw, have previously testified. This feels like our last chance for justice, one of the victims told CNN on Friday morning. The district attorney instructed witnesses appearing before the secret grand jury proceeding they were not to discuss their testimony publicly. The testimony comes a week after the Uvalde City Council released an independent report clearing all local officers of wrongdoing. An investigator hired by the city announced during a packed March 7 city council meeting all responding officers at the school on May 24, 2022, had acted in good faith and should be exonerated, to the dismay of many victims families and community members. Reports from the US Department of Justice and the Texas House of Representatives had previously identified multiple failures with the law enforcement response on the day a teenage gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary. The testimony on Friday also comes days after the abrupt resignation announcement of the citys police chief, Daniel Rodriguez, on Tuesday. Rodriguez, who said he will resign on April 6, had assigned Lt. Mariano Pargas to be acting chief in his absence on May 24, 2022. Pargas responded to Robb Elementary within minutes but failed to act to save children trapped with the shooter or to take on a command role, CNN previously reported. The shooter went unchallenged in the school for 77 minutes. Pargas resigned from the police department in November 2022. Rodriguez has stood by officers who responded to the mass shooting and has not taken disciplinary action against them despite calls from families demanding he fire officers who waited in the hallway as the shooter was in a classroom, CNN previously reported. The grand jury was expected to hear from several more victims and families of survivors later Friday. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The states first presidential primary election in 31 years is just days away, and you still have time to make your voting plan if you havent already. As of Thursday, 2,470 early ballots have been cast in Sedgwick County at advance voting locations, while 5,591 mail-in ballots, of more than 9,000 requested, have been returned, according to a county press release. On the ballot for Democrats is incumbent President Joe Biden and candidates Marianne Williamson, Jason Michael Palmer and Dean Phillips. For Republicans, former President Donald Trump and candidates Nikki Haley, Ryan Binkley and Ron DeSantis are on the ballot. DeSantis and Haley have officially dropped out of the race, but will still appear on the ballot due to filing deadlines. Anyone who is registered as a Democrat or Republican can participate in this election. Unaffiliated voters can as well, as long as they declare a party on Election Day. Heres a quick last-minute guide to Kansas Tuesday, March 19 presidential preference primary. Where can I vote early in Sedgwick County? You still have time to cast an early vote before Election Day Tuesday. Saturday is the last day to early vote at a satellite location. Polls will be open at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Saturday. Those locations are: Bel Aire City Building, 7651 E. Central Park, Bel Aire, KS Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Road, Wichita, KS Evangel Presbyterian Church, 1545 S. 135th St. W., Wichita, KS Goddard District Conference Center, 315 S. Main St., Goddard, KS Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS Haysville Community Library, 210 Hays Ave., Haysville, KS Mt. Vernon Methodist Church, 5701 E. Mt. Vernon St., Wichita, KS Northside Church of Christ, 4545 N. Meridian, Wichita, KS Park City City Hall, 1941 E. 61st St. N., Park City, KS Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2727 E. 25th St. N., Wichita, KS Reformation Lutheran, 7601 E. 13th St. N., Wichita, KS Sedgwick County Extension Office, 7001 W. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS St. Andrews Lutheran, 2555 Hyacinth Lane, Wichita, KS Urban League, 2418 E. 9th St. N., Wichita, KS Valley Center Community Center, 314 E. Clay St., Valley Center, KS Westlink Church of Christ, 10025 W. Central Ave., Wichita, KS Woodland Lakes Community Church, 770 S. Greenwich Road, Wichita, KS Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 431 S. Woodlawn Blvd., Derby, KS You could also vote early at Sedgwick Countys election office, 510 N. Main, Suite 101, until noon Monday, the day before the primary election. Can I still vote by mail in Kansas? Its too late to request an advance ballot. If you do have one to fill out, it has to be at the election office or in a drop box by 7 p.m. Election Day in order to be counted, there is no grace period during this years primary. There are 14 drop boxes in Sedgwick County. They are located at: Bel Aire City Hall, 7651 E. Central Park Ave., Bel Aire, KS Haysville Police Department, 200 W. Grand Ave., Haysville, KS Valley Center City Hall, 121 S. Meridian Ave., Valley Center, KS Clearwater City Hall, 129 E Ross St., Clearwater, KS Maize City Administration, 10100 W. Grady Ave., Maize, KS Derby Public Library, 1600 E. Walnut Grove Road, Derby, KS Fire Station 35, 1535 S. 199th St. W., Goddard, KS Park City Administration Building, 1941 E. 61st St. N., Park City, KS Boston Recreation Center, 6655 E. Zimmerly, Wichita, KS Evergreen Park Recreation Center, 2700-D N. Woodland, Wichita, KS Sedgwick County Health Department, 1900 E. 9th St., Wichita, KS Orchard Recreation Center, 4808 W. 9th St., Wichita, KS Linwood Recreation Center, 1901 S. Kansas, Wichita, KS Sedgwick County Courthouse, 525 N. Main, Wichita, KS Where do I vote on Election Day in Sedgwick County? You must bring your photo identification to your assigned polling location Tuesday to vote. Sedgwick County will have 102 polling places open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you should be allowed to cast your ballot. Your polling place depends on your residence. You can find your polling place through the Kansas Secretary of States VoterView website. You must enter your first and last name and date of birth. There, you can not only see your polling place, but also your registered party and your sample ballot. The deadline to register to vote was Feb. 20, so if you did not make that cut off, you cannot participate in the primary. Its looking like a sunny Election Day in Wichita, according to the National Weather Service. The high is expected to be nearly 72 degrees Fahrenheit, while the evening is supposed to see a low of around 42. (Bloomberg) -- Latvia Prime Minister Evika Silina said she supports the idea of sending NATO troops to Ukraine to train the countrys soldiers, after French President Emmanuel Macron signaled he was open to such a move. Most Read from Bloomberg Silina said in an interview that she would like NATO to get to a point where we do some training there, although she stressed that the presence of troops from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization inside the country would require consensus among the alliances partners. If this proposal will be elaborated and expanded, maybe we will decide to do some training inside, Silina said. We have to analyze how the situation looks from the perspective of NATO, not just from Latvia. Macron touched off a furor among some European allies last month when he signaled he was open to the idea of sending troops to Ukraine. Germany and the UK have since said publicly they wont do so. Read More: Macrons Ambiguity on Ukraine Backfires as Allies Balk at Troops Silina said a failure to support Ukraine and a Russian victory in the conflict would have a global impact, including on the US. If Russia wins, those consequences will affect all the world, also Washington also the United States not just Europe, Silina said earlier in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Ukraines military is being squeezed by a standoff in Congress, with House Republicans blocking President Joe Bidens efforts to obtain more than $60 billion of additional funding. At the same time, Russian forces have been advancing again on the battlefield and last month captured the eastern city of Avdiivka, their biggest gain in almost a year. Silina said she will leave Washington more optimistic about the prospects for further US funding for Ukraine after both Republican and Democratic members of Congress told her the proposals are likely for the funding to make it to a vote in the House. She declined to elaborate. Im more optimistic because I spoke to some congresspeople who says I have found some procedural way, how they can get to the result, and to find some compromise, she said. Silina said she supports the use of Russias frozen assets to support Ukraine, as well as the use of Eurobonds to get more weapons to Ukraine. Read More: EU May Need 100 Billion in Bonds to Defend Europe, Estonia Says Latvia, alongside Baltic neighbors Lithuania and Estonia, has been among the most vocal critics of Russias two-year invasion of Ukraine, lobbying for ever-tougher sanctions against Moscow and weapons deliveries for Kyiv. The three nations, which were forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union during World War II, are now members of the European Union and NATO. --With assistance from Joe Mathieu, Kailey Leinz and Jennifer Jacobs. (Updates with prime minister voicing support for troops in Ukraine.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Eight hundred Russian citizens are at risk of being deported from Latvia, according to Madara Puke, representative of Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCME). These individuals have not applied for either permanent or temporary residence, Puke said on Latvian television, according to Suspilne. "We have passed the information about these people to the State Border Guard Service for further verification," she said. "In the coming weeks, it will be clear whether these people are still in Latvia." Puke said that Russian nationals who remain in the country without documentation will be sent notices to leave the country within 30 days. Latvia passed a legal requirement in 2023 stating that Russian citizens needed to pass a Latvian language proficiency test to attain or keep permanent residence permits. Russian citizens who do not pass the exam are eligible to receive a temporary residence permit, after which they will be re-tested in two years. If they fail the second exam, they face potential deportation. Together with Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia, Latvia imposed visa restrictions on Russian nationals in September 2022. The Latvian Foreign Ministry recently extended the ban, saying that Russian citizens are prohibited from entering the country until March 2025, unless they have an EU or Latvian residence permit or there is an "exceptional case," such as a serious illness or funeral. Around 24% of Latvias population are ethnic Russians. Read also: The Counteroffensive: Crimean Tatars are observing this Ramadan in exile Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Latvian authorities may deport 800 Russians who do not have the right to stay in the country. Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, citing Madara Puke, Head of Public Relations for the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia (OCMA), in an interview with Latvian TV channel TV3 Quote: "At the moment, 800 individuals have not been granted the right to stay in Latvia. They have not applied for either permanent or temporary residence... We have provided information about these individuals to the State Border Guard Service for further verification. In the coming weeks, it will become clear whether these people are still in Latvia. If they are, they will be issued with orders to depart within 30 days." Details: Puke said that Russian citizens who have not passed the Latvian language exam could apply for a temporary residence permit for two years, after which their knowledge of the Latvian language will be re-evaluated, with the threat of deportation. Background: Earlier, the Constitutional Court of Latvia deemed it lawful to require Russians who were previously citizens of the country and had a permanent residence permit to pass an exam in Latvian. The OCMA stated in January 2024 that 1,167 Russian citizens were facing deportation from the country, 789 of whom are over 60 years old, and it was unknown how many of them had already left the country. However, Latvias Minister for the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis acknowledged that instead of mass deportations, individual ones are more likely. Support UP or become our patron! Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a visit to Bhutan in the upcoming week, marking an important diplomatic engagement. Scheduled for March 21 and 22, the visit comes following an invitation from Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The invitation was extended by Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay during his inaugural overseas trip since taking office in February 2024. The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Tobgay took place in New Delhi on Tuesday, where they discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation. Both leaders reviewed the progress made in areas such as infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening the longstanding friendship between India and Bhutan. Accepting the invitation, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to the Bhutanese King. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed Modi's acceptance of the invitation. Prime Minister Tobgay, in turn, expressed his appreciation for India's consistent support in Bhutan's development endeavors, emphasizing the strong and dependable partnership between the two nations. Taking to social media, Prime Minister Modi shared pictures of his meeting with his Bhutanese counterpart, expressing his pleasure at the productive discussions and the unique bond shared between India and Bhutan. Similarly, Prime Minister Tobgay conveyed his gratitude to Modi for his unwavering support and announced Modi's upcoming visit to Bhutan in the following week. The visit is expected to further strengthen the ties between the two neighboring nations and foster greater cooperation in various fields for mutual benefit. India-Bhutan Bilateral Talks: Strengthening Ties and Economic Cooperation Cabinet Boosts Delhi-NCR Metro and Strengthens International Ties with Bhutan, UAE Members of both houses of Congress are calling for the Defense Department to comply with federal law and submit overdue suicide-related reports to legislative committees. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., said they need the information to create policy addressing systemic suicide risks across the force. But according to Senate staff, the Defense Department has missed its deadline on three mandatory reports from the fiscal year 2023 defense policy bill that were due in December 2023. One report called for post-9/11 suicide numbers broken down by occupational specialty and military component. Another directed the agency to craft a standardized definition for suicide cluster, and the third required the Pentagon to study the relationship between low recruitment, operational tempo and physical/mental health. An Army Times reporter went to the Capitol on Friday and verified that the reports were not there. In January, the Defense Department sent a letter to Congress saying it had gathered the numbers for the by-occupation suicide report. But the letters author, acting defense undersecretary Ashish Vazirani, said the data requires more intricate statistical approaches to make appropriate and reliable comparisons. Vazirani estimated his office will submit the report June 28 nearly six months late. King, who wrote the law mandating that DOD study suicides by their military job specialty, said the data is crucial to address [military and veteran suicide] with a clear focus. The Senate Armed Services Committee member praised Army Times Broken Track investigation which revealed a link between repeated deployments and elevated suicide rates in recent years among armor brigades and tankers as a complex research project ... [that] will save lives by informing how we better support those who defend America and our principles. BROKEN TRACK: Suicides & suffering in Armys exhausted armor community Maine resident and retired Air Force Master Sgt. Chris McGhee, who suggested the suicide report to King, published an open letter Tuesday calling for members of Congress to use their full [oversight] authority to expedite the release of this study. McGhee told Army Times he was inspired to dig into specialty-specific suicide rates after a series of deaths among Air Force aircraft maintainers. Pentagon officials plan to meet with lawmakers about the overdue data in late March or early April, Kings office said. Houlahan, a former Air Force captain, said Army Times report confirms that specific [military] professions are impacted disproportionately by suicide. Now that we have the data, and more forthcoming, its Congress responsibility to act, Houlahan said. If that means giving the DOD additional tools to address this, I look forward to working with my colleagues in both chambers, especially Senator King, to get it done. A third member of Congress, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said Thursday that the Army should re-evaluate its global posture for armor and give serious consideration to permanently basing an additional [brigade combat team] in Europe. A think tank issued a report Monday that found the Army should permanently base an armor brigade in Poland. Lawmaker presses Army to explore permanent armor presence in Europe King said the full suicide data, once received, will help Congress to address underlying causes of suicide, reevaluate training methods and deployments, and improve care for the men and women who have stepped up to serve our nation. According to Houlahan, the report cant come soon enough. Lives are at stake and any delay is deadly, she said. Arizona senators debate Senate Bill 1655 on March 12, 2024, to tighten regulations on behavioral health facilities. Photo courtesy of the Navajo Nation Council Office of the Speaker Nearly a year after Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a crackdown on a sprawling Medicaid fraud scheme that preyed on vulnerable Indigenous people across Arizona, state lawmakers are taking steps toward ensuring something similar cant happen in the future. The ongoing struggle to manage the crisis caused by fraudulent sober living homes continues, but Sen. Theresa Hatathlies effort to reform state law to address the underlying abuses won unanimous approval in the Arizona Senate. Her Senate Bill 1655, which passed the Senate on a 27-0 vote on March 12, is one of nine bills introduced this year that focuses on regulating health care and behavioral health care facilities. However, only three remain alive: Hatathlies bill, one from a GOP senator that also passed March 12 and a measure that passed the House of Representatives earlier this month. SB1655 and the GOP measure, Senate Bill 1361, are now in the hands of the Arizona House of Representatives, where their fate remains unclear. The have been assigned to the Health and Human Services Committee, but the panel has not scheduled either for a hearing. And the committees March 18 meeting is its last before a March 22 deadline for committees to consider bills, meaning the clock may run out on both proposals. A Senate committee is slated to take up House Bill 2317 on March 19. The bills are a direct result of the predatory tactics uncovered last year, in which people would claim to be legitimate health care providers but who would instead bill the states Medicaid system for rehabilitation services that were never provided In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud, there has been an immense human cost. The fraudulent healthcare facilities have remained unchecked for years across the Phoenix area, targeting Indigenous people who are enrolled in Arizonas Medicaid program, resulting in many becoming displaced within the city or losing their lives. State officials have called the scheme a humanitarian crisis and a stunning failure of government, since the issues were identified years ago and nothing was done to stop the predatory behavior. Hatathlie said her goal is to reassure the public that her bill to change behavioral health entities licensing, oversight and regulation is not to punish them, but to hold them accountable for their services. The changes would apply to adult behavioral health therapeutic homes, inpatient facilities, residential facilities, and substance abuse transitional facilities that receive federal funds or any federal healthcare program. The businesses affected are those that provide behavioral health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, alcohol, drug abuse or other behavioral health services The purpose, Hatathlie said, is to weed out bad actors while giving space for legitimate service providers to operate. For instance, the bill says that any individual operating or maintaining a behavioral health entity in the state without a license is guilty of a felony and may be subject to a civil penalty fine of between $5,000 and $10,000. One of the new regulations in SB1655 would require behavioral health entities and sober living homes to file all the necessary documents for incorporation within 10 business days before they can conduct business. Hatathlie said that when the sober living crisis came to light last year, the sheer scope proved the need for reforms like those in SB1655 to hold the state of Arizona accountable. The bill is not the answer to remedy the situation, Hatathlie said, because the impact of the loss and ongoing trauma that Indigenous people have faced due to this crisis is long-lasting and will take years to resolve. She said the bill is a way to implement practices that will protect individuals. After years of deficiencies, measures needed to be implemented to bring these behavioral health entities into compliance with the law, she said. Were talking about everyday Arizonans that are walking down the street who have fallen prey to this practice of fraudulent, predatory schemes that have, so far, been unaccounted for, Hatathlie told a Senate committee when it considered her bill. Hatathlie, who is Navajo, added that she continues to hear about the people who have died in these unregulated behavioral health facilities, and she wants to make sure that these places are going to be held accountable for the families and people who have been impacted. Wanting accountability within these facilities is not too big of an ask, she said. During the bills committee meeting, Hatathlie said people have long advocated for changes and highlighted the impact of unregulated behavioral health care facilities. She said she has heard stories from her community and introduced bills in previous sessions to address this issue, but they have remained unchanged. Ive heard these stories for a long time, and they were always credited to the ramblings of the drunk (or) the ramblings of the addict, Hatathlie told her colleagues. Nobody bothered to listen or to investigate. So, thats the purpose of this bill. The bill also addresses the exploitation of how unlicensed sober living homes recruited individuals by picking them up off the street or driving onto tribal nations and directly transporting them to homes in the Phoenix area. Hatathlies proposal also outlines how behavioral health entities are not allowed to coordinate, facilitate, arrange for, or solicit transportation of a person to the behavioral health entity if the person is intoxicated or under the influence of substances. And SB1655 would increase the civil penalties for violating health care institution laws from $500 to between $1,500 and $10,000 for each violation. Hatathlie said she worked with health care entities to ensure the bills language worked and the suggested amount was reasonable. They agreed to raise the penalty floor to $1,500. Crystalyne Curley, the speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, said SB1655 is important to ensure the safety of the states vulnerable populations and tribal communities, and prevent their exploitation for monetary benefit. Curley said seeing the bill receive full support in the Senate was a relief. The issue is finally being brought up within the Arizona legislature, she added, even though the incidents have occurred for years. This is not a tribal issue, Curley said, but a state one. She said the bills passage through the Senate is the first step in building the foundation that connects the state and tribal nations on this issue, and she believes its important to highlight it. We lost many of our relatives within that system, she added. We really had to push the state to recognize that this is a state-funded program, and some type of regulations and accountability had to be in place. Hatathlie said she was glad that some of her colleagues from across the aisle voiced their support of the bill, including Senate President Warren Petersen, who praised the work put into it during the Senate floor vote. My bill is not only bipartisan, but it also receives unanimous support, Hatathlie said. If the bill makes it through the House and ends up before Gov. Katie Hobbss, she said that unanimous backing will be important. Its going to send a very strong message, she added. We dont always agree, but in this case, were going to stand united. Were going to make sure that Arizonans are protected, and were not going to stand for criminals coming to the state of Arizona. Hatathlie said getting her bill this far has been challenging, and shes had to fight to get it heard, but shes not one to shy away from advocating for important issues. She said she is advocating for the vulnerable relatives impacted by the ongoing sober living crisis because they continue to mourn and continue to be frustrated with the system. Although it has yet to be heard in the House, Hatathlie is confident it will become law. And when that happens, she said that it will send a message to the tribal nations across Arizona that its a good thing Indigenous people are out there advocating and fighting for Indigenous communities. I believe that thats when resiliency and healing will start, she added. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Will lawmakers tighten regulations on sober living homes in the wake of massive fraud? appeared first on Arizona Mirror. Caribbean Community leaders, charged with helping Haiti find a path out of political chaos and gang violence, received names Thursday from five different national groups for candidates to lead a panel overseeing the transition to a new government. But the final makeup of the critical panel remains in question. In one case, a candidate expressed concern that throwing his hat in the ring could put his family at risk. Another group submitted multiple potential candidates. And yet another rejected the idea of outsiders helping decide Haiti political future.. The uncertainty reflects not just political wrangling but the difficulties in trying to move a country forward with a divided political class that has failed to control heavily armed groups that, after a short lull in violence, relaunched attacks. On Thursday, gangs fired shots near the international airport in the direction of police headquarters. They are also believed to be behind a fire at the home of the countrys police chief, which took place soon after police successfully repelled the attack on headquarters. Armed gangs also reportedly looted a coffee business in the Lower Delmas neighborhood of the capital. A heavy exchange of gunfire reported near the Marassa/Tabarre bridge and the Santo road from Marassa to Santo 17 was blocked. National Police patrol the area near the empty National Penitentiary after a small fire inside the jail in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Haiti, Thursday, March 14, 2024. This is the same prison that armed gangs stormed late March 2 and hundreds of inmates escaped. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) The instability, the United Nations warned this week, is making an already dire humanitarian crisis even worse. While calling on its members to help Haiti with humanitarian and security needs, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spokesman said there also needs to be a stepping up of the Haitian political class to find a way forward and act in a way that will be in the best interests of the Haitian people. Haitian leaders on Monday were given 24 hours to submit their choice after an international coalition, led by the 15-member Caribbean Community, CARICOM, the United States and other foreign governments met in Jamaica to begin drawing up a proposal mapping out a political transition. But some parties involved in the discussions said it was not enough time to narrow down choices particularly with daily life under duress. Even the head of the police is unable to protect himself, one of them said after Police Chief Frantz Elbes house went up in flames. Under the plan, the presidential transitional council will have seven-voting members and two non-members. Its task will be to find a replacement for outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Henry after he announced his pending resignation amid U.S. pressure. Then the council and new head of the government will form an inclusive government, ready the country for a multinational security support mission and eventual elections. The panel approach was cobbled together after influential Haitian figures were unable to decide among themselves on one proposal and sent several different plans to CARICOM. In at least one case, Caribbean leaders have received several names from one of the groups, December 21. The alliance of opposition forces once pushed for the ouster of late President Jovenel Moise but came together to back Henry, and help consolidate his grip on power with a Dec. 21, 2022, political agreement before he was asked this month by Washington to resign. Infighting among the members has resulted in the coalition splintering into three different groups, sources say, and sending in three different names to CARICOM for their one voting seat. How CARICOM will proceed remains unclear. So does the timeline for when the installation of the new government will take place. After the presidential council is set up, members still need to figure out who exactly will be president and how the council will function. They also have to decide on a prime minister to replace Henry, who earlier this week announced that he and his government will resign once the council is installed. Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who has been serving as acting prime minister, remains in his role. On Wednesday, one of the groups given a voting seat, Platform Pitit Desalin, also written Dessalines and named after Haitis founding father, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, declined to participate in the council. Party leader Jean-Charles Moise, a former senator, said he had thrown the offer into the trash. Caricom cannot present us with a seven-headed serpent, he said during a press conference. The former presidential candidate and senator, who goes by Moise Jean-Charles, said he plans to install his own presidential council. The three-person council includes a member of the religious community, an appeals court judge and former rebel leader Guy Philippe, who has the backing of his party and some gang leaders to be president. Jean-Charles claims that his three-member council has the endorsement of 150 political parties, 3,250 grassroots organizations, peasants and workers. I told them that this agreement was a non-negotiable national consensus, he said of his discussion with CARICOM. Taking credit for the overthrow of Henrys government, the political leader said he couldnt understand how the regional bloc was now asking him to go sit down and negotiate with a group of people he had kicked out of the country. We will take the destiny of our country into our own hands with other leaders so that our three-member Presidential Council can move forward, the party leader said. It remains unclear how Caribbean leaders will reconfigure the voting seat. Some are suggesting it be granted to the interfaith community and or civil society, which both have observer status and have not yet put forward their representatives. In the meantime, the Miami Herald has confirmed the groups sent in names: Collective of political parties of January 30. The alliance of political parties is also known by its Creole spelling Collecti and includes the party of former President Michel Martelly. The alliance has forwarded the name of former Sen. Edgard LeBlanc Fils, 68, a co-founder of the Organization of the People in Struggle, OPL, political party. An engineer, he was president of the Senate, 1995 to 2000, during the administration of President of Rene Preval December 21 Agreement. The coalition has been dealing with internal fighting over who should be the representative. One group, supported by political leader Andre Michel, has sent the name of former president of the Chamber of Deputies Levaillant Louis-Jeune and another group of younger generations, has sent the name of Vikerson Garnier, a former congressman from Thiotte who has faced criticism over not declaring his assets. The third name is reportedly is Charles Tardieu, a former education minister who is considered one of the architects of the coalition. EDE/RED/Compromis Historique. The coalition led by former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Claude Joseph, who served in the government of former President Jovenel Moise, has offered up Marie Gislhaine Mompremier. The only female named so far, she is a law professor and attorney in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. She also is a former minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Women Affairs. Fanmi Lavalas. The political party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has chosen Leslie Voltaire, who studied at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and has a masters degree in urban planning from Cornell University in New York. An architect and urban planner, Voltaire is a former minister for Haitians living abroad in the Aristide government. After Haitis devastating 2010 earthquake he was involved in reconstruction efforts and unsuccessfully ran for president in the election that followed. Educated in Mexico, he is fluent in Spanish, French, English and Creole. Montana Accord. The group is named after an Aug. 30, 2021, agreement signed at the Montana Hotel in Petionvillle, the wealthy suburb of Port-au-Prince and led by the Commission to Search for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis. The group has submitted Fritz Alphonse Jean, who served as interim prime minister of Haitis 2016 caretaker government. He was eventually blocked by the Parliament from taking on the job permanently. A former governor of the Banque de la Republique dHaiti, BRH, from 1998 to 2001, Jean has been involved in promoting development in the rural sectors of northern Haiti. Hes a U.S.-educated economist who is considered more of a technocrat than politician. The private sector. Haitis influential private sector has faced its own internal difference after the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti said was not consulted. The group has not formally finalized its nominee, yet and is currently in discussions with a preferred candidate. SpaceX requires employees to agree to some unusual terms related to their stock awards, which have a chilling effect on staff, according to sources and internal documents viewed by TechCrunch. That includes a provision that allows SpaceX the right to purchase back vested shares within a six-month period following an employee leaving the company for any reason. SpaceX also gives itself the right to ban past and present employees from participating in tender offers if they are deemed to have committed an act of dishonesty against the company or to have violated written company policies, among other reasons. Employees often arent aware of the dishonesty condition when they initially sign up on the equity compensation management platform, one former employee said. If SpaceX bars an employee from selling stock in the tender offers, the person would have to wait until SpaceX goes public to realize cash from the shares and its unclear when that will happen, if it ever does. SpaceX did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Employees pay taxes on their shares Like most tech companies, SpaceX includes stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) as part of its compensation package to attract top talent. No doubt this has paid off: SpaceX's 13,000-strong workforce is helping to push the limits of what was thought possible in aerospace, including delivering crew to and from the International Space Station and building out the largest satellite constellation in history. Unlike stock in public companies, stock in private companies cannot be sold without the companys permission. So employees can only turn that part of their pay into cash when their employer allows such transactions. SpaceX is known for generally holding buyback events twice a year meaning SpaceX will buy the shares back from employees; this schedule, which has been fairly reliable in recent years, means that employees have biannual opportunities to liquidate assets that have likely appreciated since the vesting date. Its not uncommon for additional terms to be attached to employee stock compensation at startups, and employees who stay with the company long enough to vest stock may have acquired stock under various stock plans with various conditions. Yet no employee at startups and private companies is entitled to sell their stock without their employer's approval. Indeed, at SpaceX, if an employee was fired for cause, the company stated it can repurchase their stock for a price of $0 per share, according to documents viewed by TechCrunch. It sounds unusual to have [a] cause type exclusion provision in a tender offer agreement, attorney and stock options expert Mary Russell told TechCrunch. She said it is also unusual for a traditional venture-based startup to have repurchase rights for vested shares that are unrelated to a bad-actor-type for cause termination. These terms keep everyone under their control, even if they have left the company, one former employee said, because employees dont want to be forced to return their valuable SpaceX stock for no compensation. And since there is no urgency by SpaceX to go public, being banned from tender offers effectively zeros out your shares, at least for a long time. Even though you paid thousands to cover the taxes. They also try and force a non-disparagement agreement on you when you leave, either with a carrot, or a stick if they have one, the person said. SpaceX names Elon Musk actions as a "risk factor" As recently as 2020, SpaceX was also providing to employees a separate document outlining the risks of investing in the companys securities. It reads similar to an S-1 registration statement that public companies must file; given that SpaceX is private, it is a unique disclosure into the companys risk profile. To a large extent, such documents are written to minimize the companys legal liability. The SpaceX document rightly points out that equity investments are inherently risky, because participants are trading a highly liquid asset cash for highly illiquid shares. As such, they exhaustively list various material risk factors, no matter how unlikely for example, in its risk document, seen by TechCrunch, SpaceX includes that Hawthorne, California, which is home to its headquarters, is a seismically active region. The company also includes a number of risk factors related to Elon Musk, its CEO and founder. To date, the Company has been highly dependent on the leadership provided by the Companys founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer, Elon Musk, the document reads. SpaceX, Mr. Musk, and other companies Mr. Musk is affiliated with, frequently receive an immense amount of media attention. As such, Mr. Musks actions or public statements could also potentially have a positive or negative impact on the market capitalization of SpaceX. The document also calls out a $40 million settlement between Musk and the SEC, which came about after he tweeted in August 2018 that he was considering taking Tesla private. Even though that tweet did not relate to SpaceX, the settlement has implications for SpaceX, the document says. If there is a lack of compliance with the settlement, additional enforcement actions or other legal proceedings could be instituted against Mr. Musk, which could have adverse consequences for SpaceX. Most notably, the SEC could deny SpaceX the right to rely on Regulation D, which is an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 for private financing transactions. A denial of future reliance on Regulation D could potentially make it more difficult for the Company to raise capital in the future. While Teslas recent securities statements do call out the SEC settlement, they do not address potential media attention in the same direct manner. The document also states that there is a risk that there may never be a public market for the companys common stock an issue should an employee ever be barred from tender events. SpaceX is one of the most valuable private companies in the world, with the valuation topping out at $180 billion as of last December. Like other private companies, its stock is split into preferred and common stock. Employees are awarded the latter, while preferred stock is generally owned by institutional investors and entities affiliated with Musk. Preferred stock has some superior rights attached to it, including liquidation preferences and dividends. The common stock is split into three stock classes: Class A, B and C. According to an equity incentive plan approved by the SpaceX board in March 2015, and which has a termination date in 2025, employees receive Class C stock, a non-voting stock. Thick smoke billows from an explosion on the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Sderot. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa At least 20 people were killed in an attack in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday evening, according to Palestinain reports. The Hamas-controlled health authority said Israeli troops had fired on people waiting at a roundabout, although the Israeli army firmly rejected the claims. More than 150 other people were injured, according to the health authority. The Israeli army said on Friday it had enabled a convoy of 31 lorries carrying humanitarian aid to travel to the north of the Gaza Strip the previous day. "Approximately one hour before the arrival of the convoy to the humanitarian corridor, armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy," the statement said. "As aid trucks were entering, the Palestinian gunmen continued to shoot as the crowd of Gazans began looting the trucks. Additionally, a number of Gazan civilians were run over by the trucks," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. A thorough initial investigation during the night revealed that the Israeli army had not fired on the aid convoy, the IDF said, accusing Hamas of a "smear campaign" aimed at using false information to sow violence in other areas during Ramadan. The army also firmly rejected previous reports that troops had fired on people waiting for humanitarian aid in the Nuseirat refugee camp. "Reports that the Israeli army attacked dozens of Gaza residents at a distribution point for humanitarian aid are false," the army statement said, adding it is investigating the incident. District Attorney Fani Willis will be able to continue in her RICO prosecution of former President Donald Trump and his associates, the judge in that case ruled on Friday, when he rejected the argument that she be disqualified from the case over allegations of a conflict of interest stemming from a romantic relationship with a co-prosecutor. The judge, Scott McAfee of Fulton County Superior Court, rejected the motion that would likely have torpedoed one of the most powerful criminal cases against the former president. Instead, he chastised Willis for poor judgment but allowed her to stay on the case so long as her former romantic partner, special prosecutor Nathan Wade, withdraws from the proceeding. This was the exact right outcome. While Fani Willis performance on the stand during a multiday hearing over the conflict questionand her decision to keep the relationship with Wade private while paying him a salarywas indecorous and crossed the line of prosecutorial propriety, the defense was unable to prove a conflict of interest required by Georgia law for full disqualification. At the same time, as McAfee wrote, The appearance of impropriety remains, and the best possible way to resolve that is for Wade to leave the case. The entire episode has demonstrated that this proceeding against Trump may be led by the wrong prosecutor, a fact that was not at all clear when the case began with such promise last August. Willis had a string of early major wins, but her missteps with Wade and the resulting harm to the cases perception in the court of public opinion might harm one of the most important cases in the countrys history. Fortunately, the case has the right judge. First, and briefly, on Willis. The district attorney brought a smart case and to this point prosecuted it well. She won impressive plea agreements from top Trump co-conspirators, such as Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro. All of that, however, was nearly undoneand could still come apart on the inevitable appeal of the disqualification questionby a horrible lapse in judgment. Having a romantic relationship with another prosecutor on your team is not in and of itself an ethical lapse. But keeping it quiet from anyone and everyone while continuing to pay that employee in a case with the highest possible stakes for our democracy against a notoriously combative defendant is a disastrous lapse. Whats more, Willis response to the revelations possibly made it worse, using a church speech to claim victimhood and say that the charges were racially motivated when they were in fact standard, and then using court testimony to cast aspersions on opposing counsel and act as though she thought she were the judge in the case. Its still unclear whether she and Wade fully and truthfully testified in those appearances, with an outstanding question remaining over when, exactly, their relationship started (they both claimed, under oath, that it started after the prosecution began). In his opinion absolving Willis of the worst accusations against hera far-fetched allegation that she is prosecuting Trump for financial gain via her relationship with Wade, which would have led to her immediate dismissal if provenMcAfee still appropriately knocked Willis for her astounding prosecutorial failures. In demanding Wades withdrawal from the case, McAfee noted that Wades and Willis testimony left an odor of mendacity that resulted in an appearance of impropriety. Further, he chastised Willis for the church speech casting herself as the victim of a racially motivated defense team as legally improper. If Judge McAfees sound decision is not overturned on appeal, this means Willis can still redeem her prosecution of Trump if and when its ever brought to trial. McAfee, having proved himself over and over again to be a supremely capable jurist, needs no such redemption. In fact, he may be this cases saving grace. This wasnt at all clear at the start of the case. By all initial appearances, Judge McAfee seemed to share a potentially alarming number of biographical details with another judge handling a Trump prosecution, Aileen Cannon. Both worked in U.S. attorney offices in Republican administrations. Both were appointed by high-ranking and hard-right Republicans to their positions on the bench. Both were members of the right-wing Federalist Society. They were also two of the least experienced and youngest judges on their respective benches, with 34-year-old McAfee having only been appointed months before he was handed the Trump case and Cannon having been one of Trumps last-ditch appointments as he was being driven from office kicking and screaming. Thats where the similarities have ended, though. Cannon has done everything in her power to obstruct the federal classified documents case against Trump. McAfee has run all of his proceedings, including this conflict proceeding, in as orderly a way as possible, ultimately applying the correct law to allow Willis to stay on the case. True, McAfee is just doing his job, and nothing more. In a judiciary as ravaged by partisanship as ours, though, this basic adherence to the facts and the law can come as a shock. A lesser judge could have easily taken the cheap way out, stretching the appearance of impropriety to an actual conflict of interests to dump a case mired in controversy and drama. McAfee has received threats and was, according to the Washington Post, even subject to a swatting incident earlier this year at his home (and that of his wife and two young children). One need not be a political hack to say that dealing with such threats to family might not be worth protecting a prosecutor who had repeatedly made bad choices, as he put it. Instead, though, McAfee followed the law. All of this moves the court one step closer to actually trying the case against Trump and his alleged co-conspirators. On Friday, McAfee also moved his courtroom that much closer to demonstrating the rule of law still works in this country. Communication issues between Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Sean McDaniel and members of the district's board of education, particularly regarding the districts treatment of charter schools, seemed to be a source of friction leading up to his unexpected resignation last month, emails obtained by The Oklahoman indicate. In his resignation letter, McDaniel stated that he and "a particular member of this Board and I have completely different views regarding individual board members' roles and responsibilities and mine in serving this District." "For months, and in good faith I have tried to bridge that gulf through conversations with the board and with concessions I have been willing to make, but to no avail. I regret that our differing views of who should administer the District on a daily basis are now irreconcilable," he wrote. That board member remains unidentified. More: OKCPS superintendent Sean McDaniel unexpectedly resigns after nearly 6 years in post Using the Oklahoma Open Records Act, The Oklahoman requested copies of all communication between McDaniel and Paula Lewis, the elected school board chair, from March 1, 2023, through Feb. 26, 2024, when McDaniel submitted a letter of resignation to members of the eight-person board. The school district provided email communication but didnt include copies of any text messages, instant messages or voicemail, which also fall under the open-records law and were requested. Neither McDaniel, Lewis nor any other member of the board has spoken to reporters since McDaniels resignation, with the only communication about the subject coming from the district communications office in the form of prepared statements from either Lewis or McDaniel. McDaniel politely declined comment after a divided board, by a 5-3 vote, accepted his resignation during a special meeting on Feb. 29. After that meeting, Lewis and most board members exited the building where the meeting took place via a back entrance, avoiding reporters. Lewis wasnt present for a regular board meeting on Monday, with Vice Chair Lori Bowman telling the audience Lewis was in Texas for a family wedding. McDaniel said in his resignation letter hed serve until June 30. The board already has hired the Oklahoma State School Boards Association to assist in conducting a search for his successor. Emails tell a story of growing disconnect between McDaniel, board leadership Most of the 176 emails provided to The Oklahoman included routine communication that might be expected between a superintendent and a board member concerns from constituents, what items should be placed on a meeting agenda, travel arrangements for conferences and the like. Oklahoma City school board Chair Paula Lewis presides Feb. 29 after an executive session and vote to accept the resignation of Superintendent Sean McDaniel. But a handful also indicated some level of disconnect between McDaniel and both Lewis and Bowman. On April 11, when McDaniel emailed Lewis and Bowman concerning a board vote that McDaniel felt took away his ability to execute property contracts regarding the Belle Isle High School project. He asked for clarification about the district administrations role in the process to select the appropriate property as well as set the limitations on the negotiated price, be the decision-maker regarding counters, and make a final recommendation on the purchase/sale, etc. McDaniel wanted to know if the board would handle those areas going forward. You all have the role 100%! Bowman responded. I think the board's role is to determine the vision for (Belle Isle) and provide the community perspective (which I believe includes location), but you and your team of experts handle everything related to the negotiation, contract, etc. She also noted issues during the meeting stemmed from the presentation of the information, and I told Scott (Randall, the districts chief operations officer) as much in conversation following the meeting. Also, I think several of us were taken aback because we didn't realize that we would be making such a big decision such as the location of the school. McDaniels most recent performance review, conducted last May, also created another point of discontent. McDaniel told Lewis in a May 17 email that concerns shed brought him about my communication with the Board had caught me a little bit off guard as I thought the meeting was to address other issues. Vice Chair Lori Bowman listens Feb. 29 as the Oklahoma City Public Schools board prepares to go into executive session to consider the surprise resignation of Superintendent Sean McDaniel. He acknowledged the way he sees himself might be different from how others see him but added, I have believed that I have communicated well with Board members so to understand that all of them (with the noted exceptions of Juan (Lecona) and Cary (Pirrong)) feel not seen, not heard, and not valued is upsetting." "Not a single board member, besides you, has once told me that they don't feel seen, heard, or valued. I need to know why that is, he wrote. McDaniel requested an immediate special meeting to address his concerns. There was no return email noting a response from Lewis to McDaniels request. An email addressed by Lewis to Dr. McDaniel instead of Sean on Nov. 1 asked for clarification on McDaniels thoughts regarding board meetings and communication from individual board members besides Lewis and Bowman. McDaniel answered that my comments on full board communication were primarily about my opinion that the full board should have conversations about important things. But four days later, in a weekly update sent to board members, McDaniel said, Thank you for approving my contract. On Oct. 23, the board gave McDaniel a contract extension and a raise. District's policy concerning handling of charter schools a major source of disagreement Debates over charter schools how the district works with the ones it sponsors, and whether it should sponsor others occurred often beginning in October. On Oct. 2, McDaniel sent a lengthy email to Lewis and Bowman to provide you with some context and some detail about what has been going with charter schools from my perspective and how we can move forward. McDaniel said direct communications between board members and charter school representatives was causing the district administrators issues. One of the challenges of problem-solving at the Board level in this instance meaning amongst and between board members from OKCPS and our charter school board members is that on occasion it creates confusion, McDaniel wrote. It particularly creates confusion for OKCPS staff members assigned to conduct business with staff members from charter schools. Negotiations are conducted, decisions are made and communicated, and we make progress throughout the year. We have been having meaningful discussions about leases for some time with our charter school leaders. We have been actively listening to them and we have provided relief and support based upon their input. Generally, we have had meaningful discussions with charter school leaders about becoming better partners and sponsors. Some charter schools wanted the OKC district to replace aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings they were leasing, which McDaniel had said wasnt included in their lease agreements. On Oct. 18, Bowman emailed McDaniel with three specific questions, including the potential cost of replacing HVAC units for four charter schools located in district buildings. To that question, McDaniel responded, I will work on getting the information requested. May I ask why you would need this information? To another question about how to deal with the issue going forward, McDaniel replied, This is a very complicated set of questions. We arrived at our current reality only after years of working on this. We are in a very good place right now and have a reasonably positive working relationship with charters that we sponsor. We have been able to provide them with the best deal around, hands down. The issues we have are with two individuals; not with our sponsored charter schools. To undo everything that we have done to get us to a good place because we have two people who are extremely high maintenance doesn't make any sense at all to me. I believe I have made my position clear regarding HVAC's and leases in general. Bowman also said the board would really like to start the conversation about the district's vision when it comes to charters. It seems like the right time given that we have several applications coming up and likely more on the way. It seems like small group meetings might be ideal to allow for questions. McDaniel said his staff continually are working on our relationships, our processes, and the strategies we employ with charters based directly on the guidance the Board has provided. We have been having this conversation in pockets for a long time. If the Board, as a whole Board, wants to reframe the philosophy or change directions, I would appreciate knowing that from the Board and welcome the conversation." "I apologize when I come across as frustrated either in person, on the phone or in an email," he wrote. "We spend so much time on 2,500 kids who do not belong to us. Time that could be spent on the 33,000. About 33,000 children attend school in the OKC district, with about 2,500 attending charter schools sponsored by the district. Charter schools are considered their own district. McDaniel, Lewis both expressed concerns about lack of alignment between superintendent, board McDaniel, in a Nov. 21 email, recommended the board deny all four sponsorship applications from new charter schools. But six days later, the board approved one of the applications by a 6-2 vote, with Lewis saying, I think that this charter school will exist. Id rather be a partner than an adversary moving forward. The three charter schools that had had their applications rejected in November reapplied for consideration, and a board meeting was set for Jan. 8. On Dec. 29, McDaniel sent an email to Lewis and Bowman. I believe it is critical that the Board and the Superintendent appear to be working well together and that the meeting runs efficiently and smoothly, regardless of the outcome of any votes taken, that email said. While I always believe it is best for any Board to support a superintendent's recommendation of this magnitude in public, I appreciate that Board members own their votes and have the undisputed right to vote however they choose. Consequently, I can live with nearly any voting outcome. What is most important is that the public perceives that the Board/Superintendent relationship is solid, even despite differences of opinion at the horseshoe. Lewis responded, saying she understood the concept about which McDaniel had asked, and added, this board and previous boards have worked hard to create a working relationship with the superintendent. I believe that Lori and I spent a considerable amount of time discussing the board not wanting to be adversarial with Charter's, specifically the issue with HVAC's and our charters. Saying, it has been a year of hard topics and no great answers, Lewis had noted a lack of alignment between McDaniel and the board regarding oversight of the $955 million bond passed by voters in 2022, as well as the future of the historic Capitol Hill High School building, which she said was and is still an unalignment between the board and the Superintendent. The Oklahoman asked multiple times for an interview with McDaniel for a story about the Capitol Hill situation, but instead was offered an interview with Lewis. It is my belief that the board wants to be in alignment with you. It is also my belief that this board will not value alignment over their responsibility to their communities, Lewis wrote. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Emails shine light on disagreements between OKCPS, Sean McDaniel A pro-Palestinian legal advocacy group has filed complaints with attorneys general and real estate licensing authorities in New York and New Jersey challenging local events promoting the sale of homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank. The legal complaints followed fierce protests that prompted one Brooklyn synagogue to cancel its Israel real estate exposition on Wednesday. The PAL (Palestinian Assembly for Liberation) Law Commission, which filed the complaints Monday, also sent cease and desist letters to the real estate company that hosted My Home In Israel events and to the synagogues that rented the company space. The tour visited Teaneck, Lawrence, New York; Brooklyn, Toronto and Montreal. "Imagine seeing your familys lands being sold online while you helplessly watch, this stirs a rage and a pain that is indescribable, Lamis Deek, an attorney with the PAL Law Commission, wrote in a statement. Its an injustice that should shock the conscience and mobilize authorities and attorneys to action. We briefed these issues quite thoroughly and our investigation has led us to believe that there is a rather wide network of people, organizations and companies involved in criminal actions that violate U.S, and international criminal laws, right under our noses, in broad daylight. Gidon Katz, CEO of IMP Group, which is running the events, declined to comment Thursday. He previously told The Record that the fairs were educational events to help people who want to move to Israel or buy real estate there, and that sales did not take place at the event. Synagogue members denied illegal activity took place and said allegations had been fueled by misinformation. Juda Engelmayer, a spokesman for Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, where an event was held Sunday, said the complaints were "meritless." Thousands arrived at the Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck on March 10, 2024, protesting My Home in Israel Real Estate company giving out information on how to buy propertiesa in Israel and the occupied West Bank. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protestors screamed at each other. "We didnt sell anything," he said. "Nothing has been transacted. There are no laws broken." "On the real issue," he added, "this is just another scare tactic. Its a bullying tactic. Its a way to use their might to express their frustration and protests over what is going on in Israel." The protests gained international attention after Teaneck resident Rich Siegel went viral in a video where he pleaded with the township council to shut down the local event, noting that settlements are considered illegal under international law. On Sunday, hundreds protested outside the Keter Torah synagogue, which had rented space for the fair, which included booths offering legal advice, moving assistance and mortgages. A small group of counter-protesters also turned out, decrying what one person described as a malicious campaign to harass Teanecks Jewish community. Cancellation of a real estate event in Brooklyn Khal Bnei Avrohom Yaakov in Brooklyn canceled the real estate fair amid legal pressure, calls for protests and a petition with more than 4,000 signatures to shut it down. The last stop on the companys real estate tour, it was to be held in the synagogues hall for community events and special occasions. Katz told the New York Jewish Week that the cancelation was due to serious threats. Theres nothing I could [do], Katz told the publication. It was not in my hands. Khal Bnei Avrohom Yaakov did not answer phone calls or respond to an email about the cancelation Wednesday. Advertisements for the real estate fairs listed that properties were available in Israel as well as three settlements in the West Bank Efrat, Neve Daniel and Maale Adumim. PAL Law Commission, which says it advocates for accountability and reparations for Palestinians, wrote online that it had marked a victory after the event was shut down. The events in Canada took place last week, while a synagogue in Cedarhurst in Lawrence continued with its event on Tuesday. At each stop, pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israeli protest groups demonstrated outside. The protests were often tense. In Teaneck, police arrested two demonstrators who allegedly threw objects and sprayed red paint at pedestrians and vehicles approaching the Keter Torah synagogue. Legal allegations The PAL Legal Commission on War Crimes, Justice, Reparations, and Return alleged in its complaint that the real estate acts violate international law, including conventions and treaties. They cited Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits civilian population transfer into occupied territories. Israel maintains that settlements are not illegal because of the Jewish people's historical claims to the land. They also allege that the Fourth Geneva Convention does not apply to the West Bank because it was not governed by a sovereign power before its occupation. The PAL Commission also asked authorities to investigate possible violations of state and federal anti-discrimination laws and real estate licensing laws because they are selling homes in Jewish-only settlements. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights remains committed to combating all forms of discrimination in New Jersey, said Tara Oliver, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. However, DCR does not comment on potential or pending enforcement matters. The New York Times reported Monday that at least two complaints had been filed with state and federal civil rights offices. The office of the New York Attorney General did not respond to a request for comment. While federal and state laws protect against discrimination in housing, there are some exceptions for religious groups selling or renting property to limit admission or give preference to people of the same religion or denomination. Synagogue members have said that events were not restricted to Jews and that they were only informational. They said they had only rented the space and were not hosting the events. But Palestinian activists said the restriction on the audience was implicit because they could not live in the places being marketed. Engelmayer, of the Keter Torah synagogue, said the Fair Housing Act, a federal law targeting housing discrimination, did not apply to property overseas. He also said a house of worship "doesnt have to allow the whole world in" and that "a house of worship in America can limit their access to whomever they want." On the question of international law, he responded: "If you want to argue whether or not an American can buy property overseas, thats a question for the State Department or whoever has to take that up. All this was was information. There was nothing transactional." The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey, a group that fights anti-semitism, wrote online that misinformation had fueled tensions. We are deeply concerned by the inaccurate, divisive and inflammatory rhetoric surrounding these local #NY and #NJ events, which is spreading in dangerous online spaces and dividing communities, the group wrote on X. We hope community leaders will seek out facts and take care to avoid spreading misinformation. In its complaint, PAL Law Commission wrote that it did not matter if the events were exhibitions or sales, and if it was held on public or private properties. More protests? The complaints were filed as scrutiny grows on settlements amid plans to widely accelerate settlement construction in the West Bank. The U.N. human rights office said in a March 8 report that the establishment and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem amount to a war crime. The West Bank is already in crisis. Yet, settler violence and settlement-related violations have reached shocking new levels, and risk eliminating any practical possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian state, U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said. PAL Law Commissions complaint was supported by 27 attorneys, about half of them from pro-Palestinian and legal organizations including the U.S. Peace Council, Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee and the American Muslim Bar Association. Siegel, who is Jewish and a pro-Palestinian activist, has been protesting the Israel real estate fairs for years. This time, his actions grabbed international attention. The video of him speaking at the Teaneck council meeting has been splashed across social media, with more than 2 million views on Twitter alone. Stolen West Bank settlement homes are being sold in America to Jews. An real estate event at a synagogue was set up, and this fine gentleman (a Jewish man) was having none of it. pic.twitter.com/aA5BGJ79N5 Nader (@BonsaiSky) February 29, 2024 The tragic story is that a genocide has energized people, he said. Thats what it took, but at least it is happening. Siegel was referring to the war in Gaza, where the death toll has soared past 30,000 over six months. Israel has rejected genocide allegations, arguing that the country has tried to avoid civilian casualties. Siegel said he may plan protests of two more real estate events later this month in Englewood and Teaneck, held by a different company. On the companys website, the properties all appeared in Israel and not in settlements in the West Bank or East Jerusalem. Siegel said he still intended to oppose it because he believes they are marketed exclusively to Jews. Scott Fallon and Deena Yellin contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Israeli real estate event: Legal complaints escalate Sen. Jonathan Dismang reviews documents during a January 2022 budget hearing. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas Senate) State lawmakers on Friday initiated a pair of investigations into the Arkansas Board of Corrections over the prison oversight panels hiring of special counsel to sue the state. The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee will investigate the origins of the boards contract with the Hall Booth Smith law firm and attorney Abtin Mehdizadegan; Joint Performance Review will look more broadly at the boards practices. The legislative probes further escalate tensions between the board and much of the legislative and executive branches and stems from differences in opinion about the boards authority. The board asked the Legislative Council this week to retroactively ratify the $207,000 legal agreement, which didnt go through the typical state procurement process. (The board has argued that its constitutional independence may exempt it from state procurement law.) Prison Board Chairman Benny Magness withdrew the request after being questioned about changes made to the payment agreement that neither he nor state procurement officials noticed. In addition to unanswered questions about those changes, Sen. Jonathan Dismang, a Republican from Searcy, and other lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the contract not being opened for public bid and about the boards lack of public votes on the agreement. Clearly, there are issues with how the board operates and how that relates back to the Department of Corrections, Dismang said Friday. Individuals were able to unilaterally make significant decisions over significant amounts of money with significant impact on the state. Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness (Arkansas Department of Corrections) Magness said the board intends to cooperate. The investigations didnt come as a surprise, and the board will cooperate fully with them, Magness said Friday. The board has always maintained a good working relationship with legislators, and the other [board] members and I will do all we can to continue that relationship. As soon as the boards own investigation is complete and board members have had an opportunity to meet and discuss the findings, they will be presented to the legislators. Origins The friction between the prison board and top state officials began in November when Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called a press conference to criticize the boards reluctance to approve the entirety of a plan to add more than 600 temporary inmate beds to existing state correctional facilities. Over several weeks, the board approved all of the beds after the plans were tweaked to address members safety concerns, but the disagreement with the governor and others has grown into a larger debate over who has final authority over the states prisons. A lower court judge in the lawsuit filed by the board against the state determined that Amendment 33 to the Arkansas Constitution likely gave that control to the Board of Corrections, though Attorney General Tim Griffin is appealing the ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court. The high court has never ruled squarely on the reach of Amendment 33, which also grants independence to the governing boards of the states colleges and universities. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Patricia James also found that board members were constitutional officers and, therefore, fall under a state statute that allows them to hire special counsel when they disagree with the attorney general. This special counsel shall receive a reasonable compensation for his or her services, the statute reads. While members of the board felt they had the authority to hire and pay Mehdizadegan and his firm independently, the Department of Corrections chief financial officer decided the funds couldnt be released without standard procurement approval through the Legislature. To try to pay the legal bill sooner, the board elected to ask the Legislature for retroactive approval this week. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE Lawmakers and state procurement officials raised questions Tuesday about language that was added in the payment agreement. There were concerns that the language, which included a potential waiver of the states sovereign immunity, was inserted after Magness signed the document. After the meeting, though, Mehdizadegan provided documents showing that he made the changes before the document was signed by Magness. Mehdizadegan said he had expected the departments procurement officials would let him know if there were any problems with his additions, but those officials, until this week, apparently didnt review the executed document or missed the changes. In a letter to the prison board after the committee meeting earlier this week, Mehdizadegan explained the reasons for making changes to the procurement document, which included protecting the boards legal arguments from collateral damage. I want to be clear: the insinuation that there was any misconduct on the part of the Board or me is simply untrue, Mehdizadegan wrote in the letter. I will not compromise my integrity under any circumstance, and I did not do so here; however, if the Board has questions, I am more than willing to answer them in an open public meeting at your convenience. The post Legislative panels to probe Arkansas Board of Corrections contract, practices appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. Lego and NASA have a long history of collaborating, but a recently released building set launched the partnership in a new direction both for the toy company and the space agency. The new Mars Crew Exploration Rover, which went on sale earlier this month, is unlike any space vehicle that Lego or NASA has ever built. For Lego, it was the first time that its Technic line of advanced working models focused on a fictional space vehicle. Similarly, this was the first time NASA engineers advised on a Lego toy that was not in some way based on any of the agency's plans or spacecraft. "This was very refreshing for all of us, because we were designing with more freedom," said Aurelien Rouffiange, the design manager who led the creation of the Lego Technic Mars Crew Exploration Rover, in a presentation to fan media and content creators. Related: Best Lego space sets 2024: NASA sets, spaceships and more photo of a six-wheeled lego rover, with the set's box in the background Although the rover is fictional and set in the future, Lego still wanted to keep it realistic rather than go full sci-fi, which is where NASA's input was needed. "When you look this vehicle, we want to you to say, 'Okay, that can happen.' That is where we wanted to set the limit," said Rouffiange. "So after a [little] brainstorming, which I was very lucky to be part of I mean, it's not every day that you get to talk with a NASA engineer we came up with this concept." The Mars Crew Exploration Rover is a six-wheel, two-seat mobile transport that features an expanding truck bed, working suspension, a working crane, living quarters and a slew of scientific equipment and logistics canisters. The $149.99 Technic set includes 1,599 pieces and, as described on the front of its packaging, is "inspired by NASA Mars rover concepts." "It is kind of a campervan for space," said Rouffiange. "There is space for two crew members. You can open it and there is a whole living space inside. So you have a treadmill and shower ... all that astronauts need to survive on the planet. And then at the back, there are loads of cans for findings." And "loads" is not exaggerating. There are different containers for the crew's trash, Mars rocks and science samples, water, oxygen and hydrogen. In addition, the rover carries its own deployable fuel cell generator, with which to recharge its batteries. "We know that hydrogen will be a big part of our future, and we want to teach the kids and you how it works," he said. four photos of a six-wheeled lego rover, showing different angles In addition to its working crane for on- and off-loading equipment, the rear of the rover also has a lift. "One of the first things the people from NASA told me is that, once in their spacesuits, [the astronauts] can't jump off the rover. They can't run or do things like that. So they need something to get off this vehicle, so I built in an elevator," Rouffiange said. Another consideration was the vehicle's wheels. The rover features the same type of "rocker-bogie" suspension that can be found today on NASA's rovers Curiosity and Perseverance, allowing them to more easily traverse uneven terrain and roll over small boulders. But Lego has traditionally modeled its wheels in black, so it was something of a big ask when Rouffiange sought to produce the rover's tires in another color. "At the first meeting we had with NASA, I asked 'Can we use rubber in space?' And with such a variation of temperature, you can't, because the tires would explode or something bad like that would happen, and it's not great to change tires in space. So that's why they go with a metallic coating, for more traction and stuff like that," said Rouffiange. "The best result for us was to change the tires to gray to make them look like they were metal." The Mars Crew Exploration Rover is one of three new space-themed, fictional vehicles released as part of the Lego Technic line. The other two the Surface Space Loader and VTOL Heavy Cargo Spaceship are set farther off into the future and so were designed without NASA's input. The three vehicles do share a common livery, though, with the gray wheels also part of the space loader and all three introducing a new bright orange that is new to Lego with these sets. Related: Best space games 2024: Outer Wilds, No Man's Sky, Kerbal Space Program and more closeup of a lego rover set, showing the vehicle's interior from above RELATED STORIES: These space-based Lego set ideas are incredible, and we hope they get made Lego space deals: Discounts on spaceships, space stations and NASA kits Watch 1,000 Lego astronauts fly near the edge of space (video) NASA's engineers had two other words of advice for the Lego designers. First, they said, it would be impossible to launch and reposition a rover of this size given that it is too long to fit into any type of realistic rocket fairing. "So we make it smaller," said Rouffiange, as he demonstrated how the entire chassis contracts to become a shorter vehicle. "You can still drive it around in this compact mode, but, of course, it is not meant for that." The other thing NASA stressed the rover needed involved the living quarters. "They said [the astronauts] need a toilet," said Rouffiange. "And we thought they were joking about this, but [no], they needed a toilet." Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2024 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump has decided not to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for making the reckless and wrong decision to mix her work and personal lives. Too much was at stake for her to have taken that chance. Now she can only stay on the case if the lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, steps down, and that seems like a sensible middle-ground decision. For those of us who believe that Trump should be held to account for pushing officials to find just enough votes to overturn his 2020 loss in Georgia, the judges finding that Willis can stay on the case is a relief. But this whole diversion from what the former president said in that taped phone call weve all heard is also a reminder: If youre going to prosecute someone like Trump, whose legal team will find and exploit any vulnerability, the margin for error is nonexistent. You arent allowed any mistakes. Ive always thought about this sideshow exactly what I thought in response to Hillary Clintons comments about the vast right-wing conspiracy against her husband in another century. Of course his opponents were after him, which is why he couldnt afford to hand them any sticks with which to beat him. The idea that Willis benefited financially from her relationship with Wade was always ridiculous, and quite a throwback, too. As a highly successful professional woman, she could afford to go anywhere she wanted without hiring a man to take her on vacations and out to dinner. As she said on the witness stand, A man is not a plan. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said as much in his decision: The financial gain flowing from her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor on the part of the District Attorney to indict and prosecute this case. While a general motive for more income can never be disregarded entirely, the District Attorney was not financially destitute throughout this time or in any great need, as she testified that her salary exceeded $200,000 per year without any indication of exceptional expenses or debts. Whats more, he wrote, the Trump team failed to demonstrate that the District Attorneys conduct has impacted or influenced the case to the Defendants detriment. It was the appearance of a conflict of interest that was a problem, McAfee wrote, and that, too, makes sense. The Trump team thoroughly failed to prove, he said, that the financial arrangement was an incentive to prolong the case. There is no indication the District Attorney is interested in delaying anything. Indeed, the record is quite to the contrary. Its Trump who was looking for a delay, and got one. In this and other cases against him, hes definitely winning on that front. Trump and his co-defendants in the Georgia case will not now go on trial this August as planned. And the fact is that we cannot, and never could, count on the courts to save us from a second Trump presidency. Though I believe Trump, like anyone else, should be held to account for his illegal acts, our criminal justice system does not and never has treated everyone the same way. Donald Trump has gotten special consideration all along, especially from Bidens timid attorney general Merrick Garland, who hoped to avoid the messiness of prosecuting a former president. But dont we all know that it would be better for our already fragile democracy if we voted to keep this world-class grifter out of office rather than relying on our judicial system to do that? Of course, if we do decide to reelect Joe Biden instead, Trump will still say he won, and his ensorceled followers will still believe him. But its for the best that we know and acknowledge that if we want to keep what we have, its up to us to convince those mewling about a plague on both your houses that staying home in November is not an option. L.A. City workers clear an encampment under the 101 Freeway in Hollywood on March 7. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: The Times' editorial board, L.A. Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath mistakenly believe that Los Angeles Municipal Code 48.18, the city's anti-camping law, is intended to "somehow solve homelessness." ("Release the anti-camping law report now. L.A. needs to see the data," editorial, March 6) They fail to understand that the primary objective of 48.18 is to save vulnerable residents from the noxious effects of homeless encampments. For example, in Venice, 41.18 keeps campers some of whom scream obscenities or openly inject drugs away from children in our child care centers. The law prohibits people in tents, often with their late-night noise, from setting up under the windows of a senior housing center. And under 48.18, the city removed a large encampment riddled with crime and drug use from "Skid Rose," which plagued hundreds of residents in nearby homes for more than 10 years. This encampment has not returned. This law restores the quality of life of thousands of children, seniors and residents in our neighborhoods, regardless of whether it nudges homeless folks into accepting shelter or not. Mark Ryavec, Venice The writer is president of the Venice Stakeholders Assn. .. To the editor: While everyone argues over 41.18, here's what I know from two years of walking all over Hollywood. I am safer walking in the streets than on the sidewalks. I've seen a woman attacked walking through an encampment, so I don't do that. A large tent near Franklin Avenue recently burned down; it once stretched across the sidewalk from the fence to the street, preventing handicapped sidewalk access, as do 99% of the encampments. I walk to work on Franklin Avenue, to Trader Joe's on Vine Street, to pick up my car at Santa Monica Boulevard and Gower Street. I've reported problems at the Hollywood police station and have been told they're not allowed to enter the encampments. So while city leaders continue to argue about 41.18 as people remain unhoused and dying, I will continue to walk and remember the 1980s, Children of the Night and how Hollywood, in my memory, was a better place to live. Oh, and I will keep walking, hoping everyone at City Hall will finally figure it out. Susan Polifronio, Hollywood .. To the editor: The fight to find an effective and agreeable solution to the homeless encampment quagmire is very similar to the parable of blind men describing an elephant by feeling just a specific part of the animal. City and county leaders have some ideas, but nobody has come up with a solution that addresses all aspects of the challenge. Meanwhile, the encampments are as pervasive as ever despite millions of dollars spent. It is time we get something for our money. William Carroll, Carlsbad This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Two Kentucky property managers stole more than $100,000 from their employer, according to a federal lawsuit alleging fraud and other charges. Steven Wood, of Lexington, and Justin Maddix, of Richmond, were employed as property managers for Wyoming-based property company, Oak 44. While employees of Oak 44, which managed properties in Lexington, Maddix and Wood were also renovating several properties they owned, according to court documents. The lawsuit alleged the men worked together to purchase materials for the renovations on their employers credit card. The Oak 44 LLC is owned by John Gatson, who alleges the men committed fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, aiding and abetting, and civil conspiracy in a civil suit filed in the U.S. Eastern District Court. Wood and Maddix own a home on Cayman Lane which they are flipping for personal profit, and has no relationship to the Oak 44 company. The lawsuit alleged the men were using Oak 44 credit cards to purchase renovation items. The largest singular purchase was almost $25,000, and included the purchase of bathroom and kitchen fixtures such as brass faucets, heated toilet seats, kitchen hoods, cook tops, dishwashers, double ovens and a garbage disposal for an outdoor kitchen. All of these purchases were installed at the Cayman Lane property, according to the lawsuit. The home is currently listed for $1.5 million. Wood is accused of purchasing two tankless water heaters which he allegedly needed for Oak 44 apartment complexes. The cost was nearly $3,000, according to court documents. The water heaters were neither delivered to nor installed at those apartment complexes, the lawsuit reads. In fact, tankless water heaters are not compatible with the apartment units at those complexes. Other purchases included tool rentals, landscaping costs, additional home fixtures and trailer hookups. In addition to the fraudulent purchases, the lawsuit alleged Maddix used a sham company, called Lexington 859, where he would inflate the cost of services to skim money off the top. Rather than pay the invoice for Oak 44, Maddix would create a fake invoice on a Lexington 859 letterhead based on a fraudulent marked-up price, which is believed to be inflated by 20%, according to the suit. The Oak 44 LLC is seeking a judgment of monetary, compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $75,000. The Lexington Opioid Commission has been meeting since October, 2023. Chairwoman Stephanie M. Raglin and Vice-Chair Tara Stanfield met with Mayor Gorton. Gorton made it clear she does not want a recommendation from Opioid Abatement Commission at this time. She wants them to do the important work of listening. It never hurts to review the purpose of any project and its current strategy at any given point. At the most recent meeting on Feb. 9, Stanfield talked about Gortons expectations and the art of listening. Stanfield related her own past of not listening, of bringing expertise that did not fit with her clientele. I keep thinking about being a young therapist getting started and out of school, on fire and ready to change the world. . . I had all the answers, Stanfield said. I went into practice and I realized that none of my answers were working and the patients didnt like my answers. . . . I would tell people what to do and they wouldnt do it. I would feel frustrated. I could only imagine how frustrated they felt. At the time, Stanfield was working in Eastern Kentucky in a town already ravaged by opioids. We talk about the opioid epidemic{being} for the last 5 to 10 years but its been way longer, she said. Back then I was struggling. I would come in every day with all the answers. Tell people what to do; they wouldnt do it. Sometimes they felt like they needed to tell me they were doing it, when they werent. As an impacted mother, I, too, have felt I had answers gleaned from my personal experience and I wanted action. I would listen, but only with the intention of giving advice which was not always accurate. At times I was losing hope that anything would ever change. Stanfield had the same experience, but then something happened. She was invited to do a training in an evidence-based practice. It changed my career, it changed my life, it changed the way that I talk to patients; honestly, it changed the way I talked to people in general, she said. The number one thing that it did was take me out of any expectation, it took me deep into my soul that I was not an expert on somebody elses life. You cant be. You dont know where people have been, what they been through. And Im not the expert of exactly what its going take for them to make a change and find their way out of the path that who knows how they got into to start with. Im never going to know all those things. My job is to be there with them, support them, and work with them directly to find the way, whatever that way is going to be for them. The reason that this relates is when we think about substance use in a community, as bad as the problem has become, it is so complicated, just the same as it is when you think about a single patient. The more OAC meetings I attended the more I learned how large this crisis was, that it was a community disease. And how important it is to hear everyones story. Stanfield makes the point that it needs to be treated the same way an individual is treated. We need to take the time to do it right. Listening and assessment come first. When I met with Mayor Gorton it was so nice to hear that the only thing that she expects from us right now is to bring her suggestions and she doesnt want one tomorrow because she knows its a big complicated topic and weve got 18 years of these abatement funds, Stanfield explained. She really wants something that will work in the community, be sustained in the community and have a shot at matching the complexity that addiction is on an individual level and on the big macro level of an actual city. All of us have our expertise that were going to bring to the table. Were really just in the phase now of assessing the patient. All were doing now is to put it out there to the community to hear from our community partners, to hear from people who have experienced tragedy, because of addiction, and to really get a feel of whats out there. Talk about expertise, thats where a lot of it will come from. The next Opioid Abatement Commission meeting is Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. in the council chambers. In the form of your stories, bring your expertise to the table. You can sign up to speak during the public comment time. Or you can email the commissioners at opioidabatement@lexingtonky.gov. Laverne Zabielski Laverne Zabielski is a Lexington artist. Lexington Police are asking neighbors on Wood Street to check any surveillance footage they may have from Thursday afternoon to gather more information about a report of an attempted abduction. Police say a 9-year-old girl told adults she was playing in her backyard off Wood Street when a masked man dressed in black grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth. The girl reportedly kicked the man and escaped. The suspect took off, according to the report. Authorities are asking the public for footage between 1:15 and 2:30 pm. The girls mother, Ashley, has been working alongside police to gather more information. I dont feel comfortable in my own home at all, she told Boston 25 Friday. My kids are just traumatized. Neighbors near the Lexington home were still stunned 24 hours after the reported incident. This is a very safe neighborhood, very quiet, said neighbor Anand Ananthakrishnan. Things like this dont happen. David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Center at the University of New Hampshire, told Boston 25 that a stranger abduction attempt is rare, but incredibly serious. There are only a few dozen each year across the country. He added, This is the kind of thing that results in post-traumatic stress. Lexington Police told Boston 25 this is an active investigation, and they will inform the public of any new details when appropriate. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) There was a large turnout at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Thursday afternoon. Hundreds were gathered there in memory of Nex Benedict and seeking justice for the LGBTQ+ community. The Oklahoma 16-year-old non-binary teen one day after a fight at school broke out back in February. This week, a summary report from the medical examiner ruled their death a suicide. On Thursday afternoon, students from Classen SAS High School at Northeast walked out of class in protest against bullies who target the LGBTQ+ community. KFOR learned the Oklahoma LGBTQ+ youth community are hurting more than ever right now. Medical Examiner report reveals Nex Benedicts cause of death, community reacts A student at the high school told KFOR bullying in schools is at an all-time high and needs to end. Weve all been in situations where weve been bullied before Nex didnt have that support in their school to really allow them to reach out to other people and talk and seek help. That was a major problem and that made me feel very upset Were all really upset with the way that our students are being represented right now in this wonderful building behind us, said Ella Janes, a senior at Classen SAS High School at Northeast. Currently, Oklahoma is topping every state in the nation when it comes to LQBTQ+ youth facing mental health emergencies. No matter how you rule a death, no matter how you say somebody dies, bullying is not acceptable, said a protester at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Thursday afternoon. Lance Preston is the founder and executive director of the Rainbow Youth Project, a national organization that promotes the health, safety, and wellness of the LGBTQ+ community for children and teens. He says since Oklahoma nonbinary, Nex Benedicts death was announced, youth from the LGBTQ+ community have been utilizing the organizations mental health crisis hot lines more than any other state in the nation. The organizations suicide hotline is seeing more than a 230 percent increase in calls, just in Oklahoma. But we started with a baseline of 63 calls a month in March of 2023. In February of 2024 we saw 1,097 Those were received after February 16th when the news of Nex Benedict broke. It was in that two-week period. It was just calls ringing off the hook, said Lance Preston, founder and executive director with the Rainbow Youth Project. There have been over a dozen bills introduced at the Oklahoma State Capitol this session targeting the Oklahoma LGBTQ+ community. Some of the bills have died but others are still alive. Advocates for the LGBTQ+ community say those bills are affecting students. Words matter, right? And these laws matter. And so literally, the hateful speech and these hateful laws are trickling down into our childrens mouths and in their spewing the hate that theyre hearing, said Kris Williams, on the board of the Oklahoma American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. A nonbinary students death after a high school fight has been ruled a suicide. Heres what to know Preston believes bills that target the LGBTQ+ community play an underlying role in encouraging classroom bullies, and in turn, create more mental health emergencies for LGBTQ+ students. Just from here in Oklahoma, if you look back over the past year, we saw increases start when anti LGBTQ bills started being passed and policies started being implemented, which is typical across the country, said Preston. Those in protest on Thursday said theyre just looking for a change. The fact that our children dont even feel safe in the home, in our home, and they feel that death is their only option for any kind of saving grace, thats despicable, said Williams. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health resources, call 988. You can also call the Rainbow Youth Project for help at (317)643-4888. There, you can get connected to local resources. Meanwhile, house leadership inside the Oklahoma State Capitol issued a joint statement saying, As public officials and policy makers, we have a sacred obligation to ensure that as we do the of the people, we do so with respect and dignity. They go on to say, We call on all Oklahomans to join us in our commitment to being respectful and deliberate in our language. You can read that full statement below: On Thursday, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised state senators for approving anti-bullying legislation after recent teen suicides. You can read that full statement below: OKLAHOMA CITY (Mar 14, 2024) In the aftermath of recent tragedies in Oklahoma involving incidents of high school bullying, Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised state senators today for approving legislation aimed at preventing severe bullying that can spur a young persons suicide. Authored by state Sen. Paul Rosino and state Rep. Steve Bashore, Senate Bill 1100 passed the Senate today on a 38-8 vote. Drummond said the need for a stronger anti-bullying measure is evident after high-profile bullying appears to have contributed to the suicides of 17-year-old Mustang student Jot Turner and 16-year-old Owasso student Nex Benedict. Schools are seeing firsthand the crisis of teen suicide and how it can be stoked by horrific bullying, he said. Laws cannot force people to be kind to one another, but we can ensure there are consequences to the sort of bullying that leads to tragedies such as those we have seen in Mustang and Owasso. Sen. Rosino stressed the importance of SB 1100. No child in our state should ever feel that ending their life is the only way to escape harassment or bullying. As cyberbullying persists and worsens, it is imperative that we prioritize the well-being of our youth and do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies, he said. This legislation will hold those who inflict harm accountable and will offer further protections for young Oklahomans who have fallen victim to bullying or cyberbullying. SB 1100 would make it unlawful for an individual to threaten, intimidate or harass, or threaten to inflict injury, physical harm, or severe emotional distress to another person, whether in person or through electronic devices. Under the measure, a first violation would be a misdemeanor punishable by to one year in a county jail and/or a $500 fine. A second offense would face a maximum of two years in prison and/or a $1,000 fine. Repeated violations can carry a maximum punishment of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. Moreover, the bill outlines penalties for an individual for whom it can be shown to be the proximate cause of a suicide or attempted suicide. Causing an attempted suicide would be punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $1,000, while causing a completed suicide would be punishable by a minimum of seven years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $5,000. Suicide of young people has reached alarming levels in Oklahoma. According to the most recent data available from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, between 2012 and 2016 the state had the 10th highest rate of youth suicide deaths nationwide. According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey compiled by the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, 23 percent of respondents seriously considered suicide over the year, while 10 percent attempted taking their own life. The survey found 18 percent of responding high school students reported being bullied on school grounds and 16 percent reported being subject to bullying electronically. In addition, the survey indicated that those targeted by bullying were more likely to experience suicidal ideation than those who were not 43.9 percent compared to 17.8 percent. Even President Joe Biden released the following statement regarding Nex Benedicts death. You can read the full statement here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) September marks the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Irish Music Festival in Muskegon and the participating bands and musicians have finally been announced. The event will take place Sept. 12 to Sept. 15 at Heritage Landing and will feature five acts as headliners to keep the fun going throughout the festivals duration. The headliners include Gaelic Storm, Kila, Talisk, Aofie Scott and Seamus Kennedy. These five artists have decades of performance experience and hope to bring that excitement to Muskegon this fall. Dates for each performance will be announced later. Tickets go on sale on May 2, but you can preorder a full festival pass for just $45 if you buy them on St. Patricks Day. You can do so by clicking here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The Rheinmetall AG logo can be seen on the facade of an administration building. Germany's largest defense contractor Rheinmetall intends to significantly accelerate its growth course this year. Henning Kaiser/dpa Lithuania's Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas welcomed the plans of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall for a production facility in his country. The plans would mean "the creation of jobs as well as investments in our economy, most of which will be accompanied by the involvement of other companies," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday evening. "I am pleased about the joint participation of the Lithuanian authorities in this important defence project," he added. Rheinmetall previously confirmed plans to build an artillery production plant in Lithuania in 2023 at its annual press conference. However, a final decision has yet to be made. Lithuanian media reports say group representatives held talks with political leaders in late 2023 and early this year. A Bundeswehr armoured brigade is also due to be permanently stationed in Lithuania in the future. Rheinmetall has been operating a maintenance centre together with the defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann since summer 2022. The combat vehicles of NATO combat units stationed in the Baltic states and the Leopard 2 battle tanks handed over by Germany to Ukraine are maintained there. Lee Anderson has claimed Labour and the Conservatives have little between them as he toured his constituency in a Reform battle bus. The MP for Ashfield, who crossed the floor this week after losing the Tory whip, was joined by Richard Tice, his new party leader, in an open-top vehicle that was once used to give guided tours of Windsor. He also revealed he of course wanted to see Nigel Farage return to a more prominent role in Reform as his defection was broadly welcomed by residents. Addressing supporters from the top of the bus in a supermarket car park, Mr Anderson said: Theres only one political group that will allow me to stand up in Parliament and speak in your language, and thats the Reform party. I want my country back, successive governments have given our country away or tried to give it away. I want our kids to go to decent schools, I want our GPs to be open so we can book an appointment the same day, I want our roads to be fixed, I want our borders to be secure, I want us to have a say in who comes in and out of our country Arguing there was very little difference between Labour and the Tories, he added: The political parties at the moment, the two mainstream parties have little between them. Theres only Reform, when you actually read their contract, that speaks for people. Mr Anderson poses for a selfie with a local, one of many who welcomed his defection to Reform - Leon Neal/Getty Images Asked whether he wanted to see Mr Farage, a former Reform leader and now its honorary life president, return to front-line politics, Mr Anderson replied: Of course I would. Ask anyone here. Around 200 Reform supporters gathered across a tour that took in two supermarket car parks as well as one of Mr Andersons favourite local pubs. The Reform bus had to be moved further down the road outside one of the supermarkets after a complaint from a member of staff who had received an abusive call as a result of the battle bus being outside the shop. Reflecting on his new recruit, Mr Tice said: Lees going to be a fantastic MP for Reform, and hes going to get re-elected. The support for him is even greater. Im absolutely delighted to be here. Romes not built in a day, but this is the first chink in the wall. Were making progress. Money doesnt grow on trees, but its growing, its spreading A lot of people say they dont know who to vote for, but now theres an option. A woman verbally abuses Mr Anderson as he walked through the town centre - DARREN STAPLES The Reform leader exclaimed Hold on to your hats! as the battle bus went onto the M1, passing the Holiday Inn where Mr Anderson and Mr Tice held secret talks about the formers defection on the day after his suspension. The mood among Mr Andersons supporters was a mixture of optimism about Reform and frustration with the two main political parties. Catherine Cullen, a 64-year-old who voted for Mr Anderson as the Tory candidate in 2019, said: They sacked him for telling the truth. Everyone in this country is now soul-searching. We are the silent majority and the Government only listens to those who shout the loudest. Mr Anderson lost the Tory whip after he claimed Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan, Labours Mayor of London, in remarks Mr Khan went on to call wrong and heartbreaking. Bev Taylor, 64, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, said Mr Anderson joining Reform was the cherry on the cake, while Daniel Bamford, 46, added: The Tories have done nothing to make things better, and theyve actually made a lot of things worse. The majority of reactions to Mr Andersons presence were positive, save for one notable exception. Tempers flare further as the same woman takes on a Reform voter - DARREN STAPLES Police were called in the aftermath of Mr Andersons market square walkabout after he was heckled by a woman who continued to shout profanity-laden abuse while following him around at a two-metre distance for almost 15 minutes. The woman directed insults including f--- off and f------ w--- towards the MP, who appeared unfazed and told her to have a nice day before continuing to greet constituents. Mr Tice said in the wake of the commotion: Its democracy in action when you see the numbers, 99 to one. Thats amongst the worst [Ive seen] but Im sort of used to it. Ive been around a block a bit. Minutes earlier, a dog walker in the market square had told Mr Anderson Ill vote for you, Lee, while another exclaimed well done Lee! A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman said: We were made aware of an incident in Market Place, Sutton-in-Ashfield, at around 12.40pm today. At this time no criminal offences have been disclosed to the police. We are not able to confirm nor deny identities of those involved. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Friday morning in Winter Haven to sign three bills aimed at undocumented migrants. DeSantis spoke alongside Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette Nunez. The officials discussed how illegal immigration affects Florida and the measures the state has taken to address an influx of migrants that could be headed for Florida shores amid instability in Haiti. Our sheriffs and police chiefs are on the front lines, Moody said. This week, DeSantis authorized state resources to mobilize in south Florida to intercept migrant vessels. He compared their effort to get ahead of potential humanitarian crisis to preparing for an oncoming hurricane. DeSantis touted his record on immigration and slammed the administration of President Joe Biden for not doing enough to stem the flow of migrants across the southern border. The federal government has failed in its responsibility to secure our southern border, leaving states to fend for themselves, DeSantis said. In Florida, we do not tolerate illegal immigration, let alone lawlessness committed by illegal aliens who shouldnt be here in the first place. The bills I signed today further enhance Floridas capabilities to uphold the law. During the news conference, DeSantis signed the following three bills: HB-1451 will bar local governments from issuing drivers licenses to people who are in the U.S. illegally HB-1589 will increase penalties for those caught driving without a license SB-1036 will enhance penalties for crimes committed by people who reentered country illegally after deportation Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd spoke about the impacts of illegal immigration in his community. He said the crisis at the southern border is allowing fentanyl, human trafficking and criminal behavior to spread into Polk County. They arent coming here for a better life. Theyre coming here to kill, Sheriff Grady Judd said. He said the influx was making his and his deputies jobs more difficult and called on the Biden administration to better address the crisis. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Welcome to Day 5 of free agency and Fridays installment of The Miami Heralds Dolphins/NFL free agency live blog. As of Friday morning, Miami had agreed to terms with 11 players from other teams: tight end Jonnu Smith, linebacker Shaq Barrett, center Aaron Brewer, inside linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker Jr., safety Jordan Poyer, special teams ace Siran Neal, tight end Jody Fortson and defensive tackles Neville Gallimore, Jonathan Harris and Benito Jones. Miami also retained Elijah Campbell, Jake Bailey, Nik Needham, Rob Jones, DaShawn Hand and Salvon Ahmed. Seven players are on their way out after agreeing to terms with other teams: defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis, right guard Robert Hunt, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. and safeties Brandon Jones and DeShon Elliott. We will have live updates throughout the day all week, as the Dolphins try to fill more holes. Please keep checking back for updates. 4 p.m.: The Dolphins formally announced the signing of Neville Gallimore, the ex-Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle. He will compete with former Broncos lineman Jonathan Harris - and likely others to be added - for snaps in the position that Christian Wilkins handled the past five seasons. Gallimore also could play nose tackle in a pinch. Gallimore has known Dolphins defensive line coach Austin Clark for years and has even trained with him. Hes a great guy, high intensity guy, Gallimore said. Seeing the guys raving on and on with him [was notable]. Im looking forward for that opportunity grow with him... The Dolphins bring a lot to the table. Ive seen a team thats had a lot of success. Gallimore played in 52 games and started 14 games for Dallas over the past four seasons. But he made just one start over the past two seasons. Last year, he appeared in all 17 games and played 27 percent of the Cowboys defensive snaps. Growing up in Ottawa, he was the first Canadian-born player to be invited to the U.S. Army All American bowl for top high school prospects. It was unheard of, being from where Im from to be a top prospect and make the NFL. 3 p.m. update: New Dolphins tight end Jody Fortson, who spent the past five seasons with the Chiefs, transitioned to tight end as a rookie in 2019. He was a receiver at Valdosta State. At first, I was like, I dont really want to be a tight end, Fortson said on a Zoom session with reporters on Friday. And now? Hes glad he did. I wish I did it earlier.... I conduct everything with my head up. Even though he caught just 14 passes with the Chiefs, he said being on a team that won two championships had an immensely positive impact. It brings a winners attitude, a winners mindset, he said. I might not have had the role I would like, but I know what it takes to win. The discipline, the sacrifices, the intensity. Thats what I inherited from my time being with Kansas City - the discipline to win, the seriousness behind it of what it takes. Youve got to constantly chip at it every single day. He spent 2019 and 2020 on the practice squad, caught four touchdowns during his appearances in 2021 and 2022 and missed last season with an August shoulder injury. He relishes playing with Tyreek Hill again. Anytime you get to be on the field with Tyreek, its a blessing, Fortson said. Im excited to get back to be around him and pick his brain on the game. Hes a goofball [at times, but also] an intelligent player. He called tight end Travis Kelce my favorite teammate of all time, not only because he took his time to teach me the role of being a tight end but also because of the great person he is. It set me forward light years of where I would have been without him. I used to be rushing my routes. He said, You can slow it down. Every route doesnt have to be 100 miles per hour. He said Kelce taught him things Ill be forever grateful for. He said playing for Mike McDaniel is something that appealed to him. Anyone wants to play with someone they feel they can relate to, he said. Everybody wants to be in a comfortable environment where you can learn and excel. 2:55 p.m.: The Dolphins are formally announcing the signings of linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., center Aaron Brewer and tight end Jody Fortson. 11 a.m. update: The details on Terron Armsteads restructure are in, and the Dolphins ended up saving $10 million in cap space this season, with his cap number shrinking from $20.8 million to $10.6 million, per overthecap.com. Armstead agreed to a $4.25 million pay cut for 2024. His restructured agreement includes a $7.3 million signing bonus and $10 million in guarantees. His $13.3 million and $12.3 million salaries in 2025 and 2026 arent guaranteed. 10:45 a.m. update: After visiting with the Tennessee Titans, former Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker is due to visit with Seattle, per ESPN. If he signs with the Seahawks, he would be flipping places with new Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks. 10 a.m. update: While losing key free agents has been painful, there have been two benefits: 1). Miami now has more future cap flexibility to keep Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips and Jevon Holland. The Dolphins also created room to fill four or five needs in the salary slot that Raiders-bound Christian Wilkins would have otherwise consumed. 2). The Dolphins are positioned to snag several compensatory draft picks. Per overthecap.coms Nick Korte, Miami should be receiving a third-round 2025 compensatory pick for losing Wilkins to Las Vegas and another 2025 third-round compensatory pick for losing Robert Hunt to Carolina. Korte also projects that the Dolphins should receive a seventh-round 2025 compensatory pick for losing DeShon Elliott to Pittsburgh. The Dolphins were poised to land a 2025 sixth-round compensatory pick for losing Brandon Jones to Denver, but Korte said that was canceled out by the signing of cornerback Kendall Fuller (a small price to pay for a starting cornerback). Though the Dolphins decisions arent being fueled primarily by the compensatory pick dynamic, they have capitalized on the rules. Theyve signed several street free agents meaning players who were cut and did not become free agents simply because their contracts expired. Those street free agents dont count against the team signing them. Tight end Jonnu Smith and safety Jordan Poyer are among the Dolphins street free agent pickups. Also, restricted free agents who werent tendered by their former teams also dont count in the NFLs compensatory pick formula. So Miami wasnt penalized for its signing of Denver defensive end Jonathan Harris on Thursday night. Also keep this in mind: Veteran free agents signed after May 1 do not count against the compensatory pick formula. Miami likely will be active in free agency this summer, because the $18.5 million in space cleared by Xavien Howards release will become available to the Dolphins on June 1. Barring an unforeseen and unlikely free agent spending splurge, the Dolphins are now poised to have five picks in the first three rounds of the 2025 Draft. The Dolphins have their own first, second and third round picks next year. In next months draft, Miami has its own first and second round picks but doesnt have third or fourth round picks. The Dolphins have no compensatory picks in the 2024 draft. EVANSVILLE Evansville police and the county prosecutor say no one in former Mayor Lloyd Winnecke's administration asked them whether a crime may have been committed when ex-fire chief Mike Connelly was accused of filming a female subordinate without her knowledge. Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers said she learned of the allegations by reading about them in the Courier & Press this month. The Courier & Press investigation was published March 5 and detailed allegations made by an Evansville Fire Department employee who said Connelly filmed her without consent at least twice. The reporting was based on official documents, interviews and responses to public access requests. "Im not aware that it was reported to anyone, and in fact I reached out to (a Courier & Press reporter) to see if anyone had said, Oh hey, we made a police report about this, because I have not heard of anything," said Moers, who took office after the first alleged filming incident happened but before the second. Billy Bolin, who was chief of the Evansville Police Department in Winnecke's administration, said he "found out Chief Connelly resigned when the rest of the world did." "Nobody inquired about any investigation or anything with us," Bolin said. Was a crime committed? Winnecke's administration refused to divulge the reason Connelly abruptly retired in September, but documents obtained by the Courier & Press lay out accusations by a subordinate that Connelly had been filming her without her knowledge. Connelly, who had served as fire chief for more than a decade, raced home from a conference in Indianapolis in September to learn he could either be fired or retire. Connelly chose retirement, retaining benefits. Despite that, Connelly's personnel files don't contain any disciplinary records, then-city attorney Marco DeLucio said in response to a Courier & Press records request earlier this year. The EFD employee said in October 2022 she noticed Connellys cellphone placed in an awkward position in an office, with the phone's camera pointing straight at her. The woman asked Connelly why the phone seemed to be recording her, and Connelly reportedly said he was trying to record their meetings and conversations for posterity. Former Evansville Fire Department Chief Mike Connelly. The woman said she told Connelly to never film her again, and that it made her uncomfortable. "He said he wouldn't do it anymore," stated a filing the woman made to the city's human resources department. "He then went to his office and moved his phone off his desk. Later he approached me and thanked me for coming to him about the phone instead of the City." In September 2023, the filming allegedly happened again. This time, the woman said, she noticed Connellys cellphone camera peeking through a bookshelf adjacent to where she sat. When the woman confronted Connelly, she said the chief held his head in his hands and said, Im sorry. Thats according to the memo the woman wrote on Evansville Fire Department letterhead and delivered to human resources officials on Sept. 12, two days before Connelly resigned, then retired. The subject line of the memo reads "sexual harassment incidents." The woman said in her memo to HR that Connelly admitted he had secretly filmed her because he felt attracted to her and liked the way she dressed. EFD's new chief, Tony Knight, confirmed this month that the allegations were "credible" and did indeed violate the department's sexual harassment policy. No criminal or civil charges have been filed against Connelly. Should charges have been filed? Moers said without more knowledge of the specific circumstances, she can't say whether a crime was committed. Bolin said he doesn't think it rises to the level of a crime. "I dont know what the crime would be if youre just recording somebody in your normal office setting," Bolin said. "That being said, Im not justifying what was said happened. But I dont really see it from a criminal angle. "Now, if it was in a restroom or a locker room or something like that, I would think differently." Should Winnecke's administration have asked police to look into it? Not necessarily, said Bolin. "I would think that if they thought it was criminal, they would have," Bolin told the Courier & Press. "I had a real good relationship with Mayor Winnecke, and Im confident if he thought there was a crime, that he would have called me in on it." 'Three areas of issue' Paul Helmke doesn't know if the allegations rise to a criminal level. But the EFD employee may have what she needs to bring a civil suit against everyone from Connelly to the city of Evansville. Helmke, former mayor of Fort Wayne who now serves as the director of the Civic Leaders Center at Indiana University, said there are three areas of issue. Did Connelly commit sexual harassment? Did the Winnecke administration handle it properly? Should the Terry administration have released the woman's memo, unredacted, to local television stations when it contained her name? As far as the first problem, it sounds like shes got a decent case of some sort of sexual harassment, he said. I doubt its at a criminal level, but its the sort of thing she might be able to bring a civil suit against him for harassment. That could extend to the city at large. Paul Helmke The woman hasnt given any public sign she plans to file a lawsuit, but she did tell the Courier & Press shes been dealing with anxiety and psychological distress. She started therapy, takes anxiety medication to cope with the fallout, and says she has a visceral reaction anytime she drives past the fire departments downtown headquarters. I've had to deal with all that on my own, you know, she said. Without any help from the city. Helmke said that kind of emotional distress could be the basis of a civil suit against the city, if the woman ever decided to pursue one. She could potentially argue the city created an unsafe work environment. The fact Connelly resigned, Helmke said, "doesn't change anything." "Societys more open to women bringing these charges publicly," he said. "Although theres always some people who are going to blame the victim, shes still got a chance to make her case in some sort of civil (court). But Helmke, who served three terms leading Fort Wayne, doesnt completely disagree with how the Winnecke administration handled Connellys exit. If it had been him, he said, he too would have given Connelly the option to resign or be fired. The difference, he said, would be communication. Winnecke said his administration conducted an investigation after the employees allegations surfaced, and that giving Connelly an ultimatum was their way of doing everything we needed to do to protect the employee who expressed the concern the allegation, rather. But the woman told the Courier & Press that she was never involved in any sort of investigation. And no one from the city spoke to her before they ushered Connelly out the door. That, Helmke said, is where the city dropped the ball. You take allegations like this very seriously," he said. "You want to (respond) promptly and you want to do it in a way that doesnt make things worse for the person bringing the charges because you dont want them to be punished twice." After the Courier & Press published the story of the womans allegations, Evansville TV stations began writing their own versions of the story. The basis for those was the memo the woman wrote to city human resources detailing Connellys reported actions and the citys reaction to them. City spokesman Joe Atkinson confirmed the Terry administration released the memo and that they didnt redact the womans name from it. That led to television reporters inundating her with calls, she told the Courier & Press, and she soon released a statement through the EFD asking for privacy and time as I continue to heal and move forward from these incidents. I think thats pretty serious, Helmke said. I dont know if it breaks any laws, but clearly (they shouldnt) be disclosing her name without her consent or without a court order. Generally, that sort of stuff in personnel files is supposed to be confidential. Reporters Houston Harwood and Sarah Loesch contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Police say they weren't aware of allegations against Mike Connelly *Related video above: How to report a crime tip to the US Marshals* WELLINGTON, Ohio (WJW) An Amherst man has been arrested after school officials said he called Wellington High School Thursday morning impersonating a police officer. Overnight storms deadly in Ohio: Officials Superintendent Edward Weber said: Wellington High School received a call from a man who identified himself as a Cleveland police officer (which he is not) and requested to visit a teacher at the high school. Our staff member stated that she cannot let visitors into the school. At no time did the man arrive on school property, Weber said. Video shows funnel cloud in Plymouth during tornado warning According to the Lorain County Jail, 26-year-old Nathaniel Reynolds was arrested Thursday evening for impersonating a peace officer/private officer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A rendering of the exterior of the Thompson Palm Springs hotel as viewed from Palm Canyon Drive looking south. The Thompson Hotel's long road to opening on the north side of downtown Palm Springs will now be at least little longer. A spokesperson for the long-in-the-works and currently under-construction luxury hotel, which is located on the east side of the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Alejo Road, announced Thursday that the anticipated opening date has been shifted yet again, this time to September. The Thompson is now taking reservations for stays starting Sept. 5, although there is a possibility it could open earlier, said Julia Wagner of the hotel's public-relations firm, C&R Communications,. "The hotel is committed to opening in 2024," wrote Wagner in the email statement. September is latest in a long line of targeted opening dates to be offered for the roughly 170-room hotel, which has been in development for nearly a decade and is an affiliate of Hyatt. The general manager of the Thompson Palm Springs Hotel pointed to a rendering showing how a pool will look while standing at the site of that pool last year. The project's current owner, Craig Hall, told The Desert Sun almost a year ago that part of the hotel would open by the end of 2023, although he said at the time he was hesitant to say exactly when. "I hope thats an accurate statement and I think it will be," Hall said at the time. Hall said then that the first phase would include about 100 hotel rooms, a pool and retail and dining offerings. A second phase consisting of 68 rooms and another, more private pool was to follow, with a spring 2024 date planned at the time he spoke. This week, Wagner said the hotel was sharing the updated opening timeline as part of an effort to keep the community proactively updated on the hotel's progress. She also said that the hotel had "made remarkable strides in recent construction progress" over the past year, explaining that two model rooms have already been completed. Other recent progress has included the installation of local indigenous landscaping throughout the property, the ""finalization" of hotel meeting spaces and the installation of catering kitchen equipment. The rest of the hotel's mid-century modern furnishings are also set to be installed over the next 30 days, she said. She did not immediately respond to a follow-up question about whether the hotel will open all at once or in stages. The Thompson Hotel is one of three high-profile projects in the city that date back more than a decade and have beset by numerous delays. The developer of one of those other projects, the Dream Hotel adjacent to the Palm Springs Convention Center, said last summer that she was now estimating it would be completed at the end of 2025 after the Palm Springs City Council approved revisions to the project. In July 2023, another developer, Richard Weintraub, entered into a revised agreement with the city that would require him to start construction on another long-delayed hotel, the Orchid Tree, within 15 months of getting required board and commission approval. How much are rooms at the Thompson? The Desert Sun searched for several dates and room types at hyatt.com/thompson-hotels. While rates varied, the standard seemed to be between $600 and $800 a night. The exception is the pricier Hardy Suite, which goes for $1,300 to $1,400 a night. The listing for the suite says it offers "unparalleled views of the city and pool" and "blends chic sophistication, relaxed California vibes and midcentury design." Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development and business in the Coachella Valley. Follow him on Twitter at @albaniburgiop and email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Opening of Palm Springs Thompson Hotel delayed again As the sun graces California with extra daylight in the afternoons, the human body can have a hard time adjusting to the time difference. How long does it take for the body to adjust to daylight saving time? Heres what a California sleep expert told us: How does daylight saving time affect the human body? Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, a neurologist and sleep specialist at UC Davis Health, said the human body naturally follows the sun. When we change the time on the clock to be an hour against the sun, it throws our bodies off, she said in a phone interview with The Sacramento Bee. Though time only shifts by an hour, she said the time difference still impacts a persons sleep schedule, brain activity, metabolism and immune system. Associated Press medical writer Lauran Neergaard puts it this way: The brain has a master clock that is set by exposure to sunlight and darkness, she wrote in an AP story published last week. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when were more alert. The patterns change with age, one reason that early-to-rise youngsters evolve into hard-to-wake teens. Morning light resets the rhythm. By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the evening that extra hour from daylight saving time delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync. How long does it take for bodies to adjust to the time difference? Some have argued two weeks, and others have argued it takes about a full month to reset, Oyegbile-Chidi said. Though the adjustment period can differ for each individual, she said the Monday after daylight saving time are when people are more likely to be thrown off or feeling under the weather. People tend to feel this way because theyre not realigning as quickly, Oyegbile-Chidi said. What are some tips on how to adjust to the time difference? Most experts Oyegbile-Chidi included say preparation is key to adjusting quickly. The best thing you could have done before the clocks sprung forward: Start slowly adjusting your body to the time change two weeks before daylight saving, she said. Start going to sleep five minutes earlier everyday before, so that you can be a little more ready for the sudden change. Eating habits should also be slowly changed two weeks before, Oyegbile-Chidi said. You want to have your wind-down period of about 30 minute to an hour about five minutes earlier everyday for two weeks before you go to sleep, she said. Everything should be shifted, including exercise and caffeine consumption. If you didnt do that and now youre feeling the effects, Cleveland Clinic has some tips to adjust: Stick to your schedule for eating, socializing and exercise. Expose yourself to bright light in the morning (step outside!). Dont take long naps, as they could inhibit your ability to fall asleep later. Avoid caffeine and alcohol roughly four to six hours before bedtime. Dont spend time on your phone or other electronics right before bed. 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. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A Virginia Beach community continues to rally for an 8-year-old boy who was shot in February. On Feb. 13, Landyn Davis was playing a computer game in his parents bedroom when a bullet came through the wall and hit him in the head. The boy was at home with his sister on Peele Court. Around 20 rounds of bullets were fired, according to police. Landyn is recovering in the hospital. Three people were arrested and charged for the shooting. 3 arrested after 8-year-old boy shot in head in Virginia Beach The Lynnhaven Panera Bread hosted a fundraiser Friday for Landyn organized by the Holland Elementary PTA. The fundraiser is one of several the PTA has put together for the boy and his family, with 25% of Paneras Friday evening sales donated to the Davis family. Everybody came together do quickly on this and we have everybody coming to a meeting of the minds to find out what we can possibly do to step in and support the family, said PTA president Justin Watson. Were going to be trying to do a bunch of different things in the community to try to help out. The PTA is also selling #LandynStrong wristbands for $2. Joseph Atkins Jr. heard about the fundraiser and stopped by Panera to purchase eight wristbands. Saw it on the news, been following the story and it just touched my heart about Landyn and his family, Atkins Jr. told 10 On Your Side. Blessings to the Davis family, theyre in our prayers. As for the 8-year-old, we caught up with his parents, Emily Rigsby and Steven Davis, outside CHKD earlier this week. Landyn was moved out of the ICU this past Sunday. Because the bullet is still in his head, they couldnt do an MRI to show the extent of the damage, Rigsby said, so its kind of like, they just have to let him show what he can do and hes showing amazing progress. Hes definitely tough, hes a warrior. On March 23, there will be a motorcycle ride at the Oceanfront at noon. Students at Landyns school, Holland Elementary, will do a Walk-A-Thon for him March 27. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. French president Emmanuel Macron has refused to back down on controversial comments made last month in which he said he could not rule out sending troops to fight in Ukraine. The French premier, speaking to broadcasters TF1 and France 2 last night, said to rule out the option of sending troops was tantamount to opting for defeat. Russia cannot win, he said. If Russia were to win, life for the French would change. We would no longer have security in Europe. Who can seriously believe that Putin, who has respected no limits, would stop there. When pressed on whether he was sticking by his comments from last month, he said ambiguity was vital; to publicly keep the option open to send troops into the fight against Vladimir Putins forces in Ukraine, pushing the idea that nothing is off the table, was the only way to signal the Wests unwavering support for Kyiv. Im right about not being specific, he said. If war was to spread to Europe, it would be Russias sole choice and sole responsibility. But for us to decide today to be weak, to decide today that we would not respond, is being defeated already. And I dont want that. One former senior French civil servant lauded the comments as nascent. It is an innovative idea that will gradually gain understanding and acceptance, he said. Emergency services work at the scene of a building that was damaged by a Russian drone attack in Vinnytsia, Ukraine (AP) Sergei Naryshkin, chief of Russias foreign intelligence service, meanwhile, described the new remarks as crazy and paranoid dreams. Last month, they warned that sending troops to Ukraine would escalate the conflict. The French leaders comments come ahead of a Friday meeting between him, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk in Berlin, during which the trio are expected to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Mr Scholz appeared to challenge Mr Macrons initial comments last month after the meeting in Paris. The day after that meeting, he said there would be no ground troops, no soldiers on Ukrainian soil sent there by European countries or Nato states. But ahead of the mini-summit in Berlin on Friday, he dismissed speculation that there was a growing rift between him and Mr Macron, saying he has a very good personal relationship with the French leader. He added that supporting Ukraine is a very concrete and very practical question of whether there is enough ammunition, enough artillery, enough air defence - many things that play a major role. And discussing and advancing this cooperation once again is what is needed right now. Mr Macrons initial comments sparked a spate of rebuttals from Ukraines western allies last month. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) told The Independent at the time that they had no plans for UK troops to fight alongside the Ukrainian armed forces. John Foreman, a former UK defence attache to Moscow until 2022, accused Mr Macron of issuing the comments to distract from an otherwise chequered past of supporting Ukraine. Mr Macron has a long history of pronouncing on things which dont come true while also posing as the saviour of Europe, he said. There is a big say/do gap so I didnt take this particularly seriously. He suggested the comments were intended to mask the fact that Mr Macron had previously blocked attempts by other European nations to buy much-needed artillery for Kyiv from countries outside of the bloc, a move that was criticised as costly to Ukraine at a time when Russian forces are advancing in the east. Though he has since reneged on his opposition to this plan, Mr Foreman insisted that the delay was nonetheless damaging. A northerly breeze will keep temperatures cool today but it will still be a pleasant start to the weekend. Moisture has cleared out but there will still be a small chance for rain into and over the weekend. However, the majority of the area will stay dry as showers will be confined to the south as high pressure sits to our north. By afternoon a few showers will attempt to push into Southwest Kansas and the tip of the Oklahoma Panhandle while the rest of the area sees a mix of sunshine and clouds. A few raindrops could track a bit farther east along the Kansas/Oklahoma line during the night but most of the area will continue to remain dry. Even though some low temperatures will drop to around freezing to the southwest, wintry weather is not expected. The weekend will not be a washout but a chance for rain will still need to be monitored. High temperatures continue to exhibit ups and downs but remain spring-like even during our cooler days. While most showers will still be confined to Southwest Kansas Saturday, some rain could make its way into Central Kansas. Despite this chance, St. Patricks Day festivities over the weekend do not need to be cancelled, just be prepared to possibly see some wet weather the farther south and west you are. A few showers could linger around the Kansas/Oklahoma line into early Sunday morning but the rest of the weekend will be mainly dry. The middle to latter part of next week is looking unsettled with a better chance for showers and storms. KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Meteorologist Ronelle Williams: Wichita: Today: Mostly to partly cloudy, breezy. Hi: 61 Wind: NE 10-20 Tonight: Partly cloudy. 10% chance of rain. Lo: 40 Wind: NE/W 5-15 Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. 10% chance of rain Hi: 67 Wind: W 8-18 Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy. Lo: 39 Wind: W/NE 5-15 Wichita Weekly Sun: Hi: 61 Lo: 30 Partly cloudy, breezy. Mon: Hi: 56 Lo: 38 Mostly sunny. Tue: Hi: 70 Lo: 41 Mostly sunny, windy. Wed: Hi: 67 Lo: 42 Partly cloudy, windy. 20% chance of showers and storms. Thu: Hi: 66 Lo: 40 Partly cloudy. 20% chance of showers and storms. Fri: Hi: 65 Lo: 42 Partly cloudy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) at the Hotel Atlantic Hamburg. Marcus Brandt/dpa Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned on Friday against high hopes of finding answers to the disappearance ten years ago of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, after a modern robotics company said it could reopen the search. A total of 239 people, including more than 150 Chinese and 50 Malaysians, were onboard the aircraft when it disappeared while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, in what is considered one of aviation's most haunting mysteries. Days before the 10th anniversary this month, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that a new search for the wreckage could be launched by US firm Ocean Infinity. Anwar said a decision would likely be taken in the coming weeks, after reviewing the proposal by the Texas-based company. However, he warned that relatives of the missing should not expect any breakthroughs. "I don't want to give them a false hope that we can secure an answer," Anwar told dpa during a visit to Germany. "But I want to convince them that we are doing everything possible," he added - even if it ended up costing "substantial funds." The premier, who was leader of the opposition in 2014, said he himself was mystified by the plane's disappearance. "I can't understand, in this day and age, how a huge steel facility like that can just disappear," Anwar said. Man, 27, charged in deadly shooting in Auburn Gresham: CPD CHICAGO A 27-year-old Chicago man is accused of murder, Chicago police said. Chicago police allege that on Jan. 12, just before 8:30 p.m., Kendall Fleming fatally shot a 29-year-old man in the 8400 block of S. Vincennes Avenue. Investigators reportedly found that the shooting stemmed from a verbal altercation. Read more: Latest Chicago news headline Fleming was due in court on Friday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. A Habersham County man was arrested Wednesday for molesting a child after an investigation by two sheriffs office in North Georgia. According to the Rabun County Sheriffs Office, David Roy Summers, 52 of Cornelia, sexually battered and molested a young girl while in a position of trust with her family. The sheriffs office said investigators received a complaint from the childs parents in early March. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Deputies said in a statement that they performed a forensic interview of the child victim in partnership with FAITHs Powerhouse in Stephens County. During the interviews, it was revealed that Summers, a close family friend of the victim, was spending time alone with the female victim at a residence in Habersham County and taking her to job sites in Rabun County. While taking the victim with him across county lines, Summers is accused of inappropriately touching the victim and having sexual intercourse with her. TRENDING STORIES: On Wednesday, investigators from both the Habersham and Rabun County sheriffs offices spoke to witnesses who placed the child with Summers at multiple job sites around Lake Burton in Rabun County. The witnesses were able to give investigators specific locations and times when the victim and Summers were together. Later that same day, deputies said Summers was interviewed at the Habersham County Sheriffs Office, where he admitted to being a person of trust and confidence to the victim and having spent time alone with her and taking her with him to multiple job sites. As a result of the investigation, the Rabun County Sheriffs Office said Summers was arrested and booked into the Habersham County Jail on a count of sexual battery and a count of child molestation. The Rabun County Sheriffs Office also obtained no bond warrants for Summers on three counts of child molestation. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Habersham or Rabun County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: The man charged in connection with the murders of a mother and her daughter in Worcester last week faced a judge Friday in a courtroom in California, where he signed a waiver of extradition following his capture on Monday night, officials said. Dejan Dante Belnavis, 27, was arraigned in San Diego Superior Court on charges in connection with his arrest by U.S. Marshals after a dayslong manhunt that also involved Massachusetts State Police and the Worcester Police Department, according to authorities. Belnavis will be returned to Massachusetts soon to face murder charges in Worcester in the deaths of Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella, a spokesperson for the Worcester District Attorneys Office said. Local law enforcement officials traveled to California after Belnavis capture and will escort him back east. A second suspect in the murders, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, was arraigned last week on charges of armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license. He returned to court earlier this week to face an upgraded murder charge and is being held without bail. Belnavis and Mangual are no strangers to run-ins with law enforcement, according to Worcester District Court documents obtained by Boston 25 News. The two have faced a slew of violent charges that date back to 2014. The bodies of Chasity and Zella were discovered in a white, bullet-riddled 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. A motive in the shootings of Chasity and Zella wasnt immediately clear. 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. Zella was a student at Worcester Public Schools. Destined for success: Mom killed in Worcester was decorated National Guard member, healthcare pro Hundreds turned out for visiting hours for Chasity and Zella on Thursday. There was no immediate word on when Belnavis would be transported back for a local court appearance. An investigation into the deaths remains ongoing. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A woman is facing attempted homicide charges after a stabbing in Dauphin County left a man in critical condition this week, according to State Troopers. A man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after he was allegedly stabbed on Tuesday by Ashlie Thomas, 36, of Harrisburg, who claimed she only poked him, according to the charging documents by State Police in Harrisburg. It was just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday when State Police were called for a 50-year-old man who was stabbed multiple times at a home along Woodside Avenue in West Hanover Township, the criminal complaint shows. Troopers said that the victim allegedly made a comment that Thomas stabbed him before he was taken to the hospital while receiving emergency care. UPMC nurse allegedly stole, used deceased patients debit card There was a witness who told State Police that they were in the kitchen and heard a loud thump in the living room after the man came back from the nearby Turkey Hill. When they walked into the living room, that is when they saw him bleeding. Troopers learned that there was an argument that led to a fight and the woman eventually grabbed a knife. According to the complaint, this was when Thomas allegedly said she blacked out and when she came to she was kneeling on the ground next to him calling for help. There was a knife in a flower pot that Troopers were told during the investigation that Thomas used to allegedly stab the man. Thomas faces multiple charges that include felony counts of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. She also faces multiple misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and possessing an instrument of crime with intent to use. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Morning Weather Thomas is locked up in Dauphin County Prison with her bail denied due to seriousness of offense, request of officer, danger to self or others, online court document states. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 19. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man is dead after a shooting in Parkway Village Thursday afternoon, Memphis Police say. Officers responded to the shooting in the 3500 block of Wingood Circle at 4:43 p.m. Police say a man was located on the scene with an apparent gunshot wound and transported to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. 3 injured in Cherokee shooting He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. According to Memphis Police, the suspect and victim know each other. If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. TOOELE, Utah (ABC4) The Tooele County Sheriffs Office is asking for help locating a missing man who suffers from dementia. Chris Chase was last seen leaving his residence on Stratford Drive in Stansbury Park around 8:30 this morning, March 14, deputies said. Chris is 58, weighs 150 pounds, and is bald. He was last seen wearing grey sweatpants and a grey t-shirt with the phrase Everything is going to be alright in bright colors, deputies said. Courtesy of Tooele County Sheriffs Office Courtesy of Tooele County Sheriffs Office If you have any information about Chris, please contact Tooele County Dispatch at 435-882-5600. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Mercedes F1 trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has revealed that the team is planning a series of "experiments" at the Australian GP to address the issues impacting the handling of W15 car. Bouncing, especially on low fuel, and instability in high-speed corners weighed on Mercedes performance in Saudi Arabia where George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished respectively sixth and ninth. In a bid to solve its cars weaknesses the Brackley squads engineers have devised a series of experiments that the team will run at Albert Park. Mercedes decision to explore unconventional solutions is a significant shift from the outfits usual approach of meticulously refining established concepts. However, the pressure to compete with Red Bull and especially with its direct Ferrari and McLaren rivals is clearly forcing the teams hand. There's definitely data that we're picking through from Jeddah, Shovlin explained in Mercedes Saudi GP debrief on YouTube. We're also looking at data from the Bahrain race, Bahrain test, and we will come up with a plan for how we approach free practice in Melbourne. But it's not just based on what we did in Jeddah. There's a lot of work going on within the aerodynamics department, vehicle dynamics department. We're trying to design some experiments there that will hopefully give us a direction that's good for performance. Mercedes high-speed instability compared to its rivals was a significant disadvantage exposed last weekend in Jeddah. Shovlin suggested the problem was rooted in a combination of factors. Its a few things, he said. One of them was the balance wasn't great. So those very fast corners, the walls aren't particularly far away so the ones where the driver wants a lot of confidence and quite often we were snapping to oversteer if they really leant on the tyres. And you can easily imagine how unsettling that is for the drivers. Now, that was a factor in qualifying and the race. In qualifying we were also suffering a bit with the bouncing. That was less of a problem in the race. There's more fuel on the car. You're going a bit slower. And that seemed to calm down, and wasn't such an issue. And then the big one is we don't really have enough grip there. So that's one of the things that we are working hard on this week, because Melbourne has similar nature of corners. So we're doing a lot of work to try and understand why did we not seem to have the grip of some of our close competitors. Shovlin said that Russell and Hamilton had started their weekend in Jeddah on different set-ups, although they later converged as the weekend wore on. Some of that was they'd complained about bouncing, he explained. So we were looking at ways of trying to improve that. You can play with ride heights, you can play with stiffness, and that all seems effective. And also they were just trying to tune the balance through the speed range. So what's the car like in the low-speed? What's it like in the high-speed? When you change things, you can see the differences. So, one car making changes, you can see how it performs run-to-run. We can also look at the global performance of the two cars, but fundamentally, the limitations that we had in qualifying and the race, they were broadly the same for both. So it's telling you it's not a small difference, it's not a tiny bit of camber or a spring or bar here and there. It's something more fundamental that we need to dig into and understand. Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Man dumps cat at Fresno Co. Cat House on the Kings PARLIER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man was caught on camera dumping a cat in a no-cage, no-kill cat sanctuary in Fresno County -an action that could have been dangerous to other felines, according to officials. According to The Cat House on the Kings officials, on Monday at around 3 p.m., a man walked into The Cat House on the Kings Sanctuary grounds, checked for staff, and went back to his truck to get an adult cat. He then brought the cat to the sanctuary grounds and dumped her behind their maintenance building, to later leave. Officials say the Cat House on the Kingss security cameras announced that he was being recorded anytime he went through the gates. Courtesy: The Cat House on the Kings. Courtesy: The Cat House on the Kings. Courtesy: The Cat House on the Kings. According to the California Penal Code 597 PC, every person who willfully abandons any animal is guilty of a misdemeanor. Californias Animal Abandonment Law, says fines for animal abandonment are of up to $1,000 or confinement in a county jail of up to six months -or both. The cat is an adult Torbie about two to three years old with a tipped ear. Officials say a microchip was not detected, and the cat is in quarantine while they run tests and have her checked out completely by their veterinarian. Officials with the sanctuary say it is not the first time they have experienced dumping before, and on one occasion, it did cost many resident cats their lives when the cats dumped were infected with Felv. We acknowledge we have a surrender fee and that it is difficult given the current pet situation here in the Central Valley, however, the priority is to save lives, not to put more lives at risk. The Cat House on the Kings. The Cat House on the Kings officials say they reached out to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office to file a report. Anyone who recognizes this man is encouraged to contact the Cat House on the Kings. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A Colorado Springs man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of bank robbery, including one in Pueblo, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Aron Radej, 39, was on federal supervised release in April 2023 for a prior conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm when he robbed three banks in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Thornton by threatening tellers at each location, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado's Office. Court documents identify the three banks as American National Bank on Circle Drive in Colorado Springs, Vectra Bank on U.S. Highway 50 in Pueblo, and U.S. Bank on East 120th Avenue in Thornton. The robberies took place over the course of around a week from late April to early May of last year. The first robbery, at American National Bank in Colorado Springs, took place on April 24. The second, at Vectra Bank in Pueblo, occurred on April 27. Vectra Bank on U.S. Highway 50 in Pueblo, one of three banks robbed by Aaron Radej in April 2023. The third robbery in Thornton occurred on May 1. Court documents do not disclose how much money was taken from any of the three banks or detail how Radej was identified as the suspect. Radej was identified by law enforcement and arrested on May 2, 2023, in the passenger seat of a rented minivan, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. Radej had two loaded firearms in a backpack at his feet at the time of his arrest. This case and sentence demonstrate that we will not stand for repeat criminal offenders in our communities, said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. We continue to commend the work of our local, state and federal partners when helping to bring people like this to justice. "We appreciate the collaborative efforts of the Colorado Springs Police Department, Pueblo Police Department, and Thornton Police Department in stopping this repeat offender's violent crime spree," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. "FBI Denver and our law enforcement partners remain laser-focused on reducing gun violence and ensuring that those who victimize citizens for personal gain are brought to justice." United States District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez presided over Radej's sentencing on March 6, 2024. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn handled the prosecution. The FBI investigated the case, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and "make our neighborhoods safer for everyone," according to the release. Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formally known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain atsubscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Colorado Springs man sentenced to 17 years for 3 bank robberies, 1 in Pueblo SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man was sentenced Thursday for carjacking a woman at gunpoint and leading officers on a chase through Salt Lake County. Ioelu Toafe was sentenced by a Third District Court judge to five years to life for first-degree aggravated robbery; 1-15 years for second-degree felony obstruction of justice; and zero to five years for third-degree felony failure to stop at command of police. Expect delays on Bangerter Highway starting March 15, UDOT says The Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office said that in December 2022, a woman had just entered her car and was putting her purse down when Toafe grabbed her arm, pointed his gun at her, and forced her out of her vehicle. Toafe reportedly drove away in the womans car, but police were able to track the vehicle down because the victims phone was still inside. Officers found Toafe while he was driving the car, the DAs office said. Police reportedly tried to pull Toafe over on I-215 in Salt Lake County, but instead of stopping, Toafe sped away and led law enforcement on a chase. The pursuit ended when police disabled the vehicle he was driving using a PIT maneuver, the DAs office said. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Toafe not only threatened the life of the victim he robbed but also put at risk the safety of law enforcement and other drivers when he fled. This sentence reflects the danger [Toafe] caused in our community, Gill said. We appreciate the court addressing the severity of the crimes when the judge gave the defendant a sentence that could leave him behind bars for a long time We also appreciate all the law enforcement officers that put themselves in danger to take this violent offender into custody. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A 28-year-old man involved in a high-speed chase last year with Wichita police was sentenced on Friday. Derek Joseph Daigneaults first court appearance on April 12, 2023. (KSN File Photo) Derek Daigneault was sentenced after pleading guilty in January to fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and theft. A judge ordered him to serve 111 months, or just over nine years, in prison. The case stems from a police chase from April 2023. Police were following a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Texas and crashed into two other vehicles. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. NEW YORK A man was shot in the head on a packed Brooklyn subway train on Thursday, according to police sending panicked rush-hour passengers fleeing out the doors. A 32-year-old man got on the Manhattan-bound C train in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where he was met by a 36-year-old man who witnesses said immediately targeted him, police said at a Thursday evening news briefing. The men got into a disagreement that boiled over when the older man flashed either a knife or razor blade, cops said. The duo did not appear to know each other before the scuffle on the train, according to NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper. As the train continued on, the men physically fought and the 36-year-old aggressor pulled a gun out of his jacket pocket. He then took that firearm and started walking toward the 32-year-old who was on the train, yelling at him, walking toward him in a menacing way, Kemper said. The younger man fought with the gunman, got hold of the firearm and fired multiple shots striking the older individual. The chaos spilled out onto the Manhattan-bound A/C platform in the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station in Downtown Brooklyn just after 4:45 p.m., cops said. I was on the train and the train had stopped onto the platform, the doors opened and suddenly there were a rush of people who came and were screaming that someone had a gun, said a woman who was on the train in a different car. Multiple officers on the platform heard the shots and gave the 36-year-old gunshot victim medical assistance. NYPD was telling everyone to get down and stay down while the train doors stayed open, said the woman, who did not want to be identified. It was an extremely terrifying moment and people were afraid for their lives. As officers descended on the platform, many had their guns drawn as confused straphangers stayed down, according to the witness. People were crying, praying, huddled amongst each other hoping that the situation would lead to someone being caught and not the worst-case scenario. Medics rushed the 36-year-old, whose name was not immediately released, to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was fighting for his life Thursday evening. Police took the shooter into custody on the platform and recovered a firearm there, according to cops. Though there were no surveillance cameras on the older-model subway train, numerous passengers in the car recorded the incident on their phones, Kemper said. Two MTA employees in the station recalled hearing about five shots. I ran and hid in a room, said an employee. I couldnt bear it. In a post on X, the MTA warned of delays on Manhattan-bound A and C trains while cops continued to investigate. When you bring a gun on the train and you start a fight, its not right and its absolutely outrageous, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said at the news briefing. Its why we have to keep fighting against guns. Major crime, which the NYPD classifies as murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary and grand larceny, are up 13.2% in transit this year, according to police data. As of Sunday, there were eight shooting victims in the citys transit system. By the same time last year, there was just one such victim. Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of 750 members of the National Guard and 250 state and MTA police officers to city subway stations to conduct bag searches after a spate of violent incidents across the system. No one heading to their job or to visit family or to go to a doctors appointment should worry that the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon, Hochul at the time. The deployment came weeks after a shooting at a Bronx subway station that left one bystander dead and five others wounded. No one from the new deployment was seen at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station on Thursday. Hochuls office did not immediately answer a request for comment on the shooting. Lieber on Thursday lauded her efforts in getting weapons out of the subway system. The governor is fighting these crazies who say guns should be able to be carried everywhere in the public space, he said. The real victims are the people I saw on those videos who were having a harrowing time because theyre on a train with somebody with a gun. _____ In this article, we will be taking a look at the 15 German Speaking Countries in the World. You can also take a detailed look at the 5 German Speaking Countries in the World. German, known for its precision, efficiency, and innovation, holds a prominent place in the global economic landscape. Across the world, there are quite a few countries where German serves as a significant language, either as an official language or as a widely spoken minority language. The German language wields considerable influence in the global business landscape, with ramifications extending beyond linguistic proficiency to impact economies and business performances in various countries. German serves as a key language in international trade, especially in industries where Germany plays a significant role, such as automotive, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. Proficiency in German can facilitate smoother communication, negotiation, and collaboration between businesses in German-speaking countries and their international partners. According to data from the World Trade Organization (WTO), Germany consistently ranks among the top exporting nations globally. In 2020, Germany was the world's third-largest exporter, with exports totaling $1.59 trillion. Additionally, trade between German-speaking countries is substantial. For instance, trade between Germany and Austria amounted to approximately $142 billion, and trade between Germany and Switzerland totaled around $106 billion. Moreover, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland collectively represent a lucrative market with high purchasing power. For instance, Germany is the largest economy in Europe and the fourth-largest globally by nominal GDP. In 2023, Germany's GDP stood at approximately $4.15 trillion. Austria and Switzerland also boast strong economies, with GDPs of around $476 billion and $703 billion, respectively. Access to these markets through proficiency in German can significantly impact business revenues and market share. Story continues Furthermore, countries with a strong presence of German speakers may attract foreign direct investment (FDI) from German-speaking regions. Data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reveals that Germany is a major source of outward FDI. In 2022, German outward FDI stock amounted to approximately $2.65 trillion. Therefore, countries with a significant population of German speakers may attract German investment due to linguistic and cultural ties, leading to economic growth and job creation. Additionally, countries with a proficient German-speaking workforce may benefit from increased tourism revenue and job opportunities in the hospitality sector. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are popular tourist destinations. In 2019, Germany welcomed around 89 million international tourists, while Austria and Switzerland received approximately 31 million and 11 million international tourists, respectively. Some companies have been seen performing specifically well in German speaking countries, due to reasons like better chances of a brand to settle in such countries due to the familiarity of language and better communication from the brands. For example, Siemens A G (SI) has established a strong market presence in German-speaking countries, reflected in its market share and revenue generation. In fiscal year 2021, Siemens A G (SI) generated revenue of 56.8 billion from the Europe region, which includes significant contributions from German-speaking countries. Similarly, SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) is another such example. SAP SE (NYSE:SAP)s strong customer base in German-speaking countries contributes to its revenue growth and financial performance. In 2021, SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) generated total revenue of 27.3 billion, with significant contributions from its operations in Europe, including German-speaking countries. 15 German Speaking Countries in the World 25 Countries with Developing Economies but Slow Growth Rates Methodology To shortlist the 15 German Speaking Countries in the World, we consulted the data from World Atlas, Via Travelers, My Class Tracks, Tomedes, and Lingoda to gain information on German speaking countries in the world and to learn about the number of German speakers in these countries. The list of the 15 German Speaking Countries in the World has been ranked in ascending order from countries with lesser number of German speakers to most number of German speakers. 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. 15. Czechia No. of German Speakers: 54,000 Czechia boasts a population of German speakers numbering around 54,000. The presence of German speakers in Czechia can be traced back to historical migrations and the country's multicultural past. While Czech is the dominant language in Czechia, German has had a significant influence on the country's history, particularly in regions bordering Germany and Austria. German speakers in Czechia contribute to the nation's cultural diversity, enriching the country's linguistic landscape with their heritage and traditions. Despite being a minority language, German holds importance in certain sectors such as education, commerce, and tourism. 14. Paraguay No. of German Speakers: 65,000 Paraguay, a landlocked country in South America, harbors a population of German speakers numbering approximately 65,000. German-speaking communities in Paraguay are primarily concentrated in rural areas, where they have preserved their language, traditions, and cultural heritage through generations. German speakers in Paraguay contribute to the nation's cultural diversity, enriching the country's multicultural fabric with their unique customs and folklore. Even though it is a minority language, German holds significance in certain sectors such as agriculture, commerce, and education. The mix of German and Spanish languages in Paraguay reflects the country's commitment to inclusivity and respect for its diverse cultural heritage. 13. Hungary No. of German Speakers: 68,000 Hungary hosts a population of German speakers numbering around 68,000. While Hungarian is the dominant language in Hungary, German has had a significant influence on the nation's history, particularly in regions bordering Austria and Slovakia. German speakers in Hungary contribute to the country's cultural diversity, enriching its linguistic landscape with their heritage and traditions. Despite being a minority language, German holds importance in certain sectors such as commerce, tourism, and education. The coexistence of German and Hungarian languages in Hungary serves as a testament to the country's multicultural heritage and its commitment to fostering understanding and cooperation among different linguistic and cultural communities. 12. Romania No. of German Speakers: 76,000 Romania has a population of German speakers numbering approximately 76,000. While Romanian is the official language of Romania, German has had a significant influence on certain regions, particularly in Transylvania and Banat. German speakers in Romania contribute to the country's cultural diversity, enriching its linguistic landscape with their heritage and traditions. German holds importance in certain sectors such as commerce, education, and cultural exchange. The coexistence of German and Romanian languages in Romania reflects the country's multicultural heritage and its commitment to promoting tolerance and inclusivity among different linguistic and cultural communities. 11. Belgium No. of German Speakers: 81,000 Belgium has a population of German speakers numbering around 81,000. The presence of German speakers in Belgium can be attributed to the country's complex linguistic and cultural diversity. While Dutch and French are the dominant languages in Belgium, German is also recognized as an official language, particularly in the region of the East Cantons. German speakers in Belgium contribute to the country's cultural mosaic, enriching its linguistic landscape with their heritage and traditions. German, Dutch, and French languages in Belgium reflect the country's commitment to linguistic pluralism and its efforts to promote understanding and cooperation among different linguistic and cultural communities. 10. Italy No. of German Speakers: 295,000 Italy, known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, hosts a considerable number of German speakers, totaling around 295,000. The majority of German speakers in Italy are concentrated in the autonomous province of South Tyrol, nestled in the stunning Alpine region. South Tyrol's linguistic diversity is deeply rooted in its historical ties to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and subsequent annexation by Italy after World War I. Despite Italian being the dominant language in Italy, German enjoys official status alongside Italian in South Tyrol, highlighting the region's unique cultural heritage. German speakers in Italy actively contribute to the preservation of their linguistic and cultural identity through educational initiatives, media outlets, and cultural associations. 9. Poland No. of German Speakers: 491,000 Poland, celebrated for its resilient spirit and rich cultural traditions, harbors a significant population of German speakers, numbering approximately 491,000. Despite a complex history marked by conflicts and political upheavals, modern Poland embraces its multicultural heritage, fostering an environment of tolerance and inclusivity. German speakers in Poland actively participate in cultural exchange programs, educational initiatives, and community events, contributing to the nation's vibrant cultural tapestry. Their presence underscores Poland's commitment to reconciliation and understanding, enriching the country's cultural landscape with diverse traditions and perspectives. Through their language and heritage, German speakers in Poland bridge the gap between different linguistic and cultural communities, promoting unity and mutual respect. 8. Canada No. of German Speakers: 497,000 Canada hosts a significant population of German speakers, numbering approximately 497,000. German speakers in Canada are dispersed across the country, with notable concentrations in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. The presence of German speakers in Canada can be attributed to historical waves of immigration, including settlers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland seeking new opportunities and a better quality of life. These immigrants have made enduring contributions to Canada's multicultural fabric, enriching the nation's cultural landscape with their language, traditions, and customs. German-speaking communities in Canada actively participate in preserving their heritage through cultural organizations, language schools, and community events. Their presence serves as a testament to Canada's commitment to multiculturalism and inclusivity, where immigrants are celebrated for their diverse backgrounds and contributions to the nation's identity. 7. Kazakhstan No. of German Speakers: 589,000 Kazakhstan, a vast Eurasian nation known for its nomadic traditions and diverse landscapes, has a population of German speakers, numbering approximately 589,000. The presence of German speakers in Kazakhstan can be traced back to historical migrations, particularly during the 18th century when Germans settled in the region under Catherine the Great's rule. These settlers, known as Volga Germans, established thriving communities in the steppe regions of Kazakhstan, contributing to the country's cultural and economic development. Today, German speakers in Kazakhstan play active roles in various sectors, including agriculture, education, and cultural exchange, fostering connections between Kazakhstan and German-speaking countries worldwide. Their resilience and cultural contributions add depth to Kazakhstan's multicultural society, reflecting the nation's commitment to embracing diversity and preserving its historical heritage. 6. Brazil No. of German Speakers: 1,070,000 Brazil, known for its vibrant culture and stunning natural landscapes, hosts a significant population of German speakers, numbering approximately 1,070,000. These immigrants settled primarily in southern Brazil, forming tight-knit communities that preserved their language, traditions, and cultural heritage. Today, German-speaking communities in Brazil contribute to the nation's cultural diversity, enriching Brazil's cultural landscape with their unique traditions, festivals, and cuisine. German-speaking Brazilians actively participate in cultural organizations, language schools, and community events, maintaining strong ties to their German roots while embracing their Brazilian identity. Click to continue reading and see the 5 German Speaking Countries in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: none. 15 German Speaking Countries in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. Stephen Patterson was on the phone when he heard gunshots fired outside his California home. He hung up the phone and stepped out to his South Los Angeles porch on April 15, 2005, The Innocence Center said in a news release. Two months later, a woman who witnessed the shooting from afar identified Patterson as the shooter in a photo lineup, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office said in a March 13 news release. More than two years after the shooting, Patterson was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Yair Oliva, who was shot outside his South Los Angeles apartment complex, prosecutors said. Patterson was given a 50-year to life prison sentence, prosecutors said. Now, after spending 18 years in prison, he has been declared innocent, according to prosecutors. This was a long time coming, Patterson said of his exoneration in a news conference. Patterson has always maintained his innocence, Michael Semanchik, executive director of The Innocence Center, said in the release. His wrongful conviction was the product of a single bad eyewitness identification and shoddy police work, Semanchik said. In a phone interview with McClatchy News, a Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department spokesperson said they could not comment on Pattersons exoneration due to ongoing litigation and investigation. Day of the shooting After seeing commotion outside a South Los Angeles apartment complex, the woman who identified Patterson as the shooter ran inside her home, the nonprofit said. While she peeked through the shut window blinds, the center said the woman saw two men outside the complex, one armed with a handgun. She heard about five shots fired and saw the men run, the center said. The woman witnessed the shooting from nearly 200 feet away, according to prosecutors. What started as two gangs throwing gang signs at each other ended with one man shooting and killing Yair Oliva, the nonprofit said. No physical evidence Other witnesses said they saw Patterson on his porch after the shooting, the center said. Despite his alibi, a witness wrongly claimed Patterson was the shooter, the nonprofit said. Investigators did not find any physical evidence linking Patterson to the crime, according to prosecutors. Nonetheless, a jury found Patterson guilty in 2007. Journey to factual innocence After taking up his case, The Innocence Center said it began its own investigation into the shooting, interviewing numerous witnesses. Ultimately, the investigation focused on two other suspects, the nonprofit said. Through investigation, the center said it found Facebook posts where one suspect was taking credit for shooting a gang member. The center said it presented the case to the district attorneys office, which in turn began its own investigation. After its investigation, the district attorneys office said it and the center requested that the court vacate the conviction, order Patterson to be released, and issue a finding of factual innocence. This court ultimately agreed and granted the request, according to prosecutors. In this era of progress, its crucial to acknowledge the imperfections of our past and actively work to correct those wrongs, District Attorney George Gascon said in the release. Patterson ended his remarks at the news conference by referencing a saying from his grandfather. He used to tell me that a man could kill you, but he cant eat you, Patterson said. I never knew what that meant, till I realized through all these years, another human being can never take your existence and who you are as a person. 17-year-old sentenced to life in prison exonerated 20 years later. I was relentless Police framed 18-year-old and wrongly sent him to prison for 34 years, lawsuit says He spent 37 years in prison for murder he didnt commit, suit says. Now man wins $14M A parking garage at St. David's Medical Center was shut down in August after a pipe bomb exploded. The man charged with possessing the destructive device has now been sentenced. The man who pleaded guilty to having a pipe bomb in the St. David's Medical Center parking garage in August was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in prison. Raymond Luke Garner, 39, pleaded guilty in October to a third-degree federal felony of possessing an unregistered destructive device. The maximum sentence could have been 10 years. On Aug. 9, Garner, of Jonestown, had parked his pickup in Garage 1 at the hospital. Austin police and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services were called to the garage at 5:23 p.m. after the Austin Fire Department responded to a 911 call and determined that it was not a typical car fire. No one was hurt, but video from the garage showed people walking nearby and cars entering that garage level. The hospital was not evacuated, but ambulances were diverted and people who parked in that garage could not retrieve their cars until the next morning. According to court documents, investigators found the remains of a pipe bomb near Garner's truck as well as a homemade high explosive, circuit board/timers, electric matches and other items, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of Texas. Garner was immediately questioned by police, and, while doing that, he contacted another person to ask that person to move another box out of his home, the news release said. That box had high explosive, precursor chemicals and electric matches. Investigators also found a recipe for the explosive, remote control devices and other components. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives' Joint Terrorism Task Force became involved in the investigation as well as state and local law enforcement. Garners use of unregistered and unstable explosive material jeopardized the safety of individuals who may have been near his vehicle, said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. A background check of a person with the same name and age showed a Jonestown address and previous charges for speeding and possession of controlled substances and marijuana. It is not known why Garner chose the hospital garage or his intention for the device. St. David's Medical Center declined to comment. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man in St. David's hospital garage bomb blast sentenced Cristian Zapata, of Ansonia, Connecticut, was arrested on accusations he threatened to kill Sheriff Mike Chitwood in an extremists' chat group. A Connecticut man was sentenced Friday to three years' probation for threatening the life of Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood. He must also write a letter of apology to the sheriff. In addition to the 36 months of probation, Cristian Zapata, 24, of Ansonia, Connecticut, was ordered to stay away from neo-Nazi or white supremacy websites. Zapata's sister had told investigators he had a fascination with Adolf Hitler. Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III also ordered Zapata to pay the $2,544.99 cost of extraditing him from Connecticut to Volusia County. Rowe withheld adjudication, meaning if Zapata successfully completes probation he will not have a conviction on his record. The judge also ordered that Zapata undergo a mental health evaluation within 60 days and treatment if needed; attend and complete cognitive behavior therapy; and not possess any weapons, firearms or ammunition. Zapata must write the letter of apology to Chitwood and turn it in to the probation office for approval within 30 days, the judge ordered. State sentencing guidelines did not call for a prison sentence for Zapata. The guidelines use a point system to determine if a defendant "scores" prison time. Zapata did not. Zapata had entered a no-contest plea last year to written threats to kill or do bodily injury, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It was an open plea meaning there was no agreement with prosecutors on any possible prison time. Zapata said to be fascinated by Hitler Zapata was the third person to be arrested after threatening to kill Chitwood while chatting on the extremist group platform 4CHAN, according to a report. On April 7, Zapata posted I WILL KILL CHITWOOD, MARK MY WORDS. His threat was investigated by the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange. Zapata's internet post was traced to a home in Ansonia, Connecticut, where he lived with his sister, her fiance, and her child, authorities said. The sister told investigators that Zapata was always on his computer, often participating in extremist chat rooms and talking to unknown people about conspiracy theories and white supremacist ideology, Sheriffs Office Spokesman Andrew Gant said previously. Man sentenced to prison The first person incarcerated for threatening Chitwood was Richard Golden, of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. Golden was arrested for suggesting to hate groups in a white supremacy chatroom that Chitwood be murdered. Golden posted that killing Chitwood, by shooting him in the head, would get him out of the way of hate groups' activities in Volusia County. Circuit Judge Karen Foxman in December adjudicated Golden guilty and sentenced him to 366 days in prison. She also ordered that Golden pay $2,112 in restitution for extradition costs. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Connecticut man who threatened Volusia Sheriff Chitwood gets probation A Dominos employee noticed a man attempting to steal their car from the parking lot, so they confronted him, Oklahoma police said. The confrontation led to an physical altercation where Jimmy Robinson, 29, hit the car owner, according to a March 14 news release from Harran police. With the help of a co-worker, police said the two held Robinson down until officers arrived. While taking Robinson to jail, he hit his head against the partition of the police car and damaged the rear window by kicking it, according to police. When they made it to the jail, Robinson attempted to escape, police said. He was unsuccessful and was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center, according to police. Robinson was charged with escape from county or city jail, larceny of an automobile, assault and battery, possession of controlled dangerous substance and malicious injury or destruction of property, according to police. Attorney information for Robinson was not listed. Harrah is about a 30-mile drive east of Oklahoma City. Puppies found in rusty crate in Pizza Hut dumpster. Now they get a second chance Teens body found under bridge after a late-night walk with neighbor, Texas cops say Man shoots into bus because passenger was staring at him the wrong way, MO cops say West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) said in a new interview that hes still planning on retiring despite Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) reported entreaties that he reconsider his decision not to run for reelection. I think thats a long, long, long-shot scenario, Manchin told CNNs Manu Raju. So I dont anticipate that happening. I dont anticipate running. Manchin announced in early November that he would retire from the Senate and last month ruled out the possibility of launching a third-party bid for president. Since then, Manchin hasnt been in the news much, a dramatic contrast to the first two years of the Biden administration when he was a pivotal vote for passing the Democratic agenda through the 50-50 split Senate. With Manchin out of the West Virginia Senate race, Republicans are expected to pick up his seat easily. Former President Trump won the state with 68.6 percent of the vote in 2020 and 67.9 percent in 2016. Manchin said last year that he planned to finish his term while traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is interest in building a movement to mobilize the middle, find common ground, and bring Americans together. Those comments prompted intense media speculation that he would run for president as a candidate packed by the group No Labels. He finally decided against running for president last month, telling constituents that he would instead be involved in making sure that we secure a president that has the knowledge and has the passion and has the ability to bring this country together. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office urged a court to reject former President Trumps efforts to toss evidence in his hush money case, claiming he is immune from prosecution for actions that took place while he was in office. At issue are statements Trump made about the matter in 2018. Multiple courts have now rejected defendants sweeping claim that every statement he made as President is an official act enjoying absolute immunity. Here, all of the statements that are the subject of defendants motion involved defendant speaking in his personal capacity regarding his personal affairs, prosecutors wrote in the Friday filing. Defendant invokes presidential immunity here solely as a basis to preclude certain 2018 statements he made after the conduct charged in the indictment. Trump on Monday sought to derail the start of the trial just two weeks before it was set to begin, suggesting the case should go on pause until the immunity issues he has raised in his other criminal cases are weighed by the Supreme Court on April 25. President Trump respectfully submits that an adjournment of the trial is appropriate to await further guidance from the Supreme Court, which should facilitate the appropriate application of the presidential immunity doctrine in this case to the evidence the People intend to offer at trial, Trumps attorneys wrote in their 26-page motion filed Monday. Prosecutors argued that was a weak basis for seeking to stall their case and limit evidence. In any event, defendants immunity argument is meritless. The 2018 statements on which defendant bases his immunity claim are not the subject of the criminal charges here. Regardless, the 2018 statements do not constitute official acts, they wrote. The case is already delayed due to another matter. Judge Juan Merchan agreed to delay the trial by 30 days after the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York turned over 73,000 pages of records in recent days that the parties will need to review. Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with reimbursements he made to his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, for a hush money payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump pleaded not guilty. Updated at 6:23 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Chula Vista officials on Thursday conducted a citywide audit of registered sex offenders. The audit found there are almost 260 people registered as sex offenders in Chula Vista, Caitlin Clark with the Chula Vista Police Department said in a news release. Sex offenders in California are placed into three tiers, with one being the lowest risk to the public, while tiers two and three represent more of a risk. The audit reported 192 of the almost 260 people were categorized under tiers two and three. Out of 157 residences visited, 170 compliance checks were completed and 22 are pending an additional visit, Clark said. Of those completed, 137 registrants were verified as being in compliance, 1 was arrested for an unrelated felony warrant, and 8 are still being evaluated by detectives. Wrong turn leads man to spend a year in Tijuana jail Arrest warrants will be sought for those decided to be out of compliance, according to CVPD. The California Department of Justice Megans Law website provides information about sex offenders in their area. The audit, which took place from 7 a.m. to noon, was conducted by over 45 law enforcement officers, including every detective of the Chula Vista Police Department Criminals Investigations Davison, according to police. Other members that participated in the audit include the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force, San Diego County Sheriffs Department, San Diego District Attorneys Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, United States Marshals San Diego Fugitive Task Force and the United States Marshals Service. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. (SOUTHERN COLORADO) As many in Southern Colorado are hunkered down during the dangerous weather system that moved in on Wednesday evening, March 13, newcomers to the area might not know that while this storm may seem bad, on this day five years ago, it was much, much worse. Locals will remember March 13, 2019 as the day thousands became stranded in their cars and at airports, trees and power lines fell, power was knocked out, and much of the state came to a screeching halt. I-25 was closed from Denver all the way to Rockrimmon in Colorado Springs. Denver International Airport (DIA) closed entirely, and approximately 5,000 passengers spent the night at DIA due to cancelled flights, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS said the system officially met the criteria of a Bomb Cyclone, in which barometric pressure readings dropped in excess of 24 mb over a 24-hour period. The storm created widespread blizzard conditions across northeast Colorado, the Palmer Divide and El Paso County. 1,500 people were stranded in northern El Paso County alone, and the Colorado National Guard was activated to aid search and rescue operations which numbered over 100. Intense wind gusts comparable to a Category 2 hurricane along with impassable lack of visibility gridlocked roadways, like Woodmen Road east toward Falcon. So many cars had to be abandoned, the aftermath looked more like an apocalyptic zombie movie than a major thoroughfare. Courtesy: FOX21 News file photo Courtesy: FOX21 News file photo Courtesy: FOX21 News file photo Courtesy: FOX21 News file photo Courtesy: FOX21 News file photo The highest wind gusts ever recorded at the Colorado Springs Airport were recorded during the Bomb Cyclone96 mph. Numerous trees and power poles were blown down in rural and urban areas, and at one point, the NWS said 445,000 customers were without power, some for days following the storm. Courtesy: FOX21 News file photo One person was killed in eastern El Paso County. 68-year-old Harry Brantley ventured out in the storm in Yoder to start a generator in an outbuilding, and when he didnt come back, a woman went to look for him, finding him dead. By the time El Paso County deputies arrived, the woman was suffering from hypothermia. The NWS also reported that a Colorado State Trooper was killed along I-76 northeast of Denver. Treacherous driving conditions cause multiple road closures Now, five years later, another storm has parked itself over much of Colorado, bringing high snow totals, blizzard conditions, canceled flights, and power outages, with the heavy, wet nature of the snow reminiscent of the dangers brought by the 2019 Bomb Cyclone. So why are Spring blizzards in Colorado seemingly far more dangerous than storms in the winter months? FOX21 Storm Team Meteorologist Ryan Matoush said its due in part to the moisture that tends to be lacking during the colder, dryer months. Snow storms in March tend to yield some higher snow totals due to a higher availability of moisture in the atmosphere, Matoush said. These storm systems feed off of moisture as it is one of their main sources of energy. During the winter months, our snow storms tend to be a bit drier and colder. The opposite is usually true for our Springtime Snowstorms. Temperature also plays a big role in how the storm systems evolve and how the precipitation falls. Hard lessons were learned in March of 2019, though this storm serves as a reminder for those of us who were here, and a rude awakening for those who werent. If at all possible, staying off the roads removes the danger of becoming stranded and needing rescue, and lets city and county crews clear the snow faster. If you do have to venture out, make sure your tires are appropriate, have an emergency kit ready, and ensure you have enough fuel. Having enough food, necessary medications, and water at home in case of outages is also wise. The majority of winter storm warnings expire on Friday, March 15 around noon, at which point the labor of digging out and cleaning up begins. Until then, heavy wet snow makes for excellent snowmen. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A man living in a Massachusetts hotel housing migrants is being held without bail after he allegedly raped a child at the facility Wednesday. The Plymouth County District Attorneys Office said 26-year-old Cory B. Alvarez went before a Hingham District Court judge on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to a single count of aggravated rape of a child. The attorneys office requested the judge hold a dangerousness hearing for Alvarez, which was scheduled for March 22. FOUR PEOPLE CAUGHT RUNNING LARGE-SCALE MARRIAGE SCAM TO GET GREEN CARDS FOR 60 MIGRANTS: DOJ Cory B. Alvarez allegedly raped a teenage girl at a motel where he lived and that was used to house migrants. Prosecutors can request a dangerousness order if they believe a person is a danger to the community. Under Massachusetts law, the defendant can be held without bail for up to 120 days if they lose the hearing, though they have the right to appeal the decision. The judge also prohibited Alvarez from contacting the victim and ordered the defendant to surrender his passport. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The DAs office said Rockland police responded to the Comfort Inn at 850 Hingham St. in Rockland just after 7 p.m. on Wednesday night, for reports of a sexual assault. CALIFORNIA BILL WOULD EXTEND LEGAL AID TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONVICTED OF VIOLENT FELONIES The hotel participates in a state and federal program to house migrant families, and Alvarez lived at the hotel. When officers arrived, they spoke with the 15-year-old female victim, who was taken to an area hospital to be treated. Investigators were able to develop a probable cause, which led to Alvarezs arrest. Original article source: Massachusetts police arrest man living in hotel housing migrants after allegedly raping teenage girl Matt Gaetz has been subpoenaed to sit for a deposition in a civil defamation lawsuit, by lawyers representing a woman whom the Florida representative is accused of having sex with when she was just 17. Lawyers for the woman, who is identified in the lawsuit by the initials A.B., served Gaetz the subpoena on Thursday, ABC News reported, citing anonymous sources. The Republican congressman is slated to sit for deposition on April 5, and he will likely be asked questions about his alleged sexual activity, including whether he paid a minor for sex. The subpoena is part of a larger defamation and racketeering suit brought last year by Gaetzs friend, former Florida state Representative Chris Dorworth, against A.B. and Joel Greenberg, another former Gaetz associate. Dorworth accused Greenberg and A.B. of conspiring to falsely accuse Dorworth of child sex trafficking, sex with a minor, prostitution, obstruction of justice, and an illegal ghost candidate scheme, the lawsuit said. Gaetz is not a party in the lawsuit, but the filing mentions him and the allegations against him several times. A.B.s lawyers have subpoenaed him to establish that the woman was not Greenbergs partner in crime, as Dorworth alleges. Greenberg was convicted of sex trafficking following a Justice Department investigation, and in 2022, he was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. But he cooperated with the department when it launched an offshoot investigation into Gaetz in March 2021. Greenberg alleged that Gaetz had paid him via Venmo for sex with a 17-year-old girl, which the congressman has denied. The federal investigation ended in February 2023 with no charges, in part because the Justice Department had credibility issues with Greenberg and another key witness. But the House Ethics Committee opened a probe into Gaetz in July for alleged misconduct including sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. And Gaetzs testimony could also prove particularly damning in the House Ethics investigation, which already does not seem to be going all that well for him. In February, a potential witness came forward alleging that she had had sex with the lawmaker at a drug-fueled party in 2021, when she was older than 21 years of age. The woman said she was paid to attend the event and has texts to prove her claims. In this article, we will discuss the 20 High Quality Shampoos and Conditioners. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global shampoo and conditioner market, inclination towards organic hair care products, and key companies advancements in premium shampoos and conditioners by going directly to the 5 High Quality Shampoos and Conditioners. Shampoo and conditioner are vital parts of hair care regimens. Shampoo cleans the scalp and hair, removing dirt and impurities, while conditioner moisturizes and nourishes the hair, making it soft and silky. When combined, they strengthen the overall look, improve texture, and encourage healthy hair growth. Global Shampoo and Conditioner Market: Fortune Business Insights reports that the size of the worldwide shampoo market was estimated at $32.78 billion in 2022 and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.57% from $34.46 billion in 2023 to $50.37 billion by 2030. The demand for strong, healthy hair, especially from teenage females, drives the global market for hair care products. Moreover, the growing number of hair-related problems and the increased need for herbal hair care products are the main drivers propelling market expansion. In the shampoo industry, Asia Pacific leads. The market value for Asia Pacific was $11.71 billion in 2022. In 2023, the global luxury hair care market was dominated by the luxury shampoo segment, which held a revenue share of approximately 30.5% as reported by Grand View Research. Shampoos are a crucial component of the personal hygiene regime. The growing frequency of hair-related issues such as dandruff, dry hair, oily scalps, and hair loss has been reported to be the cause of a growing demand for shampoos. Environmental issues, including increasing pollution, might be detrimental to the health of the hair and scalp, which will substantially boost the segment's growth. Furthermore, there is a growing demand for high-end hair care products, such as shampoos, as people become more aware of personal cleanliness and grooming. At roughly 33.2% of global revenue in 2023, North America led the premium hair care market. From 2024 to 2030, Asia Pacific is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% according to Grand View Research. Story continues The size of the worldwide hair conditioner market is predicted to increase from $9193 million by 2021 to $13662 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 4.5%, as per Straits Research. The market is expanding due to factors like the growing acceptance of organic hair products and the growing inclination of consumers toward hair masks and treatments. With a sizable market share, North America has emerged as the industry leader in the hair conditioner sector. Inclination Towards Organic Hair Care Products: As consumer knowledge of the negative effects of certain compounds, such as paraben and aluminum compounds found in hair care products, grows, the demand for natural and organic products in the premium hair care market globally is rising. A substantial number of consumers prefer one brand over others because of its organic formulation. This has increased the demand in recent years for natural, organic, and safe hair care products. According to DSM, 56% of customers think that the active ingredient is more significant when making selections about what to buy than the brand, packaging, or smell. Research from the Battelle Memorial Institute and Silent Spring Institute found that 66 substances with potentially harmful effects were found in the examination of 18 widely used products, including relaxers, hair root stimulators, and anti-frizz treatments. Additionally, 30% of hair treatments in the US contained nonylphenol, a substance linked to obesity and an increased risk of breast cancer, according to the researchers. Thus, it is clear from the market analysis that there is a large need for natural components. As a result, the majority of companies have started to release hair care products that use ingredients inspired by nature, like premium botanicals and plant-based substances. For example, the German multinational chemical and consumer goods company Henkel introduced the Nature Box line of natural hair care and toiletry in France in 2020. The line includes both liquid and solid products. There are five liquid shampoos in the line, along with their solid equivalents and a conditioner. The products are made up of 99% organic ingredients that are packaged in eco-friendly packaging and include cold-pressed hemp, coconut, almond, argan, or avocado oil. The ingredients are sourced fairly. Global sustainability pioneers, Henkel, a multinational German chemical and consumer goods company, and Schneider Electric joined together in May 2022 to accelerate decarbonization throughout the supply chains of various products, including electronics and cosmetics. As of 2021, Henkel achieved sustainability success by reducing its CO2 emissions by 50% per tonne of product by 2021 (compared to 2010's base year). With a focus on satisfying the hydration requirements of blonde hair, the L'Oreal brand Kerastase released the Blond Absolu Collection in November 2023, marking a recent breakthrough in the premium shampoo market. The collection includes a serum that contains the largest amount of hyaluronic acid ever found in a hair care product. Targeting the foundation of hair health, this serum is Kerastase's first scalp-specific product created just for blondes. Under the Elvive brand, L'Oreal Paris debuted a range in 2019 named Elvive Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioners. This line of products serves customers seeking quick and easy hair care solutions by working deeply to heal damaged hair without requiring a waiting period. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) company's Bumble & Bumble brand debuted its Bb. Seaweed line in June 2023. Rich in green microalgae, Pacific Sea kelp, and royal sugar kelp, this line is meant to support a balanced, healthy scalp, add shine to hair, and make air-dry style simple. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL)s annual revenue was $17.74 billion in 2022. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) is among the key premium shampoo market players. Moreover, in September 2022, Kao Corporation introduced a new range of hair care products called Essential Purify Moisture, which includes Essential Purify Aqua & Glossy shampoo and conditioner. The current range of goods is silicone-free and nourishing. Key Companies' Advancements in Premium Shampoos and Conditioners: Renowned American businesses Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) with a whopping annual revenue of $82 billion in 2023 and Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) with an annual revenue of $64.80 billion in 2022 are among the companies that provide competing premium shampoo and conditioner solutions that meet various demands and preferences of customers. Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) s Herbal Essence, which emphasizes natural ingredients and botanical benefits, partnered with the Royal Botanic Gardens in 2018 to deliver advanced botanical research for its shampoos and conditioners. Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) made a recent acquisition in the premium shampoo market category in 2023, acquiring the haircare brand Mielle Organics. Established in 2014 by Monique and Melvin Rodriguez, Mielle Organics is dedicated to creating natural hair products that are tailored to the needs of Black women. Procter & Gamble hopes to increase Black women's access to textured hair products and services worldwide through this acquisition. The agreement included a $10 million donation from both businesses to the nonprofit Mielle Cares, which promotes economic and educational opportunities in Black and Brown communities. Melvin Rodriguez will stay as COO and Monique Rodriguez as CEO of Mielle Organics, which will continue to function as a separate P&G Beauty company. In December 2022, an anti-dandruff shampoo by Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) s premium hair care brand, OUAI HAIRCARE, was introduced to minimize dandruff-related irritation, itching, and flaking. It contains essential components, including salicylic acid and propanediol caprylate, which lessen bacteria that trigger dandruff and cure its symptoms. Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), one of the premium shampoo powerhouses, owns Head& Shoulders, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Pantene, The Waterless Brand, and OUAI. On the other hand, Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)s broad portfolio includes several premium shampoo brands. Unilever owns several high-end shampoo brands, including Sunsilk, Clear, TRESemme, Dove, and Suave. By purchasing the high-end haircare company K18, Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) has lately made a big move in the premium shampoo and conditioner industry. The latter company is renowned for its innovative strategy that integrates biology and beauty. K18 has become popular for making use of online platforms to educate customers regarding hair science and for producing a line of products that target and diagnose the root causes of hair damage. K18Peptide, the brand's main product, successfully reverses chemical damage to all types of hair by imitating the structure of human keratin. This acquisition strengthens Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) 's current portfolio of premium consumer brands and is consistent with its objective to strengthen its Unilever Prestige portfolio in rapidly expanding high-end markets. The exact terms of the purchase agreement were not disclosed. However, it was expected that this acquisition would conclude in the first quarter of 2024. With that said, here are the 20 High Quality Shampoos and Conditioners. 20 High Quality Shampoos and Conditioners LuckyImages/Shutterstock.com Methodology: To pick out the 20 High Quality Shampoos and Conditioners, we have used a consensus-based approach using a diverse variety of credible sources to determine the most premium products worldwide. To give you the finest result possible, we picked brands that appeared multiple times in reliable sources, including Byrdie, Elle, Sephora, and Reddit, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. In tie-breaker situations, we consulted independent beauty blogs and product reviews and then curated the products for our list. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 20. Dove Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 2 The Dove Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner are part of a nutritious hair care routine that hydrates the hair shafts, making hair manageable and silky. With the addition of Bio-Restore Complex, this shampoo delicately cleanses every strand of hair to maintain softness and protection. This shampoo is best for everyday use. The hair wash and conditioner combination hydrates and shields dry hair from the inside out, strengthening it over time and increasing its resistance to harm without adding weight. Each wash improves the texture and feel of the hair with this Dove hair care system. 19. John Frieda's Frizz Ease Beyond Smooth Frizz-Immunity Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 2 A frizz immunity complex is incorporated into John Frieda's Frizz Ease Beyond Smooth Frizz-Immunity Shampoo and Conditioner, progressively strengthening hair's barriers against frizz every time you shower. By entering the hair strands to counteract the porosity of frizzy hair and establish an internal barrier for frizz immunity, these treatments are made to tackle frizz at its root. The shampoo and conditioner boost the silkiness, manageability, and quality of hair because they consist of pure coconut oil and conditioning chemicals. They work well on medium-thick, wavy-curly hair types, but they additionally perform well on hair that has had color treatment. 18. Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume Shampoo & Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 2 The Sheer Volume line from Pantene Pro-V includes a Shampoo and Conditioner that is intended to offer fine hair, long-lasting body, and a hint of lightweight volume. The shampoo's powerful blend of Pro-V ingredients gives hair fullness and movement while also aiding in hair renewal. It leaves hair clean, strong, and volumized and nourishes it with a thick lather. Sheer Volume Conditioner provides moisture for effortless detangling and long-lasting shine, making it a perfect match for the shampoo. It helps give the hair instantly obvious volume and lift. With preventive antioxidants and pH balancers, the product is appropriate for colored hair. These products are silicone-free. 17. L'Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 3 L'Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner are parts of the EverPure Moisture System, which is intended for hair that has undergone coloring. These treatments, which are formulated with botanicals such as rosemary, deeply hydrate parched hair, giving it a radiant gloss and a velvety feel. The sulfate-free composition is gentle on color-treated hair, providing twice as much hydration as a non-conditioning shampoo. These products are also suitable for people looking for an affordable and nourishing hair care choice because they contain no gluten, harsh salts, sulfates, parabens, or dyes. 16. SheaMoisture's Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 3 Sulfate-free Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo from SheaMoisture is intended to hydrate dry, damaged, or overly treated hair. This moisturizing shampoo, infused with sea kelp, argan oil, and fair trade shea butter, helps restore and lock in moisture for parched hair. On the other hand, SheaMoisture's Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner complements the shampoo by giving dry and weakened hair extra hydration. To increase the moisture content of the hair even more, this conditioner can be used as a rinse-out or leave-in treatment. Similar to the shampoo, the conditioner is made without mineral oil, petrolatum, silicones, phthalates, or parabens, making it an effective and all-natural option for hair care. 15. Davines OI Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 3 The OI collection includes Davines OI Shampoo and Conditioner, which are enriched with nutritious Roucou oil. These products are designed to give hair exceptional shine, smoothness, and volume, and they work on all hair types. For soft and glossy hair, apply the daily-use shampoo, which is milky-smooth, and the conditioning treatment, which has antioxidant properties for thick and silky hair. All OI products also contain Roucou oil, which is acknowledged for its capacity to lessen UV-induced cellular damage and for having a regenerating effect on hair. Moreover, these products are free of sulfates and parabens. 14. TRESemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 3 Together, TRESemme Keratin Smooth System the shampoo, and conditioner give frizzy, unruly hair a sleek, polished look that lasts for up to 72 hours. Lamellar-Discipline technology is used in the formulation of the shampoo and conditioner to reduce frizz, untangle knots, increase shine, add velvety smoothness, and control flyaways. These products are among the best professional shampoos and conditioners. Apart from being cruelty-free and recognized by PETA, this collection also shows a dedication to quality and ethical standards since it is free of mineral oil, parabens, and DMDM Hydantoin. 13. Nexxus Keraphix Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 4 The Keraphix Healing Collection from Nexxus includes shampoo and conditioner that are intended to repair obvious indications of severe hair damage. After only one application, the shampoo's protein fusion blend of black rice and keratin protein works to strengthen and restore severely damaged hair, making it appear dramatically healthier. Nexxus is one of the top shampoo brands. By deep conditioning and further repairing badly damaged hair, this conditioner strengthens and revitalizes the hair, making it a perfect match for the shampoo. These products are designed to meet the protein requirements of hair. 12. Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 4 The Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo from Bumble and Bumble is a moisturizing and frizz-reducing shampoo that leaves dry hair feeling detangled, silky, and soft. This lightweight shampoo, which contains a blend of six oils, including coconut, argan, and sweet almond oil, gives hair nourishment, conditioning, softness, and smoothness. This sulfate-free product is ideal for medium-to-thick, straight-to-wavy hair. The Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Conditioner complements the shampoo by nourishing and moisturizing fine to normal hair. It makes hair softer, healthier, and easier to handle while strengthening damaged hair and minimizing breakage. For all types and textures of dry, brittle, or damaged hair, this protein-free conditioner is perfect. 11. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 4 The invigorating Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo removes impurities from the hair and leaves the scalp feeling clean and healthy. It is enhanced with peppermint, lavender, and organic tea tree oil, which gives the scalp a revitalizing and cooling sensation. On the other hand, the Tea Tree Special Conditioner leaves the hair feeling manageable, silky, and glossy after hydrating and detangling it. These products from John Paul Mitchell Systems' Tea Tree range, are widely known for their botanical ingredients. 10. Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo and Fondant Fluidealiste Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 5 For unruly, sensitive, and unmanageable hair, Kerastase offers a sulfate-free shampoo known as Discipline Bain Fluidealiste. It provides excellent nourishment and anti-frizz protection while transforming frizzy hair into sleek and silky hair. The shampoo gently wraps the hair fiber with smoothing agents, making the hair more manageable and protecting it from frizz. To smooth fine to normal hair, the Fondant Fluidealiste Conditioner provides opulent nourishment and moisture, which balances out the shampoo. This conditioner makes hair softer, healthier, and easier to handle while also strengthening it and minimizing breakage. For people who want to fight frizz and, moisturize, and revive their hair, this is the perfect product. 9. The OGX Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 5 The OGX Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner are part of a hair care range made with a potent formulation that includes cold-pressed Moroccan argan oil. These products leave hair soft, strong, and shining with a dazzling sheen by enhancing the hair's flexibility, strength, and moisture retention. The shampoo and conditioner are perfect for dry, frizzy hair that needs hydration and restoration because they are paraben- and sulfate-free and mild enough for regular use. Hence, these are among the best shampoos and conditioners for hair growth. 8. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 6 Briogeo's Super Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner are highly acclaimed hair care products due to their ultra-hydrating and strengthening characteristics. The Super Moisture Shampoo incorporates natural oils that combine to create a "moisture lock" to restore strands, as well as plant proteins that strengthen and seal the hair shafts. This shampoo is sulfate-free, soothing, and protects against future damage while eliminating debris, oil, and buildup. Its key components include algae extract, panthenol, and B vitamins. On the other hand, the Super Moisture Conditioner is protein-free and has been scientifically proven to reduce hair breakage after just two applications. It contains nourishing ingredients including almond oil, algae extract, and vitamin B5 that strengthen damaged hair, prevent future breaking, and provide extreme moisture. 7. Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 6 The All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner from Redken have been developed for restoring dry and brittle hair with hydration and smoothness. Use the All Soft Shampoo with the complete All Soft Conditioner to get fifteen times more conditioning while gently cleansing, repairing, and softening hair. One of the main ingredients is Redken's Moisture Complex with Argan Oil, which promotes supple, shiny, and manageable hair that is soft and silky. For dry, damaged hair, this sulfate-free shampoo leaves the hair feeling nourished and refreshed. 6. The Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner Insider Monkey Points: 7 The innovative Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner have been created to give shine, moisture, and thickness to hair while also cleaning, restoring, and shielding it. The shampoo and conditioner are recyclable, suitable for color-treated hair, cruelty-free, and devoid of sulfates. Main ingredients like Phytantriol, moisturizing ester, marine algae polysaccharide, and the exclusive Amino Cleansing Complex contribute to detangling, shielding from environmental damage, maintaining hair color, and lessening damage from the surroundings and thermal aggressors. These products' revolutionary formula provides three times stronger hair, 68% more shine, and rapid hydration in just one wash, making them ideal for anyone with dry, dull, or otherwise healthy hair. It is among the best and healthiest shampoos and conditioners. Click to continue reading and see the 5 High Quality Shampoos and Conditioners. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 High Quality Shampoos and Conditioners is originally published on Insider Monkey. The way Americans buy and sell homes had a major shakeup Friday, with a powerful realtor group agreeing to overhaul the standard 6 percent commission on purchasesa move thats expected to dramatically reduce the cost of real estate transactions. The National Association of Realtors, which represents 1.5 million U.S. real estate agents and has set the guidelines for home sales for decades, agreed to drop the mandatory commission to settle lawsuits that accused it of artificially inflating commissions for its agents. The organization also agreed to pay $418 million in damages, The New York Times reported, citing a signed agreement. The deal still requires a federal courts approval, but, if given the OK, it stands to make the costs surrounding buying and selling homes significantly cheaper. Without a standard commission, realtors would be able to offer different ratesallowing consumers to shop around and decide on which realtor, and what commission rate, fits their needs. Nykia Wright, the interim chief executive of N.A.R., told the Times it was their goal to preserve consumer choice and protect our members to the greatest extent possible. National Association of Realtors President Quits Over Alleged Blackmail Norm Miller, professor emeritus of real estate at the University of San Diego, told CNN that this is biggest change to U.S. housing in over a century. Ive been waiting 50 years for this, he said. Miller suggested that some real estate agents may move away from commissions entirelyinstead advertising a flat fee to buyers and sellers. The change comes on the heels of two verdicts that went against the N.A.R., which was found liable for artificially inflating real estate commissions in some instancessomething it still denies doing. With the threat of similar lawsuits continuing to roll in, experts predicted the organization may agree to ditch its standard commission to put a stop to the repeated litigation. Ultimately, continuing to litigate would have hurt members and their small businesses, Wright said, according to The Washington Post. While there could be no perfect outcome, this agreement is the best outcome we could achieve in the circumstances. If the settlement is approved by a federal judge, the changes are slated to go into effect in July. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. NEW YORK (PIX11) Mayor Eric Adams on Friday spoke about New York Citys mental health crisis when reacting to Thursdays subway shooting in Brooklyn. A man shot a subway rider in the head during an argument on a Brooklyn train, according to the NYPD. The 32-year-old man allegedly shot the 36-year-old man after the victim picked a fight with him on a northbound A train as it pulled into the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets subway station around 4:45 p.m., according to the NYPD and law enforcement sources. Man who shot subway rider in the head wont be charged: Brooklyn DA At the heart of this, if you do an analysis, we are dealing with far too many people in our system that are dealing with severe mental health illnesses, Adams said during an interview on the PIX11 Morning News. Look at these isolated acts of violence, and too often youre seeing that individuals had some severe mental health illnesses attached to it. The victim may have suffered from mental illness because he referred to himself as a cop, according to the NYPD. It seems like the man was making inferences like he was a police officer as he was speaking to the person he was having a dispute with, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said Friday. Its very alarming. We know we have people in the subway that suffer from mental illness. Authorities said the victim started the argument and pulled a gun on the 32-year-old man, who disarmed him and shot him in the head. Before the shooting, a woman stabbed the victim in the lower back while he was repeatedly punching the 32-year-old man, according to police and a video from the scene. Police said the woman, who has not been arrested, was with the 32-year-old man. You stabbed me, the victim said to the woman in the footage. I didnt do nothing, the woman replied. The arguing escalated before several shots were fired as screaming subway riders scrambled to safety, the video shows. Let me out, a passenger said during the gunfire. Get down, get down, a rider said. The victim, an ex-con, was in critical but stable condition at the hospital, police said Friday afternoon. The shooter wont be charged, prosecutors said Friday. Yesterdays shooting inside a crowded subway car was shocking and deeply upsetting. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing but, at this stage, evidence of self-defense precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter, according to a spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) An expanded sidewalk system and new traffic signals are at the center of a large plan to recondition Nashvilles transit system. On Thursday, March 14, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell released multiple concept maps showing the potential impact different parts of the plan could have. Its unclear how much OConnells proposal would cost. Nashville residents weigh in on new city transportation plan Part of the proposal includes improving the citys traffic lights. (Photo: Nashville Mayors Office) The purple dots on the map above represent nearly 600 improved traffic signals. Instead of changing on a set timer, the traffic lights would change based on the flow of traffic. The below map shows what Nashville would look like with around 86 miles of new sidewalks, which are colored blue. The goal is to improve walkability along Nashvilles busiest streets. (Photo: Nashville Mayors Office) OConnell is also looking to expand WeGo bus routes, and 38 miles of what the mayor calls bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes, which are proposed for Dickerson Road, Gallatin Road, Murfreesboro Road, and Nolensville Road. BRT is designed to have more capacity, reliability, and accessibility than a conventional bus system, borrowing some of the features of light rail, but with the added flexibility of running on streets without the need for a dedicated, fixed guideway. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County The service changes target areas of Nashville where ridership is likely to increase and where new routes will make public transportation more accessible. The expansions look to give residents options that allow them to lower transportation costs if they choose, regardless of where they live. A slideshow of what routes would look like can be found below. (Photo: Nashville Mayors Office) (Photo: Nashville Mayors Office) (Photo: Nashville Mayors Office) (Photo: Nashville Mayors Office) (Photo: Nashville Mayors Office) The mayors offices said a Community Engagement Plan is being developed with guidance from the Community Advisory Committee to be presented at a meeting on March 20. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Video released by the MBTA Friday shows the moment track workers narrowly dodged a moving train earlier this month. The video taken on March 1 shows three workers hopping onto the tracks behind an Orange Line train. As they stroll down the tunnel, the three MBTA employees are suddenly forced to jump out of the way of an incoming train. One of the workers moves into an indent in the wall as the train moves past. Another of the workers can be seen bending over in relief as the train pulls into the station. It is the latest safety issue thats occurred on Bostons rail system and the MBTA has had repeated warnings from federal regulators. The T says they are investigating the incident. According to the Boston Globe, a procedural violation by the train operator appears to have led to the incident. In September, the FTA ordered that the MBTA must notify the FTA within two hours any time a near miss incident occurs. The T also has four business days to produce a detailed explanation of why it was slow to report near misses to DPU, which serves as the state agency in charge of MBTA safety oversight. Other actions the FTA ordered include prohibiting the use of lone workers on the train right-of-way, additional training for dispatchers and supervisors, and development of a new plan to verify communication between site workers and dispatchers. Safety remains our top priority: Green Line service impacted by train derailment near Kenmore FTA orders more changes as MBTA near misses continue 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 McDonald's has revealed the technical problems which brought much of its fast food chain to a standstill on Friday were caused by a third party provider. The international restaurant said the global outage happened during a "configuration change" and stopped stores taking orders in the UK, Australia and Japan - amongst others. McDonald's stressed the issue was not caused by a cyber attack. Stores in the UK and Australia are open again after their systems froze. Those in Japan are reportedly also resuming trade after being forced to close. The company experienced a "global technology system outage, which was quickly identified and corrected," McDonald's chief information officer Brian Rice, said. He said many countries were now operating normally while the rest were in the process of coming back online. "Notably, this issue was not directly caused by a cybersecurity event - rather, it was caused by a third-party provider during a configuration change," he added. Mr Rice said what had happened was the "exception to the norm, and we are working with absolute urgency to resolve it". 'Couldn't serve anyone' Problems started in the early hours and continued throughout the morning, but the company would not say how many stores were affected. Sarah McLean, who owns a franchise across the Midlands, said that all of her 21 branches had been affected. "My restaurants were impacted very early in the morning, so thankfully the impact wasn't too significant, about an hour and a half," she told the BBC. But during that time they "couldn't serve anyone". Downdetector, a system used to monitor IT problems in businesses, noted a spike in issues with the McDonald's UK app from around 05:00 GMT on Friday. Some social media users posted their discontent. "@McDonaldsUK why can I order through the app this morning but all of my local McDonald's are closed when they are meant to be 24 hours?!" Tom Bennison in the East Midlands posted on X, formerly Twitter. Andrew Evans in Birmingham posted: "Hmmm @McDonaldsUK my local is turning everyone away saying there's a national outage on your ordering system?" Problems were reported in several countries, including New Zealand, Austria and Germany, but come the afternoon they were starting to get resolved. Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that stores across Japan were beginning to resume operations following the system disruption. McDonald's in Japan had earlier said: "There is currently a system failure. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and ask that you please wait for a while until the service is restored." Posting on X, Ted Anderson said he had gone into a restaurant in Japan to find it cash only and staff "calculating the totals on paper". By 14:15 GMT, McDonald's Australia said all of its restaurants had re-opened. "A huge thanks again to our wonderful customers and hard-working crew for your patience and support," it said. In New Zealand, X user Germin van Royen said: "The Mcdonalds outage is crazy. Went in tonight and drive thru + all kiosks were down. A system that can fail nation wide is bad but across multiple countries too!? Bonkers." The fast food chain has about 40,000 restaurants worldwide, with around 1,450 restaurants across the UK and Ireland and more than 14,000 stores in the United States. It operates nearly 3,000 across Japan and roughly 1,000 in Australia. Banner saying 'Get in touch' Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission. Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives said the death of a man pulled from a mobile home fire by firefighters a few months ago was a suicide. A report from the Medical Examiner's Office notes the man died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation and soot from the fire. The same report states the manner of death was suicide. From their investigation, detectives conclude the victim intentionally set the residence and other surrounding property on fire and "made no effort to leave," according to the report. Detectives said there's no evidence indicating someone else started the fire. The man's family was notified about the investigation. Medical Examiner's Office in Leesburg Authorities identified the deceased as 56-year-old Leroy Edward Berka of Ocala. Fire at SW 19th Place Shortly after 1 a.m. on Jan. 30, Deputy Stephan Michaelides was called to 7720 SW 19th Place, near West Port High School, about a fire. The mobile home was "fully engulfed" when the deputy arrived at the location, according to a sheriff's office report. A neighbor told the deputy a man lived at the residence. Michaelides knocked, and shouted, however no one answered. The deputy said in the report a pickup truck was also on fire. Firefighters got to the location and removed Berka through a window located on the east side of the residence. Firefighters found Berka inside a bedroom lying face down in front of a chair, authorities said. The victim died not long after he was taken from the mobile home, law enforcement officials said. Fire officials told detectives they smelled some type of petroleum product close to the truck. Deputies also smelled gasoline inside the shed. Investigation When it was safe to enter the charred mobile home, detectives saw a large gas can in a hallway and smelled gasoline, according to the report. This is a picture of what's left of the mobile home that caught fire and claimed the life of Leroy Edward Berka the morning of Jan. 30, 2024. Berka's hands, face and arms were burned. Evidence from Berka's body points to him possibly being alive and was inhaling smoke, detectives said. The man's shoes and socks had some form of accelerant, state officials said. Clothed, Berka's body had no other injuries, officials said. Talking with neighbors, detectives were told Berka once lived next to the burned residence, but had to move because he could not afford to live there. The neighbor said the victim then lived in a shed nearby until around November when a man who lived at the now destroyed mobile home asked Berka to help him because he was ill. The neighbor said Berka would take the man to the hospital and rehabilitation, and the two were friends. The man died roughly a week before the fire. The man's death was attributed to natural causes, detectives said. The neighbor told detectives Berka knew his friend was leaving the property and its content to someone else, identified as a woman, who had plans to sell everything. Berka was reportedly told he had to leave the property within six months, authorities said. Berka unhappy Detectives interviewed the woman who they were told was given the property and its contents. She told detectives she knew both men for years. She said Berka knew she was going to inherit the property, had met with a lawyer and at some point, had to leave. The woman said she saw the victim before the fire and he seemed fine. Insane: Not guilty by reason of insanity: Federal judge rules in Marion County church fire case Berka's co-worker was interviewed by a detective, who told them Berka was apparently not happy about the situation. Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: MCSO: Ocala man death from residential fire was suicide Tensions flared Friday at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections following a unanimous vote by the five-member board to dismiss Lucilles Pucketts protest of her opponents Democratic primary win. I felt it was bull crap, Puckett said to the Observer after the dismissal. They base things on personal experiences. They didnt take all the evidence presented into consideration. In her protest, Puckett alleged the winner of state Senate District 41, Caleb Theodros, did not meet the necessary residency requirements to run in the district. Thats two years in the state as a citizen and one year living within the districts boundaries, according to state statutes. The challenge called for Theodros to be disqualified as a candidate and removed from contention for the seat. Theodros got the most votes among four candidates on Election Day, with 42.9% of ballots cast. Puckett was in second with 31.2%. Kendrick Cunningham and Robert Bruns followed, with 16.5% and 9.4%, respectively. No Republicans or third-party candidates filed to run in the district. So, the Democratic primary winner will head to Raleigh. Senate District 41 is currently represented by Democratic Sen. Natasha Marcus, but she opted to run for state insurance commissioner rather than another term in the legislature after she was drawn out by redistricting. The new District 41 stretches from west Charlotte to Plaza Midwood. DUKE ENERGY BILL DISCUSSED Puckett cited a report from WSOC-TV, which said Theodros didnt update his voter registration to an address in District 41 until late November. He previously was registered in Senate District 40 and told WSOC-TV he moved to his current residence in the district in July 2023. During the meeting, the board discussed whether evidence Puckett provided established probable cause to move forward with a hearing. One piece of evidence: A Duke Energy bill registered to the address Theodros now lives at in June 2023 to someone other than Theodros. The board didnt take long to decide. Board member Chris Fialko said the bill wasnt enough to be probable cause for a hearing, he said. Chair Beverly Miller Earle shared a similar sentiment, saying she wasnt sure if her son had a lease or utility bill in his name. They were either in her name or a roommates name. So, a lease or a utility bill without Theodros name was not enough evidence for her. The evidence that he registered to change his registration to vote after the one-year time period, doesnt influence me at all, Fialko said. People often are delayed in changing their registration. And as the chair said, the evidence of a utility bill being in someone elses name, I dont think established enough evidence in my mind to establish probable cause. Fialko made the motion to dismiss the protest, which was seconded by member Mary Potter Summa. The board voted for the motion unanimously. PUCKETT TO APPEAL TO STATE The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections meets Friday to finalize vote tallies and consider a residency challenge in Senate District 41. Puckett said Friday she plans to appeal to the State Board of Elections because it would be more objective. Hearing and seeing what I saw in there, all evidence was not taken into consideration, Puckett said. Puckett previously told the Observer she feels its not normal if Theodros changed his voter registration twice in 2023. She said it appears he waited until redistricting to pick where hed live and run for office. She also questioned whether Theodros address on file today is his primary residence. If you look at my protest, there was enough evidence to propose a reasonable doubt, she said Friday. THEODROS RESPONDS TO DISMISSAL According to State Board of Elections records, Theodros first registered to vote in North Carolina in 2012. Hes voted in multiple general elections and Democratic primaries all while registered in Mecklenburg County. He voted by mail in last weeks primary, records show. Before that, he last voted in person in the 2022 general election. I am glad to see the Board of Elections swift dismissal of my opponents baseless residency claim, which allows us to refocus our efforts on addressing the critical issues affecting the communities of District 41, Theodros in a statement to the Observer. My unwavering dedication lies with the people and their concerns, not political gamesmanship. It is time to move forward. BOARD FINALIZES ELECTION VOTES Later on Friday, the Board of Election also finalized vote tallies from the 2024 primary. It added 260 votes to the total, including 255 provisional and five absentee ballots. The added votes will not add enough to any races to trigger a recount and no results changed. The now-official results say 148,057 ballots were cast out of 788,704 registered voters in Mecklenburg County a turnout of 18.77%. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala avoided mentioning some of the details about the Czech-led initiative to provide Ukraine with artillery ammunition during a meeting that involved his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico, Aktualne reported on March 14, citing an unnamed diplomatic source in Czechia. Czech President Petr Pavel said in February that Prague had identified 500,000 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm shells outside Europe that could be bought and sent to Ukraine after the necessary funds were allocated to the initiative. At the meeting convened by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in late February, Fiala wanted to talk about the progress of the initiative to source rounds for Kyiv in non-EU countries, including the price and origin of the shells, according to the media outlet. The meeting was initially supposed to involve 15 officials but has eventually grown to 21, including Fico, Aktualne reported. Elected in September 2023 on a populist, Ukraine-skeptic platform, Fico halted arms supplies from Slovakia's military stocks and has repeatedly criticized both defense assistance for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. Read also: Czech PM: Czech initiative receives commitments for 200,000 more artillery shells When Fiala learned that Fico would be at the table, several points about the Czech initiative were allegedly removed from his speech, and the Czech prime minister personally conveyed the most sensitive details to several leaders, according to Aktualne. "Yes, we crossed it (points) out," an unnamed source told the publication. Fiala allegedly feared that strategic information about ammunition for Ukraine could leak to Russia through Fico, the media outlet reported. Fiala said on March 12 that the initiative, joined by 18 countries, received "non-binding commitments" for a further 200,000 rounds, in addition to the confirmed purchase of 300,000 shells. Ukrainian soldiers may get the first round in "the foreseeable future," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. Artillery shells are a crucial capability for Ukraine as the country faces critical ammunition shortages. Delays in U.S. military assistance have already had a direct impact on the battlefield, contributing to the loss of the key front-line city of Avdiivka. Read also: Our reserves will run out: Ukrainian artillery sounds alarm on Western shell shortage Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Greece is leading negotiations to purchase ammunition from Czechia and transfer the supplies directly to Ukraine, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported on March 15, citing unnamed Greek officials. Ukraine is facing increasingly serious ammunition shortages, namely in artillery shells, as support from the U.S. remains held up by domestic political disputes. European allies have been intensifying efforts to offset the lack of American support. Athens told EU officials that it could supply Ukraine with extensive ammunition stocks through Czechia this year, including 90,000 90 mm projectiles, 180 70 mm anti-tank projectiles, 2,000 127 mm Zuni rockets, and 4 million bullets, Kathimerini said. Greece also reportedly plans to sell 70 of its U.S.-made M114A1 howitzers to Czechia for eventual transfer to Ukraine. The systems are not needed for the purposes of the Greek military but could still be useful in Ukraine's muddy terrain, the outlet said. Greek and Czech officials are now negotiating prices of the equipment, after which they will sign a bilateral agreement, according to Kathimerini. Greece has provided Ukraine with military assistance in the past, including BMP-1 armored vehicles, small arms, and ammunition. However, Athens has been hesitant to supply more modern or higher-grade weapon systems, such as Leopard 2 tanks or S-300 air defenses, in order to maintain its defense posture against Turkey or because the country cannot currently replace them. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Odesa on March 6 and held a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the country's defense needs. Russian forces attacked the city during Mitsotakis's visit, with a projectile exploding only a few hundred meters from the leaders. Read also: Scholz, Macron, Tusk vow more arms purchases, new initiatives for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The key reason why German hancellor Olaf Scholz is actively opposing the supply of Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine may be connected with special features of the targeting system missiles. Source: European Pravda with reference to the t-online portal Details: The information which Scholz called "secret knowledge" at the latest debates on the Taurus missiles in the Bundestag was disclosed at the special meeting of the parliamentary defence committee on 11 March. At the meeting, Carsten Breuer, General Inspector of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) made a 20-minute speech about the special features of these missiles. The main problem Breuer pointed out was that a huge amount of data and a special computer program only the Bundeswehr has are needed for this missile to be used efficiently. In case Germany supplied Ukraine with Taurus it would no longer have access to these systems itself and would significantly disrupt its own defence capability, as reported by t-online with reference to the participants of the meeting. The details of this system are classified, so the sources of t-online were not able to estimate how long it would take Berlin to recover. At the same time, there is a possibility to supply Kyiv with these missiles in a "reduced" format, without the targeting system. In this case Taurus would be a complement to less powerful British cruise missiles Storm Shadow. "After Beuers speech the public went silent. Even those who always make loud demands this time had no questions," t-online reported. Another participant of the meeting stated that the speech made him reconsider his positions on supplying Ukraine with cruise missiles. Earlier, Scholz publicly gave different reasons for why Germany refused to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles from avoiding a possible escalation and involvement in the war with Russia to being concerned that the missiles would be used to strike Moscow. David Cameron, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UK, stated that London was considering all options, including the exchange of the Taurus for British Storm Shadow missiles in order to provide Ukraine with long-range armament. Support UP or become our patron! PeopleImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto Social Security recipients who got used to the historically high 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment in 2023 must adapt to a much smaller increase this year. The 2024 COLA is 3.2%, and a lot of seniors arent happy about it. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed by The Senior Citizens League said the 3.2% COLA is inadequate to cover the rising cost of housing, medical expenses and other essentials. This puts even more pressure on them to stretch their Social Security checks. For You: I Retired at 65 Heres My Monthly Budget Check Out: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 202 The average Social Security retirement check was $1,862.03 a month in February 2024, according to the Social Security Administration. To put that number in perspective, consider that the average household spends $6,081 a month, according to the most recent Consumer Expenditures survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thats a huge gap even for retired couples who have paid off their mortgages and cars and no longer have to support their kids. If you need to stretch your Social Security money even further in 2024, here are four of the best ways to do so. Explore More: 7 Bills You Never Have To Pay When You Retire Check Out: 10 Best (and Worst) Places To Retire If You Have No Savings monkeybusinessimages / istockphoto.com Get Rid of the Second Car In most cases, theres no reason for a retired couple to own two cars because you no longer have to drive to work or split errands. Even if both cars are paid off, youre still spending money on gas, insurance, maintenance and repairs. Getting rid of your second car could result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in savings every year. Take Our Poll: Do You Think You Will Be Able To Retire at Age 65? Sponsored: $20k or more in credit card debt? Lower the amount you owe in just 3 simple steps. Drazen Zigic / Getty Images/iStockphoto Cut Down on Medical Expenses Financial experts recommend checking with your healthcare provider to find out which fees can be waived and whether they offer discounts for financial hardship. Its also a good idea to request an itemized medical bill to make sure you werent incorrectly charged or double charged for a medical service or procedure. Story continues dolgachov / iStock.com Downsize Downsizing to a smaller, more affordable home in retirement can cut your expenses in a big way, allowing you to devote part of your Social Security check to other things. If you havent already downsized, now is a good time to do so because you might be able to sell your current home for a big profit due to high home prices. You should also consider moving to a more affordable place to stretch your money even further. Trending Now: How a Trump Win in 2024 Could Impact Your Retirement Savings PixelsEffect / iStock.com Check With Local Help Organizations If youre having a hard time paying for food, utilities and other essentials, contact your Area Agency on Aging, which can provide resources on how to save money and get financial help. For information, visit the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging at www.n4a.org. Seniors also can receive free or low-cost meals and other food delivered to them from Meals on Wheels. According to the Home Instead website, top priority is given to homebound seniors who are unable to get food on their own or prepare their own meals. More From GOBankingRates John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Ways To Stretch Your Social Security Money Further in 2024 Nebraska voters could be voting on several controversial ballot initiatives this November, including legalizing medical cannabis, enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, requiring paid sick leave, and establishing a consumption taxif they meet the July 3 deadline for signature collections. If approved, theyll join a referendum already on the ballot aiming to repeal a law involving state money and donations for private school scholarships. Heres a breakdown of the top four ballot topics gaining momentum for the general election. Legalizing medical marijuana Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is collecting signatures for a pair of initiatives that would decriminalize and regulate the distribution of the drug. The Cornhusker State is currently one of three, including Kansas and Idaho, that has not legalized cannabis for medical use. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign manager Crista Eggers says criminalization of medical cannabis is causing people with diseases and medical conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, to cross state lines for treatment. It is important to give people the option of a plant in the ground if their health provider sees it as a good option, Eggers said. The support of the people is very strong on this issue. According to Eggers, the group has at least 40,000 of the required 87,000 signatures for each petition. Eggers says the group is confident it will meet its signature requirement by the summer deadline. Opponents of LB626 celebrate in the Rotunda after the bill fails to advance after failing one vote short of cloture, Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capital in Lincoln, Neb. The bill sought to ban abortions in Nebraska after about 6 six weeks. Expanding abortion rights Last session, the Nebraska legislature passed a bill narrowing the states ban on abortions from 20 weeks to 12 weeks after gestation. This ban spurred a petition process to create a constitutional protection for abortions up to fetal viability, or around 24 weeks. Protect Our Rights, a coalition of local reproductive health rights groups, is circulating a petition that, in addition to extending abortion access up to fetal viability, would also enshrine the right to abortion when it is needed to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient. The groups need signatures from roughly 123,000, or 10% of the states registered voters. They must also collect signatures from 5% of registered voters in at least 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties. Nebraska executive director for Planned Parenthood North Central States, Andi Curry Grubb, says the petition process is gaining traction across the state, especially in rural areas, including Box Butte County and Scotts Bluff. The response weve seen to date has been pretty amazing. There are a lot of people in this state who care about this issue, Curry Grubb said. We should be able to access necessary care with compassion and privacy without political interference. Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, voters have shot down efforts to limit or ban reproductive rights in red states, including Ohio and Kansas. Signature drives to expand restrictive abortion access are underway in states including Arizona, Colorado and Missouri. Paid sick leave After two failed attempts in the Legislature to establish paid sick leave for state workers, Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans is aiming to let voters decide on the matter in 2024. Kait Madsen, the field director for Nebraska Appleseed, said the states lack of paid sick leave requirements puts Nebraskan workers in a tough spot. A lot of workers and families are having to choose between earning a paycheck or taking care of themselves or family members, Madsen said. Regardless of politics, many people seem to agree that we need more support for working families. If the initiative gets on the ballot and passes, the state would require businesses with 20 or more employees to offer up to seven days of paid sick leave per year and businesses with fewer than 20 employees to offer up to five days of paid sick leave per year. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia currently have mandatory paid sick leave. Consumption tax Through a controversial potential ballot initiative being pushed by conservative state senators, Nebraska would adopt the countrys first consumption tax. State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard helps lead the EPIC Option Consumption Tax initiative, which aims to replace state property, inheritance, and sales taxes with a consumption tax. A consumption tax is a tax on goods and services or what people spend rather than what they earn. Its about freedom and liberty to own your own property, Erdman said. It places taxpayers in first place. More: What is national consumption tax? What House Republicans want to change with FairTax Act. Erdman said he is confident about the petition drives progress and is hearing from Nebraskans who think property and sales taxes in the state are too regressive. EPICs initiative would establish a 7.5% consumption tax on the initial purchase of items and services, but would not tax groceries. Former state lawmakers and business leaders launched yesterday an opposition campaign to EPICs initiative, No New Taxes Nebraska. The campaign warns that EPICs plan would lead to a revenue shortfall and points to two studies showing a roughly 22% consumption tax would be required to replace the current tax base. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Medical marijuana and abortion rights could be on Nebraska ballot Meghan Markle has returned to Instagram! Four years after the last social media post on her and Prince Harry's @SussexRoyal Instagram page, the 42-year-old launched a new account on the platform. On March 14, American Riviera Orchard shared its first posts on its page with a bio that reads, By Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan Markle (Michael Buckner / Getty Images) The first nine posts combine to form a decorative logo with the words American Riviera Orchard Montecito beneath. Additionally, the page shared a behind-the-scenes story that showed Markle making flower arrangements and cooking in a kitchen, accompanied by the song I Wish You Love by Nancy Wilson. Within an hour of its first launch, the page had already racked up 44.5K followers. By March 15, that number had grown to 380K. The name appears to be a nod to the California-based area that the former actor and her husband now call home. After moving to the United States in 2022, she and Harry settled into a home in Montecito, California, where they are raising their children Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2. Montecito itself is an unincorporated town in Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera. What is American Riviera Orchard? The new Instagram page includes a link to the website American Riviera Orchard, where users are invited to join a waitlist so that they can be "the first to know about products, availability and updates from American Riviera Orchard." According to a trademark application filed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, American Riviera Orchard lists out "goods and services" that will be associated with the name. Those include gardening equipment, lamps, stationary, pillows, candle holders, kitchenware, linens, yoga mats and more. Meghan Markle's previous Instagram accounts The duchess used social media extensively prior to marrying Prince Harry. In 2014, she launched The Tig, a lifestyle blog that covered a wide range of topics, including food, travel, fashion, beauty and wellness. The website featured Meghan's writing and blog posts as well as articles contributed by friends and writers. In April 2017, months before she and Prince Harry announced their engagement, she shut down the website. Two years later, in April 2019, Meghan and Harry launched the Sussex Royal Instagram account as part of an official move to split their household from other royal family members. In their first official post on the Instagram page, the couple shared their hope to share their efforts and the causes that they supported. The couple posted their final message to the account in March 2020. Today, the page still has 9.2M followers. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Arnold Circus in Shoreditch, where a man suffered a neck injury after being struck by a crossbow bolt Scotland Yard has launched a manhunt after a man and a woman were shot with crossbow bolts 10 days apart in east London. The Metropolitan Police has linked the two attacks in Shoreditch due to the similar nature and location of the incidents. The attacks were around 200 metres away from each other and were both carried out in the early evening, police said. A woman, 44, was shot in the head by a crossbow bolt as she crossed the road by Clifton House on March 4 at 7.44pm. On Thursday, a man, 20, suffered a neck injury after a similar attack by Arnold Circus at 7.27pm. Their injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing and they have now both left hospital. Det Chief Supt James Conway, who is responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said significant efforts were under way to find a suspect. The attacks come less than two months after Bryce Hodgson, 30, was shot dead by police in Southwark, south London, after he aimed a crossbow at officers. The latest incident has seen the Met put more officers in the Shoreditch area. Det Chief Supt Conway said: This investigation is being led by my detectives in the CID and supported by my neighbourhood teams and specialist officers. My team are progressing a number of lines of inquiry, including identifying witnesses and exploring both CCTV and forensic opportunities. I understand that local people will be distressed by these incidents, but we would urge them to go about their business. Over the weekend you will see an enhanced local policing presence as we dedicate more officers to locate whoever is responsible for these assaults, and help people feel as safe as possible. Anyone with information that could help police should call 101 quoting CAD 6663/14 Mar or Operation Goldwater. 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. Local attorneys are now weighing in about privacy laws after a doctor was found liable for posting pictures of a decapitated baby to his social media page. There are privacy issues related to peoples health that you cannot release, attorney Musa Ghnayem told Channel 2s Audrey Washington on Thursday. Its so foreseeable that you are going to cause a great deal of stress to the family of this child, Ghnayem added. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Dr. Jackson Gates, an independent Pathologist, admits he posted autopsy pictures of a decapitated baby to his social media page. He said he posted the pictures for educational purposes. I take my affirmation of the HIPPA oath extremely serious. I felt a need to expose this because I was just as shocked, like many people are, expressing emotional concern, Dr. Gates said. Its a HIPPA violation because he did not have permission to post this information, attorney Brian Mendelsohn explained. On Wednesday, a Fulton County judge ruled Gates liable because he failed to respond to the lawsuit, filed in September. Gates said he did not respond because he didnt have representation. Im trying my best to seek a civil defense attorney, Gates said. The parents of the baby also filed a lawsuit against their OBGYN and Southern Regional Medical Center staff for allegedly lying and attempting to cover up the decapitation during childbirth. TRENDING STORIES: On Thursday, attorney Brian Mendelsohn explained what Gates could face in court. I think aside from the civil liability the doctor faces a potential huge judgment, I think he also has to worry about the composite medical board going after his license, Mendelsohn said. Gates told Channel 2 Action News that he does not believe he violated HIPPA laws because he said he never identified the baby. The default judgment will next go before a judge or a jury to determine how much money the parents of the baby are awarded. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The City of Miami Beach continued its crackdown on spring break tourists after violence and overwhelming crowds in recent years. The nightly curfew begins 11:59 p.m. on Friday and ends at 6 a.m. on Monday, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ. One of Floridas most popular vacation destinations is breaking up with spring breakers In consultation with our public safety leadership, we have determined that a midnight curfew is necessary and appropriate to assist in maintaining public safety on this Spring Break weekend, Miami Beach City Manager Alina Hudak said in a statement to WTVJ. We did not make this decision lightly, but it should not come as a surprise. We have been very clear about our intent to protect the public from the dangerous mayhem that has accompanied Spring Break crowds in recent years. Miami Beach residents are permitted to travel to and from work and visitors are allowed to return to their hotels during the curfew. It does not apply to essential services like EMS, fire and police. City officials will allow businesses to operate during curfew hours, but only to receive deliveries. The businesses must close to patrons before restricted hours to allow them time to leave the area. The curfew will be enforced by officers patrolling the area. Gov. Ron DeSantis sent 45 state officers to Miami earlier this month after the city announced renewed efforts to crack down on spring break mayhem. Among those changes are bag searches at the beach and DUI checkpoints. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The third night of the NAACP Image Awards celebrated work in television and film. Night three of the 55th NAACP Image Awards Virtual Experience went down Wednesday when the third round of winners in the non-televised award categories were announced. Stars like Michael B. Jordan and Michelle Buteau, as well as the movie musical The Color Purple were among the nights big winners. Categories included outstanding documentary, independent motion picture, and ensemble cast in a motion picture, among others. Michael B. Jordans Saturday Night Live gig earned him an NAACP Image Award for outstanding guest appearance. Above, the actor attends the 2023 celebration of Tiffany & Co.s flagship store reopening in New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.) The Color Purple won for outstanding ensemble cast in a motion picture and Netflixs High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America nabbed the trophy for outstanding television documentary. Jordan was honored for outstanding guest appearance for his stint on Saturday Night Live, and Buteau won for outstanding breakthrough creative in television for her hilarious Netflix series, Survival of the Thickest. The celebration of Black excellence continued with an awards dinner and program hosted by Sherri Shepherd on Thursday and a fashion show, hosted by Brandee Evans, scheduled for Friday. The 55th NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Queen Latifah, will premiere live on Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. Check out the full list of Night 3 winners below: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Norman Vance Jr. Saturdays Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series Carla Banks-Waddles Bel-Air Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special Dwayne Johnson-Cochran Heist 88 Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series Neema Barnette Grand Crew Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series Dawn Wilkinson Power Book II: Ghost Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special Chris Robinson Shooting Stars Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture) Allen Hughes Dear Mama Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or LimitedSeries) Leah Sava Jeffries Percy Jackson and the Olympians Outstanding Cinematography in a Feature Film Eric K. Yue A Thousand and One Outstanding Animated Series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder S2 Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) Blitz Bazawule The Color Purple Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television) Michelle Buteau Survival of the Thickest Outstanding Guest Performance Michael B. Jordan Saturday Night Live Outstanding Documentary (Television) High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America Outstanding Documentary (Film) Invisible Beauty Outstanding Independent Motion Picture Brother Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture The Color Purple Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film) Creed III Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Michael B. Jordan, Michelle Buteau, and The Color Purple nab NAACP Image Awards appeared first on TheGrio. African Rainbow Minerals Limited (JSE:ARI) is reducing its dividend from last year's comparable payment to ZAR6.00 on the 8th of April. However, the dividend yield of 6.7% is still a decent boost to shareholder returns. View our latest analysis for African Rainbow Minerals African Rainbow Minerals' Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions While it is great to have a strong dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is sustainable. The last payment made up 72% of earnings, but cash flows were much higher. In general, cash flows are more important than earnings, so we are comfortable that the dividend will be sustainable going forward, especially with so much cash left over for reinvestment. The next year is set to see EPS grow by 15.5%. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 75% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward. JSE:ARI Historic Dividend March 15th 2024 Dividend Volatility The company's dividend history has been marked by instability, with at least one cut in the last 10 years. Since 2014, the dividend has gone from ZAR5.10 total annually to ZAR12.00. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8.9% a year over that time. We have seen cuts in the past, so while the growth looks promising we would be a little bit cautious about its track record. The Dividend's Growth Prospects Are Limited Growing earnings per share could be a mitigating factor when considering the past fluctuations in the dividend. However, African Rainbow Minerals has only grown its earnings per share at 3.1% per annum over the past five years. African Rainbow Minerals' earnings per share has barely grown, which is not ideal - perhaps this is why the company pays out the majority of its earnings to shareholders. That's fine as far as it goes, but we're less enthusiastic as this often signals that the dividend is likely to grow slower in the future. In Summary Overall, while it's not great to see that the dividend has been cut, we think the company is now in a good position to make consistent payments going into the future. While the payout ratios are a good sign, we are less enthusiastic about the company's dividend record. The payment isn't stellar, but it could make a decent addition to a dividend portfolio. It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. As an example, we've identified 3 warning signs for African Rainbow Minerals that you should be aware of before investing. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of strong dividend payers. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, mocked Vladimir Putin on the first day of the Russian pseudo-democratic presidential elections that are expected to grant him six more years in power. Michel congratulated Putin on his landslide victory ahead of the results in the elections that will run for the next three days. Would like to congratulate Vladimir Putin on his landslide victory in the elections starting today, Michel wrote on X on March 15. No opposition. No freedom. No choice. Putin is up against three other contenders who all stand no realistic chance of winning. Any credible political rivals such as Boris Nadezhdin have been prevented from standing or, in the case of Alexei Navalny, imprisoned before dying while in detention. Russia held a rigged vote in 2020 to approve constitutional amendments allowing Putin to run for two more presidential terms after his current one expires in 2024. The vote effectively made Putin, who has been in power since 1999, a dictator for life. Freedom House, a nonprofit advocating for international democracy, gave Russia a 0 out of 4 score in its 2023 report card on political freedoms in the country. Russia has never experienced a democratic transfer of power between rival groups, said Freedom House. Although unlikely enough to derail his chances of election, the ongoing raids by multiple pro-Ukrainian military units from Ukrainian territory into Russian border regions, have caused a headache for the Kremlin as voting gets underway. In response to the raids, Putin and his defense chiefs may have to choose between paying a cost in resources or in reputation, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed in its daily report on March 14. Read also: Navalnys death preceded by long list of Putin critics murders Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. France and Britain have been trying to stop the flow of migrants across the Channel (Sameer Al-DOUMY) The family of an Ethiopian man who was among 27 migrants who drowned in 2021 when their boat capsized in the Channel filed a complaint Friday suing the French state in the first such case over the disaster, two groups said. Utopia 56, a group defending the rights of migrants, and the French Human Rights League (LDH) were among the plaintiffs. They said it was the first such complaint against the authorities over the November 24, 2021, disaster, the worst accident in the sea strait since it became a key route for migrants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia attempting to reach England from France. The wife and two children of Fikeru Shiferaw, an Ethiopian who hoped to seek asylum in the United Kingdom, filed the request for damages with a court in the northern city of Lille, they said in a statement. LDH president Patrick Baudouin said they were taking part to remind people "that these tragedies have a universal reach that we could remedy by ending deadly policies of non-assistance at sea". Nikolai Posner, of Utopia 56, said they hoped the families of other victims would join the lawsuit. A pregnant woman and three children were among the 27 people killed when the inflatable boat they were travelling on started to take in water and capsized. Two people survived and four remain missing. French authorities have been accused of failing to respond to around 15 calls for help, and prosecutors last year charged seven military personnel for failing to assist persons in danger. Le Monde newspaper on Friday said the French inquiry showed that a French military boat patrolling the waters was not monitoring Channel 16, the international distress frequency, on which the British rescue centre had issued "Mayday" calls to help the boat. Its crew also ignored three distress signals that did make it through via their radio, with one officer saying after the coordinates of the sinking boat were shared that it was on "the English" side, it said. Passengers, a large part of whom were Iraqi Kurds, contacted France's Channel rescue centre at 1:48 am on November 24 to say their vessel was deflating and its engine had stopped, Le Monde reported last year. They sent their locations via WhatsApp around 15 minutes later. According to one transcript of a telephone conversation seen by AFP, a migrant told the French coastguard on the phone: "Please help... I'm in the water!" "Yes -- but you are in English waters," the coastguard replied. bj-est/ah/sjw/js Former Vice President Mike Pence said he could not in good conscience endorse Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election. During an interview on Fox News on Friday, host Martha MacCallum asked Pence if he planned to endorse Donald Trump after he was declared the presumptive nominee earlier this week. I appreciate the question, and it should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year, he said. Pence explained that while he remains proud of their administrations conservative record, Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. During my presidential campaign, I made it clear that there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issuesand not just our difference on my constitutional duties that I exercised on January the 6th, he said. Trump has turned his back on specific GOP principals, Pence said, and he just cant get behind it. Mike Pence on Fox News: "It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year." pic.twitter.com/luOM21uBLv Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 15, 2024 As I have watched his candidacy unfold, I have seen him walking away from our commitment on confronting the national debt, Ive seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life, said Pence, who dropped out of the 2024 Republican primary in October. He also said he was disturbed by Trumps recent reversal on getting tough on China, and voicing resistance to a bill which would ban TikTok if it is not sold by its owner ByteDance, a Chinese company. Last week, Trump expressed resistance to the U.S. Houses TikTok ban in a post on Truth Social. Meanwhile, on Thursday, a former Trump ally expressed his interest in organizing a group to buy the app from its owner ByteDance. Pences refusal to endorse Trump comes soon after Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell announced he would support the former president despite their sometimes hostile relationship. It is abundantly clear that former President Trump has earned the requisite support of Republican voters to be our nominee for President of the United States, he said in a statement last week. It should come as no surprise that as nominee, he will have my support. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Former vice president Mike Pence announced that he would not endorse former president and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump in 2024, in an interview with Fox News on Friday. Mr Pences words come after Mr Trump secured enough delegates to become the Republican presidential nominee. Host Martha MacCallum asked Mr Pence whether he would be voting for his former boss. It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year, Mr Pence said after highlighting conservative accomplishments of the Trump administration. But that being said, during my presidential campaign, I made it clear that there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues, and not just our difference on my constitutional duties that I exercised on January 6. Mr Pence, who served as vice president from 2017 until 2021, notably broke with Mr Trump after he refused to overturn the 2020 election results ahead of the January 6 riot. During the insurrection at the US Capitol, Mr Trumps supporters could be heard yelling: Hang Mike Pence. He did not reveal whom he would vote for. Im going to keep my vote to myself. I would never vote for Joe Biden, he said. How I vote when that curtain closes, thatll be for me. Mr Pence, who frequently said Im a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order, added that he would not stage a third-party run for president. Im a Republican, Martha, he said. Mr Pence, who staged his own presidential run but suspended it before the primaries, also criticised Mr Trump for walking away from conservative values, specifically on spending and abortion. I mean, as I have watched his candidacy unfold, I've seen him walking away from our commitment to confronting the national debt, I've seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life, he said. Mr Pence specifically criticised how Mr Trump reversed his position on TikTok - from signing an executive order to ban the app because of its ownership by ByteDance, which is based in China, to opposing a ban. And this last week is his reversal on getting tough on China, and supporting our administration's effort to force a sale of ByteDance TikTok, he said. The House of Representative overwhelmingly voted 352-65 on a piece of legislation that would require ByteDance to sell TikTok or else have it banned in the United States. Only 15 Republicans voted against the legislation, despite the fact Mr Trump opposes it. Mac Deford wasnt always a Democrat. But on Thursday the 35-year-old announced that he is running as one for South Carolinas 1st Congressional District, trying to win over independents, like he used to be, and Republicans. Defords second campaign stop, after a brewery in Charleston, was at Hilton Head Brewing Company March 14. There, he appealed to members of the only South Carolina district that former president Donald Trump didnt win in the Feb. 24 GOP presidential primary. The anti-Trump message was especially relevant considering Trump endorsed incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Isle of Palms, days earlier this month. Donald Trump is not just a candidate, he is a movement, Deford said. And that movement is MAGA extremism. To about 70 people over 15 minutes, he explained his path to Congress was to mobilize Democrats and win over independents and disillusioned Republicans with the Democratic Partys ideals. He touched on being pro-choice, supporting gun control and sticking up for educators, mentioning Beaufort Countys fight against book bans and leveraging his experience as a U.S. Coast Coast Guard member and Citadel graduate. Nancy Mace wont be the only Citadel graduate in this race, he said. To go against the Republican nominee in the general election, the attorney will have to beat out Michael B. Moore in the Democratic Partys June primary. Moore is legendary Beaufortonian Robert Smalls great-great grandson and kicked off his campaign earlier this month in Beaufort. Former General Counsel for the Town of Hilton Head Mac Deford campaigns for South Carolinas 1st Congressional District. Deford had his ties to where he campaigned in Beaufort County, too. He most recently worked as General Counsel for the Town of Hilton Head, meaning he represented the town in legal matters. After the Democratic Partys primary, the next phase would be for Deford to win against the Republican candidate, flipping the the U.S. House seat for South Carolina. Its a feat Joe Cunningham did for the first time in 30 years when he won the 1st District seat in 2018. Mace beat Cunningham in 2020 and was reelected in 2022. Mace is running against Catherine Templeton, who has publicly declared her candidacy, and Dan Hanlon, Maces former chief of staff, who has filed to raise money for the race. They had to cheat, Deford said of the Republicans winning the elections after Cunningham, referencing a ruling by a panel of three federal judges of the Federal District Court in Columbia. They ruled the boundaries of the 1st Congressional District, drawn after the 2020 census, violated the constitutional prohibition on racially based gerrymandering. That ruling was in January 2023 and the case has since been heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in October, which hasnt released a decision yet. The other U.S. Supreme Court decision that is top of mind for Deford is Roe vs Wade. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the case in 2022, reversing its five-decade-old decision that guaranteed a womans right to an abortion. He told the story of Adele Coughlin, who was denied the right to a legal abortion in 1960 and died from a back alley procedure, leaving eight children motherless. One of those children was my mother, he said, promising that if elected, he would introduce legislation to codify the right to an abortion. For Sun City resident Laura Pucko, 74, abortion is an issue that makes a difference while deciding how to vote, although she hasnt always identified as a Democrat. Pucko aligns with the majority of Americans who, at 61%, say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to Pew Research Center. On the other end, 37% say it should be illegal in all or most cases. Her husband, Tim, 79, said he has always considered himself independent, but he will be voting for Deford in the Democratic Partys primary election. Mac Deford campaigned at Hilton Head Brewing Company March 14. Deford used to identify as an independent, like Tim and others in the audience. He said he wasnt all that into politics, but his opinion changed when he entered the military and once he hit his mid-20s. The G.I. Bill allowed me to go to college, he said to The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette as an example of Democratic Party values that swayed him to join. Deford attended The Citadel and the Charleston School of Law. Going into the military, you become more aware of whats going on in the world and how things impact you. He said thats when he discovered its the Democrats that are looking out for people and trying to move this country forward. Primary elections for congressional and state legislative seats are June 11. The general election is Nov. 5. BROWN COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A million-dollar bond has been set for a man who allegedly aimed a firearm at a Brown County deputy, causing the deputy to fire at the suspect. A press release from the Brown County Sheriffs Office reveals that on February 29, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance not in progress at a residence in northern Brown County. Deputies separated a female victim from a male suspect, who went inside a guest house on the property. Suspect charged with Attempted Capital Murder after officer-involved shooting in Brown County The suspect then, according to the press release, exited the guest house with a firearm and began pointing it at a deputy while ignoring commands to put the gun down. When he shouldered the rifle and aimed it directly at the deputy, the press release stated that the deputy shot the suspect, who received immediate life-saving treatment and was transported to the hospital. James Darrell Gilbreath Courtesy of the Brown County Sheriffs Office The suspect, identified as James Darrell Gilbreath, was released from a Metroplex hospital and then booked into the Brown County Jail on March 7. Gilbreath remains held in the Brown County Jail on a charge of attempted capital murder of a Brown County deputy with a million-dollar bond. The Texas Rangers are investigating this incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Creaking Government IT systems could prevent attempts to cut civil service staffing - Andy Rain/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Plans to slash public spending by replacing civil servants with artificial intelligence (AI) are at risk because of creaking government IT systems, the National Audit Office has warned. The public spending watchdog said ageing IT infrastructure would need to be addressed to realise the benefits of AI, adding that a lack of experts could also hold the Government back. Ministers have outlined plans to save billions of pounds for the taxpayer by accelerating the roll-out of AI in areas such as the NHS and policing. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last week unveiled 3.4bn of investment to boost productivity in the NHS, which will include significant funding for AI. Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, has said that the technology is the only way to significantly cut the number of people employed in the civil service. However, the NAO found that AI adoption in the public sector was at an early stage and in many cases, departments lacked plans for introducing it. Of the 89 Government bodies surveyed by the watchdog, just over a third - 37pc - said they were using AI. Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said: To deliver these improved outcomes, Government needs to make sure its overall programme for AI adoption tackles long-standing issues, including data quality and ageing IT, as well as builds in effective governance of the risks. Without prompt action to address barriers to making effective use of AI within public services, Government will not secure the benefits it has identified. AI systems require access to large amounts of data, and may be incompatible with slow and out-of-date public IT systems that are based on obsolete versions of computer software. The NAO said that failures to invest meant a legacy IT infrastructure debt had built up over time, leaving the Government with systems that were risky, inefficient and costly to run. The Governments digital office has said it had plans in place for replacing the riskiest systems by 2025 but accepted that fully addressing the issues will take longer. Story continues Mr Hunt said last week that much of the 3.4bn NHS investment would help modernise NHS IT systems so theyre as good as the best in the world. Ministers have outlined 1.5bn to spend on supercomputers over the coming years. The NAO said the biggest challenge to Government departments exploiting AI was a lack of staff able to use the technology. Around 70pc of departments said difficulties recruiting and retaining skilled staff was a problem. Salaries for AI experts have soared in the last year, often making it difficult for the public sector to compete. 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. North Carolina sheriffs deputies found a missing 16-year-old Charlotte girl during a human trafficking investigation on Wednesday and said a 33-year-old felon forced her into prostitution. In a news release Friday, Rowan County sheriffs investigators didnt name the suspect or say if hes in custody. The sheriffs office said it was conducting an undercover investigation into prostitution in Salisbury when deputies located the girl. The 33-year-old man is a convicted felon who was on parole, a news release said. No further details of the case will be released until a news conference at 2 p.m. Monday at the sheriffs office in downtown Salisbury, officials said. NC ranks as human trafficking hot spot North Carolina consistently ranks in the top 10 to 12 states for human trafficking, and Charlotte is a hub for it in the state, Emily Barnhardt, a clinician with Safe Alliance, told The Charlotte Observer in January. The Charlotte nonprofit helps victims of human trafficking. In January, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation awarded Safe Alliance more than $4 million to help pay for several positions to support anti-trafficking organizations and survivors, the Observer reported. The National Human Trafficking Hotline received 922 contacts from North Carolina in 2021, the Observer reported at the time of the grant announcement. And 318 of those came directly from victims or survivors. GRAND COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) The human remains of missing Utah man Timothy Jordan Boone have been found in Grand County, according to the Grand County Sheriffs Office. Boone went missing over two years ago, around Aug. 4, 2021. On Mar. 10, 2024, the Grand County Sheriffs Office was notified of bones in the Book Cliffs area in northeastern Grand County. RELATED: Tiktoker goes viral after finding missing mans belongings in Utah desert Through the efforts of a recovery team composed of Grand County Sheriffs Office Investigators and Search and Rescue, along with the assistance from Mesa County Sheriffs Search and Rescue K9, human remains were located and retrieved. Those remains were subsequently sent to the Utah State Medical Examiners Office, which have been identified as Timothy Jordan Boone, a press release states. As of this time, the sheriffs office said no foul play is suspected in the disappearance or death of Boone. Boones case received some attention on social media last year after a Tiktoker posted a video of what were confirmed to be his tattered, sun-bleached belongings in a Utah desert. On May 22, 2023, Ryan Moreau, an explorer and Tiktoker who goes by ry_of_the_desert, found some items out in the San Rafael Swell, located just south of I-70 in Sevier County. Among some of the items found were a guitar, a backpack, and a poncho, all of which Boones younger sister Shelby confirmed belonged to Jordan. The item you thought was a blanket was actually a poncho. The jacket, hed bought at a thrift store and my mom mended the hem for him. The fake news patch he loved to tease my dad about his love for fox news. And the guitar.. we thought someone had stolen it as it wasnt in his room or his van, Shelby said in a Facebook post. About a week later, on May 30, Moreau found some more items, which he says were around 300 feet from the original find. Those items included a watch and phone, which Moreau says the detectives missed in their search of the site. Shelby said Jordan had last been seen in Nucla, Co., on Aug. 16, 2021, having chatted with someone at a hardware store called Co-op Country on Main St. Shelby also said that a woman believed she saw Jordan and his dog, a Pitbull mix named Lily, on Main St. in Telluride, Co. Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone Courtesy of Shelby Boone At the time, Shelby said that aside from his wonderful, kind spirit, Jordan struggled with mental health issues. We can only guess how all of this came to be. We may never know for sure. All we can do is take his behavior and consider the symptoms accompanied with psychosis, bipolar disorder, and the beliefs he would cling to in his mania, Shelby said. Jordan reportedly experienced mania for the second time in 2018, and fell into a bout of psychosis during the episode. There is a fairly wide range of symptoms you can experience with psychosis. His include, the belief that an ordinary event has special and personal meaning, racing thoughts, excitement, excessive wordiness, delusions, persecutory delusion, religious delusion, hearing voices, memory loss, hyperactivity, restlessness, Shelby said. Shelby noted that a person with this condition is usually unaware of their behavior. She said that in Jordans case, he believed that if he made it out to California, he would be able to find a path to the other side of the world, where his daughter lives. She said he believed the music he was listening to was telling him where to go find her. Shelby also said she wants the world to know that he is not only his illness. He is a whole person. Someone who is deeply loved. Someone who is a father, a son, and a brother. Within this context, Shelby said that Jordans struggles had gotten him into trouble in the past, and that leading up to his disappearance, she had reported him to his probation officer, referencing his mental state at the time. Death penalty sought for Idaho man who allegedly killed pregnant wife, child Here is a timeline of Jordans disappearance, according to Shelby: Aug. 1, 2021 Took Cooper (his brothers dog) and headed down to the San Rafael Swell. Aug. 3, 2021 Picked up by a couple on an ATV, had Lily (his dog) with him. Checked out by EMTs. He was reportedly severely dehydrated, wearing a wet suit. Aug. 3, 2021 Taken by and officer to the Village Inn hotel in Huntington, Utah. Left the hotel at some point in night or morning. Shelby believes he left after overhearing the officer on the phone with his probation officer. Aug. 4, 2021 Chatted with woman working at BKs Stop-N-Shop. Took a stolen garbage truck 300 yards behind the shop. Seen at Stewarts market in Castle Dale, Utah. Not sure if this was before he went out to the desert or after, Shelby said. Aug. 4, 2021 Ditched garbage truck in Carbon County, Utah, then took a Jeep Renegade. Aug. 4, 2021 Tried to get a cell phone at a Verizon store in Moab, Utah. Had a confrontation with a man there. Not sure what came first, Shelby said. Aug. 4, 2021 Stole water from a structure in Thompson Springs, Utah. Jeep Renegade was found off I-70 at mile marker 221 in Cisco, Utah. Aug. 10, 2021 Lily believed to be seen on a trail alone near the Rimrocker Trail in Montrose County, Colorado. Cant find the name of this man, Shelby said. Aug. 16, 2021 Chatted with someone in Nucla, Colorado at Co-op Country on Main St. Shelby spoke with this person and believed they had contact with Jordan due to some of the conversation mentioned. Sometime in the last week of August, a woman believed she saw Jordan and Lily on Main St. in Telluride, Colorado. They distinctly remember Lilys ears, Shelby said. Before Jordan left, he was excited about a Courtney Marie Andrews concert at Soiled Dove Underground in Denver, Colorado set for Sept. 19, 2021, Shelby said. Cooper, the dog belonging to Jordans brother, was found alive 3 weeks after Jordan caught a ride on the ATV, Shelby said. This was within 30 miles from where Moreau found his belongings. I believe his guitar and other items became too much to carry and he had to leave them. Jordan loves animals and loved Cooper. I dont know what happened or how he got separated from him but I dont think he ever meant to leave him. He was manic and probably severely dehydrated. Who knows what was going on in his mind at that point, Shelby said. If you have any information about Jordans death or disappearance, please reach out to the Grand County Sheriffs Office at 435-259-8115. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A Lansing surgeon is joining the legion of other medical professionals heading to Gaza to treat the thousands of people left hurt by months of brutal fighting. Dr. Hisham Qandeel ended his day Thursday in scrubs and a black fleece. While his daily appointments have kept him busy, part of his mind is on the devastating images coming from the conflict. As a physician, I felt that responsibility to pursue channels to see how we can help to release them from their suffering, said the medical director of cardiothoracic surgery in Sparrow Hospital. Dr. Qandeel is heading to Gaza to provide medical care in the war zone. (WLNS) Dozens of medical organizations are mobilized to the region to lead support. Dr. Qandeel has been on the waiting list to be a part of that group since December With bags packed for his flight this weekend, his sights are set on using his surgical skills to make a difference. With no hesitation. Do I have a fear? to be honest, I dont. The surgeon said the urge to help has outweighed the fear. I think the motive to be there, to participate, is an honor and a privilege rather than fear. And then, we as believers in god, if we died for such a noble cause, that is a huge privilege and we should not be afraid to putting forward in such a noble cause, he said. Getting this far his trip was not an easy feat. Dr. Qandeel had to get his citizenship and passport as a requirement for one of the aid missions. Earlier this week, he did all of that in a day. Hours after taking the oath to become an American citizen, Dr. Qandeel raced to Detroit for an expedited passport appointment. The struggles have been made easier thanks to the help of colleagues at the hospital. Three large boxes of medical supplies fill his office stuffed by the donations of fellow Sparrow doctors. Everyone who knew that I was going there, they stopped me outside asking what can we do to help? said Dr. Qandeel. As catastrophic the situation is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That people can come together to say no for injustice and can organize to make an impact to save lives. With the holy month of Ramadan in the backdrop, he said a passage in the Quran helps guide him. that highlights the importance of saving lives and that every soul is sacred so everyone should do what it takes to save this lives and most importantly stop killing these innocent people I mention that is said in the Quran anyone who saves one innocent life is considered as saving humanity. And also, anyone who kills one innocent life is if they killed the entire humanity. That highlights the importance of saving lives and how every soul is sacred. So, everyone should do what it takes to save these lives and most importantly stop killing these innocent people. Dr. Qandeel hopes the fighting comes to a ceasefire and that aid routes open up to allow desperately needed help. In the meantime, hes prepared for the final hoops. Dr. Qandeel says aid missions in Gaza not only face the challenges of operating in a warzone, but they must get approval from the World Health Organization and the Israeli government. So he says, he might not get the final green light for his mission until he sets foot in Gaza. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. A Mississippi Coast pet groomer charged last month with animal cruelty was arrested again Thursday for violating terms of probation set after she was sentenced for a burglary in 2017, the Jackson County Sheriffs office said. The Mississippi Department of Corrections arrested Nichole Ann Anderson, 36, according to Jackson County inmate records. Anderson owns Sandis Pet Grooming Too in Gautier. Police arrested her in February on five animal cruelty charges after two dogs died in her care and three other animals were injured, Gautier Police Chief David Bever said last month. Anderson was on probation for a July 2016 burglary when she was arrested on those charges, Jackson County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Marcia Hill said. Anderson was indicted in 2017 and later sentenced to 10 years for seven counts of commercial burglary, Hill said. Anderson and a man from Biloxi broke in at Love My Pets, a dog grooming shop in Ocean Springs, on July 23, 2016, police told the Sun Herald that year. Surveillance video showed the pair stole an unspecified amount of cash, police said. Andersons latest arrest came after a dog in her care died after being mauled by another dog, Bever said. Another dog was hit by a car while in her care, and two other dogs and one cat were injured while being groomed, Bever said. Police did not provide further details last month on how those injuries occurred. Police also charged Anderson with two counts of false pretense because she had been boarding animals without a permit, Bever said. Police, animal control and Gautier city officials first responded Feb. 1 to Andersons U.S. 90 location and announced the next day they would close the business over city code violations. In a Facebook post before her Feb. 16 arrest, Anderson said she had been investigated for animal cruelty but released from police custody without charges. The reason for this attack on my business, she wrote, was a personal attack against me, from someone with a personal vendetta against me, not business related at all. Her bond was set on Feb. 20 at $5,000 for each of the five animal cruelty charges, Hill said. Anderson had since been released on bond, Hill said. Jackson County inmate records listed Anderson as not bondable on Friday. The Mississippi Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a message left Friday. A former Mississippi police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal misdemeanor charge after he filmed himself forcing a man in custody to drink his own urine. Michael Christian Green, 26, was serving as a patrolman with the Pearl Police Department in December at the time of the offense. According to court documents first reported by The Daily Beast, Green ordered an arrestee to lick urine off the floor after the man had urinated in his holding cell. Mississippi Cop Charged After Forcing Inmate to Drink His Own Urine Prosecutors said the man in custodyidentified as B.E. in court papershad been arrested on Dec. 23 following a disturbance call at a local Sams Club. While waiting to be processed at the Pearl Police Department, B.E. tried to tell Green he needed to use the bathroom before urinating at the back of his cell. Later, when Green was informed that someone had urinated in the cell, Green allegedly told B.E.: You see this phone? I will beat your fucking ass with it. Youre fixin to go in there and youre gonna lick that piss up. Do you understand me? The officer allegedly repeated the order to suck it up and filmed as B.E. got on the ground and licked his urine. Green also allegedly told B.E. to not spit it out as the detained man repeatedly gagged throughout the ordeal. Pearl officials said the city opened an internal investigation when the incident was discovered, and Green was relieved of his duties by Dec. 27, according to WJTV. On Thursday, Green pleaded guilty to a count of deprivation of civil rights under color of law. He now faces a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison at his sentencing scheduled for June. 12. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. As of Thursday afternoon, only a fraction of the more than 3,000 bills filed by lawmakers this year have made it through the Mississippi Legislature's third deadline, with issues such as election reform, ballot initiatives, education studies and water utilities having made it through the cut. Below are a few notable bills that either survived or died in the Legislature this week. Ballot initiatives House Concurrent Resolution 11, Senate Bill 2770 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 527 would revive an initiative process, allowing people to petition to put many issues on the statewide ballot. The House passed it's version earlier this year, and the Senate voted 26-21 on Thursday to pass a similar bill, with a few noticeable differences. The Senate's bill, sponsored by Sen. David Parker, R-Olive Branch, would not allow for lawmakers to offer an alternative to any ballot initiative as the House's version does, but it also increases the threshold for ballot initiative to pass to 67% of voters, and it requires a fiscal analysis and for petitioners to verify their state residency with the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office. Both pieces of legislation also take the constitutional amendments, abortion reform and changes to the Public Employment Retirement System of Mississippi off the table. Mississippi State Finance Committee Chairman Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, looks into the Senate Chamber gallery and applauds Bill Cork, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, for his agency's spearheading Project Atlas, an economic development plan for a tech company that intends to spend $10 billion to build two data processing centers in the central part of the state, at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. By Thursday, only a fraction of the bills filed with the Mississippi Legislature passed through their chamber of origin and will move on for further consideration. Election reforms Sen, Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, seemed to take advantage of the fact it was an election week by bringing out a bill seeking to allow for early voting. Senate Bill 2580 passed the Senate earlier this week 44-8, with only Republican senators voting against the measure. The bill seeks to allow for early voting at precincts 15 days before an election and eliminate in-person absentee voting. Mail-in ballots would still be allowed under the new law. The House passed House Bill 1156, which would keep voting precincts from changing locations or closing 60 days before an election. Though, precinct locations could still change because of weather events or an approved reason. The House has also passed House Bill 1609, which seeks to give back voting rights to people who have previously been convicted of non-violent felonies. Retirement system Early in the session, Republican leadership in the House and Senate, including House Speaker Jason White, R-West and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, said reforming the state's public retirement system was of paramount concern. As of Thursday, House Bill 1590 had passed through the House and committed to the Senate Government Structure Committee, which may or may not amend certain provisions of the bill or not even consider it. The bill would repossess the PERS board with the state treasurer, four appointees of the governor and three from the lieutenant governor and one retiree receiving benefits who is elected by a body of beneficiaries. There would be one additional member who has worked for the last 10 years. The bill also seeks to eliminate the 2% employer contribution increase, which several municipal leaders told the Clarion Ledger earlier this year would drain their local general funds. PERS Director Ray Higgins said that increase was necessary to keep the state retirement system alive. Education One notable bill that did not make it through Thursday's deadline was House Bill 1449, which would have established a committee to study the viability of a private school voucher program in Mississippi. House Education Chair and bill sponsor Rob Roberson, R-Starkville, told the Clarion Ledger he never intended for the bill to pass out of the two committees it was sent to before heading to the floor, but it did due to a communication breakdown between himself and Appropriations Chair John Read, R-Gautier, who passed the bill through his committee. Roberson later said he would let that bill die on the House's bill calendar. Over in the Senate, the chamber killed Senate Bill 2715, which sought to merge the Mississippi University for Women with Mississippi State University. That bill came about over several concerns that MUW would not be viable in years to come. However, Senate Bill 2725 passed Tuesday afternoon. That bill, if passed by the House, would create a study commission to look over the state's eight public universities and look for weaknesses and strengths, said bill sponsor Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford. The House and Senate have also both passed K-12 education funding bills, which could cause serious debate among lawmakers as each chamber considers the others' approach to funding public schools. Medicaid On Thursday, Senate Medicaid Committee Chair Kevin Blackwell killed Senate Bill 2735, which would have provided the Senate's own version of Medicaid expansion. Blackwell previously said he disapproved of House Bill 1725, which would establish Medicaid expansion under a work requirement, but if the federal government doesn't approve of that provision, it would expand anyway. Without the Senate's own version, Blackwell can either amend or replace the House's bill with new language to account for the more "conservative version" he wants, or let it die without discussion. Blackwell did not immediately respond to calls or messages made Friday morning asking to clarify why he killed his own bill. However, Gov. Tate Reeves, R, did publicly endorse Blackwell's decision on X, formerly known as Twitter. Reeves has been a prolific opponent of the Legislature's move to expand Medicaid. "The Senate Medicaid bill died on calendar yesterday without a vote," Reeves said. "I am grateful to those Republican Senators who stood up and stood strong and committed to voting No. I also appreciate Senate leadership for not rushing headfirst into expansion. Recognizing the need for a true work requirement is a good first step. There is real debate and a lot of disagreement about how to move forward. That is how our system is supposed to work." Now that the deadline has passed, House and Senate committees will begin meeting to further discuss general bills and constitutional amendments now sent into the other chamber. Lawmakers will have until April 2 to pass those on the floor. Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi Legislature moves on bills to reform education, ballot initiatives A new Mississippi law will allow earlier Medicaid coverage for pregnant women in an effort to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies in a poor state with the worst rate of infant mortality in the U.S. The presumptive eligibility legislation signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves will become law July 1. It says Medicaid will pay for a pregnant womans outpatient medical care for up to 60 days while her application for the government-funded insurance program is being considered. Processing Medicaid applications can take weeks, and physicians say early prenatal care is vital. The advocacy group Mississippi Black Womens Roundtable praised the new law, which passed the Republican-controlled Legislature with bipartisan support. This represents a significant step forward in the effort to create better health for women and their families, the group said in a statement. Black infants in Mississippi were nearly twice as likely as white ones to die over the past decade, according to a report unveiled Jan. 18 by the state Department of Health. Presumptive Medicaid eligibility during pregnancy would be based on questions about income, asked by health care providers such county health department workers. If a womans Medicaid application is ultimately rejected because her income is too high, Medicaid would still pay for services provided during the time of presumptive eligibility. House Medicaid Committee Chairwoman Missy McGee, a Republican from Hattiesburg, said the total cost to the Medicaid program will be just under $600,000 a year. About 41% of births in the U.S. and 57% in Mississippi were financed by Medicaid in 2022, according to the health policy research group KFF. Only Louisiana had a larger share of births covered by Medicaid that year, at 61%. In Mississippi, Medicaid coverage for pregnant women 19 and older is based on income. A woman in that age category who has no dependents can receive up to about $29,000 and qualify for Medicaid during pregnancy. One with three dependents can get as much as $59,700 and qualify. Mississippi Medicaid coverage is available to all income levels for those who are pregnant and younger than 19. In 2023, Mississippi extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to a full year, with Reeves saying the change was part of a new pro-life agenda to help mothers in a state where abortion is tightly restricted. But, Mississippi is among 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility to include people earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $20,120 annually for a single person. Expansion is allowed under the federal health overhaul that then-President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010. The Mississippi House recently voted for Medicaid expansion. The state Senate has not voted on an expansion proposal this year, and Reeves has said for years that he opposes adding people to government programs. ST. LOUIS One bill making rounds in the Missouri Senate would legalize a psychedelic drug for veterans and adults who are at least 21 years old. Missouri State Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R-Cape Girardeau) introduced SB 768 earlier this year in an effort to legalize psilocybin, a drug known to some as magic mushrooms. The bill would lift penalties for various subsets of people who use, produce, possess, transfer, or administer psilocybin. More specifically, it would become legal for Missouri veterans, most adults, and people who suffer from various medical conditions. Missing Mizzou student Riley Strains bank card found near river in Tennessee Thompson Rehder tells the Riverfront Times that the legislation aims to help veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. A 2022 John Hopkins study found that psilocybin-assisted treatment could help in dealing with symptoms of major depressive disorder, which the National Institute of Health reports can often occur concurrently with PTSD. According to the bills language, if approved, the Missouri Department of Mental Health would provide around $3 million in grants for research on the use and efficacy of psilocybin for the treatment of conditions listed in the act, with such appropriation being made from the Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Fund. The bill would also require the department to coordinate with a Missouri university or hospital to conduct a study on psilocybin and its effects on post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and substance use disorders. This legislation comes on top of a similar bill circulating in the Missouri House. State Rep. Aaron McMullen (R-Independence), also a veteran, introduced HB 1830 this session and has been pushing for legislation to study psilocybin for several years. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Politics McMullens bill doesnt specifically use the term veterans, but pushes to legalize the drug for anyone suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, or a substance use disorder or requires end-of-life care. The Riverfront Times further reports that another lawmaker, Missouri State Rep. Tony Lovasco (R-OFallon), sponsored a bill to legalize psilocybin in a therapeutic setting last year, though various lawmakers blocked it and werent supportive of the concept of magic mushrooms. Thompson Rehders bill cleared a Senate committee in late February, while McMullens bill cleared a House committee earlier in March. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The search for missing student Riley Strain took a tragic turn on Friday 22 March when his body was recovered from the Cumberland River in Nashville. The 22-year-old student was visiting Nashville with friends for his fraternity's spring formal trip. On the night of 8 March, he was kicked out of country singer Luke Bryan's 32BRIDGEbar and became separated from his friends. He was never seen or heard from again. For the next two weeks, multiple law enforcement agencies, air and dive teams, and the University of Missouri seniors family desperately searched for answers as to his whereabouts. Then, the search ended with tragedy with the discovery of Strains body. Heres a timeline of the case: Timeline of Riley Strains disappearance and death (The Independent) 8 March evening Strain, a native of Springfield, Missouri, and his friends go out in Nashville. After going to a couple of bars, they visit 32BRIDGE, a bar owned by country music star Luke Bryan. 8 March 9.30pm Strain is escorted out of 32BRIDGE. His friends remain at the bar. The bar later says he was removed based on our conduct standards, and that he had only been served a single alcoholic drink and two waters by staff there. 8 March 9.47pm Security footage from the downtown area shows Strain walking in the opposite direction to his hotel. In the footage, he appears to be stumbling and holding his head. At some point, Mr Strain is also spotted by a Metro Nashville Police released on 18 March, who he has a brief interaction with. The officer greets Mr Strain and asks him how he is doing. Mr Strain says he is fine and continues walking. 8 March 9.52pm Another security camera captures Strain walking near Gay Street. It is the last video footage to capture Strain. 8 March 9.53pm Life360, a location-sharing app installed on Strains cellphone, tracks him to a few blocks north of Gay Street and James Robertson Parkway. His route continues to take him further away from his hotel. 8 March 10pm-10.30pm Strain's phone pings near Public Square Park, which is located near the Cumberland River. This is the last signal sent from his phone. 9 March Strain's friends learn he did not make it back to his hotel and begin searching for him. At 1.46pm, they report him missing. 10 March 11 March Police launch search for Strain, first checking local hospitals and jails to see if he was picked up by police or had been injured and transported to a facility for medical treatment. Their searches fail to turn up any information on Strain's whereabouts. 12 March Police begin to search the Cumberland River for any sign of the missing student, due to the discovery of footage placing him close to the river. A Metropolitan Nashville Police Department helicopter, a drone, and boats with sonar devices are used to search the waters and the banks of the river for him. 13 March The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission announces it is investigating whether or not Strain had been served alcohol while visibly intoxicated at 32BRIDGE. A vigil is held for Strain in Springfield, Missouri. 14 March At a press conference, police reveal that homeless residents at two encampments near the Cumberland River saw Strain on the night he disappeared. The witnesses were unsure as to where he went after they spotted him, police say. Police also state that there is no indication of any kind of foul play or criminal activity tied to Strain's disappearance. 17 March A pair of TikTokers searching for Strain find his bank card among brush and garbage on the bank of the Cumberland River. Police determine that no purchases have been made on the card since Strain was last seen. A body is discovered floating in the Cumberland River. However, police determine it does not match Strains description. 18 March Nashville police releases body camera footage showing an interaction between Strain and a police officer on the night of his disappearance. 19 March Strains family friend, Chris Dingman, tells NewsNation that the final text sent from his phone before his disappearance was to a woman hed been speaking with. She asked him how he was doing and if he was having fun, to which he reportedly replied Good lops. Its unclear what the text meant. Strains family also holds a press conference announcing that the United Cajun Navy will be coordinating the volunteer search effort. Dave Flagg, who runs the disaster relief organisation, says it is bringing a hoverboat and more volunteers to assist in the ground search. 20 March Police focus their search for Strain at the Cheatham Lock and Dam near Ashland City. The dams operations are temporarily suspended to allow law enforcement to search the area where the dam empties into Cheatham Lake. 21 March Police obtain new surveillance footage from the James Robertson Parkway bridge, which spans the Cumberland River. The footage reportedly shows Strain approaching the bridge. Police do not release the footage to the public, but the family is shown it. 22 March At around 7.30am, workers on the Cumberland River discover a body while removing an object from the water. Police then determine the body is Strain. An autopsy is scheduled for later in the day. Police say that there is no evidence of foul play. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A local man is behind bars after being found in a reported stolen vehicle with drugs, according to the Mobile Police Department. West Mobile shooting leads to 16-year-olds arrest: MPD An MPD news release said officers were called to the 7100 block of San Marino Drive for a report of a disorderly complaint just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday. When they arrived, officers approached a man; however, the man got into a car and drove into a nearby driveway, according to the release. Officers allegedly saw the man, later identified as 36-year-old Paul Edward Hollingsworth, get out of the vehicle and toss a bag. When officers looked deeper, they reportedly found that the bag contained drugs. They also found that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Ocean Springs, Miss., according to the release. Hollingsworth was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. reached a $490 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of investors who accused Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook of misleading them in 2018 about the companys sales prospects. Most Read from Bloomberg Cook made false statements about the companys business in China that caused Apple stock to trade at artificially inflated prices, the investors said in their complaint, which alleged violation of securities laws. Lawyers disclosed the proposed settlement in a request for judicial approval filed Friday in federal court in Oakland, California. The settlement comes as Apple continues to face headwinds in China, where iPhone sales fell by a surprising 24% over the first six weeks of this year, according to independent research released earlier this month. Attorneys for the investors described the settlement as the third-largest securities class-action recovery in the districts history. Apple denied any violation of law, but said in the filing it agreed to the settlement in recognition that further litigation will be protracted, overly burdensome, expensive, and distracting. Apple shares were down 1.1% on Friday amid a broader pullback in the stock market. The case is Apple Inc. Securities Litigation, 19-cv-2033, US District Court, Northern District of California (Oakland). (Adds additional detail from filing in fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Modestos second effort to increase turnout in the mayoral election did not draw huge numbers of voters, with less than a third of the electorate expected to have cast ballots in the March 5 presidential primary. That is disappointing for the winner. Unfortunately in this case, more people didnt vote, Mayor Sue Zwahlen said. Thats not a good thing for our society. A political scientist said the city can increase turnout by making two changes: Hold the mayoral election in November when turnout is at its highest and use ranked choice voting to avoid a low-turnout runoff election. While it wont happen in this election because of Zwahlens insurmountable lead of 81.7% of the vote with nearly all of the ballots tallied, the mayors race often is decided in a runoff between the top two finishers because no one received a majority of the vote. Five of the six previous mayoral elections were decided in runoffs. The website Ballotpedia reports there are several ways to conduct ranked choice voting but the most common method works like this: Voters rank their choices from first to last among the candidates. So if there are four candidates, voters would select their first, second, third and fourth choices. If one candidate receives a majority of the vote, then the election is over and that candidate wins. If that is not the case, then the candidate who finished last is eliminated and his second-choice votes are added to the totals of the first three candidates. Ballotpedia elaborates: All first-preference votes for the failed candidate are eliminated, and second-preference choices on these ballots are then counted as first-preference. The process repeats until one candidate has a majority. This method also is called an instant runoff and does away with holding a runoff election among the top two finishers at a later date if no candidate receives a majority of the vote. I love ranked choice voting, said Steve Routh, a political scientist at California State University, Stanislaus. Its one election on Election Day .... and its the cheaper way to go. A runoff election is expensive. Routh also advocates ranked choice voting for the City Council. There is no runoff for council even if the winning candidate does not receive a majority of the vote. That was the case in three council races in the November 2020 election. Takes public education campaign Advocates say ranked choice ensures the strongest candidates are elected, gives voters more choices and promotes civility among candidates because they have an incentive to reach more voters. Opponents say ranked choice voting can be confusing, works best for well-informed voters and can undermine voter confidence in elections during a time of heightened mistrust among some voters. Routh said it would take a public education campaign to help voters get the hang of ranked choice voting. Its not a fascist or communist system of elections, but it is something new, he said. Ballotpedia reports that Alaska and Maine use ranked choice voting in federal and statewide elections, and Hawaii uses it in some statewide elections. And cities in 14 states use or are scheduled to start using ranked choice voting, according to Ballotpedia. But Florida, Montana, South Dakota, Idaho and Tennessee have banned ranked choice voting, according to Ballotpedia. Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019 vetoed a bill that would allow what are called general law cities to switch to ranked choice voting, stating he had concerns that it often had led to voter confusion and California would benefit from learning more from charter cities that use ranked choice voting, according to his veto message. Cities that have adopted their own charters have more latitude in their governance (including how they conduct their elections) than general law cities, which must follow state law. Modesto is among Californias charter cities, and the charter cities with ranked choice voting include San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, San Leandro, Redondo Beach and Eureka. Steve Chessin, president of Californians for Electoral Reform, said ranked choice voting has been very successful. The only people who dont like it are the people who lose elections because they dont campaign effectively under it. The nonpartisan CfER has been working for ranked choice voting for more than two decades. Voter turnout in Modestos March 5 mayoral election could reach about 30%, based on the Stanislaus County Election Offices latest results and the number of ballots remaining to be counted. Thats in line with countywide and statewide turnout. Modesto moved its council and mayoral elections from odd to even years to comply with a state law aimed at increasing turnout. The change required voters approving amending the city charter. The first even-year election was November 2020 and turnout for the mayors race was 77.1% Thats about three times higher than the turnout in the last odd-year mayors election in November 2015. Election officer Robert Muse handles ballots at a drive-up ballot drop station outside the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, Calif., Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Moving election didnt help turnout Zwahlen finished first among eight candidates in November 2020 with 23.8% of the vote. She beat former Councilman Doug Ridenour in the February 2021 runoff, in which turnout plummeted to 29.4%. The City Councils fix was to move the mayoral election to the primary and the runoff to the November election. But the turnout for March 5 is on track to be similar to the turnout for the February 2021 runoff. Routh said primaries and runoffs are characterized by low turnout. The March 5 primary did not generate excitement among voters in part because there was little doubt about the presidential nominees. But even in the 2020 presidential primary, which featured competitive races, turnout was about 44% in Stanislaus County. Zwahlen brought up ranked choice voting during a December 2021 council workshop regarding several changes to the city charter including moving the mayors election to the primary and the runoff to November that later were approved by voters. She said she had researched the voting method and was intrigued by it. But she pulled her proposal once it became apparent it would take several workshops for the council to fully understand the pros and cons. Zwahlen said she remains interested in ranked choice voting and wants to do more research. She likes that it eliminates a runoff, making it less expensive for candidates to run for mayor. She said lower cost can draw more candidates into the race. But she said its too soon to give up on electing the mayor in the primary after just one election. I still think its a good decision, she said. Moldovas Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi considers the country's accession to the EU by 2030 to be a realistic goal. Source: Mihai Popsoi in an interview with European Pravda Details: Popsoi says this is an ambitious goal, but it is realistic, "in the light of where we are today, achievements that we garnered in the reform process." "Also objectively speaking Moldova is small. Also, we have challenges with capacity. But I think its realistic. We think its realistic and we will certainly work very hard to make that happen," the minister said. He also admitted that Moldova will not be able to compete with those who have completed negotiations in a year or two. "But several years should be a realistic time frame to finish negotiations and to join by 2030," Popshoy said. Earlier this week, the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Moldova met in Kyiv to coordinate further actions to facilitate the early approval of the negotiation framework and the start of the actual accession negotiations between the two countries. Background: On 12 March, the European Commission officially presented the Council of the European Union with proposals for the draft negotiation framework for Ukraine and Moldova. Now, the EU Council must start an internal discussion of the projects and approve them. The Council Presidency will then present the agreed-upon common EU position at the first intergovernmental conference with each country, marking the formal start of accession negotiations. Media reports that approval of the negotiation framework could be delayed for several months and could happen after the European Parliament elections in June. Support UP or become our patron! An Indiana mother said she was tired of her daughter coming home from school every day in tears, according to police. Now shes accused of assaulting two of her daughters classmates over bullying. McClatchy News is not naming the woman to protect the identity of her daughter. On February 27, the mother of a sixth grade student at Test Intermediate School in Richmond, Indiana, walked onto campus and began threatening a group of kids, according to a probable cause affidavit. Two school employees said they witnessed the woman put one 12-year-old student in a headlock, warning them to leave her daughter alone, according to police. An 11-year-old student told police the woman grabbed her by the back of the neck like a puppy, according to court records. The Richmond mother threatened other students standing in the vicinity, saying Ill knock all of you the (expletive) out, and I will beat all of your (expletive), the affidavit said. When confronted about pushing a staff member during the altercation, the mother replied: she got in my (expletive) face and that was disrespectful, according to the affidavit. She denied touching any students, police said. The mother was arrested March 8 and is charged with battery, battery resulting in injury on a victim under 14 and battery on a person under 14 years old, according to court records. She bonded out of jail March 12 and is due back in court March 20. McClatchy News was unable to locate attorney information for the woman. School officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on March 15. Richmond is about a 70-mile drive east from Indianapolis. Mom runs over child she accused of bullying, Arizona cops say. I am going to kill you Assistant principal disregarded reports of gym teacher abusing girls, Florida cops say Adult instigates fight between students at bus stop, then joins in, Florida police say FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Monster Jam is returning to the Save Mart Center on Friday. Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but also the ability to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills, and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world, according to the Save Mart Center. Monster Jam will be at the Save Mart Center in Fresno from March 15 through March 17. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Save Mart Centers website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Most of the Held v. Montana plaintiffs and their attorneys pose outside the courtroom for photos halfway through the trial. Most of the Held v. Montana plaintiffs and their attorneys pose outside the courtroom for photos halfway through the trial. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) Delegates to Montanas 1972 Constitutional Convention wanted to improve the states environment and said they had crafted provisions of the document so courts could enforce Montanans rights to a clean and healthful environment for current and future generations, attorneys wrote to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Those attorneys represent the 16 youth plaintiffs plaintiffs in the Held v. Montana case, and they filed their answer brief with the court that is a rebuttal to the states appeal of last years lower court decision. Central to the states appeal, filed mid-February, is the contention that District Court Judge Kathy Seeleys order declaring the limitation to the Montana Environmental Policy Act and another portion of environmental review statute unconstitutional did not address the injuries suffered by the youth plaintiffs. The state argued that is the case because Montanas greenhouse gas emissions are a small fraction of the global contributions to climate change and could not solely be responsible for violating their constitutional rights. In the plaintiffs answer, they reiterate that the case, and Seeleys order, involve the portion of the Montana Constitution that is directly tied to Montanas environment and preserving and improving it for current and future generations. As the trial record and District Courts Order make clear, this case is about harm to Montanas environment, natural resources and climate (and consequently its children) caused by [greenhouse gas] pollution and climate change, the plaintiffs attorneys wrote in their brief. The States argument that the Framers were not concerned with global issues mischaracterizes the distinctly local environmental degradation and injuries at the center of this case. The brief cites points made by several constitutional convention delegates during their discussions of the environmental protection and health portions of the constitution to show the delegates both intended the courts to decide how to interpret those provisions apply and that they were focused on Montana. The brief quotes Mae Nan Ellingson then Robinson as saying during the convention that the Supreme Court would be able to tell Montanans what clean and healthful means and that those adjectives were specifically used to enable the Supreme Court to interpret what kind of environment we want. Mae Nan Ellingson, an original Constitutional Convention delegate from 1972, sits after testifying as a witness at the Held v. Montana trial on Monday, June 12, 2023. Mae Nan Ellingson, an original Constitutional Convention delegate from 1972, sits after testifying as a witness at the Held v. Montana trial on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller) Without these qualifying adjectives, the court is going to have a very hard time, she is quoted as saying. Ellingson was one of the witnesses for the plaintiffs at the trial and spoke to the intent of the framers in crafting that portion of the constitution. The brief quotes delegate Cedor Aronow as saying the environmental provisions of the constitution would be meaningless unless you have an independent Judiciary thats willing and able to enforce those rights guaranteed to you. Ellingson back in 1972 had blamed environmental issues in the U.S. on the failure of state legislatures to take corrective action, and the plaintiffs brief shows that delegates felt Montanas environment needed to be improved at the time. As Delegate (C.B.) McNeil stated, our intention was to permit no degradation from the present environment of Montana and affirmatively require enhancement of what we have now, the brief says. The state argues two main points in its brief. First, that invalidating the MEPA limitation, which prohibited the state from analyzing greenhouse gas emissions or climate impacts when considering permits for energy and mining projects, would not fix the plaintiffs injuries because climate change is a global problem. And second, the state asked the Supreme Court to clarify that Seeleys order did not require the state to perform those analyses but rather merely said the state was capable of doing so and should do so because every bit of greenhouse gas emitted in Montana contributes to climate change and the plaintiffs injuries. Seeleys order also struck down a portion of law that said that a challenge to the adequacy of a state agencys environmental review on the basis of climate impacts could not delay or void any permit unless Congress starts to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant. That portion of law and the version of the MEPA limitation that was struck down were both amended by the Republican supermajority legislature last year in the weeks ahead of the trial. But the plaintiffs argue that purposefully avoiding analyzing environmental and climatological impacts of Montanas energy production system was the opposite of the constitutional framers intents, and that the state has still shown no compelling state interest in not looking at greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts. They wrote that the MEPA limitation clearly implicates the right to a clean and healthful environment because the state knows greenhouse gases are degrading and depleting the states natural resources and environment, and that the other portion of law that was struck down was a way for the state to ensure it made no changes in authorizing fossil fuel-burning projects. Such a law plainly contravenes the States constitutional obligation to provide Montanans with remedies adequate to prevent unreasonable degradation of their natural resources, and directly implicates plaintiffs constitutional rights, the attorneys said. The attorneys say that if the Supreme Court sides with the state and agrees the plaintiffs injuries cannot be addressed by striking down the two portions of law, that it would immunize all of MEPA from judicial review and contradict the evidence from the trial and in Seeleys order. Accepting any of the States (or their amicis) belated factual or constitutional arguments would eviscerate the purpose of MEPA, young Montanas rights to a clean and healthful environment today and well into the future, and the very idea of an independent judiciary that reviews government laws for constitutional compliance and defers to the District Courts factual findings but for clear error, the filing says. Now that the plaintiffs have filed their brief, the state will have an opportunity to file a reply if it chooses. A host of energy and business groups and Republican lawmakers have filed friend of the court briefs with the court siding with the states argument. Attorneys for the plaintiffs said constitutional law, public health, indigenous rights, and business groups would be filing their own briefs siding with the plaintiffs in the coming days. After the case is fully briefed, the court is likely to set the appeal for oral arguments sometime later this year. The post Montana climate plaintiffs respond to states Supreme Court appeal appeared first on Daily Montanan. Animal Service officers rescued more than 50 dogs from alleged hoarders, but it also served to worsen overcrowding at the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency shelter. The shelter hit a peak of 327 dogs Monday, which is 180% of capacity, said Vaughn Maurice, executive director of the agency. The shelter, at 3647 Cornucopia Way in south Modesto, held 289 canines Thursday morning and was offering discounted adoption fees of $7.77 through Sunday in hopes of finding good homes for the animals. Animal Services confiscated 38 Chihuahuas from a home Monday on Moffett Road, south of Ceres. Maurice said a bunch of Chihuahuas broke out of a backyard, prompting a call that the dogs might harm children living nearby. The director said the animals were living in atrocious conditions. The owner is cooperating with an investigation, he said. Many of the dogs were in petty good shape and we were able to put them up for adoption right away, Maurice said. The owners in hoarding cases are typically cited for being way over the county maximum of four dogs per home and not having breeder permits and licenses. The charges are usually misdemeanors, unless serious neglect or maltreatment is determined. A week ago, the agency received a complaint of dogs that were being bred and kept in a truck in the southwest Modesto area. Maurice said 14 dogs were rescued from the truck and taken to the shelter. The animals were mixed breeds such as shepherd and Husky mixes. Many of the dogs taken to the shelter were in poor health and needed antibiotics. Some were suitable for adoption, while others required additional care, Maurice said. The dogs had constantly barked inside the truck, resulting in complaints. The owner was not living in the truck. He just thought it was a suitable place for the dogs, Maurice said. Animal Service officials issued a citation and the case is under investigation. Adoption fees will be reduced through Sunday March 17 at Stanislaus Animal Services Agency in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 14, 2024. Another effort to make adoption easy The animal shelter is on a mission to change the luck of dogs housed at the facility, which is bursting at the seams. In the spirit of St. Patricks Day (Sunday), people can adopt a fury friend for only $7.77. The dog and cat adoptions include vaccinations, microchips and spaying or neutering. The shelter has held free or discounted adoption events since last year and the prolonged capacity issues were a reason for recently adding Sunday hours, from noon to 4 p.m. Maurice said there are no plans to expand the shelter at 3647 Cornucopia Way. Construction costs are expensive and the agency doesnt have enough staff to care for more animals. Stanislaus Animal Services has made arrangements to transport 20 dogs to a shelter in Wisconsin that has some capacity. Since last year, an employee has found space for sending animals to other shelters in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Nevada, as well as Alberta, Canada. More information about Stanislaus Animal Services Agency is found at www.stanislausanimalservices.com. Great Pyrenees at the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, March 14, 2024. Hundreds of good-looking men and women forced to work in a sprawling love scam centre have been rescued during a police raid in the Philippines. Individuals were lured to the 10-hectare compound 60 miles north of Manila on the promise of well-paid jobs. Instead, their passports were confiscated and they were coerced into operating various online scams, pushed to defraud others or face violence themselves. Authorities said that romance scams also known as pig butchering operations, a reference to the farming practice of fattening pigs before slaughter were a key element of the operation, which was masquerading as an online gaming company. Those trapped in the centre were forced to send sweet nothings to their victims, peppering them with questions about their day and what they were eating, according to Winston Casio, spokesman for the presidential commission against organised crime. He added that those running the centre had purposefully trapped good-looking men and women to lure [victims]. They were forced to send photos online, to cultivate a strong relationship before persuading victims to invest in fake schemes, cryptocurrencies or businesses. Hundreds of people had their passports confiscated and were forced to defraud others Police found the compound after a Vietnamese man climbed the wall to escape and raised the alarm. In his 30s, he arrived in the Philippines in January after landing a role as a chef. But he soon realised the job did not exist: instead, he had become a victim of human trafficking. Mr Casio said he showed signs of torture, including electrocution. In this weeks raid, police rescued 432 Chinese nationals, 371 Filipinos, and 72 others including people from as far away as Rwanda. They also arrested eight suspects for illegal detention and human trafficking. The victims were controlled by having their passports confiscated so they were unable to leave, said Gilberto Cruz, executive director of the crime task force that led the pre-dawn raid, told AFP. The workers who failed to achieve their quota ... were physically harmed, deprived of sleep or locked up inside their rooms. Such scam centres have proliferated across Southeast Asia since the coronavirus pandemic, with the United Nations estimating last August that hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have been tricked into the compounds. These scam compounds are quite different to other forms of trafficking that we have seen before and theres a lot more brutality involved, Dr Caitlin Wyndham, from the anti-trafficking organisation Blue Dragon, told The Telegraph. Tackling them is much more complicated, because there are victims on both sides and because most scam centres are run by large and highly organised crime syndicates. The industry is also proving incredibly profitable, raking in unprecedented sums equivalent to billions of dollars, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. 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. Two Russian were injured as five drones and two rocket projectiles were "intercepted and destroyed" over the Belgorod and Kaluga oblasts, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed on March 15 on Telegram. The Ministry claimed a few hours later that they had destroyed seven more rocket projectiles over the Belgorod Oblast. Belgorod Oblast Governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported on the "work of air defense systems" on Telegram 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 Oklahoma could require students to complete a fourth math credit before they graduate high school if House Bill 3278 becomes law. Oklahoma students could be required to take a fourth math credit to graduate high school, but they would have an extra year to complete it, if a new proposal becomes law. The state House overwhelmingly approved a measure on Wednesday in a 95-2 vote to add a fourth math credit to graduation requirements. House Bill 3278 would allow students to begin taking high school credits in eighth grade. The bill would take effect in the 2025-26 school year. It now advances to the Senate for consideration. Two of the credits would have to be Algebra I and either Algebra II or geometry. The other two credits must be any math course with content and/or rigor above Algebra I. This could include traditional upper-level courses like Algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, calculus and statistics. Schools also could apply a math credit to a postsecondary career and technology program or to a course that teaches math through real-world application. More: Oklahoma County to begin negotiating for jail land near Crooked Oak schools In Oklahoma City Public Schools, this could mean an HVAC or construction trade class could count as a math credit, if the local school board approves it, said Superintendent Sean McDaniel during a Monday board meeting. It would make sense because of the amount of math that kids will use in those pathways that we might be able to award credit, McDaniel said. Bill would also change some career credit requirements for Oklahoma high school students Existing requirements to complete four credits of English language arts, three credits of laboratory science and three credits of history would be unchanged. Six high school credits would have to relate to a students aspirations after high school, under the bill. Oklahoma students already have to create an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) to prepare for entering college, the military or the workforce. The bill would mandate that six courses, or pathway units, correspond to students ICAP goals. Mandatory courses in English, math, science and history would count toward these credits. Students also could fulfill the requirement by taking a world language, computer technology, fine arts, Advanced Placement credits, college concurrent enrollment or Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC), among other options. The bills author, Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, said the measure encourages students to take classes that are most relevant to their career goals. We are revamping this so that their pathway will fit whatever they deem necessary and important to them, she said during discussion on the House floor. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma could require more math credits to graduate high school Asia Media Studio celebrates 17 years of delivering exceptional creative solutions, blending East and West design culture, championing diversity, creativity, and excellence in the industry. Asia Media Studio Asia Media Studio celebrates 17 years of delivering exceptional creative solutions, blending East and West design culture, championing diversity, creativity, and excellence in the industry. Bangkok, Thailand, March 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asia Media Studio, a leading branding, design, and digital agency based in Bangkok, proudly celebrates its 17 years of delivering exceptional creative solutions that blend the best of East and West design culture. As the agency marks another milestone in its journey, it reaffirms its commitment to championing diversity, creativity, and excellence in the creative industry. Since its inception in 2006, Asia Media Studio has successfully partnered with large and small organizations to create compelling brands that differentiate from the competition and draw customers. As a European-owned agency, Asia Media Studio uniquely combines the best of East and West design culture, infusing its work with a diverse range of influences and perspectives. Empowering Creativity and Excellence "Here in Asia Media, we believe in the power of creativity to transform businesses," says Laurent Couche, Co-Founder and Creative Executive Director of Asia Media Studio. "We understood that our graphic design endeavors must not only mirror but also uplift our client's brand and objectives." Central to Asia Media Studio's success is its unwavering commitment to creating unique, stunning branding, digital, and printed communications that are designed to work in harmony with the brand's positioning. The agency's multicultural team brings a wealth of perspectives, ideas, and experiences to every project, fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence. "We have the confidence to be creative, the capacity to surprise, and the know-how to deliver," adds Marc Hagelauer, Co-Founder and Director at Asia Media Studio. "By embracing diversity and celebrating our cultural heritage, we create visually stunning communications that reflect and enhance our clients' aspirations." Story continues Embracing Global Diversity In a world where the cultural sector contributes an impressive 3.1% to the global GDP, Asia Media Studio's dedication to diversity is more than a moral imperativeit's a business strategy that aligns with the significant economic contribution of creative industries worldwide. However, despite the creative economy's reliance on a diverse workforce, studies reveal a disproportionate representation, with white men from affluent backgrounds dominating the field, and cultural consumption often skewed towards wealthier, older audiences. Asia Media Studio stands out in this landscape, actively seeking to amplify underrepresented voices, support emerging talent, and foster a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives. Effective Project Management "In addition to facilitating the realization of our clients' goals, we deeply value the significance of adhering to budgetary constraints and meeting specified timelines or deadlines," Laurent's emphasis on budget adherence and timely delivery underscores Asia Media Studio's unwavering commitment to effective project management. The agency believes that strong project management practices are integral to the success of every endeavor. By meticulously planning, organizing, and executing projects, Asia Media Studio ensures that clients' expectations are not only met but exceeded. "Beyond design, our focus on project management is paramount. We firmly believe that robust communication between our clients and team contributes to 50% of project success," he continues. Communication and Collaboration With a dedicated team of project managers overseeing every aspect of the process, Asia Media Studio prioritizes clear and open communication channels between clients and its internal team. This approach fosters collaboration, transparency, and accountability, ultimately leading to successful project outcomes. As Asia Media Studio continues to evolve and grow, it remains committed to leading by example and inspiring positive change in the creative landscape. By championing diversity, creativity, and excellence in project management, the agency not only enriches its own work but also sets an example for the broader industry to follow. For more information on Asia Media Studio's commitment to diversity or media inquiries, interviews, and potential collaborations, please contact: Laurent Couche Managing Director Asia Media Studio laurent@asiamediastudio.com https://asiamediastudio.com/ About Asia Media Studio: Asia Media Studio is a leading branding, design, and digital agency based in Bangkok, Thailand, operating since 2006. As a European-owned agency, Asia Media Studio uniquely combines the best of East and West design culture, delivering exceptional creative solutions that differentiate brands and draw customers. With a multicultural team and a passion for creativity, the agency creates visually stunning communications that reflect and enhance its clients' aspirations. 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 Most of Haiti transition council has been named, Blinken says By Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis VIENNA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Most of the nine people who will sit on Haiti's political transition council have been named by the groups they represent, although a couple are still pending, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Monday he would step down once the council, made up of seven voting members and two observers from different political coalitions and sectors of society, was in place. The State Department said on Tuesday it expected that members of the transition council would be appointed in the next 24-48 hours, but the process has lagged. "This is never going to be smooth and never going to be linear," Blinken told reporters during a visit to Austria. "So that's a work in progress, but we've seen that move forward." The Miami Herald on Thursday reported that five groups had put forward names, but that disagreements remained, with one group presenting multiple candidates. Political party Platform Pitit Desalin said on Wednesday it was pulling out of the agreement. It plans to install its own council and wants it to include Guy Philippe, who was deported from the U.S. in November after serving six years in prison and is seeking an amnesty for gang leaders. Blinken participated in talks on Monday held by a regional Caribbean bloc, along with representatives from Haiti's government and opposition, on tackling the crisis in Haiti. Spiraling gang violence has fueled a humanitarian disaster, cutting off food supplies and forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes. After Henry announced later on Monday that he would step aside, Port-au-Prince was initially quieter, but violence has flared up again in the last two days. On Friday, a plume of thick, black smoke could be seen billowing out of downtown Port-au-Prince. Local media reported that businesses in affluent suburb Petion-Ville had shuttered and that burning tires blocked streets in nearby Delmas. "It's starting off very, very badly," Frederic Boisrond, a sociologist at McGill University told Radio-Canada, pointing to the dissent within the groups proposed for the transition council by leaders in Jamaica. "Elections are very long-term prospect," he added, pointing to the need, after restoring security, to recreate an electoral roll and reappoint mayors, senators and deputies. "This is a huge machine to reinstall. Haiti is in year zero of democracy." Haiti's last elections took place in 2016 and turnout was reported at around 20%. Heavily armed gangs have meanwhile taken over much of the capital, and rights groups have reported widespread killings, kidnappings and sexual violence. More than 360,000 people are internally displaced in Haiti, according to U.N. estimates. STUMBLING BLOCKS U.S. aid chief Samantha Power announced $25 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti on Friday to cover food, essential relief supplies, relocation support and emergency health care. That was on top of the $33 million announced on Monday. A humanitarian airbridge announced by the United Nations was set to operate from the Dominican Republic, but has faced setbacks. Dominican authorities said they had agreed on an evacuation route with Haiti "exclusively for preventive or emergency exits of Dominicans and staff from missions, diplomatic and international organizations." This route will be operated by the organizations' own aircraft, they said. Blinken on Friday also said an international force intended to restore security to Haiti was moving forward, but that challenges remained. The force, set to be led by Kenya, has faced stumbling blocks over funding and concerns within Kenya as the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated. Nairobi announced earlier this week it was pausing the deployment and would re-evaluate once a new Haitian government was in place. "Once the new council is fully stood up - and again, I would anticipate that happens in the coming days - that process with the force will be able to move forward and then we have a trajectory that has at least the chance of putting Haiti in a more stable place," Blinken said. "Having said all of that, every single day there are challenges to that process. There are political challenges, there are security challenges, and we're working to address them." (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Vienna, Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Ismail Shakil; Additional reporting by Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince and Sarah Morland in Mexico CityEditing by Marguerita Choy and Rosalba O'Brien) Mother arrested nearly 2 years after boy's body is found in suitcase in Indiana CHICAGO (CBS) -- The mother of a 5-year-old boy whose body was found in a suitcase two years ago was arrested in Los Angeles this week. The body of Cairo Ammar Jordan was found on April 16, 2022, in Washington County, Indiana, near Louisville, Kentucky. His mother, Dejaune Ludie Anderson, 38, of Atlanta, was arrested by the LAPD and was in custody in the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Jail in Van Nuys, California on Friday. Information about charges was not listed in jail records. After Cairo's death, an autopsy found that he died from an electrolyte imbalance most likely due to gastroenteritis, or vomiting and diarrhea that led to dehydration, according to Indiana State Police. Investigators said the boy had died within a week prior to his body's discovery. Police said Cairo had never been reported missing, slowing the investigation of the case, as he remained unidentified for months. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation helped Indiana authorities contact Cairo's father after investigators confirmed the boy's identity. Another woman, Dawn Elaine Coleman of Shreveport, Louisiana has been sentenced to decades in prison in connection with Cairo's death. Coleman was arrested in California in October 2022 after police identified Cairo and linked her to his death. Police have said Coleman and Anderson had known each other for about a year, and had traveled extensively with her and Cairo, and the three had been staying together in a home in Louisville. Investigators found both Coleman's and Anderson's fingerprints on black plastic bags the boy's body had been placed inside within the suitcase. Police said Coleman admitted to walking into a bedroom of the home they shared in Louisville, where she saw Anderson lying on top of Cairo, who was face down on the bed. Coleman told police "it was already done" when she walked in, and Anderson asked her to help put Cairo into a trash bag, and then into the suitcase. They then took Cairo's body to a wooded area in Washington County, outside of Pekin, where they dumped the suitcase. On the evening of Saturday, April 16, 2022, a man was searching for mushrooms in the woods off Holder Road in southeast Washington County, Indiana when he discovered the suitcase, Indiana State Police said in an affidavit. The suitcase had an image printed on it of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign that is considered to mark the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. A photo of the suitcase that police say the body of Cairo Ammar Jordan was found in. / Credit: Indiana State Police The mushroom hunter approached the suitcase and opened it finding a pillow and a closed black trash bag inside, state police reported. Inside the trash bag was the boy's body, state police reported. State police came to the scene, and the suitcase and its contents were taken to the Washington County, Indiana Coroner's office. Fingerprints were obtained by an Indiana State Police forensic Trump team reacts to Georgia judge's Fani Willis ruling Former Trump co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro's lawyer on Fani Willis decision Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls on Israel to hold election to replace prime minister Nearly two years after the body of a 5-year-old boy was found in a suitcase in Southern Indiana, his mother has been apprehended and arrested in connection with his death, Indiana State Police announced Friday. Sgt. Carey Huls of the Indiana State Police said Dejuane Ludie Anderson was taken into custody without incident Thursday by the U.S. Marshals Service in California during a Friday news conference. She is currently being held in a Los Angeles Police Department facility and could be brought back to Indiana in the coming days, he said. Anderson has been charged with multiple felonies, including murder. The boy, later identified as Cairo Ammar Jordan, was found April 16, 2022, in a heavily wooded area in Washington County, Indiana, about 25 miles northwest of Louisville. His body was inside a suitcase with "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada" painted on its shell. The unknown child whose body was discovered in a suitcase in rural Washington County has a donated headstone. He has since been identified as Cairo Ammar Jordan. The Washington County community held a funeral for the then-unidentified Jordan shortly following his death, with more than 100 people attending the service. He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, his headstone having the inscription: "In loving memory of a beloved little boy known but to God." His full name was later added on a space left open at the time of his burial. Get caught up: Cairo Jordan murder case: Everything we know about the boy found in a suitcase in 2022 Huls said many people in the community have kept Jordan in their thoughts and continually asked investigators for updates since he was discovered. "There's still flowers to this day that are placed at his gravesite, (with) people praying for him and his family and that justice will be done," he said. "It's a somber occasion," said Sgt. Carey Hula but said investigators had "elation" after apprehending and arrests a suspect in the death of five-year-old Cairo Jordan as he spoke to the media outside Indiana State Police Post 45 Friday afternoon regarding the arrest of Jordan's mother in California. The five-year-old's body was found in a suitcase near Salem, Ind. in 2022. March 15, 2024 Cairo Jordan murder case: Everything we know about the boy found in a suitcase in 2022 What was the cause of death of Cairo Jordan? Huls has previously said Jordan died due to an electrolyte imbalance "most likely caused by gastroenteritis, which in common laymans' terms would be vomiting and diarrhea. And that resulted in dehydration." Who is Dawn Coleman? When he was identified, police announced that two women Anderson and her friend, Dawn Elaine Coleman of Shreveport, Louisiana were believed to be responsible for his death and abandonment in the woods. Coleman was arrested in late 2022, but police were still searching for Anderson at the time. In November, Coleman pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to Jordan's death and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Coleman will serve 25 years in prison, with five years suspended to probation per the terms of her plea agreement. Thoughts about Cairo Jorden's death? Submit your letter to the editor here. Was Dejuane Anderson arrested before Cairo Jordan's death? Anderson was arrested in Louisville less than a month before her son's death and charged with second-degree robbery. She was accused of attempting to steal merchandise from the city's Von Maur store and of hitting a security guard in the face once confronted, according to her arrest citation. She was released in mid-April on her own recognizance. Her son's body was found five days later. During the six months after the boy's death, investigators said Anderson had been to San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas and Houston. Both women had published several social media posts that referred to a child as a "demon" and "an avatar playing a character" ahead of Jordan's death, according to Coleman's arrest affidavit. At one point, Anderson is alleged to have written a post that referred to writing a "book about living with a demonic child." Fingerprints matching both Coleman and Anderson were found within the contents of the suitcase, according to an arrest affidavit for Coleman, and the posts from their Facebook accounts were obtained after a search warrant was approved. Additional posts published before Jordan's death to social media pages the pair operated showed photos of Anderson with her son as well as photos of Coleman with the Las Vegas suitcase. No one else is believed to be involved in Jordan's death, Huls said. More: Mother of dead boy found in suitcase is still on the run, Indiana police say. What we know This story may be updated. Krista Johnson contributed. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Dejuane Anderson arrested in Cairo Jordan murder case COMANCHE COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A motorcyclist was killed after crashing into an 18-wheeler in Comanche County Wednesday night. James Roden of DeLeon, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on FM 1496 east of DeLeon just before 9:30 p.m., according to a crash report from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The report states Roden was traveling north down the road on his motorcycle when he failed to maintain a single lane and crossed into the path of an approaching 18-wheeler. Even though the 18-wheeler driver tried to take evasive action, the report sates Roden struck the side of his trailer. No other injuries were reported in connection to this crash, which is still under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. GRAY, Tenn. (WJHL) Washington County held an online auction for the Gray branch of the Washington County Library property on Thursday. When the signs were put out front of the library, librarians and visitors were a little confused. There were a lot of people who were worried that we were closing the library, said Chrisy Widner, branch manager of Jonesborough Library. They were calling Gray. They were coming in. Widner said staff learned quickly that this is a part of the process as they work to move to a new facility. PREVIOUS: Gray Library interested in moving to former Citi building The Gray Library is currently housed in a former insurance adjusting building, totaling about 6,000 square feet of room. Widner told News Channel 11 the library has outgrown its space and wants to find a place with more space to add additional programming. On Wednesday, library board members joined county officials to tour spaces in the former Citi building which they have expressed interest in previously. Were really excited to be able to grow our library and offer more things to the community, said Widner. Some of those spaces in [the Citi] building are just beautiful and almost move-in ready. Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy agreed a library expansion is needed. The Gray community is one of the fastest growing areas in the entire region, Grandy said. And so, the demand for the library services and community services and afterschool programs and different things that they do in the library has just exploded. The county is offering a space in the building totaling 8,000 square feet with options to grow. Library board members are interested in a 15,000-square-foot space. Widner said board members are interested in that portion because it comes in one piece and is also located on the back part of the building. Theres a lot more things like more bathrooms and practical things that you have to think of when you have that many people in a building, said Widner. We have, on average, about 100 people a day in our Gray Library, and they dont just come in and leave. They actually stay and bring their families, so they need facilities and things that are adequate for that. Left: Portion of 8,000 sq. ft. space in Citi building. Right: Portion of 15,000 sq. ft. space in Citi building (Photos: Jerome Bowers). Were anticipating that theyll wind up being in a space thats 10, 12, 13, or 14,000 square feet, something like that, said Grandy, who joined the tour Wednesday. They want to try to create some meeting space for community use, and that really fits in with my thoughts on what some of that space will be used for. Others who joined the tour included the regional representative for libraries who work for the state and a consultant out of New York City, who specializes in library design. Widner said the consultant will send them a report. [The consultant] does like the backspace more but said there are ways that we can work with the 8,000, said Widner. [The consultant] talked about ways to integrate with the community, work with shared spaces that we would share with the county. Johnson City Police Department SVU takes community questions With things moving quickly now, the library board anticipates a fast move, moving around 3,000 books, several computers and other equipment to a new space. Richard Corbin comes to the library at least once a week to use the internet and return books hes borrowed. Corbin doesnt mind the librarys possible move to the Citi building. Well, at least its still convenient, said Corbin. Its close by in the area because thats what I like about it. Widner said library officials are excited to work with the county to make the move a positive one. The current library administration told News Channel 11 that no one in Washington County has been a part of a library relocation process before since most in the area have just been renovated. Library leadership is also looking forward to potentially being across the street from new townhouses. Theyre ready for people to move in practically, said Widner. We have a built-in audience that can actually walk to the library, which is not possible at our current location. The online auction lasted from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Grandy said many people were interested in the current library property from around the country. Now that bids are in, commissioners have 60 days to compare the bid amounts and request for proposals submitted to decide what will be the next step for the Gray Library. Grandy said he believes the Gray Library will get a lot of attention from the state when officially makes the move, adding that Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett has a keen interest in libraries. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Fastest democratisation of technology as Zambia pilot extends to Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Tanzania LUSAKA, Zambia, March 15, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--These are some of the questions Zambians asked a new service, Ask Viamo Anything, that blends aspects of the artificial intelligence behind ChatGPT, Alexa and Siri with targeted health, education, agriculture and other expertise from the likes of UNICEF to Unilever: How can I plant beans? What is a democracy? Why am I so emotional that sometimes I even feel lonely or unwanted? What business can a 12-year-old do in Zambia in the winter? Why doesnt it snow in Zambia? By bringing the latest iteration of AI to some of the worlds poorest and most remote communities, Ask Viamo Anything heralds the fastest democratisation of technology to date. Currently under pilot in Zambia, the project is being rolled out next in Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Tanzania. "Generative AI shouldnt just help lawyers in LA do their job 10% better," says David McAfee, the CEO and Cofounder of platform provider Viamo. "As a species, we should have a more ambitious goal for the transformative potential of technology. Theres a real opportunity to help every person on the planet." The pilot project in Zambia takes Viamos platform, used by 24 million people worldwide, from a menu of pre-recorded public service messages on health, education and agriculture to full AI interaction on every conceivable topic. The user experience even leapfrogs what is available in the US and advanced economies. While most ChatGPT users type their requests into a small box a barrier for many in communities with low literacy rates Viamo converts voice to text and back to voice in real time. The quality is enhanced by bespoke information that is geographically specific and therefore more relevant to users, in addition to regular open access information available on the Internet. In Zambia, Viamo references lists of family planning clinics, for example, and localised, approved agricultural advice. Story continues "When a caller in Zambia gets her own smartphone, we want her to keep on calling us because shes getting better answers from Viamo," says McAfee. "In fact, a third of our active users worldwide call us from an Internet-enabled device." While only 33% of Zambians have access to the Internet, over 80% own a mobile phone. By using basic voice calls as the interface, the Viamo platform is accessible to more people than can currently log onto Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. "Combining AI and mobile is the necessary solution to bring the next billion people online," says McAfee. "For the first time, people in emerging markets can benefit from technology at the same time as the Global North. Never has transformative technology been able to penetrate so far so fast." A for-profit social enterprise operating in 25 countries, Viamo, based in Canada, is part-financed by social impact institutions including the Global Innovation Fund, and supported by US, UK and other government development agencies, as well as commercially focused investors including VestedWorld and SaskWorks Venture Fund Inc. In much the same way as Google, Viamo earns revenue by enabling organisations and commercial companies to engage with and activate its millions of users. UNICEF, for example, provides information on HIV, tropical diseases, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene. Viamo targets raising around US$30 million of additional capital in the first half of 2024 to incorporate the benefits of generative AI into its platform in 22 countries in Africa and Asia. Following its successful pilot project running in Zambia since May, Ask Viamo Anything is being rolled out as an Urdu service in Pakistan and in Hindi for India, along with an English service for Nigeria and in Swahili for Tanzania in the first half of 2024. The priority is on languages best supported by the Whisper AI transcription tool and in countries with significant populations underserved by current information services and technology. As a social enterprise, bringing the first experience of generative AI to isolated communities carries immense responsibility. Women and girls account for 54% of calls in Zambia, with more questions on health than any other topic, followed by education and religion. Male callers focus more on education, closely followed by health and technology. Nearly a third of users are aged under 18. Viamo reviews responses manually on a daily basis to ensure appropriate responses, especially for questions relating to mental health issues such as isolation and depression. Any indication of a user seeking to develop a relationship with the AI tool itself questions like "who are you?" are answered in a way to clarify that Viamo is merely an application, while providing appropriate self-help advice and contact points. Responses take careful account of regional social norms and laws when addressing potentially sensitive topics such as sexuality or religion. "In 2023, our users have spent 2.1 billion minutes on our platform or 4,000 years and, prior to our Zambia pilot, hadnt said a single word," says McAfee. "Weve been delighted at how quickly our users have taken to asking us anything and everything. So far, around 10,000 people have asked nearly 90,000 questions. The questions are increasingly wide ranging and sophisticated as callers become more familiar with this new functionality. Now the onus is on us to make sure were reliably providing genuinely helpful, geographically specific responses." About Viamo: Founded in 2012, Viamo is a global social enterprise with a presence in 25 emerging markets. We believe everyone deserves access to information to be able to make well-informed decisions, large and small. Nearly 3 billion of us remain unconnected, hard to reach by traditional media or even the Internet. This means too many people dont get the information that helps us reach our full potential, dont get our voices heard, or our markets and economies developed. Viamo has found a way to change this. We give people access to information to improve businesses, governance, health and education. And we do it in the way that suits our users best: through voice, on their simple mobile phones, at the moment of their choosing, in their own language. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315519318/en/ Contacts Media: Emily Worrall emily.worrall@viamo.io +254 799 746 984 Su Bushby with her partner Sgt Matt Ratana, who was murdered by Louis De Zoysa - METROPOLITAN POLICE/PA A murdered Metropolitan Police sergeants partner is suing the force after he was shot dead in custody. Sgt Matt Ratana, 54, would still be alive if the gunman had been searched properly, Su Bushby said as she launched legal action against Scotland Yard. The officer was murdered when Louis De Zoysa opened fire with an antique revolver while handcuffed at Croydon custody suite in south London in September 2020. The 26-year-old had earlier been arrested and searched but officers failed to find the gun he had in an underarm holster, despite discovering bullets in his pocket. The Met Police confirmed that it had received the civil claim and remained in dialogue with the claimants legal representative. Ms Bushby told the Mirror: If it was an effective search, the gun would have been found on De Zoysa and Matt would be alive now. The shoddy and inadequate search by officers was a neglect of their duty and left Matt vulnerable. The number of failures that came out during the inquest has left me devastated. I have not been informed by anyone during this time that the actions of the Metropolitan Police may have contributed towards Matts death. Louis De Zoysa was found guilty of murdering Matt Ratana, a Metropolitan Police officer De Zoysa, a cannabis user, was convicted of murder in June last year after jurors were shown distressing CCTV footage of the 26-year-old using a legally bought revolver to shoot the officer. Sgt Ratana died in hospital after being struck by two bullets in the holding cell. The gunman was sentenced to a whole-life term, meaning he will never be freed, as Justice Jeremy Johnson told him at Northampton Crown Court that you acted in cold blood. De Zoysas legal team said he was having an autistic meltdown at the time of the shooting, but the judge said that his autism is not to blame for this you are. CCTV footage of the moment Sgt Matt Ratana was shot dead by Louis De Zoysa, here showing him pointing the gun - METROPOLITAN POLICE In video footage from the police van that took him to custody, De Zoysa was seen wriggling around, which according to expert evidence was him repositioning the firearm to his hands. After arriving at Croydons Windmill Road custody centre, De Zoysa was allowed to walk without an officer gripping his arm, or handcuffs. De Zoysa, a former tax office data analyst, later managed to move his handcuffed arms from behind his back to fire at Sgt Ratana at point-blank range. The New Zealand-born officer, who had served in the Met Police for almost 30 years and was three months from retirement, was hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by De Zoysa. A second bullet struck him in the thigh before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers, as a third round hit the cell wall. 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. Ahead of next weeks primary in Illinois, more than 40 Muslim, Palestinian and Arab American leaders and groups in Chicago refused a meeting with White House officials, citing the USs continued funding of Israels war on Gaza. Related: Washington and Georgia protest votes raise pressure on Biden over Gaza war In a letter sent to the White House on Thursday, the leaders said there was no point in additional meetings when they had already made clear their demand for a permanent ceasefire to the Biden administration through prior discussions, protests and media interviews. We believe another meeting would only act to whitewash months of White House inaction followed by meek handouts. We are interested in serious action, they wrote in the letter. They continued: Offering a belated trickle of aid, whether airdrops or temporary piers, to captive Palestinian civilians who continue to be shot like fish in a barrel, but remaining unwilling or unable to cease the killing is like dishing out Band-Aids with one hand, while wielding an axe with the other. More than 100,000 Arab Americans live in Chicago, according to the US Census Bureaus American Community Survey, while at least 350,000 Muslims live in Illinois. The refusal follows similar actions by Muslim and Arab American groups throughout the nation who are furious with Joe Bidens handling of Israels war in Gaza, where more than 31,000 people have been killed since 7 October, according to Gazas health ministry. In late January, 15 Michigan leaders cancelled a listening session with Bidens re-election campaign. Theyre approaching the community now to speak about the issues unfolding as if theyre electoral problems or political ones. And for us, thats not what these are, Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan home to one of the nations largest Arab American population said at the time. This is an issue of humanity. Palestinians are not important because of polling numbers. In early February, Palestinian Americans rejected an invitation to a roundtable discussion with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, which they called a box-ticking exercise. Last month, Muslim and Arab American leaders met with Bidens senior advisers in Dearborn, Michigan, where some attendees said that officials listened to their concerns. The deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer, admitted to missteps in responding to Israels war in Gaza at the meeting. Thursdays rejection comes alongside growing concern within the Biden administration as Democratic voters have registered mounting warnings in recent primaries. More than 100,000 Michigan voters in the states Democratic primary selected uncommitted last month in protest of Bidens position on the war. Similar efforts took off in Washington, Minnesota and Georgia. Illinoiss primary is next week. While the state does not have an uncommitted option on its ballots, some leaders are still encouraging the electorate to cast a protest vote. In Illinois, a lot of the Palestinians in the Muslim American community are encouraged to either leave it blank, or write Gaza as a way for us to show that we are coming to the polls. Were still voting; were voting for other elected officials, Deena Kishawi with American Muslims for Palestine-Chicago told ABC7 Chicago. A White House official told Politico that senior aides will still meet with some local leaders in Chicago as part of an ongoing process to engage with communities impacted by the Mideast conflict. In the letter to the White House, the Chicago groups and leaders made clear they were pushing for the US to allow for a flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, a reinstatement of funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, accountability for Israel, and justice and liberation for Palestinians. That is what history will judge us by, not more token meetings when every day is of the essence, they concluded in the letter. California environmental groups are urging a federal court to intervene amid a "dramatic increase" in the deaths of threatened steelhead trout at pumps operated by state and federal water managers. Since Dec. 1, more than 4,000 wild and hatchery-raised steelhead have been killed at pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, according to public data for the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project. The agencies are now at about 90% of their combined seasonal take limit, which refers to the amount of wild steelhead permitted to be killed between January and March under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. A coalition of environmental and fishing groups including the Golden State Salmon Assn., the Bay Institute and Defenders of Wildlife are involved in ongoing litigation that seeks to challenge current federal operating plans in the delta, an estuary at the heart of the state's water supply. They say the protocols are largely based on outdated rules dating to the Trump administration and are asking the court to require several modifications to better protect fish, including setting targets for water temperatures and upstream storage in Shasta Lake. The cause of the recent uptick in fish deaths is unclear, but the sudden increase in steelhead at the pumps is unusual, according to Ashley Overhouse, a water policy advisor with Defenders of Wildlife. About 2,100 live steelhead have also been collected from fish screens at the pumps and released downstream, a process known as "salvage," data show. A baby Steelhead trout is fight for food in a pool at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Sacramento. (Yichuan Cao / Getty Images) "We would appreciate additional monitoring, genetic sampling and, frankly, transparency [around the] increase in fish kills like this across any of the threatened and endangered species that rely on a healthy Bay Delta estuary that are dying at the pumps," Overhouse said. "Because this is not the first increase in a fish kill over the last four years, and I don't think, unfortunately, it will be the last." The Central Valley Project a massive network of dams, reservoirs and canals operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is a key source of water for agricultural users in the southern part of the state. The State Water Project, operated by the California Department of Water Resources, is a similar network that provides water to about 27 million residents. But because the federal and state agencies coordinate their operations and pump jointly, the "fish death and salvage are attributed to both parties," Overhouse said. Central Valley steelhead are federally listed as a threatened species. A type of rainbow trout, they are a distinct population that migrate from the American River and San Joaquin River, two major tributaries of the delta. Like salmon, they are born in fresh water, migrate to the ocean, and then return to rivers as adults to spawn. "These fish that are trying to make their way out to the ocean then get sucked into the pumps," said Scott Artis, executive director of the Golden State Salmon Assn. "And so we end up with less and less fish making it out to the oceans, and that's less fish that return." The deaths of steelhead are an indicator of how the pumping is harming various fish species, and chinook salmon are also among the species that have been killed in recent weeks, Artis said. Since Dec. 1, 1,274 threatened spring-run chinook salmon and 353 endangered winter-run chinook salmon have been killed in the pumps, including wild and hatchery-raised salmon, the latest data show. Salmon populations have declined in recent years, and last year regulators decided to shut down the fishing season for fall-run chinook along the coast. A decision about this year's salmon fishing season has yet to be announced, but it's expected to be heavily restricted or shut down again this year. But increasing steelhead deaths due to water pumps are symptomatic of the severe stresses fish populations are experiencing, and demand changes to how the state's water systems are managed, Artis said. "This is a big overarching problem of how this whole system in California works with these pumps and with the water diversions," he said. "We need to reduce the amount of water that's being pumped, and that would actually help mitigate and reduce the impact to steelhead that are being sucked into these pumps." Read more: With salmon at risk of extinction, California begins urgent rescue effort The latest increase in fish deaths is not the first time environmental groups have clashed with water agencies over the delta a delicate ecosystem that has in recent years been imperiled by heavy water withdrawals for agriculture and cities. Bureau of Reclamation officials said they are working with the Department of Water Resources to reduce pumping at the Harvey O. Banks pumping plant and the nearby Jones pumping plant in two main channels in the south delta the Old and Middle rivers. The reductions are being made "due to a large number of Central Valley steelhead being observed and collected at the Skinner Delta Fish Protective and Tracy Fish Collection facilities upstream of the pumping plants," the agency wrote in a statement. Officials with both agencies acknowledged that the fish can be vulnerable at pump screens during the wet and snowy months that coincide with their movement through the delta. But late winter and early spring are "also an important time for DWR to capture and move water into storage," said Ted Craddock, deputy director with the State Water Project. He noted that the agency operates its pumps in accordance with state and federal permits, including rules that require reduced pumping when endangered fish move into the vicinity of the pumps. It reduced pumping in January when delta smelt and winter-run chinook salmon were observed in the area, and again in February when steelhead moved in. Steelhead trout fingerlings swim in a raceway pond at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Feather River Hatchery after climbing a fish ladder just below the Lake Oroville dam during the California drought emergency on May 27, 2021 in Oroville, California. (Patrick T. Fallon / Getty Images) Despite the reduction, steelhead continued to be collected at the fish screens, Craddock said, including a small portion that were not wild but "poorly marked hatchery fish" that are not protected under the 2019 rules, formally known as the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion. "DWR hypothesizes that many wild steelhead moved into the vicinity of the pumps prior to the large storms last week and are subsequently [resting] near the pumps," he said. "Given current lower pumping levels and high flows as result of the storms last week, DWR does not believe the SWP is drawing additional steelhead near the pumps." Even so, the agency on Monday again reduced its pumping from 2,400 cubic feet per second to 600 cubic feet per second, "which may help steelhead rearing near the SWP pumps to move quickly downstream en route to the ocean," Craddock said. "In fact, since the initiation of the March 11 pumping reduction, DWR has not collected any steelhead at its fish screens." He added that the agency plans to initiate a study on Friday to track the movements of steelhead and assess whether the pumping reduction is effective. The DWR is also making new investments in steelhead monitoring, including using new DNA technology to identify the origin of steelhead showing up at the fish screens. The San Joaquin River flows past Dos Rios Ranch Preserve near Modesto. (Loren Elliott / For The Times) Meanwhile, federal officials are also working with the Bureau of Reclamation to reexamine the 2019 biological opinions that govern the state and federal operations, including proposed thresholds for losses of salmon and steelhead at the delta pumping facilities. Under the proposal, weekly loss thresholds would "prompt action before disproportionate impacts on steelhead occur in a single week," said Michael Milstein, a spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries. This would be a change from the current approach, which uses seasonal loss thresholds to trigger management actions. The Bureau of Reclamation is also proposing to develop a steelhead science plan, which would include a "juvenile production estimate" framework for the San Joaquin and Sacramento river basins, he said. That estimate "can then be used to develop loss criteria for steelhead that are scaled according to population size and trends instead of historic loss levels, which is what is currently used." This sort of estimate is already used for management decisions regarding endangered winter-run chinook salmon, Milstein said, and is "recognized as a scientifically durable approach." The evaluation of the biological opinion is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Milstein said. Until then, the water agencies are operating under interim plans that are supposed to be reviewed and approved by the court every year, with 2024's update still pending. Read more: Newsom wants to build a $16-billion water tunnel. Will it destroy California's delta? Artis, of the Golden State Salmon Assn., noted that the fish deaths have occurred at the pumps despite increased flows from recent storms. "Even with more water out there, there's still a lot of water diversions that are happening," he said. "If you can reduce the pumping, then you don't have quite that pull, that suction through there, that can just basically grab those baby fish." The steelhead deaths add more ammunition to the ongoing tug-of-war between environmentalists and the state water managers, who are also deadlocked over a proposed plan to build a $16-billion, 45-mile tunnel that would move more water out of the delta to regions to the south. State officials have touted the Delta Conveyance Project as a critical climate adaptation strategy and a key component of Gov. Gavin Newsom's strategy for a hotter, drier California. Overhouse, of Defenders of Wildlife, said she believes it is possible for the state to achieve both goals water capture and wildlife protection at the same time. "It is not something that is easy they are the most complex water projects, arguably, in the world," she said of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. But increasing storage along the upstream reservoirs would make it easier for the agencies to better utilize stormwater runoff, and to hold water for movement through the system later in the year. "While I recognize how important these operations are, it is still my belief that it can be achieved both higher end-of-year storage as well as meeting those pumping needs," Overhouse said. "And most importantly ... protecting the threatened and endangered species that rely on this estuary." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on March 13 on U.S. 64 East in Hendersonville, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. This was the approximate location of where a pedestrian was struck and killed while walking in the passing lane of U.S. 64 East in Hendersonville, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Trooper Eric Noblett with the N.C. Highway Patrol's Hendersonville office told the Times-News on March 14 the pedestrian was identified as John William Spinx III, 32, of Hendersonville. Noblett said the call came in at 10:21 p.m. on March 13, and it was near the intersection of Cornwalls Lane and U.S. 64 East. Noblett said no charges will be filed against the driver and noted that the pedestrian did have on dark clothing late at night while walking in the middle of the roadway. More: After Ponder's death on U.S. 64 at night, some citizens say more lights are needed More: Flat Rock pedestrian struck and killed on Oct. 30 to be laid to rest "He was not very visible and it was dark in the area," he said. "He was in the left lane, the passing lane, when he got struck." This marks the fourth pedestrian death in Henderson County since September 2023 and the second pedestrian death of the year on U.S. 64 in Hendersonville. On Feb. 24, a male pedestrian was struck and killed on the east side of the bridge going over Interstate 26. Just under four months before that accident, another pedestrian, Flat Rock's Dustin Grant Byrnside, 44, was struck and killed on Oct. 30 on Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville. A month before Byrnside's death, Doris "Ann" Ponder, 72, was struck and killed while she was attempting to cross U.S. 64, just about a mile near North Henderson High School. Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News. This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Hendersonville pedestrian dies after being hit by car on U.S. 64 East NASA engineers are a step closer to solving the communication problem that left the Voyager 1 spacecraft, which presently sits outside the solar system, unable to send usable data back to Earth. In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to leave the solar system and enter interstellar space. For 11 years following this achievement, the spacecraft dutifully sent data to ground control. This was data that detailed how space works beyond the influence of the sun. In Nov. 2023, however, Voyager 1's communications with ground operators stopped making sense. To be clear, however, Voyager 2, which followed its spacecraft sibling out of the solar system in 2018, is still operational and communicating with Earth. "Effectively, the call between the spacecraft and the Earth was still connected, but Voyager's 'voice' was replaced with a monotonous dial tone," Voyager 1's engineering team previously told Space.com. The source of the issue appears to be one of Voyager 1's three onboard computers: The flight data subsystem (FDS). This computer, NASA says, is responsible for packaging science and engineering data before it's sent to Earth by the spacecraft's telemetry modulation unit. Related: NASA's Voyager 1 glitch has scientists sad yet hopeful: 'Voyager 2 is still going strong' The positive step towards solving communications issues between ground control and Voyager 1 came on March 3 when the Voyager mission team detected activity from one section of the FDS that was different from the rest of the computers garbled data stream. Voyager 1's messaging to Earth comes in the form of 1s and 0s, a computer language called binary code but since the end of last year, this code has carried no meaning. Even the newly detected signal is still not in the correct format Voyager 1 should be using when FDS is functioning as designed, meaning the operating team was initially not quite sure what to make of it. This changed, however, when an engineer at NASA's Deep Space Network, which is tasked with operating radio antennas that communicate with Voyager 1 and its interstellar sibling Voyager 2, as well as other NASA spacecraft closer to home, got a look at the code. The unnamed engineer was able to decode the outlier signal, discovering that it contained a readout of the FDS' entire memory. a groovy poster shows a space probe with large white satellite dish mounted on a metal frame body with various length instruments jut out. surrounding colors are gold and orange, with a dark hombre background. Encoded with the FDS memory are performance instructions and code values that can change either if the spacecraft's status changes or if commanded to do so. Science and engineering data to be sent back to Earth are also locked up in the memory. The team will now compare this new signal, which occurred because of a prompt, or "poke," from mission control, to data that was sent back to Earth just before Voyager 1 started spouting binary nonsense. Finding discrepancies between regular Voyager 1 data and this poke-prompted signal will help the crew hunt for the source of the issue. The idea of the poke was to prompt FDS to try using different sequences in its software package and determine if the communication issue could be resolved by navigating around a corrupted or damaged section. Related Stories: Voyager 2: An iconic spacecraft that's still exploring 45 years on NASA's interstellar Voyager probes get software updates beamed from 12 billion miles away NASA Voyager 2 spacecraft extends its interstellar science mission for 3 more years Voyager 1 is currently around 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) from Earth, meaning that solving communication issues can be a painstaking process. It takes 22.5 hours to receive a radio signal from Voyager 1, then another 22.5 hours to receive a response via the Deep Space Network's antennas. That means the results of NASA's poke were received on March 3, and on March 7 engineers started working to decode this signal. Three days later they determined the signal contains an FDS memory readout. NASA scientists and engineers will continue to analyze this readout to restore communication with the pioneering space mission that extended humanity's reach beyond the solar system. COMMENTARY | The corruption trial of JEA's former executives, which was historic in this town by any measure the size of the attempted raid on the public treasury, the number of juries, the length, its long shadow over city politics was ex-CEO Aaron Zahn's big chance, the platform upon which he could finally show all of us haters, all of us doubters, all of us dummies, how wrong we were and how courageous, how forward-thinking, how smart he of Yale was, lo these many years. Instead, Zahn's defense was marked by the very mendacity and bad faith that defined his brief but catastrophic tenure as the chief executive of Jacksonville's city-owned electric, water and sewer utility. His defense was a collection of crackpot conspiracy theories and too-cute-by-half obfuscations. He implored jurors to believe petty lies, harkening directly back to Zahn's days as JEA's CEO, when his communications team worked overtime to describe privatization as anything other than "privatization." It was "recapitalization" or "scenario planning" or whatever other hogwash someone could find in a business-school textbook. At trial, he wanted jurors to believe the words "final approval" meant "preliminary approval." He wanted them to believe issuing an invitation for bidders to negotiate purchasing JEA and then negotiating with those bidders was something less than an active effort to sell JEA. He was merely "exploring" it. [Story continues below] The verdict: Former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn guilty, ex-CFO Ryan Wannemacher not guilty in fraud trial The reaction: Jacksonville leaders sound off on JEA trial verdict. Here's what they're saying. Mark Woods: JEA saga led to outrage and, in the end, an outrageous defense Zahn wanted them to believe he fought tooth and nail for nearly the entirety of his year and a half as CEO for the implementation of a bonus plan that would have paid out little to no money. He actually paid an "expert" accountant north of $180,000 to make this argument. The truth, the jury found, was that he intended on pilfering tens of millions of dollars for his own personal benefit by disguising that long-term incentive plan as one that only appeared, on paper, to pay out very little money. Zahn's defense attorney called the men and women of the Jacksonville City Council Auditor's Office hardworking, universally lauded public servants part of a "deep state" that was out to get him. His attorney actually said that. Zahn's team floated vague accusations of corruption within State Attorney Melissa Nelson's office, implying there was something untoward in her decision to open an investigation into his disastrous effort to privatize JEA as public outrage mounted. He cast aspersions on many others who played roles in the trial, some large and some trivial. Had prosecutors called on every person in this world whom Zahn has blamed for his troubles, the trial wouldn't have lasted a mere month; it would have lasted years. The jury on Friday found Zahn guilty of a conspiracy to steal municipal funds and of wire fraud, a remarkable, terminal repudiation of these tactics. "I think it's a huge event in our history and I think it's a reminder that if there's a breach of public trust, we're going to be here," said assistant U.S. Attorney A. Tysen Duva, the lead prosecutor who has taken down a number of corrupt Jacksonville public officials. "We're going to be here with the State Attorney's Office and we're going to partner in these cases going forward." Zahn's co-defendant, ex-JEA CFO Ryan Wannemacher, was acquitted on both counts. Notably, Wannemacher's defense strategy was free of the kind of conspiratorial ravings that were central to Zahn's efforts. Wannemacher's attorney even sounded half convinced at times that Zahn might have done something wrong. There were portions of Zahn's opening and closing statements, delivered by his attorney Eddie Suarez, that sounded as if they'd sprung directly from Zahn's mind. Blaming the "deep state, unelected bureaucracy," hailing Zahn as a "young" and "visionary" CEO, proclaiming him a victim of "politics." These embellishments were completely unnecessary Zahn had better, more compelling arguments that could have been emphasized. But Suarez and his colleagues have likely now learned what an army of attorneys who worked with JEA during Zahn's tenure learned years ago: Zahn doesn't like to be told "no." He is unmanageable. And he simply can't help himself, even to save his own skin. There were many inflection points throughout 2018 and 2019 during which even a little self-reflection, a hint of personal responsibility, a whiff of humility could have headed off Friday's tragic, cataclysmic verdict. But the trial made one thing abundantly clear: Time had not dulled Zahn's poor instincts. He remained strident, immensely self-confident and, frankly, a bit delusional. Timeline: Conspiracy trial of Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannemacher caps tumultuous years for city and JEA In depth: Money & Power: Inside the campaign to privatize JEA But for this, we should be thankful: The trial was about people who did something wrong, including but not limited to Zahn and Wannemacher. Yet a theme I found myself returning to week after week was how clearly it showcased the people along the way who did the right thing. Kyle Billy, Kim Taylor, Jeff Rodda the council auditors who decoded Zahn's little get-rich scheme and sounded the alarm. Jason Gabriel, the former city general counsel who ultimately killed Zahn's plan. Employees at JEA like Tim Hunt, an analytics expert, who had the courage to tell Zahn directly to his face that his fear-mongering strategy to justify selling JEA to a private company was wrong. Valerie Gutierrez and Jesse Ferraraccio, hard-working union leaders who called bull on Zahn in real time. There were the FBI agents and the prosecutors, who somehow made an interminably complicated story one that compelled Zahn's jury to say, "never again." And there were of course the jurors themselves members of both juries, for Zahn and Wannemacher who worked hard to understand it all and render fair verdicts. There were others, some publicly known and some not, who made Friday's verdicts possible because they simply did the right thing at the right moment. For that, they won't receive a bonus, they won't get any accolades, their lives were in fact significantly disrupted. We owe them deep gratitude. Nate Monroe is a metro columnist whose work regularly appears every Thursday and Sunday. Follow him on Twitter @NateMonroeTU. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nate Monroe: Verdict brings closure to JEA mess left in ex-CEO Aaron Zahn's wake On Friday afternoon, Georgia attorney Nathan Wade resigned from the Fulton County district attorney's prosecution of former President Donald Trump for attempts to change the 2020 election results. Wade was the lead attorney on the case, but his relationship with District Attorney Fani Willis drew unwanted attention to the prosecution. The allegations first became public in January, when one of Trump's co-defendants filed a motion in the case alleging that Willis and Wade had been romantically involved. The motion claimed a conflict of interest and asked that Willis and her office both be disqualified. Wade was hired in November 2021, and over the next two-plus years he was paid over $720,000 by the Fulton County District Attorney's Officeconsiderably more than either of the other attorneys hired for the case. Wade received this lucrative offer despite having no apparent experience in felony jury trials, much less one as complex as prosecuting a former president with racketeering. In trying to get Willis disqualified, defendants claimed that Wade took her on lavish vacations and gave her expensive gifts during their relationship, giving Willis an incentive to keep the investigation goingand keep Wade employedso she could continue to benefit from his paychecks. Wade and Willis claimed under oath that they split the cost of their trips, with Willis often paying him back in cash. In a ruling issued Friday morning, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee split the difference. While he found that "Defendants failed to meet their burden of proving that theDistrict Attorney acquired an actual conflict of interest in this case," he also determined that "the prosecution of this case cannot proceed until the State selects one of two options. The District Attorney may choose to step aside, along with the whole of her office," or else "Wade can withdraw." On Friday afternoon, Wade opted for the latter, tendering his resignation in a one-page memo addressed to Willis. "The furtherance of the rule of law and democracy is and has always been the North Star of our combined efforts in the prosecution of those who are alleged to have attempted to overthrow the results of Georgia's 2020 presidential election," Wade wrote. "I am offering my resignation in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as quickly as possible. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in investigating, indicting, and litigating this case." Willis soon replied with a brief of her own, accepting Wade's resignation and speaking of his tenure in glowing terms. "I compliment you for the professionalism and dignity you have shown over the last 865 days, as you have endured threats against you and your family, as well as unjustified attacks in the media and in court on your reputation as a lawyer," Willis wrote. She calls him "an outstanding advocate" and expresses her "sincere gratitude on behalf of the citizens of Fulton County Georgia for your patriotism, courage, and dedication to justice." Not present in either Willis' or Wade's memos was any realization of the inappropriate nature of their relationship and how it may well have tainted their case, which had been considered the strongest of any of the prosecutions against Trump. Instead, Willis engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate that would be frowned upon in nearly any workplace in America, much less one that has the power to wield criminal charges. "If this case were in federal court, disqualification would be a no brainerfederal prosecutors are not allowed to participate in cases where someone with whom they have a close personal relationship has a substantial financial interest," Atlanta attorney Andrew Fleishman wrote at The Hill. "In other words, they can't hire a spouse or boyfriend to be a special prosecutor." The post Nathan Wade Resigns From Trump Prosecution in Georgia appeared first on Reason.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Heading to the Oregon Coast this weekend? Youll want to be on the lookout for sneaker waves, according to the National Weather Service. The agency has issued a warning Friday through the rest of the weekend for deadly sneaker waves, which can surprise beachgoers by running up on the beach significantly farther than other waves. Portland doesnt feel really safe: Family on edge after 73-year-old gets brutally beaten at waterfront Those visiting the shoreline are strongly encouraged to avoid jetties, headlands and ocean logs. Last year, a potentially deadly sneaker wave was caught on camera as it surged up the beach and splashed onlookers at the Barview Jetty near Rockaway Beach. Sneaker waves are especially concerning when they come with the possibility of sweeping people into icy water. A sudden immersion into such cold water can be deadly. There can be 10 to 20 minutes of small waves right before a sneaker wave strikes, the NWS previously told KOIN 6 News. Logs on the beach are wet, extremely heavy, and can weigh hundreds of pounds. Yet a single sneaker wave can lift and roll these logs further up the beach, as well as roll them back down the beach, knocking over or pinning unsuspecting beachgoers. Dog Mountain hiking permits sell out in a single day It helps to know which way the tide is headed. For the most up-to-date forecast, visit the Oregon Coast Tide Chart. When in doubt, do not turn your back away from the ocean. The NWS also recommends keeping children close by or away from the shoreline at all times. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian activist Alexei Navalny, speaks in the plenary chamber of the European Parliament. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, has described Hungary's right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban as an accomplice of Russian President Vladimir Putin. She made the comments in a video message shown at a large rally of opposition supporters in Budapest on Friday. "Be brave," Navalnaya said, repeating one of her husbands central messages. Navalnaya said that in addition to Orban, there are other Putin supporters in Europe. Putin dared to start the war against Ukraine because he knew that he would be helped from Europe, she added. Just as Putin does not represent all of Russia, Hungary cannot be equated with Orban, she said. The rally at which Navalnaya's video was shown was organized by Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony together with student associations. Karacsony is a politician from the small left-liberal opposition party PM. After Navalny's death in custody last month, Orban and his Fidesz party publicly refused to mourn the Kremlin critic. When opposition members in parliament asked MPs to stand for a minute's silence for Navalny, the Fidesz faction stubbornly remained seated. Orban declared that a "chauvinist" like Navalny did not deserve an honour in Hungarys parliament. Orban has long had good relations with Putin. Several opposition groups demonstrated in Budapest on Friday to mark Hungary's National Day. Orban once again criticized the EU in a speech on Friday morning. "We have to occupy Brussels ..., we are changing the EU," he said, referring to the upcoming European elections in June. Orban faces criticism in Brussels for his attempts to undermine the rule of law. Peter Navarro is asking the Supreme Court to give him one last chance to stay out of jail. The former Trump White House trade adviser is slated to report to federal prison in Miami next Tuesday to begin serving a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 select committee, but is seeking to remain free while he appeals his convictions. Navarros attorneys filed an emergency application Friday afternoon with Chief Justice John Roberts, who receives such appeals from the D.C. Circuit. Roberts is likely to refer the request to the full court for action. Navarro was convicted by a Washington jury in September of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to provide documents or testimony to the Jan. 6 panel, which was investigating efforts by then-President Donald Trump and his allies to subvert the 2020 election and the violent mob that attacked the Capitol and delayed certification of the Electoral College tally. Navarro, who helped strategize with Trump allies in Congress to raise challenges to Joe Bidens victory on Jan. 6, 2021 when lawmakers met to certify the election results had asked two lower courts to allow him to remain free while he appeals his conviction. But U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta who presided over Navarros trial and a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, on Thursday rejected Navarros request to delay his prison term, although his appeal of his convictions remains pending. For the first time in our nations history, a senior presidential advisor has been convicted of contempt of congress after asserting executive privilege over a congressional subpoena, Navarro attorneys Stan Brand and Stanley Woodward wrote in the high court filing. The prosecution of a senior presidential advisor asserting executive privilege conflicts with the constitutional independence required by the doctrine of separation of powers. Navarro has argued that he believed he did not have to comply with the Jan.6 committees subpoena because Trump had asserted executive privilege to bar Navarros testimony. But Mehta and the appeals court found that Navarro presented no evidence that Trump had actually done so and that even if he had, there were still topics of testimony that Navarro could discuss without violating Trumps claimed privilege. The motion filed with the high court asks for Navarros release pending appeal, although he hasnt yet reported to jail. Spokespeople for the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, which prosecuted Navarro, and for the solicitor general, who handles litigation for the Justice Department at the Supreme Court, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Navarros application. PORTLAND, Ore., March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alex Liu, creator of the FinaMill spice grinder, will showcase significant product expansions at the 2024 Inspired Home Show's South Hall at booth #S1039. FinaMill launches new grater FinaPod, The GT FinaMill introduces the FinaPod GT, the brand's first grater, which is nominated for the IHA's Global Innovation, or gia, Awards. Made with surgical grade stainless steel blades, the FinaPod GT is the safest and highest performing way to grind hard spices like nutmeg and cardamom without the risk of cutting your fingers on a box cutter or handheld microplane. Also new is the FinaPod Peppercorn, specifically designed to grind peppercorns to a finer, restaurant-level, consistency. FinaMill upgraded its Classic Rechargeable mill with a USB-C cable, the new industry-standard connector. Other enhancements include a stronger motor and gearbox, an improved FinaPod engagement system, dual LED spotlights and an ambient light ring to easily see the food you are flavoring. In other news, FinaMill announces a partnership with Christina Pirello, the Emmy Award-winning host of the American Public Television series, Christina Cooks: Back to the Cutting Board. Christina is a best-selling author of thirteen cookbooks and an eminent authority on the impact food choices have on our personal wellness and the health of the planet. With more than 300 episodes of Christina Cooks produced since 1997, Christina's message is clear and still unique: what we choose to eat has a big impact on how we look, feel, age, and move through this challenging world. FinaMill would like to congratulate Western Michigan University's Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation design students Anastasia Charnesky and Kelsi Schmottlach who won the FinaMill design competition. Their prize is a once-in-a-lifetime trip to China to join Alex Liu on a manufacturing plant educational tour. Developed over 10 years, FinaMill holds 40 patents, has won several design and innovation awards, and was selected as one of "Oprah's Favorite Things". FinaMill is sold in 30 countries and has been profiled in The New York Times, Food & Wine, Good Housekeeping, and hundreds of local and national media outlets. Find them at FinaMill.com, Amazon, or at hundreds of retailers and select culinary, bridal, and home and housewares e-tailers. Story continues Media Assets Media contacts: Ellen LaNicca, ellen@elfpragency.com and Jono Waks, jono.waks@gmail.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/award-winning-finamill-spice-grinder-introduces-revolutionary-new-gia-nominated-finapod-gt-302090025.html SOURCE FinaMill (The Hill) Nearly 30 percent of Generation Z women identify as a member of the LGBTQ community, according to a new report. The Gallup survey, released Wednesday, found that 28.5 percent of women and 10.6 percent of men born between 1997 and 2012 identify as LGBTQ. In comparison, the same report found that only 12.4 percent of Millennial women and 5.4 percent of Millennial men identify as LGBTQ. The study also found that 15.3 percent of Gen Z respondents identify as bisexual, 3 percent identify as lesbian, 2.6 percent identify as gay and 2.8 percent identify as transgender. Of all of the generations included in the survey, Gen Z respondents were most likely to identify as members of the LGBTQ community. Collectively, 22.3 percent of Gen Z survey takers were likely to identify as LGBTQ compared to 9.8 percent of millennials (born between 1981-1996), 4.5 percent of Gen X (born between 1965-1980), 2.3 percent of baby boomers (born between 1946-1964) and 1.1 percent of the silent generation (born between 1928-1945). The generational differences and trends point to higher rates of LGBTQ+ identification, nationally, in the future. If current trends continue, it is likely that the proportion of LGBTQ+ identifiers will exceed 10% of U.S. adults at some point within the next three decades, Gallup said in its report. Overall, 7.6 percent of Americans identify as LGBTQ, per the survey. This is up from last year, when 7.2 percent of Americans identified themselves as members of the community. Despite the rise in LGBTQ identification across America, other data suggests that some Americans perceptions of the community may be turning negative. New data from the Public Religion Research Institutes (PRRI) American Values Atlas (AVA) survey, released earlier this week, found support for same-sex marriage dropped from 69 percent in 2022 to 67 percent in 2023. The last time Americans support for same-sex marriage dropped in the same survey was between 2014 and 2015, from 54 to 53 percent. The survey also showed support for non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people falling for the first time since 2018. Americans support for those protections reached a peak of 80 percent in 2022, but fell to 76 percent last year. The recent Gallup poll was conducted in 2023 among 12,145 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point at the 95 percent confidence level. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Candles, flowers, notes and other items sit on a picnic table honoring the victims of a March 7 shooting at Bushs Pasture Park. Jose Vasquez-Valenzuela, 16, died at the scene. Two other teens were also shot and hospitalized Hours before a shooting in Bushs Pasture Park on March 7 that killed one teen and injured two others, police were hearing chatter about something going down. We were aware that something was going to happen, said Debra Aguilar, the Salem Police Departments new deputy chief over the investigations division. We believed it was going to happen downtown. As a result, SPD moved officers and resources into the downtown area. We did have resources in place. Unfortunately, it didnt happen downtown, Aguilar said. Chris Baldridge, director of safety and risk management for Salem-Keizer Public Schools, said he notified downtown core schools to watch for groups of kids flowing out. But he didnt tell South Salem High School, which is three blocks from the park. Thats a learning lesson for me, and one Ill do the next time in the future is all six of my high schools will get that information, Baldridge said. Still Aguilar said, officers were close enough to respond within minutes, and had equipment such as chest seals and tourniquets that saved the lives of two of those shot. Aguilar and Baldridge were among city, school and neighborhood officials who spoke to a standing-room only crowd at Wednesday nights regular meeting of the South Central Association of Neighbors, or SCAN. Neighbors packed South Salem High School library Wednesday night to ask officials about gang activitiy and safety in the neighborhood. The past week has been traumatic for the neighborhood and community. The shooting triggered a six-hour park closure, lockdowns of nearby schools and Salem Hospital, and a massive manhunt. A 16-year-old South Salem student was arraigned Monday on second-degree murder and attempted murder charges in the shooting. Prosecutors say they intend to file a waiver to charge Nathaniel Shauntae McCrae Jr. as an adult. The day after the shootings, the school district was overwhelmed with online threats at multiple schools, as well as a bomb threat at South Salem High School. Thats all we did all day, Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Castaneda said. Terrible hoax attacks. Threats continue to circulate this week, at South Salem and other district schools. On Tuesday morning, police conducted a SWAT raid on a house on Rural Avenue SE, across from the school, and arrested 43-year-old Wilson Voorhis on 27 charges, many of them felonies. The charges included trying to sell methamphetamine near the high school, selling stolen tools, and parole violations. Aguilar said police conducted the operation in the early hours so students and staff wouldnt be traumatized by police lights and sirens. But neighbors said they were rattled by three loud flash bangs officers used. Many of those attending Wednesdays meeting have lived in the historic neighborhood for decades or even generations. Neighbors said that in just the past two years, they have seen a dramatic increase in problems with graffiti, property destruction, littering, large groups of teens hanging out during school hours and fights. They demanded to know why the city and school district cant do more to address the problems. They also asked what they could do. Here are some of the neighbors questions to officials, and the answers provided Wednesday night: Was the shooting gang related, and is the uptick in graffiti at Bush's Pasture Park related to that? Right now, we cant say this was a gang involved shooting, Aguilar said. What we can say is graffiti is a symptom of the violence that we have. Sometimes when you see graffiti you will see some other stuff happening. But I cant stand up here and say this was a gang shooting. Should the neighborhood be concerned about gang retaliation? I wish I knew. I wish I knew, Aguilar said. I cant say if there is or isnt going to be retaliation but what I can tell you is we are actively partnering with the school district, partnering with our federal partners to make sure we track down all of those potential threats. My hope is there is not. I cant see the future, she said. Was the gun used in the shooting taken into or found in South Salem High School? Aguilar said that information cant be disclosed right now, because its part of the ongoing investigation. Why cant we have a police gang team or school resource officers back in schools? Even though we dont have SROs, it doesnt mean we dont have a strong partnership with Salem-Keizer Public Schools," Aguilar said. We are in constant contact with the schools, sharing information. We attend joint meetings together where we talk about different concerns. Im constantly texting Chris Baldridge. As far as the gang team, she said: Yes, we dont have two officers that we call a gang team. But just because we dont have a gang team doesnt mean we dont have officers working to solve a lot of these violent crimes. For example, she said, five officers partner with federal law enforcement, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorneys Office. They are all working together to prevent these shooting, she said. And the police departments Strategic Investigations Unit focuses on who is involved in the shootings, she said. Who do we think is going to be the next one out there engaged in this violence? Thats what their focus is on. Areas and people that are highly likely to be the next, either shooters or victims. Why cant the district close South Salem High Schools campus? Castaneda said thats off the table. We dont lock our students in. We work with them to establish expectations, she said. We cannot close our doors. In the wake of last weeks events, however, South Salem has temporarily told students to stay out of the park during lunch breaks. And the district is reviewing what happened and considering adjustments to its policies, said Iton Udosenata, deputy superintendent for secondary schools. That could look like policies at North Salem and McNary high schools, where 9th graders arent allowed to leave campus. Thats something we will review, Udosenata said. Why are Salem-Keizer students roaming the city instead of attending classes? Why are kids not in school? That is the whole nations question right now, Castaneda said. I am not deflecting responsibility but I am broadening the aperture of what were talking about when I say across the whole country this is the question everybody is asking. Why doesnt the school send someone to the park and neighborhood to get kids back in class? Can they be picked up? I will be honest with you, by who? Our teachers are teaching. Our leaders are leading. Our counselors are leading, Castaneda said. We dont run a shuttle service that goes around the city to pick students up. We do our best, but we are not staffed to be patrolling the neighborhood, she said. What can neighbors do to help? SCAN president Victor Dodier encouraged the crowd to get involved with the association and to join a newly forming graffiti abatement team. And, neighbors said, making sure to walk in the neighborhood and use the park can sometimes be enough to encourage bad actors to leave. Tracy Loew covers education at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem group gets answers about Bush's Pasture Park shooting Israel will commence an invasion into the Gaza city of Rafah, despite protests from the United States and other international powers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced approval of the operation via his office on Friday. The Israeli Defense Force will invade the city in southern Gaza as part of its larger military operations in the region. NETANYAHU VOWS TO INVADE RAFAH REGARDLESS OF POTENTIAL CEASE-FIRE WITH HAMAS: 'IT WILL HAPPEN' Palestinians gather to perform the first Friday noon prayer of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in front of the ruins of Al-Farouq Mosque, destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. The operation will reportedly include an evacuation of civilians, according to The Jerusalem Post. The Prime Minister's office also announced that an Israeli delegation would leave for Doha to continue negotiations for the release of hostages. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The security cabinet must first arrive at a comprehensive position on the pressing issue. ISRAELI STRIKES IN RAFAH LEAVES 31 PALESTINIANS DEAD AHEAD OF PLANNED GROUND INVASION Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in Tel Aviv, Israel. The U.S. government has repeatedly opposed Israeli plans to launch the Rafah ground invasion. The administration is said to have proposed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution, which in part would call for a temporary cease-fire and call on Israel not to go into Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer went so far as to call for a change of leadership in Israel that is more willing to consider a cease-fire and abandon plans for further ground operations. Palestinians carry and fill up the water bottles amid clean water and food crises from mobile storages of charities as they have limited access to water due to Israeli attacks and an imposed blockade in Rafah, Gaza. President Biden seemed to sign off on these remarks, saying on Friday from the Oval Office, "Senator Schumer contacted my staff, my senior staff. I'm not going to elaborate on the speech. He made a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern, shared not only by him but by many Americans." The Israeli government released its post-war plan for Gaza last month, a deal that was immediately rejected by Palestinian officials. Under the plan, Israel would seek open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu's government has flatly rejected calls for a two-state solution, which Biden's administration continues to push for. Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. Original article source: Netanyahu approves Rafah ground invasion, despite Biden opposition Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for a long-anticipated military operation in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on Friday, according to his office. Israel's war against Hamas, which began following Hamas-led massacres in Israel on October 7, started with airstrikes on Gaza and then a ground offensive in the north of the coastal territory. The Israeli army then moved southwards in its attempt to completely eliminate the terrorist group. Netanyahu has said that "total victory" over Hamas is not possible without an operation in Rafah, which lies on the border with Egypt. The move comes despite growing international criticism and warnings from key Israeli allies, as more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering there after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the strip. Politicians and aid groups are calling on Israel to draw up plans on how and where the people in the Rafah area can be brought to safety before any military operation. An Israeli army spokesman said earlier on Friday that the military would make sure civilians are safe. Spokesman Arye Shalicar said that in the event of an operation in Rafah, the civilians would be evacuated to safer places such as the al-Mawasi camp. "That is what we have been doing in recent months and that is exactly how we would operate when it comes to Rafah," he said. He stressed however that leaders of Hamas were suspected to be in the city, along with many remaining fighters from the Palestinian Islamist group. On Friday, Netanyahu also reiterated his assessment that a recent proposal by Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza war was "unrealistic." An Israeli delegation is nevertheless travelling to Doha after a debate in the security cabinet on Israel's position. Hamas said on Thursday that it had submitted a new proposal, including an end to the fighting in Gaza, aid deliveries for the population and the release of people kidnapped from Israel in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. However, the Islamists continue to insist on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which Israel is refusing. Arab television channel Al Jazeera reported on Friday that Hamas had presented a proposal in three phases of 42 days each. Hamas set the condition that a permanent ceasefire be announced with the second phase, before the release of Israeli soldiers. For every Israeli soldier, 50 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, including 30 with life sentences, were to be released. Meanwhile, the deaths from the war continue to mount, with each side blaming the other for an incident on Thursday evening. Palestinian reports said that at least 20 people were killed in an attack in the northern Gaza Strip late on Thursday. The Hamas-controlled health authority said Israeli troops had fired on people waiting at a roundabout. More than 150 other people were injured, according to the health authority. The Israeli army gave a different account, and said it had enabled a convoy of 31 lorries carrying humanitarian aid to travel to the north of the Gaza Strip the previous day. "Approximately one hour before the arrival of the convoy to the humanitarian corridor, armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy," the statement said. The information from the war zone could not be independently verified. The terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 left more than 1,200 people in the Israeli border area dead, and some 250 kidnapped. According to the Hamas health authority, more than 31,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks and fighting in the Gaza Strip since then. General view of tents in which displaced Palestinians take refuge in, next to the Egyptian border with the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for a military operation in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on Friday, according to his office. Alongside the operational deployment, the army is preparing to evacuate the civilian population, the statement said. The move comes despite growing international criticism of a potential Rafah operation as more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering there after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the strip. Politicians and aid groups are calling on Israel to draw up plans on how and where the approximately 1.5 million people now in the Rafah area can be brought to safety before any military operation. Netanyahu also reiterated his assessment that a proposal by the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza war was "unrealistic." At the same time, an Israeli delegation is travelling to Doha after a debate in the security cabinet on Israel's position. Qatar has taken a leading role in negotiations for a further ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas said on Thursday that it had submitted a new proposal, including an end to the fighting in Gaza, aid deliveries for the population and the release of people kidnapped from Israel in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. However, the Islamists continue to insist on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the coastal area, which Israel is refusing. Arab television channel Al Jazeera reported on Friday that Hamas had presented a proposal in three phases of 42 days each. Hamas set the condition that a permanent ceasefire be announced with the second phase, before the release of Israeli soldiers. For every Israeli soldier, 50 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, including 30 with life sentences, were to be released. This satellite photograph released by Maxar Technologies shows the Gaza Strip city of Rafah which now houses most of the war-battered territory's population after hundreds of thousands fled battleground districts (Handout) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday he had approved the military's plan for an operation in Rafah, where most of war-battered Gaza's population has sought refuge. Netanyahu "approved the plans for action in Rafah," his office said in a statement, without giving details or a timeline. The statement said the military was "prepared for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population". Rafah is the last major population centre yet to be subjected to a ground assault during Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, which was triggered by the militants' unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7. The attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures. Hamas took about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages on October 7, and Israel believes about 130 of those remain in Gaza including 32 presumed dead. Israel's retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 31,490 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. US President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel during the war, has said an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a "red line" without credible civilian protection plans in place. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Vienna on Friday that Washington had not seen any plans for a Rafah operation, but reiterated that it wants a "clear and implementable plan" to ensure civilians are "out of harm's way". The office of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas "expressed deep concern over an imminent Israeli military offensive in Rafah, which could result in a new massacre and further displacement of the Palestinian people in Gaza," the official Wafa news agency reported. "The presidency underscored the urgency for swift intervention by both the US administration and the international community to avert this military attack, which could add to the already immense suffering of the Palestinian people," Wafa said. The German foreign ministry said "a large-scale offensive in Rafah cannot be justified". "Over a million people have sought refuge there and have nowhere to go," it said on X. "We need a humanitarian ceasefire now, so that the dying ends and the hostages are finally released." skl-rcb/kir The Netherlands picked French defence company Naval Group on Friday to build four submarines for its navy in a deal worth billions of euros that had also been pursued by Swedish and German firms. The decision is a boon for Naval Group, coming three years after it abruptly lost a major contract to build 12 Barracuda submarines for Australia. It also comes as European countries have stepped up military spending in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Netherlands picked the French firm and its Dutch partner Royal IHC over Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Swedish defence group Saab AB, which was bidding with Dutch shipyard Damen. "With the choice of Naval Group, two naval yards didn't win and I understand that the disappointment is large," state secretary for defence Christophe van der Maat said in Den Helder, home to the country's biggest naval base. The French firm "succeeded in offering a balanced, versatile and realistic offer. Dutch industry also has an important role to play, an important condition in the award process," he said. Van der Maat told AFP the budget for the project had been set at 5.6 billion euros ($6.1 billion) but that Naval Group's bid had been "below" that amount. The vessels will replace the Netherland's four Walrus class subs which entered service in the early 1990s, of which one was decommissioned last autumn so that its spare parts could be used to keep the other three in operation. Parliament will have to approve the contract, and caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte's cabinet has tried to speed up the decision ever since the party of far-right winger Geert Wilders won the most votes in last November's election. Wilders conceded Wednesday that he was unable to cobble together a coalition and the country's main parties agreed to form a "technocratic" government made up of non-politicians. During a parliamentary debate Wednesday, Chris Stoffer from the reformist SGP party -- which is strong in Zeeland where Damen is based -- asked that "we do not let this government decide, but a new government that will decide in the interests of the Netherlands." - European military boost - Van der Maat has said he wants to move quickly to avoid having to withdraw the aging Walruses from service before the new submarines are ready to deploy. He said Friday that the deal was "not only good for the navy and our security interests, but certainly also for Dutch companies and the development of our know-how". The deal had been reported by Dutch media for days, with newspaper De Telegraaf saying the contract would be worth between four billion and six billion euros. "The new submarines are an important step in strengthening our security," Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on social media platform X. The French defence ministry said the selection of Naval Group "will enable the Netherlands to have ocean-class submarines of the highest global standard, thus strengthening the Dutch armed forces as well as European capabilities within NATO". - First Barracuda export - The submarines will be built in Naval Group's shipyards, but there will also be an industrial cooperation accord to "reinforce the technological and industrial base of the Dutch defence industry", according to the defence ministry. The first two subs are to enter service within 10 years of the contract signing. It will be Naval Group's first exports of its Barracuda model, of which 12 were to be sold to Australia before Canberra cancelled the contract in 2021 in favour of a deal with Britain and the United States, causing a diplomatic storm. The first Barracuda to enter service in the French navy was nuclear-powered, but the model offered to the Netherlands will have conventional diesel-electric propulsion and be smaller at 3,000 tonnes, instead of 4,500 tonnes. "We are extremely honoured to have been selected by the Netherlands following a hard competition and to be involved in this project of strategic importance," Naval Group boss Pierre Eric Pommellet said in a statement. France has replaced Russia as the world's second largest arms exporter behind the United States, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report on Monday. mra-jcp/lth/rl A patient is prepared for functional near-infrared spectroscopy, which assesses brain activation during motion capture, at the Motion Analysis Lab at the National Institutes of Health. Photo courtesy of National Institutes of Health March 14 (UPI) -- Neurological conditions that affect 3.4 billion people are the No. 1 cause of ill health and disability around the world, ahead of cardiovascular diseases, a new study released Thursday shows. In what researchers say is the most comprehensive study to date, systematic analysis of data from a 2021 study suggests that overall disability, illness and premature death from neurological conditions rose by 18% from 375 million years of healthy life lost in 1990 to 443 million years in 2021. Published in The Lancet, the study by scientists at the University of Washington, Aukland University and the WHO Brain Health Unit, found the burden imposed by 37 conditions was much greater than previously understood, affecting 43% of the global population, according to a news release. These include stroke, brain injury, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and nerve damage, the researchers said. Of the 443 million years lost, neurodevelopmental and pediatric conditions were estimated to account for almost one-fifth of the total, equivalent to 80 million years of healthy life lost in 2021. The authors attributed the nervous system epidemic principally to the growth and aging of the global population and increased exposure to environmental, metabolic and lifestyle risk factors. However, the burden is not evenly distributed geographically, with central and western sub-Saharan Africa carrying the heaviest load with the least facilities and resources, while Asia Pacific and Australasia had the lowest burden but were much better positioned to cope, the researchers found. Asia Pacific-Australasia's rate of disability-adjusted life years and deaths came mainly from stroke, migraine, dementia, diabetic neuropathy and autism disorders. In sub-Saharan Africa, where afflictions were five times higher, stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, dementia and meningitis were the biggest contributors. The medical systems of high-income countries have 70 times as many neuro-specialists per 100,000 population as developing countries. About 25% of countries have a budget specifically to treat neurological conditions and about half have clinical guidelines, the authors said. They called for neurological health to be made a global public health priority to mitigate the enormous and growing impact. "Every country now has estimates of their neurological burden based on the best available evidence," said lead author Dr Jaimie Steinmetz, of the Health Metrics and Evaluation Institute at the University of Washington. "As the world's leading cause of overall disease burden, and with case numbers rising 59% globally since 1990, nervous system conditions must be addressed through effective, culturally acceptable and affordable prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care strategies," he said. The top contributors to neurological health loss in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, dementia conditions including Alzheimer's, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications from preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder and nervous system cancers. Cognitive impairment and Guillain-Barre syndrome resulting from COVID-19 accounted for 2.48 million years of healthy life lost in 2021, followed by tension headaches and migraines, with around 2 billion and 1.1 billion cases, respectively, but the fastest growing area of concern was nerve damage from diabetes. "The number of people with diabetic neuropathy has more than tripled globally since 1990, rising to 206 million in 2021," said co-senior author Dr Liane Ong from the health institute at the University of Washington. "This is in line with the increase in the global prevalence of diabetes," Ong said. However, controlling for age and other demographic impacts, global rates of disability-adjusted life years and deaths from neurological illness are down 27% and 34%, respectively, worldwide since 1990, mostly due to better awareness, vaccination and global prevention efforts, with outstanding progress achieved for some conditions, the researchers said. Disability-adjusted life years from tetanus fell 93%, 62% for meningitis and 39% for stroke, the data showed. Women were found to suffer fewer neurological conditions than men globally -- 5,186 compared with 6,101 per 100,000 people -- but women were impacted more by COVID-19, multiple sclerosis and migraine, while attention deficit hyperactivity and autism spectrum disorders and traumatic brain injury were twice as high in men. "The worldwide neurological burden is growing very fast and will put even more pressure on health systems in the coming decades," said co-senior author Dr. Valery Feigin, director of Auckland University's National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience. "Yet, many current strategies for reducing neurological conditions have low effectiveness or are not sufficiently deployed, as is the case with some of the fastest-growing but largely preventable conditions like diabetic neuropathy and neonatal disorders," Feigin said. "For many other conditions, there is no cure, underscoring the importance of greater investment and research into novel interventions and potentially modifiable risk factors." The study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As art subjects go, the one depicted in a 12-foot-wide mural of colorful and overlapping images, set to be gifted Saturday to the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City, may seem prosaic: Its about the life of a bank, which sounds about as dull as an old penny until the viewer knows that it isnt about just any bank. Its about the Douglass State Bank, the first Black-owned bank in the state of Kansas and, thus, about its founder, H.W. Sewing, a man largely forgotten now but one whose journey is perhaps too big even for a mural. He believed that the soul of Frederick Douglass was in that bank, said his grandniece, Joy Sewing, who is donating the mural. (Now a columnist at the Houston Chronicle, she worked at The Star in the 1990s.) His whole mission was to uplift the Black race and to provide economic freedom. Central section of a mural depicting Douglass State Bank in Kansas City, Kansas. The painting by artist Hank Smith was commissioned in 1974. The mural was painted in 1974, as a figure with cool, long sideburns attests. Over in the upper left corner and also to the right is Henry Warren Sewing lean, with serious eyes behind glasses, a line for a mouth. An eminent figure in a dark suit, his loans to businesses and homeowners from Douglass State at 1314 N. Fifth St. changed the lives of generations of Black families in Kansas City, Kansas, and beyond. The Douglass State Bank in Kansas City, Kansas, was the first Black-owned bank in Kansas and, in 1947 when it opened, one of a few in the United States. It closed in 1983. What is only hinted at is the journey. Raised poor, the son of a Texas sharecropper, he was born in 1891 and named for an uncle, Henry Brooks, remembered as being so brave he refused to be whipped by his enslavers. As a boy, Sewing picked cotton, attended church and school. He was 24 by the time in 1915 he graduated from Tillotson College, now Huston-Tillotson University, where he met his wife. He then went on to Fisk University in Nashville. When I got on the campus, I had 25 cents, Sewing, at age 85, recalled in an interview taped in 1976, with a transcript kept by the Kansas City Public Library. He graduated and become an Austin public school teacher, paid half the salary of others. Because one was colored and one was white, he said. They made no bones about it. Thats the way the system worked. H.W. Sewing at his office in the Douglass State Bank in Kansas City, Kansas. Seeking a better future, he took a correspondence course in accounting, traveled to Chicago, found no job, then made his way south, stopping in Kansas City. He got work in a stockroom before becoming an instructor at Western University in KCKs Quindaro area. There, he had a friend who was about to get what he felt was a substandard insurance policy from a substandard company. Sewing, instead, called the Standard Life Insurance Co. A salesman showed up and wrote up a new policy. What happened next changed Sewings life. The man that was there he was one of the field men, Sewing recalled. He said, Youd make a good salesman. That was 1922. I wrote more business than two of the men that were in the office and running the office there. The far right side of the 12-foot mural depicting H.W. Sewing, founder in 1947 of the Douglass State Bank, the first Black-owned bank in Kansas. The mural now hangs in the Black Archives of Mid-America. Sewing prospered, even during the Great Depression, rising in esteem through Kansas Citys business ranks with Standard Life, National Benefit Life, Atlanta Life Insurance Co., and others. He became a leader on civic organizations that included the Monrovian Club, the Fisk Club, the United Negro College Fund, and YMCA. In, 1932, recognizing the unfair treatment of Black people, Sewing with four friends and $200 opened the Sentinel Loan Co., located in a room at The Kansas City Call newspaper. Fifteen years later, he and others traveled to Topeka to talk to a banking regulator. We said to him that we know that theres already too many banks in Kansas City, Sewing recounted, but we also know that a large segment of Kansas City doesnt have adequate banking services and you know the reason for that as well as we do. A story in The Kansas CIty Star on Sunday, Dec. 22, 1946, announced the eventual opening of the first Black-owned bank in Kansas, and one of only a few in the United States. The parade, with a marching band and cars draped in bunting, to celebrate the opening of the Douglass State Bank on Aug. 25, 1947, began at Lincoln High School in Kansas City and traveled to Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas. The bank would underwrite countless loans, including in 1952 financing the construction of 150 homes in the Brentwood Hills subdivision of Kansas City, Kansas. If Frederick Douglass were alive today he would smile upon this undertaking, a speaker, a banker from North Carolina said at the dedication. The news story from that day is embedded into the mural. For the famed abolitionist encouraged John Brown to come to Kansas to fight slavery and have the state come in as a free territory. In fact, Douglass State is a continuation of the things Frederick Douglass fought for. A news story embedded into the 1974 mural painted by Hank Smith says Douglass State Bank, the first Black-owned bank in Kansas, evoked the spirit of Frederick Douglass. Sewing died in 1980 at age 89. Douglass State closed in 1983. Its location eventually became a Liberty Bank. The mural, painted by a local artist, Hank Smith, had hung there for nearly 50 years, until about two years ago when, through a friend, Joy Sewing came to know of its existence. The Liberty Bank gave it to us, she said, and the family decided the Black Archives would be the best place for it. We just want to make sure that his legacy and history are remembered. It is pretty incredible that a Black man, born in 1891, had so much vision to see past all the atrocities and the turmoil and the oppression that was happening around him. One thing he knew is that Black people at that time were not given any opportunities to get loans to buy homes and increase their wealth. It was important for him to do that. Interior of the Douglass State Bank in Kansas City, Kansas. The mural dedication is 5 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Black Archives of Mid-America, 1722 E. 17th St. Speakers are to include David Haley, a Kansas state senator and nephew of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alex Haley. TAMPA (BLOOM) Tampa General Hospital, in collaboration with the City of Tampa and Hill Ward Henderson, has officially opened the newly revitalized Bayshore Fitness Trail. This initiative aims to enhance the health and wellness of Tampa Bay residents and visitors, providing state-of-the-art fitness equipment along the scenic waterfront path. A Community Commitment to Health The project, spearheaded by TampaWella health and wellness activation by Tampa General Hospitalreflects a strong community commitment to promoting physical fitness and accessible health resources. The partnership with the City of Tampa and support from Hill Ward Henderson have been pivotal in transforming the trail into a versatile fitness venue. John Couris, President and CEO of Tampa General Hospital, emphasized the mission to bolster regional health and provide resources that encourage a healthy lifestyle. The trail now features advanced fitness equipment and instructional videos, catering to individuals of all fitness levels. Tampas Iconic Trail Enhanced Tampa Mayor Jane Castor praised the trail as a hallmark of the citys allure, offering residents and tourists a beautiful setting to stay active. The collaboration among TampaWell, Hill Ward Henderson, and the city underscores a unified effort to foster community well-being. The upgraded trail includes new fitness apparatus like agility ladders and exercise pads, complemented by instructional signage and QR codes linking to exercise videos. This enhancement not only revitalizes a beloved community asset but also broadens the scope for engaging in physical activities. A Legacy of Community Support Hill Ward Henderson has played a crucial role in the trails development, funding the original project and continuing their support for this significant upgrade. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Bliss Home in Nashville will close and liquidate its inventory, the independent furniture retailer announced. The furniture company's Knoxville and Louisville locations will remain open. After more than 10 years in business, Schimmel and Sorenson said they chose not to extend their lease. We are so grateful to our hard-working staff and to the Nashville community for the outpouring of support they have shown our family over the last 12 years, the pair said in a joint statement. A liquidation sale began March 14 and will continue until all the inventory is sold. The home furnishings retailer was started in 2003 by husband-and-wife duo Scott Schimmel and Lisa Sorensen with a downtown Knoxville storefront. The Nashville location, at 2711 8th Ave. S, opened in 2012. Family-owned furniture store Bliss Home announced the closure of its Nashville storefront this week after more than 10 years in business. Why are furniture stores going out of business today? Bliss Home joins the growing ranks of independent retail companies that have down operations in Nashville. Friedman's Army Navy Outdoor Store in January announced the closure of its last Nashville storefront after 74 years in business. Locally-owned outdoors retailer Sport Seasons also closed its last Nashville location this year after more than 35 years in business. It's part of a national trend. While furniture sales increased during the pandemic, redeocorating ended in later months, decreasing anual sales in 2023. In recent months, national chains Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Klaussner Home Furnishings and United Furniture Industries have shuttered. Searching for Nashville's family-owned furniture stores? Other family-owned furniture stores in the Nashville area include Sprintz on White Bridge Pike, NashCo Furniture on Harding Industrial Drive and B.F. Meyers on French Street in Goodlettsville. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bliss Home closes in Nashville, liquidates store inventory The New Hampshire Supreme Court granted a stay over a school funding lawsuit decision Wednesday, hitting pause on a sweeping order that would force the state to double its spending on public schools. Without comment, all five justices concurred with the stay over the lawsuit, Contoocook Valley School District v. State of New Hampshire. The move allows the state time to appeal a November Rockingham County Superior Court decision up to the Supreme Court. The November decision, issued by Judge David Ruoff, found that the state was not meeting its constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education because the minimum, per pupil amount provided to school districts about $4,100 per year is too low. Instead, Ruoff said, the state should spend at least $7,356.01 to account for realistic public school expenses. All five N.H. Supreme Court justices concurred with the stay over the lawsuit. Under New Hampshires school funding system, any school costs not covered by the state must be raised by local property taxes. Last month, Ruoff denied the states motion to reconsider or delay his decision and ordered that the state move ahead immediately. But the Supreme Courts stay overrides that order. The state has said it will appeal the matter to the Supreme Court, promising what could be a years-long, high-profile court fight. In its motion to the Supreme Court to stay the ruling, the Department of Justice argued the state would suffer irreparable harm if Ruoffs order were not paused, since the order would require a $537.6 million annual spending increase to the states Education Trust, which currently spends just over $1 billion per year. Republican politicians have criticized Ruoff personally: Senate President Jeb Bradley, of Wolfeboro, accused Ruoff of judicial overreach during a press conference in January. And Gov. Chris Sununu has suggested Ruoff should no longer serve as a judge. That judge is a politically activist judge that I think has no place on the bench, Sununu said at a recent Chamber of Commerce event, in remarks reported by New Hampshire Public Radio. I even voted for the guy when I was on the (Executive) Council, Sununu continued. I couldnt be more disappointed. Because it was all politics. A judge shouldnt be telling the state a dollar amount. Thats not a judges job. But advocates in favor of changing the states school funding balance say that Ruoffs ruling acknowledged a reality that the state does not pay enough for districts to run their schools and sought to correct that reality by forcing the Legislatures hand. The track record of the Legislature, as exemplified by decades of inaction, is not one of proactive, meaningful reform to school funding to fulfill the constitutional right of New Hampshire students to an adequate education, said Zack Sheehan, executive director of the advocacy group New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project, in December. The ConVal case is one of two active school funding lawsuits. The second case, Rand v. State of New Hampshire, was brought by taxpayers, who argue the states property-tax-driven school funding system is not equitable and disproportionately hurts taxpayers in poorer towns. In the Rand case, Ruoff issued a partial summary judgment ruling in November that found that the statewide education property tax (SWEPT) is not constitutional and should be changed to redistribute revenue from wealthier towns to poorer towns. The Supreme Court did not issue a stay over that order Wednesday. The Rand case was filed after the ConVal case. Plaintiffs in the Rand case have not yet received a full superior court trial; attorneys for the plaintiffs say they are waiting to see if the Supreme Court will attempt to take up the two cases together or split them and let the Rand case work its way through a trial in Rockingham County Superior Court. This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Supreme Court issues a stay over ConVal school funding decision No Labels, the centrist group gunning for a third-party presidential bid, announced Thursday the process it plans to use to pick a presidential ticket. The group voted last week to move forward with a unity ticket, even as the race solidifies into a general election rematch between former President Trump and President Biden, who have met the delegate thresholds they need to score their respective party nominations. No Labels has now created the Country Over Party Committee, which National Convention Chair Mike Rawlings described in a launch video as a diverse group of co-chairs and citizen leaders in charge of identifying candidates, deliberating and proposing both a presidential and vice presidential contender. That recommendation will then go before No Labels delegates for a nomination vote. Majority support gets the official nomination to appear on the ballot as the groups unity ticket. The launch video shows 12 names under the Country Over Party Committee, including former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the founding chair of No Labels; retired U.S. Navy Adm. Dennis Blair, the groups North Carolina chair; and No Labels national co-chair Ben Chavis. Even though both major parties have settled on their presidential nominees, its clear the American people are still searching for another choice, Lieberman said in a release. Speculation has been swirling for months over whether the group would move forward with its own ticket and what candidates might be on the table. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) was considered before he announced a bid for the U.S. Senate, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was floated as a possible contender before she ruled out the idea. Lieberman said earlier Thursday that the political group could announce its candidates this spring as early as March 21. To be considered, a candidate must meet a high threshold, agree to the No Labels movements beliefs, and endorse the groups policy platform, Lieberman said in the news release. Critics have worried No Labelss continued efforts threaten Biden as he tries for another four years in the White House. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A long-lasting peace after the war in Ukraine is only possible if Ukraine's sovereignty is fully restored over all occupied territories, including Crimea, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with TF1 on March 14. "We are doing everything we can to help Ukraine defeat Russia because I will say this plainly: there can be no lasting peace without Ukraine regaining its sovereignty and internationally recognized borders, including Crimea.," he said. Macron also characterized Russia as an "adversary" and voiced his hope that the escalation "will not pull us all into war." The French President did not rule out the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine, saying that "all options are possible." It came to light on March 14 that Macron had privately discussed plans in late February to send troops to Odesa. Read also: NATO support work in Ukraine possible, in line with international rules, says Czech President Pavel Likelihood of NATO troops in Ukraine: What is known Following a conference in support of Ukraine held in Paris on Feb. 26, Macron announced that Western allies of Ukraine would form a coalition to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with long-range weapons. He also indicated that the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine in the future remains open. Several NATO countries publicly rejected Macron's proposal about sending troops to Ukraine, including Poland, the United States, Germany, Czechia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Read also: Slovak DM states that Ukraine should get back home their man from Europe instead of speaking about NATO troops NATO countries should consider all options to assist Kyiv, but Kyiv hasnt asked the Netherlands to send troops and there is currently no reason to discuss it, Dutch Defense Chief, General Onno Eichelsheim, said European NATO member countries have been studying the possibility of sending Alliance troops to Ukraine for weeks, AFP reported, citing a source. French troops may be deployed to Ukraine to guard certain borders, participate in military exercises, or operate ground-based air defense systems, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Feb 28. Read also: NATO finally accepts possible clash with Russia, expert says 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 United States will be unable to provide Ukraine with additional military support without Congress approving extra funds, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on March 14. The $300 million aid package the U.S. Department of Defense announced recently was described as a "unique case," according to Singh. Read also: US Congress resolution urges Biden to provide ATACMS missiles to Ukraine She noted that while the Pentagon will announce any contracts that are executed at a reduced cost, these were unique circumstances that allowed Washington to provide Kyiv with some much-needed support. Singh added that the United States considered the evolving situation on the battlefield, highlighting the need to strengthen Ukrainian defenses and withdraw troops from some regions. Read also: Ukraine needs air defense, armored vehicles and missiles, not planes Austin "The secretary [of Defense Lloyd Ausitn] and the president [Joe Biden] decided it was important to utilize [funds] from this contract," she said. Singh declined to comment on media reports suggesting the United States has decided to equip Ukraine with ATACMS ballistic missiles. Read also: Pentagon plans to allocate $300 million to Ukraine as part of its 2025 U.S. Defense Budget Washington announced a new $300 million military support package for Ukraine on March 12, which includes artillery shells and GMLRS munitions for HIMARS rocket artillery. This was the first tranche of U.S. security assistance to Kyiv since late 2023. The U.S. Congress has yet to approve a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine. The Senate endorsed the corresponding bill on Feb. 13, but House Seaker Mike Johnson remains reluctant to put it to a vote before the House of Representatives, even though the bill would likely secure broad bipartisan support in the chamber. 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 Expansion of intercontinental connections could reduce Western dependence on fossil fuels from Russia and the Middle East - Christoffer Hellmann Britain homes could one day be powered by electricity generated in America under plans to install up to six power cables across the Atlantic. The cables would stretch roughly 3,500 miles across the ocean, reaching depths of up to 11,000 feet, and carrying power roughly equivalent to several nuclear power stations. A group of London investors and energy consultants are behind the ambitious scheme, as they claim technological advances in subsea cables could allow the creation of a global intercontinental grid. Simon Ludlam, one of the businessmen backing the project, says such a cable would enable electricity to be traded across the Atlantic, taking advantage of the differences in peak demand as the power line crosses time zones. When the sun is high in London, itd be breakfast time in New York where people could use UK or European power to cook breakfast, says Ludlam. And then five hours later, the sun will be high in America, so solar and other power stations there will provide the power for cooking supper in the UK. The scheme, which is still in its early stages, is one of several long-distance subsea cable projects that have been prompted by rapid improvements in technology. The most advanced is the Xlinks project to lay four cables between the UK and a network of wind and solar farms spread across the Sahara desert in Morocco a distance of 2,400 miles. Once completed, the scheme is expected to deliver about 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of electricity to the UKs national grid equating to about 8pc of total power demand. Another, on the other side of the world, will see a cable laid from wind farms in Australias Northern Territory to Singapore, supplying the city-state with low-carbon power. Saudi Arabia and India are also looking at plans to link the power grids of both countries via subsea cables. Simon Morrish, chief executive of the Xlinks project, believes long-distance interconnectors will become a key tool in the battle to decarbonise. Story continues As of today, we are moving energy around via molecules meaning gas oil products and coal, he says. As we decarbonise, the electricity grid will support more of our transport, heating and other needs. So were going to need to move electrons around instead and long-distance interconnectors are the only feasible way to do that. He says the prospect of global electricity grids will solve the problem of intermittency among renewables, as you can shift power to areas that are short of solar or wind. According to Morrish, there are no longer technological barriers to prevent this. Chinas had 3,000-kilometre links since 2018, at double the voltage that were doing, he says. Its just a question of putting all the pieces together. However, running a cable across the Atlantic would be the worlds longest and most challenging project to date, with Ludlam recognising the financial and regulatory hurdles in place. He has, however, pioneered a number of similar smaller projects. They include ElecLink, the power cable laid through the Channel tunnel, which started operations in 2022. The 1GW cable, which is now operated by the Eurotunnels owner Getlink, can support the power needs of up to 1.6 million homes. Since that success, Ludlam has moved on to become chief executive of MaresConnect, a project to install an interconnector between the UK and Ireland, carrying surplus power from Irish windfarms to the UK. The scheme is currently being assessed by Ofgem, Britains energy regulator. A transatlantic system would, he warned, need to be built with extra resilience. Instead of having just one very large cable, you probably have maybe three sets of two all of them at two gigawatts, he says. That means the failure of a single cable couldnt bring the whole system down. Ludlams colleagues on the project include Laurent Segalen, a Franco-British clean energy investment banker and founder of Megawatt-X, which has overseen more than 15GW of wind and solar transactions over the past eight years. Strategically and economically, a transatlantic cable makes a lot of sense, says Segalen. It especially makes sense for members of Nato to reinforce each others energy supplies. It also means we no longer have to buy dirty fossil fuels from Russia and the Middle East. The cost of such an ambitious project is uncertain, although current estimates suggest it will be above 20bn but potentially cheaper than the 46bn being spent on Hinkley Point C Britains new nuclear power station. The idea of laying interconnectors over such long distances would have been unthinkable until the last decade because the electrical resistance inherent in cables would have soaked up too much power over such distances. In recent years, however, cable makers have improved the quality and size of their systems so that power losses amount to just 3pc for every 1,000km. The deepest cable currently in operation has been laid at 1610m water depth in the Mediterranean Sea. Another project in the same area is also under construction, with plans to reach 2000m. One of the worlds leading cable producers is Denmarks NKT HV Solutions, which sells cables that are being used to build the 160-mile high voltage direct current link between Scotland and Shetland, and a smaller 24-mile link between Guernsey and Jersey in the Channel Isles. Simone Pagliuca, a director at NKT says a single cable system could now be built with the capacity to carry 2.6GW equivalent to the entire output of two large power stations. Interconnectors are essential components of a dynamic and evolving renewable energy ecosystem, he says. Enabling the transition to a low-carbon future, electrified transportation, and smart city infrastructure developing and expanding grid connections, along with improving energy system interconnectivity, serve as key enablers for this. The UK is fast adopting such technology. Its nine operational interconnectors mean it has become heavily reliant on its European neighbours for electricity. Last year UK consumers paid a record 3.1bn for electricity generated in foreign power stations, according to new government data. The vast imports of foreign electricity have prompted developers to install another eight subsea cables, two of which have already won initial support from Ofgem. One of the proposed new links, dubbed LionLink, would stretch from the UK to Holland, connecting North Sea windfarms to the British and Dutch grids. The other, Tarchon, would create a second electricity link between British and German grids. A National Grid spokesman said: Interconnectors play a vital role in the transition to a greener energy system, moving green energy from where it is in abundance to where it is most needed. As we deploy more wind power to meet our climate and energy security targets, connections to our neighbouring countries will play a vital role increasing security of supply and reducing prices for consumers. 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. Volunteers with the Aris Foundation give out donated clothes on a Tuesday evening in Tempe to those who are experiencing homelessness. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Monika Perrys life has been full of struggle, strife and hope. She joined the United States Air Force in 1999, as soon as she was able, and her time in the service took her to places like Greenland and Saudi Arabia. But her greatest struggle wasnt one that occurred on any battlefield but on the streets of Tempe. In 2016, she began a battle with substance use disorder while in a violent relationship with her then-husband. She would go in and out of treatment for the next four years and ultimately would find herself in Arizona in 2020, homeless and desperate for help and being manipulated by a new partner. Its a pattern women whove been abused often get stuck in. For the next three years, Perry struggled to find help, often being turned away by service providers. She was robbed at gunpoint while living on the street and harassed by police. Perry was desperate for help and could not seem to find it, until she met a man who understood her trauma. Benjamin Jeffrey, a veteran himself, struggled with addiction for years, eventually leading to his own homelessness. Jeffery turned his life around, got off the streets and began helping the community he spent so much time with in the Salt River bottom near Tempe. Perry found Jeffrey when he was doing outreach work on the street and told him how she had been turned down for help, despite her veteran status, and she then slowly started the journey to recovery. Her story of experiencing homelessness for years despite pleas for help is all too common to those who have made their lifes work to help the most needy among them. And there are no simple solutions. A common story Arizona has seen a year-over-year increase in its unhoused population since 2017. The number of people experiencing homelessness in the state is at levels the state has not seen since the late 2000s, when the country was grappling with the Great Recession. In the years since 2017, the state, local municipalities and counties have used different tactics to address homelessness, with varying degrees of success. Homelessness in Arizona increased by 21% from 2020 to 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The increase has led the federal government to give additional aid to Phoenix. Prior to her experiences with homelessness, Perry was a decorated member of the USAF. She earned the nickname Quickdraw from colleagues who appreciated her quick reaction skills. Perry said she joined the military because she saw it as a way to not repeat mistakes made by her parents, an opportunity to be different and find her own path. At first she excelled, rising through the ranks and marrying a man who was in the Air Force, as well. But her success would also become part of her downfall. Her husband, she said, grew jealous of her career success, straining their relationship and marriage. He became violent and belligerent, and the resulting stress pushed her to substances. Then Perry was sexually assaulted while serving, an experience that more than 50% of women in the armed forces have also experienced. She faced misogyny from her fellow airmen and, after 14 years of service, she retired, annulled her marriage and decided to try to start fresh. But her boyfriend would eventually lead her further into drug and alcohol abuse and to Arizona, where she hoped to get more help to deal with her PTSD and family trauma, only to find herself facing more domestic violence and trauma at the hands of her boyfriend. Perry eventually found herself in Tempe at a time when the city was starting to push homeless encampments out of the river bottom due to public pressure and safety concerns. While some have criticized the move by Tempe, others have noted the increase in services the city has provided in the wake of this decision. Those services, though, are not always as easy to get, something Perry learned firsthand. On a Tuesday in Tempe, an Aris Foundation volunteer watches over a table of donated clothes that will be handed out over the course of the night. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror She attempted to get services from the city, but encountered workers who dismissed her stories or told her to do things she was uncomfortable with. Eventually, Perry wound up in a temporary shelter run by a group of churches in the area. But after learning that many of the women were being sexually harassed by workers, she was haunted by the memory of her sexual assault and left. Back on the streets, Perry dealt with police who would tell her and her then-partner that they were trespassing, threatening her with arrest or a ticket while she tried to use the medical training she received in the USAF to help others experiencing homelessness. Im an empath, Im a healer. It is what I was born to do, Perry said while recalling her time living at Phoenixs The Zone homeless encampment. Although she was a resident, she also tried to provide aid to other residents. You have no idea how many people have cancer who are out there. Shed try to use her veteran status and go to the VA hospital in Phoenix, but the hospital trespassed her for being homeless. She feared that, if she went back to seek services shes entitled to, shed be arrested. Perrys story is much like many others who spoke to the Arizona Mirror, sharing their experiences with homelessness. Systems created to help are overburdened, underfunded or the people working them are not trained adequately, according to Jeffrey, Perry and others. Theyre basically operating with a method to drive homeless people out of the city, Ron Tapscott, a long-time Tempe resident and activist, told the Mirror. The only way this is going to be taken on is with substantial public pressure. Those who are on the ground are starting to sound the alarm, as well, saying that cities are not adequately addressing the issue or, worse, outright ignoring parts of it. The amount of shelter, just as in Phoenix, is nowhere sufficient to meet the needs of the raw number of people who are on the streets in the City of Tempe, said Elizabeth Venable, founder and community organizer of the Fund for Empowerment. Providing help Every Tuesday night a group of volunteers sets out food, clothing and much more in a parking lot in Tempe. Katherine Kouvelas-Edick is the reason the weekly event happens. Seven years ago, she started going out on her lunch break with a minivan full of clothes and food to try to find and help people experiencing homelessness. Her mother encouraged her to just find one spot to set up at, and the Tuesday night ritual was born. Now, she and her volunteers help serve from 175 to 250 people each week, providing them with food, clothes, medical supplies and services. Her group even helps those who may not be homeless but are food insecure, like a 90-year-old WWII veteran who Kouvelas-Edick makes sure to greet every Tuesday. In fact, Kouvelas-Edick greets everyone. She said she tries to make it a judgment free zone so those who come can hopefully feel comfortable enough to begin the long road to permanent housing and recovery. Many of the volunteers have experienced homelessness, and some had even come to the Tuesday night giveaways for food and help themselves. In her time providing meals, books and clothes, Kouvelas-Edick has seen it all. She said she recognizes that real solutions seem hard to come by, even for cities that she feels are trying, like Tempe. She recalls how some of the homeless youth she encounters call the citys homeless outreach team, the HOPE Team, the Nope Team instead. We needed to build more capacity internally, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods told the Mirror when asked about concerns raised by advocates of the HOPE Team being understaffed. It is an issue in, frankly, any department in the city. Volunteers with the Aris Foundation hand out food on a Tuesday evening in Tempe to those who are experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Woods touted the investments the city is making in affordable housing and trying to find new ways to create it. Woods said that the city is trying to be proactive instead of reactive to the causes and effects of homelessness in Tempe. He also defended a controversial move by the city to disallow groups like Kouvelas-Edicks from providing their services in city parks. In no shape or form am I trying to begrudge the work they do and the community they built, Woods said, adding that the size of the events means that they should seek a permit for use in the park. Not long after the Mirror interviewed Woods, the city denied a permit to a group seeking to provide services to the homeless in one of the citys parks. The city had asked the group, AZ Hugs for the Homeless, to apply for a permit for the weekly Sunday event they have been putting on for years. But because they kept doing the pop-up events while waiting for that permit, the city rejected the application. And that means the group will be unable to apply for a permit again for a year. But providing pop-up services is not the only solution and advocates are facing a legislature that is becoming increasingly hostile towards the homeless population. Finding solutions, maybe Republican lawmakers have been pushing a number of bills that aim to criminalize being homeless in Arizona, from bans on panhandling at intersections to punishing cities for not clearing out homeless encampments. But advocates for those experiencing homelessness dont see one clear solution. There is no silver bullet, they say. Some cities have begun moving towards a policy of prioritizing housing. Both Phoenix and Tempe have gone in this direction, trying to find people permanent supportive housing with wrap-around services to help them get back on their feet. A study by the conservative leaning think-tank Common Sense Institute Arizona found that spending on homelessness in the Grand Canyon State tops $1 billion per year. The group looked at government and non-profit spending and found that Arizona has around 51,000 employees whose job, in some way, shape or form, revolves around homelessness. The lions share of the spending goes towards housing and shelter, followed by food and clothing, then health care. Domestic violence and veteran support and substance abuse treatment make up about $36 million in annual spending by nonprofit groups compared to the $318.38 million that goes towards housing and shelter, the report found. But despite that spending, advocates on the ground have said that there are still not enough beds or affordable housing to go around and those that build affordable housing projects have trouble finding funding. The prices of land have been crazy, said Sally Schwenn, Arizona market president for Gorman & Company, an affordable housing developer. Schwenn added that one of the biggest hurdles is obtaining financing to start a project and then making sure investors understand the long process that may unfold. Katherine Kouvelas-Edick, founder of the Aris Foundation, gives an interview to a local news station about her work to help those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Lawmakers have attempted to try to reduce those roadblocks by trying to streamline the permitting process. But cities object to them, and some critics fear the changes will give developers carte blanche on what they develop. In all the cities, that is a big topic, Schwenn said of the permitting process. Some [cities] are much more positive on getting something through. Advocates like Venable and Jeffery both believe that moving to a housing-first approach will help alleviate and address the rise of homelessness, but both expressed concerns as cities take efforts to eliminate encampments and the rising costs of rent. Phoenix is seeing a lot of chickens coming home to roost with the State of Arizona not having rent control and not having any real spendings on the [Housing Trust Fund], Venable said, adding that Phoenix and other cities should back the idea of rent control. It is to their benefit to be able to have some sort of control over development, some sort of control over how inequity plays out in society. Housing advocates have argued that rent control is key to grappling with the states growing rental prices, and Democratic lawmakers are continuing to push for the repeal of the states law barring rental caps. But rent control, housing and increasing affordability are just some solutions that not everyone can even agree on. Just handing out housing doesnt do it for me, Kouvelas-Edick of the Aris Foundation said. To her, immediate housing should focus on the most vulnerable parts of the population, such as seniors or those with disabilities. She recalled many of the people she has met who are service resistant and how, in some cases, it takes hitting rock bottom to find the strength to change their situation. She also noted that those with drug or other convictions often cannot find housing that will let them in, leading to them becoming homeless. And many cant afford the application fees many apartments and housing projects require. Those same people often do not qualify for certain aid programs. When Tempe cleared a homeless encampment from the river bottom, the Mirror was told that many of them were offered housing but had to move right then, bring only one bag, be entirely sober and they were not allowed to bring pets, among and other stipulations. This led to an influx at shelters in other parts of the Valley by those who either distrusted Tempe, were not ready or able to get services. Woods, the mayor, said that clearing the river bottom was in large part about safety, noting that the area flooded just two weeks later. It was very difficult for our first responders to deal with the escalating number of calls coming from that area, he said, adding that firefighters did not have a nearby source of water and fires were a major concern. Woods also denies that Tempe went to the encampment and said you have to leave now. A happier ending After Perry met Jeffrey, she was able to enter a program specifically designed for veterans. Perry is working on herself and has found support not only in the form of the people who provided her services but also from a new service dog, Memphis. Shes gotten sober and graduated from the program, which helped her understand herself and find stability. She has an apartment now and helps out other veterans like herself, in the same way Jeffery has done, at the program she graduated from. However, the encampment sweeps by police continue and those who help the homeless are starting to turn to the legal system to try to get some help and reprieve for what theyve been seeing for years. Advocates are cautiously optimistic about the future, as Gov. Katie Hobbs has signaled that the issue is one of her top priorities. The state last year made historic investments into the states Housing Trust Fund, with increased disbursements to localities and nonprofits to address the growing concern. Youre not wasting your time, Perry said when asked what message she wants those on the frontlines to hear. However she acknowledged that, after a while you start to believe it. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post There are no silver bullets to solve the homelessness crisis appeared first on Arizona Mirror. The Kansas Supreme Court has struck down the portion of a Wichita law that criminalizes noisy conduct, finding it to be unconstitutional. Because Wichita borrowed language directly from a state law that prohibits engaging in noisy conduct tending to reasonably arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others, the 6-1 ruling could have implications for political protesters across Kansas. As written, Wichitas disorderly conduct law criminalizes a broad range of other constitutionally protected activities whether expressed in public or private settings and whether expressed at any time during the day or the night, Justice Melissa Taylor Standridge wrote in the majority opinion, published Friday. The city will not be required to scrap its entire disorderly conduct law, meaning residents can still be arrested for engaging in fighting or brawling, disrupting meetings or using fighting words. The case stems from 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations where Wichita police arrested participants for disrupting traffic and drawing on sidewalks with chalk. One of the architects of those protests, Gabrielle Griffie, brought her challenge of the ordinance to the Supreme Court after the district and appeals courts sided with the city. Standridge outlined a range of activities that may be considered criminal under the Wichita ordinance if expressed in a disagreeable, unpleasant, or loud way that would tend to reasonably arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others. Speaking, marching, and demonstrating; Using profane language in front of, or directed to, another person; Being insolent and disrespectful to another person; Cheering, booing, or taunting at a sporting event or other occasion Talking on the phone in public; Playing disagreeable or unpleasant music; Honking a horn; Talking during a movie at the theater Revving the engine of a vehicle or motorcycle Standridge said the vast amount of protected activity the provision prohibits outweighs the citys argument that it is needed to help law enforcement minimize confrontations between citizens. The City will be evaluating the courts decision and reviewing our disorderly conduct ordinance to insure compliance with the courts opinion, spokesperson Megan Lovely told The Eagle. The ACLU of Kansas, which filed an amicus brief in support of Griffies challenge, cheered the courts decision. Free speech and expression, especially political protest, are fundamental to our democracy, and police cannot have the power to selectively arrest anyone for speech they disagree with or are angered by. We are glad to see the Court agreed, Legal Director Sharon Brett said in an email statement. The ruling does not explicitly call for a rewrite of Kansas disorderly conduct law, but Brett said she expects it will also have to be changed. The language of the statute is identical. Even though the prosecution wasnt under the state law, I think the opinion has implications for the state law as well, she said. In his dissenting opinion, Justice Caleb Stegall noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has long recognized time, place and manner restrictions to otherwise protected free speech. In my view, the majoritys analysis is sound, with one crucial exception, Stegall wrote. After describing the appropriate overbreadth test, the majority fumbles the ball when determining whether the challenged portion of the ordinance sweeps up protected speech in its net. During oral arguments last September, Stegall asked Griffies attorney if he believed the First Amendment protected speech or conduct so loud that the noise level arouses anger and resentment in others. Wichita police did not collect data on decibel levels of protest activity at any point during the summer 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations, which at times involved megaphones. In the majority opinion, Standridge points out that Wichita has a separate noise ordinance for regulating nuisances that identifies tests for measuring noise levels and establishes appropriate levels for various times and places. Griffie did not return a request for comment through her lawyers. Neither did the office of Attorney General Kris Kobach, which filed its own amicus brief in defense of the state law Wichita borrowed language from. Wichita protests Griffie, the executive director of Project Justice ICT, was one of several Wichita protesters arrested in the days after a July 2020 demonstration calling out police brutality after George Floyds death. Although the initial disorderly conduct charge against Griffie was dropped, the city used it to support her ultimate conviction on two misdemeanor counts of unlawful assembly for her role in organizing the protest. Project Justice ICT did not obtain a community event permit to block off city streets. But the Wichita Police Department monitored the groups activity and prepared for the march by blocking off streets around the planned route to limit contact with motorists. [B]ring shields, umbrellas, and other protective gear. We will be marching, Project Justice ICT posted on Facebook ahead of the demonstration, according to court records. Forty to 60 marchers chanted Black Lives Matter and Defund the Police. Livestreamed video from the event shows some marchers also shouted profanity at police, according to court documents. When protesters arrived at the federal courthouse, they gave speeches to the crowd over megaphones for roughly 30 minutes. In an August 2020 interview, Griffie, then 24, told The Eagle she thought her arrests and those of other protesters were a blatant scare tactic to try to keep the organizers of Project Justice ICT from marching in the streets. NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) A Norman woman told News 4 shes frustrated after getting her own and someone elses tax debt letter in an envelope mailed to her address. Ashleigh Pennington admitted to News 4 Thursday that she owed a debt to Rose State College that Brant and Associates sent her a letter about. Ashleigh Pennington, Image courtesy KFOR Severe weather across Oklahoma The companys website said that it offers tax warrant intercept services. The website also said that Brant understood the importance of privacy and confidentiality when it came to collecting data. The letter sent to Pennington noted that it was done so on Rose State Colleges behalf due to an existing debt. Pennington took issue with the fact that someone elses letter, with their own information was printed on the back of her own. Its absolutely insane to me that an error like this can put so many people at risk, but also that somebody misses an error like this, said Pennington. Who on your staff sends these out? Check what youre putting in the mail and notice theres something on the back that shouldnt be. Pennington shared an email she received from Brant and Associates with News 4 Thursday, stating that the second letter printed on the back of the same page was a printing error. That response also indicated that a new letter would be sent with only Penningtons information, which she confirmed that she received. Are you kidding me, said Pennington, when asked what her reaction was to that response. Anybody that you send a letter out to is now at risk. We have no idea who has our information. News 4 reached out to Brant and Associates multiple times Thursday to clarify Penningtons safety concerns. The owner of the company returned a second call, but refused to go on the record with the details she shared with us. News 4 gave that owner the opportunity to respond with a statement or interview to clear things up, but that request has not been accepted as of Thursday. I just felt like somebody needed to know because I dont know how many people are at risk over this, said Pennington. Service Oklahoma expands hours, adds Seasonal Saturdays Pennington said shes also filed a formal consumer complaint after reaching out to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummonds office. It didnt exactly fit the criteria of this situation, but I filled it out and made a statement and let them know that I think Oklahomans need to know this, said Pennington. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. This article was originally published in EducationNC. Two of North Carolinas 2023 Regional Principals of the Year asked lawmakers during a House education reform meeting on Monday to revise the states plan for paying school principals. Among other things, two representatives from the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals Association (NCPAPA) said the current plan is too tied to test scores discouraging some principals from serving in low-performing or high-poverty schools. Currently, the states principal salary schedule is tied to Average Daily Membership (ADM) and school growth. In 2018, the state updated the principal pay scale to increase pay. On Monday, presenters Dr. John Lassiter and Ashley Faulkenberry told lawmakers that NCPAPAs requested revisions build off that scale. It is not focused on significant increases in pay but on tweaking the compensation model to provide greater pay stability and to keep outstanding principals in their schools longer, the presentation says. The current plan was a step in the right direction for overall principal compensation. However, the plan had a few unintended consequences. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Those consequences, according to the presentation, include: Big swings in pay based on many factors beyond the principals control. Not considering the complexity of the school. De-incentivizing outstanding assistant principals from aspiring to become principals and stay in the field. NCPAPAs proposed plan would add a retention bonus and include factors such as how many multi-language and students experiencing homelessness a school has, in addition to school size and performance. We recognize that theres a sense of urgency to support North Carolina schools, and to ensure strong school leadership is in place. Because we know that school leadership is one of the top two leading factors impacting overall school success, said Lassiter, the principal of Hertford Grammar School in Perquimans County Schools. Today, we want to look at adding a few complexity factors to the principal compensation plan that look at the challenging job that a principal has in a more unique way. Were asking to redeploy some of the resources so that theres more stability in pay. Here is a look at the current principal pay plan, followed by a look at the proposal presented to lawmakers on Monday. Not removing performance pay, but changing how its calculated Roughly one out of five N.C. principals (21%), agree or strongly agree that performance-based pay in the current pay plan makes up a fair portion of a principals total salary, according to a NCPAPA survey. The current growth score metric also does not factor in scores on science and history tests, the presentation said, or exam scores in career and technical education and dual-enrollment courses. We dont recommend removing performance pay from principal compensation. We know that its an important part of the work that we do, Lassiter told lawmakers. But we do want to share that the majority of principles are saying that its not a fair portion of how theyre compensated. Currently, principals get an additional 10% if they meet EVAAS growth targets and 20% for exceeding that target. The principals plan presented on Monday calls for reducing that to 5% and 10%, respectively. The money not spent on growth scores would then go toward increasing the base principal pay, per the presentation. This is intended to stabilize principal pay while keeping the current structure of the plan in place, Lassiter said. Our current system ranks growth of all schools with no consideration of complexity or disadvantagement, the presentation says. This graph (below) shows the correlation between social economic status of the student population and the schools ability to exceed growth. This really proves that principals who serve more complex schools have unique challenges to overcome to accomplish similar results to schools located in more affluent areas across the state, said Faulkenberry, the principal of Trent Park Elementary in Craven County Schools. Increasing principal retention Nationally, 1 in 5 principals leave the profession each year, the presentation said. In North Carolina, that number is closer to 1 in 4. The problem of retention is greatest at high-poverty schools where nearly 30 percent of principals leave their school, the presentation says. As principals become more experienced, research shows they tend to move to lead schools with fewer complexity factors, schools that serve high-income areas with high-achieving students. Retention matters, as research shows that school principals greatly impact the schools they lead. According to a 2021 report from the Wallace Foundation, principals contribute to important outcomes like student achievement, reduced absenteeism, and teacher retention. To help combat low principal retention, NCPAPA proposes adding the following retention pay bonuses: $2,000 for 5-9 years as a principal. $4,000 for 10-14 years as a principal. $6,000 for 15+ years as a principal. The proposed model also seeks to increase principal retention by establishing a complexity model that considers more than just school size. The lowest complexity tier would start at $82,650 and the highest would start at $105,484.67. More complex schools equals high stress, higher burnout, more turnover, and less stability for schools, Faulkenberry said. Simply put, more complex schools are more difficult to lead. Here is a look at some of the factors the proposal would include: Only 7% of N.C. principals agree or strongly agree that the current pay plan encourages high-performing principals to transition to low-performing schools, per the NCPAPA survey. Accounting for factors beyond school size would encourage more principals to stay at high-poverty schools, Lassiter and Faulkenberry said. They also spoke about the need to create a stronger compensation progression in North Carolina schools, citing a decreasing pool of candidates considering principalship. According to the NCPAPA survey, less than 15% of principals agree or strongly agree that the current pay plan encourages school leaders to transition into the role of the principal. The principals proposal would address this problem, the presentation says, by linking all school employees to one salary scale while ensuring that the principal is the highest paid employee in the building. The proposed revisions start principal pay at the top teacher pay schedule, plus 25%. If we do not honor principal experience as part of the new proposal, we fear that the statistics will only become a greater concern across the state, further impacting our education future workforce, Faulkenberry told lawmakers. What did lawmakers say? NCPAPA is asking state lawmakers to modify the principal pay plan in 2024 to enhance recruitment, increase stability, add school complexity factors, and recognize experienced leadership. It has never been more important to keep outstanding principals in their schools, the presentation says. Rep. Phil Shepherd, R-Onslow, spoke about the importance of having school principals who are well known and have a strong reputation in the community. Rep. Henry Warren, R-Rowan, asked how the proposed plan would calculate complexity tiers. Each of these students would count for one point in each of these different complexity factors, Faulkenberry said. And then you would put all of those points into a bucket, and then that would tier those students in the pay plan. Warren also asked how much an impact shifting student enrollment has had on principal pay. He specifically mentioned an increase in homeschooling and families using Opportunity Scholarships to enroll their children in private school. Faulkenberry and Lassiter said that impact is felt the strongest in smaller, transient districts. Faulkenberry clarified that school size is still considered a factor under the plan, but now one of many. Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke, said bringing in more complexity factors is appropriate, but questioned reducing incentives for growth in test scores. If our approach is to try to find the principles that are effective, it seems to me it just simply gives you higher pay for having a tough situation but doesnt necessarily mean youre effective in that role, Blackwell said. Committee Co-Chair Rep. John Torbett, R-Gaston, said the fiscal department will work to provide a rough estimate on how much the principals proposal would cost to implement. Rep. Brian Biggs, R-Randolph, said lawmakers should continue discussing the principals proposal. Weve got to look at this, said Biggs, who co-chairs the education reform committee. Because a lot of principals that are in tough situations are superstars, but theyre not getting paid like theyre superstars because of the situation that theyre put in. The House Select Committee on Education Reform is scheduled to hold its final meeting of the short session on March 25. Torbett said the committee plans to issue their final report then. This article first appeared on EducationNC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. A building in Passaic partially collapsed on Thursday evening, displacing more than 70 residents, according to city officials. The mixed-use residential and commercial building at 120 President St. partially collapsed just after 5 p.m. The Passaic Fire Department and Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost arrived on scene to assess the incident and determined the building needed to be evacuated. Alberto Ventura, the city's construction official, also arrived on scene to deem the building uninhabitable, according to city officials. The building next door at 118 President St. was also evacuated. Damage between 120 President Street in Passaic, which partially collapsed on Thursday evening, and the adjacent building 118 President Street. No injuries have been reported but over 70 people have been displaced, approximately 50 of them being residents of 120 President Street. The American Red Cross, in partnership with the City of Passaic, has opened a temporary shelter for displaced residents in the gym at the Mahatma Gandhi School in Passaic. Red Cross New Jersey posted to X, formerly Twitter, Thursday evening saying, "Our disaster action team is in Passaic tonight to help those affected by a building collapse on President Street. At this time, our team is assessing the needs of displaced families." According to Passaic Mayor Hector C. Lora, the building's condition has only deteriorated since Thursday night. The bulge in the side of the building has visibly gotten bigger and the alleyway between the two buildings is getting more narrow. Local: Passaic will use federal funds to reduce flash flooding at culvert where two died in 2021 Unclear when or even if residents can return The expected timeline for residents to be able to return is three to four weeks, but Lora said they may not be able to get back in at all. "We can house them for about three days. We're looking to get funding, working with the Red Cross and seeing what we can do to extend help," said Lora. "We're going to see if we can have them stay somewhere temporarily but the big challenge that we face right now is potential relocation or permanent relocation because a temporary solution is just that temporary," the mayor said. "The other challenge we have is finding them affordable housing." While the cause of the building's collapse has not yet been determined, Lora said that it could be a number of factors. Damage on the side of 120 President Street, an apartment building in Passaic that partially collapsed Thursday evening. "Considering the severe weather conditions that we have had over the last few weeks with strong winds and constant rain, it could have exacerbated existing conditions," said Lora. "There is record that there was a fire years ago. The buildings in our city and cities all around New Jersey are very old, some over 100 years old. This could be anything from potential termites getting into the wood, until you really open up everything and assess it, you're not going to know for sure, but there could be a number of factors that contributed." Lora implored the Legislature to move an affordable housing bill forward. Several New Jersey towns could receive funds to encourage developing affordable accessory dwelling units smaller, independent structures on the same lot as a single-family home under a pilot program Gov. Phil Murphy proposed in his Tuesday fiscal year 2025 budget address. Advocates hail the practice as part of a solution to address the states affordable housing shortage. Under the $10 million proposal, 10 or more municipalities would be awarded up to $1 million through a competitive grant process. "The city of Passaic recently passed an affordable housing initiative allowing for accessory dwelling units as long as they are provided for affordable housing," Lora said. "But considering the challenges right now as mayor, looking at families that are struggling, it's not just whether there are apartments available, but are there affordable apartments where they can relocate." said Lora. "Were going to see issues like this occur not just in Passaic in the future but around the state whether it is a fire, natural disaster, or old buildings that are compromised," he said. "There are going to be many families that need to find where they are going to relocate, and I really want to make this appeal." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Passaic NJ apartment building partially collapses, 70 people displaced LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The North Las Vegas Police Department is expected to release body-worn camera video and 911 audio of Tuesdays triple-murder-turned-officer-involved shooting next week, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. The shooting took place near the intersection of East Carey Avenue and Civic Center Drive. The news comes as the identity of one of the three women shot to death in what someone who claimed to be the property manager said was a home intended to give shelter to victims of domestic violence. North Las Vegas police shoot, kill armed man; 3 women, 1 dog found dead in apartment complex Police said 43-year-old Edward Brooks shot three women, having identified two of them as Africa Woods-McGill, 52, and Venus M. Hart, 48. Brooks, police said, shot Woods-McGill, Hart, a third woman, and a dog before he was shot by officers responding to 911 calls from the crime scene. As the officers approached the courtyard, they encountered a man, armed with a firearm, who walked towards the officers, a written statement from the North Las Vegas police said. Officers gave him multiple verbal commands to drop the firearm, but he ignored the commands and continued to walk toward them. Two officers then discharged their duty firearms, striking the man. Coroner identifies 2 women shot to death at apartment complex Court records in Clark County show a 2017 case involving Africa Aquarius Woods McGill, who was charged with several counts of uttering checks. A further review of that case indicates that McGill served prison time in Nevada. On Thursday a private security detail equipped with K9 was stationed outside the building. The officer said he was under orders not to let anyone onto the property. It is the first NLVPD officer-involved shooting of 2024. Per NLVPD policy, the identity of the officers involved is to be released after 48 hours from the time of the shooting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. QUINCY North Quincy High School sophomore Anna Li won the grand prize at the Region V Science and Engineering Fair at Bridgewater State University. Li won the Sanofi Specialty Care Grand Prize for her project, How Does the Species of Microalgae Reduce the Effects of Carbon Dioxide in Seawater on Calcium Carbonate? Research like hers could help reduce ocean acidification, which is harmful to organisms in the water. I tested how different species of microalgae might be able to mitigate this," she said. "Since microalgae are photosynthetic organisms, they can absorb carbon dioxide and hopefully reduce the amount of carbonic acid that is being created. High school students from 75 cities and towns presented their projects at the fair. Next, Li advances to two more competitions: the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair at Gillette Stadium in April and the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May. North Quincy High School sophomore Anna Li stands in front of her poster board at the Region V Science and Engineering Fair. Nicole Kymissis, Lis ninth grade biology teacher, helped students' projects along from their inception in September all the way to the science fair. . Anna is highly inquisitive, she loves to ask questions, she loves to seek answers, Kymissis said. Li was not the only North Quincy High School student who received an award at the science fair March 2. Classmates won honorable mentions and third-place awards at the event. When asked what makes the science department at the school so strong, Li said the school and teachers support their students. Honestly, Dr. Kymissis is an amazing teacher. I learned a lot from her during my freshman year of high school, and she was also willing to answer my questions, which encouraged me to ask more, Li said. Grand prize winner Anna Li, left, with fellow North Quincy High School students Marko Mano and Michelle Chen, both of whom won third-place awards at the regional science fair held March 2 at Bridgewater State University. Principal Daniel Gilbert echoed that sentiment. We have incredibly bright and talented teachers, and we have incredibly bright and talented students," he said. That's a great mixture for things like that. That's the reason you see so many kids from North (Quincy) winning. More winners: Click here to see the full list of winners Li said she is interested in exploring environmental studies in college. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: North Quincy High student wins regional science fair grand prize (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. Most Read from Bloomberg Indian tech firm Think & Learn Pvt must freeze $533 million to protect the money for disgruntled lenders who claim the cash should only be used to pay them, a US judge said Thursday. The decision by US Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey was a mixed victory for lenders. They earlier demanded the money be placed under the control of the federal court to prevent the cash from being spent by the Indian education-tech firm, which operates under the name Byjus. Dorseys order was aimed at Riju Ravindran, one of the companys directors and the brother of founder Byju Raveendran. Ravindran was also ordered to help solve one of the central mysteries of the court dispute: where the money is located. I do not believe him when he says he cannot learn the location from Think & Learn, Dorsey said. A representative for Think & Learn declined to respond to a request for comment. Ravindrans attorney, Sheron Korpus argued that the lenders are at fault for any financial woes suffered by Think & Learn. The company was justified in keeping the money away from the lenders because they have been overly aggressive in claiming the debt was in default, Korpus told Dorsey. Think & Learn is fighting the lenders in state courts in Delaware and New York. Lenders had previously seized control of a holding company set up by Think & Learn to issue $1.2 billion in debt. That unit, Byjus Alpha, is now in bankruptcy under Dorseys oversight. Ravindran is appealing a decision by Delawares Chancery Court approving that seizure. Story continues At the start of the Thursday bankruptcy hearing in Wilmington, Delaware, Dorsey ordered the arrest of the founder of a small Florida hedge fund for refusing to reveal where Think & Learn allegedly hid the cash. If he can be located by US Marshals, William C. Morton will be locked up for contempt of court under Dorseys order. Morton must also pay $10,000 a day until he provides details about the money, which was briefly placed with the hedge fund Camshaft Capital Fund. Earlier: Judge Orders Arrest of Byjus Hedge Fund Ally Over Missing Cash The missing money is at the heart of a fight between lenders owed more than $1.2 billion and Think & Learn. The $533 million was transferred to Mortons hedge fund and then moved to an unnamed, off-shore trust, Byjus Alpha lawyer Benjamin Finestone said last week. Byjus is in serious financial trouble and faces disputes with its shareholders as well as court fights with its lenders, Finestone said during the hearing. Ravindran also testified Thursday that three of Think & Learns six directors have resigned, leaving only himself, his brother and his sister-in-law in charge of the company. It is substantively important that we get these funds, because the walls are crumbling, Finestone told Dorsey during the hearing. The US bankruptcy case is BYJUs Alpha Inc., 24-10140, US Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware (Wilmington). (Updates with comment from Ravindrans attorney in the sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Police at Hoyt-Schermerhorn station after the shooting on Thursday New York City subway commuters fled in terror as an armed rider who had picked a fight with another man was stabbed and then shot with his own gun, police say. The 36-year-old man is in a critical condition after he was shot in the head on the platform of a busy Brooklyn station on Thursday afternoon. Police said he pulled a blade and a gun after starting a fight on a train. The second man grabbed the gun and fired multiple shots. Shortly before the gunfire rang out, a woman who was apparently travelling with the second man appears to stab the 36-year-old in the back during the two men's physical fight, according to viral video captured by another rider. City officials told a news conference that the older 36-year-old man, a fare evader, had started the fight with the younger man, 32, whom he did not know, on the rush-hour train. "The 36-year-old male then displayed either a knife or a razor blade, a sharp object, before the two males became engaged in a physical altercation," said an NYPD statement. "The 36-year-old male then displayed a firearm and during another physical altercation, the 32-year-old male gained possession of the firearm and shot the 36-year-old male." Officials did not identify either man at the news conference following the incident at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station. The 32-year-old was detained by police, but on Friday afternoon the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office cited "evidence of self-defence" as the reason no charges have been filed. The other man was taken to hospital for surgery. Metropolitan Transit Authority chairman Janno Lieber called the incident "absolutely outrageous". "The victim here, as the chief said, appears to be the aggressor - but the real victims are the ones I saw on those videos who were going through a harrowing time because they were on the train with someone with a gun," he added. "They're afraid for their lives." Hoyt-Schermerhorn is a busy transit point for commuters Video posted on social media shows the older man repeatedly shouting "I'll beat you up" at the younger man, and their section of the subway train clearing of riders as the two begin to circle each other. A woman lunges at the 36-year-old when he pins the younger man down on a seat during the struggle. She was being sought by police for questioning. "You stab me?" the 36-year-old shouts as blood begins to seep on his back. Shots are heard as the subway arrives at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station and panicking commuters in the car sprint for the exits. Video from other subway cars shows people in tears as they huddle on the ground in the shooting's aftermath. No other injuries were reported. Earlier this month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul deployed 1,000 members of the National Guard and state police to protect subway riders following a string of headline-grabbing violent assaults. There have been eight shooting victims in the city's transit system so far this year. New York this month deployed the National Guard to the subway to protect commuters EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) East Harlem tenant Tom Crawfords wayward window requires duct tape to stay shut. Its just one of the several issues he and his fellow tenants said they manage on a daily basis. Our entire building has hot water and water pressure issues, said Crawford. Sandeep Chandur, one of Crawfords neighbors, added, The floor has actually come up. Its like a lift up, not a dip. I have a problem with my eyesight, so tripping is definitely a concern for me. Joined by their advocates and attorneys, Crawford and his neighbors in several adjoining buildings from 112 to 126 East 103rd Street held a rally Thursday morning to announce a newly filed lawsuit against their landlord Emerald Equities. College swimmers, volleyball players sue NCAA over transgender policies Manhattan Legal Services senior staff attorney Matt Latterner said the allegations include padlocking fire exits and the theft of tenant security deposits. Emerald Equity Group blew off the city and failed to make rent impairing violations for more than six months. Every indication is that this landlord illegally commingled the security deposits with their own funds. These tenants dont have to pay rent, said Latterner. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said Emerald Equities is no stranger to scrutiny; it currently ranks No. 72 on his offices annual Worst Landlords list and has been in the news for years regarding reports of financial troubles. We wont see behavior change until these buildings are taken from landlords or theyre arrested, said Williams. PIX11s multiple calls to Emerald Equities were not returned. PIX11 visited the Midtown Manhattan address linked to the company, only to be told no one was available to speak. Officials with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development are also in the process of trying to hold Emerald Equities accountable. We stand with the residents because all New Yorkers deserve a safe and healthy home, Housing Preservation and Development Deputy Press Secretary Natasha Kersey said in a statement. HPD is actively engaged in holding Emerald Equities accountable for their negligence across their entire portfolio. We will continue to work hand in hand with LSNY to ensure the families of these properties have a comfortable place to come home to. Its early in the legal process, and too early to tell if Emerald Equities, which owns buildings all across the city, would ultimately be forced to surrender certain properties. But Crawford and other tenants said after recently receiving lease renewals, which include rent increases, they are making plans to find a new place to call home. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NEW YORK (AP) Some immigrants in New York City could be formally denied emergency housing after officials and human rights advocates agreed to compromise on the interpretation of a unique legal decision that gives the right to shelter to anyone who asks, the mayor announced Friday. Mayor Eric Adams asked a court in October to suspend the housing requirement in a state of emergency, drawing a challenge from The Legal Aid Society and another humanitarian group. The agreement essentially ends the blanket right to shelter for adult immigrants after the first 30 days they receive services. The city can determine on a case-by-case basis whether to allow a migrant to stay in a shelter for more than 30 days, according to the settlement. Additional time will be granted on a showing of extenuating circumstances, including significant efforts to resettle, the settlement reads. This new agreement acknowledges the realities of where we are today, affirms our shared mission to help those in need and grants us additional flexibility to navigate this ongoing crisis, Adams said in a recorded video announcing the settlement. NYC tenants file lawsuit against landlord, allege theft of security deposits Adams said over 183,000 immigrants have been in the citys care at some point since 2022. Under the agreement, the unfettered right to shelter would be restored if the humanitarian emergency ended. In return, Legal Aid expects the city to clear a backlog of immigrants, including families with children, who are reapplying for shelter space. The city also agreed to eliminate the use of waiting rooms as shelters and provide consistent access to bathrooms, showers and food, according to a statement from The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless. This settlement safeguards the right to shelter in the consent decree, ensuring single adults both long-time New Yorkers and new arrivals access to shelter, basic necessities and case management to transition from shelter to housing in the community, said attorney Adriene Holder for The Legal Aid Society in a statement. New York Citys shelter requirement has been in place for more than four decades after the consent decree required the city to provide temporary housing for homeless people. The announcement came after New York shelters began kicking immigrant families out of shelters after 60 days, forcing them to reapply and often wait days or more before securing another shelter spot. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The man accused of shooting a 36-year-old MTA commuter in the head during a bloody brawl on a packed Brooklyn A train was set free Friday as prosecutors determined he acted in self defense, officials said. At the same time, police were actively searching for a woman who took part in the Thursday afternoon fight and was caught on video stabbing the victim before he was shot, cops said. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing but, at this stage, evidence of self-defense precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter, Brooklyn District Attorneys office spokesman Oren Yaniv said about the shooting Friday. The bloody clash, Yaniv said, was shocking and deeply upsetting. Police were still looking for a 5-foot-2 woman wearing a black shirt with the word Pink in white lettering, who was caught on video apparently stabbing the aggressor during a fight on a packed Manhattan-bound A train before the man pulled a gun, cops said. The woman appeared to be with a 32-year-old man who wrestled the gun from the older straphanger and shot him twice in the head, cops said. Speaking to reporters outside the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station in downtown Brooklyn Friday morning, NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said the woman was involved in the incident. She had a sharp object and cut [the victim] with the sharp object, Kemper said. The wounded man, a parolee who sparked the fight, remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition Friday. He was caught on video yelling at the man who ultimately shot him, screaming You think its OK for you people to beat up cops? leading some to believe the victim mistook the other man for an asylum seeker like the ones accused of assaulting two police officers outside a Times Square shelter. He thinks youre a migrant, a woman can be heard screaming on the video, which was viewed by the Daily News. He thinks your an immigrant. The armed victim, who was caught on camera coming into the system through an exit gate and avoiding the fare, has a criminal record with arrests for grand larceny, robbery and a domestic criminal mischief, police sources with knowledge of the case said. He was convicted in 2014 for a first degree robbery he committed in Queens, according to court papers. After five years in prison, he was put on parole, which ended in 2022. The victim currently lives in Brooklyn in supportive housing. Cops did not immediately disclose the wounded mans name as they track down family members. If he survives, he may be charged with weapons possession for bringing both a gun and a knife into the transit system, police sources said. The victim was already on the train when he began arguing with the younger man, who got on the train at a Bedford-Stuyvesant stop. Prior to the shooting, the older man was seen on video yelling at the other passenger before the two squared up to fight, the video shows. The duo did not appear to know each other before the scuffle on the train, Kemper said. As the train continued on, the men came to blows, with the older man eventually holding the other one down with the weight of his body. Shocking video shows the woman repeatedly strike the older man in the back as he exclaims, You stabbed me? You stabbed me in the back? After a civilian breaks up the brawlers, the younger man and woman back into a corner as blood appears to stain the back of the 36-year-olds shirt, the video shows. He points at the woman and again accuses her of stabbing him then pulls a handgun out of his jacket pocket. Panicked straphangers run to the other side of the train car, some cowering on the ground worried about getting hit by an errant shot. Let me out! Let me out! one straphanger is pleading, according to the video. Somehow, the younger man managed to wrestle the gun away from the victim and shoot at him four times. The victim was hit twice in the head, once in the neck and once in the chest, police said. He was also stabbed twice in the back. Cops doing an inspection at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station heard the shots and ran down onto the platform. They found the shooter exiting the train car with blood on his face and took him into custody. The shooter immediately asked for a lawyer and wouldnt talk about the shooting, sources said. When prosecutors declined to file charges, he was let go. The victim was found lying under the seats, covered in blood. He was rushed to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hosptial where he underwent surgery and was in critical but stable condition. The gun, a .380 Ruger, was recovered at the scene. Speaking on NY1 Friday, Mayor Adams said the aggressor now fighting for his life appeared to have been suffering from a severe mental illness. Last week, Gov. Hochul announced the deployment of 750 members of the National Guard and 250 state and MTA police officers to city subway stations to conduct bag searches after a spate of violent incidents across the system. NEW YORK Police are searching for a woman who took part in the bloody Brooklyn subway brawl that ended with a 36-year-old man getting shot in the head. The 5-foot-2 woman, who was wearing a black shirt with the word Pink in white lettering, was caught on video apparently stabbing the aggressor during a fight on a packed Manhattan-bound A train before the man pulled a gun during the Thursday afternoon clash, cops said. The woman appeared to be with a 32-year-old man now in custody for wrestling the gun from the older rider and shooting him twice in the head, cops said. No criminal charges had been filed against the shooter Friday as NYPD detectives conferred with Brooklyn prosecutors. Although no decision has been made, investigators and prosecutors are leaning toward self-defense a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case said. Speaking to reporters outside the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station in downtown Brooklyn Friday morning, NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said the woman was involved in the incident. She had a sharp object and cut (the victim) with the sharp object, Kemper said. The wounded man, a parolee who sparked the fight, remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition. He has a criminal record with arrests for grand larceny, robbery and a domestic criminal mischief, police sources with knowledge of the case said. He was convicted in 2014 for a first-degree robbery he committed in Queens, according to court papers. After five years in prison, he was put on parole, which ended in 2022. The victim currently lives in Brooklyn in supportive housing. Cops did not immediately disclose the wounded mans name as cops track down family members. If he survives, he may be charged with weapons possession for bringing both a gun and a knife into the transit system, police sources said. The victim was already on the train when he began arguing with the younger man, who got on the train at a Bedford-Stuyvesant stop. Prior to the shooting, the older man was seen on video yelling at the other passenger before the two squared up to fight, video viewed by the Daily News shows. The duo did not appear to know each other before the scuffle on the train, Kemper said. As the train continued on, the men came to blows, with the older man eventually holding the other one down with the weight of his body. Shocking video shows the woman repeatedly strike the older man in the back as he exclaims, You stabbed me? You stabbed me in the back? After a civilian breaks up the brawlers, the younger man and woman back into a corner as blood appears to stain the back of the 36-year-olds shirt, the video shows. He points at the woman and again accuses her of stabbing him then pulls a handgun out of his jacket pocket. Panicked subway rider run to the other side of the train car, some cowering on the ground worried about getting hit by an errant shot. Let me out! Let me out! one rider is pleading, according to the video. Somehow, the younger man managed to wrestle the gun away from the victim and shoot at him four times. The victim was hit twice in the head, once in the neck and once in the chest, police sources said. He was also stabbed twice in the back. Cops doing an inspection at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station heard the shots and ran down onto the platform. They found the shooter exiting the train car with blood on his face and took him into custody. The victim was found lying under the seats, covered in blood. The gun, a .380 Ruger, was recovered at the scene. Speaking on NY1 Friday, Mayor Eric Adams said the aggressor now fighting for his life appeared to have been suffering from a severe mental illness. Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of 750 members of the National Guard and 250 state and MTA police officers to city subway stations to conduct bag searches after a spate of violent incidents across the system. ____________ Say Again Earlier today, SpaceX attempted to launch and land its Starship spacecraft for the third time, setting a new benchmark in CEO Elon Musk's highly ambitious plans to make humanity interplanetary by establishing colonies on Mars. The goal, per the billionaire, is to build a civilization on the Red Planet, facilitated by a fleet of Starship rockets covering the interplanetary trek. "My plan is to use the money to get humanity to Mars and preserve the light of consciousness," he tweeted back in 2021. But not everybody agrees with Musk's desire to move humanity to the surface of a distant and largely inhabitable planet. Critics of that plan, including former US president Barack Obama, have long pointed out that we shouldn't abandon the Earth after making a possibly irreparable mess of its climate. During a renewable energy conference in Paris this week, Obama slammed the plans of Silicon Valley "tycoons, many of whom are building spaceships" that could get humans to Mars, as quoted by Agence France Presse. While he didn't mention Musk specifically by name, it was almost certainly aimed directly at him. "But when I hear some of the people talk about the plan to colonize Mars because the Earth environment may become so degraded that it becomes unliveable, I look at them like, what are you talking about?" he added. Scorched Earth Obama argued that the Red Planet simply isn't a good fit for humanity. "Even after a nuclear war, Earth would be more liveable than Mars, even if we didn't do anything about [climate change] it would still have oxygen as far as we can tell, Mars does not," Obama said. Meanwhile, Musk suggested back in 2015 that we should "drop thermonuclear weapons over the poles" to terraform Mars. To the mercurial CEO, civilization on Earth is doomed to fail due to "population collapse" caused by low birth rates, global warming and of course evil AI that is "far more dangerous than nukes." Clearly, that kind of fearmongering isn't sitting well with Obama. Instead of abandoning a ravaged Earth, the former president argued that we should "invest in taking care of this planet here." "We were designed for this place, and it would be good if we kept this place in a way that's liveable," he added. More on Musk and Mars: Elon Musk Says Starship Will Spin for Artificial Gravity Miami Armageddon was averted Friday when thousands if not millions of hungry Pollo Tropical customers were at long last able to order black beans again. For two days, Pollo Tropical locations across Miami-Dade did not have black beans. They had the grilled chicken for which they are famous. They had roasted pork and yucca bites and Poyo Poyo sauce. But no beans. They were not available in the restaurants. They were not available on food delivery apps. TropiChops went tragically bare, and not even two servings of cilantro garlic sauce could make up for the pain. It was a true Miami crisis, and the hungry weighed in on Only in Dades Instagram account. This is a travesty, one poster wrote. When can we declare a state of emergency? I can confirm, another chimed in. We are officially in crisis mode. (This particular poster was deeply unhappy that the beans had been replaced with corn, a vastly inferior side dish, and honestly, who could blame her?) Fortunately, the shortage was short-lived, a supply chain issue that has since been fixed, according to the brand. Apparently its important to remember that not even Miami magic like black beans are immune to the whims of logistic networks. On Friday, Pollo Tropical issued a statement assuring its fans that all of their bean dreams would be met. Due to a temporary supply issue, some Pollo Tropical locations were not able to serve beans during portions of March 13th and 14th, the statement said. We are happy to report that we have remedied this supply issue and will be serving beans at all locations today. We apologize for any inconvenience. Founded in Miami in 1988, Pollo Tropical has more than 150 locations across South Florida and the Caribbean. Heres what your favorite Pollo Tropical sauce says about you. It may not be good. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ A 6,500 square-foot purpose-built additional retail channel for the Company's expanded cultivation VANCOUVER, BC, March 15, 2024 /CNW/ - C21 Investments Inc. (CSE: CXXI) (OTCQX: CXXIF) ("C21" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary, Silver State Relief, LLC ("Silver State"), has entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Deep Roots Harvest, Inc. ("Deep Roots") to acquire all or substantially all of Deep Roots' assets related to the operation of its 6,500 square-foot, purpose-built, operational retail cannabis dispensary located in Southern Reno, Nevada (the "Dispensary Acquisition"). The Company also announces a non-brokered private placement of principal amount C$1,000 secured convertible debenture units of the Company ("Convertible Debenture Units") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$4,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). C21 Investments Logo (CNW Group/C21 Investments Inc.) Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, Sonny Newman commented: "We are thrilled to announce the agreement with Deep Roots to acquire this dispensary which, upon completion of the acquisition, will allow us to expand our retail footprint in Nevada, a pivotal step in the Company's growth strategy. We plan to integrate and rebrand this dispensary, purpose-built in 2021, under the Silver State Relief banner. With the dispensary's desirable location in a high traffic, flourishing area of Southern Reno, we anticipate strong revenue growth from this acquisition, along with the added benefit of allowing us to expand the portion of our cultivation capacity sold through our retail channel." Dispensary Acquisition Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the closing of the Dispensary Acquisition ("Closing") shall involve the transfer of, among other things, certain machinery, tools, supplies, lease interests, contracts and other assets to the Company, as well as the transfer to the Company of certain retail store licenses (the "Regulatory Assets") held by Deep Roots, which shall take place at such time as certain conditions precedent to Closing set forth in the Agreement are met, including: (i) the receipt by the parties of the grant and approval by the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (the "CCB") of a transfer of interest the (the "TOI") permitting the transfer of the Regulatory Assets to the Company; (ii) the approval by the City of Reno, Nevada of the TOI; and (iii) the consent of the landlord to the assignment of the lease related to the Deep Roots dispensary to the Company. Story continues The purchase price to be paid by the Company for the Dispensary Acquisition is US$3,500,000 (the "Purchase Price"), which is comprised of: (i) a cash payment of US$100,000, which amount was paid to Deep Roots as a non-refundable deposit upon the execution of the Agreement; and (ii) a cash payment of US$3,400,000 to be paid to Deep Roots on Closing. The Closing of the Dispensary Acquisition is also subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Private Placement Each Convertible Debenture Unit offered under the Private Placement will be comprised of: (i) one convertible debenture of the Company secured against the Nevada operations of the Company (each, a "Convertible Debenture") in the principal amount of C$1,000.00 (the "Principal Amount"); and (ii) 1,000 detachable Common Share purchase warrants (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable for one Common Share at a price of C$0.55 per share for a period of 30 months from the issue date of the Convertible Debenture Units (the "Issue Date"). The Principal Amount of the Convertible Debentures, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, will mature and become due and payable on the date that is 30 months from the Issue Date, subject to earlier conversion or repayment (the "Maturity Date"). The Principal Amount owing under the Convertible Debentures will accrue interest from the Issue Date at rate of 12.0% per annum, payable quarterly in cash. The Principal Amount may be converted into Common Shares at the option of the holder at any time prior to the Maturity Date at a price of C$0.45 per Common Share. The net proceeds raised from the Private Placement will be used by the Company to fund the Purchase Price of the Dispensary Acquisition. The Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the Canadian Stock Exchange. All securities to be issued pursuant to the Private Placement will have a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing of the Private Placement. About C21 Investments Inc. C21 Investments Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, processes, and distributes quality cannabis and hemp-derived consumer products in the United States. The Company is focused on value creation through the disciplined acquisition and integration of core retail, manufacturing, and distribution assets in strategic markets, leveraging industry-leading retail revenues with high-growth potential multi-market branded consumer packaged goods. The Company owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, including legacy Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms. These brands produce and distribute a broad range of THC and CBD products from cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, cannabis oil, vaporizer cartridges and edibles. Based in Vancouver, Canada, additional information on C21 can be found at www.sedarplus.ca and www.cxxi.ca. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements"). Such Forward-Looking Statements represent the Company's beliefs and expectations regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Forward-Looking Statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: statements with respect to the completion of the Private Placement and intended use of proceeds therefrom; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals in connection with the Dispensary Acquisition; the completion or waiver, as applicable, of all conditions precedent required for the completion of the Dispensary Acquisition; the expected benefits to be derived from the Dispensary Acquisition, including the ability of the Company to expand its retail footprint in Nevada, the expected revenue to be generated from the new dispensary and the ability of the Company to expand the portion of its cultivation capacity sold through its retail channel; and the intention to integrate and rebrand the Deep Roots dispensary after acquisition. Forward-Looking Statements are based on assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including: (i) successful completion of the Private Placement; (ii) successful completion of the Dispensary Acquisition and the integration of the assets acquired in connection therewith; (iii) the ability to manage anticipated and unanticipated costs; (iv) achieving the anticipated results of the Company's strategic plans; (v) obtaining and maintaining all required licenses, approvals and permits, including regulatory approvals required to complete the Dispensary Acquisition; and (vi) general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond the Company's control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the Forward-Looking Statements in this news release. Such factors include, without limitation, the inability to complete the Private Placement, raise the necessary or desired funds to complete the Dispensary Acquisition or achieve the Company's strategic business plan; the inability to consummate the Dispensary Acquisition and the inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and third-party consents and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the Dispensary Acquisition on the proposed terms; the inability to effectively manage growth; inputs, suppliers and skilled labour being unavailable or available only at uneconomic costs; the adequacy of the Company's capital resources and liquidity, including but not limited to, availability of sufficient cash flow to execute the Company's business plan (either within the expected timeframe or at all); changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws generally and adverse future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical and recreational marijuana; the risks of operating in the marijuana industry in the United States, and those other risk factors discussed in the Company's 20F filing with the SEC and Annual Information Form filing on SEDAR+. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such Forward-Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Should assumptions underlying the Forward-Looking Statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake to update any Forward-Looking Statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE C21 Investments Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2024/15/c7792.html Haley Hake, left, and her twin daughters, Anna and Ella, visit Dr. Arielle Bokisa, a neonatologist at Akron Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit at Aultman Hospital in Canton. CANTON Try as they might, modern medicine and big pharma can't match moms' breast milk. "This is the one thing where there's really no contradiction in any of the studies," said nurse Carey-ann Phillips, a lactation consultant at Akron Children's Hospital, which operates Aultman Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. A nursing mother's milk is better for her baby than formula. And even breast milk from a donor is superior to formula, making it the next-best thing in a pinch. Breast milk is like medicine for premature babies, experts say. "It's like a medicine for the premature and fragile babies," said Marla Wilson, a nurse and the donor coordinator for the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank in Columbus. The problem today: There's not enough breast milk to go around. The Milk Bank which provides milk to Aultman Hospital and 50 others in Ohio is seeking more donors for its program. It's in the midst of what officials call a "critical shortage." "There's a possibility babies could start getting sick," Wilson said. The nonprofit Milk Bank has had enough milk to supply hospital neonatal units such as the one at Aultman. To conserve, it has stopped providing milk for other healthier babies such as outpatients whose moms aren't yet producing enough on their own. Haley Hake's twin daughters spent 117 days in the hospital after their premature births last year. The babies relied on milk donated from the OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank. Dr. Arielle Bokisa, a neonatologist in Aultman's NICU, said moms of premature babies often don't make enough milk when it's needed most. After all, mom's body wasn't ready to have a baby. To make matters worse, stress of early delivery can make it even more difficult to increase production. "We start feeding as soon as (infants) are able," Bokisa said. Why breast milk is best for baby Haley Hake of Hanoverton said she's grateful her twins, Anna and Ella, got donated milk during their 117 days in Aultman's neonatal unit. They were born last year after only 24 weeks and two days inside the womb and weighed just a smidgen over 1 pound apiece. Dr. Roger Vazquez, director of the Akron Childrens Hospital neonatal intensive care unit at Aultman Hospital in Canton, popped in to see former patient Ella Hake. She spent 117 days inside the hospital. Dr. Arielle Bokisa, another neonatal physician, is holding Ella. "I tried everything to get my supply up but couldn't," she said. Everly Kay Bowman should soon be out of neonatal intensive care. Everly is one of the unit's current rock stars because she's quickly come a long way after being born at 23 weeks and two days. Her mom, Ashley Brady, of Alliance, couldn't pump enough to feed her, so Everly needed donated milk. "I honestly had never even heard of it before," Brady said. Everly Kay Bowman was born after 23 weeks and two days gestation. She relied on donated breast milk during much of her time in the hospital, and she may be going home soon. Information on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website outlines why breast milk is best: "Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. It contains just the right amount of nutrients. It is also gentle on your baby's developing stomach, intestines, and other body systems." More specifically, breast milk: Is better absorbed and used by babies and contains nutrients critical to brain growth and nervous system development. Prevents infections and fights diseases, including necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening infection of the intestines, which often afflicts preemies. Lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, milk allergies, leukemia and long-term health problems, such as diabetes and obesity. How to donate to OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank The 133-year-old OhioHealth is a group of 35,000 associates, physicians and volunteers, along with a network of hospitals, ambulatory sites and assorted health services across 50 counties. Its Milk Bank, founded in 2005, is one of 32 members of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. The association provides a host of guidelines to ensure donor milk is screened, pasteurized, tested and frozen before it's distributed and ultimately dispensed to infants by physician prescription. The Ohio Milk Bank distributed about 1,800 gallons of breast milk to hospitals in Ohio and another 1,800 to eight other states in 2023. Wilson said 1 ounce is enough to feed as many as three premature babies for a day. The OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank distributed about 3,600 gallons of donated breast milk last year; the bulk of it went to neonatal intensive care units in hospitals. The Milk Bank has 27 drop-off sites around the state, including one at the Women, Infants, and Children program at the Canton Health Department, 420 Market Ave. N. If you don't live near a site, the Milk Bank can send all the materials needed free of charge to have your milk sent directly to Columbus. To become a donor, moms must go through a screening process that includes a phone interview, medical and lifestyle review, signing a medical release and taking a blood test. Wilson said she's often able to enroll donors within weeks. To become a donor, or for more information visit the Milk Bank website, email MilkBank@OhioHealth.com or call 614-566-0630. Nurse Carey-ann Phillips, left, a lactation consultant, visits with new mom Haley Hake, center, and Dr. Arielle Bokisa at Aultman Hospital in Canton. Wilson said some moms make a single donation while others give multiple times. The Milk Bank also supports a legacy program for moms who have lost a baby. She said grieving moms often find comfort in donating milk to help other babies in their fight for life. For more information about legacy donations, moms can contact the lactation team at Akron Children's Hospital at 330-543-4531 or 330-543-8246. Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com. On X: @tbotosREP This article originally appeared on The Repository: Milk Bank, Ohio hospitals, need more breast milk for fragile babies TAHLEQUAH, Okla. Two Oklahoma men accused of shooting and beheading a buffalo and seriously wounding another buffalo are charged in Cherokee Nation Criminal Court. Gunner Lee Richards, 25, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, of Broken Bow, and Tryston Hunter Needham, 29, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, of Pittsburg County, are charged with two counts of animal cruelty and grand larceny for the November 14, 2023, shooting of the animals in Owasso. They are free on $50,000 bail. Extremely rare buffalo calls Quapaw land home Court records do not reflect their next court date. The Cherokee Nation continues to uphold its public safety obligations under the historic McGirt decision and will continue to work with our state and local partners to ensure those who commit crimes are prosecuted, said Cherokee Nation Attorney General Chad Harsha. Tribe replaces bison herd lost to animal cruelty The owner of the buffalo herd found the female buffalo dead and her head had been removed, the arrest warrant states. The female buffalo was carrying an almost full-term calf. The owner also discovered a second buffalo, a large adult male who had been shot was severely wounded, and would require euthanasia, the affidavit states. Investigators noticed several places throughout the field that had blood evidence. Collected in the pasture was a Smith and Wesson knife that had been left near the area where the head of the female buffalo had been cut off. Also found was a shoe print made by a Double HH brand boot in the mud located near one of the areas where blood and biological evidence were located. Needham bragged to friends about killing the buffalo, the affidavit states. Affidavit-for-Probable-CauseDownload Bison are native to North America and Europe and are sometimes called buffalo in casual use, but they are two different animals. Buffalos, which have longer curvier horns, are native to Africa and Asia, according to several zoological websites. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. A city of Austin worker erects a fence around the trunk of Treaty Oak, the centuries-old tree that recently received wounds, apparently from a sharp object, according to photos taken by neighbors. In 1989, the live oak, traditionally considered sacred by the Tonkawa and Comanche peoples, was almost fatally poisoned by a vandal in an incident that made national news. Update: The Austin Police Department said on March 22 it is suspending its investigation due to a lack of leads. There have been no arrests or identified suspects. The case will be reopened if a suspect is positively identified. Officials urged anyone with any information, videos, pictures or other relevant material to contact Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS (8477). The wounds are not big, but the victim is precious. City of Austin arborists spent part of Thursday attending to what appeared to be hacking wounds on Treaty Oak, the iconic, centuries-old tree that narrowly missed being killed in 1989 by convicted vandal Paul Cullen, who used the herbicide Velpar to poison it. "Right now, the focus is on preventing any future damage," said Kanya Lyons, spokeswoman for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. "Forestry staff will be monitoring the tree on a more frequent basis to track any changes, but the best 'treatment' is to minimize any other stresses, and ensure the tree has optimal growing conditions so the wounds can close over as quickly as possible. The wounds will be painted to prevent oak wilt." Lyons said the vandalism has been reported to the Austin Police Department and that the city will provide an update when new information is available. Treaty Oak, located at Baylor and West Fifth streets, is the last survivor of more than a dozen trees known historically as the Council Oaks. Traditionally considered sacred by the Tonkawa and Comanche peoples, Treaty Oak has been associated with stories about Stephen F. Austin, leader of the American colonists in Texas, although no contemporary documents support his meeting with Native Americans there. Nevertheless, Treaty Oak has been considered precious by Texans since the city was founded in 1839. It was preserved by the city of Austin in 1937. The 1989 poisoning, discovered by a city forester, created a local uproar that made national headlines and spurred a widespread campaign to save the tree. Crowds left gifts, candles and get-well cards for Treaty Oak at the site. A good number of spiritual groups gathered to pray for it; others suspected satanic rituals, a popular subject at the time. The enormous tree but only a fraction of it was saved. Its acorns were shared far and wide, and its dead wood was turned into objects of art and craft. More: Photos: Austin's Treaty Oak Decades later, retired Judge Bob Perkins, who presided over Cullen's trial, recalled his secretly recorded ramblings. In those conversations he says, I was in Texas prisons for something, and I resented it, and this was a way for me to pay Texas back, Perkins told KUT in 2022, by poisoning this tree. Thats why I think he did it. In the jury trial, Cullen was convicted of felony criminal mischief and sentenced to nine years in prison. Unlike the 1989 case, the recent mutilation is not life-threatening. "I surmise that its either hooligans up to no good or, as in the trial we heard, a person trying to strike back at Texas or Austin," Perkins told the Statesman on Thursday. "Since its not guarded and in a commercial area, it is open to attack after dark. I have been amazed at how well it recovered from the Cullen attack." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Arborists minimize stresses to wounded Treaty Oak, an Austin landmark A newer, heftier version of a Republican bill to block diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that endorse discriminatory concepts at Kentuckys public colleges and universities, as well as defund their DEI offices and staff positions, was fast-tracked through the House on Friday. After approval from a special House Education Committee Thursday night, Senate Bill 6, filed by Majority Whip Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, received final passage in the House on Friday morning, 68-18. The bill heads to the Senate for concurrence before it is sent to Gov. Andy Beshear, who has all but guaranteed he will veto the bill. A veto from the Democratic governor is purely procedural, as the Republican supermajority can easily override him. In its most recent iteration, Wilsons bill one of three targeting DEI filed by Republicans this session initially sought to outlaw the espousing of discriminatory concepts in non-credit classes, seminars, workshops, training sessions and orientations for students and faculty. Wilsons bill targeted specific discriminatory concepts. That includes race or race scapegoating, a belief that some individuals are inherently privileged, racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously; any teaching that promotes division between, or resentment of, a race, sex, religion, creed, nonviolent political affiliation, social class, or class of people; and any teaching that suggests all Americans are not created equal. But nearly all of Wilsons bill the version passed this week was gutted and stuffed with the bulk of House Bill 9, another anti-DEI bill from Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy. Decker presented the new version of Senate Bill 6 in committee Thursday Wilson, according to the committee chairman, had a scheduling conflict and was not present and on the House floor Friday. Decker called DEI initiatives in higher education costly, misguided, failed, expensive and discriminatory. By dismantling and defunding those offices and positions, she said, it will allow universities to return their focus to being environments that foster critical thinking and constructive dialogue. Deckers version of the bill swapped Wilsons definition of discriminatory concepts for more vaguely-defined ones. Discriminatory concepts, according to the bills language, includes any topic that is presented as truth, rather than a subject of inquiry that, for example, intrinsic inequities exist within an existing structure, system or relation of power because of oppression, colonialism, socioeconomic status, religion, race, sex, color or national origin. The bill mandates that universities adopt a policy on viewpoint neutrality that prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individuals political or social viewpoint and promotes intellectual diversity within the institution. Decker insists college campuses have become unwelcoming to conservative viewpoints.. By enshrining protections to allow debate and preclude one truth from prevailing another, the bill protects all viewpoints. Critical thinking comes after robust discussion, she said, Thats whats encouraged in this bill. But Democrats and other bill detractors criticized the bill for being word salad, convoluted, and a gas-lighting solution in search of a problem. As Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, pointed out, the bill does not explicitly define what diversity is, despite seeking to regulate it. Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville, asked Decker in committee Thursday to describe specific scenarios in which discriminatory concepts permeated college campuses. Decker vaguely described an incident she said shed been told about in which a student was told by a professor there were five genders. The student, believing there are two genders, was berated by her teacher, (and) when she was asked to write a paper, she wrote her beliefs, and she failed the class, Decker said. Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, said, its unfortunate we are taking from the experiences of a few people and creating policy that has statewide ramifications. Deckers SB 6 would also bar universities from providing any differential or preferential treatment to a student or employee based on race, religion, sex, color or national origin, as well as what are often referred to as diversity statements from students or staff, affirming their belief and work toward a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. More than 80 bills regulating diversity, equity and inclusion have been filed in 28 states since 2023,according to the Chronicle of Higher Educations DEI legislation tracker. Eight states have passed those measures into law, including in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. Bojawnoski cited this data on the House floor on Friday, saying, This is definitely a national initiative as opposed to one driven solely by the needs of (Kentuckys) universities and students. Bojanowski said this point was affirmed by the fact that two of the individuals who spoke in favor of the bill on Thursday in committee were from the Manhattan Institute and the Heritage Foundation two national organizations crafting state-level policy to carry out conservative agendas. Tim Rosenberger, a legal fellow with the Manhattan Institute, called DEI initaitives on Thursday poison existing to enforce progressive ideology. But to some bill supporters, their reasons are less ideological and more financial. In a letter of support for SB 6, Kentucky Student Rights Coalition Assistant Executive Director Rebecca Blankenship said the bills main purpose is to eliminate wasteful spending on administrator jobs. The bill does not impact the jobs of hard-working people at UKs Martin Luther King Center, or Eastern Kentucky Universitys Center for Inclusive Excellence and Global Engagement who are trying to create spaces of learning and reflection and growth. Were talking about people who make $200,000 a year to wear suit, sit in an office and do mostly nothing, Blankenship said. Diversity, equity and inclusion offices on campuses are designed to support marginalized and underrepresented student populations by fostering a more inclusive college experience, college administrators and experts say. The University of Kentuckys Office of Institutional Diversity, for example, says on its website it serves to enhance the diversity and inclusivity of our university community through the recruitment and retention of an increasingly diverse population of faculty, administrators, staff and students. And UK does this, the office says, by implementing initiatives that provide rich diversity-related experiences for all to help ensure their success in an interconnected world. Since Deckers stated goal is to foster an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all the same goal of DEI offices some bill opponents asked: Why is the proposed solution to completely dismantle DEI programs, rather than refine them? Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, said on the House floor Friday, Im a little bit confused about what the intent is. Do we think there are problems with DEI programs and were trying to address them? Or are we trying to pass legislation to eliminate them? Lets talk about DEI rather than eliminate it. College and university administrators that have weighed in have largely decried the anti-DEI bills filed this session. University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto called the bill deeply concerning. Across this campus, staff and faculty work to support students of color and from underrepresented backgrounds, Capilouto said in a campus-wide email last month. We should value and support that work, not diminish it. If the bill passes into law, it would require all state colleges and universities to develop by October an annual survey to assess intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity for all students, faculty and staff. The survey would need to use statistically valid survey techniques to assess whether students and staff feel at liberty to express their ideological and political viewpoints and beliefs on campus and in the classroom, and whether theyre exposed to a variety of ideological and political perspectives. Each school would then be required to publish an annual intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity report compiling those answers. Beyond the survey, universities would need to comply with the whole of the bill by June. Bolstering GOP efforts to rein in DEI initiatives, Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman on Thursday released an opinion saying public universities use of certain DEI policies violates the U.S. Constitution and the Civil Rights Act. Building his argument on a case that led the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down affirmative action last year, Coleman said using underrepresented minorities as a metric for funding is unconstitutional. Coleman issued his opinion at the request of Decker. There is no active court case in Kentucky on this topic, so Colemans opinion has no real bearing other than to signal his legal opinion on the subject. Citing Colemans opinion on the House floor, Decker said her bill would stop unconstitutional, discriminatory practices. This story will be updated. Only 10% of funding promised to reduce inequality as part of the levelling up agenda has been spent, MPs have said. The Public Accounts Committee found ministers were "unable to provide any compelling examples of what levelling up funding has delivered so far". It also criticised a "worrying lack of transparency" in how cash was allotted. The government said it expected spending to pick up in later years of the programme, adding: "Buildings don't go up overnight." But the MPs found that, on average, a bid for funds cost a local authority around 30,000 and that rule changes while bids were being assessed "wasted scarce public resources". The government's levelling up policy, a key plank of the Conservatives' 2019 general election manifesto, aims to tackle regional inequalities by backing projects that boost towns, local transport and culture. The cross-party committee, which scrutinises government spending to assess its value for money, looked at the progress of the Levelling Up Fund, Towns Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which together total up to 10.47bn. It found that only 3.7bn had been allocated to local authorities by December 2023, while councils had been able to spend only 1.24bn as of Sept 2023. Each fund has different end dates, but all the money is due to be spent by the end of March 2026. The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC), led by Michael Gove, said it was "to be expected that the capital spend ramps up in later years". The committee said it asked for three examples of "projects that had delivered change". 'Shovel-ready' While acknowledging that the examples given by DLUHC were "important to their localities", the MPs said they were "relatively small scale compared to the substantial and convincing examples we would have expected the Department to have readily available at this stage". They also found that "more impactful" bids were losing out because of "optimism bias in favour of so-called 'shovel-ready' projects". The first round of levelling up funding was awarded to "shovel-ready" projects that were due to be completed this month, but 60 out of 71 (85%) have had to extend their deadlines, with further delays in other schemes said to be "likely". DLUHC said it was providing "expert support" to councils to tackle delays. But Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, described the levels of delay as "absolutely astonishing". Dame Meg added: "In the case of levelling up, our report finds that the government is struggling to even get the money out of the door to begin with. "We will now be seeking to keep a close eye on DLUHC's progress in unclogging the funding system. Citizens deserve to begin to see the results of delivery on the ground." The MPs also said they were "disappointed" that DLUHC had no long-term plans to measure the impact of levelling up funds. A DLUHC spokesperson said: "We're proud that we've committed 15bn since 2019 to often overlooked areas, agreeing historic devolution deals, and shifting power and money out of Westminster. "This money is regenerating town centres, creating new infrastructure and helping to level up communities across the UK." Angela Rayner, Labour's deputy leader and shadow communities secretary, said the Conservatives had "abandoned any pretence of trying to achieve their mission to level up Britain". Labour, she added, would end the wasteful "begging-bowl approach to funding bids" and "provide long-term funding settlements to local leaders". Palestinian men watch The Open Arms maritime vessel carrying humanitarian aid approach the coast of Gaza City on Friday. Photo by Ahmed Abd/UPI March 15 (UPI) -- A charity mission to sail 200 tons of food aid arrived off the coast of Gaza on Friday, in the first delivery through an international maritime corridor meant to combat starvation amid the war with Israel. World Central Kitchen, the U.S. nonprofit that provided the food said it was unloading the aid after arriving. "This is our international effort to bring as much aid as possible to Palestinians by sea," the organization said. WCK's founder, celebrity chef Jose Andres, said two crates of aid had already been delivered. The 120-foot Opens Arms belonging to the Spanish migrant search-and-rescue charity of the same name had been seen off the coast of the enclave Friday. Construction equipment is loaded Friday with stone blocks from Khan Younis, Gaza, to be used to build at temporary port to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid by sea. Photo by Ahmed Abd/UPI The vessel set sail on Tuesday with supplies donated by WCK via a new Cyprus-Gaza sea corridor set up by the international community to ship aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defense Forces said the delivery was being conducted "in coordination with Israeli security and civilian authorities, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel and at the request of the U.S. government." Smoke and dust rises from a Gaza Strip neighborhood in central north Gaza as seen from inside southern Israel on Friday. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI WCK announced Friday in a post on X that it had begun prepping another ship with hundreds of tons of food bound for Gaza. "The boat will be the second to set sail as part of the maritime corridor we've opened alongside international partners so Palestinians get as much support as possible," the organization said. A plane drops humanitarian aid by parachute over the northern Gaza Strip on Friday. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI However, the NGO did not provide an update on the pier, which is being built from rubble of destroyed buildings and infrastructure. The sea aid missions come as the United Nations warned of mass starvation in Gaza, particularly in the north, where Israeli bombardment has flattened residential neighborhoods and destroyed critical infrastructure. The search-and-rescue vessel "Open Arms," towing a barge loaded with 200 tons of food for besieged Palestinians in Gaza, was reported to be off the coast of the strip Friday, but it was unclear how the supplies would get to the people who need it. Photo courtesy of World Central Kitchen More than one-fourth of Gaza's 2.2 million residents were one step away from "catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation," officials said. "If we do not exponentially increase the size of aid going into northern areas, famine is imminent," said U.N. World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain. At least 27 children and babies have died of malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Five U.S. Army support ships are en route to the Eastern Mediterranean tasked with building a temporary port off the Gaza coast to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid by sea, as promised by U.S. President Joe Biden in his State of the Union speech last week. The General Frank S. Besson set sail from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., on Saturday with U.S. Army rapid deployment forces aboard and equipment and materiel to begin work on the project. That deployment was followed Tuesday by the sailing of James A. Loux, Monterrey, Matamoros and Wilson Wharf carrying troops from the 7th Transportation (Expeditionary) Brigade, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and XVIII Airborne Corps with orders "to establish a roll-on, roll-off dock capability that allows ship-to-shore humanitarian assistance to Gaza." The ships are not expected to arrive in the region for at least another two weeks with the facility likely to be operational two to three weeks after work gets underway. On Friday, Britain, the European Union, United Arab Emirates and United States pledged to work together to establish a dedicated Gaza maritime corridor out of Cyprus to funnel aid in to the temporary port by ship. Im Brian Gordon, tech reporter for The News & Observer, and this is Open Source, a weekly newsletter on business, labor and technology in North Carolina. Do you want a free car? On a rainy day in 2020, a crew of 20-something guys ran around downtown Raleigh trying to gift strangers automobiles. Whoever gave away a vehicle first would earn $10,000. Standing on the corner of Wilmington and Cabarrus, one held a blue and pink sign reading Free Car! Another approached two pedestrians near Moore Square with the same offer, no strings attached, but they passed. He even threw in an iPad to no avail. After more failed proposals to bewildered passersby, someone finally accepted a blue sedan. To understand why any of this makes sense, you need to know that Jimmy Donaldson lives in Greenville, North Carolina, and that Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is the most popular YouTuber ever. Still only 25, his channel has 244 million subscribers, second most worldwide behind an Indian record label. And the gap is shrinking. This week, I wrote about Donaldson and his economic and social reach across his Eastern North Carolina hometown. I visited his top-secret studio (from the outside) and spoke to those whove won cash, jewelry, even a private island in his videos. I also heard from a woman who sold her house to Donaldson and wasnt entirely pleased about it. More than anything, I tried to chronicle MrBeasts rise from a self-described awkward North Carolina teenager to one of Time magazines 100 most influential people. And after watching dozens of videos, I think the car giveaway in Raleigh is instructive to understanding this evolution. MrBeasts studio in Greenville, North Carolina. By 2020, Donaldson was on the cusp of being too famous to do such on-the-street stunts. In fact, he was even recognized by a passenger near the start of the video. Within two years, Donaldson would open a $14 million filming studio, expanding his stunts to bigger-budget productions filmed away from the public. Contestants had to apply. So, the car giveaway is a latter entry from an earlier MrBeast era a time when Greenville or (in this case) Raleigh residents might obtain random riches just by walking down the street. Onto the rest of this weeks news: Jeff Jackson backs potential ban on TikTok, Dan Bishop A bill to ban TikTok (unless its Chinese owner sells) swept through the U.S. House this week, with all but one of North Carolinas 14 representatives voting for it. The one exception wasnt Jeff Jackson, the congressman most famous for his mass TikTok following, but Jacksons GOP opponent in the race for North Carolina attorney general, Dan Bishop. In a speech before Congress this week, Bishop described the TikTok legislation as an attack on free speech while throwing an indirect jab at Jackson. I dont use TikTok, he said. I think its ill advised to do so. Members of this body are famous on TikTok, and I think thats unwise, but I respect the choices of 170 million users in the United States. Jackson, a Democrat, has 2.4 million followers on the short-form video streaming platform. On Wednesday, he released a TikTok with his thoughts on the bill, including why Congress fears the Chinese government could tinker with the algorithm to influence what Americans see. I dont think TikTok is going to be banned, he said, adding TikTok may be sold to another company, but it will continue to operate. Democrat Jeff Jackson (left) will face Republican Dan Bishop in the race for N.C. Attorney General. Getting RAd from IBM IBM apparently doesnt do layoffs. It does resource actions. And many employees dont say they were laid off from Big Blue; they make it a verb and say they were RAd. On Tuesday, IBM workers were informed of RAs in the marketing and communications divisions, according to a CNBC report. The article, and many recent others, highlighted that these cuts come as IBM is embracing more artificial intelligence. IBM is one of the largest Triangle-area employers, the fifth biggest in Durham County (which encompasses most of Research Triangle Park.) It employed 9,000 area workers as of last year, according to Wake County Economic Development, though the company wont confirm local headcounts. Asked if any of this weeks cuts will impact Triangle-based workers, IBM spokesperson Michael Cable in an email told me IBM will not break anything out by region/country, etc. Cable had the same response when IBM announced a total of 3,900 cuts in January 2023. More layoffs, or RAs, reported at Big Blue this week. Cable said IBM disclosed a workforce rebalancing charge in January that would affect a very low single digit percentage of IBMs global workforce. He added IBM expects to exit 2024 at roughly the same level of employment as we entered with. Credit to Triangle Business Journal for bringing the resource action phrasing to my attention. Short Stuff: Epic Games praised at Oscars, then files a motion against Apple The fast-casual Swedish clothier H&M launched a venture called Syre to convert old textiles into recycled polyester. And it will do so in North Carolina. This month, Syre announced it will build a production plant in the state, which it hopes to open sometime this year. Precisely where the plant will be is TBD; a Syre spokersperson said it will give the location soon. March 10 was the first anniversary of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse. Raleighs First Citizens Bank turned heads a few weeks afterward when it scooped up the remains. Last fall, I checked in on how the new SVB was doing under FCB. And the Oscar goes to Epic Games. The Cary-based company got a shout out during last weekends Academy Awards because its visualization platform, Unreal Engine, was used to make the animated short film winner War is Over! Epic told me this is the first animated film made with Unreal Engine to nab an Oscar. Its possible that a previous live action winner has used Unreal Engine in its filmmaking, but Epic doesnt require such filmmakers to report if theyve used the platform. After 30 years, an automotive technology plant will shutter in Roxboro, affecting at least 247 jobs in the rural area 30 miles north of Durham. And back to Epic, where its protracted struggle with Apple is hard to keep straight. In last weeks newsletter, I wrote that Apple had denied the Epic Games Store from launching on iOS devices in Europe. Well, that same day, Apple reversed course. So, both sides are good? Perhaps in Europe, but not over here, where on Wednesday, Epic filed a motion accusing Apple of violating the final court order from the companies three-year legal battle that made it to the doorstep of the Supreme Court. In short, Epic says Apple continues to prevent developers from steering users to potentially cheaper payment systems while also levying new fees. First Citizens Bank headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. The family-owned bank was founded in 1898 in Johnston County. National tech happenings Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says hes gathering an investor group to buy TikTok from Chinas ByteDance. The European Union has passed the worlds first comprehensive set of AI laws. Ive heard a few local experts bemoan how much farther Europe is than the United States in setting AI rules. And capping things off with more China fears, theres evidence Chinese cranes at U.S. major ports pose espionage threats. Thanks for reading! A photo of Greenville native Jimmy Donaldson, better know as MrBeast, is included in a collage of images on the wall of Sup Dogs bar and restaurant. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (KOLR/NEXSTAR) The management of Lukes 32 Bridge the namesake Nashville bar of country star Luke Bryan is cooperating with an investigation into missing Missouri student Riley Strain, according to a statement the management posted to Facebook. Strain, 22, went missing after becoming separated from his fraternity brothers on March 8 following a visit to the venue. Strains friends have claimed they last saw him around 9:45 p.m. on March 8, when he had been kicked out of the Broadway bar. Surveillance footage later appeared to show Strain stumbling and struggling to stand up straight. Country star Luke Bryan shares statement on Riley Strain The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) confirmed Thursday that the agency was investigating whether Mr. Strain was served alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated, a representative for the TABC told NBC News. In the bars Facebook post, the operators of Lukes 32 Bridge are claiming Strain was only served one alcoholic beverage that night. During Rileys visit to Lukes 32 Bridge, our records show he purchased and was served one alcoholic drink and two waters, reads a statement posted to the venues Facebook page on Friday. At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building. He was followed down the stairs with one member of his party. The individual with Riley did not exit and returned upstairs. Our prayers continue to be with Rileys friends and family during this difficult time and for his safe return. Nashville police looking into dozens of tips regarding missing Missouri student Luke Bryan had already shared a short statement on Strains disappearance earlier this week, calling it scary and writing on Instagram that hes praying for [Strains] safe return. Strain family friend Chris Dingman is also hopeful the TABCs involvement will increase the amount of resources available to search for Riley. Authorities are now doing an investigation into the bar, said Dingman. What that means to me is all alcohol, beer, liquor, and wine is all federally regulated. So when they got brought into this, that now means we will have even more resources than we currently have with Metropolitan Police. Riley Strain had gone missing during a visit to Nashville for a fraternity conference with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers. His friend discovered he was not at their hotel on Saturday morning and alerted his family. Its your worst nightmare, really, Ryan Gilbert, Strains father, said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. In December, an atheistic, pro-choice, anti-gun, environmental activist a.k.a. a resident of Santa Monica asked me, So how do you plan to ring in the last year of American democracy? Now, months into 2024, the world offers little in rebuttal to that grim forecast. And yet, despite a marine layer of dread at the beach, no Santa Monicans I know have made good on their threats to contact real estate agents in Portugal or Uruguay or Cape Town. I havent gotten to Step 2 on my plan to light out and live off the saturated fat of the land. The fact is, even if 2024 exceeds its potential for national catastrophe, well stay where we are. For one reason: We think well be safe here. Santa Monica is a great place to hide from America. Just ask Whitey Bulger. Read more: In an America divided by abortion, guns and COVID, California and Newsom seize the moment As bad as we think it could get somewhere, we dont foresee diners tipping Giorgio Baldi valets with one hand, an open-carry Glock in the other. Gynecologists at St. Johns getting read their Miranda rights for doing their jobs? Somehow feels unlikely. The Handmaids Tale, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Hate U Give, George Orwell, Toni Morrison, Art Spiegelman and Anne Frank banned from the SaMoHi library? Uh-uh. No way. Never ever. Then again ... The most decimated belief of 2024 America is it cant happen here. Every 10 minutes, another book comes out about how it can happen here, or worse, how it is happening here. Soon every new bedside-table purchase will come with a complimentary copy of Yale professor Timothy Snyders On Tyranny. Brilliant book but, you know, not overly cheerful. Read more: Column: We hold these truths to be self-evident the Golden State is still golden. And yes, we are Americans As of now, the locals best way of rationalizing the it cant happen here fallacy lies in redefining here": Santa Monica simply isnt here. Its a sanctuary city where we defiantly hole up in peace. OK, not the most ambitious plan, right? Lying low in our green zone sounds pretty defeatist. But after nine years of rehearsing arguments we never have with people we never meet whose opinions we could never change, were just wiped. Its dreary how many aging boomers in Santa Monica have their towels ready to throw in: Maybe well be getting out at the right time. So were keeping our friends close and our enemies out of sight, out of mind. Were low-dosing Rachel Maddow and bingeing escapism; ignoring Quinnipiac University polls and demo-ing the latest in thought-canceling headphones. Weve fallen in love with our bubble to the point that borderline agoraphobia has gone from an affliction to a remedy. Used to be, wed knock into each other on the street and strategize activism that would get more Americans seeing things our way. Leashes in hand, idle walks would turn into street discussions so fervent our dogs ears perked up at the name Raffensperger. Now were thrilled to discuss when or if another atmospheric river will drench Los Angeles. We need the rain but not this much rain. True. The L.A. County flag should read: 'Nothing in moderation.' Read more: Commentary: If you want to leave, fine. But don't insult California on the way out Anything that distances us from oncoming traffic, foreign and domestic, is warmly welcomed. In an impromptu dog-walking klatch last week, I joked about how one of the things I love about Santa Monica is that when you see a man on a weekday wearing a suit and tie, you feel sorry for him. One whatever-kind-of-doodle mom laughed and said, Yeah. Being out in the rest of the world? Who needs it? And therein lies my big fear: We never get out there again. Complacency has a pretty filthy history that features an overflowing roster of good people turned infamous. And herein lies my big hope: We give it cant happen here a couple more days or weeks, and spring, with its infinite cliches rebirth, renewal, recommittal and all that gobbledygook blows into Santa Monica and shoves us east past dread, across La Cienega and into the fray. Peter Mehlman's latest novel is "#MeAsWell." He was a writer and producer on "Seinfeld." 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. Editors Note: Garry Pierre-Pierre is the founder and publisher of the Haitian Times, a New York-based English language publication serving the Haitian diaspora. He was part of the New York Times reporting team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for reporting on the first World Trade Center bombing. He is also the co-founder of the City University Graduate School of Journalisms Center for Community and Ethnic Media. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN. The last few weeks have brought unthinkable upheaval in Haiti, a country that is no stranger to tragedy and suffering. The images have been graphic and disturbing: people forced from their homes by roving bands of gunmen, clutching their meager belongings and dodging bullets in the streets in a desperate attempt to find safety. Over the weekend, the US embassy, as well as the diplomatic missions of other nations and international interests, began evacuating the country. Courtesy Garry Pierre-Pierre Public order has disintegrated and there is little to no police protection. The army is outnumbered and outgunned and there is effectively no government: Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the countrys leader who has been stranded for days in Puerto Rico, said this week that he would give up his post. Announcing he would leave office after the establishment of a transitional council, Henry said, Haiti needs peace. Haiti needs stability. Truer words were never spoken. And yet there is no indication that peace and stability are on the horizon for this embattled Caribbean country, where I was born and spent the first decade of my life before emigrating to the US. My family is part of the 1.2 million-member Haitian diaspora that settled in the US. Many thousands of other Haitians over the decades have settled in France, Canada and elsewhere in search of greater economic opportunity, but also to escape brutality and periodic spasms of unrest. Nothing can compare to the current upheaval in Haiti though, and I would expect new waves of Haitians to seek refuge on foreign shores. Deep roots The upheaval in Haiti has deep roots; It did not start with the latest spasm of violence at the hands of the gunmen overrunning the country. It dates back decades, to the rampant corruption of generations of politicians and oligarchs who continue to view the country as their personal fiefdoms. Just half a dozen or so wealthy families control most major industries in Haiti, primarily through corrupt monopolies, which are a big part of what ails the country. The elites control virtually every aspect of Haitis economy. They essentially pay no taxes. Much of the aid that has poured into Haiti over the years, including for reconstruction after the devastating 2010 earthquake, benefited the upper class while much of the rest of the divided island has continued to subsist in grinding poverty. Meanwhile, Haitis political and business elite has had a hand in much of the drug trafficking occurring in the country, long a key source of their income. In fact, experts have said that Haiti may be linked to the trail of most of the drugs entering the US. Elites are also linked to the very gangs that are currently being blamed for the instability that has brought the country to the brink. In 2022, the UN, US and Canada slapped sanctions on a group of Haitis gang leaders, politicians and business elite for their alleged roles in drug trafficking, money laundering and financing criminal activity. Haitis suffering dates back even further to the brutal and extractive history of slavery and colonialism when it was controlled by France, compounded over generations by the injustice of having to repay the French for its human property and other assets forfeited after Haiti fought for and won its freedom from slavery the only successful slave revolt in the world. After securing its independence, Haiti was subjected to neocolonialism and neglect by the global superpower on its doorstep, the US. Americans may not recall that US troops occupied the country for two decades early in the 20th century and has played an outsize role in its politics and economic development or lack thereof ever since. Its lamentable that, in large part because of its tragic and tumultuous history, Haiti a country blessed with natural beauty, abundant resources and a population that is industrious and resourceful has never enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity. And while the current calamity continues to unfold in Haiti, the international community including the US has watched the mayhem unfold mostly impassively, or perhaps even worse, with indifference. As recently as the fall of 2022, Henrys plea for military assistance in dealing with gang violence was turned down by Washington, although the US has offered money and logistical support, and has called for the acceleration of a force to help stabilize the volatile situation on the ground. The UN was organizing an effort to get troops from several countries, chief among them Kenya, but Nairobi said this week that it would put its plan to send forces to Haiti on hold until the new government is in place. A moment of hope There was one relatively brief moment of hope a shining opportunity that was ultimately squandered when a better future might have been forged for my troubled homeland. The devastating 2010 earthquake that leveled huge swaths of the country, including the capital city, Port-au-Prince, was an unqualified disaster, killing hundreds of thousands of people. But there was what seemed at the time like a silver lining to the disaster: Suddenly the world seemed to care about what happened in Haiti. It is ironic that arguably one of the lowest moments in the nations history was also a time of great promise and possibility. Promises of billions of dollars in redevelopment assistance came from foreign governments and from international organizations. Haiti, for the first time, was going to receive the kind of top-to-bottom international focus on economic development that it had never benefited from in its entire history. Those hopes were dashed in short order. Much of the promised aid, including some pledged support promised by the US, never arrived. Some of the aid, as was the case with a much ballyhooed Red Cross development project, appears to have been diverted from their intended beneficiaries. Much of the aid that did actually reach Haiti went where funds arriving from overseas always end up: into the pockets of the same elites who run the country and have been robbing it blind for years. Papa Doc Starting in the late 1950s, much of the foreign aid Haiti received ended up in the coffers of its notorious leader Francois Papa Doc Duvalier. His larcenous ways were matched by his son, Jean-Claude Baby Doc Duvalier, who succeeded him upon his death in 1971. Jean-Claude Duvalier sent a large portion of Haitis financial reserves to his private foreign bank accounts and luxury real estate investments. Both father and son also spent some of the funds from Haitis treasury on their notorious personal security force the dreaded Tonton Macoute that terrorized Haitis citizenry. The brutality in the streets of Haitis capital today has echoes of this paramilitary force. But some link todays gang activity to a more recent chapter from Haitis past. They argue that the rise of the lawless gangs and Haitis descent into chaos date back to 1995, when Haitis former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was restored to power with the help of US troops after having been run out of the country. Upon his return to Haiti taking a page from the Duvalier book Aristide dissolved the army and formed a civilian police force in its place, drawing from the tough streets of Port-au-Prince. He eventually would run afoul of Haitis oligarchs and was run out of the country once again, ending up in exile in Africa for years to follow. After his ouster, emboldened gangs evolved into criminal syndicates, trading in drugs and arms, and robbing and exploiting Haitis most vulnerable communities amid recurring food scarcity. This is the tragic backdrop to the present crisis. Over the years, Haitian presidents, prime ministers and parliamentarians have engaged in a dangerous dance with the countrys gangs, often using them as their personal enforcers. These are not the street gangs familiar to some in US cities. Rather, they are loosely organized and ultimately lawless villains who delight in terrorizing the citizenry. Gang Leader Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier patrols the streets with G-9 federation gang members in the Delmas 3 area on February 22, 2024, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. There has a been fresh wave of violence in Port-au-Prince where, according to UN estimates, gangs control 80% of the city. - Giles Clarke/Getty Images The leaders of the unrest today include Jimmy Cherizier the colorfully nicknamed Barbecue but there are others who are arguably just as influential and equally ruthless. Another shady character in the mix is Guy Philippe, a former soldier who led the coup that ousted Aristide from power in 2004. Philippe, now positioning himself as a presidential candidate, returned to Haiti recently after serving six years in a US prison for money laundering and other illicit activities. But the outlaws that have overrun Haitis capital and mounted highly coordinated attacks on law enforcement and state institutions cannot lead Haiti into a more stable and prosperous future. Cherizier has said his goal was to overthrow Henrys government. He and other gang leaders appear to have succeeded. What now? Henry says he will formally step down once a new prime minister and cabinet are in place. At a meeting in Jamaica this week, the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) said it had agreed to set up a transitional council to lay the foundations for elections in Haiti. But as commendable as the goal of the democratic franchise is, does anyone think that elections will fix whats broken in Haiti? Will they end the grinding poverty there? Restore the dilapidated infrastructure? Will balloting prevent the resurgence of the next group of thugs that decides to take control of the country at gunpoint? The US role Many Haitians who would like to see their country back on its feet recognize that any solution will require sustained and deliberate involvement by the US and the broader international community. Yes, Haitians are haunted by the history of past military incursions by Uncle Sam, and ruefully recall the last failed UN mission which led to the spread of disease that caused thousands of deaths and saw acts of criminality by the same Blue Helmets sent to provide order. But sadly, Haiti is a country that has little to no other viable options. It hurts to say it, but Haiti is a broken state. The kind of order and the investment of resources necessary to fix it simply are not achievable by the current government or any future one, under the current conditions. Quelling the violence and reinstating order demands a holistic approach outside of the capacity of the Haitian government. Ending the chaos will only be possible with US diplomacy, influence and know-how. Any future steps must prioritize the safety and security of the Haitian people by shoring up law enforcement, fortifying judicial institutions and addressing the root causes of gang recruitment. The government is unable to do any of that and appears unlikely to be able to in the near future either. Haiti needs help combating corruption and loosening the stranglehold that the countrys oligarchic masters have on its economy. Efforts must be made to enhance governance and to nurture and train potential leaders from the bottom up, as a way to forge ties between the government and the people they govern. Its the best way to ensure that Haiti is never again ruled by strongmen and kleptocrats. Only the US and international community can divert the flow of guns and ammunition from the hands of criminal gangs. The US has shown with the results obtained by agencies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Drug Enforcement Agency in other violence- and corruption-plagued parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, that it is uniquely qualified to take on this challenge. Only with the help of Washington the kind of assistance Henry requested a year-and-a-half ago can the situation in Haiti be stabilized, paving a path toward or sustainable progress and development. At some point, of course, it will be necessary to address the socioeconomic roots of gang affiliation. Access to education, vocational training and economic opportunities offering viable alternatives to a life of crime via community-based initiatives will be essential. But none of that can commence in earnest until the violence is quelled. Once it is, that restoration of peace, and additional assistance from US development agencies and international nonprofits can help lay the foundation for a Haitian government with a genuine commitment to reform and reconciliation, working hand in hand with civil society and the global community. After decades of watchful waiting, so many Haitians are desperate to see their country advance. An acquaintance of mine there recently confided to me that because of the current upheaval he has only a two-week reserve of petrol to sustain his business; the unrest has made it impossible to obtain more. He remains sequestered in Haiti however, because he knows that leaving would mean his business would be looted and pillaged. It used to be said that when America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold so great is its might and influence. What if some of that vast power were deployed in a systematic and sustained way to help a country roughly the size of Maryland and less than two hours off its shores? What if one of the wealthiest nations in the world turned its attention to finally ending, once and for all, the misery and desolation of the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere? Although formidable challenges lie ahead, the path to peace and stability in Haiti is possible with the right kind of help from Washington. By addressing the underlying causes of violence, Haiti can emerge from this current upheaval to become at long last the peaceful, competently governed republic its citizens deserve and fervently believe it can be. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. That's why when we briefly looked at Canadian National Railway's (TSE:CNR) ROCE trend, we were pretty happy with what we saw. What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)? Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Canadian National Railway: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.15 = CA$7.1b (CA$53b - CA$5.0b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023). So, Canadian National Railway has an ROCE of 15%. In absolute terms, that's a pretty normal return, and it's somewhat close to the Transportation industry average of 14%. See our latest analysis for Canadian National Railway TSX:CNR Return on Capital Employed March 15th 2024 In the above chart we have measured Canadian National Railway's 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 Canadian National Railway . What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us The trend of ROCE doesn't stand out much, but returns on a whole are decent. Over the past five years, ROCE has remained relatively flat at around 15% and the business has deployed 26% more capital into its operations. 15% is a pretty standard return, and it provides some comfort knowing that Canadian National Railway has consistently earned this amount. Stable returns in this ballpark can be unexciting, but if they can be maintained over the long run, they often provide nice rewards to shareholders. Story continues In Conclusion... To sum it up, Canadian National Railway has simply been reinvesting capital steadily, at those decent rates of return. Therefore it's no surprise that shareholders have earned a respectable 62% return if they held over the last five years. So while investors seem to be recognizing these promising trends, we still believe the stock deserves further research. On a final note, we've found 2 warning signs for Canadian National Railway that we think you should be aware of. If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Left to right, Carolyn Wright, David Wright, Heidi Wilkey and Addy Wilkey count delegate votes at a Republican caucus at Rock Canyon Elementary School in Provo on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. With the Legislature in the rear-view mirror, Utahs political community turned to political party caucuses and presidential politics last week. As your lovable (in a grandfatherly sort of way) commentators, we weigh in on the consequences to our state. March 5 was Super Tuesday for Republican and Democratic presidential preferences in 16 states, including Utah. Local Democrats chose traditional primary balloting, while the Utah GOP restricted presidential voting to caucus attendees and ballots delivered to caucuses. As expected, Donald Trump prevailed over Nikki Haley. Utah caucusgoers also selected delegates to county and state conventions. How does this process and result impact local politics? Pignanelli: Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change. Stephen Hawking For much of the 20th century, precinct caucuses (my generation knew them as mass meetings) were quaint, neighborhood gatherings where the parties faithful members thoughtfully selected delegates who determined nominees for various offices at the conventions. But lifestyles eventually changed, which caused attendance to drop. The meetings are now in larger venues, and the once heartwarming dynamics are rare. Current support of the delegate/convention system ignores this reality. In the 2016 caucuses, 177,204 Republicans cast a ballot, a sharp decrease from the 2012 presidential preference poll, in which 241,000 participated in a traditional primary format. Trump was unopposed in the 2020 pandemic primary and yet a record 344,852 returned their mail ballots. Last week, only 84,942 (less than 10% of registered Republicans) bothered to attend caucus meetings. Furthermore, Utah received negative national attention for glitches in caucuses and was the last state to report even after Alaska. Trying to overlay modern technology on an outdated system breeds problems. Many pundits across the country thought Haley could prevail in Utah. She performed well but her inability to capture a majority here prompted departure from the race. Prominent Utahns who supported Haley will now readjust their public relationship with the nominee. Both the selection of Trump and declining popularity of the precinct caucuses were predictable outcomes, and the latter result will be an ongoing problem if ignored. Webb: The GOP caucuses were chaotic for many attendees. But the real tragedy of the caucus night wasnt just the confusion (even though my wife and I drove 80 miles to our caucus location, only to be told we were in the wrong place). The real tragedy was that the presidential preference results did not reflect the views of Republican voters across the state. Women, young people, minorities and moderate Republicans were vastly underrepresented in caucus meetings and will be nearly absent in ensuing GOP conventions. There are nearly 900,000 active, registered Republicans in Utah. Some 84,000 Republicans voted in party caucuses. So the voices of only 9% of Utah Republicans were heard in the race for the GOP presidential nomination. Caucuses are great for old, white males like me, and for those activists who love politics. But they dont represent more moderate, casual Republicans. I believe Nikki Haley would have defeated Trump, or come very close, had a regular primary election with mail-in ballots been held. President Joseph Biden delivered a much-reviewed State of the Union address last Thursday. Was the speech successful as Democrats claim or overly partisan as claimed by Republicans? Pignanelli: While watching the speech, I was tempted to contact my doctor to request the prescription of whatever Biden had consumed since it boosted energy, concentration and articulate discourse. Biden had no choice but to blast away because anything with less enthusiasm would be criticized as his typical low-energy, confusing ramble. He motivated the base but will have to tone down some rhetoric to capture independents and moderate Republicans just as Trump must. Webb: If Bidens main goal was shoring up his progressive base, it was an effective speech. He didnt appear as feeble and confused as Ive sometimes described him. I actually liked the first few minutes when he made a strong case in support of Ukraine and defended a robust foreign policy. But then the speech deteriorated into a lengthy laundry list of left-wing, big government, incredibly expensive programs that will raise taxes, run up the national debt, make citizens more dependent on the federal government and intrude in the lives of all Americans. Bidens speech did little to win over voters beyond his base. It wont save his presidency. Alabama Sen. Katie Britt delivered the GOP State of the Union response. Was it effective? Pignanelli: Responses from the loyal opposition are usually ignored unless the media obsesses over any mistakes. The setting for Britts speech (the kitchen background was criticized as patronizing) and factual errors may have diminished any immediate benefit but there is no long-term harm otherwise. Webb: It was weird. I like Katie Britt a lot. She is a talented young politician with a bright political future. She was trying to speak from the heart, but her facial expressions and emotion were over the top. The overwrought discussion at the kitchen table didnt work real great. Republican LaVarr Webb is a former journalist and a semi-retired small farmer and political consultant. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah state Legislature. Email: frankp@xmission.com. Editors Note: Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a professor of history at New York University. She is author of the book Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, and she publishes Lucid, a Substack newsletter about threats to democracy. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN. Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Viktor Orban, Adolf Hitler, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, Saddam Hussein: What do they have in common? All of these authoritarians have reportedly drawn praise from former US president and now GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has promised Americans that he, too, will be a dictator on Day One of his time in office. Ruth Ben-Ghiat - CNN This is not just bluster. As a new book by CNN anchor and national security correspondent Jim Sciutto reminds us, Trump allegedly believes that even the most murderous dictators, such as Hitler, did good things. According to one of Trumps former chiefs of staff, Trump had Hitler in mind as an example of leadership to emulate during his time in the White House, including telling the military what to do as commander in chief. Given the stakes for our democracy in the 2024 election, its worth considering why Trump continually praises dictators and who he is trying to reach with this kind of talk. Some of it is no doubt Trump airing his fantasies of the kind of authority he could exert as president. He praises Hitler, Chinese leader Xi, Russian President Putin and others because of their absolute power, not in spite of it. He repeats these leaders cult of personality propaganda in presenting them as so strong and feared that it is useless to resist them. Thus Xi, in Trumps telling, is strong like granite. He runs 1.4 billion people with an iron hand. And Putin is a genius for taking over a country really a vast, vast location, a great piece of land with a lot of people, and just walking in, Trump declared days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as though the fierce Ukrainian resistance did not exist. Foreign autocrats are surely the targets of such compliments, especially those whom Trump sees as useful to his political or personal fortunes. The most obvious case is Russia, given Kremlin interference in the 2016 and 2020 elections. And the stream of adulation directed at Xi is likely not unrelated to the benefits Trump received from doing services, as he put it, for the Chinese government during his presidency. Trump-owned properties took in over $5 million from Chinese government-allied entities, per House Democrats. But Americans are the most important audience for the stream of praise he directs to autocrats. Trumps repeated elevation of dictators as models of leadership should be understood as part of a re-education strategy: conditioning Americans to see authoritarianism as a superior form of government to democracy. That is likely why he is explicitly making strongman rule his brand, telling Americans it is in their interest to allow him to save them from the supposed chaos and crime of democracy and give them an orderly authoritarian world under his control. Propaganda is not just about getting people to believe this or that lie say, that he won the 2020 election but changing the way people think and feel and the associations they make when they hear certain words. Think of how Hitlers relentless speeches and writings got Germans to associate Jew with disease and depravity to the point of making him popular for ostensibly saving Germany by persecuting Jews. This is what Trump is doing with authoritarians. Trump uses his rallies and other public occasions to sell strongman rule to his followers, so Americans begin to see autocrats as positive and glamorous figures (Theres nobody in Hollywood that could play the role of President Xi, he gushed at a 2023 town hall in Iowa) who are doing good for their people and the world. If Trump mentions these autocrats repression at all, it is to justify it, as when he lauded former Iraqi dictator Hussein in 2016 for being good at killing terrorists, or praised Turkish president Erdogan, introducing him in 2017 as a friend of mine who is getting very high marks for governing very, very strongly. At the time of this remark, Turkey was in a state of emergency, including the arrests of over 47,000 Turks, many of them civilians, as part of a government crackdown after the 2016 military coup against him. Trump even presents leaders who are heads of failing rogue states, like North Koreas Kim, as inspirational. We fell in love, said Trump of his relationship with Kim, whose state has reportedly earned 50% of its income from cybercrime in recent years. American voters should take Trumps enthusiasm for autocrats seriously. He is previewing the kind of leadership he will pursue if he returns to the White House and doing his best to re-educate Americans to tolerate or worse, even desire an approach to governance that, wherever it has unfolded, has created despair and division and often placed nations on a path to destruction, as with Germany under Hitlers guide. Wherever they fall on the political spectrum, autocrats are united in their disregard for human rights and human dignity and their attempt to persuade people that it is in their interests to support governments that take their rights away. This seems to be Trumps project as well. The former president may be telling us that he will only be a dictator for one day, but no authoritarian has ever relinquished power once he gains it and the strongmen he exalts have all been in power for many years. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the months since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Harvard has become the poster child for elite colleges confronting charges of rampant antisemitism. University President Claudine Gay stepped down after weeks of punishing headlines. A committee was created to recommend changes. But its members keep quitting, frustrated with delays and inaction. So its perhaps piling on at this point to note that, a century ago, the profoundly antisemitic beliefs of Harvards leaders built the cradle that nurtured the much-reviled college admissions essay. Eliminating it now in 2024 would be a concrete and dramatic repudiation of Harvards troubled past and makes even more sense in the wake of last summers Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. Which Harvard also lost. But first, some history. In the summer of 1922, President Lawrence Lowell told Langdon Marvin, a Harvard Overseer, that apart from the Jews. the universitys admissions method was working well. As Jerome Karabel explained in The Chosen, the problem wasnt the process but the outcome: Too many of the wrong type of men were getting in. By 1925, when 28% of the class was Jewish, Harvards leaders feared the environment was so poisoned that Anglo-Saxon Protestants would no longer enroll their sons. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Marvin suggested adopting a character standard, like the Rhodes scholarship used, to halt a Jewish inundation. So in 1926, Harvard added a personal essay that could be scrutinized to assess the applicants fit. Given Harvards prominence and influence, the essay soon became a fixed feature of the application at other Ivies, and eventually, universally. The Jewish population quickly fell to a more manageable 15% where it stayed until the 1950s. Around 1975 Harvard decided that Asian kids with great grades and elite test scores were the new problem. Thankfully, application readers like at many other elite universities could scrutinize prospective students essays for additional evidence. When the plaintiffs in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard case reviewed 160,000 student files they discovered whod have guessed it? that on traits like positive personality, likability, courage, kindness and being widely respected, the Universitys application readers gave Asian student the lowest scores of any ethnic group. Related U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Use of Affirmative Action in College Admissions In last summers affirmative action decision, the court ruled unconstitutional the use of racial preferences in college admissions, putting the personal statement back in the news. In its decision, the court pointed admissions officers to a narrow path they could walk in finding evidence of an applicants merit from her essay. But the courts discussion only served to underline, a century later, the essays subjective and fundamentally discriminatory purpose. As any parent of a high school senior can tell you, the admissions essay is a nightmare. With the rare exception of the University of Chicago, which puts its prompts to a student vote, the topics are solipsistic and encourage applicants to stretch their experiences to the limits of credibility. Since everyone knows theyre being scrutinized unfairly, writing the personal statement becomes a metacognitive exercise in guessing what College X wants, while being told to be yourself. Brilliant advice for stressed out 17-year-olds emerging from puberty and trying to define themselves, by acting just like their peers. For some the process involves hiring counselors who advise the student on how best to tell their story. High schools devote class time to helping students prepare their essays. Time that might be spent discussing actual literature, which test scores suggest just six percent of high school graduates can do really well Less advantaged children tell of the pressure to elevate their traumas or oppression to catch the eye of the application reader. Perceval Everetts 2001 dark satire Erasure which just netted screenwriter Cord Jefferson an Oscar for best adaptation cleverly captures the zeitgeist. Evidence shows that the three data points most predictive of a students success in college are their high school GPA, the challenge of their course load, and their standardized test scores. In a misguided effort to increase diversity, many colleges stopped requiring test scores, but seeing the results, are now reversing course. To the extent that colleges believe a students grades in English or history do not confirm his or her writing ability, they could require a graded essay from one of their junior year classes. It would be far more insightful and less subjective than the recommendations that are the bane of many teachers existence. (And yes, Harvard also invented the recommendation letter as another way to ensure their students were the right sort.) As we approach the 100th anniversary of Harvards spawning of a racist tool to discriminate, while not appearing to do so, it would be a real sign of contrition were the leadership in Cambridge to announce they are jettisoning this shameful legacy. Apart from atoning for their own original sin, this would make it safe for other schools to follow Harvards example. As Harvard Law grad Joseph Welch once said, Youve done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency? Matthew Levey founded the International Charter School in Brooklyn and writes frequently on education. CHICAGO The owner of a downtown Chicago nightclub is facing felony drug trafficking charges after prosecutors allege he tried to smuggle illegal narcotics through customs at OHare International Airport. Spybar nightclub owner Dino Gardiakos, 43, of Chicago was allegedly found to be in possession of substantial amounts of ketamine and ecstasy while traveling from London to Chicago early Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Cook County Sheriffs Office. Ground stop lifted at Chicagos OHare, Midway airports Just before 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, officers allegedly discovered six containers, which prosecutors later determined to be 14 pounds worth of ketamine, upon his arrival at OHare. Law enforcement officials also discovered a pill bottle that allegedly contained about 5.8 grams of ecstasy. According to deputies, after being read his Miranda Rights, Gardiakos admitted to purchasing six kilograms of ketamine from someone in London. Prosecutors add that the individual he bought the drugs from allegedly informed him how to conceal and smuggle the drugs through customs at OHare. When asked about the drugs, Gardiakos admitted they were both for personal use and profit across the Chicagoland area. Gardiakos, who prosecutors say was already on probation for felony drug offenses, is charged with various drug charges, including trafficking of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Read more: Latest Chicago news headline The nightclub owner appeared in court on Thursday and was released under pre-trial conditions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. GUANGZHOU, China, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the 135th China Import and Export Fair ("Canton Fair"), Chu Shijia, the event's Vice President and Secretary General, also the Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, has embarked on a promotional journey to Greece, UK and Ireland. Chu's discussions with local business leaders in these nations highlighted the ongoing high-quality growth of China's economy and its move towards Chinese modernization, which he believes will open up new global opportunities. He stressed that the Canton Fair serves as a vital platform not just for China but for the entire world. In Athens, during an exchange with the Greek business community, Chu reviewed the history and stated, "China and Greece, both ancient civilizations, have witnessed a long-standing friendship through the ancient Silk Road. Under the strategic guidance of our leaders, China-Greece economic cooperation has achieved significant results. The Canton Fair opens a window to the world, and we look forward to active participation from the Greek business community to promote China-Greece economic and trade development, contribute to the global economic recovery, and build an open world economy." The promotional event in London was of significant scale, where Chu and his team held discussions with the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council. Chu introduced that the 135th Canton Fair will feature an optimized exhibition structure, a concentration of high-quality enterprises, and a wealth of innovative products. Jack Perry, Chairman of the 48 Group Club, expressed his intention to lead a delegation to the 135th Canton Fair and explore establishing a strategic partnership with the event. During the promotion conference in Dublin, Chu mentioned, "China's recent announcement of unilateral visa exemption for Ireland will further promote cooperation between businesses of both countries." In light of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland, he invited the Irish business community to actively partake in the fair, access the Chinese market, take advantage of Chinese opportunities, and amplify bilateral economic and trade collaboration. Story continues The business communities of Greece, the UK, and Ireland have responded positively to the promotional activities of the Canton Fair. Local enterprises and institutions have expressed eagerness to attend the event, expand cooperation with Chinese companies, promote trade development, and continue the beautiful friendship. The delegation signed partnership agreements with Hellenic Chinese Business Chamber and Industry and Commerce Association of Ireland (ICAOI) in this tour, adding Canton Fair's global partners to 195 covering 103 countries and regions. For more information about the upcoming 135th Canton Fair, please visit: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canton-fair-delegation-seeks-to-boost-european-trade-ties-ahead-of-the-135th-session-302090411.html SOURCE Canton Fair AUSTIN (KXAN) P. Terrys just opened its 32nd location in east Austin, located at 2425 E. Seventh St. This location has a double drive-thru with a walk up service and patio, the restaurant said in a news release Thursday. Having a presence in East Austin is something weve been working on for literally several years, Patrick Terry, CEO of P. Terrys, said in the release. KXAN has previously looked at how P. Terrys is growing in the Central Texas area. When it comes to eyeing a new location, then P. Terrys CEO Todd Coerver told KXAN in 2022, its a threefold conversation based on population density, the target demographics of potential customers in the area and if surrounding tenants would support business. We could literally put several hundred locations in Texas before we have to think about moving outside the state. Thats just how big Texas is from a population and geography standpoint, Coerver said in 2022. So in terms of the immediate horizon for us, were going to continue to grow in Central Texas, in the Austin and San Antonio metro areas, and those areas in between and up and down I-35. And then, next stop for us, weve got Houston in our sights. The East Austin location is open from 7 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday and open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, the hours are 8 a.m. to midnight. More information on the location and menu can be found online. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. DENVER (KDVR) Federal law enforcement officers are looking to find whoever is responsible for what appeared to be renovation debris that was dumped on the grounds at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge this week. Our public lands belong to all Americans. We need to treat our lands better than this for future generations to enjoy. We will catch you and YOU WILL BE PROSECUTED, the refuge posted on X Wednesday. Why you might see smoke at Rocky Mountain Arsenal this spring Deputy Refuge Manager Megan Klosterman told FOX31 that a visitor reported the debris to park managers. She said it looked like someone had remodeled a bathroom and then dumped a bathtub, cabinets, doors and all kinds of stuff at the refuge. While on the phone with FOX31, Klosterman said she was in her office covered in dry paint after helping cleanup efforts. When I went to pick up one of the bags, I didnt realize it was full of paint, she said. Making our federal staff go out there and put in their time and energy to clean it up, taking that time away from other tasks that they could be doing to manage the refuge. And, also, paint on the landscape isnt great for the environment either. Federal law enforcement officers are looking to find whoever is responsible for what appeared to be renovation debris that was dumped on the grounds at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge this week. (Photo: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge) Klosterman said there are two federal law enforcement officers at Rocky Mountain Arsenal who are reviewing video footage and investigating the incident. If they find the person responsible, they will receive a federal citation. Illegal dumping at the refuge Its happened before, and Klosterman said people have indeed been cited and fined for dumping there. We do find trash dumped out here more often than we would like. It is one of our struggles as an urban refuge, she said. This type of dumping can really, you know, break that trust that weve built with the public. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather She hopes that people will treat the land better and stop using the wildlife refuge as a dumping ground for the sake of the wildlife and for the enjoyment of future generations. Our mission is to conserve the natural habitat of this prairie landscape and to provide safe haven for wildlife. But obviously, trashing these animals homes is disrespectful to the planet, and its disrespectful to the public because these open spaces are a safe place to recreate and to connect to nature, Klosterman said. The refuge is home to many animals, including bison, deer, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, prairie dogs, coyotes and more. Klosterman said she was very grateful for the visitor who reported the garbage to managers so they could respond quickly. We cant be everywhere at once, she said. So we kind of rely on their eyes sometimes to let us know whats going on out there. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Anyone with information on this particular dumping is asked to contact Rocky Mountain Arsenals law enforcement at 303-289-0232 and select option one. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Palestinian American, Arab American and Muslim leaders refused to meet White House officials in Chicago on Thursday over the White Houses handling of the Gaza war. There is no point in more meetings. The White House already knows the position of the aforementioned groups and our allies across the nation, said a letter with nearly 50 signatories that was published Thursday on the Council on American-Islamic Relations website. They know because we have made it abundantly clear, including in prior meetings with the White House, but also in press statements, letters to our elected leaders, media interviews, and enormous street action within earshot of the Oval Office, it said. Senior members of the White House, including Tom Perez, the White Houses director of intergovernmental affairs; Steve Benjamin, White House director of public engagement; Mazen Basrawi, White House liaison to American Muslim communities; Curtis Ried, the National Security Council chief of staff; and aides Dan Koh and Jamie Citron were set to meet with several members of the Palestinian American and Muslim communities. The majority of those who were invited from those communities declined to attend the Chicago meeting. The rejection comes after a string of refusals across the country from Arab and Muslim groups over longstanding frustrations over the war in Gaza that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that left roughly 1,200 Israelis dead and about 240 people taken hostage. Several members of the Palestinian American community refused to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month in Washington to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In Michigan, Arab and Muslim community leaders canceled a listening session in February with President Joe Bidens campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez. This embedded content is not available in your region. Palestinian Americans Rejec... by rowaida.abdelaziz We believe another meeting would only act to whitewash months of White House inaction followed by meek handouts. We are interested in serious action, the letter said. Palestinian American and Muslim groups that did meet with the White House called those meetings tense and unproductive. In one of those meetings, Biden aides expressed regret for not acknowledging Palestinian lives earlier on in the crisis. Illinois is home to the largest Palestinian American community in the country, and for many in the community, the war has struck close to home. A few weeks after the fighting broke out, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in Plainfield, Illinois, was stabbed to death and his mother was critically injured in what has been classified as a hate crime,sending fear through the community at large. Last month, Israeli forces raided a home in Gaza and detained two young men who were born and raised in the Chicago area. The U.S. State Department has yet to provide updates on their case. Palestinian and Muslim groups said the White House has not done enough to advocate for Gazan lives. That is what history will judge us by, not more token meetings when every day is of the essence, the letter said. Related... President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Mohammad Mustafa as the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, which runs parts of the occupied West Bank. Mr Mustafa, a US-educated economist and former senior World Bank official, is a long-time adviser to the president. His predecessor, Mohammed Shtayyeh, resigned three weeks ago, citing the "emerging reality in the Gaza Strip". Mr Abbas is under pressure from the US to reform the PA so it can govern Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war ends. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented last month a vision for the territory that made no mention of any role for the PA. The Israeli military launched a large-scale air and ground campaign in Gaza after Hamas gunmen killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on 7 October and took 253 other people hostage. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says at least 31,300 people have been killed in the territory since then. The presidential decree issued on Thursday appointing Mr Mustafa said his priorities included leading humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza and organising the reconstruction of what has been destroyed during the war. Another priority was to develop plans for the "reunification of institutions across the homeland's governorates as a single geographical, political, national, and institutional unit", it added. It also called for "continuing the reform process" of Palestinian institutions, with the aim of "a robust and transparent governance system subject to accountability, combating corruption, and ensuring good governance". Mr Mustafa, who has a PhD in economics from George Washington University, has been chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund since 2015. Before that, he served for two years as deputy prime minister and economy minister and was involved in reconstruction efforts in Gaza following the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. The White House welcomed Mr Mustafa's appointment and called for the formation of a "reform cabinet" as soon as possible. "The United States will be looking for this new government to deliver on policies and implementation of credible and far-reaching reforms," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said. "A reformed Palestinian Authority is essential to delivering results for the Palestinian people and establishing the conditions for stability in both the West Bank and Gaza." However, Ramallah-based Palestinian political analyst Khalil Shaheen said Mr Mustafa's closeness to the president might limit the prospects for reforms. "In the end, [he] remains the right-hand man of President Abbas," he told AFP news agency. "Abbas wants to say that he supports reforms, but they remain under his control." Another analyst said they would reserve judgement until they saw who Mr Mustafa named in his cabinet. Some reports have said he will appoint technocrats in the hope that Israel could be persuaded to let them govern Gaza after the war. The PA, which was established in 1994 under the Oslo accords, has limited governance powers in parts of the occupied West Bank not under full Israeli control and is dominated by Mr Abbas's Fatah movement, Hamas's rival. It lost control of Gaza in 2007, when Hamas ousted forces loyal to Mr Abbas a year after winning the last Palestinian elections, and is deeply unpopular among many Palestinians, both in the West Bank and Gaza. In November, US President Joe Biden said Gaza and the West Bank "should be reunited under a single governance structure, ultimately under a revitalised Palestinian Authority, as we all work toward a two-state solution". Mr Netanyahu's plan for post-war, "demilitarised" Gaza did not rule out a role for the PA. But it also did not specifically mention the body either. It instead talked about handing responsibility for civilian management and public order to "local elements with managerial experience". Rise From the Ashes SpaceX's massive constellation of satellites are an eye-grabbing spectacle, but they're also the center of great controversy, ranging from concerns about space junk to astronomers complaining they're blocking their observations of the sky. Now, a contentious and yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper has suggested an even more catastrophic consequence of the Starlink network. As its satellites and others burn up in our atmosphere, their magnetized "dust" could pollute our atmosphere and weaken our planet's magnetic field, which extends thousands of miles into space and shields us from dangerous cosmic radiation. "I was shocked at everything that I found and that nobody has been studying this," the author, University of Iceland doctoral student Sierra Solter-Hunt, told Live Science in a new interview. "I think it's really, really alarming." Genuine Particle Solter-Hunt estimates that it's possible that the amount of metallic particles in our atmosphere has increased by a millionfold since the start of the space age. As more commercial satellites are launched and then burned up in the coming decades, that tally could reach a billion fold, she told Live Science, with most of the dead satellite dust accumulating in an upper region called the ionosphere that extends up to 400 miles above Earth "and it could just stay there forever." This could form a "perfect conductive net around our planet" that if electrically charged, would block our protective geomagnetic field from extending past the ionosphere. In the "most extreme case," the outer edges of our atmosphere, no longer fully protected by the geomagnetic field, would be stripped away by the harsh radiation of space over centuries. Junk Science Could the disintegrated remains of a few hundred thousand satellites really be enough to radically alter the Earth's mighty magnetic field? Many experts are skeptical. "Even at the densities [of spacecraft dust] discussed, a continuous conductive shell like a true magnetic shield is unlikely," John Tarduno, a planetary scientist at the University of Rochester, told Live Science, calling some of the paper's assumptions "too simple and unlikely to be correct." It's also not clear if there will ever be that many satellites in orbit. SpaceX has launched nearly 6,000 so far, and Amazon plans to compete by eventually deploying over 3,200 satellites of its own huge multi-billion dollar projects that nonetheless come nowhere near the tally of up to 1,000,000 that Solter-Hunt based her assumptions on. Still, others argue there's merit to the work. If nothing else, it underscores just how little we know about metallic pollution in our atmosphere, or how these satellites could affect the health of our planet. "This is not an issue to be ignored," Fionagh Thompson, a physicist at Durham University in England told Live Science. "There is a need to step back and view this [space junk pollution] as a completely new phenomenon." More on satellites: Epic Shots Show Derelict Satellite Hurtling To Its Doom A paramedic and a State Emergency Service employee attending to the site of a Russian missile strike in Odesa were killed when a second missile hit the same area. Source: Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Unfortunately, the Russian missile attack killed a paramedic and a State Emergency Service employee who had arrived at the scene of the first explosion to provide assistance." Recent updates on this topic: Russian attack on Odesa: 14 people killed, 46 injured Details: Kiper stated that other doctors and rescue workers were seriously injured. Currently, the total number of people injured is being determined. "Everyone is being provided with the necessary medical care," Kiper concluded. Background: On the afternoon of 15 March, Odesa was subjected to a missile strike by the Russian Federation, causing civilian injuries. Support UP or become our patron! After James Crumbley was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in his son's murderous rampage in Michigan, the parents of those killed in the Oxford High School shooting embraced the trial victory but shifted their focus to the next challenge: holding the school accountable and ending gun violence across the nation. Were not done, said Steve St. Juliana, whose 14-year-old daughter Hana was killed in the shooting. "There is so much more that absolutely must be done. Our children are dying on a daily basis in mass murders and we do very little about it, he said. We complain about Second Amendment rights. Or we say, 'Oh, theres not enough money to put in for mental health issues.' ... Its the No. 1 killer of our kids, folks. He added: We can put people on the moon. We can build skyscrapers, huge monuments like the Hoover Dam. And we cant keep our kids safe in schools. People need to wake up and take action. Stop making excuses. Stop buying the rhetoric. Oxford High School students Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Tate Myre, 16, at top, and Justin Shilling, 17, and Hana St. Juliana, 14, were killed in a school shooting on Nov. 30. And stop with the politics, he pleaded. Its not a Democratic or Republican issue. Its nonpartisan. Do not any excuse of any of the politicians. This needs to be solved, and it needs to be solved now, St. Juliana said. We do not want any parents to go through what we have gone through. Its as simple as that." James Crumbley and his wife, Jennifer, whose teenage son Ethan murdered four students and injured seven other people at Oxford High School in November 2021, are the first parents in the nation to be held criminally accountable for a child's school shooting. In February, Jennifer Crumbley was convicted on involuntary manslaughter charges. Both parents are due to be sentenced April 9. Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to the murders and other charges and is serving life in prison without parole. The 15-year-old carried out his rampage with a gun his father bought for him days earlier. 'Its more than the gun. Our kids are not doing well these days.' Buck Myre, whose son Tate died in the shooting, said Oxford High School also will be held accountable in court. Buck Myre, father of Tate Myre, who was killed in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting, speaks to the media after James Crumbley, the shooter's father, was found guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday, March, 14, 2024. "No parent should go through the hell were going through, Myre said as he then addressed the guilty verdicts. Weve taken care of three legs of Nov. 30, but theres still a fourth leg, and thats the school. Its time for the school to pony up. Its time to break up that administration country club and its time for change. Myre stressed: Weve got four kids here dead and no one wants to take accountability. That needs to start tomorrow." Those murdered by Crumbley's son were Tate, 16; Hana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. Its more than the gun," Myre added. "Our kids are not doing well these days. Were in a mental health crisis. The gun is just a tool. So we got to look at other things other than the gun. Prosecutor Karen McDonald: 'I refuse to take a victory lap' Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald speaks to the media on Thursday, March, 14, 2024, as Nicole Beausoleil, mother of Madisyn Baldwin; Steve St. Juliana, father of Hana St. Juliana, and Craig Shilling, father of Justin Shilling; look on after James Crumbley was found guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths caused in 2021 by Crumbley's son after he perpetrated a mass shooting at Oxford High School. The parents spoke during a news conference with Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, who noted that while the Crumbley prosecutions are important, pain and gun violence remain. "This verdict does not bring back their children, but it does mark a moment of accountability and will hopefully be another step to address and prevent gun violence, McDonald said, stressing, "We will not solve gun violence with these three prosecutions." McDonald called gun violence a public health crisis and the leading cause of death of children in America but said restricting access to guns alone will not solve the problem. I refuse to take a victory lap with these prosecutions. It will not bring back these kids. We have a lot more work to do," she said. Nicole Beausoleil, who lost her 17-year-old daughter Madisyn Baldwin in the killing, agreed. We need to start focusing on the school, Madisyns mom said. The school and its failures. The things they dont want to admit to. They are going to see these families rise up against it and we will be here fighting every second for our children. Asked whether prosecution against the school was next, McDonald said, We want to hold everyone accountable." Ive made a commitment to these parents and were going to keep it," she said. Im going to look at the facts and work with them to get the accountability they deserve. Craig Shilling, whose son Justin was murdered in a bathroom during the shooting, also pleaded for change. "My heart is beating out of my chest. I'm shaking. I really can't say enough about the importance of what we just went through," Shilling said of the grueling trial and emotional verdict. "It's a monumental decision." Craig Shilling, father of Justin Shilling, left, sits with Steve St. Juliana, father of Hana St. Juliana, and Nicole Beausoleil, mother of Madisyn Baldwin, who is overcome by emotion as James Crumbley is found guilty on four counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of their children in the Oakland County courtroom of Judge Cheryl Matthews on Thursday, March, 14, 2024. Crumbley's son perpetrated a mass shooting killing four students in 2021 at Oxford High School. But he argued much more needs to be done. "There's still so much there in front of us," he said. Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Parents of shooting victims vow more action after Crumbley convictions The tug of war over an outdoor gym in Maurice A. Ferre Park has become a symbolic measure of Miami Commissioner Joe Carollos grip on power: Is it slipping, or tightening? In the case of the citys downtown waterfront parks, Carollo is holding on. A decision on whether to rip out the gym Carollo installed or let it stay was deferred for the fourth time at Thursdays commission meeting and postponed until May, six months after a city board heard residents complaints about the unwanted exercise equipment cluttering the parks green space and ordered its removal. Joe is trying to wear us down so we will give up, said Michael Feuling, who lives in a condo across the street from the park he visits twice a day. He is opposed to the gym and Carollos other pet projects, such as the Dogs and Cats Walkway, a $900,000 menagerie of 52 giant animal statues leading up to the Perez Art Museum of Miami. Next on his list, Carollo wants to build pickleball courts on Ferre Parks great lawn. He thinks we cant keep showing up at city hall meetings because we have jobs and have to work, Feuling said. But well keep fighting. We want Carollo out before he destroys the park completely. Michael Feuling stands on his balcony overlooking the Maurice A. Ferre Park in downtown Miami. Feuling and other residents are concerned about changes made by Commissioner Joe Carollo they see as unplanned and intrusive. Carollo is chairman of the Bayfront Park Management Trust and its nine-member board, which oversees operations at Bayfront and Ferre parks and the Trusts nearly $3 million annual budget. The gym which consists of a dozen pieces of equipment on a concrete and rubberized pad in the center of Ferre Park went up within a span of days in October much to the surprise of park regulars. But Carollo points out that it was discussed and approved at a Trust meeting two years prior. Downtown residents filed an appeal, and the gym has been sitting there since, sweat-free, weights untouched, pull-up bars unused, surrounded by fencing. Only a handful of people are opposed to the gym and thats because they hate me, Carollo said Friday after the commission meeting. How can a handful of people with private gyms in their luxury buildings stop something in a park that belongs to all the people of Miami, including our Black and Hispanic residents? City board votes to reverse gyms approval The gym was not installed according to proper permitting and design procedure and is not included in the citys master plan, members of the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board ruled in November. They voted 5-2 to reverse the planning departments approval of the gym. Heres something that was thrown together without community input, and its a slap in the face to every resident in the city, board member Adam Gersten said at the time. The gym must be removed, the board said. Residents suggested it be relocated at another park, community center or Boys and Girls Club. Commissioners can overrule board recommendations and Carollo has vowed to do so since December, when he encouraged people to bring your popcorn to a debate on the issue. But each time the gyms fate has come up on the commission agenda, its been deferred. Since Carollo was appointed Bayfront Park Management Trust chair in 2018, hes made changes that have upset many residents who live nearby. Joe has spent a lot of taxpayer money turning Ferre Park into an embarrassment while inhibiting the master plan, said Brian Kern, vice president of the HOA board at the 900 Biscayne Bay tower. He said hes spent countless hours preparing for and attending meetings at city hall to stop or undo Carollos plans. Carollo: Hes improving the park Carollo counters by calling the residents who live across Biscayne Boulevard elitists who dont want people from other neighborhoods using the citys premier bayfront park. He asked what kind of Grinch wouldnt want exercise equipment. Show me a public park anywhere, even in Moscow, where exercise equipment would be canceled, said Carollo, who is proud of his record on park improvements in his District 3. They dont even like the world-class sculpture weve put on display. Or the flowers. They want to throw everything away that weve worked hard on and invested in to make the park beautiful. They want to hurt me and the Trust board members. But they cant. Carollos opponents unsuccessfully tried to get him removed from the commission in June after a jury found him liable for $63.5 million in damages for using city resources such as code enforcement officers and attorneys to harass the owners of Little Havanas Ball and Chain nightclub in a political vendetta that shut down some of their properties and cost them millions in lost business. Carollo faced eviction and the sale of his Coconut Grove home at auction to pay some of the judgment before winning an appeal of the case. Carollo and city employees are named in two more lawsuits by the business owners. You would think hed have his hands full with the lawsuits but he doesnt let go of what he controls, Kern said. Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo leaves federal court in downtown Miami, on March 1, 2024. A federal judge decided to delay the auction of his Coconut Grove home to pay part of a $63.5 million verdict against him. New director of park trust In fact, Carollo appointed Jose Suarez as the new executive director of the Trust on Wednesday and the commission confirmed him Thursday. Suarez is the sixth director or interim director in seven years, since Timothy Schmand resigned in 2017. Suarez was Carollos chief of staff for four years until 2022, and since then has been global director for XWECAN public relations, according to his LinkedIn account. How another Carollo crony was chosen is absurd, Kern said. It will be more of the same. Suarez will take orders from Joe until Joe throws him under the bus. The dysfunctional Trust board will continue to rubber-stamp whatever Joe wants at meetings with no notice and no agenda that start two hours late. Suarez replaces Miguel Ferro, who resigned last month. Ferro, also appointed by Carollo, served as artistic director for Carollos district and was involved in the contested conversion of Little Havanas Tower Theater from an arthouse cinema leased and operated by Miami Dade College to a city-run exhibition and performance space. Ferro is a co-founder of Microtheater Miami, which held performances in cargo containers at Ferre Park until they were removed because they did not have permits, and he was a co-producer of Cuba Under the Stars, a show held at Bayfront Park. Ferro was another political appointee rather than a qualified professional, Kern said. As a result, the degradation of our parks is laughable. From left to right, Ferre Park regulars Max Mendez and his dog Domino, Candace OBrien and her dogs Iris and Ruth, Kelly Sabo with Gigi and TJ Sabo with Stella in the place where one of the oldest trees in Ferre Park was chopped down by the city of Miami without a tree removal permit. An LED billboard is to be erected nearby. The most recent example of an unsightly addition noted by Kern and other park-goers is a new 7-foot tall black fence that was erected with no notice along the south side of the boat basin between the Miami Heat arena and Ferre Park. No explanation and it completely obstructs the view of the water, Kern said. Everything they do is amateur hour. But in a decision applauded by residents Thursday, Commissioner Damian Pardo picked Steve Smith to replace Anne Russ on the Trust board. Smith, president of the 900 Biscayne Bay HOA, has been a leader in the effort to confront Carollo on park issues and relocate the gym. A Downtown Neighbors Alliance petition to remove Carollo from the chairmanship has more than 900 signatures. James Torres, alliance president, says residents are fed up with Carollo running the parks as almighty king, and want Pardo to take the position because the parks are in Pardos District 2. Before taking any action on chairmanships, commissioners said they want to see the results of forensic audits of the Trust, the Downtown Development Authority and community redevelopment agencies (CRAs). The alliance petition states that Carollo has paved over parts of the parks to build controversial amenities that only Joe Carollo seems to want, such as the hot and stinky artificial turf at the dog park; executed no-bid contracts, such as the one for construction of the Dogs and Cats Walkway; ignored the citys $10 million master plan drawn by a prominent landscape architecture firm; cut down trees without permits; allowed projects without permits or safety measures, one of which resulted in a child falling into a cement pit, and supported LED advertising billboards on park property that Carollo says will generate $800,000 per year for the city. As Julie Huellmantel walks out of Customs at Miami International Airport, shes approached by a masked worker in blue scrubs. Bio surveillance specialist Talia Estevez asks if she would like to get tested and answer some questions to help with a public health program run by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Huellmantel pauses. Should she say yes? She has another flight to catch. The CDC program, the worker tells her, is to help track COVID-19 variants and other infectious diseases that could be coming into the country. The survey and nose-swabbing will only take a few minutes to complete, is voluntary and anonymous. Huellmantel agrees, and after answering a few travel-related questions on the tablet is taken to a nearby table, where shes given a nose swab. The workers instruct her to twirl the swab in each nostril and then they give her another swab to do the same thing. It takes less then five minutes. Workers thank her for participating and give her a free COVID-19 at-home test kit for her time. Bio surveillance specialist Talia Estevez assists traveler Julie Huellmantel arriving from Cuba before she swabs her nose for a voluntary test as some travelers flying into Miami from other countries are being asked to do a nose swab to test for COVID variants and other contagious viruses as part of a nationwide effort to track new and emerging infectious diseases, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Huellmantel, who had just arrived to Miami Thursday from Cuba and was on her way to catch a connecting flight back home to Detroit, told the Miami Herald she agreed to the nose-swabbing because she had time to spare and its a good thing for public health. Shes one of more than 180 passengers who agreed to undergo the voluntary testing that began Tuesday inside Miamis Terminal D, the home of American Airlines. The major airline operates about 70% of MIAs flights to 80 international destinations. The CDCs traveler-based genomic surveillance program, which launched in September 2021 during the COVID pandemic, has collected samples from more than 475,000 travelers coming off flights from more than 135 countries. It expanded earlier this week to the Miami airport, which sees more than 21 million international travelers a year. Other major airports in the country are also enrolled in the program, including in New York, Boston and Los Angeles. Helping the mission of public health is the same reason why Carlos Avila, who lives in Barbados and came to Miami for work and to visit family, and Bertrand Guenot, who arrived from the Bahamas and was not in a hurry for his connecting flight back home to France, said they decided to get tested. I think its important in healthcare to be able to help whenever on your small level, said Guenot, noting that he was glad to help public health officials gather data to be better prepared for any possible future outbreaks. Traveler Bertrand Guenot arriving from the Bahamas on his way to Paris swabs his nose for a voluntary test as some travelers flying into Miami from other countries are being asked to do a nose swab to test for COVID variants and other contagious viruses as part of a nationwide effort to track new and emerging infectious diseases, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Why is the CDC offering voluntary testing at MIA? The CDCs goal is to test travelers 18 and older to help public health officials get a better grip on what germs are coming into the U.S. so they can make more informed public health decisions. The program serves as an early detection system providing genomic sequencing data in near real-time while addressing gaps in global surveillance, especially when testing and sequencing information are limited, said the CDCs Dr. Allison Taylor Walker in an emailed statement to the Miami Herald. Miami will result in the collection of more data from around the world, and particularly from the Southern Hemisphere, Walker added, including Central and South America. At the moment, the CDC is testing Miami airport travelers for COVID, but will eventually expand the testing to include flu and RSV. READ NEXT: Can you throw used COVID tests in the trash? What about hazardous waste? But dont confuse this with the Miami airport COVID-testing sites travelers frequented during the pandemic. Travelers who agree to the nasal-swabbing wont be told their results, the CDC says. However, they will get a free COVID at-home test kit. On Thursday afternoon, workers received a steady flow of volunteers who were leaving Concourse Ds Customs station, the busiest in the country. While some travelers declined to participate in the testing, others, like Ana Lidia Lujan Leon from Miami, who had just arrived from visiting family in Cuba, said it was a no-brainer to participate. Shortly after I moved to Miami, I was given the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for free and I was very appreciative of that so how could I not collaborate? Lujan Leon, who has lived in Miami for over a year, told the Miami Herald in Spanish. Bio surveillance specialist Talia Estevez assists traveler Ana Lidia Lujan arriving from Cuba as she swabs her nose for a voluntary test as some travelers flying into Miami from other countries are being asked to do a nose swab to test for COVID variants and other contagious viruses as part of a nationwide effort to track new and emerging infectious diseases, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Cape Canaveral Hospital named to top-hospital list For the fourth consecutive year, Health Firsts Cape Canaveral Hospital has been named to Newsweeks list of Worlds Best Hospitals 2024. Brett Esrock Newsweek and Statista Inc., a world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, presented the award to Cape Canaveral Hospital. Details can be viewed on the Newsweek website. The Worlds Best Hospitals 2024 ranking lists the best hospitals in 30 countries: United States, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, United Kingdom, South Korea, Brazil, India, Spain, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Colombia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Israel and Singapore. The countries were selected based on multiple comparability factors, such as standard of living/life expectancy, population size, number of hospitals and data availability. Major changes were made in this years edition. A global board of renowned experts supports the continuous development of the methodology. The lists are based on four data sources: Recommendations from medical experts; patient surveys; hospital quality metrics; and patient outcome reporting methods. Based on those four pillars and their respective weights, a final score was calculated for each hospital. With more than 300 hospitals in Florida, Cape Canaveral was among 18 Florida hospitals including just three in Central Florida on the Newsweek/Statista list. This Newsweek inclusion placing Cape Canaveral Hospital among the best hospitals in the nation and state of Florida is a tremendous honor for every one of our clinicians, associates and volunteers, and certainly kicks off what we are anticipating to be a very impactful year at Health First, Health First Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Brett Esrock said. As we are planning for and making progress toward the future of our new Cape Canaveral Hospital, this honor is reflective of Health First and Capes commitment to providing the best wellness and medical care for our residents and visitors today, and well into the future, Esrock said. Story continues More newsmakers: Attorney Markey joins Goldman, Monaghan, Thakkar & Bettin law firm The Viera Co., Viera Builders announce promotions The Viera Co. and Viera Builders recently announced promotions as part of an organizational effort to continue to increase efficiencies in its real estate operations. Todd Pokrywa I am thrilled to announce the promotions of Michael Arnold, Karen Esposito and Eva Rey at The Viera Co., and Robin Aldridge and Marcus Cain at Viera Builders, said Todd Pokrywa, president of The Viera Co. I am also excited to welcome Kenneth Dohanish to the Viera Builders team, Pokrywa said. These organizational changes at the leadership level reflect our commitment to a culture of growth and development. We look forward to these valued team members continued contributions in driving our organization forward. The recent leadership promotions and new staff are: Michael Arnold, senior vice president, land development. Karen Esposito, director, sales and development. Eva Rey, senior vice president, community management and communications. Robin Aldridge, senior vice president, Viera Homebuilding. Marcus Cain, vice president, operations. Kenneth Dohanish, vice president, purchasing. Florida Milestone Inspection adds new service Florida Milestone Inspection LLC, founded by Charles Solomon, has introduced and now offering a proprietary method to calculate structural integrity reserves. The method used is now called a Cost Trend Analysis. Charles Solomon Computer-generated solutions derive an annual reserve payment for, a sinking fund, which after 10 years provides funds for repairs. The intent is for an owners association to demonstrate compliance with Florida Statute 718.112. The methods and equations used are proprietary. Interested parties should go to www.fla-milestone.com or e-mail Charles R. Solomon at FMI_LLC@cfl.rr.com. If you have a Business Newsmakers item you'd like to publish, please email details to Wayne T. Price at wtpkansas@yahoo.com or contact him at 321-223-0230. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Newsweek names Cape Canaveral Hospital named to its top-hospital list The first plant in the Kaluga Oblast Ukraines Military Intelligence (HUR) carried out a nighttime drone strike on a petrochemical plant in Russias Kaluga Oblast on March 15, a source in the intelligence services told NV. Read also: Russian gasoline prices spike ahead of elections due to Ukrainian drone attacks Drones targeted the Perhsyi Zavod petrochemical plant, which is involved in oil processing, Russian Telegram channel Baza claimed. The attack began at 4:00 AM and lasted for half an hour. Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted all of the drones, but one hit a pipe, causing a fire that was quickly contained, the source said Read also: Russia awakes to biggest attack on Russian soil since World War II Drones attacked Russias Kaluga Oblast overnight, Kaluga Oblast Governor, Vladislav Shapsha, claimed. Four drones were suppressed by Russian Air Defense Forces tonight in the Dzerzhinsky district of Kaluga Oblast, Shapsha alleged. Read also: Ukrainian drone crashed on the territory of an oil depot in Kaluga, Russia No damage or casualties were initially reported, Shapsha claimed, before later saying that two Russians were injured. He made no comment on what was targeted in the strikes. Ukraine has been frequently targeting Russian oil refineries in recent days and weeks. Over March 12-13, drones attacked: The Rosneft refinery in Ryazan (one of Russia's largest) A refinery in Kstovo (Nizhny Novgorod region) The Kirishi refinery (Leningrad region) The Novoshakhtinsk refinery in the south of Rostov region Lukoil's refinery in Nizhny Novgorod region, which led to the shutdown of the largest oil processing unit Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Just a couple of months after many central San Joaquin Valley residents electricity and gas bill sharply increased, their utilities will soon cost even more. The California Public Utilities Commission voted last week to approve another bill hike for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers, adding about an additional $5 a month to their household bill. PG&E already raised electricity rates approximately 13% at the start of 2024 to recover the companys costs for upgrading infrastructure, including wildlife prevention and modernization projects. PG&E estimated the new increase will be about an additional $3.65 for electric and $1.03 for gas, and will start in April. The latest increases are to help PG&E recoup monies spent on wildfire mitigation. All together, customers who had an average residential bill of $254 in 2023 can now expect to pay an additional $37.19 per month compared to a year ago. So customers could be looking at a new monthly bill of about $292. Annually, these rate increases are expected to cost households about $450 more for their PG&E bills compared to a year ago. Were excited about the future were creating for our customers and investors differentiating ourselves on safety and financial performance while building a system that meets the climate challenges of tomorrow, PG&E said in a story by KRON4. Unfortunately for PG&E customers, they could be facing additional charges beyond the latest increases. The California Public Utilities Commission is considering allowing PG&E to charge customers an extra $15 a month, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, to pay for a range of programs from emergency storm response, past wildfire expenses and keeping its Diablo Canyon Power Plant in operation. Those potential increases would help PG&E recoup costs incurred from last years winter storms. The commission owes an explanation to customers whenever they adopt a rate increase but now more than ever, Mark Toney, executive director of ratepayer advocate nonprofit The Utility Reform Network, told the Chronicle. PG&E showed profits of $2.24 billion in 2023, a nearly 25% year-over-year increase, according to KRON4. This rate increase is to cover last years cost overrun, PG&E customer Mary Zhu, 84, said in a story by The San Francisco Standard. It is a rush to judgment, and a company with $15 billion in the bank is not entitled to charity. A Philadelphia duo has been arrested in connection to the "execution style" murders of a man and woman in Fairmount Park late last month. The Philadelphia Police Department announced that 52-year-old Lamar Young and 56-year-old Dale Johnson were arrested, and now face charges of murder and conspiracy. Police said during a press conference Thursday that officers responded to the 3800 block of Mount Pleasant Drive in Fairmount Park on Feb. 29, after receiving a report of a "hospital case," FOX 29 in Philadelphia reported. When officers arrived, they found the bodies of 49-year-old Thurston Cooper and 38-year-old Krystina Chambers on the side of the road, along with three bullet shell casings. THIRD SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR PHILADELPHIA BUS STOP SHOOTING; FOURTH REMAINS AT LARGE Lamar Young booking photo Police revealed during the press conference that Johnson, Young, Cooper and Chambers had spoken while at Tellups Tavern on West Olney Avenue earlier that night. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The suspects and victims left the restaurant at about 9:40 p.m. After leaving, police explained, Chambers and Coopers appeared to be looking for a ride when Johnson and Young offered them a lift. Nearly 20 minutes later, police added, the vehicle all four people left in was seen in Fairmount Park. PHILADELPHIA POLICE CONTINUE PIECING TOGETHER BUS STOP SHOOTING THAT INJURED 8 STUDENTS Dale Johnson booking photo Less than an hour later, police responded to a 911 call after someone in the park located the bodies of the victims. Police said they do not have "concrete" evidence of what led to the shooting, nor what the four individuals talked about at the bar. Still, police said they believe there was some sort of conflict at the bar that was resolved before the suspects and victims left. Video surveillance was not available of the shooting, though police have video of the car parked in the park for nearly 10 minutes that night. PHILADELPHIA MAN FATALLY SHOT ABOARD BUS IN 3RD SEPTA SHOOTING IN 3 DAYS Philadelphia police say two suspects shot and killed a man and woman "execution style," Feb. 29, in Fairmount Park. "It's really a senseless crime, quite frankly," Chief Inspector Christopher Werner said. "And if it's over an argument, I mean, you're looking at a double murder." The chief inspector also said the four individuals frequented the bar often, and it was likely they knew each other before the murder occurred. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Police said Young was arrested in early March while Johnson surrendered to police on Wednesday. Both suspects are charged with murder and conspiracy. Original article source: Philadelphia duo face charges for allegedly killing man and woman 'execution style': police Pierce Brosnan says he regrets impulsive mistake after fine for off-limits Yellowstone hike Pierce Brosnan has been ordered to pay $1,500 after pleading guilty to stepping off a trail in a thermal area in Yellowstone National Park last November. The actor, 70, is best known for playing British spy James Bond in four films. Brosnan called into a court hearing on Thursday (14 March), where he was fined $500 and ordered to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization that supports the park. According to court records, he has until 1 April to settle the matter. In a statement published on Instagram, Mr Brosnan said: As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world. People Brosnan attends the LA premiere of The Out-Laws in 2023 (2023 Invision) However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a No Trespassing sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. US Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick dismissed a second petty offence for violating closures and use limits. According to the citations Mr Brosnan walked in an off-limits area at Mammoth Terraces, in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana line, on 1 November last year. He was in the park on a personal visit and not for film work, the US Attorneys Office for Wyoming has said. Mammoth Terraces is a scenic spot of mineral-encrusted hot springs bubbling from a hillside. They are just some of the parks hundreds of thermal features, which range from spouting geysers to gurgling mud pots, with water at or near the boiling point. Going out-of-bounds in such areas can be dangerous: Some of the millions of people who visit Yellowstone each year get badly burned by ignoring warnings not to stray off the trail. Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs, the National Park Service says on its website. Mr Brosnan was born in Drogheda, Ireland in 1953 and had his breakthrough as an actor with the British spy series Remington Steele in the 1980s, before being cast as James Bond beginning with 1995s Goldeneye. He played Bond from 1995 to 2002 before Daniel Craig took over the role. He also starred in the 1980s TV series Remington Steele and is also known for appearing in the films Mrs Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair and Mamma Mia!. In 2023, Mr Brosnan unveiled a deeply personal series of paintings in his first solo art exhibition. Last week, he offered his verdict on how his fellow countryman and recent Best Actor Oscar winner Cillian Murphy would fare as 007. Additional reporting by Associated Press The world is not facing a deadly carbon dioxide (CO2) "famine", multiple scientists told AFP, contrary to claims repeatedly shared in social media posts that deny global warming is real. They said CO2 levels have been rising at an unprecedented rate since the pre-industrial era, heating the planet with disastrous effects. "We are in a CO2 famine," reads the title of a chart shared on Facebook on February 20, 2024. It appears to show decreasing levels of atmospheric CO2 -- measured in parts per million (ppm) -- throughout the planet's history. Levels purportedly decreased from over 2,500 ppm 160 million years ago to under 500 ppm during the present time. The chart indicates current levels are nearing a "red line of death" and way below what is "optimum for plants". "I really hope those in charge follow actual science before it is too late," reads the caption alongside the chart. It was also shared by social media users in Australia and Sweden. A screenshot of the misleading graph, captured on March 5. Kate TAN Similar posts from New Zealand and France featured a 37-second video clip of an interview with William Happer, a professor of physics from Princeton University, aired by Sky News Australia in September 2023. Happer, formerly a science advisor to former US president Donald Trump, said in the interview: "More CO2 is good for the world. It's not bad for the world. And so it's absurd to be trying to reduce CO2." "We are in a CO2 famine now, compared to what is normal for plants. And just about any plant, if you give it more CO2 and a lot more, it will do better," he added. In response to an enquiry from AFP, Professor Happer said he stood by his comments. "The clearest evidence that Earth is in a CO2 famine, compared to what most plants would prefer, is that growers of flowers, fruits and vegetables continue to pay the substantial costs of tripling or quadrupling the concentrations of CO2 in their greenhouses," he said. Multiple climate scientists, however, told AFP the world faces no risk of a "CO2 famine" and the opposite is happening. They said CO2 levels -- mostly from human burning of fossil fuels -- have been increasing at an unprecedented rate since pre-industrial times. Scientific consensus "We are far away from any CO2 famine," Howard Diamond, a senior climate scientist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) told AFP on February 13, 2024 (archived link). Pelle Boberg, climate analyst at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, separately said on February 15: "The problem is the opposite, that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is growing fast" (archived link). "Carbon dioxide levels have varied greatly over time, and life on Earth has adapted to it," Boberg explained. But the speed at which CO2 is currently increasing is "happening so fast that it is becoming more and more difficult for ecosystems to keep up with adapting to it". According to a report issued by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2021: "The evidence is clear that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change, even as other greenhouse gases and air pollutants also affect the climate" (archived link). Limiting global warming is crucial to averting a long-term planetary climate disaster, the report's authors wrote. "For 1.5C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons," they said. "At 2C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health." The IPCC report reflects a global scientific consensus on the issue. 'Preposterous' chart details The chart repeatedly shared online was also not accurate, experts said. Diamond from NOAA said the chart showing the planet hovering near a "line of death" was "pretty preposterous and not in keeping with the science or any of the data we have". He explained that ice core data -- samples that enable scientists to estimate what climate from the past -- found a cycle of between about 180 to 290 ppm of CO2 over the past 800,000 years. That level was less than the current CO2 concentration at about 420 ppm but "living organisms did just fine" Diamond said. He also pointed to a graph in a 2017 paper published in Nature Communications, showing CO2 levels over the past 420 million years and setting this in the context of projected future change (archived version). The graph included estimates of CO2 levels over the next several hundreds of years, based on different future emission scenarios by the IPCC, showing levels will reach highs not seen in millions of years. The paper said unabated fossil fuel use leading to continued rise in CO2 could lead to a scenario that was likely "without geological precedent in the last half a billion years". Below is a screenshot of the graph found in the paper: A graph in the 2017 paper published in Nature Communications Plant life Claims that increased CO2 levels are beneficial for plants also omit important context. Plants use sunlight to convert CO2 into a source of energy in a process called photosynthesis. Experts said increased CO2 levels could to some extent, therefore, stimulate plant growth. But Antoine Martin, a senior scientist from the Institute for Plant Sciences of Montpellier told AFP other factors counterbalance the effect of increased CO2. "If we increase the quantity of carbon dioxide, we know that to stimulate photosynthesis, the nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.) must also be supplied in a slightly larger quantity," he said. These nutrients are not necessarily present in sufficient quantities to support the growth of a plant induced by additional CO2. "This 'more is better' philosophy is not the way things work in the real world," Diamond said. The chart circulating online misleadingly indicated that CO2 levels from around 100 million years ago -- ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 ppm -- were "optimum for plants". "Given that agriculture developed in concert with the development of human civilization and about 20,000 years ago, the levels of CO2 were in the low to mid 200 ppm range, and so I would not say that a level of 10001500 ppm is optimal," Diamond said. The effects of a warming planet also affect plant life, according to scientists. "CO2 is a greenhouse gas, it causes climate change whose effects include global warming, melting ice, rising sea levels," Ranga Myneni, a climate professor at Boston University told AFP on December 13, 2023 (archived link). "During the summer, we have the problem of increasing temperatures, and especially periods of drought which create water stress reducing the productivity of forests or even killing trees," said Nicolas Viovy, a researcher at France's Laboratory for the Sciences of Climate and Environment (LSCE) (archived link). "I am talking about trees but the problem is also found in the crops." AFP has repeatedly debunked misinformation surrounding the climate crisis here. If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount 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. However, after investigating Cosmos Technology International Berhad (KLSE:COSMOS), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger. Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Cosmos Technology International Berhad: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.089 = RM5.0m (RM70m - RM14m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to October 2023). Thus, Cosmos Technology International Berhad has an ROCE of 8.9%. In absolute terms, that's a low return, but it's much better than the Metals and Mining industry average of 5.8%. See our latest analysis for Cosmos Technology International Berhad KLSE:COSMOS Return on Capital Employed March 15th 2024 While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you want to delve into the historical earnings , check out these free graphs detailing revenue and cash flow performance of Cosmos Technology International Berhad. So How Is Cosmos Technology International Berhad's ROCE Trending? In terms of Cosmos Technology International Berhad's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. Over the last five years, returns on capital have decreased to 8.9% from 30% five years ago. Given the business is employing more capital while revenue has slipped, this is a bit concerning. This could mean that the business is losing its competitive advantage or market share, because while more money is being put into ventures, it's actually producing a lower return - "less bang for their buck" per se. Story continues On a related note, Cosmos Technology International Berhad has decreased its current liabilities to 19% of total assets. That could partly explain why the ROCE has dropped. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Some would claim this reduces the business' efficiency at generating ROCE since it is now funding more of the operations with its own money. Our Take On Cosmos Technology International Berhad's ROCE We're a bit apprehensive about Cosmos Technology International Berhad because despite more capital being deployed in the business, returns on that capital and sales have both fallen. But investors must be expecting an improvement of sorts because over the last yearthe stock has delivered a respectable 9.2% return. Regardless, we don't feel too comfortable with the fundamentals so we'd be steering clear of this stock for now. Cosmos Technology International Berhad does come with some risks though, we found 4 warning signs in our investment analysis, and 2 of those are concerning... For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Well-meaning people in southwestern Utah are rescuing working ranch and farm dogs, and local authorities are urging them to stop. The Iron County Sheriffs Office posted on Facebook this week, saying thereve been several recent incidents of people picking up farm dogs whom they think are abandoned. Utah lab aims to explore health impacts of competitive gaming These dogs may seem abandoned, but theyre working and removing them from their area leaves the herds theyre guarding vulnerable, the sheriffs office said. This is also frustrating for the owners having to constantly track their dogs down. The sheriffs office cautioned that working dogs will be more visible in mountainous areas heading into the spring and summer seasons as the herds move to higher ground. Still, if people believe they see an abandoned dog, they are asked to call the countys non-emergency line at 435-586-9445. The sheriffs office said deputies are generally aware of where the working dogs are and can make sure livestock guard dogs arent being taken off the job. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Reported police activity closed a roadway in Adams County Thursday evening but it is back open. According to 511pa, there was police activity on Route 30 between Hanover Street and New Oxford Lincoln Way and Lincoln Street that caused a closure as of 5:37 p.m. Details of the incident are limited. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Police arrested a man accused of robbing a bank Friday morning in Kannapolis. Wells Fargo employees called police around 9:15 a.m. that day to report someone robbed the location at 1501 South Cannon Boulevard. They gave Kannapolis police officers a description of the suspect, and nearby officers were able to find him near the bank. ALSO READ: Charlotte woman arrested for bank robbery in Matthews Police took 22-year-old Damien Matthews into custody after he tried to run. They were able to get the stolen money back and also found a gun. Matthews, who is from Pennsylvania, is also wanted in Virginia on robbery charges. Matthews is being held in the Cabarrus County jail. The investigation is ongoing. (WATCH BELOW: Bank of America data breach may have leaked SSN for thousands of NC customers) A Braintree man has been arrested and accused of stealing over $2,000 worth of merchandise from Sephora in Back Bay. On Thursday, March 14 around 6:30 p.m. officers were conducting a walk and talk in the area of 800 Boylston Street to address the ongoing shoplifting complaints from businesses at the Prudential Mall. Officers were told that a shoplifter just left the Sephora store without paying for items. According to police, loss prevention told officers that a suspect entered a motor vehicle and then fled the area. Police were advised by loss prevention that the suspect entered a motor vehicle and fled the area. Officers were able to stop the vehicle in the area of 88 Exeter Street. Rafael Ramos, 42, of Braintree, stepped out of the vehicle and was placed under arrest. After a search of the vehicle, officers found multiple stolen items with Sephora tags still on them. The items were later determined to be valued at about $2,013. Ramos is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Bucks County authorities have closed the investigation into the triple shooting that killed a 14-year-old Bensalem boy after determining the prime suspect, a 19-year-old Lower Makefield man, acted alone when he fired into a crowd of two dozen young people. There is no evidence that leads us to believe any others played a role in that tragic homicide, Bensalem Director of Public Safety William McVey said Friday. McVey also confirmed that Peter Romano, the middle school student killed, was not Sean Hughes' intended target that night, but that Hughes was shooting at someone else at the Bensalem strip shopping center at Bristol Pike and Woodbine Road. Family and friends of Peter Romano, the 14 year-old who was fatally shot on Halloween, hold a vigil for him at 2636 Bristol Pike in Bensalem on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. [Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times] McVey did not confirm if Hughes intended to shoot the 17- or 19-year-old males who were shot and seriously injured that night. Hughes died of a self-inflicted gunshot on Nov. 2 following a police pursuit in Marysville Ohio, where he had fled after the shooting in a stolen 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The announcement marked the end of the five-month investigation into the shooting that drew hundreds of teens and young adults to a vigil held the day after the murder. A large memorial to Peter remains near where he was struck down. Bensalem police said they interviewed dozens of witnesses and executed several search warrants. Here is what the they concluded: Photos of Peter Romano through the years See moments shared between Peter Romano and his family before his life was cut short Hughes completed suicide with the same gun used in the shooting Sean Hughes killed himself with a Sig Sauer handgun. Ballistic testing performed on that handgun and fired cartridges recovered at the shooting scene were identified as fired from the same handgun. Two bullets were also recovered and identified as being fired from the Sig Sauer handgun, including the bullet retrieved from Romano at autopsy, police said. The handgun that Hughes completed suicide with was also processed for DNA evidence and testing showed his DNA was found on the weapon including the trigger, slide, sights and magazine. The investigation revealed that Hughes stole the Sig Sauer handgun from an apartment in Philadelphia. The original owner, Kenrick R. Winslow, of Chalfont, gave the handgun to one of the apartment residents in 2017 or 2018. Winslow, 70, was charged Thursday with illegal transfer of firearm, a misdemeanor offense, and was released on $15,000 unsecured bail. Family and friends of Peter Romano, the 14 year-old who was fatally shot on Halloween, hold a vigil for him at 2636 Bristol Pike in Bensalem on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. [Daniella Heminghaus | Bucks County Courier Times] More on the murder of Peter Romano Memorial to slain Bensalem teen Peter Romano vandalized. Heres what was captured on video Sean Hughes admitted to others he was the shooter Police interviewed individuals who claimed that Hughes admitted he was responsible for the shooting, according to a press release. A cell phone belonging to Sean Hughes was analyzed, and a forensic examination was performed to include cell phone records, text messages, and social media applications. There were no messages or any other communications that showed that anyone assisted, conspired, or participated in the shooting other than Hughes, Bensalem police said. After a thorough investigation, the Bensalem Township Police Department found no evidence that anyone other than Sean Hughes was involved in the shooting and homicide in Bensalem Township on October 31, 2023, a press release added. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem Halloween shooting investigation closed; suspect acted alone: DA STERLING, Va. (DC News Now) Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police (MWAA) officers arrested a Maryland woman Tuesday after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found more than 53 pounds of marijuana in her checked baggage at the Washington Dulles International Airport. 33-year-old Sydney Lewis, of Bryans City, Md.s bags were being inspected and loaded onto a flight to Paris when CBP officers found 50 vacuum-sealed bags full of suspected marijuana in two suitcases. The officers field-tested it and when it tested positive for marijuana, they turned Lewis over to MWAA. 2 Las Vegas men charged after 72 pounds of marijuana found in suitcases at Dulles airport In total, the marijuana weighed 53 pounds and five ounces and had a street value of around $250,000. Lewis was charged with felony possession with intent to distribute and transportation and narcotics conspiracy charges. This was CBPs third major marijuana seizure and arrest at Dulles in the last month, the news release said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. JERSEY SHORE, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police say they are investigating the repeated theft of catalytic converters in the central Pa. region. Around 5:30 a.m. March 9, police say two people reported their catalytic converters were cut from their cars on Oak Street and Oliver Street in Jersey Shore Borough. These vehicles are the most targeted for catalytic converter thefts According to the Lycoming County Regional Police Department, additional thefts were reported in Pine Creek Township and Lock Haven in Clinton County. Police are asking anyone with information on the catalytic converter thefts to submit a tip on their Crimewatch page. Investigators also ask anyone hearing suspicious noises, especially metal-cutting noises, during the early morning hours to call 911 immediately. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Police are investigating after a child told her mother that she was grabbed by a masked man in a Lexington backyard on Thursday afternoon, authorities said. The possible child abduction attempt occurred in a backyard on Wood Street around 2:00 p.m., according to the Lexington Police Department. The 9-year-old girl told adults she was playing outside when she was grabbed from behind and had a hand placed over her mouth. Police said the girl was able to break free and run away, and the person in question fled the area The girls mother, Ashley, did not want to provide her last name but said her daughter got away by kicking the suspect. He was hiding basically in the back, so I dont know what he was planning on doing but its just kinda creepy to know that theres someone in your backyard hiding, said Ashley. She heard what was like some sticks breaking in the back and Im pretty sure she thought it was deer because we have a lot of deer, and she went towards the middle of my backyard and she didnt see anything, so she was walking back over here and someone grabbed her from behind and she kicked them and she got away. Police described the suspect as a male who was dressed in all black, and also wearing a black ski mask. Ashley told Boston 25 her daughter is traumatized by the experience. Shes a little freaked out, we all are, said Ashley. I guess Im panicking a little bit. Lexington police are investigating the incident and officials say details are being shared with other local detective groups. Rest assured, the matter is being investigated by members of the Lexington Police Detective Bureau, and information continues to be shared with regional detective groups, the department said in a statement. If anyone was in the area at the time and saw something out of the ordinary, please contact the Lexington police. Any neighborhood resident with a doorbell or security camera is also asked to review their footage between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Thursday for anything that may seem out of the ordinary. Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage all members of the community to be vigilant and contact the police department if they observe any suspicious behavior or anything out of the ordinary in their neighborhoods, the department added. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A shelter-in-place order was given to Central Washington University after shots were fired and a person was killed near the campus. According to the Central Washington University alert, at about 12:15 p.m., shots were fired. At 1:18 p.m., an emergency alert was sent to the campus telling students and faculty to shelter-in-place. According to the Ellensburg Police Department, police are actively looking for a suspect. The suspect is described as a man with facial tattoos that include a cross, and dark hair in a mullet-style. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a hood, light colored jeans, and white shoes. One person was fatally shot and was known to the suspect, according to the Ellensburg Police Department. At 2:59 p.m, the shelter-in-place order was lifted. UPDATE 5:30 PM Any assistance locating the suspect with known facial tattoos, to include a cross, with dark hair in a... Posted by Ellensburg Police Department on Friday, March 15, 2024 A 27-year-old woman was shot Tuesday night on St. Paul Drive in Cahokia Heights. The victims identity was not released. She survived but it is not known whether she is still in the hospital or was released. Cahokia Heights Police Detective DeMarius Thomas said the woman was shot in the 700 block of St. Paul Drive at 10:20 p.m. Police are still looking for the shooter. They are encouraging the public to call the police department with any information they may have that could help find the suspect. The phone number is (618) 332-1184. Thomas said a motive for the shooting is unclear. By Samuel Shen and Summer Zhen SHANGHAI/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's computer-driven "quant" hedge funds are beefing up risk management and retooling their portfolios to conform to the state's definitions of fair play, as regulators clamp down on the $260 billion sector to revive retail investor confidence. Hedge fund Leon Capital said it will monitor liquidity risks more closely, JoinQuant has reduced its exposure to small-capital stocks, Lingjun Investment has committed to a "bullish stance" on Chinese equities and Siyuan Quant said it would invest in hi-tech companies to "service national strategy". The crackdown on funds using statistical models and computer algorithms to make trading decisions follows a February market crash dubbed China's "quant quake", reminiscent of a machine-driven 2007 Wall Street selloff that preceded the global financial crisis. China's stock market plunge to five-year lows showed how statistical quant trading models can lead to market herding and stampedes. Retail investors, who account for more than 70% of trading, railed at programme traders and "flash boys" who flip shares in nanoseconds for quick profits. Funds are now girding for the reshaping of a sector that has thrived by exploiting China's market inefficiencies and volatility, as regulators prepare to publish further curbs, according to people familiar with regulators' thinking. Regulators are walking a tightrope between efficiency and fairness, as China's increasingly deregulated market has already lured global quant giants including Man Group, Two Sigma and Winton. Wu Qing, the new head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), has zeroed in on quant funds, an industry that had doubled in three years despite punishing losses in the broader market. "We must pay high attention to fairness... especially in a market dominated by small investors," Wu told a press conference on March 6, vowing to enhance regulation of quantitative investment. Story continues In his first month at the helm, the CSRC has restricted short-selling, suspended Lingjun accounts for disrupting market order and punished another quant fund for high-frequency trading. "Frequency, leverage, short-selling - these three words have become sort of taboo" in public discussions for hedge funds, said Alfred Zhu, marketing director of Cedar Capital, a Shanghai-based quant fund manager. 'TRAINING AND ADMONISHMENT' Following its punishment by the regulators, Lingjun said it was "deeply sorry" for the negative impact of its trading, committed itself to a long-term "optimistic view" on China stocks and vowed to "improve trading models, rigorously control trading progress and constraints and ensure a smooth and balanced trading process". Leon Capital will beef up monitoring of market signals such as liquidity, volatility and stock index-futures spreads, said the firm's general manager, Ji Yanhong. "If you sense market dangers early, you don't panic." Siyuan Quant founder Wang Xiong said China's quant quake was caused by computer models guiding too much money into rising small-cap stocks, so that "when the boat capsized, everyone was found standing on the same side". "We need to pay more attention to company fundamentals" in constructing models, rather than just price and volume. We will use advanced technology to invest in hi-tech companies to service national strategy and the real economy." China's 28 leading quant fund companies were summoned to Shenzhen on Feb. 29 for compliance training by the exchange, said two people with direct knowledge of the event. All the big players went, "as compliance is a priority now, given Lingjun had just been penalised," one of the sources said. "It was a good opportunity to communicate directly with regulators." At the session, organised by the Shenzhen and Shanghai exchanges, regulators urged participants to strengthen risk control, warning against misbehaviour such as spoofing and "pump and dump" tactics, the source said. "It was both training and admonishment." The CSRC and the exchanges, which enforce much of the regulator's policies, did not reply to Reuters requests for comment. 'TUSSLE' OVER PROGRAMME CODES China's private quant fund industry sprang up in 2010, when the country launched its first stock index futures, providing an essential shorting tool for hedge funds seeking to profit from price falls. Since then, the market has attracted Wall street traders and data scientists in search of "alpha", or outperformance. Quant fund giant Yanfu Investments told investors at a roadshow on Feb. 27 that it is not engaged in high-frequency trading and does not "trade intensively near market open and close". "Regulators hope trades don't impact markets, and we're moving toward this direction," said Vice President Huang Si Mindi. In addition, the watchdog has been asking quant funds to hand in programme codes for closer scrutiny, said a person who has been in touch with regulators. "There has been a tussle over this," the person said. "Hedge funds see codes as business secrets. Regulators argue it would be safe in the hands of government." The Beijing Fund Town Research Institute says quant algorithms can be "partially" transparent. "Being totally transparent is too costly and not realistic," it said in a white paper. Jack Schwager, head of research at FundSeeder Technologies, said Chinese restrictions on short-selling of stocks - an essential tool for hedge funds - do not help the market. "There is nothing inherently wrong in short selling," said the author of "Market Wizards". "Stocks go down because of negative or deteriorating fundamentals... Critics of short selling are basically scapegoating." (Reporting by Samuel Shen and Summer Zhen; Additional reporting by Jason Xue; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan and William Mallard) SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man is facing charges after allegedly hitting a person in a crosswalk with his vehicle and leaving the scene. Anh Duy Pham, 26, was arrested Wednesday on one second-degree felony count of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury and one third-degree felony count of failure to remain at accident involving serious injury, the Salt Lake City Police Department said. Man sentenced to prison after carjacking woman at gunpoint in Salt Lake Co. Just after 5 a.m. on Monday, March 11, Salt Lake City police were notified of an auto-pedestrian accident near 600 W North Temple Street that left one in Delta condition. Witnesses told police a white vehicle traveling southbound struck one of the pedestrians, causing critical injuries, the affidavit states. Witnesses also told police the vehicle appeared to speed up before it got to the intersection, and that the light was clearly red prior to the collision, the affidavit states. When police arrived at the scene, they said they found several pieces of evidence, including two white shoes, a white plastic trim piece with a part number, a piece of a broken mirror, and a damaged grill with a Toyota emblem. Police googled the part number and were able to determine the car was a Toyota Avalon, the affidavit states. Multiple videos were reportedly obtained from the area that recorded the Toyota before the incident occurred. In the videos, the vehicle could be seen slowing down and straddling the bike lane as it approached North Temple. The affidavit states this continued until the time two pedestrians entered the crosswalk at North Temple. Once [the pedestrians] were observed in the video the Toyota Avalon speeds up At no point is the Toyota observed braking as it approaches the pedestrians in the crosswalk, the affidavit states. The Toyota strikes one of the pedestrians as if he was targeting them and continues southbound. With the evidence police gathered at the scene, a search through Salt Lake Citys License Plate Reader system was used to look for a late 90s model white Toyota Avalon, the affidavit states. The system reportedly found a 1999 white Toyota Avalon had been in the area of North Temple less than an hour before the collision. On Wednesday, police found the vehicle parked at Liberty park. The driver of the vehicle, Pham, was inside, and he was transported to the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building to be interviewed. When police asked Pham about the collision, he stated multiple times it was not him or that he could not remember, the affidavit states. When asked about the damage to his vehicle, Pham reportedly stated it had always been like that. Pham was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on the previously mentioned charges. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. WARSAW (Reuters) - The leader of Poland's largest opposition party said on Friday he would refuse to tell everything he knows to a parliamentary commission investigating allegations of phone-hacking when his party was in power. Jaroslaw Kaczynski missed out part of the oath as he appeared before the commission, which is looking into whether the previous government illegally hacked the phones of targets including political opponents, amid a growing scandal over the use of Pegasus spyware. The commission said it would apply to a court for Kaczynski to be fined for refusing to take the oath in full. As party leader Kaczynski was seen as Poland's de-facto ruler during much of the Law and Justice (PiS) party's eight years in power which ended in 2023, although he did not hold any official government position for much of the time. The appearance of the once seemingly untouchable eminence grise of Polish politics before the commission was the most potent symbol yet of the new pro-European government's determination to hold those it accuses of wrongdoing to account. Kaczynski justified his refusal to swear a complete oath by referring to an article of the rules on parliamentary commissions which says that a witness cannot reveal secret or top secret information without getting permission from the relevant authority. "I do not promise to say everything I know, because I simply cannot do so without permission from the prime minister," Kaczynski said. He said that to his knowledge Pegasus had not been used against high-ranking state officials and that he had not attached much importance to it. Reports in 2021 by the Associated Press that the software, developed by Israel-based NSO Group, was used to hack the phones of government critics, including the head of the election campaign of what was then Poland's largest opposition party, drew accusations that security services eroded democratic norms. However, more recently the accusations have taken on a new dimension due to media reports that members of the former ruling party were themselves victims of the phone hacking. If confirmed, such reports could blow apart an opposition that has thus far been united in the defence of its record and the actions of ministers that the new government says broke the law. (Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Susan Fenton) Photo illustration via Madartzgraphics (Pixabay | Public domain) Unless youve been living in a cave, the fact that the state, nation, and world are experiencing record-setting high temperatures is inescapable as are the extreme and harmful impacts of global baking. Montana is no exception. Yet, as we suddenly transition from our non-winter to a scorching hot and very early Spring our politicians not only deny this reality, they actively fight efforts to limit the pollutants responsible for increasingly disastrous climate change. As a recent article from the Associated Press put it: Across much of America and especially in the normally chilly north, the country went through the winter months without, well, winter. In parka strongholds Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine, the thermometer never plunged below zero. The state of Minnesota called the last three months the lost winter, warmer than its infamous year without a winter in 1877-1878. Michigan, where mosquitos were biting in February, offered disaster loans to businesses hit by a lack of snow. The Great Lakes set records for low winter ice, with Erie and Ontario essentially ice-free. As for Montana, the low snowpack is all too obvious. Our ski resorts that traditionally open by Thanksgiving with full operations for the Christmas season were unable to come even close to 100% skiable terrain. Even those with snowmaking systems struggled due to lack of below freezing temperatures. Some areas without snowmaking simply wrote off opening at all due to a lack of natural snowfall. What this portends for the coming summer is anything but good news. What little runoff our minimal snowpack will produce is likely to be gone almost before floating season even starts. If the predictions hold true, Flathead Lake, the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River, will be worse off this year than last. Politicians and boaters lamented the low levels and, predictably for that part of the state, baselessly blamed the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal operation of the Selis Ksanka QIispe dam. While the lack of water for recreation will create economic impacts to fishing and floating businesses, the effects upon Montanas aquatic ecosystems will be worse. Its no secret our coldwater fisheries are already in serious trouble as the too hot, too long, too dry summers stack up. The Big Hole is hanging on by a thread and that thread is fraying. The Lower Madison is routinely closed to fishing a trend that now spreads to more and more streams every summer in the unrelenting heat. Even the Yellowstone, the longest undammed river in the contiguous 48 states, is in trouble with fish die offs and the increasing upstream presence of warmwater species like bass, perch and northern pike. And it may well be game over for endangered species like bull trout that require cold, clean and connected waters to even survive. Although the Forest Service and Montanas Department of Natural Resources and Conservation continue to come up with inventive names for deforestation under the guise of wildfire prevention, the science is clear that no amount of thinning and/or logging will prevent wildfires when temperatures soar and hot winds howl. As one wag put it, were in for a hellacious summer, with the emphasis on hell. Yet our politicians continue their horrendous dereliction of duty to deal with our burning planet. Instead, Montanas benighted attorney general, governor and his administration do just the opposite and challenge our Supreme Courts ruling that ignoring climate impacts violates Montanans constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Despite the lamentable fact that Joe Biden leased more public land to produce more oil and gas than his predecessor, Donald Trump claims if he wins his first priority will be drill, baby, drill. But in truth, for Montanans and the rest of the world, it will be Burn, baby, burn. The post Politicians ignore reality as the world burns around them appeared first on Daily Montanan. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said in an interview with Politico on March 14 that he expects to pass a future Ukraine aid bill with Democratic votes, adding that splitting Ukraine and Israel aid into two separate bills was "under consideration." Aid for Ukraine has been stuck in the U.S. Congress since autumn 2023. The U.S. Senate on Feb. 13 passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill that includes $60 billion for Ukraine, as well as funds for Israel and other allies, but Johnson has so far refused to put it to a vote in the House of Representatives. Some House Republicans are reportedly working on another version of the bill that would treat the nonmilitary portion of the package as a loan in hopes of winning support from more hesitant lawmakers. Johnson said that aid to Ukraine and Israel could be provided as "one or even two separate bills," according to Politico. The speaker expects that it will happen through the House's suspension calendar, which he used previously to overcome the resistance from his own party. Johnson would need a substantial number of Democratic votes as the suspension calendar requires a two-thirds majority to approve legislation on the House floor. The speaker also announced publicly that the House of Representatives would go for foreign aid after a government funding plan is submitted by both chambers of Congress next week ahead of the upcoming partial shutdown deadline on March 22. "I don't think leaders of either side of the aisle think that's a viable option," Johnson added, ruling out the idea of attaching foreign aid to the funding bill. The Hill previously reported that Johnson suggested providing a Ukraine aid package as a loan or lend-lease program to benefit U.S. taxpayers. The U.S. State Department criticized the Republicans' idea of providing aid to Ukraine as a loan, saying that it was "an appropriate step" to "saddle Ukraine with billions of dollars of foreign debt" during wartime. Justice Minister Denys Maliuska said on March 13 that Ukraine would likely be willing to accept U.S. assistance partially in loans if it were necessary to expedite the funds. Read also: US Senator Schumer in Lviv: Without aid, Ukraine will lose war, with aid it will win Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Donald Trump, center, looks on during a church service at Great Faith Ministries, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Detroit. | Evan Vucci Former President Donald Trump fares better among American Christians than President Joe Biden in a new Pew Research Center survey on religion and politics. Pew found that 46% of Christians hold a favorable view of Trump, while just 33% view Biden favorably. Trump also performed better when survey respondents were asked whether the men stand up for people with religious beliefs similar to theirs. Forty-seven percent of Christians said Trump does, while 40% said the same about Biden, Pew reported. While Biden is more likely than Trump to be seen as very or somewhat religious by American Christians, fewer than two-thirds of members of the faith group said its important for a president to have strong religious beliefs. U.S. adults are far more likely to say they want a president who personally lives a moral and ethical life than to say the president should possess certain religious traits, Pew reported. How faith groups rate Biden and Trump Trumps ratings are bolstered by his strong performance among white evangelical Protestants. Two-thirds of members of this faith group hold a favorable view of the former president, according to Pew. A similar share of white evangelicals 69% say that Trump stands up for people who hold religious beliefs similar to theirs. Just 24% of white evangelicals say the same thing about Biden, Pew found. Trump also benefits from the fact that the Christian group that shows the least support for him Black Protestants is smaller than the groups who prefer him to the current president. Fully 8 in 10 Black Protestants view Trump unfavorably. Just 32% of members of this faith group feel that way about Biden, according to Pew. Trump and religion A previous survey conducted by HarrisX for the Deseret News similarly investigated Americans faith-related ideas about Trump. It found that Republicans are more likely to view Trump as a person of faith than other more openly religious candidates, including Biden. A key reason why these Republicans view Trump that way is because of his defense of religious people and policies, the survey showed. In other words, their focus is on his political moves, not his religious activities, as the Deseret News previously reported. Pews survey found that more Americans (64%) and more Christians (76%) believe its important for the president to stand up for people who hold their religious beliefs than believe its important for the president to have strong religious beliefs 48% and 63%, respectively. Meanwhile, more than 9 in 10 U.S. adults (94%) and Christians (96%) say its important for the president to personally live a moral and ethical life, Pew found, as the Deseret News previously reported. (Bloomberg) -- The worlds supply of tantalum, an essential component in most computers and mobile phones, is under threat as armed rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have encircled a key trading hub. Most Read from Bloomberg Since last month, the M23, a rebel group that Congo says is backed by neighboring Rwanda, has blocked trade routes to the city of Goma and is helping to smuggle tantalum from some of the countrys richest deposits, according to Congolese government and military officials and United Nations experts. Theyre taking it to Rwanda, likely through Virunga National Park, Lt. Col. Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko, a regional spokesperson for Congos military, said in an interview in Goma, the lakeside capital of North Kivu province that borders Rwanda. Rwandas government denies the accusations. Tantalum is on a list of mineral resources that have raised international red flags for helping to fund years of conflict in Congo. For over a decade, industry groups that include companies like Intel Corp. and Apple Inc. have made efforts to ensure their mineral supply chains are conflict-free. However, the renewed M23 offensive, focused on North Kivu, has left more than a million people in squalid camps and is tainting the regions mineral output. Last week, the Responsible Minerals Initiative, which helps more than 400 of the worlds biggest corporations avoid purchasing metals that fuel or fund violence, warned its members about sourcing metal from the region in letters seen by Bloomberg. The US and European Union have laws discouraging companies from purchasing minerals linked to the conflict. Virginia-based RMI did not respond to an email requesting comment. Story continues The falsehood that Rwanda is somehow involved in enabling smuggling provides cover to the DRC government who have abjectly failed to implement any meaningful ethical standards in their own mineral supply chain, to the benefit of many foreign powers, government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said in a text message. Congo and Rwanda were the worlds top two sources of tantalum in 2023, according to US Geological Survey estimates. Congolese government data show North Kivu accounted for about half the countrys supply to the world in 2022. The provinces exports dropped 59% last year as the M23 advanced and an ownership dispute erupted over the countrys largest mine, Rubaya, according to a provincial mining report seen by Bloomberg. Decades of Conflict The current fighting in North Kivu has its roots in the mid-90s when the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda spread across the border. Rwanda and the M23 say Congos government still protects militias with links to that violence, which killed an estimated 800,000 Rwandan Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The M23 is mainly led by Tutsis from Congo. More than 100 armed groups are now active in the region, clashing over land, economic and political access and ethnic grievances. Most mining at Rubaya and nearby tantalum sites is done by hand and is currently overseen by a loose coalition of armed groups known as Wazalendo, allied with Congos army, according to a United Nations experts report. However, the output now ends up in areas controlled by the rebels theyre fighting, Congolese officials say. The M23 had limited involvement in the mineral trade when it launched its most recent rebellion in late 2021. That seems to have changed since the beginning of the year as the group encircled Goma North Kivus main trading hub. Official tantalum shipments from the province almost entirely stopped after M23 moved south and took control of the town of Shasha last month, cutting off the last main transport route to Goma from the Rubaya area, according to Ndjike and provincial mining statistics. For Congo, the costs of the spiraling violence are massive. As locals flee their towns and villages for safety in displacement camps, aid groups say responding to the crisis will cost billions of dollars. The objective here is minerals, its to get the minerals that are found in our zone of responsibility, Ndjike said of the current wave of fighting. And it has an impact thats not only economic but also humanitarian. --With assistance from Michael Ovaska. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) An eighth grader from Poway was named the 54th San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee champion Thursday and will go on to represent the county at the national level. Benjamin Evans, a student at Twin Peaks Middle School in Poway, correctly spelled the winning word epihippus, beating two-time champion Mihir Konkapaka from Mesa Verde Middle School. Poway school district reports deficit, but not anticipating layoffs next school year The San Diego competition kicked off Thursday with more than 80 participants at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA gymnasium. After 19 rounds, Evans and Konkapaka were the last two standing. In May, Evans will head to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. to face other regional champions from other parts of the country. Konkapaka, the runner-up, will be on standby to compete in the national competition in case Evans is unable to. San Diego County is no stranger to showing up at the national level. Aztec mens basketball: Butler, Ledee earn honors In 2012, Snigdha Nandipati, then a student at Francis Parker School, was crowned the winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. In 2005, Anurag Kashyap, a Poway student, not only won the national spelling bee but also went on to win the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament three years later. Participants prepare for the competition by studying the School Spelling Bee Study List, the Words of the Champions and the Word Club app, all of which are provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Learn more about the spelling bee competition details and past winners on the SDCOE Spelling Bee webpage. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Residents sift through the debris as they clean up after a tornado struck Indian Lake, Ohio on March 15, 2024 (Andrew Spear) Devastating storms pounded three central US states Thursday night, spawning massive tornadoes and claiming at least three lives, officials said Friday. The powerful storms raked through the adjoining states of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. "We have three known fatalities," Sheriff Randall Dodds, of Logan County in west-central Ohio, told a CBS affiliate. "The devastation was such that we have to get heavy equipment into these areas to be able to move this material where homes have collapsed, to see if there's anybody injured," he said, adding, "it's going to take a long time." In all, more than 13 million people in the central United States were placed under tornado watches Thursday as the storms approached, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Storms hopscotched across the Ohio Valley, spawning apparent tornadoes in a number of areas, including a "very dangerous half-mile-wide tornado" in Ohio, NWS said. One tornado struck the rural town of Indian Lake in the western part of the state. "It's pure devastation. I have never seen anything like this in my entire life," Amber Fagan, president of the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, told a Columbus ABC television station. "Downtown, it's bad. It's very bad." Downed trees, shattered glass and fallen power lines littered roads. Further east, close to 5,000 homes were without power in Ohio's Delaware County. "Someone else's roof is in my kitchen," Katie Sprinkle told the Columbus Dispatch newspaper. She said her children wore bike helmets during the storm and her husband had them shelter under an overturned canoe. "Pray loud, Mom," her nine-year-old daughter urged her. Indiana State Police initially told US media that three people died in a mobile home park in Winchester, Indiana, when a suspected tornado struck. But at a press conference overnight they said they were "not aware" of any fatalities. Authorities said Friday, however, that at least 38 people had suffered injuries in Indiana's Randolph and Delaware counties, including "three that are possibly critical." They said at least 22 buildings were believed to be destroyed. In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said on social media that a tornado moved through the cities of Gallatin and Trimble in his state but left no fatalities. Tornadoes, weather phenomena that are as impressive as they are difficult to predict, are relatively common in the United States, especially in the central and southern parts of the country. Tornado outbreaks are not uncommon in March, but their peak generally arrives in April or May. tjj/ssy/st/tym/bbk/nro ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) An upstate New York school district is mourning the loss of a teacher who died Friday after a day of teaching. Courtney Fannon worked as a special education teacher for Kendall Elementary School in Kendall, New York. According to a GoFundMe page, Fannon was pregnant with her daughter, Hadley Jaye, and was expecting her in four weeks. On March 8, after a day of work at Kendall Elementary, she was found unresponsive and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The school told Nexstars WROC that there were no students inside at the time and she was not found in a classroom. A cause of death has not been released. Courtney was a special education teacher who served her students with passion and joy each day. When she wasnt in her classroom sharing her love and gift for teaching with her students, she could be found walking our halls with a smile and a friendly hello, the school district remembered her in a statement. Fannon was 29 years old, according the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Counselors will be on-hand to support students at the school. A GoFundMe page set up to support Fannons husband has raised over $60,000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana wants to form a national museum with returned artefacts - Timothy A Clary/AFP via Getty Images The President of Guyana is set to demand that a British university hands over a letter from a rebel slave linked to the Gladstone family. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyanas president, is seeking the return of various artefacts from Britain including a letter written by the leader of a 19th century slave rebellion which is held by the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (SOAS). The institution, now a firm proponent of decolonisation, was founded to educate imperial officials and holds a vast collection of material gathered in British colonies. The letter sought by Guyana is from a slave known as Quamina, who was owned by Sir John Gladstone, the father of prime minister William Gladstone. Quamina played a key role in the Demerara rebellion of 1823. Mr Ali told the Telegraph that he wants documents and artefacts connected to Guyana returned by British institutions so that they can form the foundations of a new national museum. British soldiers marching in Georgetown, British Guiana, in 1953. The country became independent Guyana in 1966 - Sidey Arthur/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images The demands are likely to test SOASs commitment to its decolonising plans, which include pledges to de-centre the European or Western canon and to consider forms of restitution from its collection where appropriate. Mr Ali told The Telegraph: SOAS has a tremendous amount of historical data on colonialism which could benefit Guyana and former British colonies. Guyana was colonised by the Dutch and British, and most historians believe many artefacts exist in these capitals or private collections. This has been a key element of colonialism. Guyana would love to recover these artefacts and to have them on display in state-of-the-art museums. He added: Guyana would follow the growing trend of nations to request the return of artefacts of cultural heritage. The letter from Quamina currently kept at Soas - Soas Mr Ali said that Guyanese government officials had previously visited SOAS to view historically significant material to mark the 200th anniversary of the Demerara rebellion. The president has already demanded that Britain offer reparations to Guyana for slavery and the system of indentured labour which replaced it. British Guiana, which became independent Guyana in 1966, was a British colony known for its sugar production, using slave labour and then indentured Indian workers shipped in to replace freed slaves. In 1823, the slave uprising known as the Demerara revolt broke out under the leadership of Jack Gladstone, who was owned by Sir John Gladstone. The statesmans descendants offered a formal apology to Guyana in 2023. The rebellion was encouraged by Jacks father Quamina, a devout Christian and slave also owned by Gladstone, who was shot after the 12,000-strong uprising was quelled. A letter that Quamina dictated to a church group before the rebellion was preserved by missionaries with the London Missionary Society, which had a presence in British Guiana, and whose member John Smith was executed for helping slaves to rebel. The societys collection of material from Guyana and across the Empire was eventually sold off and SOAS obtained the letter along with huge numbers of documents, which the Guyanese president is now keen to recover. Mr Ali believes historical objects from Guyana, including items made by its indigenous people, are scattered across Western museums and collections. Some records show artefacts from the former colony in institutions such as the British Museum. Institution has deep colonial roots Mr Ali said that Guyana would seek to build state-of-the-art museums to house artefacts kept in European capitals. While the British Museum is legally bound not to give items away, SOAS has made a commitment to decolonise its collection, which was largely built on imperial activity. The website of the universitys Decolonisation Operational Group states: SOAS as an institution has deep colonial roots, the library having been built to serve the British colonial civil servants that first came through its doors. It adds that it will champion digital repatriation or restitution through the SOAS digital collections, and work towards other forms of restitution, where appropriate. The institution was founded in 1916 to provide expert instruction on the laws and customs of people around the world who Britain was governing at the time. The university has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Mayor Todd Gloria and District 7 Councilmember Raul Campillo are pushing the Penny for Progress plan, which would increase the City of San Diego sales tax one percent, from 7.75% to 8.75%. If approved by San Diego City Council, the proposal could be up to the voters on the November ballot. If San Diegans want to see progress, this is the most effective way I can see for us to fix the damn roads, repair our storm water systems and make the other necessary investments, Gloria said. Gloria said this would help in rebuilding the city. This is not just one time funding. This is money with a plan, Campillo said. The plan would send the additional money to the citys general fund, with a plan from Gloria and Campillo to improve the roads, and maintain them. Which is the part of our budget that is most under pressure, Raul Campillo said, referring to the citys general fund. He said that fund is spent on public safety, firefighters, lifeguards, sidewalks, storm drains, etc. We are still going to fall far short. In fact, we have $9.2 billion worth of infrastructure needs over the next number of years that far exceeds our citys resources, Gloria added. Heres a look at the current sales tax rates across the county. Currently, eight cities within San Diego County, plus the county itself have a 7.75% sales tax rate. There are nine cities above the 8% mark. If San Diego voters approve the one percent sales tax increase, the City of San Diego would join five other cities in the county, with an 8.75% sales tax, including Chula Vista, Del Mar. 7.75%: Carlsbad, Coronado, Encinitas, Escondido, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Diego, San Diego County, San Marcos, Santee 8.25% El Cajon, Oceanside, Vista 8.5% La Mesa 8.75% Chula Vista, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, National City, Solana Beach Oher cities in the county of san diego where people go shop, go have fun, they have a higher sales tax than us right now, Campillo said. They have that extra cent, that extra penny. Were asking voters to step up for us right now so we can invest for their families going forward in the future, Campillo said. The mayor claims continuing down the path they are on now will only worsen the roads in the future. The proposal will be presented to the rules committee Wednesday. If this continues to go through, council would likely vote on the proposal and whether or not to put this on the November ballot. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A view of the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site in 2008. (Screenshot from EPA YouTube) This story originally appeared at Capital & Main. A proposed 166-well oil and gas project in suburban Denver could imperil a decades-long, multimillion-dollar effort to prevent carcinogenic chemicals stored on one of the nations most contaminated industrial sites from leaking into groundwater, letters from federal and state officials show. Regulators expressed concern in May that drilling underneath and near the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site could cause small cracks in bedrock cradling millions of gallons of toxic waste in 78 unlined trenches. These fissures could allow contaminants to enter an aquifer system that millions of Coloradans rely on, wrote the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Civitas, the operator requesting permission to drill. The EPA oversees a complex 40-year effort to protect the health of millions of people living around the site. The agencys concerns stem from the issues that have long surrounded hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a drilling process that has led Colorado in the last decade to become the nations fourth largest oil-producing state. The method involves pumping sand and millions of gallons of water and chemicals roughly a mile under the surface to crack shale, and release oil and gas. The EPA is concerned that hydraulic fracturing surrounding and underneath the site could lead to a significant unintended release of hazardous substances, the agency wrote in May to Dan Harrington, who leads Civitas development initiatives. This contamination is held in place by a bedrock layer which could, under certain conditions, be subject to microfractures from fracking. In response, Civitas sent a letter to the EPA in September and committed not to drill under the site, saying: This precaution is not due to any risk associated with oil and natural gas development, but a desire to protect the Superfund remedy that is in place and operating effectively. The EPA cited the companys commitment when asked if it is still apprehensive about Civitas plans to drill near the site and said in an email that it will continue to coordinate with all parties to evaluate these and other site concerns. Civitas did not return repeated requests for comment. The operators agreement not to drill under the Superfund site failed to reduce the anxiety of scores of households near the 50-square-mile proposed oil and gas project, which includes wells near the Aurora Reservoir. The facility is part of a system of reservoirs that store drinking water for about 390,000 people and is a popular recreation area. Drilling currently exists about five miles from the Superfund site. Civitas is proposing well pads much closer within about two miles. But horizontal pipes that extend beneath the proposed production area could come even closer to the site boundary. The potential for Civitas Lowry Ranch oil and gas plan to disturb sensitive Superfund containment efforts brought to the fore long-running uncertainty among technical experts about whether nearby industrial operations, such as fracking, could trigger seismic activity. The U.S. Geological Survey and state agencies mapped faults near the site, as well as near the Aurora Reservoirs dam. Questions remain about the presence, and possible growth, of a fault at the northern end of the Superfund site and whether its in part responsible for allowing chemicals to leak and create a three-mile-long underground plume. The EPA says this plume doesnt present a risk to groundwater or surface water. Scientists have attributed earthquakes in Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas, to a surge in oil and gas operations over the last decade. These temblors were caused by injection wells, which companies drill deep into the earth and use to dispose of millions of gallons of wastewater that flows back up from fracking operations, studies found. Hydraulic fracturing features a brief application of pressure to rock formations to release oil and gas, while wastewater injection is an ongoing process that injects significant volumes of wastewater over long periods of time, said Jill Carlson, an engineering geologist at the Colorado Geological Survey. While weak seismic events associated with fracking can be detected by seismometers, I am not aware of any surface shaking, movement or surface/near surface damage caused by fracking, added Carlson, who is the surveys deputy director and land-use program manager. Uncertainty About Oil and Gas Drilling Effects on Public Health The Lowry Ranch oil and gas project is proposed on land owned by the Colorado State Land Board on the fringes of Aurora, the states third largest city. Much is at stake: Energy companies are planning massive projects ever closer to Denver suburbs, where the industrial activity exposes hundreds of thousands of residents to air pollution, spills, truck traffic and other hazards. Proposed drilling near a Superfund site also raises new health and safety concerns residents say arent adequately addressed in state or local regulations. Increasingly, residents are demanding stricter rules about where fracking can take place and detailed studies that provide benchmarks for how much activity should be allowed. The county must insist on studies to understand the potential risks associated with fracking-induced seismicity on both the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site and the Aurora Reservoir Dam, wrote Kevin Lynch, an associate professor of law at the University of Denver Environmental Law Clinic, in an October letter to Arapahoe County commissioners on behalf of residents and conservation groups. Civitas refiled its drilling plan on Feb. 23 after making a series of revisions requested by state regulators. A 60-day public comment period ends April 23, and a hearing on the proposal is scheduled in front of the Energy & Carbon Management Commission for June 26. The companys original proposal, filed in 2022, prompted the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners to overhaul its oil and gas rules. The five-member body voted 3 to 2 in November to increase setbacks between wells and reservoirs and occupied structures to 3,000 feet, and to require operators to file water quality plans and to do routine on-site air quality and noise testing. Seismicity is a critical issue ... No one is dealing with it. Marsha Kamin, a homeowner near Lowry Ranch The countys new rules are allowed under a 2019 law that requires the states oil and gas regulator to prioritize public health and the environment over fostering energy development. County officials said they plan to study seismicity and other issues this year when staff and commissioners start reviewing a second round of rules aimed at limiting frackings impacts on neighborhoods. This rulemaking will include a proposal to ban wastewater injection wells, which have been linked to induced seismicity in Colorado, wrote Anders Nelson, a county spokesperson, in an email. We will consider other seismicity concerns as we develop the regulations, he added, and seek advice on that topic from the Colorado Geological Survey, EPA and the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission. The state land board, which has owned the 26,000 acre Lowry Ranch adjacent to the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site since the 1960s, does not have regulatory or permitting authority over Civitas project, wrote Kristin Kemp, the land boards outreach and communications officer, in an email. The land boards assets include 4 million acres of subsurface minerals. Mineral extraction leases accounted for 80% of the $2 billion the agency earned in the last decade and provided as grants to fund capital construction at schools, she said. Currently, more than a dozen different operators ranging from agriculture, renewable energy, recreation and mineral extraction hold leases at Lowry Ranch, Kemp said. A company purchased by Civitas has held an oil and gas lease on the majority of the Lowry Ranch since 2020. On a November conference call, Civitas executives said they are pleased with the firms ability to drill farther, faster and with greater production in the Denver Julesburg Basin, the states largest oil play along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. Were very excited with how 2024 is shaping up, said Chief Executive Officer Chris Nolan of the companys plans to expand drilling operations in the region. A 40 Year Containment Effort Continues in Perpetuity As controversy over the safety of new industrial activity near the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site continues, myriad local, state and federal agencies, and companies, responsible for keeping chemicals contained on the site and out of residents groundwater and air, never stop working. A five-year review published in 2022 found that the site remedies are currently protective of human health and the environment. The city and county of Denver, which owns the 507-acre site, works with the operator Waste Management to contain pollution. Efforts to reduce and monitor contamination in soils, groundwater and surface water are overseen by the EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Containing the more than 138 million gallons of sewage, pesticides, industrial solvents and dozens of other hazardous substances dumped there requires an annual multimillion dollar coordinated effort. It also involves expensive infrastructure, such as a plant that removes methane emitted on the site and 500 regularly monitored water wells installed in the regions aquifers. Multiple barriers were built to hold pollution on the site including a slurry wall, a landfill cover, a groundwater extraction trench and a subsurface clay barrier. The EPA isnt the only agency concerned about how Civitas oil and gas drilling proposal might impact the site. The states health department and the regions Democratic congressman, Jason Crow, also expressed concern both alerted to the issue by homeowners. Seismicity is a critical issue, said Marsha Kamin, a homeowner who was unaware that wells contained in the Lowry Ranch project could be drilled within a mile of her subdivision when she moved in a year ago. No one is dealing with it. On a brisk, gray January afternoon, Kamin joined other residents in a clubhouse with a panoramic view of the ice-choked Aurora Reservoir. They represented the leadership team for Save the Aurora Reservoir, or STAR created about 18 months ago after Civitas announced its Lowry Ranch drilling proposal. The group recently retained a geologist and an environmental attorney to help them push for stricter rules. STAR, with more than 1,000 members signed up to receive action alerts on its Facebook page, asked Crow to write a letter to the EPA in October asking what the agency plans to do about the risks posed by oil and gas operations close to the Superfund site. The agency responded in November that it obtained an agreement from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management not to lease its minerals under the Superfund site, in addition to the acknowledgment from Civitas that it wont drill below the site. When asked by Capital & Main about the agencys response, Crows office said it will follow the drilling plan as it goes through the state and county approval processes. The EPA will need to monitor the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site for decades to come, and thoroughly monitor the impact of this and any proposed projects close to the site, Crow said in an email response to an interview request. There should be no question about the safety of Coloradans water. Copyright Capital & Main 2024 SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Proposed drilling near suburban Denver Superfund site raising flags appeared first on Colorado Newsline. Karen McDonald, the prosecutor who charged the parents of the Oxford High School shooter with involuntary manslaughter and convicted them in first-of-their-kind trials, is opening up about the decision in her only network TV interview. Jennifer and James Crumbley were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in December 2021, shortly after the shooting in Michigan that left four students dead and seven more injured. They were the the first parents in the United States to go on trial in a mass school shooting carried out by their child. "What had been done before wasn't really on my mind at all," McDonald said. "I experienced this event much like everybody across the country and particularly in the state, and I'm a parent. The very first question I asked was 'Where did he get that gun, and how did he get it?' And that question led to some really disturbing facts. ... I think it's a rare set of facts, but I also think that we don't ask the question enough. We don't. And we owe that to our kids. We owe that to our kids to ask, 'Where did that weapon come from?' instead of just focusing on the shooter." During the trials, McDonald and the prosecution focused on the fact that the Crumbleys had purchased the gun for their son just days before the shooting and ignored signs of his mental health needs. James Crumbley also failed to secure the weapon, the prosecution argued. James Crumbley enters the Oakland County Courtroom of Cheryl Matthews on Wednesday March, 13, 2024. / Credit: Mandi Wright / AP Jennifer Crumbley was convicted on four counts of involuntary manslaughter in February. James Crumbley was convicted of the same charges in March. Both will be sentenced in April. Their son was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in September after pleading guilty to 24 charges, including murder and terrorism. McDonald said she hopes the conclusion of the trials will help bring closure to the families who lost their children. McDonald said that she and her team "did promise" the parents that she would "treat this case as if these were my own kids." "I think the sigh of relief from the four parents in the courtroom, of Madisyn (Baldwin), Justin (Shilling), Tate (Myre) and Hana (St. Juliana) was a big deal," McDonald said. "Again, this doesn't bring back their children, but it is an opportunity and a moment of accountability, and I think that's important for everyone, for those parents, for the other kids in that school, and just generally making sure that we all know we have a responsibility to act and use ordinary care, particularly with a deadly weapon and minor." Defendant Jennifer Crumbley, left, and her defense attorney, Shannon Smith, right, listen during Crumbley's trial. / Credit: Katy Kildee / AP The precedent set by the convictions of James and Jennifer Crumbley could have a wide impact, as could the terror charges that the shooter was convicted of. This was the first school shooting where the perpetrator was convicted on terrorism charges. McDonald said she hopes these landmark decisions prompt future changes. "So many of the hundreds and hundreds of kids are affected by mass shootings, and they don't have a scratch on them, but they will never be the same," McDonald explained. "In addition, we had tragically, in Michigan, we had kids who were in the school on November 30, in Oxford that day, and they were also on campus at Michigan State University when there was an active shooting. That leaves trauma and scars, and we have to name that." College students surprise a beloved security guard with a trip to Nigeria to see family Why a judge dismissed some charges against Trump, others in Georgia election case Millions of kids suffering from long COVID, study finds Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder and former CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, should receive between 40 and 50 years in prison for his role in one of the biggest cases of financial fraud in U.S. history, federal prosecutors said Friday. Bankman-Fried was convicted in November on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy, namely stealing more than $8 billion from customers of the now-bankrupt FTX to bankroll political contributions, bribe foreign officials and fund extravagant purchases. The scheme came to light after FTX dramatically and abruptly collapsed in November 2022. Bankman-Fried was arrested soon after in the Bahamas and charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering. His life in recent years has been one of unmatched greed and hubris; of ambition and rationalization; and courting risk and gambling repeatedly with other peoples money. And even now Bankman-Fried refuses to admit what he did was wrong, federal prosecutors wrote in the sentencing recommendation. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan is slated to sentence Bankman-Fried in Manhattan federal court on March 28. He faces a maximum penalty of 110 years in prison. Last month, Bankman-Frieds lawyers requested a more lenient sentence of 63 months to 78 months, arguing the maximum sentence is barbaric and grotesque. Those who know Sam also know how deeply, deeply sorry he is for the pain he caused over the last two years, his attorneys wrote. Bankman-Fried reportedly plans to appeal his conviction after the sentencing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Watch Fridays news conference in the video player above. NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. Clay County prosecutors have charged two men in connection to a shooting that happened at North Kansas City High School. Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson announced Friday that 19-year-old Michael Smallwood is charged two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. Suspect in hospital after Kansas City police shooting Lavondre Smallwood, 18, is charged with first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. Both men are being held on a $75,000 bond. My message to those who come to our community who victimize and endanger our citizens lives is that you will be held accountable and justice will find you inside a Clay County Courthouse, Thompson said. Lavondre Smallwood Michael Smallwood The shooting left multiple people with injuries, including a teenager who was a student at NKCHS and an innocent bystander. An adult not associated with the school was also seriously hurt in the shooting. Police said both victims are now in stable condition. An investigation revealed that two groups of young men were seen leaving the basketball game at the school just before 6 p.m. March 2. Chiefs rally shooting victims still waiting on KC Strong money A witness heard a person, from the second group to leave, yelling at the first group to leave while keeping one hand concealed. A person from the first group then pulled out a firearm and began shooting. Thompson said at that point, three people from the second group pulled out firearms and began shooting. Thompson said the adult injured in the shooting was part of the first group of young men seen leaving the basketball game. Surveillance video shows him falling to the ground while being shot at. Hes then seen raising a black handgun and firing one time. Footage showed a total of five individuals from the two groups shooting firearms. We definitely want to keep this kind of behavior off the streets of North Kansas City. We want to keep it off the streets of anywhere in America, NKC Police Chief Kevin Freeman said. This is unacceptable behavior and reckless endangerment of peoples safety and lives. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Thompson said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and additional charges are expected. Anyone with information, photos and videos should send them to the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS or 816-474-8477. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2024) - CubicFarm Systems Corp. (TSXV: CUB) ("CubicFarms" or the "Company"), a leading agricultural technology company, announced that its ruminant livestock feed subsidiary company, HydroGreen Inc. ("HydroGreen"), has reached a negotiated settlement with "Burnett Land & Livestock, Ltd., LLLP" concerning a lawsuit that "Burnett Land & Livestock, Ltd., LLLP" had filed against HydroGreen Inc and CubicFarm Systems Corporation in the State of Wyoming in 2023. The resolution brings an end to a dispute that had raised questions as to the impact on HydroGreen and its parent company CubicFarm Systems Corporation. The resolution allows HydroGreen Inc to recover 12 commercial GLS 808 production units along with grain sizers, conveyor systems, grain bins, and a host of additional ancillary equipment directly involved in the installation of a HydroGreen feed center. HydroGreen agreed to settle with Burnett Land & Livestock, Ltd., LLLP for the investment made in the physical facility construction. "This successful resolution of the dispute between "HydroGreen Inc" and "Burnett Land & Livestock, Ltd., LLLP" creates immediate value for HydroGreen by increasing the company's Inventory of commercial GLS 808 units to 18 along with all the ancillary equipment. This brings the commercial value of HydroGreens inventory to over 9.4 million Canadian dollars based on MSRP 2024 pricing," said HydroGreen CFO, Michael Kyne. This settlement lays the groundwork for HydroGreen to direct this significant inventory of 18 GLS 808 units to the planned initial Feed as a Service (FaaS) installation in Visalia, California. "Having such an immediate substantial inventory gives us a significant head start in our planning for the deployment of 40 GLS 808 systems needed to build the first feed center in Visalia, California," says HydroGreen CFO, Michael Kyne. Story continues "HydroGreen is in an excellent position to become the leading fresh sprouted grain producer in the US with its list of identified feed opportunities in Central California, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arizona to name a few. The company has communicated this strategy to investors over the last 6 months regarding the opportunity to build and operate regional feed hubs in areas of high concentration of beef and dairy cattle thus benefitting the company and its shareholders from the development of a highly predictable recurring revenue business," said CubicFarms chairman, Daniel Burns. Contact info@cubicfarms.com for media or investors@cubicfarms.com for investor inquiries. Contact HGInfo@hydrogreenglobal.com to reach HydroGreen's Producer Education Team. Forward-looking and other cautionary statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements with respect to: the estimated harvesting capabilities of the machines, nutritional benefits of feed produced by the machines and quality of the feed in general and the Company's ability to build the first feed center in Visalia, California. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict", and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. 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 as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. About HydroGreen HydroGreen produces Automated Vertical Pastures, a type of smart farming equipment that uses a unique process to sprout grains such as wheat and barley, in a controlled growing environment to efficiently produce a high-performance feed ingredient for livestock 365 days a year. HydroGreen's equipment is simple and easy to operate and performs all growing functions automatically, including seeding, watering, lighting, harvesting, and re-seeding, which allows livestock businesses to feed consistent nutrition every day with minimal labour. When balanced correctly in the ration, HydroGreen sprouted grain modifies animal digestion which enhances productivity and reduces the amount of enteric methane emitted in ruminant livestock. The result also enables environmental benefits to the farm while helping to meet increasing demand for valuable farm-based inset and offset carbon credits. For more information, please visit www.hydrogreenglobal.com. About CubicFarms CubicFarms is a leading local chain agricultural technology company developing and deploying technology to feed a changing world. Its proprietary ag-tech solutions enable growers to produce high quality, predictable produce and fresh livestock feed with HydroGreen Nutrition Technology, a subsidiary of CubicFarm Systems Corp. The CubicFarms system contains patented technology for growing leafy greens and other crops on-site, indoors, all year round. CubicFarms provides an efficient, localized food supply solution that benefits our people, planet, and economy. For more information, please visit www.cubicfarms.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/201822 Ministers are planning to pass Rishi Sunaks Rwanda Bill in two days next week without accepting any of the Lords amendments, The Telegraph understands. James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, is expected to signal on Monday that the Government will seek to overturn in the Commons all 10 amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill that were passed, some with 100-plus majorities, by the Lords earlier this month. The Bill is central to the Prime Ministers pledge to stop the boats by getting the first deportation flights off to Rwanda after legal challenges to the scheme delayed it for nearly two years. Mr Sunak, who has a working majority of 52, is expected to secure the backing of the Commons to reverse the Lords amendments before the Bill returns to the Lords on Wednesday. A government source said: We have been clear we will not accept any amendments that disrupt, delay or destroy the legislation. It is robust and effective but remains within the bounds of international law. Parliamentary ping pong In the first stage of the so-called parliamentary ping pong between the two Houses of Parliament, peers are expected to resurrect at least half a dozen of the amendments that will be backed by Labour and the Liberal Democrats, along with dozens of crossbenchers led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and some Tory rebels. The Government is, however, marshalling its peers to try to face down the amendments in what it hopes will be a repeat of manoeuvres in the Lords that forced through Mr Sunaks first stop the boats bill, now on the statute book as the Illegal Migration Act. James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, is under pressure to ensure that his officials get the first migrant flights to Rwanda off the ground by the end of May - Stefan Rousseau/PA Ministers are said to be confident of pushing the Bill through in two days but, if they fail and the Lords amends the Bill for a second time, they have left open in private discussions between the whips offices the possibility of delaying the second stage of ping pong until after Easter in April. Such a delay would spark a backlash from Tory MPs, who would see it as a weakening of the Governments commitment to getting the flights off to Rwanda. If they kick it further into the long grass, it would be yet more evidence they know it wont work so have no desire to implement it, said one MP. Officials under pressure Home Office officials are under pressure to get the flights off by the end of May. If the legislation was delayed until after Easter, the chances of a first deportation flight by then would be slim because the appeal process is expected to take six to 10 weeks. It means next week is likely to be one of the most dramatic showdowns between the Lords and Commons for years, as the legislation is seen as critical to the Tories fortunes in the run-up to the general election later this year. The Prime Minister has previously warned the unelected chamber against frustrating the will of the people by hampering the passage of the Rwanda Bill after it was approved by MPs. Majorities of more than 100 on amendments The Lords subsequently inflicted some of the heaviest defeats the Government has faced, with majorities of more than 100 on amendments that demanded independent checks on the safety of Rwanda and gave migrants greater rights to challenge their deportation. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Baroness Hale, former president of the Supreme Court, joined Baroness Chakrabarti, a human rights campaigner, and Baron Clarke, the former chancellor of the exchequer, to form a powerful alliance and lead efforts to amend the Bill. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A group of Israeli hostages is delivered to the Gaza border after being released by their Palestinian captors during the only previous truce of the war, a week-long pause in late November (-) Israel's intelligence chief is expected to participate in negotiations on Monday in Doha about a potential new Gaza truce and hostage exchange deal, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP. The meeting would come three days after a Hamas official said the Palestinian militant group had put forward a proposal for a six-week truce in Gaza, to be followed by a durable ceasefire. Here is what we know about the demands of both Hamas and Israel as mediators push for a deal to end, or at least pause, the more than five-month-old war. - What does Hamas want? - The latest Hamas proposal calls for a truce of 42 days, during which it would release about 42 hostages seized during the October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war, the Hamas official told AFP. In exchange for each hostage, Hamas wants between 20 and 50 Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli custody. The exchange could include women, children, elderly and ill hostages, whereas male soldiers and the bodies of dead hostages would be returned during a later, comprehensive exchange to coincide with a full ceasefire. Hamas took about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages on October 7, more than 100 of whom were released during the only previous truce in the war, which lasted for a week in November. Israel believes about 130 captives taken on October 7 remain in Gaza including 33 presumed dead. Mediators had been pushing for a six-week pause during recent talks, but until Friday Hamas had insisted no further hostages would be exchanged without a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Now the militants are saying that, during a six-week truce, Israeli forces would need to withdraw from "all cities and populated areas in the Gaza Strip" and allow for the return of displaced Gazans "without restrictions". Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Iran-backed Hezbollah's Al-Manar television channel in Lebanon that there was "a real opportunity" for a ceasefire. "In the first stage, there will be a total halt to military operations, which means no overflights or troop movements" and a partial Israeli withdrawal, Hamdan said. "After 14 days, there will be a withdrawal to the east... which means reopening the road for displaced people so that they can return." The Hamas proposal also calls for the flow of humanitarian aid to be ramped up to its pre-war level of around 500 trucks per day. Once a ceasefire takes effect, Israel would also need to withdraw from Gaza and end its long-running blockade of the territory, and the deal would also address plans to reconstruct Gaza, which Hamas has ruled since 2007. - What does Israel want? - Israel has so far refused to consider withdrawing troops from Gaza, saying such a move would amount to victory for Hamas, which it has vowed to destroy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday that Hamas's new proposal was "unrealistic" but that the government would send a delegation to the Qatari capital for another round of talks on securing the release of the hostages. Israel did not send a team to a recent round of talks in Cairo, although its ally the United States did. Last week, Netanyahu told representatives of the families of hostages in Tel Aviv that Hamas was facing pressure from mediator Qatar, where Hamas has a political bureau. "The Qatari pressure is beginning to work. Qatar has started to tell them: 'We will throw you out. We will deny you funds,'" Netanyahu said, according to his office. "At the moment there is a change in the Qatari pressure. This is the most positive thing I can say." During recent talks, Israel has pushed for Hamas to provide a list of hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza -- a task Hamas says it is unable to complete while Israeli bombing continues. Hamas says it does not know who among the hostages "are alive or dead, killed because of strikes or hunger" and that they are "held by numerous groups in multiple places" across the Palestinian territory. Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 31,726 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Talks about a possible truce are coinciding with Israeli preparations for an operation in Gaza's far-southern Rafah where most of the population has sought refuge. Netanyahu's office said on Friday he had approved the military's plan for a Rafah operation, without giving details or a timeline. mg/rcb/hkb President of Russia Vladimir Putin speaks during an interview with Dmitry Kiselev. -/Kremlin/dpa Russian President Vladimir Putin has described fresh attacks from the Ukrainian side on the Russian border region of Belgorod as an attempt to disrupt the country's presidential election. "I am convinced that our people, the people of Russia, will respond to this with even greater solidarity," Putin said on Friday during a video link with representatives of the National Security Council. The people would not allow themselves to be intimidated, Putin asserted. The Russian strongman wants to be confirmed in office in the presidential poll. Voting started on Friday and runs through Sunday. Putin, 71, voted online from his residence near Moscow. Numerous civilians were injured in several days of attacks against the Russian border region of Belgorod and also against the Kursk region. Putin charged that with these attacks, Ukraine was once again trying to distract from "defeats" it was facing. Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than two years, but has not yet been able to reconquer large parts of territories occupied by Russia. Putin has allowed voting in the occupied parts of the contested regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson, in violation of international law. Ukraine condemned the voting in the war zone as illegal and called on the international community not to recognize the election. More than two years since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this weekend will witness yet another grim milestone: the all but certain re-election of the man most responsible, Vladimir Putin. If he serves out another six-year term as president, he will become the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century. Following the initial humiliation of the Russian army at the gates of Kyiv in early 2022, many believed that Putins reputation at home and abroad would never recover. In April that year, the then British prime minister, Boris Johnson, made an extraordinary address to the Russian people in their native language. Your president knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war, he said. Yet now, with Putin set to win by a landslide in a carefully rigged poll, all effective internal opposition to him crushed, and gradual Russian advances on the battlefield, few would disagree that Moscow has clawed back the strategic initiative. Ammunition crises, disagreements among Kyivs Western allies, and the failure of Washington to pass a vital military aid package have resulted in the perilous situation in which as the US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, put it Putin could be close to a breakthrough. Europe appears to be strikingly complacent about all this. Where once Britain was the most vocal champion of Ukraines struggle for survival, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office now seems more interested in criticising Israels conduct of its war against Hamas. Consumed by self-doubt, Germany seems to have given up altogether. Admittedly, Emmanuel Macron would have us believe that he has undergone a Damascene conversion. He was previously concerned that Putin should not be humiliated, while he now refuses to rule out Western boots on the ground. But he may not have the credibility to galvanise the continents resolve, which remains strongest in Eastern and Central Europe, as evidenced by the Czech initiative to source new ammunition for Ukraine. As America turns inward and the wider world loses interest, it should be clear to all that this is now Europes fight. Having consolidated power at home, Putin will be gambling that we no longer have the stomach for it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. It looks like Genting Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:GENM) is about to go ex-dividend in the next four days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. This means that investors who purchase Genting Malaysia Berhad's shares on or after the 20th of March will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 15th of April. The company's next dividend payment will be RM00.09 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed RM0.15 to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Genting Malaysia Berhad has a trailing yield of 5.2% on the current share price of RM02.90. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. That's why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing. View our latest analysis for Genting Malaysia Berhad Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Genting Malaysia Berhad distributed an unsustainably high 195% of its profit as dividends to shareholders last year. Without more sustainable payment behaviour, the dividend looks precarious. Yet cash flow is typically more important than profit for assessing dividend sustainability, so we should always check if the company generated enough cash to afford its dividend. Over the last year it paid out 52% of its free cash flow as dividends, within the usual range for most companies. It's disappointing to see that the dividend was not covered by profits, but cash is more important from a dividend sustainability perspective, and Genting Malaysia Berhad fortunately did generate enough cash to fund its dividend. Still, if the company repeatedly paid a dividend greater than its profits, we'd be concerned. Extraordinarily few companies are capable of persistently paying a dividend that is greater than their profits. Story continues Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. KLSE:GENM Historic Dividend March 15th 2024 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. With that in mind, we're discomforted by Genting Malaysia Berhad's 12% per annum decline in earnings in the past five years. Ultimately, when earnings per share decline, the size of the pie from which dividends can be paid, shrinks. Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. In the past 10 years, Genting Malaysia Berhad has increased its dividend at approximately 5.5% a year on average. The only way to pay higher dividends when earnings are shrinking is either to pay out a larger percentage of profits, spend cash from the balance sheet, or borrow the money. Genting Malaysia Berhad is already paying out 195% of its profits, and with shrinking earnings we think it's unlikely that this dividend will grow quickly in the future. The Bottom Line Is Genting Malaysia Berhad an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? It's never fun to see a company's earnings per share in retreat. Additionally, Genting Malaysia Berhad is paying out quite a high percentage of its earnings, and more than half its cash flow, so it's hard to evaluate whether the company is reinvesting enough in its business to improve its situation. It's not an attractive combination from a dividend perspective, and we're inclined to pass on this one for the time being. So if you're still interested in Genting Malaysia Berhad despite it's poor dividend qualities, you should be well informed on some of the risks facing this stock. To help with this, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Genting Malaysia Berhad (1 is significant!) that you ought to be aware of before buying the shares. A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Vladimir Putin is likely to stay in power until "the end of his natural life" or until he is overthrown, an anti-corruption campaigner said on Friday as Russians voted in presidential polls. Bill Browder, whose Hermitage Capital Management firm was one of the largest investors in Russia in the late 1990s to early 2000s, said the election was "a farce from top to bottom". But he said Putin, who is seeking another six-year term, was weak and that if he continued to repress Russians, the pressure on him would build and likely culminate in an uprising. "He has nothing to offer people other than death, or prison. That's not a strong leader," Browder, who was expelled from Russia in 2005 after identifying a number of major corruption schemes in companies Hermitage had invested in, told AFP. "If the people of Russia, without leadership, just on their own, decide enough is enough, then he could end up with a Ceausescu situation," he said, referring to Romania's former communist leader, Nicolae Ceausescu. He was overthrown in an anti-communist uprising, summarily judged and executed by firing squad in 1989. Former KGB agent Putin has been in power as president or prime minister since 1999 and is casting the election as a show of loyalty and support for his military assault on Ukraine. On Thursday he urged Russians to back him in the face of a "difficult period" for the country, in a pre-election message broadcast on state TV. - Fake election - "Putin has killed, imprisoned or exiled all of his opponents," said Browder, who led an international campaign to sanction Russian government officials after the death of his Russian lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, in prison in 2009. "He's put in jail anybody who criticises him, he controls the TVs, he controls the courts, he controls everything. "And so as a result, you end up in a situation where the whole thing is a farce from top to bottom. It's not an election, it's a total fake." The investor added that Putin was more comparable to the late Colombian drug boss Pablo Escobar than the former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Putin, he said, was more of a mafia boss who used the powers a sovereign state "to achieve all of his criminal aims". "Stalin was a terrible, murderous dictator, but he did so with various ideological motives," he said. "Putin, every motive he has is a criminal motive." The financier said he believed Putin went to war in Ukraine to try to "create patriotism" and "nationalistic fervour" but had not expected the conflict to last more than two years. "This war is draining the Russian economy, it's killing Russian soldiers, and it's not good for him, so the only thing he can do is just repress, repress, repress; threaten, threaten, threaten; kill, kill, kill," Browder said in an interview. Polling stations in a country spread over 11 time zones opened at 8:00 am on Friday (2000 GMT Thursday) on the Far Eastern Kamchatka peninsula and will close Sunday at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) in Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania. ctx/srg/phz/imm Votes being cast in Moscow. There is no doubt that Vladimir Putin will be declared the winner (AFP via Getty Images) At midday on Sunday, on the last day of the Russian presidential vote, those opposing Vladimir Putins repression will answer the final call of Alexei Navalny, the late face of anti-Kremlin opposition. Russians cannot affect the result of what is a predetermined election, Mr Navalny said two weeks before he was announced dead but if they turn up at polling stations all at the same time, the Kremlin may glimpse just how many people wish for an end to Putins more than two-decade-long grip on the country. This election, for which voting began on Friday, will add another six years to that. It is entirely managed by the Kremlin to do one thing: hand Putin victory. The Russian leader has hardly even bothered to campaign. More than two years into Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, intensifying what had already been a widespread crackdown on critics inside Russia, the opposition now faces a new chapter. Western nations have lined up to lay the blame for Navalnys death at Putins door, with his widow Yulia clear that the Russian leader killed her husband the Kremlins fiercest critic. As well as the killing of Navalny, nearly a thousand other critics and anti-war dissidents have been imprisoned across Russia. Tens of thousands have been arrested simply for protesting. Hundreds of thousands have been forced into exile. Yulia has taken on her husbands call to flood voting locations en masse as a symbolic gesture, with protests in the street risking arrest and lengthy prison sentences. On Friday, a number of people were arrested for incidents including pouring green dye into ballot boxes, the boxes or polling booths being set alight and fireworks being set off inside polling stations. Such acts carry stiff jail terms. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, now an exiled high-profile dissident, was once Russias richest man. He co-founded the opposition Anti-War Committee and has been an outspoken advocate of the midday protest set for Sunday. He has called for all those who attend to wear the colours of anti-war Russia, which are white and blue. Its a political act, a political flash mob to show that we are many, he says. Police officers detain a woman during a gathering in memory of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny last month (Reuters) Russian prosecutors threatened voters who take part in the Noon Against Putin action with five years in prison on Thursday. But given there would be no legal reason to disperse those attending polling stations to vote, it is unclear what form a crackdown would take on the ground. You cannot change the regime democratically, Khodorkovsky adds. It has to change through revolution. But he realises that will not come quickly and that the chances of success are slim until both Putin dies and the militarisation of Russia is put to a stop. The military machine has been set in motion, it is not going to stop very quickly. If it continues manufacturing weapons, mutual trust will not be restored very easily, he says. I think that will last at least the next decade. But that does not mean giving up. Khodorkovsky says the next chapter of resistance should be three-fold. Our objectives must be as follows: helping Russian activists and professionals who want to leave Russia to get out. Their departure from Russia would weaken the Putin regime, he says, noting how brain drain was a major problem for Joseph Stalins repressive Soviet regime in the 1930s. The second objective should be countering Putins propaganda. That will significantly damage his ability to mobilise and conscript soldiers [for the war in Ukraine]. Vladimir Putin has hardly even bothered to campaign for an election entirely managed by the Kremlin to do one thing: hand him victory (AP) The third objective is building for Russians a new vision of Russia and its future. Today, they have lost their idea of what they would like to see and what normal life would be. Putin is telling them there is no normality, only confrontation. Boris Nadezhdin, a veteran politician who tried to run in this years election against Putin, rose from relative obscurity late last year to become the face of the anti-war vote. Independent polls then suggested more than 15 per cent of the Russian population would have voted for him. Perhaps spooked by queues of thousands signing up to support his bid to run, he was banned by Russian election authorities kept on a tight lead by the Kremlin with claims that 15 per cent of the signatures were flawed. The fact that Nadezhdin was allowed to get that far in such a stage-managed election has drawn suspicion from critics that he is being allowed to gain such publicity to give Russias democracy a sheen of legitimacy and is merely a part of Putins election machine. But Nadezhdin says he believes the only way to keep fighting against Putins repression is to play within the rules. My strategy is to be in Russia and not to be very sharp in my criticism, he tells The Independent from his office in Moscow. I will never criticise Putin as a person. I only criticise what he does with the country. Veteran politician Boris Nadezhdin rose from relative obscurity late last year to become the face of the anti-war vote (AP) Those candidates that have been allowed to run have made little attempt to try to disrupt the status quo and have praised Putin. My rating was rising 5 per cent a week, Nadezhdin says. I think maybe the Kremlin administration just decided that I would receive too much if I was allowed to run. Nadezhdin says his plan now is to endorse another candidate, 40-year-old Vladislav Davankov, running nominally for a liberal, pro-business party, but making little noise all while Nadezhdin prepares for local parliamentary elections in two years. Regarding the Navalny-endorsed Noon Against Putin campaign, Nadezhdin will not explicitly support it. I will say only that my supporters should go to the election stations on Sunday, 17 March, not on Friday or Saturday, but at any time that is convenient to them, he says. I think I have a quite different strategy to [Navalny]. I have criticised Putins politics for 20 years but because I have been in Russian politics for 35 years, I know the red lines. I know what I should not do to avoid being put in prison. For those in the anti-Putin camp that have done enough to be forced into exile, however, this softball approach is nowhere near enough and is bound to fail. The strength of the noon protest will give a sense of how to push on. We are confident normal peace for Russians is possible for them," Khodorkovsky says. Our job is to show them that picture. Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking to secure another term in office as president, and there is no doubt in the minds of Russians or observers around the world that Putin will cement his hold on power for at least another six years. Putin is Russias longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin and was first appointed prime minister 25 years ago in 1999 by then-President Boris Yeltsin. An ailing Yeltsin stepped down in 2000, handing the presidency to Putin, who briefly served as prime minister from 2008 to 2012 under then-President Dmitri Medevedev before returning to the presidency amid widespread protests and discontent. PUTIN ISSUES CHILLING WARNING AGAINST SENDING WESTERN TROOPS TO DEFEND UKRAINE "Vladimir Putin is planning to glide into reelection that will be neither free nor fair. We already know the winner of this election charade," Ivana Stradner, research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital. A poster in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol reads, "The West doesn't need Russia. We need Russia." U.S. intelligence is already saying that Russia will again attempt to interfere in the November presidential election, and information warfare remains Putins most effective tool to sow chaos and weaken the United States. Stradner, whose research focuses on Russian information security, argues that its time for the U.S. to start doing the same and interfering in Russian domestic elections to influence the outcome. "It is time to turn [the] tables on Putins games and give him a taste of his own medicine," Stradner said. She says the U.S. should use the opportunity to destabilize Putins regime as the Russian government has already accused the U.S. of attempting to interfere in their election. Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, said the U.S. is finding sophisticated ways to influence Russias presidential election. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP PUTIN OFFERS RARE DETAILS ABOUT WAR IN UKRAINE, SAYS THERE WILL BE NO PEACE UNTIL GOALS ARE ACHIEVED The U.S. State Department flatly rejected such assertions. "The United States does not take sides in foreign elections; our only interest is in the democratic process. The Russian people deserve free and fair elections and the ability to choose among candidates," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Russians, like everyone else, deserve access to impartial information to help them choose the leadership and future direction of their country," the spokesperson said. A woman casts her ballot at her home in the village of Yersenevo on March 10, 2024, during early voting ahead of Russia's presidential election. Since taking power, Russias presidential elections are merely an administrative procedure, or at best an exercise in window dressing, to create the illusion that Putin is receiving a democratic mandate from the people to continue his rule, Stradner says. Although the election is widely regarded as not free or fair in the sense that there is no legitimate political opposition to Putin and the outcome is almost guaranteed, thats not to say that Putin doesnt garner widespread support. PUTIN WARNS WEST THAT RUSSIA IS 'READY' FOR NUCLEAR WAR: 'WEAPONS EXIST IN ORDER TO USE THEM' "Its important to clarify what pre-determined really means when we talk about the upcoming Russian elections. Putin will almost certainly win another six-year term as Russias president in the upcoming election. But it doesnt necessarily mean that the election will be rigged in a sense that voter results will be manipulated," Rebekah Koffler, strategic military intelligence analyst and former Defense Intelligence Agency official, told Fox News Digital. Putins popularity is rooted in the belief that he has made Russians proud of their country again by facilitating economic growth following the turbulent 1990s and placing Russia as a great power on the world stage once again. Russians voted in favor of a nationwide referendum in 2016 that allowed Putin to extend his stay in power until at least 2026. A public opinion poll recently conducted by Russian state news showed that 75% of Russians were prepared to vote for Putins reelection, and analysts project that Putin will win with around 80% support. Theres also no viable opposition candidate legitimately challenging Putins hold on power. Putins most recent and fierce political opponent, Alexei Navalny, was recently found dead in a Siberian prison in what many consider a political assassination ordered by Putin. Even before his abrupt demise in February, Navalny had previously accused the Russian government of launching phony investigations and jailing him to tarnish his political career. Navalny also accused Kremlin agents of poisoning him in an episode in which he narrowly escaped death. TOP STRATEGIST OF LATE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER NAVALNY ATTACKED IN LITHUANIA'S CAPITAL Theres also no independent media landscape to highlight some of the possible alternatives to Putin. Russian airwaves are flooded with nationalistic themes of Russias renewed greatness, especially as it prosecutes and makes gains in the "special military operation" that is its unprovoked war in Ukraine. Putin is looking to highlight some of his domestic policy achievements to showcase the country moving forward, while managing to convince the Russian public that the war in Ukraine is going according to plan and not something voters should worry about. Russian forces faced early setbacks in 2022, failing to take the capital, Kyiv, and topple the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Facing stiff resistance from the Ukrainian armed forces and population, there was chatter that Putin was losing support from the wars failure to make any gains. Despite a brief rebellion in July launched by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russias mercenary Wager Group, Russian forces stalled Ukrainian counteroffensives in eastern Ukraine and even made small advancements in some places. The unprecedented Western sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and its coalition allies havent had the drastic impact on the economy that many policymakers had hoped for. Russias economy proved to be resilient, growing at 3.6% in 2023 after contracting during the first year of the war. While Russia has remained resilient in more ways than many expected, the war has cost Russia $1.3 trillion in economic growth through 2026, according to a U.S. defense official. The Russian people are also still subject to many wartime hardships. The daily trauma and destruction hasnt reached the borders of Russia in the way they have devastated Ukraine, but families are still losing loved ones. Koffler predicts that once the election is done with "Putin will continue waging war on Ukraine until Zelenskyy capitulates or a peace deal is negotiated on Russias terms. Putin feels Russia is in a strong position, holding an overwhelming military and economic advantage over Ukraine. Russia will continue its cooperation with China, Iran and other traditional U.S. adversaries." She also warned that "Russian intelligence will likely run covert influence operations targeting U.S. elections to sow chaos and pit various American voter blocks against one another. Russian intelligence will probably also target Moldova with destabilization operations and may stir trouble in Kosovo after Russias election," likely in the run-up to our presidential election here. The Russian election begins on March 15. Voters will have a chance to cast their ballots through March 17, and early voting has already taken place in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory that Russia claims to have annexed in September 2022. Results are expected relatively soon after the polls close on Sunday. Original article source: Putin plans for next 6-year term as Russians vote in 'neither free nor fair election' Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the goal of the fighting in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, Russia, was to disrupt the so-called presidential elections in Russia and "it will not go unpunished". Source: Kremlin-aligned media outlets TASS and RIA Novosti Quote: "With the goal of disrupting the voting process and intimidating people the Kyiv neo-Nazi regime planned and is trying to conduct a number of unlawful, demonstrative armed actions. These actions manifest themselves as attacks on peaceful settlements in the territory of Russia. About 95% of missiles and projectiles are destroyed by our air defence. Nevertheless, some civilians have been injured. They all and their families will receive all the necessary help and support. The enemy will not go unpunished for these strikes." Details: Putin also claimed at the meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council that the events in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts aimed to "disrupt the elections in Russia". Background: On the morning of 14 March, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia's Belgorod Oblast, claimed that Russian air defence assets and personnel shot down eight airborne targets over the city of Belgorod and the surrounding district of the same name. At the same time, Russian Telegram news outlets are reporting an alleged attempt by a "Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group" to enter the territory of the oblast, but Russian volunteer soldiers who are fighting on Ukraine's side said that it was them attacking military targets in Russia. They explained that they were forced to open fire because Russia continues to hit peaceful settlements in Ukraine. Afterwards, Denis Nikitin, the leader and founder of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), stated that anti-regime Russian military volunteers would open fire on military targets in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts within an hour and a half. The Freedom of Russia Legion, consisting of Russian volunteer soldiers fighting on the side of Ukraine, posted a video featuring burning buildings and reported that they destroyed two Russian ammunition storage points in the village of Tyotkino, in Russia's Kursk Oblast. At the same time, the governor of Kursk Oblast said that "Ukrainian terrorists" were supposedly breaking into the oblast, while the Russian Guard claimed that it was "repelling an attack by Ukrainian saboteurs". Support UP or become our patron! Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has claimed that the raids on Belgorod and Kursk oblasts by pro-Ukrainian Russian volunteer regiments are meant to disrupt Russian elections, vowing a response, Russias state news agency TASS reported on March 15. Putin made the comments during a meeting of Russia's Security Council. He described the incursion as a "criminal act." The dictator also falsely asserted that "about 95% of [incoming Ukrainian] missiles and shells are destroyed by air defense systems." Read also: Russians caught on video sabotaging sham Putin election in rare acts of defiance, spoiling ballots Meanwhile, in recent days, Russian territory has been under intense drone attacks, with several strikes recorded on industrial infrastructure. According to Bloomberg, Ukrainian drone attacks on March 12-13 have affected 12% of Russia's oil refining capacity. Read also: Kremlin's ingenious tactics to ensure Putin re-election among Russians a review On March 12, pro-Ukrainian Russian volunteer units Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL), Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), and the Siberian Battalion announced another raid into Russian territory, describing it as an operation to "liberate the Russian Federation from dictatorship." Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A wall lined with non-binary flags and posters at the Wright House of Fashion on Thursday, March 14, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. The Wright House hosted a press conference for seven members of the queer community in the wake of the acquittal of Tara Dutcher. Seven members of the LBGTQ+ community shared a message of Dont be silent, be loud and stand with us" during a press conference on Thursday, March 14. The gathering at the Wright House of Fashion in Iowa City was in response to the not-guilty verdict for transgender, non-binary protestor Tara Dutcher. Dutcher was acquitted of two charges brought by the state for interference with official acts and disorderly conduct on Wednesday, March 13. Dutcher thanked their friends in the trans community for their support Thursday and praised their attorney, Des Moines-based Gina Messamer and Johnson County District Court Judge Jason Burns. Dutcher also addressed a video they took while University of Iowa police officers attempted to clear a road during an October protest, the First Amendment, and advocacy for seven members of the trans community who were charged after the protests. More: Jury acquits UI protester of disorderly conduct, interference with official acts Charges filed after October protest on UI campus The protest was in response to Chloe Cole's appearance at the Iowa Memorial Union last year for an event hosted by the University of Iowa chapter of Young Americans for Freedom. In her Oct. 16 talk to a roughly 150-person crowd, Cole detailed her experience as a de-transitioned teenager and her work to stop youth gender transitioning. More than 100 demonstrators circled the intersection of Madison Street and Jefferson Street during Cole's talk. Police claimed Dutcher and others played a role in blocking the road and resisted police. Dutcher and several others were arrested nearly a month after the November protest on charges of disorderly conduct and interference with official acts. Dutcher felt authorities specifically singled out some of the protestors. This is an unmistakable targeting of the trans community done by the University of Iowa Police Department, Dutcher said. We're not going to stop talking about it. It's not going to get less true if we stop talking about it. Dutcher was also undecided whether they would seek due restitution for the ensuing legal proceedings. That question remains open because it's really going to matter how our demands are received (and) whether or not we choose to utilize the leverage that we have available to us. More: Johnson County attorney faces censure for charging trans protesters at Chloe Cole event A University of Iowa Department of Public Safety officer drives a Ford Police Interceptor vehicle, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. Group demands dissolution of UI Police Department Emma Denney called for the dissolution of the University of Iowa Police Department during Thursday's press conference. Denney previously said the department had unchecked power to surveil and arrest members of the community." We would also like to see Johnson County and Iowa City institute so-called sanctuary city laws and policies to protect our community from the kinds of violent legislation that the state is trying to impose on us, Denney said. Denney was the only October protestor arrested who is currently enrolled at the University of Iowa. Denney took a plea deal in the case and was ordered to pay a $250 fine. They are a Ph.D. candidate and will deliver their dissertation soon. Denney also local governments to help assist with housing costs for people looking for a safe place to live. Dutcher suggested that law enforcement "stay away from protests." During their trial and again on Thursday, they said they would avoid any future on-campus protests. Several other protestors who were arrested in November still have sentencing or trials pending. More: Nine arrested after chaining themselves to Kinnick Stadium in pro-Palestinian protest A member of the University of Iowa Police Department works to clean up marbles spilled by a protester in a staircase as Matt Walsh speaks at an event hosted by the Young America's Foundation, Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. Other speakers involved in ongoing litigation Izzy Kippes was one of the seven speakers at the event. They shared their experiences with law enforcement in the months following conservative commentator Matt Walsh's visit to the University of Iowa which included being arrested at their University of Iowa job. In February, a six-person jury found Kippes guilty of fifth-degree criminal mischief, a simple misdemeanor. The state argued that Kippes and a friend had entered the Iowa Memorial Union on the night of the Walsh event and a coinciding protest and dropped backpacks full of marbles on the stairs. Clara Reynen was one of nine people arrested and charged after chaining themselves to the doors of Kinnick Stadium in December. Reynen recalled hearing the screams from her trans friends being "dragged" from the doors by university police officers. Reynen said she felt she was treated much differently than her friends because they "are visibly transgender." Reynen also demanded the dissolution of the UI police, saying the department is not capable of accomplishing their mission which they claim is to foster a safe, supportive and inclusive campus environment. They claim to provide safety services equally to all members of the community, but we know they have no interest or intent to do so," Reynen said. The University of Iowa Police Department, in response to Thursday's press conference and accusations of targeting, said its officers patrol protests to provide safety. "The primary goal of law enforcement during demonstrations is to ensure safety and protect free speech for both demonstrators and the community," Office of Campus Safety Chief of Staff Hayley Bruce wrote in an email to the Press-Citizen. "We respect the legal process, will continue to uphold the law, and remain committed to public safety." More: Fired officer faced no charges after alleged vandalism and threat to kill wife Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: After Dutcher acquittal, queer community demands UIPD 'dissolution' Palestinian women wait to cross the Israeli military Qalandia checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah to Jerusalem, to participate in Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Friday, March 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) JERUSALEM (AP) The first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan passed without violence at the revered Al-Aqsa mosque under tight Israeli restrictions, amid fears the ongoing war Israel-Hamas war would spark clashes in Jerusalem's Old City. Hamas militants have called on Palestinians to rise up and challenge tight Israeli restrictions on entry to the site. The militant group hopes a fresh outburst of violence would put more pressure on Israel and improve its leverage in ongoing cease-fire talks. But no flare-up occurred after the important noon prayers on Friday. An estimated 80, 000 worshippers attended the prayers, the highest turnout since Ramadan began on Monday, according to the Waqf, the Jordanian-based Muslim religious body that administers the site. Nearly all the worshipers moved peacefully through the Old City's winding streets and crossed the compound's gates guarded by armed Israeli police. During past years, clashes at the compound during Ramadan have triggered major escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Israeli raids of the mosque and Hamas rocket fire, which set off a brief Israel-Hamas war in 2021. Friday also marked the first time Palestinians from the occupied West Bank were able to travel to Jerusalem since Hamas launched its assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1, 200 people and taking around 250 others hostage. Israels invasion of Gaza in response has killed more than 31,000 people, according to Gaza's health ministry. But West Bank Palestinians access to the city was limited to men over 55, women over 50 and children under 10, with all visitors required to return to the territory the same day. Israel also demanded all visitors obtain a special permit through a mobile application. In previous years, there were no age restrictions on women and elderly worshippers did not need to apply for an online permit. At Qalandiya Checkpoint, which sits between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah, The Associated Press spoke to at least three elderly men who said they were turned back for not having a permit. Imad Jalalmah from the city of Jenin, said he was completely unaware that this new restriction affected him. "How could this happen?" he lamented from outside the checkpoint I traveled approximately 150 kilometers (95 miles) from Jenin to here, and when I finally arrived, I was denied passage. At the checkpoint separating Jerusalem from Bethlehem, worshippers said there were similar problems. Many old people over the age of sixty or seventy dont have modern telephones, said 57-year-old Khaled Thweib. French President Emmanuel Macron, responding to Russian leader Vladimir Putins new threats regarding Russia's readiness for nuclear war, has stated that France is a "nuclear power" and it is inappropriate to make such threats when "you have nuclear weapons". Source: European Pravda with reference to Le Figaro Quote: "We must first and foremost feel protected, because we are a nuclear power. We are ready; we have a doctrine [for the use of nuclear weapons]." Details: The French president noted in interviews with TF1 and France 2 television channels that it is inappropriate to issue such threats when "you have nuclear weapons". He said that when it comes to nuclear weapons, there is no need to boast, as this imposes "on us the responsibility never to escalate". Background: Support UP or become our patron! The launch of a 400-foot-tall (122 meters) rocket won't seem like a novelty for much longer. SpaceX's giant Starship vehicle lifted off for the third time ever today (March 14) on an ambitious test flight that energized space fans around the world. Starship didn't achieve all of its goals today; both its first-stage booster, known as Super Heavy, and its upper-stage spacecraft were lost as they came back to Earth, for example. But the megarocket flew faster, farther and longer than it had before, cheering the company and NASA, whose Artemis program will use Starship to land astronauts on the moon. "Congrats to @SpaceX on a successful test flight! Starship has soared into the heavens. Together, we are making great strides through Artemis to return humanity to the moon then look onward to Mars," NASA chief Bill Nelson said via X today. Related: SpaceX launches giant Starship rocket into space on epic 3rd test flight (video) Read more: Relive SpaceX Starship's 3rd flight test in breathtaking photos Starship's first crewed moon landing for NASA is scheduled to take place in September 2026, on the agency's Artemis 3 mission. Getting Starship up and running in time to meet that deadline will require a lot of work and SpaceX has rolled up its sleeves. The company has already built four more Starships at its Starbase facility in South Texas, which hosted today's launch. "These vehicles are slated for future flight tests just like today's," Siva Bharadvaj, a space operations engineer at SpaceX, said during a webcast of today's launch. "And, in fact, just this week, we static-fired our next ship that's planning to fly and expect to test the booster as soon as the launch mount is free from today's flight test," he added. SpaceX will aim to get these and future vehicles aloft as quickly as possible, in keeping with the company's "build, fly and iterate" philosophy. Indeed, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk said this week that the company hopes to launch at least six Starship missions in 2024. Musk is known for his aggressive timelines, but that one may well be achievable. Seven months elapsed between the first Starship test flight, in April 2023, and the second, which occurred this past November. The gap between flight two and today's launch was just four months, so things are moving in the right direction. And the turnaround for flight four should be shorter still, given the milestones notched on today's mission. For instance, Super Heavy performed a successful "boostback burn" after separating from the upper stage, getting itself into position for a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico (though it did not ace its landing burn). And the upper stage reached orbital velocity, opened its payload door in space as it will do on operational, satellite-deploying flights, and survived reentry into Earth's atmosphere for a while. The ship managed to beam home incredible video of its fiery ordeal before going dark about 50 minutes after liftoff. (Starship flights one and two lasted just four minutes and eight minutes, respectively.) Related: See stunning photos and video of Starship's 2nd launch Starship Die Cast Rocket Model Now $69.99 on Amazon. If you can't see SpaceX's Starship in person, you can score a model of your own. Standing at 13.77 inches (35 cm), this is a 1:375 ratio of SpaceX's Starship as a desktop model. The materials here are alloy steel and it weighs just 225g. Note: Stock is low so you'll have to act quickly to get this. View Deal RELATED STORIES: Starship and Super Heavy: SpaceX's Mars transportation system SpaceX: Facts about Elon Musk's private spaceflight company Elon Musk is still thinking big with SpaceX's Starship Mars-colonizing rocket. Really big. And Starship's flight cadence will likely ramp up greatly after it becomes operational. For example, before each moon-landing mission, Starship will need to top up its tanks at a propellant depot in Earth orbit. It will take multiple Starship "tanker" missions to fill this depot. How many is a matter of debate, due partly to the uncertainty about how much of the supercold propellant will "boil off." Musk has pegged the number of tanker flights per Starship lunar landing at four to eight, whereas NASA officials have said it could be "in the high teens." No matter what the final number turns out to be, that's a lot of Starship launches. SpaceX also plans to use Starship to help humanity settle Mars, as Musk has repeatedly stressed (including in the aftermath of today's flight). Setting up a sustainable city on the Red Planet would require a staggering number of launches, even though Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built. (In its final form, Starship will be capable of hauling up to 275 tons to Earth orbit, Bharadvaj said during today's webcast.) To give you an idea: A few years back, Musk laid out a plan that involved launching fleets of 1,000 Starships to the Red Planet every 26 months, the recurring window when Earth and Mars align properly for interplanetary missions. That may be overly ambitious or, if achievable, a nod to a far-off future. But it's safe to assume that we'll have plenty more chances to watch the fledgling Starship fly over the coming months. New factory will expand Durapower's manufacturing capacity in China Aims to be Durapower's first intelligent manufacturing and green factory that meets Industry 4.0 requirements Expected to be fully operational by second quarter of 2025 SINGAPORE, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Singaporean lithium-ion battery manufacturer, Durapower Holdings Pte Ltd ("Durapower") is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Suzhou Durapower Technology Co Ltd has just broken ground for its new battery manufacturing factory in Suzhou, China. Image: Artist Impression of completed factory The new factory will have an area size of 32,500 square meters, featuring three production lines, and an R&D center, all spread across four floors. and is expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2025. Upon reaching full capacity utilisation, the new factory is projected to generate 2.0 GWh per annum, which is double the production output of Durapower's existing factory. It will also feature fully automated intelligent production lines that will increase production efficiency by more than 50%. This expansion not only positions Durapower as a key player in the region, but also underscores its dedication to meeting the evolving demands of its customers in China and other markets. The innovative, high power, lightweight, globally certified cutting-edge batteries that will be manufactured in the new factory will power many types of products, including e-mobility applications, specialty platforms, marine vessels, and stationary energy storage systems. In addition to the existing steam power supply, the new factory will also incorporate solar panels on the roof top, with an annual output of 500 MWh. The use of clean energy is part of Durapower's green agenda towards a sustainable and carbon neutral future. Mr Kelvin Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Durapower Group commented, "I am pleased that our new Suzhou factory is starting the construction process and on track with our growth plans. When completed, it will greatly boost our product development and production capabilities and will be a testament to the strong growth opportunities in the region. In addition, this factory's use of various ESG practices and initiatives further showcases Durapower's commitment to sustainability, a circular economy, and a carbon neutral future, and will serve as a template for our other facilities to emulate and improve upon." Story continues About Durapower Group (www.durapowergroup.com) Headquartered in Singapore, Durapower offers closed-loop, end-to-end energy storage solutions for the electric mobility and renewable energy applications including on and off-road Electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, electric marine vessel and stationary energy storage solutions. Since 2009, Durapower has been a leading innovator of Lithium-Ion cell technology, focusing on the research and development of battery materials, battery cell manufacturing and system integration. With a global presence spanning 24 countries and 49 cities, including European Countries, China, India and Southeast Asia. Durapower Group strives to make scalable, sustainable batteries that support the circular economy, empowering lives and transforming the future towards a carbon neutral economy. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/durapower-breaks-ground-for-new-suzhou-battery-manufacturing-factory-in-china-302089943.html SOURCE Durapower Group On Tuesday evening, about 50 people gathered outside Surfside Town Hall, chanting and banging drums to demand justice for Joshua Epstein, an 18-year-old activist arrested earlier this month and charged with felony battery on an elected official for allegedly pushing Vice Mayor Jeff Rose after a Feb. 28 candidate forum. The arrest of Epstein, the son of former town commissioner Eliana Salzhauer, has set off a firestorm in the days before a March 19 election for mayor and commission in the eight-block beach town. Nearly three years removed from the collapse of Champlain Towers South that killed 98 people and shook the town to its core, Surfside is deeply divided, with a political scene that seems to be messier than ever before. At a Town Commission meeting that followed the rally Tuesday, nearly two dozen speakers lambasted Rose for going to the police about the alleged incident with Epstein, saying that even if Rose was pushed, he should not have filed a report against a teenage political opponent. Others criticized police for making an arrest without speaking to several witnesses who claimed that Epstein never pushed the vice mayor. Police arrested Epstein after Rose and an IT contractor for the town told police that the push did occur. Town officials have said there is no video of the incident, which took place inside commission chambers at Town Hall moments after a contentious candidate forum concluded. Rose told police on the night of the incident that he did not want to pursue charges but reversed course the next day, according to a supplemental police report issued this week. Tuesdays meeting featured the types of theatrics that have become common in Surfside politics, including spats involving well-known players like Salzhauer who donned an orange jumpsuit to protest her sons arrest and former Mayor Charles Burkett, a one-time political enemy of Salzhauer who has now become her unlikely ally as he runs against Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, who unseated Burkett two years ago. But also among the speakers at Town Hall were residents who said they rarely attend commission meetings but felt compelled to speak because they were so shaken by Epsteins arrest a sign of the incidents outsize impact on the community. Its really disturbing what happened, resident Joanna Katz said during a public comment period. I dont know how we got here. People attend a rally calling for Justice for Joshua before a town commission meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Surfside Town Hall. Joshua Epstein, an 18-year-old activist and the son of former Town Commissioner Eliana Salzhauer, was arrested for allegedly pushing Vice Mayor Jeff Rose at a candidate forum. Salzhauer said her son spent 27 hours in county jail without medication he needed before he was released. You have brought shame on this entire town, Salzhauer told Rose on Tuesday. A family man doesnt lock up another child with false accusations. Speaking from the dais, Rose, who owns a construction company, said he would not comment on the details of what happened. Epsteins case remains pending in Miami-Dade Circuit Court with a hearing set for April 1. Ultimately, professionals decided to make an arrest after careful consideration, said Rose, who did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Vice Mayor Jeff Rose watches former Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett speak during a commission meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Surfside Town Hall. Danzinger, the current mayor and an ally of Rose, talked about the situation in more detail. He suggested inappropriate behavior by town activists in the past including Salzhauer, who held up her middle fingers at Burkett during multiple town meetings when she was in office had led to the present-day chaos. Epstein has joined his mother as a vocal critic of Danzinger, demanding, among other things, that the mayor release receipts from an October 2022 trip he took to Dubai to meet with the developer of luxury condos planned at the Champlain Towers South collapse site. Several town officials and victims family members said they were unaware of the Dubai visit until it was reported by the Miami Herald. Danzinger said during Tuesdays meeting that Epstein and his parents should be held accountable for the alleged incident with Rose. If the allegations are accurate, are we okay with people now physically assaulting elected officials in Town Hall? Danzinger said. I personally teach my kids better. They dont act in that manner, and I think the parents need to start taking some responsibility. The statement was one of several by Danzinger on Tuesday that elicited groans and shouting from residents inside a packed commission chamber. During an argument about whether Epsteins lawyer should be granted extended time to address the commission, Danzinger chastised the bodys two female commissioners, Marianne Meischeid and Nelly Velasquez, for speaking over him as they pressed for the additional time to be granted. If you ladies are finished screaming, we have a motion, the mayor said. As the meeting was wrapping up, Meischeid said she wanted to make a closing statement at her final commission meeting. Meischeid is not seeking re-election, citing the toxic politics at Town Hall as her reason. Earlier in the meeting, Meischeid had sought to formally censure Rose for his role in the arrest of Epstein. But a motion to add it to the agenda failed 3-2, with Meischeid and Velasquez in favor. Danzinger, Rose and Commissioner Fred Landsman voted against it. I wish we could all follow the golden rule, Meischeid said. Danzinger got the last word before adjourning the meeting. For the record, the golden rule is, He who has the gold makes the rule, he said. Danzinger did not respond to a request for comment. Mayor Shlomo Danzinger speaks during a town commission meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Surfside Town Hall. A thorough investigation? In a March 4 statement, the town of Surfside said police conducted a thorough investigation and consulted with the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office before arresting Epstein. On Tuesday, Police Chief Antonio Marciante defended the arrest in an interview with WPLG, saying every arrest we make is based on probable cause. Marciante was not available for an interview Friday, according to town officials. Salzhauer said that, on the night of the Feb. 28 candidate forum, it was her son who first went to police to flag Roses behavior after the event, saying he felt intimidated. Epstein later posted a video on social media that showed an angry Rose pointing a finger at him. Keep pushing me, Josh, Rose says. You already pushed me once, and its on camera. I havent touched you, Epstein responds. If I did, Im sorry, I didnt mean to. I didnt push you, though. Salzhauer said she believes Roses subsequent decision to file a police report was a retaliatory claim. Police obtained a sworn written statement from Rose, who said Epstein pushed me away on my right shoulder as Rose was confronting another resident who got in the face of Roses mother. Rose said he lost his balance after Epstein pushed him and fell into Roses sister-in-law and another resident. A contractor who does IT work for the town, Jose Feliz, told police he witnessed Epstein pushing Rose in the chest area with both hands, according to a police report. Epsteins video, which was filmed moments after the alleged physical altercation, shows Feliz standing in between Rose and Epstein as the vice mayor walked toward the young activist. When Rose filed his sworn statement with police, he also signed a non-prosecution form indicating he did not want to press charges, according to records obtained by local activists and shared with the Herald. Salzhauer is calling for an independent investigation to find out what led Rose to change course and pursue charges the following day. We want accountability in Town Hall and an independent investigation now, she said. Epstein was arrested Friday, March 1, two days after the incident, as he was heading from his home in Surfside to a town pool to swim laps. After his arrest, four people who attended the Feb. 28 candidate forum filed witness statements with police saying they never saw Epstein push Rose. Salzhauer said police knew about those witnesses but declined to interview them during their investigation. The supplemental police report filed Thursday says Salzhauer shared a witness list with police about 20 minutes before Epstein was arrested. Former Town Commissioner Eliana Salzhauer attends a rally calling for justice for her son before a commission meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Surfside Town Hall. The incident quickly rippled across the town of about 5,000 residents. On March 10, an email went out to residents using the logo of The Shul, a large Orthodox synagogue in Surfside, purportedly on behalf of 86 members who said they condemned Epsteins arrest and urged voters not to support Rose and Danzinger. Less than two hours later, another email clarified that the group did not represent The Shul as an institution and had erroneously used its logo. The Shuls president, Steve Dunn, spoke during Tuesdays meeting to say the email was highly objectionable and that the synagogue was weighing its legal options to make sure something like this never happens again. To use the arrest of a young man to advance a political agenda is shameful, he said. Put your hand on your heart Rose, Danzinger and their allies have sought to pin blame on their detractors for the towns toxic political culture. An email earlier this week from an anonymous group called Surfside Tomorrow revealed police body camera footage of Velasquez, the commissioner, at Town Hall speaking with Feliz, the contractor who said he witnessed Epstein pushing the vice mayor. In the video, Velasquez tells Feliz in Spanish to remember that he has children and that God does not forget things. She says she could tell Felizs employer that he is saying things that arent true because what you are doing is wrong. Put your hand on your heart, Velasquez says. You are ending a boys life. And you didnt see anything. Town Commissioner Nelly Velasquez speaks during a commission meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Surfside Town Hall. Velasquez told the Miami Herald on Wednesday that she didnt approach Feliz to try to intimidate him. I didnt go over there to harass him or to threaten him in any way, she said. I just went to tell him to put his hand on his heart and think about the things that hes doing. Reached for comment Thursday, Feliz handed his phone to Town Manager Hector Gomez, who asked a Herald reporter to direct any inquiries to him and the towns communications director, Frank Trigueros. At this time, Town employees do not wish to provide direct statements to the media, Trigueros said in an email. Election coming up With commotion over the arrest looming, early voting began March 4 for Danzinger or Burkett for mayor. There are also 10 commission candidates vying for four seats. Current commissioners Rose, Velasquez and Landsman are on the ballot. Surfside election officials are paid an annual salary of $1. Danzinger, 44, was elected in March 2022 as the towns first Orthodox Jewish mayor, and has faced his share of controversy since taking office less than a year after the Champlain Towers South collapse. He convened a committee of victims family members to discuss the creation of a memorial on or near the collapse site but sparred at times with some of its members who called for more transparency in the process. Danzinger has said his trip to Dubai to meet with the sites developer was an attempt to advocate for a memorial, and he touts on his campaign website that he negotiated with [the] developer to obtain private land to be incorporated into [the] 88th Street memorial park at the request of family members. In 2022, Danzinger faced heat for not supporting the flying of a Pride flag at the towns community center after the flag had been flown there the year before. In August, he faced backlash after a commission meeting where, as he was urging a commissioner, Velasquez, to stop interrupting him, the mayor said: Does anybody know how to speak Spanish to tell it to her? Because Ive said it like four times. Velasquez is bilingual and speaks fluent English. Danzinger initially doubled down but apologized for the remark at the next meeting. Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger stands in front of Town Hall on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Burkett, 63, was also a controversial figure during his most recent stint in office. He was first elected mayor in 2006 and reelected in 2008, then successfully ran for mayor again in 2020. Burkett became a familiar face after the condo collapse, making frequent local and national media appearances and sometimes clashing with county officials over the towns lack of access to the property, which was considered a crime scene and therefore sealed off. As the town sought answers about why the building collapsed, Burkett floated a conspiracy theory that had been widely debunked. He also faced scrutiny during his time in office for his handling of a property he owns in Miami Beach, where tenants were forced to move out because of poor conditions. In one interaction with a female police officer that made headlines, Burkett said he had a crush on her and that she was the best looking police officer weve ever had. Former Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett reminds people about early voting during a rally before a town commission meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Surfside Town Hall. Salzhauer, a commissioner at the time, was his most vocal critic. In 2020, she gave Burkett the middle finger during a virtual meeting after he muted her microphone while he was arguing that Christians should be included in an anti-hate resolution as targets of discrimination during the COVID pandemic. Salzhauer flipped Burkett the double bird after he accused her of harboring apparent anti-Christian zeal. But political circumstances have since changed. Salzhauer now wants Danzinger out of office enough that shes supporting Burkett, while Burkett is running with a slate of four commission candidates, including Velasquez and former Vice Mayor Tina Paul, who say its time to shake up Town Hall and resist efforts to upzone a town with a history of pushing back against development. Burkett has pointed to a PAC supporting Danzinger, One Surfside, as evidence that outside forces are trying to influence the town. The group is led by Aaron Nevins a political operative best known for receiving 2016 election data from an alleged Russian hacker and received $20,000 from a different committee, Floridians Together for Change, chaired by a legislative aide to Florida Rep. Fabian Basabe. In an email to residents this past weekend, Burkett said he will ensure everyone is heard, everyone is respected, and everyone is treated fairly. Trust and integrity are not negotiable, he said. Neither is the future of our beautiful town. Prince Harry spoke to winners at their hotel via a video link hours after they were presented with awards by Prince William - The Diana Award/Casey Gutteridge/Reuters The winner of an award named after Diana, the late Princess of Wales, has revealed that the competing demands of her sons meant the event was held in two different venues, stretching over seven hours. Yusuf Ben-Tarifite, 23, was one of 20 young leaders to receive a Diana Legacy Award on Thursday evening. He has described how over the evening the winners, aged between nine and 25, were congratulated by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex four hours apart and at separate venues. Prince William delivered a speech at 7pm at the Science Museum, where he presented awards. The winners then had to return to their hotel, near Waterloo Station, nearly five miles away for a video call with Prince Harry, which took place between midnight and 1am. The two brothers remain estranged following a string of personal revelations and accusations made by Prince Harry. But both are keen supporters of the Diana Legacy Awards and have long championed the charity, which honours young people who work to improve the lives of others. Prince William presents an award to Joel Mordi of Nigeria at the Science Museum - ARTHUR EDWARDS/AFP via Getty Images Mr Ben-Tarifite, who founded an organisation called The Aspiring Medics to help students from diverse backgrounds pursue careers in medicine, described the evenings events as surreal. He arrived at the museum from his home in Oxford at 5.30pm. Prince William began handing out the awards at around 7.30pm before leaving the venue at 8.15pm. Guests started making their way back to the Hilton Hotel from 9pm onwards. Mr Ben-Tarifite told MailOnline: The Prince William thing was in person at the museum. The bit with Prince Harry was at a completely different venue. The whole thing went on from around 5.30pm until going into 1am. After the ceremony ended, we went to a hotel and it was done through a video link. Prince Harry addressed award winners via a video call between midnight and 1am - The Diana Award/Casey Gutteridge/Reuters It was actually a surprise for us that they kept it a secret. We knew beforehand that something was happening later in the evening so we had to keep our diaries free for that. It was at the hotel we were staying at. There were so many moving parts in the logistics of it but it was well organised and went very smoothly. He added: It was a really long day but everything seemed to happen really quickly over the span of a few hours. It was so surreal. Mr Ben-Tarifite insisted he had no complaints. I just feel super privileged to have received the award. Im so humble and grateful for it. The way it did pan out made it more of a unique experience. It was kind of magical in a way there was something going on at midnight. Its like a Cinderella tale right there. He said Prince William had been particularly interested in his time management, asking how he managed to juggle the competing demands of medical school with his work for the organisation. Meanwhile, Prince Harry was generally giving encouraging advice and said he was proud of all of us to be able to continue on with his mothers legacy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The US Department of Defense has explained that the announcement of first US$300 million security assistance package for Ukraine this year was a "unique circumstance" amidst congressional opposition to additional funding. Source: Sabrina Singh, spokeswoman for the US Department of Defense, at a briefing, as reported by European Pravda Details: The spokeswoman for the US Department of Defense responded to the question of whether other departments will see an opportunity to provide Ukraine with similar assistance after this money arrived at the Pentagon as a result of savings in contracts already signed to replace the weapons transferred to Kyiv. Quote: "If there are any other contracts that come in under bid, we'd certainly keep you updated," Singh said. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Joe Biden believed it was critical to use those contracts to deliver an emergency aid package to Ukraine as the Russian army moved forward. When asked if the US Army had such contracts, she stated that "it's only the Army right now." At the same time, Singh declined to confirm whether the US administration decided to transfer ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine, as reported by the media. Earlier, the US announced the transfer of a US$300 million security assistance package to Ukraine, the first one since late 2023, as additional funding has been blocked by the US Congress. The US Congress has failed to approve a new aid package for Ukraine, which has been in the works since autumn 2023, largely over Republicans and Democrats disagreeing over US border security measures that were part of the bill. The US Senate voted to approve a bipartisan bill on aid for Ukraine in February 2024, but Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, a Republican, blocked the bill in Congress. Johnson said that the Congress would consider the bill on additional funding for Ukraine as soon as federal government funding was in place. Support UP or become our patron! GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A red panda born at John Ball Zoo has died. Officials at Zoo Atlanta have announced that Ruby, a 3-year-old female, died unexpectedly last week. Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter The definitive cause of Rubys death is not yet known. Preliminary findings of a necropsy, or the non-human equivalent of an autopsy, indicated a mesenteric torsion, the zoo said in a statement. This is often a fatal condition that occurs when the intestines twist. Zoo Atlanta will work with their partners at the University of Georgia to confirm the findings. Ruby was part of a litter of three red panda cubs born to Wasabi and Wyatt in June 2020. Ruby, Rose and Willow were all transferred to a zoo in Knoxville in 2021. According to Zoo Atlanta, Ruby and Rose were transferred to Georgia in February 2023. John Ball Zoo helps launch program to save red pandas This is a devastating loss for Zoo Atlanta, Sam Rivera, the zoos Vice President of Animal Health, said in a statement. Our thoughts are with Rubys care team who, like all of the Animal Care Teams at Zoo Atlanta, are deeply committed to the animals and devote each day to their superior care and well-being. Red pandas are considered an endangered animal. There are believed to be fewer than 2,500 adults in the wild, with the population decline blamed on the destruction of the bamboo forests where they live in the Himalayan Mountains. John Ball Zoo has been working as part of a breeding program for several years now and is a founding member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE species program dedicated to boosting the red panda population. Rubys father, Wyatt, was brought to John Ball Zoo in 2017. Rubys mother, Wasabi, was brought to Grand Rapids in 2019. They have had two litters of cubs together. Wyatt also fathered two cubs with a different mate before coming to John Ball Zoo. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Editors Note: A version of this article first appeared in the Reliable Sources newsletter. Sign up for the daily digest chronicling the evolving media landscape here. Fox News is the subject of yet another explosive lawsuit. On the two-year anniversary of the attack in Ukraine that claimed the lives of Fox News photojournalist Pierre Zakrzewski and contractor Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, the network was accused Thursday of being culpable for the fatal incident by engaging in reckless and negligent conduct that put the crew in harms way. The network was also accused of launching a campaign of material misrepresentations and omissions to hide its own accountability for the disaster and shift blame to then-security contractor Shane Thomson, who allegedly warned against the crew entering the dangerous zone near Kyiv where they were killed. The lawsuit, filed by Kuvshynovas parents and Thomson in New York State court, not only named Fox News as a defendant, but also Fox Corporation Chairman Emeritus Rupert Murdoch, Fox News Chief Executive Suzanne Scott, and correspondent Benjamin Hall, who was severely injured in the attack, but survived. Both deaths were announced at the time by Scott, who said the teams vehicle came under fire as they were reporting. Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister, blamed artillery shelling by Russian forces. But the circumstances that led to the 2022 tragedy, the lawsuit stated, were uncovered as part of a sweeping investigation conducted by lawyers for Thomson and Kuvshynovas parents to get to the bottom of what happened on March 14, 2022. Their probe found that the circumstances that led to the attack were set into motion when the Fox News team disregarded warnings to avoid the Irpin-Hostomel area near Kyiv. The mayor of Irpin had barred journalists from the city and Thomson, the security contractor, had vetoed the idea of reporting from the area, according to the lawsuit. Disregarding such security warnings would be unusual in a war zone and Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, who was also reporting from the area at the time, had indicated days prior to the incident that the networks journalists were following protocol. Heading to the area was considered so dangerous, the lawsuit said, that the Ukrainian driver who had been working with the Fox News team refused to take them there, forcing the crew to find a different driver. Story continues Eventually, when the crew arrived in the region, they rendezvoused with a few Ukrainian soldiers, who had previously escorted The New York Times reporters into the area. Thats when they realized the vehicle the soldiers were driving was not large enough to carry all of them, the lawsuit said. The team decided to leave their security consultant behind, the lawsuit explained. The absence of the security contractor was vital, as the crew made fatal mistakes, the lawsuit said. The Fox News crew ultimately stopped at an abandoned checkpoint where they were attacked. According to the lawsuit, the car caught fire and Sasha was burned to ashes inside it, causing her death. Zakrzewski, the lawsuit said, managed to escape the car but bled to death at the side of the road from a small puncture wound in his leg. The lawsuit alleged that the bleeding could easily have been stemmed to save his life if the security contractor trained in battlefield first aid had been present. Hall survived the attack and was later found grievously injured before being taken for emergency medical care. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the lawsuit alleged that Fox News has tried to cover up its failures and hide them from the public. Fox News took all electronic gear that survived the attack and withheld any record of any evaluation or re-evaluation of the crews assignment, the lawsuit said. The account of the attack that Hall later recounted in his book published by HarperCollins, the lawsuit added, was misleading. And, the lawsuit said, Fox News has attempted to impose non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements on all the surviving family members. The lawsuit also alleged that after the fatal incident, Fox News tasked Thomson with transporting Zakrzewskis body across the Polish border to his widow. The lawsuit said that Thomson objected to the assignment, but was told he had to complete it, and was later let go from his employment without explanation. He was severely traumatized by the combined experience of his colleagues being killed, transporting the dead body of his friend, and then being dismissed, the lawsuit said. Shane reached out to Fox repeatedly for assistance with the trauma. Fox never responded, even after Shane attempted suicide by hanging. The lawsuit alleged that Thomson has had trouble finding work because he is frequently associated with the Fox News disaster of being security advisor for the crew that was killed in Irpin the day after journalists were banned from the area. The lawsuit also alleged that Fox News employees spread a bogus story that he had a drinking problem in Kyiv at the time of the fatal incident, insinuating that this was the cause of the disastrous assignment in which Pierre and Sasha were killed. Kuvshynovas parents and Thomson are seeking unspecified punitive damages. Sasha Kuvshynovas final text message responding to her parents, who were highly alarmed by the dangerousness of the situation unfolding on March 14, with Russian forces closing in on Kyiv was not to worry, the lawsuit said, because Fox was a professional news organization that knew what it was doing and would not expose her to unnecessary danger. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Rodney Wells speaks at a prayer gathering to honor the life of his stepson, Tyre Nichols, at the corner where Nichols was fatally beaten in Memphis, on Jan. 30, 2023. (Desiree Rios/The New York Times) NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee Republicans moved Thursday to overrule a change to the policing of Memphis, Tennessee, traffic laws that was a direct response to the death of Tyre Nichols, who was fatally beaten by officers last year during a traffic stop. A new Memphis law, supported by Nichols family and seen by many as a crucial reform in the weeks after his death, had prevented the police from intervening over more minor traffic offenses, such as a broken taillight. On Thursday, the Republican-dominated legislature passed a bill prohibiting any local law that prevents the police from making traffic stops based on observation of or reasonable suspicion that someone in a car had violated the law. The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Background The legislation does not directly name Memphis or the law, which was overwhelmingly approved by the City Council after Nichols death last January. But the Memphis Republicans who led the push to override the ordinance explicitly criticized it as an impediment to controlling crime. It remains unclear why Nichols was stopped. Police officers brutally beat and kicked him despite his efforts to comply with their demands. The violence, captured on camera, horrified the nation and led to further scrutiny of the Memphis Police Department and its heavy handed tactics. What It Means: Fears of increased crime override calls for police reform. Republicans had rallied around the measure as a means of reducing crime in the state, listing instances where a minor traffic infraction had led officers to uncovering drug trafficking and violent crimes. Its time to take handcuffs off police and put them on criminals where they belong, said state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis. But Democrats warned that the Republican supermajority was undoing a key reform. Its a slap in the face, said state Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, adding that the ordinance did not impede efforts to stop reckless driving or violence in the city. Republicans, however, denied that the bill would cause additional harm. Behind the Tensions: A running fight between the legislature and Tennessees biggest cities. The Republicans in control of state government have repeatedly taken aim at the autonomy of Tennessees largest, and largely Democratic-led, cities. In the past couple years, the legislature has sought to exert its authority over Nashville and Memphis, whose leaders are increasingly at odds with the Republican proposals in the legislature. Nashville, in particular, has battled legislation that would shrink the size of its council and overtake the board of its airport authority. We have to do everything in our power to protect local control when it comes to matters of life and death of our community, state Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, told reporters Thursday. Tyre Nichols family: We worked too hard to get this passed. Nichols mother, RowVaughn Wells, and his stepfather, Rodney Wells, drove from Memphis to the state Capitol in Nashville repeatedly this month, pleading with lawmakers to allow the law to remain in place. Coming back to Nashville is the easy part because we want to see justice done, Wells said Thursday. We worked too hard to get this passed. But the pair, after speaking with Taylor, the lead Senate sponsor, left before it was debated. Taylor confirmed that he declined their request to delay debate and passage, adding afterward that he thought it best to go ahead and have closure for the family and also the community back home. c.2024 The New York Times Company 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. Women over 35 and those facing serious diseases like cancer, lupus and sickle cell are among the most likely to turn to IVF to build the families they desperately want. But in Alabama, they are among those whose dreams are in limbo after three of the state's largest clinics paused IVF services. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) Antiabortion lawmakers on Capitol Hill are facing a quiet pressure campaign by some of their most influential supporters to ramp up their defense that frozen embryos should legally be considered people and advocate for legislation that would codify a central driving force of antiabortion policies. In the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos created and stored for in vitro fertilization treatments are unborn children - and that those who destroy them could be held liable under a wrongful death law - ardent abortion opponents at the Heritage Foundation and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, among other groups, have sought to push lawmakers and state legislatures toward regulating IVF treatments in the United States. That could include limiting the number of embryos created during a round of IVF, legally codifying the recommended guidelines for embryos transferred during IVF cycles and limiting the use of pre-implantation genetic testing. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Opponents of the effort argue that the end game is an overly burdensome regulatory environment that could eventually lead to IVF clinic closures and is part of the broader creep toward legislation that puts limits on reproductive care and abortion. The politics of reproductive health issues have left Republicans flummoxed - in particular the Republican House majority, which has wrestled with advancing its antiabortion offensive - since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Antiabortion stalwarts cheered the ascension of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), a longtime opponent of abortion; but since taking the gavel, he has clearly stated that he did not have the cultural nor political consensus to bring a federal abortion ban to the House floor for a vote. A Gallup poll conducted last year showed a record-high 69 percent of Americans favor legal abortion in the first three months of pregnancy, and a recent CBS News-YouGov poll found that an even higher 86 percent of Americans think IVF should be legal. Still, talking points distributed to congressional lawmakers by the Heritage Foundation in recent weeks encouraged members to talk about the Alabama decision as a reassurance for parents who rely on IVF that their children will receive the same legal protections as everyone elses and suggested that lawmakers call for every state legislature to establish clear legal framework for the industry that limits the destruction of unborn human life. The memo also pointed to other countries that could serve as a model for IVF regulation in the United States and that prohibit the wanton production and destruction of human embryos, like Germany, Italy, France, New Zealand and Australia. A lot of members are still wrapping their head around things and trying to get a good grasp on what good regulation would look like - how do we reconcile a pro-life commitment to protecting an embryo from the moment of conception with how IVF is routinely practiced? said Emma Waters, a research associate at the Heritage Foundations DeVos Center for Life, Religion, and Family. After backlash to the Alabama court decision, the state legislature passed a bill that provides civil and criminal immunity to IVF patients and clinics. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America in a statement blasted state lawmakers for that decision and encouraged Congress to think critically about addressing ethical, safety, and accountability concerns. Congress should be more thoughtful in its crafting of IVF legislation than Alabama, where their legislature recently gave blanket immunity to IVF clinics - even for rogue practitioners who switch embryos, fail to follow basic safety standards, or negligently destroy embryos desired by infertile couples, a spokesperson said in a statement. These are real scenarios for which families in Alabama will have no recourse. But the principal piece of antiabortion legislation that GOP lawmakers have rallied behind for several years, and encompasses IVF, has also been caught in the fallout of the Alabama ruling. The Life at Conception Act, first introduced by House Republicans in 2021 and again in 2023, recognizes a fertilized egg as a human being entitled to legal protections under the 14th Amendment and would ban nearly all abortions nationwide. Unlike the Senate version of the bill, the House version does not designate an exception for IVF, meaning access to the procedure would not be protected if the bill is signed into law. The draft bill does, however, specify that it does not authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child. Some House Republicans have recently backed away from the bill that had previously been viewed primarily as a messaging vehicle but has now become a political liability. Yet for antiabortion advocates, the bill does not go far enough in addressing IVF, lacking clear guidelines around embryos. Some prominent voices in the antiabortion movement have been concerned by what they view as a lack of consistency among GOP lawmakers who are now shying away from the issue. Im concerned that legislators who are clear in saying that they believe life begins at conception and they have a pro-life stance are not understanding what is at stake with the way IVF is practiced, which is to treat human embryos as really disposable, said Joseph Meaney, the president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center. If you have one stance, then you should really keep another stance. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus and one of the Houses leading antiabortion advocates, said he wasnt sure yet what a regulatory framework around the reproductive technology meant in specific terms but suggested that certain practices related to IVF be outlawed or prohibited. He also noted that he has been a longtime proponent of the movement to adopt embryos that are no longer wanted by the biological parents and downplayed the political risks associated with tackling the topic. The problem with the IVF issue is that theres nothing outlawed, Smith said in an interview with The Washington Post last week. There is a concern that people mistreat or destroy so-called spare embryos. Theres no such thing as a spare human being. Youre trying to protect them to the greatest extent possible and dont let somebody just pour them down the drain. Smith - a 43-year incumbent who represents a ruby-red district - has largely dedicated his career in Congress to the antiabortion movement, introducing numerous bills to limit the use of federal funding for abortion, both domestically and abroad. But even some of Smiths counterparts in the House Pro-Life Caucus have steered clear of staking out a position on regulating IVF in recent weeks. In 2016, Pro-Life Caucus member Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) introduced an amendment to prohibit the disposal or destruction of embryos created through fertility treatments provided by the federal government for veterans with injuries that impacted their reproductive system. The proposal ultimately failed, and critics - and even some GOP lawmakers - at the time argued that it would severely restrict fertility treatments or negatively impact the health of patients who might be potentially forced to implant multiple embryos at once. But Harris declined to answer questions from The Post this month about whether IVF should be regulated. Johnson told reporters at the annual Republican issues conference in West Virginia on Thursday that IVF is something that should be protected - but in an ethical way. He punted the issue to the states, however, asserting that it is not my belief that Congress needs to play a role here, he said. I think this is being handled by the states. For vulnerable GOP lawmakers facing competitive reelection races this cycle, Johnsons arms-length approach has provided a welcome respite for members wary of alienating voters. Rep. Michelle Steel, an incumbent Republican up for reelection in Californias 45th District, removed her support for the Life at Conception bill this month over questions about whether it would ban IVF. In an op-ed for the Orange County Register, she spelled out her belief that life begins at conception and maintained that she is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest, and the health and life of the mother but came out against federal restrictions on IVF. Having experienced it firsthand in starting a family, I am an ardent supporter of IVF, Steel wrote. I believe nothing is more pro-life than helping families have children and I do not support federal restrictions on IVF. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in an interview on Thursday that he advised his colleagues to talk about what you believe and warned that avoiding the topic only allows Democrats to define the GOP position. My advice is that every candidate, every member ought to tell voters what your position is, what you actually believe, and you ought to do it with empathy, recognizing what a tough situation this is for the woman, for the families going through it, Hudson added. Steel co-sponsored a nonbinding resolution with Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) and Juan Ciscomani (R-Az.), who also represent competitive districts, that expressed support for access to IVF. Only one GOP lawmaker has so far come out in support of legislation that would override state restrictions and provide federal protections for IVF. Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro (R-N.Y.), who represents a district President Biden won in 2020, signed on to the legislation of Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) on Wednesday. Those who follow suit are likely to be targeted by outside groups: Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America panned a separate nonbinding resolution circulated by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) for leaving no room for reasonable laws like the one in Louisiana that for decades has protected human embryos while also allowing IVF. Louisiana fertility clinics have for decades circumvented a ban on the destruction of embryos by shipping embryos out of state for storage - what reproductive rights experts view as a burdensome and expensive workaround that creates hurdles for those seeking care. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), who chairs the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, blocked a bill last month to protect nationwide access to IVF and defended the Alabama court decision while saying she supports access to IVF. Hyde-Smiths objection to the approval of the Senate measure came on the same day the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, an influential group of conservative American Catholics, wrote to Senate lawmakers calling on them to oppose a bill. Contrary to what some have claimed, a position that supports legal enshrinement of IVF, however well-intended, is neither pro-life nor pro-child, a quartet of bishops who signed the letter wrote. Approaches such as investing in life-affirming research on infertility, or strengthening support for couples who desire to adopt, would be better to explore. Democrats have quickly mobilized to centralize the issue ahead of the November election, calling congressional Republicans out for what they describe as toothless statements of support for IVF, while Republican-controlled state legislatures have passed bills that may impact access to fertility treatments. During his State of the Union address last week, President Biden called on Congress to establish federal protections for IVF and highlighted the story of a guest whose IVF treatment was impacted by the Alabama Supreme Court decision. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently targeted Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa), who both represent swing districts, for declining to sign on to legislation protecting fertility treatments after the Iowa House passed a bill that criminalizes the death of an unborn person. Miller-Meeks did not respond to request for comment, and a spokesperson for Nunn passed along a general statement of support for IVF but did not directly address whether the congressman supports the legislation passed in the Iowa House, where he previously served. As a father of six, Ill never have a more important title than Dad, Nunn said in the statement. I believe anyone who is hoping to start their family should absolutely have access to the tools to do so, including IVF, fertility treatments, or adoption. - - - Marianna Sotomayor contributed to this report. Related Content Race is an ever present source of tension in Trump Georgia case The Taliban once smashed TVs. Now it fosters YouTubers to promote its image. This agency is tasked with keeping AI safe. Its offices are crumbling. Russia targeted emergency workers who were called to the scene of a missile strike in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa - STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/via REUTERS Double tap Russian missile strikes hit a residential district of Odesa on Friday, killing at least 20 people, including emergency workers, and wounding more than 70. The first missile damaged 10 houses in the Black Sea port city and soon after Ukrainian emergency services arrived at the scene, a second strike killed rescue workers. The tactic of firing a second missile at the same location, aiming to hit rescuers, is known in military circles as a double tap. Such strikes often kill civilians. Russia has stepped up its attacks on the southern city in recent weeks, launching drones or missiles almost every day. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president said Russia would receive a fair response from Ukrainian forces for what he said was a vile strike. Two Iskander-M missiles fired from the Russian-occupied Crimea peninsula damaged civilian infrastructure and gas and electricity supply lines in the southern city, Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, said on national television. Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, wrote on the Telegram messaging app: As a result of the Russian missile attack, 14 people were killed, including local residents, a medic and a rescuer. The medic and rescuer were killed by the second missile as they treated people hurt in the initial strike, Mr Kiper added. Ukrainian rescuers carry a colleague injured in a Russian missile strike on the port city of Odesa - STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/via REUTERS A low pressure gas pipeline and rescue vehicles were damaged in the attack, along with 10 houses, emergency services said. Rescuers battled to put out fires on the pipeline and in a house across an area of 120 square metres. Odesa, one of Ukraines biggest ports, has long been a target of Russian attacks, especially after Moscow walked away from a UN-brokered deal that allowed safe passage for Ukrainian grain shipments, via the Black Sea. Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian presidential chief of staff, wrote on Telegram: The Russian terror in Odesa is a sign of the weakness of the enemy, which is fighting against Ukrainian civilians at a time when it cannot guarantee the safety of people on its own territory. Ukraine has developed and used long-range drones to try to strike back at Russia, stepping up attacks on a string of oil refineries this week in the run-up to Russias March 15-17 presidential election. Russia denies targeting civilians in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that it launched in February 2022, although many have been killed in its air strikes across the country. 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. All residents of 22 settlements in the three districts of Sumy Oblast near the Russian border have evacuated. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Details: A total of 4,523 people, including 829 children, have been evacuated from the dangerous areas of Sumy Oblast. In particular, more than 180 residents have left Velyka Pysarivka hromada in the Okhtyrka district, where the security situation is currently the most acute, over the past three days [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories]. The largest number of people 84 residents, including 20 children left Velyka Pysarivka after heavy attacks on the hromada. In the last five days alone, attacks on the hromada killed 3 people and injured 13, Sumy Oblast Military Administration says. Regional authorities in cooperation with the military and law enforcement are organising evacuation of residents there. For those seeking to evacuate the border area, Sumy Oblast Military Administration urged residents to contact local authorities. Support UP or become our patron! Russia is believed to have jammed the satellite signal of a Royal Air Force aircraft used to transport U.K. Defence Minister Grant Shapps, a government source and journalists travelling with Shapps told Reuters on March 14. The aircraft, which was travelling back to Britain from Poland on March 13, was jammed for about 30 minutes as it flew by Russia's Kaliningrad region. GPS signal and internet on board the aircraft were inaccessible for the duration of the aircraft's flight near Kaliningrad. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed that the incident occurred on Wednesday, noting that the incident was "not unusual." "While travelling back from Poland yesterday, the plane carrying the Defence Secretary and his delegation temporarily experienced GPS jamming when they flew close to Kaliningrad," the spokesperson told Reuters. "It didn't threaten the safety of the aircraft and it is not unusual for aircraft to experience GPS jamming near Kaliningrad, which is of course Russian territory." Russia has also been accused of jamming GPS signals in nearby countries such as Finland as far back as the 2010s. The incident may have been in response to Shapps announcement about the extended deployment of British Sky Saber air defense systems in Poland through the end of 2024. In its daily assessment, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that similar incidents occurred across the Baltics and Poland in late December 2023 and early January 2024, and may be linked to Russian electronic warfare activity in Kaliningrad. Read also: Estonian general: Russia likely responsible for uptick in GPS jamming in Eastern Europe Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced it was offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in a west valley letter carrier robbery. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the robbery happened at around 11:15 a.m. on March 4, 2024 in the 11000 block of Village Ridge Lane. The suspect, shown in the pictures below, left the scene in a vehicle, also shown below, after the robbery. Suspect vehicle in March 4 USPS letter carrier robbery. (U.S. Postal Inspection Service) Suspect in March 4 USPS letter carrier robbery. (U.S. Postal Inspection Service) Suspect in March 4 USPS letter carrier robbery. (U.S. Postal Inspection Service) Anyone with information about the incident should contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455. The reference number is 4264622-ROBB. Robbery of a USPS employee is a federal offense punishable by up to 25 years in prison. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The regional court in Belarus' Homyel sentenced Ukrainian citizen Nataliia Zakharenko to nine years in prison on espionage charges, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on March 15, citing its sources and Zakharenko's relatives. Grounds of the accusations are unclear as the trial, ongoing since Feb. 15, was held behind closed doors, the outlet said. Under dictator Alexander Lukashenko's regime, the Belarusian state uses heavy repressions to crack down against its real or imagined opponents. Lukashenko is also a close ally of Russia and supports Russian aggression against Ukraine. Zakharenko disappeared last July while on her way to Mazyr, Belarus, where her sister lives. The woman regularly traveled between Chernihiv and Mazyr through Poland, transporting people, animals, and things, RFE/RL said. According to the Poland-based outlet Belsat, Zakharenko traveled to Belarus to help Ukrainians who ended up in Belarus due to the war return home. She reportedly took out around 30 people. In addition to the prison sentence, the court reportedly confiscated her minibus. Zakharenko's Belarusian friend, Larisa Krupa, was fined 4,000 Belarusian rubles (around $1,200) for not reporting the alleged "crimes." According to the human rights group Vyasna, at least five people have been convicted in Belarus for purpoted cooperation with Ukrainian intelligence since the start of the full-scale war. Read also: Belarus Weekly: Lukashenkos Belarus abducts more Ukrainian children Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Chinese electric-vehicle maker BYD is running into challenges in its overseas expansion, finding that its rapid growth at home doesnt necessarily translate into quick success in big foreign markets such as Europe. Most Read from The Wall Street Journal Executives at BYD, which overtook Tesla late last year as the top global seller of EVs, said the issues included weak market demand, too-high pricing, quality control and internal tension over how quickly BYD should seek to grab market share. They said the companys inexperience showed in some problems that have arisen, such as the handling of mold in cars and the piling up of thousands of vehicles in European warehouses. BYD has taken the EV industry by storm with breakneck growth. - focke strangmann/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images BYD has taken the EV industry by storm with breakneck growth, mostly in its home market, where it has become the No. 1 carmaker by overall sales. Executives said the company was unlikely to achieve the leaderships internal target of selling 400,000 cars outside China this year, compared with 242,765 sold last year. The shortfall is partly because of a global slowdown in EV sales growth as well as issues specific to BYD. In Europe, BYD sold around 16,000 vehicles in 2023, according to registration data compiled by Jato Dynamics, below an internal target set the previous year for the continent. A BYD representative said The Wall Street Journals reporting was inconsistent with facts. The company didnt provide details about the discrepancies. BYD is very satisfied with the achievements made by our overseas teams, including the one in Europe, the representative said, adding that the company has been exporting EVs for just two years and is confident about its overseas business. Story continues Under Chairman Wang Chuanfu, BYD hopes to follow in the footsteps of Japanese and South Korean automakers that built themselves into global brands. The Warren Buffett-backed company is building from a strong foundation, having earned the equivalent of about $4 billion in 2023, nearly double the previous years figure. Its market capitalization has fallen by more than a fifth since last summer because of concerns about the slowing EV growth rate but remains above $70 billion, more than either Ford Motor or General Motors. BYDs Asian forerunners had overseas learning curves. In 1991, South Koreas Hyundai had to recall almost all of its 1986-89 Excel models sold in the U.S., its most popular car among Americans at the time, owing to an engine problem that could lead to fires. It took an outsize warranty offer by Hyundai to win over consumers, and later its quality ratings improved. BYD has avoided major quality issues affecting a large number of consumers. Still, incidents have occurred affecting both passenger and commercial vehicles. In January, a BYD bus in London caught fire, prompting U.K. authorities to recall nearly 2,000 buses. No one was hurt. Authorities cited a problem with the vehicles heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system that could result in fires when they were left unattended. One internal concern involves the number of fixes or repairs that passenger-car models exported from China require before they can be sold to consumers. Post-import touch-ups are common in the auto industry, but BYD models often require more extensive fixes than most, executives and people handling the cars said, reflecting in part what they see as the companys inexperience in handling long-distance logistics. Recently, vehicles have arrived in Japan with surface imperfections such as dings, scratches and parts that need replacing to meet local standards, while in Europe, some vehicles have arrived from China containing mold, they said. The issue wasnt so much the existence of mold, which is known to grow in cars shipped over long distances, but concern that the vehicles didnt receive professional treatment with an ionization process to remove spores fully. A smattering of BYD quality issues have become public, including complaints about paint and plastics peeling in Thailand and vehicles warping under the weight of roof racks in Israel, where its EV sales have been strong. One BYD executive described overseas customers reception of BYD vehicles as similar to going to a decent restaurant but finding the plate is chipped. Executives have flagged concerns internally that the system of ad-hoc fixes to imported vehicles, while perhaps manageable for a small number, wouldnt work for the kind of large-scale business BYD hopes to build. People at the company said global sales targets issued by top leaders in China are broken down by region and relayed to local business heads, and they often dont factor in each markets situation. The companys sales targets resulted in friction at a meeting late last year. A BYD executive in Europe questioned their feasibility and said the European goals couldnt be met because of problems such as weak demand and the need for quality fixes, said people at BYD who attended the meeting or were briefed on it. BYDs Wang questioned the drive of the Europe leadership, they said, and he and other executives have stepped in to oversee operations in Europe more directly. BYD hopes to follow in the footsteps of Japanese and South Korean automakers that built themselves into global brands. - ANGELIKA WARMUTH/REUTERS BYD vehicles cost a lot more overseas than in China, which diminishes the companys ability to compete with better-known brands on price. BYDs flagship export model, the Atto 3, costs more than $41,000 in Germany, its biggest European market, as the company seeks to widen profit margins. That price is 5% lower than Volkswagens comparable ID.3 compact crossover EV after price cuts from both brands. The same BYD car sells for less than $20,000 in China. BYD rolled out dealer networks, new models and product promotions too late to catch EV sales before they fell off in countries including Germany late last year when subsidies for EV buyers were phased out, said analysts and dealers. BYD has begun chartering ocean carriers to ship its cars to Europe and elsewhere. After an initial ship with capacity of up to 7,000 vehicles was dispatched in January, Wang said in February that the company planned to use an additional seven ocean carriers over the next two years. Meanwhile, as of the end of last year, more than 10,000 BYD passenger cars were waiting in warehouses in Europe, people at the company said, and the certificates authorizing them to be sold in the European Union are set to expire soon, meaning it may not be possible to sell them in Europe. For now, the Chinese carmakers biggest export destinations are Thailand and Brazil, where it is the bestselling brand and driving EV growth in a nascent market. BYD is opening new factories in both of these countries, as well as in Uzbekistan and Hungary. BYD sold more than 12,000 vehicles in Australia last year, one of its bright spots overseas. In January, it began offering rebates of more than $1,300 for its most popular EV model there. Write to Selina Cheng at selina.cheng@wsj.com, River Davis at river.davis@wsj.com and Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com Most Read from The Wall Street Journal Royal Caribbean announced suspensions of planned stops to Labadee, the cruise lines private resort on Haitis northern shore, in the wake of continued violence and lawlessness in the island nation. The announcement on Thursday came a day after Royal Caribbean said it would continue stopping at its private resort while monitoring for safety threats. The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority. Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we are temporarily making adjustments to sailings visiting Labadee, the cruise line announced. Related Articles So far, the suspension is in effect until March 22, the cruise line said. Plans beyond that date will be announced as decisions are made. We will continue to monitor and reassess calls as needed, and will communicate updates with guests directly, the statement said. The U.S. State Department has maintained a Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti since July 27, 2023, due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. Kidnapping is widespread and victims regularly include U.S. citizens, the alert states. The situation took a turn for the worse in early March as gangs attacked government buildings and the National Penitentiary, releasing an estimated 4,000 inmates. This week, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation. Labadee is an enclosed resort, built on a peninsula accessible only to Royal Caribbean guests and employees, that the cruise line has leased since the 1980s. The 260-acre property is located about 130 miles north of Port-au-Prince, where most of the violence is taking place. Travel by car from the capital to the resort takes six to eight hours. The resort features a roller coaster, fishing and jet-ski areas, cabanas and beach access. Private security protects cruise ship customers when Royal Caribbeans ships stop there. Itineraries of six ships will be affected by the suspension, which is scheduled to last through March 22. Five of the six ships depart from Florida ports. They are: Symphony of the Seas, departing Port Everglades on March 18. Labadee stop replaced by a sea day. Falmouth, Jamaica call time adjusted to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Explorer of the Seas, departing Port Miami on March 17. Labadee stop replaced by Perfect Day at Coco Cay with a call time of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oasis of the Seas, departing Port Miami on March 17. Labadee stop replaced by Falmouth, Jamaica, with a call time of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grandeur of the Seas, departing Port Miami on March 18. Labadee stop replaced by Perfect Day at CocoCay with a call time of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adventure of the Seas, departing Port Canaveral on March 15. Labadee stop replaced by Grand Turk with a call time of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mariner of the Seas, departing Port Canaveral on March 16. Labadee stop replaced by Nassau, Bahamas with a call time of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has suspended stops to Labadee because of unrest in Haiti. In 2016, the cruise line canceled three stops by Freedom of the Seas after encountering local residents in small boats staging a protest. Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com. FRIANT, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) An event to raise money and awareness for a nonprofit that helps children and adults with intellectual disabilities will be held in Fresno County over the weekend. Organizers expect over 70 participants at the Plunge and say they will take a chilly run straight into Millerton Lake. Organizers say Punglers must raise a minimum of $125 to enjoy the full festivities as well as receive a Polar Plunge t-shirt and lunch. Cool School participants must raise a minimum of $50 to Plunge but must raise a minimum of $125 to earn the t-shirt and lunch. According to organizers, members of law enforcement annually take the Plunge, along with Special Olympics athletes and members of the community. The proceeds from the Fresno Polar Plunge benefit SONC to provide free year-round sports, health, schools, and leadership programs for local children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The event will be hosted on Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Millerton Lake Crows Nest Boat Lunch located at 5290 Millerton Rd in Friant. To register and for more information, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. The looming international military intervention threatens to perpetuate a security boom-and-bust cycle in Haiti, as gang power consolidates its grasp on the countrys power base. The State Department is treating an international military or police presence in Haiti as all but a given as the country is poised to adopt a transitional council to rebuild top government structures in the wake of acting Prime Minister Ariel Henrys resignation. To be eligible for membership in the transitional council announced Monday in Kingston, Jamaica Haitian leaders must follow a set of conditions, including support for an international security mission. That condition has rubbed some Haitian advocates the wrong way, as it imposes a critical policy posture on anyone who wants to participate in the countrys immediate political future. The transitional council is the product of talks among the United States, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Canada, France, Brazil and Mexico. Members of Haitian civil society participated via Zoom, but the extent to which Haitians led the discussion is a matter of debate. Nearly 40 representatives of diverse sectors of Haitian society participated via Zoom in Mondays discussions in Kingston. This broad cross-section of Haitian society drove the talks over months of conversations on Haitis political path forward both on their own and with the facilitation of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group, a State Department spokesperson told The Hill in an email Thursday. But Haiti advocates say the precondition to support a multinational security force by definition excludes civil society and political groups who opposed Henry and his open-arms acceptance of foreign security assistance. Imposing that condition on it increases the probability of the mission happening, because what theyve done is theyve effectively sidelined people whove been critiquing the mission for two years, said Brian Concannon, executive director of the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti. Though Henry never officially became president or prime minister he came to power in the turmoil following President Jovenel Moises assassination in 2021 he is the longest-tenured head of government in Haiti since the end of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986. For 32 months, Henrys grip on power relied heavily on U.S. support, and he enthusiastically sought and received United Nations support for an international force and lobbied Kenya to deploy it. Kenya was selected for the mission by the international community, and Kenyan President William Ruto was supportive, but the effort got mired in Kenyas court system amid legal challenges. The effort to recruit Kenya ultimately led to Henrys political demise, as gang violence at the Port-au-Prince airport prevented his plane from landing in the country after a mission to East Africa. That violence drew international attention and spurred U.S. action, with multiple reports focusing on the colorful characters leading the gangs. But the interconnectedness of gangs, business and political groups has been somewhat overlooked, as has the growth of gang activity under Henry. That oversight could ultimately favor the gangs. Theyre putting parties that have a chance of winning fair elections in a really tough spot. Youre faced with: either you go along with this mission, which most of them have denounced for two years, and not only are you making the mission more likely, youre also losing credibility with Haitian voters, Concannon said. The other choice is to sit out and allow groups that dont have a chance of winning fair elections many of them with connections to gangs to write the rules for the next election, which is also a bad choice. The Biden administration, with seven months to go until the presidential election, was in a comfort zone with Henry, who for much of his tenure at least succeeded in keeping Haiti out of the international spotlight. And while Haitian migration, much of it due to worsening violence and living conditions, fed into President Bidens biggest political vulnerability, those migrants have arguably been the biggest success story for the administrations policy to process Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, known collectively as CHNV. Since the programs implementation, the number of Haitians encountered by Border Patrol agents between official ports of entry has dropped from several thousand a month to a few dozen, with the exception of December, when the Border Patrol reported 1,500 encounters with Haitians. But the Biden administration is in a rush to return some semblance of stability to the island country, fearing an incident that could further fuel Republican attacks during election season. The goals of the [Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti] deployment and a reinforced Haitian National Police are to create the security conditions necessary to hold free and fair elections and to allow humanitarian assistance to get to the people who need it, both of which will help put Haiti back on a path to economic opportunity and growth, wrote the State Department spokesperson. The Senate on Thursday confirmed the Biden administrations first ambassador to Haiti in more than two years, setting up career diplomat Dennis Hankins for the job. Democrats also looked to flip the issue on Republicans, blaming them for holding up funds for the police mission. I support the Biden administrations efforts to help restore order and facilitate the delivery of aid to the people of Haiti through the U.N.-authorized Multinational Security Support mission, but only so much is possible until Republicans lift their hold on the additional $40 million in funding necessary to deploy for the mission. They should do so immediately, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a key Biden ally on border and immigration policy. Yet amid the rush to deploy forces, its unclear what on-the-ground Haitians want. They are being forced to choose between supporting a new foreign intervention and rising internal violence. With the exception of the Duvalier dictatorship, when anticommunist repression kept U.S. pressures at bay, the choice has never been Haitian. Foreign military intervention has been the norm throughout the countrys history. Though more recent interventions have come with the acquiescence of the Haitian government unlike the 1915-34 U.S. occupation even U.N.-sanctioned peacekeeping missions have introduced police abuse, including sexual abuse, and diseases including cholera. Jerome Wendy Norestyl, a journalist at AyiboPost, a Haitian news site, pointed to an investigation he conducted last October where Haitians weighed the pros and cons of foreign policing. Its not the first time. Weve had many foreign interventions in our history, but nothing is different: Its up to us to figure out what we want for the country, Montrevil Chaperon, a farmer, told Norestyl. Agricultural entrepreneur Douyon Jean Roberson told Norestyl the proposal to ship in Kenyan troops was business as usual. Weve always been under the cover of a foreign force, under occupation. This intervention should not be a surprise for us, he said. And a poll conducted in August by local business group AGERCA found that 63 percent of respondents agreed theres a need for a foreign force to assist the Haitian National Police to restore peace. The poll, though widely cited, might not reflect the sentiments of all Haitians: 70 percent of respondents reported having completed secondary education or higher in a country where 41 percent of children arent enrolled in school, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development. But Haitians arent holding high hopes for that the same medicine will yield different results. We cant expect much from a multinational force, farmer Aletude Olistin told Norestyl. It could provide some relief, but the situation will remain unchanged. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Russian smartbomb mounted below an Su-34 jet in the vicinity of Avdiivka, March 2024. Such weapons have allowed the VKS to rejoin the fight at a cost - Russian Defense Ministry/Anadolu via Getty In early 2022, the Russian air force was the worlds second or third best, after the US and maybe Chinese air forces. But only on paper. In reality, the massive air arm with more than a thousand front-line fighters and at least a hundred bombers suffered from serious, but mostly invisible, flaws. These included a lack of experience, shortages of key munitions and a rigid command structure. Its these flaws that explain the air forces embarrassing performance in the early months of Russias wider war on Ukraine starting in February 2022. Two years later, however, the Russian air force also known by its Russian acronym VKS has belatedly undergone reforms it should have completed years ago. The new Russian air force is combat-hardened, well-armed with new precision munitions and more flexible than its ever been. And thats evident along the 600-mile front of the wider war, as Russian fighters lobbing powerful glide-bombs systematically demolish Ukrainian positions. The Russian air arms problems werent necessarily evident in the first few days of the wider war in Ukraine but only because the shock of the initial Russian attack threw Ukrainian air defences into disarray. In those heady early days, Russian fighters ranged across Ukraine with near-impunity, mostly dropping unguided dumb bombs. But then, in early March, Ukraines air-defence crews got organized. Flush with fresh weapons from allied countries, they targeted the marauding Russian jets and shot down dozens of them. Reeling from unsustainable losses, the Russian air force dialed back its operations. Sorties beyond the front lines proved to be prohibitively costly during March, and ceased by April 2022, the Royal United Services Institute in London explained in a November 2022 study. The problem, for the VKS, was threefold. Lacking the long-range precision munitions that Western air forces and the US Air Force, in particular employ on almost every one of their own sorties, the Russian air force usually had to fly its jets directly over their targets in order to have any chance of hitting anything of value. Not that a crash acquisition of, say, satellite-guided glide-bombs wouldve helped very much in the spring of 2022. Of the thousands of combat pilots in the Russian air force, just a few those whod flown the best Sukhoi Su-34 fighters over Syria had any experience with precision munitions. Worse, Russian commanders maintained strict control over their pilots, usually assigning them to bomb coordinates where the commanders suspected Ukrainian targets might be. The pilots werent allowed to deviate from pre-planned flight paths in order to search for, and attack, mobile Ukrainian forces. Battered and hamstrung, the Russian air force more or less sat out much of the first year of the wider war in Ukraine. The exception was the air forces bombers, which frequently lobbed cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities from a thousand miles away. But the rest of the air force wasnt actually idle. Instead, it was transforming itself. And in early 2023, it roared back into action. Instead of flying nearly-suicidal low-altitude missions dumb-bombing map coordinates, its increasingly experienced pilots flew high and fast and tossed winged, satellite-guided KAB glide-bombs some weighing as much as 3,300 pounds at Ukrainian troops from as far away as 25 miles. Far enough to reduce, though not eliminate, the danger from Ukraines air-defence. The KABs are crude analogues of the US Air Forces own Joint Direct Attack Munitions. Theyre simple and hand-made and probably not very accurate but they dont need to be. What they lack in precision, they make up for with sheer explosive power. These bombs completely destroy any position, wrote Ukrainian soldier Egor Sugar. KABs plucked at Ukrainian formations during Ukraines counteroffensive last summer, bleeding the attacking brigades before they even came into direct contact with Russian regiments. A deluge of hundreds of KABs flattened Ukrainian defences in Avdiivka, a vulnerable industrial city in eastern Ukraine, last month hastening the citys fall. Now the glide-bombers are targeting Ukrainian positions in Krynky, Vuhledar, Berdychi and other front-line settlements. The Russian air force isnt just relevant again. Its now indispensable to the Kremlins war strategy. But the resurrected air force ironically contains the seeds of its own destruction. In becoming indispensable, the air force also became busier. Today its flying more than a hundred combat sorties a day nearly as many as it flew in those most frantic early days of the wider war. But every sortie exposes pilots and planes to Ukraines best Western-made air-defences, including American Patriot missiles that range as far as 90 miles. The more Russian jets that are in the air, the more Russian jets might get shot down. In a chaotic 13 days ending on March 2, the Ukrainian air force claimed it downed 14 Russian jets including 11 of the hundred-odd prized Su-34s. The sanctions-throttled Russian aerospace industry can produce just a couple of dozen new warplanes every year. Better than ever but also busier and more exposed, the Russian air force is a precious military resource. Its also a non-renewable resource. And its being steadily depleted. This is a major opportunity for the West. If Western nations keep supplying Ukraine with Patriots and other key defensive equipment not to mention the forthcoming F-16 fighters the VKS can be weakened or even depleted to the point of non-viability. That would make the whole world safer, not just Ukraine. 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. Consequences of the Russian attack on Odesa The deadly "double-tap" attack on Odesa was carried out by two Russian Iskander-M ballistic missiles fired from temporarily occupied Crimea, the U.S.-funded Radio Liberty reported on March 15, citing Ukrainian Operational Command South spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk. According to latest counts, at least 16 people have been killed and 70 others injured, including first responders, in the terrorist-style attack on a three-story recreation facility. Ten houses, a gas pipeline and two fire trucks were also damaged. The number of casualties, as well as a comprehensive list of damage and destruction, is still being determined. Read also: Russian missile attack in Odesa kills 14, including first responders 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 FILE PHOTO: The New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City By Maki Shiraki and Anton Bridge TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese auto rivals Nissan Motor and Honda Motor are considering a strategic partnership to collaborate on producing key components for electric vehicles and artificial intelligence in automotive software platforms, the companies said Friday. The potential partnership could help the two develop economies of scale in producing EVs as Japan's automakers face heavy competition from China's BYD, Tesla and others. Nissan was a pioneer in EVs with its all-electric Leaf model but has struggled alongside other legacy automakers in the face of increasing competition from nimbler new entrants. "Emerging players are very aggressive and are making inroads at incredible speed," Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida told a press briefing. "We cannot win the competition as long as we stick to conventional wisdom and a traditional approach," he said. Honda's sales also lag those of rivals and battery-powered vehicles accounted for less than 0.5% of its worldwide sales of about 2.8 million cars over the first nine months of 2023, company data showed. The two companies signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to look at areas of potential collaboration but have yet to determine the scope, Honda President Toshihiro Mibe said. They are open to working together in any region, both in Japan and overseas, Uchida said. Nissan has existing business alliances with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors, but these will not be affected by a potential alliance with Honda, he said. Nissan cooperates with Renault on EVs, mainly in Europe. The next Nissan electric Micra will share the same architecture as the new Renault Five and be built in the same plant in northern France. Nissan and Renault last year reduced the scope of their years-long alliance and Renault has since signed agreements with new partners such as China's Geely. Uchida said Nissan and Honda were open to collaboration with existing partners should opportunities arise. Story continues The companies will explore cost-cutting measures, Honda's Mibe said, adding that achieving cost-effectiveness requires greater production levels. Honda is aiming to increase its ratio of electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles to 100% of all sales by 2040. Nissan and Honda have yet to discuss a capital tie-up, but they are open to the possibility in the future, Mibe said. "We are strapped for time and need to be speedy," he said. "In 2030 to be in a good position we need a decision now." Nevertheless, that gives the companies six years to work together on EVs, said Seiji Sugiura, senior analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute. "I read it as both companies trying to take their time rather than rush into a hasty collaboration," Sugiura said. Nissan's pursuit of a partnership was first reported by TV Tokyo. The Nikkei newspaper has reported specific measures could include the introduction of a common powertrain, joint procurement and the development of a common platform. (Reporting by Maki Shiraki and Anton Bridge; Writing by Makiko Yamazaki and Anton Bridge; Additional reporting by Kantaro Komiya and Satoshi Sugiyama; editing by Michael Perry, Lincoln Feast, Jason Neely and Kim Coghill) Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 450 times in 77 separate attacks throughout the day, injuring five people, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on March 14. The communities of Khotin, Myropillia, Mykolaiv, Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, Shalyhyne, and Znob-Novhorodske were targeted. In the town of Seredyna-Buda four people were hospitalized as a result of Russian shelling. While in the town of Bilopillia, one person was injured as a result of a rocket attack. No details were provided on the extent of their injuries. Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, helicopter, artillery, tank, drone, and grenade launcher attacks. Explosives were also dropped by drones onto two of the communities. The town of Velyka Pysarivka, with a pre-war population of about 4,000 residents, experienced the bulk of the attacks reported with 274 explosions recorded in the area. The community is located directly on the Ukraine-Russia border. Shelling is a daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia, with residents in the region's vulnerable border settlements experience multiple attacks per day. Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent weeks. Last week, a Russian drone strike in Sumy during the early hours of March 6 injured four people and caused damage to multiple homes, schools, and medical centers. Another attack on March 7, killed two people and injured 26, with six civilians hospitalized. On March 12, a number of Ukrainian military units consisting of Russian fighters had taken control of the bordering village of Tyotkino in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Tyotkino is located just a few kilometers across the border from many of the Sumy Oblast communities targeted by Russia. Read also: Russian anti-Kremlin militia break into Russia, claim to occupy villages Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The governor of Russias Belgorod Oblast, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has said there are no hostilities on the territory of the region just hours after Ukrainian military intelligence said it was now an area of active combat actions. In a post on Telegram published late on March 14, Gladkov claimed he had taken a tour of villages in the area where several pro-Ukrainian military units comprised of Russian citizens had advanced after crossing the border from Ukraine earlier this week. Gladkov claimed that the battle is taking place outside the Belgorod Oblast borders. He also said that the village of Kozinka had suffered greatly, the destruction was very serious. Residents in the areas affected had been taken to a safe place, according to Gladkov. The Russian governors comments were contradicted by a spokesperson of Ukraines military intelligence (HUR), Andrii Yusov, who told national television just a few hours earlier that Kursk and Belgorod regions are now an area of active combat actions. As stated by the volunteers and rebels, we are talking about Russian citizens who, having no other options, are defending their civil right with arms against the (Russian President Vladimir) Putin regime. Unconfirmed videos posted to social media on the morning of March 15 appear to show air raid sirens, fires and explosions in the Belgorod region continuing. Read also: What do we know about the Siberian Battalion that reportedly crossed into Russia? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia hit a Ukrainian port city using one of its more brutal tactics, a double-tap missile strike that kills emergency workers too Russia hit the Ukrainian port city of Odesa in a double-tap strike on Friday. The attack involves drawing crowds to the site of an initial blast and then hitting the spot again. At least 14 people were killed and 46 more injured in the bombardment, local authorities said. Russia launched multiple missiles at the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians, including emergency responders who were looking for survivors. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said after an initial strike hit the city, its rescue workers quickly arrived at the site to search for wounded civilians, sort through the debris, and extinguish fires. While they were responding, Russia fired a second missile at their location. At least 14 people were killed in the attack, including a paramedic and a rescue worker, Odesa Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said. Another 46 individuals were left injured, including seven emergency workers. In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, emergency services work at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, March 15, 2024. Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP Photo Civilian infrastructure, including private homes, were also left damaged by the attack, which Russia carried out using Iskander ballistic missiles fired from the occupied Crimean peninsula, according to Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces. This type of missile bombardment is known as a double-tap strike, a brutal tactic that's designed to inflict maximum casualties by drawing out bystanders and rescue workers with an initial explosion, only to then target that same site in a follow-up attack. Russia has carried out double-tap strikes in other Ukrainian cities throughout the war, but this deadly strategy is not necessarily new to Moscow's playbook, as it has been accused of conducting such attacks in Syria, killing civilians and rescue workers. "It is absolutely ruthless to hit the same location twice in the space of minutes, causing the death and injury of people who had quickly come to help the survivors," a United Nations official said after a Russian double-tap strike in August 2023, calling it a "serious breach of international humanitarian law" that "violates any principle of humanity." In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, emergency services help their comrade injured during a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Friday, March 15, 2024. Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP The attack is the latest on the strategic port city of Odesa. In early March, Russian drones killed a dozen people, and just a few days later, a missile hit the city while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was there during a visit with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It also comes amid uncertainty over the future of Western military support for Ukraine, with Zelenskyy this week calling for more air-defense capabilities from Kyiv's partner nations, and growing concern over the possibility of a war between Russia and NATO. "This cruel attack underscores that Russia will not stop its brazen aggression in Europe," US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on Friday. "We need to help Ukraine stop Russia now. There is not a moment to lose." Read the original article on Business Insider The Russian Dumas push to reverse the 1954 decision to transfer Crimea from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian SSR raised eyebrows; Ukrainian political analyst, Petro Oleshchuk, dissected the underlying motives driving this initiative on Facebook on March 14. They keep yelling about the referendum and expression of will, Oleshchuk said. Read also: "No lasting peace without return of Crimea to Ukraine" - Macron Is that really not enough? Do they need to make an even more final decision after the final decision? Can it be any more final? What about the other territories they have captured and seemingly annexed? Does their annexation not require such additional proof? Or maybe they are going to cancel the 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, under which they first recognized the independence of Ukraine? By the way, according to this treaty, Belgorod was also quite Ukrainian. This group of imperial reconstructionists clearly feels insecure. When one is truly confident, the need for additional historical arguments is unnecessary. Historical arguments often lead to endless debates, as for every argument made, there exists a counterargument of equal historical significance. However, the club of bunker reconstructionists cannot calm down. Read also: Russian parliament proposes to declare 1954 transfer of Crimea to Ukraine as 'invalid' What does this indicate? he said. Most likely, it is like in the anecdote: they have already started to bargain, presenting their final arguments in a bid to sway the outcome. Indeed, when the Pope and Putins staff oppositionist, (Grigory) Yavlinsky, echo the same arguments for an entire month we must immediately stop the war, give the land to the aggressor to save lives, the war will not bring results it all cannot be merely coincidental. Yet another mention of nuclear weapons and extra arguments about the ownership of Crimea concerning the ownership of Crimea is not coincidental either, said Oleshchuk. It is evidently a signal from the empire, indicating discomfort with the idea of relinquishing control over what it has captured, and aiming to defend it by all means, suggesting it is better to concede everything, especially since they have historical maps. To advance this agenda, they have mobilized all available agents of influence, who relentlessly yap about special rights and so on. In reality, they have no need for a ceasefire. However, it is important for them to maintain the illusion of a potential ceasefire in the eyes of the West, so that it wouldnt start taking the opposition to Russia seriously. The West has to be convinced that the aggressors only need a piece of Ukraine; just a small bite and thats it! No need to rearm, no need to restore military potential. Tomorrow everything will be over. Thats what Pope Francis says. I hope that no one will take such a deceptive rhetoric seriously, particularly given the lack of confidence demonstrated by the source itself. This is just a move to raise the stakes through a new level of bluff and nuclear blackmail. Read also: If Russia wins the war, the EU will lose all credibility, especially in Eastern Europe Macron 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 If the European Union allows Russia to win the war against Ukraine, trust in the bloc will be "reduced to zero", especially in Eastern Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with the TF1 channel. "How can you trust the European Union, its members, if it is allowed to happen? Macron asked. Do you think that Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians, Latvians, Romanians, Bulgarians could be left in peace for even a second? I'm not talking about Moldova, which is not a member of the European Union today, but which would be in just as much danger. Read also: France builds alliance of countries open to possible Western troop deployment in Ukraine Frances own security depends on the outcome of the war because the events in Ukraine affect its "vital interests", he added, expressing confidence that in case of victory, Russia will not stop in Ukraine, and there will be no more security in Europe. "The security of France and the French and the whole European continent security are at stake," Macron said. Lasting peace after the war in Ukraine is possible only if Ukrainian sovereignty is fully restored over all occupied territories, including Crimea. Read also: Zelenskyy on why Macron toughened his position on Russia The French president again did not rule out the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and said that "all these options are possible." Macron reportedly told a closed circle on March 14 that he would send troops to Odesa. Ukraine's Western allies will create a coalition to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with long-range weapons, Macron said after a conference in support of Ukraine held in Paris on Feb. 26, adding that Western troop deployment to Ukraine in the future cannot be ruled out. Several NATO countries, responding to Macron's statement, publicly rejected the idea of sending troops to Ukraine, including Poland, the U.S., Germany, Czechia, Canada, and the UK. 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 Aftermath of Russian attack on Odesa on 15 March. Photo: State Emergency Service in Odesa Oblast A Russian missile strike on Odesa killed 14 people, including a paramedic and a rescue worker who came to help after the first explosion, and injured 46 people, seven of whom were rescue workers. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine; Prosecutor Generals Office; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Unfortunately, the Russian missile attack killed a paramedic and a State Emergency Service employee who had arrived at the scene of the first explosion to provide assistance." Details: Kiper stated that other doctors and rescue workers were seriously injured. Aftermath of Russian attack on Odesa on 15 March Photo: State Emergency Service in Odesa Oblast Currently, the total number of people injured is being determined. Emergency worker after Russian attack on Odesa on 15 March Photo: State Emergency Service in Odesa Oblast "Everyone is being provided with the necessary medical care," Kiper concluded. Aftermath of Russian attack on Odesa on 15 March Photo: State Emergency Service in Odesa Oblast Aftermath of Russian attack on Odesa on 15 March Photo: State Emergency Service in Odesa Oblast Updated at 14:11: Oleh Kiper reported that 14 people were killed in the Russian missile attack, including local residents, a medic and a rescue worker. Another 46 people, including seven employees of the State Emergency Service, were injured. Aftermath of Russian attack on Odesa on 15 March Photo: Prosecutor Generals Office The strike also damaged 10 private houses, a car repair service company, a low-pressure gas pipeline and two fire and rescue vehicles. Work is currently underway to extinguish the fire in the gas pipeline and a private house on a total area of about 120 square metres. Updated at 16:18: Later, Oleh Kiper added that the death toll has risen to 16 people. Background: On the afternoon of 15 March, Odesa was subjected to a missile strike by the Russian Federation, causing civilian injuries. Support UP or become our patron! Russian drone and artillery attacks on Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast injured six people on March 14, Regional Governor Serhii Lysak said. Russian forces launched three separate kamikaze drone attacks and four artillery attacks onto the city, injuring six people between the ages of seven and 74. A 73-year-old woman was hospitalized with moderate injuries. According to Lysak, nearly a dozen multi-story buildings, five houses, an accessory building, two educational institutions, three administrative buildings, several cafes and shops, and a pharmacy were damaged in the attacks. Vehicles and power lines were also damaged. Nikopol, situated on the banks of the dried-up Kakhovka Reservoir, just across from Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is a regular target of Russian attacks. The day before, a Russian missile strike against a nine-story building in Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast killed five people and wounded 50, Lysak said. A total of 17 residents are in hospital, including seven children. Read also: UPDATED: Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 5, injures dozens Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Assessing the Dividend Profile of Hudson Pacific Properties Inc Hudson Pacific Properties Inc (NYSE:HPP) recently announced a dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on 2024-03-28, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-15. 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 Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Hudson Pacific Properties Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 10 Warning Signs with HPP. 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? Hudson Pacific Properties Inc is a real estate investment trust that acquires, operates, and owns office buildings and media and entertainment properties, such as sound stages, on America's West Coast. The company focuses on developed, urban markets in Northern California, Southern California, and the Pacific Northwest. In terms of total square footage, the vast majority of Hudson Pacific's real estate portfolio is composed of office properties located in the Greater Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles areas. The company operates in two reportable segments; office properties & related operations; and studio properties & related operations. The majority of revenue is derived from the office properties & related operations segment. Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's Dividend History Hudson Pacific Properties Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2010. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Hudson Pacific Properties Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 5.93% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 6.72%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's annual dividend growth rate was -27.90%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to -13.10% per year. And over the past decade, Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 3.20%. Story continues Based on Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Hudson Pacific Properties Inc stock as of today is approximately 2.94%. Hudson Pacific Properties 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. 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, Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.00. Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported net profit in 8 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. Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 8.70% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 74.05% of global competitors. Concluding Thoughts on Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's Dividend Profile In conclusion, Hudson Pacific Properties Inc's consistent dividend payments, despite a negative growth rate in the short term, may raise some concerns for investors looking for stable long-term income. However, the company's solid profitability and growth metrics, coupled with a non-existent payout ratio, suggest a potential for future dividend sustainability and growth. Investors should consider these factors along with their own investment goals and the broader market outlook. For those interested in further analysis or in search of high-dividend yield opportunities, GuruFocus Premium offers a comprehensive High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Russian political activist, Yuri Alekseyev, moved to a remote region of Armenia in May 2022, shortly after Russia launched its so-called "special operation" in Ukraine. "As soon as the war started, I hung a 'No to War' banner near my house. I was immediately arrested. They gave me 15 days in jail. I served my time, he said. Occasionally, the lawyer and programmer by profession leave his hut in the mountains to travel some 200 kilometres to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, where he protests against Vladimir Putin outside the Russian embassy. Watch the full report in the player above. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that the Russian Defence Ministry leadership has allowed servicemen participating in the war against Ukraine to vote for Vladimir Putin without even appearing at the "polling stations." Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) Quote: "The latest directives from the main military-political department of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation indicate that the standards for voter identification among military personnel have been simplified to the extent that their physical presence at the polling station is no longer necessary. Moreover, to confirm one's identity, neither a passport nor a military ID will be required even photocopies of documents are sufficient. It is evident that this change will allow Russian "election commissions" to seek to increase the number of Putin voters by bringing "ghosts" to the "polls." Specifically, alongside living servicemen, they plan to add those who are recently deceased, missing, or taken prisoner to the number of individuals who have "voted." Details: DIU adds that the Kremlin is implementing a whole range of measures to manipulate the outcome of the so-called "Russian presidential elections." Although it is obvious to everyone that neither the legitimacy of these elections nor their results serve as a means of legitimising Putin's rule, neither in Russia nor beyond its borders, add the intelligence. Support UP or become our patron! Embassy of the Russian Federation in the United States The Russian Embassy has received a slew of threats linked to the Russias Presidential election, Russia's Ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, claimed on March 15. "We're getting a ton of provocative calls and threats, claimed Anonov. We're aware that there are plans for anti-Russian protests at the embassies, consulates, and even attempts to breach our embassy grounds. They're not going to disrupt anything; they're just trying to make our election process harder and dampen our spirits." The latest round of so-called presidential elections in Russia kicked off on March 15 and will run until March 17. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced his participation in the Russian presidential election on Dec. 8, 2023. Read also: Kremlin orders fabrication of 75% support for Putin in occupied Ukrainian territories in upcoming elections It was later revealed that the occupiers plan to conduct "elections" in the temporarily captured territories over three days March 15, 16, and 17. Ukraines Foreign Affairs Ministry said that voting in the occupied territories would be "illegal and invalid." Early voting in the Russian Presidential sham election would take place in temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk Oblast for four days, Luhansk Regional Military District Administration head, Artem Lysogor, said on March 11. The European Parliament announced on March 14 that it would not send observers to Russias sham presidential election. Read also: UK slams Russia's illegitimate elections in Ukraine's occupied lands 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 Russian missile attack in Odesa injured people, regional governor, Oleh Kiper, said on Telegram on March 15. Local Telegram channels also reported an explosion in Odesa, prompting all relevant services to respond immediately. Ukraines Air Force earlier issued warnings about missile movements towards the city. Air raid alerts sounded in several eastern and southern oblasts of Ukraine. Russian army launched an overnight assault on Ukraine, deploying 27 Shahed-type drones on March 15. The Air Defense Forces successfully intercepted and destroyed all the strike drones. Russia attacked Vinnytsia Oblast with drones on the evening of March 14, killing two and injuring four people. Read also: Ukrainian command reports Russian drones camouflaged for night warfare 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 HSBC is crowned Best Digital Campaign of the Year HONG KONG, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the most active advertising and digital marketing associations in Hong Kong, IAB Hong Kong (IAB HK) successfully held its Spring Dinner & Digital Awards Gala 2023 (The Gala) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 13 Mar 2024. This event brought together 350 local digital marketing elites to network, celebrate, and recognize outstanding achievements in the industry. Group photo with all judges and awardees Kevin Huang, Chairman of IAB Hong Kong, addressed his welcoming speech to mark the opening: "Over the past year, we have seen a healthy recovery in the ad market as brands ramped up their brand-building and marketing efforts again to stay top of mind, gain market share and fuel growth. Tonight, we are here to honor some very talented individuals who have shown outstanding creativity, innovation and achievements with our 2nd annual Digital Awards". This award is the only digital marketing-focused award organized by a non-profit organization, contributing to developing an innovative future for the digital marketing industry. The Gala was first held in the format of a spring dinner and was sponsored by AnyMind Group, EternityX, Google, Hang Seng Bank, HKT, Omnicom Media Group, Publicis Groupe, RFI Asia, RTB House, Uni-China Group and Yahoo. The judging panel comprised 43 highly recognized industry leaders and senior professionals across the digital marketing industry including brands, agencies, platforms, NGOs, academia, and AdTech (Appendix 1: Judge List of IAB HK Digital Awards 2023). They dedicated almost 550 hours to reviewing over 110 entries and selected the outstanding campaigns based on four key areas: strategy, execution, innovation, and results. Arthur Chan, Vice Chairman of IABHK, shared that the overall quality of entries was splendid. "The standard of this year's entries is impressively high. I served as a judge last year as well and I would say the submissions from this year surpassed our expectations," said Chan. "All the entries were solid contenders. Our main discussion was deciding which was better," added Simone Tam, CEO (Greater Bay Area) of Dentsu. All the compliments from the judges are testaments to the industry's dedication to excellence and the continuous pursuit of innovative marketing strategies. Story continues The award includes six categories, namely Best Use of Adtech & Programmatic Advertising, Best Branding Campaign, Best Use of Commerce, Best Use of Content Innovation, Best Use of Data & Insights, and Best Use of Martech, comprehensively covering various technological aspects and market trends in digital marketing. Each award has an independent judging panel, evaluating the campaigns' Strategy, Execution, Innovation/Creativity, and Results. Among the gold winners, the campaign with the highest scores and most awards will be crowned the "Best Digital Campaign of the Year". Winner Results of IAB HK Digital Awards 2023 Category Award Brand / Agency Campaign Name Best Use of Adtech & Programmatic Advertising Gold Brand: HSBC Hong Kong Agencies: OMG, Saatchi & Saatchi HSBC - Smart Use of Future Money Campaign Silver Brand: HSBC Hong Kong Agencies: OMG, Saatchi & Saatchi 2023 Wealth and Stock Decoded Campaign Bronze Brand: Hong Kong Disneyland Agencies: Zenith HK, The Trade Desk Hong Kong Hong Kong Disneyland - "Momentous" Nighttime Spectacular Best Branding Campaign Gold Brand: Hang Seng Bank Limited Agency: The Bread Digital Prestige Banking CFO Campaign Silver Brand: Tam Jai International - TamJai SamGor Mixian Agencies: The Bread Digital, The Bridge Agency TamJai SamGor 15th Anniversary Campaign Bronze Brand: HSBC Hong Kong Agencies: Hungry Digital Limited, Hill & Knowlton, OMG HSBC Fraud Fair Best Use of Commerce Gold Brand: HSBC Hong Kong Agencies: OMG, Saatchi & Saatchi HSBC - Smart Use of Future Money Campaign Silver Brand: SHISEIDO Agency: iProspect MyFirstLight: A 126-year-old SHISEIDO EUDERMINE's Transformation Bronze Brand: Chow Sang Sang Agency: Prizm Group Chow Sang Sang - AI Optimized Relationship-Centric CRM Ecosystem Best Use of Content Innovation Gold Brand: HSBC Hong Kong Agencies: Hungry Digital Limited, Hill & Knowlton, OMG HSBC Fraud Fair Silver Brand: Hang Seng Bank Limited Agency: Sunny Idea (HK) Limited Preferred Banking - Be a Game Changer and "Carry" Yourself Campaign Bronze Brand: MSD Agency: Narrow Door Men's Choice Matter Best Use of Data & Insights Gold Brand: Chow Sang Sang Agency: Prizm Group Chow Sang Sang - AI Optimized Relationship-Centric CRM Ecosystem Silver Brand: Hang Seng Bank Limited Agency: Zenith HK Preferred Banking - Be a Game Changer and "Carry" Yourself Campaign Bronze Brand: Hang Seng Bank Limited Agency: Zenith HK Credit Card +FUN Dollars Launch Best Use of Martech Gold Brand: PayMe by HSBC Agency: OMG The Biggest Laisee of All Silver Brand: SHISEIDO Agencies: Narrow Door, Pontac, iProspect MyFirstLight: A 126-year-old SHISEIDO EUDERMINE's Transformation Silver Brand: FWD Insurance Agency: Cymballe Limited Here We Are For Your Health Best Digital Campaign of the Year - Brand: HSBC Hong Kong Agency: OMG, Saatchi & Saatchi HSBC - Smart Use of Future Money Campaign Click to view more details on IAB Hong Kong Digital Awards and event photos . First-ever IABHK Pavilion to feature 15 member booths at MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse IAB HK organized its first-ever IAB HK Pavilion at MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse and brought together 15 member companies from adtech, agency, and media, including Anymind Group, Aspire, Emarsys, EternityX, First Page, Ignite Vision, Ingenium Digital, Meltwater, Mezzofy, Omnichat, Presslogic, RTB House, Strategic Digital Marketing Company (SDMC), Sleekflow, and Social Power. By showcasing the latest innovative marketing strategies, solutions and technologies, marketing professionals and brand owners can interact with industry experts and explore the latest market trends and best practices. About IAB HK IAB Hong Kong is the 46th national Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) licensee. It is a not-for-profit association that aims to develop standards and best practices on digital marketing to shape the future of digital marketing for Hong Kong's advertising and marketing community. IAB HK has been one of the most active and influential digital marketing associations in Hong Kong, with over 100 company members coming from all aspects of the ecosystem, including media, ad platforms, agencies, brands and more. Through working with its member companies, IAB HK is committed to talent development, education and cutting-edge research about the critical role of digital marketing. The founding members include comScore, Facebook, Google, South China Morning Post, and Yahoo. Appendix 1: Judge List of IAB HK Digital Awards 2023 Category Name Company Title Best Use of Adtech & Programmatic Advertising Alexandra Lo Nestle Head of Digital Marketing and Consumer Engagement Antony Yiu PHD Media CEO Eric Lin Lee Kum Kee General Manager, Hong Kong & Macau Kai Tsang McDonald's Hong Kong Senior Director, Digital Customer Experience and Partnership Lawrence Yang Publicis Media CEO Tim Hung* (Lead) Blossom Lane Communications Founder and CEO Yvonne Leung BUPA Director of Customer Transformation & Growth Best Branding Campaign Agnes Lung Uni China Group Group Chief Marketing and Digital Officer Andrea Leung Sino Group Group General Manager - Marketing Brian Hui HSBC Hong Kong MD and Head of Customer Propositions and Marketing, Wealth and Personal Banking Gloria Ho Shiseido Hong Kong Limited President & Managing Director Karen Woo MTR General Manager Branding & Communications Mark Chan CMRS Group (HK) Group CEO Simone Tam* (Lead) Dentsu CEO, Greater Bay Area Best Use of Commerce Arthur Chan* (Lead) Vpon Big Data Group Consultant Bonnie Mak Samsung Electronics Associate Director, Head of eCommerce, Online Group Chi Fai Leung Chow Sang Sang Associate Director, Omni Channel Business Integration Kenny Ng FWD Financial Limited Head of Digital Commerce Kenny Sham Klook General Manager Matthew Lam Swire Hotels Director of Marketing - Digital Silas Ho EssenceMediacom Managing Director Best Use of Content Innovation Angela Wong AXA Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Bruce Lam HKT Limited Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Danny Chan CUHK Lecturer Kitty Lun* (Lead) Meta Head of Creative Shop Greater China Michelle Lam Kerry Properties Limited Senior Director - Sustainability & Communications Miuson Chi MSL Group General Manager Roger Li Yahoo Senior Director of Ad Creative, Yahoo Creative Studios, APAC Rudi Leung Hungry Digital Director & Founder Best Use of Data & Insights Andrew Chan Apoidea Group VP, Growth and Data Cedric Delzenne 55 Managing Director, APAC Ellen Yau* (Lead) Bayer Head of Marketing and Innovation - Consumer Health North Asia Fred Ngan Bowtie Life Insurance Company Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ginnie Lam Emarsys Regional Vice President of Greater China Henry Leung New World Corporate Services Limited (New World Group) Head of Data Management Tracy Lui Havas Group Hong Kong Strategy Director Best Use of Martech Akina Ho* (Lead) AllStarsWomen DAO Co-Founder, The Global Head of Business Consultancy & Head of Asia Pacific Chapter Andy Ann YAS Digital Co-founder Ben Chien AnyMind Group Managing Director, Greater China Jingtao Ji Google Head of App & Measurement Timothee Semelin Darewise (Animoca Brands) Marketing and Ecosystem Director Keith Li WTIA Chairman Kenny Chien Cherrypicks Chief Executive Officer Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/iab-hk-spring-dinner--digital-awards-gala-2023-celebrate-digital-brilliance-with-350-marketers-302090246.html SOURCE IAB Hong Kong It was never in doubt but President Putin confirmed he would run during a Kremlin ceremony in December The Kremlin ensured Vladimir Putin had no credible opponent so it was always certain he would secure a fifth term by a landslide. It was at a grand military awards ceremony last December that Vladimir Putin, 71, told the Russian public he would stand for the presidency again. "Now is the time for making decisions. I will be running for the post of president of the Russian Federation," he declared at a Kremlin event last December. Russia's leader of 24 years had just handed out top honours to soldiers who had taken part in Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine. He was chatting with a small group of participants when the commander of a pro-Russian unit in Ukraine's occupied Donetsk region approached him. "We need you, Russia needs you!" declared Lt-Col Artyom Zhoga, asking him to run as a candidate in Russia's forthcoming presidential election. Everyone voiced their support. Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov later described the decision to run as "absolutely spontaneous". But the Kremlin rarely leaves its choreography to chance. Instead, straight away its well-oiled media machine swung into action. On all state channels, President Putin was promoted as a national leader who stood head and shoulders above any potential rivals. Vladimir Putin does not need to campaign - his face is rarely absent from state TV "Support for the president transcends party support alone," reported one correspondent on state TV news later that week. "Vladimir Putin is the people's candidate!" He has already been in power in Russia longer than any ruler since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. He has been president since 2000, apart from four years as prime minister because of a two-term limit imposed by the Russian constitution. He has since changed the rules to give himself a clean slate to run again in 2024 by "switching back to zero" his previous terms. That means he could also run for another six-year term in 2030, when he will turn 78. During his time in office, Vladimir Putin has methodically tightened his grip on power so no real threat to his rule exists any longer. His most outspoken critics are either dead, in jail or in exile. The only major opposition figure in Russia, Alexei Navalny, is now dead - his widow says he was murdered Yet the Kremlin remained determined to give a semblance of legitimacy to Russia's electoral process. Although was never any doubt about the ultimate election result, the authorities seemed to care greatly about a high turnout, to be presented as evidence of his popular mandate. Turnout at the last election in 2018 was officially 68%, but international observers reported several cases of ballot-stuffing. This year, voting was easier than ever before, ending on Sunday, and the turnout estimated at higher than 74%. Listen on BBC Sounds: Does Russia's election matter? In the parts of occupied Ukraine that Russia calls its "new regions", polls opened 10 days before election day, and social media was awash with ads urging people to go vote. Voters were given a choice of candidate - or rather a semblance of one. Joining Russia's leader on the ballot was Nikolai Kharitonov, representing the Communist Party, which remains Russia's second most popular party, more than 30 years since the fall of the Soviet Union. It draws its support from a small but loyal base of those nostalgic for their Soviet past. Nikolai Kharitonov is portrayed in a campaign video walking to his imagined new job in the Kremlin The other two candidates were Leonid Slutsky of the nationalist LDPR and Vladislav Davankov of the New People, ostensibly a liberal, pro-business party. Despite their vastly different political standings, all three broadly backed the Kremlin's policies - and none stands a chance against the incumbent. Another hopeful - local Moscow councillor Boris Nadezhdin - announced his candidacy last year, generating a rare moment of optimism for opposition-minded voters. He was a frequent guest on talk shows on state TV and had been relatively critical of Moscow's war in Ukraine. But in a country where many have been jailed for speaking out against the war, he would never make the ballot paper. Thousands queued up to offer signatures in his support, and perhaps spooked by the crowds, Russia's election authorities rejected his bid, claiming that more than 15% of his collected signatures were flawed. Boris Nadezhdin was barred from running more than a month before the election Mr Nadezhdin's exclusion from the race ended any possibility of a surprise. Televised debates took place in the run-up to the vote, without Vladimir Putin taking part. Instead, TV coverage focused on his regular choreographed meetings with factory workers, soldiers and students while his state-of-the-nation address at the end of February was widely seen as a pre-election pitch aimed at burnishing his credentials as a man of the people. Although some of the speech was devoted to the war in Ukraine, it was largely dedicated to domestic issues. Perhaps a tacit acknowledgement that many Russians are more concerned by problems closer to home than Russia's supposed successes on the battlefield or its endless strife with the West. Russia's leader proposed a raft of social measures, including a modernised tax system that was "fairer" for Russian families and incentives aimed at increasing Russia's dwindling birth rate. The speech provided a glimpse into the many issues Russia is facing, including poverty affecting families and faltering education, infrastructure and healthcare. For a man who has spent 20 years as president, Vladimir Putin has proven unable to solve many of these issues. Instead, up to 40% of Russia's budget in 2024 is being spent on the military and national security. Many of his measures require considerable cash injections or investment, and Russia has a serious corruption problem that means funds often do not reach their intended destinations. But that hardly mattered in an election that most international observers believe was neither free nor fair. In the absence of genuine enthusiasm for the vote, campaign videos from the poll's also-rans have created a social media buzz, coming across as near-caricatures. Communist hopeful Nikolai Kharitonov was portrayed angrily clenching his fist while listening to the latest news from volatile commodity markets. "We've toyed with capitalism and that's enough!" he declares, marching across Red Square to take up residence in the Kremlin after his imagined election victory. Of course, nothing of the sort will happen. In another video, nationalist LDPR leader Leonid Slutsky was shown trying out the office of his late predecessor Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who led the party for 30 years until his death two years ago. When an aide tried to switch name-plates on the desk, Mr Slutsky told her forcefully: "No, leave it there!" Leonid Slutsky is quite happy to remain in the shadows of his predecessor and Vladimir Putin All it did was show how happy he was to remain a sideshow to Vladimir Putin's main act. There have been sporadic acts of protest against the election, particularly on the first day of the vote, when dye was poured into ballot boxes and there have been some cases of arson too. But the main intrigue stemmed from so-called "Noon against Putin" protests, in which opponents of the long-time leader were urged to swamp polling stations in both Russia and its embassies abroad on Sunday and vote for anyone but him. The initiative was taken up Alexei Navalny, who died in prison last month, and reinforced by his widow Yulia Navalnaya, who says he was murdered by "bloody mobster" Vladimir Putin. This embedded content is not available in your region. Ms Navalnaya herself said that the purpose of the campaign was mostly to allow supporters to silently identify one another at the polling station, rather than to wield any real change. On 18 March, Russians will wake up to find President Putin has been re-elected. When he appears at a victory rally in Moscow, he may even shed a tear - as he did after the 2012 presidential election - and profusely thank voters for the trust they have placed in him. For the next six years, the illusion of democracy is all but guaranteed to continue. The Global Story coloured strap graphic Russian elections through the eyes of the Putin-controlled media. Listen to the latest episode of The Global Podcast on BBC Sounds Ukraines National Resistance Center states that the Russians have been forcing migrants from Central Asia to vote in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine. Source: Ukraines National Resistance Center (NRC) Quote: "On 15 March, an electoral farce is being started in the TOT, which is ignored by the vast majority of locals. To increase the turnout, the enemy allowed voting without passports, and now they have set a plan for construction companies to send migrants to preside over the elections." Details: The NRC added that these migrants are promised an additional day off for going to polling stations and voting. Background: The total number of migrants from Central Asia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine at the end of 2023 exceeded 100,000. Support UP or become our patron! Semafor Signals Insights from The Conversation, The Atlantic, The Moscow Times, and Meduza The News Russians began voting Friday in a three-day presidential election that Vladimir Putin is all but certain to win. Putin has been in power as president or prime minister of Russia since 2000, longer than any ruler since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. He has become increasingly authoritarian in this time, changing the countrys laws to allow his continued runs for office. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Not an election if the winner is certain Sources: The Conversation, The Atlantic There are few dissidents left in Russia that can actually challenge Putins bid for a fifth presidential term. In recent years, his opponents have likely been killed by the Kremlin or forced into the margins of Russian society, Russian foreign policy expert Matthew Sussex noted in The Conversation. Despite this, the Kremlin has persisted with the charade of free elections throughout Putins rule, Sussex wrote, but those who have proven too popular have found themselves disqualified. Its probably more accurate to call the voting in Russia an election-style event instead, global politics scholar Brian Klaas wrote in The Atlantic. Words matter, he argued, and a rigged contest marks the death of democracy and renders all the other essential pillars irrelevant, because the people no longer have a meaningful say over who governs. Some dissidents plan to spoil ballots Source: The Moscow Times Voters who oppose the Kremlin have few options during the election. Several Russians described plans to spoil their ballots in a form of protest, independent Russian outlet The Moscow Times reported. One anti-war advocacy group said that while the tactic is controversial, traditional methods [of voting] do not bring results. Some Russians will boycott the elections entirely, but others plan to flood polling stations at noon local time as part of the noon against Putin campaign, organized by supporters of late dissident Alexei Navalny. His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has called on supporters to either spoil their ballots or boycott the election by standing in front of polling stations but refusing to cast a vote. I urge everyone to come to his memory, she said. The Kremlin is angling for record turnout Source: Meduza The Russian government started preparations for the 2024 vote in late 2022, Russian independent media outlet Meduza reported at the time. Sources that spoke to the outlet said that the Kremlin had discussed Putin being the sole candidate standing for election, with no liberal candidates expected to even make an appearance for theatrics. While some strategists pushed for the votes postponement using the war in Ukraine as an excuse to impose martial law and cancel the election Putin reportedly likes to see the results of popular support, a source told Meduza. The Kremlin is hoping to see record votes going to Putin. Russian occupying forces are raiding apartments and forcibly kidnapping people to vote in Russia's illegitimate elections in the temporarily occupied Henichesk in Ukraine's Kherson Oblast, activists of the Yellow Ribbon movement reported on Telegram. "We've seen this before during the so-called referendum and fake local elections," the activists wrote. Read also: Ukraines Verkhovna Rada urges international partners and organizations to condemn sham elections on occupied territories Russias so-called "elections" are scheduled for March 17, according to a resolution adopted by the Federation Council on Dec. 7. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced his participation in the so-called "elections" at the end of last year. Read also: It was later revealed that Russians intended to hold voting for three days in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories - March 15, 16, and 17. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the planned "elections" in those temporarily occupied territories would be illegal and meaningless. 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 Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Konotop in Sumy Oblast on the evening of 15 March. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration; Ukrainian Air Force Quote: "The Russian terrorists continue to commit crimes against the civilian population of Sumy Oblast. Today the enemy launched a missile attack on civilian infrastructure in the city of Konotop. All the necessary services are working at the scene. The consequences of the attack are being established." Details: The Ukrainian Air Force had reported launches of guided aerial bombs by tactical aircraft in Sumy and Donetsk Oblasts on the evening of 15 March. Background: All the residents of 22 settlements in three districts of Sumy Oblast near the Russian border have been evacuated. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians attacked Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast with 15 Shahed attack drones on the night of 14-15 March; all the UAVs were destroyed on the approach to the capital. Source: Kyiv City Military Administration on Telegram Quote from Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration: "Enemy drones approached Kyiv from the north. An air-raid warning was in place for almost an hour in the capital. All the enemy Shahed UAVs heading for Kyiv, which was about a dozen and a half, were destroyed by air defence assets and personnel on the outskirts of the city." Details: Popko said that the Russians launched the drones from Russias Kursk Oblast. According to early reports, there were no casualties or damage in the capital. Background: It was reported earlier that the Ukrainian Air Force had destroyed all 27 Shahed drones that attacked Ukraine on the night of 14-15 March. Support UP or become our patron! MONTREAL, March 15, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Executive Board of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) is pleased to announce that Gordon Margison has accepted the role of Technical Director for the Federation. Beginning immediately, Gordon will lead the activities of the Technical Team from IFALPAs Headquarters in Montreal, Canada. IFALPA President, Cpt Amornvaj (Ben) Mansumitchai, "I believe one of the most important characteristics for an IFALPA Staff Member, especially a Director, is a get-the-job-done attitude. Gordon embodies this quality. His vision for the technical and safety objectives of the Federation is aligned with my views about the future of IFALPA." Margison is an international aviation safety professional with perspective across multiple industry organizations including airline operators, aviation regulators, and pilot associations. He holds a Masters in Transport Management from the University of Sydney. A strong believer in the profound potential of positive safety culture to improve aviation safety and the piloting profession, he embraces these principles in all his endeavors. Gordons leadership in IFALPAs technical work has contributed to successes in advocating for strong international standards and recommend practices as well as industry guidance. In the area of training, Gordon has been instrumental in the development of direct safety outreach courses on Fatigue Management, Positive Safety Culture, and Runway Safety Team best practices, in conjunction with expert volunteers. He has overseen the implementation of these courses across all IFALPA regions. Gordon provides a strong strategic vision for IFALPAs technical and safety initiatives. He has been a leader in structural improvements at IFALPA and has successfully advocated for the adoption of these changes over every level of governance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gordon served as a supporter for the Global Pilot Community. His role as a coordinator of pilot experts in aviation medicine, peer support, and fatigue management proved to be pivotal in providing pilot advice to ICAO and governments for best practices to maintain safety and pilot wellbeing during the crisis. Story continues "It is an honour to be entrusted by the Federation with the role of Technical Director. Together, the pilot community provides a strong and clear voice for aviation safety and efficiency. My commitment is to build on our success and ensure that the pilot perspective is heard in an ever-changing aviation industry. I am joined in this challenge by a strong team of professionals and pilot volunteers. I am continually inspired by the dedication shown by these individuals." IFALPA is the global voice of pilots. An international not-for-profit organization, IFALPA represents over 110,000 pilots in more than 70 countries. The mission of the Federation is to promote the highest level of aviation safety worldwide and to be the global advocate of the piloting profession, providing representation, services, and support to both our members and the aviation industry. 2024 The International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations. This publication is provided for information purposes only, in all cases pilots should follow their companys guidance and procedures. In the interest of flight safety, reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is encouraged. It may not be offered for sale or used commercially. All reprints must credit IFALPA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240315926900/en/ Contacts Media: Emily Bitting, Senior Communications Specialist, emilybitting@ifalpa.org Isabella Recio, 4, walks on the trail in a field of California poppies outside the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve on April 7, 2023. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) After years of drought and water restrictions, Californians have had some respite over the last two years. In 2023, the state found itself replenished by a record number of storms fed by atmospheric rivers, which brought most places out of drought and transformed a withered landscape into a verdant one. This year, winter storms have again brought much-needed precipitation to California. As of Friday, only 4.5% of the state was abnormally dry, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. Those small regions were not dry enough to qualify as being in drought. They were located on the edges of the state, near the Arizona, Nevada and Oregon borders. The image below shows the state as seen by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Worldview satellite on Nov. 9, 2023, left, and again on March 15, 2024. The juxtaposed images show the Central Valley turning from brown to a deep green and snow thickening substantially in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In January and February, the state got 11.1 inches of precipitation, a full 3 inches more than normal, per NIDIS data. By March 15, the snowpack level statewide was at 104% of historical levels for the day, according to the California Department of Water Resources. In the Northern Sierra, snow was especially abundant, reaching 118% of historical levels. In the Central Sierra, the figure was 101%, and the Southern Sierra barely lagged its normal snowpack at 95%. The image below zooms in on Southern California, showing the region from space on Nov. 9, 2023, left, and again four months later on March 9, 2024. The starkest difference in color was in northern Santa Barbara County, where the landscape went from brown to green. Several mountains outside the Southern Sierra were dusted with snow. Mountains near Ventura, the Grapevine, San Bernardino and Palm Springs showed snowy peaks on March 9, but most had dissipated by March 15. Though California is currently enjoying a wet spell, drought is never far from the minds of experts. State regulators are currently in the midst of a battle over future water regulations. After pushback, they recently eased requirements for urban suppliers that will reduce water savings moving forward. 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. SANFORD, Maine A newly formed organization is dedicating its efforts to attempting to stop a second campground from opening on Sand Pond in Sanford. Sand Pond resident Brian Dumont confirmed the state approved the new Sand Pond Association as an LLC. According to Dumont, the groups first effort is to prevent local landowner Michael Patterson from building a new "glamping" campground with cabins and 30 RV lots on about 10 of 113 acres he owns on the east side of the pond. Were up and running, Dumont said. Were meeting frequently right now. Local landowner Michael Patterson is pursuing his vision for a new campground near Sand Pond in Sanford, Maine. The association has approximately 50 members so far, according to Dumont. In the weeks to come, the group will recruit new members, drawing from a petition that Dumont started against the Patterson project and reaching out to the community. Were expecting a lot more, once we have our website up, and it becomes easy to sign up, he said. Brian Dumont, seen here at his home at Sand Pond in Sanford, Maine, is the president of the newly formed Sanford Pond Association, LLC, which is engaged in efforts to prevent a local landowner from building a new campground at the pond. The website is sandpondassociation.org. To date, the online petition has more than 1,050 signatures, according to Dumont. Noisy kennel: Red Barn Inn proposes soundproof fence amid 'excessive' barking complaints Landowner calls proposed campground his dream Patterson, who also lives at Sand Pond, appeared before the citys Site Plan Review Committee with his proposal earlier this month. In an email on March 13, he said he's changing his plans regarding the cabins he hopes to install near the shore. He also said he is modifying the proposed layout to make it easier for fire engines to reach the site via Siddal Road. Landowner Michael Patterson is proposing to build a campground on acreage he owns near Sand Pond in south Sanford. Given opposition to the project and the changes he needs to make, the city is holding off on putting his project on the agenda for an upcoming Planning Board meeting, Patterson said. Theres a bit of back-and-forth right now, he added. Patterson, who is retired after a career spent in the software industry, said he has long dreamed of opening a campground. He has a blog and a YouTube page, where he posts details about his project and updates. Landowner Michael Patterson is proposing to build a campground on acreage he owns near Sand Pond in south Sanford. Patterson said he is not seeking any variances at his site, which means his project will only work its way through the citys planning process and will not go before voters during an upcoming election. Patterson said the campground he hopes to build would resemble two other ones in the city, Purposely Lost, with its tree houses and Hobbit homes on Littlefield Pond in Springvale, and Huttopia Southern Maine, with its glamping sites on the western side of Sand Pond. Nevada Motel at York Beach: Makeover almost complete for landmark hotel Neighbors explain why they plan to fight project For Dumont and others, the Huttopia site is enough. We already have a large campground on Sand Pond, Dumont said. We are not anti-business. We just want the Maine way of life continued. The mission of the Sand Pond Association is to restore, protect and responsibly enjoy Sand Pond within the Great Works Watershed, according to Dumont. Dumont said that he and others have long considered forming an association for the pond, as other residents around other bodies of water have done. He added that now seemed to be the right time to establish one. For sure, the Patterson project has been a catalyst, Dumont said. Dumont expressed concern about how Patterson would manage a campground and ensure safety and security there. Mike Patterson comes from a tech background, and not a hospitality background, Dumont said. That concerns us. Dumont said the association is mainly opposing Pattersons plan for a campground because of the concerns it raises regarding potential noise, pollution, overcrowding, and overall impact on the environment at the pond. There are just a lot of questions that are not answered in this plan, Dumont said. Were serious about making sure we hand off to the next generation a Sand Pond that is as beautiful as it has always been. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Group fights new campground to preserve 'Maine way of life' PEORIA, Ill. (WCIA) A man from Savoy has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after he was convicted on a charge of sexual exploitation a minor. Prosecutors said that in October of 2021, David Berry brought a minor into his home, sexually assaulted her and recorded the act on video. He was indicted by the U.S. Attorneys Office the following February and he pleaded guilty last September. Danville man sentenced for sexual assault of a child At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mihm noted that Berry was responsible for trauma caused to the minor and ordered restitution of $6,140. Berry must also register as a sex offender. Berry faced up to 30 years in prison and up to life of supervised release. Mihm ultimately imposed the minimum prison and supervised release sentences 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. NEW YORK (WPIX) If youve walked by Houston Street in Manhattan and pronounced it Hue-stin, you wouldnt be the first person. Its actually pronounced House-ton named after the founding father, William Houstoun. Houstoun, who was born in Georgia, represented his state in the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1786, according to the Parks Department. Buying your first home in NYC? Find out if you qualify to get $100K And yes, Houston Street isnt spelled like Houstoun. Its a corruption, and the last time the street was spelled Houstoun was in 1811, per the Parks Department. Many streets in New York City are named after memorable historical figures or your average, everyday person, according to Rebecca Bratspies, a law professor with The City University of New York School of Law and the author of Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues and Heroes behind New Yorks Place Names. Thats one cohort, is things named after the social elite, said Bratspies. Then theres a cohort of things that are named after New York bureaucrats, like Major Deegan and Van Wyck. And then there are things that are named in an honorary fashion, like Houston Street and there are things named after the person who happened to own them. You need a $138,570 salary to live comfortably in NYC: study Houston isnt the only street in New York City whose pronunciation makes you tongue-tied. Heres a list of street names around the Big Apple that may take you a few tries to pronounce correctly: Fteley Avenue, the Bronx Fteley Avenue was named in honor of civil engineer Alphonse Fteley, according to The New York Times. He was the chief engineer of New York Citys Aqueduct Commission from 1887 to 1895. Its pronounced fuh-tel-lee. Gansevoort Street, Manhattan Like many places in New York City, this name comes from Peter Gansevoort, a Revolutionary War general, according to the Meatpacking District BID. Gansevoort is also the name of a hamlet in Saratoga County. Its pronounced gan-suh-vort. Joralemon Street, Brooklyn Joralemon Street gets its name from farmer Tumis Joralemon, who was the first person to own a brick house in Brooklyn, according to The New York Times. Its pronounced jer-all-ah-men. Kosciuszko Street, Brooklyn This street (as well as the bridge and subway station) was named after Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish general who fought on the U.S. side of the Revolutionary War, according to the Parks Department. Americans pronounce it ka-zee-oo-skow, while Polish speakers pronounce it ko-shoos-ko. Maujer Street, Brooklyn Maujer Street was originally named Remsen Street after a farmer who lived on the block. In 1937, the name was changed to honor Daniel Maujer, an alderman in the 15th Ward, according to Most Holy Trinity-St. Mary Catholic Church. Its pronounced moy-jer. Schenectady Avenue, Brooklyn Schenectady Avenue gets its namesake from the city of Schenectady, near Albany. The original settlement was pronounced Schau-naugh-ta-da by the Mohawk, which translates to over the pine plains, according to the citys website. Its pronounced skuh-nek-tuh-dee. Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn This street takes its name from the Schermerhorn family, who settled in New York in the 1600s, according to the Hillside County Historical Society. Its pronounced skir-mir-horn. New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn Named after the colony established in 1652, New Utrecht was the last of six towns created by Dutch settlers that would later become Brooklyn, according to Friends of Historic New Utrecht. The second part of the streets name is pronounced you-trek. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. DUBLIN, Texas (BigCountryHomepage.com) The City of Dublin is getting ready to celebrate the Irish St. Patrick this Saturday with nearly 20 different events. Come Saturday, March 16, Downtown Dublin will be even greener than usual, with a parade starting at 10:00 a.m. and the sounds of bagpipes in the air. LIST: Abilene area 2024 Easter events Kourtney Warner with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce told BigCountryHomepage.com that despite the city only having about 3,400 residents, she expects thousands of visitors to attend its annual Shamrock Festival. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron speak during a press statement with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Not Pictured) after the so-called Weimar Triangle meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa European backers of Ukraine should buy weapons from around the world to support the country in its battle against Russia's ongoing invasion, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Friday. Scholz pledged that more weapons would be procured for Ukraine with immediate effect - "on the entire world market." Some critics have alleged that European efforts to supply Ukraine with armaments have been hindered by a focus on buying from domestic European producers. Scholz made his remarks shortly after a meeting in Berlin with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The German chancellor also said that the production of military equipment will be expanded in cooperation with partners in Ukraine and that a new coalition to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles would be established. Scholz said that aid for Ukraine paid for through the European Union would be increased, and that European countries would use revenues from frozen Russian assets to fund further weapons purchases. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C), French President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speak during a press statement after the so-called Weimar Triangle meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R), Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron inspect a military honour guard at the Chancellery. The so-called Weimar Triangle top level meeting is taking place against the backdrop of massive Franco-German differences over Ukraine policy. Michael Kappeler/dpa SHENZHEN, China, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmVira has recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for oncolytic virus product MVR-T3011 IT (intratumoral injection) for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer with disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy and at least one prior line of anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy. Fast track designation is intended to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs targeting serious conditions with unmet medical needs. The Fast Track designation was sought based on the promising potential of MVR-T3011 IT to meet the unmet medical needs associated with HNSCC. Supporting evidence for this request was derived from Phase I/II trials conducted in both the United States and China, focusing on evaluating the efficacy, safety, and durability of response in patients with HNSCC. HNSCC has become a growing public health concern, with increases in incidence rates as of 2023 statistics. Approximately 32% of patients face recurrence after curative therapy, and 3-10% present with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, emphasizing the aggressive nature and severity of this cancer. While immune checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1/PD-L1 blockers have transformed HNSCC treatment, their benefits are confined to a modest 15-20% of patients. This treatment gap underscores the critical need for innovative therapies. Clinical data indicates that MVR-T3011 IT demonstrated the potential to overcome immunosuppression, and delivered favorable outcomes in terms of tumor shrinkage and control in patients who failed ICI treatments. "Attaining Fast Track designation from the FDA marks a pivotal milestone and underscores MVR-T3011 IT's capacity to address the substantial unmet needs of HNSCC patients," said Grace Guoying Zhou, Chairwoman and CEO of ImmVira. "We are encouraged by the FDA's decision as it reflects the need for FDA approved and widely available treatments for these patients. This designation will allow us to work closely with the FDA to quickly advance MVR-T3011 IT, to make a meaningful difference for patients who require new treatment options." Story continues About MVR-T3011 MVR-T3011, ImmVira's proprietary 3-in-1 oHSV, is a novel genetic engineered oHSV which aims to achieve the most favorable profile of attenuated HSV-1 with replication potency in tumor cells and highly restricted replication in normal cells. Its incorporation of two latest and well-validated exogenous genes, PD-1 antibody and IL-12, further enhances immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. About ImmVira ImmVira is a biotechnology company focused on developing and synthesizing biological vector delivery platform. The company has constructed a fully integrated OVPENS (Open Vector+ Potent, Enabling, Novel & Safe) platform with solid science, technology and CMC know-how, and three derivative subplatforms including Oncolytic Virus, Cancer Vaccine and Biosynthetic Exosome, to support ongoing R&D, clinical studies and commercialization of best-in-class mono and combo therapies driven by clinical benefits in oncology and non-oncology fields. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/immviras-oncolytic-product-mvr-t3011-it-intratumoral-injection-receives-fda-fast-track-designation-for-hnscc-treatment-302090155.html SOURCE ImmVira French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) -- seen last month in Paris -- have not seen eye to eye on Ukraine (Ludovic MARIN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hosted French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on Friday after tensions between the leaders recently blew out into the open over differences on how to support Ukraine. After a clear-the-air meeting in the chancellery, the pair will be joined by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for urgent consultations on further European military backing for Kyiv. Ukraine has faced a series of battlefield setbacks in repelling Russian troops, as its forces have faced critical shortages of ammunition and Western military aid has dried up. A massive US aid package of $60 billion remains blocked in Congress by right-wing Republicans, and President Joe Biden has acknowledged that $300 million of stopgap support announced on Tuesday was "not nearly enough". It falls to Paris, Berlin and Warsaw "to mobilise all of Europe" to provide Ukraine with fresh aid, Tusk said. But simmering disagreements between Macron and Scholz threatened to undermine cooperation between the allies. Debates between France and Germany "may have culminated in what we have seen in the last weeks, but there have been difficulties for quite a long time now", said Nico Lange, an analyst for the Munich Security Conference (MSC). - 'Calculated effort' - The summit of the so-called Weimar Triangle of European powers in Berlin was a "good sign that finally... the errors are corrected to some extent", Lange said. Germany's European partners have been frustrated by Scholz's refusal to provide its long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, despite urgent calls from Kyiv. The chancellor, on the other hand, reacted angrily to Macron's refusal to rule out sending troops to Ukraine and his pointed comments urging allies not to be "cowards". With his comments, the French president sought "to restore a certain level of strategic ambiguity" to complicate Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision-making, said Jacob Ross from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). As well as provoking a debate on where to draw the line on help for Ukraine, the remarks may also have been a "calculated effort" to rally Eastern European allies, Ross said. But the pressure from Macron has also shone a spotlight on glaring differences with Scholz. German soldiers participating in the conflict is "a limit that I, as chancellor, do not want to cross," Scholz told parliament on Wednesday. This applied not just to the deployment of army personnel in Ukraine but also to any potential operational planning in Germany, he said in outlining his reasons for refusing to supply Taurus missiles. At no point should German soldiers help select "where will be targeted... where will be hit", Scholz said, a service he has suggested French officials provide to Ukraine for the long-range Scalp missiles supplied by Paris. Macron, too, remained combative late on Thursday when he told French television that a Russian victory in Ukraine "would reduce Europe's credibility to zero", insisting that the continent's security was "at stake". He said Europe must be "ready to make sure that Russia never wins this war". And he said that anybody advocating "limits" on aid to Ukraine "chooses defeat". - 'Different opinions' - Friday's meeting is of "great importance" for allies to "organise as much support as possible for Ukraine", said Scholz, who spoke on Thursday with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky by telephone and underlined Germany's "unbroken solidarity" with Kyiv. Germany has been Ukraine's single largest backer after the United States, but European efforts to mobilise support have faced challenges. The EU is pushing to bolster weapons and ammunition production by its defence industry, but with the war in its third year, it is still struggling to ramp up output. "True solidarity with Ukraine? Less words, more ammunition," Tusk said on X, formerly Twitter, ahead of the meeting. Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, and the presence of Tusk, a seasoned politician who previously served as European Council president, would help "moderate differences" in French-German relations, Lange said. On Ukraine, it was in the overarching interest of both to "move closer together," he said. sea-fcz/hmn/bc French President Emmanuel Macron will soon travel to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz one-on-one, followed by a trilateral meeting including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Source: Le Figaro, as reported by European Pravda Details: The leaders' meeting on Friday 15 March should help resolve disagreements between the nations and demonstrate unity to the international community following significant differences between Paris and Berlin on many issues relating to Ukraine, ranging from the provision of long-range missiles to the assessment of the volume and efficacy of assistance provided by France and Germany. German officials have privately complained that Macron makes bombastic statements that are not backed up by action, with France's support for Ukraine being significantly lower than that provided and promised by Germany. Macron is expected to have a brief bilateral meeting with Olaf Scholz around noon, followed by a Weimar Triangle meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It will be the first meeting of this format since Tusk took office as Prime Minister. The talks are intended to help leaders "smooth out the rough edges" ahead of the EU summit in Brussels on 21 and 22 March. Previously, an official familiar with the meeting's preparations unofficially told the media that they did not intend to make specific decisions or announcements following the talks on Friday, and that the meeting's main purpose was to send a message of unity. On Tuesday, Polish leaders met with US President Joe Biden to discuss, among other things, how to maintain and strengthen support for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! By Sarah Marsh, John Irish and Alan Charlish BERLIN/PARIS/WARSAW (Reuters) - Ukraine's backers will use windfall profits on frozen Russian assets to finance arms purchases for Kyiv, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said following a meeting with his French and Polish counterparts aimed at showing unity after weeks of friction. At a joint press conference in Berlin, Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, whose ammunition-starved troops face their toughest battles since the early days of Russia's invasion two years ago. European support has become increasingly key as U.S. President Joe Biden has been unable to get a big Ukraine aid package through Congress, and much of his foreign policy energy is focused on the war in Gaza. Scholz said the leaders had agreed on the need to procure more weapons for Ukraine on the global market and to boost the production of military gear, including through cooperation with partners in Ukraine. "We will use windfall profits from Russian assets frozen in Europe to financially support the purchase of weapons for Ukraine," Scholz said as he listed European Union efforts to increase support for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called last month for the EU to consider using such profits to "jointly purchase military equipment for Ukraine". The Commission is expected to make a concrete proposal in the coming days. Some EU member countries such as Hungary have signalled reservations about the idea, according to diplomats in Brussels. But Scholz's comments suggested he is confident that EU countries will ultimately approve the proposal. Scholz said the leaders also agreed on the need for the Ukraine Defence Contact group - a U.S.-led group of some 50 countries that provide military support to Ukraine - to set up a coalition to provide long-distance artillery to Kyiv. A proposal to set up a long-range missile coalition had already been agreed in Paris on Feb. 26. It was unclear whether Scholz' comments referred to this and how Germany, which has opposed sending its long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, would participate. Defence ministers from the contact group are set to meet early next week at the Ramstein U.S. Air Base in Germany. Macron reiterated his warning that it was not just Ukrainian but European security at stake. "We will do everything as necessary for as long as needed so that Russia cannot win this war," Macron said. "This determination is steadfast and implies our unity." He added that the three leaders had agreed on the need to reinforce support for Moldova, which says Russia is trying to destabilize it through a "hybrid war". He said the three leaders had agreed to never initiate an escalation with Russia, a possible way to downplay talk of sending Western ground troops to Ukraine, which has irked Germany. FRICTION BETWEEN SCHOLZ, MACRON The meeting of the so-called Weimar triangle - Germany, France and Poland - came after weeks of tensions, in particular between Scholz and Macron, that had alarmed officials in Kyiv and across the continent. A hastily-arranged summit in Paris last month had aimed to give fresh impetus to stagnating Western efforts to help Ukraine repel a full-scale Russian invasion that has entered its third year. Instead, Macron's refusal to rule out deploying Western troops to Ukraine triggered a dressing down from Scholz. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, told Reuters that "indecision and uncoordinated action" among Kyiv's allies was leading to "grave consequences". "Russia starts to get cocky and begins to believe that it can quantitatively squeeze Ukraine," he said. "Ukraine, in turn, is experiencing a severe shortage of specific resources, primarily shells, and is partially losing the initiative." Tusk said the meeting on Friday showed "that some malicious rumours that there are differences between European capitals are very exaggerated". Tusk, who is seeking to revitalize the Weimar Triangle after eight years of nationalist rule in Warsaw, said Macron and Scholz had accepted his invitation to meet again in early summer to present their next joint plans. (Reporting by John Irish and Dominique Vidalon in Paris, Andrew Gray in Brussels, Sarah Marsh, Thomas Escritt and Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv, Alan Charlish and Marek Strzelecki in Warsaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Alex Richardson) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) leaves the Senate Chamber after a vote at the Capitol in Washington on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/The New York Times) WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, on Thursday delivered a pointed speech on the Senate floor excoriating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel as a major obstacle to peace in the Middle East and calling for new leadership in Israel, five months into the war. Many Democratic lawmakers have condemned Netanyahus leadership and his right-wing governing coalition, and President Joe Biden has even criticized the Israeli militarys offensive in the Gaza Strip as over the top. But Schumers speech amounted to the sharpest critique yet from a senior U.S. elected official effectively urging Israelis to replace Netanyahu. I believe in his heart, his highest priority is the security of Israel, said Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States. However, I also believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Schumer added, He has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah. The speech was the latest reflection of the growing dissatisfaction among Democrats, particularly progressives, with Israels conduct of the war and its toll on Palestinian civilians, which has created a strategic and political dilemma for Biden. Republicans have tried to capitalize on that dynamic for electoral advantage, hugging Netanyahu closer as Democrats repudiate him. And on Thursday, they lashed out at Schumer for his remarks. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, said on the Senate floor that it was grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of the democratically elected leader of Israel. He called Schumers move unprecedented. The Democratic Party doesnt have an anti-Bibi problem, McConnell said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. It has an anti-Israel problem. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called Schumers remarks earth-shatteringly bad and accused him of calling on the people of Israel to overthrow their government. And House Republicans, gathered in West Virginia for a party retreat, hastily called a news conference to attack Schumer for his comments and position themselves as the true friends of Israel in Congress. Schumers remarks came a day after Senate Republicans invited Netanyahu to speak as their special guest at a party retreat in Washington. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 3 Republican, asked Netanyahu to address Republicans virtually, but he could not appear because of a last-minute scheduling conflict. Ambassador Michael Herzog, Israels envoy to the United States, spoke in his place and also addressed the House GOP gathering Thursday. In his speech at the Capitol, Schumer, who represents a state with more than 20% of the countrys Jewish population, was careful to assert that he was not trying to dictate any electoral outcome in Israel. He prefaced his harsh criticism of Netanyahu with a long defense of the country, which he said American Jews love in our bones. Schumer said there had been an inaccurate perception of the war that lays too much blame on Israel for civilian deaths in Gaza without focusing enough on how Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. And he acknowledged how difficult it was for traumatized Israelis to contemplate the possibility of a two-state solution at this time. But he was unsparing in his criticism of Netanyahu, calling the prime minister one of the top obstacles to achieving peace in the Middle East, along with Hamas, radical right-wing Israelis and Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, who he also said should be replaced. The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after Oct. 7, Schumer said, referring to the day of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. The world has changed radically since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past. Schumer said the only solution to the decades-old conflict was a two-state solution: a demilitarized Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in equal measures of peace, security, prosperity and dignity. He said Netanyahu, who has rejected the idea of Palestinian statehood, was jeopardizing Israels future. At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government, Schumer said, adding that he believed a majority of the Israeli public will recognize the need for change. As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may, he said. But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel after Oct. 7. Schumer gave White House officials advance notice that he would be making the speech. We fully respect his right to make those remarks and to decide for himself what hes going to say on the Senate floor, said John Kirby, a White House spokesperson. He obviously feels strongly about this. We understand and respect that. This wasnt about approval or disapproval or anything in any way, but he did give us a heads-up that he was going to do it. Schumers speech was the second time since Oct. 7 that he has taken to the Senate floor to address the Israel-Hamas war. The conflict has prompted him to think more deeply and speak more openly about his Jewish faith and heritage, as well as the moral and political dilemmas the war has presented for Jews in Israel and the United States. In November, Schumer made a deeply personal speech condemning the rise of antisemitism in America that has flared since Israel began retaliating against Hamas for its attack. Those remarks appeared to be mostly directed at members of his own party; he warned that some liberals and young people were unknowingly aiding and abetting antisemitism in the name of social justice. Schumer has since spoken to publishers about writing a book on antisemitism. On Thursday, his speech was aimed squarely at Netanyahu and far-right members of his governing coalition, who Schumer said were falling short of Jewish values. Herzog had a stern response. Israel is a sovereign democracy, he wrote on social media. It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally. In his remarks, Schumer said that Netanyahu refused to disavow Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir and their calls for Israelis to drive Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank. He wont commit to a military operation in Rafah that prioritizes protecting civilian life, Schumer said. He wont engage responsibly in discussions about a day after plan for Gaza, and a longer-term pathway to peace. Schumer said that if Netanyahu and his current coalition remained in power, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course. Underscoring how contentious the issue of Israel is in U.S. politics, Schumers speech was criticized by both the right and the left. Layla Elabed, the campaign manager for Listen to Michigan, an anti-war group of activists who voted uncommitted in the states Democratic presidential primary, said that Sen. Schumer is beginning to shift but far too slowly and with little substance for what actions Biden can take now to stop the outrageous civilian death toll in Gaza. c.2024 The New York Times Company WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Kansas Geological Survey checks groundwater levels in Kansas each year. The most recent levels show mixed results, including a drop in one of the major sources of Wichitas water. The Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, and the states Division of Water Resources measure water levels in about 1,400 wells to monitor the health of the High Plains aquifer and other aquifers in western and south-central Kansas. Equus Beds One component of the aquifer is the Equus Beds, a significant water source for Wichita, Hutchinson and surrounding towns. Persistent drought in Kansas affecting aquifer levels KGS says the Equus Beds, covering portions of Sedgwick, Reno, Harvey, and McPherson counties, declined 1.62 feet in 2023 after dropping 2.11 feet in 2022 and .14 feet in 2021. Average 2021-2023 Depth to Water (Courtesy Kansas Geological Survey) KSN News asked the City of Wichita about the drop. A spokesperson said the ongoing drought has caused water levels to drop in the Equus Beds and at Cheney Reservoir, the other main source of Wichita water. We are being mindful of drought conditions and taking steps to try to mitigate the impact of the drought on Wichita through our ongoing drought awareness messaging and by moving into stage 1 in January of 2023 of our drought response plan, Megan Lovely, Wichita communications manager, said. The trigger for stage 2 of the drought response plan has not yet been reached, but residents may follow along and get updates at savewichitawater.com. Great Bend Prairie aquifer A second component of the aquifer is the Great Bend Prairie aquifer. It dropped 1.12 feet last year after dropping 2.32 feet in 2022 and 0.81 feet in 2021. This aquifer includes Pratt and Stafford counties and parts of Barton, Edwards, Kiowa, Pawnee, Reno and Rice counties. Watch: Severe thunderstorm produces confirmed tornado in northern Kansas Ogallala aquifer The largest component of the High Plains aquifer is the Ogallala aquifer. It is under most of western Kansas. KGS says the southwest portion of the Ogallala aquifer declined by .19 feet. This follows drops of 2.83 feet in 2022 and 2.08 feet in 2021. The positive news comes from the northwest and western sections of the Ogallala: Northwest Kansas groundwater levels increased by .35 feet after declines of 1.32 feet in 2022 and 0.55 feet in 2021. Western Kansas saw an average increase of .27 feet following declines of 1.13 feet in 2022 and 0.55 feet in 2021. In the Ogallala portion of the High Plains aquifer, the aquifer had a chance to reset in 2023, given some timely rains in the summer months, Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager, said in a news release. Overall Overall, the High Plains aquifer groundwater measurements showed an average decline of 0.17 feet last year. It was the fourth straight year of overall declines. Groundwater levels across the region fell 1.9 feet in 2022, about a foot in 2021 and 0.87 feet in 2020. Water Level Change 2001-2003 to 2021-2023 (Courtesy Kansas Geological Survey) Wilson said well measurements are taken primarily in January when water levels are least likely to fluctuate due to seasonal irrigation. He said a few results are still coming in, so the data may change slightly before he finalizes it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. As TikTok fans in the United States worry about losing access to the wildly-popular social media app, there are lessons they can learn from a country on the other side of the world. On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban. While the Chinese-owned app is not disappearing from Americans phones anytime soon, many of its 170 million users in the country are deeply rattled. But here is what they need to know: It is possible to survive and thrive in a TikTok-less world. Just ask the planets most populous nation. In June 2020, after a violent clash on the India-China border that left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead, the government in New Delhi suddenly banned TikTok and several other well-known Chinese apps. Its important to remember that when India banned TikTok and multiple Chinese apps, the US was the first to praise the decision, said Nikhil Pahwa, the Delhi-based founder of tech website MediaNama. [Former] US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had welcomed the ban, saying it will boost Indias sovereignty. While Indias abrupt decision shocked the countrys 200 million TikTok users, in the four years since, many have found other suitable alternatives. The ban on Tiktok led to the creation of a multibillion dollar opportunity A 200 million user base needed somewhere to go, said Pahwa, adding that it was ultimately American tech companies that seized the moment with their new offerings. Life without TikTok The ban was not without pain. Indian TikTokkers had to grapple with confusion and even anguish in the days and months that followed. By 2020, TikTok had become hugely popular among Indians looking for relief from the pressures of strict Covid-related lockdowns. Everyone in India wants to be a Bollywood star, and TikTok made that dream possible by making people, including those in small towns, overnight stars, said Saptarshi Ray, head of product at Viralo, a Bengaluru-based influencer marketing platform. Story continues But it didnt take long before other avenues for their creativity and commercial ventures sprang up. A ferocious fight ensued between US tech giants and domestic startups to fill the gap. Within a week of the ban, Meta-owned Instagram cashed in by launching its TikTok copycat, Instagram Reels, in India. Google introduced its own short video offering, YouTube Shorts. Homegrown alternatives such as MX Taka Tak and Moj also began seeing a rise in popularity and an infux in funding. Those local startups soon fizzled out, however, unable to match the reach and financial firepower of the American firms, which are flourishing. Citing independent findings from consulting firm Oxford Economics, a Google spokesperson said that the YouTube creative ecosystem contributed roughly $2 billion to the Indian economy in 2022. According to Ray, Indian content creators swiftly moved all the old content they had shot for TikTok to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Some Influencers were uploading seven Reels a day and gaining four to five million subscribers a year, he said. But not everyone was able to build a significant following on these platforms. Many users and creators slipped into a deep, dark space after the ban, and some have still not emerged from that space, said Clyde Fernandes, executive director artist management at Opraahfx, an influencer marketing and management firm. The way one was gaining reach and followers on TikTok is [still] incomparable to any other platform out there at the moment, he added. What about safety? US officials and lawmakers have long voiced concerns that the Chinese government could compel TikToks parent ByteDance to hand over data collected from American users. Cybersecurity experts say that the national security concerns surrounding TikTok remain largely hypothetical. Indian experts, however, say its purge from national digital life hasnt resulted in a safer space. I am not so sure removal of TikTok makes a dent in the cybersecurity threat landscape. Unless there is a step change in user awareness about the software on their phones, or what they download from the open internet, this is unlikely to change, said Vivan Sharan, partner at Delhi-based tech policy consulting firm Koan Advisory Group. US lawmakers also fear that the app could serve as a tool for Beijing to spread propaganda, misinformation or influence Americans. The removal of TikTok hasnt insulated Indians from those threats. In terms of content and disinformation environment, it is plain to see we still have to grapple with serious issues like deepfakes, etc, with or without TikTok, Sharan said. So overall, it is hard to see which part of the risk-landscape changes significantly, assuming TikTok was certifiably problematic. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The world needs a better source of sustainable meat . Many conventional livestock raising systems are considered unsustainable and generally make the environment worse, so scientists are searching for new ways to feed and satisfy a growing human population. One source could come from one of the most feared animals on Earth. Farmed pythons could offer a low-emission source of protein, according to a study published March 14 in the journal Scientific Reports . Pythons are not venomous, but they do reach lengths of 20 feet . That girth comes with a lot of white meat that is high in protein and they are considered a delicacy in some Southeast Asian countries. Venomous snakes have historically been farmed for their venom , but the practice of keeping large quantities of snakes for meat has begun to grow. The farmed snakes are typically set up in large barns surrounded by sun traps that help snakes bask in the sun. Workers at a python farm. Snakes are farmed for their meat, skins, fat, and bile. CREDIT: Dan Natusch. These snake farms could offer a solution, particularly in regions where python farming has already begun to expand in recent decades. While the farming still faces some issues scaling up, it is something to consider according to the team from this new study. Climate change, disease and diminishing natural resources are all ramping up pressure on conventional livestock and plant crops, with dire effects on many people in low-income countries already suffering acute protein deficiency, Daniel Natusch, a study co-author and herpetologist at Macquarie University in Australia, said in a statement . [Related: Scientists swear their lab-grown beef rice tastes pleasant. ] In this study , a team of scientists from Vietnam, Australia, England, and South Africa, looked at more than 4,600 pythons on two commercial python farms in Thailand and Vietnam. They compared two speciesthe reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) and Burmese python (Python bivittatus) and tested the effects of different food regimes. They were fed a mixture of locally sourced food , including pork byproducts, fish pellets, and rodents. Baby pythons were also sausages made of waste protein from meat and fish offcuts. These sausages led to faster growth, without any apparent impacts on health. Its a bit like hiding broccoli in the meatballs to get your kids to eat their veggies, Natusch said. We showed that snake farms can effectively convert a lot of agricultural waste into protein, while producing relatively little waste of their own. They gained upwards of 1.6 ounces per day and the female snakes grew quicker than the males. According to the team , they were never force-fed and they also found that the snakes could fast without losing body mass. This means that it required less human labor for feeding than traditional livestock farming. Since they grew so quickly on smaller amounts of food, they had a good feed conversion ratio. In farming, feed conversion is the amount of animal feed that is needed to produce one pound of meat. "In terms of food and protein conversion ratios, pythons outperform all mainstream agricultural species studied to date," said Natusch. "We found pythons grew rapidly to reach slaughter weight within their first year after hatching. While large-scale python farming is well established in Asia, it has received little attention from mainstream agricultural scientists. Pound for pound, reptiles like snakes also generate fewer greenhouse gasses than mammals do. They have sturdy digestive systems capable of breaking down bones and produce almost no water waste and poop less than mammals. Snakes require minimal water and can even live off the dew that settles on their scales in the morning, said Natusch. They need very little food and will eat rodents and other pests attacking food crops. [Related: Snakes can actually hear really well .] While there is also some concern from conservationists about commercial snake farming learning to the illegal harvesting of endangered and wild snake populations, Natusch has argued that the opposite is true. It may give local communities a financial incentive. We also found some farms outsource baby pythons to local villagers, often retired people who make extra income by feeding them on local rodents and scraps, then selling them back to the farm in a year, said Natusch. Burmese pythons are considered an invasive species in Floridas Everglades , where they are hunted to cull the population. A 2023 study from the US Geological Survey said Floridas python problem is one of the worlds most challenging invasive species management issues. Their meat reportedly tastes like chicken, the team acknowledges that encouraging more people to eat snakes in other parts of the world will take some time. I think it will be a long time before you see Python burgers served up at your favorite local restaurant here [in Australia], said Natusch. Scotland Yard is cutting 60 murder detectives across London in an attempt to save millions from its budget, The Telegraph can reveal. Metropolitan Police bosses are making large cuts despite the murder rate in London remaining stubbornly high and detectives warning they are already operating at full capacity. Under plans seen by The Telegraph, every one of the Mets 20 homicide squads will lose three detective constables, reducing the headcount in each from 18 to 15. The move is intended to shave 4.2 million or 10 per cent off the murder commands annual budget, as the Met grapples with a 400 million funding shortfall. As well as cutting the number of detectives in each team, the overtime budget will also be reduced, meaning those remaining are likely to see a drop in overall pay. In addition, the Mets specialist crime proactive units, which seek to disrupt and prevent violence before it occurs by going after weapons and known criminals, are also facing a 10 per cent budget cut from 2025. In an internal Scotland Yard email, Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Cochin, the Mets head of homicide, warned his team that every part of the force was facing cuts and homicide also had to play its part. The memo, seen by The Telegraph, said: For many years the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] has been underfunded but it has used reserves to mask the extent of this. This is akin to using family savings to pay the bills, it works for a while but eventually the savings run out and you face a budget crisis. The Commissioner is pushing the Home Office, Government and City Hall for more funds but we also need to look at how we work, how we can be more efficient and how we can be more innovative with the money that we do have. As part of the budget plans, Sir Mark Rowley, the Mets Commissioner, told his top team that homicide would have to reduce its 42 million budget by 10 per cent in the coming year. The memo went on: The reality is that there are only two main options to save 4.2 million quickly reduce the number of MITs [Murder Investigation Teams] by 10 per cent (ie. 20 to 18 teams) or reduce the size of the teams to achieve the same saving. Mr Cochin said after some consideration it had been decided to reduce the number of posts rather than teams. Such are the concerns over the potential impact on the homicide command that the cuts will not begin until September and staff have been reassured the cuts will be achieved by natural staff movements rather than getting rid of individual officers. But one senior homicide detective said the announcement had gone down badly because those working in the teams were already at full stretch. He told The Telegraph: Anyone who thinks that the murder rate is going down needs to have a look at our workload. We are absolutely flat out. We are all dealing with so many cases, its not even funny. We are so stretched that people are going off sick with stress and things are now only going to get worse. We get that there is a funding black hole but the answer is for the Government and the mayor to find the money not to make it harder for us to solve murders. While overall murder rates have been slowly coming down, there were 103 homicides across London last year. Many investigations are complex, requiring hundreds of man hours to scour CCTV footage and download smartphone data. Earlier this year, The Telegraph revealed how the Met was also under pressure to move experienced detectives from homicide and place them into other units such as rape, robbery and burglary. It followed criticism in the Baroness Casey review that accused specialist units of monopolising the best investigators, leaving front-line policing as the poor relation. The report pointed out: A Met murder investigation will receive a whole team of experienced and specialist trained detectives, whereas a woman raped and left in a coma would likely be dealt with by one trainee detective constable. What message does that send to the living victim? 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. U.S. Navy Seabees are gearing up for chilly conditions as they completed a cold weather survival training course in Norway last month. Ramsund Naval Bases Force Protection Company in Norway provided training to Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 regarding survival techniques in the Arctic Circle, ahead of the battalions upcoming deployment based out of Ramsund. Winter operations demand patience, discipline, and a focus on every individual in the team working as one unit, Lt. Mason Mullins, the officer in charge of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11s Nordic Detail, said in a Navy news release. Unit effectiveness and morale are highest when every Sailor has a job and is accountable for their role in ensuring the groups success and survivability. The battalion, which is forward-deployed across the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, is poised to work alongside Norwegian counterparts on construction projects and support NATO exercises during their deployment to the region, the Navy said. The Navy did not disclose when the deployment would commence. Brrr! Navy runs Arctic explosive ordnance disposal training exercise Navy leaders have claimed there is a need for a strong military presence in the Arctic as global warming opens more waters in the freezing-cold territory to navigation. In response, the service has conducted cold weather exercises to allow sailors to advance their skills operating in the Arctic. That report also says China will beef up its naval activity on, below and above Arctic waters. In January 2021, the Navy released its Blue Arctic strategy for the region, calling on the sea service to operate more assertively there. It also warned that Russia is reopening old bases in the Arctic and reinvigorating regional exercises a trend thats expected to continue. The exercise kicked off Feb. 18 and concluded on Feb. 22. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is used to dealing with problems on the world stage, but now he is turning his attention to the fentanyl crisis here at home. Every city, every state has been affected by the opioid crisis, Blinken said. Thursday Blinken traveled to Vienna for the annual meeting of the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs. He is calling on other countries to do more to stop the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. Its an international problem, not just a domestic problem, Blinken said. Blinken says most of the fentanyl killing Americans is coming from China. He says President Biden has been forceful in getting China to crack down on making the deadly drug. China has put out new regulations telling its companies that they cant be involved in this trade. It has actually taken down companies that are, Blinken said. Many Congressional Republicans blame the Biden administration for the huge amounts of fentanyl coming into the U.S. West Virginia Republican Shelley Moore Capito believes this is a campaign weakness for President Biden. People dont think hes done enough to stop the fentanyl trafficking. And theyre right. He has not, Moore Capito said. Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown says he has a bill that will help stop illegal drugs from coming into the country. Its partly to send resources to the points of entry in the border to make sure that we can detect this stuff. We have equipment to do it, said Brown. The legislation would schedule this chemical and give law enforcement the tools they need to go after traffickers while protecting access for veterinarians, farmers, cattlemen, and ranchers who use xylazine to treat large animals. The bill is endorsed by 39 state attorneys general, major law enforcement organizations, and veterinary organizations. As drug traffickers come up with new, deadly tactics, like combining fentanyl with xylazine, we must work to keep our communities safe, said Brown. Its why we introduced this bipartisan bill to crack down on xylazine use, restrict access to it, and give law enforcement the tools they need to fight it, Brown said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. The iShares Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA) has been a reliable ETF over time, but it has a 737-sized red flag to deal with. The $6.0 billion ETF from BlackRocks (NYSE:BLK) iShares has returned a solid 10.1% on an annualized basis over the past decade. While these returns are nothing to sneeze at, I view the fund less favorably for the future because of one significant issueits outsized exposure to beleaguered Boeing stock (NYSE:BA), which has many problems to sort out and cant seem to get out of its own way. While ITA has been a solid performer, Im bearish at this point in time, given the fact that the troubled aircraft manufacturer has a large 14.1% weighting within the fund. What Is the ITA ETFs Strategy? According to iShares, ITA gives investors targeted access to domestic aerospace and defense stocks by investing in companies that manufacture commercial and military aircrafts and other defense equipment. This is typically a good industry to invest in, given the durable streams of revenue these companies have and their close relationships with large customers like the U.S. Government. This focus on aerospace and defense stocks has served ITA well over the years, and it has delivered double-digit annualized returns over the past decade. However, the funds large position in Boeing could be a serious headwind, going forward. Too Much Boeing Exposure ITA owns 36 stocks, and its top 10 holdings make up 74.9% of the fund. Below, youll find an overview of ITAs top 10 holdings using TipRanks holdings tool. As you can see, Boeing accounts for an alarming 14.1% weighting within ITA. Boeing has had many recent issues, and unsurprisingly, the stock is down 30.4% year-to-date in 2024. As if Januarys high-profile incident in which a door plug blew off of a Boeing 737 MAX 9 flown by Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) in midair wasnt enough, the company was again the recipient of negative headlines when roughly 50 passengers on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flown by Latam Airlines (OTC:LTMAY) were injured when the plane reportedly nosedived. Story continues Thankfully, there were no fatalities, but this is a serious matter, and given that Boeings previous mishaps were still very much in focus, it doesnt inspire much confidence in the company right now. Its also concerning that the company reportedly hasnt yet provided satisfactory answers on the Alaska Airlines incident to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as Chair Jennifer Homendy stated, We dont have the records. Its absurd that two months later, we dont have it. Now, major customers like United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) are asking Boeing to halt production of its 737 Max 10 because, as United CEO Scott Kirby said, Its impossible to say when Max 10 is going to get certified. The company just has too many problems piling up, and this is not the type of stock I would want to get involved in at this point in time. Now, Im all for value investing and looking to pick up bargains among beaten-down stocks. The problem is, despite the steep decline in its share price, Boeing stock still trades at 54.3 times consensus 2024 earnings estimates, so the stock can hardly be described as a bargain or a value stock. And it could fall further, given this unfavorable combination of bad news and expensive valuation. In fairness, Boeing trades at a much more reasonable 22.9 times consensus 2025 earnings estimates, but this still cant be described as cheap. TipRanks Smart Score System seems to agree that Boeing is likely a stock to avoid, giving it an unenviable 2 out of 10 rating. The Smart Score is a proprietary quantitative stock scoring system created by TipRanks. It gives stocks a score from 1 to 10 based on eight market key factors. A score of 8 or above is equivalent to an Outperform rating. However, a Smart Score of 3 or lower is considered an Underperform-equivalent rating. There are some attractive holdings here, like top holdings Raytheon (NYSE:RTX) and Textron (NYSE:TXT), to which Smart Score gives Perfect 10 ratings, but unfortunately, the outsized Boeing position muddies the water for them. What Is ITAs Expense Ratio? ITA features an expense ratio of 0.40%, meaning that an investor will pay $40 in fees on a $10,000 investment annually. While this isnt cheap, it isnt overly expensive either, putting ITA in the middle of the road when it comes to cost. For comparison sake, the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:XAR) charges a slightly cheaper fee of 0.35%, while the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:PPA) is more expensive, with an expense ratio of 0.58%. Is ITA Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? Turning to Wall Street, ITA earns a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 25 Buys, 11 Holds, and one Sell rating assigned in the past three months. The average ITA stock price target of $141.80 implies 12.15% upside potential. Alternatives Are Out There ITA has been a solid performer for a long time, delivering annualized returns of 10.1% over the past 10 years (as of February 29). But the funds massive Boeing position unfortunately gives investors too much exposure to problems that they probably dont want any part of. Furthermore, for all of its issues, shares of Boeing are by no means cheap from a valuation perspective, so its hard to make a case for it as a contrarian idea or value play. At some point, Boeing may turn things around, but there is no visibility into that right now, so I am bearish on the ITA fund for the time being. The good news for investors is that there are other ways to gain exposure to the aerospace and defense industry as a whole without taking on as much exposure to Boeing. For example, the aforementioned XAR is a great defense ETF that has returned 11.4% on an annualized basis over the past decade (as of February 29) and has a much smaller 2.8% weighting toward Boeing. Meanwhile, the aforementioned PPA ETF is another option that has returned 12.7% on an annualized basis over the past 10 years and has a 4.1% weighting towards Boeing. Currently, both of these ETFs are probably safer ways to gain exposure to the aerospace and defense sector, given their much more manageable exposure to Boeing stock. Disclosure SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Shannon Medical Center announced that it has expanded its Womens and Childrens Hospital to include several new amenities, including additional delivery and patient rooms. The announcement came via a Facebook post issued on the evening of Thursday, March 14. In it, the medical organization shared what was introduced with the expansion, which is as follows: An observation unit Four new state-of-the-art labor and delivery rooms Two cutting-edge operating rooms 10 more spacious patient rooms The hospital has also introduced a board-certified neonatology program that allows families and our tiniest patients to stay in San Angelo for specialized nursery care, according to Shannon. The expansion has also reduced the two locations the Womens and Childrens Hospital operated out of to just one. The move to consolidate the hospital was done to keep its limited resources in one place, according to Stacie Elizondo, administrative director of the Shannon Womens and Childrens Hospital. San Angelo is in a rural area, so we have limited resources, Elizondo said. Expanding our services at one location allowed us to consolidate from two locations down to one so we didnt have to divide our resources. The expansion has been in the making since mid-2022, having finished construction in November 2023. The following months were spent getting the necessary equipment for the completed rooms. The equipment is now in place, meaning that the amenities are ready to be used by the newly-consolidated hospital. It allows for the support services that go along with perinatal care not to be stretched as thin because we arent trying to cover two locations, Elizondo said. We can be more consistent in providing those resources. Its better allocation. With the new amenities and the hospital consolidation in full effect, the Womens and Childrens Hospital is one step closer to graduating from its level two designation. Should the hospital receive a level three designation, it will be considered eligible to care for more critical patients, according to Elizondo. Being able to consolidate our services and use our resources better at one location more efficiently is really going to allow us to grow, Elizondo said. We are working to expand our neonatology services as well as raise our level of care. The Shannon Womens and Childrens Hospital helps deliver approximately 2,000 babies each year, according to Elizondo. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. A man accused of murdering PC Sharon Beshenivsky has said he "never" visited the travel agents where she was shot. Piran Ditta Khan, 75, is alleged to have planned a robbery at Universal Express in Bradford in 2005, where PC Beshenivsky was killed. On Friday he told Leeds Crown Court he had used the business to transfer money but had not been to the premises. Mr Khan, who admitted robbery at a hearing last year, denies murder and four firearms offences. PC Beshenivsky was 38 when she died after being shot at point-blank range by one of three men while responding to reports of a robbery. Her colleague PC Teresa Milburn was also injured. Prosecutors allege that although Mr Khan was not one of the three men who carried out the robbery, having remined in a Mercedes SLK allegedly being used as a lookout car, he is guilty of PC Beshenivsky's murder due to his "pivotal" role in planning the raid knowing that loaded weapons were to be used. The other men involved have since been convicted of offences including murder, manslaughter, robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Mr Khan travelled to Pakistan two months after the robbery and evaded arrest until he was detained by Pakistani authorities in 2020 and extradited to the UK last year. Jurors have heard that of the seven men involved in the robbery, Mr Khan was the only one who was familiar with Universal Express. The court heard he had used owner, Mohammad Yousaf, to send money to his family in Pakistan since 1968 but said he had never been to the premises on Morley Street. Mr Khan told the jury Mr Yousaf and his nephew Mohammad Ishaque had "lost his trust" after 12,000 he gave them in 1996 was not transferred, and he never used them again after that. He said when he later met one of the men who went on to carry out the robbery, Hassan Razzaq, he told him about the money. He said Razzaq had said "'Show me the place or show me the person he is, I will get your money'". "I asked him 'How will you get the money?' He said: 'Uncle you leave that to me'," Mr Khan said. He said Razzaq never told him how he was planning to get the money back. Mr Khan told the court he came to the UK from Pakistan as a teenager in 1965, initially living in Bradford, but at the time of the robbery he was living in London. When questioned by his barrister Peter Wright KC he told jurors he was an "ill man" who was receiving treatment for skin cancer. Khan denies murder, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon. The trial continues. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. People have wondered what motivated Judas to betray Jesus for almost two millennium. There has been much speculation, from scholars and laypeople alike, but it has been just that: speculation. However, we do know of two things in Judass life that must have played a role in what he later became. St. John wrote that Judas, who was the apostolic bands chief financial officer, used to help himself to what was in the treasury. I doubt that Judas thought of himself as stealing. He probably told himself that it was just for a day or so but, somehow, he never managed to pay back the money. Perhaps the first time he helped himself to the petty cash he was in a tight spot; he owed taxes, or something of the sort. He took a little money, meaning to pay it back in a day or two. He wasnt trying to be secretive, at least that is what he told himself; it was just too small a thing to mention. Shayne Looper But, of course, something happened, he wasnt able to pay back the money, and he felt uncomfortable mentioning it to the Lord. The next time was a little easier. Still, he intended to pay it back all of it. He wasnt stealing; it wasnt like that. But he never did get around to paying back the account and, after a while, it became clear that he never would. He must have trembled when he heard Jesus tell a story, which St. Luke informs us he told his disciples rather than the crowds, about a manager who misused his Masters money. One can almost see Judas turn pale as he listened to the story. Did Jesus know? Was he going to audit the funds and uncover Judas crime? That was the first thing: taking money without asking. The second was the increasing ease with which Judas played the hypocrite. Surely, he had kissed Jesus the customary greeting in that culture and called him Rabbi many times prior to the night of his betrayal. How long ago, one must wonder, had his love for Jesus grown cold? A short time before the betrayal, a woman spent an entire and very expensive bottle of ointment in anointing Jesus. The gospels tell us that a number of the disciples complained that it was wasteful. The ointment should have been sold and the money spent on the poor, they argued. St. John tells us that it was Judas who started that kind of talk, and not because he cared about the poor, but because he had been taking money out of the treasury. It was after Jesus rebuked him that he made the choice to betray Jesus. The combination of a wrong hidden and repeated, and a hypocrisy growing ever larger, placed Judas on the evil path that brought him to betray his friend and leader. His sin it neednt have been stealing; it could have been adultery or lying or any one of a thousand other wrongs and especially his dishonesty, prepared him to do the unthinkable. Should we feel sorry for Judas? Perhaps, but there are other lessons for us here. Bury a sin in your heart, hide it from the sight of others, add rationalizations to fertilize it, then irrigate it with the sweet water of blaming others, and it will sprout up like Jacks beanstalk; only rather than growing up to the heavens it will grow down into hell. Among the long list of traitors the world has seen, Judas ranks first. The acts of treachery by Alcibiades, Brutus, Cassius, Benedict Arnold, Alger Hiss, the Rosenburgs, and Aldrich Ames all pale in comparison to what Judas did. Yet God took this most monstrous act of betrayal and used it to bring about the greatest good humanity has ever known. People sometimes say that Judas had to betray Jesus; it was predestined. That is the wrong way to look at it. What Judas did was Judass doing, not Gods. But what God did turned historys most appalling betrayal on its head, transforming it into humanitys most glorious blessing. That is how good he is at being God. Shayne Looper is a writer and speaker based in Coldwater, Michigan. Contact him at salooper57@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Shayne Looper: Judas and the roots of betrayal MEMPHIS, Tenn. A woman stopped breathing while in Memphis police custody, and later died in the hospital. But it wasnt until two years later that the department asked the state to decertify two of the officers on the scene that day a very serious request that would revoke their credentials needed to work in law enforcement in Tennessee. The incident happened September 13, 2020. Officers trained to deal with mental health crises were called to an apartment where they found Nichole Clayborne, a young woman with schizophrenia. I dont know if you have been around a schizophrenic. They become well aware of the characters that are not real, Claybornes twin sister Natasha Bell said. She believes that morning was like the others. I have talked Nichole down many times when she thought she was hearing things, Bell said. Police stated Clayborne appeared to be in crisis but was non-violent. They eventually left. Eleven hours later, the same officers responded to a pet store bathroom where Clayborne was yelling, singing and praying. Police records state she was incoherent, extremely disoriented and flailing her arms. Despite what they already knew about Clayborne and despite their previous de-escalation training, she was immediately handcuffed. In the squad car, she became stiff and unresponsive, so an officer poured ice and water on her from a personal drinking cup and then administered two doses of Narcan. When that didnt work, they started CPR at first with her hands still cuffed behind her back. She was then taken to St. Francis Hospital. As soon as I found out she was in critical condition, I dropped everything I was doing in San Francisco, and I flew straight into Memphis, Bell said. Clayborne died before she landed. Her family was shocked, heartbroken and confused. I know this was investigated by Internal Affairs. They have done their best to keep us out and not give us information, Bell said. Internal police documents state that a death report wasnt taken until a day after Clayborne died, and that hospital staff didnt even know she was in police custody. Despite policy, the Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs werent contacted from the scene. Crime scene never showed up to photograph the squad car for any possible evidence. In fact, Claybornes family had to request an autopsy. We got a copy of the report. It noted multiple contusions and scattered abrasions and scabs. It stated Clayborne told officers that morning she was taking her psychiatric medications, but no psychiatric medications were detected. The report noted Hepatic Cirrhosis, swelling and damage to the brain, multiple rib fractures and more. Her body was in various stages of healing. The report concluded based on all currently known and available information, the cause of death is best attributed to complications of chronic alcoholism, and the manner of death is natural. Nichole struggled with mental health and a battle with alcoholism, but she didnt deserve to die the way she did, Bell said. Bell said the report left her with even more questions, so we requested the body camera footage. MPD said it would cost us $804, because it would take 36 hours to make the required redactions. We then requested footage from one officer and in October, agreed to pay $210 instead. MPD said it will be ready on or before September 18, almost a year after we made the request. We have been able to get internal investigative records that state four officers were called into question for their role that day. One was cleared and another received a written reprimand for turning off his body camera. Lieutenant Freddie Romero was questioned for not following protocol like making sure the paperwork was complete, contacting the proper departments and allowing an officer to leave the hospital. Officer Keith Snyder, only in the field for 23 days, was accused of failing to immediately render CPR and not repositioning the handcuffs. Both resigned before they could be disciplined. MPD never sent the case to the district attorneys office to see if there was any criminal wrongdoing, because they say there were no allegations nor any officers were found to have used force. They did, however, notify the states policing board almost two years later requesting Snyder and Romero be decertified, so they can no longer work in law enforcement in Tennessee. How come such a delay on that? asked one board member. I dont know, an MPD representative responded. We need things to be more organized. If you are seeking a decertification on somebody, this goes for any agency, that needs to be done sooner rather than later, stated another board member. They also wanted more information. So for a span of eight minutes, there were several officers around and no one jumped in to help her, so is that what we are kind of looking at? one board member asked. MPD can provide any documentation it wants to support its case, but it didnt turn over any video or the autopsy report. It didnt even send a representative to the hearing who handled the internal investigation. The only person able to answer questions was Snyder. He showed up with a representative from the new police department hes working for. Last he heard, he was praised for his work. I do remember them telling us how good we had done, Snyder said. I had no insinuation that I had done anything wrong or anything that I had been investigated. Snyder told the board he only resigned because his family moved to a new city. As for Romero, a family emergency reportedly kept him from being at the meeting. One board member asked where he was currently employed. I believe hes an investigator with the Shelby County District Attorneys Office, said another member. Because the board had too many questions, it voted to take no action and allowed both officers to keep their certification. MPD stated, The course of the internal investigation, including hearings, took a little over a year. Once the hearings were complete, the file was turned over to ISB. Once ISB receives a file back, they go over everything in the file and determine whether to request decertification. They also said during that time, there were ISB command staff changes taking place due to retirement, which likely delayed the process as well, as a new commander was taking over ISB. MPD said they established new procedures to ensure decertification requests are made more expeditiously in the future. You can see why theres a lack of trust, attorney Jake Brown said. He has represented citizens whove filed police misconduct cases before. He questions the lack of support behind such a serious request. In the wake of the Tyre Nichols incident, Chief Davis said that MPD would be getting more proactive about seeking decertifcataion, said Brown. If the city is referring these but in name only, right? If they are not giving the POST people what they need to determine and evaluate referrals, theres a problem. Get the latest from the WREG Investigators in your inbox Bell said she submitted her sisters case to the Department of Justice, which currently has an open civil rights investigation into MPD. Last month, the feds thanked her for the information. I still cant hardly believe it, Bell said. Clayborne was only 35 years old. She was known for her loving and fun spirit. Shes not just my sister, shes my twin. She had a son. She shouldnt be dead. DO YOU NEED A STORY INVESTIGATED? WREG Investigators want to hear from you! Call our tip line at 901-543-2378. You can also send an email to newstips@wreg.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. The family of 31-year-old Mikeanesha Moore is preparing for her funeral in Illinois on Saturday. The mother of three died eight days after a gas explosion in her familys apartment in the Woodhill Apartments in Orange County. WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS Moore suffered 3rd and 4th degree burns to more than 40% of her body. Real estate attorney Barry Miller outlined the landlords responsibilities and whats required under Florida law. The landlord has the obligation, and its called an implied warranty of habitability, Miller said. So, its an implied warranty under the law, and says that the landlord has to give a safe place for the tenant to move into. Read: Orlando couple charged with attempted murder for planned shooting in Lake County neighborhood A lawsuit filed against the property owner, manager and gas company states the fire department found uncapped and unplugged gas lines in the laundry room. It adds that the complex never conducted a safety inspection before Moore moved in. When the landlord was readying the unit for a new tenant, that should be an item that they should check to make sure is in the condition so that the parties can move in, Miller said. The Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, which is named in the lawsuit confirmed that since January 2023 it received 54 calls regarding potential gas leaks inside apartments at Woodhill. It completed on-site investigations for all, and found 41 leaks, turning those reports over to either the renter or apartment office. Read: Winter Park leaders discuss state budget proposal that blocks bans on gas leaf blowers The landlord needs to have make sure and warrant that its habitable, Miller said. When theres leaky gas thats not habitable. She just loved life, Latrice Moore, Mikeaneshsas mother said. She loved making TikToks and YouTube and her best friend was her husband and kids. Miller said it is crucial that you document any issues that you have at your rental property that includes reporting it to code enforcement. He said that will help them hold property owners accountable if theyre liable. Moores husband and kids are now living in a hotel after losing everything in the explosion. Below is a link to their go fund me. https://www.gofundme.com/f/ndx8kt-family-displaced-lost-everything Read: Wig-wearing Edgewater bank robbery suspect arrested in Georgia The Lake Apopka Natural Gas District sent us a statement Wednesday night. Below is the full statement from Lake Apopka Natural Gas District Attributable to the GM/CEO Brent Haywood. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those impacted by the March 1 explosion in the Woodhill Apartments community. Since Jan. 1, 2023, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District has received 54 total calls regarding potential gas leaks within properties in that community. We always respond immediately to any such call as an emergency and our response continues until any risks are identified and eliminated. Our records indicate that we followed proper procedures in response to every call, including inspecting apartments to identify whether a leak existed, and if so, to cap the leak, shut appropriate valves and provide instructions for having a licensed plumber complete repair. Our employees train for these situations and we coordinate training with local emergency responders to assure that we provide the safest, most reliable, energy service to our customers and communities. Lake Apopka Natural Gas District has been in full support of the ongoing investigation and has been sharing all relevant information with law enforcement and fire officials. We completed a thorough internal investigation and found nothing to indicate that our distribution system, procedures, or operational practices contributed to the tragic incident. The Lake Apopka Natural Gas District distribution system is safe and will remain so with the diligence that our communities deserve. We are here to support the community and most importantly those impacted through the healing process during this difficult time. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Ministry of Justice's figures suggest that short jail sentence are not working as deterrent - Charles O'Rear/Corbis Documentary RF More than 80 per cent of jailed shoplifters reoffend within a year of leaving prison, Ministry of Justice figures have revealed. The disclosure comes as Lord Burnett, Britains most senior judge until last year, warned that short sentences serve no real purpose. The MoJ data showed that 82 per cent of shoplifters freed from prison were caught reoffending within 12 months, the highest of any type of crime. An in-depth analysis of thefts by the MoJ revealed that of the 66,876 people found guilty of shoplifting in the last five years, 39,631, or 59.3 per cent, were subsequently convicted of exactly the same offence. The conviction for offences other than shoplifting explains the different figures. The figures have been published amid an epidemic of shoplifting with a record 1,300 offences a day being committed. This has left the retail industry with a 1.8 billion annual cost, which has added 6p to every store transaction by customers to pay for the losses and additional security. The data confirm shoplifters are the most prolific offenders. Their reoffending rates are nearly seven times those for sex offenders at 12 per cent, and nearly double those for burglary, which was the next highest at 46 per cent. Robbery was 22 per cent, violence against the person 25 per cent and fraud 22 per cent. Lord Burnett has suggested that shorter sentences should be replaced by community penalties - Cameras in Court/PA Lord Burnett, who was head of the judiciary as Lord Chief Justice until the end of last year, said short sentences were failing to rehabilitate and should be replaced by more effective community penalties and punishments. What is often overlooked is that those who get short sentences of imprisonment have as often as not had many non-custodial sentences which have, as it were, failed, he said in a podcast hosted by The University of Law. So, I have long thought that many short sentences really serve no real purpose other than to punish, and none of the other aims of sentencing are served at all. And so, I would certainly like to see more effective community penalties and punishments. Lengthy sentences may not be good for society The average sentence length for serious crimes had gone up very significantly, he said. I think theres a serious question about whether lengthening sentences is actually good in the public interest, good for society. I ask myself internally what I hope politicians of all parties will be asking: why is it, and is it a good thing, that sentences in England and Wales are so much longer than sentences in France and in Germany and in Italy and in Holland and Scandinavia? And is it actually producing benefits to society that can be measured, that are tangible. Investing in rehabilitation Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, is piloting legislation that would replace jail sentences of up to a year with suspended sentences. MoJ research suggested the reoffending rate halves, from 55.5 per cent to 24.2 per cent, when sentences are suspended. Edward Argar, the Justice Minister, said that additionally the Government was investing in rehabilitation to stop prison leavers falling back into crime including tackling drug addiction, increasing the number of offenders in work, and providing basic, short-term accommodation on release. 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. (Bloomberg) -- KKR & Co is exploring options for EuroKids International, including selling its controlling stake in the Indian pre-school and early-learning chain, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The US private equity firm is looking to hire financial advisers to help evaluate a sale, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private. KKR could seek a valuation of about $1 billion for its majority stake, the people said. Considerations are at an early stage and no final decisions have been made, they said, adding that KKR could decide not to pursue a deal. A representative for KKR declined to comment. KKR bought a controlling stake in EuroKids for an undisclosed amount in 2019 from a consortium led by Indian private equity firm Gaja Capital. Established in 2001, Mumbai-based EuroKids has a presence in more than 350 cities, according to its website. The company is part of Lighthouse Learning, an early childhood and kindergarten education group. Others have been assessing their investments in education-related assets globally. EQT AB and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have picked banks to advise them on a potential exit from Nord Anglia, Bloomberg News reported last month. They are considering seeking a valuation of about $15 billion for the international school operator, according to people familiar with the matter. Meanwhile, KKR is also exploring options for Indias JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., including selling its majority stake as the company is attracting interest from potential buyers, Bloomberg reported in late February. --With assistance from Preeti Singh. Story continues (Updates with more information on investments in the education industry.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A Skoda logo is seen on a car's hood during the second day of the 89th Geneva Motor Show. The Czech VW subsidiary Skoda plans to enter the affordable electric-car segment with a new all-electric small vehicle, according to its boss on Friday. Uli Deck/dpa The Czech VW subsidiary Skoda plans to enter the affordable electric-car segment with a new all-electric small vehicle, according to its boss on Friday. The vehicle, named Epiq, is set to cost around 25,000 ($27,000) and will be revealed next year, the car manufacturer said. The design will look completely different from the planned VW ID.2all model, Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer told journalists in Prague. The vehicle with a "high-up SUV look" will be 4.1 metres long and have a boot with a capacity of up to 490 litres. "Its spacious, but its very compact from the outside," he said. In the light of increasing market share from Chinese competitors for battery-powered cars, Zellner said: "We are ready for competition." "We have seen Japanese competitors coming to Europe, we have seen Korean competitors coming to Europe. And now we see Chinese competitors coming to Europe. We respect them. We just have to be part of the competition. That is what Skoda is all about," he said. A few months ago, Volkswagen decided not to build a new battery factory in the Czech Republic for the time being. Zellmer explained the decision saying the transformation process towards e-mobility in Europe is progressing more slowly than was expected a year or two ago. However, the plans have not completely been called off. "We will restart that discussion, but not on Pilsen, we will then have to look for a different site," he said. Last year, Skoda said it delivered 866,800 vehicles worldwide, an increase of 18.5% compared to 2022 - despite the withdrawal from Russia due to the war in Ukraine. Skoda's operating profit rose from 628 million in 2022 to more than 1.7 billion. At 6.7%, the carmaker's return on sales was more than twice as high as in the previous year. The new teen comedy Snack Shack suffers from a personality disorder. At times the tale of two annoying teens living in Nebraska City tries to be a risque comedy. Then it turns into a slapstick fest before landing with a thud as a serious coming-of-age movie. Had director/writer Adam Rehmeier (Dinner in America) shown a little self-constraint with his genre hopping the end result would have been better. What he has produced is cinematic chaos but not in a good way. It is the summer of 1991. Best friends AJ (Conor Sherry) and Moose (Gabriel LaBelle) split their time between abusing each other physically and verbally and trying to come up with get-rich-quick schemes. Those range from off-track betting to making their own beer. Between bouts with high school bullies (who look to be more than 30 years old), the friends jump on the chance to run the local pools rundown snack shack. The only flaw in their plan is the arrival of the provocative summer visitor Brooke (Mika Abdalla). The only thing that can separate too close buddies is a love interest. The first part of Snack Shack comes across as a tribute to the John Hughes teen movies of the 80s. Moose could be a cousin to Anthony Michael Halls scheming character in 16 Candles. Thats the direction Rehmeier should have maintained. There have not been a lot of films aimed at the teen market in recent decades. The few that have been made such as Lady Bird have been more dramatic in nature. There has just been a lack of goofy stories about growing up. Rehmeier begins to lose his way as the friends land the job at the Snack Shack. Instead of capitalizing on the unique mix of youngsters who go to a public pool as in Caddyshack the director opts for frantic scenes of youngsters trying to buy snacks. The biggest joke in those segments is how AJ writes a curse word using ketchup on the hot dogs being sold to the pool patrons. They are so happy to see the profanity, the youngsters are willing to pay more for the hot dogs. Their mentor in the endeavor is Shane (Nick Robinson), a slightly older friend who has returned home after being sent to Kuwait. Hes always around to hand out sage advice or to take care of a bully when needed. Initially, their plan works. The friends are raking in the dough, and they see the money as the start of a financial empire. Then Rehmeier makes a dramatic turn to the dramatic. The silliness gets replaced by the romantic struggle between the friends, a massive tragedy and loads of heartbreak. Those elements are handled well, especially the work by Sherry. The mop-top actor presents the same kind of innocence that made Michael OKeefes character in Caddyshack such a likable character. What causes the viewing whiplash is watching the film go from a full-blown comedy to a tearful tale of teen angst. These elements are so different that it takes a seasoned hand to blend them smoothly. Rehmeier doesnt show such a directing skill. His approach is more of a jerking motion that tends to confuse more than support the story trying to be told. He even makes the mistake of missing the opportunity to make this film memorable simply for its soundtrack. There are a couple of 90s tunes but the movie should have been a songbook of the era. Anyone who has ever been to a public pool knows the tunes never end. His last mistake was not knowing his audience. This is a story aimed at teens but because of the language, sexual material and other elements it is rated R. That means the demographic meant to see it will have to get their parents to go with them. The best solution is to bypass this film as it can never decide if it was to stay in the shallow end of the pool of comedy or take a deep dive into drama. Movie review Snack Shack Grade: C- Cast: Conor Sherry, Gabriel LaBelle, Mika Abdalla, Nick Robinson, Gillian Vigman, David Costabile. Director: Adam Rehmeier Rated: R for language, sexual material, alcohol and drug use, smoking Running time: 112 minutes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Florida legislators have passed several bills that will likely affect life in classrooms across the state, from requiring instruction on communism to relaxing work requirements and a ban on social-media accounts for kids. The legislative session, which ended March 8, resulted in five major pieces of legislation that Palm Beach County school leaders will have to examine and potentially put into place. For the moment, they await the governor's signature before they become state law and go into effect. The bills include an age requirement for social-media platforms, a bill that would allow religious chaplains to volunteer in schools, a limit on how many book challenges someone can submit to a school district, relaxed employment rules for children between 15 and 17 years of age and a requirement that Florida adopt standards to teach students of all ages about the history of communism. This year's legislative session was much less focused on education issues than last year, resulting in far less wide-ranging legislation that the school district may have to scramble to figure out how to follow. "It was a very good year for public education," Megan Fay, a lobbyist for the Palm Beach County School District, told the school board on Wednesday. "Most (bills) are very straightforward." By contrast, in 2023 lawmakers passed bills that established later school start times, created a nearly universal voucher system for private schools and expanded the Parental Rights in Education law that prohibited instruction about on gender identity and sexual orientation for certain age groups. From 2023: Later start times, new graduation rules: 6 laws affecting Palm Beach County students Here's a breakdown of five major pieces of 2024 Florida education legislation and how they could impact Palm Beach County students: 1. Florida's social-media ban for kids Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram will be affected if HB 3 becomes law. Summary: The bill, H.B. 3, prohibits children under 14 years old from opening social-media accounts. The bill allows children who are 14 and 15 years old to open accounts with parental consent. Status: Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed an earlier version of the bill that prohibited social-media accounts for kids under 16 years old and did not make exceptions for children whose parents consented to their creation of an account. He has yet to sign this bill, which is likely to be challenged in court, according to PEN America. What it means for Palm Beach County students: The bill doesn't only affect kids when they're at school. Currently, students cannot access social-media websites like TikTok, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) on school devices. District Wi-Fi also blocks access to YouTube. 2. School chaplains to be allowed on Florida school campuses Summary: H.B. 931 allows school districts and charter schools to create policies that allow volunteer religious chaplains in school. Parents must provide written consent before a student participates in any programming or services put on by the chaplain. Status: The bill passed both the House and Senate and has been sent to DeSantis for his signature. What it means for Palm Beach County students: Passage of the law does not require school districts to create policies to allow the chaplains. Volunteer chaplains would have to pass background checks and can be affiliated with any religion. Schools that have chaplains would be required to publish a list of all registered chaplains and their religious affiliations on the school's website. 3. Bill limited book challenges for people who don't have kids in school Summary: H.B. 1285 limits the number of book challenges people can make if they are not a parent or guardian of a student in a county's school district. Status: The bill passed both the House and Senate and has been sent to DeSantis for his signature. What it means for Palm Beach County students: People who are not parents of a student in a Palm Beach County school will be limited to challenging one material per month to the school board. Book challenges are rare in Palm Beach County, though. Just four books were challenged from Aug. 10, 2023, to Feb. 15, 2024. Books in a kindergarten classroom in Palm Beach County. A new Florida law would limit book challenges by people who are not parents of children in a school district. 4. Relaxed employment rules would allow kids to work longer Summary: H.B. 49 removes some limitations on when and how long children can work. It drops the age limit to 15 years old from 17 and allows children to work six days a week, for more than eight hours a day and more than 30 hours a week. Status: The bill passed both the House and Senate and has been sent to DeSantis for his signature. What it means for Palm Beach County students: Although the bill is not specifically related to education, it is likely to change the landscape in Palm Beach County by allowing younger teenagers to work more frequently and for longer hours. A minor's parent or guardian could agree to allow a 16- or 17-year-old student to work more than 30 hours in a week. 5. Florida schools would have to teach history of communism Summary: S.B. 1264 requires the Florida Department of Education to create standards for instruction in the history of communism with a heavy emphasis on the economic upheaval and restrictions on personal freedom seen in many communist nations. Status: The bill passed both the House and Senate and has been sent to DeSantis for his signature. If passed, the bill would require the instruction starting in the 2026-27 school year. What it means for Palm Beach County students: Currently, students receive lessons on communism in a seventh-grade civics and government course or in high-school social studies classes. A high-school government class required for graduation also includes a 45-minute lesson on Victims of Communism Day, which covers communist regimes through history. The bill would allow instruction on communism at all grade levels with the provision that the lesson is age-appropriate. USA TODAY Florida state watchdog reporter Ana Goni-Lessan, FLORIDA TODAY education reporter Finch Walker, and USA TODAY reporter John Kennedy contributed to this report. Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Social media ban, communism: Laws impact Palm Beach County students A former employee for the Social Security Administration is accused of abusing her position to steal $1.8 million in benefits over a 12-year span. Shes facing federal charges in Puerto Rico. Myrna Faria worked for the Social Security Administration in San Juan for 28 years as a social insurance specialist and claims specialist before retiring in 2019, the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Puerto Rico said in a March 14 news release. Faria began using her position to steal funds from the Social Security Administration in March 2012, prosecutors said. Over a 12-year period, she filed 13 fake claims on behalf of others, using the identity of individuals she believed to be deceased, prosecutors said. She then approved those false claims and submitted her own bank and address information to collect the benefits. In total, Faria stole just over $1,812,000 in benefits, according to the district attorneys office. Prosecutors said that a total of 10 fraudulent claims were still active and receiving funds as of the date of (Farias) indictment. Even after she retired, she continued to enrich herself illegally, an FBI agent in charge of the San Juan Field Office, Joseph Gonzalez, said in the release. Faria, who also goes by the name Myrna Oliveras-Santiago, did not have an attorney listed in court records as of March 15 and could not be reached for comment. The indictment had not been filed as of March 15. The district attorneys office did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for court documents. Faria was indicted and arrested, prosecutors said. Shes facing charges of theft of government funds, mail fraud, misuse of Social Security numbers and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, the charges have maximum penalties ranging from 5 to 20 years each. This is embarrassing and despicable conduct by a public official, someone called to serve the people, not take from them, Gonzalez said. Boaters caught trying to smuggle over 110,000 live eels out of Puerto Rico, feds say Ex-employee stole thousands from nonprofit to fund her lifestyle, Georgia cops say Church employee steals $360,000, uses pastors credit card to buy jewelry, feds say By Abdi Sheikh MOGADISHU (Reuters) -Three soldiers were killed and 27 people wounded in an attack on a hotel in Somalia's capital, police said on Friday, the latest incident highlighting al Shabaab insurgents' ability to strike. Security services were earlier seen surrounding the Syl Hotel, usually frequented by government officials and lawmakers, following the late Thursday attack claimed by the al Qaeda-allied militants. "Three soldiers died. Eighteen civilians and nine soldiers were injured in the hotel attack, Kasim Ahmed Roble, police spokesperson, told a news conference. "All the five terrorists were shot dead and their bodies displayed." Al Shabaab has been waging a brutal insurgency against Somalia's federal government since 2006 to try to establish its own rule based on its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. In Thursday's attack, residents heard a blast followed by gunfire as the attackers entered the hotel, they told Reuters. A second blast followed several minutes later, a Reuters journalist and a resident said. Despite being pushed out of several territories by government-backed forces since the mid-2010s, the militant group still controls vast areas in southern and central Somalia and launches sporadic attacks on civilian and military targets. In June, al Shabaab militants killed nine people at the Pearl restaurant in the capital. In 2019, its fighters attacked Syl Hotel. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar;Writing by Bhargav Acharya;Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Andrew Cawthorne) 'Something went wrong': How EU sanctions won't stop Putin getting six more years in power Critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin say the EU must do more to help them crack the elites grip on power ahead of a presidential election so tightly controlled by the current Kremlin resident that it leaves no room for any opposition to his 25-year rule. Despite EU efforts to sanction Russian authorities for their full-scale invasion of Ukraine and ongoing crackdown on dissent, the ballot will be held weeks after Moscow gained significant territory in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the ruling elite is getting richer, Russia has been selling oil for more than the price cap established by the G7, Moscows army is securing sanctioned military technology via allied countries, and the voice of Putins fiercest critic, Alexei Navalny, was forever silenced last month when he died in the penal colony he was held in. Russia may be the most sanctioned country in the world, but "there were a lot of mistakes" in the restrictive measures implemented by Western allies, Russian politician and opposition leader Dmitry Gudkov told Euronews. Sanctions, he also said, have benefited Putin but are hurting ordinary Russians. European officials are just now realising that "something went wrong," he added. Last month, a Moscow court barred Putins main challenger, Boris Nadezhdin, an opponent of the war in Ukraine, from running in the election. Gudkov, the leader of the opposition Party of Changes, was exiled to Ukraine in 2021 after being detained and released shortly after for what he claims was a fake criminal case against him. A Moscow court issued in February an arrest warrant against him under charges of distributing fake information about Russias military. The former politician faces up to 10 years in prison. Dmitry Gudkov speaking at Russia's State Duma in 2015. - Provided by Dmitry Gudkov For Russian dissidents, Putins illegitimacy should not be questioned: the Russian leader has been the subject since March 2023 of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes committed in Ukraine; the 2020 referendum that allowed him to run for two more six-year presidential terms was considered a sham by international observers; and these 'elections' will be conducted in the illegally occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia How has the West failed to implement sanctions efficiently? According to Rasa Jukneviciene, a Member of the European Parliament from Lithuania, the EU does not have an effective structure to implement sanctions against Russia due to the blocs lack of experience. The 27-country Union rolled out its 13th package of sanctions against Russia last month to further restrict Moscows access to military technologies and prevent sanction circumvention. But Western leaders, Jukneviciene added, are afraid to punish Putin, to crush Putins regime, and provide all necessary support to Ukraine. Forbes announced last year that the overall wealth of Russias super-rich had increased by $152 billion (139 billion) since 2022. It also counted 110 billionaires in Russia 22 more than the previous year. Speaking to EU foreign affairs ministers in February, Navalnys widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said that sanctions have not targeted Russias elite enough. She claims they have transferred their belongings to family and friends to avoid the seizure of their assets. Putins friends are simply laughing at you, Navalnaya said. Since Ukraines full-scale invasion, Russia has been able to sell oil above the $60 per barrel price cap established by the G7 countries in December 2022, according to the Atlantic Council. The Kremlin is moving over 70 percent of its oil through a shadow fleet, it said. A report by researchers from Kings College London found that Russia has been able to evade sanctions by importing banned products via friendly countries such as Georgia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. We see how sanctions do not work, and this is obvious for the West," Russian dissident Anastasia Shevchenko told Euronews. While she believes the concept of sanctions in general can be effective, Shevchenko argued allies have a lot of work to do for them to affect Putin. How can the European Union help the Russian opposition? Shevchenko was the first person in Russia to be criminally prosecuted under the Kremlins undesirable organisations law. While arrested, her eldest daughter, Alina, fell ill. Russian authorities allowed Anastasia to see her daughter only hours before she died. For Shevchenko, one of the most important things European officials can do in the upcoming elections is to recognise Putins regime as illegitimate. This is a crucial point for us, Shevchenko told Euronews. Anastasia Shevchenko at a protest in Rostov, Russia, to demand the release of Oleg Navalny, brother of Alexei Navalny, in 2016. - Provided by Anastasia Shevchenko. In the 2018 elections, countries such as the United States, Hungary, and Israel congratulated Putin for his reelection. France and Germany acknowledged his victory but refrained from using the word congratulate. Dissidents also emphasise the need for Western support for Russians that have escaped the regime. Dimitri Androssow, a Putin critic who currently lives in Berlin, told Euronews that some programmes and opportunities worldwide have been closed for Russians. One of them was an internship in the German Bundestag that helped his career 10 years ago but that was restricted to Russian nationals in the wake of the countrys assault on Ukraine two years ago. "The West should concentrate on those who dare to show somehow that they are against this regime, Androssow said. This is our future. This is that democratic chance for our Russia. Those people who are against this regime and who are not afraid to speak about this. Androssow is a board member of Russias Peoples Freedom Party. He left the country in 2022 due to political persecution. For the now exiled Gudkov, EU officials should also include Russian dissidents in the policy-making of the sanctions. He claims he has presented some proposals to European colleagues, but they were not taken into consideration. Nobody knows Putin better than us. Nobody knows our country better than us. Nobody knows the elites and the civil society in Russia better than us, Gudkov said. But unfortunately, our expertise is not considered while some of the sanction policy is being carried out. Pushing for change from exile In the meantime, opposition leaders are calling Russians to show up to the polls on 17 March at noon and write Navalny or tear up their ballot as a form of protest. While this might not have a direct effect on the regime, the goal is to affect the perception of these so-called elections, Gudkov said. Domestically, it will undermine Putins legitimacy, he added. We want to demonstrate that a lot of people taking to the street and coming to the polling stations are against Putin and the war, Gudkov said. Its the only safe format for people to demonstrate and express their position without being detained. Shevchenko said she already sees a change in Russian society. Images and videos from Navalnys funeral this month showed hundreds queuing to pay their respects to the opposition leader despite threats of arrests from Russian police. When people see how many people like them are around, it helps get rid of fear, Shevchenko said. I think it means that step by step, they stop being afraid. South Africas threat to arrest its own citizens who serve in the Israel Defense Forces is raising legal, moral and strategic questions for a military that relies heavily on foreign-born troops to fill its ranks. What effect will the decision have on IDF readiness amid the Israel-Hamas war? Could South Africas move create a chilling effect that would dissuade people from taking the risk of serving? And what about dual nationals, who have no choice under Israeli law but to complete mandatory military service? Although no other nations have said theyll follow South Africas lead and prosecute their own citizens, campaigns are underway to push several other governments to do the same most notably in France. Proponents cite allegations of war crimes leveled against Israel by the U.N. and others. The growing questions about legal consequences for IDF troops who hold other citizenship were kicked up this week by South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, whose government has accused Israel of genocide in the International Court of Justice. In a speech at a summit on Palestinian solidarity, Pandor said she was putting South Africans who fight in the IDF on notice. We are ready. When you come home, we are going to arrest you, Pandor said as vigorous applause rang out. Israel invaded the Gaza Strip after Hamas launched a terror attack on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hundreds more hostage. During five months of war, Israeli forces have killed more than 31,000 in Gaza amid a humanitarian crisis so dire that the U.S. and aid agencies are rushing in food by airdrop and by sea. In South Africas case, the government has threatened to prosecute citizens or strip their citizenship for merely joining the IDF, even if theyre not personally accused of any wrongdoing in the war. South Africa is citing local laws it says can impose consequences on South Africans who join foreign militaries without South Africas permission or fight in wars the nation disagrees with. But Peter Spiro, who teaches international law at the Temple University Beasley School of Law, said governments would be hard-pressed to apply collective guilt to individual citizens for specific, alleged crimes committed by the IDF. They couldnt just say, The IDF is engaging in war crimes, so you are guilty of a war crime, said Spiro, an expert on dual citizenship. They could say, You participated in the following episode that involved war crimes. IDF troops in Gaza on Feb. 23, 2024. (Israeli Army / AFP - Getty Images) Its unclear exactly how many foreign nationals are serving in the Israel-Hamas war. The IDF didnt respond to questions about those figures or concerns that other nations might follow South Africas example. Dual nationals make up a sizable share of society in Israel. Many children of foreign-born Israelis also receive second citizenship through their parents. And Israels military has numerous programs to recruit foreigners to serve in the IDF, including in the Mahal volunteer program for Jewish people and as lone soldiers, who have no other family in Israel. The nonprofit Lone Soldier Center says there are more than 7,000 of them, with 18% from the U.S. and 14% from former Soviet Union states. LeRoi Taljaard, a 24-year-old from the Johannesburg area, immigrated to Israel with his family from South Africa as a teenager and completed his mandatory military service as an IDF paratrooper. Now a reservist, he was called back into service when the war started and now faces the prospect of never being able to return to South Africa, he said. These days, his Instagram posts are filled with acerbic comments from strangers saying, Straight to jail as soon as you land and come home, we dare you. IDF reservist LeRoi Taljaard. (Courtesy of LeRoi Taljaard ) Its extremely difficult, Taljaard said in a phone interview from Israel, where hes spent much of the last four months fighting in the Gaza Strip. But on the other side, you need to understand what your values are, and what you stand for. In South Africas case, the warning comes ahead of elections in May, in which the ruling African National Congress is under huge pressure over rampant unemployment, high rates of violence and crumbling infrastructure. Critics have accused the government of stoking hostility toward Israel as a distraction from its own domestic failures. Theyre statements before an election to try and get more votes for a government party, said Dorron Kline, CEO of Telfed, a pro-Israel group that supports South Africans immigrating to Israel. South Africa has been among the fiercest critics of Israel and the war in Gaza, with top leaders often comparing Israels occupation of Palestinian territories to South Africas former apartheid regime of racial discrimination. Still, there are signs that other nations are grappling with whether participation by their citizens in the war can or should be criminalized. In France, lawmaker Thomas Portes has said 4,000 French citizens are fighting in Israels military in the war in Gaza. In a December letter, he demanded that Frances justice minister investigate and prosecute them, although there are no indications Frances government plans to take that step. The United Kingdom, facing questions about whether its citizens could legally serve in the IDF, published written guidance saying the U.K. recognizes the right of British nationals with additional nationalities to serve in those countries legitimately recognized armed forces, including the IDF. In the U.S., where the Biden administration has said it will never withhold support for Israel in its war with Hamas, any efforts to punish Americans serving in the IDF are highly unlikely. Americans who serve in foreign militaries can lose their U.S. citizenship under specific circumstances, such as if that military is engaged in hostilities with the U.S. But experts on U.S. citizenship law say there are no recent examples of that being carried out. Pnina Sharvit-Baruch, a colonel in Israels reserves and former head of the IDFs international law department, said she didnt expect any short-term, significant effect on IDF readiness. People who are serving in the IDF are coming here to defend the country in our most precarious security situation since our existence, said Sharvit-Baruch, now a senior researcher at Tel Avivs Institute for National Security Studies. I dont think these considerations will play a major role in the consideration of specific people to whether to join the IDF. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A new look has been developed Monday, March 11, 2024, at the L Wine Bar at 530 E. Lexington Ave. in Elkhart. The site formerly was the 530 Wine Bar. After about a 1-year closure, the former 530 Wine Bar at 530 E. Lexington Ave. in the heart of Elkharts rapidly-developing River District opened Feb. 29 under new ownership and a new name. The wine bar was open for only about half a year before the death of its owner, Carl Tiedemann, a longtime Elkhart area developer with a passion for wine, resulted in its closure in July 2022. Eventually, the Tiedemann family contacted South Bend restaurateur Mark McDonnell and his daughter Laurel Marnocha about their interest in taking over management of the Lex 530 event space as well as the adjacent wine bar. The Tiedemanns were long-time patrons at LaSalle Grill, so we knew each other, Marnocha says, explaining why the family reached out to them. At the same time, the Tiedemanns knew that LaSalle Hospitality Group was interested in growing into Elkhart. The Lex 530, or the Metropolitan Event Center, provides flexible space for up to 250 people as well as ample parking. It also has an oversized kitchen to support the event center and the wine bar. The L Wine Bar at 530 E. Lexington Ave. in Elkhart is owned and operated by the LaSalle Hospitality Group. From left are Lauren Marnocha, owner; Casey Dvorak, general manager and sommelier; and Ian Woodiel, executive chef. The site formerly was the 530 Wine Bar. LaSalle Hospitality took over operations at the event center late last year and the kitchen is now the main location for LaSalle catering operations, under the direction of Chef Ian Woodiel, who has about 18 years of experience largely at LaSalle Grill. After months of work, the wine bar reopened on Feb. 29 with the same furnishings but now painted in a deep pine green and decorated with large colorful murals by local artist Lauren Steinhofer, a long-time friend of LaSalle who has painted many bands while they have performed at LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern. Casey Dvorak, general manager and sommelier of the LaSalle Hospitality Group, shows the work of local artist Lauren Steinhofer that is on the walls Monday, March 11, 2024, at the L Wine Bar at 530 E. Lexington Ave. in Elkhart. The site formerly was the 530 Wine Bar. Though the former 530 Wine Bar sign is still hanging out front, the space has been renamed The L Wine Bar and signage should be changed soon. Besides catering, Woodiel also will serve as chef at the adjacent L Wine Bar, which offers appetizers and small plates from about $12 to $22, entrees such as grilled Elk tenderloin, lamb lollipops and pan-seared duck ranging from $20 to $40 and even salads, soups and desserts. Story continues Growing: South Bend restaurateurs take over Brass Elk Brewing in Elkhart Wines can be purchased by the bottle or by the glass via systems that ensure it doesnt oxidize. Prices by the glass range from $6 for a Chenin Blanc or Rose to $30 for a Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon or $36 for a Jusin Isosceles red blend. A glass of poured wine sits on the bar Monday, March 11, 2024, at the L Wine Bar at 530 E. Lexington Ave. in Elkhart. The site formerly was the 530 Wine Bar. "We have a diverse selection of 22 wines that can be ordered by the glass and a wide range of over 100 wines by the bottle," Dvorak says. "And our list is growing." And for those who arent interested in wines, the bar also offers a few beers and eight cocktails that are made without distilled spirits because it only has a two-way license from the state, says Marnocha, who took over ownership of LaSalle Hospitality from her father three years ago. Baked brie with blackberry jam is one of the appetizers available at L Wine Bar, which recently opened in Elkhart. While still awaiting a new sign to hang above the entrance, the L Wine Bar also plans to add unique wall booth seating that is being custom built locally and will be installed along the wall across from the bar, says Casey Dvorak, general manager of LaSalle Hospitality and a sommelier. The wine bar has tables for those who want a more focused experience with their significant other or friends. But Marnocha and Dvorak hope the raised booths create somewhat of a gathering spot near the bar, which has limited seating. Lamb lollipops are among the entrees at the new L Wine Bar in Elkhart's River District The idea is to create a space where people can mill around a bit, Marnocha says. Stay tuned for more. The wine bar is still a work in progress thanks to adjacent space thats currently separated by a sliding barn door. That gives the L Wine Bar the opportunity to create more of a lounge where customers might be able to settle into cushioned seating while enjoying wine and small plates, for example, or space that might be used for larger tastings and pairings. This is the dark chocolate cheesecake at L Wine Bar With Artisan, Essence, the Vine, Jackson Rooftop among those already in downtown Elkhart, Marnocha previously jumped into the market last year by acquiring the nearby Brass Elk Brewing under LaMa Enterprises, a sister company of LaSalle Hospitality. With hundreds of new apartments already open in the downtown area and hundreds more coming, she sees a bright future for the downtown area, especially in the River District, which is being developed into a walkable enclave. Several bottles of wine sit in front of the wine lockers in the future site of a wine lounge Monday, March 11, 2024, at the L Wine Bar at 530 E. Lexington Ave. in Elkhart. The site formerly was the 530 Wine Bar. Marnocha hopes to help fulfill the vision of the Tiedemann family, which aimed to create a community gathering spot in downtown Elkhart with the wine bar and event center. Lunch specials already have been added on Fridays and Saturdays, offering customers a sandwich, a side and soup or salad for $15. Other promotions include half-off wine bottles on Tuesdays and flatbreads and wine flights on Wednesdays. Crab Rangoon truffles are among the appetizers at the L Wine Bar in Elkhart. Hours are currently 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Ive always wanted to have a wine bar, Marnocha says. But I want it to be approachable, fun and relaxed. Have you heard The University Park Mall marked its 45th anniversary on Thursday, March 14 with a rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition, The Suit Co. and LoveSac opened new stores in the mall and KPot Korean BBQ and Asian Hot Pot opened in the space previously occupied by Bar Louie until it relocated to the Grandview development northeast of the mall a few years ago. Market Basket: Still going strong. UP Mall gets ready to mark 45th anniversary. Only eight tickets are still available for for Culinary Crossroads event that will be held March 26 beginning at 6 p.m. at Elcona Country Club in Bristol. Chefs Sylvia Awald of West on Warren in Middlebury, Chris Janowsky of Artisan in Elkhart and Robert Standen of Ruhe 152 in Nappanee will collaborate on a multi-course menu featuring a variety of passed hors d'oeuvres with complimentary sparkling wine, beer and a signature cocktail and a four-course wine-paired meal. The purpose of Culinary Crossroads is to highlight the culinary talent throughout Indiana. For ticket information, email Culinary Crossroads at Info@CulinaryCrossroads.org. Cost is $350 for a pair and $1,200 for a table for eight. Email Market Basket columnist Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Elkhart's rapidly-developing River District gains new wine bar Kristi Noems smile set political teeth chattering across South Dakota and the nation this week. Her feet soon followed. The Republican governors odd infomercial-style post about an out-of-state dentist that did work on her mouth, followed by a video endorsing a shoe company, has some locals scratching their heads and wondering if shes trying to get the attention of one Donald Trumpwho hasnt yet picked a running mate. Its so hard to know these days where shes getting direction and inspiration, but I have to believe Trump or Noems and her staffs desire to please Trump are behind it somehow, said Kevin Woster, a longtime political reporter with South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Or maybe its simply Noems need to look better for the national spotlight she seems to crave, although I thought her smile was just fine before. Brian Bengs, a retired Air Force colonel who ran as a Democrat for a U.S. Senate seat and lost in 2022, had the same theory. Not only will this increase her chances of being selected as Trumps running mate, but I believe it was done precisely for that reason, he said. He noted that Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway endorsed Ivanka Trumps fashion products in a 2017 television interview leading to a sales bump. There was a firestorm about the clear ethics violation and the president backed her up to preclude any disciplinary action, Bengs said. Kristi is demonstrating that she has no reservations about shilling any Trump or Trump allys product as vice president. He now knows she will help him make more money as president. Noems spokesman, Ian Fury did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast. Its not clear if Noem is on Trumps shortlist for vice president, but her ardent support of himremember the Mount Rushmore fireworks show for him?and her full-fledged embrace of MAGA has certainly raised her national profile. Which is why national headlines followed when she posted a video on Facebook, X, Truth Social, and Instagram this week of a dental procedure she had done in Texas to repair damage from a bike accident. I love my new family at Smile Texas! The video says it all, and I am so grateful for their help fixing my smile for me. pic.twitter.com/z2kTmiY8td Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 12, 2024 I love my new family at Smile Texas! Noem wrote on her personal, not official, account. The video says it all, and I am so grateful for their help fixing my smile for me. The team here was remarkable and finally gave me a smile that I can be proud of and confident in, and that really is a gift that I think is going to be incredibly special to have. I chose the team here at Smile Texas because theyre the best. Ethical questions were immediately raised. A consumer advocacy group, Travelers United, filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C, alleging she was advertising a product without disclosing that she has a financial relationship with that company. Then on Thursday, Noem posted a video endorsing a South Dakota shoe called Fit My Feet, saying they did amazing work to make custom insoles. Fit My Feet does amazing work to make custom insoles. Just wait Im gonna be so fast! pic.twitter.com/RujfkjWPrc Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 14, 2024 Just wait Im gonna be so fast! she wrote. State Sen. Reynold Nesiba, one of just 11 Democrats in the 105-member South Dakota Legislature, called on the Government Operations & Audit Committee, which he serves on, to look into the matter. I just thought it was a very strange video about how much she enjoyed having her teeth done at that particular place, Nesiba told the Associated Press. The committee, dominated by Republicans, declined to schedule an investigation. Ive looked into this and there is no basis for GOAC to take this up. No state funds were used and the state plane wasnt used. Im told it was done with her personal funds, Chairman Ernie Otten wrote in an email to committee members. I have no intent to add a GOAC mtg for this complaint. Northern State University political science professor Jon Schaff said he was surprised by the uproar. This whole thing strikes me as a proverbial tempest in a teapot. I wish that the biggest problem facing South Dakota is who whitens the governors teeth, Schaff said. Noem is getting national attention as a potential running mate for Donald Trump. Her opponents are grasping at anything to rough her up. But he acknowledged that by his memory, no other South Dakota politician had done anything like Noems flackery. I think it is odd that a sitting governor would engage in a kind of product endorsement more typical of a celebrity or an athlete, Schaff said. I dont know that I would call it improper, which suggests unethical, but perhaps governors should be more statesmanlike rather than using their notoriety to sell a commercial product. State Rep. Linda Duba, a Sioux Falls Democrat, pointed out that Noem also endorsed a Spearfish coffee shop, Common Grounds, on Thursday. And she noted that her attention-getting posts came ahead of a trip to Ohio to appear at a rally with Trump. She can show off her new teeth, Duba quipped. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. South Korea's "Squid Game" actor O Yeong-su has been found guilty of sexual misconduct, a local court said Friday, after he was charged with assaulting a woman in 2017. The 79-year-old in 2022 became the first South Korean to win a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor in a series for his performance as a seemingly vulnerable old man in the mega-hit Netflix dystopian thriller. The actor was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court told AFP. He has been also ordered to complete 40 hours of classes on sexual violence, the court added. The victim's own records of the assault and her claims are "consistent ... and appear to be statements that cannot be made without actually experiencing them," judge Jeong Yeon-ju said, according to the court. O was indicted in 2022 without detention on charges of sexually assaulting a woman, who has not been identified, on two occasions. The incidents took place when O was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance in 2017, on a walking path and in front of the victim's residence, respectively, according to the Suwon District Court. "Squid Game," a series that depicts a dark world where marginalised individuals are forced to compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games, quickly gained immense popularity on Netflix. Within less than four weeks of its release in 2021, it attracted a staggering 111 million viewers. The show's success has amplified South Korea's increasingly outsized influence on global popular culture, following global fame won by the likes of K-pop band BTS and the Oscar-winning film "Parasite". Multiple figures in South Korea's film industry -- including late filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun -- have faced sexual assault allegations. cdl/mca Squid Game star Oh Young-soo was found guilty of indecent assault Friday and sentenced by a South Korean court to a suspended eight-month prison sentence. The 79-year-old, who became the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for his performance on the hit Netflix drama, was also ordered to complete 40 hours in a sexual violence treatment program, according to The Korea Herald. Oh, who denied wrongdoing, had been charged over allegations of inappropriately touching an actress in 2017. Squid Game Star Accused of Sexual Misconduct Admits He Behaved Badly The woman, who has not been identified, filed a complaint against Oh in 2021 alleging misconduct while the pair were on tour for a play, The New York Times reports. Oh was ultimately charged the following year at the height of his Squid Game success, with the case arriving mere months after his historic Golden Globes win for best supporting actor and an Emmy nomination. Oh told South Korean cable channel JTBC that he had only held the womans hands to show her the way during a walk around a lake, according to the Associated Press. The broadcaster also reported that Oh had offered an apology to the woman not as an admission of guilt but because the woman allegedly told him she wouldnt raise an issue about his actions if he did. I am sorry, Oh reportedly told journalists last year. I think I behaved badly. A district court in Seongnam, a city southeast of Seoul, said it took into consideration that Oh had no previous criminal record in its sentence; the charge can be punished by up to 10 years in prison. The content of the victims journal, and the content of her counseling after the incident is consistent with what happened, and her testimonies could not have been given unless she actually experienced it, the court said in its verdict, according to the Herald. Oh was not included in the announced cast for Squid Game Season 2, which is set to be released later in 2024. The show, about a deadly game of survival in which contestants risk their lives for a large cash prize, is the most-watched series in Netflix history. The streaming giant released a reality show based on the drama in November. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Key Insights adidas' estimated fair value is 220 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity adidas' 207 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate The 194 analyst price target for ADS is 12% less than our estimate of fair value Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of adidas AG (ETR:ADS) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for adidas Step By Step Through The Calculation We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 1.16b 1.56b 2.16b 2.21b 2.25b 2.27b 2.30b 2.32b 2.34b 2.35b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x10 Analyst x10 Analyst x6 Analyst x1 Est @ 1.59% Est @ 1.28% Est @ 1.06% Est @ 0.91% Est @ 0.81% Est @ 0.73% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.0% 1.1k 1.4k 1.8k 1.7k 1.7k 1.6k 1.5k 1.5k 1.4k 1.3k ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 15b Story continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 2.4b (1 + 0.6%) (6.0% 0.6%) = 43b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 43b ( 1 + 6.0%)10= 24b 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 39b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 207, the company appears about fair value at a 6.1% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. XTRA:ADS Discounted Cash Flow March 15th 2024 Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at adidas as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.185. 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 adidas Strength Debt is well covered by cash flow. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Luxury market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market. Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Looking Ahead: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For adidas, we've put together three important items you should further research: Risks: For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for adidas (1 is a bit unpleasant) you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does ADS's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (FOX40.COM) This St. Patricks Day weekend the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office is placing a DUI checkpoint at the end of the rainbow instead of a pot of gold. On Sunday, deputies will be operating a DUI checkpoint in an undisclosed area of the county-funded by a grant from the California Cannabis Tax Fund. Shamrockn races to close down Sacramento streets According to the sheriffs office, deputies operating the checkpoint have special training in detecting drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Having a sober driver is just the first step in keeping the night safe, the sheriffs office wrote in a news release. The Sheriffs Office encourages everyone to continue using their seat belts, putting away their cell phones, following the rules of the road, and keeping an eye out for dangerous drivers. Video released of intentional head-on collision with CHP vehicle According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during St. Patricks Day 2020, some 36% of fatal crashes involved a drunk driver nationwide. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. People gather outside of the new St. Vincent de Paul retail location at 910 Row River Road in Cottage Grove on Thursday morning to celebrate the grand opening. St. Vincent de Pauls newest retail location has opened at 910 Row River Road in Cottage Grove. The building includes 15,485 square feet of retail space and 4,230 square feet for materials sorting and storage. The store is expected to employ 15 full-time staff members and is St. Vincent de Paul's southernmost retail location in Oregon. The agencys return to Cottage Grove was long awaited, Bethany Cartledge, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, said during a Thursday grand opening. St. Vincent de Paul operated a store in Cottage Grove at two separate locations between 1986 and 2000. Employees help customers check out shortly after the grand opening of the Cottage Grove St. Vincent de Paul retail location on Thursday morning. Despite not having a store in Cottage Grove for the past 25 years, St. Vincent de Paul has been furthering local affordable-housing efforts. Housing projects supported by St. Vincent de Paul include the openings of Omer Apartments in 1994 and Corey Commons in 2003 along with the rehabilitation of Saginaw Mobile Home Park in 2018. St. Vincent de Paul is a community organization who has a strong value for people and we support the community with support from the community, she said. Cottage Grove Mayor Candace Solesbee spoke on the neighborly nature of Cottage Grove, where she said you cant drive down the street without getting a friendly wave or honk from a fellow community member. Its a great honor to welcome this organization into our community," Solesbee said. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County celebrates opening a new retail location in Cottage Grove on Thursday morning with opening remarks presented by Executive Director Bethany Cartledge. Solesbee cut the grand opening ribbon alongside Justin Schmick, St. Vincent de Paul's board chair, and Shannon Rockwell, director of stores. Schmick and Rockwell held the front doors open as about 50 eager shoppers poured into the building for the first time. To kick off opening weekend, the store is offering a half-price sale on all books, clothing and new Zinus furniture and beds until 6 p.m. Sunday. Hannarose McGuinness is The Register-Guards growth and development reporter. Contact her at 541-844-9859 or hmcguinness@registerguard.com This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: St. Vincent de Paul opens new retail location in Cottage Grove When a family learns they must move out of their home, it can be a stressful experience. From finding new schools for children, sometimes new jobs, and a new home they can afford, many scramble to find options. In Cary, leaders want to be ready if and when Chatham Estates Mobile Home Park is sold and its residents, some of whom have lived there for decades, must move. On Thursday night, the Cary Town Council unanimously approved Stable Homes Cary, a partnership with the nonprofit Dorcas Ministries that will provide cash assistance, case management, referrals and displacement support for residents. Chatham Estates, on the southeast corner of Maynard Road and East Chatham Street near downtown Cary, went up for sale last year and has not been sold yet. However, local organizers and residents say when the inevitable happens, it will throw people into a frenzy. Moving a mobile home could cost a family tens of thousands of dollars, and residents, who pay $400 a month for their homes plot, would have to find housing in a growing area with limited affordable options. The community consists of working-class families, immigrants, and seniors, some of whom have lived there for over 20 years. Katia Roebuck, an organizer with the nonprofit ONE Wake, credits the work of the residents who first brought the issue of displacement to the publics attention. She said Stable Homes Cary is a good start compared to where the residents were a year ago without any emergency options. Chatham Estates residents are really excited that we have accomplished this together. This initiative is a result of their efforts of organizing for an entire year, Roebuck said. (Town leaders) responded because of the determination and persistence and consistency of the residents. What is Stable Homes Cary? Cary will provide Dorcas Ministries with three years of funding from money already budgeted for housing purposes. The town will give $500,000 this year, $550,000 next year, and $600,000 in 2026. The town has $5 million in its Fiscal Year 2024 budget for housing projects. The town will provide an additional $800,000 in starting seed money for residents facing relocation. Dorcas Ministries will also partner with other nonprofits, such as Doorway to Hope, Passage Home, ONE Wake, and Wake County Public Schools, to connect low- and moderate-income residents with available resources. Heather Whelehan, the towns director of housing and community partnerships, said the need for immediate assistance is increasing due to rising housing costs and redevelopments in Cary and around the Triangle. Once sold, Chatham Estates could also be redeveloped. We wanted to develop a program around Dorcas current model aimed at keeping people in their homes and add services to provide support when relocation is inevitable, she said. Dorcas Ministries, founded in 1968, helps residents by giving food, clothing, and money for rent and other financial needs. They also assist the town with its Oasis program, which funds utility bills, and the Play It Forward program, which helps families with recreational costs for children. Last year, Dorcas provided $2.7 million in financial and food assistance to over 6,000 people in Cary. Andre Anthony, the organizations CEO, said that because Cary is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country, theres a perception that most people in this area are doing very well. Much like the rest of the country, as weve experienced this rapid growth, especially in the last few years, the socio-economic gap continues to widen, he said. Affordable housing strides Stable Homes Carys approval comes months after town leaders promised to prioritize affordable housing options and help the more than 700 people living in Chatham Estates if they are forced to move. In September, candidates for the Cary Town Council publicly stated their commitment to housing affordability at a forum attended by over 600 people. Town Council leaders have previously approved affordable housing measures, including the 2021 Cary Housing Plan, which expanded programs and operations. In 2022, the council members approved the rezoning of 7.06 acres to make way for 126 multi-family units for mixed-income residents at 921 SE Maynard Road. That year, the town approved a historic $9 million in funding in their budget for affordable housing, including $2.9 million from the capital improvements budget, $1.1 million in additional town funding, and $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. We all gave (town staff) what we thought was an impossible task and instead of saying, we cant do that, (staff) sat down with paper and pen and reached out to all of the folks that you have and came up with something truly remarkable, said Councilwoman Lori Bush. Im so glad to be part of Cary. NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com In a lawsuit filed in Federal Court Tuesday, Starbucks has been accused of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by charging extra for non-dairy products, such as plant-based or lactose-free milk. The class-action suit was brought up for all Starbucks consumers in California who bought beverages that contained non-dairy alternatives and paid a surcharge. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs say they are lactose intolerant, and it is medically necessary for them to avoid milk. The plaintiffs say in the lawsuit that lactose intolerance is a disability listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the surcharges violate that act. The plaintiffs said they would order drinks that included milk and would substitute the milk for non-dairy alternatives, such as soy, oat, coconut, or almond milk, and were charged an extra $0.50 to $0.80 for the substitution. The lawsuit notes that Starbucks typically uses 2% milk for their milk-based products and would substitute that milk for another type of milk, such as 1% or skim, for no additional cost. Starbucks will also offer caffeine-less or sugar-free options for no additional cost. The class-action suit follows a similar lawsuit filed against Dunkin Donuts in January. Exterior of Boeing 727-200 Home Project. Bruce Campbell bought the grounded Boeing plane in 1999 and turned it into a home and event space in Hillsboro, Oregon. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has seen its host of issues over the last several weeks, starting with the harrowing moment a plane lost a panel midflight and later a tire flew off during takeoff Far predating these issues, one man went on a mission to save planes from being demolished, making a home out of an old Boeing plane in Oregon. The Airplane Home was built out of a retired Boeing 727-200 plane by Bruce Campbell in Hillsboro, Oregon a little more than 30 minutes outside of Portland. He says planes are incredible structures made to withstand high pressure and winds, and would be a shame to waste. "To me it's wholly irrational to destroy the finest home sized structures available on this planet and then turn around and build homes out of materials which are fundamentally little more than assemblies of sticks rendered with ancient and inferior design and fabrication methods," Campbell wrote on the website. "What the devil are we thinking?" This embedded content is not available in your region. Plane turned into studio style apartment and concert venue Campbell says his plane provides 1,066 square feet of "exhilarating aerospace quality living area," set up in an a studio-style apartment. As of project updates in 2017, it had a functioning shower. The plane's lavatories remained in use as intended, and it has a washer machine. Shower in the Boeing 727-200 Home Project. Bruce Campbell bought the grounded Boeing plane in 1999 and turned it into a home and event space in Hillsboro, Oregon. He paid $100,000 for it in 1999, and according to a CNBC interview with Campbell in 2022, he pays $370 per month on electric costs and property taxes. He also said he incurred several costs in moving it, staging it and refurbishing it. As an aside on why the plane makes a great home, the self-proclaimed "nerd" wrote: "It's a great toy. Trick doors, trick floors. Hatches here, latches there, clever gadgets everywhere...It's a constant exploratory adventure, ever entertaining, providing fundamental sustenance for an old technology nerd like me." Cockpit in Boeing 727-200 Home Project. Bruce Campbell bought the grounded Boeing plane in 1999 and turned it into a home and event space in Hillsboro, Oregon. Campbell has been working on a second airplane home near Miyazaki, Japan that has faced significant hurdles, according to AirplaneHomeV2.com. The most recent update on his original plane website in August 2023 said his heart is in Miyazaki, and when USA TODAY reached out for an interview, he said he maintained synchronized to Japan time. Story continues The Oregon location still hosts events like Concert on a Wing. At least two have already been scheduled for this summer. Bruce Campbell sitting inside his Boeing 727-200.He bought the grounded Boeing plane in 1999 and turned it into a home and event space in Hillsboro, Oregon. Stairs leading into Boeing 727-200 Home Project. Bruce Campbell bought the grounded Boeing plane in 1999 and turned it into a home and event space in Hillsboro, Oregon. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Airplane makes a great home, says its builder. See inside Boeing house The struggle, pressure and stress for students to maintain their grades in school is amping up as college applications are on their minds. Current high school juniors are feeling pressure to take an excess number of difficult classes, maintain a high standard of grades, get into a top school and deal with the stress, all while just being teenagers, according to students. Students also feel that if they aren't overly achieving in high school, they will not be successful in the future. It is evident that juniors are experiencing the most challenging time since the beginning of high school, with the pressure of college applications and difficult classes. Junior Eliana Baryluk of Upper Arlington High School says she feels that she needs to "take more advanced classes instead of easier classes" because she thinks she should be challenging herself if she wants to get into her "dream school" Denison University. She also stated that her older siblings have set high expectations for her, and she feels that if she cant live up to these expectations, she has not succeeded. Currently, some juniors are overloading their schedules with Advanced Placement classes, or AP classes, and International Baccalaureate classes, which are two-year extensive and meticulous pre-college classes leading to an IB diploma. IB classes are "designed to educate students from a global perspective," according to The Ohio State University. These rigorous classes are often taken by students in hopes of moving on to a prestigious university. While these classes look good to colleges, they require lots of work and time. "The average student has 17.5 hours of homework per week, and when taking honors or advanced courses, the level of difficulty increases and causes more time to be spent studying," according to The BFA Mercury, a student newspaper in Vermont. Students are feeling consumed by their workload, and the stress continues to build. Another junior, Soledad Reyes of Fort Hayes High School, mentioned she is taking three AP classes and feels the stress from the "huge workload." She dreams of being accepted into New York University and is worried about the upcoming SAT. She explains that if she wants to perform well on the test, she "has to make time even if (she) has no time" otherwise it just won't happen. Reyes also adds that she "has felt pressure from a very young age" to do well in school, and finds it humorous how students "cant buy alcohol until (they're) 21, but are forced to make a huge decision about college and the rest of (their) lives at 17 and 18 years old." Even then, students are worried that they will make the wrong decision. By making these big decisions at such a young age, teenagers are determining where they will live and what they will do for work, and that's a lot of pressure for teenagers who still may not even have their licenses. While students feel pressure to succeed, it is important to take care of yourself and focus on things you enjoy, while also giving school your best effort. "Things like getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy, and breathing deeply can help ease everyday stress," according to KidsHealth. "But if your stress feels too strong, happens too often, or feels like more than you can handle, talk with a trusted adult to get help and support." Abbey Murphy is a student at Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School. This piece was written for Columbus Journalists in Training, a program sponsored by the Columbus Dispatch and Society of Professional Journalists Central Ohio Pro-Chapter for Columbus City Schools students. Abbey was a member of team UJCKT. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Student project: Columbus junior students feel pressure to succeed While walking down Walhalla Road in Clintonville, a bridge connects to a big white house, known as the Mooney Mansion. This house is different from the rest. This house carries with it a story of murder and missing children. The tale that generations of neighborhood kids grew up hearing starts in the 1950s, when homeowner Dr. Mooney was coming home from a long day of work. One variation of the story states that the man murdered his wife and daughter with an axe and may have even committed suicide, according to The Ohio Exploration Society, a website that delves into Ohios forgotten and historic sites. Yet another variation says the man hanged the bodies from the Calumet Street bridge. Despite differing versions of the story, legend states that blue lights can sometimes be seen through the windows, floating around inside the house, according to the Ohio Exploration Society. Reports say if you go under the bridge on Walhalla Road at night, you can see the reflection of the wife and daughter in the water to the right of the road, according to the group. The story still captivates residents in Columbus. WOSU and PBS produced an episode about the ghost story back in 2016, with Historian Doreen Uhas Sauer recounting in it how over the years the story gets embellished and children tell the story and everybody adds a few more details. It was also written about in The Columbus Dispatchs 2021 list of local eerie experiences. Bucky Cutright, founder of Columbus Ghost Tours, told the Dispatch back in 2021 that the dark and wild ghost story is one of his favorites. Bob Peters, owner of Phoenix Books, a nearby store that focuses on spiritual and metaphysical content, said he often thinks about the ghost story as he is walking in the neighborhood. I walk up and down Walhalla for quiet times, Peters said. I might look up to see if there's anything up there, and I just walk. When asked if he believed the story, he said, I believe there is something we are seeing. He said he has seen something white around the house that doesnt move much. I dont know what it is, Peters said. Im not going to say its a ghost, but a number of people have seen it. Anna Peters, Bobs daughter, grew up hearing the tale as well from other kids in the area. It was all the buzz in the neighborhood, she said. We never really knew; we just kind of thought it was a ghost story to scare us. She also recalled driving by the ravine with friends when she was older, and putting her car in neutral. The legend said it would creep forward. Ive never actually seen anything, but we have tried to see something many, many times, and never seen anything, she said. Its not surprising, considering the ghost story can easily be proved false. Dr. Charles Mooney was a member of Crestview Presbyterian Church, active in the Scottish Rite and Columbus Academy of Medicine, according to his obituary which was published in 1944 in the Columbus Dispatch. Dr. Charles M. Mooney, 74, Columbus eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, died Friday afternoon at his residence, 259 Walhalla Dr., after a weeks illness, according to the article, which notes that his wife and three children survived him. Derrie Mooney was also a member of Crestview Presbyterian Church and Columbus Historical Society, and she died in 1975 of old age. The home continues to be a private residence today. The current owner of the home did not reply to a request for comment. Tiffany McVay is a student at Briggs High School. This piece was written for Columbus Journalists in Training, a program sponsored by the Columbus Dispatch and Society of Professional Journalists Central Ohio Pro-Chapter for Columbus City Schools students. Tiffany was a member of team Chatterbox. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Student project: How one Columbus mansion's lore captivates locals The spotlight was on a group of 8th graders from a Southwick, Mass. school after they were exposed for an online mock slave auction incident that led parents into outrage. Now, theyre facing a bigger punishment. Six juveniles will be criminally charged for their alleged roles in facilitating and participating in a hateful, racist online chat that included heinous language, threats, and a mock slave auction, according to a statement from the Hampden County District Attorneys Office. According to the DA, ,a group of students created a chat on Snapchat in the early morning hours of Feb. 9. The investigation from the Massachusetts State Police found that several students expressed hateful, racist comments in the chat, including but not excluded to derogatory pictures and slurs. Then, of course, the kids held a mock slave auction targeted at two students. Later that day, the group chat was exposed and reported to Southwick school administrators. By Feb. 12, the school probe into the incident was completed and the students involved were suspended by emergency removal. More suspensions followed days later, ranging from between 25 and 45 days out of school, the office said. Now, the students are facing even more serious consequences. Read more from Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni: On Thursday, February 15, The district attorney personally became aware of this incident. The facts that he was given, and the nature of the alleged incident, compelled him to immediately direct members of his offices Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit to investigate. Because these charges have been filed in the juvenile court, there are ethical and legal restrictions that prevent the divulging of some information, such as the identities of the individuals involved. The juveniles have been charged with the following: one juvenile has been charged with: interference with civil rights, threat to commit a crime, and witness interference, one juvenile has been charged with: interference with civil rights and threat to commit a crime, and four other juveniles have each been charged with: threat to commit a crime. From this incident, the DAs office has vowed to educate the Southwick school community on hate and bullying through its Community Safety and Outreach Unit. It has also sought partnership with the state attorney general as well as the hate crime unit of the state police department to create a program to address racist incidents like these. There is no question that the alleged behavior of these six juveniles is vile, cruel, and contemptible. Seeing it, and facing the reality that these thoughts, that this ugliness, can exist within middle school students, here, in this community, in 2024 is discouraging, unsettling, and deeply frustrating, Gulluni said. I look forward with resolve and commitment to enact change and to foster progress in this county. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ashland Business and Professional Women met March 4 at The Inn at Ashland Woods for the monthly dinner meeting. The program featured three eighth grade girls who presented women in history. Brooklyn Martin, daughter of Jonathan and Evelyn Martin, told about Anne Frank, who was born June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt, Germany. She was a Jewish victim of the Holocaust. Anne, her older sister, and parents were in hiding for two years to avoid Nazi persecution. On her 13th birthday, she received a diary, which she named Kitty. The diary was her imaginary friend in which she could confide and find comfort. The family was betrayed and taken to a concentration camp. Anne died at age 15 of typhus fever in 1945. The Diary of Anne Frank was published in 1947. It was later made into a play and movie. Carolyn Labay, left, BPW President Rachael Yoder, Alexis Sheppard, Brooklyn Martin, Sydney Spellman and Lori Marsh-Lykins attended the Ashland Business and Professional Women's March meeting where students gave presentations on historic women. Sydney Spellman, daughter of Mike and Amanda Spellman, shared information about Princess Diana. She was born, July 1, 1961, in Norfolk, England, the youngest of five children. She was educated in England and Switzerland. She was employed as a babysitter and a teacher before her famous wedding to Prince Charles in 1981. She became well known for supporting over 100 charities, including helping the homeless and AIDS patients. Princess Diana and Prince Charles were divorced in 1986. They had two children William and Harry. Princess Diana died after a car accident in Paris in 1997. Alexis Sheppard, the daughter of Scott Shepperd, presented on Helen Keller. She was the first deaf and blind person to obtain a college degree. She went to Harvard. Keller was born in 1880 and lost her sight and hearing after an illness when she was 19 months old. She attended an institute for the blind and then she was taught by Anne Sullivan. By age 7, Helen learned 60 hand signals. By age 9, she began to speak, which improved her quality of life. Helen Keller was an author, disability rights advocate, a political activist and a lecturer. She worked for the womans right to vote. Helen Keller was born in 1880 in Alabama and died at age 87 in Westport Connecticut. The three student are eighth graders in Carolyn Labays English class at the Ashland Middle School. The girls were given a certificate and gift bags. During the business meeting, Rachael Yoder distributed flyers for the April 1 Equal Pay Day event at Ohio Fire. The public is invited to share in the UnHappy Happy Hour. The group voted to award a $500 scholarship to Breena Plank, who will attend Bluffton College, and a $200 grant to Paige Green, who will attend Ashland County-West Holmes Vocational School. The group will have a vendor table to sell BPW notepads and candy at the conference in May. Special guest was Charisse Kellums, BPW/OHIO vice president. She is the state conference chair, and told highlights of the events planned for the conference May 17-19 at the Best Western Plus in Strongsville. This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland eighth-graders present program on historical women Exploring the Dividend Future of Manila Water Co Inc Manila Water Co Inc (MWTCF) recently announced a dividend of $1.13 per share, payable on 2024-04-12, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-15. 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 Manila Water Co Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Manila Water Co Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with MWTCF. 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? Manila Water Co Inc is a water and wastewater management company. Its operations can be divided among Metro Manila East Zone and Manila Water Philippine Ventures, which operate across municipalities in the Philippines, and Manila Water Asia Pacific, which operates in Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia. The segments of the company consist of Manila Concession and Head Office, Domestic Subsidiaries, and Foreign Subsidiaries. The Manila Concession and Head Office generate maximum revenue for the company. Manila Water Co Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Manila Water Co Inc's Dividend History Manila Water Co Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2021. Dividends are currently distributed on a yearly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Breaking Down Manila Water Co Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Manila Water Co Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.65% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.79%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Manila Water Co Inc's annual dividend growth rate was -25.30%. Based on Manila Water Co Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Manila Water Co Inc stock as of today is approximately 2.65%. Story continues Manila Water Co 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. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-09-30, Manila Water Co Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.40. Manila Water Co Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Manila Water Co Inc's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-09-30, 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. Manila Water Co Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Manila Water Co Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Manila Water Co Inc's revenue has increased by approximately -10.30% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 94.89% 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, Manila Water Co Inc's earnings increased by approximately -9.20% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 73.02% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -11.40%, which underperforms than approximately 84.59% of global competitors. Next Steps For value investors, the dividend profile of Manila Water Co Inc presents a mixed picture. While the company maintains a consistent dividend payment history and a reasonable payout ratio, its negative dividend growth rate and underperforming growth metrics raise questions about the long-term sustainability of its dividends. Value investors must weigh the current yield against potential risks and consider the company's ability to navigate through its growth challenges. With the insights provided, investors can make more informed decisions about the attractiveness of Manila Water Co Inc as a dividend investment. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener to find opportunities that align with their investment 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. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Friday rejected an emergency request from students at West Texas A&M University that they be allowed to put on a charity drag show while they challenge the Texas Panhandle school's ban. The school's president cancelled last year's show as part, he said, of his responsibility to "foster a healthy campus culture and effective educational environment." College President Walter Wendler said drag shows stereotype women in cartoon-like extremes for the amusement of others and discriminate against womanhood. While the students are litigating that decision, they asked the court to rule that they could hold this year's planned show. The justices denied the request without comment. In November, the Supreme Court denied a request by Florida officials to let the state enforce a law restricting drag shows. But Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a statement partly joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, stressed that the court was not dealing with the First Amendment questions but rather the more procedural issues of how the lower courts handled that case. Alessandra Jacobs performs at South Dakota State University's Gender and Sexualities Alliance drag show in Fall 2022 Two sides to debate over campus speech Drag shows have joined the front line of Americas culture wars in recent years. Republican lawmakers in multiple states have tried to restrict drag shows. A federal judge last year said a Texas law seeking to limit drag performances in the state is unconstitutional. But the case is also another side of the roiling debate over campus speech that has included challenges from the right about whether efforts to confront bias on campus intimidate students who want to speak their mind. In this challenge from the left, the Texas students argued that the judicial safety net broke down because the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit is moving too slowly on their challenge to the universitys decision and on a request to put that decision on hold while its being litigated. This would be bad enough if the problem were confined to having the president of one small public university in the Texas Panhandle defy what he knows to be the First Amendments command. But it isnt, the students lawyers told the Supreme Court. Public university and college officials nationwide from across the political spectrum are appointing themselves censors-in-chief, separating what they consider `good from `bad expression on their campuses. The university agreed that the case may raise important First Amendment questions. But the issue is not of such immediate national importance that the court needs to weigh in now, the school told the court. Another free speech case Supreme Court defines when public officials may block critics on personal social media accounts Are drag shows `denigrating and demeaning' to women? Spectrum WT, a student organization, wants to hold the drag show to raise money for the Trevor Project, which focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people. Wendler, the schools president, said it is not possible to put on a drag show without denigrating and demeaning women. I will not appear to condone the diminishment of any group at the expense of impertinent gestures toward another group for any reason, even when the law of the land appears to require it, he wrote. Supporting The Trevor Project is a good idea. My recommendation is to skip the show and send the dough. An attorney for the students said the Supreme Court's decision is disappointing but the fight will continue when the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in the challenge next month. "The show is not over," said JT Morris, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court stays out of Texas school fight over drag show, First Amendment The Supreme Court will not intervene to let students at West Texas A&M University host a drag show while their First Amendment lawsuit against a similar shows cancellation is on appeal. The court on Friday denied the students request for emergency action so a charity drag performance set for later this month could go ahead. The students have claimed an order preventing drag events on campus violates their constitutional rights. This act of censorship is predicated on nothing more than the presidents personal opinion that a planned performance on campus demeans, mock[s], and denigrates women, the students said in their original motion to the Supreme Court from earlier this month. West Texas A&M Universitys president, Walter Wendler, canceled a charity drag show last year that had been organized by members of Spectrum WT, a student-led LGBTQ organization. He said drag shows are derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny, no matter the stated intent and compared drag to blackface in an email to the university community. In a lawsuit last year, university students accused Wendler, the school and its governing body of violating their First Amendment rights by blocking drag shows on campus. A motion for a preliminary injunction and a damages claim against Wendler were dismissed by a district judge in the Lone Star State in September. The nonprofit group representing the students in court, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), would later appeal the decision to the Fifth Circuit. However, the Fifth Circuit declined to expedite the appeal. As a consequence, the university is poised to repeat and perpetuate its act of censorship, preventing the planned annual performance this coming March 22, 2024, the students said in their original motion. In a response to the students original motion, Wendler argued their own conduct demonstrates why they are not entitled to the extraordinary relief they seek. Applicants knew no later than last October that their appeal was not likely to be resolved in time to hold a drag show on March 22, 2024. Yet they waited until just weeks before their proposed event to cry emergency, Wendlers response reads. In a statement emailed to The Hill, FIRE attorney JT Morris said that while FIRE is disappointed by todays denial of an emergency injunction, well keep fighting for our clients First Amendment rights. The Fifth Circuit will hear oral arguments in the case next month, Morris continued. The show is not over. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. KANSAS CITY, Mo. One man is in the hospital after a Kansas City police shooting in northeast Kansas City, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Around 8:10 p.m., KCPD received multiple calls of shots being heard and that at least one man had a handgun on Gladstone Boulevard near Smart Avenue. Police investigating shooting at Sutherlands in Raytown When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man who had a gun. According to MSHP, KCPD fired at least one shot, and the suspect was arrested and taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Troopers said that a handgun was recovered at the scene near the subject. MSHPs Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Troopers said the suspect is in custody, is still at an area hospital, and is expected to recover. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. GRAZ, Austria The halls of Viennas Hofburg, the former imperial palace central to the Austrian government, have been home to proud talk of perpetual neutrality ever since the Alpine republics founding from the ashes of World War II. Chancellors, presidents and ministers alike will speak of the obligation to serve as a global mediator and of Austrias unique position as a bridge between the East and the West. But simultaneously, Austria has supported European weapons deliveries to Kyiv, authorized sending the military to the Red Sea and has deepened defense cooperation with its Western European NATO neighbors. Experts speaking to Defense News raised questions as to how much longer the self-proclaimed island of the blessed a phrase uttered by Austrias longest-serving chancellor in the 1970s would be able to straddle the line between taking sides politically and maintaining a convenient status of military ambiguity. Questions about Austrian neutrality have come to the fore since Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, catapulting neutrality into the center of attention and touching a nerve in public discourse. With Sweden and Finland abandoning longstanding traditions of non-alignment and joining NATO, Austria is now one of just three European Union countries alongside Ireland and Malta that consider themselves neutral. Deep roots Austrias neutrality is particularly tenacious because it has been enshrined in the countrys own constitutional law since its full independence from the Allies in 1955. It prohibits the country from joining military alliances and hosting foreign bases. Not even Switzerlands neutrality is as thoroughly based in law, said Heinz Gartner, chairman of the advisory board of the Vienna-based International Institute for Peace and a senior advisor to the Austrian armed forces. Unlike cases where a national government simply declared itself neutral to the rest of the world, this means that Austrias government remains bound by the provisions of the neutrality law. While perpetual meaning it applies both in times of war and peace it is not irrevocable. A parliamentary supermajority would be needed to lift the dogma. In the EU, Austrias position is unique, as Maltas and Irelands neutrality are based on bilateral treaties, explained Gartner. But our neutrality is not equidistant, and it is not a neutrality of values, he said. One can and one must have values. Gray zones What is and isnt compatible with Austrian neutrality has changed a lot over the years, said Peter Bujager, a legal professor at the University of Innsbruck who testified in parliament on the issue in a hearing last year. He called the Austrian approach the avocado doctrine a hard core of the legal neutrality requirement stays consistent, but the rest depends on the context. This hard core hasnt gotten any less hard since the war in Ukraine, he said. Perhaps the most significant change to Austrian neutrality came from the countrys membership in the European Union. The public likely isnt aware of the extent to which the constitutional [neutrality] law has been hollowed out, said Christoph Schwarz, a research fellow with the Vienna-based Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy. Article 42 of the European Unions treaty serves as a mutual defense clause effectively making the bloc a military alliance in the event of an attack. Although a carveout exists specifically for neutral member states to apply this clause in accordance with the specific character of [their] security and defense policy, as the provision goes, legal experts agreed that a real-world armed crisis would compel Austria to walk back some of its neutrality. In fact, Austrias constitutional law was amended for its accession to the union, promising full participation in Brussels joint security and defense policies and placing EU law above Austrian law. Experts like Schwarz see a growing divide between public opinion and the perceptions of experts on the question of what the status means to Austria today and in what direction it should develop in the future. There has been strikingly little public discussion on the current limitations of neutrality and its future, he said. All parties represented in parliament publicly support the status quo except for the liberal Neos party, whose members have been more daring in calling for at least a review of Austrias policy alongside deeper integration with NATO. But doing so would come with a high political cost. In a government-sponsored poll from March of 2022, 91% of Austrians said that neutrality was important to them personally. A lot has happened without public discussion, said Schwarz. The accusation that our politicians have tied Austria up in European structures behind peoples backs theres not much I could say to counter that. Mission-ready? Both norms exist alongside one another, said Bujager, the law professor, referring to the concept of neutrality in Austrias constitution and the subsequent EU integration commitment. Legally speaking, it has derogated the constitutional law on neutrality. What this means in practice is that Austria can and said it would participate in EU-led military actions, even military missions. On March 6, the government authorized the deployment of Austrian military personnel to the Red Sea under the framework of the joint security and defense policy of the EU, as a parliamentary press release put it. Ultimately, everyone can interpret the legal framework in the way that suits them best, said Schwarz. The government can avoid racking its brains about this challenge until the EU is directly involved in a war, said Schwarz, who conducted a survey of policymakers on opinions about neutrality in 2023. The message is: Were neutral, were kind, we keep out of everything that happens around us and we only contribute to sanctions, take in a few refugees and sometimes send a few helmets somewhere, he said. Legally, Austrian neutrality would not prevent the country from contributing to the EUs planned Rapid Deployment Capacity, which is expected to reach full operational ability by 2025. Vienna has thus far supported the scheme fully, including being one of nine countries contributing troops to the first EU-level live military exercise in 2023. The plan will allow the EU to quickly deploy up to 5,000 troops in response to crisis situations. It was first announced in the EUs 2022 Strategic Compass as a force to be used in different phases of an operation in a non-permissive environment. Austrias role in the initiative could become a turning point for country, argues Bujager. Participating in some form of an intervention force? That would no longer be compatible with neutrality, he said. Thats a military alliance. Calls for clarity More than 86% of the experts polled in the AIESs 2023 study said it was very or absolutely necessary for Austria to clarify what sort of support it would provide in the case of an attack against a fellow EU country. Similarly, 72% said that in the medium to long run, the tensions between deepening European defense solidarity and Austrian neutrality would be unresolvable. A majority of experts also supported investing more heavily into Austrias armed forces while deepening ties with NATO. The current Conservative-Green coalition government has done both. Later this year, Austria is set to hold its largest military exercise in a decade, hosting troops from half a dozen partner countries in the process. Its military planners have repeatedly stressed the need for interoperability and closer cooperation with NATO, including most recently in the context of Sky Shield air defense acquisitions. Viennas accession to the German-led initiative brought a flareup of public debate about Austrian neutrality. The reflexive response was to say: Austria is participating in something military, so our neutrality is being dismantled, said Schwarz. Even though, ultimately, it was mostly a procurement question. The Austrian government argued that because the ultimate decision to engage targets under Sky Shield would remain in Vienna, the project was compatible with the countrys requirement of staying out of military alliances. Ultimately, the war in Ukraine, which has prompted the European Union to beef up its defenses, has led to some serious soul searching here. Who are we, what are we allowed to do, what do we want? These are questions that need to be answered and for that, we need more public education about the topic, said Schwarz. Back to the future Austrias neutrality experienced its heyday in the 1970s under the widely popular and internationally assertive social democratic government of Chancellor Bruno Kreisky. As international organizations such as the United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency flocked to Vienna, the Chancellor launched diplomatic and peacebuilding initiatives around the world including being an early and vocal advocate for a two-state solution in the Middle East. Then Kreisky was ousted and the countrys foreign policy lost its stride. What was once rightly called aktive Neutralitatspolitik an active policy of neutrality gave way to a much less productive and daring role for Austria in the international sphere. Combined with lackluster investment in the military, it led to the still-ongoing indignation among other European countries at Austrias free-riding of neighboring NATOs protection, as journalist Karl-Peter Schwarz put it. There is no perspective for an active policy of neutrality, said Bujager. A half-hearted attempt to assume the role of mediator only caused consternation in the West when the Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer flew to Moscow for what he called tough talks less than two months after the invasion of Ukraine and just days after his own visit to Kyiv. But the bombs in Ukraine kept falling, and Putin did not sit down for negotiations with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on terms acceptable to Kyiv. The initiative seems to have ended there. But to some, an enthusiastic return to the Kreisky administrations assertive foreign policy of the 70s seems like the only way to preserve Austrian neutrality, especially in the light of mounting challenges. Gartner, the advisor to the Austrian ministry of defense, said neutrality only works if it is credible and useful. Its the usefulness part of the equation where he sees Austria lacking. As a small, neutral state, you must always show that you can be useful or provide some sort of good services, like Switzerland does, Gartner said. Otherwise, the great powers will forget you. Sweden will send nine coastguard hydrocycles to Ukraine, the Swedish government's press service reported on March 15. Since the outbreak of the full-scale Russian invasion, Stockholm has provided Ukraine with military assistance worth around 30 billion Swedish krona ($2.88 billion). The latest defense aid package was announced in February and included 10 CB 90 combat boats, 20 group boats, and underwater weapons. Hydrocycles are in demand in Ukraine and can be sent "immediately," the Swedish government's announcement read. There are nine watercraft that can be provided to Ukraine once "specific equipment" is removed from them and after other necessary formal steps, according to the Swedish government. Sweden earlier joined the Czech-led initiative to supply Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, pledging 30 million euros ($32.6 million) to the cause. Tomas Pojar, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's security advisor, said that purchased ammunition could be sent to Ukraine as early as June. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian units begin rotation after fighting for a long time, Syrskyi says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Swedish government has instructed the Swedish Coast Guard to prepare a batch of water scooters to be handed over to Ukraine. Source: press service of the Swedish government, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Swedish government stated that scooters are in demand in Ukraine and, based on the Coast Guard's information, they can be immediately transferred to Ukraine. The Coast Guard announced its readiness to transfer a batch of scooters to Ukraine on 21 December 2023. Prior to that, the Swedish government had instructed it to study the possibility of transferring ships and other equipment to Ukraine free of charge. Ukraine will receive a total of nine scooters. The equipment used by the Swedish Coast Guard was dismantled from the scooters before shipment. Background: On 14 March, Sweden reportedly decided to donate 30 million to support the Czech initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine. On 12 March, the US announced the transfer of a US$300 million security assistance package to Ukraine, the first one since late 2023, as additional funding has been blocked by the US Congress. Support UP or become our patron! A teenager has been taken to hospital after he was attacked by a group with weapons outside a school. Wiltshire Police say a 14-year-old boy was assaulted outside St Joseph's Catholic College in Swindon on Tuesday at about 15:15 GMT. Eight people, whose ages range from 12 to 18, have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent. Police said the victim's injuries were not life-threatening. Six of those arrested have been released on conditional bail, pending further enquiries. Det Insp Phillippa Sharpley said: "For this to have taken place outside a school, as children were leaving with their parents, is sure to have caused a great deal of concern in the community, however this is being dealt with robustly and with the full force of the law." Officers have urged anyone who witnessed the attack or is aware of any mobile phone footage to contact them. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. The logo of the Swiss telecommunications company Swisscom is pictured in Basel. Patrick Seeger/dpa Swiss telecom company Swisscom on Friday said it was set to acquire Vodafone Italia for 8 billion ($8.7 billion) with the aim of becoming a leading challenger in the Italian telecom market. Swisscom said in a statement that it entered into "binding agreements" with British telecommunications firm Vodafone Group to acquire 100% of its Italian subsidiary "with the aim of merging it with Fastweb," Swisscom's subsidiary in the country. "Vodafone Italia and Fastweb will bring together complementary high-quality mobile and fixed infrastructures, competencies, and capabilities to create a leading converged challenger in a market with material growth opportunities," Swisscom said, adding that the transaction remained subject to approvals. "The industrial logic of this merger is very strong," said Swisscom Chief Operating Officer Christoph Aeschlimann. "Fastweb and Vodafone Italia are an ideal fit to create high added value for all stakeholders." mcdonalds McDonalds has apologised after a computer outage forced the closure of some restaurants and left customers unable to order food. The fast food giant faced IT issues on Friday in several countries including the UK, Japan, China, Sweden and Australia. The cause of the outages is unknown but McDonalds insisted it had not been targeted by hackers. A McDonalds spokesman said: We are aware of a technology outage which impacted our restaurants. The issue has now been resolved in the UK and Ireland. We thank customers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. The issue is not related to a cybersecurity event. The Japanese arm of the chain apologised to customers on social media, telling them that they would have to wait a while amid the issues. Many stores across the country have temporarily suspended operations. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers, it posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. People in Australia posted pictures on social media of closed restaurants and signs alerting diners that McDonalds could not accept orders. Some stores were reported to be only accepting cash. The disruption comes after a difficult year for McDonalds. McDonald's chief Chris Kempczinski said the boycott of the fast food chain in certain locations was having a material impact on sales - ean Marc-Giboux/AP The chains chief executive Chris Kempczinski, said in January that sales were being hurt by misinformation about McDonalds alleged support for Israel in the wake of the Gaza conflict. Pro-Palestinian groups have called for boycotts and staged protests after photos and videos on social media showed franchised stores in Israel giving out free meals to soldiers following Hamas attack on October 7. McDonalds has also been at the centre of a sexual harassment scandal in the UK, after a BBC investigation unearthed multiple claims of abuse, harassment and bullying of staff at its restaurants. Alistair Macrow, the chief executive of McDonalds UK & Ireland, has called the reports absolutely horrendous. He told MPs on the Commons business and trade committee in November that McDonalds would do everything we can to address the issue. 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. Tennessee Senate Republicans passed a bill that would undo reforms enacted after the fatal beating of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols by police officers last year. The Senate-passed bill was supported by the Statehouse Republicans for weeks. The bill is now headed to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees (R) desk. If signed, it would overturn the ordinance passed by the Memphis City Council and apply statewide. The original ordinance outlawed some traffic stops for minor violations. The legislation would prevent any local laws on traffic stops if an officer identifies or has suspicion that the person driving has broken a local ordinance, state or federal law. State Sen. London Lamar, a Democrat representing the district where Nichols was killed, called the bill a slap in the face. Not only for our city council, but all the local governing bodies in this state, because were telling them you are not smart enough to decide policies to help govern your own city, Lamar said, according to The Associated Press. Republicans supported the legislation, saying it will help with reducing crime and showcasing examples where law enforcement uncovered violent crimes during stops. Its time to take handcuffs off police and put them on criminals where they belong, state Senator Brent Taylor said, according to The New York Times. Nichols, a Black man, was killed in January 2023. All five officers, who are all Black, were charged with second-degree murder and civil rights violations in state court. The Department of Justice is conducting a probe into whether Memphis Police Department officers use excessive force or employ racially discriminatory policing practices. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tensions and desperation are growing on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic DAJABON, Dominican Republic As the crisis in Haiti spirals deeper into chaos, the neighboring Dominican Republic is bracing for more migrants arriving amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic has been closed for days as violence in Haiti dramatically escalated following a mass prison break in Port-au-Prince. But on Thursday and Friday, Haitians were allowed into a farmers market in the border town of Dajabon, which has a population of 25,000 and is about 120 miles from the Haitian capital. Under the watchful eye of border guards, hundreds of Haitians rushed into the market to buy whatever food they could carry with what little money they had, as temperatures exceeded 95 degrees. Men hurriedly pushed wheelbarrows full of corn, eggs and drinking water. Women carried buckets of supplies on their heads. It was so crowded that on Friday one woman was badly injured when she fell off a bridge into the brush below. Bystanders said she lost her balance in the stampede to get food. Meanwhile, a robust security presence is visible, with troops manning checkpoints and razor wire topping border fences. And each day, bus after bus is seen deporting Haitians who were in the Dominican Republic illegally. Security fence in the border town of Dajabon (Gabe Gutierrez / NBC News) There has long been friction between Haitians and Dominicans along this part of the border. The Dajabon River, also known as the Massacre River in reference to Spanish settlers who killed French buccaneers in the 1720s, divides the countries and has long been the source of a dispute that continues to this day. The current violence in Haiti, where militias and armed groups have taken over the streets of the capital, is the culmination of a crisis that has been growing for more than a year. In response, Dominican President Luis Abinader has increased patrols along the border over concerns of a Haitian migrant influx. He is also building a 108 mile-long wall. Either we all fight together to save Haiti or we fight on our own to protect the Dominican Republic, Abinader told the United Nations Security Council last month. Haitians allowed into a farmers market in the border town of Dajabon Thursday return with food. (Gabe Gutierrez / NBC News) Across the border from Dajabon in Quanaminthe, Haiti, dozens of people gathered awaiting supplies. The largely rural area is far removed from the raging violence in Port-au-Prince. Instead, extreme hunger is the more pressing issue here. The United Nations estimates that nearly 1 million people in Haiti are on the brink of famine. Elena Franck, 40, crossed into the Dominican Republic with two of her teenage children to sell shoes at the market and gather whatever food they could bring home. Her husband died three years ago from heart disease and her family was growing increasingly more desperate. Her 14- and 16-year-old girls skipped school, hoping to help her sell more sneakers at the Dajabon stand. We dont have work, Franck said. We dont have a president. We have nothing. Elena Franck, a 40-year-old widow, with her two teenage daughters. (Erika Angulo / NBC News) Quality of life is notably better in the Dominican Republic, which relies on a robust tourism economy. The roots of this contrast wind through corruption and stretch back to French-controlled slavery in colonial-era Haiti. White House National Security Communications adviser John Kirby said Thursday the U.S. was considering temporarily housing Haitian migrants at Guantanamo Bay, like it has done before. He added that the U.S. is not seeing a large increase of migrants from Haiti so far. The president of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said Friday that a group of Caribbean nations, international partners and Haitian stakeholders, known as CARICOM, have reached an agreement for a political transition council. The agreement includes the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who remains in Puerto Rico, as well as a pact for a peaceful transition of power, continuity of governance, an action plan for near-term security and the road to free and fair elections, according to a statement from the group. Many in Haiti view the CARICOM plan to create a transitional presidential council of local leaders with skepticism. Militia leader Jimmy Barbeque Cherizier and influential Haitian politician Jean-Charles Moise are among those who oppose CARICOM's plan, with Moise putting forth his plan to instead instate a three-person political council that would include the rebel who ousted the president of Haiti in 2004. A multinational security force led by Kenya but largely funded by the U.S. appears to be on hold. We have a lot more work to do to get this multinational security support mission up and running on the ground to assist the Haitian National Police, Kirby said. A Haitian woman in the Dajabon open market (Gabe Gutierrez / NBC News) At least 200 Americans who are trapped in Haiti have registered with the State Department as the escalating violence has shuttered the countrys airports and border crossings. Uncertainty over the future is debilitating. In Dajabon on Thursday, Waniou Janvier, 47, said he was looking for any money he could find in order to make his way back to Cap-Haitian, Haiti, to retrieve documents. In English, he said he was from Miami but when he recently visited family in Haiti, a gang overtook his bus, leaving him with no passport and no way out. They took my stuff, he said. My documents. My bags. My phones. My money that I had in my pocket. His only possessions now: the clothes on his back and a decades-old transcript from Miami Edison High School that he hoped would serve as some sort of identification. The situation in Haiti right now is terrible, he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Michael Dell, founder of Round Rock-based Dell Technologies, views himself as a technology optimist and has had a front row seat for its changes in the 40 years since he founded his company. "It's all just the preview for what's to come," Dell said last week at South by Southwest. "When I think about the future role that technology will play in the world, I think about the incredible innovations that we're already starting to see in health care driven by technology. ... There's never been a better time to be alive." At a session titled "Business, Life, and the Magic of Austin" on Thursday, Dell said these hopeful views also extend to Central Texas. "My optimism is not just about technology," he said. "Technology has played a major role in all the great things that have happened in the world and certainly here in Central Texas." Dell Technologies is one of the largest private employers in Central Texas, with 13,000 workers in the Austin area and 133,000 worldwide. The company saw strong pandemic-era growth as people shifted to working from home and demand for its personal computers and other products boomed. But it did cut 5% of its employees in 2023 to prepare for an expected economic downturn. Michael Dell, right, shares his views with Patrick Moorhead about risk-taking, the courage of your convictions, reinvention and the magic of Austin after 40 years in business during a South by Southwest session Thursday. The founder and CEO spoke about his company and his thoughts on entrepreneurship, business, risk-taking and Austin in the SXSW session with Austin-based analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategies. Failure is a part of learning Dell founded the company when he was a freshman at the University of Texas, and he said those early days taught him about the importance of developing a team. "You've got to surround yourself with great people, stay curious, always be learning," he said. "We learned that integrity, reputation are the most valuable things and took a long, long time to build up, and it's really easy to destroy." Dell said he was fortunate to be able to get a lot of people to join him "on this great adventure" and that Austin turned out to be a great place for attracting employees. Story continues Failing and making mistakes are part of the learning process, he said, and it's important to be agile and flexible. He said that at Dell Technologies it's OK to make mistakes as long as the same mistakes aren't being made twice. He views it as better to try 10 things and get six right than to try five and get all five right. "Nobody has the right answer," Dell said. "You've got to go figure it out." Artificial intelligence development is enormous "It's amazing to see the rapid pace of innovation and what's going on," Dell said, adding that technology comes in waves, but this one seems "bigger, more important and more significant." He said technology has always been a part of "enabling human potential," and while he's optimistic about AI, he acknowledged it will be hard for regulators to imagine how fast the technology is evolving. It's better to try 10 things and get six right than to try five and get all five right, Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell said. AI development must be done "in a thoughtful way and reflect our humanity, and I believe it's going to be enormous," he said. Moorhead said AI will transform businesses. "The last big opportunity out there was the internet," he said. "We're at the beginning of a transition that's not only going to make a lot of waves in the tech industry but also with people and corporations." On taking Dell Technologies private Dell, who founded Dell Technologies in 1984 and took the company public in 1988, made it private again in 2013 before returning to the public market in 2018. In the session, he said the period when Dell Technologies was a private company brought a lot of challenges, but ultimately it helped bring the company to its latest chapter. He added that public investors don't really like volatility, so going private was a way to accelerate the company's transformation. "We're in an industry where the pace of change is only going to accelerate," Dell said. "It's a 'make quick change or die' kind of industry, and major transformations involve financial volatility." "I believe that entrepreneurs go where their ideas flourish and are welcomed and there's opportunity. Capital goes where it's treated well," Michael Dell said. "Turns out Texas is a great place for that." Austin then and now Dell said he has had a front row seat to watch Central Texas grow over the past several decades, and while it has grown significantly, the region has a great combination of innovative businesses and universities that make businesses of all sizes thrive. "I believe that entrepreneurs go where their ideas flourish and are welcomed and there's opportunity. Capital goes where it's treated well," Dell said. "Turns out Texas is a great place for that. ... It's been fun playing a part in that." Dell said Austin's natural beauty and its balance of growth, development and mobility as well as all the things that make the city special will help it remain a great place full of opportunities. "I'm bullish on Austin and Texas," he said. Importance of universities 'can't be overstated' During his session, Dell emphasized the role the University of Texas plays in making Austin's innovation scene and companies such as Dell Technologies possible, and he said higher education institutions bring incredible resources. "The importance of the University of Texas and the other universities in Texas really can't be overstated," he said. "If you find great companies, there's always a great university nearby. There's no place in the world where that doesn't exist." Advice for a 9-year-old Dell answered a question about life advice from perhaps the youngest audience member, a 9-year-old. "Learn as much as you can. Dream big. Have as many experiences and learnings as you possibly can. Prepare yourself for the future," Dell said. "Find something you're interested in and curious about exploring, and hopefully parents will let you do it." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: At SXSW 2024, Michael Dell talks life and business, AI, Austin and UT St. Patricks Day at the White House is ordinarily a moment for celebration, with the fountains dyed green and a crystal bowl of shamrocks exchanged as a symbol of friendly ties between the United States and Ireland. There will still be shamrocks this year, but Israels war in Gaza is lending a darker backdrop to the occasion. President Joe Biden is welcoming a delegation of Irish leaders under pressure from their constituents Ireland is a place where support for the Palestinian cause runs deep, informed by what many regard as shared history to make a strong case for bringing about a permanent ceasefire. Leo Varadkar, Irelands Taoiseach or prime minister, voiced widely held Irish sympathies for Palestinians when he met with Biden in the Oval Office. While he rebuffed calls by some Irish politicians to boycott the annual White House stop, he made plain the Gaza war lends fresh urgency to this years talks. You know my view that we need to have a ceasefire as soon as possible, to get food and medicine in, hostages out, and we need to talk about how we can make that happen, Varadkar said in the Oval Office, adding it was his view that a two-state solution was the only path to lasting peace and security in the Middle East. Biden said he agreed on both points. Meeting over breakfast earlier Friday morning with Vice President Kamala Harris, Varadkar said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will haunt us all for years to come. He said the Irish know how quickly atrocities could lead to calls for vengeance, creating new cycles of hatred and bitterness. And he praised Harriss forceful recent calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which he said showed great courage. Im sure it cant have been easy, but it was the right thing to do, he said. The White House said ahead of Varadkars meeting with Biden the two men were expected to discuss the situation in the Middle East and humanitarian efforts in Gaza along with a range of other issues. Speaking ahead of the meeting, neither Irish nor White House officials said they expected it to be hostile or tense, and Varadkar told reporters in Boston, Im not here to tell (Biden) off or tick him off. When speaking to a luncheon on Capitol Hill later Friday, Biden said, We had a meeting earlier today, I told you that Im deeply grateful for Irelands unwavering humanitarian aid to the people of not only Ukraine but also Gaza. Still, the war will make for serious discussion on a visit that, in previous years, was marked more by levity and a robust celebration of Bidens deep roots in Ireland. Last year, Varadkar declared Biden unmistakably a son of Ireland and announced the presidents forthcoming visit to the island. When Biden visited a month later, he was met with large supportive crowds during visits to various towns exploring his ancestral roots, including a speech delivered to tens of thousands outside St. Muredachs Cathedral in Ballina. The months since have seen that support erode, as the war in Gaza precipitates a dire humanitarian crisis that some Irish politicians have said Biden is complicit in fueling. Biden, who is under similar pressures among progressive Democrats in the United States to do and say more on the plight of Palestinians, has remained staunch in his support for Israels campaign against Hamas. While the president has recently begun ratcheting up calls for an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal that would include the release of hostages held in Gaza, and announced new steps to get humanitarian aid into the enclave, he has stopped short of conditioning US arms shipments to Israel. He said in an interview last weekend Im never going to leave Israel when asked about red lines in his support. That is a distant cry from the stance Irish leaders across the political spectrum adopted from nearly the start of the war, when many criticized the scale of Israels response and insisted on protections for innocent Palestinian civilians. Large-scale protests in Dublin and elsewhere called for an immediate end to the fighting. In November, Varadkar said Israels response to the Hamas terror attacks resembled something approaching revenge. Traveling in Boston this week, Varadkar condemned the Hamas terror attacks on October 7 that prompted the current war. But he also said there were innocent men, women and children who are suffering for those sins, and they should not be subject to collective punishment. The cries of the innocent will haunt us forever if we stay silent, he said. Support for Palestinians has long been deeply rooted in Ireland, where many see parallels between the islands own decadeslong experience with partition, violent conflict and colonial rule. The shared colonial experience between the Irish and Palestinians has has undoubtedly shaped how people from Ireland engage with postcolonial conflicts, said Jane Ohlmeyer, a history professor at Trinity College Dublin and author of Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism and the Early Modern World. Ireland was Britains oldest colony. Ireland, unlike other Western European states many of whom were themselves imperial powers but like Palestine (and other colonies that comprised part of the British Empire) had direct and sustained experience of imperialism, she said. There are historic ties as well: the early-20th century British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour, who earlier in his career served as chief secretary for Ireland and opposed Irish home rule, promised in 1917 the UK would support the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. The strongly held views in support of Palestinian civilians and disapproval over Bidens handling of the conflict led some political parties in Ireland to announce they would not send representatives to the St. Patricks Day event at the White House. Speaking last week in Irelands Dail, or national assembly, Socialist Party member Mick Barry called on Varadkar to skip the traditional visit. In not much more than a weeks time, the Taoiseach plans to get on a plane, travel to the US Capitol and join Joe Biden in a day of celebration. He plans to give the latter a bowl of shamrock on behalf of the Irish people. He plans to pose, no doubt, for photographs with a man who has armed and financed mass murder, he said. Barrys opposition to Bidens foreign policy predated the war in Gaza; he boycotted Bidens address to the Dail in April. Michelle ONeill, the first minister of Northern Ireland who is traveling to the White House this week for St. Patricks Day meetings, vowed recently in an op-ed to raise the Gaza issue directly with American officials. We oppose Israels apartheid regime, she wrote in The Irish News, adding: We will state the case that Israel must be held to account for its actions and will urge the US to join calls for a ceasefire. In February, ONeill became the first nationalist politician to assume to role of first minister after a power-sharing government resumed after a two-year break. She represents the pro-united Ireland party Sinn Fein, once the political arm of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The restoration of Northern Irelands devolved government was a top priority for Biden and is certain to be celebrated during the St. Patricks Day meetings and celebrations. The power sharing setup was a central provision of the Good Friday agreement the US helped broker to bring about an end to the decades of sectarian violence known as The Troubles. Some Irish leaders see the success of the yearslong effort to bring peace to Northern Ireland as a potential model for US leadership in the Middle East. Varadkar, who this week took note of the recent shift in Bidens language calling for a temporary ceasefire, said American backing for a new peace process was essential. It happened before with President Carter. It happened before with President Clinton, I think, hopefully, President Biden can take the lead on this, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Governor Maura Healey reacting to the alleged rape of a 15 year old disabled girl by 26 year old migrant Cory Alvarez at the Comfort Inn, an emergency assistance shelter set up by the state in Rockland. Its a horrible situation. Its a horrible allegation. My thoughts are with the victim and her family said Gov Maura Healey at an event in Worcester. Boston 25 asked Gov Healey if the vetting process in place is adequate. I think we have the right systems in place. Unfortunately this is a terrible incident, she said. State Representative Dave DeCoste who represents Rockland says incidents like this are happening around the country and now in Massachusetts. This is tragic and unfortunately not uncommon, said Rep. DeCoste. He says the vetting process falls far short. And to be able to say honestly that you are truly vetting anyone I think is dishonest, said Rep. DeCoste. The governor told Boston 25 that Alvarez came to Massachusetts through a federal program. This is also an individual who came in lawfully under the federal govt through federal program it speak in terms now states are having to deal with now regarding the mass numbers coming across the borders, said Gov. Healey. We asked the Governor if she can prevent this type of incident from happening again? Unfortunately, we have security and systems in place, we have vetting in place it is unfortunate from time to time things will happen, she said. But Rep. DeCoste fears the incident in Rockland may just be the tip of the iceberg. Its one of the crimes we have detected we really dont know how much is going on, he said. Alvarez is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing next week. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Assessing Miller Industries Inc's Dividend Sustainability and Growth Miller Industries Inc(NYSE:MLR) recently announced a dividend of $0.19 per share, payable on 2024-03-25, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-15. 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 Miller Industries Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Miller Industries Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with MLR. 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? Miller Industries Inc is engaged in the manufacturing of vehicle towing and recovery equipment. The company produces wreckers, car carriers, and trailer bodies under the Century, Vulcan, Challenger, Holmes, Champion, Chevron, Eagle, Titan, Jige, and Boniface brands. The products are sold in North America, Canada, and Mexico through independent distributors. Miller Industries Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Miller Industries Inc's Dividend History Miller Industries Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2010. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Miller Industries Inc has increased its dividend each year since 2010. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 14 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Breaking Down Miller Industries Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Miller Industries Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.48% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 1.56%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Miller Industries Inc's dividend yield of 1.48% is near a 10-year low and underperforms than 65.74% of global competitors in the Vehicles & Parts industry, suggesting that the company's dividend yield may not be a compelling proposition for income investors. And over the past decade, Miller Industries Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 2.30%. Story continues Based on Miller Industries Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Miller Industries Inc stock as of today is approximately 1.48%. Miller Industries 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. 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, Miller Industries Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.14. Miller Industries Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Miller Industries Inc'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. Miller Industries 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 Miller Industries Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Miller Industries Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 20.60% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 83.65% 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, Miller Industries Inc's earnings increased by approximately 24.60% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 66.31% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 0.30%, which outperforms approximately 41.76% of global competitors. Engaging Conclusion: Miller Industries Inc's Dividend Outlook In conclusion, Miller Industries Inc's dividend payments, consistent growth rate, low payout ratio, strong profitability, and solid growth metrics paint a promising picture for the company's future dividend sustainability. While the current yield is near a 10-year low, the company's track record of dividend increases and financial health suggest potential for continued dividend growth. Value investors may find Miller Industries Inc an interesting case study in balancing income generation with growth prospects. Will Miller Industries Inc continue its streak of dividend increases, and what might this mean for long-term investors? 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. Three people have died in fierce storms that made their way through Ohio and several other states Thursday night. The three deaths were reported in Logan County, northwest of Columbus. 3 people have been confirmed dead. We are working on identifying the victims, Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. The storms, which damaged homes and businesses and spawned probable tornadoes, also swept through Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas. Officials also said that there were many, many significant injuries following a suspected tornado in Winchester, Ind., with searches being conducted in the town of 4.700 about 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Im shaken; its overwhelming, Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy said. I heard what sounded like a train, and then I started hearing sirens. In a late Thursday post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he was sending his deepest condolences & prayers to the loved ones of those impacted by tonights storms & the Hoosiers in the path of destruction. The people of Winchester are resilient & should know the state will walk alongside & support them as we pick up the pieces & rebuild, Holcomb added. The National Weather Service on Thursday had predicted the possibility of isolated instances of large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes in the region from the Southern Plains northeastward through the Middle Mississippi Valley/Mid-South and into the Ohio Valley. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Under current laws telecoms companies must share network infrastructure where possible removing the need for more poles - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg Ministers are planning to crack down on telegraph poles following a community backlash over unsightly broadband infrastructure. Data minister Julia Lopez has written to network operators including BTs Openreach and Virgin Media O2 urging them to curb the installation of new telegraph poles as they expand full-fibre services. She told the companies to do everything possible to share existing infrastructure or use underground cables before deciding to build new poles. It follows complaints from residents and MPs about the unnecessary duplication of overhead poles and cables that are cluttering up local communities. BT is leading the rollout of new high-speed broadband services, while Virgin Media, Cityfibre and a host of smaller firms are racing to build rival networks. Around 80pc of the UK is now covered by full-fibre broadband, up from just 6pc in 2019. But the rapid deployment of new networks has led to the proliferation of telegraph poles, which usually stretch around 30 feet into the air and are cheaper and less disruptive than installing underground cables. Residents in areas such as Yorkshire have formed campaign groups to fight back against the installation of new poles, branding them a blot on the landscape. In January, MPs for Hull and East Yorkshire held a meeting with executives at local broadband provider KCOM to complain about the unacceptable impact on residents. Former cabinet minister Sir David Davis warned that residents felt they were simply being swept aside by companies doing what best suits them. In the letter, Ms Lopez said new poles should only be built where installing lines underground was not not reasonably practicable. She also said companies must engage with local communities to ensure the infrastructure would not obstruct traffic or unduly impact the visual amenity of the local area. Data minister Julia Lopez hasurged BT's Openreach and Virgin Media O2 to curb the installation of new telegraph poles - Richard Townshend Under current laws, telecoms companies must share network infrastructure where possible, while incumbent BT must grant rivals access to its ducts and poles to build their own networks. Story continues Ms Lopez warned that companies could face enforcement action from regulator Ofcom if they failed to comply with regulations, adding that the Government would take further action if things did not improve. She said: Telegraph poles are a key piece of infrastructure bringing faster connectivity to communities and businesses across the country. Most telecoms companies are doing a fantastic job in delivering that connectivity with the support of those communities, by sharing existing infrastructure and taking into account surroundings when putting up new poles. But we know that there are some firms that are losing that vital community support by inappropriately or unnecessarily throwing up new infrastructure. Steve Leighton, chairman of the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA), which represents broadband firms, said: We understand the ministers concerns and wherever possible our members are using underground ducts or existing infrastructure to build their networks. However, this is not viable everywhere and that is why our members may need to use poles, in line with current planning rules which allow their use through permitted development. The sector will continue to engage proactively with Government on this issue. 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. Seattle residents received more clarity on the citys plans to address the violent crimes that have affected many communities in the Emerald City. However, the forum created mixed reactions among the public. PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM The City of Seattle held its Public Safety Forum at Seattle Central Library, located on 4th Avenue, Thursday at 6 p.m. A number of leaders with the city participated in the event, including Mayor Bruce Harrell, Police Chief Adrian Diaz, Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Chief Amy Smith, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, and Human Services Department (HSD) Director Tanya Kim. #NEW: The City of Seattle is holding a public safety forum thats aimed to make Seattle safer. Mayor Bruce Harrell is addressing topics including guns, mental illness, state lawmakers efforts, and what types of data his office uses to create strategies. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/deEGtqcftl Louie Tran (@louie_tran) March 15, 2024 During the meeting, Enrique Cerna, the moderator, asked a number of preplanned questions to city leaders, including the mayor. Harrell addressed several issues and topics, including mental health, staffing shortages within the Seattle Police Department, the limitations of his role, the efforts of state lawmakers, and gun control. The event comes a day after two shootings in the citys Central District that left a 17-year-old Garfield High School student injured and a 30-year-old woman dead. Both shootings happened blocks away in a span of six hours. Police said the shootings are not connected. Too many people have too many guns, he said. Mayor Harrell said the city seized a record 1,500 illegal guns last year. Eighty percent of the citys homicides last year involved guns, he added. Im tired of waiting on the federal government to address this issue, he said. How many mass killings do we have to have? Harrell said state lawmakers need to give Seattle more flexibility on what it can do to address the violence, adding that ShotSpotter, a tool that aims to detect the sound of gunshots, can help by giving the city valuable data to create impactful strategies. I demand the police department to give me data on where there are gunshots in the city. They know Im bullish on that. I want good data, Harrell said. He also addressed concerns around the tools camera. We will never surveil a Black or brown community as long as Im mayor. Thats not going to happen. I will protect my community, the mayor shared. POLLS People who attended the forum were asked to take part in a number of polls at the meeting. The polls asked for peoples input on several issues and topics, including the following: Do you feel safe in your home/residence? 46% of people voted Very safe 30% of people voted Somewhat safe 9% of people voted unsure Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? 21% of people voted Very safe 40% of people voted Somewhat safe 24% of people voted Somewhat unsafe Do you feel safe taking transit? 22% of people voted Somewhat safe 29% of people voted Somewhat unsafe 23% of people voted Very unsafe Do you feel safe visiting downtown? 30% of people voted Somewhat safe 31% of people voted Somewhat unsafe 20% of people voted Very unsafe Do you feel safe at social activities (sports, concerts, festivals, etc.)? 22% of people voted Very safe 41% of people voted Somewhat safe 23% of people voted Somewhat unsafe Do you think Seattle needs stronger firearm regulations? 62% of people voted Strongly agree 14% of people voted Somewhat agree 10% of people voted Unsure Have you or someone you know been the victim of a violent crime in the last two years? 61% of people voted Yes 30% of people voted No People ranked their safety priorities in 2024: Reduce gun violence Expand addiction treatment Improve youth mental health and safety support Hire more police officers Addressing property crime COMMUNITY FEEDBACK Ahead of the meeting, KIRO 7 News spoke with Rudy Pantoja, a concerned grandfather. Hopefully, the mayor and our leaders here are going to come up with a plan that will represent safety for everybody, not just north Seattle, but the city as a whole, he shared. To address the violent crimes, Pantoja said the city must hold criminals accountable. Most important is accountability. If we know somebody is in crisis or somebody thats a repeat offender committing offenses on our streets, that theyre being held accountable like anybody else, he shared. However, his main concern is around student safety, Pantoja stressed to KIRO 7 News. These are kids. They need to go to school. They need to know theyre safe. They need to know that somebody isnt going to sneak into the building and cause harm to our boys, or our girls or our teachers, he said. What happened at Garfield is unacceptable. After the forum, KIRO 7 News also spoke with several people to get their feedback on the citys plans. I was very inspired by todays meeting, said Michelle Merriweather, president and CEO of Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, a nearly 100-year-old non-profit that works with the City of Seattle to address young people experiencing homelessness. Merriweather said she agrees with citys emphasis on the need to collaborate with community partners to address the root issue of violence. Theyre all working together and communicating with each other and thats working well. She added, It takes all of us to create a safe community that were all looking for and desiring. Its not just on them. We all have a role to play to making sure Seattle is safe. However, Merriweather said the voices of young people in the community were missing at the forum, which she believes is key to creating a safer community in the future. We do all of this for the safety and support for our young people. Their voices werent here, and we didnt talk enough about them, and how we support them to make sure this is a safe community for them. We certainly heard about the things that happened yesterday at Garfield and other places, but again, I think if were going to do this for our future, their voices need to be included in all of these conversations, she added. We also spoke with K.L. Shannon, who lives in the Rainier Beach community. She did not agree with the mayors plans. I came here to learn to see what theyre going to do. Im not satisfied. Im not happy, Shannon said. Were not addressing the root of the issues that need to be addressed. She added, How do you support people who are struggling with housing that are houseless? People that are struggling with mental health issues? People that dont have jobs? People who are dealing with trauma? How do you support that? If you deal with the root of the issues, then we can deal with the escalation of violence. Shannon said she also doesnt support the mayors push for ShotSpotter. The results of the forums polls do not reflect the experiences of all communities, she told KIRO 7 News. If you looked at the audience. The audience is not very diverse, she said. There wasnt really any opportunity to even really ask in-depth questions, she said. They had their own questions. This wasnt no real conversation. This was no real dialogue, Shannon shared. The S.S. Southport is one of the signature cookies at Southport Cookies, 1102 N. Howe St. in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes. Welcome to the weekly Port City Foodies newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter Allison Ballard. I often say that one of the best things about my work is that I get to meet truly interesting, passionate people who love to make good food for others. Well, I walked into the new Southport Cookies shop in the super cute Olde Southport Village Shoppes just to check it out. I was the only person in there at the time and owner Joelle Ingram was immediately so friendly and sweet. She offered samples of her gluten-free and plant-based cookies, and asked for feedback on another recipe that she was still trying to perfect -- all before I could introduce myself. Shes been selling out of her out of her oversized creations, and I can see why. Theyre delicious. I tried a nutty oatmeal raisin and the chocolate chip but will have to go back for the peanut butter and the S.S. Southport. You can read more here and check out more of this weeks food news below. Not washing this hand Also in the meeting cool people category, I had a chance to chat with Bobby Flay who was in Wilmington helping raise money for GLOW and Beacon Education. Meeting the celebrity chef was very cool, but it also marked a new era for the organization's events, with included a tasting and auction, as well. Check out more Flay pics here. More: Events with celebrity chef Bobby Flay mark new Wilmington fundraising experience That's my head there with Chef Flay. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS All about the seafood Two of our bigger articles this week were both about one of coastal North Carolinas favorite types of food. First, love it or hate it, Yelp is influential in the dining world, and they recently included three local restaurants in their list of best seafood spots for 2024. Let me know if you agree! Also, another seafood place, SmacNallys in Ocracoke, is coming to Brunswick County. The owners hope to open in May. More: Three Wilmington-area restaurants make Yelps 2024 list of top seafood spots Whats coming? What's closed? More is on the way as the local food scene continues to grow. The Carolina Beach area is set to get, well, a lot of new restaurant this year. Check it out here. And Shuckin Shack and Genesis Block are working together to bring a food hub, commissary kitchen and more to downtown Wilmington. It should be really cool and provide a lot of opportunities for local foodies. Unfortunately, New Anthem Beer Project, which made a lot of award-winning beer, has closed this week. Here's what we know. More: Two businesses team up for a test kitchen and food hub in downtown Wilmington Lets get social Follow Port City Foodies on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/portcityfoodies and on Instagram at @port_city_foodies. Want your friends to be in the know? Forward this newsletter to them. They can sign up here. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Port City Foodies Newsletter: Top seafood, big cookies and cool chefs Search and rescue teams canvas the area after an overnight severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Winchester. Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky were devastated by tornadoes shredding through the Midwest Thursday. Ohio is the only state currently reporting fatalities despite the considerable damage left in the wake of the severe storms. Crews continue to sift through the rubble left behind by multiple tornadoes, which could lead to an uptick in deaths as the day goes on. Three tornadoes were reported along the Indiana and Kentucky border alone, though assessments are ongoing to determine if some of those reports may be a single tornado that impacted multiple areas. Tornadoes in Indiana: What we know about damage in Winchester, Selma and Madison Here's what you need to know about Thursday's tornadic weather: Where in Indiana did tornadoes hit last night? Tornadoes were sighted in southern Indiana near Hanover and Switzerland County. In East Central Indiana tornadoes struck Selma in Delaware County and Winchester in Randolph County. Did a tornado hit Winchester in Randolph County, Indiana? A Taco Bell and a mobile home park were completely destroyed in Winchester in Randolph County, according to reports from the thestarpress.com. Several other properties were said to be damaged by the storm, as well. Homes in and near the town of Selma in eastern Delaware County also saw damage from Thursday's storms. An initial assessment by the Delaware County Emergency Management indicated as many as half of the town's structures were damaged. According to courier-journal.com, Indiana Emergency Management Agency officials said two tornadoes touched down outside Madison around 2:30 p.m. one in Hanover and one in neighboring Switzerland County. What part of Kentucky did a tornado hit Thursday? The town of Milton saw damage from Thursday's tornadoes. Did a tornado hit Milton in Trimble County, Kentucky? At least one tornado impacted Milton, Kentucky, as well as Hanover, Indiana. Officials are working to determine if the damage caused in both areas came from the same tornado or two separate events. Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark confirmed at least 50 structures including homes were damaged where a tornado touched down in Milton, just south of Madison. More than 4,100 people in Trimble County were without power Friday. No fatalities were reported. The National Weather Service in Louisville will continue surveying the damage Friday. Kentucky state of emergency declared in 3 counties for tornadoes Trimble County is one of three counties to declare a state of emergency. Carroll and Gallatin counties have followed suit. It does appear that there is some really significant damage, especially to the town of Milton in Trimble County, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told courier-journal.com. We are going to work to do everything we can to help those impacted and we think there are over 100 structures that are potentially damaged. Our job is to make sure that no Kentuckian is alone, especially in these difficult times. Tornadoes 2024: 3 confirmed in Kentucky, Indiana. What we know so far Where did a tornado hit in Ohio Thursday? Storms struck Indian Lake, Lakeview and Russells Point in Logan County, Ohio, according to cincinnati.com Did a tornado hit Indian Lake in Logan County, Ohio? Yes. Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive Amber Fagan told cincinnati.com that Lakeview was "completely demolished by a tornado. Theres places burning. Theres power lines through peoples windows, Fagan recounted, describing the scene. Huron County Emergency Managment officials near Plymouth, Ohio, confirmed a tornado at approximately 8:02 p.m. Thursday, calling the twister "extremely dangerous". Three deaths have been confirmed by the Logan County Sheriff's Office, according to cincinnati.com. Sheriff Randy Dodds said the casualties stemmed from a tornado that struck a trailer park near Indian Lake. "It's one hell of a mess up there," Dodds said. "It looks like a war zone." A shelter was opened for displaced people in Logan County. Logan County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Joe Kopus said there would likely be more fatalities discovered due to the excessive damage. Ana Rocio Alvarez Brinez, Leo Bertucci, Douglas Walker, Cincinnati Enquirer staff and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Chris Sims is a digital content producer for Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Tornado damage 2024: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky pummeled by severe storms At least four people were killed in Ohio as tornadoes swept through the area, according to reports. The Logan County sheriff confirmed the fatalities to WSYX. Sheriff Randall Dodds had earlier said two of the deaths occurred at a mobile home park in Lakeview after a tornado had reportedly struck in the area. Deaths were also initially reported at another mobile home park in Winchester, Indiana, in early police reports that confirmed the details to multiple outlets, including Fox and NBC News, after a storm blew through Randolph County about 8 p.m. local time. Two tornadoes had earlier touched down outside Madison, Indiana, around 2:30 p.m.; one in Hanover and a second in neighboring Switzerland County, according to The Columbus Dispatch. In a statement to The Daily Beast, Sgt. John Perrine of the Indiana State Police said there were no confirmed fatalities, adding, We released 3 earlier but that has since been proven false. Three confirmed #tornado producing supercells in northwestern Ohio back to far eastern Indiana! Dangerous situation in Ohio this evening! pic.twitter.com/f6pFY5Wlws Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) March 15, 2024 The news came as at least three other tornadoes pummeled Kentucky and Ohio, where severe weather struck another trailer park, near Indian Lake. According to The Columbus Dispatch, a shortage of ambulances was reported after the trailer park was hit by a tornado, or at least very high winds that have caused extensive damage. It is unclear if there were any casualties. Several tornado warnings were issued across the state including a very serious and very dangerous half-mile wide tornado reported by the National Weather Service in northern Ohio on Thursday night. VERY DANGEROUS HALF MILE WIDE TORNADO on the Ground FROM HURON Emergency Management... damage to homes and structures being report. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS and dangerous tornado on the ground!!! pic.twitter.com/eZp8aOn3uZ NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) March 15, 2024 Dozens of buildings were damaged or destroyed and power was cut to thousands of homes. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed a couple of minor injuries were sustained after a tornado moved through Trimble and Carroll counties. Beshear said no one is reported is missing but it does appear there is really significant damage to at least 100 structures in the town of Milton. He added that more storms were expected to roll through the state Thursday night into Friday morning, including more possible tornadoes. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A brand-new venue in Kennewick dedicated to showcasing numerous forms of entertainment will have its first live music show on Saturday, March 16, featuring out-of-town and local talent. The Mystery Theatre, located at 7425 W. Clearwater Ave. in Kennewick, has had a DJed event since its opening, but not live music. The venue also hosts an adult-only improv group and has cast local actors for its first stage production, Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Performances for the play are scheduled for April. There will be entertainment events for just about everyone at The Mystery Theatre. But their first live show on March 16, sponsored by Unleashed Entertainment and Tri Town Get Down, is sure to be a hit. Mystery Theatres first live show The Brooklyn-based duo Cool Company is bringing their funky sound and You Should Know Better tour to the Tri-Cities, with openers Calimossa and Jordan Polovina. Theyll be joined by local support from indie band easyday. Each of these artists are currently on the lineup for the 2024 Tri Town Get Down as well, making it a great preview for whats to come. We are thrilled to welcome Cool Company, Calimossa, and Jordan Polovina to the Tri Cities before they join us for Get Down this summer, said Caleb Brown, founder of Tri Town Get Down. Their diverse styles and electrifying performances perfectly embody the spirit of our festival, and we cant wait to share this incredible experience with music enthusiasts from across the region a few months early. The duo known as Cool Company consists of Yannick Hughes and Matt Fishman. Theyll be the first headliners at a Mystery Theatre show. Photo provided by Unleashed Entertainment The duo behind Cool Company, vocalist Yannick Hughes and producer Matt Fishman, both 34, will be in town for the last Washington stop of their tour. Following the Tri-Cities show, theyre heading to the Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho before returning to the east coast. Itll be the biggest festival theyve performed to date. Cool Company is slated to perform on Sunday, but will be attending all weekend and may have other sets pop up. Fishman described their sound as funky, future R&B, as they feature influences of hip-hop, electronic, pop and more, on top of the funk and R&B sounds. Theyve never been to Tri-Cities, and told the Herald theyre excited to get the full experience. In their experience, the smaller cities that are less frequented by out-of-town artists tend to be more grateful and enthusiastic at shows. The Spokane tour stop is also a new venue, the Chameleon, which opened over the first weekend in March. Cool Company didnt intentionally book back-to-back shows at two brand-new eastern Washington venues, but they consider it a happy coincidence. The duo told the Herald theyre happy to be guinea pigs at new locations, and help staff iron out any kinks. Cool Company, funky R&B duo, tour The Brooklyn duo focuses on grooving, and taking their music seriously without being too serious. Tour shows are constantly changing, they say, with tweaks and improvement after each gig. Hughes says its like a therapeutic experience, making the live show better and having fun while doing it. The show starts with the local support, indie band easyday. The group is working on their second album, with the second single from the record coming out March 25. Consisting of four ambitious young men with roots in Tri-Cities, the group has a sound that everyone can enjoy. Following easyday will be Jordan Polovina, who plays electric cello. Hailing from Colorado, the musician, vocalist and producer blends folk music with hip-hop and electronic sounds. The last supporting act before Cool Company is Calimossa, a groovy artist who blends old school funk and hip-hop with modern electronic music. Cool Company will close out at the show as headliners. The duo says they like to go through their songs with few breaks, filling up their set with as much music as possible. They love interacting with fans, but they usually save that for before and after their performance. We usually stay [after a show] until they kick us out, Fishman told the Herald. In an interview with the duo, it was requested that someone in attendance bring a dozen eggs to the show. Cool Company gave no context for the request, so proceed with caution. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the first performance scheduled to start around 8. Tickets are available online for $10. Soon, speed-enforcement cameras will be placed in front of Carter G. Woodson Middle School, Hopewell High School and Harry E. James Elementary School. A recent speed study showed motorists were more likely to go faster through those school zones during drop-off and pickup times. Violators can expect to pay $100 civil fines if caught on camera. HOPEWELL If your foot is heavy driving through school zones, then expect your wallet to be lighter. Tuesday night, Hopewell City Council unanimously approved a resolution to have speed-check cameras installed in front of three schools. These cameras would watch car traffic during student drop-off and pickup times, and grab photos of license plates on cars doing at least 10 mph over the posted speed limit. Fines per violation are $100 and would be considered civil fees. That means the ticket would not go on the speeders permanent driving record or affect their insurance costs. The contract with Altumint, a Maryland-based automatic traffic enforcement company, will not cost Hopewell a dime to implement, Marty Plank, vice president of sales for the company, told council. The agreement is cooperative, meaning that Altumint is paid not by the number of violations it clocks but by the value of the product. Its very cost-neutral, Plank said. The cameras will go up at Hopewell High School, Carter G. Woodson Middle School and Harry E. James Elementary School. Enforcement signs will be placed within 1,000 feet of the schools. Plank said those three were chosen after the company did a speed study of all the schools and found the most violations there. All three are located on main traffic arteries in the city HHS on South Mesa Drive, Woodson on Winston Churchill Drive and HEJ on Arlington Road. The study statistics showed more than 800 drivers going over the 10 mph-posted limit at drop-off and dismissal times. More than 500 of them were in front of Woodson, Plank said. Furthermore, Plank said that over a three-day period at Woodson, more than 1,000 cars were going at least 21 mph over the posted limit. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 90% of pedestrians hit by a car going 20 mph are likely to survive. That number drops to 50% at a 30-mph speed and 10% at 40 mph. Hopewell will be Altumints ninth client in Virginia and the second in the Tri-City area after Petersburg. Other locations are in Suffolk, Harrisonburg, Winchester and Portsmouth; Essex County; and the towns of Altavista in Campbell County and Hurt in Pittsylvania County. Plank said the company plans a massive info campaign to introduce the service to Hopewell. Once the cameras go up, there will be a 30-day grace period where drivers will receive warnings instead of citations. Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell plans to install speed cameras at three city schools The Trenton Channel power plant stacks went out with a bang. The candy-cane-striped 600-foot stacks, connected to the nearly 100-year-old power plant on the Detroit River, toppled one at a time, just before the sun rose Friday as scores of Grosse Ile residents looked on. There were big booms, shock waves and dust clouds. "There was 500 pounds of dynamite in each of those blasts," Michael Banks, DTE's major projects director confirmed, explaining that, just as a lumberjack fells a tree, targeted explosions at the base of each stack took them down. "It went exactly as expected." The demolition set for 7 a.m. lasted less than a minute, and changed the Downriver skyline. As a precaution, the police temporarily closed off roads, to vehicles and pedestrians: Grosse Ile Parkway, Bellevue Road, West River, and West Jefferson starting at about 6:45 a.m. In the predawn hours, about 200 people gathered to watch the spectacle, including some top DTE executives and father and son D.J. and Christian Wagner, 34 and 6 who made a memory out of the experience. Some residents, who have come to look for the candy-cane-striped stacks as a landmark, from the sky, when they fly home from Florida, and the water, when they go fishing and boating, said they will miss them. Others expressed they would be glad to be rid of an eyesore in an otherwise picturesque place. Friends John Janiec, 80, and Angelo Pizzo, 69, both of Grosse Ile found spots to watch the stacks come down in the dark. Janiec said he wished the utility would have left the stacks alone, while Pizzo said he supported progress. Christa Clarkson, who has lived on Grosse Ile for four years, said she wasn't going to miss the stacks, either. "I was in good shot to see it hit the ground," Clarkson said, after watching the demolition in Elizabeth Park on West Jefferson. She added that she could see, feel and hear the blast, comparing it to the "sound of thunder" and an "earthquake." The stacks which, according to DTE, were added to the plant in 1968 were a "visual checkpoint where you were in the river," Clarkson said. Whenever she saw them, especially when returning from boating on the river or anywhere, she added, it was "almost like your welcome home." D.J. Wagner, who works at DTE, said his dad, Matt Wagner, who also works for DTE, first took him to see the power plant, when he was not much older than Christian, on take-your-son-to-work day. They now live in Riverview, where they can see the stacks the tops of them, anyway from their backyard. Wagner, who said dramatic explosions tend to mark time in Detroit, recalled watching the 2,124,316-square-foot Hudson's Department store, which was where a new Hudson's skyscraper is going up now in downtown Detroit, be reduced to rubble in seconds. "It's exciting, bringing in a new day for DTE," Wagner said of Friday's demolition, adding that there was an air of melancholy about it, too. "It's a little bit emotional for us who have worked here for years and lived around it and seen the stacks for pretty much our whole lives." One of the two 600-foot stacks towering over the Detroit River at the idled Trenton Channel power plant is imploded with the other to follow shortly as the demolition kicked off on Friday, March 15, 2024. DTE plans to demolish the rest of the nearly 100-year-old coal-fired power plant, which was idled in 2022, on May 17, a date which still could change depending on the weather. After that, DTE said it intends to redevelop the property and open a facility for battery storage. Michiganders have long relied on coal for their electricity, but both the Detroit-based DTE and Jackson-based Consumers Energy have been generating power with natural gas and other sources to reduce carbon emissions and the effects of climate change. DTE said in 2022 it was retiring the Trenton stacks, as well as a coal power plant in St. Clair, trumpeting it as a part of its wider effort to bring southeast Michigan closer to a carbon-free future with more affordable and reliable energy. After the stacks fell, Christian Wagner high-fived his dad and pointed out the obvious, that they were gone forever. The boy also wondered aloud whether his mom, who was at home with his little sister, could see them go down too. Then he asked whether they could come back when the rest of old power plant is demolished. Of course they could, the father told his son as the crowds began to disperse and the sun would soon rise. Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DTE's Trenton Channel power plant stacks demolished (Bloomberg) -- Steven Mnuchin is targeting a purchase of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, a day after House lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill that would ban the wildly popular social media app in the US. Most Read from Bloomberg The former US Treasury Secretary has spoken to potential co-investors about acquiring TikTok, he said in an interview with CNBC on Thursday, declining to give any specifics. US lawmakers are pushing for a ban of the app unless its owner ByteDance Ltd. divests it, driven by concerns over Chinese government influence on the American public. If Mnuchin follows through with a purchase, itll be the second high-profile deal he will have marshalled this year, after leading a $1 billion equity investment in troubled commercial real estate lender New York Community Bancorp. It would also mark his return to a saga that started in 2020, when former President Donald Trump first ordered ByteDance to sell its US assets. Read More: Jeff Yass $15 Billion TikTok Fortune Spotlights His GOP Clout Its unclear whether Mnuchin, who runs a private investment firm that counts Saudi Arabia among its backers, will be able to pull off a deal. TikToks US business would be worth $35 billion to $40 billion, Bloomberg Intelligence estimates. Though Mnuchins investment firm, Liberty Strategic Capital, raised about $2.5 billion in 2021, the high valuation means hed still need multiple equity investors to join any potential bid. Its a great business, Mnuchin said of TikTok in an interview with CNBC. It should be owned by a US business. Theres no way the Chinese would ever let a US company run something like this in China. He added that the social-media app would be remade in the US with homegrown technology. Story continues House Measure The US House voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to approve a bill that would effectively eliminate the app in the US unless it finds a new owner in about six months. Now, the short-video app used by 170 million Americans has turned its lobbying efforts to the Senate, where passage is less certain. TikTok intends to exhaust all legal challenges before it considers any kind of divestiture, people familiar with the matter have told Bloomberg. Representatives for TikTok didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Mnuchin said that under his plan, no investor would own more than 10% of TikTok, and existing investors would have the option to roll over into the new ownership. While TikToks exact ownership structure is unclear, the plan could be a boon for the US investment companies that have bought into ByteDance. Institutional investors including Carlyle Group Inc., General Atlantic and Susquehanna International Group own 60% of ByteDance; 20% is owned by the companys global workforce; an additional 20% is owned by the companys Chinese co-founder Zhang Yiming. Mnuchin believes that the Chinese government would back a sale of TikTok as long as there is no technology transfer. As the then-head of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, Mnuchin was instrumental in talks during Trumps attempt to divest TikTok. At the time, Microsoft Corp. had expressed interest in purchasing the popular video app and the former Twitter Inc. had also explored a possible bid. Oracle Corp. ultimately beat out a bid by Microsoft, and Mnuchin helped structure plans for a new company called TikTok Global, in which Oracle would acquire a minority stake in the new entity, which would be headquartered in the US with an independent board approved by the US government. The deal faded after Trump lost the 2020 election. Trump has since reversed course on TikTok, saying last week that he is opposed to the latest ban attempts. Other Buyers Bobby Kotick, the former chief executive officer of Activision Blizzard Inc., has also expressed interest in buying TikTok, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Kotick is looking for partners and at a dinner earlier this month, he floated the idea to several people including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The list of cash or equity buyers is short. Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc. would be hard-pressed to clear antitrust review. Its likely that Amazon.com Inc. would too, since it is a competitor to TikTok Shop. Oracle, TikToks current data protection partner and former suitor, is saddled with debt from a past deal. A standalone, private TikTok could also potentially work, purchased with a cocktail of cash and debt. Twitters takeover, which included about a third of debt in Elon Musks $44 billion purchase, is a recent similar example. (Updates with details on NYCB deal from third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon on Thursday dismissed former President Trump's motion to dismiss charges of retaining classified documents on the grounds of "unconstitutional vagueness." This is only one of two motions from Trump's legal team. The judge has not ruled on the other motion to dismiss based on the Presidential Records Act (PRA). Defense attorney Todd Blanche argued earlier that the Trump position is that the PRA gives the president the authority to retain documents he sees fit, and essentially take them home or out of the White House, and if that's accurate, that alone is "fatal" to Special Counsel Jack Smiths indictment. "Presidents since George Washington have taken material out of the White House," said Blanche, adding that the PRA was passed in the late '70s and nothing in the statute says anything about documents with markings or anything that gives the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) the ability to challenge a president's decision about which documents are personal versus presidential. Team Trump also points out often that then-President Trump caused these boxes to be moved while he was still president and that this is the first time NARA has challenged a decision made by a president about which documents are personal versus presidential. They claim NARA only took this action because the president in question was Donald Trump. TRUMP HOLDS SLIGHT EDGE OVER BIDEN IN CRUCIAL BATTLEGROUND STATE: POLL READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Judge Cannon told Blanche, "All that might be right. But I don't see how it leads to a dismissal of the indictment...Maybe a defense at trial..." Blanche replied that this was a "proper" avenue for a dismissal because the government must prove that the possession of the documents was unauthorized. Former President Donald Trump arrives for an election-night watch party at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 5. However, Cannon seemed to double down, saying the arguments might have "some force at trial, but it's hard to see how it gets you to a dismissal." The judge at one point remarked that the Trump defense team's view of the Presidential Records Act would essentially "gut the PRA," giving presidents the unfettered ability to classify clearly presidential records as personal. TRUMP ATTENDS FLORIDA HEARING ON POSSIBLE DISMISSAL OF CLASSIFIED DOCS CASE Blanche replied that it is up to Congress to change the law. "That's what's supposed to happen. DOJ can't just decide... [what is personal versus presidential]," he said. "We don't have a lot of case law on this because this has never been done before," added Blanche. "While he was the president he took records, like many presidents... For the first time ever, NARA took a different path and made a criminal referral," instead of negotiating with the president as had been done in the past. Cannon at one point said, "Correct... the seizure of a president's records was seen to be an extraordinary act." Former President Donald Trump greets attendees during a Super Tuesday election night watch party at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 5. Blanche pointed out that in the aftermath of the Clinton presidency, "President Clinton hid tapes in his socks and NARA said there's nothing we can do about that." Cannon asked if those tapes contained any classified information. Blanche said no one knows because the tapes were never recovered from President Clinton. Former President Donald Trump gestures to supporters during an election night watch party at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina, on Feb. 24. "They can't have it both ways," said Blanche. "No effort to investigate whether there was national defense information in President Clinton's socks," but still referring the Trump matter to the DOJ for a potential criminal prosecution. DOJ prosecutor David Harbach told Cannon that the documents seized at Mar-a-Lago "were not personal, nowhere close to that... The only inference is that they were presidential, not personal." Harbach also took pains to stress the independence of Special Counsel Smith's team: "We are not appendages or puppets of the Biden Administration." Original article source: Trump Florida Judge Cannon denies Trump dismissal on 'unconstitutional vagueness' A number of Patagonia employees at a Nevada store voted to unionize, making this the retailer's first U.S. location to elect union representation. A total of 15 employees were eligible to vote from the Reno store and of those, nine voted in favor of joining United Food & Commercial Workers Local 711, a labor union that represents over 1.3 million workers in North America, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Nick Helmreich, a retail team lead at the store, said in a statement that he and his coworkers were inspired by the organizing progress made by REI workers in recent years, according to the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. 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, he said. Heres what we know. What happens next? Once a union, in this case, the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 711, has been certified or recognized as the representation of choice then Patagonia must began to bargain with workers in good faith, the National Labor Relations Board writes. The terms and conditions of your employment are negotiated with your employer through your union representative, according to the NLRB. The Patagonia store in Reno isnt the first organizing victory UFCW International has had in recent years, finding similar success with other employees in outdoors adventure industry, the Reno Gazette Journal reported. Five climbing gyms in Minnesota and nine REI locations across the country were successfully organized with help from UFCW International. Americas love of the outdoors deserves to be met with an appreciation for the workers who make our adventures possible, Marc Perrone, president of UFCW International said in a statement. Whether in retail, rock climbing, or beyond, all workers deserve to have representation on the job, according to the statement obtained by the Nevada Current. Story continues How was Patagonia responded? A Patagonia store signage is seen on Greene Street on September 14, 2022 in New York City. Patagonia has responded to news of the Reno teams move to unionize, saying that company respects the Reno Outlet teams choice, Corley Kenna, vice president of communications and public policy shared with USA TODAY Thursday. We are committed to working with the local union representatives on what comes next. It was important to us that our approach to this process reflected Patagonias values, Kenna said. Kenna goes on to say that the company 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 might be new territory for Patagonia, the company reaffirmed its commitment to doing everything we can to help all team members feel supported and connected. Contributing: April Corbin Girnus; Nevada Current This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Union vote in Patagonia store marks first for retailer, UFCW (Bloomberg) -- Nippon Steel Corp. said its determined to complete its $14.1 billion acquisition of United States Steel Corp., even after President Joe Biden stated the company should stay in US hands. Most Read from Bloomberg In the wake of Bidens comments, Japans largest steelmaker repeated its previous offer of an additional $1.4 billion in investment and a promise of no layoffs or plant closures, according to a statement on Friday. While Biden stopped short of saying he would block the takeover, his statement on Thursday marked a rare presidential intervention in a transaction that outside an election year would have drawn less political scrutiny. Nippon Steel is doubling down on its bid for its iconic US rival just as opposition from the White House threatens to become insurmountable to getting the deal done. The US also risks upsetting relations with a key ally. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is due to hold a summit with Biden in Washington on April 10, where security cooperation will be on the agenda, but the US Steel issue is set to cloud the meeting. US domestic politics is defining what should be up to two private companies to decide, said Shihoko Goto, director of the Asia Program at the Wilson Center in Washington DC. The US Steel/Nippon Steel debate is also driving a harmful wedge between otherwise solid partner nations, she wrote in a post on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. Another Bidder In the wings is the possibility of another bid for US Steel from Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. Earlier on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer Lourenco Goncalves said hed consider making an offer with union support albeit at a significantly lower price than Nippon Steels proposal. US Steel rejected an earlier bid from Cleveland-Cliffs. Story continues Nippon Steels shares fell slightly in Tokyo after an initial advance following its statement. But a plunge in US Steels shares shows that investors are increasingly concerned about the future of the Japanese deal. The stock slumped as much as 11% on Thursday to $36.38, but pared losses after Goncalves comments, closing at $38.26. Its shares have dropped 18% in two days and are trading sharply below Nippon Steels offer of $55 per share. Despite its storied history, US Steels role in the economy has diminished over several decades, a period during which producers in Asia have risen to dominate the global steel market. And while Nippon Steels proposed acquisition targets a historic business name, a takeover in the US commodities industry by a company based in a friendly country is hardly unusual. Bidens comments have also shone a fresh light on the influential position held by the United Steelworkers union and its leader, David McCall. Biden called McCall Thursday morning, reiterating that he has the steelworkers back, the White House said in a statement. For its part, the union welcomed Bidens call for US Steel to remain domestically owned and operated, saying that the presidents comments should end the debate, according to a statement on Thursday. Nippon Steel initially said in its statement on Friday that there would be no layoffs or plant closures until at least September 2026. That date was deleted in an updated statement later in the day so that the wording is more appropriate, according to a spokesperson. Standalone Company The political opposition to the deal means its increasingly likely that US Steel will end up as a standalone company, according to a note from Wolfe Research. Another possibility is that a deal still goes through but after the election and likely with concessions to the union, it said. Finding a compromise with the union could give Nippon Steel a chance of success, said Takeshi Irisawa, analyst at Tachibana Securities Co. That would help give Biden the cover he would need to walk back his comments on American ownership. Japans top government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said at a briefing on Friday that the government is aware of the presidents statement on US Steel but wouldnt comment on individual companies. In any case, the US-Japan alliance is stronger than ever, said Hayashi. Japan and the US will continue to work together on the realization of sustainable and inclusive growth and the maintenance and strengthening of a rules-based free and open economic order in the Indo-Pacific. Others were less sanguine. This throws sand in the wheels of U.S.-Japan economic cooperation, Mireya Solis, director of the Center for Asia Policy Studies at Brookings Institution, posted on X. Who will believe us when we appeal to the spirit of friend-shoring? --With assistance from Ryotaro Nakamaru, Jon Herskovitz, Yoshiaki Nohara and Isabel Reynolds. (Includes an update of Nippon Steels comment in second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) was the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 in 2023. So far this year, it's also the best-performing stock in the entire index. The winners keep running higher as investors gravitate toward companies that are successfully monetizing artificial intelligence (AI). Despite the company's red-hot returns, there are reasons to believe that Nvidia could grow into its valuation over time. But some investors may want to look outside the tech sector for AI opportunities. That's where GE HealthCare Technologies (NASDAQ: GEHC) and Deere (NYSE: DE) come into play. Here's why Nvidia and these two underrated AI plays could be worth buying now. Image source: Getty Images. There's nothing wrong with following the AI leader Scott Levine (Nvidia): Over the past year, several stocks have emerged as compelling routes to gaining AI exposure. But sometimes it's OK to go with the obvious choice. For investors bullish on the prospects of AI -- and it's hard not to be -- Nvidia is still a great option. Sure, the stock has skyrocketed more than 290% since this time last year, but shares can continue flying higher. Consider, for example, the valuation of Nvidia's shares. Currently, the stock is trading at 36 times forward earnings. This may seem like a frothy valuation, but it's common for stocks with high expectations surrounding them to trade at such valuations. It may seem counterintuitive to characterize a stock with a market capitalization in excess of $2.3 trillion as a growth stock, but the AI market is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of more than 37% from 2023 to 2030, according to research firm Grand View Research. While Nvidia generates revenue from the gaming and automotive industries, it's the company's data center business that's the cash cow, representing 78% of revenue in fiscal 2024. Because large language models and generative AI programs require colossal amounts of computing power, data centers use Nvidia's chips -- such as its Hopper Tensor Core GPU (graphic processing units) -- to help handle the considerable computing demands placed on them. Story continues Nvidia foresees a ripe growth opportunity related to its AI offerings in the form of "AI factories." According to management, these are innovative data centers specifically built for AI purposes such as "processing, refining, and transforming vast amounts of data into valuable AI models and tokens." Nvidia estimates that leading companies will have their own AI factories to support their operations. Despite the rapid rise in its price, Nvidia's stock doesn't seem to be unattractively valued. The company generates massive amounts of cash -- $26.9 billion in fiscal 2024 -- so its stock is still a great way to quench investors' thirst for AI exposure. AI is integral to the growth plans at GE Healthcare Lee Samaha (GE HealthCare): Investment in AI continues to be explosive, and the immediate beneficiaries are companies like Nvidia that create the architecture around it. That said, there's a reason why AI investment is exploding, and it comes down to the productivity improvements it generates. That's why the next wave of beneficiaries will be companies that use AI to add value to their solutions for customers. Productivity improvements are never more important than in the healthcare industry, where huge volumes of important data and information are created that aren't yet being analyzed to the best of their ability. That's where GE Healthcare, a leading provider of imaging, ultrasound, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and patient care equipment, comes in. The company has 58 AI-enabled device authorizations, more than any other medical technology company. Its imaging equipment can be embedded with AI to produce more intelligent systems that quickly and accurately diagnose and predict outcomes. This is a significant plus in a critical-care environment such as intensive care units, emergency departments, or neonatal intensive-care units. Developing and releasing new AI-enabled products is a vital part of GE Healthcare's revenue and margin expansion plans. Indeed, management wasted no time in investing in AI after it was spun off from General Electric in early 2023 with an agreement to acquire Caption Health, a leader in AI applications in ultrasound scans, which was announced in February 2023. Moreover, management recently announced a deal to buy MIM Software, an AI solution provider of analysis for imaging and radiotherapy. Investors can expect GE Healthcare to continue adding and developing complementary AI solutions and adding value in the process. That's great news for healthcare providers, patients, and investors. Deere is playing the long game with AI Daniel Foelber (Deere): Deere is a good example of a technologically-forward company that often gets overlooked as a top AI player. But investors should be skeptical when it comes to massive industrial companies posing as tech companies. Not to pick on Honeywell International too much, but it has been touting monetization of the industrial internet of things and automation for several years now, yet its growth has slowed to a sluggish pace. Investing in innovation doesn't always translate to a material impact on the bottom line. But Deere is showing that its Smart Industrial strategy, which was introduced in 2022, is helping drive its performance. To quote Deere CEO John May from the Q1 fiscal 2024 earnings call: As I think about 2024, it's helpful to consider the smart industrial journey that we've been on, which has been grounded in unlocking incremental value for our customers through technology and enabling Deere to deliver structurally higher financial performance. I'm extremely pleased with how we've executed our production systems approach, centralized and advanced our tech stack and focused on delivering value across the entire life cycle of our solutions, all while allocating capital in a more efficient and strategic manner. Deere's last few years of financial performance are evidence of the structural improvement that comes with executing our strategy, all while delivering better outcomes for our customers. This expansion cycle has been particularly sizable for Deere. When plotting a cyclical company's earnings, investors want to see a squiggle line that slopes up and to the right, accounting for downturns and expansions, with each expansion including new highs. Deere's recent expansion was abnormal. Here you can see the company's last 20 years of annual earnings. DE Net Income (Annual) Chart There are a few downturns, followed by expansion periods and then boom -- the recent cycle from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2023 showcased explosive growth. Deere attributes a lot of that growth to its combination of software and hardware that's driving efficiency for its customers. In an interview with CNBC last December, Deere's Chief Technology Officer famously said that Deere is preparing for a fully autonomous farm by 2030. The company has already leveraged AI through computer vision and machine learning to help farmers lower material costs and boost crop yield by maximizing production per acre. More sophisticated machines also help boost the need for Deere services, which it can provide through its dealership network. In fiscal 2023, Deere's research and development expense reached $2.2 billion -- the first time it has ever surpassed $2 billion in a single fiscal year. The company's capital priorities begin with maintaining its strong balance sheet. That's followed by investing in the business and organic growth, growing the dividend while targeting a 25% to 35% payout ratio based on its midcycle earnings, and buybacks. Investors looking for an industrial company that's putting innovation first to drive long-term shareholder returns over immediate returns should consider Deere for their portfolios. Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Nvidia wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2024 Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Lee Samaha has positions in Honeywell International. Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Deere. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. If You Like Nvidia for Its AI Exposure, Then You'll Love These Two Stocks was originally published by The Motley Fool Despite extreme violence, political instability and hunger engulfing Haiti, the United States is continuing to return Haitian migrants interdicted at sea back to the gang-controlled country, to the dismay of Haitian advocates in the U.S. who decry the policy. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard stopped 65 Haitians who were trying to flee Haiti by boat and sent them back to Haiti, the agency said in a statement. There is a specific disdain when it comes to Haitian asylum-seekers, said Guerline Jozef, a human rights advocate and co-founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. The first [U.S.] act is not How do we protect the people? it is How do we deter them and how do we make sure they dont make it to our shores? Jozef cited increased deportations and alleged mistreatment of thousands of Haitian migrants who were massed under a Texas bridge in 2021 as further evidence of an unfair U.S. stance toward Haitian asylum-seekers. Jozef said the gangs takeover of ports, airports and much of Port-au-Prince has created a situation that is fearful, that is traumatizing, that is horrific. Once again, we have a clear example that U.S. policy responds by violence when it comes to Haitian people, Haitian refugees and asylum-seekers, Jozef said. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the interdictions at sea are done to preserve human life by discouraging Haitians from taking the dangerous maritime journey. The Coast Guards primary mission is to preserve human life at sea, said Capt. Willie Carmichael, the incident commander for the operation. The migrants on Thursday were sailing on a boat in distress, the Coast Guard said, and a good Samaritan alerted a Coast Guard command center of its whereabouts and condition on March 7. Since Oct. 1, 2023, the Coast Guard has repatriated 131 Haitians stopped at sea. Former President Donald Trump accused President Joe Bidens border policies of leading to a mass exodus of Haitians to the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of people are pouring into our Country from Haiti. They are headed to Florida. But dont worry, Crooked Joe Biden has everything totally under control. MAGA! Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday. There is no evidence that thousands of people have been able to escape Haiti since gunmen attacked the main international airport on Feb. 29. With gangs in control of key ports and the largest airport, it has been difficult for most Haitians to leave, Jozef said. DHS also said the number of undocumented migrants coming to the U.S. directly from Haiti is low. DHS is monitoring the situation in Haiti and coordinating closely with the State Department and international partners. At this time, irregular migration flows through the Caribbean remain low, a spokesperson said. U.S. policy is to return noncitizens who do not have a fear of persecution or torture or a legal basis to enter the United States. Those interdicted at sea are subject to immediate repatriation pursuant to our longstanding policy and procedures. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Students rallied against the West Texas A&M University presidents decision to cancel a drag performance on March 23, 2023. Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday denied some West Texas A&M University students attempt to prevent President Walter Wendler from canceling another on-campus drag show scheduled for Friday. Three days later, Wendler did just that. Last year, Wendler banned student-led drag shows on the universitys campus, saying the performances degrade women. In an all-campus email on Monday, he wrote that the latest "application to conduct an on-campus drag show is denied for the reasons given previously. Wendler said he did not cancel the show earlier out of respect for the judicial process. The students organizing the event already confirmed they booked an on-campus venue and secured insurance to use the space. Students sued the president over last year's canceled performance, arguing Wendler violated their First Amendment rights. A Texas federal district court denied the students request for relief from Wendlers ban, arguing not all drag shows are expressive conduct. Earlier this month, West Texas A&M students filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court, seeking an injunction against Wendler to ensure he does not cancel a March 22 drag show students planned. The lawsuit is before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, but that court will not hear oral arguments until April leaving the door open to another cancellation without a courts intervention. In addition to the initial injunction against Wendler, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed another petition in federal courts arguing that the slow-moving legal process could imperil students First Amendment rights by not preventing another canceled drag show. The 5th Circuit declined to rule on the subsequent injunction until it hears arguments on the original question presented in the case. After Wendler canceled the show last March, he sent an email to the campus explaining his decision. He acknowledged that the law of the land appears to require him to allow the performances to go forward, but that did not dissuade him. No one should claim a right to contribute to womens suffering via a slapstick sideshow that erodes the worth of women, Wendler wrote. Following the debacle, a majority of West Texas A&M faculty voted to condemn Wendler for his handling of the drag show and for exhibiting a pattern of divisive, misogynistic, homophobic and non-inclusive rhetoric that stands in stark contrast with the Core Values of the university. In an email obtained by The Texas Tribune, Wendler said his decision to cancel the show resulted in an upswell of support from those outside the university in the Panhandle. He has yet to declare whether he will allow next weeks drag show to move forward. The balls in his court now, Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney for FIRE representing the students, said in an interview before Wendler's Monday email. There is no order from the court preventing Wendler from canceling the show, Steinbaugh said, but he would still be violating students First Amendment rights if he repeated his actions from last year. It takes courage to stand up for your rights and when you stand up for your own rights, you wind up advancing the rights of everyone else, Steinbaugh said of the students suing the university. The Supreme Court did not provide its reasoning for denying students request. In response to questions from the Tribune, the university said it does not comment on pending litigation. In September, a federal district judge in Texas ruled that a 2023 state law that restricted some public drag shows unconstitutionally violated performers First Amendment rights. Texas appealed the decision to the 5th Circuit. The two district court decisions, at odds over the question of whether drag is protected under the First Amendment, are both before the appeals court. Disclosure: West Texas A&M University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. We cant wait to welcome you to downtown Austin Sept. 5-7 for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival! Join us at Texas breakout politics and policy event as we dig into the 2024 elections, state and national politics, the state of democracy, and so much more. When tickets go on sale this spring, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today. The wedding was over, the day before there was a funeral and today Id been best man. Now, at around six in the evening, I was standing on City Road, outside the gates of the Honourable Artillery Company. I was elated at landing some gags, squiffy after the bottle of wine Id downed straight after my speech, tired after several days of travel, costume changes and ceremony and excited at the approach of an Uber. I normally cycle in London. Everywhere and in all weather. It means Im the master of my itinerary and I get exercise. But last Saturday evening, I was bearing two suit carriers and a large case and I made the call that the weight, awkwardness and mileage meant the bike option could be reckless. So I stood there, clutching my phone, watching that little animated car wiggle along the streets towards me. I knew the make of car, the registration and soon Id be safely in the back of Hassans Toyota Prius and en-route to Paddington. I revelled in the genius of the digital revolution and how Uber, with its cartoon of cars approaching, makes waiting for a car charming. Then, as the car was just a hundred yards away, a note flashed up: it was cancelled. No reason, just cancelled. But no problem, Uber was scouring the area for someone else and, a few minutes later, another was coming to the rescue. The car was on a street just parallel to mine. Some friends passed by, leaving the party and asked if all was well. All good, thanks Ive got an Uber on the way. So they flagged down a passing black London cab. Then, moments later the Uber cancelled. And then two more after that. So I stomped off down the road dragging my weary body and possessions in search of a busy junction and the yellow light of a cab. Some 25 minutes later I flagged one down and hopped it. Then my phone flashed: Your Uber is arriving. Yeah right, I muttered. And then, I cant quite recall due to the mental breakdown I was suffering, I either closed, or deleted the app or flung my phone to the floor. But a few minutes later a notification arrived to state that I had been charged for cancelling. And you try protesting this. You can more likely scale Everest without so much as a chilly toe. And, of course, I remembered that this wasnt the first time. Which made it even more painful. To book this Uber, I had had to upload the app again having deleted it the last time I abandoned my bike for a reckless attempt at cab ride. Ive yelled God I hate Uber in the past, which made my loathing this time visceral. Its not all Ubers. In Melbourne last year, consistently, they arrived, time after time, day in day out, literally within 30 seconds. Although not in our glorious metropolis. Because, you see, finally the drivers have worked the system. When it began they were at our beck and call. There was a market of drivers, jostling for our business. But the digital revolution wrought by the likes of Airbnb switched the focus from client to customer. You can rent my room, but not until Ive sussed out your rating, looked up your track record, analysed the hosts comments. Your digital footprint bears your bastard rating and I, as a driver, will be the one who decides if I want your custom, thank you very much. Then there is the proliferation of city cab apps. Where once the black cab monopolised the bustling metropolis, now they are mere bit players. And theres nothing to stop drivers from signing up to all of them, save the sainted Hackney carriage. Thus the metered Free Now and Gett compete with Uber, Ola and Bolt and countless others no doubt (theyre Whac-A-Mole, like social media apps. You block them from your kids phones and another half dozen pop up). Which means the drivers can mooch about town accepting fares and then deigning as to whether they will fulfil them at no loss to themselves. Why should they honour my poxy City Road to Paddington job when a juicy Heathrow number pops up two streets away? We used to run the Uber driver, now they run us. We must genuflect and compete for their custom and be the best possible customer. Which bearing in mind the fruity message I left in anger in response to Your Uber is arriving will doubtless mean that, while Ive deleted Uber, theyve almost certainly cancelled me. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A third grade classroom at Parkview Elementary School in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. The Utah Education Association, the state's largest teachers association, has announced its opposition to a constitutional amendment that would lift the earmark on income tax for education and programs for children and people with disabilities. The Utah Education Association has announced its opposition to a proposed amendment to the Utah Constitution that would open the state income tax fund to other state needs. It is currently earmarked for public and higher education and programs for children and individuals with disabilities. In a statement issued late Thursday afternoon, UEA President Renee Pinkney said the unions board of directors voted unanimously to oppose the constitutional amendment, which will be on the statewide ballot in November. This decision was not taken lightly. The UEA Board of Directors believes the proposed amendment goes against our values and challenges what we stand for, Pinkney wrote in a letter to UEA members. It continued, We have yet to realize a fully funded public education system in Utah. The UEA has been protecting the promise of public education for over 150 years, and we dont intend to compromise our values now. UEA, the states largest teachers association, took issue with the Utah Legislatures appropriations to the Utah Fits All Scholarship program, which will provide $8,000 scholarships to 10,000 qualifying Utah students for private school tuition, other private education programs or services starting this fall. Alarmingly, during the past two legislative sessions, the Legislature appropriated $82 million to the newly established but not yet started private school voucher program. Imagine what this funding could do to meet the ever-increasing needs of our public school students and educators, Pinkneys letter states. Income tax has been reserved for funding public education since the mid-1940s, although the state constitution has been twice amended over the years to also allow using income tax revenue to support public colleges and universities and, more recently, for programs for children and people with disabilities. Legislative leaders say the structural imbalance in state tax revenues ties their hands in budgeting decisions at a time when income tax revenues are outstripping sales tax revenue. Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said UEAs opposition is disappointing given the Legislatures relentless dedication to prioritizing education. Our track record speaks volumes about our commitment to education, which is evident in increasing education funding by 94% over the past 10 years. This proposed constitutional amendment offers a dual advantage: it guarantees new protections for education funding in a way that allows greater flexibility in addressing the pressing needs of the state while simultaneously eliminating the burden of sales tax on food. Adams said he requested feedback from UEA during the just-concluded legislative session. UEA chose not to engage and waited until after the session to change their official position. Stakeholders coming to the table to offer solutions is more productive and effective, he said. A majority of Utah voters would need to approve a constitutional amendment for it to take effect. If voters approve the constitutional amendment, state lawmakers will repeal the state portion of food tax starting in 2025, although the local portion of the food tax will remain. It is a tough choice between paying food tax because everybody has to eat. It is a regressive tax. However, a fully funded public education system has never been realized in Utah. Our kids deserve to have a highly qualified educator in a well-resourced classroom thats welcoming, that fosters belonging on Day 1. Our kids need to have smaller class sizes. They need to have one-on-one support when they are struggling with a particular subject or topic. We cant do that if we are not fully funded, she said in an interview. Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, and Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, sponsors of SJR10, which placed the proposed amendment on the 2024 ballot, issued a statement late Thursday, calling the resolution good for education and good for Utah families. The statement, in its entirety, said: Education funding is a top priority for the Utah Legislature and our constituents. We appreciate our educators, and have nearly doubled public education funding in the past 10 years. The education budget is $8.43 billion with a $832 million increase this year alone. SJR10 prioritizes education funding in our state constitution cementing our commitment to education by ensuring students and educators have necessary resources while providing voters the opportunity to remove the state sales tax on food. SJR10 is good for education and good for Utah families. House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, issued a statement in support of UEAs position: If SJR10 is implemented, it would authorize the Legislature to redirect funds away from public schools. As an elected official, one of my top priorities is to ensure that all children have access to high-quality education. I support UEAs decision to oppose SJR10, because this proposed amendment to the Utah Constitution contradicts the crucial need to invest in our public education system. I urge Utah voters to familiarize themselves with the items on the November ballot and make informed decisions about their votes. By voting against the proposed constitutional change, you will be protecting Utahs public school system and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education. Earlier this week, Kelly Rizzo, the widow of late comedian Bob Saget, fiercely responded to criticism about her dating life. Saget died in January 2022 from an accidental head injury, and in February of this year, Rizzo revealed she was seeing Clueless actor Breckin Meyer. (Last month, Rizzo told E! News that she did get the blessing of Sagets three adult daughters, which meant so much to have.) Im gonna start by saying unless you are a widow or widower, you truly have absolutely no place and no right to comment on this because you do not know what its like, the 44-year-old said in a nearly five-minute-long TikTok video published Monday. You just dont understand the incredibly complex, and difficult, and dynamic thoughts and feelings that come up during this entire process, Rizzo continued. At some point, when it crosses your mind to even think about starting to date again, just having those thoughts, you feel guilty. Bob Saget died in January 2022 from an accidental head injury. In February, Rizzo revealed she was seeing Clueless actor Breckin Meyer. Paul Archuleta via Getty Images The same thing happened a few years back to Amanda Kloots, the co-host of The Talk who lost her husband, Broadway star Nick Cordero, from complications from COVID-19 in July 2020. Dating already wow that was fast, one person wrote in a comment on one of Kloots Instagram posts, according to a screenshot the TV host shared. Kloots, 41, put the person in their place, but it brought to light an ugly secret about widowhood: When youre a woman whos lost a spouse and dating again, people feel at liberty to weigh in on your choice. Usually, that opinion is chock full of judgment. But when youre a man whos lost a spouse, people are much more prone to sympathize and support your choices. Heck, they might even kindly offer to set you up with someone nice they know. Days after Kloots talked about the online criticism, Sheryl Sandberg, the former Facebook chief operating officer who lost her husband Dave Goldberg unexpectedly in 2015, spoke about her own experiences dating again and just how sharp the contrast in treatment is between widows and widowers. It wont shock you to know that we judge women more harshly for dating after death than we judge men, Sandberg said on the People Every Day podcast in 2021. Months after her loss, Sandbergs brother encouraged her to get back out there, reminding her that If you [were] a man, you would start dating now. (Sandberg eventually took his advice; the tech exec married Tom Bernthal in August 2022.) Amanda Kloots and Kelly Rizzo -- both widows -- at an event for Kloots' book, "Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero." Amanda Edwards via Getty Images Experts say there really is no proper timetable for dating after the loss of a partner; the readiness factor varies significantly from person to person. For every person whos eager to date again, theres another who feels entirely squeamish about reentering the world of swipe left or swipe right. But the antiquated idea that a bereaved woman needs to observe a formal mourning period has fierce sticking power, said Diane Brennan, a licensed mental health counselor in New York City who facilitates group therapy sessions for widows ages 25 to 40. I try to prepare my clients for the possibility of others making comments, she told HuffPost. We work on how to best respond when others pass judgment, whether they think you should slow down or say dont worry, youll find someone else! Still, its hard to push back on the judgment thats placed on them. Honestly, it causes more pain for the griever, Brennan said. I wish that people understood that when they offer their commentary. All too often, people are responding to what they think they might do in a similar situation, said Allen Klein, author of Embracing Life After Loss: A Gentle Guide for Growing Through Grief. Someone might say, Oh, Id never date so soon after my spouse died, he said. In reality, no one really knows how they would react until the situation actually happens. The fact that widows and widowers date earlier than some expect is no disrespect to their former partners, Klein said. Its just a way [some] deal with the loss. As Kloots said on her talk show, getting out and meeting so many wonderful people has been helpful. Someones readiness to love again may in some ways be a testament to the quality of their marriage, wrote Kerry Phillips, a widow at 32, in her online blog called Young, Widowed and Dating. We know the beauty that radiates from a couple in love and what companionship and commitment looks and feels like, she wrote. Modern-day widows come up against old expectations. Kate ONeill, a a strategy consultant and the author of 2015 memoir Surviving Death, lost her husband of nine years, Karsten, by suicide in 2012. She was 38 at the time. While those close to ONeill were supportive of her choice to date again, some acquaintances felt differently. People who were more casual friends had a harder time, especially if theyd known me and Karsten socially as a couple, ONeill told HuffPost. But ONeill desperately wanted to meet new men and women, if only just to laugh again. (Must be funny was pretty much a prerequisite for a first date candidate.) To me, nothing about choosing to date was in any way a negative reflection on how much Karsten meant to me or how profoundly I had been affected by his loss, she said. My intense grief went on in parallel with my instinct to keep myself intact and afloat by trying to have moments of joy and meaning in my life. Some of the attitudes towards widowed women dating feel archaic, as if by definition a woman who has lost her husband has also lost her own role and standing in society.Kate ONeill, a a strategy consultant and the author of 2015 memoir Surviving Death" Shes certain those same judgy acquaintances in her life would have felt differently about her decision had she been a guy. Some of the attitudes towards widowed women dating feel archaic, as if by definition a woman who has lost her husband has also lost her own role and standing in society, she said. For instance, right after Karstens death, ONeill was gifted an old 1970s-era book a friend had found in a secondhand store about widowed women, written by a widow. As I read it, I remember feeling surprised by the subtle implications of embarrassment, fear and uselessness that even the author herself seemed to express, apparently without overtly meaning to, ONeill said. As a relatively young widow and a busy entrepreneur, ONeill was in a different boat socially, financially and psychologically. Losing your loved one and your social ties and your economic security and the close companionship you hoped youd have for the rest of your life is something else entirely, ONeill said. Thats heartbreaks on top of heartbreak, she said, but not necessarily reflective of the experiences of many modern-day widows. The expectation to go slow also discounts an important emotional factor: Many widows are grappling with having been a caretaker to their spouse for years and years before the loss. Some have grieved prematurely and are eager for companionship. That was the case for Connie, a former flight attendant from Illinois, who joined Match.com about six months after her husband of 22 years died of cancer in January 2017. Men and women whove lost a spouse are often desperately lonely and craving affection, she said. Some in my family judged me, but you have to keep in mind, while a spouse is ill there is no intimacy. Connie, a former flight attendant from Illinois, missed intimacy when she lost her husband of 22 years in January 2017. Connie The widow dating again experience is much different than the widower dating again experience. Phillip Tate, an attorney in Santa Monica, California, lost his wife of seven years, Liz, to breast cancer in 2013. He was in no rush to date again; on top of mourning Liz, he was busy caring for the couples infant son. But had he been eager to get back out there, his decision probably wouldve been celebrated. His late wifes friends have set him up with all but one of the women hes dated seriously since her death. I think men and women are perceived very differently here, he told HuffPost. People generally think Oh, he should be out dating, hes young and his son needs a wife. Phillip Tate's late wife, Liz, told him several time before she was sick that if anything ever happened to her she wanted him to "wait a respectable period of time," then date again. "She said she didnt think Id do well alone," he said. In the end, he was in no rush to date. Phillip Tate James LaVeck, the author of the memoir Life After Losses, agrees with that. LaVeck has been widowed twice. His first husband, Bob, died in August 1995 from AIDS-related non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The couple had been together for seven years. LaVeck was only 27 at the time. The writers second husband, also named Bob, died in January 2014 from an accidental opioid overdose. The pair had been together 15 years and had adopted two children, who were 10 and 11 years old at the time of their dads death. It quickly dawned on LaVeck that men were expected to get over it faster especially gay men. From my perspective as a gay man, many people dont find same-sex marriages to be equally emotional as opposite-sex, he told HuffPost. Men arent supposed to express emotions in our society; women are expected to be overly emotional. Grief, however, throws all those tropes out the window. Grief is chaotic, LaVeck said. It makes no sense that someone we loved is gone, and how we process that information varies with each person. After his first husband died, it was a good two years before LaVeck felt he could even fathom seeing someone new. When I did start dating, it felt like cheating on him, he said. I never thought it was too soon, nor did anyone else in my circle. James LaVeck is a two-time widower. To the left, he's pictured with his first husband, Bob, who died in 1995. To the right, he's pictured with his second husband, also named Bob, and their two children. James LaVeck He dated maybe a half-dozen men during the following year, he said. On the third anniversary of his late husbands death, he met his second husband. The time between meeting and getting engaged was about four months, LaVeck said. This felt too soon to most of my family, but I had been mourning for three years, and it didnt feel that fast to me. As a two-time widower, LaVeck knows better to equate someones window of time as a single person to how much they loved their former spouse. One of my friends started dating six weeks after his wife died, he said. I dont believe he loved her any less than I loved my husband, and I believe we all have our own ways of grieving. Heres what you should say to a widow or widower. Becky L. McCoy, a writer and speaker, was eight months pregnant with her youngest child when her husband of six years, Keith, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, an aggressive, non-treatable, incurable cancer. He died in January 2015. Six months later, McCoy distinctly recalls pulling into the garage and thinking, Oh, so this is why people remarry so quickly. I didnt actually start dating then, but I was acutely aware of my desire to be in a partnership and not have to solo-parent any longer than I had to, she said. It was probably a year or two, once I felt like I wasnt barely surviving, that I started dating again. At first, she felt a bit wobbly on first dates. But eventually, she realized she had the emotional capacity and confidence to date again. I knew it would probably be a while before I felt comfortable enough to be truly ready for a relationship, but I definitely didnt feel like it was too soon or had been too long, she said. Becky L. McCoy didn't date immediately after her husband, Keith died, but she understood the impulse. Here, they're pictured on their wedding day and with their oldest child. Becky L McCoy It helped that she had her late husbands blessing. When my husband was sick, he had bugged me to apply for The Bachelor/Bachelorette or assemble a steering committee and start dating before he died so I didnt have to be single, McCoy said. I definitely did not have any guilt about dating again. She was also lucky that her friends and family were excited to see her get out there again, at her own pace. But talking to other young widows, she knows shes the exception, not the rule. I find the widows vs. widowers dating again fascinating, she said. I tend to think of it as: Some people heal better in a partnership and some people need solitude to heal. Who is to say which version is better? What can be said in place of Oh, youre dating again? That was quick? McCoy recommends simply asking a widowed friend what they need in the immediate moment. You might ask them if theyre even interested in being set up, for instance! she said. If you arent close enough to them to know if theyre dating or not, thats enough of a sign that its not your place to ask or involve yourself. Losing a spouse and opening yourself up to potential loss again is difficult and painful and no amount of good intentions will make it less so, McCoy said. Just keep encouraging and affirming and tell them you want goodness for them. Refrain from showing the person exactly how you see that happiness coming to fruition, McCoy said, and let them find their own way. A previous version of this story was published in April 2021. Related... The Tory party has long been a source of whipping up racism in this country, including directed at me personally, said Diane Abbott, an independent member of the U.K.s Parliament. Diane Abbott, the first elected Black woman and the longest-serving Black member of Parliament, blasted United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for denying her the ability to ask questions during a debate over racist remarks that were allegedly made about her. The Guardian reported on Monday that Frank Hester, a conservative donor to the British Conservative Party, also known as the Tory Party, allegedly said that Abbott should be shot and that you just want to hate all Black women because shes there, reportedly referencing Abbott during a meeting with his colleagues in 2019. During a weekly session called Prime Ministers Questions, while seated in the House of Commons chamber, Abbott was denied the opportunity to ask the prime minister a question regarding Hesters comments, even after standing up at least 46 times to get the speakers attention. A spokesperson for the prime minister said Sunak ran out of time to answer questions and that the Speaker must select MPs from either side of the House on an alternating basis for fairness. Shortly after the ordeal, Abbott took to X and wrote, I dont know whose interests the Speaker thinks he is serving. But it is not the interests of the Commons or democracy. In November 2023, Hester gifted Sunak with a helicopter for a political visit valued at 15,000. However, in light of Hesters controversial remarks, Sunak has faced demands to return the gift. Sunak rejected those calls. The U.K.s first Indian prime minister called Hesters comments racist and said he had accepted Hesters apology. LONDON, ENGLAND MARCH 11: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (R) talks with Ahmad Al Dubayan, Director General of the London Central Mosque (not in frame) during a visit to the Mosque on March 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Daniel Leal WPA Pool / Getty Images) Shortly after news broke about the controversial remarks Hester made towards Abbott, she released a public statement that read, To hear someone talking like this is worrying. She continued, The fact that two MPs have been murdered in recent years makes talk like this all the more alarming. Abbott asked Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to intervene and advocate on her behalf and published an op-ed on Wednesday in The Independent titled Yes, the Tories are outrageously racist and sexist but Labour is guilty too. She wrote, The Tory party has long been a source of whipping up racism in this country, including directed at me personally. Abbott said she was the target of the conservative political group during the 2017 general election when campaign vans traveled through the city with the slogan, Do you really want Diane Abbott as Home Secretary? She also criticized the Tories for their reluctance to call out racism and sexism. She demanded they return 10 million Great British Pounds (12 million U.S. dollars) Hester donated to the political party in the past year. Abbott also condemned the Labour Party for its delay in calling out the abuse and for downplaying what Hester said. It should be absolutely clear that the reported remarks were both outrageously racist and sexist, said Abbott. Hester now faces calls to step down from his post as owner and CEO of The Phoenix Partnership over his controversial remarks. This comes after Abbott, who has served as a member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987, has made headlines in the past for condemning racism. In 2023, she wrote a letter to The Guardians Observer, in which she wrote, It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience this prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism, added Abbott. In apartheid South Africa, these groups were allowed to vote, she continued. At the height of slavery, there were no white-seeming people manacled on. The slave ships. The Labour Party was offended by her letter and suspended her from the party as the Labour whip, making her an independent member of Parliament. Although she has since apologized for her remarks, she remains under investigation for composing the letter. Once the investigation is complete, whether Abbott can return to her post as Labour whip will be determined. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post UKs longest-serving Black MP denied chance to speak during debate on racism at least 46 times appeared first on TheGrio. The UK slammed Russia's so-called presidential elections in Ukraine's occupied territories as illegal, the UK's Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Neil Holland, said on March 14. The UK echoes OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in strongly condemning Russia for holding its presidential election in Ukraine, which is contrary to international law including the UN Charter, Holland stated. To be perfectly clear, these so-called elections on the sovereign territory of Ukraine are illegal. Russian aggression started back in 2014 in Crimea, Holland reminded, and now Russia is conducting elections in occupied territories against the will of the Ukrainian people to fabricate a sense of legitimacy for its presence in Ukraine. Russia and its proxies have committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of international human rights law, Holland said. This includes enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture, forced deportations, and summary executions. The UK has been clear, we will never recognize Russias attempts to consolidate its illegal control over Ukrainian territory which is in breach of the UN Charter. The U.S. will never acknowledge the outcome of the fake elections that Russia orchestrates in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said on March 14. The heads of parliamentary foreign affairs committees from 23 countries, also on March 14, dismissed the legitimacy of the so-called Russian presidential elections on the occupied territories and condemned their organization. The presidential elections in Russia are scheduled for March 17, 2024, following a resolution passed by the Federation Council on Dec. 7. Late last year, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced his participation in these so-called "elections." It was later revealed that the occupiers plan to conduct "elections" in the temporarily captured territories over three days March 15, 16, and 17. Ukraines Foreign Affairs Ministry said that voting in the captured territories would be "illegal and invalid." The European Parliament announced on March 14 that it would not send observers to the upcoming so-called presidential elections in Russia from March 15 to 17. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Nvidia Corp.s annual artificial intelligence conference is just days away and expectations are high for the semiconductor maker to deliver news that will sustain the blistering rally in its stock. Most Read from Bloomberg Nvidia GTC, the companys graphics processing unit technology event, has quickly become a global AI conference for developers. It runs from March 18-21 in San Jose, California, with Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang due to speak on the opening day. His comments may help Nvidia stock end a bout of volatility and resume its surge of more than 80% this year. Its a huge catalyst because theyll probably give more information, not only on industry penetration, said Ted Mortonson, technology desk sector strategist at Robert W. Baird & Co. He compared the gathering to Apple Inc.s yearly product launch. Huang typically kicks off the event with an introduction of new products and an outline of his latest vision for where technology is headed. Hell be under pressure to show off innovations that can replicate the wild success of the H100 chips for data centers and cement Nvidias leading position in this lucrative market. This years appearance carries more weight after Nvidias 2024 gains alone added $1 trillion in market value for the company, catapulting it into a position as the top-performing stock in the S&P 500 Index. Its been a bumpy ride for investors since the March 7 record close: on Tuesday, the shares snapped the worst two-day drop in five months, only to slide again on Wednesday. In early trading Thursday, shares were down more than 1%. Some of that volatility is likely due to traders positioning ahead of next weeks event. Options data show that investors are paying an increasing premium for calls to profit from a rise in prices as the meeting approaches, especially for short-term contracts. Story continues Its kind of like the Apple product introductions everybody tries to get in front of it, said Mortonson. The million-dollar question is if you get selling on the news after Jensens keynote presentation. The event is so important to the shares that Bank of America analysts led by Vivek Arya have dubbed it the AI Woodstock. They have raised their Nvidia price target to $1,100 from $925 ahead of the conference. Even after almost quadrupling in the past 12 months, Nvidias valuation suggests that theres still room for further gains, according to BofA. The stock now trades at a lower multiple than when ChatGPT was launched in November 2022, Arya wrote. And Wall Street is overwhelmingly bullish on Nvidia heading into the event. The company has 60 buy ratings, seven holds and zero sells among analysts tracked by Bloomberg. I feel very comfortable and confident where the level of demand is and upside to pretty much every estimate Ive seen out there, probably including our own for the next 12 to 18 months, TD Cowen analyst Matthew Ramsay said in an interview. He has an outperform rating and $900 price target on Nvidia. While expectations are positive leading into the San Jose event, analysts and investors alike are aware that Nvidia stock is trading near technically overbought levels that could spark another pullback. Because of its size it rocketed into the ranks of the three largest S&P 500 stocks this year sharp moves in any direction could swing the entire market. Nvidia is a name thats being held to very high expectations and so they have the pressure to continue to perform, said Chris Carey, a portfolio manager at Carnegie Investment Council. If they dont, its going to be a surprise in the short term, and then an opportunity as well. Mixed in with concerns that hype around Nvidias leadership in AI is baked into the stock, theres also the possibility for more positive momentum, depending on what comes out of an event that has historically given shares a boost. Theres so much speculation and so much over-exuberance on this name that it doesnt really trade on valuation anymore, said Mortonson. Its believe in the dream, so to speak, and the dream is happening. Top Tech Stories Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. reported its second straight quarter of strong profit growth after lucrative AI hardware sales helped offset weakness in iPhone and electronics demand. ByteDance Ltd.s human resources chief has taken the helm of the companys sharply reduced gaming division and will refocus the business on more personal content, avoiding a head-on clash with Tencent Holdings Ltd. SoftBank Group Corp. is exploring a potential investment in Mistral AI, the French company emerging as Europes hottest artificial intelligence startup, people with knowledge of the matter said. Reddit Inc. is telling potential investors in its initial public offering that it expects revenue in 2024 to grow by more than 20% versus the previous year, according to a person familiar with the situation. The fate of an app used by 170 million Americans is now in the hands of 100 senators. Even before the House passed a measure, 352 to 65, on Wednesday to ban TikTok unless its Chinese owner divests it, the short-video app had turned its lobbying efforts to the Senate, where many a previous legislative juggernaut has gone to die. Earnings Due Thursday Premarket Canadian Solar Postmarket Adobe Smartsheet PagerDuty Blend Labs Kodak --With assistance from David Marino and Ian King. (Updates stock moves at market open) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The stock market is at record levels these days, but one company that isn't reflecting that optimism is Pfizer (NYSE: PFE). Shares of the pharma giant are down 28% over the past 12 months as investors grow concerned about its long-term growth prospects. The company is in the midst of a transition as it pivots to new growth opportunities. And investors aren't always patient when it comes to turnaround stories, especially when there's a good deal of uncertainty as to how the business will emerge on the other side. If you're a long-term investor, however, now may be a great time to consider Pfizer's stock. At a lower price point and growth potentially on the horizon again, could this be a stock that helps you become a millionaire? Pfizer has been investing in growth One thing I've liked about Pfizer's strategy is that as it has been generating billions thanks to its COVID-19 vaccine, it has been putting that money to work. The drugmaker has been acquiring businesses and making investments that should set it up for future growth down the road. It wasn't hoping for the revenue to continue flowing in from its COVID products forever; rather, it was preparing for the next phase of its growth. That's a great sign of a growth-oriented business. While Pfizer has been involved with several deals, the largest has been its $43 billion acquisition of cancer company Seagen. That acquisition will play a key part in growing its oncology business. Pfizer estimates Seagen could contribute $10 billion to its top line by 2030. Other acquisitions the company has closed within the past few years include Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Global Blood Therapeutics, ReViral, and Arena Pharmaceuticals. By 2030, Pfizer plans to add up to $25 billion in revenue to its business through a combination of acquisitions and its pipeline. This is as the company also faces a possible $18 billion loss in revenue due to generics after some of its key drugs (e.g., Eliquis, Vyndaqel, Ibrance, and others) lose patent protection in the years ahead. Story continues The low valuation could make it an underrated investment Pfizer's stock is trading within just a few dollars of its 52-week low. Based on analyst estimates, it's also changing hands a fairly modest 13 times its expected future profits. By comparison, the average healthcare stock trades at a multiple of 19. And in terms of book value, Pfizer's at a price-to-book multiple of just 1.8. The benefit for investors who buy the healthcare stock today is that it comes cheap. And while Pfizer's business faces a tough road ahead, the company isn't in a dire situation. Patent expirations and developing new drugs and focusing on acquisitions is par for the course when it comes to big pharma companies; patents don't last forever. Companies need to adapt, and Pfizer is doing just that. It will, however, take some time for the business to get back to growing. This year, Pfizer expects revenue to come in within a range of $58.5 billion to $61.5 billion, which would imply little to no growth from the $58.5 billion in revenue it reported for 2023. Can investing in Pfizer really make you a millionaire? If you had invested $10,000 into Pfizer, you would need the stock to be a 100-bagger for it to make you a millionaire. At $25,000, it would need to deliver a more modest 40x return. But for Pfizer to become a 40-bagger, you would need to assume the company will one day have a $6.4 trillion market value. No healthcare stock is even at $1 trillion today. Hoping that Pfizer can get to such a high valuation, even over multiple decades, could be a bit of an overoptimistic outlook for the stock. Consider that in the past 10 years, shares have actually declined by more than 9%. Despite its focus on long-term growth, Pfizer isn't a stock that's likely to make you a millionaire. While it can still be a good investment given its more modest valuation, investors shouldn't set their expectations too high considering the challenges that lay ahead for Pfizer. Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now? Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Pfizer wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2024 David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Pfizer Stock a Millionaire Maker? was originally published by The Motley Fool The analysts covering PHX Minerals Inc. (NYSE:PHX) delivered a dose of negativity to shareholders today, by making a substantial revision to their statutory forecasts for this year. Both revenue and earnings per share (EPS) estimates were cut sharply as the analysts factored in the latest outlook for the business, concluding that they were too optimistic previously. After the downgrade, the dual analysts covering PHX Minerals are now predicting revenues of US$37m in 2024. If met, this would reflect a satisfactory 4.6% improvement in sales compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are anticipated to crater 62% to US$0.14 in the same period. Before this latest update, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$44m and earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.26 in 2024. It looks like analyst sentiment has declined substantially, with a substantial drop in revenue estimates and a pretty serious decline to earnings per share numbers as well. See our latest analysis for PHX Minerals Looking at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can make sense of these forecasts is to see how they measure up against both past performance and industry growth estimates. It's pretty clear that there is an expectation that PHX Minerals' revenue growth will slow down substantially, with revenues to the end of 2024 expected to display 4.6% growth on an annualised basis. This is compared to a historical growth rate of 9.5% over the past five years. Juxtapose this against the other companies in the industry with analyst coverage, which are forecast to grow their revenues (in aggregate) 1.7% per year. Even after the forecast slowdown in growth, it seems obvious that PHX Minerals is also expected to grow faster than the wider industry. The Bottom Line The most important thing to take away is that analysts cut their earnings per share estimates, expecting a clear decline in business conditions. Unfortunately, analysts also downgraded their revenue estimates, although our data indicates revenues are expected to perform better than the wider market. After a cut like that, investors could be forgiven for thinking analysts are a lot more bearish on PHX Minerals, and a few readers might choose to steer clear of the stock. Story continues Still, the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. At least one analyst has provided forecasts out to 2025, which can be seen for free on our platform here. Another way to search for interesting companies that could be reaching an inflection point is to track whether management are buying or selling, with our free list of growing companies 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. Editor's note: All the photographs in this article are featured for illustration purposes only. Im a photographer, writes U.S. combat veteran and photojournalist J.T. Blatty, But really, Im just a human drawn toward the truth, in snapshots of truth. Blattys new memoir "Snapshots Sent Home: From Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine," chronicles the path that led her to Ukraine in 2018 to document the oral histories and portraits of Ukrainians who volunteered to fight after the Russian invasion of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in 2014. The book's chapters are interwoven with reflections on her experience serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks but primarily centers on her time in Ukraine, with the final chapters covering the full-scale Russian invasion. Blatty's thoughts on photojournalism, especially its perceived constraints, are captivating to read. She first gained experience as a disaster reservist photographer for the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which made her cautious about what she terms "handshake photos" or feeling pressured to exploit victims of national disasters while on assignment for local newspapers. Photojournalism can convey meaningful truths, provided photographers approach their subjects responsibly. However, as Blatty points out, photojournalists such as herself working on the front lines of Russias war against Ukraine can struggle with the feeling that they are unable to fully capture the horrors experienced daily by the soldiers and civilians there. In September 2022, Blatty found herself in Bakhmut, the once-prosperous industrial city in Donetsk Oblast that, over nine months, would become the site of the bloodiest battle of the full-scale Russian invasion to date. Ukrainian mortar soldiers on the front line south of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, on Nov. 20, 2023. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent) Witnessing the destruction in Ukraine firsthand in her work as a photographer, Blatty notes that she was plagued by a sinking feeling as I put down my camera, because there was just no way to measure the vastness of it all. I felt as if I were robbing its justice by presenting my images to the public, and in turn downgrading the stories of those who survived through it, no matter how hard and in how many ways I tried to frame the shot. Failing to truly capture the urgency behind images from the front line risks meaning that without being there, without feeling the moment, the vibrations, the thuds, the intensity, it was all just sound and smoke in the sky. It was just a repetition of whats been seen and heard so many times before, in this war and every war around the globe. Blatty's concerns regarding the reach of photography are valid and have troubled countless others throughout the years. In American writer Susan Sontags classic book-length essay "Regarding the Pain of Others," Sontag notes that there was a time when people believed that by portraying the horrors vividly enough, most individuals would finally take in the outrageousness, the insanity of war. Yet the culture of spectatorship that has developed over the decades often neutralizes the moral force of photographs of atrocities, according to Sontag. As Ukraine has entered its third year of full-scale war, and Ukrainians contend with discussions of war fatigue both at home and abroad, Sontag's warning remains eerily relevant. This self-awareness in Blattys photography work, or rather the continued pursuit of it to do right by her subjects, can mitigate some of Blatty's more eye-raising reflections from her earlier trips to Ukraine before the start of the full-scale invasion. In a chapter reflecting on her time in Kostiantynivka, a city in Donetsk Oblast, in 2018, she writes about how her fixer suggested more than once that they take the train from Kyiv instead of driving a car, citing it as a way to "save four hours of travel time and preserve his tires from the rough roads." A Ukrainian soldier of the 65th Mechanized Brigade drives a car on a road near the frontline village of Robotyne, in the Zaporizhzhia region, on Oct. 1, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images) Ukrainian roads, particularly outside major cities, are notorious for being in poor condition. There has been a major government push in recent years to repair roads nationwide. However, the roads in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the regions most affected by a decade of war, are understandably best avoided by anyone concerned about preserving their own vehicle's longevity. But Blatty writes, I didnt care to understand. I wanted to drive. To roll down the windows and breathe the air, to feel the wind on my skin, to take in the landscape of this new world that had felt so disconnected and foreign until now. The imagery is classic Americana, invoking the freedom of the open road and the promise of adventure. However, these words apply to wartime Ukraine, and entering a war zone means that the preferences and insights of locals are often shaped by practical, sometimes even life-saving, considerations. Blatty also conveys her desire to understand the f**k the Russians mentality among the Ukrainians she meets, what she describes as a blanketed hate toward an entire population for simply living on the other side of a border, whether soldier or civilian in a chapter recounting her experiences in Popasna, Luhansk Oblast, in 2019. The dynamic of the oppressor and the oppressed has historically defined relations between Russia and Ukraine. However, in the time period from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 leading up to 2014, although still influenced by a complex history, aspects of this relationship were somewhat amicable. Some soldiers even acknowledge as much to her during the pre-2022 period. Understandably, Russia's unlawful annexation of Ukrainian territory, invasion of its land, and attempts to undermine its sovereignty fueled animosity among more Ukrainians, and that only intensified and became more widespread after 2022. Blattys effort to understand the dynamics between Ukraine and Russia was usually prompted by devils advocate punches from the perspective of an outsider, during which she raised points such as the perennially misunderstood language politics in Ukraine and how soldiers could curse Russia while simultaneously speaking Russian. Accompanying her on many of these early trips was the famous volunteer soldier Yulia Tolopa, callsign Valkyrie, a Russian-born fighter on the side of Ukraine who was totally unfazed (by such comments) as if she werent Russian herself. Regarding Valkyrie, who was born in Russias Stavropol Krai, the Ukrainian soldiers told Blatty that shes not really Russian. Shes from West Russia; its like Ukraine, alluding to the historical context of the shifting borders between eastern Ukraine and western Russia over the centuries. Under the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, thousands of ethnic Ukrainians were forcibly resettled and assimilated into Russias western regions. To this day, traces of the Ukrainian language can be heard in some locals accents or word choices. However, Blatty doesn't touch on this complex and painful history beyond including the soldiers replies to her counterstatement. Such observations also overlook the history of so-called political Ukrainians who, despite not being born in Ukraine, have identified with the Ukrainian cause over the centuries and fully engaged in its fight for independence. Photo for illustrative purposes. Two soldiers walk among destroyed trees in the morning fog, as the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade 'Edelveys' operate at the zero frontline with infantry holding fire at positions 100 meters below Russian positions, on Oct. 25, 2023 in the Bakhmut district of Ukraine. (Kostya Liberov/Libkos via Getty Images) Blatty's prose is well-crafted, precise, and has the ability to immerse the reader in the moment she is describing, putting them directly into her headspace. This is both an achievement and a necessity in a book that recounts wartime experiences. At the same time, there are some passages where borderline cliched turns of phrase detract from its overall impact, such as when she describes volunteer combat medic Alina Viatkinas eyes as the pale, green-blue eyes of a Slav and suggests that those Slavic eyes they (Ukrainians) all seemed to have them a mixture of gunpowder resin and glacier ice. Many Ukrainians have brown or hazel eyes, but regardless, generalizations by appearance are always best avoided. Another peculiar aspect of the book is the comparisons made between her generation's experience after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S. and the ways in which Ukrainians were galvanized following the events of the EuroMaidan Revolution, Russia's unlawful annexation of Crimea, and the invasion of Donbas in 2014. She describes the energy of it all while standing at Independence Square in Kyiv as being so much like 9/11, the only time we (Americans) were attacked within our own borders. The only time my generation felt this kind of destruction and fear of whats coming next, the only time we turned inward and toward one another, across differences and demographics, instead of pushing away from one another. The U.S. has not been engaged in a war with the level of moral and political implications as profound as Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia since the U.S. fought against the Nazis in World War II. It is difficult to see the commonalities between Ukraines fight against Russia and the U.S.s so-called War on Terror. During U.S. President George W. Bush's terms in office, the word "freedom" became so overused to justify a war that ultimately resulted in far more casualties and destruction than the initial horrific terrorist act it aimed to avenge. Blatty writes that part of her interest in portraying whats happening on the ground in Ukraine has also been to show what it meant to fight for something real, for freedom, something America had lost along the way, when the Fourth of July had become a summer holiday of barbecues and fireworks and beer, empty of the inspiration of our Revolutionary War patriots. Yet, Blatty acknowledges some indisputable differences between the two countries. The Ukrainians who fought against the Russian invasion of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts after 2014 were primarily volunteers, meaning that they went to the front without state support or sometimes even combat experience. For Blatty, whose combat background is rooted in the vast, structured framework of the U.S. military, the notion of volunteer battalions that relied heavily on support from civic society was a concept completely unfamiliar to me before I first stepped foot inside Ukraine. This leads to observations such as how the wars I was sent into, they werent really my wars. They were someone elses. Blattys own combat experience enables her to connect emotionally with soldiers in a manner that journalists with a purely civilian background might struggle to achieve. This is notable in the descriptions of her interactions with Ukraines soldiers and her acknowledgment of the unglamorous reality of war, regardless of when or where it is fought. Ukrainian soldiers on duty in their fighting position, heading toward Kupiansk as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, on Feb. 29, 2024. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images) She writes about striving to safeguard in her photography exhibitions of volunteer soldiers portraits the frequent need of outside observers to gloss over the sometimes difficult truths about war. Additionally, she touches upon the inflated stories of heroism that surpassed reality, covered truths, and sometimes inadvertently created comparisons, such as when a family member would be informed that a soldier was killed by enemy and not friendly fire. While this offers romanticized versions of fire and glory to soldiers families, it also risks diminishing the experiences of those who served on the front lines. This can create a psychological burden for the soldiers who survive the battlefield. From the memoirs opening pages, Blatty intends to document a story that could one day be stripped of flags, uniforms, borders, and country. A universal story of the combat veteran concerning her portraits of Ukrainian volunteer soldiers. She concludes her memoir by noting that her time in Ukraine has taught her that its not our individual countries or patriotism that defines us but an experience. That we (soldiers) become something larger, a universal tribe with a universal memory of war that shapes the way we move through the world forever. Ukraines fight will no doubt serve as an inspiration to others worldwide for generations to come. However, its a fight that is deeply rooted in preserving Ukraines national identity, arguably making notions of anything more universal, for the time being, a distant luxury. Note from the author: Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading this article. There is an ever-increasing amount of books about Ukraine available to English-language readers, and I hope my recommendations prove useful when it comes to your next trip to the bookstore. Ukrainian culture has taken on an even more important meaning during wartime, so if you like reading about this sort of thing, please consider supporting The Kyiv Independent. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This Pittsburgh mom was jailed for six days over a rental car mixup heres how to protect yourself A woman from Pittsburgh was left in jail for six days over a felony charge she didnt commit. But Danielle Brissett, a mom of two, isnt going down without a fight. Shes now suing the car rental service that filed the criminal complaint against her after her arrest in August 2023. Dont miss The felony charge, which was first filed back in December 2016, claimed Brissett embezzled a rental vehicle from an Enterprise Rent-a-Car location in Las Vegas. Brissett, who had used the vehicle seven years ago to move her family from Nevada to Pittsburgh, had no idea there was an arrest warrant out in her name especially since shed returned the car without issue all those years ago. It was horrible, it was degrading, it was depressing, Brissett said in an interview with 8 News Now Las Vegas. I felt intimidated. I was surrounded by a number of police officers. She told the news outlet she would not rent a car again after the interaction with authorities. Heres how the ongoing rent-a-car saga played out and what you can do to prevent something similar from happening to you. What happened According to the lawsuit, Brissett had rented a Kia Sedona on Oct. 3, 2016, in order to move her family from Las Vegas to Pittsburgh. A few days later, on Oct. 9, shed called the car rental service to ask for an extension until Nov. 1. Brissett said she spoke to an Enterprise Rent-a-Car employee who instructed her to return it on the new agreed-upon date and to leave the keys under the front seat. Brissett returned the car a day early, on Oct. 31. Story continues However, unbeknownst to Brissett, a criminal complaint was filed in Nevada on Dec. 9, 2016, in which she faced a felony charge for embezzling a rental vehicle. The accusation, strangely, stated Brissetts actions took place on Aug. 5, 2016 two months before shed even rented the Kia Sedona. She later received an email on Feb. 23, 2017, confirming that she had returned the vehicle on time. Brissett put the entire debacle out of her mind until, seven years later, when she was pulled over for a minor traffic infraction and discovered there was a warrant out for her arrest. Brissett was arrested in front of her children, one of whom was only one year old, and languished in jail for six days before being released on bail. According to her attorney, Christian Morris, after we filed this lawsuit, they recently just three days ago [in February 2024] sent a letter to Danielle saying, Hey, you damaged this vehicle. Report to your insurance or send us your credit card. It is compounding issues upon issues. Enterprise Rent-a-Car has declined to comment due to pending litigation. Read more: Generating 'passive income' through real estate is the biggest myth in investing heres how you can do it in as little as 5 minutes Steps for returning a car rental Although Brissetts situation is certainly unique in that she did everything right in returning her vehicle, there are preventative measures that can be taken to avoid a similar situation. The 8 News Now team recommended dropping rental cars off directly with an agent as opposed to placing the keys under a seat and leaving the vehicle unattended in a parking lot, as Brissett was instructed to do by the Enterprise employee. This would eliminate any confusion and offer customers the opportunity to request a paper receipt. In instances where the car rental service is closed, 8 News Now suggested locking the car rental and leaving the keys in a specified dropbox. Once youve picked up your rental vehicle, take plenty of pictures and videos to document the condition in which youve received the car. Follow those same steps before returning it as well just in case youre ever charged for damages down the road. Save all emails and general correspondence pertaining to the car rental so theres a paper and digital trail of any and all interactions should any issues arise. Finally, eliminate the hassle of additional fees by ensuring that your rental vehicle is clean and fuelled up before returning it, as many companies have hefty cleaning service charges. What to read next Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month Millions of Americans are in massive debt in the face of rising costs. Here's how to get your head above water ASAP This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. By Humeyra Pamuk VIENNA (Reuters) -The United States is working intensively with Israel and intermediaries Qatar and Egypt to bridge remaining gaps for a hostage deal that would see a pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office described the latest proposals for a hostage deal by the Islamist movement Hamas as unrealistic on Friday but said a delegation would leave for Qatar to discuss Israel's position on a potential agreement. Blinken, speaking during a visit to Austria, said Israel sending a team reflected "a sense of both possibility and of urgency" to reach an agreement on the release of hostages. "We have conversations that are happening now, as we speak here, and I am convinced they'll go on into the coming days," Blinken told reporters. "This is something that we're committed to, and we will work as long and as hard as it takes to get it done," Blinken said. Like earlier offers from both sides over the past two months of talks, the Hamas proposal, reviewed by Reuters, envisions the release of dozens of Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails. But it also calls for talks during a second phase that would eventually lead to the end of the war. Israel has persistently said it will discuss only temporary pauses in the fighting and will not discuss ending the war until Hamas is eradicated. Netanyahu's office also said on Friday the prime minister had approved plans for a military operation in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than a million people are sheltering, and said the army was preparing operational issues and the evacuation of the civilian population. Blinken said the U.S. needs to see a clear and implementable plan for a military operation in Rafah, including to get civilians out of harm's way, but that Washington has not yet seen such a plan. "We have to see a clear and implementable plan, not only to get civilians out of the harm's way but also to make sure that once out of harm's way, they're appropriately cared for, with shelter, with food, with medicine, with clothing -- and we've not yet seen such a plan," Blinken said. The United States has grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu's government over the past several weeks as Washington has kept pressing Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, where more than half a million people are now at risk of famine. Israel will try to "flood" the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid from a variety of entry points, the country's main military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a group of foreign journalists as international pressure mounted to address the growing problem of hunger in the besieged enclave. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Ismail Shakil and Simon LewisEditing by Frances Kerry) PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Southeast Portland business has been declared one of the top beer bars in the country. Belmont Station on Southeast Stark Street nabbed the No. 3 spot in the best beer bar category for USA Todays 10Best Readers Choice Awards. PBOT offers ride discounts to prevent impaired driving on St. Patricks Day The business opened as a can and bottle shop in 1997, and now has more than 1,400 types of beer, cider, wine and other beverages for shoppers to select from. Biercafe, Belmont Stations neighboring bar, offers 35 drafts on tap. The bar and Biercafe also hosts regular events, from Meet the Brewer nights to the annual Puckerfest, a week-long celebration of sour and wild ales, USAToday added. In the crowded Oregon beer scene, Belmont Station remains at the forefront. The national news company calls on an expert panel to nominate the top businesses, destinations, activities in each category, before readers cast their votes for the finalists. As the only Pacific Northwest entry on the list, Belmont Station said its placement at No. 3 was not too shabby. Seat belt saved passengers life on Boeing 737 jet that suffered a blowout, new lawsuit says Thank you to all who voted, we appreciate the support and will continue to strive to make Belmont Station the best! the business wrote on Instagram. Anyway, come drink a pint and revel in our bronze finish or drink a pint and lament our exclusion from the top two cheers! OBriens Pub in San Diego took the top spot in the category, while Hop City Beer & Wine in Birmingham, Ala., was awarded second place. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed a bill Thursday that will encourage teachers to carry guns or keep guns in their classroom. The new law will create a program to train teachers in using a firearm and to incentivize school teachers to responsibly secure or carry a firearm on school grounds, according to the measures text. The new measure builds on an existing law enacted last year that waived concealed-carry permit fees for teachers. The new training measures will only be open to teachers with concealed carry permits, though teachers with a permit who do not participate in the training may still bring their gun to school. The law will also provide legal protections to participating teachers if they accidentally harm a student or other staff member while carrying or storing their gun, as long as they have acted in good faith and are not grossly negligent with their weapon, according to the laws text. Cindy Bullock, Timpanogos Academy secretary, participates in shooting drills at the Utah County Sheriff's Office shooting range during the teacher's academy training, June 29, 2019. via Associated Press Gun violence prevention advocates went to the Utah State Capitol earlier this month to ask Cox to veto the legislation, The Associated Press reported. The bills sponsor, Republican Rep. Tim Jimenez, argued the training is only for defensive purposes. What were looking at here isnt having teachers running around the hallways trying to act like police officers, Jimenez said earlier this month. What were going to be training them to do specifically is how to defend their classroom, gym or whatever room they happen to be in with the students. The new program will cost the Department of Public Safety approximately $100,000 a year. Following the bills signing on Thursday, the gun violence prevention group Moms Demand Action released a statement decrying the use of guns in schools. Lets keep our educators centered on what they do best teaching, Jaden Christensen, a volunteer with the groups Utah chapter, said in a statement. We should be working on finding ways to keep guns out of the wrong hands and out of the classroom not inviting them into our schools. Its shameful that this new law will do the opposite, Christensen added. Related... Undated handout photo issued by Museum Wales of Van Gogh's Portrait of the Artist on loan from the Musee D'Orsay, Paris. The self-portrait has gone on display in Cardiff for the first time, forming the centrepiece of an exhibition exploring whether such pieces are the original selfies. Museum Wales/PA Media/dpa A Van Gogh self-portrait has gone on display in Cardiff for the first time, forming the centrepiece of an exhibition exploring whether such pieces are the original selfies. The artwork, from 1887 and entitled "Portrait of the Artist," has been loaned from the Musee DOrsay in Paris and is on show at the National Museum Cardiff for the Drych ar yr Hunlun/Art of the Selfie event. It is joined by pieces from a selection of artists from the national collection of Wales, including Rembrandt, Brenda Chamberlain, Francis Bacon, Bedwyr Williams and Anya Paintsil. The works showcase different methods and artistic approaches to the concept of the self-portrait, used by artists throughout history to explore their identities and express themselves to the world. Van Gogh, who lived from 1853 to 1890, painted more than 35 self-portraits and is arguably one of the most recognisable faces in Western art. Dr Kath Davies, director of collections and research at Amgueddfa Cymru Museum Wales, said: We are delighted to welcome Van Goghs self-portrait to National Museum Cardiff. I am sure visitors to the museum will enjoy seeing this work by one of the worlds best-known painters displayed alongside paintings by artists from our collection here in Wales. She added: Self-portraits and selfies are two different things, but they do have something in common both are used to show who you are as a person. We would like to encourage visitors to feel inspired by the exhibition and take their own self-portraits in all kinds of creative ways. As part of the loan, "La Parisienne" by Renoir will be available to see in the Musee DOrsay from March 26 as part of the Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism exhibition. The agreement closes the Welsh governments dedicated year of Wales in France, which has linked trade, culture and sport between the two countries. Visitors are being encouraged to pay what they can for tickets to the exhibition, which runs from March 16, 2024 to January 26, 2025. Undated handout photo issued by Museum Wales of Van Gogh's Portrait of the Artist on loan from the Musee D'Orsay, Paris.. Museum Wales/PA Media/dpa A snapshot of a surveillance tape showing a person with a bottle of spray paint early Friday morning on the Bradley University campus. BU police are asking the public for their help in identifying the person shown in this tape, accused of spray-painting anti-Semitic messages on several campus buildings. Police at Bradley University are investigating a possible hate crime after a person spray-painted messages targeting the campus' Jewish community early Friday morning. The Bradley Police Department said that at 7:13 a.m., they were called to the 1300 block of West Fredonia Avenue in response to an incident several hours earlier in which graffiti was spray-painted at several spots on campus. The incident occurred between the hours of 3:45 a.m. to 4:22 a.m. and appeared to be motivated by bias against a religious group, later reported to be the Jewish community. Matt Lorch, executive director of the campus' Hillel, said that the suspect targeted Bradley Hall, Dingeldine Music Center and the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house. He said that the messages written on the buildings included references to Israel's current conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and that those who spread those messages didn't help the cause of those currently impacted by the crisis. More: Two more charged in alleged fatal Facebook Marketplace robbery attempt in Peoria The Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish fraternity house on the Bradley University campus was hit with graffiti apparently aimed at the Jewish community early Friday, March 15, 2024 in Peoria. Bradley Hall and Dingeldine Music Center were also vandalized with similar graffiti. "AEPi is a Jewish fraternity (and) is known as a Jewish fraternity," Lorch said. "When you go to a Jewish building and spray-paint and vandalize the building, it does nothing to help your cause (or) show your support for what is happening to help solve a crisis. All it does is provide intimidation for what is going on and spread hatred to specific groups of people." Lorch felt frustrated and annoyed that someone would choose to do such an act instead of listening to the Jewish community and finding common ground. He was satisfied with how the university quickly acted to send a message that actions like that wouldn't be tolerated on campus. "I appreciate what the administration is doing and how they are the ones who told us about it," Lorch said. "They initiated a police report, sent crews to clean up the mess and reminding the campus community and Peoria itself that Bradley is no place for hate, that all are welcome and all shall be safe here. I'm grateful for that." Rabbi Eli Langsam of the Lubavitch Chabad of Peoria and the Jewish Bradley Chabad said that the AEPi facility had a sign at the front showing their support for the state of Israel. He referred to those who spray-painted the campus as "cowardly" and said that the act was one of bigotry regardless of one's political views on the Israel-Hamas conflict. "We have to let our children know and we have to let everybody know that hatred has no place (here)," Langsam said. "Not on Bradley University, not in the Peoria community, not anywhere. Hatred doesn't help anyone." He felt that an incident such as this can be used as a learning opportunity to teach people about the conflict, how it began with Hamas' terrorist attack on Oct. 7 and its impact on the Jewish people. "Spraying graffiti on a Jewish building doesn't help anybody and is not going to change anything," he said. Bradley President Stephen Standifird said in a statement to campus that those who did this would be held accountable for their actions. He also promised to ensure that students have access to the proper support systems through Hillel and the Chabad, to increase BUPD's presence on campus for the time being and to provide them enough support to investigate the incident. "I want to reiterate, in the strongest of terms, that Bradley University will not tolerate any act targeting members of our community, especially if those acts are based on any aspect of antisemitism, race, gender, sexuality, national origin, religion, etc.," Standifird said. "We have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect everyone who chooses to call Bradley University home." More: Peoria hot dog restaurant robbed by unarmed suspect, police say The national AEPi organization released a statement saying that Bradley administrators needed to continue efforts to protect Jewish people on campus, to fully investigate the incident and potentially expel those involved if they happened to be a student at the school. "Anything less is unacceptable," AEPi said. "It is no longer time for words. It is time for action to protect Jewish students." BUPD said that there is no imminent threat to campus. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact them at (309) 677-2000, the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521 or anonymously through their Tip411 app, or Crime Stoppers at (309) 673-9000. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley investigating possible hate crime aimed at Jewish community WORK FOR THE SAKE OF RECOVERY: The immediate treatment of wounded soldiers is only part of the process of their recovery. Long-term rehabilitation is required. Having interviewed several Ukrainian soldiers who were injured in battle, NV journalists concluded that the existing military healthcare system remains unprepared to offer comprehensive rehabilitation to our veterans. In peaceful life, Kyiv resident Roman Ivanenko, 46, was working in the film industry. He even had a chance to work with future Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when the latter was still an actor. Movies, work, and all other aspects of civilian life ended in one moment for him. Ivanenko became a combat engineer in Ukraines 53rd Mechanized Brigade after the Russian invasion in February 2022. However, his tour of duty war didnt last long. In August 2022, Ivanenko came under tank fire near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast. Fortunately, his comrades-in-arms were able to evacuate wounded Ivanenko from the battlefield. Three surgeries, a damaged spleen; I was transfused with three liters of blood, followed by a [induced] coma, Ivanenko describes the beginning of his recovery. When he regained consciousness, the first few days he moved around in a wheelchair. Read also: Ukrainian soldier triumphs with prostheses, reveals inspiring rehabilitation journey But gradually the engineer began to walk and even returned to military service. However, later he had to undergo another course of treatment. Finally, according to the decision of a military medical commission, the soldier was deemed unfit for service and discharged. Ivanenko says his treatment dragged on for a long time after that. He was treated in five medical institutions in one and a half years. Although there is progress, because at first the former sapper couldnt even walk well and could barely communicate, his recovery continues. There are many more people like Ivanenko in Ukraine. Some experts believe tens of thousands of soldiers already need rehabilitation, while their number may grow to 2 million in the future. Even now, far from the point of maximum strain, Ukraines military healthcare system faces serious challenges. Natalia Zarytska, who in 2022, together with other spuses and mothers of the defenders of Mariupols Azovstal established the Women of Steel NGO, speaks of rehabilitation in its modern Ukrainian version with skepticism. She is convinced there has been a change of concepts: rehabilitation in Ukraine simply means hospitalization, i.e. to address acute symptoms of an injury or illness. Zarytska cites the example of her husband, who after being released from Russian captivity was placed in a hospital with atrocious conditions: there were no facilities even to have a wash. The doctors took tests only from some of the soldiers in their care, but even they got strange results. How can HB [hemoglobin] level be 131 [high] on the second day after release if it was preceded by seven months of starvation?! Zarytska asks with indignation. They didnt properly record the signs of torture and injuries, issued useless pieces of paper to the guys. What are we to do with them next? She believes that medical rehabilitation should ultimately lead to patients making the best possible recoverynot end with some certificate about the treatment they had. Now, if a wounded soldiers blood, vision, and hearing indicators decrease, doctors say what do you want after what youve experienced? And thats all [they had to say], any complaints are ignored, Zarytska says. We must do something about it. Oleksiy Mozhovyi, 32, a resident of Vyshneve just outside Kyiv, has already undergone medical rehabilitation several times. But he describes his condition as deteriorating. Mozhovyi got to the front right after the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. He fought near Donetsk Airport, in the village of Pisky, where he was concussed. With the beginning of the full-scale war, he returned to service, where he sustained another concussion. The soldier admits that concussions had a cumulative effect as he now stutters a lot and has other related health problems. We need to help fellow soldiers and war veterans, because their numbers are growing, and many of them have the same problems as me, Mozhovyi says. Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko assured NV he understands that the country needs rehabilitation programs for those who suffered in the war. His team considered the Israeli model for veteran rehabilitation to develop a similar approach for Ukraine. It turned out that in order to launch comprehensive rehabilitation cycles, its necessary to have at least 3,500 beds in specialized hospitals for multidisciplinary teams of doctors and therapists to offer comprehensive treatment. Later, the ministry revised this number to 7,800. The department kicked off this program in June 2023. They identified the so-called cluster hospitals in all Ukrainian regions, which had surgery, traumatology, and stroke units, and instructed them to establish rehabilitation departments with 30-60 beds and hire the necessary staff. The ministry, for its part, guarantees payment from the state budget for rehabilitation treatment cycles. The amount ranges from UAH 17,000 ($439) to UAH 42,000 ($1,086) per injured person, depending on the severity of the injury and rehabilitation cycle, the minister says. This was a successful decision, as most of the cluster hospitals already have rehabilitation departments, rehabilitation multidisciplinary teams, and receive funding under the medical guarantee program, Liashko continues. The minister assured NV that the department plans to evaluate the program in June 2024 to analyze its effectiveness. Over 230,000 patients, both civilian and military, received rehabilitation care last year, Liashko added. On the ground, however, everything isnt always as the minister describes. Problems arise even where they seemingly shouldnt exist. For example, with equipment. According to Zarytska, freed Azovstal defenders had cases when the hospitals where they were undergoing rehabilitation had no opportunity to professionally check their eyesight due to a lack of equipment, or, in the absence of an MRI machine, performed surgery on soldiers who have 17 shrapnel fragments embedded in their bodies. Vitaliy Nadashkevych, head of the Poland Helps Ukraine charity foundation, also pointed out that Ukraine lacks, for example, microsurgical microscopes for brain surgery. Such a device helps not only cure patients, but also facilitate their further rehabilitation. Thats why the foundation purchased these microscopes for hospitals in Zaporizhzhya, Kharkiv, and Lviv. To a certain extent, these equipment shortages can be addressed by the existing program financed by the European Commission, which allows the transportation of severely injured patients for treatment to EU countries. Its completely free of charge for Ukraine and for those undergoing similar treatment, Liashko explained. Our best days lie ahead The Health Ministry, of course, can improve the system of rehabilitation of the wounded veterans, but problems with rehabilitation begin even before the soldiers get to specialized facilities. After the end of a treatment cycle, the soldier must undergo a military medical commission, which decides what to do with him next. The commission may send him back to service, to his military unit, or refer to a further medical examination to determine his condition. Another option is medical leave for further treatment and rehabilitation. At the same time, according to last years study by the Pryncyp (Principle) human rights center for servicemen and veterans, most soldiers dont receive information about rehabilitation, which is why they have to look for it on their own. Almost 70% of them used their own funds for medical treatment. The process doesnt become easier after obtaining a medical examination conclusion. Veterans then face challenges such as obtaining financial assistance, a war-disability certificate, and benefits. Such bureaucratic problems have already become significant at a time when the number of people who need treatment and rehabilitation exceeds thousands. What will the state system of veterans assistance turn into when the flow of patients increases many times? At the same time, there is another aspect, namely Ukrainian soldiers and war victims need not only medical rehabilitation, but also psychological one. The latter still looks like an impossible task. Oleksiy Solovyov, deputy secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, predicted in early 2023 that millions of civilians and hundreds of thousands of soldiers would need psychological assistance. Well definitely build this system, he said. But we also face the problem of qualified doctors. This is a very difficult profession, and not many people go into it. Foreign specialists cannot be involved here, because the work of a psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist is primarily a conversation with a person. Therefore, building this system is a task we embrace ourselves. A year has passed, but the system Solovyov talked about seems far from being in place. 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 Revenue: Q4 2023 revenue decreased by 7.5% year-over-year to $23.0 million. Net Loss: Q4 2023 net loss expanded to $14.3 million, including a non-cash impairment loss of $7.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA: Q4 2023 Adjusted EBITDA was positive at $1.3 million, a significant improvement from the prior year's loss. Gross Margin: Improved to 47.8% in Q4 2023 from 43.0% in Q4 2022, reflecting decreased product discounting. Operating Expenses: Decreased by 60.5% in Q4 2023, showcasing effective cost management. Balance Sheet: Cash position decreased to $17.3 million, with total assets at $151.7 million as of December 31, 2023. Market Share: Planet 13 held approximately 9% of Nevada's retail market share, with top brands in each category. On March 13, 2024, Planet 13 Holdings Inc (PLNH), a leading vertically-integrated cannabis company, released its 8-K filing, disclosing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023. The company, known for its award-winning cultivation, production, and dispensary operations, faced a challenging quarter with a decrease in revenue and an expanded net loss, which included a significant non-cash impairment loss. Planet 13 Holdings Inc (PLNH) Faces Headwinds: Q4 Revenue Dips, Net Loss Widens Despite Cost Management Efforts Planet 13's Q4 2023 revenue fell to $23.0 million, a 7.5% decrease from the same period in the previous year. This decline was attributed to lower sales at the SuperStore and a reduction in wholesale revenue in Nevada. Despite the revenue dip, the company improved its gross margin to 47.8%, up from 43.0% in Q4 2022, due to a decrease in product discounting at retail. Operating expenses saw a significant decrease of 60.5%, reflecting the company's effective cost management strategies. However, the net loss for the quarter widened to $14.3 million, compared to a net loss of $49.2 million in the prior year. This included a non-cash impairment loss of $7.2 million. On a positive note, Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2023 was $1.3 million, a substantial improvement from the Adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.6 million in Q4 2022. The Adjusted EBITDA margin also saw an increase due to better gross margin performance and strong cost control. Story continues Full-Year Financial Performance For the full year 2023, Planet 13 reported revenues of $98.5 million, a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. The company's gross profit remained relatively flat, with a slight decrease to $44.8 million from $48.0 million. Total expenses for the year included a one-time, non-cash impairment of $46.8 million. Excluding this impairment, total expenses were $59.1 million. The net loss for the year increased to $73.6 million, up from a net loss of $59.6 million in the previous year, primarily due to the impairment charge. Adjusted EBITDA for the full year was $1.4 million, compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $7.5 million in the previous year. Planet 13's balance sheet showed a cash position of $17.3 million, a decrease from $38.8 million at the end of 2022. Total assets stood at $151.7 million, while total liabilities were $44.1 million as of December 31, 2023. Operational Highlights and Strategic Moves Despite the financial headwinds, Planet 13 maintained a strong presence in the Nevada market, holding approximately 9% of the state's retail market share. The company also made strategic moves, including the acquisition of VidaCann, which positions Planet 13 for growth, especially with the potential for adult-use cannabis in Florida. Throughout the quarter, Planet 13 made several key announcements, including the opening of a new dispensary in Waukegan, Illinois, and the introduction of Koolsville Tattoo at the SuperStore. The company also sold a redundant Medical Marijuana Treatment Center License in Florida and expanded its leadership team and board. Planet 13's Co-CEOs, Larry Scheffler and Bob Groesbeck, expressed satisfaction with the company's ability to maintain solid revenue and positive Adjusted EBITDA amidst economic uncertainties and pressure on cannabis prices. They highlighted the company's resilience and brand appeal in Nevada and its strategic positioning for future growth opportunities. Value investors and potential GuruFocus.com members interested in the cannabis industry may find Planet 13's efforts to navigate a challenging market and its strategic positioning for future growth to be of particular interest. The company's focus on maintaining market share and expanding gross margins, despite revenue declines and net losses, demonstrates a commitment to long-term success. For more detailed financial information and operational insights, investors are encouraged to review Planet 13's full financial statements and accompanying notes, as well as the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, available on the SEC's website and the company's investor relations page. Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Planet 13 Holdings Inc for further details. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. (Bloomberg) -- Shares in one of eastern Europes biggest fashion retailers plunged 36% after activist short-seller Hindenburg Research said the Polish companys withdrawal from Russia was a sham. Most Read from Bloomberg Hindenburgs report on Friday alleged LPP SA didnt fully divest its Russia business as promised following the start of war in Ukraine two years ago and has been selling its goods there through third parties. The short-seller dispatched secret shoppers to Moscow and St. Petersburg stores which it said sold identical clothes to LPPs. The stock plummeted the most on record, wiping out $3 billion in shareholder value in one day. The selloff pushed Warsaws blue chip WIG20 stocks gauge down by 2.5%, making it the worlds worst performer among more than 90 primary indexes tracked by Bloomberg. In a series of statements, LPP said its a victim of an organized disinformation attack that no longer owns or runs businesses in Russia and alerted Polish prosecutors about the matter. Still, investors remain concerned about LPPs transparency and reputation. Polish consumer sentiment may not be so forgiving as it likely assumed a cleaner break from Russia, said Charles Allen, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. Russia was the biggest market for LPP following Poland until the retailer, which owns several brands including its flagship Reserved label, suspended its fast-growing operations in the country in March 2022. Two months later, it sold its Russian unit, with inventories, to a Chinese consortium, while pledging to support the buyer with logistics, IT and supplies on a temporary basis. Story continues We think LPP devised an elaborate sham divestment strategy to continue retailing in Russia while trying to fool investors and consumers in Poland, Ukraine, and its other markets into thinking otherwise, Hindenburg, founded by Nate Anderson, said in its report. Hindenburg had a remarkable 2023, when it released reports on the empires of high-profile businessman Gautam Adani, followed by attacks on companies run by Jack Dorsey and Carl Icahn. Short-seller activists carry out investigations into companies and seek to make money when their findings depress the stock price. Identical Designs Hindenburg said its secret shoppers in Russias two biggest cities had in December found and photographed garments with identical designs and colors to fall/winter collections in LPPs online catalogs in Poland. This, according to the short-seller, indicated that LPP products were still somehow making their way into Russia at least 18 months after the claimed divestiture. It also accused LPP of using Kazakhstan as a backdoor to help supply stores in Russia, a claim denied by the retailer. LPP said on Friday that it had previously informed investors that as part of the sale agreement of its Russian business there would be a transition phase during which the buyer successively assumes complete autonomy over the various business areas. It added that this period would run out as late as in 2026. The degree to which merchandise assortment overlaps between LPPs core stores and the sold Russian units can be explained by transitory contractual obligations could reassure about reported revenue from new countries, said Allen from Bloomberg Intelligence. The Gdansk, Poland-based companys sales recovered swiftly after its exit from Russia, which was broadly attributed then by analysts to the reopening of shopping centers from pandemic shutdowns as well as new demand from Ukrainian refugees fleeing war. Strong public pressure pushed Polish companies to retreat quickly from Russia following the start of war in Ukraine in February 2022, with shoppers boycotting brands which failed to do so. LPP, controlled by the family trust of founder Marek Piechocki, has gained 10% this year before Fridays tumble, compared with a 3% advanced by the WIG20. The company has 14 buy-equivalent ratings, one hold and two sell views, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Following Fridays collapse, the firm is the 10th biggest company by market value in Warsaws blue-stock index. On Thursday, it was the seventh. The import of food, essential items and clothes with the exception of luxury goods arent under any international sanctions in Russia. Products ranging from iPhones to Coca Cola and garments made by international producers continue to enter the Russian market through so-called parallel imports, when they are purchased and re-exported by third countries. Russia has imported $70 billion of goods using this mechanism since early 2022, the government said in December. Polands financial regulator KNF said in a statement that it was analyzing the situation in LPP, as it does whenever there are doubts regarding the correctness of the performance of disclosure obligations by public companies or suspicion of manipulation of shares. --With assistance from Piotr Bujnicki and Piotr Skolimowski. (Updates with closing market prices, new comments from LPP and analyst.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Reuters) -Qatar Airways is in early talks with Boeing and Airbus to order 100 to 150 widebody jets to expand and renew its fleet, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Major airlines are in a race to procure new fuel-efficient widebody jets to keep operating costs down and to cater to booming international travel demand. The order will most likely be for the Airbus A350 or Boeing 777X models, the report said. Qatar Airways has submitted a request for a proposal to Boeing and Airbus for a "big" new aircraft order, its CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer said during a CNBC interview on Friday. "We are in constant dialogue with our customers, but we never comment on the confidential content of our talks," Airbus said. Boeing deferred to Qatar Airways for a comment. Qatar Airways declined to comment. Earlier this month, Qatar's national carrier said its entire fleet of A350 jets were back into service, more than a year after settling a legal dispute with Airbus over damage to their painted surface. Meanwhile, Boeing's 777X program, which has seen hundreds of jet orders from airlines across the world, is plagued by years of delays. (Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru and Federico Maccioni in Dubai; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Shilpi Majumdar) FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Visitors to Fresno City Hall cannot take certain items with them into the building. A security checkpoint set up in early 2020 blocked anyone arriving at the public entrance bringing in one of many prohibited items, including weapons of any kind. A resolution approved by Fresno City Council in 2022 defined weapons as not limited to firearms but including anything that has the potential to inflict or cause physical harm. However, a resolution approved in 2020 provides a gap in the rules for retired City of Fresno police department officers authorized to carry weapons pursuant to 18 U. S. C. 926C. That middle ground between the rules is where current Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer occupies. Dyers election victory in 2020 gave him a unique position in the City of Fresno: a retired Fresno Police officer who is now the mayor. That unique set of circumstances gives Mayor Dyer the right to carry a concealed firearm inside Fresno City Hall, according to city officials. But does he claim that right? The City of Fresno reports that, while Mayor Dyer can carry a gun inside Fresno City Hall following his retirement from the citys police department, he does not regularly do so. Additionally, the City of Fresno added that the current city council members are not carrying concealed weapons either but as the rules currently stand there is no way that they are even allowed to. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Since the beginning of this year, measles cases have been reported in eleven states spanning both coasts and heartland. A total of 20 cases have been reported since December, which may not sound like much, but it marks one of the worst resurgences of the virus in a generation. Because measles is so contagious, even a few cases can be serious, not to mention a massive strain on public health. The situation warrants enough concern that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning to doctors about renewed measles risk. Unfortunately, vaccine skepticism is threatening to undo one of the great public health achievements of the modern era: the effective victory over this highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral infection, which is particularly dangerous for children and infants. Many children who catch measles develop pneumonia. Other complications include brain inflammation and, in rarer cases, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis a deadly neurological disorder. Measles is highly contagious so much so that if one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people around them will also become infected if not adequately protected. Further, measles is transmitted in the air and can remain in a room where a contagious person has been for up to two hours. I specialize in infectious diseases, including measles, and I cannot overstate my concern about the dire risks posed by lower vaccination rates. One in five unvaccinated people who develop measles is hospitalized because of life-threatening complications. Parents nationwide need to take this threat seriously. The best way to protect your children from measles, and all preventable infectious diseases, is to follow the CDC's recommended immunization schedule. It has been nearly a quarter-century since the United States eliminated measles meaning there has been no continuous transmission of the disease for 12 months or more. This means that no endemic measles outbreaks have occurred in the country during the 21st century. When smaller measles outbreaks have occurred, they have been foreign in origin, relatively limited and quickly overcome. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. The reason for measles' dangerous comeback is clear: a decline in vaccination rates in recent years. During the 2021-22 school year, the CDC identified a nearly 1% national decline in kindergarten vaccination rates about 40,000 unvaccinated students. According to one investigation, at least 8,500 schools across the country have vaccination rates below 95%, the level the CDC deems necessary for effective prevention of measles spread. Research has shown that the decline is linked directly to growing public skepticism about the safety of vaccines. Yet the measles vaccine is one of the safest and most thoroughly studied public health measures in the world and has been for decades. The common side effects are very mild low-grade fevers, minor rashes, and soreness; serious complications are exceedingly rare. I recommend measles vaccinations for all my patients. My children are vaccinated as well. Vaccination both provides individual protection and bolsters public health by preventing transmission to those who are immunocompromised whose numbers have doubled in recent years to 6.6% of U.S. adults and other people who are unable to get vaccinated. For example, babies do not receive their first measles vaccine until they are one year old and are vulnerable to infection until fully vaccinated. The benefits of widespread vaccination are undeniable. In 2019 alone, the routine childhood vaccine schedule, which includes two doses of the measles vaccine, prevented an estimated 24 million cases of illness in the United States. Assuming a roughly even distribution across the population, that's equivalent to preventing an illness in one in 13 people. No doubt, immunization must also be supported by private sector and government efforts to combat misinformation and educate the public on the science of vaccines. But I can say with certainty that the value of vaccines, and the research and development behind them, has been speaking volumes for decades. I have seen firsthand the damage, death, and grief that infectious diseases can cause. Make no mistake: measles is dangerous. We risk underestimating the threat it poses precisely because widespread vaccination has been extremely effective in providing herd immunity. We haven't seen measles at its worst in the United States for over a half-century. Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, measles was infecting 4 million Americans annually and killing about 450. Even now, the disease leads to well over 100,000 deaths per year worldwide, almost exclusively in regions with low vaccination rates. Vaccines are a critical tool for fighting off both primary and secondary infections. Measles is a fate no child deserves and, thanks to modern medicine, it's one no child needs to face. We have the tools to ensure that the elimination of measles is permanent. All we have to do is use them. Ben Shapiro, a divisive conservative political commentator, stoked controversy with his recent remarks dismissing the concept of retirement as a stupid idea. During the March 12 edition of his "Daily Wire" podcast, Shapiro said, Frankly, I think retirement itself is a stupid idea unless you have some sort of health problem. The 40-year-old pundit, who has a reported $50 million net worth from his media empire, criticized the retirement age of 65 in the United States. Don't Miss: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement How do you compare ? Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you. No one in the United States should be retiring at 65 years old. ... Its totally insane that you believe that you should be able to work from the time that you are essentially 20 to the time that you are 65 45 years pay in, and then youll receive Social Security benefits sufficient to support you and your family for, like, another 20 years. Thats crazy talk. Shapiros diatribe against the traditional retirement model sparked backlash across social media, with many accusing the wealthy influencer of being out of touch with the realities facing working-class Americans. Hes a glorified influencer who does nothing more than sit behind a desk and talk to cameras to make a living. He has no right to lecture anyone on work, one critic posted in a reaction video on YouTube. Others highlighted the physical toll many professions take over a lifetime. Shapiro would never make it doing a physical labor job where your body is broken down after years of hard work, another commenter wrote. For those of us who actually work for a living, retirement is something we dream of. Trending: Boomers and Gen Z agree they need a salary of around $125,000 a year to be happy, but Millennials say they need how much? The notion of retirement as an earned, well-deserved reprieve from decades of labor resonates with many Americans struggling with stagnant wages and increased longevity. As one user posted, If you like making money, it makes sense to never retire, but most of us dont really like what we do to make money and are only working so we no longer have to work. We are just in it for the money so we can retire early. Story continues The sentiment opposing raising the retirement age is reflected in a recent Quinnipiac University national poll of adults that found 78% of respondents are against proposals to increase the full Social Security retirement age from 67 to 70. Opposition remained firm at 62% even when respondents were told raising the age could help benefits last longer. The controversy amplifies the larger debate around the fiscal pressures and societal attitudes surrounding retirement. With Americans living longer and the Social Security system facing potential insolvency, policymakers have long pondered increasing the retirement age. Yet for millions of workers in physically demanding jobs or lower income brackets, the dream of an eventual rest from labor is one of the few hopes carrying them through the day. This disconnect between Shapiros privilege and most workers realities struck a nerve. Yet rather than depend solely on Social Security, retirement timing and financial independence are best planned through strategic investing and consulting financial advisers. Financial advisers can provide objective guidance on building a portfolio and savings rate that supports your target retirement age and desired lifestyle without being beholden to solely federal benefits. With careful preparation, the dream of retirement remains attainable to people who prioritize it, regardless of personas like Shapiro diminishing its value. Read Next: "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article 'Retirement Is A Stupid Idea': Rich Political Commentator Says It's 'Totally Insane' To Believe You Should Receive Social Security After Only Working For 45 Years But Those Who 'Actually Work For A Living' Argue Retirement Is The Dream Getting Them Through Each Day originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. ONONDAGA NATION TERRITORY, N.Y. Four or five years ago, Sidney Hills young son came to him with a question that Hill didnt know how to answer. The boy had learned that day about the millions of acres of land that his people, the Onondaga, had once called home, and the way that their homeland had been taken parcel by parcel by the state of New York, until all that was left was 11 square miles south of Syracuse. We lost all this land, Hill recalled his son saying. How can that be? Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times In many ways, Hill was the best person to answer that question. As Tadodaho, the spiritual leader of the Onondaga Nation, he was responsible for protecting its legacy and guiding it into the future. He was one of a handful of elders who have worked for decades on a legal and diplomatic strategy to fight back against the historic wrongs his son now sought to understand. Even so, it caught him off balance. The younger generation needed to know, he said. But it doesnt make much sense to them. Hill tried to reassure his son that all that injustice was in the past. But he knew how hard it was to accept past wrongs, particularly when their consequences so informed the present. It was why he had spent so long pushing first Onondaga elders, then the U.S. justice system and, finally, an international human rights commission for a correction to that history. The Onondaga claim that the United States violated a 1794 treaty, signed by George Washington, that guaranteed 2.5 million acres in central New York to them. The case, filed in 2014, is the second brought by an American Indian nation against the United States in an international human rights body; a finding is expected as soon as this year. Even if the Onondaga are successful, the result will mostly be symbolic. The entity, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, has no power to enforce a finding or settlement, and the United States has said that it does not consider the commissions recommendations to be binding. We could win against them, but that doesnt mean that they have to abide by whatever, Hill said in an interview. The 2.5 million acres have long since been transformed by highways and utility lines, shopping malls, universities, airports and roller rinks. The territory encompasses the cities of Binghamton and Syracuse, as well as more than 30 state forests, dozens of lakes and countless streams and tributaries. It is also home to 24 Superfund sites, the environmental detritus of the powerhouse economy that helped central New York thrive during the beginning and middle half of the 20th century. Most notorious of these is Lake Onondaga, which once held the dubious title of Americas most polluted lake. Industrial waste has left its mark on Onondaga territory, leaving the nation unable to fish from its streams and rivers. The history of environmental degradation is part of what motivates the Onondaga, who consider it their sacred responsibility to protect their land. One of their chief objectives in filing the petition is a seat at the table on environmental decisions across the original territory. The other is an acknowledgment that New York, even if only in principle, owes them 2.5 million acres. Across the nation, government officials have grappled with the notion of reparations to address historical injustices. In 2022, officials in Evanston, Illinois, began distributing $25,000 to Black descendants of enslaved people as reparations for housing discrimination. In New York, people who were once imprisoned for marijuana crimes received preference for licenses to sell cannabis; Gov. Kathy Hochul last year also created a statewide task force to examine whether reparations can be made to address the legacy of racial injustice. Some Native nations have been willing to drop land claims in exchange for licenses to operate casinos. But the Onondaga say they are not interested in cash. Nor are they interested in licenses to sell cannabis or operate a casino which they consider socially irresponsible and a threat to their tribal sovereignty. Theres really just one thing that Hill says would be an acceptable form of payment: land. The Onondaga insist they are not looking to displace anyone. Instead they hope the state might turn over a tract of unspoiled land for the nation to hunt, fish, preserve or develop as it sees fit. One such repatriation effort is underway: the return of 1,000 acres as a part of a federal settlement with Honeywell International for the contamination of Onondaga Lake. The United States has not contested the Onondagas account of how the nation lost its land. Indeed, the lawyers representing the United States in the Onondaga case have centered their argument on legal precedence, noting that courts at every level including the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Onondagas claims as too old and most remedies too disruptive to the regions current inhabitants. To the Onondaga, the logic required to square these contentions seems unfair. Why should the United States be allowed to steal their land and face no obligation to give some back? Joe Heath, a lawyer representing the Onondaga, said the refusal to acknowledge the past stands in the way of healing the future. If we dont admit that those things have happened, how do we move forward together? he said. But Heath understood that such an admission would have serious legal and practical implications. The problem is that all of the land in New York, in the United States, is stolen Indian land, he said. What does that mean in terms of U.S. property law? All of Our Country and for a Very Trifle There was a time when the United States worked with the Haudenosaunee, the confederacy that includes the Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Tuscarora, Mohawk and Seneca nations, as the fledgling government sought to defuse conflicts in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War. The federal government entered into three treaties that affirmed the confederacys sovereignty and ownership over much of the northern part of New York state. Critically, those treaties guaranteed that no one but the federal government would have the authority to deal with the Haudenosaunee. But as early as 1788, New York state had started to chip away at the Haudenosaunee land and sovereignty. Over the next 34 years, the state would come to control nearly all of the Onondaga land as well as most of that owned by the other Haudenosaunee nations because of a series of transactions that the Onondaga say were illegal. The [New] York people have got almost all of our Country and for a very trifle, Onondaga chiefs told federal officials in 1794, according to the papers of U.S. Indian Commissioner Timothy Pickering. For the next two centuries, the Onondaga continued to fruitlessly press their case in numerous face-to-face meetings with presidents, members of Congress and governors of New York. Legal options were limited: In New York, for example, Native people were not considered to have standing to sue on their own behalf until 1987. When Indian nations did make it into the courtroom, many claims were dismissed. The Onondagas decision to go to court was decades in the making, with the first discussions beginning more than 40 years ago. For the next 20 years, the council debated in the long house a long, low structure made of whole logs used for ceremonial events and Haudenosaunee gatherings. Hill is one of 14 chiefs on that council, each of whom represents a different clan. In the Onondaga tradition, these chiefs are male, but they are appointed by the clan mothers. The chiefs did not initially embrace the idea of a lawsuit, seeing it as another venue for broken promises. Our elders were always afraid of going into courts, Hill said. Many were concerned that losing in court could lead them to lose what little land they had left. We finally said: We have to do something, Hill said. In 2005, the Onondaga filed a version of their current claim in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of New York, naming as defendants the state of New York, its governor, Onondaga County, the city of Syracuse and a handful of the companies responsible for the environmental degradation over the past centuries. A similar case filed by the Oneida Nation was, at the time, pending before the Supreme Court. But just 18 days after the Onondaga filed their petition, the Supreme Court rejected the Oneidas case. The decision referenced an colonial-era legal theory known as the Doctrine of Discovery, which holds, in part, that Indigenous property claims were nullified by the discovery of that land by Christians. The long lapse of time and the attendant dramatic changes in the character precluded the Oneida nation from the disruptive remedy it sought, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in the majority decision. The ruling appeared to doom the chances of any Native nation seeking recompense through the courts. The history seemed settled. Disruptive to Who? Of the more than 1,600 words in the Supreme Courts ruling, one stood out to Hill: disruptive. When I heard that, I said, Well, OK, disruptive to who? he recalled. Its already been disruptive to us, as Indigenous people. Some might have left it at that: an admission that Native people could never be made whole for the profound wrongs perpetrated on them. Instead, lawyers for the Onondaga used the rejection as the premise for a new argument. They contended that the U.S. court systems refusal to find in their favor proved that they could not find justice in the United States. The petition filed before the international commission amounts to the most direct challenge of the United States treatment of Indigenous people to date in terms of human rights and the first to apply the lens of colonialism. What the Onondaga litigation is doing right now is to force a political dialogue with the colonial occupier, said Andrew Reid, a lawyer representing the Onondaga, adding that a favorable finding could prompt a political conversation about the United States treatment of native people on the world stage. Representatives for the State Department declined to be interviewed and did not respond to requests for comment. But in legal documents, the United States contended that the Onondagas central claims have been rejected in prior cases; that they have had abundant opportunity for their case to be heard; and that they are merely unhappy with the outcome. It also contended that the commission has no jurisdiction, given that the bulk of the nations losses took place two centuries before it was established. The judicial process functioned as it should have in this matter, the United States wrote in legal papers. The commissions decision could come at any time, but Hill is trying not to focus on it. Most days he is glad to have tried. We arent sure how its going to go, he says. But at least it wont be hanging there for the next generation. c.2024 The New York Times Company London Not even an event honoring the late Princess Diana could bring her estranged sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, back together this week. At the 25th annual Diana Legacy Awards, honoring young global change makers in London, the two brothers clearly kept their distance Thursday night in both time, appearing hours apart, and in place, as they were half a world away from each other. William, the Prince of Wales, attended in person and celebrated the 20 winners, whom he lauded as prime examples of "my mother's belief that young people can change the world." "She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back, that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life," William said of his late mother. William, the Prince of Wales, attends The Diana Legacy Awards at the Science Museum in London, March 14, 2024. / Credit: Getty Hours later, long after his brother had departed the event, Harry congratulated this year's Diana Award recipients, via video from his home in California. He said his mother would be "incredibly proud" of the humanitarian work the winners, who were from 13 nations including the U.K. and U.S., are doing. "Thank you very much for inspiring so many others and, at the same time, protecting my mother's legacy. I really appreciate that," said Harry. The last time the two brothers were seen side-by-side was September 2022, just after their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II died. They were also both at the queen's funeral, and at their father's coronation in 2023, but not in close proximity. "The rift is ongoing. They work separately in terms of those things," veteran journalist and royal commentator Roya Nikkhah told CBS News on Friday after attending the Diana Awards ceremony. "It's a great shame that William and Harry can't unite in person for something like that, but it's been going on for a while. Nobody expects anything different." The British monarchy has fallen under uncomfortable scrutiny over the past week. Royal insider says Kate photo scandal shows the "wheels are coming off" Before the award ceremony on Thursday, William casually spoke at another event about his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, just three days after she apologized for editing a family portrait that was posted to the couple's official social media accounts to mark Britain's Mother's Day. William, the Prince of Wales, interacts with young people during a visit to WEST, a new youth center in London, England, March 14, 2024. / Credit: Frank Augstein/Getty "My wife is the arty one," William told children at an opening event for a youth charity center. Those words, and their timing, raised eyebrows and drew some ridicule coming just days after major global news agencies issued rare "kill" orders to take the princess' photo off their servers due to the digital doctoring. The global news director of France's AFP news agency said Kensington Palace was no longer a trusted news source, going so far as to compare Kate's photo to media presented by North Korea's state-run media outlets. AI expert says Kate photo scandal shows our "sense of shared reality" eroding The last time Kate was seen in public was Christmas Day, before her still-unspecified abdominal surgery in mid-January. Kensington Palace said then and has since stressed that she is not expected to return to her public duties until after Easter. "We are so used to having steady, dutiful royal family, even with the recent rifts, that when there are absences, what rushes to fill the void is speculation," said Nikkhah. "But it's not been a great week for them." For Britain's royal family, Easter probably can't come fast enough. College students surprise a beloved security guard with a trip to Nigeria to see family Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls on Israel to hold election to replace prime minister Prince William appears at event as rumors swirl The conviction of Oxford High School mass shooter Ethan Crumbleys father on Thursday came as a relief to the mother of a Texas school shooting victim who wants the parents of her sons killer to also pay a legal price. Its about time. I was really surprised and excited to see parents being held accountable here, Rosie Yanas Stone, whose 17-year-old son was killed at Santa Fe High School in 2018, told The Daily Beast. The thoughts and prayers are not enough after a mass shooting. These trials were a national eye-opener. And that makes me hopeful. James Crumbley, 47, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Ethans 2021 massacre in Michiganone month after a jury found his wife guilty of similar charges. Prosecutors allege that the Crumbleys neglected their sons deteriorating mental health and did not properly secure the weapon used in the rampage. Stone said she watched Jennifer Crumbleys trial closely as prosecutors laid out their case that Ethans parents recklessly ignored his violent journal entries, text messages, and homework doodles that highlighted his deteriorating mental health. She said she could not bring herself to follow James trial. It was gut-wrenching to watch because, in every way, this kid was failed by his parents, Stone said. James Crumbley, the father of Oxford High School school shooter Ethan Crumbley, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Bill Pugliano/Getty The convictions mark the most dramatic example of prosecutors seeking to hold parents responsible for violent crimes committed by their children. Legal experts told The Daily Beast that while the Crumbleys verdicts are unusual, they could embolden prosecutors in similar cases. Prosecutors recognize that community memberswho become members of the juryfind these tragic school shootings especially repugnant, Daniel Fryer, a University of Michigan law school assistant professor and former Philadelphia assistant district attorney, told The Daily Beast. So, it may not be unreasonable to worry that other prosecutors across the nation will follow suit. In the Santa Fe shooting, prosecutors did not bring charges against suspect Dimitrios Pagourtzis parents. He is charged with using two of his fathers firearms to murder nine and injure 13. Stones son Chris was killed while acting as a human barricade to keep the gunman out of a storage closet where others were hiding, saving at least seven lives. Pagourtzis, who was 17 at the time, has been deemed incompetent to stand trial. In her quest to hold someone accountable, Stone has sued the parents. I want it to be known that if you are going to condone letting your child be around a firearm, you have to parent, Stone said. If you are not going to be a parent, and check in with your child and make sure they are safe, then you have to be held accountable. Chris Stone was killed acting as a human shield to protect classmates. Courtesy Rosie Yanas Stone Stone noted that in both the Oxford and Santa Fe shootings, the suspects had access to firearms despite warning signs. Her 2018 lawsuit alleges Pagourtzis parents ignored red flags such as their sons fascination with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, including his donning of a full-length black trench coat with a medallion identical to the one a Columbine shooter wore. The teen also followed gun-related accounts online and posted photos of neo-Nazi iconography and a semi-automatic pistol. Many of the details of [Pagourtzis] attack on his classmates and teachers indicate that he took inspiration from the Columbine shooterdown to the details such as how he constructed explosive devices that he planted around the school, the lawsuit says. After the shooting, the suspects father, Antonios Pagourtzis, told a Greek radio station that he had been worried about his son for weeks as if I knew something would happen. The lawsuit states that while Pagourtzis parents saw the warning signs, they did not address them. (A lawyer for Pagourtzis and Kosmetatos did not respond to a request for comment.) The civil case against the Pagourtzises is set for May 28. If we win, it shows that we are not going to allow this to happen. If you are not going to be a parent, we are going to hold you accountable. All I want is accountability, Stone said. The Crumbley case shows that accountability now can mean criminal charges, which will make parents pay attention. I just wish I could do that in my case, but at least maybe this will make sure there will be fewer parents of mass shooting victims like me. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The United States is pumping $500 million into Bahrains oil and gas fields, in what analysts call an unusual but clearly geopolitical investment that pits the Biden administrations climate goals against its need to shore up a key ally in a region where war is increasingly straining Washingtons relations. The Export-Import Bank, the U.S. federal governments official export credit agency, said Thursday in a press release that the financing would fund energy efficiency and solar projects in the Gulf kingdoms existing fields, insisting the funding is not expected to result in a meaningful increase in oil and gas production. But the project includes drilling 400 new oil wells and 30 new gas wells, increasing its overall emissions of planet-heating pollution to more than 1.4 million metric tons per year, according to the Ex-Im Banks own environmental impact analysis. The investment, the banks largest in overseas oil and gas in years, fails all three litmus tests that climate campaigners say might typically help justify financing foreign production with taxpayer dollars when the U.S. is in the federal Energy Information Administrations own words this week pumping more crude than any other country, ever and smashing records in gas drilling. Maybe its a really small transaction, or maybe its a least-developed country or maybe its downstream and will help provide more energy access those are the three main excuses we see for why countries approve an oil and gas investment like this, said Nina Pusic, an expert on export financing at the green group Oil Change International. None of these apply in Bahrain. Bahrains crude output is small compared to the U.S. or neighboring Saudi Arabia, with which it shares one of its main offshore oil fields. But drilling made the Persian Gulf monarchy, an island of 303 square miles, one of the worlds richest nations with a per-capita income higher than Spains, and roughly twice that of major U.S. territories like the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, according to World Bank data. Two advisers on President Joe Bidens 18-member climate task force reportedly quit last month in protest of the administrations support for the Bahrain deal. Were shocked the administration didnt change course, Pusic said. A view of an oil well in Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain, on March 4. NurPhoto via Getty Images Its size alone made the deal what one researcher called an unusual foray into fossil fuels for the Export-Import Bank, which has in recent years made larger investments into the kinds of climate-friendly energy technologies the U.S. government says it wants to see become dominant, like solar and nuclear power. But I dont think its any surprise, said Gregory Brew, an oil historian and analyst at the New York-based Eurasia Group geopolitical consultancy. It comes at a time when Bahrain is playing a kind of unique role among Arab states and in the Persian Gulf specifically. Along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain was one of the first two signatories to the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords that in 2020 established formal diplomatic relations and trade with Israel. While Abu Dhabi has put pressure on Washington over its support for Israels brutal war against Hamas in Gaza, Bahrain has taken what Brew describes as a quieter approach, even as the government in Manama has allowed for rare protests in solidarity with Palestinians. Bahrain is the only Arab state that joined the U.S. and British forces in combating the Yemen-based Houthi rebels attacking cargo ships bound for the Suez Canal. So a gesture like this from the United States supports ongoing positive relations with Bahrain and suggests they want to maintain that relationship going into the future, Brew said. It definitely has a geopolitical element to it, he added. I dont think theres any question about that. Geopolitics have helped Biden fend off criticism from environmentalists on the oil and gas export boom over which the administration has presided. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Europeans scrambled to find alternatives to the Kremlins gas pipelines, U.S. fracking fields in states like Texas, New Mexico and North Dakota helped supply American allies with barges full of liquefied natural gas. The power of international oil exporter cartels that previously wielded supply cuts as an economic cudgel against Washington where administrations from both parties are sensitive to voters concerns over the price at the pump is waning. In a sign of how U.S. production has changed global dynamics, last falls cuts to output from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries did little to spike oil prices. With demand for oil still booming, despite record deployments of clean-energy infrastructure worldwide, the Biden administration has primarily focused on increasing viable alternatives to fossil fuels while expanding conservation areas, ratcheting up fees on drilling, and rejecting a handful of high-profile projects that green groups opposed on climate grounds. But as of September, Biden had approved more new drilling on public lands than Donald Trump had at the same point in his presidency, according to an E&E News analysis of Bureau of Land Management leases. From left to right, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa, U.S. President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pose for a photo at the Jeddah Security and Development Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 16, 2022. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images In 2023, the Ex-Im Bank financed a combined $901 million in new fossil fuel projects, including an oil refinery in Indonesia, an oil terminal in the Bahamas and gas turbines in Iraq, according to a tally in a letter from progressive Democrats in Congress urging Biden to oppose the Bahrain deal. In 2022, the International Energy Agency was clear that the world cannot make new investments in fossil fuel supply projects if it wants to limit global warming to 1.5C, read the letter, authored by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). Financing the project in Bahrain runs counter to the Biden administrations policy and the presidents specific directives, they wrote. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), another progressive, referred to the Ex-Im Bank as a rogue agency in Politico. Pusic accused the Export-Import Bank itself of a bias toward approving fossil fuel projects out of self-preservation, despite the organizations official charter charging its leadership with advancing national policy on environmental protection. For more than a decade, the agency has faced repeated attempts by Republicans to eliminate its federal funding. A March 11 chart from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows the U.S. commanding the largest share of global oil production. EIA Theyre worried that if they reject an oil and gas project on environmental grounds that Republicans wont reauthorize their charter, Pusic said. But their charter explicitly says they can reject projects on environmental grounds, and were asking why this has never been used. In its public announcement, the Ex-Im Bank emphasized the projected 2,100 jobs the Bahrain investment would generate in Texas, where various export services and components are sold. But as a domestic employment subsidy, the half-billion in funding is costing the U.S. nearly $240,000 per job. The agency highlighted that the Bahrain government-owned Bapco Energies is a signatory to the deal, brokered at last years United Nations climate summit in Dubai, to cut emissions from oil and gas production enough to hit net-zero by 2050. The project underwent a feasibility review and alignment with EXIMs environmental and social due diligence procedures and guidelines, which must be adhered to throughout the life of the transaction, the agency said. The Ex-Im Bank declined to provide specific examples of those procedures and guidelines, which a spokesperson told HuffPost were currently under review for an update. The agency also declined to say exactly how it plans to monitor and enforce compliance. When asked how the agency determined its financing would not meaningfully increase emissions, the spokesperson said the banks staff performs a full due diligence review of transactions according to the agencys statutory and policy requirements. If the investment leads to a surge in emissions, an unrelated funding the Biden administration just announced may offer something of a grim offset. The U.S. Department of Agriculture added another $500 million to its program to combat the wildfires scorching larger swaths of the American West each year. Related... WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The United States eliminated measles in 2000, thanks in part to a highly-effective vaccination program. But the current outbreak could change that. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 45 confirmed cases across the country, including Maryland and Virginia. That puts the U.S. on track to surpass the 58 total cases detected last year. There have been confirmed cases in 17 states, including Virginia and Maryland. CDC plans to drop 5-day COVID isolation guidelines Dr. Yolandra Hancock, a Prince Georges County-based pediatrician at Generational Health Center, said the measles epidemic usually comes around four to five years causing cases in the U.S. to expectedly rise. We came very close to completely eradicating measles. But then the birth of the anti-vax movement came and some of this vaccine hesitancy, she said. So were seeing this slow and steady rise of measles cases outside of this normal pattern of increase and decrease. Hancock said the rise in cases is definitely something to be concerned about. The CDC recommends people without immunity to measles to isolate after potential exposure for 21 days. Its important for everyone to know that measles is one of, if not the most infectious diseases existing on Earth, compared to COVID as an example. So if one person has COVID, they can infect between 1 to 3 people. If one person has measles, they can infect between 12 to 18 people, Hancock said. Why do many Americans suffer from eating disorders? Hancock said the symptoms of measles are very diverse. The first is having one of the worst colds of your life, including muscle aches, cough and high fever, usually up to 104 degrees. Theyll have watery, swollen, red and painful eyes. Theres a classic rash called a complex spot in the inner part of the cheek, sort of a grayish white plaque that shows up and a full body rash. It usually starts from the face and covers all the way down the body, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A man was sentenced on Friday for his part in connection to a kidnapping and murder in 2019. Dustyn Brown was sentenced to 38 months in prison for his role in the murder of Christian Hernandez. He was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon on Dec. 4, 2019. U.S. Army veteran fired howitzers into North Vietnam Brown was one of several people connected to Hernandezs death, whose body was found on the side of the road in Bel Aire. Another man, Efrain Arroyo II, was sentenced to life in prison in January 2024 after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and criminal use of a firearm by a convicted felon. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. The temperatures are on the rise, and it is great to see the fields getting some more color. The green from cover crops above the ground is just as beautiful as the benefits cover crops create below the ground. This spring would be a great time to investigate the advantages of using a roller-crimper to terminate cover crops for even more benefits. A roller crimper has blunt steel blades spaced roughly 7-10 inches apart, as the crimper rolls across the field the blades crimp or injure the plant stems to terminate plant growth. When crimping, timing is important to be effective, it must be done before the head goes to seed. When a cover crop is being terminated by a crimper there are several advantages beyond just mechanically terminating. It helps suppress weeds by forming a mulch cover, decreases hot summer soil temperatures, conserves soil moisture, decreases soil erosion, and adds organic matter. With crimping, it can also lessen the use of herbicides such as glyphosate. Planting season is right around the corner and you can plan to interseeding cover crops this spring. Interseeding takes preparation for timing and research of seed variety for what works best on your farm. Research shows when cover crops are planted into corn at V6 growth stage, the cover crops do not compete with the corn crop. Variety selection can be one of the biggest challenges. When considering seed variety, a shade-tolerant seed is necessary. Annual ryegrass and red clover have worked well in trials from Penn State where radish, cowpeas, and hairy vetch have not worked well since they are not very shade tolerant. Crimson clover is one type of cover crop. Nutrient benefits also can come with interseeding cover crops when seed selection is done carefully. Legumes can fix atmospheric nitrogen and help feed the corn crop but again varieties matter, and it could be a gamble to use a Variety Not Stated (VNS) seed. Ashland Soil & Water Conservation District has a 15- foot I&J roller crimper and an interseeder in our equipment rental program. The roller crimper and interseeder were purchased with funds from a Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) Partners in Watershed Grant. Producers are able able to put these practices into use with low or no rental cost. Story continues At 6 p.m. March 21, Ashland Soil and Water will host a meeting along with Medina SWCD and Wayne SWCD at Valley Vista Farm in Jeromesville. It will be focused on cover crops and H2Ohio. Cody from Bird Agronomics will discuss cover crop seed selections for interseeding and aerial seeding, Kip Studer will go over the new H2Ohio Program rollout and Jason Ruhl will discuss NRCS cost share opportunities. We will have a farmer discussion panel with their experiences. For more information contact Katie Eikleberry at 419-281-7645. Katie Eikleberry is conservation specialist at the Ashland County Soil and Water Conservation District. This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Roller-crimper can terminate cover crops by injuring plant stems FILE PHOTO: Former FTX Chief Executive Bankman-Fried at the Manhattan federal court in New York City By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sam Bankman-Fried should spend between 40 and 50 years in prison after being convicted for stealing $8 billion from customers of his now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange, prosecutors said on Friday. In November, a jury found Bankman-Fried, 32, guilty on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said "thousands of everyday people" including residents of war-torn and unstable countries had entrusted their nest eggs to FTX. "Even now Bankman-Fried refuses to admit what he did was wrong," prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum. "His life in recent years has been one of unmatched greed and hubris; of ambition and rationalization; and courting risk and gambling repeatedly with other people's money." They are seeking $11 billion in forfeiture, to account for losses FTX's investors and Alameda's lenders suffered as well. The former billionaire's lawyer Marc Mukasey told U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan that a 5-1/4 to 6-1/2 year prison term would be appropriate. They said FTX clients would get most of their money back, and that Bankman-Fried did not set out to steal. Mark Botnick, a spokesman for Bankman-Fried, said Mukasey would file a response next week to prosecutors' memorandum. Kaplan is scheduled to sentence Bankman-Fried on March 28 in Manhattan federal court. Bankman-Fried plans to appeal his conviction and sentence. Bankman-Fried is the son of two Stanford Law School professors. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bankman-Fried worked on Wall Street before riding a boom in the values of digital assets such as bitcoin to a net worth Forbes magazine once estimated at $26 billion. His fortune evaporated in November 2022, when FTX declared bankruptcy after a wave of customer withdrawals. In their sentencing memorandum, prosecutors pointed to his privileged upbringing and elite education as reasons he should face an especially harsh sentence. Story continues "He knew what society deemed illegal and unethical, but disregarded that based on a pernicious megalomania guided by the defendant's own values and sense of superiority," they wrote. POLITICIANS RETURN DONATIONS At his trial, three former close associates testified that Bankman-Fried directed them to loot FTX customer funds to plug losses at his Alameda Research hedge fund, while portraying himself publicly as a responsible steward in the volatile cryptocurrency market. Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried also used customer funds to buy luxury real estate in the Bahamas and to donate to U.S. politicians who might support cryptocurrency-friendly regulations. So far, 251 U.S. political candidates and committees have returned to the government some $3.3 million in contributions from Bankman-Fried and other FTX executives, prosecutors said. Democratic President Joe Biden's campaign and the Republican National Committee are among those that have returned funds. Bankman-Fried testified that he did not realize how much Alameda owed to FTX until shortly before both failed. His trial lasted one month. In a letter to Kaplan, Bankman-Fried's parents said their son took responsibility for the errors that led to FTX's collapse, and worked hard before his arrest to help recover customers' money. Bankman-Fried was arrested in December 2022 in the Bahamas, where FTX was based, and extradited to the U.S. He has been jailed at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center since August, when Kaplan revoked his bail after finding that he likely tampered with witnesses. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New YorkEditing by Chris Reese, Nick Zieminski and David Gregorio) U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Laphonza Butler have called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to refrain from approving further crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), particularly those linked to cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. In a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler dated March 11, the senators highlighted the lack of sufficient trading volumes and integrity in cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, which they believe could expose retail investors to risks of fraud and market manipulation. The senators concerns follow the launch of ten spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. in January, which contributed to the resurgence of the cryptocurrency market with Bitcoin surging as high as US$73,737. The senators letter comes amid ongoing SEC considerations for spot Ethereum ETFs. Bloomberg analysts have reduced the likelihood of a spot Ethereum ETF approval to 35%, and the SEC has delayed its ruling on several proposed Ethereum ETFs. The agency is expected to announce its decision in May. Institutional interest in Bitcoin has been growing, with the approval of US spot Bitcoin ETFs contributing to this trend. However, experts warn that challenges within the crypto industry, such as security and compliance issues, may slow down institutional adoption. (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi's state-backed investment firm MGX is in early stage discussions to invest in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI's chip venture, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing two sources. MGX, a technology investment company with Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and artificial intelligence firm G42 as founding partners, was only launched earlier this week. MGX and OpenAI did not immediately reply to Reuters' request for comment. The report follows an earlier FT story that said Singapore's Temasek Holdings was in talks to invest in OpenAI. The UAEs AI minister Omar Sultan Al Olama told the FT that he also sees xAI owner Elon Musk doing something AI-related in the country. "I dont think it's far out for him (Musk) to do something here, Olama told the FT. AI startups attracted one out of every three dollars invested last year in the United States, and OpenAI's ChatGPT grabbed the spotlight as startups raced to develop AI technology. The launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022 brought attention to generative AI technologies, spurring billions in investments on chips and servers required to support the adoption of such applications. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K) Elon Musk was spotted with his son X A-XII at a German Tesla factory as his custody battle with Grimes drags on Elon Musk took his son X AE A-XII to a Tesla factory in Germany as it reopened after a power cut. The factory had been without power for nearly a week due to a fire at a nearby pylon. Musk and his son were seen together amid the Tesla chief's custody battle with Grimes. Elon Musk took his son X AE A-XII to a Tesla factory in Germany this week as his custody battle with Grimes over their children continues to play out. The Tesla CEO was spotted carrying X AE A-XII on his shoulders as he visited the site. The factory reopened Wednesday after a nearby electricity pylon was set on fire, leaving the plant without power for almost a week. In a letter posted on website kontrapolis.info, a militant group claimed responsibility for the fire that caused the power cut. Tesla's X account posted a photo of Musk with the caption: "Thanks for visiting" after it resumed production. Musk and musician Grimes have been embroiled in a dispute over their three children. The billionaire quietly sued her in September, seeking to "establish the parent-child relationship" with their children Exa and Tau, as well as X AE A-XII. Then, later in September, Grimes filed a petition to establish a parental relationship," court records showed. Musk brought X AE A-XII to a meeting with the Turkish president that same month, who asked him where his wife was, even though the couple had never married. "Oh, she's in San Francisco," Musk replied. "We're separated, I take care of him mostly." In Musk's lawsuit, he accused Grimes of moving to California to "circumvent the jurisdiction" of Texas courts, which cap child-support payments at $2,760 a month for three children, BI previously reported. Then Grimes said that she and two of their children had been living in California when Musk filed the petition, per a November filing previously obtained by Business Insider. The trip to the German factory marks at least the second time that Musk has taken X AE A-XII on an overseas trip this year, as they also visited Auschwitz in January. Elon Musk didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Hunan Chayue Cultural Industry Development Group Ltd., also known as Sexy Tea, has selected banks for a Hong Kong initial public offering, which could take place as soon as this year, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg China International Capital Corp. and Morgan Stanley are working on the potential listing, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. The Chinese teahouse chain may raise a few hundred million dollars via the share sale, though the ultimate size will depend on market sentiment, the people said. Deliberations are ongoing and details of the IPO including bank lineup and timeline may change, the people said. A representative for Morgan Stanley declined to comment, while representatives for CICC and Sexy Tea didnt respond to requests for comment. Chinas food and beverage sector, particularly targeting the middle class and the younger generation, has been expanding quickly despite a slowdown in the worlds second-largest economy. The industry has also been reportedly among those discouraged from listing in Chinas main exchanges since last year. Read More: Six Bubble Tea Chains Plan IPOs in Bet on China Consumer Revival Started in Changsha, Hunan province in 2013, Sexy Tea runs a network of new-style teahouses in China and has recently expanded into cafes and lemon tea shops, according to its website. It also sells house brand products such as tea utensils and stationery. As of October 2023, Sexy Tea operates more than 500 stores. Several bubble-tea chains including Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial Co. and Mixue Group have filed for Hong Kong listings. Shenzhen Gantang Mingshan Catering Co., the company behind popular Chinese restaurant chains including grilled fish diner Tanyu, is weighing an IPO in the city as soon as this year, Bloomberg News reported in January. Story continues --With assistance from Dong Cao. (Updates with details on other Chinese F&B IPOs in last paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Department of Defense has found no evidence of any connection between UFOs and the national security stateor evidence of UFOs, for that matter. The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office conducted interviews, tested alleged alien materials, and investigated sightings. The report attempts to debunk several narratives about the government and UFOs, including cooperation between the government and aliens, defense contractors reverse engineering UFO technology, and more. A newly published government report states that not only is there no proof of any secret effort by the U.S. government to cooperate with aliens or research alien technology, there is no proof that UFO sightings are the result of extraterrestrial visitations to Earth. The Report on the Historical Record of U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), written by the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, denies all claims regarding the U.S. government and UFOs, stating that they are the result of decreased public trust in government, the prevalence of UFOs in public culture, and unnecessary government secrecy. The report was compiled by the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, an office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense that, in 2022, was tasked to investigate reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (what people in the U.S. government call UFOs). The 63 page report details the offices investigation into claims that the U.S. government has some kind of secret UFO program going onclaims ranging from secret government knowledge of UFOs to actual relations between the government and extraterrestrial civilizations. The reportwhich came out Friday, March 8thapparently has a classified version, but it is unlikely to have anything new or different. AARO was led to believe that the difference in classification is likely due to discussion of sensitive or secret programs, as well as individuals, that are part of the secret UFO-government enterprise. The Narratives DigtialStorm - Getty Images The report attempts to address two major narratives that AARO believes emerged about the U.S. government and UFOs. The first is the conspiracy theory that the USG and industry partners are in possession of and are testing off-world technology that has been concealed from congressional oversight and the world since approximately 1964, and possibly since 1947, if the Roswell events are included. AARO states that it investigated a number of claims in this vein. One was that named corporations, likely well known U.S. defense contractors, were experimenting on alien technology. Another was that the U.S. government was in possession of exotic, otherworldly materials made by aliens. Others included a claim that a former U.S. military officer had touched a UFO, and a former U.S. service member had observed U.S. Special Forces loading materials into a UFO. Individuals interviewed by AARO claimed that between 2004 and 2007 the White House requested a research institute in Virginia study the theoretical societal impacts of disclosing that UAP are extraterrestrial in origin The second narrative was that UFOs were somehow interfering with the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and that a cluster of UAP sightings that occurred in close proximity to U.S. nuclear facilities have resulted in the malfunctioning and destruction of nuclear missiles. If true, this would represent a substantial risk to the U.S. nuclear deterrent, leaving U.S. nuclear weapons vulnerable to an outside force that was at best unknown, and at worst, hostile. The Debunking Jerod Harris - Getty Images The AARO report was unable to substantiate any of the various claims it investigated. None of the claims regarding UFO technology, U.S. government secret programs, or individuals with important information panned out. Many of the allegations appear to be based on hearsay or misunderstandings, or involved second or third hand information that ultimately went nowhere. The report knocks down one allegation after another. The named companies denied being involved with reverse engineering UFO technology, and material allegedly recovered from aliens was actually a metal alloy made on Earth by humans. The military official who reportedly touched a UFO denied the event took place, suggesting whoever made the allegation was referring to an incident in which he actually touched a F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter. The report on alien contactallegedly commissioned by the White Housewas real, but the U.S. government had nothing to do with it. Spc. Travis Jones The AARO report does not describe what the office found when it looked into the report of special forces loading materials into a UFO, but that is assumed to have not panned out, either. The report results are not surprising. If there was clear and verifiable proof of U.S. government involvement with aliens, it probably would have surfaced a long time ago. It is also possible that such involvement is already heavily insulated from investigation, and that those who are or were involved are still sticking to sworn secrecy oathswhich, in government circles, come with serious consequences for those that violate them. Did the AARO report fully investigate the vastness of the military industrial complex? Maybe, and maybe not. You Might Also Like Italy's competition and consumer authority, the AGCM, has fined TikTok 10 million (almost $11 million) following a probe into algorithmic safety concerns. The authority opened an investigation last year into a "French scar" challenge in which users of the platform were reported to have shared videos of marks on their faces made by pinching their skin. In a press release Thursday, the AGCM said three regional companies in the ByteDance group, Ireland-based TikTok Technology Limited, TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited and TikTok Italy Srl, had been sanctioned for what it summarized as an "unfair commercial practice." "The company has failed to implement appropriate mechanisms to monitor content published on the platform, particularly those that may threaten the safety of minors and vulnerable individuals. Moreover, this content is systematically re-proposed to users as a result of their algorithmic profiling, stimulating an ever-increasing use of the social network," the AGCM wrote. The authority said its investigation confirmed TikTok's responsibility in disseminating content "likely to threaten the psycho-physical safety of users, especially if minor and vulnerable," such as videos related to the "French scar" challenge. It also found the platform did not take adequate measures to prevent the spread of such content and said it failed to fully comply with its own platform guidelines. The AGCM also criticized how TikTok applies the guidelines -- which it says are applied "without adequately accounting for the specific vulnerability of adolescents." It pointed out, for example, that teens' brains are still developing and young people may be especially at risk as they can be prone to peer pressure to emulate group behavior to try to fit in socially. The authority's remarks particularly highlight the role of TikTok's recommendation system in spreading "potentially dangerous" content, pointing out the platform's incentive to drive engagement and increase user interactions and time spent on the service to boost ad revenue. The system powers TikTok's "For You" and "Followed" feeds and is, by default, based on algorithmic profiling of users, tracking their digital activity to determine what content to show them. "This causes undue conditioning of users who are stimulated to increasingly use the platform," the AGCM suggested in another remark that's notable for being critical of engagement driven by profiling-based content feeds. We've reached out to the authority with questions. But its negative assessment of the risks of algorithmic profiling looks interesting in light of renewed calls by some lawmakers in Europe for profiling-based content feeds to be off by default. Civil society groups, such as the ICCL, also argue this would shut off the outrage tap that ad-funded social media platforms monetize through engagement-focused recommender systems, which have a secondary effect of amplifying division and undermining societal cohesion for profit. TikTok disputes the AGCM's decision to issue a penalty. In a statement, the platform sought to play down its assessment of the algorithmic risks posed to minors and vulnerable individuals by framing the intervention as related to a single controversial but small-scale challenge. Here's what TikTok told us: We disagree with this decision. The so-called "French Scar" content averaged just 100 daily searches in Italy prior to the AGCM's announcement last year, and we long ago restricted visibility of this content to U18s, and also made it ineligible for the For You feed. While the Italian enforcement is limited to one EU member state, the European Commission is responsible for overseeing TikTok's compliance with algorithmic accountability and transparency provisions in the pan-EU Digital Services Act (DSA) -- where penalties for noncompliance can scale up to 6% of global annual turnover. TikTok was designated as a very large platform under the DSA back in April last year, with compliance expected by late summer. One notable change as a result of the DSA is TikTok offering users non-profiling based feeds. However, these alternative feeds are off by default -- meaning users remain subject to AI-based tracking and profiling unless they take action themselves to shut them off. Last month the EU opened a formal investigation of TikTok, citing addictive design and harmful content and the protection of minors as among its areas of focus. That procedure remains ongoing. TikTok has said it looks forward to the opportunity to provide the Commission with a detailed explanation of its approach to safeguarding minors. However, the company has had a number of earlier run-ins with regional enforcers concerned about child safety in recent years, including a child safeguarding intervention by the Italian data protection authority; a fine of 345 million last fall over data protection failures also related to minors; and long-running complaints from consumer protection groups that are worried about minor safety and profiling. TikTok also faces the possibility of increasing regulation by member statelevel agencies applying the bloc's Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Such as Ireland's Coimisiun na Mean, which has been considering applying rules to video sharing platforms that would require recommender algorithms based on profiling to be turned off by default. The picture is no brighter for the platform over in the U.S., either, as lawmakers have just proposed a bill to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties with Chinese parent ByteDance, citing national security and the potential for the platform's tracking and profiling of users to provide a route for a foreign government to manipulate Americans. Find voter resources and full coverage of the Nov. 8 election at the YHR Election Center. Leer en Espanol. A federal judge approved a new legislative map on Friday that will reshape voting districts across Central Washington. The changes came after U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik ruled that the previous legislative districts violated the Voting Rights Act in August. His order this week directs the Washington Secretary of State to adopt the new maps to give the Latino community in the Yakima Valley a better opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The new boundaries will affect every legislative district that touches Yakima County, and 10 others statewide. A new 14th District will include the Yakama Reservation, East Yakima, Toppenish, Wapato and parts of Pasco and Sunnyside. The 15th District stretches out across northern Yakima County toward the east to take in Prosser. The 13th District will no longer include Yakima County. Elected officials and candidates planning to run in November have been waiting to see the new boundaries. Several announced their candidacies earlier this month without knowing where their district would be. The lawsuit accumulated a lengthy list of plaintiffs, defendants and intervenors. Plaintiffs include a host of Yakima Valley residents, including Susan Soto Palmer and Caty Padilla, executive director of Sunnyside-based nonprofit Nuestra Casa. Attorneys from the UCLA Voting Rights Project, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Campaign Legal Fund worked on the case. State Rep. Alex Ibarra, R-Quincy, Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, and former Granger Mayor Jose Trevino are involved in the case on the other side. The Yakama Nation also provided input on the new maps. Plaintiffs pleased with the new boundaries Plaintiffs praised the new map and said it could help Latinos in the Yakima Valley elect candidates to represent their community. "It really gives Yakima Valley Latinos a chance for our voice to be heard," Padilla, a plaintiff who testified in the case, said. "This allows us to organize around candidates of our choice who can represent us." Padilla said Latino communities in Toppenish and Wapato had been divided from East Yakima and other parts of the Yakima Valley. She sees the new map as an opportunity to connect with nearby communities about the same election. "For me and a lot of our community, we work, live, play throughout the Yakima Valley," Padilla said. "A district that keeps us all together is important because that is how we work and live." The new 14th District has a slightly lower Latino voting population than the old 15th District, according to court documents, dropping from 52% to 51%. The 14th District was redrawn to give the Latino population a better opportunity in elections and Lasnik said in his decision that unifying Latino populations along the Yakima River will give those communities a better chance to elect candidates of their choice. The map was not drawn or adopted to favor or discriminate against either political party, but rather to unite the Latino community of interest in the Yakima Valley region, he wrote. Ben Phillips, an attorney with the Campaign Legal Center who represented plaintiffs in the case, said having neighboring Lower Valley communities voting in the same elections and looking at the same candidates could increase engagement and turnout. Latino voters in Central Washington have faced historic discrimination and racism that have decreased turnout, he added, and grouping nearby communities could overcome some of those challenges. "The numbers don't tell the whole story," he said. Other attorneys, like those with the UCLA Voting Rights Project who argued for a new map, praised the changes. "This ruling is not just a victory for the Latino communities in Washington State, but it also sends hope to all underrepresented communities fighting for fair representation in the United States, said Sonni Waknin, program manager and voting rights counsel at the UCLA VRP. Reaction Torres, a Latina who was elected in the 15th District in 2022, blasted the decision on Friday. She called the changes a "mockery of the Voting Rights Act." She said she was concerned about the reduction in the proportion of Latino voters between the old 15th District and new 14th. The map decreases the number of Hispanics in the majority-minority district and moves her out of her district, she said. "I can stay the next two years, but then I will be cut off from helping the constituents who I grew up with and who I love to serve," she said in a statement. Torres said she was moved to 16th District, which is currently represented by Republican Perry Dozier of Waitsburg. She said Hispanics are a swing block of voters, and not uniformly Democrats. This decision actually discriminates against eastern Washington Hispanics and assigns stereotypes given to them by their more liberal neighbors on the west side of the state, she said. State Sen. John Braun said the decision redistricts out Sen. Curtis King of Yakima, Sen. Brad Hawkins of Wenatchee and in all likelihood three Republican House members. He said no Democrats are redistricted out. This decision should be immediately stayed and deserves to be overturned by a higher court, he said in a statement. The district shuffle The new voting boundaries affect 13 districts statewide. Representatives from a few of the affected districts shared frustrations and questions about the future. State Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, will need to run in the new the 17th District, as opposed to the 14th District. Mosbrucker said she would be happy to serve in whatever district she ends up in, but is concerned how Torres was affected by the ruling. "It's frustrating to see other representatives move and have to run in other districts," she said. Mosbrucker added that she is waiting for more information, as well as to see if the new map might be appealed. "I'm honored to serve," Mosbrucker said. "I loved serving the 14th and I'd love to serve the 17th if that is the case." Her sentiments were echoed by fellow 14th District Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, who said he plans to run for re-election regardless of which district he ends up in. Corry spoke on Thursday, before the new maps were released, and said based on the possible maps presented that he believed he would be moved from the 14th to the 15th District. "A lot of work I've done has helped Yakima County and the rest of the state," Corry said on Thursday. "Obviously, there will be some new areas to get to know ... but I'm committed to getting to know those new counties." Lasnik gave the state an opportunity to reconvene the redistricting commission to redraw the boundaries and comply with his August ruling, but Democratic lawmakers declined to call back the redistricting commission. The court employed a redistricting expert and sought to establish new boundaries in time for the 2024 election. What new WA documents reveal about 2nd Tri-Cities Costco and when it might open Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial board member for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Readers may write to her at: Philadelphia Inquirer, P.O. Box 8263, Philadelphia, PA 19101, or by email at trubin@phillynews.com. A view of some egg samples held inside a smaller cryo storage container. Each container is 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 in Houston. John B. Billingsley An O'Donnell native and Texas Tech alumni recently completed a $12.25 billion business deal, according to a news release. John B. Billingsley, Chairman and CEO of holding company JBB Advanced Technologies, reached an agreement with Christina Marshall, attorney and business investor with Tronic Ventures, to sell "100 percent of its subsidiary digital marketing innovator Tronic." Tronic develops technology that improves accessibility and usability of Web3 gamification by building online interactive scenarios. That includes scenarios such as "secure enrollment, event verification, game design settings, secure virtual wallets for reward tokens, reward controls, and real-time analytics." Tronic does this by using artificial intelligence optimization, ledger technology and blockchain technology. Tronics platform leverages the emergence of Web3, changing how internet users engage with information by offering completely immersive experiences, said Billingsley, whose company acquired Tronic in late 2022 from fellow Texas Tech alumni Travis McElroy. Given my experience with Christina, I am very confident that she has the technological understanding, the market vision, and business acumen to build Tronic into a multi-billion-dollar business." Billingsley is also the founder of Tri-Global Energy, a renewable energy developer that has built 10 wind farms within 90 miles of Lubbock. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech alum sells Tronic, Web3 innovator, for $12.25 billion 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. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com? Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether Tanami Gold (ASX:TAM) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. View our latest analysis for Tanami Gold How Long Is Tanami Gold's 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. In December 2023, Tanami Gold had AU$33m in cash, and was debt-free. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$6.0m over the trailing twelve months. That means it had a cash runway of about 5.6 years as of December 2023. While this is only one measure of its cash burn situation, it certainly gives us the impression that holders have nothing to worry about. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below. How Is Tanami Gold's Cash Burn Changing Over Time? Because Tanami Gold isn't currently generating revenue, we consider it an early-stage business. So while we can't look to sales to understand growth, we can look at how the cash burn is changing to understand how expenditure is trending over time. With the cash burn rate up 25% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but investors should be mindful of the fact that will shorten the cash runway. Tanami Gold makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow. Story continues How Hard Would It Be For Tanami Gold To Raise More Cash For Growth? While Tanami Gold does have a solid cash runway, its cash burn trajectory may have some shareholders thinking ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive 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 AU$39m, Tanami Gold's AU$6.0m in cash burn equates to about 15% of its market value. As a result, we'd venture that the company could raise more cash for growth without much trouble, albeit at the cost of some dilution. Is Tanami Gold's Cash Burn A Worry? As you can probably tell by now, we're not too worried about Tanami Gold's cash burn. For example, we think its cash runway suggests that the company is on a good path. While its increasing cash burn wasn't great, the other factors mentioned in this article more than make up for weakness on that measure. Based on the factors mentioned in this article, we think its cash burn situation warrants some attention from shareholders, but we don't think they should be worried. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 3 warning signs for Tanami Gold (of which 2 are a bit concerning!) you should know about. Of course Tanami Gold 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. Today A widely scattered shower or thunderstorm is possible this evening. Then cloudy skies overnight. Low 53F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Tonight A widely scattered shower or thunderstorm is possible this evening. Then cloudy skies overnight. Low 53F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Tomorrow Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 71F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Suletea leaga victoriile in Liga 4 IN FORMA Vitis Suletea a legat doua victorii la rand! La numai cateva zile dupa ce a invins-o pe CSO Negresti, scor 2-1, trupa pregatita de Gigel Ghenghea a cules trei puncte si din confruntarea cu Flacara Muntenii de Sus, 2-1 (2-0). Dupa patru etape in care au obtinut un singur punct, au venit, iata, [] Articolul Suletea [citeste mai departe] If you want to see Joe Biden having fun, check out his presidential campaigns TikTok account. The accounts avatar is Dark Brandon, Biden as a superhero mockup with laser-beam eyes. In short videos, Biden and his surrogates troll Donald Trump using images that make the former president look overweight, sweaty, and pallid. Other clips show Biden in heartwarming encounters with ordinary people that arent testy enough to make it onto cable news. Biden is clearly trying to connect with young Americans who constitute a big chunk of TikToks 170 million American users. Yet he also said recently he'd sign a bill working its way through Congress that would ban TikTok in the United States if its Chinese owners dont sell to a non-Chinese entity. So whats going on? It would be thoroughly self-damaging for Biden if he were the man to sign the bill that put TikTok out of commission. He could easily alienate enough people, including millions of small-business operators who rely on TikTok, to give his opponent Donald Trump the edge in the 2024 presidential election. Biden is courting every tiny voting bloc that might break his way, so would he really commit political suicide by enraging millions of voters in one fell swoop? The answer is obviously no, which suggests Biden knows something hes not saying: that TikTok will be alive and well come Election Day and probably long after that. Biden is serious about the underlying problems unique to TikTok, which mainly have to do with a Chinese companys ownership of the app and the potential for Chinese hacking, propaganda, or abuse. But electoral politics and legal realities will save Biden from being the TikTok killer, at least in 2024. Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter. The bill to force TikTok to divest or face a ban passed the House of Representatives by a comfortable margin on March 13, which seemed to catch the companys leaders off guard. In the normally fractured and dysfunctional House, Republicans and Democrats joined forces to put TikTok on notice that Washington can act quickly when it comes to concerns about China. Story continues But the path is hazier in the Senate, which normally moves slowly and has other pressing business in the queue ahead of TikTok. The Senate also tends to back away from touchy issues during election years, which Biden surely knows. It seems safe to assume Biden is working closely with his fellow Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, to maximize Democrats odds of holding on to power in the 2024 elections. Sending Biden a bill to ban TikTok would do the opposite. Politicians often say they favor bold action when they know theyll never actually have to take it. This is probably one of those times. Biden surely knows what Schumer plans and is probably even conspiring with him on the shrewdest way forward. These powerful Democrats could surely miscalculate, but barring that, TikTok isnt going to be Joe Bidens undoing in 2024. The Senate will almost certainly delay moving on the TikTok bill until after the election. President Biden's TikTok page (TikTok/Screenshot: Yahoo Finance) The concerns about TikTok, however, seem plausible. Chinese company ByteDance owns TikTok, and while ByteDance is a private sector company by Chinese standards, its also bound by the rules set by Chinas Communist Party (CCP), which can put private companies to the partys use as it chooses. Many policymakers in Washington, of both parties, think the CCP could coerce ByteDance to exploit its presence on millions of American phones to conduct surveillance of key Americans, promote election propaganda, or cause other forms of trouble. TikTok hasnt helped itself, as Kevin Roose pointed out recently in the New York Times. Trump first tried to ban TikTok by executive order in 2020, but courts blocked the effort. Since then, TikToks stumbling make-nice campaign has been a mixture of belligerence and manipulation. It has accused critics of bigotry, as if the risk of Chinas Communist leaders meddling in Western affairs is a racist myth, which it is not. It amped up its Washington, D.C., lobbying operations a la Facebook, except that Facebook is an American company with no vulnerability to the CCP, at least not in the United States. Most clumsily, TikTok got caught obtaining the user data of two US journalists and other American users in 2022, which sounds exactly like something a Chinese surveillance operation would do. China has few friends left in Washington, with the two political parties now competing for which can be toughest on China. Bidens approach has been a series of legislative and executive actions to deepen domestic supply chains, reduce dependency on China, and block Chinas acquisition of advanced Western technology that could be used for weapons or national security. A TikTok divestiture movement fits more or less within those boundaries. If 2024 is the year of the warning shot for TikTok, 2025 could be the year of the full broadside but only if Biden wins in November. A second-term Biden who wouldnt have to worry about reelection would have more freedom to press Congress to pass the divestiture-or-ban law, sign it, then play hardball in terms of enforcement. TikTok seems sure to challenge any such law, so it could be tied up in court for years if it ever does pass. But parent ByteDance could also become more amenable to a sale which it expressly rejects now if a ban is hanging over its head. If Trump wins in November, TikTok may have less to worry about. Though Trump once favored a ban, he seems to have changed his mind, arguing recently that banning TikTok would only make his archenemy Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook stronger. Trump also seems to be getting cozy with billionaire investor Jeff Yass, who owns a stake in ByteDance worth at least $15 billion. Yass has become a Republican mega-donor and a rumored candidate to be the next Treasury secretary if Trump wins. Trump's flip-flop sounds like a good topic for a cheeky Biden TikTok video. Editor's note: There will no weekly Bidenomics on March 22. It will resume March 29. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance The Competition Office (GVH) announced on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into the Ireland-registered Whaleco Technology, operator of the Chinese online marketplace Temu in Hungary, suspecting unfair retail practices. Temu is an online marketplace operated by Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings. The platform behind the brand offers heavily discounted goods, which are mostly delivered directly to consumers from the Far East, website Economx writes. Temu may be engaging in price display and promotion practices on its website and related app that may deceive consumers, the GVH added. For example, the company advertises discounts of up to 95% on certain product categories, but no such discount can be found among the results for that category. In addition, Temu warns online shoppers about the limited availability of the products during the entire purchase process, so exerting psychological pressure on consumers. Temu probably also gives incorrect information about the environmental effects of some products, the GVH adds. The maximum fine that can be imposed is 13% of the groups annual sales, which is a huge sum, the authority warned. ******************************************************************************************** You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories, via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! The Sleep Friendly Hotel Awards for this year were presented on the occasion of World Sleep Day at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. In Hungary Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest and Hotel Vinifera Wine&Spa Balatonfured were honored with this prestigious accolade for their exceptional efforts in crafting an exemplary sleep environment for guests and their unwavering dedication to ensuring quality sleep. Good sleep is essential for good health. Today, it is part of a desirable lifestyle, just as eating well and exercising are inseparable from people's mental wellbeing. As in previous years, this year's World Sleep Day was marked with an exciting international scientific conference at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, organised by the Hungarian Sleep Association, where the keynote speakers explored the question of how we can sleep better. In addition to the presentations, the Sleepfriendly Awards were also presented, with Matild Palace being one of the winners in the category of Sleep Friendly Hotel. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon only two hotels in Hungary annually, one in the countryside and one in the capital. The awards were presented on 13 March by the leaders of the Sleepfriendly Program, the Hungarian Sleep Association, the and the Hungarian Hotels and Restaurants Association. The Sleep Friendly Hotel is a certification of accommodation that meets the highest standards in the field of sleep culture, by sleep doctors, health and lifestyle professionals and experts with extensive experience in the hotel industry. The criteria are a multi-faceted assessment of the conditions for restful sleep, including the quality of the basic facilities in the rooms, the conditions for restful sleep, the availability of additional facilities and services, the condition of the facilities, their cleanliness, the information provided to guests, the measurement of satisfaction and the handling of complaints. The management of Matild Palace is dedicated to ensuring that guests consistently receive the highest quality service and experience. This commitment is reflected in the hotel's special focus on establishing ideal conditions for a peaceful night's sleep. As part of Marriott Internationals The Luxury Collection brand, Matild Palace is proudly using the Italian textile company, Frettes premium line of matrasses and linens, exclusively made for The Luxury Collection. Since 1860, Frette has strived to produce bed linen and furnishings of unrivalled quality. From its bases in Monza and Milan, it employs only the finest fibres and the most skilled craftsmen to create products that embody luxury, comfort and creativity worldwide. Renowned for their elegant design, originality, and unmistakable texture, Frette linens grace the beds of many of the world's most prestigious hotels, including those within The Luxury Collection portfolio worldwide. "Running a luxury hotel presents significant challenges. Through experience, we've discovered that despite our exceptional services, diverse dining options, and professional staff, nothing surpasses the importance of our guests enjoying a peaceful night's sleep. Quality rest is fundamental for any hotel, and at Matild Palace, we prioritize it immensely. We spare no effort in ensuring top-notch beds, mattresses, and linens. I believe that even Sleeping Beauty would have chosen us for her century-long slumber if given the chance, Said Selim Olmez, General Manager of Matild Palace. Click here to virtually visit Matild Palace Budapest New Delhi: Ahead of the highly anticipated debut of her film 'Murder Mubarak', Sara Ali Khan finds herself in the spotlight, receiving immense praise for her depiction of a sophisticated urban character in the upcoming Netflix thriller. The unveiling of Sara's modern and stylish appearance in the film's first look has sparked discussions and heightened anticipation among both audiences and fans. In 'Murder Mubarak', Sara ventures into unfamiliar territory, embodying a glamorous persona that diverges from her usual on-screen roles. During a recent interview, she shared insights into her character, stating, "It's been some time since I portrayed an urban and glamorous character. It's not my usual style. I'm more inclined to keeping my hair casual and wearing traditional attire like a salwar kameez." By embracing the challenge of portraying a character outside her comfort zone, Sara demonstrates her eagerness to explore diverse roles and break away from stereotypes. The film's impressive ensemble cast, including renowned actors like Pankaj Tripathi, Sanjay Kapoor, and Vijay Varma, adds to the excitement surrounding 'Murder Mubarak'. Sara's portrayal injects a fresh dynamic into the storyline with her portrayal of an urban, glamorous individual. In 'Murder Mubarak', Sara not only captivates audiences with her stylish appearance but also redefines her on-screen persona with elegance and finesse. As fans eagerly anticipate the film's release, Sara's performance promises to be a revelation, showcasing her versatility and further cementing her position in the hearts of viewers worldwide. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday directed Ashneer Grover, Co-founder and former managing director of fintech firm BharatPe, to take down his tweets against the company and its officials within 48 hours. The court also told Ashneer to delete his tweet in which he called Rajnish Kumar, Chairman of the BharatPe Board and former State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman, as petty people. Ashneer had posted on X that, The SBI Chairman seems to be 'petty people'. And something very wrong at their core. I learnt it the hard way. So did SC. The court directed that tweets and posts made by Ashneer and his wife Madhuri Jain Grover should be taken down within 48 hours. The court observed that Ashneer continued to post defamatory posts about BharatPe and its officials and directors, despite several court orders restraining Ashneer as well as his own previous undertaking. Ashneers social media posts were violative of the letter and spirit of the previous orders of the court and the said undertaking, the court noted. Ashneer has earlier written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), asking the Central Bank to initiate an investigation into the shareholding of BharatPe. Earlier this week, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) dismissed Ashneers challenge to its jurisdiction on its power to decide on the claw back of his shares in the fintech unicorn BharatPe he co-founded. New Delhi: Bringing cheers to millions of people in the country ahead of the festival of Holi, the Narendra Modi government on Thursday reduced the prices of petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 per litre. The new rates of petrol and diesel are effective from today (March 15) 6am. After the rate reduction, petrol in the national capital now costs Rs 94.72 a litre compared to Rs 96.72 per litre currently, and diesel comes at Rs 87.62 against Rs 89.62 previously. Petrol in Mumbai costs Rs 104.21 a litre, Rs 103.94 in Kolkata and Rs 100.75 in Chennai now. Meanwhile, per litre of diesel is priced at Rs 92.15 in Mumbai, Rs 90.76 in Kolkata and Rs 92.34 in Chennai. Also, rates differ from state to state, depending on the incidence of local taxes. The recent revision in fuel prices comes after a total freeze on petrol and diesel rates by three state-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), that began on April 6, 2022. Here is the price of petrol, and diesel today, i.e. March 15, 2024, in your city: Name Of City Petrol Prices per litre (Rs) Petrol Prices per litre (Rs) New Delhi 94.72 87.62 Patna 105.18 92.04 Lucknow 94.65 87.76 Jaipur 104.88 90.36 Bhopal 106.47 91.84 Ranchi 97.81 92.56 Dehradun 99.69 93.31 Raipur 100.39 93.33 Chandigarh 94.24 82.40 Shimla 101.70 95.01 How to check the Petrol and Diesel prices of your city through SMS? If your city is not on the list, you can still check petrol, and diesel prices by sitting at home. All you have to do is to send a message from your mobile to 9224992249 with your city code. City codes are available on Indian Oil's website. Prices Of LPG Reduced Last Week A week ago, the price of cooking gas LPG was reduced by Rs 100 per cylinder. Now, regular users pay Rs 803 for a 14.2-kg cylinder, while those under the Ujjwala scheme pay Rs 503 after receiving a Rs 300 subsidy from the government. The shocking incident of a one-and-half-year-old girl being mauled to death allegedly by stray dogs in February 2024 sent shockwaves across the Dhobi Ghat area of Central Delhis Tughlaq Lane. On February 24, a baby girl was near Dhobi Ghats gates in the evening when a pack of five dogs allegedly attacked her and dragged her 100 metres away. The incident led to a furore among residents. There was a counter-narrative too - some activists demanded a detailed probe and said that a ferocious pet pitbull in the area was responsible. Now on Thursday, the Delhi High Court ordered the Delhi Police to investigate the nature of the pets kept by residents at Dhobi Ghat in Tuqhlaq Lane. According to a report in The Hindu, the court - while hearing a petition by the infants father seeking 50 lakh compensation for the death of the child - said, "Police are directed to investigate the nature of pets that are kept in the area. It is also stated that there was a pit bull in the area. Investigate this. Status report to be filed by Tuesday." According to news reports, the Delhi HC directed the cops to find out if there were any pet dogs kept in houses near where the incident took place, to rule out the possibility of a ferocious pet dog attacking the baby girl. An Indan Express report mentions that during the hearing, the High Court said it wanted to remove a particular angle concerning the apprehension that there was some kind of ferocious dog kept in the houses nearby, before it proceeds further. Earlier, Justice Subramonium Prasad issued a notice to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) as well as the city government and the police and sought a status report from them about the steps taken to ensure that such incidents do not take place again. The problem is people are coming in the vans and feeding the dogs. Because of that dogs have become too territorial and they attack anybody. They are becoming a menace for the pedestrians, the court had said, adding, Feeding strays may be good but you are taking away their capacity to go and find their own food. They have nothing else to do. (With Agency inputs) The Karnataka government on Friday announced the handover of the investigation of the case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The order for this transfer was issued by the office of Karnataka's Director General and Inspector General of Police, Alok Mohan. The case was lodged at Bengaluru City Sadashivnagar Police Station, according to the provisions of POCSO 2012. The directive mandates the prompt handover of the case file to the CID for continuation of the investigation. The Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, is instructed to personally deliver the case file, along with the relevant Investigating Officer, to the designated Investigation Officer in the CID, reported ANI. What Does The FIR Say? BS Yediyurappa, the ex-Chief Minister of Karnataka and prominent BJP figure, is under investigation for an FIR concerning the purported sexual assault of a minor girl. According to the FIR lodged by a Bengaluru police station, the purported incident occurred on February 2nd in Bengaluru. The complaint alleges that the victim was sexually harassed when she sought assistance on that day. She had sought help regarding another reported sexual assault incident. The FIR asserts that the senior BJP leader allegedly sexually assaulted the victim after forcibly taking her into a room. Following the incident, the victim informed her mother about the alleged assault. The FIR states that the victim claims to have been sexually harassed when seeking help regarding a previous incident in which she was allegedly raped by others. Replying to the incident the BJP leader recounted that the woman, whom he had previously assisted, began speaking negatively about him. The 81-year-old seasoned politician narrated, "Recently, a distressed woman visited our residence. Upon inquiry, she disclosed some issues she was facing. I promptly contacted the police commissioner to address her concerns. However, afterward, she began levying accusations against me." Kanniyakumari: In a fiery speech delivered in Kanniyakumari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition, particularly targeting the Congress and the ruling DMK. During his speech, the PM asserted, "The two have a history of scams and corruption and can never make Tamil Nadu a developed state." #WATCH | "DMK-Congress' INDI alliance can never make Tamil Nadu a developed state as its history is of scams and corruption...," says PM Modi during a public rally in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/mcKvjA8QkO ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 Reflecting on historical symbolism, PM Modi recalled his past connection with Kanyakumari, stating, "In 1991, I began 'Ekta Yatra' from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. This time, I travelled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari." He emphasized the rejection of divisive ideologies in both regions. Targeting the ruling party, the PM said, ''DMK is the enemy of the future and the culture of Tamil Nadu. Before the Ayodhya Ram temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, I came to Tamil Nadu and visited the prominent temples in the state. But the DMK govt tried to stop the telecast of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony. On this Supreme Court had to reprimand the Tamil Nadu govt...They also didn't like the installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament...It is our govt which cleared the way for the Jallikattu." DMK's Record On Mistreating Women Highlighting concerns about the treatment of women in Tamil Nadu, PM Modi criticized the ruling DMK for its conduct towards female leaders. He pointedly remarked, "Everyone remembers what the DMK leaders did to Jayalalithaa ji. Their attitude towards women has still remained the same." PM Modi Pledges Support For Fishermen PM Modi condemned interference in Tamil Nadu's affairs and pledged support for its fishermen. He stated, "Our fishermen were given capital punishment in Sri Lanka... I left no stone unturned to bring our fishermen back." Development Initiatives In Tamil Nadu Asserting the central government's commitment to Tamil Nadu's development, PM Modi highlighted infrastructure projects, including the inauguration of Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi. He also emphasized welfare schemes for fishermen, such as financial support for modern fishing boats and inclusion in the Kisan Credit Card scheme. BJP's Welfare Schemes Vs Opposition's Alleged Scams Drawing a sharp contrast, PM Modi juxtaposed BJP's welfare initiatives with allegations of corruption against the opposition. He accused the INDI Alliance of orchestrating scams like the 2G scam and the Helicopter scam, contrasting them with BJP's achievements such as the UDAN scheme and Khelo India. PM Modi also expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects in Tamil Nadu, predicting that their performance would challenge the dominance of the DMK-Congress INDI alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. #WATCH | During a public rally in Kanniyakumari, PM Modi says, "BJP's performance in Tamil Nadu this time will shatter the arrogance of the DMK-Congress INDI alliance." pic.twitter.com/KeRiA8lbzP March 15, 2024 With the Lok Sabha polls expected in April and May, political tensions are escalating as parties gear up for the mega electoral battle. By Sheila Dang and Nazli Togrul (Reuters) -TikTok displayed a notification to some U.S. users on Friday, urging them to call their senators and ask them to vote no to a bill that would ban the popular short-form video app if it is not divested from Chinese tech company ByteDance. "Tell your Senator how important TikTok is to you. Ask them to vote no on the TikTok ban," the notice said, which allowed users to enter their zip code to locate their senator's phone number. "Now, if the Senate votes, the future of creativity and communities you love on TikTok could be shut down," the notice read. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to pass the bill giving ByteDance about six months to sell the U.S. assets of the app, or face a ban. The White House said the Senate should take "swift action," and President Joe Biden said he would sign the bill. "We'll continue informing our community about how the ban bill will affect them and what they can do to make their voices heard," a TikTok spokesperson said, adding the alert is only being served to users of voting age. The alert was displayed when some people opened the app, and it also appeared when users searched "TikTok ban." TikTok sent a similar alert to users ahead of the House vote, warning that "the government will take away the community that you and millions of other Americans love." Lawmakers complained their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users opposing the legislation. (Reporting by Sheila Dang in Austin; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to review an application submitted by the Election Commission on Friday, requesting alterations to the operative segment of its March 11 ruling in the electoral bonds case. In its filing, the electoral body pointed out that the order specified that duplicates of the papers it provided to the apex court in sealed envelopes during the proceedings should be retained at the Election Commission's headquarters. The EC clarified that it had not retained any copies of the documents and urged for their return to ensure compliance with the court's directives. A separate petition filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms challenging the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from a panel for the selection of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners was also scheduled to come up for hearing on Friday. However, the matter is not shown in Friday's list of business on the apex court website. A bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna on March 12 had told advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO, that the plea on the exclusion of CJI from the selection panel will be taken up for hearing on Friday. In the electoral bonds case, the apex court had on March 11 directed the State Bank of India (SBI to disclose the details of the bonds to the EC by close of business hours on March 12. In its fresh application, the poll panel has said the apex court had observed in its March 11 order that "copies of the statements which were filed by the ECI before this court would be maintained in the office of the ECI". "It is most respectfully submitted herein that in compliance of the orders passed by this court and in order to maintain the confidentiality of the aforesaid information /data, the Election Commission of India forwarded the documents received by it to this court in sealed covers/boxes, without retaining any copies of the same," the application said. "Thus, no copies of the documents/statements filed by the Election Commission of India before this court in the instant case were ever retained by it," it said. In its application, the EC has urged the apex court that the portion of March 11 order may be rectified or modified and the documents, data or information submitted by it before the court in sealed covers may be returned to it to enable the poll panel to comply with the court's directions. Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC, K Kavitha, in Hyderabad on Friday around 5:30 pm. Earlier, today, the ED carried out searches at residence K Kavitha, in Hyderabad. Authorities are transporting her to Delhi for interrogation. The raid was part of an investigation into a suspected case of money laundering related to the Delhi excise policy. This move follows nearly two months after the ED summoned K Kavitha, the 45-year-old daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister and BRS leader K Chandrashekhar Rao, for questioning. Speaking to media in Hyderabad, Vemula Prashanth Reddy Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former Telangana minister, mentioned that Kavitha was scheduled to depart for Delhi on an 8:45 pm flight. He asserted that this action was premeditated and declared their intention to stage a protest it. The working president of BRS, K T Rama Rao, along with former minister Harish Rao and a sizable group of party supporters, congregated at Kavitha's residence, chanting slogans. The ED had alleged that Kavitha had ties to a lobby of liquor traders known as the "South Group," who were attempting to exert influence under the now-defunct Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. She underwent three rounds of interrogation regarding this matter last year, during which the central agency documented her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Kavitha has previously stated that she is innocent and has accused the BJP-led Central government of manipulating the Enforcement Directorate (ED), suggesting that the saffron party is attempting to gain influence in Telangana through indirect means. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also interrogated Kavitha in relation to this case. The ED initiated a money laundering investigation based on the FIR filed by the CBI. During its investigation, the ED stated that it discovered Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai, who was arrested last year in connection with the case, played a significant role in the entire scheme. This scheme involved substantial kickbacks and the establishment of the largest cartel in the South Group. The South Group includes figures such as Telangana MLC Kavitha, Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Group), Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy (MP, Ongole), his son Raghav Magunta, and others. Pillai, along with Abhishek Boinpalli and Butchi Babu, represented the South Group, as per the findings of the federal agency's investigation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted its inaugural chargesheet in the matter. The agency disclosed that it has conducted close to 200 search operations thus far, subsequent to initiating an FIR upon receiving a recommendation from the Delhi Lieutenant Governor following a CBI case. The CBI investigation was prompted by a report from the Delhi Chief Secretary in July, which highlighted apparent breaches of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, as per officials. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed its initial chargesheet in a case. They've conducted around 200 search operations related to this case after starting an investigation following a suggestion from the Delhi Lieutenant Governor. According to the accusations, the Excise Department decided to give back about Rs 30 crore to a winning bidder, breaking the rules. Even though there was no proper provision for it, they waived off the license fees from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19. This allegedly led to a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the government, which is being looked into based on a referral from the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday slammed the State Bank of India (SBI), the nation's largest lender, for failing to disclose comprehensive information regarding the electoral bonds scheme. The top court ordered the bank to provide full details, revealing crucial links between donors and political parties. The electoral bond scheme, which allowed individuals and businesses to donate to political parties anonymously, has come under scrutiny for its lack of transparency. SC Responds To EC's Petition Responding to a petition filed by the Election Commission, the apex court issued directives to SBI, urging the bank to provide not only the details it had already shared but also the electoral bond numbers. The five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, emphasized the importance of disclosing all relevant information related to electoral bonds, which the court had previously struck down. The top court said that the judgment of the Constitution bench clarified that all details of electoral bonds will be made available including the date of purchase, name of the purchaser, and the denomination and asked SBI why it has not disclosed the electoral bonds (unique alphanumeric numbers). Electoral Bonds: Supreme Court says SBI has not disclosed the numbers of the electoral bonds, which it had to do https://t.co/s5Jfkv8J1f ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 SBI's Failure To Fully Disclose Bond Numbers Chief Justice Chandrachud expressed disappointment with SBI's failure to disclose bond numbers, highlighting the necessity of this information. The court directed the SBI to rectify this omission and provide a complete account of electoral bond transactions during the past five years. "Who is appearing for the State Bank of India? They have not disclosed the bond numbers. It has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India," Chief Justice Chandrachud said right at the outset of the hearing. Notice To SBI And Next Hearing In response to the court's notice, SBI has been summoned to explain its lapses during the upcoming hearing scheduled for March 18. The top court's scrutiny underscores the significance of transparency in electoral financing. SC Accepts EC's Request Supreme Court also accepted the request of ECI to return the data for being uploaded on the website. Supreme Court directed the Registrar Judicial to ensure that documents are scanned and digitised and once the exercise is complete the original documents shall be given back to ECI and it will then be uploaded on the website on or before March 17. Affidavit Filed By SBI Chairman The Chairman of SBI, Dinesh Kumar Khara, filed an affidavit on March 13, detailing the bank's compliance with the court's orders. The affidavit outlined the information furnished to the Election Commission, including the purchase and encashment dates of electoral bonds, as well as the names of purchasers and political parties involved. Data On Electoral Bonds According to SBI's affidavit, a total of 22,217 bonds were purchased between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2024. The bank also provided a breakdown of bond transactions during this period, highlighting both purchases and redemptions. SC Warns SBI Of Contempt Of Court The Supreme Court cautioned SBI against contempt of court for any willful disobedience of its directives. Non-compliance with the court's orders could result in severe consequences for the bank, it said. Earlier court rulings mandated SBI to disclose electoral bond details by March 12, rejecting the bank's request for an extension until June 30. The court reiterated its stance on transparency, emphasizing the importance of timely disclosure. SC Strikes Down Electoral Bonds Scheme The court's decision to strike down the electoral bonds scheme reflects concerns over anonymous funding to political parties. The scheme, along with related amendments to tax and electoral laws, faced criticism for facilitating unchecked financial contributions. New Delhi: Just Days after Haryana witnessed the appointment of its new Chief Minister Nayab Saini after Manoharlal Khattar's resignation, Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) Chairman Bhaopal Singh Khadri resigned from hins post on Friday. Bhopal Singh Khadri, the Chairman of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), has tendered his resignation to the Haryana government. His decision follows the recent change in Chief Minister in the state, with Naib Saini now assuming the role in place of Manohar Lal Khattar. Khadri, hailing from a humble background, embarked on his political journey as a village sarpanch. His trajectory saw him progress from this grassroots role to eventually serving as a member of the HSSC, culminating in his appointment as Chairman. Recently, Khadri has been embroiled in controversy surrounding Group C and D recruitments in Haryana, with numerous recruitment cases now under scrutiny by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This backdrop, coupled with speculation about Manohar Lal's potential departure from the Chief Ministerial position, has underscored the broader political landscape in the state. Following the public disclosure of information by the SBI regarding the Electoral Bonds scheme, Congress President M. Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday called for a thorough investigation into the electoral bonds program and insisted that the Bhartiya Janta Partys (BJP) bank accounts should be suspended until the investigation. He highlighted that the ruling party has benefited by Rs 6,060 crore over a span of five years. Kharge suspected the potential pattern of multiple companies bought electoral bonds shortly after being subjected to raids by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department, reported PTI. He further claimed that BJP collected crores through the scheme while Congress Partys account was frozen. "Prime Minister says 'Na khaunga, na khane dunga (Will not eat, will not let others eat)', but today it has been exposed by the Supreme Court how the BJP has made money out of electoral bonds. SBI data shows BJP got 50 per cent donations and Congress got only 11 per cent," Kharge said. He also questioned the percentage share of the electoral bonds as of the Voters share, If you look at our voter percentage, we represent nearly one-third, with the rest, including the BJP, constituting two-thirds. However, in terms of donations, they received over 50 percent. How did they acquire such a large sum? How can corporations or other entities provide such hefty donations?" Kharge told PTI Speaking about the utilization of central enforcement agencies by the government, The Congress president asked that there are numerous questionable donors. Who are these individuals? Adding that they are either implicated in cases by the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, or targeted by these agencies. Ultimately, the Government of India, particularly Narendra Modi and his party, coerced these individuals into donating more to their party. Otherwise, such a significant disparity would not exist. Highlighting that the Congress's bank accounts were frozen and seized, rendering them inoperable, Kharge stated, "The Income Tax department was directed to take this action, resulting in the freezing of nearly Rs 300 crore." He further alleged that a person suddenly becomes clean after joining BJP. "Hence, I demand a high-level inquiry, and until the truth is revealed, their (BJP) accounts should also be frozen. A specialised investigation must be conducted to ascertain whether they received funds in exchange for favours or through coercion, or if donations were solicited to resolve their cases," he asserted. New Delhi: Just weeks ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered major injuries on her face after she fell in her home at Kalighat in Kolkata. 69-year-old Trinamool Congress leader suffered sharp cuts on her forehead and nose and was bleeding profusely. According to reports, Banerjee fell in her residence at Harish Chatterjee Street in Kolkata after she returned from the inauguration event of the statue of former West Bengal CM Subrata Mukherjee. Her nephew and TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and sister-in-law Kajari Banerjee were at CM's residence when she fell somewhere inside the house. As per reports, Mamata Banerjee was walking in her drawing room when she slipped and fell down striking her head against a glass showcase and got a sharp cut on her forehead and nose. Abhishek Banerjee rushed her aunt to the hospital and she was admitted to SSKM Hospital. Reports stated that Banerjee suffered a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut on her forehead and nose which was bleeding profusely. After being admitted to the hospital, she was she was assessed by senior doctors of the neurosurgery, medicine, and cardiology departments of our institute and her vitals were stabilised. Banerjee got three stitches on her forehead, and one on her nose and tests like ECG, echocardiogram, CT-Scan, and Doppler were done. New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was discharged from hospital after undergoing stitches and medical tests after she suffered a major injury on her head on Thursday. Banerjee had a sharp cut on her forehead and nose after she fell inside her Kalighat home in south Kolkata after she returned from a programme. TMC national general secretary and Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee got her admitted to the hospital, according to party sources. "She fell somewhere inside the home and was immediately shifted to the hospital. She was bleeding from the forehead and stitches were required," her brother Kartik Banerjee told a Bengali news channel, reported PTI. "She had a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut on her forehead and nose which was bleeding profusely. Initially, she was assessed by senior doctors of the neurosurgery, medicine, and cardiology departments of our institute and her vitals were stabilised. Three stitches were applied on her forehead, and one on her nose and the required dressing was done. Investigations like ECG, echocardiogram, CT-Scan, and Doppler were done," he said. Bandopadhyay said the chief minister was advised to remain at the hospital for observation but she preferred to go home. "She will continue to be under close watch and treatment. She will again be assessed tomorrow and subsequent treatment will be decided accordingly," he said. The TMC in the evening posted pictures of Banerjee bleeding from her forehead. "Our chairperson @MamataOfficial sustained a major injury. Please keep her in your prayers," the party posted on X. A number of prominent personalities expressed shock at the mishap. Wishing Banerjee a quick recovery, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, "I pray for a quick recovery and the best health for Mamata Didi." I pray for a quick recovery and the best health for Mamata Didi. @MamataOfficial Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2024 According to senior TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar enquired about the chief minister's health condition and expressed "deep anguish and wished for her speedy recovery." Dhankhar is a former West Bengal governor. Between all the political affairs ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Odisha's Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) president Manmohan Samal stepped into the political arena after his statement on forming the government alone in the state. A few hours after his statement on 'sole' government, Samal retracted his words and said that the partys Parliamentary Boards decision in this regard is final. Odisha BJP chief, who returned to Bhubaneswar on Thursday morning, has been asked to rush back to Delhi and attend the meeting with top party brass, PTI reported. Who is Manmohan Samal? Manmohan Samal played a major role in Odisha politics and held several significant positions within the party. Samal currently plays a prominent role as Odisha President and working on the party strategy within the state. Earlier, he also served as the Revenue Minister and also been a former Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Odisha. In conversation with ANI, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal said that the Election Committee will make recommendations and send them to the Parliamentary Party, "The Prime Minister a PM for the third time and form our Government in Odisha, we will contest these elections with the honour of Odisha," Samal said. In alliance with BJD, he said that no discussion has been made on this. Earlier, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in a one-line statement that "rumours" and "lies" were the worst aspects of politics. later, the BJP top brass called its state unit leaders and those in charge of elections in Odisha to Delhi for a discussion. NEW DELHI: In a bold rebuttal to the United States' recent stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Government of India (GoI) has unequivocally dismissed the notion put forth by the US State Department regarding the monitoring of CAA implementation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the US statements as "misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted." MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized during a press briefing that the CAA is centred on providing citizenship rather than revoking it. He reiterated that the law aims to address statelessness, uphold human dignity, and support human rights, aligning with India's inclusive ethos and longstanding commitment to human rights. Jaiswal clarified, "The CAA grants safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, who have entered India on or before December 31, 2014." The MEA's response comes on the heels of remarks made by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, expressing concerns and stating, "We are closely monitoring this law (and) how it will be implemented," particularly in light of its potential impact on religious freedom in India. However, Jaiswal asserted that such apprehensions are unfounded and reiterated India's commitment to democratic principles, emphasizing respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities. #WATCH | On CAA, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "As you are well aware, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and a long-standing commitment to human rights. The act grants a safe haven to pic.twitter.com/cJBiDvI7JU ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 Controversy Surrounding CAA Implementation The Central government's recent notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which effectively enforces the contentious CAA of 2019, has sparked further controversy and legal challenges. Various parties, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), as well as political figures like Debabrata Saika and Abdul Khaleque, have approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the implementation of these rules. IUML, a petitioner challenging the CAA since 2019, argues that the rules create a discriminatory regime based solely on religious identity, violating constitutional provisions and international obligations. They assert that the CAA undermines secularism, a fundamental tenet of the Indian Constitution. Legal Battle Over CAA The CAA, enacted in December 2019 amidst nationwide protests, expedites citizenship for persecuted minorities from neighboring countries. However, critics argue that it discriminates against Muslims and undermines India's secular fabric. The law, which amends the Citizenship Act of 1955, provides a path to citizenship for specific religious groups from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, excluding Muslims. Additionally, certain regions in Northeast India are exempt from its provisions. As legal battles ensue, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear pleas seeking a stay on the CAA Rules, 2024, highlighting the ongoing contentious debate surrounding the legislation's implementation. MUMBAI: The Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, 19th Court, Esplanade Mumbai has acquitted Diamond Merchant Girish Kadel in a case filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate P. Modi in an order on March 2, 2024, decided to dismiss the complaint filed on June 21, 2019 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. Resultantly, Businessman Girish Kadel stands acquitted of the offence under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 read with Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962. The Court noted that the Special Public Prosecutor was also absent. No one on his behalf has been attending the proceedings of the case since long. Therefore it can be said that the complainant or his department is not interested to proceed further with this case. The DRI had filed the complaint in question before the ACMM Court with respect to the inquiry being conducted in the alleged overvaluation in imports of rough diamonds by M/s Antique Exim Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Tanman Jewels Pvt. Ltd. In 2022, the Bombay High Court had set aside the show cause notices issued to parties and government officials involved in an overvaluation of diamonds. The show cause notice was issued to Girish Kadel and others, including government-approved valuers. valentinrussanov / Getty Images Youll want to act fast to protect your money. Check Out: 4 Ways To Find Tax Deductions That Work For You in 2024 Read Next: 5 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money The Trump-era Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 lowered tax rates across the board. Now, the legislation is slated to expire if Congress doesnt act to extend it, or pass a new tax bill. Given division within the current Congress, the passage of a similar bill or expansion is unlikely at this point. Heres what you need to know about the TCJA and how to protect your assets ahead of the bills expected expiration. Learn More: Trump-Era Tax Cuts Are Expiring How Changes Will Impact Retirees Sponsored: $20k or more in credit card debt? Lower the amount you owe in just 3 simple steps. Provisions of The Tax Cuts and Jobs (TCJA) Act TIAA explained that the TCJA brought widespread changes in terms of the federal tax code. The top tax rate dropped from 39.6% to 37%. The 33% rate fell to 32%, the 28% rate to 24% and the 25% rate to 22%. Another key provision that the TCJA implemented was an increase in the standard deduction, which went from $13,000 in 2017 to $29,200 in 2024 for married couples and from $6,500 to $14,600 for single filers. Many taxpayers have stopped itemizing deductions as a result, making it easier for them to reduce their taxable income without going through a complicated process. The third key provision of the TCJA was an increase in the per-person estate and gift tax exemption. The exemption increased from $5.5 million in 2017 to $13.6 million for 2024. This has allowed wealthy Americans to leave more of their estates to their next of kin tax-free. Were reminding our clients that they have to consider their total assets not just what is in an investment account, Kevin ORegan, senior wealth adviser at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, explained to the Wall Street Journal. Once you factor in the appreciation of, say, a primary residence, as well as the growth of an investment account over time, the impact of estate taxes could be significant. Story continues The TCJA Will Sunset Next Year All TCJA tax breaks affecting individuals will effectively expire at midnight on Dec. 31, 2025. What does this mean for taxpayers if the bill isnt extended? Starting in 2026, tax rates will increase across the board, the standard deduction will go down, and estates will face higher levels of taxation. If youre concerned about the increased tax burden that will come with the expiration of the TCJA, there are some crucial financial moves you can make now to shield your income from taxation. Types Of Nontaxable Investments To Make Before December 2025 Here are three ways to reduce your tax liability ahead of the expiration of the TCJA, according to TIAA: Roth IRA conversions: When income tax rates increase after Dec. 31, 2025, so too will the tax rates on your investment gains. One way to avoid increased tax liability now is to convert your retirement account to a Roth IRA. Post-tax income is used to make contributions and purchase investments in a Roth IRA. So, youll pay income tax on the fund now and your funds, including the gains, will be tax-free upon retirement. Essentially, youll avoid the higher tax rates in the future by paying the taxes on your contributions now. Charitable giving: When the standard deduction gets cut in half upon expiration of the TCJA, its likely that people who stopped itemizing deductions will start again in order to reduce their tax liabilities. Bundling your charitable giving can help. For example, take a married couple who stopped itemizing deductions in 2018 but who still gives $10,000 per year to charity. If they wait until 2026 to make one bundled $30,000 donation (for tax years 2024, 2025, and 2026), they could significantly reduce their tax liability by donating a larger sum once tax rates are back up in 2026. Reduce your taxable estate: At the moment, wealthy Americans can pass on $13.6 million to their heirs and completely avoid federal and estate taxes. That threshold will be halved after the TCJA expires. However, by giving away some of your money now, you can reduce the value of your estate, thus reducing your estate tax liability come 2026. For example, individuals and couples can give away $18,000 and $36,000, respectively, to any recipient without even using their lifetime exemption for the tax year 2024. So if youre a retired couple with five children, you could give each of them $36,000, thereby reducing your taxable estate by $180,000. Tax attorneys will be very busy with these issues, explained Jonathan Fishburn, a tax-and-estate lawyer with TIAAs wealth planning strategies team. This is not something you can leave until the second half of 2025. In short, taking these important tax planning measures now can save you and your family a bundle for years to come. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Trump-Era Tax Cuts Are Expiring: 3 Types of Nontaxable Investments To Make New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation from his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, to visit Bhutan next week, according to an announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday. The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Bhutan's Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay took place in New Delhi on Thursday. In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs stated, "On behalf of the King of Bhutan, PM Tshering Tobgay extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bhutan next week. Prime Minister accepted the invitation." On behalf of the King of Bhutan, Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bhutan next week. PM Modi has accepted the invitation: MEA pic.twitter.com/08qjHTDGMz ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024 PM Modi, Bhutan PM Discuss Bilateral Ties During their meeting, both leaders reviewed the progress in various bilateral partnership areas, emphasizing infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and development cooperation. They reiterated their commitment to strengthening the special India-Bhutan friendship. "Both leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship," the release also said. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay expressed deep appreciation for India's role as a reliable, trusted, and valued partner in Bhutan's developmental priorities. "The Prime Minister of Bhutan conveyed his deep appreciation for India's role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutan's developmental priorities," the MEA release said. Recent Bilateral Visits This visit follows Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay's first overseas visit since assuming office in February 2024. Previously, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan paid an official visit to India in November 2023, where he travelled to Assam, New Delhi, and Maharashtra. During this visit, discussions were held between King Wangchuck and PM Modi on bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest. India and Bhutan share enduring and exceptional bilateral ties characterized by trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding. The recent exchange of visits underscores the commitment of both nations to further enhance cooperation across various sectors. During his visit to India, King Wangchuck extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bhutan officially. New Delhi: In a scathing attack on the BJP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has labeled the electoral bonds scheme as the worlds biggest extortion racket and a "brainchild'' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a press briefing amidst the final leg of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi charged that the scheme, initially touted by PM Modi as a means to purify political finance, has devolved into a mechanism for coercing Indias largest corporations into funding the BJP. He expressed hope for an impending investigation into these allegations. "It was meant to intimidate corporates into giving money to the BJP....It is the largest extortion racket in the world....I hope investigation takes place," he added. Gandhi accused the scheme of being a tool for political manipulation, asserting that it facilitated the fragmentation of parties such as the Shiv Sena and NCP and contributed to the downfall of state governments. Addressing inquiries about the Congress receiving electoral bonds from companies that secured state contracts, Gandhi dismissed any correlation, emphasizing that opposition-run governments do not oversee national-level contracts or control central investigative agencies. The Congress leader highlighted the anonymity provision of the scheme, suggesting it was designed to enable discreet corporate donations. He claimed that companies previously non-donors to the BJP began contributing following investigations by the CBI and ED. Gandhi did not mince words, accusing the Prime Minister of orchestrating a huge theft through the electoral bonds scheme, which he described as Modis brainchild. He further alleged that the BJP-led central government has commandeered national institutions to engage in corrupt practices, including using electoral bonds to engineer political upheaval. Gandhi assured punitive measures against such activities under a future non-BJP government. In light of recent departures by prominent Maharashtra Congress figures Ashok Chavan and Milind Deora, Gandhi maintained that the partys unity remains unshaken, projecting significant victories in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Concluding the conference, Gandhi left the decision of his potential candidacy from Amethi to the partys central election committee and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, reflecting on his previous electoral experiences in Amethi and Wayanad. RLJP chief Pashupati Paras indicates his party may walk out of NDA if not give "due respect" Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras on Friday alleged that the BJP has not treated his LJP faction fairly and suggested that he might leave the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stating that they have the freedom to explore the "doors are open." While talking to media he showed his dissatisfaction on the BJP alliance as the party finalised a seat-sharing agreement with his nephew Chirag Paswan, who leads a separate faction of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on the Hajipur constituency. This deal overlooked the Union minister's assertion of rights over several Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, including Hajipur. "Today, our parliamentary board members held a meeting. According to media reports, the NDA has not given our party due preference in seat-sharing in Bihar. Because of this, there is a lot of disappointment among our party workers," the RLJP leader was quoted as saying by PTI. We will wait for the official announcement of the NDA candidates in Bihar and then take a decision, he added. Paras showed that he is firm on the decision of contesting from Hajipur and other party MLAs from the seats they were elected in 2019 Lok Sabha. #WATCH | Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party president Pashupati Kumar Paras says, "...We had a meeting of our Parliamentary Board today. The members have decided that unless all the BJP's lists (of candidates) are released, we urge their national president, Prime pic.twitter.com/roOmL5oamD March 15, 2024 Following the demise of Ram Vilas Paswan in 2020, the Lok Janshakti Party divided into two factions. Paras, his brother, leads the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), while his son, Chirag Paswan, leads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), both factions being part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). During a press conference, Paras expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP's handling of seat-sharing in Bihar for the Lok Sabha elections, stating that his party did not receive the expected consideration. He urged the BJP leadership to reconsider its decision, highlighting RLJP's status as a steadfast ally with five MPs in the state. Paras emphasised that his party has maintained its alliance with the BJP faithfully. However, he remarked that his party's interests have not been adequately addressed. He stated that they would wait for the BJP's official candidate announcements before making a decision. Moscow: Voting for presidential elections will take place in Russia from March 15-17. Polling stations have already opened in Russia's Far Eastern regions, particularly the easternmost Kamchatka and Chukotka, TASS reported. Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov became the first regional head to cast his vote. People across Russia ate voting to elect their President for the next six years. For the first time, the people of Donbass and Novorossia will vote for the Russian presidential elections. It is the first time that the latest technologies tested during earlier lower-level polls--a three-day voting period and a remote vote--will be used during the presidential elections. The candidates who are contesting for top state post in the 2024 election are Vladislav Davankov, Russia's incumbent President Vladimir Putin, Leonid Slutsky and Nikolay Kharitonov. New People's Party has nominated Vladislav Davankov, with Putin being a self-designated candidate. Leonid Slutsky of the LDPR party and Nikolay Kharitonov are also in fray from the Communist Party of Russia, according to TASS At the very start of the presidential race, as many as 33 people, including nine contenders from parties and 24 independent contenders, planned to contest for Russia's top state post. Among them, only 15 people submitted the documents needed to be registered as candidates. Only 11 candidates remained in the presidential race when the deadline for submitting documents expired on January 1. Eventually, only four candidates were registered. It is the first time that the presidential polls in Russia will be conducted over three days. According to Russian Central Election Commission Chair Ella Pamfilova, the people liked this format as it gives them more opportunity to cast votes in the presidential polls, TASS reported. Over 94,000 polling stations will be open in Russia from 8 am (local time) to 8 pm (local time). Except several regions abroad, the voting will formally end on March 17 at 9 pm (local time) when polling stations in Kaliningrad will close. As many as 295 polling stations will open in 144 foreign nations and on the territory of Baikonur space centre, which Russia has leased from Kazakhstan. The exact timeframe of the vote will differ from nation to nation. Thailand will be the first nation where polling stations will open at the Russian Consulate General in Phuket. Also, during the presidential elections, people will have the option to cast their vote electronically. Online voting is available in 29 regions, including Moscow. People were asked to submit applications to cast their ballots online from January 29 to March 11, TASS reported. More than 4.7 million people applied to vote online. People will get to know about the results of the online vote on March 17 from 10 pm (local time) to 11 pm (local time). So far, Putin has served four terms as Russian President. He was elected Russian President in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2012, and 2018, Al Jazeera reported. If he wins, Putin will serve another six years, due to constitutional amendments that have expanded the term. This would mark his fifth term. He can then be re-elected again in 2030 for a sixth term. New Delhi: As soon as the Election Commission Of India released the data for the electoral bonds on its portal, the question which was on almost all people's minds since this case began: who would have bought the bonds of highest worth? The question has been answered, the Future Gaming and Hotel Services of Santiago Martin has emerged as the number one electoral bond buyer with bonds worth Rs 1368 crore. Who Is Santiago Martin? Santiago Martin is the founder and chairman of the Martin Group of Companies who began his life as a labourer in Myanmar and then started a lottery business in Coimbatore. Starting from lottery Santiago's businesses now range from Real state to software and technology. Martin's charitable trust website narrates his journey, commencing as a labourer in Yangon, Myanmar, the Hindustan Times reported. In 1988, he returned back to India and established a lottery enterprise in Tamil Nadu. Return From Myanmar And The Lottery Business Martin returned to India from Myanmar and started a lottery business in 1988, the Martin Lottery Agencies Ltd in Coimbatore at the tender age of 13. He expanded from Coimbatore to other southern regions of Karnataka and Kerala. He further built his empire on the hopes and dreams of the common man expanding his business to Maharashtra, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Meghalaya. Santiago Martin: Political Connection And Controversies Famously known as 'Lottery Martin,' Santiago's name was attached to most of the political scandals about the left in Kerala state. Martin also made controversial headlines with fraud allegations of the Skkim Government of over Rs 4500 crore. Arrest Under AIADMK Regime Martin had close ties with DMK and was known to bring fortunes to the party but when the AIADMK came to power Lottery King was arrested along with hundreds of the DMK leaders under land grab charges and the Goondas Act. However, Santiago Martin was released on bail after Madras High Court quashed his detention. Martin was facing CBI chargesheets for several lottery cases and was jailed for 8 months. One of the latest crackdowns on Martin was in May 2023 when ED attached Rs 457 crore under Money Laundering (Prevention) Act with the case that was allegedly linked to a loss of over 900 crores to the Sikkim government. NEW DELHI: The State Bank of India (SBI), the countrys largest lender, recently provided the details of all electoral bonds sold from 2019 to 2024 to the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is now being published on its website in a phased manner. In compliance with the Supreme Court's directive, SBI shared the information with the poll panel on March 12 and presented the affidavit about the same with the apex court on March 13. Importantly, the top court had given the ECI time till March 15 to upload the data on its website. The electoral body has uploaded the 'Disclosure of Electoral Bonds' submitted by SBI into two sections on as is where is basis. Electoral Bonds In Political Funding Electoral bonds have emerged as a novel mechanism in the domain of political funding since their inception in 2017. They provided individuals and corporate entities with the opportunity to donate unlimited sums of money to political parties anonymously. Until a landmark Supreme Court decision in mid-February, the bonds were acquired from SBI in fixed denominations and handed over to political parties without the need for disclosing the donors' identities, thus revolutionizing the funding landscape. Who Can Buy Electoral Bonds? Electoral bonds are accessible to individuals who are citizens of India or entities incorporated or established in the country. Both individuals and groups have the liberty to purchase these bonds either individually or jointly with other individuals. Who Can Receive Funding Through Electoral Bonds? Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and securing at least one percent of the votes polled in the last General Election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State are eligible to receive electoral bonds. How To Encash Electoral Bonds? The encashment of electoral bonds is exclusively facilitated through authorized bank accounts held by eligible political parties. These parties can redeem the bonds only through designated banks within a specified period. Which Bank Can Issue And Encash Electoral Bonds? The Government of India has designated the State Bank of India (SBI) as the sole authorized entity for issuing and encashing electoral bonds through its specified branches during allocated sale phases. What Is The Validity Period For An Electoral Bond? Electoral bonds are valid for fifteen calendar days from the date of issue. Failure to encash the bonds within this timeframe renders them ineligible for payment to the beneficiary political party. How Do Electoral Bonds Work? These bonds, available in various denominations, can be procured from SBI branches during designated periods specified by the government. Upon acquisition, political parties can encash these bonds through their designated bank accounts within the stipulated timeframe. Who Benefits From Electoral Bonds? Political parties are the primary beneficiaries of electoral bonds, receiving contributions from public or corporate entities. The opacity surrounding donor identities has prompted calls for enhanced transparency and accountability in the political funding process. How To Buy Electoral Bonds? Eligible individuals and entities can purchase electoral bonds from specified branches of SBI in various denominations ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore. Are Electoral Bonds Tax-Free? Electoral bonds, while tax-exempt for individuals or entities, are subject to the provisions of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act. This provision governs the acceptance of donations by political parties. Why Electoral Bonds Are Issued? Introduced through the Finance Act, 2017, electoral bonds were purported to promote transparency in political funding by directing donations through banking channels. However, concerns have been raised regarding the opacity surrounding the sources of these funds. Who Can Accept Electoral Bonds? Legally registered political parties meeting specified criteria can accept electoral bonds within fifteen days of issuance. Electoral Bonds Vs Electoral Trusts? Electoral bonds, challenged before the Supreme Court, have supplanted electoral trusts as the primary mode of political funding. The distinction lies in the level of transparency offered, with electoral bonds prioritizing donor anonymity. Do Electoral Bonds Come Under RTI? A Supreme Court verdict deemed the electoral bonds scheme violative of the right to information, citing concerns about transparency and free speech. The anonymous nature of the scheme was identified as a barrier to accountability. What Are The Concerns Regarding Electoral Bonds? Critics have voiced apprehensions about electoral bonds, citing the potential for corruption and undue influence resulting from undisclosed donor identities. Calls for reforms aim to address these concerns and ensure integrity in the political funding process. How Electoral Bonds Impact Political Funding? The advent of electoral bonds has transformed political funding dynamics, providing a legal avenue for contributions while maintaining donor anonymity. However, concerns persist about the implications for transparency and accountability. How Will Political Funding Work Now? Despite challenges, political funding avenues remain open through direct donations and electoral trusts. However, stringent regulations and increased scrutiny are imperative to mitigate potential loopholes and ensure compliance. How Much BJP And Other Parties Received? The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the highest beneficiary of electoral bonds, encashing bonds worth Rs 6060.5 crore between April 12, 2019, and January 24, 2024. Other major parties, including the All India Trinamool Congress and the Congress, also received substantial sums through this mechanism. New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated an investigation into Alphabet's Google, alleging that the tech giant has exploited its dominant position within the country's online market. The commission noted that it believes Google has potentially breached certain sections of the Act, namely Section 4(2)(a), Section 4(2)(b), and Section 4(2)(c), based on initial observations. This calls for further investigation into the matter. (Also Read: McDonalds Suffers Worldwide Tech Outage, Customers Unable To Place Orders) In a statement, the CCI mentioned, In view of the foregoing, the Commission is of the prima facie view that Google has violated the provisions of Section 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b) and 4(2)(c) of the Act, as elaborated supra which warrants detailed investigation. (Also Read: Bengaluru Commuter Faces 50-minute Wait Time For Uber, Says City Is Messed up) Accordingly, the Commission directs the Director General ('DG') to cause an investigation to be made into the matter under the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Act. The Commission also directs the DG to complete the investigation and submit a consolidated investigation report within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of this order." This decision came after multiple Indian app developers and industry groups filed a complaint against Google and raised concerns about the unfair practices of Google in the past. The CCI's investigative arm has been given 60 days to complete the probe. Last month, Google removed over 100 apps from 10 Indian developers for not complying with its billing policies. The apps were later restored, but the developers must now adhere to Play Store billing policies. The commission has accused Google of implementing its policies in a discriminatory way. It alleged that Google is making arbitrary distinctions between apps that offer digital goods and services versus those that offer physical goods and services, even though they provide similar facilities on the Play Store. Earlier this month, startup founders said that they will continue to oppose the tech giant imposing a fee of 11 to 26 per cent on in-app payments. "Google charging up to 26 per cent of the app's revenue, represents a significant financial burden for app developers," TrulyMadly Co-Founder & CEO, Snehil Khanor, said. During the ADIF (Alliance of Digital India Foundation) conference, the founders told reporters that their business dropped by around 40 per cent on the second day after their apps were delisted. (With Inputs From IANS) New Delhi: McDonalds system outages have been reported worldwide on Friday. The system failure led to customers being unable to order food in some parts of the world. Certain McDonalds restaurants resumed normal operations after experiencing issues, with customers able to place orders and receive their food at establishments in Bangkok, Milan, and London. McDonald's in Japan announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that many of their stores across the country have temporarily closed. They apologized for any inconvenience this may have caused to their customers. (Also Read: Bengaluru Commuter Faces 50-minute Wait Time For Uber, Says City Is Messed up) The communication manager for McDonalds Denmark in a statement to the Associated Press said that We are aware of a technology failure that has affected our restaurants. The issue has now been resolved and our restaurants are open,. (Also Read: Rare 4GB Original iPhone Goes Up For Auction: Here's All You Need To Know) According to Downdetector, a website that monitors technical problems with apps and websites, there was a sudden increase in reports of problems with the McDonald's app in Australia at approximately 2 a.m. ET on Friday. The global fast food chain has approximately 40,000 restaurants worldwide, including over 14,000 stores in the United States. According to its regional websites, it operates close to 3,000 stores in Japan and about 1,000 in Australia. The outage also appeared to impact customers in Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the UK, as individuals took to social media to express frustrations about disruptions at various stores. Earlier this month, Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, experienced technical problems that caused disruptions in their services worldwide, affecting hundreds of thousands of users for over two hours. Increased frequency to 4 days a week allows Taiwan businesses to deliver 30% more volume, and more regularly, to 56+ countries and territories in Europe, in as little as 2 business days Shipments can be picked up as late as midnight and still benefit from same-day export, giving Taiwan businesses a "truly end-of-day" pickup experience, and more time to manufacture goods UPS currently offers the only money-back guaranteed international Express delivery service from Taiwan to Europe TAIPEI, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- UPS (NYSE: UPS) customers in Taiwan can now leverage the power of the global logistics service provider's network to more frequently export 30% more volume, and still get their shipments delivered within two business days to over 56 countries and territories in Europe. UPS adds shipping capacity for exports from Taiwan to Europe, providing customers with same-day export, midnight pickup cut off time, and delivery with money-back guaranteed services within 2 business days, helping customers expand their businesses in Europe. On top of that, customers benefit from same-day exports with extended shipment pickup times as late as midnight[1] for a "truly end-of-day" pickup experience, all while enjoying greater peace-of-mind using the only money-back guaranteed express delivery service currently available from Taiwan to Europe. "Europe remains an important export destination for UPS Taiwan, having consistently been amongst Taiwan's top three trading partners for almost two decades[2]," said Sam Hung, managing director UPS Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. Europe is where close to 20% of Taiwan's annual total exports are destined. In 2023, Taiwan's exports to Europe were worth US$37 billion, with 70% of these from infocomm and electrical products every year for the past decade.[3] "This enhancement gives our Taiwan customers wider production windows, greater convenience, better flexibility and control of their supply chains, and more opportunities to grow their business in Europe. Given that the high-tech and industrial manufacturing & automotive segments are forecasted to remain strong, we expect customers in these sectors to benefit the most from these improvements," added Sam. Story continues This is the latest in a series of network and facility enhancements by UPS in its Asia Pacific network. Since late 2023, the company announced a boost in global delivery times for a wide range of customers in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam some of the region's most dynamic and fastest-growing economies. These upgrades follow earlier investments in Japan, mainland China, Vietnam, South Korea, and most recently Hong Kong, where UPS will be opening a new state-of-the-art hub facility in 2028[4]. Through the strength of its global network and portfolio of integrated logistics solutions which include supply chain management, healthcare logistics, and customs brokerage, UPS remains committed to helping businesses reach more markets faster and navigate complex trade regulations to grow internationally. About UPS UPS (NYSE: UPS) is one of the world's largest companies, with a 2023 revenue of $91 billion, and provides a broad range of integrated logistics solutions for customers in more than 200 countries and territories. Focused on its purpose statement, "Moving our world forward by delivering what matters," the company's more than 500,000 employees embrace a strategy that is simply stated and powerfully executed: Customer First. People Led. Innovation Driven. UPS is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and supporting the communities we serve around the world. UPS also takes an unwavering stance in support of diversity, equity and inclusion. More information can be found at www.ups.com, about.ups.com and www.investors.ups.com. [1] Subject to pre-approval and customer demand. [2] "Department of Statistics, Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan" [3] "Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance of Taiwan" [4] UPS to boost global trade with enhanced operations at new hub at Hong Kong International Airport UPS (PRNewsfoto/UPS) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ups-adds-capacity-with-additional-flight-and-offers-midnight-shipment-pickup-times-for-taiwan-exports-to-europe-302090050.html SOURCE UPS VAALCO Energy (NYSE:EGY) Full Year 2023 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: US$455.1m (up 28% from FY 2022). Net income: US$60.4m (up 18% from FY 2022). Profit margin: 13% (down from 14% in FY 2022). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses. EPS: US$0.57. All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period VAALCO Energy Revenues and Earnings Beat Expectations Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 5.0%. Earnings per share (EPS) also surpassed analyst estimates by 35%. Looking ahead, revenue is expected to decline by 6.1% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, while revenues in the Oil and Gas industry in the US are expected to grow by 1.7%. Performance of the American Oil and Gas industry. The company's shares are up 26% from a week ago. Risk Analysis Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for VAALCO Energy that you should be aware of. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. GUANGZHOU, China, March 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viomi Technology Co., Ltd ("Viomi" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: VIOT), a leading IoT@Home technology company in China, recently held the Company's Spring New Home Water Solution Product and AIoT@Home Solution Product Launch Events. The series of new products was unveiled at the China Home Appliance and Consumer Electronics Expo (AWE) in Shanghai from March 14 to March 17. Kunlun, the new Viomi AI mineral water purifier released this time, carefully selects high-quality mineral sources and utilizes advanced techniques for intelligent system adjustments based on water temperature, flow, flow rate, and water pressure, ensuring a steady and durable release of mineral elements. The water filtered by Kunlun contains six beneficial minerals, including strontium (Sr2+) and metasilicic acid (H2SiO3), similar to natural mineral water. Notably, the Sr2+ content ranges from 0.4-1.4mg/L, surpassing the national standard of 0.2mg/L by two-fold. This innovation enables health-conscious individuals and families with infants and young children to continuously replenish beneficial minerals, ushering in a new era of healthier water purification. Mr. Xiaoping Chen, Founder and CEO of Viomi, commented: "We have been participating in the field of water purification for nearly a decade, leading the industry with 2000G ultra-large flux as well as ten years of long-lasting RO filter, cumulatively applied for over 1,300 related patents, and possessing the industry's most extensive manufacturing and R&D facilities. Going forward, we will further deepen our investment in the water purification industry chain, bringing more comprehensive residential water solutions to more families." Regarding our AIoT@Home business, we launched Alpha X, a cardiorespiratory detection radar equipped with millimeter-wave radar technology. This product adhered to the principle of 'AI: Helpful' and concentrated on monitoring and safeguarding family health. Equipped with our 60GHz millimeter-wave radar AI module, Alpha X is capable of scanning across an ultra-wideband frequency range. This, combined with the ability of AI deep learning algorithms, enables Alpha X to be contactless, detect heart/thorax micro-movement frequency in real-time, and recognize anomalies, thus solving the many inconveniences and difficulties older people face at home. We also introduced Super 3, the Viomi all-space AI air-conditioner 2.0, which intelligently adjusts the ambient temperature according to different sleep stages, providing enhanced comfort and helping to improve users' sleep quality. Meanwhile, as the demand for improved living increases throughout the housing market, we have further upgraded our one-stop IoT@Home solution with the launch of our multimillion-dollar Space series, which provides consumers with a stylish, customized, and more intelligent product experience. Story continues "During the AWE fair, our new products received widespread praise from the public. After tasting the mineral water purified from our new water purifier, Kunlun, the audiences were amazed at its outstanding taste. The real-time water quality feedback and the accurate display of filtration status offer a reassuring experience for the audience through technology. In Alpha X's on-site experience area and our AIoT@Home full-scene immersive space, audiences truly experienced the application of AI technology in the living environment, realized that technology not only provides a more convenient and intelligent user experience but also emphasizes the long-term companionship of health, eco-friendliness, and home security. We currently boast two major business segments, AI Water and AIoT@Home, enabling synergistic development. We will continue to advocate a healthy and 'AI: Helpful' life philosophy to provide users with more abundant 'healthy water' solutions and more caring and intelligent AIoT@Home solutions," Mr. Chen concluded. About Viomi Technology Viomi's mission is to redefine the future home via the concept of IoT @ Home. Viomi has developed a unique IoT @ Home platform consisting of an ecosystem of innovative IoT-enabled smart home products, together with a suite of complementary consumable products and value-added businesses. This platform provides an attractive entry point into the consumer home, enabling consumers to intelligently interact with a broad portfolio of IoT products in an intuitive and human-like manner to make daily life more convenient, efficient, and enjoyable, while allowing Viomi to grow its household user base and capture various additional scenario-driven consumption events in the home environment. For more information, please visit: http://ir.viomi.com. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Viomi Technology Co., Ltd Claire Ji E-mail: ir@viomi.com.cn Piacente Financial Communications Hui Fan Tel: +86-10-6508-0677 E-mail: viomi@tpg-ir.com In the United States: Piacente Financial Communications Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 E-mail: viomi@tpg-ir.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viomi-technology-co-ltd-launched-a-series-of-new-products-and-showcased-at-the-appliances-and-electronic-world-expo-in-shanghai-302090360.html SOURCE Viomi Technology Co., Ltd Under chief executive Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone has looked to trim its sprawling business and return to growth - Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg Vodafone will offload its Italian business to a Swiss rival for 8bn (6.8bn) as the struggling telecoms giant forges ahead with plans to slim down operations. Confirmation of an agreement with Swisscom was announced by Vodafone on Friday morning, as the company said it would return proceeds from the sale to investors through a share buyback. As part of the deal, Vodafone will continue to provide services to Swisscom for up to five years, with an annual charge of roughly 350m. The two companies said they were also exploring a closer commercial relationship outside Italy. Swisscom, which is majority-owned by the Swiss government, is the largest telecoms company in Switzerland. It also operates in Italy through the mobile and broadband firm Fastweb. Vodafone said the deal marked the final step in the reshaping of its European operations after the 5bn sale of its Spanish operations to Zegona. Bosses said the deals would create a combined 12bn in cash proceeds. This has enabled the launch of a 4bn share buyback, with an option to buy back a further 2bn after the Italy deal is completed. However, Vodafone will also halve its dividend to 4.5 cents per share from next year. Under chief executive Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone has looked to trim its sprawling business and return to growth. The telecoms giant has inked a 15bn deal with Three to create the UKs largest mobile network, though this faces regulatory scrutiny on both competition and national security grounds. But it is still struggling to turn around its fortunes in Germany, its largest market. Vodafone said it will restructure the group into five business divisions. As part of this overhaul, Vodafone Germany boss Philippe Rogge will step down. Karen Egan at Enders Analysis said: The company is highlighting how well it is positioned to grow now without Italy and Spain, and with the prospect of a better position in the UK. Germany is more important than ever, and the jury is still out on that turnaround. Story continues Vodafone said the deal with Swisscom is subject to regulatory clearance and approval from its shareholders. It has agreed that if shareholders do not approve the deal and it enters into an alternative transaction within 12 months, it will pay Swisscom a break fee of 150m. Ms Della Valle said: The sale of Vodafone Italy to Swisscom creates significant value for Vodafone and ensures the business maintains its leading position in Italy, which has been built through the dedicated commitment of our colleagues to serving our customers over many years. Going forward, our businesses will be operating in growing telco markets - where we hold strong positions - enabling us to deliver predictable, stronger growth in Europe. Vodafone also announced that Max Taylor will take up the role of UK chief executive. Mr Taylor, who is currently chief commercial officer, takes over the job from Ahmed Essam, who will become executive chairman of Vodafone Germany and chief executive of European markets. 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. John Lewis When John Lewis released its full year results on Thursday, it was keen to prove that it still had an army of loyal customers. I love a lunchtime walk around John Lewis, one shopper said in a video posted by the company alongside its results. Theres so much colour and the displays are fantastic, said another. I like coming to stores and browsing. Such sentiment has not been shared by all customers visiting John Lewis and Waitrose stores in recent years. Many who previously saw it as a touchstone in towns and city centres, instead complained that shops had become tired and uninviting. John Lewis used to be my store of choice as customer service was excellent and buyers did all the hard work sourcing reliable good value goods, one reader wrote last October when the Telegraph asked for shoppers views. This is no longer the case. A former John Lewis executive says: Theres serious work to be done. The stores really need looking after. Shops have become rough around the edges as the partnership directed its focus towards novel business lines such as finance and housebuilding. Under Dame Sharon White, John Lewis Partnership (JLP), which also owns Waitrose, pledged to make 40pc of profits outside of retail by 2030. The goal has led to a lack of focus and customers have been losing patience. Marks & Spencer leapfrogged JLP in the rankings of Britains biggest shops over the past year, according to Retail Weeks survey last month. Lidl could move ahead of JLP in total sales by early 2028, it warned. Now, bosses are starting to pay attention. Alongside confirming its first profit since the pandemic hit, JLP on Thursday announced a half a billion pound investment plan. Retailers are eternally dissatisfied people and all of us can see many ways of improving, Peter Ruis, the newly hired department store head, told reporters on Thursday. The bulk of JLPs 542m investment next year will go towards refreshing both John Lewis and Waitrose stores, modernising its technology and simplifying the business. Story continues John Lewis will be doubling the size of the beauty hall at its Oxford Street flagship this autumn just one example of how it will be modernising its estate. Its all about a return of our mojo, Ruis said. The former John Lewis executive says: What these places really have needed is a bit of investment. If you threw some cash back into stores, thatd be great. The 542m investment total which is 70pc higher than the previous year comes despite the fact staff will not receive their annual bonus for the second consecutive year. However, chairman Dame Sharon White insisted that this was in fact what workers, who are co-owners of the business, want. She said staff were consistently telling executives they wanted more investment in stores and more investment on pay, rather than a bonus. We know what partners really want, Dame Sharon told reporters on Thursday. We are meeting those priorities that partners have set. Alongside the higher investment total, 116m will be invested in lifting staff pay. Implicit in the renewed focus on shops is the fact that other pursuits from building rental properties to financial services are taking a back seat. Nish Kankiwala, who joined as chief executive a year ago, stated clearly that his focus was on retail. Efforts to reinvigorate the department stores are already bearing fruit, he claimed. This year, a million new customers came through the door and we returned to profit. We see a significant opportunity, which is why were doubling down on investment. A former senior John Lewis director said the pivot back to retail was encouraging and a step in the right direction. John Lewis chairman Dame Sharon White says there are still 'a lot of hard yards to go' - Darren Staples/Bloomberg Richard Lim from Retail Economics said it was absolutely the right strategy for them. The diversification drive had sparked scepticism from many, including the former John Lewis chief Andy Street who last year said: I genuinely dont know why theyve decided to do that. It had also proved difficult: plans to build tower blocks on top of Waitrose stores in London had met with local opposition and been tied up in red tape and consultations. Lim said: The focus on other areas outside of retail has been a distraction for them and as a result, parts of the core retail business have suffered. John Lewis has fallen behind rivals on pay in recent years: its new entry wage rate is 11.55 an hour, compared to 12.02 at Tesco and 12.40 at Aldi. (John Lewis claims it offers workers a much broader set of benefits than rivals and its average for non-management pay will be 12.35.) Then there were the shops themselves. James Bailey, Waitrose chief, admitted to The Telegraph last year that some of its stores were terribly organised. While JLP is most associated with its department stores, Waitrose has a far bigger footprint: the partnership has 329 Waitrose stores, compared to 34 John Lewis department shops. The supermarket is expected to be a major focus for spending plans over the coming year. 80 Waitrose are to be refurbished and new ones will be opened, with both full range supermarkets and convenience stores planned. Our optimism comes from the work weve done to work out where those shops will be and how much demand there is out there, Bailey said. We believe weve got lots of opportunities to reach new customers. Dame Sharon said: We are making progress and turning a positive corner. Still, she said the partnership was clearly not complacent in what it would mean to get more customers back. Theres a lot of hard yards to go. 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. Editor's note: Tibetan opera is a form of performance art that is deeply embedded with traditional Tibetan culture. It is most popular in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area in southwestern China. Combining acrobatics and chanting with other performing art forms, Tibetan opera was included on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2009. Tibetan opera, an ancient performing art, is highly representative of traditional Tibetan culture. It combines singing, dancing, chanting, acrobatics and religious elements. Performances' storylines cover everything from myths, legends and history to contemporary life events. Tibetan opera is most popular in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area in southwestern China. Thangtong Gyalpo, an eminent Tibetan Buddhist monk, is widely credited as its creator. He is deemed a great master of Tibetan opera. A story about Thangtong Gyalpo's contribution to Tibetan opera is widely accepted among the Tibetan people. Born in the late 14th century (between 1361-1385), Thangtong Gyalpo was a man ahead of his time. He built 58 iron bridges for local people, several of which are still in use today. To fund these projects, he created a new style of live performance. Based on religious dance, this new performance style showcased myths, folk tales and Buddhist stories by integrating narration, dialogue, music and dance. Actors and actresses wore different masks to represent different characters and their individual traits. Thangtong Gyalpo's style of opera is widely considered as the origin of modern Tibetan opera. However, some artists and historians trace Tibetan opera's roots even further back, to the early 7th century. In 641, Princess Wencheng of the Tang dynasty (618-907) married Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. At the welcoming ceremony for the princess, performers sang and danced, wearing animal-skin or cloth masks that denoted basic elements of traditional Tibetan opera's customary costume. In the 17th century, during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama, Tibetan opera evolved into an independent dramatic form, shifting its focus from religious rituals to artistic expression. During this time, many professional troupes formed, different artistic genres emerged and a good number of classical repertoires were created. Large-scale Tibetan operas have been performed during Shoton Festival, a traditional Tibetan festival that is still celebrated to this day. Today, Tibetan opera is also performed during other festivals, such as Ongkor Festival, Damar Festival and Tibetan New Year, attracting audiences from near and far. Actors wearing a variety of colorful costumes and painted masks narrate, sing or dance to display different roles. A red mask usually represents a king, green one for a queen and yellow one for a deity. "Rooted in Buddhist teachings, the stories told in Tibetan opera recount the triumph of good and the punishment of evil and therefore serve a social teaching function for the community. This multifaceted representative of Tibetan art and cultural heritage also acts as a bridge among Tibetans in different parts of the country, promoting ethnic unity and pride," UNESCO has stated. In 2006, Tibetan opera was included in the first group of national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of China. Later in 2009, it was added to UNESCO's ICH list. Both professional and amateur artists have contributed to Tibetan opera's heritage. Classic Tibetan operas, based on historic events and folk tales, such as "Princess Wencheng," "Prince Nor-bzang" and "Brothers Don-yod and Don-grub," are still among the most popular operas. Alongside preserving traditional elements of Tibetan opera, contemporary playwrights are also studying global artistic styles in order to enrich their own art form. In 2023, a Tibetan version of "Hamlet" was performed in Beijing, following a 2021 premiere in Shanghai. The script was translated by Nyima Dondrup, a nationally recognized playwright of Tibetan opera. Discover more treasures from China on UNESCO's ICH list: 2022: Traditional tea processing 2020: Wangchuan ceremony, taijiquan 2018: Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa 2016: Twenty-four solar terms 2013: Abacus-based Zhusuan 2012: Training plan for Fujian puppetry performers 2011: Shadow puppetry, Yimakan storytelling 2010: Peking opera, acupuncture and moxibustion, wooden movable-type printing, watertight-bulkhead technology of Chinese junks, Meshrep 2009: Yueju opera, Xi'an wind and percussion ensemble, traditional handicrafts of making Xuan paper, traditional firing techniques of Longquan celadon, Tibetan opera It's been a pretty great week for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) shareholders, with its shares surging 15% to US$286 in the week since its latest annual results. Results were roughly in line with estimates, with revenues of US$7.8b and statutory earnings per share of US$14.55. Following the result, the analysts have updated their earnings model, and it would be good to know whether they think there's been a strong change in the company's prospects, or if it's business as usual. We thought readers would find it interesting to see the analysts latest (statutory) post-earnings forecasts for next year. Check out our latest analysis for Williams-Sonoma Taking into account the latest results, Williams-Sonoma's 23 analysts currently expect revenues in 2025 to be US$7.72b, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Statutory per share are forecast to be US$14.88, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$7.61b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$14.70 in 2025. The consensus analysts don't seem to have seen anything in these results that would have changed their view on the business, given there's been no major change to their estimates. The consensus price target rose 36% to US$263despite there being no meaningful change to earnings estimates. It could be that the analystsare reflecting the predictability of Williams-Sonoma's earnings by assigning a price premium. That's not the only conclusion we can draw from this data however, as some investors also like to consider the spread in estimates when evaluating analyst price targets. There are some variant perceptions on Williams-Sonoma, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at US$330 and the most bearish at US$159 per share. This is a fairly broad spread of estimates, suggesting that analysts are forecasting a wide range of possible outcomes for the business. One way to get more context on these forecasts is to look at how they compare to both past performance, and how other companies in the same industry are performing. These estimates imply that revenue is expected to slow, with a forecast annualised decline of 0.4% by the end of 2025. This indicates a significant reduction from annual growth of 9.3% over the last five years. Compare this with our data, which suggests that other companies in the same industry are, in aggregate, expected to see their revenue grow 5.2% per year. So although its revenues are forecast to shrink, this cloud does not come with a silver lining - Williams-Sonoma is expected to lag the wider industry. Story continues The Bottom Line The most obvious conclusion is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with the analysts holding their earnings forecasts steady, in line with previous estimates. On the plus side, there were no major changes to revenue estimates; although forecasts imply they will perform worse than the wider industry. We note an upgrade to the price target, suggesting that the analysts believes the intrinsic value of the business is likely to improve over time. Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. At Simply Wall St, we have a full range of analyst estimates for Williams-Sonoma going out to 2027, and you can see them free on our platform here.. You can also see our analysis of Williams-Sonoma's Board and CEO remuneration and experience, and whether company insiders have been buying stock. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. A Woodbridge man was charged with multiple offenses Wednesday following an incident in Fredericksburg in which he allegedly abducted his 2-year-old sons mother at gunpoint before leaving with the child, police said. Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Sarah Morris said the incident began about 4:30 a.m., when the man forced his way into an apartment in the 2400 block of Cowan Boulevard, held the woman at gunpoint and physically assaulted her. He eventually left with the child, and police were called about 7 a.m. Officer D. Smith responded and talked with the woman, while others began searching for the suspect, 25-year-old Jerell Blakey Jr. City detectives and Virginia State Police spent much of the day looking before finding Blakeys vehicle in the 600 block of Greystone Court in the city. He was taken into custody without incident, and the unharmed child was returned to his mother. Morris said police also recovered the gun that they believe was used in the incident. Blakey is charged with burglary, two counts of abduction, domestic assault, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, brandishing and unlawful interference with an emergency transmission. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond. Blakey, who court records show has another abduction charge pending in Richmond, has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 1 in Fredericksburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. A 62-year-old Fremont woman is facing 22 different charges in Dodge County Court after city officials accused her of improperly housing animals, not cleaning up animal feces and waste and allegedly failing to license or vaccinate some of her animals. The suspect Lynnae A. Hartso and her daughter, Danyela Hartso, both vigorously denied any wrongdoing in a telephone interview with the Tribune. The mother-daughter pair also alleged they were being harassed by the Fremont Police Departments community services team, and specifically an officer named Kelli Stuehmer. The (charges) are bullshit, Lynnae Hartso said. I am innocent of all charges. I am trying to find an attorney I can afford. If I have the ability to, I will be suing the City of Fremont. Lynnae Hartso is accused of 22 charges in total, including 13 counts of suspicion of animal care/shelters/enclosures violation, a misdemeanor; three counts of suspicion of animal cruelty, also a misdemeanor; three counts of suspicion of pet licensing tag violation; also a misdemeanor; three counts of suspicion of pet vaccination violation, a misdemeanor; and one count of suspicion of not isolating a female animal in heat, also a misdemeanor. According to a 23-page police report filed by FPD community services officer Kelly Drake, police were contacted by Hartsos neighbor on Feb. 7, who told officials numerous dogs were running free all over Hartsos Garfield Street property. Upon arrival on Feb. 8, Drake and Stuehmer conducted a preliminary inspection of Hartsos home. Later, both wrote in extensive and detailed police reports that they witnessed multiple dogs running free on Hartsos property as well as the intense smell of ammonia and animal feces. They even claimed trash was falling out of an open window. Lynnae Hartso said after the Feb. 8 visit, a small group of Fremont police officers executed a search warrant on Feb. 12, confiscating four adult dogs, seven dog puppies, one cat, one bearded dragon lizard, one gecko lizard and an unknown amount of live mealworms. In a search warrant planning document filed by FPD Sgt. Kurt Pafford, police stated they believed Hartso may be dangerous due to unknown weapons possibly being in her home as well as because when officers showed up at Hartsos home in past incidents, she calls Rae Tuff, a local animal rights activist. FPD officers were told to wear body armor and have service weapons ready during the Feb. 12 search warrant. Both Lynnae and Danyela Hartso denied owning any guns and said police instructions alleging they were a danger were crazy, and that they have always cooperated with law enforcement. In the police report, FPD officials claimed Hartsos toilet did not work and was still being used for human excrement a charge Hartso vehemently denied and officials also painted a picture of an alleged filth-filled residence with animal feces, trash and assorted items littering the home. Danyela Hartso said the claims in the 23-page report are all lies, and she also alleged that Stuehmer has an alleged personal vendetta against her mother and has been supposedly harassing her for years. Emails seeking comment from FPD Chief Jeff Elliott as well as city lawyers Travis Jacott and Stephen Twohig were not returned by press time. In 2021, Lynnae Hartso said she had many of her pets removed from her control by the city and that at the time, it was fully OK, because she had violated city animal ordinances. She said she paid more than $7,000 in 2021 to have her pets returned. Now, she claims the allegations in the FPD report filed with the Dodge County Court are totally false, and nothing more than in her belief harassment. I had three dogs, which is legal. I had two cats, which is legal. (The police) came on Feb. 8 and said the dogs were all OK and all healthy. Then on Feb. 12, the (police) show up and take all of them away, except one cat, Lynnae said. They are charging me $130 a day for (holding) my animals. The allegations are not true. They actually left one cat with me. If I was mistreating animals, why would they leave one cat with me? Lynnae said the seven puppies recently born were going to be given away and adopted out to new owners in the coming weeks, and all were less than 4 months old, which she says makes it legal under city ordinance for her to possess, because they are not considered adult dogs. She also said she had cleaned animal feces daily, had litter boxes for her cats and also has proof of the city licenses for all her dogs and cats. Hartso was arrested on March 8 after turning herself into the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, was briefly booked into the Dodge County Jail and released after bonding out. She is scheduled to be arraigned at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 9. The Colorado Springs City Council will consider a new requirement for all four of the city's utilities services that could further determine how and when the community grows. Among several proposed changes to city code governing annexations and water service requirements, the City Council is scheduled to formally consider next month a provision that Colorado Springs Utilities has a surplus in capacity and resources "across all Utilities' service lines for the foreseeable future" in order to supply new properties looking to come into city boundaries. The prospective condition comes just over a year after the council approved a controversial water rule in January 2023 that compels the city-owned utility to have 128% of the water necessary to serve existing demand and the projected demand from new properties. "With increased regulation (of utilities), electricity is more of a scarce resource, and same with gas. We want to make sure that when annexations come in that we're evaluating all four services not just water and wastewater," said Renee Congdon, the utilities division chief in the City Attorney's Office. Unlike the water rule, the proposal does not quantify the amount of gas and electricity that must be available to serve existing and projected demand from properties looking to join the city. Congdon presented the changes to the City Council during a work session on Monday. They require two votes from the council; the board is scheduled to make its first vote at its regular meeting April 9. The second vote could be held at the board's regular meeting April 23. Most of the recommended changes are intended to update the code's language to match existing practices when officials consider annexation requests or agreements to annex property in the future, at the city's discretion. Many of the changes will also reorganize the code so it is more logical and flows better, Congdon said. For example, one suggested change that updates the document's language to mirror practice states that as the city grows, officials are not obligated to reserve wastewater capacity for properties looking to annex into Colorado Springs. Water capacity is currently covered in the code. Other recommended updates include provisions that annexors must provide and now obtain all necessary utility easements to serve their property, and that annexors must transfer to Colorado Springs all water rights that may be used on the property, such as shares in a ditch company not just groundwater rights. The City Council may approve exceptions to this proposed rule by resolution, Congdon said. Featured Local Savings A change to the section of code governing water service would allow the Colorado Springs Utilities CEO to decide, with approval from the Utilities board whose nine members also make up the City Council, not to provide one or some of its four services to a property. This could be for legal reasons, such as it would create a breach of contract, or because doing so would not be in the utility's best interest based on financial and risk analyses or proof from the property owner the land does not need or already has service. Another proposed update would remove the requirement in the new water rule that the Colorado Springs Utilities board must recommend approval of water extension for properties that want to annex. Even if the Utilites board does not recommend the water extension, the request to annex must still come before the City Council for a vote under Colorado law. "It doesn't make a lot of sense to have that intermediate step," Congdon said. "Any time we're extending water service, it's going to come to City Council." Another change to the water ordinance would remove the requirement that at least 25% of the perimeter of the area proposed for annexation is contiguous with the city. Colorado law already requires the city to process annexation applications if at least one-sixth of the perimeter of the area proposed for annexation is contiguous with city boundaries. "What we've learned over the last year is if you have one-sixth contiguity, you can change how you draw the map to reach 25% contiguity. It's just a matter of math and angles," Congdon said. With the state law in play, Colorado Springs could "end up with different maps of the same annexation and it creates confusion," she said. Documents related to the proposed changes are linked on the council's March 11 agenda, which is available online at coloradosprings.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. The items are 7.C. through 7.G. Members of the Colorado Supreme Court gave a chilly reception on Tuesday to the idea that school boards, when organized into regional cooperatives to provide educational services, may locate facilities outside their boundaries over the objection of a local district. Under Colorado law, boards of cooperative services, or BOCES, allow for school districts to band together and contract for additional services among their members. One of their powers is to construct buildings and purchase equipment "at any appropriate location, whether within or without a school district providing the money for the facilities." Recently, Education reEnvisioned BOCES, headquartered in Monument, took the position that "within or without" means it may open new schools anywhere in the state not solely within the geographic boundaries of its member districts. But during oral arguments, members of the Supreme Court had a difficult time accepting the consequences of that interpretation. "What Im concerned about in your argument is that your BOCES," said Justice Melissa Hart, "could place a school in Denver. It could place a school in Vail. It could place a school in Sterling. Im not sure how that would meet the needs of your members and Im not sure how thats consistent with a regional educational service." Complicating matters, the question of whether BOCES have the power of "extraterritoriality" may not receive an answer after all. Education reEnvisioned BOCES, also known as ERBOCES, opened Orton Academy in 2020 within the boundaries of Colorado Springs School District 11. The district is not a member of ERBOCES and did not consent to the academy's placement. Since then, Orton Academy has applied to be a District 11 charter school and the school district has given preliminary approval. By July 1, Orton Academy could officially become an authorized charter school and the case would likely be moot. Consequently, District 11 urged the Supreme Court not to decide the case, while ERBOCES insisted an opinion was necessary to clarify the ground rules. "We do believe this is a matter of public importance and we would urge the court to move forward," said attorney Bryce D. Carlson for ERBOCES. "Are we gonna see more of these coming our way? What do you plan to do?" asked Justice William W. Hood III. During the litigation, District 11 pointed to evidence that ERBOCES was the only entity placing facilities in non-member districts without consent. While the case progressed through the courts, the legislature went so far as to enact a temporary moratorium on the practice until the Court of Appeals had a chance to weigh in. In November 2022, a three-judge appellate panel concluded the authority to locate facilities "within or without" a school district logically referred to BOCES member districts, not any school district in Colorado. The legislature "has never included unrestricted extraterritoriality in a BOCES enumerated powers," wrote Judge Neeti V. Pawar. Featured Local Savings ERBOCES appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing there were good reasons for giving BOCES the power of extraterritoriality. District 11 was not paying for Orton Academy, it pointed out, and the constitutional guarantee that school districts have local control over instruction was limited to just that instruction at their own schools. Multiple entities, including charter school advocates and conservative advocacy groups, wrote to the Supreme Court in favor of ERBOCES. The Court of Appeals' interpretation "hands District 11 which is not a BOCES member a unilateral veto over a BOCES program, even though District 11 neither expends funds nor is remotely responsible for it," argued the right-leaning group Advance Colorado. In a joint brief, the Colorado State Board of Education, Colorado Education Association and the associations of school boards, school executives and BOCES all warned against a reading of the law that would allow BOCES to open schools in communities hundreds of miles from their boundaries and far from the responsible decision-makers. "A local school board can be held accountable by its voters," the groups wrote. "What the General Assembly has never done ... is create public non-district schools divorced from any state or local accountability." The Supreme Court had similar concerns about BOCES' ability to essentially assert statewide jurisdiction for themselves. "I dont see where in your argument you would find any limit. Am I wrong?" said Hart. "Would you actually say, 'No, no, no, we dont think we could place a school in Denver?'" "I don't think you're wrong," responded Carlson, ERBOCES' lawyer, reiterating his belief that BOCES can locate facilities anywhere. Hart, in turn, wondered about the potential for diminished accountability if ERBOCES were to open more schools in communities with no connection to its member districts. "Lets say that the parents in Sterling start to get pretty unhappy with the Education reEnvsioned school located in Sterling. They have no control over that school. Its sitting right there in their district, but its run by the BOCES," she said. "So, they have no ability to ask the school board to remove a principal they dont like. The democratic idea of parental involvement in schools is gone." The case is Education ReEnvisioned BOCES et al. v. Colorado Springs School District 11. A snowstorm sweeping across southern Colorado Thursday has led to the cancellation of a hearing for Carie Hallford, one of the co-owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home. The snowstorm resulted in the closure of the El Paso County courthouse and the postponement of all hearings Thursday, and as a result, Carie Hallford will appear on Friday at 1:30 p.m. for her show cause hearing. Carie and her husband Jon Hallford are facing hundreds of charges related to the discovery of 190 bodies improperly stored at the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose. According to previous reporting from The Gazette, Kate Singh, a spokesperson for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, confirmed that Carie Hallford missed a required sobriety test that is part of her bond agreement. As a result, she will have to appear in court for a show cause hearing, where she could have her bond raised or revoked. Featured Local Savings Court records show that Carie Hallford posted a $100,000 surety bond to be released from custody on Feb. 27. Continued sobriety tests as well as GPS monitoring are terms of her bond agreement, according to previous court hearings. Jon Hallford has been out on bond since Jan. 29 and has reportedly continued to maintain his requirements for release. Carie Hallford's attorney, Michael Stuzynski, in a previous phone conversation with The Gazette, stated that due to the gag order placed on the case he was unable to provide any additional information regarding Carie Hallford's alleged bond violation, or if any other terms of her bond had been violated. "All I can say is that there's a court date where this will be addressed, and we will have answers," Stuzynski said. Return to Nature Funeral Home came under a multi-agency investigation in October following reports of a complaint about a foul odor in the area. Investigators said they found more than 180 bodies in various states of decomposition inside the building that were not properly stored. The two were arrested in Oklahoma in November 2023. Both appeared in court and had cash bonds set at $2 million. Colorado's Fourth Judicial District Court is seeking applicants for an upcoming district court judge vacancy, a press release from the Colorado Judicial Department announced on Friday. The vacancy was created by the upcoming resignation of District Court Judge Marla Prudek, who will vacate her position June 1, according to the press release. The Fourth Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet May 1 to interview prospective candidates. The deadline to apply for the vacancy is April 8. At least 21 dead after migrant boat sinks off NW Turkiye Xinhua) 08:11, March 15, 2024 ISTANBUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 illegal migrants were killed Friday when their boat sank off Turkiye's Aegean coast, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported. The incident occurred off the coast of Eceabat District in the northwestern province of Canakkale when the migrant boat capsized and sank, said the report. Citing Canakkale Governor Ilhami Aktas, the TRT said a search and rescue operation is ongoing at the scene, backed by two helicopters and ten Coast Guard rescue boats. According to Aktas, four individuals had been rescued. Meanwhile, ambulances have been dispatched to the Kabatepe port near the incident location. The exact number of people aboard the boat, their intended destination, and the number of missing due to the incident remained unclear, noted Aktas. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan) As the "AI Plus" initiative emerges as a key engine driving new quality productive forces, China's AI market is shifting from being "technology-driven" to "value-driven," according to professor Zhang Ying, vice dean of the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University. Zhang made the remarks at a seminar on China's economic situation and policy analysis held in Beijing on March 14. The shift is reflected in China's government work report this year, which for the first time mentioned "launching an AI Plus initiative." This marks the country's transition from focusing on technological breakthroughs to concrete implementation and application of AI technology, empowering the entire chain from R&D to scenario application and industrial development, Zhang said. To pave a path for the development of large models with Chinese characteristics, Zhang emphasized the importance of integrating AI into business processes and product functionalities. This would allow for a faster identification of opportunities for industrial development. In terms of implementing the AI Plus initiative, the professor recommended carefully assessing the technological and business impacts of AI Plus applications, empowering key areas with AI, avoiding overexpectations in the short term, and focusing on real-world application and market needs. He also highlighted the importance of market testing, noting that while government procurement can provide initial support, the real test of innovation lies in the broad market, where products will be evaluated. In addition to the four recommendations, Zhang emphasized the importance of increasing residents' income, which he sees as essential for expanding market demand. Greater consumer purchasing power would allow more individuals to access advanced technology, thereby promoting the development of high-quality products and services and enabling AI to reach its full potential. Furthermore, attention should also be paid to the investment cycle and talent cultivation in AI. Zhang noted that the industrial integration of AI requires continuous investment and patience. "Long-term, stable support from both the government and private sector is essential for overcoming R&D and application challenges. Such investment and research are key to ensuring steady technological progress and addressing emerging issues," he said. Talent is the key to winning the competition in AI. Zhang pointed to China's renewed focus on invigorating China through science and education in its 2024 government work report. You are here: China Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, announcing decisions to revise and repeal certain administrative regulations. The State Council will revise eight regulations, including those concerning global computer networking, property registration, registration of global companies' representative offices, corporate information disclosure, as well as the imports and exports of goods. These revisions aim to facilitate institutional reforms, streamline administrative processes, and safeguard individual and corporate interests, the decree says. Additionally, the State Council will revoke 13 administrative regulations, including the one governing coal delivery, in correspondence to the country's evolving economic landscape, reforms and relevant sectors. The decree will come into effect on May 1, this year. This painting of the Founding Fathers sits inside the National Archives in Washington. The Corvallis Clinic will be sold to Optum Oregon, a subsidiary of the worlds largest health care corporation, after a state regulator on Wednesday approved the companies' merger on an emergency basis. A notice posted overnight March 13 at the Oregon Health Authority grants the sale an emergency exemption from review under a program meant to stop corporate buyouts of health providers from harming local access to health care. 'Grim' A Place to Sleep, episode 3: Corvallis Do unhoused people know where to go in Corvallis? Well, the city has outlined where they shouldn't be: near creeks, rivers, wetlands, sidewalks or within 20 feet of trees. The clinics balance sheets, shielded from the public, depict a grim financial projection and threatened immediate closure of (The Corvallis Clinic), according to an agency determination signed by Program Manager Sarah Bartelmann. Regulators requested projected financials for March and April. The information they found there represents an emergency immediately threatening health care services in (The Corvallis Clinics) service area, they said in the determination. They found the sale would allow Corvallis Clinic to access enough money to pay expenses like rent and wages, and preserve access in the region to health care. Corvallis Clinic has 11 locations in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Lincoln City, Philomath and Newport. The clinic lists more than 100 health care providers and physicians on its website, and employs another 500 or so support staff according to an estimate from regulatory filings at the authority. Advocates for local health care and elected leaders, including Benton County commissioners and state legislators, had implored Oregon to reject the sale. Is it appropriate to grant emergency access to this acquisition to a predatory, vertically integrated company that has just ensured it will get access to Corvallis Clinic at a fire sale price? Benton County Commissioner Xan Augerot wrote in comment to Oregon Health Authority. They feared physicians would give up autonomy to make decisions for patients under Corvallis Clinics sale to a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based multinational corporation that employs around 1 in 10 of all physicians. Lawmakers blame UnitedHealth for halting cash flow at numerous health providers following a cyberattack in February, further hurting clinics like The Corvallis Clinic. Lawsuits allege a UnitedHealth subsidiary and payment processor, Change Healthcare, leaked more than 6 terabytes of data including Social Security numbers, medical records and payment information when a group called BlackCat attacked the company. Lawyers in the class-action case, one of six before a federal panel that will decide whether to combine the lawsuits, say the breach affected millions of persons in the United States. The review Oregon Health Authority received more than 350 mostly disproving comments on the buyout as it worked its way through review by the agencys Health Care Market Oversight Program, put in place to scrutinize transactions between extremely large health care providers and Oregon clinics that made at least $10 million in every of the previous three years. But a merger agreement filed with the state in December indicated Corvallis Clinic was losing money. Representatives of the clinics owners and Optum argued that selling out shares in the doctor-owned clinic and ceding control to Optum was the only way to keep the clinics doors open. Then attorneys for the clinic filed a request on March 8 to immediately allow the sale, claiming the clinic could become insolvent without its sale to Optum. Those with knowledge of the sale, including Corvallis Clinic managers and people who sit on the clinics board of directors, did not respond to many requests from Mid-Valley Media for comment between December and March. Large corporations have gobbled up numerous historically independent providers in recent years, drawing extra scrutiny from lawmakers as high-profile lawsuits allege clinic closures and poor oversight harm patients. Although it didnt pass, an Oregon lawmaker introduced legislation in 2024 that would have clamped down on the sale of clinics to medical management services organizations, like Optum. UnitedHealth reported it spent $6 billion acquiring health care-related companies in 2023, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Optum began expanding into Oregon in 2020 with the purchase of Oregon Medical Group in Eugene, where it also owns OHR Physician Group. Optum bought GreenField Health System in the Portland area in 2021. Through Optum, UnitedHealth Group directly controls numerous clinics, hundreds of doctors, hospices and in-home care agencies in Oregon. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. Hundreds more physicians contract with Optum-owned Portland IPA, described on the companys website as an independent physician association. The company also has Medicare and employer insurance plans in all 36 Oregon counties through its subsidiary UnitedHealthcare, according to documents filed with the Oregon Health Authority in several Optum buyouts. Related stories: A Clarion man pleaded guilty to illegal gun possession in federal court Monday. At the March 11 plea hearing, evidence from October was brought up from Wright County law enforcements investigation of elder abuse. During that investigation, officers received information that Michael Dean Hanus Jr., 45, possessed an AR-15 style rifle. Hanus Jr. was previously convicted of felony interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon, which left Hanus Jr. prohibited from possessing guns. During the October investigation, officers seized an HDR-15 rifle at Hanus' fathers home in Humboldt which Hanus Jr. admitted possessing while knowing of his felony conviction. It was later determined by law enforcement that the weapon was stolen. Sentencing will be set before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand after a presentence report is prepared. Hanus Jr. remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending his sentencing. He is facing a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following the prison sentence. Additionally, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. In May of 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy that would strengthen Project Safe Neighborhoods these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Hanus Jr.s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Wright County Sheriffs Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. A city rule requires citizens to register four days ahead of time in order to comment publicly on a topic not on the agenda during a Danville City Council meeting. They must sign up online or contact the city clerk by noon the Friday before a Tuesday night meeting, according to the policy. While its normal for local governing entities to have rules for public comment to streamline meetings and give everyone a chance to voice their opinions, sometimes those policies can be too restrictive, said Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government. I see this as another example of these public bodies trying to make their meetings more efficient and to accommodate as many people as they need to, but going too far by then making it unnecessarily difficult for citizens to participate, Rhyne told the Danville Register & Bee. Danville is definitely not unique in having rules regarding public comment, she added. The citys policy, implemented about a year ago, was called into question by speakers at a recent Danville City Council meeting who said the requirement to sign up the previous Friday before council meetings stifled free speech. Officials in Danville and other localities say it is normal for local governing bodies to have protocols in place for public speakers at their meetings. Also, knowing ahead of time what topic commenters will bring up can help staff look at their concerns, said Danville City Manager Ken Larking. Its helpful to know what they are concerned about or want to share because its possible that some of that stuff could be addressed before the meeting through contact with the citizen through staff or others, Larking said. To sign up, those wishing to speak on items not on the agenda must provide their name, address, phone number and email address. They are also required to name the group theyre associated with and identify the topic. The time limit for each speaker is three minutes, with five minutes allowed for an individual representing a group, according to the citys policy. If necessary, the mayor will allow individual commenters an extra 30 seconds. In addition, once an individual or group has made a presentation on a subject, they cannot give another one on the same topic within three months of the first, according to the rules. The time allotted for public speakers is called communications from visitors and falls at the end of the agenda. It is not uncommon to have citizens sign up prior to a meeting, said Michelle Gowdy, executive director of the Virginia Municipal League. The league was established in 1905 to improve and assist local governments through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services, according to the groups website. Its membership includes 38 cities, 170 towns and eight counties. Rules for speakers are there to ensure orderly meetings while providing an opportunity for input from any citizens who wish to contribute, Gowdy said. It is in the best interest of all involved citizens, officials and staff that council meetings proceed as efficiently as possible, she said. Alicia Finney, clerk of council for the city of Lynchburg, said its citizens who wish to speak during city council meetings must sign up by Friday at noon. Lynchburg implemented the rule in July 2021, she said. Before that, those wishing to comment publicly during meetings had to register on the previous Wednesday. The Lynchburg City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, according to the citys website. Moving the deadline to Friday enables citizens to review the upcoming meeting agenda before signing up, Finney said. Our agenda goes out on Thursdays, Finney said. Public comment is their avenue to speak to their council face to face. The citys decision to move the deadline to Friday came after a push from members of the public, she said. This was entirely citizen-driven, Finney said. Our council responded. Lynchburg also has a rule forbidding a citizen from speaking on the same topic more than once every 90 days. Martinsville City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides said individuals are allowed but not required to sign up to speak during meetings. Our mayor uses his discretion to all who want to speak on any topic and fully supports open citizen participation as a means to connect with our residents, Ferrell-Benavides said. But Danvilles policy is not unusual, she said. The rules Danville has put in place are very much in line with cities I have served, she said. In neighboring Pittsylvania County, its board of supervisors has no strict registration deadline for citizens who wish to speak at board meetings. They can sign up at the meeting just prior to 7 oclock, said Diana McFarland, county spokesperson. Larking said the city established its registration policy because without some kind of parameters around public comment, it could make our meetings much more inefficient. It would be a never-ending list of people coming to speak during public comments. That was the reason the city also moved the communications from visitors portion of the meeting from the beginning to the end, he said. The ability to conduct business is important, Larking said. Moving it [public comment] to the end of the meeting made sure that business matters were addressed quickly. In addition, the city council can be better prepared if its members know ahead of time the topic a citizen will be addressing, Larking added. When theres a limited amount of time and a lot of people who want to speak, it is sometimes necessary to have rules in place to be fair to everyone, Rhyne said. But the rules that get implemented, you have to ask does this accomplish that, Rhyne said. She also questions making citizens register four days in advance. Does making them sign up four days ahead of time actually help them any more as compared to one day or six hours, or not making them sign up at all? she said. Four days seems more than is necessary. Creative Greensboro will present the Greensboro Playwrights Forums Evening of Short Plays No. 42 at 7 pm, April 4-6 and 2 pm, April 7, in the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St. Admission is by a suggested donation of $10 at the door. The Friday, April 5, performance will feature a talk back with the playwrights and production team after the performance. Evening of Short Plays No. 42 will feature eight new plays, each written by a member of the Greensboro Playwrights Forum. The program, now in its 28th year, provides local actors a fun performance opportunity and the chance to be a part of the development of new work. Evening of Short Plays No. 42 Line Up Cassandra at the Food Lion, by Debra Kaufman, directed by Susan Proctor Honey Did You Order a Hit? by Eric Weil, directed by Andy Ralston Asumendi A Matter of Taste, by Brian H. Bornstein, directed by John Swain Rich Little Says Goodbye to His Mom, by Mike Brannon, directed by Jamie Caputo with Todd Fisher Sammy the Bagel, by Carl Grasso, directed by Randy Morris STAINS, by Sally Kinka, directed by Mike Brannon Sweetheart, by Joe Florence, directed by Pete Turner Wannabe, by Shelley Stolaroff Segal, directed by Johnathan Crow Creative Greensboros drama programming provides the community opportunities to participate in all aspects of live theater, from auditioning, casting, rehearsals, stage management and performance. The program emphasizes process over product and provides experiential learning while showcasing quality productions and having fun. For more information contact Creative Greensboros Performing Arts Coordinator Todd Fisher at todd.fisher@greensboro-nc.gov or 336-373-2974. RALEIGHOn March 12, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper visited Louisburg Elementary School as part of The Year of Public Schools education tour. The governor was joined by teachers, students, local and state education leaders and local elected officials as he highlighted the outstanding work being done at Louisburg Elementary School and Franklin County Schools and the ways that public education is strengthening North Carolinas communities. Gov. Cooper again called for fully funding K-12 education as well as meaningful investments in early childhood education and teacher pay in the upcoming legislative session. Gov. Cooper also called for a stop to state spending on vouchers for unaccountable and unregulated private schools until North Carolinas public schools are fully funded. Louisburg Elementary and public schools across North Carolina provide a comprehensive learning experience and allow our states students to grow and thrive, said Gov. Cooper. Its critical for the future of North Carolina that we make meaningful investments in public education and fully fund our public schools. Louisburg Elementary has always been a school that accepts all, educates all, improves all, and challenges all students, said Louisburg Elementary School Principal Trenace Gilmore. When our students come to us, their parents are giving us their best. It is our job to meet them where they are and support the whole child from the root to the blossom, for us to nurture and love them. Louisburg Elementary will always do what it does best, grow our students. Franklin County Schools is committed to serving our community by being the best choice for families, said Franklin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Schuhler. We realize that being the best choice means that we must deliver on our promises through preparing students for career and college readiness and high academic standards, creating a supportive and safe educational environment, and sustaining a high-quality workforce to make it all happen. This year, Gov. Cooper will highlight North Carolinas strong public schools, teachers and staff across the state to show the positive impacts of a well-funded public education system on the states economy and communities. Gov. Cooper will also spotlight the dangers of underfunding our schools while pouring millions of dollars into an unregulated private school voucher program that sends taxpayer money to private academies. In Franklin County, 85.1% of school-aged children attend public schools, and public schools in Franklin County and across the state excel at preparing students for success from cradle to career. The 2023 graduation rate for Franklin County was 83.3%. In 2023, North Carolina public school students earned more than 325,000 workforce credentials while in high school. More than 3,600 of those workforce credentials were earned by Franklin County students. In 2023, more than one-third of North Carolina high school graduates took a college course for credit while in high school. North Carolina has the highest number of National Board-certified teachers in the country (over 24,000), including 20 in Franklin County. However, Republican legislators continue to push policies that undermine and politicize public education. The budget enacted by the legislature last year expanded the private school voucher program by $250 million over the next two years, for a total of $4 billion over the next ten years. Under the expanded voucher program, public schools in Franklin County could lose over $1,000,000 in state education funding just in the first year of the expanded program. That loss in funding not only impacts students, but also Franklin Countys workforce. Public schools are the largest employer in Franklin County. During his final year as governor, Gov. Cooper is committed to prioritizing public schools and to hearing from the many communities across the state who know that strong public schools ensure we have strong communities. Family and community members told Clancy Elementary School board members Wednesday that transgender and gay-themed books should not be on the shelves of the school's library, calling such publications "evil," "confusing children with lies," "filled with cult-like information" and "leading to suicide." Rhonda Burnett, a grandmother, referenced the book "Jack (Not Jackie)," by Erica Silverman and said her grandchild brought the book home and their mother had to take it away quickly because the books "are dangerous to put in a child's hands." She said she has been an educator for 28 years in public education. She continued saying that the books are not education. Burnett said she wants to see the schools focus on proper education like math, reading, writing and "correct" history. She said the main goal is to protect children and allow them to be kids. "There is nothing more important in the world than our children," Burnett said. After hearing the public comments, the board of trustees said there was nothing they could do at the meeting Wednesday, but the issue could be added to the agenda for a future meeting for discussion. Will Israel, a parent and combat veteran, also said the books lead to suicide and the agenda they put forth is evil. "I do not want it in my schools," Israel said. He said educators who approved the books or are OK with them being in the school system should be fired. Superintendent Dave Selvig said the books are primarily approved by the school's librarian and himself, which Israel asked him if he approved the books. Selvig replied "Apparently I did." Members in attendance said they appreciated his honesty. Israel said the books are confusing children with lies and said the books are filled with cult-like information pushing a sexual agenda, while holding the book "Being Jazz," by Jazz Jennings. Another speaker cited the author's note for the book "Jack (Not Jackie)," and said they were disturbing and called the books "volatile materials." The author's note from the book started with, "Why a picture book for young children about gender identity?" It continued saying that research shows children begin identifying with their gender identities as early as 2 years old and that if they are met with disapproval or anger it will cause damage taking years to overcome. "It's important to talk with children about gender openly, honestly, accurately and without judgment," the author's note said. "To be their authentic selves and feel safe, all children need love, respect and support." Some of the speakers cited the Office of Public Instruction policies regarding books placed in school libraries and how they are chosen. According to OPI officials, said books are a local accountability decision by the trustees, meaning school officials make the final decisions on what books are admitted to the library. Institutions must follow state laws and rules regarding library materials deemed obscene, allowing them to ban books at the local level if they meet the requirements regarding obscenity in state law. Another mother added they want the elementary school to keep things traditional because there is only so much a child can handle. A father said the people voicing their opinions are not coming from a place of hate, homophobia or transphobia, but that they all want to love and protect their children. He said after this statement that he has a brother-in-law who is gay and his nephew is transgender. The father added it is harmful to reaffirm gender stereotypes. The board said they appreciate the comments and that the members take them "very seriously." The board told attendees they can fill out a form in compliance with board policies. Board policy 2309 states selection of materials for the library can be challenged by the public. And "the Uniform Complaint Procedure" will be used to determine if challenged material is properly located in the library. And board policy 2310 states it is the objective of school libraries to provide a wide range of materials and present different viewpoints. It also states: "In support of these objectives, the Board reaffirms the principles of intellectual freedom inherent in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and guided by the principles set forth in the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights and its interpretation for school libraries." Two bullet points in board policy 2310-P(2) say, the selection objectives of materials are to provide materials that stimulate the growth of factual knowledge including the knowledge of other lifestyles and nationalities. Another bullet point states, the materials provide opposing sides on controversial issues so that the users can develop under the practice of critical analysis. The policies also outline procedures for reviewing challenged materials. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help a 3-year-old Helena boy who's suffering from a rare liver condition and needs a transplant. Nico Cicero has Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, which is found in less than 2 of every 100,000 children. This disease has caused Nico's liver to fail. Nico's parents started a GoFundMe asking the community for help with the costs of traveling back and forth to Colorado, where Nico needs to get his treatment, as well as to help with the medical costs themselves. In three days more than 400 people have contributed $65,000 toward the $75,000 goal. "We are just beginning our journey but can expect another week in Colorado for an evaluation to get on the liver transplant list and then anywhere from 1 to 2 months in Colorado for the transplant itself and recovery," the family wrote. "This will be followed by a lifetime of medication and medical follow ups. "In the near term, we will be making numerous trips to Colorado for continued testing, evaluation, liver transplant, and follow up appointments," the family wrote. "Any donations will be greatly appreciated and will go towards medical expenses, travel, food, housing, and most likely a Matchbox truck or two." Kyrie Cicero wrote on GoFundMe that if people are not able to make a financial donation, "please leave a funny joke for Nico or a kind word for his loving parents." His parents say he loves "footie jammies, trucks, camping, and his family ... and his sense of humor can get a chuckle out of even the hardest crowd." To make a donation, go to https://bit.ly/3ICSkiY. The family says any excess donations will be given to the Jadyn Fred Foundation, a foundation helping Montana families with travel and medical expenses. The Bureau of Reclamation and Blackfeet Tribe on Thursday signed a contract that aims to improve water access and distribution across the reservation. The contract agreement, valued at $2.2 million, will allow the tribe to strategize, design and implement essential water diversion and delivery infrastructure, according to a news release. Origins of the contract date back to the 2016 Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement, which seeks to equitably resolve long-standing water rights claims in Montana. In January, a broken part at a water treatment plant left Browning residents without water for five days, causing schools, businesses and tribal offices to close. While a Hutterite-owned electric company ultimately saved the day, Blackfeet officials said they planned to inspect the water treatment plants to avoid issues in the future. There are 252 more families that use a state scholarship to help them afford child care after a bill passed last session to increase the amount of money a family can earn and still qualify. An average of 2,860 families use the Best Beginnings child care scholarship now, which is up from the average of 2,699 over the 2023 fiscal year, a representative from the state health department told legislators this week. However, the increase is less than the additional 723 children the state health department predicted would be newly covered by the program when lawmakers voted to put $7 million toward it last year. We are seeing an uptick in the number of families that are participating, not necessarily at the number that we had projected, said Tracy Moseman, the administrator of the Early Childhood and Family Support Division of the state health department. A report from the state Department of Labor and Industry this March found that licensed child care capacity in Montana only meets 44% of demand in the state. Nearly 60% of counties are child care deserts, where supply meets less than a third of estimated demand. The average cost of care for a 4-year-old and infant is $22,100 a year. The annual average cost of care in Montana is 28% of the median state income; the federal government says affordable child care should be no more than 7%. In the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill to put the Best Beginnings program into law and give it money to cover the expected increase in costs from raising the eligibility, among other changes aimed to help both families and providers. After much debate, lawmakers bumped up the income a family could earn and still qualify to 185% of the federal poverty level, up from 150% previously. A family of four could earn up to $57,720 and qualify for the program with a $385 monthly co-pay. Since July of last year, just $1.7 million of the $7 million has been spent, according to information provided to legislators this week. Records show the money was put toward individuals, though there was not more information available about what that meant. There's no reporting requirement for the state health department to inform legislators of how it spends the money. During a legislative committee this week, state Rep. Jane Gillette, a Bozeman Republican, asked the state health department about the possibility of expanding eligibility, saying that in higher-income and more expensive parts of the state like Gallatin County a family might make beyond the threshold to qualify for the program and still not be able to afford housing and child care. Brandi Thomas, a provider services supervisor with Child Care Connections, asked legislators to look at basing eligibility off of the state median income, which she said better reflected needs in the state. That was discussed during the legislative session but did not get enough support to pass. Thomas organization has had to turn down 77 people since October who applied for Best Beginnings, but would have been able to approve about 61% of those if the qualification metric was changed to be the state median income. She noted that Montana is running a pilot scholarship program for child care providers, who might still not qualify at the 250% of federal poverty level that program is based on. These are not rich families. These are families working in lower-paying industries, making $20 an hour trying to afford living in Bozeman, for example, Thomas said. We know that there's not a single solution to this problem. We know we're in a child care crisis. And without child care, the rest of Montana's workforce is going to struggle. In asking lawmakers to consider using the median income metric, Thomas said she still appreciated the headway made last legislative session. It was a step that we've been fighting for for many years, but it was a baby step. And we've still found that many, many families do not qualify, Thomas said. During the COVID-19 pandemic the state expanded eligibility in Best Beginnings and capped co-pays at $10. But when federal pandemic money expired they were rolled back, leaving many families in difficult situations. In 2019 there were 8,063 children with Best Beginnings scholarships, according to the Anne E. Casey Foundation Kids Count data. That figure dropped to 7,193 in 2020 and again to 6,242 the following year, but rose in 2022 and again in 2023, reaching 6,715. Actor Pierce Brosnan was fined on March 14 after pleading guilty to walking off a boardwalk into a Yellowstone National Park thermal area last year, the Park Service reported. Brosnan, a 70-year-old Malibu resident, was assessed a $500 fine, a $1,000 community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever geological fund, a $30 court processing fee, and a $10 special assessment by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick at the Mammoth, Wyoming, courthouse. According to court documents, Brosnan uploaded pictures to his Instagram page of himself standing on a Yellowstone National Park thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs in November. At the time, Brosnan was in the nearby Paradise Valley working on a film. There are signs posted in Yellowstone's thermal areas warning visitors about the dangers of thermal features and requiring them to remain on designated boardwalks and trails. The ground in thermal areas is fragile and thin, and scalding water is just below the surface. The United States Attorneys Office had asked the court to sentence Brosnan to two years probation and the maximum fine of $5,000. DECATUR Alyssa Patrick has been named the new WAND co-anchor for the weekday 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. She will work alongside Sean Streaty. Patrick joined the Decatur news team in 2021 as a reporter, then was added to the 4 p.m. anchor position. Before arriving in Decatur, Patrick worked in Texas, West Virginia and Mississippi. "I am honored to be given this opportunity to keep Central Illinois informed alongside our talented new team," Patrick said. "I look forward to serving our community in this new role. I've made Central Illinois my home and am committed to working hard for them every day." She replaces Dawn Sterling, who signed off in November after nearly 20 years with the Decatur-based station to join WICS-TV in Springfield. A look back at Decatur-area broadcast personalities WAND executives WSOY Herald & Review, February 1990 Dick Westbrook Del Rosso Herald & Review, May 1998 WSOY basketball broadcast 1965 WAND projection machine Anita Norfleet WTVP Edwin Pianka, assistant chief engineer WTVP sales staff WAND weatherman WSOY announcer Ashonti Ford WAND Fultz, J.C. (James) WSOY engineer WSOY record library DECATUR Police say a Decatur woman got busy trying to flush a UPS delivery of methamphetamine down the toilet as officers smashed their way into her barricaded home to execute a search warrant. A sworn affidavit said the meth package from Los Angeles had already been intercepted in transit by the Louisville Metro Police Department in Kentucky. The package contained 880 grams (more than 31 ounces) of the illegal drug and was addressed to a house in the 600 block of West Packard Street. When the delivery was made on the morning of March 8, it was carried out by an undercover detective from the Decatur Police Departments Street Crimes Unit. Cops from this unit and the departments Emergency Response Team were watching the house and noted a suspect later identified as John W. Ford pacing up and down in anticipation of the delivery while the woman waited inside the house. The affidavit said once Ford picked up the package from the front porch and headed inside, the cops moved in. Upon execution of the search warrant, the front and back door were both found to be barricaded with metal bars placed through eye-hooks on the back of the doors, said Officer Philip Ganley, who signed the affidavit. During the execution of the search warrant, Candas D. Huey was found in the bathroom sitting on the toilet while the shower was running. Candas also yelled during this warrant something to the effect of Our names arent even on that package. Ganley added: Approximately 23.6 grams (almost an ounce) of field-tested positive methamphetamine was located on the bathmat in the bathroom. An additional 8.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine was located on/around the toilet and the shower/bathtub in an apparent attempt to destroy the contraband. The slit-open UPS package was found in a bedroom that Ford is quoted as telling police belonged to him before both he and Huey declined to make any further relevant statements. Ford, 42, and the 22-year-old Huey appeared Monday in Macon County Circuit Court where they were arraigned on multiple charges of dealing in meth, meth possession and obstruction of justice by destroying evidence. Judge Lindsey Shelton denied pretrial release for both defendants who are due back in court for preliminary hearings March 27 when they will enter formal pleas to the charges. Ganley notes in the affidavit that Ford has an extensive criminal record, with past convictions for murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and vehicular invasion. He is also required to register as a convicted violent offender against youth. 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 Five first responders have been recognized for actions credited for saving a woman's life. Sheriff Jim Root said dispatchers received a call on Jan. 24 check the welfare of a woman found unresponsive in a restroom in Warrensburg. Responders included Deputies Jessie Owens and Justin Lilly, Warrensburg Police Chief Greg Wheeler, Harristown firefighter Robert Allen and Latham firefighter Rebecca Evans. The woman was given a dose of Narcan, which had no effect. A second dose had some effect. Wheeler, who is an emergency medical technician, gave a third dose when he arrived and also used an automatic external defibrillator, monitoring the woman's condition until an ambulance arrived. Their quick thinking and decisive decision-making saved a life that night, Root said Thursday's Macon County Board meeting during which the five individuals were presented with received the Lifesaving Awards. The first responders received plaques and a standing ovation. Root said the woman survived, but he had no information on her current condition. The board also named March 19 as National Agriculture Day, and March as DeMolay International Month. DeMolay is a fraternal organization for young men ages 12 to 21 and this year is the 105th anniversary of its founding. Local representative Bob Archer told the gathering that the Jerome R. Gorin chapter in Decatur went dark in 2004 due to a lack of members, but was revived in 2021. We are starting to work inside the community in giving service and doing some fundraising, and teaching young men to be the leaders of the generations to come, Archer said. In other business, the board approved a permanent right-of-way easement and a temporary construction easement for Shelby Electric Cooperative to install fiber optic equipment for broadband service. The board has been working with Shelby Electric to get broadband service to residents and businesses in southern Macon County, and is also pursuing efforts to provide broadband to the rural portions of the rest of the county in the next few years. The board also approved a two-year agreement with IPMG to administer workers compensation for the county, which is self-insured for worker's compensation. IPMG will manage up to 30 claims per year for a fee of $13,860 per year, with additional charges if claims exceed 30 per year. PHOTOS: First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration Day at MAAC Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event SPRINGFIELD Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration on Friday revealed plans to demolish and rebuild two state prisons, including Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, in a move that officials said would address years of disinvestment in the aging facilities and save the state millions in annual upkeep costs. The roughly $900 million plan, which also entails the temporary closure, tearing down and rebuilding of Stateville Correctional Center in suburban Chicago, is included in Pritzker's fiscal year 2025 capital budget proposal. It is not yet known if Logan would remain open in the interim, with state officials saying that is "still to be worked through" with various stakeholders. Also yet to be finalized is the location of the new facility. These investments will allow staff to work in modern and safe facilities, ensure those who are incarcerated can safely serve out their sentences, and save taxpayers hundreds of millions in deferred maintenance costs from years of neglect," Pritzker said in a statement. The announcement, however, was met with serious concern from the labor union that represents prison employees, whose leaders said they were not consulted in the formation of the plan. And it was condemned by Logan County elected officials for injecting a significant degree of uncertainty into the future of one of the county's major employers. We have grave concerns, said Roberta Lynch, executive director of AFSCME Council 31, the union that represents nearly 10,000 corrections employees. Closing facilities even temporarily would disrupt and potentially destabilize the prison system, while bringing upheaval to the lives of affected employees and individuals in custody. Logan County officials, including state Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason; state Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton; County Board Chair Emily Davenport; and Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, in a joint statement, called the announcement "both devastating and infuriating." Logan Correctional is an instrumental part of Lincoln and its surrounding communities," the group wrote. "It provides more than 500 direct jobs, hundreds more indirect jobs, and immeasurable local economic benefits. We will continue to fight for each and every one of these jobs and ensure our communities get the answers they deserve from the governors administration. Construction costs for both prison projects are estimated between $805 million to $935 million, according to the governor's office. Long term, they estimate the new facilities would save state taxpayers $34 million annually while negating the need to repair hundreds of millions worth of deferred maintenance at the existing facilities. The plan comes after a report from an outside consultant, commissioned by the Illinois Department of Corrections to develop a master plan for the state's correctional facilities, concluded last year that Logan, Stateville and Pontiac were getting to the point of being "inoperable." Of the $2.5 billion in deferred maintenance at IDOC facilities, the report from Miami-based CGL identified $286 million at Stateville and and $116 million at Logan. If left unaddressed, those numbers would likely double in five years, the report said. Logan Correctional Facility, which originally opened in the 1870s as the Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children before it started to be used as a prison in 1978, is a multi-level women's facility consisting of 57 buildings on 150 acres. Its inmate population was 1,070 as of June 2023, according to IDOC data. The facility is one of two in the state, along with Decatur, that houses female inmates. Stateville Correctional Center, opened in 1925, is a maximum-security men's facility with an inmate population of 1,926 as of June 2023. According to the CGL report, the average building condition index a tool used to gauge the physical condition of a structure was lowest at Stateville (57), Logan (61) and Pontiac (66). This indicates moderate to significant degradation in need of repairs. Most of the state's other correctional facilities achieved scores in the 80s on a scale of 1 to 100. The report found Logan "to be inefficient, ineffective, and unsuitable for any population," adding that "IDOC should find a more suitable location for housing its incarcerated women." Though the poor condition of the facilities is not in doubt, the administration's announcement leaves more questions than answers. Chief among them is where to relocate the female prison population currently housed at Logan if they are unable to stay during construction of a new facility. It was suggested in the consultant's report that the minimum-security and some of the medium-security population could be transferred to Decatur. The consultant acknowledged, however, that there are "no easy solutions" for the maximum-security population and those with special needs, such as those dealing with mental health issues. The only solution may be to relocate them temporarily to a men's facility. AFSCME said relocation "poses logistical and safety concerns." The union also questioned what would happen to those employed at Logan and Stateville. Though many of them would likely be offered positions at other facilities, it is uncertain how far away those positions would be. Lynch said the union "cannot support this plan unless and until the department provides satisfactory answers to these compelling questions. The plan did win praise from the John Howard Association, an independent watchdog group that provides oversight of the state's correctional facilities and advocates for reforms. The group called it "an important step towards respecting the dignity and rights of people who are incarcerated." They noted, however, that Illinois prisons are under capacity and that the state "can and should" permanently close some of its worst prisons. Illinois' prison population has decreased significantly in recent years, going from nearly 50,000 in 2013 to just under 30,000 now. Some of that decrease may be a short-term consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. But a series of criminal justice reforms enacted by Pritzker and state lawmakers in recent years will likely reduce incarceration over the long term. The closure or repurposing of correctional facilities can be a politically fraught topic. They serve as anchors in their often rural, downstate communities, providing good-paying jobs and indirectly supporting the local economy. But changes to the state's corrections framework have already been taking place around the edges. In 2022, IDOC shuttered the medium-security unit and the east and west cellhouses of Pontiac Correctional Center, significantly reducing that facility's operational capacity. That same year, 10 buildings at Vandalia Correctional Center closed, cutting capacity by more than half. Design and buildout of the new Logan and Stateville facilities is expected to take three to five years. Since it is part of the governor's budget proposal, the plan would require approval from the state legislature. The Washington County Virginia School Board set its 2024 high school graduation dates at a meeting held earlier this week. The board approved the following schedule for commencement exercises: May 22, 6 p.m., Washington County Career and Technical Education Center, at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center near I-81s Exit 14 at Virginia Highlands Community College; May 23, 6 p.m., Holston High School; May 23, 7 p.m., Patrick Henry High School; May 24, 6 p.m., John S. Battle High School; May 24, 7:30 p.m., Abingdon High School. In other business on Monday, the board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ballad Health System and the Southwest Virginia Community Health System. The memorandum extends a previous agreement that established an urgent care health clinic at John S. Battle High School in 2023. Now, similar on-site medical facilities are being established at three elementary schools: Abingdon, High Point and Watauga. None have been set up in the Damascus area, because that area is not served by this health system, according to Washington County Schools Superintendent Keith Perrigan. They wanted Watauga for easier access to Damascus, Perrigan said. The business of producing milk has always been about doing more with less, said Brandon Treichler during the National Mastitis Council Annual Meeting. Theres no sign of that changing as dairy farmers look to remain profitable while feeding a growing population. Treichler, the quality control veterinarian with Select Milk Producers, asked how we will meet this need for continual efficiency in the most essential task carried out on a dairy: milk harvesting. The science of milking cows has not and will not change, but our assumptions must, he said. Due to advances in equipment and milking routine compliance, improvements have already been made. He explained that a study done 10 years ago found that cows were milked for an average of 4.4 minutes with an average flow rate of 6.6 pounds per minute. From the farm visits he conducts, he predicted that todays cows can produce 8.6 pounds per minute and complete milking in less than four minutes. Milking efficiency also includes sizing your parlor right, Treichler continued. Most farms group cows by stage of lactation or production, so the highest-producing cows are often milking at the same time. Consider if your meters and other equipment can handle that milk flow. Be the employer of choice The most crucial aspect to doing more with less, he said, is in how a dairy manages its employees. The limiting factor in a dairy business is rarely the cow; it is often the people. We used to think we could solve problems by throwing labor at them, Treichler said. However, that is usually not an option in todays tight labor market. The two largest expenses on a dairy are often feed and labor, and Treichler said that while dairy farmers may see cheap feed again, they are unlikely to again see a plentiful labor pool. Therefore, the attention must turn to how your dairy farm becomes the employer of choice. Consider what situations you are putting your employees in, Treichler said. This includes factors like shift length, training, staffing, and equipment configuration. Does your team have an environment in which they can succeed? Dairy farmers dont get into their career to manage people. Building trust, handling change management, and resolving conflicts may not be natural skills a dairy owner has. But this is what you need to know, Triechler said. While you can outsource areas like agronomy or reproduction if it is not your strong suit, he encouraged all dairy owners to approach leadership and employee relations as their opportunity for continuing education. Learn how you can support your people and thank them for their contributions so that people dont become the limiting factor to your farms achievement. That is especially important in the area of milk harvest, where the people you hire and develop are a critical component of the product you send to market. The parlor is either the last place to improve milk quality or the last place where days, months, and weeks of effort are undone, said Treichler. Setting your team up for success helps them do their best job. Idaho dairy farmer Hans Nederand echoed that thought later in the conference. There arent a lot of new ideas to milk cows, he agreed. But the great dairies are the ones that persevere, encourage good milking routines, and make sure their employees know the why of their job, he said. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024 March 11, 2024 [Hacker News discussion, LinkedIn discussion, Twitter thread] Four years ago, I did an analysis of the open source ML ecosystem. Since then, the landscape has changed, so I revisited the topic. This time, I focused exclusively on the stack around foundation models. The full list of open source AI repos is hosted at llama-police. The list is updated every 6 hours. You can also find most of them on my cool-llm-repos list on GitHub. Table of contents Data . How to add missing repos The New AI Stack . AI stack over time .. Applications .. AI engineering .. Model development .. Infrastructure Open source AI developers . One-person billion-dollar companies? . 1 million commits The growing Chinas open source ecosystem Live fast, die young My personal favorite ideas Conclusion Data I searched GitHub using the keywords gpt , llm , and generative ai . If AI feels so overwhelming right now, its because it is. There are 118K results for gpt alone. To make my life easier, I limited my search to the repos with at least 500 stars. There were 590 results for llm , 531 for gpt , and 38 for generative ai . I also occasionally checked GitHub trending and social media for new repos. After MANY hours, I found 896 repos. Of these, 51 are tutorials (e.g. dair-ai/Prompt-Engineering-Guide) and aggregated lists (e.g. f/awesome-chatgpt-prompts). While these tutorials and lists are helpful, Im more interested in software. I still include them in the final list, but the analysis is done with the 845 software repositories. It was a painful but rewarding process. It gave me a much better understanding of what people are working on, how incredibly collaborative the open source community is, and just how much Chinas open source ecosystem diverges from the Western one. Add missing repos I undoubtedly missed a ton of repos. You can submit the missing repos here. The list will be automatically updated every day. Feel free to submit the repos with less than 500 stars. Ill continue tracking them and add them to the list when they reach 500 stars! The New AI Stack I think of the AI stack as consisting of 4 layers: infrastructure, model development, application development, and applications. Infrastructure At the bottom is the stack is infrastructure, which includes toolings for serving (vllm, NVIDIAs Triton), compute management (skypilot), vector search and database (faiss, milvus, qdrant, lancedb), . Model development This layer provides toolings for developing models, including frameworks for modeling & training (transformers, pytorch, DeepSpeed), inference optimization (ggml, openai/triton), dataset engineering, evaluation, .. Anything that involves changing a models weights happens in this layer, including finetuning. Application development With readily available models, anyone can develop applications on top of them. This is the layer that has seen the most actions in the last 2 years and is still rapidly evolving. This layer is also known as AI engineering. Application development involves prompt engineering, RAG, AI interface, Applications There are many open sourced applications built on top of existing models. The most popular types of applications are coding, workflow automation, information aggregation, Outside of these 4 layers, I also have another category, Model repos, that are created by companies and researchers to share the code associated with their models. Examples of repos in this category are CompVis/stable-diffusion , openai/whisper , and facebookresearch/llama . AI stack over time I plotted the cumulative number of repos in each category month-over-month. There was an explosion of new toolings in 2023, after the introduction of Stable Diffusion and ChatGPT. The curve seems to flatten in September 2023 because of three potential reasons. I only include repos with at least 500 stars in my analysis, and it takes time for repos to gather these many stars. Most low-hanging fruits have been picked. What is left takes more effort to build, hence fewer people can build them. People have realized that its hard to be competitive in the generative AI space, so the excitement has calmed down. Anecdotally, in early 2023, all AI conversations I had with companies centered around gen AI, but the recent conversations are more grounded. Several even brought up scikit-learn. Id like to revisit this in a few months to verify if its true. In 2023, the layers that saw the highest increases were the applications and application development layers. The infrastructure layer saw a little bit of growth, but it was far from the level of growth seen in other layers. Applications Not surprisingly, the most popular types of applications are coding, bots (e.g. role-playing, WhatsApp bots, Slack bots), and information aggregation (e.g. lets connect this to our Slack and ask it to summarize the messages each day). AI engineering 2023 was the year of AI engineering. Since many of them are similar, its hard to categorize the tools. I currently put them into the following categories: prompt engineering, AI interface, Agent, and AI engineering (AIE) framework. Prompt engineering goes way beyond fiddling with prompts to cover things like constrained sampling (structured outputs), long-term memory management, prompt testing & evaluation, etc. AI interface provides an interface for your end users to interact with your AI application. This is the category Im the most excited about. Some of the interfaces that are gaining popularity are: Web and desktop apps. Browser extensions that let users quickly query AI models while browsing. Bots via chat apps like Slack, Discord, WeChat, and WhatsApp. Plugins that let developers embed AI applications to applications like VSCode, Shopify, and Microsoft Offices. The plugin approach is common for AI applications that can use tools to complete complex tasks (agents). AIE framework is a catch-all term for all platforms that help you develop AI applications. Many of them are built around RAG, but many also provide other toolings such as monitoring, evaluation, etc. Agent is a weird category, as many agent toolings are just sophisticated prompt engineering with potentially constrained generation (e.g. the model can only output the predetermined action) and plugin integration (e.g. to let the agent use tools). Model development Pre-ChatGPT, the AI stack was dominated by model development. Model developments biggest growth in 2023 came from increasing interest in inference optimization, evaluation, and parameter-efficient finetuning (which is grouped under Modeling & training). Inference optimization has always been important, but the scale of foundation models today makes it crucial for latency and cost. The core approaches for optimization remain the same (quantization, low-ranked factorization, pruning, distillation), but many new techniques have been developed especially for the transformer architecture and the new generation of hardware. For example, in 2020, 16-bit quantization was considered state-of-the-art. Today, were seeing 2-bit quantization and even lower than 2-bit. Similarly, evaluation has always been essential, but with many people today treating models as blackboxes, evaluation has become even more so. There are many new evaluation benchmarks and evaluation methods, such as comparative evaluation (see Chatbot Arena) and AI-as-a-judge. Infrastructure Infrastructure is about managing data, compute, and toolings for serving, monitoring, and other platform work. Despite all the changes that generative AI brought, the open source AI infrastructure layer remained more or less the same. This could also be because infrastructure products are typically not open sourced. The newest category in this layer is vector database with companies like Qdrant, Pinecone, and LanceDB. However, many argue this shouldnt be a category at all. Vector search has been around for a long time. Instead of building new databases just for vector search, existing database companies like DataStax and Redis are bringing vector search into where the data already is. Open source AI developers Open source software, like many things, follows the long tail distribution. A handful of accounts control a large portion of the repos. One-person billion-dollar companies? 845 repos are hosted on 594 unique GitHub accounts. There are 20 accounts with at least 4 repos. These top 20 accounts host 195 of the repos, or 23% of all the repos on the list. These 195 repos have gained a total of 1,650,000 stars. On Github, an account can be either an organization or an individual. 19/20 of the top accounts are organizations. Of those, 3 belong to Google: google-research , google , tensorflow . The only individual account in these top 20 accounts is lucidrains. Among the top 20 accounts with the most number of stars (counting only gen AI repos), 4 are individual accounts: lucidrains (Phil Wang): who can implement state-of-the-art models insanely fast. ggerganov (Georgi Gerganov): an optimization god who comes from a physics background. Illyasviel (Lyumin Zhang): creator of Foocus and ControlNet whos currently a Stanford PhD. xtekky: a full-stack developer who created gpt4free. Unsurprisingly, the lower we go in the stack, the harder it is for individuals to build. Software in the infrastructure layer is the least likely to be started and hosted by individual accounts, whereas more than half of the applications are hosted by individuals. Applications started by individuals, on average, have gained more stars than applications started by organizations. Several people have speculated that well see many very valuable one-person companies (see Sam Altmans interview and Reddit discussion). I think they might be right. 1 million commits Over 20,000 developers have contributed to these 845 repos. In total, theyve made almost a million contributions! Among them, the 50 most active developers have made over 100,000 commits, averaging over 2,000 commits each. See the full list of the top 50 most active open source developers here. The growing China's open source ecosystem Its been known for a long time that Chinas AI ecosystem has diverged from the US (I also mentioned that in a 2020 blog post). At that time, I was under the impression that GitHub wasnt widely used in China, and my view back then was perhaps colored by Chinas 2013 ban on GitHub. However, this impression is no longer true. There are many, many popular AI repos on GitHub targeting Chinese audiences, such that their descriptions are written in Chinese. There are repos for models developed for Chinese or Chinese + English, such as Qwen, ChatGLM3, Chinese-LLaMA. While in the US, many research labs have moved away from the RNN architecture for language models, the RNN-based model family RWKV is still popular. There are also AI engineering tools providing ways to integrate AI models into products popular in China like WeChat, QQ, DingTalk, etc. Many popular prompt engineering tools also have mirrors in Chinese. Among the top 20 accounts on GitHub, 6 originated in China: THUDM: Knowledge Engineering Group (KEG) & Data Mining at Tsinghua University. OpenGVLab: General Vision team of Shanghai AI Laboratory OpenBMB: Open Lab for Big Model Base, founded by ModelBest & the NLP group at Tsinghua University. InternLM: from Shanghai AI Laboratory. OpenMMLab: from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. QwenLM: Alibabas AI lab, which publishes the Qwen model family. Live fast, die young One pattern that I saw last year is that many repos quickly gained a massive amount of eyeballs, then quickly died down. Some of my friends call this the hype curve. Out of these 845 repos with at least 500 GitHub stars, 158 repos (18.8%) havent gained any new stars in the last 24 hours, and 37 repos (4.5%) havent gained any new stars in the last week. Here are examples of the growth trajectory of two of such repos compared to the growth curve of two more sustained software. Even though these two examples shown here are no longer used, I think they were valuable in showing the community what was possible, and it was cool that the authors were able to get things out so fast. My personal favorite ideas So many cool ideas are being developed by the community. Here are some of my favorites. Batch inference optimization: FlexGen, llama.cpp Faster decoder with techniques such as Medusa, LookaheadDecoding Model merging: mergekit Constrained sampling: outlines, guidance, SGLang Seemingly niche tools that solve one problem really well, such as einops and safetensors. Conclusion Even though I included only 845 repos in my analysis, I went through several thousands of repos. I found this helpful for me to get a big-picture view of the seemingly overwhelming AI ecosystem. I hope the list is useful for you too. Please do let me know what repos Im missing, and Ill add them to the list! Friday, March 15 The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination. Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16 The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products. Center United Methodist Church will hold it's Chicken BBQ on Saturday, March 16, from 4 p.m. until sold out. The cost is $12 per plate which includes 1/2 chicken, beans, slaw, roll and a dessert., Brunswick Stew will also be available. Dine in or carry out. Center United Methodist is located at 1119 Union Street S, Concord. Call 704-782-1785 for details. A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763. New Gilead Reformed Church will have a BBQ Chicken Dinner fundraiser from 11 a.m.until sold out. Dine in or carryout. The church is located at 2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Concord. A plate includes: half BBQ Chicken, beans, slaw, roll, chips, drink, and dessert for $11, a whole chicken: $9 and a quart of slaw: $5. Sunday, March 17 A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811. The Piedmont Community Band will perform "Seasons of Love" at 4 p.m. at the Hickory Ridge High School Auditorium. Admission is free. Donations are graciously accepted. The concert includes songs about love including, Besame Mucho, Tango Corazon, Seasons of Love, along with a few surprises. Also, to celebrate St. Patrick's Day the band will perform A Longford Legend, a collection of Irish Street Ballades. Monday, March 18 The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner. Tuesday, March 19 TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome. How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details. Wednesday, March 20 The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye. Centering Prayer Weekly via Zoom meets at 7:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923. How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details. The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave., SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome. Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will be holding a Hot Dog Sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury Concord Road, Kannapolis. For more information, call 704-933-0155. Thursday, March 21 Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500. Pancake Day at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County will be held at the club on Spring Street in Concord from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p..m. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased online at www.bgclubcab.org, at the club weekedays or at the door. Friday, March 22 The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination. 18th Annual BBQ at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., eat-in or takeout, $12 a plate or three sandwiches for $12. David Childers entertaining at noon and 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23 The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products. Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785. A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763. The United Methodist Men and the United Women in Faith will be sponsoring a hot dog sale at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Delicious homemade desserts will also be available for $2 a slice.The church is located at 301 Mt. Olivet Road, Concord. Sunday, March 24 A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811. Palm Sunday Worship at Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will be at 11 a.m. A covered dish meal and Easter Egg Hunt will follow. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Monday, March 25 The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner. Tuesday, March 26 TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome. How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details. Wednesday, March 27 The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye. Centering Prayer Weekly via Zoom meets at 7:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923. How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details. Thursday, March 28 Maundy Thursday Service observed at 7 p.m. at Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church. Good Friday Service will be held on March 29 at 7 p.m. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Friday, March 29 The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination. Saturday, March 30 The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products. Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785. A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763. Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church Sunrise Service will be observed at 7 a.m. Breakfast will be provided following the Sunrise Service. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com. Cox named to Phi Kappa Phi BATON ROUGE, La. McKenzie Cox of Concord was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Cox was initiated at The University of Mississippi. Cox is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. Jamieson, Gregory graduate from Ole Miss UNIVERSITY, Miss. More than 900 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in August 2023. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies and schools of Law, Pharmacy, Journalism and New Media, Engineering, Education, Business Administration, Applied Sciences and Patterson School of Accountancy. Matthew Jamieson of China Grove, who majored in Criminal Justice and received a Master of Criminal Justice from the Graduate School, is one of those students. Ward Gregory of Salisbury, who majored in General Business and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the School of Business Administration, is one of those students. Young named to honor society MANCHESTER, N.H. Saint Anselm College student Clay Young of Midland, an Elementary Education major in the class of 2023, has been accepted into the Alpha Eta Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, for the 2022-23 academic year. Membership in Kappa Delta Pi is limited to the top 20% of those entering the field of education, with a required minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all undergraduate students. The Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education was founded in 1911 at the University of Illinois in hopes of fostering excellence in education and promoting fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Today, the society is comprised of over 1.2 million members. Local students make Lee deans list CLEVELAND, Tenn. Lee University congratulates students who earned deans list honors during the Fall 2023 semester. Deans list recognition is earned by full-time students with a semester grade point average between 3.7 and 4.0. Congratulations to these distinguished scholars on earning this academic achievement. Concord Griffin Wong Davidson Anna Davidson Kannapolis Benjamin Bare Huntersville Riley Eige Mooresville Zoey Smith Lee University is a private, Christ-centered university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Bridgewater College deans list released BRIDGEWATER, Va. The deans list for the 2023 fall semester at Bridgewater College has been announced by Dr. Leona A. Sevick, provost and executive vice president. More than 550 students were named to the list. Students on the deans list have attained a 3.4 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0. Students from this area named to the deans list are: Aidan Anderson, a political science major from Charlotte. Emme Roper, a health and exercise science major from Davidson. Kathryn Tolone, a mathematics major from Concord. Coeducational since its founding in 1880, Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Students honored at Belmont University NASHVILLE, Tenn. The following students achieved the deans list at Belmont University for the Fall 2023 semester. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours (exclusive of audit and pass/fail courses this semester) and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C (inclusive of audit, pass/fail courses and zero-credit courses). Concord Katherine King Charlotte Janiyah Armstrong, Hannah Kelsey and Ellen Leaton Davidson Daniel Ahearn Kannapolis Addison Meckley About Belmont University Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University comprises nearly 9,000 students from every state and 33 countries. MANCHESTER, NH Saint Anselm College student Clay Young of Midland, an Elementary Education major in the class of 2023, has been accepted into the Alpha Eta Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, for the 2022-2023 academic year. Membership in Kappa Delta Pi is limited to the top 20 percent of those entering the field of education, with a required minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all undergraduate students. The Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education was founded in 1911 at the University of Illinois in hopes of fostering excellence in education and promoting fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Today, the society is comprised of over 1.2 million members. Novant Health Inc. said Thursday it has hired a new chief financial officer, the latest in a series of executive changes over the past year. Alice Pope begins her new duties May 13. She served most recently as chief financial officer for Inova Health System in Virginia. Pope succeeds Fred Hargett, who stepped down in September after 15 years in order to take the same post at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. During her nearly 35-year career, Pope has worked as the senior financial executive for regional operations and medical centers that include HonorHealth in Arizona and Wellmont Health System in Tennessee. In addition to her outstanding credentials in delivering exceptional financial performance, Alice brings a collaborative and outcome-driven mindset, said Carl Armato, Novants president and chief executive. Novant did not disclose Popes annual base salary and compensation. The system did not disclose Hargetts fiscal 2022 compensation due to his departure. In fiscal 2021, he received a 9.3% increase in salary to just more than $1 million, and bonus and incentive pay of $858,077, up 2.9%. In December, Novant chief operating officer Jeff Lindsay stepped down to become president and chief operating officer at UNC Health. Lindsay had been a Novant executive since 1996. He served as Forsyth Medical Centers president from May 2010 to May 2014 before being promoted to chief operating officer. Lindsay also served as interim president of New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Novant has not announced a replacement for Lindsay. In January, Novant said Ernie Bovio had been hired as president of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and its Coastal region, both effective Jan. 22. The Coastal region also includes Brunswick and Pender medical centers, New Hanover Orthopedic Hospital and the future Scotts Hill Medical Center. Bovio comes to Novant after serving as president of UNC Health Rexs Raleigh facilities for five years. His last day with UNC Health Rex is Jan. 7. CHARLESTON Coles County Sheriff's Office investigators are seeking information from the public on the unsolved murder of a Mattoon woman that occurred 50 years ago this month. Linda Shriver, 23, was last seen alive on March 9, 1974, cruising around Mattoon in her light blue 1969 Mercury Montego. Her body was found the following day under a bridge near Lake Paradise in rural Coles County. She had been badly beaten and strangled. Shriver's car was found abandoned about a mile west of Mattoon, just south of Illinois Route 121. "The call for information is in response to the 50th anniversary of the case," said Sheriff Kent Martin. The sheriff's office reported that a witness had recalled seeing men trying to enter Shriver's vehicle, but the investigation did not result in an arrest. The sheriffs office is asking for the public's help in solving this now 50-year-old cold case. This law enforcement agency is encouraging anyone with information regarding the Shriver case or any other case to contact its office and speak with an investigator. People with knowledge of the Shriver case may not be active on social media, so the sheriff's office asks that community members share its request for information through word of mouth or any other method that may prove fruitful. If people do not have firsthand information about Shriver's murder but have information on anyone who may, the sheriff's office is interested in receiving their contact information. It reported that no lead is insignificant. Those who were interviewed in the past regarding the Shriver case and who have since moved out of the area are asked to reach out to the sheriff's office to update their contact information. The sheriff's office can be contacted at 217-348-0588 or coldcases@co.coles.il.us. "Please know we will also accept information provided anonymously through www.colescountycrimestoppers.org," Martin said. Who are they? IL children reported missing as of February 25 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). HIGHLAND PARK An investigation into an antisemitic incident is being conducted by the Highland Park Police Department after graffiti depicting a swastika was found at a community park. The Park District of Highland Park immediately removed the defacement upon discovery of the graffiti on Monday at Millard Park, according to a statement from the city. Hate-motivated acts have no place in our community and are antithetical to our values, the statement said. The city stands in solidarity with our Jewish community in denouncing all acts of antisemitism. A Jewish cemetery in Waukegan was defaced in November 2022 after swastikas were spray-painted on headstones. Police found 39 headstones defaced with red paint and 16 large headstones painted with swastikas. Another 23 stones were painted with nonspecific graffiti. In November, Skokie police investigated graffiti depicting a swastika found at a kosher pizzeria. Victims of Highland Park shooting remembered for kindness, warmth Irina and Kevin McCarthy, 35 and 37 Jacki Sundheim, 63 Nicolas Toledo, 78 Stephen Straus Another man fighting for his life CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration announced Friday that 35 migrants will be evicted from Chicagos migrant shelter system this weekend while scores of others will receive new exemptions allowing them to stay, the latest update in his handling of a 60-day shelter limit policy that has seen months of delays and backlash. The group of 35 will be the first migrants required to leave the shelters, after a week of uncertainty over whether the Johnson administration would move ahead with limited evictions this Saturday amid outcry from a group of aldermen opposed to the policy. During a Friday briefing with City Hall reporters, Johnsons team confirmed the change. It came two days after the mayor said the city was proceeding with the policy that was to see its first wave of evictions on Saturday, without elaborating on how many would be affected. After Sunday, a larger wave of about 2,000 migrants will be required to exit in waves between next week and the end of April, the administration said. Their evictions will be staggered, with 244 set to be removed by the end of March and 1,782 more are scheduled to be forced to leave shelters between April 1 and April 30, the administration said. But given how Johnson has so far failed to meet the shelter deadlines he has set, it remains to be seen how the situation will play out. New exemptions from eviction were granted to all families with children, on top of existing ones for those who have medical conditions, are in the process of securing housing or leaving Chicago, experiencing domestic violence or are pregnant. The late change comes as residents of a Lower West Side shelter currently grapple with a measles outbreak. As of Thursday, 12 cases of the highly infectious disease have been reported in Chicago the first such cases in five years ten of which are from the migrant facility that is in the midst of a lockdown. It is unclear how many migrants would have been affected were the Johnson administration to have proceeded. While his team previously estimated as many as 5,600 migrants could be removed under the shelter limit policy, he hinted Wednesday that scores would have been spared thanks to exemptions granted by the city. Those required to leave were going to be directed back to the citys landing zone if they wished to restart the process of waiting for a shelter bed. The mayor had indicated those affected would not make up a substantial number, given the exceptions made for those in the process of securing permanent housing or facing health circumstances. The mayor in November initially unveiled the new requirement that migrants leave the shelters after 60 days as a way to push them to find permanent housing and relieve pressure on the expensive, overburdened shelter system. Since then, Johnson has delayed enacting the policy three times. The previous pushbacks, each announced in January, came amid cold weather and aldermanic complaints just days before migrants faced removal. This Saturday was the next deadline, though it too was surrounded by mixed messaging from the Johnson administration. While suggesting Wednesday that the deadline would stand, Johnson pinned the unsustainability of the citys asylum seeker support on the absence of federal support while calling on Congress to punish Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for his hand in sending migrant buses north to Chicago. The pace of new arrivals has also slowed in recent months a reprieve that many receive with wariness, given the threat of Abbott escalating the buses before the Democratic National Convention arrives in Chicago this summer. The population in the city shelters has declined from a late-December high of 14,900 to 11,200 Friday. Necessity and frustration are sharing the roles of mothers of invention when it comes to a theft-protection household device produced by a Winston-Salem entrepreneur. Kathy Sides, co-founder of Loxx Boxx with her husband Rod, invented the packaged goods-threat protection devices in large part after she and family members had been victims of porch pirates stealing delivery items. That includes Christmas presents sent by her parents to their grandchildren in December 2017. Sides said the contents of some gifts were strewn across her yard. Porch thefts had happened enough that I went home and I said OK, weve got to do something, that its ridiculous, Sides said. We shouldnt have to put up with this. Rather than look for retail security options, Sides began designing and developing her own prototypes that resulted in the first Loxx Boxx products for porch use. It offered a push button for access to the delivery driver and a key for the homeowner. But while the early versions were serving their purpose as a secure device against theft and weather, Sides knew they were limited in terms of technology. With a push lock, once a package was in there, another package could not be delivered, so it was a work in progress, especially for customers who had multiple deliveries in a day, Sides said. As app technology became more accessible, the next versions of Loxx Boxx products offered customers the ability to monitor when a product had been delivered and placed in the device, as well as be alerted in case of an attempted theft. It also allows customers to coordinate and track delivery times with most door-to-door shipping carriers. Finally, technology kind of caught up with where we wanted to be, Sides said. We have Wi-Fi from the time the package is sent from the warehouse until its delivered into their box and they get a notification. Once we were able to get the digital lock that could communicate with our app, we knew that we could take something to folks that we felt confident would actually protect their packages. Loxx Boxx details Sides said her customer base is pretty varied, but does tend to be favored by retirees and single-family homeowners. Most customers have had a package stolen more than once. More than 400,000 delivered packages have been protected to date by Loxx Boxx boxes, she said. Loxx Boxx offers two sizes five and eight cubic feet of volume and six colors. The smaller version retails for $309, while the larger is $359. The boxes are made in Vietnam and the app developed in Raleigh. Sides said there are about 5,000 Loxx Boxx products in service currently, many purchased through word of mouth. The current goal is to reach 100,000 products. Were really trying hard to make it affordable for every family in North Carolina to be able to have, Sides said. They are made with 16 gauge steel with temperature controls, a one-year warranty and free monitoring services for the first 30 days after purchase. There is a $3.99 per month app fee for Wi-Fi enabled products, and a $5.99 per month app charge for LTE/cellular enabled products. As an added consumer enticement, the company offers a $500 safe-receipt guarantee. A version with a solar panel means the box is not bound to a porch, but can be placed curbside, although Sides said the porch version has higher demand. Capitalizing on e-commerce Sides said she is confident the appeal of Loxx Boxx will continue to grow because online shopping shows no signs of slowing. Working with carriers, retailer and credit card companies to receive a refund or locate a stolen package is a high-effort, low-reward process, Sides said. Sides said she read in a Capital One report on theft that one in every six North Carolina residents loses at least one package per year to porch or mailbox theft. There is no specific state law directed at packaged delivery theft. A package valued under $1,000 is considered as a larceny-theft, which is a misdemeanor. Most people dont realize that they need a solution to home deliveries because they think its not going to happen to me, Sides said. We think we live in a safe neighborhood. But, when it happens to you, you just sort of feel like youve been invaded a little bit. You can have your doorbells ring and photographs from where your packages have been placed at your home, Sides said. But, the police just dont have the time to go and follow up. Sides said as porch theft increases, we all end up kind of paying for it in the long run because retailers are gonna pass their increased costs along in their prices. Customer base Sides said effective use of Loxx Boxx falls on the homeowner to educate their delivery drivers on how to access the products. When you make a purchase, you get a tracking number, Sides said. You take the last four digits of that and share it into the app. When you are checking out, you can say please place in my Loxx Boxx. It works for every carrier, whether USPS, UPS, Amazon, FedEx. Sides said coordinating with delivering carriers is most effective when its the same driver, on their route. The access code (to the Loxx Boxx) can only be used one time and the carriers really like that. Were always trying to keep up with the latest trends and what is out there, and constantly updating our software, Sides said. We already do offer return with USPS, and were in the process of trying to work through being able to do that with UPS, FedEx, Amazon, which I think will really help folks. Thats the really cool thing about our product is we can continue to grow. Customer appeal The digital aspects of Loxx Boxx may be its best selling point, according to Roger Beahm, a marketing professor at Wake Forest University. While the company is not the only provider of a secure at-home package delivery system, its use of innovative technology through its lock and app can give it a competitive advantage, Beahm said. It can appeal to consumers who want both security and convenience when it comes to their home deliveries. Beahm said offering customers peace of mind with online shipping can be an emotional benefit. It can make this home delivery security considerably more valuable than just the cost of the item the shopper purchased, Beahm said. Anyone who has had a package stolen from their porch is left with feelings of frustration and vulnerability even though they inherently knew when they ordered the item that this risk was always there. The need to bring added security to the last mile in at-home delivery is something online shoppers are learning, and that its something they themselves can control. Said another way, its insurance against suffering any loss. Beahm said the $500 reimbursement guarantee is a plus considering the challenges of getting retailers and credit card companies to cover the loss from an at-home delivery theft. Not only does it help reduce concern over the risk of some financial loss, it also adds credibility to the products claim for protection against theft itself, noting the manufacturer is willing to stand by their product up to that level of reimbursement, Beahm said. Beahm said Loxx Boxxs challenge is creating widespread awareness of its product and its features and benefits. Its not enough for a brand or company to have a website, or to even be listed with an online retailer, Beahm said. If consumers arent familiar with a brand, and dont have judgments and feelings about it, theyre typically not going to buy it, especially if it requires an ongoing subscription. Beahm said theres also seems to be plenty of opportunity to partner with retailers, much as the delivery companies themselves have done since the advent of home delivery. Partnerships with delivery companies and retailers, combined with testimonials from satisfied customers, could allow a company like Loxx Boxx to increase its rate of household penetration even faster going forward. The decision by Herbalife Ltd. chief executive Michael Johnson to take a $1 base salary dramatically lowered his fiscal 2023 total compensation to $1.28 million, the company reported in a regulatory filing this week. Thats compared with $10.34 million in fiscal 2022, the bulk of which was from being made eligible for $10.13 million in stock and stock options awards. Herbalife has its East Coast manufacturing hub in Winston-Salem with at least 750 employees. Johnson, 69, began his third term as Herbalifes chief executive on Dec. 27, 2022. Although Johnson was paid $1 in base salary, he received a $250,000 bonus and $684,657 in incentive pay. He also received $341,907 in all other compensation that was solely non-business use of a private aircraft. Meanwhile, Johnson received no stock and stock-option awards in fiscal 2023. As a result, Johnsons CEO pay ratio was $33-to-$1, compared with its median employees compensation of $39,266. In fiscal 2022, it was $153 to $1. For fiscal 2023, Herbalife reported $142.2 million in net income, down from $321.3 million in fiscal 2022. When Johnson agreed on Jan. 3 to serve as chief executive through fiscal 2024, the board approved a base salary of $1.28 million and made him eligible for an annual bonus with a targeted goal of $1.92 million with a maximum bonus of 300% of target. Alexander Amezquita, chief financial officer, received a 13.2% increase in base salary to $610,577, incentive pay of $277,478 and total compensation of $2.31 million, down 23.8%. Henry Wang, general counsel and corporate secretary, received a 7.3% increase in base salary to $590,385, incentive pay of $265,399 and total compensation of $2.27 million, down 20.7%. Frank Lamberti, chief operating officer, received a 6.8% increase in base salary to $605,096, incentive pay of $213,308 and total compensation of $2.23 million, down 8.3%. Ibelis Montesino, chief of staff, was listed for the first time. He received $590,385, incentive pay of $219,981 and total compensation of $1.92 million. Herbalife will hold its annual shareholders meeting at 11:30 a.m. April 25. There are no shareholder proposals on the agenda. The top executive for RTX Corp. had a slight decline in total compensation for the second consecutive fiscal year, the company reported in a regulatory filing this week. Gregory Hayes, RTXs chairman and chief executive, announced in December he would step down as chief executive on May 2, to be succeeded by president and chief operating officer Christopher Calio. RTX business unit Collins Aerospace has about 1,500 employees at its Winston-Salem operations. Hayes received $21.93 million in total compensation in fiscal 2023, compared with $22.61 million in 2022 and $23.32 million in 2021. The main difference for the second consecutive year was a lower bonus, dropping to $2.78 million from $3.9 million in 2022 and $4.95 million in 2021. Hayes base salary was up 1.1% to $1.67 million. He received stock and stock-option awards valued at $16.36 million on the date they were awarded, up from $15.78 million in fiscal 2022. Hayes received all other compensation of $1.1 million, which consisted of: $669,000 in company contribution to defined contribution plans; $225,000 in matching gifts to charities that Hayes donated to; $151,808 for personal use of corporate aircraft; $26,095 in company-paid health benefits; $18,532 in miscellaneous contributions; $7,728 for basic life insurance premiums; and $3,928 for a company-paid leased vehicle. For the full year, RTX had a 39% decline in net income to $3.19 billion. The manufacturer had a $984 million loss for the third quarter, foremost from taking a $5.4 billion charge related to the disclosure of a significant engine manufacturing issue involving its Pratt & Whitney business unit. Raytheon reported the CEO pay ratio for Hayes is $187-to-$1 compared with its median employees compensation of $117,236. Calio received a 12.8% uptick in base salary to $986,667, a $1.41 million bonus and total compensation of $12.74 million, up 27.4%. Wesley Kremer, president of Raytheon Missiles and Defense, received a 2.7% gain in base salary to $896,333, an $820,000 bonus and total compensation of $7.27 million, up 5.6%. Neil Mitchill Jr., chief financial officer, received a 9.1% uptick in base salary to $956,250, a $1.1 million bonus and total compensation of just more than $7 million, up 8.6%. Stephen Timm, Collins president, received a 6.4% raise in base salary to $839,21, an $840,000 bonus and total compensation of $5.89 million, down 16.6%. Raytheon will hold a virtual annual shareholders meeting at 8 a.m. May 2. There are three shareholder proposals on the agenda that the board of directors recommends voting against. The first is a request for a lobbying transparency report. The second is asking for a report addressing a full value chain emission reduction plan. The third is requesting a human rights impact assessment. When she watches seniors climbing aboard her two passenger vans outside the Williams Adult Day Center and hears small talk between the drivers and their passengers, Courtney James remembers how much her business matters. Many of the passengers cant ride public transportation. Some have dementia or early onset Alzheimer's, which makes it more difficult to remember where they are going or how to get back. And Trans-Aid, the Winston-Salem Transit Authoritys (WSTA) service for those who cant ride WSTAs fixed routes because of a disability, doesnt reach some seniors homes. Thats where James and Support Systems of Forsyth County have stepped in. A couple of Support Systems fleet of 10 passenger vans drop off seniors at 8:30 a.m. at the day center and pick them up again around 4 p.m. something that many of their passengers families dont have time to do. And those trips have become just one of many gaps that Support Systems a Black-owned, family-operated business has filled in. Support Systems helps students get to their college classes at Forsyth Tech, workers to their jobs in Winston-Salem, children to the daycare, and even the previously incarcerated to second chance work opportunities. James Wilks, who started driving for Support Systems a year and a half ago, can see the benefit of the rides more than most. Wilks is 70, and knows the struggle of putting parents into a nursing home. I wish my parents had something like this, Wilks said. Wilks said that some of his passengers will talk to strangers before they talk to family members. The conversations are a perk of his 4-5 hour shifts, which usually help him learn something new every day. His passengers come from all kinds of places in the county and are wearing everything from a life-alert band to an ankle bracelet from the city jail. James, a Winston-Salem native, and her husband, Gregory, started Support Systems in 2020 with a gift of two passenger vans from their family in New Jersey. Since then their vehicle fleet has expanded, and they now have partnerships with Goodwill, Greater Winston-Salem, and court-ordered services mandated by law enforcement. James said that the rides Support Systems offers are often so critical to lower-income communities that they can be life-changing opportunities. We pick up a lot of people at halfway houses and homeless shelters," James said. "There are times where people are walking out of their homes and their lights are getting turned off. They have to decide to either keep selling drugs or start living in a different way." But one of the more challenging aspects of the program has been getting it funded, according to James. Support Systems help with transporting seniors is covered through money from an ARPA grant from the Piedmont Triad Regional Council. But with those funds running out, James said that Support Systems has to decrease its services and preserve money to keep transporting cancer patients, patients on dialysis, and others going to medical appointments. If the businesses JARC (Job Access Reverse Commute) grant from the city of Winston-Salem could start kicking in, James said, Support Systems wouldnt have to decrease its services. But Jeff Fansler, the citys director of transportation, said that the funds wont reach Support Systems until after city meetings in March and April to review the allocations, which were awarded in 2023. Fansler said a short-staffed city transportation department, a Federal Transit Administration evaluation, and the loss of the citys transportation project planner are to blame for the delay of funding. James said she has waited patiently since 2022, when she began applying for the grant, before saying anything about the delays. But now, the slowdown in funding is directly affecting Support Systems and other contractors who fill gaps in city transit. Theres a labor shortage everywhere, but if we cant get this funding rolling youre going to be hearing a totally different story, James said, referencing the positive community impact Support Systems can provide. Fortunately, the philosophy of Support Systems transportation services is beginning to pick up steam with other governmental authorities. Forsyth County commissioners unanimously chose to grant a $90,000 contract to Support Systems in a March 7 meeting, making James business the provider for the countys new Forsyth Rides program. I think the county coming in with the funding has been our saving grace, James said. A very good sign In Forsyth County, one of the biggest barriers to higher pay, a healthier life, and more time to spend on yourself or your family can often be a lack of transportation. While the public bus system can help many get to their jobs, the grocery store, and other appointments, it takes far more time for the bus to get through routes, which dont cover an increasing amount of needed stops across the countys low density suburban areas. In response, county officials have launched Forsyth Rides, a microtransit program that will provide free rides to Forsyth residents for job-related travel. Forsyth County is joining 10 other cities and counties in North Carolina who have launched public microtransit programs in places such as Wilmington, Wake and Orange counties, and even towns like Elkin and Mocksville. Andrea Sheetz, the countys workforce and economic development analyst said that the program is the first of its kind, and that it will be the first time the county has operated anything like it. There are really big business parks out there, Sheetz said. And there are so many jobs out there that were trying to promote to our community, but we havent had any way to get [workers] there. The countys $90,000 allocation to Support Systems comes from NCDOTs Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP), and will help residents get rides to work, skills training, job fairs, interviews, GED classes, and will assist working parents who need to transport their kids to daycare. For years, lack of transportation has been pointed out as a glaring issue in Forsyth County, which has received low ratings for economic mobility in landmark studies, such as a 2015 Harvard report which found Forsyth County as having the third-worst economic mobility rating in the U.S. Winston-Salem State Universitys Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM) has found in recent years that the low effectiveness of the public bus system has contributed to the countys low mobility rates, among other factors. A 2018 CSEM survey of 215 random employed bus riders in Winston-Salem found that on average, the bus riders spent 11 more hours a week in commuting time than equivalent workers taking vehicles, who averaged 1-2 hours a week. Dr. Craig Richardson, the founding director of CSEM, highlighted the study in an article for the American Institute for Economic Research, stating that the commuting time tax on bus-riders saps the economy in all sorts of ways by leaving people with fewer chances to chase promotions, higher education, or care for their families. Typical solutions in most cities call for an increase in spending on fixed bus routes, which will never put those who cannot afford a vehicle on the same footing in terms of job opportunities and upward economic mobility, Richardson wrote, highlighting new microtransit efforts in Wilson, North Carolina. Support Systems, which isnt bound by service areas like public transit systems are, often prioritize low-income areas, which appear in communities around the town of King, Rural Hall, and Tobaccoville where people are looking for ways to get to work in Winston-Salem. Even areas like on the outskirts of Stratford where you have HanesBrands, or in Kernersville, where you have Ralph Lauren [stores] and Herbalife, James said. Youd see temp agencies hiring for these locations, but what you wont see is a bus stop. A group of residents who visited the county commissions March 7 meeting highlighted the CSEM study and praised the commissioners for the new Forsyth Rides program as a solution. Micro-transit could set us on a path to plug more people into the economic network, make housing more affordable, and attract new employers, said Suzanne Epermanis, who described herself as a retired business manager and 35-year resident of Forsyth County. All of this means higher incomes for residents, and increased tax revenues for the city and county. James believes that Forsyth Rides will take off in ways that the county doesnt expect, and hopes to further grow Support Systems' fleet of vehicles. Anyone Ive talked to about this program, whether its an employer, educator, or nonprofit leader they have all been very excited about it, Sheetz said when asked about the future of the program. I trust thats a very good sign. Its definitely a need here in our community. How do I get a ride? Residents can apply for a ride at www.ForsythRides.com or by calling 336-703-2684. Forsyth Rides will start providing rides on March 11, and the service will be free through June 30, according to the countys official website. After that, the program might charge a small fee to clients depending on its volume of clients and future funding. PHOTOS: Support Systems of Forsyth County Kingz Downtown Market, a place to pick up groceries or eats like chicken wings or a Philly steak, is closing in mid April after 17 years in the 400 block of Liberty Street downtown. Proprietor Keith King said hes had fresh complaints about cooking odors passed on to him by the buildings property manager. Business never bounced back from COVID-19, he said. Kings closing down by his own decision and isnt being forced to leave, although in early 2023 similar odor complaints from other tenants in the building arose, and the building management told him he had to shut down the cooking part of the business. 65 to 70% of our business was coming from our kitchen, King said. I got a certified letter from an attorney saying I had to shut the kitchen down. They made me shut down for six or seven months. In response, King said, he spent his own money to make ceiling repairs on his rental site, and, to get back the landlords permission to operate his cooking equipment, agreed on an accelerated schedule for changing out grease and filters. He put an extra air duct in the kitchen. He began offering cooked food again, but said that between COVID and the kitchen shutdown caused by the odor complaints, we just couldnt come back. Customers reacted with shock Tuesday afternoon when asked how they felt about the business closing. They hadnt known. Timothy Scott gasped and said he couldnt believe it: This is a staple in the community, he said. I come here a lot every time I get paid. When I first came here in 2017, from Illinois, I used to get a chicken sandwich with onion rings every Friday. This is needed here. Scott leaned over the counter and looked toward King, who was helping a customer. Mr. King, Im sorry to see you leave, Scott said. King said hes not opposed to moving, but has not seen any location that I feel right now to be appropriate for us to go to. King had eyes on renting the former CVS store site at the corner of Fourth and Trade streets, but they want to sell rather than rent the place again. The CVS downtown closed at the end of January. Kings market is in a building owned by Starbuck Ventures LLC, which is managed by Winston-Salem resident Kathryn Rominger. The company owns some other buildings occupied by other downtown businesses. Rominger has a property manager who looks over Kings building. She said King was able to run the kitchen without complaint for many years because there were no upstairs business tenants. When he originally rented the building, it was not set up for kitchen frying, she said. Later on, he requested that he was going to do food and chicken frying. We made a special lease to give him permission (as long as) it did not become a nuisance. Two small businesses now operate on the second floor of the building. King said that when the complaints were first made, an inspection found ceiling holes that would allow odors to seep through to the floor above. King said the owners did not want to make repairs, so he spent his own money patching holes. Rominger said the main problem is that there is no hooded vent over the chicken fryer. The fryer is in the front part of the building, and you cant vent odors out onto the sidewalk, she said. And to vent through the back is cumbersome and expensive. Rominger said shes sorry to lose King as a tenant, and that without his spot, that block of Liberty Street will suffer. Im sad to hear that he is moving, Rominger said. I am not happy with that. That is his decision. King said customers have been asking if he is shutting down, since theyve noticed shelves getting empty as he sells down his stock. Some shoppers who came by Tuesday afternoon talked about how King helped them when they were down on their luck. He is a very nice man, one shopper, Alyssa Long, said. He always gives me money when we dont have anything. Im going to miss him. Another of the three, Willie Reynolds, used to work for King at the store. He could still tick off the things they would cook: Fried chicken sandwich, fried pork chop sandwich, bacon, egg and cheese biscuit, fried wings, french fries, onion rings, hush puppies ... I worked for him, Reynolds said. I didnt have nothing and he helped me. Mr. King is good people. The way King sees it, his store has sold pretty much everything Food Lion was selling, only with fewer choices among the selections. We sold a variety of products in the store along with the things out of the kitchen, King said. You could come and pay your bills, get money orders. We served the community all these years, people that couldnt afford those high-end restaurants on Trade and Fourth streets. With me being gone, it will be a great impact. Jason Thiel, the president of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, a group that promotes all things downtown, said King has been downtown for some time, so we would like to keep him. We appreciate all of our storefront businesses downtown, Thiel said. Folks relied on it for purchases of lunch or many different grocery items. Although the business organization has grants that can help improve store facades, Thiel said any issues around store ventilation would have to be worked out between King and the building owners. King and building interests see some aspects of the odor problem differently. A building representative said Starbuck Ventures did all it could to help King solve the problem, even bringing in an engineer to look at the building and the odor problem. King said the engineer may have examined the building for the source of the odor problem upstairs, but that he paid for and arranged all the equipment changes he made to reopen the kitchen. At any rate, everyone seems to agree that losing another downtown business is not good. I will be putting notice on the door to let them know when that day will be to close, King said, adding that he will miss running the business: People gave us a chance to stay here, he said. God blessed us to be here many years. I would have liked to be there another five or six more years, but the circumstances will not allow us to do that. Shopper Scott noted that besides the CVS nearby, the Camel City Pawn Shop Fine Jewelry, right up Liberty Street from Kingz, has also closed. It is going to be a ghost town, he said. PHOTOS: Kingz Downtown Market is closing in April OPENING The American Society of Magical Negroes. This deftly observant fantasy comedy stays true to its own irreverence as it satirizes the "magical Negro" movie trope. PG-13. (Grand). Grade: B. Arthur the King. Mark Wahlberg stars in this based-on-a-true-story film about an endurance racer and his dog, Arthur, that was not screened in time for Ground Zero deadlines. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Four Daughters. This film is like no other documentary youve ever seen as it tells the story of a Tunisian family torn. Unrated. (Ross). Grade: B+. Knox Gets Away. Michael Keaton directs and stars in this thriller about a serial killer with dementia trying to save his estranged son that was not screened in advance for critics. R. (Grand). One Life. Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn play the "British Schindler" in this solid film about the stockbroker who led efforts to rescue Czech children from the Nazis. PG. (Ross, Grand). Grade: B. Snack Shack. This coming-of-age teen sex comedy tells the story of randy Xennials in 1991 Nebraska City. It was not screened in advance for critics. R. (Grand). ONGOING Bob Marley: One Love. Not a traditional cradle-to-the-grave biopic, this authentic, authorized film tells Marley's story through three pivotal years of his life. PG-13. (Grand). Grade: B. The Boys In The Boat. Director George Clooney's tale of a University of Washington rowing crew that defies the odds to row for the United States in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. PG-13. (Edgewood). Grade: B. Cabrini. This biopic about Francesca Cabrini, the Catholic missionary who arrived in the U.S. in 1889 and eventually established enough schools, orphanages and hospitals to form a charitable empire raises the bar on faith-based films. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B+. The Chosen: Season 4, Episodes 1-3. The first three episodes of the fourth season of the TV series about the life of Christ come to the big screen. Unrated. (Edgewood). Grade: B. Dune: Part Two. Director Denis Villeneuve's sequel is a spectacular feat of science-fiction filmmaking, marrying immersive world-building with engrossing storytelling. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). PG-13. Grade: A. Imaginary. A stuffed bear turns sinister the more a little girl plays with him in this overwrought, too busy, rarely scary horror movie. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, SouthPointe). Grade: C. Kung Fu Panda 4. Panda Po and a thieving fox team up to battle a shape-shifting lizard in the reliably funny fourth installment of the animated series. PG. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B. Oppenheimer. Director Christopher Nolans massive, meticulously crafted Oscar-winning biopic follows the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. R. (Grand, Edgewood). Grade: A. Ordinary Angels. Hilary Swank is a hairdresser who rallies her community on behalf of a widower and his seriously ill 3-year-old daughter in this irresistible feel-good story. PG. (East Park). Grade: B. Perfect Days. Wim Wenders' meditative film follows a Tokyo toilet cleaner, beautifully played by Koji Yakusho, who goes about his daily routine with caring and gratitude for nature and life. PG. (Ross). Grade: A. The best movies of 2024 so far The best movies of 2024 so far #5. The Settlers #4. Inshallah a Boy #3. Pictures of Ghosts #1. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell #2. Totem A 23-year-old Hickman woman was charged Thursday after allegedly defrauding two 91-year-old Lincoln residents of more than $58,000, according to court records. Karley Clark was charged with two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult, two counts of theft by unlawfully taking $5,000 or more and second-degree forgery. A family member of the two victims reported to the Lincoln Police Department in July 2023 that they may be victims of financial exploitation by Clark, who was their in-home caretaker, according to the probable cause affidavit. The family member said that one of the victims noticed several unauthorized transactions on their American Express credit card, and the other victim also had several unauthorized transactions on their Chase credit card. According to the affidavit, the 91-year-old married couple lived in an independent senior living apartment while Clark assisted them from June 2022 to February 2023. One of the victims says they would make a list of personal items and groceries that were needed and provide it to Clark along with their credit card, cash, or check to purchase the items. They realized their credit card balances were becoming larger than expected and began reviewing purchases made with their credit cards, according to the affidavit. After obtaining their credit card statements, police noticed between January 2023 and July 2023, there were at least 353 unauthorized transactions totaling $31,645.78 on one of the victim's Chase credit card, police say. The American Express credit card had approximately 224 unauthorized transactions between February 2023 and July 2023, amounting to $20,904.55, according to the affidavit. The victims also reported 15 forged checks worth $5,650. Police believe Clark endorsed the forged checks. In total, the couple reported a loss of $58,200.33. Some of the unauthorized purchases included fireworks, gas, cosmetics, food, clothing, dental work and College World Series tickets, according to the affidavit. Officers served a search warrant at Clark's residence at the 100 block of Locust Street in Hickman and discovered various items purchased with the married couple's credit cards, police say. Judge Laurie Yardley set a personal recognizance bond for $1,500 for Clark, meaning they are allowing Clark to be released on a "promise to pay." Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 A 4-year-old boy died Thursday after being hit by a car Wednesday morning in North Omaha. The Omaha Police Department is investigating the fatal accident, which occurred at approximately 11:40 a.m. near Fontenelle Boulevard and Wirt Street, according to a press release from the Police Department. The boy was attempting to cross from the east side of Fontenelle Boulevard to meet family members on the west side of the street when he was hit by a northbound Kia Sorento driven by a 35-year-old man, according to the release. Omaha Fire Department medics transported the boy to the Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition and he died on Thursday, the release said. No charges have been filed as of Thursday, according to the release. The investigation is ongoing. Nebraska lawmakers spent hours debating the state budget before advancing the Appropriations Committee package with virtually no changes. Senators talked from Tuesday through most of the day Thursday about various parts of the two budget proposals. In the end, they gave first-round approval to the committee's version of LB1412 on a 39-4 vote Wednesday. They advanced LB1413 on a 37-5 vote Thursday, with two minor changes. The package updates the current state budget, which was passed last year and covers the two fiscal years ending June 30, 2025. It includes the transfer of about $230 million from various cash funds to support Gov. Jim Pillen's much-repeated initiative to cut property tax payments by 40%. The plan would leave a record balance of $574.9 million in the states general fund by the end of the budget period and another $904 million in the separate cash reserve fund. The Appropriation Committee's plan calls for an average increase in state spending of 3.1% over the two-year budget period, up from the 2.3% approved last year. Pillen's property tax initiative relies on tapping a number of cash funds created for specific purposes, such as water recreation enhancements, behavioral health services and unemployment benefits. Pillen had proposed sweeping nearly $274 million to the general fund to keep the budget in the black. The committee signed off on most of those transfers. But the depletion of these cash funds was the focus of most opposition to the package, with some lawmakers arguing it was irresponsible to raid those funds at a time of economic prosperity, and it was an unsustainable plan that lawmakers may not be able to continue in future budget years. "We're doing a sleight of hand to make it look like we have more money than we do," said Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha. Opponents largely focused on the plan to take $70 million from the state unemployment insurance trust fund, which is separate from the federal unemployment trust fund allocated to Nebraska to pay benefits. Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln said the state fund acts as a necessary safety net if the federal funding isn't enough to meet Nebraska's needs. But proponents of the proposal argued that the state doesn't use this fund and that it only served as a waste of taxpayer dollars. Appropriations Chair Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood said the fund hasn't been used since being established in the 1990s. He noted that officials with the Nebraska Department of Labor condoned raiding the fund. Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte went even further, and said he would support eliminating the fund entirely. If lawmakers approve all the cash fund transfers proposed in the package, he said Nebraska would still retain nearly $1 billion in its cash reserve fund. "The sky is not falling," said Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard. "The world is not coming to an end." The issue divided lawmakers during floor debate, with an amendment to remove this portion of the plan failing on a 20-20 vote Thursday morning. But the issue may return during second-round debate. Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston offered, then withdrew, a motion to reconsider the vote on the amendment. He said he hopes to negotiate a compromise before the bill comes back again. Meanwhile, Sens. Ben Hansen of Blair and Brad von Gillern of Omaha expressed concern about the businesses that paid into the fund, and said they would rather give the money back to those businesses, than distribute it across the state's budget. Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha, an Appropriations Committee member, said she was amenable to this idea, but couldn't support an amendment to simply leave the fund intact. She said she was disappointed previous committees hadn't cut the fund sooner, and urged lawmakers to support a change. "Staying with the status quo is not an option, in my mind," Armendariz said. Lawmakers did adopt a Jacobson amendment that eliminated a $5 million transfer out of the State Visitors Promotion Fund. The Appropriations Committee plan called for giving the money to the Department of Economic Development to promote the state as a place to live. Jacobson argued that the state Tourism Commission has plans for the money. Clements said he would support the amendment and find another $5 million for the DED program. Senators also adopted an amendment from Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, which adjusted a plan to cut $11.2 million in accrued interest for the state's Universal Service Fund, which supports telecommunications services. Cavanaugh's amendment allows the Legislature to take dollars from the fund this year, but future cuts would require new legislative approval. Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln took issue with the budget not including funding to support court interpreter services, which he previously proposed in a bill that was vetoed last year. Critics have said Nebraska's courts already have the funding to pay for interpreters, but Dungan urged lawmakers to act because the courts have shown resistance. Multiple amendments have been proposed on the package to be debated in future floor debates, including one from Dungan that would add $600,000 to the budget to pay for court interpreters. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 With spring and summer on the horizon, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said it is ahead of where it was in the signature-gathering process during the previous two election cycles. In a post Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter, the ballot campaign committee said it had collected more than 72,000 signatures, including from registered voters in 88 counties. And on Thursday, campaign manager Crista Eggers said Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is closer to 75,000 signatures total for its two petitions that began circulating last September. Eggers said the initiative petition is nearing the threshold to qualify in 24 of Nebraska's 93 counties with less than four months to the deadline. State law requires petitions to submit a number of valid signatures equal to 7% of all registered voters in the state, including at least 5% of voters in 38 counties. Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart, who has introduced legislation to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska and has sponsored the petition, said the campaign was proceeding "very well." Each petition in circulation one would enact a new state statute protecting doctors who recommend cannabis and patients who use it for medical purposes; the other would legalize the production, supply and distribution of cannabis for medical reasons will need to collect about 87,000 signatures before July 3. This year marks the third election cycle in a row Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana has attempted to put the measure before voters. In 2020, during the middle of the COVID pandemic, more than 122,000 signatures were submitted to qualify for the ballot, but the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled the language of the petition violated the state's single-subject rule and removed it. Then, in 2022, the death of a financial backer forced the campaign to shift to a full-on grassroots campaign, which fell about 8,000 signatures short of qualifying for the ballot. That attempt also failed to qualify the measure in the 38 counties required under state law. "We know that getting into the 93 different counties is the most difficult and most expensive part and takes the longest amount of time," Eggers said. "We are on our way." Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is hosting 50 signing events in 30 cities across the state this Saturday, according to Eggers, as it begins the next phase of its collection efforts. "We want a strong finish to March, which will shape our strategy moving forward," she said. The ballot committee has hired roughly 50 paid volunteers to coordinate collection efforts across the state, and it continues to rely upon an army of unpaid volunteers as part of its grassroots approach, Eggers said. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is also planning fundraisers in the coming weeks to support its effort. The petition has been opposed by Smart Approaches to Marijuana Nebraska, which has run advertising urging Nebraskans not to sign, and others who said it would put the state on the path to legalizing recreational marijuana. Photos: Medical marijuana petition drive kicks off at Lincoln's Duffy's Tavern The Gage County Sheriffs Office received a check for $184,097.25 after Tuesdays sale of the 37 formerly malnourished horses seized from veterinarian Jennafer Glaesemann last August. The Sheriffs Office will recoup its costs, and the court will disburse the remainder as they see fit, Sgt. Tim Hanson said. Epona Horse Rescue has been caring for 37 of the horses since they were seized from the Blue Valley Veterinary Clinic and Pickrell Veterinary Clinic owned by Glaesemann. Two were returned to their original owner. After an agreement was reached with the County Attorney's Office, Glaesemann will not face criminal charges in the case. She will not be able to own horses for two years in Gage County. Eponas Lin Guyton said 16 horses came back to the rescue after the sale. She paid $62,000 for 13 of the horses, of which $58,000 was raised by a GoFundMe effort. A proxy buyer bought the three others. Another rescue also purchased some horses. Guyton will start finding homes for the horses, with a few staying at the rescue in their retirement. The studs have to be gelded. One young colt that was injured in transport or during the auction will have to heal. We will work really hard to get as many rehomed as possible, she said. There was a standing-room-only crowd for the sale at the Palmyra Livestock Market. Hanson said there didnt appear to be any issues. Guyton said that although she didnt think the auction was the best way to find homes for the horses, she is relieved there is a conclusion. Hanson said: All 39 horses we seized are healthy, and none died during our possession. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 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. Vote View Results Flash SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket for the third time on Thursday, but the company lost communication with the vehicle before it made a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The rocket lifted off at 8:25 a.m. Central Time from SpaceX's Starbase test site in Boca Chica, Texas. About three minutes after liftoff, the first-stage booster, known as Super Heavy, successfully separated from the upper-stage Starship spacecraft. SpaceX completed opening and closing the vehicle's payload door and transferring propellant between two of Starship's tanks in orbit during the flight test, according to the company's live broadcast. But the vehicle was lost as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere. Both the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket booster made it much further into flight than during two previous flight tests in 2023. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called Thursday's test "successful." "Congrats to @SpaceX on a successful test flight! Starship has soared into the heavens. Together, we are making great strides through Artemis to return humanity to the Moon -- then look onward to Mars," Nelson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "At ~5000 tons, Starship is the largest flying object ever made," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is overseeing the SpaceX-led mishap investigation to ensure the company complies with its FAA-approved mishap investigation plan and other regulatory requirements. The mishap involved both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship vehicle. No public injuries or public property damage have been reported, the FAA said in a statement. The FAA will be involved in every step of the mishap investigation process and must approve SpaceX's final report, including any corrective actions. A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. In addition, SpaceX may need to modify its license to incorporate any corrective actions and meet all other licensing requirements, according to FAA. SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, collectively referred to as Starship, represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the moon, Mars and beyond. SpaceX made the first test flight of its fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket in April last year, but the vehicle exploded after liftoff from the launch pad in SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, South Texas. During the second test flight in November last year, Starship blasted off from the launch pad, but exploded minutes after launch. (Photos by ChiHon Kim) When it comes to waterfront parks, Daegu has plenty of options for visitors and locals to enjoy. In the area youll find plenty of parks like Suseongmot Lake Resort, Wolgwang Waterfront Park, Seongdangmot Lake and Unamji Waterfront Park. But, if youre looking to escape the city and recharge in nature, Songhae Park() is the perfect ecological paradise to make that happen. Located in Okpo-eup, Dalseong-gun in Daegu, the park is a home to wildlife such as Australian water lily, water hibiscus, migrant birds, and chipmunks. Its a great place for families with small children. The park was developed in 2017 along with Okyeonji Pond (), so it is also called Okyeonji. The name of Songhae Park is after Korea's famous singing competition show host Song Hae, whose statue and caricatures youre sure to spot inside the park. In the spring, the sweeping cherry blossom trees are a major draw for crowds, but year-round there is plenty of exploring to be done at the park and its lovely pond. Before starting an adventure, you might want to decide where to park your car. Songhae Park has four parking lots that are spread out, so where you park will allow you to get to certain parts faster. Park at the No. 3 or No. 4 parking lots, which are underneath the reservoir, for easy access to the sky bridge and stunning waterfall. These two locations are popular spots to visit and for photos. However, if you decide to park your car at lots No. 1 or No. 2, youll find the food stalls. Start your visit right with a nice cup of coffee or even a snack like instant noodles. Here, youll also find vendors selling fresh local specialties and vegetables. During my visit, my family and I started our journey at the No. 1 parking lot. As we approached the park entrance, the sun started to set over the water, giving us a breathtaking view. The sounds of the cascading water from the enormous waterwheel greeted us. After capturing a couple of photos of this beautiful sight, we headed to the heart-shaped light arches of the Baeksegyo Bridge. Baeksegyo Bridge Baeksegyo () literally means a 100-year-old bridge. But dont let the name of the S-shaped beautiful bridge fool you. Though many assume this bridge is a century old, the name is actually meant to symbolize longevity and as such, crossing the bridge is supposed to mean youll live to be 100. Cross the bridge twice and youll have good health and long life, so, of course, I crossed the bridge twice! After crossing the bridge, the Baeksejung Pavilion () offers another opport unity for a snack break. There a many vending machines selling drinks and even ice cream. Head to the second floor of the pavilion to enjoy a snack and the sprawling view. From here we enjoyed the view of the floating moon and the musical fountain with colorful lights nearby. Journey through the woods Songhae Parks 2.2-mile-long path hugs the shoreline of the reservoir and can take you about an hour or a little more to complete. The easy to walk waterfront trail features four viewing platforms that allow you to catch your breath and take photos. The path is relatively flat perfect for leisurely walking after a big dinner. Across Baeksegyo Bridge, youll meet a path looping through the woods that includes a suspension bridge, and wooden deck. In the middle of the wooden deck, there is even a dirt path where you can walk barefoot, a great way to ground and reconnect with nature. If youre a birdwatcher, this is a great park for it. If youre looking for a hilly forest, there is a network of trails that you vcan mix and match to meet your preference from a short loop trail to a couple of miles of hiking trails. At the end of the wooden deck, check out the impressive sky bridge and waterfall. Near the bridge, there is a lesser-known pavilion() standing on a hillside. If you have more energy to go up a hill, hit the pavilion for a birds eye view of the great scenery of the place. On reaching this spot, you can either return back along the same path to the parking lot or complete the circuit by walking along the path on the opposite side of the reservoir. Evening stroll The park is a still great place to visit during the daytime, but I highly recommend going at dusk or at night time as all of the walking paths, fountains, floating sculptures, waterfalls and windmills are lit up in the evening. Since we visited on a Saturday night, there were some crowds and it was a struggle to get good photos. The Baeksegyo Bridge is one of the picturesque spots in this park and despite the weekend crowd, it was worthwhile to go at dusk. We arrived around 6 p.m., giving us the best of both the day and night views. We really enjoyed our visit to Songhae Park. If you plan on bringing your fur friend, know that pets are not allowed on the floating bridge area. You can, however, take Fido along the waterside trails which means there is still plenty of park to enjoy with your best friend. If you find yourself in Daegu, this park is worth the visit. Songhae Park ADDRESS: 306 (KOR), NAVER MAP HOURS: 24 hours (Open yearround) Entrance and parking fee: Free of charge. Geumgul-donggul Cave In addition to its trekking path, Songhae Park has a small man-made cave that produced gold during the Japanese colonial period. On the other side of the viewing platforms called damso-jeonmangdae(), you can find a path that leads to Geumgul-dongggul Cave (). The path is about 250 meters of steep secluded trails weaving through towering cypress trees, a field, a tiny brook, and forest. Before you enter the cave, dont forget to grab one of the protective helmets available for safety. Inside the cave, check out the dragon, a magic lamp and other statues. Its a very kid-friendly spot for great photos. The cave lights turn off at 5 p.m., so keep that in mind if youre wanting to visit. (HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Born in Guantanamo, Cuba, Lucia Nunezs family moved to the United States when she was 5 years old. While her family believed in education, they thought it was more important for a boy to go to college than a girl. At age 16, Nunez was accepted at a boarding school and eventually became the first in her family to get a college education. She studied political science at Connecticut College, and attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she studied international education. In 1985, Nunez joined the Peace Corps where she worked with the Honduran Federation of Rural Women, and met her partner, Heidi Vargas. In the 1990s, Nunez moved to California and was the Senior Curriculum Specialist in International and Cross-Cultural Education, a role that allowed her to help immigrant children and teens have more success. In 1999, Nunez came to Madison, WI and became the executive director of Centro Hispano of Dane County, with a focus on creating equity in classrooms. A 30-year-old La Crosse man is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond after he allegedly made sexual contact with a child multiple times. Cody A. Tanke was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with three felony counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child and two felony counts of a felon in possession of a firearm. Tanke is a lifetime registered sex offender after he was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in 2014. According to a criminal complaint in the latest case, Tanke assaulted the child twice in January and once in February. The child told police that Tanke often talked about owning guns and marijuana. He isnt allowed to possess firearms based on a previous felony child sexual assault conviction. Police executed a warrant to search his residence Feb. 21. The complaint says police found 30 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, including a handgun and a sawed-off shotgun. Police report that many of the weapons were in the open and not secured. A witness told police she had seen Tanke fire some of the weapons. Judge Ramona Gonzalez set cash bond at $25,000 during Feb. 22 bail hearing. Judge Elliott Levine reduced the bond to $5,000 during a March 13 hearing. Tanke was bound over for trial after a March 6 preliminary hearing. His next court date is a pre-trial conference April 5. A new league of nonprofit organizations is assembling to coordinate grants and opportunities for Arcadia schools and businesses. The League of Non-Profit Advocates is launching the pilot program with the hopes of applying its coordination model to other cities across the state. Jessica Tormey, founder of the Advocates group, identified the School District of Arcadia as a prime starting point because of the districts rural location and demographic breakdown. Arcadias schools have the highest Latino enrollment in the state and third highest rate of economically disadvantaged students, according to Department of Public Institution reports. So far, the group has helped the district with grant writing and needs assessments. By identifying specific needs of the district, the League can use its knowledge of outside sources to find solutions. The League wrote several grants for teachers to participate in language and cultural immersion programs. It also worked on mental health service grants from the Department of Public Institution to keep students healthy and in school. From the work in the school district, the League saw a need for the same nonprofit coordination in the wider Arcadia area. The new group believes that it can connect resources to Arcadia that have previously not been accessed. To start, the members of the League will use their connections to the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce to bring more business resources to Arcadia. Tormey said the chamber will bring a group of established Latino businesses together that can help Arcadia businesses with advocacy, opportunities and overall development. The League of Non-Profit Advocates expects 18 nonprofit foundations to join and coordinate efforts for rural communities in need. By joining, foundations will contribute funding and resources to keep the Leagues mission going. With more funding from partners and the state, Tormey said the League will continue to provide organizational support to rural communities. The group will soon be able enter an implementation phase to start bringing programs to Arcadia and the school district based on needs found in earlier strategic planning. A UW-La Crosse proposal to build a five-story parking garage on campus advanced Thursday when the La Crosse Common Council approved its rezoning request. The request was approved after an earlier vote deferral and two subcommittee failures. The approval will allow UW-L to construct a five-story parking garage over an existing surface parking lot across from the Truman T. Lowe Center for the Arts. The Judiciary & Administration committee did not recommend approval of the request in January. When it first took up the request, the full city council referred it to the next cycle, allowing the request a redo. In its second council cycle, the request was again not recommended by the Judiciary & Administration committee March 5. UW-L planning and construction director Scott Schumacher said the waiting list for student parking passes currently reaches more than 500 students and that more parking is needed on campus. Most of the councils deliberation surrounded how the parking ramp fit into the citys long-term plans. Council member Douglas Happel said he agreed with climate change activists who protested the parking ramp. Happel said he doesnt always favor legislation based on climate concerns, but said it is important for legislators to follow through with planning. This council and the city does have a climate action plan, and when we create these plans they sound real good and great but sometimes when rubber hits the road its kind of hard to stick with it, Happel said. He voted against the rezoning. Other council members cited the long-term plans as reason to approve the parking ramp. Some argued that by stacking cars in the garage, they can remove cars from street parking in adjacent neighborhoods and free up space for residents. Larry Sleznikow, another council member, approved the rezoning with hopes the university will go even further to address transit issues near the campus. He asked UW-L staff to develop a parking management study, increase education on public transit and push the state to fund a new residence hall. The parking ramp will create 550 parking spots on top of the surface parking lot between 15th and 16th streets across the UW-L Center for the Arts. It will also feature several electric vehicle charging stations. Flash Delegates attend the Tanzania Women and Technology Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, held ahead of International Women's Day, March 7, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] The lead delegate of the Chinese delegation attending the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) has called for efforts to create a world free from discrimination against women. "China, along with the international community, will push forward the Global Development Initiative to be more in-depth and practical, building a world free of discrimination against women and creating a new era of global development," Huang Xiaowei, Minister and Deputy Head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of the State Council, told the CSW68, which kicked off on Monday. In her speeches delivered at the huge gathering over the past few days, Huang said that China incorporates gender equality as a basic state policy into "the governing program of the Party," committed to promoting the synchronized development of women with the economy and society, empowering women to have confidence and independence. Huang stated that China insists on putting people at the center, winning the largest-scale battle against poverty in human history, contributing over 70 percent to global poverty reduction, with more than 44 million rural women lifted out of absolute poverty. "China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries, increase investment in women in the field of sustainable development, continue to promote women's poverty reduction, encourage women's participation in green transformation, and further implement gender equality and women's empowerment," Huang said. She stressed that China has supported capacity building for women in over 100 developing countries and will continue to work with countries worldwide to actively develop health education, digital education, and science education for women, helping them grow and develop better in enjoying equal quality education. At the China-EU side event on "Financial Inclusion for Gender Equality," which was held on Wednesday, Huang shared the significant opportunities brought to women's development by China's inclusive finance strategy. Through stories of "small changes" in women's lives, such as "the first time having the priority to get a loan," "the first time having their own seal and bank card," and "the first time buying lipstick with their own earned money," she showcased the "big revolution" in realizing women's economic empowerment and equal participation of men and women. During the CSW68, the delegation also spoke on topics such as supporting economic empowerment and capacity building for women and youth in developing countries, including conflict areas, and held several bilateral meetings with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Executive Director of UN Women Sima Sami Bahous and senior officials from various countries. Over the past days, the delegation participated in various multilateral activities, including a general debate, a ministerial roundtable, the high-level public debate of the Security Council, and thematic side events. CSW68, the UN's largest annual event dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment, takes place from March 11 to 22, at the UN headquarters in New York, under 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." A new study examines possible harm caused by microscopic pieces of plastic that end up inside peoples bodies. These materials known as microplastics and nanoplastics can enter the body through the air or in food or drinks. Tiny plastic pieces have received widespread attention in the media. But so far, very little research has been done on how the substances affect human heart health. One new study suggests the buildup of such plastics inside the body can increase the risk of a stroke, heart attack or death. But the researchers noted the evidence presented cannot prove a direct link between tiny plastic materials and heart problems. What did the study find? The study involved 257 people who had medical operations to clear blocked blood vessels in their necks. Italian researchers examined the fatty buildup the doctors removed from the carotid arteries, which supply blood and oxygen to the brain. Using two methods, they found evidence of plastics mostly nanoplastics that cannot be seen in the artery plaque of 150 patients. No evidence of plastics was seen in 107 patients. The team followed these people for three years. During that time, 30 individuals, or 20 percent of the group with plastics, had a heart attack, stroke, or died from any cause. These rates dropped to about eight percent among those with no evidence of plastics. Research results were recently published in a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. The researchers also found more evidence of inflammation in individuals with tiny plastic bits in their blood. Inflammation is the body's reaction to injury and is thought to raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. What are the problems with the study? The researchers admitted their study was very small. For example, it only looked at people with narrowed arteries who were already at risk for heart attacks and stroke. And the patients with the plastics had more heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol than those without plastics. They were also more likely to be men and more likely to be smokers. Both of those groups generally have higher rates of heart disease. The researchers tried to account for these risk differences. But they noted they may have missed some important elements that could change the results. The team said because of these ongoing questions, this kind of study cannot prove the plastics caused the health problems. Steve Nissen is a heart expert at the Cleveland Clinic in the state of Ohio who was not part of the study. He told the Associated Press he thinks the teams estimate that the risk of heart attack, stroke or death was four times greater seems too high. It would mean that these microplastics are the most important cause of coronary heart disease yet discovered. And I just dont think thats likely to be right, Nissen said. What is next for the researchers? Philip Landrigan of Boston College University told the AP that more research is needed on the issue. Landrigan, who wrote about the study in the Journal, said it is the first one suggesting a connection between microplastics and nanoplastics with disease in humans. Other scientists have found plastic bits in the lungs, liver, blood, placenta and breast milk. It does not prove cause and effect, but it suggests cause and effect," Landrigan said. "And it needs urgently to be either replicated or disproven by other studies done by other investigators in other populations. The Cleveland Clinics Nissen added about the study, Its a wake-up call that perhaps we need to take the problem of microplastics more seriously. As a cause for heart disease? Not proven. As a potential cause? Yes, maybe, Nissen said. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. _____________________________________________ Words in This Story artery n. a tube in the body that carries blood from your heart inflammation n. the swelling of tissue in the body cholesterol n. a kind of substance in the body that is linked to heart disease contaminate v. to make something dirty or poisonous placenta n. a temporary organ that forms in the womb and that provide blood and nutrition to the fetus through the umbilical cord replicate v. to make or do something again in exactly the same way potential adj. possible European Union lawmakers gave final approval to the 27-nation groups artificial intelligence law Wednesday. The rules are expected to take effect later this year. Lawmakers in the European Parliament voted in favor of the Artificial Intelligence Act, five years after regulations were first proposed. Major technology companies have generally supported the idea. But they want to make sure new AI requirements work in their favor. OpenAI chief Sam Altman suggested the maker of ChatGPT might pull out of Europe if it cannot comply with the AI Act. He later said his company had no plans to leave. Here are some details about Europes new AI rules: How does the AI Act work? Like many EU regulations, the AI Act started as consumer safety legislation. The EU took a risk-based approach to products or services that use artificial intelligence (AI). If an AI application is risky, then more rules cover it. Most AI systems are expected to be low risk, like content recommendation systems or filters that block spam, or unwanted email. Companies can choose to follow voluntary requirements and codes of conduct. High-risk uses of AI include tools used in medical devices or important infrastructure like water or electrical networks. Those face additional requirements like using what the legislation calls high-quality data and providing clear information to users. Some AI uses are banned because they are considered to present an unacceptable risk. Those include things like social scoring systems that are meant to govern how people behave. Some sorts of predictive policing and emotion recognition systems also are reportedly banned in schools and workplaces. Other banned uses include ones that police use to scan faces in public places using AI-powered remote biometric identification systems. There is an exception for use in serious crimes like kidnapping or terrorism. What about generative AI? The laws early versions centered on AI systems that carry out limited tasks, like reviewing employment information and job applications. But general AI models, like OpenAIs ChatGPT, forced EU officials to add rules for generative AI models. AI chatbot systems that can produce lifelike responses, images and more are examples of generative AI models. Developers of general purpose AI models will have to provide detailed descriptions of the writings, pictures, video and other data on the internet that was used to train the systems. They must also follow EU copyright law. AI-generated pictures, video or audio of existing people, places or events must be labeled as artificially produced. These sorts of media are known as deepfakes because they appear to show real people doing or saying things that are not real. There are reportedly extra rules for the biggest and most powerful AI models that carry systemic risks. Those include OpenAIs GPT4 and Googles Gemini. What do Europes rules mean? The EU first suggested AI regulations in 2019. Europe was quick to propose rules for the new and developing industry. In the U.S., President Joe Biden signed an executive order on AI in October. The U.S. Congress is likely to propose legislation. Lawmakers in at least seven U.S. states are working on their own AI legislation. And international agreements are possible too. Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed his Global AI Governance Initiative for fair and safe use of AI. Other major countries, including Brazil and Japan, are developing rules, as well as the United Nations and Group of Seven industrialized nations. What happens next? The AI Act is expected to officially become law by May or June, after approval from EU member countries. Rules will start taking effect slowly. Countries will be required to ban unapproved AI systems six months after the law takes effect. Rules for general purpose AI systems like chatbots will start going into effect in one year. By the middle of 2026, the complete set of regulations, including requirements for high-risk systems, will be in effect. Each EU country will set up their own AI enforcement agency. Citizens can make a complaint if they think they have been the victim of a violation of the rules. And the EU will create an AI Office that will oversee the law for general purpose AI systems. Violations of the AI Act could be punished with a fine of up to $38 million, or seven percent of a companys worldwide revenue. Im Dan Novak. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. _______________________________________ Words in This Story regulation n. a rule or a group of rules that control how an industry can carry out business comply v. to do what is requested to be done or what is required by rules or law consumer n. a person or group that buys goods and services that are not for industrial purposes filter n. something that permits only what is wanted through while blocking unwanted things codes of conduct n. a set of rules that a group of people or businesses agrees to usually voluntarily infrastructure n. the structures and systems that are needed for modern life like roads, electricity lines, dams and many other things scan v. to use a camera to take a picture of a group of people to find a certain person biometric adj. related to taking measurements of the human body to confirm someones identity artificial adj. made by people, not happening naturally; something that is not real complaint n. an official statement of dissatisfaction that is presented to a public official with the expectation that the problem will be dealt with revenue n. money collected by a business through sales, investment and other operations In the eastern state of Virginia, employees of the Richmond Wildlife Center are doing their best to act like mother foxes. They started feeding and caring for a baby fox, called a kit, when the young animal became separated from its mother. The Associated Press reported that a video recently appeared on the centers page on the social media service Facebook. In the video, Executive Director Melissa Stanley is shown wearing a red fox mask and equipment like rubber gloves. She feeds the young fox in the video. The kit sits on top of a stuffed animal that looks like a fox. It is supposed to look like her mother, Stanley said. The Facebook post explained why employees were wearing the fox mask to feed the baby animal. It also said workers are avoiding making human sounds and are preventing the kit from seeing its human caregivers. The post said the orphan should not become too close to humans while it is being raised by them. The measures make it more likely that the kit could be returned to the wild. Stanley said a man brought the kit to the center on February 29. She said he found the animal on the street while walking his dog in Richmond. Thinking she was a baby cat, the man turned her over to the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Richmond SPCA). The Richmond SPCA is a nonprofit organization that takes in cats and dogs without owners and finds them homes. Wildlife center employees tried to find the kits mother and their home, or den. They found the den, but they were told by officials that the foxes had been trapped and removed. Stanley said she thinks the fox kit either fell out of a trap or fell off the back of the trappers truck. Employees at the wildlife center have been taking turns feeding the kit every two to four hours. They all wear the fox mask while feeding her. In addition to the large stuffed animal meant to look like the kits mother, employees also put a smaller stuffed red fox in her space. She cuddles up to the smaller stuffed animal at the end of the video. Stanley said, The goal is to release the animals back into the wild. She added that the goal is not to just increase their chances of survival, but to raise them to recognize other animals of their kind. Another goal she said was that the animals should reproduce. The center looked for other red fox kits of the same age and weight at other centers. Employees found three other kits in a center in northern Virginia. The fox kit will be sent to the Animal Education and Rescue Organization in Virginia. That group plans to release the kits back into the wild together. Im Gregory Stachel. Denise Lavoie and Lea Skene reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story fox n. a wild animal of the dog family, with red-brown fur, a pointed face and a thick heavy tail mask n. something that you wear over your face to hide it, or to frighten or entertain other people stuffed animal n. a toy in the shape of an animal, made of cloth and filled with a soft substance orphan n. a child whose parents are dead cuddle up v.(phrasal) to sit or lie very close to somebody/something recognize v. to know who somebody is or what something is when you see or hear them or it, because you have seen or heard them or it before FM trip to aid stability in Asia-Pacific 08:34, March 15, 2024 By Zhang Yunbi ( Chinadaily.com.cn The Chinese and Australian national flags in Sydney, Australia. [Photo/Xinhua] China is sending strong signals to further reinforce peace and stability and better manage differences with nations in the Asia-Pacific region, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi scheduled to make official visits to New Zealand and Australia from Sunday through March 21, observers said. The last time a Chinese foreign minister visited the two countries was in 2017. This year marks the 10th anniversary of China's comprehensive strategic partnerships with New Zealand and Australia. During his trip, Wang Yi will have wide-ranging and in-depth exchange of views with the foreign ministers and leaders of both countries on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern. The visit will kick off this year's high-level exchanges between China and the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday. "China looks forward to working with the two countries to implement the consensus reached by the leaders, strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen exchanges and cooperation," the spokesman said. China wants to jointly advance stable and far-reaching growth of its comprehensive strategic partnerships with New Zealand and Australia, and make contributions to world peace, stability, development and prosperity, he added. Chen Hong, professor and director of the Australian Studies Centre at East China Normal University in Shanghai, said the relationship between Beijing and Wellington "has played a leading role in the relations between China and Western countries for quite a long time, and the ties have been constantly scaling new heights". Currently, China is New Zealand's largest trading partner. Chen pointed out that while China-New Zealand ties have delivered lasting growth, Beijing and Canberra have recently been working together to see more signs of improvement in their relationship after it plummeted to a low years ago. "The incumbent cabinet of Australia has broken away from the anti-China approach of the past administration. Wang's upcoming visit will help keep afloat the improving momentum of the ties and roll out friendly discussions on specific topics such as commodity trade," he said. The visit by Anthony Albanese to China in November was the first by an Australian prime minister since 2016. During his visit to Australia, Wang Yi will hold the seventh China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with his counterpart Penny Wong. Albanese told reporters on Thursday that "it is a good thing that Wang Yi is visiting", citing "significant progress" in removing trade impediments, AFP reported. Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said that win-win cooperation between the two countries is "the only right choice". "It is important that we shall not allow our differences to severely affect or even hijack our overall bilateral relations and cooperation," Xiao said on Monday during the Financial Review Business Summit 2024. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Flash Fighter jets of the U.S.-British coalition naval forces on Thursday launched five airstrikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen's Hodeidah, reported the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and local residents. The Houthi television said one airstrike hit the port city's airport, while others struck sites in the area of al-Jah in the district of Bayt al-Faqih. No casualties or further details were provided. Residents of Hodeidah said powerful explosions were heard in the Houthi-controlled airport and al-Jah area. So far, there have been no comments yet from the U.S.-British coalition, which has been conducting airstrikes almost daily against Houthi targets since January to deter the group from launching attacks on international shipping transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Earlier in the day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported on social media platform X an explosion occurring astern of a vessel about 50 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's southern port city of Aden, giving no further details. The Houthis have been attacking commercial ships since last November in what they said in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and have vowed to escalate until Israel stops its offensive against the Palestinian enclave. The Houthi attacks have already disrupted international shipping in one of the world's busiest waterways, forcing many companies to re-route around Africa, resulting in extended transit times and elevated costs. Gov. Jim Pillen has signed three more Unicameral bills introduced by western Nebraska state senators as the Legislature moved into the final one-third of its 2024 session this week. Three additional bills by the regions lawmakers also have advanced from committees, though their fates are uncertain between the lateness of the session and renewed filibusters. Pillen Monday signed Gordon Sen. Tom Brewers Legislative Bill 847, which updates legal language on multistate emergency management agreements, and LB 848, which allows Nebraskas adjutant general to serve in that position until the age of 66. LB 847 officially withdraws Nebraska from the Interstate Civil Defense and Disaster Compact in favor of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Both enable member states to help each other in case of natural disasters. The governor Monday also signed North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobsons LB 854, which changes eligibility requirements for taking examinations to become a certified public accountant. In other Unicameral action, committees unanimously advanced Gering Sen. Brian Hardins LB 1026 and LB 1101, as well as LB 1159 by Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner. LB 1026, advanced by the Revenue Committee, would prevent the seizure of accounts in the states Achieving a Better Life Experience Program to pay an account holders debts. The program lets Nebraskans with disabilities set up tax-advantaged savings accounts. The Education Committee advanced Hardins LB 1101, which would formalize undergraduate state tuition aid granted in 2023 for rural health and public health students at Nebraskas three state colleges and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Senators approved $900,000 last year for rural Nebraska students to receive waivers of at least half their tuition as they prepare to enter the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Theyre guaranteed admittance to UNMC but must commit to practice in rural Nebraska after graduating from there. LB 1101 would apply to students in both the 35-year-old Rural Health Opportunities Program and UNKs parallel Kearney Health Opportunities Program, founded in 2010. A committee amendment would specifically add the UNK program to the bills text. Meanwhile, Judiciary Committee members forwarded Ibachs LB 1159 to the floor. It would add 12 more types of crimes to a 10-felony list requiring enhanced notification to their victims when convicted defendants are up for parole, pardon or release. With just 18 legislative days left as of Wednesday, prospects are dwindling for bills that havent yet received first-round floor debate. All remaining active bills that havent gained final approval will die when the 108th Legislature adjourns April 18. A fresh outbreak of the repeated filibusters that plagued the 2023 session also loomed following their 27-20 refusal Tuesday to override Pillens veto of a bill allowing cities or counties to authorize a sterile syringe-exchange program. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, who led repeated filibusters of major and minor bills last year, filed an array of delaying motions on the Legislatures two main budget bills after the failed override vote on Omaha Sen. Megan Hunts LB 307. Senators began considering the budget bills (LBs 1412 and 1413) Tuesday afternoon. The new civil aviation bill that the government has introduced to partially liberalize air transport in Macau is reaching its final stage of analysis and discussion at the Third Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL). According to the president of the committee, the lawmaker Vong Hin Fai, a final version of the bill will likely be reviewed by the legal advisories of both the AL and the government in the upcoming weeks; the final version of the bill might be ready for voting on its final reading at the plenary after the Easter Holidays. Although it is not yet clear when the bill will be voted and passed, the provisions state that it will enter into force the day after its publication in the governments official gazette. After yesterdays extensive meeting, both Vong and the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario said that there are only small details to perfect and that the bill has already reached consensus among the committee members and the proposer. During yesterdays media briefing, Vong noted that one of the topics that took the committee significant time to discuss was related to the number of operating licenses that will be issued in the future. Lawmakers wanted the government to clearly define the number of licenses that will be issued or at least name the maximum number. In response, the government explained that this would be a flexible matter related to the interest of the market. In the end, it was agreed that there would be discretionary power granted to the Chief Executive (CE) to make the necessary adjustments when needed. Another of the topics about which the government has managed to convince the lawmakers is related to the provision ensuring that the licenses are untransferable even if there is a company acquisition or merger. All license transfers need to be authorized by the CE and can never automatically pass to a different company, Vong said. New National Security provision added by lawmakersi request The president of the Committee also said that the government accepted several of the suggestions from the lawmakers and introduced changes to the laws drafting. Among them is a new article that aims to ensure that there are no problems related to National Security. The article, introduced by request of lawmakers makes it impossible for any person who has been found guilty of any National Security Law violation to be able to take part in the future operations of the airport or its concessionaires or operators. 5 year business plan for airlines The rules that establish the criteria for evaluation of applicants for an air transport license also state, among others, that the airliners need to submit a 5-year business plan as part of their application. Also changed was a section of the initial version of the bill that lawmakers found confusing. Some lawmakers questioned whether the current operator (Air Macau) would be granted a license without passing through the same procedure as new applicants and, the fact that the law seemed to force the current solo operator to continue to be an operator in the future. The new redaction clarifies that after the new law enters into force, the current operator has 90 days to acquire a license to continue to operate as a transitory rule. According to the new drafting, it is up to the company to require or not a new license to operate together with other potential interested parties. Exiting the meeting, Raimundo do Rosario did not want to risk advancing the timing for the approval of the law, but he said that surely it will be done before the end of this legislative year, that is, before the AL summer holidays that start on August 15. City officials in eastern China apologized to local journalists after authorities were shown pushing them and trying to obstruct reporting from the site of a deadly explosion, in a rare acknowledgment of state aggression against journalists. The city of Sanhe, near Beijing, issued a public apology yesterday after authorities were shown harassing reporters from state broadcaster CCTV during a live broadcast near the site of a suspected gas leak explosion that killed seven and injured 27 on Wednesday. A statement on the citys official website expressed deep regret over the treatment of the CCTV reporters and other media workers. It said authorities were trying to remove the journalists from the site because they were concerned about a potential gas leak. The poor communication skills of our frontline staff and their rough and simplistic methods caused misunderstandings among journalists and doubts among the public, resulting in a negative social impact, it said. The incident, shown live during the midday newscast, was a rare off-script moment for Chinas tightly controlled state media. Beijing regards media as propaganda tools and regularly issues directives about topics that are off-limits for coverage. The All-China Journalists Association put out a statement defending the journalists rights to report from disaster sites. It fell short of explicitly condemning the Sanhe authorities actions. Chinas harassment of journalists is often directed at foreign reporters. Earlier this month, a Dutch journalist and a camera operator were detained while reporting on a protest outside an investment bank in the southwestern province of Sichuan. Foreign journalists are also reportedly followed by plain-clothes police, especially when reporting from areas considered sensitive by the Chinese government. Such incidents are regularly condemned by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China, a professional group. But the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which is the point of contact for foreign journalists in the country, has never in recent memory publicly acknowledged or apologized for the harassment. China is also the country with the most imprisoned journalists 44 in 2023, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Over the past few years, China has also increasingly restricted journalists access to politicians and officials of any kind. This year, Beijing canceled the annual news conference by the premier a 30-year tradition that constituted one of the rare times a top Chinese leader took questions from journalists. MDT/AP MGM is honored to announce that its signature Sichuanese restaurant Five Foot Road at MGM COTAI has once again been awarded One Michelin Star at the latest MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2024. This grand culinary milestone is a concrete testament to MGMs continuous endeavor to promote the essence of Chinese culture through gastronomy, art and craftsmanship, and more essentially, its contribution towards strengthening Macaus legacy as a UNESCO-designated Creative City of Gastronomy. Mr. Hubert Wang, President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM China Holdings Limited, expresses his gratitude to the MGM team towards the achievement, Five Foot Road, our culinary jewel that epitomizes fine dining in regional Chinese cuisine, has long won the hearts of epicures. This is only made possible by the talented and devoted teams at MGM, and their aspiration to delivering excellence has manifested this influential global recognition among other achievements. Empowered by our core values of originality and innovation, we will continue to elevate Macaus dining landscape, while telling the great stories of Chinese culture and its gastronomic treasures to appeal to visitors from around the globe. Authentic Sichuanese Cuisine Sichuanese restaurant Five Foot Road takes guests back in time to the Sichuanese fine dining experience of official banquets and soiree for the respected society held at the mansions of Sichuan back in the early 20th century. Stepping into the Chinese ornamented dining room with landscape paintings and poetry calligraphies, guests embark on a multi-sensory discovery journey with the most authentic delicacies that bring flavors beyond the public perception of fiery and hot. With nearly 40 years of culinary experience, Chef Yang Dengquan, Executive Sous Chef of the restaurant, delivers the daintiest side of Sichuanese authentic cooking with his combination of meticulous execution and high-quality ingredients, introducing the distinctive 24 flavors of Sichuan Cuisine to locals and tourists. Numerous classic Chengdu dishes served at the mansions of the old times are featured on the restaurants menu, which are known as the epitome of Sichuan cuisine. Michelin Star Discovery Menu In celebration of this proud achievement, both restaurants introduce its special Michelin Star Discovery Menu, which features a lineup of the restaurants signature dishes that pays tribute to the delightful gem of authentic Sichuanese culinary culture. For enquiry and reservation, please contact (853) 8802 3888 or visit www.mgm.mo. * Sweet and sour Macau less prominent in Michelin guide despite new entrants * Horsegate | Horse owners await compensation from Jockey Club * Taste of Edesia * Vietnamese consul Pham Binh Dam urges Macau to restart and expand two-way tourism, relaxing visa policies for Vietnamese visitors * Aviation bill discussion almost concluded, voting after Easter Holiday * Chinas city officials issue rare apology after police obstruct reporters on live TV DOWNLOAD PDF Friday, March 15, 2024 edition no. 4445 A 65-year-old worker died following an accident that occurred at the public housing construction site in Section A11 of Zone A. Fellow workers told emergency responders that as the cranes turntable was rotating, it knocked down the construction site manager. He was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment and later died. Authorities are now investigating the incident and works will only be resumed once authorities evaluate the reports of the contractors. Related The government is moving 411 public housing units, built to be sold under the public housing economic acquisition scheme into the economic rental scheme, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario said yesterday at the Legislative Assembly on the sidelines of the meeting of the Third Standing Committee. The meeting was convened to discuss the new aviation law. After the meeting and speaking to the media, Rosario explained that this was a decision that the government made after taking into account the fact that, when they were made available for acquisition, these houses did not garner interest from the public, while there is still a long list of people who have applied and are waiting for economic rental housing from the government. I would like to clarify first that this is something that the law allows and, second, that we are not picking these housing units from the group of over 5,400 that are being built in new public housing projects. These 411 housing units are spread over, I believe, some 10 public housing buildings or projects and there are a few on each project that have not been sold, said do Rosario. Since it would be complex and time-consuming to retender them for acquisition, and since there is a long waiting list for the social housing [economic rental], we have decided to make these units available for that first level of public housing so we can ease the pressure on that list since there will be some time before we have new [economic rental] units to offer, the Secretary added, noting that the fact that the list is now permanent and does not expire also allows this type of decision to be made. Rosario further explained that to tender these units for acquisition would be a much more complex process as a new price would have to be set and a whole new tender would need to be commenced for a relatively small number of units. He also added that the next public housing development to be completed will be the one located at the Avenida de Venceslau de Morais (the land of the former CEM thermal power plant and fuel park), but this is still some months away. The group of horse owners who have been demanding the Macau Jockey Club (MJC)reasonably compensate them for their losses have reminded the MJC to provide a response, as set out in a recent set of letters. In a letter addressed to all directors of the MJC, dated March 13, the owners urged Angela Leong, indirectly-elected lawmaker and chairperson of the MJC Board of Directors, to uphold her commitment made in a separate letter to respond to the groups demands by March 15. Leongs letter also stated that a Board Meeting was required for such decision-making. The Secretariat declined the owners request to meet with Leong. The owners said the correspondence had been copied to Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and his Chief-of-Office Hoi Lai Fong, Secretary for Administration and Justice Andre Cheong, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, the Legislative Assembly, and Beijings representative in Macau Zheng Xincong. Despite this, local media outlet All About Macau reported that, the MCJ, in a letter, refused to provide additional compensation as per the owners request, citing phenomenal financial pressure as the rationale behind their decision. AL The House yesterday [Macau time] passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesnt sell its stake, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the companys current ownership structure is a national security threat. The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear. TikTok, which has more than 170 million American users, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd. The lawmakers contend that ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese government, which could demand access to the data of TikToks consumers in the U.S. whenever it wants. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering. We have given TikTok a clear choice, said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. Separate from your parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the CCP, and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. The choice is TikToks. House passage of the bill is only the first step. The Senate would also need to pass the measure for it to become law, and lawmakers in that chamber indicated it would undergo a thorough review. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said hell have to consult with relevant committee chairs to determine the bills path. President Joe Biden has said if Congress passes the measure, he will sign it. The House vote is the latest example of increased tensions between China and the U.S. By targeting TikTok, lawmakers are tackling what they see as a grave threat to Americas national security but also singling out a platform popular with millions of people, many of whom skew younger, just months before an election. In a video posted yesterday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said that the company has invested to keep user data safe and the TikTok platform free from outside manipulation. If passed, he said the bill would give more power to a handful of other social companies. We will not stop fighting and advocating for you. We will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights, to protect this amazing platform that we have built with you, Chew said in his message to the apps users. In anticipation of the vote, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, accused Washington of resorting to political tools when U.S. businesses fail to compete. He said the effort would disrupt normal business operations and undermine investor confidence and will eventually backfire on the U.S. itself. Overall, 197 Republican lawmakers voted for the measure and 15 against. On the Democratic side, 155 voted for the bill and 50 against. Some Republican opponents of the bill said the U.S. should warn consumers if there are data privacy and propaganda concerns, but the final choice should be left with consumers. The answer to authoritarianism is not more authoritarianism, said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-California. Democrats also warned of the impact a ban would have on users in the U.S., including entrepreneurs and business owners. One of the no votes came from Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee. One of the key differences between us and those adversaries is the fact that they shut down newspapers, broadcast stations, and social media platforms. We do not, Himes said. We trust our citizens to be worthy of their democracy. We do not trust our government to decide what information they may or may not see. The day before the House vote, top national security officials in the Biden administration held a closed-door briefing with lawmakers to discuss TikTok and the national security implications. Lawmakers are balancing those security concerns against a desire not to limit free speech online. What weve tried to do here is be very thoughtful and deliberate about the need to force a divestiture of TikTok without granting any authority to the executive branch to regulate content or go after any American company, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, the bills author, as he emerged from the briefing. TikTok has long denied that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and wont do so if it is asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities. Republican leaders moved quickly to bring up the bill after its introduction last week by Gallagher and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill. A House committee approved the legislation unanimously, on a 50-0 vote, even after their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users demanding they drop the effort. Some offices even shut off their phones because of the onslaught. Supporters of the bill said the effort backfired. (It) provided members a preview of how the platform could be weaponized to inject disinformation into our system, Gallagher said. KEVIN FREKING, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP Flash China's scientific research ship Tansuo-1 sails near the site of the No. 1 and No. 2 shipwrecks near the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea, May 24, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China on Thursday reaffirmed its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, the South China Sea islands, urging the Philippines not to side with external forces to disrupt peace in the South China Sea. China was the first country to discover, name, explore and exploit the islands and relevant waters, and the first to exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, adding that the country has historical rights in the South China Sea. After World War II, according to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the Chinese government recovered the islands and resumed exercising sovereignty over them. The islands had been illegally occupied by Japan during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). The dotted line in the South China Sea officially released by the Chinese government in 1948 has been upheld by successive Chinese governments, and hasn't been questioned by any country for a long time, Wang said. The remarks came in response to comments made by Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, the Philippine president, in Germany on Tuesday. Marcos said that China has a premise that its territory follows the 10-dash line, and that the Philippines questions the premise, according to Philippine media reports. Dismissing Marcos' comments, Wang said that China has never claimed that the whole of the South China Sea belongs to it, and that the Philippines' accusation is a deliberate distortion of China's position. "The Philippines should stop misleading the international community, stop instigating disputes using the South China Sea issue, and stop drawing support from external forces to disrupt peace and stability in the region," the spokesman said. Wang added that China hopes to continue to address maritime differences with countries directly involved through talks, and manage the maritime situation with these countries. The United States, Japan and the Philippines are planning a summit in Washington, DC, in April to discuss "deterrence" against China's activities in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, according to Japanese media reports. Commenting on the news, Wang said China's activities in the regions are in line with both domestic and international laws, and are beyond reproach. "By contrast, it is the US that has traveled all the way to China's doorstep to form exclusive circles, flex its muscles and make provocations," Wang said. "China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests allow no violation," he said. "It will respond resolutely if relevant countries infringe on its sovereign rights." In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), solar energy is gradually becoming a key player in addressing rural energy needs, aligning with the regions and countrys goals for sustainable development and economic growth. The GBAs emphasis on distributed solar power aims to improve energy efficiency and support environmental initiatives, the China Daily has reported. Dr. Li Wen, a renewable energy expert, points out, Solar installations are gaining popularity due to their low operational and maintenance costs. This trend is part of a larger move away from traditional, inefficient energy sources towards more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives. Despite the enthusiasm for solar energy, the sector faces several challenges. According to Dr. Wen, The variability in component quality, along with infrastructure limitations for energy distribution, presents significant barriers. These issues underscore the necessity for targeted policies to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of solar power solutions in rural areas. The adoption of solar energy in the GBA is also part of Chinas broader environmental and energy strategy. Theres a national push towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting green development across both urban and rural settings by 2035, notes policy analyst Zhang Qiang. In this context, solar energy not only addresses immediate energy needs but also contributes to the larger vision of sustainable rural development. The rise in distributed photovoltaic capacity across China, with the GBA expected to contribute significantly, is noteworthy. The trend towards distributed solar power, particularly for residential use, is critical for achieving Chinas environmental goals, says Zhang, highlighting the importance of solar energy in meeting national targets for carbon neutrality. To capitalize on this potential, various stakeholders, including companies and state-owned enterprises, are expanding their investments in solar products for the GBA. Collaboration is key to advancing distributed photovoltaics in the region, states CEO Huang Wei of a leading solar technology company. He emphasizes the role of innovative business models and green finance in overcoming challenges related to investment and financing. Chinas commitment to increasing rooftop solar installations by 2025, especially in rural areas and industrial parks of the GBA, reflects a strategic approach to utilizing available space and reducing costs. Local governments and power companies are encouraged to streamline processes to enhance the viability of distributed photovoltaics. Its important to simplify regulatory and operational processes to fully leverage solar powers potential, suggests Huang, advocating for measures that ensure the industrys sustainability and growth. Three former organizers of Hong Kongs annual vigil in remembrance of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protests lost their bid to overturn their conviction yesterday over their refusal to provide authorities with information on the group under a national security law. Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan and Tsui Hon-kwong were core members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China before it disbanded under the shadow of the Beijing-imposed law in 2021. They received a sentence of 4 1/2 months last year widely seen as part of a crackdown on dissidents following massive protests and violence in 2019. The alliance was best known for organizing candlelight vigils in the city on the anniversary of the Chinese militarys crushing of the 1989 protests in Beijing for decades. Critics said its shutdown reflected that civil liberties were shrinking despite promises they would be kept intact when the territory returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Before the group dissolved, police had sought details about its operations and finances in connection with alleged links to democracy groups overseas, accusing it of being a foreign agent. But the group refused to cooperate, arguing police were arbitrarily labeling pro-democracy organizations as foreign agents. Judge Anna Lai at the Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal, saying she was satisfied that there was ample evidence to support the convictions. Last December, their lawyer argued in an appeal hearing that the activists were denied a fair trial because they had not been shown the full evidence that suggested the group was a foreign agent. During previous legal proceedings at the lower court, some crucial details, including the names of groups that were alleged to have links with the alliance, were redacted. The court ordered a partial redaction of some information after prosecutors argued that a full disclosure would jeopardize an ongoing probe into national security cases. Under the security laws implementation rules, the police chief can request a range of information from a foreign agent. Chow and two other former alliance leaders, Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho, were charged with subversion in a separate case under the sweeping law in 2021. It was still unclear when their trial would begin. The annual vigil at Hong Kongs Victoria Park organized by the alliance was a rare public commemoration of the June 4 crackdown on Chinese soil for decades and was attended by massive crowds until authorities banned it in 2020, citing anti-pandemic measures. After the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions last year, the park was occupied instead by a carnival organized by pro-Beijing groups to celebrate Hong Kongs handover in 1997. Those who tried to commemorate the event near the site were detained. Many others marked the day in private ways under the chilling effect brought by the tough law. KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP Pham Binh Dam, the Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, has proposed that the SAR take steps to restart and expand two-way tourism, including by relaxing visa policies for Vietnamese visitors. During a visit to Chief Executive Ho lat Seng of Macau earlier this week, the diplomat expressed gratitude for the attention and support provided to Vietnamese people working and living in Macau. Moreover, Dam urged Macau to increase the reception of Vietnamese laborers, enhance cooperation in addressing labor issues, and eliminate visa restrictions for Vietnamese workers and tourists. During the meeting, Dam highlighted the significant progress in cooperative ties between Vietnam and Macau, which have developed alongside fruitful Vietnam-China relations. He expressed confidence that with determination and readiness from both sides, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Macau will continue to advance in the future. Ho appreciated the efforts of the Vietnamese diplomat in promoting Vietnam-Macau relations across different areas and expressed hope that Dam would continue to strengthen these relations in his new position. The Chief Executive expressed support for Dams proposals, and assured that visa procedures would be simplified, including by way of implementing online visa applications and visa-on-arrivals for Vietnamese citizens as soon as possible. During his visit, the Vietnamese consul general also made a courtesy visit to Commissioner Liu Xianfa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Macau, met with the Executive Board of the Vietnamese Association in Macau, and held a working session with representatives from the University of Macau. Staff Reporter A Madison company that helps people find addiction recovery and mental health resources in many places around the world has seen explosive growth amid rising rates of drug overdoses and people reporting mental health struggles. Founded in 2017 on Madisons East Side, RehabPath has seen a 422% jump in revenue between 2021 and 2023, said co-founder and CEO Ben Camp. Camp declined to say what that amounted to in dollar terms. The company, whose service is free to anyone wishing to find a provider, makes money through advertising. The revenue growth has primarily been a result of more people coming to our website looking for help, Camp said. As weve been able to grow traffic, weve also been able to grow advertiser budgets with new and existing advertisers. The company, which was launched from StartingBlock, the Madison nonprofit that provides programming to help startups expand, had 20 employees in 2021. Now based at 100 State St., it has 60 employees, most of whom work in Dane County with some in other countries, Camp said. RehabPath helps people access treatment in several U.S. states, as well as countries in Europe, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Its website allows users to filter searches down to specific rehabilitation center locations and treatment specializations. Centers include both small businesses and large institutions. A large majority of its online listings are free. It recently bought the domain name recovery.com for almost $1 million and moved its products there, and has received about $3.3 million from investors in total, Camp said. At this point we are profitable, Camp said. We are in active conversations with a number of venture capitalists about future investment. In the past few months alone, RehabPath has made connections to 37,000 treatment providers across the world to advertise their services to the people who need them most, said co-founder and chief product officer Jeremiah Calvino. We are pulling people from near and far, he said. We anticipate continued growth of our team that we will be outgrowing our space in the near future and continuing to have a great impact. Northland College, a small liberal arts college just minutes from Lake Superior, has three and a half weeks to raise $12 million to prevent its board of trustees from closing the doors at the end of the academic year. Raising the money by the boards April 3 deadline would give leadership the fiscal stability for the 2024-25 school year to reimagine a new Northland with a yet-to-be-seen sustainable model. Without the infusion of cash, the 132-year-old college will be forced to close at the end of the year, displacing hundreds of students and dozens of faculty and staff. Northland College President Chad Dayton said the college would not have launched the fundraising campaign if it didnt think it could raise $12 million by the deadline. Declining enrollment and growing costs across higher education contribute to a reality that could not be ignored, Dayton told the Wisconsin State Journal. Like many smaller schools struggling financially, Northland has had to rely on its endowment to continue operations, which is no longer sustainable. In February, the Northland College Board of Trustees completed a review of the colleges financial performance, assets and fiscal projections that prompted the board to demand the college raise funds and seek a new path forward. While overall enrollment at four-year higher education institutions has steadily declined in Wisconsin at both UW system and private colleges Northland Colleges enrollment has fluctuated between 500 and 600 students for the past decade. But Northland has struggled financially in nine out of 10 fiscal years since 2012, spending has exceeded revenue, with gaps ranging from $693,000 to $4.8 million, according to tax filings. The only year Northland College was in the black was 2015, when donations were dramatically higher than in other years. Known as an environmental college, Northland could consider a new focus for the college if it stays open, a statement from the college said. Northland College has reached a critical crossroad. We believe we can reinvent Northland, carrying forward our legacy and advancing our mission in a meaningful way, Northland College Board of Trustees Chair Ted Bristol said in a statement. But that will only be possible with the funding in place. Northland isnt alone Northlands plea is just the latest shake-up in Wisconsins higher education landscape. The same day Northland College launched its fundraising drive, UW-Milwaukee announced it would close its Waukesha branch campus at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. It will close the College of General Studies and give formal layoff notices to faculty, including those who are tenured. UW-Milwaukee plans to establish a physical presence at Waukesha County Technical College. Waukeshas branch campus became the fifth UW system two-year college to either close its doors or announce its intentions to do so in the past 18 months. UW system leaders say persistent and often steep enrollment declines prompted the closures, not finances. Wisconsins private colleges also have faced significant headwinds in recent years. Last month, Concordia University announced it would cut staff and costs at its Mequon and Ann Arbor, Michigan, campuses as it faces financial instability. Tax filings show Concordia University Wisconsins spending has often exceeded revenue in recent years. Last spring, Cardinal Stritch University abruptly announced it would close at the end of that school year, citing financial difficulties and significant enrollment declines. Limited options Located along Lake Superiors Chequamegon Bay, the city of Ashland has two higher education institutions: Northland College, and a branch of Northwood Technical College. Without Northland College, the nearest four-year higher education institution would be more than an hour away. It takes an hour and 12 minutes to get to UW-Superior, and nearly an hour and a half to get to the University of Minnesota Duluth. The UW systems other northern-central schools are at least three hours away, and two Green Bay-based private colleges are more than four hours away. Ashland Mayor Matthew MacKenzie said Northland College has been a strong community partner for the city of 8,000, awarding scholarships and giving people a local option to earn a degree. MacKenzie was optimistic the college could raise the money by April 3 and he doesnt want to think about what could happen if it cant. College brings a lot to any community, regardless of the size, he said. It helps keep us young, it gets you to recognize other cultures and helps give you a diversified community of young people with interesting thoughts. Youd hate to lose that. Dayton said that Northland College is also important as an employer and a talent pipeline for the local economy. We recognize a closure would have a direct impact on the community and region, which is one of many reasons why were working so hard to forge a sustainable future for Northland through this appeal, Dayton said. Northland is worth fighting for, and we very much hope to continue our work and mission. Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. The election is April 2. Andrea Andrews Age: 50 Hometown: Marshall Family: My 3 kids: Colton, Kyra and Mya Job: Global logistics and trade compliance for Madison Air Prior elected office: Marshall Village Board trustee, six years Other public service: Vice president of Marshall Scholarship Foundation, three years Education: Business management from Concordia University Jeff Weigand Age: 35 Family: Wife Melissa and five young kids, ages 9, 7, 5, 2 and 11 months Job: Manager, Quartz Health Solutions Prior elected office: Elected in a special election in 2021; reelected in 2022 Other public service: Former Dane County foster parent; active in local church, serving in childrens ministry Q&A What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office? Andrews: As a village trustee, Ive gained insights into local governance. My roles in fire and EMS, planning, and finance committees expanded my understanding of community issues. These experiences showcase my collaboration skills and meaningful contributions to decision-making. I am committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility and community engagement. Weigand: Im proud of my record of voting for and introducing measures to increase public safety, streamline government processes and ensure the county focuses on the issues that are most important to the citizens. The current board is an echo chamber for the interests of Madison, and Im proud of my efforts to give a voice to the majority of Dane County citizens who live outside the city of Madison. What issue do you think has not received enough funding and attention in the county? Andrews: The budget does align with many important priorities such as, additional funding for mental health crisis response, and investments in affordable housing. These are critical community needs. More funding is needed in areas of support for youth and families. Weigand: Public safety and transportation infrastructure do not receive enough attention. As a county board we need to get back to the basics of what our constituents are asking for. This is why Im proud of my record of supporting public safety. I introduced a measure to add a human trafficking detective in the Sheriffs office. I also introduced a measure to combat the stolen vehicle problems we have. Public safety will always be my top priority. What can or should the county do to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system? Andrews: Allocate resources to support youth engagement and diversion programs, implement mandatory training for law enforcement on cultural sensitivity, de-escalation techniques and implicit bias to reduce racial profiling and enhance fair treatment. Address systemic issues, such as bail reform, diversion programs, and sentencing reform to reduce disproportionate impacts on minority communities. The Madison mayors office has concerns about a draft noise-mitigation plan for the Dane County Regional Airport because it says some of its recommendations could limit efforts to spur residential construction amid a long-standing dearth of affordable housing in the growing city. In an email to City Council members on Wednesday, Satya Rhodes-Conways office says the documents land-use compatibility section indicates the airport supports restricting and limiting new development on the north and east sides in some cases well beyond the 65 decibel noise contour. Sixty-five to 75 decibels is the amount of average daily noise considered incompatible with residential living, according to Federal Aviation Authority standards. Noise from the airport and the adjacent Wisconsin Air National Guards Truax Field has long been a concern for some residents a concern heightened with the arrival at Truax last year of the militarys new class of fighter jets, the F-35, which are louder than the F-16s they replaced. About 2,200 people across 1,100 homes are expected to be exposed daily to between 65 and 75 decibels of noise from the airport and Truax by 2027, according to the airports draft study, known as a Noise Compatibility Program, or NCP, and required under federal regulations. Sixty-five to 75 decibels is equivalent to the noise created by a normal conversation up to a vacuum cleaner. But averaged over a day, that level of constant noise can affect human health. Rhodes-Conways office points to a map in the document showing an area around the airport in which future construction should be limited. This line is mile beyond the 65 decibel noise contour, and encompasses areas where the city has decided to focus future growth, the email to council says. This includes areas like the Oscar Mayer area and a large section of E. Washington Avenue. The email also points to an area identified in the document that covers almost the entirety of the north and east sides of the city and says it would be subject to a Wisconsin law allowing the airport to object to any rezoning application within the area. If they object, the rezone would require a 2/3 vote of the (City) Council, the mayors office says. We are concerned that this creates a significant lack of predictability in the development process, which could stifle development as developers weigh the risk of substantial financial investments with uncertain results. With the population pressure Madison is already experiencing in its housing market, plus the projection that our population will grow by 42% from 2020-2050, we fear that a lack of development in this area would have a devastating impact on housing availability and housing prices overall, the mayors office says. In a statement Thursday, airport director of marketing and communications Michael Riechers said city staff have been part of the studys technical advisory committee since the study began more than two years ago, and that throughout that time we have worked collaboratively with city planning staff to help balance the needs of the city against the realities of airport-related noise, and we anticipate continued productive cooperation as we work together to identify the best solutions for all area residents. Christie Baumel, the citys deputy mayor for housing and sustainability, said the mayors office has asked the airport to address its concerns, but as of Thursday afternoon had not yet heard back. With the period for public comment on the study now closed, the airport will review the comments it has received before submitting the document to the FAA, Riechers said. The FAA will then publish the NCP in the Federal Register for 30 days and open up its own public comment process, he said. After that, the FAA will have 180 days to issue a record of approval, or ROA, in which the agency will approve or disapprove each of the recommended noise-mitigation measures in the NCP, he said. Once the ROA is issued, the airport can implement recommendations that dont require funding and apply for federal funds to implement recommendations that would need federal funding, he said. Close President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the Madison area. President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden is escorted to greet a group of people after arriving at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL Members of the secret service patrol the area before the arrival of President Joe Biden at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL Air Force One prepares to land at Dane County Regional Airport for President Joe Bidens visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL A group of well-wishers prepares for the president's arrival at Dane County Regional Airport Wednesday morning. Members of the secret service patrol the area before the arrival of President Joe Biden at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden is greeted by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, center, and Gov. Tony Evers, right, upon arrival at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden talks with Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Gov. Tony Evers, right, upon arrival at the Dane County Regional Airport. President Joe Biden takes a selfie with, from left, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway; Patrick Miles, Dane County Board chair; and Gov. Tony Evers upon arrival at Dane County Regional Airport. Photos: President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport In his first stop after his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden flew to Madison for a speech at a DeForest worker training center. President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the Madison area. President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden is escorted to greet a group of people after arriving at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL Members of the secret service patrol the area before the arrival of President Joe Biden at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL Air Force One prepares to land at Dane County Regional Airport for President Joe Bidens visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL A group of well-wishers prepares for the president's arrival at Dane County Regional Airport Wednesday morning. Members of the secret service patrol the area before the arrival of President Joe Biden at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden arrives at the Dane County Regional Airport on Air Force One during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden is greeted by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, center, and Gov. Tony Evers, right, upon arrival at the Dane County Regional Airport during a visit to the area in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL President Joe Biden talks with Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Gov. Tony Evers, right, upon arrival at the Dane County Regional Airport. President Joe Biden takes a selfie with, from left, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway; Patrick Miles, Dane County Board chair; and Gov. Tony Evers upon arrival at Dane County Regional Airport. Madison police officers and agents from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue visited the Ohio Tavern on Madisons East Side Wednesday night, but authorities have not said what they were looking for. Owner Josh Swentzel didnt return calls or texts, but a post on the taverns Facebook and Instagram pages said the issue had to do with unauthorized bingo games at the bar, known for its tacos, street corn and karaoke nights. Online court records show the tavern also has a history of unpaid sales taxes. The Department of Revenue regularly engages in field activity related to tax compliance and alcohol beverage compliance in addition to education and outreach, Janet Piraino, assistant deputy DOT secretary, said in a statement. Beyond that, the Department cannot release specifics of individual tax situations outside of what is publicly available on Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) or the Department of Revenue online Delinquent Taxpayer List. The unsigned social media posts Thursday said, We done goofed, followed by a sad emoji and a crying emoji. BUT were open normal business hours today! The post went on to say Hey all (wave emoji) So we did not cross our ts and dot our lower case js on this whole bingo thing, and apparently you need some extra paperwork done to host bingo. Who knew? (Emoji with sweat from forehead). So, bingo will be canceled for the foreseeable future. Our apologies. Patricia Mayers, a spokesperson for the state Department of Revenue confirmed DOR agents visited the bar, but privacy and confidentiality laws prevent me from being able to share anything more. She said the tavern at 224 Ohio Ave. was not shut down. Stephanie Fryer, spokesperson for the Madison Police Department, said Madison police were just assisting another agency with their case and said she had no other information. Three officers, including a sergeant, were present, she said. We were requested to stand by to ensure things remained calm on scene, Fryer said. A preliminary hearing has been set for March 19 in Monroe County Circuit Court for a 28-year-old Macomb, Illinois, man accused of sexually assaulting two women in a Tomah motel he worked at. Venkatesh Nalabothula faces five felony counts of second-degree sexual assault and two felony counts of burglary/battery. According to the criminal complaint, both assaults occurred at the Clarion Pointe Hotel on North Superior Avenue. The first assault reportedly occurred Oct. 6, 2023. A woman told police that a hotel employee, later identified as Nalabothula, checked her in. She said Nalabothula identified himself as the owners brother and said he could get the woman a job at the hotel. She said Nalabothula also gave her money to buy dinner. The woman told police she remembered someone knocking on the door during the overnight hours. She said she didnt answer the door because she was in bed. She said Nalabothula placed a phone call a short time later. She said the next thing she recalled was waking up with Nalabothula on top of her. She believes she was sexually assaulted because her sleeping area was wet and there was no reason why her clothing would be removed. The woman said she called a friend immediately after Nalabothula left the room. Nalabothula was interviewed by police Nov. 17. He denied having sex with the woman or giving her money. He voluntarily gave a DNA sample. The complaint says his DNA sample matched evidence found in the womans hotel room. Police were called to the same hotel Dec. 22 on a report of another sexual assault. A woman identified as the victim was reluctant to talk to police or seek medical attention. The woman later told police that someone she described as like Afghan just opened the door and walked right in. She said the man, later identified as Nalabothula, forcibly reached inside her clothes and groped her. She said Nalabothula then poured alcohol down her throat before forcing sexual intercourse on her. The woman later agreed to a physical exam. Police interviewed Nalabothula, who described the woman as intoxicated and flirty. He said the woman asked him personal questions and led him back to her room. He said the woman initiated contact, which made him uncomfortable. Hotel management failed to provide police with surveillance video in either case. The complaint says police expressed displeasure over the lack of video despite the presence of a surveillance system. Nalabothula is being held in the Monroe County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond ordered by Judge Richard Radcliffe. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. Xi held talks with Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Noting that China and Angola jointly celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, Xi said relations between the two countries have stood the test of international vicissitudes and benefitted the two peoples. China-Angola cooperation is South-South cooperation and cooperation between developing countries, which is about mutual help between good friends, reciprocity and win-win cooperation, Xi said. In a world that is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, the two sides should continue their traditional friendship, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, firmly support each other, and achieve common development, Xi noted. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) China supports Angola in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, and realizing national development and revitalization, he said. China is also willing to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Angola, upgrade bilateral strategic relations, and jointly promote the modernization process of each country, Xi noted. He stressed that cooperation between China and Angola enjoys a sound foundation, large scale and high complementarity, endowing huge potential and bright prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides should advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, synergize their development strategies, and improve the quality and effectiveness of their pragmatic cooperation. China is ready to work with the Angolan side to implement key infrastructure projects, support competent Chinese enterprises to carry out various forms of cooperation in Angola, and help the country advance agricultural modernization, industrialization and economic diversification, Xi said. It is hoped that Angola will take more effective measures to ensure the legitimate rights, interests and safety of Chinese citizens and enterprises, Xi said, adding that Angola is welcome to introduce more quality products to China through platforms such as the China International Import Expo and China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. China will continue to send medical teams to Angola and implement other projects, provide scholarships to Angolan students, and enhance people-to-people exchanges and friendship, he said. Noting that at present, the collective rise of developing countries is unstoppable, Xi said the Global South must not be absent from global governance, or development and prosperity. "China is a reliable friend and sincere partner for African countries in their efforts to safeguard independence, and promote development and revitalization." Xi said China supports African countries and the African Union in solving African issues in the African way, and safeguarding regional peace and stability. China stands ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with Angola and other African countries to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added. Lourenco said that China was the first country to provide valuable support both when Angola was reeling from its civil war and struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "China's support and cooperation have greatly promoted Angola's infrastructure construction and economic and social development, setting a good example of mutually beneficial cooperation," Lourenco added. The Angolan side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola to help its national development and revitalization, the president said. Angola firmly adheres to the one-China principle and holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, he added. Angola highly appreciates China's consistent commitment to promoting world peace and progress, and safeguarding international fairness and justice. Angola is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as important norms governing international relations, he said. Lourenco also expressed the willingness to work with China to achieve more results in bilateral relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco jointly witness the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents regarding the Belt and Road cooperation plan, economy and trade, agriculture, green development and other fields after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2024. Xi held talks with Lourenco, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents regarding the Belt and Road cooperation plan, economy and trade, agriculture, green development and other fields. The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Angola. Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People. In the evening, Xi held a banquet for Lourenco. One things for sure, the color green will be popular Saturday in downtown Twin Falls. The annual St. Patricks Day festival on Main Avenue will feature the traditional corned beef and cabbage and green beer, but in addition plenty of family-friendly events including shopping, face-painting and a parade. The weather is expected to cooperate, with temperatures reaching the high 50s with light winds. After COVID closed the festivities for a couple of years, everything has gotten bigger, said Shawnee Ridenour, general manager of ODunkens Draught House. Its only fitting that the Irish-themed pub head up the events, and a full schedule, including six musical groups, is lined up from noon to 10 p.m. A parade will roll down Main Avenue from Jerome to Fairfield streets from 3 to 4 p.m., with the Twin Falls Police Department closing streets at 1 p.m. The section of street in front of ODunkens will be closed to traffic during the entire festival. A best-dressed contest takes place at 5:30 p.m. and it gets kind of crazy, with plenty of guys dressed up in green suits and top hats and girls adorned as leprechauns, Ridenour said. Last year, one cute kid dressed up as a pot of gold, she said. Twenty-three vendors, including a half-dozen food vendors, will be on location. The official St. Patricks Day takes place Sunday, but Ridenour said the annual festival will take place in downtown on Saturday so more people can participate. Organizers urge participants to have fun responsibly. The Idaho State Police, in a news release, seconds that. Taking a moment to plan for a sober ride can make all the difference in ensuring a safe celebration for everyone, ISP Lt. Col. Sheldon Kelley said, as he underscored the importance of proactive planning and responsible decision-making during festive occasions. Dont tempt fate on St. Patricks Day; get a sober ride home. - Advertisement - The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) wants its locators to take advantage of the newly passed CHIPS Act and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in keeping with the US goal of diversifying their chip supply chain. This partnership can strategically de-risk and diversify global value chains, positioning the Philippines as your +1 in Asia. With the Philippines as your ideal hub in the region, the ASEAN and Asia-Pacific could serve as your manufacturing and distribution gateway, PEZA director-general Tereso Panga told the members of the Presidential Trade and Investment Mission. US Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the US may extend assistance to help double the Philippines chip manufacturing facilities and capacities to spread and lessen the risks. US companies have realized our chip supply chain is way too concentrated in just a few countries in just a few countries in the world You know the old adage, Dont put your eggs in one basket. Why do we allow ourselves to be buying so many of our chips from one or two countries? Thats why we need to diversify, Raimondo said in a fireside chat with industry leaders in the Philippines. Panga said PEZA is optimistic on the flourishing partnerships with American investors in various sectors most especially in the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing services. - Advertisement - This collaboration is expected to enhance our nations capabilities in assembly, packaging, and testing, and propel us into sophisticated integrated circuit design and, eventually, wafer fabrication, he said. PEZA is also eyeing possible investments from leading American companies with stakes in regenerative agriculture, alternative and renewable energy, e-mobility, green ores processing, drug and medical equipment manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and digital and frontier technology. The Philippines is also extending the invitation to other countries to look at the Philippines for their business and investment ventures. Other countries should not see the US Trade Mission as a threat, but rather see it in a positive light as it strengthens the resiliency of general trade in the region, said Panga. The US remains the top export destination of the Philippines based on the latest PSA report. - Advertisement - PRAGUEPresident Ferdinand Marcos on Thursday said he and Czech Republics Petr Pavel vowed to explore more opportunities during their bilateral meeting here. In his address during the joint press conference, President Marcos bared their discussion to deepen bilateral cooperation and multilateral partnership. In my talks with President Pavel, we explored opportunities for future partnerships in trade and investment, agriculture, green economy and renewable energy, space and aerospace, education, tourism, defense, cybersecurity, and labor, among others, the President said. To lure in more investments from Prague, President Marcos highlighted the Philippines economic performance, citing the increased engagement between the two nations respective business sectors. I also highlighted to the President the Philippines remarkable economic performance, that [makes] it an attractive destination for Czech investments in the areas of IT-BPM, in electronics, manufacturing, food and agriculture, and automotive / EV manufacturing, amongst others, he added. - Advertisement - Mr. Marcos expressed optimism about attracting more Czech traders and investors to do business in the Philippines due to increased engagement between the two countries business sectors. President Marcos said he also anticipates the 2nd meeting of the Philippines-Czech Republic Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) in Manila later this year. - Advertisement - PRAGUECzech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny is poised to visit the Philippines next week to pave the way for robust cooperation aimed at bolstering food security endeavors. This diplomatic engagement aligns closely with President Ferdinand Marcos strategic vision to broaden collaboration with the Czech Republic, particularly in the realm of food security. During a joint press conference, Czech President Petr Pavel disclosed plans to lead a delegation of prominent businessmen, expressing keen interest in exploring investment opportunities within the agricultural sector and other pivotal industries. Very soon our Minister of Agriculture shall visit the Philippines with a numerous delegation of our businessmen with specific, particular plans to offer, Pavel said. We also have companies that are involved in defense industry, manufacturing, in farming and agriculture, science, technology, energy sector, power sector, many of these businesses do have a particular specific plan for the future cooperation with the Philippines, he added. - Advertisement - Minister Vyborny is slated to hold discussions with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel and spearhead a business forum scheduled in Makati City on March 21. The delegations itinerary also includes a visit to Davao for a business forum and an immersive farm visit at the Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (Tadeco) on the subsequent day. The Czech Republic has become a key partner for the Philippines, offering vital support in analyzing and improving value chains in the Philippine dairy sector. Through the Czech Aid-for-Trade program, the National Dairy Authoritys (NDA) proposal received backing for expert technical exchanges, aligning with the DAs five-year plan to boost milk production from one to 10 percent. The NDA effectively carried out two joint projects with the Czech Republic: the Expert Assistance in Analyzing the Supply Chain of the Philippine Dairy Industry in 2018, and the Capacity Building for Dairy Farmers and Extension Workers project in 2019. - Advertisement - Adopting new national defense strategies will support President Marcos agenda to ensure that the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will not be forever lost to brazen incursions by foreign invaders. Alumni officials of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) made this remark after Defense Secretary Gilbert Gibo Teodoro Jr. announced that the Philippines has embarked to implement the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) to secure the nations waters. Aldin Cuna, Secretary General of the NDCP Alumni Association, said that funding new defense strategies to protect the EEZ is essential when the stakes are high, stressing that such spending will reap the greatest yield in food and energy security, to name just two. Thus, the CADC is about guarding the riches future generations should enjoy, bounties we should not lose during our watch, part of national patrimony we should develop to improve the lives of our people, Cuna said. CADC is one patch, but a major one, in our larger national security fabric, the NDCP alumni official added. We believe despite limited resources, there is fiscal space that can finance urgent acquisitions. - Advertisement - Commodore Jerry Simon, a member of the alumni board, added that the CADC strengthens other components in the material, like diplomacy and alliances, which must be reinforced as well because it is the multiplicity of complementing initiatives that our rights are defended and national interest is upheld. It is because of CADCs great value to national interest that we are fully supporting it, as we urge all our members, in whatever capacity they can help, to rally other stakeholders to extend the same, Simon said. But we are aware that operationalize CADC, investments should be made in boosting our capabilities, for that is how a plan becomes a success, if spent on, and not merely spoken of, he added. Professor Vladimir Mata, another member of the NDCP alumni board, said that when threats evolve, so must responses, for one cannot apply the strategies of the old to challenges which are new. Mata hailed the CADC as the big picture that underlines our narrative, and hopefully, the best response to the many volatilities we are confronting. In enhancing our national security, plans and programs must be updated too, because modernization does not apply to armaments alone, but to approaches as well, Mata said of the new defense concept. This is the great importance of the DNDs Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, which amidst a seascape change in our security situation, prescribes common courses of action. The CADC embodies the unity of thinking that should guide as forward so that actions, isolated they may seem, actually serve the greater purpose, he added. In implementing the CADC, Secretary Teodoro said the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and EEZ. The Defense Secretary stressed this will ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy the bounties of the natural resources that are rightfully ours within our domain. I emphasize that this is a strategic action and will not need constant directives to carry out. I, thus, urge our commanders and units in the AFP to exert all efforts to operationalize the CADC, Secretary Teodoro said. - Advertisement - TOKYO The release of wastewater from Japans stricken Fukushima nuclear plant was temporarily suspended on Friday following an earthquake, its operator said. A 5.8-magnitude jolt struck off the coast of the northeastern Fukushima region, home to the plant wrecked by a tsunami in 2011, at 00:14 am Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. We have confirmed remotely that there were no abnormalities on ALPS treated water dilution/discharge facility, etc., Tokyo Electric Power Company said on X, formerly Twitter, referring to the water release process. But to be on the safe side, we have suspended the operations of the facilities in accordance with the pre-defined operational procedures, it said in the early hours of Friday. Several hours later TEPCO said in a statement that no abnormalities were detected and a spokesman told AFP that the water release would resume later on Friday. - Advertisement - No leak of radiation was detected after TEPCO finished necessary checks while readings from monitoring posts remain normal, he added. AFP Japans nuclear regulatory authority also said shortly after the quake that no abnormalities were detected at either the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi plant, or its sister plant Fukushima Daini. Last August, TEPCO began releasing into the Pacific Ocean around 540 Olympic swimming pools worth of wastewater that has collected at Fukushima Daiichi since the 2011 accident, one of the worlds worst nuclear disasters. The operation has been endorsed by the UN atomic agency, and TEPCO says all radioactive elements have been filtered out except for tritium, levels of which are within safe limits. But China and Russia have criticised the release into the Pacific and banned Japanese seafood imports, saying that Japan is polluting the environment. Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year and the vast majority cause no damage. There were no immediate reports of injuries from the latest jolt and there was no tsunami warning. AFP - Advertisement - MOGADISHU, Somalia A siege by Al-Shabaab Islamist militants of a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu ended on Friday after more than 13 hours, a police officer told AFP. All the terrorist gunmen were killed, and the situation has returned to normal now, the security forces are carrying out a thorough clearance and investigations, said the officer, Abdirahim Yusuf. The assault late Thursday broke a relative lull in attacks by the Al-Qaeda linked jihadist group, which claimed responsibility in a brief statement. Armed militants stormed the SYL hotel in Mogadishu at around 9:45 pm in a hail of bullets. Several gunmen forced their way into the building after destroying the perimeter wall with a heavy explosion, security officer Ahmed Dahir told AFP. - Advertisement - Hours later, it was not still not known if there were casualties and there has been no official government statement on the attack. Witnesses described hearing the assailants shoot indiscriminately. I dont know about the casualties but there were many people inside when the attack started, said Hassan Nur who escaped by scaling a wall. Other witnesses said police officers arrived at the hotel within minutes of the attack, triggering a fierce gun battle. Abdullahi Hassan, who was at a nearby house, said the officers arrived in multiple vehicles. Two ambulances carried wounded people, he said. Al-Shabaab jihadists have been waging an insurgency against the internationally backed federal government for more than 16 years and have often targeted hotels, which tend to host high-ranking Somali and foreign officials. Although the militants were driven out of the capital by an African Union force, they retain a strong presence in rural Somalia and have carried out numerous attacks against political, security and civilian targets, including in Mogadishu. The beleaguered central government launched a major offensive against the Islamists in August 2022, joining forces with local clan militias. The army and militias known as macawisley have retaken swathes of territory in the centre of the country in an operation backed by the African Union mission ATMIS and US air strikes. But the offensive has suffered setbacks despite early gains, with Al-Shabaab claiming earlier this week that it had taken control of multiple locations in the centre of the country. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday met defence officials in a strategic meeting to plan on how to reclaim the lost territory, Somalia national news agency SONNA reported. The president commended the valiant efforts of Somali forces and emphasised the governments unwavering resolve to eradicate terrorism, SONNA said. In January, the militants took a number of people hostage after a UN helicopter carrying nine passengers made an emergency landing in their territory. In October 2022, 100 people lost their lives and 300 were wounded in twin car bombings in Mogadishu, the deadliest attack since Mohamud took office in May of that year. In August 2022, 21 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a 30-hour siege on the Hayat Hotel in the Somalia capital. Thursdays attack comes days after the US Treasury slapped sanctions on 16 individuals and entities across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East it accused of laundering money for the militant group. The targeted entities included Dubai-based fintech Haleel Commodities LLC with branches and subsidiaries in Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Cyprus. UAE-based Qemat Al Najah General Trading and a Kenyan bus company that supported Al-Shabaabs logistics were also hit with sanctions. AFP - Advertisement - Four short films that will be screened at the Directors Fortnight of the Cannes International Film Festival are now being shot in Dapitan City in Zamboanga. Dapitan City goes to Cannes, France! the local government said in a post on Facebook. Dapitan Citys unique, exhilarating views and the rich cultural and historical heritage will soon be featured not only in the local scene but are set to illuminate in the international realm of cinema. Two of the four short films have already finished shooting, one is still ongoing while the fourth has yet to begin. The Directors Fortnight is considered by many as the edgier film venue as it premieres indie feature films, short films, and documentary films. - Advertisement - The four short films are being shot with the mentoring of Lav Diaz under the 2024 Directors Factory and its producer, French director and film curator Dominique Welinski. The four directorial tandems are as follows: Eve Baswel (Philippines) and Gogularaajan Rajendran (Malaysia); Maria Estela Paiso (Philippines) and Ashok Vish (India); Arvin Belarmino (Philippines) and Lomorpich Rithy (Cambodia): and Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (Philippines) and Siyou Tan (Singapore). All were handpicked by Welinski herself. Dapitan City Major Seth Frederick Bullet Jalosjos said he has always been supportive of the arts. We do whatever we can to promote Dapitan, he said. As to why the projects ended up in Dapitan is due to Bianca Balbuena, general manager of Anima Studios and Epicmedia Productions CEO Bradley Liew, a long-time protege of Welinski who also happens to know Svetlana Lana Jalosjos, the president of Dakak Properties. On Dakaks involvement in this project, resort owner and former Zamboanga del Norte 1st District Congressman Romeo Jalosjos Sr. said: Its about time that Dapitan levels up. Barely two years ago, we went national by hosting Cinemalaya 2022. This year we go international and go for Cannes. Its time for Dapitan to shine. Bullet Jalosjos said that he has always been supportive of the arts and sports, and that by supporting big events such as this, the city, in fact, gets massive publicity for its tourism campaign. We do whatever we can to promote Dapitan, he said. In fact, we have another big thing coming up. Come June, on the occasion of Rizals birthday, we will be hosting the 1st National Invitational Rizal Arnis Challenge, the mayor added. - Advertisement - The House Committee on Health has approved measures for a new specialty hospital and the modernization of existing ones, boosting efforts at improving the Philippine healthcare system. Presided over by its vice chairman, Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes, the Committee approved House Bills (HBs) 123 and 6324, authored by Reps. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer and Samuel Verzosa Jr., respectively, which seek to establish the Liver Center of the Philippines. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police welcomed Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Sandro Marcos III, during his visit to the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Thursday. In his welcome remarks, Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., Chief of the PNP, expressed gratitude for Rep. Marcos gracious donation and his visit to the primary police healthcare facility. Reyes said the Liver Center of the Philippines is borne of the pressing need to confront the rising prevalence of liver diseases, which he described as a complex health concern, that requires specialized attention, research, and comprehensive care. - Advertisement - Ferrer, in sponsoring HB 123, said the measure is close to her heart, as her mother died of autoimmune liver disease. We do have a Heart Center. We do have a Lung Center. We have a Kidney Center. So maybe it is about time that we have a Liver Center, Ferrer said. A lot of Filipinos are suffering from liver disease but there are limited facilities and doctors who specialize in liver transplant, while there are many doctors for kidney transplants, Ferrer added. Versoza filed HB 6324 after losing his father to liver disease last year. Speaking for the Department of Health (DOH), Health Development Facilities Bureau Development Management Officer IV Phoebe Cabbab relayed that the DOH supports the establishment of the Liver Center of the Philippines. She however said that upgrading existing public hospitals to accommodate specialty centers would be more cost effective and time efficient compared to constructing single specialty hospitals. National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) Executive Director Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete concurred with the DOH. Dr. Jennelyn Agcaoili-Conde of the Hepathology Society of the Philippines said her agency is looking forward for the said measure to be enacted into law. Conde said that liver cancer is the fourth most leading causes of death in the country. A lot of deaths are happening almost 2,000 new cases of liver cancer, and 9,953 deaths in 2020, so can you imagine how many Filipinos are suffering with liver cancer, even for liver cirrhosis, Agcaoili-Conde said. According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines has the highest number of cases of chronic hepatitis B, compared to Southeast Asian countries she cited. - Advertisement - Washington, United StatesThe United States will call for global action on synthetic drugs including fentanyl, which has killed thousands of Americans, at a UN conference Friday, the State Department said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will warn of a threat not just to the United States, but to all nations, when he addresses the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Thursday. The US has been ravaged by the powerful opioid fentanyl in recent years, with tens of thousands of deaths attributed to the drug each year. This administration has made it a top priority to address the fentanyl and synthetic drug crisis, Miller said. He added that Blinken would look to secure concrete commitments to address synthetic drugs fueling a public health crisis. - Advertisement - The US set up a coalition to combat synthetic drug threats last year, and it now features 149 countries. Washington officials have notably been putting pressure on China, one of the primary source countries for fentanyl, along with Mexico. In early February, a US delegation met with Beijing officials to discuss the issue. Blinken will also visit South Korea on Monday to take part in the Summit for Democracy, amid US efforts to bolster relations with Asian countries to counter Chinas influence. He will then travel to the Philippines capital Manila on Tuesday to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our Philippine ally, said Miller. The visit will involve meetings with President Ferdinand Marcos focused on the threats posed by China in the region. Flash A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for de-escalation of tensions in the Red Sea. The attacks and military operations in the Red Sea have resulted in casualties, which China regrets seeing. China calls on the Houthis to respect the right of commercial vessels of all countries to navigate in the waters of the Red Sea in accordance with international law, and to immediately cease their attacks. Meanwhile, China calls on the parties concerned to exercise restraint and immediately cease actions that might exacerbate tensions, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. "I would like to reiterate that the Security Council has never authorized any country to use force against Yemen. International law and resolutions of the council should not be subjected to misrepresentation and abuse by any country," he told the Security Council. The escalation in the Red Sea is seriously disrupting the political process in Yemen. Progress in the political process is hard-won and deserves to be cherished, said Geng. "We hope that the parties concerned will adhere to the general direction of political settlement, place above all else the interests and the well-being of the Yemeni people, and continue to push forward the Yemeni-led and the Yemeni-owned political process." China supports the work of UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and expects all parties, especially those with major influence, to play a constructive role in easing the situation, he said. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen persists, with more than 18 million civilians in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and about 2.4 million children suffering from malnutrition. China calls on the international community to increase its investment in Yemen's humanitarian and development efforts, and looks forward to the resumption of humanitarian operations from the World Food Programme in northern Yemen as soon as possible, he said. The tension in the Red Sea is a prominent manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict. China once again calls on Israel to immediately cease its military operations in Gaza and to stop its collective punishment of the Palestinian people, stressed Geng. China calls on the country concerned to heed the overwhelming calls of the international community and act in a truly responsible and constructive manner by enabling Security Council action as soon as possible on the demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, he said. - Advertisement - Jupiter, United StatesAs the northern hemisphere edges toward spring and millions flock to the beach, headlines have dubbed the southeastern US state of Florida the worlds most likely place to be bitten by a shark. Theyre right, but, at the same time, shark bites are exceedingly rare overalla fact scientists wish more people knew, especially amid declining shark populations desperately in need of conservation. When the sharks in the water are targeting the fishes that they normally feed on, once in a while, people get in the way and the sharks make a mistake, said Gavin Naylor, coauthor of a recent report tallying last years shark attacks. According to data he gathered for the University of Floridas International Shark Attack File, Florida was home to a quarter of last years shark attacksa scary statistic, if taken on its own. And yet that only amounts to 16 unprovoked attacks, out of 69 total worldwideand millions of swimmers flocking to Floridas coast each year. - Advertisement - If sharks wanted to attack us, people are very easy to target. They are a bit like floating sausages, Naylor told Agence France Presse (AFP). So, we know that they must be avoiding them. Shark attack capital Floridas subtropical latitude means many sharks move through the waters of its continental shelf, which are rich in nutrients and therefore in fish to feed them. And miles of beaches attract huge numbers of tourists to the Sunshine State135 million last year, according to Florida statistics. Yet despite the long odds of a shark bite, the predators still carry an outsized reputationone probably not helped by their rows of razor-sharp teeth, or fictional movies about killer sharks like Jaws and the decades-long US cable television phenomenon known as Shark Week. New Smyrna Beach, located in Volusia Countyhome to half of Floridas shark bites last yearis inauspiciously known as the shark bite capital of the world. Surfers often flock to its coast, where the murky waters reduce sharks visibility, and increase the chance they will bite a human by mistake. Bites are like an airplane crashshocking but rare, said New Smyrna Beach resident Bruce Adams, who remembers close encounters with sharks of his own during his surfing days. Its sensational, it sells a lot of T-shirts, he told AFP, lamenting the creatures bad reputations. Swimming with sharks In fact, most of us have probably been in the water alongside sharkswe just didnt know it, said report coauthor Joe Miguez. They dont really want anything to do with us, he told AFP. Some humans meanwhile are seeking out sharks. In Jupiter, some 90 miles (150 kilometers) north of Miami, Jonathan Campbell has done more than 500 dives with a coterie of enthusiasts, all there to swim with sharks. You see sharks in movies and they are scary monsters. But in the water, they are actually shy puppy dogs, he said. In fact, amid crashing shark populationsthere has been a 70 percent worldwide decline since 1970, according to a recent studywhat the world might need is more sharks. We should be more focused on conserving these animals than just going out and saying that theyre out to get us, said Miguez. - Advertisement - Let history remember this moment as a turning point in the struggle for freedom and justice in the South China Sea In the roiling cauldron of geopolitical tensions simmering in the South China Sea, Chinas latest maneuvers reveal a flagrant disregard for international norms, sovereignty, and the rule of law. Recent reports detail Chinas persistence in advancing proposals that not only trample upon the rights of its neighbors but also undermine the very fabric of peace and stability in the region. The Philippines, a stalwart defender of its territorial integrity, has rightfully rebuked Chinas overtures, citing egregious violations of its national interest and Constitutional principles. The Department of Foreign Affairs categorically denounced Chinas proposals as incompatible with the Philippine Constitution and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. These proposals, masquerading as olive branches of cooperation, instead serve as Trojan horses, seeking to entrench Chinas illegitimate claims and expand its hegemonic ambitions. - Advertisement - President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. echoed these sentiments, boldly challenging Chinas spurious historical assertions embodied in its ten-dash-line map. This audacious cartographic fiction, unrecognized by any legitimate authority, forms the bedrock of Chinas expansionist designs, threatening the sovereignty of neighboring nations and flouting established maritime boundaries. Marcos reiterated the Philippines unwavering commitment to defending its territory, a solemn duty enshrined in its Constitution and inviolable in the face of external aggression. Chinas response, delivered through its spokesperson Wang Wenbin, reeks of hypocrisy and duplicity. Despite hollow declarations of sincerity and goodwill, Chinas actions on the ground speak volumes. Its incessant encroachments, bellicose rhetoric, and disdain for legal verdicts, such as the 2016 Arbitral Award, betray a sinister agenda aimed at coercing smaller nations into submission. Chinas thinly veiled attempts to portray itself as a benevolent actor in the region stand in stark contrast to its belligerent behavior and blatant disregard for the rule of law. The Permanent Court of Arbitrations unequivocal ruling in 2016 shattered Chinas illusion of historical entitlement, exposing its spurious claims as baseless and unsubstantiated. Yet, China persists in perpetuating this myth, brazenly asserting sovereignty over territories rightfully belonging to its neighbors. The international community must not remain silent in the face of such flagrant violations of maritime law and sovereign rights. Silence is complicity, and acquiescence to Chinas expansionist agenda sets a dangerous precedent for the future of global security and stability. As tensions escalate and tempers flare, it is imperative that cooler heads prevail. The South China Sea, a vital artery of global trade and commerce, cannot be allowed to descend into chaos and conflict. Diplomacy, grounded in respect for international law and mutual dialogue, must be the guiding principle in resolving disputes and fostering cooperation among nations. The Philippines, in partnership with its allies and like-minded nations, stands ready to defend its sovereignty and uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of conflicts. In the words of President Marcos, We will continue to defend [our territory] with unwavering resolve and unyielding determination. The time for action is now. The international community must unite in condemning Chinas brazen overreach and reaffirming the primacy of law and justice in the South China Sea. Only through collective action and steadfast commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity can peace and stability be preserved in this critical region. Anything less would be a betrayal of our shared values and a capitulation to tyranny. Let history remember this moment as a turning point in the struggle for freedom and justice in the South China Seaa moment when the forces of tyranny were confronted with unwavering resolve and defeated by the power of truth and righteousness. The Philippines, standing at the forefront of this noble cause, calls upon the international community to stand with us in defense of liberty, justice, and the rule of law. Together, we will prevail. - Advertisement - Many eyes and ears, at home and abroad, will be tuned in to the meeting on Tuesday next week between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken likely for discussions on cooperation and security matters. This will precede a planned summit in Washington, DC next April among leaders from the Philippines, Japan and the United States which President Marcos said will tackle closer maritime cooperation. The meeting, at a date still to be announced, would discuss strengthening defense and economic ties among Manila, Tokyo, and Washington, the three countries with shared concerns about Chinas expansive maritime claims. The Manila meeting will likely discuss the growing frequency and intensity of Chinese incursions into areas of the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines. Japan has not as yet confirmed attendance in the Manila meeting. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, adjudicating Manilas case against Beijing in the South China Sea, ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, determining that major elements of Chinas claim including its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waters were unlawful. - Advertisement - Predictably, China reacted negatively to the ruling, maintaining it was null and void. The extent to which China abides by the ruling in the long term, and to which the international community supports and seeks to enforce the ruling, will have consequences for the use of international law as a tool to ensure the peaceful, stable, and lawful use of the seas going forward. These have resulted in a series of dangerous high-seas encounters, including, most recently, the China Coast Guard ships ramming of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel on humanitarian mission within Philippine waters. The incident also saw the CCG fire water cannons at one of the supply vessels, smashing its windshield and injuring four navy personnel. Like many recent incidents, this confrontation took place close to the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, or the Ayungin Shoal. In Berlin this week, during a three-day state visit, President Marcos said the intention of the Washington meeting is to continue the plan to strengthen the cooperation among the United States, Japan, and the Philippines. Both Washington and Tokyo have deepened their defense cooperation with the Philippines since Mr. Marcos took office on June 30, 2022, holding joint maritime patrols and, in the case of the US, negotiating access to an expanded roster of Philippine military facilities under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. It is reassuring that President Marcos has maintained he will continue defending the Philippines territory, particularly its maritime domain, amid Chinas incursions in the West Philippine Sea. It is also comforting that Czech President Petr Pavel, while President Marcos was in Prague, expressed his support for the Philippines rights to freedom of navigation and trade. We fully support the Philippines when it comes to their entitlement to free movement of goods because thats a principle not only we all respect but it also secures global and regional stability, Patel said during a joint news conference with President Marcos. Many will be seating on the edge of their seats next week. RALEIGH After hosting the largest celebration of trails in America, North Carolinas Great Trails State Coalition announced plans Monday in Raleigh to continue building trail awareness and funding. They received strong support from a bipartisan group of state and local lawmakers, according to a news release. The announcement was held on Monday at the Year of the Trail Celebration in Raleigh with Gov. Roy Cooper, Secretary Reid Wilson of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Secretary Joey Hopkins of the N.C. Department of Transportation and Rep. Dean Arp speaking and around 150 people attending from across the state, including Year of the Trail sponsors, partners, members of the N.C. General Assembly and Coalition members. Retired Judge Bob Hunter of Marion, who is also a former state representative, introduced the governor at the celebration. Hunter told The McDowell News he was one of the original organizers of the Great Trails Coalition along with McDowell Trails Association President Steve Pierce and Amanda Elledge-Finn and Beth Heile with the Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail. North Carolinas array of beautiful trails and natural lands is an integral part of our states identity, said Cooper. We must fight to preserve and protect these areas so that people across the state can continue to enjoy all that North Carolinas green spaces have to offer. North Carolina has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources from our mountains to our coast that have been or will be developed for use in outdoor recreation, said Arp. Its important that we act as good stewards of those natural resources to see that they are used to increase quality of life and strengthen communities all across the state. The trails movement is just beginning, said Palmer McIntyre, coordinator of Year of the Trail in N.C. and leader of the Great Trails State Coalition. A new brand, new logo To strengthen North Carolina quality of life through trails this year and beyond, the Great Trails State Coalition launched a new brand for North Carolina on Monday: North Carolina Is The Great Trails State. North Carolina is The Great Trails State because our citizens and visitors are always close to a great trail experience. Our vast network of trails showcases our diverse and beautiful landscapes and communities, McIntyre said. More opportunities in 2024 In the coming months, were inviting people to experience trails McIntyre said. Well help them find those trails. Well continue educating citizens and elected leaders about the value of trails from economic development and increased tourism to health and mental well-being. Other offerings include: GreatTrailsNC.com will continue to offer trail events and resources for hiking, biking, equestrian and paddle trails (muscle-powered trails). $25 million in grants will be distributed through the Great Trails State Grant Program (grant cycle now open). This funding is open to local governments, other public authorities and nonprofits for all kinds of trail projects planning, design and engineering, construction and maintenance. The first Great Trails State Conference will be held Sept. 11-13 in Winston-Salem. The second annual Great Trails State Day will be held Oct. 19. Join the Great Trails State Coalition. Sign up for The Great Trails State Newsletter. Diversity on trails: The organization will continue to highlight the work of organizations and groups that make it easy and safe for people of all backgrounds to enjoy trails. Trail event calendar: Pinecone Pathways returns to the Pinehurst area, March 19 through April 22. 2023 Year of the Trail recap In 2023, the coalition secured funding for a new $25 million Great Trails State Grant Program, while the North Carolina General Assembly invested a total of $54.9 million in trails and greenways, an historic funding milestone. In addition, tens of millions of people engaged with the Year of the Trail campaign. As part of the campaign, local parks and recreation departments, tourism marketing organizations, state and national parks, trail groups, nonprofits, outfitters, health advocates and more were invited to host and join Year of the Trail events, according to the news release. The Great Trails State Coalition accomplished this list and more with grassroots support from across the state: 1,700-plus Year of the Trail events in 93 counties 1 million North Carolina Department of Transportation road maps printed with Year of the Trail information 23,000-plus followers on social media (Facebook and Instagram) 452 million impressions from 400-plus pieces of media coverage and social posts shared by media outlets and writers; 150-plus online stories (national, statewide, regional, and local news outlets even The Weather Channel) 17,000-plus newsletter subscribers 30-plus blogs on the website Seven original videos with 650,000-plus views and thousands of shares 1.24 million impressions made through PBS N.C. original documentary Ten to Try: Trails and trail content on social media and in regular programming Twenty billboards with 32 million impressions Three statewide radio ads with Richard Petty and Edward Nickens, with more than 10 million impressions 20.1 million people visited North Carolina State Parks, a 4% increase in visitation growth over 2022 numbers Countless lives transformed Iona Thomas, Great Trails State Coalition co-founder and chief of strategy and growth at McAdams, said, Trails change peoples lives by creating access to nature and healthy recreation, increasing property values, and creating new businesses. Well continue working together to bring trails and their benefits closer to all North Carolinians. In a dire warning issued on Wednesday, non-governmental organization Save the Children revealed that nearly 230,000 children and pregnant or postpartum women in Sudan are on the brink of starvation. The organization also reported that over 2.9 million children are currently suffering from malnutrition, with 729,000 under the age of 5 experiencing severe malnutrition, the deadliest form of hunger. According to Arif Noor, the local director of Save the Children, the consequences of the ongoing conflict in Sudan are extending over the long term. He highlighted the impact of the previous years absence of the agricultural season, stating that no food today and no seeds today mean there will be no food tomorrow. The cycle of hunger continues to worsen, with no end in sight but with more misery, Noor emphasized. Currently, more than half of the Sudanese population, including 14 million children, are in desperate need of humanitarian aid to survive, according to the United Nations. Since April 2023, an armed conflict has been raging between the Sudanese army, led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dogalo. International reports indicate that the fighting has resulted in the death of over 12,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 8.1 million people within Sudan and to neighboring countries, according to statistics from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan (OCHA). The Deputy Treasury Secretary of the United States, Wally Adeyemo, emphasized on Thursday the importance of Africa in diversifying the sources of battery metals and reducing reliance on China and Russia. Amid the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, Western nations are striving to lessen their dependency on Chinese supply chains and decrease ties with Russia. While acknowledging domestic efforts to boost production, Adeyemo stressed the significance of international resources, stating, Africa is going to play a huge role, due to its abundant critical minerals. China has already made substantial investments in African projects, such as copper, cobalt, and lithium ventures, leveraging heavy state backing for infrastructure development. To counterbalance Chinas influence, the United States is collaborating with G7 allies to bridge infrastructure gaps and support private investment in Africa. Washington is also incentivizing domestic manufacturing to stimulate demand for critical minerals and create favorable market conditions. Adeyemo highlighted the importance of fair competition and mentioned discussions with European partners on trade actions to prevent market flooding by China. In addressing Russias impact, Adeyemo noted South Africas potential to contribute, particularly in palladium production. Despite Russias dominant position in supplying palladium to the U.S., South Africas significant production capacity offers an alternative source. Adeyemo emphasized the need for government support for companies like Sibanye-Stillwater, which play a crucial role in sourcing and providing critical metals. Senegals opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been liberated from detention, prompting jubilation both outside the prison confines and throughout Dakar, the capital. Confirming their release late on Thursday, state broadcaster RTS announced the freedom of Sonko and his close associate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This development follows a period of upheaval initiated by President Macky Salls decision to postpone the presidential election originally scheduled for February 25. Expectations soared following the recent enactment of an amnesty law encompassing offenses tied to political protests since 2021. The election, initially deferred for ten months, is now slated for March 24. Upon hearing of Sonkos release, thousands of supporters thronged Dakars streets, chanting his name and lighting flares in celebration. Among them, 52-year-old health worker Fatima, elated by the news, exclaimed, Weve been waiting for this day for so long. Prayed for it. I believe Sonko can change the country. Sonkos popularity among the youth and his fervent campaign against corruption resonates deeply in a nation grappling with soaring living costs and widespread hardship. Thirty-one-year-old Mamadou Mballo Mane expressed overwhelming joy, stating, Its a joy. Its incredible. They released Ousmane Sonko! Following his disqualification from the presidential race, Sonko endorsed Faye as his successor on the ballot. However, Faye, imprisoned since April 2023, has been unable to engage with voters in person since campaigning began on March 9. Incumbent Macky Sall, abstaining from reelection this year, incited unrest by postponing the February presidential vote, resulting in fatalities. Recurring unrest since 2021 has claimed numerous lives and led to hundreds of arrests in a nation historically viewed as a bastion of stability in West Africa, despite recurring coups and coup attempts. Sonko has consistently alleged a conspiracy to exclude him from the 2024 election, while his camp and the government have exchanged accusations regarding the violence. He had been detained since late July on multiple charges, including inciting insurrection, colluding with terrorist factions, and jeopardizing state security, with his political party subsequently disbanded. Flash Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with visiting President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco in Beijing on Friday, calling for deepened political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. Noting that China and Angola enjoy a profound traditional friendship and are good brothers and partners who trust each other, Li said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two countries' presidents, the two sides have adhered to the principles of sincerity, friendship, equality and mutual benefit, achieved fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, and continuously upgraded the level of strategic partnership. China is willing to work with Angola to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples, he said. Li pointed out that China appreciates Angola's long-standing adherence to the one-China principle and will, as always, firmly support Angola's efforts to safeguard national security and stability, oppose external interference and promote economic and social development. "China is ready to work with Angola to upgrade practical cooperation and expand cooperation on infrastructure, agriculture, trade, new energy and digital economy under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to achieve win-win results," Li said. He said that China stands ready to import more quality products from Angola and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola. "The two sides should deepen exchanges on medical and health care, human resources development, culture and tourism to consolidate public support for friendship between the two countries," Li added. Lourenco said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 41 years ago, bilateral relations have been strengthened, with huge potential for cooperation. Angola appreciates China's precious support when Angola was in the most difficult period, helping Angola to achieve rapid economic and social development, and to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. The Angolan side will firmly abide by the one-China policy and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, Lourenco said, adding that Angola welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in its country and is willing to further strengthen cooperation with China on infrastructure, agriculture, energy and new energy to achieve common development. Pyramid Mountain Lumber announced Thursday that it will close its doors for good this year, citing unprecedented rising costs. Seeley Lake's largest employer and one of the oldest family-owned lumber mills in western Montana, Pyramid Mountain has operated its sawmill 50 miles northeast of Missoula, since 1949. In late February, its board of directors unanimously decided to close the mill permanently and auction its equipment. The closure will affect roughly 100 employees. Seeley Lake once had more than a dozen lumber mills at the height of its industry. But for the last few decades Pyramid has stood as the final mill of the area. The company is also the last running mill in Missoula County. "In the last 100 years, only one other mill in Montana hasnt shut its doors or changed ownership," the statement said. "It is crushing knowing that those achievements will soon no longer be a reality for Pyramid Mountain Lumber." The statement said labor shortages, lack of housing, unprecedented rising costs, plummeting lumber prices, and the cost of living in western Montana have crippled Pyramids ability to operate. The company will start a strategic wind-down over the coming months. It will stop receiving logs March 31, and run the remaining inventory through the sawmill. After that wood is surfaced and sold, Pyramid will auction off the rest of its equipment. Pyramid Mountain Lumber President Todd Johnson said the complete closure could come in early fall. Pyramid Mountain Lumber was founded by Todd Johnson's father, Roger Johnson, and Oscar Mood in 1949. The company has faced several financial hardships over its 75-year history, including potential closures in 2000 and in 2007. "However, todays crisis is much worse than what was experienced in 2000, 2007, and 2015," the release said. "There is simply no better solution for the owners than to shut the mill down permanently." Pyramid Mountain Lumber said it would like to thank its employees, both past and present, for their hard work and professionalism over the years. It also thanked the community of Seeley Lake for its support over the years. The University of Montana will present honorary doctorates this spring to Lily Gladstone and Carol Tatsey-Murray, two outstanding Native leaders with strong ties to the Blackfeet Nation. On March 15 the state Board of Regents approved UMs request to present the doctorates during Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11. Schedules permitting, both Gladstone and Murray will serve as UM Commencement speakers. Gladstone is a Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award nominee for her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon. Murray is a renowned educator, tribal elder and former college president working to protect and enhance Blackfeet culture. Both women are UM graduates. Gladstone earned an undergraduate degree in acting and directing with a minor in Native American studies in 2008. Murray earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education in 1982. Lily and Carol serve as shining examples to Montana students of how a UM education can propel you toward future success, UM President Seth Bodnar said. These two women are making real change in the world, and we are extremely proud to present both of them with one of UMs highest honors, an honorary doctorate. Gladstone will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts, and Murray will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Education. LILY GLADSTONE Gladstone was raised in Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She has Blackfeet, Nez Perce, Dutch and Cajun ancestry. Her first acting gig was as an evil stepsister in a traveling Missoula Childrens Theatre production of Cinderella, and she recalls ballet lessons in the basement of a Browning church. Her family later moved to the Seattle area, where she finished high school. Gladstone returned to Montana as the first Native student to earn a Presidential Leadership Scholarship from UMs Davidson Honors College the Universitys most prestigious recognition for incoming students. She became deeply engaged with UMs School of Theatre and Dance, performing in plays and student films. After graduation she toured with UM Montana Repertory Theatre productions of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Miracle Worker. She also wrote a play, directed childrens theater in Seattle and worked on a project that allowed her to perform one-woman plays about Native American boarding schools, Japanese internment camps and migrant farmworkers. Then in 2012, she launched her film career in Winter in the Blood, a film based on a book by Blackfeet author and former UM faculty member James Welch. The film crew had many ties to UM and Missoula. My whole career was launched in Montana, Gladstone said. Its going to be something that Im endlessly proud of. Other film roles followed, including her breakthrough in 2016s Certain Women that earned wide critical acclaim. She also appeared in First Cow, The Unknown Country and Hulus Reservation Dogs. She landed the lead role in 2023s Killers of the Flower Moon, which was directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the book by David Grann that explores mass murders of Osage tribal members in 1920s Oklahoma. Besides the Golden Globe win, the role won her best actress awards from the Screen Actors Guild, New York Film Critics Circle, Satellite Awards and Gotham Awards. She became the first Indigenous person nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. In the process of learning about the horrific Reign of Terror, remember that the Osage remain, Gladstone said. Native people remain. And this story is a lot to take in. Be kind, and please be gentle with each other. There is much to process, and much to heal. Carol Tatsey-Murray Murray is from Badger Creek near Browning and now lives along the Two Medicine River on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. According to her nominators, she is an educator who has dedicated her life to the preservation, promotion and revitalization of Native American culture, particularly for her people of the Amskapii Piikanii (Blackfeet Nation). Murray earned an associates degree from Blackfeet Community College in 1982. Then after attending UM, she earned a masters degree in adult higher education from Montana State University. She went on to work 36 years for Blackfeet Community College, where she was president for eight years, interim president for six years and vice president for six years. She also served in other essential roles such as registrar. She became the first tribal college graduate to become a tribal college president. During her time at the college, Murray secured more than $20 million in faculty development projects and helped launch construction of the Beaver Painted Lodge building on the BCC campus. Karla Bird, UMs tribal outreach coordinator, said Murray established Blackfeet Studies at the tribal college, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting Native American Heritage through education. Murray also has worked tirelessly for repatriation of Blackfeet cultural and ceremonial items, and many of these sacred items now have been returned to the Blackfoot Confederacy. This work goes beyond the mere act of repatriation, said Melissa Little Plume-Weatherwax, a BCC official. It represents the restoration of the spiritual identity of the Blackfoot people, allowing future generations to connect with ancestral knowledge systems. Murray also has energized various traditional tribal societies, such as the Blackfoot Woman Headdress Society, Beaver Bundle Society, Horn Society, Crazy Dog Society and Thunder Pipe Society. In addition, she championed cultural events that celebrate the rich history of the Blackfeet Nation. Events such as the Days of the Piikani and the Bear River Massacre Commemoration, founded by Carol, serve as platforms for the community to come together, honor their history and ensure their stories are passed down through the generations, said Helen Augare Carlson, a BCC administrator. Murrays impact is felt far beyond the reservation, including at UM, where she has contributed to the research and advancement of Blackfeet studies. Additionally, she is a sought-after guest speaker on various historical and traditional topics. She now serves as tribal adviser for the Blackfoot Gallery at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, Canada. She previously served as a co-curator of Our Peoples Gallery at the National Museum of the American Indian, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution. An aging hot water heater sitting next to electrical equipment in the Lodge Grass Health Clinic on the Crow Reservation. A broken pipe dumping sewage into the pharmacy of one Billings-area Indian Health Service facility. Obsolete optometry equipment and a malfunctioning dental X-ray machine in the Northern Cheyenne Health Center. These are just some of the findings revealed last fall in a Government Accountability Office report on Indian Health Service the federal agency responsible for providing health care to 2.8 million members and descendants of federally recognized tribes. Indian Health Service (IHS) is chronically underfunded, understaffed and under-resourced. In its last budget report, IHS said it would need nearly $50 billion to be sufficiently funded. The Biden administration last year allocated $9.3 billion to the agency $40 billion short of the request, yet still the largest investment in the agency to date. The report, which examined the conditions of Indian Health Service facilities and equipment, found that: A majority of IHS buildings are in fair or poor condition. IHS does not keep complete or reliable data on its medical equipment Many facilities report having seriously outdated equipment. While IHS has tried to mitigate some of these issues, the report found that old infrastructure, outdated equipment and insufficient data can limit the quality of care provided, risk patient health and safety and contribute to poor health outcomes. The agencys ability to provide quality care is especially important, as Native Americans face persistent health disparities. A recent Lee Montana investigation revealed that in Montana, Native Americans die on average 17 years sooner than their white neighbors. What did the report reveal about Montana IHS facilities? In the Billings area, the median age of IHS facilities is 44. By comparison, U.S. private-sector hospitals have a median age of 8.5 years. The Blackfeet Community Hospital building is 86 years old. But because other IHS buildings have been on a priority list for replacement since 1993, the agency said it cannot replace older hospitals like the one on the Blackfeet Reservation until every building on the 1993 list has been replaced, which could take about 10 more years. The report found that as IHS buildings age, the estimated cost of maintenance and repair grows. Older medical facilities, the report says, may also have insufficient space and outdated infrastructure making it hard to integrate modern technology. Billings-area officials called facilities there small, undersized (and) not up to par with modern medical standards. In the Lodge Grass Health Clinic on the Crow Reservation, limited space means that a water heater approaching the end of its life is just feet away from electrical equipment. The report said a water leak could destroy the technology systems, which could lead to facility closures and affect patients access to timely care. Limited funding Tribal health experts say it often feels like all the IHS facilities are fighting over one small pot of money, and theyre right. IHS was allocated $170 million in 2022 for maintenance and improvement across federal and tribal facilities. But the backlog repair estimate for federal facilities alone was $737 million. Limited funding means that some area officials have to prioritize certain repairs over others. In 2022, the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital did not receive any maintenance funds because Billings-area officials prioritized the repair of a fire alarm system at the Blackfeet Community Hospital. Even if facilities get new equipment, officials said they may not be able to replace that gear within the appropriate time frame. The Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital, for example, recently purchased a new CT scan that will need to be replaced in five years. Some CT scans purchased by IHS have cost $500,000, but in 2022, the Crow Northern Cheyenne Hospital was allocated less than $119,000 for medical equipment. Northern Cheyenne Health Center officials noted that the quality of medical equipment varied by department. While the urgent care department has updated equipment (in part due to the COVID pandemic), its optometry equipment is obsolete. Staff said they cannot transfer patient images electronically from the equipment to their computers or to other specialists. Sometimes, they said the equipment malfunctions, producing inconclusive results. Bad data While the report aimed to assess the state of IHS medical equipment, it instead found that data on equipment was incomplete and unreliable. IHS policy requires service units to use a system called Nuvolo to maintain their equipment inventory. But the report found that not all equipment was entered into the system and fields were often left blank. Additionally, unbeknownst to area officials, two Billings-area facilities were found to be using different systems for tracking inventory. At the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital, 38% of equipment data did not list an end-of-life date, 42% of said data did not have an acquisition date and 30% did not have an installation date. The report found that by not maintaining reliable data, IHS not only violates its own policy but also puts its ability to deliver high-quality health care at risk. By not accurately monitoring equipment, the report said an IHS facility also risks losing its accreditation, potentially disrupting patient care. To mitigate these equipment issues, the report found that IHS facilities would refer patients elsewhere or add services via telehealth. In some cases, facility staff came up with work-arounds, which the report said can hurt patient care. When a label machine broke at the Northern Cheyenne Health Center, for example, employees started writing patient identification bracelets by hand. And when an electronic pill counter broke, pharmacy staff at the same center began counting pills manually, which, according to the report, increases the risk of error and can risk patient safety. Upon completion of the report, the Government Accountability Office made three recommendations to IHS, and the agency concurred. The recommendations include: The director of IHS should assess the extent of medical equipment data problems, and implement a plan to address those issues. The director of IHS should make the completion of equipment data mandatory. The director of IHS should ensure officials regularly monitor service units adherence to medical equipment inventory policy requirements. The Missoula City Council on March 25 will make a final decision on several short-term code reform projects, many of which have been required by the state and are intended to grow the housing supply. Planning Supervisor Ben Brewer told the city's Land Use and Planning Committee on Wednesday that the code changes can be broken down into three major areas: housing, conditional use permits and updates based on laws passed by the Montana Legislature. The housing and conditional use permit changes are geared toward solutions to ease Missoula's affordable housing crisis and to boost child care options, Brewer said. "All together, we are making progress on helping enable housing to be built that Missoulians need now and to address urgent needs around development in Missoula without compromising the city's long-term code reform effort," Brewer said, referring to the longer-term code reform project the city is undertaking to implement its growth plan that was approved in 2015. The long-term reform is expected to be implemented by the end of 2025. Housing The housing-related code reforms would allow larger Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), lessen restrictions around multistory mixed-use development and limit parking requirements for new buildings. The city plans to expand size maximums for ADUs from 600 to 1,000 square feet, which Ward 3 Councilor Gwen Jones said will create the possibility of building two-bedroom ADUs for the first time. ADUs are secondary buildings on a property that owners can rent out. Brewer said the goal of expanding ADUs is to build density within Missoula's existing neighborhoods, some of which previously banned ADUs. The state required all residential districts to allow ADUs in 2021. City planners also said they loosened ADU rules on distance requirements from the street and building height for a property. Brewer said the group added clarity over older, conflicting codes in the system related to housing as well. The city also wants to ease restrictions for multi-use vertical buildings, many of which have commercial spaces on the ground floor with residences above. Planner Jen Gross said changes to lot requirements, parking and other permits should make it easier to construct mixed-use buildings, which she said are becoming more common in Missoula's downtown core. Parking requirements could also be relaxed within this group of code reforms. Another set of changes focus on manufactured homes and simplifying the process for building new mobile home parks. The city eliminated some requirements surrounding manufactured homes, or mobile homes and tiny houses, which planners said they hope will allow for sustainability and even potential growth of that housing sector. Manufactured homes are some of the most affordable options for people in western Montana. In total, the city proposed 34 amendments recommended by the Legislature for final consideration. The Legislature also passed a bill to make reforms on manufactured homes, which eliminated maximum age, size and other requirements. The state also looped in tiny homes, and eliminated some permits to reduce redundancy. Missoula went further by changing the process of building new mobile home parks or tiny home villages. Instead of going through the manufactured home code process, the city planners hope to get these developments through a standard subdivision review. Conditional permits The city also plans to update its policy on conditional use permits, or building permits that require council approval. Conditional use permits for some buildings or businesses have been relaxed to make it easier to create day cares or community residence facilities, Brewer said. That change came after an intense period of new building in Missoula in 2021, when the most building permits in Missoula's history were awarded in one year. "The city of Missoula faced a historic development review, causing backlogs and slowing key projects," he said. Ward 4 Councilor Mike Nugent said the results of this change have already been seen in the uptick of area preschools. He pointed out the Missoula Childcare Advantage program at the old Cold Springs School did not need to get council approval because the recent code change permitted child care in the area. Some conditional permits that will not change include bed and breakfast businesses, fraternities and sororities, hospitals and gas stations. Montana Legislature rules Another area of code reform addresses changes made by the Montana Legislature in 2021, which were already accepted as temporary code reforms last fall to meet state deadlines. Several rule changes enacted by the Legislature in 2021 could remain in city code for another 12 months, but the extension must be approved by the city council before mid-April. Brewer said the state's policy triggered 64 new amendments to Missoula code. Many of the changes are procedural, Associate Planner Madison Mathias said, such as continuing to allow instant ordinance adoption instead of waiting 30 days, and fewer requirements for public engagement. Some laws passed by the Legislature, like allowing duplex dwellings in all residential neighborhoods, have been placed on hold after a lawsuit stopped the bill from taking effect. Looking ahead The council will make a final approval on the short-term code reform at its regularly scheduled March 25 meeting. Councilors can propose changes to the code reform, but all reform must be passed with a two-thirds vote. Ward 3 Councilor Daniel Carlino said Wednesday he wished to see fewer parking spot requirements for new residential buildings, a policy he said increased the cost to live in those units. "This is the most important policy that any of us are going to see on the council our code reform project," Carlino said. "It will be a whole shame if we pass the whole thing without any council amendments and it is all consultants." Other councilors said they disapproved of the potential amendment and said the group should instead come to a consensus to create meaningful code reforms. "Fractured government will make fractured policy," said Ward 2 Councilor Mirtha Becerra. In November 2021, Gov. Greg Gianforte unveiled a program allowing people struggling with addiction to go into a participating sheriffs office or the jail, in the case of Yellowstone County to be connected with treatment. At the time, Gianforte called it thinking outside of the box. But, almost two and a half years later, the Department of Health and Human Services, which manages the program, reports that just seven people have made use of it. Nevertheless, DPHHS intends to expand the program. The department has a $311,000 contract with the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI), a nonprofit based in Massachusetts, though just $11,000 has been spent so far. The program is currently underway in Yellowstone, Sweet Grass, Carbon, Cascade, and Lewis and Clark counties. And even with the single digit number of participants, sheriffs reported difficulty in connecting them to resources. Sheriff Jesse Slaughter, of Cascade County, ran into transportation trouble. How do you transport somebody from here to, lets say down to Billings, for treatment? Slaughter said. That wasnt planned out. Furthermore, Slaughter thought his offices location was not conducive to participation. Its way on the outskirts of town, on an interstate, he said, noting that it is not accessible using public transportation. Sheriff Leo Dutton, of Lewis and Clark County, faced similar issues with the few people who have come to his office to participate. We can transport them, but sometimes they have to go to Billings, which takes our deputy out for a day, he said. It needs a bit more planning, the logistics need to be tightened up. On the other hand, Sheriff Josh McQuillan, of Carbon County, sees transportation as his primary involvement in the program. We basically just provide the transportation and beyond that, were out, McQuillan said. Were an hour, on average, from Billings, so its not a big deal for us, but it is for some of these places further out in the state. McQuillan said that the few people who have come in to participate in the program have faced the same trouble as those seeking services through other channels: wait times due to lack of available beds. This makes him hesitant to advertise the program in his community. We want people to know that these services exist, but if they dont truly exist, you want to be cautious and make sure youre being accurate, he said. Another issue, faced by Dutton, was the requirement that participants have no active warrants. These can be cleared by a judge, but Dutton would prefer that the state provide help. My staff does not have time to talk to the judge, he said. Id prefer that Angel Initiative people follow that. Jon Ebelt, a spokesman for DPHHS, said the department is currently working with PAARI on public education and outreach, data collection, referral strategies, and transportation to treatment. Though the department may be looking forward for ways to improve the program, it has not yet evaluated the programs past two years. DPHHS is not engaging in formal evaluation of the initiative but is collaborating with the PAARIon ways to evaluate the efficacy of the Angel Initiative, said Ebelt. Despite the resolve of DPHHS, participating sheriffs had mixed feelings about whether the program has potential for success. The retrospective view is that it might be more difficult than we realized, Dutton said. Its counterintuitive for somebody with a substance abuse problem to walk into the detention center saying I want help. I dont know that theyre able to comprehend that thats really true. If they were in trouble, thats where they would go. Its a stigma, theyre afraid theyre going to get in trouble or go to jail, echoed Sheriff Alan Ronneberg of Sweet Grass County. Folks are just a lot more comfortable going into [the Big Timber Mental Health Center] than they are coming into my building. Is the jail really where you want to go to turn in your drugs? wondered Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder. Sheriffs Slaughter and McQuillan were more optimistic about the programs potential. Its a great idea, I truly believe in the idea, Slaughter said. I want to see it be successful. And hopefully it someday will be, as DPHHS has plans to forge ahead with it. The future of the program includes strengthening partnerships and organizational processes with the five counties engaged in the Angel Initiative. When these partnerships are solidified and operating within best practices, expansion of the program is anticipated, Ebelt said. In response to questions about the Governors office ongoing role in the program, a spokesperson said that The Gianforte administration is proud of its record in identifying innovative ideas to help those struggling with substance abuse. The Angel Initiative is just one tool in the toolbox. The Gianforte administration is committed to getting the job done. As the sound of a lone bagpiper hung in the air Friday morning the Irish "tricolour" was raised up a flagpole outside the Montana State Capitol. The annual raising of Ireland's national flag by Montana's governor marks the start of Irish heritage festivities in the state. Inside the Capitol, the Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils played "Amazing Grace" before Gov. Greg Gianforte and Lewis and Clark County Commissioner Andy Hunthausen read proclamations. Then, the Tiernan Irish Dancers took to the floor of the Capitol Rotunda and performed over a dozen dances to a cheerful crowd. Helenans can catch more performances from the Irish dance group through the weekend: SATURDAY 12 p.m. - St. Patrick's parade, downtown Helena beginning at cathedral 1:30 p.m. - Mount Ascension Brewery, 317 Cruse Ave. 2:30 p.m. - Brothers Tapworks, 40 S. Last Chance Gulch 3:30 p.m. - Lewis & Clark Brewing Co., 1535 Dodge Ave. 5 p.m. - Missouri River Brewing Co., 451 Spencer Court, East Helena SUNDAY 1:30 p.m. - Blackfoot River Brewing Co. 66 S. Park Ave. 3 p.m. - Speakeasy 41, 685 Barney St. A 4 p.m. - Ten Mile Creek Brewing Co., 48 N. Last Chance Gulch 5 p.m. - Hawthorn Bottle Shop & Tasting Room, 46 N. Last Chance Gulch. The fun continues in the Queen City with a parade through downtown Helena at noon Saturday, starting at Lawrence Street, featuring a flyover by the Montana Air National Guard. Holy Day Mass will be 11 a.m. Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Many people from the Helena area may also want to check out the activities in Butte. St. Patricks Day events kick off with a parade in historic Uptown Butte at 12 p.m. Sunday. The parade begins at the corner of Arizona and Granite streets, proceeding West on Granite to Montana Street, South on Montana to Park Street, and finally East on Park toward Arizona Street where the parade will conclude. A hit from an automatic license plate reader on a car reported stolen led to a vehicle and foot pursuit and the arrest of a Florida man. Gerald Deon Pendergrass, 31, of Lauderhill, Florida, was charged with felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle, felony flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, felony identity theft and misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run, resisting a public officer, no operators license, breaking and entering, driving while impaired and two counts of fugitive from justice. A magistrate set bond at $150,000. The Mooresville Police Department, in a news release, said that on Monday at 3 p.m., officers responded to the area of Williamson and Brawley School roads concerning a vehicle reported stolen from Denver, Colorado. Officers located the vehicle and attempted to stop it but the driver refused to stop and fled westbound on Brawley School Road, police said. Mooresville police officers and deputies with the Iredell County Sheriffs Office successfully deployed stop sticks in the area of Attleboro Place and The Point Drive. The vehicle became disabled in the area of Old Post Road and Moors End Loop. The suspect then ran on foot into the neighborhood. The suspect was tracked by a Mooresville K-9 team, police said. With the assistance of residents and multiple law enforcement officers in the area, Pendergrass was taken into custody, police said. Officers discovered that he was wanted in both Florida and Georgia. The Burke County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to investigate allegations that a board member acted inappropriately during the primary election. Several speakers at Monday nights meeting alleged board member Jane Sohovich, a Republican, violated board policy in the weeks leading up to the primary election on March 5, accusing her of behaving improperly at Republican Party functions, at the polls and elsewhere. Allegations of inappropriate behavior during campaign season Winklers Grove Baptist Church Pastor Paul Deal told board members during the public comment period he saw Sohovich at a polling location during the primary election. Deal said while Sohovich was campaigning for other candidates, she was wearing a Burke County Public Schools shirt, badge and telling voters she worked for the school system. Photos posted on Facebook by Foothills Conservative Network show Sohovich at the Burke County Senior Center wearing a blue BCPS jacket with her name badge clipped to the front of it. The picture was purportedly taken on Election Day. The senior center is one of the countys polling locations. Deal said he told Sohovich on Election Day that he believed she was violating board policy, but she said she didnt care. I told her that she couldnt tell people that she was part of the school board and this is the way you should vote, and she didnt care, Deal said during the public comments period at the meeting. She continued to push her policies and ideologies to voters that had come to vote. Gina Walker-Bailey, co-founder of Foothills Conservative Network, accused Sohovich of repeatedly calling the private school where Walker-Bailey works and accusing her of being a detriment to children. Walker-Bailey said Sohovich told the school principal Walker-Bailey was a detriment because of her outspoken beliefs about a male student being on one of the schools homecoming courts, male students being on some of the schools cheerleading teams and mask-wearing at schools during the pandemic. Walker-Bailey also accused Sohovich of being a Republican in name only. According to online North Carolina voter records, Sohovich has been registered to vote as a Republican since at least Oct. 12, 2000. Other speakers accused Sohovich of acting inappropriately at a recent Burke County GOP breakfast. Dana Reichlin, a precinct chair for the Burke County GOP, said at recent breakfast, Sohovich used foul language repeatedly toward one of the partys board members. In an email to The News Herald, Reichlin confirmed it was the March 1 breakfast at Timberwoods Family Restaurant. She said when Sohovich was confronted about her actions at polling locations, she said, policies be damned. One thing I will say is when we have an infection in our skin, in our bodies, and we let those infections go and we dont take care of them, theyre going to get worse until theyre beyond repair, Reichlin said at the meeting. We have to be careful that this does not happen in our school system, in our local government. The local government is extremely important, and the board of education is part of that, because what generates here in our local government goes right up to Washington, but especially goes up to God. Sohovich accuses local GOP leader of assault Conflicting reports have arisen from the county GOPs Feb. 23 breakfast at Timberwoods. Reichlin told The News Herald conversation became heated around 9 a.m., which is typically when attendees are leaving. Another witness, Crystal Gupton, said when Sohovich started speaking, she steered the conversation toward previous board members who were in attendance at the meeting. Once she finished, Gupton said Sohovich gathered her belongings and left the room without anyone following her or touching her. But in a criminal affidavit filed at the Burke County Courthouse on March 6, Jane Sohovich accused Tim Buff, chairman of the Burke County GOP, of assaulting her as she was leaving the breakfast on Feb. 23. Sohovich alleged Buff grabbed her by the upper arm and told her she couldnt leave. Sohovich said she pulled her arm out of his grasp and immediately left. A magistrate issued a criminal summons for Buff. The case is set to be in court April 8. Multiple attempts to reach Buff went unanswered. Board policy and possible recourse Chris Campbell, attorney for the school board, said board of education members cannot speak on behalf of the board. But that comes with a caveat: getting elected to office doesnt remove a persons First Amendment rights. Outside of this room (the boards meeting room), you have the ability to campaign, you have the ability to encourage others to vote for specific candidates, you have the First Amendment right to speak against who you think should not be on the town council, on the county commission, on the board of education, in Congress, Campbell said. You do not lose any of those rights. You are not more constrained by virtue of being a board member. Campbell also said he didnt feel that wearing a BCPS shirt or jacket would give someone the immediate impression that a person is speaking on behalf of the board of education. Even still, Campbell said the boards policy says members should not use their position for partisan or personal gain. It does not prohibit the use of the position for political gain. He said since all of the candidates in the March primary were Republicans, he did not believe an argument could be made that the board member, who he didnt identify when referring to the complaints made, acted in the interest of partisan gain. After some discussion about the merits of investigating the claims and whether it was worth the cost to taxpayers to do so, the board, including Sohovich, unanimously decided to have Campbell investigate the allegations. If Campbells findings suggest wrongdoing, the boards options may be limited. Campbell told the board the North Carolina General Assembly took away the ability of school boards to remove their own members for inappropriate actions years ago. Instead, removing a board member would come in two ways. The first would see the board member prosecuted for violating the law by acting willfully and corruptly, and a judge must decide to remove the member from the board, Campbell said. The other route would see a recall vote if 15% of the registered electorate notarized a petition in favor of a recall, Campbell said. But that policy cant be used in the last six months of someones term in office. If the complaints were against Sohovich, a recall election may be out of the realm of possibility. She did not run for re-election and will leave the board in November. Board members still could censure, or publicly reprimand, the board member to signal their disapproval of the members actions. Campbell is expected to present his findings at the boards March 25 work session. Following eight days of testimony and five hours of deliberations, jurors on Thursday night found two men guilty on aggravated burglary and homicide charges tied to a botched bounty hunt in Butte that ended with the homeowner getting fatally shot. Prosecutors charged bondsman Jay Steven Hubber and Nicholas John Jaeger after 42-year-old William Harris was killed on Dec. 19, 2021. He was not the fugitive they were after. The jury found Jaeger guilty of deliberate homicide and aggravated burglary, and Hubber guilty of deliberate homicide by accountability and aggravated burglary. There are some legal distinctions between the different homicide charges but either is punishable by life in prison. Aggravated burglary carries a maximum 40-year prison term. Their trials for Hubber and Jaeger were combined into one and it began March 4. Prosecutors and defense attorneys gave closing arguments earlier Thursday and jurors began deliberations around 2:45 p.m. They reached a verdict around 8 p.m. but it took about 35 minutes to get everyone back in the courtroom before the it was read. District Judge Robert Whelan ordered presentence investigations and will sentence them later. After the verdicts were delivered, both Jaeger and Hubber hugged family and friends and were escorted to jail by police. Moments before, as the verdicts were read, Jaeger cried softly then looked back at supporters. Some of them were crying as well. Hubber put his hand over his mouth at one point but appeared calm and collected. The case has taken numerous twists and turns over the past two years and was the impetus behind a law the state Legislature enacted last year to crack down on Wild West bounty-hunting tactics in Montana. Prosecutors reiterated their claims Thursday that Hubber and Jaeger charged into Harris home recklessly and unlawfully that night looking for bail-jumper David Sandoval and during a struggle with him, Jaeger grabbed Hubbers gun and shot Harris, an innocent homeowner. Harris was shot in the chest and the face and he was dead when police arrived minutes after the shooting. Sandoval fled the house but was quickly in police custody. Hubber maintains that Sandoval had violated his bail contracts and had bench warrants so he had authority to apprehend him. Jaeger says he shot the gun but only because Harris was coming at him with a knife. Defense attorneys say the home was a trap house where drugs are sold and used and several people confirmed that during the trial. Authorities say everyone inside during the shooting including Hubber, Jaeger and Harris was drunk or high or both. Toxicology reports showed that Hubber was intoxicated that night and had cocaine in his system and Jaeger, who had no experience in bounty hunting, had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his. Prosecutor Ann Shea said Hubber was infuriated that Sandoval owed him $15,000 for bonds but had slipped away from him the day before. Then he found out Sandoval was at Harris house the next night, she said. He (Hubber) gets some liquid courage and a key bump of cocaine and brings backup (Jaeger), a fugitive from justice whos high on meth and fentanyl, and under those circumstances, they want you to believe that entry into Bills home that night was lawful, Shea said. Prosecutors say Jaeger was on probation himself and had a bench warrant for his arrest at the time, so like Sandoval, he was a fugitive, too. Lead prosecutor Kelli Fivey said Harris never invited Hubber and Jaeger into his house on South Main Street, making their entry unlawful, then Sandoval was tased and attacked. Those meet the elements of aggravated burglary, she said, and in the course of that, Harris was killed. Fivey said Harris had a right to privacy in his own home and even if he had a knife which prosecutors dont believe he had a right to defend himself and friends in that home from attack under Montanas Castle Doctrine. That Harris had drug problems and let others stay at his house and use drugs does not make his life any less valuable, she told jurors. This case is about William Harris, she said. William Harris may not have lived the life you live and you may not understand the choices he made (but) William Harris had brothers. He has a family. He has a mom. He was a homeowner. He worked. Palmer Hoovestal, Hubbers defense attorney, said Sandoval had signed a bail contract with Hubber saying he could be arrested at any time if he didnt abide by its conditions. He did not do that, had four bench warrants for his arrest and Hubber had authority to apprehend him at that house because he had listed it as an address on bond and court documents, Hoovestal said. He said everyone in the neighborhood knew Sandoval was wanted on warrants and when he resisted arrest, Harris stepped in. Harris wasnt defending himself on Dec. 19, 2021, he was kicking Jay Hubber in the face to prevent Sandovals arrest, Hoovestal said. He wasnt protecting his house from an invasion. He was trying to prevent a fugitive that he had harbored there for who knows how long from being taken into custody. Hoovestal reiterated Thursday that police were obligated to serve the bench warrants themselves and when Hubber asked for their help that night, they rejected the request. David Maldonado, Jaeger's defense attorney, said his client agreed to help Hubber that night but went into the house with no weapon and only got and fired Hubbers gun in self-defense. He said Jaeger told police that night that Harris came at him with scissors or a knife and he has never wavered from that. His case is all about whether he was justified in defending himself, Maldonado said, adding that someone can do that even if theyre under the influence. He said jurors should also consider the totality of the circumstances, which included Harris having a knife, Sandoval trying to get Hubbers gun and two others holding boards or clubs blocking a doorway. Think about it in here were all nice and warm, but in that room, the Taser is going off, people are yelling, both entries and exits are blocked, Maldonado said. I think pandemonium is a fair description. He also said prosecutors could have charged lesser offenses given the circumstances, such as negligent homicide, but they went for it all. Fivey said Hubber and Jaeger made a series of bad choices that night, including being drunk or high, walking into the house instead of waiting outside, bringing a gun, tasing Sandoval immediately and then shooting Harris. But they have blamed everyone else for what happened, she said, including police. To argue that they (police) had a duty to prevent what happened that night is to say it was the polices job to keep my guy and his buddy from going into that house and acting like maniacs, she said. In either homicide charge against Hubber, prosecutors are alleging that he was responsible for Harris death, too, even though he did not pull the trigger. Fivey said, "Nick Jaeger pulled the trigger and Jay Hubber pulled the strings." Fourth or subsequent Just after 11 p.m. Wednesday, an officer witnessed Anthony C. Pesanti, 41, of Butte speeding and stopped him near the Thriftway on Holmes Avenue. Pesanti reportedly appeared to be intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence (fourth or subsequent offense). Traffic stop During a routine traffic stop at Utah Avenue and First Street early Friday, Marti Ann Yochim, 27, of Butte gave the officer a false name. Turns out she had a warrant out for her arrest and was also jailed for obstructing a peace officer and driving with a suspended drivers license. MHP arrests Early Friday, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper arrested Brooke Hansen, 26, no address listed on an outside warrant, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Jared T. Tonkin, 25, of Butte also was arrested by a MHP trooper early Friday on a parole violation. More reports Tools were stolen Wednesday from a house being remodeled in the 500 block of Dakota Street. On Wednesday, a window was broken out of a vehicle parked in the 100 block of South Dakota Street. Someone punctured a tire Wednesday on a vehicle parked at the Copper King Inn. A screen at a home in the 200 block of Ohio Street was damaged Thursday. No one gained entry into the house. Defense lawyers called a bounty hunt that turned fatal in Butte an unfortunate tragedy. Dont make it anything worse, attorney Palmer Hoovestal told jurors. Find these men not guilty. Prosecutors say bondsman Jay Steven Hubber and his bounty-hunting partner that night, Nicholas John Jaeger, made a series of horrible choices that ended in mayhem, violence and the shooting death of William Harris. They were after bail-jumper David Sandoval, not Harris. Nick Jaeger pulled the trigger and Jay Hubber pulled the strings, lead prosecutor Kelli Fivey told the jury. Find them both guilty. After five hours of deliberations, the jury did that Thursday night, finding Jaeger guilty of aggravated burglary and deliberate homicide and Hubber guilty of aggravated burglary and deliberate homicide by accountability. There are some legal distinctions between the different homicide charges but both lay responsibility for Harris death on Jaeger and Hubber and either is punishable by life in prison. They face up to 40 years on the aggravated burglary convictions. It took more than two years to bring the case to trial and it could be weeks and maybe months longer before District Judge Robert Whelan sentences them. Presentence investigations must be completed first and those are not done quickly. The defendants can appeal their cases to the Montana Supreme Court and it seems certain that Hoovestal Hubbers attorney will do that. He had asked the Montana Supreme Court to intervene in the case just days before the trial began on March 4, but the justices declined, saying he could raise issues on appeal. Hoovestal asked Thursday night that Hubber be allowed to remain free on bond pending sentencing an appeal, but Judge Whelan rejected that and Hubber and Jaeger were cuffed and escorted to jail. The case took numerous twists over the past two years and trials were postponed twice at the 11th hour the first because Jaeger defense attorney David Maldonado broke his leg and the second when Hoovestal needed emergency surgery. The deadly incident was the impetus behind a law the state Legislature enacted last year to crack down on Wild West bounty-hunting tactics in Montana. Among other things, it forbids convicted felons from acting as bond agents. Jaeger was a convicted felon when he joined Hubber on the bounty-hunt that night. Prosecutors also told jurors that Jaeger was on probation himself and had a bench warrant for his arrest at the time, so like Sandoval, he was a fugitive, too. Though the incident and case involved numerous complexities, the team of prosecutors Fivey, Ann Shea and Kaitlyn Lamb said it came down to one man, William Harris, who lost his life. Fivey told jurors that and reiterated the point when talking with The Montana Standard briefly after the verdicts were read and the courtroom was clearing out. This was an extensive team effort by the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department and the Butte-Silver Bow County Attorneys Office, she said. Weve put countless hours and efforts into the case to try to provide justice to Bill Harris and his family. Obviously we are pleased with the verdicts, but you know, in a situation like this, it doesnt feel like anybody actually wins. Prosecutors say Hubber and Jaeger charged into Harris home recklessly and unlawfully that night looking for Sandoval and during a struggle with him, Jaeger grabbed Hubbers gun and shot Harris, an innocent homeowner. Harris was shot in the chest and the face and he was dead when police arrived minutes after the shooting. Sandoval fled the house but was quickly in police custody. Hubber maintains that Sandoval had violated his bail contracts and had bench warrants so he had authority to apprehend him. Jaeger says he shot the gun but only because Harris was coming at him with a knife. Defense attorneys say the home was a trap house where drugs are sold and used and several people confirmed that during the trial. Authorities say everyone inside during the shooting including Hubber, Jaeger and Harris was drunk or high or both. There were at least three dozen people in the gallery every day, most friends and family of the defendants and of Harris. Compared to most trials, there was a heavy police presence throughout. People had to go through a metal detector to get into the courtroom and before the verdicts were read, at least 10 Butte-Silver Bow officers including patrol officers, detectives and Sheriff Ed Lester were on hand. Besides the verdicts, jurors answered two specific questions regarding Jaeger: Did the state prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jaeger purposefully or knowingly caused the death of Willam Harris, and did the state prove that Jaegers use of force was not justified. They answered yes to both. They found Hubber not guilty of deliberate homicide-felony murder but guilty of deliberate homicide by accountability. That means either before or during the homicide, Hubber solicited, aided, abetted, agreed or attempted to aid Jaeger in the planning or commission of the offense. But both charges have the same range of sentences. Judge Whelan began the trial by saying everyone in the gallery was welcome but said there would be some emotional moments for some. "If there are any outbursts or comments from the gallery, you will be removed," Whelan said, adding they would not be allowed back. After the verdicts were read and the jury was excused, Whelan offered a parting thanks. Ladies and gentlemen in the gallery, I know this has been a very emotional time, he said. I do appreciate the fact that you have all been on your best behavior and I would ask that that continue as everyone leaves the courthouse here today. I know this has been difficult on many of you. Unfortunately its part of the legal process. Thank you for your cooperation. We are in recess. Montana officials took a "victory lap" this week as the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would likely ban TikTok in the United States, a year after the state attempted its own ban on the social media giant. The 2023 Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 419 carrying a first-of-its kind TikTok ban devised by Republican Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and carried by freshman Sen. Shelley Vance, R-Belgrade. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who had already prohibited TikTok on all state-owned devices, signed the bill into law last May. That law is currently held up in court, where a federal judge has already determined it likely treads too far on foreign affairs authority granted to the federal government. "I'm glad that Congress finally followed Montana's lead," Knudsen said Thursday on the statewide radio program Montana Talks. "The reason Montana did this a year ago was because Congress wouldn't act." The federal legislation that advanced from the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday did so in widely bipartisan fashion on a 352-65 vote. Montana's ban last year passed both chambers by thinner margins: 30-20 in the Senate and 54-43 in the House. Both of Montana's House members, Republicans Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke, voted for the federal proposal. The federal bill would ban the app if its China-based owner doesn't sell TikTok, theoretically eliminating the national security concerns that the company's user data could be harvested by the Chinese government. Similarly, Montana's SB 419 contained a provision that would void the ban if TikTok "is acquired by or sold to a company that is not incorporated in any other country designated as a foreign adversary" identified in federal law. "China is not our friend and I just applaud the House for taking the bipartisan action they did today," Gianforte, a former congressman, told Fox Business on Wednesday. " This is about allowing foreign nationals to spy on Americans and it doesn't matter if it's China, or North Korea or Russia, we should not allow these foreign adversaries to have an inroads to our young people in this country and their private information. If they were divested, that would clean up the problem." TikTok and a handful of Montana users sued Knudsen shortly after the Montana bill was signed into law and the ban's Jan. 1 start date has been stalled while the case plays out. Earlier this month, Virginia and 19 other states filed a brief in support of Montana's ban while the attorney general is making his case to the Ninth Circuit that the start date should be allowed to take effect. Knudsen and others have argued that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is beholden to the Chinese government and could be forced to turn over U.S. users' personal data gathered by the social media platform. TikTok's attorneys have held up Knudsen's own testimony during the 2023 Legislature to contend he is instead trying to enact foreign policy beyond the state's authority to do so. The company's attorneys are still trying to access through the court proceedings consumer complaints Knudsen's office claimed to have received against TikTok prior to the 2023 session. A year ago, when Knudsen was first proposing the ban to state legislators who were skeptical of its potency, he said the state-level measure posed a "unique legal question." "I think Montana has an opportunity here to be a leader," Knudsen told the House Judiciary Committee last year. Whether the ban considered by Congress has the horsepower to pass through the U.S. Senate remains unclear, although the Associated Press reports President Joe Biden has committed to signing the legislation if it were to reach his desk. Despite Montana's law so far falling short of taking effect, Knudsen relished being the first to put something on the books. "I'll take a victory lap here," Knudsen said Thursday. "We wrote that legislation here, that came out of my office based on the investigation that we did at the state Office of Consumer Protection. We look at that and went, 'Wow, maybe Congress will do something.' And they didn't, and we went, 'Well, what we can do?' Like is there a legal path? We have to try to do something here, and that's why we came up with that state legislation over a year ago." The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has clarified the measures and mechanisms implemented by the government to regulate the activities of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers in the country. The regulator disclosed the governments plans to develop fair alternative financing models and empower Boda-Boda operators. CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge emphasized that BNPL companies operations fall within the definition of Digital Credit Business under the Central Bank of Kenya (Digital Credit Providers) regulations, 2022. He highlighted that these institutions are required to obtain licenses and be regulated by CBK. Thugge noted that CBKs mandate to license and supervise unregulated Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) was amended in December 2021. He pointed out that CBK has received over 500 applications at various stages of review and licensing. These applications focus on ensuring the adequacy of corporate governance structures, viability of capitalization and business models, adequacy of infrastructure, processing human resources, and systems, as well as consumer protection and data protection mechanisms. The Governor stated that these provisions and measures ensure adherence to relevant laws and safeguard the interests of customers to prevent rogue lending institutions from violating consumer rights. Furthermore, he emphasized that the review includes specific administrative and enforcement actions against entities failing to comply with any provision of the law. Thugge said CBK will engage specific licensed Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) including onsite inspections in cases of non-compliance of DCPs. Any affected boda boda operator is at liberty to lodge a complaint with CBK against a BNPL provider who has violated the law, said the CBK Governor. Moreover, concerning the governments initiative to develop fair financial models that genuinely empower Boda-Boda operators, Thugge emphasized that the licensing of Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) aims to protect consumers from malpractices such as excessive pricing of their products. He revealed that CBK collaborates with all licensed DCPs to ensure their pricing models are customer-centric and risk-based. Additionally, the institutions are expected to submit pricing models aligned with the regulations provisions. Thugge reiterated that all product features and prices must undergo review and approval by CBK to ensure fairness, transparency, and empowerment for consumers accessing digital credit products. This applies to both ongoing licensed DCPs and all applicants. Kenyas imports of smartphones from China witnessed a remarkable 71.5 percent surge last year, crossing the two-million mark for the first time. This surge reveals the increasing demand for these essential gadgets amidst the spread of advanced telecom technologies, including 5G. Official data from China highlights that Kenyan businesses imported a total of 2,257,325 smartphones in 2023, a significant leap from the 1,316,425 units imported from China the previous year. This increase not only highlights the rising demand but also the expanding smartphone market in Kenya. The total value of smartphone imports reached $152.168 million (Sh20.923 billion) last year, climbing from $100.992 million (Sh13.886 billion) in 2022. Despite the higher import volume, the average cost per smartphone dipped to Sh9,269 from Sh10,548.58 in 2022. This drop in unit cost suggests a decrease in the price of smartphones or a shift towards importing more affordable models. Chinas dominance in the global smartphone manufacturing sector is well-documented, with the country producing 67 percent of the worlds smartphones in 2021. As Kenyas primary source of imports, China plays a crucial role in supplying affordable electronics, including smartphones, to the Kenyan market. In Kenya, the most popular brands are made by Chinese company Transsion, with their catalog made up of Tecno, Infinix and Itel, as well as popular accessories brand Oraimo. The surge in smartphone imports in 2023 signals a robust demand for these devices, a trend thats likely to continue with Kenyas growing population. Furthermore, the trend towards more affordable smartphones is enabling individuals to own multiple devices to meet their diverse needs. According to the Communications Authority of Kenya, there were 33,613,828 smartphones in Kenya by December 2023, alongside 31,840,598 feature phones. Despite the governments attempt to create local manufacturing capacity, nearly all mobile phones in Kenya are imported. The East Africa Device Assembly Kenya Limited (Eadak) commenced the local assembly of affordable phones last year. This initiative, supported by President William Ruto, is set to enhance job opportunities while catering to the local demand for mobile phones. However, there has been no word on the uptake. Political commentator Miguna Miguna on Thursday made some remarks alleging that Rutos cabinet members and other top government officials have changed their phone preferences since President Ruto took over. According to the former Nairobi gubernatorial candidate, Rutos choice of mobile device has influenced his subordinates to fall in line. He claimed that since the presidents preference for a mobile device is the Samsung Galaxy series, CS and PSs have all apparently made the switch to the same. Im laughing my head offThat because President @WilliamsRuto uses a Samsung Galaxy phone, virtually all CSs, PSs and senior government officials decided that they, too, must use Samsung phones. Genya, nchi ya ajabu! Good night! Miguna posted on Twitter. Im laughing my head offThat because President @WilliamsRuto uses a Samsung Galaxy phone, virtually all CSs, PSs and senior government officials decided that they, too, must use Samsung phones. Genya, nchi ya ajabu! Good night! Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) March 14, 2024 The iPhone is normally the phone of choice for most people of means, which may explain why this seems unusual to Miguna. Its unclear whether Miguna was implying that this change in phone preference is a matter of policy, or just a case of enthusiastic juniors trying to align with their boss. One top official, the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir SinOei, however came out and stated that he was not among those making the switch. He revealed that his phone of choice is a OnePlus. As the war in Ukraine rages on, Russias Ministry of Defense has released an alarming list of foreign nationalities supposedly fighting on Ukraines side. On Thursday, the Russian MOD published a statement on its official Telegram channel, alleging that thousands of mercenaries have joined the war. They said that they have tracked over 13,000 foreign nationals since the start of the war in February 2022. Many of them have apparently been eliminated. The Russians accused neighboring Poland of having the most foreign nationals in the war, with close to 3,000 of them, about half of them having been eliminated. The Russian Ministry of Defense continues to track and personally record all foreign mercenaries who arrived in Ukraine to participate in combat operations. Since February 24, 2022, the total number of foreign mercenaries who arrived in Ukraine has amounted to 13,387. At the same time, the destruction of 5,962 foreign mercenaries has been confirmed to date. The undisputed leader in terms of the number of killed fighters is Poland (2,960 arrived, 1,497 destroyed). Alarmingly, Kenya was also listed as one of 13 African countries that have sent mercenaries to Ukraine. From the list, 5 Kenyans are said to be participating in the war, with zero deaths recorded. Nigeria leads the continent with 97 fighters joining the Ukrainian side. In total, 249 Africans have fought for Ukraine, with 103 of them eliminated according to the Kremlin. If the numbers are to be believed, its worth noting that any Kenyan fighting in the war joined on their own initiative, since the Government of Kenya has not officially sent boots on the ground. A new study has found that the Masai Mara National Reserve is the worlds second-best national park for wildlife spotting. South Africa-based travel firm Go2Africa reported that Maasai Mara came second after the Kruger National Park. To conduct the study, Go2Africa initially compiled a seed list of all countries, U.S. states, and popular national parks worldwide. Subsequently, they analyzed nearly 70 million images on the photo-sharing website Flickr by searching for each location along with the keyword wildlife. Utilizing this data, they calculated the proportion of wildlife photos relative to all photos of each location to ascertain destinations where people visited specifically to photograph animals. The data revealed that almost half of the photographs taken in South Africas Kruger Park (42.54%) feature its wildlife, amounting to over 40,965 unique images. Kenyas Maasai Mara claims the second spot with 33.53%, followed by Tanzanias Serengeti National Park in third place, where 23.37% of its images showcase the parks unique wildlife. All the top three national parks on our list are based in AfricaThe Serengeti, along with the Masai Mara, are both renowned for The Great Wildebeest Migration which sees more than 2 million animals traverse through both national parks throughout the year, Go2Africa reported. Top 10 Countries For Wildlife Spotting While South Africa may have beaten Kenya in that category, the East African nation was ranked the Worlds Best Country For Wildlife Spotting. Our study found that Kenya(20.69%) is the best country to spot wildlife, closely followed by Canada(20.42%) and Singapore(19.19%) based on the number of photos taken on animals in each country, Go2Africa noted. The top 10 list includes Australia(17.43%), Botswana(16.53%), Tanzania(15.98%), Lithuania (15.68%), Namibia (14.32%), India (13.27%), with South Africa completing the list (12.16%). Guwahati: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of an Agreement between the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), the Ministry of Health, the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding cooperation in the areas of food safety. The signing of this Agreement between the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India will facilitate the trade between two neighbouring countries. BFDA will issue a Health Certificate as proof of compliance with the requirements prescribed by FSSAI while exporting the products to India. This will promote Ease of Doing Business and will reduce compliance costs on both sides. Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of Bhutan H.E Dasho Tshering Tobgay in New Delhi on Thursday. Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is in India on an official visit, which is his first overseas visit after assuming office in February 2024. Both leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship. The Prime Minister of Bhutan conveyed his deep appreciation for Indias role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in Bhutans developmental priorities. On behalf of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, PM Tshering Tobgay extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bhutan next week. Prime Minister Modi has accepted the invitation. 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 US State Department reveals objectives of upcoming Blinken-Pashinyan talk 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 Tel Aviv [Israel], March 15 (ANI/TPS): The Ministry of Communications informed the Israel Post of its intention to impose a financial sanction on the company in the amount of over one million Shekels (USD 275,000). The ministry said the sanction is due to the closing of three post offices in violation of a direct order by the Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karai, not to do so. The units that were closed are in the cities Netivot, Rishon Lezion and Meitar. The company has up to 45 days to assert its claims against the intention to impose the financial sanctions. Director General of the Ministry of Communications, Attorney Einval Meshash: "The decision of the postal service to massively close branches harms service to the public and disadvantaged populations. Thousands of residents remain without accessible and available postal services. We will continue to act all the time for the benefit of the citizens of Israel." (ANI/TPS) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, on Thursday said his party will challenge the Peshawar High Court (PHC) verdict regarding reserved seats in the Supreme Court, ARY News reported. Speaking to reporters outside the apex court, Gohar said they will request the Supreme Court to form a larger bench on the reserved seats matter. He said that a rally will be held in Islamabad on March 23 and the venue for the rally will be announced on Friday. The PTI chief alleged further that attempts were being made to overturn the victories of party candidates through a recounting of votes, according to ARY News. His announcement of a legal challenge comes after the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday dismissed petitions of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) over reserved seats in assemblies. A five-member bench of the high court gave a unanimous decision on the petition. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim read the reserved verdict. During the hearing, Barrister Ali Zafar came to the rostrum and apologised for being absent from the hearing on Wednesday. Zafar said the PTI''s electoral symbol ''bat'' was taken before the election and the party''s candidates had to contest the election as independents, ARY News reported. Asked about the number of seats in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies, the lawyer for the Sunni Ittehad Council lawyer said the PTI has 86 seats in the National Assembly, 90 seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 107 seats in Punjab, 9 seats in Sindh and one member in Balochistan Assembly. "Overall, the SIC have 226 seats in assemblies and it is entitled for 78 reserved seats", he said, adding, "The election commission kept us aside and granted reserved seats to remaining political parties." "Some political parties requested to the ECP to grant these seats to us, as it was a vacant plot of land and someone come and encroaches it," ARY News quoted him as saying further. Quoting Article 17 of the country''s Constitution, Zafar said each citizen has a right to join and form a party, adding, "If a party formed, it could contest election and form government. We are entitled to all these rights under Article 17." He added that the Election Commission of Pakistan has been confused over the difference between the parliamentary party and political party. During the hearing, Justice Shakeel Ahmed said, ''The law uses the word ''secure''...you didn''t secure the seats." Justice Syed Arshad Ali said, "Your case of the Sunni Ittehad Council, the PTI joined it, both of them didn''t contest the election. The reserved seats can be secured when the political parties had won the seats", according to the report. He said the PTI had time to hold the intra-party polls after the Supreme Court''s decision but it did not. To that, Ali Zafar said, "We conducted the intra-party election but the Election Commission has still not accepted it." (ANI) The United Kashmir People''s National Party (UKPNP) staged a protest outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) headquarters in Geneva during the 55th session. The demonstration aimed to spotlight Pakistan''s alleged atrocities against the people of Sindh. Jamil Maqsood, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs for UKPNP, addressed the gathered crowd, shedding light on the challenges faced by the Sindhi community in Pakistan. According to Maqsood, "The people in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) have endured military oppression since the inception of the country. The Pakistani administration has systematically targeted intellectuals, leaders, student activists, journalists, and civil society members advocating for basic human rights and freedoms. The extrajudicial killing of Hidayat Lohar is a tragic testament to their brutality. His daughters'' courage in the face of such violence underscores the urgent need for accountability." Speaking on the appropriation of land and resources by Pakistan''s administration, Maqsood declared, "We will not stand idly by as the Pakistani military encroaches upon our villages, lands, and forests. They have already seized control of our rivers, forests, minerals, natural resources, and our very livelihoods." He emphasised the necessity for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the atrocities perpetrated by the Pakistani army and its clandestine agencies over the years. Maqsood highlighted the systemic marginalization of people in Sindhudesh, Balochistan, Pashtunistan, and other regions across social, political, economic, and democratic spheres. Maqsood also accused Pakistan of engineering man-made disasters in Sindh and Balochistan for political gain. He dismissed the recent flood in Gwadar as not a result of climate change but rather a consequence of flawed developmental projects orchestrated by the Pakistani military. Maqsood asserted, "The Pakistani Army exploits these disasters to extort funds from the international community, weaponizing climate change as a propaganda tool." The protest served as a poignant call for international scrutiny of Pakistan''s human rights violations and the urgent need for justice for its oppressed minorities. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], March 15: In the digital age, where the battleground for brand visibility and customer engagement is fought in the realms of social media and search engines, Nixs Agency emerges as a light of innovation and effectiveness. Founded by the prodigious entrepreneur, 21-year-old Chakshu Sharma from Delhi, Nixs Agency specializes in providing antiban systems for Facebook ads, TikTok ads, and Google ads, alongside offering unparalleled performance marketing services for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. This article dives into the core of Nixs Agency's operations, its unique value propositions, and the visionary young mind behind its inception and growth. At its heart, Nixs Agency is driven by a commitment to innovation, especially in the face of increasing challenges like ad restrictions and bans that many marketers face today. The agency's flagship offering, its antiban systems for major advertising platforms, is a validation of this commitment. These systems are designed to navigate the complex policies of platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Google, ensuring that the ads of their clients not only remain active but also perform optimally, reaching their target audience without interruptions. Nixs Agency understands the unique needs of D2C brands in the digital ecosystem. The agency's performance marketing services are tailored to elevate these brands, driving sales and enhancing brand awareness through targeted, data-driven strategies. Leveraging their five-plus years of experience in social media ads, Nixs Agency crafts campaigns that resonate with the brand's audience, ensuring high engagement and conversion rates. One of the pillars of Nixs Agency's success is its promise to offer the best support team in the market. Recognizing the dynamic and sometimes volatile nature of digital advertising, the agency prioritizes robust support systems to assist clients through every step of their advertising journey. This commitment is further strengthened by an impressive 100% money-back guarantee, showcasing their confidence in delivering results and ensuring client satisfaction. Chakshu Sharma, at just 21 years old, has already made a mark in the digital marketing world as the founder and CEO of Nixs Agency. His journey is a source of inspiration for many young entrepreneurs in Delhi and beyond. Sharma's keen insight into the digital marketing landscape, coupled with a relentless pursuit of innovation, has propelled Nixs Agency to the forefront of the industry. Under his leadership, the agency has not only developed cutting-edge solutions but has also cultivated a culture of excellence and client-centricity. The digital advertising landscape is strongly competitive, with brands constantly struggling for consumer attention. Nixs Agency's unique blend of antiban solutions and performance marketing expertise sets it apart, enabling D2C brands to navigate this landscape more effectively. By focusing on creating ads that are not only compliant with advertising platform policies but are also highly engaging, Nixs Agency ensures that its clients' ads do not just exist but thrive. For D2C brands, partnering with Nixs Agency means more than just outsourcing their digital marketing needs; it signifies a strategic alliance for growth. The agency's approach to performance marketing is integrated, encompassing not just ad creation and deployment but also continuous monitoring, analysis, and optimization. This ensures that each campaign is not only successful but also contributes to the long-term growth and scalability of the brand. As digital platforms evolve and new advertising challenges emerge, Nixs Agency is confident to continue its path of innovation and excellence. With Chakshu Sharma as the leader, the agency is constantly exploring new strategies and technologies to enhance its services and deliver even greater value to its clients. Nixs Agency stands out as a premium digital marketing agency, offering revolutionary antiban systems and tailored performance marketing strategies for D2C brands. Its commitment to client success, combined with the visionary leadership of Chakshu Sharma, positions it as a key player in the digital marketing domain. For brands looking to overcome the hurdles of digital advertising and achieve measurable growth, Nixs Agency offers the expertise, tools, and support needed to navigate the digital landscape effectively and efficiently. chakshusharma.com http://nixsagency.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Paytm Payments Bank on Friday issued a set of answers to frequently asked questions by customers as the deadline for accepatance of new deposists of March 15 gets enforced. The FAQs were published on the Paytm Bank website. Paytm Payment Bank clarified its position on the use of FASTag issued by it. According to it customers can continue to use FASTag to pay at enabled toll and parking merchants' up to the available balance in their wallet. However, no further funding or top ups will be allowed in the FASTags issued by Paytm Payments Bank after March 15. Customers have been advised to procure a new FASTag issued by another bank before March 15 to avoid any inconvenience. Credit balance transfer feature is not available from old FASTag issued by Paytm Payments Bank to a new FASTag obtained from another Bank. Customers can close the Paytm Payments Bank FASTag via the Paytm App by following the below mentioned steps: 1. Open Paytm App and search for "Manage FASTag" in Search Menu.2. 'Manage FASTag' section will list all the vehicles linked to Paytm Payments Bank Fastag.3. Choose "Close FASTag option" on the top right section of the page4. Select the vehicle for which FASTag is to be closed5. Click Proceed and confirmation message will be seen on screen6. FASTag will be closed within 5-7 working days. Further, Paytm Payments Bank said that there are no restrictions on withdrawing funds from existing balances. The RBI directive explicitly states that existing balances in accounts and wallets are secure, alleviating concerns regarding the safety of deposited funds. However, the directive underscores the importance of making alternative arrangements with another bank before the specified date to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any inconvenience. The RBI directive, while limiting certain operations of Paytm Payments Bank, assures existing customers about the safety of their funds. It underscores the importance of making timely arrangements to ensure a seamless transition and mitigate any inconvenience. According the company, Paytm Payments Bank, in compliance with regulatory requirements, continues to prioritize customer interests and adherence to banking norms. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], March 15: In the fast-paced world of financial markets, understanding the intricacies of stock and forex trading can be a daunting task. However, with the right guidance and resources, anyone can navigate these markets successfully. This is where Nitro Community steps in, offering a comprehensive platform for learning and earning in the world of trading. Nitro Community is a leading firm that provides stock and forex trading services, along with a range of educational resources designed to help traders of all levels. Whether you're a novice looking to learn the basics or an experienced trader seeking to refine your skills, Nitro Community has something for everyone. One of the key features of Nitro Community is its focus on education. The platform offers a wide range of courses and tutorials designed to help traders understand the intricacies of the stock and forex markets. From basic concepts to advanced strategies, Nitro Community covers it all, ensuring that traders are well-equipped to make informed decisions. In addition to its educational resources, Nitro Community also offers a range of services designed to help traders succeed. This includes access to a team of experienced traders who can provide guidance and advice, as well as a range of tools and indicators to help traders analyze the markets more effectively. One of the unique features of Nitro Community is its referral program. This program allows members to earn referral income by referring new traders to the platform. This can be a lucrative opportunity for members to earn passive income while helping others discover the world of trading. Overall, Nitro Community is a comprehensive platform that offers everything traders need to succeed in the world of stock and forex trading. From educational resources to a range of services and a lucrative referral program, Nitro Community has something for everyone. Whether you're a novice or an experienced trader, Nitro Community can help you unlock the power of trading. Visit Nitro Community Website :- https://www.nitrocommunity.trade/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], March 15: In a remarkable achievement that resonates with the long-lasting legacy of Princess Diana, Netra Venkatesh, a 17-year-old student Indian student from Dubai, has been honoured with the prestigious Diana Legacy Award ceremony held in London. This esteemed award recognizes her outstanding humanitarian efforts and commitment to empowering young people worldwide. The Diana Legacy Award, established in memory of the late Princess Diana and her belief in the power of youth to catalyse positive change, is the one of the highest recognition a young person can receive for their social action and humanitarian endeavours. Netra Venkatesh was amongst the 20 exceptional individuals chosen from a global pool of nominees by a distinguished independent judging panel chaired by Baroness Doreen Lawrence. Netra's dedication to empowering girls across the developing world through education has garnered widespread commendations. Netra Venkatesh, student, Dubai International Academy said, "It was an honour to receive this award from HRH The Prince of Wales today. I thank the Diana Award team for the useful workshop they held for the awardees ahead of the awards ceremony. I am most happy for the further recognition this brings to the over 5000 girls of SpunkGo. This award will go a long way to further our cause of empowering girls across the developing world via education." The event was graced by the presence of late Princess Diana's sons, HRH The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex who joined the event virtually. Hitesh Bhagat, Principal at Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills, Dubai, UAE, expressed immense pride in Netra's achievement, stating, "We at Dubai International Academy (DIA) are extremely proud to see Netra Venkatesh receive this global recognition as part of the 25th year anniversary of the Princess Diana awards. Netra, who has been with DIA her whole school life, is a perfect example of a student who has demonstrated the school's values of achievement, innovation, and responsibility. We wish our special student the best as she moves to RICE University later this year and am sure she will continue her journey of contribution and achievement." "As we mark the start of our 25th Anniversary year, these young people couldn't be a more fitting tribute and legacy to Diana, the late Princess of Wales, and her belief that young people have the power to change the world," said Dr. Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award. Netra Venkatesh's recognition with the Diana Legacy Award serves as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of the late Princess Diana's legacy and the boundless potential of youth to create a more compassionate and equitable world. Her extraordinary accomplishments inspire others to pursue their passions and harness the power of education to uplift communities worldwide. About The Diana Award: The Diana Award is a prestigious award for young people celebrating its 25th anniversary year. It was established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and her belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. The Award has the support of both of her sons, The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Sussex. About Dubai International Academy: Dubai International Academy (DIA) is a premier educational institution in Dubai, UAE, dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals who embrace the values of Achievement, Innovation, and Responsibility. The academy fosters an environment that empowers students to reach their full potential and make a positive impact on society. For Further details, contact : gospunkgo@gmail.com website www.SpunkGo.com For interviews and further information about The Diana Award, please contact: Emma Pelling: +447958558172 emma@pellingpr.co.uk diana-award.org.uk (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) On a day the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) named its candidates for 8 of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal denied speculations of reaching any alliance with the BJP but did not entirely rule out the possibility of a tie-up in future. The Akalis were partners of the BJP earlier in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre and the two even contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the state together but failed to come up with the goods. However, seeking to dispel rumours that the two parties could be costing up again ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and might even announce a seat-sharing deal in Punjab, the SAD chief said neither his party nor the BJP has any knowledge of an alliance in the state. Claiming that such speculations were only confined to social media platforms, he said his party was keen to continue its tie-up with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the state. "Neither myself nor the BJP is aware of any alliance in Punjab. This (speculations of a tie-up) is only confined to social media. At this moment, we are keen on contesting all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. We have an alliance with the BSP...but I am not ruling out (the possibility of a tie-up with the BJP). Like-minded parties that want to save Punjab are most welcome to join us. We cannot and will not go with the Congress or the 'broom' (AAP)," the SAD chief, leaving the alliance door open. The SAD snapped ties with the BJP and exited the NDA in September 2020 over the contentious farm laws of the Centre. The laws, however, were repealed later in the face of farmer protests. On AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's statement on the Centre's notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), claiming that law and order will collapse and crimes will go up if it was implemented, Badal said, "Kejriwal has an anti-Sikh and an anti-minority mindset. Shiromani Akali Dal had been saying from the beginning that Sikhs from Pakistan and Afghanistan have been facing a lot of strife in their homeland. Many of them crossed over into India over the past several years." The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), as articulated by the Centre, is a legal grant of permanent residentship to members of religious minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, who fled alleged persecution in their homelands and crossed over into India. "We have been saying that they (religious minorities currently settled in India as refugees) should be granted citizenship. We supported CAA in the Parliament too. I have known about Kejrwal's anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh mindset from the beginning. However, for others, it is coming to light now," the SAD chief said. On the AAP's prospects in Punjab in the Lok Sabha polls, the former deputy CM said, "I was following Kejriwal's statement yesterday. He is very shrewd. Initially, when he sensed a fertile ground for the AAP in Punjab to bed itself in, he told people, 'Ek mauka do Kejriwal ko' (Give Kejriwal a chance). When they won handsomely (in the 2022 Assembly polls), he took all the credit for it. However, now he has come to realise that this useless government and CM have done nothing for the state other than inflicting damage, he is saying that the party will build its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections around Bhagwant Mann. You have to understand this subtle shift in stance. This shows that he has accepted that his candidates will lose their deposits. The AAP will finish fourth in Punjab. Just wait and watch." (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said that increasing awareness and vigilance are essential ways to keep the youths away from drugs and emphasized the role of teachers and parents in this regard. The Chief Minister earlier on Thursday inaugurated an awareness program on HIV/AIDS organized by the Tripura AIDS Control Society at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala. Speaking on occasion, CM Saha said, "Children of the present generation are the wealth of our society, state, and country. It should be ensured that they do not get addicted to drugs and do not contract diseases like HIV/AIDS. Therefore, teachers as well as parents should be more aware and careful." "The number of HIV/AIDS patients is also increasing at an alarming rate in the state. On average, 150 to 200 people are infected with HIV every month. In most cases, it is caused by injecting drugs into the veins. Therefore, it is not possible to stop this trend only by the efforts of doctors, police, AIDS control society, or teachers. To address this issue, people from all sections of society should come forward," he said. CM Saha, who also holds the Health portfolio, mentioned that at one time in the 70s, Manipur had the highest number of AIDS patients. "Primarily, the increase in the number of drug addicts is due to injecting drugs. And now this trend has spread in Tripura as well, which is very worrying. Injecting drugs is one of the main causes of HIV/AIDS infection. In this case, we should sympathize with the victims instead of condemning them," he said. "Increasing awareness and vigilance are crucial in keeping the youth away from drugs. The role of teachers, along with parents, is very important in preventing children from falling into drug addiction. Therefore, teachers must conduct awareness activities with students on these issues at least once a week," CM Saha added. He questioned why, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully managed to control the COVID-19 epidemic in around 150 countries, including India, the state cannot effectively tackle AIDS. The Chief Minister also emphasized that to eliminate the horrors of AIDS, monitoring children in schools should be increased. "This social evil cannot be tackled by the police, education department, doctors, AIDS control society or parents alone. Therefore, every citizen of society should come forward with the message of awareness," he said. Additional Secretary of the Health Department, Brahmit Kaur; Director of the Health Department, Sanjib Debbarma; Director of the Higher Education Department, NC Sharma; Officer of the State NSS Cell, Prabal Kanti Deb; and Project Director of the Tripura AIDS Control Society, Samarpita Datta, were present as distinguished guests on the occasion. (ANI) Once racked by violence and in the shadows of militancy, the villages of Assam's Baksa district are witnessing development and transformation across sectors and spheres as they had seldom seen in previous years. The transformative development and self-reliance of locals in these villages have been brought about through the implementation of several flagship schemes of the Centre. The villagers here are engaged in various pursuits such as beekeeping, handloom, and making pickles to make themselves self-reliant. The far corners of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) have, in the recent past, seen the spectre of terror and the sounds of bullets being replaced by a wave of development. Speaking to ANI, Jayanti Basumutary, a woman from Udhiaguri village near Salbari in Baksa district, said after the signing of the landmark Bodo Peace Accord, the overall situation in the area has changed for the better and many women are showing readiness to be involved in various initiatives under central schemes. "Around 300 women in our area work at this centre where we make pickles, mushrooms, vermicompost, and soap while also being involved in the nursery. Many women have also participated in the handloom training programme. The government is backing these projects, has given us free training, and provided machines as well as funds. Our income has also increased. Earlier, we rarely got such opportunities to earn a living for ourselves and our loved ones because of militancy. But now the situation has changed for the better. We welcome the initiative taken by the government and thank them for standing with us," Basumutary told ANI. The villagers said they were also receiving the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikash Mission (PMJVM), which is a scheme specifically designed for the socio-economic upliftment of tribal people, who dwell in the forest areas and largely depend on Minor Forest Produces (MFP) for day-to-day living. The scheme developed and designed by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Market Federation of India), Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, 2018. The scheme was launched with the potential to scale up the economic activities of tribal people and sustainably transform their livelihood opportunities. In Assam, the scheme was launched on November 5, 2019, and implemented by APTDC and the Department of Tribal Affairs (Plain) as the state's implementing and nodal agencies respectively. The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) has been engaged by the implementing agency as the resource agency to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the scheme, while TRIFED is the sponsoring agency for the project. In Assam, the scheme has established its presence in 33 districts having 250 functional Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs) out of 471 sanctioned VDVKCs, comprising 300 beneficiaries each. The total number of beneficiaries registered for the functional VDVKCs is 89,955. Salbari Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Cluster of Baksa district is one among the VDVKCs where nearly 300 women of the area are involved. Hemalata Basumutary, another woman from Udhiaguri village, said the women were now producing traditional handloom products while ensuring premium quality. "We are very happy with the initiatives of the government towards the upliftment of women. We are planning to sell our products in the global market. Every woman involved with this should get bulk benefits and earn more. With more help from the government, we can even expand our units. We are grateful to the government for helping us find our feet," Hemalata told ANI. The villagers were imparted training in a bid to upskill them in these trades. They prepare different products including jams, pickles, spices, and juices, among others, and sell them at local markets by enlisting participation in exhibitions and through the brand TRISSAM. Like Salbari Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Cluster, Barbari is another Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Cluster in the Baksa district where more than 300 women are engaged in producing wild honey and beekeeping. Dipali Mushahary, a resident of Barbari Saibari village of Baksa district, also expressed her happiness at finding a dignified source of living. "More than 300 women of 38 SHGs (self-help groups) work at this centre. Here, we make pickles and honey. Also, the majority of families in this area are engaged in beekeeping. Our income has gone up. At my house, there are 10-20 boxes of honey bees and we sell the honey that we produce at this centre. We got plenty of help from the government in settling down to a secure livelihood. They also facilitated loans for us," Dipali told ANI. Renu Boro, another resident, said her income grew steadily as she started working in the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Cluster. "Women from many remote areas, who came here, are now self-dependent. Earlier we worked in paddy fields. But now I am into the packaging of honey bottles in this Kendra," Renu said. Ashtami Medhi from Bishnupur village near Barbari said the locals here have been engaged in beekeeping for the past five years. "There are 22 families in our village and all are engaged in beekeeping. We request the government to help us more so that we can expand our beekeeping activities," she told ANI. Rekha Madahi said many more poor people in the locality are also involved in beekeeping. "Every week, we collect at least 1 kg of honey from each honey bee box and sell it at a rate of Rs 400-500 per kg. Our income has now increased to Rs 1000-1200 per week. Earlier, militancy hurt progress and peace in our village but now we have found happiness as well as peace of mind," Rekha told ANI. Nitul Medhi, field coordinator of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) in Baksa district, said militancy in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) has been consigned to history and the region was now on the path of development. "There are 18 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra clusters in Baksa district and each of them employs about 300 women. Across villages, women are engaged in beekeeping and they supply the raw material to this Kendra where one production unit has been set up. Bottling, levelling, and processing (of honey) are done here. We sell our products to TRIFED, IIE, and local markets. The mindset of people here has changed as well," Nitul told ANI. The villagers of Barbari said they have received training, financial support, and guidance for beekeeping activities. "Such efforts have led to increased honey production and improved livelihoods for our beneficiaries," a villager said. Honey, which is procured from Barbari VDVKC, is one of the highest-selling products of TRISSAM. Barbari village is known as the Bee Village and the tribals of Barbari are active beekeepers and have been producing honey for generations. However, they did not have the means earlier to process and package it properly or sell their produce in the market. A total of 302 beneficiaries, across 30 SHGs, are members of this VDVKC. The beneficiaries are collectively engaged in beekeeping. The scheme PMVDY, under PMJVM, has helped them to set up modern honey processing and packaging units while also enhancing the quality and quantity of honey produced. They have started opening their own business and are supporting their households through their earnings. The honey that they produce is also available in packs of 250 gm and 500 gm under the brand TRISSAM. The initiative has been a success, as it has not only improved the livelihoods of the tribal community in the Baksa district but also increased the availability of high-quality honey in the market. (ANI) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi hit out at the Congress on Thursday, saying that the grand old party 'only made slogans'. He also highlighted the central schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Labelling the members of the Congress as 'liars' and 'cheaters', the Union Minister said, "Those in Congress are liars and cheaters and can only raise slogans. Today, PM Modi has introduced various schemes for the people. Even the world has come to accept that the Modi administration will continue and the country will become the world's third-biggest economy." Addressing the OBC Morcha meeting in Karnataka's Hubballi on Thursday, Joshi said several central government schemes, including PM Kisan Samman and the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, among others, have contributed to making the people self-reliant. "As much as 63 per cent of people, belonging to OBC, SC and ST, are among the targeted beneficiaries of the Kisan Samman Scheme. It was the Modi government that raised the OBC reservation limit from Rs. 8 lakh to 12 lakh. Of the 35 crore beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, more than 50 per cent are SCs and STs," he said. "The overall impact of these schemes is that the people have become self-reliant. Institutions such as the IMF (International Monetary Fund) have agreed that more than 25 crore people have come out of (extreme) poverty. The Congress raised the 'Garibi Hatao' slogan in the 70s and even today, they are chanting the same," he added. (ANI) The Congress on Friday alleged that 60 per cent of the electoral bonds had gone to the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) a day after the Election Commission published the electoral bonds data shared by the State Bank of India on the orders of the Supreme Court. Speaking to ANI during the Maharashtra leg of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh said, "I have analyzed it (electoral bonds)...The analysis shows how the electoral bonds were misused. 60 per cent of the electoral bonds went to the BJP. I have shown through the analysis how the ED, CBI and Income Tax have also been misused..." "Those who have donated were awarded contracts and other projects. It is a joint conspiracy," the Congress MP alleged. Most prominent political parties have been beneficiaries of the scheme. They include the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Trinamool Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Shiv Sena, YSR Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Aam Aadmi Party and Jana Sena Party. Earlier on Thursday, the Election Commission uploaded the data on electoral bonds on its website as received from SBI with Future Gaming and Hotel Services and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd among the top donors to political parties. According to the data, some of the donors include Finolex Cables Ltd, Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Edelweiss Housing Finance Ltd, GHCL Ltd, Jindal Poly Films Limited, ITC Limited and Vedanta Limited, Grasim Industries Limited PR, Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited, Piramal Enterprises Ltd, Muthoot Finance Limited, Pegasus Properties Private Limited, Bajaj Finance Ltd, Bharti Airtel Limited, Apollo Tyres Limited and SpiceJet Limited. JK Cement Ltd, DLF Commercial Developers Limited, Avon Cycles Ltd, Zydus Healthcare Limited, Cipla Limited, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, Mankind Pharma Limited, Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited, Haldia Energy Limited, Essel Mining and Industry Limited, Western UP Power Transmission Company Limited. Keventer Food Parks Limited, Jindal Steel and Power Limited, BG Shirke Construction Technology Pvt Ltd, Rungta Sons Pvt Ltd and Torrent Power Limited are also among donors, according to the data. The poll panel issued a press note providing the link on which the data provided by the SBI can be accessed. SBI said that the data has been furnished in respect of bonds purchased and redeemed between April 12, 2019 to February 15, 2024. A total of 22,217 bonds were purchased during the period April 1, 2019, till February 15, 2024, SBI told the Supreme Court. An electoral bond was an instrument in the nature of a promissory note or bearer bond which can be purchased by any individual, company, firm or association of persons provided the person or body is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. The bonds were issued specifically for the purpose of contribution of funds to political parties. These bonds were issued/purchased for any value, in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1,00,000, Rs 10,00,000 and Rs 1,00,00,000 from the specified branches of the State Bank of India (SBI). Various petitions were filed before the top court challenging amendments made to different statutes through Finance Act 2017 and Finance Act 2016 on the ground that they have opened doors to unlimited, unchecked funding of political parties. (ANI) The newly-inaugurated India's first underwater metro line began public operations in West Bengal's capital Kolkata on Friday with commuters seen queueing up for the first ride on the country's first-ever train ride under water. People were seen clapping and raising 'Vande Bharat' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogans as they travelled in the country's first underwater metro train, an engineering marvel. A train began its journey from the Howrah Maidan station on the East-West metro corridor of Kolkata at 7 am today. Simultaneously another train started from Esplanade station at the same time. The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the Kolkata's metropolitan transportation network is situated beneath the Hooghly River. The under-river section of the tunnel is 520 metres long. Metro Railway Kolkata posted on social media platform X, "First commercial #Metro service entering newly inaugurated #Majerhat station of #PurpleLine this morning..." https://x.com/metrorailwaykol/status/1768486446426722654?s=20 A placard held by one commuter said, "Thank you very much Modi ji for making India proud." Another passenger said, "I am so excited to travel in India's first underwater metro train. It hardly took 10 minutes to get the tickets." The tunnel of the underwater metro is decorated with blue LED lights to mark the lower part of Hooghly River. The Kolkata underwater metro is scheduled to run on weekdays every 12 to 15 minutes in this section. The last metro of the day is available at 9.45 pm in both directions. PM Narendra Modi had inaugurated metro operations in Kolkata on March 6. After the inauguration, he also took a metro ride with school students. During the journey, he engaged in conversations with them and the metro staff. In addition to the underwater metro, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Kavi Subhash - Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and the Taratala - Majerhat Metro section, which is part of the Joka-Esplanade line. The latter features the Majerhat Metro Station, an architectural marvel being an elevated station spanning railway lines, platforms, and a canal, further showcasing the innovative approach towards improving urban mobility. The Prime Minister had also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple connectivity projects worth Rs 15,400 crore. PM Modi also flagged off several other important projects across the country. These include the Pune Metro's stretch from Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi, the Kochi Metro Rail Phase I Extension from SN Junction Metro station to Tripunithura Metro station, the Agra Metro's stretch from Taj East Gate to Mankameshwar, Pune Metro and Esplanade Metro- Kolkata. (ANI) The Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday recovered the body of a 20-year old student of Saifai Medical College near Sonai Bridge, sparking concerns of a possible heinous crime. The 20-year old victim identified as Priya Mishra, a first year paramedical student and a resident of Auraiya was found dead with serious injury remarks on her body, said police. SSP Sanjay Kumar Verma revealed that the body of the deceased might have been dumped at the site, as no traces of blood have been found so far. "Body of a 20-year-old student named Priya Mishra has been found. She is a resident of Auraiya. Upon investigation, it has been found that the girl handed over her mobile phone to her friend in the afternoon, before going missing. It was also discovered that she had been involved in a recent altercation with someone," SSP Sanjay Kumar said. The Saifai police say that the investigation is on and every angle will be probed. "It is a matter of serious investigation. Our surveillance and forensic team, SHO, CO, have reached the spot and we will soon reveal the details," the SSP said. Meanwhile, Samajwadi party Chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the state government and demanded a judicial inquiry into the case. In a video posted by the Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav, students in large numbers were seen protesting outside the trauma centre to protest against the death of paramedical student Priya Mishra. [{040c94a9-9c12-4e8e-abee-f2622a1e1023:intradmin/ANI-20240315035834.jfif}] "The death of a student under suspicious circumstances in Saifai University is a very serious matter. This is another very sad example of the declared policy of zero tolerance becoming zero during the time of BJP in Uttar Pradesh," SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav stated in a post on X. "There should be a judicial inquiry into this alleged murder, so that the truth about the people involved in incidents like BHU and Saifai University can be revealed and the government cannot save them even if it wants to. The BJP government is neither able to save the honor of women nor their lives," he added. (ANI) Aftab is presently lodged in Tihar Jail for allegedly killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, a 27-year-old woman in Delhi on May 18, 2022. The court direction came while hearing a habeas corpus plea moved by the accused Poonawala stating that he is being unlocked only for two hours a day, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and for rest 22 hours he is being kept in a solitary cell of Tihar Jail. His lawyer further stated that the other Jail inmates are unlocked for 8 hours a day. The Division Bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Girish Kathpalia after passing the direction to Tihar Jail authorities, disposed of the plea. Saket court last year started the trial in the murder case of Shraddha Walkar, killed allegedly by her live-in partner Aaftab Poonawala who chopped her body into pieces and scattered them at various places. The trial Court earlier had framed charges against Aaftab on May 9 for offences under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence). (ANI) The Supreme Court on Friday took exception to State Bank of India (SBI) for not furnishing Electoral Bonds data with unique alphanumeric numbers, which help identify the bond, and issued notice to it while seeking the bank's response on Monday. A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that the SBI has not fully complied with its March 11 order in which it had ordered the bank to disclose all details concerning Electoral Bonds. The apex court in its order stated, "The judgment of the Constitution Bench clarified that all details of Electoral Bonds will be made available including date of purchase, name of purchaser, the denomination. It's been submitted that SBI has not disclosed the Electoral bond numbers (alpha numeric numbers)." "Notice be issued to SBI. We direct Registry to issue notice to SBI returnable on Monday," ordered the bench. It also allowed the request of Election Commission of India seeking the return of Electoral Bonds' documents handed over to the top court in sealed cover on two occasions. The poll panel told the bench that it did not retain any copies of these documents to uphold confidentiality and sought the return of the sealed envelopes to proceed with the court's direction to upload data on its website. The apex court said its Registrar Judicial shall ensure that documents are scanned and digitised and once the exercise is complete the original documents shall be given back to ECI and it will then upload them on the website on or before March 17. At the outset of the hearing, apex court said, "Who is appearing for the State Bank of India? They have not disclosed the bond numbers. It has to be disclosed by the State Bank of India." Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to issue notice to the bank since they may have something to say. The Supreme Court by its February verdict had struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme which allowed for anonymous funding to political parties, and ordered the SBI to stop issuing Electoral Bonds immediately. It had unanimously quashed the Electoral Bonds scheme as well as amendments made to the Income Tax Act and the Representation of People Act which had made the donations anonymous. It had asked SBI to furnish details and the details about each Electoral Bonds encashed by the political parties, which shall include the date of encashment and the denomination of electoral bond. An Electoral Bond is an instrument in the nature of a promissory note or bearer bond which can be purchased by any individual, company, firm or association of persons provided the person or body is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. The bonds are issued specifically for the purpose of contribution of funds to political parties. Various petitions were filed before the top court challenging amendments made to different statutes through Finance Act 2017 and Finance Act 2016 on the ground that they have opened doors to unlimited, unchecked funding of political parties. (ANI) The All India Bar Association (AIBA) on Thursday wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) requesting a suo motu review of the Judgment passed in electoral bonds scheme only qua issue of disclosure of identity of donors and their contributions. AIBA Chairman Dr Adish Aggarwala who is also a President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and former Vice-Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI) stated that revealing the names of corporate donors and the amount of donations would render the corporates vulnerable for victimization. The possibility of them being singled out by those parties, that had received less or no contribution from them, and further harassment, cannot be ruled out if the names of corporate donors and their quantum of donation to various parties are revealed. This will be reneging on the promise given to them while accepting their voluntary donation. He further submitted that at the time of the donation, the corporate donor was fully aware that after the donation, its identity, amount of donation and particulars of donee political party, would not be made public and would be kept confidential. This provision of secrecy was made in the relevant Scheme with the purpose that the donor will be not subject to victimization by any other political party to whom the donor has not donated under the Scheme. In this regard, Senior Advocate Dr Adish Aggarwala apprised the five judges Bench about his letter addressed to CJI. The Chief Justice Dr DY Chandrachud asked Advocate Aggarwala to mention the matter on Monday. Adish Aggarwala through a letter stated that as per Article 145(3) of the Indian Constitution there should be at least five judges to hear cases that involve "a substantial question of law as to the interpretation" of the Constitution, or any reference under Article 143, which deals with the power of the President of India to consult the Supreme Court of India. But in the Writ Petition (C) No. 880 of 2017 (and other connected matters), while referring the case to the Constitution Bench, the substantial questions of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution were not framed in the reference order. The following two questions of law were framed by the Constitution Bench while delivering the Judgment: a. Whether unlimited corporate funding to political parties, as envisaged by the amendment to Section 182(1) of the Companies Act infringes the principle of free and fair elections and violates Article 14 of the Constitution; and b. Whether the non-disclosure of information on voluntary contributions to political parties under the Electoral Bond Scheme and the amendments to Section 29C of the RPA, Section 182(3) of the Companies Act and Section 13A(b) of the IT Act are violative of the right to information of citizens under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The issue raised by me does not get covered in the aforesaid two issues framed and decided by the Constitutional Bench and thus, there is a need to review the Judgment on the points raised by me in the present letter, stated Adish Aggarwala. (ANI) Two students of a city-based school in Agartala who had left for Mumbai with the dream of "becoming someone before they return", were traced from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the city on Tuesday, five days after they left home, officials said here. SP, Kiran Kumar K (West Tripura) told reporters that a team of Tripura Police along with their parents brought them to Agartala on Thursday. "On March 7 morning, two children of Hindi Higher Secondary School of class 8, inspired by Instagram left home to become someone and went to Mumbai. After five days we got the information that they were in Mumbai CST, and immediately we contacted Mumbai Police," SP Kumar said. "Mumbai police instantly took action and recovered both the children. And today (Thursday) a team of Tripura Police along with their parents brought them to Agartala," he said. "In this regard, I would like to thank our Chief Minister Manik Shah as he had taken the whole matter crucially and had followed every day to day updates," SP Kumar said. He said that the children of class 8 had gone to tuition but never returned. "We had taken a specific case at East Agartala police station based on the parents' complaints. We formed a special team and started an investigation. They were traced at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai on Tuesday," Sp Kumar said. (ANI) China's new budget book reveals fiscal priorities for 2024 Xinhua) 08:48, March 15, 2024 BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China's central and local budgets for 2024 approved by the country's top legislature were released on Wednesday, detailing a series of measures and policy instruments to ramp up economic recovery while advancing social improvement. The issuance of ultra-long special treasury bonds involving 1 trillion yuan (about 140.9 billion U.S. dollars) this year has drawn wide attention. Special government bonds play a role in improving the fiscal situation, increasing government investment, driving social investment, stabilizing expectations and promoting development without affecting the deficit-to-GDP ratio. China issued special government bonds respectively in 1998, 2007 and 2020, all of which had positive impacts on economic and social stability and improvement. The bonds will be used to focus on supporting science and technology innovation, integrated urban-rural development, coordinated regional development, food and energy security, and high-quality population growth, said Zheng Shanjie, director of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner. GREATER FISCAL INPUT The ultra-long special treasury bonds to be issued over each of the next several years, along with other arrangements including budget deficits, special-purpose bonds, preferential tax and fee policies as well as government subsidies, mark the country's strengthened fiscal support for key industrial sectors, new growth drivers and better public services. The country has raised its expenditure in the national general public budget to about 28.55 trillion yuan this year, up 4 percent from the previous year. It has also planned a 3 percent deficit-to-GDP ratio, which means 4.06 trillion yuan in deficit. The figure is 180 billion yuan more than that projected at the beginning of 2023. This year, a ceiling of 3.9 trillion yuan will be set on new local government special debts, an increase of 100 billion yuan over last year, to help local governments shore up weaknesses in key areas. "China's deficit, local government special bonds and ultra-long special treasury bonds are worth 8.96 trillion yuan in total this year, up from 8.68 trillion yuan last year," said Luo Zhiheng, chief economist of Yuekai Securities, adding that the increase of fiscal expenditure is in line with the current economic and social demand. Minister of Finance Lan Fo'an underlined the role of government bonds in stimulating and expanding effective social investment, better supporting key areas to increase strengths, targeting weak links, activating the driving force of economic development, and promoting economic transformation and upgrading. PRIORITIZED AREAS Aiming at advancing new industrialization and enhancing the core competitiveness of industry, China has planned to upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries, and cultivate future-oriented industries, while at the same time fostering new quality productive forces to cultivate new growth drivers. With special emphasis on the manufacturing industry, the central government will allocate 10.4 billion yuan in special funds to support efforts addressing weaknesses related to basic products and core technologies and increasing the resilience and competitiveness of industrial and supply chains. The country will support the cultivation of new growth engines, such as biomanufacturing, commercial space industry, and the low-altitude economy. It will also encourage investment to support the faster development of industries including artificial intelligence and next-generation information technology. Taking sci-tech innovation as a priority for high-quality development, China has also planned to offer extra pre-tax deductions on enterprises' research and development costs and tax relief for the application of sci-tech advances, while guiding financial institutions to offer low-cost credit support to high-tech firms. Measures will be taken to continue fiscal support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) applying special and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, designate more pilot cities for digital transformation of SMEs, and promote in-depth integration of digital technology into the real economy. In terms of booming consumption, the country will increase the spending power of consumers and improve their expectations giving play to the regulating role of social security and transfer payments. It will foster new areas of consumption growth related to culture, tourism, education, health, and elderly care, and make coordinated use of existing funding channels to improve consumption-related infrastructure and develop county-level commercial systems. IMPROVE PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING To ensure people in different regions have equal access to basic public services, China has projected transfer payments from the central government to local governments at about 10.2 trillion yuan this year. The transfer payments, a Chinese-style fiscal decentralization, will rise 4.1 percent compared with the actual figure for 2023 after deducting one-time special transfer payments over last year and this year. On multiple fronts closely related to people's well-being, including education, employment and health care, the country has planned to shore up accurate fiscal support. China's projected budget for education, social insurance and employment will all surpass 4 trillion yuan this year, according to Lan. The central budget has also planned 66.7 billion yuan of employment subsidies, 76.5 billion yuan in subsidies for basic public health services, and specific payments will be allocated to support rural senior secondary schools, local universities, vocational education and students from families in difficulty. In the next stage, financial authorities will focus on the urgent needs of the people, continue to increase fiscal support, promote the introduction of targeted policies, and resolutely safeguard the people's livelihood, Lan said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Two days ahead of the conclusion of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the Congress party is likely to face a setback in Assam, as sources suggest that current Member of Parliament from the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, Abdul Khaleque may resign due to dissatisfaction with the party. Notably, the Congress party did not give the Lok Sabha ticket to the sitting MP from Barpeta Abdul Khaleque, and rather alloted his seat to Deep Bayan, the President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Sevadal. The Congress party's denial of the ticket to sitting MP Abdul Khaleque is seen as a reason for his imminent exit from the party. Sources say that the incumbent MP has claimed that the Congress party is neglecting the Muslim community in Assam, which has prompted him to bid farewell to the party. The Congress party on March 12 released a list of 12 candidates for Assam for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The party is contesting 13 out of 14 seats, reserving one for its ally, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). Party MP Gaurav Gogoi will contest from Jorhat while MP Pradyot Bordoloi will contest from his seat of Nagaon. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, President, Assam Jatiya Parishad will contest in alliance with the Congress from Dibrugarh. Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly in Assam, Numal Momin mocked the party for its choice of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Taking a swipe at the Congress over its choice of Lok Sabha candidates for Assam, Momin said the ruling BJP was 'very happy' with the list as it would ensure that the Congress comes a cropper in the state and its tally of seats across the country is reduced to a 'single digit'. "We were very happy seeing the Congress list for Assam, as we can now say with full conviction that they wouldn't win a single seat in the state. I fear that the Congress might even fail to win a single Lok Sabha seat in the entire Northeast region. Such is the prevailing state of the Congress that one wouldn't be surprised if its tally of seats across the country came down to a single digit. I doubt if the Congress has ever been in a similar state before," Momin told ANI on Wednesday. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and alleged that the Dravidian party is an enemy of Tamil Nadu's future and its culture. Addressing a rally in Kanyakumari, PM Modi said that DMK has hatred towards the country, its culture and heritage. "DMK is the enemy of the future and the culture of Tamil Nadu. Before the Ayodhya Ram temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, I came to Tamil Nadu and visited the prominent temples in the state. hey want to destroy the Tamil culture," PM Modi said. He reiterated his party's allegation that the state 'banned' the broadcast of the recent Ayodhya temple event. "But the DMK govt tried to stop the telecast of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony. On this Supreme Court had to reprimand the Tamil Nadu govt...They also didn't like the installation of the Sengol in the new parliament...It is our govt which cleared the way for the Jallikattu," he added. The Prime Minister further asserted that BJP's performance in Tamil Nadu this time will shatter the arrogance of the DMK-Congress INDI alliance. While the BJP has development initiatives to showcase to people, the PM said, the opposition bloc's list of scams is big. He alleged the DMK and Congress were anti-women and they only fooled and insulted women. PM Modi said that the Central government was "fast-tracking" many initiatives for the Kanyakumari district. "To improve the connectivity of Tamil Nadu, we are preparing a network of railways and highways. Over the past 10 years, highway projects worth around Rs. 50,000 crore have been completed in Tamil Nadu. And, projects worth Rs. 70,000 crore are still underway," he said. PM Modi is also expected to address a rally in the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka and hold a roadshow from Mirjaguda to Malkajgiri near Hyderabad in the evening. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hit out at the left parties in Kerala, calling them 'incompetent' and said that the state has endured hardship under their governance. Addressing the public campaign in Pathanamthitta for candidates of the BJP-led NDA, PM Modi that the people of the state will benefit only if the cycle of consecutive Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) governments is broken. "Kerala's culture is connected with spirituality, but UDF and LDF are known for crushing this. The culture of Kerala promotes peace but the UDF and LDF believe in political violence. LDF is known for looting through gold, UDF's identity is from solar power loot. To stop this game of looting, I have come here to seek your blessings," the PM said. "Due to the corrupt and incompetent government in Kerala, people are suffering, and you will benefit only if the cycle of consecutive LDF and UDF governments is broken," the PM added. He further said both the LDF and UDF governments have turned a blind eye to the struggles of rubber farmers. "My brothers and sisters in Kerala are suffering the loss of having a corruption government here. We know that the rubber farmers here are struggling to survive, but the LDF and UDF have their eyes closed," he added. The Prime Minister also said that his party will win seats from Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "The festival of Easter is going to come in the next few days. This day reminds us of the ideals of Jesus Christ. I extend you the heartiest greetings on Easter. A very important festival of the Parsis - Navroz is also about to come. Ram Navami and Holi are close. The holy month of Ramzan is ongoing. The biggest festival of democracy is also about to begin. I am confident that Kerala's affection for BJP will transform into a massive public support this time. All old records will break this time. Kerala will come out of the circle of LDF-UDF and give Modi the opportunity to serve Kerala the most. I promise you that Modi will leave no stone unturned for the development of Kerala... Lotus is going to bloom in Kerala this time," he said. The PM also lauded Anil K Antony, the BJP candidate for Pathanamthitta seat in the upcoming general elections. "BJP is encouraging the youth here. The BJP candidate from Pathanamthitta, Anil K Antony is full zeal to serve you (the public). The politics of Kerala need this kind of freshness. This is the reason people of Kerala are also saying 'Abki baar 400 paar'," the PM said. There are 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala and the BJP has never won a parliamentary seat in the state. (ANI) Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Friday said that their campaign for the Lok Sabha elections started with Rahul Gandhi's criss-cross Bharat Jodo Yatra after Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the general poll schedule tomorrow (Saturday, March 16) at 3 pm. Speaking to ANI on the poll body announcement and the party preparations of the party for the big-stakes battle, the Congress leader said, "Our preparations are really good. Our campaign to raise relevant issues among the public started with Rahul Ji's Bharat Jodo Yatra." "We also elected a new party chief reaffirming internal democracy in the party. Like-minded parties that came together to form an alliance (INDIA bloc) to raise current issues will give good leadership...More candidates of our party will be announced soon," he said. On the ruling party's slogan "Abki baar 400 paar', he said, "It is from the Bharatiya Janata Party. They want to show that they represent the government. They can give any slogan. There was perhaps a guarantee of one or two crore jobs annually. So by that logic, it should have been 20 crores. Leave aside the jobs. Six-seven crore people have been unemployed in the country". "They (BJP) were claiming to bring prosperity to every household," he said, adding, "Ask people what is the condition of their household budget." Leaders of various opposition parties joined together to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. However, the bloc suffered a body blow after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was at the forefront of the bloc, joined hands with the BJP-led NDA. Political parties have already begun announcing their candidates for the general elections. BJP has so far released two lists of candidates. Congress has also released two lists of candidates for the polls. Meanwhile, the Election Commission on March 14 uploaded data on electoral bonds on its website as received from SBI. Future Gaming and Hotel Services and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd were among the top donors to political parties. Various petitions were filed before the top court challenging amendments made to different statutes through the Finance Act 2017 and Finance Act 2016 on the ground that they have opened doors to unlimited, unchecked funding of political parties. (ANI) Congress MP Abdul Khaleque on Friday resigned from the party on Friday citing its failure to address people-centric issues and expressing dissatisfaction with the attitude of AICC General Secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh. In a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Khaleque who was a two-time MLA and a one time MP stated that the conduct of the party's state President and AICC General Secretary had adversely affected the party's prospects in Assam. Khaleque wrote, "Of late, the party in Assam has taken a strange route where people centric issues have taken a back seat. To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect and oneness. But unfortunately, over a period of time, I feel that the attitude and approach taken by the party's state President and AICC General Secretary in-charge has ruined the prospect of the party in Assam," he stated in the resignation letter. "Considering the situation, I feel that it is time for me to step out of the party fold. Therefore, I am tendering my resignation from primary membership of Indian National Congress with immediate effect," Khaleque said. Sources close to Khaleque have suggested that the exit of the Barpeta MP could have been triggered by Congress party denying a ticket to him. The Congress has allotted the Barpeta seat to Deep Bayan, the President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Sevadal. They also claimed that the party is neglecting the Muslim community in Assam, which prompted him to bid farewell to the Congress. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Khaleque won against AGP's Deepak Das from the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency. While Khaleque was not given a ticket other two Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Pradyut Bordoloi were given a ticket this time. The Congress party on March 12 released a list of 12 candidates for Assam for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The party is contesting 13 out of 14 seats , reserving one for its ally, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). While Gogoi will contest from Jorhat Bordoloi will contest from his seat of Nagaon. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, President, Assam Jatiya Parishad will contest in alliance with the Congress from Dibrugarh. (ANI) The Karnataka government has decided to hand over the investigation of the case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), officials said on Friday. An order regarding the transfer of the case to the CID was issued by the office of Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police, Alok Mohan. "The case registered in Bengaluru City Sadashivnagar Police Station under crime number 0084/2024 under sections Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 is transferred to CID for further investigation with immediate effect. The case file should be handed over to CID for further investigation, forthwith," read the order copy. "The Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City is directed to send the case file with the concerned I.O to hand over personally to the Investigation Officer in CID," it said. "The Director General of Police, CID, Special Units and Economic Offences, Bangalore may please arrange to take up further investigation. After the completion of the investigation of the case please send the detailed report to this office, " it added. Karnataka's former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa faces an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 over the alleged sexual assault case of a minor girl. As per the FIR, the alleged offence took place on February 2 in Bengaluru and the FIR was filed by a police station in the city. The FIR alleges that the victim was sexually harassed when she went to seek help on February 2. The victim had sought help in a case related to another alleged sexual assault on her. The FIR claims that the senior BJP leader allegedly sexually assaulted the victim after dragging her inside a room. When the victim ran out of the room, she complained to her mother about the alleged assault. The victim alleged in the FIR that she was allegedly sexually harassed when she went to seek help related to an incident in which she was raped by others. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim's mother, the senior BJP leader was booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and also under 354 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Reacting to allegations of sexual assault against him in the police FIR, Yediyurappa claimed that a few days ago, a "distressed woman seeking help" came to his house and he had "brought the matter to the attention of the police." Following this, the BJP leader said later the woman started to talk against him. The 81-year-old veteran leader said, "A few days ago a woman came to our house, she was crying that there was some problem, I asked what is the matter, and she said that there was some problem, I called the police commissioner about this and told him to fix her problem, then she started talking against me." "I have brought this matter to the attention of the police commissioner, yesterday they filed a complaint against me in the police station, let's see what happens next, it cannot be said that there is a political motive behind this," he said. (ANI) A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Sanjay Karol listed the matter after two weeks. During the hearing, the court sought to know whether the furlough application was to attend a marriage, to which Khokhar's counsel responded that it was for social ties. Khokkar, in the application filed through advocate Rakesh Dahiya, sought two weeks of furlough. The application said that Khokkar had been granted furlough/parole/interim bail many times, and he never jumped the bail. Khokkar preferred the application praying for a furlough of two weeks or urging the court to direct the DG Prisons Delhi to entertain his application. The Delhi High Court in 2018 upheld the conviction of Balwan Khokhar and other accused persons in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. The HC has upheld the trial court order awarding a life sentence to Khokhar. Sajjan Kumar, the main accused in a case relating to the brutal killing of five members of a family in Raj Nagar in Delhi during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was convicted by the Delhi High Court in 2018 and was awarded life imprisonment. In 2018, the Delhi High Court overturned the trial court judgement acquitting Kumar in the matter. (ANI) Delhi L-G VK Saxena has given the go-ahead for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ)/Free Trade Zone (FTZ), at the Indira Gandhi International Airport over an area of five acres, a move that will give a major economic boost to the capital, the LG Office said in a press release. According to the LG Office, "Related to the Cargo Infrastructure and other allied activities, this SEZ/FTZ once operationalized will give a massive fillip to the logistics sector and catalyse the economic growth apart from spinoffs for generating employment".The LG approved the proposal taking note of the strategic importance of developing an FTZ/SEZ at the Airport hub, after ensuring that DDA gives a go-ahead for the same as per provisions of MPD-2021, the release stated."The SEZ would create economic activities through exports, warehousing, trading and provisions for related services at the Airport complex. It will also liberalize and reduce procedural complexities in terms of applications, licensing, clearances and other regulations and reduce red tape, apart from providing tax benefits to entrepreneurs," the release said.The official press note stated that the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India has identified Delhi as a Pilot Air Cargo Hub which requires Tier 1, 2 and 3 level infrastructure while DIAL already has developed Tier 1 & 2 infrastructure by way of developing two cargo terminals and logistics centres at the Airport, it will achieve Tier 3 once an SEZ / FTZ comes up at the Airport complex. "DIAL proposed the setting up of two multi-product SEZs at the IGI Airport over an area of 2.02 hectares each (5 acres) and requested for Delhi Government's recommendation under SEZ Rules, 2006. Thereafter, the Industries Department, GNCTD sought clearance of DDA in the matter," the release stated."Since the development of Delhi as per the Master Plan of Delhi comes under the purview of DDA, the Industries Department vide its letter dated December 7, 2023, requested DDA to provide their input on whether the development of such infrastructure at the Delhi Airport is permitted as per the Master Plan 2021," the LG Office said.DDA vide its letter dated January 3, 2024, after taking into consideration, traffic impact assessment and development control norms for transportation, laid out in MPD-2021, conveyed its consent subject to regulations in this regard, laid down by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), it said."After the LG's approval, the in-principle consent/agreement of GNCTD along with observations of DDA, will be conveyed to the Ministry of Commerce, GoI, " the release stated. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed two writ petitions: namely, apprehensions over 19 lakhs missing EVMs and another petition to use ballot paper to conduct elections while reposing its faith in the EVMs. Adjudicating the 19 lakh missing EVM petition, the apex court called the apprehensions and allegations completely baseless, thereby closing the matter in favour of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The petitioner, INCP, has raised an apprehension that 19 lakh EVMs missing from ECI custody during 2016-19 may be used to manipulate the upcoming Lok Sabha General Election, 2024. While refusing to even entertain another petition regarding the conduct of elections using ballot paper by setting aside Section 61A of The Representation of the People Act, 1951, Justice Khanna observed that more than 10 cases have been examined on various issues related to the functioning of EVMs by the court time and again. While dismissing the petition, the Court reposed its faith in the functioning of the EVMs. Over the past decades and spanning nearly 40 judgments, the highest Courts have placed their faith and conviction in ECI-EVMs and the surrounding transparent process and rigorous administrative protocols, thereby adding immense value and strength to the evolving jurisprudence in favour of EVMs in India. The latest decisions of the Supreme Court further add to the robust and growing catena of orders of the Supreme Court and High Courts that have examined various EVM matters and have adjudicated in favour of the Election Commission of India. It may further be noted that in a recent case (Madhya Pradesh Jan Vikash Party v. Election Commission of India, Special Leave Petition (Civil) 16870/2022, September 2022), the Hon'ble SC imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner while observing that EVMs have been utilised in the country for decades now but periodically issues are sought to be raised. The Delhi High Court too had imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on one such petition (C.R. Jaya Sukin v. Election Commission of India & Ors., Writ Petition (Civil) 6635/2021, August 2021) asking to stop the use of EVMs in all forthcoming elections and to use ballot paper instead. Earlier, the High Court of Delhi had dismissed a petition by the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee seeking termination of the ongoing First Level Checking (FLC) process for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATS to be used in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections in the NCR. The court, in its judgment, emphasized the robustness and transparency of the existing procedures and rejected the petitioner's claims. ECI has always been at the forefront of making information on EVM-related processes and safeguards available in the public domain in the form of publications like the EVM Manual, Status Paper, EVM Presentation, Commemorative Book on 40-year journey of EVMs, Legal History of EVMs and the continuously updated EVM FAQs. (ANI) Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) president Pashupati Kumar Paras on Friday announced his intention to contest from the Hajipur constituency, adding that he is waiting for its ally - BJP's list for upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He asked its alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to allot seats to his party members adding if this is not done then doors are open for them. "I will contest (Lok Sabha election) from Hajipur. All of our sitting MPs will contest from their respective constituencies. This is our party's decision," said Paras. Paras holds the portfolio of Food Processing Minister. This comes a day after Paras' nephew, Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram-Vilas), finalised a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP -- which reportedly includes the coveted Hajipur seat. Meanwhile, Paras denied being in touch with RJD-Congress for seat sharing and has decided to rely on wait and watch policy until the list of NDA Alliance in Bihar is published. "We have not had any discussion with anyone if you are speaking about INDIA Alliance. No, never. We have not spoken with anyone...There are 5 MPs in our party. NDA Alliance should have followed the 'sitting-getting goal'. But justice was not done to our party. Until the list of NDA Alliance in Bihar is published, we will wait." He urged BJP's central leadership to consider seats of all five of their MPs for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "Three MPs of the Paswan community have been denied tickets...This is sending a wrong message..." However, Paras also tried to build pressure on their allies (BJP) by hinting and asking to allot seats to his party members adding if this is not done then they are ready to go anywhere. "We had a meeting of our Parliamentary Board today. The members have decided that unless all the BJP's lists (of candidates) are released, we urge their national president, Prime Minister and Home Minister to consider all five of our MPs. We will await the list. After the announcement, if we are not given due respect, our party is independent and our doors are open. We will be ready to go anywhere," said Pashupati Kumar Paras. Paras also looked adamant about contesting the coveted Hajipur seat which was once held by his brother, the late Ram Vilas Paswan. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pitched for One Nation One Election at a public meeting in Ranchi in Jharkhand on Friday. The Defence Minister was addressing BJP workers meeting in Ranchi before the formal announcement of the dates of the general elections. "Former President Ramnath Kovind has submitted a report related to the One Nation One Election. And Congress has started making noise over it. They should not protest for the sake of protesting. If they have to give any suggestions, then they should come forward. Holding elections simultaneously will save time," he said. Attacking the Jharkhand government over corruption, he said, "I am surprised that the Chief Minister of Jharkhand gone missing for two days. And later arrested in a corruption case. Where do you want to take Jharkhand? To the heights or the abyss, you have to decide," he said. Jharkhand has faced the brunt of corruption and it cannot be ended by giving speeches. To end corruption, the system needed to be changed, he added. "We (BJP) have been called communal but I say if there is any most secular party in India then it is Bharatiya Janata Party. Every section of the society has benefited from the schemes run by BJP government. Other parties lack issues, so they talk useless," he added. As the high-level committee on simultaneous elections constituted under the Chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday met President Droupadi Murmu and submitted its report, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a "historic day for the country's democratic system." The report, comprising 18,626 pages, is an outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts and research work over 191 days, since the constitution of the High-Level Committee on September 2, 2023. The Committee was briefed by these bodies that intermittent elections had adverse consequences on economic growth, quality of public expenditure, and educational and other outcomes, besides upsetting social harmony. The central government in September last year constituted a high-level Committee to examine the issue of 'One Nation, One Election' and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections in the country. (ANI) In a scathing attack on the Jharkhand government, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that the Chief Minister of the state was missing for two days, which has never happened in the country, and now he is behind bars. "Money-counting machines were brought in to count the money recovered from the CM's premises," Singh said while adding that no one can point fingers at the BJP government over corruption. The Defence Minister was addressing booth-level workers of the Party in Jharkhand's Chatra district on Friday. Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh also offered prayers at the Bhadrakali Temple in Itkhori. Singh mentioned that the Jharkhand is close to his heart as his wife comes from there. He promised that 'Ram Rajya' would be established in the country, and the 'Pran Pratishtha' at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is just the beginning. "We have vision, mission, and passion. There was once an INDI alliance formed to unite different parties, but now, every day, one member after another is quitting," he said. Targeting opposition parties for criticising the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, he said, "The BJP delivers what they promise to people," adding, "Congress says that we are communal, but through CAA, we have provided relief to minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Christians who are victims of religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh." "Due to religious persecution in Pakistan, where the Hindu population was once 23 per cent, it has now reduced to only three per cent," he added. "We never engage in politics of appeasement because we treat everyone equally. We brought the triple talaq bill for the sake of Muslim women. In J&K, we abolished Article 370 without using a single bullet. We engage in politics to bring development and prosperity to the nation," he concluded. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday defended the electoral bonds scheme, struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, saying that it was an initiative to end the domination of black money in Indian politics. Amit Shah, however, added that he respects the Supreme Court verdict. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2024, Shah said that he fears that the black money will return with the scrapping of electoral bonds. "Electoral Bonds was brought to end the domination of black money in Indian politics, it was brought to eradicate black money... Now the scheme has been scrapped and I fear the return of black money," Shah said. He further said that there should be reforms regarding the electoral bonds, rather than scrapping it. "I believe that rather than scrapping it, there should be reforms, but it does not hold any significance, as the apex court has given its verdict and I respect that," he added. The Union Minister further said that there was no room for secrecy after the electoral bonds scheme was implemented, as the amount was reflected in the bank accounts of both the parties and the donors. Noting that before the scheme was implemented, donations to parties were made through cash, he said that after the scheme was implemented, companies or individuals had to submit a check to the Reserve Bank of India to purchase the bond for donation to parties. "There is a perception that the BJP benefitted from the electoral bonds scheme because it is in power...Rahul Gandhi also said it is the biggest extortion racket in the world. Don't know who writes these things for him...The BJP received around Rs 6,000 crore through electoral bonds. The total bonds (of all parties) amounted to Rs 20,000 crore. So where did the bond for the Rs 14,000 go?" Amit Shah said. He also said that the amount the opposition parties received is disproportionate to the number of seats they have in the Lok Sabha and the number of party members. "The Trinamool Congress encashed bonds worth Rs 1,600 crore, Congress received Rs 1,400 crore, Bharat Rashtra Samithi received Rs 1,200 crore, BJD received Rs 775 crore and DMK received Rs 649 crore. When donations were made through cash transactions, Congress deposit Rs 100 in the party and keep Rs 1,000 in their homes and it continued for a long period of time," he added. The Supreme Court on Friday took exception to SBI not furnishing unique numbers on electoral bonds and said that the judgment of the Constitution bench clarified that all details of electoral bonds will be made available, including the date of purchase, name of the purchaser, and denomination. The data released by the State Bank of India shows that out of the total electoral bond money collected, the BJP got nearly 50 per cent donation. The principal opposition party, Indian National Congress, got only 11 per cent of the funds. Most prominent political parties have been beneficiaries of the scheme. They include the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Trinamool Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Shiv Sena, YSR Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Aam Aadmi Party and Jana Sena Party. The Election Commission on March 14 uploaded data on electoral bonds on its website as received from SBI. Future Gaming and Hotel Services and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd were among the top donors to political parties. (ANI) The countdown for the JNU student union election has begun, with 170 students filing nominations for four central panel positions in the student body. The students' union has four central panel positions: President, Vice President, General Secretary, and Joint Secretary. As per the data provided by the Election Committee, 45 nominations have been received for the president position, 43 for vice president, 38 for joint secretary and 44 for general secretary. Besides the four main positions, other posts include councillors for each of the schools as well as a part-time councillor. This year, 258 nominations have been filed for the position of councillors. The election committee refused to issue a party-wise list. JNUSU elections are conducted by students through an elected Election Committee. The parties are also yet to announce their candidates. The United Left representatives said their probable candidates are SFI's Umesh Kumar Yadav (President), DSF's Swati Singh, (Vice President) and AISA's Dananjay, (General Secretary) AISF's Santosh (Joint Secretary) for the four main positions. The election is on March 22. Since 2015, the left parties have been fighting the elections as one unit under the umbrella of the United Left. The ABVP has also announced its potential candidates. ABVP's Arjun Anand, Umesh Chandra Ajmera, Govind Dangi, Manjul Pawar, Kavya Pal, Medha Singh, Deepika Sharma, Unnati Panjikar, A. S. Stalin, Kanishk Gaur, Abhishek Singh, and Akash Kumar Ravani are in the field as potential probable candidates. "Among these names, the final four names will be selected to fight for the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary positions of the JNUSU Central Panel," ABVP said in a statement. From the Congress-affiliated student outfit, the Nationa Students' Union of India (NSUI), Kunal Kumar, Shudhandhu Shekhar, or Farheen Zaidi may contest for the post of president. ABVP has already begun the election campaign, with its workers reaching out to every student through hostel-to-hostel and class-to-class campaigns. Additionally, ABVP is making the students aware of the positive activities carried out for student welfare in the past 5 years. Meanwhile, JNU election committee has implemented the model code of corduct (MCC).Under the code, students are barred from using inflammatory remarks, wooing voters based on community, caste or religion, or spreading misinformation during campaigning. The JNUSU elections are being held after a gap of four years. The elections were stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and could not be conducted thereafter. The last JNUSU election was won by left-backed SFI candidate Aishe Ghosh in 2019. The left students outfits had formed an alliance to contest in the 2019 polls under the banner of the United-Left Alliance, which included a coalition of AISA, SFI, DSF, and AISF. (ANI) TMC leader Shashi Panja on Friday dismissed rumours that someone pushed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from behind and said that she felt a bit dizzy and then collapsed. "...She (Mamata Banerjee) felt a bit dizzy and then collapsed, nobody pushed her from behind... After falling, she got injured; the doctor is looking into everything," said Panja. Briefing on the health condition of Mamata Banerjee, Panja said that doctors were conducting checkups, adding, "Details will come out soon; checkups are going on...Everybody wants the well-being of Mamata Banerjee, however, taking the wrong meaning of this is injustice..." She further said that the reason for the collapse could be high blood pressure or sugar and the hospital will release further bulletins. "Didi is also a human being and she has a very hectic schedule. Everyone wants her to stay healthy. But no want should mock on the incident or make a wrong prediction for the cause of the incident," she added. Earlier the director of the state-run SSKM hospital, Manimoy Bandyopadhyay, shared a major health update on CM Mamata Banerjee, who suffered a deep gash on her forehead after a fall at her residence in Kolkata's Kalighat. Speaking to media persons on Thursday, the SSKM director informed that Mamata was discharged after receiving treatment for her injury. He said the chief minister was admitted to the hospital with a "history of (a) fall within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind." The hospital director informed further that doctors administered three stitches on her forehead and another on the nose. "Chief Minister of West Bengal reported to our hospital today around 7.30 pm with a history of a fall within the vicinity of her home due to some push from behind. She had a cerebral concussion and had a sharp cut over her forehead and nose, which was bleeding profusely," Manimoy Bandyopadhyay said while addressing reporters outside the hospital. "Initially, she was assessed by HoD neurosurgery, HoD medicine and the cardiologist of our institute, as her vitals needed to be stabilised. Three stitches were applied on the forehead and one on the nose and the required dressing was done. Examinations including ECG, CT scan, etc were done. Medical personnel provided their opinion in this regard," he said. He said that though the chief minister was advised to stay in the hospital, she 'preferred to go home'. Earlier in the day, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) informed that Banerjee sustained a 'major injury' to her forehead after a fall at her residence in Kolkata's Kalighat on Thursday. The AITC also shared Mamata's pictures from the hospital bed, with a deep cut on her forehead and blood dripping down her face. "Our chairperson Mamata Banerjee sustained a major injury. Please keep her in your prayers," read the statement by the ruling Trinamool Congress on X. (ANI) In a blow to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) days ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state, popular Odia actor-turned-politician Arindam Roy joined the BJP on Friday. Roy claimed that he was sidelined by the party and not allowed to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik despite several attempts. Speaking to ANI on Friday, the actor-turned-politician said, "While I was with the BJD, I tried several times to meet Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. However, due to party politics, I couldn't get the opportunity to meet him." "I have joined the BJP inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will work hard to strengthen the party in the state," he added. Roy, along with other BJD leaders, joined the BJP in the presence of the party's state president Manmohan Samal at the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Earlier, on Friday, BJP national vice president M Chuba Ao accused the BJD administration in Odisha of falsely claiming credit for central government schemes and misleading people in the state by presenting them as initiatives of the state government. Speaking to ANI, M Chuba Ao said, "I was on a visit to Odisha during which I participated in Labharthi Sampark Abhiyan in Keonjhar. Unfortunately, the BJD government in the state is rebranding central schemes and passing them off as state government initiatives." Commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the country, the former BJD leader said, "PM Modi's outlook extends beyond the next five years, as he has envisioned the country's development and progress till the year 2047," Chuba Ao said. Odisha has 21 parliamentary constituencies. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) got the maximum number of seats, followed by the BJP and the Congress. The BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8 seats and the Congress bagged just a lone seat. The state has 147 Assembly constituencies. In the last assembly polls, which was held simultaneously with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJD swept the state, winning 113 seats. The BJP came a distant second at 23 seats, followed by the Congress with 9, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) with 1, and an independent candidate with another seat. (ANI) Russian citizens residing in Kerala cast their votes for the Russian presidential elections at the booth specifically arranged at the Honorary Consulate of the Russian Federation, Russian House, in Thiruvananthapuram. Ratheesh Nair, Honorary Consul of Russia and Director of the Russian House in Thiruvananthapuram, said, that they arranged polling for the Russian presidential elections for the third time. He expressed gratitude to Russian citizens in Kerala for their cooperation in the polling process. In an interview with ANI, Nair said, "This is the third time the Consulate of Russian Federation is hosting polling for the Russian presidential elections. This is actually for Russian nationalists staying here and also for the tourists. We are happy to associate with the Central Election Commission of Russian Federation. I am very grateful to the Russian citizens in Kerala for their cooperation and enthusiasm to cast votes in the process of electing their new president." Sergey Azurov, Senior Consul General in Chennai, said, "We are organising preliminary voting in the framework of presidential elections. We are here to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Russian federations living in India." Ulia, a Russian citizen, said fellow natives in Kerala are thankful to the Russian house and consulate general in India for providing them the opportunity to cast votes in the Presidential polls. Speaking to ANI, Ulia said, "Everyone who came today are Russian citizens either residing permanently in India or are visiting tourists. Everybody is thankful and happy to come here and participate in the election, which is very important for every citizen. This is our responsibility. So, we are thankful to the Russian house and the consulate general in India from Chennai for providing this chance." Russia is all set to hold presidential elections from March 15-17. Russian citizens will vote from Friday until Sunday across the 11 time zones of the country. Russia's Central Election Commission (CEC) approved only three candidates to oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin, CNN reported. The three candidates standing against Putin are Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party and Nikolay Kharitonov of the Communist Party. All three men are thought to be satisfactorily pro-Kremlin and none is against Russia's military action against Ukraine. As the majority of opposition candidates are either dead, jailed, exiled, barred from running or simply token figures, a victory for Putin is all but guaranteed, according to a CNN report. Putin's reelection would extend his rule until at least 2030. Following constitutional changes in 2020, he would then be able to run again and potentially stay in power until 2036. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], March 15 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Ministry of Communications informed the Israel Post of its intention to impose a financial sanction on the company in the amount of over one million Shekels (USD275,000). The ministry said the sanction is due to the closing of three post offices in violation of a direct order by the Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karai, not to do so. The units that were closed are in the cities Netivot, Rishon Lezion and Meitar. The company has up to 45 days to assert its claims against the intention to impose the financial sanctions. Director General of the Ministry of Communications, Attorney Einval Meshash: "The decision of the postal service to massively close branches harms service to the public and disadvantaged populations. Thousands of residents remain without accessible and available postal services. We will continue to act all the time for the benefit of the citizens of Israel." (ANI/TPS) Amid the deteriorating security situation in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it has told all the Indians to evacuate and move away from there. "We had issued an advisory for the Rakhine State, where the situation there is very delicate, the security situation has deteriorated. We told all Indian nationals to evacuate themselves and move away from there and we also told our nationals who are there or otherwise from anywhere else not to travel to that part," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a media briefing on Friday. "The situation in Myanmar remains a cause of concern because of the deterioration in the security situation," he said. The MEA spokesperson said that there is a lot of fighting happening there, underscoring that the security situation is not conducive at all in Rakhine State. Asserting that India wants peace and stability in Myanmar, Jaiswal asserted by saying, "There is a lot of fighting happening there, and the security situation is not conducive, but we call upon all sides." "We want peace and stability in the country, we want constructive dialogue in the country, and we want inclusive federal democracy to be established through dialogue and through constructive engagement..." he went on to say. In February, India issued an advisory for Indian citizens, advising them not to travel to the Rakhine state of Myanmar amid a deteriorating security situation. The Ministry of External Affairs cited the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities in Rakhine State. "In view of the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities, all Indian citizens are advised not to travel to the Rakhine State of Myanmar," the MEA advisory had stated. It also advised the Indian citizens who are in Rakhine State to leave the state immediately. Notably, a fresh uptick was noticed in incidents of violence in Myanmar recently. This came after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive last October, capturing some towns and military posts. The experts called it the 'biggest test' for junta since taking power in 2021. This also led to a huge influx of people from Myanmar into the state of Mizoram along the Indo-Myanmar border after the Myanmar army launched airstrikes in the bordering areas. Myanmar marked the third anniversary of the military coup on February 1, where the military seized power in a coup three years ago. (ANI) National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's visit to Israel on the onset of Ramadan, carried forward the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is keen to promote peace and stability in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. NSA Doval, during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza as well as the release of hostages in Hamas captivity. Addressing the weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "There is a context to it. The Prime Minister himself is interested and is keen to promote peace and stability in the region. He has been in touch with several Arab leaders in this connection. NSA's visit to Israel, which took place on the onset of Ramadan, carried forward these efforts." "NSA called on the Israeli Prime Minister, he met his Israeli counterpart and several other senior leaders and discussed developments in Gaza. He emphasised the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance and discussed steps being taken or undertaken for the release of hostages," he added. Earlier this month, NSA Ajit Doval visited Israel and held a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. Efforts to release hostages and humanitarian assistance in Gaza were also discussed during their meeting. "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 PM Office said in a post on X on Monday (March 11). "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," it added. Hamas carried out a massive terror attack in Israel on October 7 killing over 1200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, out of whom around 130 are still in captivity. Notably, India has maintained a robust stance on the conflict, by strongly condemning terrorism while also calling for humanitarian assistance for civilians. PM Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7. But India has also continued with its weight behind the 'two-state solution' to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. India also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as part of its commitment. India recently fulfilled its annual contribution of USD 5 million for 2023-24 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). (ANI) After violence and looting loomed in the Caribbean nation, India on Friday established a control room and emergency helpline number for the Indian nationals to evacuate them from Haiti. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said that India is ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if the need arises as the Caribbean nation's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has tendered his resignation to step down from his post following an emergency meeting of regional nations, where gangs have been attacking government structures and social order is on the brink of collapse. "As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that," Jaiswal stated. During a weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said "We have established a control room here in the Ministry of External Affairs. We have emergency helpline numbers." Addressing concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Haiti, Jaiswal assured that the Indian Embassy in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, which holds accreditation for Haiti, has also sprung into action. "Our embassy in Santo Domingo is monitoring the situation and the ministry also is fully monitoring the situation," said Jaiswal. With an estimated 50 to 80 Indian community members currently in Haiti, the Indian Embassy remains in constant communication with them, "The embassy is in touch with all of them. We are monitoring the situation," assured Jaiswal. Given the ongoing developments in Haiti, the Ministry of External Affairs provided the contact details of the Control Room in a press release on Friday, that has been set up to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance. The contact details of the Control Room are: 1800118797 (Toll-free), +91-11-23012113, +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905, +91-9968291988 (Whatsapp), situationroom@mea.gov.in "The Embassy of India in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Haiti, has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline," the MEA release added. The contact details are: +1 (849) 398-9889, +1 (809) 870-3923, +1 (849) 507-7612, Landline: +1, 8298934233, Extn: 203, Landline: +1 8298934233, Extn: 213, amb.sdomingo@mea.gov.in, hoc.sdomingo@mea.gov.in, com.sdomingo@mea.gov.in, cons.sdomingo@mea.gov.in Meanwhile, Haiti has been under a state of emergency since some groups attacked the country's largest prison in Port-au-Prince earlier this month, killing and injuring police and prison staff and allowing some 3,500 inmates to escape, CNN reported. One gang leader, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, took credit for the attack and said the jailbreak was an attempt to overthrow Henry's government. Gangs now control 80 per cent of Haiti's capital, according to United Nations estimates, and continue to fight for the rest. While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to the country's main airport to prevent his safe return. Looters and protesters also breached the key Caribbean Port Services terminal in Port-au-Prince, though it has since come back under the control of Haitian security forces, according to the National Port Authority CEO, Jocelin Villier. The chaos has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, adding to the more than 300,000 already displaced by gang violence. (ANI) Hailing the ties between the two nations, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, has said that Bhutan has been blessed with excellent relations with India, and added that he wants more Indians to visit Bhutan. Addressing the 'India-Bhutan Tourism: Expanding Horizons' event in New Delhi on Friday, the Bhutan PM said that, the Himalayan nation wants to be a host to India. "During my first visit to Delhi, I wanted to meet the captains of the industries in India and, more importantly, the drivers of tourism in India...We have been blessed with excellent relations with India. We want more Indians to visit Bhutan. We want other nationalities to visit Bhutan as well but India is our immediate neighbor, and we want to be your host," he said. The Bhutanese PM, as he lauded ties between the nations, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "older brother," and said he was "overcomed with emotions" after meeting him. "I met PM Modi yesterday and I was looking forward to visiting India after the recent elections and calling on my friend, and older brother, PM Modi. This visit has been very emotional for me, I know it's because of the meeting with PM Modi but I also realised that a large part of it is because I am back in Delhi, among friends," the Bhutan PM said. Tobgay, as he went on to speak, said that both the countries not only share friendly ties but are also engaged with each other at the leadership level. He said, "I will need your support as we move forward to share Bhutan with India because India, you share India with Bhutanese. As close as we are friends, India and Bhutan... as close as we are at the leadership level, and by leadership, I mean...India's leadership with Bhutan's King." "As much development cooperation we do together, as much as we may cooperate at the international affairs, ultimately it's about people-to-people friendship and partnership that matters. From Bhutan. a small country, we have tens of thousands of pilgrims visiting India every year, we have thousands of patients seeking medical services, and we have many thousands of youth studying in India, training in India, working in India..." he said. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is in India on an official visit, which is his first overseas visit after assuming office in February 2024. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. During the meeting, Tobgay extended an invitation to his Indian counterpart to visit Bhutan next week. The invitation was accepted by Prime Minister Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release on Friday. Tobgay was also called upon by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, and he also met BJP President JP Nadda in the national capital as part of his visit. Moreover, earlier today, the Bhutanese PM also called upon President Droupadi Murmu here. India and Bhutan enjoy long-standing and exceptional bilateral ties characterised by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels. The visit provided an opportunity for the two sides to discuss various aspects of the multi-faceted bilateral ties and forge understanding to further cooperate across diverse sectors. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Bhutan next week at the invitation of his counterpart Dasho Tshering Tobgay. A final schedule in this regard is yet to be announced. Bhutan PM Tobgay met with PM Modi here in New Delhi on Thursday. "Yesterday, the PM of Bhutan met with our Prime Minister (PM Modi). He (Bhutan PM) invited our PM to visit Bhutan," Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a media briefing after PM Modi accepted the invitation from his Bhutan counterpart for a visit to the country. He said that the details of the visit will be announced as soon as a decision is taken in that regard. "As far as the visit itself is concerned, you will come to know of it as and when it is announced and when we take a decision in that regard, the visit has been accepted. So that is where it is. You will come to know more details in that regard..." the MEA spokesperson said. Earlier today, the External Affairs Ministry issued a press release that stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted the invitation of his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, to visit Bhutan next week. "On behalf of the King of Bhutan, PM Tshering Tobgay extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Bhutan next week. Prime Minister accepted the invitation," the MEA said in a press release. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is in India on an official visit, which is his first overseas visit after assuming office in February 2024. Bhutan PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay met with PM Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. "Both leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship," the release also said. The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, paid an official visit to India from November 03-10, 2023. He travelled to the Assam, New Delhi and Maharashtra. During the visit the King of Bhutan and PM Modi held discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest. India and Bhutan enjoy long-standing and exceptional bilateral ties characterised by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels. The visit provided an opportunity for the two sides to discuss various aspects of the multi-faceted bilateral ties and forge understanding to further cooperate across diverse sectors. (ANI) Andriy Yermak, head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a telephonic conversation with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday. The two leaders spoke about the preparations for the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, noting the high level of support for the event. Taking to his official X handle, Andriy Yermak posted, "Had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India Ajit Kumar Doval. Spoke about the preparations for the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland at the level of state leaders and noted the high level of support for the event." Yermak informed Doval about the situation at the front amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, his country's 'success' in confronting Russia in the Black Sea, the fight against Russian aviation and strengthening Ukraine's defence production. During the telephonic conversation, Yermak said Russia continues to strike his homeland with missiles and drones, particularly civilian infrastructure, the Ukrainian Presidential Office said in a statement. During the phone-call, Yermak thanked Doval for his deputy's participation in the fourth meeting of national security advisors and foreign policy advisors to the heads of state on the implementation of the Peace Formula, which took place in Davos, Switzerland in January. The two officials agreed on continuing the dialogue and strengthening bilateral relations between India and Ukraine, according to the statement. "Andriy Yermak informed the interlocutor about the situation at the front, Ukraine's success in confronting Russia in the Black Sea and in the fight against Russian aviation, as well as about strengthening Ukraine's defense production. The Head of the President's Office emphasized that the aggressor continues to strike our country with missiles and drones, in particular, civilian infrastructure," the Ukrainian Presidential Office added in its statement. The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which started in 2022, has continued for over two years. Marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion, earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged his countrymen to remain hopeful of victory. In a video address recorded from the Hostomel airport, Zelensky thanked Ukrainians for their efforts to resist Russia's full-scale invasion and said, "We are 730 days closer to victory." "Keep fighting - you are sure to win!," the Ukrainian President said at the airport, which was targeted by Russia in the early days of the war. Zelenskyy said he was "incredibly proud" of the people of his country and admires and believes in each of them. "Any normal person wants the war to end. But none of us will allow our Ukraine to end. That's why when it comes to ending the war, we always add - on our terms. That's why next to the word "peace," the word "just" always sounds. That's why in future history, next to the word Ukraine, the word "independent" will always stand. We fight for this. And we will prevail. On the best day of our lives," the Ukrainian President said. During his address, he also thanked the country's soldiers and "everyone in the world who stands by us and with truth". (ANI) The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated the 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day on Friday, with about 200 students taking part in the celebrations. India's Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, awarded the Ambassador's Golden Jubilee Scholarship Roll of Honour to the first batch of nine meritorious Golden Jubilee Scholarship scholars, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu informed through a press release. In his address, Srivastava congratulated the awardees of the 22nd batch of the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme and the meritorious students of the first edition of the Ambassador's Roll of Honour while exhorting them to shine in their respective fields. Highlighting the 'special ties' between India and Nepal, Ambassador Srivastava stated that it is guided by the PM's Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas,' the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu stated in its official release. The envoy also underlined the opportunities that are to be created for the youth by engaging and collaborating in the startup ecosystem and incubation centres in India, while also encouraging students to seek sectors to collaborate with. He also underscored the growing collaboration between New Delhi and Kathmandu in the sphere of education, adding that it was empowering the youth. BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Gyanendra Giri, Lumbini Buddhist University Vice Chancellor Subarna Lal Bajracharya, Kathmandu University Vice Chancellor Bhola Thapa, Agricultural and Forestry University Vice Chancellor Punya Prasad Regmi, Purbanchal University Vice Chancellor Sailesh Mani Pokhrel, Rajarshi Janak University Amar Prasad Yadav also attended the event. Deans, registrars, principals of eminent schools and senior officials from the Nepal government also attended the programme. The Golden Jubilee Scholarship was established in 2002 to mark the completion of 50 years of India-Nepal economic cooperation, according to the press release. Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu shared glimpses of the celebration of 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day. A post on the official X handle of The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu read, "@IndiainNepal celebrated 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day today, attended by Vice Chancellors, Deans, Registrars of prominent Universities in #Nepal , senior officials & School Principals. Around students enthusiastically participated in the programme." "Bharatnatyam & Nepali folk dance performance by the students of @ICCR_Nepal enthralled the audience.enthralled the audience," read another post from the same handle. Over the years, the number of scholarship awardees has increased 4 times to 200. Under this scholarship scheme, an MBBS/BDS student receives Nepali Rupees (NRs) 4000 per month for five years, a BE student receives NRs 4000 per month for four years, and a student studying in other undergraduate courses like BA, BEd, B Pharmacy, BSc Agriculture, BBA, BBM and BBS receives NRs 3000 per month for three years, according to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu press release. More than 3300 Nepali students from all the 77 districts of Nepal have benefitted from this scholarship scheme. The current batch of scholarship awardees are from 76 districts of Nepal, with 32 per cent being girls. Five specially-abled students have also been selected this year under the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme, according to the press release. The Union government provides around 1600 scholarships in medicine, engineering, dental science, management, Ayurveda arts, commerce, science, nursing, Ayurveda, dance, theatre, performing arts and many other disciplines, both in the undergraduate and graduate streams, to study in universities in Nepal and in India. Since 2001, 38,000 Nepalese students have been direct beneficiaries of the Indian government's scholarships. India and Nepal are close and friendly neighbours and have a long-standing partnership in the field of education and capacity building, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated earlier. According to the press release, the scholarships and capacity building programmes form an integral part of India's effort to partner in the human resource development of Nepal for its overall socio-economic benefit of the region. (ANI) More than half a million dollars in stolen vehicles and car parts were recovered and five people were arrested after a California law enforcement task force swept a suspected chop shop in a Central Valley town this week. The California Highway Patrol said that its San Joaquin County Auto Theft Task Force composed of several allied agencies including police from Stockton, Tracy and Manteca, as well as the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office found at least 12 stolen vehicles Monday during the raid. The vehicles and various vehicle parts, like hoods and doors, are estimated to be worth about $600,000, the CHP said in a Friday news release. The raid was part of a task force investigation of thefts involving high-end American-made sports cars that led authorities to the suspected chop shop in Banta, an unincorporated town of about 15,000 people several miles east of Tracy. California Highway Patrol officers found 12 vehicles during a search of a suspected chop shop in San Joaquin County on Monday, March 11, 2024 Investigators uncovered at least 10 Chevrolet Camaros and two Corvettes. Task force members also discovered a large amount of stolen vehicle parts and a stolen engine. The vehicles and the parts were reported to multiple law enforcement agencies from San Francisco to Stanislaus County as stolen, the CHP said. Two men identified as James Phelan and Harley Davidson, 28 were arrested during Mondays search and were accused of operating a chop shop and possessing a stolen vehicle. Hamdy Naim Jamali, 34, of Manteca, was arrested later that day. Officers said the third suspect was selling parts and allegedly possessed a key fobbing device at the time of his arrest. California Highway Patrol officers found 12 vehicles during a search of a suspected chop shop in San Joaquin County on Monday, March 11, 2024 A fourth suspect, Tracy resident Lloyd Thomas Bernhard, 27, was arrested Wednesday and was charged similarly. Bernhard was also accused of possessing approximately 100 pills believed to be fentanyl, the CHP said. A fifth suspect, Stephanie Celeste Tejada Otero, was also arrested and charged in connection with the bust, according to San Joaquin Superior Court records. All five suspects were arraigned Friday in Manteca on charges related to the vehicle thefts; Tejada, Davidson and Jamali remained in San Joaquin jail custody, according to records, and it was unclear the whereabouts of Phelan and Bernhard. MUNCIE, Ind. Severe thunderstorms and what were believed to be tornadoes hit Delaware and Randolph counties on Thursday evening, leaving destruction in their wake. After numerous reports that at least three people had died when the storm struck Winchester, officials there early Friday maintained there were no confirmed deaths. A mobile home park and the local Taco Bell in Winchester were reported to have been destroyed by the storm. Several other properties in that Randolph County city were said to be severely damaged. Sunrise on Friday, March 15, 2024, revealed the effects of Thursday night's reported tornados in Randolph and Delaware counties. Fallen trees and branches such as the one pictured here littered U.S. 27 in Randolph County. Homes in and near Selma, in eastern Delaware County, were also damaged and in some cases reportedly destroyed by the storm. Three tornadoes earlier Thursday caused extensive damage in southern Indiana and western Kentucky but no deaths have been reported there. About 7:45 p.m., scanner traffic indicated there were "multiple injuries" in the area of Ind. 32 and Delaware County Road 600 East, where high winds had reportedly damaged vehicles. Two ambulances were requested at that location. Emergency personnel also received reports of severe damage to homes in the Selma area. A barn was also reported to have been destroyed. In a release issued late Thursday night, the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said the storm system "inflicted significant damage across various parts of the county," especially in the Selma area. An initial assessment indicated as many as half of the structures in the town of about 740 people, less than four miles east of the Muncie city limits along Ind. 32 had been damaged. This Taco Bell restaurant at 951 E. Granville Pike in Winchester was destroyed by Thursday night's storms. This photo was taken just after sunrise on Friday. However, as of 11 p.m. Thursday, only minor related injuries had been reported in Selma, with one person transported to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital for treatment. The county's emergency operations center was "activated and fully staffed to coordinate response efforts," the release said. Debris removal efforts were underway. A "reunification center" had been set up at nearby Wapahani High School to provide "assistance and support" residents of the Selma area who were displaced by storm damage or became separated from family members. (According to the release, Delaware County residents are encouraged to report storm damage through a designated form available online at bit.ly/sendyourdamage.) As the severe thunderstorm moved through Delaware County about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, funnel clouds were reported in the Royerton and Selma areas. At 8:12 p.m., scanner traffic indicated a tornado was "on the ground" in Hamilton Township. That storm was reported to be traveling northeast. About 8:20 p.m., a funnel cloud was reported south of Daleville in southwestern Delaware County. Emergency personnel in the Selma area about 8:20 p.m. were advised to take shelter in their vehicles until a second round of storms moved through. Multiple gas leaks related to the storm were reported in the Selma area. Emergency responders arriving in the Selma area about 8:40 p.m. were advised it is "a debris field out here." Ind. 32 was closed to traffic. A short time later, reports of severe storm damage in Randolph County reached those attempting to assess the damage in Selma. Efforts were made to send some Delaware County emergency personnel to assist their counterparts in Randolph County. Multiple ambulances from throughout East Central Indiana were reportedly being sent to Winchester. The Taco Bell restaurant in Winchester, at 951 E. Granville Pike, was reportedly destroyed by the storm. Temporary shelters in Winchester were established at Winchester Community High School and Willard Elementary School, according to Indiana State Police. Late Thursday, a map on an Indiana Michigan Power website indicated more than 5,400 customers were without power in the Winchester and Union City areas. Thursday's storms came about three weeks before the 50th anniversary of a tornado that did massive damage in the Parker City area on April 3, 1974. For the latest on our storm coverage, please visit thestarpress.com. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Possible tornadoes leave destruction in Winchester, Indiana MADISON Days after a visit from President Joe Biden to the state's largest city, Wisconsin Democrats will hit the campaign trail this weekend to officially launch their 2024 election efforts. The party will welcome national figures including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois, and Reps. Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin as volunteers launch canvassing efforts throughout the state. Democrats have 44 offices in Wisconsin, including in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Superior, Eau Claire, Wausau, Kenosha and Sheboygan. Were building on our unparalleled campaign infrastructure to ensure every Wisconsinite knows whats at stake this election, and our volunteers will be sharing with their friends and neighbors how President Biden and Democrats have worked to protect womens reproductive freedoms, defended our democracy, and lowered costs for families, Garren Randolph, Wisconsin campaign manager for Biden, said in a statement. Earlier this week, Biden returned to the "blue wall" that was crucial to his 2020 victory as he looks to build momentum for his reelection effort with a two-day trip through Wisconsin and Michigan. More: The indispensable state: Why Wisconsin could again be the electoral 'tipping point' in 2024 The president spent the night in Milwaukee as he made official presidential and campaign stops in a community that traditionally supports Democrats but also where Biden must build enthusiasm among Black voters if he wants to carry the state. The trip came a day after both Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump clinched their respective parties' nominations following primary contests Tuesday virtually assuring a rematch of the 2020 election that rocked the nation. Days earlier, Biden delivered a fiery State of the Union speech that served as an unofficial kickoff to his general election campaign. President Joe Biden visits his Wisconsin election campaign office Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Earlier this week, the campaign announced it will base its Wisconsin campaign operation out of Milwaukee, the first time a Democratic presidential nominee has made the city a state campaign headquarters in at least two decades. Biden campaign officials said the move to center efforts in Milwaukee reflects the campaign's focus on Black and Latino voters and suburban women in the Milwaukee area. The headquarters, downtown at 252 E Highland Ave., will be one of 44 offices across the state operated by the Biden campaign and state and national Democrats, according to the Biden campaign. The Democratic campaign kickoff follows a string of visits from Biden and his surrogates in recent weeks, including Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has not yet visited Wisconsin this election cycle. "While Donald Trump has hardly visited Wisconsin and Republicans are closing offices in the state, were showing up for, listening to, and rallying the voters essential to our winning coalition," Randolph said. The Trump campaign has twice not responded to questions from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the former president's plans to reach out to voters in the Badger state. A spokesman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin in a statement described Biden's campaigning as "panicked scrambling." Joe Biden and Kamala Harris know they have lost the trust of the American people. No amount of panicked scrambling from the Biden campaign will distract Wisconsin families from the fact they are worse off under Bidenomics," RPW spokesman Matt Fisher said. Fisher did not directly respond to questions about the Trump campaign's plans. Jessie Opoien and Molly Beck can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com and molly.beck@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Biden surrogates hitting Wisconsin for launch of re-election effort Nearly two years after the body of 5-year-old Cairo Jordan was found inside of a suitcase abandoned in a wooded area in Southern Indiana, Indiana State Police announced Friday that his mother, Dejuane Ludie Anderson, had been arrested in connection with his death. Indiana State Police said Anderson was taken into custody without incident Thursday by the U.S. Marshals Service in California. While Dawn Coleman, Anderson's friend and a second person of interest in the case, has been sentenced in the death, police had sought Anderson since the start of the investigation of the case. Here's what we know about the case so far: Where was Cairo Jordans body found? The then-unidentified five-year-old's body was found in Southern Indiana on April 16, 2022. An area resident hunting for mushrooms reportedly found his body near a roadway in a heavily wooded area in the 7000 block of East Holder Road in Washington County, 25 miles northwest of Louisville. He was found in a closed, hard-shell suitcase printed with "Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada." Police identified Cairo Jordan's body six months later Indiana State Police announced the identity of the boy on Oct. 26, 2022, six months after his body was found. Cairo Jordan was buried in May 2022 Cairo was buried with a headstone that said "In loving memory of a beloved little boy known but to God." His full name has since been engraved on a space left open at the time of his burial. How did Cairo Jordan die? Police said Cairo died due to an electrolyte imbalance "most likely caused by gastroenteritis, which in common laymans' terms would be vomiting and diarrhea. And that resulted in dehydration." Indiana State Police Sgt. Carey Huls held up a photo of Dejuane Ludie Anderson who has been charged in connection to the death of her son Cairo Jordan, who was 5 at the time, during a press conference at the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post in Sellersburg, In. on Oct. 26, 2022. Police said Cairo Jordans mother and her friend were responsible for his death At an October 2022 press conference, police identified Dawn Elaine Coleman, of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Cairo's mother, Dejuane Ludie Anderson of Atlanta, as suspects. Both were charged with neglect and obstruction of justice, and Anderson was additionally charged with murder. Dawn Elaine Coleman arrested in connection with Cairo Jordans death Coleman was found and arrested in San Francisco in October 2022, then extradited to Indiana. She pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the boy's death and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Investigators believe she had Cairo in her custody for about two weeks in April 2022. Anderson had not then been located by police, who said she had been to San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas and Houston since Caros death. Cairo Jordan death investigation findings A police investigation determined Coleman had been living with Anderson and Cairo in a house in Louisville. Coleman's arrest affidavit stated she allegedly walked into a bedroom of the home, where she witnessed Anderson lying on top of Cairo, who was face down on a mattress. Police said Coleman told them "it was already done" by the time she walked in and that Anderson asked her to help put Cairo in a trash bag and then into a suitcase. Anderson and Coleman then drove to a wooded area outside Pekin, Indiana, where they dumped the suitcase, police said. Fingerprints belonging to Coleman and Anderson were found on contents within the suitcase and police found phones owned by the women in the area where Cairo's body was found, The Courier Journal reported. Additionally, RiverLink data found a car owned by Anderson crossed a bridge between Louisville and southern Indiana the day the body was recovered. Cairo Jordans mother has a troubled past Anderson was arrested in Louisville less than a month before her son's death and charged with second-degree robbery after being accused of attempting to steal merchandise from the city's Von Maur store, according to her arrest citation, and hitting a security guard in the face once confronted. She was released on her own recognizance April 11, 2022. Both Anderson and Coleman had published several social media posts that referred to a child as a "demon" and "an avatar playing a character" ahead of Cairo's death, according to Coleman's arrest affidavit. At one point, Anderson is alleged to have written a post that referred to writing a "book about living with a demonic child." Where is Cairo Jordans father? On Oct. 25, 2022 a man who identified himself as Cairo's father posted on Facebook that he had just learned of his son's death. The name on the account matches the name of the father identified by investigators and belonged to a man who lives in Atlanta, where Cairo was born. In the post, the man said he hadn't seen his son in three years and that his family had been searching for Cairo and Anderson. IndyStar reporters Cate Charron and Jenny Porter Tilley, and Louisville Courier Journal reporters Rachel Smith, Krista Johnson and Leo Bertucci contributed to this report. Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Cairo Jordan murder: Everything known about the case Retired Sgt. Maj. Billy Waugh had a 50-year-long career between Special Forces and the CIA. Waugh, who was born and raised in Bastrop and died last year, could have his name added to the city's downtown post office. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced legislation on Thursday to designate the post office on Main Street in Bastrop as the Sgt. Maj. Billy D. Waugh Post Office. Cruz said renaming the post office would memorialize Waugh's courageous service to the country in the town he called home throughout his life. Cruz was joined by several members of the Texas congressional delegation in introducing the bill, including Sen. John Cornyn, and Rep. Michael McCaul, who introduced the bill in the House of Representatives last year. Waugh was born in December 1929 and raised in Bastrop. He served as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces soldier from 1948 to 1972, including seven years in combat during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Waugh also was part of the first high-altitude, low-opening combat parachute assault in military history. He received dozens of awards and medals, including eight Purple Hearts for his combat wounds, placing him third on the list of most Purple Hearts received. After retirement, Waugh joined the U.S. Postal Service before again serving his country as a paramilitary operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, where he successfully pursued terrorists, including Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden. He eventually returned to his hometown of Bastrop and died in April 2023 at the age of 93. Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was a local and national hero who dedicated his life in service to his country," said Cruz. "His humble sacrifices for his country are an honorable reflection of what truly defines an American hero. I am proud to be leading legislation to name the Bastrop, Texas, post office to honor his legacy so that he may continue to inspire generations of Texans to come. Cornyn said he hoped that naming the post office for Waugh "will serve as a reminder of his impressive legacy and lifetime of service. "Waugh epitomized the American values of courage, patriotism and self-sacrifice," said McCaul. "Through his unparalleled life of service, he undoubtedly saved countless American lives and pushed back terrorism and evil around the world. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bill would name Bastrop post office named after war hero Billy Waugh Dejan Belnavis is taken into custody by authorities in San Diego on Monday. Dejan Belnavis, jailed in California, is expected to return to Massachusetts soon to face charges in connection with the shooting deaths of a mother and daughter in Worcester. Belnavis appeared in a San Diego courtroom Friday and signed a waiver of extradition, clearing the way for him to return to Massachusetts, according to the Worcester District Attorney's Office. Belnavis, 27, has been held in California since being apprehended Monday afternoon in the San Diego area. He had been on the run since the killing in Worcester of Chasity Nunez, 27, and her daughter Zella, 11. The two were sitting in an SUV on Englewood Avenue on the afternoon of March 5 when two gunmen fired into the vehicle. Belnavis and a second Worcester man, Karel Mangual, were soon identified by police as suspects. Mangual was arrested a day after the shooting. Both face murder charges. The district attorney's office did not give an initial Massachusetts court date for Belnavis. 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. Authorities have not publicly revealed a motive for the killings. On Thursday, hundreds turned out for calling hours to pay respects to the family of Chasity and Zella Nunez. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Dejan Belnavis, suspect in Worcester killings, set to return to Mass. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde is criticizing large cities for how much they are spending on law enforcement. As in, not spending enough. Hovde tweeted out a clip of an interview on the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show podcast on Feb. 25, 2024 where he mentioned conversations he had with Milwaukee voters and criticized the movement to defund the police, calling it the dumbest idea of the last 100 years. I cant speak as to whats happening in Californias major cities but, here in Wisconsins major city, we never defunded the police. In fact, my 2023 budget increased funding for law enforcement by $20 million and in 2024, my city budget funds the maximum number of police https://t.co/zROSE5ax5F pic.twitter.com/JezqrmqgZl Cavalier Johnson (@CavalierJohnson) February 25, 2024 Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson responded to Hovde on X, saying Milwaukee never defunded the police. Mayor Cavalier Johnson makes remarks before President Joe Biden speaks on a $36.6 million federal investment in the Sixth Street corridor that will be used to convert the thoroughfare into a more pedestrian-friendly area on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Pieper-Hillside Boys & Girls Club in Milwaukee. In his tweet, Johnson included a page of the 2023 proposed budget for the Milwaukee Police Department showing an increase in funding from the $280 million adopted in 2022, to more than $300 million. Thats a piece of evidence, but is it the full picture? Funding for police in previous budgets We reached out to Johnsons office for backup, and spokesman Jeff Fleming responded by using the Wikipedia definition of the phrase defund the police, which describes it as removing funds from police departments and reallocating them to non-policing forms of public safety and community support, such as social services, youth services, housing, education, healthcare and other community resources. Previous fact-checks have described defund the police as a movement to reduce funding to law enforcement and invest in community services such as social services, youth services and public housing. Fleming said any reduction to the police departments funding in the past was a result of across the board cuts or transfer of significant numbers of employees out of MPD to the new Department of Emergency Communications. No money has been taken from the police and reallocated for other non-policing forms of public safety. In previous budgets, positions within the police department also were eliminated through attrition. Fleming also shared a chart from the citys budget office showing funding for police at the highest levels since 2018 at $304 million in the adopted budget for 2024. We went back to each year mentioned in the chart and verified its accuracy. The lowest amount of funding the department received during that time was in 2022 when it received $280 million. Further, in 2020, several aldermen pushed the city to explore a 10% cut in the police budget for 2021, but no such budget amendments were proposed or voted on. Thats not to say police havent been negatively impacted by Milwaukee city budgets. The 2021 budget cut 120 police positions under then-Mayor Tom Barrett. Johnson, as Common Council president, was among those who voted in favor of the budget. In addition, Johnsons tweet does not mention the number of sworn officers has decreased in Milwaukee from 1,864 in 2019, despite spending more on police. In this years budget, the Police Departments average sworn strength would increase to about 1,645. The increase is a product of a requirement in a 2023 state law that boosted funding for local governments across the state but also required Milwaukee to increase police sworn strength. The city is spending more on police in this current budget, at $304 million, than any other department. And that was the case 15 years ago when the city was spending $230 million on police. The total 2024 City of Milwaukee budget is $1.92 billion. Mostly True Our ruling When responding to a claim about Democrats defunding the police, Johnson said Milwaukee never defunded the police. The city of Milwaukee has continued to fund the police department through multiple budgets and for years no department has gotten more funding than police. However Johnson does not mention the reduction in recent years of sworn police officers because of across-the-board cuts. Our definition of Mostly True is a statement that is accurate but needs clarification or additional information. That fits here. Sources Mayor Cavalier Johnson tweet, Feb. 25, 2024 City of Milwaukee 2024 Budget, last viewed March 11, 2024 City of Milwaukee 2022 Budget summary, last viewed March 11, 2024 City of Milwaukee, 2021 Budget summary, last viewed March 12, 2024 City of Milwaukee 2020 Budget summary, last viewed March 11, 2024 City of Milwaukee, 2009 Budget, last viewed March 14, 2024 Wisconsin Policy Forum, Some Cuts to Police Predate Calls for Defunding, August 2021 Politifact, Defund the police movement: What do activists mean by that? June 9, 2020 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Common council exploring 10% cut in police budget in response to protests, June 15, 2020 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Common Council adopts 2021 budget, maintains cut of 120 police positions, fire station closure, Nov. 6, 2020 This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fact check: Johnson says city never defunded the police. Is he right? Florida and LGBTQ+ advocates on Monday settled a lawsuit over whether the states 2022 Parental Rights in Education Act is constitutional. Detractors have referred to the law as Dont Say Gay.'' Two years after Floridas governor received national attention over a new law restricting LGBTQ+ instruction in schools, the state reached a settlement with plaintiffs who said the law was unconstitutional. Critics and some media outlets panned the law, nicknaming it "Dont Say Gay." LGBTQ+ advocates sued over the measure, saying it was vague enough that classroom teachers feared being targeted and fired for merely mentioning their gay partners or for discussing LGBTQ+ identity in the classroom. As news of a settlement over the Parental Rights in Education Act broke Monday, both sides appeared to proclaim victory."After nearly 2 years of fighting DeSantis 'Dont Say Gay or Trans' law in the courts, weve reached a historic settlement with the state that puts an end to some of the most dangerous impacts of this law for students, parents, & teachers," statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality Florida, one of the plaintiffs, said on X, formerly Twitter.Gov. Ron DeSantis office, meanwhile, issued a news release declaring the settlement "a major win against the activists who sought to stop Floridas efforts to keep radical gender and sexual ideology out of the classrooms.""Their judicial activism has failed," the release said. "Todays mutually agreed settlement ensures that the law will remain in effect." DeSantis signed the legislation into law in March 2022. It prohibited "classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity" in kindergarten to third grade "or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards." The Florida Board of Education later expanded the laws applicability through grade 12.When LGBTQ+ advocates and others dubbed the measure "don't say gay," Republicans pushed back. The bill never says the word "gay" is not allowed in school, although advocates argued the law would send a message that could extend beyond lesson plans and assigned readings into what teachers can say about their families, what photos can be displayed in classrooms or what books can be on shelves. The eight-page court settlement does not change the statutes text, but it seeks to clarify what falls under its purview. The state in filings to plaintiffs had already argued many of the points the court settlement expanded upon. The settlement requires all Florida school boards to receive a copy. One LGBTQ+ advocate noted, however, that the settlement does not require districts to reexamine or change policies they might have already enacted in response to the law. Here are four things we learned from reading the settlement: The law pertains to instruction, not mere discussion' The settlement says the "statute restricts only teaching on the topics of sexual orientation and gender identity in a classroom setting," not "mere discussion of them." "Typical class participation and schoolwork are not instruction," it says. Teachers may not use books to teach about sexual orientation or gender identity. But they would be "free to respond if students discuss their identities or family life," and "provide grades and feedback," if a student, for example, writes an essay about their LGBTQ+ identity, the settlement says.Students and teachers can refer to a persons family. And the law does not prohibit gay teachers from keeping photos of their spouses on their desks. "Just as no one would suggest that references to numbers in a history book constitute instruction on mathematics,'" the statute does not prohibit "incidental references in literature" to LGBTQ+ identity, the settlement says.Such references do not violate the statute "any more than a math problem asking students to add bushels of apples is instruction on apple farming," the settlement says. Teachers can still post 'safe space' stickers, sponsor LGBTQ+ clubs and intervene in bullying cases The law does not prevent school employees from intervening in bullying cases that target LGBTQ+ students. Employees need not remove "safe space stickers," because they do not amount to classroom instruction. Gay-Straight Alliance clubs are not prohibited either under this statute. Settlement clarifies the law prohibiting instruction on any sexual orientation, including heterosexuality The law applies equally to instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity, whether it is LGBTQ+ or not. "The statute does not target sexual orientations and gender identities that differ from heterosexual and cisgender identities," the settlement says. "For example, it would violate that statute to instruct students that heterosexuality is superior or that gender identity is immutable based on biological traits." Attorney Simone Chriss, director of the Transgender Rights Initiative at Southern Legal Counsel Inc., who is in litigation with the state over other LGBTQ+ matters, told PolitiFact that she is concerned that the settlements language is contradicted by another legislative measure that became law in 2023. H.B. 1069 says, "It shall be the policy of every public K-12 educational institution that is provided or authorized by the Constitution and laws of Florida that a person's sex is an immutable biological trait and that it is false to ascribe to a person a pronoun that does not correspond to such person's sex." Other statutory restrictions affecting educational materials and educators use of gender-affirming pronouns remain Although the Parental Rights in Education Act may not pertain to library books because they arent in themselves "classroom instruction," the settlement clarifies that other sections of Florida law that govern these materials remain in effect. The settlement doesnt affect 2022 legislation that has been used to remove books from libraries, for example.Also, HB 1069, prohibits the use of gender-affirming pronouns and honorifics in schools. That means transgender teachers still face limitations on how they communicate with students. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: PolitiFact: Florida lawsuit settlement clarifies 'Don't Say Gay' law WALLMystery continues to surround the three human skulls and bones found by an excavation crew while digging a new foundation for a township home Tuesday. Speculation has ranged from a murder site to a Native American burial ground to collateral damage from a speakeasy that was rumored to have been in the neighborhood. Forensic scientists and a local historian are working with police to solve the mystery of how the skulls and bones, discovered at the site on Narrumson Road by workers for Wiley Paving of Monmouth Junction, got there. Authorities have released few details about the discovery. Monmouth County-owned tandem dump trucks carted soil away from the site Wednesday, presumably to sift through the dirt, according to a neighbor. When trying to solve the mystery of buried bones, Angelique Corthals, an associate professor of forensic anthropology and pathology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said the first thing she tells her students to ask when skeletal remains are discovered is, "Is it history or is it criminal?'' Historical remains are those believed to be 50 or more years old, and forensic anthropologists have a number of ways to estimate their age, Corthals said. Remains from a more recent death discovered on a construction site would likely be a criminal matter, she said. Police who have consulted Wall Township Historian De Hearn about the discovery told her the bones were found deep in the ground, Hearn said. Combining that information with her wide knowledge of the local area, Hearn believes the remains were those of bodies buried in a family plot when farms operated in that section of Wall. Skeletal remains found during home excavation on Narrumson Rd in Wall Township "The ground gets built up as these housing developments come in," she said. "I'm surprised they found them." It was common practice in the past for farm families to bury their own in the soil they had worked, sometimes for generations, Hearn said. De Hearn, Wall Township historian and the director of the Old Wall Historical Society, shared a theory about how three skulls and bones found at a construction site got there. Corthals said grisly discoveries of buried skeletons happen "a lot'' at construction sites. However, if the remains are of people buried on a family farm, it would be "very unusual'' for them to be interred there without some record of permission granted for the burial, Corthals said. That approval would most commonly come from the parish church, she said. Hearn said that might be true, but only if the family belonged to a church. Some did not. She knows of no laws that outlawed the practice. The lack of coffins found on the site so far on Narrumson Road does not dissuade Hearn from her theory. It was not unusual, particularly in the earlier history of the farms there, to only wrap the dead in blankets when they were buried, said Hearn who also serves as the director of the Old Wall Historical Society. The subdivision, which appears to date back to the early 1950's according to a review of homes on Zillow, has streets that bear Native American names like Algonkin Trail and Minnesink Road. Hearn is not sure why exactly those names were chosen for that development. But the Lenni Lenape, the tribe native to New Jersey, did frequent the area in the summer, she said. More: WATCH: Washed-up skull fragment a mystery "They came here for the fish and all the clams, oysters and seafood and to be cooler in the summertime," she said. They would travel to Wall from the Freehold area and would soon return since the soil farther north worked better for their crops than the sandy dirt of the coast, she said. That was hundreds of years ago, although there were still a few Native Americans in the area when Hearn arrived in 1960, she said. But Hearn does not believe the area around Narrumson Road is a Native American burial ground. "I think if they're finding more than one or two sets of bones, I'm really thinking it's a family plot," Hearn said. "It was such a common way of life here." Neighborhood lore has it that during Prohibition, a speakeasy operated in the area, a possible explanation for the buried bodies. But Hearn has looked into that rumor about the speakeasy in the past and has found no evidence of it, she said. For now, Hearn is still perusing maps from the 1800s looking for the name of the family who owned the farm that one time stood on the area around Narrumson Road. "I'm sure they're doing forensics on (the bones) to try to get an age and everything," she said. "I'm anxious to see." While Native American burial grounds are "always a very likely thing in America,'' Corthals said you can often tell from examining the remains and their location whether that is the case. "A good forensic pathologist would be able to tell from the appearance of the remains themselves,'' she said. One of the most obvious ways to estimate how old the skeletal remains are is whether they contain any traces of modern medicine, such as fillings in teeth or gold teeth, Corthals said. "If you have a skull, this is gold,'' she said, explaining that anthropologists often can also determine the person's sex from the skull. A test called a "carbon 14 analysis'' can tell how old the remains are, Corthols said. Carbon 14 is an isotope in remains that degrades at a very steady rate, she said. "By calculating the degradation of carbon 14 in remains, you can know how long ago they were alive,'' Corthols said. The calculation is done with a calibrated machine and usually takes anywhere from a week to a month, she said. You can also estimate the age of remains without a carbon 14 analysis by looking at the condition of the bones, Corthols said. "If the bone has changed a lot, it's considered to be very old,'' she said. After a body decomposes, it goes through another process known as diagenesis, where the organic compound in bones degrades, she said. Bones that are more brittle and discolored have gone through diagenesis, she said. "Diagenesis occurs about one year after burial,'' she said. Scientists can extract DNA from the bones to determine ethnicity, and by comparing it with DNA databases, possibly find relatives or identify who the remains belong to, the professor said. Facial reconstruction on a skull is another way to attempt to identify the remains, she said. Cause of death is more challenging. Examination of bones can provide clues to medical problems, such as severe anemia, vitamin D deficiency and malnutrition, Corthols said."You can infer the potential for disease, but you can't say for sure whether the disease caused death,'' she said. When there is evidence of trauma, "at a construction site, there's a chance one of those big trucks ran on it,'' Corthols said. But it's obvious if the trauma occurred after death, she said. If the trauma occurred while the person was still alive, there would be evidence of the body immediately beginning the repair process, she said. Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com. Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Mystery of 3 skulls found in Wall: History, science may have answer A ship towing 200 tons of aid is visible off the Gaza coast in a pilot voyage aimed at opening up a maritime route for aid Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has downplayed the chances of a truce in Gaza after Hamas gave what it called a "comprehensive vision" to mediators. Mr Netanyahu's office said the proposals were "unrealistic". Hamas wants a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. On Thursday night Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said 20 people had been killed as they waited for aid. Israel denies involvement and accuses armed Palestinians of firing at the crowds. The incident took place at the Kuwaiti roundabout on the southern outskirts of Gaza City, a known drop off point for the little aid that reaches northern Gaza where the UN says children are dying of malnutrition and famine is looming. In its latest update, the health ministry said 155 people were injured in the incident. People wounded in the attack were lying on the floor of Shifa hospital in Gaza City and medical teams struggling to deal with the number and type of injuries they had, it said. In a statement the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had facilitated the passage of 31 aid trucks to northern Gaza. "Approximately one hour before the arrival of the convoy to the humanitarian corridor, armed Palestinians opened fire while Gazan civilians were awaiting the arrival of the aid convoy," it said. The firing continued as a crowd looted the trucks and some people were run over, the IDF said, adding that it was continuing to review the incident. Despite rejecting the latest Hamas ceasefire proposal, Mr Netanyahu said an Israeli delegation would travel to Qatar to discuss what Israel wanted from a potential agreement. He also approved plans for a military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million people from other parts of Gaza are sheltering. The army was preparing for the evacuation of civilians, he said. On Thursday the IDF said it planned to move displaced Palestinians in Gaza to what it called "humanitarian islands" in the middle of the strip. It is not clear what the "islands" will look like, or how they will operate. But the military suggested that aid and temporary housing would be provided. No timeframe has yet been given about when the operation could happen. The UN and US have warned that a full-scale assault in Rafah could be disastrous but Israel has repeatedly signalled its need for such an operation, insisting Hamas cannot be fully removed in Gaza without targeting Rafah. On Friday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US needed to see a clear and implementable plan for any Rafah operation, including for how to get civilians out of harm's way, and had not yet seen one. Meanwhile a ship towing a barge loaded with 200 tonnes of food supplies arrived off the Gaza coast and began unloading its cargo of rice, flour, legumes, canned vegetables and canned proteins. The US charity behind the mission, World Central Kitchen, said two crates had been delivered to shore from the barge attached to the Open Arms salvage vessel, which has stopped offshore. The quickest, most effective way to get aid into the territory is by road. But aid agencies say Israeli restrictions mean a fraction of what is needed is getting in. Israel says it welcomes the creation of a maritime corridor and that it is facilitating the transfer of aid to Gaza while its forces continue to fight Hamas. On Friday, Australia said it would resume funding to UNRWA - the main United Nations aid agency in Gaza. Australia and several other donors paused funding two months ago when Israel accused some of its staff of involvement in the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said government lawyers had advised that UNRWA "was not a terrorist organisation". Canada, Sweden and the EU have already said they will resume funding to UNRWA but its biggest donor, the US, is maintaining a payment freeze. Ms Wong urged Israel to let more food into Gaza. "The Australian Government has been briefed by the World Food Program that there are large stocks of food outside of Gaza's borders, but there is no way to move it across the border into Gaza and deliver it at scale without Israel's cooperation and we implore Israel to allow more aid into Gaza now," she said. Israel has said that trucks containing aid have crossed into Gaza but have not been distributed and accuses aid agencies of logistical failures. The war began when Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages. More than 31,400 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the Hamas-run health ministry says. A judge has released a motion to drop charges against New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez. He and his wife Nadine (R) are charged along in a plot to accept cash, gold bars, a Mercedes convertible and mortgage payments. in exchange for political favors for the Qatari government. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI March 14 (UPI) -- A judge refused Thursday to dismiss bribery and other charges against New Jersey's Sen. Bob Menendez, saying his alleged actions weren't protected because of his job as a senator and former member of the Foreign Relations Committee. Prosecutors have accused Menendez, a Democrat, of acting as an unregistered agent of Egypt, taking cash and other bribes to help the government of Qatar, and exchanging political favors for financial gain. Menendez had asked that the charges be dismissed on other grounds, too, and this ruling does not affect that request, which remains pending before a judge. Menedez's lawyers argue that overzealous prosecutors were trying to criminalize the normal activity of legislators and flouting the protections given to members of Congress under what is known as the Constitution's "speech or debate" clause. "The government's accusations in this case -- that he sold his office and even sold out his nation -- are outrageously false, and indeed distort reality," Menendez's lawyers wrote. "Every official act the senator took represented his good-faith policy judgments." Democratic New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez exits Federal Court after pleading not guilty on bribery and extortion charges in September. A judge released his motion to have the charges dropped Thursday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI The ruling came a day after Menendez, 70, delivered a rebuttal of the charges on the Senate floor. Menendez is currently scheduled to go on trial May 6, but he could file an appeal of Thursday's ruling, his lawyers said, which could delay the trial. Connecticut State Police trooper Brian North was found not guilty on all charges Friday in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane leaving the teens family disappointed and heartbroken with the verdict. North, 33, fired seven shots at the Black teen following a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 95 on Jan. 15, 2020 that ended in a crash off of Exit 43 on Campbell Avenue in West Haven. Soulemane reached for a serrated kitchen knife and raised the blade after troopers surrounded the Hyundai Sonata he had stolen and a West Haven officer broke the passenger side window with a baton. North showed almost no emotion as a jury announced just after 3 p.m. that they found him not guilty of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and two lesser charges second-degree manslaughter with a firearm and criminally negligent homicide they could have considered. He left the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District Courthouse promptly in a black SUV along with his wife and declined to comment to media members. We are very happy with the verdict and the result, Norths defense attorney, Frank Riccio, said outside the courthouse, where half a dozen judicial marshals were joined by police officers, providing heightened security around the verdict. Still cant say very much because there still is a civil case pending and this is definitely not a time for celebration because a young man still lost his life. We await the civil case and how it resolves. Other than that I really cant say anything more. Inside the courtroom, two family members of Soulemane stormed out immediately upon hearing the not guilty verdict, and the teens sister, Mariyann Soulemane, broke down in tears. Inspector General Robert Devlin Jr. and Deputy Inspector General Andrew Slitt, who prosecuted the case, consoled Soulemanes mother, Omu Mohammed, outside the courtroom after the verdict. While the Office of Inspector General is disappointed with the outcome of the case, the office respects the jurys decision and thanks them for their service, Devlin said in a statement Friday. Family members declined to comment as they left the courthouse, where several protestors gathered, holding signs that read Justice for Mubi and Police do not keep us safe. Theyre never going to get their son and brother back, said Mark Arons, an attorney who is representing the family in the civil proceedings. This is a terrible day for everybody concerned and extremely difficult for the family to have to hear the verdict, he continued. We disagree obviously with the result, but we accept the result. Its a tough nut to swallow, Arons said, adding that Soulemanes family had not said much to him after the verdict. While we do strenuously disagree with the result, we accept it. Thats what we have to do. And now the family will move on and decompress. Theyre very disappointed obviously, heartbroken, Arons continued. I know this was difficult for the trooper, too. No one wanted to have to go through this trial for two weeks. Arons thanked Devlin and Slitt for their work on the case and, when asked if Fridays verdict could make it difficult to prosecute police in the future, said he believes it is possible. It would stand to reason it puts a damper on the process, Arons said. Too many families, especially Black families, are left to grieve loved ones killed by police and never see the individual police or system-wide actors held responsible, David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said in a statement issued after the verdict. Preventing police violence and racism will require broader system overhauls, including moving money out of policing and investing in the programs and services that build healthy and thriving communities. After deliberating for about an hour on Wednesday and a full day on Thursday, the six jurors spent another hour deliberating Friday morning before passing a note to Judge H. Gordon Hall shortly after 10 a.m. The note indicated they wished to have testimony given by North played back for them. The jury listened inside the courtroom to audio of the direct examination portion of the testimony for a little over an hour before a brief recess. Upon returning, jurors informed Hall they had heard what they needed. They returned to deliberations just after 1 p.m. after taking an hour-long break for lunch. Deliberations came after eight days of testimony, which was highly contentious at times, particularly when the prosecution questioned numerous decisions made by police. Those who took the stand included Soulemanes mother, sister and girlfriend, multiple police who responded to the scene and three former law enforcement expert witnesses, including two called by the defense and one rebuttal witness for the prosecution. According to testimony from Soulemanes mother and sister, Soulemane was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and struggled to regularly take his prescribed medications. His sister and girlfriend testified that he appeared to be undergoing a psychotic episode leading up to the shooting when an argument with his brother led him to an AT&T store in Norwalk at 4:15 p.m. An employee testified that Soulemane acted erratically and displayed a knife upon entering and exiting the store multiple times. Soulemane called for a Lyft driver to pick him up and told the man, identified as Daniel Green, to drive, drive, drive, Green testified. According to Green, the teen asked for his phone and slapped his head when he refused. Green then pulled into a Shell gas station on Main Avenue, where he got out and drew his legally owned firearm before Soulemane exited the rear of the vehicle and got into the drivers seat, driving away. Norwalk police pursued the vehicle for a short time onto Route 7 and called off the pursuit in the area of I-95. Having been incorrectly told the Sonata was stolen in a carjacking, state police began pursuing Soulemane on I-95, where he struck multiple other motorists, including troopers trying to box him in, before crashing into a Chevrolet Trailblazer on Campbell Avenue after getting off the highway just after 5 p.m. About 35 seconds after troopers partially boxed the Hyundai in and surrounded the vehicle on foot, North fired seven shots at Soulemane. North grabbed the knife from his lap before Soulemane was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 6 p.m. Riccio maintained throughout the trial that his client believed West Haven Officer Anthony Rappa had begun entering the Sonata as Soulemane raised his arm while holding the knife and that he and Trooper Joshua Jackson, who was outside the passenger side door, were in danger of being seriously injured or killed. During his closing arguments Wednesday, Riccio said North was being prosecuted for following his training and doing his job when he fired at Soulemane to protect Rappa and Jackson. Riccio argued that his client acted in a way any reasonable police officer would given what he knew and believed at the time and that his use of force fit the legal criteria for what was objectively reasonable. Devlin, who brought the prosecution against North when his investigation concluded the troopers actions were not justified, insisted during the trial that police made numerous errors once Soulemane crashed the Sonata. Devlin contended that police should not have surrounded the vehicle and instead should have radioed for a supervisor after adrenaline for the officers was likely running high following a pursuit that reached speeds of 80 to 100 mph. Devlin also contended that police were too eager to breach the vehicle given Soulemane appeared unconscious and presented no threat to anyone once he had crashed. He also said he believes North jumped the gun when he saw the teen with a knife and that he never believed anyone was in the process of entering the Sonata. Norths defense began last Friday when he took the stand and rested Tuesday with testimony from two experts consulted on the case in 2021 by a prosecutor who initially investigated the shooting before the Office of Inspector General was created. Both experts authored reports that included their opinions that Norths actions were justified. Throughout their testimony, both experts were barred from giving their opinion on whether the shooting was justified and the fact they were initially contacted by a states attorney before being asked to testify on behalf of the defense. Testimony ended Wednesday when Devlin called an expert to the stand to refute much of what the two previous experts testified about, including their opinions that police proceeded properly when they approached the Sonata on foot and the positions they took. The case, which spanned a total of 10 days, marked the first time since Devlins appointment in 2021 that he brought prosecution against a police officer upon concluding that the use of deadly force was not justified. An at-large Des Moines City Council candidate raised big money to fund his campaign for the 2024 special election nearly surpassing the amount a mayoral candidate raised for the November 2023 city election in a fraction of the time, according to filings with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Within three months, architect Mike Simonson amassed $282,113 from more than 260 cash and in-kind contributions to run his campaign bid for the at-large seat formerly held by Mayor Connie Boesen. Simonson, presumed to have exceeded his four opponents in fundraising, also is the only one of the five at-large candidates who filed campaign finance information to the disclosure board, the state agency responsible for administering campaign finance laws. Candidates for Des Moines City Council at-large seat are, from left, Dr. Claudia Addy, Benjamin Clarke, Justyn Lewis, Mike Simonson and Rose Marie Smith. Contributions to his campaign nearly eclipsed those of City Council member Josh Mandelbaum, who raised $283,768 in cash and in-kind contributions between January 2023 and the end of October 2023 for his mayoral bid. (Mandelbaum had already started with about $97,000 on hand.) Campaign reports, which covers fundraising and spending from Jan. 1 through March 9, were due at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Simonson's opponents Dr. Claudia Addy, Benjamin Clarke, Justyn Lewis and Rose Marie Smith had not filed documents as of Friday afternoon. More: Meet the 5 candidates running for the at-large Des Moines City Council seat in 2024 The election is Tuesday. Here's a look at campaign finances for the at-large race. Mike Simonson presumably outearns, outspends all opponents Simonson reported a total of $285,333 in cash and in-kind contributions, according to his campaign finance disclosure summary. Simonson started with no cash on hand at the beginning of the filing period. Lewis, who ran for the at-large City Council seat in 2021, reported in January his campaign had $10,441 cash on hand. Des Moines area real estate leaders, developers dominate Simonson campaign contributions Simonson, president of Simonson + Associates Architects, LLC, drew heavy support from area developers and real estate moguls. The most significant contribution to the Simonson campaign came from Jim Conlin, owner of development company Conlin Properties, who gave $20,000. Several other development and real estate figures collectively contributed thousands of dollars to the campaign, including William Knapp of Knapp Properties Commercial & Residential Real Estate; Mike Whalen, founder and CEO of Heart of America Group; Tim Rypma, president of Rypma Properties; Harry Bookie, founder of BH Equities, LLC; and Rich Eychaner, CEO of Eychaner Properties. Nixon Lauridsen and Jim Cownie, both of whom also contributed to Connie Boesen's mayoral campaign in the fall, each gave $10,000 to Simonson. Other significant contributors included Dr. Richard Deming of MercyOne; Baker Group CEO Gary Bridgewater; and Christine Sand, CEO of Lauridsen Group and wife of Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand; and Kathleen Fehrman, managing partner of Fehrman Investments and a community philanthropist all of whom each contributed $5,000. Simonson also contributed about $5,000 to his own campaign. None of the current Des Moines City Council members donated. More: Here's who is running for Des Moines City Council at-large special election in March Mike Simonson uses nearly half the campaign budget on ads Simonson spent $234,789 on his campaign, according to the disclosure summary. The bulk about 47% was spent on advertising alone, which included newspaper and digital ads, billboards, and "media production," the summary shows. Simonson shelled out nearly $47,000 for printing expenses such as campaign and yard signs, as well as mailers. He paid another roughly $43,000 for campaign, finance, communication, and administrative consulting services. 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 at-large council candidate raises big in special election CONCORD The League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to prevent those who sent robocalls mimicking President Joe Biden's voice to New Hampshire voters from using artificial intelligence for future deceptions. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Hampshire against Steve Kramer, the political consultant behind the call, and two Texas companies authorities believe were involved in transmitting it: Lingo Telecom and Life Corporation. Citing violations of both state law and federal law, it asks a judge to impose fines and bar the defendants from producing and distributing AI-generated robocalls without permission from those being impersonated. Paul Carpenter describes AI software during an interview in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Carpenter says he was hired in January to use AI software to imitate President Joe Biden's voice to convince New Hampshire Democratic voters not to vote in the state's presidential primary. At issue is a message sent to thousands of New Hampshire voters on Jan. 21 that featured a voice similar to Biden's falsely suggesting that voting in the state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary two days later would preclude them from casting ballots in November. Kramer, who paid a magician and self-described "digital nomad" who does technology consulting $150 to create the recording, has said he orchestrated the call to publicize the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and spur action from lawmakers. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit said Thursday they will challenge that "self-serving" explanation. "Regardless of the motivation, the intent here was to suppress the vote and to threaten and coerce voters into not voting out of fear that they might lose their right to vote. That's why we're bringing this case," said Mark Herring, a former attorney general in Virginia. A spokesperson for Kramer declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying his attorneys had not yet received it. Lingo Telecom and Life Corporation did not immediately respond to messages requesting comment. Sophisticated generative AI tools, such as voice-cloning software and image generators, already are in use in elections in the U.S. and around the world, leading to concerns about the rapid spread of misinformation. Bipartisan efforts in Congress have sought to regulate AI in political campaigns, but no federal legislation has passed. Since the New Hampshire robocalls, however, the FCC has outlawed robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence, and major tech companies have signed a pact to adopt precautions voluntarily to prevent AI tools from being used to disrupt elections. The potential for such disruption means the League of Women Voters and other civic organizations must change course, said Courtney Hostetler of Free Speech for People, which is serving as co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. "The League of Women Voters is now shifting their scant resources to deal with this new threat, and it comes at the cost of all the other people they would otherwise be encouraging to vote, educating, helping them register, helping them learn their rights," she said. Celina Stewart, chief counsel at the League of Women Voters, was in New Hampshire for the primary and said the calls created unnecessary chaos. "Should the league or should election workers who already work often 12- to 16-hour shifts to implement the election have the burden of overcoming the obstacle of a robo call?" she said. "The answer to that has to be a hard no." Associated Press writer Ali Swenson in New York contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: League of Women Voters sues over deepfake robocalls sent to NH voters At least 20 killed in another strike on aid line, Israel denies involvement The Gaza Ministry of Health has said that 20 dead Palestinians and 155 injuries have reached al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City after an Israeli strike on the Kuwait Roundabout, east of Gaza City, where civilians were waiting for food aid. The wounded lie on the floor in al-Shifa Medical Complex, the ministry said in a statement. They included that medical teams were struggling to deal with the volume and type of injuries due to weakened capabilities. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has denied it was responsible for the attack, saying that it was assessing the incident. Palestinian Authority appoints new Prime Minister but faces scepticism Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, facing US pressure to reform the Palestinian Authority, has appointed his long-time economic adviser as the next prime minister. Mohammad Mustafa, a US-educated economist and political independent, will head a technocratic government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that could potentially administer Gaza ahead of eventual statehood. But those plans face major obstacles, including strong opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Its unclear whether the appointment of a new Cabinet led by a close Abbas ally would be sufficient to meet US demands for reform, as the 88-year-old president would remain in overall control. Washington welcomed his appointment but urged that Mostafa quickly form a Cabinet to implement change. US imposes sanctions The Biden administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on three extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank who are accused of harassing and attacking Palestinians to pressure them to leave their land. Two farms that the settlers run were also targeted in the move that is likely to increase already heightened tensions between the U.S. and Israel over the Gaza war. The announcement from the State Department and Treasury comes at a time of increasing friction between President Joe Biden and Netanyahu, whose far-right government has reacted angrily to previous sanctions imposed against West Bank settlers. US officials, including Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have repeatedly raised concerns about a surge in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip began. Israel has said it is taking action against such attacks and argued that the sanctions are unnecessary. A man jumped into frigid waters after his dog fell off a pier into a New York harbor, but things quickly went sideways when the man started struggling, too, officials say. Bystanders called 911 when the man jumped into Wrights Landing Marina on Lake Ontario from the Cahill Pier at 7:38 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 and what they did next ended up saving his life, the Oswego Fire Department said on Facebook. A bystander lowered a piece of clothing for the man to grab onto until rescuers showed up, officials said. Within minutes, the man was already struggling to hang onto the piece of clothing and keep his head above water about 170 yards from shore. Firefighters got into the water at 7:45 p.m. and stabilized both him and his dog, officials said. Then they moved them onto a U.S. Coast Guard boat. Wrights Landing Marina is a 40-mile drive north from Syracuse. The man was then taken to a local hospital and the dog was taken to a local emergency vet clinic, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. The man and his dog had been treading water for half an hour before the rescue, officials said. Neither one was wearing a life jacket, the Coast Guard said. A dramatic photo shows the man treading water in the dark between the pier and the coast guards boat. Photos also show the pup named Taylor wrapped in a towel at the station. Its such a rewarding experience being able to help people and their best friends, responding boat crew member Molly Anstine said in the release. Oswego Fire Chief Paul Conzone commended the bystanders quick thinking in the Facebook post. Quick actions saved a life tonight, he said. The civilians called 911 immediately and were able to reach the person by extending an article of clothing, allowing him to keep his head above water until our crews effected the rescue. With the water temperature just 42 degrees, people in the water have only a few minutes before they lose motor function. Great teamwork by everyone involved to make the difference tonight. Trooper on way to work spots frantic dog on ice so he grabs paddleboard and jumps in 120-pound dog treads water for 30 minutes in icy pond. She didnt have much left Rescuers see coat and pull woman out of freezing pond before she dies, MI cops say The mother of a boy whose remains were found in a suitcase in Indiana nearly two years ago has been arrested in a Los Angeles suburb, police say. On March 14, U.S. Marshals arrested Dejaune Anderson in Arcadia in connection with the death of her 5-year-old son, Cairo Jordan, Indiana State Police said in a March 15 news release. In April 2022, a man hunting mushrooms found a boys body in a suitcase in a heavily wooded area of southern Indiana, according to police. Troopers said the remains were found in hard-shell suitcase with the phrase Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada printed on the outside, McClatchy News reported. At the time of the discovery, the child was unidentified, according to authorities. Police revealed Jordans identity in October 2022, nearly six months after his remains were found, McClatchy News reported. Autopsy results showed that Jordan died due to an electrolyte imbalance, according to police. In October 2022, police identified Anderson, of Atlanta, and her acquaintance Dawn Elaine Coleman, of Shreveport, Louisiana, as suspects. Coleman was arrested in October 2022, police said. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, the Courier Journal reported. Anderson is charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice. Infant remains found on street in suspicious and bizarre death, PA officials say Teens body found under bridge after a late-night walk with neighbor, Texas cops say Officers search for missing 8-year-old ends with the child found dead in home, cops say A Montana rancher was charged with illegally selling offspring from a cloned sheep across state lines. The retail value of the transported animals is $250,000 to $550,000, per court documents. The hybrid offspring were sold to game farms, possibly for hunting. An 80-year-old Montana rancher, Arthur "Jack" Schubarth, had a lucrative business going until authorities got wind of it. For the last five years, or so, Schubarth has been selling sheep for tens of thousands of dollars. There's nothing illegal about selling sheep for exorbitant prices unless those animals are Marco Polo argali sheep, or in Schubarth's case, hybrids of Marco Polo argali sheep. Marco Polo argali sheep are native to central Asia and are considered threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. Montana law prohibits importing, possessing, and selling them. On Tuesday, Schubarth pleaded guilty to charges in a scheme that involved all three. His sentencing is scheduled for July and he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the two felony counts against him. The US has wildlife protection laws It all started in 2013 when an unnamed party illegally imported Marco Polo argali sheep parts to the US from Kyrgyzstan, according to court documents. Shortly thereafter, Schubarth allegedly got his hands on some of those sheep parts and, in 2015, paid a deposit of $4,200 to produce cloned sheep embryos from the dead argali's remains. In May 2017, a pure argali sheep was born from one of those cloned embryos. Schubarth named him Montana Mountain King. Mountain King would be Schubarth's golden goose in a lucrative business scheme to create larger, more attractive sheep for (mostly) Texan hunting farms, according to court documents. In 2018, Schubarth harvested Mountain King's sperm, which he used to artificially inseminate bighorn ewes (female sheep) on his farm to create hybrid offspring. Over the next several years, Schubarth, with several unnamed parties, illegally transported dozens of ewes and their hybrid offspring across state lines. In the process, they are accused of forging vet inspection certificates and lying that the sheep were a legally permitted species, according to court documents. Sheep worth tens of thousands of dollars Marco Polo, a subspecies of argali sheep, is "an almost mythical animal" prized by trophy hunters for its large spiral horns, naturalist George Schaller told NPR in 2006. Schubarth's hybrids were a mix of the Marco Polo and other bighorn sheep. Their large size and giant horns would fetch higher prices on the game farms than other species. In 2020, Schubarth sold 24 hybrids for $46,200, according to the Department of Justice's statement. Cloning the dead sheep isn't where Schubarth broke the law since there's no regulation on animal cloning in the US, Joyce Tischler, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School's Center for Animal Law Studies, told Business Insider. It was all of that illegal transporting across state lines (and the lying and forging of official documents). On March 12, Schubarth pleaded guilty to conspiracy and trafficking in violation of the Lacey Act, according to the DOJ's statement. The act bans the trade of wildlife that was obtained illegally. The retail value of the transported wildlife was between $250,000 and $550,000, according to court documents. "What I see as the danger is that if this becomes popular, then other people are going to want to illegally import argali sheep to make money off of them," Joyce Tischler, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School's Center for Animal Law Studies, told Business Insider. How to clone a sheep Though none of the Department of Justice's charges relate to the cloning of illegally imported sheep parts, the process remains controversial in some countries. In 2015, the European Union banned the cloning of farm animals, citing animal welfare concerns. One of the biggest concerns was that cloning mammals has a low success rate. It's unclear what Schubarth's success rate was, though court documents only mention a single cloned animal Montana Mountain King. Dolly the sheep was the first successful mammal to be cloned. Matthew Polak/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images Some improvements have been made since Dolly the sheep, the world's first mammal clone, was born in 1996. However, it's still an involved process that requires veterinary expertise and a surgical procedure for sheep. The most difficult part is inserting the cloned embryos into a live ewe to carry it to term, Alison Van Eenennaam, a biotechnologist with the University of California, Davis who wasn't involved in the case, told Business Insider. An expert will make an incision, implant the embryo in the uterus, and sew the ewe up again. "It's a real scene," Van Eenennaam said. "It's not that trivial to do." The sheep would have to be at the right stage of its reproductive cycle to maintain the pregnancy, Van Eenennaam said. Once Schubarth had the male clone, Mountain King, it was an easier process from there to build a family of hybrids. He could simply use King's semen to artificially inseminate ewes, no surgical implanting necessary. Cloning isn't the real concern here The plea agreement requires Schubarth to quarantine any clones and offspring. The US Fish and Wildlife Service may also decide to neuter the animals, according to court documents. Gregory Kaebnick, a senior research scholar with The Hastings Center who studies bioethics, isn't worried that the cloned sheep may impact wild species or alter ecosystems since they seemed to have been bread for hunting. But he said that it could be a concern in the future. "Some of this technology is coming down to what's sometimes called the DIY bio level or the garage bio level," he said. "People are sort of trying to hack genomes in their basements." A scientist at the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai works on cloning camels. Rula Rouhana/Reuters It's not completely unreasonable to start thinking about how this could one day impact wild genomes, Kaebnick said. Van Eenennaam agreed that the genetic component of this case isn't particularly worrying. Livestock cloning still has a relatively low success rate. However, she noted that bringing in tissue from any non-native species could be a biosecurity risk if they're carrying disease. "It's kind of your worst nightmare," she said, "that material is being moved around without the proper clearances just because of the potential threat to the agricultural industry." Schubarth's lawyers didn't respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Corrections and clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated when Texas passed HB 1181, an age-verification law. It passed in June 2023. A high-stakes battle over pornography, child safety and free speech is heating up across the nation, with more than a half-dozen states passing age-verification laws aimed at halting minors from accessing Pornhub and other adult web sites. Texas is among seven states to pass some form of the controversial legislation, which effectively blocks millions of adult video enthusiasts from entering Pornhubs site unless they can prove they are at least 18 years old. Attorneys and advocates for porn sites argue that the laws are not just prohibiting minors, but adults, too. Pornhub says it had no choice but "to completely disable access to our website in Texas" in order to reduce the risk of hefty fines and penalties. In addition to Texas, Pornhub has reluctantly blocked site access for people in other states with age-verification laws, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia. We are fighting not only for the rights of our members and the larger adult entertainment community, but for the right of all Americans to access constitutionally protected expression in the privacy of their own home," said Alison Boden, Executive Director of Free Speech Coalition, a national advocacy organization for the First Amendment rights of adult businesses. The group filed a lawsuit in federal court last year over what it called an "anti-porn ban" by Utah lawmakers. The HB 1181 law passed in June 2023 in Texas requires companies that offer sexual material harmful to minors to verify that those who visit their website are 18 or older, either by proof of government-issued identification or another system that uses public and private data. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, sued Pornhubs parent company, Aylo, in February to force them to comply with the HB 1181 law. Paxton also threatened the company with millions of dollars in civil penalties including up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance, and $250,000 if a child is exposed to pornographic content due to not properly verifying a users age. Texas has a right to protect its children from the detrimental effects of pornographic content, Paxton said in announcing the suit. I look forward to holding any company accountable that violates our age verification laws intended to prevent minors from being exposed to harmful, obscene material on the internet. The Texas case illuminates similar restrictions on pornography websites across the US. And it shines a light on the debate over the balance between keeping children safe online and free speech protections guaranteed by the First Amendment. New message on Pornhub in some states When Texans go to Pornhub, they find a message that says the law impinges "on the rights of adults to access protected speech . . . Not only will it not actually protect children, but it will also inevitably reduce content creators' ability to post and distribute legal adult content and directly impact their ability to share the artistic messages they want to convey." Pornhub says the "only effective solution" to protect children and adults is to verify the users' age on their devices and deny or allow them access to age-restricted content and websites based on that verification, according to the message on the site. Until the real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Texas, the adult site's message read. Paxton's office declared victory when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit determined the Texas law does not violate the First Amendment. Applying rational-basis review, the age-verification requirement is rationally related to the governments legitimate interest in preventing minors access to pornography, the court said. Therefore, the age-verification requirement does not violate the First Amendment. A sign hangs at the Pornhub booth at the 2024 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo at Resorts World Las Vegas on January 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Identification card required for adult access More than a handful of states across the US have passed age verification legislation in the last year. Many of them require the companies to obtain an identification card from users who want to access adult sexual content. Louisiana was the first state to pass an age-verification requirement law. "So far, six other states have copied this (Louisiana) bill but minor changes have been made to the text, which can have big implications for systems designed to achieve compliance," reads a post from the Age Verification Providers Association. The organization is a not-for-profit global trade body representing 26 organizations who provide "age assurance solutions." Child safety debate rages across the US The laws - and pushback from the porn industry - cast light on the debate over free speech and child safety. The Free Speech Coalition sued Texas over the latest law, arguing infringement on freedom of speech. "We can all work to keep minors from accessing adult content, but allowing the government to dictate what information adults can see is unconscionable and unconstitutional," according to Boden. A statement from the coalition following the recent court decision allowing Texas to uphold the law reads: "Our battle, of course, is just beginning. Unfortunately, weve already seen how this designation has been weaponized to censor and ban LGBTQ+ literature, reproductive rights resources, sex education, art, and healthcare. Sexual expression, online and off, has been and continues to be the canary in the coal mine of free speech. Child safety advocates and state legislators where laws have passed argue that protections are needed to ensure kids are safe online. A poll from RMG Research shows a majority of Americans support a federal law requiring adult websites that contain sexual content to have some kind of age-verification requirements. The battles in states across the country could foreshadow what's to come in other states looking at age verification laws. "After a wave of legislation focused on child online safety swept through state legislatures over the past two years, legal challenges against the new laws are gaining traction in federal courts," reads an article from Tech Policy Press. "But rather than signaling a change in the tide, the lawsuits may ultimately spur a new round of bills that address flaws in those passed in the first wave." Indiana age-verification bill could be next Similar legislation in Indiana could become law and possibly lead to Pornhub also disabling access to that state, the difference is, the company may also be held legally liable by minors' parents. Senate Bill 17 is on its way to Indiana Gov. Gov. Eric Holcomb. and it would, like HB 1181, require "adult-oriented websites" to mandate the verification of its users to make sure they are 18 or older. According to Indiana law, harmful materials for minors can include representations of nudity, sexual conduct and sadomasochistic abuse. The Indiana bill differs from the Texas law because it allows parents to sue if their children access a pornography site that is "knowingly or intentionally" not utilizing age-verification measures. The minor's parent or guardian can receive up to $5,000 in damages if a court rules in their favor. The attorney general can also sue pornography websites that don't abide by the law, but the civil penalty would be up to $250,000. Pornhub also disabled access in 2023 in Utah when the state passed its age verification law. Contributing: Brittany Carloni for the Indianapolis Star, David DeMille for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pornhub says states are stripping Americans' right to free speech Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in East Central Indiana and Kentucky left a wide swath of destruction Thursday night flattening homes, injuring people and causing extensive damage in Delaware and Randolph counties. Here's what we know. Did a tornado hit Winchester in Randolph County, Indiana? Yes, an EF-3 tornado caused widespread destruction in Winchester, according to the National Weather Service, which confirmed the tornado Friday afternoon. Earlier Friday, survey teams with NWS investigated damage caused by Thursday's storms in Winchester. The odds that a tornado touched down in the area were high, officials said. Winchester, Indiana tornado caught on video More: Tornado damage slammed the Midwest last night. See carnage in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky today More: Storms, possible tornadoes cause severe damage in East Central Indiana Did a tornado hit Madison, Indiana? Indiana Emergency Management Agency officials said at least two tornadoes touched down outside Madison, Indiana, around 2:30 p.m. one in Hanover and a second in neighboring Switzerland County. Have there been any reported deaths in Indiana? As of 9 a.m. Friday, there have been no confirmed deaths in Indiana as a result of the storms, according to officials. While reports circulated Thursday that three people had died in Winchester at a trailer park near Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, officials have since said they have not confirmed any deaths. So far, three fatalities have been reported in Ohio as a result of the storms. 'Thankful we're alive': Woman describes chaos as likely tornado destroyed Winchester church Where did storms cause damage in Indiana? Randolph and Delaware Counties suffered the most severe damage from the system that moved through Thursday evening, according to the Indiana Emergency Management Agency. Winchester in Randolph County and Selma in Delaware County are reporting serious damage and multiple injuries. Officials on Friday morning said at least 22 homes were possibly destroyed, with damage incurred to more than 100 structures. In the Selma area, as many as half of the structures in the town of about 740 people less than four miles east of the Muncie city limits had been damaged, according to an initial assessment. Jefferson County also sustained significant structural damage, according to local emergency response officials. Survey teams from the NWS will be out checking out damage from yesterday's severe weather. The primary focus area will be from Selma to Winchester with additional survey teams being sent as needed. Send us a DM or reply if you had any damage from the storms. #INwx pic.twitter.com/4eK6YuEddM NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) March 15, 2024 How many people were injured in Winchester, Indiana? During a Friday morning press conference attended by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Winchester mayor Bob McCoy said at least 38 people were injured, at least three possibly critically, but there were no reported deaths. Winchester was "very lucky" McCoy said, all things considered. "I praise the lord for this one. It could have been really bad." Thursday night's tornadoes along Greenville Avenue in Winchester became visible after sunrise Friday, March 15, 2024. The area was hit by tornadoes Thursday night, causing damage in Randolph and Delaware counties. Has Indiana Task Force 1 been mobilized? Indiana Task Force 1 crews were deployed and arrived early Friday morning to help with search and rescue efforts. More resources will be made available at the state and federal levels, Gov. Eric Holcomb said, and he expected even more help would come from neighbors throughout the area. Winchester nursing home evacuated Response crews on the ground in Winchester are reporting a nursing home was evacuated due to power loss and several residents were transported to nearby hospitals, along with other residents in the area, officials said. Winchester Taco Bell obliterated The Taco Bell restaurant in Winchester, at 951 E. Granville Pike, was leveled by the storm. A Taco Bell is leveled after a severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Winchester. Officials are asking people to avoid the area The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is asking people to avoid the affected areas as officials work to assess the aftermath of the storm. Downed power lines, trees, and debris pose significant risks to people's safety in Randolph and Delaware Counties, officials said. Officials said stretches of road west of Winchester on Indiana 32 have multiple utility poles down. AES Indiana is working to shut down power to ensure everyone's safety. Where can people find emergency shelters in Indiana after the March 14 storms? The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at Winchester High School, at 700 N Union St., in Randolph County. In Selma, a "reunification center" has been set up at nearby Wapahani High School, at 10401 E Co Rd 167 S., to provide "assistance and support" to residents displaced by storm damage or who became separated from family members. Selma Elementary is serving as an evacuation point for individuals who have damage to their homes, officials said. The school is located at 200 East St. in Selma. Are schools closed? All schools in the Randolph Central and Liberty-Perry School Districts are closed Friday. Winchester High School, closed Friday, had an enrollment of 414 students in the 2022-23 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. How can people help with Indiana tornado relief efforts? Financial donations to help those affected in Winchester will be managed by the Community Foundation of Randolph County, McCoy said. Financial donations on behalf of the Winchester community are also being accepted by Second Harvest Food Bank Who should residents contact to report damage from the March 14 storms? Residents of Randolph and Jefferson counties are being asked to contact Indiana 211 to report severe storm damage, officials with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security said, which will help IDHS determine damage estimates. Both Randolph and Jefferson County residents can call 211 or visit the Indiana 211 website. "Currently, only residents in Randolph and Jefferson County should utilize Indiana 211 for March 14, 2024, damage reports, IDHS said. "Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager." Officials said agricultural damage should be reported to Purdue Extension. Where are Randolph County and Delaware County, Indiana? Randolph County, east of Muncie, is in Central Indiana and borders western Ohio. Its population is more than 24,000 people, according to the latest U.S. Census. Delaware County, which has a population of nearly 112,000 people, sits the west of Randolph County. Its county seat is Muncie, Indiana. Where is Winchester, Indiana? Winchester, Indiana is the county seat of Randolph County and sits 75 miles to the east of Indianapolis. It has a population of around 5,000 people, according to the 2010 Census. This article will be updated. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press and contributed to this article. John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on X at @JTuftsReports. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What we know about tornado damage in Winchester, Indiana Russian citizens will spend this weekend casting their vote for their next president, even though the result has already been decided. Vladimir Putin, already the longest-serving ruler of Russia since Joseph Stalin, will win a fifth and unconstitutional term after polls close on Sunday. No amount of votes against him can prevent his victory, say the Russian dissident community, since the system is rigged and those that could challenge him have either been killed, imprisoned or exiled. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, center, left a plan to disturb the elections that will be enacted after his death (AP) Its impossible to win against Putins regime through legitimate means, says Evgenia Chirikova, who once unsuccessfully ran to be a local mayor in a Moscow suburb, with the help of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. She is now in exile in Estonia, having had her life threatened by the authorities. But the Russian dissident community has nevertheless convened a plan to disturb this rubber-stamping exercise. Known as Noon Against Putin, Russian citizens frustrated with the leaders rule are being called to head to the voting booths all at the same time: Midday, 17 March, the final day of the election. We want this dark time to end. We want a clear, normal future, the campaigns website says. But we, citizens of our country, with our pain and our hope, are not noticeable either to the authorities or to each other. AT NOON on Sunday, March 17, the last day of voting, when we come to the polling stations, we will show others and see for ourselves that there are many of us . We can become a force that cannot be hidden behind drawn percentages. The plan, created by Russian opposition politician and former St. Petersburg lawmaker Maxim Reznik, has gathered traction since Navalnys death. Vladimir Putin is expected to extend his reign this weekend (AP) This can be a powerful demonstration of the mood of the country, a post on Navalnys Telegram channel said in early February. This will be a nationwide protest against Putin that takes place near your home. Its available to everyone, everywhere. Millions will be able to take part. And tens of millions will witness it. A fortnight after his death, his wife Yulia Navalnaya then endorsed the campaign as well. It has become what Russian independent media outlet Novaya Gazeta called Navalnys political testament. I want to do what [Alexei] thought was right, and I urge everyone to come to his memory," Ms Navalnaya said in a video at the start of this month. This will be your personal contribution to the common cause. There are probably many people close to you who are against Putin and against the war. It has since been backed by a host of prominent anti-Putin figures, including Mikhail Khodorkovsky, formerly Russias richest oligarch, and Gary Kasparov, the chess grandmaster turned opposition figure. Their Anti-War Committee, made up of dozens of exiled figureheads of the dissident community, have also backed the plan. Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has pledged to continue his work (AFP via Getty Images) Nearly 20,000 Russians have been arrested for opposing Putins war in Ukraine since he ordered the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Hundreds were detained for merely laying flowers in memory of Mr Navalny last month. But the plan for Noon Against Putin is to stay well within the law - participants are being asked to vote, or not vote, however they please, so long as it is not for Putin - in the hope of circumventing the very real threat of arrest. Ultimately, the plan is one intended to show at least a shade of the true nature of Russian dissidence, in a country where the stakes for opposing the Kremlin are the highest theyve been since Stalins Gulags. The main thing we can do at noon is to show that there are many of us! the campaign website says. The queues that will line up all over the country will show how much discontent has accumulated in the country, how many people want a normal, stable future, they want a better life. Earlier this week, the New York State Thruway Authority issued some dos and donts for motorists in advance of the April 8 solar eclipse. Among them: Do obey all traffic laws. And do allow yourself extra time to get to your destination well in advance of the once-in-a-lifetime event. Dont park on the shoulder of the Thruway or stand alongside it. But what is the Thruway Authority itself doing to prepare, since, as Acting Executive Director Frank G. Hoare stated, the 570-mile superhighway will be one of the main transportation arteries for people who want to experience totality? And since the heightened activity will play out against a still-unfolding $450 million project to redevelop the interstates 27 service areas? Which NY Thruway service areas are closed? In western and central New York, the Warners and DeWitt rest stops in the Syracuse area are closed for renovation. So is the Angola stop south of Buffalo; the Ontario stop in Le Roy; and the Scottsville stop. However, gas pumps at those sites remain open. Food, fuel and restrooms on NY Thruway Irish convenience store chain Applegreen, which operates New York State Thruway plazas, is prepared for April 8's total solar eclipse "and will be fully stocked to accommodate the anticipated crowds, a Thruway Authority spokesperson said. Irish convenience store conglomerate Applegreen, which operates the plazas restaurants, shops and facilities, is prepared for the event and will be fully stocked to accommodate the anticipated crowds, a Thruway Authority spokesperson said. That should come as good news, because as some of the new rest stops have been unveiled, there have been complaints on social media about long food lines and a few reports of restaurants running out of items late in the day. Some travelers also have complained about the size of certain plaza restrooms and lines during busy times. But there are no plans to supplement restroom facilities by adding portable restrooms at stops for the event, the spokesperson said. Fuel storage tanks at service areas will be topped off right before the expected influx of eclipse tourists. More staffing planned for NY Thruway during the solar eclipse The spokesperson said the Thruway Authority will have more maintenance staff and traffic crews working from the weekend before the eclipse through April 9. Authority representatives will keep an eye on things from regional operational centers. Heavy eclipse-related traffic expected on NY Thruway The authority will temporarily suspend Thruway construction and lane closures to help with eclipse-related traffic flow, the spokesperson said. It also wont issue special hauling permits required to transport oversized loads in the Buffalo or Syracuse areas for April 8 and 9. Authorized tow garages and state HELP trucks will be available to quickly clear disabled vehicles. Meanwhile, New York State Police Troop T, which is dedicated to policing the Thruway, has been working on its own safety preparations. Short-term parking along the NY Thruway Short-term parking at open service plazas will be available in designated spots for customers. Text Stops and Park and Ride commuter lots will be available for short-term parking, but We are expecting them to be full, the spokesperson said. Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Is the NY Thruway ready for the 2024 eclipse? What travelers should know NYC subway shooting: Man critically injured after being shot with own gun during rush-hour fight A man is critically injured after being shot with his own gun on a moving subway train in New York City, a horrific rush-hour attack that left fellow passengers cowering in fear. The shooting victim allegedly aggressively provoked a fight with another man as the train travelled between stops in downtown Brooklyn at around 4.45pm on Thursday, the NYPD said. The victim, 36, allegedly approached another man, 32, when he got on the northbound A train. The 36-year-old was acting aggressive and provocative, according to Michael Kemper, NYPDs chief of transit. Police said that the 36-year-old pulled out a knife or a razor blade during the verbal altercation but set it down. Then the 36-year-old man pulled a firearm from his jacket and walked towards the other man in a menacing way while yelling at him, police said. Police said a small-caliber firearm (pictured) was recovered from the scene of a shooting on the New York subway system (New York Police Department) During this physical confrontation, that gun, we believe, was removed from the 36-year-old by the 32-year-old, and the 32-year-old fired multiple shots, striking the 36-year-old, Mr Kemper said, at a press briefing on Thursday. At a second press conference on Friday, Mr Kemper said that new evidence and extended video footage had captured a woman believed to be travelling with the 32-year-old man allegedly cutting the 36-year-old man with a sharp object during the altercation. Video footage circulating online appeared to show a woman hovering near the two men as they fought. At one point, the 36-year-old is heard asking Did you stab me? before appearing to pull a gun from his jacket and saying: You stabbed me? Terrified passengers reported hearing multiple shots as they crouched on the floor of the subway car. The train pulled into Hoyt Schermerhorn station where officers heard the shots being fired and ran to the scene. Mr Kemper said that the officers were on scene within seconds, giving medical assistance, calling an ambulance and rounding up witnesses. Multiple shots fired in a subway train in Brooklyn, New York (Fox 5 New York) The 36-year-old man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. He underwent surgery on Thursday night. The 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene. A small caliber firearm was recovered. The identities of the two men have not been released but police do not believe that they knew each other. The transit police chief said officers were working to determine if charges would be filed in the case. A spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office told The Independent : Yesterdays shooting inside a crowded subway car was shocking and deeply upsetting. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing but, at this stage, evidence of self-defense precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter. In a Friday update, police said that the 36-year-old boarded the A train at the Nostrand Avenue station without paying his fare, roughly ten minutes prior to the shooting . He didnt jump over the turnstile, but walked through the gate, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said. Fellow passengers also shared footage of the terrifying ordeal online. In one video, a woman is heard screaming let me out in the packed subway car, before shots are heard. When the train doors open in the station, passengers sprint off the train, screaming. A journalist from ABC News was on the train when the shooting took place. She posted video on X/Twitter of passengers huddled together, crouched on the floor as the train remained in the station. Officers were patrolling up and down the platform, as terrified passengers ducked down. Other footage captured the two men in a scuffle on the train, with one man shouting aggressively at the other before appearing to pull a gun from his jacket. Police on the scene of the shooting (CBS New York) Janno Leiber, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, called it absolutely outrageous that someone would bring a gun onto the subway and start a fight. The victim here, the police said, appears to be the aggressor. But the real victims are the people I saw in those videos who were having a harrowing time because theyre on a train with somebody with a gun, Mr Lieber said. The incident comes one week after New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced controversial plans to deploy US National Guard members into the citys subways to carry out random bag searches of passengers. Ms Hochul said that she would deploy 750 National Guard members within the transport network to assist the police, saying it would deter crime on the subway system. Last month, the NYPD said it was on the hunt for New Yorks most wanted after a 34-year-old male was shot and killed during a brawl on the subway. Five other victims were wounded in the shooting. In January, another man was fatally shot on the subway in Brooklyn after he tried to break up a fight between two passengers. The NYPD said last week they had seen a 15.4 per cent crime drop on the subway in February compared to the same month last year. The NYPD has increased the number of police officers in the transport system by 1,000 per day. Tornadoes ripped through the Midwest Thursday, causing havoc in the states of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Despite the damage incurred across the Midwest, only Ohio is currently reporting fatalities. That could change, however, as crews continue to sift through the rubble left in the devastating wake of multiple tornadoes. Three were reported along the Indiana and Kentucky border alone, though assessments are ongoing to determine of some of those reports may be a single tornado that impacted multiple areas. Kentucky tornado: NWS continues assessment of storm damage; state of emergency declared for 3 KY counties Here's what you need to know about Thursday's tornadic weather: What part of Kentucky did a tornado hit Thursday? Michelle Braden tries to salvage belongings from a friends RV. There was damage to many homes and travel trailers in Milton, Kentucky, after a tornado touched down on Thursday, March 14, 2024 The town Milton, Kentucky, saw plenty of damage from Thursday's tornadoes. Did a tornado hit Milton in Trimble County, Kentucky? A survey from the National Weather Service in Louisville found a single 17.2-mile long EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 115 mph was responsible for the damage in Hanover, Indiana, and Milton. "The tornado was on the ground for 22 minutes as it touched down one mile north of Hanover, Indiana, and lifted in Switzerland County, Indiana, just across the Ohio River from Carrolton, Kentucky," the report said. "This tornado crossed the Ohio River twice, including paralleling the river for a couple miles as the southern edge of the funnel damaged Milton, Kentucky. The max path width was 500 yards wide at its max." Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark confirmed at least 50 structures including homes were damaged where a tornado had touched down in Milton, just south of Madison. More than 4,100 people in Trimble County were without power. No fatalities were reported. The National Weather Service in Louisville will continue surveying the damage Friday. Kentucky state of emergency declared in 3 counties for tornadoes Trimble County is one of three counties to declare a state of emergency. Carroll and Gallatin counties have followed suit. Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for the commonwealth Friday. It does appear that there is some really significant damage, especially to the town of Milton in Trimble County, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told courier-journal.com. We are going to work to do everything we can to help those impacted and we think there are over 100 structures that are potentially damaged. Our job is to make sure that no Kentuckian is alone, especially in these difficult times. Tornadoes 2024: 3 confirmed in Kentucky, Indiana. What we know so far Where in Indiana did the tornado hit last night? A tornado was sighted in southern Indiana near Hanover and Switzerland County, and in east central Indiana where tornadoes struck Selma and Winchester in Randolph County. Did a tornado hit Winchester in Randolph County, Indiana? A Taco Bell and a mobile home park were completely destroyed in Winchester, Indiana, in Randolph County, according to reports from the thestarpress.com. Several other properties were said to be damaged by the storm, as well. Homes in and near the town of Selma in eastern Delaware County also saw tornado damage from Thursday's storms. An initial assessment by the Delaware County Emergency Management indicated as many as half of the town's structures were damaged. According to courier-journal.com, Indiana Emergency Management Agency officials said two tornadoes touched down outside Madison, Indiana, around 2:30 p.m. one in Hanover, and a second in neighboring Switzerland County. Where did a tornado hit in Ohio Thursday? Storms struck Indian Lake, Lakeview and Russells Point in Logan County, Ohio, according to cincinnati.com Did a tornado hit Indian Lake in Logan County, Ohio? Yes. Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive Amber Fagan told cincinnati.com that lakeview was "completely demolished by a tornado. Theres places burning. Theres power lines through peoples windows, Fagan recounted, describing the scene that wiped out homes, campgrounds and a laundromat. Huron County Emergency Managment officials near Plymouth, Ohio, confirmed a torando at approximately 8:02 p.m. Thursday night, calling the twister "extremely dangerous". Three deaths have been confirmed by the Logan County Sheriff's Office, according to cincinnati.com. Sheriff Randy Dodds said the causalities stemmed from a tornado that struck a trailer park near Indian Lake. "It's one hell of a mess up there," Dodds said. "It looks like a war zone." A shelter was opened for displaced people in Logan County. Logan County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Joe Kopus said there would likely be more fatalities discovered due to the excessive damage. Ana Rocio Alvarez Brinez, Leo Bertucci, Douglas Walker, Cincinnati Enquirer staff and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Chris Sims is a digital content producer for Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Tornado 2024: Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana devastated by tornadoes; 3 dead In an atypical move, the Meridian City Council has reversed recommendations by the citys planning staff and Planning and Zoning Commission to deny a proposal to build a single-family subdivision with 256 homes in the Ten Mile area. The citys own Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area plan, which includes the area north and south of Interstate 84 between Star and Linder roads, was designed to ensure that mostly apartments, town houses and commercial businesses would be built into the area of western Meridian. The 2007 plan sought to make Ten Mile a walkable area. Meridians planning staff decided that the Avani Subdivision, to be located southeast of Franklin and Black Cat roads, did not fit into that vision. The Avani subdivision would be located in Meridian southeast of Franklin and Black Cat roads. It would bring 256 single-family homes into an area with mostly apartments and town houses. The developer, DevCo Residential Group, based in Washington state, has built several subdivisions, including apartments, across the Treasure Valley. Meridian planning staff members said in their report about the application that the density of the proposed subdivision was inconsistent with the target density desired in the 2007 plan. They said town houses should be included for the development to be consistent with the goal of having a mix of housing types. The Planning and Zoning Commission agreed at its meeting on Feb. 1. A rendering of a type of single-family homeproposed in the Avani subdivision. But a majority of City Council members at a meeting on Tuesday said during the council meeting on Tuesday, that the Ten Mile Interchange plan is outdated. They said there are already plenty of apartments and town houses in the area. I dont think its appropriate that an outdated comprehensive plan dictates decisions made today when the conditions on the ground are so different from the vision we envisioned years ago, said Council Member Doug Taylor. Council Member Luke Cavener said he has heard from Meridian residents that there is too much multifamily development in Meridian. This is kind of unique in that a single-family housing complex . . . is different than what were seeing in that area, Cavener said. Council members Liz Strader and Joe Borton disagreed. They said they worried about incrementally changing the long-term planning strategies that the city put in place to promote organized development within city limits. When staff, who are subject-matter experts in this, who rarely make (a denial) recommendation it gives me pause, Borton said. You have highlighted that question that comes up at times: Is it the right time? Is this the right project? I think whats described is an attractive application that isnt ready for this location at this time. Strader said the Ten Mile area was designed to look different than the rest of Meridian, which consists of many single-family home subdivisions. She said the Avani subdivision looks very similar to subdivisions all across the city. The council voted 3-2 to approve the development. Council Member John Overton was absent. This Idaho city has a shortage of 2,000 affordable apartments. New development could help Should a charter school open along Ustick Road in Meridian? These neighbors say no A photo rendering of the St. Joseph County Career Hub, a project of the South Bend Community School Corp., that is set to occupy Studebaker Building 84 at 635 S. Lafayette Blvd. in downtown South Bend. SOUTH BEND The South Bend school board will soon consider plans to locate a long-planned career center designed to engage students with hands-on learning that directly translates to jobs in a former Studebaker building in downtown South Bend. But because the center won't open until fall 2025, South Bend Community School Corp. leaders will also ask the board to allow Clay High School, set to close this summer and coveted by a local charter school network, to host equipment for a number of career and technical education courses for at least another year. At the school board's Monday meeting, district leaders will ask members to approve Studebaker Building 84, the six-story industrial relic just beyond Four Winds Field, as the home for the St. Joseph County Career Hub. The proposal calls for South Bend schools to consider a 20-year lease at a later date and use $8.5 million set aside from a 2020 referendum, along with $5 million in additional grant money. Leaders will also put forth a resolution intended to keep Clay under its control for the foreseeable future, months after the Career Academy charter schools network announced its intent to buy the building for $1 under a controversial Indiana state law. How South Bend schools leaders plan to use Clay High School Kareemah Fowler, assistant superintendent of SBCSC, said Clay is home to several career and technical education courses, as well as equipment needed for those programs. The career hub aims to consolidate these courses in one building and improve the quality of instruction. But the year-long gap between Clay's closure and the career hub's opening means the district needs time to shift its career and technical education coursework out of its current high schools. About 400 South Bend schools students are enrolled in such courses. "We need the opportunity to transition out of Clay," Fowler said. "We have a gap." More: Clay was closing. How did it become a charter school candidate? State law requires school districts to make unused buildings available to charter schools for a lease or sale price of $1. An amendment signed into law this month strengthens a mandate for districts to close underutilized buildings, where enrollment has dropped by at least 10% within the past five years. But South Bend school leaders believe they meet criteria to keep the building open for other uses outlined in the law, such as alternative education programs, administrative offices or storage space. The school board will hear a similar resolution to continue to use the Warren Elementary School building, the other school it voted to close after the 2023-24 school year. "Moving forward, (Clay) is a building and a property that is still owned by the corporation," South Bend schools spokesman Andrew Goetz told The Tribune in a phone interview. "This resolution will allow flexibility for the corporation as it moves into the next phase of its planning. "In the short term, the building can be used for automotive, for welding," he added, "and then in the longer term, there are numerous ways this building can be used. What would be in the St. Joseph County Career Hub? These buildings along South Lafayette Boulevard are the remaining structures that once was the Studebaker Corp. auto manufacturing and headquarters in South Bend, as seen from a drone image from WNDU-TV. The photo shows the six-story Building 84, center, Building 113, at left, and Studebaker's administration building, lower right. At Studebaker Building 84, off Lafayette Boulevard, the district plans to lease 40,000 square feet across two floors and offer 19 educational programs. A second-floor space will host "dirty tech" programs such as automotive services, precision machining, construction trades and welding. Rooms on the third floor will feature an array of career-oriented courses such as culinary arts, television and radio, criminal justice, cosmetology, and cybersecurity. St. Joseph County is the largest county in Indiana without such a center, according to Jeff Rea, president of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce and a leading advocate for the career hub. Such centers are responses to what the the Indiana Chamber of Commerce called the states leaking talent pipeline. Indiana high schools have adopted programs better aligned with new state graduation requirements driven by experiential learning. When we're spending time with prospective employers that are thinking about doing something in our area," Rea told The Tribune, "things like (the career hub) are important pieces of that conversation, because prospects want to know how we're going to help them build their pipeline of workers. Andrew Wiand, president of enFocus, a consulting organization hired by the Chamber to study a career hub, said he expects the facility to open with about 500 students. They'll split time during the school day between traditional classes at area high schools and specialized courses at the career center. Most students will be from South Bend schools. But he expects the Studebaker building's central location will draw students from other districts to earn their career and technical education credits at the career hub. Currently, New Prairie High School sends students to Michigan Citys A.K. Smith Career Center in LaPorte County and Mishawaka and Penn high schools send students east to the Elkhart Area Career Center. Other schools won't contribute to the cost of building the career center, Wiand said, but would reimburse South Bend schools for each student they send with state money allotted to career and education coursework. School leaders expect the city of South Bend to contribute $5 million, Fowler said. Caleb Bauer, executive director of South Bend's Department of Community Investment, said that although the career center is a "critical need" and the city is planning "significant financial support," no set amount has been determined. Correction: A prior version of this story said the South Bend school board would vote on a 20-year lease for the St. Joseph County Career Hub at its Monday meeting. The board was choosing only the location for the center on Monday and will vote on a lease at a later date. If you go What: The South Bend Community School Corp. Board of Trustees will meet to discuss resolutions allowing the school corporation to lease space for a St. Joseph County Career Hub and to maintain limited instruction in Clay High School. When: 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 18 Where: Third floor of the South Bend Community School Corp. Administration Building, 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09 This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend schools to talk St. Joseph County Career Hub, Clay High School A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was arrested by his own department on Friday after being accused of stealing from someone who was in police custody, officials said. Officer Henry Chapman was placed on unpaid administrative leave pending an outcome of the investigation, CMPD said in a news release. The 49-year-old Cherryville resident was arrested just after midnight Friday on a felony embezzlement charge and is free on a written promise to appear in court, Mecklenburg County jail records show. Chapman earns $95,937 as an officer assigned to the University City Division, according to a Charlotte Observer database of city employee salaries. He has been with the department since 2009, CMPD said. A criminal investigation was launched Thursday, March 14, after an arrestee reported that an officer had stolen property from him, CMPD said. Upon investigation, CMPD detectives arrested Officer Chapman who was charged with one count of embezzlement, officials said. Internal Affairs is conducting a simultaneous investigation. Details of the incident were not released by CMPD, including what the officer is accused of taking. CMPD spokesman Mike Allinger declined to release Chapmans full CMPD work history to The Charlotte Observer on Friday. Allinger also declined to say if the theft occurred as the person was taken into custody or as the person was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail. CMPD Officer Henry Chapman was arrested on a felony embezzlement charge on Friday, March 15, 2024. MECKLENBURG COUNTY JAIL CMPD Chief calls incident deeply disappointing CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings issued a statement Friday, referring to the incident as deeply disappointing. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, and a violation of that trust is a serious offense, he said. However, I want to assure the public that we take all allegations seriously, and we will not tolerate misconduct within our ranks. Im proud that the supervisor and other officers on scene took immediate and decisive action to investigate the situation and determine that our officer needed to be arrested, Jennings said. No CMPD employee is above the law. Car wash employee dies after getting trapped in machinery in North Carolina, cops say Armed carjacking ends with suspect dead in crash on I-77 in Charlotte, CMPD says Man driving Crown Victoria in woods was victimizing assorted trees, NC sheriff says Texans last week joined a multitude of other states' residents in getting blocked from Pornhub, the nations most popular pornographic website. Could Floridians be next? Texas and a growing number of states have passed laws requiring age verification to watch porn. Pornhub has responded by restricting access in most of them. The Florida Legislature recently approved a bill that too requires age verification. It's expected to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and take effect at the start of 2025, if it survives expected legal challenges. Pornhub has blocked access to North Carolina users, citing a state law set to go into effect Monday. When asked what its Florida plans were, a Pornhub spokesperson on Friday declined to "discuss the hypothetical scenario." But Aylo, the parent company of the website, previously told the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida that such laws create data privacy issues. Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy," a spokesperson said in a late January email, when Florida's legislation had just started moving through the Capitol. The company said the only solution is to require age verification at the source: on the device. Florida's bill (HB 3) states that a porn website "must use either anonymous age verification or standard age verification to verify that the age of a person attempting to access the material is 18 years of age or older and prevent access to the material by a person younger than 18 years of age." It has to offer both verification options but does not offer details about what the "anonymous age verification" would look like. It also requires that the verification be done by a third-party that can't keep personal identifying information. Lawmakers promoted the age verification measure as a way to protect children from explicit content, and it received broad bipartisan support. "This is a bill that lets kids be kids," said Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, a bill sponsor. Some First Amendment advocates, though, warn that it clashes with the free speech. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, for example, says it imposes a "chilling burden" on accessing "protected online speech" that would be overturned in the courts. How a lawsuit would go against Florida's legislation, which also includes social media restrictions for minors, is unclear. But just last week, a federal appeals court upheld Texas' law, prompting Pornhub's decision. "We hope Florida legislators will ultimately put into place a solution with respect to age verification that actually protects user safety and privacy," the company's Friday statement reads. "As currently written, the legislation does the opposite. To be clear, we have publicly supported age verification for years. We just want a solution that enhances safety for children and adults, and also protects the security and privacy of those on the internet." USA TODAY contributed to this story. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Pornhub banned: Could Florida block porn site next after Texas? WINCHESTER, Ind. Possible tornadoes that ripped through Delaware and Randolph counties Thursday evening left dozens of residents injured and more than 100 structures damaged or destroyed. Initial National Weather Service storm reports indicate damage to homes and trees in Selma a small community just east of Muncie around 7:39 p.m., with a possible tornado. By 8:03 p.m., severe wind damage was reported in nearby Winchester, with pictures, videos and reports indicating a tornado had moved through the area. Weather Service crews were deployed to the area to assess the damage Friday morning, which will determine the storms strength. But by sunrise, the scale of the destruction was already becoming clear: 38 people were reportedly injured, with three in critical condition. Over 4,000 people without power. More than 100 structures damaged, 22 homes completely destroyed. Tornadoes in Indiana: What we know about damage in Winchester, Selma and Madison At a Friday morning news conference, Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy expressed his astonishment that no lives had been lost. (Were) very lucky, McCoy said. Theres houses that are leveled. Taco Bell, leveled. I really praise the Lord for this one because it couldve been really bad. Homes and business take on extensive damage after an overnight severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Winchester. What we know about eastern Indiana storm damage As the severe thunderstorm moved through Delaware County about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, funnel clouds were reported in the Royerton and Selma areas. About 7:45 p.m., scanner traffic indicated there were "multiple injuries" in the area of Ind. 32 and Delaware County Road 600 East, where high winds had reportedly damaged vehicles. At 8:12 p.m., scanner traffic indicated a tornado was "on the ground" in Hamilton Township. In a release issued late Thursday night, the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said the storm system "inflicted significant damage across various parts of the county," especially in the Selma area. An initial assessment indicated as many as half of the structures in the town of about 740 people, less than four miles east of the Muncie city limits along Ind. 32 had been damaged. Emergency responders arriving in the Selma area about 8:40 p.m. were advised the area was "a debris field. Trees ripped from ground, buildings leveled in Winchester A Goodwill is damaged from severe storms leaving the store in ruins Friday, March 15, 2024, in Winchester. Entering Winchester shortly after sunrise on Friday on South Main Street near Fountain Park Cemetery, where many of the community's founders are buried it was evident how powerful the wind that moved through on Thursday night had been. Dozens of trees enormous, tall trees, likely decades old had been brought down, in and near the cemetery. Debris was present, seemingly everywhere. Got photos of the damage? You can share them with us here A few blocks north of the cemetery on Main Street, a large tree had crashed onto a two-story home, demolishing its front side. Significant storm damage was also visible in an area more representative of Winchester's present rather than its past. In the area near the Walmart Supercenter along East Greenville Pike, east of U.S. 27, a large Goodwill store was one of several buildings significantly damaged, with much of its roof and a large potion of its front wall gone. Nearby, what had been a Taco Bell, adjacent to the Walmart parking lot, was completely demolished. The only indications a restaurant had stood there were a few elements of its drive-thru lane. A sport utility vehicle, on its roof, was within the rubble of what little remained of the restaurant. Residents survey damage As the Cross family drove through Winchester on Friday, a sense of gratitude gripped them as they saw the destruction they were spared from. Homes had crumbled. Pink puffs of insulation were caught in tree branches. Pine trees snapped in half snarled against each other along the towns cemetery, emanating their signature scent. I told my kids it smelled like Christmas, said Marty Cross, whos lived in the town for 58 years. The Crosses were spared much of the damage, with the exception of a broken window and an uprooted pine tree in the back of grandma Judy Cross home. Though they evaded the worst of the destruction, they felt the twister from inside their residences. From the green sky, as rain pelted, the eerie quiet just before the tornado touched ground and the roaring akin to a freight train lasting several minutes. With a flashing emergency lights and strewn power lines around her, Ellie Rohrer and her siblings scavenged a pile of objects along Greenville Pike. The pile, made up of books, rubble, baby dolls and various papers, is all thats left of her grandmothers house. Much of the structure had been swept to the other side of the road. The family got a call from the grandmother, who phoned for help because she was stuck under a wall. Rohrer, her brothers and friends came to the rescue and lifted the wall pinning her to the ground, she said. She was taken to a hospital in Richmond with a concussion, they said. As she was being treated, her grandchildren tried to salvage what they could, fearing looters might come for the wreckage. My grandma is the matriarch who tends to write everything down, Rohrer said. Emergency shelter, reunification center established Search and rescue teams canvas the area after an overnight severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Winchester. The American Red Cross has established an emergency shelter at Winchester High School, at 700 N. Union St., in Randolph County. In Selma, a "reunification center" has been set up at nearby Wapahani High School, at 10401 E. Delaware County Road 167 South, to provide "assistance and support" to residents displaced by storm damage or who became separated from family members. Financial donations to help those affected will be managed by the Community Foundation of Randolph County, McCoy said. Indiana Task Force 1 crews were deployed and arrived early Friday morning to help with search and rescue efforts. More resources will be made available at the state and federal levels, Gov. Eric Holcomb said, and he expected even more help would come from neighbors throughout the area. Youll quickly learn, as I have over the years, that your family here, this community, has just gotten a lot larger. Its gone statewide, Holcomb said. He applauded the state and local first responders and volunteers who immediately turned to search, rescue and cleanup efforts to address natures wrath. I think the only thing more powerful than that wrath is our Hoosier spirit and that spirit of teamwork, Holcomb said. This story is breaking and will be updated. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Possible Indiana tornadoes leave 3 critical, dozens more injured Representatives from over 50 colleges throughout the nation will be visiting the Steel City for the 2nd annual Pueblo and Southern Colorado College Fair. The fair will be hosted on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. While the event is organized and promoted by Pueblo School District 60, students and families from school districts throughout southern Colorado are invited to attend. A "FAFSA Pop-Up Block Party" will be among the new features at this year's fair. High school seniors will have the opportunity to receive assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). "There were some changes this year from the federal government on that FAFSA process and that has prompted some questions... We're responding to those changes and making sure there are experts available to help students and families," said Andrew Burns, executive director of student support services at Pueblo D60. Assistance will be provided for those completing the FAFSA in both English and Spanish. About 300 students and their families attended the inaugural Pueblo and Southern Colorado College Fair on April 22, 2023 Local schools, Division I powerhouses among colleges attending fair Students as young as freshmen will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of the 52 higher education institutions setting up shop at this year's fair. The selection is an expansion of last year's fair, which featured 46 colleges. Newcomers to the Pueblo and Southern Colorado College Fair include the United States Naval Academy, the University of Oregon, the University of Tennessee and the University of Washington in St. Louis. Institutions returning to the fair include Colorado State University Pueblo, Pueblo Community College, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy at West Point, the University of Alabama, the University of New Mexico and the University of Wyoming, among many others. Students and their families also will have the opportunity to attend expert-led presentations at this year's fair, including: "ICAP and Planning for College While in High School" with Anna Solano of the Colorado Department of Education "Abriendo Camino: Como prepararse para la universidad en familia" with Violet Apodaca of Teach for America "Taking Control of Your Educational Journey, and Overcoming Barriers to Educational Success" with Carlos Jimenez of Peak Education Group A panel discussion about applying for scholarships featuring Vanessa Roman of the Boettcher Foundation. A schedule for the Pueblo and Southern Colorado College Fair, a comprehensive list of participating colleges and registration information can be found on the Pueblo D60 website at pueblod60.org/collegefair. Superintendent search: There's still time for to give input on Pueblo D60's superintendent search. Here's how Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What to know about the college fair coming to Pueblo this weekend By Iryna Nazarchuk and Yuliia Dysa ODESA, Ukraine (Reuters) -A Russian ballistic missile attack struck a residential area in Ukraine's Black Sea port city of Odesa on Friday, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 70, in Moscow's deadliest attack in weeks, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia would receive a "fair response" from Ukrainian forces for what he said was a "vile" assault on a city that has been attacked by Russian drones or missiles almost every day this month. Two Iskander-M missiles fired from the Russian-occupied Crimea peninsula damaged civilian infrastructure and gas and electricity supply lines in the southern city, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on national television. A medic and a rescuer were killed by a second missile after rushing to the scene to treat people hurt in the initial strike. Ten people had suffered serious injuries, Kiper said. Local officials and national police said police were among the dead, including at least two senior officers. A former deputy mayor of the city was also killed. "The explosion was very strong, especially the second one... This is a very powerful missile that flies from the occupied Crimea in a few minutes," Kiper said. Some residents, he said, were facing gas and electricity supply cuts as a result of strikes. ZELENSKIY VOWS RESPONSE "Our Defence Forces will certainly do everything to ensure that the Russian killers feel our fair response," Zelenskiy said on Telegram. Residents were rushing to donate blood, creating queues at medical centres. Saturday was declared a local day of mourning. A three-storey recreational facility was destroyed in the attack as well as at least 10 private houses, the southern military command said. Bodies were laid out in foil protective blankets, while dozens of rescuers battled to put out fires and continued clearing the rubble. Odesa, one of Ukraine's biggest ports, has long been a target of Russian attacks, especially after Moscow quit a U.N.-brokered deal that had allowed safe passage for Ukrainian grain shipments via the Black Sea. "The Russian terror in Odesa is a sign of the weakness of the enemy, which is fighting against Ukrainian civilians at a time when it cannot guarantee the safety of people on its own territory," Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram. Moscow denies targeting civilians in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine which it launched in February 2022, although many have been killed in frequent Russian air strikes across the country. Ukraine has developed and used long-range drones to try to strike back at Russia, stepping up attacks on a string of oil refineries this week in the run-up to Russia's March 15-17 presidential election. Ukraine attacked a small refinery in Russia's Kaluga region with drones early on Friday in an operation that was conducted by the GUR military spy agency, a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Tom Balmforth, Gareth Jones, Nick Macfie, Ron Popeski and David Gregorio) Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks Friday at his weekly news conference in the Blue Room at the Oklahoma Capitol. Noting state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters was separately elected, Gov. Kevin Stitt chose not to say much Friday about a report the agency led by Walters spent about $30,000 of money on an out-of-state public relations firm for the purpose of landing Walters national media interviews. Im for limited government, Stitt said when asked about the story during a weekly news conference at the state Capitol. I think we should criticize all taxpayer spends. I think we should criticize and ask questions on all programs. Youll have to ask them. Theyre separately elected on how they spend their money and on what their budget is, but its a fair point to ask questions of every agency that hires PR firms and those kinds of things. Its an honest question is that good use of the taxpayer dollars? I think a lot of agencies have a lot of different people in the communications groups and its a logical question. People should have to answer that. A story published by nonprofit news organization Oklahoma Watch on Thursday detailed how the Oklahoma State Department of Education hired an out-of-state public relations firm for the purpose of landing Walters at least 10 national media interviews per month. That firm, Vought Strategies of Arlington, Virginia, also was tasked with writing speeches and opinion pieces. Walters has claimed in media interviews that his appearances on national media were for teacher recruitment, but none of the reported email pitches mentioned that subject. Citing public records, Oklahoma Watch reported the state had agreed to pay Vought an estimated $30,000 for the first four months of the contract, from March 6 until June 30, although it appeared Vought had begun work for the Education Department as early as Aug. 10. A department spokesman said the contract that began March 6 was an extension but didnt provide a copy of the original contract to Oklahoma Watch. An Education Department employee, David Martin, set up a Limited Liability Company for Vought Strategies in Oklahoma on Nov. 9, according to the Oklahoma secretary of states office, and used the Oliver Hodge Building which houses Education Department operations as his address. Television station KOKH reported it had confirmed Martins final day of employment at the agency would be Friday. Agency spokesman Dan Isett didnt immediately return a message from The Oklahoman seeking confirmation of Martins employment status. Phil Bacharach, a spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, said Friday that Drummonds office had no comment on the Oklahoma Watch report. Stitt said he hasn't paid attention to key departures from the state Education Department Theres been a steady drain of experience and talent from the Education Department since Walters took office in January 2023. Last week The Oklahoman confirmed the agencys general counsel, Bryan Cleveland, and its executive director of accreditation, Ryan Pieper, both were leaving. School districts have reported delays in the agencys distribution of federal funding that passes through the agency, which usually is a routine process that's taken care of during the fall portion of the academic year. Asked Friday if hes concerned about the agencys ability to handle its responsibilities, given all the key departures, Stitt said he hadnt paid much attention to the situation. Theres 31,000 state employees and so all the time theres a lot of attrition, theres people moving out of state, Stitt said. I dont really track specifically resignations or people leaving different agencies. But overall, when we limit government, thats kind of a good thing. I want to have fewer state employees than when I took over in 2019. Thats a goal of mine. Stitt said he had not spoken to any of the current five members of the state Board of Education, who were appointed by him, about issues within the Education Department. He said asking about a specific employee leaving is just not something I would get in the weeds on. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says little on Ryan Walters' PR firm Cameras aimed at capturing images of drivers running red lights at more than 20 intersections throughout Sacramento County are no longer in service after sheriffs officials recently shut down the program, which had been losing money. The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office managed red light cameras at 24 intersections, including 13 locations in unincorporated parts of the county and 11 within Sacramento city limits. But the Sheriffs Office shut down its red light camera program on Sunday after the countys $898,000 contract with Redflex Traffic Systems ended Feb. 21, said sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Amar Gandhi. He said traffic citation fines were supposed to fully fund the total costs, which included the price of the Redflex contract and the cost of four sheriffs employees managing the red light camera program. But the Sheriffs Office has had to use its own money fill in the programs budget deficit. The program was intended to be cost-neutral. It was never meant to generate revenue, Gandhi said Thursday. The fact that its losing money is why were shutting it down. The sheriffs spokesman said he was working on gathering figures about the red light program, including the amount of its budget deficit, the cost of the sheriffs employees who managed it and how much money it had received from citation fines. Gandhi said he did not have those figures and was hoping to release those details by early next week. He did say the red light camera program has resulted in more than 17,000 traffic citations dating back to 2011 that remained open cases in traffic court, including cases in which the accused driver failed to appear in court. The Sheriffs Office has reassigned its four employees who once managed the red light camera program, to other roles within the Security Services division. Gandhi said the Sheriffs Office wants to focus on its mission of suppressing violent crime and other criminal activity. If those costs dont make any sense, then why should we be managing the whole program? Gandhi said. We dont investigate traffic accidents in the unincorporated areas. The California Highway Patrol is tasked with investigating those collisions. Representatives of Redflex Traffic Systems, an Arizona-based company acquired by Verra Mobility in June 2021, did not respond Thursday to requests from The Sacramento Bee seeking comment. What happens to the red light cameras? The red light cameras still remain at those two dozen intersections throughout the county. Its unclear what will happen to them. Gandhi said sheriffs officials no longer access any data from them or maintain them. In Sacramento, city officials created a red light camera program in 1999. The city managed the program through 2003, at a loss of about $50,000 a year, according to a September 2019 Sacramento city staff report. The city then entered a memorandum of understanding that handed over administration of its red light camera program to the county. That meant the city would not receive any money from traffic citations, but it essentially burdened the county with operational costs of the program. The Sheriffs Office has informed Sacramento officials the county agency will no longer be providing red light camera enforcement services, said city spokeswoman Gabby Miller. Theres no indication the city will once again oversee the red light cameras in Sacramento. City staff will coordinate with the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office to determine the next steps for transition related to the removal of the camera housing, signage and any other material, but there are currently no plans for the city to oversee the program, Miller said in an email. Gandhi said it will be up to Redflex to decide how to take down the cameras, equipment that belongs to the company. In 2019, Sacramento Countys red light camera program was suspended for about eight months after a contract with another vendor, Conduent, was abruptly terminated. Before then, the county had a contract with Redflex for a decade, starting in 2008, until December 2018. The county had switched vendors after Conduent received a higher score from California Highway Patrol and Sheriffs Office representatives during a bidding process for a new contract. Conduent wasnt operating cameras, because the company failed to acquire proper permits for those camera locations, according to an Aug. 20, 2019, Sacramento County staff report. Negotiations to fix the situation broke down, and the Conduent contract was terminated. A Conduent representative at the time said the company met its obligations, and there was no basis to end the contract. The county went back to Redflex and agreed in August 2019 to a two-year, nearly $1.8 million contract with the Arizona-based vendor to get the Sacramento-area cameras running again. The sheriffs spokesman said the agency has no plans to revamp the red light camera program or seek a contract under different terms with Redflex. At the same time, we can never say never, Gandhi said. Cameras in Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove and Citrus Heights Even though the Sheriffs Office is contracted to provide police services in Rancho Cordova, city spokesman Maria Chacon Kniested said the Rancho Cordova Police Department is still operating the citys own red light camera program. Rancho Cordovas red light cameras are at Zinfandel Drive and White Rock Road; Zinfandel Drive and Olson Drive; Sunrise Boulevard and Coloma Road; and Sunrise Boulevard and Folsom Boulevard, according to the Police Departments website. In Elk Grove, Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jason Jimenez said the department continues to operate its own red light camera program which is administered through a Redflex contract. Elk Groves cameras are at the intersections of Elk Grove Florin Road and Bond Road; Elk Grove Boulevard and Bruceville Road; Laguna and Franklin boulevards; Laguna Boulevard and Bruceville Road; and Laguna Boulevard and Laguna Springs Drive. Red light cameras are still operational in Citrus Heights, as well, said Lt. Michael Wells, who oversees the Police Departments red light camera program run by the traffic division. We do still utilize the red light camera program, and in 2021 our contract was approved for a 5 year extension which will take us into 2026, Wells told The Bee. According to the citys website, there are 10 red light cameras in Citrus Heights, most of them on Greenback Lane or Sunrise Boulevard, including one at the intersection of those two major thoroughfares. New details have emerged about the way police say residents at unlicensed group homes in Arlington and Mansfield were treated. Three search warrants obtained by the Star-Telegram say that 13 people died while at or immediately after leaving the group homes and investigators are looking into reports of abuse and theft from patients. Residents and family members told police Regla Su Becquer, 49, or people working in the five homes she owned limited access to their loved ones, gave them unknown drugs and left them worse off than they were when they arrived, sometimes in as little as a month, according to the warrants. Patients said they were held against their will, and family members said the residents would be disoriented when visited. Becquer has been arrested and charged with one count of abandoning or endangering an individual creating imminent danger of bodily injury related to the treatment of one resident, according to police. The resident police said was the victim in the endangerment case, who cannot move her legs and has to wear a diaper, told investigators she was held against her will, forced to stay on a mattress on the floor, had water poured on her by people working in the home, was given an unfamiliar drug and went long periods of time without her diaper being changed, according to an arrest warrant for Becquer. The search warrants for three of the houses owned by Becquer and operated as unlicensed group homes shed light on the conditions inside, and other instances that authorities say may constitute abuse or neglect. Police have said they expect more charges to be filed as the investigation proceeds. Becquer operated bed and board homes with referrals from doctors, retirement communities, social workers and hospitals out of four houses in Arlington and Mansfield, according to police: 1210 Woodbrook St. in Arlington, 7411 Lake Whitney Drive in Arlington, 7419 Fossil Creek Drive in Arlington and 2059 Turtle Cove Drive in Mansfield. A police news release also listed a fifth home in Grand Prairie. Today's top stories: 25-year-old fatally shot at north Fort Worth park early Friday Police identify 13 deaths at unlicensed Arlington, Mansfield group homes Ex-cop exposed himself to 2 women who were scared to not comply: warrant Get free alerts when news breaks. Police havent been able to find any medical licenses for the people staffing the bed and board houses, according to the warrant for Becquers arrest. In many cases, the staff were relatives of Becquer. According to a warrant written by Detective Krystallyne Robinson, police who went to the homes regularly found vehicles that were registered to the people who died while in or after being in Becquers care. Investigators also received reports from family members that patients debit cards and, in at least one instance, an EBT card was fraudulently used while the patients were in her care. Police were called to the Woodbrook Street house on Nov. 20, 2023, after a neighbor reported a man had fallen in the back yard and seemed unable to get up, according to the search warrant for that property. When officers arrived, they found a 63-year-old man on the ground. The man required a wheelchair to move and could sometimes use his arms to scoot himself around, according to the search warrant. Officers found out there were two other patients inside the home. When they spoke with the neighbor who called police, officers were told the home used to belong to a woman who was of sound mind the last time the neighbor saw her but she was put in Becquers care and after she died her home became Becquers property. After finding the man who had fallen in the back yard of the Woodbrook Street property, officers became concerned for the safety of the other patients in the home, according to the search warrant. The officers heard Regla Becquer telling one of the women at the house to deny entry to police, but the officers went inside with paramedics anyway, the warrant says, citing a police report from the encounter. The warrant identified the woman as Vivanly Becquer, Regla Becquers sister and a caretaker at the house. Another woman was also at the house and identified as a caretaker, according to police. The warrant for a later search of the Woodbrook Street house said police initially went into the home by citing exigent circumstances, namely a concern by officers and paramedics for the welfare of the patients, as the justification for entering without invitation. Before entering, officers were told there was only one other patient inside, according to the warrant. Instead, officers found two additional patients. The Arlington fire marshal went to the house and determined that it did not qualify as an actual group home because there were only three people living there, the warrant states. Officers at the scene spoke with Regla Becquer about the man who fell in the yard and were told hed fallen several times before, according to the search warrant. Becquer later changed her statement to say it was the first time hed fallen. She told the officers he was receiving 24/7 care, something one officer noted in a report was not true, according to the warrant. Robinson wrote in the warrant that the Behavioral Health Law Enforcement Unit, known by the acronym BHLEU, informed her of several other reports regarding Regla Becquer. Thats when Robinson became aware of the woman whose treatment led to Becquers arrest, according to the warrant. When officers were called to the home on Dec. 13, they were told the woman wanted to leave. They saw cuts on her wrist, which she told them shed made in an attempt to be taken to the hospital so she could get away from the house. The woman also told officers she was given a liquid medicine, which was not prescribed to her, any time she got upset about the caretakers in the house not allowing her to leave, Robinson wrote in the warrant. She described it as tasting like mint. The medication is not identified in the search warrant or the arrest warrant. Becquer told officers at one point that the woman had been scratching herself and trying to die by suicide, according to the search warrant. There were no calls for service to the house, meaning no one called 911 (in) reference (to the woman) trying to cut her own wrists, Robinson wrote in the warrant. One patient was placed first in the Fossil Creek Drive house and then the property on Woodbrook, according to the search warrant. His family told police he was diagnosed with syphilis after being moved into the Fossil Creek home and that the doctor told them he hadnt had syphilis before. The family told investigators the man was referred to the Fossil Creek Drive house by a social worker after he began having trouble with falling, according to the warrant. While there, they had trouble getting him on the phone to talk. When he would answer the phone, he was unresponsive. The family went to visit him in October 2023 and said he wasnt his normal self. The man was disoriented and could barely keep his eyes open, according to the search warrant. He told his family someone had taken $200 from his wallet, but Becquer told them she knew nothing about that. When asked why the man seemed disoriented, Becquer told the family he had been sleeping during the day and had trouble sleeping at night, the warrant says. She also told them the patients in the home were being given something to prevent them from leaving the house, Robinson wrote in the warrant. After that visit, the family again had trouble getting the man on the phone, police said in the warrant. When they called Becquer, she told them he wouldnt speak with them. After he was at the house for five days, the family received a call from a hospice center, informing them the man was in very bad condition and the family should make arrangements for a funeral. He was moved to the Woodbrook Street house. On Nov. 1, 2023, and Nov. 2, 2023, the family received several calls from the man. He told them in those calls that the people inside the Fossil Creek Drive house were trying to kill him. They visited him at the Woodbrook Street house and found him pale in the face with sunken cheeks and a flat stomach. They told police he normally had a somewhat round midsection. The family decided to remove the man from the house and on the drive home he told them he thought he was being poisoned by the people in that house, according to the warrant. He complained of a stomachache that lasted four or five days. Thats when the family took him to a doctor and learned he had syphilis, which he didnt have before going into the bed and board houses. The family also found fraudulent charges on his debit card from Oct. 24 to Nov. 13, 2023, the warrant states. The charges stopped after the card was canceled. Police said another womans EBT card was taken from her while she was one of the houses and the money on it spent, according to the warrant. Residents said they were given drugs they didnt recognize and family members were told by Becquer that the people staying in the houses were given something to prevent them from trying to leave, according to Robinsons warrant. In multiple instances, police were told the residents didnt want to be in the houses, either by family members or the residents themselves. One man said he believes Becquer transferred power of attorney for his father, who had dementia, to herself from the son. That same patient missed doctors appointments, and one doctor told police Becquer would not allow him to be alone in the room with the man. One woman told police Becquer was taking her mail and withholding her Social Security benefits and food stamps from her, Robinson wrote in the warrant. She told police, and a live-in caretaker for residents corroborated, that Becquer at one point took her to a Social Security office in Grand Prairie in an attempt to have the woman sign over her federal and state benefits to Becquer. One time when officers visited one of the homes, Becquer told them she was the official recipient of the womans Social Security benefits. She provided officers with an application to make her the recipient, but it was not signed by the woman whose benefits Becquer said she was supposed to receive. Becquer also told officers she held the womans power of attorney and was the payee of the womans EBT benefits but could not provide any documentation to back up either claim, the warrant states. At one point, Becquer told officers the live-in caretaker was sexually assaulting the woman and holding her against her will, according to the warrant. The woman told police that wasnt true and officers noted in a report that the woman didnt seem fearful of the live-in caretaker. When U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visits Rhode Island Tuesday, he'll likely be asked some questions about the now-condemned westbound Washington Bridge. Among them is likely to be how much of the cost, now estimated at up to $300 million, the federal government will pay to tear the old bridge down and replace it with a new one. Another question is whether the Biden administration will try to recoup any of the money, at least $55.4 million so far, that was spent on Washington Bridge repair projects since 2015. The federal government has covered most of that money, some of which we now know was wasted. In addition to traditional federal highway formula money, the most recent aborted bridge repair project which had been expected to cost $78 million was being funded with a $25-million federal grant. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr., left, and Gov. Dan McKee during Thursday's news conference at the Department of Administration building talk about the demolition of the old and rebuilding of a new Washington Bridge. Rhode Island Department of Transportation spokesman Charles St. Martin Friday said $10 million of the $25-million grant has been spent fixing up the bridge that is about to be demolished. "For the remaining $15 million, RIDOT is working with FHWA in order to use the funding on the new bridge contract," St. Martin wrote in an email. A U.S. Department of Transportation media advisory issued Friday morning doesn't mention the Washington Bridge by name. It said Buttigieg "will travel to Rhode Island to visit transportation and infrastructure projects and hear about how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is increasing job opportunities for workers and apprentices across the state." More: 'You don't see this every day': Why is the Washington Bridge so strange? McKee also facing unanswered questions Gov. Dan McKee's office was maintaining radio silence on the Buttigieg visit Friday. After announcing Thursday that the ailing bridge will need to be torn down, McKee is also facing unanswered questions about it. One of them is whether there was any way to rebuild the bridge in less than the 18-to-24-month timeframe now under consideration. On Thursday, McKee said going through the traditional request for proposals process for a new bridge would get "the best pricing" and "the best quality of the individuals that do that work." The reference to "quality of the individuals" may be aimed at the construction consortium of Barletta Heavy Division and Aetna Bridge that had been working on the bridge when its structural problems were identified in December and it was abruptly closed to traffic. More: Westbound Washington Bridge needs to be demolished. What it means for the state. Barletta excluded from federal highway jobs The Barletta team is under a "voluntary exclusion" from bidding on new federally funded highway projects according to correspondence between the Rhode Island DOT and Federal Highway Administration provided Thursday in response to an Access to Public Records request. On Dec. 22, two weeks after the westbound bridge was closed, RIDOT asked the FHWA for permission to have Barletta perform emergency work on the bridge, including fixing the broken tie-down rods and routing westbound traffic onto the eastbound span. Barletta had already begun that work when RIDOT made its request. FHWA Division Administrator Derek Torrey responded the next day, granting a "retroactive exception" to Barletta's "suspension and debarment exclusion." "As a routine matter, an exception would not be approved unless obtained prior to award of a new contract," Torrey wrote. However, "because safety and access goals in the Interstate System are critical to FHWAs funding decisions, for this limited purpose, FHWA can ratify RIDOTs use of Barletta as an excluded contractor on this Purchase Order, to allow the emergency funds to continue to flow to this critical safety process." He went on to say that the information the state provided "does not explain key details about how this Purchase Order award process occurred. The FHWAs decision today does not constitute a finding that Barletta took the required actions to meet the Companys obligations." The letters do not say why Barletta was banned from bidding on federally funded jobs in Rhode Island and rail projects in Massachusetts, but company spokeswoman Patti Doyle confirmed it was related to the company's 2022 settlement with the Department of Justice over contaminated fill at the reconstruction of the Routes 6-10 interchange. Barletta paid $1.5 million to settle the case, in which the U.S. Attorney's Office argued the firm used contaminated fill trucked to the 6-10 site from its jobs on the Pawtucket commuter rail station and another station in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. McKee has hinted at legal action against contractors who may not have done their jobs on the bridge, although he hasn't named names. It is also possible that Barletta may try to get more than the $37.1 million it has been paid so far of the $78 million westbound repair project. It has also received at least $1 million from the emergency contract. What about the eastbound bridge? The revelation that the westbound Washington Bridge had been in much worse condition than anyone realized has raised questions among motorists about the parallel eastbound structure that is now carrying traffic from both directions instead of one. Unlike the westbound bridge, which opened in 1968, the eastbound bridge was completed in 2006. It replaced a 1930-era bridge, part of which was restored to become the George Redman Linear Park and bike path. In a briefing for reporters Thursday, Alviti said the eastbound bridge does not share the structural problems of the westbound bridge and two separate consultants said it can safely carry six lanes of traffic in the new alignment being worked on now. Construction on the closed side of Washington Bridge Wednesday afternoon. "We had a second independent structural engineering company review the calculations and analysis of the first, and they concurred that it is a safe structure for us to use for six lanes of traffic as long as we need to," Alviti said. The westbound bridge employed a novel midcentury design involving pre-cast concrete girders reinforced with a steel tensioning system. The newer eastbound bridge is made up of steel girders. With reports from Katherine Gregg. Page 1 of I-195 Washington Bridge Press Conference 3-14-2024 (1) Page 1 of I-195 Washington Bridge Press Conference 3-14-2024 (1) Contributed to DocumentCloud by Wheeler Cowperthwaite (The Providence Journal) View document or read text This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Pete Buttigieg will be in RI Tuesday. Will he talk about the bridge? A senior Hamas official told CNN that he cannot provide any assurances about the wellbeing of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, but rejected a United Nations special representatives finding that there is clear and convincing information that some of them have been sexually abused. I cannot now reassure you, anyone, because all these war prisoners are facing the same bombardment and starvation our people (are) facing on the ground, said Basem Naim, a member of Hamas political bureau, even as he absolutely denied the allegations of sexual abuse. In a wide-ranging and sometimes contentious Zoom interview from his office in Istanbul, Turkey, Naim spoke to CNN on Wednesday about the state of ceasefire negotiations with Israel, the fate of 130 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, and Hamas share of responsibility for the widespread devastation unleashed by the Israeli military in Gaza in response to the October 7 terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,200 people. During the interview, Naim rejected defining Hamas attacks as terrorism, falsely claiming that his organization does not target civilians. Instead, he blamed Israel for carrying out what he claimed is state terrorism in Gaza and reiterated Hamas calls for Palestinians to join in armed resistance against Israel during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Sunday night. Israel has denied targeting civilians and accuses Hamas of hiding behind civilian infrastructure. More than 31,000 people, a majority of whom are women and children, have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli military campaign began, according the health ministry in the enclave. Fate of hostages, sexual violence allegations A week after a United Nations team led by UN special representative Pramila Patten said it found clear and convincing information that some women held hostage by Hamas had been raped or sexually abused, and that there were reasonable grounds to believe the sexual violence was ongoing, Naim said he absolutely denied the allegations. She was not able to show any proof and solid evidence from an eyewitness, Naim said. She hasnt met any of the victims. Pattens team interviewed 34 people, obtaining firsthand accounts from released hostages as well as testimony from survivors, and witnesses, health and service providers, and first responders to the October 7 attack. Based on the first-hand accounts of released hostages, the mission team received clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment occurred against some women and children during their time in captivity, the UN report says. Hamas has denied international organizations any access to those hostages still in captivity to assess their wellbeing. While Naim denied the allegations of sexual violence, he said Hamas was unable to account for the wellbeing of the hostages because of the continued bombardment of Gaza. A ceasefire, he said, was necessary to collect more data about their fate. The odds of a ceasefire agreement materializing remain uncertain. For weeks, mediators have described the deal as one that would happen in multiple phases, and the first stage would see the fighting pause for about six weeks and the release of around 40 Israeli hostages and a large number of Palestinians. Hamas latest, long-awaited ceasefire proposal calls for Israel to release between 700 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, in exchange for Hamas releasing Israeli women including IDF soldiers children, elderly, and wounded and sick hostages, a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions told CNN on Friday, confirming earlier reporting by Reuters. The proposal envisions that a permanent ceasefire would be agreed upon after that initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas has consistently demanded a permanent ceasefire and the pullback of Israeli troops as a condition of any deal, which the Israeli government has rejected. Upon receiving the latest proposal, the Israeli Prime Ministers office called it ridiculous and said Thursday that Hamas is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands, but an Israeli delegation is being sent to Doha, Qatar for further talks. Our impression is it is not going to be easy to convince the Israelis of this, the diplomat said. Pressed on why Hamas would not accept a temporary ceasefire amid the urgent humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the UN says half-a-million people are on the brink of famine, Naim blamed the Israeli government and said Hamas would be naive to agree to a temporary ceasefire. Naim spoke to CNN before details of the latest Hamas proposal emerged. Do you believe that we are so naive to accept going for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire for six weeks or two months to give the Israelis all what (they are) looking for? Naim said. I think any, any rational politician around the world, he will expect to reach a permanent quiet, a permanent ceasefire so that we can go from this point out to relieve the people on the ground to rebuild the Gaza Strip again. Asked for a response to Naims remarks, an Israeli government official said: Prime Minister Netanyahus government has freed 112 hostages to date and is committed to free all the hostages. Once Hamas delusional demands come down to earth, there can be another humanitarian pause for a hostage release deal, the official said. Israel has limited the amount of humanitarian aid entering key parts of the Gaza Strip and is responsible under international humanitarian law for ensuring that Gazas civilian population does not starve. As for Hamas responsibility? First of all, yes, we have all the responsibility towards our people. And therefore, from day one, we have looked for ending this aggression and stopping the slaughter of our people. And we have contacted all the mediators to reach a final, total ceasefire. But you are accusing Hamas, as if we are the ones who are committing all these crimes, and who are blocking all the humanitarian aid to come into Gaza, Naim said. In recent weeks, many civilians in Gaza have increasingly blamed Hamas for the mounting starvation. When speaking about the distribution of aid, displaced individuals accused Hamas of taking humanitarian aid meant for civilians and taking it for its fighters. Naim denied the claims, asserting that Hamas was fighting for the people, and not fighting against the people. Ramadan and the month of jihad The interview came during the first week of Ramadan, which has been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in previous years. This year, it comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, Israeli crackdowns on Palestinian militant groups in the occupied West Bank and Hamas calls for more attacks. Ahead of the interview, Hamas issued a statement calling on the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to continue clashing with the Zionist occupation in support of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and our steadfast people in Gaza, especially as we experience the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan, the month of jihad and resistance. Naim said Palestinians have a right to pursue freedom and dignity and an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital through both diplomatic means and what he called armed resistance. But pressed on whether Hamas is seeking to inspire terrorist attacks against Israel during Ramadan, Naim rejected that label. Naim also insisted that Hamas does not target civilians, but Israeli settlers armed with weapons and those responsible for violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Hamas killed hundreds of civilians including women and children during its attack on October 7 and has targeted civilians for years, in addition to carrying out attacks on Israeli forces. CNNs Alex Marquardt contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SOUTH BEND A local landlord with a history of legal trouble recently lost judgments in separate cases awarding more than $1.1 million in damages to two tenants, one of whom was allegedly swindled out of her home while the other says she suffered a broken leg and ankle while moving into a house with alleged safety issues. The Indiana attorney general's office on Wednesday announced it won a judgment of more than $250,000 against Steven Kollar, an area landlord whom lawyers accused of fraudulently taking over the title to a South Bend woman's home. Though she was promised payment in return, the woman received none and was left temporarily homeless. The state also reached a settlement for $88,000 with Gary Griner, an attorney who worked with Kollar on the transaction. Local landlord Steven Kollar, pictured in this Tribune file photo, is implicated in two separate judgments against him totaling more than $1.1 million. One tenant alleges he swindled her out of a home while the other says he knowingly put her in an unsafe property. In another unrelated case, Kollar managed a South Bend property owned by an unlikely out-of-state landlord: James Lu, an internet entrepreneur who's the chairman of Grindr, the LQBTQ dating app, and a co-founder of the educational services company Chegg. Shortly after moving into the home last July, a tenant says she fell through a shoddy staircase, shattering her ankle and breaking her leg, according to a statement from the law firm representing her. Last month, a St. Joseph County judge awarded the 25-year-old single mother $866,000 in damages after she had surgery and missed work for about half a year. In both cases, St. Joseph County Magistrate Judge Andre Bernard Gammage issued default judgments against Kollar and the other defendants because they failed to file responses to the lawsuits. The judicial orders say each defendant has joint and several liability, meaning the wronged parties can collect the court-awarded damages from any or all of them. Kollar plans to appeal both rulings, he told The Tribune in a Friday phone interview, noting that the court denied his requests for more time to make his arguments. He denied that he was deceptive in the case of the homeowner, saying that she misunderstood their deal and went back on her end. He also rejected the claim the rental home had safety issues. More: St. Joseph County evictions report reveals tenant-landlord imbalance, offers solutions and legal resources Attorney general wins judgment against local landlord The attorney general alleges that Kollar convinced a senior citizen who had fallen behind on her property tax payments to transfer ownership of her home near the River Park neighborhood to him in September 2021. Kollar led the woman to believe he would buy her home from a St. Joseph County tax sale, renovate it and split the proceeds from a future sale with her. He instead used the property as collateral for a loan before converting it to a rental unit, according to court documents. The woman found Kollar after his assistant left a flyer in her mail telling her she had only a few hours "to gain some time or some cash" by reaching out to him. After a phone call with Kollar in which he reportedly told the homeowner she had until 5 p.m. that day to sign a quitclaim deed, which would transfer her home's title to him, his attorney prepared the document and she signed it. The woman was "a very vulnerable target because when she received Mr. Kollars flyer, she was under the impression that, effectively, if she didnt agree to whatever he was offering her, she would lose the house," said Chase Haller, the state's deputy attorney general who leads the Homeowner Protection Unit, in a phone interview with The Tribune. "In her moment of desperation, she followed his instructions and signed the property over to him. More: With South Bend family evicted after scam, some question their out-of-state property owner's practices The woman, originally represented by the Notre Dame Law Clinic, filed a lawsuit against Kollar in May 2023 alleging that she tried to reverse the deal shortly after she'd made it. But Kollar refused to let her back out of the transaction. The home she lost was reportedly worth about $100,000. The state attorney general's office joined the lawsuit Dec. 20, alleging that Kollar violated multiple civil statutes outlawing deceptive acts in real estate transactions. In addition to a monetary judgment of nearly $253,000, the judge on March 8 permanently barred Kollar from soliciting people whose properties are subject to tax sales and from serving as a trustee for any trust formed in Indiana. Steven Kollar In a January interview with The Tribune, Kollar contested the homeowner's version of events. Kollar alleged that the deal broke down when the tenant involved the Notre Dame Law Clinic, which he believes holds a vendetta against him after attorneys represented a group of tenants who sued him in 2018. He said that after he refused to allow the tenant to back out of the deal, she stripped the home of many interior fixtures and so he declined to pay her. "My position was that she was going to lose the house, we were gonna pay for it, we were gonna go in ... and do what we call a light rehab," Kollar said. He said he then planned to sell it and split the proceeds with the homeowner, who was apparently planning to move anyway. Then, he said, "Notre Dame legal aid stepped in and tried to renege and get (her) out of it." Tenant says she fell through staircase, couldn't work for months Last July, Kollar entered a one-year lease agreement with a low-income single mother who needed a cheap place to stay, according to her attorney, Joe Burger of Burger Law Firm in Frankfort. Kollar was managing the property near the Rum Village neighborhood through his company Western Rentals 2, LLC. Upon entering the home, the tenant says she found significant safety issues. She agreed to clean the property and move in anyway in exchange for a reduction in her monthly rent payments. But a day after signing her lease, while she was cleaning, she was walking downstairs when "her foot went through a defective staircase," her attorney claims. She broke her right ankle and her right leg, according to her attorney. The city of South Bend's code inspectors would later cite the home for a lack of heating, large holes in the ceiling that exposed electrical wiring, water that leaked into the basement and a lack of smoke detectors, according to Burger. Indiana law requires landlords to provide safe, clean and habitable units that comply with local building and health codes. The tenant had surgery to repair her injuries and couldn't continue her work as a certified nursing assistant, Burger said. She's been left to sleep on her mother's couch. Just this week, doctors removed the boot she's been wearing while she recovers. The property is owned by South Bend Homes LLC, a company under the control of Lu, a prominent internet entrepreneur with his own Wikipedia page. Lu ran the company through his firm Longview Capital Holdings LLC, whose listed address is in Seattle. Lu did not respond to an email requesting comment Friday. Kollar said nothing appeared wrong with the staircase when he visited the home afterward. He didn't know about the tenant's injuries, he claims, until he filed to evict her and she responded with a lawsuit. Burger said absentee owners are problematic because they often don't know the condition of their properties. They rely on third-party property management companies like Kollar's to maintain their units. But those management companies have almost no liability and often don't have insurance to cover their negligence, Burger said. These property owners are reliant upon these management companies to maintain the value," Burger said. "But these management companies have no incentive to do so. Their only goal is to make money. Email South Bend Tribune city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09 This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Judge rules South Bend landlord Steven Kollar fraudulent and negligent It was welcome news after a morning filled with dismal economic forecasts and financial handwringing. Giving free meals to all the students in Durham Public Schools wouldnt cost the county anything, local leaders learned Thursday and it could actually wind up saving the district nearly $1.6 million a year. Thats because Durham qualifies for the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, a federal program that reimburses districts for providing free school breakfast and lunch. For the whole district to qualify, 25% of students must automatically qualify for free school meals. This could be because their families get food assistance or welfare, are enrolled in Medicaid, or are homeless. In Durham, that percentage is 46% . The savings would come from DPS being more fully reimbursed for the free breakfasts it already provides, and from not having to mail letters home and process applications for free and reduced-price lunches. Demani Dargan-Juarez, 5, center, looks up in between bites of school lunch at George Watts Elementary School on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. County extension director Donna Rewalt delivered the news Thursday during a joint meeting of the school board and county commissioners. Durham CAN organized dozens of people to attend the meeting to support the idea. Retired teacher Beverly McNeill was working in a Pennsylvania elementary school when it began offering free meals during an economic downturn. So all of a sudden, many families were extremely stressed and had very little money. The kids were hostile, hungry and aggressive, she recalled. And I could not believe the difference in my kids in three weeks when everybody had a full belly. Nazir Williams, 3, left, and J-Sheer Williams, 3, walk home in March 2020 with their mother Saleemah Williams. Their lunch was provided at a Durham meal distribution site as all North Carolina public schools close in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Durham high school student Kyla Perry said there can be stigma associated with how the program is set up now. We dont want to have to worry about how were going to be seen as poor students because we eat free food, she said. Five other school districts in North Carolina have adopted districtwide free meals through CEP: In the mountains: Buncombe, Haywood, Rutherford, Wilkes On the coast: Beaufort With over 30,000 students, Durham would be the largest. The district must notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture of its interest in CEP by April 1. Gov. Roy Cooper speaks with kindergarten student Sankeerthana Lolla while eating lunch at Bethesda Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Durham, N.C. Cooper visited the school to announce new agreements to bring food from North Carolina farmers and producers to schools. Title 1 funding concern Some leaders have been concerned that implementing CEP would change how Title 1 funding is spread around. Thats because the most common metric used to identify Title 1 schools is the percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals. Federal Title 1 money is meant to help low-income schools meet their academic goals. Equity-minded leaders dont want to see Title 1 money spent on high-income schools. But there are other poverty metrics Durham could use instead. Title 1 funds are not required to be allocated to every CEP school. Weve heard questions about that, county nutrition specialist Raina Bunnag said. Whats next Elected leaders did not discuss pursuing CEP on Thursday, but the school board promised to talk about it during its March 21 meeting, when budget negotiations will take center stage. The Durham Association of Educators is rallying ahead of the meeting to increase pay for the districts lowest-paid workers, many of whom had promised raises withdrawn earlier this year. Want to go? The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. March 21 at 2107 Hillandale Road. The rally starts at 5:30 p.m. The campaign of a Trump-backed Senate candidate in Ohio has said that an intern pranked him by making a profile for him on an adult website 16 years ago. Bernie Moreno may clinch the Ohio Republican Senate nomination in the primary set for Tuesday, shooting to the top after being endorsed by former president Donald Trump. He was a supporter of LGBT+ rights before switching stances and becoming an opponent. Mr Moreno is now facing questions regarding a profile from 2008 on the site Adult Friend Finder seeking sexual partners. The profile sought men for 1-on-1 sex. The profile doesnt have any photos but includes the caption: Hi, looking for young guys to have fun with while traveling. Thats according to a review of public records following a data breach of the site. Records reveal that the profile was used for the final time just six hours after it was created. The review showed that an individual with access to Mr Morenos email account created the profile. Questions about the profile have been going around for the past month. Mr Morenos attorney has said that a former intern, Dan Ricci, created the profile as a prank. In a statement shared with The Independent, Mr Ricci said: I am thoroughly embarrassed by an aborted prank I pulled on my friend, and former boss, Bernie Moreno, nearly two decades ago. I was one of the many people at the company with access to his public-facing email account - bernie@clevelandporsche.com - and created the adult friend finder account in question. It was part of a juvenile prank that I never ended up going through with that clearly was not intended to be malicious. Campaign finance records show that Mr Ricci donated $6,599 to Mr Morenos campaign last year. A former Vice President at Bernie Moreno Companies, Helder Rosa, said: I worked for Bernie Moreno Companies from May of 2005 through the sale of the dealership in March of 2019. During that period of time, the dealerships employed many interns, both paid and unpaid. Many of those interns were given duties that included checking emails, responding to simple inquiries, and other tasks to help senior management. In November of 2008, Dan Ricci was an intern. Charles Harder, an attorney for Mr Moreno, said: 16 years ago an intern at Moreno Auto created an account at AFF as a prank, which he quickly abandoned that same day ... The email address in question was not Bernies personal email address, but rather an email address that appeared on company websites and literature and was managed by staff. Multiple people had access to it, including this intern. Bernie Moreno had nothing to do with the AFF account. According to metadata, the AFF account was never even usedthere were no communications or contacts sent to or from any other AFF accounts, and no photos or content were uploaded to it. The AFF account existed for less than a half-day, 16 years ago, he added. A former swing state, Ohio is now seen as more of a red state after Mr Trump won it twice after former President Barack Obama did the same. Republicans now hope to win back one of the states senate seats from Democrat Sherrod Brown. Republicans are just one seat short of a majority in the Senate, meaning that winning the upper chamber could have massive effects if Mr Trump manages to win back the White House. Mr Trump chose to endorse Mr Moreno over other Republican candidates in the primary, such as Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Senator Matt Dolan. Mr Trump is set to rally supporters alongside Mr Moreno in Dayton, Ohio tomorrow. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said the press is obsessed with anyone who supports the America First movement. Party officials have sought a review of data to understand if Mr Moreno was involved in creating the profile, a review that connected the profile to the candidates work email address. The profile also includes Mr Morenos date of birth, with geolocation data showing that the account was established to be used in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the candidates parents owned a home at the time, according to property records. The username nardo19672 could be a reference to Mr Morenos first name Bernardo and the numbers to his birth month: February 1967. Mr Moreno was born in Colombia, immigrating to the US as a child and becoming a citizen at the age of 18. Coming from a wealthy family, he built a business that included multiple car dealerships in several states. Mr Moreno has made comments in support of gay rights in the past, and his dealership sponsored the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland and Akron featuring LGBT+ athletes. A successful Gay Games would go a long way toward boosting our images as cities that welcome all, he wrote in Crains Cleveland Business. They need help to put them on. Hosting a complex multi-venue event requires a network of financial supporters and volunteers. It must be a community effort, he wrote as he urged others to back the event. He has cited the TV comedy Modern Family for changing views on same-sex marriage and when fliers were put up on the campus of Cleveland State University in October 2017 telling gay and transgender students to take their lives, Mr Moreno, the chair of the schools board of trustees at the time, called it an abhorrent message and described it as an attack on our whole campus. His companies were included on a list of businesses that backed legislation against discrimination of LGBT+ people. The great state of Ohio helped put Trump in the White House and JD Vance in the senate, so I have no doubt theyll elect the real conservative @berniemoreno over leftwing, pro-trans Frank LaRose. pic.twitter.com/wTJRYxEysL Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 12, 2024 But his pro-LGBT+ views appeared to change when he initially ran for the Senate in 2021, a race he left early. More recently, he has claimed that LGBT+ advocates are pushing a radical agenda, accusing them of indoctrination. He has said that Mr Dolan and Mr LaRose are supporting a radical trans agenda. A Moreno campaign ad criticises Mr LaRose for backing legislation that Mr Morenos companies previously supported. The Associated Press contributed to this report So you're in Indianapolis for a big game. Or concert. Or convention. How do you get around, and what should you do before and after the main event? Whether it's the Indy 500, Comic Con or the NFL Combine, major rotating events like the NBA All-Star Game, or even natural draws like the upcoming solar eclipse, Indy welcomes massive crowds of visitors all year long. That's why we put together a guide to visiting the Circle City that even locals might find interesting. From must-try foods and experiences to local laws, here's what to know about visiting Indianapolis. Indianapolis laws to know First things first: Don't get arrested. Marijuana isn't legal. We also have some strange alcohol rules, so you won't find any legal happy hour deals, although that will be changing soon. On the other hand, you can carry a handgun without a permit and bet on sports. Check out the links below for more on unique or important laws to know. Indiana laws to know: Alcohol sales, driving, gambling and more Recording police: Can you record police during protests or traffic stops? Here's what Indiana law says. Traveling to and around Indianapolis We have one of the best airports in the country and that's not just our opinion. It consistently lands at the top of customer satisfaction surveys and grades highly for ease of navigating, cleanliness and getting out on time. If you're driving, we hope it's a rental car. Thanks to constantly fluctuating temperatures and other factors, we have potholes that will rattle your teeth and your alignment. We are working on it, but for now, keep your tires properly inflated and your head on a swivel. You can find live traffic cams, road conditions and more in this gridlock guide. Be warned: We love roundabouts. Well, Hamilton County, just north of Indianapolis, has a ton of them anyway. It's a bit of a love-hate relationship. You should also probably do your best to avoid these eight intersections. Baggage fee concerns? Here's what every airline at Indianapolis airport charges Indy traffic: These Indianapolis-area road projects could impact your commute in 2024 Indy through our eyes: See Indy's biggest moments of 2023 through the eyes of award-winning photojournalists Where to stay Looking for a place to stay? There's the horror-themed Airbnb, or if you're road-tripping across the state you can check out the state's most hospitable host or the Stranger Things room in Bloomington. If you want to get out of downtown, you can get to know Indy's neighborhoods and people in 317 words or less with our 317 Project stories. Road-tripping to Indy? Here are some destinations to check out on the way Things to do in Indianapolis You can find our coverage of the latest events and what to know about them here. Aside from those rotating events, there are also some Indy favorites that shouldn't be missed on your visit. The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields is always hosting impressive displays and fun events. We have tons of great spots for date nights, and of course, we are known for our basketball and Indy 500 hysteria. Indiana is home to the largest high school gyms in the U.S. Heres a tour of 13 of them. If you're hoping to catch a game, check here for the latest on the high school season or here for the Pacers. You'll find the latest on the Colts here. Looking to get outside? Here's everything you need to know if you're heading to an Indiana state park on your trip. Check out the links below for more places and events. Best of the best: These Indy eats, hotels and attractions are ranked among the nation's best Children's Museum and Conner Prairie: Indianapolis spots named among nation's best in USA TODAY poll Take a tour: Indiana candy and chocolate factories you don't need a golden ticket to tour Hoosier bucket list: 5 Indiana things that should be on every Hoosier's bucket list Fishing trip: Top Indiana angler's secret weapon takes a byte out of the mystery of catching big 'uns Indianapolis family-friendly hikes: 10 kid-friendly Indianapolis trails to try without driving to the suburbs Best restaurants in Indianapolis You may already know about St. Elmo, famous for steak and a shrimp cocktail that brought an ex-NFL running back to tears, but we have an up-and-coming dining scene with a lot for visitors to get excited about. We have had several chefs nominated for James Beard Awards recently, and USA TODAY named Tinker Street among the Restaurants of the Year. Here are a few other spots we wish had made the list. Pizza is a contentious subject. Reader's Digest picked Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza as the best in Indiana. Last year, we asked readers to decide and received nearly 200,000 votes as Greek's Pizzeria was crowned. You can see how that played out here. Check out these links for more must-try restaurants, depending on what you're looking for. Best steak: These are some of the best steakhouses in downtown Indianapolis Best burger: Find the best burgers in downtown Indianapolis at these restaurants Patios and pets: Places where you (and your furry friend) can dine or drink outside Downtown Indy sports bars: Where to catch a game with great grub and drinks Black-owned restaurants: In downtown Indianapolis to try during your eclipse trip What to expect from Indiana's weather Check out this database that lets you enter a day of the year and see weather info for it going all the way back to 1895. If you're from a place that doesn't have tornadoes, that may be your biggest weather question. For how often they happen, here's every tornado in the state since 1950 by location and category. If you happen to visit during Severe Weather Preparedness Week, you will hear the tornado siren but it's only a drill. If it's not that week and you're hearing sirens, you should take cover. Here's what it takes for each county to sound that alarm. For the most Indiana explanation of the difference between a tornado watch and warning, click here. See below for a live look at the Indianapolis weather radar and more weather things to know. Severe weather prep: What Central Indiana residents can expect moving into 'heart of the severe weather season' How cold is too cold? Here's what makes the bitter cold so dangerous Winter driving tips: Here's how to drive with common sense in icy weather More Indianapolis links to know VisitIndy.com is the official events site and has lots of great info for visitors. Coming for the 500? Here's the official site Want the latest on the Fever and Caitlin Clark? Sign up for our free newsletter directly to your inbox. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Visitor's guide to Indianapolis: Restaurants, laws and more to know Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, visited the U.S. border with Mexico on a humanitarian trip during which he met asylum seekers, aid workers, helped distribute relief, and met with U.S. Border Patrol officers to get a better understanding of the situation. I cannot unsee what I saw, Jones said. I cannot unsee the trauma that I saw, the pain that I saw, but also the beauty of the community coming together to try and act where government has failed. While there, the group also briefly visited Reynosa, Mexico and shared a meal with asylum seekers waiting to cross the border into the United States. Rep. Justin Jones D- Nashville, raises his hand to ask a question during a House session at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. What I saw was a lot of folks who are desperate who are trying to get here legally, but the processes have been set up, and the bureaucracy has been set up to where it's a seven year waiting period for some people to even get an asylum appointment, Jones told The Tennessean. The trip was organized by humanitarian groups Fellowship Southwest, Team Brownsville, and Practice Mercy. Jones paid for his travel and expenses with his personal funds. He is planning to return in April with clergy from Nashville, and invited colleagues from either side of the aisle to join him. I really went to just see for myself and lift up the humanity of folks, and make this people-centered and not to be just about rhetoric and fear mongering, but to make it about the people I met like Javier, Jones said. During debate on a bill on the House floor Thursday that would require local law enforcement to inform federal immigration authorities of individuals immigration status, Jones shared his experiences at the border, including interactions he had with an asylum seeker named Javier, with whom, he said, he walked across the border. In response, Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, insinuated in a social media post that Jones violated federal law and tagged a federal law enforcement agency to chime in. Did a member of the Tennessee General Assembly just admit on the House floor to aiding and abetting an illegal immigrant in violating federal law? Barrett asked in a social media post Thursday, tagging U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Chair U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, the Department of Homeland Security, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The House Republican Caucus reshared Barretts post, as did several members of GOP leadership. A spokesperson for the House Republican Caucus later noted to The Tennessean that Barretts tweet posed a question, but did not make a statement. "The House Republican Caucus does not have an official position on this issue," House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, told The Tennessean in a statement. "However, our members have overwhelmingly voted in favor of strengthening laws that ensure Tennessee is not a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants. The failed policies of the Biden administration have undermined the safety of all Americans. We will continue to aid and support law enforcement at every level to communicate and cooperate with ICE. Barrett did not respond to requests for clarification from The Tennessean. Jones told The Tennessean that no curious Republican members have approached him about the nature of his trip, or about his experiences speaking with asylum seekers, but would be happy to discuss the trip with them and welcome them to return with him in April. Rep. Justin Jones recently visited Texas and Mexico to better understand the humanitarian and border enforcement situation. While there, Jones crossed visited Reynosa, Mexico, and later returned to Texas via the Reynosa-McAllen/Hidalgo International Bridge. Jones shared photo and video documentation with The Tennessean demonstrating that the group returned back from the visit to Reynosa by way of the Reynosa-McAllen/Hidalgo International Bridge port of entry, and passed through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoint. Jones said the group waited in line alongside other asylum seekers at the checkpoint, and helped welcome them to the United States. He said he hopes to see more investment in the legal processes to shorten the waiting period for people who want to come to the U.S. legally. "They want to come legally, and they have a human right to asylum," Jones said. He encouraged his Republican colleagues to refrain from using terms like "illegal invasion" when describing the situation at the border. My fear is that dehumanizing language leads to dehumanizing policies, and so I wish that [my Republican colleagues] would just center on the humanity of folks and hear their stories and see them, Jones said. At least personally, our faith compels us to welcome those who are considered the stranger, and to not try and demonize them or incite violence against them or put razor wire to keep them out. School-based gun safety concepts training headed to final floor vote A measure to require age-appropriate training on gun-safety concepts for school children as early as kindergarten is headed to the Senate floor for a final vote after passing the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. With full Senate approval, the bill could be headed to Gov. Bill Lee's desk soon. Senate Bill 2882 would require public schools to provide students with mandatory age-appropriate and grade-appropriate training, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Required training would include instruction on the safe storage of firearms; safety relating to firearms; how to avoid injury if a student finds a firearm; never to touch a found firearm; and to immediately notify an adult of the location of a found firearm. The bill requires that instruction be viewpoint neutral on political topics, such as gun rights, gun violence, and the Second Amendment. Live ammunition, live fire, and live firearms would be prohibited. Democrats have criticized the proposal for not permitting parents to opt their children out of the instruction. Proponents of the bill have likened the safety concepts to fire drills. No-cost menstrual hygiene supplies could be coming to schools A bipartisan effort to make menstrual hygiene supplies more accessible for school-aged girls took a step forward, gaining unanimous approval from the House Education Administration Committee on Wednesday. The Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act would designate a portion of sales taxes collected from sales of feminine hygiene products which the state taxes as a nonessential luxury item to fund placing a stock of products in girls restrooms and in clinics inside schools. House Bill 2207 is sponsored by Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, and Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis. If passed, no-cost feminine hygiene care products could be placed in high school girls restrooms as early as next year, as the bill would take effect July 1. It highlights the necessity of this. There have been young ladies who have been absent because they dont have access to the necessary products, Davis told the committee. The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to take up the bill Wednesday. Bill to vacate TSU board headed to full Senate vote The Senate Education Committee voted to effectively vacate the current board of Tennessee State University and leave it to Gov. Bill Lee to appoint 8 out of 10 new members. The move comes as TSU nears the end of its search for a new president and awaits the results of a forensic audit commissioned by lawmakers last spring. The bill heads to a full Senate vote next, which has not yet been scheduled, with the House version set to be heard by the joint Government Operations Committee on Monday. The bill has stirred intense controversy over $2.1 billion in historic underfunding of TSU by the state and disparities in how TSU has been treated by lawmakers. TSU leaders have pleaded with lawmakers to extend their current board and give them more time to course correct after scrutiny over finances and leadership in recent years. The legislation stalled for a few weeks as some Democrats attempted to craft a compromise. House committee kills school meal efforts Two nearly identical efforts to establish universal free public school meals, brought from both sides of the aisle, died in the House K-12 Subcommittee. House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, and Rep. Kevin Raper, R-Cleveland, each brought legislation that would require public schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all kids, which would be reimbursed by the state. Raper said as a former educator, he saw the need firsthand. "Statistics indicate hunger comes down to certain poverty levels, which is not always accurate," Raper said. "My personal statistic is that one hungry child is too many." Raper's bill failed on a 3-5 vote, while Clemmons' bill failed to receive a second. Clemmons criticized the committee on Thursday, noting free school meals received high bipartisan support in a recent Vanderbilt University poll. "We have an opportunity, a fiscally responsible way, to address child hunger in our schools," Clemmons said. "Yet we still refuse to do that very basic thing." TN4All rallies against vouchers, grocery tax, corporate tax loopholes Around 200 people representing faith, labor and community organizations rallied on the steps of the Capitol on Tuesday. The diverse group, known as the Tennessee for All Coalition, voiced their opposition to the school voucher expansion. They also pressed to close corporate tax loopholes, end the grocery tax and fund universal pre-K in Tennessee. Angela Wynn, a mother with children at Rutherford County Schools, told a story about her grandfather overcoming racial barriers and earning his doctorate. She worries that vouchers will divert much-needed money from public schools and widen disparities. "Let us honor the legacy of those that fought for equal access to education," she said. Around 100 people from the rally marched a half mile to demonstrate outside the Amazon corporate office on Nelson Merry Street. Several were carrying signs that read "Amazon: Stop funding lawmakers who harm our communities" and wore bright yellow shirts that said "Kids Not Corporations." Catch up on the week Sen. London Lamar navigates the General Assembly as the Senate's first member to give birth while in office State bill would curtail local authority to revoke party vehicle permits TN bill to require schools show fetal development video, cites anti-abortion Baby Olivia House GOP quashes effort to have AG handle legislature's sexual harassment investigations Democrats question if Lee tax plan could benefit his private company as alternative push fails Got a question for us? Got a question about state politics you would like us to tackle? Let us know. Email us at mabrown@tennessean.com, vjones@tennessean.com or statehouse@tennessean.com. Rachel Wegner contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee politics: Rep. Justin Jones draws GOP ire with visit to border The News The White House reviewed, but didnt block, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumers sharp attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday. While the administration has not embraced his explosive call for new elections, the lack of apparent pushback signaled a growing split between the two countries leaderships. Schumer, the highest ranking Jewish politician in Congress, said new elections were needed because so many in the Middle East country have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government. His speech came just three days after the U.S.s top intelligence body released an annual global threat assessment that delved unusually deep into the state of Israels internal politics. We expect large protests demanding [Netanyahus] resignation and new elections, the report stated. The New York Democrat has been a strong supporter of U.S. aid to Israel since the October attack. His historical backing of the Jewish state made his speech Thursday that much more newsworthy. The Biden administration denied on Thursday that its seeking to shape who leads Israel as the country enters a critical new stage in its war against the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, in the Gaza Strip. But National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Schumer had shared his speech with the White House before delivering it, while adding the heads-up wasnt about approval or disapproval or editing in any way. We fully respect his right to make those remarks and decide for himself what hes going to say on the Senate floor, Kirby said. Were going to stay focused on making sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself while doing everything that they can to avoid civilian casualties. Both Netanyahus political allies and opponents pushed back hard against the comments coming out of Washington, charging they were designed to tip the political scales in Israel. Regardless of our political opinion, we strongly oppose external political intervention in Israels internal affairs, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on X. We are an independent nation, not a banana republic. Netanyahus ambassador in Washington, Michael Herzog, echoed this sentiment: Israel is a sovereign country. It is unhelpful. The Biden administration also announced sanctions on Thursday on two Israeli settler outposts in the West Bank, and three settlers, whom the U.S. accused of threatening stability in the Palestinian territories. Jays view The Biden administration as well as many Israelis have major questions about Netanyahu and his hard-right political allies policies, and their post-war plans. But any perception among Israelis that the U.S. is attempting to intervene politically could backfire and potentially grant the prime minister another lease on his decades-long political life. Schumers speech, and the White Houses reaction, is sure to feed that perception. Recent polls in Israel show opposition leader Benny Gantz, a former defense minister, leading Netanyahu by more than 20 points in terms of being viewed as suitable to serve as the countrys next prime minister. Gantzs National Unity party was projected by the Hebrew language daily, Maariv, to win 41 seats in the next election for the 120-seat Israeli Knesset against 18 for Netanayahus Likud. Netanyahu is Israels longest serving prime minister and has held office almost continually since 2009. But Hamas attack on southern Israel last October, which killed around 1,200 Israelis, has starkly undermined his national security record and image of being tough on Palestinian terrorism. Netanyahu and his government also faced nationwide political protests last year over its campaign to alter Israels judicial system. The Biden administration all but openly signaled its support for Gantz last week by hosting him at the White House for a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris. Netanyahu hasnt visited Washington since the October war began. Netanyahu and Biden have been publicly sparring in recent weeks over issues related to the Gaza war, including aid deliveries and the prime ministers plan to conduct military operations near the Egyptian border at the Rafah Border Crossing. Israeli political analysts say they believe Netanyahu will seek to use an open political battle with Biden to strengthen the prime ministers base going into anticipated elections. Israeli polls show that the public stands behind an expansive war against Hamas, even if it doesnt support Netanyahu directly. All decisions related to the war are made by Israels three-member war cabinet: which includes Netanyahu, Gantz, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. From where Im sitting, the Democrats seem doggedly committed to handing Bibi his reelection campaign, wrote the political analyst, Haviv Rettig Gur, on Thursday, referencing Netanyahus nickname. If you make him the hero standing up to American pressure on Israel/waffling on Hamas, you give him his one chance for political survival. Republican leaders joined Israeli voices in criticizing Schumer. It is grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConell said. This is unprecedented. Room for Disagreement The Atlantics Yair Rosenberg sees trouble ahead for Netanyahu and argues against reading too much into the united front against Schumers speech. Gantzs whole brand is being a statesman above the fray while others get their hands dirty, Rosenberg wrote on X. Schumers speech works very nicely for him. He gets to look principled in sidestepping it, while Bibi continues to take the hits but cant turn the issue around on Gantz. Notable A poll this week by Israels Channel 12 found that the Israeli public preferred former President Trump in the White House to Joe Biden, 44% to 30%. A white N.C. hospital executive was discriminated against following implementation of a diversity and inclusion plan, a federal appeals court ruled. Fourth Circuit appeals court judges upheld a Charlotte jurys decision that David Duvall was wrongly fired from Novant Health in 2018 to make room for Black and female employees. As a result, hell receive millions of dollars for damages, back pay, interest and benefits. His attorney described the award as one of largest employment law judgments in North Carolina history. Novant Healtha multibillion-dollar company with tens of thousands of employees and an extensive human resources departmenthad no record of any documented criticism of Duvalls performance or reasons for his termination, said the three-judge panels opinion released Tuesday. The judges called Novants request to reconsider evidence unconvincing and opposed its suggestion that the only conclusion a reasonable jury could have reached would favor the Winston-Salem based hospital. Quite the opposite, wrote Circuit Judge G. Steven Agee. After Duvall was fired, two women one white, one Black took over his duties. Novant later hired a Black woman to permanently replace him, according to court documents. The panel, which also included judges A. Marvin Quattlebaum and Henry Floyd, did rule in favor of Novant in one regard: punitive damages, which is money defendants pay when their conduct is found to be malicious. Duvall and his attorney did not prove his boss was aware of laws forbidding discriminatory practices. That cannot be presumed it must be proved, according to the panel. DEI lawsuits The ruling, which comes amid increased scrutiny of corporate diversity initiatives, was a long, long battle, said Luke Largess, Duvalls lawyer, but it was never one rooted in disdain for diversity or aimed at a launch into politics. Conservative groups say diversity, equity and inclusion programs or DEI create unlawful bias against white and male workers, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently banned DEI funding in public colleges. Hes no right-wing avatar, Largess said of Duvall. He was a big supporter of DEI (at Novant), but no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall, you cant fire someone for a diversity goal and no other reason. Novant Health said it was disappointed and disagrees with the ruling. We firmly stand by our commitment to diversity and inclusion and to assuring equal employment opportunities to all of our current and prospective team members, wrote a Novant spokesperson in an email. Duvall, the former senior vice president of marketing and communications, will still receive about $4 million in damages, back pay, interest and benefits. But the judges ruling lost him $300,000 in punitive damages. A Charlotte judge had earlier shrunk the $10 million a jury awarded Duvall down to the federal cap of $300,000. Did Novant executive know federal laws? Duvall worked at Novant for nearly five years before he was fired by Executive Vice President Jesse Cureton, who is Black. It was one year after Novant adopted a diversity and inclusion plan. The Fourth Circuit said Novants shifting, conflicting, and unsubstantiated explanations for Duvalls termination supported claims that he was targeted as part of its diversity push, which ousted several other white executives as women and minorities rose to senior leadership roles. Judge David Cayer, who presided over the original case and refused Novants request to throw out all punitive damages, said it would be unreasonable to infer that Cureton was ignorant of federal anti-discrimination laws. A reasonable juror could infer that Cureton, as a high-level executive at a large corporation, had knowledge of federal anti-discrimination laws, understood the goals of the D&I Program, and was willing to terminate a white male in order to advance diverse candidates and promote Defendants clearly stated goal to promote diversity and inclusion, he wrote. The Court of Appeals disagreed Tuesday, saying Largess offered no evidence of Novant Healths or Curetons training to establish the requisite knowledge of federal anti-discrimination law. Largess, even while cross-examining Cureton, never established his personal knowledge of federal anti-discrimination law, let alone that he perceived a risk that (Curetons) decision to fire Duvall would violate it, Agee added. Despite the court of appeals interpretation, Duvall said he is grateful. A unanimous panel of appellate court judges gave me a voice against a powerful employer, he wrote in a statement. ... Sadly, it is with the slimmest of odds that employees get their day in court, let alone prevail. I hope my nearly six-year journey is helpful to others who lose their livelihood unfairly. In 2018, Novant had about 30,000 employees. It now has nearly 40,000 across North Carolina and South Carolina. In 2022, it operated on $7.5 billion in revenue, its website states. We continue to believe having a workforce that reflects the communities we serve allows us to provide the personalized care our patients need to reach their best possible health, the company said. A Zone of Interest producer is pushing back on director Jonathan Glazers comments at the Oscars in which he condemned the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The war and the continuation of the war is the responsibility of Hamas, Danny Cohen, the executive producer of Zone of Interest, said in an interview on the episode of the Unholy podcast released Thursday. Calling Hamas a genocidal terrorist organization, Cohen said, I think the war is tragic and awful, and the loss of civilian life is awful, but I blame Hamas for that. While accepting the Academy Award for best international feature film on Sunday, Glazer spoke out about the conflict in Gaza. Zone of Interest follows the family life of a Nazi commander living outside the Auschwitz concentration camp, where more than 1 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. Our film shows where dehumanization leads, at its worst. It shaped all of our past and present, 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, he said, reading from a statement. Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel, or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all are victims of this dehumanization. How do we resist? Glazer said to applause. The Palestinian Health Ministry, which doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its death toll, said last month that more than 30,000 people have died in the war in Gaza. The fighting began in retaliation for Hamass surprise Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people. About 240 people were kidnapped during the October attack. I just fundamentally disagree with Jonathan on this, Cohen said, while discussing Glazers remarks. My support for Israel is unwavering, he added. Listen, its his film. He can stand up there and choose his own words, Cohen told Unholy co-hosts Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland. Hes a strong person, and Im sure hell stand by those, he said. But for me, it wasnt the right time and didnt have enough context. Cohen described Glazers Oscars speech as a distraction, saying, Jon spent 10 years making the film and has made something remarkable, but people are talking more this week about what he said for 30 seconds. And I think thats regrettable, because Id love to just the conversation to be focused on the film itself. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BEDFORD Bedford Countys planned 2024-25 budget projects revenues of $127.9 million, a $4.2 million increase, or 3%, from the current fiscal year, according to figures presented this week to the county board of supervisors. General property taxes, the largest source of revenue for the county, are projected at $78 million, a $1.9 million increase, or 2%, over the current budget. Real estate taxes for the new budget that begins July 1 are forecasted at $49.4 million, a bump of $475,000, and personal property tax is forecasted at $21.1 million, a jump of $2.1 million, the figures show. The best way to describe this line as far as projections is to close your eyes, spin around and throw a dart at a board, Ashley Anderson, finance director, said of the many variables involved in personal property taxes. The machinery and tools tax line projects a $575,000 decrease, a drop of about 17%, largely because of two manufacturing companies moving equipment to another locality or getting rid of some equipment that is taxed, Anderson said during the boards work session Monday. What we are finding is there were a couple of industries that moved some equipment to another location but also for the last year or more we havent had a whole lot of new industries locate in Bedford County, Bedford County Administrator Robert Hiss said. And some of other existing industries with depreciation and so forth were just seeing a decrease in that area. Other local taxes, the second largest source of revenue, also is projected at $18.5 million, an increase of nearly $572,000. Local sales and use tax is estimated at $10.2 million, a $450,000 increase, or 4%, the report shows. That is still going strong though it does appear to be leveling off and returning to our normal growth patterns, Anderson said. Through January, sales tax was trending about 5% higher than the prior year. Transient occupancy tax revenue remains strong, but growth is slow in comparison to the last couple of years, Anderson said. Of the $1.9 million forecasted in transient occupancy tax a bump of $300,000 just shy of $1.4 million will be used for tourism purposes, according to Anderson. The projected meals tax revenue of $2.3 million is a $225,000 increase, or 10%. Meals tax continues to grow rapidly, Anderson said. This was one of the few revenue lines that did take a hit during the pandemic. It took a couple of years to rebound but now it is seeing the amount of growth we were previously seeing in sales and transient taxes. That line is coming back nice and strong. The bulk of the overall revenue increase is in local taxes, which is $3.6 million, Anderson told the board. Hiss said no adjustments in taxes or fees are being proposed in the upcoming budget. The board will review proposed expenses at its March 18 work session. The board during the session briefly discussed funding issues that Bedford County Public Schools have cited in presenting four efficiency options that include closing Stewartsville Elementary School, sending fifth-graders to middle school and eighth-graders to high school, and other measures. Superintendent Marc Bergin has referenced an $8 million reversion cliff in the 2028-29 year that is a term for an expected reduction in state funding tied to the former city of Bedford reverting to the current town 11 years ago. Bergin told Bedford Town Council at its meeting Tuesday the school division has joined the county in setting aside money in preparing for the reversion cliff but more budget efficiencies are needed. Supervisor John Sharp said he views it as disingenuous for school officials to say money tied to the reversion is going away when much has been done already to prepare for it. Its not going to be some huge operations hit, Sharp said. So much like the town, that likes to use half-truths when it comes to reversion, weve got the school board using half-truths when it comes to the money that is theoretically going to go away, when its not, and so thats frustrating. I have no problem with them sharing facts, but when they use half-truths to justify unpopular decisions, whether the town or the school board, thats where I take issue with it. Also during the work session, supervisors looked at more than a handful of potential road projects to consider for the next round of Smart Scale program funding through the Virginia Department of Transportation. The board voiced support for intersection upgrades at White House Road and Radford Church Road, improvements in the stretch at the Hales Ford Bridge over Smith Mountain Lake and improvements at the intersections of Virginia 122 and Fancy Farm Road near Liberty High School and U.S. 221 at Centerville Road. No county funding match is required for the Smart Scale program, Erik Smedley, a county engineer, told the board. He said over the last five years the Fancy Farm Road and Virginia 122 intersection has seen a dozen collisions and in that same span more than a dozen crashes have occurred at the U.S. 221-Centerville intersection. Supervisor Tammy Parker said she travels the Fancy Farm and Centerville roads quite a bit. Those two sites have a ridiculous amount of crashes, Parker said. Something does need to be done there. No final decisions were made during the work session and four projects can be applied for. The pre-application window closes April 1, notices to adjacent property owners would be sent in the spring, a public hearing is targeted in the summer and the full application window is June 1 to Aug. 1, Smedley said. Projects are expected to be chosen in summer 2025 by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and any projects selected in the county would commence at the earliest in late 2027. Edgar Tuck, the boards chair, spoke of the importance of improving the Hales Ford Bridge stretch that serves as the border between Bedford and Franklin counties on Virginia 122. Thats a high priority project for me because that is the place that we designated for commercial growth at the lake and were not going to get any luck there if we dont get it straightened out, Tuck said. TOKYO, Mar 15 (News On Japan) - A photo of Shohei Ohtani and his wife posted on the Dodgers official X account early Friday morning is making waves in Japan ahead of his arrival in Korea. "Departing for Seoul!" The Dodgers updated their social media, sharing a photo taken in front of an airplane heading to Korea. On Ohtani's own Instagram, he commented in Korean, "Can't wait!" and posted a photo with pitcher Yuki Yamamoto and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Next to Ohtani, a black-haired woman in matching clothes can be seen. Compared to the 193 cm tall Ohtani, she is quite tall. The photo caption reads "a photo of Ohtani and his wife before departing for Korea," marking the first appearance of Ohtani's wife on Dodgers' social media. In an interview with a magazine, Ohtani, who answered that his wife is "28 years old, two years younger," also revealed that she calls him "Shohei-san." Ohtani arrived in Korea on March 15th and will face the Padres in the opening game on the 20th. Ohtani announced his marriage on Instagram on February 29th. Source: ANN CHIBA, Mar 16 (News On Japan) - Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture is embarking on a new challenge to attract foreign tourists, with the key appointment of an "Inbound Strategy Officer." Taiwanese Tourists Targeted in New Initiative Choshi Electric Railway, Ryosuke Kashiwagi, Executive Director: "Fumiko Owada became our inbound strategy officer on June 30th last year." Owada: "Nice to meet you, I'm Fumiko Owada. I'm half Taiwanese and half Japanese, currently residing in Taiwan. I mainly handle inbound-related matters, acting as a bridge between Taiwan and Japan." Owada is a well-known figure in Taiwan, appearing in tourism PR videos and commercials while running a company that facilitates exchanges between Taiwan and Japan. Owada: "From my perspective, Choshi City has grat food and an excellent environment. What's lacking is a bit of visibility. With proper promotion, I believe many tourists from Taiwan will like it, and inbound tourism will surely increase." Choshi Chijimi Traditional Craft Center: Experience Tie-Dyeing There are several famous tourist spots in Choshi, such as Inubosaki, selected as one of the "World's 100 Best Lighthouses." Kashiwagi: "We're looking to introduce Choshi from a different angle, not just from the perspective of Choshi but also from the viewpoint of people in Taiwan." Collaborating with deep spots around Choshi Electric Railway, based on Owada's opinions living in Taiwan, is their strategy. Kashiwagi: "I've felt for a long time that people in Taiwan highly value tradition and culture." First, they visited the Choshi Chijimi Traditional Craft Center. Kashiwagi: "Because Choshi is a humid place, these are comfortable to wear." Owada: "It suits Taiwan's climate." Kashiwagi: "Exactly. It perfectly fits Taiwan's climate." Originating in the Edo period, created by fishermen's wives praying for safe voyages and abundant catches, it's a traditional woven fabric passed down for 400 years, designated as an intangible cultural asset by Chiba Prefecture. The center displays and sells various items and fabrics made from Chijimi. They also offer tie-dyeing workshops using white Chijimi handkerchiefs. Owada: "Wow, how is it? The final result is unknown until the very end, so it was exciting and fun." Hojoki, Ise Monogatari, The Tale of Genji... and Ryunosuke Akutagawa The next spot along the Choshi Electric Railway line they visited was the ancient Shingon Esoteric Buddhism temple, Enfuku-ji, with 1,300 years of history. You can see treasures such as Buddhist utensils made in the Nara period inside the temple. And more... Kashiwagi: "Hojoki." Owada: "Ise Monogatari. Wow, this is amazing. I've seen it in ancient Japanese texts." Enfuku-ji, Vice Chief Priest Tadashi Hirahata: "The previous chief priest collected these, wanting to leave such things in Choshi." The temple changes its exhibits monthly, but you can also see precious ancient books like Hojoki, Ise Monogatari, and The Tale of Genji, woodblock printed books from the late 16th to early 17th century. And there was this... Owada: "Wow, amazing! This says 'Ryunosuke Akutagawa.'" Enfuku-ji houses many original manuscripts by modern literary authors. Owada: "His handwriting is kind of cute, Ryunosuke Akutagawa." Other works by literary giants such as Hakushu Kitahara and Akiko Yosano are also present. Vice Chief Priest Hirahata: "Foreigners interested in Japanese literature are often moved." Owada: "Of course, even a layperson like me is moved. Many people in Taiwan love reading, especially Japanese literature. Just hearing the name Ryunosuke Akutagawa excites them. This is a highlight of Choshi." Spring Cabbage Ramen and a Glimpse of Mount Fuji? Next, they visited a gourmet spot that has become a trend in Taiwan. Kashiwagi: "Choshi is known as a fish town, but there are quite a few ramen places." Owada: "Taiwan is currently having a ramen boom." The ramen is made with Choshi's spring cabbage, which boasts the highest harvest volume in Japan. Owada: "Let's eat. Wow, it's crunchy. The cabbage is sweet. I like the noodles too." Next, they visited Meiso Port Seaside Park, overlooking Byobugaura. This is said to be the place where Tadataka Ino confirmed the accuracy of his maps by measuring Mount Fuji during his nationwide survey. Choshi City is said to be the easternmost point in Japan where Mount Fuji is visible. Many tourists visiting Japan from Taiwan look forward to seeing Mount Fuji. Kashiwagi: "Where can you see Mount Fuji? It's visible on the left side of that tip. Unfortunately, it's not visible today." It's rare to see it due to weather conditions, but they're considering a strategy to turn this into an advantage. Kashiwagi: "If you see it, it's a miracle. If we sell it like that, Choshi might be recognized as such a place." Deepening Ties with Taiwan One reason Choshi Electric Railway focuses on inbound from Taiwan is the deep relationship between Choshi and Taiwan. In 2022, Choshi City signed a friendship exchange agreement with Taoyuan City in Taiwan and deepened exchanges. Choshi Electric Railway also signed a sister railway agreement with the Taiwan Railways Administration's Su'ao Line in 2017. This inbound strategy is carried out by a team comprising Choshi Electric Railway and the administration. Asked about her impression of Choshi after visiting that day, Owada found charm in unexpected places. Owada: "I was impressed by the townscape. Walking along the seaside is an experience you can't easily find elsewhere. It felt like experiencing a part of Japan that many don't get to see. Recently, there's been an increase in people who want to experience 'tourism that isn't just tourism,' wanting to know more about Japanese life. In that sense, I think it's very good." Source: ANN All Care Health Center recently announced the hire of Leah Abebe as a physician's assistant serving patients in both the school-based mobile medical clinic and the main health center at 902 S. Sixth St. "Leah brings a wealth of experience and expertise, earned through her diverse educational background and professional journey," the center said in a news release Wednesday. Abebe has a bachelor's degree from the University of NebraskaLincoln, and she has a background in youth development promoting the science, technology, engineering and math subjects as well as in conservation management as a program coordinator. TJ students use art to promote colorectal cancer awareness at All Care March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and All Care Health Center in Council Bluffs is artistically acknowledging the cause thanks to the handy work of some Thomas Jefferson High School students. Abebe went onto to earn a master's degree from the University in St. Francis, transitioning into the health care field as a physician assistant. She has worked with patients in trauma care, orthopedics and home care for aging people, and she previously specialized in women's health. All Care mobile clinic to rotate among Council Bluffs secondary schools Starting next week, the All Care Health Center mobile clinic will begin rotating among several Council Bluffs Community School District sites. "Her dedication and commitment to providing quality care shone through as she gained invaluable experience in these different health care settings," the release states. "Abebe's dedication to her patients, her experience with youth, and her specialized practicing make her a valuable addition to the All Care team." All Care Health Center is a nonprofit community health center dedicated to providing affordable, comprehensive and high-quality health care services in Council Bluffs and the surrounding areas. It offers primary, mental and dental care. To schedule an appointment, call 712-325-1990. Feenstra visits All Care Health Center to discuss importance of health care providers Rep. Randy Feenstra took a tour of All Care Health Center in Council Bluffs while taking a swing through the district over the congressional T ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Rebuilding Baltimores collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge could take anywhere from 18 months to several years, experts say, while the cost could be at least $400 million or more than twice that. The successful humanitarian operation launched by King Mohammed VI to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and Al Quds, reeling under inhuman Israeli siege, made the headlines of international media. Forty tons of foodstuffs and basic products were sent on Tuesday to Palestinians upon the instructions of King Mohammed VI, chairman of Al Quds Committee. A large part of the aid sent to Palestinian babies and young children was paid by the Kings own money. The royal initiative was thus largely relayed and commented by African, Arab, and European media, including in Senegal, Benin, Cote dIvoire, Mali, Guinea, and Gabon; in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen, as well as in Turkiye and several European countries. These media note that this humanitarian gesture towards the Palestinians crowns a long tradition of solidarity rooted in Moroccos approach to the Palestinian issue. Remaining faithful to its tradition of solidarity with the Palestinians, Morocco has initiated a food distribution operation to alleviate the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, who are enduring deplorable conditions at the start of the month of Ramadan, the African and Arab media pointed out, noting that Morocco was the first country to utilize this unprecedented overland route to deliver its humanitarian aid directly to the beneficiaries. Since the beginning of the armed hostilities over five months ago, Morocco has been the first country to transport humanitarian aid by land to deliver it directly to the beneficiaries. Humanitarian aid is arriving in Gaza for the first time in about five months by land, the media emphasized. The international media also highlighted the personal commitment of the King to the success of this operation. As put by Paris-based Jeune Afrique magazine the direct delivery of aid to the affected populations is an unprecedented act since the beginning of the conflict on October 7. In this connection, French Le Monde daily wrote that the announcement of the Kingdoms sending of aid by land comes at a time when the international community is pressuring to diversify the routes for delivering aid to the territory on the brink of famine. Morocco is the first country to transport its humanitarian aid through this unprecedented land route, the daily stated. The aid was transported by plane from Morocco, then transferred to trucks of the Palestinian Red Crescent to be distributed in Gaza and the Holy City of Al-Quds. In addition to institutional aid, notably through the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, King Mohammed VI personally covered a large part of the aid, particularly for infants and young children, Sky News Arabia reported, noting that since the outbreak of armed hostilities more than five months ago, Morocco is the first country to transport its humanitarian aid through this unprecedented land route, directly delivering the assistance to the targeted beneficiaries. King Mohammed VI, as President of the Al-Qods Committee, reaffirms his constant and historical support for the Palestinian cause through this initiative which coincides with the beginning of Ramadan, wrote Atalayar magazine, specializing in Maghreb affairs. The aid ordered by the King is part of a long tradition of active and concrete solidarity with Palestine and is in continuity with the royal solicitude towards the Palestinian people, the publication noted, highlighting the Sovereigns positions and initiatives in support of the Palestinian cause and people. Russian President Vladimir Putin has zoomed in on his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and his vocal criticism of Moscows war on Ukraine, arguing that this emotional reaction by the French president is due to resentment at losing allies in Africa to the Kremlin. In an interview published on Wednesday (13 March), Putin said heightened Russian influence especially in some French-speaking African countries has caused Macrons emotional reaction. I think there is some kind of resentment, but when we maintained direct contacts with him (Macron), we spoke quite openly on this topic, Putin said and added that Russia did not go into Africa and force France out, and that Macrons main problem has something to do with the fact that Wagner is a Russian organization. The Russian leaders also said that he was not inciting anyone and was not setting anyone up against France. Macron has been one of the most vocal opponents of Russia in recent weeks, saying that there were no limits to French support to Kyiv and urging others not to be cowardly. But, according to Putin, such a sharp reaction, quite an emotional one, from the French president is linked amongst other things with what is happening in African countries. Tensions between Paris and Moscow over the latters growing influence especially in Francophone Africa have risen since the 2010s, when Russian-owned private military group Wagner deployed to areas on the continent traditionally linked to Paris. Egypt is reportedly set to receive up to 7.4 billion euros in funding from the European Union under a major cash for migrant control pact which could be formally announced during the upcoming visit of the European Commission chief to Cairo this Sunday (17 March). The EU support package is intended to relieve pressure on the Egyptian economy as concerns over the impact of the ongoing war on Gaza continue to grow, according to a report by the Financial Times on Wednesday (13 March). The report also suggested that the EU delegation comprising the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the prime ministers of Greece, Belgium, and Italy that is set to visit Cairo this weekend would likely finalize and announce the financial agreement with the Egyptian government. Egyptian Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait recently revealed that he anticipates around 4.5-5.5 billion euros from the EU, provided in a mixture of grants and loans. It comes amid mounting concerns in Europe over fears of increased migratory flows and internal pressure on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Athens has described the forthcoming EU support for Egypt with a generous package to manage migration as vital for the wider region. The Greek governments concern stems especially from an increased flow of migrants to Crete originating from Egypt, which is the result of both the countrys struggling economy and also the dreadful situation in Gaza. There could reportedly be millions of refugees in Egypt and with any further destabilization in the North African country, the flows to Greece could increase dramatically via Libya. Thus, according to a Stratfor analysis, the agreement particularly seeks to reinforce Egypts borders with Sudan, via which Sudanese are entering Egypt, and Libya, via which Egyptians are leaving Egypt to attempt a crossing into Europe. Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency organized Thursday an Iftar in the Holy City to mark the launch of the humanitarian aid operation deployed in the city on the instructions of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee. The Iftar was attended by Muslim and Christian religious dignitaries, eminent figures, the head of the Moroccan Waqf in Al-Quds, heads and representatives of civil society organizations, as well as personalities from various backgrounds. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, preacher of the Al Aqsa mosque and chairman of the Supreme Islamic Committee in Al-Quds, stressed that Moroccan aid is a noble and blessed initiative with a strong human component during the holy month of Ramadan. This operation, carried out by the Rabat-based Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency on the instructions of the King, is not the first of its kind, nor will it be the last, he said, adding that it is a continuation of several initiatives carried out in the Holy City and in Palestine. For his part, Bishop Munib Younan, former president of the Lutheran World Federation, expressed his thanks and gratitude to King Mohammed VI for this generous and humanitarian gesture, which will bring great comfort to the populations of Gaza and Al-Quds, at this difficult time for the Palestinian people. This assistance, he said, supports the Al-Quds inhabitants and their resistance until they recover their right to the establishment of the Palestinian State. The Director of the Agency, Mohamed Salem Echerkaoui, said that the launch of this humanitarian operation in the Gaza Strip and the city of Al-Quds is an exceptional event that reflects the constant solicitude of King Mohammed VI towards the Palestinian cause. We are aware of the place that Morocco and Moroccans hold in your hearts, just as you are aware of your place among Moroccans who are placing the Palestinian cause at the top of the countrys great causes, through the praiseworthy efforts of Moroccan diplomacy and the Agencys concrete action on the ground, Echerkaoui added. We are working to mobilize the necessary funding for the 2024 annual plan, in accordance with our laws and regulations, while hoping that Arab and Islamic countries will mobilize to finance our projects and programs, so that the Kingdom of Morocco is no longer the only country financing the Agency, which has demonstrated, in concrete terms, its ability to multiply achievements, whenever it has the necessary means at its disposal, argued Echerkaoui. He stressed that the Agencys aim for the current year is to achieve a qualitative leap in its action program, by consolidating human development, empowerment, and social assistance programs, as well as documentation and memory preservation projects, in addition to those programmed and dedicated to the sectors of health, education, trade, agriculture, heritage, youth, sport, children, and women. Echerkaoui pointed out that the Agency, which has placed its 2024 annual plan under the banner of Digital development to serve economic and social development in Al-Quds, is aware of the potential now offered to young people and rising generations by technology and the digital world to encourage them to set up projects that generate stable and decent incomes. Upon the instructions of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency launched, on Thursday in the Holy City, a humanitarian aid operation on the esplanades of Augusta Victoria (Al Mutlaa) Hospital. During the operation launch, Archbishop Atallah Hanna of the Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Al Quds said the humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza and Al Quds is a light in the midst of the desolation and distress hovering in these difficult, delicate and dramatic times Palestine is going through. The Archbishop expressed his consideration and gratitude to the King and the Moroccan people for this Royal noble initiative, with all what it embodies in terms of human values, civilization, and Arab unity. He added that it also reaffirmed the justness of the Palestinian cause and Moroccos support for Palestine in its legitimate struggle for freedom and justice. He expressed thanks to King Mohammed VI for his solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip in their painful ordeal, and pointed out that Bayt Mal Al Qods Asharif Agency has become a pioneer in the service of Al Qods and its institutions. For more than a quarter of a century, the agency has been contributing to the improvement of the socio-economic situation of the inhabitants of Al-Quds and supporting the citys institutions. A 2023 Unicameral measure inspired by a North Platte couples struggles with health insurance won 38-0 first-round approval in the Legislature Thursday. State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte sponsored both this years Legislative Bill 852 the measure advanced by senators and a revised version of 2023s LB 32, which lawmakers officially added to LB 852 during brief afternoon debate. LB 32 would make Nebraska insurers that sell Medigap insurance policies to Medicare-eligible senior citizens offer at least one such policy to people younger than age 65 with disabilities rendering them eligible for Medicare before 65. Longtime North Platte lawyer Stephen Kay described at LB 32s February 2023 public hearing how he and his wife, Jean, faced a financial crisis when she was diagnosed in 2002 with multiple sclerosis. Though Jean Kay began receiving Medicare and federal disability benefits in 2016, he said, he had to close his private practice in 2018 to get a federal job with health insurance for the couple. Stephen Kay commuted back and forth to Fargo, North Dakota, until Jean turned 65 in 2021 and qualified for full Medicare, he said at the 2023 hearing. Jacobsons newer bill, LB 852, now contains compromise language worked out with insurers that dropped LB 32s original call to also require that Medigap policies be offered for people suffering from end-stage renal disease. Private Medicare Advantage plans would still be available for those patients, he told senators. But I want to make sure Medicare Advantage providers work in good faith with the dialysis facilities in rural Nebraska. LB 852s main thrust would block nonparticipating Medicare suppliers of durable medical equipment from charging unlimited amounts to Medicare beneficiaries or insurers offering Medigap. They wouldnt be allowed to charge more than 15% over what Medicare permits under the bill. Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee members voted 8-0 to combine Jacobsons two bills into LB 852 and send it to the floor. Jacobson, the committees vice chairman, said during Thursdays debate that the combined bill would let insurers charge no more than 150% of their regular Medigap premium in selling a policy to under-65 disabled people. Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, who himself sells health insurance policies, said he expects a premium increase for his own Medigap policy as a result but would still support LB 852. Its reasonable to let the companies charge a somewhat higher premium, but if it were much more, (disabled) people couldnt afford it, he said. Sens. Tom Brewer of Gordon, Steve Erdman of Bayard and Brian Hardin of Gering joined Jacobson in backing the combined LB 852. Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibach was present but did not vote. Earlier in the week, the Legislature amended the 2024 sessions main budget bill to include a Jacobson measure meant to restore a $1 million state housing grant the city of North Platte won last year but then saw derailed. That measure, introduced as LB 850, recasts language governing the Rural Workforce Housing Land Development Program created in 2022 with some of the states share of federal COVID-19 aid. North Platte, McCook and Arnold were among 12 Nebraska cities that won grants from the program in March 2023. North Plattes $1 million grant would have been used to bolster a city revolving fund to acquire decrepit homes or vacant lots and prepare them for resale and construction of new affordable housing. But U.S. Treasury guidelines for using American Rescue Plan Act funds forced the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to offer the 12 cities loans instead of grants. The cities declined. Jacobsons measure, added to LB 1412 Wednesday, is meant to satisfy the guidelines and restore the grants. Lawmakers gave the budget bill 39-4 first-round approval after a filibuster that took much of Tuesday and Wednesday to run its course. Fani Willis under fire. Photo: Alex Slitz-Pool/Getty Images After a long detour triggered by revelations of a past romantic relationship between Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis and lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, the judge in the Donald Trump racketeering case involving efforts to flip the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia issued a sort of split-the-baby ruling. After weeks of testimony and deliberations, Superior Court of Fulton County judge Scott McAfee found no clearly established conflict of interest that would disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case. But he did rebuke her for a tremendous lapse in judgment in entering into a romantic relationship with Wade and for unprofessional conduct in her fiery testimony in the hearing on the motion to disqualify her. Because her actions created an appearance of impropriety, McAfee ordered her to drop Wade from the case or recuse herself. A few hours later Wade did indeed withdraw from the prosecutorial team and will presumably return to private practice. Willis will now be able to move toward a trial (even though McAfee earlier this week dismissed six of the charges against Trump and his cronies, he left the central racketeering charges in place). The trials further delay was the chief prize the defendants won via their failed attempt to disqualify Willis and Wade and perhaps kill the case entirely. McAfee predictably determined that the defendants never proved the money that changed hands between Willis and Wade during multiple vacations they took together represented some sort of financial inducement to prosecute the case or that the couple were lying under oath about when their romantic relationship began. But the judge did say the shared vacations created an odor of mendacity and that the Willis-Wade relationship itself, no matter when it began or ended, distracted from the case and undermined public confidence in the criminal-justice system. McAfee also went out of his way to reprimand Willis for her attacks on the defendants and their attorneys in the disqualification hearing and for her remarks from the pulpit of an Atlanta church in January dismissing criticism of her and of Wade as racially motivated. It has escaped no ones attention that both Willis and McAfee will face the voters of Fulton County on May 12, Willis in a Democratic primary election with the general election pending in November and McAfee in a nonpartisan election with a runoff if neither he nor his two challengers win a majority of the vote. The 34-year-old judge (a former employee of Williss in the DAs office) was appointed to the bench by Republican governor Brian Kemp, and thanks to the Trump case, his Federalist Society and College Republicans background has been widely publicized. In heavily Democratic Fulton County, Willis is in better shape politically than McAfee. But for the moment, hes the authority figure, and he has given her critics some rich material while refusing to give Trump & Co. her dismissal. If the trial itself (which the prosecution wanted to begin in August, but its now very unlikely to get underway before Trumps own public judgment in November) is half as dramatic as the preliminary skirmishing, it will draw a lot of eyeballs. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images Quick show of hands: Whos satisfied with the work done by our past five special counsels: Robert Mueller, John Durham, David Weiss, Jack Smith, and Robert Hur? Anyone? Weve now got a meaningful sample size, and the conclusion is clear: Its time to scrap the Justice Departments special counsel regime. It looks fine on paper but, as weve seen repeatedly over the past decade, it just doesnt work in practice. Its not necessarily the fault of the appointed prosecutors, though their work has been uneven and flawed at times. The problem is the system itself. The modern special counsel regulations came about as a political half-measure of sorts. After Watergate, Congress passed the Independent Counsel Act, which empowered the attorney general (with permission from a panel of federal judges) to appoint an outsider to investigate and prosecute powerful political figures, to minimize potential conflicts of interest. It made sense in theory until reality intruded in the personage of one Kenneth Winston Starr. The infamous independent counsel began by probing a convoluted Arkansas land deal tangentially involving the Clintons, and he wound up writing soft-core porn featuring cigars and poetry books and pillow talk, plunging the country into a salacious, unnecessary impeachment. Congress, scarred by the Starr experience, declined to re-up the independent counsel law, letting it expire with a legislative sunset in 1999. In its place arose a new set of non-statutory federal regulations empowering the AG to appoint a special counsel in cases presenting conflicts of interest or other extraordinary circumstances. The special counsel exercises the powers of a federal prosecutor, but without day-to-day supervision by the attorney general. At the end of an investigation, the special counsel must write a report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions. That report goes to the AG and then, typically, to Congress and the public. Since the dawn of the Trump era, special counsels have delivered suboptimal results and sometimes worse than that, both prosecutorially and politically. Lets take a quick spin through recent history. Robert Mueller, hyped as the steely-eyed savior of democracy, conducted a revelatory investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election but then spit the bit at the moment of truth. Rather than stating clearly whether Donald Trump had committed an obstruction crime, Mueller gave us mush-mouth, bureaucratic double-talk: I cant indict the sitting president, and I would say so if I could clear him, but Im not necessarily saying that, but Im also not NOT saying that, essentially. Attorney General Bill Barr eagerly stepped into the void and spun Muellers investigation right out of existence. Mueller left us with a dense tome of a report about Trumps abuses and zero consequences. After Mueller, we were treated to John Durham. You remember the scowling, goateed menace who would make Trump worlds investigate the investigators vengeance fantasies come true. Turns out: not so much. Instead, Durham delivered one piddly guilty plea resulting in probation, two humiliating trials ending with not-guilty verdicts, and a pile of superfluous, regurgitated talking points about how Trump got set up by the deep state. The Biden administration has given us three special counsels. Shortly after the Hunter Biden plea deal fell apart at the last moment in July 2023, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss who already was running the case anyway as special counsel. That fixed precisely nothing. Now weve got two pending Hunter Biden indictments of undetermined merit, and distrust on both sides of the political aisle. Garland also tapped Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate President Bidens retention of classified documents. Hurs final report recommended no criminal charges but revealed that Biden knew he had sensitive classified documents at his home in 2017 and failed to return them to the government contrary to repeated public assurances by Biden and his handlers that his possession of classified information was unintentional. (Biden is on tape in 2017, shortly after he left the vice-presidency, telling a ghostwriter that he just found all the classified stuff downstairs referring to materials on U.S. war policy in Afghanistan.) For all the substance in Hurs report, it made headlines primarily for its excessively colorful descriptions of Bidens age and spotty memory. And then theres Jack Smith. Its too early to make a final evaluation, but it seems increasingly likely that he will fail in his quest to try one or both of his Trump indictments before the November 2024 election. In the process, Smith has flouted DOJ policy and principle by straining to try Trump before the election (while dishonestly refusing to acknowledge the obvious reality that hes doing just that). Much of the controversy around any special counsel is unavoidable. By definition, a special counsel exists only at the most fraught intersection of prosecution and politics, and getting rid of the regulations wont make those tough cases magically disappear. But the Justice Department can do better here. Recent history has exposed two overarching problems. First, anytime an AG appoints a prosecutor specifically to probe one particular person, theres a natural tendency to go overboard. Starr is the poster child here, as he spent five years desperately pursuing the Clintons, all to uncover a handful of lies about a sexual affair. To lesser extents, Durham and Mueller strained to score political points apart from actual criminal violations, and there are legitimate questions about whether Weiss and Smith have bent normal practice in pursuit of their prey. Ill cop to being less than a saint here myself; I took a similar approach when I was gunning to take down mob bosses by any means available. But its not the prosecutorial ideal. Were supposed to start with the crime and pursue the perpetrator, not vice versa. Second, the report-writing requirement has done more harm than good. Its an ironclad prosecutorial canon that we do our talking in court; we dont fling accusatory extrajudicial rhetoric against a person who hasnt been indicted. Yet the special counsel regulations require prosecutors to do just that. Mueller, Durham, and Hur wrote hundreds of pages containing damning information about people who were never charged. Its nice to have transparency in these high-profile cases as a member of the media, I welcome it but the DOJ doesnt exist to write novellas, especially about people who dont face charges. The special counsel regulations, in sum, enhance neither performance nor perception. So heres my proposal: We dont need a special set of rules for potentially sensitive political matters. The DOJ should just treat those cases like any other. Personnel and expertise wont be a problem. The AG can tap any of the DOJs 10,000 or so federal prosecutors to handle any given case, and he can dedicate as many resources as necessary to get the job done efficiently. Nor does a special counsel label enhance the DOJs investigative and prosecutorial efficacy. Both Durham and Weiss went from regular prosecutor running the case to special counsel midstream during their investigations. The new titles changed little and fixed nothing. At most, a special counsel gains a bit more formal independence from the AG than a federal prosecutor ordinarily might have. But is that necessarily a good thing? Dont we want the attorney general the person whos supposed to be directly accountable to Congress, the administration, and the public to have the final say and primary responsibility? If theres a conflict of interest involving the AG, she can recuse and the deputy AG can handle it. This happens all the time, and it works just fine. And the special counsel designation does little to enhance public trust in the DOJ. Did anyone feel better about the Durham or Weiss cases after their changes in title? Were any Smith or Hur skeptics won over by their status as special counsel? Appointment of special counsel has become an all-purpose cop-out, a counterproductive crutch for AGs of both parties and for the DOJ itself. The evidence is now clear: The modern special counsel regime has become untenable. Its time to move on. Listen to this article. For more analysis of law and politics with Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, and other contributors, sign up for the free CAFE newsletter or become a member of CAFE Insider. Photo: Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images The judge in Donald Trumps first scheduled criminal trial has ordered that the start date for the proceedings be delayed. On Friday, Judge Juan Marchan ordered that the start of the hush money payments trial be delayed at least 30 days starting from his decision to allow both sides to go over newly obtained records, likely pushing the matter into mid-April. Jury selection was originally scheduled to begin March 25. Instead, Marchan has set a hearing for that day to consider next steps and a possible new trial start date, if required. The Manhattan district attorneys office suggested Thursday that it was open to a 30-day delay to give Trumps attorneys time to review tens of thousands of pages of additional evidence. In a new filing, Alvin Bragg said that federal prosecutors recently turned over approximately 31,000 pages of records in connection to their own prior investigation into the payments with more to follow next week. This tranche of documents includes material that Braggs office had requested over a year ago. The former presidents lawyers have sought a 90-day delay in the trial. Trump previously pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records to secretly pay hush money to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to buy her silence about their alleged affair. Trumps looming court schedule has faced its fair share of delays. The federal governments case against Trump for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election was initially scheduled to begin March 4. But Judge Tanya Chutkun postponed the trial as the Supreme Court is set to hear Trumps appeal that he is immune from prosecution owing to his former role as president. The federal classified-documents trial, which was slated to begin in May, is also likely to be delayed, though its new date is still up in the air as Trumps lawyers pursue an outright dismissal. As for Georgias election-interference case, proceedings have come to a halt as a Fulton County judge is expected to rule on whether district attorney Fani Willis should be removed from prosecuting the matter. If youre new to cloth napkins, heres a set that might help you ease into using them. My Draps cotton napkins come in a roll much like paper towels, and function like them, too except, unlike paper towels, these can be washed and used again. (Theyre kind of like our favorite Swedish dishcloths in that way.) They come recommended by Vogue sustainability editor Tonne Goodman who loves them so much that she once wrote an ode to them and real-estate agent (and Strategist contributor) Robert Khederian. Says Khederian, These are pure genius: A cocktail napkin that comes on a roll in a pack of 50 for under $20. Tearing them off when company comes over is a shortcut to being the most elegant host. According to him, the napkins, which come in a bunch of colors and patterns, are semi-reusable Khederian notes that you can wash them like you would any other napkin, and the manufacturer says each napkin is good for about six washes. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers Odds are, at one point or another, youre going to want to pull your hair out of your face, especially if youre currently sporting a way-too-grown-out cut. But a surprising amount of the hair ties on the market will actually do your hair more harm than good. Some ponytail holders will trap and break very dry or fine hair. Others will leave creases on thick, curly hair. As a teenager, I used the wrong hair ties and didnt even realize the damage I was causing until a hairstylist pointed out a line of breakage in a hand mirror right where I would tie my ponytail. A major issue with common hair ties is that your hair gets stuck in the fibers, and when you pull them out, youre pulling out hair, says Dominick Pucciarello, a New York hairstylist. So to find the best hair ties the kind thatll treat your precious strands with kid gloves for all kinds of hair, I asked Pucciarello and seven other hairdressers to share their favorites so you can avoid the mistake I made, and also included some of my own go-tos now that I know better. What were looking for Style While all hair ties serve a similar purpose (keeping your hair up and out of your face), you want to choose a style that is best for your particular hair type. A traditional elastic is an affordable, all-purpose option that works for most, while coil styles are great if you often style your hair and dont want any creases, dents, or bumps. If you have damaged, fine, or processed hair, I suggest a scrunchie. And bungee or snap-style ties are great for natural texture, braids, locs, or for those who want to adjust the tension of their ties as needed. Material In addition to the style of hair tie, the material is important. Choosing a traditional elastic material is great if you like a tight hold, while softer materials such as polyester, microfiber, and stretch are best if you are trying to reduce frizz or tension. And those with more fragile hair should almost always opt for silk. Best hair ties overall Slip Silk Scrunchies $39 for 6 Style: Scrunchie | Material: Silk Slip, a brand well known for its silk pillowcases, also make excellent hair ties using the same mulberry silk. If youre looking for the most gentle hair tie on the market, Slips silk skinny scrunchies are your best bet. Not only do they look nice, but the silk is great for your hair because the slippy silk glides over your hair without snagging it, reducing breakage and lost hair. It also keeps the hairs moisture and the natural oils intact. After experimenting with a few different brands, these are the only ones I now swear by, because they keep my fine-textured (easily breakable) hair damage-free. $39 for 6 at Amazon Buy $39 for 6 at Ulta Beauty Buy Best (less expensive) overall hair ties Crown Affair The Scrunchie No. 001 $15 for 3 $15 for 3 Style: Scrunchie | Material: Silk If youre looking to spend a bit less, I also love the silk scrunchies from Crown Affair, which also happens to make my favorite hair towel. They retail for five bucks a piece, compared to the $6.50 per tie the Slip scrunchies go for, above. Though they arent quite as soft, they still do a good job protecting my hair, and I especially love the way the neutral-but-still-sophisticated sage-green color looks against my brown hair. If youd rather keep it classic, they also come in black. $15 for 3 at Sephora Buy $15 for 3 at Crown Affair Buy Scunci No Slip Elastic Hair Bands $5 for 10 $5 for 10 Style: Traditional hair tie | Material: Elastic If you prefer a good old-fashioned elastic, Scunci No-Slips are great for basically all types and textures of hair. Whether you have thick, heavy hair or fragile, finer hair, No Slip holds hair in place without any damage. And they work well for wavy and curly types too. And while these have the same anti-breakage appeal as Scuncis traditional no-damage ties, they are made of a thicker, anti-slip material to keep curls in place. While I dont think they are as gentle on my hair as the silk options above, they are significantly cheaper if youre on a budget. I would also recommend switching up how you style your hair when using them for example, a low bun one day, a high ponytail the next to keep damage to a minimum. $5 for 10 at Amazon Buy $3 for 10 at iHerb Buy Best coil-style hair ties Invisibobble Traceless Hair Ring $3 for 3 $5 now 40% off $3 for 3 Style: Coil style | Material: TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) Invisibobble coil-style hair ties, which have become popular the past couple of years, look like old-school telephone cord and work with a variety of hair textures. Theyre ideal for those who want a hair tie that wont leave any dents or bumps in the hair or for people who want to sleep in hair ties. These were the ties I tried first after I decided to upgrade my hair ties. I was impressed with the hold they offered without leaving any creases and personally didnt notice any pulled-out hair when Id take them out at night, but it is possible for hair to get caught in the zigzags. And if youre more of a scrunchie person, the brand just launched some with its trusty coiled hair tie sewn in. $3 for 3 at Target Buy Best hair ties for curly hair Gimme Bands No-Break Thick Hair Ties $8 for 6 $8 for 6 Style: Traditional hair tie | Material: Microfiber For those with thick, natural, and curly hair, Gimmes No Break Thick hair ties are a great option since they are much wider than the Scuncis above. These are Gimmes thickest style, meant for very thick and curly hair, but if the style appeals to you and you dont need such a heavy-duty tie, Gimme offers a variety of hair ties based on your hair density, which is one of the perks of this drugstore staple brand. You can get a fine fit, long fit, and any fit for medium-hair types, and Gimme offers different colors. For those not sure which option will work best for them, there is a fitting kit, which is a mix of four different hair-tie types. $8 for 6 at Target Buy Best hair ties for fragile hair L. Erickson Grab & Go Tube $22 for 15 $22 for 15 Style: Traditional hair tie | Material: Rayon-elastic This set of rayon-elastic hair ties are ideal for delicate or fragile hair, because theyre very smooth, so theyre guaranteed to not snag like traditional all-elastic ties might. They also come in a wide variety of colors. In addition to the black shown, there are 28 other multi-sets in a range of palettes, from pastel to rainbow. $22 for 15 at Amazon Buy $22 at Nordstrom Buy Best adjustable-tension hair ties Snappee No-Crease Snap-Off Hair Ties $13 for 5 $18 now 28% off $13 for 5 Style: Snap-style hair ties | Material: Nonelastic, stretch material Snappee hair ties are great for those with natural-texture hair, braids, or locs because they dont use the traditional elastic tension found in traditional ties that can damage those styles. The softer texture also helps reduce frizz. The snap-style closure means they can be customized to fit your hairs thickness while snapping back into shape after use. You can also combine two Snappee hair ties should you need extra length. $13 for 5 at Amazon Buy Best bungee hair ties Best silicone hair ties Mia Beauty Silkies $13 for 20 $13 for 20 Style: Traditional hair ties | Material: Silicone Unlike traditional scrunchies, silicone hair ties are easy to clean and dont need any drying time. (And, yes, all other hair ties should be regularly cleaned and dried, too.) Theyre much easier to maintain, and you dont have to toss them once they get dirty, as you would other elastic hair ties. And while you might think silicone ties would slip and slide, hairstylist Cassandra Normil promises they provide an all-day hold and work for any hair type and density. $13 for 20 at Mia Beauty Buy $9 for 10 at Amazon Buy Best elastic hair ties Smoothies Blax Snag-Free Hair Elastics $6 for 8 Style: Traditional hair ties | Material: Elastic If you dont want the ponytail holder to show, try these clear elastics, which will help you achieve styles that need a lot of tension, like tight ponytails, without pulling or snagging the hair. Theyre flexible yet durable, so they wont break on you. Since these arent the best when it comes to damage, they should be saved for occasional styling and not used for daily wear. $6 for 8 at Amazon Buy $6 for 8 at Amazon Buy Best elastic hair ties for shorter hair ElasticU Polybands $8 for 70 $15 now 47% off $8 for 70 For short cuts, braid ties, or any other smaller twist, try Polybands, which slide easily on and off and come in five compact sizes, which tend to work better for smaller ponytails or buns. The clear, reusable hair elastics disappear even into the most intricate of styles. Always Polybands. Always, says hairstylist Laura Polko. $8 for 70 at Amazon Buy $8 for 70 at Amazon Buy Best no-crease hair ties Emi-Jay Hair Tie Collection $11 for 5 Style: Knotted hair tie | Material: Elastic ribbon Because of how thick yet flat the elastic is, knotted elastics, like these from Emi-Jay, dont leave a crease in your hair, so if youre the type of person who switches up your style throughout the day, these might be a good choice for you. If youre crafty, they can even easily be made at home. If youre thinking of making your own, its best to buy several yards of spandex elastic ribbon, cut it into about two-inch-long strips, and then simply tie a knot in the end. $11 for 5 at Emi Jay Buy Best hair ties for overnight wear Sleepy Tie Medium $30 $30 Style: Double scrunchie | Material: Satin polyester Sleepy Ties are designed to be worn overnight (hence the name) to prolong your blowout or other dry styling. The design reminds me of some DIY overnight heatless hair-styling hacks Ive tried in the past combined with a scrunchie. As the how-to guide explains, I first put my hair in a ponytail at the top of my head, then I wrap my hair around the arch, before twisting the scrunchie into a figure-eight shape and using it to secure the bun. I first used Sleepy Ties the night I got a haircut, and they definitely kept the blow-dry looking fresh for an extra day, but I also like to wear them to reduce bedhead and frizz. They come in three sizes (small, medium, and large) for different hair lengths and thickness. $30 at Sleepy Tie Buy Best scrunchie overall Slip Large Slipsilk Scrunchies $38 for 3 Style: Scrunchie | Material: Silk In addition to the thinner Slip scrunchies above, I also love its thicker style. I find that the elastic inside the scrunchie is strong, while the silk protects my fine, highlighted, damage-prone hair from tension breakage. Plus, the silk has a good amount of slip in it, so there is never any pulling. I always have one either in my hair or on my wrist. While they are a little pricey, Ive found that they last years without the elastic getting too lax. $38 for 3 at Amazon Buy $39 for 3 at Sephora Buy Best scrunchie for wet hair Kitsch Towel Scrunchies From $14 for 2 $17 now 18% off From $14 for 2 Style: Scrunchie | Material: Microfiber Your hair is at its most fragile when wet, which makes it difficult to know what to do when you get out of the shower and want it out of the way. Due to the microfiber, towel-like material, these will help dry your hair without damaging it and wont leave a crease as it dries. From $14 for 2 at Amazon Buy $17 for 2 at Kitsch Buy Our experts Jasmine Burnside, celebrity hairstylist and licensed cosmetologist Andrew Fitzsimons, hairstylist Cassandra Normil, New York Citybased session hairstylist Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer Laura Polko, hairstylist Dominick Pucciarello, hairstylist Nelson Vercher, senior stylist at Rita Hazan Beth Weber, hairstylist and founder of Refuge Hair Liana Zingarino, stylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York Additional reporting by Chloe Anello, Liza Corsillo, and Rachel Jacoby Zoldan. get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. 7 items in this article Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers On April 8, a rare total solar eclipse will be visible throughout North America, casting its shadow across parts of Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Canada. Witnessing this kind of eclipse, where day instantly turns to night, can be thrilling especially since there wont be another one like it until 2044. But if you want to watch it safely, youll need a pair of eclipse glasses or some other type of protective eclipse-viewing gear. According to Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist and senior scientist at the American Museum of Natural History, the danger in looking directly at the sun during an eclipse is the same as looking directly at the sun on any other day: In both cases the bright light can hurt your retina and cause decreased vision. Wearing sunglasses while youre outside will protect your eyes from long-term UV damage, but they dont do anything to protect you if you stare directly at the sun. And the risk of injury dramatically increases during an eclipse, because people are much more likely to stare directly at the sun for an extended period of time. Faherty adds that since your eyes dont have any pain receptors, you may not realize youre doing any damage until its too late. On top of how bright the light is, the suns UV rays can burn your eyes in the same way it can burn your skin. Eclipse glasses protect your eyes by blocking enough light so that almost everything besides the sun will look completely dark, while also blocking UV radiation. Every legit pair of eclipse glasses will have an ISO certification stamp To be sure that you can view the eclipse safely, check that the glasses you are buying are ISO 12312-2 Certified for Solar Viewing. ISO is shorthand for the International Organization for Standardization, a nongovernmental group of experts from more than 160 countries that agree on the best way of manufacturing a product (like solar eclipse glasses) or managing a process. ISO certification means the eclipse glasses meet the organizations standard requirements for protecting your eyes during an eclipse. If you do not see the ISO certification, Faherty says, dont buy them or wear them. Its not going to burn your eyeballs out immediately, she says but it could cause sustained damage over time. The vast majority of solar eclipse glasses are made of thin cardboard and dont look very high-tech. But dont be fooled, they are actually very different from your everyday sunglasses and designed for looking directly at very bright light, with lenses similar to those found on welding helmets. Celestron EclipSmart Universal Solar Filter for Optics 75mm to 100mm $20 $20 And if you want to photograph the eclipse or watch it through a telescope, heres a solar filter you can put over your lens. The foldable, ISO-certified cover will protect your eyes from damage that could result from looking directly at the sun through the viewfinder. $20 at B&H Photo and Video Buy If you dont have proper eclipse glasses, raid your kitchen for a colander Other handy eclipse-viewing gear Sun Spotter Telescope $505 $505 You can also buy a type of telescope called a sunspotter solar telescope, which Faherty told me a lot of people will use during the eclipse. (Some libraries will also make them available to the public.) The small and, be warned, quite expensive wooden gadget contains a mirror that reflects the light of the sun down onto a piece of paper. As with a colander, you will not be looking directly at the sun, so you can safely view the eclipse without glasses. In the reflection youll be able to see the eclipse as its happening and, according to Faherty, you might also be able to catch a dark spot on the sun that is caused by the suns magnetic field breaking apart close to the surface. $505 at Fisher Scientific Buy Nocs Provisions Solar Eclipse Monocular Lens Attachment $35 $35 You can also use a pair of binoculars held backwards to create a makeshift telescope. Youll need to attach a piece of cardboard to provide shade, and then use the backwards binoculars to project the suns image onto a sheet of paper. Or you could buy a special ISO-certified solar eclipse lens. This one, from design-y binocular brand Nocs, is compatible with their monocular Zoom Tube magnifier, which is sold separately but a handy piece of outdoor gear to have all-year-round. $35 at REI Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos Getty Images The term Egyptian cotton has become shorthand for luxury in the world of bedding, apparel, and beyond, but what it is exactly is harder to define. While you might expect Egyptian cotton to come from Egypt, it might also come from other places. In short: Egyptian cotton is a species of cotton and the best version of this material has extra-long staple fibers. Instead of relying on the cottons country of origin, look at the fiber length Its more useful to think of the makeup of Egyptian cotton rather than where it originates. Egyptian cotton is known to be one of the softest, most durable cottons in the world, thanks to its extra-long staple fibers. Its these extra-long fibers that set it apart from regular cotton. Extra-long staple fibers measure between 1 inches to 2 inches long compared to up to 1 inches long for short staple and between 1 and 1 for long staple. The average American cotton that we grow prolifically is an inch long. It doesnt seem like a big deal, but extra-long staple cotton is essentially twice the length of short staple cotton, says Deborah Young, assistant chair of textile science at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Thats going to make it smoother, softer, and more lustrous. Think of Egyptian cotton as a species of cotton Egyptian cotton and other extra-long staple cotton like Pima cotton come from the cotton species Gossypium barbadense, which can be grown in Egypt, yes, but also the United States, Peru, Sudan, and the Sea Islands. In fact, it can be cultivated just about anywhere cotton thrives. The two main types of G. barbadense are Egyptian and Pima, with the former grown in Egypt along the Nile River valley, and the latter in the southwestern region of the United States. But not all Egyptian cotton is equal Just because cotton comes from Egypt doesnt mean its of the extra-long staple variety, as other types of short-staple cotton are grown there, too. Enterprising marketers can easily pass off subpar cotton grown in Egypt as Egyptian cotton, misleading consumers. Growers of G. barbadense cotton in other countries might also take advantage of the association with Egypt and call their cotton Egyptian, while others will mix strains of Egyptian cotton with other types of cotton and also market it as Egyptian. Be wary of anything labeled Egyptian cotton that doesnt list the staple length If a product just says that its made from Egyptian cotton and doesnt say anything else, well then, youre out of luck, says Preeti Arya, assistant professor of textile development and marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology. But if the product description for sheets (or towels) says its made from long- or extra-long staple cotton, then you know youre getting a high-quality product that will feel softer, smoother, and be more durable than something made from lower-staple cotton. And if you can, touch and handle the goods yourself. Even better, try putting the two different types of cotton sheets side by side to compare them. Young admits, however, that theres no way to prove what youre getting is genuine Egyptian cotton. That kind of thing you have to take on faith, she says. Even I couldnt tell the difference under a microscope. get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Theyve already cast Wonka! Reply Thread Link Kate is a pretty girl but her royal fashion has always been kinda meh for me BUT I LOVE this suit! Love this shade! LOL at it fitting with theme!! Reply Parent Thread Link @ everyone idek anymore Reply Thread Link Though no one asked, this is streaming for free on PlutoTV (US) Edited at 2024-03-15 01:29 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link My favorite part of this whole thing is that theres a Wizard of Oz experience near where I live with same type of ads - totally AI, zero info on what to actually expect, etc. and morons are still buying tickets. Reply Thread Link Copycats. They will never be Glasgow! Reply Parent Thread Link I mean lets not count them out Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Will there be a ONTD Original in your future? Lol, I bet we could crowdfund for your ticket. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm the moron so I'll report back. lol It's a scavenger hunt that gives you Wizard of Oz themed clues that take you around your city. I read a lot of reviews on the experiences first before even considering it. Reply Parent Thread Link But it takes a special kind of magic to devastate children and adults alike lmao irl. The Unknown better have an awesome song. Reply Thread Link This doesn't really need to happen, but I do like Riki Lindhome Reply Thread Link TikTok songwriter Reply Thread Link This is too much. Just stop. Reply Thread Link I enjoy a good musical about scammers, see The Producers, but something tells me this musical won't be written/produced by Mel Brooks-level talent. Reply Thread Link They might go the ironic route and make it so terribly bad, that it draws attention. Reply Parent Thread Link Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ Reply Thread Link Stop Reply Thread Link WHAT IS THE POINT OF LIVING. Reply Thread Link the like button here, have one Reply Parent Thread Link If Christopher Guest was doing this, it could have potential. But he's not so it won't. But OMG imagine Catherine O'Hara as, IDK, the sad oompa loompa. Better idea than that horror movie that's being made with this idea. Edited at 2024-03-15 02:18 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link You absolutely nailed this, in the right hands this could be great. Reply Parent Thread Link I hope it's at least kind to the people who worked for the original experience~ Cause I felt bad for some of them when they were talking about it. Reply Thread Link So...they scammed people, and now they get money from a movie? Reply Thread Link No? This is a parody, they dont have to pay anyone. Reply Parent Thread Link OSHA Concludes Employer's Negligence Led to Fatal Forklift Incident Oxford Airport Technical Services faces four serious citations and $46,096 in proposed penalties as a result of the investigation. Following a fatal forklift incident at Logan International Airport in Boston, OSHA has decided the Aug. 29, 2023, incident would have been preventable with the proper safeguards in place. According to a release dated March 11, an employee of Rochester, New York-based maintenance firm Oxford Airport Technical Services was operating a forklift when the forks and mast struck the entrance overhang, causing the vehicle to tip over and fatally strike the operator. OSHA inspectors revealed several safety violations by the employer, resulting in four serious citations and proposed penalties of $46,096. These include a failure to ensure seatbelt usage, improper training and certification of forklift operators, and neglecting to examine and remove damaged forklifts from service. 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 in Braintree, Massachusetts, said in a statement. In this case, the employer failed to train and certify their forklift operators on critical safety requirements. Its simply inexcusable. Oxford Airport Technical Services has 15 business days to comply with the citations and penalties, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the agencys findings. Pennsylvania Finishing Company Cited for Safety Hazards Following Worker Fatality Vorteq Coil Finishers LLC faces $345,685 in proposed penalties. Valencia, Pennsylvania-based finishing company Vorteq Coil Finishers LLC faces a proposed penalty of $345,685 from OSHA following an investigation into a worker fatality. According to a release dated March 11, the agency launched the investigation after a 46-year-old supervisor suffered fatal injuries in September 2023. The incident occured while the employee was cleaning a chrome roller on a coater machine when it was in operation. OSHA cited Vorteq Coil Finishers for two willful and two serious violations, including the failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures and the absence of machine guarding. Vorteq Coil Finishers failure to value employee safety created conditions that cost a worker his life, OSHA Area Office Director Christopher Robinson in Pittsburgh said in a statement. All evidence gathered during the inspection revealed that management employees at the highest level of the plant knew how dangerous it was to clean this machine while it was operating but required employees to do so to minimize downtime and maximize production. As a result of this investigation, Vorteq Coil Finishers LLC has joined OSHAs Severe Violator Enforcement Program. The company now has 15 business days to comply with the citation and proposed penalties or contest the agencys findings before an independent commission. It appears that bullish sentiment has finally broken out in oil markets, helped along by geopolitical uncertainty and an increasingly optimistic demand outlook. Friday, March 15th 2024 Brent futures have broken through the $85 per barrel for the first time since November, indicating that the gradually improving sentiment, further buoyed by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries this week and declining US inventories, is here to stay. White House Signals Discontent with US Steel Takeover. The Biden administration is rumored to have expressed concerns over Nippon Steels $14.9 billion takeover of iconic steelmaker US Steel (NYSE:X), citing national security concerns and a lack of trade union consultation. Drone Strikes Lead to Higher Russian Oil Exports. After this week saw several large-scale drone attacks on Russian refineries in Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan, and Novoshakhtinsk, Russias Energy Ministry said the countrys crude exports will rise, in defiance of OPEC+ commitments. Glencore Mulls Moving Main Listing to Australia. Activist investor Tribeca Investment Partners has called on mining giant Glencore (LON:GLEN) to move its primary listing from London to Sydney and abort plans to spin off its lucrative coal business to boost its share price. Mauritius Emerges as Key Bunkering Hub for Rerouted Tankers. After global traders Mercuria and Trafigura suspended refueling operations in South Africa over a tax dispute with local authorities, Mauritius has become the main refueling station for all tankers avoiding the Red Sea and going around the Cape of Good Hope. US M&A Frenzy Still Far from Over. US investment firm Kimmeridge Energy Management made an improved $2.1 billion offer for Eagle Ford-focused oil and gas producer SilverBow Resources (NYSE:SBOW), proposing to create a combined company and pledging to provide the necessary financing. Chinas Leading Smelters Agree on Production Cuts. Chinas leading copper smelters Jiangxi Copper, Tongling, Jinchuan Group, and China Copper are reported to have concluded a rare agreement to cut production as spot fees to process copper concentrate fell to their lowest in a decade. Nord Stream Sues Insurers for $440 Million. Pipeline operator Nord Stream AG is seeking $440 million from its insurers Lloyds Insurance and Arch Insurance in a lawsuit filed at Londons High Court, weeks after both Sweden and Germany found traces of explosives relating to the incident. The UKs Ambitious Green Agenda Gets Gas Reality Check. The government of the United Kingdom is proposing to build new gas-fuelled power plants, with the Energy Ministry suggesting 5 GW of generation capacity would be needed to avoid blackouts amidst a renewables pivot. ADVERTISEMENT Cutting Fuel Prices, India Prepares for Elections. Indias state fuel retailers are cutting the price of gasoline and diesel this week to 94.72 and 87.62 rupees per liter respectively, the first change in two years, ahead of the 2024 Indian general election in April-May. US Commissions First Major Offshore Wind Farm. The first utility-scale offshore wind farm in the United States, the 132 MW South Fork Wind project operated by Orsted (CPH:ORSTED) and Eversource (NYSE:ES) some 35 miles from Long Island, NY, has been launched this week. China Discovers Another Huge Oil Field. Chinas offshore-focused state oil firm CNOOC reported the discovery of Kaiping South in deepwater South China Sea, with the find believed to contain more than 100 million tonnes of oil equivalent in recoverable volumes. Venezuelan Gas Attracts Key Oil Major. Concurrently to Shells 3.2 TCf Dragon field, UK oil major BP (NYSE:BP) is in talks with Venezuelas PDVSA to develop the Manakin-Cocuina gas field straddling the border of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, to be fed into Atlantic LNG. IEA Continues to Upgrade 2024 Demand Outlook. The International Energy Agency raised its view on 2024 oil demand growth for the fourth time since November, expecting it to rise 1.3 million b/d, up 110,000 b/d compared to its forecast from last month. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: When it comes to energy bets, Tajikistan is all-in on hydropower. Having spent much of the last decade and several billion dollars building the Roghun "megadam," the project is clearly too big to fail from the point of view of Tajikistan's leadership. But amid spiraling costs and long-standing questions about the environmental and human impacts, its critics contend that Roghun is also too big to be sustainable. Tajikistan is not alone in eying Roghun's potential 3,600 megawatts of installed capacity. While millions of Tajiks continue to live without power or have it for just a few hours per day, especially in the colder months, Roghun is an important piece of the energy-security puzzle in Tajikistan's electricity-strapped neighborhood, with Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all potential customers. So there is a lot at stake. And that is without considering whether large-scale hydropower is a wise direction for a region where climate change is set to continue the erosion of river-feeding glaciers. But while some of Tajikistan's Central Asian neighbors are already diverting resources to smaller solar and wind projects to plug their deficits, megadams new and old are still the order of the day for Dushanbe. Supply Outrunning Demand On March 9, a delegation from the board of executive directors at the World Bank Group wrapped up a regional tour of Central Asia that included talks in Tajikistan with Roghun's ultimate champion, President Emomali Rahmon, as well as a trip to the dam's partly operational hydropower plant (HPP). The group's press release gave little in terms of the details of the talks, but they included "a particular focus on climate change within the prism of the water-energy nexus." The visit came on the back of both negative and positive developments for Tajikistan's power sector. The negative was a massive and as-yet-unexplained power outage that plunged the vast majority of the country, including the capital, Dushanbe, into darkness for several hours on March 1. Local media outlet Asia-Plus cited a source that attributed the outage to an "accident" at the Norak HPP that currently supplies around half of Tajikistan's power. Another outlet, Dushanbe TV, cited a source claiming a "technical accident on the main republican high-voltage lines." State power company Barki Tojik did not provide RFE/RL's Tajik Service with a comment. Just days later, on March 4, Deputy Energy and Water Minister Sorbon Kholmuhammadzoda was dismissed. A government decree said he would assume a new post, although it is unclear what that will be. More encouraging was news issued by the World Bank last month, and confirmed by the Taliban last week, that the all-important Afghan leg of CASA-1000 -- a four-country regional power project in which Tajikistan is expected to play the role of top provider -- is back on track. CASA-1000 had been de facto suspended since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, but the World Bank announced it would move forward with financing pylons and other infrastructure in the Afghan section "in a ring-fenced manner" to ensure distance from the radical government that is yet to gain international recognition. When CASA-1000 eventually becomes reality, Tajikistan should transmit 70 percent of an approximately 1.3 gigawatts of electricity to the power-starved Afghan and Pakistani grids, with Kyrgyzstan due to receive the remainder. But the power-transportation infrastructure is of little use if Tajikistan doesn't have the spare energy. With colder-than-usual temperatures recently hitting Central Asia in the final lap of winter, Tajikistan's annual but now worsening power shortages have had some tragic consequences. In recent weeks, RFE/RL's Tajik Service has reported multiple carbon-monoxide deaths, including of children, as rural families load up their stoves to get through the freezing nights. And if reports of the Dushanbe blackout being connected to an accident at the Soviet-era Norak HPP are true, that means progress at Roghun -- where only two of six 600-megawatt units are currently online -- cannot come fast enough. Bulldozing On In December, Rahmon said he expected the third unit of Roghun to come online in 2025. His personal attachment to the project is clear. In 2016, when construction began, he clambered into a bulldozer to move earth around the site in a grandiose ground-laying ceremony. Some political subordinates of the long-serving leader have even called for the HPP to take his name. At the time of its ground-laying, the government's estimate for the total cost was just under $4 billion. Following a long construction delay during the coronavirus pandemic, the most recent government estimate put the project's total cost at $6 billion. The Italian-based company Webuild (formerly Salini Impregilo) is the project's principal contractor. But there is no clear path to financing the final stages of a facility that Dushanbe wants to be the tallest of its kind in the world at 335 meters. Norak, which is 300 meters high, once held this honor but was displaced from the top more than a decade ago by China's Jinping-I dam, which has a height of 305 meters. Roghun has thus far been financed with a combination of state budget funds and borrowed money. The former have been disproportionately large for Central Asia's poorest country, reportedly outweighing all other infrastructural spending. The latter has included a $500 million, 7.1 percent-yield eurobond issued in 2017, the success of which Reuters hailed as "the latest indication of the undiminished thirst for high-yield debt, even from frontier markets -- so-called because of their poverty and rock-bottom credit scores." Tajikistan is clearly hoping that international institutions will pick up the rest of the tab. ADVERTISEMENT In a release this month, a group of 17 environment- and government-focused nonprofit organizations -- including the Prague-headquartered watchdog CEE Bankwatch Network -- called on the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the European Investment Bank to "reconsider" an apparent collective-funding pledge of up to $600 million to support Roghun, branding the project's current Environmental and Social Impact Assessment unfit for its purpose. The coalition had in February referred to Roghun as "a sad reminder of the Soviet ideology of exerting total control over nature," while pointing out that at least 46,000 people would have to be displaced for a dam that it said might not reach full operational capacity until 2040. "The development of the [Roghun] HPP project on the Vakhsh River is of great concern due to its enormous associated social and environmental risks, not only to Tajikistan but to the region as a whole," the organizations wrote. One important former Roghun critic has in recent years become a cautious supporter. That is partly because Tajikistan's downstream neighbor Uzbekistan -- a water-stressed country of around 35 million people -- has prioritized better regional relations under President Shavkat Mirziyoev than did his late, hard-line predecessor, Islam Karimov. But it is also because Uzbekistan is increasingly unsure which it needs more -- water or electricity -- with deliveries from Tajikistan potentially easing one of those problems. Tajikistan, for its part, has begun talking up other "green technologies" to plug its deficits. But in comparison to the region's renewable pacesetters, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan -- which are also mulling nuclear power -- this appears to currently be little more than an idea. At the Effective Energy In Tajikistan conference in Dushanbe in October, Tajik officials said solar and wind energy could contribute up to 70 megawatts to Tajikistan's energy mix by 2030. But then-Deputy Energy and Water Minister Kholmuhammadzoda was clear what the government's priority was. "In the next seven years, energy [production] capacity in Tajikistan will increase by an additional 4,000 megawatts of electricity due to the commissioning of the Roghun hydroelectric power station and the reconstruction of other hydroelectric power stations, such as Norak, Sarband and Kairakkum," he said. So it's hydro or bust. Or perhaps, "hydro and bust." By RFEE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Researchers, top carmakers, and EV battery manufacturers have been looking to unlock the next game-changing technology to make safer and more durable batteries that can be recharged in minutessolid-state batteries. Many have claimed technological breakthroughs in recent months, and some of the worlds biggest legacy auto manufacturers are already drafting plans to begin mass production of solid-state batteries by the end of the decade. The (re)search for the holy grail of batteries, as scientists have dubbed solid batteries, has seen many breakthrough announcements in recent months. Still, the next phase of implementing the technology looks more elusive, at least for now. No one has claimed yet to have found the secret to scaling up solid state battery manufacturing to put such batteries in electric vehicles and prove that the lab experiments of the super powerful, superfast chargeable, and super safe battery could work outside labs. Solid Battery Breakthroughs Solid state batteries, as the name suggests, use solid electrolyte, unlike the dominant lithium-ion batteries, which have a liquid electrolyte with lithium salts. The solid battery offers much higher energy densitythey are packing more energy per volume or weight. Solid-state batteries also enable faster charging and can withstand wider temperature ranges than lithium-ion batteries. And last but not least, solid batteries can be made of cheaper materials. However, these batteries face their own set of hurdles to mass production. In the design stage, one of the biggest challenges has been how to prevent the formation of dendrites, needle-like crystals or metal whiskers that develop on the anode of the battery during charging. These dendrites can create a short circuit and reduce the safety and lifespan of a solid-state battery. Related: Two Countries That Could Break Putin's Gas Grip On Europe Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) believe they may have overcome the dendrites problem in solid batteries. Earlier this year, the scientists said they had developed a new lithium metal battery that can be charged and discharged at least 6,000 times more than any other pouch battery cell and can be recharged in a matter of minutes. In the new research, published in Nature Materials in January, the team led by Xin Li, Associate Professor of Materials Science at SEAS and senior author of the paper, were able to stop dendrites from forming. They have used micron-sized silicon particles in the anode to constrict the reaction and facilitate homogeneous plating of a thick layer of lithium metal. In the novel design, when lithium ions move during charging, the reaction is constricted at the shallow surface, and the ions attach to the surface of the silicon particle but dont penetrate further, the team said. In our design, lithium metal gets wrapped around the silicon particle, like a hard chocolate shell around a hazelnut core in a chocolate truffle, Li says. Lithium metal anode batteries are considered the holy grail of batteries because they have ten times the capacity of commercial graphite anodes and could drastically increase the driving distance of electric vehicles, the scientist noted. The researchers built a postage stamp-sized pouch cell version of the battery, which was found to retain 80% of its capacity after 6,000 cycles, outperforming other pouch cell batteries on the market today, they say. In separate research, scientists at the University of Liverpool in the UK have synthesized a solid material that rapidly conducts lithium ions and demonstrated it in a battery cell. According to the researchers who published their paper in the journal Science, the new material, which consists of non-toxic earth-abundant elements, has high enough lithium-ion conductivity to replace the liquid electrolytes in current lithium-ion battery technology, improving safety and energy capacity. Race to Launch Mass Production While scientists are working on the holy grail design, battery manufacturers and automakers, both in China and the West, are advancing their own solid battery projects. In China, a government-led initiative, China All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform (CASIP), has grouped together EV battery manufacturer CATL, electric vehicle maker BYD, and academia to work on revolutionizing the EV market with solid batteries, business publication Nikkei Asia reported last month. In Japan, Toyota said last year that recent technological advancements by Toyota have overcome the challenge of shorter battery life of solid batteries, and the company has switched its focus to putting solid-state batteries into mass production. Toyotas goal is to have a solid-state battery ready for commercial use by 2027-2028. ADVERTISEMENT We will be rolling out our electric vehicles with solid-state batteries in a couple of years from now, Vikram Gulati, the India head of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said earlier this year, as quoted by Reuters. PowerCo, the battery company of the Volkswagen Group, said earlier this year that the solid-state cell of U.S. company QuantumScape has significantly exceeded the requirements in the A-sample test and successfully completed more than 1,000 charging cycles. The final result of this development could be a battery cell that enables long ranges, can be charged super-quickly and practically does not age, PowerCo chief executive Frank Blome said. The next step on the way to series production is now to perfect and scale the manufacturing processes, Volkswagen noted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russian presidential elections take place on Friday and Saturday, with Putin (running unopposed in reality) wrapping up his campaign on Thursday. There are only three other candidates, and no one outside of Moscow has probably ever heard of them. Together, the three could potentially muster 20% of the vote at best, with a resilient economy further bolstering Putin despite Maduro is in trouble, and waiting to see if the U.S. will renew full-on oil and gas sanctions in April when the current conditional deal expires amid the Venezuelan leaders sidelining of the opposition ahead of this years elections. The pending return of sanctions has sent Venezuela back to Iran to repair relations that soured when Maduro couldnt make good on an oil swap deal, partly because when the U.S. eased sanctions, it redirected Venezuelan oil to cash buyers and away from the Iran swap obligations. Now Maduro is playing catch up on the deal to shore up relations with Iran when sanctions-lifting expires. Offshore Yemen, in the Red Sea shipping lane, it was status quo this week, with the Houthis launching a close-range ballistic missile targeting the USS Laboon, but missing the mark, while U.S. and allied forces continued to strike Houthi targets. At the same time, reports emerged of backdoor talks between Washington and Tehran, during which the former appealed to the latter to step in and convince the Houthis to cease and desist. Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict Offshore Yemen, in the Red Sea shipping lane, it was status quo this week, with the Houthis launching a close-range ballistic missile targeting the USS Laboon, but missing the mark, while U.S. and allied forces continued to strike Houthi targets. At the same time, reports emerged of backdoor talks between Washington and Tehran, during which the former appealed to the latter to step in and convince the Houthis to cease and desist. Maduro is in trouble, and waiting to see if the U.S. will renew full-on oil and gas sanctions in April when the current conditional deal expires amid the Venezuelan leaders sidelining of the opposition ahead of this years elections. The pending return of sanctions has sent Venezuela back to Iran to repair relations that soured when Maduro couldnt make good on an oil swap deal, partly because when the U.S. eased sanctions, it redirected Venezuelan oil to cash buyers and away from the Iran swap obligations. Now Maduro is playing catch up on the deal to shore up relations with Iran when sanctions-lifting expires. Russian presidential elections take place on Friday and Saturday, with Putin (running unopposed in reality) wrapping up his campaign on Thursday. There are only three other candidates, and no one outside of Moscow has probably ever heard of them. Together, the three could potentially muster 20% of the vote at best, with a resilient economy further bolstering Putin despite the war in Ukraine. Nonetheless, Putin has continued to intensify the nuclear rhetoric, which manages to rile the West every time it is pulled out of the empty threats hat. In Ukraine, Kyiv launched a series of damaging drone strikes on Russian refineries, taking products offline in the ensuing fires. Ukraine also fired more than half a dozen missiles at Russias Belgorod border region, killing at least two people, and attempting cross-border raids that the Russians claim have been wildly unsuccessful and deadly for the Ukrainian side. There will be no negotiating for the time being, with Dmitry Medvedev (Russian Security Council Deputy Chair) calling for a peaceful formula of the total elimination of the Ukrainian state and its reunification with Russia. Deals, Mergers and Acquisitions Kimmeridge proposed to combine Kimmeridge Texas Gas (KTG) and SilverBow Resources in a deal that values SilverBow Resources at around $2.1 billion including debt. The KTG assets have an equity value of $1.1 billion and an expected enterprise value of $1.4 billion at the closing of the proposed transaction. The geopolitical fallout of the Israel-Hamas war has claimed its first big oil deal victim, with the $2B Adnoc (UAE) and BP offer to buy a 50% stake in Israeli gas producer NewMed now on pause in a shock to NewMeds share price. Discovery & Development Chinas state-run Sinopec has completed the development of its submarine West Sichuan Gas Field and launched production. The 100-billion-cubic-meter field is part of Project Deep Earth and is the third such field of its size for Sinopec in the Sichuan basin. West Sichuan will produce 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. Sinopecs news comes just days after CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Company) made a massive deep-water oil discovery in the Kaiping South oilfield, which Beijing says will add more than 100 million tons of oil equivalent to the fields proved-in-place volume.